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GUANGZHOU, China, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The 57th China International Furniture Fair, set to open in March 2026, has announced its new theme, "CONNECT  CREATE", alongside a refreshed visual identity. As the global furniture ecosystem undergoes profound restructuring, the CIFF aims to connect all links of the industrial chainproduction, distribution, and consumptionto navigate transformation and unlock new value.

57th China International Furniture Fair (Guangzhou) Unveils New Theme CONNECT  CREATE and Visual Identity

The global furniture industry is rapidly evolving. Amid economic fluctuations and trade uncertainties, international buyers are increasingly turning to China. Chinese manufacturers are advancing innovation and R&D, supported by a robust and stable supply chain that ensures efficiency and resilience. Meanwhile, reliable quality, competitive pricing and customer-friendly services strengthen China's global appeal. At the consumer level, emerging trends such as social commerce, VR design, and omnichannel retail are redefining shopping experiences, alongside growing demand for smart, sustainable, senior-friendly, and pet-oriented furniture.

Under the new theme "CONNECT  CREATE," CIFF Guangzhou 2026 aims to meet industry needs and drive collaboration across the global furniture ecosystem. "CONNECT" underscores the industry's lifeline, linking people, goods, capital, and information as supply and value chains evolve. CIFF serves as a hub, integrating resources across production, distribution, and consumption.

"CREATE" reflects direction and momentum, enabling breakthroughs through innovation and synergy. By aligning market demands with upstream and downstream capabilities, CIFF fosters advancements in materials, craftsmanship, manufacturing and business modes, empowering every link of the industrial chain.

The new visual identity further embodies this vision. Drawing from CIFF's signature hexagonal logo, the refreshed design integrates the letters "C-I-F-F" into a unified visual symbol, enhanced by the texture of liquid metal. This "liquid aesthetic" captures both industrial strength and fluid adaptability, reflecting how the industry continuously evolves through dynamic connection and creative fusion. The ocean blue color base represents inclusiveness, depth, and stability, symbolizing an open ecosystem where innovation thrives.

Spanning 850,000 square meters and bringing together over 4,900 exhibitors, the CIFF Guangzhou 2026 will feature three major exhibitions: Home Furniture, Office and Commercial Space, CIFM/Interzum Guangzhou. Each section will highlight new trends, from contemporary design collaborations and smart sleep innovations to sustainable office concepts and advanced intelligent manufacturing.

As the global furniture industry moves into a new era of reconstruction, CIFF Guangzhou 2026 aims to serve as the connector and catalyst, linking innovation, resources, and ideas to create a more dynamic, sustainable, and interconnected future for the world of furniture.

SOURCE China International Furniture Fair (Guangzhou)
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The tomographic reconstruction shows the 3D architecture of RADs (red/yellow) and TDs (semi-transparent gray) in coral primary polyps grown under normal (pH 8.2, left picture) and conditions of severe ocean acidification (pH 7.6, right picture). Credit: Advanced Science (2025), DOI: 10.1002/advs.202508585

This summer, it was all over the media. Driven by the climate crisis, the oceans have now also passed a critical point: The absorption of CO 2 is making the oceans increasingly acidic.

The shells of certain sea snails are already showing the first signs of damage. But also the skeleton structures of coral reefs are deteriorating in more acidic conditions. This is especially concerning given that corals are already suffering from marine heat waves and pollution, which are leading to bleaching and finally to the death of entire reefs worldwide. But how exactly does ocean acidification affect reef structures?

Prof. Dr. Tali Mass, a marine biologist from the University of Haifa, Israel, is an expert on stony corals. Together with Prof. Dr. Paul Zaslansky, X-ray imaging expert from Charite Berlin, she investigated at BESSY II the skeleton formation in baby corals, raised under different pH conditions.

The research is published in the journal Advanced Science.

Antonia Rotger spoke online with the two experts about the results of their recent study and the future of coral reefs.

Cross-sections of a 3D tomogram of a coral skeleton reveal clear differences between the structure under normal conditions (left) and in a more acidic environment (right), as is expected in 2100 without climate protection measures.. Credit:Advanced Science (2025), DOI: 10.1002/advs.202508585

What types of corals did you examine?

Mass: These are coral larvae from colonies of the stony coral Stylophora pistillata from the Red Sea. We collected them ourselves during spawning nights in April 2020 at a depth of a few meters. They come from the reef next to the Interuniversity Institute of Marine Sciences in the Gulf of Eilat, Israel.

We allowed these larvae to grow in our environment simulators aquaria system for several weeks and exposed them to different pH-conditions. Some tanks contained normal seawater, while others replicated conditions that simulated acidity predicted at the end of this century, assuming no climate protection measures are taken worldwide.

This scenario, known as RCP8.5, is associated with significant acidification and global temperature increase of four degrees or more, expected to cause major global disruption. In this context, corals are giving us a window into a potential, bleak future.

Tali Mass is an experienced diver. Here she is securing the nets to collect planula larvae after the corals have spawned. Credit: Hagai Nativ

Stony corals in the Red Sea are rich ecosystems, hosting various fish and other marine organisms. The reef is formed by countless coral animals (polyps). The corals live symbiotically with certain algae, which give them their vibrant color. Credit: Tali Mass

How does such a complex skeletal structure grow?

Mass: Each individual coral animal creates the structure by secreting mineral calcium carbonate The survival of the corals depends on the formation of a robust skeleton during these early stages of life, persisting into adulthood.

Zaslansky: The skeleton consists of two different components: calcification centers, known as RADs, and fiber-like structures, known as TDs. RADs are made up of granular calcium carbonate, while TDs consist of densely packed, elongated crystals, primarily aragonite. Curiously, and despite much progress, much about the process of skeleton growth remains unclear. For example, it is widely assumed that the RADs formed first and then the TDs attach and grow outward.

Why do these details matter?

Mass: Detailed knowledge of coral calcification is important for a basic understanding about coral biomineralization, but also for predicting the future and finding ways to intervene. With scientifically rigorous knowledge, we might be able to come up with protection strategies which we then also could test in the field. At the same time, it is simply fascinating to explore how such widespread and evolutionarily important complex skeletal architectures arise in nature. This might even be an inspiration for the development of new materials.

How could you examine the formation of the skeletons?

Zaslansky: At the BAMline at BESSY II, we found a way to directly visualize, in three dimensions, where and when coral mineral phases were formed. With contrast enhanced and absorption tomographic imaging and careful AI assisted analysis of the large data, we quantified the samples in great detail.

The results were quite unexpected. To ensure that they were real, we validated our findings by combining various methods: high-resolution synchrotron X-ray CT, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) mapping. This allowed us to distinguish different mineral phases in order to decipher their composition and to understand their three-dimensional growth dynamics. We also used Monte Carlo simulations in order to interpret the results correctly.

Magnified views reveal a change in distribution of RADs between the different pH conditions, today (left) and in a possible RCP8.5 szenario (right). Credit: Advanced Science (2025), DOI: 10.1002/advs.202508585

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What did you find out?

Zaslansky: Indeed, we can now better describe, in a quantitative manner, the skeleton structure, including the mineral composition of TDs and RADs. Our data show that RADs and TDs form simultaneously, not sequentially as it was assumed. This sheds light on how corals adapt to the environment in which they grow. We observed significant differences in growth patterns under normal and acidified ocean conditions.

Under severe acidification, which means a pH of 7.6, RADs become underdeveloped, reducing the stability of the skeleton. At the same time, we observed that both TDs and RADs have a higher density under acidic conditions than under normal conditions. This suggest that the coral animals may be adapting the crystals that they produce. This is fascinating.

What do you expect for the future? Will coral reefs still exist?

Mass: Our results show that the effects of ocean acidification on coral skeleton formation are more complex than previously thought. Whether this will be enough to ensure their survival is highly questionable. So far, the corals in the Red Sea have been impressively resilient to heat waves, but this might change if global warming and acidification continue. We can clearly see that lower pH leads to less stability, which is definitely an additional stress factor. We urgently need effective climate protection measures to prevent the worst-case scenarios.

More information: Federica Scucchia et al, 4D Insights into Coral Biomineralization: Effects of Ocean Acidification on the Early Skeleton Development of a Stony Coral, Advanced Science (2025). DOI: 10.1002/advs.202508585 Journal information: Advanced Science
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Auditors play a crucial role in keeping the financial system honest. Their job is to protect investors by making sure financial reports are accurate and trustworthy, helping people have confidence in financial markets.

Auditors are trained to be level-headed, impartial watchdogs that remain skeptical when evaluating evidence so they can give an objective opinion on whether a company's financial statements are fairly reported.

Without auditors, the public would struggle to trust what companies say about their finances. But this, of course, depends on auditors doing their jobs objectively and consistently.

Our new study, co-authored with Tim Bauer from the University of Waterloo and Sean Hillison from Virginia Tech, shows something unexpectedly human gets in the way of auditors doing their job well: incivility, or rudeness. When clients snap at, dismiss or belittle auditors, it doesn't just stingit can wear away at audit quality.

Maintaining audit quality

The quality of audits has become a growing concern among regulators. In recent years, both Canadian and American audit watchdogs have reported concerning rates of audit deficiencies.

These deficiencies include failing to properly test accounting estimates by firms, failing to test key controls that prevent errors or fraud and overlooking whether management's significant assumptions were reasonable.

Regulators are urging auditors to "step up" by doing a better job of scrutinizing their financial statements.

Understanding and addressing how client incivility affects auditor performance could be a crucial step toward improving audit quality in financial reporting.

When rudeness gets in the way

To find out how often auditors face incivility, my co-researchers and I surveyed 70 auditors across Canada and the United States at all ranks, from entry-level auditors to auditors at the partner level.

We defined incivility as minor disrespectful actions that break workplace norms of mutual respect. These behaviors are often rude and discourteous, displaying a lack of regard for others.

We found that auditors don't experience incivility from time-to-timethey experience it a lot. Ninety percent of auditors said they had encountered negative client behavior at some point in their careers.

Seventy-seven percent said clients had rudely told them how to do their jobs or questioned their procedures. More than 60 percent had their skills or abilities questioned and more than 50 percent had been ignored or faced hostility when approaching a client. One-third reported being bullieda more serious form of incivilityat some point in their career.

Rude clients, weaker audits

We wanted to know whether auditors' experiences with incivility actually affected auditors' judgment and skepticism. Did auditors brush off rude behavior and continue to diligently do their work?

To test this, we ran an experiment with 114 experienced auditors. We asked them to read a scenario showing an interaction between an auditor and their client. In one version the client was openly rude, while in the other version, the client was not portrayed as rude.

The auditors were then asked how likely they would be to challenge an aggressive accounting choicethat is, a decision by the client to report a preferred inventory write-down amount supported by weak assumptions.

We found that auditors who read about a scenario with an uncivil client became less likely to challenge an obviously aggressive accounting choice by the clientthe opposite of what auditing standards call for in a situation where skepticism matters.

Why did this happen? Our findings suggest that emotional distress from interacting with the rude client interfered with auditors' judgment, leading to less effective scrutiny of the client's decisions.

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How active coping can help

Auditors play a vital role in protecting investors and the public by ensuring that companies' financial statements can be trusted. Our findings suggest that something as commonplace as everyday discourtesy can have very real, negative effects on audit quality.

But there is some good news. Our research also found that the right coping strategies can help auditors recover their focus.

When auditors were encouraged to use an active coping approachlike looping in a senior colleague to intervene with the situationtheir willingness to push back against the aggressive accounting choice largely returned to normal levels. Active coping prevented the distress of the rude exchange from interfering with auditors' judgment.

By contrast, passive approaches, such as venting or trying to accept the situation, didn't show the same clear benefit.

Together, these results suggest that client incivility triggers emotional distress that blunts auditors' judgment, and that active coping helps auditors refocus on the facts and their duty to the public.

Protecting audit quality

For firms and regulators trying to maintain audit quality, negative behavior from clients should be treated as a risk factor, not a normal, everyday inconvenience. If left unaddressed, persistent rudeness or pressure from clients can undermine auditors' ability to do their jobs.

Fortunately, the solution is simple and low-cost. Audit firms can equip auditors with concrete coping playbooks and train them to use active coping when they encounter incivility. Rather than expecting auditors to grin and bear rude treatment, firms can equip them to address incivility actively by bringing in a senior member who can handle the rude client.

It's a simple step that helps prevent audit quality from slowly deteriorating, and protects the integrity of financial reporting and the people responsible for upholding it.

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Dr. Raul Cano, a Cal Poly professor emeritus in biological sciences, meets with students Safiya Rufino (left) and Kaitlyn Calligan in a university lab where the students are conducting research on ancient bacteria in biochemistry Professor Katharine Watts' lab. Credit: Cal Poly, Joe Johnston

A quest to discover new antibiotics is taking a Cal Poly biochemistry research team back in time millions of years as they study ancient microorganisms.

Research led by Cal Poly biochemistry Professor Katharine Watts and Frost Teacher-Scholar Postdoctoral Fellow Rachel Johnson involves intensive study of a library of ancient microbial strains that are approximately 25 to 40 million years old.

Cal Poly Professor Emeritus Raul Cano, who once worked with the scientist who inspired Michael Crichton's "Jurassic Park," donated his collection of 93 prehistoric bacteria strains to Watts for research. The collection includes strains extracted from amber, as well as other sources such as ocean floor sediment samples from the Gulf of Mexico.

The Bailey College of Science and Mathematics team hopes the work will provide insights into potential benefits for modern medicine.

"It's extremely exciting to have this rare chance to work with a treasure trove of ancient bacteria, which could be very different from those living in the modern environment," Watts said.

"The majority of antibiotics on the market were originally discovered from bacteria that naturally produce them. Our goal is to screen which ancient strains may produce something like an antibiotic and then gather genomic information that can help us understand how it's being made."

A close-up image of ancient bacteria grown in a Petri dish to study a strain that is millions of years old. Credit: Cal Poly, Joe Johnston

Their research comes amid the rise of antibiotic-resistant pathogens that can render medications ineffective in treating diseases such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections, sepsis, skin inflammations, foodborne illnesses and others.

Many scientists are seeking new antibiotic molecules that could target pathogenic bacteria that have become resistant to existing drugs. The key could be investigating underexplored microbes, like those from the ancient library, for antibiotic production.

Another goal of the research is to gain a deeper understanding of antibiotic resistance.

"We're also testing these ancient microbes for their ability to survive modern antibiotic compounds," Johnson said. "Through these screenings, we can go back in history and ask, "What were they resistant to back then?"

Scientists have successfully cultured over 30 microbes and are checking whether the compounds they make act as antibiotics against lab-safe bacteria that mimic disease-causing pathogens.

The researchers have already identified seven strains of bacteria that exhibit antibacterial activity, but the chemical structures of the antibiotic molecules must still be determined. Another strain showed resistance against a known antibiotic, called apramycin, which is used in veterinary medicine to treat infections in animals.

Bacteria protect themselves against antibiotics they produce; so it is possible that the strain produces apramycin or another closely related molecule. It may have evolved resistance against apramycin for another reason. Genetic analyses will help point to structures of these antibiotic compounds, as well as potential resistance mechanisms.

The Cal Poly research team that is exploring ancient bacteria includes (from left) Safiya Rufino, Rachel Johnson, Raul Cano, Katharine Watts and Kaitlyn Calligan. Credit: Cal Poly, Joe Johnston

The unusual opportunity arose because Cano collected the strains decades ago. Cano isolated microorganisms from the guts of bees and soil trapped in ancient amber, highlighted in a 2009 article in WIRED magazine that reported on his extractions from fossilized amber. Cano used ancient yeast as an ingredient in a craft beer that he called Fossil Fuels.

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Cano became interested in extracting DNA from fossils after working with George Poinar, an entomologist whose work inspired author Michael Crichton to publish the science-fiction novel "Jurassic Park" in 1990. In 1993, Cano and Poinar collaborated with other scientists to extract DNA from a 125-million-year-old Lebanese weevil (a small beetle with a long snout) preserved in amber.

Cano's collection includes over 40 different strains of bacteria from amber, which are stored at a temperature of negative 80 C (112 F). The bacteria are grown near room temperature with traditional nutrients for modern lab bacteria for ongoing studies.

The goal of the current Cal Poly research is to predict the types of molecules the strains might produce based on their genetic sequences. Antibiotics are small molecules that target or disrupt vital processes in harmful bacterial cells when used to treat an infection.

While the Cal Poly team is in the research and discovery stages, there are currently no plans to design a drug, which would likely require significant additional financial investment and industry partnerships, as well as further scientific study. But the research could provide new structures for antibiotic development and clues into how resistance mechanisms arise.

Cal Poly biochemistry Professor Katharine Watts examines ancient bacteria grown in a Petri dish as part of research. Cal Poly students Safiya Rufino (left) and Kaitlyn Callign look on. Credit: Cal Poly, Joe Johnston

"Working with bacteria strains from millions of years ago is surreal," said Safiya Rufino, a microbiology major and a BEACoN Research Scholar.

"These bacteria samples have lived during a time we can only know through carbon dating. It also makes me wonder how it would be to one day be revived millions of years in the future, how would I react, would I still be able to function as I once did, as these bacteria are able to?"

Microbiology major and BEACoN Research Scholar Kaitlyn Calligan added, "It's really fun to have so many various strains of bacteria at our disposal. They include bright yellow, pink, matte white, or have interesting colony formations. Researching them truly is never boring."
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Every day, people and all other living organisms are potentially exposed to dozens or even hundreds of chemicalsfrom plastics and pesticides to cosmetics and cleaning agents. While each chemical may individually meet safety standards, their combined effects can quietly add up.

A new policy brief published in Science argues that current chemical regulations fail to reflect this reality and systematically underestimate the risks from these "chemical cocktails."

The authors, led by Professor Thomas Backhaus from the University of Gothenburg and RWTH Aachen University, call on European policymakers to take a decisive step to regulate mixtures. They suggest that the EU integrate a Mixture Allocation Factor (MAF) into the upcoming revision of the EU's REACH Regulation, which governs the registration, evaluation, and authorization of chemicals.

"Chemical safety cannot be guaranteed by assessing substances one by one," Backhaus explains. "We urgently need a system that acknowledges that we live in the presence of complex mixtures."

Why mixtures matter

Research shows that mixtures of chemicals, even when each is present below its regulatory limit, can still harm health and ecosystems. The combined exposure can exceed what scientists call the "safe space." Studies on reproductive disorders, for example, reveal that real-world mixtures of pesticides and plasticizers can cause developmental damage in animals at levels far below official thresholds. Similar evidence has been accumulating in environmental research, where it is shown to interact in complex but predictable ways.

The team of authors points out that the concentration addition principle, long used for dioxin-like pollutants, is a scientifically proven way to estimate the combined effects of multiple chemicals. Ignoring mixture toxicity, they argue, contradicts both empirical evidence and basic biology. Cells and organs do not act in isolation, and neither do chemicals.

The Mixture Allocation Factor

To translate this insight into policy, the authors propose the Mixture Allocation Factor. The idea is that each chemical occupies a fraction of an overall "risk cup." The cup represents the total amount of chemical pressure that humans or ecosystems can safely tolerate. By adjusting the fraction that each substance may contribute, regulators can ensure the cup never overflows.

Importantly, the MAF would not penalize manufacturers of low-risk chemicals. Only those substances that dominate the risk would face stricter control measures or emission reductions. This targeted approach would enable more realistic protection without overwhelming bureaucracy.

A pragmatic step forward

The European Commission's Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability has already recognized the need for such a mechanism, and several EU Member Statesincluding Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Luxembourgsupport the inclusion of a MAF in REACH.

"It's time chemical risk management catches up with what biology and environmental science have long shown," Backhaus says. "A more mixture-aware REACH would improve the protection of both human health and the environment, while supporting innovation in the chemical industry."

More information: Thomas Backhaus, Include a mixture allocation factor to improve EU chemical risk management, Science (2025). DOI: 10.1126/science.aeb6374. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aeb6374 Journal information: Science
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

November 2025 marks 100 years since archaeologists first examined Tutankhamun's mummified remains. What followed wasn't scientific triumphit was destruction. Using hot knives and brute force, Howard Carter's team decapitated the pharaoh, severed his limbs and dismembered his torso. Then they covered it up.

Tutankhamun's tomb was first discovered in the Valley of the Kings by a team of mostly Egyptian excavators led by Howard Carter in November 1922. However, it took several years for the excavators to clear and catalog the tomb's antechamberthe first part of what would become a decade-long excavation.

This meticulous work, as well as delays caused by friction between Carter and the Egyptian government, meant that it wasn't until 1925 that Tutankhamun's remains were uncovered. This milestone whipped up another wave of what has been termed "Tutmania" after the tomb's initial discovery generated a wave of popular fascination for Egyptian archaeology.

When Carter's team eventually opened Tutankhamun's innermost coffin, they found the pharaoh's body fused to the casket by a hardened, black, pitch-like substance. This resin was poured over the wrappings during burial to protect the body from decay.

Carter described the corpse as "firmly stuck" and noted that "no amount of legitimate force" could free it. In a desperate attempt to soften the resin and remove the body, the coffin was exposed to the heat of the sun. When this failed, the team resorted to hot knives, severing Tutankhamun's head and funerary mask from his body in the process.

The autopsy that followed was devastating. Tutankhamun was left "decapitated, his arms separated at the shoulders, elbows and hands, his legs at the hips, knees and ankles, and his torso cut from the pelvis at the iliac crest". His remains were later glued together to simulate an intact bodya macabre reconstruction that concealed the violence of the process.

Egyptologist Joyce Tyldesley has pointed out that this destruction is conspicuously absent from Carter's public account of the autopsy. It is also absent from his private excavation records, which are available at the University of Oxford's Griffith Institute and online.

Tyldesley suggests that Carter's silence may reflect either a deliberate cover-up or a respectful attempt to preserve the dignity of the deceased king. His omissions, however, were documented in photos by the archaeological photographer Harry Burton. These shots offer a stark visual record of the dismemberment.

In some of Burton's images, Tutankhamun's skull is visibly impaled to keep it upright for photography. These images sit in grim contrast to the one Carter chose for the second volume of his work detailing the excavations, The Tomb of Tut-Ankh-Amen, published in 1927. In this sanitized image, the pharaoh's head is wrapped in fabric, concealing the severed spinal column, presenting a more palatable view for public consumption.

As we reflect on the centenary of this examination, it is worth reconsidering the legacy of Carter's excavation, not just as a landmark in Egyptology, but as a moment of ethical reckoning. The mutilation of Tutankhamun's body, obscured in official narratives, invites us to challenge narratives of archaeological triumph and to look back on the past with a more critical view.

"Today has been a great day in the history of archaeology," Carter wrote in his excavation diary on November 11 1925, when the medical examination of Tutankhamun's remains began. But the archival evidence suggests something far more morally complicated, even grisly, lying behind the seductive glint of gold.

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Structural characterizations of prepared materials. Credit: Nature Physics (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41567-025-03057-7

Phonons are sound particles or quantized vibrations of atoms in solid materials. The Debye model, a theory introduced by physicist Peter Debye in 1912, describes the contribution of phonons to the specific heat of materials and explains why the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of solids drops sharply at low temperatures.

The Debye model assumes that vibrational frequencies are continuously distributed in a solid material. Past studies, however, found that when phonons have particularly short wavelengths, some anomalies can emerge.

The first of these reported anomalies, the so-called Van Hove singularity (VHS), is characterized by sharp features in the vibrational density of states (DOS) observed in crystals. The second, known as a boson peak, entails a significant excess in the DOS in amorphous solids or glasses.

Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Xi'an Jiaotong University recently introduced a new unified model that could explain both these anomalies in the vibrational behavior of solids. This framework, presented in a paper published in Nature Physics, could open new possibilities for the study of quantized vibrations in both ordered and disordered solids.

"The Debye theory treats low-frequency phonons as elastic waves in a continuous medium, deriving that the low-frequency vibrational density of states (VDOS) is proportional to the square of the frequency, thus quantitatively explaining the cubic law for low-temperature specific heat capacity," Gan Ding, first author of the paper, told Phys.org.

"Yet it has two major limitations. First, when the wavelength approaches the lattice, the long-range periodicity of the lattice leads to a singularity in the VDOS, known as the VHS. Second, in amorphous solids without long-range periodicity, low-frequency phonons deviate from the Debye prediction, resulting in an excess in the VDOS, known as the BP."

Explaining both reported vibrational anomalies

The primary objective of the recent work by Ding and his colleagues was thus to explain both VHS and BP, while also shedding light on the relationship between these two anomalies. To do this, the team first developed a new mathematical model that treats vibrations in solids as "elastic" phonons that resonate with local modes.

Unified theory of phonon in solids: (a) Non-Debye anomaly panoramic phase diagram of BP and VHS. (b) Validation with low-temperature specific heat data from 143 real solids. Credit: Ding et al.

"A phonon is a 'quasiparticle' that exhibits wave-particle duality," explained Ding.

"Starting with the phonon propagation and scattering, we theoretically derived the damping behavior and nonlinear dispersion for multi-degree-of-freedom vibrational system. This led to an analytical expression for the VDOS that unifies the description of both ordered crystals and disordered glasses."

Using the mathematical model they introduced, the authors constructed a phase diagram that describes variations in the vibrational anomalies of materials depending on their elastic behavior, stiffness and density. Notably, this phase diagram is applicable to both previously reported anomalies that are not explained by the Debye model.

"We provided a clear framework for identifying the VHS, BP and their coexistence," said Ding.

"The validity of the unified model of phonons is further supported by a comparison with experimental heat capacity data from a wide range of real solids, encompassing 143 crystalline and glassy materials. Our paper not only clarifies the physical origin of the BP and its relationship with the VHS but also deepens the fundamental understanding of the elastic limits of solids as continuous media."

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Guiding future research and material designs

The predictions made by the researchers' model were found to be aligned with earlier experimental observations of vibrational anomalies in a wide range of solid materials. In the future, their model could help to gather important insight into the emergence of these anomalies within various materials.

The team's unified framework could also inform the design of new materials with low thermal conductivity, such as glasses and high-entropy alloys, which could have valuable technological applications. Concurrently, it could be used to study quantum properties that amorphous solids exhibit at low temperatures, such as superconductivity.

"In future research, we plan to apply this theoretical model to tackle ongoing controversies in condensed matter physics, such as the low-frequency non-phononic behavior of amorphous solids in the continuous medium limit, the anomalies in low-temperature thermal conductivity and even superconductivity," added Ding.

Written for you by our author Ingrid Fadelli, 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: Gan Ding et al, Unified theory of phonon in solids with phase diagram of non-Debye anomalies, Nature Physics (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41567-025-03057-7. Journal information: Nature Physics

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Efforts to join up isolated plant and animal habitats across the world should also protect against unintentionally harming them, new research shows.

The paper, led by the Universities of Leeds and Oxford and published today in Nature Reviews Biodiversity, states that work to connect fragmented wildlife habitats is essentialbut it may also pose ecological risks including the unintentional spread of wildlife diseases and invasive species.

Wildlife or ecological corridors are areas of land connecting isolated habitats, allowing animals and plants to move, adapt and survive. They are essential for promoting biodiversity and enabling populations to breed and increase in number and diversity. Examples include the European Green Belt, a 12,500km corridor of habitats linking protected areas across 24 countries, and Banff National Park's wildlife crossings in Canada, where a network of overpasses and underpasses has reduced vehicle collisions with elk and deer by more than 95%, allowing them to move safely between areas.

Lead author Dr. Josh Firth, Associate Professor of Behavioral Ecology in the University of Leeds' School of Biology, said, "Building a well-connected world is essential for biodiversity. But when making decisions about how best to protect, restore and create habitat links, we need to incorporate potential risks so that we can prioritize the links that deliver the strongest overall gains for nature."

Using several recent studies, the authors assessed emerging evidence of the potential negative impacts of connecting habitats for wild populations.

Previous research has linked increasing habitat connectivity with the spread of diseases such as amphibian chytridiomycosis. Caused by chytrid fungus, it is threatening amphibian species across Europe and North America.

Senior author Dr. Sarah Knowles, in the University of Oxford's Department of Biology, said, "Connectivity often helps populations persist, yet it can also create pathways for pathogens. Recent studies on African swine fever in wild boar show that disease can move more quickly through linked landscapes, illustrating the importance of considering transmission risks."

The authors also point to a variety of other risks that creating habitat connections can bring, such as wildfire spread, where corridors act as 'fuel pathways' that elevate fire frequency and extent:

The researchers make several recommendations of cost-reduction strategies for consideration when designing and implementing biodiversity corridors in high-risk settings:

Prevent disease by building in basic disease surveillance and hygiene, including the ability to temporarily close corridors during outbreaks and using carcass removal or vaccination strategies.

Inhibit invasive species by treating proposed new links as potential invasion pathways, and running pre-project risk checks as well as planning early detection and rapid responses. Where suitable, using habitat filters that favor native species and deter likely invaders.

Avert disturbances such as wildfires in high-risk areas by designing corridors with breaks and buffers, less-flammable strips, and use local risk modeling (including seasonal patterns) to avoid creating spread.

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The paper states that the same tools already used to plan habitat links, such as modern mapping, animal tracking and large-scale biodiversity monitoring, can also flag where extra care is needed, and calls for further work to improve understanding of when and where costs arise.

Co-author Dr. Ivan Jaric, of Universite Paris-Saclay, said, "Reconnecting areas brings clear ecological benefits, but as environments change various risks can emerge. For instance, removing dams to restore connectivity in the Elwha River in Washington, U.S., has helped biodiversity including by reviving native fish populations, but it has also increased the downstream spread and growth of several invasive plant species.

"It's a useful example of how new connections can sometimes open routes for unwanted species, and why strategies should be considered to mitigate negative effects."

More information: Josh A. Firth et al, Consider the costs of connectivity when creating a well-connected Earth, Nature Reviews Biodiversity (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s44358-025-00110-4 Journal information: Nature Reviews Biodiversity
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: Pavel Danilyuk from Pexels

Well-being and school results are interconnected, but some children simply do not enjoy school. So what can we do to make school a happier experience for more children?

Professor Hermundur Sigmundsson works at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU's) Department of Psychology and has spent many years conducting research on learning and schooling.

He and his colleagues are currently carrying out a project in Vestmannaeyjar in Iceland. Among other things, they have investigated whether more physical activity early in the day and a passion project class at the end of the school day affect how much the youngest children enjoy school.

The researchers therefore gave children in Years 1 to 3 at the primary school in Vestmannaeyjar more physical education and opportunities to choose activities at the end of the school daysomething they called the "passion project class."

More physical education = greater well-being

"In Iceland, children in primary and lower secondary school normally have two hours of physical education and one hour of swimming per week. But the children in our study were given two additional hours of physical activity per week," said Sigmundsson.

That corresponds to around 72 school hours over the course of a school year. The researchers believe that this will increase the children's well-being.

'Passion project classes' are even more popular

Increasing physical activity is not the only measure the research group has implemented. Previously, they also introduced "passion project classes."

"Physical education and the additional two hours of physical activity are scheduled at the beginning of the day. The pupils also have a passion project class at the end of every school day," explained Sigmundsson.

In the passion project class, the pupils can choose among activities such as painting, music, crafts, sewing and knitting, and food and health. On Fridays, the passion project class ends with singing and dancing.

"Physical activity and the passion project class are the subjects the children both enjoy the most and feel they master the best," said Sigmundsson.

The passion project class is the most popular and gives the greatest sense of mastery among all the school subjects.

This holistic approach, which includes both extra physical activity and the passion project class, seems to be working.

"Our pupils score significantly higher on the question "Do you enjoy school?" than a control group of Norwegian children," added Sigmundsson.

'Ignite the spark' increased literacy

The program is part of "Kveikjum neistann" (Ignite the Spark)an Icelandic educational research project with a holistic approach to schoolwork, developed by Sigmundsson.

"This is the fifth year at Grunnskoli Vestmannaeyjar school and the third year at Lindaskoli school," said Sigmundsson.

This study included 146 Icelandic pupils, and 1185 children were included in the Norwegian control group.

Increased well-being is by no means the only good result the researchers have achieved. The children have also become better at reading, which is a foundation for improved performance in many subjects.

"With focused training, good support and assessment, all the children in our project manage to crack the reading code by the end of their first year of school," Sigmundsson said.

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Orders from above

Norway's Minister of Education Kari Nessa Nordtun has called for measures that can increase well-being in primary and lower secondary school, motivate pupils, and include more arts and crafts in the school day.

"This is exactly what we are working on in Ignite the Spark," said Sigmundsson.

Three schools in Norway have now introduced additional physical activity and passion project classes every day, and two schools are implementing the "I CAN/We CAN' intervention. In addition, the MOT (Show Courage) session implements the "I CAN" program for 16,000 Year 10 pupils each year.

Even though the project in Iceland still has five years left to run, the researchers have already identified several factors that can make the school day both more enjoyable and more effective for the children involved.

More information: Hermundur Sigmundsson, Ignition project in Iceland: Exploring well-being, safety, enjoyment and perceived competence in school subjects in children from 6 to 9 years of age, Acta Psychologica (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105654
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BELTON, Texas, Nov. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Armor Health (ArmorHealthcare.com), a leading national provider of integrated correctional healthcare, was awarded a new contract to deliver its quality Integrated Medical and Mental Health Services to the Bell County Jail Facilities in Belton, TX, and the Juvenile Detention Center in Killeen, TX. The company was awarded the new contract after a competitive RFP process. Armor began its service in the first quarter of 2025.

"This exciting opportunity to partner with the Bell County Commissioners, along with the Sheriff's Office and Juvenile Detention leadership team furthers Armor's focus on growth in Texas," says Otto Campo, CEO of Armor Health. "Serving Bell County Jail and Juvenile Detention patients and the surrounding community provides our company with a foundation for this planned growth across the state".

Campo adds, "We commend Bell County leadership's forward-thinking approach which parallels Armor's focus on utilizing data combined with top-tier clinical service to deliver best patient outcomes." Armor employs its proprietary technology Insights Analytics to deliver on its mission to provide the type of patient care expected outside the walls of a correctional facility to the underserved in jails and prisons. Armor's programs focus on each patient we care for and on the incarcerated patient's physical and mental well-being. "We are committed to providing Armor's highly skilled, passionate, and laser-focused behavioral health professionals in Bell County to further enhance the results that we know make an important difference in the lives of our patients," says Campo.

About Armor Health

Armor Health is a leading provider of correctional healthcare services providing quality care to local correctional facilities across the country for more than 21 years. Every day, Armor provides evidence-based medical and behavioral health services revolutionizing the healthcare landscape utilizing its proprietary Insights Analytics, risk scoring and predictive modeling. Powered by modern AI solutions from its partnership with Antidote-AI our AI clinical tools, and our expert clinicians provide a laser focus on best-in-class interventions to deliver the right care, at the right time, in the right place to every patient we serve.

CONTACT: [email protected]

SOURCE Armor Health
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Woman wanted for defrauding American vacation property owners extradited from Mexico

Leon, Guanajuato  A woman wanted for defrauding American vacation property owners in Mexico has been extradited. The woman was handed over to U.S. officials for her return to the U.S. where she will face a string of charges.

According to the State Attorney of the Republic (FGR), the Government of Mexico granted the extradition request of Martha J to the Government of the United States for her return to the federal District Court of Colombia, Washington.

She was arrested in October of 2023 in the Mexican state of Guanajuato on charges of criminal association, fraud, identity theft and money laundering. She was held in Mexican prison more than two years while her extradition paperwork was processed.

In a statement, the FGR reported that Martha J, as part of a criminal organization, defrauded people residing in the United States who owned vacation properties in Mexico, for approximately 527 million pesos.

She was arrested in October 2023 in Leon, Guanajuato. Subsequently, the Mexican government granted her extradition and she was handed over at the Mexico City International Airport to the agents designated for her transfer.
Former radio DJ Daniel Ong says he has not been involved with Twelve Cupcakes since selling the business in 2016. (Photo: SethLui.com)

Former radio DJ Daniel Ong has revealed that he has been receiving online abuse following the sudden closure of Twelve Cupcakes.

Ong, with his then-wife Jaime Teo, founded Twelve Cupcakes in 2011 but sold the business to Indian tea company The Dhunseri Group in 2016. In October, Twelve Cupcakes retrenched about 80 staff after it was placed under provisional liquidation.

"I really hope to set the record straight that I havent been involved in any way since the sale of the business," Ong told the Straits Times. "It was really unfortunate how everything unfolded, and my heart goes out to everybody affected."

The ex-radio personality has been involved in several F&B ventures since selling Twelve Cupcakes but has not been in any contact with the new owners. "So I was pretty shocked, just like everybody else, about the news," he said.

Ong added: I get a lot of messages on social media saying, how could I do such a thing? And just to set the record straight, I havent been involved in the business for almost a decade now. So yeah, I hope the abuse can stop.

What's Daniel Ong up to now? You can read more of his interview in the link to ST.
Optima is an AI-native learning platform and joins DataCamp at a time of great momentum for the company, which is cashflow positive and expects to cross the $100 million ARR milestone in 2026.

Optima founder and CEO, Yusuf Saber appointed as Chief AI Officer and will lead DataCamp's global AI operations from the UAE

DataCamp to provide UAE educators, students and government employees free access to select DataCamp content for the first time in the Middle East

Optima previously raised $1.1m from COTU Ventures and prominent angel investors including founders and senior executives from Careem, Kitopi, Talabat, and Docebo.

DUBAI, UAE, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- DataCamp, the leading online learning platform for data and AI skill building, announced today that it has completed the acquisition of Dubai-based Optima, an AI-native learning platform for building data and AI skills. Optima founder and CEO Yusuf Saber will join DataCamp as Chief AI Officer, with the rest of the company's employees joining DataCamp as part of the deal.

Jonathan Cornelissen, co-founder & CEO - DataCamp and Yusuf Saber, Chief AI Officer, DataCamp (PRNewsfoto/DataCamp)

Optima's AI-native learning experience adjusts itself in real time, tailoring how it paces a lesson, explains concepts and gives feedback to each learner's individual profile. Optima's and DataCamp's platforms are used by leading Middle Eastern tech brands such as Talabat and Careem, and large enterprises such as ADQ. It helps these companies keep one-step ahead of the extraordinary pace of the AI evolution and the rapidly evolving data demands on today's workforce.

Optima technology is already powering key curriculum in the DataCamp platform, and premium subscribers can opt for the AI-native experience in many of the company's top courses. Optima's technology will be integrated across more of the platform over the next six months, further supercharging DataCamps's existing library and net new curriculum.

"Optima was built in the UAE to embed intelligence directly into the learning experience, so we can intuitively adjust each lesson to who a learner is and what they already know, and equip them to succeed in the global AI economy. From our first conversation with the DataCamp team, it was clear how much our visions aligned," said Yusuf Saber, founder and CEO of Optima. "By bringing Optima's AI-native learning experience into DataCamp's global platform, and by creating free access for government employees, educators, and students, we have an opportunity to set a new standard for how people in the country learn online."

Optima previously raised $1.1 million in seed funding from COTU Ventures, a leading early-stage investor known for its hands-on partnership and strong track record of backing the region's most ambitious founders from their first cheque. The seed round also included prominent angel investors, among them founders and senior executives from Careem, Kitopi, Talabat, and Docebo.

Prioritising Free Access to Data and AI Courses to Upskill the UAE

The UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031 aims to position the country as a global leader in AI by prioritising the development of local talent and widespread upskilling initiatives. The strategy's ambitious goals focus on building a highly skilled workforce capable of driving innovation, ensuring that UAE government employees and students are equipped with the cutting-edge capabilities needed in the evolving AI economy.

DataCamp Classrooms will be launched in the UAE, giving educators and students free access to a library of more than 500 courses covering Python, SQL, Power BI, Java, Machine Learning, Cloud Computing, and more. DataCamp will also make its popular "Intro to AI" course free for six months for all UAE Government employees and students.

Demand from Global Enterprises Powers Business Growth

The exploding field of AI requires that companies constantly invest in upskilling their employees. DataCamp has established itself as a leader in the market by providing an engaging, modern learning experience that covers both general concepts and hands-on instruction in building with new AI tools. Acquiring Optima makes DataCamp even more indispensable for large enterprises looking to future-proof their workforces.

DataCamp's acquisition of Optima accelerates its market leadership at a time of considerable momentum for the company. DataCamp is cashflow positive and expects to cross $100 million in annualized recurring revenue before the end of 2026. It has 18 million learners on its platform, with employees from 80 percent of the Fortune 1000 represented among its learner base. It has a booming B2B business with 6,000 customers, currently growing at close to 30% year-over-year, serving some of the largest names in technology (Google, Uber), finance (including the top four largest US banks), retail and manufacturing (Nike, Stanley, Black & Decker), and the pharmaceutical industry (Roche, Pfizer), among many others.

"DataCamp is turning the page on an era of online learning defined by static and generic content," said Jonathan Cornellisen, co-founder and CEO of DataCamp. "The field of data and AI is evolving faster than ever, and DataCamp is focusing on dynamic, human-centered learning to help people and organizations thrive amid upheaval. With the Optima team now part of DataCamp, we've never been better placed to redefine how organizations move their people along the learning curve."

About DataCamp

DataCamp is the data and AI learning platform helping businesses do their best work in a changing world, supporting over 6,000 organizations and 18 million learners through practical, hands-on upskilling for all skill levels. Every interactive course, exercise, and project empowers learners to apply knowledge quickly and confidently. Whether upskilling a small business or transforming an international workforce, DataCamp's curriculum delivers deep, comprehensive coverage of every data and AI skill, equipping organizations to lead in an AI-powered future.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2822253/Jonathan_Cornelissen_Yusuf_Saber.jpg

SOURCE DataCamp
On November 12, 2025, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the 20th theory seminar between the CPC and the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV).

Xi Jinping noted that China and Viet Nam are good neighbors, good friends, good comrades and good partners, and are a community with a shared future that carries strategic significance. Both the CPC and the CPV uphold and develop Marxism, unswervingly follow the socialist path, and lead their respective countries in the development of socialism, facing many of the same or similar tasks of the times. The two Parties have carried out in-depth exchanges of experience in governance, jointly explored socialist paths towards modernization that suit their national conditions, and worked together to adapt Marxism to their respective context and the needs of the times and promote the development of the World Socialist Movement, constantly writing new chapters of friendship of "comrades and brothers" in the new era.

Xi Jinping emphasized that the theory seminar between the CPC and the CPV is an important platform for exchange and dialogue between the two Parties, playing a positive role in consolidating friendship and mutual trust, enhancing ideological consensus, and advancing the development of China-Viet Nam relations. Xi Jinping expressed the hope that both sides will stay true to the original aspiration, uphold fundamental principles and break new ground, continue to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning on governance experience, carry out in-depth theoretical discussions and academic exchanges, and jointly deepen the understanding of the laws that underlie governance by a communist party, the development of socialism, and the evolution of human society, so as to provide theoretical support for the socialist causes of both countries and the building of the China-Viet Nam community with a shared future, and make their due contributions to the noble cause of human peace and development.

The 20th theory seminar between the CPC and the CPV was held in Ninh Binh, Viet Nam on the same day.




On the morning of November 12, 2025, Peng Liyuan, wife of President Xi Jinping, and Queen Letizia, who is accompanying King Felipe VI of Spain on his state visit to China, visited the Beijing Demonstration Center of Service for Persons with Disabilities.

Peng Liyuan and Letizia listened to the introduction of the disability service projects of the Demonstration Center and visited a themed exhibition on the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games. They then came to the exhibition hall of high-tech disability support products and the non-profit reading area, where they learned about the application of disability assistance products, reading activities for children with disabilities, and the development of barrier-free facilities in China. Peng Liyuan and Letizia had a cordial exchange with persons with disabilities who were engaged in baking skills training, handicraft making and painting. They also visited children with disabilities who were undergoing rehabilitation training. They enjoyed a song, Songs and Smiles, sung by the children with visual disabilities in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Peng Liyuan said that the cause of persons with disabilities requires joint efforts and support from all parties to help them better integrate into society. China and Spain can further enhance exchanges and cooperation to help realize the dreams of persons with disabilities. Letizia inquired in detail about the development of China's cause for persons with disabilities, particularly the employment of women with disabilities, and spoke highly of the achievements China has made in this regard.
On November 13, 2025, President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulatory messages with Comorian President Azali Assoumani to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Xi Jinping noted that China was the first country to establish diplomatic relations with the Comoros. Over the past half century, no matter how the international landscape has evolved, China-Comoros relations have always maintained sound and steady growth. In recent years, the two countries have continued to consolidate political mutual trust, achieved fruitful results in exchanges and cooperation across various fields, and set a fine example of equality, solidarity and mutual assistance between countries of different sizes. Xi Jinping said that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Comoros relations and is ready to work with President Azali Assoumani to take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as an opportunity to carry forward the traditional friendship, advance the implementation of the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, keep enriching the China-Comoros strategic partnership, and make greater contributions to building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

Azali Assoumani said that over the 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the Comoros and China have upheld mutual respect and mutual trust, always stood together, and forged a strong and enduring friendship. The fruitful results of bilateral cooperation have profoundly changed the lives of the Comorian people. In today's world marked by changes and turbulence, the principles of respect for sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, and win-win cooperation advocated by President Xi Jinping have inspired Global South countries, including the Comoros. The Comoros appreciates China's vision of building a peaceful, just, and multipolar world, and stands ready to work with China, under the guidance of the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity, to continue promoting sustainable and inclusive development and make due contributions to advancing solidarity, cooperation, and shared prosperity between Africa and China.
Recently, President Xi Jinping replied to a letter from young sinologists, encouraging them to serve as messengers to promote mutual understanding between Chinese and foreign civilizations.

Xi Jinping noted that he was delighted to learn of their love for the Chinese language and culture, and appreciated their active role in promoting sinology studies and mutual learning among civilizations.

Xi Jinping emphasized that sinology originates in China but belongs to the world, and it is a common cultural wealth shared by all humanity. He expressed the hope that the young sinologists will continue their companionship with sinology and their journey with China, deepen studies and interpretation, and present a true, multi-dimensional and panoramic view of China to the world. He called on them to serve as messengers to promote mutual understanding between Chinese and foreign civilizations and contribute their wisdom and strength to building a community with a shared future for humanity.

The 2025 World Chinese Language Conference is to be held in Beijing from November 14 to 16. Recently, 61 young sinologists from 51 countries invited to the conference wrote a joint letter to President Xi Jinping, sharing their experiences and insights gained through China studies, and expressing their willingness to further their China studies and help bridge civilizations.
Agatha Gibbs, the journalist played by Claire Danes in Netflixs new thriller series The Beast in Me, has a contract to write a book about the friendship between Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia. Shes struggling with this, her second book, and you think you understand why: Her only child died in a car accident four years ago, and she and her wife divorced in the aftermath. But when Aggie goes out for lunch with her wealthy new Oyster Bay neighbor, Nile Jarvis (Matthew Rhys), he quizzes her on the project, and is less than impressed. Its boring! No wonder youre stuck! he says. Aggie tries to defend her idea: Its two people with radically opposed worldviews, deeply polarized convictions, who still manage to have real affection Nile, played by Rhys as a magnetically rude man, mimics putting on a mask and breathing into it: Its a snooze! No one wants hope! You know that! People want gossip and carnage!

And immediately, you know that Nile is right: This book idea sucks. You also know the parallels that the creators of The Beast in Me want you to draw: Aggie, a prize-winning writer with a Bushwick-dwelling artist ex-wife and bylines in the Atlantic and the New Yorker, is Ginsburg. Nile, a rapacious developer and a capitalist prone to declarations like Selfish gets shit done and Humans have eyes in the front and sharp teeth  we are predators, is Scalia. They may seem like opposites, but just as Ginsburg and Scalia were both creatures of the privilege the Supreme Court conveys, Aggie and Nile are both deeply marked by New York Cityobsessed with prestige, in all its forms.

The two strike up the exact kind of relationship that Agatha Gibbs GinsburgScalia book proposal would surely have termed an unlikely friendship. This affinity, the show insists, is founded on some kernel of similarity in their personalities. Aggies first book, which won her the Pulitzer, was a memoir about her dad, whom she calls a con man. Nile is convinced that Aggie still admires her father, and, by extension, a person like Nile, because theyre creative, resilient, and always win the day. The Beast in Me stretches the analogy, trying to see how far these two highly effective people could walk in parallel with one another. The idea that these characters would ever really be friends is helped along by the fact that Danes and Rhys are eating up these roles, reaching nuclear levels of mutually generated Gen X charisma in their scenes together.

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Yes, Nile and Aggie have fun togetherto a point. Seriously complicating this new friendship is the fact that Nile has been accusednever legally, but in the court of public opinionof murdering his first wife, and after Aggie convinces him to become the subject of her next book, she becomes obsessed with the question of whether he did it. So the plot winds its way through cloak-and-dagger meetings with handsome, dissolute ex-FBI agent Brian Abbott (David Lyons), woods walks with Niles fresh-faced second wife Nina (Brittany Snow), and parlor chats with the family of Niles first wife, who firmly believe in his innocence.

This story, alas, is never as sharp as the characters, often bearing a distinctive whiff of standard-issue thriller, as when the characters break into one anothers houses to gather intel, or when Aggie is startled by a knock on the window in the middle of a thunderstorm. Even the settinga wealthy enclave on Long Islandfeels familiar, and this isnt even the first What happened to this rich guys first wife? mystery show weve had from Netflix this year.

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But The Beast in Me is worth it for Danes and Rhys. Danes is an expert at conveying a character who is drawn tight with anxiety, and theres plenty of that in hereAggie is grieving and angry, and spends a lot of time pacing, drinking, or holding back tears, wobbling her chin. But when she is wearing her journalist hat, Danes Aggie flips a switch, beaming concern and empathy toward her subjects. The plot plays with some light Journalist and the Murdererstyle critique of Aggies motivations and methodswhy would she profile this man, Niles family wonders, if not to pin that murder on him? How could her book be any good if hes innocent? And the dual-faced nature of Aggies affect does make you wonderbut not for long, because the story will inevitably bring things to a boiling point that will make whatever light treason Aggie commits, as a writer thirsting for a story, pale in comparison to Niles sins.

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If the twists and turns come to seem a little bit predictable around Episode 5 of this eight-episode miniseries, at least you can always look forward to Aggies interplay with Rhys plain-spoken, forceful Nile. Nile, a wealthy Hobbesian who alternately quotes Buddhist philosophy and eats chicken off the bone in front of his salivating dogs, is the type of person who leverages his power to get you onside, then uses you relentlessly to reach his goals. When hes carrying out the first part of this sequence with Aggiehelping her, in ways both legal and illegalyoure suspicious, but also so deeply relieved this poor sad lady has found a champion that you find yourself liking him. When Aggie and Nile are drinking in her living room one night, Nile puts Psycho Killer, by the Talking Heads, on her record player, and dances to it, as they laugh. Aggie, holding a cigarette, groans, I love smoking inside. Its kind of like pissing your pants. We know, as seasoned viewers of thrillers, that this friendship cant lastbut while it does, its far less snoozy than that of Ginsburg and Scalia.
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When reduction-in-force notices went out to hundreds of Department of Education employees as part of the shutdown, more than 100 of these DOE workers were part of the team that oversaw special ed around the country. They ensured resources got distributed equitably, and had been doing that since the 70s. Now, they are simply not there.

A court has put these firings on hold, but that hasnt made parents feel much better. Pepper Stetler knows this well. Stetler is a professor who writes about education and disability, and her 13-year-old daughter, Louisa, has Down syndrome.

Its not like special ed in this country has been perfect. But for 50 years, it has been there. The federal government has acted as a watchdog, stepping in if states fail to deliver the right of education to disabled children. But even with the government set to reopen, many of the cuts to special education may remain.

On a recent episode of What Next, host Mary Harris spoke to Stetler about the state of special education in the country and what is lost when the federal government guts oversight. This transcript has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Mary Harris: What is the history of special education? When did it become something the government was funding, and what was life for kids like before that?

Pepper Stetler: Special education became something that the government was funding officially in 1975 with the passing of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, which eventually became the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act. Before that, it was pretty grim. Only one in five children with disabilities were educated in public schools.

What happened to everyone else?

Either they were in institutions or they stayed home. There were some private schools, but schools could legally refuse to enroll children with disabilities. And many states actually had laws explicitly excluding children that schools deemed uneducable. This was usually students like my daughter, somebody who had an intellectual disability, and it was perfectly legal not to educate students with disabilities.

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How did the 1975 act change the lay of the land for kids with disabilities and their families?

It mandated that all children with any form of disability must be provided a free, appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. States and school districts could no longer turn away a student because they have a disability.

There was also an acknowledgment on the part of the federal government that this was going to cost some money, and if they expected the states to actually follow this law, they were going to need to help them out.

Part of what is so interesting about the implementation of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, this IDEA law, is the funding and how complicated that was. The law originally said the federal government would contribute up to 5 percent of average per-pupil expenditure by 1978. That was supposed to increase incrementally to up to 40 percent. How much does the federal government actually fund special education at this point?

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They are now funding 10.9 percent of the average per-pupil expenditure.

So this really leaves states on the hook for a whole lot of money here.

Exactly.

And these days, what percentage of students are served by these disability laws?

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About 15 percent of public school students are served by IDEA in some way.

Whats improved in the lives of students with disabilities since these laws were passed in 1975?

Its a matter of going to school or not going to school. The difference is pretty dramatic. There is a correlation between the right of children with disabilities to go to school as established by IDEA and the education opportunities for students or for people with disabilities that start going up too. Within those 50 years, postsecondary education programs for students with intellectual disabilities increased as well. IDEA really cracks this door of all of these opportunities and ways in which people with disabilities can participate in our communities that they just were never allowed or thought that they couldnt do before.

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Talk to me a little bit about whats happened over the past nine months, as Donald Trump has come back into office for a second term. He put Linda McMahon in charge of the Department of Education. She made a big deal about talking about how she was there to shut things down, essentially. And then we have the government shutdown, which the Trump administration basically takes as an opportunity to shut down federal oversight of special education services, possibly permanently. It sounds like its been a whirlwind.

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Right. Another thing that has happened is his budget proposals. He wants to do something called block granting. This means taking the money that was for things like parent support centers, teacher supports and training, and research, and basically giving that money to the states and saying, You can do what you want with this money. There will no longer be any oversight over whether you use this money for disabilities and for students in the way that was intended. There are all sorts of ways in which we have seen not only the abandonment of special education, but just the erosion of all of this infrastructure that has supported the education of students with disabilities for decades.

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Theres been talk of shifting the oversight, such as it is, to the Department of Health and Human Services. That department administers things like public health insurance and the safety of food and drugs and medical devices. Not exactly where were going to see a lot of expertise in terms of education.

Part of whats striking to me about this dismantling of the Department of Education is how it can sometimes seem petty. We saw how the administration is trying to get rid of grants that provide teacher training and parental support. My understanding is that those grants are, like, $30 million, which is a lot for me, but its not a lot in the federal budget.

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It does seem petty in that sense, and its petty also in the sense that funding and supporting special education and disability rights has never been a partisan issue in this country, basically, until now. Theres always been support for disability rights and support for special education from both sides of the aisle, and it really seems like hes not so interested in saving the money as much as he is denying the civil rights of people with disabilities. Thats really what Im left to assume and conclude.

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It strikes me that the right to an education is not explicitly guaranteed in the Constitution. But I actually think most Americans consider it a right at this point. Its so embedded in our culture, and its so available that I think if you were writing a new Constitution now, you might be like, And we provide education up to age 18, or something like that. You know what Im saying?

Youre right that most people do think of education as a civil right that every American should have. Part of being a citizen is being well educated. And this brings me back to thinking about something else that IDEA has allowed to happen, is for people with disabilities to be better citizens, to participate in their communities more and have more professional opportunities after school. So, in that case, absolutely, there is a way in which special education should be a civil right.

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You said that the law that passed in 1975 was the difference between kids going to school and not. I just wonder if youre concerned in this moment, as special education oversights are rolled back in Washington. Is it going to start to threaten the ability of kids to actually get into a classroom?

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That would be the worst case, right? Its important to remind ourselves that IDEA is not being repealed. It is still a federal law, even though the Trump administration is working to make it as toothless as possible.

A law that has no funding and no enforcement mechanism doesnt really strike me as much of a law at all.

Its true. In 10 years, who knows where well be, but I cannot imagine returning to that moment in which students are actually turned away from education, even if it is an inappropriate education that could be monumentally better. I cannot imagine that just because I think that our general sense of humanity and compassion and empathy towards people with disabilities has made some progress over these 50 years, thanks to the law as well.

Can you not imagine it because you dont want to?

Maybe, but it also seems completely dystopic to me that we would become a place where we dont even allow students with disabilities in the door. I cant imagine it.
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Its (almost) over. The House passed legislation Wednesday evening to reopen the government, and President Donald Trump says hell sign it. With that, the longest government shutdown in history will come to a close. And that will be because Democrats cavedagain.

For the past 40-plus days, the Dems and the GOP have been in a Senate stalemate, in which Democrats withheld support for a government funding bill in an attempt to include expanded Obamacare subsidies that helped more Americans afford health insurance. Republicans refused, and, as they lacked the 60 votes needed to pass this budget resolution on their own, the government shut down.

That deadlock finally ended Sunday night, when a group of Democratic senators agreed to reopen the government without an extension of the expanded subsidies. Instead, Democrats secured the promise of a future vote on whether to revive the subsidies.

The bill to reopen the government includes long-term funding for a few federal bodies (the Agriculture Department, Veterans Affairs, and Congress itself) and temporary funding for all other agencies, up until the bills expiration date of Jan. 30. Theres also a pledge to rehire the hundreds of thousands of federal workers laid off since Oct. 1, provide them back pay, and restrict any other layoff efforts until Jan. 30. And theres some much weirder stuff: a measure to recriminalize any hemp products with more than 0.4 milligrams of THC, which would all but destroy a thriving industry that has benefited farmers and small-business owners; a provision allowing Republican senators to sue the government over phone records collected without their knowledge during Jack Smiths Jan. 6 investigation; and billions of dollars afforded to Army and Navy facility upgrades.

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The timing of Democrats concession is particularly confusing, given that polling showed that the public consistently blamed Trump and the GOP for the shutdown. That remained true even as the administration tried to maximize the shutdowns pain for the public: canceling flights, laying off federal workers, and falsely claiming that it couldnt distribute full SNAP benefits amid the shutdown. None of that, however, seemed to convince voters that Democrats were at fault.

So why did eight members of the Senate Democratic caucusCatherine Cortez Masto, Dick Durbin, John Fetterman, Maggie Hassan, Tim Kaine, Jacky Rosen, Jeanne Shaheen, and independent Angus Kingchoose this moment to fold?

Lawmakers, party elders, and pundits have been furiously debating that question since Sunday night, and theres no easy answer. But there are a few theories floating around, some more cynical or plausible than others. Weve broken them down below.

Flights, SNAP, and Fed Workers

Some members of the Cave Caucus represent states that have been hit especially hard by the shutdown, one way or another. Kaines home state of Virginia has an especially high concentration of federal staffers who commute into Washington and have gone weeks without pay; the commonwealth also counts nearly 900,000 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients among its population, a fact that has led its Republican governor to declare a state of emergency. The voices from the SNAP recipients, who were Virginias most vulnerable people, were getting louder and louder and louder as it went on, Kaine told VPM News. The senator reportedly brokered the provision to pause federal layoffs for the bills duration, which he characterized as dramatic protection for 2 million federal employees who are tired of getting kicked around.

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There are similar factors in the other states represented in this delegation. About 12 percent of the population of Maine, represented by King, relies on SNAP; the same goes for 15 percent of Nevadans, who are represented by Cortez Masto and Rosen, and 15 percent of Illinoisans, represented by Durbin. (Illinois junior Sen. Tammy Duckworth nevertheless voted against the bill.) King claimed in a Monday Morning Joe interview that the shutdown gave [Trump] more power, as evidenced by what hes doing with SNAP benefits across this country. Cortez Masto also expressed concern over Nevadas SNAP recipients and federal workers in a conversation with NPR, as did Durbin in a public statement.

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More Dems Wanted to Reopenbut These Folks Took the Fall

Some of the Cave Caucus membersincluding Cortez Masto, Fetterman, Rosen, and Kingdidnt want a government shutdown to begin with, making the reopening opportunity far more palatable for them. (Fettermans postvote statement read in part: It never should have come to this. This was a failure.) On top of that, the insider gossip from Beltway publications indicated that other Senate Democrats had been sympathetic, or at least open, to the idea of taking a deal. Georgias Jon Ossoffwhos up for reelection next year in a state Trump won in 2024faced a decent bit of pressure. Michigans Gary Peters, whos retiring at the end of this term, had crafted a Chuck Schumerendorsed counteroffer last week that Republicans soundly rejected, fueling worries that Peters was also willing to bend. Mark Kelly, the moderate senator from Arizona, wanted to work over the weekend to get a shutdown deal done, according to the Hill, and he had been deliberating with other reportedly wavering Democratic colleagues like Wisconsins Tammy Baldwin, Vermonts Peter Welch, and Michigans Elissa Slotkin.

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There are many possible reasons these lawmakers could have been eager to reopen the government: Some are on committees that give them more say over budget terms, while others hail from swing states and perhaps wished to separate themselves from partisan lines. (See also: John Fetterman.) It is particularly notable that the final dissenters have something in common: None are up for reelection in next years midterms, and two of them (Shaheen and Durbin) are on the verge of retirement. Its not improbable that a larger share of Senate Democrats wished to reopen the government, and that Schumer helped arrange a lineup of lawmakers with the most plausible deniability. Not that anyone angry with the Senate considers that a sufficient explanation.

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Saving the Filibuster

Frustrated with both the shutdown and the negative public reception of his governance, Trump had pushed on Truth Social and in private meetings for Republicans to kill the filibuster. That would have negated the need to reach a 60-vote supermajority for budgetary approvals, allowing the GOP to pass this bill with a simple majority. As angry as many Senate Democrats are with the Trump administration, its longest-serving caucus members remain committed institutionalists and would prefer to keep the filibuster. Some political analysts have made an accelerationist case for allowing the president to nuke the filibuster once and for all, noting the traditions anti-democratic history and pointing out that the legislators have already junked the 60-vote requirements that had formerly been in place for judicial and Cabinet appointments. But, as my colleague Jim Newell has put it: Some Democrats believe that this would redound to their benefit in the long run.  I personally dont think those Democrats have internalized how long the next three-plus years would be.

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Occams Razor: There Was Never Any Strategy

Points in favor of this argument include the lack of unified messaging from Democrats post-passage; the fact that yet more Dems went on to co-sign the intoxicating-hemp ban after caving on health care, including every defector except for Kaine; and the wishy-washy press-conference reassurances from Cortez Masto, Hassan, Rosen, and Shaheen that Republicans will hold up their end of the bargain on a health care vote. And if they dont? Then the American public will know where the Republicans stand, per Cortez Masto. The voters will know who let them down, per Hassan. So much for that fight.

The Most Depressing Possibility: They Had No Choice

Some observers claim that the shutdown fight, for all its moral signposting, was always destined to fail. The Trump administration had made this a more brutal shutdown than any other in American history, illegally gutting SNAP benefits and retracting already-appropriated funds for blue states clean-energy and Army Corps projects. The president himself, whod tried his damnedest to repeal and replace Obamacare during his first term, was never going to encourage Republicans to preserve the extended premiums. In a Wednesday op-ed for the New York Times, Kaine echoed this line of thinking, writing that the chances of earning more concessions with an extended shutdown were near zero.

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Trump was never serious about negotiating, the senator added. I have close knowledge of key actors, and I do not believe Republicans would have conceded on health care during the shutdown. That was true even after their electoral wipeout last week, and even with polls showing that many Americans blamed Republicans for the shutdown. More likely, the chaos of continuing the shutdown would have led them to eliminate the Senate filibuster.

Indeed, even Democrats open to abolishing the filibuster would not have chosen to do it while they are in the legislative minority. And the nihilistic mode of governance Trump has mastered this round, doubling down on unpopular federal-troop mobilizations and unpopular tax cuts, meant he didnt care about the Americans suffering during the shutdown. Senate Democrats had chosen this fight to show they were willing to oppose Trump. But every opposition movement has its limits.
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It is, admittedly, difficult to follow the Jeffrey Epstein story. The saga has been churning along for so long nowwith so many twists and turnsthat I dont really blame anyone for not knowing what to make of this most recent wave of intrigue. Thankfully, Ive been paying close enough attention to highlight what you should care about as Donald Trump barrels toward a confrontation with whatever his associations were with the elusive sex trafficker. Buckle up! Its going to get weird.

OK, so why is a bunch of Epstein stuff coming out right now?

Epstein has been an obsession of the far right and far left for years. But that obsession didnt fully catch on among liberal Democrats until Trump took office for a second time. Thats when the rarest of phenomena occurred: The MAGA base got mad at Trump over his failure to release the legendary Epstein files, a group of documents (that may or may not exist) that would blow the whole scandal wide open. But as Trump sat on the documents, the Democrats on the House Oversight Committee kicked into high gearwith the full backing of the liberal base. This has created a strange situation in which much of the country has suddenly remembered that the president once had close ties with the disgraced financierdespite the fact that those associations have never been a secret.

Regardless, the rest of the House is set to vote on releasing the contents of the Justice Departments investigation into Epstein, which are colloquially known as those aforementioned Epstein files. Ahead of that discharge, though, the Oversight Committee has been releasing select cuts of its trove in a deliberately partisan way. On Wednesday, Democrats put out a couple of emails exchanged by Epstein that seemed to imply that Trump had extended contact with one of the women the financier sex trafficked. Republicans countered by releasing 20,000 more emails, which detailed Epsteins wider social network.

And what in those files are germane to Trump?

The splashiest email was sent by Epstein to Ghislaine Maxwellyou may have heard of herin 2011. In it, Epstein notes that Trump spent hours at my house with one of Epsteins unnamed victims. He calls the president the dog that hasnt barked. Generally speaking, this is not the way you want the worlds most famous pedophile characterizing you.

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Elsewhere in those files, there is correspondence between Epstein and former New York Times journalist Landon Thomas Jr. from 2015, in which the now-deceased sex trafficker asked Thomas if he wants, and I quote, photso of donald and girls in bikinis in my kitchen? Epstein also accuses Trump of suffering a Looney Tunesstyle pratfall due to his own horniness: Have them ask my houseman about donald almost walking through the door leaving his nose print on the glass as young women were swimming in the pool and he was so focused he walked straight into the door.

Theres a bit more juice further down the timeline, including a number of emails with roving journalist Michael Wolff that are mostly banal. (In January 2018, Epstein told Wolff that Trumps finances were all a sham. Thats maybe the only thing the financier and I agree on.) Epstein also texted an undisclosed person that he alone is the one able to take the president down. All in all, these files do provoke some important questions about the extent of Trump and Epsteins relationship, which is why there is so much attention on the forthcoming vote to release the full batch.

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Related From Slate Democrats Are About to Go All In on Epstein. Will It Work? Read More

Is there anything else in this batch of files I should know about?

Theres a ton! But the headliner is Larry Summers, Bill Clintons secretary of the Treasury, who is not having a good week. Summers pops up over and over again in these emails, suggesting the two had a close relationship. I was especially struck by an extremely perturbing exchange between the two, about what appears to be Summers embattled pursuit of a woman. It concludes with the former secretary saying, I dint want to be in a gift giving competition while being the friend without benefits. (I might add that none of the men in these files seems to know how to use a keyboard. There are typos everywhere.)

So how has the Trump administration responded to all of this?

Publicly, by making a milquetoast Truth Social post about how the Democrats bringing up the Epstein issue is merely a distraction from the fallout of the government shutdown. (I might also add that the revival of this scandal did come at the perfect time, as it papered over the partys world-historic caving.) Privately, though, it is looking a little more dicey. In order to unseal the Epstein documents, Congress was waiting for one last signature to put the matter to a vote. That signature was just delivered by Rep. Adelita Grijalva, who for weeks was blocked from being sworn in by House Speaker Mike Johnson. (And, no, it doesnt seem like a coincidence that the clinching vote to unseal the files was kept out of Congress for weeks by one of Trumps top allies in Congress.) So, in the hours before the government resumed operations, reports started to trickle out that the White House was in contact with the few Republicans who had added their names to the petition. One of them is the terminally online Rep. Lauren Boebert. This led to a meeting between Trump, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Attorney General Pam Bondi. It was called, ostensibly, to get Boebert to reconsider her position. Dave Weigel put it best when he referred to the matter as the least suspicious pressure campaign of all time.

And how did that go?

Boebert did not expunge her name from the petition, and instead posted one of the funniest tweets of all time. It read: I want to thank White House officials for meeting with me today. Together, we remain committed to ensuring transparency for the American people.

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Wow, Im actually kind of surprised. A rebuke to Trump?

I mean, heres the thing. The Epstein affair does reveal the first glimpses of the inevitable lame-duck phase of Trumps political career. Barring a total collapse of our institutions (an unlikely but not impossible scenario), he is never going to appear on a ballot ever again. And in that context, Boebertwithin a GOP that has constructed so much of its electoral project through the language of conspiracyhas so much more to gain from backing the release of the Epstein files than from fecklessly covering the presidents ass. The MAGA movement wants to survive the man who serves as its standard-bearer, and that man is in his second term and months away from his 80th birthday. Boebert has her eyes set on a career that lasts till 2030, or 2048, or 2060. It seems like an easy choice.

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What do you think comes next?

Well, Johnson said that the House will vote on the release of the Epstein files next week. Thats almost certain to pass, but then the matter will be passed along to the Senate. If it clears that bar, then, hilariously, Trump has the option to veto, a move that would be perhaps the most embarrassing moment of his presidency. Remember, at the beginning of his term, when he made a big show of releasing what he claimed were the so-called Epstein files to a suite of conservative influencerswho were all disappointed to learn that the content inside had already been released? Man, did the honeymoon end quickly.

Along the way, Id expect more leaks and dispatches from the House Oversight Committee, as the enigma of Epstein spreads its tendrils. We will likely learn more details about the supremely rich and powerful men who had connections to this world-renowned sex trafficker, and Im not sure where that leaves any of us.
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Since Donald Trump began his second term as president this year, weve been collectively watching in horror as major institutions either fall over themselves to conform to his agenda or simply give up fighting against it. Its spreading the aura of authoritarianism all across the country. There was one major bright spot in the battle against authoritarian creep this week, however, in Marion, Kansas. The city is home to the Marion County Record, a tiny local newspaper that two years ago was subject to an unlawful raid for its coverage, an assault that seems to have left one elderly woman dead and, on a national level, coalesced media companies to publicly support the papers First Amendment right. On Wednesday, the Record received a $3 million payout, topped with a written apology admitting local officials wrongdoing.

These days, theres an awful lot of people who get abused, get treated by the bully of government officials, and they just kind of roll over and go off into a corner somewhere, Eric Meyer, the editor and publisher of the Record, told WBUR this week. But the press is supposed to be a watchdog, and if you attack the watchdog and the watchdog rolls over, it isnt much of a watchdog anymore.

Meyer owns and operates the Record, managing a staff of only seven that reports on the comings and goings of the city of Marions 1,900 or so residents. Two years ago, the small-town paper found itself at the center of a bizarre local political drama that led to Meyers home, along with his newspapers office, being raided by law enforcement. It all started when the Record received an anonymous tip through social media about a local restaurateur, Kari Newell. According to the tipster, Newell had multiple charges of drunk driving on her record and had been using an expired license for the past 20 years, a fact law enforcement had willfully been ignoring. The information was shared right as Newell was in the process of securing a liquor license for her restaurant.

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As the article detailed at the time, the source seemed suspect, as he also bragged about retaining connections despite no longer working in law enforcement. But, doing due diligence, the journalist who wrote the piece consulted public records and confirmed that Newell indeed had a drunk-driving conviction. The paper declined to publish any of this information after learning that the anonymous source was likely Newells estranged husband and that the couple were in the midst of divorce proceedings.

Meyer, concerned that the Record was being set up, decided to share this information with Marion County Sheriff Jeff Soyez and police Chief Gideon Cody but withheld Newells name. And that was when all hell broke loose.

Related From Slate The Real Reason Kim Davis Never Stood a Chance at the Supreme Court Read More

Newell was eventually made aware of the allegations against her and, during a Marion County Council meeting, accused the Record of illegally obtaining her personal records and distributing them. Shortly thereafter, Soyez managed to secure a search warrant for Meyers home and his newspapers office, a likely violation of the federal law that protects journalists from searches. Typically, law enforcement subpoenas materials instead. The warrant was based on allegations that the Record and its reporters had committed identity theft and unlawful use of a computer.

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That greenlit a series of raids in which police entered the Records office and seized computers, cellphones, and reporting documents. Meyers home, where his 98-year-old mother also lived, was raided as well, with police spending hours tearing through their possessions. The next day, Meyers mother died.

Meyer, several of his staffers, and a member of the Marion County Council who was also roped into the drama sued the county and law-enforcement officials over the raids across four federal lawsuits. One reporter who was present during the raid has since retired from journalism. And Cody, the now-former police chief, is facing criminal charges, with a trial scheduled for next February. Newell, the restaurateur, has since shuttered her business.

On Wednesday, the Marion County Sheriffs Office released a statement apologizing for the 2023 raid on Meyers home and newspaper, and it includes a passage the publication fought to have on the record: This likely would not have happened if established law had been reviewed and applied prior to the execution of the warrants.

As the Records front-page headline read two years ago, in the first edition published after the police raids: Seized, but not silenced.
Flytxt is recognized for its outcome-driven Agentic AI platform that redefines customer experience through autonomous intelligence, measurable impact, and seamless usability.

SAN ANTONIO, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan has honored Flytxt with the 2025 Global Company of the Year Recognition in the Global Agentic AI for Customer Experience (CX) industry. The recognition underscores Flytxt's pioneering role in leveraging the next generation of AI technologies to help enterprises optimize decision-making and drive superior CX and business outcomes at scale.

The recognition underscores Flytxts pioneering role in leveraging the next generation of AI technologies to help enterprises optimize decision-making and drive superior CX and business outcomes at scale.

Frost & Sullivan's Best Practices benchmarking framework evaluates companies on two critical dimensions, strategy effectiveness and strategy execution. Flytxt excelled in both, demonstrating a clear ability to translate its long-term AI vision into impactful solutions and measurable business value for their clients.

"Frost & Sullivan recognizes Flytxt for its unwavering commitment to transforming enterprise CX through outcome-driven, Agentic AI. By combining massive training and federated learning, Flytxt has redefined how enterprises can make use of AI for autonomous decision-making and seamless execution to drive growth outcomes," said Soumyadeep Roy Chowdhury, Senior industry analyst, TechVisionICT at Frost & Sullivan.

Flytxt continues to anticipate and respond to evolving market dynamics through continuous AI innovation and product advancement. Its recently launched Agentic AI platform, Niya-X unifies sales, marketing, product, and customer care workflows, enabling autonomous decisions and actions aligned with specific business outcomes. Having access to massive training with trillions of real-world data points, Flytxt's AI agents possess deep contextual intelligence to plan, decide, and act for measurable results such as lower churn, higher revenue, or improved product profitability.

"This recognition reflects our vision to make the best Enterprise AI purpose-built for optimizing marketplace efficiency," said Dr. Vinod Vasudevan, CEO of Flytxt. Continuously learning from real-world marketplaces, Flytxt AI understands what drives business outcomes in any given context and why. It reasons from evidence and hence orchestrates the best possible decisions and actions across every customer, product, and channel. This approach helps enterprises to achieve measurable, and scalable outcomes faster", he added.

The company's strong focus on making its AI highly usable and collaborative differentiates it in a crowded market. Industry-standard APIs make its integration smooth with existing systems and workflows, allowing clients to achieve rapid time-to-value. Whether improving retention for telco or enhancing customer journeys in digital-first businesses or driving cross-selling in banking and financial services, Flytxt's AI solutions delivers sustained impact for its clients globally.

Internally, Flytxt mirrors its customer excellence through operational efficiency and a culture of innovation. Its standardized AI delivery frameworks, reusable model libraries, and automated pipelines enable fast, reliable AI solution rollouts across global enterprises. Cross-functional R&D teams drive ongoing advancements in AI autonomy, ensuring Flytxt remains at the forefront of technology leadership while fostering employee creativity and collaboration.

Frost & Sullivan commends Flytxt for setting a benchmark in strategic execution, product excellence, and customer engagement. The company's vision for autonomous decision-making and its deep contextual intelligence position it as a transformative force shaping the future of the agentic AI for CX landscape.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents the Company of the Year Recognition to an organization that demonstrates exceptional strategy development and execution, resulting in measurable improvements in market share, customer satisfaction, and operational performance. Flytxt's achievement reflects a balance of visionary leadership, technological sophistication, and consistent value delivery that elevates the standard for the global AI ecosystem.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Recognition

Frost & Sullivan's Best Practices Recognitions honor companies across regional and global markets that exhibit exceptional achievement and consistent excellence in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer experience, and strategic product development. Each recognition is the result of a rigorous analytical process in which Frost & Sullivan industry experts benchmark performance through comprehensive interviews, deep-dive analysis, and extensive secondary research. The goal is to identify true best-in-class organizations that are driving transformative growth and setting new industry standards.

Contact us: Start the discussion.

Contact:

Tarini Singh

E: [email protected]

About Flytxt

Flytxt is a pioneer in delivering massively trained Agentic AI solutions that drive measurable business outcomes for enterprise marketplaces. Its award-winning AI is powered by a unique Federated Learning Engine that combines causal learnings across markets and use cases to consistently improve accuracy and results over time. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Flytxt collaborates with over 80 enterprises in more than 50 countries. The company has a corporate office in Dubai, AI Innovation and Development Centers in India, and sales presence in Mexico, Colombia, France, Germany and Kenya.

Contact:

Pravin Vijay

E: [email protected]

SOURCE Frost & Sullivan
Government of India has imposed anti-dumping duties on hot-rolled flat products of alloy or non-alloy steel, falling under tariff headings 7208, 7211, 7225, and 7226, imported from Vietnam. The designated authority found that these steel products were being exported from Vietnam at prices below normal value, resulting in dumping, and causing injury to the domestic steel industry, with a threat of further aggravated harm if duties were not imposed. Based on these findings, the Central Government, under Section 9A of the Customs Tariff Act and related rules, has imposed anti-dumping duties at the rate of USD 121.55 per metric ton, except for goods produced by Hoa Phat Dung Quat Steel JSC, which are exempt. The duty applies to imports directly from Vietnam or via other countries, and will be effective for five years unless revoked or amended. The notification ensures protection of domestic industry from unfairly priced imports while following prescribed calculation and payment procedures.

MINISTRY OF FINANCE

(Department Of Revenue)

Notifications No. 32/2025-Customs (ADD) | Dated: 12th November, 2025

G.S.R. 836(E). Whereas in the matter of Hot rolled flat products of alloy or non-alloy steel (hereinafter referred to as the subject goods) falling under tariff heading 7208, 7211, 7225 or 7226 of the First Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 (51 of 1975) (hereinafter referred to as the Customs Tariff Act), originating in, or exported from Vietnam (hereinafter referred to as the subject country), and imported into India, the designated authority in its final findings, vide notification No. 06/15/2024-DGTR, dated the 13th August, 2025, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part I, Section 1, dated the 13th August, 2025, has inter-alia come to the conclusion that

i. the subject goods have been exported to India from the subject country at a price below the normal value, resulting in dumping;

ii. the domestic industry has suffered injury as a result of dumped imports;

iii. there is also threat of further aggravated injury to the domestic industry, if anti-dumping duty is not imposed on import of subject goods from subject country,

and has recommended imposition of an anti-dumping duty on the imports of subject goods, originating in, or exported from the subject country and imported into India, in order to remove injury to the domestic industry.

Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-sections (1) and (5) of section 9A of the Customs Tariff Act read with rules 18 and 20 of the Customs Tariff (Identification, Assessment and Collection of Anti-dumping Duty on Dumped Articles and for Determination of Injury) Rules, 1995, the Central Government, after considering the aforesaid final findings of the designated authority, hereby imposes on the subject goods, the description of which is specified in column (3) of the Table below, falling under tariff heading of the First Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act as specified in the corresponding entry in column (2), originating in the country as specified in the corresponding entry in column (4), exported from the countries as specified in the corresponding entry in column (5), produced by the producers as specified in the corresponding entry in column (6), and imported into India, an antidumping duty at the rate equal to the amount as specified in the corresponding entry in column (7), in the currency as specified in the corresponding entry in column (9) and as per unit of measurement as specified in the corresponding entry in column (8), of the said Table, namely:-

Table

S No. Tariff Heading Description of the goods Country of origin Country of

export Producer Amount Unit of Measurement Currency (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) 1 7208,7211,7225 and 7226 Hot rolled flat products of alloy or non-alloy steel, not clad, not plated or coated, of a thickness upto 25 mm and width upto 2100 mm Vietnam Any Country including Vietnam Hoa Phat Dung Quat Steel JSC NIL MT USD 2 -do- -do- Vietnam Any Country including Vietnam Any 121.55 MT USD 3 -do- -do- Any country other than Vietnam Vietnam Any 121.55 MT USD

Note 1 : The Customs classification is indicative only and not binding on the scope of the subject goods.

Note 2 : Subject goods do not cover hot-rolled flat products of stainless steel.

2. The anti-dumping duty imposed under this notification shall be effective for a period of five years (unless revoked, superseded or amended earlier) from the date of publication of this notification in the Official Gazette, and shall be payable in Indian currency.

Explanation.  For the purposes of this notification, the rate of exchange applicable for the purposes of calculation of such anti-dumping duty shall be the rate which is specified in the notification of the Government of India, in the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue), issued from time to time, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 14 of the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962), and the relevant date for the determination of the rate of exchange shall be the date of presentation of the bill of entry under section 46 of the said Act.

[F. No. 190354/135/2025-TRU]

DHEERAJ SHARMA, Under Secy.
One of the most effective use cases to have emerged from modern AI models is their ability to understand the human voice better, which has led to more accurate dictation tools. One such Mac tool, Willow, is launching an iOS app to let users type with their voice across all apps.

Similar to Wispr Flow, Willows keyboard transcribes your voice and also formats the message according to the context. The app, which supports over 100 languages, lets you define your own vocabulary terms or create different writing styles across app categories like work, messaging, email, and others.

One key advantage of Willows app is that there is a full keyboard available to type, whereas Wispr Flow only offers a numeric keyboard. This helps with quick edits to modify some words or sentences rather than typing them out. Plus, you dont have to switch to another keyboard when you want to type some words instead of speaking them.

Image Credits Willow

Willow was founded by Allan Guo and Lawrence Liu, who attended Stanford and dropped out to build a startup. The duo got into Y Combinator in the summer of 2024 with a different set of co-founders (who have now left the company), and their initial idea was in healthcare  specifically to build software to manage assisted living facilities. However, the idea didnt stick, and for a year, the company tried to build different things.

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While we were working on healthcare solutions, we noticed that doctors have voice AI scribes that record conversations with patients and create documents for follow-ups. I had a lot of conversations with doctors; they said these notetakers were very useful to them. This nudged us to build a voice AI tool for knowledge workers and other users, Guo told TechCrunch over a call.

Guo added that he chose not to build another AI notetaker because he felt that the market was saturated. Instead, the dictation space was more appealing as a lot of communication takes place outside meetings. He said that the company uses a series of models and focuses heavily on tuning its text-to-text pipeline, which is based on Metas Llama models, for formatting and personalization

Image Credits: Willow

The startup then moved its YC batch to Spring 2025 to launch the product. The company said that since the launch, it has grown 50% month over month in terms of users. It also has enterprise customers like Uber, Heidi Health, and Zego using the tool for dictation with features like custom team vocabulary.

Willow has raised $4.5 million from Box Group, Y Combinator, Burst Capital, and angel investors such as HubSpots Dharmesh Shah; Gustos Tomer London; Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian; ex-Yelp COO Kipp Bodnar; Opendoor CEO Kaz Nejatian; Adam Guild, co-founder and CEO of the restaurant software company Owner; and Instacart co-founder Max Mullen.

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Mullen said that he believes that the most amazing user interfaces in the future are going to be voice-led.

I was really impressed with Allans vision around not just creating a great dictation app but, long term, aiming for creating an interface that can control your computer, he said. When I am writing through Willow, I need to make fewer edits than I had to with a computers built-in dictation system.

Mullen pointed out that one of his favorite workflows was that on desktop, you can also use the Hey Willow assistant to instruct the app to write things like email replies in your own voice.

The startup competes with other players like Wispr Flow, which has raised more than $56 million in funding to date; Monologue, which is part of Everys subscription bundle; and the YC-backed startups Aqua, Talktastic, Superwhisper, and Betterdication.

Guo said that in the coming months, it plans to do platform expansion with Windows and Android, along with better personalization to reduce the number of manual edits users have to do post dictation.
NEW YORK, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Koya Medical ("Koya"), an emerging medtech innovator advancing patient-centered solutions in vascular health, has announced its participation in the Stifel 2025 Healthcare Conference on Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 4:00pm EST at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel, 4th Floor Holmes II.

CEO Andy Doraiswamy will discuss the company's latest clinical research, strategic growth plans, commercialization progress of its products including Dayspring non-pneumatic compression for chronic edema, and pipeline for comprehensive vascular solutions across the care continuum.

Conference attendees can engage with Koya through one-on-one networking sessions to learn more.

About Koya Medical

Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Dallas, Koya Medical is redefining vascular health with patient-centered solutions designed to support care from clinic to home. Inspired by a personal journey with vascular disease, Koya's mission is to close treatment gaps starting with its FDA-cleared Dayspring treatment system and advancing its pipeline.

Why Vascular Health Matters

More than 35 million Americans live with venous and lymphatic diseasesserious yet often overlooked conditions that can severely impact mobility, quality of life, and long-term healthhighlighting the urgent need for modern, evidence-based, and scalable solutions.

Learn more at www.koyamedical.com and follow Koya on LinkedIn .

SOURCE Koya Medical
A Blue Origin New Glenn rocket launches on NASA's EscaPADE mission, which is carrying two satellites to orbit Mars, from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, U.S., November 13, 2025. REUTERS/Joe Skipper

By Steve Gorman and Joey Roulette

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) -The giant New Glenn rocket from billionaire Jeff Bezos' space company Blue Origin launched from Florida on its debut mission for paying customers on Thursday, sending two NASA satellites toward Mars and nailing the return landing of its reusable booster for the first time.

The powerful two-stage rocket's first flight since its inaugural launch in January and the successful booster landing at sea represented key milestones for Blue Origin in its quest to compete on a more equal footing with Elon Musk's SpaceX, the world's leading rocket-launch service.

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A live Blue Origin webcast showed the rocket ascending from its launch tower through clear afternoon skies in a thunder of flames and billowing clouds of vapor moments after its seven BE-4 liquid-fueled engines roared to life. The launch followed several days of delays due to cloudy skies and a geomagnetic storm.

Some 10 minutes after liftoff, the 17-story-tall New Glenn first-stage booster made a return landing on the deck of a barge, named Jacklyn in honor of Bezos' mother, floating in the Atlantic, achieving for Blue Origin an important feat in reusability that was pioneered by SpaceX. The first attempt at such a landing in January failed.

With Thursday's launch, NASA's twin EscaPADE spacecraft became the first science payload that Blue Origin has delivered to space for NASA or any customer.

"We achieved full mission success today, and I am so proud of the team," Dave Limp, CEO of Blue Origin, said in a statement.

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Musk acknowledged Blue Origin's accomplishment, posting on his social platform X: "Congratulations @JeffBezos and the @BlueOrigin team!"

Cheers erupted in Blue Origin's Rocket Park mission control center at Cape Canaveral as video showed the landing of the booster, dubbed "Never Tell Me the Odds" in a reference to a line spoken by "Star Wars" hero Han Solo in the film "The Empire Strikes Back."

About 20 minutes later, mission control confirmed that New Glenn's upper stage had achieved its primary mission - deployment of the EscaPADE spacecraft into outer space to embark on a 22-month voyage to Mars.

BLUE AND GOLD

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The dual spacecraft, dubbed Blue and Gold, are due to reach Mars in 2027 and enter synchronized elliptical orbits for an 11-month study of the planet's space weather environment.

Instruments aboard the satellites will analyze how solar winds - the fluctuating stream of high-energy charged particles from the sun - interact with the relatively weak Martian magnetic field and how that interaction has contributed to depletion of the thin Martian atmosphere. The findings will help explain why Mars, once warmer and wetter, became a desert planet, and the way that solar radiation affects the Martian surface.

EscaPADE, short for Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers, was originally slated for launch in October 2024, but was delayed by setbacks in development of the New Glenn rocket.

The Blue and Gold satellites were built for NASA by California-based aerospace company Rocket Lab, with instruments supplied by the University of California, Berkeley.

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The rocket also carried a secondary payload from the satellite company Viasat that remained attached to its upper stage for a technical demonstration of an in-space relay of telemetry data above Earth. Blue Origin said the test was a success.

When the rocket made its debut flight in January, it carried Blue Origin's own payload to space, a prototype for its maneuverable Blue Ring spacecraft that the company is developing for the Pentagon and commercial customers.

Blue Origin, founded by Bezos in 2000, has until recently been known mainly for a space tourism business that flies wealthy passengers to the edge of space in its suborbital New Shepard rocketship. The single-stage reusable vehicle also has carried more than 200 research experiments inside its capsule.

PLAYING CATCH-UP WITH SPACEX

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Blue Origin has spent billions of dollars developing New Glenn, a heavy-lift-class rocket designed to become the company's workhorse vehicle for flying people and cargo into orbit.

Named for John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth, the spacecraft produces two times more thrust at liftoff than SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and about the same as SpaceX's Falcon Heavy vehicle, while offering more cargo room than its rivals.

NASA has spent roughly $55 million for the EscaPADE mission - a modest price tag relative to the agency's multibillion-dollar space programs - and has paid Blue Origin $18 million for the New Glenn flight, federal procurement data showed.

Blue Origin also supplies engines for other companies' rockets, including United Launch Alliance's Vulcan Centaur, and has been working on a crewed moon lander for NASA's Artemis lunar exploration program, as well as a space station in collaboration with other entities.

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Blue Origin has far to go to catch up with SpaceX, which has launched its Falcon rockets on nearly 280 missions during the past two years, most of them serving its own Starlink satellite business.

Musk's company also is developing its next-generation Starship rocket, a stainless steel behemoth designed to be fully reusable and serve an array of missions including flights to the moon and Mars, and expanding SpaceX's Starlink satellite network.

(Reporting by Joe Skipper in Cape Canaveral, Florida; Writing and additional reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles and Joey Roulette in Washington; Editing by Will Dunham and Leslie Adler)
Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket lifts off for its second mission, the NG-2, from Space Launch Complex 36 at the Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida (CHANDAN KHANNA)

Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket lifts off for its second mission, the NG-2, from Space Launch Complex 36 at the Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida (CHANDAN KHANNA) (CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP/AFP)

Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin successfully launched its New Glenn rocket on Thursday with NASA twin spacecraft destined for Mars aboard, and in a breakthrough nailed the landing of its booster.

The launch was stalled for days over weather both on Earth and in space, but it was worth the wait: in the rocket's second-ever flight, Blue Origin managed to recover the booster for reuse.

Ecstatic cheers rang out at the launch site in Florida's Cape Canaveral as the booster gracefully stuck its landing on a floating platform. Prior to Thursday, only Elon Musk's SpaceX had managed to accomplish such a maneuver with an orbital-class rocket.

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Blue Origin's accomplishment comes amid intensified rivalry between the two billionaire-owned private space companies, as the US space agency NASA recently opened up bids for its planned Moon mission.

"Damn that was exciting!" said Jared Isaacman -- a Musk ally who President Donald Trump recently nominated again to head NASA -- on X, congratulating Blue Origin.

A handful of figures at SpaceX also had praise for their rivals, including Musk himself: "Congratulations @JeffBezos and the @BlueOrigin team!" he said on X.

The launch was repeatedly delayed, on Sunday over weather on Earth, and on Wednesday over weather in space.

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The second postponement was over "highly elevated solar activity" that NASA was worried could impact or damage its spacecraft.

And multiple glitches meant delays yet again on Thursday -- hold-ups Blue Origin did not explain. But at 3:55 pm (2055 GMT), New Glenn finally blasted off.

The 322-foot (98-meter) rocket now has the task of sending NASA's ESCAPADE twin spacecraft to Mars, in a bid to study the Red Planet's climate history with the eventual hope of human exploration.

Applause resounded once more as the spacecraft successfully deployed.

Joseph Westlake, a NASA heliophysicist, explained during Thursday's webcast how the twin spacecraft named "Blue" and "Gold" will first finding a "benign, safe parking orbit" to make "measurements about the space weather here on Earth."

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Then, once the planets have reached the ideal alignment in the fall of 2026, the spacecraft will get a boost from Earth's gravity and begin the journey to Mars, where they will arrive in 2027.

This type of launch could allow for more frequent missions in the future, because they could proceed outside the window of direct alignment of Earth and Mars that happens approximately once every two years.

- 'Launch, land, repeat' -

New Glenn's inaugural flight in January also was marked a success, as its payload achieved orbit and successfully performed tests.

But its first-stage booster, which was meant to be reusable, was lost during descent.

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Thursday's achievement signals that Blue Origin is on its way to reducing costs by reusing boosters rather than allowing them to plummet into the ocean.

"Launch, land, repeat -- it starts today," said Eddie Seyffert, among Blue Origin's webcast commentators.

And it comes as US President Donald Trump's second term in the White House has seen the administration pile pressure on NASA to accelerate its progress to send a crewed mission to the Moon amid a race with China.

George Nield -- a senior aerospace executive whose work promotes the commercial space industry, and who has flown with Blue Origin in the past -- told AFP this launch would be an "indicator" of the company's progress.

It could show "whether they can play increased roles in near-term lunar exploration," he said.

mdo/
This close-up illustration shows what one of the twin ESCAPADE spacecraft will look like conducting its science operations. James Rattray/Rocket Lab USA/Goddard Space Flight Center

Envision a time when hundreds of spacecraft are exploring the solar system and beyond. Thats the future that NASAs ESCAPADE, or Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers, mission will help unleash: one where small, low-cost spacecraft enable researchers to learn rapidly, iterate, and advance technology and science.

The ESCAPADE mission launched on Nov. 13, 2025 on a Blue Origin New Glenn rocket, sending two small orbiters to Mars to study its atmosphere. As aerospace engineers, were excited about this mission because not only will it do great science while advancing the deep space capabilities of small spacecraft, but it also will travel to the red planet on an innovative new trajectory.

The ESCAPADE mission is actually two spacecraft instead of one. Two identical spacecraft will take simultaneous measurements, resulting in better science. These spacecraft are smaller than those used in the past, each about the size of a copy machine, partly enabled by an ongoing miniaturization trend in the space industry. Doing more with less is very important for space exploration, because it typically takes most of the mass of a spacecraft simply to transport it where you want it to go.

The ESCAPADE mission logo shows the twin orbiters. TRAX International/Kristen Perrin

Having two spacecraft also acts as an insurance policy in case one of them doesnt work as planned. Even if one completely fails, researchers can still do science with a single working spacecraft. This redundancy enables each spacecraft to be built more affordably than in the past, because the copies allow for more acceptance of risk.

Studying Mars history

Long before the ESCAPADE twin spacecraft Blue and Gold were ready to go to space  billions of years ago, to be more precise  Mars had a much thicker atmosphere than it does now. This atmosphere would have enabled liquids to flow on its surface, creating the channels and gullies that scientists can still observe today.

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But where did the bulk of this atmosphere go? Its loss turned Mars into the cold and dry world it is today, with a surface air pressure less than 1% of Earths.

Mars also once had a magnetic field, like Earths, that helped to shield its atmosphere. That atmosphere and magnetic field would have been critical to any life that might have existed on early Mars.

CC BY-ND Today, Mars atmosphere is very thin. Billions of years ago, it was much thicker. UAESA/MBRSC/HopeMarsMission/EXI/AndreaLuck

ESCAPADE will measure remnants of this magnetic field that have been preserved by ancient rock and study the flow and energy of Mars atmosphere and how it interacts with the solar wind, the stream of particles that the sun emits along with light. These measurements will help to reveal where the atmosphere went and how quickly Mars is still losing it today.

Weathering space on a budget

Space is not a friendly place. Most of it is a vacuum  that is, mostly empty, without the gas molecules that create pressure and allow you to breathe or transfer heat. These molecules keep things from getting too hot or too cold. In space, with no pressure, a spacecraft can easily get too hot or too cold, depending on whether it is in sunlight or in shadow.

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In addition, the Sun and other, farther astronomical objects emit radiation that living things do not experience on Earth. Earths magnetic field protects you from the worst of this radiation. So when humans or our robotic representatives leave the Earth, our spacecraft must survive in this extreme environment not present on Earth.

ESCAPADE will overcome these challenges with a shoestring budget totaling US$80 million. That is a lot of money, but for a mission to another planet it is inexpensive. It has kept costs low by leveraging commercial technologies for deep space exploration, which is now possible because of prior investments in fundamental research.

For example, the GRAIL mission, launched in 2011, previously used two spacecraft, Ebb and Flow, to map the Moons gravity fields. ESCAPADE takes this concept to another world, Mars, and costs a fraction as much as GRAIL.

Led by Rob Lillis of UC Berkeleys Space Sciences Laboratory, this collaboration between spacecraft builders Rocket Lab, trajectory specialists Advanced Space LLC and launch provider Blue Origin  all commercial partners funded by NASA  aims to show that deep space exploration is now faster, more agile and more affordable than ever before.

How will ESCAPADE get to Mars?

ESCAPADE will also use a new trajectory to get to Mars. Imagine being an archer in the Olympics. To hit a bulls-eye, you have to shoot an arrow through a 15-inch  40-centimeter  circle from a distance of 300 feet, or 90 meters. Now imagine the bulls-eye represents Mars. To hit it from Earth, you would have to shoot an arrow through the same 15-inch bulls-eye at a distance of over 13 miles, or 22 kilometers. You would also have to shoot the arrow in a curved path so that it goes around the Sun.

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Not only that, but Mars wont be at the bulls-eye at the time you shoot the arrow. You must shoot for the spot that Mars will be in 10 months from now. This is the problem that the ESCAPADE mission designers faced. What is amazing is that the physical laws and forces of nature are so predictable that this was not even the hardest problem to solve for the ESCAPADE mission.

It takes energy to get from one place to another. To go from Earth to Mars, a spacecraft has to carry the energy it needs, in the form of rocket fuel, much like gasoline in a car. As a result, a high percentage of the total launch mass has to be fuel for the trip.

When going to Mars orbit from Earth orbit, as much as 80% to 85% of the spacecraft mass has to be propellant, which means not much mass is dedicated to the part of the spacecraft that does all the experiments. This issue makes it important to pack as much capability into the rest of the spacecraft as possible. For ESCAPADE, the propellant is only about 65% of the spacecrafts mass.

ESCAPADEs route is particularly fuel-efficient. First, Blue and Gold will go to the L2 Lagrange point, one of five places where gravitational forces of the Sun and Earth cancel out. Then, after about a year, during which they will collect data monitoring the Sun, they will fly by the Earth, using its gravitational field to get a boost. This way, they will arrive at Mars in about 10 more months.

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This new approach has another advantage beyond needing to carry less fuel: Trips from Earth to Mars are typically favorable to save fuel about every 26 months due to the two planets relative positions. However, this new trajectory makes the departure time more flexible. Future cargo and human missions could use a similar trajectory to have more frequent and less time-constrained trips to Mars.

ESCAPADE is a testament to a new era in spaceflight. For a new generation of scientists and engineers, ESCAPADE is not just a mission  it is a blueprint for a new collaborative era of exploration and discovery.

This article was updated on Nov. 13, 2025 to reflect the ESCAPADE launchs date and success.

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: Christopher Carr, Georgia Institute of Technology and Glenn Lightsey, Georgia Institute of Technology

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Christopher E. Carr is part of the science team for the Rocket Lab Mission to Venus (funding from Schmidt Sciences and NASA). More information is available at https://www.morningstarmissions.space/rocketlabmissiontovenus

Glenn Lightsey 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.
NASAs latest experiment in quiet flight just made a little history and a very soft sound.

The space agency has spent years developing technology to solve one of aviations oldest problems: the deafening sonic boom that banned supersonic passenger jets from flying over land for more than 50 years.

For the first time, that solutionan experimental aircraft called the X-59, nicknamed the flying swordfishtook to the skies in late October this year. Developed by NASA and Lockheed Martin, its the first aircraft of its kind built to fly faster than sound without the thunderous booms that once made supersonic travel impossible over land.

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The flight lasted about an hour, lifting off from Lockheed Martins Skunk Works facility in Palmdale, California, before landing safely at NASAs Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards. It reached 12,000 feet and speeds of up to 290 mph, far below its top capability, as engineers focused on checking flight systems and controls.

The Aircraft Built to Beat a 50-Year Ban

The modest first flight was just the beginning of a much larger mission. Future tests are expected to push things much further. Designed to reach Mach 1.4 (925 mph) at 55,000 feet, the sleek jet could eventually cut cross-country travel times in half, paving the way for a return of commercial supersonic flight in the U.S. for the first time since it was banned in 1973.

At 99.7 feet long, with a 29.5 ft wingspan, and just 14 feet tall, the X-59 looks like something out of science fiction  all needle nose and narrow wings. This unusual shape isnt for looks, though. The long, chisel-like nose was engineered to reshape the shockwaves that form when a plane breaks the sound barrier.

Instead of one explosive boom, those shockwaves scatter into a series of smaller ones, each producing a quiet thump. NASA says the noise will be about as loud as a car door closing  a far cry from the window-rattling blasts that grounded supersonic passenger jets decades ago.

Testing the Future of Supersonic Travel

The project, as part of NASAs Quesst mission, aims to test public response to quiet supersonic flight. Future tests will have the X-59 fly over selected U.S. communities so researchers can measure how people react to the sound.

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If successful, the data could help regulators lift the 50-year ban on supersonic commercial flights over land. That means one day, flying from New York to Los Angeles in just three hours might no longer be science fiction.

NASAs engineers call the X-59 a flying laboratory, but its purpose is far more ambitious: to prove that speed and silence can coexist in the sky.

And after its first flight, a future, once shelved with the Concorde, just got a little bit closer.

Sources: NASA, Live Science, Lockheed Martin

Read the original article on GEEKSPIN.

Affiliate links on GEEKSPIN may earn us and our partners a commission.
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:

The image shows two cartoon characters. Character A speaks Bavarian and Character B speaks Standard German. The question at the bottom is which job would be recommended for each applicant. An AI system based on a large language model, represented here by a llama, would recommend the job of a plasterer for dialect speaker A, as no academic background is required for this profession. Credit: von der Wense Group; created with the help of AI)

Large language models such as GPT-5 and Llama systematically rate speakers of German dialects less favorably than those using Standard German. This is shown by a recent collaborative study between Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) and the universities of Hamburg and Washington, in which Professor Katharina von der Wense and Minh Duc Bui of JGU played a leading role.

The results, presented at this year's Conference on Empirical Methods in Natural Language Processing (EMNLP), show that all tested AI systems reproduce social stereotypes.

"Dialects are an essential part of cultural identity," emphasized Minh Duc Bui, a doctoral researcher in von der Wense's Natural Language Processing (NLP) group at JGU's Institute of Computer Science. "Our analyses suggest that language models associate dialects with negative traitsthereby perpetuating problematic social biases."

Using linguistic databases containing orthographic and phonetic variants of German dialects, the team first translated seven regional varieties into Standard German. This parallel dataset allowed them to systematically compare how language models evaluated identical contentonce written in Standard German, once in dialect form.

Bias grows when dialects are explicitly mentioned

The researchers tested ten large language models, ranging from open-source systems such as Gemma and Qwen to the commercial model GPT-5. Each model was presented with written texts either in Standard German or in one of seven dialects: Low German, Bavarian, North Frisian, Saterfrisian, Ripuarianwhich includes KolschAlemannic, and Rhine-Franconian dialects, including Palatine and Hessian.

The systems were first asked to assign personal attributes to fictional speakersfor instance, "educated" or "uneducated." They then had to choose between two fictional individualsfor example, in a hiring decision, a workshop invitation, or the choice of a place to live.

The results: In nearly all tests, the models attached stereotypes to dialect speakers. While Standard German speakers were more often described as "educated," "professional," or "trustworthy," dialect speakers were labeled "rural," "traditional," or "uneducated." Even the seemingly positive trait "friendly"which sociolinguistic research has traditionally linked to dialect speakerswas more often attributed by AI systems to users of Standard German.

Larger models, stronger bias

Decision-based tests showed similar trends: dialect texts were systematically disadvantaged, being linked to farm work, anger-management workshops, or rural places to live.

"These associations reflect societal assumptions embedded in the training data of many language models," explained Professor von der Wense, who conducts research in computational linguistics at JGU. "That is troubling, because AI systems are increasingly used in education or hiring contexts, where language often serves as a proxy for competence or credibility."

The bias became especially pronounced when models were explicitly told that a text was written in dialect. Surprisingly, larger models within the same family displayed even stronger biases.

"So bigger doesn't necessarily mean fairer," said Bui. "In fact, larger models appear to learn social stereotypes with even greater precision."

Similar patterns in English

Even when compared with artificially "noisy" Standard German texts, the bias against dialect versions persisted, showing that the discrimination cannot simply be explained by unusual spelling or grammar.

German dialects thus serve as a case study for a broader, global issue. "Our results reveal how language models handle regional and social variation across languages," said Bui. "Comparable biases have been documented for other languages as wellfor example, for African American English."

Future research will explore how AI systems differ in their treatment of various dialects and how language models can be designed and trained to represent linguistic diversity more fairly.

"Dialects are a vital part of social identity," emphasized von der Wense. "Ensuring that machines not only recognize but also respect this diversity is a question of technical fairnessand of social responsibility."

The research team in Mainz is currently working on a follow-up study examining how large language models respond to dialects specific to the Mainz region.
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:

Dario Amodei, CEO and co-founder of Anthropic, attends the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 23, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File

Artificial intelligence company Anthropic announced a $50 billion investment in computing infrastructure on Wednesday that will include new data centers in Texas and New York.

Microsoft also on Wednesday announced a new data center under construction in Atlanta, Georgia, describing it as connected to another in Wisconsin to form a "massive supercomputer" running on hundreds of thousands of Nvidia chips to power AI technology.

The latest deals show that the tech industry is moving forward on huge spending to build energy-hungry AI infrastructure, despite lingering financial concerns about a bubble, environmental considerations and the political effects of fast-rising electricity bills in the communities where the massive buildings are constructed.

Anthropic, maker of the chatbot Claude, said it is working with London-based Fluidstack to build the new computing facilities to power its AI systems. It didn't disclose their exact locations or what source of electricity they will need.

Another company, cryptocurrency mining data center developer TeraWulf, has previously revealed it was working with Fluidstack on Google-backed data center projects in Texas and New York, on the shore of Lake Ontario. TeraWulf declined comment Wednesday.

A report last month from TD Cowen said that the leading cloud computing providers leased a "staggering" amount of U.S. data center capacity in the third fiscal quarter of this year, amounting to more than 7.4 gigawatts of energy, more than all of last year combined.

Oracle was securing the most capacity during that time, much of it supporting AI workloads for Anthropic's chief rival OpenAI, maker of ChatGPT. Google was second and Fluidstack came in third, ahead of Meta, Amazon, CoreWeave and Microsoft.

Anthropic said its projects will create about 800 permanent jobs and 2,400 construction jobs. It said in a statement that the "scale of this investment is necessary to meet the growing demand for Claude from hundreds of thousands of businesses while keeping our research at the frontier."

Microsoft has branded its two-story Atlanta data center as Fairwater 2 and said it will be connected across a "high-speed network" with the original Fairwater complex being built south of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The company said the facility's densely packed Nvidia chips will help power Microsoft's own AI technology, along with OpenAI's and other AI developers.

Microsoft was, until earlier this year, OpenAI's exclusive cloud computing provider before the two companies amended their partnership. OpenAI has since announced more than $1 trillion in infrastructure obligations, much of it tied to its Stargate project with partners Oracle and SoftBank. Microsoft, in turn, spent nearly $35 billion in the July-September quarter on capital expenditures to support its AI and cloud demand, nearly half of that on computer chips.

Anthropic has made its own computing partnerships with Amazon and, more recently, Google.

The tech industry's big spending on computing infrastructure for AI startups that aren't yet profitable has fueled concerns about an AI investment bubble.

Investors have closely watched a series of circular deals over recent months between AI developers and the companies building the costly chips and data centers needed to power their AI products. Anthropic said it will continue to "prioritize cost-effective, capital-efficient approaches" to scaling up its business.

OpenAI had to backtrack last week after its chief financial officer, Sarah Friar, made comments at a tech conference suggesting the U.S. government could help in financing chips needed for data centers. The White House's top AI official, David Sacks, responded on social media platform X that there "will be no federal bailout for AI" and if one of the leading companies fails, "others will take its place," though he also added he didn't think "anyone was actually asking for a bailout."

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman later confirmed in a lengthy statement that "we do not have or want government guarantees" for the company's data centers and also sought to address concerns about whether it will be able to pay for all the infrastructure it has signed up for.

"We are looking at commitments of about $1.4 trillion over the next 8 years," Altman wrote. "Obviously this requires continued revenue growth, and each doubling is a lot of work! But we are feeling good about our prospects there."

 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:

Novel aerosol induction-removal device. Credit: Building and Environment (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2025.113569

With winter approaching and people spending more time indoors, the quality of the air they breathe becomes increasingly important, especially during cold and flu season.

Researchers at UBC Okanagan are exploring an air-cleaning device that can remove airborne pathogens, offering a powerful new tool for reducing the spread of respiratory diseases in enclosed spaces.

The traditional approach to alleviating transmission of infectious diseases involves improving a building's ventilation system to regulate large-scale airflow, explains study co-author Dr. Sunny Li, professor in the School of Engineering.

Personalized ventilation systems go a step further by directing clean air toward a person from a fixed distancesimilar to the air circulation system on passenger airplanes. But these systems have drawbacks, he says. A person needs to stay in the same position, or all people in the surrounding area need to be using the same system at the same time. There is also the discomfort of dry skin and eyes due to the constant exposure to the air.

"Ensuring high air quality while indoors is crucial for mitigating the transmission of airborne disease, particularly in shared environments," says Dr. Li. "Many Canadians spend nearly 90% of their time inside, making indoor air quality a critical factor for health and well-being."

Postdoctoral researcher Dr. Mojtaba Zabihi, the study's first author, explains that room layouts and ventilation systems vary significantly, making it challenging to implement changes in existing heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. This highlights the importance of personalized ventilation.

"We wanted to develop an innovative system that prevents occupants from inhaling contaminated air while allowing them to use a personalized ventilation system comfortably for extended periods," he says.

The team of mechanical engineers, who work with UBC's Airborne Disease Transmission Research Cluster, created an induction-removal or jet-sink airflow concept to capture and remove exhaled aerosols before they can circulate through the room.

Unlike conventional personalized ventilation systems, which rely on high-speed air jets that can cause discomfort and lose effectiveness when users move, the new design redirects airflow around the person while continuously drawing contaminated particles into a localized purification zone.

"Our design combines comfort with control," says Dr. Zabihi. "It creates a targeted airflow that traps and removes exhaled aerosols almost immediatelybefore they have a chance to spread."

Using computer simulations to model breathing, body heat and airflow during a 30-minute consultation scenario, the researchers compared their device against standard personal ventilation systems.

The results, published recently in Building and Environment, were dramatic. The new system reduced the probability of infection to just 9.5%, compared with 47.6% for a personal setup, 38% for a personal ventilation system with an exhaust design, and 91% under standard room ventilation.

Under optimal placement, the device prevented pathogen inhalation for the first 15 minutes of exposure, allowing only 10 particles out of 540,000 to reach another person. In fact, their simulations indicated it was able to remove up to 94% of airborne pathogens.

"Traditional personalized ventilation systems can't adapt when people move or interact," explains Dr. Joshua Brinkerhoff, study co-author. "It's a smart, responsive solution for spaces like clinics, classrooms or offices where close contact is unavoidable."

Dr. Brinkerhoff says the study highlights the potential for airflow engineeringnot just filtrationto improve indoor air quality and occupant safety. Future research will focus on refining the design for larger rooms and testing physical prototypes in clinical and public settings.

As a member of Canada's National Model Codes Committee on Indoor Environment, Dr. Zabihi hopes their research will help shape future ventilation standards, making indoor spaces safer and healthier for everyone.

More information: Mojtaba Zabihi et al, A novel aerosol induction-removal system for mitigating airborne disease transmission in shared indoor environments, Building and Environment (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2025.113569 Journal information: Building and Environment
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:

Google has agreed a fund to support South African media.

Google will pay more than $40 million to support South African news media, many of them floundering in a digital age, the country's competition authority said Thursday.

Tech giants, including TikTok, X and Facebook, have come under fire for anti-trust practices that the watchdog says hurt local media by limiting their ability to distribute and profit from their digital content.

In February, the Competition Commission had recommended that Google pay up to $27 million a year for five years, following a 16-month investigation that found Google searches favored international news over local outlets.

But the California-based company ultimately agreed to a 688 million-rand ($40.4-million) funding package, the commission said Thursday as it released its final report.

Under the agreement, $4 million will go to national publishers and broadcasters over five years for content on Google News, while $2.6 million will be allocated annually to support AI innovation.

Community and small media outlets will receive $2.2 million over three years to support digital transformation.

"Google will also introduce new user tools to prioritize local news sources, provide technical assistance to improve website performance, share enhanced audience data," the commission said, adding that YouTube had also agreed to support monetization.

The platforms also committed to removing algorithmic bias favoring foreign outlets, it said.

Similar funding deals have been reached in countries including Taiwan, Canada, Australia and the United States in the face of mounting pressure from governments to introduce regulations requiring such arrangements.

Chinese social media platform TikTok had meanwhile agreed to provide new tools, including allowing media to insert links within videos to monetize off-platform content.

Social media platform X, owned by South African-born billionaire Elon Musk, did not reach a settlement and has been ordered to make all monetization programs available to local publishers and to provide training workshops.

The directive can be appealed, the commission said.

 2025 AFP
SHENYANG, China, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, 2025 Forbes China Go-International 30&30 Series was officially released, and Neusoft Cloud Technology, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Neusoft Corporation (SSE600718) was selected as one of the Top 30 Leading Brands for its excellent digital business & technology service capabilities and globalization practices, becoming the only technology company that provides comprehensive digital services on the list.

The Forbes China Go-International 30&30 Series Selection has been held for three consecutive years. It aims to recognize Chinese companies and representative figures excelling in global market expansion and has now become an authoritative benchmark for observing the globalization advancement of Chinese companies.

Neusoft has been actively committed to going global from the very beginning and has established a global business and service network covering multiple countries and regions, including Japan, the United States, Europe, and Southeast Asia. It serves over 20,000 clients across more than 110 countries and regions and has taken the lead or participated in the formulation of numerous national and international industry standards. Amid the rapid development of AI technology, Neusoft is expediting its dual strategy of "intelligence + globalization" to empower enterprises with a mature approach to enter the global market.

Neusoft Cloud Technology, as Neusoft's wholly-owned subsidiary, specialized in providing digital business & technology services for global clients. Relying on Neusoft's overall extensive global presence and exceptional software technology expertise, Neusoft Cloud Technology stands out with its core competencies in three areas: AI-driven digital experience, digital interaction, and digital infrastructure, which empowers enterprises to build global business competitiveness. Currently, Neusoft Cloud Technology has deployed a digital service and delivery network in more than 20 countries and regions worldwide, with exceptional response capabilities to serve global clients. It adopts a "China + International" dual-track model to achieve highly efficient global resource allocation and precise and locally-attuned market insights, thus forming an industry-leading intelligent service system.

Looking ahead, Neusoft will continue to empower its clients with data and AI, supporting them in achieving a full-chain overseas business expansion and integration into the global market. Meanwhile, Neusoft will continue to leverage the technologies, resources and experience accumulated in the global market to collaborate with clients, pursuing an upgrade from overseas business expansion to joint and deeper value creation, building a global value co-creation network to create more value and achieve mutual benefit and win-win growth.

For more information about Neusoft, please visit www.neusoft.com.

SOURCE Neusoft Corporation
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TORONTO, Nov. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Orvana Minerals Corp. (TSX: ORV) (the "Company" or "Orvana") announces that its Argentine subsidiary, Orvana Argentina S.A., has commenced a geophysical survey at its Taguas Project, located in the high Andes of San Juan Province, Argentina. The Taguas property consists of fifteen mining concessions totaling approximately 3,274 hectares, situated within a well-known Andean mineral belt hosting high-sulfidation epithermal gold-silver-copper and porphyry-style deposits.

The Company is repositioning the Taguas Project to evaluate its broader potential, extending beyond the near-surface oxidized gold-silver resource outlined in the 2021 Preliminary Economic Assessment (dated on December 29, 2021; available at www.sedarplus.ca) to include the underlying sulfide mineralization and potential deep porphyry copper-gold system.

"The 2025/26 campaign marks an important milestone in advancing our understanding of the Taguas mineral system. By combining the advanced geophysical survey now underway with insights from the recently completed review of historical exploration data, we will prioritize key targets for our initial deep drilling campaign, planned to start in January 2026, and establish a disciplined and strategic path toward unlocking the system's broader potential", said Juan Gavidia, Chief Executive Officer of Orvana Minerals Corp.

2025/26 Exploration Program

The Company's 2025/26 Exploration Program at the Taguas Project is structured into three sequential phases:

Phase Objective Status Geological Modeling Update Detailed relogging of historical drill holes and short-wave infrared (SWIR) alteration studies; spectral scanning of drill holes in the target area every 5m Completed Identified vectors toward porphyry-style mineralization along a 2.5-kilometre northsouth corridor extending from Cerro IV to Cerro Campamento Geophysical Survey Identify potential targets up to a depth of 1,500 m In progress  Expected to finish by late December 2025 Will cover the entire area of interest, 4 km between Cerro Campamento and Cerros Taguas, with a grid of 400m x 400m First Deep Drilling Drill the areas showing potential indicators of a copper-gold porphyry system, based on geophysical results and the updated geological model Planned to start early 2026 Preliminary plan of ~4,500 metres; subject to change based on geophysical updates

This approach allows the Company to progress methodically while focusing on the most promising targets for deep drilling.

Geophysical Survey

As part of this exploration phase, Ridgeback Geofisica Argentina S.A., an affiliate of Southernrock Geophysics, has been engaged to conduct a comprehensive geophysical survey program. The program will include Magnetotelluric (MT) and Induced Polarization (IP) surveys across the southern portion of the Taguas property. The MT survey will provide three-dimensional models of subsurface resistivity down to depths of approximately 1,500 metres, while the IP survey will generate chargeability models to shallower depths reaching around 800 or 1,000 meters. Together, these techniques will provide a clearer picture of the subsurface structure and guide the next phase of deep drilling planned for early 2026.

Ridgeback and its partner company, Southernrock Geophysics, bring extensive experience in high-resolution geophysical surveys across the Andes, including work that has improved geological understanding at projects such as Valeriano (Atex Resources) and Altar (Aldebaran Resources). Their expertise in deep-penetrating MT and IP methods provides a robust technical basis for the Taguas program and regional insight into the surrounding copper-gold systems.

Complementary geological work, including detailed relogging of historical drill holes and short-wave infrared (SWIR) alteration studies, has identified vectors toward porphyry-style mineralization along a 2.5-kilometre northsouth corridor extending from Cerro IV to Cerro Campamento. This integrated approach will allow Orvana to prioritize the most prospective zones for the upcoming deep-drilling program.

Strategic Context

The Taguas exploration program aligns with Orvana's broader strategy of enhancing long-term value through targeted exploration and disciplined capital allocation. The objective of this campaign is to refine the geological model, test priority porphyry targets, and determine the next steps for the project's development. Results from the 2025/26 program will help guide Orvana's strategic decisions regarding future resource delineation and potential project advancement.

ABOUT ORVANA  Orvana is a multi-mine gold-copper-silver company. Orvana's assets consist of the producing Orovalle operation in northern Spain; the Don Mario operation in Bolivia, currently in plant expansion; and the Taguas Project located in Argentina. Additional information is available at Orvana's website (www.orvana.com).

Cautionary Statements  Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by words such as "plans", "expects", "aims", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "potential", "target", "may", "could", "would", "should", "will", or similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or events. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company's exploration plans at Taguas, the timing, scope and objectives of the geophysical and drilling programs, and the anticipated results or outcomes of such work.

Forward-looking statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions as of the date of this news release and are 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. These factors include, but are not limited to: changes in general economic and market conditions; fluctuations in metal prices; exploration and development risks; operational and technical challenges; regulatory and permitting risks; environmental and social risks; political and jurisdictional risks in Argentina and other operating areas; and those described under the heading "Risk Factors" in Orvana's most recent Annual Information Form and Management's Discussion and Analysis, available under Orvana's profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

Readers are cautioned not to 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.

SOURCE Orvana Minerals Corp.
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If cockroach have no business in fowl party, politicians should also stay out of police acti
NEW YORK, Nov. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ --

Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces an investigation of potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Nidec Corporation (OTC: NJDCY) resulting from allegations that Nidec Corporation may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public.

So What: If you purchased Nidec Corporation securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses.

What to do next: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=47559 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

What is this about: On September 3, 2025, after market close, CNBC published an article entitled "Nidec shares plunge 22% as China unit probe finds accounting issues tied to management." The article further stated that shares of Nidec fell "after the company announced a probe into allegations of improper accounting in its group. This marks the largest one-day drop in the Japanese electronics components manufacturer's shares."

On this news, Nidec American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") fell 22.7% on September 4, 2025.

Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. At the time Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

[email protected]

www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.
A pair of Tucson developers is about to give Tucsons City of Gastronomy an actual address.

And they are doing it in seven historic bungalows that narrowly missed the wrecking ball in a stretch of the citys core that many had long ago written off as desolate and neglected.

Developers Randi Dorman (who is connected to the Ice House Lofts and The Trinity apartments, office and retail space) and Moniqua Lane (linked to the Downtown Clifton and Citizen Hotel) are creating a foodie hub in seven bungalows on the so-called Sunshine Mile. The 2-mile stretch of East Broadway, from Country Club to Euclid, lies in the path of the citys controversial Broadway road-widening project that leveled hundreds of buildings, some of them historic.

Rio Nuevo Chairman Fletcher McCusker said they saved the bungalows, which date back 100 years, when they moved them 75 feet from the roadway in 2019. The historic houses are now the Bungalow Block, sitting on the north side of Broadway, from Cherry to Warren avenues.

Two months ago, Rio Nuevo put out requests for developers to submit financial commitments to redevelop the bungalows in a way that would preserve their history.

We had several proposals. The one that was head and shoulders above anyone else was Randi and Moniquas idea to create a City of Gastronomy block, McCusker said. We think its brilliant. It is really the kind of thing we have been looking for on Broadway.

Dorman, who has been developing residential and mixed use projects in Tucson with her husband/partner Rob Paulus for 20 years, said the idea is to shine a spotlight on Tucsons City of Gastronomy designation. Plans include creating a cooking school that would feature local chefs teaching about heritage ingredients and traditional cooking techniques, and a restaurant called Residency that would feature a rotating head chef every six to 12 weeks to showcase the different regional cuisines that landed Tucson UNESCOs first American City of Gastronomy designation in 2015.

I thought we have this designation, we have to amplify it, Dorman said. Let people from Tucson experience it .. but also have it as a beacon for people to come from all over.

The development, which Dorman and Lane are tentatively calling the Tucson Gastronomy Collective, also will include restaurants and a boutique that will sell local and heritage foods.

To a certain extent, our goal is to have the city of Tucson recognized as a culinary destination, said Lane, who will open her wine-centric downtown boutique Citizen Hotel this summer. Willcox winery Sand-Reckoner Vineyards is moving its wine barreling and cellaring operations and a tasting room to the hotels basement.

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Lane said part of the Bungalow Block mission will be realized through the teaching kitchen, which also will involve students from the University of Arizonas College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Food Studies program.

We want to have a teaching kitchen  that would actually bring people into our culinary heritage, said the Tucson native, who practiced law before buying and renovating the Downtown Clifton hotel in 2012. The City of Gastronomy designation can be somewhat opaque to people. They come here and they say, Well, I just want to taste all the food. And they eat all our wonderful food like our Sonoran hot dogs and our tortillas and our Mexican cultural foods. But its not just that. We want to give a platform for all of that and the chefs that are working with all those ingredients.

The Bungalow Block is one of three Rio Nuevo redevelopment projects along the Sunshine Mile. Rio Nuevo also plans to redevelop the historic Solot Plaza, where Roccos Little Chicago Pizza will move, and the Friedman Block, which will be home to Leruas Fine Mexican Food, which was forced out of its home of nearly 80 years at 2005 E. Broadway in early 2019.

Dorman and Lane said it could be a year or more before the Broadway bungalows project is completed.

Its really exciting to bring a spotlight to everything that made us a City of Gastronomy and also to save these historic homes, Dorman said. Its a win, win, win.

I love this place. We love its history. We love the city, added Lane. We love its culinary heritage, and to be able to spotlight that as well, not just these bungalows but Tucson as a place that is interesting and delectable and worth being a place to visit and a place to live and work and play, is an honor. It is a true honor that we were selected to give that prominence to this place.
A special tribunal in Bangladesh will deliver its ruling in the case against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and two of her top aides on 17 November.

Ms Hasina, who ruled the South Asian country with an iron fist for 15 years, is charged with committing crimes against humanity for overseeing a deadly police crackdown on protesters who nevertheless succeeded in overthrowing her.

The UN estimates up to 1,400 people were killed in the protests between July and August last year.

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Former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun are also on trial for their alleged role in the crackdown. Al-Mamun pleaded guilty after his arrest last year and became a state witness.

After protesters stormed her residence in early August last year, Ms Hasina fled by helicopter to India, a key ally of her government. She has not been seen in public or online since.

A fire smolders after protesters vandalise an office of ousted leader Sheikh Hasinas Awami League party in Dhaka on 13 November 2025 (AP)

Chief prosecutor Tajul Islam demanded the death penalty for Ms Hasina last month, calling her the mastermind and principal architect of the supposed crimes against humanity committed during the uprising against her.

Ms Hasina's Awami League party, banned by the countrys interim rulers, had urged its supporters and others to protest on Thursday while the government and opposition to the former leader had vowed to stop them.

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Schools in Dhaka and several major cities switched to online classes and examinations while public transportation was severely disrupted as security was heightened across the country for the protest.

In the run-up to Thursdays protest, Bangladesh had witnessed a spate of crude bombings and arson attacks.

A fire bomb was thrown at a government office in Gopalganj, Ms Hasina's home district and a stronghold for her party, while arsonists torched an office of Grameen Bank, founded by interim leader Muhammad Yunus, in the countrys east on Wednesday.

There were reports of arson on a train and a bus in the capital on Wednesday evening, barely hours after crude bombs had gone off on the Dhaka University campus.

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Mr Yunus said in a televised address on Thursday that his administration would hold a referendum on a national charter, which was signed last month by political parties, on the day of the next election in February.

(AP)

The referendum, he said, would propose a two-tier parliament in line with the July National Charter adopted by the interim government that he took over three days after Ms Hasina's fall on 5 August 2024.

We have decided that the referendum will be held on the same day as the national parliamentary election, meaning in the first half of February. This will not hinder the reform process. Rather, it will make the election more festive and cost-efficient.

The charter aims to reshape the South Asian nations politics and institutions and give constitutional recognition to the 2024 uprising against Ms Hasina.

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It also proposes giving greater representation to women, limiting the prime minister's term, strengthening presidential powers, expanding fundamental rights, and ensuring judicial independence.

A majority of political parties signed the charter in October but the National Citizens Party, formed by leaders of last year's protest movement and four left-leaning parties, boycotted it.
In the latest episode of the BBC's Celebrity Race Across the World, producers had to pause the race for two teams due to concerns for the contestants' safety. Anita Rani even asked: "Is the race over for us?"

Last year, contestants on Race Across the World were unable to travel through China, but this time, protests in Guatemala escalated into a national uprising, with roads blocked and violent clashes in the cities. Due to the routes taken, siblings Roman Kemp and Harleymoon, as well as father and daughter Bal and Anita Rani, were impacted.

Kemp and Harleymoon received the message: "A national strike has been announced in Guatemala, any major roads have been blocked, for safety reasons, your race will be paused. This is an ongoing situation, and an update will be issued later today."

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Although they were stopped from racing, the cameras continued to roll.

Dylan Llewellyn and his mum, Jackie, had avoided the lockdown by swerving central Guatemala. Meanwhile, Molly Rainford and Tyler West also dodged it by travelling through Belize.

Read more: Celebrity Race Across the World's Dylan Llewellyn shares tragedy that 'hit family hard'

Why was Celebrity Race Across the World stopped?

Roman Kemp and Harleymoon reading the messages. (BBC/Studio Lambert)

In Guatemala, Rani and her dad, Bal, discussed being "trapped" by the protests. She said, "We're in lockdown in Guatemala. So basically, we're trapped now. So our advantage [in the race] is...[gone]."

Carefree, Bal said: "Nothing we can do, so why worry about it?"

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Rani responded: "There's part of me that's absolutely like you, very philosophical about this, but there is another part of my brain that is 'oh dear'."

Dylan Llewellyn and his mum Jackie put up a fight on Celebrity Race Across the World. (BBC/Studio Lambert) Roman Kemp and Harleymoon are deciding what Celebrity Race Across the World route to do. (BBC/Studio Lambert) Molly Rainford and Tyler West look raring to go with their Celebrity Race Across the World rucksacks on. (BBC/Studio Lambert) Tyler West and Molly Rainford get stuck into washing a boat on Celebrity Race Across the World. (BBC/Studio Lambert) Molly Rainford holds the sponge up after washing the boat on Celebrity Race Across the World. (BBC/Studio Lambert) Anita Rani admires the sunset on Celebrity Race Across the World. (BBC/Studio Lambert) Molly Rainford and Tyler West hold hands and look out into the countryside. (BBC/Studio Lambert) Anita Rani and her dad Bal are bonding over their Celebrity Race Across the World experience. (BBC/Studio Lambert) Molly Rainford cuddled Tyler West as they enjoy Celebrity Race Across the World. (BBC/Studio Lambert) Anita Rani and Bal are in Celebrity Race Across the World mode. (BBC/Studio Lambert) Molly Rainford rests her head on Tyler West's shoulder on Celebrity Race Across the World. (BBC/Studio Lambert) Anita and her dad Bal are having the time of their lives on Celebrity Race Across the World. (BBC/Studio Lambert) Anita Rani and her dad Bal throw their arms in the air on Celebrity Race Across the World. (BBC/Studio Lambert) Dylan Llewellyn and his mum Jackie on Celebrity Race Across the World. (BBC/Studio Lambert) Dylan Llewellyn and his mum Jackie are close on Celebrity Race Across the World. (BBC/Studio Lambert) Dylan Llewellyn and his mum Jackie get a selfie on Celebrity Race Across the World. (BBC/Studio Lambert) Harleymoon and her brother Roman Kemp are enjoying the tropics on Celebrity Race Across the World. (BBC/Studio Lambert) Harleymoon and Roman Kemp have been getting closer on Celebrity Race Across the World. (BBC/Studio Lambert) Celebrity Race Across The World S3 1 of 18 Dylan Llewellyn and his mum Jackie put up a fight on Celebrity Race Across the World. (BBC/Studio Lambert)

Having handed over their mobile phones and being banned from the internet for the duration of their race, the broadcaster asked a woman to help find out what was happening in the news. "The capital is bad now, a lot of traffic, and everything is blocked, there is no passage," Rani said, reading the woman's mobile phone.

"Oh my god, this is bad news, right now," she reacted. "What if this goes on for days? What happens then? Is the race over for us?"

Elsewhere, the Kemp siblings also shared their anxieties. "It's hard being far away from home," Kemp said. "And in a new place where something is going on. We don't really know what it is. We don't know if it's safe for us to go outside."

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Harleymoon said: "As soon as they say we can go, it's going to be full adrenaline back on."

The protests were called off, meaning the race is back on. Rani and her dad get back into the race after taking a "costly taxi". Harleymoon and Kemp also get back on the move.

Anita Rani and Bal had to pause their Celebrity Race Across the World journey. (BBC/Studio Lambert)

The first signs of problems had emerged when Rani and her dad, Bal's bus stopped. "The road is closed because they are protesting," a local explained to them. "It's a three-day protest, and no one can pass, so we have to walk."

As civil unrest unfolded across the country, the father and daughter continued their journey on foot. A local TV channel explained that in 45 days' time all vehicles in Guatemala had to have the mandatory insurance.

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"Citizens who object to the proposed new law are blockading part of the country's road network," the narrator explained.

After the days of protests, Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo scrapped the decree that would have made car insurance compulsory.

Rule change for safety reasons

The Celebrity Race Across the World contestants can only travel in the daytime. (BBC/Studio Lambert)

The rules of the race had to change at the beginning of the leg when the contestants were heading for the second checkpoint, in El Zonte, El Salvador. "For safety reasons, travel after dark is not allowed this leg," Anita Rani told the cameras.

This marked the first time this rule had been implemented during a Race Across the World series. Narrator John Hannah explained that there is increasing crime and trafficking at night across this part of Central America. "It's only safe for all teams to travel in daylight," he explained.

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It's not the first time there has been a change to the rules. In 2025's civilian series of Race Across the World, contestants had to break the rules by catching a flight in China.

Yahoo UK understood that the contestants flew over the Himalayas; as it was physically impossible for them to do the journey without climbing the mountains.

Flights are banned during Race Across The World. Smartphones and credit cards are also banned. In the 2025 series, the contestants caught a flight from China to Kathmandu, in Nepal.

How are Celebrity Race Across the World contestants kept safe?

Celebrity Race Across the World starts in the Caribbean. (Studio Lambert)

Safety is at the heart of the concerns of those working behind the scenes to bring Celebrity Race Across the World to our screens.

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Series producer Phil Lewis  who oversees the casting, the routes, the health and safety  explained how there is a team on the ground on location and a team working in London while they're asleep.

Speaking at the Royal Television Society event this week, attended by Yahoo UK, he explained: "I must get about 2,000 WhatsApps every day explaining what they're doing, where they are, what decisions they're making.

"So that we in the production team, the checkpoint and in London, can follow the story of what's going on, to make sure that  just like any production and just like any story  any thread that is started is finished."

He added: "They also have a support vehicle with a driver. We've got what we call an MSA, a multi-skilled agent, who does security and he's also a medic, should anything happen. So every time anyone gets on a bus, stays in a hotel, crosses the road, there's someone out there looking after their safety. They're walking through dodgy parts, they're keeping an eye, looking around them.

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"And then on top of that, we've got a researcher and a fixer. The fixer is someone who speaks the local language. I'll be running on getting release forms of everyone, getting location releases, and our researcher is also picking up GPS, so communicating with the PD, saying they'll be in the support vehicle.

"They'll travel ahead of the bus so then someone is there to pick them up. On the other end, Lewis is on that bus. So it's a huge amount of logistics within the team, and then we've got five [teams] going on at the same time, making sure that all that happens."

Celebrity Race Across the World continues at 9pm on Thursday on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Dr. Nguyen Hong Vu, formerly of the City of Hope research institute in California, explained that Pembroria contains the active ingredient Pembrolizumab, with a concentration of 100mg/4mL. This compound is also the key component in Keytruda - a globally recognized cancer immunotherapy developed by Merck.

Pembrolizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting the PD-1 protein. This mechanism works by "reawakening" the patients immune system to identify and attack cancer cells. The antibody is developed in mice genetically modified with human genes and then mass-produced using CHO (Chinese hamster ovary) cells.

Keytruda underwent extensive preclinical and clinical trials (phases I, II, and III) and was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2014 for treating malignant melanoma. Its use has since been expanded to over 15 different cancer indications.

As for Pembroria, Dr. Vu emphasized that there is not yet sufficient publicly available clinical data to confirm its full equivalency to Keytruda.

In its approval decision, the Drug Administration of Vietnam required that the manufacturer submit updates on the progress of phase III immunogenicity studies every three months. Upon completion, they must also submit updated clinical data as part of the regulatory review process.

Based on the drug registration documents, Pembrolizumab is currently approved for more than 14 types of cancer, including non-small cell lung cancer, melanoma, colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and breast cancer.

Phuong Thuy
First Pratt & Whitney facility in the Netherlands will drive collaboration on aircraft propulsion technology research and development across industry and academia

HOUTEN, Netherlands, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pratt & Whitney, an RTX (NYSE:RTX) business, has formally opened its European Technology and Innovation Center (ETIC), a new facility dedicated to researching advanced propulsion technologies for enabling greater energy efficiency and performance in future commercial aircraft. ETIC enhances Pratt & Whitney's capability to collaborate with industry and academia in the Netherlands and across Europe, targeting a range of high-impact technologies including advanced gas turbine systems, hybrid-electric and hydrogen propulsion.

"As an independent innovation center dedicated to cutting edge technology research, ETIC is a first-of-a-kind facility for Pratt & Whitney in Europe, complementing our existing engineering centers in North America, Poland, and across the globe," said Michael Thacker, senior vice president, Engineering and Technology, Pratt & Whitney. "We see significant potential to grow our activities in the Netherlands, given its strong engineering talent pool and long history of aerospace technology innovation, as well as the exceptional opportunities for collaboration between industry, academia and government agencies."

ETIC is co-located at Collins Aerospace's existing European Innovation Hub in Houten, Netherlands, and adds to RTX's longstanding engagement with the Dutch aerospace industry. It follows recent initiatives including RTX's two memoranda of understanding with the Netherlands Aerospace Group and the signing of a master research agreement with Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), which have established a framework for collaboration on technology research across a wide range of topics. Pratt & Whitney has also secured a dedicated office space at TU Delft's Aerospace Innovation Hub, further enhancing opportunities to collaborate in the province of South Holland.

"We are thrilled to take this next step in our collaboration with Pratt & Whitney. Working directly with their new team in Houten will strengthen our partnership, and their dedicated office space at the Aerospace Innovation Hub@TUD on the TU Delft Campus will give them seamless access to our innovation ecosystem," said Professor Henri Werij, Dean of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, TU Delft. "Close collaboration with leading aerospace companies is crucial for developing technologies required to enable a sustainable future of aviation  and to shape the talent that will drive our industry forward."

"I am pleased to see the realization of initiatives like Pratt & Whitney's European Technology and Innovation Center in the Netherlands," said Tjerk Opmeer, deputy director-general for business and innovation, Ministry of Economic Affairs of the Netherlands. "This center has the possibility to enhance our shared vision for accelerating sustainable aviation through innovation and international collaboration. We are committed to support these transformative efforts."

Of RTX's 21,000 staff across 65 locations in Europe, some 300 are based in the Netherlands, primarily at three existing Collins Aerospace sites including Houten. Pratt & Whitney already employs more than 7,000 staff in Europe, the majority at key engineering, manufacturing and maintenance facilities in Poland.

About Pratt & Whitney

Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units for military, commercial and civil aviation customers. Since 1925, our engineers have pioneered the development of revolutionary aircraft propulsion technologies, and today we support more than 90,000 in-service engines through our global network of maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities.

About RTX

RTX is the world's largest aerospace and defense company. With more than 185,000 global employees, we push the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. Through industry-leading businesses  Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon  we are advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems for operational success, and developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2024 sales of more than $80 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

For questions or to schedule an interview, please contact [email protected].

SOURCE RTX
This morning, the second VietnamCambodia Border Defense Friendship Exchange officially commenced at the Moc Bai International Border Gate in Tay Ninh Province.

The welcoming ceremony was held with full honors under the leadership of General Phan Van Giang, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission and Vietnam's Minister of National Defense.

Around 9 a.m., General Phan Van Giang and the Vietnamese delegation greeted General Tea Seiha  Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense of Cambodia  and his delegation at the border line marking the two countries' territorial boundary.

The VietnamCambodia Border Defense Friendship Exchange is a major defense diplomacy event, taking place from November 13 to 14 across Tay Ninh Province (Vietnam) and Svay Rieng Province (Cambodia).

The first edition of the event was held in 2022 in Binh Phuoc Province and Kratie Province, leaving a strong impression of solidarity between the armies and peoples of both nations.

Following the official welcome, both ministers planted commemorative trees at the Moc Bai border gate, visited a joint military medical exercise, and attended the inauguration of the new semi-boarding classroom facility at Ben Cau Primary School (Thuan Lam Hamlet, Ben Cau Commune, Tay Ninh Province).

They also took part in the twinning ceremony between two border communities: Long Cuong Hamlet (Long Thuan Commune, Tay Ninh) and O Ta Mo Hamlet (Mo No Rum Commune, Svay Teap District, Svay Rieng Province, Cambodia).

The program continued with a visit to the Division 5 Traditional House under Military Region 7, followed by bilateral talks and the signing of cooperation agreements.

This initiative supports the development of a peaceful, stable, and growing VietnamCambodia border, strengthening political trust and comprehensive relations.

It is also a valuable opportunity to promote Vietnams image as a peace-loving and friendly nation, while countering false narratives about the bilateral relationship.

Minister Phan Van Giang receives Minister Tea Seiha at the VietnamCambodia border demarcation line. Photo: Nguyen Hue

The two ministers salute the flags and review the Vietnamese People's Army honor guard. Photo: Nguyen Hue

The ceremony featured honor guards, a military band, and was attended by thousands of local residents and schoolchildren. Photo: Nguyen Hue

The VietnamCambodia Border Defense Friendship Exchange is a key foreign defense affair in 2025, reinforcing solidarity, friendship, and practical cooperation between border protection forces, local governments, and the people of both countries. Photo: Nguyen Hue

Nguyen Hue
Doctors are warning parents not to administer Tamiflu to children without medical guidance, stressing that the antiviral drug should only be prescribed when a child exhibits flu symptoms and tests positive for influenza A or B.

A pediatric flu patient under treatment at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases. Photo: BVCC

Hospitals across Hanoi are reporting a surge in seasonal flu cases, particularly type A. Since early October, the National Children's Hospital has recorded over 3,720 flu cases, with 479 children requiring hospitalization.

Similarly, the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases is currently treating nearly 50 children with influenza A. The number of outpatient visits and treatments for this virus has been rapidly increasing over the past several weeks, with the majority of cases being children.

According to Dr. Nguyen Dinh Dung, a pediatrician at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases, influenza A is an acute respiratory infection that can affect all age groups. However, young children, the elderly, and those with underlying health conditions are particularly vulnerable due to weakened immune systems and higher risk of complications.

In its early stages, flu A can resemble other respiratory viral infections, but it may quickly worsen, potentially leading to complications such as pneumonia, respiratory failure, or sepsis if not treated in time, Dr. Dung noted.

Do not misuse Tamiflu

Amid the increasing number of flu cases, some parents are resorting to giving their children Tamiflu at the first signs of sneezing or a runny nose, hoping to hasten recovery and avoid complications.

Speaking to VietNamNet, Dr. Tran Thu Nguyet of the Vietnam Institute of Applied Medicine explained that Tamiflu is an antiviral medication prescribed for seasonal influenza, including in children.

While Tamiflu doesnt eliminate flu symptoms entirely, it can help reduce symptom severity, shorten illness duration, and lower the risk of complications, she said.

Tamiflu has been approved for use in children as young as two weeks old since 1999. The medication is generally safe when used correctly, and its side effects are typically mild.

However, Tamiflu is a prescription-only antiviral - not to be confused with antibiotics - and should never be self-administered. Just like antibiotics, Tamiflu must be prescribed by a doctor, Dr. Nguyet emphasized.

Pediatricians may prescribe Tamiflu for children with symptoms such as fever or chills, cough, runny nose, sore throat, body aches, and fatigue - but only when the child has tested positive for influenza A or B, and the drug is typically most effective when used within 48 hours of symptom onset.

Parents should not administer Tamiflu unless instructed by a doctor. Self-medicating can be harmful, Dr. Nguyet warned.

N. Huyen
Current laws already impose steep penalties. Car drivers who are caught face fines of around $940 and lose two points on their drivers license. Motorbike riders can be fined about $205 and have six license points deducted.

But to send a stronger message, the department is reviewing proposals to make these penalties even stricter. This includes cases where plates are not placed in the proper position, have unclear numbers, are tampered with using other materials or paint, or are altered in shape, size, color, or design from what the law requires.

Authorities are also calling on the public to help. Citizens are encouraged to send photos or videos of license plate violations so that police can take swift action.

Just days earlier, on November 8, the department reported that Hanoi's Road Traffic Police Team No. 7 had penalized a motorbike driver who was seen with a covered plate while riding on Khuat Duy Tien Street. A member of the public captured the incident and sent it to the hotline of Colonel Tran Dinh Nghia, Head of Hanois Traffic Police Division.

Police tracked the driver down and invited him to their station. Based on the evidence, they issued an administrative penalty for the act of using foreign materials to cover characters on a license plate.

Dinh Hieu
The recent controversy surrounding Royal Hostel at 19 Hang Chao Street, Hanoi, has stirred public outcry and spread rapidly across social media.

A female traveler, identified as N.Y.Q., shared a video recounting how she was denied entry at 2:00 AM on November 9 despite having fully prepaid for a three-night stay through an online booking platform.

According to her, due to a delayed flight from Ho Chi Minh City, she arrived late at the property and was informed by reception that her booking had been canceled due to a no-show.

Despite providing payment proof, she was turned away without support and forced to leave in the middle of the night during a rainstorm.

The video quickly went viral, garnering over 4 million views and more than 17,600 comments, with many netizens expressing anger over the hotels unprofessional handling of the situation.

The public backlash extended beyond the hotel involved. Royal Hostel at 19 Hang Chao received nearly 35,000 reviews on Google Maps within days, most of them negative, bringing its rating down to one star.

Unfortunately, many users failed to verify the exact address and instead left harsh 1-star reviews for unrelated hotels that happened to share the name Royal in Hanoi.

Many hotels named Royal in Hanoi receive 1-star reviews. Photo: Screenshot

Royal Hanoi Hotel in Thanh Tri District, for example, reported a sudden influx of negative feedback starting at 5:00 PM on November 10. The property had maintained a 4.9-star rating but saw it drop rapidly due to mistaken identity.

Quoc Viet, a representative of Royal Hanoi Hotel, explained that the hotel has been in operation for just over a month and is in no way connected to the property in Hang Chao.

We thought at first it was sabotage by a competitor, he said. But after investigating, we realized people were mistakenly associating us with the hotel in the video just because we share the word Royal in our name.

To address the issue, staff at Royal Hanoi Hotel actively commented on the viral video, clarifying their lack of involvement. They also posted correction videos on TikTok and responded to each review to explain the misunderstanding.

We are online 24/7 to correct misinformation, said Viet. If this continues, our Google Maps listing could be removed, which would severely impact our visibility and bookings.

He also provided visual evidence showing that the hotels reception area is completely different from the one shown in the viral video.

Quoc Viet provides photo evidence showing that his hotels front desk is completely different from the one in tourist Q.'s video. Photo: Provided by the subject






On the evening of November 12, numerous Vietnamese test-takers who sat for IELTS between mid-2023 and September 2025 reported receiving emails from the two test providers about updates to their results.

According to the notification, a technical issue had affected the scoring of the Listening and/or Reading sections, leading to increases or decreases in some candidates scores.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. The technical issue has been resolved, and we have enhanced our systems and procedures to prevent this from recurring, the message stated.

To address the situation, the British Council and IDP have offered two options to affected candidates: a full refund of the test fee or a free retake. Candidates must confirm their choice by May 1, 2026. Regardless of the option chosen, cases will be processed within 60 business days from the date of confirmation.

Nguyen Hoang Anh, a student in Hanoi, shared with VietNamNet that she received an email from IDP on November 12, informing her of a revised score - more than a year after she had taken the test in June 2024.

IDP said my Reading score increased from 7.0 to 8.0, Hoang Anh said. However, she noted that the new score was no longer relevant since she had already used the original results for her university application.

That test made me doubt my reading ability. I thought my skills were weak, and it really affected my confidence, she added.

Hieu Minh, an IELTS instructor in Hanoi, confirmed that several of his students also received similar notices from IDP and the British Council on the same day.

One student, who took the test on May 19, 2024, saw their Reading score rise from 7.0 to 8.0, increasing the overall band score to 7.5. Another student who tested on July 19, 2025, reported an increase from 7.0 to 7.5 in Reading.

These students had used their IELTS scores for graduation requirements, job applications, or study abroad submissions. The unexpected change negatively affected different groups, Minh explained.

In some cases, students who failed to meet score requirements had to pay for additional test prep and retake the exam.

Others who met entry requirements with the original score didnt retake the test. But because their real ability was underestimated, they missed out on high-value scholarships, Minh added.

Despite the disruption, Minh acknowledged the transparency shown by IDP and the British Council in owning up to the mistake. He praised their response policies - offering a retest or a refund - as the best solutions under the circumstances.

Less than 1% of global test-takers affected

In emails sent to affected candidates, the test organizers included a link to a Q&A section addressing the incident and the technical issue that led to the incorrect scores.

They clarified that the internal technical issue was not the result of a cyberattack and had affected fewer than 1% of all IELTS tests worldwide.

The issue has now been completely resolved, and additional safeguards have been implemented to prevent recurrence.

The British Council and IDP stated that upon discovering the error, they immediately launched a comprehensive investigation to determine its scope and ensure that no candidate would be unfairly impacted.

The updated scores are now the final official scores. Previous score reports are no longer valid. If you need supporting documents or explanation letters for educational institutions, employers, or immigration authorities, we are ready to provide them, the organizations said.

Thuy Nga
This morning, the National Assembly discussed the draft amendment to the Law on Execution of Criminal Judgments.

The revised bill introduces a provision allowing inmates to donate tissues and organs, benefit from policies under the law on human organ donation, and store eggs or sperm in accordance with the law.

Minister of Public Security General Luong Tam Quang speaking. Photo: National Assembly

According to delegate To Van Tam from Quang Ngai, the proposed provision reflects a progressive and humane development in legislation. It upholds the fundamental rights of individuals, even while they are serving prison sentences.

He noted that this measure respects the dignity of inmates and reflects the shift in Vietnams criminal justice management philosophy  one that emphasizes education, rehabilitation, and respect for human dignity, rather than mere punishment.

However, the delegate also stressed the need for tighter regulations to ensure proper implementation and to prevent abuse or exploitation of this right.

Delegate Pham Van Hoa from Dong Thap proposed that organ donors undergo a health check-up, emphasizing that if a donor becomes malnourished or suffers long-term illness after donation, it would be a burden not only to society but also to their family.

Regarding the storage of eggs and sperm, Hoa believed it would be more complex than organ donation due to technical demands and the time required. He urged a careful study to ensure safety and minimize costs.

Delegate Nguyen Thanh Sang from Ho Chi Minh City also regarded the proposal as profoundly humane and meaningful, reflecting the wishes of families and contributing to society. However, he highlighted the sensitive nature of the issue, given that the donors are incarcerated individuals.

He pointed out that the current draft does not comprehensively assess the political, social, and legal impacts, nor the conditions to ensure implementation - especially regarding the inmates health, work, and rehabilitation after donation.

Sang proposed that inmates should only be allowed to donate organs or tissues to close relatives such as grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts, or siblings. He also recommended several stringent conditions, including voluntary donation without profit motives, good health, and a remaining prison term of five years or less.

Inmates may donate organs if all conditions are satisfied

Responding to the concerns, General Luong Tam Quang, Minister of Public Security, said the drafting body will work with the reviewing agency to revise the bill based on the principle that inmates may donate tissues and organs if all required conditions are satisfied.

According to the minister, the conditions include voluntary donation, having good enough health to undergo the procedure and continue serving the sentence afterward, and covering all related medical and care costs independently.

Additionally, only inmates convicted of minor or less serious offenses, first-time offenders, and those serving sentences of under three years may be eligible. They must also be donating to a close relative.

Regarding the right to store reproductive cells, Quang acknowledged the feedback from some deputies who appreciated the humanitarian intent but doubted its feasibility due to the high medical requirements, significant cost, and difficulty implementing it in detention facilities.

He stated that the drafting body views the provision as a progressive and humane policy. However, in light of the concerns raised, the ministry will carefully coordinate with the reviewing agency to thoroughly examine and revise the proposal before submitting it to the National Assembly for approval.

Tran Thuong
Despite multiple efforts over the years, Hanoi continues to face long-standing urban challenges - from traffic congestion and flooding to air and water pollution. Experts stress the need for comprehensive and sustainable solutions to address these persistent issues.

Traffic congestion

Traffic congestion and overloaded infrastructure have plagued Hanoi for years. The problem stems from rapid population growth, a sharp increase in private vehicles, and shortcomings in urban planning and road infrastructure development.

In recent years, the number of cars and motorbikes in Hanoi has skyrocketed, far outpacing the citys road capacity. While the number of vehicles continues to climb, the land allocated for traffic has barely expanded, exacerbating the already serious gridlock.

Ring roads such as Ring Road 4 and Ring Road 3.5 remain incomplete. Some major intersections, although recently reorganized, have yet to function efficiently. Smart traffic technologies like ITS and AI are being introduced but have yet to be fully deployed citywide. Meanwhile, common traffic violations such as lane encroachment, running red lights, and entering restricted areas persist. Even minor collisions can lead to hours-long traffic jams.

Traffic congestion on major roads during rush hour in Hanoi

Inadequate infrastructure fails to accommodate the surging number of vehicles

Overburdened drainage system

Hanois drainage infrastructure cannot keep pace with the rapid pace of urbanization, especially in newly built areas lacking proper runoff systems.

The boom in construction and road development has drastically reduced the amount of permeable land and natural water retention areas. Without sufficient drainage, rainwater accumulates quickly, resulting in widespread flooding.

Climate change has added pressure, with extreme weather becoming more frequent. Short, intense downpours now overwhelm the existing drainage systems, which were not designed to handle such volumes.

Flooding in Hanoi after a heavy downpour

Urban drainage systems overwhelmed by intense rainfall.

Air pollution

Air quality in Hanoi frequently hits alarming levels, posing a serious threat to public health. The main sources include traffic emissions, industrial zones, craft villages, and other pollutants.

According to IQAir - a Swiss-based air quality technology company - Hanoi often ranks among the worlds top 10 most polluted cities. During peak smog periods, typically from October to March, the city has even topped the global pollution index.

Hanois air pollution reaching hazardous levels, especially in winter months.

Industrial emissions contribute significantly to air quality degradation

Water pollution

Urban wastewater, along with discharge from residential areas, industrial zones, and craft villages, continues to pollute Hanois rivers, lakes, and groundwater.

One stark example is the heavily polluted To Lich River. Hundreds of sewage pipes from nearby households and businesses still discharge untreated waste directly into the river.

Ahead of Vietnams National Day on September 2, the city took emergency steps to revive To Lich, supplementing it with water from West Lake. By early September, treated wastewater from the Yen Xa plant - with a capacity of approximately 230,000 cubic meters per day - was also being used to replenish the river.

The To Lich River severely polluted by untreated residential sewage.

The citys effort to revive To Lich by supplementing it with treated water.

Urban management and public order

Many chronic urban management issues remain unresolved, including sidewalk encroachments, construction violations, and overloaded residential zones.

Hanoi has launched several campaigns to reclaim public sidewalks. The largest initiative came in early 2017, yielding early successes: cleaner streets, improved order, and sidewalks returned to pedestrians. However, without consistent enforcement, violations have steadily returned.

One vivid example is the resurgence of the train street cafes. Despite repeated efforts by authorities to shut down businesses operating dangerously close to the railway line - citing serious safety risks - many cafes have reopened once enforcement officers left. Tourists, particularly international visitors, continue to flock to the area, perpetuating the cycle of violations.

Most recently, in early October, a serious incident occurred in the train cafe area when a passing train struck a table and chairs left too close to the tracks. The impact sent objects flying across the area. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.

Authorities struggling to enforce sidewalk regulations in overcrowded districts.

Train street cafes defy closure orders, posing ongoing railway safety risks.

Hoang Ha
Under the three-month programme, Vietnamese specialists will provide hands-on instruction and technology transfer to Viengkhon Manivong and other doctors from Attapeu. Once the Lao doctors master the procedures, the Quang Ngai team will travel to Attapeu to complete the transfer and give on-site guidance.



Le Huu Loi, Deputy Director of Quang Ngai 2 General Hospital, said the initiative forms part of a memorandum of understanding between the two hospitals. The Vietnamese hospital has been conducting various training and technology transfer programmes to help Attapeu Hospital improve its capacity, particularly in anesthesiology  an area where the Lao hospital still faces many difficulties, he said.



Previously, doctors from Quang Ngai assisted their Lao counterparts in performing general anaesthesia. The current phase focuses on pediatric anaesthesia and will later expand to cover complex diseases.



Nuphit Phonsavan, Deputy Director of Attapeu Hospital, said the hospital can currently perform anaesthesia for adults but not for children under five, due to equipment shortages and limited technical expertise. For pediatric cases, they have had to transfer patients to Champasack Hospital, more than 200 kilometres away, which causes great hardship for families, he explained.



He expressed hope that after the training in Quang Ngai, Attapeu doctors will be able to perform the procedures independently to treat young patients locally, saving time and costs for families.



Nuphit also suggested more medical training and technology transfer in the future to improve healthcare services in Attapeu./.VNA
He was once among the top five richest Vietnamese stock billionaires.

The richest professor in Vietnam

Ho Xuan Nang, Chair of the Phenikaa University Council and Chair of the Board of Directors at Vicostone JSC.

According to the list of professor and associate professor candidates for 2025 approved by the State Council of Professorship, Associate Professor Dr Ho Xuan Nang, Chairof Vicostone, a member company of the Phenikaa Group, has met the criteria for full professorship in 2025.

He is expected to be recognized as a professor once the president of the State Council of Professorship and Minister of Education and Training Minister Nguyen Kim Son, signs the decision of approval.

If so, Ho Xuan Nang will become Vietnams richest professor, with an estimated fortune of about VND6.6 trillion (as of November 6, based on VCS stock value).

Born in 1964 in Yen Thang Commune, Y Yen District, former Nam Dinh Province, Nang graduated from Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST), majoring in internal combustion engines in May 1986 and earned his PhD in mechanical engineering there in 1992. He also obtained a bachelors degree in foreign languages from Hanoi University of Foreign Languages in 1988.

He was recognized as an associate professor in 2022. Currently, Nang serves as lecturer and Chair of the Phenikaa University Council. Prior to that, he was Chair of the Board and Director of the Phenikaa Institute for Advanced Study and Technology.

The man behind Phenikaa ecosystem

Ho Xuan Nang gained fame on the stock market with the nickname Nang Do Thai (Jewish Nang) after a legendary acquisition of the artificial stone manufacturer Vicostone in late 2014.

As Vice Chair and General Director of Vicostone at the time, Nang held 90 percent of the parent company Phenikaas charter capital, making him the most powerful figure in both Phenikaa and Vicostone.

Under Phenikaas umbrella, Vicostone experienced a complete transformation. Since 2017, its profits have consistently exceeded VND1 trillion per year, peaking at more than VND1.77 trillion in 2021. With annual profits of around VND1 trillion from Vicostone, Phenikaa has expanded into various new business fields, including real estate most recently.

VCS shares reached its peak of nearly VND140,000 per share (adjusted price) in April 2018. At its highest point, Vicostones market capitalization exceeded VND22 trillion, or nearly $1 billion. At that time, Nang directly and indirectly owned about 120 million VCS shares, equivalent to roughly VND17 trillion (around $750 million).

However, his current fortune is calculated only on the Vicostone shares he owns, while Phenikaa ecosystem, including education, research, and Phenikaa X startups, is believed to be much larger.

Over the past decade under his leadership, the Phenikaa ecosystem has expanded, now comprising of Phenikaa University (formerly Thanh Tay University), Phenikaa Education Investment JSC, Phenikaa Certification JSC, Phenikaa Electronics JSC, the Phenikaa Institute for Advanced Study and Technology, and Phenikaa-X JSC.

Potential dollar billionaire

Phenikaa-X has launched Vietnams first Level-4 autonomous vehicle and is expanding into drones, smart city solutions, and other high-tech sectors.

The company also developed Vietnams first fully autonomous industrial robot - the AMR Pallet Mover - deployed at Samsung Electronics factory. It can carry loads up to 1,000 kg and operate completely independently, can fully automatically find routes, pick and transfer goods. Recently, Phenikaa-X has begun deploying autonomous robots for medical applications.

Nangs ambition in higher education is extremely large, with Phenikaa University now offering 55 programs after 17 years of development, admitting over 10,000 students annually and hosting three research institutes.

Phenikaa also operates in real estate with the Endless Skyline West Lake office, hotel and high-end apartment complex project in Tay Ho district, Hanoi. The project is built and developed by Nam Hung JSC, a Phenikaa Group member, with a scale of 3,626.8 sqm including 150 commercial apartments, 56 rental apartments and 150 hotel rooms. The project completed foundation in late 2023 and opened for sale in early 2024, with prices up to hundreds of millions of dong per sqm.

In 2018, Nangs assets once reached $750 million and entered the top 5 richest on the stock market at that time. He was expected to become Vietnam's third US dollar billionaire in the same year, after billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong and Hoa Phat Group (HPG) Chair Tran Dinh Long.

However, Nang's assets later declined following the drop in Vicostone (VCS) stock price and a large portion of these assets poured into the training sector which has not been counted. If Nang's education and technology segments go public, the stone industry "boss" is likely to enter Forbes' US dollar billionaires list.

Manh Ha
A mass food poisoning incident in Ho Chi Minh City has now affected 299 people, with 82 still under treatment at 14 hospitals, city health authorities confirmed on the evening of November 11.

A doctor examines a patient suspected of food poisoning after eating bread. Photo: BVCC

As of 4 p.m. that day, patients had sought care at various hospitals across the city after consuming bread purchased from two shops located on Nguyen Thai Son Street (Hanh Thong Ward) and Le Quang Dinh Street (Binh Loi Trung Ward). The first hospital admissions began on November 5.

All patients reported similar symptoms, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever - raising strong suspicion of food poisoning.

Significantly, Gia Dinh Peoples Hospital - currently treating 37 out of 62 total cases it received - confirmed one patient tested positive for Staphylococcus coagulase-negative, a strain of staph bacteria. Previously, one case tested positive for Salmonella in blood cultures and another in stool samples.

Doctors at the hospital are closely monitoring one patient in serious condition due to pre-existing health issues, while the rest are reported to be in stable condition.

Military Hospital 175 has treated the largest number of cases - 175 in total. Of these, 25 remain hospitalized, none in critical condition. Tam Anh General Hospital has treated 30 cases, with five patients still receiving care and all in stable health.

Becamex International Hospital is treating nine inpatients expected to be discharged soon. Trung My Tay General Hospital admitted seven cases, six of whom have been discharged. Go Vap General Hospital received four cases, and Childrens Hospital 2 treated three.

The two bread shops linked to the mass poisoning have suspended operations. Photo: P.T

Other hospitals, including University Medical Center HCMC (both campuses), Binh Dan Hospital, My Duc Tan Binh, Hoc Mon Regional General Hospital, 115 Peoples Hospital, and Khanh Hoi General Hospital, each reported between one and four cases - most of whom have already been discharged.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Food Safety Management Board, current data is insufficient to conclusively identify Salmonella as the sole cause of the outbreak. Investigations are ongoing.

Following the incident, the Vietnam Food Administration under the Ministry of Health promptly coordinated with the citys food safety agency to demand an urgent report and ensure close monitoring of the situation. Measures are being taken to protect the health of affected individuals and prevent further outbreaks.

The Ministry has directed the Food Safety Board to ensure hospitals allocate necessary resources to provide effective treatment and prevent complications or fatalities among suspected poisoning victims.

The two implicated bread shops have suspended operations. All ingredients and food items have been sealed and are undergoing laboratory testing.

Doctors warn that food poisoning can lead to severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, sepsis, liver and kidney damage - or even death - if left untreated.

Health officials are urging the public to consume only food from clearly identified sources that are stored correctly. Ready-to-eat food establishments must follow hygiene protocols, including maintaining refrigeration below 5C, requiring staff training in food safety, and ensuring proper hand sanitation during food preparation. Consumers should immediately discard food with any unusual odor or appearance.

Phuoc Sang
New wellness studio helps residents move better, feel better, and live betterone stretch at a time

MAPLE GROVE, Minn., Nov. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Stretch Zone, the nation's leading brand for practitioner-assisted stretching, has officially opened a new studio in Maple Grove, Minnesota. The location marks the start of local entrepreneur Lara Larson's journey as a Stretch Zone owner, with plans to open two additional studios across the Twin Cities area.

Lara discovered Stretch Zone while researching franchise concepts that make a real difference in people's lives. "I loved that Stretch Zone combines a science-backed methodology with an approachable, welcoming atmosphere," she said. "It's simple, effective, and you can feel the results right away. That combination really stood out to me."

Before launching Stretch Zone Maple Grove, Lara worked in venture capital and M&A finance, helping founders grow and scale consumer brands. Now, she's channeling that same strategic mindset into building a purpose-driven business. "Every day feels meaningful," she shared. "You can see the difference a 30-minute stretch makes in someone's posture, mood, and confidence. Our team is passionate about health, service, and helping people feel their best."

At Stretch Zone, certified practitioners use a patented strapping system to guide members through personalized, fully assisted stretch sessions. The process helps increase flexibility, reduce tension, and restore range of motionall without the member needing to lift a finger. "Imagine lying on a comfortable table while a trained practitioner moves your body through stretches you could never do on your own," Lara explained. "You just relax, breathe, and let them do the work."

The Maple Grove studio serves everyonefrom athletes and busy parents to older adults looking to maintain mobility. "Maple Grove is such a vibrant, health-minded community," Lara added. "We're excited to make recovery, flexibility, and wellness more accessible for everyone."

Stretch Zone Maple Grove officially opens on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 7748 Main Street North, Suite 08A. The studio will operate Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday from 12 noon to 5 p.m. New members are invited to experience a complimentary first stretch consultation and session. For more information, visitwww.stretchzone.com.

About Stretch Zone

Founded in 2004 by Jorden Gold, Stretch Zone has redefined how people approach flexibility and movement. With over 400 locations across North America, the brand's patented equipment and certified practitioner training deliver a safe, effective stretching experience that improves mobility and enhances quality of life. Stretch Zone continues to earn national recognition, appearing on the Inc. 5000 and Franchise Times Top 400 lists. To learn more, visitwww.stretchzone.com

Media Contact:

Stephanie Hall, Pitch Public Relations

[email protected]

SOURCE Stretch Zone
Vietnams leadership reshuffle continues with two major appointments in the northern provinces of Hung Yen and Ninh Binh. Pham Quang Ngoc has been elected chairman of the Hung Yen Peoples Committee, while Tran Huy Tuan has been appointed deputy secretary of the Ninh Binh Provincial Party Committee.

Pham Quang Ngoc, chairman of Hung Yen province. Photo: D.X

At the 33rd session of the 17th Hung Yen Provincial Peoples Council, delegates approved the dismissal of Nguyen Khac Than from the position of chairman and provincial council member, following his reassignment as Party Secretary of Nghe An province.

The council then elected Pham Quang Ngoc, deputy secretary of the Hung Yen Provincial Party Committee for the 20252030 term, as the new chairman of the Peoples Committee for the remainder of the 20212026 term.

In his inauguration speech, Pham Quang Ngoc pledged to build a dynamic, fast-growing economy for Hung Yen, driven by science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

He outlined a vision for the province to become a modern industrial hub meeting first-class urban standards by 2035, and a smart, ecological, centrally governed city by 2045, where residents enjoy prosperity and happiness.

He also promised to accelerate administrative reform, eliminate corruption and bureaucratic inertia, and create a favorable business environment.

Born in 1973 in Ninh Binh province, Pham Quang Ngoc holds a PhD in Animal Science, a masters in Environmental Science, and a bachelors in Biology. He previously served as vice chairman and chairman of the Ninh Binh Peoples Committee, as well as head of the provincial propaganda department.

In a parallel leadership change, on the same day, the Ninh Binh Provincial Party Committee held a ceremony to announce the Central Secretariats decision to assign Tran Huy Tuan as deputy secretary of the provincial Party Committee for the 20252030 term.

Mr. Tran Huy Tuan. Photo: Duc Phuong/TTXVN

Tran Huy Tuan, previously deputy secretary of the Lao Cai Provincial Party Committee and chairman of the Lao Cai Peoples Committee, has officially left his post in Lao Cai and taken up the new role in Ninh Binh.

Hoang Dang Quang, standing deputy head of the Partys Central Organization Commission, praised Tuans leadership record, describing him as a capable and experienced official, known for his strong grassroots connection and effective governance.

Tuan expressed gratitude for the Partys trust and pledged to uphold political integrity, moral discipline, and close ties with the people. He promised to unite the provincial leadership in fulfilling the goals of the upcoming Party Congress term and transforming Ninh Binh into a centrally governed city by 2030.

Born in 1974 in Lao Cai, Tuan holds degrees in Hydraulic Engineering and Political Economy, and a masters in Natural Resources and Environmental Economics.

He has held various leadership roles including deputy director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, chief of staff of the provincial Peoples Committee, head of the provincial Organization Committee, and provincial Party secretary.

Pham Cong/TTXVN
According to the General Department of Customs, in the first nine months of 2025, Vietnam earned nearly 2.77 billion USD from durian exports. In September alone, export turnover surged to 972 million USD - an all-time monthly record and a 44.6% increase compared to the same month in 2024.

The September spike coincided with peak harvest season in the Central Highlands, Vietnams primary durian-producing region.

Paradoxically, in that same month, Vietnamese companies spent 3.7 million USD on durian imports - a 200% increase from August and 16 times more than in September last year.

For the nine-month period, Vietnam imported 21.5 million USD worth of durians, up 139% year-on-year. Durian now ranks 12th among imported fruits and nuts by import value and is the third fastest-growing item in the category.

Speaking to VietNamNet, a representative from the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association explained that although Vietnam earns billions from exporting durian, the country still imports the fruit annually from Malaysia and Thailand to meet domestic consumption.

Thailands durians are typically imported whole via border trade, while Malaysias famed Musang King variety is usually brought in as frozen pulp.

The Musang King durian is not widely grown in Vietnam, but consumer demand for it is quite strong, the official said.

He added that the imported Musang King durian pulp commands a high price in the local market. Even importing just a few containers of this premium product can result in a sharp spike in import values, which partly explains why durian import value in September was 16 times higher than the same month last year.

Tam An
The four-day expo is co-organised by the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, alongside domestic and overseas partners.



Local heavyweights on show include DH Foods, Bich Chi Food JSC, Sa Giang Import-Export Corp., and Hanoi Trade Corp., representing over 20 cities and provinces. International exhibitors hail from about 20 countries and territories, including the Republic of Korea, Japan, Turkey, Finland, Poland, Sweden, India, and Malaysia.



Products span fresh agricultural goods like fruits, tea, coffee, pepper, cashews, plus seafood, processed and functional foods, beverages, confectionery, and dairy products. Manufacturers are also showcasing processing equipment, preservation and packaging technology, and food safety innovations.



Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang spotlighted the Vietnam national brand pavilion, which features premium goods that embody the countrys food identity and boost Vietnamese producers global edge.



A digital trade promotion and industry ecosystem zone debuts platforms and tools for trade, investment and supply-chain linkage, aligning with the ministrys digital-economy drive.



The expo features an ITC SheTrades & UPS Vietnam pavilion, part of an international project aiding women-led SMEs with export hurdles. Eight such firms are exhibiting to lift brand recognition, tap new markets, meet buyers and build capacity for international fairs.



For the first time, Vietnam Foodexpo goes virtual via the Arobid TradeXpo platform, a leap in digitising trade promotion, Thang said. The online show aims to forge a multidimensional hub linking Vietnamese and global players in food, agriculture and seafood.



The event rounds out with industry seminars, business matchmaking and training. A 1:1 networking event will pair Vietnamese exporters with foreign importers throughout the expo./.VNA
Addressing the US-Vietnam Business Summit 2025, held in Hanoi on November 12 under the theme A new era of development for mutually beneficial commercial relations, Son stressed that in a world full of uncertainties, only trust can foster cooperation, only cooperation can lead to prosperity, and it is through prosperity that a sustainable future can be built.

He expressed his confidence that with a 30-year foundation of cooperation and increasingly high political trust, along with the support of the business communities, Vietnam and the US will continue to write a brighter new chapter in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation, and prosperity of both nations and the world.

Describing the current bilateral cooperation as a "win-win" relationship, the Deputy PM emphasised that this relationship is not about giving and receiving, or winning and losing, but rather a relationship of co-creation, mutual development, and shared success.

Both sides possess strengths that complement and support each others development. For the US, these strengths include technology, capital, and management experience. For Vietnam, they lie in its large market, a young and highly skilled workforce, and its strategically important geo-economic position in the region, he pointed out.

In the new era of extensive integration, connectivity, smart technologies, and innovation, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and the US has prioritised digital cooperation, science and technology, and innovation as key pillars. This forms the groundbreaking foundation for both countries to co-create a green and sustainable development future in the digital age.

At the summit, Son proposed five key directions for businesses from both countries to strengthen cooperation for the benefit of the two nations' people and reinforce the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Specifically, he advised the two business communities to enhance cooperation in semiconductors and high technology; clean energy and green growth; developing flexible, diverse, and sustainable supply chains, and promoting smart logistics connectivity to reduce transport costs; innovation and digital transformation; and education, training, and technology transfer.

He urged US companies to help promote high-level visits to create breakthroughs in the bilateral relations and bring benefits to the business community; continue advocating for the US government to recognise Vietnam as a full market economy; and lobby the US government to lift remaining restrictions on the export of high-tech products to Vietnam (according to the D1 and D3 regulations of the US Department of Commerce) to strengthen strategic trust and promote economic and trade cooperation, particularly in high-tech fields.

US businesses should also further enhance their presence, make long-term investments, and expand production in Vietnam; and work together with the two governments to quickly finalise the remaining issues towards the signing of a fair and balanced reciprocal trade agreement.

For his part, US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Michael DeSombre emphasised that Vietnam has great potential in attracting foreign direct investment, and US companies are ready to maintain their leading role as key investors and partners for Vietnamese businesses. He also affirmed Vietnam's strategic role in ensuring global economic security and sustainable supply chains through diversification and cooperation.

The US-Vietnam Business Summit 2025 was jointly organised by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), the US Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Hanoi, and the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington D.C./.VNA
President Cuong warmly welcomed the King on his first visit to Vietnam, stressing that the visit holds historic significance as the first high-level exchange between the two countries since they established diplomatic relations 45 years ago (19802025).

He expressed his hope that the visit will open a new chapter in bilateral relations.



Congratulating Jordan on its development achievements over nearly eight decades of independence, particularly in implementing the Economic Modernisation Vision with a focus on sustainable, equitable growth, the Vietnamese President noted that these are crucial foundations for expanding multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.



He affirmed that Vietnam attaches great importance to strengthening substantive and effective ties with Jordan.



The King extended his congratulations on the significant socio-economic achievements that Vietnam has recorded. He also conveyed his sympathies for the great losses and damage suffered by Vietnam and its people due to recent natural disasters.



Agreeing with the host's assessment of the shared characteristics between the two nations, the King affirmed that the most precious assets of both countries lie in the diligence and creativity of their peoples, as well as in the high quality of their education systems and the two nations efforts to promote science, technology and digital transformation.



In an open, sincere and trusting atmosphere, the two leaders shared the view that bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and Jordan remains modest and has yet to match the potential and aspirations of their leaders and peoples.



On that basis, President Cuong and King Abdullah II concurred that the two countries should further consolidate political trust through the increased exchange of delegations, especially at high levels. They agreed on the need to effectively implement the memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the two foreign ministries signed during the visit, consider the early conclusion of other cooperation mechanisms, and soon appoint honorary consuls in each country to facilitate collaboration.

An overview of the talks (Photo: VNA)

King Abdullah II suggested that the two foreign ministries serve as focal points to discuss measures to enhance bilateral cooperation, including harmonising respective regulations to create a favourable legal framework for collaboration in various fields.



Building upon this strong foundation of political trust, the two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in the areas of defence and security, particularly in information sharing, exchanges of experts and officials, with a view to enhancing mutual understanding and sharing experience in matters of shared concern.



In the economic sphere, both sides agreed to create favourable conditions for greater market access for each others key products and to encourage enterprises from both countries to explore cooperation and investment opportunities, particularly in infrastructure development, the green and digital economies, telecommunications, and agricultural production and processing. They also agreed to promote connections between their respective start-up and innovation ecosystems.



King Abdullah II proposed that the two countries study the possibility of opening a direct flight route between Vietnam and Jordan and facilitate visa issuance for their citizens.



Highlighting Vietnams strengths in agriculture, President Cuong affirmed that the country is ready to expand exports of its key agricultural products to Jordan. King Abdullah II, in turn, expressed his willingness to support Vietnam in developing its Halal industry by sharing information and experience on Halal certification and by opening Jordans market to Vietnamese Halal products.



The two leaders also discussed measures to promote cooperation in health care - a sector in which Jordan has considerable expertise, particularly in telemedicine and the application of technology in medical services.



In the field of education and training, they agreed to strengthen student and academic exchanges, especially in emerging disciplines such as science and technology, artificial intelligence, and semiconductors. They emphasised that this area holds great potential and offers new opportunities for the younger generations of both countries.



Regarding cooperation at multilateral forums, the two sides agreed to maintain regular consultation and mutual support for each others candidacies, and to serve as a bridge promoting closer relations between the Arab League and ASEAN. They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of shared concern, including the East Sea issue.



Following the talks, Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung and Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and the Jordan Institute of Diplomacy./.VNA
Welcoming King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein at the Party Central Committees headquarters in Hanoi, General Secretary Lam said this is the first-ever head-of-state-level visit between Vietnam and Jordan, taking place at a very meaningful time as the two countries celebrate the 45th anniversary of their diplomatic ties (19802025).

The Vietnamese Party leader noted that 2026 will be a significant year for both nations, as Jordan will mark its 80th National Day, and the Communist Party of Vietnam will hold its 14th National Congress, a landmark event that will set strategic orientations for Vietnams next stage of development.

During the meeting, the Party chief commended the substantive results of the earlier talks between King Abdullah II and State President Luong Cuong.

General Secretary Lam affirmed that Vietnam attaches great importance to strengthening ties with Middle Eastern countries, including Jordan, which holds an important position in the region. He expressed his belief that with similarities in their policies of peace, independence, self-reliance and cooperation for development, the two countries are set to become trusted partners in their respective regions, working together to unlock new growth opportunities.

He also welcomed a large Jordanian business delegation accompanying the King during this trip, saying this demonstrates Jordans interest in expanding substantive and effective cooperation with Vietnam.

For his part, King Abdullah II underlined that he attaches special importance to his visit to Vietnam. He agreed with the Party chiefs assessment of the current period as a crucial time for both nations development.

The King extended his sympathies to the Vietnamese people over the heavy losses caused by recent natural disasters.

At the meeting between Party General Secretary To Lam and King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein. (Photo: VNA)

Informing the host of the outcomes of his talks with President Cuong, King Abdullah II reaffirmed Jordans desire to foster comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam, particularly private-sector partnerships.

He also expressed his wish that the two countries enhance political trust, expand collaboration in defence - security, share experiences in science and technology, and boost people-to-people exchanges to promote better mutual understanding.

The King took the occasion to invite Vietnam to attend an upcoming international conference on food security hosted by Jordan.

The two leaders agreed on the need to strengthen coordination to address emerging global and regional challenges, and to promote cooperation in politics - diplomacy, defence - security, economy, trade, investment, agriculture, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, energy, and tourism.

They also pledged to support each other at multilateral forums, particularly in the United Nations, ASEAN, and regional organisations in the Middle East./.VNA
The PM emphasised that the visit holds historic significance in laying a solid foundation for advancing the multifaceted cooperation between the two countries to a new, more substantive and effective phase, for the development and prosperity of both nations.



Amid growing volatility in global and Middle Eastern affairs, PM Chinh commended Jordans role in promoting peace in the region, as well as its support for the just cause of the Palestinian people.



The PM expressed his hope that bilateral cooperation will enter a new stage of development, marked by stronger political trust, deeper people-to-people exchanges, and more substantive and effective economic collaboration.



King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein noted Jordans desire to strengthen its partnership with Vietnam across multiple fields, affirming Vietnam is Jordans important partner in Southeast Asia and that Jordan is ready to serve as a gateway for Vietnamese goods to access the Middle Eastern market.



Highlighting the similarities between Vietnam and Jordan, the King said the two countries have numerous areas in which they can learn from and share experiences with each other, particularly in agriculture, technology, and the Halal industry. He also suggested enhancing exchanges and interactions between students from both countries.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein of Jordan visit a photo exhibition on bilateral cooperation, organised by the Vietnam News Agency. (Photo: VNA)

The two sides shared the view that the countries should further consolidate political trust through enhanced contacts and exchanges at all levels, particularly at the high level, while promoting cooperation in defence and security and improving the effectiveness of existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms.



In the economic, trade, and investment sector, they agreed to strengthen cooperation by leveraging each countrys potential, strengths, and development needs, including facilitating the access of each others goods to their respective markets.



PM Chinh stressed that Vietnam is ready to facilitate Jordans major corporations operating in the country, and encouraged businesses from both sides to explore opportunities for cooperation and joint investment, particularly in infrastructure, green economy, digital economy, telecommunications, and agricultural production and processing, while fostering connections between the startup and innovation ecosystems of the two nations.



On agricultural cooperation, the leader said the two sides should explore new cooperation models to enhance efficiency and reduce production costs, such as implementing on-site export projects - a model that Vietnam has successfully applied in several countries.



The PM suggested that ministries, agencies, and businesses from both sides promptly engage in detailed discussions on this cooperation direction. He also called for Jordans further support for Vietnam in developing the Halal industry.



King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein said the two countries could implement joint projects as well as trilateral cooperation to enhance project effectiveness.



Host and guest discussed measures to step up cooperation in education and training, people-to-people exchanges, tourism, health care, and the improvement of the legal framework.



The King said he would instruct relevant agencies to study and promptly provide scholarships for Vietnamese students to study Arabic, following PM Chinhs request.



The two leaders agreed to continue with coordination and mutual support in key multilateral forums, particularly at the United Nations. On this occasion, they exchanged views on international and regional issues of shared concern, including the East Sea issue./. VNA
In his remarks, Binh stressed that over the past six decades, the cooperative relationship between Vietnams former Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, now the Ministry of Home Affairs, and Laos Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare has continuously deepened and expanded. The two sides have maintained biennial ministerial meetings and strengthened cooperation both bilaterally and multilaterally, contributing actively to ASEAN and Mekong sub-regional frameworks.



Through close collaboration, the two sides have achieved important results. Vietnam has hosted hundreds of Lao officials coming for study and research, and supported the construction and operation of a rehabilitation centre for wounded soldiers and persons with disabilities in Vientiane in 2015. In return, Laos has assisted Vietnam in searching for and repatriating the remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers who died in Laos.



The Vietnamese official noted that the conference provided an opportunity for both sides to review the outcomes of their 20242025 cooperation and share insights on new development issues, particularly digital transformation. The two sides would identify priority areas for collaboration during 20262027, including public administration management and technology application to governance, in line with their shared potential and strong relations.



For his part, Sayasone affirmed that the two ministries will continue to coordinate closely, exchange information on labour and social welfare, and support each other at both regional and international levels, further contributing to the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the Parties, States, and peoples of Vietnam and Laos.



The conference highly valued the progress made in implementing the minutes of the 8th edition in 2023 and the 2023 cooperation plan signed between the two governments in January 2023. Participants also discussed practical measures to enhance cooperation in labour, employment, social welfare, and people with meritorious service, as well as the two ministries 20262030 cooperation plan.



At the event, the two ministries signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the areas of labour and revolution contributors, along with the minutes of the conference.



Accordingly, the two sides will step up exchanging information related to the deployment, reception, and management of Vietnamese and Lao workers under labour supply contracts, investment projects, and aid programmes in the two countries. They will also share legal frameworks and experiences in labour management, skills development in line with labour market demand, digital transformation, and the protection of the rights and interests of workers.



Additionally, they agreed to continue working with the countries' ministries of national defence and other relevant agencies and localities to search for, collect, and repatriate the remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who fell in Laos, as well as Lao soldiers who died in Vietnam./.VNA
According to the Vietnam Software and IT Services Association (VINASA), the awards were presented during the ASOCIO Digital Summit 2025, held from November 1113 in Taiwan under the theme AI Shaping Digital Asia.

Organized annually by the Asian-Oceanian Computing Industry Organization (ASOCIO) - representing 24 economies across the region - the prestigious awards recognize outstanding contributions to digital transformation, innovation, and socio-economic development through technology.

Vietnam tops Asia-Pacific in award count

Vietnam received 10 awards for organizations and enterprises, plus one Distinguished Contribution Award for VINASA itself, bringing its total to 11 - the highest number among participating countries. Thailand followed with nine awards, while Malaysia and Taiwan each received eight.

These accolades span diverse sectors, including smart government, healthcare, education, ESG, cybersecurity, and AI, underscoring Vietnams comprehensive approach to digital advancement.

Key Vietnamese awardees at ASOCIO 2025:

VINASA  Distinguished Contribution Award

Hanoi Peoples Committee  Smart Government

Vietnam Airlines  Outstanding Digital Transformation

MISA  Outstanding ICT Company

Ton Duc Thang University  Talent Development

Vinmec  Healthcare Technology

Quang Trung Software City (QTSC)  Cybersecurity

JETPAY  Startup Company

FPT Corporation  Global Business Services

FPT Smart Cloud  AI Solutions Provider

PAN Group  ESG Award

Long-term commitment recognized

VINASA was honored alongside key associations from Japan (JISA), Thailand (ATCI), Malaysia (PIKOM), and Taiwan (TISSA) for its continued leadership in advancing the regional ICT ecosystem.

For over 20 years, VINASA has played a pivotal role in fostering regional cooperation, building a strong ICT community, and elevating Vietnams position on the international tech stage.

Chairman of VINASA, Mr. Nguyen Van Khoa, emphasized that this milestone demonstrates a strategic shift in perception: Vietnam is no longer just a potential market - it is now a regional center for technological innovation and application.

Our companies are pioneering in new technologies like AI and Green Tech to solve macroeconomic challenges. They are also emerging as trusted digital service providers across Asia and globally, he noted.

The recognition at ASOCIO 2025 reaffirms Vietnams readiness to lead in the digital era. It also provides motivation for the countrys ICT sector to continue contributing to global value chains while strengthening its domestic innovation capabilities.

PV
Vietnam aims to expand its logistics services sector by 12-15% annually over the next decade, while cutting logistics costs to 12-15% of GDP and building 5-10 international-standard logistics hubs, according to a new national strategy recently approved by the Government.

The plan also seeks to establish Vietnam as a logistics hub in Southeast Asia by 2035.

Growth target of 1215% annually through 2035

The 12-15% annual growth goal is viewed as attainable, given the sectors 14-16% expansion in recent years. A key goal is trimming logistics costs to 12-15% of GDP from the current 18-20% to bolster competitiveness. The plan also targets lifting the industrys value-added share to 5-7% of GDP and pushing Vietnams Logistics Performance Index (LPI) ranking into the global top 40. Under the strategy, at least five modern logistics centres meeting international standards will be developed.

By 2050, the sector is projected to contribute 7-9% of GDP, with logistics costs lowered to 10-12% of GDP and the LPI ranking entering the worlds top 30, backed by 10 state-of-the-art hubs.

To meet these targets, Vietnam is courting major investments from multinational logistics companies able to link into global supply chains. The Government will also back local firms in delivering integrated 4PL and 5PL services.

At the same time, the country intends to step up spending on infrastructure, including roads, railways, waterways, aviation, distribution centres, smart warehouses, specialised storage and free-trade zones.

Vietnam among top emerging logistics markets

The logistics industry has grown 14-16% annually in recent years. In 2024, Vietnam ranked among the worlds top 10 emerging logistics markets, top four in the logistics opportunity index and top 43 in the LPI.

Bui Ba Nghiem, deputy head of the strategy drafting committee at the Ministry of Industry and Trades Agency of Foreign Trade, said the country has ample potential to integrate further into the global supply chain.

Vietnams transport network covers all regions via five main modes - rail, road, air, inland waterway and sea, with almost 3,000km of expressways. Warehouses and logistics centres continue to grow in size and number.

Future expansion will be fueled by export-driven manufacturing, e-commerce growth, transport and port infrastructure upgrades, and ongoing spending on digital tracking and smart warehousing.

Pushing Vietnam toward regional logistics powerhouse

The approved strategy aims to create a better business climate, draw capital and cement Vietnams role as a regional logistics powerhouse. With its strategic location as ASEANs gateway and extensive network of free trade agreements, Vietnam is primed to emerge as a major hub.

Still, funding shortages have stalled several flagship projects. Some Government-assigned projects lack adequate resources to start, Nghiem said, calling for proper budget support to launch the strategy.

In addition, to implement the strategy, a large amount of capital must be mobilised for infrastructure development. However, attracting FDI into the logistics sector has always been challenging, as this is a conditional business field. Moreover, prolonged administrative procedures, inconsistent infrastructure, and the lack of modern connectivity among warehouses, seaports, and road systems increase costs and reduce operational efficiency, thereby raising concerns among investors in this service industry, he noted./.VNA
BEIJING, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from CRI Online:

On November 7, at the main forum of the 2025 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit, SinoGuide, a one-stop smart service mobile app jointly launched by the National Immigration Administration and the Cyberspace Administration of China, officially went live.

Supporting both Chinese and English, the SinoGuide App integrates policy guidance, life services, and cultural exploration, making life easier for foreigners in China.

By sorting out relevant policies and regulations, SinoGuide provides users with the latest updates on visas, residence permits, work permits, and more in a clear and easy-to-understand format. For daily life, it offers information in areas such as payments, transportation, and accommodation, allowing foreigners to seamlessly navigate their life in China with just one tap. Furthermore, the app features specially designed functions, such as a personal assistant, to help users address everyday challenges, facilitating deeper integration into local communities.

By combining convenient digital services with a human-centered approach, the SinoGuide App helps every foreigner who comes to China work and live here more easily, experiencing the country's openness and inclusiveness. Currently, the Android version of SinoGuide is available on app markets including Huawei and VIVO, with the iOS version to be released at a later date.

SOURCE CRI Online
The upcoming launch is expected to ease concerns among household businesses, particularly older shop owners and traditional market traders who are accustomed to manual bookkeeping and may lack digital or accounting skills.



Deputy Director General Mai Son said the pilot platform would help millions of household businesses familiarise themselves with the online process of filing and paying taxes before the system becomes mandatory.



Son added that the key task for tax authorities was to assess the actual situation of household businesses, including their access to devices such as computers and smartphones, their use of software, understanding of new policies and practical concerns like inventory management or error correction, in order to provide direct and hands-on guidance.



To make this policy a reality, the partnership of technology companies is crucial in translating it into practice and ensuring a smooth, effective transition for household businesses, he said at a tax digitalisation workshop in Hanoi on November 11.



The initiative is part of a nationwide 60-day peak transition campaign, during which tax officers are visiting local businesses to assess readiness in terms of devices, software and understanding of digital procedures.



According to the tax department, 98% of declarant households already submit tax payments electronically, while 18,500 have switched from lump-sum to self-declaration and 133,000 have begun using e-invoices issued from point-of-sale systems. Officials said these figures reflect strong momentum toward full digitalisation.



To support the transition, the Ministry of Finance has urged provincial authorities to assist small traders with training and infrastructure upgrades. The ministry also called on technology firms to offer free or discounted digital tools such as e-invoicing, accounting software and digital signatures to reduce costs for small operators.



At an event on November 11, tech company Sapo launched a free tax-management package known as Sapo 6870. The package includes digital sales management, e-invoice issuance and automatic tax declaration on mobile devices. Participating household businesses will receive 24 months of free software use, 2,000 e-invoices and a three-month digital-signature licence.



Other technology providers such as Misa, Bkav and Viettel are joining the effort.



Viettel Telecom has launched Tendoo, an AI-driven platform integrating sales, accounting and tax filing, featuring seven auto-updating ledgers compliant with Finance Ministry standards and a three-month free trial with digital-signature and insurance tools.



Tax departments in Hanoi and HCM City are simultaneously implementing localised transition programmes.



Hanois tax office has established a three-tier Zalo communication network connecting tax officials directly with household businesses, while HCM City has classified its 363,000 household taxpayers into three income groups based on annual revenue for customised support and digital training.



The Ministry of Finance is also developing a new legal framework for household taxation centred on three pillars, including revising the Law on Tax Administration, drafting a specific policy regime for household taxpayers and introducing a simplified accounting system compatible with digital tools.



Nguyen Thi Cuc, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Tax Consultants Association, said household businesses should consider upgrading to enterprises to access greater tax incentives and growth opportunities.



Registered firms can deduct all assets as input costs and claim double deductions for research expenses, she said, adding that they may also set aside up to 20% of pre-tax profit for a science and technology development fund  a benefit not available to household businesses.



Tax reform is not about supervision  its about partnership, Son added. We want taxpayers to see digital tax declaration as an opportunity, not an obligation./.VNA
Dong Thap mangoes

At the press conference on the 80th anniversary of Vietnam's Agriculture and Environment sector on November 5, Pham Van Duy, Deputy Director of the Quality, Processing and Market Development Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE), noted that Vietnamese agricultural products are present all over the world.

By the end of 2024, Vietnams key export commodities, including rice, coffee, seafood, fruits and spices, had achieved remarkable global rankings.

Vietnam exported 9.15 million tons of rice in 2024, placing the country among the worlds top three, after India (17 million tons) and ahead of Thailand.

Seafood export turnover surpassed $11 billion in the same year, ranking Vietnam third globally, behind China and Norway. Coffee maintained its second-place position, while fruits ranked 15th, and herbs and spices took the top spot.

"These figures show that 'Vietnam is feeding the world' in a figurative sense - meaning playing an important role in the global food and supply chain", Duy said.

According to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung Duc Tien, Vietnam has not only exported traditional products, but its meat, eggs, and dairy products have begun going global, with a growth rate of 19 percent year-on-year in 2024.

He noted that agricultural potential remains vast, especially as the country pushes toward sciencetechnology adoption, digital transformation, and traceability, moving toward a high-tech sustainable agriculture.

Vietnamese rice, fish, coffee, and vegetables have appeared on dining tables across hundreds of countries, from Asia to Europe, from the Americas to the Middle East, with Vietnams mark becoming increasingly visible, Tien said.

"We not only export products but also export identity, intelligence and creativity of Vietnamese people in every rice grain, every fish, and every coffee drop," he said.

Tran Cong Thang, Director of the Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Strategy and Policy, believes that for Vietnamese agriculture to maintain its position in the world market, it needs to shift from "increasing output" to "increasing value", linking production with market, technology and sustainable development.

Tien said that increasing agricultural value must be linked to green production, a circular economy, and emission reduction.

When science, technology and people converge, Vietnamese agriculture can go further, not only "feeding the world" figuratively, but also contribute to ensuring global food security in the future in a world of about 8 billion people.

At a forum "Gene Editing in Agriculture - Strategic Technology Linked to Legal Framework" held on October 18, Tien stressed that biotechnology, especially gene technology, is creating a "strong wave of innovation" in agricultural production, contributing to improved productivity, quality and resilience of crops and livestock.

In Resolution No19 and Resolution 57 recently, the Party and State have identified biotechnology as one of the strategic breakthrough directions. This is the basis for the agriculture sector to continue its transformation towards a biological, circular and sustainable agriculture.

Thanks to the application of biotechnology in breeding, cultivation and preservation, productivity and output continue to increase.

In just the first nine months of the year, Vietnam achieved over 34.8 million tons of rice, the high output which not only contributed to ensuring domestic food security but also international food security. To date, the country has exported over 7 million tons of rice, contributing to affirming Vietnam's role in the global food supply chain.

According to Tien, the fact that many countries like the Philippines, Singapore and Brazil continue to import rice and agricultural products from Vietnam is clear evidence of the reputation and quality of Vietnamese agricultural products in the international market.

He said the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will continue to promote biotechnology application in breeding, animal husbandry, cultivation and agricultural processing.

The government's decision on biotechnology industry development is a strategic step, opening new development space for Vietnamese science.

"It is time for us to step into difficult fields that require high knowledge such as gene technology, vaccines, and biotechnology industry. Success will not come immediately, but this is the path for Vietnam to advance, master technology, master the future of agriculture", Tien said.

Nguyen Phuong Thao from Vietnam National University HCMC said that Vietnam has potential to become a leading center for biotechnology innovation, especially for tropical crops, if there are open and appropriate support policies.



Tam An
Dr Nguyen Quoc Hung, Vice President of the Union of Vietnamese Organisations in Russia and Director of the Tradition and Friendship Fund, has become the only foreign recipient of the badge "For Special Merits in International Cooperation" of the administration of Russia's St Petersburg city.

Other awardees included Andrey Vassoevich, Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies under Herzen State Pedagogical University; Gasan Gasanov, head of the Representative Office of the Republic of Dagestan in St Petersburg; Vladimir Moiseenko, Acting Director of the N.P. Napalkov Oncology Centre; and Margarita Mudrak, Chairwoman of the Board of the Interregional Association for International Cooperation.

Speaking at the award ceremony on November 11, St Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov congratulated the honourees, emphasising that their dedications have helped strengthen Russias national capacity and practically contributed to the citys development and cooperation.

The badge is a personal reward but also reflects the St Petersburg Committee for External Relations and the city administration's appreciation of the efforts by the Tradition and Friendship Fund of the Vietnamese community in Russia in fostering people-to-people diplomacy as well as mutually beneficial cooperation between St Petersburg and Vietnamese localities.

Sharing his thoughts after receiving the honour, Hung expressed his pride and gratitude to the St Petersburg administration, relevant agencies and, particularly, the Committee for External Relations for their important role in advancing ties with Vietnam. He noted that the Governors identification of Vietnam as a priority in the citys foreign policy has created a breakthrough in cooperation between St Petersburg and Vietnamese localities.

The badge For Special Merits in International Cooperation was established by Governor Alexander Beglov under a 2021 decree. It is bestowed not only upon Russian citizens but also on foreign and stateless persons with outstanding achievements in fostering international cooperation. Each year, no more than ten individuals are selected for the honour./. VNA
At the ceremony entitled 30 Years of Unilever in Viet Nam: 30 Years of Dedication  As Viet Nam is Home, the company expressed its deep gratitude to the organisations and individuals who have supported it in advancing meaningful and sustainable change in Viet Nam.

Since the milestone year of 1995, Viet Nams transformation into a deeply integrated, globally connected economy has provided a critical foundation for Unilevers development and long-term operations in the country. In parallel with this national progress, Unilever has introduced its portfolio of brands, advanced technologies, global expertise, and proven best practices to help strengthen Viet Nams domestic capabilities, serving local consumers while expanding exports to international markets.

Unilever Vietnam has gradually expanded its operational capacity, now comprising more than 1,300 employees, approximately 10,000 indirect workers, over 140 distributors, and a retail network of nearly 300,000 outlets nationwide. Its manufacturing and supply-chain system has been comprehensively digitalised, with AI integrated into 35 per cent of supply-chain processes and automation reaching 96 per cent at its factories. These advancements enable Unilever to ensure production efficiency, streamline distribution, and reliably serve millions of consumers across the country.

In the area of health and hygiene, the companys programmes, in conjunction with regulatory agencies and partners, have helped 30 million people improve sanitation and health conditions and upgraded 1,410 school sanitation facilities nationwide.

In the environmental pillar, Unilever planted over 1 million trees between 2021 and 2025, contributing to ecosystem restoration.

In the climate pillar, Unilever Vietnam achieved net-zero emissions in its internal operations (Scope 1 and 2) as early as 2021, nine years ahead of the Groups global commitment.

In the livelihood pillar, the company and its partners trained 90,000 women in entrepreneurship, provided 50,000 micro-loans via the New Beginnings Fund, and granted non-repayable seed capital to 167 women-led start-up projects.

Under the plastics and circular-economy pillar, Unilever achieved 66 per cent recyclable packaging, and for four consecutive years, it has collected and recycled more plastic than it placed on the market.

Over the past three decades, this has not just been a story of business growth but of Unilever walking alongside the countrys transformation. At the event, Nguyen Thi Bich Van, Country Manager of Unilever Vietnam, emphasised that the greatest strides have stemmed from trust and collaboration between business and society.

Thirty years is not just the journey of a company pursuing business growth; it is the journey of dreams, service, and human values that we have forged together. Over three decades, Unilever Vietnam has built brands deeply rooted in the hearts of the Vietnamese people, delivering high-quality products that serve millions of families across generations. Every step we have taken, from partnering with local communities and rolling out sustainable initiatives with the Government and organisations to standing side-by-side with distributors and retailers to bring our products to millions of Vietnamese homes, has been driven by one shared objective: together to create a healthier, greener, and brighter Viet Nam.

The ceremony was held in a formal atmosphere, attended by representatives from central ministries and agencies, social organisations, business partners, and media outlets. Unilever Vietnam was honoured to receive the following:

 Certificate of Merit from the Ministry of Health for outstanding achievements in implementing the Patriotic Hygiene Movement for Public Health Improvement during the 20122022 period.

 Certificate of Merit from the Vietnam Young Physicians Association for significant contributions to the programme For a Healthier Viet Nam during 20242025.

 Certificate of Merit from the Ministry of Education and Training for outstanding achievements in the socialisation of school solidification, classroom upgrading, and teachers housing facilities during 20132023.

 Certificate of Merit from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment for outstanding achievements in environmental protection and sustainable agricultural development.

 Certificate of Merit from the Vietnam Womens Union for outstanding achievements in implementing the movement Building 5-Without, 3-Clean Families as part of the National New Rural Development Programme during 20102025.

These commendations underscore the substantive and sustained contributions of Unilever Vietnam across preventive healthcare, hygiene education, environmental stewardship, and livelihood enhancement. They further constitute an important basis for the company to continue advancing its role as a committed partner and to broaden initiatives that support Viet Nams national agenda for sustainable development in the years to come.

As part of the anniversary event, Unilever signed strategic Memoranda of Understanding and announced partnership programmes, marking a new phase in reinforcing and extending collaborative initiatives for sustainable development:

 Memorandum of Understanding on the programme For a Healthier and More Sustainable Viet Nam  Phase 20252030 between Unilever Vietnam and the Department of Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Health.

 Memorandum of Understanding on the programme Health Check-ups for a Healthier Viet Nam  Phase 20252028 between Unilever Vietnam, the Lifebuoy brand, and the Vietnam Young Physicians Association.

 Cooperation agreement on the programme Healthy, Safe and Sustainable Schools  Phase 20252028 between Unilever Vietnam and UNICEF Vietnam.

 Announcement of the programme Developing Green-Clean-Healthy Schools  Phase 20242029 in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Training.

Additionally, Unilever Vietnam announced new commitments for the next chapter of its journey:

 To improve livelihoods and working conditions for 200,000 Vietnamese people over the next ten years.

 To educate and raise hygiene and health awareness among 10 million people in the next decade.

 Together with the OMO brand, to plant an additional 1 million trees between 20262030helping to combat erosion, mitigate climate change, foster sustainable livelihoods, and enhance biodiversity.

 To achieve 100-per cent recyclable, reusable, or biodegradable plastic packaging by 2035.

These areas hold profound significance, closely linked to the social development of Viet Nam and its major national goals. Speaking at the event, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Lien Huong, Vice Minister of Health, commented: "I believe that, with the sense of responsibility, consensus, and strong determination from the Vietnam Administration of Disease Prevention as well as organisations like Unilever Vietnam, the programme 'For a Healthy and Sustainable Viet Nam' will help promote preventive healthcare, improve public health, and build a more sustainable Viet Nam for the people and by the people."

Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Viet Nam Iain Frew remarked: The elevation of our relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership marks a new era in UKViet Nam relations - one grounded in trust, shared vision, and practical collaboration. Unilever Vietnam perfectly embodies what this partnership looks like in action. Through your commitment to sustainability, innovation, and community impact, you are helping to build a future that is greener, fairer, and more resilient, showing how business can be a true force for good between our two nations, proving that business goals and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.

Silvia Danailov, UNICEF Representative in Viet Nam, also attended the event. She remarked: Thanks to our partnership, for which we are very grateful, we will continue to lead our work, under the leadership of the government of Viet Nam, to benefit 2 million students and empower many young people to lead and be a positive force of change in the country.

The 30-year milestone marks not only an occasion of celebration for Unilever, but also a fresh beginning for a deeper, more responsible, and more enduring partnership with Viet Nam. With the spirit and goal Because Viet Nam is Home, the company reaffirms its long-term commitment to stand alongside the Government, communities, and partners in building a greener, healthier, and more prosperous Viet Nam for the future.-VNS
HA NOI  The Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), in collaboration with the American Chamber of Commerce in Ha Noi (AmCham) and the US Chamber of Commerce, hosted the 8th Viet NamUS Business Summit in Ha Noi on November 12 under the theme 'A New Era of Growth for Mutually Beneficial Trade Relations.'

Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed that Viet Nam attaches great importance to promoting fair and mutually beneficial economic cooperation with the United States.

In a world full of volatility, only trust can create cooperation; only cooperation can bring about prosperity; and only prosperity can ensure a sustainable future, he said.

Son stressed that Viet Nam remains committed to building a stable and favourable business environment for all investors, especially American enterprises, under the principle of working together, 'winning together, sharing together and developing together.'

As the two countries mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025, Son described the journey from former adversaries to partners as one of strategic vision and shared determination. He summarised the partnership with five key phrases: strategic trust, comprehensive cooperation, winwin development, responsible partnership and future creation.

Bilateral trade has surpassed US$100 billion, with the US remaining one of Viet Nams largest partners. Most major US corporations have established an effective presence in Viet Nam, and investment is expected to rise further.

Son highlighted that the partnership is one of shared success, built on complementary strengths: the US in technology, capital and management, and Viet Nam in its young, skilled workforce and strategic location.

He said digital cooperation, science and technology and innovation are priority pillars of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, creating momentum for a green and sustainable future in the digital age.

The Deputy Prime Minister proposed five key directions for stronger cooperation: developing semiconductor and high-tech ecosystems; expanding clean energy and green growth partnerships; strengthening supply chain connectivity; fostering innovation and digital transformation; and enhancing education, training and technology transfer to produce high-quality engineers and global managers.

He also urged the US business community to promote high-level visits, support recognition of Viet Nam as a full market economy, and advocate for removing restrictions on high-tech exports, particularly those under the US Department of Commerces D1 and D3 categories.

Son called on US firms to expand long-term investment in Viet Nam, a safe, stable and promising destination, and to contribute to a balanced bilateral trade relationship.

US Assistant Secretary of State Michael DeSombre reaffirmed Viet Nams strong potential to attract investment, saying US enterprises stand ready to strengthen their leadership as key partners.

VCCI Chairman Dr Ho Sy Hung said VCCI will continue to work closely with AmCham and the US Chamber of Commerce to promote new cooperation initiatives and support US firms in deepening partnerships in Viet Nam.

AmCham Chairman Michael Nguyen noted that global geopolitical shifts have further motivated USViet Nam economic cooperation. He said the Summits discussions would help improve the business climate and promote inclusive prosperity in Viet Nam.  VNS
HA NOI  FTSE Russell has unveiled its plans for Viet Nam's market transition from a frontier market to a secondary emerging market, set to take effect in September 2026.

This important classification shift reflects ongoing improvements in Viet Nam's financial infrastructure and investment framework.

The transition will occur in several phases, beginning with the country's removal from the frontier market tier during the annual review in September 2026. Vietnamese stocks will be included in the FTSE Global Equity Index Series (GEIS) concurrently, subject to an interim evaluation in March 2026.

Further details about each implementation stage will be announced in March 2026, following consultations with FTSE Russell's Advisory Committees and market participants. This process is designed to ensure that Viet Nam's market infrastructure meets international standards and enhances access through global investment funds.

FTSE Russell's approach allows foreign institutional investors (FIIs) to execute trades via international brokers acting as partners. The initiative aims to align Viet Nam's market with global benchmarks, mitigate counterparty risks and bolster investor confidence through established relationships with reputable global financial intermediaries.

The report also outlined the expected weightings of Vietnamese stocks in various indices after the upgrade.

Specifically, Viet Nam is projected to account for 0.04 per cent of the FTSE Global All Cap index, 0.02 per cent of the FTSE All-World index, 0.34 per cent of the FTSE Emerging All Cap index and 0.22 per cent of the FTSE Emerging Index.

FTSE has established monitoring indices to simulate the effects of this reclassification prior to official implementation.

FTSE Russell has identified a list of 28 stocks likely to make it into the FTSE Global All Cap index. Some of these include prominent names such as Hoa Phat Group (HPG), Vietcombank (VCB), Vingroup (VIC), Vinhomes (VHM), Masan Group (MSN), Sabeco (SAB), Vinamilk (VNM), Dat Xanh Group (DXG) and others. This preliminary list is based on data as of December 31, 2024, and may be subject to change by the time of the official announcement.

From September 2026, Viet Nam will be categorised under the Asia Pacific ex Japan ex China region in future reviews. The transition will continue to be monitored with respect to liquidity, scale and compliance with global standards.

This upgrade follows FTSE Russell's previous announcement on October 8, confirming Viet Nam's elevation from frontier to secondary emerging market status, effective September 21, 2026, pending the outcome of the upcoming review in March 2026.

FTSE Russell will closely monitor developments and welcome feedback from stakeholders related to the index before the interim evaluation classifies Vietnamese stocks in March 2026, ensuring that the reclassification is executed smoothly in September 2026.

Viet Nam's journey towards achieving this emerging market status began in September 2018 when it was placed on the watchlist for elevation.

At that time, it failed to meet criteria regarding delivery versus payment (DvP) processes and failed trade handling, both rated as restricted. In November 2024, Vietnamese market authorities implemented measures to address these issues.

The FTSE Russell Index Governing Board (IBG) has acknowledged the progress made by the country's market authorities in developing the market and confirmed that Viet Nam now meets all criteria required for the secondary emerging market classification according to the FTSE national classification framework.  BIZHUB/VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam and China must develop solutions to deepen agricultural cooperation to contribute to enhancing regional food security and build a resilient supply chain, a conference held by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment was told on Wednesday.

The Viet Nam-China Trade Promotion Forum took place within the framework of the AgroViet2025, providing an important opportunity for associations and enterprises from both countries to exchange information, connect supply and demand, explore investment and technology transfer opportunities and promote green, safe, sustainable agriculture in line with global trends.

The ministrys statistics showed that trade between Viet Nam and China has continued to expand rapidly, with bilateral revenue reaching US$205.2 billion in 2024 and $208 billion in the first 10 months of this year.

Viet Nam has become Chinas largest trading partner in ASEAN and the fourth largest in the world.

Hoang Van Du, Deputy Director of the ministrys Agricultural Trade Promotion Centre said that Viet Nam has strengths in tropical agriculture with a wide range of high-quality products which are increasingly popular among global consumers. With a dynamic and fast-growing economy, the country is playing an increasingly important role in global food security and value chains, he stressed.

He added that agricultural trade between Viet Nam and China has grown steadily, with many Vietnamese farm products now widely available in the Chinese market. In turn, Viet Nam imports agricultural machinery, fertilisers, and materials from China to support domestic production.

China has reaffirmed its commitment to expand agricultural imports from Viet nam and support large-scale, high-quality investments between enterprises from both countries, he said, adding that this creates significant opportunities for key Vietnamese export products such as fruit, cashew nuts, coffee and seafood to expand in the Chinese market.

With surging food demand across the Asia-Pacific region, which is projected to require at least 30 per cent more of output by 2030, Du said that the two countries must promote the shift from small-scale border trade to formal, modern and sustainable agriculture cooperation.

Challenges remain, including limited border logistics and cold storage infrastructure, fragmented production, uneven quality and quality control capacity, together with a lack of integrated supply chain data, he said, however.

These challenges require both countries to enhance cooperation and adopt systemic solutions to develop a resilient and transparent agricultural ecosystem.

New spaces

To address the challenge, the ministrys Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development called for stronger cooperation in logistics, technology, and standards harmonisation within the ASEANChina framework, which aims to build a sustainable, transparent and technology-driven agricultural supply chain.

Trade promotion should continue to be enhanced to improve market understanding and facilitate trade. The two sides should also strengthen information exchange and technical collaboration on policy, quarantine, biosafety and product transport management.

Specifically, joint efforts should focus on developing cross-border value chains in deep processing, cold-chain logistics, e-commerce, and standardised raw material zones.

The department also proposed the establishment of Vietnamese farm produce distribution centres in China and processing zones in border regions.

With strong potential and close cooperation under the ASEANChina framework, the two countries can build a modern, safe and sustainable agricultural supply chain that contributes to food security and shared prosperity in Asia, the department said.  VNS
TEL AVIV  Le Thai Hoa, Vietnamese trade counsellor in Israel, had a working session with Sapir Ifergan, director of trade and business at Arkia Israeli Airlines Ltd, to discuss speeding up the launch of a direct flight between Tel Aviv and Ha Noi.

Ifergan praised the potential and prospects of the Vietnamese market in Arkias strategy to expand aviation cooperation and establish air routes eastward into Asia.

She said Arkia plans to launch a direct flight from Israel to Viet Nam, with the inaugural flight scheduled for January 5, 2026, from Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv to Noi Bai International Airport in Ha Noi.

Under the pilot plan, Arkia will initially operate one weekly flight from January to June 2026. The airline may increase frequency to two flights per week in March 2026, using wide-body aircraft with a capacity of approximately 290 seats.

The airline has already begun selling tickets through its website and via its network of authorised agents.

Ifergan suggested the Vietnamese Trade Office introduce and connect the airline with Vietnamese partners operating in the aviation sector, particularly ticketing agents and travel agencies, towards establishing business cooperation.

She also asked the agency to maintain regular contact to continue supporting Arkia in expanding its partnerships in the Vietnamese market in the future.

For his part, Hoa praised Arkias plan to launch a direct flight to Viet Nam, affirming that the office stands ready to actively support and connect Arkia with suitable Vietnamese partners.

He noted that Viet Nam is attracting global investors and manufacturers thanks to the developed manufacturing and processing industries and its deep integration into the global economy, he noted, adding that Viet Nam is on track to become an important manufacturing hub and a strategic link in the global supply chain.

According to the official, the Vietnamese market has become an attractive destination for investors, entrepreneurs, traders, buyers, and international tourists, including partners from Israel.

The economic ties, trade exchanges, and investment cooperation between Viet Nam and Israel have been continuously developing positively.

The implementation of the Viet NamIsrael Free Trade Agreement in mid-November 2024 has provided a strong boost to their collaborative relations.

The twoway trade hit $3.247 billion in 2024. In the first 10 months of 2025, Viet Nams exports to Israel totalled $704.3 million, up 4.1 per cent year-on-year.

For the full year 2025, the trade between the two nations is projected to reach $3.7 billion, with Viet Nams exports estimated at around $880 million, 10.75 per cent higher than the figure reported last year.

Regarding investment cooperation, Israel has invested $155.9 million in Viet Nam across 45 projects, while Viet Nams investment in Israel has totalled $78.25 million so far. Citizens of both countries continue to seek opportunities to visit and explore each others destinations.

Once the air route launches as planned, Arkia will become the first Israeli airline to operate a direct flight to Viet Nam.

The operation of this route is expected to open a new chapter in bilateral tourism cooperation as it facilitates travel for businesses, traders, investors, buyers, tourists, and citizens between the two countries, contributing to enhancing mutual understanding and further promoting multifaceted cooperation.

Arkia is one of Israels three traditional airlines. Founded in 1949 as the countrys first private airline, Arkia operates a network of routes to 32 destinations, primarily European cities.  VNA/VNS
HCM CITY  Viet Nams flagship food industry showcase, Vietnam Foodexpo 2025, kicked off in HCM City on November 12, hosting more than 500 booths from nearly 400 local and foreign companies.

The four-day expo is co-organised by the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, alongside domestic and overseas partners.

Local heavyweights on show include DH Foods, Bich Chi Food JSC, Sa Giang Import-Export Corp., and Hanoi Trade Corp., representing over 20 cities and provinces. International exhibitors hail from about 20 countries and territories, including the Republic of Korea, Japan, Turkey, Finland, Poland, Sweden, India, and Malaysia.

Products span fresh agricultural goods like fruits, tea, coffee, pepper, cashews, plus seafood, processed and functional foods, beverages, confectionery, and dairy products. Manufacturers are also showcasing processing equipment, preservation and packaging technology, and food safety innovations.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang spotlighted the Viet Nam national brand pavilion, which features premium goods that embody the countrys food identity and boost Vietnamese producers global edge.

A digital trade promotion and industry ecosystem zone debuts platforms and tools for trade, investment and supply-chain linkage, aligning with the ministrys digital-economy drive.

The expo features an ITC SheTrades & UPS Vietnam pavilion, part of an international project aiding women-led SMEs with export hurdles. Eight such firms are exhibiting to lift brand recognition, tap new markets, meet buyers and build capacity for international fairs.

For the first time, Vietnam Foodexpo goes virtual via the Arobid TradeXpo platform, a leap in digitising trade promotion, Thang said. The online show aims to forge a multidimensional hub linking Vietnamese and global players in food, agriculture and seafood.

The event rounds out with industry seminars, business matchmaking and training. A 1:1 networking event will pair Vietnamese exporters with foreign importers throughout the expo.  VNS
HA NOI  A total of 23 Vietnamese companies are attending the SIAL Interfood 2025 International Food and Beverage Exhibition which officially opened on Wednesday in Jakarta, Indonesia.

As one of Southeast Asias largest and most influential events in the food, beverage, and hospitality industries, SIAL Interfood has become a vital platform for global business networking and innovation. This years event not only connects international enterprises but also stimulates related economic sectors such as catering, logistics, tourism, and local product consumption.

This event brings together more than 1,500 exhibitors from 27 countries and expecting to attract around 90,000 visitors.

Viet Nam has a strong presence at the exhibition with 23 participating companies, including 18 firms from HCM City showcasing their products at the Viet Nam Pavilion. Their key exports on display include coffee, dried nuts, fruit-based beverages, instant noodles, and chocolate.

According to Ho Thi Quyen, deputy director of the HCM City Investment and Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC), the city supports Vietnamese businesses, especially small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), by providing booth funding, facilitating participation procedures, and coordinating a unified pavilion under the Viet Nam national brand identity.

Nguyen uc Hung, chairman of the Napoli Group, a coffee producer already present in the Indonesian market, said the company is focusing on expanding into the Halal segment, which has significant potential in Indonesia. Napoli has registered for Halal certification to better access this market.

Pham The Cuong, commercial counsellor of Viet Nams Trade Office in Indonesia, said the office invited major supermarket chains, importers associations, and chambers of commerce to visit Vietnamese booths and connect directly with exhibitors to enhance trade links.

Vietnamese booths drew strong interest from international distributors and retailers on the opening day. Eric Anggana, representative of Indonesias Blueray Cargo, remarked that many Vietnamese products such as dried fruits and chocolate suit Indonesian tastes and have promising market potential.

The SIAL Interfood 2025 exhibition runs until November 15.  VNS
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HCM CITY  Two of Asia' s leading international trade fairs  Vietnam Intimate Fashion & Sourcing Fair (SIUF Vietnam 2025) and International Vietnam Children Baby & Maternity Industry Fair (CBME Vietnam 2025)  make their debut in Viet Nam from November 1315, 2025, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre in HCM City.

Organised by Informa Markets Vietnam, the dual fairs bring together leading brands, OEM/ODM manufacturers, material suppliers, and distribution networks across the region.

According to the organiser, the events aim to strengthen supply chain collaboration, drive trade and product innovation, and position Viet Nam as a strategic hub for manufacturing, consumption, and business exchange in Southeast Asia, particularly in consumer goods, mother & baby care, and functional fashion.

SIUF Vietnam 2025 showcases a comprehensive ecosystem of the lingerie, sportswear, and homewear industries, building on the success of SIUF Shenzhen, the worlds largest lingerie exhibition.

The fair serves as a bridge for cooperation, innovation, and capacity-building in design, production, and commercialisation for Viet Nams fashion sector.

A highlight of the event is the SIUF Global Lingerie Conference, themed Global Expansion Strategies and International Market Development for Leading Lingerie Brands, sharing insights on growth strategies, material and production trends, and brand expansion worldwide.

Industry professionals and consumers can also engage in activities such as womens health consultations and professional bra-fitting experiences. TikTok for Business will host a workshop on creative content strategies, short-form video, and digital commerce solutions.

With its fully connected ecosystem, from manufacturing and material innovation to market insights and consumer engagement, SIUF Vietnam 2025 is poised to become a launchpad for Viet Nams lingerie industry, driving growth in both production capability and brand development.

Meanwhile, CBME Vietnam 2025 connects the full supply chain of the mother and baby sector, from manufacturing and materials to branding, distribution, and retail, enhancing family life quality and supporting the development of Viet Nams modern consumer market.

The exhibition gathers brands, OEM/ODM manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and startups in the mother and baby sector to explore new product trends, modern market strategies, and the evolving needs of young parents.

The conference series Newest Insights in the M&B Industry from Webtretho and TikTok for Business offers insights into parenting behaviour, maternal and infant health, early childhood education, and digital technologies supporting modern parenting, along with brand-building strategies in short-form content and omnichannel communication.

Business-matching programmes and interactive experience zones allow direct engagement with consumers, strengthening manufacturer-retailer-consumer connections.

According to Statista and NielsenIQ, Viet Nams mother and baby market reached US$1.8 billion in 2024, with rising demand for premium, safe, and organic products.

The country remains a top-three global textile and garment exporter, with $44 billion in export turnover in 2024, and over 7,000 enterprises participate in the global supply chain. Hosting these exhibitions simultaneously supports technological innovation, sustainable development, and higher value creation in local industries, the organiser said.

The events will run until November 15.  VNS
A NANG  KP Aerospace Vietnam has marked a breakthrough in the countrys aviation industry with the successful production and delivery of its first set of major structures for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, one of the worlds most advanced widebody aircraft.

The company, a subsidiary of South Koreas KP Aero Industries and its first overseas investment venture, said the achievement represents the first time major wing structures for the Dreamliner have been manufactured in Viet Nam. The milestone highlights both KP Aerospace Vietnams growing technical capabilities and its role in strengthening the regions strategic aerospace supply chain.

KP Aerospace Vietnam said the successful delivery underlines its commitment to global aerospace excellence and to fostering multinational collaboration in the production of commercial aircraft components across Asia.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, often called the aircraft of dreams, is built using more than 50 per cent advanced composite materials, making it lighter, stronger and more fuel-efficient than traditional metal aircraft.

Korean Air, a major customer of KP Aerospace Vietnam, joined Boeings Global Development Partnership in 2004 and has since contributed to the design and manufacture of the 787s raked wing tips  a key aerodynamic feature co-developed with Boeing to reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency, KP Aerospace Vietnam said.

The company added that the raked wing tip structure has now been developed in Viet Nam by KP Aerospaces engineering and assembly teams, who successfully adapted and applied advanced technologies transferred from Korean Air and Boeing. The teams met the stringent quality standards required for delivery to the prime customer.

KP Aerospace Vietnam said the first delivery represents not only a technological milestone but also a symbol of international cooperation and manufacturing excellence linking Korea, the United States and Viet Nam.

Looking ahead, the company plans to strengthen its competitiveness in the global aerospace sector by expanding into Boeing 737 MAX winglet production next year.

Last year, KP Aerospace Vietnam inaugurated its factory at the a Nang Hi-Tech Park, marking the citys second aerospace industry project, with a total investment of US$20 million.

Investment from South Korea in central Viet Nam continues to show strong growth potential, with around 250 Korean businesses now operating in the region, according to the Korean Consulate General Office in a Nang.

Viet Nam and the Republic of Korea have set a target of reaching US$150 billion in bilateral trade by 2030, and a Nang has emerged as one of the most popular destinations for Korean tourists and investors.

A Korean investor recently signed an agreement to promote cooperation in investment, education, employment and research with local partners, including the a Nang Hi-Tech Park and Industrial Zones Authority, the University of Science and Technology under a Nang University, and Korean Air.

Korean investors have committed a total of $1.33 billion to 345 projects in a Nang, placing South Korea among the citys top four sources of foreign investment.

a Nang has also strengthened ties with several Korean localities, including Changwon, Daegu, Hwaseong, Yongin, Gwangyang, Jeju and Pyeongtaek. Since 2022, the city has hosted the annual Korean Cultural Exchange Day to promote cultural understanding and partnership.

Air connectivity between the two countries remains strong, with Korean carriers such as Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air, Jin Air, Air Busan, Air Seoul and Tway Air operating about 150 weekly flights linking a Nang with Seoul, Busan, Daegu and Cheongju.  VNS
A NANG  The central city of a Nang and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) should look for a five-year co-operation in promoting nature conservation and building a green and sustainable future, said Van Ngoc Thinh, CEO WWF-Viet Nam proposed at a working visit to the central citys peoples committee.

Thinh said WWF-Viet Nam, which marked its 30th anniversary in Viet Nam, committed to continue the long-standing partnership with the former Quang Nam Province (in merger with a Nang City) in various projects in terms of biodiversity conservation, forest restoration and environmental protection for past decades.

He said WWF-Viet Nam implemented projects in central Viet Nam including the Elephant Species Habitat Conservation Area (Elephant SHCA), in the former Quang Nam provinces Nong Son district; the Green Annamites; Saola conservation reserves in Quang Nam and Hue, bankable projects; phase one of the Forest Restoration and Livelihood Development Project.

WWF-Viet Nam and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Viet Nam, officially signed a long-term Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen co-operation in nature conservation, sustainable agricultural development, climate change response, and environmental protection, Thinh said, stressing the deeper co-operation with a Nang City.

On the occasion of the working visit, Martin Kabaluapa Kapinga, Chief Country Offices Division, WWF International, sent a donation of US$40,000 to ease the damage by the historic flooding in the City.

Vice chairwoman of the city Nguyen Thi Anh Thi urged further supports from WWF-Viet Nam in improving community awareness education on biodiversity protection and capability of forest protection rangers as well as technological assistance in wetland reserves and forest protection.

She also asked WWF-Viet Nam in building strategic action plans in forest restoration and carbon credit exports as key parts of sustainable development and green growth.

New a Nang City (including former Quang Nam Province) has conserved the richest biodiversity ecology systems including the Song Thanh National Park, UNESCO-recognised world biosphere reserve Cham Islands-Hoi An, and reserves of saola, Ngoc Linh ginseng (Vietnamese ginseng), Son Tra, Ba Na Nui Chua and South Hai Van protected landscape.

The city approved a conservation project to protect endangered primates species  red-shanked douc langurs (Pygathrix nemaeus), while a population of more than 60 individuals of the grey-shanked douc langurs have been well protected by community in Nui Thanh commune since 1997.  VNS
HA NOI  The 13th International Culinary Culture Festival 2025 will bring together the worlds best dishes on November 2223 in Ha Noi, the city for peace.

Held annually by units under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the festival promotes cultural and culinary exchange between Viet Nam and international friends.

The organising committee said more than 120 booths will be set up, offering a vibrant panorama of global culinary excellence and highlighting Viet Nams image as a 'common home' for world cultures.

This year's event was carefully prepared on an expanded scale, with participation from embassies, consulates, international cultural centres, provincial departments of foreign affairs, and domestic and foreign enterprises, said Hoang Thu Nga, deputy head of the organising committee.

Themed "Trip of Flavours  A Journey of Flavours Around the World", the festival promotes cuisine as a journey of emotion and connection, where every dish is not only about taste but also a story of each nation's culture, history and identity.

"Through each culinary dish, we share not only the flavour but also the creativity and mutual understanding which inspires the spirit of cooperation," Nga said. "This year's festival also marks a new step forward in the quality of its organisation, with culinary showcases, cultural exchanges and experiential activities designed to offer greater richness and depth, creating a truly immersive space for the public and our international friends.

"Through this convergence, we not only present the beauty of global culinary cultures but also convey the message of a dynamic and welcoming Viet Nam that stands ready to connect for peace, cooperation and shared development."

Le Thi Thiet, chairwoman of Ninh Binh Province Culinary Culture Association and member of the organising committee, said: "The festival will have an area to introduce the quintessence of Vietnamese culture, focusing on the culinary heritage of the country's three regions.

"Dishes which have recognised national intangible heritage such as pho (noodles with beef or chicken), banh cuon Thanh Tri (Thanh Tri steamed rice rolls), bun cha (vermicelli noodles with grilled pork) and mi Quang (Quang noodles) will be cooked and showcased at the event. If pho and bun cha are representatives of the North, mi Quang and Hue's traditional cakes represent the central region, while banh xeo (crispy Vietnamese pancake) and banh my (Vietnamese baguette) will be the South's highlights.

Famous chefs from cooking associations, Van Cu Village's pho chefs and renowned artisans such as Pham Thi Anh Tuyet will conduct cooking demonstrations of these dishes. There will also be a space for the exchange of culinary knowledge, where foreign and domestic cooks can display their skills and share their cooking experiences.

Speaking at the press conference announcing the festival, Le Nguyet Anh, spouse of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, said the greatest expectation of the event was to convey the Vietnamese peoples affection and respect for international friends through simple yet meaningful aspects such as cuisine. She emphasised that the festival served as a bridge for countries to understand and appreciate one anothers cultures, fostering respect for diversity and the spirit of peaceful coexistence.

From the Embassy of Russia to Viet Nam, Elena Bezdetko expressed her pleasure that Vietnamese people love Russian long-standing cuisine.

This year's Russian booth will, as usual, introduce traditional dishes that differ from those of previous years. Bezdetko promised that the delicious dishes would pair perfectly with black bread. While enjoying Russian food, visitors will also have the opportunity to see famous souvenirs such as scarves and Matryoshka dolls.

In addition to cooking shows and cuisine displays, food lovers can take part in other activities such as the Fashion Food Show and Global Beer Fest.

For the first time, digital technology will be applied. At the Digital Interactive Corner, visitors can look up programme information, view event maps, learn about the typical dishes of each country, and participate in modern multimedia experiences.

The event is free for everyone at the Diplomatic Compound, No 298 Kim Ma Street, Ha Noi.  VNS
HA NOI  A book on Viet NamCuba relations was launched in Ha Noi on November 12, as part of activities marking the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries (December 2, 1960  December 2, 2025).

The book, entitled 65 Years of Fostering the Exemplary and Loyal Friendship between Viet Nam and Cuba, was jointly compiled and published by the Su That (Truth) National Political Publishing House and the Embassy of Cuba in Viet Nam.

It offers a rich and vivid reflection of the historical milestones that have nurtured the rare and exemplary bond of solidarity between the two nations  a symbol of the era and a priceless legacy of their Parties and peoples.

The more than 200-page publication, available in both Vietnamese and Spanish, comprises three parts. The first highlights President Ho Chi Minh and President Fidel Castro as the founders of Viet NamCuba relations. The second spotlights the special and exemplary solidarity between the two nations, while the third focuses on historic visits by leaders of both countries.

Speaking at the debut, Assoc. Prof. Dr Vu Trong Lam, Director and Editor-in-Chief of the Su That National Political Publishing House, emphasised that amid a world of complex changes, the special and steadfast friendship between Viet Nam and Cuba remains a solid foundation for the two nations to stand shoulder to shoulder, persistently pursuing the cause of building and safeguarding socialism, advancing socio-economic development in each country, and contributing to joint efforts for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

He added that the publication not only helps to enhance communications about the significance of the traditional solidarity, special friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and Cuba, but also educates younger generations of both nations to cherish, preserve and further strengthen this exemplary and loyal relationship.

For his part, Rogelio Polanco Fuentes, Ambassador of Cuba to Viet Nam, affirmed that the book is an outstanding contribution to preserving the historical memory and spirit of the special solidarity and friendship initiated by President Ho Chi Minh and Leader Fidel Castro. He described it as a meaningful initiative to mark the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations.

The Ambassador highlighted that the publication features many valuable documents and photographs showcasing historic visits and exchanges between Vietnamese and Cuban leaders.

He extended his congratulations to the Su That National Political Publishing House on releasing the book on this significant occasion, while expressing profound gratitude for the publishers longstanding and meaningful contributions through works on the history, land and people of Cuba, as well as translations of Vietnamese publications into Spanish to introduce them to Cuban readers.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  Designer Vu Viet Ha of Ha Noi opened the Aquafina Viet Nam International Fashion Week (AVIFW) Fall/Winter 2025 in Ha Noi on Wednesday night by telling a story of ethnic origin.

Ha presented his collection named Khoi Nguon Thuan Khiet (Pure Origin), inspired by an epic named e at Nuoc e (An Epic of Earth and Water) by the Muong ethnic minority, highlighting the origin of the Muong and the harmony between nature and people.

The collection features silk and sequin white structured dresses and ao dai (Vietnamese traditional dress) embroidered with white and blue lotuses, representing origin and rebirth

It also presents 3D structured wool dresses that tell a story of Vietnamese creativity, the circle of life and the rise of people amid nature.

Ha said, Everyone has their own pure version of themselves. Lets make it rise and shine.

He added that the shade of white in the collection represents water  the origin of life, and the pure beauty of everything in the dawn of a new era.

Ha, a native of Ha Noi, graduated from the Ha Noi University of Industrial Fine Arts and took part in classes by late Japanese fashion designer Kansai Yamamoto.

He is renowned for his designs, which feature natural Vietnamese materials that reflect national cultural heritage.

The designer has presented his ao dai collections in numerous fashion shows such as the Vietnam Collection Grand Prix, VIFW, and Hue Festival.

Addressing the opening ceremony, VIFW President Le Thi Quynh Trang said, As the AVIFW Fall/Winter 2025 in Ha Noi marks the 20th season of VIFW, we set a huge vision of turning Viet Nam into a country with a developed fashion industry and a fashion hub of Southeast Asia.

Trang said, We are honoured to welcome designers from Southeast Asian countries at the 20th season. VIFW serves as a bridge to connect Vietnamese designers to the world and invite international designers to Viet Nam.

This season aims at not only honouring celebrated designers but also introducing passionate young designers who will be the future of Vietnamese fashion.

She added that, entering a new era, VIFW aims to create more sustainable values for Vietnamese fashion and provide opportunities for young talents to shine and affirm their own personality in a journey of integration with the global fashion scene.

Together with Has performance were the collections by Singaporean designer Frederick Lee, Spanish brand Chula Fashion and Vietnamese designer Ha Linh Thu.

Lee, one of Singapores most sought-after designers, presented the collection named Nocturne Eternelle featuring black, deep cobalt blue and silver dresses inspired by the mysterious black of crows and the light reflection of snake skin.

The designer skillfully combined layers of lace and sheer mesh, structured silhouettes and hand-applique techniques to create a symphony of darkness and light.

Lee has been named The Best of Singapore for three years since 2006 by Singapore Tatler magazine. He first participated in the AVIFW Spring/Summer 2019, and has become a familiar face of the event.

The show also featured Chula Fashion brand from Spain, presenting Chula  Back & White, which highlighted dresses imbued with the spirit of minimalism, where symmetrical cuts and modern boxy shapes blend in a visual symphony of black and white.

Vietnamese designer Ha Linh Thu presented the Black Parade collection inspired by the rock song Welcome to the Black Parade by My Chemical Romance. The collection features long velvet and silk dresses, wide-leg pants, and long coats in black, red, and green, all with hand-appliqued techniques.

AVIFW Fall/Winter 2025 continues to showcase new collections from 16 international and Vietnamese fashion designers and designers from the Ha Noi University of Industrial Fine Arts and Ha Noi Architectural University.

The event is taking place at the Quan Ngua Gymnasium in Ngoc Ha Ward until November 15.  VNS
Foreign visitors to Viet Nam must have their temporary stay registered with local authorities, though accommodation providers are responsible for carrying this out. Here are the key points travellers should know about residence declaration, possible penalties and how long they are allowed to stay under Vietnamese law.

Vu Van Anh, LL.M.

I am planning to travel to Viet Nam and stay at a hotel in Ha Noi. Do I need to make a temporary residence declaration with local authorities? If yes, how should I proceed?

Under Article 33 of the 2014 Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Viet Nam, as amended by Article 2.5 of the 2023 Law Amending and Supplementing the Law on Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens and the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners, foreigners are not required to personally declare their temporary residence.

Instead, this obligation lies with the accommodation establishment or host. The hotel where you stay must declare your temporary residence to the commune-level public security agency of the locality where the hotel is located.

To facilitate this process, you only need to provide your passport, international travel document or other valid residence-related paper to the hotel upon check-in. The hotels representative will handle the declaration on your behalf.

If you change your accommodation, a new temporary residence declaration must be made following the same procedure.

The law allows hotels to make the declaration either electronically or in paper form. For paper declarations, the hotel must submit the form to the local public security agency within 12 hours of your arrival. For electronic declarations, submission must be made immediately upon check-in.

If the hotel fails to make the temporary residence registration for me, will I be penalised?

No, you will not be fined if your hotel fails to declare your temporary residence. Under Article 9.4 of Government Decree 144/2021/N-CP, persons responsible for making such declaration but failing to do so are subject to a fine ranging from VN4 million to VN6 million. For organisations, the fine is doubled, from VN8 million to VN12 million.

However, foreigners may be fined if they fail to provide or deliberately provide false information to the accommodation facility during the declaration process. According to Article 18.3(i) of the same decree, such a violation carries a penalty of VN3 million to VN5 million.

After making a temporary residence registration, how long am I permitted to stay in Viet Nam?

The duration of a foreign tourists temporary residence in Viet Nam corresponds to the validity period of his/her visa, as provided in Clause 1.a, Article 31 of the 2014 Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners. If the remaining validity of the visa is 15 days or less, the tourist will be granted a temporary residence period of 15 days.

You may want to know that under Article 2.2 of the 2023 Law Amending and Supplementing the Law on Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens and the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners, a tourist visa (coded DL) may be valid for up to 90 days.

Additionally, pursuant to Government Resolution 128/NQ-CP dated August 14, 2023, Viet Nam grants visa-free entry and a 45-day stay from the date of arrival for citizens of 13 countries, regardless of passport type or purpose of entry, provided that travellers meet the countrys entry conditions. These countries include Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, Russia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Belarus.

Viet Nam also maintains bilateral visa exemption agreements with several Southeast Asian countries. Citizens of Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Laos may stay for up to 30 days; those from the Philippines may stay for 21 days; and those from Brunei and Myanmar may stay for 14 days.  VNS
HA NOI  Never before has the great national unity bloc of our country, including both compatriots at home and more than five million overseas Vietnamese, been as solidly strengthened as it is today, said General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam To Lam in his recent article.

Titled 'Promoting the strength of great national unity for national development', the article highlights that the great national unity bloc is a tremendous source of internal strength, a foundation for the nation to overcome all challenges and steadily advance on the path of oi moi (renewal) and integration.

Lam emphasised that 95 years ago, under the leadership of the Party, the Allied Anti-Imperialist Association was established on November 18, 1930, becoming the first organisation of United National Front. Throughout the process of national liberation and nation-building, under various names and forms, the United National Front has always fulfilled its mission of gathering and uniting all strata of the Vietnamese people.

At every stage, the fronts core principle has remained the unity of the entire population for a common goal: national independence and the prosperity and happiness of the people, he said.

During prolonged and arduous wars of resistance, it was precisely the strength of great national unity that forged tremendous victories. From the August Revolution of 1945 to the ien Bien Phu Victory in 1954, from the Spring Victory of 1975 to the ongoing oi moi process, every historical turning point bears the mark of the solidarity and collective effort of the entire nation under the Partys leadership.

He cited a recent notable example of unity and democracy is the public feedback on the draft documents submitted to the 14th National Party Congress.

For the first time, collecting public opinions on the Party Congress documents has been conducted on a large scale, utilising digital technology so that people both inside and outside the country could participate easily.

Through the VNeID application on smartphones and the online portal, millions of citizens submitted their thoughtful contributions to the Party. To date, nearly three million opinions have been sent through various channels, including over two million via the VNeID platform.

This represents the largest number of contributions in the history of Party Congresses, clearly reflecting the democratic spirit, the consensus and the political responsibility awareness of our people regarding the countrys major decisions.

Another example is that, from the beginning of 2025 until now, many localities across the country, especially in the northern and north central-Central Highlands regions, have suffered successive natural disasters, with continuous rains and floods causing particularly severe losses of life and property.

Forces such as the military, police, medical teams and local militias were quickly mobilised to rescue people, organise emergency evacuations and assist in post-flood recovery.

People nationwide united in action, strongly promoting the nations traditions of 'mutual support', 'helping those in need' and 'loving others as oneself'.

From agencies, organisations and businesses to spontaneous charity groups and volunteer youth teams, resources were mobilised and contributions made to help flood-affected compatriots overcome difficulties.

He said not only united within the country, but Vietnamese people at home and abroad are also becoming increasingly closely connected.

Our overseas compatriots in many countries always keep their homeland in mind, contributing both their intellect and resources in various ways, he said.

Donation campaigns for Viet Nams seas and islands, programmes connecting overseas Vietnamese entrepreneurs to invest back home, or free Vietnamese language classes organised by Vietnamese communities abroad all stem from a heartfelt attachment to their roots and the spirit of great national unity, he said.

To continue consolidating the great national unity bloc, he urged for strengthening unity within the Party and the entire population under the Partys leadership.

Now more than ever, priority must be given to consolidating and promoting the strength of great national unity, regarding it as a key factor for the country to step into a new era of development, the Party leader said.

At the same time, it is essential to continuously improve the material and spiritual life of the people and safeguard their legitimate rights and interests. This is both a goal and a driving force for consolidating national unity.

The Party identifies the people as its centre, taking the happiness and well-being of the people as the ultimate objective.

The Party chief noted that special attention must be given to vulnerable populations and those in difficult areas such as ethnic minorities, people living in remote and isolated regions, borderlands, islands, former revolutionary base areas and regions frequently affected by natural disasters.

The Viet Nam Fatherland Front must become a broad forum where people from all walks of life, ethnic groups, religious communities and overseas Vietnamese can meet, exchange views and express their opinions and aspirations in a democratic and open manner.

It is necessary to promote the role of respected figures, intellectuals, experts and reputable members of society and the overseas Vietnamese community in offering ideas and solutions for national development, he said.

Great national unity should not be confined within the country but should be extended internationally, he added.

The Party leader said by doing this, Viet Nam can garner the support of friends around the world, creating a favourable environment for the cause of building and defending the Fatherland, at the same time, strengthen solidarity between the Vietnamese people and people of other countries, especially forces that cherish peace and progress globally. VNS
HA NOI  The 15th National Assembly continued its 10th session in Ha Noi on Thursday, November 13 with deliberate on two draft laws  the amended Law on Public Employees and the law on e-commerce.

The draft revised Law on Public Employees comprises six chapters and 43 articles, down 19 from the current version. Key changes tie hiring, deployment and management to specific job posts, with recruitment based on performance and capability. The proposal eliminates rank-promotion exams and assessments for professional titles.

The revised rules highlight transparent and competitive hiring via open exams and interviews, while giving flexibility to public-service units to tailor recruitment methods, aiming toward modern, professional governance models. Civil servants and public employees transferring to new public service units will undergo standard job transfer procedures.

The bill also broadens the rights of public employees, allowing them to sign work contracts at other public or non-public entities under specific conditions. Public employees at state-run scientific, technological or higher education establishments, with approval from their heads, may invest in or manage businesses to commercialise research results. If the employee holds a managerial position, such approval must come from the directly supervising authority.

It also introduces regulations to encourage and protect public employees who innovate and take bold, responsible actions for the common good.

Separately, the draft law on on e-commerce outlines four models, namely direct online sales, intermediary platforms, integrated multiservice sites and social networks conducting transactions.

Of particular interest, the draft introduces livestream-sales rules requiring platforms to verify host identities, publish details and monitor content in real time. Sellers must supply hosts with documentation proving product legality.

Lawmakers are scheduled to approve resolutions on the 2026 socio-economic development plan and state budget estimates the same day.  VNA/VNS
TAY NINH  Young officers from the Viet Nam Border Guard and the Cambodian Army and Gendarmerie held a dialogue themed Fostering Tradition, Building the Future on November 12 in the southern province of Tay Ninh.

Major General Vu Quoc An, Deputy Political Commissar of the Border Guard Command, and Lieutenant General Tien Sophornvong, Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of the Cambodian Border Guard Department, co-chaired the dialogue.

Viet Nam and Cambodia share a 1,258-km land border running through 10 Vietnamese and nine Cambodian provinces.

Over the years, the governments, armed forces and peoples of the two countries have effectively implemented bilateral cooperation agreements, treaties and regulations, helping to ensure territorial sovereignty and security-order along their shared border, while cooperation among young officers of the border protection forces has continued to deepen.

Major General Nguyen Kim Khanh, former Deputy Commander of the Border Guard Command, who directly took part in helping the Cambodian people escape the genocidal regime, shared that the sincere affection of the Cambodian people for Vietnamese soldiers remains a lifelong memory for him.

He said such heartfelt gratitude was a great source of spiritual strength that motivated Vietnamese troops to fulfil their noble international mission.

He stressed that the relationship between the two countries militaries and people was built on blood and sacrifice across generations.

He expressed hope that todays young officers of both nations would carry forward this tradition through solidarity, mutual understanding and lasting cooperation, always placing peace and friendship above all else.

Lieutenant Colonel Truong ong Phi, Deputy Political Officer of the My Thanh Tay Border Guard Station under the Tay Ninh Provincial Border Guard Command, noted that in recent years, border forces of both countries have strengthened coordination in supporting border communities to improve production and livelihoods.

They have also promoted people-to-people diplomacy, provided healthcare assistance, and implemented meaningful initiatives such as the Supporting Students to School programme, thereby contributing to tightening the solidarity, friendship and close bond between border forces and the people of Viet Nam and Cambodia.

Colonel Lun Luch of the Royal Cambodian Army said Cambodian young officers always treasure the enormous sacrifices of generations of Viet Nam Peoples Army soldiers who shed their blood to help liberate Cambodia from the genocidal regime.

He expressed strong confidence that Viet Nam and Cambodia will continue to preserve and promote their traditional solidarity and friendship - a precious legacy nurtured by previous generations.

Emphasising the pivotal role of the youth, especially young military officers, he affirmed that they form the core force in inheriting and strengthening the special Viet NamCambodia friendship.

In the current context, he said, young people from both nations should further exchanges, learn from each others experience, and jointly build a border of peace, cooperation and development, thereby maintaining stability and enabling residents on both sides to live and work in peace.

On this occasion, the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence awarded scholarships to 60 disadvantaged students from both countries.  VNA/VNS
VIENTIANE  Deputy Prime Minister Ho uc Phoc has expressed his hope that senior Lao leaders will continue to direct relevant agencies to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses operating in Laos, particularly encouraging major Vietnamese corporations to invest and contribute to the countrys socio-economic development.

During a meeting with Party General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith on Wednesday, Deputy PM Phoc reported on the outcomes of his talks with Lao Deputy PM Saleumxay Kommasith. The two sides conducted a comprehensive review of bilateral cooperation, assessed the implementation of key joint projects, discussed ways to resolve existing difficulties, and instructed relevant ministries and sectors to work closely together to advance the Viet NamLaos relationship in a practical and sustainable manner.

Both sides reached consensus on several major cooperation areas and groups of solutions for specific projects. They are actively reviewing the outcomes of the 47th meeting of the Viet NamLaos Intergovernmental Committee in preparation for its upcoming session.

The top Lao leader urged the two sides to build on achieved results and focus on deepening economic integration and connectivity, particularly in transport infrastructure, to facilitate the implementation of high-level agreements between the two Parties and States, and to soon materialise strategic cooperation projects.

Earlier the same day, during talks with Lao Deputy PM Saleumxay Kommasith, Phoc proposed concrete measures to address long-standing obstacles, sharing Viet Nam's experience in infrastructure breakthroughs, legal framework improvement, and revenue enhancement.

Deputy PM Kommasith agreed with Viet Nam's assessments of bilateral cooperation and the need to accelerate the completion of key joint projects to ensure effectiveness as planned.

Both sides concurred that economic, trade, and investment cooperation between the two countries continues to develop strongly, with many positive outcomes. Numerous difficulties and bottlenecks in major joint projects have been effectively addressed. Collaboration in other fields such as transport connectivity, education and training, culture, people-to-people exchange, and coordination at regional and international forums has also achieved tangible progress. Cooperation between ministries, sectors, and localities, especially in border areas, has deepened, further strengthening the special solidarity between Viet Nam and Laos.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein of Jordan and his delegation left Ha Noi on Thursday afternoon, concluding a two-day official visit to Viet Nam at the invitation of State President Luong Cuong.

During the visit, King Abdullah II and his delegation laid wreaths and paid respect to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum, as well as at the Monument to Heroic Martyrs in Ha Noi.

President Luong Cuong hosted the Pham Minh Chinh, and National Assembly Chair Tran Thanh Man also held meetings with the Jordanian monarch.

King Abdullah II and Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son attended the Viet NamJordan Business Forum. During the visit, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung and the Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam and the Jordan Institute of Diplomacy.

At high-level talks and meetings, Vietnamese leaders emphasised that Viet Nam and Jordan share many common values, including resilience and the determination to achieve national independence and liberation. Viet Nam highly values and seeks to strongly, practically, and effectively promote multifaceted cooperation with Jordan. Both countries have significant potential to further enhance bilateral cooperation, benefiting not only their people but also the broader ASEAN and Middle East regions. Viet Nam places great importance on strengthening ties with Middle Eastern countries, particularly Jordan, which holds a strategic position in the region.

King Abdullah II affirmed Jordans desire to promote comprehensive cooperation with Viet Nam, especially between the private sectors of both countries. He expressed his wish to further strengthen political trust, expand defence and security cooperation, share scientific and technological expertise, and increase people-to-people exchanges to deepen mutual understanding.

Leaders from both sides agreed on the importance of consolidating political trust through the exchange of delegations, particularly high-ranking ones. They also committed to effectively implementing the MoU signed between the two foreign ministries, hastening the establishment of additional cooperation mechanisms, and soon appointing honorary consuls in each country to further enhance bilateral cooperation.

Building on this foundation of political trust, the two sides agreed to expand collaboration in key areas, including defense and security, information sharing, and personnel exchanges among relevant institutions to improve mutual understanding and share experience in areas of common interest.

They also pledged to facilitate market access for each others key products and encourage enterprises to explore investment and cooperation opportunities, particularly in infrastructure development, green economy, digital economy, telecommunications, and agricultural production and processing, while promoting connections within the startup and innovation ecosystem. King Abdullah II proposed studying the possibility of establishing direct flights and easing visa procedures for citizens of both countries.

Viet Nam expressed readiness to increase exports of its key products to Jordan. Jordan, in turn, is ready to support Viet Nam in developing the Halal industry by sharing information and experience, providing Halal certification support, and opening the market for Vietnamese Halal products. The leaders also discussed measures to enhance cooperation in health care  an area of Jordans strength, particularly telemedicine and the application of technology in medical services.

In education and training, both sides agreed to strengthen student exchanges and academic collaboration, particularly in emerging fields such as science and technology, artificial intelligence, and semiconductors, recognising significant potential for creating opportunities for the younger generation in both countries.

Regarding cooperation at multilateral forums, the two sides agreed to continue supporting each others candidacies and to act as a bridge to promote cooperation between the Arab League and ASEAN. They also exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual concern, including the East Sea issue.

Based on 45 years of positive Viet NamJordan relations, King Abdullah IIs visit to Viet Nam marks a historic milestone in bilateral relations, opening a new phase of cooperation and laying the foundation for advancing collaboration in areas of mutual interest.  VNA/VNS
ONG THAP  The Border Guard Command of ong Thap, in coordination with relevant agencies, on Thursday received 57 Vietnamese citizens handed over by Cambodian authorities, the second repatriation of this kind this year through Mekong Delta province.

The returnees, comprising 45 men and 12 women, come from 20 provinces and cities across Viet Nam. Notably, three are subject to arrest warrants. Preliminary investigation showed that most of the returnees had either illegally exited Viet Nam or worked without proper permits in Cambodia before being detained and handed back by Cambodian authorities.

After completing administrative procedures, the Dinh Ba international border guard station imposed administrative fines of VN4 million (US$151.92) on each person who had crossed the border illegally. For those who complied with border regulations, the authorities transferred them to local police for further verification and handling in accordance with Vietnamese law.

Earlier, on September 30, at the Thuong Phuoc international border gate in ong Thap, the provincial Border Guard Command also received 38 Vietnamese citizens repatriated from Cambodia, including 29 men and nine women from 18 provinces and cities.

Through investigation, authorities found that many had illegally crossed into the neighbouring country to work as attendants in karaoke parlors or as sales staff for companies there, including those in the gaming sector.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung held a working session with Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Al Safadi in Ha Noi on Thursday to plan the next steps following King Abdullah II Ibn Al Husseins official visit to Viet Nam.

Trung said Vietnamese leaders praised King Abdullah II Ibn Al Husseins visit on Wednesday and Thursday with concrete, substantive and forward-looking discussions on shaping the future of bilateral relations.

He proposed the two foreign ministries play a pioneering role in stepping up bilateral cooperation across various areas, including the early establishment of contact points, political consultations, and the appointment of honorary consuls in each country.

The host also suggested the two ministries coordinate with relevant agencies to explore mechanisms for dialogue and collaboration in national defence-security, agriculture, healthcare, education and training, tourism, and people-to-people exchange.

Safadi, for his part, hailed Viet Nam as an important partner of Jordan and a gateway to the Southeast Asian market. He agreed with the proposals put forward by Trung and confirmed that his ministry will work closely with the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to build a roadmap for the implementation of these measures.

He also pushed for review and acceleration of the signing of pending agreements to establish a legal corridor for the bilateral ties and create mechanisms to deliver on the commitments made during the Kings visit.

On global and regional issues, the two ministers stressed the importance of complying with international law and the United Nations Charter.

Regarding the Middle East peace process, both sides reaffirmed the two-state solution as a prerequisite for achieving a lasting and sustainable peace solution to the Palestinian issue.

The host and guest vowed to increase close cooperation between the foreign ministries, contributing to further strengthening the Viet Nam  Jordan friendship and multifaceted cooperation, and for peace, stability, and development in both regions and the world.  VNA/VNS
VIENTIANE  Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone on Thursday affirmed that the Lao Party and State always attach great importance to nurturing the special solidarity with Viet Nam.

He made the statement during a conversation with Viet Nam's Deputy Prime Minister Ho uc Phoc, who is on a working visit to Vientiane, the capital city of Laos.

Phoc congratulated the Lao Party, State, and people on achieving significant and comprehensive accomplishments in both domestic and foreign affairs, marking a historic milestone in the countrys national construction and development cause, ahead of the 50th anniversary of Laos's National Day this year.

He expressed his confidence that, under the leadership of the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party, the Lao people will continue to gain even greater achievements and successfully organise the 12th National Party Congress in 2026.

Phoc reported to the Lao PM on the results of his talks with Deputy PM Saleumxay Kommasith, noting that the two sides conducted a comprehensive assessment of bilateral cooperation in recent times; reviewed the implementation of key cooperative projects; exchanged measures to solve difficulties and obstacles; and directed relevant ministries and sectors of both countries to closely coordinate in promoting the substantive and sustainable development of Viet Nam-Laos relations in the new phase.

PM Sonexay proposed the two sides maintain close coordination in preparing for upcoming visits by high-level leaders, while strengthening cooperation in defence, security, and diplomacy to jointly address new challenges.

He emphasised the need to enhance economic connectivity to facilitate the implementation of high-level agreements; continue close coordination to review and promote the implementation of cooperative projects; jointly organise important commemorative activities of the two countries in 2025; and increase information sharing and mutual support at international, regional, and subregional forums and mechanisms.

On the same day, the Vietnamese Deputy PM visited and worked with officials and staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos.  VNA/VNS
CA MAU  Agricultural co-operatives in Ca Mau Province play an increasingly vital role in linking rice production and consumption, helping farmers secure markets and increase their incomes.

The southernmost province now has 612 co-operatives, including 484 in the agricultural sector.

In Vinh My Commune, members of the Vinh Cuong Agricultural Service Co-operative no longer worry about finding buyers thanks to contract-based production.

Nguyen Quoc Hung, a member, said he joined the co-operative in 2016 and has since included his 5.4ha rice field in its large-scale rice production model.

From land preparation, seeding, fertilising, and spraying to harvesting, everything is mechanised. The co-operative guarantees outlets after harvest, with prices always higher than market rates.

Thanks to the co-operative, his family grows three rice crops a year, with yields of seven to nine tonnes and profits of VN1520 million (US$570-760) per hectare per crop, he said.

Trinh Van Cuong, chairman of the co-operative, said it now has nearly 500 official members and more than 10,000 linked members.

The co-operative organises rice production, supplies agricultural materials, provides mechanised services, and ensures product consumption for farmers, he said.

In the past, farmers were happy to earn VN12 million ($3876) per 1,000 square metres per crop. Now, they make an average profit of VN3 million ($110), which has improved living standards and strengthened trust in collective economic development.

The Quyet Tien Co-operative in Phuoc Long Commune has also operated effectively by establishing production-to-consumption chains.

It manages nearly 140ha of land, of which about 100ha is devoted to rice cultivation.

Besides supplying materials and harvesting services, it guarantees product consumption for members at prices 56 per cent above the market rate.

Truong Thanh Tuyen, chairman of the co-operative, said: When joining the production chain, members receive agricultural materials at competitive prices and guaranteed quality. They are also trained to apply science and technology to reduce production costs and raise profits.

According to the Ca Mau Co-operative Alliance, productionconsumption linkages in rice farming have helped improve field management, reduce costs, and increase profits for members, contributing to the sustainable development of the rice sector.

Approximately 30 per cent of the provinces rice-growing area is involved in such linkages, with closed productionconsumption chains considered the most sustainable models.

Strengthening links

Nguyen Van Vu, chairman of the provinces Co-operative Alliance, said the alliance is working with relevant sectors to raise awareness of the importance of agricultural production along value chains.

It also helps capable co-operatives join pilot models linking production and consumption, he said.

We are creating favourable conditions for co-operatives with sufficient resources, credibility, and stable output to build and expand pilot models of closed productionconsumption chains.

At the same time, we are developing large fields associated with growing area codes and building geographical indications, labels, and brands to enhance value chains and promote rice exports.

Many co-operatives in the province are also exploring new directions to increase product value.

The Chi Phai Co-operative in Vinh My Commune is registering for growing area codes and developing products that meet the standards of the national One Commune  One Product (OCOP) programme.

Quach Van Vinh, deputy director of the Chi Phai Co-operative, said it has sold more than eight tonnes of OCOP rice to markets inside and outside the province.

In the coming time, we will expand production and markets to increase profits for our members.

According to its Department of Agriculture and Environment, the province is promoting the implementation of Government Decree 98/2018/N-CP on encouraging co-operation and linkages in agricultural production and product consumption.

The agricultural sector plans to continue to support value chain models, expand raw material areas and select capable co-operatives to connect with purchasing enterprises.

Pham Van Muoi, deputy director of the department, said:

With these comprehensive measures, the provinces rice production and consumption chains will become stronger and more sustainable, helping farmers improve efficiency and increase incomes.

We will gradually move from simple linkages to full value chains, thereby creating higher added value for local rice products.  VNS
CA MAU  The Peoples Court of Ca Mau Province held two mobile trials in Song oc Commune on Wednesday, tackling cases of related to the organisation of illegal exit and the unlawful cross-border transport of goods, both linked to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities.

The trials drew the attention of hundreds of local fishermen and residents, as they are part of the provinces efforts to raise public awareness about IUU violations and demonstrate strict law enforcement.

The mobile hearings were organised under the coordination of the province's Steering Committee for IUU Fishing Prevention and departments of Justice, Public Security, and Peoples Procuracy.

Defendants inh Cong Ly, born in 1988, residing in Song oc Commune; and To Hien e, born in 1972, and Nguyen Chi Linh, born in 1983, both residing in neighbouring An Giang Province, were prosecuted for organising illegal exit under Article 348 of the Penal Code.

Another defendant, Tran Trung Cang, born in 1991, residing in Song oc Commune, was charged with illegally transporting goods across the border under Article 189.

According to the indictments, in early March, Ly arranged for two fishing vessels, CM-91056-TS and CM-92601-TS, captained by e and Linh, to go fishing with ten hired crew members. The boats departed from Song oc Border Guard Station without carrying out immigration procedures. On April 6, both vessels were seized by Malaysian authorities in Sabah waters for illegal fishing.

In the second case, during a patrol on February 15, a Viet Nam Coast Guard team discovered fishing boat CM-91987-TS, captained by Cang, returning from foreign waters with more than 68 tonnes of seafood. Cang had been hired to transport the catch from foreign fishing grounds back to Viet Nam for sale.

At the trials, all defendants admitted their wrongdoing and expressed regret, acknowledging that their actions violated Vietnamese law, damaged the interests of local fishing communities, and affected the countrys international image as it works to have the EUs yellow card warning on IUU fishing lifted.

The court sentenced Ly to eight years in prison and fined him VN20 million (US$760). Meanwhile, e and Linh each received five years in prison.

Cang was sentenced to five years in prison and ordered to forfeit VN688 million from the sale of seized seafood.  VNA/VNS
VINH LONG  As the year-end fishing season approaches, authorities in Vinh Long Province are stepping up measures to prevent illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities, in line with national efforts to have the European Commissions yellow card lifted.

Nguyen Van Buoi, deputy director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment, said that this is the peak period for offshore fishing as vessels increase their catch.

To ensure legal and sustainable operations, the department has been working closely with coastal localities to enhance communication and raise awareness among fishermen, especially vessel owners, about the need to strictly follow fishery regulations.

Authorities have instructed local teams to ensure no vessel crosses the maritime boundary or operates in foreign waters.

Fishing boats are also required to maintain uninterrupted VMS (vessel monitoring system) connections.

If a signal loss occurs, captains must immediately report their exact position and time to the Fisheries Surveillance and Marine Administration for timely handling.

In high-risk communes, local officials and Party members have been assigned to monitor, guide, and assist vessel owners in complying with legal procedures.

For boats operating near the border area, real-time updates are sent to warn captains to move back into Vietnamese waters safely and avoid violations.

A small number of vessels have been found operating with expired registration, inspection certificates, or fishing licenses.

In these cases, authorities have applied the principle of door-to-door engagement to remind and encourage owners to renew their documents within 10 to 15 days.

Those failing to comply will have their licences revoked in accordance with the law.

Nguyen Van Quyen, a fisherman from Tan Thuy Commune, said his family owns two offshore fishing vessels and always complies with legal requirements after being informed about the regulations.

To ensure uninterrupted tracking, he has installed two VMS devices on each boat  one serves as a backup if the other malfunctions.

Going far out to sea, we never know when equipment might fail, he explained. If one stops working, the other keeps transmitting signals to authorities.

He also emphasised that violating foreign waters is not worth the risk. The fines are higher than the income from a whole trip, and it damages the reputation of our national fisheries sector, he said, expressing his hope that the yellow card will soon be removed to boost seafood exports and sustainable growth.

According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment, Vinh Long currently has 4,638 fishing vessels, including 2,238 offshore boats.

Monitoring has been conducted closely, with 100 per cent of active vessels equipped with VMS devices.

The connection rate exceeds 98 per cent, with most disconnections caused by technical malfunctions rather than deliberate violations.

From 2024 to date, the province has reported no cases of vessels intruding into foreign watersa notable achievement reflecting the provinces determination to combat IUU fishing and contribute to the national goal of sustainable and responsible seafood production. VNS
LAM ONG  Lam ong Province is accelerating replanting old coffee trees, aiming for 8090 per cent of its newly planted coffee areas to use certified varieties by 2030.

The province Department of Agriculture and Environment has approved a plan for replanting and grafting old coffee trees for the 202630 period, targeting to replant 14,000ha of Robusta coffee and 260ha of Arabica coffee, and graft 10,700ha of Robusta coffee during the period.

The province aims for 70 per cent of its coffee areas to have growing codes, and 100 per cent to meet the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

By 2030, the province aims to achieve an average coffee yield of 3.54 tonnes per hectare, and 50 per cent of coffee output to be certified standards such as Vietnamese and global good agricultural practices (VietGAP and GlobalGAP), Common Code for the Coffee Community (4C) and Rainforest Alliance (RA).

Located in the South-Central CoastalCentral Highlands region, Lam ong now has a total of 323,241ha of coffee, producing about one million tonnes of coffee beans, the largest production scale in the country.

The province has formed 65 production and consumption linkages involving 29,420 farming households on 55,468ha.

It has 117 co-operatives and 32 co-operative groups in the coffee sector, which are linked with 34 enterprises and about 28,949 farmers.

In the 2024 coffee crop, Lam ong exported about 158,253 tonnes of green coffee beans, earning US$479 million from key markets such as Switzerland, Italy, Japan, Spain and Germany.

The provinces coffee area is expected to exceed 323,000ha by the end of this year, with output surpassing one million tonnes, the highest ever, according to the province Department of Agriculture and Environment.

New varieties such as TR4, TR9, TRS1 and Xanh Lun (TS5) have been widely adopted, improving yield, bean quality and pest resistance.

Over 70 per cent of replanted areas already use certified varieties approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

Along with variety renewal, farmers are increasingly applying advanced farming techniques.

Nearly 38,000ha of coffee are now irrigated using water-saving systems such as sprinklers, drip and mist irrigation.

Six high-tech coffee production zones have been recognised, covering more than 2,200ha and involving over 1,400 farmers.

These models help reduce input costs and enhance product value.

The provinces preferential loans for replanting coffee have exceeded VN650 billion ($24.7 million), giving farmers more resources to invest and expand their cultivation areas.

Currently, nearly 119,000ha of coffee in the province are certified under sustainable standards such as 4C, Rainforest Alliance, UTZ, VietGAP and organic production.

Despite positive results, the provinces coffee replanting programme in 202125 faced challenges.

The COVID-19 pandemic and rising input costs drove up replanting expenses.

At the same time, coffee bean prices have surged to record highs, nearly VN120,000 ($4.6) per kilogramme, discouraging farmers from replanting old trees as many farmers prefer to maintain low-yield old coffee orchards to secure short-term income.

Some localities still struggle with seed management, technical guidance and loan procedures for replanting.

The province will promote high-tech applications, provide preferential loans, expand publicprivate partnerships and develop specialised replanting co-operatives.

It encourages enterprises to invest in deep processing, develop specialty and organic coffee, and build the provinces coffee brand linked with traceability and geographical indications.  VNS
BAC NINH  Authorities in the northern province of Bac Ninh have discovered three bombs in a rice field in Thuong 1 Village in Son ong Commune, following a report from local residents.

The bombs were detected on Wednesday after local residents found a suspicious object and promptly informed the authorities. Competent forces conducted an on-site inspection and verification immediately after receiving the report.

The communes military command, in coordination with local police, has deployed forces to guard the site around the clock, set up warning signs and temporary fences to restrict access. They have also implemented necessary professional measures to handle the bombs in accordance with regulations.  VNA/VNS
SYDNEY  Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Pham Hung Tam on Thursday attended a ceremony to announce schools selected for the ASEAN-Australia BRIDGE School Partnerships Programme, held online in Canberra, with representatives from the embassies of eleven ASEAN countries.

Tam congratulated the successful connection between Viet Nams Binh Phu High School and St Michael's Lutheran School of Australia, emphasising the important role of education in connecting people, building trust, and promoting cultural exchange and mutual understanding, thereby nurturing long-term collaboration.

The programme is an initiative of the ASEAN-Australia Centre under the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), implemented by Asialink Education at the University of Melbourne. It aims to strengthen connections and foster cooperation between schools in Australia and ASEAN member countries.

This year, the programme connects eighteen schools. Each participating school nominates a teacher to take part in online professional training, who then shares the knowledge with their colleagues.

The teacher also coordinates collaborative activities between his/her school and its partner school, including visiting the partner school and hosting guest teachers from the partner school. In addition, each school selects eight students to participate in online forums and joint projects with students from all other participating schools.

Since its inception in 2016, nearly ten schools of Viet Nam have joined the ASEAN-Australia BRIDGE School Partnerships Programme.  VNA/VNS
KUALA LUMPUR  The proposal for the total abolition of the death penalty will undergo further detailed study starting January next year, says M. Kulasegaran.

The Deputy Minister in the Prime Ministers Department stated that the government was in the process of establishing a Policy and Direction Review Working Group on the Death Penalty in Malaysia, which would collaborate with the Malaysian Law Reform Committee (CLRC).

"The study is expected to begin in January 2026 and is planned to run for a period of four months.

"This period may be extended by the government if necessary to ensure that the study is comprehensive," he said in reply to a supplementary question from Ram Karpal Singh (PH-Bukit Gelugor) during Question Time on Thursday.

Ram Karpal had asked the government to state whether it has any plans for a total abolition of the death penalty aside from murder cases in the near future, and whether appropriate studies would be conducted for this purpose.

Kulasegaran said the working group would include all stakeholders from those in the justice system, including representatives from the government, legal bodies, academic experts in criminal law, as well as non-governmental organisations.

"The main objective of this study is to ensure that any government decision regarding the status of the death penalty in the country is made based on solid justification through an evidence-based approach and after hearing the views and arguments of all relevant stakeholders," he explained.

According to the deputy minister, the study would include a doctrinal review of the death penalty.

It would include sessions with national and international criminal law experts, families of victims, families of death row inmates and other relevant stakeholders.

Regarding statistics on death row inmates, based on the data from the Prisons Department, there are a total of 97 individuals who have been sentenced to death as of Tuesday, says Kulasegaran.

This figure comprises 38 individuals awaiting appeal in the Court of Appeal, nine individuals awaiting appeal in the Federal Court, and 50 individuals who have exhausted all levels of appeal and may submit a Pardon application.  THE STAR/ANN
AI Growth Zones to create thousands of jobs and unlock up to 100bn in investment as new site confirmed for North Wales

AI Growth Zones will be central to regenerating local communities and delivering new opportunities across the country  under new plans set out by the Prime Minister and Technology Secretary today as they confirm a new site for North Wales.

First announced by the Prime Minister in January, AI Growth Zones are designed to be hubs for AI development.

The new AI Growth Zone site straddles the Menai Strait, with a base at Prosperity Parc on Anglesey and another at Trawsfynydd in the heart of Gwynedd.

UK Gov say work is already underway to secure an investment partner to help deliver the AI Growth Zone site, and construction work will then swing into action once a deal has been confirmed, expected in the coming months.

Aside from the media releases there has been extra detail published by UK Government around the plans, how it affects current planning policies and importantly how the power hungry AI systems will get juice.

UK Government say the reforms announced today on planning, energy access, and the provision of expert government support will help to accelerate AI Growth Zone development.

5 million in support will also be set aside for each AI Growth Zone at a local level for business adoption and skills. .

This comes as North Wales is announced as the home of two major infrastructure projects today  the UKs latest AI Growth Zone joining the first small modular reactor project which will be sited at Wylfa. Subject to contract, the initial project will be for 3 small modular reactors and the ambition is for Wylfas small modular reactors to be supplying power to the grid from the mid-2030s.

UK Government say a total of 3,450 jobs are now poised to come online in North Wales as a direct result of the new AI Growth Zone, covering temporary and constructions roles through to high-paid careers in AI research and development. This brings the total number of jobs announced for the area today to nearly 6,500.

Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, said: We said wed make AI work for Britain  and now were putting our money where our mouth is.

These Growth Zones arent an abstract conception; theyre about thousands of jobs, real investment, and change for communities that have been short-changed for too long.

In North Wales, that means thousands of new roles and 5 million to boost skills and help local businesses adopt AI. This is delivery, not dithering  and its happening now.

The First Minister said both developments were major statements about the future of the North Wales economy, and evidence of the Welsh and UK Government working closely to deliver investment with generational impacts.

She said:

This is a massive announcement for North Wales, which will create thousands of high quality jobs and have wide ranging benefits for the local economy. Since I became First Minister, I have been pressing the case at every opportunity for Wylfas incredible benefits as a site for new nuclear to be realised. AI brings with it major opportunities for the Welsh economy which is why having a Growth Zone in North Wales is so critical for our ambitions as a Government. It will help us drive investment in this sector of the future to make sure Wales is right at the forefront of this transformational technology. In all my discussions with the Prime Minister, the Chancellor and other UK Ministers, I have had clear and deliverable asks for Wales. Today, two of my top priorities are being delivered together  a double win for Wales.

Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens said: North Wales is already home to a thriving and growing tech industry, and this announcement will supercharge the sector, delivering over 3,000 good jobs and bringing in millions in investment.

This is a hugely significant step forward in our central mission to kickstart economic growth, create well-paid jobs and unlock opportunity in the industries of the future.

Other reforms covering energy and planning announced today include data centres in AI Growth Zones getting significant discounts on their electricity bills, if they are located in areas that could help to reduce the pressures on the energy network.

UK Government say Getting spades in the ground as quickly as possible to deliver these transformations for local communities is vital. Planning guidance has today been updated to give AI infrastructure projects priority. This will slash waiting times from over four years to as little as two, with a dedicated team of AI planning experts also being set up to streamline the approvals process.

Priority access will also be given to AI Growth Zones as they hook up to the grid, ensure sites have the power they need to drive forward innovation and growth. Investors in sites will also be given the freedom to develop their own solutions for boosting power capacity on-location, with projects that help to reduce overall costs for the wider energy network being given dedicated pricing support.

Three sites have already been announced in the 11 months since the launch of the AI Opportunities Action Plan, with further announcements expected to follow in the coming months.

Top pic: Obviously we asked Chat GPT Create a picture to use as a featured image on the above article about AI Growth Zones in North Wales and this is what it plopped out
Army veteran from Trevor honoured to represent regiment in Cenotaph Parade

An Army veteran from Trevor has spoken of the honour he felt after taking part in the Cenotaph Parade in London on Remembrance Sunday.

Mark Jones was selected to represent his former regiment, the 1st Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers, in Sundays Parade.

Mark, who is studying for a degree in Human Geography at Chester, served in the military for 18 years, reaching the rank of Colour Sergeant. He saw active service in Bosnia, Iraq, Kosovo, Cyprus and Northern Ireland, as well as training in Canada and Kenya.

The 50-year-old from Trevor, Llangollen, now living in Ruabon, was also an instructor at the Infantry Training Centre Catterick.

He was selected for the Royal British Legions march on Sunday November 9 after entering a ballot through his former regiment.

The Cenotaph Parade in Whitehall is a march-past of 10,000 veterans and eligible participants that takes place every year on Remembrance Sunday following the National Act of Remembrance, led by HM The King.

Held to remember all those who have served and sacrificed, British and Commonwealth soldiers, sailors, airmen and women are represented, together with members of the emergency services and civilians.

It was part of events across the country to mark Remembrance Sunday, which is observed on the Sunday nearest to Armistice Day on November 11  when World War One ended in 1918.

On the selection and the experience, Mark said: I am truly honoured and privileged to have taken part in this years Remembrance Parade.

Its a profound opportunity to pay my respects to those who have served and sacrificed for our freedom. Being a part of this commemoration reminds me of the courage, dedication and selflessness shown by so many, and I am grateful for a small role in ensuring that their legacy is never forgotten.

Mark is a student in the Universitys Centre for Foundation Studies and added how his army duties influenced his decision to embark, recently, on a four-year degree at Chester: During my time on operational service in the military Ive found that I have a profound interest in the complex interactions between people, places and the environment, and also their social and economic issues; this is an opportunity to formalise my life experiences into a degree.
Council in cross-party support of strategy to ease cost of living pressure

A strategy that will see Wrexham County Borough Council attempt to ease the cost of living pressure for residents has received cross-party support.

But concerns have been raised about the impact of council tax on household debt levels.

The plans were unveiled at Wrexham Councils Executive Board meeting by Cllr David Bithell, the deputy leader of the council and Chair of the Cost of Living Working Group.

Utilising grants from the Welsh Government delivered via the Welsh Local Government Association, Wrexham Council will contribute 50,000 to Wrexham Foodbank this year and 60,000 next year.

This years contribution will be delivered in time to support families in need in the run-up to Christmas.

The authority will also provide 40,000 of local food partnership funding this year, with that money also available to the Wrexham Food Partnership Small Grants Programme before Christmas. That contribution will be repeated in 2026/27.

This work will be managed by Wrexham Councils externally-funded Food Development Officer.

The authority has also pledged 60,000 per year from its small grants scheme to provide safe, warm spaces through 25/26 and 26/27.

Finally the Executive Board agreed to sign the Wrexham Poverty Action Collaboration (WPAC) Pledge, in which it promises to:

Work and partner with WPAC to make positive changes for those with lived experiences poverty

Work with the Financial Justice Working Group to gain lived experiences and identify the financial barriers that communities in Wrexham are facing.

Help raise awareness of the Financial Justice Working Group (FJWG) and WPAC through conversation and social media.

The package of measures was agreed by the Cost of Living Crisis working group and the councils anti-poverty champion Cllr Beverley Parry-Jones.

Council Leader Cllr Mark Pritchard praised the report, which was put together quickly after grant funding was confirmed to ensure support was in place for Christmas.

This announcement did come late to us and weve moved at a very fast speed to get this report in front of us, he said. The most important thing is that we get this money out to the organisations and the food to the individuals who need it.

Weve had cross-party support on this from day one from everybody and I think thats refreshing, that all parties are working together on this issue with regards to poverty.

Thank you to all group leaders and parties for working together as one on this because we should put politics aside in this area.

Cllr Stella Matthews highlighted a concern over the impact of council tax debt on households.

The Citizens Advice Bureau has issued a report on some of its outreach areas and in one the top debt issue was council tax debt, she said. I wondered if the committee could look at getting the figures for the whole of the borough because if that is a major issue in the cost of living its something we should take into account. I think members need to be aware of that.

Cllr Bithell said the matter had been raised at the most recent meeting of the Cost of Living Working Group.

We had a very detailed update on both rent arrears and council tax arrears, he said. Members who were present have asked for further information in December and a breakdown of what action the council are taking and support we are offering to residents.

In terms of rent, internally within the housing department we have a small team looking at how we can support contract holders and recover some of our rent arrears.

I think our rent arrears  based on 11,000 properties  is 2.8% which is quite low for Wales. Council tax is slightly different which is why weve asked for further information.

We do understand that people are struggling and we need to support our constituents and our social housing contract holders with the cost of living crisis.

Cllr Dana Davies asked whether the new pledge would accelerate the publication of the authoritys anti-poverty strategy.

By enforcing the WPCA pledge we are signing up to creating a comprehensive anti-poverty strategy for Wrexham, she said.

When is the expected timeframe for that strategy to come before the Executive Board for approval? I know its been sitting with scrutiny for two years and I understand the workload officers have got, but now we can increase the pace.

Cllr Bithell said the strategy would be presented soon  although it may be early in the New Year.

In terms of the anti-poverty strategy we will give a commitment, there is a political will to look at the strategy. That will come to the Cost of Living Working Group soon.

It may not be December, probably January or February, ready for a decision in April.





By Alec Doyle  BBC Local Democracy Reporter
NSPCC demands urgent action from tech giants as online grooming crimes in Wales reach record high

Online grooming crimes against children have hit record levels across Wales.

The figures, provided by North Wales Police, South Wales Police, Dyfed Powys Police and Gwent Police show that 549 Sexual Communication with Child offences were recorded last year.

Online grooming offences have also hit record levels across the UK, with Snapchat, WhatsApp, and Facebook emerging as the top platforms where these crimes take place.

The figures, provided by 44 UK police forces, show that 7,263 Sexual Communication with a Child offences were recorded last year. Where police forces could be directly compared, the number of crimes had almost doubled (99%) from the first year of when the offence came into force in 2017/18.

Across the UK, of the 2,111 offences where police could identify the platform used, 40% took place on Snapchat, 9% on WhatsApp and 9% on Facebook and Instagram.

Where gender was known, 80% of children targeted were girls. Meanwhile, the youngest victim of online grooming recorded was a 4-year-old boy.

The charity highlights that while these are the offences recorded by police; the real number of crimes is likely to be much higher due to abuse happening in private spaces where harms can be harder to detect.

To tackle this issue, the NSPCC is publishing new research setting out solutions which can be used to prevent, detect and disrupt grooming in private messaging spaces.

Online child sexual abuse crimes can have a long-term impact on a child, leaving them with feelings of guilt, shame, depression, confusion, anxiety and fear.

One 14-year-old who contacted Childline said: I feel so insecure all the time, so, when this guy Ive met online, whos a few years older, started flirting with me, that made me feel so special. He seemed to care, but now hes insisting I send him nudes, and I dont know if he just gave me attention, so Id send him nudes. I feel like Ive been tricked but Im afraid what he might do if I just block him. I cant control how anxious this makes me feel.

The charitys new research identifies cycles of behaviours that perpetrators use, such as creating multiple different profiles and manipulating young users to engage with them across different platforms.

In response, the NSPCC is urging Ofcom and tech companies to take swift action on the recommendations set out in the report, so that they can better identify and prevent online grooming.

Recommendations include:

Implementing tools on a childs phone that can scan for nude images and identify child sexual abuse material, before its shared.

Using metadata analysis, which uses background information, like when, where, and how someone is using a platform, to spot suspicious patterns. It does not read private messages, but it can flag behaviours that suggest grooming, such as adults repeatedly contacting large numbers of children or creating fake profiles.

Create barriers for adult profiles engaging children on social media platforms, like restrictions on who they can search and how many people they can contact.

Tech platform leaders should commit to delivering services which effectively support and balance user safety and privacy.

The research shows that safety measures must be introduced at the same time to be effective, working in tandem to ensure harm is prevented across the grooming cycle.

The NSPCC is urging tech companies, Ofcom, and Government to take leadership on addressing this devastating crime and commit to using every tool available to them to stop perpetrators in their tracks.

Chris Sherwood, NSPCC Chief Executive, said: Its deeply alarming that online grooming crimes have reached a record high across the UK, taking place on the very platforms children use every day.

At Childline, we hear first-hand how grooming can devastate young lives. The trauma doesnt end when the messages stop, it can leave children battling anxiety, depression, and shame for years.

Tech companies must act now to prevent further escalation. The tools the NSPCC sets out to protect children are ready to use and urgently needed. Importantly, they mean

that services can keep children safe while protecting all users privacy. Childrens safety must be built into platform design from the start, not treated as an afterthought.

Kerry Smith, Chief Executive of the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) said: The internet has opened a door into millions of homes, giving predators access to children. The harms are very real and, as this data shows, are affecting children everywhere.

Safety should be something which is built into all services and platforms from the bottom up, not tacked on as an afterthought. There should be absolutely nowhere for predators to hide online.

Tech companies must do everything they can, including in end-to-end encrypted spaces, to keep children safe. It is clear now that this can be done effectively without compromising users privacy. There really is no excuse  and the alternative is allowing children to continue to suffer.

National Police Chiefs Council Lead for Child Protection and Abuse Investigation A/Chief Constable Becky Riggs said: Police forces and law enforcement agencies are working tirelessly to investigate these crimes, safeguard victims, and bring offenders to justice. However, policing alone cannot stem the tide of online abuse. We need technology companies to take responsibility for the safety of children on their platforms.

Childrens safety must be embedded into platform design  not treated as an afterthought. We urge tech companies to act swiftly and decisively, working in partnership with policing and child protection experts to ensure online spaces are safe for all users.

National policing is working closely with Ofcom to support the implementation of the Online Safety Bill, which marks a significant step forward in regulating digital platforms and enforcing child safety standards. This partnership is vital to ensuring that the voices of law enforcement and child protection professionals are reflected in how online harms are addressed.
Through exposure, service, and passion, Dr. Learie B. Luke turns global connections into lessons that reach far beyond the classroom.

ORANGEBURG, S.C. - Born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago and a historian at heart, Dr. Learie B. Luke believes the world should be every students classroom.

As director of the Office of Global Engagement at South Carolina State University, he works toward the goal of having 50% of students travel abroad before graduation - helping the university fulfill its mission to prepare socially aware, globally minded graduates.

On every trip we take, theres a person who not only hasnt gone to another country. They have never flown on a plane, Luke said.
Police & Crime Commissioners set to be scrapped at the end of current term say UK Government

Police and crime commissioners (PCCs) will be abolished say UK Government  estimated to save the taxpayer at least 100 million that they say will be used to help to fund frontline officers to cut crime.

Justifying the move The Home Secretary said Since 2012, PCCs have been elected to hold forces to account, but turnout at the polls and public knowledge of who their local PCC is has been incredibly low.

Public understanding of, and engagement with, PCCs remains low despite efforts to raise their profile. Two in five people are unaware PCCs even exist.

In North Wales we have had three so far, Winston Roddick in 2012-2016, Arfon Jones 2016  2021 and Andy Dunbobbin elected in 2021 and reelected in 2024 currently holding the role. Back last year nearly 90,000 people made a mark on a ballot paper across North Wales with 14,500 voting in Wrexham, well below general turnouts for other elections at just 14.7% locally.

Looking at the detail on the changes the Home Office say for areas such as Wrexham where there are no regional mayors .this role will be taken on by elected council leaders, so currently that would be Council Leader Mark Pritchard.

For Wales there could be some adjustment perhaps hinting at it coming under Corporate Joint Committees, The unique circumstances of devolved local government arrangements in Wales will be taken into consideration. The government will ensure there is continuity of the support services for victims and witnesses that are currently provided by PCCs.

The current Chair of the North Wales CJC is, Wrexhams own Cllr Mark Pritchard.

Changes tower are not taking place instantly, The transition to the new model will happen at the end of the next electoral cycle in 2028.

Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said: The introduction of police and crime commissioners by the last government was a failed experiment.

I will introduce new reforms so police are accountable to their local mayoralties or local councils. The savings will fund more neighbourhood police on the beat across the country, fighting crime and protecting our communities.

I would like to recognise the efforts of all current and former police and crime commissioners, and thank them. These individuals served their communities and will continue to do so until they have completed their current terms.

Responding to the news PCCs are set to be abolished at the end of the current term the Police and Crime Commissioners for Wales issued a joint statement, The announcement that the role of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) is to be abolished represents a significant moment for policing governance in Wales and across England.

As PCCs, we and our offices perform vital functions that make a real and tangible difference to the lives of thousands of people, from commissioning critical services for victims and survivors, to holding our police forces to account, shaping local priorities, and representing the voices of our communities. This important work will continue throughout any transition period.

While the detail of future governance arrangements has yet to be determined, it has been clear for some time that reform of the policing landscape has been high on the Governments agenda. Both former and current Home Secretaries have indicated an intention to review and reshape local policing oversight. As this process unfolds, our focus remains on ensuring that accountability, transparency and public service remain at the heart of any new model.

We believe it is essential that the next phase delivers stability, continuity and confidence, for the public, for victims, for policing partners and for the workforce. The transition must not divert attention from what matters most: keeping people safe, supporting victims, and building public trust in policing.

As the future roadmap is developed, we stand ready to contribute our knowledge, experience and insight to help shape the next oversight model. We urge the UK Government, Welsh Government and the Home Office to work collaboratively with us and to consult widely across Wales to ensure that any new arrangements reflect Welsh priorities and maintain the highest standards of accountability and service.

Ultimately, any future system must serve the best interests of policing and the public, safeguarding local accountability while supporting effective, community-focused policing. We welcome the Governments stated commitment to ensuring that public confidence remains central to policing oversight, and we are committed to engaging constructively to achieve that goal.

The role of PCC may change, but our dedication to the people of Wales and our Force areas remains unwavering. We will continue to champion victims, uphold public confidence, and work tirelessly to ensure that policing in Wales remains responsive, fair and effective through this period of transition and beyond.



Top pic: The PCC for our area  Andy Dunbobbin .
There is only a crisis if the schools make it into a crisis  council tell some schools to sort out budgets

The Leadership of Wrexham Council have praised the majority of Wrexham schools, but have said a small minority jump up and down and create a fuss over school budgets.

Councillors recently discussed the projected closing schools balances in Wrexham, a minus 2.8m figure currently. Darland makes up 39.6% of that figure with a projected deficit of -1,183,812.

Wrexham Council told us regarding Darland, In light of the current financial challenges, the school has sought support from WCBC to manage a significant budget deficit while continuing to deliver high-quality provision for all learners. WCBC officers are working closely with the school and its Governing Body, in accordance with statutory guidance and financial regulations, to address these issues and secure the best possible outcomes for pupils.

In a recent media brief the BBC pointed to the large list of schools in the document projected to have a licensed deficit, and asked if it was a crisis?

Council Leader Mark Pritchard rejected that descriptor, No it is not a crisis. Schools and the budget is run by the Head, the Chair and the Governing Body, and its up to them to bring in their budget. If the Governing Body and the Chair and everybody wants more money, and I keep on saying this, I would suggest that they contact their MPs, their MSs and more money comes from central government. Thats the frankness here.

I keep on saying that and I get some pushback sometimes from the Senedd  that Im used to, I am a big boy, I am used to being told I shouldnt be saying things, but I always say it as it is. Every department is under pressure. Education are no different. Social services the same, children and young people, housing, planning, libraries, legal  every department across this authority  we can only spend what were given. I think people tend to forget that.

I keep on reminding people, Wrexham Council has had 60 million pound taken out of the budget, and then the next three years is a forecast another 30m. Its close to 100 million, that is a lot of money. So no, it is not a crisis in schools, absolutely not. I think some people would want to play politics with that but they shouldnt play politics with education and children.

Wrexham.com asked if he was playing politics by offloading both finances, responsibility and accountability to schools. Pointing to a different budget document that referred to possibly saving/raising 80k for councils central budgets by reviewing cleaning services  including schools cleaning. We asked if that would mean schools would become responsible for something the council centrally used to pay for.

Cllr Pritchard rejected that, No. The cost is still the cost, all that is done is moved from one area to another. There is nothing untoward here.

Its just that schools are now responsible for their cleaning costs, and so they should be. Thats just the way it is. Same with the food, you know, with the catering. You know, schools have responsibility, just like housing has responsibilities, just like social services as responsibilities. Theres nothing wrong here.

Theres some individuals who are making an issue over education, and I understand why, but all I would say is, this is not of our making.

Deputy Leader Cllr David A Bithell added, The cleaning comes under me, so for clarity all we we did last year, we made a decision as part of the budget proposal to transfer the responsibility for the management of cleaning back to schools. The budget already sat with schools anyway, so they just have to manage the three or four or five staff in each particular school rather than us managing it centrally in housing.

No cuts to budgets, no cuts to staff, it is basically you manage your own budget in the school with cleaning, rather than us managing it centrally.

One school insider had raised concerns that the change in management would create extra overheads for the schools, describing it as the same budget but more workload.

Commenting on the crisis descriptor Cllr Bithell added, When you say that theres a crisis in schools, theres only a crisis if the schools make it into a crisis. I would say 60% or 70% of schools are really good, well run schools and governing bodies.

Mark was criticised quite heavily by some schools, or some individuals, saying he shouldnt have made that comment going back weeks and weeks ago about schools and budgets. Ive been a governor. The reality is, the budget, it comes through the council, but it goes to the Governing Body. The Governing Body has to decide what they do  quite clearly they have to work to a budget formula which we set and agree with The School Budget Forum.

Some choose, I have to say very few, but some choose not to follow the processes which leads to difficulties with budgets.

Council Chief Executive Alwyn Jones added more detail, I think the vast majority have made a really excellent job. Those that have got challenges we are happy to work alongside them, to support, them in terms of trying to get things in order.

So as long as there is a plan around deficit, in terms of how that deficit is cut and how we move back into a positive position. Thats reasonable. We then have to see people implement those plans, and I should think the vast majority do.

In terms of education I think its really important when we look at the education budget, you look at it and go thats the schools budget, isnt it?

There is a new dynamic at play now, and you see it all across national media in terms of costs of Additional Learning Needs (ALN).

Focussing in on Additional Learning Needs or ALN, he added, We do have to educate some children in places other than the schools within county because of special education needs. We have to meet that cost.

So when we talk about education budget, its not just all our schools in Wrexhams budget, we do have to fund and support education for those children with ALN  and that is a growing bill. It is a growing bill nationally across the UK and in Wales.

To support that it puts pressure in terms of local councils, and that isnt always within our schools budget. By that I mean we have to invest in other places, out of county, a different county to Wrexham.

So its important to note that dynamic going on. So whereas a pot of money would have been primarily within our schools in, say 2018, some of that pot now is going to schools and specialist education outside of our area  and we are looking to develop our own.

There is really good work in education around developing more of our own [provision]. But you know, its almost happened more quickly than we could react to  we are now reacting to in terms of getting more placements, more specialist type education in-county, and hopefully in two or three years time, this will not be the same story

He summed up, It is not quite as simple as just education budget is all directly into our schools, we have to make sure those children with additional learning needs are supported as well.

The Council Leader weighed back in on ALN transport, I can remember this conversation very long time ago, and we told Ministers at the time there would be an extra cost. And they said no, no, no, no, no, there wont be  it will be cost neutral.

Well, that has turned out to be incorrect. It wasnt cost neutral. Theres been an explosion in transport costs. That extra burden is put on local authorities and we dont have extra money. Thats the pressure were facing with regards to schools.

Theres some good schools out there, excellent schools out there, that set their budget or come in and run the school and theres no problems.

Then, theres a small minority that dont get through their budget, and it causes problems.

The other schools saying, Listen Mark, were a very well run school we bring our budget in every year, we do the hard work, we do the graft, and then theres other schools who are not doing it, and theyre not being dealt with  Thats our conundrum.

People dont like to hear whats being said. The truth is, schools have the responsibility with their budget. I will repeat it, the Head, Deputy Head, the Chair, the Governing Body has to bring in that budget every year. Other schools do it. It happens all across Wales, and then a small minority jump up and down and create a fuss and try and put the pressure back on us and blame us  its not the decision of our making.

(Top pic: Archive shot of Deputy Leader Cllr Bithell and Council Leader Mark Pritchard)


Were piling up laws never delivered  Former minister criticises own government

A former minister has accused the Welsh Government of piling up laws that are never delivered, painting a picture of a pattern of incompetence over the past decade.

Labours Alun Davies criticised a seven-year delay in introducing an environment bill to plug post-Brexit gaps which left Wales with some of the weakest protections in western Europe, according to environment charities.

Mr Davies said: Weve got to do more than pass declaratory legislation [which] doesnt have any bite All-too often the vanity of politicians takes over and we believe we can change things quite fundamental and, usually, outside our control simply by passing laws.

He added: I remember when this was important and an emergency back in 2018.

He accused Huw Irranca-Davies, the deputy first minister, of being able to offer no credible explanation of why it has taken seven years to bring forward the environment bill.

Mr Davies stressed the delay was not a one-off, questioning why it took ministers about a decade to implement public health and renting laws too.

Real failures

Calling for a parliamentary inquiry, he asked: Why is it were asked to vote for this legislation, time and time again, but the government isnt able to deliver?

He warned: There are real failures of parliamentary and governmental processes here.

The backbencher, who has twice been sacked from government, added: We are creating increasingly bureaucratic and cumbersome new structures, targets, which probably wont be met and, in fact, if you read the bill, wont even be set until the end of the next Senedd.

He made the comments as the environment bill, which would establish a watchdog and set a framework for biodiversity targets, passed the first stage in the Senedd. Similar watchdogs were set up in Scotland, Northern Ireland and England in 2021.

Mr Davies told the Senedd: Its increasingly worrying to me that what were doing is piling up laws which are never delivered, never implemented and which create burdensome and cumbersome demands on public bodies which they themselves are unable to deliver.

National shame

The Conservatives Janet Finch-Saunders was similarly scathing, describing delays as a point of national shame and a serious political failure. She suggested the Welsh Government will go down in history for kicking the can down the road.

She warned the bill pushes key decisions, such as actually setting targets, beyond the 2026 Senedd election when cross-party consensus on the issue could collapse.

Labours Mike Hedges, who chairs the Senedds legislation committee, concluded the bill appears to have been deprioritised by the Welsh Government.

He described the biodiversity target-setting framework as ill-conceived.

Delyth Jewell, Plaid Cymrus shadow climate secretary, questioned why the Welsh watchdog was set to receive 300,000 less than its Scottish counterpart despite a wider remit.

And climate committee chair Llyr Gruffydd warned last-minute government concessions undermined scrutiny as he called for the new watchdog to be genuinely independent.

Half-arsed

During Tuesdays debate, Huw Irranca-Davies agreed to accelerate the timeline for setting targets from three years to two and bolster the bodys independence.

The deputy first minister and climate secretary also pledged to introduce a framework for short- and long-term targets, halve the time to report on missed targets to six months, and ensure the watchdogs enforcement powers are active within two years.

Turning to his colleagues criticism, he joked: I very much welcome all of the comments that members have made today and the spirit in which they were made  you too, Alun.

Mr Irranca-Davies then rejected the charge that the legislation was weak, insisting the targets would not be half-arsed and telling Mr Davies: I do think youre unduly pessimistic on this  this is more than declaratory legislation. This has got the benefit, because it has taken a bit longer, of being exceptionally, exceptionally well-worked, well-crafted.

Senedd members voted 50-1 in favour of the general principles of the bill, which now moves to amendment stages, with only Reform UKs Laura Anne Jones voting against.

By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter (Top pic: Not really the chamber, as its being refurbed!)
Wylfa confirmed as site for UKs first small modular nuclear power station

Wylfa on Anglesey has been confirmed as the site for the UKs first small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear power station  a move hailed as the most significant industrial investment in North Wales for a generation.

The project, announced by the UK Government, will see the mini nuclear reactors built by publicly-owned Great British Energy  Nuclear and, subject to final contract, designed by Rolls-Royce SMR.

The mini nuclear reactors are smaller and quicker to build than some traditional nuclear power stations.

The first-of-its-kind project is expected to support up to 3,000 jobs in the local community at peak construction and generate enough power for the equivalent of three million homes. The development is backed by billions of pounds of infrastructure investment extending into the mid-2030s.

Located on the Anglesey coastline, Wylfa has a rich nuclear heritage dating back to the 1960s, when the original power station first began operation.

Todays announcement has been described as the most significant industrial investment in North Wales for a generation and the start of a golden age of nuclear.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that years of neglect and inertia has meant places like Anglesey have been let down and left behind.

He said: Today, that changes. Were using all the tools in our armoury  cutting red tape, changing planning laws, and backing growth  to deliver the countrys first SMR in North Wales.

This government isnt just reversing decline, its delivering thousands of future-proofed jobs, driving billions in investment, and providing cheaper energy bills in the long term.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband described the project as a key step in creating a new generation of clean energy.

He said: A generation of young people across North Wales will benefit from the good jobs, homes across Britain will get clean power and we will take a big step forward in meeting our ambition to create a network of small modular reactors across the UK.

This is the Governments clean energy mission in action  driving for energy sovereignty and abundance to take back control of our energy.

Simon Bowen, Chair of Great British EnergyNuclear, said: Wylfa has a proud history of nuclear excellence, and these first small modular reactors will build on that legacy. This project will create high-quality jobs, strengthen UK energy independence, and deliver long-term investment for North Wales.

Chris Cholerton, Chief Executive of Rolls-Royce SMR, added: Todays announcement marks the start of a new chapter for British nuclear innovation. Were proud to work with Great British EnergyNuclear to deliver clean, reliable power while creating opportunities for skilled workers in Anglesey and beyond.

Activity on the site will start in 2026. The initial project will be for three SMR units, but Great British Energy-Nuclear estimate that the site could potentially host up to eight mini reactors.

The ambition is for Wylfas small modular reactors to be supplying power to the grid from the mid-2030s.

First Minister of Wales Eluned Morgan welcomed the decision, describing it as the moment Ynys Mon and the whole of Wales has been waiting for.

She added: New nuclear is a step into the future, with secure jobs and secure energy guaranteed for the next generation.

Plaid Cymru politicians have welcomed todays announcement but called for firm commitments to ensure Ynys Mon communities enjoy long-term benefits of investment

Rhun ap Iorwerth MS described the announcement as significant for people on Ynys Mon and across Wales.

Ynys Mon MS, Rhun ap Iorwerth said: Todays announcement is significant for people on Ynys Mon and across Wales. It reflects years of hard work by both the Plaid Cymru-led Anglesey County Council and Llinos Medi  both as the current MP and former council leader.

Since I was elected over twelve years ago, the future of the Wylfa site has remained a live issue on Ynys Mon.

Whilst weve learnt from past experience that we need assurances now that this plan will actually be delivered, theres no doubt that theres a real opportunity here that we have to take advantage of.

Rhun ap Iorwerth has also called for clear assurance that the project would be completed and emphasised the need to ensure that the voices of local people are represented throughout the process.

MP for Ynys Mon, Llinos Medi added: After years of uncertainty, this announcement could finally unlock Wylfas potential and bring the long-term, high-quality jobs and investment our communities deserve.

Since being elected MP for Ynys Mon, and previously as leader of the council, I have worked with local businesses, local experts, and the local authority to make the case for Wylfa  meeting with UK Government ministers, Great British Energy-Nuclear, and industry leaders to highlight the sites unique strengths and the depth of local support.

This progress is the result of years of partnership across Ynys Mon.

Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and the Environment, Janet Finch-Saunders MS described the announcement as a fantastic opportunity that will create well-paid, high-skilled jobs and deliver cheaper, cleaner and more secure energy for our communities.

A Reform UK Wales spokesperson added: This announcement is long overdue and, if the political will had been there, we could have been well on our way to generating nuclear power from Wylfa by now.

With energy costs soaring and unemployment rising in Wales, we should be taking a lead on nuclear power, not dawdling as we have done now for many years.
November 13, 2025: Russia called on North Korea, an ally since the end of World War II in 1945, to help the Russian war effort in Ukraine. In addition to supplying about 40 percent of the artillery shells used by the Russians in Ukraine, North Korea also provided missiles and rockets

To encourage enthusiastic support, Russia offered cash, and help with North Koreas weapons development programs. Russia also received the services of 12,000 North Korean soldiers and several thousand support personnel. Russia paid the North Korean government thousands of dollars for each soldier. The government kept most of that money, as is the custom when North Koreans work in Russia, which they have been doing for decades. But enough of that cash went to the soldiers or their families to significantly improve their living standards. The soldiers were declared national heroes and those that died had their families receive additional payments.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un now has an army possibly containing thousands of combat veterans, men who learned how to survive the terrifying, at first, presence of thousands of drones. Every war generates unexpected weapons, techniques and tactics. In the Ukraine War, the unexpected development was the emergence of cheap, armed drones as a decisive weapon that replaced most air and artillery support while also causing about 70 percent of the casualties. Ukraine built 1.5 million drones in 2024 and in 2025 over 2.5 million drones were produced, most of them in at least thirty hidden factories. Drones were an unexpected development that had a huge impact on how battles in Ukraine are fought. Drones were successful because they were cheap, easily modified, and expendable.

Both Russian and Ukrainian forces are sending in quadcopter drones controlled by soldiers using FPV/First Person Viewing goggles to see what the day/night video camera on the drone can see. Most FPV drones carry half a kilogram of explosives, so it can instantly turn the drone into a flying bomb that can fly into a target and detonate. This is an awesome and debilitating weapon when used in large numbers over the combat zone.

Several FPV operators, each with two or more assistants, usually operate from a bunker or a partially rebuilt basement of a bombed out structure. Antenna for broadcasting drone control signals and receiving FPV video are placed in a camouflaged location some distance from the operations bunker. Both sides have missiles and bombs that can home in on the source of FPV drone control signals. Most operations teams have an alternate antenna ready to go if the one in use is destroyed.

These FPV drones are able to complete their missions most of the time, whether it is a one-way attack or a reconnaissance and surveillance mission. The recon missions are usually survivable and enable the drone to be reused. All these drones are constantly performing surveillance, which means that both sides commit enough drones to maintain constant surveillance over a portion of the front line to a depth into enemy territory of at least a few kilometers. This massive use of FPV-armed drones has revolutionized warfare in Ukraine and both sides are producing as many as they can.

Russia passed on the knowledge of drone warfare to North Korea, assuring them that this would be more valuable in any future war. For decades the northerners have threatened to attack South Korea. The southerners never took this threat seriously, until now. The northerners have drones. South Korea does not have drones and is currently paralyzed with shock and indecision at the prospect of dealing with a drone equipped, combat experienced North Korea army moving south.

North Korea obtained all this and more by aiding the Russian war in Ukraine. North Korea supplied artillery and lots of 152mm and 122mm shells to feed the guns. The North Koreas took advantage of Russian desperation and sold them older munitions. Some of those shells were past their use-by date and unreliable. The Russians were desperate and didnt bother to check for this. That was a costly mistake because their artillerymen found that many of the shells did not work and some exploded when fired. This destroyed the gun and sometimes killed or injured some of the artillerymen.

It got worse when the Ukrainians began using drones for surveillance and attacks on any targets within ten, and then twenty, kilometers of the front line. Twenty kilometers was critical. This meant the Russian towed guns could not get close enough to the front to be effective. Kept twenty kilometers behind the troops, the 122mm artillery was useless because it only had a range of about fifteen kilometers. The 152mm could hit targets 25 kilometers but when moved closer than 20 kilometers from the front, the guns were subject to drone attacks. Eventually new drones with a range of 40 kilometers appeared and Russian artillery became target practice for the Ukrainian drones.

By then North Korea was providing newly manufactured shells for Russian guns that could not get close enough to the front to be useful. North Korea also provided ballistic missiles and troops, so the Russians took the good with the bad and soldiered on.

South Korea believes they will have worse problems with their antagonistic and suddenly more deadly northern neighbor.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says hes worried about how President Donald Trump might respond to the growing controversy over documents tying him to Jeffrey Epstein.

My great fear, of course, is that with the release of that information, which I think will be devastating for Trump, hes going to do everything in his power to distract, Pritzker told The Associated Press in a wide-ranging interview on Wednesday. What does that mean? I mean, he might take us to war with Venezuela just to get a distraction in the news and take it out of the headlines.

Pritzker, widely seen as among the top potential Democratic presidential contenders in 2028, also directed some of his sharpest criticism at members of his own party. He said the decision by seven Democratic senators and one independent to side with Republicans in a Senate vote to end the government shutdown was an enormous mistake that played right into Trumps hands.

Ive been on team fight from the very beginning, Pritzker said. And I dont appreciate when weve got Democrats who are caving in and doing basically what the Trump administration wants.

Pritzker did not join calls for Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer to step aside, which has come from some Democrats who think he should have fought harder. Im not sure this is the one thing that people should focus on to put them over the edge about it, the governor said.

He was instead more critical of the group of Democratic senators who voted for the deal, which included Sen. Dick Durbin, his own state's senior senator.

We were winning, said Pritzker, pointing to resounding Democratic wins in elections across the country last week. I do not understand why people caved when we were on the verge of getting real change.

Since Trumps reelection, Pritzker  an heir to the Hyatt hotel fortune  has been among the president's fiercest Democratic critics. On Wednesday, he described Trump as a narcissist and said he believed the president has dementia.

Pritzker's comments about Trump's use of the politics of distraction came as newly released documents reignited scrutiny of Trumps relationship with Epstein. In a 2019 email to a journalist, Epstein wrote that Trump knew about the girls, but what he knew  and whether it pertained to the sex offenders crimes  is unclear. The White House accused Democrats of selectively leaking the emails to smear the president.

But few governors have witnessed Trumps use of force as directly as Pritzker, who has seen federal agents descend on Chicago and its suburbs in recent months as part of  Operation Midway Blitz. More than 3,300 people suspected of immigration violations have been arrested since September, with some raids involving helicopters, tear gas and nighttime operations.

This is part of the militarization of our American cities that Donald Trump is engaging in, Pritzker said. And its dangerous. It shouldnt happen, but hes got a purpose behind it. And its to affect our elections in 2026.

Pritzker said the large immigration crackdown seen in Chicago would soon expand to other states, saying that he had spoken recently to North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein after reports that the administration might send federal forces into Charlotte.

Im hoping that the pushback will finally lead them to ratchet down their efforts, said Pritzker.
When Indigenous people are removed from their land, art becomes a crucial way of maintaining their connection to history, culture, and identityand there arent many places in North America where their work is as visible as in Vancouver.

The stunning city, flanked by snowy mountain peaks and the Pacific two-and-a-half hours north of San Francisco (by plane), is awash in Indigenous art from the moment you touch down at YVR, which was recently named the continents best airport for the 14th time.

YVR Musqueam welcome figures (Courtesy of Vancouver International Airport)

Vancouver, which lies on the unceded and ancestral territory of three tribal nationsthe Musqueam, the Squamish, and the Tsleil-Waututhwelcomes travelers with more than 200 magnificent pieces , including Susan Point's huge cedar spindle whorl and Bill Reid's impressive jade canoe. There are giant carved welcoming figures, etched glass totem poles, massive weavings, and scores of other Native works that embody the land, sea, and sky.

Here are seven other spots to find expressions of the worldview, history, and future of Indigenous people in Vancouver. For a deeper Indigenous-led experience, venture out of the city to a Native-owned hotel, motel, campground, or luxury resort in British Columbia. Learn more about these one-of-a-kind stays and the stories behind them at Indigenous Tourism BC .

UCB Museum of Anthropology

The Museum of Anthropology on the University of British Columbias verdant campus should be one of your first stops. It houses an awe-inspiring collection of Northwest Coast sculptures, textiles, and canoes from the past and present. Dont miss their Multiversity Galleries, where there are hundreds of drawers filled with precious pieces from around the world for visitors to slide open and discover. // 6393 NW Marine Dr., moa.ubc.ca

The Museum of Anthropology at UBC in Vancouver (Cory Dawson, courtesy of the Museum of Anthropology at UBC)

Granville Island

Granville Island is a must-see Vancouver destination known for its huge public market, myriad food options, and unique artisan outlets, some of which feature the work of Indigenous artists. For prints and cedar carvings, Native-made clothing, and jewelry, head to Inukshuk Gallery (1551 Johnston St.). Its a great place to purchase gifts for yourself or others, including T-shirts, socks, water bottles, mugs, and many other itemsall created by Indigenous artists and emblazoned with Indigenous motifs.

Indigenous-owned Wickaninnish Gallery (1666 Johnston St., Ste. 14), which was founded in 1987, showcases the artwork of established and emerging Indigenous artists and carries clothing, jewelry, blankets, affordable gifts, moccasins, and hand-engraved sterling silver jewelry. They are located inside the Net Loft Building, across from the Public Market.

Fazakas Gallery

Located in the heart of Vancouvers Gallery District, Fazakas places special emphasis on up-and-coming Indigenous artists. Rotating works include masks, photography, contemporary beading, and textiles. Jean Paul Langlois solo exhibition War and Peace, and Smoky the Cowhorse is currently on view. // 659 East Hastings St., fazakasgallery

Jean Paul Langlois' 'The Purchase (Among Vultures), 2023' is one of the works on display now at Fazakas Gallery in Vancouver. (Courtesy of @fazakasgallery)

Bill Reid Gallery

Bill Reid Gallery houses an impressive collection by renowned artist Bill Reid, ranging from a massive totem pole to intricately carved gold bracelets. Reid, whose mother was Haida, was an acclaimed goldsmith and carver who inspired generations of Indigenous artists. The gallery offers exhibitions not only of his work but also of younger Indigenous artists who have followed in his wake. // 639 Hornby St., billreidgallery

Lattimer Gallery

Just a short walk from Granville Island, youll find a gallery and shop with exquisite art pieces ranging from woodwork, masks, and jewelry to sculpture and graphicsall by First Nations artists. Lattimer has been promoting Indigenous Northwest Coast art since 1986 and is now run by the grandson of its founders. Their diverse collection from established and emerging artists includes a large red cedar panel depicting a dancing raven, gold bracelets embodying hummingbirds and herons, teacups honoring the moon, and more. // 1590 West 2nd Ave. and at YVRs International Departures Terminal, Level 3, lattimergallery

Roasted bison bone marrow and bbq-smoked salmon mousse with bannock crackers at Salmon N' Bannock Bistro (Courtesy of @salmonnbannockbistro)

Salmon N Bannock Bistro

Food is definitely an artistic expression, and at Salmon N Bannock, owner Inez Cook, a member of the Nuxalk Nation, has gathered recipes from a variety of Indigenous collaborators. The resulting dishes are a delicious palette of flavors celebrating salmon in many forms, as well as bison, elk, Anishinaabe wild rice, and more.
November 13, 2025: Taiwan has been threatened with Chinese attack for over 70 years. Spending three percent of GDP on defense led the current American president to suggest ten percent. The Americans depend on strong Taiwanese defenses because the U.S. is obliged by treaty to send military forces to augment Taiwanese efforts to block a Chinese attack.

Taiwan has been continually upgrading its defenses. Some of the more recent upgrades include SEAD/ Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses capabilities. This includes purchasing the HARM High Speed Anti-Radiation missile, the AGM-88E. Taiwan also has some of its F-16s upgraded to the latest F-16V version, which includes the ability to use the AGM-88E. Taiwan also upgraded its F-16s to this F-16V Block 52 standard.

Taiwan has developed a new SEAD Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses loitering munition called Chien Hsiang/Rising Sword. This is a compact 1.2 x 2 meter propeller-driven drone weighing 6 kg. Cruise speed is 185 kilometers an hour, endurance is five hours and max range is 900 kilometers. Its guidance system consists mostly of electronic sensors that can identify signals for specific radars or any other system that emits an electronic signal on a continuous basis. In addition there is a video system that uses a library of images to spot a specific system to be attacked. This is done by Chien Hsiang going into a dive and hitting the target at speeds of up to 600 kilometers an hour. This is sufficient to destroy or disable antennas or radars.

Chien Hsiang is stored and launched from a box shaped container that is part of a 3x4 configuration mounted on a trailer, a fixed location or a ship. The drones can be launched individually or in rapid succession to form a swarm. The guidance system takes care of swarm management and coordination. This enables multiple drones to search an area and, when a target is found, several or all members of the swarm will attack. Mass production of Chien Hsiang wont begin until 2024 because of the time required to perfect the guidance system software. While Chien Hsiang is relatively slow, it is small and emits little noise and no electronic signals. That makes it jamming proof and difficult to spot and shoot Also purchased were 135 SLAM-ER Standoff Land Attack Missiles, eleven HIMARS High Mobility Artillery Rocket System rocket launcher vehicles and six MS-110 reconnaissance pods.

The AGM-84K SLAM-ER entered service in 2000. It is a 675 kg cruise missile with a range of 270 kilometers, a speed of 855 kilometers an hour and a GPS/shape recognition guidance system that has proved very accurate. The target can be changed or mission aborted remotely by the pilot at any time. SLAM-ER costs nearly a million dollars each and has a 220 kg 500 pound warhead based on the one used on the Tomahawk cruise missile. SLAM-ER is actually a scaled-up Harpoon anti-ship missile.

HIMARS rocket launcher vehicles fire GPS guided rockets at targets nearly a hundred kilometers distant. Half of the new order HIMARS are heavier trucks with armor added. These heavy trucks are normally used as wreckers for retrieving vehicles that get stuck. HIMARS can also fire larger, longer 300 kilometers range ATACMS rockets. Each of these takes up an entire pod and each ATACMS carries 300 smaller bombs that can destroy armored vehicles or personnel. Also on order are 65 pods each with six GMLRS rockers and 90 pods with shorter range and cheaper practice rockets. The order also includes spares, maintenance equipment and technical support and training.

HIMARS is a cheaper and lighter version of the original MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System. HIMARS is a truck mounted launcher, with each vehicle carrying only one six rocket pod instead of two in the original MLRS. The 12-ton truck can fit into a C-130 transport unlike the 22-ton tracked MLRS vehicle. The first of the initial 900 HIMARS vehicles were issued to American combat units in 2004. The U.S. Army is using most of the HIMARS, with the marines getting the rest. A growing number of American allies have become export customers for HIMARS. The key to the combat success of HIMARS is its use of the 227mm diameter 309 kg 680 pound GMLRS guided multiple launch rocket system GPS guided rocket.

GMLRS was first used in 2004. It currently has a range of 85 kilometers and the ability to land within meters of its intended target at any range.


Central to sell sub-salt exploration permits

Brisbane, Nov 12, 2025 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Central Petroleum Limited ( ASX:CTP ) ( C9J:FRA ) ( CNPTF:OTCMKTS ) announced that it has entered into a conditional sale and purchase agreement to sell its interests in the three Northern Territory sub-salt exploration permits - EP82, EP112 and EP125 - to Georgina Energy Plc (Georgina) (London Stock Exchange: LON.GEX) in consideration for a 25% equity interest in Georgina.



Prior to completion of the transaction, Georgina must undertake an equity raise of at least GBP GBP7 million (circa AUD $14 million) in order to fully fund its acquired share of the Mt. Kitty appraisal well which is expected to be drilled by June 2027.



The transaction would result in Central holding a 25% interest in Georgina post equity raise (i.e. Central will not need to contribute to the Georgina equity raise to end up with a 25% interest in Georgina).



On completion of the transaction, Central's intention would be to distribute the Georgina shares to Central's shareholders (subject to regulatory requirements).



The transaction would significantly enhance Georgina as a pure-play helium explorer, with a focus on five helium, hydrogen and hydrocarbon prospects in highly prospective areas of central Australia, comprising of Central's three sale permits, EP82 (Mahler/Magee), EP112 (Dukas) and EP125 (Mt Kitty/Jacko Bore) and Georgina's two other permits, Mt Winter (EPA155, Amadeus Basin, Northern Territory) and Hussar (EP513, Officer Basin, Western Australia). Mt Kitty is a discovery with world class levels of helium (9%) and hydrogen (11.5%) and will be the first of these targets to be drilled.



Highlights



- Central to sell its interests in three Northern Territory exploration permits, EP82 (60% interest) (excluding several sub-blocks adjacent to the Dingo production licence, 'DSA sub-blocks'), EP112 (45% interest) and EP125 (30% interest) to Georgina.



- As a key condition to the sale, Georgina must demonstrate that it has no less than GBP GBP7 million in equity cash available immediately prior to completion and prioritise drilling the Mt Kitty / Jacko Bore prospect by the permit commitment date (anticipated to be June 2027 per the current renewal application).



- On completion, Central will receive ordinary shares in Georgina such that it holds shares and rights equating to 25% of Georgina's fully-diluted share capital as at completion (e.g. post any equity raise or issue of dilutive securities prior to completion).



- Central would be entitled to appoint a director to the Georgina board while it holds at least 15% of Georgina's issued capital.



- Central intends to distribute the Georgina shares received at completion to its shareholders on a pro-rata basis (subject to regulatory requirements)



Central's Managing Director and CEO, Leon Devaney said "This conditional sale would give Central shareholders an interest in a significant helium explorer, with an extensive portfolio of operated and non-operated prospects across helium-rich Central Australia.



As a key condition to completion of the sale, Georgina must be sufficiently equity capitalised to undertake an appraisal drilling program at the Mt Kitty prospect in partnership with Santos, with the well expected in the first half of 2027. Mt Kitty, a noteworthy sub-salt gas discovery with world-class concentrations of helium (9%) and hydrogen (11.5%) measured, would be prioritised for initial appraisal drilling, while additional helium and hydrogen prospects throughout the Amadeus and Officer Basins offer Georgina ongoing exploration opportunities and upside.



Importantly, the transaction would facilitate the restart of near-term sub-salt drilling in the Amadeus Basin, and provide Central's shareholders with exposure to a focused, well capitalised, and substantial helium exploration company. Our intention is to ultimately distribute Georgina shares to Central shareholders next year in what we expect to be a tax effective structure.



The value for Central shareholders will ultimately depend on Georgina's share price after completion. Using Georgina's last closing share price of GBP GBP0.048 as an example, Central's interest in Georgina would have a value of approximately AUD $8.8 million, or approximately AUD 1.2 cents per CTP share equivalent."



Transaction details Central has executed a conditional share sale and purchase agreement to sell three whollyowned subsidiaries that hold interests in certain Amadeus Basin exploration permits to Georgina Energy Plc, a helium focussed exploration company listed on the London Stock Exchange.



Certain assets held in the subsidiaries to be sold to Georgina that are not related to the subsalt prospects will be transferred to other Central group companies prior to completion (pre-completion restructure).



The three permits to be sold to Georgina are highly prospective for helium, hydrogen and hydrocarbons in sub-salt accumulations, with high concentrations of helium and hydrogen measured in previous exploration wells at Mt Kitty (9% helium and 11.5% hydrogen) and Magee (6.2% helium), and potentially large resources identified at Dukas.



Consideration



Subject to completion, Central would receive:



- Shares and convertible loan notes in Georgina such that it holds shares and rights to 25% of Georgina's fully-diluted share capital as at completion, comprising:



o Shares in Georgina such that it holds 25% of Georgina's share capital upon completion of the transaction. The 25% interest is calculated after any Georgina equity raise undertaken prior to completion; and



o Convertible loan notes, providing rights to additional Georgina shares equal to one-third of the number of any shares subsequently issued upon conversion of any of Georgina's dilutionary securities existing at the completion date; and



- Reimbursement of Central's expenditure on the three permits between 1 May 2025 and completion, with adjustment for joint venture working capital balances at the completion date.



Conditions precedent



The transaction is subject to a number of conditions being satisfied within four months (with a possible extension of up to two months), including:



- Georgina demonstrating that it has no less than GBP GBP7 million (circa AUD $14 million) in equity cash available immediately prior to completion.



- Georgina has issued a prospectus and obtained relevant shareholder approvals.



- Central completing the pre-completion restructure.



- Renewal or extension of the permits by the NT Government.



- Relevant approvals and consents to the necessary ownership transfers from the NT Government, joint venturers, financiers and other relevant stakeholders.



Proposed in-specie distribution to Central shareholders



Central intends to distribute to Central shareholders the shares in Georgina received by Central at completion, subject to regulatory requirements and shareholder approvals (as required). It is anticipated that Central may be in a position to distribute the shares by late 2026.



Subject to approval from the ATO (pre-approval cannot be obtained at this time), Central will seek to distribute the Georgina shares to shareholders as a "return of capital", in preference to a distribution or dividend.



Strategic Considerations



Central will retain its portfolio of production assets in the Amadeus Basin, along with its other conventional oil and gas exploration prospects.



Georgina, listed on the London Stock Exchange ( LON:GEX ), is focussed on securing stable helium and hydrogen supplies in Australia. Georgina currently holds interests in two exploration permits in Central Australia, where it is planning to re-enter previous wells to drill down to deeper helium and hydrogen targets at:



- Mt Winter (EPA155, Amadeus Basin, Northern Territory); and



- Hussar (EP513, Officer Basin, Western Australia).



Subject to completion of the transaction, Georgina would become a pure-play helium company focussed on five helium, hydrogen and hydrocarbon targets within the highly prospective Amadeus and Officer Basins in Central Australia. Georgina would also be fully funded to drill its JV share of the Mt Kitty/Jacko Bore prospect by the permit commitment date (anticipated to be June 2027 per the current renewal application).



*To view tables and figures, please visit:

https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/NP3A1SI1





About Central Petroleum Limited





Central Petroleum Limited ( ASX:CTP) is an established ASX-listed Australian oil and gas producer (ASX:CTP) with exploration and appraisal permits in the Northern Territory (NT). Central has grown to become the largest onshore gas operator in the NT, supplying residential and industrial customers in the NT and wider Australian east coast market.

Central is seeking to become a major domestic energy supplier, in addition to helium and naturally occurring hydrogen, with exploration, appraisal and development plans across 169,112 km2 of tenements the NT, including some of Australia's largest known onshore conventional gas prospects in the Amadeus Basin.

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Appointment of Managing Director - Namibia

Perth, Nov 13, 2025 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Deep Yellow Limited ( ASX:DYL ) ( JMI:FRA ) ( DYLLF:OTCMKTS ) announced the appointment of Mr. Zebra Kasete as Managing Director - Namibia, effective 5 January 2026. In this role Mr. Kasete, who will report to the Managing Director and CEO of Deep Yellow, will support the construction of the Tumas Project and be accountable for running the Namibian operations post-construction of Tumas. He will also serve as Deep Yellow's country head for Namibia and be based in Swakopmund, Namibia.



Mr. Kasete is a Namibian mining executive with more than 35 years' experience, having held senior roles in diverse commodities, including uranium, diamonds, copper and gold. His most recent role was Executive Vice President of Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter Pty Ltd (formerly Dundee Precious Metals Tsumeb Pty Ltd of which he was Managing Director) in Namibia (2016 to 2025).



He previously served as Managing Director of Murowa Diamond Private Limited in Zimbabwe.



Prior to moving to Zimbabwe, Mr. Kasete spent 25 years at Rio Tinto where he joined as a cadet metallurgist at Rossing Uranium Limited (Rossing). During his tenure with Rossing and the wider Rio Tinto Group, he held senior roles in operations, technical, procurement, human resources, business development and external relations. His global experience spans Namibia, Zimbabwe, Australia, and the USA.



Mr. Kasete is a metallurgist by profession and brings a wealth of experience to this position. He is past president of the Chamber of Mines of Namibia and holds a MBA in General and Strategic Management from the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands. Mr. Kasete said: "I feel privileged to return in this role to where my professional career began, mining uranium in Namibia.



"Tumas is a very important development for both Deep Yellow and Namibia. For me personally, the opportunity to lead and grow a greenfields uranium project, including building the team that will operate the project, is an exciting one that I'm very much looking forward to."



Deep Yellow's Chief Financial Officer and Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Craig Barnes, welcomed Mr. Kasete to the role: "Zebra's credentials to be the leader of Tumas are outstanding. We are very pleased to have secured someone with his depth of experience and local knowledge which will be invaluable during the construction of Tumas and into operations.



"His appointment is another important milestone as we put the pieces in place ahead of a final investment decision for Tumas and work toward establishing our flagship project as the fourth uranium mine in Namibia."





About Deep Yellow Limited





Deep Yellow Limited (ASX:DYL) (OTCMKTS:DYLLF) is successfully progressing a dual-pillar growth strategy to establish a globally diversified, leading uranium company producing 10+ Mlb pa. The Company's portfolio consists of two advanced projects in Tier-1 uranium mining jurisdictions - flagship Tumas in Namibia and Mulga Rock, Western Australia.

Deep Yellow's future growth is underpinned by its highly prospective exploration portfolio - Alligator River, Northern Territory and Omahola, Namibia with ongoing M&A focused on high quality assets should opportunities arise that best fit the Company's strategy. Led by a best-in-class team, who are proven uranium mine builders and operators, the Company is advancing its growth strategy at a time when the need for nuclear energy is becoming the only viable option in the mid-to-long-term to provide baseload power supply and achieve zero emission targets. Importantly, Deep Yellow is on track to becoming a reliable and long-term uranium producer, able to provide production optionality, security of supply and geographic diversity.

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Locksley Advances Toward U.S. Antimony Production

Perth, Nov 13, 2025 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Locksley Resources Ltd ( ASX:LKY ) ( X5L:FRA ) ( LKYRF:OTCMKTS ) announced advancements with its U.S. Mine-to-Market strategy. The Company has delivered numerous key technical milestones including a LiDAR underground survey, metallurgical processing updates, a Bulk Sample, underground workings assessment and maiden Exploration Target (JORC 2012). These milestones have provided Locksley with the confidence to fast track the redevelopment plans and initiate extraction studies of mineralisation at the Desert Antimony Mine (DAM) Prospect.



From Target Validation to Extraction



The Company has advanced planning for a targeted, integrated work plan designed to fast-track extraction of mineralisation for Locksley's Phase 1 pilot processing facility, planned for 2026. These results have collectively provided the Company sufficient confidence to progress plans towards re-development of the historical mine. With enhanced knowledge of the geology, metallurgy, and underground access now in place and continually developing, Locksley has commenced early-stage small scale production planning.



Geological Targeting at DAM



Underground LiDAR surveying has mapped ~236m of historical workings and spatially defined areas of mined mineralisation which has supported 3D geological modelling.



Combined with surface structural and geological mapping and sampling, this has enabled the Company to establish an Exploration Target (JORC 2012) at DAM containing between 19,400 to 67,700 tonnes of antimony metal (see basis for the exploration target below). This provides a framework to establish a conceptual development plan to provide feed for a pilot plant which is envisaged in 2026. This initial work provides a basis for the scale of operation which would be required and allows conceptual planning and design to be undertaken.



Metallurgy (Bulk Sample)



The recently completed 325 kg bulk sampling has delivered a head grade ranging from 7.6% to 7.8% Sb. Flotation has commenced using the same parameters determined in the initial sighter testwork campaign which successfully demonstrated the ability to produce a premium antimony concentrate grading 68.1% Sb (see ASX Announcement 22 September 2025). This metallurgical success provides the foundation for the MoU signed with Hazen and validates the Company's processing pathway, significantly establishing the technical pathway for the downstream supply chain. The results have established the potential and quality of concentrates that can be produced from the mineralisation encountered at DAM, which is another key step towards a potentially viable production operation.



Underground Assessment



With an increasing and developing understanding in the geology and metallurgy, Locksley liaised with a specialist U.S. based underground development consultant to provide an opinion of the historical DAM workings. The initial assessment indicates the structural stability and accessibility of the workings, providing a potential plan for future re-entry and development of the mineralisation exposed in the underground faces (Figure 1*).



Downstream Capability (Processing & Refining)



The restart pathway complements Locksley's downstream strategy, including its collaboration with Rice University to develop advanced antimony extraction technology using DeepSolvTM. Together with the MoU signed with Hazen Research for U.S. based processing capability, Locksley is building a fully integrated mine-to-market platform aligned with American industrial, defence, and energy sectors.



The advancement of the Desert Antimony Mine Prospect comes at a pivotal time for the United States, with antimony confirmed as a priority under federal supply chain resilience frameworks. Locksley's progress directly supports U.S. objectives to rebuild domestic sources of defence-essential materials.



Kerrie Matthews, Managing Director CEO, commented:



"This is a pivotal moment for Locksley, marking the rapid advancement towards the Company becoming a Developer, with an end-to-end supply chain strategy from Mine-toMetal. All technical steps, from establishing the exploration target, to achieving the 68.1% concentrate grade and to evaluating the underground workings aligns with this strategy.



The successful execution of these three integrated phases has significantly advanced the Company towards mitigating the key uncertainties associated with planning for recommencing operations. We are focused on further enhancing our understanding of DAM and working in parallel with US government on permitting, finance, and ultimately physically delivering antimony product into the U.S. market."



Desert Antimony Mine Underground Mine Assessment



LKY has completed an evaluation of the underground workings at DAM. The purpose of this process was twofold:



1. Assess the stability of the underground workings to ensure ongoing activity can be completed in a safe working environment



2. Determine options and solutions to facilitate extraction of mineralisation from the underground workings for use in Locksley's pilot plant



The initial assessment has indicated that the existing workings are in good condition and that the ground is competent. Minor areas are anticipated to require some limited rehabilitation and scaling (removal of loose rocks), but overall insignificant work is expected for the current ongoing activities.



In terms of mineralisation extraction activities, 2 options are being progressed in parallel.



1. Utilise jack leg mining crews to selectively mine from the existing faces accessible from underground workings (Figure 1*). The benefit of jack leg mining in this scenario allows a higher degree of selectivity and minimises mining dilution as a narrow face can be advanced. Miners would manually drill holes for blasting and ground support using a compressed air jack leg drill. Mineralised vein material would then be removed utilising a scraper system installed in the access adit. This process would be slower than mechanised mining.



2. Enlargement of the existing development to approximately 10' x 15' to allow access for small scale mechanised equipment. The benefit of this approach would be to allow a greater scale of mining activity and higher productivity resulting in a larger amount of mineralised material to be extracted in a shorter period. However, the larger access drives required would result in a higher level of dilution to any mineralisation extracted from the development drives.



The Company will progress with technical planning and design and subsequently seek expressions of interest from 3rd party contractors. Suitable contractors will be sourced and asked to tender in the process. In parallel, the Company is assessing the permitting requirements, with the intention of submitting an application for an initial ~2,000t under the existing Plan of Operations for DAM.



Bulk Metallurgical Sample



Due to the successful results obtained in the initial round of metallurgical testwork which resulted in the production of a full USA sourced and made Antimony ingot (see ASX Announcement 20 October 2025), the Company collected a 325kg bulk sample from mineralisation remaining in the underground workings at DAM. The sample has been collected to further advance the Company's metallurgical testwork program to rapidly advance towards pilot plant development.



Sample preparation has been completed with the sample undergoing crushing testwork, grind establishment testwork and homogenisation. Two assays have been completed on the homogenised sample and returned grades of 7.6% and 7.8% Antimony. These results further support the high-grade nature of mineralisation seen at the DAM Prospect.



Initial rougher flotation testwork has commenced which will be followed by cleaner flotation testwork with the objective of delivering a larger volume of concentrate and developing a flotation process flowsheet suitable for generating a saleable final concentrate at an optimum recovery. It is anticipated that ~20kg of stibnite concentrate may be produced which will be utilised for ongoing testwork.



*To view tables and figures, please visit:

https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/D131M0FM





About Locksley Resources Limited





Locksley Resources Limited (ASX:LKY) (FRA:X5L) (OTCMKTS:LKYRF) is an ASX listed explorer focused on critical minerals in the United States of America. The Company is actively advancing exploration across two key assets: the Mojave Project in California, targeting rare earth elements (REEs) and antimony. Locksley Resources aims to generate shareholder value through strategic exploration, discovery and development in this highly prospective mineral region.

Mojave Project

Located in the Mojave Desert, California, the Mojave Project comprises over 250 claims across two contiguous prospect areas, namely, the North Block/Northeast Block and the El Campo Prospect. The North Block directly abuts claims held by MP Materials, while El Campo lies along strike of the Mountain Pass Mine and is enveloped by MP Materials' claims, highlighting the strong geological continuity and exploration potential of the project area.

In addition to rare earths, the Mojave Project hosts the historic "Desert Antimony Mine", which last operated in 1937. Despite the United States currently having no domestic antimony production, demand for the metal remains high due to its essential role in defense systems, semiconductors, and metal alloys. With significant surface sample results, the Desert Mine prospect represents one of the highest-grade known antimony occurrences in the U.S.

Locksley's North American position is further strengthened by rising geopolitical urgency to diversify supply chains away from China, the global leader in both REE & antimony production. With its maiden drilling program planned, the Mojave Project is uniquely positioned to align with U.S. strategic objectives around critical mineral independence and economic security.

Tottenham Project

Locksley's Australian portfolio comprises the advanced Tottenham Copper-Gold Project in New South Wales, focused on VMS-style mineralisation in a well established mining region.

Locksley is committed to delivering value through discovery, development, and strategic partnerships, with a focus on securing access to U.S. aligned funding and downstream collaborations.

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Sydney, Nov 13, 2025 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Far East Gold Limited ( ASX:FEG ) ( FEGDF:OTCMKTS ) reports that recent detailed geological mapping across the North Bermol, South Bermol, and Nova prospect areas within the Company's Flagship Idenburg Project, has identified multiple new zones of mineralised quartz veining associated with low angle shear-fault systems.



Field sampling has returned high-grade gold assay results from all three prospects, further demonstrating the district-scale potential of the Idenburg Project.



Head Indonesian Geologist Pak Tedy Setiabudi has released a video discussing this announcement. Watch the video on our investor hub here:

https://fareast.gold/link/e95wDe



KEY RESULTS:



- North Bermol: Grab and outcrop sample assays up to 22.1 g/t Au and 11.8 g/t Ag.



- South Bermol: Grab and outcrop sample assays up to 7.1 g/t Au and 2.6 g/t Ag.



- Nova Prospect: Grab and outcrop sample assays up to 8.1 g/t Au and 2.1 g/t Ag.



- The mineralised samples were collected from quartz-sulphide zones within interpreted low angle shear and thrust faults. The significance of such structures has been confirmed by drill intercepts at Bermol and North Bermol prospects. Refer to Company ASX announcement of Oct. 27, 2025.



- These results confirm that similar gold-mineralised fault/shear structures occur within multiple prospects, underscoring the strong potential for additional gold discoveries through continued drill testing of defined targets.



HIGHLIGHTS:



- Detailed mapping has discovered additional outcropping sulphide-bearing quartz veins and shear zones across the Bermol district (see Figures 2 and 3*).



- The low-angle, northwest-trending shear zones that host high-grade mineralisation at North Bermol are now recognised in other areas, confirming the potential to define new high-grade gold zones.



- Mapping and sampling within the Nova prospect have identified mineralised quartz-sulphide veins within shear zones that have gold grades comparable to those at Bermol.



- Results from the expanded surface mapping program and from recent drilling reinforce the Company's interpretation that multiple shear-related gold systems are present. The results support the Company's aggressive work program to make new discoveries and expand defined resources. Refer to ASX announcement dated 14 November 2024.



- The Company currently has two drill rigs operating at the North Bermol and Sua prospects, where the ongoing drilling campaign continues to deliver highly encouraging results.



Results of Detailed Mapping



Coincident with the current Phase 1 drill program the Company is completing a program of detailed mapping within the Idenburg property. This work builds on the review and assessment of historical exploration at Idenburg prepared by SMGC and discussed in their Independent Exploration Target Report for the Idenburg Property released by the Company in ASX announcement of August 21, 2024. The objective is to define new zones of gold mineralisation to possibly test as part of the ongoing drill program. The South Bermol prospect represents the interpreted southern extension of an approximately 4km long structural corridor (Figure 2*).



Although the corridor has a general north-northeastern orientation mapping and recent drilling at North Bermol indicate that gold mineralisation can also be found within northwest-trending fault/shear zones. Refer to Company ASX announcement of Oct. 27, 2025.



Initial mapping at the Nova prospect has identified gold mineralisation associated with quartzsulphide veins hosted within low-angle shear zones similar to that which occurs at North Bermol.



The SMGC compilation of historical exploration reported that soil sampling conducted over a large area at Nova identified a cluster of anomalous gold values (>0.1 g/t Au) over a 300-metre segment of the Nova prospect (Figure 4*) and that outcrop samples returned 1m at 3.90 g/t Au and 1m at 9.06 g/t Au. See Figures 4 and 5*.



The Company will continue with the current detailed mapping and surface rock sampling to identify new zones of gold mineralisation within the Idenburg prospect areas. Drill targets will be defined and priority targets will be tested as part of the current Phase 1 scout drill program.



*To view tables and figures, please visit:

https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/97Z15HIN





About Far East Gold Ltd





Far East Gold Ltd (ASX:FEG) is an Australian junior exploration company led by some of the biggest names in Australian mining. The company has secured the commercial rights for the acquisition, exploration and development of six advanced gold and copper projects in Indonesia and Australia, including one with a JORC estimate of 996,000 ounces of gold and 190 million pounds of copper.

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Kat Williams, director of government development at Pano AI, discusses the wildfire monitoring camera with Lt. Gov. Howie Morales during a conference at the Bernalillo County Public Safety Training Academy in Southeast Albuquerque on Wednesday. Chancey Bush

New Mexico Pano AI station locations New Mexico Pano AI station locations New Mexicos operational wildfire monitoring stations are near Paseo del Norte in Albuquerque, Cedar Crest, Cedro Peak in the East Mountains, Mountainair and Rowe Mesa in the Santa Fe area. The stations coming online through March 2026 will be located in Moriarty, Los Chavez, Sandia Crest, Calabasas Trail, Jicarilla Ridge and Cerro Pinon.

Five new wildfire monitoring camera stations that use artificial intelligence to look for smoke have been installed in areas where urban life meets the wilderness near Albuquerque and Santa Fe as part of pilot programs the state is working on with two electric utility companies.

Within two years, more than 40 wildfire detection stations from San Francisco-based company Pano AI should be in operation, with three stations provided by the company, eight funded with state dollars and the remaining 32 paid for by Xcel Energy and Public Service Company of New Mexico, according to a news release and Pano AI staff.

As New Mexicos climate is predicted to become more arid with less predictable monsoons in coming decades, wildfire may become a bigger concern in the Land of Enchantment. The five largest documented fires in state history occurred within the last 14 years, and the two largest fires  the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire in northern New Mexico and the Black Fire northeast of Silver City  took place in 2022.

For decades, New Mexico has relied on 911 calls and lookout towers to detect wildfire starts, said New Mexico State Forester Laura McCarthy.

It worked for us because our weather was not so extreme and delays of a few hours in detection were not consequential. But it doesnt work when its a red flag day, super windy, relative humidity less than 10% and its 98 degrees.

The new camera stations will provide 24-hour monitoring of high-risk areas and notify emergency responders with precise GPS locations when there are confirmed wildfire incidents, she said.

The technology should help fire incident commanders make better decisions about how to deploy resources and protect public safety, McCarthy said. Every fire agency within the coverage area of the stations will be able to access the Pano AI platform and get training on the technology at no cost to their department.

Pano AIs technology is in use in 17 U.S. states, including Washington, Utah and Wyoming.

Each wildfire detection station has two cameras that rotate to provide a 360-degree view of the surrounding area, said Kat Williams, Pano AIs director of government development. The stations have visibility of at least a 10-mile radius. If two stations spot a potential fire, they can triangulate its location and provide a latitude and longitude. When a fire is detected, staff at Pano AI reviews the footage in an effort to avoid false positives and then send text or email alerts to relevant local emergency services.

Williams pulled up the live feed from one of the cameras near Albuquerque on Wednesday during a news conference at the Bernalillo County Public Safety Training Academy. She demonstrated how different layers could be viewed on maps of the area, giving emergency responders the ability to examine terrain, roads and other conditions before heading to a fire start. In an effort to protect privacy, any homes in view are pixelated from the video before its uploaded to Cloud storage.

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Panos artificial intelligence program was trained on more than 3 billion images, said Peter Ambler, the companys vice president of global government affairs.

New Mexico has tried using images to detect wildfires before, McCarthy said. In 2020 and 2021, the state participated in a free pilot program with a different company that used satellite imagery to detect fires. That technology was helpful, but it also got things wrong a lot, she said, sometimes misidentifying water vapor clouds as smoke.

Camera cost, locations

Pano AI representatives, state officials and staff from the two utility companies were unable to provide specific overall or annual cost estimates when the network of monitoring stations was announced Wednesday.

State legislators have allocated $300,000 to support the states 11-station pilot program, McCarthy said. New Mexicos Senate Memorial 2 wildfire study group will recommend the Legislature allocate another $2 million during the 30-day session next year to expand the network of monitoring stations, she said.

Annual costs to maintain the system will likely be under $50,000 per station, Ambler said.

The states 11 detection stations will be in the East Mountains area, near Albuquerque and in Santa Fe County. The locations prioritize sites where lives and livelihoods would be lost in a wildfire, McCarthy said. Five of those cameras began operating within the last few months and the other six will be brought online through early 2026.

Xcel Energy plans to bring another 15 stations online this year and 15 more by the end of next year. The utility company operates in eastern New Mexico, and the cameras will be located in that region, focused on high-risk areas with homes and around infrastructure like poles, wires and gas pipes, according to Zoe Lees, regional vice president of regulatory planning and policy for Xcel Energy. Infrastructure that provides electricity is critical, Lees said, but it comes with some risk, especially with increasing extreme weather.

So we feel like its prudent of us as a utility to make sure that we are implementing resiliency measures like installing Pano AI stations in the service territory to protect our communities, Lees said.

PNM is starting a two-camera pilot program with stations located in the Santa Fe Basin. The utility is also exploring other wildfire prevention technology like engineering controls and new infrastructure fuses to reduce the risk of sparks, as well as new patrolling and inspection methods, said Wesley Gray, PNM vice president of operations and engineering.

The cameras arent New Mexicos only tool for addressing wildfires. The state Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department also has $33.5 million for tree thinning and is working to create tree thinning buffers around communities, McCarthy said.

The states 11-station pilot program isnt an expenditure of state government, state taxpayer dollars. This is an investment right back into the families, communities, land and what makes New Mexico so beautiful, said Lt. Gov. Howie Morales.
Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen holds a news conference about a shooting involving a deputy in the International District on Wednesday evening. Chancey Bush

The Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office and Albuquerque Police Department investigate after at least one deputy opened fire on a person Wednesday evening off East Central. Chancey Bush

A National Guard member monitors the perimeter as the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office and Albuquerque Police Department investigate a shooting involving a deputy in the International District earlier this month. Chancey Bush

Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office deputies shot and injured a person Wednesday afternoon while helping federal authorities conduct a crime-fighting operation in Albuquerques International District.

BCSO spokesperson Jayme Gonzales said the person was taken to a hospital in critical condition. She said another person was detained and no deputies were injured.

Gonzales and Sheriff John Allen, who also spoke during a news conference outside the scene, did not release any additional details. They did not say how many deputies opened fire, if the person was armed and what prompted deputies to shoot.

Allen said the deputies who fired their weapons, one of whom was assisting the FBI and U.S. Marshals, would be placed on administrative leave pending an investigation by the Multi-Agency Task Force.

Gonzales said deputies were working a crime-fighting operation around 4:45 p.m. when they pulled over a vehicle. She did not say why deputies pulled the vehicle over.

One person was detained from the vehicle and another ran, Gonzales said.

Some sort of altercation ensued at that point and shots were fired, she said.

Allen said BCSO would not be releasing more details because deputies were working with federal authorities at the time, saying they were conducting Operation Triple Beam.

The operation began last week and was set to be announced publicly next week, he said. The operation will replace Operation Route 66, which has been active since the summer.

Allen said that he was not happy about the results of Operation Route 66 and said that the statistics showed a staggering number of apprehensions and releases, meaning that arrests did not result in serious jail time.

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He added that BCSO, the Albuquerque Police Department, New Mexico State Police and federal authorities would take it upon ourselves with our partners... to make sure that the most serious of criminals are finally held accountable.

During the news conference, Allen said that Wednesday night was another testament to the failures were seeing here in Bernalillo County.

Allen said, without elaborating, that he was pretty close to sure that the suspects involved in Wednesdays shooting were repeat violent offenders.
by Austin Bay November 13, 2025

To ask the question why Trump-era disruptive peace-manhandling has replaced United Nations peacekeeping operations basically answers the question, with a little useful give and take.

Bottom Line Honest Answer: For some 65 years, U.N. peacekeeping adventures have, at best, slowed the bloodletting.

As a soldier, I know that eventually rates as a meritorious accomplishment. Fewer dead and maimed human beings really does matter.

Unless the killing never quite stops.

That noted, tough-minded and informed peacekeeping critics can make strong cases that U.N. peacekeeping ops (despite media hoopla) have never delivered a sustained peace anywhere.

OK, we can debate Korea. Special case. The Korean War wasn't a peacekeeping operation, it was an America with allies war waving a U.N. flag. The sustained peace is an armistice constantly threatened by North Korean nukes.

But. North Korean nukes are countered by U.S. nukes, B-52s, aircraft carriers, South Korean military excellence, Japanese strike systems, etc.

These facts noted, honest U.N. peacekeeping advocates can respond with this: U.N. peace ops entered anarchic hells where there was no peace to keep. "Peacekeeping" was media sop for NPR and BBC blatherers. Armed U.N. international efforts entered the hells with the goal of inducing just enough stability that the combatants would accept a ceasefire. With that achieved and the killing diminished, regional powers and rich country cash would buy negotiations. Buy? Oh, yes. Call it art of the local deal. The bled-out combatants would get smart and fashion a sustainable settlement.

Oh. But the record. No settlements. Continued chaos. Bunkers protected by minefields. Fanatics biding their time.

Hence the 2025 Alternative: Trump-era disruptive peace-manhandling says, "Get to the deal because the death toll is unsustainable. And if you don't?"

For the moment, stop it there. Anyone who pays attention to current events already gets the gist of what I mean by disruptive peace-manhandling. If you don't, I'll define it in a few paragraphs.

But consider Planet Earth's homicidal hells. The global death toll is hideous. Ukraine-Russia, Congo, Nigeria, Sudan, Israel and its enemies, even Cambodia-Thailand and Burma.

Why? Dark human souls given to greed is an ancient explanation worth considering even in the age of artificial intelligence. Maniacs like Vladimir Putin (Ukraine war) and the leaders of Hamas/Hezbollah/Houthis/Iran (Israel's regional war) must have it driven into their skulls with highly explosive evidence that their criminal heads risk permanent erasure before they even consider making a deal.

The U.N. could never do that. Peace-manhandling says killing the perpetrators is a definite possibility. On Nov. 2, President Donald Trump directly threatened the lives of Nigerian Muslim gangsters murdering Christians in northern Nigeria. (See my column from last week.) Combine U.S. electronic, human and satellite intelligence smart weapons and, yes, the Boko Haram leader killing and raping innocents is in the Hellfire missile gunsight of a CIA operator manning a computer in Nevada.

That's 21st-century systems peace enforcement. Discreet and deadly enforcement. The murderous leaders held responsible. Like Israel's ingenious September 2024 wireless pager-delivered "discretely targeted simultaneous mass bombing attack" that killed or maimed key Hezbollah leaders in Lebanon.

Those who survived? They were, and are, scared.

Lebanon. UNIFIL may well be the premier example of U.N. peacekeeping failures. UNIFIL: U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon. If you've never heard of it, you haven't paid attention for 47 years.

UNIFIL wasn't interim nor forceful. Since it wasn't forceful (like peace-manhandling can be forceful), it was never effective.

The U.N. Security Council authorized UNIFIL in 1978. In 1982, Israel fought a war with Iranian-backed guerrillas (Hezbollah) and Palestinian fighters. UNIFIL became a U.N. force behind Israeli lines. Israel subsequently withdrew. In 2006, another Israel-Hezbollah war erupted. UNIFIL's 10,000 paid peacekeepers watched. Result: UNIFIL unfulfilled.

After 2006, Iranian weapons and cash gave Hezbollah the power to create a "Hezbollahstan" on the Israeli border -- a region of geo-political limbo beyond Lebanese government jurisdiction and U.N. interdiction.

In August 2025, the U.N. decided to withdraw UNIFIL by the end of 2026. The U.N.'s goal: Leave "Lebanon fully in charge of southern security."

The U.N. website makes this claim: "U.N. Peacekeeping helps countries navigate the difficult path from conflict to peace."

Alas, help is a squish word. Israeli Grim Beepers, Israeli artillery, U.S. standoff weapons and a U.S. president who will pull the trigger -- these are also navigation beacons on the path to peace.
Under the current rules, employees can put up to 60,000 a year into their pension through salary sacrifice. They get tax relief at their usual income tax rate, and neither they nor their employer pay National Insurance on these contributions.



This downward trend follows on from research by the ABI and the Reward and Employee Benefits Association (REBA) last year, which found nearly half of employers that pay staff more than the minimum pension would consider reducing their contributions if the Chancellor introduced National Insurance (NI) taxation on employer pension payments.



Beyond the risk to savers, lower pension contributions mean less money invested to drive UK economic growth, given that pension firms are among the UKs largest investors.



Yvonne Braun, Director of Policy, Long-Term Savings, at the ABI commented: Its worrying that so many people would cut their pension contributions if the government reduced tax relief in the Budget. These findings point to a deeply concerning double whammy, with almost half of employers saying theyd also lower their contributions if costs rose. This isnt just a problem for lower earners  the governments own data shows middle and higher earners are most at risk of falling short of an adequate retirement income. The Chancellor must resist short-term tax rises that undermine peoples long-term financial security. With so many people already retiring without enough savings, we should be encouraging saving, not making it harder. Low levels of consumer trust

A lack of clarity and continued speculation over changes are harming peoples overall confidence in the system. Just one in four (26%) adults feel confident about saving for retirement amid speculation about potential reforms, and nearly half (46%) arent confident government plans for pensions will positively impact their retirement.



Thinking about their retirement overall, 38% of savers dont feel confident they will achieve their desired standard of living at retirement. This figure rises even higher among women, to 44%.



Yvonne Braun continued: In the governments own words, we are currently on course for tomorrows pensioners to be poorer than todays. The constant speculation about changes to pensions tax is eroding trust in the pensions system and risks making a bad situation worse. Instead, we need clear, consistent government policy that gives people confidence to plan for the future  so pensions deliver on their core purpose: providing financial security in later life.
DNA Test Confirms Umar Nabi Was Driving Car in Red Fort Blast, Say Police Sources 2

A DNA test has confirmed that Dr. Umar Nabi was driving the car that exploded near Delhis Red Fort earlier this week, killing several people and triggering a major security alert, police sources said on Thursday.

According to investigators, DNA samples of Umars mother were collected on Tuesday and sent for forensic examination. The samples were compared with biological remains recovered from the blast site, leading to a conclusive match.

The DNA results confirm that it was indeed Umar Nabi who was driving the vehicle that exploded near Red Fort, a senior police official said.

Umar, a resident of Koil village in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, was identified as a key member of a white-collar terror module that was busted earlier this week. The network, police said, had links to proscribed terror outfits Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind.

Just hours after the modules exposure and the arrest of eight suspects, including three doctors, a high-intensity explosion ripped through a Hyundai i20 near the Red Fort Metro Station on Monday evening. The car was reportedly carrying explosives when it detonated, killing Umar instantly and injuring several bystanders.

Police said the blast investigation led them to a wider network spread across Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, where raids resulted in the seizure of nearly 3,000 kilograms of ammonium nitrate, potassium chlorate, and sulphur  materials commonly used in improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Authorities are now focusing on tracing funding routes and handlers of the module, which they suspect was planning multiple attacks in northern India before being intercepted.
HAPPYHarda: A Living Blueprint for Pragat Bharat 2

In a landmark moment for Indian agriculture, Union Minister of Agriculture, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, visited the Gram Vikas Trust (GVT) in Harda in 2025, standing before a sea of 50,000 farmers who had gathered to witness the dawn of a new era. His promise  to scale the Harda model across the nation  was not a mere announcement; it was a clarion call to reimagine Indias rural landscape through a model that blends tradition, technology, and transformation.

From Concept to Revolution: The GVT Journey

The roots of this vision go back to 2016, when the Gram Vikas Trust dared to test an idea in one of Indias most challenging agrarian zones. Instead of chasing short-term success, GVT created a proof of concept  a real-world, evidence-driven transformation model. Between 2017 and 2024, the results were nothing short of revolutionary. Over 5,000 villages witnessed farmers incomes rise tenfold, 6.5 crore trees were planted, and over 800 crore litres of water were harvested through decentralized community initiatives.

This wasnt an experiment; it was evolution. And the story of Harda became a mirror to what India could achieve when its farmers, technologists, social entrepreneurs, and policymakers move in unison.

The Rise of HAPPYHarda: A Model for the Nation

At the heart of this transformation lies HAPPYHarda  an acronym for Healthy Agriculture by Progressive & Prosperous Youth of Harda. Supported by the Narmada Valley Rural Development Foundation Trust, HAPPYHarda has emerged as a new model of social entrepreneurship, integrating economic, environmental, and ethical dimensions of rural progress.

Harda, centrally located in India and blessed by the sacred River Narmada, has long been known for its rich cultural heritage, fertile lands, and intellectual lineage. But HAPPYHarda is about more than geography  its about vision. Its mission is to reclaim Hardas lost agricultural and cultural glory, while simultaneously positioning it as the nerve center of Indias sustainable rural future.

Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food

The slogan Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food isnt just a tagline  its a philosophy. The regions enterprising young farmers have embraced smart agriculture, horticulture innovation, dairy farming, and eco-tourism, all while preserving the Bhuana heritage of their ancestors. By fusing traditional wisdom with modern technology, theyve proven that prosperity and sustainability are not opposites  they are partners in progress.

The 2025 Milestone: Hardas Vision Reaches Mumbai University

This November, HAPPYHardas vision for Pragat Bharat reached Mumbai University, marking the beginning of its expansion beyond Madhya Pradesh. The Mumbai Chapter of HAPPYHarda, in partnership with AISECT, proudly participated in Purv Rang, a two-day event on 13th and 14th November 2025.

The event was more than symbolic  it was strategic. An exclusive meeting was held with Dr. Santosh Chaubey, Chancellor of AISECT University, on 14th November from 12 to 2 pm, followed by a networking lunch at the Mumbai University campus. The core agenda: allocation of funds for scaling social assets, empowering local farmers, and strengthening partnerships with civil society and educational institutions.

Building the Ecosystem: The Power of Collaboration

The backbone of HAPPYHarda lies in collaboration  between government, grassroots communities, academia, and industry. Onboard are business partners like Buldhana Urban Cooperative, Jain Irrigation (Jalgaon), Sahyadri Farms (Nashik), Reliance Retail, and RR Kabel  each contributing to building the infrastructural and financial backbone that supports the farmers.

From advanced irrigation systems and soil health labs to value-addition units like juice, sugar, and food processing factories, every partnership serves one goal: ensuring that the farmer earns from his produce, not just his labor. The upcoming soil health labs will address the crisis of soil degradation, focusing on revival and regeneration. Investments will target soil fertility, crop quality, and sustainable inputs, ensuring Indias farmlands remain fertile for generations to come.

The War Against the Agro Mafia

No agricultural reform is complete without addressing the elephant in the room  the agro mafia. These exploitative networks have long dictated market rates, hoarded supplies, and manipulated policies to their advantage. HAPPYHardas leadership is determined to dismantle these lobbies through transparency, cooperative ownership, and direct farmer-industry linkages.

The model promotes value chains controlled by farmers, supported by technology-driven traceability, blockchain-based transaction monitoring, and collective marketing systems. By ensuring farmers retain control over pricing, branding, and sales, HAPPYHarda aims to turn the exploited into the empowered.

Why Such Models Are the Need of the Hour

India stands at a defining moment. With 65% of its population dependent on agriculture and allied sectors, the health of the farmer is directly tied to the health of the nation. Yet, climate change, erratic monsoons, degrading soils, and global supply chain disruptions threaten the very fabric of rural livelihood.

In such times, models like HAPPYHarda are not optional  they are essential. They provide a replicable, scalable framework rooted in data, community, and sustainability. They emphasize local self-reliance, echoing the timeless Gandhian ethos of Gram Swaraj, while embracing modern tools like AI, IoT, and data analytics for precision farming and predictive resource management.

The 10x income growth achieved in the GVT model is evidence that the farmers prosperity is not a dream  its a policy decision waiting to be implemented at scale. If adopted nationally, this model could reduce rural poverty by 40%, increase agri-GDP contribution by 20%, and generate millions of jobs in agro-processing and allied industries.

A Futuristic Vision: From Harda to Bharat

By 2030, HAPPYHarda envisions a network of self-sufficient rural ecosystems  clusters of villages interconnected through technology, education, and enterprise. These Smart Villages will have soil and water health analytics, renewable energy systems, digital marketplaces, and training centers for youth in agri-tech and entrepreneurship.

Beyond productivity, the focus is on dignity  restoring pride to the farmers identity. The aim is to make agriculture not a profession of last resort, but one of prestige, innovation, and sustainability.

The Road Ahead

With the backing of Shri Shivraj Chouhan and leading national institutions, the roadmap is clear:

Establish regional hubs based on the Harda model across all major agrarian belts.

Develop soil health labs and climate-resilient crop systems in each district.

Foster public-private partnerships to create agro-industrial zones near farming clusters.

Integrate academic institutions like Mumbai University and AISECT for R&D and training.

Empower youth and women as social entrepreneurs and rural innovators.

The Spirit of Harda  The Soul of Bharat

Hardas journey is no longer confined to the Narmada plains  it has become a national awakening. From the seed of an idea in 2016 to a movement in 2025, HAPPYHarda is redefining what rural India can become when empowered with knowledge, unity, and purpose.

As India dreams of becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047, it is initiatives like HAPPYHarda that will provide the foundation  rooted in soil, nurtured by innovation, and sustained by collective spirit.

In the words of an old Harda farmer, now a proud entrepreneur,

We no longer wait for change  we cultivate it.

And that is precisely what HAPPYHarda stands for  a vision for Pragat Bharat, born from the soil, blessed by Narmada, and destined to nourish the future of India.
HAPPYHarda: The Revolution from the Soil  A Blueprint for Bharat's Agrarian Renaissance 2

In 2025, a defining moment unfolded in the heart of Madhya Pradesh when Union Minister of Agriculture, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, stood before a gathering of over 50,000 farmers at Harda and made a commitment that may well change the destiny of Indian agriculture. His words were not a routine assurancethey carried the weight of a promise to replicate a living, breathing model of transformation across the nation. The model he referred to was born in Harda, nurtured by the Gram Vikas Trust (GVT), and matured into a vision now known as HAPPYHarda  Healthy Agriculture by Progressive & Prosperous Youth of Harda. It represents not just a districts dream, but the possibility of reviving the soul of Bharat  the soil, the farmer, and the village that have long formed its backbone.

To understand what makes HAPPYHarda revolutionary, one must look back to 2016, when GVT dared to begin an experiment in some of Indias most neglected rural belts. Rather than chasing superficial development, the Trust aimed to build a proof of concept  to demonstrate what is possible when traditional wisdom is merged with modern management, community participation, and sustainable planning. The results between 2017 and 2024 shattered every assumption about rural stagnation. In 5,000 villages, farmer incomes rose by ten times; 6.5 crore trees were planted; 800 crore litres of water were harvested through community-based watershed structures; and social harmony, once frayed by migration and poverty, was rebuilt through shared success.

This was not charity. It was design. A self-reliant ecosystem where the farmer became the entrepreneur, the soil regained its fertility, and the village rediscovered its purpose. This is what drew the attention of the nation. In 2025, when the Agriculture Minister promised to scale this model nationally, it was an acknowledgment that the future of Bharat depends on learning from its roots.

Indias tragedy lies not in its lack of potential, but in its neglect of the very foundation that sustains it  the farmer. Despite being the largest employer in the country, contributing nearly 18% to the GDP and feeding 1.4 billion people, Indian farmers continue to be treated as a vote bank rather than a national asset. Fragmented landholdings, rising input costs, erratic weather, and the stranglehold of middlemen have crippled rural livelihoods. What India has missed for decades is a cohesive, holistic model  one that connects the farm to the market, the farmer to finance, and agriculture to dignity. HAPPYHarda has stepped into that vacuum with the clarity of science and the soul of service.

Hardas geography is symbolic of its destiny. Nestled on the banks of the sacred Narmada River, with a lineage rich in farming and education, Harda has always embodied the rhythm of Bharat. The HAPPYHarda initiative was designed not merely to revive the districts prosperity but to turn it into a demonstration site for national regeneration. Its ethos is built around collaboration  bringing together farmers, scientists, industrial partners, and local governance into a single ecosystem that rewards productivity, responsibility, and innovation.

At the Mumbai Universitys Purv Rang event in November 2025, HAPPYHardas vision reached a new milestone when the Mumbai Chapter, led by AISECT, announced its entry into Maharashtra. The event wasnt ceremonialit was a convergence of thought leaders, policymakers, academics, and entrepreneurs. An exclusive strategy meeting with Dr. Santosh Chaubey, Chancellor of AISECT University, defined the roadmap for fund allocation and nationwide implementation. The agenda revolved around social asset creation, soil health revival, water management, and industrial collaboration for value addition in agriculture. With corporate partners like Buldhana Urban Cooperative, Jain Irrigation, Sahyadri Farms, Reliance Retail, and RR Kabel coming on board, HAPPYHarda has become a bridge between Indias rural strength and urban resources.

What makes this initiative truly futuristic is its focus on the ecosystem, not isolated reforms. For decades, India has thrown subsidies and schemes at farmers without addressing the systemic rot beneath. The HAPPYHarda model begins with the soil. Years of chemical abuse have stripped Indian farmlands of their vitality. The Trusts next major investment is in soil health laboratories, designed to analyze, restore, and maintain long-term fertility. Its a scientific revolution rooted in simplicity: if the soil lives, the nation thrives. Parallel efforts are being made to develop micro-irrigation systems, precision farming, and renewable energy integration, reducing the cost burden while enhancing sustainability.

Yet, technology alone is not enough. The movement also takes aim at one of the darkest realities of Indian agriculturethe agro mafia. Across states, unregulated trader networks, hoarders, and lobbying cartels control prices, dictate supply chains, and exploit farmers who have no access to fair markets. HAPPYHarda is building an alternative ecosystem where farmers are stakeholders, not dependents. Through cooperative ownership, transparent pricing, and blockchain-backed traceability, this model promises to dismantle the exploitative middle layer that has haunted the sector for decades. By connecting farmers directly to industries and consumers, it transforms them into value creators, not raw material suppliers.

The inclusion of local factories for value additionbe it juice, sugar, or food processing unitsis not a supplementary idea; its central to the model. Every crop must have a second life, and every farmer must earn from every stage of that life cycle. This approach also ensures employment generation in rural areas, slowing down the urban migration that has hollowed out Indias villages.

But the story doesnt end with economic gain. HAPPYHarda is about restoring dignity. For too long, agriculture has been seen as the profession of those who couldnt make it elsewhere. The youth of Harda are rewriting that perception. Armed with digital tools, IoT devices, and market intelligence, they are creating an image of the modern Indian farmereducated, empowered, and enterprising. Through initiatives in horticulture, dairy farming, and eco-tourism, they are diversifying income sources while preserving the cultural soul of Bhuana heritage. Know your Farmer, Know your Food is not just a slogan hereits a philosophy that reestablishes trust between the producer and the consumer, between Bharats heartland and its cities.

If scaled across India, the potential impact of HAPPYHarda is staggering. A tenfold income increase across the farming population could lift nearly 200 million people out of poverty. Improved water conservation could reduce the dependency on erratic monsoons by over 30%. Value-addition industries could create millions of jobs, particularly for women and rural youth. With agriculture accounting for 60% of Indias employment, this model could fundamentally reshape the nations economic architecture.

The larger question is: can India afford not to adopt such models? Climate change is tightening its grip, groundwater levels are depleting, and food security risks are mounting. The agrarian crisis is no longer a rural problemits a national emergency. Models like HAPPYHarda offer not just solutions but survival strategies for the decades to come. They embody the Gandhian idea of Gram Swaraj, updated for the 21st centuryvillages that are self-sufficient yet globally connected, traditional yet technologically advanced.

By 2030, HAPPYHarda envisions a network of Smart Villages  clusters where every farmer has access to soil data, water analytics, renewable power, and a digital marketplace. Education and entrepreneurship will go hand in hand, making rural youth the custodians of a new economic revolution. With support from the Ministry of Agriculture, the roadmap includes soil labs in every district, integrated agro-industrial zones, and partnerships with universities like AISECT and Mumbai University for research and training.

Indias growth cannot be measured by skyscrapers or stock markets aloneit must be reflected in the fertility of its soil and the prosperity of its farmers. The future belongs not to the cities that consume, but to the villages that produce. HAPPYHarda reminds us that progress is not about abandoning the past but about reinterpreting it with purpose. The river Narmada that flows through Harda has always been a symbol of renewal, and now it nourishes not just the fields but a national vision.

Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhans endorsement of this model signals more than a policy shiftit marks a philosophical transformation. Indias next revolution will not come from political corridors but from the soil. From the self-respect of the farmer who no longer waits for subsidy but demands value. From the unity of partnerships that see the village not as a relic, but as a powerhouse.

HAPPYHarda stands today as a testimony to what Bharat can become when it believes in its own roots. It is a reminder that in the farmers cracked palms lies the map to the nations future. A future where prosperity grows with sustainability, where progress walks hand in hand with purity, and where Bharat once again learns to bloom from its soil outward.

As one farmer from Harda said with quiet conviction, We no longer wait for rain or relief  we have learned to make our own season. That is the spirit of HAPPYHarda  a spirit that must now flow through the veins of a new, self-reliant, and truly Pragat Bharat.
Union Cabinet Declares Red Fort Blast a Terror Attack, PM Modi Vows Swift Justice 2

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday declared the November 10 Red Fort car blast a terrorist attack, unanimously passing a resolution condemning the heinous act and directing security agencies to fast-track the probe.

Reading out the resolution, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the explosion was a heinous terrorist incident perpetrated by anti-national forces, and that investigators must swiftly identify the perpetrators, collaborators, and sponsors to ensure justice.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who chaired the meeting, said those responsible will not be spared. The Prime Ministers Office (PMO) described the blast as a cowardly assault on Indias sovereignty, reaffirming the governments zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the car explosion occurred near the Red Fort Metro Station, a crowded area adjacent to the UNESCO World Heritage site, killing 13 people and injuring several others. The Delhi Police have registered a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and are probing possible links to anti-national networks.

Home Minister Amit Shah is personally monitoring the investigation, with multiple suspects detained in Jammu and Kashmir for questioning. Officials said the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been roped in for technical assistance and coordination as authorities examine possible foreign linkages.

Initial forensic reports indicate the use of a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (IED), though the triggering mechanismwhether remote-controlled or timedis yet to be confirmed. Security has been tightened across Delhi, particularly around key landmarks and government buildings.

Political leaders from across the spectrum have expressed solidarity with the governments stance. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge termed the attack a dark stain on the nations conscience, while BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said the Cabinets resolution reflects Indias unified resolve against terror.

The government also announced 10 lakh ex-gratia for the families of those killed and free medical treatment for the injured, many of whom were vendors and tourists in the area during the blast.

In its resolution, the Cabinet said the incident was not just an attack on Delhi, but an attack on every Indians right to live without fear, and vowed a swift, transparent, and professional investigation to ensure accountability and deterrence against future terror acts.
More than half of Alabama employers that have shut down or reported mass layoffs in the last several decades have done so without providing adequate notice to the state.

A federal law called the WARN Act requires employers with at least 100 full-time workers to provide at least 60 days notice ahead of a mass layoff or plant closure impacting 50 or more employees, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

But since the Alabama Department of Commerce started publishing WARN notices in 1998, nearly 570 out of 1,030, or 55% of total mass layoffs and plant closures didnt give the required amount of notice, according to an AL.com analysis of WARN notices.

Almost 100,000 workers were potentially caught up in those layoffs, including in a layoff announced as recently as late October.

And about one in 10 of the WARN notices filed since 1998 were extra late, meaning the layoffs or closure were reported on the same day they were scheduled to start or even later. More than 17,000 layoffs likely happened before the company reported anything or the day of the notice, according to the notices.

The average amount of time given by companies reporting mass layoffs and closures for that time period was 75 days.

Workers dont have much recourse when companies dont follow the required timeline.

Congress passed the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act in 1988 to provide workers with enough notice of pending layoffs to look for another job and prepare financially.

There are some exceptions to the WARN Act. Workers who are striking amid the closure of a facility or operating unit arent protected. In other circumstances, temporary employees, contract employees and consultants, and regular government workers are also not protected by the law.

[Cant see the chart? Click here.]

The states mass layoffs have been high in 2025, surging past 4,000 expected cuts before the years end. But Johnathan McNair, spokesman for the Alabama Department of Workforce, pointed out that not every layoff listed in a WARN notice results in a worker losing their job.

Many workers caught up in mass layoffs and closures often find work quickly before needing to file unemployment, he previously told AL.com. And in some cases, an employer can decide to circumvent the closure or layoff, or another contractor replaces the employer and keeps the same employees.

The idea that the layoffs are actual people losing their jobs I think is misleading, he said. Its what the projection is from a certain number of companies that met that criteria that they had to make that notification of what they believe will happen to their company in the next couple months.

If some workers are offered a transfer to another work site, they may not be protected by the law, either, though that information isnt provided in the published WARN notices.

However, when employees dont get the adequate notice, they can be eligible for back pay for the loss of time for up to 60 days, and can collectively sue an employer to enforce the violation. They can also report the violation to the states workforce agency, which can then investigate and act against the employer.

But its a law that Alabama doesnt seem to enforce.

AL.com requested all records from the Alabama Department of Commerce related to enforcement action in response to WARN Act notices filed since 2019. The state just provided a printed list of WARN notices to date.

Please note that the Alabama Department of Commerce is not responsible for enforcing violations of WARN notices, a spokesperson told AL.com. The WARN Act allows an aggrieved employee to bring a civil action against an employer for violations.

The Alabama Department of Workforce focuses on providing resources and support to workers that are laid off when a company announces a shutdown. But the agency doesnt weigh in on whether its reported on time, McNair said.

We arent the policing body when it comes to that part of the law, he said. We dont have any punitive power when it comes to that, one way or the other.

The U.S. Department of Labor also doesnt have enforcement authority under the federal law and doesnt investigate complaints or pursue legal action based on WARN.

An employer that fails to provide notice as required to a unit of local government is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $500 for each day of violation, the agency said. This penalty may be avoided if the employer satisfies the liability to each affected employee within three weeks after the closing.

In the last five years, former employees have filed at least five federal lawsuits against a minimum of three companies in Alabama, alleging a lack of adequate notice before mass layoffs, according to a review of court records by AL.com.

In 2023, 200 Birmingham workers lost their jobs after a Yellow Corp. shutdown that impacted 30,000 workers across the country. The company blamed the labor union for driving it out of business, and closed facilities in Decatur, Montgomery and Mobile.

In Alabama, the logistics company didnt report the layoffs to the state until two days after it shut down, per the Alabama Department of Commerce. That issue echoed in other states, too, which resulted in two separate class action lawsuits to nonunion workers that Yellow Corp. settled for a total of $12.3 million earlier this year.

In March, a Chicago law firm said it was investigating AlaTrade Foods for laying off 165 people without adequate notice to employees or the state. The poultry processing company reported the layoffs at its Phenix City facility to the state on March 28, a day after they were scheduled to begin.

We believe AlaTrade Foods employees may be entitled to sixty days of severance pay and benefits, class action law firm Strauss Borelli PLLC said in a March 31 statement.

A class action lawsuit was filed by an employee named Cynthia Perry on April 8, represented by a Strauss Borelli attorney and three attorneys from other firms, per court records. The company denied the claim that Perry or other former employees were entitled to compensation.

Any employment losses were caused by unforeseeable business circumstances that rendered compliance with the notice requirement impracticable, the company said in its June response in court records. Even if a WARN violation occurred, it was not willful, and any damages must be limited accordingly.

While the case isnt yet closed, both the employee and the company said in court records that they had a successful mediation in September and plan to settle the matter.

At the time of the announced layoff, an Alabama Department of Commerce spokeswoman declined to comment on any penalties or consequences for AlaTrade.
Kaliyah Houston, 20, and Christasia Prewitt, 16, were shot to death Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, at their Tuscaloosa apartment. (Contributed)

The family of two sisters fatally shot in their Tuscaloosa apartment is asking for help with their burial.

Kaliyah Houston, 20, and Christasia Prewitt, 16, were killed late Monday night in a shooting that also injured a 17-year-old boy.

A 19-year-old suspect has been charged.

These beautiful young girls tragically lost their lives, a family friend posted on Facebook at the request of the victims grandmother.

Donations can be made directly to Wills Funeral Home, 701 Martin Luther King Blvd, Northport, 35476.

The shooting happened about 11:30 p.m. Monday at Woodlawn Manor apartments on First Avenue..

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.

Keshawn Jermichael Woods (Tuscaloosa County Jail)

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.
Birmingham police investigate a deadly shooting at a home in the city's Pratt City community. (Carol Robinson)

A woman was shot to death midday Thursday in the back doorway of a west Birmingham home.

The Jefferson County Coroners Office identified the shooting victim as Bria Danielle McNeal-Williams. She was 20 and lived in Center Point.

Shortly after 12:15 p.m., West Precinct officers were dispatched to the 2000 block of 10th Street in Pratt City on a report of a person shot.

When officers arrived, they found McNeal-Williams unresponsive. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service pronounced her dead on the scene at 12:30.

Officer DeRell Freeman said a man called 911 and told dispatchers that he shot someone at his home while they were trying to break in.

Detectives are still trying to determine the relationship between the two, he said.

It was too early in the investigation to determine whether the 911 call was made before or after the shooting.

The citys gunfire detection system  Shot Spotter  registered multiple rounds discharged.

The man has been detained for questioning.

McNeal-Williams is Birminghams 73rd homicide in the city this year, and the fourth since Saturday.

In all of Jefferson County, there have been 105 homicides including the 73 in Birmingham.

Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
An Alabama woman is under arrest after nearly 100 cats were rescued from her property.

Lisa Christine Miller, 58, is charged with animal cruelty, Tallapoosa County Sheriff Jimmy Abbett said.

Deputies were dispatched Monday to a report of abandoned animals in the 200 block of Centerport Road in Dadeville

Abbett said authorities found numerous cats of all ages and sexes that had no litter boxes, no food or water, and had been left out in freezing temperatures.

New Hope Rescue was contacted and coordinated with Angies Dog House in Foley. In all, 92 cats were rescued and taken to a facility in Foley.

Charging documents against Miller state that the felines were malnourished and ill.

Additional details werent immediately available, but authorities said Miller was living at the residence.

She was booked into the Tallapoosa County Jail, and the investigation is ongoing.
A number of Alabama schools were honored Thursday for efforts boosting scores on 2025 Advanced Placement exams.

The state has made an effort to boost the number of students taking AP courses and dual enrollment, as well as workforce development courses.

The honors were determined by A+ Education Partnership and the state Department of Education. High schools were honored for boosting scores on AP exams and middle schools were honored for meeting goals on the PSAT exam.

Schools included:

A+ College Ready Schools of Distinction

Alexander City School System

 Benjamin Russell High School

Birmingham City School System

 John Herbert Phillips Academy

 W. J. Christian School

Etowah County School System

 Hokes Bluff Middle School

Fort Payne City School System

 Fort Payne Middle School

Hartselle City School System

 Hartselle Junior High School

Jasper City School System

 Jasper Junior High School

St. Clair County School System

 Moody High School

Walker County School System

 Bankhead Middle School

A+ College Ready Schools of Excellence

Blount County School System

 Southeastern School

Cullman City School System

 Cullman High School

Mobile County School System

 Citronelle High School

Perry County School System

 Francis Marion School

Pike Road City School System

 Pike Road Junior High School

Russellville City School System

 Russellville Middle School

Tuscaloosa City School System

 Northridge High School

 Northridge Middle School

A+ College Ready Mary D. Boehm School of Achievement

Mobile County School System

 Denton Magnet School of Technology
Gibraltar Tourist Board Unveils New Campaign: Beyond Your Expectations

The Gibraltar Tourist Board (GTB) is proud to announce the launch of its new tourism campaign, Beyond Your Expectations.

This refreshed brand message encapsulates Gibraltars unique appeal as a destination that consistently offers visitors more than they imagine, from its rich cultural heritage and dramatic landscapes to its vibrant lifestyle and welcoming community.

The new campaign forms part of the GTBs ongoing strategy to strengthen the Visit Gibraltar brand internationally, highlighting Gibraltar as a destination that blends British charm with Mediterranean warmth. It reflects the GTBs vision to inspire travellers to discover Gibraltars diverse experiences, including adventure, nature, history, gastronomy and relaxation.

Minister for Equality, Employment, Culture and Tourism, The Hon. Christian Santos GMD MP, said:

Beyond Your Expectations captures the true essence of Gibraltar. Visitors are often surprised by the depth and diversity of what our destination offers, and this new campaign perfectly expresses that sense of discovery and delight.

The new brand direction will be featured across all Visit Gibraltar marketing campaigns, digital platforms and international tourism promotions.
John Mareska, a biologist with the Marine Resources Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, talks about a proposed shrimp management plan at a public meeting in Bayou La Batre on Nov. 12, 2025. Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com

An effort is under way to make sure the bounty brought in by Alabama shrimpers is properly certified, but it doesnt represent an increase in regulation.

That was the message Wednesday at a public meeting held in Bayou La Batre by the Marine Resources Division (MRD) of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. John Mareska, a biologist with the MRD, told shrimpers and other interested parties that the effort began with an industry association, not a governmental entity.

The American Shrimp Processors Association began the process of trying to certify the Alabama shrimp fishery in 2022, said Mareska. In 2024, Marine Resources was notified of non-conformance on part of our district management procedures that prevented the fisheries from getting certification from Responsible Fisheries Management.

Responsible Fisheries Management is a third-party certification program for fisheries. Its stamp of approval shows that a fishery is being properly managed. In the case of shrimping, that means such things as making sure that Turtle Excluder Devices and Bycatch Reduction Devices are used so that shrimpers nets dont catch and kill sea turtles and fish, closing areas when necessary to protect endangered species and generally ensuring that the harvest is sustainable.

Ernie Anderson, president of the Organized Seafood Association of Alabama, talks about a proposed shrimp management plan at a public meeting in Bayou La Batre on Nov. 12, 2025. Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com

Mareska and Ernie Anderson, president of the Organized Seafood Association of Alabama, said the process is driven by a trend in the retail world. Consumers want to know their seafood is being harvested in environmentally responsible, sustainable ways.

Retailers are getting pickier, Anderson said: Theyd rather purchase seafood thats been certified to meet related standards. If a regions seafood isnt certified, it may find fewer wholesale customers.

Conversely, Mareska said, those that are certified have more opportunities not just to sell their shrimp, but to position it as a premium product. Increased demand could lead to higher prices at the dock, he said.

Alabamas not doing anything wrong, said Anderson. The processes that we do  They arent written in a written plan. So basically thats what this process is. Just basically taking what were already doing and putting it into a plan.

That overall process will take a couple more years, he said. But if it pans out as hoped, the certification for Gulf Coast States will be in the hands of an industry association, the American Shrimp Processors Association, rather than a third-party entity from outside the industry.

Attendees at Wednesdays meeting were asked to fill out a survey rating various objectives, practices and priorities, to help determine how heavily theyd be emphasized in the Alabama Shrimp Fishery Management Plan. The overall goal of the plan is to ensure the sustainability of shrimp for the maximum benefit of the resources and the citizens of Alabama.

The survey and the public meeting itself also help show that the plan is based on a dialogue between regulators and shrimpers.

The Alabama shrimp fishery is undergoing an external certification process to demonstrate the resource is managed sustainably, Chris Blankenship, ADCNR Commissioner, said in a press release announcing Wednesdays meeting.

The new shrimp fishery management plan is a requirement for that certification. It is important that we receive input from participants in Alabamas shrimping industry. If adopted, the new plan will be used by ADCNR to manage the states shrimp fishery.

The MRD will hold a similar meeting Thursday, Nov. 13, in Gulf Shores. It will take place from noon to 4:30 p.m. at the Gulf Shores Activity Center at 260 Clubhouse Drive. People involved with the shrimping industry and members of the general public are invited to attend.

Mareska and Anderson said they expect the certification process to take a couple more years to complete. In the meantime, Anderson said, Alabamas practices had been audited and the states shrimpers effectively have a provisional certification or a grace period while the state formalizes its management plan.
The Alabama Department of Human Resources said in a press release that they will begin uploading payments onto EBT cards today after receiving guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) AP

Now that the federal government has reopened, Alabamians enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program can expect full benefits this month.

The Alabama Department of Human Resources said in a press release that they will begin uploading payments onto EBT cards today after receiving guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

State agencies must take immediate steps to ensure households receive their full November allotments promptly, the federal guidance said.

DHR said as long as there are no unforeseen issues, benefits should be available today and some people may already see payments on their cards.

Recipients who typically receive their payments on Nov. 14 or later should receive benefits on their regular issuance day this month.

DHR is thrilled to be able to provide full benefits to SNAP recipients and help get food on the table for these Alabama families, especially in time to prepare for the upcoming holidays, said Commissioner Nancy Buckner in a statement. The DHR SNAP team began processing files shortly after receiving the FNS notification; as a matter of fact, some clients should already see benefits on their cards.

I am especially thankful to all the persons and entities that donated food and money to the many organizations across our state that stepped up to distribute food during this difficult time, she added.

The government shutdown caused significant uncertainty around the SNAP program in Alabama and nationwide.

More than 750,000 people in Alabama are enrolled in SNAP - thats about 14.5% of the states population. In October, the USDA announced food stamps would be suspended due to the ongoing shutdown.

The announcement was followed by legal challenges, court orders requiring the Trump administration to release its contingency fund for the program and appeals that escalated all the way to the Supreme Court.

Alabamians told AL.com that during the suspension, they went without food and medications and fell behind on bills.

It is about time Congress did their job to reopen the federal government. In Alabama, SNAP recipients were some of the most impacted during the shutdown period, and I am pleased that DHR will work to quickly provide normal, full benefits, said Governor Kay Ivey.

Our state government in Alabama, as well as our local governments, do not operate in such a reckless way, and I hope Congress has learned from their failure to meet their responsibility to the people across the country.
Although Smith couldnt find the publication date as a boy, he said he knew the book was old. Courtesy of Venita Bonds

After decades spent on a coffee table in Huntsville, a German Bible, estimated to be between 154 to 162 years old, has been returned to its home church in Aurora, Ind.

Wayne Smith, 91, carried out his wish to bring the Bible back to St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church after he and his wife Joyce sold their possessions and moved into a retirement apartment.

It would please me for the Bible to be displayed somewhere inside the church and remain there for another century or more, Smith told his daughter, author Venita Bonds.

I would love for people to see one of the original artifacts of St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church.

The book has been placed on display in the rear narthex of the church and is currently available for public viewing.

In a story Bonds recently published, Smith recounts the day he first saw the bible over 80 years ago.

I was in second grade at St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran School, he said.

This was about 1941. One day at recess, I got into a closet and found a big, heavy book entitled Heilige Schrift. Although I didnt know German, I realized Id found a Bible because it was filled with paintings and drawings of biblical scenes.

Although Smith couldnt find the publication date, he said he knew the book was old.

A local pastor recently discovered that its printer, Chicago Publication and Lithograph Company, had operated from 1863 until a fire in 1871.

This establishes the Bibles age at 154 to 162 years old.

When Smith showed the book to St. Johns pastor and school principal, Reverend William H.J. Dau, he explained that the church began using the pulpit Bible in the 1800s for their German worship services, according to Bonds story.

Dau told Smith that the church had held both German and English services until World War II broke out in Europe in 1939.

St. Johns, along with the majority of churches in Aurora, discontinued its German services and forbade reading from the old Bible, Bonds writes.

More than 20 years later, after serving in the Army during the Korean War, Smith, now living in Huntsville, returned to visit Aurora with Joyce.

While he and his family were attending a service at St. Johns, Dau told him that the schoolhouse and the parsonage were being torn down, and their contents discarded.

He told Smith to take anything he wanted.

And Smith didnt have to think about his ask for very long.

I...asked if I could have the old German Bible Id loved as a boy, Smith told Bonds.

He really brightened up at that. He said, Wayne, that Bible is a precious thing. Its only right that you should have it. Take it home.

After decades of Smith and his three children poring over the volume, he and Joyce brought it back to Indiana earlier this year.

The once-forbidden German Bible has come home to Aurora, Bonds writes.

And with the old book is the spirit of a curious little boy who saved it for future generations when he opened a closet door.

This article was updated on Nov. 17, 2025, at 10:13 a.m. to clarify that the Bible was from Indiana, not Colorado.
A Birmingham man was killed in a single-vehicle crash in east Jefferson County.

The Jefferson County Coroners Office identified the victim as Eric Jonta Crayton. He was 35.

The wreck happened at 1:55 p.m. Wednesday in the 900 block of Chalkville School Road.

Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Yates said Crayton was the driver and lone occupant of the vehicle that left the road and hit a tree.

Crayton was pronounced dead on the scene at 2:39 p.m.

The Jefferson County Sheriffs Office is investigating the circumstances surrounding the wreck.
A GoFundMe page has been set up in memory of Michael Duarte. (GoFundMe screenshot/TNS) TNS

Michael Duarte, the food influencer and barbecue aficionado known as Food with Bear Hands, was shot dead by Texas officers after lunging at one of them with a knife, according to a new report.

Friends and family revealed Monday that the beloved foodie had died in a horrible incident over the weekend while traveling in Texas, without releasing details. On Wednesday, the Medina County Sheriffs Office shed some light on what had happened.

Deputies were responding to a 911 call Saturday in Castroville, Texas, about a male subject with a knife acting erratically and causing a disturbance, a spokesperson for the Medina County Sheriffs Office told TMZ. He menaced the arriving deputies, the spokesperson said, and then lunged at one with the knife.

After multiple verbal commands were given for Duarte to get on the ground by the deputy, Duarte charged toward the deputy while yelling, Im going to kill you, the sheriffs office told TMZ.

The deputy shot two rounds at him, police said, then rendered medical aid and rushed him to a San Antonio hospital. There, he was pronounced dead, TMZ reported.

_____

2025 New York Daily News. Visit at nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Alabama education gains

After being ranked near the bottom nationally in reading and math scores nine years ago, Alabama has surged to 32nd in fourth-grade mathematics and 34th in reading. Gov. Kay Ivey touted this improvement during a Mobile Chamber event, highlighting how the state has shown more growth in fourth-grade math than any other state since 2019, reports John Sharp. The gains come as Alabama focuses on workforce development, with officials noting that educational progress is crucial for attracting new industries to the state.

Tuskegees veterinary school fights to keep accreditation

Tuskegee University has filed federal litigation against the American Veterinary Medical Association to prevent its College of Veterinary Medicinethe nations only historically Black veterinary schoolfrom losing accreditation. The university claims the AVMA violated due process and its own policies in placing the school on terminal accreditation status, reports AL.com. Alabamas congressional delegation and Gov. Kay Ivey have expressed concerns, noting the school has produced 70% of all Black veterinarians in the U.S.

Dog attack

A 9-year-old Alabama girl is recovering after a vicious attack by a leashed Australian Cattle Dog that latched onto her face and took a huge hole out of her bottom. The child was airlifted to UAB Hospital with serious wounds around her mouth, nose, and eyes, and was released Monday but faces a long recovery ahead reports Carol Robinson.

The podcast
While the costs of attending a four-year university continue to rise, two-year colleges can still provide a valuable postsecondary education and career prospects.

A new report by Stacker analyzed PayScale data to compile a list of the associate degrees that pay the most. It found that although associate degrees may not earn as much as bachelors degrees, they still increase job stability and wages.

Attending a four-year university can cost about $30,780 per year, including annual tuition and fees for out-of-state students, according to a 2025 Bankrate study. The total cost of attendance increases once housing, food, transportation, books, and other expenses are added, which total around $49,080 per year.

Students who commute to a two-year college might pay more for other expenses but ultimately pay less for tuition. Bankrate estimates the average tuition and fees at a public two-year college can cost $4,050 per year. Adding the total cost of attendance brings the two-year college total to $20,570.

On average attending a private four-year university can cost $43,350 per year on tuition and fees alone. Private colleges tend to be the most expensive option since they receive a majority of funding from tuition payments and private donations, while public institutions receive funding from the federal government.

Undergraduate enrollment across all major institutions has continued to grow compared to 2024. Two-year public colleges have seen the largest growth with a 5.4% increase in enrollment, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.

Additionally, Georgetown University Center on Education projects that 29% of all jobs in the U.S. will require workers to have middle skills such as an associate degree by 2031.

Here are the top 10 two-year degrees that earn the most by mid-career:

1. Physician assistant studies

-Early career pay: $53,800

- Mid-career pay: $99,400

2. Radiation therapy

- Early career pay: $62,300

- Mid-career pay: $92,600

3. Advertising and marketing communications

- Early career pay: $36,400

- Mid-career pay: $90,000

4. Software engineering

- Early career pay: $50,600

- Mid-career pay: $89,600

5. Computer science and mathematics

- Early career pay: $41,300

- Mid-career pay: $85,900

6. Instrumentation and control engineering

- Early career pay: $54,000

- Mid-career pay: $85,400

7. Project management

- Early career pay: $49,200

- Mid-career pay: $84,700

8. Applied computer science

- Early career pay: $41,800

- Mid-career pay: $84,500

9. Instrumentation technology

- Early career pay: $47,800

- Mid-career pay: $82,400

10. Biomedical engineering

- Early career pay: $44,900

- Mid-career pay: $81,800
If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.

The dispute between YouTube TV and Disney continues to plague the streaming platforms subscribers, leading the company to announce that all subscribers are eligible to receive a $20 credit while negotiations continue.

The ongoing dispute between the media giants caused a blackout of Disney programming through YouTube TV, meaning popular channels like ESPN, ABC, Disney Channel, FX, Freeform and more are unavailable on the streaming platform; the blackout began Oct. 31 and is unlikely to end soon.

How to redeem YouTube TV credit

In the meantime, YouTube TV is offering a peace offering to its remaining subscribers in the form of a one-time $20 credit. Subscribers interested in claiming the credit can find the steps to redeem listed below.

Step 1: Visit tv.youtube.com on your preferred web browser and sign into your account

Step 2: Tap on your profile picture in the top right corner

Step 3: Click on the Settings tab

Step 4: A menu pops up on the left, from there select Updates

Step 5: Under the Updates tab users should see a Disney Content button where they can click to claim the credit

Subscribers planning on redeeming the credit should note that the credit will be applied towards your next bill.

Where to stream Disney programming amid YouTube TV blackout

While YouTube TV is fighting to appease its subscribers amid the lengthy blackout, a large percentage of its users are seeking other streaming alternatives to access top Disney programming networks like ESPN and ABC. Luckily for those willing to explore other platforms, Fubo and DIRECTV are great alternatives that sport a majority of YouTube TVs usual channel lineup.

Fubo considers itself a sports-oriented streaming platform, but with over 100 live TV channels included in its lineup, the popular streaming service offers a variety of content to explore. Fubo has an ongoing free trial available for new subscribers, and though priced at $84.99 a month, a current promotion offers new users $30 off their first month in addition to the free trial.

Popular channels available through Fubo include ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, Disney Channel, FX, Bravo, MTV, BET, Freeform and much more.

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 similar to Fubo as it offers many of the same channels and helpful features like unlimited cloud DVR storage. Along with its four streaming packages, DIRECTV also offers its subscribers the ability to customize their fill of content even more through genre packs, which limits filler channel overload. The platform offers a 5-day free trial, and to make it even sweeter for new users, DIRECTV is slashing $40 off new subscribers first month, meaning users can start streaming for just $49 a month.










English News Zhejiang drives economic prosperity through flourishing cultural development

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 11 Novembre 2025



Culture serves as both heritage and resource; technology offers support for and drives cultural development. By fostering economic prosperity through cultural vibrancy and advancing cultural renewal through technological innovation, Zhejiang is steadily moving toward the harmonious integration of material wealth and spiritual richness.

By Liu Junguo, People's Daily In recent months, the M511 complex, or M511 Light and Shadow Hui Commercial Center in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang province, drew a number of visitors from across the country.



Located on Hangzhou's Xixi Road, this M-shaped building leverages cutting-edge light and shadow technology to create a "micro park" of immersive audiovisual experiences.



The complex is home to a number of immersive installations built with 8K projection, triple-fold LED screens, and visual reality (VR) technology. Entering feels like stepping through a portal; visitors can traverse a field of stars or interact with renowned artworks, fully immersed in the fusion of light and art.



This exemplifies the growing intertwining of technology and culture, leading to increasingly diverse cultural experiences and consumer offerings. Such novel, technology-driven attractions are transforming public spaces into accessible "science and art museums," broadening both cultural participation and the boundaries of cultural consumption.



Developing the cultural industry requires robust policy support. Take Hangzhou's Xihu district as an example. Over the past three years, the district has invested more than 50 million yuan ($7.02 million) in cultural and creative projects, building a full-cycle support system that includes startup funding, loan interest subsidies, and direct investment funds. Tailored policies have also been introduced to encourage cultural enterprises to apply digital technologies, with one-time subsidies amounting to 5 percent of actual project investment - up to 500,000 yuan per enterprise each year.



The results speak volumes: in the first quarter of this year alone, Xihu district's cultural industry generated revenue of 10.16 billion yuan. This demonstrates the powerful multiplier effect targeted funding and precise policy incentives can have in fostering innovative cultural business models.



A thriving cultural industry also relies on strong platforms. The globally acclaimed Chinese-made AAA video game Black Myth: Wukong, the animated blockbuster Chang'an, which reignited the passion for Tang poetry, and Nobody, China's top-grossing 2D animated film - all trace their roots to Hangzhou's Artinno Town. Once a shuttered cement plant, the site has been transformed over the past decade through Hangzhou's efforts to build the Zhijiang and Grand Canal Cultural Belts. Today, it hosts more than 3,000 cultural and creative enterprises.



With platforms connecting industries and fostering clusters, businesses learn from each other, collaborate, and achieve shared success, accelerating the implementation of major cultural projects. With the government providing the foundational support and enterprises taking the lead, culture forms the spirit while industry serves as the chain. This synergy drives a virtuous cycle of cultural vitality and industrial prosperity.



A culturally thriving city is always appealing. An old grain depot and rice mill sites in Xihu district have been transformed into popular leisure destinations by adopting art and creative elements. In Xiaoshan district, a disused agricultural warehouse has been repurposed into an art park, which has welcomed over 20 million visitors and generated more than 600 million yuan in revenue since opening, becoming a cultural landmark and consumption hub. By infusing cultural creativity into urban renewal, Zhejiang continues to unlock the potential of culture, commerce, and tourism integration, generating powerful momentum for high-quality development.



Across Zhejiang, cultural landmarks - from the scenic West Lake and the ancient Liangzhu City to the picturesque water town of Wuzhen - continue to enhance their appeal. Meanwhile, innovative industries such as animation and gaming, artificial intelligence, and e-commerce are gaining global recognition.



Culture serves as both heritage and resource; technology offers support for and drives cultural development. By fostering economic prosperity through cultural vibrancy and advancing cultural renewal through technological innovation, Zhejiang is steadily moving toward the harmonious integration of material wealth and spiritual richness.



Dans la meme rubrique : < > Tang Xianzu and Shakespeare: Theater as a bridge for global cultural dialogue Shanghai seed bank hits 100 million samples in biodiversity conservation push China unveils world's first mid-infrared solar magnetic-field telescope Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena)
by Barbara Fischkin

Another eight weeks have passed since I wrote about my Cousin Bernieand how, posthumously, he adds to my understanding of him. To review: Earlier this year I wrote two chapters about Cousin Bernie completely from memory. Then his widow, Joan Hamilton Morris, sent me more materialpages shed found of an incomplete memoir her late husband pecked out on a vintage typewriter in an adult education class he took after retiring as a university professor of psychology and mathematics.

If Cousin Bernie were alive today he would be 102, 32 years older than I am now. Each time I take a deeper dive into the pages Joan sent me, I realize I have only skimmed the surface. And so, here is my fifth take on my cousin, who fascinates me despite his evergreen persona as a nerdy, chubby, lost boy from Brooklyn. This, in part, is the saddest offering from my cousins own memoir. It mayor may notbe the final one. A chapter about his interest in radios, as a childand in being a ham radio operator in his retirement might appear one of these days.

Again, I will let Cousin Bernie tell most of his story, this time about how having a schizophrenic mother affected him, in ways both obvious and veiled. His memories also offer a look inside an earlier time when mental illness in a family was far more shameful and misunderstood than it is even today. To review more: When I was a child my mother told me that Cousin Bernies mother was dead. She was my fathers mysterious, absent sister, that is all I was told at first. I now wonder if my mother wanted to put as much distance between herself and this sister as she could. It was bad enough that they sort of shared the same name. Cousin Bernies mothers maiden name was Ida Fishkin. My mothers married name was Ida Fischkin. I believe my mother also wanted to protect me from fear. She apparently believed that a dead aunt was not as scary as a living ghost, locked up in an institution for years, as Bernies mother was at the time.

I was not told the truth about my long-lost aunts institutionalization until I overheard a conversation my mother had with Cousin Bernie about whether he was going to visit his mother. She may have been at Kings Park Psychiatric Center, as shown in the image above. Or at Hudson Valley Psychiatric Center in Poughkeepsie, where she was moved, later. Although New York began to deinstitutionalize mental patients in the 1970s, with the goal of moving them to community-based facilities, that reform did nothing for Cousin Bernies mother. She may have been too far-gone. Or, perhaps, as in many cases, the state had no appropriate place to move her, no place where she could receive the care she needed. I doubt I will ever know. There are records that show she spent an unclear amount of time at Kings Park. It seems she was moved around a lot without any consideration for the distances her family had to travel to visit her. During the years I worked as a young reporter for Newsday, the large Long Island-based daily newspaper, I covered the town of Smithtown, which included Kings Park and its then still-open psychiatric center. My Aunt Ida was probably long gone from there by then. I only found out that this was one of her placements, after I went to her graveside funeral and then called a state public relations officer who, in a cursory manner, checked the records for me.

The second part of this chapter focuses on Cousin Bernies own view of his paternal grandmother. Bernie and his younger sister, Gertie, schoolchildren at the time, went to live with their Bubbeh Rachel a year after their mother was put away. Family stories portray this grandmother as a stringent Orthodox Jewish woman, who was also mean to these two motherless children she was asked to nurture and protect.

Bernie wrote some different, kinder tales about his grandmother.

Here, much of it in his own words is Cousin Bernie, first on his mother and then on his grandmother.

My Hidden Emotions

There are two images that have had a great tug at my adult emotional life. The first concerns a sculpture of a bush full of brambles. Just jagged branches. It is in a church in Florence with the Giotto bell-tower outside. It was the summer of 1960 and I was doing my post-degree European tour. I had attained my PhD and a secure job at Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa.

I was tired of so many churches. As I walked around this bush of brambles, it suddenly became a pieta. There was a mother holding her dead son in her lap. This I could understand. I have often wondered since, if there was a similar prickly sculpture of a son holding the slight body of his mother.

The second image came to me when a colleague who lives on a farm outside of Indianapolis started to tell me of the dog problem. It seems that folks drive out to rural areas, let their pets out to play and quickly drive off. I can see the doggie tired after chasing the family car, with a daunting, bewildering shock of abandonment.

These images are part of my emotional make-up having to do with my mother. We lived on Prospect Place, Brooklyn, above a barber shop and a half block from a pushcart street market. We had moved back from Bridgeport, Connecticut so that my mother could care for our [maternal] grandmother who was paralyzed because she refused to take her insulin. There were, in addition to bedridden grandma Toby, my alcoholic grandfather, my father, my sister, myself and my three uncles. [n.b. One uncle was Barbaras father, David Fischkin].

One evening. my mother asked my sister and me to accompany her to my cousins apartment a few blocks away. She was dressed for the occasion, but she seemed to be mumbling as she walked. At the apartment she continued to mumble and asked us all some strange embarrassing questions.

The next morning the family doctor was in my parents bedroom. My mother had had a nervous breakdown. My father spent the next year dressing my mother, walking with her around a deserted city block, and giving her showers. After a year or so she was admitted to a fancy mental institution in New Jersey. There she became violent, ripped up a few dresses, and was transferred to a [New York] state institution.

 We moved into an apartment at 311 Hopkinson Avenue where my paternal grandmother Rachel lived. She had offered to take in my father and and his two children. Our savings had been pretty well depleted in the first year of my mothers illness. But my father was able to get work. My sister and I attended school and attempted to clean house. I must have been eleven at the time and my sister nine.

On Sundays we packed lunches and set out with my father to visit my mother at the Kings County Hospital Complex. This was at least not too far away. My mother might have recognized us at this time, but she was busy mumbling and speaking to persons who simply were not there. Then she was transferred to Creedmoor State Hospital, [in the New York City borough of Queens] which for us seemed to be pretty far out on Long Island. We visited her there.

As the years went by I completed high school and went on to Brooklyn College. My sister completed high school and became an advertising department clerk and messenger for the New York Post. My father began seeing a widow who had a young son. World War II came and went. My mother had a number of experimental treatments and nothing helped. She was now in a state hospital in upstate New York which meant a weekend trip to visit her. The frequency of the visits dropped off. And my father died. He had developed painters colic.

As the years mounted further, I chose to major in psychology. Out of the blue my sister was married to a solid, stable gentleman. I was having trouble entertaining women on dates. I lectured too much. And the medical profession did not help, with its noting that my mother was schizophrenic, a diagnosis I may have revealed too often. Somehow, at the age of 47, I met the lady I thought was right for me. There were problems but things have worked out wondrously in our relationship.

In 1984 my wife Joan and I made a trip back east and into Canada. My sister and her husband met us in upstate New York and we visited my mother. She was maybe 90 pounds and I doubt that she recognized either my sister or me. She died two years later in 1986.

Her funeral was very simple. There was my sister and her husband, my favorite aunt and uncle [Barbara Fischkins parents Ida and David Fischkin. Barbara attended, as well] and myself. At the burial site I told my mother some of the things that had happened in the last 50-plus years. I told her that both my sister and I had made it without becoming gangsters or drug addicts. It was a whole new world since the middle thirties.

On the plane flying home, I was sad and felt no more alone than I had been for the most of my life before finding my devoted wife. Somehow, over the past 50 years my grief had been seeping out. Does anyone ever get over motherlessness and the feeling of abandonment?

On Cousin Bernies Paternal Grandmother, Rachel

People from the same family have been known to remember their childhoods differently. I think of the way my father had little good to say about his own father, as depicted in an earlier chapter. Yet Bernies memories of this same man, his maternal grandfather, are happy ones.

I was told by both my parents, that after Cousin Bernies mother was institutionalized, he and his sister Gertie had a miserable life with their grandmother, Bubbeh Rachel. She was strict about behavior and did not know how to raise children with joy. My parents told me that as an Orthodox Jewish woman, she was bewildered by Bernie and Gertie, two kids whose religious upbringing was, in her opinion, lacking.

Bernie againand in contrast to what I was told packaged these memories with joy and humor. Rachel was a grandmother who took them in when their mother was institutionalized. Bernie also depicted Bubbeh Rachel as charitable despite hardships of her own. He writes lovingly about his Bubbehs idiosyncrasies and her confusion about a world she lived in, as an unassimilated immigrant. One example: Bernie loved a collection of porcelain piggy banks he had painstaking assembled. Upon discovering them Bubbeh Rachel smashed them to pieces with a hammer, because pigs are not kosher. She did this despite Bernies playful protests that he did not eat them or even lick them. Years later, as a young adult in graduate school, Cousin Bernie regularly, and with great mischief, sent his grandmother piggy banks filled with coins for her own charitable boxes. She smashed those toobut kept the money to give to others,

Here are more random samples from Cousin Bernies memoir writings about his Bubbeh Rachel, with whom he spoke Yiddish.

My earliest memory of my fathers mother, Bubbeh Rachel, had to be when I was six or seven. She had come for the Sabbath dinner at our home near Betsy-Head Park. She was formally dressed in a black dress with a fairly large white collar, with at least three strings of white pearls hanging from her neck. She wore this lovely brunette wig. She was smiling and happy, despite her own history, Years earlier her husband had been conscripted into the Czars army, caught pneumonia and died in a camp. She ran a general store in Moscow and managed to raise three children, my father and his two sisters. My father, after a prank at school, ran off to the Black Sea and became a cabin boy at the age of thirteen.

In 1932, my mother had taken sick with mental illness and my father had used up his savings trying to treat her at home. My mother was now in an institution. My father, sister and I moved in with my Bubbeh  and another family of three in a three room apartment. [Within a year the other family moved out.] Bubbeh had a small bedroom all to herself where she had her burial clothes, wigs and charity pushkes, boxes for collection money for various institutions. She also had boxes of donated old clothes to help the needy. One evening after I had eaten supper she shushed me into silence and ushered a woman with a youngster in her arms and a crew of four more children holding each others hands into the apartment. And then, into her bedroom. The woman and her entourage left with each of the older children carrying a box or two of clothes

One of the real problems for Bubbeh Rachel was keeping a kosher home for her son and two somewhat worldly youngsters. Forbidden lard products lurked in the local groceries. And bacon was not unknown to usif Bubbeh went on a trip longer than a day or two the ice-box had to be cleansed. There was no telling what my sister and I might have stored there

On Sunday mornings a number of Jewish language broadcasts took place. The Daily Forward was a famous Jewish paper which helped create an American Jewish Culture. Its Sunday morning radio hour was superb. One Sunday my sister and I put it on, stopped Bubbeh on a trip to the kitchen and asked her to listen. She was amazed, mostly because she could not imagine Jewish people on the radio. She spun around towards us and said: Which one of you hoodlums taught the Gentiles Yiddish?

There is more about Bubbeh Rachel, with a flourishor perhaps better said a flushof an ending. While cousin Bernie was earning his PhD in psychology he came back to New York to explain to his grandmother that he was going to be a doctor. That people would call him doctor. Bubbeh Rachel questioned him vigorously about what kind of doctor he would be. He told her he would be a doctor of learning, and to that end was studying the brains of cats. She did not buy this.

These are his words: Finally disgusted with me, she said smelling a fraud: Listen kiddo, when they call you doctor and youre not a real doctor will you at least be able to give a cat an enema? There was something ego deflating about this. However: Yetz ken ich

Now, I can. wrote Cousin Bernie, in Yiddish and English.
Anthropic announces its plans to invest a sum of $50 billion in building AI data centers in the US. This should strengthen their computing infrastructure in the country. The company will work with the AI cloud platform Fluidstack to build data centers in Texas and New York, with more sites to follow. The company last month entered into a cloud deal with Google for Tensor chips.

Anthropic will invest $50 billion to build AI data centers in the US

The new data centers will go live throughout 2026. This move will create 800 jobs and 2,400 construction jobs, according to the company. These facilities are custom-built for Anthropic. The company believes that such a large investment is necessary to meet the growing demand for its AI chatbot Claude. This will also allow it to keep its research at the frontier of the technology.

Anthropic, in a press release, said, It will help advance the goals in the Trump administrations AI Action Plan to maintain American AI leadership and strengthen domestic technology infrastructure. To recall, President Trump moved his administration in January to produce an AI Action Plan that would make America the world capital in artificial intelligence.

The investment will create 800 jobs

Anthropic isnt the only AI company investing billions into building data centers. OpenAI and SoftBank announced a $500 billion investment in the Stargate Project in January. This will bring a series of AI data centers around the US, starting with Texas. Meta is also committing $600 billion investment in US infrastructure and data centers.

Anthropic notes that it picked Fluidstack as its partner for its ability to move with exceptional agility, enabling rapid delivery of gigawatts of power. Gary Wu, co-founder and CEO of Fluidstack, regarding the partnership, said that Fluidstack was built for this moment. He added, Were proud to partner with frontier AI leaders like Anthropic to accelerate and deploy the infrastructure necessary to realize their vision.
Earlier this month, Epic and Google reached an agreement for a settlement in their years-long case that would see Google upend the way it does business through the Google Play Store, and all that was left was for the two companies to wait for approval of this settlement. It looks like that settlement may not be coming. At the very least, theres concern about the settlement to the point that Judge James Donato isnt sure if he can grant the approval.

The settlements terms would potentially have a pretty big impact across the industry. Google would open the Play Store to competitors, allowing alternative app stores to be listed in the Play Store. Google would also push out the amount of time that developers would be able to register and have their app stores listed. Whats more is that Google would lower its fees on purchases, depending on the purchase. To top it all off, these changes would extend beyond the US. It seems like a good deal for everyone involved. Google wins, Epic wins, developers win, and users win. Except, maybe not. Donato isnt sold on the deal.

Approval for the settlement in the Epic and Google case has been postponed

Its unclear if the settlement will be granted approval, but that doesnt mean the settlement is being thrown out the window. For now, the approval has simply been postponed. Judge Donato has expressed that the settlement is a concern based on a few factors. One of those is that he finds it strange that Google and Epic are now suddenly being cordial to each other, when the two have been very publicly hostile in court for several years.

In addition to this, Donato says that the settlement may not meet the legal threshold required to modify an existing court ruling. One of the requirements is that the settlement would need to showcase significant changes in circumstances. At this moment, Donato doesnt see that. Noting that the only change he sees is that Epic and Google  two mortal enemies who pounded each other relentlessly in this courtroom for many years  are suddenly BFFs. Donato has scheduled another hearing, which is expected to take place sometime next month or in January 2026. This will give him time to review the proposal and decide if approval should be granted.
Google is facing fresh regulatory scrutiny in the European Union, this time over its policies designed to combat search spam. The development comes after complaints from a coalition of media companies and publishers. Now, the European Commission has launched an antitrust investigation into Googles anti-spam site reputation abuse policy, which aims to clean up search results.

The policy in question targets a practice often called parasite SEO. The term refers to when third parties publish content on a well-ranked host site to abuse the hosts high authority. This helps them quickly increase their own visibility in search results. Google argues that its moves to tackle parasite SEO are essential to maintain search quality and ensure that sites earning rankings do so on the merits with their own content.

Google faces new EU probe: Publishers claim anti-spam policy destroys revenue

However, many publishers view the policy as a threat to their business model. They claim that when their websites host content from commercial partnersa common and legitimate way to generate revenueGoogles spam policy can unfairly demote their news and media content in search results.

EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera expressed concern. She stated that Googles rules might not treat news publishers in a fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory manner. The investigation seeks to ensure that publishers do not lose out on important revenue. This is particularly important in the current difficult financial climate facing the media industry.

The Digital Markets Act hangs over the case

This probe carries significant weight because it falls under the purview of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The DMA is a sweeping piece of EU legislation designed to rein in the market power of major technology platforms. If the European Commission finds Google in violation of the DMA, the company could face massive finesup to 10% of its global annual sales.

Google has firmly pushed back against the investigation. Pandu Nayak, chief scientist for Google Search, called the move misguided and argued that the investigation risks degrading the quality of search results for millions of European users. He also pointed out that a German court previously dismissed a similar claim, ruling Googles policy was valid and reasonable.
Googles Search app has been getting some handy features lately. Now, Google is rolling out a new Images tab on its Search app for iOS and Android. Google started beta testing this feature back in June, right after it was spotted in May.

Google apps new Images tab offers a scrollable feed based on your interests

The basic idea behind the new Images tab in the Google app is to make visual discovery easier. As Google notes in the announcement post, this feature can be handy for anyone who is planning a trip, redecorating their apartment, or choosing an outfit. If youve ever used Pinterest and come across its Images tab, the feature is quite similar.

Sometimes, it can be hard for you to search for what youre really looking for. Thats where Google apps Images tab comes to your rescue. So, where exactly will you find the new Images tab? You can use the new feature by tapping on a new Images icon located at the bottom of the Google app screen. Its available alongside other tabs like Home, Search, Notifications, and Activity.

When you tap on the Images icon for the first time, the Google app will ask you to select a topic of interest, including travel, fashion, or home decor. Once done, the app will show you a daily feed of new images curated based on your interests. To make things simpler, lets call it a scrollable feed of images that you can save to your collections. Additionally, you can search for even more inspiration based on the images served to you.

The feature will first be available in the US

Google says that the new Images tab will roll out first in the US for both Android and iOS users over the next few weeks. Speaking of new features, the company is also testing History Off Search inside the Google Search app. To give you an idea, its a new, prominent incognito mode toggle that will appear right above the keyboard when you start typing inside the Google Search app.
Many Pixel users simply love the At a Glance widget. In fact, many Android users love it. However, Pixel users cannot remove it from their home screens, unlike Android users that use devices from other brands. That could change soon, however, finally.

While many Pixel users love the At a Glance widget, not all are in the same boat. Some of them would love the option to remove it from the home screen. Even if you plan to continue using it, an option to remove it would surely be welcomed, just in case.

Pixel users could finally be able to remove the At a Glance widget soon

Well, based on a new report from Android Authority, Google is currently working on a way to make that happen. The latest Android Canary build with Android System Intelligence version B.17.playstore.pixel10.825046611 includes a toggle to make it happen. You can see it below.

Youll notice that these are At a Glance widget options, and that one toggle says Show on home screen. You can toggle that off, and the widget should disappear from the home screen. Well, once the option becomes available, of course.

This widget delivers a ton of information to users

Now, the At a Glance widget is great, actually. It delivers a ton of information to users. Features such as the weather, air quality, severe weather alerts, earthquake alerts, upcoming events, package delivery information, flashlight status when its on, and more.

This widget can deliver a ton of information if you set it up that way. You can set up various toggles the way you want. The thing is, not all the information it can show is available in all regions, so keep that in mind.

Were not sure when will the option to disable At a Glance widget become available, but it sure is coming. Google could still change its mind, but we somehow doubt it, as the option has come this far along.
Android for PC, like any other PC operating system, has definite strengths and weaknesses, and Lenovo is breaking down what those are (from its perspective) so users are more informed about the use of Android as a PC platform. While the Android OS can already be used much like you would use a PC, it wont be able to do everything. Lenovo, for its part, being a manufacturer of products for both the Android and Windows 11 operating systems, goes into detail about what you should expect from Android for PC and what you shouldnt. While the platform does have weaknesses, it will still be able to do quite a few things for you. Especially if those things are lighter on system resources. The alleged arrival of these devices powered by Snapdragon chips should help things, too.

Android for PC weaknesses include limited desktop features

Android can certainly be a powerful computing tool, and this many years into its existence, it has grown a lot in terms of using it how you might use a more familiar PC operating system. With the right setup, such as a wireless keyboard and mouse, you can even navigate through its UI in much the same way. That being said, Lenovo lists a fairly comprehensive set of drawbacks. For example, the company says that Android for PC will have limited desktop features. Things like advanced file management arent going to be at your fingertips like they would on a Windows 11 PC. This could impact power users, Lenovo says.

Another drawback is the compatibility issues with certain apps. Lenovo states that Not all apps are optimized for PC use, which can lead to compatibility issues or subpar performance. Users may need to experiment with different apps to find the best options for their needs. Depending on what you want out of a PC that runs Android, however, it might be just what youre looking for.

Some of the major strengths of the OS on a PC include Androids highly customizable nature. At times, it feels almost limitless. So, this is great for people who love to give their own unique touch to their softwares look and feel. Theres also cloud integration, and Lenovo says Android for PC devices are highly energy efficient.
Motorola appears to be gearing up for the launch of its new G-series smartphone, the Moto G76 5G. A new Geekbench listing spotted by tipster @ZionsAnvin on X leaks some of the key specs of the Moto G76 5G with the model number XT2537-4.

Moto G76 5Gs Geekbench listing and marketing material leaks key specs online

The device in question is the successor of last years Moto G75, which launched with Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 SoC. Per the leaked marketing material (in Chinese) shared by the tipster, the Moto G76 5G will feature Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 under the hood.

On Geekbench, the device grabbed 1018 and 2893 points on single-core and multi-core tests, respectively. Regarding GPU, the Adreno 170 will power the upcoming Motorola phone. The listing also hints that the Moto G76 will run Android 16 and that it has 8GB of RAM.

Notably, the tipster mentions that the new device is the rebranded version of the recently launched Moto G100s, but with another chipset. Speaking of display, the leaked material (machine translated) shows that the Moto G76 will feature a high-refresh-rate LCD display that comes with a blue light protection feature.

Massive battery and decent camera on board

Thats not all; the upcoming Android smartphone will pack a massive 7,000mAh battery, enough to see you through two days. The display supports wet-touch 2.0, meaning you can use the phone with wet hands without any issues. The device also boasts superb durability, thanks to GJB150A-2009 certification. Itll also come with an IP64 rating for dust and water resistance.

Speaking of cameras, the Moto G76 5G will feature a 50MP primary camera with a Sony AI imaging system, alongside an 8MP ultra-wide shooter. Moreover, the device will also feature 24GB of virtual memory. As of now, there are no details about the release date and the price of this phone.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Edge images have just surfaced online, kind of. These are real-life images, but theyre showing the Galaxy S26 Edge dummy, not an actual phone. As many of you know, Samsung will not release the Galaxy S26 Edge at all, at least based on what we know thus far. More on that later.

The Galaxy S26 Edge design and thickness get shown thanks to its dummy

If you take a look at the gallery below, youll see the aforementioned dummy photos. These images come from OnLeaks, a well-known tipster. You can see that the phone has a thickness of 5.5mm

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is 5.8mm thick, so its successor was supposed to be noticeably thinner. It was actually supposed to be even thinner than the iPhone Air, which measures 5.6mm.

In the images above, the tipster compares the Galaxy S26 Edge thickness to that of the iPhone 16 Pro. The iPhone 16 Pro is not a thick phone by any means, but it does seem thick next to the Galaxy S26 Edge.

The iPhone 16 Pro actually seems thick next to it

The iPhone 16 Pro measures 8.3mm, so its not surprising that a 5.5mm phone seems noticeably thinner in comparison. The main advantage of having such a thin phone is that you can put a case on it and not make it thick at all.

Now, in regards to the Galaxy S26 Edges availability. It was expected to arrive alongside the Galaxy S26 Pro and Galaxy S26 Ultra, but that wont happen. Samsung has decided to bring the Galaxy S26 instead of the Galaxy S26 Pro, and the Galaxy S25+ instead of the Galaxy S26 Edge.

Weve revealed that Galaxy S26 Edge design a while back, and then we followed up with the Galaxy S26+ design. The Samsung Galaxy S26 series will arrive towards the end of January next year, based on the latest information. The Galaxy S26 Edge, however, is not expected to launch at all. The Galaxy S25 Edge sales were so bad that Samsung decided to scrap its successor, it seems.
Sony has officially announced its next gaming monitor, a PlayStation-branded monitor with some very PlayStation-friendly features. Most notably, a built-in hook for the DualSense that swings down, giving you a place to put that controller when youre done with it. Whats more, is that it charges the controller, too. So you can always be sure that your controller has battery life when you pick it up to play games. Sony confirms this is designed to charge the DualSense and DualSense Edge, so dont expect it to charge controllers like Razers new Raiju V3 Pro.

Sony announced the monitor during its PlayStation State of Play Japan on Tuesday, November 11. The monitor doesnt have a name yet, nor did Sony announce pricing or availability dates. Not exact dates, at least. Sony says the monitor is coming in 2026, and itll be launching in the US and Japan.

Sonys PlayStation was designed for PS5, but it works with PC games as well

Like Sonys InZone monitors, which were designed for PC gaming but work with the PS5, this new PlayStation gaming monitor works with both platforms. It was designed for PS5, but Sony confirms it also works with PC. If you have both your console and a gaming PC in the same setup, this monitor will serve both well.

Sony mentions that its a 27-inch panel and it has QHD resolution. Theres also a 240Hz refresh rate, and it comes with VRR support. Additionally, it has HDMI 2.1 ports and one DisplayPort 1.4 port. There are three USB ports as well. Two are USB-A and one is USB-C. This should give gamers some versatility for things like hardware adapters. The monitor comes with built-in stereo speakers, but theres also a 3.5mm audio port if you prefer to connect speakers externally.

The monitor also has some of the same features Sony has put in its TVs that boast PS5 features. For instance, Auto HDR Tone Mapping. The monitor also features a very PS5-like aesthetic with its white and black exterior. While no price is available yet, Sony says it plans to share more information about pricing and availability the closer it gets to launch.
The price barrier for satellite internet just got a lot lower. Starlink, the broadband service from SpaceX, has quietly introduced Residential 100Mbps, its most affordable home internet tier yet, dramatically cutting the entry cost down to just $40 per month.

The latest plan a significant drop from the companys existing pricing, which includes the standard Residential plan at $120 per month. The low price makes Starlink suddenly competitive with many traditional, terrestrial internet service providers (ISPs) that often charge around $70 per month for similar speeds.

Starlink hits $40 for 100 Mbps residential internet plan

As the name suggests, the new plan caps download speeds at 100 Mbps. Yes, this is lower than the typical US average broadband speed. However, it is perfectly suitable for smaller homes or light users. Additionally, Starlink designed the service for activities like web browsing, video calls, and streaming content in HD. Large families engaged in constant 4K video streams or heavy online gaming will still require a terrestrial ISP. However, for remote users who are often stuck with slow DSL or costly fixed wireless options, a reliable 100 Mbps connection with unlimited usage is a massive upgrade.

Starlinks $40 Residential 100Mbps plan includes unlimited data and no upload restrictions.

The catch: Availability and congestion

Before you rush to sign up, the new plan comes with a couple of key trade-offs.

First, initial availability is extremely limited. Starlink is rolling out the $40 service only in select, less congested areas across the United States. If you are an existing customer, you can only switch to this tier if the option appears in your account settings. This restricted rollout suggests that Starlink is carefully managing network demand before expanding the offering.

Second, the service is a deprioritized option. This means you might experience slower speeds during peak usage times when network congestion is highest. Heavy data users need to stick with the higher-priced Standard Residential plan for prioritized service and consistently higher speeds.

This aggressive new pricing is a strategic move. The 100 Mbps speed and competitive monthly fee position Starlink to better compete for federal funds from programs aimed at bringing high-speed internet to underserved rural areas. This way, the company solidifies its role in the future of US broadband infrastructure.
It is illegal to sell crackers to children under the age of 12. (Getty Images) (Peter Cade via Getty Images)

We all know under 18s can't legally buy alcohol and tobacco products in the UK, but did you know you have to be 12 or older to purchase Christmas crackers ?

By law, the festive items can't be sold to younger children as they're classed as a pyrotechnic article. Shopkeepers who break the rules could face a fine or even a prison sentence under The Pyrotechnic Articles Regulations 2015, which also governs the sale and age rules for buying fireworks.

Crackers aren't the only surprising items or activities that are age-restricted in the UK, either.

From buying jumbo markers to when you can drink in a restaurant, here are some of the most surprising age-based rules and recommendations.

9 things you can and can't do at certain ages in the UK

Nicotine pouches  no age limit

There are currently no age restrictions on buying nicotine pouches. (Getty Images) (Peter Dazeley via Getty Images)

Nicotine pouches are small sachets of nicotine, often sold in brightly coloured packaging at supermarkets and corner shops. The sachets are placed against your gum and they deliver a nicotine hit that, in some cases, can be stronger than cigarettes and vapes.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, currently going through parliament, will ban the sale to under-18s at some point in the future, but right now, they're unregulated. This means they can legally be sold to people of any age, including children.

Drink slushies  age seven

It's not recommended that children under seven have slush drinks containing glycerol. (Getty Images) (Rafael Ben-Ari via Getty Images)

There is no official limit on the age a child can buy or drink a slushie, but this summer, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) recommended they should not be drunk by under-sevens.

Slush ice drinks can contain glycerol, which, when consumed at high levels  for example when drinking a number of slushies a short space of time  can cause very low blood sugar levels and unconsciousness in young children.

Apply for the British Army  15 years and seven months

You can apply for the army before your 16th birthday. (Getty Images) (ilbusca via Getty Images)

While you can't join the army as a soldier until you're 16, the age limit for applying is younger. You can start your application at 15 years and seven months and attend an assessment centre to determine suitability for the job from 15 years and nine months.

Under-18s, however, do need parental consent to apply.

Buy party poppers  age 16

They might be fun but you'll need to wait till you're 16 to buy them. (Getty Images) (Jennifer A Smith via Getty Images)

They may seem like a fun way for families to celebrate at a party or Christmas, but party poppers can't be bought until the age of 16. Like crackers, they fall under pyrotechnic regulations. Caps, throw downs and cracker snaps are also restricted until the age of 16.

Drink beer, wine or cider with a meal in a pub  age 16

It is illegal to give alcohol to a child under the age of five. (Getty Images) (Chris Tobin via Getty Images)

While it's against the law for anyone 18 to drink or buy alcohol in a pub or restaurant, the rules are different when food is involved.

Sixteen and 17 year olds who are accompanied by an adult can drink (but not buy) beer, wine or cider with a meal.

It's also worth noting that it's illegal to give alcohol to children under the age of five.

Buy jumbo markers  age 16

Permanent markers are age-restricted in the UK. (Getty Images) (Marc Espolet Copyright via Getty Images)

Jumbo markers  or permanent markers  are an age-restricted product. This is because of the fumes, which can be inhaled. Aerosol spray paints are age-restricted to 16 for the same reason.

It's also illegal for shopkeepers to sell substances containing solvents, like aerosols, glues and hairsprays, to under-18s, if they suspect they may be used for getting high.

Buy a pet  age 16

The age you can buy a pet has risen from 12 to 16 since 2006. (Getty Images) (Svetlana Repnitskaya via Getty Images)

While your child may be saving up their pocket money for a hamster, they won't be able to buy it themselves, unless they're accompanied by an adult. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 raised the minimum age for buying a pet from 12 to 16.

Under-16s also can't win a pet as a prize, unless with an adult.

Claim lottery winnings  age 18

If you're under 18 and buy a winning ticket, the National Lottery operator Allwyn says it will not be liable to pay a prize to you. (Getty Images) (South_agency via Getty Images)

In 2021, the minimum age for buying lottery tickets and scratch cards was raised from 16 to 18  and you also need to be over 18 to claim any winnings. National Lottery rules say anyone under this age won't be liable for a prize, whether they were buying the ticket for themselves or for someone else.

Buy sparklers  18

Sparklers are classed as category 2 fireworks. (Getty Images) (coldsnowstorm via Getty Images)

Most of us held sparklers as young children but they can't be bought until the age of 18. They're classed as Category 2 fireworks (F2), meaning they're designed for use in confined outdoor spaces.

Due to their high burn temperatures, they pose a serious health and safety risk, and, like other F2 fireworks, can only be purchased by adults.

Read more about age limits and shopping rules:
Adolf Hitler (Getty Images)

Adolf Hitler may have had a micro-penis due to a genetic disorder, researchers have claimed.

A ground-breaking documentary investigating the Nazi dictators DNA has revealed he had Kallmann syndrome, a disorder which delays puberty and hinders sexual development.

Researchers have revealed that there was a one in ten chance that Hitler would have had a micro penis, and he may have also had undescended testicles.

The analysis also shows the famous wartime song Hitler Has Only Got One Ball was close to the truth.

The DNA, which was originally collected from a bloody sofa in the dictators bunker in Berlin shortly after he took his own life, was also analysed to see if Hitler had Jewish ancestry.

Professor Turi King, who led the research, said: If he was to look at his own genetic results, hed almost certainly have sent himself to the gas chambers.

King, who is best known for identifying the remains of Richard III, said that she agonised over the analysis.

She explained: It will be done at some point and we wanted to make sure its done in an extremely measured and rigorous fashion.

Also, to not do it puts him on some sort of pedestal.

She added: The genetics can in no way excuse what he did.

Alex J Kay, a historian who specialises in Nazi Germany who was co-lead investigator in the documentary, that Hitler struggling to form sexual relationships may have been critical to him coming to power.

He said: This would help to explain Hitlers highly unusual and almost complete devotion to politics in his life to the exclusion of any kind of private life.

Other senior Nazis had wives, children, even extramarital affairs. Hitler is the one person among the whole Nazi leadership who doesnt. Therefore, I think that only under Hitler could the Nazi movement have come to power.

The research will be covered in the Channel 4 documentary Hitlers DNA: Blueprint of a Dictator, which will be broadcast on Saturday.

It comes after researchers revealed in 2022 that Hitler had feared having a serious illness.

Hitler was treated several times over 10 years by a German ear, nose and throat specialist.

Psychiatrists have previously suggested that a brief encounter with a Jewish prostitute may have led to Hitler's genocidal Holocaust.

They believe he may have caught the sexually transmitted disease syphilis which, if untreated, can eventually cause madness.
The UKs first small modular reactor nuclear power station will be built at Wylfa, on Anglesey/Ynys Mon in North Wales, the Government has said.

The first-of-its-kind project will be built by publicly owned Great British Energy-Nuclear and is backed by 2.5 billion investment from the Government.

The Government also announced Great British Energy-Nuclear (GBE-N) has been tasked with identifying potential sites for another large-scale nuclear power plant, similar to those being built at Hinkley Point in Somerset and Sizewell in Suffolk.

It will report back by autumn 2026, and has been requested by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband to consider sites across the UK, including in Scotland, officials said.

But the plans for small modular reactors at Wylfa have prompted an angry response from the US, with ambassador Warren Stephens describing his country as extremely disappointed by the decision.

The ambassador had been pushing for a larger reactor at Wylfa, and US firm Westinghouse had reportedly presented plans to the UK Government to build a new gigawatt station at the site.

Mr Stephens said there are cheaper, faster and already approved options to provide clean, safe energy at this same location.

He added: If you want to get shovels in the ground as soon as possible and take a big step in addressing energy prices and availability, there is a different path, and we look forward to decisions soon on large-scale nuclear projects.

As I have repeatedly said, we want the UK to be the strongest possible ally to the United States, and high energy costs are an impediment to that, he said.

US ambassador to the UK Warren Stephens described his country as extremely disappointed by the decision (PA)

It comes after the UK and US agreed a nuclear partnership in September, potentially worth around 76bn.

Small modular reactors (SMR) are mini nuclear power stations which are smaller and designed to be installed on site as prefabricated modules, with hopes the technology will be quicker to build than more traditional plants such as Hinkley Point C.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) said the announcement would support up to 3,000 jobs in the local economy at the height of construction

And it would allow Wylfa, where previous attempts to bring back nuclear power to the site of a former reactor had failed, to become a beacon of a nuclear golden age, the department said.

The UKs first small modular nuclear reactors, which will  subject to final contract  be designed by Britains Rolls-Royce SMR, are expected to generate enough electricity to power three million homes.

The Rolls-Royce SMR will be the UKs first domestic nuclear technology in over 20 years, delivering emissions-free energy to millions of homes both in the UK and overseas.https://t.co/8kQotWLUVg #SMR #nuclearpower #netzero #rollsroyce pic.twitter.com/aTOSd2DI7w  Rolls-Royce (@RollsRoyce) December 28, 2023

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: Britain was once a world leader in nuclear power, but years of neglect and inertia has meant places like Anglesey have been let down and left behind.

Today, that changes. Were using all the tools in our armoury  cutting red tape, changing planning laws, and backing growth  to deliver the countrys first SMR in North Wales.

This government isnt just reversing decline, its delivering thousands of future-proofed jobs, driving billions in investment, and providing cheaper energy bills in the long term.

Mr Miliband said nuclear power and other clean energy, such as renewables, offered the chance of energy sovereignty and energy abundance which every sensible nation needs in the 21st century.

Writing in The Daily Telegraph, he said: Oil and gas from the North Sea will continue to play a role for decades to come, but now is the time to build up our clean power resources.

I firmly believe that we cannot have a safe, prosperous country without the sovereignty and abundance that clean energy brings.

First Minister of Wales Eluned Morgan added: This is the moment Ynys Mon and the whole of Wales has been waiting for.

New nuclear is a step into the future with secure jobs and secure energy guaranteed for the next generation.

The Energy Department said GBE-N will start activity on the site in 2026, with an initial project for three reactors, but the site could potentially hold up to eight of the mini power plants.

It is hoped the Wylfa reactors will start supplying power to the grid from the mid-2030s.

Officials also said there would be export opportunities for SMRs, and potential for new nuclear at the former site of Oldbury, in Gloucestershire, owned by GBE-N.
ANDY RAIN/EPA/Shutterstock

More than 20 years ago BBC2 broadcast an edition of its Correspondent series entitled Kenya: White Terror, dealing with the Mau Mau rebellion in the 1950s.

One of the interviewees was a former district commissioner, who was asked if he had beaten or authorised the beating of Mau Mau detainees. Having already been asked the question, and replied in the negative, he paused lengthily before replying again, through gritted teeth, no.

The finished film included the pause, at its full length, but not him saying no. After failing to persuade the BBC to admit fault, the interviewee complained to the newly created regulator, Ofcom, which eventually forced the BBC to broadcast a 2-minute statement of correction. The BBC pointedly refused to make any kind of apology to the victim, but Correspondent was discontinued, and its editor re-deployed.

More recently, BBC News breached the privacy rights of Sir Cliff Richard by filming from a helicopter a police visit to an apartment he owned in Sunningdale, and announcing him as the target of the search being conducted  something the police force involved had specifically refused to do (not least because the evidence supporting the complaint of a sexual assault 30 years previously was so flimsy).

The BBC director-general Lord Hall declined to apologise to Sir Cliff. In awarding him substantial damages and costs, the judge was dismissive of nearly all the BBC witnesses, who seemed, to him, entirely focused on a scoop and oblivious to Sir Cliffs legal rights. Amongst those who failed to impress Mr Justice Mann were the acting Head of News (later succeeded by the newly departed Deborah Turness) and Jonathan Munro, the new acting head.

Like Kenya: White Terror, the BBC News scoop had been submitted for awards, even as the complaints and lawsuits were proceeding. Discretion and humility are not BBC virtues.

The BBC is rarely forthcoming with apologies. Its own complaints machinery is labyrinthine, and any reference to Ofcom must await the BBCs own verdict on the merits. I have a strong suspicion that the BBC was waiting for the elderly district commissioner to die as it dragged out its responses to his complaint (at one point, Ofcom felt compelled to warn that the endless delays would result in a negative verdict by default).

If we expected contrition over the Michael Prescott dossier  which included the Panorama edit of the Trump speech, but only as the tip of a very large iceberg  what transpired was at best grudging, and at worst paranoid, as a chorus of denunciations by BBC staff was aimed at Sir Robbie Gibb, accusing him of organising a coup to bring down Tim Davie and Deborah Turness.

What this conspiracy theory implied was that two of Sir Robbies henchmen brilliantly infiltrated the BBCs Editorial Guidelines and Standards Committee, then organised hundreds of breaches of impartiality rules across the BBC such that his henchmen could assemble a lengthy report on those errors, in response to which he persuaded the entire BBC board to do nothing for many months, with the eventual leak of the report thereby leading to the two high-profile resignations (apparently, Sir Robbie was one of those board members who urged Tim Davie to stay). Hats off to the mastermind!

Donald Trump may have a weak case in US law for his threatened libel action, but one thing the BBC should have learned from the Cliff Richard debacle was that the compulsory disclosure of all relevant documents left the BBCs reputation deeply damaged. The paper trail in the Trump affair will be far more embarrassing than the actual misguided edit of his speech.

It may not be quite time for sackcloth and ashes, but a healthy dose of contrition, and a suitable payment to charity, may be vastly preferable to humiliation in a Florida courtroom.

David Elstein served as a senior executive at Thames Television and BSkyB before launching Channel 5 as its chief executive
A self-proclaimed fortune-teller and feng shui master has been arrested for allegedly playing a central role in one of the largest financial fraud operations in Australian history, according to police.

New South Wales police on Wednesday arrested 53-year-old Anya Phan and her 25-year-old daughter, Thi Ta, during a raid at their Dover Heights home, in Sydneys eastern suburbs.

Detectives alleged the older woman played a key role in orchestrating more than A$70m (35m) in fraudulent activity, exploiting her standing within Sydneys Vietnamese community to recruit participants for the scheme that the Sydney Morning Herald dubbed as the Penthouse Syndicate.

During the raid, officers seized luxury handbags, electronics, financial records, mobile phones, a 40-gram gold bar valued at A$10,000 (5,000), and A$6,600 (3,300) worth of casino chips.

Police alleged that Ms Phan persuaded vulnerable members of the community to take out large financial loans while keeping a share of the loans for herself.

Investigators alleged she preyed on their trust by claiming to foresee their rise to wealth, telling clients they would become billionaires, and using her image as a spiritual adviser to reinforce the deception.

Police added that an extra A$15m in assets was frozen during Wednesdays operation, bringing the total value of seized property linked to the syndicate to A$75m.

Detective Superintendent Gordon Arbinja, head of the financial crimes squad, said Ms Phan was trusted and influential within her community, but used that influence to exploit others.

The 53-year-old has claimed to be a feng shui master and fortune-teller who convinced these vulnerable people to become a mule in the criminal syndicate where they would receive an amount of money, and each time she convinced these people to do these loans, she would pocket at least $150,000 herself, Mr Arbinja alleged.

What is also alarming is that this woman was trusted within her community. She arrived in Australia in 2001 and soon after became an Australian citizen.

She has not worked during this time  The repayments on the Dover Heights address alone were $56,000 a month, yet she was receiving disability support payments for over 20 years and was a VIP customer at a Sydney-based casino.

We [allege] that she has at least laundered over $520,000 in a two-month period alone at this Sydney-based casino. Shes a high roller and very influential amongst her community, Mr Arbinja said.

Her daughter is accused of helping facilitate the scheme, allegedly purchasing a A$5.3m property in Rose Bay on behalf of the syndicate.

Both women were taken to Surry Hills Police Station following their arrests.

Ms Phan was later charged with 39 offences, including directing the activities of a criminal group, dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception, and dealing with the proceeds of crime.

Her daughter faces multiple related charges and was granted conditional bail to appear in court in January.

The arrests come amid a widening investigation under Strike Force Myddleton, a task force established to probe financial crimes linked to Sydneys luxury car and property sectors. What began as a probe into fraudulent ghost car purchases  loans taken out for vehicles that never existed  has evolved into a massive investigation spanning multiple banks and business fronts.

Gold bar seized by NSW police (NSW Police)

What began as an investigation into fraudulent car financing has expanded into uncovering one of the most sophisticated financial crime syndicates I have seen in my career, Mr Arbinja said.

Our detectives have worked tirelessly to uncover a network that has not only targeted financial institutions but also manipulated vulnerable individuals for personal gain.

Police say the so-called Penthouse Syndicates reach extends far beyond car financing, implicating corrupt bank employees, mortgage brokers, solicitors, and real estate agents in a sprawling network of financial deception.

More than a dozen suspects have already been charged with offences ranging from fraud to money laundering in what authorities describe as one of Australias largest financial crime cases.

Police say further arrests are expected as investigators turn their attention to the syndicates professional facilitators, including lawyers, accountants, and property developers.
Jacinta Allan, premier of Victoria state (2nd left), signing the treaty - Justin McManus/AAP

The Australian state of Victoria has formally acknowledged the deep and lasting scars caused by British settlers on Aboriginal people.

Victorias Labour government signed a treaty into law in Melbourne on Thursday, declaring it a new chapter in its relationship with First Nations people who will be given the power to advise ministers and question them publicly on policies affecting their communities.

It is the first treaty struck between Aboriginal people and an Australian government, and comes two years after the nation as a whole rejected a plan to recognise its indigenous people in the federal constitution.

The 34-page pact was signed by Jacinta Allan, the premier of Victoria, and state governor Margaret Gardner, representing the King.

It commits Victoria to a truth-telling process that formally acknowledges the traumatic impact of British settlement on Australias original inhabitants.

Today is a recognition that ancient systems of law and the modern institutions of our democracy can stand side-by-side, said Ms Allan.

It sends a very clear message that when people have a real say [over] their healthcare, housing, education, and the practice of their culture, their outcomes are improved and our state is made fairer.

But opponents accused her of reviving the Indigenous Voice to Parliament policy by the back door, warning the treaty was racially divisive and out of step with the result of the 2023 national referendum, which saw 54 per cent of Victorians vote against the proposal.

Treaty will function as a voice on steroids

The state opposition Liberal Party declared it would scrap the treaty within 100 days of taking office if it wins the state election next year.

The Institute of Public Affairs, a powerful think tank aligned with the Liberal Party, said Australians had already rejected a proposal to divide us permanently by race.

Victorians should be warned  the treaty will function as a voice on steroids, creating a separate and parallel parliament based on race, it said.

Human rights leaders welcomed the legislation, including Volker Turk, the United Nations High Commissioner, who said it marked a transformative milestone for justice, reconciliation and self-determination.

I hope this inspires other leaders in Australia and beyond to adopt similar measures, Mr Turk said.

The treaty recognises the deep and lasting scars and dislocation, grief and trauma that still ripples through Australias most disadvantaged communities.

It is meant to give Aboriginal people more say over policies that impact them by establishing Gellung Warl  meaning tip of the spear in the language of the Gunaikurnai people of south-east Victoria  a representative body that is expected to play a central role in negotiations over land, cultural protection and government services.

Every July, week-long events take place to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people - Darrian Traynor/Getty

The body has pushed to decolonise the Victorian school curriculum so that students are taught about past harms, and has called for mandatory cultural sensitivity training for teachers, as well as audits of school libraries to remove racist materials.

Indigenous names would also be added to more street signs, waterways, public infrastructure and landmarks under the reforms.

Local councils are under increasing pressure to remove statues of colonial figures, with the issue thrust into the global spotlight when a King George V statue was beheaded in Melbourne and later paraded by Kneecap, the controversial Irish band, at their concert earlier this year.

The signing of the legislation also comes a week after representatives of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people, from the lands surrounding Melbourne, filed a native title claim over thousands of square miles in the state including the capital city.

If a native title were granted, it would recognise their rights over the use of land and waterways, protecting their cultural traditions.

Give us our land back

New South Wales and South Australia are also considering their own treaties.

But at a federal level, the Labor Party dropped plans to pursue a treaty with Indigenous communities, leaving Australia as one of the few Commonwealth countries without one.

The issue was again brought into the spotlight when the King was heckled by an Aboriginal Australian politician during his visit to Canberra last year.

Senator Lidia Thorpe shouted at the King: You committed genocide against our people. Give us our land back.

She continued: Give us what you stole from us: our bones, our skulls, our babies, our people.

You destroyed our land, give us a treaty  we want a treaty, we want a treaty with this country. This is not your land. This is not your land.

This country was never empty

Victorias treaty text rejects the Latin term terra nullius  meaning land belonging to no one  the doctrine used by British colonisers to justify claiming sovereignty over Australia.

This country was never empty, never unclaimed, it states, describing the notion of land belonging to no one as a fiction that ignored Aboriginal people.

It cites evidence from Victorias Yoorrook Justice Commission, known as a truth-telling inquiry, that within 20 years of settlement the Aboriginal population of Victoria had collapsed by nearly 90 per cent, accompanied by acts of genocide including massacres, the forced removal of children, widespread destruction of cultural sites and the decimation of languages.

More than 400 massacres were committed by police, officials and settlers across Australia in what was known as frontier wars, resulting in the deaths of more than 10,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, according to research by the University of Newcastle.

Thousands of children  known as the stolen generation  were forcibly removed from their parents by government social workers and churches.

Many of the 40 languages spoken by Aboriginal people in Victoria were also lost, the treaty notes.

It is a rare thing for a government to admit it was wrong  rarer still to commit, in plain words and enduring actions, to making it right, the treaty states.

Yet that is what this moment asks. That is what this moment makes possible  a moment we claim together.
Insurer Aviva has revealed it expects to meet 2026 performance targets a year early and almost doubled aims for cost savings following its 3.7 billion takeover of Direct Line.

The FTSE 100 firm said 100 million of original cost savings at Direct Line have been delivered three months ahead of plan and it now expects to strip out 225 million in costs by 2028 following the deal.

This is is not set to involve further job cuts, with Aviva having already signalled last December that up to 2,300 jobs could go under the cost-cutting plans, with around 5% to 7% of the combined roles set to be axed over three years.

Aviva chief executive Amanda Blanc has set out new three-year targets (Aviva/PA)

Many of the role reductions are expected to go through natural staff turnover, while affected employees will be redeployed where possible, with around 1,000 UK-based vacancies across the group.

It is looking to make the extra savings through its IT and insurance operations.

Avivas chief executive Amanda Blanc said the group expects to hit its target of 2 billion in operating profit a year early.

It comes as the group guided for 2025 group operating profits of around 2.2 billion, including 150 million from six months ownership of Direct Line.

She laid out new three-year targets, including an 11% compound annual growth rate in operating earnings per share through to 2028.

Ms Blanc said: The integration of Direct Line is well under way and we are increasingly confident of reaping the full benefits of this acquisition.

The outlook for Aviva has never been better, she added.

In the first nine months of its year so far, Aviva saw general insurance premiums increase 12% to 10 billion.

UK and Ireland general insurance premiums lifted 17% to 6.7 billion in the nine months.

The group said it had seen general insurance prices coming down after surging higher in recent years.

We have observed areas of rate softening in the first nine months but remain focused on pricing appropriately  We continue to monitor the market conditions and flex our trading approach to maintain profitability, the group said.

But shares fell 5% in morning trading on Thursday, though this comes after the stock has in recent weeks hit the highest level since before the 2008 financial crisis.
A ban on landlords evicting their tenants without reason will come into force in just over six months time, ministers have announced.

Landlords will also be prevented from increasing rent more than once a year, while bidding wars between prospective tenants will be outlawed from May 1.

Housing Secretary Steve Reed insisted the Government was calling time on rogue landlords by initiating a raft of measures in the Renters Rights Act.

Ministers have set out a timeline for implementing the Act on Friday, with the aim of giving landlords and letting agents time to see through the changes for their tenants.

From next May, the first tranche of law changes will be introduced.

These include a ban on so-called no-fault section 21 evictions, as well as a ban on asking for more than one months rent in advance when a tenancy begins, and a halt to bidding wars between tenants.

Landlords will also no longer be able to discriminate against tenants for being on benefits or having children, and will not be able to unreasonably refuse requests from their tenants to own pets.

Housing Secretary Mr Reed said: Were calling time on no-fault evictions and rogue landlords. Everyone should have peace of mind and the security of a roof over their head  the law weve just passed delivers that.

Were now on a countdown of just months to that law coming in  so good landlords can get ready and bad landlords should clean up their act.

Though the measures are aimed at bolstering legal protections for tenants, the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG) was keen to insist that landlords will have stronger reasons for getting their properties back when needed as a result of the Act.

This includes when they want to sell up, if tenants are in rent arrears, or are engaging in anti-social behaviour.

Speaking to the Big Issue in an exclusive interview, Sir Keir Starmer insisted the Government believed the majority of landlords were reasonable and respectable.

He told the magazine: Of course, the vast majority of landlords are respectable and reasonable, treating their tenants well and providing an important service.

But its about time that we rebalanced the system to give renters more rights and more power in their homes. Thats exactly what this Act does.

This generational uplift in renters rights is about putting more power into the hands of people who have had to stand for unfair behaviour for too long. By giving renters the rights, security and protections they deserve well be able to prevent homelessness, put an end to unsafe housing and make sure people can live with dignity and without fear for the future.

Last month, the Renters' Rights Act became law! We recently celebrated by bringing together the campaigners, politicians, and renters who have worked towards this moment for a decade. Here's what they said about why this change is so needed  pic.twitter.com/t0fQCkhIMb  Renters' Reform Coalition (@RentersReformCo) November 11, 2025

Other measures in the Act will come into force in two further phases, according to MHCLG.

The second phase will include the introduction of a new private landlord ombudsman to resolve complaints from tenants that their landlords do not address, without the need to go to court.

A database of private landlords and their properties will also be rolled out as part of the second phase, in late 2026.

Further measures to ensure private rented homes are of a good condition will then follow in a third phase of the Acts rollout.

The news was welcomed by rental rights campaigners.

Ben Twomey, chief executive of Generation Rent, described it as a vital step towards re-balancing power between renters and landlords and said it should be celebrated.

Landlords will no longer be able to discriminate against tenants for being on benefits or having children (Alamy/PA)

Tom Darling, director of the Renters Reform Coalition, said: Todays announcement that the end of section 21 evictions will come into force on May 1 is huge news for Englands 12 million renters.

We have fought for this day for so long and to now have certainty about when the last no-fault eviction will be is crucial for our members, who will be trying to ensure as many renters as possible are aware of their new rights.

Sarah Elliott, chief executive of housing and homelessness charity Shelter, said: For too long, renters have lived under the constant threat of no-fault evictions. Families have been torn from their communities, with record numbers pushed into homelessness. Too many have been silenced about discrimination and unsafe conditions. Today we celebrate that their voices have finally been heard, and change is on the way.

But renters must understand that their rights will not change today. The current system remains in place until the new rights come into force from May 1 2026. Until then, we stand ready to support renters and help them understand the vital changes the Act will introduce.

At the NRLA UK Housing Conference, Baroness Taylor addressed attendees via a pre-recorded statement, describing the passage of the Renters Rights Act through Parliament as truly transformational. Read more: https://t.co/FgqclrMeRc pic.twitter.com/Enth9BgUEV  NRLA  National Residential Landlords Association (@NRLAssociation) November 7, 2025

However, Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, said the deadline alone to implement the changes is not enough.

He added: We have argued consistently that landlords and property businesses need at least six months from the publication of regulations to ensure the sector is properly prepared for the biggest changes it has faced for over 40 years.

Unless the Government urgently publishes all the guidance documents and written material needed to update tenancy agreements to reflect the changes to come, the plan will prove less a roadmap and more a path to inevitable failure.

Without this landlords, tenants, agents, councils and the courts will be left without the information required to adapt, creating utter confusion at the very moment clarity is most needed.
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.

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.

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.

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.
Mixed fortunes: Mark Wood and Ben Stokes (Getty Images)

England captain Ben Stokes announced his readiness for the Ashes with six wickets on the first day of their in-house warm-up against Andrew Flintoff's Lions, though the occasion was marred somewhat as Mark Woods left early with an injury.

Stokes has not played since July, when he tore a shoulder muscle against India, but proved he is firmly on track for the opening Test by leading the attack at Lilac Hill.

He took two wickets in each of the first two sessions as he claimed four for 45 in 12 overs, with Josh Tongue the only other bowler to strike as the second string reached 208 for five at tea. Stokes later added two more wickets.

Stokes has been subjected to a stream of barbs from the local media since touching down in Perth but offered a reminder of his threat, dismissing Tom Haines, Jacob Bethell, Jordan Cox and Rehan Ahmed in a pair of robust spells.

Ben Stokes was in fine form despite his injury lay-off (Getty Images)

Bethell dragged a short ball to square leg having scored just two off 17 balls and looks increasingly unlikely to unseat Ollie Pope from the No3 slot. After a lean white-ball tour of New Zealand, Bethell needed to make a statement to up the pressure on the incumbent and was unable to deliver.

There were runs to be had on an outground offering generous bounce but modest pace, with Durham opener Ben McKinney making 67 before nicking Tongue just after lunch and Cox posting a lively 53.

Cox and Ahmed both shovelled Stokes bouncers to fine-leg as the all-rounder showed his ability to force the breakthroughs that Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson and Mark Wood were unable to.

England left spinner Shoaib Bashir out of their XI, in a possible nod towards their intentions for the first Test, but he will get the chance to impress when the Lions bowl in the second innings.

Wood is now a doubt for England's first Ashes Test, though, and is facing a "precautionary scan" on a sore left hamstring.

Mark Woods bowled eight overs before being withdrawn due to injury (Getty Images)

He has been out of action for the last nine months following knee surgery and made his return to face the Lions.

The 35-year-old quick bowled eight overs before tea - four in each session - but left the field midway through the afternoon after experiencing discomfort in his second spell.

It seems unlikely the tourists would gamble on Wood's fitness when they name their XI at Optus Stadium on November 21, given the other seam options at their disposal.
Want to get out of London to make your house buying budget stretch further, but still need to be in town regularly for work or social life?

The traditional sweet spot for commuter locations has long been 60 minutes by train  barely longer than a journey in from the burbs would take, but with considerably lower house prices.

A study by estate agent Savills has compared average house prices and season ticket costs across 350 locations across Londons hinterland to find the best-value options. And for those willing to chill on the train for up to an hour each way the savings could be life changing:

Rugby, Warwickshire

Rugby Market Town (Wikipedia)

Average price of a three bedroom house: 257,061

Season ticket: 10,660

Saving compared to Zone 2: 65 per cent

Local knowledge: The town of Rugby is, to be polite, a mixed bag, and nowhere is that clearer than in the town centre where lovely old buildings rub shoulders with hideous strip malls filled with charity shops and discount stores.

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.

An average three-bedroom semi would cost around 325,000, much higher than the Rugby average but still outstanding value by London standards.

Another option is Holton, four miles south east of the town centre, which Cruikshank says is becoming extremely popular with London exiles. It has The Tuning Fork, a surprisingly-stylish restaurant given its very suburban location, and a David Lloyd Gym with padel courts. It has just got a really nice vibe, says Cruickshank, who says prices are similar to those found in Dunchurch.

Schools: as well as the eponymous public school, most of Rugbys schools are rated good by Ofsted while Lawrence Sheriff School (seniors) gets top marks from the schools watchdog.

Trains: From 54 minutes to Euston.

Leighton Buzzard (Wikipedia)

Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire

Average price of a three bedroom house: 348,354

Season ticket: 5,884

Saving compared to Zone 2: 62 per cent

Local knowledge: With the Chiltern Hills on one side and London on the other Leighton Buzzard is a great best of both worlds town.

Its high street is a little suburban, with too many pound stores, but for those who care about such matters there is a Waitrose, plus some pretty good neighbourhood restaurants, led by rustic Italian Mama Rosas, as well as plenty of traditional pubs.

It is definitely up and coming, says Nick Board, director of estate agent Hunters. Particularly over the last four years we have really noticed more independent shops and wine bars, they are building a new leisure centre, it is an improving place.

Leighton Buzzard (Unsplash)

As far as homes go you will find a lot of slightly dull postwar properties, as well as a few streets of period houses. For more of a cute country aesthetic try the satellite villages Soulbury and Stewkley.

In town, Board suggests that Londoners start their property hunt in Linslade, less than a mile west of the town centre, and right by the station, where homes range from Victorian to post-war, and a three-bedroom semi will cost around 375,000 to 400,000.

Schools: Generally popular and well thought of, with an outstanding special school. Parents of older children do need to take care with catchment areas, however, as Gilbert Inglefield Academy is considered inadequate by Ofsted.

Trains: From half an hour to Euston.
A black Metropolitan Police officer who claimed a colleague called him a dodgy Nigerian lied about the case to pervert an employment grievance procedure, a gross misconduct hearing has ruled.

Detective Sergeant Nonso Anidi, 39, was sacked but is appealing the decision.

I am a clean and honest person, he told the Standard.

He called on the forces watchdog to investigate conversations between senior officers ahead of his dismissal.

DS Anidi had a meeting with boss Inspector Chris Thompson, who is white, and had been challenged over overtime requests in March 2023.

Detective Sergeant Nonso Anidi (Supplied)

Insp Thompson was accused of making a racial slur, which he denied, but had secretly recorded their conversation.

Commander Jason Prins, who chaired a disciplinary panel, believed his line manager used the word dodgy when referring to DS Anidis booking of annual leave on the Mets internal system.

However, the word Nigerian was not heard throughout, Cmdr Prins concluded, although he accepted the inspectors recording did not capture the meetings entirety.

He said: In considering harm, while there was no psychological harm to Inspector Thompson, the consequences on his career could have been significant if the officers false allegations had been found proven.

The panel were informed that since these allegations, Insp Thompson was put on restrictive duties and concluded this was actual harm.

The panel also considered this is a type of reputational harm, both to Insp Thompson and to the Met.

There was a malign intent in trying to remove Insp Thompson as his line manager by falsely accusing him of racism.

The conduct found proved is incompatible with the role of a police officer.

Cmdr Prins said the sergeant acted dishonestly in a way that significantly undermines the trust that the public need to have in their police for the service to be effective.

DS Anidi served for ten years working on the Grenfell Tower fire investigation, a murder squad and a unit tackling predatory sex offenders in Enfield and Haringey.

He said his work was praised by colleagues and members of the public.

The National Black Police Association alleged DS Anidis case backed up findings from last weeks damning review which found anti-black racism is baked into Scotland Yards HR systems, leadership, governance and culture.

Author Dr Shereen Daniels concluded darker-skinned staff were punished for speaking out whereas lighter employees received quicker empathy and leniency.

Father-of-four Anidi told the Standard: I loved my job and trusted these people to look after and support me.

But you destroy the trust and confidence I have when you secretly record me.

Asked if Insp Thompson might have lost his job had he not made the recording, the former officer said: I dont know.

Anidi claimed: Im appealing this decision because it is ridiculous. I did not lie.

If I was lying why would I put myself out there in public saying prove me wrong?

I am not an evil person that would call someone a racist. Would I change anything in this situation? No. I will take this to Heaven.

Andy George, president of the NBPA, called for the Met and the Independent Office for Police Conduct to re-investigate.

He alleged: This case highlights why so many black officers remain fearful of reporting racism within policing.

When an allegation of racism results in the complainant being dismissed rather than the circumstances being properly scrutinised, it reinforces a sense that the system is stacked against those who speak up.

The ethical concerns surrounding the recording, particularly the fact that the beginning of the conversation was missing, raises issues of fairness in the misconduct process.

This matter goes beyond one officer. It speaks to a culture where those who challenge racism risk being portrayed as dishonest or problematic, while trust in internal processes continues to erode.

A Met spokesman said: Detective Sergeant Nonso Anidi was dismissed without notice after a misconduct panel found he falsely accused his line manager of making a racist remark.

One aspect of the evidence heard by the panel was a recording of a meeting between DS Anidi and his manager. They thoroughly assessed this recording and found no evidence of the remark being made.

Having properly assessed all the available evidence, the panel concluded DS Anidi had breached the standards of professional behaviour at the level of gross misconduct and he was subsequently dismissed.
Rachel Reeves was handed an unwelcome pre-Budget surprise today when official figures showed the economy stalled over the three months to September.

Latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals the UK economy inched forward by just 0.1% in the quarter, below City expectations and the worst performance since 2023.

The figure marks a sharp slowdown from the 0.3% growth seen in the second quarter and 0.7% at the start of the year.

The UKs GDP fell by 0.1% in September, although it was dragged down by a 2% fall in production output following a catastrophic cyber attack on Jaguar Land Rover, which halted manufacturing at its plants.

Over the third quarter as a whole the dominant services sector grew by 0.2% , while construction advanced by 0.1%. However the production sector, which includes manufacturing, slumped by 0.5%. The motor manufacturing sub-sector saw output down by 10.3%.

The latest setback comes after a poor run of GDP figures over the summer with a fall of 0.1% in July followed by zero growth in August. The British economy has not shown any growth in a month since June.

It means that an interest rate cut in December from the Bank of England is now a near certainty. The pound fell following the ONS release, with the pound to euro exchange rate dropping to 1.1313 from 1.1330. The pound to dollar exchange rate dipped to 1.3108 from 1.3120.

Apart from a 0.7% spurt in the first quarter of this year - when the UK was the fastest growing economy in the G7 - the UKs economic growth has been consistently disappointing since Sir Keir Starmer took over the reins of government in July last year.

The first quarter acceleration in growth was brought to halt by the slew of tax and other cost increases in awful April and the performance has been largely disappointing ever since.

That is despite the manifesto describing delivering faster growth as Labours first mission for government.

Reeves hit the UK with 40 billion of tax rises in her first Budget last year including a 20 billion hike in National Insurance contributions for employers which was widely blamed for undermining economic growth, which she claims is the Governments No1 priority.

With the public finances still in crisis, the Chancellor is set for a second huge tax raid, expected to run into the tens of billions, in her Budget on November 26.

Households, rather than businesses, are set to bear most of the burden of Ms Reeves latest tax grab, with London and the South East set to be hardest hit.

The Chancellor is having to fill a large fiscal shortfall, partly due to the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) cutting UK productivity forecasts and to build a bigger economic cushion than the current 10 billion to better guard against external shocks.

Reeves said: We had the fastest-growing economy in the G7 in the first half of the year, but theres more to do to build an economy that works for working people.

At my budget later this month, I will take the fair decisions to build a strong economy that helps us to continue to cut waiting lists, cut the national debt and cut the cost of living.

But Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride , said:Todays ONS figures show the economy shrank in the latest month, under a Prime Minister and Chancellor who are in office but not in power.

Months after the Prime Minister stripped the Chancellor of responsibility for the Budget, Keir Starmer has now lost control of his own Downing Street operation  with his team openly at war with his Cabinet.

If the Prime Minister does not have the backbone to control his team, he has no hope of reducing spending. Only the Conservatives have a leader with a backbone and a plan to deliver 47 billion of savings  allowing us to cut tax and cut the deficit under our Golden Economic Rule.

Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said: "This is a damning indictment of Labours disastrous decisions.

"From the jobs tax to business rates bills, the economy is barely spluttering along.

"The Chancellor must take up our plans for an emergency package to save our high streets, put money back in the pockets of families and finally fix our broken relation with Europe to bring in billions for our public services."

Lindsay James, investment strategist at City firm Quilter said: This paints a picture of an economy that started 2025 strongly but is now badly losing steam just as the Chancellor prepares for a pivotal Autumn Budget. Her next move will be critical if she is to recover Labours economic growth mission and prevent any whispers of a recession looming.

Todays ONS data also shows , exports of goods to the United States, including precious metals, fell by 0.5 billion or 11.4%, in September, to their lowest level since January 2022.

The total deficit in trade in goods over the third quarter was a record 59.6 billion. If the huge surplus in trade in services is factored in the overall trade deficit widened by 2.8 billion to 5.6 billion.

Samuel Edwards, head of dealing at global financial services firm Ebury, said: Septembers unexpected GDP drop will undoubtedly be a kick in the teeth for the Chancellor, in what is one of the last major pieces of economic data before her anxiously awaited Autumn Budget.

Nervousness around the Budget has likely weighed on key economic drivers, while disappointing export performance to the US and a stagnating labour market have kept GDP in a chokehold.

With the economy losing steam, the all but confirmed Budget tax rises look set to further unsettle businesses and households in the run-up to Christmas  dimming hopes of any material recovery.

Suren Thiru, economics director, at accounting body ICEAW said: These figures confirm that the UK economy has precious little momentum ahead of the Budget, as sinking business confidence and skyrocketing cost pressures helped suppress activity across the third quarter, underscored by Septembers downbeat outturn.

Consumers and businesses endured another difficult quarter as higher taxes and heightened uncertainty triggered a renewed reluctance to spend, invest and trade, while government spending slackened unexpectedly.

GDP growth in the final quarter may be similarly anaemic with the prolonged uncertainty caused by the later than usual timing of the Budget and higher unemployment likely to restrain activity, particularly given looming tax rises.
The Air India Express flight from Mumbai to Varanasi recieved a security threat (Getty Images)

Bomb threat assessors were alerted on Wednesday after an Air India Express flight to Varanasi received a security alert.

The domestic Air India Express flight departed Mumbai, India, at 2.30pm on Wednesday 12 November, for a two-hour flight to Varanasi with 176 passengers and crew members onboard.

The security threat prompted emergency protocols to be put in place at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi as the flight came in to land.

An Air India spokesperson said in a statement to The Independent: One of our flights to Varanasi received a security threat.

In line with protocol, the Government-appointed Bomb Threat Assessment Committee was immediately alerted, and all necessary security procedures promptly initiated.

The flight landed safely and all guests were disembarked. The aircraft continued operations post completion of all mandated security checks.

The United News of India reported that security agencies inspected the plane but found no suspicious items.

The incident follows several other similar incidents involving bomb threats on the airline.

In June, an Air India flight from the UK was diverted to Saudi Arabia due to a bomb threat.

Heading to New Delhi, the flight had to make an emergency landing in Riyadh, where it underwent security checks.

Earlier that same month, Air India subsidiary Vistara was forced to make an emergency landing in Thailand after receiving a bomb threat.

A Thai official said they searched the aircraft after it landed, but did not find a bomb.

The threat came only a day after the airline was involved in the worst plane crash in a decade that killed over 240 people.

In October 2024, it was revealed that a wave of threats had disrupted nearly 100 flights in India in one week alone.

The threats, issued mostly via X, alarmed passengers and sent the aviation authorities scrambling to mount a response.

Indian police and security agencies launched investigations into the hoax threats, including contacting X about information on certain accounts posting them.

Indias civil aviation minister at the time said that urgent steps were being taken to address the situation.

Such activities are a matter of grave concern, K Ram Mohan Naidu added. We will take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of passengers and the smooth functioning of the aviation sector.

Read more: Air India flight from UK diverted to Saudi Arabia due to bomb threat
According to Donald Trump, this is a screen grab of a video of a US strike on a boat carrying alleged drug traffickers in the Caribbean - AFP

Marco Rubio has denied claims Britain stopped intelligence sharing with the US over its strikes on narcoboats in the Caribbean.

CNN reported on Tuesday the UK was no longer providing sensitive information because it believed the US attacks on the boats suspected of smuggling drugs to its shores are illegal.

However, Mr Rubio, the US secretary of state, denied the claim following a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in Canada.

It was a false story, Mr Rubio said, adding the US had a strong partnership with the UK.



According to CNN, Britain had cut off intelligence sharing a month ago because it did not want to become entangled in attacks it has deemed illegal.

The UK has intelligence assets based in several of its territories in the Caribbean, and in the past has helped Washington identify drug boats so they can be intercepted by the US Coast Guard.

However, British officials reportedly believed the strikes, which have killed at least 76 people, break international law and agree with an assessment by the UNs human rights chief that they amount to extrajudicial killing.

Donald Trump said this was a photo of a kinetic strike against positively identified Tren de Aragua Narcoterrorists - Truth Social

Donald Trumps administration has faced criticism in Congress about the legal basis on which it is proceeding with the attacks, of which 19 have been publicly announced.



In a memo to congressional committees, the US president signalled he was invoking sweeping wartime powers to justify the policy, which began in early September.



He declared the US was in an armed conflict with drug cartels, whose members he called unlawful combatants, which under international law allows countries to kill enemies who pose no immediate threat.



Mr Trump has also argued the attacks are justified because each boat is laden with enough narcotics to kill 25,000 Americans.

Top government officials briefed a group of congressional leaders last week on the military campaign, which is taking place in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.



Democrats said they need more clarity on how the strikes are conducted and the legal justification for doing so, following claims by critics that the administration is violating both international and US law.



What we heard isnt enough. We need a lot more answers. And I am now asking for an all senators briefing on this issue, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said following the meeting.
A British journalist has claimed US immigration officials are conducting a war against freedom of speech as he arrived home in the UK after spending more than a fortnight in detention.

Sami Hamdi, 34, was held by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at San Francisco International airport on 26 October after travelling to America for a speaking tour.

During his detention in a crowded space with between 80 and 90 inmates, he said he was left in sheer agony, with family and supporters pushing for his release after his health deteriorated.

Mr Hamdi, who lives in London, was released by ICE and returned to the UK on Thursday.

He told The Independent that his detention marks a war against freedom of speech for both Americans and the British.

I dont think this was an attack on me, he said in his first full interview upon his release. It was an attack on Americans, generally.

Sami Hamdi greeted by family after returning to the UK (PA)

The founder of The International Interest, a global risk and intelligence company, has been a vocal critic of Israels military action in Gaza. The UN recently concluded that the state was committing a genocide against the Palestinians after a two-year investigation and over 69,000 dead. Israel has called the report false and distorted.

But Mr Hamdi said his words are considered a threat by establishment figures unhappy with increasingly hostile public opinion against Israel.

The concern that they had was not that I was speaking, the concern was that American public opinion is genuinely changing, he said. I spent a good deal of time over the past 3 years in America. I went to every state except New Hampshire. Americans are listening.

He commended the American people for their courage and dedication to freedom, and said he was treated very well when travelling the US.

This is a war on the freedoms of British and American citizens because in freedom they are learning the truth, and when they learn the truth theyre turning away from Israel, he said.

It is a land of the brave. They are defiantly standing against those restrictions.

Hamdi has been a vocal critic of Israels military action in Gaza (Reuters)

During his detention, Mr Hamdi said he witnessed several people who had been detained by ICE for almost a year, including a 70-year-old man and former professor fleeing persecution.

He also detailed the deterioration in his health as he was left in sheer agony within a day or so of being in detention.

Mr Hamdi said relations between ICE officials and inmates is fraught, as he witnessed difficult conditions with 80 to 90 people in the one room he was forced to stay in.

Its a battle of wills. You feel like ICE are merciless in this, he said. Theres a cruelty to it.

However, he said he was conscious of his privilege and the high profile that enabled him to be released.

Nothing that happened to me compares to the genocide, he added. I wouldnt dare complain about my conditions when I remember the pictures of Sidras legs being blown up or Hind Rajab with the 320 bullets at her car or Reem, the soul of my soul.

US Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said: Sami Hamdi, an illegal alien and terrorist sympathiser who cheered on Hamas following its October 7 terrorist attack, 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. Thats just common sense.
British journalist Sami Hamdi on way home to UK after weeks in ICE detention

Sami Hamdi is on a flight home to London after being held in US immigration detention for more than two weeks.

The political commentator was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at San Francisco International airport after travelling there for a speaking tour on 26 October.

His family confirmed on Thursday that he was on his way back to the UK. It was a great relief, they said in a statement.

The US government agreed to allow him to leave voluntarily, with no order of deportation and no allegations.

While we welcome this development, we want to underscore that no family should ever have to go through what we have: Sami was in the United States on a valid visa when he was abducted and detained by ICE, despite committing no crime.

British political commentator Sami Hamdi was detained on 26 October (Sky News)

The family said Mr Hamdi had been living in terrible conditions since being detained, staying in a room with between 80 and 90 other people.

All this because Sami, a journalist, political commentator, and human rights defender, spoke out against Israels genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. Sami should never have spent a single night in a cell.

Mr Hamdi is expected to land at Heathrow on Thursday afternoon. His family said he will continue to stand up for Palestinian rights.

As we await our husband, son, and fathers return to Britain, we keep all political prisoners held by ICE in our hearts, the statement said. He will never be intimidated into silence.

The US government revoked his visa without informing him and proceeded to use this as grounds to detain him. In truth, they had nothing on Sami  he was targeted for his legally protected free speech. Otherwise, they would not have offered voluntary return.

The statement said the family was deeply worried about the future of free speech in the US, and called on the UK government to re-evaluate its approach and increase its efforts to secure the safe release of its citizens, including when they are detained by allies.

The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA), whose lawyers challenged Mr Hamdis detention in a federal court, has claimed he was detained over his support for Palestine and punished for criticising Israel, not for any alleged wrongdoing.

Mr Hamdi accepted an offer to leave the US voluntarily after being charged with visa overstay, according to his legal team. But they said Mr Hamdi should never have been detained, claiming that anti-Muslim and pro-Israel extremists had pressured the US government into arresting him.

Mr Hamdi is the managing director of The International Interest, a global risk and intelligence company, and has appeared as an analyst and commentator on British TV networks.

US officials previously said comments made by Mr Hamdi, 35, after Hamass October 7 2023 attack on southern Israel, celebrated violence.
Immigrants held at a California detention center have alleged they were sexually harassed by a guard and that their complaints went unanswered while the officer in question was transferred to another facility and promoted, according to a report.

The official, named only as Lt Quin by The Los Angeles Times, was contracted to work as an administrative manager at the Golden State Annex in McFarland, California, by a private prison firm, Floridas GEO Group, at the time the abuse is alleged to have taken place.

Quin was the subject of three complaints from the same detainee, according to the Times, which were filed under the Federal Tort Claims Act, to a watchdog agency and with the Department of Homeland Security, and which accused him of sexual assault, harassment and coercion. The complainant also alleged that other staff knew about the misconduct and joked about it.

The accused was reportedly a contractor belonging to the GEO Group, a Florida-based private prison firm (AFP/Getty)

The inmate, a 28-year-old man, alleges that, beginning in May 2023, Quin began routinely summoning him from his dorm to the lieutenants office late at night, with no security cameras present, to warn him he had been given a citation or complained about by one of the other guards, before rubbing his genitals and making sexual comments.

While the complainant said he initially refused Quins alleged advances, which, he said, included promises to help him with his immigration case and threats of calling a code black to summon other officers on the assumption their colleague had been attacked, he ultimately gave in to the pressure campaign and allowed Quin to touch his genitals and perform oral sex on him.

He said he was rewarded thereafter with contraband gifts from the officer, including a phone and a water bottle filled with alcohol. The latter exchange was witnessed by another guard, reportedly leading to Quins brief suspension, and a pause to their late-night interaction.

I feel dirty, the detainee said in a recorded interview. I feel ashamed of myself, you know? I feel like my dignity was just nowhere.

An earlier complaint filed on behalf of the same detainee by the Asian Law Caucus alleges that other staff at the California facility had made suggestive remarks towards him, hinting that they knew about Quins alleged abuse.

That complaint also contains allegations of abuse towards five other detainees, one of whom is transgender. According to the Times, a gay couple from Colombia also reported being abused by Quin at the facility in April 2024, roughly the same time as the other incidents cited.

The alleged victim also filed a third complaint with another oversight body, the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman. To his knowledge, no investigation was initiated, the Times reported.

The abuse is alleged to have taken place at the Golden State Annex detention facility in McFarland, California (ABC News)

The accused was subsequently transferred to a higher-ranking post, as chief of security, at the Alexandria Staging Facility in Louisiana, according to the Times, while the alleged victim was transferred to the Mesa Verde ICE processing Center in Bakersfield, California, in October 2024, before being deported last month.

The outlet reports they succeeded in contacting Quin by phone, only for him to initially refuse to speak to them and then hang up when a reporter attempted to read the accusations to him in pursuit of a response.

Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told The Independent: Allegations of ICE employee or contractor misconduct are treated seriously and investigated thoroughly. These complaints were filed in 2024  well before current DHS leadership and the necessary reforms they implemented.

The investigation into this matter has concluded, and ICE  through its own investigation reviewed by CRCL [Civil Rights and Civil Liberties]  could not substantiate any complaint of sexual assault or rape. The media is continuing to peddle smears and allegations that demonize our brave ICE law enforcement who are already facing an 1,000 percent increase in assaults against them.

All legally required functions of CRCL continue to be performed, but in an efficient and cost-effective manner and without hindering the departments mission of securing the homeland. The oversight offices continue to receive and open new complaints and investigations.

The Independent also reached out to ICE and the GEO Group for comment.
Letzte Generation activists block a road in Berlin in protest at a speed limit on highways and for affordable public transport. Photograph: Christian Mang/Reuters

In the rubble left by the second world war, Berlin seized a zero-hour opportunity to remake itself with a brave new vision of mobility, its citizens zooming down broad avenues and autobahns in roaring German-engineered cars.

Tramlines, particularly in the capitalist west of the divided city, were ripped out to make way for motorists, and bicycles were muscled out of the main traffic arteries. The autogerechte Stadt (car-friendly city) was born.

Fast forward 80 years and the dream of carefree individualised transport has regained a stronghold in the German capital. In fact, as cities like Paris, Amsterdam and Copenhagen embrace increasingly climate-, bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly policies, critics say Berlin is zooming full-throttle in reverse.

Its not an unreasonable demand that Berlin  actively ensures that everyone who is not surrounded by a tonne of metal feels safe in public spaces, Julia Schmitz, a community affairs reporter, wrote recently in the newspaper Der Tagesspiegel.

Experts note Berlin does have a low ratio of cars per person, extensive but woefully underfunded public transport and a chaotic network of bicycle lanes that 15 years ago were seen as cutting edge in Europe.

But striking the right balance of interests on Berlins roads has proved divisive since the pandemic, and hammered a deep wedge through the ruling coalition, the same fractious alliance of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the centre-left Social Democratic party (SPD) that governs at the national level.

The CDU built its win in the last election in 2023 in part on a backlash against the car-critical policies of the previous government of the SPD, the Greens and the far-left Die Linke. Aspects of the debate have taken on the flavour of a culture war, with the far-right Alternative fur Deutschland also campaigning on motorists rights.

Because Berlins sprawling city limits encompass large swaths of what would be suburbs in other capitals, voters on the urban fringes, who are particularly attached to their vehicles, cast ballots with a vengeance. For many older Berliners and easterners who grew up under communism, cars remain a symbol of independence, freedom and status.

Against that backdrop, the new government began by axing a high-profile pilot project to pedestrianise a short stretch of Friedrichstrasse, the main shopping street in east Berlin.

More recently, it announced plans to shrink budgets for bike lanes and pedestrian safety in 2026 and 2027, after already slashing the amount previously earmarked.

Funds for measures including safer paths to schools and upgrades to pavements will more than halve to 2.6m (2.29m) from 5.4m. Financing for speed cameras will also fall in the same period and subsidies for bike sharing could disappear entirely.

Meanwhile, residential parking permits have been capped at just over 10 per year since 2008  far below the administrative costs incurred to issue them and less than the cost of a 24-hour metro ticket.

In September the speed limit on more than 20 busy streets rose from 30km/h to 50 km/h when it was determined that emission-reduction targets had been met. After an outcry, the citys top transport official, Ute Bonde of the CDU, said her hands were tied. If I dont have a reason to set out 30 km/h then Im not allowed to because thats what German [federal] law stipulates, she said.

This month, the city announced  to great fanfare  a plan to help absorb emissions by planting 500,000 trees in the next 15 years, taking the total number to 1m by 2040, at a cost of 3.2bn (2.8bn). However, experts were quick to point out the irony that rigid road laws may stand in the way, requiring zoning permission for each new sapling.

I think if were talking about this new wave of sustainable transport measures that we see in many cities across Europe, then definitely Berlin is not following those and even working in the other direction, said Giulio Mattioli, a transport researcher at the University of Dortmund.

He said Berlin seemed content to pursue an idea of progress rooted in decades-old visions of urban development. I have the impression that Berlin is trying to catch up with what cities like Paris and London were doing in the 80s and 90s, like completing a ring of motorways, he said, referring to the controversial and costly bid to finish the A100 autobahn encircling the city.

Berlin reunified in 1990 after the fall of the wall and Mattioli said it was as if the city decided it needed to catch up and do things it thought were the hallmark of a modern capital.

Among the elites theres still something of that mindset, while in those other cities things have moved on, he added, after Berlin had reached saturation point with car traffic.

A CDU transport expert, Johannes Kraft, counters that the pendulum has swung too far away from motorists, noting the citys roads and bridges are in desperate need of repair.

The goal is to renovate and expand infrastructure for all modes of transport, he told a recent public hearing. To all those who still believe that Berlin can be supplied by cargo bikes, he made clear: The car belongs in Berlin. Were making sure the city functions.

The remark was a swipe at Green party proposals to subsidise climate-friendly cargo bikes and at the stereotype of parents in wealthy central districts, such as Prenzlauer Berg, zipping around on expensive models with their kids and bags of organic groceries.

The most recent flashpoint has been the redevelopment of Torstrasse, a 2km-long thoroughfare dating back to the 18th century. As a key east-west traffic artery and a lively neighbourhood of bars and restaurants, it symbolises the competing priorities of Berlins road networks.

In a complex redesign, dozens of mature trees will be felled, the pavement cede ground to accommodate a bike lane, and parking spaces restricted to leave four lanes of traffic largely unperturbed. The plans have already triggered protests and angry confrontations at community meetings.

On a recent balmy afternoon on a busy Torstrasse, Berliners voiced their frustration with the direction of traffic in their city.

Giuseppe Amato, who owns an Italian restaurant, said once the plans were realised, his hemmed-in sidewalk terrace would only be able to accommodate 12 people versus 40 today.

How am I supposed to do business? he said. Theyre going to make it boring, thats my biggest fear. My guests want to sit outside and watch the world go by  its like a cinema here.

Carina Haering, 39, a teacher at a technical college, said she wished there was a political will to try thinning out vehicle transport through a bustling part of town.

I know people in Barcelona in the beginning werent thrilled either, she said, referring to its superblocks project introduced a decade ago to restrict traffic in the city centre. But then they noticed how much quality of life can be gained. Its 2025  its time to think about it here too.
Caroline Flack's final weeks in her own words as mum shares final messages. (Getty) (SOPA Images via Getty Images)

Caroline Flack's mum Christine has given her late daughter a voice in Disney+ documentary, Search for the Truth. The Love Island presenter was advised to stay silent in the weeks leading up to her death by suicide, aged 40, in 2020.

Her mother has shared her daughter's final text messages and voice notes as she investigates the assault charge Flack faced. "I'm doing my best to tell the world what some awful people did to you," Christine said.

The Strictly winner was arrested in December 2019, and she received a caution over an incident with her boyfriend Lewis Burton, where she hit him with a phone while he slept. But, she was charged with assault by beating after the Metropolitan Police appealed the CPS's decision. Burton did not support the prosecution's case.

In the wake of the documentary, Burton wrote on Instagram stories: "Out of respect, Ive chosen to remain silent. However, the false accusations and online abuse directed toward me and my family has gone too far. I had hoped it would never come to this, but now I have no choice but to clarify the situation and share the truth."

Christine Flack on the set of Caroline Flack: Search for the Truth. (Disney+/Sam Taylor) (Sam Taylor)

Revealing WhatsApp messages shed light on the presenter's inner torment. "I'm having a big panic attack," Caroline Flack said in the private messages. "I think I'm going to prison."

Her mum Christine explained that her messages were a true account of how her daughter was feeling.

She said, "I can hear her saying these things. They're the things she was thinking and saying. The reason she was worried and thought she may be going to prison because the detective who was working the night had got the CPS to change their ruling and to charge her."

Caroline Flack pictured at The BRIT Awards 2019. (Getty) (Karwai Tang via Getty Images)

Days after Flack's arrest

Three days after her arrest, Flack filmed a piece to camera where she shared how she was feeling behind closed doors.

She said: "Im doing this because I want to remember what I went through and what my family went through, what my boyfriend went through, what his family went through. Its three days after Ive been arrested for having a fight with my boyfriend. Ive always co-operated with the police since they arrived. I was put in a cell.

Lewis Burton seen arriving at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court. (Getty) (Joe Giddens - PA Images via Getty Images)

"I was promised that I was anonymous and this wouldnt be going further, and it was a really private situation. Five minutes after I left the station, theyve gone to the press, all the details, everything. Since then, I lost my job, the job Ive worked all my life on. Im living in a hotel. Im receiving so much abuse."

In a tearful voice note, Flack said: "I never hurt anyone in my life. The only person I ever hurt is myself."

Caroline Flack stepped down as the presenter of Love Island on 17 December 2019.

Paparazzi photographs

On Christmas Eve, twelve days after her arrest. Flack's best friend, Mollie, wanted to cheer her up and took her on a Christmas shopping trip. Paparazzi photographs sold to tabloid newspapers showed the presenter laughing and having a good time.

Worried, Flack sent WhatsApp messages to her friend. "Mollie, we were followed all day, pictures, laughing, everything," she said.

Mollie said: "OK listen, you are allowed to Christmas shop."

Flack responded: "I'm panicking. I need a new location."

Mollie said: "Weird how they didn't get you crying in an alley."

Flack said: "They wouldn't want me crying, that ain't a story."

The Sun publishes a photo of her bed covered in blood

When The Sun published a photograph of her bedroom covered in her blood on New Year's Eve, Flack was devastated. Burton said he had taken a photo and sent it to a friend before it ended up in the tabloid newspaper.

Flack texted her friend: "Can't get over this, it's so private." She also said: "The picture has f***ed the case." She added, "I wouldn't get a fair trial."

"I don't think I can cope with the shame of it all," Flack wrote in a message to her friend. "Mollie, I feel the lowest I've ever felt... I don't see a way out of this."

Flack had to move out of her house at 3 a.m. because there were people stationed outside her house. She moved into flat number 13, and in the graveyard opposite, there was a gravestone with the name "Caroline Flack".

Caroline Flack wanted to make a documentary

Caroline Flack was a well-known TV star. (Getty) (Jeff Spicer via Getty Images)

There was a glimmer of hope when Flack had an idea to make a documentary about what was happening to her. In a voice note, she said, "Oh my god, I've had an idea, I think I should make a documentary about this."

In another text message, she also said: "I just feel like It's gonna get dropped you know."

Her friend Mollie said: "I could tell that she was getting stronger because she was talking about doing a documentary... She was saying, 'I just really want to get out, like, what's happened and my side of everything.' And so it felt like she was turning a corner and, you know, we felt that actually the case was going to be dropped."

The final messages

But 63 days after her arrest, Flack received the news that the case wouldn't be dropped. "My life is over," she wrote in a text message.

She worried that the police's body camera footage, recorded on the night of the incident, would be seen in court. "My head is throbbing," she also wrote.

Caroline Flack's mum Christine wants justice for her daughter. (Sam Taylor/Disney+) (Sam Taylor/Disney+)

Her mum Christine explained: "It showed her mental health, if you like. She knew it [the body camera footage] wasn't going to make her guilty of abuse. But it was going to show her to the outside world, how she sometimes felt."

The night before her death, Flack sent her friend Mollie a series of messages that didn't make sense. Worried, Mollie let herself into her flat and called an ambulance when she couldn't rouse her friend.

The ambulance wouldn't take her, and when Flack woke up the next day, Mollie said she was furious, telling her, "You will never know what it's like to be me. I am in so much pain."

With her twin sister Jodie expected to arrive in the afternoon, the two friends left Flack's flat at 10am. Mollie asked if she wanted a coffee or anything to eat via message. Flack messaged her back: "No, I might go out for one."

When Jodie arrived, the door to her flat was locked, and her dog, Ruby, was barking. Flack had taken her life and left a note: "Please let the court case be dropped, and myself and Lewis find harmony."

What have the Met, the CPS and The Sun said?

Caroline Flack posed on the red carpet on arrival for the BRIT Awards 2018. (Getty) (TOLGA AKMEN via Getty Images)

A Met spokesperson said: "Caroline Flacks tragic death had a profound impact on many, not least her family and friends, who continue to come to terms with their loss. The Commissioner has previously written to Carolines mother to offer his condolences on behalf of the Met. We recognise how terribly difficult the past five years must have been.

"It is entirely understandable that those closest to Caroline have questions about the events leading up to her death, including the police investigation. We have engaged openly with those questions through independent reviews and an inquest, which subjected our actions to significant scrutiny.

"These processes did not identify misconduct for any officer, including in relation to the decision to appeal the CPS outcome. Operational decisions were made in accordance with the legal framework and guidance in place at the time.

"The Metropolitan Police Service fully supports the officers involved in the decisions made. Organisational learning was identified around record-keeping and documentation of decision-making. These have since been addressed through policy reinforcement and training.

"The Independent Office for Police Conduct asked the Met to apologise to Carolines family for the absence of a recorded rationale in the CPS appeal process. We have done so and acknowledged the impact this has had on them.

"We remain committed to learning and improving, and our thoughts and sympathies continue to be with Carolines family and friends."

Caroline Flack at the red carpet launch for Strictly Come Dancing 2014. (Getty) (Famous, Bang Media International)

A CPS spokesperson said: "Carolines death was a tragedy and our thoughts remain with her friends and family as they continue to come to terms with their loss and the circumstances that led to her death. All decisions in this case were made on the basis of the medical opinion available to us at the time.

"A persons celebrity status never influences whether a case is taken forward. We are satisfied that the prosecution was correctly brought."

A spokesperson for The Sun said: "We have only the deepest sympathies and respect for Caroline Flack and her campaigning on mental health issues. Our work to honour Caroline's memory was made entirely with her family input and support after we were approached to help and only sought in good faith to further Christine's work.

"Caroline Flack was a well-known television personality and while it is now clear that the decision to charge her with an offence was not in the public interest, the reporting of that decision was and attracted significant media coverage... The Sun reported responsibly and within the law and strongly opposed the decision to prosecute her through editorials published before her deal.

"In late December, The Sun received a photograph and information that it published. This story was subject to robust pre-publication editorial and legal process, and repeated remarks from the court hearing, including a quote from Mr Burton that Ms Flack did not hit him with a lamp."

Caroline Flack: Search for the Truth is streaming on on Disney+.

For confidential emotional support, contact The Samaritans at any time by calling 116 123 or emailing jo@samaritans.org

This article originally appeared on Yahoo TV UK at https://uk.news.yahoo.com/caroline-flack-final-messages-disney-documentary-120334992.html
The latest report from the Commons public accounts committee (PAC) is a damning indictment of the way the Ministry of Defence has dealt with the resettlement of Afghan nationals whod served the UK in various capacities during the long war on terror that ended in some disarray in August 2021.

Despite long efforts  successful for a time  to cover up the astonishing and extremely costly incompetence on the part of the officials at all levels, the truth about the scale of the bungling emerged at last a few months ago when a superinjunction was lifted.

That would not have happened without the efforts of The Independent and other media organisations to act in the public interest and, even under the ban on publication, to continue investigating the tardy response and successive data breaches that must count as one of the most serious failures in public administration so far this century.

The political reluctance even to do the right thing and repatriate Afghan forces at risk of torture and execution at the hands of the Taliban was apparent almost from the first days after the hasty evacuation of Kabul (PA Media)

The bravery and dedication of Britains armed forces, and allies such as those who died alongside them in Helmand province and other vicious, dusty battlefields, is not matched by those who should be supporting them.

The political reluctance even to do the right thing and repatriate Afghan forces at risk of torture and execution at the hands of the Taliban was apparent almost from the first days after the hasty evacuation of Kabul.

It was highlighted by The Independents successful campaign to secure asylum in the UK for one Afghan pilot and his family; however, many remain in hiding in their homeland, marooned in Pakistan (with the constant threat of deportation to their deaths), and in the UK or trying to cross the English Channel. The treatment of the Triples  the Afghan special forces named after their numerical regimental designation  has been especially shameful.

It was all made far worse, however, as the PAC sets out in excruciating detail, by a series of data breaches that kept happening even as the Ministry of Defence (MoD) continually tried to strengthen measures to prevent them from happening. The largest and now most notorious occurred (and was kept secret) in February 2022, when a spreadsheet containing 33,000 lines of personal data was emailed to someone outside government.

The accidental leak was only discovered in August 2023, when parts of the database appeared in a Facebook group, with the great risk of disclosure of vulnerable people and their pursuit by the Taliban. It was this breach that prompted the government to seek an unprecedented superinjunction to prevent reporting.

It also triggered a huge secret evacuation programme for many thousands of people. Not all of them actually had a valid case for protection from persecution by the Taliban before the leak; however, after it, their claim could not be denied. (One of the many consequences was that the incident thus further undermined the whole concept of refugee status in the public mind.)

If the initial response  to prevent the further spread of sensitive, life-and-death data  might have been justified, the attempt to extend it indefinitely was, as the PAC says, indefensible. It means that one of the most grievous of blunders stayed out of sight and well away from the scrutiny of MPs, the media and indeed the public, for far longer than could possibly be justified. As the National Audit Office points out, it meant that as much as 2bn of public money on the various Afghan resettlement schemes, including the secret post-leak emergency programme, couldnt be properly accounted for.

The large accidental release of information in February 2022 due to human error could and should never have happened  but lessons had not been learnt from previous, albeit smaller, incidents. In the words of the PAC report, the department made targeted improvements but continued to experience data breaches.

It is an appalling saga, and one that, according to the chair of the PAC, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, could all too easily happen again: The MoD knew what it was doing  it knew the risks of using inadequate systems to handle sensitive personal information as the security environment in Afghanistan deteriorated. We lack confidence in the MoDs current ability to prevent such an incident happening again.

While nothing can now be done to undo the failures of the past, the least that the defence secretary, John Healey, and his colleagues can do now is to make sure the Afghans concerned are settled safely in Britain, and to undertake a rather more effective review of their departments procedures  and its evidently casual culture.
China uses robot wolves in staged beach invasion as it tests new war tactic

The Chinese army has revealed it has carried out staged ground invasions using robot wolves amid growing fears that it is preparing for an invasion of Taiwan.

The Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) revealed it is working on a new warfare tactic involving military-purpose robots, which it first unveiled at an air show in 2024.

Footage on state television shows the robot wolves being used as the first wave of attack in a drone-led assault. The four-legged robots are seen deployed in amphibious assault operations, as the PLA looks to develop its capabilities in integrated manned-unmanned combat, Chinas CCTV state channel said, according to Singapore-based news site ThinkChina.

What was the most dangerous 200 metres that soldiers risked their lives to breach is now accomplished by wolfpacks, the report added.

The robot wolves were seen working in sandy surroundings during a Chinese military exercise (China Central Television)

The PLA said it is developing its tactics from employing a large number of soldiers to create a human-wave to instead use advanced technology as they look to carry out intelligent-sea tactics.

The dogs were able to clear barbed wire and other obstacles with ease, allowing the PLA to use the robots in a similar way to the drone swarms. These have become a critical tactic in the Ukraine war in which huge numbers of drones are used to overwhelm air defences, The Times reported.

The exercise also reportedly featured swarms of first-person-view (FPV) kamikaze drones, which launched precision strikes against mock defences, according to engineering website Interesting Engineering.

The technology was displayed in a grand military parade this year (Reuters)

Taiwans Ministry of National Defence issued a report saying it is training soldiers to shoot down drones and actively looking to procure new anti-drone weapons systems.

According to Chinese state media, these four-legged robots can fire precise shots and work in rough terrain. They are designed to assist in complex and dangerous battlefield conditions, with the aim of replacing human soldiers to reduce combat casualties.

Weighing 70kg (154lb), the wolves can hit targets which are up to 100m away, Chinese media states.

Police patrol with a humanoid robot and a robot dog during the Jiangsu City Football League match (AFP via Getty)

Theyre suited for urban reconnaissance, breaching, or remote weapons but are limited by battery life, vulnerable communications, and small payloads, Lt Col Jahara Franky Matisek, a US Air Force command pilot and command centre director at the US Northern Command, told The Independent last month.

Their value hinges on robust sensors and secure networks, not just the platform. A lot of their drone tech in each domain looks impressive for parades, but is still too niche on battlefields  best for urban recon, not open-field charges.

Mechanical animals cost thousands of pounds to produce, but they can come as cheaply as the gun-toting robot dogs sold in China by tech company Unitree Robotics for as little as $1,600 (1,200).
Cynthia Erivo came to Ariana Grandes rescue after an overzealous fan made a grab for her on the yellow carpet at the Singapore premiere of Wicked: For Good, leaving the singer visibly shaken.

The 32-year-old, who stars as Glinda in the upcoming film, had been greeting fans and posing for cameras at Universal Studios Singapore on Thursday when a man broke through security and sprinted towards her.

Footage widely shared on social media shows the man  wearing a white shirt and shorts  rushing at Grande before putting an arm around her and pulling her close. Grande attempted to move away as security officers scrambled to intervene.

(@tacotrvck_vb via X via REUTERS)

Erivo, who plays Elphaba, immediately stepped in, placing herself between Grande and the man and appearing to shout at him until security removed him. Michelle Yeoh then joined Erivo in comforting Grande, who looked visibly distressed and was seen taking deep breaths after the incident.

Fans quickly identified the man as Johnson Wen, a prolific event crasher known online as Pyjama Man. Wen later posted his own video of the moment, thanking Grande for letting me jump on the yellow carpet with you.

Wen has pulled similar stunts at high-profile events in recent months, including climbing on stage with Katy Perry in June and crashing a performance by The Weeknd in August before being escorted away by security.

Cynthia Erivo (right) stepped in to help Ariana Grande (left) (Getty Images)

The incident sparked concern among Grandes fanbase given her history with trauma following the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, which killed 22 people during her concert.

Speaking to British Vogue in 2018, she said PTSD had become a real thing, adding: I dont think Ill ever know how to talk about it and not cry. In the same interview, she discussed her struggles with anxiety, saying: My anxiety has anxiety when I got home from tour it was the most severe I think its ever been.

Wicked: For Good  the second and final part of the much-anticipated film adaptation  is released in cinemas nationwide on November 21.

Elsewhere, Grandes love life has been back in the headlines amid speculation that she and boyfriend Ethan Slater had split after keeping their distance at Mondays London premiere. Insiders have since insisted the pair are very much together and reunited privately after the event, with both reportedly keen to keep the spotlight on the film rather than their relationship.
(John Carey)

Review at a glance: 

A friend told me this column has recently resembled extracts from the diary of Oscar the Grouch, which I think is a little off the mark. Oscar lives in a bin, after all: he probably would have lapped up all the rubbish Ive put up with lately. Still, point taken. To offset all the bah-humbugging, then, here is a recommendation: Cinder, in St Johns Wood, is terrific.

I hadnt expected it to be. St Johns Wood is a hotspot of mediocrity, in part because the wealthy locals have an appetite for money matched only by their unwillingness to spend it. This makes for difficult trading conditions; it certainly doesnt leave much room for creativity. But Cinder deserves to hit the big time for its whipped parmesan butter with breeze blocks of daily-made focaccia, or its TopJaw-famous cedar plank salmon. Have the beetroot under a slosh of tamari, sliced and laid out over whisked ricotta and beneath chilli flakes in a leaf pile. Attempt the mess of the crab doughnut  not stuffed and bursting like a water balloon but sliced in two as a bun, the spice of the crab meat offset by the seaside sweetness of a prawn glaze. Or do the burnt leeks, the sea bass, the agnolotti. Cinders chef is Jake Finn, who is restless, busying himself with tweaks, improvements and inventions, building a menu that is all his own, rather than a cribsheet of hits stolen from across town. Not this weeks review as I went off-duty, didnt pay (a friend did) and cheerfully accepted the bottle of Meursault that materialised from somewhere off menu but on the house. Cinder surprised, Cinder has something, Cinder is special.

Duck at Rosi (John Carey)

Not the word for Rosi, special. That would be expensive: snacks at 12, soup 18, chicken Kyiv 46. Steaks start at 59, all the sides are 8, two scoops of ice cream cost 13. Rosi is the new restaurant in the Beaumont and perhaps this is just the five-star hotel economy. Still, a puddingless meal for two when one isnt drinking feels punishing at 230. Who can afford this? And would you give them my number?

Expense, of course, is relative to the purse spending it, and places like the Beaumont trade on guests who wouldnt think twice about dropping 60 on a pair of martinis. And why not? The hotel is on the form of its life, in part thanks to new CEO Stuart Procter, who spent a dozen or so years perfecting the Stafford. When he left, he bought with him the great Benoit Provost  presently out of action, but usually manning the beautiful Magritte Bar  and reunited with Lisa Goodwin-Allen, who once oversaw the Staffords Game Bird restaurant.

The problem with charging lots of money, though, is that guests do have to get something in return. Fairs fair. At Rosi, its not eminently clear what that is: the restaurant is dull to the point of vagueness. I could not tell you who it is for, what it is like or what its intentions are, despite sticking loyally to fizzy water all night. It looks pretty good  the New York clubbiness of what was the Colony Grill Room has wisely been replaced by something altogether softer, with a pink everywhere a shade somewhere between flamingo and Barbara Cartland. On the walls are Yves Brayer-lite frescos of gossiping diners.

Music that sounds like heavy swallowing thumps relentlessly, as in a second-rate beach club, or a particularly abominable lift

It should feel sleek, but the kind of music that sounds like heavy swallowing thumps relentlessly, as in a second-rate beach club, or a particularly abominable lift. Food feels lost, too: modern British, they call it. Its certainly British  not sure how modern an old-fashioned pork pie can be. Or calves liver with bacon, though this had been tarted up for 2025, with the liver covered with an astroturf of herbs. Not a successful update. Ditto chicken Diane; the Diane sauce was too light on the brandy, and chicken made a poor substitute for the traditional steak. Without beef blood, it was cloying. Then there were the dreaded hotel restaurant concessions, pasta and pizza to appease picky guests.

All was not lost. Tableside beef tartare worked well, hash brown bites were delicious. Service was as good as any in London  attentive but not cramping. But we left befuddled, not certain of who would come here, or why: only those who didnt fancy straying far from their rooms, I suppose. But stray they should  preferably to Cinder.

The Beaumont, 8 Balderton Street, W1K 6TF. Meal for two about 250; thebeaumont.com
This Feb. 9, 2023, photo provided by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections shows Tremane Wood, who was sentenced to die for the stabbing death of a man during a robbery in 2001 (Oklahoma Department of Corrections via AP)

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has spared the life of a death row inmate just before he was set to receive a lethal injection.

The governor commuted the mans sentence to life in prison without parole rather than put him to death.

Stitt formally granted clemency to Tremane Wood, 46, who was scheduled to die for the stabbing death of a man during a botched robbery in 2002.

It is just the second time the Republican governor has granted clemency.

Wood denies stabbing a migrant farmworker to death during a 2002 robbery and a state panel recommended that his life be spared. His execution was set for 10 a.m.

Oklahoma Execution-Wood

Im not a monster. Im not a killer," Wood told the board via a video link from prison. I never was, and I never have been.

Wood's execution was one of three scheduled this week in the U.S.

Stitt, who has served two terms and cannot run for reelection in 2026, only granted one other clemency during his nearly seven years as governor.

A spokesperson for his office said he planned to meet with prosecutors, defense attorneys and members of the victim's family before making a decision.

Wood was sentenced to die for his role in the stabbing death of Ronnie Wipf, a 19-year-old migrant farmworker from Montana, during a botched robbery attempt at a north Oklahoma City hotel on New Year's Day 2002.

Woods attorneys have not denied that he participated in the robbery but maintain that his brother, Zjaiton Wood, was the one who stabbed Wipf. Zjaiton Wood was sentenced to life without parole and died in prison in 2019 after admitting to several people that he killed Wipf, said Tremane Woods attorney, Amanda Bass Castro Alves.

Woods attorneys also asked the U.S. Supreme Court to stop the execution, but the court denied that request early Thursday. His attorneys had argued, among other things, that trial prosecutors didnt properly reveal details of a plea agreement with a key witness.

Prosecutors have painted Wood as a dangerous criminal who has continued to participate in gang activity and commit crimes while incarcerated, including buying and selling drugs, using contraband cellphones and ordering attacks on other people in the prison.

Even within the confines of maximum security prison, Tremane Wood has continued to manipulate, exploit and harm others, Attorney General Gentner Drummond said.

During his testimony last week, Wood accepted responsibility for his prison misconduct and his participation in the robbery, but reiterated that he was not the one who killed Wipf.

I regret my role in everything that happened that night, he said.

In Florida, Bryan Frederick Jennings was scheduled to die by lethal injection Thursday. In South Carolina, Stephen Bryant was scheduled to die by firing squad on Friday.

A total of 41 people have died by court-ordered execution so far this year in the U.S., and at least 18, including Wood, Jennings and Bryant, were scheduled to be put to death during the remainder of 2025 and next year, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.
Ken Martin, the chairman of the Democratic Party, orders staff to return to the office five days a week from February - Jacquelyn Martin/Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

Democratic National Committee (DNC) staff are in revolt after they were ordered back to work from their office.

Working from home for some of the week had been permitted at the Democrat headquarters in Washington, DC, since the pandemic.

But on Wednesday, Ken Martin, the party chairman, ordered everyone to return to the office five days a week from February, during an all-staff meeting, the New York Times reported.

Mr Martin said it was necessary to ensure staff were fully engaged ahead of the midterms, when decisions are often made quickly and in-person.

He said that if people did not like it, they should find somewhere else to work, although working from home exceptions would be granted on a case by case basis.

On the Zoom call in which the announcement was made, a flurry of thumbs down emojis flooded in from those who were working from home at the time, according to The New York Times.

At one point during the call, one staff member is said to have pointed out to Mr Martin that the party had won the 2020 election while working from home.

Callous

The partys union described the full-time office return as callous.

It was shocking to see the DNC chair disregard staffs valid concerns on todays team call, a spokesman for the DNC Staff Union told The New York Times.

DNC staff worked extremely hard to support historic wins for Democrats up and down the ballot last Tuesday, and this change feels especially callous considering the current economic conditions created by the Trump administration.

The statement continued: The DNC staff union remains committed to supporting our employees as whole people and will continue to hold management accountable to our contract.

The DNC was contacted for comment.
I didnt want to be afraid: How the music community rallied together in the wake of the Bataclan attack

We dont hate you, Zoe Alexander told the men on trial for the 2015 Paris terror attacks. Her brother Nick, 35, was the only British national killed when gunmen stormed the Bataclan Theatre in Paris during a rock concert, as part of a series of coordinated attacks in the capital . He was the merchandise manager for the California-formed band Eagles of Death Metal, who were playing to a sold-out crowd when the ambush took place.

Zoes words made headlines at the time, a remarkable display of grace and forgiveness amid the horror of such an atrocity. Marking the 10-year anniversary of the attacks, she tells The Independent why letting hate win would have felt like a disservice to her brother, whom she remembers as being in a great place in his life, doing what he loved.

When something like that happens, you cant ever envisage what its going to be like in 10 years, she says. But well be [in Paris] again this year, with the community of survivors and victims families. Weve all stood together and been on this journey side-by-side.

The Bataclan reopened exactly a year after the attacks, in which 90 people died, with an emotional gig by former Police frontman and solo artist Sting. He performed in front of hundreds of concert-goers, including survivors and family members of the victims, a moment he calls a great honour.

I had played there in the Seventies, Sting tells The Independent. Nonetheless it was a difficult balance to get right, celebrating the reopening of an historic venue and at the same time honouring the victims and their relatives, as well as some of the surviving staff who were still working there.

Zoe was one of the family members in attendance. I wanted to go in and be there, she says. I didnt want to be afraid. She recalls the tension in the air  roads were closed around the venue and armed police stood guard as guests filed through the doors  We were all wondering, Is this going to be OK?

Nick Alexander died during the 2015 attack at the Bataclan in Paris (Zoe Alexander)

There was a palpable tension in the club, Sting recalls, too. So I spoke calmly to the crowd in French, explaining the dilemma here and asked if they would join me in a minute of silence. I then performed my song Fragile, which seemed respectful and appropriate, and after this everything became a little more relaxed, the set curated specially for the occasion.

During the show, he brought out guests including French-Lebanese trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf  known for fusing Arabic-influenced sounds with jazz, funk and rock  who joined him for several solos. At one point I brought some Arab musicians to play with me  I know there was some controversy about this later, but the attack had been an assault on the whole of the city. Parisiennes, Arab and French had all suffered, Sting says.

'There was a palpable tension': Sting on performing the first gig since the Bataclan terror attack (Eric Ryan Anderson)

Five days after Stings performance, I was among the audience for Peter Dohertys Bataclan concert where the crowd were still, understandably, jittery. One couple murmured to one another about whether they should stay. Another group jumped as a crew member did soundcheck on the drums. Making his debut as Dohertys guitarist was Jack Jones, poet and frontman for the Swansea-formed rock band Trampolene. He read a set of poetry first  Nick Alexanders name written on his chest  with one line, silence is the darkest sound, ringing loud around the venue.

That will remain forever one of the most impactful, meaningful moments of my life, Jones says. It was Doherty who gave a short speech to his band before the show and then wrote Nicks name across Joness chest: I was so nervous, I was shaking sideways, Jones says. It was completely silent when I came out  the whole thing was just super emotional.

He feels that the whole music community  not just those who played at the Bataclan, but the wider response at the time of the attacks and ever since  felt a responsibility to carry on, to carry that flame. Doherty clearly shared this sentiment, as the ensuing gig was a raucous affair at which the frontman stumbled around the stage, knocking into his bandmates and egging the crowd on into some good-natured moshing.

Peter Doherty headlines at the Bataclan, 17 November 2016 (Tony Linkin)

Zoe wasnt there for Dohertys gig at the Bataclan, but she spoke to the band beforehand and was touched by their decision not to have a merch stand that night, in honour of Nick. The Libertines were such a part of his and my musical journey  growing up in London we had brilliant times running around to see them play, and the last gig we saw together was actually The Libertines at Alexandra Palace. She returns to Paris every year, as do many, to remember their loved ones or to face down the memories of what they experienced that night. The fact that survivors are still going to gigs, I think thats incredible testament to [their courage], she says.

A few years ago, she and her co-organisers changed the name of the trust founded in Nicks name, from the Nick Alexander Memorial Trust to the Nick Alexander Music Trust. That was quite an important thing for us, because it shifted it to having more of a focus on the future, and on his legacy. It awards grants for musical equipment to small charities and community groups across the UK, with the first ever grant going towards a ukulele orchestra. Having all of that music created in his memory, it keeps him alive, in a way, she says. Hes still making music to this day.
If the Bill becomes law, the House of Lords will consist wholly of appointed members for the first time in its history - Henry Nicholls/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Reforming the House of Lords is something many aspirant governments claim to want to do. Events tend to follow a similar course, however, as ministers newly ensconced in their offices and departments realise that making the upper house more accountable and powerful  and to what other end would reform in theory be pursued?  would only serve to challenge and constrain their freedom of action. We are seeing the old story played out again now.

Sir Keir Starmers Labour Party has come a long way on reform of the House of Lords. In 2022, the Commission on the UKs Future which Starmer had established under Gordon Browns chairmanship recommended the replacement of the Lords with an elected Assembly of the Nations and Regions. Starmer duly pledged to abolish the House of Lords in the first term of a Labour government.

That commitment did not last, and in 2023 the shadow leader of the House of Lords, Baroness Smith of Basildon, was sending warning signals: We should be honest about what we can achieve she said, and what were ready to do. When Labour published its election manifesto in 2024, its promises had become more modest: the right of the remaining 92 excepted hereditary peers to sit and vote in the House of Lords would be removed and a mandatory retirement age would be introduced. Beyond that, Labour would consult on proposals, seeking the input of the British public on how politics can best serve them.

Last September, the Government introduced the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill. The only substantive reform in its provisions was to remove the remaining hereditary peers. Earlier this summer, Smith proposed that any further changes would be a matter for a new select committee in the House of Lords, to be set up within three months of the passage of the Bill and to formulate recommendations by the end of 2026. Any reforms agreed would be implemented in the next parliament  assuming Labour is still in power.

This retreat, from a commitment of wholesale abolition and replacement to modest changes in practice and procedure by the dawn of the 2030s, is striking but hardly surprising. In March, I warned that the current Bill was a mean-minded measure which will do nothing to make the House of Lords more effective, representative or accountable. For that reason, I suggested, the Government, looking at a revising chamber almost wholly chosen by party leaders, will come to find that further reform is not so pressing after all.

The effect of the Bill currently before Parliament is to remove 85 of a potential 92 members of the House of Lords, consisting of 44 Conservatives, 31 crossbenchers, four Labour, four Liberal Democrats and two non-affiliated peers. The Government claims it is motivated purely by the unacceptability of the hereditary principle in the legislative process (although it is quite content to maintain the monarchy).

Despite this high-minded commitment to eliminate the hereditary element, there are no plans in prospect to introduce any form of election to the Lords; the only elected members currently are those excepted hereditary peers who are chosen by the admittedly small and closed electorate of those hereditary peers remaining in the Lords. If the Bill becomes law, which seems inevitable, the House of Lords will, for the first time in its 760-year history, consist wholly of appointed members. It is hard to see how that is, in practical terms, a step forward.

This dedication to fairness and equality is brought into question by the Governments complete refusal to contemplate any compromise over the provisions of the Bill. The Conservative opposition has proposed ending the system of by-elections for hereditary peers, so that they are gradually eliminated by natural wastage, and granting life peerages to existing hereditaries to maintain their service to the Lords. Neither suggestion would compromise the removal of the hereditary principle, but ministers are not interested.

The House of Commons considered amendments to the Bill made by the Lords in September, and rejected them because it considered the original provisions more appropriate (parliamentary code for sod off). The next stage, yet to be scheduled, is for that rejection to be debated by the Lords; peers must then decide whether to concede to the primacy of the elected chamber or press the Government to think a third time.

Compromises can appear unexpectedly and ministers could, for example, agree to a proportion of hereditaries being granted life peerages. But there is an air of determination about the Government; are the Conservatives willing to disrupt the legislative schedule more broadly by engaging in extended ping-pong between the two Houses?

Labours prize is clear: if it gets this Bill on to the statute book, it will have reduced its numerical disadvantage to the Conservatives in the Lords by more than half; created a legislative chamber entirely dependent on patronage; and distanced itself from firm commitments to make any further reforms which might empower the Lords.

So we can fairly ask ourselves what possible motivation the Government has to carry on, rather than finding itself with more pressing priorities than constitutional change. The long grass must seem very inviting.
The Duchess of Edinburgh is shown a Goliath birdeating spider during a biodiversity nature walk, guided by Mr Rey Mozombite and Mr Daniel Macedo, Professional Amazon Guides in the Peruvian Amazon, during her visit to South and Central America. Picture date: Wednesday November 12, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Aaron Chown/PA Wire (PA)

Duchess Sophie encountered the formidable "king of spiders" during her visit to the Peruvian Amazon, displaying visible apprehension.

The royal brought her hand to her chest, mouth, and forehead while inspecting the Goliath birdeater  the world's largest tarantula  during a jungle trek.

Initially observing the colossal arachnid on a leaf held by an Amazonian guide, Sophie later took the leaf herself, peering intently at the creature.

Accompanied by guides Rey Mozombite and Daniel Macedo, she navigated the dense forests, also taking the opportunity to hold a green anaconda snake.

Her biodiversity walk included a stop at an enormous Oje tree, where she stood among its twisted buttress roots, gazing up at its towering trunk.

The Duchess of Edinburgh is currently undertaking a 10-day official visit to South and Central America.

Sophie appeared nervous as she inspected Goliath birdeater  the world's largest tarantula  during a jungle trek (Aaron Chown/PA)

She is travelling to Peru, Panama and Guatemala at the request of the Foreign Office, and also to Belize  one of the Kings overseas realms.

The duchess, wearing a short-sleeved, white, floral blouse, green trousers and black wellies, also spotted a sloth resting in the trees as she made her way through the jungle.

She took out her mobile phone to take photos of the animal as it curled itself around the branches.

The Goliath birdeater was resting on a leaf held by an Amazon guide (Aaron Chown/PA)

The National Geographic describes the Goliath birdeater as the largest arachnid on the planet.

Dubbed the king of spiders, it can weight up to 170g with a leg span of nearly 30cm, but its venom is not lethal to humans, only to small creatures.

The duchess with a local tour guide holds a Green Anaconda snake

It does not usually eat birds, only occasionally, preferring insects, frogs and rodents.
Bobby Bones has sent his Mirrorball trophy back to Dancing with the Stars over criticism of his win from six years ago.

After former DWTS host Tom Bergeron, 70, said in an interview that he considered Bones season 27 victory the most shocking win from his time on the show, the podcast host took to TikTok on Wednesday to call out Bergeron for the remarks.

I try not to get my feelings hurt, especially about stuff like this, but this was hurtful, Bones, 45, said in the video. And not because of what was said, but really who said it.

He then played a snippet of Bergerons interview with Parade, where he told the outlet, Its funny youre asking about eliminations. The thing that shocked me most was a win. Bobby Bones. Bobby Bones was the first time it was like, Ouch. No disrespect to Bobby. He would probably say the same thing.

Bones and his professional partner Sharna Burgess win surprised the nation in 2018 as the radio personality was widely considered one of the weaker contestants that season.

Bobby Bones won season 27 of Dancing with the Stars with his professional partner Sharna Burgess (Getty Images for iHeartRadio)

What was I supposed to do on that show? I didnt even want to be on the show, Bones continued in the TikTok, adding that American Idol execs made the decision when he worked as a mentor on the show. Like I had no intention of being on Dancing With The Stars. I was working on a different show at the network and they asked me to go on the show to promote.

Am I supposed to not show up and work hard? Am I supposed to not give it freaking everything that I have? Am I supposed to throw it and not win? Like its crazy the amount of hate I get even from people that I respect like Tom Bergeron.

Bones said he likes and admires Bergeron, but that the remarks hurt his feelings  so he sent his Mirrorball trophy back to ABC.

Tom Bergeron issued an apology to Bobby Bones after his comment about his Dancing with the Stars win (Getty Images)

Bobby Bones and Sharna Burgess' 2018 win was considered a shock (Getty Images)

I sent the trophy back. They dont want me to be apart of the show, obviously, so I dont want to be somewhere that doesnt want me to be there, Bones said, concluding: Im out. Nobody wants me there anyway, so go where youre celebrated not tolerated. But yeah, the Bergeron thing hurt a little bit Im going to be honest with you.

After Boness post, Bergeron shared an apology to Instagram, saying that he was overwhelmed with interviews ahead of his return to DWTS as a guest judge for Tuesdays 20th anniversary celebration, and that he was bound to say something inelegantly.

The TV legend shared a screenshot of his apology to Bones and captioned the post, Sorry, Bobby. Sometimes I should fall back on my mime training.
Sir Keir Starmers workers rights bill will open up businesses to years of litigation from employers who want to work from home, peers have claimed.

The legislation, championed by Angela Rayner, tells employers they can only turn down requests to work remotely if they can show it is not a reasonable request.

But the Lords home working committee has warned there is no definition of reasonable, meaning cases could be fought in tribunals for years.

Angela Rayner has shown support for the legislation which gives workers the right to sue their employer for injuries caused working from home - Peter Byrne

They also said companies could be sued by employees for hurting themselves while working at home, because employers still had legal responsibilities for their health and safety.

The committee found that greater home working could help get disabled people back into employment, and urged ministers to consider promoting it to help cut joblessness numbers.

But they warned that workers, including civil servants, could strike en masse if they were forced to return to the office.

Baroness Scott of Needham Market, chairwoman of the committee, called on the government to bring out guidance on what is reasonable, saying: As it implements the Employment Rights Bill, it should ensure its changes to flexible working requests do not put undue pressure on the employment tribunal system.

Home working has increased since the pandemic, with 39 per cent of working adults now saying they work from home at least some of the time.

This figure has been broadly unchanged since 2023, and the committee found that a reported return to the office had in fact seen businesses formalise arrangements where staff work at least some of the week at home.

Sir Keir has pledged not to water down the Employment Rights Bill even though the government has admitted it will cost businesses 5bn a year.

It gives workers the ability to sue their employer for unfair dismissal on day one, rather than having to serve a probationary period first.

The Bill also allows people to ask for remote or hybrid working, and employers can only turn them down if to allow it would not be reasonable.

The committees report warns: The Employment Rights Bill adds a new requirement that employers can only reject a request for flexible working (including remote or hybrid working) where it is reasonable for them to do so.

However, it remains unclear how reasonable will be defined and implemented in practice.

Without a clear and workable definition, there is a risk of years of litigation, which could add further stresses to an already struggling tribunal system.

Access to working from home unequal

The peers also said employers could face being sued under health and safety legislation if a person hurt themselves at home.

The report said: Even if their employees work from home, employers still have legal responsibilities towards them, including in the context of health and safety legislation.

To minimise the risks of conflict and litigation, it is vital that employers are aware of their responsibilities.

The report suggested that access to working from home was unequal and that it was enjoyed largely by university graduates and people living in London.

Ministers have pledged to get more people into employment, but are grappling with rising levels of economic inactivity driven mainly by disability and long-term sickness.

Lady Scott said: The increased flexibility of remote and hybrid working can be especially beneficial to people with disabilities, and may help them to work where they couldnt previously.

Peers found mixed views on working from home, with some staff enjoying the increased flexibility while others reported missing the interpersonal connections found in the office.

They found little evidence to suggest home working had a significant impact on productivity, but noted it appeared to be linked to employees taking less time off sick.

The committees report, published on Thursday, suggested hybrid working could be the best of both worlds, if managed properly.
Jeffrey Epstein claimed he could give the Kremlin valuable insight into Donald Trump ahead of a controversial summit with Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, newly-released emails show.

The paedophile financier messaged Thorbjorn Jagland, the secretary general of the Council of Europe at the time, suggesting he could pass on a message to Putin about how to handle Trump.

In the June 2018 email exchange, shared among hundreds of emails released Wednesday by congressional investigators, Epstein discussed how to understand Trump, who was then in his first term as president.

He indicated that Vitaly Churkin, Russias ambassador to the UN, understood Trump after our conversations, and advised that Jagland could suggest to putin, that lavrov, can get insight on talking to me [sic] as Churkin used to before his death in 2017, Politico reports.

Lavrov appears to refer to Sergei Lavrov, Russias veteran foreign minister.

Epstein told Jagland, a former prime minister of Norway, that understanding Trump is not complex. Trump must be seen to get something, he said. Jagland responded that he would meet Lavrovs assistant on Monday and relay the message.

Donald Trump met with Vladimir Putin in 2018 in Helsinki, where the US president appeared to defend Russia over allegations of electoral interference (Sputnik)

More than 20,000 emails were released by lawmakers on Wednesday, initially by House Democrats, before Republicans on the House Oversight Committee shared a full cache of correspondence between Epstein and his friends and associates.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a briefing on Wednesday that the broader set of emails prove absolutely nothing other than President Trump did nothing wrong.

At the Helsinki summit in July 2018, Trump contradicted US intelligence and appeared to defend Russia over allegations of interference in the 2016 election.

Larry Summers, a former US Treasury secretary, emailed Epstein that day to ask whether the Russians have stuff on Trump, the newly-released documents show. He said today was appalling even by his standards.

Epstein said Trumps approach to the summit was predictable and assessed that Trump probably thought it went super well.

Correspondence shows the rift between Trump and Epstein. Trump in 2002 described Epstein as a terrific guy he had known for 15 years. But in 2019, the president said that he had fallen out with Epstein a long time ago. Leavitt said Wednesday that Trump had kicked Epstein out of his Mar-a-Lago club decades ago for being a creep to his female employees.

In 2019, Epstein also emailed author Michael Wolff, who has written books about Trump, to claim that the US president knew about the girls as he asked Ghislaine [Maxwell] to stop. Epstein added that trump said he asked me to resign, never a member ever.

Jeffrey Epsteins correspondence with friends and associates revealed the rift with Trump (New York State Sex Offender Registry)

Jeffrey Epstein died in prison that year. Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.

Leavitt said that the emails were selectively leaked by House Democrats to create a fake narrative to smear President Trump.

House Republicans released a wider corpus to counter what they said was a Democratic effort to cherry-pick documents.
European Union regulators have said they are investigating whether Google is unfairly demoting some content from media publishers in search results under a policy the company says is aimed at stopping scammers.

Brussels moved forward despite the risk of incurring the wrath of President Donald Trump, who has lashed out at the 27-nation blocs digital regulations and vowed to retaliate if American tech companies are penalised.

The investigation could result in the latest multibillion-euro fine for the US digital giant from the European Commission.

We are concerned that Googles policies do not allow news publishers to be treated in a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory manner in its search results, said Teresa Ribera, an executive vice-president at the commission.

We will investigate to ensure that news publishers are not losing out on important revenues at a difficult time for the industry, and to ensure Google complies with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), Ms Ribera added, referring to the blocs sweeping rule book designed to stop tech companies from monopolising digital markets.

The commission, the EUs executive branch, said it had received indications that Google is demoting certain search results according to its site reputation abuse policy.

But Google said the policy protects European users from deceptive, low-quality content and scams and shady tactics used to promote them so that they show up in search results.

Pandu Nayak, chief scientist at Google Search, said in a blog post that the company is trying to prevent spammers from abusing search results by buying paid-for content on a publishers website to trick readers into clicking on low-quality content.

Mr Nayak said the investigation was misguided and without merit.

Unfortunately, the investigation announced today into our anti-spam efforts is entirely misguided and risks harming millions of European users, Mr Nayak, said.

If we allowed this behaviour  letting sites use sketchy tactics to boost their ranking, instead of investing in creating high-quality content  it would enable bad actors to displace sites that dont use those spammy tactics, and it would degrade Search for everyone, Mr Nayak said.

But the commission said the policy hurts a common and legitimate way for publishers to monetise their websites and content and could violate the DMAs rules requiring digital gatekeepers like Google to treat other businesses fairly.

The EU drew was criticised by Mr Trump in September, when it fined Google 2.95 billion euro (2.6bn) for breaching the 27-nation blocs competition rules by favouring its own digital advertising services. It was the fourth time Brussels has sanctioned Google with a multibillion-euro fine in a wider battle between the EU and Big Tech that dates back to 2017.

The EUs new investigation must conclude within 12 months. It could fine Google parent Alphabet 10% or more of annual global revenue. The commission said it could even dismantle and sell off parts of its business.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has announced that the drastic reduction in flights imposed during the government shutdown will remain in place until airports return to normal staffing levels.

The Federal Aviation Administration enforced a 6 percent reduction in the total number of flights entering, exiting, and travelling within the United States due to a shortage of air traffic controllers.

The stringent new rules were brought into effect last week and were expected to force cuts to rise to 8 percent, before rising again to a ten percent reduction.

There has been a rapid decline in controller callouts, with only eleven staffing triggers on Tuesday, November 11, and four staffing triggers today from a high of 81 on November 8, the statement read. Such strong staffing levels suggest a further ramp-up in-flight reductions are not necessary to keep the traveling public safe.

As the federal government reopens and controllers receive their backpay, the FAA will continue to monitor staffing levels and review key trend lines.

The 6 percent cut in flights across America will remain in place until staffing levels at airports returns to normal, Sean Duffy says (Eric Lee/Getty Images)

The data is going to guide what we do because the safety of the American people comes first, Duffy said in the FAA statement. If the FAA safety team determines the trend lines are moving in the right direction, well put forward a path to resume normal operations.

FAA administrator Bryan Bedford added that the federal agency will continue to monitor system performance hour by hour.

However, the FAA has not confirmed when the 6 percent cut will be removed entirely, which has raised concerns that delays could cause carnage over the Thanksgiving holiday.

The 6 percent cut will also remain in effect at 40 high-impact airports, which include Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, Reagan Washington National, New York John F. Kennedy International, and Los Angeles International.

Speaking on NewsMaxs Finnerty show, Duffy played down those worries, though, stating, its going to take us probably up to a week to get back to normal, which is right before significant Thanksgiving travel.

Thousands of flights have been delayed or cancelled since the government closure began last month. According to FlightAware, 2,769 flights were delayed yesterday, and 910 were cancelled entirely.

The FAA has yet to give a deadline as to when flights will completely return to normal (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Sunday was the worst day for air travel during the shutdown, with 11,000 flights being delayed and nearly 3,000 cancellations taking place, according to FlightAwares data. Just a day before that, 1,566 flights were cancelled, and a staggering 7,545 flights were delayed.

Many of the delays have been caused by a shortage of air traffic controllers, who have been forced to work without pay throughout the month-long government shutdown. Many of them have had to take second jobs to make ends meet.

Trump has suggested giving air traffic controllers, who worked throughout the shutdown, a $10,000 bonus, but has admitted that he has no idea where this money would come from.

Speaking on The Ingraham Angle, the president said that We should not have had people leaving their jobs.

The ones that stayed, of which there were a lot of them, Im sending them a $10,000 bonus he added.

Ingraham interjected by asking where the money would come from.

I dont know. Ill get it from someplace... I always get the money from someplace regardless, it doesnt matter, Trump said, after chuckling. I do a lot of bonuses for people because its really something that Its like the American way, when you think about it.

The Independent has contacted the FAA for further comment.
Family complains of persecution as court rejects appeal by Chinese journalist jailed for spying

A high court in China dismissed the appeal of a Chinese state media journalist who sought to overturn his jail term on charges of espionage.

Family members of journalist Dong Yuyu said the rejection of the veterans appeal is an act of persecution.

Beijings high court upheld the original sentence on Thursday and has given no reason for its rejection, the journalists son Dong Yifu said.

Dong, 62, is the former Guangming Daily editor arrested in Beijing in February 2022 while lunching with a Japanese diplomat.

He wrote opinion articles in Chinese media and liberal academic journals on topics from legal reforms to social issues, and co-edited a book promoting the rule of law in China.

According to court records, the Japanese diplomat Dong was found dining with had been identified as a member of an "espionage organisation.

He was jailed for seven years on espionage charges last November.

A spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry said the diplomat had been involved in activities "inconsistent with their capacity" while in the country, the Strait Times reported. The diplomat was subsequently released.

Dong Yuyu poses for a photo in Beijing in June 2019 (AP)

Dongs family warned that his conviction would set a chilling precedent as Chinese citizens could now be accused of espionage for maintaining international ties.

The trial was held behind closed doors in July 2023 and journalists were barred by police from entering the court on the day of his sentencing. An American diplomat attempting to observe the proceedings was also denied entry.

His lawyer Mo Shaoping called the judgment illogical and said there was no evidence to satisfy the charges of espionage.

Chinese officials have previously said they handled the case strictly in line with the law.

"Even though today's judgment is final within China's oppressive legal system, our fight for justice is only beginning," his family said. "We will seek all other avenues for overturning Dongs wrongful conviction, they said, maintaining that he is innocent.

The hearing was attended by Dongs wife and a relative. The family has also challenged some of the evidence presented in the court.

The family, who maintain Dongs innocence, have challenged some of the evidence presented in court.

A number of Japanese diplomats whom Dong met in China had not been spies as alleged, and had never been expelled from the country, the family said in a statement.

The foreign ministry in Japan did not issue a comment immediately.

The sentence "threatens all foreigners who interact with Chinese citizens, silences all freethinking Chinese citizens open to interacting with the world, and intentionally chills people-to-people exchange," they added.

Dong regularly had in-person exchanges with diplomats from various embassies and journalists. He was a visiting scholar and visiting professor at Japan's Keio and Hokkaido universities, as well as a Nieman Fellow at Harvard university in 2007.

"Speaking with diplomats is routine work for journalists, not espionage," said Beh Lih Yi, an Asia-Pacific director of the Committee to Protect Journalists.

"China must release Dong immediately, or it is sending a message to the world that its stated goal of open engagement is empty talk," she said.

His sentencing has been further criticised by the international community. The US said the court order was unjust and called for his unconditional release immediately.
Thousands of South Korean students queued outside school gates on Thursday morning as the country began its annual college entrance exam, known as the suneung or CSAT.

The test, administered once a year by the Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation, began at testing sites across the country in the morning and is scheduled to finish late in the afternoon.

This year 554,174 candidates were registered to sit the examination at 1,310 centres nationwide, the highest number in seven years. According to Yonhap, the number of test-takers is up in part because most people born in 2007, the year of the auspicious Golden Pig that saw an unusually high birth rate, are now in their third year of high school.

For most students, the exam started at 8.40am and ended at 5.40pm. Blind students with severe visual impairments are given 1.7 times the standard testing duration; with the additional foreign-language section, the exam can finish as late as 9.40pm, nearly 13 hours after it began.

There is no dinner break and the exam continues straight through, reported the BBC.

Depending on their subject choices, students answer roughly 200 questions across Korean, mathematics, English, social or natural sciences, an additional foreign language, and Hanja (classical Chinese characters used in Korean).

This year 554,174 candidates were registered to sit the examination at 1,310 centres nationwide, the highest number in seven years (AFP/Getty)

The sheer scale of the event reflects how deeply embedded the exam is in South Koreas social fabric. It is not simply an academic hurdle: for many, it represents a gateway to university admission, future job prospects, and even wider social mobility.

On the eve of the exam churches, temples and neighbourhoods were filled with parents and relatives offering prayers and luck-bringing gifts like sticky rice cakes, rituals that have become a visible part of the lead-up to the day.

Many students deliberately avoid eating miyeok-guk (seaweed soup) for lunch, a dish whose slippery strands are believed to make a student slip on the exam.

The scale of the exam is wide enough that the state gets involved in ensuring the day goes as smoothly as possible for students. According to the Korea JoongAng Daily, 10,475 police officers and 2,238 patrol cars have been mobilised nationwide to manage traffic and provide emergency escorts for students who might otherwise arrive late.

Many state institutions and private employers adjust working hours to ease morning commutes for students, and cities re-route heavy vehicles and postpone noisy activities.

Stock markets, which are typically open from 9am until 3.30 pm, opened one hour later to ease morning rush-hour traffic and will close one hour later.

One of the most striking moments occurs during the English listening section: for 35 minutes, aircraft are barred from landing or taking off, drones are grounded, and even construction sites pause so that every test-taker may hear the audio clearly.

A total of 140 flights, including 75 international services, were rescheduled between 1:05pm and 1.40pm to avoid distractions, according to AFP.

South Korean Buddhists pray at the Bongeunsa Temple as students sit for the annual college entrance exam, known locally as Suneung (AFP/Getty)

A growing concern among educators and health professionals is the rising use of prescription stimulants as a perceived shortcut to academic performance. Data from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety show that prescriptions for ADHD medications in South Korea climbed from 37.71 million in 2020 to 90.2 million in 2024, a 140 per cent increase, with the largest volumes concentrated in high-pressure education districts such as Gangnam District in Seoul.

Lim Myung-ho, a psychology professor at Dankook University, told The Korea Times: There is no evidence in Korean or international research that ADHD medication improves learning in neurotypical children.

One private high-school teacher in Seoul added: Because the medication makes kids appear calmer and more focused, it has spread rapidly among parents desperate to help their children succeed in exams.
Former Tottenham Hotspur owner Joe Lewis is expected to be given an official pardon by US President Donald Trump.

Lewis, who handed ownership of the club to the Lewis Family Trust in 2022, was fined 5 million US dollars (3.8 million) last year after the British billionaire pleaded guilty to insider trading.

The Lewis family took full operational control of Tottenham this year, after former chairman Daniel Levy stepped down.

But Lewis will not be returning to the club, which will continue to be run by the next generation of the Lewis family.

Tottenham Hotspur owner Daniel Levy and Joe Lewis in the stands (Mike Egerton/PA)

The White House is due to publish Lewiss pardon later today.

Lewis said: I am pleased all of this is now behind me, and I can enjoy retirement and watch as my family and extended family continue to build our businesses based on the quality and pursuit of excellence that has become our trademark.

A source close to the Lewis family added: Joe and the Lewis family are extremely grateful for this pardon and would like to thank President Trump for taking this action.

Over his long business career, Joe has been a visionary, creating businesses across the world which multiple generations of his family are now taking forward.

This is why there is so much more to the Joe Lewis story than this one event.

Spurs is now run by Joe Lewiss daughter Vivienne, son Charles and Viviennes husband Nick Beucher, as well as non-executive chairman Peter Charrington and chief executive Vinai Venkatesham.

Mr Levy stepped down as chairman of the club in September after nearly 25 years.
Dana Williamson faces up to 20 years in prison if found guilty - Sophie Austin/Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Gavin Newsoms former chief of staff allegedly plotted to steal $225,000 (170,000) from a Biden campaign fund.

Dana Williamson, who worked for the California governor for two years, was charged with 23 counts, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the United States.

She is also accused of illegally writing off $1m (750,000) in Mexican holidays, luxury handbags and private jet travel as business expenses.

Ms Williamson is facing up to 20 years in prison if found guilty. She denies all charges.

The top aide, who is alleged to have carried out the corruption during Joe Bidens presidency, was indicted alongside four others.

Dana Williamson worked for Gavin Newsom for two years

She is accused of conspiring with Sean McCluskie, a long-serving aide of former California attorney general Xavier Becerra, to syphon money from dormant campaign accounts linked to Mr Becerra, who was at the time working as Mr Bidens health secretary.

The cash was supposedly to supplement Mr McCluskies salary, after he took an $180,000 (136,000) pay cut to work as Mr Becerras chief of staff in Washington, DC. There is no suggestion Mr Becerra was involved.

Mr McCluskie signed a plea agreement on Oct 30 in which he admitted to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud, according to court filings. He agreed to pay back the $225,000 he took from the account.

Daniel Olmos, Mr McCluskies attorney, declined to comment.

The news today of formal accusations of impropriety by a long-serving trusted adviser are a gut punch, Mr Becerra said in a statement, adding that he voluntarily cooperated with the department of justice in its investigation and will continue doing so.

There is no suggestion Xavier Becerra was involved - Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Ms Williamson allegedly orchestrated the plan before she worked in Mr Newsoms administration. She left in November 2024.

Ms Williamson no longer serves in this administration. While we are still learning details of the allegations, the governor expects all public servants to uphold the highest standards of integrity, a spokeswoman for Mr Newsom said.

At a time when the president is openly calling for his attorney general to investigate his political enemies, it is especially important to honour the American principle of being innocent until proven guilty in a court of law by a jury of ones peers.

According to the New York Times, Ms Williamson works as a political strategist and is well known in Californias political scene. She ran Mr Becerras 2018 campaign for attorney general and has also worked for two governors in high-ranking positions.

A friend told the paper he was shell-shocked by the news and that Dana is as good as it gets.

According to the indictment, Ms Williamson began helping Mr McCluskie in April 2022 by using her political consulting company to bill Mr Becerras campaign account for services that were never carried out.

The money would then be sent to Mr McCluskies wife, under the guise of paying her for work she had done for Ms Williamson.

Ms Williamson denies the charges against her - Lea Suzuki

When she prepared to join the California governors office in late 2022, she is said to have arranged for Co-Conspirator 2, an unnamed former public official, to take over her role in the scheme.

The other named co-conspirator was lobbyist Greg Campbell. He also signed a plea deal admitting to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States.

Mr Campbell used his company as a conduit for the campaign money to obscure that it was going to Mr McCluskies wife.

Todd Pickles, Mr Campbells lawyer, said he takes full accountability for his actions and is cooperating fully with the legal process.

He added that the charges do not involve any lobbying or advocacy work by Mr Campbell on behalf of any client.

The investigation began under the Biden administration more than three years ago, Sid Patel, the FBI Sacramento special agent in charge, said in a statement.

Ms Williamson appeared in court on Wednesday. She wore a grey coat and covered her face with dark glasses.

The former aide appeared tearful when she spoke, according to reports.

McGregor Scott, Ms Williamsons lawyer, criticised the justice department for its conduct in arresting his client without giving her the opportunity to surrender.

Ive been around this business a long time, and I know how its supposed to be conducted, he told The New York Times. What happened today is not how its supposed to be conducted.
German police made the arrest on Tuesday (File picture) (Getty/iStock)

German police detained a suspected member of Hamas shortly after he entered the country via the A17 motorway near the Czech border, prosecutors said on Wednesday.

The Lebanese-born man, who was arrested on Tuesday, is accused of obtaining weapons intended for attacks on Israeli or Jewish sites in Germany and elsewhere in Europe, the Federal Prosecutors Office in Karlsruhe said in a statement.

The suspect was due to be transferred to Karlsruhe, where he will appear before an investigating judge at the Federal Court of Justice to determine whether he will be kept in custody, prosecutors added.

According to prosecutors, the man is believed to have acquired an automatic weapon, eight pistols and more than 600 rounds of ammunition in Berlin in August 2025. He allegedly delivered them to another suspected Hamas member who is already in pretrial detention.

The seized weapons and ammunition were recovered when that alleged accomplice was arrested, prosecutors said.

Palestinian militant group Hamas fighters (AFP/Getty)

Authorities said Danish police had also carried out searches in Copenhagen and surrounding areas at properties linked to the detained man and one other suspect.

German authorities have increased investigations into Hamas-linked networks following several arrests earlier this year.

Prosecutors in Berlin last month detained three other suspected Hamas members accused of procuring weapons for potential attacks.

The weapons were meant to be used for murderous attacks on Israeli or Jewish facilities in Germany, authorities said at the time but added that the suspects had not devised a fully-fledged plan.

The investigation has since widened across the continent, with Austrian prosecutors having recently discovered a weapons cache in Vienna, believed to be in connection with foreign operational structures of the terrorist organisation Hamas.

Meanwhile last week, British police arrested a man in London accused of transporting and storing weapons in Vienna as part of the same cross-border probe.

The latest arrest comes amid growing European cooperation in counter-terrorism investigations, as authorities look to coordinate efforts to disrupt Hamas-linked operational networks.

European security officials have warned of the heightened risks of antisemitic violence since the escalation of the conflict between Israel and Hamas on 7 October 2023.
Global girl group Katseye said they have received sexist comments and death threats since their debut last year.

The group, composed of Sophia Laforteza, Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Manon Bannerman, Megan Skiendiel, and Jeung Yoonchae, was formed under a joint partnership between South Koreas Hybe Corporation, the company behind BTS and NewJeans, and US label Geffen Records.

I try to tell myself it doesn't matter, but if 1,000 people are sending you death threats, it's jarring. Even if it's not going to happen, it's heavy, Raj told the BBC.

Raj, an American citizen of Indian and Sri Lankan heritage, revealed that she deleted her X account after she was falsely reported to immigration authorities for allegedly living and working in the US illegally.

I realised I am not the audience for other peoples opinions, she said, adding that the comments she saw were incredibly sexist and dystopian.

People see us as women to rank. Theyll grade us based on how pretty we are, our singing skill, dancing skill, and then add it up and give us a percentage.

Laforteza said: Our career has been really short, but I feel like weve already had a lot of things said to us, to our families. We know that we signed up for being so public. We know its a part of fame. But it doesnt change the fact that we are human.

Daniela, Manon, Yoonchae, Lara Raj, Megan, and Sophia of Katseye (Getty)

Katseye were conceived in 2023 with the explicit goal of creating what the producers called the first truly global girl group. The project began with an international talent search in 2022 that drew over 120,000 applicants from across the world, culminating in a Netflix reality competition series titled The Debut: Dream Academy.

Over several weeks, contestants were trained and evaluated through a blend of K-pop and Western pop performance systems before six were chosen  Raj, who lived in New York; Laforteza, who is Filipino; Bannerman, who is Swiss-Ghanaian and lived in Zurich; ballroom dancer Daniela Avanzini, a Venezuelan-Cuban American from Atlanta who had appeared on America's Got Talent and was a top 10 finalist on So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation; Megan Skiendziel, a Chinese-Singaporean American dancer and vocalist from Honolulu; and South Koreas Jeong Yoonchae, who had spent five years training to be a K-pop idol.

Trained in Los Angeles under a system modelled partly on K-pops rigorous choreography and vocal standards, they officially debuted in June 2024 with the single Debut, followed by their first EP SIS (Soft Is Strong) two months later.

Their English-language follow-up single Touch went viral on TikTok and earned them early chart placements in both Asia and the US, while Gnarly became their first Billboard Hot 100 entry.

They have since been nominated for two Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist, and have appeared at major festivals and in global brand campaigns, including a viral advert for the clothing brand Gap.

Katseye have been nominated for two Grammy Awards (Getty Images for MTV)

In a short docu-series that followed the groups tour in Asia released in November last year, Raj talked about the bittersweet nature of the tour for her because shed begun to get a lot of hate on social media.

Social media has started to affect me badly. I think, especially since the documentary came out, Ive been getting a lot of hate recently, she said.

She continued, saying she broke down the day they performed in the Philippines because she saw a lot of crazy stuff.

I saw death threats that day.

In September this year, former Smiths frontman Morrissey had to cancel two shows due to a credible threat on his life.

A statement posted to his official Instagram stated: In recent days, there has been a credible threat on Morrisseys life. Out of an abundance of caution for the safety of both the artist and audience, tonights engagement at Foxwoods has been cancelled. We appreciate your understanding.

Earlier that week, a 26-year-old man from Ottawa, Canada, was released on bail after allegedly threatening to kill Morrissey at his show in the city. The gig went ahead without incident.

As Ottawa Citizen reported, the man allegedly posted on social media site Bluesky: Steven Patrick Morrissey when you perform at TD Place here in Ottawa next week on the evening of September 12th, 2025 at about 9pm, I will be present at the venue in the audience and I will attempt to shoot you many times and kill you with a very large gun that I own illegally.
Alan Cumming has said he had no idea The Traitors US would be such a hit as he described the success of the programme as bonkers.

The Scottish actor hosts the US version of the hit reality TV show which has gained global success.

Now in its third season, and renewed until at least a fifth, it marked the Emmy award-winners debut into reality TV hosting, following years of success in theatre, TV and film.

Set in Ardross Castle in the Highlands, it is not the only reason the Aberfeldy native is back from his home in New York.

Alan Cumming said Scottish culture is in a good place (Jane Barlow/PA)

He is the new artistic director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre and on Thursday he announced his inaugural season that coincides with the festivals 75th anniversary.

Speaking to the PA news agency, Cumming said he is showing the very best of Scottish talent while bringing artists from across the world to Pitlochry.

He said there are radical changes to the festival this time around, including a revolution in how design is featured.

Cumming said culture in Scotland is in a pretty healthy place, but he believes there is a better way to fund the art, with too much form-filling and too many bureaucrats.

He suggested we could save some money and give that to artists, saying the issue has got worse in the last 40 years.

It is a year of firsts for the Scot, but also a year of returns as he becomes a superhero once again in Avengers: Doomsday.

His last outing as a superhero was in Son Of The Mask in 2005 as Loki, also a character in Avengers.

Have you heard the news?  A new season of #TheTraitorsUS arrives January 8 only on Peacock. pic.twitter.com/RIQAic2ki3  The Traitors US (@TheTraitorsUS) November 11, 2025

Asked about his success across the big screen, the small screen and the stage, Cumming said: I put it down to the quality that I think would help us with our decision about Scottish independence: I give it a go.

I just think, That seems like a good idea. Theyre nice people. Theyve got good ideas. They seem fun. I like it. Im going to give it a go, and thats what Ive done.

Ive always been eclectic, and of course, eclecticism breeds eclecticism, but Ive never sort of stuck to one lane.

The Spy Kids star, who said he is still recognised for the film by children, said that means doing things even if they are risky, highlighting when he started doing Victor and Barry with Forbes Masson at the Edinburgh Festival.

People were like, youre doing stand-up at the festival? And I was like, Yeah.

It was sort of looked down upon to have a classical career and also do, weirdly, stand-up.

Ive just always done that. I like the high and the low. I like eclecticism. I like to be inspired by different things. I still do. I still am.

Alan Cumming said he still gets recognised for his role in Spy Kids (Isabel Infantes/PA)

Pitlochry is another example of that. What the hell am I doing? Its actually funny. Im 60 years old and Im suddenly running a theatre for the first time and Im now hosting the worlds biggest competition reality show. Who would have seen that coming?

Im back to being a superhero after like 25 years  didnt see that one coming either.

Asked if he was surprised by the success of The Traitors, he said: Yes, totally. I had no idea, especially because I didnt know that world  nobody saw that coming.

Its huge. Its just bonkers and it is actually lovely when its on here in America ,it is like that water cooler moment, you know, the thing that we dont have anymore, where everybody, the whole country, stops and watches it.

I love that and I dont suppose since The Good Wife have I had that sort of thing where when big storylines happen everyones watching.

Its been nuts. I didnt expect that. Even things like Spy Kids I would never have thought Spy Kids was going to be such a huge thing and 25 years on kids are still coming up to me every day.

I was filming last week in Manchester and a little girl, she was only about eight, and shes like, Mr Floop, and I think, God, it just keeps going that film, because its sort of magical, and its not dated in that way.
President Donald Trump signed a bill late on Wednesday to reopen the federal government, ending the longest shutdown in American history. The signing follows a House vote earlier in the day, largely along party lines, to send the measure to the White House.

We will never give in to extortion, Trump said during a signing ceremony in the Oval Office while flanked by his Republican colleagues Wednesday evening. Because thats what it was.

The president accused extremist Democrats of pursuing the shutdown purely for political reasons and causing millions of Americans to suffer impacts such as imperiled food benefits, lost government jobs, and tens of thousands of flight disruptions at major airports.

People were hurt so badly, Trump added. Nobodys ever seen something like this one.

All but two House Republicans voted earlier on Wednesday to reopen the federal government through the end of January, while a majority of Democrats voted against the legislation and only six Democrats voted with the GOP. The bill passed the House with 222 votes overall, four votes more than the 218 needed to move the legislation forward.

Donald Trump on Wednesday signed legislation to end the government shutdown, slamming extremist Democrats for a shutdown that caused flight delays, stopped pay for federal workers, and threatened the food benefits of millions of Americans (REUTERS)

Throughout the shutdown, the president urged senators to throw out the filibuster, the procedural rule that requires a supermajority of 60 votes to pass most legislation in the upper house.

Trump reiterated that demand Wednesday night as he signed the reopening bill, arguing that eliminating the filibuster guaranteed a shutdown would never happen again.

The government was first shut down on October 1 after Democrats in the Senate voted against a stopgap spending bill, known as a continuing resolution, passed by the House of Representatives in September.

With the government shuttered, Democrats continued to push for an extension of Covid-era enhanced tax credits for the Affordable Care Acts health insurance marketplaces as part of a reopening deal.

But Republicans in the Senate refused and Speaker Mike Johnson kept the House of Representatives out of session.

Thousands of flights were canceled across the country in recent weeks as the government shutdown strained air traffic control staff who were working without pay (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

The Senate passed legislation to reopen the government late Monday evening after eight Democrats joined Republicans in the upper chamber.

The health provisions were not included in todays legislation, though Republicans have said they will hold a vote in December on reinstating the subsidies.

In the meantime, health insurance companies have already sent out notices that health insurance premiums for customers could double or even triple for the 24 million Americans who purchase their insurance on the exchanges put in place in the 2010 law signed by President Barack Obama. During the Covid-19 pandemic, President Joe Biden increased the tax credits.

Some Democrats are concerned the health subsidies will ultimately get abandoned in further spending negotiations.

I'm very concerned that even if the Senate came up with a deal that they could agree with that Speaker Johnson won't bring it to the floor, but we have the American people behind us, and we're going to keep staying in the fight, House Minority Whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts told The Independent.

The shutdown threatened to massively disrupt crucial food aid programs such as SNAP, while at the same time sending thousands of furloughed federal workers to seek emergency assistance from food banks while they were out of work (Getty)

House Republicans were not entirely happy with Wednesdays legislation either.

Specifically, they objected to a part of the continuing resolution that would allow for Senators to sue the government for up to $500,000 if the government obtained their phone records without their knowledge.

Mike Johnson said the House would have separate legislation to remove the provision.

House Republicans are introducing standalone legislation to repeal this provision that was included by the Senate in the government funding bill, he said on X. We are putting this legislation on the fast track suspension calendar in the House for next week.

Throughout the shutdown, House Speaker Mike Johnson declined to swear in the recently elected Representative Adelita Grijalva (L), Democrat of Arizona, a move Democrats suggested was to prevent her from joining a petition to force a vote on the government releasing its remaining Jeffrey Epstein files (AFP via Getty Images)

Many Democrats in the House expressed dismay at the fact they would not be able to include provisions to extend the health care tax credits the way they hoped and felt frustrated that eight Democrats in the Senate crossed over to help Republicans.

So for all of those that have decided that some Democrats are built for this moment and some aren't, I understand that it is important to recognize that not every Republican is built the same and not every Democrat is built the same, Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas told The Independent. And so when you go to the polls, it's going to be important to make sure that you have candidates that can meet this moment.

As part of the agreement, Republicans in the Senate agreed to hold a vote on the tax credits next month, but a House vote is not guaranteed.

The shutdown came as the Federal Aviation Administration cut services for flights ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday season, the busiest travel time in the year. As lawmakers worked to reopen the government, the FAA announced earlier Wednesday that the flight cuts would stay at six percent pending further review as more airport staff were returning to work.

The bill to reopen the government effectively ends a Trump administration campaign to battle a court order that had mandated it continue to disburse benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, during the shutdown. Americans will resume getting their full benefits within 24 hours, according to the Department of Agriculture.

Beyond just reopening the government, Wednesdays flurry of activity saw Speaker Johnson swear in Democratic Rep. Adelita Grijalva of Arizona, who won a special election to replace her father in September, but whom Johnson had delayed swearing in.

It's frustrating, and it's a battle that we still have to, we have to win for the American people, for southern Arizona, Grijalva told The Independent.

The frustration came partially because Democrats swept nearly all races during last weeks off-year elections. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who last week won in a landslide race to become governor of New Jersey, criticized the lack of Democratic leadership.

I think what my race showed is that people in New Jersey want to fight, she told The Independent. They want to see somebody who's got their back. And this did not deliver on health care for people. This did not fix SNAP for people. This did not fix the upcoming utility problems and costs coming.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries expressed confidence that Democrats would win despite the dejection.

We heard all about this narrative that Democratic voters were somehow discouraged throughout the balance of this year, and we keep winning election after election after election, and Republicans were just decisively defeated last week all across America, he told The Independent.
Micheal Martin, James Browne and Simon Harris at the launch of the plan on a housing development in Dublin. Photograph: Cillian Sherlock/PA

The Irish government has announced a long-awaited plan to tackle the countrys severe housing shortage by building 300,000 new homes within five years.

It plans to boost supply by increasing construction capacity and the amount of zoned and serviced land, and to increase support for vulnerable groups, according to proposals published on Thursday.

The housing minister, James Browne, said the effort to build 300,000 homes, including 72,000 social homes, by 2030 was ambitious but also realistic.

However, critics said the proposals failed to address the causes of the crisis and that the removal of annual targets for housing delivery was an admission of failure.

Construction of new homes dwindled after the economic crash of 2008 despite continued population growth, resulting in a crippling shortage of affordable housing that has dogged successive governments and fuelled unrest.

The plan commits 28.2bn (25bn) of state funding to housing, including 12.2bn (10.8bn) for water and wastewater services and 3.5bn (3.1bn) for the power grid. Additional money will go to an infrastructure fund and a housing activation office to unblock bottlenecks, Browne said.

The government wants to convert more vacant shops and premises into homes by providing funding of up to 140,000 (124,000) per property. Derelict homes are to be restored through vacant property refurbishment grants.

The plan will offer housing and special support to homeless people, older people, people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.

The taoiseach, Micheal Martin, said housing was a defining issue. The tanaiste, Simon Harris, called it a national emergency. The challenge was not money but speeding up delivery and removing blockages, he said.

Critics called the plan a disappointment that would repeat mistakes of previous housing ministers.

Eoin O Broin, the housing spokesperson for Sinn Fein, the main opposition party, said: The emperor has no clothes. This is not a new housing plan. This is a reheated and repackaged version of the failed Darragh OBrien [the previous housing minister] housing plan.

He accused the government of ignoring underlying causes and underestimating the overall need for housing, and added: The idea that 50,000 new homes a year will address our housing crisis simply is not correct.

O Broin said the government was anticipating failure by scrapping annual targets. They are essentially saying they know they cant meet them and want to avoid proper scrutiny from the opposition, he said.

Stakeholders gave a mixed response. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions called the plan old wine in a new bottle. The Irish Planning Institute said new levers to increase housing supply were to be welcomed.

But we must also recognise that it will take time for our housing delivery system to get from where we are now to where we need to be, the institute said.
Legendary TV journalist Jim Avila has died aged 69.

ABC News announced Thursday that the former senior national correspondent died after a long illness, but did not share any further details about his death. Avila faced health challenges with courage, ABC News said, and received a kidney transplant donated by his brother in 2020. He left the network

We send our heartfelt condolences to his family, including his three children, Jamie, Jenny, and Evan, and we thank him for his many contributions and unwavering commitment to seeking out the truth, ABC News president Almin Karamehmedovic said in a statement.

Avila worked with the network for nearly two decades as a Los Angeles-based correspondent who reported on politics, justice, law and consumer investigations. He worked in the White House from 2012 to 2016, and won the prestigious Merriman Award from the White House Correspondents Association for breaking the news that the US and Cuba reopened diplomatic relations. During his time at ABC, he also worked as a 20/20 correspondent.

He left the network in 2021, following his transplant. Two years later, he started working at ABCs San Diego affiliate station as a senior investigate reporter. When asked why he came back to work, Avila told the Times of San Diego that retirement was boring.

Jim Avila worked as an ABC News correspondent for nearly two decades (X/@JimAvilaABC)

I've been to every state in the country and every continent except Antarctica. I've covered the White House, wars, mass shootings. I still want to make an impact in news and San Diego is a good place to do it, he said in January 2024.

At the time, Avila penned a column saying KGTV represented the final phase of my 50-year career in broadcasting, spanning both radio and TV.

Before joining ABC News, Avila worked as an investigative reporter for the local NBC station in Los Angeles, where he reported on the O.J. Simpson murder case. His coverage landed the station an Emmy Award in 1996.

Tributes to Avila flooded social media after news of his death. TV news anchor Scott Thuman wrote on Instagram, He was such a presence and true old school journalist. His legacy will live on well beyond today. I hope his family and friends find peace.

One of the greats in broadcast journalism has passed, anchor Frank Buckley wrote. Jim Avila, former correspondent for @ABC@NBCNews, a Cubs fan, and one of my close friends with whom I had too many nights out to count was someone who cared deeply about journalism, his friends, his family. I will miss him.
A Frontier Airlines jet was grounded at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport after a loaded magazine was found inside the cabin (Getty)

Frontier Airlines passengers were forced to urgently deplane just after landing in Atlanta when a loaded gun magazine was discovered beside a seat inside the cabin.

The security scare unfolded on Sunday afternoon on the tarmac of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, shortly after the jet arrived from Cincinnati.

The magazine contained 10 hollow-point rounds and was marked with the initials K H, according to Fox 5.

Shortly after a passenger found the magazine by seat 7-C, the captain ordered everyone on board to leave the aircraft immediately, and law enforcement officers were called at 4:32 pm.

"We need to do a security sweep, the pilot was heard saying in footage obtained by WSB-TV. Were going to get everyone off the airplane."

A Frontier Airlines jet was grounded at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport after a loaded magazine was found inside the cabin (Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport)

Each passenger was later re-screened by the airports TSA agents, while K-9 units, Homeland Security, and Frontier staff carried out a rigorous search of the aircraft, according to Fox 5. The FBI was also called to the scene.

Once the search was concluded and no other objects of concern were found, the plane was returned to service and departed for Cincinnati at 7:56 p.m.

According to a Frontier Airlines spokesperson, the live ammunition belonged to a law enforcement officer who had boarded the plane earlier that day.

A subsequent investigation confirmed that the ammunition belonged to a law enforcement officer who was on an earlier flight on the same aircraft, the statement, seen by Fox 5, read. The ammunition and magazine were taken into the custody of the Atlanta Police Department, and the property owner was referred to Atlanta P.D. to retrieve his items."

However, according to FOX 5, Atlanta authorities have yet to confirm Frontier's claim. Federal air marshals and some law enforcement officers are authorized to carry firearms on commercial aircraft.

Frontier said in a statement that the loaded magazine belonged to a law enforcement officer (Getty)

To take the firearm on the plane, however, officers must complete special training and present valid credentials when boarding. They must also provide a reason for carrying the gun and need to notify the airline in advance.

Some passengers spoke to Fox 5 and described the terrifying experience.

"For you to just leave it lying around like that and definitely not double check before you got off, irresponsible," one said.

"I don't really feel like people were in danger, but at the same time, something bad could still happen," another said.

Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is the busiest airport in the world. The central transportation hub saw 108 million passengers take off, land, and swap flights last year.

The Independent has contacted Frontier Airlines, the FAA, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Atlanta polic,e and the FBI.
An Im A Celebrity star has shared a health update from her hospital bed, after reportedly breaking her pelvis in a fall last month.

Lady Colin Campbell, who appeared in the show in 2015, said that while doctors are pleased with [her] progress, she does not believe in deluding myself, in a video she posted to social media.

I am so fragile I cannot tell you. I am so one step away from total collapse much of the time. That it is truly distressing and discomforting.
Police at the scene in central London following the fatal stabbing of Mohamed Abdi (PA Archive)

A man who fatally stabbed a young Porsche driver in a scene compared to the Wild West has been sent to prison for life.

Awad Abdel Samad, 24, kiled Mohamed Abdi, 19, on 4 June 2024.

Samad claimed he acted in self-defence during the incident on Londons busy Edgware Road.

However, he was motivated by his belief that Mr Abdi had been involved in kidnapping and torturing a friend two days earlier, Judge Lynn Tayton told the Old Bailey on Thursday.

Samad was motivated by revenge and acted with extreme aggression and persistence, the judge said.

She sentenced Samad to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 27 years for Mr Abdis murder.

Police on the scene in Bell Street, near Edgware Road, central London (PA Archive)

The attack took place on a congested street where there were many people in vehicles and on foot, she told Samad.

You can see how terrifying this was to members of the public.

On 2 June, Samads friend Soufian Chafi was kidnapped and tortured, with footage of the attack posted on social media showing him naked and humiliated, the judge told the court.

Though there was no evidence Mr Abdi was involved, Samad and his co-defendant Mohamad Mahmoud El-Hazzaa, 27, from Westminster, both believed that he was.

On 4 June, Samad was on Edgware Road in the front passenger seat of a Seat Leon, which was being driven by El-Hazzaa, the court heard.

The victim, Mr Abdi, was driving a Porsche Cayenne, which he pulled close up behind the defendants car, flashing his lights.

Both cars stopped and Samad got out of the vehicle with a knife.

The stabbing was compared to a scene from the Wild West (James Manning/PA Wire)

Prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones KC previously told jurors: It is, you might have thought, like something from the Wild West.

Mohamed Abdi clearly saw him coming and got out. The two of them then started to fight  Mohamed Abdi was also armed with a knife.

But within a few seconds of the start of their fighting, the defendant gained a crucial advantage.

He swung a kick and managed to kick Mohamed Abdis knife out of his hand, on to the road. So that meant that now, only one of them had a knife  the defendant.

The disarmed victim retreated and got back into the Porsche, pursued by the defendant, who reached him before he shut the car door, the court was told.

Samad then stabbed Mr Abdi three times, including once in the chest, which went through the cartilage of the ribs and into the heart, the court heard.

As the defendant made off in the Seat Leon, Mr Abdi managed to drive forward into Bell Street where he died, despite efforts of members of the public and paramedics.

In a victim impact statement read out in court, Mr Abdis mother, Sharon, and his sister, Amirah, described him as a cherished son and a loving brother and a young man who had much to live for.

Judge Tayton said: They fear his life has been stolen.

El-Hazzaa was sentenced to three years imprisonment for attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Michael Wolff discusses his most recent book, All or Nothing: How Trump Recaptured America, in March - CJ Rivera/AP

Michael Wolff found fame and fortune as the chronicler of Donald Trumps White House, producing four books filled with tales of temper tantrums and dysfunction.

They sold in their millions, making him a hero of the anti-Trump resistance.

But he also had another role, quietly advising Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted paedophile, on his media strategy.

Their communications are laid bare in Wednesdays massive email dump. Wolffs name comes up time and again among the 23,000 messages released by the House Oversight Committee.

On the night of a Republican presidential debate in December 2015, Wolff emailed Epstein, who had by then served time in prison for his crimes, to warn him that CNN was planning to ask Trump tonight about his relationship with you  either on air or in the scrum afterwards.

Epstein responded: If we were able to craft an answer for him, what do you think it should be?

Wolff advised him to do nothing. Instead, he saw a chance to play one billionaire off the other.

I think you should let him hang himself. If he says he hasnt been on the plane or to the house, then that gives you a valuable PR and political currency, the author emailed Epstein on Dec 16 in 2015.

By that time, Epsteins reputation was in tatters. He had admitted to procuring a child for prostitution seven years earlier and had been dropped by many of his wealthy associates.

Those who stuck by him, such as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Lord Mandelson, have since paid the price.

Wolff continued in his message: You can hang him in a way that potentially generates a positive benefit for you, or, if it really looks like he could win, you could save him, generating a debt.

The emails released on Wednesday range from the explosive to the prosaic. There are scheduling requests and news clippings about international affairs and scientific breakthroughs.

Journalists names appear from time to time with requests for comment or bids for an interview with Epstein.

Their entreaties are cringe-worthy when exposed to the cold light of day, showing the fine line journalists have to tread when wooing interview subjects.

A BBC producer, for example, is almost apologetic when talking about stories circulating however inaccurately about his relationship with the former Duke of York during a futile attempt to land an interview.

Michael Wolff told Jeffrey Epstein to let Donald Trump hang himself in an interview where he would be asked about their relationship - NBC NEWS

Wolff appears in the emails well ahead of the 2018 publication of Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, asking for introductions to key allies of Mr Trump, tips on interviewing the president and offering his own media advice.

Their correspondence continues until months before Epsteins death in a jail cell in 2019.

In early 2016, with Mr Trump getting stronger in the polls, Epstein told Wolff he was getting approach after approach from reporters.

Yeah, youre the Trump bullet, Wolff replied, telling him that he needed a strategy to deal with questions about his neighbour in Palm Beach.

The same topic comes up a month later, on Feb 19 2016.

Wolff wrote to the disgraced financier: NYT [The New York Times] called me about you and Trump. Also, Hillary campaign digging deeply. Again, you should consider preempting.

Wolff: You could help finish Trump

Their correspondence continues up until the election, with Wolff focused on the idea that Epstein can kill off Mr Trumps campaign.

Now could be the time is the subject line of an email Wolff sent barely a week before the election.

Theres an opportunity to come forward this week and talk about Trump in such a way that could garner you great sympathy and help finish him, Wolff wrote. Interested?

Once Mr Trump was in power, Wolff changed tack as he landed a deal for a book. He tapped his friend for introductions to the presidents circle, including a real estate investor who had been a major donor to the Republicans campaign and chairman of the commission overseeing the inauguration.

Michael Wolffs books sold in their millions, making him a hero of the anti-Trump resistance - Phil Noble/Reuters

So Im doing this Trump book for a pile of money and with so far quite a bit of co-operation from them (DT called me the other day and spent 45 minutes on the phone ranting and raving about the mediaalarming), he wrote about a month after the president had been sworn in.

I wonder if you could introduce me to Tom Barrack  just to say Im a journalist who you know and trust, and that Ill follow up with a description of the project that Im doing.

In 2021, Mr Barrack was charged with being an agent working for a foreign power, among other allegations, but was cleared a year later. He is now the US ambassador to Turkey.

Wolff couldnt remember context of emails

In the meantime, Wolff has produced a series of behind-the-scenes tales about Mr Trump. His first book sold at least two million copies, opening the gates to a flood of titles about the president and power.

It has made him a darling of the TV and podcast circuit  much to the irritation of the White House.

Michael Wolff is a lying sack of s--- and has been proven to be a fraud, said Steven Cheung, Mr Trumps communications director, earlier this year.

He routinely fabricates stories originating from his sick and warped imagination, only possible because he has a severe and debilitating case of Trump Derangement Syndrome that has rotted his peanut-sized brain.

For his part, Wolff on Wednesday told CNN that he could not quite remember the context of the emails.

But I was engaged then in an in-depth conversation with Epstein about his relationship with Trump and this seems to be part of that conversation, he said.

And, among the thousands and thousands of emails, it was one of his exchanges with Epstein that led news bulletins for most of the day.

Trump said he asked me to resign, Epstein wrote in a message, apparently addressing the issue of him being asked to leave Mar-a-Lago. Never a member ever... of course he knew about the girls as he asked Ghislaine to stop.

The message was sent in January 2019, seven months before Epstein took his own life. In so doing, he had left a ticking time bomb with the question as to what the president may have known about his crimes.
Michigan dad charged with the murders of his 3 young sons who disappeared 15 years ago

A Michigan father whose three young sons vanished without a trace nearly 15 years ago has been charged with their murders  just weeks before he was set to walk free from prison.

John Skelton, 53, was charged in Lenawee County with three counts of open murder and three counts of tampering with evidence, court filings show. The charges were filed on November 12, according to WTVG.

Skelton has been behind bars since 2011 after pleading no contest to unlawful imprisonment for abducting his sons  Andrew, 9, Alexander, 7, and Tanner, 5  from Morenci, Michigan, over Thanksgiving weekend in 2010.

He was serving a 10 to 15 year sentence and was scheduled to be released on November 29.

Missing Boys-Michigan

The boys were last seen at their fathers home in Morenci after spending the holiday with him. Skelton and their mother Tanya Zuvers were in the middle of a spiteful divorce at the time.

Zuvers, who had sole custody, was due to pick them up the next day. But when she arrived, neither her sons nor Skelton were there.

Zuvers has long maintained that she believes her ex-husband is responsible for their disappearance and deaths.

He took them from me, she told WTVG in a prior interview. And I believe he killed them.

Andrew, Alexander, and Tanner Skelton were last seen on Thanksgiving in 2010 (Morenci Police Department)

Age-progression images from 2020 show what Andrew, Alexander, and Tanner Skelton would look like as teenagers. (National Center for Missing & Exploited Children)

Earlier this year, a judge granted Zuvers request to have her sons declared legally dead, a decision she said she sought to find closure. But the judge said at the time there was no clear and convincing evidence that John Skelton murdered these children.

In the Zuvers petition, which she filed in Lenawee County Probate Court last December, she wrote that Skelton has been unable or unwilling to offer any plausible explanation as to the whereabouts of these children.

Skelton, 52, has done nothing to assist the authorities, his family, or his ex-wifes family in what has become an exhaustive search for [the boys] since they went missing in 2010, the petition states. In the immediate hours after [they went missing], Skelton began his journey of misdirection and lies when his story began to unfold as to the whereabouts of his sons.

Investigators used cellphone records to retrace Skeltons movements during the period in question, which the petition says completely contradict[ed] the story he began telling his wife and the authorities.

Skelton denied harming his sons and previously said they were with an underground group for their safety, among other murky explanations, according to investigators.

The case has long haunted the small community of Morenci. Despite years of searches, their remains have never been found.

Although years have passed, the Skelton brothers have not been forgotten. A plaque with their names and images is attached to a rock at a park near Bean Creek. It says, Faith, Hope, Love.
A Denver middle school teacher has been arrested after being accused of conducting a sexual relationship with a student she later admitted to stalking, authorities say.

Teresa Whalin, 28, a former teacher at Ranch View Middle School, was arrested on Monday on suspicion of sexual assault of a child.

The educator has worked for the Douglas County School District since July 2021 and has now been placed on administrative leave, according to a statement from the Douglas County Sheriffs Office.

An arrest warrant, seen by Denver 7, revealed that Whalins alleged activities were first brought to the schools attention on November 10. A student allegedly told a counselor about an inappropriate sexual relationship he had with a former gym teacher, who was later identified as Whalin.

Theresa Whalin has been arrested after allegedly carrying out a sexual relationship with a middle school student (Douglas County Sheriff's Office)

According to the Denver 7, the affidavit stated that Whalin had been supporting the student who had been struggling with mental health issues during the 2023-2024 school year.

The document said that they developed a relationship with one another, which became sexual in April 2023, sharing photos of each other on Snapchat. The relationship lasted for more than a year.

When the student said that they were dating a classmate, Whalin continued to drive near the students home and followed their walking path to and from school.

According to the affidavit, the student began to become fearful that they were being stalked by their former teacher, who was jealous of their new relationship.

The disgraced teacher was working at Ranch View Middle School while she carried out her alleged crime (Google Streetview)

Following Whalins arrest at her home, she allegedly admitted to the wrong and illegal relationship. She accused the schoolchild of manipulating her, since they had confided in her about their mental health.

However, Whalin admitted she had driven by the students home to catch a glimpse of them and that she had used fake phone numbers to contact the child.

The DCSO says that Whalin is currently being held on a $50,000 bond. She had been charged with sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust, internet exploitation of a child, and stalking.

In the meantime, Erin Kyllo, the principal of Ranch View Middle School, says that the school is looking for a replacement for Whalin.

We are working to find a long-term substitute teacher for our impacted students, Whalin wrote in a letter obtained by Denver7. In the meantime, the entire Ranch View Middle administrative team will support our students and ensure learning continues.

The Independent has contacted the Douglas County Sheriff's Office for further comment.
Ed Miliband has said he makes no apologies for the UKs decision to choose Rolls-Royce to work on its first small modular reactor nuclear power station despite US criticism.

The first-of-its-kind project will be built at Wylfa, on Anglesey/Ynys Mon in North Wales by publicly owned Great British Energy-Nuclear with 2.5 billion in backing from the Government.

The reactors will be designed by Britains Rolls-Royce SMR, subject to final contract.

US Ambassador Warren Stephens issued a strong rebuke of the plans, saying Washington is extremely disappointed by the decision.

The ambassador had been pushing for a larger reactor at Wylfa, and US firm Westinghouse had reportedly presented plans to the UK Government to build a new gigawatt station at the site.

The Energy Secretary told Times Radio: Its true he doesnt think its so great.

The reason he doesnt think its so great is because he wanted a US company to be at this site.

Because he thinks its the prime site  I totally understand that, its completely legitimate for him to be making the case for a US company.

We chose a British company, Rolls-Royce for this site, and I make no apologies for that.

Our job is to stand up for the national interest.

He said the other site that had been considered, at Oldbury in Gloucestershire, could accommodate various other US companies interested in building new nuclear in the UK.

Mr Stephens explained his dissatisfaction with the decision on Wylfa as being because there are cheaper, faster and already approved options to provide clean, safe energy at this same location.

He added: If you want to get shovels in the ground as soon as possible and take a big step in addressing energy prices and availability, there is a different path, and we look forward to decisions soon on large-scale nuclear projects.

As I have repeatedly said, we want the UK to be the strongest possible ally to the United States, and high energy costs are an impediment to that, he said.

The Government also announced Great British Energy-Nuclear (GBE-N) has been tasked with identifying potential sites for another large-scale nuclear power plant, similar to those being built at Hinkley Point in Somerset and Sizewell in Suffolk.

It will report back by autumn 2026, and has been asked by Mr Miliband to consider sites across the UK, including in Scotland, officials said.

US ambassador to the UK Warren Stephens described his country as extremely disappointed by the decision (James Manning/PA)

It comes after the UK and US agreed a nuclear partnership in September, potentially worth around 76bn.

Small modular reactors (SMR) are mini nuclear power stations which are smaller and designed to be installed on site as prefabricated modules, with hopes the technology will be quicker to build than more traditional plants such as Hinkley Point C.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) said the announcement would support up to 3,000 jobs in the local economy at the height of construction.

And it would allow Wylfa, where previous attempts to bring back nuclear power to the site of a former reactor had failed, to become a beacon of a nuclear golden age, the department said.

The UKs first small modular nuclear reactors are expected to generate enough electricity to power three million homes.

The Rolls-Royce SMR will be the UKs first domestic nuclear technology in over 20 years, delivering emissions-free energy to millions of homes both in the UK and overseas.https://t.co/8kQotWLUVg #SMR #nuclearpower #netzero #rollsroyce pic.twitter.com/aTOSd2DI7w  Rolls-Royce (@RollsRoyce) December 28, 2023

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: Britain was once a world leader in nuclear power, but years of neglect and inertia has meant places like Anglesey have been let down and left behind.

Today, that changes. Were using all the tools in our armoury  cutting red tape, changing planning laws and backing growth  to deliver the countrys first SMR in North Wales.

This Government isnt just reversing decline, its delivering thousands of future-proofed jobs, driving billions in investment, and providing cheaper energy bills in the long term.

The move is part of plans to shift to nuclear power and other clean energy, such as renewables, which the Government hopes will bring down prices and boost the UKs energy sovereignty.

The Energy Department said GBE-N will start activity on the site in 2026, with an initial project for three reactors, but the site could potentially hold up to eight of the mini power plants.

It is hoped the Wylfa reactors will start supplying power to the grid from the mid-2030s.

Officials also said there would be export opportunities for SMRs, and potential for new nuclear at the former site of Oldbury in Gloucestershire, owned by GBE-N.
More than 2,600 prison staff face deportation under new visa rules which could collapse the system, unions have warned.

Confidential government data shows one in 25 are foreign nationals working on right-to-work visas.

Under Home Office rules introduced in July, anyone earning below the new 41,700 salary threshold risks being booted out when they expire, ITV News revealed.

A source within His Majestys Prison and Probation Service told the broadcaster around 2,200 of those affected are prison officers, with the remaining 400 in support roles.

Starting salaries for prison officers range from 33,750 to 44,500  with only those working the longest hours inside London on the higher end.

It comes as London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan urged the Government to pause the introduction of new visa rules that could result in between 200 and 300 Transport for London staff being deported.

The Prison Service is already under strain after two prisoners were freed in error from HMP Wandsworth following the high-profile blunder of releasing Hadush Kebatu, the now-deported migrant at the heart of protests in Epping, Essex.

Some 91 inmates were mistakenly freed between April 1 and October 31 this year.

Justice Secretary David Lammy confirmed three prisoners are at large.

There have also been repeated warnings of prisons being at full capacity, underfunding and mounting operational pressure.

Mark Fairhurst, national chair of the Prison Officers Association, said the number of staff on right-to-work visas is considerably higher than first thought.

Mr Fairhurst added: We simply cannot afford to lose that many frontline staff and if the government does not exempt the prison service from the new salary thresholds many prisons will not be able to function and we will totally destabilise the prison estate.

The Prison Governors Association warned that the loss of these staff would leave a gap that cannot easily be filled and that governors cannot run safe stable prisons without the right number of officers.

A spokesman said: Forcing these officers out in large numbers would be a serious blow. Their departure will leave a gap that cannot be easily filled  and lack of experience is already a key factor in why conditions in some prisons are falling short.

It would be short-sighted and damaging for the government to allow this situation to unfold. We need solutions that protect the frontline, not policies that weaken it.

The Government told ITV News: Working in prison is an extraordinary job and we are always looking for people who want to help keep the public safe to join.

We are clear that net migration as a whole must come down after quadrupling in recent years as we replace Britains failed immigration system with one that is controlled, selective and fair.

We will of course provide support to those who are affected by these changes, and anyone with a Skilled Worker visa can be considered for an extension.
Both Panorama and Newsnight considered it perfectly fine to fake a Trump speech - AP Photo/Evan Vucci

So now we know: it wasnt just Panorama which decided it was perfectly fine to invent the thread of a speech supposedly uttered by Donald Trump by splicing together different parts of that speech. Newsnight was at it, too  two years earlier.

That revelation destroys the idea, pushed by the BBCs defenders, that this is a crisis about nothing more than one bad edit. Dont try to use this as an example of anything more substantial, theyve argued. Others have added, for good measure, that anyone who says the rot goes deeper than that one bad edit is part of what Hillary Clinton famously called, in another context, the vast Right-wing conspiracy.

One of the reasons theyve done this, of course, is to deflect from the other examples of bias in the Prescott dossier  over BBC Arabic, over its coverage of the Gaza war, and over how deeply in thrall it has been to the Stonewall agenda on trans issues.

And its worked. Those deep-seated biases are, if anything, even worse because they are so persistent and so widespread. But politicians and commentators defending the BBC have pushed the line that the whole affair is an exaggeration and it is mad to have a frenzy over one silly edit. Nasty Right-wingers have seized on a nothing story and used it to further their dark agenda.

They say (as if it is a bad thing!) that Sir Robbie Gibb, former communications director for Theresa May, was focused on questioning these issues  and that he should therefore be sacked. In a way its remarkable how they have managed to use a crisis brought about by the BBCs Left-liberal bias to create a feeding ground for attacking one of the few people within the BBC who was alive to those very problems which have caused the crisis.

But todays revelation that it wasnt just Panorama which considered it perfectly fine to fake a Trump speech, but that Newsnight was at it two years earlier, blows that entire notion of the issue being one stupid mistake out of the water. Because even if you genuinely think that one such edit is merely an unfortunate mistake rather than an example of a deep malaise in editorial thinking  although I doubt any of those making that case actually believe it themselves  we can surely agree that two such edits is more than that. Its habitual, one might say.

What this second such edit reveals is precisely what is wrong with the BBC mindset  exemplified by the attitude of Jonathan Munro, the man who has been responsible for the appalling BBC Arabic and who has now stepped in to cover for the now-departed Deborah Turness, the chief executive of BBC News.

BBC executive Jonathan Munro insisted editing of US presidents Jan 6 speech was normal practice - Leon Neal/Getty Images

Mr Munro, we learnt in the Prescott dossier, dismissed all concerns over the Panorama edit, arguing that it was normal practice. It may well indeed have been normal BBC practice to create speeches that were never made by pulling together phrases that were, but what a damning indictment that is of the BBCs behaviour. Mr Munro also defended BBC Arabic as as an unrivalled source of knowledge and boasted  he was not being ironic  that it was almost as trusted as Al Jazeera.

The Newsnight edit and the BBCs reaction to it are telling. When the guest being interviewed, former acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, pointed out the edit, Kirsty Wark, the presenter, simply moved on.

And when his concerns were raised at an editorial meeting the following morning, they were brushed aside. Of course they were; thats the point. To Newsnight staff, as to Panoramas, the edit of Trumps words might not have been literally true, but it had what the US comedian Stephen Colbert calls truthiness  truth that comes from the gut, not books.

If Trump is bad and he incited a riot, then it doesnt matter if he didnt use those exact words. They are on the side of truth, so its fine to make things up if it portrays a wider truth.

This is the root of the BBCs problems. Its the same over its Gaza coverage. It doesnt matter if the facts are wrong. Israel is the villain, so so long as its seen as such, all is well.
(Getty Images)

Of all the controversies that have threatened to topple Donald Trump, none seems to have come closer than his friendship with the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

And now with the release of fresh emails that appear to show Trump being named by the deceased paedophile financier, the White House has come under further pressure to release the so-called Epstein Files.

In the 2011 emails leaked by the Democratic Party, Epstein alleged that Trump had spent hours with one of Epsteins victims, believed to be Virginia Giuffre, while at Epsteins house. Epstein also wrote that Trump has never once been mentioned, including by a police chief.

In a statement, the White House said Giuffre repeatedly said President Trump was not involved in any wrongdoing whatsoever and 'couldn't have been friendlier' to her in their limited interactions. House Republicans have also released a wealth of documents to counter what they claimed was a Democratic effort to "cherry-pick" the Epstein Files. They also said it was a way to create a fake narrative to slander President Trump.

(BBC PANORAMA)

This isnt the first time Trumps name has appeared in an Epstein document dump. Prior to these emails, the President was accused of featuring in the financiers 50th birthday book, put together as a gift for Epstein by Ghislaine Maxwell in 2003. A pal is a wonderful thing, the note says, written within a drawing of a womans silhouette. Happy Birthday  and may every day be another wonderful secret.

Trump denied the message was his handiwork from the moment its existence was first reported by The Wall Street Journal. He claimed hed never [written] a picture in [his] life (cue a barrage of his past doodles being shared across the internet) and filed a $10bn (7.5bn) lawsuit against the WSJ and its owner  a backlash that was hardly surprising, given the damning nature of the claims in the report. Not only does the alleged message reflect terribly on the president, with its references to secrets and enigmas that never age. Not only does the article reignite the scandal he cant seem to snub out, and challenge the denials hes recently made about his friendship with Epstein. But it also comes as a particular blow when you look at who controls the WSJ: Trumps most powerful media ally and the rightwing owner of Fox News, Rupert Murdoch himself.

Murdochs teams decision to publish the article certainly can be viewed as a high-profile symbol of Trumps declining fanbase as his support among the Maga contingent appears slowly to be crumbling. Even those who stayed loyal throughout a turbulent few years of scandals from the Capitol Riots to the Stormy Daniels hush money case are drifting, say commentators. Many are nervous to call this Trumps final straw after years of predicted final straws, but they are certainly on tenterhooks as the next chapter of the Trump-Epstein story unfolds. Just how close were the two men, exactly? Could this birthday book claim be the final push that gets the Epstein files released? And if so, could the Epstein scandal really  just maybe  be Trumps eventual downfall?

A friendship founded money and women

Private jet trips. Glamorous dinners at Epsteins Manhattan mansion. Raucous parties at Trumps Mar-a-Lago club in Florida.

This was the elite, sun-tanned, jet-set world in which Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein  then a businessman and a financier  seemed to operate in during their reported 15-year friendship. How the two men met exactly is not clear, but what is clear is that Trump quickly fell into Epsteins orbit and remained there for quite some time.

The pair, aged in their forties and fifties at the time, moved in monied circles in the 1980s and 1990s and appeared to bond over a mutual love of women, parties and lavish lifestyles. Both had homes in Palm Beach in Florida. Both mixed with a high society New York set. Both hosted or attended parties alongside models, cheerleaders and beauty pageant contestants. They were reportedly pictured together at a Victorias Secret Angels event in New York, and at a separate event alongside their partners Melania Trump and Ghislaine Maxwell.

Jeffrey Epstein and British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell (US District Court for the Southe)

Trump has insisted he never went on Epsteins plane or to his private island, Little St James, which later became synonymous with his crimes. But flight logs show Trump did indeed fly on the plane seven times in the four years between 1993 and 1997, once accompanied by his former wife Marla Maples and their daughter Tiffany, another time with his son Eric (other notable passengers include President Bill Clinton, Robert F Kennedy Jr, Prince Andrew and actor Kevin Spacey). According to the New York Times, Trump and Epstein were the only guests present at a calendar girl competition at Mar-a-Lago the year before their jet-set chapter started, in 1992  the same year a clip from the NBC archives shows the two men pointing out women on a dance floor. A photo taken in Palm Beach in 1997 shows the two men smiling, Trump resting his hand on Epsteins shoulder.

Ive known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy. Hes a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side, Trump told New York Magazine in 2002, five years later. Epstein, who was known for being a talented social climber, called the future president charming and said he believed himself to be Trumps closest friend for 10 years.

Hes a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side

Donald Trump on Jeffrey Epstein

Much of what is now reported about that 15-year friendship comes from hours of tape-recorded interviews between Epstein and bestselling political author Michael Wolff, in 2017, released last year. That Epstein and Trump frequently picked up women together in casinos, that Trump liked to seduce his best friends wives, and that the first time Trump slept with Melania was on Epsteins plane are among the claims the late financier made at the time. Trumps team has since called them false smears.

Wolff has since spoken on his podcast about a time Epstein supposedly produced a pile of photos of Trump at his Palm Beach mansion, from a safe in his New York home. They were kind of spread out like playing cards, Wolff said. And it was Trump  with girls of uncertain age. In two of them, topless girls are sitting on Trumps lap. In another, he has a visible stain on his pants while several girls are laughing and pointing at it... I think its certainly not unlikely that they were in the safe when the FBI came in after his arrest and took everything.

Trumps team hit back at Wolffs allegations. Michael Wolff is a disgraced writer who routinely fabricates lies in order to sell fiction books because he clearly has no morals or ethics, a campaign spokesperson told reporters last year. He waited until days before the election to make outlandish false smears all in an effort to engage in blatant election interference on behalf of Kamala Harris. Hes a failed journalist that is resorting to lying for attention.

Lawsuits and claims of sexual misconduct

There were also more serious claims from that party period, some of which surfaced at the time, some of which have surfaced since. In 1997  around the peak of the pairs friendship  both men were accused of sexual misconduct: Epstein in a civil lawsuit brought by a former model; Trump in three public allegations of groping, non-consensual kissing and sexual propositioning amid the #MeToo movement. Trump denied the allegations; Epsteins case was settled quietly the following year.

Virginia Giuffre, one of Epsteins most prominent accusers who died by suicide in April this year, alleged that three years after this, in the year 2000, she was 16-years-old and working as a pool attendant at Trumps Mar-a-Lago club when Epsteins girlfriend and so-called fixer Ghislaine Maxwell offered her a gig as Epsteins masseuse. She claimed that Epstein and Maxwell groomed her to have sex with rich, high-profile men, including Prince Andrew, over the following two years. Prince Andrew vehemently denies the allegations. Maxwell was later accused of conspiring with Epstein to lure young girls into sexual relationships over the decade from 1994 to 2004. She was found guilty of sex trafficking in 2022, and sentenced to 20 years in jail, with Trumps name featuring during her 2021 trial when a woman claimed Epstein took her to meet Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort when she was 14. The woman did not accuse Trump of any improper behaviour.

Maxwell, Prince Andrew and Virginia Roberts at Maxwells London townhouse in 2001

Other claims have surfaced over the years since, too. In 2016, an anonymous plaintiff claimed Trump and Epstein had raped her, but the circumstances were deemed sketchy and the lawsuit was dropped. Another victim, Danielle Bensky, came forward in 2021, claiming Epstein sexually abused her at the age of 18 when she was an aspiring ballerina.

Last year, former glamour model Stacey Williams told The Guardian that Epstein, who she was dating at the time, had taken her to Trumps Fifth Avenue penthouse in 1993, encouraging the future president to grope her in what she believed was a twisted game between the two men. It became very clear then that he and Donald were really, really good friends and spent a lot of time together, she said last year. Trump denied the allegations, his spokesperson Karoline Leavitt calling it a fake story was contrived by the Harris campaign.

This week, another Epstein accuser, Maria Farmer, told the New York Times she urged the FBI to investigate Trump all the way back in 1996, when she reported Epstein and Maxwell of sexual crimes and identified others in their orbit who might be worth looking into. She claims she repeated this suggestion during a follow-up FBI interview in 2006, raising Trumps name specifically after a late-night encounter with him in Epsteins luxury Manhattan offices in 1995. The White House challenged Farmers account, telling the Times that Trump ended his friendship with Epstein many years ago.

A bitter bust-up over property

2004. This was the year the Trump-Epstein era came to an abrupt and bitter end, according to reporters who have spent years digging into what may have caused the end of one of the worlds most high-profile friendships. It just so happens to be the year before the FBI began investigating Epstein for sex trafficking after the parents of a 14-year-old girl in Palm Beach, Florida, alleged he had molested their daughter.

The reason for the fallout? A real-estate bust-up over the Maison de LAmitie estate in Palm Beach, apparently. According to a report in the Washington Post in 2019, the same year Epstein was arrested, both men were vying for a Florida mansion that was being sold after the owners filed for bankruptcy. The propertys trustee Joseph Luzinski described the bidding war as two very large Palm Beach egos going at it, having supposedly been contacted by both men in the run-up. It was something like, Donald saying, You dont want to do a deal with him, he doesnt have the money, Luzinski told the Post. While Epstein was saying: Donald is all talk. He doesnt have the money.

Trump won the bid in the end, and sold the mansion to Russian businessman Dmitry Rybolovlev for $95 million four years later. He said nothing of the fallout in public until 2019  15 years after the supposed property war, 11 years after Epstein was found guilty of sexually abusing girls, and four years after Trumps name appeared circled in pen in Epsteins little black book of 1,571 personal contacts.

I had a falling out with him a long time ago

Donald Trump

2019, when Trump first spoke of the fallout, was also the same year Epstein was charged with sex trafficking of minors. I was not a fan, he told reporters of Epstein following the arrest. I had a falling out with him a long time ago. He referred to the financier as a creep and attempted to downplay their friendship, saying: I knew him like everybody in Palm Beach knew him... I havent spoken to him in 15 years.

Over the six years since then, Trump has continued to downplay his closeness with Epstein, referring to him as an acquaintance rather than a friend and calling others out for the very same thing. Former president Bill Clinton was one particular individual he went onto criticise, with Trump even sharing a conspiracy theory that Clinton was involved with Epsteins death. The question you have to ask is, did Bill Clinton go to the island? Because Epstein had an island. That was not a good place, as I understand it, and I was never there, he told reporters days after Epsteins death. So you have to ask, did Bill Clinton go to the island? Thats the question. If you find that out, youre going to know a lot. Clinton denied visiting the island.

Epstein with former US President Bill Clinton

Maxwell was arrested the following year, in 2020, and Trump spoke more fondly of her. I havent really been following it too much. I just wish her well, frankly, he told reporters at the time. Ive met her numerous times over the years, especially since I lived in Palm Beach, and I guess they lived in Palm Beach. But I wish her well, whatever it is.

Fury over the Epstein files, and fresh scrutiny on the friendship  will Trump survive?

Every time the Presidents name is muttered alongside Epsteins, The White House faces fresh pressure to release the so-called Epstein Files. The hefty set of files may include names and details of evidence and testimonies that were gathered during the investigation into the disgraced financier, but may have not been backed up with evidence or relied upon in the prosecutions of him and Maxwell. Trump initially said he would have no problem releasing the files before he was re-elected. He has always denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein and law enforcement agencies have never accused him of such. In late 2023 and early 2024 he said he was not concerned about the content of the files, but in June 2024 he expressed reservations, citing concerns about potential phony stuff in the files.

Donald Trump (Alex Brandon/AP) (AP)

The subject returned to the front of the political agenda earlier this year. Bondi said in February that she had the Epstein client list "sitting on [her] desk right now to review", but then claimed earlier this month that no client list existed  a U-turn that caused fury and division among the presidents usually-loyal Maga supporters, many of whom were angry at a perceived lack of transparency. After all, transparency around issues like sex trafficking in particular are a key element of the Maga philosophy, and Trumps angry diversion tactics arent helping. Yes, fury and frequent outbursts can be seen as Trump being Trump. But they also only add fuel to the theory he has something to hide.

Bondi has since confirmed she was not talking about a specific client list, but rather documents relating to the Epstein case and suicide in general, and Trump then called for grand jury testimony in the prosecution of Epstein to be publicly released, insisting that he had nothing to hide. But the backtracking has done little to defuse the backlash among Maga fans, especially when Trumps friendship with Epstein has come under fresh scrutiny once more.

I have had more success in six months than perhaps any president in our countrys history, and all these people want to talk about, with strong prodding by the fake news and the success starved Dems, is the Jeffrey Epstein hoax, he posted on Truth Social this July, claiming: I dont want their support anymore!

Whether that claim holds true will become clear in the coming weeks and months, as the cracks in his Maga base begin to widen. The president who survived impeachment and more scandals than any other seems to be facing his greatest challenge yet  the question now is whether his career will out-survive the ghost of his terrific former friend.
The system, introduced in 2012, was supposed to boost accountability and performance of police forces. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

Ministers will abolish elected police and crime commissioners, declaring them to be an expensive failure, with a large proportion of people unaware of them.

Under the system, introduced under the Conservatives in 2012, all 43 police forces across England and Wales had to answer to an elected official. It was supposed to boost the accountability and performances of police forces.

But critics, especially police chiefs, said the commissioners too often tried to interfere and were ineffective.

The abolition is a victory for chief constables and a sign of how influential they are in the Labour governments thinking about policing.

It also makes the merger and abolition of local forces, which chiefs want and government is considering, potentially easier.

The home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said: The introduction of police and crime commissioners by the last government was a failed experiment.

I will introduce new reforms so police are accountable to their local mayoralties or local councils. The savings will fund more neighbourhood police on the beat across the country, fighting crime and protecting our communities.

The government promised 20m of savings would go directly back into policing, and the move would save at least 100m over this parliament.

The next elections for PCCs, scheduled for May 2028, will be scrapped. It comes as local government is also being changed with more mayors being introduced.

The government said two in five people did not know PCCs existed; turnout at the last elections for the posts was below 25%, and mayors were four times better known by the public than local PCCs. Some new mayoralties to be elected next May are expected to fall to Reform UK.

Matthew Scott, the Conservative PCC in Kent, told the Guardian the abolition was a victory for police chiefs: There is a crisis at the top of policing, with chiefs facing a record number of accusations of wrongdoing, and the government has given them more power.

This is swapping an elected PCC for an appointed one. It is a bit of a mess and removing democracy.

Scott said Labour PCCs were furious, and in a statement the chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, Emily Spurrell, attacked the lack of consultation and said: For more than a decade, directly elected police and crime commissioners have transformed policing accountability and delivered essential support services for victims of crime. Having a single, visible local leader  answerable to the public  has improved scrutiny and transparency, ensuring policing delivers on the issues that matter most to local communities.

Chief constables felt while some PCCs were good, too many were erratic and some dismissed as second rate local politicians.

Some chief constable posts remained empty for a long time because of PCCs dithering, it was claimed, and the churn of chiefs increased.

Gavin Stephens, chair of the National Police Chiefs Council, said: Democratic accountability of operationally independent policing is essential. Bringing strong, integrated local leadership and the voice of communities into our service is a vitally important part of policing by consent.

PCCs were introduced when Theresa May was home secretary and were influenced by Americas electing of key local officials and part of an idea of running services via localism. In policing that meant central government would not tinker in local forces.

But Labour believes a strong central Home Office is needed, with confidence falling in law enforcement and some forces solving fewer than one in 10 crimes.

The abolition of PCCs will be in a police reform bill that the government is promising, but which is much delayed because ministers are struggling to find the money to fund the more meaningful measures.

Tiff Lynch, chair of the Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, said: PCCs were an expensive experiment, which has failed. The tens of millions of pounds they cost should instead be a down-payment for the sort of policing service this country and its police officers deserve  The forthcoming police reform white paper is a chance for this government to show it is serious about all of this.
After more than a decade of campaigning and a string of broken promises from different governments, the Renters' Rights Act (RRA) will finally come into force on May 1 next year starting with the scrapping of no-fault evictions.

This package of new laws is a "vital first step in righting the power imbalance between landlords and tenants", according to the lobbying organisation Generation Rent.

The Act will be introduced over time with the Labour government prioritising the long-anticipated end of no-fault evictions, often held up as one of the main contributors to homelessness in the capital.

It also rules that tenants will no longer be asked for more than a month's rent upfront to secure a property and they will be able to more easily challenge unfair rent hikes in the courts without fear of retaliation from an angry landlord.

This is the first major shake-up in the private rental sector since 1988. After decades of inaction, Teresa May's Conservative government first pledged the end of no-fault evictions in 2019 and the Bill was introduced in May 2023.

Since then, furious consultation and various rewrites have been underway to finally form this complex and detailed act which received Royal Assent at the end of last month.

One in five renters in Britain live in London, the most unaffordable part of the country. In fact, recent research from Generation Rent found that tenants handed over 100,000 to landlords every four years in the capital.

The RRA is designed to help control escalating rents but it will only empower tenants if they are aware of, and fully understand, their new rights.

It is made even more complicated by a staggered start with part of the act coming into force next May with more to follow at the end of the year, and beyond.

Homes & Property spells out the intricacies of the new Renters' Rights Act and answers tenant questions below.

Will I be able to stay in my home forever from 1 May 2026?

Landlords will now require a valid reason to evict you from your home once so-called no-fault evictions, or Section 21 notices, are abolished.

It could be that they want to move in themselves or sell the property, or that you have fallen behind with the rent or they have received complaints from neighbours about anti-social behaviour.

However, they have to give four months' notice, and only after the tenant has lived there for a year.

If they do want to relet the dwelling or list it for sale, they cannot do so for 12 months. If a tenant sees the property advertised before this time they can claim back rent.

On the flipside, a tenant needs to give a landlord just two months' notice before moving out.

Is there a pre-set deadline to the end of my tenancy?

No, fixed-term tenancies will be abolished. All tenancy contracts will be what is called "rolling", meaning a tenancy automatically renews every month until either the tenant provides (at least two months') notice to quit or a landlord conducts a valid and legal eviction (with four months' notice).

When and how often can my landlord raise rent? And can I stop this?

A landlord can only raise rent once a year. They have to give two months' notice (rather than the previous one months' notice).

If the tenant deems the rent rise to be unfair they can take the landlord to a tribunal.

The hope from government is that with the removal of no-fault evictions, tenants will feel more secure in pursuing perceived injustices through the courts.

The tenant is within their rights to stay in the property until an issue is resolved by tribunal.

Of course, a potential backlog of cases in the courts will push the impending rent rise further down the road and buy the tenant more time to raise the extra rent or find somewhere else to live, or the tribunal may rule that the rent rise is above fair market movement.

In a competitive situation how do I make myself standout as a good tenant?

From 1 May 2026 tenants will not be allowed to offer over asking price to secure a property.

While this protects tenants from being caught in a pressurised financial situation and levels the playing field when attempting to find a rental home, some tenants may wonder how they can appeal to the landlord.

In addition, tenants are not allowed to offer a longer-term fixed tenancy as an incentive either.

Adam Jennings, head of lettings at Chestertons says: "In the busy post-Covid rental market, particularly in southwest London renters were providing a tenancy CV, with bios about themselves on top of the usual information. I see this as becoming the norm especially in hotspots."

Credit history will continue to be a factor as checked by management agents.

Who can help me if I think the rent is being raised unfairly or I am being evicted for unjust reasons?

Although some landlords like to deal with tenants themselves, a management agent is a useful conduit here and should (if they are doing their job properly) be able to explain your position and rights.

Your local council has been given additional powers to crackdown on landlord behaviour and can advise on how to trigger a tribunal process.

Do landlords have a duty now to accept tenants with pets?

No, but they have to fairly consider your application. If you think their decision is unfair this is a matter for tribunal.

If you are already living in a property and want to buy a pet you will need written permission from the landlord.

Again, if a decision is unfair this can be contested in the courts without fear of a no-fault eviction.

Can I move my partner or a friend into the property?

This law has not changed. Permission for the addition of a partner or friend or another tenant must be granted by the landlord and triggers a new tenancy agreement.

If the landlord is unhappy with the request (due to a poor credit history of the new tenant, for example) they can serve four months' notice.

This can be contested by the tenant at a tribunal. It remains illegal to sublet the property you are living in as a tenant.

Does the bill come into immediate effect?

The raft of individual laws come into effect in multiple phases.

Law as of 1 May 2026:

No fault-evictions will be outlawed.

No more fixed term contracts.

Fairer rent rises.

No more bidding wars.

No more than one month's rent upfront to be paid by tenants.

No discrimination against those tenants with children or on benefits.

Requests to move in with pets must be fairly considered.

Law as of end of 2026 (date pending):

The creation of a database for landlords to ensure full transparency on who you are renting off.

The creation of a Property Landlord Ombudsmen as a complaints service.

In the longer term:

The creation of Decent Living Standards covering rental homes.

New standards on greener rental homes by 2030.

Am I likely to get evicted between now and May as my landlord prepares for the new Act?

This is a real concern for tenants as landlords re-evaluate whether they can set their rent higher before May or whether they want to exit the market altogether.

Many landlords, however, want to do the right thing by their tenant. Have a conversation now with the management agent or landlord directly to assess the risk.

What will be the impact of this on rents in London?

An unintended consequence of the Renters' Rights Act, according to many experts including Adam Jennings, is a rise in rents.

Due to the new law that tenants cannot offer over asking price for a property, landlords may decide to price their rent at a higher level to start with pushing up average rents across London.

In addition, landlords deterred by the pending legislation (as well as a more hostile fiscal environment for buy-to-let homeowners) may well exit the rental market between now and May meaning there is less supply for tenants, again, pushing up rents.

Will I be able to buy a cheap home off a landlord desperate to sell before May?

As a result of a natural move away from the rental sector by landlords, former rental homes may flood the sales market.

Although this should not lead to huge price drops, and deposit requirements in London therefore remain comparatively high, the additional stock may mean softening prices for first-time buyers, second steppers and downsizers to take advantage of.

Are there any unintended consequences here for the landlord, tenant and housing market in general?

In a long-standing housing affordability crisis in which temporary accommodation is at an all-time low and homelessness is rife, the new act may create more 'lights off' across London as rental properties sit empty.

This scenario arises if a landlord serves notice to the tenant because they would like to sell their property.

If they trigger this process but change their mind after the tenant has moved out, or as the tenant is moving out, they cannot relet that property for 12 months.

This is to prevent landlords swapping tenants to raise the rent. However, it does mean that landlord cannot get any revenue from their buy-to-let unit for a year and no one else can use it either.
Jeffrey Epstein. The White House has called a crisis meeting today about the release of the Epstein files - AP

Thousands of documents from the Epstein files have been released by Congress.

Some 23,000 pages from the estate of Jeffrey Epstein, the paedophile financier who killed himself in 2019, were published on Wednesday and name Donald Trump among other prominent individuals.

In a series of emails, Epstein claimed the US president spent hours at his house with his most well-known victim, Virginia Giuffre, and knew about the girls.

In 2016, the paedophile told Lord Mandelson, Britains former ambassador to the US, he was right about staying away from Andrew, seemingly referring to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

He also seemingly provided Andrew with media advice in 2011, sending an email that began You ok? after the then-prince declared: I cant take any more of this.

The White House claims the documents prove absolutely nothing other than that president Donald Trump did nothing wrong, hitting out at a manufactured hoax by the Democrat party.

Congress is set for a vote to compel the justice department to release the full Epstein files after a newly sworn-in Democrat congresswoman backed the measure on Wednesday.

11:25pm

Thats all for now

Thanks for following our live coverage of the Epstein files released by Congress. This live blog is now closed.

09:51pm

Congress to vote on Epstein files release

Congress will vote on whether to force the release of the Epstein files after Adelita Grijalva added her name to a petition within seconds of being sworn in.

Earlier today, the White House reportedly attempted to convince Lauren Boebert, a Republican, to withdraw her name from the petition.

The vote is unlikely to take place before December, according to reports.

Adelita Grijalva is sworn in as a Democrat congresswoman for Arizona - REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz

09:47pm

Trump wants everything to come out, House Speaker claims

Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, has insisted the latest release of Epstein files is a massive distraction by the Democrats.

I think its a massive distraction by the Democrats while were trying to get the government reopened and cover for their mistakes, Mr Johnson told CNN.

I find it interesting that the press corps didnt ask all these questions for four years during the Biden administration.

He insisted Donald Trump, the US president, wanted maximum transparency and supported everything coming out.

09:25pm

Epstein: Trump is worse in real life

Jeffrey Epstein hit out at Donald Trump in an email exchange from 2017, in which he agreed with a former White House official that the president was so gross.

[W]orse in real life and upclose, he responded.

09:22pm

Adelita Grijalva sworn into office

Democrat Adelita Grijalva has just been sworn into office, seven weeks after winning a special election to take her Arizona seat.

She can now add her signature to a petition that would trigger a vote in the House of Representatives, which the Republican leadership has attempted to block, on releasing the full Epstein files held by the justice department.

Adelita Grijalva shakes hands with U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson as she is ceremonially sworn in at the US Capitol - REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz

Two victims of Jeffrey Epstein were in the House gallery to watch her being sworn in on Wednesday afternoon, the new congresswoman said.

Justice cannot wait another day, she said, accusing Mike Johnson, the House Speaker, of deliberately delaying her confirmation.

You can read Susie Coens article on how the Democrat will bring about a reckoning for Donald Trump here.

09:11pm

Epstein told Russia how to understand Trump

Jeffrey Epstein claimed he told senior members of the Russian government how to understand Donald Trump.

In one email exchange, seen by Politico, the paedophile financier said he had spoken to Vitaly Churkin, then the Russian ambassador to the UN

[Vitaly] Churkin was great, Epstein said. He understood trump after our conversations. it is not complex. he must be seen to get something its that simple.

In a later email from 2018, he wrote to a former Norwegian prime minister: I think you might suggest to [Vladimir] putin that lavrov can get insight on talking to me. Lavrov appears to be a reference to Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister.

09:04pm

Epstein gave Andrew media advice

Jeffrey Epstein seemingly provided Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor with media advice following rumours about his relationship with the paedophile financier.

You ok? Epstein wrote in an email dated March 6 2011, two days after Andrew pleaded with Ghislaine Maxwell for help.

He continued in an email, which had the subject line feel free to pass this to your presss [sic] people: I dont know and have never met Al gore, CLinton [sic] was never on the island.

The telephone book is not mine, it was stolen by my houseman that is currently in prison for doing do.

Andrew had written to Maxwell earlier that month saying: I dont know anything about this! You must SAY so please... I cant take any more of this.

08:33pm

Democrats call on Trump to release full Epstein files

A senior Democrat has called on the department of justice to release the full Epstein files.

Robert Garcia, the ranking member on the House oversight committee, which released documents on Donald Trump earlier today, said: Its more critical than ever that the Department of Justice release the full [Epstein] files.

We need to know exactly what happened, what did Donald Trump know, and what is he hiding.

The never-before-seen Epstein emails released by Oversight Dems raise serious questions about why the White House continues to cover up the Epstein files.



This cannot go on. It's time the American people got the truth. It's time to release the files. pic.twitter.com/caTK4DS40B  Oversight Dems (@OversightDems) November 12, 2025

08:22pm

Mandelson advised Epstein not to talk to the BBC in 2011

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When the BBC Today programme asked Jeffrey Epstein for an interview to discuss his relationship with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in March 2011, when he was still a prince and a duke, the convicted paedophile knew who to ask for advice: Peter Mandelson.

Stories were starting to pile up about Andrew and whether he should step down as trade envoy, amid reports that Epstein had arranged to pay off his ex-wifes debts.

Emails released by a congressional committee include one from a BBC producer seeking to interview Epstein.

We are keen to explore the possibility of conducting an interview with Mr Epstein, on the subject of the stories which are circulating, however inaccurately, about both him and Prince Andrew, the Duke of York; wed be keen to hear from Mr Epstein first hand so that the various and at time speculative reporting which is at large in the UK press can be better scrutinised, writes Kirsty Mackenzie.

The request is forwarded to Lord Mandelson, Tony Blairs former spin doctor. His reply is short and sweet: No!!

08:15pm

Trump: Democrats are exploiting Epstein hoax

Donald Trump, in a second Truth Social post, has accused Democrats of using the Jeffrey Epstein hoax from their own failures.

In other words, the Democrats are using the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax to try and deflect from their massive failures, in particular, their most recent one  THE SHUTDOWN! he said.

08:12pm

White House pressures Republicans to block Epstein files release

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Top White House officials met with Republican representative Lauren Boebert about the effort to force the release of the rest of the Epstein files.

The meeting, which included Attorney general Pam Bondi and deputy attorney General Todd Blanche, was reportedly part of an effort to get Mrs Boebert to remove her support for the release of the files.

The controversy over Epsteins relationship with Donald Trump has split his base in recent months. Mrs Boebert is among four Republicans who called for all material relating to the paedophile to be released in full.

A women holds a sign demanding the release of the Epstein files during a rally in South Carolina - Richard Ellis/Richard Ellis/Alamy Live News

Doesnt that show the level of transparency when we are willing to sit down with members of Congress and address their concerns? Karoline Leavitt said when asked about the meeting by reporters today.

Thats a defining factor of transparency, having discussions, having discussions with members of Congress about various issues. And Im not going to detail conversations that took place in the Situation Room, in the press briefing room.

07:43pm

Epstein called Trump a psychopath

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Jeffrey Epstein suggested Donald Trump is a psychopath who is easily sacrificed, leaked emails show.

In messages obtained by a House committee, Epstein corresponded with Robert Trivers, an American evolutionary biologist, about a theory put forward by Gordon Getty, an influential businessman, that Mr Trump is a psychopath or sociopath or malignant narcissist and must be opposed with full force on that basis.

The paedophile financier responded: i think you might be missing the benefit of the psycopath [sic] to the group. he is the defender easily sacrificed, but strkes [sic] fear in the heart of the other tribes, they are needed as best warriors.

07:36pm

Epstein slammed dirty Donald

In an email discussing the first impeachment inquiry into Donald Trump, Epstein said: you see, i know how dirty donald is.

07:36pm

Andrew: I cant take any more of this

Newly-released emails show Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor pleading with Ghislaine Maxwell about Virginia Giuffre.

Whats all this? he wrote to Maxwell in March 2011. I dont know anything about this! You must SAY so please. This has Nothing to do with me. I cant take any more of this.

Emails exchanged by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein - US Congress Oversight Committee/PA Wire

07:25pm

Epstein: Trump is close to no one

In an email sent by Jeffrey Epstein in 2018, he said Donald Trump was close to no one.

donald is close to no one. . he talks to many people. he tells each one something differnt [sic] the email read.

07:24pm

Epstein: Andrew photo with Virginia Giuffre is real

A photo of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor taken with Virginia Giuffre is real, Jeffrey Epstein confirmed in newly-released documents.

Andrew suggested the photo that showed him with his arm around the waist of the then-17-year-old, at the home of Ghislaine Maxwell, had been doctored in his 2019 Newsnight interview.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Virginia Giuffre, and Ghislaine Maxwell posing for a photo - Southern District of New York (SDNY)/AFP via Getty Images

Maxwell, serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking, has claimed the image was a fake.

However, newly-released documents seen by The Independent show Epstein said in an email to a journalist in 2011 of Giuffre: Yes she was on my plane, and yes she had her picture taken with Andrew, as many of my employees have.

07:17pm

Michael Wolff plotted with Epstein to bring down Trump

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Emails obtained by the House Oversight committee show author Michael Wolff asked Jeffrey Epstein to find out if a contact of his was interested in bringing down Trump.

In the messages, which were sent days after Mr Wolffs first book about the Trump White House was released in 2018, Epstein suggested he was waiting for his marching orders from the author about what to say in an upcoming meeting with an anonymous contact.

I didnt offer him a time yet. As I need my marching orders ;), Epstein wrote.

A newly released email from disgraced late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein - House Oversight Committee Democrats/Handout via REUTERS

Mr Wolff responded: Just his plan. Trump is going to go down - why doesnt [he] use this opportunity to strike out on his own?

Also, gently imply I have tapes. I wonder, btw, if he isnt interested in talking to you about in fact bringing down Trump. Cant wait to hear?

07:15pm

Dont fall for Democrat hoax, Trump tells Republicans

Donald Trump has dismissed his appearance in the Epstein files as a Democrat hoax and warned Republicans not to fall into that trap.

The US president, breaking his silence since the documents were published this morning, wrote on social media: The Democrats are trying to bring up the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax again because theyll do anything at all to deflect on how badly theyve done on the Shutdown, and so many other subjects.

Only a very bad, or stupid, Republican would fall into that trap.

The Democrats cost our Country $1.5 Trillion Dollars with their recent antics of viciously closing our Country, while at the same time putting many at risk  and they should pay a fair price.

There should be no deflections to Epstein or anything else, and any Republicans involved should be focused only on opening up our Country, and fixing the massive damage caused by the Democrats!

07:09pm

Epstein told Mandelson: You were right about staying away from Andrew

Jeffrey Epstein told Lord Mandelson he was right about staying away from Andrew, according to newly-released documents.

The paedophile financier appeared to be referring to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who was accused of sexual assault by Virginia Giuffre, Epsteins most well-known victim.

Documents published on Wednesday as part of a 23,000-page release of the Epstein files by Congress show Lord Mandelson, the former US ambassador, was in contact with Epstein as late as Nov 2016.

According to documents first seen by the BBC, Epstein emailed Lord Mandelson two weeks after his birthday in 2016, writing: 63 years old. You made it.

Just. I have decided to extend my life by spending more of it in the US, Lord Mandelson responded.

Epstein then replied in the Donald White House, then added: You were right about staying away from Andrew.

06:58pm

Trump not thinking about Maxwell pardon

Donald Trump is not considering a pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell, the White House has said.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, speaking shortly after the publication of 23,000 documents from the Epstein files, said the move was not something hes talking about or even thinking about.

Donald Trump and Ghislaine Maxwell attend Anand Jon Fashion Show on September 18, 2000 - Patrick McMullan/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

I can assure you of that, she added.

Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking, reportedly planned to ask the US president to commute her sentence this week.

06:48pm

Notepads name people who knew of Epsteins scheme to molest children

Palm Beach Police Department confiscated notepads which provided other names of people that also knew Epsteins scheme to molest children, documents claim.

In a statement of facts shared with a Florida circuit court, it is claimed that, as well as names and phone numbers of victims, message pads confiscated by police contained the names of Epsteins associates who knew that he was a paedophile.

The Palm Beach Police Department also collected Epsteins message pads, which provided other names of people that also knew Epsteins scheme to molest children, the document reads.

It has previously been reported that notepads containing victims names and those of Epsteins high-profile associates were taken from his home during the 2008 investigation into the late financier. Epstein subsequently pleaded guilty to two child prostitution charges and was sentenced to 13 months in jail.

Donald Trump has been repeatedly urged to release the Epstein list by those who believe a document detailing the names of high-profile figures he trafficked underage girls to exists and is held by the FBI.

Earlier this year, the Trump administration said there is no such list.

06:47pm

White House: Trump did nothing wrong

These emails prove absolutely nothing other than that president Donald Trump did nothing wrong, Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, claimed.

Ms Leavitt called the details from Epsteins emails a manufactured hoax by the Democrat party and another distraction campaign by the Democrats and the liberal media.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a briefing at the White House - REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

06:25pm

Epstein threatened to kill teen model if she lied about virginity

Jeffrey Epstein told a teenage model he would kill her if she was lying about being a virgin, documents claim.

What appears to be an email from a team of lawyers, including Gloria Allred, the famed womens rights lawyer, was released as part of a tranche of 23,000 documents on Wednesday.

The email contains the story of a 16-year-old model, who came to America as a refugee, and was apparently groomed, raped and assaulted by the late paedophile.

Mr Epstein told her, If youre lying about being a virgin, or I get a disease from you, Ill kill you, the message reads.

The email also claims the financier organised a night out for the young model with Naomi Campbell in Paris.

06:24pm

Welcome

Hello and welcome to the live blog. The Telegraph is currently reviewing the 23,000 documents that Congress has released from the Epstein files. You can follow the latest updates here.
EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said the tightened rules were a response to Russian drone incursions into European airspace. Photograph: Ton Koene/Alamy

Russian opposition figures have reacted with anger and dismay to a decision by the European Union to introduce a ban on multi-entry visas to the Schengen zone for Russian citizens, announced in recent days.

Starting a war and expecting to move freely in Europe is hard to justify, said the EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, when announcing the decision last Friday. She added that the tightened rules were a response to Russian drone incursions into European airspace and sabotage attacks linked to Russia.

Many in the Russian opposition, however, said the move would be counterproductive. You cant blame a whole country for the actions of its government, said Ilya Yashin, a Russian opposition politician who was jailed in late 2022 for opposing the war in Ukraine, in a telephone interview. Yashin was freed in a prisoner exchange last year and now lives in Germany.

Yashin said the visa decision was part of a trend of targeting ordinary Russians in the west with restrictions, while members of Putins elite would always find loopholes if they need to.

Schengen visas were already hard to obtain for Russians, and some EU countries such as Poland and Finland have banned entry to all Russian nationals who do not hold residence permits. Additionally, many Russian exiles have found their European bank accounts closed or frozen in recent months.

There are many anti-war Russians and people who want to see changes in Russia. It would be more sensible to be allies with these people and combine forces with them to make a joint front against Putin, said Yashin.

The exiled Russian journalist Sergey Parkhomenko agreed, describing the visa decision as extraordinary in its idiocy, ineffectiveness and demonstrative helplessness, and saying it was a sign of a European elite who wanted to show they were doing something, but did not know what to do.

The rules are already in force, and while individual countries in the Schengen free movement zone have leeway to interpret the rules, a source in Moscow said even Hungary, the friendliest country towards Russia in the zone, had this week stopped issuing any multi-entry visas. A foreign ministry spokesperson in Italy, favoured holiday destination for wealthy Russians, said Rome would also abide by the EU policy. Member states do retain the right to exceptionally issue multi-entry visas in justified cases, provided the applicants demonstrate particular integrity and reliability, said the spokesperson.

The EU has said there may be some limited exceptions to the rule for those with close relatives living in exile, human rights activists or independent journalists, but opposition figures have dismissed this as unhelpful, as it means Russian authorities would automatically know to class anyone with a multi-entry Schengen visa as an enemy of the Putin regime.

Elena Kostyuchenko, an award-winning Russian journalist living in exile, said the new rule would make life significantly harder for opposition media outlets, who rely on colleagues working anonymously in Russia for first-hand reporting. A multi-entry visa makes it possible to meet in person and coordinate with editorial teams in safe countries, she wrote.

Many Ukrainians and some European politicians say Russians must accept some degree of collective responsibility for the war in Ukraine, at a time when Russian hybrid activities in Europe are stepping up a gear. Travelling to the EU is a privilege, not a given, said Kallas.

For the safety of their own citizens, all democratic countries should adopt much stricter rules for admitting Russian citizens to their territory, and this should have been done much earlier, said Andriy Yermak, the Ukrainian presidents chief of staff, welcoming the decision.

Toomas Hendrik Ilves, the former president of Estonia, said on X that Russians protesting against the decision appeared to be more angry about being denied visas than they were about war crimes committed in Ukraine, taking issue with their revoltingly overweening sense of entitlement.

When it was pointed out to Ilves that there are Russians who have been given jail sentences of eight years of more for talking about the war in Ukraine honestly, he dismissed the claim. I doubt anyone got 8 yrs for social media posts about Bucha. But were used to lies, he wrote.

Yashin, who was sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in jail in 2022 for a set of social media posts detailing Russian war crimes in Bucha, said he could not believe it when he read Ilves post. He said people should understand that there are no legal or illegal means for Russian citizens to overthrow Putin, though conceded that it was valid for Ukrainians to criticise Russians for not doing enough to change the political situation in the country.

If someone is sitting in a trench and risking their life every day then I think they have the moral right to accuse someone else of cowardice, but if you are sitting in a warm office, in safety, do you have that moral right? Im not sure, said Yashin.

Additional reporting by Angela Giuffrida in Rome
Sara Sharifs abusive father and stepmother should never have been trusted with her care, according to a damning review that also found she was failed by the safeguarding system.

The 10-year-old was found dead in a bunk bed at the family home in Woking, Surrey, in August 2023, after enduring months of horrific abuse at the hands of Urfan Sharif and Beinash Batool.

A report published by Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership found that Sharifs history as an abuser had been overlooked and underestimated, and that despite there being a great deal of information available to authorities, numerous opportunities to intervene were missed.

These included a home visit that was supposed to take place on the day before Sara was murdered, but council staff attended the wrong address.

There are clearly several points in Saras life, in particular during the last few months, where different actions could and should have been taken and the system failed to keep her safe, the 62-page report found.

Urfan Sharif and Beinash Batool were convicted of Sara Sharifs murder (Surrey Police)

Downing Street said Saras death was heartbreaking and that a review into her case had exposed serious failings which ministers would consider.

Sara was found to have suffered 71 recent injuries at the time of her death, including 25 broken bones, iron burns on her bottom, scalding marks to her feet, and human bites.

Sharif was sentenced to a minimum of 40 years in prison last December, while Batool was jailed for a minimum of 33 years, for the couples sadistic crimes. Saras uncle, Faisal Malik, was found guilty of causing or allowing her death and was jailed for 16 years.

Sara, who was described as a courageous and cheerful child, had been known to social services, with concerns first raised within a week of her birth in 2013. Her parents had been known to social services since 2010.

Surrey County Council repeatedly raised significant concerns that Sara was likely to suffer physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her parents.

There were three sets of family court proceedings involving Sharif and Saras Polish birth mother, Olga, but allegations that Sharif was physically abusing Sara and her siblings were never tested in court.

Sara was repeatedly returned to her parents care before finally being placed with her father and stepmother, four years before she was murdered.

Sara was just 10 when she died at the hands of her father and stepmother (Surrey Police)

The review found that her death was not caused by one specific malfunction within the safeguarding system. It stated: Numerous factors came together over many years which cumulatively laid the foundations for the severe abuse she experienced at the hands of her father and stepmother.

It found that there had been several occasions on which Sharifs history as a serial perpetrator of domestic abuse was overlooked, not acted on and underestimated by almost all professionals who were in contact with the family.

Sharif had been granted custody of Sara in 2019, despite earlier allegations of child abuse and arrests for alleged controlling behaviour towards ex-girlfriends. This included two allegations of false imprisonment by other Polish women in 2007 and 2009, but he was never charged.

The review noted that text messages between Batool and her sisters, discovered during the police investigation, showed that Sara had begun being assaulted by her father soon after she moved in with him.

The report also found that there was nothing in the evidence provided by childrens services to demonstrate that race, culture, religion or heritage were properly considered. Saras birth mother was given inconsistent access to Polish interpreters and was given no interpreter during the private law proceedings in 2019.

A safeguarding review has found that the system failed to ensure Saras safety (Surrey Police)

It stated that there were multiple occasions in the years leading up to Saras death when more robust safeguarding processes were needed, including a two-day school absence in March 2023 after which she returned to school quiet and coy and had bruising to her cheek, eye and chin.

While Saras school made a referral to social services, the case was closed within days, without police being contacted.

The following month, Sharif emailed the school to say he intended to educate his daughter at home  a move the review concludes was undoubtedly made to keep Sara hidden from view in the last weeks of her life.

A series of missed opportunities followed, with delays in correspondence and an old home address on the digital system resulting in a visit by a council worker to the wrong location  just one day before Sara died.

Sara began to wear the hijab in 2021, when she was eight years old. The review said this hid the bruising and injuries to her face and head during the last two years of her life.

It said that while the school had shown appropriate curiosity, there was no evidence in the childrens services or health records that race, culture, religion or heritage were properly considered, while expert advice since obtained from the local Muslim community suggested it would have been highly unusual for such a young child to decide to wear the hijab when other family members did not.

Urfan Sharif, Beinash Batool and Faisal Malik were all convicted and jailed at the Old Bailey in December 2024 (Surrey Police)

The review concluded that, despite the information available across the system, opportunities were lost to join up all the dots and recognise the dangers faced by Sara once she moved in with her father and stepmother.

Woking MP Will Forster said Sara had been repeatedly failed by the state. He said the safeguarding review confirms exactly what I feared  that the state, especially Surrey County Council, failed Sara at every stage.

Among 15 recommendations, the review authors called for improvements to be made in how referrals to childrens services are dealt with, including elements such as resourcing and capacity, staff experience and qualifications. They also called for statutory guidance to require that, where an application is made to homeschool a child previously known to childrens social care, a formal meeting with parents and professionals should take place.

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson said that the review rightly highlights the glaring failures and missed opportunities across all agencies which led to Saras death.

Surrey County Council said it was deeply sorry and insisted it had taken robust action to address the failings, adding that it would continue to work to implement all of the reviews recommendations.
Researchers believe the new developments could be key to stopping diabetes before it starts (Getty/iStock)

Scientists have discovered the reason why type 1 diabetes is more severe and aggressive among young children, which experts say could change the way the condition is treated and prevented.

Type 1 diabetes, in which the immune system destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, often develops more rapidly in young children under the age of seven, and increases the likelihood of medical emergencies and requires higher doses of insulin.

Researchers from the University of Exeter have found that in young children with type 1 diabetes nearly all their insulin-producing cells are being destroyed before they can mature.

Professor Sarah Richardson, the studys lead author, from the University of Exeter, said: These tiny insulin-producing beta cell clusters  once overlooked  hold big clues to understanding type 1 diabetes.

This new perspective has the potential to reshape how we screen, treat, and even prevent type 1 diabetes. Protecting small beta cell clusters early could be key to stopping type 1 diabetes before it starts.

Eight-year-old Gracie Nye was younger than two when she was diagnosed with diabetes (Diabetes UK)

When eight-year-old Gracie Nye from Merseyside was a toddler, she went from having what her parents believed was a cold to lying unconscious in a hospital bed.

She was 23 months old when she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Her dad, Gareth Nye, said: We lived in constant fear, setting alarms every two hours to finger prick her at night, worrying if shed still be with us in the morning.

Gracie had diabetic ketoacidosis, a severe complication of diabetes, in which a lack of insulin causes harmful substances called ketones to build up in the blood.

Mr Nye said: Research like this, and the possibilities it holds, will be vital in reducing the number of children diagnosed in critical care, like Gracie. It gives us confidence that one day she could be free from her condition  and that fewer parents and children will have to go through this same experience.

Young childrens insulin-producing cells are being destroyed (iStock)

In the study, published in Science Advances, scientists researched insulin-producing cells, which are found in clusters in the pancreas. These clusters are still developing in young children and only contain a few insulin-producing cells.

After analysing rare pancreas samples of more than 250 people with and without type 1 diabetes, they found that young children without type 1 diabetes have large amounts of small clusters of insulin-producing cells.

But in young children who do have type 1 diabetes, the researchers saw that these small clusters were almost completely absent after being destroyed by the immune system.

Around 400,000 people in the UK suffer from type 1 diabetes. According to the Diabetes UK charity, it affects around 1,700 children under 5.

Professor Richardson said: This research underscores the critical role of these small clusters in healthy pancreas development and opens the door for new treatments to protect childrens small clusters of insulin-producing cells, giving them the chance to mature into large clusters that are less vulnerable to the immune attack.

It also strengthens the case for early type 1 diabetes screening  particularly in young children  essential for identifying those in the early stages of type 1 diabetes before these crucial cells are lost.
The Scottish Government is on track to issue its first ever bonds next financial year, with John Swinney saying the move will fund key infrastructure projects.

The First Minister confirmed bonds should be issued in 2026-27  though this is subject to the outcome of Mays Holyrood election as well as other factors.

It comes after two global credit rating agencies awarded Scotland the same ranking as the UK. Moodys rated the Scottish Government as Aa3 while S&P Global rated it as AA, both identical to the UKs sovereign rating.

Speaking about the ratings, Holyroods Finance Secretary Shona Robison said: This will very much persuade investors that Scotland is a safe bet.

Mr Swinney meanwhile said the high credit ratings for the Scottish Government came as a result of its track record of responsible fiscal management and pro-business environment.

He confirmed Scotland is now on track to commence the bond programme from 2026-27, with the proceeds used to fund capital investment in key infrastructure.

The First Minister insisted: This is about using the powers we have to borrow better  not more  and reflects the maturity of Scotlands public finances after more than 25 years of devolution.

It is the latest step in building the institutions and tools Scotland needs for a prosperous future where our country takes responsibility for its own decisions.

The Moodys report however included independence as a possible factor which could see Scotlands credit rating downgraded.

The report said: Although not our baseline scenario, Scottish independence could exert downward pressure on the rating by introducing heightened uncertainty about the institutional framework and potentially raising financial stability risks.

The Scottish Government has been confirmed as high investment grade, by two global credit rating agencies. This matches the UK and better than Spain, Italy and Japan. First Minister @JohnSwinney will announce next steps for our governments Bonds programme tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/KV1ExZ5wVn  Scottish Government Finance and Economy (@scotgoveconomy) November 12, 2025

Mr Swinney stressed specific issuance plans will be subject to market conditions closer to the time.

He said the Scottish Government would shortly commence engagement with banks to act as joint lead managers to enable the next Scottish government to proceed without delay on the proposed Scottish bond scheme, which has been nicknamed kilts in a play on the UK equivalent of gilts.

Ministers in Edinburgh say being able to issue bonds will allow further funding of infrastructure investment  with Scotlands rating higher than countries such as Spain, Italy and Japan.

Then first minister Humza Yousaf in 2023 commissioned initial work with the goal of issuing bonds before the end of the current Scottish Parliament session.

That came after advisers in the Scottish Governments investor panel recommended making bonds available to the market as a means of raising Scotlands profile and attracting investment.

Angus Macpherson, chairman of financial advisory firm Noble and Co and former co-chair of the investor panel, said he was greatly encouraged by the progress the Scottish Government is making in achieving a credit rating to raise Scotlands profile in the international capital markets.

Mr Macpherson added: This is a positive step forward and demonstrates they are serious about becoming a more investor friendly destination.

Ms Robison said the credit ratings would be absolutely fundamental to increasing investor engagement in Scotland.

She also insisted the firm foundations of Scotlands economy would be in place in whatever constitutional arrangements we have in the future.

Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland, she added: Any transition to Scotland becoming an independent country would be carefully managed to uphold that investor confidence, protecting Scotlands public finances and to support long-term economic prosperity.
Donald Trump and Keir Starmer at the White House in August. It is no longer business as usual for the UK-US Special Relationship - Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/REUTERS

Donald Trumps de facto declaration of war against the BBC is both fully justified and a game-changer in his dealings with Sir Keir Starmers Labour Government. Outright political bias and disinformation targeting the US president have been met by a ferocious and extremely effective counter-punch. Not only have the BBCs director-general and head of news resigned, but President Trump is threatening to sue the corporation for $1bn.

For decades, the BBC has operated with staggering arrogance, frequently accused of Left-wing bias, but never truly facing any real consequences. In picking a fight with President Trump, with its reckless and hugely misleading Panorama documentary, the BBC faces an unprecedented reckoning and undoubtedly one of the biggest crises in its history.

Strikingly, Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour Government have defended the BBC as an institution, with ministers refuting any charge of institutional bias. I doubt that the leader of the free world will be impressed by Downing Streets ludicrous response, and Starmers reaction will go down very badly in the United States.

Deborah Turness, the chief executive of BBC News, has resigned following the scandal - James Manning/PA

It also coincides with the shocking revelation, first reported by CNN, that the British Government was no longer sharing intelligence with the United States over drug trafficking in the Caribbean in the wake of US military action against South American drug cartels. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has pushed back against these reports, but it would represent a major slap in the face for the Anglo-American Special Relationship and an immensely destructive own goal by Starmers evidently clueless team.

With the highly successful presidential state visit to the UK in September now firmly in the rear-view mirror, the gloves will inevitably soon be coming off in terms of Washingtons dealings with Starmers socialist Government, which is already very unpopular among American conservatives and generally viewed with undisguised disdain on the American Right.

In recent weeks I have spoken with numerous US officials and Congressional staffers who are frankly horrified by the assault on freedom of speech in the UK under Starmer, with large numbers of Britons arrested for their tweets and other social media posts. They are also appalled by the continuing failure to halt the flow of illegal migrants across the Channel, as well as the Governments inability or even refusal in some cases to act against rising anti-Semitism and the malevolent pro-Hamas mobs that are now a common feature in British cities.

There are deep-seated concerns in Washington over the appeasement of Communist China and the incredibly dangerous decision to hand over the Chagos Islands to Beijing ally Mauritius. It is not forgotten, either, that Labour Party activists campaigned for Kamala Harris against Trump in key swing states in last Novembers presidential election, in a blatantly hostile act by a foreign political party.

Keir Starmer plans to hand over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius - Pictures from History/Getty Images Contributor

Given the circumstances, President Trump has been extraordinarily generous since returning to the Oval Office in his approach towards Starmer. But his intervention against the BBC, seen by many US conservatives as a Left-wing ally of Starmer and Labour, is the shape of things to come. It is no longer business as usual for the Special Relationship, which has been weakened on several fronts by the reckless actions of the Labour Government and by the BBC, with its blatant anti-Trump bias.

In the past few days, Trump has demonstrated his willingness to wield a flamethrower against a sacred cow worshipped by the British Left. He is increasingly likely to intervene in other areas of British politics, too, standing up in support of freedom of speech in the UK, defending Brexit, sovereignty and self-determination in Europe, and leading the charge against illegal migration and mass migration in general.

This is a president who firmly believes in the defence of Western civilisation and the fight against those who are seen to be undermining it or dragging it down. And the BBC is vanishingly unlikely to be his only target.

Nile Gardiner is Director of the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom at The Heritage Foundation in Washington, DC
Sir Keir Starmer has been warned by Tony Blairs former Downing Street spin doctor to get a grip in No 10  or risk losing power to Nigel Farage.

In a withering attack, Alastair Campbell said public support for the prime minister was draining away fast, adding that the government had no compelling narrative and had scored too many own goals.

The intervention by Mr Campbell comes amid reports that the prime minister has apologised to his health secretary Wes Streeting over a briefing operation conducted against Mr Streeting on Tuesday evening from within Downing Street.

Mr Campbell said the prime minister needs to reassert control as Sir Keir faces demands to sack his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, over the claims made by sources that Mr Streeting was preparing to launch a leadership coup.

Keir Starmer has apologised to Wes Streeting over a briefing operation against the health secretary from within No 10 (PA)

Speaking to BBC Radio 4s Today programme, Mr Campbell said he believes that the Labour Partys strategy isnt going very well.

He said: The worst thing about recent days is its made a relatively new government look like the last lot.

There are bigger, worse enemies  like Nigel Farage, who if we are not careful [is] going to come in and take over this country and take it to a very dark place.

Mr Campbell, who resigned in 2003 after almost a decade working for Mr Blair, warned: I do think that what were seeing is, in a media world that prefers scandal and personality to policy and trends, there are too many people inside politics who feed the frenzy rather than just getting on with governing.

And the worst thing about recent days, to my mind, is its made a relatively new government with a massive majority look all too much like the last lot [the Conservative Party].

He went on: Morgan [McSweeney] is very, very important, [he] has been for a long time, but he hopefully will note, by now, that governing and campaigning are not the same thing. Everybody in No 10 should understand they are there to serve the prime minister and the government. Nobody should care what they think, what they do, what their great strategic thoughts are. And right now, the strategy isnt going very well.

Mr Campbell warned that everyone in public life has a reputational bank, and the currency flows in and out.

Morgan McSweeney is reportedly described by some as too important to sack  though removing him would show that Starmer is in charge, according to one Labour peer (Getty)

He said: Something has gone dreadfully wrong that so much has drained [in] just a little over a year in government.

A Labour peer told The Independent that Sir Keir was being derailed by some of the people around him, and called on him to sack Mr McSweeney.

Some say McSweeney is too powerful to sack  but that would now show that Starmer is fully in charge, he said.

It comes as the energy secretary Ed Miliband claimed that Sir Keir would wish to sack the person responsible for the briefings that derailed the government this week.

Mr Miliband, who was also accused of being on manoeuvres to replace Sir Keir, insisted that the PM would get rid of the person responsible for the debacle if he was able to find out who they are.

Ive talked to Keir before about this kind of briefing that happens. As he always says, if he finds the person, hell get rid of them, and I absolutely believe he would do that, he told Sky News.

Asked if he thought Sir Keir would sack the person, Mr Miliband said, Sure, yeah.

He also noted that briefing is a longstanding aspect of politics, and pointed to there having been lots and lots of briefing under Mr Blair and Gordon Brown.

Look, I think the briefing has been bad, no question. But my message to the Labour Party, though, is quite simple today, which is, we need to focus on the country, not ourselves, Mr Miliband continued. Turbulence is part of the gig, is part of the DNA of being in government.
Sir Keir Starmer could face a leadership challenge as early as the new year, as Labour MPs claim the prime minister is now unable to sack his chief of staff because it would hasten his own departure.

In a bid to draw a line under the turmoil that has engulfed his government this week, Sir Keir insisted he had been assured that no one in Downing Street was responsible for the briefing against his health secretary, Wes Streeting, on Tuesday.

The briefing, which is being blamed on chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, suggested that Mr Streeting was preparing to launch a leadership coup. But even as the prime minister sought to end the row by apologising to Mr Streeting, calls for sackings continued to grow.

Energy secretary Ed Miliband, who has also been accused of being on manoeuvres to replace Sir Keir, repeated demands by Mr Streeting that the person responsible be sacked.

Mr Miliband, asked whether the prime minister should sack whoever is found to be responsible for the briefings, told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: Of course he should.

Meanwhile, another minister said: He should sack [Mr McSweeney] but we all know he cant. They are locked together in mutual survival.

Others said Mr McSweeney was probably unsackable but added that the prime minister should be very worried.

Another set of briefings against Sir Keirs director of communications, Tim Allan, appears to suggest that a civil war has broken out among senior figures in Downing Street.

The prime minister says he has confidence in his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney (PA Wire)

Mr McSweeney has been credited with getting Sir Keir elected as Labour leader, facilitating the partys revival following the disastrous Jeremy Corbyn era, and was also praised for helping Labour to win the general election.

But concerns are growing about his influence in Downing Street, with one minister claiming that Mr McSweeney basically did the reshuffle after Angela Rayner resigned as deputy prime minister and housing secretary.

One MP said: The question we all have now is whether a change of leader will improve things. We are averaging under 20 per cent in the polls; it could hardly be worse.

Another MP noted: We only need 20 per cent of MPs to nominate someone [to challenge Starmer]. Thats doable now.

Meanwhile, one senior figure suggested that a challenge could come as early as January, in a bid to retain some of the seats likely to be at risk in the May elections.

They said: Lots of people are saying to me, why wait? Why not at least try and save thousands of councillors and some Welsh Senedd members and Scottish parliamentarians?

Morgan McSweeney is being blamed by some for this weeks briefings against the health secretary (PA)

John McTernan, who served as a strategist in the Blair government, said: Before this happened, everyone was kicking the question about a change of leader down the road. But this week has forced the question. It has probably brought it all forward.

The trouble is that the briefing had the authority of No 10, whether the prime minister knew about it or not. So he either has no confidence in his health secretary, which means [Mr Streeting] has to go, or he has to sack his chief of staff.

In a withering attack, Alastair Campbell, who served as Tony Blairs spin doctor during the New Labour years, said public support for the prime minister was draining away fast, adding that the government had no compelling narrative and had scored too many own goals.

Speaking on the Today programme, Mr Campbell said: There are bigger, worse enemies  like Nigel Farage, who if we are not careful [is] going to come in and take over this country and take it to a very dark place.

Labour grandee and former home secretary Lord Blunkett urged Starmer to sack his chief of staff.

He said: "I would say to Morgan, 'Look, you've got great skills. You helped enormously with me in building a winning team before the election. Now's the time for me to find you another role that you're good at, and I will bring someone in with the overall experience that we need to be the chief of staff.'"

Speaking to reporters in Anglesey, Sir Keir insisted he will absolutely deal with anybody responsible for briefing against ministers, following the bitter briefing war that has erupted at the heart of government.

He said: First, let me be clear that any briefing against ministers is completely unacceptable. That is not a new position for me, it is a position I have adopted ever since I became prime minister. I have made it very clear to my team.

I have been talking to my team today. I have been assured that no briefing against ministers was done from No 10, but I have made it clear that I find it absolutely unacceptable.

He added: I have been assured it didnt come from Downing Street, but I have been equally clear that whether it is this case or any other, I intend to deal with it.

Meanwhile, Downing Street said that the PM has full confidence in Mr Allan, after calls were made for an investigation to be launched into Sir Keirs communications chief amid claims of a conflict of interest.

These centre on Mr Allans shares in a lobbying company, Strand Partners, in which he holds a minority stake, and reported discussions about politics with one of its consultants, Tom Baldwin. The Conservatives have called for a full Cabinet Office investigation, while the Liberal Democrats have also demanded an inquiry.

Labour said the idea that Mr Allan had done anything to benefit Strand Partners while in No 10 was categorically false, and that any interactions with Mr Baldwin took place in [Mr Baldwins] capacity as a journalist and have not related to Strand, its business or its clients.

A Strand Partners spokesperson said Mr Baldwin, the prime ministers biographer, is a journalist who does not engage in government relations for Strand, adding that this is not part of his terms of engagement with us.
Storm Claudia is set to hit the UK today as the Met Office issued amber weather warnings, forecasting heavy rain will lead to flooding and disruption across the country.

The amber warnings are in place from midday to midnight on Friday, with 50 to 75mm of rain forecasted for Wales with with some higher ground likely seeing 100-150 mm and 40 to 80mm expected in the East Midlands, the east of England, London and southeast England, northwest England, southwest England, Wales, and the West Midlands.

Some 20 flood warnings and 33 flood alerts have also been flagged as Storm Claudia, named by the Spanish Meteorological Service, makes its way towards the UK.

Vehicles drive through rain on the A38 in Plymouth, Devon, earlier this year (Ben Birchall/PA)

A 24-hour yellow weather warning for rain has also been issued from 6am on Friday in the southern part of the country.

A yellow rain warning is currently in place in central, Tayside and Fife, northeast England, northwest England, southwest Scotland, and Strathclyde until 7pm on Thursday. A total of 15 to 25mm of rain is expected, with some areas in southern Scotland potentially seeing around 40 to 60mm.

The Met Office has issued yellow and amber weather warnings for Friday (The Met Office)

Met Office chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said: Storm Claudia will bring very heavy rainfall to a large swathe of central and southern England and Wales on Friday into Saturday. This rain will become slow-moving, and some areas could see up to a months worth of rain in 24 hours.

Much of this will fall on saturated ground, increasing the chances of flooding and contributing to the amber warnings we have issued.

Within the Amber warning areas, some could see in excess of 150mm accumulate during the event, with 60-80mm fairly widely. Gusty winds in the northwest of England and northwest Wales is an additional hazard, with 60-70mph gusts possible in exposed places within the warning area.

In areas under an amber warning, the Met Office is cautioning that fast-flowing or deep floodwater is likely and could cause danger to life.

(Getty Images)

Homes and businesses are expected to be flooded and the weather agency has also warned of travel disruption and power cuts in affected areas.

The impacts may be exacerbated by strong easterly winds, as well as thunderstorms arriving on Friday afternoon, it said.

Alun Attwood from Natural Resources Wales said: Were urging people to be vigilant and to make preparations for potential flooding now. You can check if you live in an area at risk of flooding on our website and sign up for our free flood warning service.

We do not provide flood warnings for flooding from surface water, so its important for everyone to know their flood risk.

Unsettled weather is expected throughout the week (PA)

Here is the weather forecast for the UK for the coming week, according to the Met Office:

Today

A very wet day across parts of England and Wales with a strong easterly wind developing. A colder day for Scotland and Northern Ireland with sunny spells and isolated showers.

Outlook for Saturday to Monday

Rather cloudy and damp on Saturday across southern and central areas, but colder and clearer conditions further north will spread southwards during Sunday. Cold and bright for many on Monday.
How to get your AT&T settlement as the deadline to claim up to $7,500 nears

Millions of AT&T customers may be eligible for compensation of up to $7,500 each after the telecom giant was affected by a pair of severe data breaches in 2024.

On March 30 last year, the details of as many as 73 million current and former account holders were leaked in a hacking incident.

Their private information, including birth dates and Social Security numbers, but not the content of their messages, was stolen and shared in a dataset on the dark web.

Millions of customers could be eligible for the payouts (Getty/iStock)

Then, in a second strike, on July 12, hackers managed to download massive amounts of AT&T data from a third-party cloud platform.

Lawsuits ensued across the country in both state and federal courts.

On August 4, Kroll Settlement Administration announced that AT&T had agreed to a settlement fund in federal court. For the first breach, a $149 million all-cash fund was established to settle the claims, and for the second, a $28 million all-cash payment was made, resulting in a total payout of $177 million.

According to a settlement website established by the administrators, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas is scheduled to hold a final approval hearing on January 15, 2026.

Meanwhile, any AT&T customers have until December 18 to file a claim and until November 17 to opt out.

How do I submit a claim?

Those who had their data compromised in the first hack are eligible for up to $5,000, according to the administrators website, while people hit by the second breach are eligible for up to $2,500.

Anyone unlucky enough to be caught up in both hacks becomes what the administrator refers to as an overlap settlement class member and may receive a total of $7,500.

With the deadline to claim extended by a month from its original date of November 18, customers now have more time to file, which they can do using the Class Member ID printed on their settlement notice via the login screen here.

To receive the payment, customers must provide documentation showing that the losses they incurred are fairly traceable to the AT&T data breaches.

If successful, they are likely to receive their compensation in the new year.

Please be patient, the claim site advises, urging anyone unsure of their eligibility to call the following number with inquiries: (833) 890-4930.
Ten years since the Bataclan attacks, deep scars remain in France and beyond

I had to relearn how to interpret all the sounds around me, recalls Sebastien Lascoux. The noises of the street, any sudden sound that makes you jump. A part of me died that night and stayed in the Bataclan.

It has been ten years since gunmen stormed into Paris famed concert hall and opened fire on 1,500 people. Ninety people, including one of Sebastiens friends, died in the assault before police were able to subdue the attackers.

A decade on, Sebastien, 46, is still unable to go to crowded places or enclosed cinemas. Loud noises remind him of gunshots.

"I used to go to a lot of concerts with my friends. The theatre and the cinema were places I loved. But ten years later, I don't know if I'll ever go back."

Sebastiens friend was shot while trying to shield another member of their party from the gunfire as three assailants, armed with Kalashnikov-style assault rifles, gunned down civilians entirely exposed in the open hall.

Some survivors managed to climb over others, or to escape via an emergency exit with the stoic guidance of a security guard. Others hid in offices or toilets without anywhere to run until heavily armed police arrived.

The attacks shook Europe into a frenzy of action. Anxiety fostered an uptick in anti-migrant and Islamophobic sentiment, and terror fears saw the ushering in of cross-border intelligence sharing, police raids and large-scale surveillance.

The scars run deep. Victims have said in the years since that they feel lucky to have survived. Others still bear the trauma but have found solidarity in survivor groups.

Ninety people died in the Bataclan attacks. Survivors have since recounted their lasting trauma from the experience (Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

The country remains in a state of high alert. Earlier this week, police in France arrested a woman and two accomplices suspected of planning an attack on a bar or concert hall on the eve of the anniversary of the Bataclan massacre.

The assault on the Bataclan was one of several attacks that occurred simultaneously across France on the evening of 13 November, 2015.

Across Paris, gunmen driving around the city in black Seat cars stopped at bars and restaurants and opened fire on diners. Elsewhere, suicide bombers attempted to enter the 80,000 capacity Stade de France stadium with explosive vests, with President Francois Hollande in attendance.

One was stopped by security and blew himself up near an entrance, killing himself and a passer by. A second detonated outside a different entrance, and a third did the same at a fast-food outlet nearby just before 10pm.

Across the city, Parisians sheltered in bars, restaurants and cafes as gunmen fired indiscriminately upon terraces. As the trio of attackers prepared to storm the Bataclan concert hall at the northern end of Boulevard Voltaire, another suicide bomber, identified as Brahim Abdeslam, detonated explosives on the crowded terrace of Le Comptoir Voltaire restaurant to the south, where couples and groups had gathered on a cold Friday night to end the week together.

Incredibly, while several people were injured in the explosion, nobody died.

Doors opened for the Eagles of Death Metal show (pictured) at 9pm. Forty minutes later, gunmen stormed the concert hall (Marion Ruszniewski/AFP/Getty Images)

The Bataclan was host to the Californian rock group Eagles of Death Metal that night, selling out the 1,500-capacity hall. Doors opened at 9pm, and within 40 minutes the three attackers had entered with Kalashnikov-type assault rifles through the main doors and the back of hall.

They were later identified as Omar Ismail Mostefai, 29, Samy Animour, 28, and Foued Mohamed-Aggad, 23.

It was more than two and a half hours from the first gunshot until the last. A police officer shot one of the gunmen, whose suicide belt detonated. The other two blew themselves up.

Islamic State took responsibility for a string of attacks across the city that night, including at the concert hall. A total of 132 people lost their lives. Some 400 people were hospitalised with injuries.

The aftermath

In the immediate aftermath of the attack, President Hollande declared a state of emergency. Around 10,000 soldiers were deployed to sensitive areas including train stations and places of worship. The military was given an extra 2.2 billion in 2016, in part to help deal with the new threats. Police, meanwhile, carried out thousands of property searches without judicial review. Hundreds of people were considered a threat to national security and required to report several times a day to a police station.

Over time - after other Islamist attacks, including a truck rampage in 2016 in Nice and the 2020 beheading of a schoolteacher - those temporary measures got embedded into law.

Some 400 people were hospitalised after the attacks across France on November 15, 2015 (Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

When Emmanuel Macron replaced President Hollande, he talked of restoring the freedoms of the French. But his government pushed through a bill allowing prefects to order search and seizure operations and to close down places of worship. In select security zones, people could be subjected to identity checks and searches. Amnesty suggested the state was overreaching.

Anxieties around the terror threat grew in France and abroad. In 2016, 30 per cent of respondents polled by Eurobarometer said terrorism was the second most important issue facing France, after only unemployment, according to CNN . This had risen 17 per cent from 2015. Opinions also hardened on immigration, coming fourth with 13.7 per cent. In Europe, scrutiny fell on the refugee crisis and the policies of then German chancellor Angela Merkel welcoming those fleeing war into Europe.

A survey of 10,000 people from 10 European states published in 2017 showed that an average of 55 per cent of people agreed that all further migration from mainly Muslim countries should be stopped. Twenty per cent disagreed. Chatham House noted that, with the exception of Poland, these countries have either been at the centre of the refugee crisis or experienced terrorist attacks in recent years.

The think tank went on to note that in most of the European countries polled, the radical right was looking to mobilise this angst over Islam in upcoming elections. Europe reeled from the attacks, and fear congealed into indiscriminate hate.

Growing anxiety gave legitimacy to the state expanding its powers. The CEPS think tank assessed at the time that the acceptance of a link between cross-border movements and terrorism had given new life to public policies driving large-scale surveillance and intelligence-driven law enforcement.

The wider continent responded in kind, and European nations began to collaborate more on security and intelligence gathering. France and Belgium began to collaborate through a Taskforce Fraternite, coordinating through Europol. Within a year, information gathered led to 800 intelligence leads and more than 1,600 leads on suspicious financial transactions.

Flowers laid at the Bataclan concert hall in Paris on the 10th anniversary of the attack (AP)

Reflecting on the legacy of the 2015 attacks, Amnesty France concluded this year that measures intended to be exceptional had become the norm.

France was struck by deadly attacks that left an indelible mark on the nation, it said. Over time, these attacks have further impacted our fundamental rights and freedomgs through the adoption of numerous security laws.

Today, concerns still linger in Europe. The 2015 attacks in Paris were a horrifying assault on French society and freedoms. Fear and anxiety marred the years that followed, informing policy decisions.

But offering a beacon of hope, the Bataclan defiantly reopened in November 2016, a year after the attacks, with a performance from Sting. Today, it continues to host live music.
Representative: Police officials in South Korea. At least eight people in crash in Seoul have sustained serious injuries (Getty Images)

A truck crashed into a sidewalk at a market in South Korea on Thursday, killing two people and injuring at least 20 others.

The truck was reportedly being driven by a man in his 60s, who plowed into the sidewalk at a market in Bucheon at about 10.55am local time on Thursday.

At least two women who went into cardiac arrest died, reported the Chosun Daily. At least eight others have sustained serious injuries. All the victims were taken to a nearby hospital.

The driver was rescued after being trapped in the door and was not in a critical condition. He was not under the influence of alcohol when tested by the police, a police official said at a briefing, reported Korea JoongAng Daily.

The truck appeared to reverse for 28m before accelerating towards the outdoor market, the official said.

The driver blamed a sudden surge of acceleration for the incident, he said.

The driver told the police the trucks brakes had failed, reported Xinhua News. The police would hand the vehicle over to investigators to try to pinpoint the cause of the crash, the official said.

The man has been booked under charges of negligent homicide and injury under the Traffic Accident Special Act.

The vehicle drove about 100m into the market before crashing into a store and coming to a halt.

I was eating inside the store when I heard screams outside, followed by a loud noise as a car passed by and crashed with a bang, said Jin Mo, a 43-year-old seller in the market. Another merchant told Chosun Daily: The sound during the accident was so loud that I thought the building was collapsing.

Earlier this month, a Japanese tourist was killed in Seoul while another was injured after being hit by a driver who was under the influence of alcohol, said police.
Donald Trump is said to be against ideas that may place American troops at risk - Petty Officer 3rd Class Tajh Payne

Donald Trump is weighing military plans for potential strikes in Venezuela within the coming days.

Top military officials presented the US president with options for military intervention in the region which include land strikes, according to CBS.

Pete Hegseth, the defence secretary, and Dan Caine, chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, were among senior personnel who briefed Mr Trump on possible attack plans.

Some 10,000 troops have gathered in the region, backed up by dozens of warships, submarines and fighter jets as Mr Trump steps up his pressure campaign on Nicolas Maduro, the Venezuelan president.

Mr Maduro is accused of facilitating the flow of illegal narcotics into the United States.

Mr Trumps military top brass briefed him on potential land strikes on Venezuela. Other options reported to have been drawn up by the Pentagon include direct attacks on Mr Maduros security detail or operations to seize the countrys oil fields.

No final decision has been made but Mr Trump is said to be against ideas that may place American troops at risk or could turn into an embarrassing failure.

The US has killed more than 75 people on strikes on small vessels in a renewed war against drug traffickers in the region.

On Tuesday, the Pentagon conducted the 20th strike since the campaign began in September, killing four people.

Legal experts have contested the legality of the strikes, which the administration argues have taken place in international waters and are against members of Tren de Aragua and the Cartel de los Soles gangs.

Linking the Venezuelan president and his top officials to the group, which has been designated a narco-terrorist group by the US, may provide a legal basis for military action beyond the current campaign of bombing boats.

The legal concerns are said to have led Britain to stop sharing intelligence with the US in September. However, Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, denied this on Thursday.
Maduro Trump

When the USS Gerald R Ford, the worlds largest aircraft carrier, arrives in the Caribbean, it will mark the completion of the biggest American military mobilisation since the Iraq War.

Some 10,000 troops have gathered in the region, backed up by dozens of warships, submarines and fighter jets, armed with hundreds of long-range missiles. It would appear that all of their firepower is pointed in the direction of Nicolas Maduro, Venezuelas president.

White House and Pentagon officials have reportedly drawn up a series of military options against the South American dictatorship, including direct attacks on Mr Maduro or operations to seize the countrys oil fields.

Donald Trump has repeatedly suggested land strikes are imminent, with top officials, such as Marco Rubio, his secretary of state, encouraging regime change via force.

The US has already killed more than 75 people in speed boats and submersibles in an escalating military campaign against drug traffickers in the region.

Presidential aides are reported to be consulting with the Department of Justice as to whether the operation can be expanded to mainland Venezuela.

Analysts believe this means strikes against everything from military bases to cocaine labs, clandestine airstrips used for trafficking narcotics and guerrilla camps.

It is argued that Mr Maduro, who has ruled over the country since 2013 following the death of former president Hugo Chavez, is a central figure in the cartels shipping drugs into the US.

In August, Attorney General Pam Bondi said the dictator will not escape justice and he will be held accountable for his despicable crimes, as she doubled a reward for his arrest to $50m (about 38m).

So far, Mr Trump has refused to reveal his exact plans. But when asked by CBS News whether he believed Maduros days were numbered, the US President replied: I think so, yeah.

Whatever he decides, Mr Trump wont be short of options.

I think so, yeah, was Trumps response when asked if Maduros days were numbered - Abe McNatt

With the arrival of the USS Gerald R Ford and its accompanying carrier strike group comes 5,000 sailors and 75 attack-and-support aircraft, including F-18 fighter jets.

On top of that, in recent weeks, the US military has deployed 10 F-35 stealth jets and three MQ-9 Reaper drones to nearby Puerto Rico, where 5,000 American servicemen are already stationed.

B2 and B1 bombers, capable of carrying the 30,000lb Massive Ordnance Penetrator, used recently to target Irans nuclear production facilities, have flown sorties off the coast of Venezuela.

As well as those, there are enough warships and submarines in the area to carry almost 500 long-range Tomahawk precision cruise missiles.

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1311 Build-up of US Caribbean base

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Any operation would be a throwback to the heyday of the 20th-century American Banana Wars in the Caribbean, interventions designed to protect trade interests in the region.

Shooting for the grand prize  ousting Mr Maduro  would likely require Mr Trump to ignore prohibitions against assassinating foreign leaders.

While the White House debates its next high-stakes move, the Telegraph has explored three options the US President could take to topple Venezuelas dictatorship, based on previous examples of regime change.

1. Heavy metal and troops (Noriega, Panama, 1989)

In December 1989, US forces surrounded the Vaticans embassy in Panama, where General Manuel Noriega was seeking refuge.

The White House had ordered the invasion of the country with orders to capture its strongman leader and bring him to trial back home.

Unable to burst into the diplomatic representation, US Marines and Delta Force Commandos blasted ear-piercing heavy metal anthems by Black Sabbath, Guns N Roses and AC/DC to drive Noriega out of the Holy Sees outpost.

After a spat between Washington and the Vatican, because of the noise pollution and harassment tactics, the dictator eventually surrendered and was hauled to Florida for trial.

US Drug Enforcement Agents place chains around Manuel Noriegas waist aboard a C-130 transport plane, Jan 1990 - AP Photo

Like the Panama strongman, Mr Maduro is federally indicted on drug trafficking charges. But thats where the similarities stop when it comes to the ground invasion of Panama and the possibility of American boots on the ground in Venezuela.

Panama is a relatively small country with one main city. Americans already had a military base near the shipping canal to mount the attack from.

Brandan Buck, of the Cato Institute, told the Telegraph: Venezuela is not that way. Its twice the size of Iraq with several large populated centres. And, of course, there is no US military presence in Venezuela, so they cant just walk off the base.

That would mean either amphibious landings on the beaches a short march from the Venezuelan capital of Caracas, or dangerous helicopter infiltrations.

And unlike Iraq, there are no friendly neighbouring countries that could be used as staging posts for an armed invasion. This would maximise the risk of casualties, a situation which both Mr Trump and the American public would ideally like to avoid, according to multiple experts.

Unlike previous insurrections facilitated by the US, there is no suggestion of splits between the political leaders and the armed forces.

On the ground, US troops would face stiff resistance from Venezuelas military of around 109,000 men, its police, and armed groups loyal to Maduro.

Those security personnel wrapped around the strongman are said to be hardened fighters with combat experience, making a smaller special forces raid equally as dangerous.

Christopher Sabatini, senior research fellow for Latin America at Chatham House, said: He is going to be surrounded by loyalists.

This isnt an [Osama] Bin Laden situation with a bunch of goats and his family around him. Its going to require some firepower, its highly risky.

Army helicopters patrol Panama City following the US invasion of the country in December 1989 - CARLOS GUARDIA/AFP via Getty Images

While the US has enough manpower to get the job done, its political leaders, and their voters, are unlikely to have the stomach for the clean-up operation that would come after.

The White House risks recreating the endless wars and quagmires of the Middle East, but this time in our own neighbourhood, Mr Buck said.

Any stability operation would be likely blighted by guerrilla attacks and there is little public trust in the opposition figures, who Venezuelans have grown tired of their repeated failures to topple Maduro, according to Mr Sabatini.

2. Long-range bombing (Gaddafi, Libya, 2011)

Mr Trump has not been shy of projecting American military might through its long-range capabilities. There have been bombing campaigns against Iran, Yemen, Iraq and Syria in the hope of achieving varying objectives.

But perhaps the most comparable campaign to a potential strike on Venezuela would be the 2011 strikes used to topple Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

The American forces massed in the region would strongly suggest that this is the main option being considered by Mr Trump.

Mr Buck said: There would be just a smaller American footprint. And it is less likely there would be chances of US casualties.

Mr Sabatini added: I do think theres the idea of carpet bombing certain things and hoping that theres an uprising that removes Maduro.

American fighter jets, armed with air-to-surface missiles, and Tomahawks launched from warships and submarines off the coast would make short work of any targets on the mainland.

First on the hit list would likely be Venezuelas Russian-made S-300 air defence systems. Experts have suggested the systems are only partially operational and not fit to counter American force.

American jets would likely face little resistance from Russian Sukhois flown by Maduros air force.

As of 2018, there are only believed to be five aircraft available for use, out of more than 20 that the South American state was believed to have purchased. Its F-16s are said to be of no use.

Once these are out of the way, Washington would likely unload on airstrips and ports used to ship drugs in the direction of the US.

Venezuelan military assets could also be targeted, in the hope of destabilising Maduros regime.

But, unlike Libya, there are no opposition figures waiting to take over.

Any clean-up operation would be equally as messy as a land invasion.

The US no longer has a development agency. I dont think Trump has the stomach to commit resources, development and military resources to Venezuela over the long term, Mr Sabatini said.

3. Sending in spies (Mosaddegh, Iran, 1956)

Mr Trump has granted permission to the CIA to carry out lethal operations in Venezuela. Previously, American spies have been used to rile up opposition figures and militias in countries where Washington wants to dispose of a dictator.

When the CIA, and its British counterparts in MI6, wanted to overthrow Irans then prime minister Mohammad Mosaddegh in 1956, it could count on the support of his military leaders, who had broken away from Tehran.

The US is known to have deployed spies in Venezuela. But Mr Sabatini claims it may prove more difficult to rally the support of its military against their leader.

We dont have an insurgency thats against Maduro, he said.

The expert suggested that Mr Trumps public announcement of covert operations implies a certain weakness.

Venezuelan troops conduct training exercises with a Russian-made portable surface-to-air missile system, Nov 12 - PRENSA MINISTERIO DE LA DEFENSA

Its not covert if youre announcing it,  he added.

But its really about signalling. Its trying to strike fear in the hearts of those around Maduro and Maduro himself, into either giving himself up or those around saying s---, I could be next. I may get caught up in the crossfire, time for me to save my skin.

But ultimately, there are no suggestions that Maduro loyalists are ready to split from the South American strongman or anyone is willing to overthrow him from within.

This hasnt stopped the US in the past, with a series of plots against Maduro and his regime that read like the plot of a Hollywood spy thriller.

Once, a US agent spent 16 months trying to convince Maduros personal pilot to divert his plane so US authorities could capture him.

The South American strongman regime has repeatedly claimed to have detained foreigners, mostly Americans, accused of attempting to kill or overthrow him.

US agents have tried to convince Gen. Bitner Villegas, pictured in the cockpit with Maduro, to turn on the Venezuelan leader - AP

A secret US spy ring was exposed last year, which shows how undercover agents were sent into Venezuela to build drug-trafficking cases against its leaders.

Maduro, in the past, has also alleged that Mr Trump had ordered his assassination to be carried out by operatives using bomb-laden drones.

As many as 10 American hostages being held by Caracas were freed in a deal brokered by US spies in December 2023.

A 2019 war game run by US administration officials to simulate toppling Maduro, during Mr Trumps first term, suggested it would end in a bloody civil war fought between Narco gangs and anti-US rebels.

Douglas Farah, a Pentagon consultant who took part in the war game, later wrote it would take tens of thousands of US troops to stabilise the situation.

Youre talking a capital city of several million people. Youre talking ports that need to be protected, he wrote, also questioning are you going to go into the hinterlands and the Colombian border where youre going to face [up to] 4,000 heavily armed dissidents who have been fighting for 60 years?
Donald Trump with Jeffrey Epstein at Mar-a-Lago in Florida in 1992 - NBC News

Republicans are preparing a mass rebellion against Donald Trump in a vote to release all classified files related to Jeffrey Epstein.

At least 100 or more Republicans are expected to support the release of the files after a selection of emails sent by the deceased paedophile financier that frequently mention the US president were made public on Wednesday.

Mr Trump was friends with Epstein before the pair fell out in the early 2000s, but has always denied any knowledge of or involvement with Epsteins sex-trafficking or abuse of underage girls.

However, the furore over Mr Trumps former links to Epstein continues to cause major rifts in his base.

Mike Johnson, speaker of the US House of Representatives, said on Wednesday he would hold a vote next week to compel the Justice Department to release the remaining files.

Senior Republicans believe the vote will provoke dozens of their own to vote against the presidents wishes, Politico reported, citing unnamed sources.

Mr Trump, who has accused Democrats of trying to deflect attention from their own failings, has been heavy-handedly lobbying against holding the Epstein vote.

His opposition places Republicans in a precarious spot  split between their loyalty to the president and their constituents demands for full transparency.

Top Trump officials reportedly hosted Lauren Boebert, the hard-Right Republican, in the White House Situation Room to push her to take her name off the petition.

Lauren Boebert with Donald Trump in 2021. She was encouraged to withdraw her support for a vote on releasing the full Epstein files

However, she refused to back down and the petition passed when Adelita Grijalva, a Democratic congresswoman, was sworn-in after weeks of delay and provided the final signature needed.

The Epstein material released so far amounts to less than 1 per cent of the cache the Justice Department claims to have.

Epstein died in 2019 while in a Manhattan prison awaiting trial on sex trafficking changes, in what the US government ruled was suicide.

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee said the three emails released that specifically mention the US president raised serious questions about Donald Trump and his knowledge of Epsteins horrific crimes.

Adelita Grijalva (L) also signed the petition - Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters

There are 20,000 emails related to Epstein in the cache, released by Republicans. Mr Trumps name appears repeatedly.

In one email to his convicted accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell in 2011, Epstein wrote: I want you to realise that the dog that hasnt barked is Trump.

[Giuffre] spent hours at my house with him, he has never once been mentioned, he added, referring to Virginia Giuffre, one of Epsteins victims, who claimed she was forced to have sex with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor when she was 17.

Andrew has strongly denied all allegations made against him.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor with Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell. He has suggested the photo could have been doctored - AFP

In an email from 2019, Epstein wrote to Michael Wolff, a journalist, of Mr Trump: Of course he knew about the girls as he asked Ghislaine to stop.

In 2018, as pressure mounted on Epstein ahead of his eventual arrest, he sent text messages about the president to an unknown contact, saying: I am the one able to take him down.

In August of that year, he also sent an email discussing the first Trump impeachment inquiry, writing: you see, i know how dirty donald is.

Mr Trump has repeatedly denied knowledge of any criminal wrongdoing by Epstein.

In July this year, the Trump administration suddenly aborted its pledge to release the remaining files and closed its investigation.

The move sparked anger amongst Mr Trumps own supporters, some of whom believe the US government has been covering up Epsteins ties to the rich and powerful.

The Democrats are using the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax to try and deflect from their massive failures, in particular, their most recent one  THE SHUTDOWN, Mr Trump said on Truth Social, following the release of the emails.

Mr Johnson, who has resisted the move until now, said the House vote on the files would take place next week, earlier than expected, as Republicans tried to put the issue behind them.

If the House passes the vote, it will still need to be approved by the Republican-controlled Senate and signed by Mr Trump, who could veto it.

Mr Trumps ties to Epstein are extensive. The pair were pictured partying together during a 15-year friendship before they reportedly fell out in 2004 over a property deal, and when Mr Trump subsequently denounced his former ally.

Just four in 10 Republicans approved of Mr Trumps handling of the Epstein files, according to an Reuters/Ipsos poll in October, far fewer than the nine in 10 who approved of his overall performance.
Trump ripped for invoking Bibles command to care for children after fighting to keep SNAP food stamps from poorest kids

President Donald Trump invoked the Bible in remarks at the White House Thursday as he reminded the assembled crowd and row of press in front of him that the measure of any society is how it cares for its children.

The Bible tells us that one of the measures of any society is how it cares for vulnerable children and orphans, Trump said. So important and it is so big in the Bible.

Trumps remarks were met instantly with a wave of ridicule on social media and from his chief critics, who in turn reminded the president that his administration spent the last several weeks fighting in court to stop payments to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which prevents millions of children from going hungry.

You literally fought in court to strip families of food assistance, wrote California Governor Gavin Newsom.

Democratic members of the House Homeland Security Committee also told the president that his federal officers pepper sprayed a baby, referring to reports that a 1-year-old girl was hospitalized after agents sprayed her during a recent immigration raid near Chicago.

Donald Trumps invocation of the Bibles commands to care for vulnerable children was met with a wave of online ridicule reminding the president that his administration fought in court for weeks to block SNAP funding (AFP via Getty Images)

He literally just defunded food for children this week, wrote House Minority Whip Katherine Clark.

Was this the argument he used when he begged the Supreme Court to let him starve them? asked Democratic members of the House Ways and Means Committee.

He tried to withhold funding for SNAP benefits, wrote Democratic Rep. Mary Gary Scanlon. 16 million American children rely on SNAP for food.

Earlier Thursday, the Trump administration abandoned a legal challenge at the Supreme Court after two federal lawsuits urged the federal government to swiftly restart payments to the program, which helps feed millions of Americans  including more than 16 million children, or roughly one quarter of all children in the United States.

The end of the historically long government shutdown Wednesday night effectively ended the weeks-long legal battle over billions of dollars in SNAP funds, which are administered to states to disperse to nearly 42 million people.

Until federal courts intervened, the Trump administration intended to freeze funding for the program altogether during the government shutdown, warning that the well has run dry and no benefits were to be delivered November 1.

Under court orders, the administration agreed to tap into $4.65 billion in contingency funds to cover roughly 65 percent of benefits.

But the USDA then said those partial payments would take anywhere from a few weeks to up to several months for all recipients to start seeing benefits. The agency later ordered states to undo any steps taken to ensure those payments were going to beneficiaries, adding more confusion to a bureaucratic maze that has left millions of low-income families scrambling over the last several weeks.

A boy waiting at a food distribution center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. More than 16 million children rely on the critical food assistance program, which has been at the center of a legal battle to prevent the Trump administration from freezing funds payments during the government shutdown, sparking long lines at food banks across the country (AP)

Last week, after a federal judge ordered the government to fully fund the program, the administration swiftly appealed to the Supreme Court to block the order.

That appeal was granted. The administration asked the Supreme Court to freeze the order a second time after it expired. That was also granted.

The Supreme Courts freeze of the lower-court order was set to end at midnight Thursday, but the administration dropped its case hours earlier, thanks to a bill that put an end to the government shutdown and fully funds SNAP through the end of the fiscal year, according to a letter to the justices from U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer.

After Trump signed the temporary funding bill Wednesday night, the USDA directed states to take immediate steps to ensure households receive their full November allotments promptly.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins told CNN that most beneficiaries will see assistance by Monday.

Keep in mind, the SNAP program is funded by the federal government, but it is the 50 states and 50 different infrastructures that move that money out, which is what made it so complicated, the patchwork, she said. But its moving. Its coming.
Donald Trump signed the bill in front of reporters in the Oval Office - AP

Donald Trump has signed a bill to end the longest government shutdown in American history.

A deal to bring to a close 43 days of stalemate and bitter recriminations between Republicans and Democrats finally passed Congress on Wednesday night.

During the shutdown, thousands of federal staff had been working without pay, furloughed or laid off, while millions of Americans had to endure interruption to vital food assistance and thousands of flights were cancelled.

The Republican-controlled House of Representatives passed the package to loud applause by a vote of 222 to 209.

Mr Trump railed against Democrats for harming American families as he signed the bill before reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday night.

Today we are sending a clear message that we will never give in to extortion, the US president said.

Some members of Congress were seen hugging and shaking hands with each other on the House floor as the deal was finally settled, but many Democrats expressed anger that their party caved to pressure from Republicans and the White House.

House Democrats were furious that a long stand-off launched by their Senate colleagues failed to secure a deal to extend federal health insurance subsidies.

Instead, a handful of their Senate colleagues broke ranks on Monday and sided with Republicans to pass the bill.

Gavin Newsom, the Democrat governor of California, called the dissenting senators pathetic.

Democrats in the Senate had until that point rejected the spending bill 14 times because they sought an amendment to protect healthcare tax credits.

The deal will extend funding until Jan 30, leaving the federal government on a path to keep adding about $1.8tn (1.4tn) a year to its $38tn in debt.

The vote came eight days after Democrats won several high-profile elections that many in the party thought strengthened their odds of winning an extension of health insurance subsidies, which are due to expire at the end of the year.

While the deal sets up a December vote on those subsidies in the Senate, Mike Johnson, the House speaker, has made no such promise.

We feel very relieved tonight, Mr Johnson said. The Democrat shutdown is finally over.

He said the outcome was totally foreseeable and that shuttering the federal government was utterly pointless and foolish.

Millions of families went without food on their table, he said. It was a game they played with real peoples lives.

The protracted shutdown also exposed divisions among Republicans over whether to extend Obamacare tax credits, also known as the Affordable Care Act, due to expire at the end of the year.

Asked if he had found common cause with any Republicans during the 43-day impasse, House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries told CBS: Three words  Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Shes been very clear that this health care crisis is not made up, its real, Republicans have no health care plan, and that Democrats are correct in fighting to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits.

The unlikely alliance with the Maga firebrand shows just how divisive an issue healthcare is among Republican voters, for whom the cost of living is a key concern.

Ms Greene broke ranks with her party on the tax credits  which give millions of Americans access to affordable healthcare  in early October, warning insurance premiums for her constituents are set to double if they are not renewed.

Mike Johnson blamed Democrats for the shutdown - REUTERS

David Schweikert, a Republican representative from Arizona, compared the shutdown to a sitcom.

I feel like I just lived a Seinfeld episode, Mr Schweikert said. We just spent 40 days and I still dont know what the plot line was.

I really thought this would be like 48 hours: people will have their piece, theyll get a moment to have a temper tantrum, and well get back to work.

He added: Whats happened now, when rage is policy?

Mikie Sherrill, a Democratic representative who was recently elected New Jerseys next governor, spoke against the funding bill in her last speech on the House floor before she resigns from Congress next week. She used her final address to encourage her colleagues to stand up to the Trump administration.

To my colleagues: Do not let this body become a ceremonial red stamp from an administration that takes food away from children and rips away healthcare, Ms Sherrill said.

To the country: Stand strong. As we say in the Navy, dont give up the ship.

Despite the rows, neither party appears to have won a clear victory. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Wednesday found that 50 per cent of Americans blamed Republicans for the shutdown, while 47 per cent blamed Democrats.

Delta Airlines said it was extremely grateful to the federal employees who worked without pay to keep our skies safe and secure.

We look forward to bringing our operation back to full capacity over the next few days and delivering the premium experience our customers expect as we look ahead to the holiday season.

The vote came on the Republican-controlled Houses first day in session since mid-September, a long recess intended to put pressure on Democrats.

The new funding package would allow eight Republican senators to seek hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages for alleged privacy violations stemming from the federal investigation of the Jan 6 2021, attack on the US Capitol by Mr Trumps supporters.

It retroactively makes it illegal in most cases to obtain a senators phone data without disclosure and allows those whose records were obtained to sue the Justice Department for $500,000 (380,000) in damages, along with attorneys fees and other costs.
Trump targets another political enemy with his team referring a congressman to DOJ for mortgage fraud

A top housing official in Donald Trumps administration is referring Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell to the Department of Justice for a potential criminal probe for mortgage fraud.

The California congressman is the fourth Democratic official and Trump opponent to face allegations of mortgage fraud in recent months.

Bill Pulte, the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, accused Swalwell of making false or misleading statements in a referral letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi on Wednesday. NBC News first reported the referral.

As the most vocal critic of Donald Trump over the last decade and as the only person who still has a surviving lawsuit against him, the only thing I am surprised about is that it took him this long to come after me, the congressman said in a statement Thursday.

Like James Comey and John Bolton, Adam Schiff and Lisa Cook, Letitia James and the dozens more to come  I refuse to live in fear in what was once the freest country in the world, he added.

California congressman Eric Swalwell is the latest target in Trump ally Bill Pultes campaign of mortgage fraud allegations targeting Democratic officials and Trump critics (AP)

Of course, I will not end my lawsuit against him. And I will not stop speaking out against the President and speaking up for Californians, Swalwell said. As Mark Twain said, Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it. Mr. President, do better. Be Better.

Swalwell, a former prosecutor and prominent anti-Trump member of Congress who frequently spars with administration officials on- and offline, was among House members who sued the president over violence at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, invoking a civil right statute initially intended to combat the Ku Klux Klans intimidation of elected officials.

The congressman also served in key roles during the presidents two impeachment proceedings and was among the first lawmakers to demand an investigation into allegations of Russian interference during the 2016 presidential election.

Pulte, meanwhile, has issued criminal referrals targeting several other prominent Trump critics, including Senator Schiff, former Federal Reserve Board of Governors member Lisa Cook, and New York Attorney General Letitia James, who pleaded not guilty last month after a grand jury indicted her on charges stemming from Pultes allegations.

In September, the president publicly urged Bondi to prosecute his perceived political enemies without delay, suggesting the prosecution of his favored targets is retribution for his impeachments and indictments against him.

Trump, Bondi and law enforcement across the Justice Department  now filled with loyalists and attorneys to dominate agencies that the president claims were weaponized against him  are also targeting other prominent Democratic officials as well as progressive fundraising groups and an array of ideological opponents the administration alleges are tied to acts of terrorism.

The Independent has requested comment from the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

Pultes latest referral also follows a heated House committee hearing, days before the government shutdown, in which FBI director Kash Patel evaded Swalwells questions about Jeffrey Epstein and labeled his career in Congress bull**** and a disgrace to the American people.
The foreign oil refineries and other assets of Russian company Lukoil are attracting potential buyers as time runs out to strike cheap deals before US sanctions come into force on 21 November. The sanctions, put in place in response to Russias war on Ukraine, have already disrupted Lukoils operations in Iraq, at pump stations in Finland and a refinery in Bulgaria. Kazakhstans state firm KazMunayGas is studying a bid for Lukoils assets in the country, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. Shell is interested in Lukoil deepwater assets in Ghana and Nigeria, two other sources said. Shell declined to comment to Reuters.

The government of Moldova has started talks to nationalise Lukoils infrastructure at Chisinau airport, said the airports director, Serdgiu Spoiala. Bulgaria is working towards seizing and reselling Lukoils Burgas refinery, although Bulgarias president, Rumen Radev, has sent the legislation back to parliament asking for legal changes. In Egypt, Lukoil has indicated to the government its possible plans to sell out, a Reuters source familiar with the situation said. Lukoil holds three concessions in Egypt. Egypts petroleum ministry did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Lukoil faces either selling its assets and having the proceeds potentially seized, or their takeover by foreign states if it does not sell them, said Sergey Vakulenko, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center and former head of strategy at Russian oil firm Gazprom Neft. Lukoil may try to emulate Russian oil firm Rosneft whose three German refineries were put under a trusteeship in 2022  controlled by Berlin but still owned by Rosneft. Lukoils attempt to sell foreign assets to the Swiss-based oil trader Gunvor was scrapped after opposition from the US treasury which called Gunvor the Kremlins puppet.
Tile icon  Jim Bachors mosaic take on Paris Street; Rainy Day. Photograph: -

Our cities are full of grey tower blocks built for efficiency rather than aesthetics. Public benches are made of cheap concrete, pavements are falling apart, old structures are left derelict. Amid this backdrop of unloved, muted ugliness, a new wave of guerrilla mosaicists are enlivening their cities with beautiful, colourful designs.

These artists rarely get official sign-off for their work. The legality of their art can be murky, with one of the mediums more prolific artists, Will Rosie, calling it Permission-vague street art (His book is aptly named Mr Mosaic: Unarrestable). Rosie installs Mr Men and other cartoon-inspired mosaics around Southampton, where he lives. He encourages volunteers to assist him with projects to make the art form more accessible. People are bored and missing community, the 52-year-old youth worker says. I want to make the city a better place, and people can see that. And they love that Im doing it without permission because its like: Stick it to the man, you aint got no power over me, coppers!

What makes these installations so joyful is their element of surprise. You walk down a grey street and suddenly theres an explosion of colour, says Ememem, an anonymous Lyon-based artist famous for their flacking work, which involves using materials such as fragmented ceramic, marble and wood to install intricate geometric tiling in cracks on the ground. Its a repair, but also a poetic gesture, he says. In a time when we throw away and replace everything, the idea of repairing touches something deep.

In a similar vein, Chicago artist Jim Bachor uses glass and marble to create installations on potholes. His works depict humorous takes on modern life  or make political statements (one of his tiles, outside Chicagos Trump International Hotel, reads Liar). Bachor loved the durability of mosaics and soon realised he could use the technique to fix the seemingly unfixable potholes outside his house: Everyone hates potholes. And so sometimes the [mosaic] subject matter is what I call universal loves; everyone likes ice-cream, flowers, junk food  Theres that nice contrast  its unexpected joy.

A mosaic can inspire wonder and joy; it can also build community. Tessa Hunkin, leader of the Hackney Mosaic Project, has been bringing people with mental health and addiction problems together to create murals around east London since 2012. A lot of people carry a huge burden of shame, says the 71-year-old. They feel theyve messed up their lives. Its great for them to have something to be proud of and to show their families. Her new book, Tessa Hunkins Hackney Mosaic Project, showcases these colourful installations, often featuring detailed motifs of plants, animals and historical figures. Walking through the city is endlessly interesting, and the more interesting things that you can add, the more fun the city becomes, she says.

Another London mosaic artist who goes by the name of Florist once received 300 hours of community service for graffiti as a teenager. He stopped soon after, but his love of art was rekindled when, nine months ago, he began installing pixelated designs on buildings he considers eyesores. To come back full circle and do it now is quite a beautiful thing for me, because it was always what I loved. I was obsessed with colour and shapes. His work features his pseudonym Florist alongside 8-bit-style flowers, made out of glass  because it dances in the sunlight.

After living in Greece for 15 years, where the streets are embellished with ancient mosaics, Helen Miles now sees her work as a way to bring beauty to Edinburgh  and as a form of meditation. Like many mosaicists, it takes Miles hours to produce installations showcasing plants and birds using traditional methods she learned in Thessaloniki. I love that a small mosaic in an unexpected place will catch the eye and make people notice and hopefully lift their spirits, the 62-year-old teacher said. Its good for her spirits, too. When I dont make them, I become out of sorts and rather grumpy!

Meet the mosaicists: six designs from across the world

Jim Bachor  Paris Street; Rainy Day, Chicago, 2025 (main picture)

For this intricate pothole installation based on Gustave Caillebottes 1877 oil painting, Bachor used Italian glass, making it very expensive but also very colourful. Its the absurdity  I just love the idea that someone would spend that much time and money on a piece in the middle of the street.

Florist  Bench Old Street, London, 2025



I wanted to lighten up the space, Florist says of this mosaic in Londons Old Street. You have this beautiful hotel called Artotel, which is about art. You have this area thats so culturally rich with various subcultures. And then you have this bench  I just wish theyd put a little bit more time and effort into it. The art there demonstrates how colourful and wonderful something can look.

Ememem  Grenade crater, Mostar, 2024



This flacking installation repaired one of many craters caused by grenades from the Bosnian war. Ememem reused tiles found on Sarajevo streets. I wanted to not only restore dignity to a damaged space, but also keep alive the memory of what happened, so that the mistakes of the past are not repeated, he says.

Helen Miles  Alley near Holyrood, Edinburgh, 2024

The mosaic was made in response to the atrocities in Gaza, Miles says. She took inspiration from the Mona Lisa of Galilee mosaic in Sepphoris. By creating a mosaic of a woman wearing an Islamic headscarf, I am asserting her place in that land.

Will Rosie  Mr Hope, Itchen Bridge, Southampton, 2020



Itchen Bridge is where people go when they feel they are out of options, says Rosie. So I designed Mr Hope with his little lantern, waving and cheerful. Rosie installed this piece with a friend who had contemplated suicide a couple of years earlier.

Tessa Hunkin  Shelter in childrens playground, Hackney Downs Park, London, 2014

In the face of growing gentrification in Hackney, Hunkin says this nine-month project was a way of bringing people together, breaking down barriers, and giving people a shared thing to work on and be proud of. She labelled the animals because its common in Roman mosaics to incorporate lettering into the designs, and I thought it might be a nice way for children to practise reading.
Tobacco plants growing in a nursery in Zambia. BAT sought the removal of broad restrictions on flavoured tobacco products in the draft bill. Photograph: Tobacco Board of Zambia

British American Tobacco has been accused of utter hypocrisy for lobbying against tobacco control measures in Africa that are already in place in the UK.

A letter seen by the Guardian, sent from the companys subsidiary in Zambia to the countrys government ministers, asks for plans to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship to be abandoned or delayed.

The tobacco firm seeks changes to a draft bill that include reductions in the proposed size of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging, the removal of restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, and watered-down penalties for any firms breaking the new laws.

If I was a politician, I would say that they permit the protection of the British people and perpetuate the death of the Zambian people, said Master Chimbala, a Zambian anti-tobacco campaigner.

More than 7,000 Zambians a year die from tobacco-related illnesses, according to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates.

Chimbala said the letter was understood to have been copied to several government departments and was in circulation among civil society groups.

It comes amid wider concerns about industry interference with health policies. Last month, WHO officials issued a warning that the tobacco industry was intensifying efforts to weaken global control measures.

Jorge Alday, director of the tobacco industry watchdog STOP at health organisation Vital Strategies, said: We see evidence of industry lobbying everywhere. Tobacco company fingerprints are on delayed tax increases in Indonesia, stalled legislation in Zambia and even a weakened declaration at the UN high-level meeting on NCDs.

If a tobacco control measure isnt passed because of this letter, the price could be paid in lives of people who might otherwise quit smoking.

The tobacco control bill going through Zambias parliament includes proposals to go further than UK legislation by also applying to e-cigarettes, and mandating that graphic health warnings cover 75% of product packaging.

In the letter, BAT suggests this be reduced to 30% or 50% within the WHO-FCTC [Framework Convention on Tobacco Control] recommended threshold, delayed for at least 12 months after the bill passes.

The WHO in fact recommends a warning should cover at least 50% of the front of a pack and aim to cover as much of the principal display areas as possible. In the UK, warnings must cover 65% of a packets front and back.

BAT asks for the removal of broad restrictions on flavoured tobacco products, suggesting that it would push consumers toward illegally traded products. It suggests prohibiting a smaller list of flavours based on desserts, candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and alcohol drinks. All flavoured cigarettes have been banned in the UK since 2020.

The draft bill suggests penalties for various offences ranging from a percentage of annual turnover to 10 years imprisonment.

In the letter, Mukubesa Maliande, managing director of British American Tobacco (Zambia) plc, says the firm is committed to good corporate behaviour and supports the objectives of governments to reduce smoking incidence and the associated health impact but claims that some regulations can have unwelcome and unexpected consequences.

Chimbala said BATs proposed changes would weaken this legislation so much that the impact needed for it to cause long-term change in society will not be achieved.

The fact that many such provisions existed in the UK, where BAT is headquartered, was utter hypocrisy itself, he said.

We live in a global village. If I plant tobacco in my back yard and harvest that and sell it out  and my children do not consume tobacco, but my neighbours children do  to enrich myself and all the generations of my children while my neighbours children are dying  is in itself total emotional, moral and spiritual bankruptcy.

Tobacco control legislation in the UK or elsewhere had not caused companies to close, Chimbala said. Legislation never shuts down the industry. It only protects the people.

A BAT Zambia spokesperson said: BAT Zambia conducts its business in compliance with applicable local laws. Further, the company participates in the countrys legislative process in line with the relevant frameworks which provide for stakeholder participation in policymaking.

The company was not opposed to regulation, they said, adding that underage people should be protected from access to tobacco and nicotine.

We advocate for progressive regulation to achieve intended public health goals, while acknowledging the spectrum of rights and obligations on industry, consumers and related stakeholders, they said, adding that BATs proposals reflect the realities of the Zambian market and tobacco industry, which includes rising levels of illicit trade.

Zambias department of trade, commerce and industry was approached for comment.
Actor John Cleese has said he is glad he had a nervous breakdown following his third divorce as it gave him a much more realistic grasp of what was important in life.

The Monty Python star describes having two and a half, three months of a nervous breakdown with suicidal thoughts in his new documentary, John Cleese Packs It In.

In the 90-minute film, which sees Cleese embark on a European tour, the actor explains that he is still touring in his 80s because of the financial impact of his split from psychotherapist Alyce Faye Eichelberger in 2008.

Actor and comedian John Cleese is touring Europe in the documentary John Cleese Packs It In (Andrew Matthews/PA)

He told the PA news agency: It was very unpleasant waking up in the morning, because you feel very, very depressed for the first couple of hours.

But once they got me on a mild dose of an antidepressant, then I got rid of it fairly quickly and was performing again within about three or four months.

And I think Im glad it happened to me, because it gave me a much more realistic grasp of what was important in life, because we can certainly get distracted.

As part of his tour, Cleese travelled to cities including Gothenburg, Ghent and Rotterdam, where he indulged in activates such as cheese tasting.

The actor, known for his role playing Basil in Fawlty Towers, said he enjoys the good feeling of audience laughter while touring and added that TV and streaming is a world so different to what I grew up in.

In the old days, I used to have a lot of stage fright, but when I go out now to perform, the people have bought tickets because they like me, he told PA.

So as I come out, theres a lovely reception because they like the kind of humour that I do.

Asked if he was apprehensive about bringing a camera crew into his life, he added: This is what we have to live with now, isnt it? And I dont have anything particularly to hide.

The actor also reflected on the changing comedy scene and the idea of woke which he said is a whole spectrum that is totally sensible and admirable at one end, and the opposite at the other end.

He said: I feel that were in danger of not understanding the nature of comedy.

What I think few people really understand is that all comedy is critical.

If you have a very clever, kind, generous, wise, amusing person, theres nothing to laugh at.

We dont laugh at people who are very likeable and friendly and kind and generous. We dont laugh at them.

We laugh at people who were torn apart by ridiculous, egotistical emotions like competitiveness or anger or those kind of negative emotions, as we call them, thats what we laugh at.

But just because were laughing at people doesnt mean that its unkind.

It can be unkind, and its very nasty when it is. When people make, not so much jokes, but pretend jokes that are intended to hurt peoples feelings and make them feel bad about themselves, its wrong, as simple as that. Its wrong.

John Cleese Packs It In will play at more than 350 UK cinemas on November 13.
Presenter Mike Graham has been sacked from TalkTV following his repeated failure to co-operate with a company investigation after a controversial post was shared to his social media.

It was revealed in October that the journalist was taking a break from his breakfast show following a backlash to a Facebook post, which he apologised for and said was posted to his page without my knowledge.

The post reportedly featured a picture of a statue of Sir Winston Churchill alongside an image of a Tube carriage, with the caption: Compare and contrast. Tell me were not f***** by multicultural bollocks.

It added: Why are we surrounded by non-white people? Just f*** off

A statement from me about whats happened today @TalkTV https://t.co/5h78OXWqPz  Mike Graham  (@Iromg) November 12, 2025

On Wednesday, Graham, who hosted Morning Glory, said it was time to move on to the next chapter in a Substack post where he revealed the launch of The Mike Graham Show on YouTube.

A statement from News UK, parent company of Talk, said: An abhorrent and vile post appeared on Mike Grahams Facebook page in October. Mike Graham said this was not posted by him and he agreed to cooperate with a company investigation, using an independent forensic firm.

He later reneged on several opportunities to cooperate with the company investigation.

We have been gravely concerned at his repeated failure to cooperate on such a serious matter and the decision has been taken that Mike Graham will not return to Talk.

In his post, Graham said: It is with a mix of fond memories and excitement that I share this update with you all.

After an incredible journey as the presenter of Morning Glory on TalkTV my time at the station has come to an end  more on that in the coming days.

It has been a truly enjoyable experience  a platform to engage in lively debate, connect with brilliant guests, and most importantly, to amplify the voices that matter most. Your voices.

Graham said his YouTube channel will be a space where he can continue to serve the public in the ways that have always driven me  holding politicians to account, highlighting injustices wherever they arise, and being a relentless voice for those who feel ignored or overlooked by the Government.
Spaghetti bolognese is a popular dish to cook in the colder months. (Getty Images) (Nitas via Getty Images)

When the leaves turn golden and the temperatures start to drop, many of us turn to a rotation of classic comfort food recipes to ease us into the chilly winter months. One family favourite that tends to get a good airing at this time of year is spaghetti bolognese.

While its easy to assume that this popular pasta dish hails directly from Italy itself, some claim that it's a British or US invention, thought to have emerged in the 20th century when Italian communities settled in the countries.

In the city of Bologna, where British 'spag bol' takes much of its influence from, youre far more likely to come across a traditional meaty dish called ragu alla bolognese, which is served with a flat pasta like tagliatelle to better hold the rich sauce.

And while cooking your bolognese the British way  using a tin of tomatoes or a jarred sauce  isn't inherently wrong, you might be missing out on a huge trick by skipping a key step the Italians take. In many kitchens, chefs and nonnas swear by tenderising their ragu with a small dash of milk, specifically in the early stages of cooking.

According to these regional cooks, this simple, cheap and effective tip can add an incredible depth of flavour to your sauce, taking your winter cooking to the next level.

Why add milk to bolognese sauce then?

The late chef and cooking writer Marcella Hazan is credited with introducing America and the UK to the joys of authentic Italian cooking when she released her bestselling tome The Classic Italian Cookbook in 1973.

In the seminal book, the Italian-born writer explains that when it comes to a bona fide ragu hailing from the Bolognese region, local cooks typically tenderise their meat in milk to protect the dish from the acidic bite of tomatoes and white wine, which are later added to the pan.

The milk, Hazan writes, must be added a step before the tomatoes to keep the meat tasting creamier and sweeter.

"In Italy, we have maybe three or four different ways of making bolognese, but this recipe is the classic, and adding milk to the pan adds richness and body to the sauce itself," explains leading Italian chef Francesco Mazzei, who heads up Villa Corinthia in Malta and Mezzogiorno in London.

"Generally, people make bolognese all wrong, as they put chopped tomatoes into the pan, which are very acidic," he adds. "The authentic Italian way is to use a dash of milk first, and then add some tomato paste to the pan."

The main reason for adding milk to the meat, Mazzei explains, is that its mellow profile works to balance flavour, acidity, thickness and richness in what can be quite a tart dish. Plus, it can also add a silkier texture to the bolognese sauce.

"Some people believe it tenderises the sausage meat too," he adds, "although if youre cooking your ragu for several hours, the meat should tenderise nicely anyway."

A generous glug of milk can balance the acidity of the tomatoes in your bolognese, say Italian chefs. (Image: Getty) (FabrikaCr via Getty Images)

How to add milk to your bolognese correctly

The key to maximising the Italians saucy hack is to add your dairy to the pan early on. Chucking a dash of the white stuff into your bolognese right at the last minute will likely leave you with watery, unappealing mess.

"The worst thing you can do is put the milk together with the white wine," Mazzei agrees. "If the milk hasnt evaporated completely, it can easily curdle when the two are mixed together."

If you fancy making your ragu the authentic Marcella Hazan way, here's how to do it:

Start by sauteing the onion, then the carrot and celery in butter and oil in a pan.

Add your minced beef and cook until it browns.

Add about 200 to 250ml milk per 500g of meat.

Simmer the milk gently and slowly until it is almost completely evaporated.

Next, add a grating of nutmeg.

Then, add a splash of white wine and let that evaporate in the pan.

Follow it up by adding tomato. Hazan uses very little, about two tablespoons of concentrated paste with water.

Simmer on a low heat for a minimum of three hours.

An extra handy tip? "You'll want to use rich whole fat milk in your bolognese rather than semi-skimmed," explains Mazzei.

"When you reduce full-fat varieties in a pan, it becomes a creamier, condensed milk which creates a kind of emulsion which works well in meat sauce."

3 other bolognese mistakes youre likely making

Aside from utilising cows milk and switching the pre-made sauces for a dollop of tomato paste, Mazzei says there are a few other common ragu blunders that amateur home cooks often make.

1. Youre only using beef

Minced beef is the cornerstone of a classic bolognese, but Mazzei says you can supercharge the flavour of this hearty dish by tossing a trio of meats into the pan. "I use pork, veal and beef because it makes the sauce more interesting," he says.

2. Youre scrimping on cooking time

A bowl of bolognese can be whipped up in as little as 20 minutes, but that doesnt necessarily mean it will taste the best. Rather than trying to cram the cooking process into your fleeting after-work hours, Mazzei suggests treating it as a sacred Sunday tradition.

"Bolognese needs at least three hours to cook, so I advise making a three or four-kilo batch at the weekend, which you can stick in your freezer and use accordingly," he says.

"You really dont want cooking to be stressful; a nice glass of red wine paired with a book to read while its simmering can make the whole process more therapeutic."

3. Youre committing a cardinal pasta sin

Finally, to really eat like a northern Italian, youll want to switch out the pack of dried spaghetti for a thicker fresh tagliatelle. The idea is that these flat ribbons work a bit harder to capture the meat between the twisted layers of pasta on your fork, delivering more flavour with each bite.

Well, if its good enough for the Italians, its good enough for us.

Read more about food and drink:
The northern lights glow in the sky over St Mary's Lighthouse in Whitley Bay. (Getty) (Owen Humphreys - PA Images via Getty Images)

The UK witnessed some of the brightest northern lights seen in years this week, and forecasters expect the solar storm responsible for them to continue into Thursday.

The US-based Space Weather Prediction Centre (SWPC) said there would be a strong geomagnetic storm on Thursday (13 November), after a severe one on Wednesday and a moderate one on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, the British Geological Survey upgraded its forecast to its highest level  the storm G5 category that was previously known as a severe storm, but using their scale, it has since weakened down to a G1 storm, with it predicted to end completely by Friday.

A display of the northern lights (aurora borealis) seen in Minster on Sea, Kent, in the early hours of Thursday morning. (PA) (James Bell)

The group, which studies geoscientific data, said the ongoing storm that lit up skies across the world on Tuesday night was joined by a second geomagnetic "cannibal storm" feeding off the first.

The dazzling display was spotted in the north of the UK on Tuesday and Wednesday night, with forecasters saying there is a slight chance of witnessing it again on Thursday night.

There were predictions of some impacts to phone service in the northern hemisphere due to the impact of the storm.

Stunning pictures taken on the night of Tuesday, 11 November, showed the spectacular sight appearing in Whitley Bay in the north-east of England, with social media users taking to the internet to share what they saw throughout the week.

Solar storms have been frequent this season, meaning more opportunities for stargazers to catch the famous sight of green and red lights dancing across the sky.

The northern lights over Teesdale, County Durham, on Tuesday. (PA) (David Forster)

When will we next see the northern lights over the UK?

There is a slight chance of seeing the northern lights over the UK on Thursday night in the far north of the country and other places in the world, but the peak of the storm will have passed.

If you miss them, then the Earth is currently in a "solar maximum" phase of the solar cycle, and it is predicted to carry on for some time, increasing the likelihood of more solar storms that create aurora borealis.

During the peak of the roughly 11-year solar cycle, large numbers of sunspots appear on the sun, greatly increasing activity on our star and causing large solar storms that can impact Earth.

Even when not at the peak of the cycle, the northern lights are usually seen over the UK every few months, particularly in Scotland.

The northern lights seen over Newcastle city centre. (PA) (DEW)

If you are hoping to spot the lights, you should head somewhere open and north-facing, away from city glow, and keep checking the horizon  the aurora often appears as a pale green band before brightening into colour.

If the solar storm intensifies, it can briefly make the aurora visible in places that rarely see it  depending on the level of cloud cover.

What is the weather forecast tonight?

Thursday will be wet for most during the day in the north of England before it dries out in the evening.

In the south, it will be the opposite, with little rain during the day, but by 5pm, there could be some rain moving up from the English Channel.

The weather forecast indicates lots of cloud cover around the country throughout the evening, with the north of Scotland most likely to have the least cloud and therefore potentially the best viewing conditions.

The aurora forecast for 12 November. (NOAA)

The northern lights in pictures

Across the globe, the northern lights put on a dazzling display overnight  here are some of the sights that greeted stargazers both in the UK and further afield.

Click through the slideshow below

How do the northern lights happen?

The spectacle of the northern lights begins over 93 million miles away, on the surface of the sun.

Every so often, the sun releases a burst of energy in the form of charged particles  a solar wind  that streams through space toward Earth.

When these particles reach us, theyre drawn towards the poles by Earths magnetic field, funnelling them into the upper atmosphere where they collide with gases like oxygen and nitrogen, releasing tiny flashes of coloured light.

Oxygen produces the green and red that the northern lights are known for, while nitrogen can create blues and purples.

The result is a constantly shifting curtain of light that ripples across the night sky.
For a time, Julia Ducournau was known as the rising French queen of body horror. Her debut was the cannibalism-as-sexual-appetite allegory Raw, while her follow-up Titane, was a meditation on serial killing and family loneliness in which a woman has sex with a car. So, when Ducournau returned to the Cannes competition line-up this year with Alpha, four years after winning the Palme dOr for Titane, critics were primed for yet another gory genre fable. Instead, they witnessed an emotional monument to the experience of loving someone in a dying, socially outcast body. Tahar Rahim, one of the films stars, sensed a difference on the page. I felt this emotional aspect that was new to her cinema, he tells me.

Describing Alpha is a slippery task  attending to the storylines is less important than surrendering to its mysterious rhythms and primal emotions. Set across two timelines within the bosom of a French-Berber family, it depicts the rupturing relationship between a mother (Golshifteh Farahani) and her adolescent daughter Alpha (Melissa Boros) amid the reappearance of Uncle Amin (Rahim), an addict with a virus that is killing him. The unnamed virus is coded  by the Eighties and Nineties settings of the film  as Aids, though the sweep is open enough for viewers to read it as they will. Alpha spun me back into the feeling of caring for my mum as she was dying of brain cancer, and however frightening the deterioration of her body was, our love was still more powerful.

This is a film about being a carer that does something I have never seen on screen before, which is to depict sick people through the eyes of those who still see their majesty. [Julia] was honouring people that many didnt want to look at face-to-face, says Rahim, talking about one major departure from realism. In Alpha, as the virus spreads, a patients skin slowly turns to marble. When death comes, their eyes marble over and a puff of chalky dust is released as their last breath.

Melissa Boros in Julia Ducournaus Alpha (Curzon)

She was telling all these people weve lost, or who are connected to somebody that died from Aids and other diseases, We dont forget that we saw them, Rahim continues. In turning them into marble, which is a very noble material used to sculpt kings and religious figures, shes saying, In my movie, theyre going to stay with us for eternity.

The emotional frequency of the film stems from a deeper place than even this one stirring aesthetic concept; it is in the DNA of the production. At the welcome drinks in September 2024 ahead of a two-month shoot in Normandy, Ducournau spoke to the cast and crew. I told them, At our age, weve all been through traumas, its useless denying that. And I really hope that this shoot will help you  through the characters, through the scenes that were making together  to catharsise this hurt.

My cinema is incredibly subjective in the way I use the camera, in the way I use sound design  you are constantly inside my characters perceptions

Julia Ducournau

Ducournau says it was the most emotional shoot she has ever been on, and people were crying in between takes. To her, a major theme is regret. We were all brought in because of our personal want, she says. Front and centre are the formidable Farahani and Rahim, while Boros does watchful work as the human sponge to their adult trauma. This burden of knowledge equips her to recognise a twin soul in Finnegan Oldfields closeted English teacher. He is gagged by a climate of bigotry that compels him to internalise the agony of grief.

When you ask so much of your actors and actresses, emotionally and, in Tahars case, physically, you have to be fully open to them, says Ducournau, explaining how she laid herself bare throughout production. They have to understand all your intentions, all your hurt and where you come from with this project. They all gave me a lot, and I gave them my 100 as well. It was an amazing feeling of empathy.

Rahim trusted Ducournau from the first day of the shoot and surrendered to her to the point that he sometimes lost touch with reality. The Cesar-winning actor is  first and foremost  a lover of cinema as an art form, and came to fame in 2010 as the lead character in Jacques Audiards A Prophet. He has been waiting a long time for a role that would allow him to push his limits. Everything was in the bag for me to explore something  finally, he says.

Tahar Rahim, right, lost 20 kilos and volunteered to help people struggling with addiction to prepare for the role (Curzon)

He lost 20 kilos to play Amin, but that was only the start. Prep went beyond anything Ducournau asked. Rahim spent time volunteering for an association named Gaia that helps marginalised people, including those struggling with addiction. I was allowed to film them in their most vulnerable moments. I talked with them, and I spent time with them. So I picked a lot of things from everybody to create a puzzle that would be my character. The idea was, What would Tahar be if he had lived through Amins life?, because I didnt want to create something. I wanted to live something as close as possible to what they were going through.

The result is a glimpse of a man with one foot in life and one foot in death. He is losing control of his body. He has jitters and convulsions, he passes out and has terrors. Right beside him, refusing to show fear, is his sister. Ducournau wrote the part of Mother  a doctor  specifically for Farahani. Often cast in roles that emphasise her feminine sweetness, such as Jim Jarmuschs Paterson, here the French-Iranian actor is a shattering force of nature. In a medical scene with Amin, something goes wrong. He cries out. Farahanis eyes register momentary panic before she sublimates her terrors to become a blanket of reassurance. She is someone who was born with an innate mission of being the mother of everybody, says Ducournau, to help everybody in need of care, to not be afraid of any other human being, and to be able to stick with them. Shes someone who is meant for that. And it leads to some extremes where she actually cant let go anymore.

Farahani has been exiled from Iran since 2008 and, following Mahsa Aminis death in police custody, she vocally supported the 2022 Woman, Life, Freedom protests. Ducournau describes her as a warrior who has been through a lot  I see the sweetness but shes also a bulldozer when needed.

Mothers love: Ducournau wrote the part of the mother specifically for Golshifteh Farahani, left (Curzon)

For all of this, Alpha was met with scathing dismissals from popular publications on the heels of its Cannes premiere. Peter Bradshaws one-star review for The Guardian was headlined Julia Ducournaus disjointed body horror is an absolute gamma. In his D+ review for IndieWire, David Ehrlich complained about its incoherent timeline. Geoffrey MacNab, of this very parish, wrote the movie is undermined by its own dense and impenetrable storytelling style.

Its misguided, though, to reject a film based on conventional metrics when it is clearly a personal vision. Timeline fluency is not the intention as much as it is Ducournau immersing us in her characters experience of reality. As she freely concedes, my cinema is incredibly subjective in the way I use the camera, in the way I use sound design  you are constantly inside my characters perceptions. In fact, this is how it feels to be alive. Were usually in more than one place at once as memories, reveries, and fixations bleed into the present moment, colouring it to the point that phantoms might as well be real.

I could not do a classic, linear, three-act film when were talking about people who are still living in trauma and who, like Alpha, are the recipient of that trauma, says Ducournau. The timeline of trauma is confusing. It is constantly poked by the resurgences of the past, in terms of visions, hallucinations or panic attacks. Reliving a scene all of a sudden, and feeling it very strongly when it was 10 or 20 years ago  and, at the same time, being engulfed into this crazy apprehension of the future, because youre afraid that things are going to happen again.

I felt this film in my bones on my first viewing. On my second viewing, even more so. In a scene where Alpha thrashes in bed and the ceiling closes in on her, I felt the crushing sensation of the world growing smaller as my mother left it. This was not like remembering, this was closer to virtual reality. I was so undone that afterwards I had a theory of why critics did not want to let the film in. This kind of emotional surrender makes you feel so vulnerable.

Filmmaker Julia Ducournau in May (Getty)

Yet vulnerability is a prerequisite for meaningful relationships with art and with humans. As Rahim points out, you can be in the middle of a crowd, but if youre closed off, then youre alone. You dont get connected to anyone and its sad, finally, to not embrace your emotions and listen to others emotions. Thats what growing up is somehow. Youve got to free yourself from so many things, and I think it starts with listening to your emotions in your body.

For Ducournau, delving ever deeper and darker is the only way to avoid stagnation. If you deny a trauma or repress an emotion, its going to trickle down through time and through other people after you. She believes this socially, as well as personally, and points to the fact that despite the coronavirus pandemic, the world has snapped back into business-as-usual  like nothing happened, except that everything happened. We all went through an abnormal situation that led a lot of people into depression.

Traumatic experiences are not, by their nature, something we process in the moment that they erupt. It is the decision to feel them again later, and from a place of safety, that enables some semblance of healing. This is the story of Alpha as well as the story of the making of Alpha. As Ducournau puts it, the emotional fabric that we needed on the shoot made it a safe place to be yourself.

The confrontational power of this collective effort and the visceral humanity it surfaces is distilled in an early school scene. Alphas blood from her unhealed tattoo drips onto a projector, causing classmates to react with disgust. To this, her English teacher has the perfect response: Were not made of fairy dust.

Alpha is in cinemas from 14 November
A British couple detained in Iran have gone on hunger strike in a cry out for help after feeling let down by the UK government, their son has said.

Lindsay and Craig Foreman, from East Sussex, were taken into custody by Iranian authorities in January while on a motorcycle tour around the world.

The couple, both in their 50s, were later charged with espionage. They deny the allegations and are being held in Tehrans notorious Evin Prison.

Ms Foreman told her son, Joe Bennett, that not eating was the only power shes got in a seven-and-a-half minute call the two were allowed on Tuesday, as he appealed to the UK to do more to secure their release. He has only been able to speak to his mother three times since her arrest.

Lindsay and Craig Foreman have been detained in Iran since January (Family handout)

He told the BBC he does not know when their hunger strike began, adding: "She said she felt lost and let down by the government here as well as the authorities in Iran.

"Positivity only lasts so long against reality," he said. "It's just a cry out for help."

The couple appeared in court in Iran last month, but Ms Foreman told her son that the appearance had not gone well.

They had been told to expect a verdict rather than another appearance.

The detained couples family met foreign secretary Yvette Cooper in October, but Mr Bennett described the approach of the UK government as deeply concerning.

He said at the time: Right now, it feels like each side is waiting for the other to move first.

The British are waiting for a sentence before acting. The Iranians are deciding what sentence to hand down.

And in the middle of this diplomatic stalemate are my parents, innocent people caught between two systems moving too slowly.

Lindsay and Craig Foreman were on a motorcyle tour around the world when they were detained (Family handout)

The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) warns all British and British-Iranian nationals not to travel to Iran because of a significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention.

A spokesperson for the FCDO said: We are deeply concerned by reports that Craig and Lindsay Foreman have been charged with espionage in Iran. We continue to raise this case directly with the Iranian authorities.

The FCDO are providing them with consular assistance and remain in close contact with their family members.

The Foremans family say the couple entered Iran with valid visas, a licensed guide and a pre-approved itinerary.

After visiting the cities of Tabriz, Tehran and Isfahan while sharing their journey on social media, they had been due to arrive in Kerman but failed to check into their hotel.

Ms Foreman was said to be carrying out a research project as part of the journey, asking people what constitutes a good life. She was due to present her findings at a conference on positive psychology in Brisbane in July, the BBC reported.
Carved in Stone depicts early inhabitants of north-east Scotland as multiracial

The Picts have been depicted as black in a new book intended to show that Scotland has always been multicultural and diverse.

An illustrated book has been created to make the history of the Picts, who flourished from around 300 AD to 900 AD, more accessible to young people.

Illustrations in the volume depict the early inhabitants of north-east Scotland as multiracial, with black monks, bishops, religious healers and ordinary villagers.

The book, Carved in Stone: A Storytellers Guide to the Picts, is aimed at children aged about 14 and upward. Its creators are exploring the possibility of providing free physical copies to schools and libraries.

The book was partly financed by the taxpayer-supported Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. It said that the book would show that the land that is now Scotland was just as multicultural, multilingual and socially diverse as it is today.

When the idea was initially conceived in 2021, the creative team behind the work released a video stating: Were proud to bring together some of Scotlands leading archaeologists, with a host of queer, marginalised and disabled voices to dispel misconceptions of the past.

Initially conceived as a role-playing game, the project expanded into a detailed work of history, the content of which will be made publicly available without charge.

Genetics of the Picts

The Picts were first mentioned in the 3rd-century Latin accounts as the picti, or painted ones, a possible reference to their tattoos. After centuries of cultural independence, they were assimilated in the 9th century into what would later become Scotland.

They were known for their craftsmanship and the creation of intricately carved stone monuments

A genetic study published in 2023 found that the Picts  who were concentrated in north-east Scotland  were descended from ancient Iron Age populations who had long lived in Britain.

The same study also found that there was clear genetic continuity between the Picts and modern-day Scots in the same region.

Historical diversity

Discussion of the potential diversity of Britain has intensified in recent years, with books and television series attempting to present a more racially diverse past.

David Olusogas 2016 series Black and British: A Forgotten History included claims that the remains of the Roman-era Beachy Head Woman, found near the Channel, were those of a black woman. These were later proven false through DNA testing, and the segment was edited from future broadcasts.

In 2023, The Telegraph revealed the pending publication of Brilliant Black British History, a childrens book which made the false claim that Stonehenge was built by black Britons.

The book also claimed that Britain has been a mostly white country for a lot less time than it has been a mostly black country. It later won the Childrens Non-Fiction Book of the Year at the British Book Awards.

Period dramas have also attempted to inject diversity into history, and the BBC adaptation of Dame Hilary Mantels novels about Henry VIIIs court used a diverse cast to portray Tudor courtiers, including white historical figures.

The 2025 BBC series King and Conqueror, about the 1066 Norman conquest, used a diverse cast to portray Anglo-Saxon nobility, including the real figure of Morcar, Earl of Northumbria.

A fictional role was invented for the series and similarly cast. This character turned out to be central to the series and the closest advisor of the English King Harold Godwinson.
The film was inadvertently shown after a Formula One grand prix

A ferry company has issued an apology after an adult film was mistakenly broadcast to passengers, leaving children screaming during a journey from France to Sussex.

DFDS said it was very sorry following the incident, which occurred on board its vessel travelling from Dieppe to Newhaven.

The company said that an adult film was inadvertently shown on the lounge television after passengers had watched a Formula One grand prix.

This resulted in children being exposed to what one passenger described as hardcore porn.

A spokesperson said that the incident happened during a delay, when the ferry had to return to France due to a technical fault at Newhaven Port.

A group of passengers had requested to watch the Formula One grand prix on the onboard lounge TV, and the adult film played immediately after the race concluded.

The channel has been removed from the list of available stations on the boat (Getty Images)

DFDS said the crew were not aware that the film was due to be broadcast, adding: Once the crew were alerted to the content, the channel was swiftly changed.

It said the channel had since been removed from the list of available stations on the boat, saying: This will not happen again.

We are very sorry for the understandable upset and anger that this caused.

Speaking to The Argus, in Brighton, one passenger, who wished to remain anonymous, described the incident  which happened at the end of October  as a bit mad.

They told the paper: Suddenly, kids ran out of the recliner lounge area screaming.

Some parents came out and they were asking the man who worked there to sort the TV out, they were saying theres hardcore porn on the TV.

I couldnt see it, but it was audible.

The passenger went on to say that a member of staff turned the television off, and added: It was a bit mad. I dont know how it got on there.

It was a whole mess with the ferry crossing. People were really disgruntled.
Constables Hay Wain will leave London for an exhibition in Ipswich next year - Paul Grover

John Constable was a young man when he moved to London to make his name but he never forgot where he was from.

He frequently returned to Suffolk to paint the landscapes of his childhood, with his bucolic rural scenes going on to shape the way the English countryside is imagined.

And now, after 200 years, the artists greatest masterpiece is making a homecoming of its own.

The Hay Wain, held in the National Gallery, will be transported to Christchurch Mansion in Ipswich as part of plans to mark the 250th anniversary of Constables birth.

Sasha Constable, an artist and direct descendant of Constable, said: Its truly special to welcome this iconic masterpiece back to Suffolk  the very landscape that inspired some of Constables most celebrated works.

Despite the image being intertwined with his home county, the painting, completed in 1821, was created in Constables London studio.

Constable was born in 1776 to a wealthy corn-trading family that operated mills along the River Stour, on the border of Suffolk and Essex.

Acclaim came late in life

The artist resolutely made this landscape of corn fields, woods and waterways his subject, despite the greater rewards and recognition going to painters of classical and biblical scenes.

Constables love of English landscapes meant acclaim came relatively late in life, but he would not abandon the sound of water escaping from Mill dams  Willows, old rotten banks, slimy posts, and brickwork.

During a period in which he attempted to raise his profile by creating large 6ft-wide paintings, Constable depicted one of his fathers mills at Flatford, a short walk from Dedham along the Stour.

Sketched from the north bank of the river, the picture of a hay cart pausing midway in the stream did not make an impression on the London public when it was first displayed in 1821, although it later delighted the French Salon, an exhibition held in Paris in 1824, and would ultimately influence the Impressionists.

The Hay Wain became a defining image of rural England and the Dedham Vale area of the artists childhood became known as Constable Country.

Constables Hay Wain is to be exhibited at Christchurch Mansion in Ipswich next year - Robert Estall Photo Agency/Alamy

It will be hung alongside early sketches of the final landscape when it is exhibited, from July to October 2026, at Christchurch Mansion, a Tudor property presented to Ipswich as a gift by the influential Cobbold family.

Two other shows cover Constables life, and contemporary responses to his work.

Christine Riding, the National Gallerys director of collections and research, said: This is a moment for us to all come together to celebrate the genius of Constable, one of our most celebrated artists, and the richness of public collections in the UK.

Meanwhile, a Constable sketch, kept in private hands for nearly 200 years, has sold for almost 72,000 at a fiercely contended auction.

The 1827 drawing which was left to the artists second son, Charles Golding Constable, depicts the wardens house, Valley Farm  a 15th century timber-framed property near Flatford Mill.

After Charles death in 1878, the work was passed, through his widow, Anna Maria Constable, to family friend, James Henry Beazley.

The drawing remained with Beazleys descendants ever since and was sold to a private UK buyer for 71,740 at Roseberys, south London, surpassing its upper estimate of 30,000.
Melania Trump, Prince Andrew, Gwendolyn Beck and Jeffrey Epstein at a party at the Mar-a-Lago club, Palm Beach, Florida, February 12, 2000. (Photo by Davidoff Studios/Getty Images)

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor told Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell I cant take any more of this while pleading with them to say he was not involved in allegations against them, newly-released emails have shown.

Thousands of documents from Epsteins estate were published on Wednesday, 13 November, by the US House Oversight Committee, including the exchange from March 2011  months on from when Andrew claimed hed broken all contact with the paedophile financier. The latest email comes after it earlier emerged Andrew told Epstein were all in this together.

Andrews accuser Virginia Giuffre alleged she was forced to have sex with him three times  once at Maxwells home in London, once at Epsteins address in Manhattan and once on the disgraced financiers private island in the Caribbean, Little St James. Andrew vigorously denies these claims.

The latest emails show Andrew and Epstein discussing how to respond to a press enquiry. In one, Epstein tells the former prince: Im (sic) not sure how to respond, the only person she didnt have sex with was Elvis. Andrew later writes to Maxwell in a separate email thread, telling her: I dont know anything about this! You must SAY so please. This has NOTHING to do with me. I cant take any more of this.

An email thread involving Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein and 'The Duke'. (PA/US Congress Oversight Committee)

Andrew then echoes his thoughts to Epstein in another message, after a Mail on Sunday press enquiry from 2011 is forwarded from Maxwell to Epstein, and then someone listed as The Duke on the same day, with Andrew appearing to respond: Please make sure that every statement or legal letter states clearly that I am NOT involved and that I knew and know NOTHING about any of these allegations.

I cant take any more of this my end.

In 2022, Andrew paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case with Ms Giuffre, but has consistently and strenuously denied any wrongdoing, claiming to have never met her. Andrews links to Epstein eventually led to the King stripping him of his titles  putting an end to his public life.

The incident at Maxwells home, where the now infamous photo of the former duke with his accuser is reported to have been taken, allegedly occurred when Ms Giuffre was 17 years old. Andrew is accused of taking part in an orgy with underage girls, as well as Ms Giuffre.

Epstein took his own life in a New York prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking and conspiracy charges. Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2022 after being convicted of sex trafficking.

Here, Yahoo News has put together a timeline detailing the key moments in Andrew and Epstein's relationship. Read more, or click the links below to skip ahead

1999

When Andrew says he first met Epstein

In the 2019 interview with the BBCs Emily Maitlis, Andrew says he first met Jeffrey Epstein through the financiers girlfriend in 1999. The broadcaster reported this girlfriend was Ghislaine Maxwell.

Andrew pictured celebrating his 39th birthday on 19 February, 1999 in the Swiss ski resort of Verbier. (Alamy) (Toby Melville, PA Images)

A few days after the Newsnight interview, however, a letter from Andrew's then private secretary, shared with the Times, suggests he was first introduced to Epstein in the early 1990s.

Maxwell has subsequently denied introducing the pair.

2000

Andrew, Epstein and Maxwell pictured at Trumps resort

A photograph, taken by Getty Images in February 2000, shows Andrew standing by Donald Trump, his now-wife Melania and Ghislaine Maxwell at a party at Trumps Mar-A-Lago resort in Florida.

Two more photos taken by Getty Images  also dated 12 February 2000  show Andrew, Trump and Epstein at Mar-a-Lago on the same day.

Donald Trump, his then girlfriend (and future wife), former model Melania Knauss, and Andrew at the Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on 12 February, 2000. (Getty Images) (Davidoff Studios Photography via Getty Images)

Andrew pictured with Melania Trump (then Melania Knauss), Gwendolyn Beck and Jeffrey Epstein at a party at the Mar-a-Lago club on 12 February, 2000. (Getty Images) (Davidoff Studios Photography via Getty Images)

Trump has also been dogged by questions about his friendship with Epstein, with the White House recently denying the authenticity of an alleged birthday letter from him to the late financier.

Epstein and Andrew spotted at Royal Ascot together

Andrew and Epstein were pictured in June 2000 during Ladies Day of Royal Ascot.

In the Getty Images picture, the pair can be seen walking alongside Edward and Caroline Stanley, the Earl and Countess of Derby. Another image shows Maxwell walking alongside Andrew.

Andrew (second from left) pictured with Jeffrey Epstein at Ladies Day. (Getty Images) (Tim Graham via Getty Images)

The Daily Mirror reported in August 2025 that Andrew welcomed Epstein and Maxwell into the Royal Box, alongside Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother.

Andrew invites Epstein to Dance of the Decades

A souvenir booklet from a Royal Family party at Windsor Castle, unearthed by DailyMail.com, shows Epstein and Maxwell on the invitation list. This is despite Andrew telling Newsnight that he had invited Maxwell specifically and that Epstein was the plus one.

2006

Epstein, Maxwell and Harvey Weinstein attend Beatrices 18th birthday

An image published by the Sun in 2019 shows Epstein attending Princess Beatrices 18th birthday party on the grounds of Windsor Castle in July.

In his 2019 interview with Newsnight, Andrew was asked why Epstein had been invited in July, when police in Palm Beach Florida had issued an arrest warrant for sexual assault of a minor in May of that year.

Because I was asking Ghislaine, Andrew replied. "But even so, at the time I don't think I certainly I wasn't aware when the invitation was issued what was going on in the United States and I wasn't aware until the media picked up on it because he never said anything about it.

2010

Andrew breaks off friendship with Epstein

Andrew told BBC Newsnight that he had no contact with Epstein after he was jailed in 2008 for soliciting and procuring a minor for prostitution.

However, following the billionaires release, Andrew said he went to stay with him in his New York mansion in December 2010.

I went there with the sole purpose of saying to him that because he had been convicted, it was inappropriate for us to be seen together I felt that doing it over the telephone was the chicken's way of doing it. I had to go and see him and talk to him.

Herbert N. Straus House, the New York residence of Jeffrey Epstein. (Alamy) (Kayah Godek Photography)

2011

Epstein's loan to Sarah Ferguson

Andrew's ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York, apologises for accepting 15,000 from Epstein to help pay off debts. She described it as "a gigantic error of judgement".

She told the Evening Standard: "I abhor paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children. I am just so contrite I cannot say. Whenever I can, I will repay the money and have nothing ever to do with Jeffrey Epstein ever again.

2014

Andrew first mentioned in Epstein court filings

In December 2014, Andrew was named for the first time in court filings relating to Epstein, in a motion to join the Florida case by a Jane Doe #3 (understood to be Virginia Guiffre) and Jane Doe #4.

It claims Jane Doe #3 was forced to have sexual relations with this Prince when she was a minor in three separate geographical locations.

It says she was coerced in London (at Maxwells apartment), in New York and on Epsteins private island in the US Virgin Islands in an orgy with numerous other under-aged girls.

2015

Epsteins little black book made public

Epsteins book of contacts, referred to as his little black book was first published by US blog Gawker in 2015.

It shows 1,571 names and many more phone numbers and email addresses of celebrities, royalty, politicians and other members of high society.

The book had 12 different phone numbers for Andrew.

2019

Andrews infamous Newsnight interview

It was widely described as a car crash of an interview. Over an excruciating 50 minutes, Andrew was grilled by the BBCs Emily Maitlis over his relationship with Epstein, and allegations made against him by Ms Giuffre.

Andrew has always denied any sexual contact with Ms Giuffre, who claimed she was forced to have sex with Andrew when she was 17.

Andrew's Newsnight interview caused huge reputational damage to the Royal Family. (BBC News) (BBC News)

During the interview, Andrew said that hed been on Epsteins private plane, and stayed at his private island in the Caribbean and at his home in Palm Beach, and visited Maxwells home in Belgravia, London.

Andrew was also asked about a shooting weekend hed organised for Maxwell at Sandringham, also attended by Epstein. It is not clear when this visit took place, but Andrew denied having any knowledge of alleged sexual abuse by the pair at the time.

Andrew smiling as he stands with his left arm around the waist of a young Virginia Roberts (now Virginia Giuffre). It is alleged to have been taken in early 2001. Ghislaine Maxwell stands behind. (CAP/PLF Image supplied by Capital Pictures) (Capital Pictures, Capital Pictures)

Andrew also denied having any knowledge of a photo alleged to have been taken in 2021, which showed him with Ms Giuffre, purportedly in Maxwell's flat.

2021

Court shown image of Epstein and Maxwell in Balmoral

A picture showed to jurors at Maxwells sex trafficking trial in the US showed Epstein and Maxwell relaxing in what appears to be Queen Elizabeths Balmoral estate in Scotland.

The image is undated, but it was thought to have been taken in 1999 after Andrew invited them to stay at the residence, the BBC reported.

Andrew declined to comment at the time.

This undated image of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell was believed to have been taken at Balmoral in 1999. (Alamy) (ZUMA Press, ZUMA Press, Inc.)

2025

New emails from Duchess of York to Epstein revealed

In September, it emerges that Ferguson sent an apology email to Epstein after he threatened to destroy her family in a chilling call.

The duchess sent the message in April 2011, describing Epstein as a supreme friend, despite publicly disowning him in the media shortly before.

James Henderson, the duchesss spokesperson at the time, said the email was sent after a really menacing and nasty phone call from the sex offender who had a Hannibal Lecter-type voice.

Andrew named in new Epstein files

On 26 September, Andrew is named in newly released files relating to Epstein which indicate he was a passenger on the paedophile financiers jet and received $200 massages, in heavily redacted documents.

'Prince Andrew' is listed as flying on Epstein's private jet, in flight logs released by the US House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in September 2025.

Andrew is named alongside Epstein, Maxwell, as well as two names which have been redacted.

The documents also show an "Andrew" listed as having a massage on Epstein's "General Ledger" on 16 May and 11 February 2000, the committee said.

Details of Andrew being a passenger on Epsteins private jet were previously heard in court through Maxwells trial  with one of her accusers, who was 14 at the time, recalling she had travelled on a flight with Andrew.
New emails released on Wednesday suggest Donald Trump knew about the girls procured by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein  but the White House quickly accused opponents of selectively leaking material to smear the president.

The president was mentioned in emails between the late pedophile, his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, and the author Michael Wolff, according to Democrats on the House oversight committee, who released three exchanges dating from 2011 to 2019.

The disclosures seemed designed to raise new questions about Trumps friendship with Epstein and about any knowledge he may have had in the financiers alleged exploitation of underage girls.

Trump did not send or receive any of the emails and has consistently denied any knowledge of Epsteins alleged crimes and has said he ended their relationship years ago.

Oversight Dems have received new emails from Jeffrey Epsteins estate that raise serious questions about Donald Trump and his knowledge of Epsteins horrific crimes, Democrats posted on Wednesday on social media. Read them for yourself. Its time to end this cover-up and RELEASE THE FILES.

In one email to Wolff dated 31 January 2019, Epstein apparently wrote: Trump said he asked me to resign, never a member ever... of course he knew about the girls as he asked ghislaine [sic] to stop.

In one email, Epstein claimed to Ghislaine Maxwell that Trump had spent hours with a victim (Getty)

In another email from April 2011, Epstein claimed to Maxwell that Trump had spent hours with a victim, whose name is redacted.

i want you to realise that that dog that hasnt barked is trump...[VICTIM] spent hours at my house with him...he has never once been mentioned, Epstein told Maxwell, according to the emails.

Wolff apparently wrote to Epstein on 15 December 2015  the night of a debate in the Republican presidential primary  where the author told the disgraced financier that CNN was planning to ask Trump tonight about his relationship with you  either on air or in scrum afterwards.

Epstein replied: If we were able to craft an answer for him, what do you think it should be?

I think you should let him hang himself, Wolff replied to Epstein, according to the email. If he says he hasnt been on the plane or to the house, then that gives you a valuable PR and political currency.

You can hang him in a way that potentially generates a positive benefit for you, or, if it really looks like he could win, you could save him, generating a debt, Wolff apparently continued. Of course, it is possible that, when asked, hell say Jeffrey is a great guy and has gotten a raw deal and is a victim of political correctness, which is to be outlawed in a Trump regime.

According to a transcript from the debate, Trump never received a question about Epstein.

Survivors of Epstein and Maxwells abuse attended a press conference in September, calling on the Trump administration to release all of the files relating to the case (Reuters)

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt accused the Democrats of a smear campaign against Trump, adding that the selectively leaked emails were used to create a fake narrative.

She also named the redacted victim in the emails as the late Virginia Giuffre, and cited Giuffres words from her posthumous memoir that Trump couldnt have been friendlier towards her.

The fact remains that President Trump kicked Jeffrey Epstein out of his club decades ago for being a creep to his female employees, including Giuffre, Leavitt said. These stories are nothing more than bad-faith efforts to distract from President Trumps historic accomplishments, and any American with common sense sees right through this hoax and clear distraction from the government opening back up again.

Trump has said publicly that he had a falling out with Epstein, who died by suicide in his prison cell in August 2019, because the disgraced financier stole young women working at his Mar-a-Lago spa too many times  including Giuffre.

The emails were obtained by Democrats on the committee after they subpoenaed documents and records from Epsteins estate earlier this year.

The Trump administration was engulfed in a months-long crisis over the Epstein files during the summer after the president campaigned to release the documents last year.

In July, the justice department and the FBI released a joint memo effectively ruling a line under the matter, and said no further documents would be released.

The move sparked uproar within MAGA and beyond, as Democrats and rebel Republicans pursued the release of the files.

Maxwell is currently in a low-security Texas prison for her role in a sex-trafficking scheme with Epstein, but has reportedly asked Trump to commute her 20-year sentence.

Meanwhile, Democrat Adelita Grijalva was due to be sworn in on Wednesday as its newest member, more than seven weeks after winning a special election in Arizona to fill the seat last held by her late father. The swearing-in procedure by speaker Mike Johnson is likely to trigger a vote in the House about the release of the Epstein files.
The suspected impostor (front) at the Remembrance Sunday event in Llandudno - Tony Mottram/Llandudno Town Council

A fake admiral has provoked outrage by participating in a Remembrance Sunday commemoration.

Jonathan David Carley, 64, donned the ill-fitting uniform of a rear admiral with a row of 12 medals as he saluted the war memorial in Llandudno, North Wales, on Sunday.

The infiltrator, who appears to have participated in several other Remembrance events in recent years, arrived at the occasion unannounced.

The Royal Navy said his behaviour was insulting to veterans and could be considered a criminal offence under the Uniforms Act 1894, which bars anyone who has not served in the armed forces from wearing military uniform.

Mr Carley raised suspicions with an unlikely combination of decorations that included the Distinguished Service Order (DSO), an MBE and the Gulf War Medal.

He also wore the Queens Voluntary Reserves Medal, which is exclusively for military reservists and has never been won by anyone who also has a DSO.

He wore a white shirt with a cutaway collar, which is not permitted by Royal Navy regulations, and oversized sleeves reaching down to his knuckles.

Llandudno town council, which organised the Remembrance service, said Mr Carley was not on its guest list and it when it confronted him, he claimed to be representing the Lord-Lieutenant of Clwyd.

But Harry Fethersonhaugh, the Lord Lieutenant, said this was untrue, telling The Sun: I have never seen him before in my life.

It appears that Mr Carley also participated in Remembrance Sunday commemorations in nearby Caernarfon in 2018 and 2019.

Photographs from the events show a man wearing a similar combination of medals with a cutaway collared shirt and a rear admirals jacket with sleeves that are too long.

A retired senior Navy officer said: Its disgraceful and probably a criminal offence.

He has no warfare branch badge  surface, submariner or aviator  and it is impossible to imagine someone getting a DSO who was not in a command appointment.

He also does not have all the jubilee medals that he should have and his cap badge looks dodgy.

A serving soldier told The Telegraph that Mr Carleys behaviour was very disappointing.

He said: I never understand why they pretend to be mega-senior officers. Just pretend to be a chef, or something. It just doesnt make sense.

In the London Gazette, the official record for military listing, Mr Carley is only named once as a 2nd Lt (on probation) with the combined cadet force of Cheltenham College, where he was a history teacher.

He also claimed to have studied at Christ Church, Oxford, as well as studying a business degree at Harvard University.

A newspaper clipping from 1994 said he was a boat captain at Oxford and also rowed at the top US university.

As a schoolmaster, he coached at Eton and Cheltenham before coming to Shiplake [College], the article read.

However, The Walter Mitty Hunters Club, which exposes armed forces impersonators, claimed Mr Carley is not listed as a Harvard alumni on the universitys register.

The highest-ranking Walt attempt

It said: This might be the highest-ranking Walt attempt ever.

The term Walt is a contraction of Walter Mitty, the fantasist character in James Thurbers 1939 short story The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.

Residents in Mr Carleys seaside town of Harlech, North Wales, said he bragged to neighbours about the lies of his military service.

One person told The Daily Mail: Its shocking that hes tried to pass himself off as an admiral.

Its outrageous. He told a few neighbours that he was in the military but its all obviously a pack of lies.

A spokesman for the Royal Navy said: Impersonating a Naval officer is insulting to anyone connected to the service and could be considered a criminal offence.

Nothing should detract from the poignancy of Remembrance Sunday, which can be a sombre time for members of the Royal Navy family and an opportunity for people in communities across the United Kingdom to pay their respects to people who have served or are serving their country.

A spokesman for Llandudno town council said: We are aware that a gentleman turned up to our Remembrance Sunday event. We were not notified of his attendance in advance.

He was approached by the parade marshal and said he was representing the Lord-Lieutenant of Clwyd.

He laid his wreath [respectfully] and behaved [well] before leaving. We understand military organisations are looking into this. We would not wish it to overshadow an excellent parade and Remembrance service.

Mr Carley declined to comment when approached.
Barbara Cartmel on the balcony of her apartment in Bexhill-on-sea, Sussex. (People's Postcode Lottery).

A street in East Sussex is celebrating after five homes shared out a life-changing 1m on the People's Postcode Lottery.

One lucky great-grandmother was among the neighbours who each bagged 200,000 after their postcode  TN40 1LY  scooped the weekly Millionaire Street prize.

The postcode in Bexhill-on-Sea was selected on 18 October, as part of the subscription-based lottery that delivers daily prizes of 1,000 upwards.

Winner Barbara Cartmel, 80, has three sons, a daughter, seven grandchildren and a great-granddaughter, who just turned one, and declared the money life-changing.

"I'm shaking like a leaf. It means I can go and see my son again and his family  that means the world to me", she said.

Barbara Cartmel said the money will be 'life changing'. (People's Postcode Lottery).

She added: "I didn't think at my age I could be so excited about anything again. When you get to 80, you think you've seen everything and done everything."

The retired shop owner now plans to fly first class to reunite with her son, Brian, in Seattle. She said: "I imagined Id maybe won 1,000, and Id have been chuffed with that.

Cartmel, who was with her husband Garry for 54 years before he passed away in 2018, admits shes still coming to terms with the win, saying: Itll probably sink in when the money hits my bank account.

How does the People's Postcode Lottery operate?

The Peoples Postcode Lottery is a subscription-based lottery where your postcode is essentially your ticket.

You pay 12.25 per month and are automatically entered into prize draws, which are announced daily.

If your postcode gets picked in the monthly 250,000 prize (except April and December), each ticket in that postcode wins 250,000 and the money is paid into your bank account within 28 days.

A minimum of 30% of each ticket price goes to good causes with players raising over 1.5bn for good causes since 2005, with thousands of charities across the UK benefitting.

In December, the lottery has a 38.2m prize pot to be won.

What are the different lotteries in the UK?

The most popular lottery in the UK is Lotto, formerly the National Lottery, operated by Allwyn, which had around 36 million players in 2024, and works by players picking six numbers from 1 to 59.

A cost for a ticket is around 2 and carries prize pots, typically from 210 million, but sometimes up to 20m or above.

The EuroMillions is also very popular  with higher jackpots but more expensive ticket prices than Lotto.

Another form of lottery is the Health Lottery, where players pay 1 to select five lucky numbers of their own choosing or five random numbers.

This lottery gives over 20p from every 1 spent to health-related good causes, which they say helps fight health inequality across Great Britain.

Another prominent prize game is the Omaze draw, whch is not classified as a lottery, but actually a prize draw that offers multi-million pound houses to winners.

Omaze is not legally classed as a lottery because they have free entry, you can pay if you want to (increasing your chances of winning) but you can also enter for free via a postal service.

As such, Omaze is not subject to some Gambling Commission regulations under the Gambling Act 2005.

Fundraising, raffles, and lotteries are all forms of gambling and operators must follow stringent laws, even if they are small simple lotteries.

Depending on the size of the lottery, an operator may have to register with the local licensing authority or the Gambling Commission.

The commission states that lotteries without a licence can only be run either to raise money for good causes or for fun, but they cannot be run for private or commercial gain.

If you're looking to take a break from gambling or learn more about gambling in a safe way, see here for some resources that are available across the UK.
Neville Husband was also a Sunday school teacher and Scout troop leader

A former prison officer could be Britains most prolific sex offender, according to a new report.

Neville Husband, a former prison caterer who was also a Sunday school teacher and Scout troop leader, raped and abused boys at a detention centre in Co Durham from 1969 to 1985  committing at least 388 offences.

But a report by the Prison and Probation Ombudsman published on Wednesday has suggested that he probably raped many more victims in previous and subsequent roles.

The revelation means Husband may have had more victims than the 450 attributed to Jimmy Savile, the disgraced BBC presenter and DJ.

Husband, who died in 2010, made the kitchens at Medomsley Detention Centre a living hell for the trainees  aged between 17 and 21  who had been sent to the institution for a short, sharp, shock following what was often minor offending, the report said.

Grooming and abusing the boys and young men became part of his daily routine as he made the kitchens his own domain, where even other staff members reportedly felt intimidated into turning a blind eye.

The report by Adrian Usher, the Prison and Probation Ombudsman, comes following a two-year investigation into the abuse at Medomsley.

It found that Husband probably also abused others while working at other sites in Co Durham, as well as Portland borstal in Dorset.

A powerfully built arch-manipulator

Mr Usher said: Neville Husband was possibly the most prolific sex offender in British history.

It is very likely that his offending did not begin and end at Medomsley and extended to his previous employment at Portland borstal. There were allegations of abuse from when he worked at HMP Frankland and Deerbolt youth custody centre, and during his church and amateur dramatic activity.

Describing Husband a powerfully built man and an arch-manipulator, Mr Usher accused him of intimidating other members of staff alongside trainees, adding he had the power to withdraw food.

The ombudsman said: He had a significant voice in the Medomsley branch of the Prison Officers Association and that, combined with the longevity of his service there, made him a daunting adversary for any warden to have chosen to combat.

The power that Husband wielded over trainees was even more one-sided. The ability to provide or withdraw food gave him opportunities to punish and reward.

Husband was awarded the Imperial Service Medal for meritorious duty when he retired - ITV

He was also able to engineer isolation because of the training centres location, Mr Usher claimed.

The drive from Newcastle or Durham magistrates courts up to the training centre is across many miles of bleak and barren moorland. That journey will have compounded in the minds of the trainees, many experiencing custody for the first time, their separation from those who cared about them.

When Husband told them that if they spoke out, he could make them disappear, it would have been easy for them to believe it.

Abuser sought opportunities for power

When he retired in 1990, Husband was awarded the Imperial Service Medal for meritorious duty in the prison service and he was welcomed into the church as a minister.

It was only when Durham Constabulary began a probe into the abuse at Medomsley in 2002 that Husbands crimes were revealed.

In February 2003, he was convicted of 10 counts of indecent assault and one count of rape against five teenagers at Medomsley and was initially sentenced to eight years in prison.

In 2005, following more victims coming forward, Husband admitted to four further attacks and his sentence was increased to 10 years.

Subsequent investigations found there were 549 documented abuse cases at Medomsley and, of those, Husband committed 388, mostly alone but some with an accomplice.

Mr Usher added: There is evidence that Husband sought opportunities to take positions of power and responsibility over young people from an early age.

When he was 14 years old, he became a Scout troop leader at his local church. Two years later, he became a Sunday school teacher, something he continued until the year before he joined the Prison Service.

First police investigation launched in 1960s

Husband joined the Prison Service in December 1963, working at HMP Durham.

After completing his training at Leyhill officers training school, he was then posted to Portland borstal in April 1964. In January 1966 he qualified as a catering officer.

In June 1967, while still at Portland borstal, Husband was investigated by police under the Obscene Publications Act relating to indecent images depicting sexual activity between men.

When questioned by the police, Husband stated he had obtained the material as research for a book he was considering writing on the nature of homosexuality. No further police action was taken.

In May 1969, Husband was posted to Medomsley as a catering officer, where he was in sole charge of the kitchen.

In August 1985, Husband transferred from Medomsley to HMP Frankland, where he worked as the senior cook and baker for approximately two years. In May 1987, he transferred to Deerbolt youth custody centre, where he worked for three months before finally transferring back to HMP Frankland.

Victim accounts indicate that Husband continued to sexually abuse victims at both Deerbolt youth custody centre and HMP Frankland throughout his service.

Reinstated as church minister after arrest

In 1990, Husband began training as a minister at the Waddington Street United Reformed Church and was inducted as a minister in June 1994.

In July 1999, Husband was arrested as part of Operation Voice, a Metropolitan Police-led UK-wide investigation into the distribution of child sex abuse materials.

A search warrant was executed at his home and more than 30 hard-core pornographic videos were recovered from his study.

Husband was arrested, charged and suspended from his ministerial roles within the church. However, the case was later dismissed at court due to a delay in the production of a specialist witness for the prosecution.

The church reinstated Husband as a minister in June 2000.

The short, sharp, shock approach to justice was implemented by Margaret Thatcher, the then prime minister, and saw detention centres and borstals adopting tough military style regimes intended to put youngsters off committing crime.

But studies later suggested the tactic made little impact on reoffending rates.

Savile was investigated by police on suspicion of sex offences twice in his lifetime but never charged.

In 2012, a joint report by the NSPCC and the Met revealed 450 people had come forward to allege they had been sexually abused by him in a range of locations, including BBC premises and NHS hospitals.

Jake Richards, the minister for youth justice, apologised to the victims of abuse at Medomsley Detention Centre.

He added: The failings set out in todays report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman are truly harrowing, and we must ensure nothing like this ever happens again.

This Government is establishing a Youth Custody Safeguarding Panel to review how we protect children in custody today. It will ensure their voices are heard, that complaints are taken seriously, and that every child is kept safe from harm.

The Youth Custody Safeguarding Panel will report to ministers and will look closely at how professionals work with young people in custody.
David Lammy told MPs that officials were struggling to determine whether the offender was unlawfully at large - House of Commons/PA

A criminal released from prison in error is alleged to have committed another offence while on the run.

The offender, whom The Telegraph cannot name for legal reasons, was freed on Nov 3 and has been charged with stalking a woman on the same day.

The prisoner was arrested and taken back into custody on Wednesday evening by Leicestershire police. He appeared in court on Thursday charged with the new offence.

He will face a Crown Court trial next year for other offences including coercive control, intentional strangulation and common assault.

Earlier on Thursday, David Lammy, the Justice Secretary, had told MPs that officials were scrambling to establish whether the prisoner had been released in error and therefore, was or was not unlawfully at large.

It is understood that officials confirmed he had been mistakenly released as Mr Lammy was making his statement to the Commons.

Leicestershire Police officers were dispatched to hunt him down and found him by that evening.

However, three prisoners accidentally released from prison remain on the run, including a convicted Albanian drug dealer who has been on the loose since August 2024.

The other two are Britons  one jailed for aggravated burglary who was accidentally freed five months ago in June this year, and another who was mistakenly freed in December 2024 after being held in prison for failing to surrender to police.

Failing the British people

Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, said: Calamity Lammy didnt know his department had lost a prisoner for over a week. Hes asleep at the wheel.

Since Lammy introduced his strongest ever checks, three prisoners have been mistakenly released. Theyre failing and the British people are being put at risk on a nearly daily basis as a result.

Theres never been a better time to be a criminal. How can the Prime Minister have any confidence in Lammy to keep the public safe?

He urged Mr Lammy to reveal full details of the prisoner accidentally released on Nov 3.

Why wont Lammy be honest with the public and say who this prisoner was and what his criminal record is? Yet again, hes concealing the truth to limit his personal embarrassment, he said.

Some 353 prisoners have been released in error between April 1 2024 and Oct 31 this year, including more than 90 convicted sex or violent offenders, according to figures from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). Of the 353 prisoners, 91 were released between April 1 and Oct 31 this year.

The 262 freed over the year to March 31 this year were double the 115 freed in the 12-month period to March 31 2024.

The MoJ introduced tougher checks on prisoner releases after Hadush Kebatu, an Ethiopian asylum seeker who was jailed for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old, was wrongly released from HMP Chelmsford instead of being transferred to an immigration removal centre, leading to a 48-hour police manhunt.

Hadush Kebtau was wrongly freed from HMP Chelmsford instead of being transferred to an immigration removal centre - Essex Police/AFP via Getty Images

It was followed by the accidental release of Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, a 24-year-old Algerian sex offender, from HMP Wandsworth, and fraudster William Smith, 35, who was filmed handing himself back in to HMP Wandsworth on Nov 6, after three days on the run.

Mr Lammy has also announced a new justice performance board and that Dame Lynne Owens, a former police chief, is 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 and 10m is being allocated to digitise prison releases to replace the current paper-based system.
British-born Shamima Begum who joined Islamic State in Syria aged 15 in 2015, is photographed at Syria's Roj Camp in 2021. (Getty Images) (Sam Tarling via Getty Images)

Shamima Begum should be allowed to return home to the UK, along with other British-linked people detained in Syrian camps, a counterterrorism review has found.

A report by the Independent Commission on UK Counterterrorism said the UK "should adopt a comprehensive repatriation policy for all British nationals" in such detention camps  noting that other European states have taken back more than 1,200 people, while at least 95 have been repatriated by the US, Canada and Australia.

Begum, who was 15 when she left Bethnal Green, east London, to join the Isis terror group, has been detained in the Roj refugee camp since 2019, having lost a high-profile appeal against the removal of her UK citizenship in 2024.

The conditions in Roj "have been widely documented by the UN as inhuman, dangerous, and degrading, raising serious concerns under international law," the commission said, adding, "many detainees especially women and children  are victims of coercion, trafficking or exploitation, even if some have been involved in terrorism-related activity."

The commission suggested that structured repatriation  "combined with prosecution where appropriate"  could "effectively manage security risks" of repatriating British-linked people detained in Syrian camps "while upholding human rights".

The total number of British-linked people in Syrian camps is not known, but the commission estimates there are between 55 and 72, including around 10 men, 15-20 women, and 30-40 children, most of whom are under 10 years old.

Who is Shamima Begum?

Then a schoolgirl from Bethnal Green in east London, Begum made headlines in 2015 when she left the country aged 15 with two school friends to travel to Syria and join the Islamic State after being groomed by the terror group online.

Less than two weeks after she arrived in Syria, Begum was married off to an Isis fighter. She was found in the Al Hol refugee camp in northern Syria in 2019, and is now at detainee at the Roj camp, which is around 50 miles from Al Hol.

Who did Shamima Begum travel with?

In August 2015, Begum and her two school friends Amira Abase, 15, and Kadiza Sultana, 16, left their homes in east London and travelled to Gatwick Airport, where they got on a flight to Turkey and later crossed into Syria.

"My mum walked me to the bus stop. I feel guilty for not giving her a better goodbye knowing I wouldn't see her again," Begum later told the BBC of her final day in London.

Begum and her friends were in contact with members of the Isis terror group online, and she later said they had been given advice on what to bring and excuses to use if they were caught attempting to get to Syria. "People used to say... pack nice clothes so you can dress nicely for your husband," she said.

After news of the teenagers' disappearance hit the headlines, a list of items they were intending to take on their journey was discovered, including money for taxi fare, socks and makeup. Begum said she took at least 30 mint Aero chocolate bars with her, as "you can find a lot of things in this country [Syria] but you cannot find mint chocolate".

Kadiza Sultana, left, Shamima Begum, centre, and and Amira Abase going through security at Gatwick airport, before they caught their flight to Turkey. (Metropolitan Police via AP)

Information has since emerged that the trio were taken into the country by smuggler Mohammed Al Rasheed, who was sharing information about the self-proclaimed Isis caliphate and its followers with Canadian authorities in the hopes of securing asylum.

The Begum family's lawyer later commented: "Intelligence-gathering looks to have been prioritised over the lives of children."

What happened to Shamima Begum's friends?

After the three girls crossed into Syria, Begum married to Isis fighter Yago Riedijk, a Dutch Muslim convert who was 21 when he met and wed the schoolgirl just 10 days after she arrived in Raqqa, Syria.

Abase stayed in contact with her own family after leaving the UK, sending her mother messages on social media a number of times before the messages stopped, the Evening Standard reported. Abase married 18-year-old Australian Abdullah Elmir soon after arriving in Raqqa, however he was killed shortly after the pair met.

While Begum previously shared hopes that her friend was alive, Abase's mother told the media she believes her daughter has been killed.

Kadiza Sultana's cousin Fahmida Aziz, Shamima Begum's sister Sahima Begum, Amira Abase's father Hussen Abase and lawyer Tasnime Akunjee representing the families of the three schoolgirls missing in Syria. (House of Commons/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

Sultana was also married shortly after reaching Raqqa, to an Isis fighter. She made a number of phone calls to her family after leaving the UK and said she was living as a housewife, despite intelligence sources suggesting she was involved in making suicide vests.

Sultana was reportedly killed in a Russian airstrike in 2016.

"Her house was bombed. Underground, there was secret stuff going on and a spy had figured out that something was going on and other people got killed as well," Begum said of her friend's death in an interview with The Times.

"At first I was in denial. I thought if we died we'd die together."

What happened to Shamima Begum's husband and children?

Riedijk, who met Begum for 10 minutes before the pair married, travelled to Syria from his home in Holland when he was 21 to fight for Isis.

On agreeing to marry Begum, he told the documentary The Shamima Begum story that the pair discussed conditions before agreeing to the match.

"Basically she asked for some freedoms, which I agreed to give her  going shopping, seeing her friends, very, very basic stuff," he said. "We agreed on a dowry  all she asked for was an English translation of the Quran, which I agreed to."

He also commented that Begum had been "an empty paper" when they met, and said he had learned "how marriage worked" in the Islamic State: "Respecting of the husband, trying to please the husband and obedience".

Yago Riedijk speaking to Sky News in 2019. (Sky News)

Riedijk was arrested shortly after marrying Begum, accused by Isis of being a spy, and claims to have distanced himself from the terror group after his release  mainly socialising with civilians in Raqqa.

Begum suffered two miscarriages before having her first child with Riedijk, who told The Daily Mail the pair had some happy times together as a family.

"We started baking cakes, selling cakes on the market in order to make money to survive," he said. "She was basically with the kids, we had a second child, my son Jarrah. There were some nice days with the wife and kids at home. Some beautiful memories."

However, Begum later said that while Riedijk was initially nice, he later became "abusive". She told the Mail: "For the first eight months [in the caliphate] I was waiting at home for my husband who was in prison suspected of spying.

Shamima Begum pictured outside the tent she was living in with her newborn son. The baby later died, as well as Begum's two older children. (Getty Images)

"After that I was constantly making babies."

Riedijk and Begum were separated as they fled Baghouz amid the fall of Isis, with Riedijk captured by Kurdish forces and jailed in Syria. He has been convicted in a Netherlands court over his membership of Isis and will also be jailed there if he is ever allowed to return.

The couple's first two children died from malnutrition and disease, and Begum later lost her third child, who died in a refugee camp in 2019 amid her appeal to return home to the UK.
A deluge of rain in Teignmouth, Devon, as Storm Claudia arrives on 13 November. (PA) (nidpor)

The Met Office has extended its amber weather warnings for rain into parts of northern England, as Storm Claudia brings strong winds and potential flooding to much of the UK.

The Environment Agency has also issued three flood warnings in the north west of England and 96 flood alerts.

They come as two amber warnings for persistent and heavy rain were issued by the Met Office, alongside several other yellow warnings, with parts of England set for 80mm of rain, while parts of Wales may be hit by 100-150mm on higher ground.

The amber warnings run from Friday afternoon until midnight, and initially covered most of central Wales, stopping just north of Cardiff and covering most of the Midlands, ending just before the east coast of England.

However, the Met Office has since extended the amber warning into parts of northern England, including Sheffield.

 Amber weather warning UPDATED 



Extended into parts of northern England



Today 1200  2359



Latest info  https://t.co/QwDLMfS950



Stay #WeatherAware  https://t.co/1s2Y79tBmTpic.twitter.com/85ZJxgYWjl  Met Office (@metoffice) November 14, 2025

A separate yellow warning for rain covers much of England, from Cheshire and North Yorkshire to the south coast, for a 24-hour period from 6am on Friday, and a warning for winds of up to 70mph in some western areas of the UK is in place from noon until midnight.

Storm Claudia, named by the Spanish Meteorological Agency, has already brought heavy rain and strong winds to Spain and Portugal.

Met office chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said: Storm Claudia will bring very heavy rainfall to a large swathe of central and southern England and Wales on Friday into Saturday. This rain will become slow moving, and some areas could see up to a months worth of rain in 24 hours.

Much of this will fall on saturated ground, increasing the chances of flooding and contributing to the Amber warnings we have issued."

Ben Lukey, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said due to the ground already being wet and the slow-moving nature of the storm, "significant surface water flooding" was probable across central England.

Where have the weather warnings been issued?

The Amber warning has been extended. (Met Office) (Met Office)

Friday has numerous weather warnings in place, with the first starting at 6am and lasting 24 hours into Saturday morning.

The yellow weather warning warns of some flooding, travel disruption and possible power cuts.

Areas included in the warning include the East and West Midlands, eastern England, London and the South East, parts of Wales and south-west England, parts of north-west England and Yorkshire and Humber.

The first of the two amber warnings covers the centre of England and parts of Wales, including most of the Midlands, Derbyshire, and South Yorkshire.

The smaller of the two amber warnings where the heaviest rain is forecast, covers south central Wales, stopping just north of Cardiff.

There are also two yellow wind warnings in place on Friday, both in place from noon until midnight.

The timings of all of the weather warnings. (PA)

The first covers the north-west of Wales, including Anglesey, and the second covers a smaller area of north west England, stretching from Stoke-on-Trent to Blackpool and including most of Greater Manchester.

Yahoo breaks down what the weather will be like for each region of the UK.

London and the South East

Friday

A wet day with further heavy and persistent rain, especially toward the north with some heavy showers reaching coastal areas later. Strong winds likely. Maximum temperature 14C

Saturday to Monday

Saturday, cloudy and weakening outbreaks of rain edging south. Brisk winds, feeling chillier. Gradually becoming drier and brighter on Sunday. Monday, mostly dry and bright.

South West

Friday

Widely wet and overcast, with persistent rain turning heavy in many areas, bringing a risk of flooding and challenging driving conditions. It will also be windy, with gale-force winds in places. Maximum temperature 15C.

Saturday to Monday

Turning more settled over the next few days with cloudy skies bringing a few showers at times, interspersed with bright or sunny spells. Light winds, but feeling colder for all.

Midlands

Friday

Widespread heavy rain for all, bringing a risk of flooding and challenging driving conditions. Very windy too, with gales possible over the hills. Maximum temperature 11C.

Saturday to Monday

Further rain, heavy and persistent, moving northwards on Friday and persisting into early Saturday with a strong and gusty easterly wind. Easing off on Sunday, but feeling colder, especially during the night.

North East

Friday

Dry and bright on Friday, but feeling colder with a strong and gusty easterly wind, especially on hills. Maximum temperature 8C.

Saturday to Monday

Mainly dry and bright Saturday. Feeling cold with a strong and gusty easterly wind, especially on hills. Mostly dry and bright, but isolated showers later Sunday into Monday.

North West

Friday

Wet and windy with heavy spells of rain in the south at times. Mainly dry across northern counties until the evening. Maximum temperature 9C.

Saturday to Monday

Drier and more settled this weekend, with cloudy skies for many but some sunny periods as well. Feeling notably colder in northerly winds, with overnight frosts possible.

Scotland

Friday

Heavy rain in the south caused by intermittent showers, with the rain weakening but constant the further north you go. Expected to be chilly.

Saturday to Monday

Mainly dry and bright on Saturday with a widespread frost at night. A scattering of showers on Sunday and Monday, wintry on hills.

Heavy and persistent rain will fall on large parts of the country on Friday. (Met Office)

Northern Ireland

Friday

A cloudy start with patchy rain, but becoming dry with skies brightening during the day with chilly northeast winds, strong around the coast. Maximum temperature 7C.

Saturday to Monday

Mainly dry and bright on Saturday and Sunday with a frost possible at night. A scattering of showers on Monday.

Wales

Friday

Widely wet and overcast, with persistent rain turning heavy in many areas, bringing a risk of flooding and challenging driving conditions with severe gale-force winds in places. Maximum temperature 13C.

Saturday to Monday

Turning more settled over the next few days with cloudy skies bringing a few showers at times, interspersed with bright or sunny spells. Light winds, but feeling colder for all.
Credit: X / @WeatherMonitors

A bridge in China has collapsed just months after opening, raising doubts about the quality of Beijings vast infrastructure projects.

A portion of the Hongqi bridge in the southwestern province of Sichuan, which spans 2,486ft along a national highway linking the countrys heartland to Tibet, was filmed breaking apart on Tuesday.

Footage shared widely on Chinese social media captured the moment the bridge gave way, sending slabs of concrete and clouds of dust crashing into the river and mountainside below.

There were no reports of casualties. Local authorities said the bridge had been closed a day earlier after cracks were spotted in its structure and on nearby slopes and roads.

Widely shared footage captures the moment the bridge gave way

By Tuesday afternoon, conditions on the mountainside had worsened, triggering landslides that caused the approach bridge and roadbed to give way, officials said.

Sichuan province is known for its high seismic activity, and the highway traverses an area devastated by a 7.9 magnitude earthquake in 2008 that killed tens of thousands of people, a disaster blamed in part on poor construction.

The sudden collapse has raised concerns over the quality of Chinas construction and whether sufficient geological surveys were carried out. Local authorities are attempting to downplay the incident, describing it as an isolated natural event.

It comes only months after another major accident, when a railway bridge under construction in Qinghai province collapsed in August, killing at least 12 workers.

The sudden collapse of the bridge has raised concerns over the quality of its construction - Social media via REUTERS

Completed in January, the Hongqi bridge was part of Chinas broader strategy to spur economic growth in poorer mountainous regions, intended as a symbol of its infrastructure ambitions.

The country has invested heavily in building roads, highways and rail lines. However, it has faced increasing scrutiny over its declining quality control as well as the construction of large-scale infrastructure projects in geologically volatile areas.

Authorities said a detour route has been opened and an investigation into the collapse is underway. The Sichuan Road and Bridge Group, which built the bridge, said there is no timetable for reopening the highway.
Peppa Pig, Wicked dolls and Formula 1 Lego and Hot Wheels racing cars are among the predicted top-selling toys this Christmas, according to industry experts.

Pre-school favourites Peppa Pig Oinks & Snuggles Evie Doll, the Jurassic World Primal Hatch T.Rex and the Wicked For Good Singing Dolls are among the 15 toys to have made the 2025 DreamToys list.

Formula 1s 75th anniversary year sees it represented on the list by both Lego and Mattels Hot Wheels Racing F1 Grand Prix Circuit, alongside the Monster Jam Smash & Bash Grave Digger RC.

The Peppa Pig Oinks & Snuggles Evie Doll from Hasbro during the unveiling of the annual DreamToys list (James Manning/PA)

The list, selected by a panel of experts and toy retailers ranging from small independents to national chains, also includes collectables in the form of Dress to Impress Mystery Model Dolls, Mini Brands  Fill the Fridge Playset, as well as Pokemon.

Building sets were the fastest-growing category for the second year running and Lego has two on the list  Speed Champions F1 Racing Cars and the One Piece the Going Merry Pirate Ship.

The list is released as industry data tracking experts Circana revealed the UK toy market grew by 6% in value this year, the largest increase since 2020.

The UK toy market is now worth 3.9 billion, with Christmas expected to account for 23% of the total sales for the year.

The DreamToys 2025 list, in alphabetical order (PA)

Parents spending on gifts for their children is up 12% year on year  the fourth consecutive year of growth, according to market intelligence company The Insights Family.

Paul Reader, chairman of the DreamToys selection panel at the Toy Retailers Association, said: After an incredible year for the toy industry, its reassuring to see families are back to supporting in-store shopping.

Its not surprising, given we only stock high-quality, safe toys and we all have experts on hand to help pick the perfect gift, but it is really great to see the support for both local, independent toy stores and larger chains at a crucial time of year.

Melissa Symonds, executive director of UK toys at Circana, said: With the toy market experiencing growth this year, after five years of a soft market, its a positive picture for both toy manufacturers and retailers as we head towards the crucial golden quarter.
(Channel 4)

A Place in the Sun host Jasmine Harmans husband Jon had a heart attack while filming a brand new Channel 4 show.

The couple were shooting spin-off series Renovation in the Sun in May when cameraman Jon started getting chest pains and a shortness of breath.

Jon, 45, was rushed to hospital in Estepona, Spain, where the couple are renovating a new family home, and was told hed suffered a heart attack.

Mid renovation, this afternoon, when we were with one of the builders, I got sort of pains in my chest and tight chested, achy arms, Jon said from his hospital bed in Tuesday nights episode (11 November).

We called an ambulance, and now Im in hospital. The blood test results suggest that Ive had a mild heart attack.

Earlier in the episode, Jon had spoken about heart issues running in his family. In 2016, his sister Jo died from sudden arrhythmic death syndrome, aged 40.

Recalling the incident, Jasmine told The Mirror: Wed just had lunch and he said he started to feel funny and strange.

He went to lie down but he then started to get very agitated and said there was a tightening in his chest.

She said that her husband was having a bit of trouble breathing and everything that was touching him was annoying him, adding: I immediately called the ambulance as soon as he said he felt funny.

Cameraman Jon had a mild heart attack while shooting Renovation in the Sun with host Jasmine Harman, his wife (Channel 4)

However, Jasmine said she feels lucky it was a mild heart attack and that everything is now fine  but said the ordeal has taught her to respond calmly to challenging situations.

I used to be quite a control freak but now I feel I am able to go much more with the flow and not let things get under my skin, she said.

Harman has appeared on the holiday home show since 2004 and was the co-host of Jonnie Irwin, who died aged 50 in February 2024 after receiving a terminal brain cancer diagnosis in 2020.

After Irwin revealed his diagnosis publicly in 2022, Harman was impressed by his persistently positive attitude and shared how his approach has affected her own outlook on life.

Throughout the last 20 years, Ive had countless people who had something that has been a catalyst for them, whether that is a bereavement, health scare or other trauma, Harman said.

Property presenter Jasmine Harman was left shaken by husbands heart attack (Channel 4)

It has made people think life is for living and that is a message I would like to say to everyone today. Not only from Jonnies passing, but we have also lost other family members and other friends as well. It definitely makes you want to make the best of every day.
Something strange is happening to Earths magnetic field and it could spell doom for satellites, scientists warn

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.
Christmas Karma is written and directed by Gurinder Chadha and features stars such as Billy Porter (pictured) - True Brit Entertainment

Reviewing this perky modern musical take on Charles Dickenss A Christmas Carol with any degree of honesty feels like kicking Tiny Tim down a fire escape. Christmas Karma is a film made with the best intentions by some lovely human beings, but which keeps finding new and spine-twistingly embarrassing ways to fall on its face.

The recipient of The Telegraphs first zero-star film review since Cats in 2019 hails from the same school of indigestible seasonal tat as Nativity 3: Dude, Wheres My Donkey? It is among the worst things to happen to Christmas since King Herod.

Its writer and director is Gurinder Chadha, who almost  but doesnt  gets a zero-stars lifetime pass for early works such as Bhaji on the Beach and Bend it Like Beckham, which expanded the scope of British cinema in 1990s and 2000s.

Like those films, Christmas Karma draws on Chadhas Indian heritage: its Scrooge figure, played by a perpetually confused-looking Kunal Nayyar from The Big Bang Theory, is called Mr Sood.

This pinstriped misanthrope came to the UK following Idi Amins expulsion of Ugandas south Asian population in 1972, though having capably feathered his own nest in the years since, hes now intent on pulling up the ladder behind him: no more refugees, the countrys full.

Of course three spirits arrive to show him the error of his ways, heralded by Soods late partner Marley, who takes the genuinely blood-curdling form of a CGI Hugh Bonneville. The casting here baffles relentlessly: the ghosts are played respectively by Eva Longoria (in inexplicable Day of the Dead make-up that renders her unrecognisable), the Broadway star Billy Porter and Boy George  whose bulky black shroud, when shot on the pavement in broad daylight, makes him look like hes been left out for the bin men.

The ghosts are played (left to right) by Eva Longoria, the Broadway star Billy Porter, and Boy George - True Brit Entertainment

Eclectic would also be a nice way to describe the songs, which were written variously by Gary Barlow, Shaznay Lewis of All Saints and her producer Ben Cullum, Nitin Sawhney and Panjabi MC. None could be described as new festive classics, though the bhangra version of We Wish You a Merry Christmas isnt bad, and there is a primally jaw-dropping moment when the first verse of the title ballad is belted out by an AutoTuned Danny Dyer from the drivers seat of a London taxi.

But the staging and performances are wobbly in the extreme: during many of the musical numbers you sense nobody knows where to look, or what to do with their hands. When Tiny Tim croakingly toasts the NHS over Christmas lunch (never mind that he has to travel to Switzerland for private treatment for an unspecified illness), my toes almost curled into shopping-trolley wheels. It is like watching British cinema undergo a deathbed hallucination.

In cinemas from Nov 14
This story contains details about a disturbing crime against a child. Discretion is advised.

Six-year-old Becky Kunash was sleeping soundly in bed when her dad checked on her one last time on May 10, 1979.

When he looked in on her at 11 p.m., nothing was amiss. Her night light was on and the window was shut, so he went to bed.

He would be the one to identify her body the next day.

Becky's parents, Robert and Patricia Kunash, didn't realize the girl had been taken until 7 a.m., eight hours after her dad checked on her. When her mom went to wake her up, the girl was gone. A curtain was fluttering from the breeze of the open window, a sight that sent a chill down her father's spine.

Rebecca Becky Kunash

Later the Kunashes learned that a predator who had been prowling the familys neighborhood  located on charming Merritt Island off the east coast of Florida  had been drawn to the glow of Beckys night light. He crept up, saw the girl lying in bed and decided to take her.

Now 46 agonizing years later, Florida is set to execute Bryan Jennings, a 66-year-old former Marine who admitted to kidnapping and killing the little girl. He's scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection on Thursday, Nov. 13, in what will be a record 16th execution in the state this year.

Here's what you need to know about the crime, the execution and how little Becky Kunash had already made a mark on the world that she would leave far too soon.

What was Bryan Jennings convicted of?

On May 10, 1979, 20-year-old Bryan Jennings was staying with his mother and aunt on Merritt Island while on leave after serving in the Marines in Okinawa, Japan, according to an archived news report in Florida Today, part of the USA TODAY Network.

Jennings, a local high school dropout who referred to himself as a "mad dog," was awaiting his next set of orders when he went out drinking that night and ended up outside Becky Kunash's bedroom window, the newspaper reported.

Sometime after her dad checked on Becky at 11 p.m., Jennings saw the sleeping girl, took the screen off her unlocked window, opened the window, and then took her, according to court records.

After driving Becky to a nearby canal, he raped her. He later told a cellmate that he picked the girl up by the legs and smashed her head into the ground, according to court records. He then held her under water for 10 minutes and dumped her body in the canal.

Bryan Jennings is scheduled to be executed on Nov. 13, 2025 for the rape and murder of 6-year-old Rebecca "Becky" Kunash

As dozens of sheriff's deputies and FBI agents searched the area for Becky the next day, a fisherman found her battered and naked body floating in the Banana River just a half-mile from her home.

Soon after, Robert Kunash identified his daughter's body.

When detectives interviewed Jennings later that day, he confessed to the crime, saying the he "always had this thing to look into windows."

"That's all it was supposed to be," he told them, according to Florida Today. "I don't know why I did it. It's just something I did."

Jennings was convicted and sentenced to death in 1980 and 1982 but both convictions were overturned on appeal. He was again found guilty and sentenced to death in 1986, and that conviction stuck.

Who was Becky Kunash?

Becky Kunash's parents and friends described the little blonde girl as gregarious, vivacious and determined, even at her young age. She was so stubborn, she refused training wheels and learned to ride a bike at the age of 4, Robert Kunash told Florida Today.

The day before she was killed, Becky was so excited about being the narrator for her first-grade play that she read lines for her dad and laid out what she was going to wear with her mom, according to Florida Today.

Attracted to the good schools and tree-lined streets, Becky's parents moved their two daughters to Merritt Island from Cleveland and opened a restaurant only about a year before the murder.

Robert Kunash told Florida Today that the night Becky was killed, he put her to bed at 8 p.m., turned on the night light she needed to feel safe, and checked on her again at 9 and 11 p.m. He recalled his last words to his daughter: "I love you. Catch ya in the morning."

Florida Today File Detectives investigate the window from which Rebecca "Becky" Kunash was abducted.

When he buried Becky, he put her jump rope and favorite stuffed elephant in the coffin with her. His wife and 7-year-old daughter Samantha were too distraught to attend, Florida Today reported.

Jennings' three trials were torturous on Becky's parents as they had to relive the nightmare over and over again. Their marriage didn't survive it, Patricia and her oldest daughter moved back to Cleveland, and both parents eventually remarried.

"He took my baby, my husband, my family and my home," Patricia Merrill (formerly Kunash) told Florida Today in 1986 amid Jennings' third trial.

During jury deliberations, Robert Kunash told reporters how difficult it was to even be in the same room as Jennings: "I've killed him a million times in my sleep."

Robert Kunash died at the age of 52 in 2001. USA TODAY was unable to reach Patricia Merrill or her oldest daughter for this story.

What else do we know about Bryan Jennings?

Bryan Jennings' mother, Margaret Danna, told jurors at her son's third trial that he never knew his biological father and was a problem child from birth, describing him as "very destructive and hyperactive," according to Florida Today.

She said she had wanted to admit Jennings to a mental hospital in Boston at the recommendation of a doctor but later changed her mind because she was worried that the stigma could stop him from joining the military.

One of Jennings' attorneys told jurors at his first trial in 1980 that the detective who interviewed Jennings the day after the murder was a "silver-tongued devil" and had coaxed the confession from his client.

"By the time he was through I wanted to stand up and say, 'I did it, I did it," attorney Perry West told them. "He's a master of his craft."

Assistant State Attorney Greg Stewart told jurors that Jennings had ripped Becky away from "the sanctity of her bedroom" and "left her for the crabs, the turtles and the sharks."

"This is a tapestry of such horror and brutality that it is repulsive to even think about it," he said.

Since the 1986 conviction, Jennings filed at least nine appeals. On Nov. 6 the Florida Supreme Court rejected his latest appeal that he had been unrepresented by counsel for three years because his lawyer died in 2022. He also argued that because he was unrepresented, no one was tracking his mental health.

"We reject his contention that any gap in his representation over the last four decades amounts to a denial of due process," the Florida Supreme Court wrote in denying the appeal.

When and where is Bryan Jennings' execution?

Bryan Jennings is set to be executed at 6 p.m. ET on Thursday, Nov. 13, at the Florida State Prison in Raiford. It will mark a record 16 executions this year in Florida, double the previous high annual number of executions in the state: eight, reached in 1984 and 2014.

Jennings' is the second execution scheduled in the U.S. on the same day. Oklahoma is set to execute Tremane Wood by lethal injection at 10 a.m. CT for the 2001 murder of 19-year-old Ronnie Wipf during a robbery.

And on Friday, South Carolina is set to execute Stephen Bryant by firing squad for murdering a man named Willard Tietjen in 2004 and using his blood to to write "catch me if u can" on the wall.

If all three executions move forward, states will have put 44 inmates to death in the U.S. this year, a number that hasn't been seen since 2010.

Contributing: John A. Torres, Florida Today

Amanda Lee Myers is a senior crime reporter who covers the death penalty for USA TODAY. Follow her on X at @amandaleeusat.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Florida set to execute killer who kidnapped sleeping 6-year-old girl
A Sudanese doctor sits on a bed while monitoring dengue fever patients at Omdurman Hospital, as Sudan grapples with outbreaks of dengue and cholera amid the annual rainy season and a collapsed healthcare and infrastructure system, in Khartoum, Sudan, September 23, 2025. REUTERS/El Tayeb Siddig

(Reuters) -Africa is facing the worst outbreak of cholera in 25 years, the Africa CDC told reporters in a briefing on Thursday, blaming the rise on fragile water systems and conflict.

The Africa CDC said it had recorded about 300,000 cases of cholera, and suspected cases of cholera, and over 7,000 deaths. The figures show a more than 30% increase on total cases recorded last year.

Angola and Burundi have seen cases surge in recent weeks, Africa CDC data shows, driven by poor access to safe water.

Cholera is a severe and potentially fatal diarrhoeal disease that spreads quickly when sewage and drinking water are not adequately treated.

The outbreak in Congo appeared to be under control with total cases declining, the Africa CDC said. The outlook in conflict-stricken areas remained concerning, as the disease spreads quickly in overcrowded camps with poor sanitation.

The situation has also improved in South Sudan and Somalia.

The Africa CDC said that Ethiopia had detected eight suspected cases of viral hemorrhagic fever and was waiting for results to determine the exact cause of the illness. Rapid response teams have been deployed to bring the suspected outbreak under control.

The Africa CDC said the Mpox outbreak is declining in some of the worst-hit places but remains a concern in places like Kenya, Guinea, Liberia and Ghana.

(Reporting by Jessica Donati; Editing by Toby Chopra)
Reviewed by Dietitian Lisa Valente, M.S., RD

Recipe photo: Jen Causey. EatingWell design.

Key Points

Many different breads can make the best stuffing. A range of grocery-store white, sourdough and a mix of breads make our list.

Chefs are torn on if the dish is better baked in the bird or outside. You get to pick your preferred method.

The best stuffing is about more than type of bread. Make sure to use stale bread, or toast it, to prevent mushy stuffing.

Mashed potatoes are too starchy for my taste and I never developed a palate for pumpkin pie. In other words, traditional Thanksgiving food has never really been my thing. For the last six years, my husband and I have gone out for Korean barbecue instead of spending all day basting a bird. But theres one Thanksgiving dish that I love at any time of year: stuffing.

Growing up, I was accustomed to my grandmothers extra-buttery, in-turkey preparation of a Stove Top mix. But as an adult food writer, I now realize that stuffing can mean any mixture heated inside a roasting fowl. (Dressing is the same thing, but baked in its own dish.) Before preparing my own seasonal favorite this year, I decided to talk to some of Americas top chefs to find out how they make stuffing or dressing. They all agreed that bread choice is paramount. These are the breads and tips that they say will make your holiday meal your best yet.

The Best Bread for Stuffing

Supermarket White Bread

Chef and author Alex Guarnaschelli has no pretensions when it comes to her traditional Thanksgiving stuffing. I make my fathers recipe every year, and he used sliced white bread from the supermarket. I love it, she says. Guarnaschelli remembers her father spending hours cooking and stitching up their turkey every Thanksgiving morning.

She says that sliced white bread imparts a warm, slightly toasty flavor if prepared correctly. That work includes toasting, buttering and salting each slice before cutting it and mixing it with the other ingredients. This bread may be for you if you want to taste nostalgia with every bite.

Sourdough

Geoffrey Zakarian is a chef and chairman of City Harvest Food Council. He says that when hes home cooking for his family this year, hell be using sourdough bread for his dressing. Sourdough is best. It has great flavor and taste and crunch, and it really absorbs the other stuffing flavors, he explains. In his case, those flavors include lots of fresh sage and parsley. Choose sourdough if you want bread with some tang but thats tame enough to be a crowd-pleaser.

A Mix of Breads

Chef and author Judy Joo doesnt stop at just one loaf for her dressing. She uses four: a combo of sturdy sourdough for that tangy chew; sweet cornbread for subtle moisture and corn flecks; challah for eggy, buttery goodness; and a classic white or French bread for lightness. She says that guests rave about how theres a surprise in every bite. It ensures that the stuffing isnt monotonous, she adds.

Culinary director Julian Eckhardt is part of why Virginias The Inn at Little Washington can claim two Michelin stars. At the Inn, he along with chef and sole proprietor Patrick OConnell use a mix of rosemary cornbread and Tuscan Italian breads for a dual texture in our stuffing, he says. Why? The cornbread helps to provide a taste of the South and is a truly American offering. The Tuscan bread has better binding and absorption qualities for the dripping and providing cohesion with the other components, he explains. Using a mix of breads means everyone has what they love and gives your stuffing the best of multiple bread worlds.

Tips for Making Delicious Stuffing

Dont Be Afraid to Think Outside the Bird

Though stuffing is, by definition, what youll find inside the turkey, our chef experts are divided on whether its better to stuff or not to stuff. [Stuffing] absorbs all those natural juices and gently steams outward, helping keep the meat moist, tender and beautifully succulent, argues Eckhardt.

Guarnaschelli shares that shes personally particularly fond of the additional taste and moisture that cooking inside the bird gives. However, shes quick to jump to the defense of cooks who prefer dressing. Dressing cooked on the side with a little ladle of gravy or turkey drippings on top is also super delicious, she says.

Zakarian and Joo are both dressing devotees. It cooks more evenly without the risk of uneven temperatures or food safety concerns from the turkeys juices, and it lets those crispy bits really shine, explains Joo. Plus, its easier to scale up for a crowd and customize flavors without altering the bird itself.

Use Stale Bread

One of the worst fates that can befall an otherwise flavorful stuffing is a mushy texture. Besides making sure that you have the right amount of broth, the best way to do this is to use oven-dried or toasted bread. Eckhardt recommends: Stale and dry your bread so it soaks up flavor without becoming overly damp and wet.

Its all about that perfect balance of custardy-soft interior and crispy, golden edges, adds Joo of the ideal final product. She also warns not to overmix your ingredients.

Lead with Your Imagination, but Dont Go Too Far

Joo says that she delights in extras like sausage or chestnuts. Herbs, including sage, thyme and parsley, should go in at the end of cooking to preserve their brightness. This builds a flavor base thats miles beyond boxed mixes, she says.

Eckhardt is even more creative in his definition of the best stuffing. Anything you can tuck into the cavity of a bird! he exclaims. Traditionally bread, but potatoes, rice, vegetables, nuts, meats and even fruit can make a great stuffing. If youre using bread (or even if youre not), he enjoys the inclusion of sausage as much as Joo does, but also recommends oysters or giblets.

Still, Guarnaschelli warns not to get overambitious on the big day. Keep it simple, she says. Don't overload the bird with expensive or weird ingredients. Its just not what the people want, and you will be happier.

The Bottom Line

Time and again, stuffing is voted Americas favorite Thanksgiving side dish. Whether or not youre a fan, your Turkey Day guests are relying on you to get it on the table. And if theres one opinion that our chef experts share, its that using your creativity to craft a unique stuffing is a big part of the fun of preparing the most important meal of the year. Whichever bread you choose, their tips are sure to prime you for delicious success on the big day.



Read the original article on EatingWell
FILE PHOTO: Parcels are seen on a conveyor belt at a postal sorting centre of Belgian postal operator Bpost in Brussels, Belgium November 30, 2020. Picture taken November 30, 2020. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo

FILE PHOTO: Parcels are seen on a conveyor belt at a postal sorting centre of Belgian postal operator Bpost in Brussels, Belgium November 30, 2020. Picture taken November 30, 2020. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo

By Philip Blenkinsop and Helen Reid

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -European finance ministers agreed on Thursday to bring forward to next year customs duties on low-value parcels arriving in the bloc to crack down on cheap Chinese e-commerce imports, in a move set to hit Chinese online retailers Shein and Temu.

The agreement to introduce duties as soon as possible in 2026 by finance ministers meeting in Brussels sets up negotiations with the European Parliament, whose approval is also required.

The European Union is trying to act faster as concern grows over Chinese goods being dumped in Europe.

European Commissioner for Trade Maros Sefcovic had proposed to the ministers that the "de minimis" duties exemption for online purchases below 150 euros ($175) be removed in the first quarter of 2026, two years earlier than planned. It should be replaced with a "simplified temporary customs fee", he said.

In 2023, the European Commission proposed removing the exemption, but only from 2028, when a broader overhaul of the EU's customs regime is due to take effect and the de minimis exemption will more formally be abolished.

Online platforms like Shein, Temu, AliExpress and Amazon Haul send clothes, accessories and gadgets from Chinese factories directly to shoppers at rock-bottom prices thanks to the customs waiver.

"European industries, particularly retailers, have repeatedly underlined that this distortion of competition be removed without delay," Sefcovic wrote.

The agreement was welcomed across Europe.

"Ending the exemption will close long-standing loopholes that have been systematically been exploited to avoid customs duties," Denmark's economy minister Stephanie Lose told a news conference.

German online retailer Zalando, among those pushing the EU to act, said in a statement that the removal of the exemption should be fast-tracked.

Sweden's retail industry association and Germany's e-commerce association separately said the finance ministers' agreement was a first step towards making competition more fair.

Luca Sburlati, chairman of Italy's fashion lobby Confindustria Moda, said the taxation of parcels under 150 euros is "essential for the survival of our textile and clothing sector".

MOVE TO HIT SHEIN, TEMU

Shein declined to comment, while Temu, AliExpress, and Amazon did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Shein is facing legal proceedings in France over the sale of child-like sex dolls on its platform.

The number of low-value e-commerce packages arriving in the bloc doubled last year to 4.6 billion, over 90% of them from China, and the Commission, the bloc's executive arm, is facing pressure from EU companies to stem that flow more quickly.

"We've already received more parcels than in the entire year of 2024, and Black Friday and Christmas are just around the corner," EU lawmaker Dirk Gotink, chief negotiator on the new customs legislation, said in a statement.

The U.S. has scrapped its own "de minimis" policy that allowed duty-free entry to parcels worth less than $800, leading to concerns that cheap Chinese imports would divert more to Europe.

There is also added urgency as individual EU countries have moved to introduce national handling fees.

Romania has proposed a 25 lei ($5.73) fee on low-value packages, while Italy is working on a tax by the end of the year to protect its fashion industry, its industry minister said on Wednesday.

RETAILERS WARN AGAINST ASSORTMENT OF NATIONAL FEES

European retailers and wholesalers' lobby group EuroCommerce have warned that an assortment of different national fees risks undermining the EU single market. The Commission has proposed a 2 euro fee, but it is not clear when it would be imposed.

How effective such a fee would be in practice is also unclear.

"Usually the market readjusts ... One or two euros will not really change the attractiveness of those platforms," the CEO of Poste Italiane, a state-backed business handling millions of parcels a year, said on Thursday.

French retail association president Alexandre Bompard, who also heads up supermarket group Carrefour, said in July that a 2 euro fee on low-value parcels was "a joke".

($1 = 0.8575 euros; 4.3595 lei)

(Reporting by Jan Strupczewski, Inti Landauro in Brussels, Helen Reid in London, Angeliki Koutatou in Athens, Greta Rosen Fondahn in Stockholm, Elisa Anzolin and Elvira Pollina in Milan. Writing by Philip Blenkinsop and Helen Reid. Editing by Conor Humphries, Ed Osmond and Mark Potter)
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP)  Colombian President Gustavo Petro ordered his nations security forces Tuesday to stop sharing intelligence with the United States, until the Trump administration stops its strikes on suspected drug traffickers in the Caribbean, as relations deteriorate between the nations that were once close partners in the fight against drug trafficking.

In a message on X, Petro wrote that Colombias military must immediately end communications and other agreements with U.S. security agencies until the U.S. ceases its attacks on speedboats suspected of carrying drugs, that critics have likened to extrajudicial executions.

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Petro wrote that the fight against drugs must be subordinated to the human rights of the Caribbean people. It wasnt immediately clear what kind of information Colombia will stop sharing with the United States. The White House had no immediate response to Petros latest statements.

At least 75 people have been killed by the U.S. military in strikes in international waters since August, according to figures supplied by the Trump administration. The strikes began in the southern Caribbean, near Venezuelas shores, but have shifted recently to the eastern Pacific, where the U.S. has targeted boats off Mexico.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro posted on social medi that the fight against drugs must be subordinated to the human rights of the Caribbean people. AP Photo/Ivan Valencia

Petro has called for U.S. President Donald Trump to be investigated for war crimes over the strikes, which have affected citizens of Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia and Trinidad and Tobago.Petro has called for U.S. President Donald Trump to be investigated for war crimes over the strikes, which have affected citizens of Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia and Trinidad and Tobago.

The leftist leader has long been a critic of U.S. drug policy, and has accused the Trump administration of going after peasants growing coca, the base ingredient of cocaine, instead of targeting major drug traffickers and money launderers. On Sunday, Petro said that met with the family of a Colombian fisherman who was allegedly killed in one of the strikes.

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He may have been carrying fish, or he may have been carrying cocaine, but he had not been sentenced to death Petro said during a summit between Latin American and European Union leaders hosted by Colombia on Sunday. There was no need to murder him.

The Trump administration has accused Petro of being soft on traffickers, and has criticized the Colombian presidents decision to spare Colombian rebel leaders involved in the drug trade form extradition to the United States.

The Trump administration has accused Petro of being soft on traffickers, and has criticized the Colombian presidents decision to spare Colombian rebel leaders involved in the drug trade form extradition to the United States.

In October, the administration placed financial sanctions on Petro and members of his family, over accusations of involvement in the global drug trade.

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Petro has allowed drug cartels to flourish and refused to stop this activity, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement after the sanctions were issued Oct 24. President Trump is taking strong action to protect our nation and make clear that we will not tolerate the trafficking of drugs into our nation.

The heightened tensions between the United States and Colombia are taking place as the U.S. ramps up its naval presence in the southern Caribbean, with eight warships, a submarine, fighter jets and marines deployed to the region. An aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald Ford, is also expected to arrive in the Caribbean this month.

Venezuelas government has described the naval buildup as a threat to its sovereignty, with officials in that nation saying that the U.S. military is preparing to launch strikes against the embattled government of Nicolas Maduro.

Venezuelas government has described the naval buildup as a threat to its sovereignty, with officials in that nation saying that the U.S. military is preparing to launch strikes against the embattled government of Nicolas Maduro.

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The Trump administration has said its deployment is aimed at curbing drug traffickers, though Trump has also hinted there could be strikes on target within Venezuela, whose leader has been described by officials in Washington as the head of a drug cartel.

Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez announced Tuesday that military personnel, members of a civilian militia, police officers and ruling-party organizers would be mobilized for a training exercise to protect the countrys airspace. He delivered his remarks, broadcast on state television, standing by a surface-to-air missile system in a military base in the capital, Caracas, but no training activities could be seen elsewhere in the city.

Global Updates

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gorodenkoff/Getty Stock image of police tape

NEED TO KNOW

A 31-year-old man from California has been convicted of first-degree murder after shooting his neighbor 17 times in a dispute about smoking

Sidney Bararchie Clarke shot 21-year-old Logan Kahmar on Aug. 30, 2023, at the Raintree Apartments in Brea, Orange County

Clarke told investigators that he had been having issues with Kahmar before the incident, according to prosecutors, per mynewsla.com, adding that they had a "verbal confrontation"

A man has reportedly been found guilty of first-degree murder after shooting his neighbor multiple times in a disagreement about smoking.

On Wednesday, Nov. 12, Sidney Bararchie Clarke, 31, of Brea, Orange County, was convicted of first-degree murder after shooting his 21-year-old neighbor, Logan Kahmar, according to The Orange County Register, Mynewsla.com, and Patch.

On Aug. 30, 2023, Kahmar was found dead with 17 gunshot wounds after authorities were called to his apartment complex, the Raintree Apartments in Brea, the outlets note.

On August 30, 2023, at approximately 7:29 pm, Brea Police Department Dispatch began receiving numerous calls of gunshots being fired inside an apartment complex located at 650 N Tamarack Ave, Brea, a police release read at the time. Brea officers arrived within two minutes and located a male who was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was determined to be deceased.

Prosecutors also told the court that the victims infant daughter was found by herself in the apartment, per The Orange County Register.

PEOPLE has contacted the Brea Police Department for comment, but didn't immediately receive a response.

Getty Stock image of police car lights

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

Clarke, who lived above the victim in the apartment complex, told authorities he had been having problems with his neighbor, claiming Kahmar had been drinking, yelling racial epithets, and being a nuisance in the community, per Patch.

He also had issues with Kahmars smoking and the pair had a "verbal confrontation" just before the shooting.

The day after the incident, Clarke was found by authorities in his jeep, which was parked by a coffee shop in L.A, The Orange County Register reported, adding that he was carrying a gun in his backpack at the time.

Getty Stock image of police car lights

We would like to thank the Orange County District Attorneys Office for their partnership throughout this investigation, and for their filing of appropriate charges, the Brea Police Department wrote at the time of Clarke being charged. We would also like to thank Los Angeles County Sheriff Department for their assistance with apprehending Clarke. Finally, we extend our deepest condolences to Mr. Kahmars family and loved ones for their sudden and unexpected loss.



Read the original article on People
A chemical spill injured dozens of people, some seriously, and forced hundreds to evacuate from a western Oklahoma city on Wednesday night, according to local officials. Evacuation orders were lifted Thursday morning.

The incident occurred around 10 p.m. local time in Weatherford, Oklahoma, where an 8,500-gallon tanker truck began leaking toxic ammonia, Weatherford Police Chief Angelo Orefice told CBS News on Thursday morning. Responding crews stopped the leak, he said, and the airborne chemical had dissipated to a level deemed safe for people to return.

The leaking truck was parked in the lot outside of a Holiday Inn Express hotel, said Weatherford Emergency Manager Mike Karlin at a news conference streamed by CBS affiliate KWTV. When first responders arrived at the scene, they found people in respiratory distress and exiting the hotel, according to the emergency manager.

"As the event unfolded, we had a large plume of anhydrous ammonia gas spread over a pretty large area," Karlin said, estimating that between 500 or 600 people were displaced and staying in makeshift shelters, after being evacuated from the hotel as well as their personal residences. Orefice said the number of evacuees was slightly lower, between 300 and 500, although he acknowledged that the situation at that time remained in flux.

A tanker truck that leaked a chemical is seen in front of the Holiday Inn Express in Weatherford, Okla. on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. / Credit: Alonzo Adams / AP

Sandra Payne, a spokesperson for SSM Health, which oversees Weatherford Regional Hospital, told CBS News in an email Thursday night that three dozen patients were initially admitted to Weatherford Regional late Wednesday night to receive treatment for chemical exposure.

Most were treated and released, Payne said, but 10 of those were sent to Oklahoma City for further care. As of Thursday night, seven of those 10 patients were being treated at SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City. There was no word on their conditions.

An additional 30 patients were also treated at Weatherford Regional on Thursday, Payne said, and all 30 have been released.

Officials had earlier stated that approximately 14 officers were exposed to anhydrous ammonia, with five sustaining chemical burns to their airways. Many first responders were treated and released at the scene.

As of Thursday evening, no fatalities had been reported.

The National Transportation Safety Board stated Thursday night in a social media post that it is investigating the incident.

Southwest Oklahoma State University, where some evacuees were staying, announced that in-person classes would be canceled Thursday because of the ammonia leak.

"First responders on scene have recommended that all students in SWOSU on-campus housing shelter in place due to the fumes. Students in residence halls should remain indoors, keep windows and doors closed," the university said in a statement. Weatherford Public Schools announced closures throughout the district as well.

A public safety notice issued by the Weatherford Police Department on Thursday morning asked businesses to remain closed and residents of certain neighborhoods to shelter in place until further notice.

Ammonia is a clear, foul-smelling gas or liquid that occurs naturally but is also commonly used in fertilizers and pharmaceutical products, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Exposure to normal amounts of ammonia do not harm humans, although higher levels can hurt the eyes, skin, throat and lungs, potentially causing coughing and burns, the health agency says.

Comey and James ask judge to drop charges filed by Lindsey Halligan

Jack Schlossberg, John F. Kennedy's grandson, announces bid for Congress

Judge weighing Lindsey Halligan's DOJ appointment as she prosecutes Comey and James
MEGA

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The art gallery Princess Eugenie works at is accused of breaching Russian sanctions.

Keep reading for the details

MORE: Follow Wonderwall on MSN for more top news

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According to The Times, the Hauser and Wirth gallery in London, where Princess Eugenie has served as associate director since 2015, is being accused of supplying luxury goods to a "person connected with Russia" between April and December 2022. The report alleged that they sold the painting "Escape from Humanity" by American artist George Condo to Alexander Popov.

James Whatling / MEGA

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A spokesperson for the Hauser and Wirth gallery said in a statement, "Our U.K. gallery has been charged with one instance of making an item of artwork available to a non-sanctioned person connected with Russia. We are fully committed to complying with all our legal obligations, including sanctions. As the case is ongoing, we are unable to comment further other than to say we strongly contest this charge and intend to plead not guilty."

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Since April 2022, the Department for International Trade has imposed a ban on the export of items to Russia valued over $330. Princess Eugenie was reportedly not involved in the sale and does not sit on the gallery's London board. Alexander Popov is not under the British government's sanction, and there is no suggestion that he is accused of wrongdoing.

ZTA/ZOB/Z. Tomaszewski/WENN/Newscom/The Mega Agency

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Princess Eugenie has enough drama in her life after her father, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, and her mother, Sarah Ferguson, were stripped of their royal titles and evicted from Royal Lodge over their connection to Jeffrey Epstein.

ZWAA/Mandatory Credit: Will Alexander/WENN/Newscom/The Mega Agency

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While Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice will keep their titles, the scandal involving Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson has yet to die down. "The Yorks are an extremely close-knit family. The disgrace of Sarah Ferguson has followed that of Prince Andrew, who has become an international pariah," royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams said. "Princess Beatrice andPrincess Eugenie will find their parents' predicament devastating."
FILE PHOTO: A fragment of a staircase outside the headquarters of Lukoil, one of Russia's major oil companies, reflects a plaque bearing the company name in Moscow, Russia, October 23, 2025. REUTERS/Ramil Sitdikov/File Photo

By Dmitry Zhdannikov

LONDON (Reuters) -U.S. private equity giant Carlyle is exploring options to buy Russian oil major Lukoil's foreign assets, three sources familiar with the situation said.

The U.S. has hit Lukoil with sanctions as part of its effort to bring the Kremlin to peace talks over Ukraine, and has blocked Lukoil's attempt to sell assets to Swiss-based trader Gunvor ahead of the November 21 sanctions deadline.

Lukoil extracts about 2% of global oil output at home and abroad, and has said it is seeking buyers for its international assets, which produce over 0.5% of global oil and are estimated to be worth about $22 billion, based on 2024 filings.

Carlyle is in the early stages of exploring a purchase of the assets, one of the sources said.

It is looking at applying for a U.S. licence allowing it to buy the assets and then beginning due diligence, the source said, adding that it could still decide to walk away.

Carlyle has made Lukoil aware of its intentions, a second source said.

Carlyle declined to comment. Lukoil did not respond to a request for comment.

For decades, Lukoil has been Russia's most active oil major abroad, helping Moscow project soft economic power overseas.

Lukoil has three refineries in Europe, stakes in oilfields in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Iraq and Mexico, Ghana, Egypt and Nigeria, and hundreds of retail fuel stations around the world, including in the United States.

The sanctions have also already disrupted Lukoil's operations in Iraq, Finland and Bulgaria.

Carlyle, one of the world's biggest private equity, alternative asset management and financial services firms, has $474 billion of assets under management.

(Reporting by Dmitry ZhdannikovEditing by Mark Potter)
Boualem Sansal, 81, was immediately taken to hospital on arrival in Germany [Getty Images]

Almost a year to the day since French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal was arrested on arrival at Algiers airport, the Algerian president has pardoned him and allowed him to leave the country.

Sansal, 81, has been at the centre of a bitter diplomatic row between Paris and Algiers and President Abdelmadjid Tebboune's decision came in response to a direct approach from German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

The writer arrived in Germany on a military plane on Wednesday evening and was taken to hospital.

French President Emmanuel Macron, who spoke to Sansal by phone, said France had used respect and calm to bring about his freedom.

"I thank President Tebboune for this act of humanity," said Macron.

Although Paris had for months sought to lower tensions with Algeria, it was the German president's role that secured Sansal's release because of his good relations with Algeria's leader.

French ambassador Stephane Romatet, who was recalled from Algiers earlier this year for consultations because of the row, told French radio on Thursday that the crisis in relations was so deep that "from the start we knew a happy outcome... would go through a trusted third party and the German solution quickly came forward".

Steinmeier said this week he had asked President Tebboune to pardon Sansal, "given his advanced age and fragile health", so the writer could receive medical treatment in Germany.

Tebboune said on Wednesday he had decided to respond favourably to Steinmeier's request "because of its nature and humanitarian motives".

Sansal is being treated for prostate cancer.

He was given a five-year jail sentence in July for undermining national unity with remarks that questioned Algeria's borders.

The novelist has long been a critic of Algeria's government, which had not responded favourably to France's appeal for clemency.

Relations had already been on the slide after President Macron announced France was recognising Moroccan sovereignty of Western Sahara and backed a plan for limited autonomy for the disputed territory.

Algeria backs the pro-independence Polisario Front in Western Sahara and is seen as its main ally.

The spat worsened in April when Algeria expressed outrage after one of its consular staff in France was arrested over the kidnapping of a government critic in Paris.

The crisis between the two countries was seen as unprecedented in more than 60 years since Algeria secured independence from France in 1962.

Some French commentators and political figures blamed what was seen as a confrontational stance to Algeria taken by right-wing former Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau and others on the right of French politics.

Algerian minister Sofiane Chaib also blamed Retailleau earlier this year for the "fabricated spat".

Then at the end of last month a motion by France's National Rally was narrowly passed by MPs opposing a 1968 Franco-Algerian migration accord that granted residency rights to Algerians.

Although the move was seen as a potential setback, the decision to replace Retailleau with Laurent Nunez as interior minister appeared to signal a new mood.

"He has completely changed the way relations with [Algeria] are handled", ex-diplomat Jean-Christophe Ruffin told French radio.

Retailleau responded to Sansal's release on Wednesday speaking of "immense relief and great joy".

Tensions between the two countries remain, though, after French sportswriter Christophe Gleizes was jailed for seven years in July for allegedly trying to interview a member of a movement designed by Algeria as a terrorist group.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot praised diplomats for their work in securing Sansal's release, and said they remained focused on Gleizes, "whose imminent release we are hoping for".
U.S. House Representative Jared Golden's Office / Wikimedia Commons /Public Domain / Cropped from Original

(The Center Square)  Democratic U.S. Maine Rep. Jared Golden is defending his decision to join House Republicans in voting to reopen the government, but urging both sides to negotiate a plan to extend Obamacare tax credits.

The House of Representatives voted 222-209 Wednesday to approve a bipartisan bill that reinstates federal employees fired during the 42-day shutdown and gives them back pay. It also provides full-year funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and WIC, its program for women, infants and children; veterans programs and military construction.

Republican President Donald Trump signed the bill into law Wednesday night.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, praised the bill's passage and criticized Democrats for an "utterly pointless and foolish" attempt to block the measure by demanding an extension of the credits. "We are going to get the government running again and working for the people as they deserve," he said Wednesday night.

The bill passed with support from several House Democrats, including Golden, who said he wanted "pay federal workers, and get food assistance and other critical programs up and running again."

"Now, with the shutdown ended, Congress should take immediate action to extend expiring ACA premium tax credits that keep health insurance plans affordable for millions of Americans," he said in a statement. "We still have a window to pass bipartisan legislation to extend these credits."

Golden, a four-term Democrat who represents Maine's right-leaning 2nd Congressional District, announced last week that he won't be seeking reelection next year. His support for the stopgap spending plan splits with Maine's other House Democrat, Rep. Chellie Pingree, who voted against it.

"A deal that lets Affordable Care Act credits expire fails the millions of families counting on us to keep their health care affordable," Pingree said in a statement. "Republicans have spent years trying to dismantle the ACA, and pretending Mike Johnson will allow a vote on a clean ACA bill in the House is a fantasy."

Other members of the state's congressional delegation, Sens. Susan Collins, a Republican, and Angus King, an Independent, backed the deal with Republican leaders in their chamber and voted in favor of it during Mondays Senate vote.

"If a tactic isnt working, you switch your approach  especially when millions of Americans are hurting," King said in a statement. "This agreement would keep SNAP benefits flowing & ensure workers get paid, all while providing an opportunity to protect ACA tax credits."

To be sure, Maine's congressional delegation wasn't the only one divided over the vote to reopen the government.

In neighboring New Hampshire, Reps. Chris Pappas and Maggie Goodlander voted against it, while the states two senators  Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan  helped negotiate the bipartisan plan to end the shutdown.
President Donald Trump salutes during the 2025 U.S. Military Academy commencement ceremony at Michie Stadium in West Point, N.Y., May 24, 2025. Photo: Daniel Torok / Official White House Photo via Flickr / United States Government Work

(The Center Square)  An Illinois congressman is pushing to expand testing options at U.S. service academies, a move experts say could revive academic rigor and expand access for classical students.

U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, R-Illinois, introduced legislation that would require the nations military academies, including West Point, the Naval Academy, and the Air Force Academy, to accept the Classic Learning Test (CLT) as an alternative to the ACT and SAT.

Americas service academies should represent the highest ideals of our nation  courage, integrity, and intellect. The Classic Learning Test upholds those same ideals, said Miller in a news release. Requiring our military academies to accept the CLT will help cultivate a new generation of leaders who are not only exceptionally capable but deeply grounded in the principles that make America strong.

Jonathan Butcher, the Will Skillman senior research fellow in education policy at the Heritage Foundation, said the move could mark a significant shift toward higher academic standards in admissions.

The CLT adds an important new option for families in addition to the SAT and ACT, he said. It places greater emphasis on logic and geometry, which sets it apart from traditional tests, and its reading sections use more rigorous excerpts than those found on the SAT or ACT.

The CLT, founded in 2015, focuses on classic Western texts and promotes critical thinking and moral reasoning. While 200300 colleges accept it, military academies still require the ACT or SAT. The new legislation would change that.

Critics have argued that emphasizing classical texts could narrow diversity in applicant pools, but Butcher dismissed that argument as misguided.

I mean, saying its going to limit diversity is absolutely the soft bigotry of low expectations, Butcher said. Just because were trying to have students from ethnically diverse backgrounds, does that mean we shouldnt hold them to high standards? Thats remarkably biased and pompous. The goal should be to challenge students and ensure those who enter higher education are truly prepared. Were not doing them any favors if we make it easy to get in, only for them to be overwhelmed and take on loans theyll pay back for the rest of their lives.

Butcher said requiring military academies to accept the CLT could also attract students with stronger moral and intellectual formation, qualities central to military leadership.

I think there will still be students using other standardized tests, he said. But this opens the door for students with backgrounds that are very different from what traditional schools offer today. Most public schools no longer require Latin or the study of classical texts like Socrates and other early Western writings, said Butcher. I would hope that students from the growing number of classical schools become a larger part of the applicant pool for military academies.

Butcher noted that the CLT promotes critical thinking over rote memorization, potentially moving students away from the test prep culture that rewards short-term strategies rather than genuine intellectual growth.

You know, the test prep culture encourages students to take extra classes for the SAT or ACT, Butcher said. For those who are motivated and work hard, thats a helpful opportunity. But the bigger issue is that many high schools assume every student is headed to college, and thats the wrong assumption.

Butcher stressed that students should be prepared for paths that fit their readiness and goals, and warned that sending them to college unprepared can do more harm than good.
An ICE officer detains a handcuffed man in Los Angeles on June 12, 2025. Photo: Tia Dufour / U.S. Department of Homeland Security / Public Domain

(The Center Square)  Immigration enforcement in North Carolinas largest city could begin this weekend, Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden says.

The second-term Democrat on Thursday said his office has not been asked to assist U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The move to strengthen law enforcement in Charlotte, the nations 14th largest city and seventh largest of the 16-state South as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, is not being welcomed by a number of city leaders.

Multiple published reports say the Border Patrol agents working in and around Chicago are relocating to Charlotte and New Orleans. A social media post from Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for Public Affairs at Homeland Security, said, We arent leaving Chicago.

Concerns in other major American cities where the Trump administration has deployed the National Guard and immigration enforcement criticize deployments in relation to state sovereignty and federal overreach, and escalated tensions when there. Proponents of the deployments say success is in the volume of criminals removed from city streets, restoration of law and order, and safe discovery and return of youth and children caught up in human trafficking.

Social media messaging was released jointly by the group of state Democratic Rep. Jordan Lopez, and state Democratic Sens. Mujtaba Mohammed and Caleb Theodros, all of Mecklenburg County; county Commissioner Susan Rodrguez-McDowell; City Council member Dimple Ajmera; Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board member Liz Monterrey Duvall; and Charlotte City Council member-elect J.D. Mazuera Arias.

They wrote in part, We want to speak directly to our immigrant neighbors: you are not alone and you belong here.

State law enacted Oct. 1 requires lawmen to attempt to determine if any prisoner is a legal resident or citizen of the United States by inquiry of the prisoner, or by examination of any relevant documents, or both if the person is charged with a felony, Class A1 misdemeanor or driving while impaired.

In a statement released by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, it said, CMPD does not participate in ICE operations, nor are we involved in the planning of these federal activities.

The message from state lawmakers, county and city leaders backed that up, saying Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers are not required to ask about immigration status and will only become involved when criminal behavior warrants fall under their jurisdiction.

They said more than 150,000 foreign-born residents live in the city of more than 944,000.

Our message is simple: Mecklenburg County and Charlotte are communities of belonging, the group wrote. We will stand together, look out for one another, and ensure that fear never divides the city we call home.

The Queen City snagged unwanted spotlight attention in early September when police released light rail train camera footage of a stabbing death. Iryna Zarutska was aboard on Aug. 22 and died on a public transit car. Decarlos Brown Jr. has been indicted on federal charges in her death.

Republican U.S. Reps. Rev. Mark Harris, Pat Harrigan and Chuck Edwards have asked first-term Democratic Gov. Josh Stein to activate National Guard troops in Charlotte. The city had one stretch of eight homicides in seven days and drew national attention for an Aug. 22 stabbing death on a light rail train.

Charlottes immigrant community is a proud part of the Queen City, and I will not stand by and watch my constituents be intimidated or harassed," U.S. Rep. Alma Adams, D-N.C., said in a statement Thursday afternoon.

Second-term Republican President Donald Trump has sent the guard to the cities of Washington, Los Angeles and Memphis, with authorizations for Chicago and Portland blocked by judges.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department released a third-quarter safety report showcasing a substantial decline in crime citywide. The report says crime overall is down 8% and violent offenses are down 20%.

The report also says violent crimes in Charlotte from Jan. 1 through Sept. 30 number 4,506. Zarutskas death is one of 62 homicides. Those numbers for the same time period in 2024 were 5,622 and 82, respectively.

Charlotte has had increases in commercial burglaries (1,824, up from 1,751) and larcenies from automobiles (7,716, up from 7,697). The congressmen tell Stein that aggravated assaults involving knives and guns has risen from 86 to 111 this year, and personal strong-arm robberies are up from 26 to 31.
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.

"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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 removed over white supremacy graphic listing MAGA
People walk past the coffin of Eloa Cristina Pimentel, 15, during her wake in Santo Andre, on the outskirts of Sao Paulo, October 20, 2008. Credit - Rodrigo PaivaREUTERS

Eloa the Hostage: Live on TV, a documentary out Nov. 12 on Netflix, delves into a case that gripped Sao Paulo, Brazil, in October 2008, when 22-year-old Lindemberg Alves held 15-year-old Eloa Pimentel hostage in her apartment in Brazil.

Pimentel died on Oct. 18, 2008 after Alves shot her. But her voice appears throughout the film, through newly-shared excerpts from her diary. The documentary also features footage of the crowds that gathered outside Pimentels apartment window in Santo Andre, Sao Paulo, as news reports of her being held hostage spread, and exclusive interviews with her family, a friend, law enforcement officers who worked on the case, and Brazilian journalists who covered the incident.

Heres what to know about why the hostage crisis started and how it escalated.

What led up to Eloas kidnapping

Pimentel had dated Alves, and at one point gushed about him in her diary, writing, I never thought Id love anybody the way I love him.

But subsequent entries reveal that Alves often acted cold and threatening, and constantly argued with her. In her diary, Pimentel prays for strength, writing, Jesus, help me, Im going through a test. I want to give up. Lord, figure this out. Look after me.

A friend interviewed in the documentary says that Pimentel stopped leaving the house because Alves was jealous about her spending time with anyone but him.

The relationship started to become suffocating, says director Cris Ghattas. It started to become a matter of possession instead of love.

Pimentel decided to break up with Alves at some point in 2008. Feeling that if he couldnt have her, then no one else could, Alves took Pimentel hostage on Oct. 13, 2008 in an extreme attempt to prevent her from meeting other people. Lindemberg could not accept the end of his relationship with Eloa, says Ghattas. He felt like she was his property.

Ghattas wanted to incorporate Pimentels diary into the documentary as a way of giving her voice that she didn't have at the time she was taken hostage and to portray her strength, to avoid reducing her to a silenced femicide victim.

How Eloa was rescued

The scene of the hostage crisis became a reality TV spectacle. Sao Paulo residents flocked to the building to see if they could catch a glimpse of Pimentel and Alves, her captor. Journalists were calling the apartment, and Pimentel answered the phone, saying that everything was fine and to tell her mom that she loved her.

Police used Douglas, Eloas younger brother, to talk to Alves. You know Ive been on your side this entire time, Douglas tells Alves, according to a recording of the phone call featured in the doc. Youre going to be fine. Alves can be heard saying he cant come out, that if he comes out, hell have to go to jail.

Five days and 100 hours into the hostage crisisthe longest hostage crisis in Sao PauloAlves wanted a signed document guaranteeing his physical wellbeing in case he surrendered.

A prosecutor showed up, drew up the document, signed it, took it to the side of the building and sent it up with a rope.

In a phone call to police, Alves told them to break into the apartment.

Police placed explosives at the door, which was barricaded by a table and a bookshelf. Inside the apartment, they discovered that Alves had shot Pimentel. She died of her injuries on Oct. 18, 2008, about a day after she was rescued.

Whether the police could have done more to save Eloa

Ghattas says that law enforcement tried to negotiate for too long before barging in on the apartment. In fact, shortly after the hostage crisis became known, a sniper camped out in the building across from the apartment where Pimentel was held captive, but he was never given the authorization to fire.

Ghattas argues that police did not believe Alves would turn violent, that he was just a scorned lover who would come around. In reality, he kidnapped her because he decided to kill her," Ghattas says.

They bet on the negotiation tactic, and during the time, they started realizing that it wouldn't be enoughand they lost control, says Ghattas. I believe Eloas life could have been saved if, from the very beginning, there had been a clearer understanding that this was not a negotiation between two young people in love, but rather, a case of gender-based violence and imminent femicide.

While this case occurred in Brazil, Ghattas says theres a lesson that will resonate with audiences worldwide: I would like the audience to understand that responsibility is collective: from a society that often downplays signs of abuse, from media coverage that turned the episode into a spectaclefor the sake of ratingsand from institutional failures that contributed to the tragic outcome. Revisiting this tragedy is a way to reflect on who we are and how we can act more consciously.

Write to Olivia B. Waxman at olivia.waxman@time.com.
Spencer Platt - Getty Images

Thanksgiving hosts should buy their turkey ahead of time to allow for enough prep.

A fresh turkey can be purchased a few days before you plan to serve it, as long as you have time to brine and season the bird properly.

A frozen turkey should be purchased at least a week in advance, because thawing can take several days.



Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away, which means it's officially time to start strategizing. There are some big decisions you have to make. How will you cook the turkey? Will you be making your stuffing with cornbread or sourdough? And, most importantly, when exactly is the best time to buy a turkey for Thanksgiving?

Even if you host a potluck and delegate certain dishes, refrigerator space is a hot commodity during the holidays. Once you factor in appetizers, sides, cocktails, and desserts, you're left with a lot of ingredients that need chilling. And no item is more guilty of taking up space than the star of the meal: the turkey. The strain on your kitchen storage is even greater if you're hosting a large gathering that calls for cooking several birds.

We love stocking up early to avoid the pre-holiday rush. But do we love the idea of a giant turkey holding our fridge hostage for a week? Certainly not. Its smart to hold off on buying the birdwithin reason.

So, how late can you wait to buy a turkey before Thanksgiving? You definitely don't want to buy your turkey on Thanksgiving morning, but your turkey-buying timeline can vary based on a few factors. The most important consideration is whether you're using fresh or frozen. Here's what you need to know about when to buy your Thanksgiving turkey so you have one fewer thing to stress about this holiday season.

Fresh Turkey

PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Buying a fresh turkey is a fairly straightforward process. Since there's no defrosting required, you can start working with the turkey as soon as you bring it home from the store. The only factor you need to consider is the prep time for your preferred turkey recipe.

Most Thanksgiving turkey recipes call for a brine. Unlike simply salting before the oven, brining allows the salt to permeate the entire turkey over a prolonged period. That means you should buy your fresh turkey at least a day or two before the holiday to allow for ample prep. If youre submerging your bird in a traditional wet brine, you should allocate at least 24 hours for the salt to season the meat. However, if you're dry-brining, our recipe requires two full days of seasoning before cooking the turkey in the oven.

Frozen Turkey

PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: SIMON ANDREWS

The benefits of a frozen turkey include its extended shelf life and price. (Butterball says you can store an unopened turkey in the freezer for up to two years!). This makes it a great choice for cooks who like to plan their Thanksgiving far in advance. Its also generally more cost-effective to buy a frozen turkey over a fresh one. But theres a catch: thawing a turkey takes time, and it takes much longer for a frozen turkey to be ready for cooking. Thawing a whole bird takes time.

The recommended, food-safe thawing method is to keep it in the refrigerator and allow it to defrost gently. Allow 24 hours per 4 pounds of frozen turkey. If youre making a behemoth 20-pound bird, you'll need five days just for thawing alone. Once you factor in the extra brining time, it means you should buy a turkey at least a week in advance.

If youre planning to buy a frozen turkey, grab your wallet and head to the grocery store ASAP. However, for those willing to spend a little extra for a fresh turkey, you can wait until Tuesday or Wednesday before Thanksgiving to buy your birdjust be sure to leave enough time for your chosen brine.

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Nearly 4 in 10 members of the U.S. House of Representatives did not take their pay during the government shutdown, according to an ABC News survey of congressional offices.

That group included the leaders of both parties in the House, Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., whose offices confirmed to ABC News that they asked for the pay to be withheld for the duration of the shutdown.

"I made clear to my constituents that my check will be withheld," Jeffries said on CNN recently.

Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries speaks to reporters on day 37 of the federal government shutdown at the US Capitol in Washington, November 6, 2025.

Unlike their staffers and federal workers, members of Congress and delegates are guaranteed pay by the Constitution during a government shutdown.

The House was set to vote on reopening the government Wednesday, which could lead to the government reopening later this week.

Overall, 242 House offices -- more than half of the chamber -- did not respond to questions from ABC News about how the representatives are handling their salaries during the shutdown.

Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: Speaker of the House Mike Johnson speaks to the media during a ceremonial swearing-in of Representative Adelita Grijalva at the Capitol, Nov. 12, 2025.

Of the members of Congress that ABC News was able to reach, the offices of six members  all Democrats  confirmed they have taken their paychecks during the shutdown: Reps. Andre Carson of Indiana, Danny Davis of Illinois, Eric Sorensen of Illinois, Nikema Williams of Georgia, Brittany Pettersen of Colorado, and Adam Gray of California.

"Like most people, Rep. Pettersen cannot forgo a paycheck. She believes it's completely unacceptable federal workers are ever put in this position, as they provide critical services we depend on and are an essential part of our community and economy," a spokesperson for Pettersen told ABC News.

And Gray told ABC station KFSN-TV, No, I don't believe in silly political gestures. The law is that Congress gets paid. It's in the Constitution

Jemal Countess/Getty Images - PHOTO: Rep. Brittany Pettersen speaks during the the Mother's Day Press Conference calling for action on Care and Reproductive rights, May 8, 2024, in Washington, D.C.

Which members of the Senate are taking paychecks during the shutdown?

ABC News will continue to update its data as offices respond to questions about member pay.

Overall, 170 members of Congress announced their decision to forego pay in solidarity with federal workers during the shutdown, while accusing the other political party of sparking the funding fight at the end of September.

"I won't receive a paycheck during this shutdown. Congress shouldn't get paid while American workers, like our men and women in uniform, do without," Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-South Dakota, posted on X during the impasse.

"No member of Congress should get a paycheck while this continues -- and that's why I'm refusing mine," Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Michigan, posted on X during the shutdown.

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images - PHOTO: Rep. Dusty Johnson listens as Speaker of the House Mike Johnson speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill, Oct. 7, 2025.

Government shutdown timeline: How senators went from 40-day impasse to sudden deal

Fourteen lawmakers -- five Republicans and nine Democrats -- are donating their salaries, or planning to donate their salaries when the shutdown is over, to various organizations in their communities, including food banks and nonprofits.

Republican Reps. Cory Mills of Florida, Glen Grothman of Wisconsin, Buddy Carter of Georgia, Kevin Hern of Oklahoma, and Jefferson Shreve of Indiana are either donating their salaries, not taking their salaries and donating, or planning to donate their salaries at the end of the shutdown.

The nine Democratic lawmakers taking and donating their salaries are: Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota, Jim Himes of Connecticut, Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois, Scott Peters of California, George Whitesides of California, Bill Foster of Illinois, Sara Jacobs of California, Shri Thanedar of Michigan, and Yassamin Ansari of Arizona.

Craig and Peters have both introduced legislation to prevent lawmakers from being paid during a government shutdown.

Kylie Cooper/Reuters - PHOTO: Rep. Angie Craig speaks during a press conference to discuss how the ongoing government shutdown is affecting SNAP food aid benefits and healthcare, on Capitol Hill, Oct. 28, 2025.

Democratic Rep. Grijalva sworn in after 7 weeks, becomes key signature on Epstein files petition

Of the six nonvoting delegates in the House of Representatives, Del. Amata Radewagen, R-American Samoa, planned to request the delay of her pay, while Pablo Jose Hernandez, the nonvoting Democratic representative of Puerto Rico in Congress, announced he would withhold his pay on Oct. 1. (The other four offices did not respond to questions from ABC News).

Max Stier, the president and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service, said what members decide to do with their paychecks "is not solving the real problems" of the government shutdown.

"They should do their jobs and keep the government open," he told ABC News, adding that lawmakers "shouldn't allow their failure to do their jobs create this collateral damage" of forcing hundreds of thousands of government workers to stay home or work without pay for five weeks.

"The important lesson is to learn the right lessons from what just happened," Stier said, calling on Congress to pass new legislation to prevent future government shutdowns, or ensure that federal workers get paid in real time should another shutdown occur.

ABC News' Emily Chang and Brittany Shepherd, and KFSN-TV's Gabe Ferris contributed to this report.
Nectophrynoides luhomeroensis is one of the three newly identified toad species. - John Lyakurwa

Scientists have newly described three extraordinary species of tree toad that leapfrog over the egg-to-tadpole stage. The females give birth on land to dozens of toadlets, each measuring just a few millimeters long.

Live birth, or skipping the egg-laying and larva stage, is extremely rare in amphibians. Among nearly 8,000 species of frogs and toads, fewer than 1% are viviparous, or bear live young. This strategy may have evolved as an adaptation in habitats lacking easy access to water where frogs and toads typically lay their eggs, the study authors reported.

Describing these new species that give birth to live young is fascinating and helps us understand the evolutionary flexibility of amphibians, one of the most diverse and ecologically sensitive groups of vertebrates, said Dr. Diego Jose Santana, curator of amphibians and a conservation ecologist at Chicagos Field Museum of Natural History. He was not involved in the new research.

The three varieties of tree toad from Tanzania were previously classified as one species: Nectophrynoides viviparus. However, when scientists analyzed the physical traits and genetic data of hundreds of museum specimens, along with vocal recordings of toads in their habitats, they determined that the three types of toad were separate species in the Nectophrynoides genus.

These newly described species provide researchers with a clearer picture of the diversity in tree toads that bear live young and could help to conserve them. Some wild populations in several Nectophrynoides species are declining, and species with smaller ranges are especially vulnerable to disruptions from deforestation and the climate crisis, according to the study.

Further surveys are needed to fully understand the distribution, ecology, and possible population trends in these areas to inform future conservation strategies, the authors wrote.

Voices, toes and glands of tree toads

Coloration and patterning are highly variable in the previously unknown species Nectophrynoides uhehe. - Michele Menegon

Toads that reproduce in water lay an impressive number of eggs  in some cases about 20,000 in a single clutch.

They can do that every couple of weeks, said Dr. Mark D. Scherz, senior author of the study published November 6 in the journal Vertebrate Zoology.

They lay those eggs and they develop into teeny, tiny tadpoles, of which only a fraction ever make it out of the pond, Scherz, curator of herpetology at the Natural History Museum of Denmark and an associate professor of vertebrate zoology at the University of Copenhagen, told CNN.

Live birth, in which the eggs are fertilized internally, by comparison, yields toad broods that are significantly smaller: around 40 to 60 toadlets. The maximum weve ever recorded was, I believe, over 160 fully developed toadlets inside one individual, he added.

Its the larger and more developed young that may have an advantage when they enter the world, whether hatched from eggs or born alive, Scherz noted.

In 1905, German herpetologist Gustav Tornier found and described the first viviparous toad species, N. viviparus, in Tanzania. They measure no more than 1.5 inches (37 millimeters) long, have slender fingers with rounded discs at the tips, and glandular masses (sometimes referred to as warts) on their limbs. The toads come in a variety of hues, including white, pale gray, buttery yellow, caramel brown, earthy red or black.

Scientists have since identified more than a dozen Nectophrynoides species that bear live young. N. viviparus is the most widespread species in the genus and the only one found in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania as well as the countrys Eastern Arc Mountains, where all other Nectophrynoides species live.

But when animal populations are divided by great distances or geographic barriers  which is the case in many of the forest habitats where Nectophrynoides toads live  new species can emerge. Scientists previously found genetic variations between Tanzanian N. viviparus populations in the Southern Highlands and Eastern Arc Mountains. By 2016, researchers suggested that the population of N. viviparus toads outside of the Southern Highlands could, in fact, include different species.

For the new study, the scientists reviewed 257 specimens  some more than 100 years old  from five museum collections in Europe, examining toads physical traits and extracting genetic data. The research team also listened to recordings of the toads calls, which can vary between species in audio frequency, duration, and the number and timing of acoustic pulses. (One tool for identifying such vocalizations, developed by another team of scientists in 2021, is called the repeat intervalbased bioacoustic identification tool, or RIBBIT.)

Based on the toads vocalizations, their DNA, and subtle variations in body sizes and shapes of their toes and leg bumps, researchers identified three previously unknown Nectophrynoides species, naming them N. luhomeroensis, N. uhehe and N. saliensis. Some of the female specimens contained large yolky eggs that would nourish their young internally, the study authors wrote. Partially developed embryos inside other females confirmed that these species bore living toadlets.

In addition to separating the outliers that were formerly classified as N. viviparus, the researchers also revisited the oldest N. viviparus specimens to confirm their identity and clarify what defines the species.

Theres no question that this is now correctly assigned, Scherz said. Its really a game changer.

With nearly all the data coming from museum specimens, this work underscores the importance of continued investment in taxonomy and natural history collections, Santana told CNN in an email. Working at the Field Museum, which holds specimens from all over the world, Im constantly reminded that many new species are still waiting to be recognized.

Tree toads family tree is a work in progress

Nectophrynoides viviparus is found in a range of habitats in Tanzania. - Michele Menegon

More work needs to be done untangling questionable specimens from existing species of Nectophrynoides, according to Scherz.

Identifying the three species that are new to science is a small part of the big puzzle of this genus, he said. For example, the species N. tornieri, described in 1906, is now known to be a species complex, a group containing individuals that are genetically very similar but potentially different enough to be considered separate species.

But Tanzanian tree toads face more pressing concerns than which goes where in the Nectophrynoides family tree. Their forest homes are increasingly threatened by human activities, political instability and the climate crisis. One species  N. asperginis, or the Kihansi spray toad  is already extinct in the wild. N. poyntoni, or Poyntons forest toad, though not considered extinct, has not been spotted in the wild since 2003 when the species was discovered.

Whats more, the toads habitats have yet to be thoroughly explored, and scientists can only guess at how many unknown species in the region may exist, Scherz said.

Even if you go to these places a few times, often youll come back later, maybe with a different team, and you find things that youve never seen before, he said. Our picture of the distribution of these species is far from complete.

Correction: A previous version of this article misstated the number of known frog species and the role of senior study author Dr. Mark D. Scherz.

Mindy Weisberger is a science writer and media producer whose work has appeared in Live Science, Scientific American and How It Works magazine. She is the author of Rise of the Zombie Bugs: The Surprising Science of Parasitic Mind-Control (Hopkins Press).

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Skipping Brazils best-known spots doesnt mean missing out. It means avoiding crowds, inflated prices, and logistical headaches that often come with them. The country is vast and wildly diverse, which can make travel less predictable and more rewarding when approached with care and consideration.

These 15 tips, drawn from expert sources and firsthand experience, will help you explore Brazil more effectively and far from the usual path.

Prioritize One Region Instead of Crossing the Country

Credit: Canva

Traveling across Brazil may sound adventurous, but the endless flights and security lines quickly wear you down. Rio to Manaus is over four hours by plane, and thats a short one. Pick a specific region and spend your time exploring it well rather than rushing between distant highlights.

Choose Efficient Routes: Regional Flights or Ground Transfers

Credit: pexels

Theres no rule that says you need to fly into a capital city. Some of Brazils most rewarding spots are reached by skipping big airports entirely. A drive from Rio to Paraty is preferable to backtracking through Sao Paulo. And in remote zones, local transfers and regional flights shave hours off your route.

Use Digital Tools That Locals Actually Rely On

Credit: Canva

WhatsApp is essential in Brazil. Hotels, drivers, and tour guides respond faster there than by email or phone. Ride apps like 99 or Uber also work better than taxis. Download offline maps as theyre a lifesaver in nature-heavy areas with weak signals.

Book Domestic Flights Several Weeks in Advance

Credit: Getty Images

Airfare in Brazil can jump dramatically closer to departure. Fernando de Noronha and Pantanal flights, in particular, reward early planning. If youre heading there during June through August or over Carnival, set alerts well in advance. The best fares are often snapped up by locals weeks before departure.

Avoid Major Holidays Unless You're Traveling for Them

Credit: Getty Images

If youre not traveling for the festivities, its wise to skip Brazils big holidays. Celebrations like Carnival, Easter, and Republic Day bring the entire country to a standstill, filling buses and hotels no matter where you go. And thats applicable even in places that seem off-grid. Regional events can have the same effect. Double-check local calendars so you dont land somewhere during a surprise three-day weekend.

Use Shoulder Season to Your Advantage

Credit: Canva

April to June and September to November bring lighter crowds, mild weather, and a surprising amount of access. In the Pantanal, this is when jaguar sightings become more common. The northeast stays warm and dry, and youll have an easier time getting permits or guides for popular parks.

Confirm Park and Trail Access by Season

Credit: Getty Images

Some of Brazils top landscapes arent accessible year-round. In Lencois Maranhenses, the freshwater lagoons exist only between June and September. In the Amazon and Pantanal, flooding can restrict trails or river routes. Always check current conditions with operators before finalizing your itinerary.

Use Accommodations With Local Access Knowledge

Credit: iStockphoto

Getting to remote parts of Brazil can mean mixing ferries, buses, and someones cousins truck. Hotels rarely explain this. Smaller pousadas and eco-lodges, though, often help guests with route planning or pickups. Theyre also more likely to know whether the road has turned to mud that week.

Stay in Lodges That Support Conservation Work

Credit: Instagram

Places like the Ibiti Project offer more than a quiet stay. They actively maintain wildlife corridors and reforest native biomes. These areas often have trails, waterfalls, and guides with ecological training. Staying in conservation-focused lodging gives you access to protected spaces that most tourists will never reach.

Base Yourself in Towns With Multiple Transport Options

Credit: Canva

Remote areas arent always hard to reach, especially if you choose the right base. Paraty connects by road to both Rio and Sao Paulo, while Barreirinhas serves as the main access point to Lencois Maranhenses. Choosing towns with multiple exit routes can prevent delays and help you reroute if plans shift.

Have Enough Cash for Local Purchases

Credit: Getty Images

Many small businesses in Brazil still operate on cash, especially outside cities. Markets, beach kiosks, intercity buses, and fuel stops often dont take cards. ATMs may be limited or incompatible with foreign banks. Bring reais for everyday expenses and avoid relying solely on digital payments.

Know That English Is Rare Outside Tourist Zones

Credit: iStockphoto

In smaller towns and most non-hotel services, Portuguese is your only option. Learning common phrases like quanto custa? (how much is it?) or onde e o banheiro? (where is the bathroom?) can smooth out simple interactions. Download an offline Portuguese translation app if you're heading into rural areas.

Adjust Expectations for Internet and Mobile Coverage

Credit: Getty Images

Signal strength drops drastically outside metro areas. Even on coastal islands or inside national parks, you may lose access entirely. Download necessary confirmations, maps, and tickets ahead of time. Many ecolodges or pousadas operate without consistent Wi-Fi or mobile reception.

Explore One-Off Experiences That Dont Require Long Detours

Credit: iStockphoto

You dont have to venture deep into the jungle to find something unforgettable in Brazil. Marta Marinellis itinerary included a visit to a samba school in Rio, where she watched parade prep in progress and learned how the community trains year-round. Activities like these offer cultural depth without needing extra days or flights.
The Florida state flag flies on a clear day. Photo: Karl Callwood / Unsplash

(The Center Square)  Nominees for the office of governor, lieutenant governor, and cabinet officer would receive protective security details under a bill filed this week in the Florida Legislature.

House Bill 401, authored by Rep. Tyler Sirois, R-Merritt Island, specifies the security detail would be provided immediately upon major party nominees winning the primary election. The Department of Law Enforcement would be responsible for providing the protection.

Its unclear how much the bill would cost taxpayers. It stands out among similar legislation being proposed in other states in that it would mandate state-provided protection, while other bills make allowances for candidates to use their campaign funds on security.

A California bill would remove the current $10,000 lifetime cap on campaign spending for security expenses.

In Kentucky, proposed legislation would allow candidates to use campaign funds to pay for reasonable costs of security for themselves, employees, and family members.

Florida taxpayers spent $9.4 million on security for Gov. Ron DeSantis and his family during the 2022-23 fiscal year, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. However, security costs for political figures and candidates vary.

The last decade has had a substantial increase in political candidates spending money on security, according to a report by Vote Mama Foundation, a research and analysis group.

Its 2025 report Campaign Funds for Security found more than a 7,000% increase in security spending from 2014 to 2024 with spikes in 2020 and 2024.

Federal candidates across the U.S. spent over $41 million on security measures over the last decade, according to the report.

How candidates cover those costs depends on the state in which they reside.

Only five states specifically mention security services in their campaign finance statutes, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Those states are California, Louisiana, Minnesota, Colorado and Wisconsin.

In other states, some list security services as an expense candidates can cover with campaign funds.

The Federal Election Commission approved new regulations that went into effect in January that allow candidates to use campaign funds to pay for certain security expenses.

The Conference of State Legislatures noted that heightened security is likely to be a focus in the upcoming legislative session following a year of heightened political violence.

Back in June, Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed in their home. Months later, political activist and Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk was publicly assassinated in September.
CORRECTION: The funding bill would have passed the House if all six Democrats who voted for it had voted against it. An earlier version of this story included incorrect information.

Six House Democrats crossed the aisle Wednesday to vote in favor of a funding measure aimed at ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

The Democrats provided a cushion for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to get the measure across the finish line after two House Republicans  Reps. Thomas Massie (Ky.) and Greg Steube (Fla.)  opposed the bill.

Behind House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Democrats voted overwhelmingly to oppose the spending package, citing the absence of language to address expiring ObamaCare subsidies.

But six Democrats bucked their own leadership to help reopen the government after 43 days: Reps. Jared Golden (Maine), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Wash.), Adam Gray (Calif.), Don Davis (N.C.), Henry Cuellar (Texas) and Tom Suozzi (N.Y.).

Almost all of them are facing tough reelection contests in next years midterms.

The Democrats helped the GOP pass the measure 222-209.

Goldens vote was widely expected. The Maine centrist has carved out a reputation as an independent-minded pragmatist  one whos been willing to vote against the grain of his party when it suits his district. And on previous spending votes, hes said hell never support shutting down the government. Last week, he announced he will not seek reelection next year.

Gluesenkamp Perez was also not a surprise, as she had previously said she cannot in good conscience vote to shut down the government. She wrote on X after the vote that the fight to stop runaway health insurance premiums wont be won by holding hungry Americans hostage.

Americans cant afford for their Representatives to get so caught up in landing a partisan win that they abandon their obligation to come together to solve the urgent problems that our nation faces, she said.

The Cook Political Report rates her seat a toss-up in next years elections.

These Democrats also pointed to the fact that the shutdown has made life harder for their constituents.

The shutdown, which stretched for more than a month, has left thousands of federal workers furloughed and Americans without food assistance.

Cuellar said the stability provided by passing the stopgap measure would be especially important for border communities, where families depend on federal agencies for trade, travel and other matters.

Cuellars district was among those altered by the new House map in Texas, drawn by GOP state lawmakers at Trumps request to pad the Republicans slim majority in the lower chamber. Still, Cuellar says he likes his chances in a region hes represented for more than two decades. The handicappers at Cook say his race is a toss-up.

Likewise, Davis said in a statement that an increasing number of families have shared with him that theyve been suffering daily over the shutdown. Of the six Democrats, he faces the toughest reelection headwinds, after North Carolina Republicans redrew the state map with the singular purpose of picking off his seat. The Cook analysts put his district in the likely Republican column.

Suozzi, one of the leaders of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, said hes been preaching bipartisanship for years. He said he trusts Republicans to act on the Affordable Care Act subsidies before premiums skyrocket at the start of next year.

I am relying on the representations of some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, that they want to get something done to extend the Premium Tax Credits, Suozzi wrote on X.

Suozzi is in a safer seat than some of the other yes votes, though Cook still rates it a competitive lean Democrat race.

Gray said in an October statement that he does not support a shutdown.

Its bad for our nation, dangerous for our security, and devastating for our economy and Valley families. The only way forward is bipartisan compromise  not partisan threats or political games, he wrote at the time.

On the GOP side, Massie was an expected no vote. He has a long history of opposing government funding bills  even those crafted by his party  to protest levels of spending he considers unreasonable.

Steube wrote on X that he opposed the bill because it included a provision that would allow senators to earn a significant amount of money from litigation challenging the seizure of their phone records as part of former special counsel Jack Smiths Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack probe.

There is no reason the House should have been forced to eat this garbage to end the Schumer Shutdown, Steube said.

Johnson said House Republicans would introduce legislation to repeal that provision.

This story was updated at 10:31 a.m. on Nov. 13.

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.
A riot police officer holds a baton while standing in formation during a city deployment. Photo: Adam Bezer / Unsplash

(The Center Square)  The U.S. State Department officially designated four foreign Antifa groups as foreign terrorist organizations, nearly two months after President Donald Trump designated Antifa a domestic terror organization.

The designations pave the way for the State Department to target individuals or groups by cutting off or freezing their access to global financial systems to curb potential attacks.

The designations come after The Center Square asked the president if he would designate the group a foreign terror organization during a roundtable at the White House on Antifa, comprised of independent journalists, to which Trump responded, Lets get it done.

The State Department identified four European-based organizations, which either claimed or have been accused of carrying out a series of violent attacks in a handful of countries.

The groups include German-based Antifa Ost, which the State Department says has been known for wielding hammers in premeditated attacks. The group was designated a terror organization in Hungary in September after a series of attacks in Budapest occurring in February 2023. The group has also been accused of several attacks in Germany between 2018 and 2023.

The second group, The International Revolutionary Front, an Italian-based group, is described as a coalition of violent anarchists, which has claimed responsibility for a shooting and injured several people after the group sent a series of bombs to political leaders, embassies, and civilians. The State Department stated that, despite the group operating out of Italy, it has proclaimed affiliates in Europe, South America and Asia.

The third group, a Greek-based organization, the Armed Proletarian Justice group, is described as anarchists who have waged armed conflict against police officers and state infrastructure. State said in a failed attack, the group planted a homemade dynamite bomb near a riot police headquarters in 2023.

The final group, also a Greek-based anarchist organization, known as the Revolutionary Class Self Defense, claimed responsibility for an attack on the Greek Ministry of Labor in 2024 and recently targeted major railway offices in April. The State Department says that the group used improvised explosive devices in those attacks.

Today, building on [President Donald Trumps] historic commitment to uproot Antifas campaign of political violence, the Department of State is designating four Antifa groups as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specifically Designated Global Terrorists. The United States will continue using all available tools to protect our nation from these anti-American, anti-capitalist, and anti-Christian terrorist groups, Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted on X.

The State Department indicated that there could be more organizations designated as the Trump administration continues to identify and disrupt Antifas terror networks across the world.

The foreign designations are essential in denying them access to the U.S. financial system and resources, which can aid in attacks.

All property and property interests of designated individuals or groups that are in the United State or that are in possession or control of a U.S. person are blocked, according to a fact sheet from the State Department. U.S. persons are generally prohibited from conducting business with sanctioned persons. It is also a crime to knowingly provide material support or resources to those designated, or to attempt or conspire to do so.

The latest designation comes less than two months after The Center Square asked the president in the Oval Office if he would designate the leftist group a domestic terror organization, which he agreed to do. A week later, the group was officially designated a domestic terror organization.%20Trump%20appeared%20to%20be%20under%20the%20impression%20that%20it%20was%20already%20an%20FTO.%20%E2%80%9CHas%20that%20not%20be%20done?%20Pretty%20close,%20right?%E2%80%9D%20the%20president%20replied.%20Trump%20then%20asked%20the%20assembled%20group%20of%20journalists%20and%20cabinet%20members,%20including%20Secretary%20of%20State%20Marco%20Rubio,%20Attorney%20General%20Pam%20Bondi,%20Homeland%20Security%20Secretary%20Kristi%20Noem,%20and%20FBI%20Director%20Kash%20Patel,%20if%20they%20would%20like%20to%20see%20it%20done%20and%20if%20it%20would%20help.%20%E2%80%9CI%E2%80%99d%20be%20glad%20to%20do%20it.%20It%E2%80%99s%20the%20kind%20of%20thing%20I%20would%20like%20to%20do,%20if%20you%20all%20agree,%E2%80%9D%20said%20the%20president.%20He%20then%20asked%20if%20everyone%20agreed,%20and%20the%20room%20nodded%20in%20agreement.%20%20%E2%80%9CIf%20you%20agree,%20I%20agree.%20Let%E2%80%99s%20get%20it%20done,%E2%80%9D%20Trump%20responded.%20The%20president%20then%20told%20Rubio%20that%20they%20would%20%E2%80%9Ctake%20care%20of%20it.%E2%80%9D%20Trump%20then%20asked%20Deputy%20Chief%20of%20Staff%20Stephen%20Miller%20to%20chime%20in%20on%20the%20idea,%20which%20he%20expounded%20on%20in%20terms%20of%20the%20group%E2%80%99s%20foreign%20element.%20%E2%80%9CYes,%20it%E2%80%99s%20true.%20There%20are%20extensive%20foreign%20ties,%20and%20I%20that%20would%20be%20a%20very%20valid%20step%20to%20do,%E2%80%9D%20said%20Miller.%20The%20latest%20designation%20comes%20less%20than%20a%20month%20after%20The%20Center%20Square%20asked%20the%20president%20in%20the%20Oval%20Office%20if%20he%20would%20designate%20the%20leftist%20group%20a%20domestic%20terror%20organization,%20which%20he%20agreed%20to%20do.%20A%20week%20later,%20the%20group%20was%20officially%20designated%20a%20domestic%20terror%20organization.%20The%20round%20table%20of%20journalists%20follows%20a%20recent%20rise%20in%20violent%20protests%20in%20cities%20like%20Portland%20and%20Chicago,%20with%20immigration%20and%20customs%20enforcement%20facilities%20being%20targeted%20by%20leftist%20groups,%20including%20Antifa.%20Over%20a%20dozen%20journalists%20spoke%20on%20their%20experiences%20with%20the%20group;%20many%20of%20them%20have%20been%20physically%20assaulted%20and%20nearly%20killed%20in%20some%20cases.%20The%20terror%20group%20has%20been%20especially%20active%20in%20the%20Pacific%20Northwest,%20where%20many%20of%20the%20journalists%20are%20based.).

Attorney General Pam Bondi said the federal government is committed to pursuing violent Antifa members but also their funders, in line with the expansion of designating some of the groups as foreign terror organizations.

"We're not going to stop at just arresting the violent criminals we can see in the streets," Bondi said. "Fighting crime is more than just getting the bad guy off of the street. It's breaking down the organization brick by brick. Just like we did with cartels. We're going to take this same approach, President Trump, with Antifa. Destroy the entire organization from top to bottom."

The designations follow a recent rise in violent protests in cities like Portland and Chicago, with immigration and customs enforcement facilities and agents being targeted by leftist groups, including Antifa. Most recently, the group has been accused of taking part in a violent protest at Berkeley University during a Turning Point USA event. The protests are now under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice.
A person shops for produce, which is covered by the USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), at a grocery store in Baltimore, Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

With the longest U.S. government shutdown over, state officials said Thursday that they are working quickly to get full SNAP food benefits to millions of people who made do with little-to-no assistance for the past couple of weeks.

A back-and-forth series of court rulings and shifting policies from President Donald Trump's administration has led to a patchwork distribution of November benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. While some states already had issued full SNAP benefits, about two-thirds of states had issued only partial benefits or none at all before the government shutdown ended late Wednesday, according to an Associated Press tally.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which runs the program, issued new guidance Thursday, instructing: State agencies must take immediate steps to ensure households receive their full November allotments promptly.

The federal food program serves about 42 million people, about 1 in 8 Americans, in lower-income households. They receive an average of around $190 monthly per person, though that doesn't necessarily cover the full cost of groceries for a regular month.

Because of the uncertainty over benefits, the USDA told states to exclude November from a federal requirement that most adult SNAP recipients work, volunteer or participate in job training for at least 80 hours a month. Under normal circumstances, recipients can only go three months in a span of three years without meeting the work requirements.

States shifting from zero to full speed for benefits

In some states where SNAP recipients had received nothing during November, officials said they are working to load money on to people's electronic benefit cards by Friday, if not sooner.

The Arkansas Department of Human Services said Thursday that full November SNAP benefits are expected to be available at midnight for people to buy groceries.

This has been difficult for our beneficiaries, and we are incredibly appreciative to our partners across the state who helped bridge the gap through food pantries, donation drives, and other assistance efforts, department Secretary Janet Mann said in a statement.

Officials in South Carolina and West Virginia, which also had not issued November benefits, said the full monthly amount should be available by Friday. And Alabama said full SNAP benefits should be issued Thursday.

North Carolina, which issued partial benefits last week, said full monthly SNAP benefits should be loaded on people's electronic cards by Friday. Colorado said it was switching from delivering partial to full SNAP benefits Thursday.

The Illinois Department of Human Services, which previously issued partial November benefits, said Thursday that it is working to restore full SNAP benefits." But it won't happen instantly.

We anticipate that the remaining benefit payments will be made over several days, starting tomorrow, the department said in a statement, and that "all SNAP recipients will receive their full November benefits by November 20th.

Paused SNAP payments stirred stress for some families

The delayed SNAP payments posed another complication for Lee Harris family since his spouse was laid off a few months ago.

Harris, 34, said the North Little Rock, Arkansas, family got help from his temple and received food left by someone who was moving. With that assistance  and the knowledge that other families have greater needs  they skipped stopping by the food pantry they had sometimes used.

They and their three daughters have been able to keep meals fairly close to normal despite missing a SNAP payment this week. But they still have experienced stress and uncertainty.

Not knowing a definite end, Harris said, I dont know how much I need to stretch what I have in our pantry.

Federal legislation funds SNAP for a year

The USDA told states Oct. 24 that it would not fund SNAP benefits for November amid the government shutdown. Many Democratic-led states sued to have the funding restored.

After judges ruled the Trump administration must tap into reserves to fund SNAP, the administration said it would fund up to 65% of its regular allocations. When a judge subsequently ordered full benefits, some states scrambled to quickly load SNAP benefits onto participants' cards during a one-day window before the Supreme Court put that order on hold Friday.

Meanwhile, other states went forward with partial benefits, and still others issued nothing while waiting for further USDA guidance about the situation.

Amid the uncertainty over federal SNAP funding, some states tapped into their own funds to provide direct aid to SNAP recipients or additional money for nonprofit food banks.

The legislation to reopen the U.S. government provides full SNAP benefits not only for November but also for the remainder of the federal fiscal year, which runs through next September. Citing that legislation, the Justice Department on Thursday dropped its request for the Supreme Court to continue blocking a judicial order to pay full SNAP benefits.

___

Associated Press writers Kim Chandler in Montgomery, Alabama; Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina; Andrew DeMillo in Little Rock, Arkansas; John O'Connor in Springfield, Illinois; John Raby in Charleston, West Virginia; and Colleen Slevin in Denver contributed to this report.
The official name of Oklahoma's "death row" - H-Unit - is shown about the entrance at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester in 2025

McALESTER, OK  Gov. Kevin Stitt granted clemency to convicted murderer Tremane Wood minutes before his execution was set to begin at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary on Thursday, Nov. 13.

The execution was set to begin at 10 a.m. The governor announced his decision in a news release at 10:01 a.m.

After a thorough review of the facts and prayerful consideration, I have chosen to accept the Pardon and Parole Boards recommendation to commute Tremane Woods sentence to life without parole, Stitt said in the news release.

This action reflects the same punishment his brother received for their murder of an innocent young man and ensures a severe punishment that keeps a violent offender off the streets forever. In Oklahoma, we will continue to hold accountable those who commit violent crimes, delivering justice, safeguarding our communities, and respecting the rule of law.

"I pray for the family of Ronnie Wipf and for the surviving victim, Arnie; they are models of Christian forgiveness and love.

It was a rare move for the governor. The Pardon and Parole had recommended clemency five other times since executions resumed in Oklahoma four years ago. The governor granted clemency only once before, in 2021, to Julius Jones, who was hours away from being executed.

Tremane Wood is sworn in before speaking to the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board at his clemency hearing Nov. 5.

Wood, 46, had been sentenced to death for a fatal stabbing during a robbery at an Oklahoma City motel on New Year's Day 2002.

The victim, Ronnie Wipf, 19, was from a Montana colony of pacifist Christians known as Hutterites. Wipf was doing harvest work with a crew at farms in Oklahoma and Texas.

At his clemency hearing, Wood admitted to participating in the robbery but blamed his older brother for the death. The brother, Zjaiton Jake Wood, confessed to the killing in 2004. Attorneys for the state, though, maintained the evidence "overwhelmingly" established Tremane Wood actually was the stabber.

Tremane Wood was 22 at the time of the crime.

Previously reported: A clemency board found that Tremane Wood shouldn't be executed. He's still scheduled to die

The governor granted clemency after the victim's mother and robbery survivor Arnold Kleinsasser opposed the execution because of their religious beliefs.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Tremane Wood granted clemency just before Oklahoma execution
A U.S. Border Patrol agent on an ATV responds to reports of crossers in Sunland Park, N.M., on July 17, 2024. Photo: Glenn Fawcett / U.S. Customs and Border Protection via Flickr / United States Government Work

(The Center Square)  The Trump administration is cracking down on Mexican cartel-dug tunnels at the southwest border. The tunnels are built and used to smuggle drugs, weapons, people and other illicit contraband, authorities have found.

Two major finds this year were in the high traffic areas of El Paso, Texas, and San Diego, California, where established cartel operations have controlled the areas for years.

In addition to ongoing border security efforts, the Trump administration is expanding its Persistent Surveillance and Detection System (PDS) to strengthen tunnel detection capabilities along high-risk areas of the southwest border. The PDS is managed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Border Patrol.

On Monday, the Department of Homeland Security released a solicitation for a $100 million contract to expand the PDS as part of its Cross Border Tunnel Threat (CBTT) program.

The PDS is designed to provide continuous detection capabilities in high-risk areas, including finding links to existing infrastructure and locating within a certain degree of accuracy the point where a tunnel crosses the border, DHS explains. Border Patrol agents also use it to forecast the trajectory of a detected tunnel to the suspected entrance on the Mexican or Canadian side of the border, and to estimate the subsurface path to the exit point on the U.S. side of the border, DHS says.

The contract, managed by CBP, would be awarded in the first quarter of fiscal 2026 to expand PDS operations in California and in various southwest border locations with a completion date of Dec. 31, 2026.

Expanding PDS operations will build on investigations already underway stemming from two major finds earlier this year.

In April, CBP San Diego Sector Border Patrol Tunnel Team agents uncovered and disabled a large-scale narcotics smuggling tunnel linking Tijuana, Mexico, to the San Diego area.

The tunnel ran under part of the CBP San Diego Sector Otay Mesa Port of Entry. Although unfinished, it measured nearly 3,000 feet long, 42 inches high, 28 inches wide and ran approximately 50 feet underground at its deepest point, authorities found.

When Border Patrol agents first went inside, they found multiple makeshift barricades, placed haphazardly in an apparent effort to impede agents southbound progress and the eventual identification of the tunnels origin.

They discovered that it extended more than 1,000 feet inside the U.S., was highly sophisticated and equipped with electrical wiring, lighting, ventilation systems, and a track system designed for transporting large quantities of contraband, Border Patrol agents found.

In California, Border Patrols agents estimated the tunnels exit point was near or within a nearby commercial warehouse space. In Mexico, working with Mexican officials they determined its entrance was located inside a residence in the Nueva Tijuana neighborhood. Mexican authorities served a warrant at the location and identified the entrance, which was concealed by tile.

CBP San Diego Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent Jeffrey Stalnaker said it wasnt surprising that foreign terrorist organizations resorted to using underground routes and the Border Patrol agents were in a dangerous situation the further they went into the tunnel.

The Sinaloa Cartel, which has controlled the Mexican region south of San Diego for decades, has long used a tunnel system to reach the San Diego area, authorities have told The Center Square. Since 1993, San Diego Border Patrol agents have found more than 95 tunnels in the area and destroyed them by pouring thousands of gallons of concrete inside.

In January, Border Patrol agents in the CBP El Paso Sector also discovered a man-made tunnel stretching from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, into a public storm drainage system in El Paso.

Border Patrol agents found the tunnel was braced with wood beams throughout, measured six feet tall and four feet wide and was equipped with lighting and a ventilation system.

Our agents are relentless in searching and surveying every square mile of the El Paso Sector, El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Agent Anthony Scott Good said. U.S. and Mexican authorities also worked together to remediate the tunnel.

Border Patrols discovery and disruption of the tunnel underscores the vital importance of coordination and collaboration among our law enforcement agencies  to combat illegal criminal activity and address national security threats, FBI El Paso Field Office Special Agent in Charge John Morales said. The FBI has long warned that El Paso is a key smuggling hub known for kidnapping, gang and foreign terrorist violence, The Center Square reported.

Border Patrol is requesting assistance from the public to combat border crime. El Paso residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity or potential smuggling operations by calling 1-800-635-2509 or WhatsApp (915) 314-8194. San Diego residents are encouraged to call 619-498-9900. Reports are anonymous.
Former FBI Director James Comey is sworn in prior to testifying before a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Russia's alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., June 8, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Former FBI Director James Comey is sworn in prior to testifying before a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Russia's alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., June 8, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

By Sarah N. Lynch and Jan Wolfe

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia (Reuters) -Lawyers for former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James asked a judge on Thursday to drop the criminal charges against them, arguing that President Donald Trump's hand-picked U.S. attorney who obtained the indictments against them was unlawfully appointed.

In a surprise twist, U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie revealed that she has not been provided by the Justice Department with a complete transcript of the grand jury proceeding that resulted in Comey's indictment, raising questions about the validity of the charges. Several hours later, the Justice Department denied that the transcript was incomplete.

The hearing at the federal courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia, marked the first time a judge considered one of several efforts that James and Comey - two prominent critics of Trump who each oversaw investigations into him - have made to dismiss their indictments before trials set for January. Both were charged by Halligan's office shortly after Trump openly called on U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to prosecute them.

The judge said she would issue her ruling later this month.

The arguments centered on whether Lindsey Halligan, Trump's former personal attorney, was illegally installed as interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. If Halligan is deemed unlawfully appointed, the charges could be invalidated since Halligan was the only federal prosecutor to present evidence to the grand juries in both matters.

"The only thing that matters is whether Ms. Halligan had a proper appointment when she stood before the grand jury, and she did not," Ephraim McDowell, one of Comey's attorneys, told the judge.

Justice Department lawyer Henry Whitaker said Halligan's appointment was lawful. And even if it were invalid, Whitaker said, dismissal of the Comey and James indictments would be unwarranted. At best, Whitaker said, a problem with Halligan's appointment would be nothing more than a "paperwork error."

Comey has pleaded not guilty to charges of making false statements and obstructing Congress. James has pleaded not guilty to charges of bank fraud and lying to a financial institution.

Bondi appointed Halligan at Trump's request in September. Her predecessor, Erik Siebert, was forced out of the job after expressing concerns about a lack of evidence to support criminal charges against both Comey and James.

APPOINTMENT LENGTH LIMIT

Attorneys for Comey and James have argued that Halligan's appointment violates a federal law they said limits the appointment of an interim U.S. attorney to one 120-day stint. Repeated interim appointments would bypass the U.S. Senate confirmation process and let a prosecutor serve indefinitely, they said.

Siebert previously had been appointed by Bondi for 120 days and was then appointed by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, since the Senate had not yet confirmed him in the role.

Currie, a South Carolina-based federal judge appointed by Democratic former President Bill Clinton, was assigned to decide the issue because of the role federal judges in Virginia played in Siebert's appointment.

MISSING TRANSCRIPT

Currie signaled concerns with how the Justice Department obtained its indictment of Comey on September 25.

In the U.S. legal system, indictments typically are approved by a grand jury, which hears evidence presented by a prosecutor.

In an unusual move, Halligan made the presentation to the grand jury alone, without career prosecutors in her office present.

The Justice Department has said the indictment should not be dismissed if Halligan's appointment is ruled invalid because it was also ratified by Bondi. The judge cast doubt on this claim, saying Bondi could not have reviewed the grand jury proceeding to properly ratify the indictment because only part of it was transcribed.

"It's become obvious to me that the attorney general could not have reviewed" that portion of the transcript, Currie said, noting that from 4:28 p.m. until the indictment was later returned, there was either "no court reporter present" or no one documented what took place after that time.

When the indictment was made public, court records showed that the grand jury rejected one criminal count and only narrowly approved the other two.

Although Whitaker during the hearing did not address whether portions of the transcript were missing, a Justice Department spokesperson later said the judge was mistaken.

"There is no missing time," the spokesperson said. "That time period refers to when the jurors were deliberating behind closed doors, which would not be included in a transcription. This isn't a story."

(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch, Jan Wolfe, and Andrew Goudsward; Editing by Andy Sullivan, Rod Nickel and Will Dunham)
Rare back-to-back bombings in the capitals of two nuclear-armed neighbors are threatening to send India and Pakistan to the brink of conflict for the second time this year, as tensions also soar between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

India is describing the car explosion that struck Delhi on Monday, killing at least eight people and injuring 20 others, as a terror incident. Authorities say they are investigating the explosion under an anti-terrorism law and considering all possibilities.

The country has witnessed a heinous terror incident, perpetrated by anti-national forces, Prime Minister Narendra Modis cabinet said in a resolution on Wednesday.

The investigation must be pursued with the utmost urgency and professionalism so that the perpetrators, their collaborators, and their sponsors are identified and brought to justice without delay, it added.

Family members mourning a victim of the explosion in Delhi. (AFP via Getty Images)

A day after the explosion at a busy intersection near Delhis iconic Red Fort, a suicide bombing outside a district court on the outskirts of Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, killed at least 12 people and injured 27 others on Tuesday.

Though both India and Pakistan have struggled with militant attacks in recent years, they are usually confined to border areas, making the car bombings in Islamabad and Delhi  both heavily surveilled and militarized  incredibly rare.

The attacks in the heart of the two capitals underscore the growing threat of militant violence facing India, Pakistan and Afghanistan and the strained relations that hinder a unified response.

Its a fragile moment for South Asia, said Walter Ladwig, an associate war studies professor at Kings College London.

Pakistan is under strain on several fronts  political turmoil, economic stress, and rising violence along the Afghan border, he said. At the same time, both India and Pakistan seem to have recognized that another open crisis would help no one.

A fragile ceasefire

The bombings threaten to undo the India-Pakistan ceasefire reached earlier this year.

The two longtime rivals engaged in a brief armed conflict over an April terrorist attack that killed 26 people, mostly Indian tourists, in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir. New Delhi said the militants were backed by Pakistan, which denied the accusations, and dozens more people were killed on both sides in the cross-border shelling that followed.

Indian armed forces patrolling the streets in Pahalgam in the Himalayan region of Kashmir in April after a deadly militant attack on Indian tourists. (Sajad Hameed / NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Though India has historically accused Pakistan of backing terrorist attacks on its soil, it has not done so this time so far.

By contrast, Pakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has blamed Indian terrorist proxies for the explosion in his country, without providing evidence.

New Delhi rejected the baseless and unfounded allegations, saying they were intended to distract the people of Pakistan from the ongoing military-inspired constitutional subversion and power-grab unfolding within the country.

Lawmakers in Pakistan, where the military has either governed directly or controlled civilian governments since independence in 1947, on Wednesday granted the army chief, Asim Munir, lifelong immunity and wider powers.

The situation is clearly precarious, said Chietigj Bajpaee, a senior research fellow for South Asia at Chatham House, a London-based think tank. We have seen a gradual movement up the escalation ladder.

But because both countries are nuclear-weapon states, while there are heightened risks, at the same time, it helps manage the escalation to some extent, he added.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking at the Red Fort on Aug. 15. (Prakash Singh / Bloomberg via Getty Images file)

While India has not officially named a suspect, police across the country have carried out sweeping raids, especially in Kashmir, Indias only Muslim-majority region. Police in the Pulwama district of Kashmir said Wednesday that they had detained several suspects in an operation against an alleged militant group.

The day before Mondays attack, police in Kashmir said they had seized over 6,300 pounds of explosive material and arrested at least seven people linked to a militant cell in a joint operation in two of Delhis neighboring states, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.

Authorities have not commented publicly on whether those arrests were linked to the explosion.

Analysts say India will be careful before pointing the finger at anybody.

We have to be cautious about the reaction of people outside India, who might say India has done a knee-jerk reaction, said Rajiv Dogra, a former Indian diplomat who was based in Pakistan.

As far as India is concerned, its already hurt, and it hopes Pakistan can assure it that it was not linked, he added.

If confirmed as a wider terrorist plot, the attack on Delhi will be the deadliest since 2011, when over a dozen people were killed in a bombing.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has also accused Afghanistan of involvement in Tuesdays bombing.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said Afghan citizens were behind the attack, citing "Indian-backed elements and Afghan Taliban proxies, naming the Pakistani Taliban, also known as the TTP. Pakistan has long said the group is supported by the Afghan Taliban, which Kabul denies.

Though TTP denied involvement on Tuesday, a breakaway faction claimed responsibility, only to have one of its commanders contradict the statement, the Associated Press reported.

The bigger problem is the absence of any real security dialogue among India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, said Ladwig.

Without any real regional intelligence sharing, every act of violence tends to be viewed through a political lens  as state-sponsored, rather than part of a broader extremist problem, he added.

Since 2021, when the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of U.S.-led forces, Pakistan has experienced a surge in cross-border attacks by militants along its western border, which it shares in part with Afghanistan. Tensions between the two countries are at their highest in years after deadly border fighting last month that killed dozens of soldiers and civilians.

Talks in Qatar and Turkey to defuse the tensions have yielded no progress, Afghanistans foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, said Thursday.

Ladwig said an off-ramp is possible among the conflicting countries.

But it depends on keeping counter-terror cooperation separate from other disputes, he said. If the quiet intelligence contacts continue, they might prevent the region from sliding back into another crisis cycle.
By Francesco Guarascio

HANOI (Reuters) -South Korean companies, including Samsung Electronics, are worried about Vietnam's plan to reform incentives for the high-tech sector, warning it could lead to higher costs for foreign investors and potentially undermine new investment, Korean officials have said.

The warning comes amid continued uncertainty about Vietnam's trade relations with the U.S., its biggest export market. In addition to a 20% duty on imports from Vietnam applied since August, the White House has threatened 40% duties on goods relying on foreign components and possible tariffs on electronics, a sector dominated in Vietnam by Korean manufacturers.

For decades, South Korea has been one of the biggest investors in Vietnam, with total investment worth $92 billion at the end of 2024, roughly one-fifth of Vietnam's gross domestic product. Samsung, the largest investor, accounts for more than one-tenth of Vietnam's exports, and makes 60% of the phones it sells globally in Vietnam.

In an address to Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at a public event on Monday, the head of the Korean Chamber of Commerce (Kocham) in Vietnam raised concerns about changes to a high-tech law which "may substantially affect the investment incentives previously granted."

IMPACT ON 'INVESTMENT EXPANSION'

"This could have adverse implications for Vietnams medium- and long-term development goals, including investment expansion, technology transfer, and human resource development," said Ko Tae Yeon, according to a published copy of his speech.

The revised law scraps existing provisions granting some high-tech companies the "highest incentives" on taxes, duties and land, according to a draft under discussion in the Vietnamese National Assembly. It is scheduled for adoption in December.

For years, Samsung incurred effective taxes as low as 5% in the Southeast Asian country, but Vietnam last year introduced the 15% Global Minimum Tax on large multinationals, an initiative shepherded by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), undercutting earlier low-tax arrangements.

Hanoi has pledged compensation for top investors, but companies have repeatedly voiced concerns about access to it.

A Korean official, who declined to be named so that he could speak more freely, said Samsung was among the companies raising concerns about the reforms, although he said it had not threatened to freeze investments.

A second Korean official, who declined to be identified because he was not allowed to speak to the media, said the possible reduction in incentives might result in a heavier tax burden for Korean investors.

Samsung declined to comment.

Investment pledged by Korean companies rose 15% to $3.7 billion in the first 10 months of this year compared to a year earlier, according to data from Vietnam's government. It stopped publishing figures on divestments earlier this year.

TRADE WORRIES

Amid global trade tensions, export-reliant Vietnam has embarked in wide-ranging reforms that are aimed at boosting national champions with preferential policies.

Kocham also called for "a fair and reasonable transshipment rule" to be agreed in trade talks between Vietnam and the U.S. to allow investors "to operate within a stable and predictable business environment," according to the published statement.

Washington has threatened tariffs of 40% on its imports of Vietnamese goods, and from other Southeast Asian countries, which it has said rely excessively on components imported from China and other third countries. However, no clear criteria have been established to define which goods would face the higher duty.

(Reporting by Francesco Guarascio; Additional reporting by Phuong Nguyen and Khanh Vu; Editing by Kate Mayberry)
As the Northeast endures blustery, chilly weather and rain floods parts of California, an estimated 1.5 million square miles of the central United States will remain dry and sunny, with temperatures rising well above historical mid-November averages through the weekend.

A northward bulge in the jet stream positioned over the nation's midsection will block colder air and storms from the Front Range of the Rockies through the Plains, much of the Mississippi Valley and the Southeast through the coming days.

AccuWeather.com

As the pattern continues, temperatures on Saturday afternoon had either closely approached, tied or broken daily record highs across parts of the Plains and Mississippi Valley. Widespread highs in the 80s were commonplace across the southern Plains, temperatures more typical of early September.

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From the Dakotas to Minnesota and much of Wisconsin, the warmth peaked Friday with widespread highs in the 60s. Cooler air will advance southeast over the weekend, with highs in Chicago, for example, expected to barely eclipse the 50-degree-Fahrenheit mark on Sunday.

AccuWeather.com

On Monday, highs only reached the mid-40s in Atlanta and Charlotte, and dropped into the 30s across central and northern Florida in the early-morning hours.

As warmer air moves in from the Central states, highs will climb into the 70s in Atlanta and near 80 in Orlando. The average highs for mid-November are in the mid-60s in Atlanta and upper 70s in Orlando.

Along with the warm and dry pattern will come an elevated risk of wildfires. Breezes will add to this danger in areas where vegetation has already dried out from the summer.

The wildfire threat is expected to shift from the southern Plains to the Southeast this week as moisture from the Gulf begins to spread from the lower Mississippi Valley toward the southern Rockies.

AccuWeather.com

Depending on the strength and path of an approaching storm system, the current dry pattern could end, raising the potential for flash flooding in small streams and urban areas.

Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.
@lillylimeys / Smith Collection/Gado//Getty Images

A woman in Australia posted a TikTok showing a breakfast sandwich from a local cafe covered in maggots.

The cafe issued multiple underwhelming apologies.

Ingesting maggots can lead to health complications, including bacterial poisoning.

Today might be the only day you're grateful you don't live in Australia. In a recent TikTok, a local woman in the Adelaide Hills documented a rather harrowing food experience she had at a cafe called POT. She grabbed a croissant sandwich while out on a run and brought it to her office to eat later in the day. When she lifted the top half, she found dozens of maggots crawling inside. "I hope everyone's morning was better than mine," she captioned the video.

The video was immediately flooded with comments. "Call me dramatic but I'd never eat again," one user wrote. "That would send me into psychosis," commented another.

Another was a little more forensic: "Maggots are fly larvae, that had to be left out at room temperature for some time. Flies come and lay eggs and you get maggots.'They don't naturally happen.'"

Local authorities seem to be investigating, and the cafe issued its first public apologybut many found their statement to be underwhelming. "Hello, Our Dear, Loyal POT Friends - Just a quick heads up apropos some recent Social Media woes. A one-off mishap on our behalf - about which we were mortified & apologetic - has resulted in a most unfortunate "viral-moment", from a single post. We pride ourselves on giving locals and tourists alike a unique and special artisanal treat here in Hahndorf. And we do so 99.99999% of the time. We simply ask that you not be swayed by one incident - or 'review' but try us for yourselves or maintain the faith and come in again soon. Merci nos amis! X," read the apology.

Following backlash over the initially flippant post, the cafe returned to social media to issue yet another apology. "Firstly i want to say please read this with a open heart and mind and know that i accept full responsibility and understand the severity of what has occurred...i sucuumbed to the pressure of having quick grab and go food available when i was not on site and for sucumming to that pressure and i am so pissed off at myself," the Instagram story stated. "Please be assured all other food i prepare to order so i can promise nothing nasty. I am ceasing pre prepared food," the post continued.

According to Medical News Today, accidentally ingesting maggots can lead to bacterial poisoning, such as Salmonella or E. coli, as well as intestinal myiasis. Now, excuse me while I cancel all my meals for the day.

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Courtesy of palReal

For chef Claudette Zepeda, Jalisco is a feeling  one that deeply influences her style of regional Mexican cooking. The San Diego-based, award-winning chef is known for her bold cooking and lifelong love of Mexican flavors.

Jalisco makes you feel like you have one foot in two different periods of time, says Zepeda, who spent five to six months each year in Guadalajara visiting her grandmother and extended family. You walk past sleek, forward-thinking restaurants, and a block later, youre in a provincial, colonial plaza.

Located in western Mexico, Guadalajara is the capital of Jalisco and the countrys second-largest city. The region is celebrated as the birthplace of mariachi, tequila, and some of Mexicos most beloved dishes. Here, earthy flavors rooted in dried chiles and herbs collide with bright pops of vinegar and acid in classics like carne en su jugo and tortas ahogadas.

Related: Claudette Zepeda's Stunning Recipes for Aguachiles, Birria, and More

For Zepeda, the best way to experience Jalisco is to let it unfold around you. Its beautiful in its ability to give you everything you need when you didnt even know you needed it, she says. In that same spirit of discovery, here are Zepedas favorite spots to taste the best of Jalisco.

The best tortas and lonches

Courtesy of palReal

Zepeda says eating a torta ahogada is non-negotiable when arriving in Guadalajara. These sandwiches layer tender meat inside a crusty birote roll before being drowned in a tomato- and oregano-based sauce. Despite the assumption that this results in a soggy sandwich, Zepeda and locals attribute Guadalajaras water for the bread's perfect texture to absorb flavor without losing its crunch. She likes hers with plenty of chile de arbol. I like my food to make me sweat, she teases. For an authentic experience, Zepeda recommends Tortas Tono.

Across Jalisco, youll also hear the word lonche  slang for any sandwich built on that same birote roll. One of Zepedas go-tos is Cafe palReal, a punk-casual spot run by chef friends with a sincere respect for Mexican ingredients. Claudette orders the lonche de pancita, which features confit pork belly, beans, and salsa verde. Stick around for their impressive coffee program that sources beans from states across the country  its one of my favorites, Zepeda adds.

Where to try carne en su jugo

Courtesy of Karne Garibaldi

A must-try regional dish, carne en su jugo features thinly sliced beef cooked quickly to draw out its juices, creating a rich broth that Zepeda says, feels like a warm blanket. Its a true labor of love, which is why her aunt taught her its better to go to the people who are experts at what they do. At Karne Garibaldi, that expertise shows. Order a bowl alongside the restaurants famous frijolitos con elote, which Zepeda calls the perfect accoutrement.



For a fun night out

Head to Sin Yolanda, a modern cantina that holds deep roots for Zepeda. It stands in the same building where her aunt once ran Las Calandrias, the family restaurant that first sparked her love for restaurant kitchens. Come for the delicious antojitos  small bites known as little cravings  and a round of tequila, and stay for the people-watching once karaoke begins.

Related: Mexico Is the Most Exciting Place in the World to Drink Right Now

For an unforgettable meal

Courtesy of Bruna

While Zepeda loves the endless array of Jaliscan street food, she often ends her days at what she calls an avant-garde meal.

One of those meals might be at Bruna, a restaurant she gushes over for its architecture, flavor, and in-house art gallery. They present food like art, she says, adding that she always orders the octopus. Here, chef Oscar Garza reimagines classic Mexican dishes like probaditas de mole, offers a flight of regional moles, and often creates new plates inspired by the gallerys rotating artists.

For a lesson in maiz, head to Xokol in Guadalajara. Run by chefs Xrysw Diaz and Oscar Segundo, the restaurant honors heirloom corn and indigenous ingredients through intentional and creative modern cooking. The menu changes daily, and Zepeda says the chefs are one with corn, so theres no such thing as ordering wrong. They pay so much homage and honor the corn so heavily, she says. They dont just do it to be cool  they do it because they really care.

Read the original article on Food & Wine
The dome of the California State Capitol is shown in Sacramento with U.S. and California state flags flying in the foreground. Photo: Leo_Visions / Unsplash

(The Center Square)  Wisconsins members of Congress all voted as expected on the plan to reopen the government.

The states two Democrats, Mark Pocan from Madison and Gwen Moore from Milwaukee, Wednesday night voted against the plan.

I voted no on a bill that fails the American people. This legislation does nothing to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits that keep health care affordable for more than 22 million Americans, Pocan said on social media.

I wont vote for legislation that does nothing to address the health care crisis Republicans have inflicted on the American people, Moore said before the vote. They passed tax giveaways for billionaires and billions in Medicaid cuts without my vote, so they can pass this without my vote too.

Wisconsins six Republicans in Congress all voted to reopen the government.

There was no reason our government should have been shut down in the first place, Congressman Bryan Steil said Wednesday night. Democrats fought for over a month to keep our government shut down, causing chaos for working families.

After 43 long days this vote ensures our service members and federal workers finally get paid, and that we resume critical services for and struggling American families, Congressman Tony Wied said in a statement. House Republicans got the job done.

This reckless approach put critical programs and hard-working Americans at risk for no reason, Congressman Glenn Grothman said. As we look ahead to January 31, I hope Democratic leadership will put governing ahead of political games.

But that may not be part of the plan.

Wisconsins Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, who on Sunday voted against reopening the government, said X that this fight isnt over.

President Trump signed the government funding plan late Wednesday night, officially reopening the government.
caption tk Gloria Kostadinova

At first, my husband and I experienced culture shock with each other's families.

I felt like my in-laws didn't fully understand me until they visited my home country.

In Bulgaria, we all connected in a new way and finally felt like a family.

My husband is Jewish, American, and from New England. I am a first-generation immigrant from Eastern Europe.

I was baptized in Bulgaria and grew up in an Orthodox Christian household, whereas my husband was bar mitzvahed and went to Hebrew school. In other words, we come from completely different cultural and religious backgrounds.

For a long time, I didn't feel like my in-laws understood my culture  that is, until they came to visit my home country.

Their first trip to Bulgaria, where my husband and I now live, was a turning point in our relationship. I finally felt like they understood who I am and embraced my roots in a new and meaningful way.

When we first started dating, my husband and I experienced culture shock with each other's families

caption Gloria Kostadinova

My family speaks Bulgarian at home and eats traditional Balkan food, like moussaka, an eggplant-based dish, and banitza, a cheesy pastry.

During holidays, we play Bulgarian music and my husband gets roped into dancing horo, a traditional folk dance. If you've ever seen "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," you might get the gist.

My husband's family is more reserved when it comes to their opinions and emotions, and they have a dry, sarcastic sense of humor that took some getting used to.

Dinner with my in-laws feels more formal with nice place settings and seating arrangements  but when it comes to card games, the gloves come off.

Despite our different upbringings, family is a shared core value for us. By starting a family with someone who isn't Bulgarian and doesn't speak my mother tongue, I worried I'd lose ties with my roots.

Marrying my husband also meant marrying into his family, so it was important that they embraced my background and heritage, too. Of course, my in-laws had glimpses into my family's story  but I believe that anecdotes, photos, and souvenirs can't fully convey the richness of my culture.

Even though they had known me for over a decade, I felt there was always something missing in their understanding of who I am.

Finally, I got the opportunity to share my home country with them

caption Gloria Kostadinova

In 2020, my husband and I were working remotely and seized an opportunity to move abroad. We've lived in Sofia, Bulgaria, ever since.

Those first few years, travel restrictions and visa requirements made it challenging for my in-laws to visit us. They're not big on travel  they'd only been outside the US twice  so, you can imagine my surprise when they booked a trip to Bulgaria last fall.

I was excited to welcome them and nervous about giving them the best experience possible. My husband and I planned an itinerary that would immerse his parents in Bulgaria's culture, history, and cuisine.

We balanced comfort with authenticity, keeping Sofia as a home base with two excursions to see other parts of the country. They experienced fine dining in the city, visited Bulgaria's wine country in the southwest, toured the largest Eastern Orthodox monastery, and spent an afternoon in the historic city of Plovdiv.

My in-laws relied on me to communicate and translate wherever we went. Despite being out of their comfort zones, they remained curious and enthusiastic.

The trip changed our relationship for the better

caption Gloria Kostadinova

Few experiences test a relationship like travel. In this case, my in-laws' trip to Bulgaria couldn't have gone better and only made our relationship stronger.

It was extremely meaningful that my husband's parents made this journey halfway around the world. They immersed themselves in the culture and gained a deeper understanding of Bulgaria. I felt they finally saw and embraced all of me, and not just bits and pieces.

Now, when my husband and I visit family in the US, my in-laws bring up fun travel memories, and we reminisce about our time together.

Looking around their house, I see evidence of my culture, too  like a ceramic plate they brought back, or a photo of the four of us.

Just as my Bulgarian-American identity gives me unique life experiences, the merging of two cultures has also made our family richer, more compassionate, and understanding.

Above all, it's brought us together as one family unit.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Davidoff Studios/Getty Jeffrey Epstein (L) and Donald Trump (R) in 1997

NEED TO KNOW

Jeffrey Esptein once offered to provide Russia with information about Donald Trump, according to newly released emails sent by the convicted sex offender

In the emails, which were released by House Republicans on Nov. 12, Epstein implied that he had discussed Trump with Russias ambassador to the United Nations

Responding to the news, a White House spokesperson tells PEOPLE, "These emails prove literally nothing"

Jeffrey Epstein seemingly offered to provide Russia with information about President Donald Trump during the celebrity businessman's first term in office, according to a new batch of emails released by House Republicans.

In old messages released on Wednesday, Nov. 12, Epstein  who died in prison in 2019  implied that he had discussed Trump with Vitaly Churkin, Russias ambassador to the United Nations, before Churkin's 2017 death.

Churkin was great, Epstein wrote, per Politico. He understood trump after our conversations. it is not complex. he must be seen to get something its that simple.

The outlet also reported that Epstein appeared to have tried to convince Russias longtime foreign minister to meet with him about Trump before the president was scheduled to speak with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Helsinki in 2018.

About a month before Trump's meeting with Putin, Epstein shared the following message with former Norwegian Prime Minister Thorbjorn Jagland, who was leading the Council of Europe at the time.

"I think you might suggest to putin that lavrov can get insight on talking to me, Epstein wrote on June 24, 2018, per Politico, which reported that Epstein was likely referring to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Jagland said in the email exchange that he was meeting Lavrovs assistant the next day and would propose connecting with Epstein, according to Politico, which reported that "its unclear if anything ever came of the proposed contact."

MIKHAIL KLIMENTYEV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump at the G20 summit in Osaka on June 28, 2019.

After Trump did meet with Putin in Helsinki on July 16, 2018, Epstein responded to an email from former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, who described the meeting between the two leaders as "appalling."

Epstein replied, Im sure his view is that it went super well," per Politico. "he thinks he has charmed his adversary.. Admittedly he has no idea of the symbolism. He has no idea of most things.

When reached for comment by PEOPLE on Wednesday, a White House spokesperson said, "These emails prove literally nothing.

The details about Russia were revealed the same day Democrats on the House Oversight Committee published three email exchanges between Epstein  who was a convicted sex offender  and others that appeared to pertain to his relationship with Trump.

On April 2, 2011, Epstein wrote to his personal confidante Ghislaine Maxwell, "I want you to realize that that dog that hasn't barked is trump. [Redacted victim's name] spent hours at my house with him ,, he has never once been mentioned."

In another email sent to Trump biographer Michael Wolff on Jan. 31, 2019, Epstein wrote, "[Redacted victim's name] mara lago," followed by another redacted segment. "Trump said he asked me to resign, never a member ever. . of course he knew about the girls as he asked ghislaine to stop."



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.

In a statement shared with PEOPLE on Wednesday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, The Democrats selectively leaked emails to the liberal media to create a fake narrative to smear President Trump."

"The unnamed victim referenced in these emails is the late Virginia Giuffre," Leavitt claimed, "who repeatedly said President Trump was not involved in any wrongdoing whatsoever and 'couldnt have been friendlier' to her in their limited interactions," referring to the Epstein victim who died by suicide in April.

"The fact remains that President Trump kicked Jeffrey Epstein out of his club decades ago for being a creep to his female employees, including Giuffre," she continued. "These stories are nothing more than bad-faith efforts to distract from President Trumps historic accomplishments, and any American with common sense sees right through this hoax and clear distraction from the government opening back up again.



Read the original article on People
A special tribunal in Bangladesh will deliver its ruling in the case against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and two of her top aides on 17 November.

Ms Hasina, who ruled the South Asian country with an iron fist for 15 years, is charged with committing crimes against humanity for overseeing a deadly police crackdown on protesters who nevertheless succeeded in overthrowing her.

The UN estimates up to 1,400 people were killed in the protests between July and August last year.

Former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun are also on trial for their alleged role in the crackdown. Al-Mamun pleaded guilty after his arrest last year and became a state witness.

After protesters stormed her residence in early August last year, Ms Hasina fled by helicopter to India, a key ally of her government. She has not been seen in public or online since.

A fire smolders after protesters vandalise an office of ousted leader Sheikh Hasinas Awami League party in Dhaka on 13 November 2025 (AP)

Chief prosecutor Tajul Islam demanded the death penalty for Ms Hasina last month, calling her the mastermind and principal architect of the supposed crimes against humanity committed during the uprising against her.

Ms Hasina's Awami League party, banned by the countrys interim rulers, had urged its supporters and others to protest on Thursday while the government and opposition to the former leader had vowed to stop them.

Schools in Dhaka and several major cities switched to online classes and examinations while public transportation was severely disrupted as security was heightened across the country for the protest.

In the run-up to Thursdays protest, Bangladesh had witnessed a spate of crude bombings and arson attacks.

A fire bomb was thrown at a government office in Gopalganj, Ms Hasina's home district and a stronghold for her party, while arsonists torched an office of Grameen Bank, founded by interim leader Muhammad Yunus, in the countrys east on Wednesday.

There were reports of arson on a train and a bus in the capital on Wednesday evening, barely hours after crude bombs had gone off on the Dhaka University campus.

Mr Yunus said in a televised address on Thursday that his administration would hold a referendum on a national charter, which was signed last month by political parties, on the day of the next election in February.

(AP)

The referendum, he said, would propose a two-tier parliament in line with the July National Charter adopted by the interim government that he took over three days after Ms Hasina's fall on 5 August 2024.

We have decided that the referendum will be held on the same day as the national parliamentary election, meaning in the first half of February. This will not hinder the reform process. Rather, it will make the election more festive and cost-efficient.

The charter aims to reshape the South Asian nations politics and institutions and give constitutional recognition to the 2024 uprising against Ms Hasina.

It also proposes giving greater representation to women, limiting the prime minister's term, strengthening presidential powers, expanding fundamental rights, and ensuring judicial independence.

A majority of political parties signed the charter in October but the National Citizens Party, formed by leaders of last year's protest movement and four left-leaning parties, boycotted it.
House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters Wednesday night that he will bring a bill to release the Jeffrey Epstein files to a vote on the floor next week.

"We are going to put that on the floor for full vote next week, soon as we get back," Johnson said. "In the meantime, I'll remind everybody the Oversight Committee has been working around the clock, even through the government shutdown, for maximum transparency. And, full disclosure, as we have all been for since the very beginning."

The vote comes after Republican Rep. Thomas Massie and Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna led an effort to gather signatures for what's known as a discharge petition, forcing a vote on compelling the Justice Department to release all the Epstein files.

Democratic Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva signed the petition after being sworn in on Wednesday With her signature, the measure reached the 218-vote threshold needed to force a vote.

Earlier Wednesday, the White House flatly dismissed the release by House Democrats of emails from Epstein, including one in which he wrote that President Donald Trump "spent hours at my house" with someone the Democrats alleged was a victim.

"These emails prove absolutely nothing, other than the fact that President Trump did nothing wrong," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said as she faced questions on the latest developments at her Wednesday afternoon press briefing.

Trump weighed in directly for the first time in a social media post shortly after Leavitt wrapped the briefing.

"The Democrats are trying to bring up the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax again because theyll do anything at all to deflect on how badly theyve done on the Shutdown, and so many other subjects," Trump wrote. "Only a very bad, or stupid, Republican would fall into that trap."

House Democrats release new Epstein emails referencing Trump

Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks as FBI Director Kash Patel (L) looks on during the daily briefing in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 12, 2025.

Notably, Leavitt seemed to contradict Trump today when she said Trump kicked Epstein out of his Florida club for being a "pedophile" as well as a "creep."

"What President Trump has always said is that he was from Palm Beach, and so was Jeffrey Epstein. Jeffrey Epstein was a member at Mar-a-Lago until President Trump kicked him out because Jeffrey Epstein was a pedophile and he was a creep," she said.

When asked later by ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Mary Bruce if she was implying Trump knew what Epstein was doing with young women, Leavitt clarified in a statement: "No, Jeffrey Epstein was a pedophile. Thats a fact that has now come out. The president kicked him out of his club because he thought Jeffrey was a creep to his female employees. The president has said this himself many times.

In one message released by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee, Epstein appeared to touch on his relationship with Trump and whether he'd been banned from membership at Mar-a-Lago years earlier.

"Trump said he asked me to resign, never a member ever," Epstein wrote in a message to author Michael Wolff, "Of course he knew about the girls as he asked ghislaine to stop."

After Epstein was arrested in 2019, Trump said he hadn't spoken with him since 2015 because of a falling out. This summer, as momentum picked up in Congress to release all the Epstein files, Trump said Epstein "stole" young women (including prominent Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre) from his Mar-a-Lago club, but that he didn't know why.

Democrats push for release of all Epstein files; GOP says Dems trying to 'slander' Trump

The release of the Epstein emails referencing Trump have added fuel to a renewed push on the Epstein discharge petition.

"We wont stop until we end this White House cover-up. Release the files, NOW," Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia, the ranking member on the House Oversight Committee, wrote on X.

Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images, FILE - PHOTO: In this July 23, 2025, file photo, Rep. Robert Garcia gestures as the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement meets in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C.

Many Democrats issued similar calls.

"Its clear as day: Trump is in the Epstein files," New York Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler wrote on X. "The American people deserve the full truth."

"The public deserves to know who enabled Epstein, who looked the other way, and whos still being protected. Survivors have waited long enough. Release the Epstein files NOW," wrote Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar.

After the release by House Democrats, House Republicans on the Oversight panel released an additional 20,000 pages of documents they received from the Epstein estate.

Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said that he wants the documents released.

"I've been very public about that. And again, I subpoenaed [Attorney General] Pam Bondi for the documents, and I subpoenaed the estate.

ABC News' Jay O'Brien pointed out that Republicans released documents only after Democrats did.

"Well, we have to go through to make sure  They put it in a computer and they put keywords in 'Trump.' So anything that pops up to Trump, it's like they don't care about the victims," Comer responded.

ABC News' Bruce, at Wednesday's briefing, pressed Leavitt: "In the interest of transparency, why not just go ahead, release the full files on Epstein, get this all over with?"

"This administration has done more with respect to transparency when it comes to Jeffrey Epstein than any administration ever. In fact, this administration, the Department of Justice, has turned over tens of thousands of documents to the American people. We are cooperating and showing support for the House Oversight Committee," Leavitt said.

Though ABC News reported that top Trump administration officials met with Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert Wednesday morning in an effort to get her to change her vote on a discharge petition that would compel the Justice Department to release all the files related to Epstein.

Republicans on the House Oversight Committee accused Democrats of "trying to create a fake narrative to slander President Trump."

In a social media post, Republicans on the panel claimed in the 2011 email between Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell that said Trump spent "hours at my house" with an alleged victim, Democrats redacted the name Virginia" -- a likely reference to Giuffre, who had made extensive public comments about her exploitation by Epstein, but had never accused Trump of any wrongdoing.

"Democrats continue to carelessly cherry-pick documents to generate click-bait that is not grounded in the facts," a House Oversight Majority spokesperson said in a statement. "The Epstein Estate has produced over 20,000 pages of documents on Thursday, yet Democrats are once again intentionally withholding records that name Democrat officials."

What Trump has said about Jeffrey Epstein over the years, including on 2024 campaign trail

Republican Rep. Nancy Mace, one of a handful of Republican women backing the effort to compel the release of all Epstein files, defended Trump and said the focus should be on the victims.

"How pathetic that Democrats are using Epstein's victims to bury headlines on their vote against reopening the government," Mace wrote on X.

Referring to the Epstein emails made public by House Democrats and the swearing-in of the new Democratic member, Khanna, who had led the discharge petition effort, wrote on X:

"Why did Justice or the FBI not get & release these? Today, [Massie] & my petition gets 218!"

ABC News' Lalee Ibssa, Isabella Murray and Arthur Jones II contributed to this report.
Sen. John Fettermans (D-Pa.) new memoir details a souring relationship between him and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D), particularly over the governors approach to criminal justice.

In Unfettered, Fetterman described an ugliness between us  from which we have never recovered, Axios reported. He said he saw Shapiro as someone with political ambition who sought to ascend to higher office and supported his run for attorney general.

I was hoping Shapiro would endorse me, given what I had done for him, Fetterman wrote about his run for lieutenant governor. He did not.

Fetterman wrote that in 2019, he voted to pardon brothers Dennis and Lee Horton, both in prison for 30 years for a robbery and a fatal shooting that they deny being involved in. Shapiro voted against the Hortons being pardoned. Fetterman suspected that what was influencing him was not mere caution but political ambition, and that hesitancy was more a matter of optics and fear.

I truly believed with all my heart that nobody I ever supported for a pardon was a danger to society, Fetterman wrote, and I was willing to stake my political career on it.

Shapiros vote angered Fetterman enough that he called him a fing ahole on a hot microphone. But, as the senator wrote, he believed that Shapiro did what he felt was right.

Shapiro is seen as a possible contender for the 2028 Democratic presidential primary. He was floated as a potential running mate for former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024 before she chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D).

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.
So far, SNAP recipients in 19 states have gotten their full November benefits, and recipients in 16 others have received partial benefits. (Allison Dinner/AP) (Allison Dinner/AP)

The Department of Agriculture instructed states to promptly issue full SNAP benefits now that the government shutdown is over, a major step forward in bringing weeks of confusion and legal wrangling over the nations largest food assistance program to an end.

State agencies must take immediate steps to ensure households receive their full November allotments promptly, the USDA wrote in new guidance posted to its website on Thursday. The department also clarified that federal funding for the program is now fully available to states.

The USDAs new instructions do not entirely end uncertainty around SNAP benefits, however. As of Thursday afternoon, it was still unclear how long it might take for everyone in the U.S. whos enrolled in the program to receive the full allotment of benefits that theyre entitled to.

How we got here

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps, became one of the biggest stories of the government shutdown over the past few weeks. The USDA announced late last month that SNAP benefits for nearly 42 million Americans would not go out as scheduled on Nov. 1 because of the shutdown.

That decision set off a back-and-forth legal battle in federal courts. Two federal judges separately ordered the government to use billions of dollars held in a USDA contingency fund to pay out partial November benefits. A few days later, following a Truth Social post in which President Trump threatened to withhold the money until the government reopened, one of those judges ordered the USDA to find the funds to cover full benefits.

The government appealed that decision, arguing that the court did not have the authority to force it to pull funding from other parts of its budget. The case eventually made its way to the Supreme Court, which put the order on hold. That hold was still in place when Trump signed a bill to reopen the government. The Trump administration formally withdrew its appeal on Thursday because the end of the shutdown had rendered the underlying legal dispute moot.

Huge differences from state to state

Individual states took drastically different actions amid the dramatic swings in the status of SNAP at the federal level. Three states  Virginia, Delaware and Vermont  paid for November benefits out of their own budgets. Most states didnt have the funds to do that, however, and instead provided millions of dollars to food banks to help ease the risk of hunger while the shutdown dragged on.

When the ruling ordering the government to pay out full benefits was issued last week, a number of states immediately moved to distribute full benefits before the governments appeal had been filed. Another group of states gave out partial benefits around the same time, while others still have not provided any SNAP benefits at all.

So far, SNAP recipients in 19 states have gotten their full November benefits, and recipients in 16 others have received partial benefits, according to a tally by the Associated Press.

What happens next?

States that havent given out full benefits can start doing so thanks to the USDAs new guidance, but that could take longer in some places than others. The biggest challenge will be in states that have already distributed partial benefits, experts told the AP, because theyll have to go through the difficult process of determining how much more money each individual recipient should get and how to get it to them.

The USDAs guidance also urged states to begin the process of upgrading systems and updating state procedures so they can be in a position to seamlessly distribute partial benefits in the event of a future shutdown. The earliest that another shutdown might disrupt SNAP benefits is October of next year.

The bill that ended the shutdown provides only funding to keep most of the government open until Jan. 30, but SNAP was one of a handful of programs that had its funding extended beyond that date. The program would continue operating as normal even if another shutdown started at the end of January.
The longest government shutdown in U.S. history came to an end on Wednesday night as President Donald Trump signed a bill passed by both chambers of Congress to fund most federal agencies through January.

The bill extends funding for the federal government through Jan. 30 and provides full-year funding for the Agriculture Department, military construction and the legislative branch. It also reverses the layoffs that the Trump Administration initiated during the shutdown, protects federal workers against further layoffs through January, and guarantees that they will receive back pay.

The reopening of the government is a major win for Trump and congressional Republicans, who staved off Democratic demands to include an extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies in the final spending package. Those subsidies, created during the pandemic, have helped more than 20 million Americans afford health coverage and are set to expire at the end of the year. Democrats made extending them their central demand throughout the 43-day shutdownthe longest in American historybut eight senators from their caucus ultimately relented over the weekend after Republicans refused to negotiate on health care until the government was reopened. In exchange for dropping their demand, Senate Democrats received only a nonbinding promise from Senate Majority Leader John Thune to hold a vote by mid-December on the subsidiesa concession many in the party derided as hollow.

The compromise measure passed the House 222 to 209 earlier Wednesday with six Democrats joining nearly all Republicans.

House Democrats will continue to fight to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits for tens of millions of Americans, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the House Minority Leader, said on the House floor before the vote. This fight is not over. Were just getting started. Well fight today, well fight tomorrow, well fight this week, well fight next week, well fight this month, well fight next month. Well fight until we win this battle for the American people.

For months, Democrats had been pushing for at least a one-year extension of the COVID-era tax credits that lower premiums for people who buy their own insurance. But Republicans repeatedly rejected the proposal, saying it did not belong in a short-term funding bill. On Monday, the Senate voted 47-to-53 against a one-year extension in a separate test vote.

While Democrats were unable to secure an extension in this legislation, the deals supporters argued that reopening the government in exchange for a promise of a future vote on the health care subsidies was the only realistic option. This was the only deal on the table, said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, one of the Democrats lead negotiators. It was our best chance to reopen the government and immediately begin negotiations to extend the [Affordable Care Act] tax credits.

The eight members of the Democratic caucus who backed the bill are mostly centrists, including Sens. Shaheen, Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, Dick Durbin of Illinois, Tim Kaine of Virginia, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, and Jacky Rosen of Nevada, along with Angus King, a Maine independent who caucuses with the Democrats. In the House, Democratic Reps. Jared Golden of Maine, Adam Gray of California, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington, Henry Cuellar of Texas, Tom Suozzi of New York, and Don Davis of North Carolina voted for the Republican bill.

Beyond the fight over health care, the legislation also allocates more than $200 million to bolster security for lawmakers and an additional $28 million for Supreme Court justices. It also includes a controversial clause allowing senators to seek damages of up to $500,000 if federal investigators access their phone records without notificationa provision widely seen as benefiting a group of Republican senators whose records were examined during the special counsel investigation into Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election. After bipartisan criticism, House Speaker Mike Johnson said House Republicans would introduce a separate bill next week to repeal that clause.

The end of the shutdown will bring immediate relief to federal workers, who will soon begin receiving back pay after missing multiple paychecks. It is also expected to ease travel disruptions that had worsened amid the shortage of air-traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration staff. Funding for programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which were beginning to run out of money, will resume.

According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, the six-week shutdown is likely to leave a permanent $11 billion dent in economic output, even as the resumption of back pay and federal activity restores most short-term losses.

But the political fallout is still unfolding. Democrats from all wings of the party described the Senates compromise as a capitulation. America deserves better, California Gov. Gavin Newsom wrote on X, adding in a later post that now is not the time to roll over. Senator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont Independent, called the decision to back down a horrific mistake. Rep. Greg Casar of Texas, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said the deal was a betrayal of the millions of Americans counting on Democrats to fight to lower health care costs. Accepting nothing but a pinky promise from Republicans isnt a compromiseits capitulation, Casar said in a statement.

While the shutdown is headed to an end, the health care fight remains unresolved. Millions of people who have benefited from the expanded subsidies could see insurance premiums climb by hundreds of dollars a month if Congress fails to act by years end, according to nonpartisan estimates. The Congressional Budget Office has projected that roughly two million Americans could lose coverage altogether once the extra subsidies expire.

Republicans have suggested that subsidy dollars should be redirected into accounts that individuals could use to pay medical bills directly, a concept Trump endorsed this week. He told reporters that he wants a health care system where we pay the money to the people instead of the insurance companies, though he did not offer details. Other Republicans, such as Senators Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Rick Scott of Florida, have floated similar ideas in recent months.

Democrats warn that such proposals would dismantle core parts of the Affordable Care Act and raise costs for millions. They argue that the subsidies are crucial to keeping premiums affordable for middle- and lower-income Americans.

Democratic leaders have said they will continue pressing for the subsidy extension in the weeks ahead, but the path remains uncertain. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana has not committed to bringing a health care bill to the floor. Senate Republicans, who control the chamber 53 to 47, have agreed only to allow a votenot to support the extension itself.

Write to Nik Popli at nik.popli@time.com.
An exhibit tells the story of early agriculture. | Photo courtesy of Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site

A defining landmark in Texas history is welcoming visitors once again. Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site has reopened following a $54 million restoration aimed at preserving and reinterpreting the birthplace of the Republic of Texas.

While the Alamo may be today's most potent symbol of the Texas Revolution, Washington-on-the Brazos holds an equally sacred place in Texas history. In March 1836  just four days before the fall of the Alamo  59 delegates gathered there to sign the Texas Declaration of Independence, draft the state's constitution, and name General Sam Houston as the commander of the new republic's military.

The project was led by the Texas Historical Commission in partnership with the Washington-on-the-Brazos Historical Foundation and supported by funding from the Texas Legislature. The revamped site, about two and a half hours from San Antonio, aims to enhance the visitor experience with interactive features that tell the story of Texas and the diverse populations who called the fledgling republic home.

Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site | An 1800s drug store sits on the site. | Photo courtesy of Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site

Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site | Photo courtesy of Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site

An exhibit tells the story of early agriculture.

Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site | Photo courtesy of Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site

The newly restored Washington-on-the-Brazos lets guests step inside history.

Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site | Photo courtesy of Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site

A display helps visitors explore Texas' historic sites.

Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site | Photo courtesy of Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site

Actors dressed up in period costume for the unveiling.

Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site | Photo courtesy of Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site

Guests learn about early Texas life.

Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site | Photo courtesy of Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site

A hall of fame pays tribute to famous Texans.

Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site | Photo courtesy of Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site

A buffalo guards indigenous artifacts.

Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site | Photo courtesy of Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site

A covered wagon tells the story of Texas settlers.

The extensive two-year renovation enhances how visitors experience the site through immersive exhibits and storytelling. A newly reimagined Star of the Republic Museum showcases rare artifacts and multimedia theaters, while the Washington Town Site introduces reconstructed historic buildings and archaeological displays. Guests will also find an upgraded visitor center and expanded family gallery featuring children's toys from the 1830s.

Other features include updated gallery exhibits, outdoor interpretive installations, and high-tech interactive displays. A new brick entrance gate now creates a welcoming entrance to the historic site, while the updated conference center will maintain the site's commitment to community meeting spaces.

"As a Texas Historical Commission state historic site, it is our mission to share the important history of this site with visitors from around the world ... we are confident this project will provide an unparalleled visitor experience," explained Texas Historical Commission (THC) Chairman John L. Nau, III, in an earlier release.
Illustration: Eddie Marshall | apaimages | SIPA | Newscom | IMAGO | ZUMA Press

President Donald Trump announced in 2017 that his first official overseas trip would be to the Middle East. An unnamed political figure, possibly from Kuwait, wanted to know how to deal with the new, unpredictable American leader. So the person turned to his acquaintance, Jeffrey Epstein.

"[A]ny tips on how we should communicate with him?" the figure wrote in an email. Epstein asked what "concrete" things the person's emir (prince) would like the U.S. to offer. "[A] good word about the Amir's effort to host the yemen peace talk will be great, i think..and if peace agreement was signed in kuwait that would be [seven thumbs up emojis]," the figure wrote back.

Kuwait had hosted unsuccessful peace talks in mid-2016 to resolve the Yemeni civil war, which was the worst humanitarian crisis in the Middle East at the time.

Epstein sent the person a link to a Jerusalem Post article about cosmetics heir Ronald Lauder's attempts to act as a freelance diplomat. "[H]e just left my house when you arrived. [H]e is the key for you. I understand Dubai," Epstein continued.

Lauder did not immediately respond to requests for comment sent through his company, Estee Lauder, or his nonprofit organization, the World Jewish Congress.

House Oversight Committee

House Oversight Committee

Emails published as part of the House Oversight Committee's investigation into Epstein's estate this week shed new light on the late sex trafficker's international political dealings. Long after his 2008* guilty plea for procuring a minor for prostitution, he was active and welcome in powerful circles. Epstein bragged to a former Norwegian president about passing on information about Trump to a Russian ambassador, and offered former Trump adviser Steve Bannon help meeting with politicians in Europe.

But the most intriguing revelations have been about Epstein's dealings in the Middle East. Some of Epstein's relationships to the region are already known. He kept a photo of himself with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in his apartment, and did business with former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, while helping Barak set up backchannel contacts with Russia to negotiate over the future of Syria.

The House Oversight Committee's disclosures add two other countries to the mix. Along with the mysterious figure asking about favors for Kuwaitthe name is completely redactedthe emails show that Epstein was in contact with an influential man in Qatar referred to only as "Jabor Y."

In November 2016, shortly before the U.S. election, Epstein apologized to Jabor for canceling an audience that Jabor had arranged with Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, the former prime minister of Qatar.** "[T]oo much work around the election," Epstein wrote, adding that "the states will be in turmoil for awhile no matter who wins" and promising to "explain when i see you."

House Oversight Committee

It's unclear whether he ever rescheduled the meeting. The exact identity of the Qatari man is also unclear. However, a group of influential names that Epstein sent to himself with the title "list for bannon steve" includes "HBJ," a nickname commonly used for Al Thani, the former prime minister.

The Qatari foreign ministry and Qatari embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The disclosures also touch on Epstein's longstanding relationship with Thomas Barrack, a real estate investor close to Trump. During the 2016 election, Barrack was a major fundraiser for the Trump campaign. He now serves as U.S. ambassador to Turkey and Trump's special envoy to Syria.

In March 2016, Epstein and Barrack made small talk via email. Barrack asked Epstein to "catch up," while Epstein complained about the constant questions from the media about his relationships with Trump and former President Bill Clinton. "[S]end photos of you and child," Epstein added. "[M]ake me smile."

Barrack did not respond to a request for comment sent to him through the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, where he works.

House Oversight Committee

A few months later, Epstein wrote to businessman Peter Thiel, "dont know how well you know tom barrack he is great." Epstein would go on to introduce Thiel and Barrack separately to Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin, according to schedules obtained by The Wall Street Journal. Thiel told the Journal that Epstein was "a crazed networker and low on substance," adding, "I didn't think enough about what Epstein's agenda might have been."

House Oversight Committee

In January 2017, according to the House Oversight Committee emails, Epstein told Emirati businessman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem that "it might be worth it" to accept an invitation from Barrack to attend Trump's inauguration. "Do you think it will be possible to shake hand with trump," bin Sulayem wrote back. Epstein told bin Sulayem to call him on the phone.

House Oversight Committee

Emails from the Handala leaks show Epstein introduced Barak to bin Sulayem in 2013, describing bin Sulayem as "the right hand of maktoum," the ruling family of Dubai. In 2015, bin Sulayem reached out to Epstein to arrange another meeting with Barak, for reasons unexplained. Epstein also kept a photo of himself with bin Sulayem in his apartment, according to images released by The New York Times.

Bin Sulayem's company did not respond to a request for comment.

Epstein, a financial manager by trade, was interested in mixing business with politics. He frequently wrote to Barak about his excitement for military and intelligence affairs. The past two decades of chaos in the Middle East offered Epstein plenty of opportunities to get involved.

But the disclosures also underscore questions about the Epstein case. What value did so many influential political elites from around the world see in advice from a convicted sex offender? And what exactly was Epstein's political endgame?

In a 2014 email, Epstein joked to a friend about the danger that her talk about "girls" will "renew an old habit." Then he listed all the meetings he had lined up during the U.N. General Assembly in New York. They included power brokers from America, Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.

House Oversight Committee

*CORRECTION: This piece previously misstated the year of the Epstein plea deal.

**CORRECTION: This article initially misstated the identity of the Qatari official referred to as "Shk. Hamad."

The post Jeffrey Epstein's Secret Role in Washington's Middle East Diplomacy appeared first on Reason.com.
Former Vice President Dick Cheneys funeral is scheduled to take place Thursday at Washington National Cathedral.

Vice President Cheney devoted decades of his life to public service at the highest levels of government, said the Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith, dean of Washington National Cathedral, in a statement.

His life was marked by deep dedication to his family and to the country he served, he continued.

The funeral service is slated to start at 11 a.m. EST.

List of speakers

Tributes will be delivered by former President George W. Bush; Cheneys daughter, former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.); Cheneys grandchildren; Cheneys physician, Dr. Jonathan Reiner; and Cheneys former press secretary and legislative assistant, Pete Williams, who is also a former NBC News correspondent.

Hollerith will deliver the homily at the service.

Former President Biden is planning to attend, ABC News reported.

The Hill has reached out to the White House on whether the Trump administration will have a representative attend.

Life and career

Cheney died Nov. 3 at the age of 84 due to complications from pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease.

Cheney served as vice president during former Bushs administration from 2001-09. He is considered one of the most influential vice presidents in modern U.S. history, having helped lead the countrys war on terror, crafting the argument for the United States to enter the Iraq War following the 9/11 attacks.

He and other Bush administration officials faced fierce criticism following the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 over false claims the country possessed weapons of mass destruction.

Originally published at 12:01 p.m. EST Nov. 13.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Donald Trump shows the signed bill to re-open the federal government on Wednesday. Photograph: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

The longest US government shutdown in history ended on Wednesday after more than 42 days, following the House of Representatives passage of a bill negotiated by Republicans and a splinter group of Democrat-aligned senators.

The compromise sets the stage for government operations to return to normal through January, while leaving unresolved the issue of expiring tax credits for Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare health plans, which most Democrats demanded be extended in any deal to reopen the government.

After it was unveiled over the weekend, the Senate approved the compromise on Monday, and the House followed suit two days later by a margin of 222 in favor and 209 against, with two not voting. Donald Trump signed the bill on Wednesday night, saying were sending a clear message that we will never give in to extortion, because thats what it was  the Democrats tried to extort our country.

Six Democrats broke with their party to vote for the bill: Adam Gray of California, Tom Suozzi of New York, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington, Don Davis of North Carolina, Henry Cuellar of Texas and Jared Golden of Maine. Two Republicans, Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Greg Steube of Florida, voted against it.

The Democrat shutdown is finally over thanks to House and Senate Republicans, House Republican leadership said in a statement.

There is absolutely no question now that Democrats are responsible for millions of American families going hungry, millions of travelers left stranded in airports, and our troops left wondering if they would receive their next paycheck.

In remarks on the House floor shortly before the vote, the Democratic minority leader, Hakeem Jeffries, had pledged to continue to press for the subsidies extensions.

This fight is not over. Were just getting started, he said. Either Republicans finally decide to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits this year, or the American people will throw Republicans out of their jobs next year and end the speakership of Donald J Trump once and for all. Thats how this fight ends.

The spending standoff was the biggest battle between congressional Democrats and Republicans since Trump returned to the White House earlier this year. It resulted in unprecedented disruptions to government services, with the Trump administration ordering cuts to commercial air travel across the country, and the first-ever halt to the largest federal food aid program.

Related: Im an American relying on food stamps. This country has turned us into lab rats

Reeling from their election defeats last year, Democrats had seized on an end-of-September expiration of government funding to make a stand on healthcare, a signature issue of the party over the past decade and a half. The Obamacare tax credits were created during Joe Bidens presidency, and lowered premiums for plans bought under the law.

Democrats wanted them extended as part of any deal to continue government funding. The party made other demands as well, including curbs on Trumps use of rescissions to slash money Congress had previously authorized and an undoing of cuts to Medicaid which Republicans had approved earlier in the year. But as the battle went on, it became clear that an extension of the subsidies was the main objective.

Republicans, who control both the House and the Senate, counter-offered with a bill to fund the government through the third week of November, without any spending cuts or major changes to policy. They passed the measure through the lower chamber with only a single Democrat in support, but the minority used the Senates filibuster to block its passage there.

The shutdown began on 1 October, resulting in about 700,000 federal workers being furloughed. Hundreds of thousands of others, from active-duty military to law enforcement to airport security screeners, remained on the job without pay.

Russell Vought, the White House office of management and budget director known for his hostility towards the federal workforce, seized on the funding lapse to order further layoffs of government employees. He also cut funding for infrastructure projects in states that voted for Kamala Harris last year.

Though Trump ordered military members be paid in a move that many experts called probably illegal, other federal workers missed paychecks. Food banks began reporting increased demand as the shutdown went on, with the need worsening after the White House halted payments under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamps, citing the government funding lapse.

Last week, Sean Duffy, the transportation secretary, ordered a cutback in flights at US airports, saying air traffic controllers were facing unprecedented strain after weeks of unpaid work. Widespread flight cancellations were reported in the days that followed.

In the Senate, most Democrats remained onboard with the partys strategy for weeks. The Senate majority leader, John Thune, held 14 votes on the GOP funding measure, but only three members of the minority caucus ever broke ranks to support it.

In early November, Democrats swept off-year elections, winning gubernatorial elections in Virginia and New Jersey by significant margins, as well as voter approval for new congressional maps in California that will help the partys candidates.

Democratic leaders said the wins vindicated their strategy in the funding fight, a statement Trump echoed, saying the shutdown is a big factor in the GOPs poor performance. He began pressing Republican senators to scrap the filibuster, which would have negated the 60-vote threshold spending legislation needs to clear in the chamber, where the GOP holds 53 seats.

Meanwhile, a small group of moderate members of the Senate Democratic caucus had been negotiating a compromise to end the shutdown. It ended up funding the government through January and undoing the layoffs the Trump administration had ordered after the shutdown began.

But it included no additional funding for the Affordable Care Act tax credits  instead, Thune agreed to allow a vote on the issue by mid-December. Theres no telling if it will win the GOP support needed to pass, and Mike Johnson, the Republican House speaker, has not said he will put any legislation up for a vote.

Despite howls of outrage from both House and Senate Democrats, the Senate passed it with 60 votes on Monday: eight from lawmakers in the Democratic caucus, and the rest from Republicans.

Yet the fight over the ACA subsidies is unlikely to be over. People enrolled in the plans received notices of premium increases in November because of the tax credits expiration. One study predicted they would rise by an average of 26%, potentially bringing them to levels unaffordable to many.

With government funding expiring again at the end of January, Democrats could use the opportunity to again demand the subsidies be extended.

Dozens of House Republicans have been claiming over the last few weeks that they know that is something that needs to be addressed, Jeffries said in a Tuesday interview with CNN.

And now were going to have to see some action or whether it was just talk from these House Republicans because Democrats are going to continue to stay in the arena as it relates to dealing with the healthcare crisis that Republicans have visited on the American people.
Michelino Sunseri collapses in exhaustion and joy after breaking the speed record on the iconic Grand Teton on Sept. 2, 2024 with a blistering roundtrip time of two hours, 50 minutes and 50 seconds. | Courtesy Connor Burkesmith

JACKSON, Wyo. (WyoFile)  The ordeal over Michelino Sunseris 2024 shortcut on the Grand Teton  which spurred a federal trial and garnered Congressional notice  came to an unexpected conclusion Monday when President Donald Trump pardoned the speed runner.

It was an appropriately unexpected ending to an incident that snowballed into something Sunseri never could have imagined, he noted in a Monday Facebook post alongside images of the pardon.

Seriously. You cant make this stuff up, he wrote. Its only fitting that something this absurd from the start ends in an equally surreal way.

RELATED | Grand Teton speed attempt spurs lawsuit, debate over filming in national parks

Sunseri was attempting an out-and-back speed record on the 13,775-foot crown of the Teton Range on Labor Day 2024 when he cut a switchback, opting to take what some call the old climbers trail down the mountain.

That choice proved hugely consequential. Because of it, the arbiter of alpine speed records, Fastest Known Time, refused to acknowledge Sunseris scorching 2:50:50 time as the new record. The trail transgression ignited a high-profile debate about alpine-sport ethics and what constitutes overcriminalization in national parks. Park rangers cited Sunseri, which led to a two-day trial in a federal courthouse in Jackson.

Sunseris legal team also did extensive advocacy to raise awareness of what they say are outsized penalties for federal misdemeanors. That included talks with Wyomings U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman, who agreed that cases like Sunseris represent a problem of overcriminalization that Trump targeted in a May executive order.

Those efforts resulted in Sunseris case landing on Trumps radar, defense attorney Alex Rienzie said. Still, the pardon was unexpected, he said.

I feel happy for Michelino, Rienzie said. He can finally put this behind him and we can all move on to more productive pursuits.

Sunseri echoed that sentiment.

Im absolutely, incredibly grateful, he said on Facebook. But, it never shouldve gotten this far. This case was a massive waste of taxpayer money and government energy from the start  something that shouldve easily been resolved back in September 2024 when I offered community service to close the trail for good. Unfortunately, instead of working with me, the system tried to make an example of me.

The shortcut felt around the world

Supporters of ultra runner Michelino Sunseri have created stickers, T-shirts and music videos under the label #freemichelino to protest what they say is an over-harsh penalty for his switchback-cutting infraction on the Grand Teton. A sticker adorns the bench outside Pearl Street Bagels in Jackson. | Rebecca Huntington, WyoFile

During his speed attempt, Sunseri cut a switchback to avoid hikers on the designated route. He described his decision in a Strava report shortly after the feat, writing that If I had to make this choice again, I would 100% make the exact same choice.

Some previous record holders also had taken that shortcut, but Sunseri was the first to face formal consequences. Fastest Known Time rejected his submission due to the offense. Shortly after, Grand Teton National Park rangers cited him for violating 36CFR2.1(b), which prohibits leaving a trail or walkway to shortcut between portions of the same trail or adjacent trail in the national park. The citation carries a maximum penalty of $5,000 and six months in jail.

Grand Teton rangers have reportedly struggled for years to keep people off of the old climbers trail, a faint singletrack with small signs near the top and bottom that read short cutting causes erosion and closed for regrowth.

When offered a plea bargain of a misdemeanor conviction, a five-year ban from the national park and a fine, Sunseri opted to challenge the charges. The penalties were too steep, he argued. That led to the May trial.

Meanwhile, the court of public opinion also weighed in. Sunseri supporters made T-shirts, stickers and social media posts accusing the National Park System of a heavy hand. Others, including Jackson Hole athletes, said Sunseri was setting a poor example of trail stewardship as a sponsored athlete.

Over the day-and-a-half trial, which unfolded in the Clifford P. Hansen Federal Courthouse in Jackson before Magistrate Judge Stephanie Hambrick, eight witnesses took the stand. They included professional athletes and older climbers who had scaled the peak hundreds of times, park rangers and a trails management expert.

A fitting punishment?

During the trial, attorneys zeroed in on the historic conversation around and use of the switchback-cutting route; the procedures by which park rangers discern whether a citation is appropriate; the private conversations Sunseri had regarding his route and the semantics around trails considered either established, maintained or designated.

The lawyers arguments centered on whether the Park Service properly notified the public of the closure and fairly cited Sunseri.

In a September decision, Hambrick sided with the prosecution when she determined the trail closure was valid and the park properly communicated the closure, and thus Sunseri was guilty.

Sunseris team appealed that ruling, arguing the decision gives park superintendents power well beyond what the Constitution affords them.

But on the eve of sentencing, Sunseris team struck a deal with newly appointed U.S. Attorney for Wyoming Darin Smith. The deal would dismiss the misdemeanor charge from Sunseris record if he completed community service and an educational class.

U.S. Attorneys have discretion to make prosecutorial decisions based on what they feel is in the best interest of the public and the justice system, without consideration of outside influences, read a statement Smiths office sent to WyoFile in October. This decision is not a rejection or criticism of the good work of the National Park Service, the Court, or the parties in this matter. It is an evolution of what is right and was made to preserve prosecutive and judicial resources while upholding the best interests of the public and the justice system.

Hageman had previously voiced her opinion that agreed Sunseris proposed penalties did not match the crime. Along with Andy Biggs, R-Arizona, she penned a July letter to acting U.S. Attorney Stephanie Sprecher stating that Sunseris prosecution appears to be a prime example of the problem of overcriminalization.

New routes

The pardon does not automatically trigger a reversal of FTKs decision on the Grand speed record. Its an independent arbiter that rejected the record before rangers issued a citation.

For now, Andy Anderson still holds the mens FKT record for the Grand Teton for his 2012 effort, when he ran and scrambled the 13.2 miles and 7,064 feet of elevation gain in 2:32:02. Jan Maus, meanwhile, broke the womens record in August with a time of 3:45:34.

Fastest Known Time, however, has updated language on its Grand Teton entry page to emphasize what it calls the Modern Route up and down the mountain. The route, which both Anderson and Maus followed, does not use the old climbers trail.

The Jenny Lake Rangers now prefer that runners stick to designated and maintained trails (where available), which aligns with this Modern Route, the page reads. FastestKnownTime indicated it will not accept future submissions using the Historical Route, though it remains an integral part of the mountains history and lore.

The post Trump pardons Grand Teton speed-runners shortcutting offense appeared first on East Idaho News.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Thursday that four European-based groups would be designated as terrorist organizations as part of the administrations commitment to confront the antifa movement  a catch-all term for far-left groups opposing fascism, sometimes violently.

The foreign designations come after the Trump administration in September designated antifa as a domestic terrorist organization.

The United States will continue using all available tools to protect our nation from these anti-American, anti-capitalist, and anti-Christian terrorist groups, Rubio, who also serves as national security adviser, said in a statement.

The administration singled out the German-based Antifa Ost, the Italian-based International Revolutionary Front (FAI/FRI), and two groups in Greece, the Armed Proletarian Justice and the Revolutionary Class Self Defense, as groups now designated as foreign terrorist organizations.

The designations are slated to go into effect Nov. 20.

In a fact sheet, the State Department laid out its evidence against the groups. It described Antifa Ost as conducting between 2018 and 2023 numerous attacks against individuals it perceives as fascists or part of the right-wing scene in Germany and accused it of having conducted a series of attacks in Budapest in mid-February 2023.

The State Department noted that Hungary declared Antifa Ost to be a terrorist organization in September. President Trump met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at the White House last week.

The Trump administration designated FAI/FRI because of its claimed responsibility for threats of violence, bombs, and letter bombs against political and economic institutions, including a courthouse and other capitalist institutions, and cited that the militant anarchist group claims affiliates across Europe, South America and Asia.

The department said the Greek-based Armed Proletarian Justice group is anarchist and anti-capitalist and has attempted and conducted improvised explosive device (IED) attacks against Greek government targets.

Armed Proletarian Justice claimed responsibility for planting a bomb near the Greek riot police headquarters in Goudi, Greece on December 18, 2023, officials wrote.

The State Department further added that the Greek-based Revolutionary Class Self-Defense claimed responsibility for two IED attacks: one targeting the Greece Ministry of Labor, on Feb. 3, 2024, and the other targeting the Hellenic Train offices April 11, 2025.

As a result of the sanctions, U.S. citizens are barred from transacting with sanctioned groups or individuals, and any property in the U.S. owned by the groups or individuals associated with the groups is blocked.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The Australian governments plan for the roll-out of generative AI (genAI) use by public servants will ensure sovereignty and trust of local data through the independent creation of AI tools.

Under the AI Plan for the Australian Public Service (APS), every public servant will have the confidence and access to use AI. This will give every federal public servant access to genAI tools, comprehensive training and capability support, and clear guidance on how to use these tools safely and responsibly.

To support the plan, as well as promote adoption, new government chief AI officers will be brought on board.

Announced at the Annual Statement of APS Reform, this plan will guide the safe, responsible, and coordinated adoption of AI and drive uptake across government, stated Minister for Government Affairs Senator Katy Gallagher.

AI adoption across the APS is not about replacing people, she said. Its about unlocking new capabilities while ensuring our people are focused on the work that requires human insight, empathy and judgment.

Were imagining a public service that doesnt just respond to peoples needs, but anticipates them, working seamlessly around their busy lives.
Australian organisations are racing to apply AI, yet many are still working out where it delivers value and how to do it safely. The catch is that both AI and cybersecurity skills are persistently in short supply in Australia. But far from being bad news, this scarcity creates a clear opportunity for partners ready to advise and guide businesses on their AI journeys.

With the rapid uptake of AI across industries, the number of AI specialists in Australia is anticipated to leap from 40,000 in 2024 to 85,000 by 2027, according to Bain & Company. Even so, a shortfall of up to 60,000 AI professionals is expected. Many businesses have yet to see a clear return on investment (ROI) from early AI projects, lifting executive scrutiny and demand for proof of value.

Together, ROI uncertainty and the skills shortage create a space for the channel to step in as educators and builders, not just implementers. Partners can help boards and executives decide where AI makes sense, how to govern it and how to secure it, opening the door to a new set of complementary services to help businesses adopt AI at scale and securely.

Closing the skills gap

The secure adoption of AI-powered products, applications and workflows is now a critical challenge. AI is also supercharging the threat landscape itself, especially social engineering, which remains the top initial access vector observed by Palo Alto Networks Unit 42 over the past year. Whats more, a fast-evolving regulatory landscape for data handling adds fresh complexity. This is the moment for partners to act as educators and builders, translating regulations into practical guardrails.

Initiatives such as the governments Notifiable Data Breaches (NDB) scheme, legislative updates to the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018, and the Cyber Security Bill 2024 have all impacted how companies handle information. And since information lies at the heart of AI models, these regulatory frameworks shape how AI is leveraged.

For businesses struggling to secure AI talent internally, each decision carries risk, especially where cyber skills are also thin. Without the resources to implement AI and adequate security measures around it, theres a risk of falling behind.

Fortunately, cybersecurity providers have long acted as an external resource to address their customers cybersecurity skills gaps. Now, they can do the same through their AI prowess. Partners who are investing in building AI skills and specialised AI practices will be well-positioned as demand accelerates.

Promoting AI-centric practices

Against an industry backdrop where outcome buying and operational expenditure (OpEx) models are taking precedence, being able to implement AI applications and services that demonstrate time to value is critical. Moreover, the ability to ensure time to value safely and securely is indispensable. This is the nexus where partners can generate enormous value.

By designing grounded, real-world AI-centric practices beyond large language model (LLM) pilots and applying AI models to real workflows, cybersecurity practitioners have the chance to dramatically expand their remit and wallet share. This approach is a clear point of differentiation for channel partners.

Crucially, when this kind of AI-centric advisory offering is packaged up with complementary cybersecurity services such as secure-by-design architecture and continuous control monitoring, along with AI-driven security operations centre (SOC) and SecOps capabilities, it creates an on-ramp to stickier long-term partnerships and greater value.

A pathway to transformation

For cybersecurity-focused channel partners choosing to make the most of the AI opportunity, there are three key pillars. First, commit to a culture of continuous learning. This is easier said than done, but the key is to strategically invest in skills and team knowledge to create an AI-centric practice. Build a bench of experts who can brief boards, run tabletop exercises and advise on playbooks so your organisation stays current and competitive.

Second, go beyond technology buzzwords such as prompt injection, insecure outputs and sensitive data leaks; focus on enabling business outcomes. Frame AI in terms of measurable value, regulatory fit, and operational changenot just features or models.

Finally, dont let security become an afterthought. Make secure-by-design the default from day one. AI is compressing attacker timelines. For example, the time to deploy ransomware has fallen from approximately nine days to 25 minutes; the time from initial compromise to data theft has dropped from about nine days to 20 minutes; and once a new vulnerability is disclosed, it can be weaponised in under 60 minutes, down from nine weeks. Most organisations still need two to three days to resolve an incident. These realities demand prevention, continuous monitoring and AI-driven SecOps.

By differentiating with skills and knowledge, investing in teams that can translate how AI and security intertwine with board-level considerations like governance and risk, and teaming up with vendors, ISVs and peer partners for complete capability coverage, cybersecurity-focused partners have the chance to step forward as AI advisors, not just implementers.

In a market defined by scarce talent and uneven ROI, partners who educate, package for outcomes and secure from day one will lead.

Ready to turn AI advisory into growth, or looking for the right partner to help you adopt and secure AI safely? Explore the Palo Alto Networks NextWave Partner Program and connect with trusted partners today: https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/partners
A legal expert and politician, he was one of dictator Ferdinand Marcos's closest aides, designing and implementing martial law. But he was also a key figure in the 1986 crisis that ultimately brought down the regime. Still at the centre of politics, he served as legal advisor to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. even as he approached his 100th birthday. A divisive figure, he was for some, a symbol of political skill, for others, an emblem of elite impunity.

Manila (AsiaNews/Agencies)  Juan Ponce Enrile, one of the most enduring, controversial, and influential political figures in contemporary Philippine history, died today, 13 November, at the age of 101.

His daughter, Katrina Ponce Enrile, reported his death on social media: He dedicated much of his life to the service of the Filipino people. At this time, we humbly ask for the publics understanding as our family takes a brief moment to grieve privately and honor his memory together in quiet and in peace.

A graduate from Harvard Law School, Enrile, after meeting Ferdinand Marcos in 1950, then a rising star in Philippine politics, went on to hold various government positions: undersecretary of Finance, commissioner of the Bureau of Customs, secretary of Justice, and finally secretary of Defence.

Between 1972 and 1981, he promoted the imposition of martial law and theorised and set up an emergency regime under which Marcos, the current president's father, eliminated the opposition and favoured the expansion of the military's power, including in the economic sphere, a decision that plunged the country into poverty.

According to Amnesty International, during the dictatorship, tens of thousands of opponents were killed, tortured, raped, or arbitrarily detained. More than 11,000 survivors have received official compensation.

During the 1986 political crisis that led to the regime's downfall, Enrile broke with Marcos and briefly served as Defence Minister in the government of the new president, Corazon Aquino. He was eventually dismissed on charges of fomenting dissent within the army ranks.

Enriles political career could have ended there; instead, he was elected as senator the following year and remained at the centre of Philippine politics.

In 2008, he was elected president of the Senate and led the impeachment of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona.

His decisions split public opinion. On the one hand, some accused him of political manoeuvring; on the other, others praised him for maintaining the balance between democratic institutions.

Even today, Enrile, whose face often circulates online among young people's memes, is for many Filipinos a symbol of discipline, wit, and dedication to the state; for many others, he is the emblem of repression, political hypocrisy, and the impunity of the political elites who have dominated Philippine political life for decades.

His political career, which was marked by investigations, arrests, and recent acquittals, ended as an advisor to current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. After the latters electoral victory in 2022, Enrile was appointed chief presidential legal counsel.

We say goodbye to one of the most enduring and respected public servants our country has ever known, President Marcos said in a statement, noting that Enrile dedicated his life to serving the Filipino people, helping guide the country through some of its most challenging and defining moments.
A new, large-scale mining facility, 75 per cent owned by Chinese companies, began operations this week in the hills of southern Guinea. It is expected to have a major impact on the global mining industry, not least because of the quality of the extracted material, which is more suitable for low-carbon steel production.

Milan (AsiaNews/Agencies)  Chinas Vice Premier Liu Guozhong this week inaugurated a large-scale Chinese-controlled mine in the hills of southern Guinea (Africa) that could revolutionise the global iron ore market.

The Simandou mine has, however, a troubled history, saddled above all by great ambitions. With a projected annual production capacity of 120 million metric tonnes, the mine (75 per cent owned by Chinese interests) is set to become the world's largest, producing the highest-quality iron ore, a key element in the green transition in the global steel supply chain.

Xinhua cited Chinese vice premier saying that the project is the result of nearly 70 years of friendship and cooperation between China, Guinea, and Africa, adding that it will contribute to Guinea's economic development and the implementation of the "Simandou 2040" strategy.

Two of Simandou's four mining blocks are controlled by a Sino-Singaporean consortium, Winning Consortium Simandou, while the other two belong to Rio Tinto SimFer, a joint venture between global mining giant Rio Tinto, Chalco Iron Ore Holdings, and the Guinean government.

State-owned China Baowu Steel Group, the world's largest steel producer by volume, is also a key shareholder, with stakes in the Winning Consortium Simandou and an indirect stake in Rio Tinto SimFer.

Aside from its size, the mines characteristics also draw attention. Simandou ore, with a 65 per cent iron content, is destined for the premium segment used to produce low-carbon green steel.

It is no coincidence that Baowu Chairman Hu Wangming stated that the project will provide environmentally friendly raw materials for the steel industry in China and globally.

This development is of particular concern to large Australian mines, which until now had benefited precisely from strong Chinese demand, dictating prices but also introducing lower-quality iron onto the steel market, which requires more energy and produces higher emissions.

However, the Simandou mining complex is coming online just as Chinese steel demand continues to decline 2-3 per cent annually, partly due to the countrys real estate crisis.

When the Guinean mine reaches full capacity in five years, it will alone supply the equivalent of 7 per cent of the total global iron ore supply; a significant increase in a market already characterised by oversupply.

This will inevitably have severe repercussions on world prices, reducing the profits of large mining companies, particularly in Australia.

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Through a chirograph, the pope gave a new legal form to the network of port chaplaincies to continue this service with "enthusiasm and generosity." Meanwhile, Cardinal Czerny, in his message for World Fisheries Day, laments that many fishermen face storms far beyond the seas: low income, job insecurity, poor working conditions, being far from their families.

Vatican City (AsiaNews)  With a chirograph published today, Pope Leo XIV has established the Apostleship of the Sea as the central coordinating body of the Work of the Apostleship of the Sea under the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

This measure recognises the canonical legal personality of the coordinating body of Stellae Maris, the network of chaplaincies in ports around the world that provide assistance to seafarers and their families.

Today's chirograph, which also includes the statutes of the Apostleship of the Sea, is a measure that revises, within the current structure of the Roman Curia, a process that has a long history for the Church, going back to the start of the 20th century.

It is above all a way to express the "desire that the spiritual care of the Church in the context of the pastoral care of the sea may continue with enthusiasm and generosity" even in our time, which too often forgets the laborious work of those who spend their days at sea, often making an irreplaceable contribution to those global supply chains so much in the spotlight today.

Precisely for this reason, it is also significant that Pope Leo XIV's chirograph was released alongside the message that Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, addressed to fishermen around the world on the occasion of World Fisheries Day, which has been celebrated annually on 21 November since 1998 at the initiative of the United Nations.

In it, Cardinal Czerny mentions the deep connection between those who cast their nets into the sea and the virtue of hope, which is at the heart of the Jubilee celebrated this year. But the prelate also notes the serious problems that afflict this group of workers today.

Lamentably, he writes, many fishermen face storms far beyond the seas: low income, job insecurity, poor working conditions, being far from their families. We must not forget that behind each catch there is a life, a family, a call to integral development!

The prefect of the Dicastery of Integral Human Development notes that, Highly industrialized fishing is also a great threat for artisanal fleets as it decreases the catch that remains. In addition, the large ships leave contaminated residues that damage coastal ecosystems.

On board the large industrial fishing tankers, the crews remain for months, living in reduced and uncomfortable spaces, away from their families, with work hours that often exceed legislated limits. Many of them are migrants, who in some cases are contracted under discriminatory conditions.

Governments must recognise that, Voice must be given to fishermen lest the policies and laws that affect them be discussed only by those who live and reason from the comfortable position of a high level of development and a quality of life well beyond the reach of the majority of the worlds population.

For this reason, notes the cardinal, The Church, through the Work of the Apostolate of the Sea, aims to be present where fishermen and sailors are suffering the most. In coastal parishes and in ports, their chaplains and voluntaries accompany those who endure long absences from their families, dangerous working conditions and hard days at sea, becoming also spokespersons for their dignity."

Finally, We commend all sailors, fishermen and their families to the maternal protection, of Mary, Stella Maris, the message reads. May Mary guide and protect those who plow the seas and, with her maternal intercession, sustain everyone in hope, in justice and in the commitment to the care of the seas.
by Mathias Hariyadi

Indonesia is the world's largest producer of this raw material and the crossroads of discussions on its environmental sustainability. Over the last year, prices have fallen by more than 17%, but operators in the sector are optimistic about the biofuel market. Forty-one per cent of Indonesian plantations are owned by small farmers.

Bali (AsiaNews) - Market prospects for a sector vital to Indonesia's economy are the focus of the 2025 edition of IPOC, the national conference of palm oil producers taking place in Bali until 14 November.

The meeting, entitled Navigating complexity, driving growth: governance, biofuel policy and global trade, brings together 1,500 participants from 26 countries, including policy makers, investors and industry leaders from across the palm oil supply chain.

The event comes at a delicate time: the price of crude palm oil (CPO) has fallen to US5.9 per tonne, down 17.12% year-on-year.

However, analysts in Bali are optimistic, judging these losses to be limited and betting on the intention expressed by Indonesia, the world's largest palm oil producer, to increase the mandate on biodiesel from 40% to 50% in the second half of 2026. This policy could reduce global supply and support prices in key markets such as India and China.

In addition to IPOC, Bali is also hosting the International Conference on Palm Oil and the Environment (ICOPE), which focuses on strategies to increase sustainability and environmental balance in this sector, which is often criticised for its impact.

Indonesia is thus increasingly emerging as the global hub for discussions on palm oil, a commodity that contributes more than US billion to the country's exports each year, surpassing those of the oil and gas sector.

The total area of oil palm plantations in Indonesia has reached 16.8 million hectares, with an annual oil production of around 50 million tonnes. These plantations are spread across 26 provinces and more than 200 districts and municipalities throughout the country.

All provinces on the islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan, as well as several provinces in Java, Sulawesi, Maluku and Papua, contribute significantly to this strategic industry for Indonesia.

Approximately 41% of the country's oil palm plantations are owned by smallholders, generating over 5.5 million direct jobs and 12 million indirect jobs nationwide.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

In 2017, the parish priest of the Svjato-Onezskij cathedral on the Russian Arctic coast began negotiations with the Norwegian mayor of Vard to build a Russian Orthodox chapel on the fishing island. But when the plans included an imposing 17-metre-high building in the middle of NATO's large radar installations, the city council refused to grant permission despite generous Russian offers of subsidies.

Oslo (AsiaNews) - The island of Vard is located in northern Norway, stretching out into the Barents Sea, with a charming fishing village where about two thousand people live, including 40 of Russian nationality.

The first thing you see when you approach the island are huge white spheres, NATO radars, standing on the hill like giant mushrooms. The Norwegian services use them for cosmic monitoring and surveillance of Russian Arctic airspace, which extends right to the borders of Vard.

On a clear day, you can see the Kola Peninsula, separated from Norway by the Varanger Fjord. Gadzievo, home to Russia's nuclear submarine fleet, is located 150 kilometres east of the island.

Relations between Russia and Norway have a long history dating back to the founding of Kievan Rus' by the Scandinavian Varangians, and trade negotiations took place on this island to exchange flour and birch tar for fish and salt, as continued until the Second World War.

After the end of the Soviet Union and the Cold War, relations had become much closer, and today the Kremlin is actively seeking to use the trust of local residents to gain the trust and support of the inhabitants of northern Norway.

As documented by an investigation by Novaya Gazeta Evropa, since 2011, a seemingly innocuous initiative has been proposed: historical memory trips to places where Russian soldiers entered during the war against the Nazis, spreading narratives favourable to Russia among Norwegians.

Northerners are in fact very unhappy with Oslo's policies and feel that Russia takes better care of their needs. Since 2017, the Orthodox priest of the Svjato-Onezskij cathedral on the Russian Arctic coast, Father Aleksandr Koptev, has also been active, initiating negotiations with the mayor of Vard to build a Russian Orthodox chapel on the island to promote relations with the local population, whom the priest visited regularly, meeting with local Russians.

Father Aleksandr is a former military man, like many Russian Orthodox priests who were left without work at the end of the Soviet period, and in the 1980s he had served in the northernmost districts, such as the northern fleet airfield located in the Arkhangelsk region, from which special military aircraft took off, dedicated to maritime surveillance and radio-electronic warfare.

In 1997, he was ordained a priest, serving the diocese of Kargopolsk, led by Bishop Aleksandr (Zajtsev), one of the most ardent supporters of the Russian war in Ukraine, who often travelled to Vard with Koptev to bless the monuments to Norwegian partisans, with Orthodox crosses placed beside them.

The Patriarch of Moscow, Kirill, blessed the initiative for the Russian chapel, which Bishop Zajtsev wanted to place at the point closest to the radio location stations, stating that the place was shown to me by God himself.

The pandemic slowed down the completion of the project, which had not been contested by the local authorities and involved a small chapel that could serve as a reference point for Russian sailors arriving on the island.

However, when the plans were revealed, showing an imposing 17-metre-high building, the city council refused to grant permission, despite considerable pressure from Russia with generous offers of rewards and subsidies.

With the outbreak of war in Ukraine, the reason for Russia's eagerness became clear: they intended to use the church to assert their presence next to a crucial NATO settlement.

The opening of the great chapel would have marked the beginning of an uninterrupted procession of Russian ecclesiastical delegations, organised by the Ministry of Defence headed by Orthodox subdeacon Andrej Belousov, to interfere with Western radars and further support pro-Russian propaganda, with the argument that Western sanctions do not correspond to the interests of the population of northern Norway, one of Father Aleksandr's favourite topics in his sermons.
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13 November 2025 15:59 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

On November 13, the Baku Military Court continued proceedings in the criminal case involving citizens of the Republic of Armenia, with the prosecution presenting its closing arguments.

According to Azernews, the prosecution outlined the legal assessment of the alleged acts under the charges during its statement in court.

Prosecutors emphasised that United Nations Security Council Resolutions 822, 853, 874, and 884 confirmed that Armenias military aggression resulted in the occupation of Azerbaijans sovereign territories, constituting an aggressive war against Azerbaijan.

The prosecution noted that Armenias acts of aggression persisted even during periods when active military operations were nominally paused. Throughout the course of the war, repeated violations of ceasefires targeted members of Azerbaijans Armed Forces, civilians, civilian property, and state infrastructure. Religious, educational, scientific, and medical facilities, locations housing the sick and wounded, as well as strategically important assets, including the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, were subjected to attacks.

The prosecutors further asserted that the systematic nature of torture and its widespread application demonstrated that such acts reflected official Armenian state policy.

The court was reminded that the Geneva Conventions, Additional Protocol I, criminalise the transfer of an occupiers own population into occupied territories. During the investigation, the accused, Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Gukasyan, and Bako Sahakyan, admitted in their statements that people were relocated from Armenia to Azerbaijans occupied regions, particularly the Lachin District. These claims were corroborated by letters, Armenian sources, and information available in public online databases.

The trial continues against Armenian citizens accused of peace and humanity crimes, war crimes, preparation and execution of an aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, financing of terrorism, seizing power by force, maintaining power by force, and numerous other crimes resulting from Armenias military aggression.
13 November 2025 23:46 (UTC+04:00)

The open court session in the criminal cases against citizens of the Republic of Armenia  Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and othersaccused of committing crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including the preparation and conduct of an aggressive war, genocide, violation of the laws and customs of war, as well as terrorism, financing of terrorism, violent seizure of power, violent retention of power, and numerous other crimes as a result of Armenia's military aggression against Azerbaijan, continued on November 13.

The court session at the Baku Military Court, chaired by Judge Zeynal Agayev and composed of Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev (with reserve judge Gunel Samadova), provided each accused person with an interpreter in the language they know, as well as defense lawyers.

The session was attended by the accused persons, their defenders, some of the victims, their legal successors and representatives, as well as prosecutors upholding the state prosecution.

The court session continued with the closing statements of the prosecutors upholding the state prosecution.

Tughay Rahimli, Assistant to the Prosecutor General on special assignments, spoke and expressed his position on the characterization of the criminal acts in the charges brought against the accused persons.

He noted that UN Security Council Resolutions 822, 853, 874, and 884 confirm that the sovereign territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan were occupied as a result of Armenia's military aggression, thereby confirming that Armenia waged an aggressive war against Azerbaijan.

The closing statement indicated that the aggressive war waged by Armenia against Azerbaijan was not factually halted even during periods when no active military operations were conducted.

During the aggressive war, the Armenian armed forces repeatedly violated the ceasefire, targeting members of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan lawfully operating on its territory, civilians, their property, state facilities for civilian purposes, religious, educational, scientific, and medical facilities, places where the sick and wounded were located, as well as objects of significant strategic importance, including the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline.

It was also stated that the systematic nature and widespread geographical scope of the torture inflicted by the Armenian armed forces prove that the application of torture reflected the policy of the Armenian state.

It was emphasized that Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions considers "the transfer by the occupying Power of parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies" a crime. It was noted that during the court investigation, the accused Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, and Bako Sahakyan confirmed in their statements the transfer of population from Armenia to the occupied regions of Azerbaijan, particularly to the Lachin district.

At the same time, these facts were confirmed based on letters examined during the court investigation, information from Armenian sources, and data from internet information resources.

It was emphasized that Armenia's military aggression was not directed solely at members of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan but also targeted areas such as the largest cities and districts  Ganja, Barda, Agjabedi, Yevlakh, Mingachevir, Zardab, Kurdamir, Gabala, and othersas objects of attack.

Thus, the evidence examined in court confirmed that Armenia occupied the sovereign territories of Azerbaijan and committed crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, and numerous other particularly serious crimes during and after the military aggression against Azerbaijan.

Subsequently, Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor General Vusal Aliyev and Nasir Bayramov, Head of the Department for Upholding State Prosecution at the General Prosecutor's Office, spoke and voiced the prosecutors' proposals regarding the punishment to be imposed for each criminal act of which the accused persons are charged.

During the speeches, it was also proposed to the court to remove certain points from the charges brought against the accused persons and to characterize the acts of the accused persons under a norm of the criminal law providing for lighter liability compared to some of the charges brought.

It was emphasized that although the accused Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, and Madat Babayan are charged with committing crimes providing for life imprisonment, and these charges were proven during the court investigation, according to the requirements of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, life imprisonment cannot be imposed on them since they reached the age of 65 before the final court decision, i.e., the verdict, is issued.

It was proposed that Harutyunyan Arayik Vladimiri be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan  planning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; attacking persons entitled to international protection; genocide; destruction of the population; slavery; forced transfer of the population; persecution; enforced disappearance of persons; deprivation of liberty in violation of international law norms; torture; mercenarism; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; military plunder; intentional murder; illegal entrepreneurship; terrorism; financing of terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; acts creating a threat to aviation safety; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislationand be finally sentenced to life imprisonment, to be served in a prison. The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detention  October 3, 2023.

Regarding Mnatsakanyan Levon Henrikhi, it was proposed that he be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijanplanning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; attacking persons entitled to international protection; destruction of the population; slavery; forced transfer of the population; persecution; enforced disappearance of persons; deprivation of liberty in violation of international law norms; torture; mercenarism; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; military plunder; intentional murder; illegal entrepreneurship; terrorism; financing of terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; acts creating a threat to aviation safety; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislationand be finally sentenced to life imprisonment, to be served in a prison. The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detention  September 29, 2023.

It was proposed that Manukyan David Azati be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijanplanning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; attacking persons entitled to international protection; destruction of the population; slavery; forced transfer of the population; persecution; enforced disappearance of persons; deprivation of liberty in violation of international law norms; torture; mercenarism; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; military plunder; intentional murder; illegal entrepreneurship; terrorism; financing of terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; acts creating a threat to aviation safety; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislation  and be finally sentenced to life imprisonment, to be served in a prison. The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detention  September 27, 2023.

Regarding Ishkhanyan Davit Rubeni, the proposal stated that he be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijanplanning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; attacking persons entitled to international protection; genocide; destruction of the population; slavery; forced transfer of the population; persecution; enforced disappearance of persons; deprivation of liberty in violation of international law norms; torture; mercenarism; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; military plunder; intentional murder; illegal entrepreneurship; terrorism; financing of terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; acts creating a threat to aviation safety; attempt on the life of a state figure; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislation  and be finally sentenced to life imprisonment, to be served in a prison. The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detentionOctober 3, 2023.

Regarding Babayan David Klimi, it was proposed that he be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijanplanning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; destruction of the population; slavery; forced transfer of the population; persecution; enforced disappearance of persons; deprivation of liberty in violation of international law norms; torture; mercenarism; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; military plunder; intentional murder; illegal entrepreneurship; terrorism; financing of terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; acts creating a threat to aviation safety; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislation  and be finally sentenced to life imprisonment, to be served in a prison. The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detention  September 28, 2023.

It was proposed that Ghukasyan (Gukasyan) Arkadi Arshavir* be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijanplanning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; attacking persons entitled to international protection; genocide; destruction of the population; slavery; forced transfer of the population; persecution; enforced disappearance of persons; deprivation of liberty in violation of international law norms; torture; mercenarism; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; military plunder; intentional murder; illegal entrepreneurship; terrorism; financing of terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; acts creating a threat to aviation safety; attempt on the life of a state figure; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislationand be finally sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment, with the first 10 years to be served in a prison and the remaining part in a strict-regime correctional institution.

The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detention  October 3, 2023.

Regarding Sahakyan Bako Sahaki, it was proposed that he be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijanplanning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; attacking persons entitled to international protection; genocide; destruction of the population; slavery; forced transfer of the population; persecution; enforced disappearance of persons; deprivation of liberty in violation of international law norms; torture; mercenarism; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; military plunder; intentional murder; illegal entrepreneurship; terrorism; financing of terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; acts creating a threat to aviation safety; attempt on the life of a state figure; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislationand be finally sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment, with the first 10 years to be served in a prison and the remaining part in a strict-regime correctional institution.

The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detention  October 3, 2023.

It was proposed that Manukyan David Azati be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijanplanning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; attacking persons entitled to international protection; destruction of the population; slavery; forced transfer of the population; persecution; enforced disappearance of persons; deprivation of liberty in violation of international law norms; torture; mercenarism; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; military plunder; intentional murder; illegal entrepreneurship; terrorism; financing of terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; acts creating a threat to aviation safety; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislation  and be finally sentenced to life imprisonment, to be served in a prison. The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detention  September 27, 2023.

Regarding Ishkhanyan Davit Rubeni, the proposal stated that he be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijanplanning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; attacking persons entitled to international protection; genocide; destruction of the population; slavery; forced transfer of the population; persecution; enforced disappearance of persons; deprivation of liberty in violation of international law norms; torture; mercenarism; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; military plunder; intentional murder; illegal entrepreneurship; terrorism; financing of terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; acts creating a threat to aviation safety; attempt on the life of a state figure; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislation  and be finally sentenced to life imprisonment, to be served in a prison. The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detentionOctober 3, 2023.

Regarding Babayan David Klimi, it was proposed that he be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijanplanning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; destruction of the population; slavery; forced transfer of the population; persecution; enforced disappearance of persons; deprivation of liberty in violation of international law norms; torture; mercenarism; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; military plunder; intentional murder; illegal entrepreneurship; terrorism; financing of terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; acts creating a threat to aviation safety; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislation  and be finally sentenced to life imprisonment, to be served in a prison. The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detention  September 28, 2023.

It was proposed that Ghukasyan (Gukasyan) Arkadi Arshavir* be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijanplanning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; attacking persons entitled to international protection; genocide; destruction of the population; slavery; forced transfer of the population; persecution; enforced disappearance of persons; deprivation of liberty in violation of international law norms; torture; mercenarism; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; military plunder; intentional murder; illegal entrepreneurship; terrorism; financing of terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; acts creating a threat to aviation safety; attempt on the life of a state figure; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislationand be finally sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment, with the first 10 years to be served in a prison and the remaining part in a strict-regime correctional institution.

The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detentionOctober 3, 2023.

Regarding Sahakyan Bako Sahaki, it was proposed that he be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijanplanning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; attacking persons entitled to international protection; genocide; destruction of the population; slavery; forced transfer of the population; persecution; enforced disappearance of persons; deprivation of liberty in violation of international law norms; torture; mercenarism; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; military plunder; intentional murder; illegal entrepreneurship; terrorism; financing of terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; acts creating a threat to aviation safety; attempt on the life of a state figure; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislationand be finally sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment, with the first 10 years to be served in a prison and the remaining part in a strict-regime correctional institution.

The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detention  October 3, 2023.

It was proposed that Babayan Madat Arakeli be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijanplanning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; attacking persons entitled to international protection; genocide; destruction of the population; slavery; forced transfer of the population; persecution; enforced disappearance of persons; deprivation of liberty in violation of international law norms; torture; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms; intentional murder; terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; attempt on the life of a state figure; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislationand be finally sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment, with the first 10 years to be served in a prison and the remaining part in a strict-regime correctional institution.

The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detention  September 21, 2023.

Regarding Pashayan Melikset Vladimiri, the proposal stated that he be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijanplanning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; destruction of the population; slavery; forced transfer of the population; persecution; enforced disappearance of persons; deprivation of liberty in violation of international law norms; torture; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; intentional murder; terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislationand be finally sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment, with the first 10 years to be served in a prison and the remaining part in a strict-regime correctional institution.

The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detention  September 21, 2023.

It was proposed that Martirosyan Garik Grigori be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijanplanning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; destruction of the population; slavery; forced transfer of the population; persecution; enforced disappearance of persons; deprivation of liberty in violation of international law norms; torture; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; intentional murder; terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislation  and be finally sentenced to 19 years of imprisonment, with the first 10 years to be served in a prison and the remaining part in a strict-regime correctional institution.

The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detention  September 21, 2023.

Regarding Allahverdiyan Davit Nelsoni, the proposal stated that he be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijanplanning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; destruction of the population; forced transfer of the population; persecution; enforced disappearance of persons; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; intentional murder; terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislation  and be finally sentenced to 18 years of imprisonment, with the first 10 years to be served in a prison and the remaining part in a strict-regime correctional institution.

The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detention  September 21, 2023.

Regarding Balayan Levon Romiki, the proposal stated that he be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijanplanning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; destruction of the population; forced transfer of the population; persecution; enforced disappearance of persons; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; intentional murder; terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislation  and be finally sentenced to 17 years of imprisonment, with the first 10 years to be served in a prison and the remaining part in a strict-regime correctional institution.

The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detention  September 21, 2023.

It was proposed that Beqlaryan Vasili Ivani be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijanplanning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; forced transfer of the population; persecution; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; military plunder; intentional murder; terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislationand be finally sentenced to 16 years of imprisonment, with the first 10 years to be served in a prison and the remaining part in a strict-regime correctional institution.

The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detentionSeptember 26, 2023.

Regarding Stepanyan Gurgen Homerosi, the proposal stated that he be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan  planning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; destruction of the population; forced transfer of the population; persecution; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; intentional murder; terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislation  and be finally sentenced to 16 years of imprisonment, with the first 10 years to be served in a prison and the remaining part in a strict-regime correctional institution.

The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detention  September 21, 2023.

It was proposed that Ghazaryan Erik Roberti be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijanplanning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; forced transfer of the population; persecution; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; intentional murder; terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislationand be finally sentenced to 16 years of imprisonment, with the first 10 years to be served in a prison and the remaining part in a strict-regime correctional institution.

The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detention  September 27, 2023.

In addition, the court was requested to make a decision regarding the physical evidence in the criminal case in accordance with the requirements of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The prosecutors upholding the state prosecution requested the court not to change the preventive measure selected for each of the accused persons until the verdict enters into legal force.

In addition, the court was requested to make a decision regarding the physical evidence in the criminal case in accordance with the requirements of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

In court, the representatives of the victims stated that the charges brought against the accused persons were proven by the evidence examined during the court investigation, which lasted nearly a year, the materials studied, the testimonies of interrogated witnesses and victims, as well as expert opinions and other evidence.

The representatives of the victims expressed their agreement with the prosecutors' proposals regarding the punishment and requested the court panel to issue a verdict accordingly.

The court process will continue on November 27.

Fifteen defendants of Armenian origin are accused in the criminal case concerning numerous crimes committed during the aggressive war waged by the Armenian state - including the aforementioned criminal association - on the territory of Azerbaijan, in violation of domestic and international legal norms. These crimes were committed for the purpose of military aggression against Azerbaijan and were carried out under the direct leadership and participation of the Armenian state, officials of its state institutions, its armed forces, and illegal armed formations, through their written and verbal orders, instructions, and guidelines; material, technical, and personnel support; centralized management; as well as under strict control and under the leadership and direct or indirect participation of Robert Sedraki Kocharyan, Serzh Azati Sargsyan, Vazgen Mikaeli Manukyan, Vazgen Zaveni Sargsyan, Samvel Andraniki Babayan, Vitali Mikaeli Balasanyan, Zori Hayki Balayan, Seyran Musheghi Ohanyan, Arshavir Surenovich Garamyan, Monte Charles Melkonyan, and others.
13 November 2025 17:16 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

Citizen welfare remains the central focus of the states socio-economic policy. As developing countries face increasing global competitiveness, the standard of living of their citizens is inevitably affected. Among the most competitive sectors within these economies is the real estate market. In Azerbaijan, a significant trend observed across developing nationsthe migration from rural regions to urban centersposes a major challenge for the capital, Baku.

Additional factors, including business development and investment attraction, further contribute to the rise in land and housing prices in the city. This situation raises a critical question: how can young families, particularly those not employed in high-paying sectors, secure adequate housing? It is precisely in this context that the socio-economic reforms implemented by the state play a pivotal role, aiming to ensure accessible and sustainable housing opportunities for all citizens.

In response, the government has implemented targeted socio-economic reforms, with citizen welfare at the forefront of its agenda. Among these initiatives, the Mortgage and Credit Guarantee Fund (MCGF) plays a central role, providing subsidized mortgages and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to foster broader economic development.

In this context, Fitch Ratings recently affirmed MCGFs Long-Term Foreign- and Local-Currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) at BBB- with a stable outlook, reflecting the Funds strong operational and financial links to the Azerbaijani state and its critical role in the countrys housing policy. Fitchs assessment underscores MCGFs dual function as both a financial institution and a socio-economic instrument, bridging the gap between affordable housing provision and sustainable economic growth.

Fitch classifies MCGF as a government-related entity (GRE), noting that its rating is effectively equalized with the sovereign due to its deep integration with state policy and reliance on government funding. The agency assigns a virtually certain support score of 50 out of 60, reflecting the combination of responsibility-to-support and incentive-to-support factors that secure the Funds financial stability.

Decision-making and oversight are tightly controlled by the state. MCGF is a non-commercial entity whose liquidation or reorganisation requires a presidential decree. Its board of trustees, appointed by the president and composed of representatives from the presidential administration, key ministries, and the central bank, approves borrowing limits, strategic goals, budgets, and investment programs.

Financial backing from the state further reinforces the Funds credit profile. MCGF receives annual capital injections, totalling 172.7 million manats for 20242025, used primarily to finance social mortgages. Additionally, the central bank provides a buyback guarantee for the Funds bonds, currently holding about 80% of its outstanding debt. The Fund benefits from exemptions from income tax and enhanced market attractiveness due to preferential bond classifications. Fitch expects such regulatory and political support to remain robust at least through the medium term, with an additional 100 million manats earmarked for social mortgage and SME financing in 2026.

MCGFs mission is strategically significant: it is the only entity responsible for subsidized housing loans in Azerbaijan, managing around 80% of the countrys mortgage portfolio. Its operations directly enable affordable access to housing for vulnerable populations while also supporting broader economic objectives by facilitating financing for non-oil sector SMEs. Fitch notes that any default by MCGF would materially disrupt national housing policy and undermine public confidence in the financial system, highlighting the Funds critical policy role.

Despite its non-commercial mandate, MCGF demonstrates financial resilience. In 2024, the Fund posted a profit of 23.2 million manats, consistent with the previous year. Gradual expansion of the loan portfolio increased net interest income, while higher personnel costs offset some gains. Asset quality remains strong, with impaired loans representing less than 0.1% of the mortgage and rent-to-own portfolio. These metrics underline the Funds capacity to sustain its operations while fulfilling its social mandate.

Fitch draws parallels between MCGF and other government-backed housing entities globally, including Kazakhstan Housing Company, Indias Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited, and Frances Action Logement Services. All these institutions exhibit high GRE support scores, reflecting their strong government ties and critical policy functions. This comparison emphasizes the increasing importance of state-backed housing institutions in emerging markets as instruments for social welfare and economic stability.

The Fitch rating reaffirms MCGFs stability and strategic importance, signaling sustained government commitment to affordable housing. For young families and SMEs, the Fund provides a reliable mechanism for accessing long-term, low-cost financing. At a broader level, MCGF contributes to economic diversification by channeling funds to the non-oil sector, supporting government efforts to create a resilient and inclusive economy.

In conclusion, MCGF exemplifies how a government-backed institution can successfully combine financial stability with socio-economic impact. Fitchs affirmation highlights the Funds strong government support, robust financial profile, and critical role in advancing Azerbaijans housing policyoffering a model for other emerging economies facing similar urbanization and affordability challenges.
13 November 2025 11:33 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

On December 18, the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku will host the opening of an exhibition by Peruvian artist Sol Alejo, titled "The Imaginary World between the Andes and the Caucasus", Azernews reports.

The main subjects of the artworks in this exhibition are alpacas, which have become a symbol of the Andean plateau. In Alejo's paintings, these alpacas are depicted with human-like emotions.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to view works that the artist specifically created for the Baku exhibition. These pieces, presented for the first time, depict the artists characters set against the historical landmarks and notable places of Baku and Shamakhi. Scenes include an alpaca farm in Shamakhi, the Ferris wheel in Baku, views of Baku Boulevard, the area in front of the Heydar Aliyev Center, and other locations.

Sol Alejo, who has participated in more than 60 local and international exhibitions to date, has been passionate about art since a young age.

Drawing inspiration from the nature of the Andes and the Caucasus mountains, the artist emphasizes that her work serves as an intercultural bridge through the generalized image of alpacas, which inhabit both the Andes and the Caucasus.

In her paintings, alpacas are not only a central narrative element but also carry symbolic and emotional significance.
13 November 2025 14:42 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

In a significant move that highlights the global recognition of Azerbaijani folk art, UNESCO has included the anniversaries of two of Azerbaijan's most celebrated ashiqsAshiq Dirili Qurbani and Ashiq Alaskar in its 20262027 Anniversary Program, Azernews reports.

The inclusion of these two prominent figures of Azerbaijani oral and poetic traditions in UNESCO's prestigious program marks a significant step in recognising the depth of Azerbaijani culture on the global stage.

Ashiq Dirili Qurbani (14761549)

From an early age, Ashiq Dirili Qurbani developed a passion for playing the saz and writing poetry. Largely self-taught, he immersed himself in the study of classical and folk poetry, as well as history. He became fluent in Persian and Arabic and memorised the Quran in its entirety. By the time he was fifteen, Qurbani was already participating in local celebrations as an ashiq.

His village, where he first began to compose poetry, was located on the slopes of a mountain adorned with delicate violets and daffodils, surrounded by thick forests and cold springs. At the base of the mountains lay fertile wheat fields, and below that flowed the powerful Aras River. It was in this idyllic landscape that Qurbani's character was formed, where his deep connection to both nature and people blossomed. The vivid imagery and emotional depth in his poetry are firmly grounded in the rich traditions of Azerbaijani verse.

With remarkable talent, Gurbani became a true poet of the people. His poetry evolved over time, constantly refining and reaching ever-greater levels of excellence, ultimately achieving unmatched mastery in his art.

Ashiq Alasgar (18211926)

Ashiq Alasgar wrote poetry, composed ashiq melodies to accompany his verses, and expertly performed them on the saz. He was well-versed in the forms of ashiq poetry and became a master of their craft.

His repertoire included numerous classical dastans (epic ballads) and ashiq tunes, which primarily focused on themes of the hard lives of working people, the realistic portrayal of rural life, and the beauty of nature.

Ashiq Alasgar had an exceptional memory and could easily memorise poems and tales, particularly the dastans of other ashiqs. He was well-acquainted with the works of great Eastern classical poets such as Nizami, Nasimi, Fuzuli, and Nabati.

Alasgar had nearly all of the classical ashiq poetry and love-heroic legends memorised. He also composed several dastans of his own, including Alasgar and Sahnabanu, "The Journey of Ashiq Alasgar to Nakhchivan," "The Journey of Ashiq Alasgar to Turkiye," and "The Journey of Ashiq Alasgar to Garabagh."

UNESCO's Recognition: Worldwide Spotlight on Azerbaijani Heritage

The inclusion of Ashiq Dirili Qurbani and Ashiq Alasgar in UNESCO's 20262027 Anniversary Program marks a significant moment for Azerbaijani culture. It is not merely a celebration of two individuals; it is an acknowledgement of the ashiq tradition as a whole.

Since its inception, the Azerbaijan National Committee t UNESCO has made significant contributions t various UNESCO programs and projects.

These include efforts t safeguard and promote Azerbaijan's cultural sites, support educational initiatives, and foster international cooperation n the fields f science and technology.

Azerbaijan National Committee to UNESCO continued to be committed t its mission f promoting peace and cooperation through education, culture, and science.

In 2003, the parties signed a framework agreement on cooperation in the areas of culture, science, education, and communication, which allowed Azerbaijan to become one of the donors to UNESCO.

Many Azerbaijani cultural sites have been included in UNESCO's World Heritage List, including Icherisheher (Old City) with Maiden Tower, Shirvanshah's Palace, Gobustan National Historical-Artistic Reserve, etc. In 2021, Lankaran District was included n the UNESCO list "Network f Creative Cities".

UNESCO also honours Azerbaijan's outstanding personalities, like the poet and thinker Imadaddin Nasimi, Fikrat Amirov, great philanthropist and oil magnate Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev, etc.
13 November 2025 16:54 (UTC+04:00)

According to Russias TASS news agency, the Second International Conference Science for Public Administration in Russia was held on November 6 at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA) in Moscow. Azernews reports that the event featured presentations on the role of intellectual property (IP) in public administration across the Eurasian region, with Azerbaijans state policy in the field of intellectual property highlighted as a model example.

Speaking at the conference, Grigory Ivliev, Honored Lawyer of the Russian Federation, First-Class State Advisor, former head of the Federal Service for Intellectual Property (Rospatent), and current President of the Eurasian Patent Office, delivered a report on Regional Regulation of Intellectual Property Issues in the Eurasian Space.

In his remarks, Ivliev emphasized the need to establish a unified executive body capable of centralizing management functions in copyright, related rights, and industrial property, and of formulating and implementing state policy in the IP field. He noted that Russia currently lacks such a unified structure and recommended learning from Azerbaijans successful experience.

Referring to Azerbaijans Intellectual Property Agency, established in 2018, Ivliev praised its comprehensive management model covering all aspects of intellectual property. Citing an article by Kamran Imanov, Chairman of the Board of the Intellectual Property Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, published in the authoritative international journal Industrial Property, Ivliev highlighted that the creation of the Agency stemmed from large-scale institutional reforms implemented under President Ilham Aliyev.

Within these reforms, the Patent Center of the former State Committee for Standardization, Metrology, and Patents and the Copyright Agency were merged to form a single, independent authority  the Intellectual Property Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan. This body, established by a presidential decree, was granted an executive status equal to that of other central government institutions.

Ivliev noted that Azerbaijans approach reflects a modern understanding of intellectual property that goes beyond traditional legal frameworks to include economic and socio-cultural dimensions. The integration of industrial property and copyright under one institutional umbrella, he said, demonstrates the effectiveness of this comprehensive model.

Quoting statistical data, Ivliev stated that 98 countries worldwide have unified intellectual property agencies, of which 37 operate independently without being subordinate to other bodies. Among these 37 developed countries, Azerbaijan occupies a special place, he stressed. This successful experience results from President Ilham Aliyevs reforms, through which Azerbaijans IP system performs not only legal but also economic and socio-cultural functions.

The conference was also attended by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko, RANEPA Rector Alexei Komissarov, Director General of the Presidential Library Yuri Nosov, and other officials.
13 November 2025 14:21 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

The Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan has announced a new competition to provide financial support to print media organizations. Public-political newspapers registered in the Media Registry are eligible to participate.

As reported by Azernews, applications and supporting documents must be submitted electronically through the online portal [mib.media.gov.az] to the Media Development Agency.

Following the evaluation process, contracts for financial assistance will be signed between the Agency and the winning newspaper editorial offices. Each contract will remain in force for a period of six months.

Under this support program, the Agency will provide funding for the publication of one newspaper issue per week. Each participating outlet will receive a monthly grant of 5,000 AZN.

Additionally, the newspapers official website will receive 3,000 AZN in monthly financial assistance. If the editorial team has expressed an intention to carry out a major website update, the support for the first month will amount to 5,000 AZN.
13 November 2025 13:23 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

By the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Orkhan Chingiz oglu Mursalov has been appointed Head of the Goychay District Executive Authority, Azernews reports.

Today, the newly appointed official was introduced to the districts executive staff and local community representatives by Zeynal Naghdaliyev, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Head of the Department for Territorial and Organizational Issues.

During the introduction ceremony, Zeynal Naghdaliyev conveyed the Presidents instructions and recommendations to the local administration.

Orkhan Mursalov expressed his gratitude to the Head of State for the trust and confidence placed in him.
13 November 2025 14:34 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

On November 13, Head of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Samir Nuriyev introduced Jeyhun Jalilov, the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, to the public of the Autonomous Republic, Azernews reports.

Prior to the event, they visited a statue of National Leader Heydar Aliyev in the city of Nakhchivan, and put flowers in front of it.

Speaking at the ceremony, Samir Nuriyev stated that President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev always keeps the social, economic and cultural development of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in the spotlight.

Noting that important measures have been undertaken to develop Nakhchivan as part of the constructive efforts in the country, the head of the Presidential Administration mentioned that the State Program on the socio-economic development of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic for 20232027 has been adopted. He added that the main goal is to boost the development of the Autonomous Republic by achieving sustainable economic and social growth, and ensure its comprehensive integration into the country's economy.

It was stated that in accordance with the Action Plan for the implementation of the State Program, the existing opportunities should be used more effectively and all forces should be mobilized to create a favorable business environment, and to promptly and efficiently fulfill the tasks related to the development of trade, export-oriented industry, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, the social sphere, human capital and other areas.

Touching upon the statements made by the President of Azerbaijan at the reception on November 12 regarding the new appointments, the head of the Presidential Administration emphasized that the head of state considers service to the people, humility, and a responsible approach to official duties as the primary working principles, and that in their activities officials should be guided by these principles.

Samir Nuriyev conveyed the instructions and recommendations of the President of Azerbaijan to the new leadership of the Autonomous Republic, expressing his hope that he would live up to the confidence placed in him by the President of Azerbaijan.

Jeyhun Jalilov expressed his deep gratitude to the head of state for the high level of trust and noted that he would live up to the trust placed in him.
13 November 2025 16:36 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Azerbaijans Minister of Justice Farid Ahmadov held a meeting with his Georgian counterpart Paata Salia, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry of Justice.

Minister Ahmadov expressed his satisfaction in welcoming the guest to Azerbaijan and emphasised that the relations between the two countries, based on mutual trust, continue to develop successfully not only on a bilateral level but also within international organisations.

He noted that the fact that Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili and Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze paid their first official visits abroad to Azerbaijan after assuming office this year reflects the sincere nature of bilateral relations and their foundation on mutual respect.

During the meeting, the sides discussed studying international experience to improve the fields of enforcement, special enforcement, and probation; conducting effective exchanges of best practices with Georgia in these areas; and the positive contribution of the 2022 Batumi Law Forum and the Memorandum of Cooperation signed during that event to the development of bilateral relations. The parties also exchanged views on holding joint events in the future and expanding cooperation into new areas.

Both ministers underscored that digitalisation in the justice sector remains a priority for both countries. The Azerbaijani side highlighted the innovative steps taken to digitalise enforcement processes, including the Electronic Auction platform, the Mobile Enforcement application, and the AI-powered E-qanun.ai legal search platform, which provides access to documents and the legislative database.

The meeting concluded with both sides noting that the visit and discussions would make a significant contribution to the exchange of experience and ideas, as well as to the further strengthening of legal cooperation between Azerbaijan and Georgia.
13 November 2025 17:19 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Elvin Nazim oglu Pashayev, appointed as the Head of the Qakh District Executive Authority by decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, was introduced to the districts staff today in a ceremony attended by local community representatives, Azernews reports.

The introduction was conducted by Zeynal Nagdaliyev, Assistant to the President and Head of the Department for Territorial and Organizational Affairs, who conveyed the Presidents instructions and recommendations.

Speaking at the event, E. Pashayev expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in him.
13 November 2025 23:54 (UTC+04:00)

For the first time, Azerbaijan will host the Solidarity Forum of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) of the Member States of the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS), bringing together civil society representatives from across the Turkic world.

According to the Agency for State Support to Non-Governmental Organisations of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the forum will take place from 23 to 26 November 2025. The official opening ceremony is scheduled for 24 November at the Gulustan Palace in Baku.

The forum will feature panel discussions on key regional themes, including The Zangezur Corridor: A Bridge Connecting the Turkic World and Towards WUF13  A First for the Turkic World.

Nearly 300 NGO representatives from Azerbaijan, Turkiye, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Hungary, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus are expected to participate.

As part of the event, the First AzerbaijanKazakhstan NGO Cooperation Forum will also be held, aiming to strengthen bilateral civil society ties between the two nations.

Following its sessions in Baku, the forum will continue in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, where the establishment of the Platform of NGOs of the Member States of the Organisation of Turkic States is expected to be officially announced. The new platform will unite NGOs from all eight participating countries under a shared framework of cooperation.

This initiative builds on Azerbaijans growing leadership in global civil society cooperation. Earlier this year, Baku hosted the founding meeting of the Global South NGO Platform, bringing together representatives from regions covering two-thirds of the worlds population. In 2025, Azerbaijan also hosted the first meeting of NGOs from the D-8 group of Muslim-majority countries, representing 60% of the global Muslim population.

During the Azerbaijan NGO Cooperation Forum held in Khankendi on 20 October 2025, participants highlighted that the greatest achievement of Azerbaijani NGOs over the past two years has been their expanding international engagement. The establishment of the new Turkic States NGO Platform marks another major step in this direction, symbolising the growing solidarity and institutional partnership within the Turkic world.
13 November 2025 19:50 (UTC+04:00)

Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloglu attended the opening ceremony of the TransMEA 2025 Middle East and Africa Smart Transport, Logistics and Infrastructure Exhibition and Forum held in Cairo, Egypt.

Speaking at the event, Minister Uraloglu announced that in October 2025, Egypt ranked first among countries engaged in container transportation with Turkish ports, both in terms of exports and imports.

The opening ceremony, also attended by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, marked the official authorization for the trial operation of Egypts first Velaro high-speed train. Following the ceremony, Minister Uraloglu posed for a family photo with Prime Minister Madbouly and his counterparts from various countries.

During his visit, Uraloglu held meetings with high-level officials and transport ministers from several countries and toured the exhibition area, where he visited pavilions, including those of Turkish companies, to exchange views with participants.

Referring to the October 2025 maritime transport data prepared by the Directorate General of Maritime Affairs, Uraloglu noted that the total container volume handled at Turkish ports rose by 3.5 percent year-on-year in the JanuaryOctober period, reaching 11,685,357 TEU. In October alone, container throughput increased by 3.3 percent to 1,193,441 TEU, compared with the same month last year.

Commenting on Egypt-related shipping activity, Uraloglu stated:

In October, Egypt was the leading country in terms of container arrivals at Turkish ports via maritime routes, with 88,476 TEU. It was followed by Greece, with 48,419 TEU, and China, with 36,335 TEU.

He further noted that Egypt also topped the list for container exports from Turkish ports, with 93,058 TEU loaded for destinations in Egypt. This reflects the strengthening of maritime trade between Turkiye and Egypt, he said. Uraloglu added that Egypt was followed by China (43,192 TEU) and Italy (33,316 TEU) in outbound container shipments.

Thus, in October 2025, Egypt ranked first in both loading and unloading operations at Turkish ports, with a total of 181,534 TEU containers linked to Egypt  accounting for more than 15 percent of all containers handled nationwide that month.

Minister Uraloglu is also scheduled to take part in a high-level panel tomorrow alongside transport ministers from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Greece, and South Africa. The session, titled Connecting the Middle East and Africa in Industry, Transport, and Logistics, will focus on regional cooperation in mobility and infrastructure.

At what is considered one of the regions largest transportation platforms, Uraloglu will share Turkiyes experience in transport and infrastructure investments, highlighting recent mega projects and the Development Road Project, which reflects Turkiyes vision for enhanced regional connectivity.
13 November 2025 21:47 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

More than half a million students across South Korea took the countrys notoriously difficult university entrance exams on Thursday, with police and public services mobilized nationwide to ensure test-takers arrived at their venues on time, Azernews reports.

According to the Ministry of Education, 554,174 applicants were registered this year  a 6% increase from last year and the highest number since 2019. Most candidates were born in 2007, a year that saw a temporary baby boom as it was considered a particularly auspicious time for childbirth.

To minimize disruptions, the government imposed a 35-minute flight ban during the English listening test, except for emergency situations. The measure affected around 140 flights, including 65 international arrivals and departures. Air traffic data showed planes circling airports, as the Ministry of Transport restricted aircraft flying below 3,000 meters.

Banks, government offices, and financial markets opened an hour later than usual to help reduce morning traffic and allow students to reach test centers smoothly.

The nine-hour exam, known as the Suneung (College Scholastic Ability Test), is widely regarded as a life-defining event in South Koreas hypercompetitive society. Success in the test often determines not only university placement but also future job prospects and social standing.

Interestingly, several superstitions and rituals surround exam day. One of the most well-known taboos is eating seaweed soup, as its slippery texture is believed to symbolize slipping up on the test, prompting many households and restaurants to avoid serving it on exam day.

Experts note that the surge in test-takers this year reflects a brief demographic anomaly. About 496,000 babies were born in 2007, marking a short-lived rebound in the birth rate that had been declining since the mid-1990s. Today, however, South Korea faces one of the fastest-aging populations in the world, with birth rates again hitting record lows.

The intense focus on education has shaped South Koreas economic miracle, but it has also fueled debates about mental health, work-life balance, and the pressure on youth. In recent years, some policymakers have suggested reforms to make the system more flexible  yet for now, exam day remains one of the most solemn and dramatic days of the Korean year.
13 November 2025 22:26 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

Chinese tech giant Baidu unveiled two new artificial intelligence chips on Thursday at its annual developer and client event. The chips are designed to power next-generation AI models and reduce Chinas reliance on US chipmaker Nvidia, Azernews reports, citing foreign media.

The M100, developed by Baidus unit Kunlunxin Technology, is engineered to improve inference efficiency in AI models that use the mixture-of-experts technique. Meanwhile, the M300 is intended for training ultra-large multimodal models with trillions of parameters, enabling cutting-edge AI research and applications.

Commenting on the announcement, Executive Vice President Shen Dou said the M100 will be fully released in early 2026, while the M300 is expected in 2027. He highlighted that the chips will provide powerful, low-cost, and controllable AI computing capabilities, supporting Chinas goal of AI self-sufficiency.

Experts note that these chips could not only strengthen Baidus AI ecosystem but also position China as a major player in the global AI hardware race, challenging the dominance of Western chipmakers. With the M100 and M300, Baidu aims to accelerate AI adoption across industries, from autonomous driving and healthcare to finance and natural language processing.
13 November 2025 23:56 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

The final of the national competition for Swedens tastiest tap water was held in Stockholm, with the municipality of Elvsbyun taking first place, Azernews reports.

The jury, chaired by wine expert Gunilla Hultgren Karell, praised the fresh taste and refined character of Elvsbyuns water. This year, the competition was especially strong, Karell noted.

Over a period of three weeks, the jury traveled across the country, sampling water from more than 80 municipalities. The twenty finalists were evaluated based on taste, purity, and thirst-quenching ability.

Karell highlighted that differences in water quality are noticeable even between countries. In the spring, she conducted a water tasting at the European Parliament, comparing tap water from across the continent.

Tap water is available all over Europe, but often it contains a lot of chlorine. Sweden and Finland came out on top in that tasting, and Slovenia also had excellent water. The rest is drinkable, but not always particularly tasty, she said.

She also noted that Swedes often take the quality of their water for granted, as it is clean, fresh, and flows straight from the tap.

For us, the chlorinated taste is a nightmare, but for Americans, if the water doesnt smell of chlorine, they immediately become concerned, Karell added.

According to her, tasting water requires concentration comparable to tasting fine wine: The differences are subtle, but thats the beauty of it. Truly good water should be fresh, clear, and genuinely thirst-quenching.

For the past five years, the title had been held by the municipality of Heganes, but this year it did not qualify for the finals. Experts emphasize that the quality of Swedish tap water remains exceptionally high, and Elvsbyun can now proudly claim to have the most delicious water in the country.

Beyond taste, Swedens tap water is also highly sustainable. It is naturally filtered, rich in minerals, and safe to drink straight from the taphelping reduce the countrys reliance on bottled water and its environmental footprint.
Germany's Role in the Turkish Genocide of Assyrians, Greeks and Armenians

Proclamation of the jihad fatwa on November 14, 1914, in the Great Mosque of Mehmed the Conqueror in Constantinople. (AINA) -- Dr. Sabro Bengaro is the Director of the Assyrian Genocide Research Center. His recently completed dissertation, titled Germany's Islamic Strategy During the First World War and the Impact of the Jihad Declaration on the Assyrian Genocide of 1915, at the Ackerman Center for Holocaust Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, examines, among other things, the German Empire's Islamic strategy during World War I in the context of its political and propaganda cooperation with the Ottoman Empire. A focus is placed on the instrumentalization of pan-Islamism as a geopolitical tool of German foreign policy. Germany attempted to use the Caliphate in Istanbul to mobilize influence among Muslims in the colonial territories of the Allies--especially in North Africa, India, and Central Asia--in order to spark anti-colonial uprisings and thus weaken the military supremacy of the Entente powers England and France.

Dr. Bengaro's study analyzes the role of the German Orientalist Max von Oppenheim (1860-1946) and the Nachrichtenstelle fur den Orient (NfO) as key institutions of German "Orientpolitik." Founded in September 1914, this was a central organization in the field of jihadization and war propaganda. Using archival sources and contemporary writings, the study reconstructs the emergence, ideological foundation, and operational implementation of so-called "jihad propaganda." It shows how the jihad call of November 14, 1914, was conceived as a religiously legitimized means of pursuing strategic goals that went far beyond the religious sphere.

On behalf of the Sultan, Urguplu Hayri, Sheikh of Islam and supreme religious authority of the Caliphate, read out the five-part jihad fatwa on November 14, 1914, in the Great Mosque of Mehmed the Conqueror in Constantinople.

In addition, the interaction between Pan-Islamism and Pan-Turkism is examined, in particular the instrumentalization of the religious and nationalstic ideologies for internal Ottoman power consolidation and rigorous ethnic-religious homogenization. The call to jihad, which officially served to mobilize Muslims against the enemies of the empire, became an ideological instrument of state-tolerated violent politics within the empire. Under the guise of "holy war," Christian minorities--Armenians, Assyrians, and Greeks--were effectively declared outlaws, leading to systematic expulsions, massacres, and campaigns of extermination.

The author argues that although propaganda jihad had little effect in the colonial territories of the Allies, it acted as a catalytic mechanism in the Ottoman Empire, radicalizing religious and national tensions. In conjunction with Pan-Turkic ideas, it served as an ideological justification for the ethnic cleansing and extermination of Christian populations--processes that are now internationally recognized as the first genocide of the 20th century.

Overall, the study contributes to the understanding of the intertwining of religion, nationalism, and violent politics in the early 20th century and shows how religious rhetoric was instrumentalized in times of war to legitimize mass crimes. In doing so, it opens up new perspectives on the ambivalence between religious mobilization, geopolitical calculation, and propagandistic manipulation in warfare.

The following interview with Dr. Sabro Bengaro was conducted the day he successfully defended his PhD thesis.

Dr. Sabro Bangaro with his his Superviser Prof. David Paterson.

Abdulmesih BarAbraham (AB): First of all congratulations on successfully defending your PhD thesis. Your hard work and dedication have truly paid off.

What particularly motivated you about the connection between German foreign policy and Islamic mobilization during the First World War? As far as I know, it was the German Orientalist Gabriele Yonan who addressed the topic in 2000 with an article entitled Holy War Made in Germany: New Light on the Holocaust Against the Christian Assyrians during World War I.

Dr. Sabri Bengaro (SB): Thank you for your congratulations. As you know, like yourself, I was born in Tur Abdin, a region historically characterized by its division between Christian and Muslim communities. From an early age, I was aware of the tensions that existed between these groups, although I did not initially comprehend their underlying causes. These tensions, as I later came to understand, were rooted in fundamental aspects of Islamic doctrine. According to classical Islamic jurisprudence, societies are traditionally classified into two distinct spheres: Dar al-Islam ("the abode of Islam" or "the abode of peace") and Dar al-Harb ("the abode of war"). This dichotomy forms the basis of Islamic conceptions of war and peace, as reflected in the Qur'anic verse, "God calls to the abode of peace" (Qur'an 10:25). Within such a framework, the dehumanization of non-Muslims often becomes a normalized and legitimized social reality.

The division of societies into opposing categories of "us" and "them" represents a profound social and moral problem. As Dr. Gregory H. Stanton, the founding president and chairman of Genocide Watch, has observed, this process of categorization constitutes one of the early stages in the progression toward genocide. Testimonies from survivors of genocide further reveal that Islamic ideology played a significant role in motivating ordinary individuals--Kurds, Turks, and other Muslims--to participate in the massacres of Assyrians. These accounts marked a turning point in my intellectual development and prompted me to investigate more deeply the relationship between Islam and mass violence, with particular attention to the declaration of Jihad in 1914.

AB: What new aspects did your research reveal in this context?

SB: My research revealed that the proclamation of Jihad in the Ottoman Empire elicited critical responses from contemporary observers. Notably, the Dutch Orientalist Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje (1857--1936) characterized this declaration as a product "made in Germany" in a study published in 1915, highlighting the instrumental role of German influence in its formulation. Consequently, Germany's involvement in the Jihad declaration should be understood as an integral component of its broader political and military strategy during the First World War.

Meanwhile, many Western and Turkish historians, whose analyses focus on Germany's strategic objectives, have tended to interpret the Jihad declaration as a failure or an ineffective initiative. However, such interpretations offer an incomplete understanding of its broader consequences. As I argue in my dissertation, the Jihad declaration functioned as a catalyst that incited segments of the Muslim population to commit acts of violence against non-Muslims in the country, namely Christian Assyrians, Armenians, and Greeks. In this context, it contributed to the Young Turk regime's efforts to achieve the demographic and ideological homogenization of the Republic of Turkey.

AB: Did you investigate Max von Oppenheim's Memorandum concerning the fomenting of revolutions in the Islamic territories of our enemies, who was the mastermind behind the jihadization policy?

SB: Max von Oppenheim, the German "diplomat," and archaeologist, played indeed a pivotal role in formulating and advancing Germany's islamic policy in the early twentieth century. Having resided for extended periods in Egypt and various regions of the Middle East, he cultivated close connections with the Ottoman elite and became instrumental in facilitating the Ottoman Empire's declaration of Jihad during the First World War. His prominent involvement in these efforts earned him the epithet Abu Jihad (father of Jihad).

Preceding Oppenheim's initiatives, Kaiser Wilhelm II had already established cordial relations with Sultan Abdulhamid II and undertook state visits to Constantinople, Damascus, and Jerusalem. During his address in Damascus, Wilhelm proclaimed himself the protector of the world's three hundred million Muslims--a gesture that contributed to his being popularly referred to as Hajji Wilhelm.

AB: To what extent was your work also an examination of the relationship between ideology and power politics?

SB: Indeed, my research investigates the interdependence of ideology and power politics, showing that frameworks such as pan-Islamism and Jihad were not merely instruments of political expediency but integral to the formulation of state strategy. By examining diplomatic correspondence, propaganda, and policy documents, it demonstrates how ideological discourse both reflected and actively shaped the exercise of political power within the Ottoman--German alliance. In doing so, the study reveals that ideology and power were mutually constitutive, each reinforcing and redefining the other.

AB: Let us move to sources and methodology. What types of sources (e.g., diplomatic correspondence, propaganda writings, archival documents) did you use to reconstruct German "jihad policy"?

SB: In reconstructing German "jihad policy," I started with Max von Oppenheim's Memorandum, which served as a key conceptual document. I also consulted additional materials from the Oppenheim Foundation in Cologne, including correspondence and reports that illuminate his role in shaping policy ideas. Beyond these primary sources, my research engages with diplomatic correspondence, propaganda publications, and a broad range of secondary scholarship to contextualize Oppenheim's proposals within wider German and Ottoman strategic thinking.

AB: How difficult was it to access related Ottoman sources -- if any - on events within the empire?

SB: Some of the sources in the Ottoman Archives are restricted, and it is well known that the materials made available to the public are selectively chosen--yet they still include essential documents. The ones I was able to access online were particularly helpful for my research.

AB: What methodological approaches do you base your analysis on--historical ideas, discourse analysis, or political science?

SB: My analysis is grounded in historical methodology, particularly in the close examination of primary sources to trace how developments unfolded over time and how historical actors understood their own contexts. I situate events, ideas, and individuals within their specific historical moments to reveal the dynamics and meanings that shaped their actions, with particular attention to the evolving relationship between Assyrians and Kurds.

AB: How did Pan-Islamism and Pan-Turanism differ -- and how were the two movements combined for political purposes?

SB: Pan-Islamism emphasized the religious unity of Muslims under the Ottoman Caliphate, while Pan-Turanism promoted the ethnic and linguistic solidarity of Turkic peoples. Under Sultan Abdulhamid II, Pan-Islamism aimed to strengthen the empire through Islamic solidarity, whereas Pan-Turanism, later embraced by Young Turk intellectuals, emphasized Turkish national identity. Despite their differences, Ottoman leaders--particularly the Committee of Union and Progress--combined the two ideologies to rally Muslims against foreign powers and foster unity among Turkic groups. The Young Turks gradually shifted their focus toward Pan-Turanism, especially in response to rising Arab nationalism and separatist movements.

AB: Some Turkish scholars argue that the Jihad call wasn't targeting the non-Muslim citizens of the Ottoman Empire. But what immediate effects did the call to jihad have in the Ottoman Empire, which the German Empire was apparently urging as an ally?

SB: A very important question indeed. Some Turkish scholars indeed maintain that the Ottoman declaration of jihad during World War I was aimed exclusively at the Allied Powers. However, the wording of the declaration did not explicitly exclude the Empire's own non-Muslim subjects--such as Armenians, Assyrians, and Greeks--from its scope. Officially, it was directed against the "Allied Powers and their collaborators," but in practice, the notion of "collaborators" was often interpreted in ways that aligned with pre-existing sectarian suspicions. The call to jihad was proclaimed in mosques throughout the empire, and while it served a strategic function for the Ottoman--German alliance, its local implementation frequently acquired a violent sectarian dimension. Notably, in Constantinople, shortly after the proclamation was read, an Armenian-owned hotel was attacked and destroyed--an incident that vividly illustrates how the rhetoric of jihad could translate into acts of communal violence on the ground.

AB: To what extent was the German side aware of these consequences in the Ottoman Empire?

SB: The genocide of Christian communities--particularly Armenians, Assyrians, and Greeks--was orchestrated primarily by the Ottoman Young Turk leadership, but Germany, as the Empire's close wartime ally, was fully aware of what was happening. Germany's overriding priority was the maintenance of the wartime alliance and the stability of the Ottoman front, which meant that humanitarian concerns were subordinated to military and strategic interests. In that sense, although Germany did not initiate or directly administer the genocidal policies, its political silence and continued military cooperation amounted to a form of complicity by omission.

AB: To what extent does your work help to better understand the relationship between religion, nationalism, and violence in modern political discourse?

SB: The jihad declaration illustrates how religious rhetoric is mobilized to serve nationalist and political ends, transforming faith-based concepts into instruments of exclusion and violence. In the Ottoman context, the call to jihad was framed as a defense of Islam against external aggression, but it also functioned internally to consolidate the Young Turk regime's nationalist agenda. It incited segments of the Kurdish, Turkish, and other Muslim populations to attack Christian communities indiscriminately--acts that were justified not only in religious terms but also as expressions of loyalty to the Ottoman state.

AB: Were there moments when you were surprised by the results you gained yourself?

SB: When I first learned that there was an office in Berlin publishing El-Jihad magazine almost every two weeks, it drew my attention more and more. My conclusion is that religion has almost always been used as a tool by policymakers.

AB: Thank you for the interview, and I wish you success in your future studies.
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.
A butcher from Syria says he has come back strongly after his business was targeted during racist rioting in Belfast.

Zain Supermarket in Andersonstown opened three weeks ago, with Jamal Ghabes greeting customers from his halal meat counter.

Locals have been supporting his new shop, which is stocked with fresh meats, spices, produce and snacks from around the globe.

Flowers and messages have been given to the co-owner, Dr Raied Al-Wazzan, who runs the business with Jamal.

Originally from Syria, Jamal previously worked for Sham Supermarket as their resident butcher.

Jamal Ghabes (29) the resident butcher of Zain Supermarket

However, during racist rioting in August 2024, it was targeted by far-right thugs.

The violence was triggered by false speculation following the killing of three young girls in Southport.

In July 2024, Axel Rudakubana murdered the three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. The victims were Bebe King (6), Elsie Dot Stancombe (7) and Alice da Silva Aguiar (9).

There followed widespread anti-immigration protests across the UK, including Belfast where rioters took to foreign-owned shops, such as Sahara Shisha and Bash Cafe, which were entirely burnt out.

Abdelkader Al Alloush outside his destroyed store, Sham Supermarket, back in August 2024 (PA)

Sham Supermarket, which remains closed, was another target, leaving Jamal, who was granted asylum in 2021 after fleeing Syria, out of work.

However, he is now back to work after partnering with Dr Al-Wazzan.

Jamal praised Andersonstown as a good area, with Dr Al-Wazzan hailing him as a hard worker.

Scientist and partner in business Dr Raied Al-Wazzan

I am a partner [in the business] with Jamal. We have now been open for about three weeks, said Dr Al-Wazzan

So far so good. We are welcomed by the local community, lots of local customers come in here and wish us the best and are using our shop. I wasnt myself connected to Sham Supermarket, but Jamal was working there, he had a butcher counter there.

But after the shop was subjected to an arson attack by the racists, Jamal asked me if we can open a new business somewhere else.

We looked for a better premises, a better location, and we found this location, we opened a new business.

Jamal is a very hard worker, like all asylum seekers and refugees. They want to provide for themselves. He wants to work for himself, they dont want to depend on the state to provide, so always looking for a new business, a new venture and to provide for himself and his family.

He is a very hard worker, and I have now partnered with him to run this business.

They [immigrants] feel safer in the area, Dr Al-Wazzan added.

Definitely there are hate crimes all over Belfast, but this area has very, very low hate crime statistics compared to other parts of Belfast. The vast majority of local people came here and welcomed, [they] gave us cards and flowers. So, we feel much, much safer here in this part of the city.

Thank you to everybody who sent us messages in email, cards to wish us the best. Thank you.

Over a year since the riots, Jamal said he is feeling positive about what the future holds.

After the racist incident last year I came back strongly. With my business partner we opened this supermarket.

This area is a good area, Andytown.

Jamal Ghabes (29) the resident butcher of Zain Supermarket

News Catch Up - Thursday 13 November
Ikea's new pop up store at The Boulevard, Banbridge

Ikea staff including Michaela Quinlan, market manager at Ikea Belfast, joined Chris Nelmes, retail director at The Boulevard, to celebrate the opening of its pop up store

Flatpack furniture giant Ikea has opened its first pop up store in Northern Ireland at a Co Down shopping destination.

The Swedish company, which already has a full-size store in Belfast, started trading on Thursday at The Boulevard outside Banbridge.

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Ikea said the opening of the 250 sq m pop-up  which is due to trade until spring next year  would bring the brand closer to where many people live, work, and shop.

The pop up sells 150 home furnishing accessories for immediate takeaway including kitchen, bedroom and living room items.

Staff will be on hand to support customers with plans for bigger home projects.

There is also a Collect Near You point for customers to pick up online orders.

Michaela Quinlan, market manager at Ikea Belfast, said: We are thrilled to open Ikeas first pop-up in Northern Ireland, and its been fantastic to welcome inside our first customers.

"Located in a busy retail outlet, this pop-up store is designed to make it easier than ever for customers in the surrounding areas to conveniently drop in and shop with us.

The new store offers inspiring and affordable home solutions, and our Collect Near You point means customers can access our full product range online and collect their orders close to home.

"Weve had such a warm response from our first visitors today, and we look forward to welcoming even more customers in the coming weeks."

Alastair Coulson, managing director at Lotus Property, which owns the Boulevard, said: The arrival of the global home furnishings brand is incredibly exciting as we ramp up for Christmas, and we would like to wish Ikea the best of luck with their new store and look forward to welcoming onsite both new and existing customers from across the region.

Ikea staff including Michaela Quinlan, market manager at Ikea Belfast, joined Chris Nelmes, retail director at The Boulevard, to celebrate the opening of its pop up store

News Catch Up - Thursday 13 November
When a new bottle arrives on the shelves of The Friend At Hand whiskey shop in Belfasts Cathedral Quarter and the price tag is a shade under 600, you can bet its going to be something out of the ordinary. And so it has proved with their latest addition  a Redbreast pot still whiskey thats spent 23 years absorbing flavour from a single oloroso sherry cask. There are just 507 bottles in existence, and the only place youll get one is in Willie Jacks whiskey shop on Hill Street.
A Belfast man with nearly 500 previous convictions has avoided being sent back to jail for stealing a 500 bicycle.

Michael McNally (38) was given a suspended term after a court heard he has spent the yuletide season behind bars for each of the last four years.
Health

Not a pleasant Christmas for the NHS: Super flu mutation will further stress NI healthcare system, says biorisk expert
An MLA has thanked hospital staff after being admitted to hospital with what was initially feared to be a stroke.

Claire Sugden said she became suddenly unwell at home.

After being taken to Causeway Hospital, she was taken under the care of its stroke team.

However, it proved not to be the case.

Early tests suggested I had taken a stroke and I was immediately taken under the care of the stroke team, she said in a social media post.

After further investigations, including an MRI, it thankfully turned out not to be a stroke, though Im still undergoing tests to find out whats going on.

The East Londonderry MLA (39) said it had been a difficult and frightening week but praised staff at Causeway Hospital for their care and professionalism.

I am so grateful for the care and reassurance from the wonderful staff in the stroke ward and across Causeway Hospital  they really are exceptional, she added.

Ms Sugden added that she is still not back to myself and plans to take things slowly for now.

My team are continuing to look after everything in the office, so please do keep getting in touch as normal. I am truly touched by all the messages of support.

Last month, Ms Sugden opened up about living with debilitating migraines, telling the Belfast Telegraph that she had been left fearing she was having a stroke on several occasions due to the severity of her symptoms.

I think a lot of people thought I was taking a stroke because the symptoms seemed to be very similar, she said.

They took me to the local doctor on call, and he diagnosed me as having a migraine.

I was sent home, and lay in a darkened room with some painkillers, but even the headache that followed, those symptoms [were], gosh, it was the worst I can ever remember.

I think there was a clock in the room. It was ticking, and each tick sounded like a hammer firing on my head. It was quite extraordinary.

To an extent, even the headache is secondary to those initial symptoms, because they mean I cant drive, I cant focus, I cant pay attention.

She described how the chronic migraines had caused significant disruption to her life and work, saying she wanted to raise awareness of the condition and encourage greater understanding of its impact.

Claire Sugden

News Catch Up - Thursday 13 November

Ms Sugden, who has represented East Londonderry as an independent unionist in the Assembly since 2014, previously served as Justice Minister.

She was co-opted to the position after the death of David McClarty in 2014, and was elected in the 2016, 2017 and 2022 Assembly elections.

She said she will continue to rest and focus on her recovery while her constituency office remains open.
The Belfast Telegraph has picked up a prestigious award for journalist Liam Tunney's exclusive investigation into the owner of a controversial Northern Irish brand builder company that went bust.

It was named Investigation of the Year (Regional) at the UK-wide Society of Editors Media Freedom Awards.

The ceremony, at the Underglobe in London on Wednesday night, was presented by ITV's Lucrezia Millarini.

Mr Tunney uncovered how Ballymena man Darren Campbells company charged clients for guidance in launching their own online selling business through Amazon, with prices for the course beginning at 6,500.

He encouraged clients to provide false information to obtain credit, facilitating paid Amazon reviews and flooding Trustpilot with fake reviews. His company was later placed into liquidation with debts of more than 450,000.

Darren Campbell (35)

Mr Tunney said: I'm delighted that the months of work that went into this investigation have been recognised in this award. From the beginning this was about giving a voice to this company's clients, who found themselves faced with legal action and gaslighting when they tried to raise concerns.

The winners including Liam Tunney (front row, third from left)

Watch: FBA Brand Builder explained

It doesn't happen in isolation and I got great support from the newsroom and in particular our legal team who helped us face down the threats that accompany this kind of reporting.

"When companies increasingly have the ability to enter people's lives directly through their phones, it's important they are held accountable for the methods they employ.

Eoin Brannigan, editor-in-chief of the Belfast Telegraph and Sunday Life, said: We're really proud of Liam and delighted to see his work on the FBA Brand Builder story pick up a Media Freedom Award.

"It was old-fashioned tenacious, investigative journalism on a very 21st century topic - which took some guts to see through in the face of legal threats. Congratulations to Liam and to all my colleagues in the Belfast Telegraph newsroom for being Highly Commended in the Regional News Organisation of the Year category."

Ballymena brand builder Darren Campbell shuts business down after months of controversy

Announcing the winners Dawn Alford, chief executive of the Society of Editors said: The Media Freedom Awards are an opportunity to celebrate and champion the brilliant reporting and investigative journalism across all platforms in the UK and this year has been no exception. From the bravery of those that put themselves in harms way in pursuit of the truth to those who stand up against bureaucracy and officialdom to keep their communities informed, we are honoured to stand up and recognise their achievements this evening.

Northern Ireland Editor Sam McBride was shortlisted in two categories at the awards, including the Ecotricity Impact Award For Environmental Journalism (Regional).

He was also shortlisted as Journalist of the Year (Regional). Visuals Editor Kevin Scott was shortlisted in the Photo Journalist of the Year category.

The Belfast Telegraph was also shortlisted in the Regional News Media Organisation of the Year category.
Dr Trevor Gribben, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, (left) and Rev Dr David Bruce (right) during a press conference on Wednesday. Pic by Liam McBurney/PA Wire.

The PSNI has said it is actively engaged in discussions with the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) about support for any potential victims in the wake of the resignation of its moderator due to safeguarding concerns.

On Wednesday, former moderator Rev Dr Trevor Gribben formally resigned as the churchs leader in Ireland over serious and significant failings in relation to safeguarding issues.

In a statement, Dr Gribben said: Following an internal investigation and report, it has become clear that there have been serious and significant failings in the central safeguarding functions of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland from the period 2009 to 2022.

"As a result of this people have been placed at risk.

"We are aware of a number of people who have been harmed, and we believe there may well be others as yet unknown to us. We apologise unreservedly for this.

"The Churchs first and greatest concern about this is for those people who have suffered harm, and those who have been put at risk."

Detective Chief Superintendent Zoe McKee, head of the PSNIs Public Protection Branch confirmed the force is working alongside the church to ensure procedures are in place to support any victims who may come forward now.

The PSNI has been actively engaged in ongoing discussions with the church to ensure that mechanisms are in place to support any victim who wishes to make disclosures, she said in a statement.

The PSNI remains committed to working in partnership with all relevant agencies and organisations to ensure that robust safeguarding measures are in place to protect vulnerable individuals.

If you or anyone you know are concerned or wish to report a crime to police, we have dedicated detectives trained to investigate and support all victims of abuse.

Following the unprecedented announcement of the resignation of Dr Gribben, the PCI added: "The Presbyterian Church in Ireland profoundly regrets this, is deeply grieved and will offer all possible support to those affected."

The Presbyterian Church is the largest Protestant denomination both in Northern Ireland and across the island of Ireland.

Dr Trevor Gribben, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, (left) and Rev Dr David Bruce (right) during a press conference on Wednesday. Pic by Liam McBurney/PA Wire.

Belfast History Explained: Who was Mary Ann McCracken?

PCU Convenor Rev David Bruce said issues had emerged within the church which will be of concern to many.

He told a news conference in Belfast that ensuring the safety of all those who take part in the life and work of our congregations has long been a priority for us.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is understood to have modelled her plans on Danish asylum policies (Lucy North/PA)

Shabana Mahmood is set to announce sweeping reforms next week aimed at making the UK less attractive for illegal immigrants.

The Home Secretary is expected to set out plans to deter migrants from coming to the UK and make it easier to deport those who do in a statement to MPs on November 17.

Ms Mahmood is understood to be modelling the changes on the Danish system, having dispatched officials to the country last month to study its border control and asylum policies.

Ms Mahmood is also expected to be preparing changes to human rights legislation to make it easier to deport people who cross the Channel in small boats.

Home Office minister Mike Tapp told LBC on Thursday that the Government would make tweaks to prevent abuse of the legal system.

Changes will include requiring judges to prioritise public safety over migrants rights to a family life, or the risk that they will face inhuman treatment if returned to their home country, the Telegraph reported.

(PA Graphics)

Home Office officials described Ms Mahmoods plans as the most sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration in modern times.

Ahead of next weeks announcement, the Home Office announced it had removed or deported 48,560 people from the UK since Labour came to power.

The figure, which includes failed asylum seekers, foreign criminals and others with no right to be in the UK, is a 23% increase in removals compared to the 16 months before last years election.

Ms Mahmood said: Nearly 50,000 illegal migrants have been removed or deported since the election.

Weve ramped up enforcement, deported foreign criminals from our streets, and saved taxpayers millions.

I pledge today to scale up the removal and deportations of illegal migrants and do whatever it takes to secure our borders.

Small boat crossings remain a political headache for the Government (Gareth Fuller/PA)

The Government has also sent around 100 people back to France under the one in, one out returns deal for those who cross the Channel in small boats.

But despite the removals, small boat crossings continue to be a major political headache for the Government.

So far, some 39,075 people have made the journey, according to PA news agency analysis of Home Office figures.

The figure is up 19% on the same point in 2024 and up 43% on 2023, but remains 5% lower than the equivalent point in 2022, the peak year for crossings.

On Monday, the Home Office confirmed a second man had re-entered the UK by small boat having been returned to France under the one in, one out deal.

The Government said he would be deported back to France shortly and insisted his immediate detection and detention showed the system was working.

Ms Mahmoods proposals next week are expected to include measures to make the UK less attractive to would-be migrants, with Mr Tapp telling LBC ministers wanted to bring down the asylum shopping that were seeing across Europe.

Denmarks tighter rules on family reunions and restricting some refugees to a temporary stay are among the policies being looked at.

Some research has suggested that deterrence policies have little impact on asylum seekers choice of destination, but a 2017 study said Denmarks negative nation branding had proved effective in limiting asylum applications.
Emma Little-Pengelly was recently asked what her favourite song was. The Deputy First Ministers reply: Cats in the Cradle by American rock band Ugly Kid Joe.

ELP was 13 years old when that cover of Harry Chapins classic was released in 1993 and no doubt, like many others of similar age in Northern Ireland at the time, she was affected by it.
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us

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MILL RIVER  When the sale of Limestone Farm became a matter of record last week, county and area dairymen and others were not sure whether to offer the former owners congratulations or condolences.
Seth Brown is an award-winning humor writer, the author of From God To Verse and is secretly from the 1920s. His website is RisingPun.com .
At a time when national leaders only seem to export pessimism and division from D.C., it nourishes our souls to be reminded how many local leaders are willing to meet the moment in Berkshire County.
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An attack planned on a mosque in Galway was imminent, gardai have told a court in Co Laois.

The comments were made at Portlaoise District Court as gardai opposed bail for a man charged in relation to a cross-border investigation into far-right extremism.

Karolis Peckauskas, 38, of Newfoundwell Road, Drogheda, Co Louth, is charged with one offence of possession of an explosive substance in Portlaoise on November 4th.

The court heard that Mr Peckauskas was in the drivers seat of a car registered to him with another male that was searched in Portlaoise on that day.

Detective Garda Joseph Fahy said items including pipe caps, six litres of hydrogen peroxide, and plumbers putty, as well as manifesto documents, were seized from the boot of the car.

He said the examination of devices seized as part of the investigation indicate the planning of a terrorist attack on behalf of a right-wing violent extremist grouping.

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He said that gardai had seized a manifesto document outlining an intention to attack a mosque on behalf of the right-wing group.

We fully believe an attack was imminent, Mr Fahy told the court on Thursday.

The judge was told that a video integral to their objection to bail could be shown in court.

Defence barrister Niall Storan said Mr Peckauskas is a Lithuanian national who has been in Ireland since 2006 and has family members in Ireland, including his father who has been in Ireland for 30 years and is an Irish citizen.

Mr Storan objected to the video being shown and said it was manifestly inadmissible.

Judge Andrew Cody allowed the video to be shown after journalists and members of the public left the courtroom.

Giving his decision, the judge said the video was recovered from a co-accuseds phone and appeared to show four men dressed in black and wearing balaclavas in front of a tricolour.

He said two of the people remove their balaclavas at the end of the video and another person has the balaclava loose around his eyes.

The judge said he was satisfied that gardais opinion that Mr Peckauskas is one of the four men was well-founded.

He said a typed, prepared statement is read out in the video, and it is clear that the video was a practice of a statement being released subsequent to a successful terrorist attack.

He said the figures appear to be laughing and joking at times in the video.

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Addressing all citizens in the north and south of Ireland, the judge said the group states that people have had enough poor treatment due to the number of migrants flooded into the country.

Identifying themselves as the Irish Defence Army (IDA), they state that they accept responsibility for actions that resulted in the destruction of the first mosque in Ireland, located in Co Galway.

They state that they accept it would have caused a lot of hurt and disruption but they do not care.

They say that this will not be their last attack.

They describe their approach as an eye for an eye.

The judge also said that those who facilitate Ipas (International Protection Accommodation Service) centres, mosques and hotels housing migrants would be targeted.

Ireland Sinn Fein party member expelled after partner arrested in far-right probe Read more

The judge said he had considered Mr Fahys objection well founded and said refusing bail was reasonably considered necessary.

Mr Peckauskas was refused bail and remanded in custody for four weeks until December 11, where he is to appear via videolink at Portlaoise District Court.

A translator was used by Mr Peckauskas throughout proceedings on Thursday.
Minister for Communications Patrick ODonovan has described comments by former Fine Gael TD Ivan Yates about media outlets being riddled with conflicts of interest as unsettling.

Mr ODonovan told RTE radios Morning Ireland that the comments had given him food for thought and he had discussed the issue with officials in his department.

Every year I have to produce a statutory declaration of interest because of the job that I have, because of the role that I have," he said.

"This was something that was discussed at the time that RTE was saved by the taxpayer. We need to make progress on it to be quite frank about it.

A register of interest was something that needed to be looked at on a wider scale, he added. RTE was not the only broadcaster in the country and not the only opinion former.

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While they'll say, journalists have quite rightly said that they're not politicians, however, they are very importantly and intrinsically part of our democracy in terms of forming opinion and in terms of guiding people in their opinions.

And I think based on what Ivan Yates said the other day. It certainly, it made me sit up and take notice when he said that this was a widespread practice.

"When he said that this is going on all over the place and there was conflicts of interests everywhere. This is obviously something that is unsettling. And it's something that I've asked the officials to engage with Coimisiun na Mean in this area to see how we move forward from here.

Mr ODonovan said that a great deal of follow up was required, particularly Mr Yatess assertions about widespread conflicts of interest.

This is something that I have to reflect on and having heard his interview and actually I listened to it twice to make sure that I didn't mishear it and the assertion that this is widespread, it's seemingly common knowledge within the sector and you know the assertions is that everybody's at it, it is something I'll have Coimidiun na Mean have a look at.

The Minister also denied there were any tensions between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael over the media training provided by Ivan Yates to Jim Gavin during the presidential campaign.

No. I've been very clear about that, you know, he was kind of asked to leave Fine Gael. He has nothing to do with us. And he's gone from us a long time.

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Ireland Ivan Yates controversy distracts from wider Fianna Fail issues Read more

Fine Gael was working very well with Fianna Fail in government, he said.

We have the utmost of respect for Micheal Martin's role as Taoiseach. And every week, week out, week in, the cabinet works collectively together for the good of the country.

"And there's, contrary to what people outside the cabinet room might or might not say, there's no sniping from a political party point of view.

"And we're not going to, in any way, lecture Fianna Fail with regard to what it is that they're going through, that's entirely a matter for them, and by the same token, you know I won't be lectured by anybody from outside my own party either.
A couple who entered the witness protection programme with their family have lost a Supreme Court appeal in which they claimed they were entitled to new birth certs under their new assumed names.

The husband had provided information to gardai on the activities of a criminal gang, and the family were subjected to harassment and intimidation by the gang, including an attempt on the husband's life and threats to the wife.

Steps were taken by gardai to protect them and their then three children in Ireland before they were accepted as suitable for relocation to another jurisdiction under the Witness Security Programme (WSP).

They had to hand over their identity documents including birth and marriage certs and driving licences. The couple understood they would be issued with like-for-like documents in the new jurisdiction and while they were issued with replacement other documents, they were not given new birth and marriage certs.

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They encountered a difficulty when they sought to have their three Irish-born children admitted to school in the new jurisdiction because birth certs were required. Their fourth child was born after they entered the programme.

The difficulty was overcome with the assistance of the equivalent police authority to our witness protection group in the country they moved to. But the wife found this very distressing and described being forced to lie to schools about the missing documents as disgusting and deeply upsetting.

They complained in their High Court action that the failure by the State to supply them with altered birth certificates had greatly complicated their life in that foreign State. That failure amounted to a denial of their constitutional rights, they said.

The High Court last year dismissed their case saying it would be disproportionate to insist that the State amend its system of registration of births and marriages "in order to reduce the level of any interference with the plaintiffs constitutional rights necessitated by their participation in the WSP.

That court also said this should not be taken "as a discouragement to the State to place [the WSP] on a statutory basis.

The couple were granted an appeal to the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court delivered the judgment last week and then supplied it to the parties to ensure that no identifying information was inadvertently included before publishing it more generally on Thursday. That court dismissed the appeal in three concurring judgments.

In his judgment, Chief Justice Donal O'Donnell said the logic of the couple's case was that all members of the family were entitled to birth certificates in assumed names, and in the case of the parents, a new marriage certificate

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What they asserted was a right "to a deliberately false statement" as if it were an authentic and correct statement of fact, with the implied representation that it could be relied on without more and backed by the State.

He said it was accepted that no one has a constitutional right to a birth certificate in terms of their own choosing, however sincerely they desire it.

In relation to their constitutional right to life claim, the judge said there was no evidence that the absence of new birth certificates gave rise to any additional risk to their lives, but rather, it was said that the WSP would operate more smoothly, and they would be spared the frustrations and inconvenience they experienced if new certificates were available.

Ireland Solicitor tells High Court Denis OBrien 'played the man, not the ball' in defamation case Read more

It appears possible from the evidence of other jurisdictions to provide for a system under which new birth certificates can be issued, he said.

The gardai operating the system would, it seems, welcome that facility, he said.

There are arguments of practicality and policy which might lead the Oireachtas to decide to create such a mechanism here, but they are matters for the Oireachtas, he said. They "do not rise to the level" at which it can be said that it is required either by the Constitution, or by the European Convention, he added.

Mr Justice Gerard Hogan and Mr Justice Maurice Collins gave concurring written judgments.
The PSNI has been in discussions with the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) after the latter raised concerns following the conviction of an individual in 2024 for child sexual offences, it is understood.

The PCI has been called upon to provide more clarity around serious failings in safeguarding in the Church.

Northern Ireland's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, a member of the Church, said he was shocked at the announcement that moderator Rev Trevor Gribben was to stand down, after stating that people had been harmed and others placed at risk because of the failings.

Mr Gribben told a press conference in Belfast on Wednesday that there had been serious and significant failings in the central safeguarding functions of the Church from the period 2009 to 2022.

Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Rev Trevor Gribben was speaking at a press conference in Belfast on Wednesday (Liam McBurney/PA)

It emerged that failures included situations where the Church failed to respond when people who had suffered harm sought help, and instances where offenders returned to worship in church but were inadequately monitored.

The PSNI said it has been actively engaging with the Church to ensure that mechanisms are in place to support any victim who wishes to make disclosures.

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Detective Chief Superintendent Zoe McKee, head of the public protection branch, said: The PSNI remains committed to working in partnership with all relevant agencies and organisations to ensure that robust safeguarding measures are in place to protect vulnerable individuals.

Earlier, the Northern Ireland Communities Minister said he hoped more information could be provided.

Mr Lyons told the BBC Good Morning Ulster programme: I speak as a member of the Church, they have made this announcement yesterday and I think a lot of people will be concerned at what has been said and also concerned at what hasnt been said.

I think that the overwhelming feeling that I have is one of uncertainty. What does this actually mean? What has actually happened? Communities Minister Gordon Lyons

I dont think we have been furnished with all the information, obviously we havent seen this review and there does seem to be a lack of clarity as to what is happening, so I hope there is more information that can be provided.

I hope more people come forward if there have been issues.

For those that have been affected, that is where our thoughts should be, and that is where the Churchs efforts should be, making sure that they have that support and support for everybody affected.

Asked if he had been left shocked by the announcement, the minister said he was.

He said: It was a fairly significant announcement for the moderator of the General Assembly to step down.

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I think that the overwhelming feeling that I have is one of uncertainty. What does this actually mean? What has actually happened?

Church Convenor Rev David Bruce spoke to the media during a press conference for the Presbyterian Church in Ireland on Thursday (Liam McBurney/PA)

I dont think we have been furnished with that information. I think a lot of people in the Church havent been furnished with that information, so it is very difficult to make any judgment on that.

This is a serious issue and we need to make sure that people are protected, that they are looked after, and they are safe.

I know a lot of people will have concerns that might not have been the case, and whatever steps are needed to make sure that happens in the future will need to be enacted.

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland has around 180,000 members belonging to more than 500 congregations across 19 regional presbyteries across the island.

Speaking on Wednesday, Church Convenor Rev David Bruce said the Churchs primary concern now was for the people who have been harmed, placed at risk, or who simply didnt hear from us when they needed help or guidance.

He said: We have let you down, and for this I am truly sorry. It should not have happened.

Anyone in our congregations, or those more broadly associated with us, either now or in the past, who may have been impacted can contact us directly. I would reassure anyone contacting the team that they will be listened to... Church Convenor Rev David Bruce

I want you to know that we will do everything we can to both put in place better arrangements to prevent this occurring again, and to put the appropriate help and support in place for you now.

Anyone in our congregations, or those more broadly associated with us, either now or in the past, who may have been impacted can contact us directly.

He added: I would reassure anyone contacting the team that they will be listened to, heard and responded to, as they should have been previously.

The PSNI said it had dedicated detectives trained to investigate and support all victims of abuse.

It said anyone wishing to report a crime could come forward by calling 101 or online using the non-emergency reporting form at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.
Fianna Fail TD Malcolm Byrne has said Taoiseach Micheal Martin needs to bring more urgency to delivering on critical infrastructure, and tell people "if you're not finding solutions, you're part of the problem".

Sources have indicated unrest within Fianna Fail at Mr Martin's leadership following Jim Gavin's disastrous presidential campaign, which met a premature end.

In an interview with BreakingNews.ie, Mr Byrne said this was an issue but that the main priority should be faster delivery in areas such as housing, childcare and disability services.

"The presidential election will fade from memory in a relatively short period of time. Jim Gavin will be the answer to a table quiz question in four years' time but if we're not seen to have made significant progress on housing, infrastructure, disability and childcare, those are issues that will really impact the wider public.

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"I think I'm just articulating a frustration. Yes, the economy is doing well... we have a very good education system, really bright, incredible people.

"But for some reason in Ireland, there is an incredible slowness about getting things done. That is painful to watch at times. It never used to be that way to the same extent."

While he acknowledged frustration at Mr Martin within the party, Mr Byrne said "this is not just about Micheal Martin". However, he said the Taoiseach needs to take a more proactive approach in injecting urgency into delivery on key issues, particularly housing.

"I'm always conscious that 100 years ago in 1925 Ardnacrusha [power station] was conceived, designed and construction started, within six years it was providing energy to over 80 per cent of Irish homes.

"In many ways, on energy in Ireland today, we need an Ardnacrusha moment, that's with offshore renewables. Even with all the modern technology we have, we're not able to get that six year turnaround that we could a century ago.

"That for me is really frustrating, it is what's holding up our country's economic and social development to be blunt.

"This is not just about Micheal Martin, I have to be clear about that. But ultimately he is the leader, and I want to see him succeed and the Government succeed, but on issues like housing and infrastructure we need to start to take on where some of the bottlenecks and delays are.

"The point that I've been making is that we've been tying ourselves up with red tape in a lot of those critical issues over the last couple of decades.

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"Don't get me wrong, there are good reasons for some of it, but housing is the top issue in the country at the moment. The question I'm asking is every relevant minister, every secretary general of a government department, every chief executive of a relevant agency, they should all be asking themselves every morning 'what am I doing to ensure the building of more homes?'"

He said all government departments should be focused on faster delivery on criticial infrastructure issues.

What the Taoiseach needs to do is start to pull all these people in around the table and say to them 'if you're not there finding solutions, then you're part of the problem'.

"Being blunt, if they are not doing that then they're part of the problem. I think we have to start to be more radical. I often use the example of Charlie Haughey with the Irish Financial Services Centre in Dublin's Docklands. Every Monday morning he would pull all the key players in around the table and ask them had they got their homework done.

"We need a similar type of approach to housing and infrastructure. Everyone can look at the figures, why it's personal to me is it's family, friends, people who I know that are impacted.

"By the fact that we are not seeing affordable homes being built, by the fact that on the M11 the traffic jams are getting worse and we don't have a reasonable rail service to provide an alternative. I know people with challenges around childcare and families who have to fight just to be heard around gaining access to disability services.

"We are a successful, wealthy country. It's not that historically the line would be 'this would be great, if only we had the money', this isn't about the money, it's about being able to make the decisions that will have a real impact on people's lives."

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He added: "That's why I'm saying what the Taoiseach needs to do is start to pull all these people in around the table and say to them 'if you're not there finding solutions, then you're part of the problem'."

Mr Byrne also cited the Metrolink and issues with the Dublin Airport passenger cap.

He also said some agencies are not working as best they could, "frankly some of them are not focused on the issues they should be focused on".

Malcolm Byrne has said Taoiseach Micheal Martin needs to bring more urgency to delivering on critical infrastructure.

As an example, he revealed he had organised a meeting between community organisations in his Wicklow-Wexford constituency and Uisce Eireann, only for it be cancelled at the last minute.

Ireland Ivan Yates controversy distracts from wider Fianna Fail issues Read more

"I was particularly annoyed recently where I was looking to bring two local community groups to meet with Uisce Eireann and they refused at the last minute.

"There is a question to some of those agencies, are they really serving the public or are they serving themselves? As politicians, we've got to start to hold them to account for that."

He expressed hope that the Government can bring a faster pace to providing solutions on the critical issues, adding that this is what the people in his constituency want.

"We're one year in government, there is time, but it's about injecting an urgency into some of these processes. Every morning I get up I am influenced by the people that I represent in north Wexford and south Wicklow who are the ones who get up early in the morning, do everything right, go to work, they're the ones we have to represent. They are the ones who are deeply frustrated by the slow pace of delivery."
Two of three men jailed for the gang rape of a vulnerable teenager who had recently left State care have failed in their efforts to have their convictions overturned, after the Court of Appeal ruled that their trial was appropriate, fair and balanced.

The Court of Appeal on Thursday rejected appeals by Dion Genockey (27) and Daryl Rooney (28), who had argued that issues around consent had made their trial unfair.

Before the court in July, counsel for Genockey argued that the trial judge should have advised the jury that the appellant may have had reasons for not mentioning to gardai that he believed the victim had given her consent. Counsel for Rooney, meanwhile, argued that the appellant was not aware that the woman had not given her consent.

Genockey, of Clarion Quay Apartments, and Rooney, of Railway Street, Dublin City Centre, were convicted of raping the woman at Bull Island, Dollymount, Dublin, on January 5th, 2016, following a second trial at the Central Criminal Court in March 2022. The jury in the first trial, which was held in 2020, was unable to reach a verdict.

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Genockey was sentenced to nine years by Mr Justice David Keane, while Rooney was sentenced to 10 years.

A third accused, Troy Ryan (27) of Lower Gardiner Street, Dublin City Centre, was also convicted and sentenced to nine and a half years.

The sentencing court heard none of the men accepted the verdict of the jury and maintained their innocence.

In the Court of Appeals judgement on Thursday, delivered by both Mr Justice John Edwards and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, it was said that the trial judge provided a careful and comprehensive direction to the jury concerning an accused persons right to silence.

The judgment said that, concerning Genockey, there was no doubt that the jury was instructed to examine the circumstances existing at the time he was questioned by gardai.

The judgment also said that the charge given to the jury by the trial judge was appropriate, fair and balanced, which allowed the panel to consider that Genockey had remained silent due to his age, his distrust of the gardai, and his fathers instructions to him.

With regard to Rooney's argument that the prosecution had failed to prove he did not know the complainant did not consent, the court found there is "no doubt on the law" that a person accused of rape may claim that he held an honest and genuine belief that a complainant was consenting.

However, the court noted it is also the position that a jury may assess whether such a belief was reasonable.

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The judgment continued: We are entirely satisfied that there was prima facie evidence before the jury of the mental element of the offence of rape applicable to this appellant.

Accordingly, the appeal against conviction of each appellant was dismissed.

During the men's trial, evidence was heard that on the day in question, the young woman, who had recently left State care, travelled to Dublin to meet with friends. Later that evening, she purchased some Xanax pills and then went to an internet cafe.

While there, she was approached by a boy and told that the three teenagers, whom she had never met before, wanted to talk to her. The men told her they wanted to bring her for a quick spin.

The woman initially declined but eventually agreed and left the cafe with Ryan and Rooney to get into a car outside, which was driven by Genockey.

The men drove out to Clontarf and down to the end of the wooden bridge at Dollymount Strand, where they stopped by a shelter. Genockey then asked the woman: Are we going to have some fun?

The woman replied no, she didn't want to and had only wanted to go for a short drive, but the men were refusing to listen, the court heard.

Genockey and Rooney got out of the car and stood in the shelter while Ryan produced a condom from a stash in the glove box of the car and proceeded to rape the woman. When he was finished, Genockey got in and put a condom on.

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Genockey tried to sweet talk the woman, the court heard and said he wasn't going to hurt her, before he proceeded to rape her.

Genockey then handed a condom to Rooney, who raped the woman. At this stage, the woman didn't even get a chance to say no. It was three against one, and she didn't have a choice, the court heard.

The trial heard that her door had a child lock on it, and she could not get out of the car.

The woman was told another person was going to pick her up and bring her home, and the men left the scene quickly. Another car arrived, containing three men, and she was raped by two of the men in this car. She said that the men all got into the car afterwards, laughed and drove away, leaving her in the middle of nowhere.

Genockey gave evidence at trial and said he never disrespected a woman in his life. Defence counsel claimed the woman initiated sex, and Genockey said the woman was treated with nothing but respect by himself and his two gentlemen friends.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help.
A woman who fell about nine feet to the ground, shattering her ankle while learning to rock climb at a climbing centre, has sued in the High Court.

Monica Luba (35) told the High Court she had gone rock climbing at the Dublin Climbing Centre to get over her fear of heights.

Opening the case, Michael Byrne SC told the court at the end of her second induction session ,Ms Luba was brought bouldering which is climbing without ropes or harness.

Counsel said it was their case that the wall where Ms Luba was climbing to  the most difficult wall in the building.

He said that an instructor had brought them on a smaller wall first and showed them how to climb and drop down to a mat.

Counsel said it was their case that bringing Ms Luba bouldering at the end of the session was  too much too soon on the most hazardous wall in the place and Ms Luba was ill-prepared for it.

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Monica Luba from Tyrellstown, Dublin had sued JCN Adventure Ltd the owners of the Dublin Climbing Centre, Belgard Square East, Tallaght, Dublin as a result of the accident on July 4th 2023.

All of the claims are denied in the case and it is contended by JCN Adventure Ltd that there was alleged contributory negligence on the part of Ms Luba. It is claimed there was an alleged failure to follow instructions and that she had undertaken rock climbing which she knew it carried a risk of injury.

It is further claimed that the wall where the accident happened was not the most difficult wall in the centre and that it was the most appropriate one for beginners and the instruction at the time was how to hang and fall safely..

In evidence Ms Luba said she was on a second induction day with a friend when the accident happened. She said they had an instructor and were using ropes and she had a harness.

She said twenty minutes before the end of the session the instructor brought them bouldering.

They were shown how to climb the wall and dop down to a mat. She said the instructor climbed and dropped down and her friend followed.

I was a bit afraid but I tried it. I was stuck. It was not straight, so I couldnt see. I didnt expect to be on a wall like this, a spider wall. It was much higher than the other wall, she said.

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She claimed that she had to jump and her feet twisted when she landed.

Ireland Man jailed after endangering Garda and dealing cocaine Read more

There was a terrible pain, she said and she later had to have surgery and said she is not now able to run and she cant play ball with her child because her ankle swells up.

Cross examined by counsel for JCN Adventure Moira Flahive SC she agreed it was her fourth visit to the centre. She said she thought shew would always be on the rope and she had done the bouldering because she wanted to finish the course.

David Browne engineer for Ms Luba told the court that she suffered an uncontrolled fall. He said in his opinion the woman should have been instructed not to go so high.

The case before Ms Justice Carmel Stewart continues.
A 15th-century bible which is considered one of the most spectacular examples of Renaissance illuminated manuscripts has gone on display in Rome as part of the Vaticans Holy Year celebrations.

The two-volume Borso DEste Bible, which is known for its opulent miniature paintings in gold and Afghan lapis lazuli, was unveiled in the Italian Senate, where it will remain on display until January 16.

The bible is usually kept in a safe at a library in Modena and is rarely seen in public. It was transported to Rome under heavy security and its arrival in the Senate was televised, as workers hauled two big red crates from an unmarked van and then extracted the volumes, which were covered in bubble wrap.

The bible, commissioned by Duke Borso DEste, was created between 1455 and 1461 by calligrapher Pietro Paolo Marone and illustrators Taddeo Crivelli and Franco dei Russi. The Italian Culture Ministry considers it one of the highest expressions of miniature art that unites sacred value, historic relevance, precious materials and refined aesthetics.



The 15th century Borso DEste Bible comprises of two illuminated manuscripts (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)

It will remain behind humidity controlled plate glass during its stay in Rome but visitors can read it digitally via touch screen displays featuring ultra-high-resolution images.

Alessandra Necci, director of Gallerie Estense in Modena, where the bible is usually kept, describes it as the Mona Lisa of illuminated manuscripts because of its exquisite artistry and religious inspiration.

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Archbishop Rino Fisichella, who is in charge of the Vaticans Jubilee celebrations, told the presentation on Thursday he hoped visitors would be inspired to go home and read their own bibles after seeing the beauty of the Borso DEste version.

He said the splendour of the text was a provocation that forces contemplation not just of its beauty but of the word of God contained in the text.

The book was commissioned by Borso DEste as part of his celebration of faith and his own prominence, and was kept in the Este family until the last duke, Francesco V of Austria-Este, took it with him when he fled to Vienna in 1859, according to a history of the bible on the Italian Senates website.



Politicians were shown the bible (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)

Ms Necci said Borso DEste spent what was then an exorbitant amount of money to create the most expensive book of the time. By demonstrating such opulence, the duke wanted to celebrate not only the sacred book par excellence but also the elevated idea he had of himself and his dynasty, she said.

It remained in the possession of the Habsburgs even after the Austro-Hungarian Empire dissolved after the First World War. In 1922, after Archduke Charles I died, his widow Zita of Bourbon-Parma decided to sell it to a Parisian antiquarian.

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Giovanni Treccani, an Italian entrepreneur and arts patron, learned of the sale and travelled to Paris to buy it in 1923, paying 3,300,000 French francs. Mr Treccani, whose name is famous today as the publisher of top Italian encyclopaedias, then donated it to the Italian state.

The bible is being kept in a specially regulated display case that employs a conditioning system that maintains constant humidity to protect the parchment pages, which are particularly sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity, officials said.
Blue Origin has launched its huge New Glenn rocket with two Nasa spacecraft destined for Mars.

It was only the second flight of the rocket that Jeff Bezoss company and Nasa are counting on to get people and supplies to the Moon.

The 321ft (98-metre) New Glenn blasted into the afternoon sky from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, sending Nasas twin Mars orbiters on a drawn-out journey to the red planet.



A Blue Origin New Glenn rocket lifts off from Launch Complex 36 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida (John Raoux/AP)

Lift-off was stalled for four days by poor local weather as well as solar storms strong enough to paint the skies with auroras as far south as Florida.

In a remarkable first, Blue Origin recovered the booster following its separation from the upper stage and the Mars orbiters, an essential step to recycle and slash costs similar to SpaceX.

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Company employees cheered wildly as the booster landed upright on its ocean platform 375 miles offshore.

An ecstatic Mr Bezos watched the action from Launch Control.

Next stop, Moon! company employees chanted following the successful booster landing.



Nasas identical Mars orbiters, named Escapade (Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers), are secured in Blue Origins New Glenn rockets seven-metre fairing in Cape Canaveral, Florida (Stephanie Plucinsky/Blue Origin via AP)

New Glenns inaugural test flight in January delivered a prototype satellite to orbit, but failed to land the booster on a barge in the Atlantic.

The identical Mars orbiters, named Escapade, will spend a year hanging out near Earth, stationing themselves one million miles away.

Once Earth and Mars are properly aligned next autumn, the duo will get a gravity assist from Earth to head to the red planet, arriving in 2027.

Once around Mars, the spacecraft will map the planets upper atmosphere and scattered magnetic fields, studying how these realms interact with the solar wind.

The observations should shed light on the processes behind the escaping Martian atmosphere, helping to explain how the planet went from wet and warm to dry and dusty.



A Blue Origin New Glenn rocket lifts off from Launch Complex 36 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida (John Raoux/AP)

Scientists will also learn how best to protect astronauts against Mars harsh radiation environment.

We really, really want to understand the interaction of the solar wind with Mars better than we do now, Escapades lead scientist, Rob Lillis of the University of California, Berkeley, said ahead of the launch.

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Escapade is going to bring an unprecedented stereo viewpoint because were going to have two spacecraft at the same time.

It is a relatively low-budget mission, coming in under 80 million dollars (60 million), that is managed and operated by UC Berkeley.

Nasa saved money by signing up for one of New Glenns early flights.

The Mars orbiters should have blasted off last autumn, but Nasa passed up that ideal launch window  Earth and Mars line up for a quick transit just every two years  because of feared delays with Blue Origins brand-new rocket.

Named after John Glenn, the first American to orbit the world, New Glenn is five times bigger than the New Shepard rockets sending wealthy clients to the edge of space from west Texas.



Nasas identical Mars orbiters, named Escapade, are inspected and processed at the Astrotech Space Operations Facility near the agencys Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida (Kim Shiflett/Nasa via AP)

Blue Origin plans to launch a prototype Blue Moon lunar lander on a demo mission in the coming months aboard New Glenn.

Created in 2000 by Mr Bezos, Amazons founder, Blue Origin already holds a Nasa contract for the third Moon landing by astronauts under the Artemis programme.

Elon Musks SpaceX beat out Blue Origin for the first and second crew landings, using Starships, nearly 100ft (30 metres) taller than Mr Bezoss New Glenn.

But last month Nasa acting administrator Sean Duffy reopened the contract for the first crewed Moon landing, citing concern over the pace of Starships progress in flight tests from Texas.

Blue Origin as well as SpaceX have presented accelerated landing plans.

Nasa is on track to send astronauts around the Moon early next year using its own Space Launch System rocket.

The next Artemis crew would attempt to land; the space agency is pressing to get astronauts back on the lunar surface by the decades end in order to beat China.

Twelve astronauts walked on the Moon more than half a century ago during Nasas Apollo programme.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor told paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein and convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell I cant take any more of this as he pleaded with them to make it clear he was not involved in any allegations against them, according to newly released emails.

Thousands of documents from Epsteins estate were published by the US House Oversight Committee on Wednesday  including the exchange from March 2011  months on from when the former prince alleged he broke off all contact with the sex offender.

Andrews accuser Virginia Giuffre alleged she was forced to have sex with him three times  once at Maxwells home in London, once at Epsteins address in Manhattan, and once on the disgraced financiers private island, Little St James.

After Andrew asked Epstein how he planned to respond to a press inquiry, Epstein can be seen responding: Im (sic) not sure how to respond, the only person she didnt have sex with was Elvis.

Andrew appeared to plead with Maxwell and Epstein to make it clear he was not involved in any allegations against them (US Department of Justice/PA)

The former duke also appeared to take the issue up with Maxwell in a separate chain, saying: Hey there! Whats all this? I dont know anything about this! You must SAY so please. This has NOTHING to do with me.

I cant take any more of this.

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Another email chain appeared to show Epstein confirm a photograph of the former prince with Virginia Giuffre was real, adding that several of his staff had their picture taken with Andrew.

The documents show Maxwell was forwarded a press inquiry from the Mail On Sunday on March 4 2011, by somebody named Mark Cohen, who told her: FYI, following up on my email of this morning.

Again, I have no intention of responding unless you direct otherwise.

After the email was forwarded from Maxwell to Epstein, and then from Epstein to somebody listed as The Duke on the same day, Andrew appears to respond: What? I dont know any of this. How are you responding?

Epstein responds: Just got it two minutes ago. Ive asked g (sic) lawyers to send a letter. Not sure its so salcisous (sic) and ridiculous, im (sic) not sure how to respond, the only person she didnt have sex with was Elvis.

Andrew then appears to reply to Epstein, saying: Please make sure that every statement or legal letter states clearly that I am NOT involved and that I knew and know NOTHING about any of these allegations.

I cant take any more of this my end.

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Epstein appeared to follow up with the former duke two days later, saying: You OK?

These stories are complete and utter fantasy. I dont know and have never met Al Gore.

Clinton was never on the island  the telephone book is not mine, it was stolen by my houseman that is currently in prison for doing so.

Epstein also appeared keen to ask a journalist to investigate Andrews accuser because Buckingham Palace would love it.

An email exchange said to be between Andrew, Epstein and Maxwell was published on Wednesday. Photo: US House Oversight Committee/PA.

In his email in July 2011, Epstein can be seen talking about Andrews accuser and asking someone to send a reporter or reporters to investigate.

The email reads:  same as strauss khan (sic) is Andrews accuser, criminal record, total liar.

It continues: Send a reporter or reporters to investigate the palace would love it, the girl in the photo, was nothing more than a telephone answerer, she was never 15, according to her version she worked for trump (sic), first at that age, at Mar-a-Lago. Its ridiculous.

In a further email, Epstein adds: The girl who accused Prince Andrew can also easily be proven to be a liar.

I think Buckingham Palace would love it. You should task someone to investigate the girl Virginia Roberts, that has caused the Queens son all this agro (sic).

I promise you she is a fraud. You and I will be able to go to ascot (sic) for the rest of our lives.

In an exchange with a different journalist in 2011, Epstein appeared to discuss Giuffre and her photograph with Andrew.

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He said: Now that strauss kan (sic) girl will be shown to be a total liar.

Maybe your paper should jump on and show that (redacted)s allegations re andrew (sic) are the same, she also accused numerous people of having sex with her, dersh, ehud, etc. Not one paper had the balls to question her credibility.

After the journalist confirmed they would be interested in the story, a further email from Epstein on the same day read: The girl has fled the country with an outstanding arrest warrant. The da (sic) after she accused others, said in writing that she has no credibility, she was never 15 years old working for me, her story made it seem like she first worked for trump (sic) at that age and was met by ghislaine maxwell (sic).

Total horseshit, the daily mail (sic) paid her money, they admitted it, with the statement that it took money to coax out the truth.

Yes she was on my plane, and yes she had her picture taken with Andrew, as many of my employees have.

I have never misled you, this girl is a total liar, they (sic) authorities should check her australian (sic) immigration form, you could talk to dershowitz (sic). I will ask if they will cooperate  Prince people.

Andrews links to Epstein eventually led to the King dramatically stripping him of his titles  putting an end to his public life.

The move followed the publication of Ms Giuffres posthumous memoirs, and the US governments release of documents from the paedophiles estate.

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Ms Giuffre alleged she was forced to have sex with Andrew at Maxwells home in London, once at Epsteins address in Manhattan, and once on Little St James.

The incident at Maxwells home, where the now infamous photo of the former duke with his accuser is reported to have been taken, allegedly occurred when Ms Giuffre was 17 years old.

Andrew is accused of taking part in an orgy with underage girls, as well as Ms Giuffre, during the alleged incident on Little St James.

World House Democrats release Epstein papers saying Trump 'knew about the girls' Read more

The former prince vehemently denies all allegations made against him.

Epstein took his own life in a New York prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking and conspiracy charges.

Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2022 after being convicted of sex trafficking.
Sir Keir Starmer will investigate briefings that unleashed a leadership row as he faces pressure to overhaul his toxic Downing Street operation.

The UK prime minister apologised to health secretary Wes Streeting for anonymous attacks from No 10 that he was plotting a coup.

Mr Streeting said the self-defeating claims  which he denied  showed problems with the culture in Mr Starmer's administration.

The health secretarys criticism of the culture within No 10 has focused fresh attention on the UK prime ministers Irish chief of staff Morgan McSweeney (Jonathan Brady/PA)

The future of Morgan McSweeney, Mr Starmer's long-time ally and chief of staff, at the top of government is under threat, as fingers are pointed for the fallout from the apparent ploy to warn off potential leadership contenders.

Mr McSweeney is from Macroom, Co Cork.

Mr Starmer was forced to condemn completely unacceptable attacks on Cabinet ministers, as he told the Commons on Wednesday: Morgan McSweeney, my team and I are absolutely focused on delivering for the country.

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He later moved to smooth relations with Mr Streeting directly in a brief chat on Wednesday evening, their first since the hostilities erupted.

Mr Starmer apologised to him for the briefing campaign, without going into details, according to a source.

The pair did not discuss Mr McSweeney and agreed to speak again soon.

This is not what he wants to see and he's determined to drive it out Anna Turley, Labour chair

Mr Starmer is looking into the source of the attacks, Labour Party chairwoman Anna Turley said.

She told ITV: He is going to investigate and well see what happens as a consequence of that.

But the reality is, hes absolutely clear, this is not in his name. This is not what he wants to see and hes determined to drive it out.

The Labour chair added: He was not aware of this briefing Hes going to take action in this to make sure it doesnt happen again.

Asked about calls for Mr McSweeney to be sacked, Ms Turley dismissed claims he was behind the briefings as tittle tattle as she stressed we dont know whos responsible.

Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer insisted he had never authorised briefings against his Cabinet (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

But Mr Starmer is under growing pressure from within the party to dismiss his powerful aide.

Mr Streeting hit out at the toxic culture around the No 10 operation and called for anyone behind the juvenile briefing against him to be sacked.

He told Sky News: Its totally self-defeating briefing, not least because its not true, and I dont understand how anyone thinks its helpful to the Prime Minister either.

Senior No 10 sources said Mr Starmer would fight any leadership challenge but suggested the briefing against the health secretary had not come from Downing Street.

Sir Keir Starmer said his team is focused on delivering for the country (House of Commons/PA)

Mr Starmer told MPs that any attack on any member of my Cabinet is completely unacceptable and Mr Streeting was doing a great job.

The unrest at the top of the party comes as Labours poll ratings have plummeted since Mr Starmer delivered a landslide general election victory in July 2024.

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And it precedes Rachel Reeves Budget in a fortnight, which could see the party rip up its manifesto promise not to increase income tax and MPs fear a bloodbath in elections next May in English councils and the Scottish and Welsh Parliaments.
Russia says its forces have pushed deeper into the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, with one video on Tuesday showing Russian soldiers rolling into it on motorbikes and on the roofs of battered cars and vans amid thick fog.

Ukraine's top military commander Oleksandr Syrskyi has estimated that Russia is massing some 150,000 troops in its push to take Pokrovsk. He says Ukrainian forces are seeking to removearound 300 Russians Kyiv says have infiltrated the city so far.

Following are key facts about Pokrovsk, which Russians call by its Soviet-era name of Krasnoarmeysk, and the long battle for its control, which began in earnest in mid-2024.

What is Pokrovsk?

Pokrovsk is a road and rail junction in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region with a pre-war population of some 60,000 people. It was previously an important logistics hub for the Ukrainian army, being situated on a key road which the troops used to supply other embattled outposts along the frontline.

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However, most people have now fled, all children have been evacuated, and few civilians remain amid Pokrovsk's pulverised apartment buildings and cratered roads.

Ukraine's only mine producing coking coal - used in its once vast steel industry - is around 10km west of Pokrovsk. Mining operations there have been suspended.

Pokrovsk is also home to the region's largest technical university, which now stands abandoned, damaged by shelling.

Why does Russia want Pokrovsk?

Russia wants to take the whole of the Donbas region, which comprises the Luhansk and Donetsk provinces. Ukraine still controls about 10 per cent of Donbas - an area of about 5,000 square km in mostly northern Donetsk.

Capturing Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka to its northeast, which Russian forces are also trying to envelop, would give Moscow a platform to drive north towards the two biggest remaining Ukrainian-controlled cities in Donetsk - Kramatorsk and Sloviansk.

It would also leave Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region to the west, where Russian forces say they have already established a foothold, more vulnerable to Russian advances.

Pokrovsk would be Moscow's most important single territorial gain inside Ukraine since it took the ruined city of Avdiivka in early 2024.

Moscow wants to convince the West that its capture of the remainder of the Donetsk region is inevitable and that it would be better for Kyiv to voluntarily hand it over as part of a peace deal.

Ukraine, which rejects that idea, is anxious to show its Western partners that it can make the Russians pay a heavy price for relatively modest territorial gains and is therefore deserving of continued military and financial aid.

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Russian president Vladimir Putin says Donbas is now legally part of Russia. Kyiv and most Western nations reject Moscow's seizure of the territory as an illegal land grab.

Some Western military analysts, like Rob Lee, a senior fellow at the US-based Foreign Policy Research Institute, say that capturing Pokrovsk would be an important win for Russia for operational reasons.

But Russia would still remain well short of its goal of controlling the rest of Donetsk, including the two fortress cities of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, Mr Lee said.

Why has it taken so long?

Russia has been threatening Pokrovsk for more than a year. Instead of the full-frontal assaults it used in earlier battles like the bloody campaign for the similar-sized city of Bakhmut, Russia's military has been using a pincer movement to gradually encircle Pokrovsk and threaten Ukrainian supply lines.

Russian forces harry Ukrainian troops by sending in small units and drones to disrupt logistics and sow chaos before sending in larger reinforcements.

Ukraine says Russia's offensive has seen its forces sustain huge losses. Moscow says it is Ukraine, with its significantly smaller population, that is at risk of running out of men and that its own slower tactics are designed to minimise casualties.

An incursion into Russia's Kursk region by Ukrainian forces last year, which Moscow fought back, slowed the Russian attack on Pokrovsk.

What is happening now?

Ukraine has rushed to strengthen positions in the city.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday that bad weather was favouring Russian attacks, the scale of which he said was increasing.

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Separately, Ukraine's military said Moscow had intensified efforts to get more troops in over the past few days, using dense fog for cover.

"Their goal remains unchanged - to reach the northern borders of Pokrovsk and then attempt to encircle the conurbation," Ukraine's 7th Paratrooper Corps said on Facebook.

DeepState, a Ukrainian project that maps the front line based on verified open source images, shows Russian forces pushing into the city from the south, though much of it is still in grey, beyond the firm control of either side.

Reuters was unable to verify battlefield reports from either side due to reporting restrictions in the war zone.
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BusinessCompaniesMedia bargaining code Opinion Will Zuckerberg go crying to Trump about Albos media tax? You bet Elizabeth Knight Business columnist November 13, 2025  2:31pm

November 13, 2025  2:31pm 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 48 View all comments

The Australian governments rebooted attempt to clip the ticket of the big US platforms that effectively siphon advertising revenue from Australian media companies will become a riveting game of chicken. Mark Zuckerbergs Meta, owner of Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, who has been fighting contributing to Australian publishers coffers, in particular is likely to deploy any number of tactics to avoid paying local media companies for their news content. Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg wines and dines with Donald Trump. Bloomberg The social media giant reluctantly signed up to the first iteration of the governments News Bargaining Code but refused to extend this into a second term - instead opting out last year. Zuckerbergs most obvious manoeuvre to combat the governments now rebooted platform tax would be to go crying to US President Donald Trump, who has been a particularly strong supporter and protector of Americas Big Tech players against attempts by foreign governments to rein in their power.

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Zuckerberg understands very well the leverage of being one of Trumps tech bro friends. He is one of a number of his ilk whose companies have taken out an insurance policy by donating to the presidents construction of a $US300 million ($459 million) White House ballroom. Others include Jeff Bezos Amazon, Tim Cooks Apple as well as Microsoft and Google. Related Article Publishing Trump meeting over, Albanese government reboots plans to make tech giants pay for journalism For its part, the Australian government is employing a negotiating model with the tech giants. They can strike voluntary deals with the publishers  which would cost Meta an estimated $75 million a year  or face a flat fee payable to the Australian tax office, which in Metas case would be more than $112 million. The government refers to this flat fee as an incentive as each dollar the tech giants agree to invest in local media partnerships reduces it by $1.50, until it reaches zero. This is designed to make paying up for news content the most financially attractive option. And while some of the tech platforms may view this as extortion, its for a worthy cause. The government argues that it provides protection and compensation for Australian publishers that spend hundreds of millions of dollars a year to produce original news content, which in turn is vital to a functioning democracy.

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Treasury estimated 30 deals previously struck by Australian media companies with Google and Meta were worth about $200 million to $250 million a year. Metas abandoning the code after three years is estimated to have cost hundreds of journalist jobs. The idea is that the government is stepping in to address the asymmetric power imbalance between companies such as Nine Entertainment (which owns this masthead) and these international behemoths, who in the case of Google parent Alphabet and Meta have sharemarket capitalisations of $US3.5 trillion and $US1.5 trillion, respectively. Related Article Updated

Media & marketing We never thought anyone would be that crass: Media code designer roasts Meta It is noteworthy that the other major tech platform that signed up to the original bargaining code, Google, has continued with payments since the codes introduction in 2021. The proposed new law known as the Media Bargaining Incentive will capture social media and search platforms with Australian-derived revenue of at least $250 million, irrespective of whether they carry news content, according to details released by the assistant treasurer, Daniel Mulino.

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Other companies snared by the legislation could include TikTok owner ByteDance, while Apple and Microsoft could be captured with their Apple News and LinkedIn platforms, respectively, if they meet the Australian revenue threshold. The legislation has been sitting on the government backburner since the start of the year, but has reemerged since the bilateral trade talks between Anthony Albanese and Trump. Related Article What We Know

Social media TikTok is making upsetting changes to comply with the social media ban. Heres how it will work While some Australian media companies were hoping Trump would have sympathy for foreign media businesses and their economic challenges in the face of Americas big tech platforms, the US president has shown little public regard for the media in the US or offshore; it has been more like disdain. He has recently threatened to sue the BBC and is seeking damages of $US10 billion from Rupert Murdochs The Wall Street Journal. Over the past three years, he has also taken legal action against CNN, the American Broadcasting Company and CBS.

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Trumps recent chumminess with Albanese could be put to the test. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.
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BusinessThe economyIron ore Opinion Chinas Pilbara Killer is finally on the prowl Stephen Bartholomeusz Senior business columnist November 13, 2025  11:04am

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This week marked a key moment for the global iron industry. Twenty-eight years after Rio Tinto first identified one of the worlds richest orebodies, operations at the giant Simandou iron ore project in Guinea have formally started. The project, two separate blocks, one owned by a Singaporean and Chinese partnership and the other by a consortium of Rio Tinto, Chinas Chinalco and the Guinean government, is one of the most expensive and capital-intensive new mining projects ever developed. The mines and more than 600 kilometres of rail line from the mines to a new port on Guineas west coast, have cost more than $US23 billion ($35 billion) for a project that has been bedevilled by controversies, legal actions, changes of ownership and endless delays. Rio Tintos massive Simandou iron ore project is ready to go online. Rio Tinto On Tuesday, however, Simandou and its eventual 100 million to 120 million tonnes a year of high-quality iron ore formally entered the industry, although it will be a few weeks before its ships its first ore.

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That moment has long been seen as a pivotal one for the iron ore sector, given that Chinese interests effectively own, or have influence over, a 75 per cent interest in one of the worlds largest and richest new orebodies. If it can ramp up to 120 million tonnes a year of production (there is some doubt over whether the infrastructure can handle that volume), Simandou would represent about 7 per cent of the global seaborne trade in iron ore and nearly double the volume of production under Chinese ownership or influence. Simandous output is expected to put pressure on iron ore prices and give Chinas steel mills more leverage over the other big seaborne iron suppliers  Rio Tinto, BHP, Vale and Fortescue. At a time when Chinas steel production appears to have peaked and may decline slightly, Simandous output is expected to put pressure on iron ore prices and give Chinas steel mills more leverage over the other big seaborne iron suppliers  Rio Tinto, BHP, Vale and Fortescue. It has been dubbed the Pilbara Killer, but that probably overstates its potential impact.

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In commodities, the cost curve dictates competitiveness. Simandou might be a big resource, and the ferrous content of its ore  which is between 64 and 67 per cent compared with the two biggest Pilbara producers 60 to 62 per cent  makes it attractive in an emissions-reducing environment. Related Article Business investment The Pilbara is at risk of becoming a wasteland. Could green iron help? It wont, however, be a low-cost producer. Its all-in costs, because of the capital intensity of the infrastructure needed to get it to the port, are around $US55 to $US60 a tonne. Its also about 14,000 kilometres further from China than the Pilbara, so shipping costs will be greater. BHP, the industrys low-cost producer, has all-in costs of just under $US20 a tonne. Rios are about $US25 a tonne and Fortescues about $US35 a tonne, although the quality of its ore, at about 56 per cent Fe, is lower than its main Pilbara rivals ore and attracts discounts.

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That means, while it might be able to gain higher margins selling its ore to green steel producers, Simandou wont be able to drive the ore coming from BHP, Rio or Fortescue out of the market, even if China would like to do so. The Guinean governments 15 per cent stake in Rio and Chinalcos two of the projects four blocks, and a similar interest in the infrastructure, is also an inhibitor to any attempts to drive prices down beyond the impact of the extra tonnes. Unlike China, Guinea wants to maximise the prices received, not diminish them. It would prefer to see Simandou targeting green steel producers in Europe, rather than compete with the Pilbara producers in supplying China, although most of Simandous volumes will inevitably go to Chinese mills. China this year lifted the pressure on Australias iron ore miners, with its iron ore bargaining group  China Minerals Resources Group  halting purchases of BHPs Jimblebar blend in September. Bloomberg While there will almost certainly be price impacts from introducing big volumes of new ore to the market, the positions of the Australian producers on the industry cost curve means that they can still generate big margins and profits, even if prices sink.

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It is the marginal producers  the Chinese domestic producers and Indian miners whose costs are closer to $US80 a tonne  whose survival could be at risk from Simandou. BHP would still be generating gross margins of 60 per cent at those price levels. The introduction of Simandous ore to the market, and Chinas interests in the project, will, however, give China more leverage in price negotiations with the Australian miners. Related Article Updated

Iron ore Negotiating tactic: BHP shares hit over China export dispute China has long sought to blunt the pricing power the miners gained in 2010 when BHPs Marius Kloppers effectively forced the industry into adopting market-related pricing. Before 2010, the industry norm saw Japanese and Chinese buyers (usually led by the Japanese) negotiating directly with each miner and then using the lowest price as the benchmark for all the West Australian miners.

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This year, with steel production and therefore demand for iron ore softening, Chinas iron ore bargaining group  China Minerals Resources Group  halted purchases of BHPs Jimblebar blend in September and told mills and traders not to buy US-denominated cargoes at Chinas ports in an attempt to gain lower prices and force BHP and the other Australian producers to trade in Chinese renminbi, not US dollars. Loading Last month, BHP is reported to have agreed to settle 30 per cent of its iron ore spot trading in RMB. For China, that reduces exchange rate risks and transaction costs, possibly gives it another point of leverage in pricing negotiations and adds to its efforts to make its currency a viable alternative to the US dollar in commodity trades. Throw the Simandou ore into the mix and the Pilbara miners are entering a new phase in the iron ore markets development, one in which  in a market with more supply, where demand is weakening  they lose some negotiating leverage and China gains some.

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Simandou may also factor in a different power play. Before the 2008 financial crisis, Rio, concerned that BHP was stalking it for a takeover, made a massively over-priced, debt-funded acquisition of Alcan that undermined its financial stability. BHP still made a bid, but Chinas Chinalco seized the moment and bought 14.9 per cent of the shares in Rios London-listed entity (about 11 per cent of the dual-listed entitys total issued capital). The companies later announced a series of deals through which Chinalco would take up minority interests, whether directly or indirectly, and have representation at both the board and assets levels in most of Rios major businesses. A BHP bid for Rio did eventuate, but it was later pulled as the extent of the financial crisis became clear.

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A subsequent proposal to combine BHPs Pilbara assets with Rios in a joint venture eventually torpedoed the Chinalco deals. While the joint venture never eventuated, its proposal had served BHPs purpose of keeping Rio, and its WA iron ore assets in particular, out of China Incs clutches. Related Article Opinion

Iron ore China is flexing its muscles as a new era dawns for iron ore Stephen Bartholomeusz Senior business columnist The Chinalco shareholding in Rio, however, has remained and has been an obstacle to any Rio ambition to undertake capital management, or use its shares in an acquisition. Chinalco cant increase its $20 billion holding (which would be the effect of a share buyback) without regulatory approvals it would be unlikely to gain, and doesnt want to be diluted. There have, however, been recent reports that with Rio now being led by a new chief executive, Simon Trott, the companies have been discussing a potential equity-for-assets swap, under which Rio would exchange direct interests in some assets for Chinalcos shareholding and free up its balance sheet options. It seems a reasonable assumption that Rios 42.5 per cent interest in its half of the Simandou project would be one of the earlier starting points for any serious discussions. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.
What to stream this week: (from top left) High Potential; Mitchell and Webb Are Not Helping: The Iris Affair; The Wedding Banquet; Death by Lightning; and Crutch.

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Dont miss Matthew Macfadyen in the historical assassination drama Death by Lightning, the battle of wits in The Iris Affair, an updated The Wedding Banquet and 30 Rock star Tracey Morgans new comedy. Death by Lightning  (Netflix) Its no accident this 19th century historical drama, which maps the intersecting paths of Americas 20th president, James Garfield (Michael Shannon), and his assassin, Charles Guiteau (Matthew Macfadyen), is full of contemporary references. There is an 1880 misinformation campaign, rankcorruption and a vice-presidential candidate who drunkenly demands, Music! Fighting! Sausages! on a night out. The current shortcomings of power in the United States are nothing new, this limited series suggests, but nor are they unstoppable. Matthew Macfadyen as Charles Guiteau in Death by Lightning. What makes the timeliness resonate is the sly humour and sharp depictions. At just four episodes, as if Netflix were scared audiences would drift off, Death by Lightning smashes together the great-man-in-history portrait with a dreadfully-dodgy-man-in-history depiction. Garfield, a Civil War hero, is a retired congressman who goes to the Republican convention to nominate a colleague and gives such a stirring speech that he becomes the partys presidential candidate. Guiteau is a felon, lickspittle lackey and perennial incompetent. Related Article Streaming So bad its good? Our favourite TV shows to hate-watch The casting is chefs kiss, with creator Mike Makowsky (Bad Education) and director Matt Ross (Captain Fantastic) leaning right into Macfadyens previous role as Succession striver Tom Wambsgans. When Guiteau tries to ingratiate himself with his sisters wealthy husband, his unctuousness is comically cringeworthy. Shannon, by contrast, is august and dedicated, but the actor, so often a memorable villain, carries a horrified weight. His Garfield is haunted by the possibility of frittering away his unexpected opportunity to effectively wield power.

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The tone moves between ornate public declarations and contemporary conversations in private. Many fine character actors, including Bradley Whitford, Nick Offerman, and Shea Whigham, overcome large beards with pithy commentary, while Betty Gilpin is given a measure of genuine influence as Garfields straight-talking wife, Lucretia. Michael Shannon as James Garfield, Nick Offerman as Chester A. Arthur, Bradley Whitford as James Blaine in Death by Lightning. Related Article Streaming What to stream this week: A thriller by the creator of Breaking Bad and five more picks Theres just enough era-specific detail in the storytelling, adapted from Candice Millards 2011 book Destiny of the Republic, to ground the plots broad strokes. CNNs election coverage has nothing on the breathless delivery of telegrams, while the jibe about raffling off cabinet posts to the 1 per cent helps too. That the increasingly delusional Guiteau is inspired by Garfields hardscrabble beginnings and surprise nomination, only to become aggrieved when his enthusiasm isnt rewarded with a government position, is a telling 21st century correlation. An assassin is the ultimate attention-seeker, and theres a final failure for Guiteau in that his name has none of the infamy attributed to Lee Harvey Oswald and John Wilkes Booth. The spectre of failure, no matter whos trying, lurks at every turn in Death by Lightning. What remains is the outsiders American conundrum: should you laugh or should you cry?

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The Iris Affair - Niamh Algar and Tom Hollander. The Iris Affair (Stan) Luther creator Neil Cross goes big  extra, extra big  with this European thriller. The elements include a deadly battle of wits between an enigmatic genius and a ruthless entrepreneur, respectively Iris Newton (Niamh Algar) and Cameron Beck (Tom Hollander), the hunt for the key that unlocks a sentient quantum computer known as Charlie Big Potatoes, corrupt police, countless double-crosses, and mathematical philosophising. It gets convoluted at times, but it absolutely never slows down. Editor's pick Australian TV You can be bossy and nice: The ABCs hit cosy crime show has found a surprising new audience I cheered when, in one of many flashbacks, Cameron first took Iris to inspect Charlie, which had been turned off by its regretful creator, Jensen Lind (Kristofer Hivju): the moguls secret base looked like a villains lair from a 1960s Bond movie. Jensens encrypted diary holds the key to restarting the all-powerful AI, but once Iris realises what Charlie is capable of, she steals the diary and absconds, only to be discovered in the present day. Hollander moves between fickle and furious with his usual ease, but its Algar who gets to flourish. Whether swanning around sunny Sardinia in a chic white suit, saying big brain lines such as, Infinity minus one is still infinity, or bedding and abandoning local hunks, the Irish actress gets to play the coolly collected anti-hero who values no one but nonetheless wants to save the world. Shes the ideal protagonist for this outlandish adventure. Tracy Morgan as Francois Frank Crutchfield in Crutch.

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Crutch  (Paramount+) Stand-up comedian-turned-comic actor Tracy Morgan memorably sent himself up as 30 Rocks celebrity chaos agent Tracy Jordan, but on this amusing, multigenerational sitcom he plays the irascible straight man. Morgan is Francois Crutch Crutchfield, the widowed co-owner of a Harlem flooring company, whose quiet brownstone home gets crowded when his adult children and grandchildren return home for various reasons. This multicamera comedy feels familiar  Crutch even has an opinionated neighbour, Miss Pearl (Luenell), who supplies pesky commentary  but it emphasises a modern take on community and family. Lily Gladstone (left) and Kelly Marie Tran in The Wedding Banquet. The Wedding Banquet  (Netflix) When youre remaking a film as good as Ang Lees 1993 romantic comedy, where an arranged wedding helped a gay immigrant hide from his conservative Taiwanese family, the best you can hope for is a timely update that has its own tenor. Transposed from New York City to Seattle, Andrew Ahns film mostly achieves those benchmarks. Starring Lily Gladstone (Under the Bridge), Bowen Yang (Saturday Night Live) and Kelly Marie Tran (The Last Jedi), it leans into the solidarity of love and companionship. The farce is fleeting, but 21st century family is forever. Kaitlin Olson as Morgan in High Potential.

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Review Eating outFitzroy Thumbs up for Hands Down, a new drinking den with Above Board and Bar Liberty DNA Just off Smith Street, Fitzroy bar Bad Frankie has been rebirthed by a team who know Fitzroy drinking culture well. Go pre- or post-dinner for cocktails that have fun with fortified wines. Tomas Telegramma November 14, 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

Melbourne has been lucky when it comes to new bars this year. Heres whats opened over winter and spring, ready for all the summer fun you can throw at them. See all stories .

1 / 8 Hands Down is a new cocktail bar just off Smith Street in Fitzroy. Simon Schluter 2 / 8 The marianito cocktail. Simon Schluter 3 / 8 Streetside seating at Hands Down. Simon Schluter 4 / 8 Hands Down is Fitzroys newest cocktail bar. Simon Schluter 5 / 8 Lily-shaped glass pendant lights soften the space. Simon Schluter 6 / 8 Highball with black walnut Saison Aperitifs vermouth, pear whisky and Japanese genmaicha tea. Simon Schluter 7 / 8 The Ca-Lee-Mo-Cho (also written as kalimotxo) is a simple Spanish sipper thats equal parts red wine and cola. Simon Schluter 8 / 8 Seating spills out to the street. Simon Schluter Previous Slide Next Slide Bar snacks$$$$ To say that fortified wines are having a renaissance in Melbournes cocktail bars would be to deny their essential place in some of the worlds most iconic drinks. After all, what would a martini be without the dry vermouth  or a negroni without the sweet stuff? But whats undeniable is the emergence of clever, creative cocktail lists that work all things fortified into, well, all things. At Three Horses, the Caretakers Cottage crews new city bar, the catchcry is where sherry reigns, and it bolsters the bulk of the drinks. Related Article Review These cheesy dumplings are pucks of pleasure (plus theyre topped with mini potato chips)

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At the month-old Hands Down bar  Fitzroys newest drinking destination  fortifieds might not be as front and centre in the marketing, but their mark is all over the menu. Highball with black walnut Saison Aperitifs vermouth, pear whisky and Japanese genmaicha tea. Simon Schluter Conceptually, that makes sense for a bar inspired, at least in part, by Spain, where sherry was born and vermouth culture booms. But its the interesting ways these drinks are infused and integrated with other flavours that earns Hands Down a thumbs up. A traditionally sherry-starring cocktail, the cobbler, subs in Portuguese madeira, which is taken to the tropics with a house infusion of overripe pineapple and served over a mountain of crushed ice. In the Tall Fruity Little Bit Spicy, rockmelon sherry (and apricot brandy) lend a mellow sweetness that quells the jalapeno hit in the back of your throat. And black walnut vermouth from Melbournes Saison Aperitifs brings nuttiness to the delicately balanced highball, with pear whisky and roasty Japanese genmaicha tea. Theyre listed under user-friendly subheads to help drinkers of all cocktail competencies pick their poison. Fruity & Fortified? Salty & Stirred Down? You decide.

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Its quite a shake-up for the Greeves Street site formerly home to Bad Frankie, a side-street bar known for its impressive all-Australian booze ethos (and jaffles). But the baton has been passed to a worthy team. Anyone who intrepidly drinks (or eats) out in the area will find these faces familiar. Dominic Xavier, likely your consummate host, is a long-serving manager atBar Liberty. Hes joined byAbove Board owner Hayden Lambert, and Manu Potoi, a founder of Bar Liberty, Capitano and Falco. Seating spills out to the street. Simon Schluter The trio has preserved some of Bad Frankies goodness in the brass-trimmed bar and timber panelling, now extended all over the walls. But lily-shaped glass pendant lights soften the space, casting a golden glow over the teal-leather banquettes, which are separated by partitions for some date-night discretion. An L-shaped bench stands freely in the middle of the room, looking a little out of place when no ones perched at it. Hands Down bills itself as somewhere friends can gather before dinner or slide into something stronger after it. And that rings true from my experiences, with the in-between time proving quieter. Its a vibe at aperitivo hour, when the afternoon sun engulfs the al fresco booths, and again when the late-night crowd shuffles in to Egyptian funk, a conversation-stopping vintage Tannoy sound system running the genre gamut.

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While Im all for the fortified focus, the drink Im most into doesnt rely on them at all. Filed under Easy & Spritzy, the Ca-Lee-Mo-Cho (also written as kalimotxo) is a simple Spanish sipper thats equal parts red wine and cola. Hands Down deports it to Italy, souping up the sparkling with lambrusco and locally crafted Joy Italian cola, plus herbaceous Alpine amaro and tangy umeboshi (pickled plum) vinegar. The Ca-Lee-Mo-Cho (also written as kalimotxo) is a simple Spanish sipper thats equal parts red wine and cola. Simon Schluter Honour the drinks Spanish roots with your accompanying snacks: either a briny, two-bite gilda or a bowl of smoky paprika crisps with a coil of guindilla peppers on top. This north-side newcomer borrows the best bits of its owners other nearby venues, but moulds them into something fresh. Theres an air of Above Boards cocktail ingenuity, but Hands Down remains approachable (the less-hidden location helps). And Bar Libertys stellar service gets loosened up to create a more fancy-free feel. Its a good fit for Fitzroy by a team who know a thing or two about making a bar work in these parts. Three more bars pouring fortified wines

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Bar Marmelo Within the hattedMarmelo is a dedicated front bar where you can drink its diverse, Portuguese-powered wine list  starring fortifieds including madeira (also in a negroni) and port from the Douro Valley  without committing to an entire meal. Ground Floor, 130 Russell Street, Melbourne, marmelorestaurant.com.au/bar-marmelo Bar Lourinha Excellent Iberian eats arent the only drawcard at Matt McConnells hatted tapas hideaway. Spains sherry triangle production region is strongly represented in the wine list and blackboard specials, spanning all varieties.

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37 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, barlourinha.com.au Bomba Bar This is another enduring tapas bar where whats in your glass is as considered as whats on your plate. The substantial sherry list ranges from affordable, easy-drinking finos to $260 bottles of amontillado. 103 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, bombabar.com.au Open Tuesday-Thursday 4pm-11pm; Friday-Saturday 4pm-midnight Good Food reviews are booked anonymously and paid independently. A restaurant cant pay for a review or inclusion in the Good Food Guide.
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LifestyleLife & relationshipsSunday Life Soon wed be parted forever: Blanche dAlpugets last moments with Bob Hawke Derek Rielly November 13, 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 6 View all comments

This story is part of the November 16 edition of Sunday Life. See all stories .

Felled by stomach pain, exactly where his spleen had been removed 72 years earlier, Bob Hawke staggered to bed, his agitation tempered with Midazolam, and 22 hours later took his last earthly breath, a long melodious sigh. Hawke had been a prime minister many years before but was now best remembered for his ability to shotgun beer, as well as the very public betrayal of a now-dead wife. He held a negative attitude towards death and refused to discuss its inevitability, even as the shadows grew longer. Blanche dAlpuget and Bob Hawke agreed that after 47 years theyd finally reached the summit of their love. Three years earlier, Hawke had become exasperated when I asked him about his funeral, saying, I just dont think about dying! Ive never been worried about death and Im not now! He did allow that he would like Ode to Joy, the final movement of Beethovens Ninth Symphony, to be played at his funeral, and that he was agnostic with a slight question mark.

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He was almost 90 by then and crippled by a range of various pains, moderated only by painting over the pain with fentanyl patches and morphine pills. An immediate concern for the old man was to survive long enough to see the May wedding of his stepson, Louis, Blanches only child. It was a milestone hed reach with five days to spare, although hed be too ill to attend the reception. The newlyweds would recreate the marriage waltz in Hawkes living room, the bride in her gown, the groom in his tux, dancing to a recording of the brides father playing piano and singing True Love. As he watched, Hawkes milky eyes became alive with joy. He imagined himself 50 years younger, limbs able to move without pain, heart filled with the thrill of a life still to be lived. With the end near  increasingly frequent trips to the emergency ward and the ever-present press crews camped outside their northern Sydney house, evidence that no man can escape his fate  Hawke confessed to Blanche that he was overwhelmed by the intensity and sweetness of their love affair. Blanche described those last four months to me as a crucible of emotion, all the negativity burnt out, leaving only purity and perfection: We felt our love was not just without impurity, but it had an intensity that neither of us had ever experienced before. Those little things that made us angry disappeared because we knew that very soon wed be parted forever.

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The love, she would later confide, was many rungs above the fiery, very physical and sexual love theyd enjoyed in previous decades. That love is so, so strong and so binding, an electric force of some kind, but love near death is on a subtler and more refined plane. Refined in feeling and refined in texture and refined in colour. If sexual love is a deep red, our love was the beautiful iridescent violet of the rainbow. Women wept in the streets at the appearance of a suntanned god made four inches taller by a beehive of meticulously whipped silver hair. Love was important to Hawke, perhaps even more than it is to most people. Hed been the adored child of doting parents, their love sharpened when an older brother died aged 17 in 1939 during a meningitis outbreak in South Australia. He described his childhood to me as being such a place of love and happiness. I didnt want to be anywhere else. Such was his connection with the Australian public that even before he became prime minister, women wept in the streets at the appearance of a suntanned god made four inches taller by a beehive of meticulously whipped silver hair. His former attorney-general would wryly tell me, We were in the presence of someone who a lot of people perceived as God. Folded together in bed, Hawke and Blanche, who held firm to the belief that a soul is only taken when your earthly purpose is complete  even if, sometimes, the cosmic order is upended with a murder, say  agreed that after 47 years theyd finally reached the summit of their love. Its impossible to love you more than I do now, he told Blanche.

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There was one concession to death. Two weeks earlier, Hawke had summoned the then Auxiliary Bishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, Terence Brady, famous for his work with the poor and vulnerable, to see if Brady could convince him that there was an afterlife. Related Article Opinion

Five Minutes with Fitz Why I turned to crime: Blanche dAlpuget, six years after losing Bob Hawke Peter FitzSimons Columnist and author He couldnt. Hawkes last night on Earth, Wednesday, May 15, 2019, began with a dinner of butter chicken served in the houses galley kitchen, Hawke and Blanche eating in front of the 7pm ABC News. The meal had been prepared by their housekeeper, former Chinese national Vicky Ma, who was a student living in Australia in 1989 when protesters were bulldozed by tanks in Tiananmen Square. Hawke, who was the prime minister at the time, had been shocked by cables from the Australian embassy in Beijing describing the bloodshed, and tearfully announced on television that any Chinese legally in Australia would be offered asylum.

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Ma, one of 42,000 Chinese nationals in Australia, never went back to China. Twenty-one years later, when an employment agency sent her for a housekeeping job at a five-storey mansion in Sydneys Northbridge and Blanche mentioned whom shed be working for, Ma begged for the job. Im one of his children, she said through her daughter, who acted as interpreter. Now, on the evening before he died, Hawke finished his dinner then suddenly stood up, stumbled into the adjacent sitting room and, on all fours, vomited and screamed, Im in agony! This is killing me! Blanche told him, I know! Youre dying. Shed later confide that Hawke had always boasted of having no fear of death and, referencing the anguish of watching her own mother die, she remembered thinking, Wait until you get there. Its not easy.

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Hawke held the left side of his stomach just beneath the rib cage, a right-angle scar indicating where his spleen had been removed after a motorcycle crash in 1947. Blanche wondered if the angel of death had returned for its final triumphant strike. Morning came and Blanche got up, attended to familiar chores, then went back and lay beside him throughout the afternoon. Hawkes doctor, fortuitously at dinner at a nearby restaurant, was summoned. He guessed that an ulcer had burst. Drugs were administered, morphine for the pain as well as the Midazolam to calm him down. Blanche lay down next to her husband for the night, noting the telltale rattle of pneumonia coming on, a common side-effect of opioids. Morning came and Blanche got up, attended to familiar chores, then went back and lay beside him throughout the afternoon. If death was close, she would help ease him to the other side. Long ago, shed embraced Pascals Wager, the philosophical argument of French mathematician Blaise Pascal that given the uncertainty of an afterlife, its better to believe in heaven and live happily than be an atheist and live without hope.

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Slowly, a warm colour returned to Hawkes skin and his breathing began to ease; a calm enveloped him. The housekeeper, relieved, said to Blanche, Hes OK! Hes going to live! and left the house. At 4pm, Blanche was confident enough in Hawkes health to keep her appointment with a local acupuncturist. She stretched out on the examination bench and the therapist felt pulse points on her wrist, a major diagnostic tool in acupuncture. Pulse qualities  fast, slow, strong, weak, thin or slippery  indicate various maladies. What have you been doing! asked the therapist. Why? Blanche said. Youve got no pulses.

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Blanche explained that shed been lying with her husband on his deathbed. Youre dying, the therapist told her. Youve given him all your energy. Youll die if you do that. You must not lie beside him. You can hold his hand, thats all. Related Article Good Weekend She got all the blame: The public view of Blanche dAlpuget that makes her schoolfriend so angry When Blanche returned to the house shortly before five, the pink that had come into Hawkes face had gone and his breathing had deteriorated. She sat beside him and held his hand. Also there was a dear friend from the Labor Party  Craig Emerson  and his partner Tracey Winters. At five minutes past five, with the bedroom flooded with the pale yellow light of an autumnal sunset, Hawke died. A feeling of elation filled the room, Blanche would recall. His soul and his spirit were free. I sensed a room full of angels. His face had become very calm and smooth and lovely. His colour didnt come back, of course. He was dead.

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The front door to the house opened; there was the sound of footsteps on the granite stairs and Ma, the housekeeper, suddenly appeared. Shed forgotten her telephone. When Blanche told her Hawke was dead, Ma, who was convinced Hawke had cheated death at least for another day, said, We must wash the body. As Emerson and Winters left the house, she brought a bowl filled with warm water and two wash cloths. Gently, the two women eased Hawke out of his navy blue Qantas tracksuit and rolled him onto his side. Blanche noted that he smelled quite sweet. There was some blood coming out of his mouth from the pneumonia but no nasty bodily fluids. For 20 minutes, the four hands lovingly washed the cadaver, drying as they went. They started at the head, moving to the trunk, the legs and the feet. Both women treated the body with great care, as if he were alive, gently massaging him, soothing him.

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Blanche felt a sense of profound joy that Hawke was finally able to die and escape the prison of his frail body. The two women dressed Hawke and the doctor arrived to issue the death certificate. As night fell and the press crews packed up after what they thought was another fruitless day, the undertakers refrigerated van drove into the garage. Edited extract from Fridays with Blanche (Allen & Unwin) by Derek Rielly, out now. Get the best of Sunday Life magazine delivered to your inbox every Sunday morning. Sign up here for our free newsletter.
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NationalGood Weekend I did what the doctor ordered. I introduced myself to a mushroom If you go down to the woods today  youll be better for it, according to an ever-growing body of research into forest bathing. Dana Milbank November 14, 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

Susan Abookire, an internist and professor at Harvard Medical School, had a cure for all that ailed me. But I was going to have a difficult time getting her prescription filled at my local pharmacy. Imagine that your body has roots, she advised me, and notice the roots. Watch them as they tunnel down from your body, through your legs and your torso down into the earth. Your roots are mingling with other roots in the earth. Imagine your roots have eyes and wonder what they might see. A young doctor participates in a forest-bathing exercise. A professor at Japans Nippon Medical School says even a walk in a city park has benefits, but the larger the forest area, the greater the effects. Dana Milbank/The Washington Post I was imagining my root-eyes struggling to see anything through all that dirt  but the doctor was not done with her instructions. Find a being. The being might be a tree or rock, she told me. Greet it as you would a friend ... You might want to introduce yourself. You may want to share something with that being.

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I was participating, somewhat sceptically, in a forest-bathing session Abookire was leading at Harvards Arnold Arboretum for seven young doctors. Its part of resident training at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Womens Hospital, which is looking for ways to reduce stress and burnout within the profession. Abookire also trains healthcare professionals nationwide to be forest therapists, a program accredited by Mass General Brigham that promotes nature as a form of medicine. Before I looked into forest bathing, I had feared it might be another goofy wellness fad like Gwyneth Paltrows jade eggs and Tucker Carlsons genital tanning. But here was a doctor from a top medical school, with the support of one of the top residency programs, guiding some of the brightest young medical minds into the woods. Just by standing among the trees, we were inhaling essential tree oils called phytoncides  [which] boosts our immune system. So I did what the doctor ordered. I introduced myself to a mushroom. Were standing here breathing in the atmosphere of the forest, she told the residents, who had shown up in their scrubs, some carrying stethoscopes. She explained that just by standing among the trees, we were inhaling essential tree oils called phytoncides and aromatic plant compounds called terpenes.

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There are several studies now showing that inhaling phytoncides boosts our immune system, and specifically our natural killer-cell numbers and activities go up, she said. And there are a lot of studies going on  NIH [US National Institutes of Health], others, many in vitro and some in vivo  showing how terpenes are cytotoxic and anti-tumorigenic, theyre neuroprotective, etcetera. Breathing in tree scents fights infection, prevents cancer and protects against dementia? Deep underground, the eyes in my roots opened wide with delight. People have gone to the woods for healing for thousands of years, but modern forest bathing originated in the 1980s in Japan, where its called shinrin-yoku. Now its becoming all the rage in the West, too. When it was first suggested I write a column on forest bathing, I had visions of getting poison ivy and ticks in unmentionable places  but I was reassured to learn that it is (usually) done clothed. Even so, it sounded  weird. In his book Your Guide to Forest Bathing, M. Amos Clifford, founder of the Arizona-based Association of Nature and Forest Therapy, writes that humans dont just have five senses but at least 14, including body radar and imaginal communication.

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He recommends people dedicate rooms in the forest and assign them names such as Fairy Dance-a-Torium. He reports that you can ask water to carry messages by scooping some up and whispering to it. He suggests flattering a tree with compliments and asking it for advice on relationships or other personal matters. But, he cautions: assume the whole forest is listening in like nosy but benevolent relatives. The forest-bathing exercise is designed to get medical residents to slow down. One says later, This is the first time Ive laid in grass in about 10 years. Dana Milbank/The Washington Post Clifford told me his 13-year-old organisation, the first of its kind outside Asia, has certified more than 3000 forest therapy guides. Europe-based Forest Therapy Hub, also well-regarded, has trained 2500 worldwide. But the industry has no standardisation, and Clifford complains about online diploma mills tarnishing the practice  a frustration for a serious man who tosses around Jungian phrases such as: The outcome Im looking for is the co-emergence of self and opus. I cant say whether yourself and opus will ever co-emerge, or even what that means. But I do know this: forest bathing  or at least spending time in the forest  is good for you anyway. In a 90-minute webinar for healthcare professionals called Nature as Medicine, Abookire cites study after study showing the benefits: lower blood pressure and anxiety; reduced stress-hormone levels; improved memory, attention, mood and sleep; faster recovery from surgery and illness; healthier gut microbiomes and more.

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This makes sense. Voluminous research has documented the physical and mental health benefits of being in nature. Other research has measured the beneficial effects of meditation. So its only logical that an activity combining the two would also be good for you. Less clear is whether following a prescribed forest-bathing ritual is any better for you than, say, taking a walk in the forest and breathing deeply. Qing Li, a professor at Japans Nippon Medical School and a prolific researcher of forest bathing, believes the key is the phytoncides that trees emit, which he has found to boost immune function and anti-cancer proteins. The many benefits of forest bathing  reduced depression and stress, better pulmonary and cardiovascular health  can be achieved even in city parks. But, he told me, the larger the trees, the higher the tree density, and the larger the forest area, the greater the effects of forest bathing. More phytoncides and more terpenes, more benefits. He also believes we profit from inhaling negative ions (found in abundance near waterfalls) as well as a microorganism found in the soil, Mycobacterium vaccae.

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Lis method of forest bathing, and the Japanese method of shinrin-yoku generally, is far less structured than the style commonly practised in the West. He recommends spending two to four hours in the forest walking at a slow pace (about 1.2 kilometres per hour) and paying attention to your senses, while also taking time for yoga, tai chi, deep breathing or reading. He counsels removing shoes, dipping toes in water, and standing barefoot for 20 minutes to feel grounded. The Japanese like to end the session by bathing in hot springs. Li reports that the immune benefits of a two-night camping trip in the forest can last for a month. If you dont have time for all that, you can also inhale phytoncides at home by using diffusers that disperse cedar and other essential oils. Cliffords version of forest bathing, a sequence of invitations proposed by the guide, is, by comparison, highly ritualised. That stems from his background in meditation. But even he allowed that an unstructured approach would suffice. Just find a place you enjoy in nature and  go out there and enjoy yourself, Clifford counselled. Sometimes he forest-bathes just by sitting in a folding chair by a lake. It doesnt need to be any more complicated than that. Harvard professor Susan Abookire conducts a tea ceremony for the medical residents. Dana Milbank/The Washington Post It was a warm autumn day when I followed Abookire into the arboretum. The asters were blooming, and the jays and squirrels were conducting their affairs in a grove of conifers. Im letting my heart lead me to where it feels magical today  and also practical, Abookire explained. In this case, the practical considerations were significant: the ambulances approaching Faulkner Hospital across the street, and a landscaping crew in the park operating mowers and a wood-chipper drove us deeper into the grounds.

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She has been outdoorsy ever since she fell in love with the flowering cherry outside her home in suburban Cleveland growing up. When I was a child, I had a deep relationship with a tree, she confided. She, too, was sceptical about forest bathing at first. I thought, This is dumb. I dont need anyone to show me how to be in nature,  she recalled. But then you learn. It keeps getting deeper and deeper. She trained with Cliffords group and is now trying to get a new generation of doctors to embrace the method. Im here to slow them down and to give them an opportunity to just completely disconnect, which they probably havent done ever, to slow down and  to reconnect with that part of themselves that is human. The young doctors are told to  touch the earth, to take in the smells of the forest and to let your tongue taste the air. This isnt easy for the young doctors, who have spent their lives striving to get into the best colleges, then the best medical schools, and now one of the worlds best residencies. They seemed self-conscious as she had them repeat the bird call she would use to call them back after each invitation to explore the forest. Ow, ow, oww! she called. Ow, ow, oww, they repeated, with rather less enthusiasm.

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She had them sit or lie in the grass and asked them to describe what they were noticing. Im noticing all the greenery. Im noticing that I feel a lot calmer than I was 10 minutes ago. One of them noticed an arachnid on Abookires sleeve. Theres a spider on you, she called out in alarm. The professor told them to turn their phones off, to take their shoes off if they liked, to feel the air on their skin, to touch the earth, to take in the smells of the forest and to let your tongue taste the air.

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Im seeing the tree looking back at me, said one. This is the first time Ive laid in grass in about 10 years, marvelled another. Im noticing a lot of bugs on me, said the one who raised the spider alarm. Abookire invited them to wander around, noticing everything that was in motion. Im noticing the grasses swaying in the breeze.

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Im noticing more and more bugs on my jacket. And I noticed the lawn tractors getting closer and louder. Abookire finally persuaded them to stop mowing for a few minutes. We wandered some more, this time with instructions to bring back a treasure  a pine cone, a piece of bark, a seed pod  to describe and share. Next, we each selected a paper scroll from a basket and wandered among the trees some more to ponder the message it contained. Mine was attributed to the 13th-century Persian poet Rumi: You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop. After two hours of such quiet reflections, Abookire poured the residents sweet birch tea made from wood she had foraged and asked for their reflections on the afternoon.

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Its a reminder to centre yourself and ground yourself when things are chaotic in the outside world, one offered. Usually when Im outside, Im either running or biking or doing something active, another said. I cant remember the last time I was just being outside. So that was very nice. Before they returned to their pressure-filled jobs at the hospital, Abookire read them When I am among the trees, a Mary Oliver poem: They give off such hints of gladness./I would almost say that they save me, and daily. Must have been the phytoncides. This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared in The Washington Post. 2025 The Washington Post

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To read more from Good Weekend magazine, visit our page at The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and Brisbane Times.
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Analysis NationalNSWNationalism A blunder left senior police in the dark about a neo-Nazi rally. It was far from the most concerning revelation Riley Walter November 13, 2025  2:45pm 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

If there is a fine line between law and order and chaos, there is an even finer line between what the police can and cannot do. And if we have learnt anything from the fallout from Saturdays police-sanctioned neo-Nazi rally outside NSW parliament, it is the size of the chasm between those who make laws and those who enforce them. Neither NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon nor Premier Chris Minns were notified of Saturdays protest beforehand. Flavio Brancaleone Into that gulf have fallen questions about how the police can act and when, what protections can be offered by the laws touted to keep members of the public safe from vile vilification, and how unsafe the community must feel before authorities are able to intervene. As time stretches on and those unanswered questions pile up, Premier Chris Minns and Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon have found themselves at the centre of a public relations nightmare just weeks into the latters appointment.

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For days, two of the most powerful men in the state have refused to point the finger at each other over whether lax laws or inadequate enforcement was to blame, bearing equally the brunt of a debacle that has left both red-faced and scrambling for answers. Related Article Exclusive

Extremism Engineer. Teacher. Postie: The neo-Nazis who rallied in Sydney Lanyon, along with other senior police, remains steadfast in his view that police were powerless to stop the protest from going ahead. What the 60-odd members of the National Socialist Network did  call to abolish the Jewish lobby and protest against hate speech laws targeting groups like theirs  was not illegal. While legal experts say police already had necessary powers at their disposal to intervene, Lanyon maintains the legal advice officers in the CBDs local area command received was clear: the banner the NSN proposed to display at the protest did not constitute an offence under hate speech laws. Had the word lobby not featured on that banner, it may have. That the NSNs protest fell on the right side of the law is no stroke of good fortune. To the frustration of police and politicians, the group has become adept at navigating the grey area of the law.

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Leaders of the NSN have spoken openly of the tens of thousands of dollars raised to fund legal advice and hire lawyers to keep, or get, members out of trouble. Such resourcefulness presents law enforcement and legislators with an uncomfortable reality that makes policing the group all the more challenging: they are acutely aware of how far they can push the boundaries and remain clear of a set of cuffs. While agencies including NSW Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) are monitoring the NSN more closely than ever, this week has made it alarmingly apparent that taking action against the group may be more difficult than previously thought. Saturdays neo-Nazis rally has raised questions about the limit of powers to police such groups. Flavio Brancaleone It is terrifying to consider that authorities may not have the powers to stop a group whose hateful, divisive rhetoric and increasingly violent propaganda ASIO director-general Mike Burgess last week said could inspire spontaneous violence. Much has been made of the communication disaster that left Lanyon in the dark about the protest. Both he and Minns only knew the rally took place on Saturday because the Herald sent questions to Minns office.

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Lanyons force has been rightfully criticised for a bungle that has been worsened by a series of revelations about who knew what about the protest and when. Related Article Exclusive

Extremism Far-right figure who visited motherland Germany is close to forming national party That one of his deputy commissioners, Peter Thurtell, was briefed on the protest five days before it was held and did not relay the information to Lanyon is deeply embarrassing for both Thurtell, an experienced and extremely well-regarded officer in the twilight of his career, and his boss. That another of Lanyons deputies, David Hudson, who oversees counter-terrorism operations and has been NSW Polices public face of antisemitism, was not aware of the protest despite officers in his command providing a briefing for local police who attended the rally, is a long way past concerning. In an organisation as large as NSW Police, which has more than 20,000 employees, information can fall through the cracks. But for the commissioner and the forces most senior counter-terrorism officer to be out of the loop on the activities of the group that was put on the national agenda by the countrys spy boss days earlier warrants a thorough explanation.

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Thurtell fell on his sword on Monday night and admitted he had been aware of the rally but had not relayed the information to Lanyon. He said he had apologised to Lanyon for the oversight and the pair had made good. Related Article Opinion

Extremism The wicked dilemma we face in confronting Sydneys neo-Nazis Alexandra Smith State Political Editor Thurtells explanation for the gaffe  the information he received suggested no laws were being broken. Had it, he would have fed it up the chain. While the lack of communication at the top of NSW Police in the past fortnight has been rightfully scrutinised, most concerning are the holes the saga has revealed in the governments much-vaunted race hate laws and in authorities ability to control the NSNs growth. Minns has vowed to strengthen laws to put more powers in the pockets of police. Its likely the case that we need to give police more legislated powers to stop this kind of naked racism and hatred on Sydney streets, he said after the rally.

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But he now faces the challenge of drawing the line between hate speech and free speech in a way that will not be seen to be stripping peoples rights to peacefully gather. At a time when protest groups are tallying up the wins they have over NSW Police in the courtroom, he will need a fine-point pen to craft strengthened legislation that will garner enough support to make it through parliament and onto the streets, and score points with police and public. But without change, Saturdays rally could become a regular fixture on the NSNs calendar while police are forced to stand idly by, handcuffed by the rules they swear an oath to enforce. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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Exclusive NationalNSWWorkplace safety Drunk engineers, shoddy maintenance, humiliated patients: Westpac Rescue fights to save reputation Eryk Bagshaw and Patrick Begley November 14, 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

Health Minister Ryan Park has demanded Westpac Rescue begin an independent review into its operations with utmost urgency as the head of aviation safety for NSW Ambulance dismisses safety concerns raised by Westpac Rescue whistleblowers. Troy Anforth, who oversees aviation safety for the NSW government at Westpac Rescue, told staff that statements about safety made in a months-long investigation by this masthead and 60 Minutes were unaccountable and careless. A dozen whistleblowers have accused Westpac Rescue of creating a culture of fear that endangered the health and safety of its personnel, ignored sexual harassment, backdated training certificates, protected pilots and put patients at risk. Ive not seen any evidence presented to date that would change my view of the fact that the system is safe, Anforth told more than 100 staff. The real danger now is that we get distracted, preoccupied.

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Anforth, a NSW Ambulance executive, said he was not making any judgments around cultural and behavioural aspects raised by the reporting, but said he had confidence in the safety of operations at Westpac Rescue because of the close relationship we have in terms of oversight of this particular operator. Westpac Rescue and NSW Ambulance said a Civil Aviation Safety Authority surveillance audit in July verified the high safety standards within the service, with no safety alerts or safety findings in relation to its air operations. NSW Ambulance assistant commissioner Cameron Edgar and commissioner Dominic Morgan. NSW Ambulance Westpac Rescue, which operates missions in northern NSW, is distinct from Westpac Lifesaver, which runs operations in Sydney. Westpac Rescue is seeking a new contract with the NSW government worth up to $500 million over 10 years. NSW Ambulance assistant commissioner Cameron Edgar told staff the allegations were being taken incredibly seriously by the organisation and that it had been very confronting and difficult for staff on Westpac Rescue bases.

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There are no secrets here, he said. We want people to feel comfortable to speak up. Related Article Updated

Workplace culture Inside the allegedly toxic rescue service, masked by a god amongst men reputation But multiple Westpac Rescue staff have had to sign non-disclosure agreements after raising allegations of bullying, intimidation and safety concerns going back a decade. Its the culture we lived through for years. And in aviation, culture is safety, said one former staff member. I can tell you 100 per cent, no staff, including me, will contribute to any investigation instigated or touchable by Westpac Rescue  it needs to be fully external.

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The former staff member has written to the minister demanding that non-disclosure agreements be dropped for any independent review. Many who raised legitimate safety or cultural concerns were bullied, sidelined and eventually forced out. When we left, we were forced to sign non-disclosure agreements just to receive our fair entitlements. Those agreements, funded entirely by taxpayers and donors, now prevent us from giving evidence to investigators, NSW Health or even SafeWork NSW, he said. Think about that: a publicly funded contractor has used public money to buy silence on matters directly affecting public safety. Westpac Rescue chief executive Steven Underwood said the allegations had been deeply concerning and distressing. Underwood said the service had appointed industrial relations and employment law specialist Cilla Robinson to conduct the review, and that SafeWork NSW inspectors had visited its Broadmeadow base. I remain truly saddened that any person who has worked for our service, or any member of the community, feels that we have fallen short in our commitment to providing a safe, healthy and inclusive workplace, he said.

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Westpac Rescue and Park declined to comment on whether the gag orders would be lifted for the review. But Park is ratcheting up the pressure on the organisation after meeting with NSW Ambulance chief executive Dominic Morgan and Westpac Rescue leaders last week. Health Minister Ryan Park. Sam Mooy Ive made it clear to them that progressing a comprehensive independent review of the allegations is of the utmost urgency, he said. Northern NSW Helicopter Rescue Service have a responsibility to inform the community of when it is happening, how the review will be conducted and when it will be complete. I expect to be informed of this as soon as possible.

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Westpac bank  which spends more than $3 million in sponsorship each year but has no operational control over Westpac Rescue  has also demanded an independent investigation. More whistleblowers have come forward detailing alleged safety breaches and shoddy maintenance, including a case of an intoxicated engineer being flown from Newcastle to Tamworth, a helicopter being started with its engine covers on, and another that was found with a loose fuel hose when it landed after maintenance workers were rushed to sign off on the helicopter so that an engineer could get to a conference. The claims follow previous allegations including champagne parties being held in the hangar while paramedics and air crew were on duty to fly critical missions, a pilot pressuring a paramedic to hurry up with a patient suffering multiple organ failure so he could get home in time for the end of his shift, and backdated certificates for doctors to treat patients by going up to 70 metres down a wire off a helicopter. Whistleblowers claim senior staff warned them against raising red flags to keep this quiet and well deal with this in-house.

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There are lots of little holes in the Swiss cheese that have been lining up at that place for quite some time, said another former employee. Related Article Investigation

Charity Every dollar counts: Westpac Rescue spends big on high teas, golf days, lavish balls Nothing ever went any further. They certainly had no intention of acting, and I think it was to protect their golden boy reputation. I got the impression that most of the people were there just to collect a pay cheque or for the accolade of working for Westpac Rescue. Westpac Rescue has rejected claims that there are ongoing endemic safety or cultural issues within the organisation after its former training co-ordinator, Stacey Price, went public with her allegations of sexual harassment, threats and humiliation at the service. Price, who left the service this year, said she became so concerned for her safety that she considered wearing bodycams and microphones to work to protect myself. Price claimed she was asked if she was a pig on a spit and was taunted with having a box rammed into her c---ainer

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Rescue swimmer Ula Dalton said she was also subject to their ruthless behaviour. Theyve been carrying on like pork chops for way too long, she said. Westpac Rescue whistleblower Stacey Price. Steven Siewert The former NSW police officer, champion lifesaver and rescue boat racer says she was blocked from becoming a rescue swimmer at the organisation in 2009 after passing all her aptitude and fitness tests. They said theres just no way that they could accept a female, she said. They said they werent ready because theyd have to change too many things. I was used to that manly sort of environment, [but] I was gobsmacked.

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[One of the guys who got the position] was severely traumatised from working there, and he left because of that male misogynist, bullying, disgusting behaviour. No female pilots have ever passed their training period at Westpac Rescue, including highly decorated former military pilot Susana Henderson, who won a Fair Work Commission case in 2023 after Westpac Rescues head of flight operations Robert Fisher repeatedly campaigned to have her employment terminated. Westpac Rescue chief executive Steven Underwood. Westpac Rescue Three of the most senior positions within the service are held by former British military officers. Fisher is a retired British Royal Navy flight commander, chief pilot Mike De Winton is a former British Royal Navy officer and Underwood is a former Royal Air Force pilot. The service was previously run by former rugby league player Richard Jones, who was chief executive for 27 years. Jones remains in charge of community engagement at Westpac Rescue.

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The law firm Westpac Rescue has used to expand its services and run negotiations with whistleblowers, Sparke Helmore, is also advising the NSW government on helicopter rescue contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars. One former paramedic with experience working across Westpac Rescues three bases in northern NSW said the service was due for an urgent reckoning. The paramedic, who requested anonymity fearing retaliation from the industry, said he saw hidden fridges stocked with wine, champagne and beer at all three bases, one of them housed in a specially designed cabinet to conceal it from regulators. He alleged a Westpac Rescue engineer showed colleagues pornography, and an aircrew member called a State Emergency Service worker a midget to his face. And then theres the pilot whose callous remark still echoes in my mind: Hurry up and load this fat c---; were running out of time, he recalled.

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The pilot had thought the patient was sedated unconscious, when in fact they were fully conscious and aware, forced to endure the humiliation of being treated as nothing but a logistical problem. We cannot afford to turn a blind eye to these issues any longer, the former paramedic said. The leadership must step up, take accountability and enforce a culture that values respect and integrity over complacency and complicity. The organisation, which celebrates itself with lavish gala balls and spends 40 per cent of the $17 million it raises in charity each year on events and fundraising, has long attracted Newcastles top business figures to its board. But the volume of whistleblower complaints at Westpac Rescue became so great that, at one point, then-chairman John Davis allegedly said he was overwhelmed and did not sign up for this, according to notes taken by a staff member at a briefing. Davis disputed the comments as presented in the contemporaneous notes.

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Davis allegedly said he became a volunteer director after he was told by the former chair, cigar man Cliff Marsh, that it would be easy  just a meeting every couple of months. That rings in his ears every day now. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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Exclusive NationalNSWExtremism Teen Nazi planned to livestream gas attack, police allege Perry Duffin November 13, 2025  10:54am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

A teenage boy allegedly plotted online with like-minded neo-Nazis to livestream a chemical attack, believing he was preparing Australia for a nationalist and racial violence extremist revolution. Investigators are now considering laying a terrorism charge, as court documents reveal how isolated young men are being radicalised on the internet. A Canberra teenager planned to livestream an attack on a leftist march and was discussing plans for a chemical gas attack online. Artwork: SMH The 17-year-olds arrest comes amid increased scrutiny on the neo-Nazi movement in Australia, after a group of 60 black-clad men, calling itself White Australia or the National Socialist Network, held a rally outside NSW Parliament on Saturday. The Australian Federal Polices counter-terrorism squads, including ASIO, last week raided a home in the Canberra suburb of Downer. They were moving to disrupt what they now believe was a credible threat of terrorism posed by the teenager.

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Extremism Engineer. Teacher. Postie: The neo-Nazis who rallied in Sydney The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was allegedly in the preparatory phase of an attack and gathering intelligence and equipment needed to harm other Australians. Military clothing, an imitation gun, extremist writings and a gas mask were all seized. A police document, read out in court at his bail hearing and seen by the Herald, alleged the boy had spoken to associates in encrypted channels about his plans. The young person had detailed plans on attacking a homeless person with chlorine gas due to his race and information obtained suggests he has taken steps to conduct tests related to the use of chlorine gas, the document reads.

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The boys associates, who were both in Australia and abroad, seemed to encourage the alleged plot. One advised the teenager to buy a GoPro camera. Livestream it privately, so they cant take it down, the associate said. Im planning to do it at a Commie (communist) meeting or march, the boy had said. Loading Police say the boy had watched videos of Australian Brenton Tarrants massacre in Christchurch, images of Nazi flags and Ku Klux Klan members. Tarrant flirted with the white nationalist movement and far-right extremism online, and even communicated with prominent neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell.

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The attack did not have a specific plan or target, the document suggests, but the boy was engaged in combat training and was gathering equipment for the gas and to make explosives. The discussions had taken place in recent weeks, the AFP allege. One line in the police document provides an insight into the boys mind. Personally moving toward planning an attack has helped me. I used to be depressed, but now I have purpose, he wrote to a contact. The boy told police he disliked non-Celtic and non-Germanic people and allegedly said, you should fight for your race.

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Extremism The wicked dilemma we face in confronting Sydneys neo-Nazis Alexandra Smith State Political Editor The boys arrest went unnoticed in the encrypted neo-Nazi channels that are dedicated to enlisting disaffected young men to their cause. Neo-Nazi leader Jacob Hersant, on the day of the boys arrest, instead posted a video denouncing gradualism and called for political revolution before white people become minorities in the West. If our race goes under, then so too will our civilisation  then there will be nothing left to fight for, Hersant said, reading off a script. White revolution is the only solution.

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Two days later, Hersant posted another daily video saying his movement was a beacon of hope in a sea of right-wing despair. Neo-Nazi encrypted social media channels have been posting videos emphasising themes of brotherhood and social connection  including shirtless hikes in the Riverina, a catered dinner in Adelaide and workout sessions in Queensland. Neo-Nazis outside NSW parliament on Saturday. In March, a group met up in a park for boxing drills before posing for photographs. If you are a man of European descent in the Canberra region, get involved! Tribe and train! they shared.

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The same encrypted Nazi channels have reposted political and media reaction to Saturdays rally in Sydney where the group unfurled a banner calling to Abolish the Jewish Lobby and chanted blood and honour  a slogan of the Hitler Youth. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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NationalQueenslandIndustrial relations Were in it for the fight: State school teachers rally outside Parliament Catherine Strohfeldt November 13, 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 2 View all comments

Peter Haffenden is standing with hundreds of fellow state school teachers outside Parliament House, in inner-Brisbane, shortly after 4.30pm on Thursday. The humanities teacher says he frequently spends weekends, holidays, and nights marking work, preparing lessons, and planning curriculum. Ive been teaching 35 years and the workloads probably gone up by a factor of five  I never get a chance to really spend time with my family because Im working at home so much, Haffenden said. Teachers Andrew Weber (left) and Peter Haffenden (right) said workloads had increased over the more than three decades both men had been teachers. Catherine Strohfeldt Fellow Brisbane region teacher Andrew Weber estimated a normal working week demanded about 45 to 50 hours work, but said during marking periods the hours spent on teaching tasks skyrocketed.

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Its obviously weekends, its obviously nights, its holidays  for instance, Ive got to do probably 10 to 12 hours of drafts this weekend, he said. Related Article Industrial relations Some teachers receive surprise pay bump as union plans new strike Thursdays rally was a warm-up for Queensland Teachers Union (QTU) members, who are planning to strike before the end of the school term on December 12. Last week the QTU backed down from a 24-hour work ban, having earlier promised to strike within three weeks of rejecting the states last wage offer. Union president Cresta Richardson said a strike was still on the table, and a date could be set as early as next week after the union executive met on Monday.

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Continuing to maintain pressure publicly is really important, and rallies do that, Richardson said. However, we are still in conciliation and being in conciliation means that we can take protected industrial action up until the end of the year. Teachers rally outside Queensland Parliament House in Brisbane. Catherine Strohfeldt We didnt think that it would be like this, but ... were in it for the long term, and were in it for the fight. However, Richardson said the QTU was prepared to cancel the planned second strike if the government agreed to alter its arbitration terms.

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In a letter dated November 7, Education Department director-general Sharon Schimming told the QTU the government would not agree to anything before the two parties met again in court. Once arbitration begins all industrial action will be unprotected. QTU general secretary Kate Ruttiman speaking to gathered teachers outside Parliament House in Brisbane. Catherine Strohfeldt If the QTU agrees to arbitration, it could start in early December. If they do not, it would begin on December 31. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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NationalVictoriaCity life Smashing the bronze ceiling: New statue planned for female pioneer in Kew Lachlan Abbott November 13, 2025  4:12pm 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 9 View all comments

A trailblazing female mechanic will be honoured with a new statue in Kew after a council backed a local initiative that will help tackle the dearth of women memorialised across Melbourne. The Alice Anderson Memorial Project won Boroondara Councils support on Monday night for a life-size bronze artwork of the founder of Australias first all-women garage. Alice Anderson Memorial Project members Stella Loong, Tina Russo, Samantha Lovrich, and Susan Reddrop at Petrie Square in Kew, where a new statue is proposed. Justin McManus Boroondara will spend $100,000 for the statue, including $60,000 for landscaping to install a plinth on council land, likely at Petrie Square on Cotham Road near Andersons old workshop. The community group that approached council aims to raise a further $120,000.

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Samantha Lovrich, co-founder of the Alice Anderson Memorial Project, said a statue would better recognise Andersons barrier-breaking achievements before her life was cut short in 1926. Alice Anderson opened the first all-female garage aged just 20. University of Melbourne Archives Anderson died aged 29 from a gunshot wound, which a coroner ruled an accident as she was cleaning a gun, although a more recent biography by historian Loretta Smith cast doubt upon this, citing inconsistent testimony. Before her death, Anderson was a celebrity of Melbournes Roaring 20s, employing and training dozens of women at her Kew garage from 1919, when they were all-too-often confined to their homes. Anderson has also been credited with inventing a trolley to roll under cars, similar to the garage creepers now standard for mechanics across the world.

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She had just returned from an audacious outback adventure to Alice Springs in a rickety 1920s car when she died. Probably no woman in Melbourne was better known, The Herald newspaper reported upon her death. She pioneered the way to motor garages for women, and made a greater success of it than most men could. This woman was an absolute trailblazer for her time, Lovrich said. She was known nationally, internationally, and then her story was lost. Lovrich, who lives in Kew and founded a technology business, only learnt about Andersons life in 2021 when she applied for a Launch Victoria grant named after the late inventor.

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She developed an affinity for Andersons pioneering work in a male-dominated field, and soon found other women  including memorial project co-founder Tina Russo  who felt it was unfair that her story seemed forgotten. Younger women need those role models as well, Lovrich said. Alices story resonates across generations, and will continue to do so. Alice Andersons old garage on Cotham Road in Kew. A 2021 survey by lobby group A Monument of Ones Own of Melbournes 580 statues found that only nine are of real women  as opposed to fictional or mythical characters  despite the state government and local councils pushing for better female representation. A report presented at Boroondaras meeting on Monday found the municipality had eight statues featuring a female as the primary figure, but none are dedicated to a specific woman.

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The municipality has two works commemorating specific men: architect and businessman Raoul Wallenberg and former prime minister Sir Robert Menzies. The former Liberal Party leaders bust sits in Petrie Square, where Andersons statue may reside. Tina Russo, Stella Loong, Samatha Lovrich and Susan Reddrop at Petrie Square in Kew. Justin McManus While the Alice Anderson Memorial Project are hoping to raise the full $120,000 needed for a life-size monument of the former local, they say they will try to generate at least $80,000, which would allow for a bust. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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WorldNorth AmericaEpstein fallout Emails open window into Epsteins wide network of high-profile friends Michael Koziol Updated November 14, 2025  5:46am ,first published November 14, 2025  5:15am 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 93 View all comments

New York: When Donald Trump became president for the first time, at the start of 2017, Jeffrey Epstein felt he had some wisdom to impart to the world about how to handle the brash businessman-turned-leader of the free world. He gave some of it to the Russians. I think you might suggest to putin, that lavrov, can get insight on talking to me, Epstein wrote to Thorbjorn Jagland, then the secretary-general of the Council of Europe, in the summer of 2018. He was referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who are both still in those roles. Donald Trump, his then wife-to-be Melania Knauss, with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in Florida in 2000. Getty Images Epstein indicated he used to speak about Trump with Vitaly Churkin, a former Russian diplomat who died in 2017. churkin was great, Epstein wrote. he understood trump after our conversations. it is not complex. he [Trump] must be seen to get something. its that simple [sic].

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The trove of documents released yesterday by the House Oversight Committee reveals that Epstein  who was convicted of sex offences in a 2008 plea deal, including procuring a minor for prostitution  maintained a vast, high-profile network of friends with whom he corresponded. Related Article Epstein fallout Michael Wolff, chronicler of elites, provided Epstein with advice on Trump It spanned the worlds of media, politics, law, diplomacy, science, technology and finance, and Epstein and his pen pals sometimes acknowledged the disgraced financiers penchant for women who were  as Trump once put it  on the younger side. Epsteins relationships with these people are generally already known, and many of the people have since made public statements saying they regretted their associations with Epstein. In 2014, Epstein was emailing lawyer Kathryn Ruemmler, who had just left the Obama White House, where she served as chief counsel. The two appeared to be discussing her career.

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Most girls do not have to worry about this crap, Ruemmler told Epstein. He began his reply: girls? careful i will renew an old habit. List of names Epstein then rattled off a list of names, implying that he would be meeting with them while they were in New York City for a climate summit that week. The names appeared to include venture capitalist Peter Thiel, former Treasury secretary Larry Summers, former US ambassador to Russia Bill Burns, former British prime minister Gordon Brown, billionaire investor Leon Black, Indian politician and diplomat Hardeep Puri (whose name Epstein misspelled as puree) and someone named Woody, among others. Former US Treasury secretary Larry Summers. Bloomberg

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you are a welcome guest at any, Epstein told Ruemmler. Summers, who was treasury secretary to Bill Clinton and also served in a senior economic role under Obama, was emailing Epstein regularly in 2017. Im trying to figure why American elite think if u murder your baby by beating and abandonment it must be irrelevant to your admission to Harvard, but hit on a few women 10 years ago and cant work at a network or think tank, Summers wrote to Epstein in October of that year. DO NOT REPEAT THIS INSIGHT, he added. In an exchange about Trump, Epstein told Summers: your world does not understand how dumb he really is. he will blame everyone around him. for bad results. Summers also took aim at the then-president, telling Epstein the consensus view of people he met on a trip to Saudi Arabia was that Donald is a clown, increasingly dangerous on foreign policy.

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Also in 2017, Epstein had contact with Deepak Chopra, the Indian-American new age guru, who was fascinated by Trumps claims that Obama had wiretapped Trump Tower. Is he loco? Chopra asked Epstein. Related Article Epstein fallout Andrew photo with Virginia Giuffre is real, Epstein email claims There are multiple exchanges between Epstein and Ehud Barak, a former Israeli prime minister and defence minister. The Wall Street Journal has previously reported that Barak visited Epstein dozens of times, including accepting flights on Epsteins private jet while visiting his homes in Florida and New York. Epstein was in regular contact with biotech venture capitalist Boris Nikolic, who was an adviser to Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. Met your friend bill clinton followed up with sarkozy, Nikolic wrote in 2010, referring to the then president of France, Nicholas Sarkozy (who was incidentally released from jail a few days ago and is appealing his conviction in a campaign finance scandal).

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Later in day meeting your other friend prince andrew as he has some questions re microsoft. Epstein replied: you can tell andrew we are friends. Nikolic informed Epstein that, at an event, he had been flirting with a 22 years old hot blond blue eyes mexican chick, who was there with her husband. Did not have a chance to check him out, Nikolic wrote. But as we concluded, anything good is rented. There are numerous conversations between Epstein and his friend Lawrence Krauss, the theoretical physicist who retired from Arizona State University in 2019 after sexual misconduct allegations. In 2018, while discussing a Women in the World conference convened by editor Tina Brown, Krauss suggested they convene a men of the world conference which would feature Kevin Spacey, Bill Clinton, Al Franken and Woody Allen. The emails show Epstein discussed geopolitics and markets with renowned professor Noam Chomsky, was regularly advised on media matters by the author and journalist Michael Wolff, and maintained a friendly relationship with then New York Times reporter Landon Thomas Jr  who left the paper in 2019.

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In a 2015 exchange with Thomas, Epstein offered to provide Thomas with photso [sic] of donald and girls in bikinis in my kitchen. It was not clear whether Epstein actually possessed such images; none have surfaced. Bill Clinton (right) with Jeffrey Epstein. The emails also show how Epstein implored his New York publicist, Peggy Siegal, to investigate and discredit Prince Andrews accuser Virginia Giuffre, asserting she was a liar and made up her claims against the now disgraced royal. Epstein suggested Huffington Post founder Arianna Huffington should be asked to dispatch a reporter, or multiple reporters, to investigate Giuffre, whom Epstein described as nothing more than a telephone answerer. I promise you she is a fraud, Epstein told Siegal. The palace will love it ... You and i will be able to go to ascot for the rest of our lives.

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Giuffre  who died by suicide in Western Australia earlier this year  later settled with Andrew for an undisclosed sum. Related Article Explainer

Epstein fallout 33,000 pages and counting: What are the Epstein Files? After the emails were released on Thursday (AEDT), Siegal told US outlet Politico that Epsteins request was moronic and she never acted on it. Its beyond comprehension that I would call Arianna and get involved in this, she said. Huffington told Politico she was never contacted about it. Meanwhile, in 2016, emails with investor Tom Barrack  a friend, adviser and fundraiser of Trumps, who is now the US ambassador to Turkey  Epstein said he was receiving many calls each week from reporters interested in his relationship with the president, Mara-Lago, beauty contest and Bill Clinton.

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my answers are always i have nothing to say. or i try to ignore altogether, Epstein relayed. The email trove shows Epstein stayed in contact with many of these friends until 2019, the year he was arrested on sex-trafficking charges and then died in prison awaiting trial. For example, Epstein was planning a lunch with Wolff in May of that year, just six weeks before his arrest. 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.
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WorldNorth AmericaUS politics JFKs influencer grandson to run for Congress Cameron Henderson November 13, 2025  2:30pm 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

John F. Kennedys TikTok-influencer grandson has announced he is running for Congress. On Tuesday, Jack Schlossberg launched his campaign for a New York seat in the House of Representatives, set to be vacated by retiring Democrat Jerry Nadler. JFKs grandson Jack Schlossberg is set to run for Congress. Bloomberg The 32-year-old lawyer is best known for his colourful presence on social media, where he has gained a combined 1.6 million followers for his bizarre rants, which include declaring his love for Usha Vance, impersonating Melania Trump and mocking his cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr, Donald Trumps health secretary. Schlossberg struck a more sober tone in his campaign launch video, warning that America is facing a crisis at every level thanks to Trump.

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Its a constitutional crisis with one dangerous man in control of all three branches of government, he said. Hes stripping citizens of their civil rights and silencing his critics. The son of JFKs daughter, former Australian ambassador Caroline Kennedy, and the designer-artist Edwin Schlossberg, he stressed the importance of Democrats retaking control of Congress to blunt the impact of historic cuts to healthcare, education and childcare. With control of Congress, theres nothing we cant do. Without it, were helpless to a third term, Schlossberg, who is running for a seat already held by the Democrats, said in the video. If elected, running New Yorks 12th Congressional district would mark the first full-time job Schlossberg has held since graduating from Harvard Law in 2022.

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A self-styled writer, advocate and lifelong Democrat, the Harvard and Yale graduate was appointed Vogues political correspondent in July 2024 but wrote just five articles, according to Muck Rack. Related Article World elections Trump made this the new political test  Mamdani just showed the left how to ace it He was hired in part thanks to what the magazine called his silly goose antics online, such as videos asking whether the second lady is hotter than his late grandmother, Jackie Kennedy Onassis. This one goes out to Usha Vance, the most beautiful woman in the world. Whenever youre ready, Im here for you, he said on TikTok. The video followed a post on X, where he asked: True or false? Usha Vance is way hotter than Jackie O, drawing a backlash from people who labelled his comments creepy and inappropriate.

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In a recent video, he blamed the Republicans for the government shutdown and called on Democrats to fight fire with fire, before stamping the ground and impersonating a bull. Schlossberg with his mother  and then-Australian ambassador Caroline Kennedy  in 2023 re-enacting a heroic rescue swim undertaken by his grandfather, JFK, in Solomon Islands during World War II. Instagram In August, he posed in a blonde wig to mock Melania Trump over her letter to Vladimir Putin, in which she called on the Russian despot to release Ukrainian children separated from their families. What am I saying, this make no sense, he signed off, speaking in a thick Eastern European accent. The Millennial candidate spent his first day on the campaign bashing his rabid dog cousin, whom he accused of spreading misinformation about public health.

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Related Article Russia-Ukraine war Revealed: Melania Trumps vague letter to Putin about childrens laughter RFK Jr is a dangerous person who is making life-and-death decisions as secretary of Health and Human Services, he told MSNBC. He went on to claim that the president had put a collar on his 71-year-old cousin and has him there barking, spreading lies and spreading misinformation. Last month, the Kennedy scion posted an image of a Halloween costume for MAHA Man, in reference to Kennedys Make America Healthy Again message. He said its features included measles, ending cancer research and sexual assault  an apparent reference to allegations levelled against Kennedy by a former babysitter, who claimed she was groped by the health secretary in 1998.

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Dynasty: John F. Kennedy (left) with brothers, Robert Kennedy (centre), and Ted Kennedy in 1960. AP Wirephoto Kennedy is widely reported to have texted an apology to the accuser, saying he had no memory of the incident, but he has never commented publicly on the claims. Schlossbergs bid is likely to draw comparisons to that of Zohran Mamdani, another Millennial who was elected last Tuesday as mayor of New York City, having experienced a meteoric rise thanks in part to his social media-friendly campaign. Caroline Kennedy, Schlossbergs mother, is said to have pleaded with her son not to run because it could make him a target for violent haters, a source close to the family told The New York Post. The insider said Caroline Kennedy was living in fear because she believes the political world has become too dangerous, too frightening, too crazy, the source said.

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Related Article US politics Whats new in the JFK files? Five things to know about the assassination records Schlossberg faces competition from several other Democratic primary contenders, including New York State Assembly member Micah Lasher, who previously worked as an aide for Nadler. Nadler, 78, said in September that he was retiring next year after more than 30 years in the House, acknowledging a widespread clamour within the party to make way for a younger generation of leaders. The only grandson of the late president, who was assassinated in 1963, Schlossberg has previously said he was inspired by Barack Obama and gave a speech at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in which he endorsed Kamala Harris. The Telegraph, London 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.
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Analysis WorldNorth AmericaEpstein fallout The Democrats timed this bombshell perfectly  now there are signs the White House is panicking Michael Koziol Updated November 13, 2025  11:37am ,first published November 13, 2025  10:54am 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

New York: The White House Situation Room is home to a labyrinth of highly secure conference rooms where presidents oversee intelligence briefings and high-stakes military operations. But as the latest instalment of the Jeffrey Epstein saga played out, the room hosted a different kind of meeting: top Trump administration officials met with Republican congresswoman Lauren Boebert to try to convince her not to sign a petition that would force a vote on releasing the so-called Epstein Files. Confirming the meeting, first reported by CNN, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said it showed the government was being transparent with Congress. Im not going to detail conversations that took place in the Situation Room, she told reporters. The Epstein saga is an albatross around Donald Trumps neck. Screengrab Another way of reading this: the White House is panicking. Not just over the tranche of Epstein-related emails released on Wednesday, Washington time, by the House of Representatives oversight committee, but the petition to release all the files  now signed by enough members to force a vote in the House.

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In addition to summoning Boebert (and calling her, according to The New York Times), US President Donald Trump made a last-ditch plea, or threat, by posting to his Truth Social page that only a very bad, or stupid Republican would help the Democrats by joining the Epstein hoax bandwagon. As it stands, the petition has enough signatures, having been signed by the Houses newest member, Democrat Adelita Grijalva, as her first item of business. But if any Republicans were to withdraw their name, it would fail. Practically, the petition carries no weight unless it is also supported by the Senate and agreed to by Trump, which wont happen. But it is evident the White House does not want a House vote to proceed, regardless. The latest emails released by the committee show us exactly why Trump doesnt want these files released. Even on a kind reading, they raise awkward questions. What does Epstein mean when he says Trump is the dog that hasnt barked? When he says Trump knew about the girls, what is he getting at?

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It prompted Republicans to flood the zone with some 20,000 pages of new Epstein material, clearly an attempt to dilute the impact of the Trump-related emails hand-picked by the Dems. In this, both sides are hypocritical. They clamour for transparency, but the Democrats are drip-feeding selective emails when its politically expedient, and the Republicans sat on the files until it suited them. No one seems to have the victims at heart, as they claim. Loading The bigger picture is that the Epstein saga isnt going away. There may be more attempts and opportunities to push it aside for a while, but it is an albatross around Trumps neck. This is the beginning of the end, Democratic congressman Eric Swalwell posted on X.

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Thats wishful thinking. Some Republicans in Congress are twitchy, but if Democrats think the MAGA world is going to turn on Trump over this, they might want to note the reactions of Laura Loomer and Nancy Mace. Related Article Explainer

Epstein fallout 33,000 pages and counting: What are the Epstein Files? Mace, a firebrand Republican representative who signed the petition, spent the day defending Trump, shaming Democrats for their cynical timing and accusing them of making the story about the president, not the victims. Loomer, the conspiratorial right-wing activist with 1.8 million followers (and the presidents ear), was once a leading voice demanding the Epstein files be released. But on Wednesday, she simply said anyone outraged about the Epstein saga should also be outraged about having Muslims in the US Congress. There may be signs of panic, but this is a White House that is well practised at denying reality and moving the conversation along  and it has plenty of help.

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The danger for Democrats is the more they tighten the screws on Trump, the more Republicans will feel they have to defend him at all costs. Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) 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.
PCORI-funded project leverages WhatsApp to center African immigrants in health research

Gloria Aidoo-Frimpong presents at the Africanizing the Research Paradigm (ARP) summit hosted in 2024 by the African Immigrants Health Research Consortium in Boston.

This project directly addresses those gaps by developing and testing a WhatsApp-based engagement model that meets communities where they are.  Gloria Aidoo-Frimpong, PhD, assistant professor of epidemiology and environmental health University at Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y.  African immigrants are among the fastest-growing immigrant populations in the U.S., numbering over 2.3 million. While they account for a large number of newcomers to the country, their unique migration histories and health profiles are often ignored in health research. A University at Buffalo health equity researcher is a co-principal investigator on a Patent-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)-funded research project that aims to address this critical gap by leveraging the popular social media tool WhatsApp to involve underrepresented communities as full partners in shaping health studies. African immigrants are vital contributors to the U.S. workforce, faith communities and health systems, with many serving as nurses, teachers, entrepreneurs and community leaders, says Gloria Aidoo-Frimpong, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health in UBs School of Public Health and Health Professions. Despite this, African immigrants remain largely invisible in national health research, data systems and policy discussions. This invisibility has serious implications for health equity, adds Aidoo-Frimpong, the co-PI on the project with Chioma Nnaji of the Boston-based Multicultural AIDS Coalition. Both are members of the leadership team for the African Immigrant Health Research Collaborative (AIHRC), a national, community-led network that brings together African immigrant-serving organizations, researchers and community advocates to advance health equity through research rooted in lived experience. AIHRCs current leadership includes the Africans for Improved Access program at the Multicultural AIDS Coalition (MA), Office of Maine Refugee Services (ME), Multicultural Community Family Services (PA), African Alliance of Rhode Island (RI), Lead the Way Minnesota (MN), and Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services (CT). PCORI is providing AIHRC with nearly $2 million for the project.

African immigrants to be co-researchers

Health research often categorizes African immigrants broadly under the Black/African American category, which masks their unique migration histories, health profiles and experiences within health systems, according to Aidoo-Frimpong. She adds that research shows African immigrant populations have increasing rates of chronic and infectious diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hepatitis B and HIV. They also face structural and cultural barriers to care, including language barriers, immigration-related stress and stigma. Mistrust of research, rooted in legacies of exploitation and exclusion, further limits participation in studies that guide health policy and practice, says Aidoo-Frimpong. This project directly addresses those gaps by developing and testing a WhatsApp-based engagement model that meets communities where they are. Instead of treating African immigrants solely as study participants, this project will position them more as co-researchers. The WhatsApp Immigrant-Centered Research Engagement Protocol will be developed by gathering insights from African immigrant patients, caregivers, community leaders, health care providers and researchers through surveys, focus groups and expert panels. This protocol will then be tested through scenario-based activities that place patient partners in real-world engagement situations, ranging from developing partnership agreements and shaping research questions to interpreting data and guiding dissemination strategies. Through surveys and focus groups, researchers will gain insight into which WhatsApp features build trust, support collaboration and reduce participation barriers for African immigrants.

Project fills knowledge gap in health studies

WhatsApp is a free, encrypted messaging and calling app that enables smartphone users to send text messages, make voice and video calls and share videos and photos. It was selected for this study because its a tool that is already deeply woven into African immigrant communities. Our goal is to strengthen the science of engagement by generating practical, evidence-based guidance on how digital tools like WhatsApp can be used to meaningfully involve underrepresented communities in patient-centered research, says Aidoo-Frimpong, a native of Ghana. Stronger engagement methods mean stronger evidence  and stronger evidence means better decisions about prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, adds Julius Kolawole, co-founder and executive director of the African Alliance of Rhode Island and AIHRC partner. This is about trust, transparency, and tools communities can use. Aidoo-Frimpong says the teams work is important because engagement methods are often developed without considering cultural or technological contexts. By testing WhatsApp as a research engagement tool, this project will fill a critical gap in the evidence base, providing a scalable, culturally relevant model that can inform PCORI-funded studies and other research initiatives seeking to engage diverse communities, she says. Many past and current research projects have not really been patient-centered, says Portia Kamara, executive director at the Multicultural Community Family Services and AIHRC partner. They have neither been patient-centered driven, nor patient-centered, as the patient was never made to be fully/actively involved in the process of research from the preplanning to questions formulation, implementation, data analysis to report dissemination. This award has the potential to expand access to culturally responsive health resources, helping African immigrant families thrive while also strengthening equity across the broader society.

Social media as engagement infrastructure

The project moves beyond using social media as merely a communication channel  for example, recruiting participants or collecting data  and instead treats it as an engagement infrastructure. That distinction is what makes this work novel, Aidoo-Frimpong says. Historically, digital tools have been used in research to extend reach, but rarely to share power. Our study takes a different approach: It adapts WhatsApp to enable two-way dialogue, decision-making, and reflection across all stages of research. Ultimately, the goal is to reframe the science of engagement by empowering underrepresented communities to be more active in research about them. In many ways, this project is about rewriting what inclusion looks like in practice, says Aidoo-Frimpong. It shows that when research methods are co-created and rooted in the ways people already connect and care for one another, the outcomes are not just more relevant, they are transformative for the science, for institutions, and for the communities that make that science possible.

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NSF funds two inclusive language projects by UB linguist

A sign saying "welcome" in several languages including Martiniquan and Saint Lucian Creole at the bottom.

These projects can help change the negative perception and raise awareness to the importance of creole languages. 

BUFFALO, N.Y.  A University at Buffalo researcher has received two major grants from different divisions of the National Science Foundation (NSF) that will, in one case, facilitate the adoption of underrepresented languages in new technologies and, in the second case, train students in research methods related to conducting field work in those languages.

Fabiola S. Henri, PhD, an associate professor of linguistics in the UB Department of Romance Languages and Literatures, says that the projects from the NFS Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences (BCS) and the Office of International Science and Engineering (OISE) will focus on creole languages that are underrepresented, not only from a research perspective, but in how those languages are applied and incorporated within existing and emerging digital platforms.

I am skeptical of the label creole languages as a distinct category, says Henri. My research focuses on the broader phenomenon of contact languages that emerged from European colonization. This includes not only traditional creoles but also languages like Hawaiian Pidgin, which developed in parallel circumstances but are often classified differently.

The two-year BCS grant provides $268,000 in funding to create automatic speech recognition systems that can transcribe oral data from Mauritian Creole, spoken predominantly in communities on the island off the west African coast and Guadeloupean and Martiniquan Creole, two languages spoken on islands in the Caribbean.

These tools would replace the time-consuming task of manual transcription, which is largely responsible for their omission from many current devices.

I call these critical languages because were talking about data and resources that are absent from whats being used and developed in all kinds of AI technologies. We have data on European languages, but not for these underrepresented languages. Developing widely accessible tools like speech recognition requires training data from the target language, says Henri, an expert in contemporary creole linguistics. For a vast number of the worlds languages, this essential data simply doesnt exist.

The OISE grant, a $686,700 project, is an expanded version of a two-year grant Henri previously received. Like its predecessor, the current five-year project is designed specifically for students to gain international research experience. The earlier grant had students working in Guadeloupe, but the current grant will involve five different countries (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Haiti, Mauritius, and Seychelles) and will train both undergraduate and graduate students from across the U.S.

The students will learn how to conduct linguistic fieldwork and will receive instruction on how best to write for publication and conference presentations.

Each year, six U.S. students will conduct research in one of the five countries. Beginning in the summer of 2026, Henri will accompany students to Mauritius, where theyll spend five weeks with an international team of mentors immersed in the local language. Each student will have an individualized research topic and will be trained in traditional documentary methods and modern computational approaches to create appropriate protocols to collect data related to that topic from native speakers.

As part of the experience, students will participate in the UB Creolist Workshop. Developed by Henri when she arrived at UB in 2020, the workshop brings together scholars from across the U.S. with students to discuss new research in creole linguistics.

Projects like this provide valuable data while at the same time provide students with experience that can encourage them to continue working with these important underrepresented languages, says Henri. My first experience was super successful recruiting students from around the U.S. who later applied to UB.

It is all work for Henri that is driven by a personal passion. Shes one of those speakers  her native language is Mauritian creole.

These languages have been and still remain the object of prejudice. People dont think of them as legitimate languages, a sentiment sometimes expressed by native speakers, she says. My goal has always been to demonstrate that these are complete and complex languages, worthy of serious study. Ultimately, they offer a unique window into human cognition.

These projects can help change the negative perception and raise awareness to the importance of creole languages.
From 11 to 24 November 2025, a major European initiative is taking place in several capitals, including Vienna and Prague, to promote tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and the prevention of extremism through media, culture, and education. This initiative marks an important step forward in how Europe addresses radical ideologies, favouring an approach based on knowledge, mutual understanding, and shared human values.

Supported by a wide network of cultural, educational, and civic organisations, the initiative aims to strengthen connections between European communities, encourage intercultural dialogue, and remind the public that genuine religious faith should never be misused for political or ideological purposes. It highlights the importance of safeguarding social harmony and defending a balanced vision of religion rooted in justice, compassion, and respect for others.

A Cultural and Educational Approach

The cultural dimension plays a central role in this initiative. It is based on the idea that culture and education are essential tools for preventing radicalisation and reinforcing the resilience of societies. Through workshops, conferences, exhibitions, and public debates, the initiative invites citizens  particularly young people  to develop critical thinking skills and to recognise extremist narratives.

These activities emphasise dialogue, solidarity, and openness while encouraging the active participation of local communities. The initiative demonstrates that combating extremism also requires promoting creativity, knowledge, and mutual respect.

The Role of the Media

The media also play a key role in this effort. By covering the events and promoting positive messages about diversity and tolerance, they help raise public awareness about the dangers of ideological manipulation. Partner media outlets contribute to analysing the mechanisms of radicalisation and highlighting civic initiatives that promote social cohesion.

This media involvement is part of a broader strategy that views information and communication as instruments of peace, education, and intercultural understanding.

A Message of Unity and Hope

The organisers insist on the need for stronger cooperation between governments, cultural institutions, and civil society. They reiterate that the fight against extremism cannot rely solely on security and repression; it must also be supported by a long-term cultural and educational vision.

Through this initiative, Europe reaffirms its commitment to dialogue, coexistence, and peace. It reflects the shared determination of citizens and institutions to preserve social harmony and build a future based on mutual respect, solidarity, and intercultural understanding.
En une cruelle ironie, c'est dans ce havre de paix precaire que les terroristes ont de nouveau frappe, dans l'impunite la plus totale, "malgre la presence supposee d'un camp militaire a proximite", relate un temoin.







Vers 22 heures, les assaillants ont envahi le village, semant la terreur. Le bilan est lourd : des habitations reduites en cendres, des biens personnels pilles et un cheptel entier vole. Le nomme Abba Wal Amma, eleveur resident, a vu 70 de ses bufs emportes par les jihadistes, une perte economique catastrophique dans cette region deja exsangue.

Une population qui se fait justice elle-meme

Face a la deliquescence securitaire, la population, majoritairement composee d'Arabes Choua, n'a eu d'autre choix que de se defendre par ses propres moyens. Dans un elan de courage collectif, les villageois ont oppose une resistance farouche aux terroristes, parvenant a abattre l'un d'entre eux lors des affrontements. Cet acte de bravoure contraste amerement avec l'absence des forces de defense.

Le BIR, une presence fantomatique

L'attaque laisse un gout d'amertume et pose une question cruciale : ou etait le Bataillon d'Intervention Rapide (BIR) ? Les habitants denoncent l'inaction des soldats, dont le camp est pourtant situe dans la zone. "Ils ne sont pas intervenus", rapportent des sources locales, accreditant la these d'un abandon des populations civiles a leur triste sort.







Cet evenement souligne une fois de plus la vulnerabilite des deplaces internes et la recrudescence alarmante des attaques de Boko Haram et de ses factions alliees dans l'Extreme-Nord camerounais. Alors que les populations tentent de panser leurs plaies, l'ombre de l'insecurite et le sentiment d'etre des laisses-pour-compte persistent.





Kerawa in Shock: Bakarisse, a Village for the Displaced, Looted and Burned by Boko Haram Amid Military Inaction

Last night was long and bloody for the residents of Bakarisse, a village in the Kolofata district that has become a refuge for families fleeing the atrocities of Boko Haram. In a cruel twist of irony, it was in this precarious haven that the terrorists struck again, with complete impunity, despite the supposed presence of a nearby military camp.







Around 10 p.m., the assailants invaded the village, spreading terror. The toll is heavy: homes reduced to ashes, personal belongings looted, and an entire herd stolen. A breeder named Abba Wal Amma saw 70 of his cattle taken by the jihadists, a catastrophic economic loss in this already struggling region.







A Population Taking Justice into Its Own Hands







Faced with the security vacuum, the population, mostly composed of Shua Arabs, had no choice but to defend themselves. In a collective act of courage, the villagers put up a fierce resistance against the terrorists, managing to kill one of them during the clashes. This act of bravery stands in stark contrast to the absence of the defense forces.







The BIR, a Ghost Presence







The attack leaves a bitter taste and raises a crucial question: where was the Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR)? The inhabitants denounce the soldiers' inaction, despite their camp being located in the area. "They did not intervene," report local sources, supporting the theory that civilian populations have been abandoned to their grim fate.







This event once again highlights the vulnerability of internally displaced persons and the alarming resurgence of attacks by Boko Haram and its allied factions in Cameroon's Far North. As the people try to heal their wounds, the shadow of insecurity and the feeling of being abandoned persist.





Boko Haram Cameroun, Attaque Kerawa, Kolofata, Extreme-Nord Cameroun, insecurite, BIR Cameroun, deplaces internes, Arabes Choua, Bakarisse, terrorisme, vol de betail, village incendie, securite Cameroun, actualite Cameroun, Mayo Sava, crise securitaire

Moussa Nassourou
La Societe de Developpement du Coton (SODECOTON) est entree dans la danse des dementis qui caracterise la crise post-electorale au Cameroun. Dans un communique rendu public, la direction generale de l'entreprise a exprime sa "plus grande indignation" face a des informations virales sur les reseaux sociaux laissant entendre que ses installations a Garoua serviraient de "chambres de torture et de retention" pour les personnes arretees lors des recentes manifestations.







Ces rumeurs, qui circulent dans un contexte de forte tension politique, sont qualifiees par l'entreprise de "fausses informations" et "d'allegations mensongeres" sans aucun fondement. La SODECOTON estime qu'elles visent a "ternir l'image d'une entreprise qui constitue, depuis plus de cinq decennies, l'un des piliers essentiels du developpement economique et social des regions Septentrionales".

Un deni base sur la logistique

Pour etayer son deni, la SODECOTON a apporte un element technique precis : la nature de son parc de transport. La societe affirme ne posseder "aucun wagon dans ses equipements" et utiliser "exclusivement des camions dotes de caisses metalliques pour le transport du coton graine et d'autres produits".







Il est donc "absurde", selon le communique, d'imaginer que ce materiel strictement dedie a la logistique de production puisse etre detourne pour d'autres fins que celles prevues. Cet argument vise directement les recits evoquant possiblement l'utilisation de conteneurs ou d'espaces metalliques pour la retention de personnes.

Une entreprise citoyenne en premiere ligne

Face a ce qu'elle considere comme une "campagne de desinformation", la SODECOTON a tenu a rappeler son importance capitale dans l'ecosysteme economique des regions du Nord. La direction a mis en avant ses contributions : plus de 12 000 emplois directs, pres de 3 millions de beneficiaires indirects, plus de 70 milliards de FCFA injectes chaque annee dans l'economie locale, et 9 000 km de routes entretenues.







Ce plaidoyer chiffre vise clairement a opposer l'image d'une "entreprise citoyenne" au recit qui la presenterait comme complice d'actes de repression, dans une region ou son ancrage et son influence sont considerables.

Un deni qui interroge

Si la SODECOTON clame son innocence avec force, ce deni officiel intervient dans un climat ou les temoignages sur une repression brutale des manifestations post-electorales se multiplient. La virulence de la reaction de l'entreprise temoigne de sa volonte de proteger sa reputation, mais aussi de l'extreme sensibilite du pouvoir en place face aux accusations de violations des droits de l'homme.







La Direction Generale invite finalement le public a "la vigilance" et a ne se referer qu'aux informations publiees sur ses canaux officiels, alors que la defiance envers les discours institutionnels ne cesse de croitre dans le pays.





SODECOTON Denies Allegations of Being Transformed into Torture Chambers During Post-Election Unrest

Cameroon's cotton development company vigorously refutes social media claims that its Garoua warehouses were used to detain and torture individuals arrested during recent protests.







The Cameroon Cotton Development Company (SODECOTON) has entered the fray of denials characterizing the country's post-electoral crisis. In a public statement, the company's general management expressed its "greatest indignation" at viral social media reports suggesting its facilities in Garoua were being used as "torture and detention chambers" for people arrested during recent protests.







These rumors, circulating in a highly charged political context, are described by the company as "false information" and "misleading allegations" without any basis. SODECOTON believes they aim to "tarnish the image of a company that has been, for over five decades, one of the essential pillars of the economic and social development of the Northern regions."







A Denial Based on Logistics







To support its denial, SODECOTON provided a specific technical detail: the nature of its transport fleet. The company states it does not have "any wagons in its equipment" and uses "exclusively trucks with metal containers for transporting seed cotton and other products."







It is therefore "absurd," according to the statement, to imagine that this equipment, strictly dedicated to production logistics, could be diverted for purposes other than those intended. This argument directly counters narratives possibly suggesting the use of containers or metal spaces for detaining individuals.







A Corporate Citizen on the Front Line







Facing what it considers a "disinformation campaign," SODECOTON emphasized its crucial role in the economic ecosystem of the Northern regions. Management highlighted its contributions: over 12,000 direct jobs, nearly 3 million indirect beneficiaries, over 70 billion FCFA injected annually into the local economy, and 9,000 km of maintained roads.







This quantified plea clearly aims to contrast the image of a "corporate citizen" with the narrative portraying it as complicit in acts of repression, in a region where its roots and influence are significant.







A Denial That Raises Questions







While SODECOTON strongly proclaims its innocence, this official denial comes amid growing accounts of a brutal crackdown on post-electoral protests. The vehemence of the company's reaction reflects its desire to protect its reputation, but also the extreme sensitivity of the authorities to accusations of human rights violations.







The General Management ultimately urges the public to exercise "vigilance" and to refer only to information published on its official channels, at a time when distrust of institutional discourse is steadily rising in the country.





SODECOTON, Cameroun, crise post-electorale, torture, Garoua, manifestations, dementi, repressions, droits de l'homme, reseaux sociaux, desinformation, entrepots, retention, regions septentrionales, developpement economique, communique, allegations, camions, coton, politique Cameroun

Moussa Nassourou
Natasha Reid and Claire Henry

A 77-year-old former coffee shop owner has been given a four-year suspended sentence for money laundering of more than 89,000 and possession of an encrypted mobile phone.

The idolised grandfather had never been in trouble before in his life until gardai found the money under his bed on April 1st, 2021.

Giovanni Nardone, of Glenhill Avenue, Finglas, in Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing 89,570, the proceeds of crime, at his home on that date.

He also pleaded guilty to possession of an encrypted phone, in circumstances that gave rise to a reasonable inference that he had it for a criminal offence.

At a previous hearing, Detective Garda John Rourke of the Garda Organised Crime Unit told the court that his bureau had received confidential information which led them to get a search warrant for the elderly mans home.

Gardai used force to open the front door after their knocks were unanswered by Nardone, who was behind the door.

He was asked if he had any cash or illegal substances, and he brought gardai to his room and unlocked two safes, which contained cash, documents and jewellery, which are not the subject of the charge before the court.

However, 89,570 was then recovered from a plastic Supervalu bag in a drawer under his bed.

He said it was savings from his work over the years. Asked why it was under the bed, he said it was a safe place.

A cash counting machine was also found, along with vacuum bags and a vacuum packer, which he said was for meat in the freezer.

A Samsung phone was recovered and sent for analysis, but gardai were unable to access a chat app on it due to the high level of encryption. Another garda had first-hand knowledge of the app, and the court was told that it did not operate over the normal GSM network or use a regular data SIM.

Nardone was arrested and taken to Finglas Garda Station.

Gda Rourke agreed with James Dwyer SC, defending, that his client appeared to be holding the cash for others and not himself. He accepted that there was no sign of wealth or that any money had been invested in his house over the years.

Gda Rourke further agreed that Nardone, who has lived here for 55 years, was on bail throughout proceedings and had travelled to his native Italy on a couple of occasions to attend family gatherings and had returned.

He used to own a chip shop and delivered soft drinks, before owning a coffee shop in Finglas.

The court heard he had a debt to the Revenue Commissioners.

Mr Dwyer said that his client had trained as a tailor before leaving Italy in 1964 at the age of 15. He moved to Paris and worked making womens clothing for six years before joining his brother in Ireland.

His brother got him a job in a chipper, and he later ran his own chipper.

Mr Dwyer handed in letters from members of his client's family, who were present in court. They described him as kind-hearted, trusting and loyal. His grandchildren had an amazing bond with their grandfather, whom they idolised, they said.

Id ask the court to have regard to his guilty plea, said Mr Dwyer, noting that his client had lived here for 55 years without conviction, and not been in trouble before that.

He appears to have played a very low role in these things, holding for others, he said.

The court heard that the first count had a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison, while the second count had a maximum term of five years.

However, Mr Dwyer asked Judge Orla Crowe to have regard to his client's age and consider sentencing possibilities that did not require an immediate custodial sentence.

Judge Crowe said it was a very unusual case that needed time to consider. She adjourned it until today for a risk assessment from the probation services.

Passing sentence on Thursday, Judge Orla Crowe said, gardai had excellent information, and a search warrant was issued for this defendant's house. She noted that Nardone has been living in Ireland since 1970 and is originally from Italy.

Judge Crowe said a probation report before the court places Nardone at low risk of reoffending. She stated that the aggravating factors in this case were the amount of cash found, the encrypted mobile phone, the cash counting machine, and the vacuum packing machine.

The judge said she would consider the following as mitigating factors: his guilty plea, his lack of previous convictions, that he has not come to any adverse attention, and that he is a family man with no signs of wealth.

Judge Crowe sentenced Nardone to four years in prison, and after considering all relevant factors, including his age, she suspended the sentence in full for four years.
POET Charlene Egan is about to launch a book of freshly-penned poems and musings called Plucking Petals and will donate all the profits from its sale to a great cause.

Charlene will raise vital funds for Bagenalstown woman Yvonne Geoghegan, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 25.

Yvonne Geoghegan from Bagenalstown is living with a particularly aggressive form of MS

Yvonne is trying to raise 80,000 to receive a Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) treatment in Mexico, which she believes is her only hope of living a somewhat normal life.

A bout of attacks means she has permanently lost vision in her right eye, decreased vision in her left eye, experiences weakness in her right leg, and has extreme fatigue.

The aim of HSCT is to reboot the immune system using a non-radiation chemotherapy medical treatment, to stop it from attacking its own body. It isn't currently available to patients in Ireland due to funding issues.

The County Carlow community has quickly rallied around Yvonne and so far, have raised around 30,000 from a pop-up shop, cake sales, bingo night and music event.

More money is needed however, to cover the treatment, travel, wigs, insurance, tests and basic home adaptions needed for the treatment to be successful.

When Charlene heard about Yvonnes plight she had real empathy for what she was going through as she has three auto-immune conditions herself.

When she heard about the fundraising campaign, she realised a way she had a way of making some money for her, by publishing a book of her writings.

I saw the book in my head! It was a strange thing, it happened very quickly, said Yvonne. I have always dabbled on and off with writing.

As luck would have it, at a lottery fundraiser for Yvonne where she had a 2% chance of winning, Charlene came away with a prize that enabled her to pay for 300 books to be published. The family are all so grateful for the support she is providing.

All I wanted to do is raise enough money to make a difference, said Charlene.

Charlene is from Athy and so is hosting the launch of her book in the local library. All are welcome to the launch on Tuesday 18 November at 6pm which will include a poetry reading by Charlene and a raffle. The book will be on sale in Winkles newsagents, Athy for 10.
SEEING how long his father had spent assessing a derelict site inspired a Carlow student to develop a system aiming to help local authorities speed up the process of identifying vacant properties for refurbishment as part of his final-year college project.

Dylan ODonnell from Old Leighlin, who recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in IT Management from South Eastern Technological University, saw his architect dad, Des, spend hours working on a derelict site in Galway before realising it wasnt even suitable for renovation.

I saw this real problem that my dad had and it tied in perfectly to my final-year project, said Dylan. It got me thinking there has to be a faster way of doing this.

Dylan presented the project, entitled A Fast Track to Identify Derelict and Vacant Homes for Refurbishment, to politicians and policymakers in the Dail yesterday Wednesday 12 November as part of the Postaeir san Oireachtas (Posters in Parliament, Ireland) Initiative set up by the European Union.

Dylans system can create 3D models in a matter of minutes, which will allow local authorities to see what buildings can be refurbished and reused and make data-driven decisions as a result to help solve the issue of vacant properties around the country.

In Ireland we already have all the data that we need to tackle vacancy, explains Dylan. Its just about combining these datasets together and mapping it out logically. Postaeir san Oireachtas is an EU initiative dedicated to the enhancement of undergraduate research, dissemination, communication and civic engagement across Europe.

Dylans project will be displayed in the Oireachtas until Friday 14 November, along with 29 other pieces of work from higher-level students around the country.

After spending the summer on a J1 in New York working at a summer camp, Dylan has recently started a job as a Junior Cloud and Security Engineer at HealthBeacon, and he continues to work on his project.

Recently I have been doing a lot of policy research to see what kind of impact the system can have. I have been looking into derelict sites registers and the different infrastructure around the country, and Ive got some interesting findings that Ill be able to present at the Oireachtas, said Dylan.

He is balancing his full-time job by doing workshops with the Innovation and Commercialisation hub at SETU and the Impact Licensing Initiative based in Brussels.

He also thanked SETU and his project supervisor, Dr Enda Dunican from the faculty of science and computing, for their guidance and support throughout the course of his degree.

My experience at SETU has given me the confidence to enter the next chapter. I look forward to combining creativity with technologyain my future roles;awhetheraitsahousing, healthcare, or sustainability. I want to keep building solutions that make a real impact," he concluded.
xxxx

The late Sr Goretti Ward

SISTER Goretti Ward, who died peacefully in Catherine McAuley House, Beaumont, Dublin on 31 October, will be remembered with great affection in the Carlow area as a nursing sister with a great love for the sick and vulnerable.

She will also be remembered for her warm, gentle and pleasant personality which endeared her to all who knew her.

She was born Mary Margaret Ward on 29 July 1934 to William and Margaret Ward in Drounreagh, Durrus, Co Cork. She was the fifth member and only girl in a family of five and was predeceased by her brothers Thomas, William, Michael and Sean.

Taking the name Goretti in religion, she entered St Leos Convent of Mercy, Carlow as a postulant in 1951 and made her final profession in St Leos in 1959.

Sr Goretti trained for general nursing in Dublins Mater Hospital from 1954 to 1957. She qualified in maternity nursing in Cork during the 1960s. She also went to Glencar, Co Louth to train in mentally handicapped nursing in the 1960s.

Sr Goretti ministered for the greater part of her nursing career in the Sacred Heart Home and Bethany House in Barrack Street, Carlow town. She was a Superior in the Sacred Heart Home from 1984 to 1991 and, having taken a sabbatical in 1991-1992, finally retired in 1999, Sr Goretti spent some years nursing in Bethany House. This was a small branch of the Sacred Heart Home for people who could, more or less, look after themselves but required residential care.

During these years, Sr Goretti lived in Fr Byrne Park in Graiguecullen, Carlow with Sister Nancy McLoughlin and Sister Maureen Kelly.

In September 2000, Sr Goretti, Sr McLoughlin and Fr Jim OConnell, current parish priest of Ballon-Rathoe, visited Nuu, a bush country in Kitui District, Kenya. The following year, Goretti obtained permission to go on the missions to work there with the poor and Aids patients. She felt deeply the call to return there in her years of retirement.

Goretti served untiringly among the poor in Nuu, where she initiated a sight saving programme with eye specialist Bernard Jennings of Jennings Optician, Dublin Street, Carlow.

It was in 2006 that Goretti met with Bernard, who was invited to visit her in Nuu to carry out eye tests. What initially was meant to be a small operation grew and in 2007 Bernard was carrying out hundreds of tests, which led on to thousands of tests being conducted this year.

Bernard has persuaded colleagues to join him in his endeavours and, as a result, an important health care service had been developed in this part of Africa.

Sr Goretti loved to tell how, after sight-restoring surgery, those poor blind people would shout for joy, jump around and exclaim Miracle! Miracle. She also told a story of how, once in an emergency in Kenya, she had to deliver a baby on a roadside in the dust.

In 2008 she returned home to Cork for the death and funeral of her brother, Billy.

Sr Goretti moved back to Nuu in 2010. Following one of her trips home she returned to her mission but, unfortunately, she suffered a fall, broke her leg and ended up in the Mater Hospital, Nairobi, the Kenyan capital.

The good nun returned from Kenya to St Leos community for some years, but due to failing health, she moved to Catherine McAuley Nursing Home, Dubin, where she was lovingly cared for, especially in her last days.

There was a constant stream of mourners to Healys Funeral Home, Pollerton Castle, Carlow where Sr Goretti reposed on All Saints Day (1 November). This was reflective of the appreciation felt by the people of her adopted Carlow for years of outstanding nursing care amongst them.

Prayers were led at Healys by Denis Nulty, Bishop of Kildare & Leighlin.

Other priests in attendance, all of whom joined in readings, included Monsignor Brendan Byrne; Fr Thomas OByrne, Adm, Carlow; Fr Tommy Dillon, CC, Askea-Bennekerry-Tinryland; Fr Jimmy OReilly, Kiltegan Father; and Fr Jim OConnell.

Mercy Order colleagues of Sr Goretti were also in attendance while, over the course of the weekend of the obsequies, a number of her nieces and nephews travelled from County Cork and overnighted in Carlow.

Fr OByrne celebrated the funeral Mass assisted by Monsignor Byrne in the Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow where Sr Goretti had spent time in worship when she lived there.

Following Mass, Sr Goretti was laid to rest in the Mercy Sisters plot at St Marys cemetery.

She will be sadly missed by her nieces and nephews, her community in St Leos, sisters of the congregation of Sisters of Mercy, especially the south-central and Kenya branches, and by her many friends in Carlow, Cork and Kenya.

Ar dheis De go raibh a hanam dilis.
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Netflix has announced Living the Dream, a new adult animated workplace comedy from BAFTA-nominated creator George Gendi (The Amazing World of Gumball, Apple & Onion) and Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe. The series was revealed by Julio Bonet, Netflixs director of animation series, during the State of the Animation Nation panel at the Manchester Animation Festival.

The eight-episode, 25-minute series, which will be animated by Irelands Boulder Media (Danger Mouse, Cat Burglar) follows best friends Des and Ray, two Londoners who should have made it big by now but havent  but still could. Instead, they find themselves working at Ecofood, a self-serious eco-conscious company, struggling through awkward office romances, HR mishaps, and corporate chaos while trying to keep their dreams alive.

Executive producers of the new show include Warner Bros. Animation boss Sam Register, Sarah Fell, and Daniel Lennard. Writers on the series are Phoebe Walsh, Ellie White, Joe Parnham, Joe Markham, and Gendi.

Gendi, who also stars in the series, said:

If living the dream is being asked for a quote for a press release to announce my new show and then at Netflixs request, trying to make it more cheeky/funny and then doing that countless times because none of them are good enough, then Ive made it. Anyway, lets see if they let me use this one.

Joining Gendi in the shows ensemble cast are Javone Prince, Julia Davis, Ellie White, Ambika Mod, Chris Diamantopoulos, and Stavros Halkias, among others.

No release date has been announced yet, but Living the Dream marks Netflixs latest collaboration with Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe following the continued success of The Amazing World of Gumball universe.
China, Spain to build more strategically resilient, dynamic, internationally influential bilateral ties: Xi

Xinhua) 15:23, November 12, 2025

BEIJING, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- China is willing to work with Spain to build a more strategically resilient and dynamic comprehensive strategic partnership with greater international influence, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday.

Xi made the remarks when meeting with King Felipe VI of Spain, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing. It marks King Felipe VI's first state visit to the country after his enthronement, and the first visit by a Spanish monarch to China in 18 years.

Welcoming King Felipe VI to China, Xi noted that both China and Spain boast profound historical and cultural heritages. Over the past more than 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries have consistently approached and advanced their bilateral ties from a strategic and long-term perspective, Xi said.

The two countries have respected and supported each other, and helped each other succeed, setting a model of friendly coexistence and common development among countries with different historical and cultural backgrounds and social systems, Xi said.

He added that both China and Spain have played a vital role in promoting global openness and cooperation, as well as upholding international fairness and justice.

Hailing the outstanding contributions made by the Spanish royal family to the development of China-Spain relations, Xi said that on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Spain comprehensive strategic partnership, King Felipe VI's state visit to China holds great significance in driving the continuous advancement of friendly cooperation between the two countries.

Noting that China cherishes its traditional friendship with Spain and values Spain's unique role in international and regional affairs, Xi said both sides should further consolidate mutual support, maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges, strengthen strategic guidance, and ensure that bilateral relations always stay on the right track.

Calling on both sides to further advance pragmatic cooperation, he said China is willing to import more high-quality Spanish products, and tap the potential of cooperation in emerging fields such as new energy, digital economy and artificial intelligence.

He also said that the two countries should expand two-way investment, create more landmark projects, leverage their complementary strengths and jointly explore third-party markets such as Latin America.

China and Spain should strengthen exchanges in the fields of culture and education and support each other in successfully running their respective cultural and language institutions in each other's countries, Xi said, adding that China will continue its visa-free policy for Spain to further facilitate people-to-people exchanges.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chengliang)
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Kenyas Capital Markets Authority (CMA) has granted Kalahari Cement Ltd an exemption from making a mandatory takeover offer for East African Portland Cement (EAPC), removing a key regulatory hurdle to its purchase of Holcims 29.2 per cent shareholding in the company.

The waiver allows the transaction to proceed as a private placement and enables Tanzanian industrialist Ebrahim Abdullah Munifthrough Kalahari Cement and related entitiesto consolidate a combined 41.7 per cent interest in EAPC. The CMA described Kalahari as a strategic investor, citing its long-term operational and technical alignment with EAPCs objectives.

Kalahari Cement, incorporated in Kenya earlier this year, is ultimately owned by Munifs Amsons Group, which recently acquired a 96 per cent stake in Bamburi Cement. Bamburi already holds 12.5 per cent of EAPC, contributing to the emerging consolidation of Munif-linked holdings in Kenyas cement sector.

According to Kalahari, the investment aims to strengthen EAPCs production infrastructure, expand capacity and provide new capital and technical expertise. Analysts say the move positions Munif as a major force in the regions construction materials industry, though it may also raise questions about increased market concentration.
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Cement sales in Indonesia amounted to 6.214Mt in October, a drop of 3.4 per cent YoY compared to the 6.435Mt reported a year earlier, according to the Asosiasi Semen Indonesia. Bagged sales accounted for 71 per cent of total sales in October.

All regions reported a contraction in demand during the month except Bali-Nustra which noted a 6.5 per cent YoY increase in dispatches to 434,635t, up from 407,987t in October 2024.

Java, the countrys largest market, accounting for 52 per cent of all sales, saw dispatches slip 0.6 per cent YoY to 3.221Mt from 3.239Mt in October 2024. Sumatera, which accounts for just over a fifth of cement sales nationwide, fell 0.9 per cent YoY to 1.375Mt from 1.387Mt previously.

Sulawesi noted a sharp 19.5 per cent YoY decline to 507,941t from 631,035t. Kalimantan reported a 15.7 per cent YoY decline to 459,151t, from 544,606t. Maluku-Papua reported a 4.3 per cent YoY decrease to 216,275t, down from 225,877t previously.

Cement production in Indonesia contracted 2.3 per cent YoY to 6.267Mt, from 6.416Mt in October 2024. Blended cement accounted for 4.435Mt or 71 per cent of total production and OPC the remainder. Clinker production rose 5.1 per cent YoY to 5.383Mt, from 5.123Mt previously.

In October, cement exports jumped 29.1 per cent YoY to 147,553t, from 114,291t a year earlier. Meanwhile, clinker exports rose 26 per cent YoY to 836,621t, up from 664,023t.East Timor was the key destination for cement, followed by Taiwan and Australia. Bangladesh was the key destination for clinker, followed by Angola and Taiwan.

January-October 2025

Cement sales during 10M25 contracted 1.8 per cent YoY to amount to 51.881Mt, down from 52.842Mt in the same period of 2024.

The regions of Bali-Nustra and Sumatera reported an increase in demand. Bali-Nustra noted an 8.6 per cent YoY increase to 3.466Mt and Sumatera a 0.3 per cent YoY increase to 11.595Mt.

Meanwhile, cement demand in Java declined 0.5 per cent YoY to 27.056Mt. Dispatches dropped 17.6 per cent YoY to 4.154Mt in Sulawesi and Kalimantan recorded a 3.7 per cent YoY decline to 3.882Mt. Maluku-Papua noted a 4.8 per cent YoY fall to 1.730Mt.

Cement production amounted to 52.813Mt in 10M25, down 2.4 per cent YoY from 54.116Mt in the same period of 2024. Blended cement accounted for 35.223Mt or 67 per cent of total production, and OPC the remainder. Clinker production amounted to 47.702Mt, down 0.5 per cent YoY from 47.961Mt.
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
Pastor Greg Laurie. | Harvest Ministry

Evangelist Greg Laurie is set to headline a special Harvest Crusade event at Utah Valley University, the site where conservative Christian activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated earlier this year. Organizers expect approximately 10,000 people to attend the event.

Titled Hope for America, the crusade will take place on Nov. 16 at the same campus where Kirk was fatally shot on Sept. 10 during a Turning Point USA gathering.

In comments emailed to The Christian Post last Thursday, Laurie explained that Harvest Ministries had initially planned to hold an evangelistic event in Utah in the summer of 2027.

We immediately reached out to the Utah pastors to offer our support. We asked if there was anything we could do. They responded, Come sooner. Our community is hurting, Laurie recounted.

We responded by committing to a date only six weeks away. Thats a first for us at Harvest Crusades! Normally, we plan events at least a year in advance. But there is an urgency, and we believe the message of the Gospel is the answer.

Laurie noted that while Turning Point USA is not involved in organizing the crusade, they are fully aware of it and supportive of it.

The pastor, who also spoke at a TPUSA Faith event in California in August, recently appeared on The Charlie Kirk Show to discuss the upcoming gathering.

I met Charlie several years ago, and also recently spoke at one of Charlies pastor conferences, Laurie told CP. I have long admired Charlies incredible work reaching young people and have been a strong supporter of it.

Harvest Ministries anticipates around 10,000 attendees at the in-person event, with more than 60 churches across Utah planning to host simultaneous livestream gatherings.

Our goal is simple and urgent: to reach as many people as possible with the life-changing message of the Gospel, Laurie said. We want to offer real hope  hope for this life and the next  that can only be found in Jesus Christ.

He continued, Charlie Kirk embodied that hope. His life and tragic murder have become a wake-up call to Utah, to our nation, and even to the world, especially to young people. Our desire is for them to discover the same hope Charlie had and to follow Jesus Christ.
Clergy and bishops of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) gather for a solemn liturgical service. (Editors Note: Image not directly related to the reported story.) | Photo credit: Facebook/ Anglican Chaplains

A federal judge has partially granted a temporary restraining order requested by a chaplains organization seeking to formally separate from the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA).

The Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy (JAFC) filed a complaint against the Anglican denomination after ACNA refused to permit the ministry to disaffiliate.

United States District Judge Bruce Hendricks of the District of South Carolina, Charleston Division, issued an order last week granting part of JAFCs motion for a temporary restraining order.

In the ruling, Hendricks stated that while the court does not intend to entangle itself into an internal canonical dispute over the Anglican Churchs ecclesiastical structure, certain 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, Hendricks wrote.

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, Hendricks declined to grant JAFCs other requests, including claims of alleged slander against Bishop Derek Jones, citing a lack of clarity in the evidence presented.

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, the judge 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.

The legal battle follows a September letter from JAFC Chairman David van Esselstyn to ACNA Archbishop Steven Wood announcing the ministrys decision to terminate its affiliation with the denomination.

Despite JAFCs declaration of independence, ACNA did not recognize the disaffiliation and instead appointed new leadership over the chaplains jurisdiction. In response, JAFC filed its complaint last month in federal court, initiating the current dispute.
Home News Catholic group demands USCCB stop funding LGBT groups pushing abortion, trans surgeries

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops national anti-poverty program has provided over three-quarters of a million dollars over the course of 20 years to an organization that advocates for sex-change surgeries, abortion and same-sex marriage, according to a report.

In its November report, the Lepanto Institute warned that the USCCBs program, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, has provided 16 grants totaling $760,000 to the United Workers Association since 2004.

UWA, which has advocated for sex-change surgeries and abortion to be covered through Medicare, also received a $25,000 grant for the 2024-2025 CCHD funding year, according to the Lepanto Institutes report.

Given what we are about to present, it is abundantly clear that UWA is solidly pro-LGBT  even to the point of advocating for publicly-funded sex-change surgeries  and it is currently operating through two proxy organizations of its own creation that are openly promoting abortion, birth control, funding for Planned Parenthood, and LGBT ideologies, including the public-funding of sex-change operations, the report stated.

The Lepanto Institute has called for the "complete and permanent closure of the CCHD," citing the program's alleged "failure to protect Catholic funds and refusal to recognize and acknowledge gross violations of Catholic moral and social teaching."

Michael Hitchborn, president of the Lepanto Institute, told The Christian Post that the CCHD is in clear violation of its own grant guidelines, which state that, to qualify for CCHD funds, an organization must not promote, in any way, activities that work against Catholic values.

CCHD also promises that its grants to local anti-poverty efforts are screened, awarded and monitored in close partnership with local Catholic dioceses.

Hitchborn told CP that he had met with USCCB staffers about the issue on several occasions over the course of two years. In 2010, Hitchborn and one of his associates met with John Carr, the then-USCCB's director for Justice, Peace, and Human Development, and Ralph McCloud, the then-USCCB's executive director for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.

During the meeting, the Lepanto Institute president warned that UWA is one of the organizations listed on Equality Marylands website that oppose any amendment to the Maryland constitution that would ban civil marriage and its vital protection for same-sex couples.

Carr claimed in 2010 that someone within the organization had signed them up with Equality Maryland without authorization, which was a plausible explanation at the time, and since we didn't have any counter information, let it ride for the moment, Hitchborn told CP.

The following year, however, Hitchborn and his associate met with the same USCCB staffers, this time to discuss a CCHD grantee called National People's Action (NPA), which had signed a letter in support of Planned Parenthood.

Carr explained to us that NPA didn't sign the letter, but some low-level employee signed NPA onto that letter without authorization. I asked Carr if it was possible that NPA lied to him about this, and he said, I don't think so."

Hitchborn and his associate then produced board minutes from UWA that confirmed the organizations decision to partner with Equality Maryland.

So, we reminded Carr that he made a similar excuse for UWA the previous year, and his only response to this was, Well, that was my theory at the time, Hitchborn said.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops did not respond to The Christian Posts request for comment.

As the Indypendent Reader reported in 2012, UWA is a co-sponsor of an organization called Healthcare is a Human Right  Maryland, which advocates for abortion. On its website, the healthcare advocacy group cites a February 2009 fact sheet that references reproductive healthcare, a euphemism for abortion.

According to the fact sheet, advocates for reproductive health care in the United States can find strong support for their work in the principles underlying the human right to health.

In addition to the fact sheet, the Lepanto Institutes report cited multiple HHR-MD statements on social media that referred to abortion as a human right and the banning of abortion as unconstitutional.

The other proxy cited in the report  Put People First  Pennsylvania  lists UWA as its fiscal sponsor on its 2024 end-of-year fundraising campaign and its 2020 fundraising campaign. The Lepanto Institutes report expressed concerns about PPF-PA championing abortion and transgenderism, as well as its collaboration with groups like the Party for Socialism and Liberation.

PPF-PAs activities in support of abortion include marching in June 2017 for Planned Parenthood, where they called for reproductive justice. One of PPF-PAs members, Farrah Marie, also spoke in favor of Planned Parenthood at the same event, according to a 2017 X post.

In June 2023, PPF-PA also co-hosted an event with the Kairos Center titled Season of Jubilee: Trans Healthcare is a Human Right.

The description for the event said that participants will testify that Gods love extends to all people, and that gender-affirming and sexual healthcare are a part of what we all deserve in Gods justice, and that the poor and afflicted are agents of their own well-being, highlighting verses from Isaiah 56:1-8 and Mark 5:24-34.

CCHD provided the funding to UWA. UWA is the fiscal sponsor for PPF-PA, and is responsible for PPF-PA's Facebook page. PPF-PA, on its Facebook page, promoted abortion, Planned Parenthood, and sex-change surgeries, Hitchborn told CP.

Since the CCHD says that it will not fund organizations promoting such things, this is a clear violation of CCHD grant guidelines, but more to the point, the funding is direct because the actions committed by PPF-PA are directly related to the actions of UWA, the Lepanto Institute president added.

PPF-PA is a proxy organization of UWA, so they should be considered, morally speaking, as the same entity, he argued.
Home News Catholic schoolgirls in Australia taught God is 'gender-neutral,' banned from using Father and Son in prayer

Some Catholic schoolgirls in Australia are being taught that God is gender-neutral. They're banned from using the words Lord, Father, and Son in prayers in efforts to be gender inclusive.

Top-tier Catholic schools in Brisbane, some of which charge up to $40,000 a year, are teaching their students to use gender inclusive language when referring to God, The Sunday Mail reports.

Students at Stuartholme School are taught to use gender-neutral language  including the word Godself in place of himself.

As we believe God is neither male or female, Stuartholme tries to use gender-neutral terms in prayers  so that our community deepens their understanding of who God is for them, how God reveals Godself through creation, our relationships with others and the person of Jesus, a spokeswoman said.

Similarly, Loreto College in Coorparoo has removed the word Lord from its prayers, as it is regarded as a male term.

Loreto, as a leading school for girls, has a commitment to using inclusive language. There are occasions where gendered language may be appropriate, including references to specific religious and biblical figures, Principal Kim Wickham said.

According to its website, Loretos mission is to transform the Church and the world particularly by empowering women to seek truth and do justice.

St. Ritas also uses gender-neutral terms for God. We strive to use gender-neutral terms for God, for example, God and Gods people rather than God and His people. Spirit is also gender-neutral, said Assistant Principal Richard Rogusz.

Brisbanes top Catholic boys school, St. Josephs College, has replaced the term brothers with sisters and brothers and switched the term brotherhood with international community.

This has been an area of growth for us in recent times, a spokesman told Sunday Times. We have made changes to a number of prayers to be more gender-inclusive.

Andrea Dean, Catholic Office for the Participation of Women director, told the Sunday Mail she was thrilled that schools were using gender-neutral prayer.

Its terrific that theyre sensitive to the implications of how God is named, she said.

God is not of any gender. In the times the scripture was written, (Lord and Father) were terms of honor  most of the terms of honor were related to men, she added.

However, Australian Christian lobbyist Lyle Shelton criticized the move, telling the Sunday Mail: This is further evidence of the agenda of those who sought to de-gender marriage  now they want to de-gender religion."

In Christian theology, God expresses himself as a father in the male gender. The scriptures clearly explain God to us as a father," she said.

In recent years, a number of denominations have pushed for more "gender-inclusive" language for God.

In 2017, the Church of Sweden encouraged clergy to use gender-neutral terms for God instead of "He" or "the Lord" in an attempt to "modernize" church services.

And last year, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rev. Justin Welby, said: "All human language about God is inadequate and to some degree metaphorical, according to the Mail Online.

"God is not a father in exactly the same way as a human being is a father. God is not male or female. God is not definable. It is extraordinarily important as Christians that we remember that the definitive revelation of who God is was not in words, but in the word of God who we call Jesus Christ. We can't pin God down."

Some Protestant denominations, including the Episcopal Church, United Methodist Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, have also debated the use of gendered language for God.

In 2017, two of the top divinity schools in the United States  Vanderbilt and Duke  asked faculty to use "more inclusive" language when talking about God because the masculine pronouns have served as a cornerstone of the patriarchy," the National Review reported.

But reformed evangelist John Piper, among a number of other prominent Christian theologians, have argued that the Bible leaves very little room for debate on the subject of Gods gender.

"God revealed Himself in the Bible pervasively as king, not queen; father, not mother," Piper said back in 2012 at the annual pastor's conference hosted by his Desiring God ministry.

"Second person of the Trinity is revealed as the eternal Son, not daughter; the Father and the Son create man and woman in His image and give them the name man, the name of the male," he added.
Home News Congregation protests closure of Episcopal church amid sex abuse investigation, demands reopening

Members of an Ohio church that has been shut down by its diocese amid an ongoing abuse investigation have called on their bishop to reopen the sanctuary.

Grace Episcopal Church, a congregation located in the College Hill neighborhood of Cincinnati, was closed last week by order of Bishop Kristin Uffelman White of the Diocese of Southern Ohio.

Members of Grace Episcopal sent a letter to White days later, reported the Cincinnati-based WCPO 9 News, with them expressing "deep displeasure and astonishment toward your actions."

We are dismayed by your obvious lack of transparency, collaboration and care that has resulted in the abrupt closure of ministries that touch and support the many members of our broadly diverse faith community, they wrote.

The congregation claims that their church was cooperating with the diocese in the investigation and that its closure has negatively impacted their community programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and food ministries.

"These actions show a reckless disregard for the vulnerability of the communities we serve, at this time of year and the immediacy of their needs," they continued.

"The heavy-handed approach reflects a lack of cultural competency by the DSO team for the people who have led, guided and worked tirelessly over many, many years to connect Grace and the Oasis with the greater College Hill community."

Church members went on to express their hope that diocesan leadership will honor our requests and rewind the series of decisions that have led us to this unfortunate place.

Last week, Bishop White released a letter to clergy and senior wardens of the diocese explaining that Grace Episcopal was being closed for the time being due to an investigation into potential sexual abuse at the church.

In September, the diocese learned of an alleged sexual assault that was said to have occurred inside the church building back in April. Both the alleged victim and the alleged assailant were minors.

According to White, a diocesan investigation found that church leadership was aware of the alleged incident and had not reported it to the diocesan office for many months. Additionally, the investigation reportedly found a failure to follow Safe Church and standard diocesan policies in the operation of Grace Church.

The church, which was identified as a mission of the diocese, had been labeled a congregation at risk by Whites predecessor and thus was subject to additional intervention and oversight by me and the diocesan office at my direction.

This critical action was not an easy decision, nor a simple one, and my decision is not a reflection of the good faith and commitment of the Grace Episcopal congregation, wrote White.

Please know that I am holding Grace Episcopal in my prayers daily, and that my staff and I are committed to supporting the members and leadership of Grace Church in this difficult time.
Home News Federal appeals court OKs enforcement of Texas drag show ban

A federal appeals court says Texas can move forward with enforcing a ban on drag shows and other lewd performances in public or in the presence of children.

The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a lower court injunction on Nov. 6 that had blocked enforcement of Texas Senate Bill 12, which regulates "sexually oriented performances" on public property or in the presence of minors. The decision allows the state to begin enforcing the measure while sending the case back to the district court for further review of its constitutionality.

Dubbed a drag show ban by critics, SB 12 defines a "sexually oriented performance" as "a visual performance" that features a performer who "is nude" or "engages in sexual conduct," and "appeals to the prurient interest in sex. Under the law, anyone who controls the premises of a commercial enterprise is prohibited from allowing any lewd performance in the presence of anyone younger than 18 years of age.

Despite Gov. Greg Abbott signing SB 12 into law, the bill was preemptively blocked by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas prior to taking effect in September 2023.

The lawsuit, Paxton v. The Woodlands Pride Inc., was filed as a First Amendment challenge by the Abilene Pride Alliance, along with other drag performers and organizations hosting drag events. After a two-day bench trial, the district court ruled SB 12 unconstitutional and enjoined Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the city of Abilene, Taylor County, Montgomery County, and four district attorneys from enforcing it before the law took effect.

In a subsequent ruling from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, the court expressed genuine doubt over the plaintiffs argument that they had a First Amendment right to stage graphic, sexually explicit performances in front of children.

While the Fifth Circuit sent the case back to the district court to determine the constitutionality of one of the laws cited in the district courts decision, it vacated the earlier injunction, meaning Texas officials may proceed with enforcing SB 12 pending further court orders.

The ACLU of Texas called the decision heartbreaking for drag performers, small businesses, and every Texan who believes in free expression.

Drag is not a crime. It is art, joy, and resistance  a vital part of our culture and our communities, the civil liberties group said in a joint statement. We are devastated by this setback, but we are not defeated. The First Amendment protects all artistic expression, including drag. We will not stop until this unconstitutional law is struck down for good.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton hailed the ruling. I will always work to shield our children from exposure to erotic and inappropriate sexually oriented performances, said Paxton. It is an honor to have defended this law, ensuring that our state remains safe for families and children, and I look forward to continuing to vigorously defend it on remand before the district court.

A wave of drag shows throughout the state of Texas in 2022 prompted concerns about minors witnessing sexually explicit content and led to the passage of SB 12.

In December 2022, the Texas Family Project shared footage of a "Christmas Drag Show" event in San Antonio's House of Eternas, marketed as being for all ages. The video shows a man dressed in drag stroking a young girl's hair, and, at another point in the video, the girl is seen giving money to the performers.

At one point, a young girl began to cry after one of the performers asked if she was enjoying the show, and she shook her head. The venue later canceled its remaining drag shows for the year after the video surfaced, claiming that the footage led to them being bullied.
Home News Judge rules against Colorado church in homeless encampment case

A judge has ruled against a Colorado church that was seeking to maintain a homeless shelter on its property despite receiving multiple citations from city officials.

Montrose Municipal Judge Thomas LeClaire found Montrose United Methodist Church guilty on four of five counts related to citations received from hosting a homeless camp on its property.

Issued last week, LeClaire agreed with city officials that the church was guilty of violating rules regarding litter storage, nuisance, and uses not listed by zoning and maintenance requirements for supplemental structures. However, on the charge of keeping junk, the church was found not guilty.

A sentencing hearing that has not yet been scheduled will determine the punishment for the church, Colorado Public Radio reported.

Last November, the Montrose City Council passed an ordinance banning people from camping on public property and limiting their allowance on private property.

After the ordinance was approved, Montrose UMC saw a sharp increase in homeless individuals staying on its property, which, according to the city, has led to a series of zoning violations.

City officials filed an emergency abatement in court to try to shut down the shelter on the church property, but Municipal Judge Erin Maxwell ruled against their request in February.

"It's hard not to be overly happy," said Paul Zaenger, a church member and spokesperson, shortly after the ruling, as quoted by 9 News at the time. "I mean, it's a relief because you kind of come to know these people. For now, it is good news."

"In Montrose, we're not meeting the needs for people that are most desperate in our world, most desperate in our society, so there's much more work to be done."

Weeks later, the city dismissed Maxwell during a midday special meeting that was held in March. Montrose City Manager Bill Bell denied any link between the ruling and the firing.

"We had some communication issues and understanding roles and responsibilities in the way of setting salaries and wages, where we had a disconnect," Bell told 9 News back in June.

"This decision wasn't made at all about the Methodist Church issues.  We don't get to dictate how the judiciary decides on these matters."

Last month, during the legal proceedings, LeClaire decided to block the church from using the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act as a defense.

"Defendant's intended use of RLUIPA in this case is both novel and unprecedented. The Court is unable to find a single case or line of authority in which a civil statute has been used to create an affirmative defense in a criminal case," ruled LeClaire, as quoted by CPR at the time.

"In particular, the Court has found no case in which this statute was asserted in a criminal case. Moreover, the usage of this statute would be outside the jurisdiction of the Municipal Court and the limited adjudicative authority granted to this Court."
Home News Christian missionaries die in plane crash en route to Jamaica after hurricane

Two Christian missionaries who were killed in a plane crash as they sought to provide aid to Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa are being remembered for their compassion and empathy as an investigation into the cause of the crash continues.

The Christian ministry Ignite the Fire announced in a Facebook post Monday that its founder, Alexander Wurm, 53, and his daughter Serena, 22, were killed in a plane crash in Coral Springs, Florida, earlier in the day as they sought to bring humanitarian relief to Jamaica to help the island recover from the damage caused by Hurricane Melissa two weeks ago.

The two were the only passengers on board the plane, which was traveling from Florida to Jamaica.

"Alexander, known for his warmth and unwavering kindness, devoted his life to serving others  both through his actions and by sharing the gospel of Jesus across the globe," the ministry's statement reads. "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."

Wurm established Ignite the Fire for "empowering youth through missions and evangelism across the Caribbean." The ministry seeks to "cultivate volunteers who are passionate about making a difference, fostering leadership and community involvement." Surviving members of the Wurm family include Alexander's wife and Serena's mother, Candace, along with the couple's two other children: Christiana, 20, and James, 17.

Ignite the Fire Ministry remembered its founder as one who gave "so freely, not just of his time or money, but of his very self, always ready to lend an ear or a hand."

"As a teacher, he possessed an uncanny ability to break down the most brutal truths into something we could actually grasp," the statement adds. "And beyond all the roles  Husband, father, friend, counsellor, mentor  he was the person we could be completely raw with, and he'd meet us there with grace and understanding. May his love and wisdom continue to echo through everything we do."

Reflecting on the legacy of Serena Wurm, Ignite the Fire described her as a "beacon of empathy and hope, inspiring all with her commitment to humanitarian work." The organization insisted that their "final journey" to hurricane-ravaged Jamaica "embodied selflessness and courage, reminding us of the power of service and love."

A Facebook post shared by Wurm on his personal account indicated that Ignite the Fire had provided relief to Jamaica in the immediate aftermath of the storm using the organization's mission airplane.

On the previous trip, which took place early last week, Ignite the Fire transported generators, screws, tarps, battery packs and Starlink Communication systems as well as other "desperately needed supplies" to the hurricane-ravaged island.

The Coral Springs Police Department in Coral Springs, Florida, has provided additional details about the crash that took place on Monday morning. The local law enforcement agency is working closely with the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board and the Broward County Sheriff's Office to determine the cause of the crash.

The Rev. Franklin Graham, CEO of the Christian charity organization Samaritan's Purse that has also worked to provide relief to hard-hit Jamaica, published an X post Thursday calling for prayers for the Wurms' surviving loved ones, specifically that "the Lord would comfort, help, and uphold them."

Residents of Coral Springs gathered for a prayer vigil to mourn the loss of the Wurms on Tuesday night. "We are just so devastated," one male resident told WPLG. "I'm sure their family is as well."

Hurricane Melissa made landfall on the island as a Category 5 storm on Oct. 28. With wind speeds of 185 miles per hour, the hurricane was the strongest storm to hit Jamaica on record, causing 90% of the structures in the coastal town of Black River to lose their roofs and leaving much of the island without power.
Home News Spanish edition of Roman Catholic Bible to change 'fishers of men' to 'fishers of persons' Publisher reportedly denies move is tied to inclusive language

A new Spanish version of the Roman Catholic Bible is ditching the word "man" for "person."

The Jerusalem Bible from publishing house Desclee de Brouwer updated the word used for "man" ("hombre") to "person" ("persona") in its latest Spanish edition.

The move changes the iconic call of Jesus to His disciples to become "fishers of men" in Matthew 4:19 to the more gender-neutral "fishers of persons."

In Greek, the word for "man" is "anthropos," which is used more than 500 times in the New Testament, including multiple instances where Jesus refers to Himself as the "Son of Man."

Published in 1966, the Jerusalem Bible is an English translation of the Catholic Bible. In addition to the 66 books of the Protestant Bible, it includes seven additional books considered extra-biblical books outside of the Catholic Church.

Unlike the Latin Vulgate, the Jerusalem Bible was based on the original Hebrew and Greek texts when its first edition was published in French in 1956 and continues to do so.

Javier Gogeaskoetxea, the managing director of the Desclee De Brouwer publishing house, told Catholic News Agency the change was precipitated by "fidelity to the original text" and not by any social pressure or trend.

According to Gogeaskoetxea, the decision came from the Jerusalem Biblical and Archaeological School and not the publisher. The school is linked to the Dominicans, an order of the Catholic Church.

"If I were to put 'man,'" he said, "we would be lacking in fidelity to the original text because the Greek word is neither man nor woman.

"I understand that there is an attempt to 'polemicize' by attributing 'inclusive' language to the translation. But nothing is further from reality; the reason is fidelity to the original text," he added.

Gogeaskoetxea said the original Greek text does not include gender for "anthropos," so the translation should also reflect a lack of gender with either "person or human being."

One Spanish priest took to Twitter to refute the new translation.

Father Jesus Silva, whose bio reads "priest writer" and Patristic Theology grad, said the "translation as 'people' has its problems."

"What people was Jesus referring to: human, angelic or divine? Well, in the text, thus translated, it is not excluded that Jesus is calling the disciples to evangelize the angels or God himself," Silva wrote.

Silva said that since "human persons" is a relatively vague term. Thus, to "avoid misunderstandings that occur with words like 'person,' 'human being' or 'human earthling,' and adopting the principle of economy of language, we could translate the word 'anthropos' as 'man,' which includes all of the above."

Another priest, Fr. Antonio Maria Domenech Guillen with the Diocese of Cuenca, appeared to agree with Silva's assessment.

Cuenca wrote: "It doesn't seem right to me, but I think it has the importance that we give it. If we read Holy Scripture every day, we would have realized long ago that the Jerusalem Bible translation is not the best option."

After its English translation was completely updated in 1985, the Jerusalem Bible  now known as the New Jerusalem Bible  has become the most widely used Roman Catholic Bible outside of the U.S.
Home News Masked suspect vandalizes 3 NYC churches with 'anti-Christian' messages while carrying LGBT flag

Authorities are attempting to identify an unknown individual who vandalized three New York City churches while carrying an LGBT pride flag.

The New York Police Department Crime Stoppers posted a request for tips on its social media platforms on Wednesday regarding an individual who vandalized three churches in Far Rockaway, a neighborhood of Queens, on Oct. 5.

According to Crime Stoppers, from around 1:40 a.m. to 2 a.m., the masked individual vandalized The Refuge Church of Christ, The City of Oasis Church of Deliverance, and St. Mary's Star of the Sea Church.

The suspect painted anti-Christian statements on the facades of the three churches, and painted the faces of two religious statues on the church property at St. Marys.

Video footage shows an individual carrying an LGBT pride flag on a pole, while also donning a rainbow-colored facemask, black clothes and sunglasses.

The New York City Police Department is asking for the public's assistance in identifying the individual depicted in the attached media who is wanted in connection with multiple acts of criminal mischief as a hate crime that occurred within the confines of the 101 Precinct, noted Crime Stoppers.

The NYPD Hate Crime Task Force is investigating the vandalism.

The Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, which includes churches in both Brooklyn and Queens, released a statement in response to the vandalism at St. Marys.

"The Diocese of Brooklyn is grateful to the NYPD for their continued diligence and investigation in this matter, they stated, as quoted by ABC 7 Eyewitness News.

The vandalism and desecration discovered at St. Mary Star of the Sea in Far Rockaway last month was absolutely disgraceful. We continue to pray for the responsible individual, as well as for greater religious tolerance in our city."

According to a recently released report from the Family Research Council, over 400 acts of hostility were recorded against churches in the United States last year.

The FRC report documented 415 hostile acts across 43 states, affecting 383 churches, based on open-source documents, media reports and official records.

"Although the motivations for many of these incidents remain unknown, the rise in crimes against churches is taking place in a context in which fewer Americans are attending religious services or identifying with a specific faith," the report explained.
Home News Reported Jesus appearances in France are 'not supernatural': Vatican

The Vatican has declared that alleged apparitions of Jesus Christ in France decades ago are "not supernatural" in nature, citing many inconsistencies with the instructions and pronouncements made by the apparitions and Catholic Church teaching.

In a document published last week, the Roman Catholic Church's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith informed the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bayeux-Lisieux in France that alleged apparitions of Jesus Christ in Dozule, France, reported in the 1970s are "not supernatural in origin."

The apparitions are tied to the legend that Jesus appeared dozens of times in Dozule to Madeleine Aumont, a mother of five, between 1972 and 1978.

The letter follows a request from the French bishop for the Vatican to authorize him to issue a declaratio de non supernaturalitate, concluding that the alleged apparitions do not have "an authentic divine source."

"The principal message associated with the alleged apparitions of Dozule includes the request to construct a luminous cross, designated 'the Glorious Cross' (la Croix Glorieuse), measuring [7.38] meters in height and visible from afar, as a symbol of universal redemption and a sign of the Lord's Second Coming in glory," wrote the Prefect for the Catholic Church's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith Cardinal Victor Manuel Ferandez.

"The alleged messages include exhortations to conversion, penance, and contemplation of the Cross  themes central to the Christian faith," Fernandez added. "But the messages also raise some delicate theological questions that warrant clarification, lest the faith of the faithful be exposed to the risk of distortion."

The alleged apparitions repeatedly compared the proposed cross to the city of Jerusalem, Fernandez notes, insisting that "That wood, raised upon Calvary, has become the real sign of Christ's sacrifice, which is unique and unrepeatable."

"For this reason, every other 'sign' of the cross  whether devout or monumental  cannot be considered on the same plane," the prefect wrote. "Thus, it seems misleading, both theologically and pastorally-symbolically, to compare the 'Glorious Cross' of Dozule to the Cross of Jerusalem."

A red flag, Fernandez stressed, is the alleged apparition's proclamations that the "Glorious Cross" will "take away all sin."

"For a sign of faith to be authentic, it must lead people to Christ, not draw attention to itself. The Cross of Jerusalem is the 'sacrament of the saving sacrifice,' whereas a monumental cross such as that of Dozule risks becoming 'the symbol of an autonomous message,' separated from the sacramental economy of the Church."

"No cross, no relic, and no private apparition can replace the means of grace established by Christ," Fernandez added.

His document expressed concern about the insistence that the "Glorious Cross" will "take away all sin" as well as the promise allegedly made in another apparition that "All those who will have come to repent at the foot of 'the Glorious Cross' [of Dozule] will be saved.'"

The Vatican leader stressed that the Catholic Church "teaches that forgiveness does not proceed from a physical location, but from Christ himself; the remission of sins is received through the sacraments  in particular, the Sacrament of Penance  and no material object can replace sacramental grace."

Fernandez said the assertion made by the apparition is at odds with Catholic Church teaching that "the mere performance of an external act  such as visiting a particular place or touching a cross  is not in itself sufficient for the remission of sins."

"Instead, what is required is interior repentance and the priest's absolution, the visible sign of God's forgiveness," he wrote.

As highlighted throughout the letter, prior bishops of Bayeux-Lisieux have reached the same conclusion that the apparitions were not authentic. The letter comes after his office conducted an "in-depth examination of the phenomenon in question" in an attempt to "bring the entire matter to a conclusive resolution."

A list of norms for proceeding in the discernment of alleged supernatural phenomena compiled by Fernandez last year states that "God is present and active in our history," adding "the Holy Spirit can also reach our hearts through certain supernatural occurrences, such as apparitions or visions of Christ or the Blessed Virgin, and other phenomena."

At the same time, the list of norms warned that some may claim to have seen apparitions of Jesus Christ to gain "profit, power, fame, social recognition, or other personal interest."
Home News What is Gods Kin-dom?

In some progressive circles of Christianity in the United States, the term "Kin-dom" has become increasingly used in recent decades as another name for "Kingdom," as in "God's Kin-dom" or "the Kin-dom of Jesus."

At the United Methodist Church General Conference held last year, for example, openly lesbian Bishop Karen Oliveto preached a sermon to delegates that referenced the phrase.

In an article published last month, Presbyterian News Service, the news outlet of the Presbyterian Church (USA), quoted a pastor who spoke of "standing on the kin-dom side of history."

But where does the term come from, and why was it created?

The first confirmed use of the term came from Catholic modernist theologian Ada Maria Isasi Diaz, a theological liberal who spoke of the concept in a 1996 book titled Mujerista Theology: A Theology for the Twenty-first Century.

The phrase has gained popularity among those who seek what they believe is a less patriarchal or imperial description of the Kingdom of God.

Diaz, who died in 2012, had been credited with learning the term from Georgene Wilson, a Franciscan nun who belongs to a Franciscan sisters community in Wheaton, Illinois.

In comments emailed to The Christian Post, Wilson said she was inspired to come up with the term when "teaching about a relational God in the here and now, amongst us."

"It is how we related to God and one another as kin," she explained, "as sister and brother, as Jesus taught."

Wilson, who originally met Diaz decades ago at a conference advocating for women's ordination, expressed surprise that "kin-dom" had "gained popularity with Mainline Protestant churches."

"Kin-dom speaks of relationships. Jesus our brother  our kin," she continued in defense of the term, adding that Jesus is "our model of God's love."

One supporter of using the term is Reta Halteman Finger, a retired seminary professor who penned an opinion piece for Christian Feminism Today in 2013, arguing that "in the larger context of the New Testament, both 'kin-dom' and 'kingdom' make sense."

"I think 'kin-dom' is a good word and better reflects the kind of society Jesus envisions  as a shared community of equals who serve each other," Finger wrote.

"But in the political context of that day, and in the literary context of the sentence, the term 'kingdom' was easily understood  as well as in the 1600s when the King James Bible was translated."

Le Isaac Weaver of Christian Feminism Today told CP that there has been "a slow but steady increase in interest in reading about the term" on the Christian group's website.

The term is not without its critics, who believe that the phrase doesn't adequately convey the authority of Jesus Christ as a King who will rule for all eternity.

Wyatt Flicker wrote a piece last year that was critical of "kin-dom" for the theologically conservative think tank, Institute on Religion & Democracy.

"Kin-dom is a sentimental and inaccurate rendering of basileia, the Greek term for kingdom in the New Testament," Flicker told CP via email. "Basileia can mean kingdom, dominion, sovereignty, or, in Jesus' time, the Roman Empire."

"In the original, the term has the context of an imperial, monarchical, or chiefly office, nothing like the familial context that contemporary theologians read into it."
Home News Convicted former youth pastor Lindsey Whitesides bail revoked amid new child sex abuse case

Lindsey Whiteside, the former youth minister of Getwell Church in Hernando, Mississippi, who was set free pending trial for child sex abuse after a recent conviction for a similar crime, is back in jail and will remain there until her trial next year.

Whiteside's bond was revoked on Wednesday. She was taken back in custody on Thursday by U.S. Marshals pending her federal trial on Feb. 9, WJTV reports.

Facing the possibility of spending the rest of her life in prison for two counts of transportation of a minor across state lines for illicit sexual purposes and one count of enticement of a child, a federal magistrate judge had ordered Whiteside released on a $60,000 unsecured bond last month.

Her schoolteacher mother, Gale Whiteside, had testified that she was not a danger to society, according to court documents reviewed by The Christian Post. Whiteside has pleaded not guilty to federal charges.

After an evidentiary hearing, Chief Judge Debra Brown reversed 26-year-old Whiteside's bond decision. She said she considered, among other things, Whiteside's previous bond conditions, GPS monitoring, and the relationship between her and her then-15-year-old victim, WMC reports.

The federal charges, filed in October, come after Whiteside was recently sentenced on state-level charges in a controversial decision to just three years of house arrest and seven years of probation for child sexual abuse in DeSoto County.

During Whiteside's fiery detention hearing for the new charges in federal court in Oxford, last month, her defense attorney, Tony Farese, argued that her prosecution was "retaliatory."

Whiteside was ordered to 24/7 house arrest, where she would only be allowed to leave her mother's house to be in the yard or attend church and doctor's appointments before her trial. She was also required to find a new home by Nov. 16 because her mother's house is near a local school.

If she remained there, she would have been out of compliance with the requirements of her status as a registered sex offender. Whiteside was also required to have all her electronic devices inspected, take random drug tests and prohibited from having drugs and guns and consuming excessive alcohol.

On Wednesday, Whiteside's defense attorney argued that she was not a danger to the community, and her mother said she recently signed a lease on a home near Sardis, Mississippi, in Panola County that she believes is compliant with her status as a registered sex offender. It was noted, however, that the home was not officially approved by authorities.

Whiteside's attorney argued that Desoto County Deputy Miranda Fox testified that her victim was not forced into the relationship. U.S. Attorney Parker King argued that the victim was groomed by Whiteside. Judge Brown said she was "troubled" by the defense calling the abuse a "sexual dating relationship."

As Whiteside was removed from the courtroom in handcuffs, her family reportedly wept.

"I love you," she told them as she was escorted away. "I will be OK."
Syrian President Talks White House Visit, FCA App Launch, Resi Studio AI For Churches

link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 06:36 06:36

Top headlines for Thursday, November 13, 2025

We unpack Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaas historic visit to the White House and his wide-ranging interview on global issues. We explore how the Fellowship of Christian Athletes new app is streamlining ministry resources and how Resis Studio AI could transform church engagement online. Finally, we cover the upcoming Harvest Crusade at Utah Valley Universitynow unfolding under the shadow of conservative activist Charlie Kirks assassination.

00:11 Shaara wants Israeli exit from Golan Heights in security deal

01:00 Megachurch Pastor Brian Coffey accused of negligence

01:46 Fellowship of Christian Athletes launches new app

02:31 Christian candidate found following porn stars on Instagram

03:19 Resis Studio AI promises to help churches boost engagement

04:09 Former 'Queen of Porn' Jenna Jameson gets baptized

04:53 Greg Laurie to host Harvest Crusade where Charlie Kirk was killed
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Read this article in French in Medianes.

On October 15, two independent French media organizations quietly launched what could become models for a more cooperative internet for journalism. Basta, an investigative outlet founded in 2008 with a focus on social and environmental issues, unveiled the Portail des medias independants (Independent Media Portal), an open-access aggregator featuring stories from more than eighty French and two hundred international outlets. That same day, La Presse libre (The Free Press), a coalition of progressive national and local publications, introduced a shared-subscription platform connecting eight publications under a single 19.90 ($23) monthly offer.

Both initiatives aim to rebuild a direct link with audiences in a media landscape increasingly dominated by conservative ownership and billionaire media empires. They also share a commitment to financial independence, relying on readers donations (for Basta) and subscriptions (for La Presse libre) rather than corporate shareholders or advertisers.

Their independence extends beyond how they fund themselves. It concerns how journalism reaches the public, and who controls that access. For years, independent outlets relied on platforms like Meta or Google to distribute their work. But as these companies reconfigured their algorithms, downranked news, and banned political, social, and electoral advertising in Europe, their objectives no longer aligned with those of journalism. Independent publishers are now working to reclaim the very tools of distribution and discovery, rebuilding their own infrastructure instead of depending on Silicon Valleys. This shift is part of a broader European movement toward technological independence, as newsrooms develop open-source or in-house tools for their daily production to bring their technologies back in line with their editorial values. Weve gone from a cultural battle to a technological one, Nicolas Camier, Bastas head of development, says.

Over the past decade, traffic from social networks has collapsed. We went from thirty-eight percent in 2017 to four percent in 2024 of our traffic coming from Facebook, Camier says. Each algorithmic shift has made independent outlets more invisible. Yet the decline in traffic didnt kill Bastas modelit reshaped it. Today, the site attracts around a quarter of a million monthly visits and counts twenty-five thousand newsletter subscribers, a loyal base that underpins its donation-driven model. Weve seen ten to fifteen percent annual growth in donation revenue for about a decade, Camier notes. As Bastas reach shrank, its support base deepened. Better a small but engaged community that gives than a large audience that never will. Readers, Camier adds, are willing to fund the infrastructure that sustains independence.

Rather than try to revive social traffic, the team at the Portail designed a tool that gathers and highlights stories from other independent outlets. Its essentially a human-curated Google News for the alternative press. The site is free to access and aims to rely entirely on reader donations, funded through a 160,000 crowdfunding campaign, a 40,000 loan from the Fonds pour une presse libre (Free Press Fund), and a 36,000 grant from Journalismfund Europe.

The Portail is modest in scale, with about fifteen hundred daily visits a month after launch, but the goal is not to keep readers inside Bastas ecosystem but to circulate attention, trust, and visibility among peers. Its ambitions are to amplify the democratic impact of independent journalism; rebuild trust with audiences who have abandoned mainstream news; break information bubbles; and provide a safe, ad-free, tracker-free space for discovery. La Presse libre takes a similar stance: competing not for clicks but for meaning. Were not trying to re-create an economy of views, says Jean-Marie Leforestier, La Presse libres director. Were building one based on trust, on readers who value journalism for what it brings to public debate.

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La Presse libre tackled another weak point of the independent ecosystem: subscription fatigue. Its eight founding outletsincluding Rue89 Bordeaux, Rue89 Lyon, Arret sur images, Politis, and Mediacitesnow share a single technical and payment infrastructure while maintaining their editorial autonomy. Subscribers gain access to all publications in one space, under one login.

We recorded twenty-five hundred subscriptions in the first month, about forty percent of them before the official launch, says Leforestier. People subscribed not to the product itself, but to the promise behind it. Describing the move as a response to growing media concentration, Leforestier says the goal is less about scale than about coherence. In France, legacy outlets like Le Monde count more than half a million paying subscribers; Mediapart, one of Frances major independent newsrooms, counts around two hundred and forty-five thousand paying subscribers. Individually, the eight outlets gathered under La Presse libre are smallerbut together, their fifty-five- to sixty thousand paying readers amounts to a national audience, proving that cooperation can rival scale. When you put all these small outlets together, you create an editorial density that makes sense, Leforestier says. Individually, some of them might look like niche complements; together they form a real service.

The real gamble isnt financial: its cooperation itself. Both initiatives are experiments in governance as much as in technology, testing whether independence can also mean working together. With the Portail, Basta built a tool that amplifies other outlets work while reinforcing its own mission: to make independent journalism more visible as a whole. Camier sees it as a transitional step. The first milestone is early 2026: to create an advisory committee with representatives from other media, from civil society, from universities. And in five or six years, why not hand it over to a collective structure with shared governance? La Presse libre goes a step further. Its eight publications are already united within an association created for the project, sharing decisions and visibility on an equitable footing. Its a bet on neutrality, says Leforestier. Were not supereditors in chief, deciding what matters. Each newsroom remains fully sovereign. We just make their work visible together.

Across the Atlantic, a similar approach to building collective, independent tools for journalism has emerged in Canada. Following Metas 2023 decision to block news links in the country, several independent outlets joined forces to create Unrigged, a platform aggregating articles, podcasts, and newsletters from partner newsrooms in a chronological, algorithm-free feed. The project, led by podcast producer Andre Goulet, came together in just five months. Whether in Montreal or Paris, the logic is the same: independent media are turning away from the platforms that once promised visibility and toward shared, community-owned infrastructure.

The quiet alliances forming between Bastas Portail, La Presse libre, Unrigged, and others may not change the algorithm, but they might change the balance of power. By reclaiming their tools, these outlets are doing more than resisting the feed. Theyre building the foundations of a different internet for journalism.
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Last week, I wrote about the BBCs big ambitions for the US market and its confidence that a just-the-facts approach, combined with a global sensibility, would give it a competitive edge in Trumps America. We dont assume an ideological position on the part of our audience, Kevin Ponniah, the BBCs Americas regional director, told me. Our journalists are completely impartial.

The same day my column ran, The Telegraph published a story that seemed to utterly upend those plans. Based on a leaked internal memo, it alleged that a documentary aired just before the 2024 US presidential election on the BBC program Panorama had doctored a Donald Trump speech by making him appear to encourage the Capitol Hill riot of January 6, 2021.

The Telegraph story set in motion a cascade of events that led to the resignation of the BBCs top executives, director general Tim Davie and chief executive for news Deborah Turness. On November 7, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told The Telegraph that the BBC is 100 percent fake news and a leftist propaganda machine. Trump is now threatening to sue for a billion dollars unless the BBC compensates him for the harm caused.

Trumps legal threats over bad press have become mundane, but in this case he is being deployed as part of a concerted campaign by conservatives who seek to discredit and ultimately defund the BBC, according to many of my own sources and coverage in the UK. The campaign is spearheaded by right-wing firebrand Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, who has his eye on 10 Downing Street, and supported by elements in the conservative media with a long-standing animus toward the BBC, which they view as hopelessly biased. The threat appears existential. The BBCs revenues are largely derived from a government-mandated license fee, which is set to expire at the end of 2027.

Trumps attack on the BBC also shows how his administration has sought to undermine the very concept of public media, a strategy that now extends beyond US borders. Project 2025 called for the US Agency for Global Media, which funded Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, to be reformed or defunded. It also called for defunding the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which directed congressional allocations to NPR and PBS. Both objectivesviewed as long shots when Trump took officehave been achieved.

The BBC should be defunded just like NPR, Mike Gonzalez, who has been involved in Project 2025 and led the campaign against public media in the US, told me. Of course, that decision will ultimately be up to British voters.

The BBC still enjoys robust public support and even engenders pride in the UK, according to the Reuters Institute. But its facing enormous challenges. Younger Brits who have grown up on streaming and apps are not keen to pay the license fee of around two hundred and thirty-three dollars a year. The leaked memo that led to the current crisis criticized the BBC for leftist bias, but the outlet is also facing criticism from the left. Many see an effort to placate the conservatives, particularly in regard to its coverage of Gaza.

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The BBC board, which has sought to counter criticism by bringing on more conservative members, is today hopelessly divided over the meaning of impartiality. Meanwhile, the somnolent liberal government of Keir Starmer seems unwilling or unable to stand up for the national broadcaster. Institutional inertia and a rigid bureaucratic structure make it difficult for the BBC to speak out and defend itself when its under attack.

An additional challenge is the process for developing documentaries like Panoramas Trump: A Second Chance? BBC documentaries are commissioned by the Current Affairs division. Under the Royal Charter, the BBC is required to support the British film industry, which it does by allocating significant resources to finance independent productions.The Trump documentary was produced by October Films, a highly regarded production company based in London and Los Angeles thats known for its edgy approach. According to a source with experience in documentary production, news editors are not involved in the process and are generally unaware of what is coming down the pike until a few weeks before airtime. This has been a long-simmering source of internal tension.

Trump is not the only leader to have been enraged by a BBC documentary. In 2023, a two-part film on Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, which touched on his alleged involvement in the 2002 Gujarat massacre that left more than a thousand Muslims dead, prompted the Indian government to block access in India. Tax authorities also raided the BBC office, alleging violations of foreign-ownership laws. To come into compliance with Indian regulation, the BBC was forced to spin off a new entity called Collective Newsroom, which is operated by its former staff. The work-around has disrupted the BBCs ability to operate in a critical global market.

In the Panorama edit that led to the current meltdown, Trump is seen telling his supporters to walk down to the Capitol and fight like hell, when in fact those two phrases were uttered more than forty-five minutes apart. While legal analysts view Trumps potential claim against the BBC as weak, he may not need to win in court. Trumps modus operandi has been to use the threat of legal action against the media as a point of leverage, successfully securing settlements from both ABC and CBS, which capitulated in the face of regulatory pressure.

Its difficult to imagine the BBC, a public service broadcaster sustained by British taxpayers, settling a legal claim with Trump. But the president could resort to other strategiesfor example, withholding visas or invoking the Foreign Agents Registration Actto undermine the BBCs US operations. Even if Trump harbors no particular rancor for the BBC, he may be motivated by a desire to support his allies on the British right, including Farage, who are seeking to kneecap the organization.

As unfortunate as the contretemps with Trump may be for the BBC and its efforts to expand into the US market, this does offer an opportunity to test the strategies that it will ultimately need to survive looming threats at home. Can an organization that is mandated to cover the news impartially make a case for the value of its approach? Can it defend its independence and integrity in the face of an effort to discredit and undermine it? Can it craft a successful response and communicate it effectively? Can it find new leaders who know how to articulate a vision and mobilize the public?

I reached out to Alan Rusbridger, the former Guardian editor, Oxford don, current editor of Prospect, and all-around media guru, to ask if he thought the BBCs US strategy had blown up in its face.

I think the BBC still has a good shot of breaking into the US, Rusbridger told me. I hope they keep going with it, though this is meat and drink to Trump. However, if the BBC fails to find its way out of the morass, it could greatly undermine its position with the British public. Theres been a determined effort to kill off the BBC for years, Rusbridger acknowledged. Farage might even manage it.
Queen Camilla hosted a special celebration at Buckingham Palace to honor the 75th anniversary of the English National Ballet, one of Britain's most internationally acclaimed dance companies. The reception highlighted the company's history, its global artistic reach and its ongoing work to expand access to the arts across the United Kingdom.

Read more: Gonzalo Garcia Goes Classic for His First Christmas in Miami with the Nutcracker

The event brought together leading dancers, choreographers, musicians, costume artisans and supporters who have shaped the company across generations. The Queen, who has long championed the importance of arts education and cultural preservation, praised the ENB for its resilience and creativity throughout decades of social, artistic and economic change.

Queen Camilla highlighted the company's beginnings in 1950, when visionary ballerina Alicia Markova and choreographer Anton Dolin founded what was then known as the London Festival Ballet. The troupe was born with a mission to bring ballet to audiences beyond traditional metropolitan stages. Their touring model allowed people throughout the UK and abroad to experience high quality classical ballet for the first time. That mission, the Queen noted, remains at the center of the ENB's identity.

During the celebration, guests said the milestone feels especially meaningful at a time when performing arts organizations continue to rebuild after the challenges posed by the pandemic. The Queen praised the dancers and staff for maintaining artistic excellence and for keeping ballet accessible during difficult years. According to coverage from BBC News and the Evening Standard, Queen Camilla also spoke about the role of the ENB in inspiring younger generations to pursue dance and creative careers.

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Artistic Director Aaron S. Watkin thanked Queen Camilla for her support and described the anniversary season as a reflection of the company's past, present and future. The ENB's celebrations this year include special performances of classics like Swan Lake and The Nutcracker, along with contemporary works that showcase the evolving identity of the company. Watkin emphasized that the organization is committed to balancing tradition with innovation, ensuring that ballet remains relevant to today's audiences.

The reception also spotlighted ENB's community initiatives, including Dance for Parkinson's, workshops for children with special needs and training programs that nurture emerging talent. Several young dancers attending the reception said meeting the Queen and the ENB's veterans made them feel recognized and motivated. The Queen applauded these initiatives, noting that the arts should be accessible to people of all backgrounds.

A highlight of the event was a small performance by ENB dancers inside the palace's ballroom. While not a full production, the short piece served as a symbolic tribute to the company's founders and to the countless performers who have contributed to its legacy. Those present described it as an intimate celebration of the art form and of the company's enduring spirit.

In conversations with attendees, Queen Camilla emphasized the importance of supporting institutions that carry the UK's cultural heritage forward. She also thanked the ENB for representing British artistry on world stages, including recent tours across Europe, Asia and the United States. International critics have noted that the ENB continues to attract dancers from diverse backgrounds, further enriching its repertoire and identity.

As the English National Ballet enters its next chapter, the organization is preparing new productions for 2026, expanding collaborations with global choreographers and strengthening its digital outreach to younger audiences. The anniversary reception at Buckingham Palace served as both a tribute to the past and a promise of continued artistic growth.

Queen Camilla closed the evening by expressing confidence in the ENB's future and gratitude for the role the company plays in shaping the cultural narrative of the United Kingdom. The 75th anniversary celebration marked not only an institutional milestone but also a reminder of ballet's ability to bridge generations, inspire creativity and bring communities together.
China, Spain look to bolster ties amid evolving global dynamics

Xinhua) 08:02, November 13, 2025

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with King Felipe VI of Spain and his wife Queen Letizia in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 12, 2025. Xi met with King Felipe VI, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

BEIJING, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- China stands ready to work with Spain to forge a comprehensive strategic partnership with greater strategic determination, dynamism and global influence, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday.

Xi made the remarks when meeting with King Felipe VI of Spain, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing. It marks King Felipe VI's first state visit to the country after his enthronement, and the first visit by a Spanish monarch to China in 18 years.

After the meeting, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of 10 cooperation documents in trade and economy, science and technology, and education, among others.

Following Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's three visits to China in three years, King Felipe VI's visit throws the weight of royal diplomacy into Spain's relations with China, said Felix Valdivieso, chairman of IE University's China Observatory.

The European country is shifting toward a more long-term, stable and strategically visionary policy on the world's second-largest economy, which will benefit Spanish businesses and subsequently enhance the competitiveness and innovative vigor of the Spanish economy, Valdivieso said.

A VISIT OF GREAT SIGNIFICANCE

Welcoming King Felipe VI to China, Xi noted that both China and Spain have profound historical and cultural heritage. Over the past 50-plus years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two sides have always viewed and developed bilateral relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, respected and supported each other, and contributed to each other's success, Xi said.

This has set a model of pursuing amicable ties and common development by countries with different history, culture and social systems, and played an important role in promoting openness and cooperation in the world and upholding international fairness and justice, Xi said.

Hailing the Spanish royal family's remarkable contributions to developing the China-Spain relationship, Xi said as the two countries celebrate the 20th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership, King Felipe VI's state visit is of great significance to the further advancement of the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

King Felipe VI said that it is a great pleasure to pay a state visit to China at the 20th anniversary of the Spain-China comprehensive strategic partnership, and that Spain and China enjoy longstanding friendly exchanges. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two countries have consistently trusted and respected each other and worked together for joint development and prosperity, he said.

King Felipe VI said China has accomplished globally recognized and admirable achievements in its development, adding that its successful experiences, especially in poverty alleviation and green and low-carbon development, offer great inspiration.

The Spanish government is firmly committed to the one-China policy, supports China in safeguarding its territorial integrity, and stands ready to work with China to advance the comprehensive strategic partnership to bring more benefits to the two peoples and contribute even more to global peace and stability, the king said.

BOOSTING PRAGMATIC COOPERATION

Underscoring that China values the traditional friendship with Spain and its unique role in international and regional affairs, Xi said it is important for the two sides to continue supporting each other firmly, maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges, strengthen strategic guidance, and ensure that the bilateral relationship always advances along the right path.

Calling on the two sides to further advance practical cooperation, Xi said China will import more quality products from Spain, and the two sides should explore the potential of cooperation in such emerging areas as new energy, digital economy and AI, expand mutual investment and build more signature projects.

He said the two sides could also tap into complementarity and jointly explore third-party markets such as Latin America.

Xi said the two sides need to strengthen people-to-people connectivity, and enhance exchanges in culture and education, and support each other in the operation of cultural and language institutions in each other's country. He said China will continue to extend the visa-free policy to Spain to facilitate people-to-people exchanges and bring the two peoples closer.

King Felipe VI said investment by Chinese enterprises has strongly boosted Spain's economic growth and green transition. Spain is willing to maintain close exchanges with China, in order to seize the important opportunities presented by China's 15th Five-Year Plan, and deepen cooperation in such areas as economy and trade, industry, science and technology, and green energy.

King Felipe VI appreciated China for extending the visa-free policy, and expressed the readiness to strengthen cultural, linguistic and tourism exchanges in order to enhance the friendship between the two peoples.

CHAMPIONING MULTILATERALISM

Pointing out that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, Xi said the world today is now in a new period of turbulence and transformation, and the pursuit of peace and development remains an arduous task.

"I have put forward the building of a community with a shared future for humanity for the hope that countries could rise above differences in social systems and ideologies, build consensus through dialogue and consultation, and work together to turn the aspirations of people around the world for a better life into reality," Xi said.

China stands ready to work with Spain to support the UN in playing a central role in international affairs, safeguard the rules of free trade and the international economic and trade order, and make global governance more just and equitable, for the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, he said.

Noting that history can only move forward, and does not allow for going backward, King Felipe VI said Spain and China share highly similar philosophies on many international affairs, and both support multilateralism and the settlement of disputes through dialogue and consultation.

Spain highly appreciates the four major global initiatives put forward by President Xi, and is going to work with China to respond to uncertainties in the international situation with a view to upholding international trade order and promoting the steady development of the global economy, the king said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with King Felipe VI of Spain, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for King Felipe VI of Spain at the square outside the east gate of the Great Hall of the People prior to their meeting in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 12, 2025. Xi met with King Felipe VI, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for King Felipe VI of Spain at the square outside the east gate of the Great Hall of the People prior to their meeting in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 12, 2025. Xi met with King Felipe VI, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chengliang)
04;11 - 19;25 Hello, and welcome to your 2-Minute Tech Briefing from ComputerWorld. I'm your host, Arnold Davick, reporting from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Here, the top I.T news stories you need to know for Wednesday, November 12th. Let's dive in from Computer world.

A digital security lapse at the Louvre. 20;00 - 44;27 The world famous Louvre Museum in Paris is under fire after a burglary revealed longstanding cyber security issues. Thieves broke in through a second floor window last month, stealing eight pieces of jewelry.

Alarm systems worked as expected and police responded within minutes, but a French audit report shows the museum has been struggling for years to update outdated windows software, including its video surveillance systems.

45;02 - 01;13;16 A full security review with new governance policies upgraded cameras and updated cyber security protocols is expected by the end of the year. And from CIO at SAP Tech Ed Berlin, the ERP giant announced a major change to how I.T professionals earn certifications.

Instead of multiple choice exams, SAP will now test candidates in real world environments, allowing them to use any resource from AI tools to online references.

01;13;24 - 01;35;29 The company says this approach reflects real world problem solving and rewards professionals who know how to find the right answers, not just memorize them. The new format debuts with six certifications this year. And finally from CSO.

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that simply publishing stolen data on the dark web can now be considered harmful enough to justify a lawsuit. 01;36;02 - 02;01;19 The case involved an insurance company breach that exposed driver's license data for nearly 3 million customers.

Previously, plaintiffs had to prove actual financial harm or fraud. The new ruling suggests dark web exposure itself creates a credible risk of fraud. That may now be enough for a claim to move forward. That's today's two minute tech briefing. For more enterprise I.T.

news, visit Computerworld CIO and CSO online. 02;01;21 - 02;06;13 And don't forget to like and subscribe to the show on the Tech Talk YouTube channel.
Barring another last-minute delay, were getting a brand new episode of South Park this week. Sora Not Sorry seemingly finds Butters casually dabbling in revenge porn, to the horror of Kyle. His actions end up igniting an epidemic of fake videos at school and getting him in trouble with local law enforcement.

The episodes teaser trailer suggests that Butters victim is Red McArthur, who he claimed was his girlfriend earlier this year in the Labubu-themed episode Wok is Dead.

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The subject of AI-generated revenge porn is obviously incredibly upsetting, especially for those viewers who have been pulling for Butters. Judging from the online response to the teaser, a number of South Park fans sure dont seem to love that the show has taken Butters character down such a dark path.

Others are more than okay with this latest development since Butters, arguably, Butters has been a toxic creep for quite a while. Makes sense that he's a total incel toward women nowadays, one fan on Reddit wrote.

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I honestly think Butters turned into an incel after Charlotte unfairly broke up with him in season 20, another theorized.

Yeah, lest we forget that in the episode Wieners Out, Butters response to being dumped by his Canadian girlfriend via online chat was to blame girls as a whole, start a schoolyard mens rights movement and then publicly expose little Butters to everybody as a form of protest.

Butters broke bad years ago, a fan argued, pointing out that Butters became a literal pimp back in season thirteen's Butters Bottom B*tch, and began verbally abusing his female classmates as a result.

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One fan posted images from a number of different episodes, which clearly illustrate that Butters has a long history of misogynistic behavior, up to and including the time he groped an unconscious Paris Hilton.

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It remains to be seen how the real-life Butters feels about his fictional namesakes latest horrendous crime.
Hasan Piker is not as popular as Joe Rogan. The Twitch streamer has 2.9 million followers on that platform, and 1.4 million subscribers Youtube. Meanwhile the manosphere podcaster and frequent peddler of conspiracy theories has more than 20 million subscribers on Youtube.

But Rogan and Pike are frequently compared in the media. Back in March, The New Yorker wrote that, Figures like Rogan and Piker, both of whom have won the loyalty of young men, stand to shape not only the views of their audiences but the art of politics itself.

That equivocation is becoming more important as Piker racks up appearances on comedy podcasts, hedging into a space largely controlled by Rogan and his manosphere cronies. Rogan, a former comedian and the most listened to podcaster in the world, regularly holds court with some of the most popular comedians touring right now. Plus, he owns his own comedy club in Austin, Texas, known for pushing an edgelord, right-wing culture. It allows the manosphere to build a bigger audience with those who find regressive ideas and routines that are comfortable with punching down funny.

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Yet something is brewing on the other side of the political spectrum, if not at the same scale.

On Tuesday, Piker made an appearance on an episode of Gianmarco Soresis podcast The Downside. During the episode, the comedian and streamer discussed everything from the recent New York City mayoral election to the real political threat that Donald Trump poses.

Piker, who was a vocal supporter of incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani, also discussed his own political evolution and education which revolved heavily around class consciousness. Soresis podcast wasnt even the only one that featured Piker this week. In the political commentary space, Piker guested on the Pod Save America panel on Wednesday that addressed the Democrats recent overwhelming wins in the off-year elections.

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Hes been featured not only on the ultra liberal Pod Save America, but earlier this summer, he also guested on The Daily Show with Jordan Klepper. In that interview, he offered up a less-toxic view of masculinity than what is pushed on Rogans program. (To date, Piker has never interviewed anyone who sells scammy blood test subscriptions like the former Fear Factor host does on a regular basis.)

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Piker is also making his way through the heavy hitter comedian podcasts. Two months ago, he was on Hasan Minhajs Hasan Minhaj Doesnt Know. On that show, Piker responded to a series of questions from Minhaj about leftist politics, providing definitions and explanations for a lot of the buzzwords that circle in the media.

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When asked to define socialism, Piker said: Socialism is redefining and and reorienting the classist politics that we currently have away from the capital owning class, owning both the means of production and virtually every facet of power and and redistributing it in a democratic fashion back to the largest class, the working class.

One year ago, Piker was also on Stavros Halkias comedy podcast Stavvys World. It is clear that Pikers comedy world immersion is an effort to not only to seek new audiences but to also broaden the reach of his progressive messaging. Hes not shy about this goal, either.

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Speaking to Soresi on Tuesdays podcast episode, Piker said, I use the left flank of the existing political infrastructure to advance that interest to try to unlock class consciousness in as many Americans minds as I possibly can.

And for a realm that is still dominated by voices like Theo Von and Joe Rogan, muscling up comedy spaces with more varied political perspectivesnot just from comedians but from guests like Piker, is a net positive.
Just as the real President spares no expense when making himself comfortable in the White House, Trey Parker and Matt Stone opened up the Paramount checkbook to give Donald Trump and J.D. Vance a night theyll never forget.

In tonights new episode of South Park, Sora Not Sorry, President Donald Saddam Hussein Trumps troubled sex life took a dramatic turn when, fresh off the revelation of Vice President Fat Baby J.D. Vances betrayal from the previous episode, Trump came around on his diminutive second-in-command, then Trump came on Vance, then in him. Yes, even though Trump has been fing Satan for the last few months (or few decades, really), the President just started a high-powered affair with his fittingly child-sized sidekick that shook Fox News to its core.

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While Trump and Vance were able to play off their accidental sex tape as an invention of generative A.I., the passion they shared that night was very real, as was the check that Parker and Stone's parent company had to cut Atlantic Records over South Park's outstanding use of Foreigner's famous power ballad I Want to Know What Love Is during the climactic scene.

Seriously, while the song choice for the Trump-Vance sex scene was absolutely, 10/10, no-notes perfect, you have to imagine that Parker and Stone are still sticking it to Paramount when they demand that their parent company shell out whatever sizable sum is required to score a thirty-second sex scene with I Want to Know What Love Is just to piss off the President. The certified platinum single is Foreigner's biggest hit by far, and there's no way the band accepted less than six figures to let South Park use the song to stick it to the President  or to the Vice President, it's hard to see who was the bottom.

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Hopefully, the sex scene and the song choice don't end up cost Parker and Stone, as the real Trump and Vance are certainly going to hear about what happened tonight between their South Park characters, and Sora Not Sorry" may very well spur them to action, depending on how long the chorus stays stuck in their heads.
On the show, he spends most of his days trying to abort his baby with Satan

There are a lot of questionable things that have been reported about real-life President Donald Trump as a father. In the South Park realm, the fictional Trump is worse, having spent a multi-episode arc trying to trick Satan into aborting their love child.

In Season 28, Episode 3, titled Sora, Not Sorry, Trump finally has uncovered chubby-faced JD Vances plot to end Satans pregnancy behind Trumps back. But, after they realize they share the same objective, Trump is brought into Vances plotting with Peter Thiel.

During a steamy hot tub conversation, Trump vents to Vance about his trials and tribulations. I work really hard, Trump laments. I just feel like I deserve to relax a bit.

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Of course you do boss, Vance slyly encourages. This baby is too much for you.

I tried abortion clinics, Plan B, but this baby just wont die, Trump complains.

Even though it is a running theme for the show at this point, hearing Trump talk about wanting to kill off his progeny is pretty callous stuff. The mockery from Trey Parker and Matt Stone, however, comes from a deep vein of material from the Presidents history as a father.

Starting with his daughter Ivanka Trump, there is a Washington Post article titled The Apprentice, and four other times Donald Trump has commented on daughter Ivankas looks. Some of those comments include Donald saying that Ivanka has got the best body, on The Howard Stern Show in 2013 and most famously, I've said that if Ivanka weren't my daughter, perhaps I would be dating her. That second statement was made on a 2006 joint appearance from Ivanka and Donald on The View. Trumps office later issued a statement to clarify that he was joking.

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With his other daughter, Tiffany Trump, Donald has made far fewer comments. Thats largely because Tiffany was raised by her mother Marla Maples with very little influence from the President, with Maples moving across the country to raise Tiffany outside of Donalds shadow, according to Tiffany.

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With his sons, theres been funnier examples of a father simply not very enamored with his own children. Once, when Eric Trump called his father at a political rally and told his father he loved him, Donald replied by saying, Well, thank you.

Even when his supporters, like political commentator Tucker Carlson, speak about Trump as a father in metaphors, they don't paint a caring portrait. At a speech leading up to the 2024 presidential election, Carlson said that dad (Trump) was coming home, and when he arrived (returned to the presidency) hed have to teach his misbehaving children a lesson.

When Dad gets home, you know what he says?, Carlson said at the Georgia event, imagining a scenario in which Trump gives the United States of America a dose of corporal punishment. Youve been a bad girl. Youve been a bad little girl and youre getting a vigorous spanking right now. And no, its not going to hurt me more than it hurts you. No, its not. Im not going to lie. This is going to hurt you a lot more than it hurts me. And you earned this. Youre getting a vigorous spanking because youve been a bad girl.'

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South Park's view of Trump as a father is, of course, exaggerated - but there's plenty in the media that says he's not in contention for Father Of The Year, either.
To be fair, the comedian is not in a great position to complain about much

On the Bad Friends podcast, hosted by comedians Bobby Lee and Andrew Santino, the duo pressed their latest guest, Louis C.K., on his opinions about the current state of crowd work.

You're a big crowd work guy, Santino joked. You started crowd work clips.

Yeah, that was my innovation, C.K. replied, deadpan.

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After a bit of back and forth, Lee asked: Does that annoy you? Like these crowd work guys doing clips on TikTok?

C.K. was far more magnanimous than expected.

I mean, they got what they got from it, C.K. said. It's fine. It works for them. Good for them. I don't care. I don't love it, as a stand up. I don't enjoy watching that. Also, when I see friends of mine do it, it's like you're killing it in the moment, but no one's going to remember it.And you're not building anything. But I have a different goal than them.

C.K. continued, offering up far more on the topic that has divided the comedy world than either Santino or Lee probably anticipated.

They just want to run their numbers up and they want to get whatever, C.K. continued. And also a lot of people, it pleases them a lot. So if an audience, if someone's enjoying it, they're right. And the person who doesn't like it is just none of their business. If you don't like something, it's none of your business as long as somebody likes it. If nobody likes it forever, someone needs to talk to thebut you know what? If literally no one ever liked a comic ever doing anything, that'd be pretty fucking incredible.

It was a much more open-minded take on the topic than anticipated, if not because in recent years the comedian has taken a far more reactionary approach in his comedy and even his public statements about other comedians. Maybe his relatively tame comments about crowd work comedians are the result of the very weird year hes had.

On the upside, hes been selling out shows on his tour and making lots of money by performing for the Saudi royal family at the Riyadh Comedy Festival. Dana Carvey considers the man our greatest stand-up. Hes even got a new novel, Ingram, on sale now. On the downside, a lot of people are very angry at C.K. for his decision to perform in Riyadh. Plus, early reviews of Ingram are not good.

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The generosity C.K.extends to crowd work comedians might be related to the amount of grace hes been given. He made a successful return to working as a top comic after the #MeToo era revelations about his nonconsensual masturbation in front of female employees and collaborators. Then, after he started touring across the country and building a fan base back, he alienated some of them by agreeing to perform in Riyadh.
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An Aussie brand beloved by celebrities including Kylie Jenner, Hailey Bieber and Lara Worthington has thrilled its longtime fans with the announcement of its unexpected comeback.

Fashion accessories empire The Daily Edited (tde.) is the cult label that launched the monogrammed leather trend, which had celebrities and fashion insiders in its grip for much of the mid-2010s.

Known for its minimalist curation of premium leather handbags and accessories, with its signature embossed monogramming, the brand left fans devastated when it quietly closed.

But now it is back, just in time for the festive gifting season, and to celebrate, tde. is offering Daily Mail readers an exclusive 25 per cent off by using the discount code DAILYMAIL25 at checkout.

The offer is valid storewide on all orders over $100, perfect for treating yourself or surprising a family or friend with a personalised gift for any occasion, whether it's a birthday, anniversary, or Christmas.

The brand's timeless collection of leather phone cases, laptop sleeves, handbags, wallets, travel accessories and more returns, with new updated styles including the Mila Mini Hobo Shoulder Bag and tech accessories for the latest iPhones and AirPods.

Aussie brand The Daily Edited has thrilled fans by announcing a surprise comeback

The Daily Edited is the cult label that kickstarted the monogrammed leather trend, offering minimalist personalisation on premium leather accessories

25% OFF Piper 14 Inch Laptop Sleeve Dark Tan (with code) Elevate your tech with the stylish Piper Laptop Sleeve, crafted from durable Pebble Textured Leather. Make it your own with complimentary personalised monogramming. Usually $189, get 25 per cent off using code DAILYMAIL25 at checkout. Shop

The classic saffiano leather cases elevate your tech, keeping them stylish while protecting them from everyday knocks and wear.

Complimentary monogramming on all leather pieces offers a personal touch, with your choice of font, size and placement, as well as embossing colour.

With office days on the rise again, stylish workers are looking for elevated, practical totes to carry all their essentials, as well as timeless accessories to keep their laptops safe on the go.

The brand announced its return just in time for the festive gifting season, and to celebrate, is offering Daily Mail readers an exclusive 25 per cent off discount code: DAILYMAIL25

The collection of work and travel accessories make the perfect festive gift, including personalised AirPod cases, luggage tags and passport wallets

25% OFF iPhone 17 Pro Max Case (with code) Wrapped in saffiano leather, the structured silhouette enhances the generous proportions of the Pro Max, while polished metallic side buttons and a protective raised camera ring complete the considered design. Fully MagSafe compatible, this case integrates seamlessly with your iPhone 17 Pro Max, supporting effortless charging and accessories. Make it your own with complimentary personalised monogramming. Usually $89, get 25 per cent off using code DAILYMAIL25 at checkout. Shop

The Essentials Work Tote features a structured frame with a hidden magnetic closure for added security, and three generously sized internal compartments to keep everything streamlined and organised.

For off-duty, the Mila Mini Hobo Shoulder Bag is crafted from buttery soft Split nappa leather in an on-trend pillowy silhouette that can be dressed up or down. The signature monogramming on the Cocoa or Black leather is discreet and elevated.

A monogrammed AirPod case is the perfect small gift, both stylish and practical, ensuring there are no more mix-ups or lost cases.

At its height, tde. graced the pages of top fashion magazines - including Vogue, Elle and Harper's Bazaar.

The Daily Edited is beloved for its chic, minimalist work bags such as the Essentials Work Tote (pictured)

25% OFF Mila Mini Hobo Shoulder Bag Cocoa (with code) For off-duty, the Mila Mini Hobo Shoulder Bag is crafted from buttery soft Split nappa leather in an on-trend pillowy silhouette that can be dressed up or down. The signature monogramming on the Cocoa or Black leather is discreet and elevated. Usually $199, get 25 per cent off using code DAILYMAIL25 at checkout. Shop

The Daily Edited launched in 2014.

Born out of a personal need for chic, work-appropriate handbags, travel goods and organisational accessories that helped to streamline their lives, tde. started out as a blog that grew into a globally recognised brand.

tde. was the first in Australia to offer personalised monogrammed bags, wallets, phone cases and travel essentials.

And within years of launching, seemingly every fashion insider and celebrity had a tde. initialled iPhone case in hand or clutch under their arm.

Stars such as Hailey Bieber and Lara Worthington collaborated on collections, while Kylie Jenner, Task Oakley, Niall Horan, Steph Claire Smith, Bec Judd, and Selma Blair were all pictured sporting the brand's wares.

With office days on the rise again, stylish workers are looking for elevated, practical bags to carry all their essentials, as well as timeless accessories to keep their tech safe on the go

At its height, stars such as Hailey Bieber and Lara Worthington collaborated on collections

The business grew into a fashion powerhouse with stores in Sydney, Melbourne and New York in addition to their online offering.

Earlier this month, tde. quietly made an announcement on social media that it was returning - sending shoppers wild.

Now the brand has been given new life as an online offering.

'Renewal in motion. A new chapter begins... Oh, how we've missed you!' the brand teased in its announcement.

'As tde. enters a new chapter and under new governance, we invite you to join us on this journey, welcoming the next era in the brand's history.'

Fans have expressed their excitement over the brand's major comeback, with one saying: 'Incredible news! Welcome back.'

'OMG now way,' another shared.

To shop The Daily Edited range, click here.
Should Wes Streeting become Prime Minister he will have the most compelling back story since it was revealed that John Major was the son of a circus performer and music hall artiste. He will be the first occupant of 10 Downing Street whose mother was born in prison.

At the time, Streetings grandmother Libby was in Holloway jail in north London for receiving stolen goods purloined by her husband Bill, a failed armed robber, who consorted with the infamous East End gangsters, the Kray twins, and also spent time in prison himself.

Streetings grandmother  who gave birth to his mother Corrina in 1964  shared a cell in Holloway with Christine Keeler, the teenage femme fatale who was a key player in the 1963 Profumo scandal that helped bring down a Conservative government. As a primary school boy in the 1980s, Streeting visited his grandfather behind bars.

The uber-ambitious Health Secretary, who craves the limelight, makes no secret of his far from conventional working class background. One thing he does not boast about, however, is the vile comment he once made that he wanted to push the Daily Mails columnist Jan Moir under a train because he disliked something shed written.

He published his autobiography One Boy, Two Bills and a Fry Up in 2023 when he was aged 40. Most politicians put pen to paper when they have achieved something in public life. Yet when Streetings book came out he had been an MP for just eight years and was only Shadow health secretary.

Streeting, 42, is perhaps the most media savvy and voter-friendly minister in a Cabinet which admittedly boasts few heavy hitters. He knows his upbringing on a rough council estate in Stepney in the East End appeals to traditional Labour voters. He says his teenage parents  his mother had him when she was 18 and he has five brothers, a sister, and a step-sister  had to choose between feeding him and feeding the electricity meter.

His memoir talks about the stigma of growing up with free school meals and of how the NHS helped him overcome life-threatening kidney cancer in 2021.

The joke doing the rounds at Westminster yesterday was that if the new intake of 243 Labour MPs havent read his book, which goes into graphic detail about his background, it will be in their in-tray very shortly.

Should Wes Streeting supplant Keir Starmer as PM, he will become the first Prime Minister whose mother was born in prison

Streeting has played down rumours that he is eyeing up the top job

It is his manifesto for being Labour leader and prime minister, said an admirer yesterday. Its why he wrote it so early. Its not just about winning over floating voters. Its about helping secure the backing of Labour MPs and trade unionists in a leadership contest which could come next year after the local elections if we are wiped out.

Streeting, whose parents marriage broke-up very early, was close to his paternal grandfather, also called Bill, who was a Royal Navy World War ll veteran. He was a Tory voter, and it is he who Streeting credits with his Christian faith and instilling a work ethic in him at school which propelled him to Cambridge where he studied history.

He became President of the Cambridge students union. After that, he was president of the National Union of Students, a traditional career path for ambitious Labour politicians, and then worked in the charitable sector.

It was in 2010 that he became a Labour councillor in Ilford in the east London borough of Redbridge and in 2015 the MP for Ilford North. An admirer of Tony Blair, he refused to serve on the frontbench when Jeremy Corbyn was Labour leader and like Blair he is an out and out Europhile, and he backed a second referendum on Brexit.

Streeting would be Britains first openly gay prime minister. Hes marrying his partner Joe Dancey, who works for the Labour Party. Dancey was the partys only candidate not to win a seat behind the so-called Red Wall in northern England at the last election.

And, while most Labour MPs enjoyed big swings in their favour, Streetings own majority collapsed from 5,200 to 528. He narrowly defeated Leanne Mohamad, an Independent Muslim candidate, who is standing again at the next election.

Most political observers believe that Streeting will go down to a heavy defeat next time round. In public he insists he will not abandon the Ilford constituency for a safe Labour seat. He has told people that the 9,600 Tory voters in the constituency at the last election will switch their votes to him to prevent a divisive sectarian candidate winning.

But even some supporters of Streeting, who is permanently pleased with himself, say that hes whistling in the wind and will have to move constituency to survive. Im afraid a lot of Tory voters will take great pleasure in voting to take out one of Labours few rising stars, said a Labour source yesterday.

Streeting is close friends with Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, and Angela Rayner, the former deputy prime minister, and could be a decisive figure in any future leadership contest. He went on the offensive yesterday after the Downing Street-inspired negative briefing against him.

But privately he is delighted. Hes saying its the best thing which has happened to him since the election, says a close colleague. Hes been all over TV and radio reminding his colleagues that he is a great communicator  unlike Keir who is more wooden than a tree. Hes now the bookies favourite to be the next Prime Minister.
An hour or so from Copenhagen, on opposite sides of a road running through flat Danish countryside, sit two bland-looking government centres.

One is a reception camp, Sandholm, the first stop for asylum seekers arriving in the country. The second, Sjaelsmark, is a very similar looking place. It is where migrants await swift deportation.

These twin sites are the centrepiece of Denmarks immigration system. Ruthlessly efficient and wholly unrelenting, the approach has created a hostile environment to illegal arrivals which has been applauded by Left-leaning Danish voters at the ballot box.

Once a deportation ruling is made (which is often), pleas for mercy are ignored. A migrant whose time is up is flown back to their home country flanked by Danish guards plus, often, an official from the European Union.

The deportee is handed over to the police at their destination. And that, as the Danes might say, is the end of the matter.

No wonder that Sir Keir Starmer is, rather enviously I suspect, eyeing up the Danish model as he tries to solve our own out-of-control immigration  not to mention our abject failure to remove those with no right to be here.

During the past week, as Channel winds dropped, more than 1,700 strangers expecting free housing, food, medical care and pocket money have arrived in Dover. Whether any of them will ever leave again is anyones guess. But almost certainly not.

Earlier this year, Starmer met his Danish opposite number, Mette Frederiksen, at Downing Street to pick her brains about how her Social Democrat government has achieved a 90 per cent drop in asylum applications.

A 23-year-old Kurdish migrant, who arrived in Denmark as an unaccompanied minor, speaks to Sue Reid

Earlier this year Starmer met Mette Frederiksen to pick her brains about how her Social Democrat government has achieved a 90 per cent drop in asylum applications

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood dispatched her own senior officials to Copenhagen to study what lessons can be learned from the Danes

In 2024, these plummeted to 2,333 as the Danes told migrants in a successful international social media campaign: You are not welcome here. A few weeks ago, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood got in on the act, dispatching her own senior officials to Copenhagen to study what lessons can be learned from the Danes.

Ms Frederiksens government has described unfettered immigration as a daily threat to the life of Europe. She wants to protect the livelihoods of working-class Danes and stop schools and welfare systems from being overwhelmed by newcomers.

Seven years ago, the country banned the burka and, later, introduced a no-ghetto policy by dispersing migrants around provincial towns. The lucky few who do get to stay in the country have to attend compulsory lessons in Danish.

What, many might ask, is wrong with that? Like many Britons, I see nothing wrong at all. Yet, inevitably, the very thought of a Danish-style plan has triggered a backlash from some Labour MPs.

Nadia Whittome, representing Nottingham East, told BBC Radio 4s Today programme that it was racist, adding: I think this is a dead end  morally, politically, and electorally.

Her fellow Labour MP, Clive Lewis from Norwich South, accused Denmarks Social Democrats of going hardcore on immigration and adopting ideas of the far-Right.

This sharp-tongued criticism will be water off a Danish ducks back, though. Goodness knows what our open borders fanatics would say to Denmarks ruling that migrants carrying gold or jewels must hand it over at the border to pay for their stay.

For the clever trick is this: the policy has pulled the rug from under Right-wing parties which have been silenced by the Social Democrats success story. I went to Denmark following Ms Frederiksens London visit. I talked to asylum seekers coming in and to rejected migrants going out.

Labour MP Nadia Whittome described the idea of a Danish-style immigration model as 'racist'

The Sjaelsmark deportation centre, an hour outside of Copenhagen

A man who collects bottles from the bins to recycle for cash in Denmark speaks to the Mail's Sue Reid

I discovered that it is not only people of Danish heritage who welcome the hard line taken by their government, but successfully settled migrants, too.

In Copenhagen, a Palestinian, Ismail Schbaita, offered me a cup of tea at his corner shop. It sits in an area once plagued by migrant turf wars over drugs and gun fights in the street. Two bullets from the bad old days scar the doorway of his store.

He said that since the crackdown on burkas, ghettos and migration in 2019, when the Social Democrats came to power, things have improved beyond recognition: It is completely different. We are much safer.

The next day, at the Sandholm reception centre, it was obvious that many migrants were asylum shoppers who had come to Denmark from EU countries that had already deported them.

One was a 53-year-old Syrian Kurd called Hosain, who had crossed the border from Germany in a smart white Mercedes with his two friends the week before.

He claimed to be a plasterer who deals in cash and showed me a picture of his work in Hamburg.

He was carrying a tanbur  a Kurdish stringed instrument  which he proudly played for me in the car park.

The chances of Hosain winning asylum, for which he had instantly applied on arrival, seemed slim to me.

He said he had four ex-wives and seven children sprinkled around Europe.

Denmark is my last chance, he added, with what looked like a wink. I knew his next stop would be the deportation centre, Sjaelsmark, across the road  and a one-way ticket back to Germany and his black-market job.

Things can go wrong in any system, of course. Genuine refugees fall through the net, said Soren Sondergard a 70-year-old Left-wing politician and former Member of the European Parliament.

I agreed with him. I have always thought the biggest enemy of deserving refugees are the rogues who come to Britain for benefits, deceiving our own, naive, Left-wing politicians in the process.

That said, in Sjaelsmark, I met Carlson Agwo, a 48-year-old barrister from Cameroon.

He had been caught up in a little-reported civil war back home between the English-speaking community (to which he belonged and gave legal advice) and the French speakers who dominate the country.

He deserved, in my view, to stay in Denmark. But he was returned.

He told me this week by WhatsApp: On May 19, in the morning, three policemen arrested me at the deportation centre. I was transferred to prison and my phone confiscated.

At 4am, two days later, I was taken by the same police by road to Brussels airport, from where I was flown to Cameroon. I was put in a prison cell.

The Danish authorities were aware about this imprisonment before they left to go back. I was released [from jail in Cameroon] only after my family begged that I should be.

Carlson is now in hiding in his home country.

He told me that it had been a bad choice to go to Denmark. And that, sadly for him, is exactly the message that Copenhagen, for all its liberalism, wants to send.

It hopes that any migrants who think of knocking on the door will hear that message loud and clear.

Now, many Britons, like myself, can only pray that Keir Starmer is brave enough to fight off his Left-wing backbenchers and follow the example of pioneering Denmark.
Theres a terrible virus sweeping the nations celebrities, one that I must warn you about in an effort to stop it spreading to the wider population.

Women seem to be immune to it - thank the lord - but grown men, even those previously strong enough to win Olympic gold medals, are being cut down by it in their prime. Step forward one Adam Peaty, the latest victim of this dreadful condition, which appears to render men incapable of engaging in independent thought or free will.

Symptoms of the virus are subtle at first, meaning it can be difficult to spot until its too late. Scientists arent entirely sure how its spread, but judging from reports it seems to be transferred when a male celebrity starts a new romantic relationship, usually with a woman of above average attractiveness (in Peatys case, Holly Ramsay, the gorgeous daughter of Gordon and Tana).

While all may seem well at first  with family members delighted their beloved has finally found love  the man in question soon begins to show signs of having fallen under the womens spell.

Having previously spent all his time with his friends and family, he transfers his affection to his girlfriend, and later her family, in an effort to appear as a dutiful boyfriend.

Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty and Holly Ramsay, the daughter of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, got engaged last year

Adam receives his OBE, accompanied by his mother Caroline and father Mark

And so it is that, as the virus progresses, family members report their precious son has been stolen away from them, transformed into a sort of semi-Stepford Husband who is entirely under the command of his controlling wife-to-be.

How else to explain the fact that Holly Ramsay has been blamed for her mother-in-law being disinvited to their wedding next month?

It is always the woman, you see, who seems to be to blamed for everything.

Adam has changed so much ever since he has been with Holly, said a source close to his mother, Caroline. We think Holly has triggered all this.

The row between Peaty and his family  apparently long-simmering  has erupted in public as a result of Holly not inviting his mother Caroline to her hen do at Soho Farmhouse last weekend.

Adams aunt, Louise, even went as far as to write to Holly on Instagram, calling her hurtful and divisive for the move.

The fact that Caroline apparently spent the weekend willingly babysitting Peatys five-year-old son from a previous relationship seems to have been forgotten here. Lets blame Holly for stirring up bad feeling instead!

You invited your mum (quite rightly) and even your mums assistant, your sisters, your friends, my niece, but not my sister, your future mother-in-law, wrote Louise to Holly on Instagram in an astonishingly public broadside that will, one imagines, have done little to mend the relationship between the Olympian and his family.

Reading this missive, I had to wonder: is it the 1950s? Are we seriously blaming Holly for the breakdown of the relationship between a grown man and his mummy? A quick reminder: Adam Peaty is a 30-year-old bloke with the steely determination to break world records in the swimming pool.

Whatever the truth of the rift with his family, he is more than capable of inviting his mum to his wedding himself, if he actually wants her there.

Can we stop with this pathetic  not to mention regressive  idea that hes being held on a leash by Holly, mute, emasculated, and waiting for her to throw him a treat?

Of course, Holly is not the first woman to be accused of stealing a man away from his family, and I doubt shell be the last. Most recently, Nicola Peltz has been made to bear the brunt of Brooklyn Beckhams estrangement from his parents Victoria and David, as if he wasnt perfectly capable of making stupid decisions all on his own.

Then theres Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, often painted by her critics as a sort of quasi-kidnapper who is holding Prince Harry hostage in California. Why is she responsible for all the choices hes made in the last five years? How come its so difficult for us to imagine a world in which he might not actually need encouragement to leave the royals, especially after everything his late mother went through? Im pretty sure Id want an ocean between me and my family, too, if one of them happened to be Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

Hes changed! is usually the desperate, last-gasp cry of someone too scared to make any meaningful improvements to their own life. Good luck to Holly Ramsay, I say. Because by all accounts, shes the one whos going to need it.

Kamala Harris has revealed she used to batch cook bolognese for her husband Doug every time she travelled abroad as US Vice President. She told River Cafe boss Ruth Rogers that her chefs would come with her and nobody would cook for Doug. So as Vice President of the United States, I made a big pot of bolognese to freeze containers so that my husband could eat when I was doing the business of the United States of America.

Im sorry, what? If your husband cant cook for himself while youre busy running the world, then Id respectfully suggest that you need to find yourself a new one!

Thank God that Tatler has published its Little Black Book of eligible bachelors - I dont know about you, but I can barely sleep for excitement until it comes out each year. Anyway, I went through the list so that you dont have to, and can report that 50 per cent of societys hottest properties are called Archie, with the remaining 50 per cent being called Kit. Almost 100 per cent look like Jacob Elordi. Is it possible that this list isnt made for middle-aged women like me? Never!

I cant be the only woman in the world who doesnt find it in the least bit surprising that Keira Knightley falls for Joe Wilkinson in the brilliant new Waitrose Christmas ad. Like his Traitors pal Joe Marler, hes funny, irreverent, and the perfect antidote to all the Tatler Archies with their chiselled cheekbones. Anyone else up for forming an Unlikely Joes fan club? Form an orderly queue here, girls!

A personal trainer and influencer has been called bitter by Sweaty Betty after she asked them to credit her for a viral body confidence slogan she dreamt up. The expensive sportswear company adopted Georgina Coxs Wear the Damn Shorts post - seen by 140 million people - for their summer ad campaign, but now theyve accused her of poor behaviour after she demanded they acknowledge she came up with the phrase. For a company that apparently prides itself on empowering women, this doesnt sound like particularly uplifting behaviour to me.

A new study has found youre not the only one who has nightmares about being naked in public - apparently, 12 per cent of Britons also dream about this embarrassing scenario. Other common dreams include your teeth falling out, being late for an important meeting and sitting an exam without revising. Now weve cleared that up, please can we all shut up about the strange scenes that flash through our brains while we sleep? Honestly, theres nothing more boring than hearing someone go on about last nights dream.
A new report has revealed the US states where patients may be most likely to get deadly infections during their hospital stay.

Experts at healthcare staffing platform Nursa combed through nearly 800,000 nationwide hospital reports of infections, along with about 13,000 inspections looking at hospital cleanliness.

Hospital-acquired infections are often caused by dirty equipment and surfaces where pathogens lurk and spread to patients, many of whom have compromised immune systems and are unable to fight off infections.

Most commonly these include urinary tract infections linked to unsanitary catheters and pneumonia from ventilators. But more serious ones include methicillin-resistant Stapphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Clostridium difficile and sepsis.

Based on infection and hygiene reports, the study found Delaware had the country's dirtiest hospitals, scoring 9.6 out of 10, with Higher scores indicating worse ratings.

Delaware recorded nearly 2,800 hospital-acquired infections in 2023 among just 19 facilities. Patients surveyed also gave their local hospital just two out of five stars in terms of cleanliness, and one in eight patients said their room and bathroom were not consistently cleaned.

Washington DC followed closely behind with a score of 9.4 out of 10, with 33 government inspections on cleanliness and the nation's highest rate of dissatisfaction at 16 percent, while Alabama rounded out the top three worst states at 9.1 out of 10.

Utah, meanwhile, turned out to have the nation's cleanest hospitals, scoring 2.7 out of 10 on the dirtiness scale across 69 facilities.

A new study has ranked each state in terms of how dirty their hospitals are and how many infections patients get during their stay (stock image)

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The findings come as about 1.7million Americans suffer a hospital-acquired infection every year, which result in almost 100,000 deaths. About one in every 31 hospitalized patients are thought to contract one at any given time.

These infections also rose sharply during the Covid pandemic by up to 47 percent, a CDC analysis published in 2021 found. Experts believe this was because patients with Covid more frequently needed equipment like catheters and ventilators, prime sources of lingering pathogens.

It wasn't until 2023 that hospital-acquired infections appeared to dip with an 11 to 15 percent decline compared to the year before.

However, a recent report from the University of Utah found rates of the hospital bacteria infection Clostridium difficile, also known as C. diff, is spreading in US hospitals three times faster than experts previously thought.

C. diff infects around 500,000 patients every year in the US, triggering symptoms including diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever. Of these, about 30,000 die from the infection.

Many hospital-acquired infections are also resistant to common antibiotics, making them harder to treat.

And these infections cost the US between $28billion and $45billion every year.

The new Nursa study looked at nationwide infection totals reported by hospitals in 2023 along with inspection reports from 2010 through 2025 that featured keywords related to cleanliness.

Hospitals often undergo inspections by government agencies like state health departments to look for cleanliness every 18 months to three years, depending on the state.

Patient answers were taken from the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS), a national survey that collects data on how patients feel about their hospital care.

The team took the number of infection reports, cleanliness score and percentage of answers saying the hospitals were 'sometimes or never' clean and combined them into an average score out of 10, with higher scores signaling a state with dirtier hospitals.

There was no data on how many deaths resulted from these infections.

Among 19 hospitals in Delaware, each one had an average of 365 infection reports in 2023. In total, the state recorded 2,763 hospital-acquired infections in 2023 and 48 cleanliness inspection reports since 2010 that used keywords related to 'dirty hospital.'

In Washington DC, which had the second-dirtiest hospitals, there were 2,253 hospital infections among 14 facilities, 33 poor hygiene inspections, and the overall cleanliness rating was 2.3 out of five stars.

Beauden Baumkirchner (left) became septic from scraping his leg. Lochlin DeSantis became septic after contracting the flu. Sepsis is a condition that can be acquired in hospitals

Delaware had the dirtiest hospitals in America in the new study, with one in eight patients saying their rooms were not consistently cleaned. Wilmington, Delaware, is pictured above (stock image)

The District also had the highest rate of patient dissatisfaction, with 16 percent of patients claiming their rooms and bathrooms were only sometimes or never cleaned. The overall score was 9.4 out of 10.

Alabama, Michigan and Connecticut rounded out the top five with scores of 9.1, 8.5 and 8.4 out of 10, respectively.

On the other end of the spectrum, Utah scored 2.7 out of 10 and had only 190 infection reports among 69 hospitals. Patients on average gave the cleanliness 3.8 out of five stars.

It's unclear exactly why hospitals in Delaware differed so strongly from those in Utah in terms of cleanliness, but there are potential factors that may have increased infection risk.

Delaware has a rapidly aging population, with about one in four residents over 60 and that figure IS expected to grow to one in three by 2040.

The immune system naturally weakens with age and risks of conditions like cancer, obesity and diabetes increase, all of which leave older people at greater risk of infection.

Utah, meanwhile, has the smallest portion of residents over 60 at 12 percent and has lower rates of behaviors, like smoking and drinking, that are linked to obesity and diabetes, which also suppress the immune system.
It's a scenario feared by all. Arriving at work, a party, or even just a dinner date, only to catch a whiff of B.O.and realising you're the source.

Unlike most other skincare or cosmetic products with high-flying claims of wrinkle-less skin, youthful under eyes, or fuller hair, a deodorant that fails in its promise becomes obvious, fast.

And many eschew all-natural deodorants for just this reason - choosing instead to entrust their underarms to powerful, chemical-heavy anti-perspirants.

But growing concerns around the hormone-disrupting effects of many cosmetic additives may be increasingly changing peoples' minds, plus their potential to damage the skin.

In September, hundreds of Britons took to social media to claim that one mainstream product, Mitchum, had left them with burned underarms.

But there are alternatives. In Europe, natural deodorantswhich use plant-based and mineral ingredients to absorb sweat and neutralise odoursare already more popular than synthetic ones.

And the global organic deodorant market is set to hit 240 billion by 2030up from just 104 billion last year.

Experts speaking to the Daily Mail say there's plenty to say in favour of making the swap.

Unlike most other skincare or cosmetic products with high-flying claims of wrinkle-less skin, youthful under eyes, or fuller hair, a deodorant that fails in its promise becomes obvious, fast

'We sweat in order to cool down,' says Fife-based consultant dermatologist Dr Susannah Fraser.

'So the way that anti-perspirants work, by blocking the sweat glands, is actually quite unnatural.

'The acidic nature of some ingredients, like aluminum chloride, can also cause skin irritation and redness.'

Natural deodorants, she explained, work differently,using plant-based ingredients to neutralise the odours of underarm bacteria and eventually, improve the microbiome so that smelly bacteria are less active.

'Sometimes when people make the swap from anti-perspirant to natural deodorant, they may think that it's not working,' Dr Fraser said.

'But after a few weeks, the body adjusts. And the ingredients in natural deodorants tend to be much more soothing for your skin.'

Luckily, a range of new natural deodorant options - which, crucially, actually work - has sprung up to meet demand.

So, from a Dragon's Den favourite, to a balm developed by West End dancers desperate for a good-smelling yet long-lasting alternative, here's our expert-led guide to the best natural deodorants on the market today...

At just 3.00 for a stick, Bulldog's roll-on natural deodorant is the most affordable on the list

Bulldog Skincare Original Roll On Natural Deodorant For Men

3.00 for 75ml from Boots

At just 3.00 for a stick, Bulldog's roll-on natural deodorant is the most affordable on the list.

'Natural deodorants like this one work in two ways,' explains Dr Susannah Fraser.

'Rather than blocking sweat production, they contain ingredients that will absorb excess moisture.

'They also use anti-bacterial essential oilslike lavender, eucalyptus, sage, and in this case, coconutto counteract the smell of sweat.

'In time, this will help to readjust the bacteria causing odour in the underarms, and reduce those that tend to produce the worst smells.'

Bulldog's roll-on also contains a prebiotic from chicory root to neutralise odours and balance the skin's microbiome.

'This, in theory, would help reduce the ability of stinky bacteria to survive, and help with B.O.,' says Dr Fraser.

Also at the more affordable end of the scale is Mitchum's natural coconut-scented deodorant

Mitchum Women Natural Power Coconut

5.00 for 40g from Boots

Also at the more affordable end of the scale is Mitchum's natural coconut-scented deodorant.

In Mitchum's deodorant, the sweat absorption comes from bamboo powder, which contains highly porous particles that act like a natural sponge, effectively absorbing excess sweat and sebum from the skin's surface without clogging pores.

As a natural, plant-based ingredient, bamboo powder is also generally non-irritating and suitable for sensitive skin.

'Some reviews claim that the product isn't actually that absorbent, and can leave a white cast, but it comes at quite a good price point,' says Dr Fraser.

Unlike any other deodorant on this list, Salt of the Earth's offering uses natural mineral salts to form a protective layer on the skin that inhibits the growth of odour-causing bacteria

Salt of the Earth Classic Natural Crystal Stick Deodorant

5.50 for 90ml from Boots

Unlike any other deodorant on this list, Salt of the Earth's offering uses natural mineral salts to form a protective layer on the skin that inhibits the growth of odour-causing bacteria.

Called a crystal stick, this method prevents bacteria from creating body odour while allowing the skin to sweat naturally, without clogging pores.

The product is suitable for children, won't leave white marks and are totally fragrance-free.

And in addition to being a deodorant, crystal deodorants can also be used as a post-shave alum shaving block, due to their antiseptic and astringent properties.

Natural skincare expert Adrian Whalley, co-founder of Natural Skincare Factory, says the deodorant is unique in its minimal ingredient approach.

'For some people, even if all fragrances are from natural source or essential oils, it can still cause irritation,' he explained.

'Crystal deodorants are a great option for people who don't want any scent at all - and it will still have the same B.O. neutralising effect.'

Wild deodorant is a particular favourite of Dr Fraser's, who uses the company's travel-size balm on holidays

Wild Deodorant Kit Fresh Cotton

9.10 for 40g from Waitrose, 6.00 per refill

Wild deodorant is a particular favourite of Dr Fraser's, who uses the company's travel-size balm on holidays.

'The formula uses tapioca starch to wick up sweat, as well as baking soda, which is often found in natural deodorants as a moisture absorber,' she said.

'For some people, baking soda can cause irritation, as it has a mildly high pH.

'Wild's sensitive skin range, therefore, uses rice starch instead - and should be suitable for most users.'

Though slightly more expensive at first, the deodorants are refillablewith top-ups available at many supermarketsmaking them a relatively cost-effective choice for long-term use.

Be warned, however, that some of the scents do lean sweet: with one of my colleagues who trialled the deodorant left feeling, in his words, like a 'Werther's Original'.

It did last all day, however.

Natural deodorant brand Fussy bagged a 50,000 investment from Deborah Meaden and Peter Jones after featuring on Dragon's Den in 2022

Fussy Natural Deodorant Coconut Milk

9.60 for 40g from Boots, 5.00 per refill

Natural deodorant brand Fussy bagged a 50,000 investment from Deborah Meaden and Peter Jones after featuring on Dragon's Den in 2022.

Their all-natural formula and refillable cases impressed the Dragons - and entrepreneur Steven Bartlett has since said not investing in the company was his biggest regret from the show.

The product itself does not disappoint, coming in a range of gender-neutral scents and colours.

The deodorant itself, says Mr Whalley is clean and safe - with absolutely no synthetic preservatives.

'It's all natural sources and fragrances. Fussy is as close to 100 per cent natural as mainstream deodorants get,' he said.

Like Wild, Fussy's deodorant cases are refillable - making it another more affordable option, and waste-free.

Our personal favourite scent? Coconut milk, which lasted from morning to night without need for reapplication.

German brand Dr Hauschka is famed for its natural skincare - founded in 1935, the company uses exclusively medicinal plant extracts in its products

Sage Mint Deodorant

11.60 for 50ml from John Lewis

German brand Dr Hauschka is famed for its natural skincare. Founded in 1935, the company uses exclusively medicinal plant extracts in its products.

Their sage and mint deodorant is no different, using the extracts from both plants, along with witch hazel, the gel helps prevent the formation of odours without constricting the pores.

'Witch hazel is known for its wide range of benefits for the skin - whether that's reducing inflammation, tightening pores or soothing skin from minor irritations like sunburn or razor bumps,' said Mr Whalley.

'Its antioxidant properties also make it great for managing acne, by clearing oil and bacteria.

'The other active ingredients - sage and mint - also come from essential oils and work to reduce bacteria and improve smell.

'As in products like this, just because an ingredient lists 'parfums', it doesn't mean it's not all natural.

'In fact, this was the sole product to be certified as natural and organic - meaning it's proven itself to be totally organic, vegan and cruelty-free.'

Much like Dr Hauschka before, Neal's Yard has long been renowned for its all-natural approach to skincare

Roll On Deodorant Rose & Geranium

12.00 for 50ml from Neal's Yard

Much like Dr Hauschka before, Neal's Yard has long been renowned for its all-natural approach to skincare.

As well as a blend of organic rose and geranium essential oils, the roll-on deodorant contains shikimic acid and moisture-absorbing bamboo powder.

'Shikimic acid is taken from star anise plants, and helps with bacteria regulation,' said Dr Fraser.

'Aloe vera will also attract moisture, and help soothe and condition the skin.'

On the more luxury end of the scale, a common fan favourite natural deodorant is Necessaire's eucalyptus-scented deodorant gel

Necessaire The Deodorant Gel - Eucalyptus

18.00 for 50ml from SpaceNK

On the more luxury end of the scale, a common fan favourite natural deodorant is Necessaire's eucalyptus-scented deodorant gel.

The formula includes alpha hydroxy acid - also known as AHA - which is often used for gentle chemical exfoliation to remove dead skin cells.

It's also got niacinamide, panthenol and chamomile flower extract to care for the skin under the arms at the same time as it prevents odour.

Overtime, the company even claims the product will help reduce discolouration, improve skin texture and minimise bumps on KP-prone skin.

And whilst we cannot attest to the long-term effects, we can confirm the scent is powerful - almost medicinal - and long-lasting.

Maison Louie Marie's aluminum-free deodorant contains no phthalates, parabens baking soda, or artificial dyes

Maison Louie Marie Bois de Balincourt Deodorant

20.00 for 75ml from Boots

Maison Louie Marie's aluminum-free deodorant contains no phthalates, parabens baking soda, or artificial dyes.

Both phthalates and parabens have been shown to interfere with the body's hormones.

They're often added into cosmetic products, however, to increase shelf life, or as fragrances.

This deodorant instead uses tapioca starch to absorb sweat, and sandalwood oil as fragrance.

It works well, but this deodorant is more like a perfume than any other, with a scent that's not for wallflowers.

Like its predecessor, Salt & Stone's extra-strength natural deodorant is scented with sandalwood and vetiver

Salt & Stone Santal & Vetiver Deodorant

20.00 for 75g from Space NK

Like its predecessor, Salt & Stone's extra-strength natural deodorant is scented with sandalwood and vetiver.

Its active ingredients include prebiotics that help neutralise odour, and seaweed extracts, which moisturise the skin.

Vegan and cruelty-free, the product contains no dyes, aluminium, parabens, phthalates or alcohol.

And in addition to managing odour, it works to provide antioxidant protection.

One of the most expensive options, AKT claims each tube lasts up to three months - with only a pea-sized amount needed per pit

The Deodorant Balm SC.02

21 for 50ml from AKT

A personal favourite of one of our testers, AKT deodorant was set up by a pair of West End performers who needed a good-smelling and long-lasting product for hours spent practicing under sweaty spotlights.

One of the most expensive options, the company claims each tube lasts up to three months, with only a pea-sized amount needed per pit.

With a subscription, it also goes down to just 17 per tube.

'The AKT balm combines sodium bicarbonate, zinc oxide and arrowroot in a mixture which they've now trademarked, all of which will all help with absorbency and balancing smell,' says Dr Fraser.

'Similarly to Malin and Goetz, it can also be used on other parts of the body as well.

'Again, however, be careful when choosing a fragrance as some do contain linalool.

'It's a much higher price point, but potentially higher efficacy as well.'

Finally, Malin + Goetz's otto deodorant, with its opulent floral scent, is a expensive - but wonderful smelling and long-lasting - option

Malin + Goetz Otto Deodorant

22.00 for 73g from Space NK

Finally, Malin + Goetz's otto deodorant, with its opulent floral scent, is a expensive - but wonderful smelling and long-lasting - option.

The product uses odour-neutralising enzymes to absorb excess moisture without disrupting the body's natural perspiration functions.

However, though it's marketed as a natural deodorant, it does contain propylene glycol - meaning those looking for an 'all-natural' product may want to give it a miss.

The product can take up to three weeks to start working, the company warns, as the body adjusts from anti-perspirants to a plant-powered deodorant.

But our testers seemed to have no issues adjusting at all.

In fact, this deodorant smells so good, Malin + Goetz even advise it can be used across the whole body - even on the nape of the neck, in lieu of perfume.
A young mother has hit out at the NHS after she was denied a smear test because of her agedespite heavy bleeding and family history of the condition.

Paige McCall, now 23, suffered from heavy bleeding whilst she was in her second trimester with her first child, Iris Mason, in November 2023.

When the bleeding persisted she went to Doncaster Royal Infirmary to be checked, where she claims she was told her cervix was 'abnormal', but was denied a smear test to investigate further because she was too young and pregnant.

But the actual cause was cervical cancerthe most common form of cancer in women under the age of 35, and kills two women every day in the UK.

Despite visiting the hospital eight times throughout her pregnancy for the tell-tale warning sign, the trainee teacher was denied the routine test eight times, even after having highlighted her family history of cervical cancer.

Recalling the horrific ordeal, she said: 'Everytime a nurse, doctor or midwife checked my cervix they said there was something abnormal with it but they couldn't do anything because I was pregnant and under 25.

'But the extent of the bleeding was awful. I was filling a pad every three hours. It was my first pregnancy so I didn't know what was going on.

'I thought I was having a miscarriage,' she added. 'But everytime they scanned me, the baby was absolutely fine.

When Paige suffered persistent bleeding during her first pregnancy, she knew something was rng but doctors insisted she was too young to have a smear test

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'I bled after giving birth which is normal, but the bleeding continued for months and months. It was back and forth getting told the same thing. I just felt pushed back.'

After giving birth to her daughter, she conceived again six months later and the bleeding continued. This time, she was refused the test on six occasions, deemed too young to be at risk of the disease.

'Again, I was told there was something wrong with my cervix,' she said.

'I've got a very strong family history of cervical cancer. Every time they looked at me, I told them how one of my relatives died from the disease.

'I told them this every time and they still didn't give me a test.'

It was only in August this year when she 'stood her ground' at seven months pregnant that a doctor finally referred her for a biopsy. But with the NHS appointment not scheduled until December, Ms McCall was concerned that it would be too little too late.

After forking out 460 for a private assessment, the young mother was heartbreakingly diagnosed with stage two cervical cancer on 31 October.

Now the trainee teacher wants to raise better awareness around the disease and is campaigning for smear tests to be offered as young as 16claiming that if she had waited until she was 25-years-old, she could have been handed a much worse prognosis.

Paige, pictured with her partner, said she knew something was wrong, but because it was her first pregnancy she thought she could be having a miscarriage

After privately being diagnosed with stage two cervical cancer, the trainee teacher is now petitioning to lower the age at which smear tests are offered to young women on the NHS

'The woman said if I had waited until 25 to get my smear test, it would have possibly been stage four, when I would likely only survive the cancer for five years.

'When I was told this, I didn't know what to say. I just stared at the wall.'

Even if Ms McCall had waited until December for her NHS biopsy appointment, the cancer could have spread, progressing to stage three in just a matter of months.

Following her diagnosis, Ms McCall has opted for private treatmentcosting 30,000under which she will have her cervix removed before undergoing five weeks of daily chemotherapy.

She has already had 11 of her eggs frozen, in the hopes that with the help of IVF she will be able to have more children in the future.

But if the treatment is unsuccessful, and the cancer returns, she will have to have a hysterectomy, which will leave her infertile.

'It leaves me feeling angry that I've got to go to this extent to save my life,' she said.

'If it comes back, which there is a 60 per cent chance it will, I don't have 30,000 every time. I would have to wait and that's really scary.

Paige said she is glad that her two children are too young to understand what is going on but feels that she has been robbed of her dignity and wants more young women to feel they can advocate for their health

'I'm glad my kids are so young that they don't really understand what's going on. But I'm going to lose my hair and I will be ill and frail.

'I feel like a little bit of my dignity is going to be stripped away from me.

'If I wasn't a mum, I would be dwelling on the fact that I had cancer but the world doesn't stop because I have cancer.'

A spokesperson from Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals said: 'I am sorry to hear of Paige's experience and would welcome the opportunity to understand more about her care and the processes involved, so we can explore whether there were any missed opportunities and where we may be able to improve.'

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson added: 'Our sympathies go out to Paige - anyone who has symptoms should speak to their GP as soon as possible.

'We follow the advice of independent experts on screening who advise lowering the screening age would do more harm than good. The success of the HPV vaccination programme means cervical cancer is becoming very rare in younger women.

Cervical cancer is the most common form of the disease in women under the age of 35, affecting around 3,300 women a year.

But the disease is often dubbed a 'silent killer' because its symptoms can be easily mistaken for less serious problems, such as heavy periods and fatigue.

Paige has a family history of cervical cancer putting her at an increased risk of the diseasethought experts do not know whether this is due to faulty genes or shared environmental factors including HPV

NHS cervical screening data, which goes back to 2011, shows uptake was at its highest that year (75.7 per cent) but has fallen over time

Abnormal vaginal bleedingincluding heavier periods, bleeding during or after sex, between your periods or after the menopauseunusual discharge, abdominal pain or pain between the hip bones or back are all signs of the disease.

If the signs are recognised early, the chance of surviving for at least five years a is around 95 per cent.

This drops to just 15 per cent if the cancer is detected at later stages, when it has spread to other parts of the body.

In England, cervical screening prevents only 70 per cent of cancer deaths.

Currently women aged 25 to 49 in the UK are invited for cervical screening, also known as a smear test, at their GP surgery every three years.

For those aged between 50 and 64, it is offered every five years.

During the screening appointment, a small sample of cells are taken from the cervix and checked for certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV)the main cause of cervical cancerthat can cause changes to the cells in the cervix.

Around eight in 10 people will get HPV at some point in their life and their body will clear it without any problems, according to the NHS.

Just 67.2 per cent of girls were fully vaccinated in 2021/22, down from a high of 86.7 per cent in 2013/14. Some 62.4 per cent of boys, who have been offered the jab on the NHS since 2019, were jabbed in the most recent school year, NHS data shows

But Ms McCall says girls should be offered the test as soon as they become sexually active, or at the very least, when they turn 16-years-oldthe legal age of consent.

She has also set up a petition and a GoFundMe page to enable more young women to access private healthcare.

She said: 'I think kids are having sex really young now and my passion would be to give out smear tests when they become sexually active.

'I think if you've got a strong family history of the disease, it should definitely be offered younger.

'I want more young women to advocate for themselves, even if they need to refuse to leave the room until they are tested.

'If I didn't stand my ground that day, I would have been brushed off again, like I was for a year and a half.'

The Government has long argued cervical screening should not be offered below the age of 25 given 'evidence has shown' screening younger women 'can lead to many unnecessary and harmful investigations and treatments'.

The abnormalities which may be flagged 'sort themselves out without any need for treatment in most cases' they say.

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Screening is arguably all the more important for women aged 34 and above, who did not receive a vaccine that protects against the vast majority of cervical cancers as part of the school programme introduced in 2008.

But screening uptake overall remains low. Only around 70 per cent of eligible women, roughly 4.6million, turn up for their scheduled test.

Embarrassment is a factor, according to research by cervical cancer charities.

For half of the 1.3 million no-shows every year, getting time off work and finding a convenient time to fit in an appointment are the other reasons they miss it.

In 2023, the NHS pledged to drastically slash the number of women struck by cervical cancer by 2040, vowing to boost uptake of both the HPV vaccine and cervical screening.

However, elimination would technically be achieved when fewer than four women per 100,000 are diagnosed every year.

For comparison, the rate currently stands at 9.5 women, equating to around 2,600 annually.

In a bid to boost uptake and cut deaths from the devastating disease, the government announced earlier this year that millions of women will be offered at home smear tests as early as January 2026.

The self-testing kits like this one (pictured) are expected to revolutionise cervical cancer diagnosis

The initiative will see women who fail to attend an in-person check sent a self-sampling kit in the post which can be returned via pre-paid mail.

The Department of Health and Social Care said the new approach could save up to 5,000 lives a year across England.

In the UK, the HPV jab was offered to all girls in school year 8 since September 2008. But eligibility was only expanded to boys in year 8 from September 2019.

Experts have credited the HPV vaccine for helping to virtually eradicate the disease among women.

However, the jab, like all vaccines, does not offer 100 per cent protection, so women who have it are still recommended to have their regular smear tests.
Staci Marklin thought running around after her toddler was sapping her physical and mental energybut in reality, the 46-year-old's forgetfulness was a symptom of dementia.

Ms Marklin, now 47, was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's last year, when her son, Gunnar, was only two-years-old.

The former nurse, living in Knoxville, Tennessee, initially put her slight memory loss down to her pregnancy and post-partum 'mum brain'.

But, as time went on, she started to have more and more difficulty in finding her words and a brain scan led to her diagnosis.

Ms Marklin, a former hospice nurse, said: 'It's hard to say when the symptoms actually started because I was having them when I was pregnant and post-partum with my son.

'I initially brushed the forgetfulness on pregnancy and postpartum mum brain.

'I would say stuff like "move the carpet" instead of "move the curtain".

'It's such a hard thing to believe at such a young age.'

Staci Marklin with son Gunnar and husband Erikshe was diagnosed with dementia last year

Because of a history of dementia in her familyher grandmother had had Alzheimer'sshe sought reassurance from her doctor, who told her that it was unlikely she had the memory-robbing disease.

Dementia is Britain's biggest killer, and there are around 944,000 people in the UK living with the condition, and around 7million in the US.

There are several types of dementia, but the most common is Alzheimer's Disease which affects around six in 10 people diagnosed with the condition.

Around one in every 13 people with Alzheimer's are under the age of 65.

Memory loss isn't the only warning sign, with experts previously highlighting a string of behavioural changes which should ring alarm bells, including becoming more short tempered, different eating habits, and in younger people, heavy drinking.

Ms Marklin said: 'I told her I was nervous about Alzheimer's because my grandmother had it.

'She said it would be rare at my age.'

But nearly two years after giving birth to her son, Ms Marklin's symptoms were getting worse and worse.

Ms Marklin and her son Gunnar, 2

'I forget my son's birthday frequently,' she said.

'I find anything that is mildly new to me is easy to forget.

'As soon as someone asks me something I don't know, there's this intense fear.'

Her symptoms began to also affect her working life.

She said: 'There would be times when things would just disappear from my brain.

'Someone once asked me about a co-worker, and I had absolutely no idea who they were talking about.

'I could tell it was someone I should know by the way they were talking.

'It was a few days later when I realised it was a co-worker that I had worked really closely with.'

Ms Marklin has begun making plans for the future, and TikTok videos for her son to watch

The number of patients with dementia in the UK is forecast to rise by 42 per cent by 2040

Ms Marklin underwent a series of tests where her MRIs, EEG and blood tests initially came back as normal.

But further tests revealed she had high blood markers indicative of Alzheimer's disease.

She was officially diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's in October 2024 after an amyloid PET scan revealed amyloid plaques in her brain.

She said: 'By the time I was getting these tests, I had already stopped working and I knew something was wrong.'

Her cognitive function level came back in the bottom 0 per cent to 10 per cent expected for her age group.

'I saw the result and knew what it meant,' she said.

'I was with my husband at the time and we were in shock.

'We cried together and knew nothing would ever be the same again.'

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Ms Marklin said she often deals with people not believing her diagnosis, as it is branded as an older person's disease.

She said: 'The stigma that is associated with this disease is also problematic.

'People generally see this as an older person's disease and view people with Alzheimer's as if they can't do anything for themselves.

'It was difficult for me to get people to believe me and to trust the results I had gotten.'

Aware of a long road ahead for her family, Ms Marklin has begun making plans for the future.

She has been making videos on TikTok for her son and the rest of her family to remember her by, which also includes her husband, Erik, 46, of nearly 16 years, and a step-daughter, Rylee, 21.

She has also recently started a new treatment, lecanemab, for early-onset Alzheimer's disease, sold under the brand name Leqembi.

The intravenous infusions are given twice a month, and are designed to remove harmful plaques in the brain from the amyloid protein.

An 18-month global study showed this treatment to slow the cognitive decline in patients with early-onset Alzheimer's diseaseand Ms Marklin hopes to be one of these success stories.

Despite being available in the US, the treatment is not given on the NHS in the UK but it is available privately.

Affected by this story? The Alzheimer's Society has a dementia symptoms checklist, or you can call their helpline on 0333 150 3456 Advertisement

Although it is too early to say if the treatment will benefit her, the side effects from the infusions are lessening with each course.

Whilst navigating life after her diagnosis, she tries to remain positive and grateful for the time she does have with her family, making memories she hopes her son can treasure as he grows up, one day, without her.
As a child Carole McNally was criticised for being cold and off-hand.

Id speak in a matter-of-fact, perhaps curt, way that might be perceived as rude, but I didnt understand why I was being called curt or rude, says Carole, now 50 and a tech business owner.

Indeed, her foster parents (who Carole lived with from the age of six), were strict Catholics and told her that the way she interacted with others was evidence she was possessed by the devil, with Carole encouraged to say prayers at night to be freed from his grasp.

Id go to bed uttering these prayers, believing everything they said, she recalls.

Despite this, Carole was a straight A pupil. She was aware, however - first in the playground, and later at work and other social situations - that she was definitely different.

For years she battled with feelings that she did not fit in, leaving her at times anxious and on edge about how to behave.

And then a few years ago her youngest son, then 13, was diagnosed with autism. Suddenly, the penny dropped.

As I heard the psychologist ticking his traits off the list - he was non-verbal, late to walk, preferred to draw rather than communicate - I sat there thinking back to my childhood and just thought: Thats me!

Feeling that she did not fit in left Carole McNally anxious and on edge about how to behave

While she wasnt non-verbal, Carole wasnt good at communicating.

A few weeks later, she saw her GP and was referred to a psychologist.

It took him about ten minutes to diagnose me as autistic, she says.

I was 46 years old. Suddenly all the ostracising; the being accused of being rude; the inability to make friends; the way my foster family treated me - all of it made sense. There was nothing evil about me. I was autistic.

Caroles experience is typical of many, according to experts.

Hundreds of thousands, possibly over a million, autistic people in the UK are undiagnosed - many of them adults, and women in particular, says Dr Katie Barge, a psychologist based in Gloucestershire who specialises in autism assessments.

In fact, up to 90 per cent of middle-aged and older people with autism are undiagnosed, with the numbers rising with age: one in four people with autism aged 19 and under, and half of those aged 20 to 39, were undiagnosed. This rose to 89 per cent of those aged between 40 and 59, and 96 per cent of those aged 60 and over, according to a review published in the Annual Review of Developmental Psychology earlier this year.

This follows a study in 2023 by University College London which found the true number of people living with autism in England to be around 1.2 million - double the number often cited by health officials.

Commenting on the findings, in the Lancet Regional Health - Europe in 2023, the lead researcher Elizabeth ONions said they were evidence of a substantial diagnostic gap in adults compared to children and young people when it comes to autism in England.

Instead many adults, especially autistic women, are diagnosed with mood, anxiety or personality disorders. Their relational difficulties are attributed to other conditions and autism is missed, says Dr Katie Barge.

Typically, as with Carole, its their childs diagnosis with autism that leads to the mothers diagnosis. Research shows that over 60 per cent of women with autism were diagnosed or realised they were autistic after their childs diagnosis, adds Dr Barge.

Dr Katie Barge, a psychologist who specialises in autism assessments, says: 'Hundreds of thousands, possibly over a million, autistic people in the UK are undiagnosed'

Lead researcher Elizabeth ONions said there was evidence of a substantial diagnostic gap in adults compared to children and young people when it comes to autism'

Children may express their autism differently from adults - displaying more pronounced difficulties with social interaction and communication, restricted and repetitive behaviours and interests, and sensory differences - for example, being highly sensitive to certain sounds, says the child psychologist, with the child often mislabelled as bad or naughty.

And this creates deeply embedded feelings of shame, chronic anxiety and low self-worth.

In adults the signs can be more subtle - such as repetitive behaviours or not being able to read situations.

And it is women who are most likely to be undiagnosed, says Dr Barge.

Autism has historically been defined through a male lens, so diagnostic tools were built around how autism presents in boys - that is, more obvious social communication and interaction difficulties and repetitive behaviours, she explains.

Girls tend to have more advanced social communication skills and are, therefore, far better at masking - meaning they consciously or unconsciously copy social behaviours to fit in, suppress their discomfort, and develop camouflage strategies.

Whats more, their interests [such as books, animals, celebrities] may seem typical of being female - even if the intensity of that interest is autistic in nature, such as deep, encyclopaedic knowledge about animals, horses, specific book series or K-pop groups.

They may also meticulously curate collections of things, such as stationery or skincare, or develop rigid routines and have a hyper-focus on social rules, fairness or friendship dynamics.

Other signs include perfectionistic immersion in writing, art, languages or fashion - doing hours of research, making systems/lists - activism or niche justice topics pursued with adult-level depth for their age, explains Dr Barge. And these can be misread as anxiety, perfectionism, or shyness, rather than autism.

Carole was a classic case - getting through schoolwork with ease, but struggling to know how to approach social situations.

Id become fixated on things, she recalls.

I remember doing Macbeth at GCSE and spending hours and hours in the library studying everything there was to learn about it. Needless to say, I got an A.

I just couldnt function in other ways. I remember a teacher taking my books away at school and telling me I had to go play with the other kids instead of reading.

I just stood on the edge of the playground, staring out, because I didnt know how to join in.

Carole adds: When my peers told me I needed a boyfriend or that I should act a certain way, I went along with it - not because I wanted to, but because I thought it was what I was supposed to do.

I often misunderstood social signals and still have an intense sense of justice.

I also struggled with anxiety because I didnt understand why I was so different from everyone else, or why I didnt fit in or want to do the same things other children did.

Carole did what she could to fit in, getting a boyfriend and even marrying at 17 and having three children. But sadly her marriage broke down and Carole left, taking the children. (She has not been contact with her foster parents for over 30 years.)

No one ever mentioned her being autistic she says, theyd just say I was odd.

Many late-diagnosed autistic women describe growing up feeling different and ostracised without knowing why, says Dr Katie Barge.

Their subtle social differences - being literal, intense, or struggling with unwritten rules - often make them targets for bullying or social exclusion.

Without understanding or support, they internalise this as somethings wrong with me, which can lead to chronic anxiety, people-pleasing, shame and perfectionism.

Without a diagnosis to understand why they feel different, people with autism may develop secondary mental health problems such as anxiety, depression or eating disorders, adds Dr Barge.

The situation is, however, improving since the 1980s and 90s, when autism diagnosis focused almost exclusively on boys with clear language or learning differences, says Katie Barge. Many girls and high-functioning individuals were simply unseen, due to their compliance in the classroom.

Now women are being diagnosed at a faster rate than men, according to Dr Barge.

The diagnosis can bring both grief and relief, she says. Many adults look back and finally understand years of exhaustion and social confusion.

Once they are diagnosed they have more self-acceptance and may pursue a lifestyle or career that accommodate for particular needs and sensitivities.

Carole was grateful for her diagnosis as it underlined that she was not naughty or strange, adding: Nor was I possessed by the devil.

She says not all of her symptoms have been a hindrance.

When she got a job doing maternity cover on the reception of a tech company, she used her hyperfocus to her advantage. Carole learnt all there was to know about the business, teaching herself coding and computing, and soon rose through the ranks.

Suddenly life was good, she says.

I was using the hyperfocussed part of my personality to thrive in my career, but I still felt off.

There she also met a new partner, Casper, now 53, and they had a child together.

When she was diagnosed, Carole says Casper was not surprised as he had suspected it for a while.

Now she runs her own tech business, TechWitch, and has started a charity, Atypify, to help autistic children reach their potential in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths).

As a neurodivergent woman, I understand the challenges faced by people on the spectrum, she says.

It took 46 years for me to be diagnosed with autism. Thats four decades in which I was made to feel I was rude, wrong and antisocial - and finally I feel I have validation not only for who I am, but to help others.
Nowadays the word iconic is vastly overused. But there is no doubt that one painting, Girl With A Pearl Earring by the great Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer, has indeed become an icon. Tracy Chevaliers historical novel inspired by the painting has sold more than five million copies worldwide and its popularity led to a successful film adaptation (starring Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth) in 2003.

Woman reading a letter: Johannes Vermeer

Why is that particular painting so loved? It is a visual symbol of the sublime. The beautiful young girl in yellow and blue turns to look directly at the viewer, her eyes wide, her mouth slightly open  as if she has been surprised by something that fills her with wonder and awe. Now the distinguished art critic Andrew Graham-Dixon has developed an astonishing theory of what the painting means. I wont unveil it just yet, but it is one of the revelations that make his brilliant new biography of Vermeer so original and exciting.

The overwhelming impression of Vermeers art is stillness. A woman pours milk from a jug, or reads a letter, or plays an instrument, or makes lace, or looks up at her maid with a question we cannot fathom. There is a profound mystery as well as tenderness in these works. Often a curtain is pulled aside, as if for us to glimpse a tableau on a silent stage, illuminated softly from the left, before the moment of mindfulness is over and we are left wondering what just happened.

It is unsurprising that the strange, hypnotic mood of Vermeers work has mesmerised thousands. In 2023, over four months, about 650,000 people visited the Vermeer exhibition at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. It was the most successful show in the museums history. Yet I wonder how many visitors, shuffling past the View Of Delft, and the enchanting glimpse afforded by The Little Street, knew that the calm of Vermeers world had its roots in turmoil.

Andrew Graham-Dixon is that rare thing  a tireless scholar and critic who looks beyond the analysis and appreciation of art into its very soul. Over the pages of this ground-breaking book he evokes the rich, deep subsoil into which Vermeer was planted and flourished: the Golden Age of Dutch Art set against the terrible history of conflicts that spread suffering over 17th century Europe.

Scarlett Johansen and Colin Firth in the Girl With the Pearl Earring (2003)

The history of religious upheaval, persecution and war is complex, fascinating and appalling, and Graham-Dixon rightly calls it the inheritance. He believes the background is essential for an understanding of why Vermeer painted his pictures and what they mean. The zeitgeist is the defining spirit of a particular stage in history, and for Vermeer it was the cumulative effect of the unimaginable atrocities of the Thirty Years War in Germany and Dutch rebels Eighty Years War against the brutality of the Spanish occupiers, which split the Netherlands but led to the creation of the Dutch Republic. To over-simplify  out of blood and bitterness came the vision of grace that permeates Vermeers work.

I read Graham-Dixon while referring constantly to Karl Schutzs huge, magnificent Complete Works of Vermeer published by Taschen. To do so was enlightening, because this new book seems to be driven by what other works on the artist lack: real passion. There is no dry scholarship here. The thesis hinges on the idea that Vermeers life and work were rooted in the moderate wing of the Dutch Revolt  in what we would now call a non-conformist and pacifist sect, with tolerance and respect for women at its heart.

Why were so many of Vermeers paintings kept together in one private house? Graham-Dixons answer to that question is key to his understanding of the artist  and returns us to religion. Vermeers patrons Pieter Claesz van Ruijven and his wife Maria were Protestant Remonstrants who rebelled against the strict Calvinist doctrine of predestination (which means you have no choice) and preached the power of the individual conscience. The author believes that Vermeer (whose wife and her family were Catholic, adding another layer) was entirely sympathetic to this cause.

Whats more, he sees the majority of Vermeers most familiar paintings as devotional works, often paired, expressing ideas about God and man, making human and divine love vivid and visible. In explaining what he means and analysing the paintings accordingly, Graham-Dixon packs his own soul into academic analysis  and the result is often transcendental. He wants us to understand the spiritual energy emanating from the church (ie the Remonstrants) as key to the mystery of Vermeers art.

Vermeer is available now from the Mail Bookshop

Critics might call out the many suppositions: the text is littered with might have, perhaps, possibly, very likely and other qualifiers. Sometimes its almost as if Graham-Dixon is creating his own fictions. His revelation that Girl With A Pearl Earring is really meant to offer a secret vision of Mary Magdalene at the moment she realises the identity of the risen Christ is a suggestion that didnt work for me.

Yet how profound and uplifting it is when the author describes the View Of Delft as a prophetic vision the unbearably beautiful spectacle of what human life would be like if only we would make it so. No more war  just peace and beauty as the storm clouds pass. His analysis of The Lacemaker in terms of a womans pregnancy took my breath away, and his description of The Art Of Painting transformed my physical encounter with the work last week in Vienna.

For many years, Vermeers work was lost, in that the artist somehow slipped off the register, partly because of the accumulation of his work in the one house, that of Pieter Claesz van Ruijven and his wife Maria. The complex story of this contributes to the fascination of Andrew Graham- Dixons personal quest to find the real Vermeer.

Of course Graham-Dixon will have his critics. But anyone who loves art will warm to the beguiling, personal nature of a beautifully written narrative, with its roots in the authors understanding of a religious and intellectual movement driven by the desire to reform society and make the world a fairer and better place. This is art history as an imaginative leap into a world in which enlightenment was the only bulwark against chaos, and toleration was  as it still is  necessary for civilisation.
I was 23 years old when I succeeded in getting a job at the BBC. I had failed to be taken on as a studio manager in London  I think the interviewer guessed I would be more interested in broadcasting than the technical side of radio  so it was: 'Thank you, Miss Murray and goodbye.'

Never one to give up, I tried again and was welcomed into the local radio newsroom in Bristol and slowly began to climb my way up the greasy pole.

I was 70 when I resigned, having spent 33 years presenting Woman's Hour, proud to have spent my life working in an organisation I loved.

But by 2020, I was beginning to feel less proud.

Tim Davie, a perfectly nice man, had taken over as director-general from Tony Hall and I could feel things going wrong in my bones. Tim had worked at Pepsi as vice-president of marketing and finance, failed to become a Conservative councillor in 1993 and left Pepsi in 2005, becoming the BBC's director of marketing, communications and audiences.

He took responsibility for radio in 2008 and gained a place on the executive board, but I'd always wondered, 'Where is his journalism?'

The director-general's job is huge and complex, but surely nothing  even managing thousands of staff, being good with money and negotiating well with governments regardless of their politics  is as important as a strong journalistic instinct.

It's crucial that the director-general, responsible for the BBC's home and international news and current affairs broadcasts, has worked from the bottom to the top as a journalist (as Tony Hall had).

Jenni Murray presented Woman's Hour on BBC Radio 4 for 33 years. Pictured interviewing Edwina Currie

Jenni on her first day presenting Woman's Hour in 1987 after taking over from Sue MacGregor

Tim Davie took responsibility for radio in 2008 and gained a place on the executive board, but I'd always wondered, 'Where is his journalism?' writes Jenni Murray

He or she must know how news stories are uncovered, how the facts are checked and, in an organisation that prides itself on impartiality, ensure there is no evidence of pressure from activists to tell a story in a particular way.

The buck stops at the director-general, who carries the reputation of the BBC on his or her shoulders.

Of course, mistakes are made and must be acknowledged and apologised for, but they should not be happening on the dangerous scale we have been made aware of over the past week.

I remember seeing the Panorama report about Donald Trump and being horrified that he appeared to encourage violence. Wrong. It was what someone thought was a clever little edit.

Equally, why did programme-makers not disclose the fact they'd hired the son of a Hamas official to narrate a documentary on Gaza?

Then there was the issue that ultimately resulted in me leaving my job  the trans question.

It started around 2017 with a request from middle management to put one's pronouns on email sign-offs. I protested to my editor. No way would She/Her appear on mine. I was told not to make a fuss.

I didn't have to do it. Some of the younger members of the team didn't seem to mind it, but why was the impartial BBC suggesting this at all?

The BBC said Martine Croxall broke its impartiality rules when she corrected the term 'pregnant people' to 'women' while presenting live on air

Over the following few months, I began to understand the extent to which the BBC had been seduced by Stonewall, the organisation advocating LGBTQ+ rights, and the trans lobby. Discussions on air about the impact of trans activists on women were suddenly not allowed.

I was so angry I wrote an article for The Sunday Times, furious that trans women were demanding that breast-feeding should be called chest-feeding, children should be given medical treatment for believing they'd been born into the wrong body and that trans women should be allowed into spaces designed for women  toilets, rape crisis centres and hospital staff changing rooms.

I asked to discuss all this on Woman's Hour where, regardless of what I had written, I believed I could be trusted to be an unbiased chair. I was told 'no'. I would not be allowed to host any discussions on the trans question. In fact I would never be allowed to talk about it on the programme.

I was appalled, then baffled when, in response, the editors quoted George Orwell at me: 'If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear'  a phrase written on the wall outside BBC Broadcasting House in London.

What a line to throw at someone who wanted the freedom to debate an issue affecting women across the nation.

How could the BBC prevent the audience of a programme called Woman's Hour from discussing the impact of activists calling for radical changes to the language, for trans women to be held in women's prisons, for them to have access to women's refuges  moves which threatened much of the work I and many other feminists had done to secure the safety of women and girls?

I could not accept being gagged on what was the greatest danger to women's hard-won rights imaginable.

How had we come to a point where politicians and public broadcasters were unable to decide whether a woman could have a penis? I had to get out and find somewhere I could express my gender-critical views.

There were colleagues who tried to persuade me to stay. They would remind me of all the gains I'd made as a champion of my sex. But it was for that very reason that I couldn't stay, although it broke my heart to go.

October 2020. I walked out of Broadcasting House, my second home for so long, and passed by the statue of Orwell vowing to use my liberty to tell people things they 'do not want to hear'.

Some of the journalists I left behind tell me things have got a bit better recently. The BBC has separated from the Stonewall Diversity Champions scheme, an employer programme encouraging LGBTQ+ support; and there are no longer links to Mermaids  the charity for trans children and young people  from the BBC website.

But still there's evidence that the bias persists despite the Supreme Court ruling this summer that the definition of sex is biological.

Why, for example, were the seven nurses who complained about a trans woman being allowed to use their changing room at Darlington Memorial Hospital grilled like criminals on Woman's Hour?

Who typed 'pregnant people' on Martine Croxall's news script? And why did the BBC formally rebuke the presenter for the way she corrected the phrase to 'pregnant women'.

Why are trans women sex offenders described as women when their crimes are clearly male?

It's time the BBC acknowledged it has been far from impartial on the trans debate.

And now that the BBC  which, by the way, I still love and admire for all the good and important work it does  needs a new director-general, you won't be surprised to hear that I think it should be a woman.

It's staggering that this 103-year-old organisation has had 17 director-generals (I survived ten of them) and they were all guess what? Ah yes. Men.

Wouldn't this be a great opportunity to change that? There are some pretty formidable women who could fill the role, bringing both their experience as women and their journalistic nous to one of the hardest jobs in media in a time of increased competition  and with a charter renewal coming up.

My money's on Charlotte Moore. She quit her very well-paid job as the BBC's chief content officer earlier this year. I don't know why she left but she'd be welcomed back.

She's tough, outspoken, liked at the BBC and good at commissioning popular programmes, including The Traitors and Gavin & Stacey.

For me, the next director-general of the BBC must be a journalist  and it's high time that journalist was a woman!

It's right to tell kids about cancer

How very wise of the Prince and Princess of Wales to be honest with their children when Kate was given a diagnosis of cancer.

My sons were in their teens when I found out I had breast cancer, but even if theyd been younger, I would have told them everything. I remember their shock, but then we went through it all together.

William is right when he says keeping things secret makes children more anxious. Hiding things from them doesnt work. Its always far better to tell them the truth and work through things together.

Sir Alan Bates has waited too long for compensation for the pain he suffered as a result of the Post Office scandal. He now has a handsome sum, and hopes it will lead to others getting their money quickly. But how will he spend it? On a shed! Fittingly unpretentious, and the reason we all love him.

What a stupid pet shop owner

What was Pets Corner tycoon, Dean Richmond, thinking when he held a huge fireworks display on his estate, allegedly causing a neighbours horse to bolt in terror and die?

Youd think the owner of a pet shop would know animals and fireworks dont mix.

Oh, how I miss my funny friend

Its almost ten years since Victoria Wood died from cancer, too young at 62, but at last one of the best modern comedians and playwrights weve ever had is to have her own theatre. The Old Laundry Theatre in Bowness-on-Windermere will be renamed the Victoria Wood Theatre. On Womans Hour, she was the only interviewee who could silence me by making me laugh so much. I still miss her.
It comes just weeks after the launch of her new Food Network series

Gaines explained that she had been quietly working on the pivot for three years

HGTV star Joanna Gaines has pivoted into the business space with her own line of frozen foods.

The 47-year-old proudly revealed last month that the supermarket giant Target now stocks her Magnolia Table products, which include classic sugar cookies, banana bread, buttermilk biscuits and classic cinnamon rolls.

The surprising career move, which has been three years in the making, comes amid growing uncertainty at HGTV following a spate of cancelations.

'We've been dreaming this up for the last three years I almost can't believe they're finally here,' Gaines enthused of her frozen baked goods.

'I have always believed in the power of food,' she continued in a post shared on Instagram.

'In its ability to slow us down, draw us close, and invite us into the everyday moments that end up mattering most.

'For the past decade we've been creating recipes for our Magnolia Table cookbooks and serving up our favorites at our restaurant, bakery, and coffee shop in Waco, Texas.

'A few years ago the time felt right to start dreaming about creating a line of frozen baked goods.'

Joanna Gaines has launched her frozen food brand Magnolia Table, which is stocked in Target

The line includes six different products from cinnamon rolls to banana bread

Gaines explained that she hopes the range will make it easier for people to 'pull something delicious out of the oven' even on the busiest days.

At the time of writing, all six products are on sale at priced at $9.99, down from $11.99.

The new line comes after Gaines's cooking series, Magnolia Table: At the Farm, premiered on the Food Network and Magnolia Network in September.

Magnolia Table: At the Farm - executive produced Gaines and her husband Chip through their production company - is a 'refreshed' version of the original Magnolia Table show.

She described the project as 'an open door to join me at home as I share some easy to love and easy to make comfort foods that I've been serving my family for years, plus all the stories behind them.'

In the official trailer, Gaines said she hides in the kitchen when she simply wants to 'create and bake something fresh.'

'I'm excited about sharing quicker comfort recipes that I've always loved to make for my family,' she continued. 'I feel like when we're in this space it can be a little more casual.

'What I love about these recipes is the memory and the story that's attached. I think you're going to love it.'

All six products are currently on sale at Target and are priced at $9.99, down from $11.99

Gaines's cooking series, Magnolia Table: At the Farm, premiered in September

At the time of Magnolia Table: At the Farm's release, fans were not impressed and branded the episodes 'very boring.'

Sharing their criticism on Reddit, one said: 'Food Network has given too many shows to celebrities or relatives of them instead of real people who can cook.'

'I've tried watching her but, yes, she's very boring,' another commented. 'And kind of fake, if you ask me. Tries too hard to be relatable.'

'She can't cook,' continued a third while another hit out at her 'sh****recipes' and having 'zero skill.'

Others accused her of trying to rival famous homemaker Martha Stewart.

'She so badly wants to be Martha Stewart,' one said on Reddit. 'She wants to capture all things home-keeping and she just doesn't have the charisma. It all feels so forced and inauthentic.'

Another said: 'She will never be Martha. How do you get a cooking show with zero knife skills?'
Fans have accused Vogue of face-tuning the human rights lawyer in the images

The publication shared pictures of Amal Clooney, 47, speaking at an event

Vogue readers have been left fuming after its recent pictures of Amal Clooney shared to Instagram appeared to have been Facetuned.

The magazine shared two photos of the human rights lawyer speaking on stage at the Prix Suisse event in Switzerland on Sunday, with users noticing an unusually air-brushed appearance.

Clooney, 47, took to the stage to talk about a range of topics including her career as a human rights lawyer and her work for the Clooney Foundation for Justice - but some were fixated on her face.

Clooney is known for her sculptured cheekbones and striking features, but critics claim they barely recognized her in Vogue's post.

'Why did they AI her face? She looks horrible. She's a 50-year-old woman so what you didn't need to make her look like she's 20,' fumed one user.

'Did Vogue just FaceTune Amal Clooney?' questioned another.

A third asked: 'Why did you face tune her???'

'Please don't filter this stunning individual. Her brilliance is the focus,' a fourth chimed in.

Fans have accused Vogue of Facetuning Amal Clooney, pictured, in a recent social media post highlighting her appearance at the Prix Suisse event in Switzerland

Another summarized what many users were thinking.

'Honestly I thought was someone else in the first pic!' they wrote.

Although the wife of actor George Clooney looked stunning in a plunging bright red Sergio Hudson jumpsuit, which she paired with gold earrings and gold heels with her hair blown out, some also slammed the magazine for only talking about what she was wearing, rather than the contents of her speech.

The post was captioned: 'Over the weekend, Amal Clooney put a festive twist on her signature silhouette for an appearance at the 2025 Prix Suisse.

'Clooney addressed the crowd in a statement jumpsuita look she's made her public-speaking go-to.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to Amal Clooney's representatives and Conde Nast, Vogue's parent company, for comment.

Eagle-eyed fans were quick to spot that eye-catching jumpsuit was also worn by the lawyer before at Meghan Markle's 2019 baby shower six years ago.

In August, the natural beauty was accused of 'upstaging' her movie-star husband at the Venice Film festival premiere of his film, Jay Kelly.

Although Clooney, pictured in October, is known for her sculptured cheekbones and striking features critics have claimed they didn't recognize the lawyer in Vogue's recent post

Clooney, with husband George, 64, at the Venice Film festival premiere of his film, Jay Kelly, in August. The actress was said to have undergone a 'non-surgical' facelift before the event

Clooney is an accomplished lawyer and was speaking at the Prix Suisse event about her work and the Clooney Foundation for Justice

The mom-of-two wore a stunning fuchsia mini dress with a dramatic train, with her age-defying looks apparently due to a pricey facial she underwent before the event.

Clooney reportedly had a 111SKIN treatment which involved her getting 'wrinkle-minimizing wand movements' and a facial massage, as previously reported by the Daily Mail.

The products for the treatment reportedly costs just under $3,000 and the 90-minute procedure costs around $315.

Clooney, who shares eight-year-old twins - Alexander and Ella - with her husband of 11 years, has long been known for her prestigious law career.

She has represented several high-profile clients, including former Maldivian president Mohamed Nasheed and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

The Beirut-born lawyer, who moved to the UK when she was two to escape the Lebanese War, is an adjunct law professor at Columbia Law School and a Visiting Professor of Practice at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford.
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Few people can make a suit look as effortlessly cool as Alexa Chung. The British style icon has long been the poster girl for relaxed tailoring, always managing to make even the most polished pieces feel undone in that signature Alexa Chung way. Her latest look was no exception, reminding us once again why she remains such an enduring influence on the fashion crowd.

Attending the opening of Hoffs new flagship store in Madrid, Chung wore a sharp pinstripe suit layered over a lemon-yellow shirt and finished with a western-inspired belt  a styling move that felt both classic and subtly playful. On her feet, she chose the brands 160 Bridge trainers.

The trainers  designed by the Spanish brand known for its city-inspired footwear  added a sporty twist to her tailored look. Made from soft suede in a deep plum tone, theyre a chic alternative to the standard white trainer.

While Hoff was founded in Spain, the label has become a quiet favourite in the UK, available to shop through its own site and at its Regent Street store, as well as at Schuh, John Lewis and Next. And Alexa Chung isnt the only A-lister whos a fan  Sienna Miller has also been spotted in several pairs, including the Bangkok model, confirming the brands growing fashion-world appeal.

Between Chungs effortlessly tailored take and Millers off-duty approach, its clear Hoff has found fans among Britains best-dressed. If youre after trainers that feel elevated but easy, scroll down for our favourite pairs to bookmark.

To get more of what you love from your favourite Sunday supplement, follow us on Instagram (@youmagazine), X (@YOUMagSocial) and TikTok (@you_magazine).
The popular chef behind one of Australia's most iconic hospitality groups has revealed his favourite off-duty meals and venues of 2025.

Fresh off revamping Opera Bar, Canadian-born Patrick Friesen has been the Culinary Director at Applejack for the past three years, and before that worked in some of the country's most prestigious kitchens including Bennelong, Queen Chow and Howard Smith Wharves.

In early 2022, Friesen consulted on Applejack venue Forrester's new menu and masterminded one of Sydney's most viral dishes: the Big Yorkie - a full roast served inside a giant Yorkshire pudding.

Today, he oversees the menus across all Applejack restaurants, bars, pubs and cafes, including Bopp & Tone, June's Shoppe, Hester's, The Butler Potts Point, The Botanist Kirribilli, SoCal Sydney and Forrester's.

Since Applejack won the highly competitive tender for Opera Bar and neighbouring House Canteen, Friesen has been overhauling the dining offering - collaborating with local heroes and producers to bring their stories and flavours to life.

'This is a love letter to Sydney, and we will showcase to the world what the most delicious city on earth is all about,' he tells Daily Mail Lifestyle.

'I'm excited to get to build our community of collaborators, suppliers, farmers and fishers.'

It's safe to say he knows his stuff. Which is why we simply had to ask where he eats, what he orders and the dining moments that defined his 2025 (outside his own venues, of course):

Fresh off revamping Opera Bar, Canadian-born Patrick Friesen has been the Culinary Director at Applejack for the past three years

Basta Falafel at Bondi markets is one of my favourite hole-in-the-walls and they only serve two days a week,' Friesen said

What is your favourite restaurant in Australia right now?

By Sang in Zetland is one of my favourite restaurants in Australia.

I love that I can get omakase level sushi a la carte and can indulge in more pieces of my favourite sushi and not be limited to one of each!

What is the most underrated hole-in-the-wall spot you've stumbled upon this year?

Basta Falafel at Bondi markets is one of my favourite hole-in-the-walls and they only serve two days a week. Because of this we have partnered with them to serve their falafel at Opera Bar.

Another would be Sang by Mabasa in Surry Hills - I love the home-style Korean cooking. Portions are just right and I love to sneak out of the office and go there for lunch.

What's the best meal you've had this year?

Flavour Town in Seoul. I was lucky enough to work with [chef/owners] TK and Claire many years ago at Ms.G's in Potts Point.

Flavour Town in Seoul has been a stand-out for Friesen in 2025

'By Sang in Zetland is one of my favourite restaurants in Australia,' Friesen says

Getting to visit TK and Claire's restaurant and seeing the culmination of many years, travels and experiences come together in their dream restaurant in Seoul was amazing.

The food and service were of course super delicious/amazing, but knowing the journey it took to get there made it extra special.

Name a dining spot you visited on a recent holiday that really had an impact on you?

Ju Xing Home in Hong Kong. I went recently with my brother, uncle, and cousin and we got to share an amazing Cantonese meal in this neighbourhood restaurant.

Understated interiors, friendly service, and amazing food. A restaurant I wish I had in my neighbourhood.

'Another underrated hole-in-the-wall would be Sang by Mabasa in Surry Hills - I love the home-style Korean cooking. Portions are just right and I love to sneak out of the office and go there for lunch,' Friesen says

Friesen raved about Ju Xing after visiting on a family holiday: 'Understated interiors, friendly service, and amazing food'

What makes a truly fantastic restaurant in 2025?

The total package. We are blessed in Sydney with amazing cooks and chefs across our city.

It's a hard thing to do but when it all comes together with friendly personable service, amazing cocktails and wine, music that puts you in the right mood, design, and the food to match, it makes you feel a certain way and time melts away.

We are blessed in Sydney with amazing cooks and chefs across our city,' he says

What is a dining trend you can safely say is over?

I'm not a hater - but I will say that beans are the trend in dining at the moment and I'm here for it!

What is a neighbourhood favourite venue you will continue to visit for years to come?

In my hometown of Winnipeg in Canada it has to be Georges Burgers and Subs. They have been serving Fat Boys (a Winnipeg style burger) for 50 years and I hope it never changes.

In Australia i am looking forward to living in Redfern next year and am so excited to have Olympus Dining as my new local. I love everything Jon Barthelmess does and I'm a big fan.

'In my hometown of Winnipeg is Georges Burgers and Subs. They have been serving Fat Boys (a Winnipeg style burger) for 50 years and I hope it never changes,' Friesen says

In Australia i am looking forward to living in Redfern next year and am so excited to have Olympus Dining (pictured) as my new local. I love everything Jon Barthelmess does and I'm a big fan,' he said

What's a dish/project of yours that you're really excited about right now?

Lately my move has been to get grass fed short ribs and hot smoke them in the BBQ for a few hours before carving them like a steak. It's an economical hack to have a super marbled piece of beef and comes up unctuous and fatty.

In restaurants I'm obsessed with all things pizza. I'm looking forward to transforming the pizzas at Opera Bar and making them a special highlight.
Tinned tomatoes are the backbone of any great pasta sauce - and with the rising cost of living, they make an affordable alternative to fresh varieties.

With so many options to choose from, Australian consumer group CHOICE has narrowed down the top-rated canned tomatoes in a blind-tasting test.

The food experts put 18 varieties of diced or chopped tomatoes from popular supermarket brands to the test, including Mutti, Coles, Woolworths, Aldi and Leggo's.

The judges rated each tomato sample for taste, texture, aroma and appearance, with only four scoring 75 per cent or higher and earning recommended status.

'Tinned tomatoes are a pantry staple that most home cooks will reach for at least once a week for a spaghetti bolognese, curries, or even homemade passata,' CHOICE editorial director Mark Serrels said.

'With so many options at the supermarket, we want to help you find the best one to add to your dish.'

Of the 18 tins tested, Mutti Polpa Chopped Tomatoes Organic ($2.95) took the lead, scoring a stellar 80 per cent.

'Our experts praised it for its rich red colour, chunky texture, pleasant flavour, and good consistency,' Mark explained.

CHOICE has narrowed down the top rated canned tomatoes in a blind-tasting test

Of the 18 tins tested, Mutti Polpa Chopped Tomatoes Organic ($2.95) took the lead, scoring a stellar 80 per cent

Cucina Matese Diced Tomatoes ($1.40) claimed the runner-up spot with 76 per cent, just edging out Coles Italian Diced Tomatoes ($1.10), which scored 75 per cent.

'Our experts were impressed by the pleasant tomato aroma, saying it had a good balance of sweet and acidic taste, and a smooth consistency,' he said of Cucina Matese Diced Tomatoes.

What the judges liked about Coles Italian Diced Tomatoes was the 'juicy consistency and pleasant appearance'.

'(They) thought it would be perfect for soups and chunky pasta sauces,' he said.

IGA's Community Co Italian Diced Tomatoes ($1.30) tied for third place with Coles Italian Diced Tomatoes ($1.10), both scoring 75 per cent.

'Our experts were pleased with its fresh tomatoey smell, its bright red colour, and yummy flavour,' Mark said.

'They noted it was more liquid than the others, so it may be best for soup dishes.'

He pointed out that the top-rated Mutti Polpa Chopped Tomatoes Organic ($2.95) was the most expensive variety in the test.

But if you're looking for a cheaper option that still tastes great, he recommended the Coles Italian Diced Tomatoes, priced at just $1.10.

Cucina Matese Diced Tomatoes ($1.40) claimed the runner-up spot with 76 per cent

IGA's Community Co Italian Diced Tomatoes ($1.30) tied for third place with Coles Italian Diced Tomatoes ($1.10), both scoring 75 per cent

At the bottom of the leaderboard, Aldi Remano Italian Diced Tomatoes (95 cents), Aldi Remano Australian Diced Tomatoes ($1.19) and Black & Gold Chopped Tomatoes (95 cents) scored the lowest points, with 58 per cent, 54 per cent and 48 per cent respectively.

Shoppers weighed in on the results, with many agreeing with the top picks.

'Mutti all the way. Good rich flavour and no nasty unripe green bits like in some locally-produced brands,' one raved.

'The Mutti ones are lovely, all tomatoes no juice added, the best one for chicken palmy (the Mediterranean one),' another shared.

'Mutti. I use it for the majority of my Italian tomato needs,' one added.

'I always use Community Co, I find them very good,' another revealed.

Many raved about Ardmona, one of Australia's tomato brands, producing a range of canned tomato products like crushed, diced, and pasta sauces.

'Ardmona is the best. Australian tomatoes, and nothing added,' one said.

'Aussie tomatoes. Love the Ardmona variety that has added herbs,' another revealed.

Meanwhile, some said they couldn't get enough of Aldi's tinned tomatoes.

'I've been using the Aldi diced tomatoes for years and have found them to be perfect,' one shared.
A beloved Connecticut meteorologist has died after a nearly decade-long battle with pancreatic cancer.

Geoff Fox died in his sleep on Tuesday at the age of 75, his wife Helaine said.

He had been fighting pancreatic cancer on and off since 2016 and announced a few months ago that he would stop treatment and start at-home hospice care.

Fox had previously been diagnosed cancer-free in 2017, where he said the experience made him realize what truly mattered.

'It made me realize how happy I was,' he said in an interview at the time to the station. 'Isn't that weird? Here I was, maybe going to die, probably going to die, and all I could think of was: "You know, my life is pretty good."'

He announced his cancer returned this September.

Geoff joined WTNH in 1984 and stayed with the team for 26 years, leaving in 2011.

He was working for News Channel Nebraska from his garage until August and has been with the station for 10 years.

Geoff Fox died in his sleep on Tuesday at the age of 75, his wife Helaine said

The meteorologist had been fighting pancreatic cancer on and off since 2016, and announced a few months ago that he would stop treatment and start at-home hospice care. He announced his cancer returned this September

'Geoffs combination of charisma and forecasting knowledge made him a one-of-a-kind TV talent,' the channel's Vice President of News and Content, Michael Shively, said.

'Although Geoff broadcast remotely, he was as much of a Nebraskan as anyone in the state. He will be remembered by viewers for his casual and fun delivery and by his co-workers for his endless stories and deep passion for his profession.'

Throughout his time on news stations, he won seven Emmy awards.

His wife said Fox would be cremated and with little fanfare, as was his wish.

'He really was grateful for the connection he shared with all of you,' she said to all his viwers.

Fox, a New York City native, got his start on radio before landing a TV gig in Buffalo, New York.

He eventually joined WTNH in 1984. He worked at Fox 61 afterward for a brief period of time before he and his wife moved to California and he built a setup in his garage to continue his broadcast career, the New York Daily News said.

In an earlier Facebook post, Fox reflected on the many years he spent as a meteorologist and how often he got to meet fans.

Fox had previously been diagnosed cancer-free in 2017, where he said the experience made him realize what truly mattered. 'It made me realize how happy I was,' he said

Fox, a New York City native, got his start on radio before landing a TV gig in Buffalo, New York. He eventually joined WTNH in 1984. He worked at Fox 61 briefly and was last employed at News Channel Nebraska

He worked remotely from his garage studio (pictured) after moving to California

'Some folks dont like the fame or act differently. Not me. I have hugged hundreds, maybe thousands, of viewers,' he wrote.

'I was happy to be with you guys at virtually any time or place. You afforded me an unbelievable life which matched the fantasy Id invented.

'I am very grateful.
Megyn Kelly admitted the freshly released Jeffrey Epstein emails 'don't sound good' for President Donald Trump as she remarked that he should have just released the files himself.

The conservative podcaster discussed the telling emails that were released by Democrats on the House of Oversight Committee Wednesday morning.

The damning messages revealed how often the dead financer mentioned Trump over a 15-year period and even showed Epstein claiming to have photos of the president with bikini-clad girls.

MAGA firebrand Kelly gave her take on the emails during the Megyn Kelly Show while talking to News Nation host Batya Ungar-Sargon.

'I concede that they sound bad,' the former Fox News host said of the emails, adding that the leak is 'basically kind of a middle finger' to the commander-in-chief.

'They dont sound good. If I were a Democrat, I could easily make some hay with these, which they will.'

She added: 'But my overall take on this Batya is why didn't Trump just release these? Just release them! Right?

'Now he's in the position of being singled out as the only one, allegedly, as opposed to one of a slew of names.

Megyn Kelly said the Jeffrey Epstein emails 'don't sound good' and that she wishes Donald Trump had released the files himself

The emails were released by Democrats on the House of Oversight Committee Wednesday morning, showing Epstein speak of the president several times. (Pictured: Epstein and Trump in Palm Beach, Florida in 1997)

'To me this a self-inflicted wound by the Trump administration and it was unnecessary,' the media personality continued.

In one correspondence, Epstein, who died by suicide in August 2019 in his cell at New York City's Metropolitan Correctional Center, plotted with author Michael Wolff to 'let Donald Trump hang himself' at the height of the 2016 presidential campaign, according to the explosive new email dump.

Then in a December 2015 exchange, Epstein told New York Times journalist Thomas Landon Jr that he had photos of Trump with bikini-clad girls in his kitchen.

'Would you like photos of Donald and girls in bikinis in my kitchen?' Epstein asked the journalist in an email.

In a follow-up exchange with the reporter, Epstein claimed Trump almost walked through a glass door because he was distracted by young women.

'Have them ask my houseman about Donald almost walking through the door leaving his nose print on the glass as young women were swimming in the pool,' Epstein wrote to Landon in December 2015.

'He was so focused he walked straight into the door.'

The emails also showed that the late pedophile referred to Trump in correspondence with his right-hand woman Ghislaine Maxwell and the author Michael Wolff over a period of at least eight years.

Wolff recorded over a hundred hours of conversation with Epstein from roughly 2014 to 2019 and described their contact as a working relationship for several major book projects, including Fire and Fury - an account of the first Trump administration.

Michael Wolff emailed Epstein with the subject line 'heads up' on December 15, 2015 - the day of a Republican primary debate televised by CNN

Epstein discussed his connection to Trump with New York Times Financial Reporter Landon Thomas on December 8, 2015

The author emailed Epstein with the subject line 'heads up' on December 15, 2015 - the day of a Republican primary debate televised by CNN.

'I hear CNN planning to ask Trump tonight about his relationship with you  either on air or in scrum afterwards,' Wolff told the billionaire financier.

Epstein asked Wolff if he should help prepare an answer for the then-presidential candidate, but the author advised him that he should allow Trump to answer himself because his response could yield political capital.

'If we were able to craft an answer for him, what do you think it should be?' Epstein asked.

Wolff responded, 'I think you should let him hang himself. If he says he hasn't been on the plane or to the house, then that gives you a valuable PR and political currency.

'You can hang him in a way that potentially generates a positive benefit for you, or, if it really looks like he could win, you could save him, generating a debt.

'Of course, it is possible that, when asked, he'll say Jeffrey is a great guy and has gotten a raw deal and is a victim of political correctness, which is to be outlawed in a Trump regime.'

In another email between Epstein and Wolff in January 2019, the convicted sex offender referred to his expulsion from Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club.

Michael Wolff recorded over a hundred hours of conversation with Epstein from roughly 2014 to 2019, and described their contact as a working relationship for several major book projects, including Fire and Fury - an account of the first Trump administration

'Trump said he asked me to resign,' Epstein wrote, adding, 'never a member ever. . of course he knew about the girls as he asked to Ghislaine to stop.'

The President revealed new details about his split from Epstein in July, saying he banned the financier from Mar-a-Lago for poaching spa employees, including Virginia Giuffre.

Speaking aboard Air Force One during a trip to Scotland, Trump said Epstein twice hired away workers despite being warned, prompting him to declare Epstein 'persona non grata.'

The Daily Mail approached Wolf and Kelly for comment.

Following the leak, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson finally permitted a vote next week to force Trump's Department of Justice to release all of the infamous 'Epstein files.'

After a discharge petition to release the files attracted 218 signatures in the U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday, Johnson told reporters on Capitol Hill that 'we're going to put that on the floor for a full vote when we get back next week'.

The move comes after MAGA House Republicans - including Reps. Lauren Boebert (Colo.), Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.), and Nancy Mace (S.C.) - went rogue against Trump and signed the petition.

A mass of Republican defectors are expected to join them and vote on the Epstein file disclosure bill. The vote will be earlier than expected, as the previous estimation for a vote on the bill could have put it as far back as December.

Congress is set to vote next week on forcing Donald Trump's Justice Department to release the Epstein files, House Speaker Mike Johnson announced Wednesday evening. (Pictured: Trump, Melania, Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell seen together in February 2000)

In a recent interview with attorney Todd Blanche, Maxwell reiterated that Trump 'did nothing wrong' and was never involved in Epstein's criminal activities.

The context of the exchanges is not clear. Around three years earlier, Epstein was jailed in Florida after pleading guilty to solicitation of prostitution with a minor.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called the email dump a politically-motivated 'smear' campaign and repeated Giuffre's former statements about Trump in which she absolved him of any wrongdoing.

'The Democrats selectively leaked emails to the liberal media to create a fake narrative to smear President Trump,' Leavitt said in a statement.
Joe Rogan has issued a blistering takedown of the BBC for its 'full-on lying and propaganda' coverage of President Donald Trump's speech on January 6, 2021.

The broadcaster recently released its Panorama documentary on the speech Trump delivered before the US Capitol riots broke out.

Trump's speech was sliced together in the documentary, which also omitted the moment where he urged his supporters to protest 'peacefully'.

Rogan, addressing the documentary on his podcast this week, accused the BBC of lying and argued Panorama was a demonstration of the 'deep rot' of mainstream media.

'It's kinda f*****g dangerous,' he said. 'It seems like these people - this is just my opinion - felt justified for completely lying, because it would lead to an ultimate good.'

He argued that the broadcaster has 'lost all journalistic integrity' and can no longer be trusted as an impartial news source.

The podcaster, who was one of Trump's biggest supporters during the 2024 election, added the documentary is the 'clearest indication of how that woke s*** is rotting people's brains'.

Trump has threatened to sue the BBC for $1 billion over the doctoring of his speech if the 'false, defamatory, disparaging, and inflammatory statements' are not retracted.

BBC Director-General Tim Davie also dramatically resigned on Sunday alongside CEO of News Deborah Turness following criticism viewers had been misled.

Joe Rogan has accused the BBC 'full-on lying' and spreading 'propaganda' in its documentary covering President Donald Trump's speech on January 6, 2021

President Donald Trump speaks during a Save America Rally near the White House in Washington DC on January 6, 2021

Rogan claimed the BBC's coverage of Trump's speech was edited to 'make it look like he was trying to get people to go attack people and fight at the Capitol.'

He highlighted how one remark Trump delivered was spliced with a portion of his speech from 52 minutes later, which he alleged made it seem like Trump was provoking his supporters.

'This is nuts,' Rogan said. 'This is for the literal president of the greatest country the world's ever known. He's the president and you're lying about what he said publicly.'

'If that doesn't show the rot of mainstream, corporate-controlled media, then nothing does. Because that's pure rot,' Rogan continued.

'At the top of the heap, if someone quoted a source, and it was the BBC, I'd think, "OK, that's like The Washington Post or The New York Times." It's a very official source, so I'd assume, "This must be real".'

Rogan alleged the broadcaster has now turned into the 'propaganda arm' of liberal politics.

'They turned it into activism, and they turned it into lying - and they did it in front of everyone, where you could clearly just listen to the full speech and know he didn't say that. That's not how he said it at all.'

Trump has threatened to sue the BBC for $1 billion over the doctoring of his speech

Trump has said he has 'an obligation' to sue the BBC, confirming he will do so for $1 billion (760 million) over Panorama's use of his doctored speech.

He was asked about the potential lawsuit by Fox News' Laura Ingraham in an interview on Tuesday.

Trump said: 'I guess I have to, why not? They defrauded the public and they've admitted it, this is within one of our, supposedly, great allies. That's a pretty sad event.'

He also claimed that the public broadcaster changed his 'beautiful, calming' speech on January 6 to 'something radical'.

'What they did was rather incredible, they showed me the results of what they did, how they butchered it up. But it was very dishonest and the head man quit,' he added, referring to Davie.

Ingraham then showed the doctored speech to her audience, before asking Trump again to confirm he would sue the BBC.

'I think I have an obligation to do it, because you can't allow people to do it,' he said, citing his success in suing CBS News' 60 Minutes, leading to complete changes at the top of the Tiffany Network.

Trump said in July that Paramount/CBS/60 Minutes paid $16 million in the settlement and anticipated an additional $20 million from the new owners of CBS in advertising, PSAs or similar programming.

Director-general Tim Davie quit the BBC on Sunday after five years in the corporation's top job

Davie, earlier this week, 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 the edited clip of 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.

However, he admitted in an address to staff that 'we did make a mistake' after Panorama aired two clips of Trump that, edited together, appeared to show him inciting violent action ahead of the January 6 Capitol riots.

'I think we did make a mistake, and there was an editorial breach, and I think some responsibility had to be taken,' Davie told employees in the address  confirming that he had chosen to finally fall on his sword after enduring countless BBC rows.

He also paid tribute to 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 weaponization and polarization in the world is out there, but she's done a stellar job.'

Davie's departure from the broadcaster prompted praise from Trump who described the ex-BBC boss as 'very honest'.

It has since emerged the BBC is ready to apologize to Trump, with its lawyers working in the background on the wording of their response, according to The Times.

Senior news executives addressed staff Tuesday but said they were unable to comment on the Panorama broadcast, for legal reasons.

Trump has issued a Friday deadline for the corporation to apologize, issue a retraction, and compensate him 'for the harm caused'.

Supporters of President Donald Trump protest outside the US Capitol on January 6, 2021

Violent rioters storm the Capitol in Washington DC on January 6, 2021

A letter sent to BBC Chairman Samir Shah at Television Centre by his legal team in Florida said: '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.

'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.

'Consequently, the BBC has caused President Trump to suffer overwhelming financial and reputational harm.'

The letter from Trump's lawyer, Alejandro Brito, added: 'The BBC is on notice.'

Brito then went on to list the President's three demands.

The BBC said earlier this week it would 'review the letter and respond directly in due course'.
Young adults are now being hit harder by scams than older generations, new data claims.

Almost half of under 35s say they have been swindled out of cash by scammers in the past year, according to fraud prevention company Featurespace.

Some 47 per cent of this younger age group say they have lost money to scams in the past 12 months, compared to just 15 per cent of people over 55.

While younger generations may think of themselves as technology savvy, tricksters are increasingly using social media platforms to convince people into handing over their money.

This ranges from ticket scams where fraudsters sell tickets to to a concert or event, which the buyer never receives, to a fake advert for a scam investment scheme which can pilfer hundreds of thousands of pounds from a victim.

Nearly half of young adults have lost money to a scammer, compared to just 15 per cent of those aged at least 55.

Young adults also typically lose more money to a scammer than older generations.

The research shows under 35s lost an average of 3,070 in the past year while those over 55 lost 1,760.

Four in five households feel there has been an increase in scam attempts in the previous year as tricksters try new ways to con innocent victims out of their savings, the poll of 2,000 consumers found.

In the first half of the year, nearly 630million was pilfered from unsuspecting consumers, banking trade body UK Finance revealed last month in its half yearly scam report.

Fake website scams are the most common type of scam which caught out under 35s with one in three of these fraud victims said they had been stung by this method.

This is where scammers set up a false website that looks real. It can be designed to mimic the branding and style of a company you know and use regularly.

The websites may claim to be selling a product or service, but it is actually designed to steal your financial and personal details - and the product you think you are buying may not arrive.

Tricks to watch out for include selling items at a lower prices than usual, an odd payment method such as gift cards and Bitcoin, or an error message that asks you to click a link.

Other common types of scams include investment opportunities, which caught more than one in five of these young adults, and cryptocurrency scams which also hit one in five in the pocket.

An increasing use of artificial intelligence in scams is also worrying consumers  almost nine in ten are concerned with how sophisticated AI scams are becoming.

Jason Blackhurst, head of Featurespace, says: 'Young consumers are losing thousands to increasingly sophisticated scams.

'With Black Friday and Christmas around the corner, banks must act fast.'

Experts are warning shoppers of purchase scams this festive season.

The number of shopping scams has been soaring, with 45 per cent of people experiencing this at least once in the past 12 months, according to a new report from the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA).

This is where a victim pays for an item or a subscription they never received.

It is a type of authorised fraud  which is where a victim is tricked into sending money to someone they believe is a legitimate payee.

If you hand over money to a fraudster in what is known as an authorised push payment (APP) scam and did not act with 'gross negligence', then you are entitled to be reimbursed up to the value of 85,000 under rules introduced in October last year.

If you have fallen for a scam, contact your bank immediately. You should also report it to Action Fraud. Go to www.actionfraud.police.uk or phone 0300 123 2040.

Have you lost money to a scam recently? Contact us: l.evans@dailymail.co.uk
Maybe its time for Debbie Crosbie, the chief executive of Nationwide, to be parachuted into one of the London-listed high street banks.

The Nationwide-Virgin Money boss is swimming against the tide in Britain with her commitment, as reported by the Mail, to extend its moratorium on closing branches from 2028 to 2030.

The Big Four banks frequently claim that branches are for the fairies and customers prefer online banking. Some 6,731 branches will have been closed by the end of next year, according to Which? data.

On my own high street, the Barclays branch is a Gails bakery, the NatWest a pilates studio, and the HSBC  yes, you guessed  is another fancy coffee shop.

Are the UK banks missing a trick? In Washington DC last month I couldnt but help notice that branch banking is alive and well despite the fact the financial crisis wiped out local lender Riggs.

This is no accident, it is part of a trend. JP Morgan (which is making a play for UK customers through the Chase brand) has opened 1,000 new branches in the US over the last seven years and increased its retail network to 5,000. It is not alone. Bank of America and Wells Fargo are slowing or halting closures.

Closures: It is estimated that another 6,731 branches will close by the end of next year - but Nationwide is bucking the trend

Wells Fargo, with 4,135 branches, has opened in Washington and is targeting New York City, Nashville and fast-growing Texas, beloved of the tech bros including resident Elon Musk, for rapid expansion.

Bank of America has 150 new outlets in its sights. Pittsburghs PNC Financial Services, with a $600billion (457billion) balance sheet, plans to spend $2billion on 300 new branches and is refurbishing its estate.

Admittedly, banking in America is structurally very different to the UK. The bigger money centre banks are challenging local and more regional rivals for custom.

In America branch banking offers a point of difference from upstart financial technology. It is seen as particularly valuable in harvesting consumer deposits.

JP Morgan recently reported that consumer and community delivered a return of 35 per cent on equity in the last month.

Making branches pay means offering competitive returns on savings and better consumer service.

Not strengths for British banks. American branches also provide wealth management advice and execution.

British banking ceded this space, partly due to onerous regulation, to financial advisers and platforms such as Hargreaves Lansdown and AJ Bell.

Santander is showing initiative and has repurposed part of its branch in Kensington as a workspace for PC users, replete with a coffee shop.

The UK fashion for branch closures and cutting costs demonstrates how remote, complacent and out of touch with consumers and smaller businesses UK bank bosses are becoming. Stupid!

Call to arms

Rachel Reeves may talk securonomics but it is the Germans and Americans who are driving growth at BAE.

Arguably, Berlin is at a standing start and genuinely has the budget headroom to hit Nato targets for defence spending. Despite Britains expertise  it is helping Belgium monitor drone activity  the budgetary cupboard is bare.

There is not much in the overseas aid budget to raid.

BAE Systems is prospering in the post-Ukraine world, supplying Typhoons to Turkey, anti-drone missile defences to the Pentagon and is a big player in creating Donald Trumps Golden Dome defences.

The shares are up 56pc this year. This is not yet a Rolls-Royce scale turnaround but, barring mishaps, geopolitics and BAEs special status at the Pentagon point to lively prospects.

Credit-worthy

When Great Universal Stores did the splits almost 20 years ago it created three independent quoted companies, including Burberry and Argos, now part of Sainsburys. The least understood enterprise was credit checking group Experian.

Latest results show 9 per cent growth in providing services to consumers and buoyancy in the provision of data and analytics on mortgages to business.

Despite a market value of 31billion and first-half profits of 744million, it has not shared in the recent FTSE 100 surge.

Maybe better and deeper adoption of AI will change that.
Avon Technologies shares soared after orders hit a record high due to growing fears over Russian chemical weapons.

The Wiltshire-based headgear maker, which went public in 1949 after supplying gas masks during the Second World War, said sales rose 14.1 per cent to 239.4million in the year to September 30.

Annual profits leapt 37.9 per cent to 26.6million as it pointed to rising defence budgets, particularly in Europe, and increased focus on CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear) protection amid elevated threat levels.

Russia has been accused of using banned chemical weapons in Ukraine.

This has been a key driver for orders, which reached a record 200.4million, 17 per cent up on the year before.

Crime in the US has also led to greater demands for protective equipment from paramedics and firefighters. Avon returned to the FTSE 250 this summer after four years.
Burberry has seen shop sales return to growth for the first time in nearly two years as the luxury brand's turnaround mission starts to bear fruit.

Chief executive Joshua Schulman said there were proof points his plan to refocus the brand on timeless British luxury is working after a recovery of sales in China.

We have begun to see customers return to the brand they love, he told the British label's investors on Thursday.

Schulman has vowed to restore the brand by highlighting its flagship outwear products, such as its 1,900 check-print coats.

In a boost for Schulman, sales at stores that have been open for more than a year increased 2 per cent in the three months to 27 September.

A 3 per cent increase in sales in China was another sign of green shoots, that a post-pandemic luxury slowdown in the region may be letting up

Naomi Campbell is one of the stars to feature in Burberry's festive marketing campaign this year

'While it is still early days and there is more to do, we now have proof points that Burberry Forward is the right strategic path to restore brand relevance and value creation. We move forward with confidence that Burberry's best chapters lie ahead,' Schulman added.

Burberry shares rose 4 per cent in early morning trading on Thursday.

Since Schulman took over in July 2024, shares have risen by around 44 per cent and the group has made a return to the FTSE-100 index after a years relegation.

He said the company had veered off course with an unfamiliar brand expression under its previous leadership.

But in recent months, its signature coats and scarves have been doing well, as have newer products such as a 1,095 long Brenda skirt and its 1,590 cropped trenches, he said.

High-profile campaigns - featuring Cara Delevingne and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley - have improved brand perceptions.

Schulman reiterated calls for the Government to scrap a hated tourist tax, arguing this would reinvigorate the international visitor spending that support jobs, stimulate growth across the whole visitor economy.

Tourist spending in the UK has been hit by the Brexit-era decision to remove a tax-free shopping scheme in the UK.

Robyn Duffy, consumer markets senior analyst at RSM UK, said: A renewed focus on heritage categories, outerwear and scarves, has supported top-line growth and brought Burberry back to its roots.

The luxury market continues to polarise, with ultra-luxury brands like Hermes and LVMHs flagship houses showing resilience, while aspirational players face pressure on volumes and margins. Burberry sits between these tiers, giving it opportunity, but also exposure - making flawless execution critical.'
The Trump administration has said it is 'disappointed' after the US was snubbed for the development of a new nuclear power site in Wales in favour of Britain's Rolls-Royce SMR.

US ambassador Warren Stephens published a statement claiming Britain should choose 'a different path' in Wales.

He said: 'We are extremely disappointed by this decision, not least because there are cheaper, faster and already-approved options to provide clean, safe energy at this same location.'

In October, the Trump administration signed an $80billion deal with US-based Westinghouse to build several of the same larger reactors proposed at Wylfa, Wales.

A source close to the British government said on Thursday: 'This is the right choice for Britain. This is our flagship SMR programme, producing homegrown clean power with a British company and we have chosen the best site for it.'

The confirmation of a British site is a welcome step for jet engine maker Rolls-Royce, which upped its profit outlook on Thursday.

Princess Anne being shown a Rolls-Royce engine at the Airbus Asia Training Centre in Singapore this week

Rolls-Royce SMR will design Britain's first small modular nuclear reactors, pending final contracts, which are expected to be signed later this year.

The first-of-its-kind nuclear power station is to be built on Anglesey will reportedly create up to 3,000 jobs and billions of pounds of investment.

The nuclear plant at Wylfa will be home to Britain's first three small modular reactors, though the site could potentially hold up to eight.

Work is due to commence on site in 2026, with the aim of generating power by the mid 2030s.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said that Britain was once a world leader in nuclear power but 'years of neglect and inertia has meant places like Anglesey have been let down and left behind. Today, that changes.'

In a trading update on Thursday, engineering group Rolls-Royce said it expects profit for the full-year to be 26 per cent higher than the previous financial year after a hefty boost from its defennce and civil aerospace arms.

The FTSE 100-listed business now has its sights set on an annual operating profit of between 3.1billion to 3.2billion, after upping its previous forecast of 2.7billion to 2.9billion. In the firm's last financial year, it generated an operating profit of 2.5billion.

Large engine flying hours in the ten months to 31 October rose eight per cent year-on-year, 109 per cent above pre-Covid levels, Rolls-Royce said.

In its civil aerospace division, the company secured engine orders from IndiGo, Malaysia Airlines and others.

The business has benefited from tailwinds in the recovery of global air travel, which has strengthened its civil aerospace division, while heightened geopolitical tensions have led to governments boosting spending, providing steady demand for its defence arm.

In charge: Rolls-Royce chief executive has led a major turnaround scheme at the business

Chief Executive Tufan Erginbilgic, said: 'Strong performance across the Group, driven by our actions and strategic initiatives, was in line with our expectations.

'This builds further confidence in our Full Year 2025 guidance of underlying operating profit of between 3.1billion and 3.2billion and free cash flow of between 3.0billion and 3.1billion despite continued supply chain challenges.

'We are continuing to progress our transformation programme, delivering profitable growth, and further strengthening our balance sheet.'

Aarin Chiekrie, an equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: 'Rolls-Royce continues to cruise above the clouds, with its third-quarter update showing little sign of turbulence.

'The group produces aeroplane engines for larger, long-haul planes.

'Revenue growth this year is being boosted by the upward trend in engine-flying hours, which are now cruising at 109 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.

'Margins are also improving thanks to contract renegotiation, operational efficiencies, and part upgrades, which are improving the time its engines spend on wing. All of this is helping Rolls-Royce convert the increased flying hours and revenue into profits.'

He added: 'With high barriers to entry and few credible challengers, Rolls-Royces market position is strong.

'The balance sheet is improving, free cash flow remains healthy, and the 1billion buyback is nearly complete.

'All full-year guidance has been reiterated, but with a growing track record of overdelivering, dont be surprised to see numbers to the upside at full-year results.'

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: 'Even a slight upgrade to full-year guidance is not enough of a tailwind to sustain a Rolls-Royce share price which is trading at a record high.

'CEO Tufan Erginbilgic has led one of the most spectacular recovery efforts in UK corporate history since joining Rolls-Royce at the beginning of 2023. He won the market over with tough talk about the business being a burning platform and he has delivered tangible progress since too.'
Rightmove is facing legal action from estate agents who claim the online property portal is charging them excessive and unfair fees for listing homes.

The FTSE 100 group on Thursday acknowledged receipt of a 'potential claim' in a short update to investors, but said it was 'confident in the value [it provides] to partners'.

It followed reports that former Competition and Markets Authority panel member, Jeremy Newman, is leading a legal claim which could result in damages worth 1billion.

Newman argues Rightmove's profit margin of around 70 per cent as of 2024 makes it the most profitable company in the FTSE 100 and demonstrates 'unfair' practices.

Estate agencies across the UK will be represented by Newman on an opt-out basis, with the 'imminent' case fully funded by specialist litigation funder Innsworth Capital.

Rebuttal: Rightmove says said it is 'confident in the value' it provides to partners

Newman said in a statement: 'Rightmove knows that, due to its first-mover status, its product is considered a 'must-have' for estate agents.

'It exploits its dominance of the online property portal market in the UK to charge excessively and unfairly high subscription fees, both at face value and when compared with its competitors.

'Estate agents have had to absorb consistent, excessive price increases on a regular basis.

'My case will seek to return the overpaid fees to estate agents across the country and to rebalance the relationship between Rightmove and the estate agents that use its online property portal.'

Meanwhile, managing director of Inssworth, which has previously funded mass claims against Meta and Amazon, Ian Gerrard said the legal action was 'about levelling the playing field for businesses up and down the country.'

He added that claim would serve to deter anti-competitive behaviour and correct 'the imbalance between big and small in the property sector'.

He added: 'Without the opt-out collective actions regime, it would be much harder - or even impossible - for SMEs to seek redress for anti-competitive behaviour.

'As a result of Innsworth's funding - and at a time of considerable uncertainty for the opt-out regime - businesses within the class will not have to pay a penny towards the claim.'

Rightmove shares were down 558p in early trading.

They fell by almost a quarter last week after Rightmove spooked markets by announcing plans to supercharge profitability further through an embrace of artificial intelligence technology.

Does Rightmove charge too much?

Managing director at RBC Capital Markets Anthony Codling said: 'The fact that estate agents don't like paying fees to Rightmove is hardly breaking news.

'Are the fees uncompetitively too high? Fees are in the eye of the beholder. Is a business class flight from London Heathrow to JFK too expensive? For many of us yes, but cheaper seats are available that get you to the same destination on the same plane at the same time. Some willingly choose to turn left and the rest of us turn right.

'Rightmove offers a range of packages to its customers, and they choose which to pay for.

'They balance the return on investment - if I spend a few pounds more will I make a greater return (win more instructions or make efficiency gains which justify the costs)?

'Just like asking prices for houses, if the price is too high, make a lower offer or buy another house. Very few of us choose to sue the supplier.'
Credit rating agency S&P Global has said a renewed drive for Scottish could hurt country's new debt rating.

S&P this week awarded Scotland an AA government debt rating, the same rating held by the UK as a whole, signifying a major step towards the issuance of so-called 'kilt' bonds.

S&P flagged Scotland's supportive institutional framework, a modest 10 per cent debt-to-operating revenue ratio, and the 'substantial transfers' it gets from the UK government that cover most of its spending, as the key reasons for the AA grade.

It said the rating was likely to be cut if Scotland 'took material steps toward independence from the UK', but did not say by how much.

An imminent renewed push for independence appears unlikely after last year's UK parliamentary elections saw the main advocate of independence, the Scottish National Party, post its worst showing since 2010.

The announcement marked the first time the Scottish government has been awarded its own rating by S&P.

Warning: Credit rating agency S&P Global has said a renewed drive for independence in Scotland could dampen its fresh debt rating

The AA grade matches that of the broader UK rating, now under pressure due to a rising debt-to gross domestic product ratio of nearly 100 per cent.

Separately, Moody's assigned Scotland a rating of Aa3, a notch lower on its scale than S&P's.

The ratings presage the planned issuance of kilt bonds, whose nickname nods to the UK government's gilts, worth 1.5billion in the next Scottish parliamentary term, with elections due to be held next May at the latest.

Unlike other European countries, the market for debt issued by regions and local authorities in Britain is small, which economists claim has entrenched stark regional inequalities and London's financial dominance.

S&P cited Scotland's supportive institutional framework, a modest 10% debt-to-operating revenue ratio and the "substantial transfers" it gets from the UK government that cover most of its spending as the key reasons for the AA grade.

Scotland's first minister John Swinney said in a statement: 'The Scottish Governments high credit ratings are testament to Scotlands strong institutions, track record of responsible fiscal management and pro-business environment.'

Scotland's finance minister Shona Robison claimed the move by S&P showed Scotland was a 'safe bet' for investors as the Scottish government prepares to issue its first financial bonds.

The Scottish government wants to issue bonds which would enable it to borrow money from investors, who would in turn receive regular interest payments.
A can of lemon and ginseng flavoured energy drink bearing the brand name Mission is the go-to for Joe Yates when I meet him.

As the 24-year-old chief executive of a rapidly growing Tiktok shopping agency, Somerce, it is on point. Yates is certainly on a mission.

He cracks open his second can of the stuff as we sit down in the trendy coffee shop - daubed in graffiti art and yellow paint - that sits in the bottom floor of the agency's office and studio space in an unassuming block just off Caledonian Road in North London.

'I want to be the leading voice in social commerce,' he says.

Somerce, a portmanteau of the words social and commerce, specialises in just that; the rapidly growing industry of selling products on social media.

In particular, the company specialises in live shopping on Tiktok - a bit like QVC, but for the internet age. Presenters share shifts of up to 14 hours, selling to their audience on the app.

Yates says his 60 clients have sold 100million worth of products through him this year so far.

On a mission: Somerce provides companies with the ability to run Tiktok live shopping, content creation and Tiktok advertising

The industry is a growing one, and has already reached significant heights in the US and especially in China, where it is expected to surpass more than $1trillion in 2026.

In the UK, live selling is still in its relative infancy, but is already worth some 7.4billion and rising.

The biggest platform for live shopping is Tiktok, where influencers sell products on its real-time video service Tiktok live. However, other platforms are also wading into the market. Live selling platform Whatnot launched in the UK in 2022, while the likes of Ebay are also entering the space.

Unsurprisingly, retailers and brands are keen to capitalise on this new form of selling - but few have the infrastructure, or the expertise, in place to do so.

This is where Yates and Somerce come in.

It provides brands with everything from the studio set-up, to filming and livestream management, and even show presenters.

Somerce is in the process of expanding its footprint to two new studios, giving great capacity to operate simultaneous livestreams

Though still in his early twenties, Staffordshire native Yates has the makings of a serial entrepreneur. He sold his first business - a social media management firm called Unknown Marketing - in 2022 for a seven-figure sum. By that point, he had built a team of 30 people.

Yates set up Somerce just over a year ago to provide companies with the ability to run Tiktok live shopping, content creation and Tiktok advertising. He appears to have barely stopped for breath since.

'We have a live business,' Yates says, 'and we have influencer marketing, paid media and content.'

In the eighteen months or so that Somerce has been running, the business has grown to have more than 40 employees, and is working with major brands.

Yates told This is Money: 'I knew a lot of brands were really going to struggle with this and they have. And that's why we exist and why we're the number one in the UK.

'Some brands could do it themselves, but we have the knowledge of how to do so, we train everyone in our team on the systems - brands don't know these systems and processes.

'We've done it before so many times, we know the recipe for success.'

A floor above where we are sitting, all of this is in play.

Since early afternoon the day I visit, Somerce has been running a live shopping stream which will last until 10pm.

This is a significant live stream for Somerce and its client, beauty brand Glow For It.

In front of an extensive camera set up, all controlled from a series of computer monitors, Glow For It founder Daisy Kelly stands alongside a Somerce-hired Tiktok live presenter as they sell products to the hundreds viewing the stream at any one time.

'I have been told there's only two available, so you're going to need to be quick to add that to your cart at the discounted price,' Kelly says to the camera, holding up Glow's new "lash recharge" product.

'Ten seconds until we drop it,' she adds, 'Who's ready? Only two bundles available.'

Yates (left) has run live shopping events with Glow For It Founder Daisy Kelly

From behind the camera, one of six or so Somerce employees working behind the scenes calls 'five seconds.'

'Five seconds left,' Kelly tells viewers, 'go, go, go guys.'

For anyone who has watched online shopping channels, the tempo feels very similar - but being online means they can interact with customers in real time, rather than simply watching the orders roll in.

Kelly and her fellow presenter read and respond to the viewers comments while they're on the stream.

'Elaine said: "I have just ordered the hair growth serum today," We love that, Elaine. Thank you. Cannot wait for your journey with us. Thank you for your order.'

l like the pressure to keep succeeding sometimes I think I'd like the easier life, but I don't think I could ever do it Joe Yates

Half a minute later, all the orders have been locked in.

'It feels like community,' Yates says, 'When [make-up brands] Made by Mitchell or P. Louise go live, that community love it, especially if the founders are on.'

'Then they make loads of money,' he says.

This community, Yates claims, reinvents the feel of the high street.

'It is going full circle, retail is becoming more experiential,' he says. He points to new flagship brand stores which focus on customer experience, pointing to the likes of the Nike store on London's Regent Street and Space NK on Oxford Street.

Somerce, Yates says, tries to create a memorable customer experience that suits each brand it works with.

In a studio across the corridor, Yates shows me another live-streamer selling health supplements. Tailored to the company's audience, the set-up couldn't be more different.

Instead of music and a rush to sell, the live-streamer sits alone in the studio taking viewers through the products on sale.

She controls each purchase made using the tablet in front of her, as she demonstrates products at the same time.

Somerce is in the process of expanding its footprint to three new studios in London, giving great capacity to operate simultaneous livestreams. The company also has three studios in Manchester.

'She'll do a three hour shift and then come off,' Yates says. It's a world away from the high octane rapid-fire style of Glow's livestream, that sees Somerce presenters rotate at regular intervals over the course of some ten hours.

Yates is doing a 14-hour shift to run a livestream a few days later, he says.

'There's always more to do,' he says, 'Thursday is a massive opportunity.'

'When I look back, I would only have dreamt of having worked with brands like Glow and to be connected with all these people.

'As an entrepreneur, like the pressure to keep succeeding sometimes I think I'd like the easier life, but I don't think I could ever do it.'
Centrelink has been ordered to pay $33,000 to a former staff member who the Fair Work Commission found was effectively forced to resign during a period of significant mental distress, after the tribunal ruled the agency should have allowed him space to recover.

Luke Wilson began working at Services Australia's Toowoomba office in March 2023 as a customer service officer, before moving into an acting senior project officer role in the Maryborough office in May 2024.

In February 2025, his doctor issued a medical certificate stating he had no capacity to work due to the toll his job had taken on his mental health.

According to Mr Wilson's evidence before the Commission, he believed the agency had been negligent in dealing with significant mould issues at the Maryborough office, which he said contributed to a respiratory illness and left him working in isolation from home.

He also alleged that in the second half of 2024, he experienced mistreatment and bullying after raising concerns with management about unresolved workplace issues.

The Commission heard that while a matter involving a 'rude' subordinate was resolved in December 2024, Services Australia provided evidence that Mr Wilson's communication with the senior staff member managing the case had become excessive and disruptive.

That staff received 36 phone calls and 24 text messages from him over five weeks, many lasting up to an hour and occurring multiple times a day.

According to the judgment, the staff member expressed concern about Mr Wilson's emotional state, describing him as crying during conversations and reporting feelings of being bullied. She suggested he take time off for his mental health.

A former Centrelink employee hasbeen awarded thousands in compensation after he said he was forced to resign from the agency earlier this year

Mr Wilson returned to the Maryborough office on January 13, 2025, but left work distressed a month later.

His GP diagnosed him with adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressive symptoms caused by workplace stress and declared him unfit for work for at least a month from February 11.

The treatment plan included counselling and antidepressants.

A meeting was held two days later with Mr Wilson and his support person, during which he requested a temporary transfer to the Hervey Bay service centre.

The Commission heard this was refused due to a lack of vacancies.

Mr Wilson told the Commission that because he was no longer being paid by Services Australia, he could not afford professional care. Case notes recorded him saying words to the effect of: 'If I kill myself, it is on you guys.

Mr Wilson also gave evidence that he had a strong work ethic recognised by senior leaders and had a passion for public service.

He claimed the agency had acted improperly by contacting his GP to inquire about his capacity to resign, writing: 'You're all supposed to be here to rehabilitate not exasperate a person's condition. Shame on you all'.

Luke Wilson claimed his mental health took a battering because of the job

The Commission noted that there had been no formal acceptance of Mr Wilson's resignation and that he asserted he had been forced into resigning because of the agency's conduct and did not feel safe returning to work.

He has since taken a lower-paid job as a full-time optical assistant, compared with his previous $78,800 Services Australia salary.

Deputy President Tony Slevin found Mr Wilson was 'in a state of emotional distress', and that the agency's conduct in the five weeks leading up to his resignation, during which he had no income, left him with no real choice but to resign.

He found Services Australia had 'unwittingly exacerbated' Mr Wilson's condition by continuing to engage with him while he was medically unfit for work.

'Services Australia contends that Mr Wilson had other options. I find that his state of mind and financial situation were such that he had no option but to resign both for the sake of his health and to enable him to earn an income,' Deputy President Slevin said. 'He was in a very dark place.'

The Commission also accepted that while Mr Wilson's behaviour at times was inappropriate, it occurred in the context of him being mentally unwell.

'His obsession with what he perceived to be wrongdoing by a number of officers of Services Australia during 2024, his dogged pursuit of complaints about that conduct, and his insistence that his complaints be dealt with immediately and in a manner that he deemed apt was unreasonable,' Slevin said.

'His behaviour towards those he dealt with, in the lengthy conversations he had and the numerous emails he sent, was often rude, aggressive and unacceptable. He was however ill. His obsession and bad conduct were a factor of that illness.'

Deputy President Slevin found Mr Wilson had been unfairly dismissed and ordered Services Australia to pay him $33,348 plus superannuation.
It looks like any other liquor store in Flushing, Queens  one of the biggest, busiest Chinese enclaves in America.

Neon signs glow. Shelves are lined with bottles of Scotch and baijiu. But prosecutors say Leivine Wine & Spirits was more than a place to buy booze.

It was a key part of an alleged multimillion-dollar corruption ring  a front, an indictment states, for dirty money tied to Chinese government officials Party and the highest office in New York state.

At the center of it all: Linda Sun, 41, a once-respected aide to New York governor Kathy Hochul and her predecessor Andrew Cuomo.

Sun is accused of secretly acting as an agent for the Chinese government while pushing pro-Beijing policies inside Albany's corridors of power.

Her alleged reward? The complaint details a fortune in kickbacks and favors funneled through her husband's businesses  and a lifestyle that would make Wall Street blush.

A Ferrari in the driveway. A $3.6million mansion on Long Island. A $1.9million condo in Honolulu  seemingly far beyond her $145,000-a-year salary.

Prosecutors say Sun used her state job to influence how New York dealt with China  urging her bosses to avoid criticizing Beijing and to tone down talk of Taiwan and the mass detention of Uyghur Muslims.

Linda Sun, 41, and Christopher Hu, 43, are battling charges of bribery, bank fraud, money laundering, andother charges

They allegedly used this liquor store in Flushing, one of the biggest Chinese enclaves in America, as a front for money laundering

She allegedly worked hand-in-glove with Chinese consulate officials in New York. Her husband, Chris Hu, 43, allegedly ran a web of companies accused of moving undeclared funds from China through fronts  including that Flushing liquor store.

Both deny wrongdoing. They've variously pleaded not guilty to charges of acting as unregistered foreign agents, bribery, bank fraud, money laundering and tax evasion. Neither was charged with espionage.

Their trial began in Brooklyn federal court on Wednesday, and is set to last until Christmas.

But experts say this isn't just another graft case  but a flashing red warning light about how deeply Beijing's tentacles may have reached into American political life.

'What makes the Linda Sun case stand out is how it exposes a quieter form of political influence  not espionage in the cloak-and-dagger sense, but an effort to shape the tone and substance of US politics from the inside,' said Audrye Wong, a China expert at the American Enterprise Institute think tank.

'Sun's alleged activities show how Beijing's outreach has evolved beyond lobbying Washington  it now seeks to engage state and local officials who have real sway over economic and cultural exchanges.'

Speaking with the Daily Mail, Wong called it 'a softer, stealthier' approach  one that uses friendship, flattery and money instead of spies and microfilm.

'China's government has become much more sophisticated in how it tries to influence foreign politics  not by directly buying votes, but by building long-term relationships through community networks, business incentives, and symbolic recognition,' she added.

The indictment lays out a lavish tale.

Sun and Hu allegedly profited to the tune of $2.3million through a vendor Sun helped slot in as a state supplier of protective gear during the COVID-19 crisis.

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

Chinese President Xi Jinping heads a sprawling 'whole-of-society' influence campaign to push America into second place, it is claimed

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

New York Governor Kathy Hochul slammed her former deputy chief of staff Linda Sun of a 'betrayal of trust'

Hu's lobster-export company, which shipped crustaceans from China to US buyers, reportedly generated $15.8million in revenue  thanks, prosecutors say, to cooperation from Chinese officials.

Their spending, investigators claim, ballooned far beyond their means.

A Ferrari Roma. A Range Rover. Lavish banquets prepared by a chef from the Chinese consulate.

Sun traveled to China, visiting Beijing and Nanjing. She even attended the Communist Party's 70th-anniversary celebrations at the Great Hall of the People, prosecutors say.

Sun, a naturalized US citizen born in China, held numerous posts over a roughly 15-year career in state government, including as deputy chief of staff to Gov. Kathy Hochul and deputy diversity officer under former Gov. Cuomo, both Democrats.

Her defense? That she was doing her job  maintaining international ties for the governor's office  and that her China contacts were legitimate.

Sun's lawyer, Jarrod Schaeffer, told jurors the charges 'assault everything she's built her life around.'

Sun, he said, was a proud American and a loyal public servant who only dealt with China in an official, legal capacity, including as a liaison to the Asian community.

'Linda Sun did what she was hired to do. That's what the evidence will show,' Schaeffer said. 'She didn't commit a crime by doing her job.'

Hochul's office said the administration fired her after 'discovering evidence of misconduct.' The liquor store did not answer our request for comment.

To scholars like Wong, this case is part of a much wider problem.

'It's part of a pattern where Chinese officials cultivate relationships that can mute criticism of Beijing or amplify friendly narratives,' she said.

She points to Beijing's long history of using 'united-front' groups  cultural, business, and diaspora organizations that operate abroad but remain quietly loyal to the Party.

'Beijing ultimately wants to reclaim discourse power  to make others repeat its talking points, sometimes without even realizing it,' she said.

'We're seeing the Chinese Communist Party operate through diaspora and business channels that blur the line between soft power and interference.'

China's talent for playing the long game is well documented  and experts say it extends deep into America's political class.

Christine Fang, a suspected Chinese intelligence operative, was found to have cultivated ties with rising California politicians between 2011 and 2015  even fund-raising for them and striking up personal relationships. She left the US as FBI agents were moving in.

Sun is seen posing with All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese (ACFROC) members in more evidence presented by the US government

The couple are also accused of using Chinese funds to purchase a 2024 Ferrari Roma, (file photo) which sells for at least $243,300

Chinese national Christine Fang targeted Eric Swalwell and other up-and-coming politicians in the Bay Area in the 2010s

One of her known contacts was Congressman Eric Swalwell, then a local councilman.

Author and China-hawk Gordon Chang said Fang's activities reveal just how early Beijing begins grooming potential allies.

'China's Ministry of State Security first contacted Eric Swalwell, not when he was on the House Intelligence Committee where he'd be of great benefit, but when he was serving on a small city council,' Chang told the Daily Mail.

'It perfectly illustrates the comprehensive nature of China's penetration of the American political system. I can't believe Swalwell was the only one. There must be hundreds, if not thousands, of similar cases across our country.'

Swalwell has denied any wrongdoing and was never charged.

In recent years, US authorities have detained a chilling number of officials accused of spying or sharing information for China.

Ashley Tellis, a Pentagon contractor, faces charges of retaining classified material and meeting with Chinese officials  which he denies.

Michael Charles Schena, a former State Department staffer, was sentenced to four years for sending defense secrets to China.

In March, Jian Zhao and Li Tian, both US Army soldiers, were arrested over an alleged plot to steal military data. They deny the charges.

And in August, US Navy sailor Jinchao Wei was convicted of espionage and export violations after providing sensitive information to Chinese handlers.

Together they form a disturbing alleged pattern: Beijing's reach stretching across every corner of American life, from Capitol Hill to combat ships.

US government reports have described how China's Ministry of State Security and the United Front Work Department run a sprawling 'whole-of-society' influence campaign.

The United Front, often dubbed a 'magic weapon,' operates through schools, cultural groups, trade associations, and local politicians.

Its mission: to 'co-opt and neutralize' sources of opposition and quietly shape the political environment to favor Beijing.

The mysterious Chinese operative Christine Fang between 2011 and 2015 wooed California politicians

The prosecution puts an uncomfortable spotlight on America's more than 5 million people who identify as Chinese

Through these networks, Chinese officials recruit sympathetic figures in academia, business, and government. Some knowingly assist; others are caught up through flattery, ambition, or subtle pressure.

Former FBI director Christopher Wray dubbed it a 'whole-of-state effort to become the world's only superpower by any means necessary.'

The Chinese Foreign Ministry routinely denies running influence or espionage campaigns, calling such cases 'politically motivated smear attacks.'

Wong says the hardest part for US authorities is drawing the line between legitimate community engagement and covert influence.

'Much of this activity lives in a gray zone. People can advance Beijing's interests without explicit instructions  through shared incentives, expectations, or flattery,' she said.

'It's precisely because it's not espionage in the traditional sense that it's so challenging for law enforcement  and so easy for Beijing to deny.'

That ambiguity, she warns, gives China a strategic edge.

'Local politicians often don't think of China as a national-security issue,' she says.

'They're approached by well-connected community figures offering partnerships or investment  and they rarely see the geopolitical dimension.'

'Beijing understands that in the US, local voices matter. By cultivating friendly faces at the community level, they can indirectly shape how China is talked about in state politics.'

Still, Wong and other analysts warn against tarring entire communities.

'We need to be clear-eyed about the problem without turning it into a witch hunt,' she said.

The liquor store in Flushing, New York, was allegedly used to millions of dollars in dodgy payoffs

'Not every Chinese-American community leader is an agent of Beijing  but pretending there's no influence effort would be naive.'

It's a fine line  one that risks spilling into xenophobia if handled clumsily, but which, experts say, can't be ignored as China's global ambitions grow.

'The goal should be resilience and transparency, not paranoia,' added Wong.

The Linda Sun trial may hinge on technical questions of money, paperwork, and registration forms.

But what's really on trial, analysts say, is America's ability to protect its democracy from the world's most determined authoritarian power.

If prosecutors are right, a mid-level state aide managed to channel Beijing's talking points into the ear of two sitting governors  and profit handsomely along the way.

If they're wrong, an ambitious civil servant is being scapegoated in an era of deep suspicion toward China.

Either way, the case has already sent shockwaves through political circles.

It has shone a spotlight on how China's quest for global influence is playing out not in embassies or spy agencies, but in statehouses, small businesses, and perhaps even neighborhood liquor stores.

As Wong puts it: 'China's outreach has gone local. And that's what makes it so powerful  and so hard to stop.'
Senate Democrats and minority leader Chuck Schumer sparked outrage from their constituents after caving on the 40-day government shutdown.

Thousands of flights were delayed, SNAP food benefits almost ran out and federal workers didn't get a paycheck for nearly two months.

The shutdown - the longest in modern history - was meant to be a bold Democratic stand ahead of next year's Midterms. Instead, it has erupted into open warfare inside the party and seen whispers in DC that Schumer secretly authorized its ending.

Democrats had hoped to seize the political narrative from Donald Trump by focusing on health care and living costs. Instead, insiders say the strategy has backfired  exposing deep rifts in their ranks and leaving the Senate minority leader fighting for his political life.

But what's transpired is a war tearing their party apart - and insiders want Schumer to pay the price with the end of his leadership.

Democrats were jubilant after the 2025 elections last week, convinced that their hard stance against Trump had turned the political conversation toward healthcare and affordability.

They were horrified, however, after Senate Democrats caved to the president and reopened the government.

Schumer tried to convince the left that he would have continued the shutdown, but he could not control the moderates in his party who wanted to end it.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) leaves a Senate Democratic caucus meeting

A Senate source told the Daily Mail Schumer's reaction to the Senate deal on Sunday was predictable political theatrics.

The group of senators who voted to end the shutdown, Angus King, Tim Kaine, Dick Durbin, John Fetterman, Maggie Hassan, Jeanne Shaheen, Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen were all not up for reelection in 2026.

Although Schumer voted against the deal, his protest did little to convince left-wing activists who felt Democrats were finally gaining meaningful political ground against Donald Trump in their shutdown fight.

'Schumer pretended to oppose it, but there's no way that vote could have advanced without his blessing,' a Senate aide told the Daily Mail, describing his strategy as 'too cute by half' by voting no to the agreement that sailed through the Senate.

Democrats in Washington, DC, however, feel like they emerged victorious despite the vicious backlash from left-wing activists in the party.

Shutdown politics have become normalized in Washington, DC, one strategist noted, because it works, even though it is risky.

'Nobody looks good in a government shutdown, but Democrats did way better than I expected,' one Democratic strategist told the Daily Mail, who said he was admittedly 'nervous' about the idea.

New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)

Democrats successfully changed the political conversation from Trump's focus on violent crime and lawlessness in major cities run by Democrats.

The Republican and White House response was both 'horrendous' and 'cruel and stupid,' especially on the issue of food stamps, the strategist said.

But the decision by Senate Democrats to cave to Republican demands endangered the Democratic Party in the 2026 midterms, he said, because 'people don't believe that we can see a fight to the end.'

Schumer's leadership position in the senate is in jeopardy, one Washington political observer noted, who singled out Senator Chris Murphy's earnest entreaties to the left-wing activists in the party as evidence he was anxious to be next up for a leadership position.

Few will weep if Schumer is sacrificed as the result of the deal, as more donors and Democratic elites have grown tired of his political theatrics.

But the extended shutdown was enough to energize the Democratic base in time for the elections.

'It ginned up their base and got a lot of people to come out in these off-year elections,' one longtime analyst of shutdown politics in Washington, DC revealed.

The reason for ending the shutdown, one strategist explained, was that it was no longer politically sustainable ahead of the holiday season, prompting Senate moderates to end it.

'It turns out it had nothing to do with healthcare or food stamps,' one Republican Capitol Hill veteran told the Daily Mail.

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters during a meeting with Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) talks with reporters before voting at the U.S. Capitol

'The entire time it was their own constituents that were getting hurt the most, but it didn't seem to matter until their Thanksgiving travel plans were threatened,' he said.

The Democratic anger against Schumer and Democratic moderates was also useful for upcoming elections, especially in the 2026 midterms.

'The anger at the leadership and the political establishment only helps generate more enthusiasm next year,' one source told the Daily Mail.

Trump was to be commended, a former Trump official noted, for refusing to budge to Democrat demands, most significantly to call out Democrats over the weekend for enriching healthcare companies with billions of dollars of subsidies.

Republican members of Congress watched in horror as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene went on CNN to praise former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's control of her caucus and also grapple with the issue of health care premiums going up.

But now Republicans find themselves on defense, on issues of healthcare and the cost of living.

During the shutdown, Republican leaders instructed members of Congress to focus on the Democrats role in shutting down the government rather than a fight over healthcare.

Republican members of Congress watched in horror as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene went on CNN to praise former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's control of her caucus and also grapple with the issue of health care premiums going up.

They were comforted by Trump's assertion on Monday in the Oval Office that Greene had 'lost her way.'

Now that the government has been reopened, however, Republicans expect that conversation will change.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., expresses his frustration at a press conference

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) speaks during a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol

Republicans now want Democrats to own the disastrous Affordable Care Act that utterly failed to reduce costs for consumers.

Trump teased a proposal to stop sending subsidies to insurance companies who promoted the increasing costs of the Affordable Care Act, and sending them directly to Americans facing the high cost of health care. Trump also proposed the idea of a $2,000 payment to Americans from tariff revenue.

Political analysts expect that populist rhetoric from Trump to continue. But Democrats feel renewed political momentum despite the ongoing civil war over their leadership and political tactics.

'Say what you want about the Democratic establishment, but they do win a lot of elections, and they do win more than they should,' the Democratic strategist said.
Dubai's billionaire ruler has announced plans to upgrade the helipads at his English bolthole where the Sheikh and the rest of the royal family visit to escape the UAE's searing summer heat.

Prime minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid al-Maktoum, who is worth a whopping 10.3bn, has submitted a bid to set up a concrete surface on two of his four grass helipads.

The helipads will be built on the grounds of Warren Towers Palace, in Newmarket, Suffolk which is used by his son, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

In their planning application - which was submitted by Godolphin Management Company Limited which is owned by the Sheikh - the family said they are increasingly visiting Newmarket to escape the summer heat.

Temperatures in Dubai can reach a blistering 50 degrees during the hottest months making day-to-day life for people living in the city very difficult.

Their application said: 'The Royal family are increasingly visiting Newmarket more during the summer months to escape the heat in Dubai.

'The family spend a considerable amount of time in Newmarket, and the facilities they need at the house and surroundings are now growing.

'The helipad facilities are shared between the Royal family and the Godolphin trainers and jockeys needing to go to race meets.'

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid AI Maktoum at Royal Ascot in 2019. The Shiekh's home in Suffolk is close to his private Thoroughbred horseracing stable 'Godolphin' - which are some of the world's most sought-after stallions in the world

Dubai's royal family own Warren Towers Palace in Newmarket, Suffolk. It was built in 1990 and has become Sheikh Hamdan's base while he and his family are in the UK

Pictured: The helipads outside Warren Towers Palace which Sheikh Maktoum as submitted a bid to set up a concrete surface on two of his four helipads

Warren Towers Palace was built in 1990 and has become Sheikh Hamdan's base while he and his family are in the UK.

The site is two miles east of the town of UK's horseracing headquarters, Newmarket, and spans 16-acres.

The Dubai royal family are a firm fixture in horse racing and own the private Thoroughbred horseracing stable 'Godolphin' - producing some of the most sought-after stallions.

Their horses have won over 5,000 races worldwide and earlier this year, a Godolphin horse won the Kentucky Oaks horse race and then a second horse went on to win the Kentucky Derby a day later.

Racing stables Warren Place, which neighbours the Suffolk home, is one of the most prestigious horse racing yard's in the UK.

It was purchased in 1976 by the late Sir Henry Cecil - one of the greatest horse trainers in history.

A welfare building has also been proposed for pilots alongside a meteorological station.

The Emirati royal family own numerous properties across the UK.

The Middle Eastern royals claim they are visiting Warren Towers Palace more frequently in order to escape Dubai's blistering summer heat

The family's Highland retreat at Inverinate boasts helipads, two large homes, a hunting lodge, a pool and a gym (pictured: Inverinate House, left, and new-build accommodation)

Up in the Scottish Highlands, the family own a large estate on the shores of Loch Duich.

In July 2024, Representatives for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum won a planning application to erect a five-bedroom home on the Inverinate Estate to accommodate visiting family and friends.

This was their eighth property on the estate which already included three large homes, a cottage and two lodges.

The 63,000-acre Highland retreat also boasts three helipads, a hunting lodge and a pool.

Last month, the Sheikh won another planning application to knock down his palatial mansion in Surrey - and replace it with one over three times the size of the original and featuring a dedicated 'party room'.

The plan has been given the green light for a mammoth three-storey structure, including a mega-basement with an indoor swimming pool, to be built in its place.

Plans seen by Daily Mail also showed that the Middle Eastern royal, who is one of the worlds richest men, is planning to erect separate buildings for a 'games/party' room, gym and office.

The same home was at the centre of a planning row in May 2019 over claims the billionaire had, without planning permission, installed portable cabins on its grounds to house his servants.

Sheikh Maktoum purchased the sprawling Longcross Estate in the 1990s

A letter to planning officials at Runnymede Borough Council claimed 'considerable development' had taken place at the estate.

Retrospective planning applications were submitted to Runnymede Borough Council, but neighbours accused the Sheikh of showing 'cynical disregard' for planning laws, damaging the environment and putting wildlife at risk.

The ruler of Dubai's land is covered by an Article 4 Declaration, meaning even minor changes must receive permission from the council.

As with all of Sheikh Mohammed's properties, security at the estate is very tight, with perimeter guards, CCTV and an inner security fence.

The sprawling home is near to Sheikh Mohammeds 75million Longcross Estate, which is next to Chobham Common, one of Europes most historical heathlands.

It was purchased by the Sheikh in the 1990s as another place to escape the stifling summer heat of the Gulf.

A decision on their latest application is expected by February 5.
A teenage girl was expelled from her middle school after hitting a boy who had circulated AI-generated nude photos of her around campus.

The Louisiana middle school student, 13, had allegedly been harassed the entire day but reached her boiling point when the taunting continued on the school bus back home, WWL reported.

Benjamin Comeaux, one of her attorneys, told the outlet: 'This child tried to do everything that children are taught to do, and that is, go to the adults, go to the school personnel, go to the law enforcement officers, go to the guidance counselor.

'When all three of those fail, a student is left empty-handed.'

Footage of the altercation captured the Sixth Ward Middle School student winding up and lashing out at a male student on the bus, striking him with an open hand.

Another student was shown on his phone at the time of the incident, although the video was blurred and it was unclear what the screen showed.

The Lafourche Parish County School District expelled the girl in late August, according to the New York Post.

A Sixth Ward Middle School student, 13, was expelled after an altercation with a boy who had allegedly been spreading AI-generated nude photos of her around campus

Footage of the incident captured the girl striking out at a male student on the school bus, allegedly after enduring an entire day of harassment

Her lawyers argued she had 'swatted' at her peer to 'knock the phone out of his hand' due to the ongoing harassment.

The teen had attempted to report the bullying earlier in the day, but was reportedly turned down by school officials.

Matt Ory, who was also representing the girl, said at a November 5 school board meeting: 'This is how kids become suicidal. This, right here, and you guys are saying it's okay.'

He also accused the Lafourche Parish school board of mishandling their investigation.

'You didn't find an image?' Ory said. 'I bet you didn't, it's Snapchat, it disappears!'

Now, the 13-year-old's family has moved to sue the school board for allegedly failing to protect their daughter.

This happened as the girl's expulsion was amended, allowing her to return to Sixth Ward Middle School on probation.

Attorney Benjamin Comeaux said the 13-year-old girl had 'tried to do everything that children are taught to do' and was failed by her school

Matt Ory, who was also an attorney for the girl, said 'this is how kids become suicidal'

Lafourche Parish school district superintendent Jarrod Martin said the video of the girl swinging at the boy was 'very difficult to defend', per WWL.

He added: 'Sometimes in life, we can be both victims and perpetrators. Sometimes in life, horrible things happen to us, and we get angry and do things.'

On Monday, the Lafourche Parish sheriff's office announced that a male student at Sixth Ward Middle School had been charged with ten counts of unlawful dissemination of images created by artificial intelligence.

Detectives opened an investigation in August after reports that male students had shared fake nude photos of female students on a school bus and at school, police said.

This is what led to the incident with the 13-year-old girl that was expelled.

Detectives then charged one of the male students - whose identity was not revealed - with sharing explicit photos of other students created by AI in September, although the update was only provided earlier this week.

Louisiana law states that it unlawful to disseminate any video or still image created by AI that shows someone 'totally nude or in a state of undress so as to expose the genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or female breast' when they are not licensed to do so.

Louisiana law forbids spreading any video or still image created by AI showing someone 'totally nude or in a state of undress' without their license

An investigation started in August after police received reports that male students at Sixth Ward Middle School had been sharing fake nude photos of female students

The announcement happened now due to last week's Lafourche Parish School Board meeting.

The female student will not face criminal charges, police sheriff Craig Webre said.

He added: 'Due to the totality of the circumstances, we chose not to pursue charges on the female student.'

The Daily Mail reached out to the Lafourche Parish County School District and Sheriff's Office after-hours for comment.
In the early 1950s, Medomsley Detention Centre was well known for its 'strict and tough nature' enforced on inmates through a brutal military style regime.

Within seconds of arriving at the compound, prisoners were greeted with a torrent of physical abuse from staff, which included being headbutted in the face, having their heads banged into a wall and being dragged around by their hair.

Violence was said to be 'embedded' in the culture of the borstal, with inmates often left with bloody noses, bruises and broken bones for minor reasons such as having their hands in their pockets or not calling prison officers 'sir'.

But despite its reputation, nothing could have prepared detainees for the months of vile and sickening abuse they would face at the hands of Neville Husband.

Working as a catering officer in the kitchens, the 'voracious' sexual predator committed at least 388 offences - including the rape and abuse of boys as young as 17 - between 1969 and 1985.

Grooming and abusing the boys and young men became part of Husband's daily routine as he made the kitchens his own domain where even other staff members felt intimidated into turning a blind eye.

He made the kitchens at Medomsley a living hell for the 'trainees' who had been sent to the institution, with some even eating glass, nails and razor blades in the hopes of getting sent to hospital to escape his torment.

A damning report by the Prison and Probation Ombudsman released yesterday described Husband as 'possibly the most prolific sex offender in British criminal history' revealing he likely raped many more inmates at other borstals he worked at.

Medomsley Detention Centre served as a senior youth detention centre for offenders aged between 17 and 21, who served anywhere between three to six months behind bars

Neville Husband was jailed in 2003 for abusing five teenagers at the unit in Medomsley, County Durham. But it is thought his victims actually ranged in the hundreds

Prisons and Probation Ombudsman Adrian Usher compiled the 202-page report into the conduct of staff at Medomsley Detention Centre which operated in County Durham from 1961 to 1987.

The report found that staff were left to decide how the centre operated as its objectives were not clearly set out.

The ethos of the 'short, sharp shock' for men aged 17-21, who had been convicted of relatively minor crimes, was in place to deter them from re-offending, and the experience was meant to be unpleasant.

Mr Usher said: 'Such an environment meant that some staff believed, whatever the rule book said, that they could best achieve their aims with violence as a training method.'

The scale of the abuse meant its leaders, known as wardens until the term changed to governor in the 1980s, were aware of it and therefore 'complicit', or 'they lacked dedication and professional curiosity to such an extent as to not be professionally competent', the ombudsman said.

He added: 'Ultimately, they had the power and authority to take action and prevent the abuse of hundreds, if not thousands, of victims had they diligently and proactively discharged the duties of their office.

'Sadly for the lives of those victims, there is no evidence that they did so.'

The PPO found that trainees were physically abused from the moment they arrived, when they bathed, strip searched, during physical education, whilst working and even during medical examinations.

Victims were targeted for being perceived as gay or weak, while inmates who failed to address staff as 'Sir' would be punched.

As of August 2025, the Government Legal Department received 2,831 claims alleging sexual and/or physical abuse at Medomsley (pictured)

Medomsley (pictured) was known for its 'strict and tough nature', young men were even forewarned to refer to everybody as 'Sir'

Cruelty was evident in Medomsley's medical centre until the 1970s, the report stated, with a number of witnesses saying if they were ill, painkillers could be taped to their forehead and they would be told to run around until the pill had dissolved.

Mr Usher found that oversight of the centre by external bodies was poor and if family members made complaints about their loved ones' treatment, nothing happened.

He said: 'The abuse at Medomsley continued, unchallenged, for the entire 26 years of its operation.

'The knowledge of abuse by the Prison Service, the police, the Home Office and other organisations of authority was ignored and dismissed.

'Sending these young men to Medomsley was supposed to instil them with more ordered, law-abiding lives. The authorities failed in their duty to keep detainees safe.'

He said the victims have yet to receive an official apology. Addressing them, he said: 'The effects of the trauma they suffered effectively became a life sentence... with devastating consequences.

'However, it is my fervent hope that, for many victims, what this report represents is a victory for your tenacity, determination and courage.

'You may have had to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles over the last 40 years and more but, in the end, you were heard, and you were believed.'

The inquiry spoke to 79 victims and witnesses including Ray Poar, who was just 17 when he was sentenced to three weeks of unbelievable 'brutality' for stealing from a local biscuit factory.

The former Victorian orphanage served as a youth detention centre (pictured). Championed by Margaret Thatcher's government borstals were known for their brutal military regimes

Trainees were physically abused from the moment they arrived at the detention centre (Pictured: Medomsley in 1996)

The man, now in his mid 60s, continued to be vocal for years about Husband's sexual abuse that ruined his life after confiding in a friend about the ordeal.

In 2019, he told Chronicle Live: 'Neville Husband raped me that night and pretty much every day for the whole time I was there.

'When he first raped me I put-up some defence and he choked me unconscious.'

But, it was the 'worst' violence came the next day after Mr Poar wet his bed, which saw him punished further.

'I was separate from everyone else and it was very rare I saw another officer. Husband kept you separate. He had a favourite for so long, then he moved on,' he added.

Mr Poar escaped the sexual predator's clutches after transferring to another borstal in Rochdale. He never spoke of his trauma until the birth of his beloved children.

'After that I couldn't work, I couldn't think straight. I became suicidal. I thought the the best thing for my family was for me to die.'

Meanwhile Eric Sampson described his nine and a half weeks at Medomsley as 'hell', ascertaining he 'could have been killed in there.

'The two police officers who took us there said you are going to have the hell kicked out of you,' he told Sky News.

'The violence that was done to me was terrible. I was only small. I could have been killed in there.

'The amount of times I was knocked about. Every day was hell on earth. Every day and night was hell on earth for the nine and a half weeks.

Neville Husband pictured in 2003. He was previously convicted of sexual crimes against inmates in 2005

Husband pictured dishing up a Christmas treat for inmates on December 19, 1983

One of Husband's victims, only known as Witness D, told of how he was raped by the kitchen boss in a storeroom, and that he would often be groped by the sex offender, who would physically and sexually assault him.

Another account from a separate inmate told how Husband sexually attacked him after he refused to take off his clothes, adding that he 'wasn't a puff' - asserting he was not a homosexual.

'[Husband] smacked me hard around the head again and told me to strip off and he laughed at me,' Witness D said. 'He put a cord around my throat and neck and began to strangle me with it.'

He claimed Husband then sexually assaulted him while threatening him with a knife. 'I felt that I was dying as the pain was horrendous.' Witness D said.

Others recalled how Husband would use inmates to inflict abuse on other young men in the detention centre, with one witness claiming he ordered young detainees to pin down a new arrival and sexually assault him with a broom handle.

'It was like an initiation thing. I was sitting on the top bunk and watched as three other boys pinned this lad down...,' a witness said of the incident. 'Husband was telling the lads what to do.

'Husband had threatened me, saying he would come for me later, and I was petrified. I wet myself as I was so scared, I was vomiting and was in a real mess. At the cells I didn't dare sleep as I was certain he would come and kill me...'

From 1967, during Husband's time at the facility, the age of consent for heterosexual activity was 21. It remained a criminal offence for two or more men to engage in sexual activity in private until the Sexual Offences Act 2003 was introduced.

'Husband over a period of decades became increasingly confident that he wouldn't be caught, and that allowed him then to be constrained only by one factor, and that was his libido,' Mr Usher added.

'These young men had no voice outside the walls, and the catastrophic consequences of those five things coming together were a perfect storm that led to the physical abuse of thousands of young men and the sexual abuse of hundreds.'

His offending escalated to include others, such as former clerical officer and storeman Leslie Johnston.

One inmate described attempting to 'kung-fu kick' Johnston and Husband before they threw him to the floor and threatened to murder him while they held a six-inch blade.

He claimed they forced him to perform a sex act while holding a 'knife to [his] throat, before raping him.

'I was in unbelievable pain and so fearful, I remember thinking 'you'll not get out of here alive'. I was in fear for my life,' the witness said.

Another account alleged the duo suggested to a young man he 'could easily be found hanging' if he spoke out in one incident of sexual abuse.

On a separate occasion, they allegedly urinated on one young boy while they both sexually assaulted him, and said, 'Welcome to Medomsley,' an inmate claimed.

Johnston's most recent reported offences were in 1985, one of which he was later convicted and sentenced to nine months in jail for two counts of indecent assault in 1990. He died in 2007 before Operation Seabrook began.
Two thirds of Britons disagree with Labour's decision to scrap the EBacc in favour of 'Mickey Mouse' subjects, a poll suggests.

A survey of 2,000 adults by the More in Common think tank found most people think the flagship Tory policy should remain intact.

Introduced in 2010, the EBacc  or English Baccalaureate  is a suite of 'tough' GCSEs  English, maths, science, a language and a humanity.

Under the old rules, schools have been rewarded in league tables if they could get a large proportion of pupils to take it.

Last week, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced it would be mothballed to encourage more take-up of creative subjects  prompting accusations of 'dumbing down'.

The survey, conducted over the weekend, found 66 percent of Britons think pupils should do the EBacc, even at the expense of other subjects.

The support was strong across all voter groups, with least 50 percent supporting in all parties including 76 per cent among Lib Dems, the most enthusiastic group.

Two thirds of Britons disagree with Labour's decision to scrap the EBacc in favour of 'Mickey Mouse' subjects, a poll suggests (pictured: Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson)

Luke Tryl, executive director of More in Common, said: 'What's striking about the support for schools keeping the EBacc requirement is that it spans across political divides.

'While the public wants to ensure children are taught vital life skills, few want changes to the curriculum to come at the expense of traditional subjects.'

The poll also found the majority of respondents did not think the balance of subjects needs to be shifted to the arts.

Nearly half  46 per cent  wanted to keep the balance between arts, science and humanities the same.

Meanwhile 30 per cent wanted more time for the sciences and humanities, and just 9 per cent wanted more arts.

The poll also found there was limited support for Labour's plan to add trendy topics to the primary school curriculum such as 'spotting fake news'.

Last week, concerns were raised that this might put a squeeze on other more vital topics such as literacy and numeracy.

Today's survey found that while 81 per cent were in favour of this topic being included, only 33 per cent said they would support this if it took time away from traditional subjects.

It comes after the Government announced last week its long-awaited curriculum overhaul, following a review led by Professor Becky Francis.

The plans, which are subject to consultation, also include a reduction in time spent in GCSE exams and a simplification of primary school grammar lessons.

There will also be a move to decolonise the curriculum, and a new focus on climate change.

The reforms, which undo a raft of flagship Tory policies, were met with glee by the teaching unions.

However, Laura Trott, Shadow Education Secretary, called it 'education vandalism' while former Tory education minister, Sir Nick Gibb, called it a 'deeply retrograde step'.

A Government spokesman said: 'From business to the arts to the CEOs of the country's biggest academy trusts, the curriculum review has received overwhelming praise.

'The EBacc has failed to deliver on its promise of supporting more pupils to take up subjects including languages and has constrained choice for students in subjects that strengthen our economy and our society.

'Our reforms will ensure every young person has a cast-iron grip on the basics of reading, science and maths, alongside the knowledge and skills for life and work over the next decade, helping all pupils - wherever they go to school - step into the future with confidence.'
Residents of a picturesque California city lashed out at a 9,000-acre housing project that could cost billions of dollars and further upset their quality of life.

Fresno is looking to push ahead with a 45,000-unit site called the Southeast Development Area (SEDA), but locals have argued that doing so is unreasonable and 'not viable.'

Dillon Savory, the executive director of the Fresno-Madera-Tulare-Kings Central Labor Council, said the development would have unintended consequences.

'It doesn't pay for itself, and sprawl development in Fresno is why Fresno is one of the worst-planned cities in America,' Savory told SFGATE. 'Nobody wants to be here.'

Sprawl refers to low density single-family housing - sometimes built in an unplanned way - spread out across a city's outskirts.

Preparing the land for SEDA could cost $2.2billion, while the entire project could reach $4billion.

Savory claimed that Fresno wanted to take land away from local family farmers, which he said were being 'exploited' in a way that was 'absolutely asinine.'

'These are residential farmers,' Savory added. 'They're generally interested in the soil quality and preserving the rural way of life.'

SEDA might not be finished until 2082 at its current projected pace, Fresnoland reported

Dillon Savory was one of the locals outraged by the 45,000-unit site called the Southeast Development Area, saying the sprawl made Fresno undesirable

Farmers also admitted to being worried about the massive housing plan.

Helen Ramming, a farmer who lives within SEDA's demarcation, told GV Wire that families would 'preserve the highest grade of prime farmland on planet earth.'

She said: 'The biggest concern is that they are taking 9,000 acres of some of the best farmland in the world,'.

Fresno is located in the placid San Joaquin Valley - roughly 220 miles north of Los Angeles and 185 miles southeast of San Francisco. The city has around 544,000 residents, making it the fifth most populous in California.

However, the SEDA plan argued that Fresno was becoming increasingly unaffordable - largely due to its rising rent and housing costs.

The project was presented as the 'final frontier' for the west coast city to create more housing and receive an economic boost.

Tyler Maxwell, a Fresno councilmember, said during a November 6 meeting: 'This city has a long history of growing irresponsibly that so many folks have been afraid to grow, period, even though the housing crisis that our state and our city faces pretty much necessitate that we grow as a city. But I think we have an opportunity to grow responsibly.'

SEDA is meant to focus on creating mixed income neighborhoods with diverse housing types that remain affordable

Fresno City councilmembers Tyler Maxwell (left) and Mike Karbassi (right) have backed the SEDA plan

Another councilmember added that the SEDA plan would reduce costs for residents across Fresno.

Mike Karbassi, who represents Fresno's second district, said: 'The best, most pro-housing thing we can do is to increase supply.'

The proposal said SEDA would focus on creating mixed income neighborhoods with diverse housing types that remain affordable.

Still, the timeline of the housing project remains unclear.

SEDA first needs to be approved by the city's planning commission, whose next meeting is November 19.

Savory claimed that opponents of the plan like himself 'have the political acumen to put an intense campaign of pressure' on the lawmakers tasked with voting for SEDA.

He said: 'All of those people in their districts are going to be calling them and say, 'How come you want to send $100million-to-$3billion to developers so you can build these cardboard houses for upper middle class?'

The multibillion dollar project first needs to be approved by the city's planning commission

Urban sprawl refers to low density single-family housing spread out across a city's outskirts

Then, SEDA might not be finished until 2082 at its current projected pace, according to Fresnoland.

Questions have also been raised about what the 9,000-acre site would mean for the city's air quality.

Fresno is already in the top five most polluted areas in the US, according to the American Lung Association, but that problem could be exacerbated by the gigantic housing development.

The city's latest environmental review said SEDA could increase 'the frequency or severity of existing air quality violations; cause or contribute to new violations; or delay timely attainment' of air quality in Fresno.

The American Lung Association gave Fresno an F grade for air pollution, which can cause premature birth, heart attacks, strokes and lung cancer.
It's one of the most famous shopping thoroughfares in the country, housing top retailers and including the historic flagship branch of high end furniture store Heal's.

But Tottenham Court Road in London has lately been transformed into a virtual shanty town as long lines of tents have sprung up housing homeless migrants.

Shocking footage taken by the Daily Mail shows a ramshackle 'village' of tents clustered along the central London street close to the University College Hospital complex which was recently subject to a prestigious rebuild costing over 200million.

In scenes more reminiscent of the infamous 'Jungle' in Calais than London, a long line of tents had been erected, often on wooden pallets to keep rain water out, over two large plots of private land.

The inhabitants were a mix of migrants from around the world, particularly the Middle East, as well as Romania and Bulgaria augmented by a handful of homeless Britons.

Most were men, with a small number of women - with many among their number understood to beg for spare change at pitches along the famous street.

Some more elaborate plots even had gazebos, tables, chairs and cooking equipment - while stacks of uneaten food showing packaging from Costa and Greggs were piled up nearby.

Another tent set up in the middle of the busy street even had a Deliveroo branded delivery bike parked outside - with its migrant resident apparently working dropping off takeaway meals before sleeping rough here.

Shocking footage taken by the Daily Mail shows a ramshackle 'village' at the end of Tottenham Court Road in central London

The collection of tents has sprung up in one of the city's busiest shopping hubs

One tent sat by the middle of the busy street even had a Deliveroo delivery bike parked outside

Colombian national Cesar Rodriguez, 49, (pictured) is living in a tent in London's Tottenham Ciurt Road after losing his cash-in-hand job as a cleaner

Some local residents and business owners complained that some migrants openly smoke drugs and target shoppers to steal from - though this is unconfirmed.

Some tent residents grew angry when asked about their stay in the area around Warren Street tube station - the site of failed bomb attack by an Islamic terror gang in July 2005.

One, apparently English, refused to say how long his tents would be staying or how he got there, snapping: 'That's not for me to say'

Another group of Arabic men laughed when asked about the encampment before claiming they could not speak English.

One resident however was happy to share his story with the Daily Mail.

Colombian national Cesar Rodriguez, 49, said living in a tent here became a necessity after losing his cash-in-hand job as a cleaner.

He told the Daily Mail: 'I love Britain and the English culture. The people are great. This is why I chose to come here 25 years ago.

'My father was killed by criminals in Colombia at 45 and it was no longer safe for me.

'I have been welcomed in with open arms. I have worked the whole time I've been here, until last year when I lost my job.

'I've been on the streets ever since. Tomorrow is my birthday. But I refuse to be unhappy.'

Cesar, who used to live in Crouch Hill, north London, says living at the site is 'miserable' but he chose the option of 'safety in numbers'.

Previous attempts to live in a tent alone saw him moved on by businesses and the authorities.

The inhabitants are a mix of male migrants from the Middle East, a few Englishmen, and a small number of women who beg for money nearby

Many of the tents had cooking equipment outside the makeshift shelters where the group have been sleeping

Pauline Fox, 58, who travels from north London to work in a nearby department store, said she felt unsafe when she walks past the tents

Council workers wearing hi-vis jackets were seen visiting the site when the Daily Mail visited earlier this month

Cesar added: 'The Government needs to be more fair in who gets to stay - they are still working on my status and it means I cannot work [legally].

'But they are doing so much for foreigners who don't care about this great country. The new foreigners coming here are taking the p***.

'English people can't even get accommodation. There are just too many foreign people. Some of them have had to resort to living here.

'It's not safe here, especially at night. But what can you do. There's times where I've had to call the police because of robberies that I've seen.

'This is currently my only option. My brother was killed back home last year. I have nowhere else to go.

'I speak four languages and have a record of working for years. All I want is the chance to get my life back on track.'

When the Daily Mail visited the area earlier in the month we witnessed council workers at the scene wearing hi-vis jackets and taking photos but making no attempt to move any of the individuals on.

A mixed group of migrants sat outside a local McDonald's begging before returning to the tents later in the day.

Back at the campsite, a large orange commercial bin was seen full of suitcases, discarded clothes and pizza boxes.

Pauline Fox, 58, who travels from north London to work in a nearby department store, said she felt unsafe when walking past the tents.

She told the Daily Mail: 'We have no idea who is staying in these tents. There's basic checks on accommodation in this country, but not here.

'I've been stared at walking past here and it makes me feel uncomfortable, especially now the evenings are getting darker.

Back at the campsite, a large orange commercial bin was seen full of suitcases, discarded clothes and pizza boxes

Some plots had gazebos, tables, chairs and cooking equipment - while stacks of uneaten food from Costa and Greggs were seen nearby

Some tent residents grew angry when asked about their stay by Warren Street tube station

Some shelters had gazebos and even mattresses as migrants and the homeless make the area home

'It needs to be removed. There needs to be some kind of order.'

James Walsh, 52, who lives nearby said: 'It's been this way for weeks now and it seems each day there's more tents cropping up.

'While it's not nice to look at there's a story behind every one of those tents.

'There's a mix of people from all over the world there and quite a few English. Some of them even go to work and then come back to sleep later.'

He added: 'At least the council have provided them a bin to chuck all their rubbish away.

One homeowner, 41, who lives in nearby Camden, said: 'This is a shanty town, a reflection of modern Britain and the state it's in.'

Recent figures showed that rough sleeping in the capital has risen by 26 per cent, as the cost of living continues to surge.

A Camden Council spokesman said: 'This is not a situation that can continue - we are concerned for the welfare of people sleeping rough here and we take residents' concerns very seriously.

'Our urgent focus is on working with partners, including the landowners, to prioritise helping people rough sleeping here rebuild their lives away from the streets.

'This means finding suitable accommodation and providing the range of support they need, while making sure the area is safe, secure and maintained for everyone.'

The Mayor's Office and Deliveroo were contacted for comment.

It comes after 'illegal tents' are set to be removed from Park Lane in central London after Transport for London (TfL) was granted a possession order to remove them.

The encampment opposite the Hilton Hotel near Hyde Park Corner features about 12 tents.

The court-issued possession order follows a separate order last October which saw about 40 people cleared from the area.

Councillors at Westminster City called for the tents to be 'removed as a priority' and said a lasting solution was needed otherwise they could return.

TfL said it had been working closely with the council and other partners over many months to try to resolve the issue 'compassionately and safely'.

A tent 'town' also appeared on the holiday island of Ibiza last year amid rising costs of accommodation.
This is the heartbreaking scene just minutes away from where delegates at the COP30 climate summit are meeting in Brazil.

Dozens of plastic bottles and other rubbish float along one of the many rivers and canals that criss-cross the city of Belem  gateway to the Amazon.

But at the same time officials from all over the world  including more than 200 from the UK are meeting to discuss the environment and how to improve and maintain it.

The yearly mega junket  which will be attended by more than 50,000 people  is the UN's attempt at getting countries to debate ways of Net Zero and climate change.

Many have criticised the choice of Belem as the city is difficult to get to and beset with problems including poor sanitation and homelessness.

Delegates taking a step out from their cosseted purpose-built 'Blue Zone', the sealed off area in the city where COP30 is taking place, would be left shocked at the scenes of squalor just a few minutes away.

Groups of homeless people  mainly indigenous groups from local tribes  take shade under delivery trucks from the merciless sun as temperatures top 36C.

And the irony is that trees were chopped down in the city for building projects  some connected to COP30  meaning that in poor neighbourhoods there is no natural shade.

Many have criticised the choice of Belem for COP30 as the city is difficult to get to and beset with problems including poor sanitation and homelessness. Pictured: Indigenous homeless people take shade from the searing heat under trucks

Trees were chopped down in the city for building projects  some connected to COP30  meaning that in poor neighbourhoods there is no natural shade

The scenes of squalor are just metres away from the city's only five-star hotel, the Tivoli, where Ed Miliband and his entourage are staying

A report last month in the Brazilian news outlet Sumuma said that 55 per cent of Belem's inhabitants live on streets without a single tree  while the national average for Brazil is 34 per cent.

Elsewhere, in heartbreaking scenes, people  sometimes children - scamper in and out of rubbish piles collecting scraps of cardboard or tin cans that they can sell on for a few Reals.

Menacing vultures in large flocks hover over the bins picking at scraps of waste food  adding to the feeling of degradation.

While as soon as you park your car you are 'assaulted' by someone offering to look after your vehicle even when there are no restrictions.

At the city's famous Ver-o-Peso fish market, people wash their clothes in the sea  as well as themselves - oblivious to floating rubbish in the water.

Experts have said that despite the infrastructure projects being built in the city they do not offer sustainable solutions to Belem's water and sewage crisis  despite the good intentions of COP30.

Prices in hotels have shot through the roof as 50,000 delegates scramble for a place to stay in a city with only a handful of hotels and 25,000 rooms available  many are staying on two cruise ships anchored nearby or in local schools.

The lucky ones  such as Net Zero minister Ed Miliband and his entourage - have places in the city's only five-star hotel, the Tivoli, which is still being built and where rooms cost 1,250 a night during the two-week summit.

Menacing vultures in large flocks hover over the bins picking at scraps of waste food  adding to the feeling of degradation

A report last month in the Brazilian news outlet Sumuma said that 55 per cent of Belem's inhabitants live on streets without a single tree. Pictured: A homeless man uses a bench as shade from the searing temperatures

Prices in hotels have shot through the roof for delegates, as local people live on the streets

Delegates to this year's COP conference will be staying just metres away from scenes of degradation in the city of Belem

Meanwhile, just a few miles away in the shadow of the Tivoli, famished children rifle through rubbish looking for food.

One local hotel worker, who asked not to be named, told the Daily Mail: 'If you ask me COP30 is a huge waste of money  I don't know how many Reais are being spent but it must be millions.

'Great that we may have a lovely park or some new spaces, but what about the real problems the city is facing, like sanitation, water and the homeless problem?

'That's what we should be spending the money on  most people don't have proper plumbing in their houses, and the rubbish situation is awful especially by the rivers and canals.

'We also have the highest electricity prices in the country which makes it even harder for people to live.'

The employee explained she earned 1,500 Reals (216) a month, but had to take a second job just to make ends meet.

Belem is home to nearly 1.4 million people and half of them  around 57 per cent - live in low lying, densely populated, low income areas, that have limited sewer and electric systems.

It's location just below the equator means the city is also prone to Biblical downpours at least twice a day  causing roads to flood and water cascading through homes and businesses.

Life for the majority of Belem's inhabitants is tough and marked by extreme poverty

Locals have been reduced to washing themselves and their clothing in the Guama River

A study by the Instituto Trata Brasil showed that 76.8 per cent of Belem's inhabitants have access to clean drinking water - while many use the Guamo River to wash themselves

People can be seen throughout the city living on the street. Slum living conditions not far from the COP30 venue

Slum living conditions can be seen throughout the city and not far from the COP30 venue

Local inhabitants can be seen sifting through rubbish piles on the river bank in Belem

And when it rains it means waste water from the poor sewage floods into the open and into rivers and canals creating an awful stench  made worse by the soaring temperatures.

A study two years ago by the Instituto Trata Brasil showed that 76.8 per cent of Belem's inhabitants have access to clean drinking water, while only 17.1 per cent were connected to a sewage system.

Officials say they have ploughed 4.8 billion Reals (691 million) to improve the city's infrastructure, but only eight of the projects planned have been completed and 37 still underway.

In a press release, the COP30 organisers said: 'More than just hosting a global event, Belem is prepared for the future.

'The infrastructure projects  funded and implemented by federal, state, and local governments  are part of a long-term strategy to leave a meaningful legacy for the city and its residents.

'Above all they reflect a firm commitment to making COP30 a historic milestone for Brazil and the Amazon.'

Perhaps the most controversial project is the construction of a four-lane, eight-mile highway cutting through forests in the Belem Environmental Protection Area on the east of the city.

The idea was to ease the traffic flow through the city, but in reality it is still bumper to bumper with jams clogging roads around the COP30 Parque da Cidade venue thanks to streets being closed off for the summit.

But the COP 30 delegates sitting in their air-conditioned cars speeding through specially-built lanes have no idea of what life is really like in Belem.
Labour's workers' rights reforms risk seeing businesses tied up in 'years of litigation' from employees who want to work from home, Peers have warned.

Employment tribunals could be overwhelmed with claims from people seeking more 'flexible' deals unless Labour clarifies its right to WFH, according to a new report.

Bosses have even been warned that employees could sue them if they trip over or scald themselves with hot tea while working from home as 'employers still have legal responsibilities towards them'.

The House of Lords Home-based Working Committee has concluded that WFH could aid Government plans to help get the disabled and long-term sick back into work.

But it also warns there could be unintended consequences to an increase in home or hybrid working - including employees going on strike en masse if they are forced to return to the office.

The Lords report says that proposed changes to flexible working under Labour's Employment Rights Bill could risk 'years of litigation' at employment tribunals unless it is clearly defined.

The controversial Bill, which is currently making its way through Parliament, stipulates that all employees will have the right to request flexible working regardless of their length of service.

If the Bill becomes law, bosses would only be able to reject such requests where it is 'reasonable' for them to do so. But Peers have warned that 'it is currently unclear how "reasonable" will be defined'.

Peers have exposed how WFH is 'unequal' and most often enjoyed by university-educated professionals living in London, with this risking 'exacerbating inequalities between different workers'

The House of Lords Home-based Working Committee report, titled Is working from home working?, also raises the prospect of workers suing their bosses for hurting themselves while WFH

The report says: 'It is important that the Government gets this right: without a clear definition, there is a risk of years of litigation at a time when the employment tribunal system is already struggling.'

The committee has urged the Government to produce statutory guidance that defines the 'reasonable' requirement so that employment tribunals aren't flooded with cases.

Baroness Rosalind Scott, the chair of the committee, said: 'While we don't expect the Government to legislate further on a subject that is best handled by employers and workers, it should provide relevant guidance and promote already existing guidance more widely.

'As it implements the Employment Rights Bill, it should ensure its changes to flexible working requests do not put undue pressure on the employment tribunal system.'

The report, titled Is working from home working?, also raises the prospect of workers suing their bosses for hurting themselves while WFH.

'Even if their employees work from home, employers still have legal responsibilities towards them, including in the context of health and safety legislation,' it adds.

'To minimise the risks of conflict and litigation, it is vital that employers are aware of their responsibilities.'

Peers have also exposed how WFH is 'unequal' and most often enjoyed by university-educated professionals living in London, with this risking 'exacerbating inequalities between different workers'.

And they warn that workers - including civil servants - could strike en masse if they are forced to return to working from the office.

The report says: 'Some workers may be prepared to trigger industrial action, such as strikes, if they do not agree with an office attendance mandate.'

Peers have recommended that the Government review the discrepancy between its 60 per cent mandated office attendance policy for civil servants and its plans to close 11 London office buildings.

'These policies may conflict with one another, and if they cannot be reconciled, the Government may need to decide which it wants to prioritise,' it adds.

This raises the prospect of civil servants working from home even more than the current 40 per cent of the time, in a move that has the potential to embarrass ministers.

The report concludes: 'The long-term social and economic effects of remote and hybrid working are unclear, and may yet be negative. They have been difficult to measure so far due to the novelty of widespread remote and hybrid working patterns.

'There are risks concerning innovation, collaboration, productivity, and skills development. If insufficiently addressed, these factors may impact organisational performance in the long-term.'

The Government said it is grateful to Baroness Scott for the report and will consider the findings before setting out a response next year.

A Department for Business and Trade spokesman said: 'Flexible working, including homeworking, can help achieve a better work life balance and break down barriers for carers, parents and disabled people.

'We are making changes through the Employment Rights Bill to make it more likely that flexible working requests are accepted and are fixing the employment tribunal system by ensuring more cases are resolved before reaching them.'
The father of a four-year-old boy who was tragically killed at a San Diego play park described his desperate final act to save his son from a falling tree.

Cathal Kerr was playing with his sons, Charlie, seven, and Ronan, four, when a 34-foot-long branch from a eucalyptus tree fell from more than 30 feet above them.

While the father of two managed to push his eldest son out of harms way, Ronan was tragically killed in the incident.

'My love for him is just so immense, so immense still. I miss him every second of the day,' he told CBS 8. 'There's not really a second that goes by that he's not on my mind.'

Kerr recalled to the outlet how his instincts quickly kicked in as he heard the branch snap and he rushed toward his children.

While Kerr managed to push Charlie and his friend out of the way of the branch, as he grabbed Ronan a thick piece of the tree slammed on top of them.

'It just happened so fast, you know, I got my hands on Ronan, and next thing I remember, I woke up on the ground,' Kerr told the outlet.

He woke up to find his youngest son lying next to him with his eyes open but unresponsive.

Ronan Kerr, four, died from his injuries after being struck on the head by the falling branch at Villa La Jolla park

Ronan's father, Cathal Kerr seen above, described his efforts to push his children out of the way of the falling branch

Ronan spent seven days in hospital before his parents took him off of life support

Kerr called the boys' mother, Dara Kerr, as other park goers called 911.

When emergency responders arrived Kerr recalled that they had to force the resistant father into the ambulance.

'I did not want to go in there, but four or five firefighters literally had to pin me down and strap me to the gurney, and put me in the ambulance,' he told the outlet.

Ronan and his mother, Dara, were taken in a separate ambulance to Rady Children's Hospital, while Kerr was transported to Sharp Memorial.

Kerr sustained a traumatic brain injury, a fractured nose, bruised ribs, and an injury to his left leg, while Ronan spent the following week on life support.

'It was awful, it was awful,' Dara Kerr told the outlet. 'You just hold your breath the entire time.'

She recalled a group of doctor's discussing her son's condition, but said she knew it wasn't looking hopeful.

'We spent a week in the hospital. We didn't leave his side. We never left the hospital,' she continued. 'He was on life support. He had the tubes, he had wires, he had things all in him, so I couldn't even really touch and hug my boy.'

The young boy was struck on the head by the above branch that broke off more than 30 feet above him, his brother and father

Kerr, seen here, suffered a traumatic brain injury, lacerations to his face and broken bones

But after seven days, the couple heartbreakingly decided to take their son off of life support.

'We were there and listened to his last breath,' Dara Kerr added.

Ronan's handprints and footprints were made into jewelry for the grief stricken mother. Nurses also recorded Ronan's heartbeat, which was then put onto a media player inside of a white teddy bear.

'Just not to have him and his companionship is something that my heart will never get over,' Kerr said. 'He was such a big part of our family. We're broken. We're broken.'

'He just felt like he was my best friend, and whatever love I gave him, he gave back, and we were just this perfect little pair, my boy,' Dara Kerr told the outlet.

'There is not a second that goes by that he doesn't cross my mind, and I'm constantly having conversations with him. I talk to him all the time, and that's what gets me through.'

The teddy bear now sits on the couple's bedside to remind them of Ronan, while they have sued the city of San Diego.

Kerr and his wife filed a wrongful death suit on November 4 over their son's death and claims that the city failed to maintain and inspect the city's trees.

The young boy is survived by his mother Dara, left, and his father Cathal, right, who had tried to save his son during the horrific incident

Ronan's final heartbeat was recorded and put onto a media player inside of a teddy bear for the grieving family

Kerr and his wife, Dara Kerr seen above, filed a wrongful death suit on November 4 over their son's death and claims that the city failed to maintain and inspect the city's trees

'This pain is just unbearable, and if we could just save another family from having to go through this, it'll be worth it,' Kerr told the outlet.

'I think it's natural to second-guess your actions and your movements that day, but it never crossed my mind in a million years that this would happen. It's a park. It's supposed to be safe. It's where you take your family to go play.'

The couple's attorney, Bibi Fell, claimed that the city was aware of the danger that eucalyptus trees pose to public safety.

Fell told CBS 8 that eucalyptus trees are known as a 'danger well-known to arborists.'

'They are not native to California, and when planted in irrigated parks, they rot, decay and their large limbs can come crashing down,' Fell continued.

'This particular tree showed signs of danger that should have been obvious to the City and its contractors. This lawsuit seeks to hold the City accountable for its failure to maintain and monitor the trees in our parks, which should be a safe place for San Diego families.'

According to the lawsuit, the tree's branches were said to have been 'large, elongated, heavy, angled, and improperly maintained to the point that it was obvious to a trained eye that the tree would catastrophically fail.'

The complaint listed over 30 instances from 1983 to 2005 in which tree branches or eucalyptus trees have fallen in the city, including in the Villa La Jolla park.

Ronan's family are seeking financial damages and requesting all eucalyptus trees deemed dangerous be removed or properly maintained.

The mission for the Kerr family is to honor Ronan and hopefully prevent another family from enduring the pain and grief they have.
A convicted killer on a most wanted gang members' list was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)  with the man's shocking mugshot featuring the numbers '666' slathered across his forehead.

The stunning picture was revealed as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that ICE had arrested Antonio Israel LazoQuintanilla last month.

The bottom half of his face was also covered in tattoos, as he looked straight at the camera.

LazoQuintanilla was an illegal immigrant and a member of the 18th Street Gang, according to the DHS.

His only crime in the United States was driving without a license, the agency said.

However, LazoQuintanilla was wanted in El Salvador for aggravated homicide, extortion, possession of drugs and other felonies.

He was also on El Salvador's most wanted gang members' list, the DHS said.

Antonio Israel LazoQuintanilla, whose mugshot showed him with a 666 tattoo sprawled across his forehead, was arrested by ICE last month

DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin said his arrest was a 'perfect example of ICE targeting the worst of the worst'

LazoQuintanilla's arrest was hailed as a 'perfect example of ICE targeting the worst of the worst' by DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin.

She said: 'He may lack a violent rap sheet in the US but this criminal illegal alien is clearly a public safety threat.

'The media's false claims that ICE is not arresting the worst of the worst simply has no grounding. In reality, ICE is arresting criminal illegal aliens before they can victimize Americans.'

It was not immediately known when LazoQuintanilla arrived in the US, and he could now be extradited to El Salvador.

He was arrested last month in Maryland for driving without a license, according to The New York Post.

The 18th Street Gang was called a 'violent transnational criminal organization' by the US Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of New York this June.

The gang  also called Barrio 18 in Spanish  is spread out across the US and Central America.

McLaughlin said that 70 percent of ICE's arrests were criminal illegal immigrants charged or convicted of a crime in the US.

70 percent of ICE's arrests are criminal illegal immigrants charged or convicted of a crime in the US, according to McLaughlin

She added that ICE was 'arresting criminal illegal aliens BEFORE they can victimize Americans'

The Trump administration has ramped up immigration efforts around the country.

Last month, a suburban Chicago police officer was left stunned when ICE agents arrested him after officials discovered he was living in the US illegally.

Radule Bojovic, of Montenegro, had been working as a sworn officer with the Hanover Park Police Department since January.

He was taken into custody after the DHS said Bojovic had overstayed a B2 tourist visa, and was supposed to have left the US in 2015.

ICE also arrested Marta Brizeyda Renderos Leiva, 39, at Salt Lake City airport after she was given a final order of removal in absentia in February 2020.
A staffer for liberal Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth was allegedly caught on video pretending to be an attorney for an illegal immigrant to get out of ICE custody.

Duckworth's outreach coordinator Edward York told federal officers he was an attorney for Jose Ismeal Ayuzo Sandoval, according to acting ICE Director Todd Lyons.

Sandoval, 40, had previously been deported to Mexico four times and was taken in by ICE following a DUI conviction in St. Louis, Illinois.

Lyons said in a letter to Duckworth that on October 29, York showed up to the field office lobby and said he was Sandoval's lawyer and demanded he be able to speak to his 'client.'

'This staff member allegedly did so to gain access to the detainee and seek his release from custody, and he accomplished it by falsifying an official Department of Homeland Security (DHS) form.'

York was not only granted a meeting with Sandoval but got him to sign a form that allows York to represent him and speak to the government on his behalf.

He was able to get a release order but was caught when a separate law firm tried to submit the form without Sandoval's signature.

'Four days later, a Suarez Law Office in Collinsville, Illinois filed a G-28 electronically that did not have Mr. Ayuzo's signature, even though Mr. York, who claimed to work for the law firm, had already obtained a signed form,' the letter said.

Edward York, a staffer for liberal Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth was allegedly caught on video pretending to be an attorney for an illegal immigrant to get out of ICE custody

Duckworth's outreach coordinator Edward York told federal officers he was an attorney for Jose Ismeal Ayuzo Sandoval (pictured), according to acting ICE Director Todd Lyons

Duckworth, 57, was re-elected to the Senate for a second term in 2022

Lyons believes that York tried to get the law firm to go along with his attempt to represent Sandoval and have no verification that he has a license to practice law anywhere.

ICE was tipped off when a now-private Facebook page described a staffer having gone to ICE to misrepresent himself.

'I implore all members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, as well as their staff, to stop the political games that put law enforcement and detainees at risk,' Lyons wrote.

'It is my sincere hope that you will advocate on behalf of your constituents who have been victimized by illegal alien crime and work with DHS to remove these criminals from the United States.'

Duckworth has been given until November 17 to respond to Lyons' letter regarding whether York is still employed by the senator and if he lied to federal agents.

The Daily Mail has reached out to a spokesperson for Senator Duckworth for comment.

Duckworth, 57, was re-elected to the Senate for a second term in 2022.
President Donald Trump has officially ended the longest federal shutdown in history with a few swift strokes of his pen in the Oval Office, shortly after being delivered a bill to fund the federal government from Capitol Hill.

Trump was surrounded by top Republicans and national business leaders as he railed against Democrats, blaming them for the record-breaking closure once more, despite polling showing that many voters think Republicans bear the blame for the shutdown.

'I just want to tell the American people, you should not forget this,' Trump said, imploring voters to remember the shutdown when they go to vote in the midterms.

Trump also called again for ending the filibuster, a proposal that has been unpopular with members of both parties.

The president thanked the Democrats who sided with Republicans to end the shutdown, and also praised the broad coalition from across the political spectrum including the AFGE, Farm Bureau, and Fraternal Order of Police who pressured the Democrats to switch their votes.

After 43 days, lawmakers on Capitol Hill passed a budget to fund the U.S. government.

With a vote of 222 to 209, members of the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Senate's bill to fund the Departments of Agriculture, Veterans Affairs, and military construction projects for fiscal year 2026, also extending funding for other agencies through January 30th of 2026.

The bill also provides back pay and protections for federal employees, including reinstating those laid off during the shutdown, and ensures continued funding for programs such as food stamps, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), through September 2026.

President Donald Trump speaks while signing the bill package to open the federal government in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on November 12, 2025

Sen. Chuck Schumer speaks on the Senate floor during a session addressing the government shutdown on November 10th, 2025.

Additional provisions include increased security funding for officials and members of Congress.

The Senate previously passed its version of the funding legislation with 60 votes in favor and 40 votes against.

60 votes were the minimum number required to pass a budget bill in the upper chamber.

Eight Democrats sided with Republicans in the Senate, as despite holding a majority in both chambers of Congress Republicans only have 53 seats in the Senate, which was short of the 60 votes needed to pass a funding bill.

Both Senate Republicans and several Democrats were growing uneasy about the shutdown's escalating consequences. They were eager to get the government running again before the situation worsens.

'Today, we're sending a clear message that we will never give in to extortion, because that's what it was, they tried to extort, the Democrats tried to extort our country,' Trump noted shortly before ending the shutdown.

'Yet, the extremists in the other party insisted on creating the longest government shutdown in American history, and they did it purely for political reasons,' Trump added.

Trump was surrounded by top Republicans and national business leaders as he railed against Democrats, blaming them for the record-breaking closure once more

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and fellow Democrats speak on the health care funding fight on the steps of the House before votes to end the government shutdown, on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, in Washington

In this image provided by House Television, the vote total showing passage of the bill in the House to end the government shutdown is displayed Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington.

Six Democrats sided with Republicans, voting to open the government on Wednesday evening.

Democratic Representatives Jared Golden of Maine, Adam Gray of California, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington, Don Davis of North Carolina, Henry Cuellar of Texas, and Tom Suozzi of New York were their party's yes votes, splitting from Democrat leadership and siding with Republicans to reopen the government.

Gluesenkamp Perez said in a statement that she voted for the bill because 'the fight to stop runaway health insurance premiums won't be won by holding hungry Americans hostage.'

'None of my friends who rely on SNAP would want to trade their dinner for an ambiguous D.C. beltway 'messaging victory' and I'm glad this ugly scene is in the rearview mirror,' Gluesenkamp Perez said, referring to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Republicans Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Greg Steube of Florida were the two members of their party who did not support the legislation.

Steube said he opposed the bill because the Senate had quietly inserted a last-minute provision allowing eight Republican senators to sue the U.S. government for up to $500,000 each after it was revealed that the government had spied on those members. Although Johnson indicated that a legislative fix for this provision would occur, Steube noted that he did not trust the Speaker to keep his word.

Asked about the provision again during a press conference that followed the vote to end the shutdown, Speaker Johnson noted the following:

'I had a conversation with Leader Thune early this morning about it, and I think he regretted the way it was done, and we had an honest conversation about that. But I'm going to speak as truthfully to him as I am to all of you and tell you that I think that was way out of line.'

Other members of the House also spoke out against the last-minute Senate addition.

After Tennessee Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn noted that she planned to sue for subpoenaing her phone records, Representative John Rose, also a Tennessee Republican, posted on X that he was asking her to reconsider the suit.

'Suing you, the taxpayer, for the politically-driven (and wrong) actions of the Biden DOJ doesn't fix anything. It only makes U.S. Senators richer,' Rose noted.

'That's why I've filed a bill to immediately undo this money grab that somehow snuck into the Senate version of the funding bill,' he added.

Florida Republican Anna Paulina Luna also chastised the move, noting on X that 'you can't self deal like this. Especially not using the government shut down as a tool.'

Concerns about the shutdown ranged from delayed flights and unpaid federal workers to economic strain and suspension of food assistance for vulnerable families.

Republicans had supported a short-term measure to fund the government at generally current levels, previously approved under the Biden administration, through November 21. However, Democrats had blocked it, insisting that the measure did not address their concerns regarding healthcare.

'Today, we're sending a clear message that we will never give in to extortion, because that's what it was, they tried to extort, the Democrats tried to extort our country,' Trump said

Workers and volunteers help distribute food boxes to those in need at a large-scale drive-through food distribution, in response to the federal government shutdown

US airports complied with the FAA order to cut thousands of flights per day amid the 43-day US Government shutdown

Senate Majority Leader John Thune had previously given Senate Democrats 14 chances to vote to reopen the government.

Public frustration with the prolonged shutdown intensified, increasing pressure on both parties to reach an agreement.

Air traffic had been hit hard, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warning on CNN that staffing shortages are worsening, potentially reducing air travel to a trickle.
The first shot tore into the back of the man just in front of him  close enough for the Russian private to feel a warm spray of blood across his face.

For a split second, his brain told him it must be Ukrainian fire. Then instinct kicked in: the angle was wrong. The rounds were coming from behind  from somewhere in the line of trees where their own support unit had been.

Someone screamed.

Then a second burst rattled the night. Muzzles flashed, stuttering in the darkness.

Within ten seconds, it all became clear: Russians were shooting at Russians.

When the firing finally died down, six soldiers lay crumpled in the frozen mud. One had tried to crawl away, leaving a dark trail of blood in the snow. All were Russian.

This was not friendly fire. This was a total breakdown, another case of Russian troops deliberately slaughtering their comrades.

Last week, I spoke to a contact in Ukrainian intelligence who told how, three winters into Vladimir Putins all-out invasion of Ukraine, Russias battered army is devouring itself. Across many fronts, amid the chaos of battle, panicked, under-trained conscripts are opening fire on their own comrades.

Russian commanders are shooting their own men for refusing orders, for failing to pay bribes and, sometimes, just for sport

Western officials estimate that Moscow has suffered more than 350,000 casualties  killed or wounded  since February 2022 when Putins invasion began

Commanders are shooting their own men for refusing orders, for failing to pay bribes and, sometimes, just for sport.

In scenes of medieval brutality, soldiers are being forced to fight one another to the death. But brutality is not control.

Western officials estimate that Moscow has suffered more than 350,000 casualties  killed or wounded  since February 2022 when Putins invasion began.

It is believed to be losing around 1,000 men a day on some sectors of the front they call the meat grinder.

Some units that began this war 800-strong are returning from the battlefield with fewer than 100 men, the survivors hobbling home without limbs or hope.

Its a rate of attrition so severe that Moscow has been forced to replace the dead with prisoners, the middle-aged and the disabled, physically and mentally, simply to keep the trenches manned.

Around Avdiivka in the Donetsk Oblast in eastern Ukraine, where Russian losses have reached grotesque levels, Im told that units now speak of their army as a beast feasting on itself.

One Ukrainian intercept recorded two Russian marines talking: We are not fighting a war. We are being fed to it, they concluded.

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov commands Russia's 'barrier troops' who are strategically placed at the rear to prevent desertion or retreat

Kadyrov and his troops with Russian president Vladimir Putin

In the killing fields outside Vuhledar  where some of Russias elite naval infantry brigades have been reduced to ash  I am told of a scene that belongs in a nightmare.

A group of mobilised men had refused to climb out of their trench during yet another failed assault on the Ukrainian guns.

Their commander ordered his soldiers to haul two of them into a shell crater at gunpoint. It was, he thought, the perfect arena for the horror he had in mind.

What happened next was filmed on a phone later recovered by Ukrainian troops. Under the sickly light of a flare, the officer made the two men fight  hand to hand  while others were forced to watch.

The winner would be allowed to rejoin the unit. The loser would be executed for cowardice.

The footage ends abruptly, but I am told the victor was shot anyway. He had seen too much.

My contact was blunt: David, it was Gladiator directed by sadistic, drunken conscripts.

This grotesque theatre of coercion  kill a comrade or be killed  is becoming a feature of Russian military discipline. Once, desertion led to the penal battalions, now it leads to dirt pits and execution.

Russian-on-Russian fire has reached such levels that Ukrainian officers sometimes hold back when firefights break out

Further north, near Kupyansk, the horror is less deliberate and more chaotic. Here, units composed of convicts, conscripts and half-trained reservists are collapsing from exhaustion and fear. Alcohol runs like lifeblood through the trenches. Paranoia blooms like mould in the damp earth.

In the course of one night attack, a drunken brawl between two groups escalated into a gunfight. When it ended, five Russians were dead, yet no Ukrainian had been within 500 yards of them.

A field medic attempting to intervene was shot through the throat by a Russian soldier screaming that he was a spy.

Russian-on-Russian fire has reached such levels that Ukrainian officers sometimes hold back when firefights break out in this sector.

If they want to thin their own ranks, one told me, we let them.

Verstka, the independent Russian news outlet, has documented dozens of cases of intra-unit violence or executions since mid-2023.

Western intelligence reports paint the same picture. Britains Ministry of Defence believes barrier troops  stationed at the rear to prevent desertion or retreat  have been deployed to restore discipline through intimidation.

These troops  known as zagradotryady  have existed since Stalins era, when waverers were shot on sight.

Today, it is soldiers belonging to the psychopathic Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov who have taken up this task  with gusto.

Russian military courts have quietly processed more than 11,000 cases of desertion or failure to obey a superior order since mobilisation began.

For a military force once famed for its iron grip and centralised control, that number signals institutional collapse.

The Kremlin, meanwhile, continues to funnel replacements to the front. This is an army sustained not by camaraderie and morale, but by fear.

Western analysts warn that Russias internal attrition may prove as lethal as Ukrainian artillery to its long-term stability. An army that fears itself cannot modernise.

Repression at the front now mirrors repression at home. Conscripts are beaten for dissent, officers arrested for telling the truth, journalists silenced for reporting it.

Military historian Phillips OBrien notes: The Russians are winning ground only by destroying the army that must hold it.

Even if they seize more territory, the price is an institution hollowed out by its own brutality  capable of conquest but not control. The rot extends behind the lines as well. Some 40 miles from the front, the Russian city of Belgorod once felt insulated from the war.

Now reports from military police describe dozens of cases of soldiers attacking fellow servicemen  of beatings, stabbings and a reported grenade explosion in a barracks canteen after a fistfight got out of hand.

Every scandal is quickly smothered by Moscows censors, of course.

And still the men keep coming. Moscow can call on a vast population  millions of whom, if they dont join up for the comparatively generous salaries, can be forced into uniform. After all, its not as if any Russian is going to take up their complaints with Putin.

And that includes not just the unfit and the psychopathic, but the downright broken, men who, in any properly functioning army, would not be deemed fit for combat.

Russia, desperate for bodies, now sends the limping and the one-eyed into combat  anyone who can pull a trigger, even once.

I saw this horror with my own eyes on the eastern front last year at a base with a group of Ukrainian soldiers as they monitored Russian movements on a drone feed. The screen flickered with the ghostly grey shapes of men inching across a field towards the Ukrainian lines.

One figure lagged behind, moving awkwardly, even slower than the rest. It took a moment to understand why: the man was using a crude wooden crutch. His right leg was gone below the knee.

The Ukrainians stared in a silence that was part disbelief, part disgust.

Then one laughed.

Theyre sending amputees now, he said. Russia used to make men disabled by sending them to war. Now they get that part over before we even get to them! I felt something twist inside me  a cold, empty sorrow.

It appears that its now not uncommon for Russian soldiers on the front lines to fear their commanders and comrades more than the enemy.

The bond that makes an army function  trust  has been severed. What remains is a brutal equation of fear.

Men move forward not out of loyalty, but because the gun at their back feels more immediate than the gun ahead.

Russias army is increasingly less a force that is held together by shared identity than it is a patchwork: of convicts promised release, villagers seized off the street, traumatised veterans returned to the furnace, ethnic minorities from Dagestan, Buryatia, and Tuva who suffer racism from Slavic officers. And now the physically disabled.

These men share neither training nor purpose.

Meanwhile, Putins generals cling to a strategy of that perennial Russia idea: sacrifice as doctrine.

Soldiers are not assets to be preserved, but fuel to be burned. That belief trickles down the chain of command until a corporal with a pistol feels entitled to execute a man who hesitates.

In Russia, discussion of this internal carnage is taboo.

Long-neutered state media speak only of heroism. Moscows Ministry of Defence denies all allegations of executions, fratricide and forced combat.

Yet leaked reports from the Russian military prosecutors office show sharp rises in intra-unit violence and armed altercations since late 2023. Independent Russian outlets have documented cases of zeroing  summary execution  in at least five brigades.

The Kremlin reacts not with reform but by carrying out deeper repression: officers are now authorised to apply maximum disciplinary measures in the field.

Across the ravaged fields of the Donbas, Russian soldiers are dying from gunfire, shells, drones  and in pits dug by their own comrades. The war is no longer simply Russia versus Ukraine. It is Russia versus itself.

Back at home, the human wreckage is everywhere. Prosthetic clinics in the south-western cities of Samara and Kazan operate around the clock.

Officials have been told to limit public discussion of amputees.

One report from Buryatia in eastern Siberia counted more than 3,000 widows under the age of 30.

Mothers who post appeals for missing sons are now branded foreign agents. The state has turned private grief into a security threat.

What began as a special military operation has become a bleeding wound running through every family in provincial Russia.

A country that turns its guns inward is no longer a force of war. It is a force of decay.

Even if Russia does manage to push further into Ukraine and to hold the land it has brutally stolen, both the army and the state remain in moral and  physical collapse.

And this collapse will not be marked by a single retreat or defeat, but rather by the many quiet, unseen moments when a soldier turns his rifle towards a man in the same uniform  and pulls the trigger.
A Sydney woman has been charged with facilitating $70million worth of fraud for what detectives allege to be among the country's most sophisticated financial crime syndicates in history.

Detectives arrested 53-year-old Anya Phan at her nearly $14m Dover Heights mansion, in Sydney's east, early on Wednesday alongside her daughter Thi Ta, 25.

Phan, who claimed to be a feng shui master and fortune teller, allegedly convinced vulnerable clients in Sydney's Vietnamese community to take out loans.

Police allege she pocketed a share of the money herself while promising her clients that a 'billionaire' was in their future. She was allegedly assisted by her daughter.

Phan, is estimated to have defrauded clients to the tune of about $70million.

Detectives seized financial documents, mobile phones, electronics, luxury handbags, a 40-gram gold bar worth about $10,000, and $6,600 in casino chips at the property.

The arrests follow an extensive investigation launched in January 2024 into a syndicate allegedly using stolen identities to obtain financing for luxury 'ghost cars' that never existed.

Detectives say the operation later uncovered large-scale loan fraud across multiple financial institutions, extending beyond the alleged car financing scam.

Detectives arrested the mother and daughter at a Dover Heights mansion about 6am on Wednesday

Detectives believe it was the most sophisticated financial crime syndicates they'd ever seen

The pair were arrested at a $12.9million Dover Heights property on Wednesday (pictured)

The so-called Penthouse Syndicate allegedly defrauded the National Australia Bank out of more than $150m over two years, reported The Sydney Morning Herald.

The syndicate allegedly used the money to develop a property portfolio across the city, aided by allegedly corrupt bank employees.

Detectives claim the fraud totalled about $250m across major banks and financiers over a period of seven years.

NAB senior business banking manager Timotius Donny Sungkar, 36, was arrested and charged last week after allegedly facilitating about $10m in fraudulent loans for the syndicate.

Police allege Sungkar was paid $17,000 to approve the loans applied for with documents linked to shell companies purchased by the syndicate. He remains in custody facing 19 charges.

Chris Sheehan, NAB executive group investigations, said customers were not impacted by the alleged incident, adding it had worked in partnership with police, acted swiftly and terminated his employment.

'NAB has zero tolerance for employees who engage in criminal conduct. NAB acted swiftly to investigate and this individual's employment was terminated,' he said.

'There has been no customer impact or financial losses by customers as a result of this matter. We are unable to comment further while this investigation is ongoing and before the Court.'

The Penthouse Syndicate allegedly purchased dozens of Sydney properties using mules.

Phan allegedly recruited mules under directions from the group's alleged ringleader 38-year-old Bing 'Michael' Li, from Shanghai.

Li was arrested in July at an $18m penthouse in the Crown's residential Barangaroo tower, from where he allegedly directed the syndicate.

Thi Ta, 25, was arrested alongside her mother at the Dover Heights home

Both women have been charged over their alleged roles in a fraud worth about $70million

The arrests follow an extensive investigation launched in January 2024 into the syndicate

Phan's four-bedroom, four-and-a-half bathroom Dover Heights home was purchased for $12.9m, reportedly with a mortgage from NAB.

The luxury property includes an indoor cinema, a six-person lift, a gym and steam room, swimming pool, and sprawling harbour views.

Seventeen people have previously been charged under Strike Force Myddleton, with $60m in assets already restrained by the NSW Crime Commission.

The latest arrests brought the total value of seized assets to $75m after an additional $15m was frozen this week.

Financial Crimes Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Gordon Arbinja said the case had revealed one of the most complex operations his team had seen.

'What began as an investigation into fraudulent car financing has expanded into uncovering one of the most sophisticated financial crime syndicates I have seen in my career,' he said.

'Our detectives have worked tirelessly to uncover a network that has not only targeted financial institutions but also manipulated vulnerable individuals for personal gain.'

NSW Crime Commission Executive Director Darren Bennett said asset recovery was a key focus of the agency.

NAB senior business banking manager Timotius Donny Sungkar, 36, was arrested and charged last week after allegedly facilitating about $10m in fraudulent loans for the syndicate

About $6600 in casino chips, luxury handbags and financial documents were also seized

Detectives seized a gold bar worth an estimated $10,000 during the early-morning raid

'Recovering assets is not just about punishment - it's about restoring confidence and returning value to the people of NSW,' he said.

'Our role is to ensure that crime does not pay. Every dollar we recover is a dollar that won't fund further criminal activity and can instead be redirected to benefit the community.'

Phan faces 39 charges, including knowingly directing the activities of a criminal group and multiple counts of fraud and dealing with proceeds of crime.

She was refused bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday.

Ta, her daughter, faces several charges including two counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception and recklessly dealing with the proceeds of crime.

She was granted conditional bail to appear in Downing Centre Local Court on Friday 23 January 2026.

HOW POLICE CLAIM THE SCHEME ALLEGEDLY WORKED
The survivors of an international hit job in Bali have fled their homes and gone to ground amid fears another death squad is hot on their heels after a series of threats and firebomb attacks.

Now they have also refused to fly to Bali to testify against the three Australians on trial for the deadly attack who could face the death penalty if convicted.

Melbourne underworld figure Sanar Ghanim was shot up to six times by masked men who stormed his Bali villa on June 14.

While he survived the alleged ambush, his mate Zivan Radmanovic was allegedly beaten with a sledgehammer and shot dead before the assassins fled on scooters.

The alleged kill squad - Darcy Francesco Jenson, 27, Mevlut Coskun, 22, and Melbourne man Paea I Middlemore Tupou, 27 - are currently on trial in Bali, charged with murder.

But prosecutors revealed Ghanim, 34, and his partner Daniella Gourdeas had twice been summoned to the trial but their lawyers had told the court they could not come due to a 'threat' from someone.

'He worries about his safety,' a prosecutor told the court.

Radmanovic's wife Jazmyn Gourdeas - Daniella's sister - was also due to testify but pulled out at the last minute on Monday without stating a reason, the court heard.

Jazmyn Gourdeas and Zivan Radmanovic in happier times

Ghanim and his partner were also nowhere to be found at a leafy inner-city home in an upmarket suburb which is owned by Daniella Gourdeas.

Boarded-up and covered in graffiti, the once-pristine $1.6million home showed the telltale marks of fire damage when the Daily Mail visited on Wednesday.

Neighbours told Daily Mail the house had indeed been firebombed in the months before the Bali attack.

Although owned by the couple, it is understood the pair never actually lived there and had rented the property out.

Unsuspecting renters had been living at the property when it was set alight in the early hours of the morning.

Around the corner, Daniella's Toorak skin clinic, Aesthetica Cosmetic Clinic on Toorak Road, remained boarded-up after it too was firebombed.

The shop had been set alight just weeks after the Bali attempt on her partner's life.

Sanar Ghanim after he was allegedly shot by assassins in Bali

The South Yarra property owned by Daniella Gourdeas was allegedly firebombed in the months before an alleged hit on her husband in Bali

Daniella Gourdeas had been with her husband when he was shot in Bali

Neighbours this week told the Daily Mail the only people they had observed entering the shop in the months since had been construction workers.

The Daily Mail also visited Jazmyn Gourdeas's home in south-west Melbourne which appeared to have been abandoned in a hurry.

A neighbour claimed the mother-of-six made a hasty exit a little over a week ago.

The couples had been staying in a villa celebrating Jazmyn's 30th birthday in the idyllic area of Munggu on June 14 when they were allegedly attacked just after midnight.

Radmanovic was allegedly bashed before being fatally shot while Ghanim, the former partner of slain Melbourne drug lord Carl Williams step daughter, Danielle Stephens, was shot multiple times but escaped.

Radmanovic was reportedly tortured before being executed, the Herald Sun reported at the time.

Indonesian police allege Coskun and Tupou used a sledgehammer to smash their way into the Villa Casa Santisya while wearing helmets and masks while Jenson kept lookout.

CCTV captured the sound of gunshots being fired.

Radmanovic's wife (pictured left) cowered in bed as her husband was allegedly killed in a horrific gangland hit

Daniella Gourdeas' Toorak skin clinic, Aesthetica Cosmetic Clinic on Toorak Road, remains boarded up

The Point Cook home of Jazmyn Gourdeas appeared to have been left in a hurry

Jazmyn reportedly hid as her husband was shot dead, later checking his pulse after his alleged attackers fled on scooters.

The alleged assassins were apprehended in the following days after the attack, with Jenson arrested at the airport.

Coskun and Tupou were both turned back from Cambodia and arrested.

On Monday, the Denpasar District Court heard Jazmyns testimony could be key to clarifying the motives behind the shooting should she agree to give evidence.

'We have summoned Sanar and Daniella twice, Your Honour, but received no response,' the public prosecutor told the court.

'Through their legal representative, they said their security is under threat.'

Lawyer Ricky Rajendar Singh, who is representing all three defendants, urged the court to ensure the couples safety and persuade them to testify in person.

'The panel of judges should instruct the prosecutors to give assurance to the victims so that everything becomes clear,' Mr Singh said.

'Security here is guaranteed. Even the defendants safety is tightly guarded.'

The court will resume the trial on Monday where prosecutors had planned to present five witnesses, including Jazmyn.

Court documents state Jenson began preparing logistics and accommodations as early as April, including renting a villa and two scooters, hiring two cars, and purchasing a hammer.

Indonesian police parade Darcy Francesco Jenson as he's hauled into court

The villa where two Australians were shot in Bali in June

'Defendant Mevlut Coskun fired several shots at witness Sanar Ghanim, while defendant Paea Tupou repeatedly shot at victim Zivan Radmanovic,' the prosecutor told the court.

'Witness Jazmyn testified that the assailants who entered the room wore orange pants, masks, and jackets.'

Prosecutors argue the attack was premeditated and well-coordinated.

If convicted, the alleged killers face life imprisonment or the death penalty under Indonesian law.

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe appeal established a day after the alleged execution to help Jazmyn has raised more than $14,000 of its $20,000 target.

The fundraiser described Radmanovic as a devoted father and loving partner.

'Zivan was a kind, hardworking man devoted to his family. His loss leaves a huge hole in their lives, but together, we can help Jazmyn and her children find a way forward,' it states.

The fundraiser describes Jazmyn as single mother to 'six beautiful children, aged from just 9 months to 13 years'.

Mevlut Coskun appears in the Denpasar District Court

Darcy Francesco Jenson (pictured in court) faces the death penalty

Australians Coskun Mevlut (left) and Paea I Middlemore Tupou (far right) attend their trial at the Denpasar District Court

'Whilst only married for just under a year, the couple were deeply in love and shared a family together.

'Now Jazmyn faces the unimaginable challenge of caring for their large family alone  including three children diagnosed with epilepsy who require ongoing medication, therapies, and frequent medical appointments,' it stated.

The trial continues.
A cold-blooded killer who smashed a newborn baby's head against a wall and blamed the mother has been jailed.

Carpenter Benjamin Joseph Swann, 31, of Manor Lakes in Melbourne's west, was sentenced in the Supreme Court of Victoria on Thursday to 13 years behind bars, with a non-parole period of nine-and-a-half years, for killing baby Elijah.

With time served, the remorseless thug could walk free in a little under eight years.

Elijah had been just 115 days old when Swann smashed his head against the wall in a fit of rage on January 19 last year.

He then went about blaming the infant's mother, whom he had shared a brief and volatile relationship with.

In sentencing, Justice James Gorton painted a damning picture of how Swann worked to conceal his cowardly crime.

The court heard Swann immediately shifted blame onto the baby's mum Elyce, telling paramedics who attended the scene he had no idea what had happened to the child.

He would later tell police Elijah's mum had been severely depressed and he had previously observed her deliberately try to cause him to fall out of his swing onto a tiled floor.

Benjamin Joseph Swann is a coward and baby killer

'You also denied in that interview that you had done anything to cause the injuries to Elijah,' Justice Gorton said.

'(You) callously and dishonestly sought to divert attention from yourself and to make the police instead suspect that (the child's mother) had inflicted the injuries on Elijah that resulted in his death.

'Your conduct in this regard significantly aggravates your moral culpability. Further and significantly, you have not demonstrated any remorse either in the period following Elijah's death or since.'

The court heard Elijah's mum lived under the suspicion she had murdered her own baby all the way up until Swann's trial when he changed his tune with a deal that allowed him to plead guilty to child homicide rather than murder.

'I accept ... that she was traumatised from 20 months of being blamed and accused, attacked, and humiliated, of it being suggested that she was responsible for taking her son's life,' Justice Gorton said.

Elyce had been dragged through the Victorian justice system, with Swann's lawyer exploring her mental state and ability to cope with motherhood.

Swann had told police Elyce had a wooden bedhead and side tables in a cruel bid to suggest she may have injured Elijah before handing him over to Swann.

On the night Swann killed Elijah, he had repeatedly complained about the baby's crying.

Benjamin Joseph Swann blamed Elijah's mum for his brutal crime

'I literally picked him up from his cot, put him on the change table,' Swann told Elijah's mother after his attack.

'He was still squawking, tried to give him his dummy, which he took and settled for about two seconds. Then I picked him up, he started squawking again.

'I walked to the kitchen to make a bottle for him. He started squawking again. I tried giving him his dummy.

'He didn't want that at all. He started squawking again. I then gave him to you. He settled for about two minutes, then you gave him to me.

'I tried feeding him. He wasn't taking a bottle ... You and I noticed how limp he was going, and then obviously we called the ambos.

'So unless I am a complete utter effing r***rd and don't know how to pick up infants anymore, I have no idea what happened.'

When he was born, baby Elijah wasn't expected to live more than 15 minutes.

Elijah weighed less than a bag of sugar when he was born.Weighing just 761 grams, he spent most of his short life in intensive care units. He fought for 115 days.

Elijah's mother, who works at an IVF clinic in Melbourne, had met Swann online on September 27, 2023, when she was three months' pregnant.

Benjamin Joseph Swann will do hard time behind bars

Swann was already a father to a young boy, who lived with his mother in Western Australia.

Elyce worked out quickly Swann had a problem with methylamphetamine.

It was made clear to Swann that drugs were not going to be a part of Elijah's life, and he agreed to get clean.

Traces of meth had been found on Elijah's hair after his death, which Justice Gorton attributed to Swann's vile habit.

However, he accepted Swann's claims he was not drug affected on the night he killed Elijah.

The maximum penalty for child homicide is 25 years. Swann had initially faced life behind bars on a murder charge.

Justice Gorton condemned Swann for his callous attack on Elijah.

'Elijah was newly born and entirely defenceless. He was in your care and his mother was trusting you to look after him, which increases the gravity of your offending,' he told Swann.

'By your actions, Elijah will now never grow up or experience a life.'

Justice Gorton told Elijah's mother his sentence did not reflect the value of her son's life.

'The law regards all human life as unique and sacrosanct. However, the life of an infant or young child is especially precious, because children are so vulnerable and defenceless,' he said.

'The assault that you inflicted on the child by which you brought his life so prematurely to an end contravened the fundamental values of our society.'
A stubborn driver has been left more than $46,000 out-of-pocket despite winning a four-year fight over a parking fine which saw even the Attorney-General get involved.

The woman  referred to in court records as Ms Mathie  initially lost a trial over the $107 fine issued in 2021 in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court.

She argued that the Playford Council, in northern Adelaide, had falsely charged her with double parking after she became stuck in heavy traffic.

Photographic evidence by a parking inspector showed that Ms Mathie's car was motionless for two minutes behind an SUV.

First reported by the The Advertiser, Magistrate Edward Stratton-Smith found there was space for her car to manoeuvre around the traffic ahead.

She then won an appeal in the Supreme Court, which set aside her conviction on a technicality after it was found the ticket was not clearly labelled.

Because the offence was not clearly explained, Justice Julie McIntyre ruled that the council's six-month window to prosecute Ms Mathie had expired in a landmark ruling that declared other parking tickets issued across the state also invalid.

Playford Council appealed the ruling in the Court of Appeal, and were backed by the Attorney-General Kyam Maher.

The driver argued that the Playford Council, in northern Adelaide , had falsely charged her with double parking after she became stuck in heavy traffic on Boucaut Avenue, Blakeview

Playford Council is now worried about the implications over the parking fine incident

The council felt it was important to appeal the woman's initial win

The Advertiser reported that in handing down its judgment in May, the panel found the parking ticket had been labelled sufficiently, containing the phrase 'double parking'.

However, they ruled Ms Mathie's appeal was partly valid because she was unrepresented at trial and the relevant road rules, along with the burden of proof, had not been adequately explained to her.

'In those circumstances, we consider there has been a miscarriage of justice and it is appropriate to remit the matter for retrial to the Magistrates Court,' the judgment said.

Instead of retrying, the council withdrew the charges.

The Court of Appeal ordered the council to pay $10,580 in costs, as Ms Mathie had sought more than $57,000 to cover her costs fighting the $107 fine.

The judgment stated 'neither party achieved total success', according to The Advertiser.

A Playford Council spokeswoman told Daill Mail the council had continued to fight the fine 'to preserve the integrity of the expiation process'.

'This is also the reason for the intervention of the Attorney-General of South Australia, who supported council's appeal,' the spokeswoman said.

'This case was not about a single expiation, but a fundamental point of law with far reaching implications for South Australia's entire expiation system.

'It was important to uphold that system and the legal principles that support it, which is why council pursued the matter in the Court of Appeal.'

It was worried that the legal implications of not doing so would have been substantial for Playford, other councils and SA Police.

Daily Mail has contacted Playford Council for further comment.
The devastated owner of a popular family-friendly attraction has broken her silence after she was 'blindsided' by revelations that a convicted child sex offender had been working there.

Until this week, Steven James Harvey was employed at City Chicks Farm and Cafe in Samford Valley, in the Moreton Bay region north of Brisbane.

He appeared in multiple social media videos for the business, some of which showed him petting farm animals in close proximity to children.

What colleagues and visitors didn't know is that Harvey had previously served jail time over his serious criminal past, including offences against children.

In 2017, Brisbane's District Court found Harvey guilty of 15 sex offences.

They included two counts of maintaining an unlawful relationship with a child, two counts of indecent treatment of a child, nine counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault.

The former jumping-castle business operator was sentenced to eight years' jail and became eligible for parole in 2021, Nine News reported.

City Chicks Farm and Cafe owner Ingrid Dimock was unaware of Harvey's past until this week, despite reportedly being in a relationship with him.

Convicted sex offender Steven James Harvey worked at City Chicks Farm and Cafe until his employment was terminated this week

City Chicks Farm and Cafe owner Ingrid Dimock told Daily Mail in a statement that she is heartbroken and shocked after previously being unaware of Harvey's past

Ms Dimock has since terminated Harvey's employment and told Daily Mail on Thursday that she had been 'completely blindsided'.

'We had absolutely no prior knowledge of the individual's criminal history and are shocked and appalled by the information that has come to light,' she said in a statement.

'Upon learning of it, we acted immediately and decisively to terminate his employment and permanently sever all association with this person and he has been removed from site.'

A blue card or exemption card is required for anyone engaged in regulated child-related work or business in Queensland.

'Whether a person needs a blue or exemption card will depend on the environment where the work is performed, type of work and if an exemption applies,' the government website states.

Ms Dimock believed that staff at the farm and cafe didn't need blue cards but will now insist they have the certification in the wake of recent events.

'Children visiting the farm are always accompanied and supervised by their parents or guardians,' she said.

'There is no formal engagement between staff and children that requires Blue Card certification, which has been confirmed by Blue Card Services.

Social media photos and videos showed Harvey working within close proximity to children at City Chicks Farm and Cafe

'During his employment, any contact this person had with children was only ever brief and incidental, in passing, and he never had unsupervised one-on-one interaction at any time.'

Videos shared to social media showed Harvey urging families to visit the farm during the school holidays to pet and feed the animals, or cool off in the lake.

He also claimed to be the head chef and owner of the cafe in another video.

For almost two decades, thousands of visitors have flocked to the popular venue, which offers a family-friendly farmyard experience.

'The safety and wellbeing of our guests, particularly children, has always been, and will remain, our highest priority,' Ms Dimock said.

'I'm heartbroken and shocked by the information that has recently come to light.

'This has been deeply upsetting, and I'd appreciate privacy and kindness while I come to terms with everything.'

Parents were shocked to learn that a convicted child sex offender had been working at the farm.

'He's very close to children, reacting, holding baby goats,' Jen Fleming told Nine News.

Ms Dimock insisted that that any contact Harvey (pictured) had with children at the farm and cafe was 'only ever brief and incidental, in passing, and he never had unsupervised one-on-one interaction at any time'

'As a parent to toddlers, you know, that's the first thing that kids will go to is cute animals, so I think it's scary.'

Safeguarding People Australia founding director Hetty Johnston added: 'It shouldn't need clarification from anybody. This is just outrageous.'

The matter has been referred to Queensland Police.

'Queensland Police are investigating allegations involving a man at Samford,' a spokeswoman told Daily Mail.

'As the matter is under investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment further.
Michael Burry, the investor who predicted the 2008 global financial crisis, has placed a staggering $2.3billion bet against the artificial intelligence boom.

Experts have warned it could spell disaster for Australia's $4.3trillion superannuation system.

Mr Burry, whose story was immortalised in The Big Short, the bestselling book and Hollywood film that chronicled how he famously bet against the US housing market before the 2008 crash, has taken massive short positions against two of Wall Street's AI darlings, NVIDIA and Palantir.

According to recent filings, his hedge fund Scion Asset Management was holding put options as of September 30 worth $280million against NVIDIA and another $1.37billion against Palantir - effectively a large-scale bet that the share prices of both AI giants will fall.

The move has rattled markets and drawn sharp criticism from Palantir CEO Alex Karp, who called Mr Burry's bets 'super weird' and 'batsh*t crazy'.

But while Wall Street debates the merits of Mr Burry's play, one Australian finance expert warns the real danger lies closer to home.

'Australia's $4.3 trillion superannuation system is far more exposed to US markets than most people realise,' Dale Gillham, founder and chief analyst at Wealth Within, told Money Magazine.

'Roughly 20 per cent, or about $800 billion, is invested in American companies, with many of them concentrated in the same overhyped AI sector that Burry is now shorting.'

Michael Burry (pictured) has placed a $2.3billion bet against the artificial intelligence boom

Australia's super system has become more exposed to foreign markets including the US

A new bilateral investment agreement announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese could channel over $1 trillion of Australian super into US infrastructure and tech projects.

'He called it "a partnership for prosperity", but, in reality, it's a one-way ticket for Australian retirement savings to be invested in America's next potential bubble,' Mr Gillham said.

'While everyday Australians struggle with record rents, rising living costs, and falling real wages, their super funds are exporting capital overseas and chasing returns in a market even Wall Street veterans say is overheating, and the cracks are already showing.

'Take AustralianSuper's International Shares option, one of the most popular investment choices among Australians.

'Its top holdings read like a who's who of U.S. tech: Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Meta, and NVIDIA.

'With that level of concentration, what took years to build up could unravel in months. When bubbles burst, they don't ease down; they snap.

'If the AI trade turns, millions of Australians could watch their super balances shrink faster than they rose.

'So, while Michael Burry shorts NVIDIA and Palantir, the bigger short might end up being the blind faith Australians have put in a system that invests their future in someone else's boom and potential bust.'
Allies of Keir Starmer warned Labour plotters last night they could trigger a general election if they oust him.

As rumours of a leadership challenge swirled at Westminster, friends of the beleaguered Prime Minister claimed any new leader would 'need their own mandate' from the voters.

The warning followed a chaotic day in which a Downing Street bid to 'kneecap' potential rival Wes Streeting backfired disastrously.

With Labour currently averaging less than 20 per cent in the polls, an election now could see hundreds of MPs lose their seats.

Although there is no legal requirement for a new PM to hold a new ballot, one source said: 'In the modern age, you need your own mandate. We saw under the Tories  and even with Gordon [Brown]  that the public hate the idea that political parties can stitch up the choice of a new PM without them.

'Anyone thinking of moving against Keir should consider that very carefully.'

Kemi Badenoch said the Government had 'descended into civil war' while Reform UK leader Nigel Farage last night told the Daily Mail: 'This is a government that is all at sea, without a rudder.

'The sooner we have an election, the better it will be for the country. Not that I'm holding my breath.'

Allies of Keir Starmer warned Labour plotters could trigger a general election if they oust him

Backfired: A series of toxic overnight briefings accused Mr Streeting of plotting a coup

Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch said the Government had 'descended into civil war'

Sir Keir was urged to sack his controversial chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, who was blamed by many for a series of toxic overnight briefings which accused Mr Streeting of plotting a coup and branded Labour MPs 'feral'.

One friend of Mr McSweeney acknowledged he was '100 per cent behind' the briefing, adding: 'He's toast'.

Mr Streeting called for those responsible for briefing against him to be removed  and urged the Sir Keir to tackle the 'toxic culture' in Downing Street.

Labour Party chairman Anna Turley last night said the PM had ordered an investigation into the briefing against Mr Streeting and would 'take action'.

In the Commons, the PM said the 'unauthorised' briefing against Mr Streeting was 'completely unacceptable'.

He said he had 'never authorised attacks on Cabinet members'. Sir Keir also backed Mr Streeting, saying he was 'doing a great job'.

Last night the two men spoke on the phone and the PM is believed to have apologised over the briefing.

Conservative leader Mrs Badenoch rounded on Sir Keir, saying: 'He says that these attacks are not authorised. The truth is that means he has lost control of No 10, because that is where they are coming from.

'But the real scandal is that, two weeks from a Budget, the Government have descended into civil war.'

Yesterday's briefing war appears to have been a pre-emptive strike by allies of Sir Keir who fear rebel MPs could move against him after the November 26 Budget when Rachel Reeves is expected to break Labour's manifesto pledge by raising income tax.

No 10 sources said Sir Keir would fight any attempt to remove him. One said: 'Keir knows he is already fighting a leadership contest. When it comes, he won't resign. He will fight it. He thinks it's fantasy politics.'

But the briefing tipped over into abusing Labour MPs and publicly accusing Mr Streeting of plotting.

One source told the Guardian that the ambitious Health Secretary had '50 frontbenchers willing to stand down if the Budget landed badly and the prime minister did not go'.

In a series of interviews yesterday, Mr Streeting angrily denied the claim  and called for those responsible for the briefing against him to be sacked.

He said it was 'bizarre' that 'people in No 10 have said the PM is fighting for his job'.

Asked whether he was planning a leadership challenge, the Health Secretary told Sky News: 'No, and I think whoever's been briefing this has been watching too much Celebrity Traitors, and this is just about the worst attack on a Faithful I've seen since Joe Marler was kicked out and banished in the final.

In a series of interviews yesterday, Mr Streeting angrily denied the claim he would make a bid to oust Starmer  and called for those responsible for the briefing against him to be sacked

'It's totally self-defeating briefing, not least because it's not true and I don't understand how anyone thinks it's helpful to the Prime Minister either.'

Asked if he would rule out demanding Sir Keir's resignation after the Budget, he mockingly added: 'Yes, and nor did I shoot JFK. I don't know where Lord Lucan is, had nothing to do with Shergar, and I do think that the US did manage to do the moon landings. I don't think they were fake.'

Mr Streeting pointedly referenced Lucy Powell, the 'anti-Keir' candidate who recently won the deputy leadership contest, saying she had been 'vindicated' in her call for a 'culture change' in No 10.

He added: 'I do think that going out and calling your MPs feral is not very helpful.

'Trying to kneecap one of your own team when they are out, not just making the case for the Government, but actually delivering the change that we promised, I think that is also self-defeating.'

One ally of Sir Keir yesterday acknowledged the briefing against the plotters had been 'clumsy' but insisted it was right to 'put down a marker that the PM won't just roll over if they try it on'.

Labour MPs believe a number of senior figures are positioning themselves for a future leadership challenge, including Mr Streeting, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, former deputy PM Angela Rayner and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.

However, few believe that any of them have advanced plans to remove Sir Keir in the coming weeks.

Mr Farage last night predicted Sir Keir 'won't make it past July' after elections in Scotland, Wales and English councils in which Reform are expected to give both Labour and the Tories a bloody nose

Speculation about his leadership has mounted because of Labour's dire standing in the polls. Less than 18 months after winning a landslide election victory, Sir Keir is now the most unpopular prime minister in history.

Mr Farage last night predicted Sir Keir 'won't make it past July' after elections in Scotland, Wales and English councils in which Reform are expected to give both Labour and the Tories a bloody nose.

Furious Labour MPs warned that No 10 had 'lost the plot' by manufacturing a leadership crisis.

They pointed the finger at Mr McSweeney who is already under pressure over the polls and the Government's struggle to deliver on its promise of change.

Sir Keir gave only lukewarm backing to his chief of staff in the Commons, saying Mr McSweeney was 'focused' on delivering the Government's priorities. No 10 later insisted the PM does still have confidence in his right-hand man.

Mr Streeting credited Mr McSweeney with putting Labour in power and declined to criticise him publicly.

How No 10's bid to block a Streeting challenge left him quipping: I'm a Faithful not a Traitor!

Harriet Line, Deputy Political Editor

Fears of an imminent coup were ignited by the man who is alleged to be at the centre of it.

Last Wednesday, Wes Streeting took to social media to praise the newly elected socialist mayor of New York, Zohran Mamdani, heralding a victory that held 'lessons for progressives the world over'.

The Health Secretary's comments raised eyebrows in Westminster: was his ankle-flashing to the Left of the Labour Party a sure sign he was on manoeuvres?

It was certainly not the first time suspicions had been raised. For a long time, Mr Streeting has been regarded as a potential successor to Sir Keir Starmer.

His working-class credentials, strong communication skills and political nous have sealed him as a contender.

But in recent weeks, speculation has been growing that he might fancy a tilt for the top sooner than anticipated.

Earlier this month The Mail on Sunday reported that MPs were assessing support for Mr Streeting (pictured) as well as Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner.

It said some hoped a 'coronation' could be arranged for Mr Streeting, with Ms Rayner as his Left-wing deputy to counter fears that he is too 'Blairite'.

Insiders pointed the finger at Sir Keir's chief of staff Morgan McSweeney for the briefings

Speculation of a joint ticket was sparked at Labour's annual conference, when the Health Secretary called for Ms Rayner to make a comeback just weeks after she was forced out over an underpaid stamp duty bill.

But in recent days the warnings about manoeuvres have intensified. On Friday, the i newspaper reported that MPs were openly plotting against Sir Keir.

Gathering in the Smoking Room, a private parliamentary bar used by MPs, they discussed 'the who and the how and the when to replace him', one minister told the paper.

While the i predicted that a challenge to the PM was not imminent, it said conversations about his future had 'stepped up a gear' in the past few weeks.

Coupled with the backdrop of bleak polling and anxiety over the forthcoming Budget, it added to growing concern in No 10 that a coup may be afoot.

Then, on Tuesday night, a slew of reports suddenly dropped  all featuring allies of the PM making clear that he would fight a leadership challenge, in what had all the hallmarks of a co-ordinated briefing to some sympathetic ears.

The BBC reported that 'friends' of Sir Keir were 'deeply worried about what they see as plotting going on to try to replace him and are seeking to make clear what they see as the grave risks of a leadership challenge'.

The broadcaster said MPs were discussing Mr Streeting and Ms Mahmood as potential candidates to displace the PM. The Times reported that Sir Keir would not resign 'in the event of any attempt to remove him'.

It also said that 'Downing Street figures' suspected Mr Streeting 'could demand the Prime Minister's resignation in the days after the Budget'.

Meanwhile, the Guardian featured warnings from the PM's 'most senior political aides' that any attempt to oust Sir Keir over tanking poll ratings would be 'reckless' and could destabilise the markets.

The paper also cited senior figures who said they had been told that Mr Streeting had '50 frontbenchers willing to stand down if the Budget landed badly and the Prime Minister did not go'.

A spokesman for the Health Secretary was quick to say it was 'categorically untrue' that he intended to challenge Sir Keir.

But the briefings coincided with a damning article in The New Statesman  so-called bible of the Left which asked whether the PM realises 'how much trouble he's in'. It detailed the 'mutinous talk' in Labour ranks and noted how among MPs there is 'widespread mockery, sarcasm, name-calling and the darkest of gallows humour'.

Insiders began pointing the finger at Sir Keir's chief of staff Morgan McSweeney for the briefings.

By daybreak, Mr Streeting had the task of touring the broadcast studios  a planned media round to explain the next phase of the abolition of NHS England. Instead, he had to express his loyalty to the PM to millions.

But if the briefer  who would have known in advance who was doing the morning round  had hoped to humiliate Mr Streeting, it backfired.

He deftly fended off the questions  even joking that it was 'the worst attack on a Faithful since Joe Marler was banished in The Traitors final'.

Many would have noted how his sharp performance contrasted to Sir Keir's media style.

Mr Streeting also said there was a 'toxic culture' in Downing Street and suggested the PM sack the aide responsible for the briefing.

But No 10 appeared reluctant to act. Sir Keir gave only a lukewarm backing to Mr McSweeney during Prime Minister's Questions, yet Downing Street would not even promise a probe into who was behind the briefing.

Mr Streeting, speaking to health leaders in Manchester yesterday, declined to say whether he believed Mr McSweeney was responsible for the culture in No10 but added that, without him, 'there wouldn't be a Labour Government'.

ANDREW PIERCE on Wes Streeting, the PM's ambitious rival whose mother was born in jail... and whose gran shared a prison cell with Christine Keeler

As Sir Keir told the Commons Labour are a 'united team', backbenchers stared, arms crossed, wondering: Can't we send him back and ask Ikea for a refund? writes QUENTIN LETTS

'It's like he's given up': The seemingly innocent tweet that sparked Labour's leadership war, who's really to blame for the chaos - and why it will drag Britain catastrophically to the Left, writes DAN HODGES
Jeffrey Epstein emails with a former White House Counsel for Barack Obama reveal that the disgraced pedophile financier had, at one point, cut ties with Bill Clinton.

Epstein's communications with Kathryn Ruemmler, a former White House counsel and an executor of his estate, were released among many Epstein letters by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee.

In a lengthy email thread discussing someone code named 'McGyver' who comes up elsewhere in their correspondence, Epstein joked that his 'memory is a friend killer' before discussing how Clinton had offended him.

'I stopped talking to Clinton when he swore, with whole-hearted conviction to me that he had done something, he had forgotten that he also swore the exact opposite to me only weeks before,' Esptein claimed.

At one point in 2018, however, theoretical physicist Lawrence Krauss asks Epstein to set up a 'Men of the World Conference' featuring Clinton, Kevin Spacey, Woody Allen and Senator Al Franken.

Much has been made of Epstein's connections to the Democrat president, among many of the wealthy and elite, most recently with Clinton's birthday letter to the pedophile revealed.

A Clinton spokesperson told The New York Post: 'Who knows what they're talking about. What we do know and have always said is that President Clinton knew nothing about Epstein's heinous crimes and hadn't spoken to him in twenty years. Now here it is in black and white.'

Clinton has long maintained he did not know of the allegations against Epstein. He was awaiting trial on child sex trafficking charges when he committed suicide in his cell.

Jeffrey Epstein emails with a former White House Counsel for Barack Obama reveal that the disgraced pedophile financier had, at one point, cut ties with Bill Clinton

Epstein's communications with Kathryn Ruemmler (pictured), a former White House counsel and an executor of his estate, were released among many Epstein letters by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee

Several emails uncovered show Ruemmler and Epstein discussing their shared hatred of Donald Trump and at one point, Epstein invites her to his infamous New York City townhouse.

One of the emails between the two comes from September 19, 2014. Epstein wrote Ruemmler: 'You need to talk to boss.'

Ruemmler, who had left the White House three months earlier according to her LinkedIn page, wrote back: 'Agreed, but I need to be prepared to say yes before I talk to him.'

'Understood,' Epstein wrote back. 'It comes down to high risk/reward, low risk/reward, professional, emotional and financial.'

'Most girls do not have to worry about this cr*p,' wrote Ruemmler.

Epstein joked: 'Girls? Carefull, I will renew an old habit.'

He then listed a group of people he was set to apparently meet 'this week,' including Peter Thiel, Larry Summers, Bill Burns, former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Leon Black and someone named 'Woody.'

'You are a welcome guest at any. Also if you think there are interesting people in town, everyone here for climate summit, Clinton, security council.'

'I stopped talking to Clinton when he swore, with whole-hearted conviction to me that he had done something, he had forgotten that he also swore the exact opposite to me only weeks before,' Esptein claimed

Several emails uncovered show Ruemmler and Epstein discussing their shared hatred of Donald Trump and at one point, Epstein invites her to his infamous New York City townhouse

Ruemmler said that 'the boss will be in town too' and joked that Epstein 'may get sick of me.'

In another from August 26, 2015. Ruemmler writes: 'Trump is living proof of the adage that it is better to be lucky than smart.'

Epstein replied: 'I'll give you details when I see you. When are you in NY?'

Ruemmler said that she was going to New York on Friday morning before insulting those she would see on the drive up the New Jersey Turnpike.

'I will then stop to pee and get gas at a rest stop on the New Jersey Turnpike, will observe all of the people there who are at least 100 pounds overweight, will have a mild panic attack as a result of the observation and will then decide that I am not eating another bite of food for the rest of my life out of fear that I will end up like one of these people.'

'What time? I will come up,' Epstein responds.

'Anytime you like, you can drive right to me and I will feed you,' she said to the disgraced pedophile, including a smiley-face emoticon.

In a February 17, 2017 email, Ruemmler writes: 'Trump is so gross.'

Ruemmler and Epstein often discussed a shared hatred of President Trump

Epstein wrote back: 'worse in real life and up close.'

'Hard to imagine,' wrote Ruemmler, who said that she reminded him of someone called 'McGyver' and was 'suffering PTSD' from seeing him.

Ruemmler could be speaking in code, using the name of the TV detective MacGyver.

Epstein asked: 'If hes mcguyver [sic], are you Marla Maples?'

'No,' she wrote back. 'I ranked much lower.

The wider set of documents released by the committee included a 2018 email exchange between Epstein and Ruemmler.

Ruemmler had sent Epstein a link to a New York Times op-ed about Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer, who had recently pleaded guilty to violating campaign finance laws related to hush money paid to adult star Stormy Daniels.

In response, the financier wrote: 'You see, I know how dirty donald is. My guess is that non lawyers ny biz people have no idea. What it means to have your fixer flip.'

The wider set of documents released by the committee included a 2018 email exchange between Epstein and Ruemmler

In September, Epstein investigation files have revealed that one executor of his estate was Ruemmler

In the Democrats' original email dump the name Virginia was replaced with 'VICTIM.'

In September, Epstein investigation files have revealed that one executor of his estate was Ruemmler.

The House Oversight Committee dumped a slew of documents on Monday, including a copy of Donald Trump's alleged lewd birthday card to the disgraced New York financier, which the president has denied drawing.

Among the files was a copy of Epstein's will, which was signed in January 2019, just eight months before he was found hanging in his New York prison cell while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

Ruemmler was listed as Epstein's backup executor.

Epstein's former personal lawyer, Darren Indyke, and former accountant, Richard Kahn, were the primary executors, who were set to be paid $250,000 for the role.

Although Epstein updated his will after he was arrested in July 2019, the document has sparked renewed interest in Ruemmler's connection to the convicted sex offender.

In April 2023, Epstein's private calendar was released and showed Ruemmler had dozens of meetings planned with the pedophile between 2013 and 2017, after he had served time in jail in 2008 for sex crimes involving a teenage girl.

Jeffrey Epstein (pictured) died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges

'I have nothing to do with the estate and have never served in any capacity relating to the estate,' Ruemmler told The Wall Street Journal.

Her current employer, Goldman Sachs, said the new information does not impact their view of her.

'Kathy's legal judgment is widely respected and she has always put the interest of the firm first,' said Goldman spokesman Tony Fratto.

Epstein's private calendar showed Ruemmler, who worked for the law firm Latham & Watkins LLP at the time, had also been scheduled to join Epstein on a trip to Paris in 2015 and a visit to Epstein's private island in the Caribbean in 2017, according to the documents.

They first met after he called her to ask if she would be interested in representing Mr. Gates and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a Goldman Sachs spokesman told the Wall Street Journal in 2023.

There was a discussion between Epstein and his staff about whether Ruemmler would be uncomfortable with the presence of young women who worked as assistants at the townhouse, according to the documents.

In emails detailed in the documents, a few of the women alleged to have worked for Epstein asked if they should avoid the home while Ruemmler was there. Epstein told one woman not to be around, but told the other it would be OK.

During her meetings at the townhouse, Ruemmler didn't express any concern about their presence, the Goldman spokesman said.

Ruemmler had more than three dozen appointments with Epstein, including lunches and dinners, according to the documents.

'In the normal course, Epstein also invited her to meetings and social gatherings, introduced her to other business contacts and made referrals,' the Goldman spokesman said. 'It was the same kinds of contacts and engagements she had with other contacts and clients.'

She was scheduled to fly with Epstein to Paris and in 2017 and his island home in the U.S. Virgin Islands for the day, according to the documents.

But Ruemmler never visited his island and 'never accepted an invitation or an opportunity to fly with Jeffrey Epstein anywhere,' the Goldman spokesman said.

'I regret ever knowing Jeffrey Epstein,' Ruemmler said in 2023.
A burglar who stole 8,000 worth of designer sunglasses from opticians was later found hiding inside a nearby bin.

Ashley Lawrence, 37, broke into the Nottingham city centre store just after 5am on November 5 before stealing around 50 pairs of high-value sunglasses and glasses frames.

Three days later, a staff member at Gray & Bull Opticians spotted him loitering near the shop and called the police after recognising him.

Lawrence, who was wanted on recall to prison, tried to flee from the police with officers giving chase.

However, members of the public saw Lawrence diving into a large commercial refuse bin next to a church and alerted the police.

Body-cam footage captured the moment officers discovered him cowering among the rubbish by lifting up the lid before his head poked out from the top of the bin.

An officer handcuffed and arrested Lawrence while he was still standing inside the waste container, before he was taken into custody.

Lawrence, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to burglary at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on Monday and was jailed for 12 months.

This is the moment officers discovered Ashley Lawrence, 37, cowering among the rubbish after stealing 8,000 worth of designer sunglasses

CCTV captured the moment Lawrence broke into the Nottingham city centre store just after 5am on November 5 before stealing around 50 pairs of high-value sunglasses and glasses frames

Lawrence, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to burglary at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on Monday and was jailed for 12 months

Arresting officer PC Ben King, of the force's city centre neighbourhood policing team, said after the case: 'This was an appalling crime and I'd like to thank the staff member and the public for helping us apprehend Lawrence.

'Regrettably, he is well-known to us as he is a persistent officer who has repeatedly failed to comply with court orders since 2022.

'Over this period, he has amassed numerous convictions for theft-related offences, including a series of shoplifting incidents throughout 2023 and 2024, many of which resulted in custodial sentences.

'Needless to say, we are pleased he is back behind bars and I am sure local businesses share that sentiment.

'I hope this latest conviction reassures them that we are fully committed to tackling retail crime and ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.'
Russia unveiled a humanoid AI robot during a highly-anticipated showcase that ended in disaster when the bot wobbled and face-planted on stage.

The robot's debut in Moscow went awry on Tuesday when the robot - believed to be Russia's first powered by artificial intelligence - appeared to malfunction and took a tumble.

The bot, known as AIDOL, staggered out on stage triumphantly to the Rocky theme song in front of around 50 journalists before the machine shuffled to the left and waved to the audience.

However, the wave appeared to cause AIDOL to lose its balance and stumble before falling to the floor.

The fall caused pieces of the machine to fall off and clatter across the stage, before it was picked up by organizers. A black sheet was raised to shield the robot from the audience as it was dragged off-stage.

Organizers said the fall was due to lighting and calibration complications, according to journalists who attended the event, the New York Times reported.

'At first there was a moment of silence,' Dmitry Filonov, editor in chief of Edinorog Media, who attended the event said in a text message obtained by the outlet.

'Then they began to applaud to show their support,' the message continued.

The bot, known as AIDOL, staggered out on stage triumphantly to the Rocky theme song in front of around 50 journalists before the machine shuffled to the left and waved to the audience

The developers said that the company had invested heavily in the robots face and technology to more closely mimic humans

The robot's debut in Moscow ended unexpectedly after what is believed to be Russia's first robot powered by artificial intelligence took a tumble on stage on Tuesday

AIDOL's chief executive Vladimir Vitukhin told the Russian state news agency Tass that the robot was still in the stages of learning.

'I hope this mistake will turn into an experience,' he said, NYT reported.

Filonov wrote on his Substack that the robot was expected to have mobility issues, and it wouldn't be 'perfect right away.'

While Filonov said it was a 'basic model' set for improvements and developments along the way, the bot is one of few known to have been given a face.

The developers told him that the company had invested heavily in the robots face and technology to more closely mimic humans.

'I think they were just unlucky,' he said.

According to the developer's website for AIDOL, the robot was said to be equipped to walk, handle objects, and communicate with their sights set on it being a presence in homes and businesses.

Just last year, Elon Musk showcased an army of $30,000 Tesla Optimus robots designed to help with household chores which stirred the market for competitors.

A black sheet was raised to shield the robot from the audience as it was dragged off-stage

Organizers said the fall was due to lighting and calibration complications

The bots were seen stiffly walking in single file across a stage at the showcase, during which Musk claimed the bots could assist by serving drinks, walking dogs. mowing lawns, getting the groceries, or 'just be your friend.'

'Tesla Bots are initially positioned to replace people in repetitive, boring, and dangerous tasks. But the vision is for them to serve millions of households, such as cooking, mowing lawns, and caring for the elderly,' Musk wrote in an published in China Cyberspace magazine.

Earlier this year, Musk shared a video of one of the robots dancing in his latest developments.

The trillionaire has plans to launch Optimus in 2026, each retailing for $20,000 to $30,000.

Speaking at a tech conference in Saudi Arabia last year, Musk predicted that there could be as many as 10 billion humanoid robots on Earth by 2040.

During a Tesla earnings call in April, Musk admitted Trump's tariffs on China were causing problems for the robot's development.

In response to increased tariffs, China suspended exports to any country of 'heavy rare earth metals' and magnets made from these in May.

China currently produces the entire global supply of heavy rare earth metals and 90 per cent of the magnets made from these, with the remaining 10 per cent of magnets being made with Chinese raw materials.

Just last year, Elon Musk showcased an army of $30,000 Tesla Optimus robots designed to help with household chores which stirred the market for competitors

The trillionaire has plans to launch Optimus in 2026, each retailing for $20,000 to $30,000

Elon Musk's attempt to show off Tesla's new dancing robot, Optimus (pictured)

Musk said that these magnets are vital for creating the powerful, compact motors which allow Optimus's arms to move.

Musk said: 'Thats more affected by the supply chain, by basically China requiring an export license to send out anywhere with magnets, so were working through that with China.'

He added: 'China wants assurances that these are not used for military purposes, which obviously they're not.

'They're just going into a humanoid robot. So that's not a weapon system.'

Likewise, as reported by the South China Morning Post, experts don't believe Tesla can make Optimus for $20,000 without access to China's vast, efficient supply chains.

He Liang, founder and chairman of Yunmu Intelligent Manufacturing, a humanoid-robot maker based in Suzhou, told the publication that as much as two-thirds of Tesla's components depend on Chinese suppliers.

Liang said: 'Without the Chinese supply chain, the cost on their end would likely be at least 50 per cent higher.'
The BBC will issue a formal and direct apology to Donald Trump after he threatened to sue the corporation for $1bn over the doctoring of his speech, it is understood.

Director-General Tim Davie dramatically resigned on Sunday alongside CEO of News Deobrah Turness following criticism viewers had been misled.

The departure prompted praise from Mr Trump who described Mr Davie as 'very honest' and lamented the editing of his 'very good (perfect!) speech'.

It has now emerged the BBC is ready to apologise to the US President, with its lawyers working in the background on the wording of their response, according to The Times.

It comes after senior news executives addressed staff yesterday but said they were unable to comment on the Panorama broadcast, for legal reasons.

There has been mounting pressure on the BBC in the-run up to Mr Trump's Friday deadline to apologise, issue a retraction, and compensate him 'for the harm caused'.

A letter sent to BBC Chairman Samir Shah at Television Centre by his legal team in Florida said: '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.

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

Director-general Tim Davie quit the BBC on Sunday after five years in the corporation's top job

'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.

'Consequently, the BBC has caused President Trump to suffer overwhelming financial and reputational harm.'

The letter from Mr Trump's lawyer, Alejandro Brito, added: 'The BBC is on notice.'

Mr Brito said then went on to list the President's three demands.

The BBC said earlier this week it would 'review the letter and respond directly in due course'.

It comes amid an ongoing civil war at the BBC, with insiders saying some senior BBC News staff are in conflict with the board. Nick Robinson used the Today Programme to deliver a monologue in which he described the governors as being in a state of 'paralysis'.

Sir Keir Starmer also backed the BBC. His spokesman said the Prime Minister does not believe it is 'institutionally biased'.

But Nigel Farage said he had spoken to Mr Trump, who is 'absolutely enraged'. The Reform UK leader accused the 'biased' BBC of 'election interference'.

On Wednesday night, Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, described the BBC as a 'Leftist propaganda machine'.

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

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.

On Tuesday Mr Davie insisted 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.

'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.'

The director-general will stay in his post until a successor is found. He said it had been a 'tough few days' since he announced his resignation alongside Ms Turness.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson is finally permitting a vote next week to force Donald Trump's Department of Justice to release all of the infamous 'Epstein files.'

After a discharge petition to release the files garnered 218 signatures in the U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday, Johnson told reporters on Capitol Hill that 'we're going to put that on the floor for a full vote when we get back next week.'

The move comes after MAGA House Republicans - including Reps. Lauren Boebert (Colo.), Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.), and Nancy Mace (S.C.) - went rogue against Trump and signed the petition.

A mass of Republican defectors are expected to join them and vote on the Epstein file disclosure bill. The vote will be earlier than expected, as the previous estimation for a vote on the bill could have put it as far back as December.

Johnson's decision came after emails released by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee revealed that the Epstein frequently mentioned Trump in correspondence over a 15-year period.

In one letter, Epstein plotted to 'let Donald Trump hang himself' at the height of the 2016 presidential campaign, according to an explosive new email dump.

In a December 2015 exchange, Epstein told New York Times journalist Thomas Landon Jr that he had photos of Trump with bikini-clad girls in bikinis in his kitchen.

'Would you like photos of Donald and girls in bikinis in my kitchen?' Epstein asked the journalist in an email.

In a follow-up exchange with the reporter, Epstein claimed Trump almost walked through a glass door because he was distracted by young women.

Congress is set to vote next week on forcing Donald Trump 's Justice Department to release the Epstein files

Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump at the Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, in 1997

'Have them ask my houseman about Donald almost walking through the door leaving his nose print on the glass as young women were swimming in the pool,' Epstein wrote to Landon in December 2015.

'He was so focused he walked straight into the door.'

The emails, released by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday, show that the late pedophile referred to Trump in correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell and the author Michael Wolff over a period of at least eight years.

Wolff recorded over a hundred hours of conversation with Epstein from roughly 2014 to 2019 and described their contact as a working relationship for several major book projects, including Fire and Fury - an account of the first Trump administration.

The author emailed Epstein with the subject line 'heads up' on December 15, 2015 - the day of a Republican primary debate televised by CNN.

'I hear CNN planning to ask Trump tonight about his relationship with you  either on air or in scrum afterwards,' Wolff told the billionaire financier.

Epstein asked Wolff if he should help prepare an answer for the then-presidential candidate, but the author advised the billionaire financier that he should allow Trump to answer himself because his response could yield political capital.

'If we were able to craft an answer for him, what do you think it should be?' Epstein asked.

Michael Wolff recorded over a hundred hours of conversation with Epstein from roughly 2014 to 2019, and described their contact as a working relationship for several major book projects, including Fire and Fury - an account of the first Trump administration

Michael Wolff emailed Epstein with the subject line 'heads up' on December 15, 2015 - the day of a Republican primary debate televised by CNN

Epstein discusses his connection to Trump with New York Times Financial Reporter Landon Thomas

Wolff responded, 'I think you should let him hang himself. If he says he hasn't been on the plane or to the house, then that gives you a valuable PR and political currency.

'You can hang him in a way that potentially generates a positive benefit for you, or, if it really looks like he could win, you could save him, generating a debt.

'Of course, it is possible that, when asked, he'll say Jeffrey is a great guy and has gotten a raw deal and is a victim of political correctness, which is to be outlawed in a Trump regime.'

The Daily Mail has contacted Wolff for comment.

In another email between Epstein and Wolff in January 2019, the convicted sex offender refers to his expulsion from Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club.

'Trump said he asked me to resign,' Epstein wrote, adding, 'never a member ever. . of course he knew about the girls as he asked to Ghislaine to stop.'

The President revealed new details about his split from Epstein in July, saying he banned the financier from Mar-a-Lago for poaching spa employees, including Virginia Giuffre.

Speaking aboard Air Force One during a trip to Scotland, Trump said Epstein twice hired away workers despite being warned, prompting him to declare Epstein 'persona non grata.'

In a recent interview with attorney Todd Blanche, Maxwell reiterated that Trump 'did nothing wrong' and was never involved in Epstein's criminal activities.

A reporter asked Trump's Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt whether the White House was trying to pressure Boebert at the meeting to not sign a petition calling for the full release of the Epstein files

The White House remains under pressure to release Epstein-related Justice Department files.

The context of the exchanges is not clear. Around three years earlier, Epstein was jailed in Florida after pleading guilty to solicitation of prostitution with a minor.

A reporter asked Trump's Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt whether the White House was trying to pressure Boebert at the meeting to not sign a petition calling for the full release of the Epstein files.

'Doesn't it show transparency that members of the Trump administration are willing to brief members of Congress whenever they please?' Leavitt asked the reporter.

'Doesn't that show the level of transparency when we are willing to sit down with members of Congress to address their concerns?'

Leavitt refused to discuss the details of the conversations but let slip that they took place in the Situation Room, usually reserved for classified briefings.

The White House press conference came after a tranche of emails was released by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee showing Epstein emailing Ghislaine Maxwell, as well as the author Michael Wolff.

In an email dated April 2, 2011, Epstein wrote to Maxwell: 'i want you to realize that that dog that hasn't barked is trump.. virignia [sic] spent hours at my house with him, he has never once been mentioned. police chief. etc. im 75% there.'

Maxwell replied: 'I have been thinking about that'

Trump was known to have associated with Epstein in the early 2000s. The president expelled Epstein from his club around October 2007 'for being a creep to his female employees, including Giuffre ,' Leavitt said.

The Democrats redacted the victim's name, including in a 2011 email Epstein sent Maxwell which claimed the girl 'spent hours at my house with' Trump.

Giuffre has repeatedly said President Trump was not involved in any wrongdoing whatsoever and 'couldn't have been friendlier' to her in their limited interactions.

Leavitt called the email dump a politically motivated 'smear' campaign by the Democrats and repeated Giuffre's former statements about Trump in which she absolved him of any wrongdoing.

The wider set of documents released by the committee included a 2018 email exchange between Epstein and former Obama White House lawyer Kathryn Ruemmler.

Ruemeler had sent Epstein a link to a New York Times op-ed about Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer, who had recently pleaded guilty to violating campaign finance laws related to hush money paid to adult star Stormy Daniels.

In response, the financier wrote: 'You see, I know how dirty donald is. My guess is that non lawyers ny biz people have no idea. What it means to have your fixer flip.'

In the Democrats' original email dump the name Virginia was replaced with 'VICTIM.'

Top Trump officials met in the White House Situation Room amid bipartisan efforts in the House to force the vote.

The meeting included Attorney General Pam Bondi, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, FBI Director Kash Patel and Republican Colorado Representative Lauren Boebert, according to sources.

Boebert is one of the leading MAGA lawmakers in Congress pushing the Justice Department to publish their trove of Epstein files.

Leavitt appeared to confirm the meeting took place during a Wednesday briefing.

Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ) listens during a press conference weeks into the continuing U.S. government shutdown, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., October 21, 2025

Giuffre, who committed suicide earlier this year, was recruited by Maxwell while employed as a spa attendant at the Mar-a-Lago Club in 2000. She was 16 years old.

The communications were released after the House Oversight Committee subpoenaed Epstein's estate earlier this year.

Trump did not send or receive any of the emails, and he has not been charged with any crime in relation to Epstein or Maxwell.

In a court deposition, Giuffre said under oath that she didn't believe Trump had any knowledge of Epstein's misconduct with underage girls.

And in her recently released memoir, she described meeting Trump only once, when she worked as a spa attendant at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, and did not accuse him of wrongdoing.

Giuffre wrote that she was introduced to Trump by her father, who also worked at the club. She described Trump as friendly and said he offered to help her get babysitting jobs with parents at the club.

Lawyers for Maxwell, a British socialite, have argued that she never should have been tried or convicted for her role in luring teenage girls to be sexually abused by Epstein.

She is serving a 20-year prison term, though she was moved from a low-security federal prison in Florida to a minimum-security prison camp in Texas after the Blanche interview.

GOP Colorado Representative Lauren Boebert met with top members of the Trump administration inside the White House following the explosive release of Jeffrey Epstein's emails discussing his relationship with the President

Patel was one of the DOJ leaders who met with Boebert following the Epstein email release

The scheduled vote comes as Arizona Democrat Adelita Grijalva was sworn in to the U.S. House of Representatives by Republican Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday afternoon, seven weeks after being elected to replace the seat previously held by her now deceased father.

Her swearing-in, which occurred 50 days after her election, faced delays due to the House of Representatives being out of session during the government shutdown that has been ongoing for the past 43 days.

However, if you ask some House Democrats, including Grijalva, the real reason for the delay was much more nefarious.

Grijalva became the final signature on a petition to release government files related to Jeffrey Epstein as a few of his victims looked on from the House gallery, delivering on a key campaign promise minutes after she was sworn in as a member of Congress.

In a Tuesday interview with MSNBC's The Weeknight, Grivalva noted that 'nobody, no member-elect should ever be in the situation again where 813,000 people are silenced because one person wants to play politics with their swearing-in.'

Grijalva also told MSNBC that she believed her swearing-in was delayed 'to give Speaker Johnson more time in order to try to convince one of those four Republicans to take their name off' the discharge petition to release the Epstein files.

The petition, put forth by California Democrat Ro Khanna and Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie, is currently backed by every Democrat in the House, as well as three female Republicans, Marjorie Taylor-Greene of Georgia, Nancy Mace of South Carolina, and Lauren Boebert of Colorado.

Trump was known to have associated with Epstein in the early 2000s.

The president expelled Epstein from his club around October 2007 'for being a creep to his female employees, including Giuffre,' Leavitt said.

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee unleashed on Wednesday emails subpoenaed from the Epstein estate, which include mentions of President Trump by name.

Meanwhile, Republicans on the House Oversight committee called the release by their Democrat colleagues 'cherry-picked' to generate clickbait.

Speaking to reporters in Kentucky the day after Grejalva's election, Massie noted that 'last night, there was a special election in Arizona. I have 217 signatures. I need 218 signatures to force a vote on releasing the Epstein files in the House. And last night, I both of the candidates on the ballot promised to sign my discharge petition, and one of them won, obviously, and so now we're going to have 218 signatures, and we're going to force a vote on releasing those files.'

Grijalva, 55, was elected in September to replace her late father, former Representative Raul Grijalva who died in March at the age of 77.

The elder Grijalva served in Congress for over 20 years before his death, and was formerly a member of the Pima County Board of Supervisors, an office also occupied by his daughter before she was elected to Congress in September.

The House is expected to pass a package to fund the government in the next few hours.
China extradites online gambling, fraud criminal from Thailand

Xinhua) 08:15, November 13, 2025

NANJING, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese police extradited cross-border online gambling and fraud criminal She Zhijiang back to Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, from Thailand on Wednesday, according to the Ministry of Public Security.

Since September 2017, She had used his properties in Myanmar as the base to lure Chinese citizens to engage in online gambling via over 200 internet platforms his gang operated. A total of 330,000 people in China were involved in illegal gambling activities, with the amount of money involved exceeding 2.7 billion yuan (about 380 million U.S. dollars), said the ministry.

Investigations launched by the Chinese police also found that She had harbored 248 telecom fraud groups to carry out fraud schemes targeting Chinese citizens, resulting in extremely heavy losses, the ministry said.

As She had been at large overseas, the Chinese police applied to the International Criminal Police Organization to issue a Red Notice for a global manhunt. Thai police arrested She in Bangkok in August 2022. His arrest was followed by extradition proceedings.

Chinese police noted that law enforcement authorities from China, Myanmar and Thailand have conducted continuous joint crackdowns on transnational crime this year, achieving positive results.

A senior police officer told media that She's successful extradition demonstrates the firm resolve of these public security organs in cracking down on crime. Chinese police will continue to step up efforts to smash telecom and online fraud, cross-border gambling and other crimes, to resolutely safeguard the people's lives and property.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
An Aussie actor known for his roles in Hollywood blockbusters Mad Max, Pirate of the Caribbean, Alien: Covenant, and Star Wars is accused of stalking and intimidating his ex-partner and allegedly damaging her chair.

Goran Kleut, 51, did not appear in Newtown Local Court when his apprehended violence order was mentioned on Thursday morning.

The lawyer for his alleged victim, who the Daily Mail has chosen not to name, told the court Mr Kleut likely didn't turn up because he may not have been served a court attendance notice.

Court records showed the AVO was lodged by police on the alleged victim's behalf over an alleged incident between 7.45pm and 8pm on October 15 in Randwick, Sydney's eastern suburbs.

Mr Kleut was apprehended by police at 8.30pm on the same day and taken to Surry Hills Police Station.

Along with the AVO, he was charged with intentionally or recklessly destroying/damaging property, along with stalking/intimidating with intent to cause fear of physical harm.

According to court documents, the charge relates to a chair which belonged to the alleged victim, and was allegedly damaged by Kleut.

He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Goran Kleut (pictured at the Hacksaw Ridge premiere in Sydney) has been charged with stalking/intimidation, and damaging property

Goran Kleut (pictured in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga) has pleaded not guilty to the charges

Mr Kleut was released on bail under the conditions that he doesn't contact the alleged victim or anyone she has a relationship with.

He is also not allowed to assault or threaten her, harass or intimidate her, intentionally or recklessly destroy or damage any property or harm any animal in her possession or that belongs to her.

The mention on Thursday related to an AVO variation, which could not proceed in his absence.

It was adjourned to November 20.

He will be tried over the charges in a two-hour hearing on February 23.

The Daily Mail sought comment from his agent at RMK.

Goran Kleut (pictured, far left, in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga) has been a working actor since 2005

Goran Kleut is pictured top right, holding a cup. His matter is set down for a two-hour hearing in February

His profile has since been removed from the agency's website.

Mr Kleut grew up in Sydney and has been a working actor since 2005.

His breakout role was Lampay Fay in Star Wars Episode III Revenge Of The Sith, though he was uncredited.

He then had small parts in The Great Gatsby, I Frankenstein, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Hacksaw Ridge.

He also played bikie boss Jasper Pengilly in Underbelly, a Xenomorph monster in Alien: Covenant, and The Octoboss in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.
The Liberal Party has officially dumped its commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050 and opened the door to nuclear energy, building new coal power stations and extending the life of existing ones.

After weeks of internal turmoil and a tense five-hour meeting between all 51 Liberal MPs and senators on Wednesday, leader Sussan Ley announced the party will abandon its policy commitment to achieve net zero emissions by mid-century.

'If elected, we will remove the 43 per cent 2030 target and its net zero by 2050 target from the Climate Change Act,' she said.

'Australians deserve affordable energy and responsible emissions reduction. And the Liberal Party believes we can do both - but affordable energy must come first,' Ley said.

'Under Labor, there has been this trifecta of failures: prices up, reliability down, and emissions flatlining.

'Labor's net zero policies of mandates and taxes are hurting businesses, and they're pushing up prices.

'Despite promises of cheaper energy, prices have increased substantially under Labor.'

Energy spokesman Dan Tehan said the party was not opposed to opening new coal power plants.

'We will take a technology agnostic approach. So we will let the market determine how we go about that approach.

Shadow Minister for Energy Dan Tehan and Leader of the Opposition Sussan Ley have announced the Liberals are abandoning net zero

Andrew Hastie and fellow conservatives presented a united front before the party room meeting, but Anthony Albanese criticised it as a 'clown show'

The party will also support existing coal power plants.

'We will support the state governments who are already sweating their coal assets,' Tehan said.

'We have to make sure we keep capacity in the system.

'We will use all our natural resources to bring downward pressure on energy prices.

'Getting capacity into the system is an absolute priority.

'We will be the only party - or the only two parties, as a coalition - that is saying to the Australian people, when it comes to energy abundance, we will use all our resources, and when it comes to reducing emissions we will also use all of the available technology.'

Senator Anne Ruston warned that removing coal too quickly risked destabilising the grid.

'State governments are already extending the life of coal-fired power stations because they have to keep the lights on,' she said.

Anthony Albanese has declared the Coalition's plans to dump net zero a 'clown show'

Andrew Hastie and James Paterson shake hands after the meeting

'It demonstrates that you need baseload power it is what keeps the lights on.'

Despite the backdown, the party will maintain its support for staying within the international Paris agreement, signed in 2015, which requires members to increase their emissions targets every five years.

The party pledged ongoing annual emissions cuts 'in line with comparable countries and as fast and as far as technologies allow without imposing mandated costs'.

Ley said: 'We remain committed to Paris and we made it very clear - it isn't our policy to set long-term targets, but net zero would be a welcome outcome.

'Our emissions reduction goals will never come at the expense of Australian families and this is the principle that will guide every decision we take.'

Championed by the conservative faction, the party's climate shift hits Liberal moderates who see their chances of winning back vital inner-city electorates diminished as a result.

The Liberals will now take the new policy to the Nationals to negotiate a shared position on Sunday.

'We hope and anticipate we can land after Sunday a joint policy that allows us all to fight the Labor Party,' Ley said.

Dan Tehan insists the party is 'technology agnostic' opening the door for more coal power plants

The Nationals say the shift paves the way for nuclear power, while moderates warn it risks losing inner-city seats

Nationals Leader David Littleproud said the 'technology agnostic approach' opened the door to nuclear energy.

'We've always said we're technology agnostic, and we understand whether that be coal, gas with carbon capture storage  or whether that's nuclear energy.

'There is no country of the industrial scale and the size of Australia that has gone through with an all renewables approach.

'We're saying: let's invest in all the technologies, spread our risk, reduce our emissions, live up to our international commitments, do our fair share, but not not put you on a $9 trillion bill that will put Medicare and the NDIS at risk when there are alternatives.'

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the opposition dropping net-zero would take Australia backwards.

'They're walking away from climate action because they fundamentally do not believe in the science of climate change,' he told reporters in Sydney.

'Australians cannot afford to keep paying the price of coalition infighting when it comes to climate policy and energy policy.'

Climate Council chief executive Amanda McKenzie said the decision will push up power prices.

The Climate Council warns the decision will drive up power prices and cost the Coalition votes

'After a decade of denial, distraction and delay, the Coalition still doesn't get it: You can't win elections by ignoring voters who want meaningful climate action,' she said in a statement.

'If the Coalition keeps undermining the environment and the economy, they're heading for net zero seats.'

Achieving net zero means balancing the amount of greenhouse gases produced by humans with the amount being removed from the atmosphere.

The Labor government has legislated a 2050 deadline for the goal, while it has also set an interim target under the Paris Agreement of achieving between 62 and 70 per cent emissions reductions by 2035 compared to 2005 levels.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson slammed the Liberals for sticking to the Paris Agreement.

'Scrapping net zero means leaving the Paris Agreement. Anything less is a con,' Senator Hanson said.

'One Nation is united on both. The Coalition never will be.

'We back a clear policy that supports Aussie families and businesses: out of net zero, out of Paris, lower power prices, and better energy security.'
An ousted former aide to two New York governors went on trial Wednesday on charges she acted as an unregistered agent of the Chinese government and illegally profited from that relationship.

Linda Sun, 41, and her husband, Chris Hu, 42, were arrested last year amid a crackdown on alleged Chinese secret agents.

Prosecutors have claimed Sun was discreetly carrying out China's agenda as an advisor to former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and current Governor Kathy Hochul.

In exchange for her efforts, the communist party transferred Sun and Hu millions of dollars, which they used to purchase a $4 million home on Long Island's ritzy North Shore, a $1.9 million condo in Hawaii and a 2024 Ferrari Roma, which sells for at least $243,300.

The couple also allegedly reaped other rewards, including orchestra tickets and Nanjing-style salted ducks, a delicacy prepared by a Chinese official's personal chef and delivered to Suns parents New York home

'This is a case about betrayal and greed,' Assistant US Attorney Amanda Shami told jurors in an opening statement, Newsday reports.

'Betrayal by a public official, Linda Sun, who betrayed the State of New York... And greed by her husband, Chris Hu, who exploited his wife's high-level New York State job.

'Her loyalty was for sale and the Chinese government was willing to pay Linda Sun,' she continued, claiming 'the evidence will show the defendants' greed. The evidence will show the defendants' betrayal.'

Former New York State aide Linda Sun, 41, and her husband, Chris Hu, 42, face trial on charges she was discretely supporting China's agenda in the state. They are pictured leaving Brooklyn Federal Court on Wednesday

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 immigrated to the United States as a child and is a naturalized citizen, has pleaded not guilty to charges alleging she failed to register as an agent of a foreign government, conspired with her husband to commit money laundering and helped people commit visa fraud to enter the U.S. illegally.

Hu has also pleaded not guilty to charges including money laundering, tax evasion, conspiracy to commit bank fraud and misuse of identification - and they have both pleaded not guilty to bribery charges.

As the trial got underway at the Federal District Court in Brooklyn on Wednesday, Sun's lawyer, Jarrod L. Schaeffer, told jurors the charges 'assault everything she's built her life around.'

He argued that his client is a proud American and a loyal public servant who only dealt with China in an official, legal capacity, including as a liaison to the Asian community.

'Linda Sun did what she was hired to do. Thats what the evidence will show,' Schaeffer said in his opening statement in Brooklyn federal court. 'She didn't commit a crime by doing her job.'

He went on to call Suns foreign agent charge 'nonsense,' telling jurors: 'Linda did not have to register as a foreign agent because she is not one.'

'None of the advice she gave was inconsistent with US foreign policy,' he noted, according to The New York Times.

Sun, who immigrated to the United States as a child and is a naturalized citizen, held numerous posts over a roughly 15-year career in state government, including as deputy chief of staff to New York State Governor Kathy Hochul and deputy diversity officer under former Governor Cuomo, both Democrats

Hochul fired Sun from her administration when the allegations came to light

In court filings ahead of the trial, Schaeffer argued the government had charged her because she and her family 'had too much money' and that the case is filled with 'glaring inconsistencies.'

But federal prosecutors allege that Sun acted at the request of Chinese officials to block representatives from the Taiwanese government from having access to the governor's office.

She also allegedly prevented a Lunar New Year message from including any reference to the detention of Uyghur Muslims in China, CNN reports.

Additionally, prosecutors say Sun once forged Hochul's signature on invitations purporting to be from the New York State government - inviting Chinese government officials to visit the state, which the Chinese officials used to illegally obtain visas to travel to the US.

Other times, Sun allegedly obtained official New York State proclamations for Chinese government representatives without proper authorization.

Among the evidence, Shami said, were messages showing Sun 'bragging to the Chinese consulate' about blocking Taiwan's access.

'I very much value my relationship with the consulate and have done many things to make the relationship between the state and the consulate flourish during my tenure with [Politician-1],' she allegedly wrote in January 2019, according to a federal indictment.

'Certainly I have managed to stop all relationships between the [Taiwan economic cultural offices] and the state. I have denied all requests from their office.'

The Chinese official then reportedly replied: 'I know and do appreciate your help.

'With us now in the political section, you are the most important hub connecting us with [Politician-1] and his team.'

Based on the description in the indictment, Politician-1 refers to Cuomo. But neither he nor Hochul are accused of any wrongdoing in the case.

Sun (left) is seen at a 2019 protest against the Taiwanese president's visit in New York City, federal prosecutors said

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

In return for Sun's actions, prosecutors said, she and Hu received large payoffs and traveled to China several times.

In March 2017, Sun visited the Henan province, a trip prosecutors claim was funded by the Henan provincial government.

Then in September 2019, the couple attended celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the People's Republic.

They allegedly had luxury accommodations during their trip paid for by the Chinese government, including a hotel suite in Beijing that Michelle Obama once stayed in.

As the benefits to their relationship with China came in, prosecutors said Hu kept a spreadsheet of expected kickbacks and tried opening a bank account in his mother-in-law's name to launder the proceeds.

In exchange, Hu allegedly got help for his seafood business in China, which prosecutors said allowed the couple to fund their lavish lifestyle.

She 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 couple also allegedly pocketed millions of dollars in kickbacks by exploiting her role on a Cuomo administration team that procured much-needed personal protective equipment as COVID-19 was taking hold in 2020.

She allegedly steered the state's purchase of the equipment to two Chinese companies - one run by her second-cousin and the other by Hu's business associate.

Sun did not disclose those relationships to New York government officials, who signed contracts with the companies in March 2020 and paid them more than $44 million.

The cousin then allegedly funneled about $2.3 million back to Hu.

'Not only did Linda Sun betray New York state government by working for the Chinese government, the defendant betrayed New Yorkers when they were most vulnerable,' Shami told jurors.

Sun pleaded not guilty to charges alleging she failed to register as an agent of a foreign government, conspired with her husband to commit money laundering and helped people commit visa fraud to enter the U.S. illegally

In court on Wednesday, Schaeffer acknowledged his client 'did not do a great job of filling out every form the government required her to' as he argued that it is a 'common cultural and political practice' in China for government officials to give gifts.

He went on to call the assertion that salted ducks prepared by a personal chef equated to a bribe 'just silly,' and dismissed Sun's connection to the company that received PPE funds as a 'distant cousin who was a sales manager at the company.'

Schaeffer also emphasized that Sun was responsible for coordinating the state's purchase of PPE as the pandemic broke out in 2020 and 'worked around the clock.'

'This New Yorker was working for New York,' he told jurors.

In her own opening statement, Hu's attorney, Nicole Boeckmann, noted that the state 'put tremendous pressure' on Sun to purchase PPE from China.

The equipment was then 'delivered on time at a fair price,' she said, arguing there was no kickback scheme because there was no competition for a contract.

'The governor was on the news everyday begging for it,' the lawyer argued.

She concluded by urging the jury to consider what evidence the government does not have, including any images of 'clandestine meetings' and wiretaps of Sun 'asking for a bribe or a kickback,' or testimony of an 'insider or co-conspirator.'

But over the course of the month-long trial, jurors are expected to hear from witnesses from the State Department and the Internal Revenue Service, as well as an expert on international law and political influence.

Nobody is allowed to make any references to espionage, however, after the couple's lawyers successfully argued that any insinuations of such would be 'profoundly misleading and unfairly prejudicial.'

Sun held posts in the Cuomo administration starting in 2012, and was named the chief diversity officer in 2018

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. Asked about Sun at a congressional hearing in September 2024, Cuomo said: 'She was a junior member in my team. I wouldnt recognize her if she was in this room today.'

Hochul's office, meanwhile, said the administration fired her after 'discovering evidence of misconduct.'

'This individual was hired by the Executive Chamber more than a decade ago,' it said in a statement.

'We terminated her employment in March 2023 after discovering evidence of misconduct, immediately reported her actions to law enforcement and have assisted law enforcement throughout this process.'
Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio was among the mourners at the funeral of renowned wildlife conservationist Jane Goodall in Washington, DC, on Wednesday.

The Oscar-winning actor, who had just returned from the COP30 conference on climate change in Brazil, got to know Goodall through his own environmental conservation work.

In his eulogy during the service at the Washington National Cathedral, DiCaprio described Goodall as a 'dear friend' and 'absolutely unstoppable'.

The ashes of the 91-year-old British primatologist and anthropologist were carried up the steps to the cathedral through an 'honor guard' of therapy dogs.

The Jane Goodall Institute had asked the non-profit organization People Animals Love to bring the pups for the benefit of those attending the funeral, CBC reported.

Goodall passed away in Los Angeles of natural causes on October 1 during her book tour.

Leonardo DiCaprio paid heartfelt tribute to renowned conservationist Jane Goodall at her funeral in Washington, DC, on Wednesday. He's pictured with fellow mourner Nancy Pelosi.

Goodall, who became known throughout the world for her groundbreaking study of chimpanzees in Tanzania's Gombe Stream National Park, is survived by her son Hugo and three grandchildren.

They joined the gathering of wider family and friends which also included former House Speaker Nancy for the moving ceremony that included several tributes.

DiCaprio said: 'Most people knew her as Jane Goodall, the icon, the legend. But the Jane I was fortunate enough to get to know was gentle, curious, funny, witty, and absolutely unstoppable.'

The actor remembered 'talking late into the night' with her about politics, biodiversity and the next generation over a whiskey.

'When most of us think about environmental issues we tend to dwell on destruction and loss, and I'll admit it's something I've always struggled with myself,' he said.

But, according to DiCaprio, Goodall 'never lingered in despair. She focused on what could be done.'

Goodall passed away in Los Angeles of natural causes on October 1 during her book tour.

In his eulogy, DiCaprio described Goodall as a 'dear friend' who he remembered 'talking late into the night' with about politics, biodiversity and the next generation over a whiskey

'She could be clear-eyed, even blunt about the greed and relentless consumption of our species, but beneath that fierce honesty was an unwavering faith that every voice matters, that we are all connected to the living world and that each of us can make a difference,' he continued.

Merlin van Lawick, one of Goodall's grandchildren, said his grandmother was someone who 'constantly reminded us that life is full of wonders, an interconnected tapestry of diverse creatures.'

He concluded that her spirit leaves a message that 'together we can, together we will and together we must change the world,' CBC said.

The Executive Director of the Jane Goodall Institute USA, Anna Rathmann, said that Goodall 'exemplified human compassion, love and kindness,' according to the cathedral's website.

'She possessed a lively sense of humor, a genuine, demonstrated empathy towards others, and she felt responsibility to advocate for animals, people, and the environment,' Rathmann continued.

Merlin van Lawick, one of Goodall's grandchildren, said she was someone who 'constantly reminded us that life is full of wonders, an interconnected tapestry of diverse creatures'

Judith Goodall sits with family members at her sister's funeral service

The Jane Goodall Institute had asked the non-profit organization People Animals Love to bring the dogs that lined the cathedral's entrance for the benefit of those attending the funeral

Goodall died on October 1 from cardiac arrest. The Jane Goodall Institute confirmed she died peacefully in her sleep while in California on her speaking tour in the United States

'Together we will honor her memory with the people whose lives she touched, who were filled with hope by her messages, and who were inspired to take action to protect wildlife and the natural world.'

At the service, Rathmann said the Goodall's work is 'not done.'

Goodall is widely known for her groundbreaking work with chimpanzees, which began when she travelled to the Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania in 1960.

Seventeen years later she founded the Jane Goodall Institute to support research in the Gombe park. It works to protect the species and supports youth projects aimed at benefiting animals and the environment.

Born in 1934 in London, Goodall grew up in Bournemouth, England, and said that as a young girl the idea of her becoming a scientist was almost unthinkable.

'There was no thought of becoming a scientist because girls weren't scientists in those days. And actually there weren't really any men going out there living in the wild.'

Goodall drew her inspiration from fiction and she developed two great passions: animals and Africa.

She also credited her mother, novelist Margaret Myfanwe Joseph, with encouraging her to pursue a career in the male-dominated field of primatology.

Goodall, pictured above in 1995, is widely known for her groundbreaking work with chimpanzees, which began when she travelled to the Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania in 1960

Goodall and chimpanzee 'David Greybeard' in 1965

Born in 1934 in London, Goodall grew up in Bournemouth, England, and said that as a young girl the idea of her becoming a scientist was almost unthinkable

'I got my love of animals from the Dr Dolittle books and my love of Africa from the Tarzan novels,' she said 2019. 'I remember my mum taking me to the first Tarzan film and bursting into tears.'

Goodall was just 26 years old when she travelled to what is now Tanzania with little more than a notebook and a pair of binoculars.

She set out to meet the creatures she loved and this began 60 years of ground-breaking work to save them from extinction.

Going on to be a full-time primatologist and anthropologist she is considered one of the world's leading experts on chimpanzees.

Goodall's early love of primates developed after her father gave her a toy chimpanzee named Jubilee as a young girl instead of a teddy bear.

She went to Uplands School, an independent school in Poole. She left in 1952 but couldn't afford to go to university, so she worked as a secretary at Oxford University for a few years.

In May 1956, her friend Clo Mange invited Dr Goodall to her family's farm in Kenya. Mange encouraged her to contact Louis Leaky, the notable archaeologist and paleontologist and she began working as his secretary at age 23.

Goodall went to Gombe National Park in 1960 to study chimpanzees, while Leakey chose two other female researchers, Dian Fossey and Birute Galdikas, to study gorillas and orangutans.
The Liberal Party's decision to walk away from net zero is an attempt to wind the clock back to the glory days of Tony Abbott's anti-carbon tax crusade.

The problem is that the political, economic and demographic terrain has shifted so far since the battles over the Copenhagen agreement and Julia Gillard's carbon price that this move looks less like a bold reset - and more like a misread of the times as well as the Liberal Party's own predicament.

We've seen this movie before, or at least we think we have. The Liberals junked the bipartisan consensus on climate when Malcolm Turnbull tried to back Kevin Rudd's emissions trading scheme and he lost the leadership to Abbott in 2009.

Abbott then turned 'a great big new tax on everything' into a battering ram against Gillard, riding climate scepticism and cost of living anxiety all the way to his 2013 election win.

Conservatives inside the party are now trying to re-run that script: pick a climate policy, denounce it as elite overreach, and turn it into a crude cost of living wedge.

But that reading airbrushes the key differences between then and now. Back then the Liberal Party was competitive in inner city seats, business was divided, the Nationals were still at least notionally on board with climate ambition, and there were no teal independents knocking off Liberal heartland seats.

Today, the Coalition has already been thrashed at the 2025 election, is miles behind in the House, and is simultaneously trying to fight Labor, fend off One Nation on the right and defend itself from climate focused independents in places that used to be called 'blue ribbon'.

The internal numbers tell the story. After a five hour party room debate on Wednesday, senior Liberals reported that 28 speakers argued for dumping the 2050 net zero target altogether, with just 17 arguing to keep it in some form. Four MPs in the room didn't bother to have an opinion, a wonderful advertisement for today's politicians.

During a press conference on Thursday afternoon, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley focused on affordability over emission cuts - but her climate policy is basically half-in, half-out

A day later, Liberal shadow ministers met, formally abandoning the net zero by 2050 commitment while insisting they still support the Paris Agreement and merely regard net zero as a 'welcome outcome' of future emissions cuts.

What a ridiculous proposition: keep the international treaty, throw away the core of what that treaty is designed to achieve, and hope nobody notices.

Plenty of people have noticed, however. The Nationals already walked away from net zero earlier this month, and their state colleagues in NSW have moved in the same direction.

Right-wing lobby groups like Advance have been publicly campaigning for exactly this outcome, pressuring Liberal MPs to dump the target and framing any support for net zero as capitulation to 'climate alarmism'.

Pauline Hanson lost no time, correctly claiming the Liberals are now trying to have it both ways, staying in Paris for appearances while gutting any serious commitment to its goals - thus presenting One Nation as the only party completely opposed to both Paris and 'net zero'.

That matters. The conservative strategists pushing this shift imagine they are reclaiming the right-wing base from minor parties. In practice, however, they are opening up a bidding war on their right flank that they can never win.

At the same time they are making their existential problem in the cities worse, not better. The teals didn't exist when Abbott was prosecuting his campaign against the carbon tax. Now they hold a swathe of formerly safe Liberal seats, and they are not shy about saying that if the Liberals junk net zero, they will take more.

Those voters - higher income, well educated, disproportionately female - are not going to be lured back by a policy that pretends you can believe in Paris while walking away from the basic maths of emissions.

Pauline Hanson correctly identified that the Liberals are now trying to have it both ways with their net zero policy

Demographic trap

When a Liberal senator like Andrew McLachlan feels the need to publicly warn that dumping net zero risks alienating urban and business communities, you know the party is playing with matches in a room full of dry kindling.

Then there is the demographic trap. The party's own research, relayed to MPs by federal director Andrew Hirst at the start of the party room meeting yesterday, made it clear that younger voters and women in particular want serious climate action and mentally connect that to net zero targets. The data backs him up.

Early results from the Australian Election Study show the Coalition's primary vote among millennials slumping to a record low 21 per cent at the 2025 election, while around two thirds of millennials and 70 per cent of Gen Z voters regard climate change as a 'very' or 'fairly' serious threat.

Other surveys show strong majority support for more ambitious climate action and more government action on emissions, even as people worry about power bills. Walking away from net zero might please a fraction of older, regional voters, but it accelerates the generational slide that already has the Liberals in long term trouble.

The internal logic of the decision is less about voters and more about survival in the party room. The Nationals had already taken their stand. David Littleproud and his colleagues dumped the target to 'find their voice' on climate, setting up an implicit challenge for Sussan Ley: fall into line or risk the Coalition splitting again.

On the Liberal side, senior conservatives such as Andrew Hastie and Angus Taylor made it clear they wanted net zero gone, and Hastie was willing to hint at life after Ley if the party stayed the course.

Ley, already widely tipped to face a leadership challenge in the new year, has chosen to dump net zero to shore up her right flank and buy some time. The price is paid not in the party room, where conservatives are jubilant, but across the country, where this will confirm every suspicion that the Liberals are incapable of internal discipline on climate.

Even on its own terms, the 'Paris but not net zero' line is absurd. The whole logic of the Paris Agreement is that you cut emissions deeply this decade and then get to net zero in the following decades.

Senior members of Sussan Ley's cabinet - including James Paterson (right) - supported dumping net zero

Trying to sell the idea that you can honour Paris, while abandoning the core destination, is like insisting you're committed to Dry July while having 'just a couple' of beverages every night. It invites mockery not only from political rivals, but from investors, trading partners and any half-informed voter for that matter.

The Prime Minister has already labelled the opposition's contortions a 'clown show', warning that it will damage Australia's reputation in Asia and undermine the certainty that underpins clean energy investments.

On this, business is closer to Labor than to the opposition. What big capital wants is predictable frameworks, not another round of climate culture wars.

This is not the Voice 2.0

The conservatives' other rationalisation for what they are doing and why it might work is to point to the Voice referendum. They tell themselves that just as they turned that debate around and helped deliver a No vote, they can do the same on net zero. This is wishful thinking on stilts.

The Voice was a one-off referendum where voters could send a message without changing the government. People could vote No, keep Labor in office and tell themselves nothing else would be affected.

Climate policy is not a one day, cost free protest vote. To oppose net zero through the ballot box you have to install this mob on the Treasury benches. That is a much bigger ask, especially when the alternative government is still struggling to demonstrate competence on almost anything.

And don't forget the mistake Peter Dutton made before the last election assuming that opposition to the Voice would translate into opposition to Labor. The Coalition is making precisely the same mistake again, assuming that attacking net zero can emulate the attacks on the Voice.

The historical climate comparisons are also weaker than conservatives like to admit. In the Rudd-Gillard era Labor's internal divisions were as much the story as the policy.

Kevin Rudd's ego and inability to manage colleagues helped create an opening Abbott exploited ruthlessly. When Gillard replaced him, the leadership turmoil itself became Exhibit A in the case against Labor, and the carbon tax was folded neatly into a broader narrative about trust and competence.

Those conditions simply don't exist now. Anthony Albanese is a far more consensus-oriented leader than Rudd ever was, and while there are plenty of criticisms one can and should make of his government, there is no evidence of the sort of leadership psychodrama that fatally weakened Labor last time around.

Labor is also better prepared. The net zero target is legislated. The policy architecture around emissions reductions, renewable energy and the 2035 target is more developed than anything Rudd or Gillard ever did. Climate is woven through industrial policy, trade, and foreign affairs in a way that makes it harder to tear down without consequences. That doesn't guarantee voter enthusiasm, of course. Climate concerns have to fight for oxygen alongside cost of living pressures. But it does mean the government is less likely to be surprised by an opposition scare campaign.

Overlay all of that with the Coalition's parliamentary arithmetic. When Abbott went to war on climate, the Liberals were within striking distance of majority in their own right. Today they are at the party's lowest-ever ebb, and there is no pathway back to government that doesn't run through at least some of the teal held seats.

Even if the Coalition somehow found a way to take away Labor's majority, the teals now have the perfect justification to prop up a Labor government. They could never swing their support behind a party that opposes net zero when that is the core issue they care about and campaign on.

And guess what, their electorates would be just fine about that decision or they wouldn't keep voting teal.

Whatever one thought of Tony Abbott, he was relentless in opposition. He had a simple message, ruthless discipline and was capable of communicating it. There is no evidence so far that Angus Taylor or Andrew Hastie possess his political instincts, and Sussan Ley has spent the past six months demonstrating precisely why so many Liberals doubt she has what it takes to lead them back to government.

To make this strategy work, they would need an Abbott-style campaigner at the peak of his powers. Instead, they have a divided party, a leader on notice, and a pair of would be replacements whose public performances have been patchy at best.

This is why the comparison with Copenhagen and the carbon tax doesn't convince me. Back then, the Liberals were challenging a Labor government that had over promised, under-delivered and was riven by internal rivalry.

Today they are challenging a Labor government that, for all its flaws, is more internally coherent, more prepared on climate, and facing an opposition that has yet to look remotely ready for prime time.

The stupidity of the decision to dump net zero is that it was meaningless to support it. It didn't come at a cost and no one in the Parliament will be around to be judged on the success or failure of achieving it.

The Coalition could have prosecuted its attacks on Labor's methodology for getting to net zero, the hurt being caused and the hits to cost of living, all the while agreeing with the target.

Instead, having dumped the target voters associate with climate change action, the Coalition looks like deniers. They are on the fringes, but without credibility even in that small world.

Because as Pauline Hanson has pointed out, you can't be taken seriously if you claim to stick by the Paris Agreement when you dump net zero. Whatever you think of One Nation, at least it is consistent and opposes both.
It was made official on Thursday morning

An Australian-first treaty with Aboriginal people will take effect just before Christmas but will not be up and running until mid-2026.

The signing of the agreement has been hailed as a historic moment, but critics question how effective it can be.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria co-chairs Ngarra Murray and Rueben Berg inked the treaty at a formal ceremony at Government House on Thursday morning.

It then received royal assent from Governor Margaret Gardner.

The state's Indigenous representative body has been granted expanded powers and acts as a voice to parliament that the government must consult on laws and policies affecting Aboriginal Victorians.

The body is elected by Aboriginal people in Victoria, independent from government and will operate from a dedicated room at Parliament House but has no right to veto or make laws.

A public celebration will be held on December 12 when treaty officially commences.

However, consultation on legislation will not start until about six months later, before the November 2026 state election.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan (pictured) First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria co-chairs Ngarra Murray and Rueben Berg inked the treaty at a ceremony at Government House on Thursday

UNSW law and justice Associate Professor Harry Hobbs said it was not as legally significant as Native Title and more an incremental agreement that paved the way for future localised treaties.

'It is supposed to set up a pathway or a process for more agreements that will I think will be more significant, that will recognise rights to land and rights to governance,' Mr Hobbs told AAP.

Changes under treaty include involving the body if geographic features are renamed using traditional names, the creation of a fund to finance construction, and using the truth-telling inquiry's report in schools.

It does not allow individual financial reparations and is subject to integrity oversight just like other non-government organisations.

Ms Allan said the treaty created a partnership of the oldest continuing culture in the world with modern institutions and was once thought impossible.

'Today is a recognition that ancient systems of law and the modern institutions of our democracy can stand side by side,' Ms Allan said.

Mr Berg thanked people who had advocated for treaty 'across generations'.

'We will make sure that we deliver on these promises that are set out in this process,' he said.

The signing of the agreement has been hailed as a historic moment, but critics question how effective it can be (pictured, dancers perform at a ceremonial opening ceremony)

Ms Gardner said the treaty was a historic achievement of modern parliamentary democracy.

The legislation passed Victoria's upper house in October after negotiations between the government and Assembly, which followed a truth-telling inquiry exposing the mistreatment of Aboriginal people since colonisation.

Victoria's opposition does not support treaty and has vowed to repeal it it wins government.

Nationals MP and opposition spokeswoman for Aboriginal affairs Melina Bath said the coalition should instead focus to close the gap and bring a better outcome for Indigenous people.

Political strategist, Indigenous leader and anti-Voice advocate Warren Mundine was concerned the statewide treaty would not lead to meaningful change.

He instead favoured local treaties negotiated by individual traditional owner groups.

'We're setting up a huge bureaucracy and it's going to grind things down,' he said.
Jeffrey Epstein boasted: 'I am the one able to take him down', as he branded Donald Trump the 'dog who hasnt barked' while claiming he spent 'hours' with a sex abuse victim, newly released emails reveal.

The messages show that the paedophile financier was willing to disclose damaging information about Trump.

The emails were among 20,000 documents released on Wednesday by the House Oversight Committee, with Republicans joining Democrats to make the material public.

They span from 2011 to 2019, months before Epstein was found dead in his prison cell.

In 2018, with Trump in the White House and facing constant probing from Democrats, Epstein made a shocking accusation about the man he called 'dirty.'

'Theyre really just trying to take down Trump and doing whatever they can to do that!' Epstein wrote.

'Its wild, because i am the one able to take him down.

Epstein also referred to Trump as the 'dog who hasn't barked' in an April 2011 email to Ghislaine Maxwell after Virginia Giuffre had gone public with her allegations.

'I want you to realize that that dog that hasnt barked is Trump. [VICTIM] spent hours at my house with him, he has never once been mentioned,' Epstein wrote, saying he was '75 percent there.'

Maxwell, who was convicted of sex trafficking after Epstein's death, replied: 'I have been thinking about that...'

Jeffrey Epstein consistently claimed he had dirt to betray his former friend Donald Trump , at one point saying: 'I am the one able to take him down.'

The revelations come as Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released new emails from the disgraced financier that show some of his communications regarding the president

The redacted [VICTIM] in the emails has been confirmed to be Giuffre, who committed suicide earlier this year and was recruited by Maxwell while employed as a spa attendant at the Mar-a-Lago Club in 2000 at 16 years old.

While Giuffre admitted to working at Trumps Mar-a-Lago, she never alleged any illicit activity with the president.

It wasn't clear what Epstein meant by saying that Trump was a dog that 'hadn't barked,' but both he and Maxwell in other correspondence accused Giuffre of fabricating stories about her supposed sexual interactions with famous men.

Epstein also appears to admit Trump knew about the activities in his home, writing in February 2019: 'Trump knew of it. and came to my house many times during that period. He never got a massage.

In another email, Epstein claimed: 'Donald is close to no one. He talks to many people. He tells each one something.'

In another email to author Michael Wolff in early 2019, Epstein allegedly wrote: 'of course he knew about the girls as he asked Ghislaine to stop.'

Shortly after Democrats released the Trump-related emails, committee Republicans countered by disclosing what they said was an additional 20,000 pages of documents from Epsteins estate.

Throughout the letters, which took place between 2011 and 2019 and spanning much of Trump's first term in office, Epstein casts himself as a potential double-crosser to his former friend

Among them were a trove of emails written over several years by Epstein, including many where he commented - often unfavorably - on Trump's rise in politics and corresponded with journalists.

In one letter, Epstein plotted to 'let Donald Trump hang himself' at the height of the 2016 presidential campaign, according to an explosive new email dump.

In a December 2015 exchange, Epstein told New York Times journalist Thomas Landon Jr that he had photos of Trump with bikini-clad girls in bikinis in his kitchen.

'Would you like photos of Donald and girls in bikinis in my kitchen?' Epstein asked the journalist in an email.

In a follow-up exchange with the reporter, Epstein claimed Trump almost walked through a glass door because he was distracted by young women.

'Have them ask my houseman about Donald almost walking through the door leaving his nose print on the glass as young women were swimming in the pool,' Epstein wrote to Landon in December 2015.

'He was so focused he walked straight into the door.'

Wolff recorded over a hundred hours of conversation with Epstein from roughly 2014 to 2019 and described their contact as a working relationship for several major book projects, including Fire and Fury - an account of the first Trump administration .

The author emailed Epstein with the subject line 'heads up' on December 15, 2015 - the day of a Republican primary debate televised by CNN .

'I hear CNN planning to ask Trump tonight about his relationship with you  either on air or in scrum afterwards,' Wolff told the billionaire financier.

Epstein asked Wolff if he should help prepare an answer for the then-presidential candidate, but the author advised the billionaire financier that he should allow Trump to answer himself because his response could yield political capital.

Many of Epstein's anti-Trump ravings come in emails with author Michael Wolff (pictured)

'If we were able to craft an answer for him, what do you think it should be?' Epstein asked.

Wolff responded, 'I think you should let him hang himself. If he says he hasn't been on the plane or to the house, then that gives you a valuable PR and political currency.

'You can hang him in a way that potentially generates a positive benefit for you, or, if it really looks like he could win, you could save him, generating a debt.

'Of course, it is possible that, when asked, he'll say Jeffrey is a great guy and has gotten a raw deal and is a victim of political correctness, which is to be outlawed in a Trump regime.'

The Daily Mail has contacted Wolff for comment.

In January 2018, Epstein refers to a statement given in response to a Wolff tell-all about the Trump White House: 'No questions donalds statement was goofy. Early dementia?'

In another email between Epstein and Wolff in January 2019, the convicted sex offender refers to his expulsion from Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club.

'Trump said he asked me to resign,' Epstein wrote, adding, 'never a member ever.'

The wider set of documents released by the committee included a 2018 email exchange between Epstein and former Obama White House lawyer Kathryn Ruemmler (pictured left)

The wider set of documents released by the committee included a 2018 email exchange between Epstein and former Obama White House lawyer Kathryn Ruemmler.

Epstein wrote to Ruemmler in December 2018: 'You might want to tell your dem friends that treating trump like a mafia don, ignores the fact that he has great dangerous power. Tightening the noose too slowly, risks a very bad situation. Gambino was never the commander in chief there was little Gambino could do as the walls closed in. Not so with this maniac.'

Ruemmler had sent Epstein a link to a New York Times op-ed about Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer, who had recently pleaded guilty to violating campaign finance laws related to hush money paid to adult star Stormy Daniels.

In response, the financier wrote: 'You see, I know how dirty donald is. My guess is that non lawyers ny biz people have no idea. What it means to have your fixer flip.'

The White House has gone into fightback mode, accusing Democrats of selectively leaking the messages to 'create a fake narrative to smear President Trump.'

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that Virginia Giuffre, who herself died by suicide in April, had declared that Trump ''couldn't have been friendlier' to her in their limited interactions.'

The Epstein scandal has dogged Trump for months, after his Justice Department in a July memo reaffirmed he died by suicide, and that a 'client list' Attorney General Pam Bondi claimed to have been reviewing did not in fact exist.

It sparked a furious backlash from Trump's 'MAGA' support base, who felt betrayed after being told for years that a 'deep state' cover-up was protecting figures in the Democratic Party whom they accused of being Epstein's clients.

A reporter asked Trump's Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt whether the White House was trying to pressure Boebert at the meeting to not sign a petition calling for the full release of the Epstein files

The president did not send or receive any of the emails, and he has not been charged with any crime in relation to Epstein or Maxwell.

Trump's MAGA lieutenants -- including two allies who now run the FBI -- made careers of fanning the conspiracy theories, including that Epstein's suicide was actually a murder ordered by his powerful clients.

The president's ties to Epstein are extensive. The pair were pictured partying together during a 15-year friendship before they reportedly fell out in 2004 over a property deal, and when Trump subsequently denounced his former ally.

Trump, writing on his Truth Social platform, said Democrats 'are trying to bring up the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax again because theyll do anything at all to deflect on how badly theyve done' on the government shutdown 'and so many other subjects.'

'There should be no deflections to Epstein or anything else, and any Republicans involved should be focused only on opening up our Country, and fixing the massive damage caused by the Democrats!' Trump wrote.

In July, Trump said he had banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago because his one-time friend was 'taking people who worked for me,' including Giuffre. The women, he said, were 'taken out of the spa, hired by him - in other words, gone.'

'I said, `Listen, we dont want you taking our people,' Trump told reporters. Asked if Giuffre was one of the employees poached by Epstein, the president demurred but then said Epstein 'stole her.'

Following the release of the emails, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson is finally permitting a vote next week to force Donald Trump's Department of Justice to release all of the infamous 'Epstein files.'

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (pictured right) granted the vote on releasing the Epstein files after Adelita Grijalva (pictured left) was sworn into Congress and became the 218th signature on a bill that would force a vote

After a discharge petition to release the files garnered 218 signatures in the U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday, Johnson told reporters on Capitol Hill that 'we're going to put that on the floor for a full vote when we get back next week.'

The move comes after MAGA House Republicans - including Reps. Lauren Boebert, Marjorie Taylor Greene and Nancy Mace (S.C.) - went rogue against Trump and signed the petition.

A mass of Republican defectors are expected to join them and vote on the Epstein file disclosure bill. The vote will be earlier than expected, as the previous estimation for a vote on the bill could have put it as far back as December.

Top Trump officials met in the White House Situation Room amid bipartisan efforts in the House to force the vote.

The meeting included Attorney General Pam Bondi, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, FBI Director Kash Patel and Republican Colorado Representative Lauren Boebert, according to sources.

Boebert is one of the leading MAGA lawmakers in Congress pushing the Justice Department to publish their trove of Epstein files.

Leavitt appeared to confirm the meeting took place during a Wednesday briefing.

The scheduled vote comes as Arizona Democrat Adelita Grijalva was sworn in to the U.S. House of Representatives by Republican Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday afternoon, seven weeks after being elected to replace the seat previously held by her now deceased father.

Her swearing-in, which occurred 50 days after her election, faced delays due to the House of Representatives being out of session during the government shutdown that has been ongoing for the past 43 days.

However, if you ask some House Democrats, including Grijalva, the real reason for the delay was much more nefarious.

Grijalva became the final signature on a petition to release government files related to Jeffrey Epstein as a few of his victims looked on from the House gallery, delivering on a key campaign promise minutes after she was sworn in as a member of Congress.

In a Tuesday interview with MSNBC's The Weeknight, Grivalva noted that 'nobody, no member-elect should ever be in the situation again where 813,000 people are silenced because one person wants to play politics with their swearing-in.'

Grijalva also told MSNBC that she believed her swearing-in was delayed 'to give Speaker Johnson more time in order to try to convince one of those four Republicans to take their name off' the discharge petition to release the Epstein files.

The petition, put forth by California Democrat Ro Khanna and Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie, is currently backed by every Democrat in the House, as well as three female Republicans, Marjorie Taylor-Greene of Georgia, Nancy Mace of South Carolina, and Lauren Boebert of Colorado.
Civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson has been suddenly hospitalized in Chicago as details about his condition remain a mystery.

Jackson, 84, was admitted into Northwestern Memorial Hospital on Wednesday after spending more than 60 years advocating for racial equality and economic justice.

The Rainbow PUSH Coalition said in a statement that the reverend is 'currently under observation for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy,' a neurodegenerative condition he has been managing for more than a decade.

While originally diagnosed with Parkinson's, he was confirmed to have PSP in April, the release stated.

Jackson, born in Greenville, South Carolina, attended the University of Illinois before he transferred and graduated from the North Carolina A&T State University in 1964.

He began working with Dr Martin Luther King Jr during the Civil Rights Movement after deferring his further studies at Chicago Theological Seminary.

The reverend has been dubbed the 'Conscience of the Nation' and 'the Great Unifier,' according to the PUSH coalition.

'Jackson [challenged] America to be inclusive and to establish just and humane priorities for the benefit of all,' the coalition said. 'He is known for bringing people together on common ground across lines of race, culture, class, gender and belief.'

Jackson founded the Rainbow PUSH coalition, a organization fighting for social change, and garnered national attention in the 1960s as Martin Luther King Jr's protege.

Civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr, 84, has been critically hospitalized in Chicago

The Rainbow PUSH Coalition said that the reverend is 'currently under observation for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy,' a neurodegenerative condition he has been managing for more than a decade

Jackson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by former President Bill Clinton on August 9, 2000

There is no cure for the brain condition PSP, which the non-profit organization CurePSP says is often misdiagnosed as Parkinson's disease. CurePSP funds research to better understand the disease, develop treatments and ultimately find a cure.

Jackson's role in activism notably began on his mission to desegregate the local public library in Greenville in the 60s, and then as leader of the sit-in movement.

In 1965, he became a full-time organizer for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, according to the coalition.

He was then appointed by King Jr to direct the Operation Breadbasket program, which sought to improve the economic conditions of African Americans by promoting employment and boycotting businesses.

Jackson was ordained in 1967 and received his Master of Divinity degree from Chicago Theological Seminary in 2000.

In December 1971, Jackson founded Operation PUSH [People United to Serve Humanity] in Chicago, which advocated for economic empowerment, educational expanse, and business and employment equality.

He then founded the National Rainbow Coalition in 1984, a social justice organization based in Washington DC that advocated for political empowerment, education and advocating for changing public policy.

The two organizations merged in 1996. During his work, he campaigned for presidency in 1984 and 1988 and 'broke new ground' in US politics.

In his first campaign, he garnered 3.5 million votes and helped the Democratic Party regain control of the Senate in 1986. His second campaign saw over two million new voters and garnered him seven million votes.

Jackson Sr on a Presidential Campaign stop and speech at the Los Angeles Hilton Hotel with Rep Maxine Waters

Former President Barack Obama in 2007 with Jackson at the PUSH for Excellence 17th Annual Dr Martin Luther King Jr Scholarship Award Breakfast in Chicago

In 1991, he was elected senator of Washington DC where he advocated for statehood for the nation's capitol and advancing the 'rainbow' agenda at national and international levels, according to the coalition.

In October 1997, Jackson was appointed by former President Clinton and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright as 'Special Envoy of the President and Secretary of State for the Promotion of Democracy in Africa.'

The position saw him travel to several countries in Africa and met with leaders such as President Nelson Mandela of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Daniel Arap Moi of Kenya, and President Frederick JT Chiluba of Zambia.

He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by former President Bill Clinton on August 9, 2000.

He has received more than 40 honorary doctorate degrees and frequently lectures at major colleges and universities, according to the coalition.

Since then he has 'continued to promote voter registration and lead get-out-the-vote campaigns, believing that everyone should be encourage to be a responsible, informed and active voter.'

Jackson has also backed and advocated for policies such as universal healthcare, equal administration of justice, sufficient funding for the enforcement of civil rights laws, and increased attention on business investment in underserved domestic communities.

The civil rights activist married his college sweetheart Jacqueline Lavinia Brown in 1963, with whom he shares five children.

Chief Operating Officer Yusef Jackson was confirmed to now be leading the organization's 'long standing mission to protect, defend and gain civil rights by leveling economic and educational opportunities and ensuring social justice and peace.'
A couple and their three-year-old boy have been identified as the victims in a catastrophic car collision in Victoria.

Krishna and Sapana Bhandari, aged 41 and 31, and their son, Ruben, died at the scene of a smash on Eurambeen-Streatham Rd outside of Stoneleigh, about 200km west of Melbourne, about 9.30am on Tuesday.

They leave behind a five-year-old daughter, Reuben's sister.

It's understood the family were at the intersection with Mount William Rd when their vehicle collided with a truck.

President of the Geelong Nepalese Association, Niraj Karanjeet, said the tight-knit community was in 'deep mourning' over the tragedy.

'This has been very heartbreaking and has hit the community hard,' Mr Karanjeet told the Geelong Advertiser.

'It is the worst thing to happen to us in the 15 to 17 years since we formed.'

Victoria Police on Tuesday stated a woman had been trapped in the backseat of the family's car and was airlifted to the Alfred Hospital with life-altering injuries.

Krishna and Sapana Bhandari, 41 and 31, and their three-year-old son, Ruben, died in a car crash on Tuesday. The couple leave behind a five-year-old daughter, Reuben's sister (pictured, the family together)

The three family members died at the scene while Reuben's grandmother was airlifted to hospital (pictured, the crash scene)

The family were known throughout the Armstrong Creek community, 11km south of Geelong, and 'embodied a wonderful community spirit' since migrating in 2017.

The family's relatives in Nepal have been informed of their deaths by the Nepalese Consulate.

Mr Karanjeet identified the other woman in the car as Mrs Bhandari's elderly mother and said her condition had stabilised.

'They were incredibly caring. I also pray for the speedy recovery of the injured grandmother,' Mr Karanjeet said.

The Geelong Nepalese Association also shared a touching tribute to the couple and their son online.

'Words cannot express the pain and sorrow we feel at this heartbreaking moment,' the statement read.

'We extend our deepest condolences and prayers to their family and relatives.

'May their beautiful souls rest in eternal peace, and may their loved ones find strength and comfort during this unimaginable time.'

Krishna and Sapana Bhandari (pictured) migrated to Australia from Nepal in 2017

Major crash detectives have launched an investigation into the crash.

It has been reported the family's vehicle could have missed a stop sign and collided with a B-double truck.

The truck driver is assisting police with inquiries.
Plans announced by the Crown Estate to convert Britain's oldest Indian restaurant into offices has prompted a furious reaction from some of country's top chefs.

The Michelin starred Veeraswamy has been serving customers at Victory House on London's Regent Street since 1926.

High profile guests at the curry house over the years have included Mahatma Gandhi, Princess Anne and King Abdullah of Jordan.

However, the 99-year-old restaurant is now threatened with closure after the Crown Estate - who own the building - announced in summer plans to convert the building into offices.

Now, Raymond Blanc, Michel Roux Jr and Michael Caines are among a number of high profile chefs calling on the Crown Estate to engage in 'meaningful dialogue' and 'act responsibly' to save Veeraswamy.

They added that the restaurant's 'rightful home' is in Victory House and that converting the establishment into offices would be 'sacrilege, representing a profound loss, both for London's restaurant scene and for our tourism economy'.

Veeraswamy, which is currently owned by MW Eat, is one of the oldest occupants on Regent Street together with Hamleys and Cafe Royal - which opened in 1881 and 1865 respectively.

The vast majority of Regent Street, is owned by the Crown Estate which is the property of King Charles III during his reign.

Veeraswamy has been serving customers at Victory House on London's Regent Street since 1926. High profile guests at the curry house over the years have included Mahatma Gandhi, Princess Anne and King Abdullah of Jordan

Owners Ranjit Mathrani and Namita Panjabi at Veeraswamy Restaurant which is the oldest Indian restaurant in the country

It is not his private property and he does not manage or make decisions about its assets. The estate pays its profits to the Treasury, which in turn gives a percentage to the royal family in the form of a sovereign grant.

Restaurant boss Ranjit Mathrani, 81, previously said he was blindsided by the decision, especially after being asked just the year before if he wanted to expand into more space in the building.

He added the decision came completely 'out of the blue'.

In an open letter to The Times, the chefs wrote: 'As the Crown knows, heritage cannot be relocated, nor can history be replaced.

'Keeping Veeraswamy alive is an act of responsibility by the Crown worthy of London's reputation as one of the world's great dining and tourist cities.'

Veeraswamy's lease is set to expire at the end of June next year.

They will continue to trade on the site until a hearing which is due to take place next spring or early summer.

If the court finds in favour of the restaurant it could extend its lease for a further 14 years.

Veeraswamy's staff in 1927. After 99 years the curry house is now threatened with closure after the Crown Estate - who own the building - announced plans to convert it into offices

Top chefs Michel Roux Jr (left) and Raymond Blanc are among the famous faces who have signed an open letter in The Times saying that Veeraswamy's 'rightful home' is in Victory House and that converting the establishment into offices would be 'sacrilege'

This is because it is a protected tenancy which gives long-term tenants enhanced rights.

The Crown Estate told The Daily Mail: 'We need to carry out a comprehensive refurbishment to ensure the building meets modern standards and is brought back into full use. We understand how challenging this is for MW Eat.

'Our focus remains on working with all parties and has included offering to help find new premises on our portfolio so that they can continue to be in the West End, as well as financial compensation.'

The Daily Mail have approached Veeraswamy for a comment.
The London Maths Society (LMS) has withdrawn its transgender inclusion policy after a gender-critical academic threatened to sue them.

The row began after John Armstrong, a member and senior lecturer at King's College London, threatened to sue the LMS over its recent publication of a new transgender inclusion policy.

He claimed the policy discriminated against people who hold gender-critical views that sex is biological and cannot be changed.

Mr Armstrong raised issue with several points included in the society's 'Statement of Commitment for Trans Inclusion', which was approved in September.

The public document on the society's website read: 'The society reaffirms its strong commitment to promote equality, foster inclusion and protect the rights of individuals with characteristics protected under the Equality Act of 2010.

'The following commitment lays out the society's approach to trans inclusion.'

Mr Armstrong, a gender-critical academic and commentator, sent a letter to council members at LMS in which he objected to the policy.

He argued restricted free speech and itself discriminated against 'gender-critical' beliefs.

Mr Armstrong said the policy, which 'supported the use of [toilet] facilities that align with a person's affirmed identity' was 'in apparent defiance of the Supreme Court'.

He said in an op-ed for the Spectator , that the LMS 'have chosen to write their first ever trans policy after the judgement and this policy appears to openly flout the Courts ruling.'

In April, the Supreme Court announced that the definition of a woman is based on 'biological sex' in a landmark judgement.

John Armstrong (pictured) is an academic and member of the LMS who threatened to sue the society over its transgender inclusion policy

Supreme Court justices unanimously decided that 'the terms woman and sex in the Equality Act refer to a 'biological woman and biological sex'.

Mr Armstrong also objected to the policy's threat of disciplinary action against members for 'consistently using incorrect titles, pronouns or names to refer to a trans person'.

He said this particular warning from the LMS signified a 'dramatic restriction on freedom of expression' and stopped them from being able to make 'light-hearted or joking comments' because it had been too broadly written.

But the prestigious society, which was established in 1865, rejected his arguments further sparking the wrath of Mr Armstrong, who threatened to sue and sent them a pre-action letter.

In a dramatic U-turn, the LMS withdraw its statement of commitment for trans inclusion last week.

In a notice on their website, posted last week, the LMS said: 'We are committed to advancing equity and diversity so that mathematicians of all backgrounds are treated with dignity and respect.

'Following legal advice we have withdrawn our recent statement. We remain committed to supporting our trans members in the best way possible.

'However, the practical implications of the legal judgment in For Women Scotland are unclear and, like many other organisations, we await further guidance from the EHRC.

'We will continue to support all members of the mathematical community, including our LGBTQIA+ colleagues.'

Mr Armstrong told the Daily Mail he was 'very pleased that the LMS have seen sense and withdrawn this policy'.

'It is disappointing that their latest message emphasises their support for LGBTQIA+ colleagues, but says nothing to reassure the people they were discriminating against - women and gender-critical people,' he said.

'By failing to acknowledge they've let women down, the LMS risks sending the message that women don't count.'

Mr Armstrong added: 'It is ridiculous that I had to lawyer up. Academia needs to start obeying the law.'

The society has not confirmed whether it will issue an amended statement.

The LMS is an eminent mathematics society in the UK, which publishes journals, holds lectures, engages with government policy and strategy, and issues research grants.
An Albanian mother-of-three has become the first woman to be extradited from Britain to her home country to face prison following a judge's ruling.

Lirie Delishi, 25, was caught trying to use a fake Romanian passport when she attempted to fly from Tirana to Rome in 2019.

Prosecutors in Albania have been trying to extradite Delishi, whose children include a newborn baby, to serve a four-month prison sentence in the country.

Now, Judge John Zani has ruled that the risk of the UK being seen as a 'safe haven' for criminals outweighed Delishi's argument that her extradition would breach her rights to a family life under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

The judge has therefore backed Delishi's extradition - although she is believed to be still be in the UK pending an appeal of his decision, reported The Telegraph.

Delishi is now expected to serve her sentence with her baby in Pojska Prison, which is Albania's only women's jail and has capacity for just over 100 women.

Giving evidence at Westminster Magistrates' Court, Delishi was pregnant at the time and said it would be 'awful' for her two elder children to be separated from her and their baby sibling.

She added that her partner, who was named as Edmond, would likely miss the first few months of her baby's life, saying: 'It will be so hard for me to be without him during those important months and I will miss my other children so much.'

Lirie Delishi, pictured with her partner Edmond, was caught using a fake Romanian passport

Prosecutors in Albania have been trying to extradite Lirie Delishi, who has three children

Delishi moved to the UK to be with her partner after graduating from university in Albania in 2019 where she had studied computer engineering.

Her partner's evidence stated that he ran a construction company and a car wash in the UK.

Judge Zani said in his ruling: 'It is very important for the UK to be seen to be upholding its international extradition obligations.

'The UK is not to be considered a 'safe haven' for those sought by other [ECHR] countries either to stand trial or to serve a prison sentence.

'In my opinion, the criminal conduct set out in the European Arrest Warrant is serious and, in the event of a conviction in the UK for like criminal conduct, a prison sentence may be imposed. This court finds that the requested person is a fugitive from justice.

'It is appreciated that there will be hardship caused to the defendant, her partner and to their young children. As counsel are aware that of itself is not sufficient to prevent an order for extradition from being made.'
A British tourist was seen in footage attacking a Middle Eastern man for putting his bare feet on his headrest during a bus tour in Thailand.

The Brit was said to have lashed out at the man after he propped up his feet near his head while driving around the tropical island Phuket on November 11.

The young man asked the man behind him to put his feet down, but was reportedly met with laughter and mockery, sparking a fight inside the van they were travelling in.

Footage shows the British tourist throwing a punch as the other man retaliated with a barefoot kick from inside the vehicle.

Tour staff were then forced to intervene and separated the pair before the row could escalate any further.

Thai tour guide Yutthachai Samee, who was also riding the van, said: The problem started when the Arab tourist put his feet on the seat of a British tourist.

The British tourist spoke calmly, saying it was inappropriate, but the Arab client mocked, laughed, and acted rudely towards him.

The British tourist began recording a video and tried to explain politely again, but the Arab tourist ignored him and punched his phone when the van arrived at the company.

Footage shows the British tourist throwing a punch to the Middle Eastern man in the van

The Arab man retaliated with a barefoot kick from inside the vehicle

Tour staff were then forced to intervene and separated the pair before the row could escalate any further

Thai tour guide Yutthachai Samee, who was also riding the van, said: The problem started when the Arab tourist put his feet on the seat of a British tourist'

'The British customer then retaliated, as seen in the video.'

We tried our best to stop them, while the Arab customer was seen using his shoe to fight back.

'He seemed to think it was ok to act that way because the British tourists were younger and there were only two of them.'

Following the incident, the Middle Eastern tourist asked to be taken back to his hotel while the rest of the group continued the trip.

Yutthachai described the British tourist as 'polite and well-mannered', apologising to everyone 'despite being provoked first'.

He added: 'He would not have acted that way unless it had been serious.'

The once-pristine island of Phuket has been marred by over-tourism as the Thai government implements a visa-free scheme to boost revenue following the barren pandemic years.

Angry locals claim the push for tourist dollars has attracted crowds of 'low-quality' visitors from Russia, India and Australia.

There are also fears that the island has become an enclave of criminal activity, with police unable to control street fights and more organised ruffians setting up rackets among local businesses.
Germany is moving towards military conscription with a lottery for men over the age of 18 as the country attempts to make up numbers in its army.

A dispute over the new military service law - which has been simmering for months - was finally settled on Wednesday evening after the centre-right political alliance CDU/CSU and Social Democratic Party (SPD) reached a compromise with the Defence Minister Boris Pistorius.

Under the agreement, all 18-year-old men will be required to undergo a conscription medical examination. If there are not enough volunteers among those declared 'fit for military service', a lottery will decide who will be called up to join the armed forces.

The much-criticised 'double lottery' system has been scrapped. Instead, there will be a single physical conscription examination - an approach that was originally agreed upon by the CDU/CSU and SPD in the Bundestag.

The earlier plan had proposed two rounds of selection - a first lottery to decide who would undergo conscription, and a second to pick additional candidates it too few volunteered. This idea, however, has now been dropped.

As part of the broader agreement, both parties have also set troop growth targets.

If voluntary recruitment fails to meet those goals, the Bundestag will be able to activate a 'needs-based' conscription system - potentially using a random selection process, the German Press Agency reports.

Pistorius has estimated that between 3,000 and 5,000 additional conscripts will be needed each year from 2026 onwards to maintain the country's military readiness.

Soldiers attend training at the Panzergrenadierbataillon 122 in the Grenzland barracks, Oberviechtach, Germany, February 28, 2024

Pistorius has estimated that between 3,000 and 5,000 additional conscripts will be needed each year from 2026 onwards to maintain the country's military readiness

The parliamentary groups are expected to be officially informed of the deal on Thursday morning, before details are made public.

CSU MP Thomas Erndl, 51, who negotiates on military service for the Union, had already signalled earlier in the week: 'If the number of volunteers, the growth of the reserve or the growth path for active duty personnel is not sustainably achieved, then as a last resort, compulsory conscription aligned with the needs of the armed forces will be necessary'.

However, the agreement does not resolve all tensions between Pistorius and the coalition partners.

According to unconfirmed reports from within the parliamentary groups, the minister conceded to the government parties' demands for a concrete personnel plan - the so-called 'troop increase' - for the Bundeswehr.

Uncertainty remains around other controversial aspects of Pistorius's plan - notably his proposal for 'super-short-term soldiers'.

These recruits would receive only minimal training, without combat instruction, and would be assigned to guard buildings.

Critics in the CDU/CSU accused the minister of trying to use such roles to artificially boost recruitment statistics.

The original draft law, developed jointly by the SPD and CDU/CSU, had outlined a four-step process - first encouraging voluntary enlistment, then relying on a lottery of there were too few volunteers.

But in mid-October, Pistorius reportedly rejected the concept in a fit of rage during an SPD parliamentary group meeting, saying he felt sidelined.

Since then, negotiations have continued between a four-member defence policy team from the governing parties - Siemtje Moller, 42, and Falko Dromann, 51, for the SPD, and Norbert Rottgen, 60, and Thoman Erndl, 51, for the CDU/CSU.
The massive aurora australis that lit up the sky across central and southern Australia on Wednesday is expected to return tonight.

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast a very high chance of the aurora australis, also known as the southern lights, being visible during local night-time hours in the mid to southern parts of Australia on Thursday night.

For the best viewing experience, it's recommended to visit areas with low light pollution and at a high altitude.

And, of course, those further south will be able to see the southern lights better.

The aurora australis was visible soon after sunset and lasted throughout the night on Wednesday, with the same situation expected on Thursday.

The aurora australis is caused by coronal mass ejections - explosions of magnetised plasma from the sun - hitting the Earth and creating geomagnetic storms.

Those storms disrupt earth's magnetic field, causing the colourful lights. The global geomagnetic activity is measured on a scale from minor (G1) to extreme (G5).

Last year's huge aurora australis event reached G5 and could be seen as far north as the central Queensland coast. Wednesday's activity reached G4 and the same is forecast for Thursday.

The aurora australis is forecast to return on Thursday night (pictured, the aurora over New Zealand on Wednesday)

Wednesday and Thursday were both forecast to have the second-highest level of geomagnetic activity (pictured, the aurora at Werribee on Wednesday)

The uptick in aurora activity is attributed to the sun being in solar maximum, the peak of its 11-year cycle. That cycle is expected to reach its minimum in 2030.

Those looking to capture the aurora australis on camera are advised to use a stable tripod and set a low shutter speed.

While standalone cameras will likely have more chance of picking up the vibrant colours, modern phone cameras can also be used.

Wednesday's aurora reached Perth, across SA and into NSW as far north as Sydney, though country areas with less light pollution outside the city had a better chance to catch a glimpse.

The colours of the aurora can vary between greens, reds, whites, pinks, purples and blues depending on the altitude and the amount of oxygen versus nitrogen in the atmosphere.
Jeffrey Epstein declared: 'I am the one able to take him down' as he claimed president Donald Trump spent 'hours' with a sex abuse victim in messages published by American lawmakers.

Thousands of pages of material from Epstein's estate have been made public, revealing how the disgraced financier repeatedly discussed Trump in private correspondence dating from 2011 to 2019.

The content spans years before and during Trump's presidency and includes claims, speculation, and personal remarks that Epstein shared with associates, journalists, and his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell.

In a correspondence with a contact in 2018, while Trump was facing scrutiny from politicians, Epstein wrote: 'They're really just trying to take down Trump and doing whatever they can to do that!'

He then added: 'Its wild, because i am the one able to take him down.' In another 2018 conversation, Epstein describes Trump as 'borderline insane'.

The files were released in two parts - House Democrats first put out a selection of emails that included Epstein's comments about Trump.

Hours after that, Republicans responded by releasing what they claimed were roughly 20,000 additional pages.

Both sets of documents were released through the House Oversight Committee in Washington, a powerful watchdog body in Congress that examines government conduct. Trump has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.

The White House, meanwhile, dismissed claims that Trump was aware of Epstein's crimes against minors and accused Democrats of propagating false narratives.

Following the release, House Speaker Mike Johnson has said he will allow a vote next week that could force Trump's Department of Justice to release all documents in the infamous 'Epstein Files'.

What Epstein's email with Ghislaine Maxwell says

One of the earliest emails released was sent to Maxwell in 2011. In it, Epstein wrote: 'I want you to realize that that dog that hasn't barked is Trump.

'[VICTIM] spent hours at my house with him, he has never once been mentioned.' He added that he was '75 percent there.' Maxwell replied: 'I have been thinking about that'

Donald Trump and his then-girlfriend Melania in a photograph with Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell in 2000. A trove of emails have revealed private emails the disgraced paedophile shared about Trump

One of the emails described Trump as the 'dog that hasn't barked'

In another exchange with Maxwell, Trump said he was the only one would would be 'able to take him down' when referencing Trump

The redacted name in that exchange was later shown in the wider tranche of documents to be Virginia, referring to Virginia Giuffre.

She died earlier this year and was one of the most well-known Epstein accusers. She said she worked at Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club in Florida as a teenager but consistently stated that she never saw or experienced any wrongdoing involving Trump.

Giuffre repeated that position in a 2016 deposition and again in a memoir published this year.

In February 2019, Epstein told another contact that Trump was aware of what occurred inside his home, stating: 'Trump knew of it. and came to my house many times during that period. He never got a massage.'

He also wrote: 'Donald is close to no one. He talks to many people. He tells each one something.'

Epstein's emails with Michael Wolff about Trump

A separate message from that year to author Michael Wolff contained yet another allegation, with Epstein saying: 'of course he knew about the girls as he asked Ghislaine to stop.'

Epstein exchanged extensive correspondence with Wolff over several years.

Wolff, who recorded long conversations with Epstein during the 2010s for book projects about Trump and American politics, frequently asked Epstein about the former president's rise.

In one 2015 email, Wolff warned Epstein that CNN was planning to question Trump about their relationship during a Republican primary debate. Epstein asked: 'If we were able to craft an answer for him, what do you think it should be?'

Wolff replied that Epstein should allow Trump to handle it unaided, writing: 'I think you should let him hang himself.

'If he says he hasn't been on the plane or to the house, then that gives you a valuable PR and political currency.

'You can hang him in a way that potentially generates a positive benefit for you, or, if it really looks like he could win, you could save him, generating a debt.'

Epstein's messages with author Michael Wolff were also released

He added: 'Of course, it is possible that, when asked, he'll say Jeffrey is a great guy and has gotten a raw deal and is a victim of political correctness, which is to be outlawed in a Trump regime.'

The newly released documents also include a 2016 exchange in which Wolff offered Epstein an opportunity to publicly speak out about Trump during the final days of the presidential race, saying the interview could 'finish' him. Epstein declined.

Democrats also published a 2019 email where Epstein wrote to Wolff: 'Trump said he asked me to resign', referring to Trump's social club in Florida, before adding: 'never a member ever.'

He then repeated his claim that 'of course he knew about the girls as he asked Ghislaine to stop.'

Committee Republicans, responding to the Democratic release, said the initial selection of emails had been curated to promote what they called a misleading narrative about Trump.

They released a much larger batch of files, including many exchanges where Epstein criticised Trump, reflected on his political rise or shared gossip with reporters.

Epstein offered pictures of Trump and 'girls in bikinis'

The large cache of documents also contains exchanges between Epstein and then-New York Times journalist Landon Thomas Jr.

Thomas contacted Epstein on 8 December, referencing a 2002 profile he had written for New York magazine in which Trump described Epstein as a 'terrific guy' who 'likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.'

Thomas told Epstein that the old interview had prompted renewed interest in him. He wrote: 'Now everyone is coming to me thinking I have juicy info on you and Trump. Because of this.'

Epstein replied over the following two hours in a series of short messages, written in his characteristic error-filled style.

He initially urged Thomas to look into Trump's financial position before shifting to more personal claims. In one email, he asked: 'would you like photso of donald and girls in bikinis in my kitchen.' Thomas responded: 'Yes!!'

The documents do not show whether Epstein actually possessed any such photographs or whether he sent anything to the reporter after making the offer.

Epstein's emails about Bill Clinton

Further emails released by the House Oversight Committee also shed new light on Epstein's contacts with Kathryn Ruemmler, a former White House counsel under Barack Obama and one of the executors of his estate.

Their correspondence, included in the material published by Democrats, shows Epstein discussing his past dealings with Bill Clinton and claiming at one stage to have cut off contact with the former president.

Former US president Bill Clinton shakes hands with Epstein at the White House while Ghislaine Maxwell looks on in 1993. Emails released show that the two men had a falling out

Epstein said in an email that he stopped talking to Clinton

In an exchange about an individual referred to as 'McGyver', a codename that appears elsewhere in their messages, Epstein joked that his 'memory is a friend killer' before alleging that Clinton had misled him.

He wrote: 'I stopped talking to Clinton when he swore, with whole-hearted conviction to me that he had done something, he had forgotten that he also swore the exact opposite to me only weeks before.'

The documents also include an email from 2018 in which theoretical physicist Lawrence Krauss asked Epstein to help assemble what he called a 'Men of the World Conference', listing Clinton, Kevin Spacey, Woody Allen and Senator Al Franken as proposed participants.

The message highlights the long scrutiny surrounding Epstein's links to prominent political figures and celebrities.

Epstein's relationship with Clinton has been the subject of repeated public debate, most recently after a birthday greeting from Clinton to Epstein surfaced in previous disclosures.

Following the latest release, a spokesperson for Clinton told the New York Post: 'Who knows what they're talking about. What we do know and have always said is that President Clinton knew nothing about Epstein's heinous crimes and hadn't spoken to him in twenty years. Now here it is in black and white.'

Clinton has consistently said he was unaware of Epstein's criminal activities.

Andrew's email to Epstein

Another document released by the committee refers to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, and shows his reaction to allegations passed to him through Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in early 2011.

The material includes an email Maxwell forwarded to Epstein containing a request for comment from the Mail on Sunday.

The newspaper had contacted her on 4 March with a list of claims involving Maxwell, Epstein and the then Duke of York.

The published documents show that Epstein forwarded the message to Andrew, prompting a quick and forceful reply.

He wrote: 'Hey there! What's all this? I don't know anything about this! You must SAY so please. This has NOTHING to do with me. I can't take any more of this.'

According to the right of reply email, a woman whose name is redacted was said to have been introduced to Andrew by Epstein in 2001 at Maxwell's London property, where she alleged she had sex with him.

The committee documents confirm that the Mail on Sunday story ran two days later on 6 March 2011 and featured the now widely circulated photograph of Andrew with Virginia Giuffre.

Andrew has always denied any wrongdoing and has never been charged with any offence.

Following the publication of the documents, the White House said Democrats had selectively released information to negative media outlets to construct a false narrative.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt pointed out that Trump had removed Epstein from Mar-a-Lago years earlier, saying the former president acted because Epstein was 'a creep' towards female staff.

The White House's press secretary issued a statement that Democrats had selectively released information to negative media outlets to peddle a false narrative

Virginia Guiffre, centre, seen outside a court in Manhattan, was named as the redacted victim at the centre of the emails

She reiterated that Giuffre had never accused Trump of any abuse and had even said he 'couldn't have been friendlier' during the rare occasions they encountered each other.

The release of the documents has reignited calls among Epstein's victims for full transparency.

Annie Farmer, a key witness at Maxwell's trial, issued a public statement saying: 'The more information that comes out about Jeffrey Epstein, the more questions we're left with. Survivors deserve more than a trickle of information.'

She demanded the publication of the full cache of Epstein-related material, arguing that 'the estimated one thousand women and girls who were harmed by Epstein and his associates deserve full transparency.'

On Wednesday, Speaker Johnson told reporters that he would finally permit a vote on the release of the files, ending a huge standoff on the issue.

Speaking at Capitol Hill, he said: 'We're going to put that on the floor for a full vote when we get back next week.'
The BBC issued an apology to Donald Trump today after the US President suggested he has an 'obligation' to sue the broadcaster over the editing of his speech.

Mr Trump had demanded a full retraction, immediate apology and an offer of compensation from the BBC after a Panorama documentary made it appear as though he encouraged violence before the January 6 Capitol riot.

The broadcaster had been given until tomorrow to respond to the President's $1billion legal threat after criticism that viewers had been misled by the programme.

In a statement on Friday, the BBC said the edit was an 'error of judgment' and the programme will 'not be broadcast again in this form on any BBC platforms'.

But it added that 'while the BBC sincerely regrets the manner in which the video clip was edited, we strongly disagree there is a basis for a defamation claim'.

The episode, Trump: A Second Chance? has since been taken down from the BBC website and a retraction was published on the webpage on Thursday evening.

It said: 'This programme was reviewed after criticism of how President Donald Trump's 6th January 2021 speech was edited.

'During that sequence, we showed excerpts taken from different parts of the speech.

'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.'

US President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House on Wednesday

Outgoing BBC director-general Tim Davie outside Broadcasting House in London on Tuesday

Addressing his legal action earlier this week, Mr Trump said: 'I guess I have to [sue]. Why not? They defrauded the public and they've admitted it. This is within one of our great allies, supposedly our great ally.

'That's a pretty sad event. They actually changed my January 6 speech, which was a beautiful speech, which was a very calming speech, and they made it sound radical.'

Referencing how director-general Tim Davie had quit on Sunday over the furore, the President added: 'They showed me the results of how they butchered it up. It was very dishonest and the head man quit and a lot of the other people quit.'

He also told Fox News on Tuesday: 'I think I have an obligation to [sue] because you can't allow people to do that.'

Mr Trump said he would 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 [760million] in damages,' if the BBC failed to act.

When asked about Mr Trump's legal threats, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters yesterday the corporation is a 'Leftist propaganda machine'.

She also said that it is 'unfortunate' the broadcaster is funded by British taxpayers, before adding that the legal action is expected to continue.

BBC chairman Samir Shah has apologised for an 'error of judgment' over the edit, which was first broadcast in October last year, on Monday, after it led to Mr Davie and Deborah Turness, chief executive of news, resigning.

A BBC spokesman said it 'will review the letter and respond directly in due course'.

BBC chairman Samir Shah (pictured) has apologised for an 'error of judgment' over the edit

The BBC's apology comes hours after it emerged that a second clip of the same Donald Trump speech was also edited by the BBC.

It was shown in an episode of Newsnight in June 2022, more than two years before a similarly spliced clip was aired in a BBC Panorama documentary.

Both clips seemed to make it look as if the US President urged supporters to 'walk down to the Capitol' with him and 'fight like hell' - two statements he made around an hour apart in his speech.

Concerns about the Newsnight footage were reportedly raised internally the day after it aired, although discussions were supposedly shut down.

A BBC spokesman said in a statement tonight: 'Lawyers for the BBC have written to President Trump's legal team in response to a letter received on Sunday.

'BBC chair Samir Shah has separately sent a personal letter to the White House making clear to President Trump that he and the corporation are sorry for the edit of the president's speech on 6 January 2021, which featured in the programme.

'The BBC has no plans to rebroadcast the documentary Trump: A Second Chance? on any BBC platforms.

'While the BBC sincerely regrets the manner in which the video clip was edited, we strongly disagree there is a basis for a defamation claim.'
Celebrites have cut ties with a former duchesss animal rights charity that claimed big-name support from the likes of Lily Allen, Hugh Grant, Sting and Jamie Oliver after it spread a string of vile antisemitic conspiracy theories.

Farms not Factories, which campaigns against pig factories, has blamed 'Zionists' for the Holocaust, 9/11 and the war in Ukraine in its newsletters.

The charity, which lobbies consumers to only buy local, high welfare and ethically produced pork, is run by former Duchess of Beaufort Tracy Worcester, an actress who once starred in Doctor Who.

Ms Worcester married Henry Bunter Somerset, the 12th Duke of Beaufort and self-professed Rock God' aristocrat, in 1987 at a ceremony attended by King Charles and Diana.

Farms not Factories also listed Stephen Fry, Jon Snow and Game of Thrones star Jerome Flynn among its 'high profile supporters' on its website.

But a host of celebrities, including Mr Grant, Mr Fry, Lily Allen and Sting, have seen their names removed from the charity's website after the Daily Mail drew attention to its newsletters.

And Mr Grant told us he did not support the group.

In one from October, titled 'Zionist Money Rules', the charity alleges that 'murdering non-Jewish children is allowed' in Jewish scripture before sharing a video which complains about 'highly biased' reporting on the Manchester synagogue attack.

It also states that 'in the 1930s the Rothschild-Rockefeller alliance introduced music frequency science that would alter people's mental state into disruption, disharmony and disunity to brainwash them to be ready to fight in World War II.'

Tracy Worcester was previously married to Henry Somerset, the 12th Duke of Beaufort. They divorced in 2018 after nearly 30 years of marriage

The environmental activist (right) who runs Farms not Factories appeared in Doctor Who in 1985

Farms not Factories has the support of many high profile celebrities. Pictured from left to right at one of its demonstrations: Jerome Flynn, Gizzi Erskine, Leslie Ash, Ciaran McMenamin and Tracy Worcester

Another video it shares alleges 'how during World War One the German and US Central banks were run by two Zionist brothers'.

The newsletter also describes Zionists - those who believe in the existence of a Jewish state - as 'liars, thieves and murderers in their pursuit of world domination'.

It claims Charlie Kirk was 'killed by Zionists' and Jews worldwide are 'using their wealth to buy their power' and conquer the Middle East.

'Also consider that the Zionists along with their US brothers and sisters in the CIA, were behind 9/11 to convince the gullible US public to endorse multiple wars against the so-called axis of evil in the Middle East and Africa,' it adds.

The newsletters, which feature bizarre ramblings of more than tens of thousands of words each, quote from various conspiracy theorists including Holocaust deniers before its founder Tracy Worcester, an environmental activist and former actress, asks for donations to bring an end to 'dangerous' and 'inhumane' farming.

Ms Worcester separated from her husband in 2018 and also previously appeared in 1980s TV series C.A.T.S. Eyes.

The former model put up bail for Wikileaks founder Julian Assange in 2012, canvassed for Jeremy Corbyn at the 2019 election and now supports George Galloways Workers Party of Britain.

Her charity has held demonstrations attended by celebrities including Jerome Flynn and TV chef Gizzi Erskine.

The former Duchess of Beaufort pictured with Princess Eugenie at the Victoria and Albert Museum in 2016

Tracy Ward, known as Tracy Worcester, founded the charity which has posted a string of antisemitic conspiracy theories

The former actress' charity's newsletter also repeats numerous conspiracy theories about vaccines and quotes Holocaust deniers

Mr Flynn, who plays Bronn in Game of Thrones, is described as a 'supporter and spokesman for Farms Not Factories' who has 'been actively promoting our campaign' for years.

Meanwhile, Hugh Grant said he had no knowledge he was listed on the website.

He told the Daily Mail: Many years ago, maybe 15, a friend asked me to say something supportive about her campaign around the cruel factory farming pigs.

I sent her a quote. Since then I have had no knowledge of or contact with this friend, this campaign or its website.

I certainly wouldnt endorse or support the opinions you have listed. Im very surprised to hear about them.

Prominent environmentalist Ben Goldsmith and Lord Zac Goldsmith have also cut ties with the charity after the antisemitic newsletters emerged.

'My brother Zac and I are appalled to discover that we are still publicly associated with Farms not Factories,' Ben told the Jewish News.

'Once upon a time this small charity did brilliant work towards ending the scourge of factory pig farming.

'But its founder has succumbed to myriad dark-web conspiracy theories, and worse besides.'

One newsletter quotes directly from Holocaust denier Ron Unz.

Ms Worcester married Henry Bunter Somerset, the 12th Duke of Beaufort and self-professed Rock God' aristocrat, in 1987 at a ceremony reportedly attended by King Charles and Diana

Ms Worcester (pictured centre) separated from her husband in 2018 and also previously appeared in TV series C.A.T.S. Eyes alongside Leslie Ash (left) and Jill Gascoigne (right)

 Slide me  But a host of celebrities, including Mr Grant, Mr Fry, Lily Allen and Sting, have seen their names removed from the charity's website after the Daily Mail drew attention to its newsletters

The letter, titled 'Home Grown Food Is Bad For The Climate!', Unz's writing which states Jews view non-Jews as 'beasts in the shape of men', 'Jewish lives have infinite value and non-Jewish none at all' and that Jews 'regard Christianity as a total abomination which must be wiped from the face of the earth'.

The newsletters are typically prefaced with the claim 'the purpose of our newsletter is to give you important information that is censored in the mainstream media.'

Its latest, from October 31, shares a video claiming the Ukraine war is 'ethnic cleansing for Israel'.

It claims '1.8million Ukrainian soldiers have been deliberately wiped out in Ukraine to be replaced by [redacted] people to create a 'greater Israel' or 'new Jerusalem.'

It has also shared dangerous conspiracies that claim vaccines are 'scams', alleging Zionists will likely attempt to murder a Dutch politician who raises concerns about the Covid vaccine.

Another newsletter states that Israel, China and Russia are 'altering the weather' and that 'Vietnam didn't have a single case of autism till Bill Gates showed up'.

The charity lists Stephen Fry, Jon Snow and Game of Thrones star Jerome Flynn (pictured) among its 'high profile supporters' on its website

In one newsletter, the charity writes that 'murdering non-Jewish children is allowed in the Talmud'

Another letter claims that the Rothschild-Rockefeller alliance brainwashed people to be ready to fight in World War II

Asked about the conspiracy theories, a spokesperson for the charity told the Daily Mail: 'Farms Not Factories newsletters share and repost material that is already publicly accessible.

'The views expressed in the articles you refer to do not represent those of Farms Not Factories, nor are they endorsed by Farms Not Factories but are selected to promote open discussion on issues often overlooked by mainstream media.

'The comments that precede the articles you refer to are to introduce and paraphrase the article beneath, and do not reflect the views of Farms Not Factories.'

The Daily Mail has contacted celebrities listed as supporters of the charity for comment.
A daughter who claimed her brother had 'poisoned' her mother's mind to cut her out of her 1.1million fortune has lost a court battle after a judge found she didn't show sufficient 'love and respect'.

Dervishe Halil, had moved to London from Cyprus with her husband in 1952. She died in 2021 at the age of 94, leaving behind an estate worth 1.1million.

Before her death, Mrs Halil's daughter Aysel Gencay, 72, became embroiled in a rift with brother Dogan Halil, 74, after she accused him of taking possession of the basement at the family's Islington home for his own benefit.

The argument led her to be removed from their mother Dervishe Halil's million-pound estate when she died.

The mother had initially divided her will between her three children - also including another brother Attila - in October 2013.

But over the course of five years from 2013 to 2018, Mrs Halil changed her will three times, eventually leaving the entirety of her estate to her eldest son Dogan in 2018.

This led Aysel to sue her brother as executor of the estate, claiming her mother either must not have understood she was handing everything to Dogan or that it was the result of 'undue influence' from her oldest son.

But a judge threw out Aysel's claims, ruling that Mrs Halil's last will of 2018 is valid.

Ruling in Dogan's favour, Judge Raeside said: 'I reject the assertion that the deceased had any assistance from Dogan with her will. The evidence makes clear he was simply a dutiful son.'

Aysel Gencay, 72 (pictured) has lost a court battle with her older brother after she claimed he 'poisoned' their mother's mind against her to cut her out of her will

Dogan Halil, 74 (pictured) was left the entirety of his mother's 1.1million fortune after she left her two other children out of it

Aysel had accused him of 'slicing off' and taking possession of part of the family property for his own benefit.

During proceedings, the court heard Aysel was 'perplexed' when she received a handwritten letter from her mother in 2015 threatening to cut her out of her will unless she apologised and mended bridges with Dogan and showed her 'love and respect'.

The letter to Aysel and her other brother, Attila, read: 'Your actions have destroyed my life and home, your actions towards your brother Dogan are very bad and shameful - we saw nothing but goodness from Dogan to all of us.'

Three years later in 2018, Dervishe put her warning into effect when she drew up a new will disinheriting Aysel and Attila, also attaching a 'side letter' which declared: 'Aysel and Attila - none of the conditions in the letter I sent three years ago were fulfilled. Unfortunately, nothing has changed.

'You still do not talk to your brother Dogan, and you still do not show me love and respect. You destroyed my home and I deleted you from my will.'

Dervishe's final 2018 will left her entire fortune to Dogan, prompting Aysel to sue him as executor of the estate.

Aysel's lawyers argued that Dervishe either must not have properly understood that she was leaving everything to Dogan in her last will, or that it was the result of 'undue influence' from her oldest son.

Aysel claimed that her older brother 'worked on' their mother so that she 'surrendered her judgment', and pressured her to sign over her fortune, insisting that the two letters spelling out her mother's reasons for disinheriting her were actually inspired by Dogan.

Pictured: the valuable family home in Islington. Aysel claims her brother Dogan Halil took possession of the basement at the property for his own benefit

Aysel's lawyer, Peter John, argued that the will should be ruled invalid for want of knowledge or approval, by reason of undue influence or fraudulent calumny by Dogan.

Mr John said: 'The deceased had always indicated that she would deal with her estate on the basis of equality - informed by her cultural and religious background and her consistent approach towards her children throughout their lives.

'The deceased's purported last will - the 2018 will - was, therefore, a shock to the claimant as the deceased's only daughter, completely at odds with these statements, and also inconsistent with the relationship which she enjoyed with the deceased throughout her life.'

He argued that Mrs Halil would not have been able to compose the 2015 or 2018 letters 'without significant assistance' and the language used was 'startlingly similar' to that used by Dogan in his correspondences.

Aysel, who lives in Turkey, said she was always close to her mother and claimed that she would never have disinherited her, as this went against all custom and family expectations.

She claimed that she flew to visit her mother from her home in Istanbul multiple times a year during Mrs Halil's final years, telling the judge: 'I remained extremely close to my mother all my life.'

But in his judgment, Judge Mark Raeside KC said Aysel had become 'fixated' with trying to prove her brother was dishonest, when in fact he was a 'dutiful son' who had done his best for his ageing mother.

Aysel also remained convinced that Dogan had 'fiddled' her out of her share of lucrative real estate, accusing him of 'slicing off' the basement of the valuable family property in Packington Street, Islington, for his own benefit.

The judge said: 'Aysel said that the side letters could only have come from Dogan, who was behind their untruthfulness.

'But the side letters are clear in what they say,' he added, rejecting Aysel's 'fraudulent calumny' claim against Dogan.

'Aysel was wrong in her approach. She became fixated on this matter and her conduct was fundamentally wrong.

'There was no dishonesty by Dogan. Dogan wasn't responsible for any suspicion and therefore the case should be dismissed.'

Aysel's unfounded belief that Dogan had sliced her out of her share of the basement property had coloured her judgment over the years, the judge noted, adding that Dogan had no involvement in drafting his mother's will or the letters.

Mrs Halil had attended her solicitor on her own, he said, and her lawyer recorded that she seemed mentally sharp and aware of what she was doing.

When asked to explain her reasons for cutting out her children other than Dogan, Mrs Halil told her solicitor they were 'not visiting her and not showing any interest', said the judge.

Ruling in Dogan's favour, Judge Raeside said: 'I reject the assertion that the deceased had any assistance from Dogan with her will. The evidence makes clear he was simply a dutiful son.

'Both side letters were written in Turkish in the deceased's hand, Dogan did not help her and had nothing whatever to do with them.'

He had only discovered the 2018 side letter accompanying his mother's final will after her death, the court heard.

'I consider the assertion that Dogan was dishonest in his dealings to be misplaced and incorrect,' the judge continued.

'He was not dishonest in any way, he always accounted correctly in respect of any accounts.

'It was most upsetting and surprising that Aysel continued at trial to continue to make these allegations.'

Rejecting claims that Mrs Halil lacked full 'testamentary capacity,' he said that although she had dementia symptoms by 2020 she was of sound mind when she drafted her last will two years earlier.
A pregnant woman who was seen dangling from a window at the Bataclan theatre during the horrifying Paris terror attacks in 2015 has spoken out for the first time in ten years.

Ten years ago, to the day, ISIS fanatics carried out one of the deadliest attacks in France's history, targeting cultural institutions across Paris, killing more than 130 people and injuring more than 400.

Terrorists attacked several busy restaurants, as well as the Stade de France and the Bataclan Theatre, where the Eagles of Death Metal rock band were playing that night.

It was at the theatre in the 11th arrondissement of Paris where Charlotte was filmed clinging to a window ledge for her life.

In footage seen around the world, the then-pregnant woman was heard pleading: 'Help, help, Im pregnant, catch me if I fall.'

Sebastien Besatti, also clinging to the facade of the building from a window ledge, decided to risk his own life to help her, scrambling back inside the Bataclan to haul her indoors.

Charlotte, who has refused to give her last name, told Le Monde that she refused to allow the terror attack to define her life, but said Sebastien was now part of her life: 'The Bataclan is not part of my life, but Sebastien is'.

Sebastien, meanwhile, told the newspaper: 'We're complete opposites, but she's my sister in arms'.

He said that he helped her up as he was 'in a better position than she was'.

The former journalist added: 'I could have held on and stayed hanging outside, but when I heard her, I decided to step in'.

Sebastien Besatti, also clinging to the facade of the building from a window ledge, decided to risk his own life to help her

The then-pregnant woman was heard pleading in a video, which was seen all over the world, capturing the incident: 'Help, help, Im pregnant, catch me if I fall'

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte today attended a ceremony paying tribute to victims of the 2015 terror attacks in Paris

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Charlotte said that when he pulled her up, he sounded startled by her strength: 'It sounds strange, looking back, but he said to me, "Wow, you're strong!"'

Upon rushing back in, she spotted a door that the swung open to find 15 others hiding behind.

In the tiny room of just 10 square metres, they hid for over two hours.

Everyone inside had turned their phones off to prevent the terrorists from being alerted to their presence.

In that silence, they heard the sick attackers laughing as they aimed and shot at people through a nearby window, their victims screaming as a hostage situation that Sebastien ended up becoming part of was unfolding.

Cops who had entered the building heard the ex-reporter speak. He had been made a spokesman by the terrorists and told the police that there were two gunmen wearing explosive vests holding around 20 of them captive.

He shouted from the other side of the door and asked the officers to stop, saying the captives would be killed or beheaded if the police advanced.

'They gave us their sermon, their speech, the why they were there,' Sebastien told RTL radio, describing what the terrorists said.

'They explained to us that the bombs being dropped on Syria were the reason why they were there. They said they were doing to us Westerners what we were doing to them over there.'

The hostages were ordered to keep guard at the windows, telling the police to stay away.

They were also used as 'human shields' and forced to sit by the door, where French cops might have inadvertently shot them.

American rock group Eagles of Death Metal perform on stage on November 13, 2015 at the Bataclan concert hall in Paris, a few moments before four men armed with assault rifles and shouting 'Allahu akbar' ('God is great!') stormed into the venue

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A tense negotiation began between the gunmen and the police, during which officers were passed a mobile number and spoke to the attackers five times in what would prove to be a futile attempt at diplomacy.

In the interview with Le Monde, Sebastien admitted: 'The act of saving her, I did it for myself. I needed it. It reconnected me with my emotions. I began to understand that happiness lies in sharing'.

Charlotte and Sebastien revealed they properly met each other a month after the attack, following her husband's appeal for the identity of the man who had saved his wife.

Sebastien revealed that he didn't immediately recognise Charlotte, but she had recognised him. She told the newspaper that he 'had a huge smile, completely out of step with what had happened'.

As soon as they met, they immediately began catching up with each other: 'I took the opportunity to make her my confidante. She became a close friend'.

Charlotte said she was deeply traumatised by the attack, and took herself to a psychiatric clinic at Sainte-Anne Hospital the day after.

She said she was plagued by nightmares and panic attacks for months after, and that taking the Metro or being in a crowd was next to impossible.

Charlotte also said she refused to appear in court during the trial of the terrorists, only once attending a hearing on the day Sebastien and other victims recounted what happened to them.

The lingering trauma lead her to her making sure to get away with her daughter, born seven months after the attack, her husband and her closest friends every November 13, the anniversary of the attack.

French fire brigade members aid an injured individual near the Bataclan concert hall following fatal shootings in Paris, France, November 13, 2015

People on the streets after one of the deadliest attacks in France's history

A man with blood on his shirt talks on the phone next to the Bataclan Theatre in Paris, France, on the morning of November 14, 2015

The three gunmen who stormed the Bataclan were identified as Foued Mohamed-Aggad, 23, Omar Ismail Mostefai, 29 and Samy Amimour, 28.

All three died during the attack, either by blowing themselves up or gunshots which triggered the blasts. Mostefai, of Algerian origin, was the first to be identified after his severed finger was reportedly found at the site of the Bataclan theatre by French authorities.

Their names appeared in files leaked from the Islamic State militant group, where roughly 22,000 fighters were reportedly identified, with one file for each recruit listing a name, address and other information, according to German media reports.

In 2021, what was then the biggest criminal trial in French history began, to prosecute those guilty of committing the worst terror attack the country has ever seen.

Some 20 men, all suspected Islamic State terrorists, were accused of killing 130 people and injuring hundreds in a special court built to host the ten-month trial.

Five judges heard testimony from over 2,000 witnesses and analysed more than a million pages of evidence.

Fourteen were tried in person and another six in-absentia, presumed either dead or missing whilst fighting for ISIS in Syria.

France's President Emmanuel Macron (centre), his wife Brigitte (left) and Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo arrive to pay tribute to victims at the intersection of of Bichat and Alibert streets near 'Le Petit Cambodge' and 'Le Carillon' in Paris today

Former French President Francois Hollande and former Prime Minister Manuel Valls were also at a ceremony today to mark the 10-year anniversary of the atrocity

People pay their respects to victims in front of the Bataclan concert hall as Paris is marking the 10th anniversary of terrorist attacks that killed 132 people and injured hundreds on Thursday, November 13, 2025, in Paris

Salah Abdeslam, the only surviving attacker from the group, was sentenced to a rare full-life sentence.

The court found that his explosives vest malfunctioned, dismissing his argument that he abandoned the vest because he decided not to follow through with his part of the attack after a change of heart.

Of the defendants besides Abdeslam, 18 were given various terrorism-related convictions, and one was convicted on a lesser fraud charge. Others were given life sentences, while some walked free after being sentenced to time served.
Ed Miliband today dismissed US complaints over being snubbed for a new nuclear power development in North Wales.

The Net Zero Secretary said he made 'no apologies' for choosing a UK firm to build the country's first small reactor on the site instead.

US ambassador Warren Stephens has attacked the 'extremely disappointing' decision over the plot in Anglesey.

It dashed the hopes of energy giant Westinghouse, who wanted to set up at least two large reactors on the Wylfa site.

Touring broadcast studios this morning, Mr Miliband said he was acting in the 'national interest'.

Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband said he made 'no apologies' for choosing a UK firm to build the country's first small reactor on the site instead

The win for Rolls-Royce dashed the hopes of US energy giant Westinghouse, who wanted to set up at least two large reactors on the Wylfa site (file picture)

He told Times Radio: 'It's true he doesn't think it's so great.

'The reason he doesn't think it's so great is because he wanted a US company to be at this site.

'Because he thinks it's the prime site  I totally understand that, it's completely legitimate for him to be making the case for a US company.

'We chose a British company, Rolls-Royce for this site, and I make no apologies for that.

'Our job is to stand up for the national interest.

'There's lots of things we're co-operating with our US colleagues on.'

He said the other site that had been considered, Oldbury in Gloucestershire, could 'accommodate various other US companies that are really interested in building new nuclear in this country'.

It is the latest clash between Donald Trump's administration and Labour over the UK's energy policy, after the US President urged Sir Keir to ditch 'windmills' and instead 'drill, baby, drill' in the North Sea.

In a rare public rebuke, Mr Stephens said: 'We are extremely disappointed... not least because there are cheaper, faster and already approved options to provide clean, safe energy at this same location.

'As I have repeatedly said, we want the UK to be the strongest possible ally to the United States, and high energy costs are an impediment to that.'

The government insists the project, to be built by Great British Energy-Nuclear and backed by 2.5billion from the state, will cut bills and create jobs.

Ministers have also announced the publicly owned nuclear body will look for sites for another large-scale power plant, similar to those being built at Hinkley Point in Somerset and Sizewell in Suffolk.

It will report back by autumn 2026, and has been asked by Mr Miliband to consider sites across the UK, including in Scotland.

US ambassador Warren Stephens has attacked the 'extremely disappointing' decision over the plot in Anglesey

It comes after the UK and US agreed a nuclear partnership in September, potentially worth around 76billion.

Small modular reactors (SMR) are mini nuclear power stations which are smaller and designed to be installed on site as prefabricated modules, with hopes the technology will be quicker to build than more traditional plants such as Hinkley Point C.

The Net Zero Department said the announcement would support up to 3,000 jobs in the local economy at the height of construction.

And it would allow Wylfa, where previous attempts to bring back nuclear power to the site of a former reactor had failed, to become a 'beacon' of a nuclear golden age, the department said.

The UK's first small modular nuclear reactors are expected to generate enough electricity to power three million homes.

Keir Starmer said: 'Britain was once a world leader in nuclear power, but years of neglect and inertia has meant places like Anglesey have been let down and left behind.

'Today, that changes. We're using all the tools in our armoury  cutting red tape, changing planning laws and backing growth  to deliver the country's first SMR in North Wales.

'This Government isn't just reversing decline, it's delivering thousands of future-proofed jobs, driving billions in investment, and providing cheaper energy bills in the long term.'
An intoxicated British Ryanair passenger had to be wrestled by police after refusing to sit down for landing - forcing the pilot to circle the airport.

The chaos unfolded on a flight from Krakow to Bristol on November 11, 2025.

Footage filmed by fellow passenger Kacper Bujak shows the man swearing, arguing with cabin crew and fighting security staff as they tried to restrain him.

At one point, he even turns to Bujak and sticks his middle finger up at him.

The row escalates as the man grows increasingly irate, branding the officers 'scumbags' and 'bang out of order' as they cuff him.

Bujak said the same man had caused havoc on a previous flight the Sunday before, drinking heavily, swearing and behaving inappropriately towards a young woman seated nearby.

He also disrupted border control upon arrival in Krakow.

On the return journey, the man initially appeared calmer, even greeting Bujak saying, 'Do you remember me?' But after drinking on board, his behaviour quickly spiralled.

An intoxicated British Ryanair passenger had to be wrestled by police after refusing to sit down for landing - forcing the pilot to circle the airport

Footage filmed by fellow passenger Kacper Bujak shows the man swearing, arguing with cabin crew and fighting security staff as they tried to restrain him

At one point, the man even turns to Bujak and sticks his middle finger up at him. The row escalates as the man grows increasingly irate, branding the officers 'scumbags' and 'bang out of order' as they cuff him

Passengers pleaded with him to quieten down because children were on the flight, sparking further arguments.

Near landing, he refused repeated orders to sit, forcing the pilot to abandon the approach.

'The man was loud most of the time,' Bujak said. 'As soon as he had a drink, he started his mischief and acting up.'

The video ends as passengers disembark, but Bujak said police spent more than an hour removing the man, delaying the aircraft's next scheduled departure back to Krakow.

A Ryanair spokesperson said: 'Crew on this flight from Krakow to Bristol (11 Nov) called ahead for police assistance after an individual passenger became disruptive.

'Police met the aircraft upon arrival at Bristol and removed this disruptive passenger.

'Ryanair has a strict zero tolerance policy towards passenger misconduct and will continue to take decisive action to combat unruly passenger behaviour, ensuring that all passengers and crew travel in a respectful and stress-free environment, without unnecessary disruption.'

It comes after a flight to Ibiza was diverted last year when a drunk Brit reportedly downed vodka, hit the crew and spat at other passengers.

The plane from Manchester landed in Toulouse where the man and his wife were dragged off.

The couple were sat about 10 rows apart and the man spent the first hour of the flight 'swigging duty free vodka', according to a witness.

Passengers pleaded with him to quieten down because children were on the flight, sparking further arguments

Near landing, the man refused repeated orders to sit, forcing the pilot to abandon the approach

A passenger said the man began arguing with a male cabin crew member and punched him in the face.

He then started 'kicking off' and the passenger described the drunk man as 'out of control'.

Attendants reportedly warned him the plane would be diverted if he didn't calm down, and he replied 'I don't give a f***'.

The drunk Brit assaulted another passenger and spat at a woman as he was restrained in the disturbing incident which lasted around 40 minutes.

But after he left the plane, his partner started harassing another passenger, hitting and shouting at him.

Police physically restrained the woman, who was barefoot, before removing her too.

The Ryanair flight spent just over an hour and a half on the tarmac before resuming the journey to Ibiza.
A council leader has spoken of his immense concern over Government plans to turn an Army training camp into migrant accommodation.

The Daily Mail revealed at the weekend that proposals have been put forward to send small boat migrants to six military bases around the country as ministers come under growing pressure to close asylum hotels.

Now, the leader of Breckland Council in south Norfolk has voiced opposition to the use of two sites in the area which have been earmarked as migrant camps under the new scheme.

Councillor Sam Chapman-Allen said: I would be immensely concerned if the MoD felt that training estate could be released to house asylum seekers.

I think it's a poor policy decision that the government are moving away from hotels into using MoD (Ministry of Defence) sites.

I think they have got to deal with some of the wider challenges around how they deal with processing those wishing to come into the country.

The most important thing for us as a local authority is that they engage with us and we have had no formal contact from the Home Office or the MoD in relation to those two sites.

The Home Office has so far made no contact with the council about proposed use of the sites, added Mr Chapman-Allen, the councils Conservative leader.

Leader of Breckland Council in south Norfolk, Sam Chapman-Allen, said he would be 'immensely concerned' if plans go ahead to convert two military bases in the area into migrant accommodation camps

The authority would look closely at whether housing migrants on the bases was right and appropriate, if plans are eventually put forward, he told the Eastern Daily Press.

It comes after other local authorities tried  and failed  to stop migrant accommodation centres being established in their areas.

Another, Epping Forest District Council in Essex, this week failed in its bid to get the controversial Bell Hotel shut down on planning permission grounds.

Anti-migrant protesters in Epping during the summer. The government is facing growing pressure to close the asylum hotels

Its legal challenges came in the wake of sexual assaults committed by Ethiopian migrant Hadush Kebatu, which prompted a series of protests in the area.

Under the new proposals a list of potential new sites from Surrey to Cumbria  all of which could be brought into use within weeks - has been compiled by the Ministry of Defence.

The plan would see migrants accommodated on Army training camps where facilities have recently been upgraded but which are not currently being used by the military.

The bases include the two sites in Norfolk, West Tofts and Wretham; Knook Camp in Wiltshire; Brunswick Camp in Surrey; Warcop in Cumbria; and Castlemartin in Pembrokeshire.

Crowborough Training Camp in East Sussex which will house migrants. Residents in Crowborough have complained they were given no prior notice of the announcement and that many of their questions have gone unanswered

The camps would each be able to take several hundred migrants and house them in a secure, fenced location.

However, migrants are not detained at Home Office sites and are free to leave at any time.

An existing accommodation centre, Wethersfield in Essex, offers migrants a shuttle bus service to three nearby towns that runs seven days a week, 365 days of the year.

It is unclear when the new sites could open.

Last week another council said it was considering legal options to stop the Home Office using a previously-announced site.

Migrants crossing from northern France by dinghy last month

Wealden District Council deputy leader Rachel Millward said the authority had sought legal advice after it was announced 600 people were set to be placed at a training camp near Crowborough, East Sussex.

It is considering launching a judicial review.

Migrant accommodation on ex-military bases is now cheaper than migrant hotels, it emerged last month, vindicating the Tory governments decision to set them up.

The cost of running existing large-scale centres  Wethersfield and Napier Barracks in Kent  has fallen below the bill of 145 per person per night faced by the taxpayer for hotels.

Napier Barracks now costs 108.58 per person per night, while Wethersfield costs 132, new data from the Home Office showed.

According to latest figures the Home Office is supporting 103,000 migrants at the taxpayers expense including just over 32,000 in hotels.

A damning report by MPs last month found the Home Office had squandered billions of pounds on asylum hotels.

It blasted the departments incompetence over its handling of a failed, chaotic and expensive system, adding that private accommodation providers had been allowed to make excessive profits from the Channel crisis.

Labour has pledged to shut down all asylum hotels by the end of this parliament, in 2029.

A Home Office spokesman said: The government is furious about the number of illegal migrants in this country and in hotels.

That is why we will close every single asylum hotel  saving the taxpayer billions of pounds.

We have already taken action  closing hotels, slashing asylum costs by nearly a billion pounds and exploring the use of military bases and disused properties.
A drugs kingpin who ran his network from Thailand while living the high life has been jailed for 14 years.

Vejay Samuels flew to the other side of the world in a bid to escape police and avoid prison  but was arrested on his birthday after he returned to the UK.

The 30-year-old and his crew flooded the streets of Nottingham with cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin and cannabis over a 15-month period, including several months in 2023 when Samuels remained in charge of the gang while on the run in Thailand.

He spent eight months in the country living a life of luxury with his girlfriend, Hannah Cwynar, with the duo splashing the cash on an array of fancy apartments and expensive activities.

Samuels - pictured in a sailor's hat at the helm of a pleasure craft and in water beside an elephant while on the run 6,000 miles away - was able to gain access to the gang's ill-gotten gains while remaining undetected.

A judge was told the funds were sent on to him via the bank accounts of hairdresser Cwynar, 33, and his ex-partner, Charlotte Franklyn.

They were given suspended sentences at Nottingham Crown Court, two of a dozen people rounded up by Nottinghamshire Police over their roles in the enterprise.

Using two dedicated drugs phone lines, the court heard the group peddled Class A and Class B drugs they'd sourced from Yorkshire across Nottingham between August 2022 and November 2023.

Samuels pictured while living the high life 6,000 miles away in Thailand

Samuels spent eight months in the country living a life of luxury with his girlfriend, Hannah Cwynar (pictured) in Thailand, staying in high-end apartments

Vejay Samuels remained in control of his network for eight months while living on the other side of the world in Thailand

Nottinghamshire Police said its first success in the investigation into the network came when officers police pulled over a car containing Jake Worrall and Gary Castledine in April 2023.

The duo were arrested when large quantities of crack cocaine were discovered on board, while the fingerprints of Lyndon Wilson were found on the drugs when they were forensically tested.

Wilson had access to bulk quantities of Class A and Class B drugs, some of which was found by police inside his Top Valley, Nottingham, home when they executed a warrant in September 2023.

Another key player to be identified was Andrew Mitchell, whose job was to regularly travel to Huddersfield and Bradford to collect bulk quantities of drugs and bring them back to Nottingham for the group to sell.

He controlled street dealer Sophie Goodwin, who made at least two sorties to Huddersfield to collect drugs to be sold on.

When police examined her phone records they discovered her to be a prolific cocaine dealer, sending advertisement messages almost weekly between December 2022 and her arrest in October 2023.

A court heard fingerprints belonging to Mitchell, Wilson and Samuels were all found on items seized during the raid at Wilson's home in September 2023  evidence that would contribute to each later admitting their roles within the conspiracy.

Police had by that stage already got their hands on the two drugs phone lines used by the group to sell their product, after seizing it from crew member Joseph Gavin while executing a warrant at his home in Bulwell, Nottingham.

Nottinghamshire Police said cash was sent to Samuels via the bank accounts of girlfriend Cwynar (pictured) and his ex-lover Charlotte Franklyn

Samuels, pictured on a tourist trip up close with an elephant, was jailed for 14 years at Nottingham Crown Court

Faced with the mounting evidence and the strength of the case against them, Samuels and eight of his associates all pleaded guilty to the charges of conspiracy to supply Class A and Class B drugs.

Cwynar admitted to money laundering on behalf of Samuels.

Damien Bohan and Franklyn, 30, were the only two of the 12 defendants to dispute their roles, with Bohan denying the drugs conspiracy charges and Franklyn denying the money laundering charge.

Following a trial, which concluded on June 17, a jury found Bohan and Franklyn guilty of their respective offences.

Eleven of the defendants returned to Nottingham Crown Court for sentencing this week  and received a combined 84 years in prison.

Samuels, of Top Valley, Nottingham, was sentenced to 14 years, while Mitchell, 54, also of Top Valley, received an 11-year term.

Gavin, 30, Radford, Nottingham, was sentenced to 10 years in prison while Worrall, 30, of Bestwood, Nottingham, was jailed for 12 years,

Dale Mitchell, 31, of Nottingham, received a five year prison sentence and Goodwin, 41, of Bestwood, was sentenced to seven years behind bars.

Sophie Goodwin was a prolific cocaine dealer and made at least two trips to Huddersfield to collect drugs to sell on

The gang members flooded Nottingham with cocaine, heroin, cannabis and crack cocaine

Castledine, 59, of West Bridgford, Nottingham, was jailed for eight years.

Francesca Calamiello, 45, and Bohan, 44, both from Top Valley, received nine year and eight year prison terms respectively.

Cwynar, of Derby, was sentenced to 15 months in prison suspended for two years. She will also have to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.

Franklyn, of Bestwood, was sentenced to 15 months in prison suspended for two years. She will also have to complete 80 hours of unpaid work

Wilson, 38, of Top Valley, will remain in custody until his own separate sentencing hearing at the same court in January.

Detective Constable Emma Grimley, of Nottinghamshire Police's Serious Organised Crime Unit, said: 'This was an organised group that conspired together to distribute large amounts of controlled drugs across the Nottingham area for a lengthy period of time.

'While this was going on, those at the top of the group  namely ringleader Vejay Samuels  lived a life of luxury, using the proceeds raised by their drug dealing.

'Thankfully, and after a lengthy police investigation, those responsible for flooding the streets of Nottingham with Class A and Class B drugs have now been brought to justice.'

Detective Constable Steve Fenyn, of Nottinghamshire Police's Serious Organised Crime Unit, added: 'This investigation was somewhat challenging because shortly after it began, Vejay Samuels fled the country.

'We had to gather the evidence to prove that he was running his drug dealing enterprise in the UK from Thailand, which we ultimately achieved by dismantling his organisation below him.

'I'm very pleased with today's outcome at court. Taking Vejay Samuels off the streets makes Nottingham a safer place for all.'
A suspected 'fake' admiral has ignited fury among veterans after being accused of posing as a military serviceman with a chest full of suspicious medals at a Remembrance Sunday event.

Jonathan Carley, 64, laid a wreath at the ceremony in Llandudno, North Wales, and then saluted as he wore dozens of medals on his chest.

The suspected imposter then marched off to take his place next to VIPs including the mayor, during the event honouring Britain's fallen heroes.

He was dressed in a Rear Admiral's uniform with 12 medals pinned to his jacket.

They included the prestigious Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and the Queen's Volunteer Reserves Medal, which is only given to military reservists.

But the two medals together led online sleuths to question his legitimacy - because no single serviceperson is believed to have been bestowed with both.

The Walter Mitty Hunters Club, a group dedicated to unearthing cases of 'stolen valour', say records indicate no one has earned both awards.

And when Carley was asked by the parade marshal who he was, he claimed to be representing the Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd.

But both the Lord Lieutenant and the council claim they do not know who the man is, with the local authority stating he was not on their guest list.

Now the Daily Mail can reveal he has donned the same fake admiral costume in two other Remembrance Sunday services in Caernarfon - once in 2018 and again in 2019.

Photographs also show him posing next to officials at the war memorial ceremony at least twice before.

Meanwhile, his neighbours in the famed seaside castle town of Harlech say he has been bragging about his made-up military service for years.

Carley is said to have bluffed his way into laying a wreath alongside senior army officer at the even in Llandudno, north Wales. His row of medals, which appeared to include both the Distinguished Service Order and the Queen's Volunteer Reserves Medal on the left-hand side, raised suspicions

Pictured left to right: A Distinguished Service Order Medal and The Queen's Volunteer Reserves Medal

One told the Daily Mail: Its shocking that he's tried to be pass himself off as an admiral.

It's outrageous. He told a few neighbours that he was in the military but its all obviously a pack of lies.

When asked about the imposter claims, Mr Carley refused to come to the door, while two workmen mended his roof.

Mr Carley is only mentioned once in the London Gazette, the official record for military listing.

However, he is listed as a 2nd Lieutenant on probation with the combined cadet force Cheltenham College, where he was a history teacher.

He has also previously said he studied at Christ Church, Oxford, as well as a business degree at Harvard.

In a newspaper article he said he had been a boat captain at Oxford and had rowed at the top US university.

'As a schoolmaster, he coached at Eton and Cheltenham before moving to Shiplake,' the article read.

Carley was a history and politics teacher at Cheltenham college in 1988 before moving on to 17,500-a-term Shiplake four years later, The Sun reported.

A source told the Daily Mail: 'It's caused a huge row, it's so obvious he is fake. QVRM has never been awarded to an Admiral and there are no Admirals in the Reserve.'

Some described him as 'the highest ranking Walt,' while another dubbed the unexpected guest 'a belter'.

There are only 19 Rear Admirals currently listed as serving in the Royal Navy.

Lord Lieutenant Harry Fethersonhaugh has since told The Sun that he had never seen the man 'before in [his] life'.

Meanwhile, a navy source told the publication they were '99.9 per cent certain' the man in question was a fake.

Pictured: Jonathan Carley (centre) at a Remembrance Sunday service in 2018

Jonathan Carley at another war memorial service wearing a rear admiral outfit in 2019

Jonathan Carley pictured in Lladudno this year where he saluted the war memorial

A Llandudno council spokesman said: 'The Town Council was not aware of, or notified of, the gentlemans attendance in advance. He appeared on the day.

'He was approached by the Parade Marshall and identified himself as a Rear Admiral and that he was representing the Lord Lieutenants Office.

'The Council would like to add that it would not wish this to overshadow what was an excellent parade and remembrance service, and that with the exception of the identity of the gentleman he laid his wreath respectfully before leaving.

'The Council understands that military organisations are looking into this, and we are awaiting any response.'

A Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd spokesman said: 'The Lord Lieutenant had no knowledge of asking anyone to go to the event on his behalf.

'The council sent over a photograph of the man but nobody here recognised him. The matter is under investigation at the moment.'

A Royal Navy spokesman said: 'Impersonating a Naval officer is insulting to anyone connected to the service and could be considered a criminal offence.

'Nothing should detract from the poignancy of Remembrance Sunday which can be a sombre time for members of the Royal Navy family and an opportunity for people in communities across the United Kingdom to pay their respects to people who have served or are serving their country.'
Storm Claudia will batter Britain with up to six inches of rain in just 12 hours over the coming days amid fears of flooding and 70mph wind gusts.

The Met Office has issued two 'danger to life' amber rain warnings for parts of central England and South Wales tomorrow, both running from 12pm to midnight.

A wider and longer yellow rain warning was also imposed for most of southern England and the Midlands, active from 6am tomorrow until 6am on Saturday.

Two yellow wind warnings will also cover parts of North West England and North West Wales, both operating tomorrow from 12pm until midnight.

The storm - named in Spain, where it is currently affecting western Iberia and the Canary Islands - will bring prolonged heavy rain and strong easterly winds to the UK.

South Wales is set to see the most rain, with 50mm to 75mm (3in) expected widely in the amber warning area - and 100mm (4in) to 150mm (6in) on some higher ground.

The area of central England under the amber warning is expected to have 40mm (1.6in) to 60mm (2.4in) of rain. Some parts of the East Midlands, western England and higher ground in Wales within this same area could see around 80mm (3.1in).

Forecasters said any travel disruption could be exacerbated by strong easterly winds, with gusts of 50 to 60mph expected during the afternoon and evening.

The Met Office has issued yellow and amber warnings for England and Wales tomorrow

Forecasters said that Storm Claudia will affect the UK on Friday with heavy rain and strong gusty winds

A bridge over flooded fields at Axminster in Devon yesterday after the River Axe burst its banks

Storm Claudia, named by Spain's weather service, will affect the UK with heavy rain tomorrow

Up to 70mph is also possible over some exposed hilltop and coastal spots, while thunderstorms are expected later tomorrow afternoon and evening.

The amber warning for central England states 'fast flowing or deep floodwater is likely, causing danger to life', while 'homes and businesses are likely to be flooded, causing damage to some buildings'.

It also warns of 'spray and flooding leading to difficult driving conditions and some road closures' and a 'good chance some communities will be cut off by flooded roads'.

Furthermore, the warning states 'delays and some cancellations to train and bus services are likely' with 'power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses possible'.

The amber warning for Wales is similar, but additionally says: 'Loss of power and other essential services, such as gas, water or mobile phone services, is possible.'

The Environment Agency has warned local flooding is possible from rivers and surface water.

Some 20 flood warnings and 35 flood alerts have been issued across England.

Natural Resources Wales has issued eight flood alerts, while the Scottish Environment Protection Agency activated two flood warnings and seven flood alerts.

Met Office chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said: 'Storm Claudia will bring very heavy rainfall to a large swathe of central and southern England and Wales on Friday into Saturday.

'This rain will become slow-moving, and some areas could see up to a month's worth of rain in 24 hours.

The Met Office said Storm Claudia is currently affecting western Iberia and the Canary Islands

Cumulative rainfall totals from today until Saturday could reach over 100mm (4in) in places

'Much of this will fall on saturated ground, increasing the chances of flooding and contributing to the amber warnings we have issued.'

Forecasters added that Claudia will not directly cross the UK, in contrast to many named storms  although it will be responsible for the heavy rain from tomorrow.

The system is expected to largely maintain its position to the west of Britain, although the associated fronts will weaken through Saturday.

By the weekend, the North of the UK will be firmly under a colder air mass with overnight frosts, and it will be drier and brighter despite further showers.

In the South, the weekend will begin largely cloudy and wet, and still mild in the far south. The rain will gradually ease and eventually clear to the south, with the drier and colder conditions further north affecting all parts by the start of next week.

The AA urged motorists to take extra care when the warnings are in force - with Shaun Jones, its roadside patrolman of the year, saying: 'Safety comes first.

'Reduce your speed, keep your distance, and avoid flooded roads completely. Conditions may change quickly, so stay updated and make sure you're prepared before you travel.

Large waves strike Carcavelos Beach in Portugal as Storm Claudia hits western Iberia today

'Flood water can appear quickly, and even shallow water can be dangerous  never try to drive through it. Stay tuned to local traffic updates and adjust your speed to suit the conditions. If your car starts to aquaplane, ease off the accelerator gently to regain control.'

Into next week, temperatures will be noticeably lower across the UK, but especially in the North and East.

RAC breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: 'We urge drivers to take the amber weather warnings associated with Storm Claudia extremely seriously, as they indicate roads are likely to become flooded and therefore represent a risk to life.

'Drivers may wish to consider delaying their journeys until the worst of the impacts are over, especially in areas that are hardest hit this weekend.'

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents urged the public to take extra precautions ahead of Storm Claudia.

Steve Cole, the charity's policy director, said: 'Storm Claudia isn't just a risk outdoors; homes may be vulnerable too.

'Secure garden furniture, bins, and anything that could blow away or cause damage. Indoors, make sure windows and doors are firmly shut and keep an emergency kit ready.

'On the roads, your regular journey may be difficult. Rain doubles stopping distances and aquaplaning can happen in seconds. Slow down, keep your distance, and never attempt to drive through floodwater. These simple steps can help protect your home, your journey and keep communities safe.'

Britain is also preparing to face its first widespread snowfall since last winter as temperatures take a dramatic plunge from this weekend.

Snow has already begun falling in parts of Scotland today, where people were photographed walking during flurries on Cairngorm Mountain in the Highlands.

By the middle of next week conditions could also be cold enough for the whole country to see snowflakes at times, according to ITV forecaster Laura Tobin.

Ms Tobin told Good Morning Britain today: 'It's so mild. Are we really going to get snow next week? And the answer is: yes, we are. It's exciting, isnt it! We're going to say goodbye to the mild and hello to some sunshine as well.'

She said cold air would start to push down through Scotland and northern England from the weekend, adding that charts from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMRF) confirmed snow was looking likely from Saturday.

There could intially be snow showers on Scottish hills, before more significant snowfall on Sunday in the Highlands and parts of northern England and Wales. Snow could again be seen in northern Scotland on Monday, before a pause on Tuesday.

But Ms Tobin said that on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 'for everybody next week there is a chance of seeing snowfall - it will be most significant across northern areas, but there's a chance of all of us seeing snow as we head into next week'.
A prolific serial rapist who may have had more than 90 victims is to continue to be kept in prison after already serving 30 years - because hes still a risk to women.

Kevin Lakeman was jailed in April 1995 for a series of horror attacks spanning 12 years on female strangers in Sunderland.

The assaults were always carried out at knifepoint and whilst he was high on drink and drugs.

He was initially charged with 30 serious sex offences but 90 women in total have since made allegations against him.

Now, the Parole Board have blocked his release, saying there is a serious possibility that other allegations against him are true.

Mr Lakemans case was referred to the board earlier this year to determine whether it was safe to release him on licence.

If not, they were asked to agree whether he could be moved to an open prison for further rehabilitation.

But they have now decided neither option is safe, saying there is a serious and critical unexplored area of risk which needed to be explored in the confines of a closed prison.

Serial rapist Kevin Lakeman pictured in handcuffs surrounded by prison officers at the time he was jailed in 1995

They also decided to hold the hearing in private, in part due to the vigilante risk to Lakemans life.

At the hearing on October 29, Lakeman appeared via video link and initially told the board he hoped to walk free.

He then changed his mind, saying hed rather be in an open prison, before a total turnaround where he asked to remain in closed conditions.

The unemployed father-of-five was 33 years old when he received a life sentence on April 7, 1995, for four offences - three of rape and one of attempted rape.

Three of the offences were carried out in 1982 and one in 1994.

He pleaded guilty to one offence of rape and was convicted at trial of the other two.

Eight allegations of rape and four of attempted rape were the subjects of charges which were ordered to be left on file while 14 other charges did not reach court.

Ninety women in total came forward to say he had assaulted them - potentially making him one of Britains worst offenders.

The Parole Board decision summary, released on Wednesday November 12, said: The panel noted that many other allegations of rape and attempted rape were directed by the trial judge to remain on file.

These remain as unproven allegations because there had been insufficient evidence for Mr Lakeman to be charged.

Mr Lakeman has always denied these allegations. Panels of the Parole Board consider allegations about offending in their assessment of risk and are not confined to simply considering convicted offending.

The panel noted similarities to the index offences and it also considered other unproven allegations of sexual offending in this case, which Mr Lakeman had also denied being responsible for.

Again, the panel noted the features of some of those allegations to be similar to the index offences.

Noting those similarities, the panel considered the allegations to be relevant in terms of its assessment of Mr Lakemans case.

It considered that there was a serious possibility that most of the allegations against Mr Lakeman may be true.

The panel therefore factored into its risk assessment the possibility that Mr Lakeman may have committed a series of serious sexual offences during the intervening years between the index offences.

Lakemans 12-year tariff expired in January 2006 and he progressed to an open prison in May 2012 but was returned to closed conditions in July 2014 following concerns about his behaviour.

In November 2014, he was returned to an open prison but was again sent back in May 2015 when he produced a positive drug test result.

He was finally released on licence in January 2019 but was recalled to custody two months later after a polygraph test showed he hadnt stuck to the terms of his licence.

In April last year, the Parole Board refused his release but recommended to the Secretary of State that he should be moved to an open prison, which was not accepted.

The burly rapist, of Sunderland, was aged 33 when he was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court.

His victims crammed the public gallery, with many crying or cheering when his sentence was passed.

He was found guilty at Leeds Crown Court the month before of two rapes and one attempted rape in the space of 24 hours on New Year's Day, 1982, in the Downhill area of Sunderland.

He had already admitted one charge of raping an 18-year-old girl in a city centre car park at Sunderland in the early hours of New Year's Day 1994.

Lakeman carried out a series of horror attacks spanning 12 years on female strangers in Sunderland

During Lakeman's trial at Leeds, the court was told that he was trapped by a new technique to test DNA which had only recently become available - scientists grew Lakemans blood to obtain a DNA sample which was then compared to semen from a 16-year-old he raped on New Year's Day, 1982, in the grounds of Hilton Castle.

When news of his impending release reached one victim in 2018, she said that his attack had killed her life.

She was one of those women where charges were allowed to lie on file.

She says he attacked her as she walked into Sunderland City Centre in 1985.

Dragged into Sunderland Civic Centres Car Park, she was then moved to Mowbray park where her attacker held a knife to her throat and raped her.

She turned to alcohol to cope and said she was heartbroken when she learnt he would be freed.

Now 63, Lakeman has completed an extensive range of accredited programmes to address his sexual offending but a move was still considered too risky.

The panel took oral evidence from Mr Lakemans probation officer based in the community, the official supervising his case in prison, a forensic psychologist employed by the prison service and a forensic psychologist commissioned by Mr Lakemans legal representative.

They were also privy to statements from his victims which clearly conveyed the impact of Mr Lakemans crimes and the consequences of his offending.

The decision summary added: After considering the circumstances of his offending, the progress made while in custody, and on licence, and the evidence presented at the hearing, the panel was not satisfied that release at this point would be safe for the protection of the public.

The panel disagreed with the witness assessments in this case and it considered there to be a serious and critical unexplored area of risk which needed to be explored and understood and, if necessary, for treatment to be considered.

The panel considered that this should take place in a closed prison and it did not recommend to the Secretary of State that Mr Lakeman should be transferred to an open prison.

Mr Lakeman will be eligible for another parole review in due course.
Politicians in the US are set to decide on wether to force Donald Trump's government to release all the files related to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein next week.

Speaker Mike Johnson has confirmed the House of Representatives will vote on whether the Department of Justice should release all the documents.

Democrats in the House have been trying to force a vote to compel publication of the full case files, but Mr Trump has urged Republicans not to fall into a 'trap'.

He said on Truth Social: 'The Democrats are trying to bring up the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax again because they'll do anything at all to deflect on how badly they've done.'

It comes after the President's links to Epstein were brought back into the spotlight last night after Democrats released emails in which Epstein referred to Mr Trump.

The emails also revealed Epstein confirmed the infamous photograph of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor and a teenage Virginia Giuffre is real.

Now, you can vote in the Daily Mail's latest poll  do you think Mr Trump should release all of the infamous 'Epstein files'?

In yesterday's poll, Mail readers were asked: 'Should Starmer fire the political aides behind "Traitors" coup briefing?' Out of more than 5,000 votes, 76 per cent of you said 'yes' and 24 per cent said 'no'.
Two of New York City's most influential restaurateurs say they are halting future expansion plans - warning that Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's progressive agenda has created a climate of fear that is already driving business out of the city.

Mamdani, 34, is set to become New York's youngest mayor in more than a century - and its first Muslim, South Asian, and African-born leader.

He ran on a Democratic socialist platform that included raising the minimum wage to $30 by 2030, sparking backlash from some concerned business owners in the city who fear margins are already too tight.

Stratis Morfogen, the veteran entrepreneur behind the newly revived 24-hour hotspot Diner 24, said he raised millions to open three additional diners in 2025 and 2026. But all expansion plans are now on hold.

'I got one open, and that was two years ago,' Morfogen told Daily Mail. 'I raised all the capital, we're ready to go, but I wanted to wait till the election's over. And now? Diner 24 is doing great, but our margins are 10 percent. There's not room for another hit.'

Morfogen, who brought back New York City's first true 24-hour diner after COVID, said the issue was not the risk of failure but the political math.

'The $12 hamburger becomes $22. That's unfortunate, but obviously we have to pay our bills and stay in business. And then on top of it, you're going to have to get rid of overtime. The numbers aren't there. And the consumer, I don't think, wants a 50 to 100 percent increase in the cost of their meal. I don't think they're going to pick up that bill.'

Restaurateur Stratis Morfogen says hes shelved plans to open three new diners in New York, citing rising costs and political uncertainty under Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani

Pictured: People sitting at tables at Gotham Bar and Grill, New York, USA, America

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani won on a progressive platform that includes raising minimum wage to $30 and eliminating the tip credit

For him, the stakes extended beyond the balance sheets. He said his most lucrative hours are between midnight and 5am, a time of night where police security is highly sought after.

'If he's going to defund the police, and I'm hearing NYPD heroes are retiring in droves, that's scary to me,' he said. 'If that's the case, then I've got to start limiting my hours, because I'm going to protect my staff.'

While rising labor costs dominate headlines, Morfogen said that rises in storefront rent tax in recent years have been particularly damaging to business owners.

'There's nothing left. We won't be able to pay our bills,' he said. 'Tell Mamdani to remove it. If he wants to help small business, that's where you start.'

Despite his frustrations, Morfogen said he would sit down with Mamdani 'in a heartbeat.'

'He's quite impressive. But he's never run a lemonade stand,' Morfogen said. 'I'd love to give him a perspective as a small business owner. We're the ones that create the jobs. Not necessarily the billionaires.'

Richie Romero, a heavyweight of the hospitality industry for 33 years, has operated more than 40 venues and owns 29 restaurants nationwide. He said New York's regulatory maze had become 'impossible' for small businesses.

'There's red tape everywhere,' Romero said. 'A young dreamer spends a year and a half trying to open, burns all their capital, and never gets the place off the ground. Meanwhile, big companies can afford to wait.'

Romero, born and raised in the city, said the vacancy crisis was visible on every block, with 'thirty to forty percent' of storefronts showing 'For Rent' signs.

He blamed rising taxes and remote work for hollowing out the city's business core.

'When Bloomberg was mayor, offices were full, it was business-friendly, and the top fed the bottom,' he said. 'Now, we're living in a remote world and offices are emptying.'

'The business tax already went from 5.6 percent to 7.5 percent in 2021. Now he wants to take it to 11.4 percent. Why do business here?'

Like Morfogen, Romero worried that Mamdani's proposals represented the final straw.

Morfogen says New Yorks rising labor costs and rent taxes have made expansion impossible, despite raising millions to open three new diners.

Morfogen revived New Yorks first true 24-hour diner post-COVID - but says safety concerns and thin margins could force him to cut hours.

He said eliminating the tip credit, which allows restaurants to pay tipped workers a lower base wage, provided their tips bring them up to the full minimum wage, would bring the industry to its knees.

In high-tip environments, workers often earn far more than the minimum.

Romero warned that scrapping the credit would not only raise costs for employers, it could also reduce take-home pay for staff and lead to widespread closures.

'The business would cost $25,000 to $40,000 more per employee annually,' he said. 'If you're a bartender or server used to making $600 to $700 a shift, now you're capped. You'll make $240. Are you going to continue doing that?'

Romero said Mamdani's plan to raise minimum wage to $30 an hour would make New York uniquely hostile to operators.

'You eliminate the tip credit, raise minimum wage, raise business taxes - you're talking 60 percent closures,' he said. 'Why would anyone do business here? The risk versus reward doesn't make sense.'

Romero said he was already diverting future growth to other markets.

'Next year, I have 15 locations opening. Only one is in New York,' he said. 'Secondary markets are stronger because developers, government, and small business actually work together. They want you there.'

He pointed to Nashville, where tipped employees earn $2.30 an hour but make more overall, as an example of the support missing in New York.

'We do higher numbers and make bigger margins in other cities,' he said.

Romero described himself as politically disengaged for decades, but said this year was different.

'I never voted in over 20 years,' he said. 'This was the first New York City mayoral election I ever voted in.'

Romero said he met Mamdani on September 10 along with the rest of the Hospitality Alliance board.

'He didn't know a lot of the basic economics,' Romero said. 'He didn't really understand the Department of Labor, how the tip credit or how minimum wage and labor costs affect why there's so many places that are closed. Now, I'm hoping he puts on the right people that will help him do it.'

Romero said the mayor-elect's lack of experience was a major concern.

'He's gonna be handling $100 billion budget, and he's never did payables in his life. He's never had the staff. We're handing it over to someone that just doesn't have the experience. And that worries me.;

Romero said he congratulated Mamdani publicly, but noted that 75 percent of his transition team came from the De Blasio administration.

'If I saw Bloomberg people, I would have more faith,' he said.

Hospitality veteran Richie Romero, who owns 29 restaurants nationwide, says Mamdanis policies could trigger mass closures across the city

Morfogen echoed that sentiment, saying he saw a city that was pricing out the very people who shape its culture.

'We're being taxed left and right,' he said. 'There's nothing left.'

New Yorker Romero, who once could not imagine leaving his hometown, said even that assumption had begun to crack.

'I made a commitment for the next four years,' he said. 'But I never thought I'd consider leaving. Now? The last couple of years, I've been thinking about it.'

Out of more than 30 business partners across his hospitality ventures, he said only one now lived in New York City.

'No one lives here anymore,' he said. 'That should tell you something.'

Despite their warnings, neither restaurateur wanted Mamdani to fail.

'I hope he works with everyone to make this New York what it used to be, and even better,' Romero said. 'This isn't about my ego. This is about the only place I call home, and all these young dreamers that still want opportunity to be here.'

Morfogen agreed. 'He should hear from small business owners,' he said. 'We're the ones creating jobs. If he wants to protect New York's future, that's who he needs to start with.'

'New York used to be the place where you can expedite your dreams,' Morfogen said. 'It was about opportunity. Now we went from opportunity to survival. The cost of living in 49 other states is a lot cheaper. You could have a better life.'
An irate passenger forced a flight carrying four congressmen to Washington, DC to be grounded as footage showed her declaring: 'We live in a fascist state.'

The incident caused the plane, which had just taken off from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, to make an emergency stop in Kansas City after the unruly woman caused a disturbance.

Arizona Congressman Greg Stanton, a Democrat, said on X that he was flying to DC with three other Arizona lawmakers - Republican Representatives Eli Crane, Andy Biggs and Paul Gosar - at the time.

Stanton said he was heading to DC to vote no on ending the government shutdown because the deal 'fails to lower health care costs', while his three GOP colleagues went on to vote for it.

'We're making [an] emergency stop in Kansas City to remove [a] disruptive passenger. None of my colleagues is the disruptor,' he wrote.

Stanton signed off his post by saying that the Freedom Caucus - a conservative faction of the House that Crane, Biggs and Gosar are part of - was 'losing its mojo.'

A video posted by another passenger on board the American Airlines flight showed the unidentified woman being escorted off the plane, at which point she apologized to her fellow fliers and said they lived in a 'fascist state.'

The company said its plane was diverted due to a 'disruptive customer.'

An irate passenger forced a flight carrying four congressmen to Washington DC to be grounded as footage showed her declaring: 'We live in a fascist state'

The incident caused the flight from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to make an emergency stop in Kansas City after the unruly flier caused a disturbance after takeoff on Wednesday

Democrat Arizona Congressman Greg Stanton (pictured) said on X that he was flying to DC with three other Arizona lawmakers - Republican Reps. Eli Crane, Andy Biggs and Paul Gosar - at the time

Flight data showed the incident caused a delay of around an hour before the aircraft touched down in DC at around 9pm Wednesday.

Stanton and his GOP opponents in Arizona were able to get to DC in time for the vote on ending the government shutdown, which the Democrats voted against.

The House voted 222-209 to pass the Senate's funding bill, which will restart food assistance programs for over 40 million Americans, and re-open paychecks for federal employees, including air traffic controllers.

Additional provisions include increased security funding for officials and members of Congress, and reinstating workers laid off during the shutdown.

The funding bill has been criticized by Democrats for failing to prevent healthcare costs from soaring.

After the funding bill was passed on Wednesday night, President Trump signed it into law, marking the end of the longest federal government shutdown in US history.

Trump was surrounded by top Republicans and national business leaders as he railed against Democrats, blaming them for the record-breaking closure once more, despite polling showing that many voters think Republicans bear the blame for the shutdown.

'I just want to tell the American people, you should not forget this,' Trump said, imploring voters to remember the shutdown when they go to vote in the midterms next year.

Trump also called again for ending the filibuster, a proposal that has been unpopular with members of both parties.

The president thanked the Democrats who sided with Republicans to end the shutdown, and also praised the broad coalition from across the political spectrum, including the AFGE, Farm Bureau, and Fraternal Order of Police, who pressured the Democrats to switch their votes.

Donald Trump speaks while signing the bill package to open the federal government in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on November 12, 2025

Trump was surrounded by top Republicans and national business leaders as he railed against Democrats, blaming them for the record-breaking closure once more

The Senate previously passed its version of the funding legislation with 60 votes in favor and 40 votes against.

Some 60 votes were the minimum number required to pass a budget bill in the upper chamber.

Eight Democrats sided with Republicans in the Senate, as despite holding a majority in both chambers of Congress, Republicans only have 53 seats in the Senate, which was short of the 60 votes needed to pass a funding bill.

Both Senate Republicans and several Democrats were growing uneasy about the shutdown's escalating consequences. They were eager to get the government running again before the situation worsens.

'Today, we're sending a clear message that we will never give in to extortion, because that's what it was, they tried to extort, the Democrats tried to extort our country,' Trump noted shortly before ending the shutdown.

'Yet, the extremists in the other party insisted on creating the longest government shutdown in American history, and they did it purely for political reasons,' Trump added.
Holidaymakers are avoiding parts of Spain because they fear being 'shot with a water pistol' by anti-tourism fanatics, a travel agent boss has warned.

Mark Meader, vice-president of the US ASTA travel association, told representatives at a summit in Jaen, Andalusia, that scenes of activists firing water pistols at tourists had even discouraged some Americans from visiting Barcelona.

Combatting so-called 'tourism phobia' dominated discussions at the conference after Spain's travel industry recorded a sharp slump this year, following a wave of anti-tourism demonstrations that swept across the country during the summer.

The downturn - fuelled by weaker spending from European and US visitors - has partly been blamed on the protests, which industry leaders say have 'scared off' potential travellers.

Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Barcelona, Mallorca and Tenerife, accusing mass tourism of driving up rents, pricing residents out of their neighbourhoods and overwhelming city centres.

In Barcelona, activists marched through popular tourist zones holding placards and squirting passing sightseers with water pistols in the latest show of anger at overtourism.

Holidaymakers are avoiding parts of Spain because they fear being 'shot with a water pistol' by anti-tourism fanatics, a travel agent boss has warned. Pictured: Protestors in Barcelona squirted water guns at tourists eating in popular spots in the city earlier this year

Thousands of people demonstrate against tourism policies on the island of Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain on April 20, 2024

A woman carries a sign that reads 'neighbours in danger of extinction' through Barcelona

The backlash has grown so significant that the UK-based travel body ABTA has issued guidance for its members on how to reassure worried clients about travelling to Spain.

Susan Deer, ABTA's director of institutional relations, said British agencies were increasingly fielding questions from customers who had seen 'a lot' of anti-tourism coverage in the UK media over the past 18 months.

She stressed, however, that despite the headlines, visitor numbers to Spain have remained largely stable.

'It has not changed travel habits,' she said. 'People have not wanted to stop travelling to Spain, despite the topics in the media. That has to do with destination management and the work of the agencies.'

Meader agreed that negative media coverage was also playing a role in discouraging tourists from visiting Spain.

He said travel agencies have a 'good opportunity' to educate the consumer in a complicated world but admitted the reports had still unsettled some tourists.

'Some Americans have been afraid to go to Barcelona because they thought they were going to be shot with a water pistol,' he added.

Pictured: Protests in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain, in May

Pictured: An aerial view of people gathering in Madrid to protest soaring housing prices

It comes after Industry group Exceltur said in October that growth in Spain's tourism industry has declined, warning the country's contribution to this year's economic growth will be weaker than expected.

Exceltur now expects all tourism-related activity in the world's second most-visited country to grow by 2.8% in 2025, a revision down from 3.3% growth it estimated in July, and down from a 5.5% expansion last year.

The group estimated that the tourism industry will contribute 13.1% to Spain's gross domestic product this year, below its initial estimate of 13.5%.

'Tourism is no longer the main dynamiser of the Spanish economy,' Exceltur Vice President Oscar Perelli told a news conference, adding that the sector will no longer far exceed Spain's expected economic growth of 2.6%.

The number of international tourists may fall short of the 100 million projected by the World Travel and Tourism Council earlier this year.

Last year, Spain registered a record 94 million tourists. By August this year, 66.8 million tourists had arrived, up 3.9% from the same period a year ago.
A row has erupted within Reform UK after a branch chairman shared a Nazi image on social media and likened it to the Labour Government.

Steve Trumm made an 'offensive' post comparing the new digital ID scheme to Nazi Germany.

Mr Trumm, a semi-retired train driver and former soldier, has stood by his post but Reform leader Nigel Farage has condemned it.

The image uploaded by Reform's Basingstoke branch chair shows Nazis depicted in a Dr Who episode titled 'Let's Kill Hitler' with the caption 'papers please'.

The post, shared on Facebook and X, referenced Labour's proposed digital ID scheme, likening it to the atrocities committed by the Nazis during the Second World War.

When a local newspaper contacted Reform leader Nigel Farage over the post, he labelled it as 'very offensive'.

Michael Newman OBE, the chief executive of the Association of Jewish Refugees, also condemned the post, which he said left him 'deeply disturbed'.

Steve Trumm said he thought the post 'had a relevance to the actions of the government'

The post, which has since been taken down, was branded 'very offensive' by Reform leader Nigel Farage

When asked about the post by the Basingstoke Gazette, Mr Trumm, denied that it 'glorifies Nazism', and said he stood by the comment, because 'history forgotten is history repeated.'

He added: 'I thought it had a relevance to the actions of the government.

'Mandatory ID is something that is widely associated with a 'papers please' society, which this country should be fearful of.

'If we have a digital ID, that is, in my view, very nasty.

'That was an image that spoke to me about the horrors and risks of going down a 'papers please' society.

'It's clear what I am getting at, the timing, the image, the content of the image, be very, very wary of those that want you to have a 'paper's please' society.'

Mr Trumm told the Daily Mail this evening that he did not intend to cause any offence.

He added: 'I don't deliberately go out to offend anyone but we have got to be able to talk about these things.

'Digital ID cards scare the living daylights out of me. They are a slippery slope.'

Mr Trumm said the image had been posted as the banner picture on his private Facebook page.

Referencing the recent Manchester Synagogue attack, he added: 'I don't want to add to the discomfort of Jewish people.

'It's not my aim to cause offence so I will be a bit more circumspect in future. But I will keep looking and pointing things out, it's how we learn.'

The proposed digital IDs are due to be introduced by 2029 and will be required by anyone working in the UK as part of efforts to clamp down on illegal employment.

Labour argues the cards will help to curb illegal migration and could help streamline access to services.

But the scheme has attracted strong opposition  with almost three million people signing a petition against the measure - amid fears of mass surveillance and security breaches.

Last month Green MP Sian Berry won cross-party backing after introducing a commons motion calling on the government to scrap its ID cards plan.

She said it would 'usher in a new era of mass surveillance' and 'fundamentally reverse the nature of citizens' relationship with the state' if introduced.

Mr Newman said: 'Using images of Nazis and references to the atrocities of that regime to make a political point is wholly inappropriate and deeply offensive.

'Attempting to use the Holocaust to make a political point trivialises and distorts the memory of those who perished and is offensive to the survivors and refugees we represent.

'The Holocaust was a singular historical atrocity in which six million Jewish men, women and children were murdered because of who they were. To invoke its imagery in contemporary political debates diminishes that horror and disrespects its victims.'

Mr Trumm's post was also criticised by Luke Murphy, MP for Basingstoke and Deane, who called the image 'offensive'. Mr Murphy added: 'Everyone is entitled to their own views and to debate government policies, that's the strength of Britain's democracy, but politicians of all parties have a responsibility to debate respectfully.'

A local Labour source added: 'The mask has slipped, and the local Reform party have shown their true colours. Sharing imagery that appears to liken government policy to the Nazi regime is abhorrent, and it trivialises the pain and suffering of the millions of victims of the Holocaust.

'They should apologise for this offensive post.'

Mr Trumm said that he used the picture as an example of 'totalitarian regimes doing horrendous things', and as a reminder that 'we have to remember history.'

He added that digital ID, with digital currency, has caused the UK to have a 'Chinese-style communist party'.

In 2022 he quit his job in Suffolk to spend months on the front line of Ukraine after Russia invaded.

The former army reservist told a local newspaper at the time that he spent eight months on and off in Ukraine, working on an anti-drone warfare project.

Reform UK has been contacted for comment over Mr Trumm's post.
An iconic mall foreclosed for a fraction of the billion-dollar valuation it once commanded as Covid shutdowns and out-of-control crime left the seven-story behemoth a shell of its former self.

Valued at $1.2 billion nearly a decade ago, the San Francisco Centre Mall, previously known as the Westfield Emporium, was sold at an auction on Wednesday to lender JPMorgan Chase.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the mall served as a shopping hub in San Francisco, with residents and tourists flocking to its vibrant energy and big-name brands.

As consumers turned away from the city's sketchy downtown and toward online shopping, however, the mall's value declined drastically.

An appraisal at the end of 2022 valued the property at only $290 million, a 76 percent drop from its height before the pandemic.

But lenders purchased the property for even less than appraisals, with the final sticker price for the sprawling 1.5 million square-foot mall only $133 million - or just 11 percent of its top valuation.

The banks have reportedly hired real estate brokerage CBRE to find a new buyer for the mall - and their executive VP of CBRE Kyle Kovac told CBS News that the sale signals a new era for the property.

After Westfield and Brookfield walked away in 2023, the mall's flagship stores Bloomingdales and Nordstrom closed (Pictured: Westfield Centre shopping center in 2009)

The San Francisco Centre Mall foreclosed for a fraction of its evaluation nearly a decade ago

The mall's previous owners defaulted on loan payments in 2023, and a court-appointed receiver took control

It's unclear what the next buyer's plans will entail for the mall, but the property has sat mostly empty since its previous owners, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield and Brookfield Properties, defaulted on loan payments in 2023.

Westfield and Brookfield were forced to relinquish ownership of the property, and a court-appointed receiver took control.

At the time, Westfield blamed 'unsafe conditions' and 'lack of enforcement against rampant criminal activity' for the mall's decline.

'Given the challenging operating conditions in downtown San Francisco, which have led to declines in sales, occupancy and foot traffic, we have made the difficult decision to begin the process to transfer management of the shopping center to our lender to allow them to appoint a receiver to operate the property going forward,' the company previously said in a statement.

Since then, the number of retail stores has declined rapidly. The mall's flagship store, Nordstrom, shuttered its doors the same year. Bloomingdale's soon followed suit, and the mall's movie theater later shut down.

The mall currently has only leased 9 percent of its storefronts, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

One visitor from Los Angeles described the mall as 'eerie' during a recent interview with CBS News.

'Coming in, you're expecting so many stores, you know, like a typical mall but it's not that at all,' Romel Pacheco told the publication.

Westfield blamed 'unsafe conditions' for the mall's decline in 2023 (Pictured: Black Friday shoppers in 2011 at the San Francisco mall)

'It's such a beautiful building and it's in a prime location, but it's just really empty. So, it's kind of odd,' Erick Linares added.

One San Francisco native, Paula Reinda, told CBS that every time she steps in the mall, it gets 'emptier and emptier'.

She shared that she managed a store in the mall in the 90s, adding: 'It was bustling. It was so busy you couldn't even walk. So, seeing it like this is just unbelievable.'

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie told the San Francisco Chronicle that the foreclosure 'marks a critical step towards an exciting new chapter for this site and for Market Street'.

A real estate brokerage has been hired to sell the property, marking a new era for the sprawling space

'With safe, clean streets and an activated Market Street, we can re-energize downtown and move our recovery forward,' he added.

San Francisco isn't the only city facing a drastically changing retail climate. According to data compiled by Capital One, an average of 1,170 shopping malls closed every year between 2017 and 2022.

Projections indicate that the trend is expected to continue, with estimates revealing that up to 87 percent of large shopping malls may close over the next decade.

Westfield, an Australian-founded shopping centre company established in 1959 in Sydney, acquired the complex in 2002, before its branding was removed in 2023 when the owners announced they would stop making loan payments and cede the property to their lenders.

The Daily Mail has reached out to JPMorgan Chase, CBRE, and the mayor's office for additional comment.
Has Donald Trumps reputation truly suffered at the hands of the BBC? Will he really sue for $1billion, or are his threats mere political theatre?

Whether or not the presidents case ever reaches court, Panoramas misleading edit of his speech before the Capitol riot in 2021 has led to a genuine crisis at the BBC - and with good reason.

The mistakes made at Panorama - plus the BBCs inordinate delay in dealing with them, and with other serious concerns - have exposed the corporations persistent inability to deal with reasonable criticism, often from the very people who wish it well.

For years, legitimate complaints such as those raised by Michael Prescott - the independent adviser to the BBC Board, whose leaked note helped bring a range of editorial criticisms to light - have been ignored or dismissed outright.

I, too, wish the BBC well. After all, I spent most of my career there - as a reporter, as an editor of the Today programme and, eventually, as head of the World Service. I like to think I know it from the inside.

My former Today Programme colleague Nick Robinson correctly conceded at the weekend that mistakes had been made. But in the same breath, Nick reached for the bad actors argument once again

And thats why I am certain that the corporation must root out its persistent failings - urgently - if it wants to continue receiving its vast, 3.6billion income from the viewing public.

When Jewish licence fee-payers - many of them life-long progressives and instinctive supporters of the BBC - raised concerns about the BBC Arabic services coverage of Gaza after October 7, they were brushed off.

When gender-critical women - who believe in the importance of biological sex - objected to the corporations treatment of trans rights, their complaints were met with the same indifference. They, too, were largely liberal in outlook and supportive of public broadcasting.

Such criticisms came not from fringe headbanger opponents, but from committed supporters of the BBC who merely want it to live up to its own standards.

The corporations botched handling of the scandal, in which its most senior presenter, Huw Edwards, was exposed as a paedophile, its amplification of Hamas propaganda and the misleading editing of President Trumps speech by Panorama all point to a culture that prizes self-protection over self-examination.

In my own long career with BBC News, I doubtless made a few mistakes myself, often seeing genuine challenges to our output as a threat to be resisted.

The issue is not, however, whether the BBC occasionally gets it wrong, but whether it can acknowledge them honestly and learn from them. At the moment, I struggle to believe it can.

Panoramas misleading edit of President Trump's speech before the Capitol riot in 2021 has led to a genuine crisis at the BBC - and with good reason

Senior BBC figures too often dismiss complaints because they are perceived to be coming from hostile bad actors who dont wish the corporation well.

Take my former Today Programme colleague Nick Robinson. He correctly conceded at the weekend that mistakes had been made.

But in the same breath, Nick reached for the bad actors argument once again. In this case, he suggested it was inevitable that people would trust the BBC over Boris Johnson, who has been vocal in his criticism (including in these pages).

If the BBC encourages people to start believing that it is the victim of some giant Right-wing conspiracy to bring it down, theres a risk it would fail to learn the right lessons from this crisis.

Its true, of course, that some of the recent criticism has come from people who dont necessarily wish the corporation well.

However, the BBCs immense privilege of enjoying enforced public funding means it must rise above identifying its critics as the enemy.

The issue is not, however, whether the BBC occasionally gets it wrong, but whether it can acknowledge them honestly and learn from them. At the moment, I struggle to believe it can

The resignations of the latest Director-General, Tim Davie, and the CEO of News, Deborah Turness, are an important moment of accountability. But they cannot be the end of it. Renewal is needed throughout the organisation

Groupthink is another problem. Again, I recognise it from my time in the newsroom.

Take the strange lack of curiosity about why Donald Trump was elected in 2016 and then re-elected in 2024. For the BBC, the rights and wrongs of such a complex character as the 47th president seemed to have been settled beforehand and in line with the prevailing anti-Trump attitudes of many liberal commentators in the UK.

Opposition to Trump seemed to have become normalised in BBC coverage. Yet Trump was re-elected in a landslide by US voters just one year ago.

Spending time in America and talking to people who cast their ballots for him, Ive found a broad coalition of views and interests. It is a nuanced picture far removed from the caricatures presented in some BBC output.

Jamie Angus spent most of his career at the BBC as a reporter, as an editor of the Today programme and, eventually, as head of the World Service

On the night of Trumps first victory in 2016, Aunties coverage took an almost funereal tone as the expected narrative of an easy Hillary Clinton victory collapsed. Never mind that the story was both exciting and important.

The mistake of prejudging the election result was repeated in 2024, when the BBC - along with others, it should be said  claimed over many days that what turned out to be a comprehensive second Trump victory was on a knife-edge.

It is worth remembering that the BBC has significant commercial ambitions in the US, where it wants audiences to pay for news coverage, and hopes to sell new shows and formats.

It must persuade American audiences that it stands outside the partisan world of US politics and engages with all parts of the country, not just the bits it finds sympatico.

Some BBC journalists  notably Justin Webb, presenter of Today and the Radio 4 programme Americast  really do understand this more nuanced picture. Many others do not.

The good news is that, globally, trust and admiration for the BBC and the World Service in particular, remain strong. The BBCs new leaders must ensure the funding and structure of the World Service is protected to counter disinformation from Britains enemies.

The BBC continues to produce extraordinary journalism and broadcasting in numerous different languages and genres.

But that breadth makes accountability even more essential. A publicly funded broadcaster has a duty to be open, transparent and self-critical - especially when its uncomfortable to do so.

Earlier this week, former CEO of News Deborah Turness resigned from the BBC after it was revealed a Panorama documentary misleadingly edited a speech made by President Trump

This is not the first crisis I have seen. I was a young producer at the Today Programme when the Chairman and Director-General both resigned following publication of the Hutton Inquiry in 2004, which criticised the BBCs role in the death of weapons scientist Dr David Kelly.

I remember watching as Greg Dyke stood on a desk in the newsroom to tell the staff he rejected Huttons verdict and that, along with Chairman Gavyn Davies, he was quitting on a point of principle.

They were tough times. But with the renewal of the Royal Charter - which sets out the basis on which the corporation is to be run - looming in just two years time, this new reckoning could not come at a more critical moment.

The resignations of the latest Director-General, Tim Davie, and the CEO of News, Deborah Turness, are an important moment of accountability. But they cannot be the end of it. Renewal is needed throughout the organisation.

The Government must use this opportunity to challenge the BBC - not simply to nod through another cycle of self-regulation.

Ministers and public alike should be asking whether the BBC, in its current form, is truly capable of reforming itself, or whether deeper structural change is needed to ensure that it serves the nation rather than itself.

In particular, we must face the question of how the BBC should pay its way in the face of huge competition from American streamers and the hastening end of old-fashioned linear television viewing.

If now is not a time for radical ideas about how the Corporation is run and who leads it, then that time may never come.

Only by embracing openness and genuine accountability can the BBC begin to rebuild the trust it has lost.
Seattle has elected its first democratic socialist mayor, echoing the recent victory of Zohran Mamdani in New York City's mayoral contest.

Katie Wilson, 43, had a nearly 2,000-vote lead over incumbent Bruce Harrell as of Wednesday, making it impossible for him to close the gap with just over 1,300 remaining votes to be counted.

Like Mamdani, Wilson ran on a campaign characterized by promises to increase affordability in the city. Another core part of her platform is addressing Seattle's homelessness crisis, which is one of the worst in the country.

Critics have called Wilson privileged and out of touch, as she regularly receives checks from her professor parents to pay for childcare.

Those critics also highlight that Wilson dropped out of Oxford University just six weeks shy of graduation, leaving the school without debt thanks to her parents.

Harrell's reelection website featured a quote from Carolyn Riley-Payne, former Seattle King County NAACP President, saying: 'It's hard to trust a candidate running on their challenges with affordability when her familys wealth shields her from actual consequences and financial stress.

'Wilson chose to not graduate from college, and now chooses to rely on parental subsidy to avoid financial hardship.'

Wilson and her husband spend $2,200 per month on daycare for their toddler and another $2,200 to rent their apartment.

Katie Wilson, 43, ran on a campaign characterized by promises to increase affordability in the city. She had admitted to regularly receiving checks from her parents

Another core part of Wilson's platform is addressing Seattle's homelessness crisis, which is one of the worst in the country

She told KUOW that when she moved to Seattle in 2004, she cut herself off from her parents' money and 'worked a bunch of working-class jobs.'

'Psychologically, it really did something to me,' Wilson said.

In 2011, she founded the Transit Riders Union, a nonprofit focused on improving public transportation in Seattle and Kings County. Tax records show she earned close to $73,000 from the nonprofit in 2022 while working 55-hour weeks.

Currently, her husband does not have a paying job. That means the couple's household income is below what would be considered enough money to support themselves and their child in Seattle.

'It just speaks to how expensive and unaffordable it is, right?' she told KUOW.

'If you're lucky enough to have parents who can pitch in a little bit, that's not something to be embarrassed about.'

A spokesperson for Wilson's campaign previously told the Daily Mail: 'Families from all different kinds of economic backgrounds support each other in all different kinds of ways.'

In August, Wilson won the mayoral primary by 9.5 points. Turnout at the primary this year was slightly lower than the last election in 2021, according to Ballotpedia.

Wilson said that when she moved to Seattle, she cut herself off from her parents' money and 'worked a bunch of working-class jobs.' 'Psychologically, it really did something to me,' she explained

In August, Wilson won the mayoral primary by 9.5 points. Turnout at the primary this year was slightly lower than the last election in 2021

Lower voter turnout in Seattle represented a stark difference with New York City's mayoral election, which Zohran Mamdani (pictured) handily won after 2 million votes were cast

Unofficial King's County election results last updated on Friday showed that about 40,000 more registered voters cast their ballots in the general election than in the primary.

That represented about 46 percent of the city's registered voters, which is lower than the 2021 turnout of 54.6 percent in the 2021 general election.

That lower turnout also represents a stark difference with New York City's mayoral election, where 2 million votes were cast - the most by raw number since 1969 and the highest percentage of registered voters to engage in the election since 2001.
A Chinese immigrant who was detained by ICE has been found dead in a Pennsylvania detention facility - and his relatives are demanding answers.

Chaofeng Ge, 32, was discovered hanging from a shower stall at Moshannon Valley Processing Center on August 5, official documents seen by the Daily Mail show.

The 'detainee death report' by ICE states that Ge was found at 5.20am that day. Staff attempted to save his life, but he was pronounced dead 40 minutes later.

According to the government paperwork, Ge was a Chinese citizen illegally living in the US who had been intercepted by ICE agents multiple times, including this year.

Ge's heartbroken relatives have said his death is mysterious. They said he was found hanging from the shower stall with his arms and legs tied up behind his back.

'I don't know how he could have had the opportunity to take his own life, or what drove him to do so,' Ge's brother, Yanfeng Ge, told a press conference.

'But these sorts of things should not have happened to people who are in the government's custody.'

'There is still so much left unknown about the circumstances of his death,' he added.

Chaofeng Ge was discovered hanging from a shower stall at Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Pennsylvania on August 5, official documents seen by the Daily Mail show

'I don't know how he could have had the opportunity to take his own life, or what drove him to do so,' Ge's brother, Yanfeng Ge, told a press conference, as shown above

A Chinese immigrant who was detained by ICE has been found dead in a Pennsylvania detention facility (pictured above) - and his relatives are demanding answers

'I think the government has done a terrible job. I asked them to transfer my brother's body from prison. They couldn't do it, they just wouldn't do it.

'They could have done it out of humanitarian reasons, but they didn't.'

Yanfeng is suing ICE and Kristi Noem's Department of Homeland Security, saying the agencies illegally ignored his request for records about the death.

The complaint seen by the Daily Mail states that he sent a Freedom of Information request to receive records about his brother's death on September 9, but never received a response, which was legally required by October 14.

'Ge was found in a shower stall at MVPC an ICE detention facility in Pennsylvania, hanging by his neck, with his hands and legs tied behind his back,' the complaint alleges.

'No one from the GEO Group, which runs MVPC, has reached out and offered the family condolences, much less an explanation for how this could have happened.

Mr. Ge was isolated because no one in the facility could speak Mandarin. MVPC staff refused to even try to communicate with him, much less offer him the mental health care that he so urgently needed.'

Yanfeng has accused ICE and the DHS of 'improperly withholding agency records'. He is requesting a judge to order the release of the records about Ge's death.

His attorneys have demanded the names of all the ICE, GEO Group and Moshannon Valley Processing Center employees who were on duty on the day his brother died, and any video recordings of Ge and staff from the day.

Chaofeng Ge (pictured), 32, was discovered hanging from a shower stall at Moshannon Valley Processing Center on August 5, official documents seen by the Daily Mail show

Ge's heartbroken relatives, including his brother Yanfeng Ge (pictured), have said his death was suspicious. They said he was found hanging from the shower stall with his arms and legs tied up behind his back. The Daily Mail has reached out to ICE for comment on this

Ge was found dead at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center (pictured) on August 5

ICE Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin confirmed that Ge died at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center.

'All in-custody deaths are tragic, taken seriously, and are thoroughly investigated by law enforcement,' she told the Daily Mail in a statement.

'ICE takes its commitment to promoting safe, secure, humane environments for those in our custody very seriously.'

The agency's 'detainee death report' states that Chaofeng Ge was first intercepted by US Border Patrol agents close to Tecate, California, for allegedly entering the US without admission or parole on November 22, 2023.

Two days later, he was charged with inadmissibility as an alien present in the US without being admitted or paroled.

It is unclear what happened to Ge after this. ICE records show that he was arrested in Lower Paxton Township, PA, on January 23 this year for allegedly accessing a device belonging to somebody else who did not give him permission to do so.

Ge pleaded guilty on July 31, according to ICE, and he was sentenced to six to 12 months in prison with credit for time served.

He was found dead at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center on August 5, leaving his family desperately searching for answers.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the medical examiner's office and police for more information.
It is the annoying habit that plagues modern Britain: yobs on their phones with their speakers on high forcing everyone around them to hear what's on their mobiles.

But one enterprising business owner may have finally found an elegant solution to the scourge tormenting society.

Staff at the Albion Farm Shop and Cafe, in Saddleworth, Oldham, are so tired of the unwanted noise they have imposed a strict silence or headphones rule.

The move came after a mother became abusive towards staff members when they asked if her child could wear headphones while using their tablet.

The owner of the cafe shared the story in a post on social media, explaining the reasons for the new rules.

They wrote: 'Throughout the weekend and particularly this morning and lunch time, we have had to continuously approach customers to ask them politely if they would be able to attach headphones to their device or turn their volume to a minimum to avoid disruption for other customers.

'This lunch time after one customer was asked extremely politely if headphones were possible, we were immediately reprimanded.

'Knackered and worried this was the sort of customer who would make a scene both in the cafe and on social media, we'll be absolutely honest, we chickened out and let it be, so this continued for another 30 minutes.

The Albion Farm Shop and Cafe in Oldham has now banned people from playing music out loud on their phones

'Snipes could be heard but weren't acknowledged, and on leaving their child was instructed to be careful she didn't drop her tablet on 'that woman'.

'A quiet reminder that there was no need to be so rude resulted in being told that we should have had a wash this morning (will own up to looking very dishevelled due to having a poorly 12 month old awake during the night) and gestures were then made through the window on leaving.

'All we can think is that someone really wanted a show down that they didn't get.'

Staff at the quiet secluded cafe have now had enough of customers playing music and sounds out loud.

They added: 'Of course we are as adaptable as we possibly can be to any additional needs or requests, but all we ask for is the same politeness and understanding in return, that we don't just assume and we can have polite conversations to gain understanding.

'Due to these continued issues and wanting to make it easier for both our staff and customers to navigate with no unnecessary upset on both sides, we are now asking our customers to silence their speaker phones and remain with headphones or head sets only.

'If a member of staff asks you to turn off your volume or to please use headphones, this is for the wellbeing of all our other customers so please treat them with respect or speak to them politely.'

The secluded cafe made the changes after a mother became abusive towards staff members

Dozens of people responded to the post, raising their similar experiences in cafes and on buses.

One said: 'Public transport is notorious for this, usually by people more then old enough to know better, and if it's not the volume of the device, it's the person using it, talking (Or more over shouting) needlessly loud for no apparent reason, other then pure selfishness.'

Another replied: 'I get sick of people having conversations with others, watching videos etc, always with the volume turned up as high as possible and put on loud speaker. Why do we want to listen to their conversations. Why do they even want to share their conversations with everyone. Why do we need to listen to what they're watching.'

While some said that it can 'sometimes be necessary' for children to have tablets at the table, such as those with additional needs, most seemed to agree that having the volume too loud 'is unacceptable'.

One mother said: 'As an autistic mum with an autistic child - either you find a work around or leave. It's very important to teach your child to be respectful of other people, special needs or not.

'I sometimes have to put videos on for my child when she won't settle in public, but it's common decency to have it very quiet or use headphones because our children still need to learn to be polite in public.'

Laura Hirst, who works at the family-run business, based in Oldham Road, Delph, said the signs they have now put up state: 'Please silence your phone or use headphones to treat others with respect and aid a sociable atmosphere. If our staff need to approach you with a gentle reminder, please treat them with respect'.

However, she said the signs 'haven't made much of a difference unfortunately'.
Governor Gavin Newsom's former chief of staff has been accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from a campaign backed by Joe Biden.

Dana Williamson, who served as the California governor's top aide from early 2023 to the fall of 2024, allegedly conspired to divert $225,000 from the campaign of Xavier Becerra, the then-Secretary of Health and Human Services under Biden.

Williamson allegedly schemed with Becerra's ex-chief of staff Sean McCluskie, former Capitol aide Greg Campbell and two other unnamed culprits from 2022 to the fall of 2024.

Upon learning that she was under federal investigation, Newsom's office placed her on leave in November 2024. She formally quit a month later.

The alleged plot involved Williamson using her political consulting company to bill Becerra's dormant campaign account under the pretense that the money was to pay McCluskie's wife to monitor it.

But there is no record that McCluskie's wife was hired to do any such job, which Williamson had been pretending to pay her $10,000 per month for, prosecutors claim.

The investigation into Williamson was launched under the Biden administration in 2023.

The scheme allegedly began when McCluskie took on the role of Becerra's chief of staff in 2022.

Dana Williamson was pictured entering court on Wednesday, when she pleaded not guilty to all charges

Gavin Newsom, right, was pictured with Williamson, left, who left his administration in November 2024

According to his plea agreement, reviewed by CBS, he took a $180,000 pay cut for this job.

McCluskie has been a longtime top aide to Becerra, working for him while he served in Congress and as California Attorney General.

On October 30, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud.

He agreed to pay $225,000 back in restitution to Becerra.

Campbell, who is also a known lobbyist, also signed a plea deal, admitting to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to defraud the US.

His company was also used as a means to discreetly funnel money to McCluskie's wife, it is claimed.

The indictment alleges that Williamson worked with her partners in crime to create false, backdated contracts after the US Attorney's Office served her a civil subpoena in January 2024.

The subpoena pertained to Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans made to Williamson's business.

On top of the corruption pertaining to Becerra's campaign, she stands accused of collecting more than $1 million in business deductions that she used for personal expenses.

These costs allegedly included private jets, luxury hotel stays, designer bags and other extravagant purchases, CBS reports.

Xavier Becerra was not implicated in any of Williamson's charges

Newsom was also not named in the investigation and was uninvolved in the accusations

'Disguising personal luxuries as business expenses - especially to claim improper tax deductions or to willfully file fraudulent tax returns is a serious criminal offense with severe consequences,' IRS Criminal Investigator Linda Nguyen said.

Williamson allegedly wrote off all these purchases as fake jobs for her family and friends.

She was formally indicted on Friday, according to the Department of Justice.

'This is a crucial step in an ongoing political corruption investigation that began more than three years ago,' US Attorney Eric Grant said in a statement.

'As it always has, the US Attorney's Office will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to protect the people of California from political corruption.'

On Wednesday, Williamson pleaded not guilty to all charges - which included conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruct justice, subscribing to false tax returns and making false statements.

She was then released on $500,000 bail, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Her lawyer, McGregor Scott, who served as the US Attorney of Sacramento from 2003 to 2009 and from 2017 to 2021, declined to comment on the charges, the Chronicle reported.

Sean McCluskie, right, took a pay cut when he started working as Becerra's chief of staff

While the indictment does not explicitly name Becerra, he confirmed his identity to the outlet.

Neither he nor Newsom was involved in any of the 23 felony charges against Williamson.

'The news today of formal accusations of impropriety by a long-serving trusted advisor are a gut punch,' said Becerra, who is running for California governor in 2026.

A spokesperson from Newsom's office told the Daily Mail: 'Williamson no longer serves in this administration.

'While we are still learning details of the allegations, the Governor expects all public servants to uphold the highest standards of integrity.'

The Daily Mail has approached McGregor for comment.
The Liberal Party's climate spokesperson has repeatedly dodged answering whether any investment groups lobbied for the Coalition to ditch the net zero emissions target.

Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, Dan Tehan, on Thursday night was grilled by ABC 7.30 host Sarah Ferguson over the Coalition's climate saga.

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley on Thursday confirmed the Liberals would join the Nationals in pushing to scrap the policy of net zero emissions by 2050.

While discussing their proposed policy to replace the target, Ferguson repeatedly called out Tehan for refusing to 'answer the question' she had asked.

In the most blunt exchange in the interview, Ferguson questioned: 'Has a single member of Australia's investment community encouraged you in this new policy?'

'This policy is all about Australian households,' Tehan answered.

Ferguson repeated her question: 'Has a single member of Australia's investment community encouraged you in this new policy?'

'Sarah, as you know, we released our policy this afternoon,' Tehan said. 'Can I say to your viewers, this is about you, this is about energy affordability.'

ABC 7.30 host Sarah Ferguson (pictured) questioned Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Dan Tehan about the Liberal Party's decision to scrap a net zero emissions target

Ferguson claimed Tehan (pictured) repeatedly avoided answering her questions

The host then cut Tehan short and shut down any further discussion.

'You haven't answered my question so we'll draw the line under that,' she said.

'Dan Tehan, thank you very much indeed for joining us.'

The curt interview came after a gruelling five-hour meeting between all 51 Liberal MPs and senators regarding emission targets on Wednesday.

The conclave culminated in the shock policy announcement on Thursday.

'If elected, we will remove the 43 per cent by 2030 target and the net zero by 2050 target from the Climate Change Act,' Ley announced at Thursday's press conference.

'Australians deserve affordable energy and responsible emissions reduction. And the Liberal Party believes we can do both - but affordable energy must come first.

'Under Labor, there has been this trifecta of failures: prices up, reliability down, and emissions flatlining.

Opposition Leader Sussan ley (pictured with Tehan on Thursday) announced her party would move to scrap the current target to reach net zero emissions by 2050

'Labor's net zero policies of mandates and taxes are hurting businesses, and they're pushing up prices.'

Tehan added the Liberals wouldn't oppose the opening of new coal power stations.

'We will take a technology agnostic approach. So we will let the market determine how we go about that approach,' he said.

The party will also support existing coal power plants.

'We will support the state governments who are already sweating their coal assets,' Tehan said.

'We have to make sure we keep capacity in the system. We will use all our natural resources to bring downward pressure on energy prices.

'Getting capacity into the system is an absolute priority.

'We will be the only party - or the only two parties, as a coalition - that is saying to the Australian people, when it comes to energy abundance, we will use all our resources, and when it comes to reducing emissions we will also use all of the available technology.'

However, the Liberals have pledged to keep ongoing annual emissions cuts 'in line with comparable countries and as fast and as far as technologies allow without imposing mandated costs'.
Ukraine has today released footage of its devastating new Flamingo missiles, capable of reaching Vladimir Putin in Moscow, being fired into Russia.

The new rockets, with a range of 1,865 miles and a 2,535lb warhead, have been likened to unmanned jets and were deployed along with Liutyi military drones.

The dramatic Flamingo launch footage early today showed the massive missiles soaring through the night sky.

A bright orange light from the back of the missiles followed them as they were fired.

The video came amid reports of strikes in Oryol - where a mysterious shower of fiery balls was seen descending from the sky close to a power plant - and Nizhnekamsk, where the major Teneko oil refinery was ablaze.

Ukraine 'struck dozens of Russian and occupied sites' overnight.

One was in Putin-controlled Crimea where the Morskoy Neftyanoy Oil Terminal, and a helicopter site was hit along with radar systems near Yevpatoria.

Also struck were drone storage and preparation sites at Kirovske airfield.

The dramatic Flamingo launch footage early today showed the massive missiles soaring through the night sky

In Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine hit forward command posts of the enemy's 5th Combined Arms Army and the 127th Motor Rifle Division Zaporizhzhia region, as well as an oil depot near Berdyansk.

The Flamingo is the centrepiece of Ukraine's new missile technology, developed to counter Putin's endless war.

The Flamingo is capable of hitting deep inside European Russia and even western Siberia.

Russian capital city Moscow is conformably within range.

Serial production of the missile is underway in the Carpathian Mountains, say reports, and its first combat use was in the summer, though details of its deployment are scarce

The Flamingo is not subject to Western vetoes on its use to strike targets inside Russia, as is the case with missiles supplied by the US, Britain and France.

It is reportedly resistant to Russian electronic warfare jamming.

It has been described in Russia as resembling the Soviet jet UAV Tu-143 Reys and the German cruise missile V-1.

The video came amid reports of strikes in Oryol - where a mysterious shower of fiery balls was seen descending from the sky close to a power plant - and Nizhnekamsk, where the major Teneko oil refinery was ablaze

An aerial view shows the town of Myrnohrad, Ukraine in this screengrab from a video released November 12, 2025

The site of a Russian drone strike in Kharkiv, northeastern Ukraine, 12 November 2025

In Oryol, flaming Ukrainian 'missile debris' fell in the region early today following a monumental explosion.

The cause of the unusual sight may have been Russian air defences shooting down one of the missiles.

One local asked: 'What is this weapon?'

Cars were damaged by the glowing balls falling from the sky over a residential area.

The fiery balls were 'debris' from a missile or drone, it was claimed.

A missile alert had sounded before the strike came.

'I turned to the window and saw a huge light, like someone was shining a torch through the window, and then BAM,' said one.

'My sister.didn't answer at first, then she screamed into the phone, saying they hit a car near the kindergarten and trees are on fire.'

Another said: 'My heart almost jumped out of my chest.'

'My younger brother started screaming,' said another.
A beloved father-of-nine was killed after a suspected road rage altercation in San Francisco while taking his kids out for ice cream.

Jason Elola, 49, was driving to a dessert spot with his wife, Gabrielle Elola, and two of his daughters, when he and Martin W. Davis Jr.'s vehicles collided on Saturday.

The family were on their way back from Elola's son's 18th birthday party when the crash occurred at around 7:40pm.

California Highway Patrol (CHP) responded to the scene of an apparent road rage incident and discovered Elola with 'apparent visible injuries,' the Alameda County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

Police believe there was a physical altercation between Elola and Davis before the latter fled the scene. No other details were given regarding the altercation.

Davis, 37, later called CHP's non-emergency number to report his involvement in the incident and was told to return to the scene.

He was taken into custody on suspicion of murder. He is currently booked at the Santa Rita Jail with no bail.

Elola was taken to the hospital, where he later died.

Jason Elola, 49, was driving to an ice cream joint with his wife, Gabrielle Elola, and two of his daughters when he and Martin W. Davis Jr.'s vehicles collided around 7:40pm on Saturday

The group of four were making a pitstop for the sweet dessert after attending his son's 18th birthday party

Loved ones remembered Elola as the 'heart of our family,' and as a man who was 'kind, generous, and loving'.

'[He] brought laughter and warmth wherever he went,' the family wrote on a GoFundMe, which has raised $35,000 as of Thursday morning.

'Jason was the friend and brother you could always count on, always ready to help anyone in need and put others before himself,' the fundraiser said.

'Jason was everything to everyone, and his absence is deeply felt by all who knew him.'

The money will go to his wife and children to help through this difficult time, the fundraiser said.

'The sudden loss has left them with the overwhelming burden of funeral expenses and the challenge of covering daily living costs in the months ahead,' it said.

The Daily Mail has reached out to family and police for comment.

Police believe there was a physical altercation between Elola and Davis before the latter fled the scene. No other details were given regarding the altercation. Pictured: Elola and his wife

He was taken to the hospital, where he later died. Davis self-reported his involved to police and was told to return to the scene, where he was arrested on suspicion of murder. Pictured: Elola and his daughter

The family remembered Elola as the 'heart of our family,' and as a man who was 'kind, generous, and loving'

More than 115 people were killed in the US because of road rage between January and October 2024, an increase of seven deaths compared to the year before, Pew Research found.

The nonprofit also found that nearly 50 percent of drivers are now driving more dangerously than before the pandemic.

Only nine percent of drivers say they drive more safely since the pandemic, a 2024 study found.
A former Marine convicted of killing a six-year-old girl more than four decades ago is scheduled to be executed in Florida.

Barring a last-minute reprieve, Bryan Frederick Jennings, 66, is set to die by lethal injection at 6pm on Thursday at Florida State Prison near Starke.

Jennings was convicted and sentenced to death for the 1979 murder of Rebecca Kunash in Brevard County.

He was tried three times in total, with the first two convictions reversed on appeal.

His lawyers told the Daily Mail that Jennings is 'not interested in a last meal so they will provide a cheeseburger.'

His final trial in 1986 resulted a death sentence for the third time. On Wednesday the US Supreme Court denied his final appeal.

According to court records, Jennings was a 20-year-old on leave from the Marine Corps when he abducted Kunash from her home on on May 11, 1979.

Jennings removed a screen from her window while her parents were in another room and abducted her.

Bryan Frederick Jennings, 66, is set to die by lethal injection at 6pm on Thursday at Florida State Prison near Starke

He took her in his car to a canal where he raped her, bludgeoned and drowned her, according to trial testimony.

He then 'swung her by her legs to the ground with such force that she fractured her skull,' court records show. The girl was then drowned in the canal, where her body was found later that day.

Jennings was arrested a few hours later on a traffic warrant, where investigators found he matched the description of a man seen near the Kunash home when Rebecca disappeared.

Shoe prints found at the home matched those Jennings was wearing, his fingerprints were found on the girl's windowsill, and his clothes and hair were wet.

Jennings has filed numerous appeals in state and federal courts, most recently contending that he went months without a lawyer prior to Governor Ron DeSantis signing his death warrant in violation of his right to counsel.

His current attorneys also say Jennings has improperly not had a clemency hearing since 1988.

In addition to the murder conviction, Jennings was sentenced to life in prison for kidnapping, sexual assault, and burglary.

Jennings' execution is one of three scheduled in Florida this week.

The death sentence will be the 16th this year under Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, making it a record.

Jennings was convicted and sentenced to death twice for the 1979 murder of Rebecca Kunash. Jennings abducted the girl, took her in his car to a canal and raped her before killing her

DeSantis has ordered more executions in a single year than any Florida governor since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976.

The previous record was set in 2014 with eight executions.

After Jennings, executions this year are scheduled November 20 for Richard Barry Randolph and December 9 for Mark Allen Geralds, which would bring the year's total so far to 18.

At a recent news conference, DeSantis explained the unprecedented number of executions by saying his goal is to bring justice to victim families who have waited decades for the death sentences to be carried out.

'Some of these crimes were committed in the '80s,' DeSantis said. 'Justice delayed is justice denied. I felt I owed it to them to make sure this ran very smoothly. If I honestly through someone was innocent, I would not pull the trigger.'

An anti-capital punishment group, Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, sought US Supreme Court review of the issues and what it called the politicization of the process.

'Florida's death penalty system has become unrecognizable from the one the law promises,' said Maria DeLiberato, legal and policy director for the group.

'Bryan Jennings was left without a state court lawyer for years, denied a clemency review in this century, and then selected for execution because of favorable political timing.'

The death sentence will be the 16th this year under Republican Governor Ron DeSantis , making it a record

Meanwhile in Oklahoma, Tremane Wood was scheduled to receive a lethal injection on Thursday.

In South Carolina, Stephen Bryant was scheduled to die by firing squad on Friday.

A total of 41 people have died by court-ordered execution so far this year in the US, and at least 18 - including Jennings, Wood and Bryant - were scheduled to be put to death during the remainder of 2025 and next year, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.

Florida's lethal injections are carried out with a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, according to the state Department of Corrections.
Three failed asylum seekers who arrived in the UK on small boats have appeared in court charged with gang raping a woman on Brighton beach.

Two Egyptians and an Iranian Kurdish man are accused of dragging the 33-year-old woman onto the stone beach before subjecting her to a horrific ordeal.

The three migrants appeared at Lewes Crown Court in East Sussex today where a trial date was set for next year.

Egyptians Karin Al-Danasurt, 20, and Ibrahim Alshafe, 25, were living in a Home Office-run migrant hotel in Sussex when the woman was attacked.

Alshafe is accused of attacking the woman the day after his asylum claim was rejected. Iranian Kurd Abdulla Ahmadi, 25, was living at an address in Crewe.

All three men appeared in the dock today wearing grey tracksuits. John Livingstone, prosecuting, told the court: 'This is a high profile, very serious case.'

The woman said she was attacked in the early hours of Saturday, October 4 after being at a nightclub in Brighton.

At a previous hearing, she was described as vulnerable and intoxicated.

Ibrahim Alshafe, 25, appeared at Lewes Crown Court today charged with raping the woman

Karin Al-Danasurt, 20, also appeared at Lewes Crown Court for the hearing today

The woman told police she was taken to a secluded place on the beach where she was orally and vaginally raped by three men.

All three men will appear in court again next month. A three-week trial is set to begin on March 16 next year.

A Home Office spokesperson said last month: 'These allegations are shocking and we share the public's outrage.

'Our thoughts are with the victim of this horrific crime. We are receiving regular updates from Sussex Police.

'The priority must now be for the police to investigate so those responsible are brought to justice.'

The alleged rape took place on Brighton beach in the early hours of October 4

Sussex Police previously said the woman was allegedly attacked at the lower esplanade in the early hours.

Detective Superintendent Andy Harbour said: 'This has been a fast-paced investigation with all three suspects having been identified through thorough investigative work.

'I commend the bravery of the victim who we continue to support with specialist officers.

'I understand how distressing this incident will be for the community and our dedicated partnership operations to protect women and girls will continue in earnest.

'We are not currently looking for anyone else in connection with the investigation.'

Police appealed for anybody with any information to contact police online or via 101, quoting Operation Brampton.
Algerian migrants stole two designer watches worth 80,000 from black taxi passengers after arriving from France three months before.

Ayoub Harek, 23, and Txomin Huare Place, 30, approached their victims on Lime Bikes before riding off in a quick getaway.

They allegedly stole a 22,000 watch from Eric Yau as he got out of a cab in Westminster on June 20.

Three days later Eric Willoughby had his 60,000 Patek Phillipe Perpetual Calendar watch stolen in Kensington.

Prosecutor Ellen Alexander told Westminster Magistrates' Court: Both of these defendants worked together and planned robberies for high value watches.

They followed their victims on Lime Bikes and waited for them to exit the cabs. The same defendants rode off on the same Lime Bikes.

Mr Yau suffered injuries after chasing the defendants, the court heard.

Wearing a blue tracksuit, Harek appeared in the dock alongside Huare Place, who was wearing a grey prison tracksuit.

Ayoub Harek, 23, and Txomin Huare Place, 30, appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court

They are alleged to have stolen two designer watches worth 80,000 from black taxi passengers

The bearded men spoke to confirm their names and date of births, assisted by an Arabic interpreter.

Harek, of no fixed address, and Huare Place, of Lewisham, southeast London, are both charged with two counts of robbery each.

No pleas were entered, but they are expected to plead not guilty to all charges.

Kiran Hirani, defending Harek, said: He has an Algerian passport. He came to the UK three months ago via France.

District Judge Briony Clarke said: I accept you have not been convicted yet.

However, we have heard you have allegedly worked as part of a group, carefully planned, with the same methods.

If you are convicted, you face a significant sentence of imprisonment.

They were remanded in custody ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing at Southwark Crown Court on 8 December.
Around a thousand Oklahoma residents were evacuated from their homes after a terrifying chemical leak blanketed the area.

Locals in Weatherford, located about an hour outside of Oklahoma City, were awoken by gas-mask clad police hammering on their doors early Thursday.

As they were urged to flee their homes, 600 other people were directed to shelter-in-place after an 8,500-gallon Airgas tanker truck crashed and leaked anhydrous ammonia gas in a Holiday Inn Express parking lot, officials said.

The crash happened around 10pm Wednesday before the truck driver parked the damaged trailer behind the Holiday Inn and spent the night at the hotel, Weatherford Police Chief Angelo Orefice said.

At least 36 people were rushed to a nearby hospital after experiencing respiratory distress.

Eleven of them were transferred to hospitals in Oklahoma City's metro area in critical condition, officials said.

Anhydrous ammonia, a colorless gas with a strong odor, is commonly used as a fertilizer that helps provide nitrogen to wheat and corn plants.

But contact in either gas or liquid form can cause severe burns, respiratory issues, and irritation to the eyes, skin and throat.

A 8,500-gallon Airgas tanker truck crashed and leaked anhydrous ammonia gas in a Holiday Inn Express parking lot Wednesday evening in Weatherford, Oklahoma prompting a massive evacuation

The truck is seen in the hotel's parking lot Thursday morning. The cause of the crash remains unknown, but officials are treating the incident as an accident

The cause of the leak remains unknown, but officials are treating the incident as an accident.

Residents were also evacuated to Southwestern Oklahoma State University's Pioneer Center while a shelter-in-place was issued for 500 to 600 people. It has since been lifted.

Several residents, including two people who were staying at the hotel, described the frightening scene after being told the toxic chemical was in the air.

'I smelled, my door was closed, so it wasnt coming in a high volume, you know, toxic smell to the room,' a man told News 9. 'But I smelled something was wrong.'

Another male resident also described the horrible smell.

'It was a spicy smell, very spicy smell. We went out from the room and we saw people over there, you know, they were telling us they were also coughing,' he recalled.

'So I understand something [was] wrong over there.'

Schools, including Southwestern Oklahoma State University, were closed for the day and several nursing homes in the area were evacuated.

The tanker truck is no longer releasing gas and authorities are monitoring the city's air quality.

The west and eastbound exits of I-40 remained closed as of Thursday morning as response to the leak continues.

Locals in Weatherford, located about an hour outside of Oklahoma City, were awoken by gas-mask clad police hammering on their doors early Thursday

At least 36 people were rushed to a nearby hospital after experiencing respiratory distress

Local businesses affected by the leak had to have their air quality checked by the fire department before opening their doors again, Orefice said.

The police chief said the clean up from the chemical spill could take days.

'Weve pretty much got a lot of this stuff diluted right now,' Orefice said, adding that officials were working alongside the Environmental Protection Agency to figure out how to get rid of the chemical completely.

Airgas, an industrial gas distributor, told the Daily Mail it was working with local authorities to respond to the chemical spill.

'We are working with local authorities to respond to an incident in Weatherford, Oklahoma involving an anhydrous ammonia release from an ammonia transport trailer,' a spokesperson with the Pennsylvania-based company said.

'Our top priority is the safety and well-being of the local community and the first responders on-site.'

The Daily Mail contacted the city of Weatherford and the Weatherford Police Department for comment.
A 'soft and loving' female Army soldier was found hanged at her barracks after becoming worried her career was in ruins because she got into a fight, an inquest heard today.

Bombardier Nadine Askew was on the verge of becoming a Sergeant but worried that the bust-up with a male soldier would scupper her chances of promotion.

The experienced 31-year-old Iraq and Afghanistan veteran knew the fight would have 'repercussions on her career'.

In one of her last remarks before the tragic soldier was found dead in her room, Bdr Askew told a colleague that she had 'f****d it', the court heard.

Bdr Askew, of the Royal Artillery, had also suffered a panic attack after the fight, it was heard.

She had 'headbutted' and 'punched' a male Gunner after he tried to apologise for something that had happened earlier in the day.

Bdr Askew, originally from Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, died at the Royal School of Artillery, Larkhill, Wiltshire in July 2021  five months before the high-profile death of Gunner Jaysley Beck at the same camp.

The 19-year-old who took her own life after becoming the victim of sexual assault and subsequent Army failings.

Bombardier Nadine Askew knew the fight with a colleague would have 'repercussions on her career', a coroner heard

Bdr Askew died five months before tragic Gunner Jaysley Beck (pictured) was also found dead at Larkhill Camp

Last month ex-Army sergeant major Michael Webber, 43, was jailed for six months for sexually assaulting the tragic soldier.

Resuming Bdr Askew's inquest today at Salisbury Coroner's Court, Area coroner Ian Singleton heard how the fight between the soldier and a male colleague happened at a party which followed on from an evening in a pub, where Bdr Askew had been drinking.

Giving evidence, Lance Bombardier Lucy Clark, who was Bdr Askew's friend and ex-girlfriend, said she spoke with the late soldier at the party and she was quieter than she had been in the pub. 'It was more than likely that she had had more alcohol', the soldier added.

She told how a Gunner approached her former girlfriend and 'tried to apologise for something he had done earlier in the day', but said Bdr Askew 'didn't want to hear it'.

LBdr Clark added: 'She went to grab him. She punched him and got restrained and someone dragged him away. She tried to headbutt him with the back of her head and fight him off.

'When she got angry her whole body tensed up and she got an angry look on her face. She was in a state of rage.

'When she kept fighting she was grabbed around the torso - like being bear hugged.

'I had heard stories of her getting into fights in the past. I had seen her violent.

Lance Bombardier Lucy Clark had told the court that Bdr Askew had PTSD and depression but she said she had no concern that Brd Askew (pictured) would harm herself when she went to bed

'The people she would fight were normally male. She wasn't the biggest fan of men.'

Lbrd Clark said Brd Askew then began having a panic attack and she was focused on trying to calm her down.

'She knew that getting into a fight and hitting a gunner was going to have repercussions on her career', the solider added.

'Becoming a sergeant was very important to her and she had the job lined up', she added.

'The fear was demotion and being put down to Lance Bombardier. We were speaking about it and she just said 'I know'. She said she 'f***ed it'.

LBdr Clark had told the court Bdr Askew had PTSD and depression but she said she had no concern that the bombardier would harm herself when she went to bed.

The soldier was found dead the next morning.

LBrd Clark added: 'It was one of the biggest shocks of my life when I found out what happened.'

Larkhill Camp, where Bombardier Nadine Askew and Gunner Jaysley Beck were found dead five months apart

Her cause of death was confirmed as hanging.

Mr Singleton read out a statement on behalf of Bdr Askew's mother, Amanda.

It said: 'The last contact we had with her was on the Sunday before she died. She left a voicemail and seemed happy.

'She had recently passed her motorcycle test and had been to visit Cheddar Gorge.

'She was very independent. Since her death we have learned about her mental health.

'She tried to harm herself three times. She had put a gun to her head and ran a car into a tree. She also tried to stab herself.

'She was always upbeat and was soft and loving on the inside. If you became her friend you became her friend for life.'

Bdr Askew joined the Army in January 2007 and served in Iraq between 2008-2009 and Afghanistan 2011-2012 and in 2019.

The inquest continues.
Jeffrey Epstein wrote a paranoid email to himself months before his death rambling about Donald Trump.

The disgraced pedophile billionaire claimed that the President had often visited his home in Palm Beach, in the email sent to himself in February 2019.

'[REDACTED] worked at Mar-a-Lago. Trump knew of it, and came to my house many times during that period,' Epstein wrote, six months before he was found hanged at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan.

'He never got a massage,' the financier said.

Epstein appeared to be spiraling as he was facing new charges of abusing dozens of girls following a bombshell investigation by the Miami Herald in 2019. It came more than a decade after he was convicted of soliciting a minor for prostitution in 2008.

The pedophile appears to downplay the significance of his abuse to victims, writing: 'the girls returned the house multiple times. For 200 dollars for a rub and tug. No sex. Some worked in the local massage parlors. Most in their twenties.'

The reasoning and context behind Epstein's email to himself are not clear. The following day, he forwarded the exchange to the author Michael Wolff, who was writing an expose on Trump at the time.

'Have fun,' the financier wrote.

Donald Trump and then-girlfriend Melania Knauss, Jeffrey Epstein, and Ghislaine Maxwell at the Mar-a-Lago Club in February 2000

Trump banned Epstein from his Florida estate in October 2007 'for being a creep to his female employees, including [Virginia] Giuffre'

Epstein wrote a rambling email to himself a few months before his death rambling about Trump and his past sex trafficking charges

The bizarre rant came just a few months after the Miami Herald released their bombshell three-part series that identified more than 60 women who said they were sexually abused by Epstein when they were underage.

The Herald exposed how the pedophile received a plea deal in 2008 from then-US Attorney Alexander Acosta, who allowed him to plead guilty to only state prostitution charges, avoiding federal sex-trafficking charges. The deal also granted immunity to unnamed co-conspirators.

Epstein ended the email by rehashing an old Florida property dispute that he had with the President in the early 2000s shortly before their relationship collapsed.

Trump famously expelled the financier around October 2007, according to the Mar-a-Lago's Club registry.

The president has since revealed Epstein was 'stealing' young women who worked at his estate.

The pressure from the Miami Herald's story led to Epstein's arrest in July 2019 on federal sex-trafficking charges in New York.

He died in a New York jail cell from an apparent suicide one month later.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Wednesday branded the email dump a politically motivated 'smear' campaign and repeated Giuffre's former statements about Trump in which she absolved him of any wrongdoing.

Virginia Giuffre pictured as a young girl

'The Democrats selectively leaked emails to the liberal media to create a fake narrative to smear President Trump,' Leavitt said in a statement.

'The "unnamed victim" referenced in these emails is the late Virginia Giuffre, who repeatedly said President Trump was not involved in any wrongdoing whatsoever and "couldn't have been friendlier" to her in their limited interactions.'

Giuffre, who committed suicide earlier this year, was recruited by Maxwell while employed as a spa attendant at the Mar-a-Lago Club in 2000. She was 16 years old.
A federal judge has suggested that charges against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James could be dropped.

District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie, a Bill Clinton appointee, seemed skeptical on Thursday about key points of the government's reasoning for appointing Lindsey Halligan as the interim US attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.

The question in the case before the judge is whether or not Attorney General Pam Bondi is legally allowed to make multiple temporary appointments for US attorney roles.

Comey is being tried for making false statements to Congress, while James is being charged with fraud.

The Trump foes are working to get their cases thrown out on the grounds that Halligan is not properly in her role since Bondi had previously appointed someone else to the US attorney's role.

Halligan, a longtime personal attorney for Trump, was handpicked by the president despite having no prosecutorial experience.

The challenges could result in the government's cases against the anti-Trumpers getting thrown out.

But a DOJ attorney arguing for the government dismissed questions over Halligan's appointment to a 'paperwork error.'

'The attorney general is entitled to multiple 120-day appointments,' Henry Whitaker argued on behalf of the government during the hearing.

Interim US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Lindsey Halligan is prosecuting cases against President Donald Trump's rivals ex-FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. James and Comey are trying to get their cases dropped arguing that Halligan is improperly serving in the US attorney role

Former FBI Director James Comey was charged for lying to Congress

New York Attorney General Letitia James has been charged with fraud relating to a mortgage

James's attorney, Abbe Lowell, argued that it would give the government the 'perpetual ability' to keep appointing interim attorneys without receiving the proper sign-off from members of Congress.

US attorneys are typically nominated for the role by the president and confirmed by a Senate vote.

Judge Currie appeared not to agree with the government's claims that the attorney general should be able to appoint anyone at will on an interim basis.

She noted how, before Congress granted the attorney general the power to appoint interim attorneys in 1986, judges used to fill the vacancies.

'We have about 200 years where the judges made the appointments,' she said.

Halligan oversaw the grand jury proceedings that led to both Comey and James getting charged.

The judge said Thursday she found it odd that some portions of the grand jury transcripts were 'missing,' leaving gaps in her ability to review the panel that voted to bring charges against Comey.

Lowell noted how 'even a person like Steve Bannon or Elon Musk' could have been appointed by Bondi to oversee grand juries responsible for dishing out charges.

The judge in the case expressed concern that portions of the grand jury material relating to James Comey, which was overseen by Halligan, was 'missing'

James was handed federal criminal charges for making false claims about her home on financial forms, allegedly helping her save close to $20,000 on a loan.

Comey, meanwhile, was charged with lying to Congress about leaking information to the media.

A ruling on the case is expected before Thanksgiving, Currie has said.
A newly released batch of emails has revealed how Jeffrey Epstein tried to push himself forward as a source of 'insight' on Donald Trump in a message he urged associates to pass to Vladimir Putin.

Weeks before the US president met his Russian counterpart in Helsinki in 2018, Epstein wrote to Thorbjorn Jagland, a former Norwegian prime minister who was leading the Council of Europe at the time.

The disgraced financier told him: 'I think you might suggest to putin that lavrov can get insight on talking to me.' His message referred to Sergei Lavrov, who has been Russia's foreign minister for more than two decades.

Epstein claimed in the exchange that he had once discussed Trump with Vitaly Churkin, Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, before Churkin's death in 2017.

The late sex predator wrote: 'Churkin was great. He understood trump after our conversations. it is not complex. he must be seen to get something its that simple.'

The emails are part of thousands of pages of correspondence released this week, offering a glimpse into Epstein's wide network of international contacts and his interest in Trump's foreign policy during the first term of his presidency.

Jagland told Epstein he would meet an aide to Lavrov the next day and would raise the idea of a connection, though it is not known if anything came of it.

One of the email chains includes a reaction to the Helsinki summit, where Trump was widely criticised for appearing to side with Putin over US intelligence agencies.

On July 16, 2018, former US Treasury secretary Larry Summers wrote to Epstein: 'Do the Russians have stuff on Trump? Today was appalling even by his standards.'

Trump and meeting during their meeting in Helsinki in 2018. Weeks before the meeting, Epstein emailed officials to offer insight into Trump

Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on November 13. A US official wrote to Epstein to question whether Russia had 'stuff' on Trump following their meeting in Helsinki

A photograph of Trump and Epstein in Florida in 1997. Thousands of pages of material from the latter's estate has been made public

Epstein answered the next morning, writing: 'My email is full with similar comments. wow. Im sure his view is that it went super well. he thinks he has charmed his adversary..

'Admittedly he has no idea of the symbolism. He has no idea of most things.'

Epstein also called Trump's performance 'predictable'.

The emails also show Epstein urging Steve Bannon, Trump's former chief strategist, to spend more time in Europe if he wanted influence on the continent.

He said: 'If you are going to play here, you'll have to spend time, europe by remote doesn't work.'

Epstein also told Bannon he could arrange meetings between him and foreign leaders and warned him that he had to stay long enough to avoid disappointing them.

He said: 'The fear is that you gin up their hopes and emotions and then abandon them. I think you want to be an insider, not an outsider flying in and out.'

Other messages released by investigators show Epstein using his contacts around the world to trade thoughts about Trump or to signal his own importance.

In December 2016, soon after Trump won the election, Epstein wrote to billionaire Tom Pritzker: 'Can you belive MBS sent me a TENT carpets and all,' referring to Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Pritzker answered: 'A tent? Hmmm I think that is code for 'I love you'. Or, maybe code for 'go pound sand'. Better check your [Kingdom of Saudi Arabia] urban dictionary.'

Epstein also used his ties to help others navigate the incoming administration.

Two weeks before Trump's inauguration, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, a businessman from the United Arab Emirates, asked Epstein whether he should attend the event after receiving an invitation via Trump ally Tom Barrack.

Donald Trump at the White House on November 10. Emails have shown how Epstein used his ties with the president to help others navigate his first administration

Epstein at a launch party in May 2005. In emails, he gave Trump's former chief strategist, Steve Bannon advice on how to maintain influence in Europe

Epstein said it would be crowded but useful for making contacts. Sulayem then asked: 'Do you think it will be possible to shake hand with trump.' It is not known if Epstein responded.

The emails form part of an expanding archive of Epstein's communications that investigators are publishing as part of a broader inquiry into his dealings and influence before his death in federal custody in 2019.

In one of the emails, Epstein tells a contact: 'i am the only one able to take him down', in reference to Trump and calls him 'borderline insane' in another.

In an email to his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein claimed that Trump spent 'hours' with a victim of sexual abuse. He also offered to provide a journalist with images of Trump and 'girls in bikinis in my kitchen'.

In response to the release of the documents, the White House has denied that Trump knew about Epstein's crimes and accused members of the Democratic Party of peddling false narratives.

Trump has always denied any wrongdoing.
A prison officer who had sex with her convict love in a jail prayer room and had his nickname tattooed behind her neck faces years behind bars.

Isabelle Dale, 23, had sex with Shahid Sharif, 33, in the worship area at HMP Coldingley, Surrey, as two room mates posted as lookouts.

The prison officer was seen emerging alongside the convicted robber after four minutes, hastily readjusting her belt.

Following their tryst, Sharif sent her a message which read: 'It was good sharing dat love today.'

Dale had the prisoner's nickname, 'Sneaks', tattooed on her neck, and also referred to herself as 'Miss Sneaky'. A framed picture of them both was also hung over her bed.

After her arrest, police also discovered she had a sexual encounter on at least one occasion with a second inmate, Connor Money, 28.

He was locked up for nine years for killing his best friend in a car crash in a 147mph police chase on a motorway in Kent. Sharif was three years into a 12-year sentence.

After the prayer room coupling, Sharif was transferred to HMP Swaleside on the Isle of Sheppey were she smuggled in love letters laced with synthetic cannabis or 'Spice'.

Dale broke down in tears today after she was found guilty of two counts of misconduct in a public office and conspiracy to convey a 'List A' prohibited article into prison.

The 23-year-old had become besotted with Sharif, telling him in a letter that she 'worship[ped] the ground' he walked on, Southwark Crown Court heard.

Isabelle Dale, 23, had sex with Shahid Sharif, 33, in the worship area at HMP Coldingley as two room mates posted as lookouts

Dale arriving at Southwark Crown Court London on May 23, 2025. She now faces years behind bars

Dale told the court she felt she never fitted in with her colleagues because they would mock her extensive tattoos

'You are my best friend, my motivation, the reason I keep fighting,' it added.

Dale said his music was 'phenomenal' and praised his ability to 'create all those bars in such a short period of time'.

She added: 'You are so talented and I am honoured to be the girl that gets to stand by your side.'

'I will do anything I can to help you and that's because the love runs deep.'

Dale said she would 'take a bullet' for Sharif and wrote extensively about what their life would be like together following his eventual release.

'If there is one thing I can promise you, with hand held on my heart, is that I will be stood at those gates when you walk out,' Dale told him.

Following their encounter, Sharif was transferred to HMP Swaleside, and Dale visited on three separate occasions between September and October 2022.

On one occasion, they were caught on CCTV passionately kissing and hugging during a social visit.

Dale sent Sharif flirty images via the 'email a prisoner system' and transferred 100 to his bank account.

A series of steamy love letters, often accompanied by 'provocative' pictures of Dale were recovered from Sharif's cell.

The disgraced prison officer was also smuggling in enveloped 'laced with spice', into her lag lover's new prison.

Dale even purchased her own 3,000 engagement ring and was operating his drug-dealing Snapchat account through associate Lilea Sallis, 27.

In one call phone call Sharif told Dale there was 'big bread' to be made selling the drug behind bars, boasting that he could make 'like 16 bills off an envelope'.

He warned the envelopes 'can't look bait', telling Dale: 'They can't be stained or nothing, they gotta look diligent.'

The prison officer was arrested while on her last visit to Sharif to HMP Swaleside on November 1.

She told police she believed that he was going to propose to her on that visit.

Officers found equipment used to smuggle drugs into the prison, which included a packet of carbon paper used to prevent the drug being detected by prison x-ray machines.

They also found evidence of her relationship with Money in a series of text messages.

In one message, Money asked: 'When will I get to feel them sexy lips around my hard d***' , to which she replied: 'When you know you want me and only me lol xx'

Dale also messaged at least two other prisoner on their mobile phones, the court heard..

She joined the prison service on 29 September 2021 but told the court she felt she never fitted in with her colleagues who would mock her extensive tattoos.

Dale said sought solace in the affection of the inmates.

Dale said they did not have physical relationship but regularly had 'phone sex' and she said she did not know it was illegal to have a mobile in jail.

'Mr Sharif would degrade me a lot about my body size and my bum size. He would tell me I wasn't good enough for him,' she recalled.

Meanwhile, police also discovered she had a sexual encounter on at least one occasion with a second inmate, Connor Money, 28 (pictured right) (Pictured left: Shahid Sharif)

'He said that to be with someone as good as him I would have to make serious permanent changes to myself.'

Dale, of Portsmouth, denied two counts of misconduct in a public office and conspiracy to convey a 'List A' prohibited article into prison.

Sallis, of East Sussex, denied conspiracy to convey a 'List A' prohibited article into prison.

Judge Chris Hehir granted Dale and Sallis unconditional bail ahead of sentence on a date to be fixed in January.

He warned them both. 'You have been convicted of very grave offences indeed. I can see no alternative to a substantial custodial sentence.'
Sir Sadiq Khan stepped-up Labours war on motorists today by hiking the capitals congestion charge by 20 per cent.

Londons Labour mayor said the charge, a daily fee to drive through the centre of the capital, will rise from 15 to 18 from 2 January.

He said electric vehicles (EVs) will also no longer be exempt from the charge.

Instead, their 100 per cent discount will drop to 25 per cent for electric cars and 50 per cent for vans and lorries.

From March 4, 2030, it will drop again to 12.5 per cent for cars and 25% for vans and lorries.

But critics said it was a backward step which would drive up the cost of motoring and push up prices, as tradesmen and delivery firms will be forced to pass on increased operating costs to consumers.

It comes as Rachel Reeves considers hiking Fuel Duty in her November 26 budget and introducing a new pay per mile tax on EV drivers.

London's Labour mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has said London's congestion charge will rise from 15 to 18 from 2 January

Sadiq Khan has been criticised by campaign groups, who say hiking the congestion charge is a 'backwards step'

AA president Edmund King urged Sir Sadiq to reconsider the move

The congestion charge, introduced in 2003 by then-Labour mayor Ken Livingstone, covers an area of central London between 7am and 6pm on weekdays, and between noon and 6pm on weekends and bank holidays.

It is paid on top of the ultra-low emission zone charge of 12.50 daily, which motorists driving older more polluting vehicles are forced to pay. However, this charge covers a much larger area and stretches to the borders with the Home Counties after Sir Sadiq expanded it.

Howard Cox, Founder of FairFuelUK campaign group, said: The anti-driver London Mayor continues his personal war on the motorist.

This cash-grabbing, way-too-powerful politician sees the motorist as an easy way to pay off his financial mismanagement of our capital city.

London has been choked not by vehicles vital to the nations economy but by left wing idealistic road projects, such as LTNs, huge cycle lanes, road restrictions and high parking costs.

Increasing the Congestion Charge will add to commercial and social decline of the once most loved city in the world and turn more tourists and sole traders away for good.

AA president Edmund King urged Sir Sadiq to reverse his decision.

He said: This is a backward step which sadly will backfire on air quality in London.

Many drivers are not quite ready to make the switch to electric vehicles, so incentives are still needed to help them over the line.

The mayor needs to reconsider to continue to help more essential van and car journeys in the capital go electric.

Defending the move, Sir Sadiq said: While the congestion charge has been a huge success since its introduction, we must ensure it stays fit for purpose, and sticking to the status quo would see around 2,200 more vehicles using the congestion charging zone on an average weekday next year.

We must support Londoners and businesses to use more sustainable travel, so I'm pleased that substantial incentives will remain in place for Londoners who switch to cleaner vehicles, as we work to build a greener and better London for everyone.
A woman who was allegedly prowling a Washington casino for a rich victim to seduce and rob confessed to a friend that she put a lethal dose of fentanyl in a man's drink because she forgot her regular 'date rape' drugs at home, according to police.

Raylin Marie Benzie, 34, pleaded not guilty to murdering a man she allegedly intended to drug at the Ilani Casino in Ridgefield, which is near the Oregon-Washington border.

Benzie was captured on surveillance camera footage with the victim, identified in court documents only by his first name, Arslan, before he was found dead in his hotel room on October 5.

Benzie, pictured in leopard print clothing, was seen walking with Arslan in the early hours of October 4, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by local news outlet, The Columbian.

The footage allegedly revealed that she was in Arlsan's hotel room for just under two hours before leaving and entering with another man.

Benzie initially told detectives that Arlsan was snoring when she left the room, adding, 'That's weird... that doesn't make sense,' when she was questioned about his death.

However, police interviewed another man who spoke to Benzie that night, who said that she allegedly put fentanyl in his drink and left him unconscious.

She allegedly told the man that she typically uses GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) to drug men, which is more commonly known as a 'date rape drug.'

Raylin Marie Benzie, 34, was arrested earlier this month for allegedly giving a man a lethal dose of fentanyl and robbing him in his hotel room

Benzie was seen on surveillance footage going into the victim's room at the Ilani Casino in Ridgefield, Washington (pictured) (file photo)

The victim, identified as Arlsan, was found dead in his hotel room with fentanyl in his system on October 5 (file photo)

The man told police that Benzie admitted to using fentanyl to drug Arlsan instead because she had forgotten the GHB.

Another woman told detectives that she met Benzie earlier that night, and she told her she wanted to meet wealthy men to seduce and rob.

The woman said that she saw Benzie after meeting with detectives, adding, 'The way she was reacting, I think she did something to cause this man to lose his life.'

The man who was seen with Benzie after she left Arlsan's hotel room also told detectives that she allegedly admitted to giving him drugs, according to the affidavit.

He told police that Benzie allegedly said that Arlsan 'probably OD'd and he's probably going to die.'

After detectives seized Benzie's phone, they found a text message sent to a friend, reading: 'I PANICKED AND DID SOMETHING DUMB I NEED OUT OF HERE PLEASE...I COULD GO AWAY FOR A VERY LONG TIME,' according to the affidavit.

However, Benzie told police that after Arlsan poured her a glass of wine in the hotel room, she excused herself to use the bathroom and messaged a friend for an excuse to leave.

She added that she only returned to the room later in the night because she forgot her sunglasses, according to the affidavit.

A man told detectives that Benzie allegedly admitted to using fentanyl because she forgot to bring a 'date rape drug'

Benzie faces a slew of charges, including murder in the first degree, for allegedly drugging the man at the Washington casino (file photo)

Benzie is still in custody with a combined bail of $10 million and has entered a not guilty plea

Surveillance footage also revealed that Benzie cashed out a casino ticket belonging to Arslan on the morning of October 5 for over $1,000, according to the affidavit.

Benzie faces a slew of charges, including murder in the first degree, possession of a stolen vehicle, use of a controlled substance in a homicide, poisoning, robbery, and theft, according to the Clark County jail roster.

She is still in custody with a combined bail of $10 million and has entered a not guilty plea. Benzie was arraigned on November 7 and last appeared in court on Wednesday.

Her next court appearance is set for November 25, and her trial is scheduled for January.

Benzie's representation declined to comment when approached by the Daily Mail. The Daily Mail has also reached out to the Clark County Attorney's Office for the affidavit and additional comment.

The Ilani Casino Hotel said in a statement: 'We are deeply saddened to confirm the loss of life at Ilani. The suspect involved has been detained, and the investigation by the Cowlitz Indian Tribal Public Safety Department has concluded.

'We remain fully supportive of law enforcement and continue to focus on the well-being of our guests and team members.'
A North Carolina woman has won a $1.75 million lawsuit against the TikTok influencer who had an affair with her husband and flaunted their scandalous relationship online.

Akira Montague was awarded the hefty sum after accusing Brenay Kennard, who has more than 2.9 million TikTok followers, of successfully plotting to ruin her marriage with her now ex-husband, Tim Montague.

She sued Kennard for alienation of affection, a scarcely seen claim that allows an individual to sue a third party for causing their marriage to end.

After the jury of a North Carolina courtroom reviewed the hoards of evidence - including a video of Kennard twerking on Tim in a bathroom - they ultimately ruled in Akira's favor.

The court found Kennard not only in violation of the alienation of affection law, which is only in effect in seven states, but also of criminal conversation laws, on Monday.

Criminal conversation means that someone, in this case Kennard, allegedly had sex with someone else's spouse.

'I literally was like dizzy. Like I was about to faint,' Akira told WTVD, recalling how she felt in the earth-shattering moment that she discovered that Tim and Kennard, a woman she had let live in her home, were having an affair.

Akira and Tim separated in March 2024, but formally divorced in August. Tim, who claimed he never truly loved Akira, married Kennard - who is known for sharing recipes and food reviews online - soon after.

Akira Montague (pictured) sued TikTok star Brenay Kennard for allegedly breaking up her marriage to her ex-husband Tim Montague

Brenay Kennard, left, and Tim Montague, right, are now married

Her attorney, Robonetta Jones, said she was 'humiliated' and scorned by Kennard boasting about her affair with Tim to her millions of followers on social media while he and Akira were still married.

'It was a lot, but it was lifted once we got our verdict,' Akira, who originally sued for a staggering $3.5 million, added.

According to the 2024 lawsuit, reviewed by NBC News, Tim was Kennard's manager, and the social media star was actually married to his cousin.

Akira accused her of blatantly trying to seduce Tim by wearing revealing clothing around him and making suggestive comments.

Adding insult to injury, Akira said she would confide in Kennard about private matters, many of which involved Tim.

But it was all a part of Kennard's plan to get Akira out of the picture so she could have Tim all to herself, according to the lawsuit.

'I want people to be able to think, OK, Mrs Montague won $1.75 million,' Jones told WTVD.

'Is that man worth it? Is that woman worth it? They will think now. [Kennard] posted online that she wanted to be Mrs Montague, and I believe she did everything she could.'

Akira, left, and Tim, right, got divorced in August, but separated back in May of 2024

Kennard seemed careless after the verdict was reached, posting selfies in the days after

Kennard moved in with the then-couple in December 2023 due to problems with her own ex-husband. Akira said she was uncomfortable with this arrangement.

She felt herself and Tim drifting apart - blaming her unwelcome house guest for their relationship being ruined.

Tim's sister, Imani, reportedly said that her brother had been 'a terrible husband' whose marriage caused a 'hostile' living environment.

Tim himself said in court that he was never truly in love with Akira.

'I loved her but I wasn't in love with her,' Tim claimed in court, according to News & Observer.

More than 700 pages of evidence, including photos and text messages, were presented in court, proving a sexual relationship between Kennard and Tim.

The influencer had also posted online about wanting to be married and have kids with Tim.

Kennard (left) allegedly posted photos of Akira's children without consent while 'flaunting' the affair with Timothy (right)

In the midst of the court chaos, Akira said she has tried her best to shield her children from the hate and harassment she said they have received.

'It was horrible. I don't like going out in public with my kids because I get stopped in the store,' she told WTVD.

'I can't have fun with my kids; to this day, people harass me and them. It's hard.'

While reflecting on Kennard's actions, Akira noted: 'She doesn't regret it. Like she said, I'm just bitter because she took my husband. Those were her words.

'That's what she told the jury. That's the woman that is not accountable for her actions and does not show any remorse for breaking up a family.'

While Kennard has not spoken out about the scandal or the lawsuit, she seemed unfazed by the amount she owes Akira - posting selfies online in the days after the verdict.

The Daily Mail has contacted Arika's lawyer, Tim and Kennard for comment.
Two months after his alleged mistress doused herself with gasoline and set herself on fire, Congressman Tony Gonzales finally addressed cheating accusations with his former aide for the first time.

Appearing Thursday at the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin, the Republican lawmaker who represents the border and San Antonio denied he had a relationship with his former regional director Regina Aviles.

'The rumors are completely untruthful. I am generally untrusting of these outlets,' Gonzales said to reporter.

'Reginas family has asked for privacy. If it was your family or any of our families, I would argue that you would want privacy as well. I dont know exactly what happened. Nobody has contacted me. I haven't contacted anyone. I'm waiting for a final report. I think that would make a lot of sense.'

Daily Mail was first to report that Aviles' death has been ruled a suicide, after she doused herself with gasoline and set herself on fire at her Uvalde, Texas home on September 13.

Even though her death has been ruled a suicide by self-immolation, the medical examiner's office in Bexar County told Daily Mail it would be a few more weeks before a final report and autopsy on Aviles' death is available.

Sources who spoke with the Daily Mail on the condition of anonymity said that Aviles and the married congressman became romantically involved after she joined his staff in November 2021.

Gonzales's spokesman didn't engage when repeatedly offered the opportunity to deny the affair by the Daily Mail. But his office did offer a comment.

'Regina Aviles was a kind soul who had a lasting impact on her community, which she continued to serve until her untimely death,' a spokesman for Gonzales told the Daily Mail on October 7.

Congressman Tony Gonzales hosted Elon Musk in September 2023 as he toured the US-Mexico border in Eagle Pass, Texas. His staffer, Regina Aviles, can been seen on the right of Musk. Congressman Gonzales denied having an affair with Aviles on Thursday

'To see political bottom feeders distort the circumstances around her passing is truly sickening. Tony Gonzales remains laser-focused on delivering historic achievements for Texas and condemns any attempts to misuse this tragedy.'

One source told the Daily Mail that their relationship continued 'for some time' and that Aviles' husband, Adrian Aviles, was aware of the relationship at the time of her death.

Two additional, separate sources also confirmed the alleged relationship with Gonzales.

Gonzales also would not answer questions from San Antonio station KSAT earlier this week when they approached him at a public event on Veterans Day - which the media was invited to.

In the days right after Aviles' passing, Gonzales's office uninvited local reporters to events that had already been cleared for.

When a reporter approached him, he cut her off, saying, 'It's Veterans Day. It's Veterans Day. I hope we're talking about veterans stuff.

'If you're not, you should. It's a beautiful, it's a beautiful Veterans Day here in San Antonio.'

Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, walks down the House steps after a vote in the Capitol on Friday, September 30, 2022

Aviles's mother, Nora Gonzales, described the incident as a tragic accident and said her daughter's final words were: 'I don't want to die,' according to the San Antonio Express News

She was found engulfed in flames at her Uvalde home (above) on September 13. Investigators determined she was home alone at the time

When reporter Daniela Ibarra asked him if he had an affair with Aviles, Gonzales responded,

'We're here at Fort Sam Houston for a ceremony. Please have some respect,' he said as he walked away to speak with another camera crew.

Aviles's self-immolation was caught on the surveillance system of her home's security cameras, investigators have confirmed.

She and her husband had separated after he learned of the alleged affair sometime this year, a source shared, but continued to co-parent their eight-year-old son.

Sources added he had installed cameras at the home they once shared, and that the footage from those devices captured his wife pouring gasoline on herself on September 13.

The Uvalde Police Department told the Daily Mail that the video has been handed to the Texas Department of Public Safety's crime lab for review.

Aviles, known by friends and family as 'Regi', was airlifted to San Antonio but died in the hospital the next day.

Gonzales sang Aviles' praises Thursday, saying her work is being overshadowed by her death.

'I would like everyone to remember Regina for all the wonderful things that she did for our community,' Gonzales said.

'A new mental health facility in Uvalde would not have happened without her. Anyone that ever met her knew that she was a kind, welcoming soul.'

Gonzales's spokeswoman did not immediately respond to Daily Mail's request for comment.
Former ABC News correspondent Jim Avila has died at the age of 69, his heartbroken colleagues have revealed.

He passed away after a 'long illness', anchor Diane Macedo announced Thursday morning. She did not disclose his ailment in the announcement.

He had undergone a kidney transplant in 2020. The organ was donated by his brother.

Avila was a Los Angeles-based senior national correspondent for the network and correspondent on 20/20.

His four-decades-long career saw him cover politics, justice, law and consumer investigations.

He covered the White House during President Barack Obama's second term and won an award for breaking the news that the US and Cuba had opened diplomatic relations.

ABC News President Almin Karamehmedovic said in a statement: 'We send our heartfelt condolences to his family, including his three children, Jamie, Jenny, and Evan, and we thank him for his many contributions and unwavering commitment to seeking out the truth.'

ABC News correspondent Jim Avila (pictured in September 2020) has died at the age of 69, his heartbroken colleagues have revealed

Avila (pictured outside Air Force One in February 2013) covered politics, justice, law and consumer investigations. He worked in the White House during President Barack Obama's second term

Avila is pictured alongside his daughter Jenny. He shared the photo on X, writing: 'My one and only daughter. Jenny. What a sweetheart'

Fans and former colleagues alike have taken to social media to pay tribute to the late journalist.

'One of the greats in broadcast journalism has passed,' tweeted KTLA anchor Frank Buckley.

He hailed Avila as 'one of my close friends with whom I had too many nights out to count' and 'someone who cared deeply about journalism, his friends, his family.'

'I will miss him,' Buckley added.

ABC Supervising Producer & Reporter John Parkinson shared how Avila 'demanded the best from his colleagues but always kept it fun.'

'Our assignments took us to G20 in Antalya, Turkey to Marthas Vineyard to Waikiki and many places in between. RIP, my friend,' he wrote.

Karamehmedovic, in an internal email sent to staff cited by ABC News, said: 'Jim was a gifted journalist and a generous colleague.'

One of Avila's fans described him as a 'staple in broadcast journalism' and said his death as a 'sad loss' for everyone.

'His contributions over the years were significant,' the X user wrote, adding: 'Honestly, this one hits a little harder because of his presence on "20/20"  he had such a calm, steady way of delivering tough stories.'

Another fan echoed: 'I'm really sorry to hear of the death of former ABC News correspondent Jim Avila. He was a very fine reporter. We could use more like him right now.'

ABC News national correspondent Jim Avila (center left) is pictured outside a South Dakots courthouse with his family on opening day of the June 2017 jury trial in the defamation lawsuit brought by Beef Products, Inc. against ABC News for its reporting on its products

Avila is pictured with his rescue dog in February 2022. He owned the dog for at least 10 years

Avila leaves behind three children: his sons Jamie and Evan, and daughter Jenny. Evan (second left) is pictured alongside Olivia Smith, (left) Ronnie Polidoro (second right) and Xano O'Neill (right) at the 37th Annual News and Documentary Emmy Awards in NYC in 2016

Jim Avila is pictured alongside his friend, KTLA anchor Frank Buckley. Buckley, in a tribute shared Thursday, described Avila as 'someone who cared deeply about journalism, his friends, his family'

Avila started his career at San Francisco's KCBS radio in 1973. He worked at multiple local TV stations including LA's KNBC, WBBM in Chicago and KPIX in San Francisco.

He also served as a national correspondent at the NBC Nightly News before joining the ABC News team.

Avila left the network in 2021, following his transplant. He started working at ABC's San Diego affiliate KGTV as a senior investigative reporter in December 2023.

When asked why he rejoined the workforce, Avila told the Times of San Diego that 'retirement was boring.'

'I've been to every state in the country and every continent except Antarctica. I've covered the White House, wars, mass shootings. I still want to make an impact in news and San Diego is a good place to do it,' he said in the January 2024 interview.

Throughout his career, Avila covered 'every major trial from Jerry Sandusky and Penn State to Michael Jackson, OJ Simpson and countless others,' ABC reported.

And even after he started facing health challenges, Avila continued to contribute to the journalism industry through opinion writing and local reporting.

He shared his 'experience and deep curiosity to tell the stories that mattered most to his community and viewers,' Karamehmedovic's email reportedly said.

Fans and former colleagues alike have taken to social media to pay tribute to Avila

Avila earned numerous awards, including two National Emmy Awards and five Edward R. Murrow Awards.

The National Association of Hispanic Journalists named his reporter of the year in 1999. The organization also made named him a 2019 Hall of Fame honoree.

His coverage of the Peru drug wars and death of Chicago Mayor Harold Washington earned him awards from the Headline Club of Chicago.

Additionally, the club named him Best Reporter of 1989.
A heroic bystander leapt into action to rescue a Florida man from his burning Porsche.

David Calderon dragged the 74-year-old driver from the wreckage as flames engulfed the vehicle on a street in Clearwater.

Motorcyclist Calderon was on his way to work on November 7 when he spotted the blaze and wasted no time in trying to help.

'I didn't really think about it. I just reacted,' he told WFLA.

Fire officials told the Daily Mail that a citizen was 'an integral part of the rescue'.

Dramatic video captured the moment Calderon plucked the driver from the flames, as well as the valiant efforts of other eyewitnesses.

'Get him away from the car,' one witness yelled as the helpless man was dragged toward the sidewalk.

Others stopped traffic and directed Calderon and another unidentified witness who assisted him.

A Porsche caught fire in Clearwater, Florida prompting a quick reaction from onlookers

One motorcyclist was on his way to work when he stopped to drag the victim from the fire

'It was scary. It was really scary. You know, it wasnt just, let me just help somebody. You know, it was really scary for us,' Calderon told WFLA.

He added that the fire was extremely hot. Flames were shooting up both from under and inside the vehicle.

As soon as the elderly victim was safely off the road, his rescuers appeared with fire extinguishers, soothing the flames while they waited for help to arrive.

Clearwater firefighters handled the rest.

Some worked to put out the fire before it reached the fuel tank while others tended to the victim.

Thanks to the quick thinking of the bystanders, the driver escaped unscathed.

He was treated on the scene and taken to the hospital as a precaution.

Clearwater Fire & Rescue thanked Calderon and the rest of the witnesses who came together to save the man's life.

After the victim was safe, witnesses attempted to ease the flames

Firefighters were able to extinguish the rest of the blaze

Fire officials tended to the victim on the sidewalk. Thanks to the bystanders he survived unscathed

'Thank you to the hero citizens who helped save a man's life after he was unable to get out of his burning car this afternoon,' they wrote on social media.

'And thanks to our crew members who responded to help the man get medical care and ensure the car didn't explode from the flames enveloping it.'

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Experts said that it is important to turn off the engine and quickly exit the car at the sign of a vehicle fire.

The Daily Mail contacted Calderon for comment.
There is a narrative forming in certain quarters of the Scottish Parliament that one of its highest paid members is just plain lazy  a shirker with no laurels to rest upon.

People have started calling him a low energy minister  complacent, asleep at the wheel. They accuse him of dereliction of duty. Even his own party privately accepts its true, theyre saying.

The minister in question is Angus Robertson, Scotlands 130,000 a year Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, whose job title  at first glance  would seem a poor fit for an idler.

It sounds like a lot of plates to keep spinning at once until you reflect that the first two areas of responsibility are bogus. Matters relating to the constitution are reserved to Westminster. A UK government department known as the Foreign Office handles external affairs.

So let us for the moment truncate Mr Robertsons title to Culture Secretary and consider whether the vexatious commentary he has received on his performance is just.

How is culture getting on in Scotland? Is Mr Robertson, as they say in political circles, across it?

Funny you should ask. Even as we speak there is an existential crisis in Historic Environment Scotland (HES), the quango which acts as guardians of our national treasures, including the crown jewels, Edinburgh Castle and hundreds of heritage sites.

Long story short, its civil war at HES and, according to whistle-blowers, its being fought out at the top by executives there who earn almost as much as Mr Robertson.

Angus Robertson, Scotlands 130,000 a year Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, has been branded 'asleep at the wheel'

Suspensions, resignations, accusations of racism, of freeloading, of backstabbing  even of drunken twerking before embarrassed actor Martin Compston.

Let us put it this way: the last few months have not been short of opportunities for the Culture Secretary to get stuck in and flex some ministerial muscle.

After all, 70 million of public money goes into this outfit every year. It was suffering what Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr memorably described as an organisational nervous breakdown.

Lower tier staff had been sounding the alarm for months. One might suppose some of this would have tweaked Mr Robertsons political antennae. It seems none of it did.

Perhaps a more direct method of attracting the Culture Secretarys attention was in order. Three times in recent months his office was sent invitations for Mr Robertson to attend HES board meetings and learn first-hand of its myriad troubles. He showed up at none of them.

Indeed, he admitted last week, since being appointed to his role in 2021 he had never attended a single HES board meeting, not even popped his head round the door for a quick hello to put names to faces. He has officials to do that, see.

You can imagine how that went down among opposition parties with a narrative to push about idleness. But Mr Robertson was quick to point out he had never been invited to such a meeting. Indeed, he said so three times.

Curious. It now turns out thats exactly the number of times he has been invited this year.

Im not sure about you, but if I were in a 130,000 ministerial job and taking heat for being lazy, I think I would have made sure of my facts before telling the chamber  repeatedly  that I had never been invited to an HES board meeting.

I mean, its a terrible excuse anyway  he should have been making clear his intention to attend, invitation or not  but if he was determined to use it, at least verify it is accurate. Isnt failure to do so just plain lazy?

Back Mr Robertson came to parliament this week to explain. Oh yes, come to mention it, he did get these three invitations, but here was the thing, his officials decided not to pass the message on.

Nothing to see here, then. All an innocent misunderstanding. Thats Mr Robertsons story, and his ever-credulous boss John Swinney is satisfied with it.

Are you getting a sense yet that, if anything, asleep at the wheel is putting it mildly?

This shambolic quango, whose doors Mr Robertson has done such a sterling job of avoiding darkening, urgently requires an independent inquiry team to come in and establish what is going wrong, Stephen Kerr told the Mail last month.

There needs to be an intervention, he said, and the Culture Secretary needed to step up and ensure it happened.

What actually happened was laurels were rested on yet again. A new chairman, Sir Mark Jones, had been appointed at HES and he was turning the ship around, we were told.

And what did Sir Mark do within days of taking up the job? Back calls for an independent inquiry into the toxic culture of the organisation.

The whole saga is an eye-popping insight not only into the petty vendettas fought out at a quango bloated with bosses on six-figure salaries which we pay, but also into the jaw-dropping complacency of government which sees no pressing reason to dirty its hands with it.

Serious question: what does Angus Robertson do all day?

To answer that, we had better restore to him his full job title in all its grandiloquent wordiness: Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture.

The culture plate, as we have seen, has stopped spinning, fallen off its stick and lies smashed on the floor. How is he getting on with the pretend plates representing the constitution and external affairs which  given that they are illusory  can smash any time they like and make no difference to man or beast?

Oh, that side of the job is going swimmingly. Indeed, those who suggest the man is lazy should have regard to the energies Airmiles Angus pours into traversing the globe on aeroplanes and getting under the Foreign Offices feet.

In the 26 months between March 2022 and May last year, he was on foreign travels 21 times, visiting 13 countries including North America and China.

The week-long China trip was a beezer: business class flights; swanky hotels in Beijing and Shanghai. So it cost the taxpayer 11,500, but think of the benefits. Yes, let me know if you think of any.

Then there are all the makey-up embassies which an imaginary external affairs secretary must oversee. The Scottish Government has a presence in Washington DC, Dublin, Berlin, Paris, Beijing, Ottawa and Copenhagen.

Its a lot to get round and woe betide anyone suggesting that Mr Robertson doesnt take getting round them seriously.

Its just that it is so hard to take him seriously. People understand, for it is glaringly obvious, that our wayfaring minister is prancing around foreign capitals acting like an ambassador for an independent state when in fact our country is part of a Union that we voted to keep intact. People understand too  we all should  that his travel bills are coming out of our pocket.

We are paying this man a small fortune to put across a party political message  independence  abroad. Did any of these countries invite him over to do it? Did the Foreign Office request the pleasure of his getting in their way?

No, he thought hed just jet in anyway  you know, pop his head round the door, say hello.

j.brocklebank@dailymail.co.uk
Elon Musk's father Errol said he believes the US is 'doomed' because its white population is on course to become a minority in the next 20 years.

The businessman, 79, became visibly irate as he got into a hostile back-and-forth with CNN's Donnie O'Sullivan for a new show, MisinfoNation: White Genocide.

The show focuses on allegations of a 'white genocide' on South African farmers pushed by Elon Musk and Donald Trump earlier this year.

O'Sullivan told Musk that 'the big concern at the moment and why I think South Africa is a big talking point in the US right now is, America, in the next 20 years, will become for the first time in its history a minority white country.'

The 79-year-old appeared startled by the fact, and said that whites becoming a minority 'will be a very, very bad thing to happen.'

'You want to see the US go down? Why? You don't like cars or electric cars? You don't like technology? Or what is it?' he said.

In a shocking outburst, he added: 'You want to go back to the jungle?'

Musk added that he does not believe minorities were oppressed in South Africa during Apartheid, triggering a stern response from O'Sullivan who appeared visibly outraged at the argument.

Elon Musk's father Errol said he believes the US is 'doomed' because its white population is on course to become a minority in the next 20 years

The businessman, 79, became visibly irate as he got into a hostile back-and-forth with CNN 's Donnie O'Sullivan, including over a dispute about whether minorities were oppressed in South Africa during Apartheid

Musk said that he 'never saw' the oppression of minorities in South Africa during Apartheid, and said that he believes white South Africaners 'learned from Europe.'

'And oppressed millions of Black people for decades?' O'Sullivan replied.

Musk fired back: 'No! How do you oppress? You know, we gave them work, we fed them.

'They grew from a tiny little group into a massive group. That's not oppression, that's feeding them! You only grow big if you get fed. You only start at 800,000 and become 50 million if you get fed!

'We fed them, for crying out loud! You know, enough with this nonsense.'

As O'Sullivan said that Musk should 'understand that the Black population here was so oppressed under Apartheid', the businessman said he 'never saw this oppression you're talking about.'

'You never saw it?' O'Sullivan responded, and after Musk doubled down, he added: 'Yeah, because you're white.'

The focus on the US population becoming minority white stems from recent projections from the census bureau, which found that the demographics could see whites become a minority by 2045.

The data shows that minorities will total 51 percent of the population within the next 20 years, including 24.6 percent Hispanic, 13.1 percent black, and 7.9 percent Asian.

We spoke to Errol Musk, Elon's Musk's dad, for MisinfoNation: White Genocide



Sunday 8p ET on CNNhttps://t.co/eB4k7f1crR pic.twitter.com/TSzKbf4xef  Donie O'Sullivan (@donie) November 13, 2025

The interview comes weeks after a bombshell report alleged that Errol was accused of sexually abusing five of his children and stepchildren since 1993. He denied the allegations

The explosive allegations against Errol Musk are reportedly why his son Elon, the richest man in the world (pictured in the Oval Office in May), has been estranged from his father for years

The interview comes weeks after a bombshell report in the New York Times alleged that Errol was accused of sexually abusing five of his children and stepchildren since 1993.

The report claimed that the explosive allegations are why his son Elon, the richest man in the world, has been estranged from his father for years.

Among the most disturbing of the allegations are that one of Errol's stepchildren that he was accused of touching was just four years old at the time, and claims that he went on to have a child with her.

On several occasions, family members have contacted Elon for assistance and he has sometimes taken action to intervene, the Times reported.

Errol is accused of sexually abusing five of his children and stepchildren in South Africa and California, as per police and court records, personal correspondence, social workers and interviews with relatives, the Times reported.

The earliest allegation dates back to 1993 when the businessman's stepdaughter, then four years old, accused him of touching her at a family house.

Over the three decades of allegations, three separate police investigations were opened, according to records and relatives cited by The New York Times.

But none have yielded any results, and Errol has not been convicted of any crime. Two of the inquiries ended, while it's not clear how the third concluded.

Errol fiercely denied the allegations to The New York Times, calling them concocted by family members who were 'putting the children up to say false things' in an attempt to swindle money from Elon.

The patriarch called the reports 'false and nonsense in the extreme'.

He claimed he had a positive relationship with the X owner and that the two of them are 'very close'.

In one email, Errol claimed to be aware of only a single abuse accusation, while simultaneously offering explanations for the circumstances around two others, The New York Times reported.
A small boat migrant who raped a 15-year-old in an alleyway on Valentine's Day has been jailed for more than 12 years.

Amin Abedi Mofrad, 35, was found guilty of raping the drunk girl on her way home from an under 18s nightclub on February 14 last year.

She had been waiting to be picked up from the Westgate Shopping Centre in Oxford when Mofrad assaulted the girl in the street.

The Iranian national told the girl she could be his 'sex doll' before dragging her into an alleyway and raping her, Oxford crown court was told.

Mofrad then boasted about the attack to his friends shortly after, sending them pictures of himself kissing the teen with the caption: 'I've just f***ed two *****s'.

The rape was reported to Thames Valley Police on April 7, with Mofrad arrested and released on bail shortly after.

He had already been known to police in Germany where he was convicted of four assault offences.

The force was also made aware that Mofrad was arrested for an alleged sexual assault shortly after he arrived to the UK on a small boat in 2023. This case was later dropped due to a lack of evidence.

Amin Abedi Mofrad, 35, who raped a 15-year-old in an alleyway on Valentine's Day

Mofrad, 35, raped the girl on her way home in an alleyway near the Westgate Shopping Centre in Oxford (pictured) on February 14 last year

Mofrad was also convicted of stealing a womans bag and silver chain in last January, the court was told.

He was eventually arrested for a second time over the incident in Oxford after new evidence was found on his mobile phone on December 13. Mofrad was charged and remanded on February 3 this year.

Mofrad had been staying at the Holiday Inn Express on Grenoble Road during the time of the assault but was moved to the Best Western Plus Moat House, on Mill Lane, Reading, due to personal safety concerns at the Oxford hotel.

Mofrad was found guilty by unanimous jury verdict of one count of rape and one count of sexual assault by penetration on October 7.

On Thursday, he was sentenced to 9 years and 6 months in prison with an extended licence period of 3 years.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Bethany Liversidge, of Oxford CID, said: 'Firstly, I would like to pay tribute to the immense courage displayed by the teenage victim in supporting this investigation from the start all the way to the finish.

'It is thanks to her support and bravery that we were able to bring Mofrad to justice.

'I hope that this result illustrates how committed Thames Valley Police is in investigating and preventing violence against women and girls and bringing offenders to justice.

'Project Vigilant is a valuable initiative which helps us to prevent crimes from happening, but when they sadly do, allows us to continue to build intelligence around predatory activity.

'The victim and their family have requested privacy at this time.'
Britain is willing to pay billions of pounds to the EU as part of Keir Starmers Brexit reset.

Downing Street has signalled that the Prime Minister is preparing to give in to EU demands for cash payments in return for improved access to the single market.

Formal talks on implementing the PMs reset deal are due to resume next week.

Brussels is said to have irritated ministers by tabling a late demand for the UK to contribute to the EUs regional cohesion fund which pays for infrastructure like roads and bridges in deprived parts of the EU.

Government sources said additional payments would not be required to finalise agreements already made on food standards and carbon emissions.

But No 10 suggested Sir Keir is willing to sign off payments in return for closer trading ties with Brussels in the future.

Asked about the prospect of further UK contributions, a No 10 spokesman told reporters: On cohesion funds, we have always said that if a proportionate contribution to a specific EU system would result in tangible benefits to the UK then that is the sensible, fair and pragmatic decision we will take.

The size of any payments will be the subject of intense negotiations but could eventually run into billions of pounds a year.

Keir Starmer and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen discussed the next stage of the Brexit reset on Wednesday

No 10 said Sir Keir is also ready to pay billions into the EUs Security Access for Europe Fund (Safe) in return for greater access for British firms to EU defence contracts. The EU is demanding up to 6 billion in return for granting access to the UK.

Any payments will eat into the 9 billion benefit ministers hope to achieve by cutting red tape on things like agricultural exports.

The PM discussed the next stage of the Brexit reset with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen in a phone call on Wednesday evening.

A No 10 spokesman said the two leaders 'reaffirmed their commitment to moving forwards rapidly, as it is in the UK and the EUs interests to have a broad and constructive relationship that delivers for both sides'.

Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel accused Labour of betraying Brexit.

She added: It's outrageous that Labour are plotting to whack up taxes on hard-working British families and businesses to bankroll the EU. Under Labour our standing in the world keep falling and Starmer is letting the EU bully him into handing over more British taxpayers money just so he can feel good at the next summit he goes to.

Starmer is so desperate for praise and adulation that he's selling out the British people to get a few pats on the back from his EU friends.

But ministers believe the reset will reduce post-Brexit trade barriers, boosting business and potentially cutting prices.

EU relations minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said the resumption of talks represented welcome progress, adding: We can now start formal talks on deals that will help keep food costs down and slash red tape.

We are delivering on the commitments made to British businesses and the public at the historic UK-EU Summit in May. These agreements will add nearly 9 billion to the UK economy, supporting British jobs and putting more money in peoples pockets.

France had pushed for the UK to make contributions to the EU cohesion fund as part of the talks beginning next week. But government sources said this demand had now been dropped, and that the issue would only be discussed as part of future negotiations.

The current deal will see trade barriers reduced in agriculture in return for the UK agreeing to align itself permanently with EU regulations. In return, the UK will have to accept some form of EU mobility scheme and is under pressure to drop post-Brexit innovations, such as the development of gene editing and the ban on live animal exports.

Mr Thomas-Symonds has said the deal will be in place by 2027. Ministers are now considering whether to push for further alignment in the future in areas like chemicals.
Donald Trump is planning strikes on Venezuela within days and has been presented with a suite of military options by his top generals, according to a report.

The president was briefed by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, sources told CBS News.

The commander in chief has not yet made a final decision but action could come as soon as this week, the sources said.

Earlier this week, the USS Gerald R Ford - a nuclear-powered behemoth and the largest aircraft carrier in the world - steamed into the Caribbean.

It joined the biggest force assembled by the United States in the region since the Cold War amid growing speculation that America is set to launch an assault to topple the regime of Nicolas Maduro.

Trump has directed the US military since September to launch deadly hellfire missile strikes on alleged drug boats coming towards the country.

The administration's anti-narco efforts have resulted in 19 separate attacks across the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean, with a total of 76 people killed.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House for comment.

US Navy's USS Gerald R Ford in Norway in September

The US military has launched 19 strikes against alleged drug boats coming towards the US since September, resulting in the deaths of 76 people

Donald Trump has not yet made a final decision on the military strikes against Venezuela

Hegseth discussed the administration's deadly approach towards dealing with Latin American drug smugglers during a summit in Fort Wayne, Indiana on Wednesday.

'If you're trafficking drugs to poison the American people and we know you're a designated foreign terrorist or trafficker, we will find you and we will kill you,' Hegseth said.

'No one is better at tracking and networking and mapping and hunting than the American military. Been honing those skills for many decades in foreign lands.'

The intelligence community provided information to the president regarding the potential upcoming military operations.

The Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard, however, was not present during the White House discussions over the matter due to an overseas trip.

Critics have claimed that the Trump administration's targeted strikes on drug smugglers represent extrajudicial killings.

The Pentagon has yet to release concrete evidence to the public that the vessels were carrying narcotics or posed a threat to the US.

Last month, America rescued two survivors from a military strike on a drug vessel. The pair were later repatriated to Colombia and Ecuador.

Trump has in the past threatened to topple the military regime of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro

Trump has justified the attacks as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States.

He has asserted America is engaged in an 'armed conflict' with drug cartels, relying on the same legal authority used by the Bush administration when it declared a war on terrorism after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Senate Democrats have expressed doubts over the legality of the strikes, and earlier this month renewed their request for more information in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Gabbard and Hegseth.
A thief who kicked and punched a pensioner to death before taking off with his shopping has been found guilty of murder.

Peter Augustine, 59, attacked 87-year-old John Mackey after he visited a Co-op store in Manor House, north London, on the afternoon of May 6.

A jury sitting at the Old Bailey returned their verdict today, convicting Augustine of robbery and murder.

Mr Mackey's family and loved ones could be heard cheering and crying after hearing the verdict.

One of them said: 'Justice, right - that's what we wanted.'

Passers-by saw Augustine attacking Mr Mackey and searching his jacket as he lay on the ground, the Old Bailey was previously told.

Another member of the public alerted police after she heard a shout of 'give me the bag' and saw Mr Mackey lying inert on the pavement, the trial heard.

Mr Mackey, who was bleeding from his head, regained consciousness but was unable to tell officers what had happened.

John Mackey (pictured), who was bleeding from his head, regained consciousness but was unable to tell officers what had happened

The prosecutor told jurors that at the time, Augustine (pictured) was living in 'reduced circumstances' and was effectively homeless

He was treated in hospital for bleeding on the brain and broken ribs, but died from his injuries two days later.

Police pieced together events from CCTV footage, although the attack itself was not caught on camera, prosecutor Jane Bickerstaff KC previously told the trial.

Mr Mackey had set off from his address shortly after 5pm wearing a distinctive trilby hat, grey mackintosh coat and carrying a walking stick and black bag.

At 5.12pm, he went into the Co-op where he bought cornflakes, an own-brand cottage pie and Mirror newspaper which he put in his bag.

He paid for his goods using a 20 note and put the change of 11.50 in his trouser pocket.

Eighteen minutes later, Augustine began to follow the pensioner.

Mr Mackey then went into Manor Kebab at 5.36pm and bought sausage and chips as the defendant loitered outside, the trial was told.

The victim was last seen on camera at 5.50pm and Augustine reappeared on CCTV three minutes later carrying what looked like the victim's bag, jurors heard.

A later search of the defendant's room uncovered what was left of Mr Mackey's groceries and wrapping from the cottage pie, and sausage and chips.

Ms Bickerstaff previously told jurors Mr Mackey was 5ft 5ins tall and weighed less than nine stone.

She said: 'He would have been largely unable to put up any resistance to the attack due to his age and infirmity.'

The prosecutor told jurors that at the time, Augustine was living in 'reduced circumstances' and was effectively homeless.

She said he had used 'extreme force' after he targeted Mr Mackey.

'When the defendant kicked and punched an elderly, vulnerable and largely defenceless man, who was prone on the floor, the Crown says that he intended to cause him really serious harm,' Ms Bickerstaff said.

Augustine will be sentenced on November 28.
The BBC has been accused of doctoring footage of a Donald Trump speech on Newsnight two years before a similarly edited clip was shown on Panorama.

Footage of a speech given by the US President on January 6, 2021, was edited in a way that appeared to show him inciting his followers to storm the Capitol building in Washington DC.

It was shown in an episode of Newsnight in June 2022, more than two years before a similarly spliced clip was aired in a BBC Panorama documentary.

Both clips seem to make it look as if the US president urged supporters to 'walk down to the Capitol' with him and 'fight like hell' - two statements that he made around an hour apart in his speech.

Concerns about the Newsnight footage were reportedly raised internally the day after it aired, although discussions were supposedly shut down.

Director-General Tim Davie dramatically resigned on Sunday alongside CEO of News Deobrah Turness following criticism viewers had been misled over the Panorama footage, which aired on October 28 last year.

The departure prompted praise from Mr Trump who described Mr Davie as 'very honest' and lamented the editing of his 'very good (perfect!) speech'. He gave the BBC a Friday deadline to apologise, issue a retraction, and compensate him 'for the harm caused'.

But the latest scandal risks plunging the corportation into further chaos, given the Newsnight footage aired two years before the Panorama edit - raising questions over why the same mistake was made twice.

Director-general Tim Davie quit the BBC on Sunday after five years in the corporation's top job

The clip was aired in an episode of Newsnight on June 9, 2022, during a segment about the Senate committee hearings into the riots taking place at the time.

It showed Trump saying: 'We're gonna walk down to the Capitol and we're gonna cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women... and we fight. We fight like hell.'

However during his actual speech, Trump says: 'We're gonna walk down to the Capitol and we're gonna cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women and we're probably not going to be cheering so much for some of them.'

More than 50 minutes later he adds: 'And we fight. We fight like hell. And if you don't fight like hell, you're not going to have a country anymore.'

Former White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, who previously described the riots as an 'attempted coupe', responded to the clip live on the same episode, claiming the edit had 'spliced together' Trump's speech.

'That line about "we fight and fight like hell" is actually later in the speech and yet your video makes it look like those two things came together,' he tells the programme.

'Thats the type of messaging here that so many people in my country find frustrating is that its hard to actually get the facts.

'If were going to have a debate about what this was and prevent it from happening again, I think part of that is to make sure were straightforward in our presentation of what actually happened.'

The Telegraph also reported that concerns about the clip were raised during an editorial meeting the following day, but were later dismissed.

Donald Trump condemned the 'corrupt' BBC as he tore into director-general Tim Davie

Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday warned that the BBC should 'get their house in order' after Trump said he had an 'obligation' to sue the corporation for $1 billion over a misleading speech edit.

Speaking during PMQs, Starmer said he supported a 'strong and independent BBC' but he also believed it should 'uphold the highest standards to be accountable and correct errors quickly'.

'Where mistakes are made, they do need to get their house in order,' he said in response to a question calling for him to urge Trump to abandon his legal threat.

Trump's lawyers threatened the broadcaster with a billion-dollar lawsuit on Monday after the BBC apologised for giving the impression the president had urged 'violent action' ahead of the 2021 assault on the US Capitol.

A letter sent to BBC Chairman Samir Shah at Television Centre by Trump's legal team in Florida said: '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.

'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.

'Consequently, the BBC has caused President Trump to suffer overwhelming financial and reputational harm.'

The BBC said earlier this week it would 'review the letter and respond directly in due course'.

The scandal was sparked by the leaking of an internal memo from a former standards adviser that listed what he said were failings in the BBC's coverage of Trump, the Israel-Hamas war, and transgender rights.

The memo by Michael Prescott, a former Sunday Times political editor, set out what he said was a series of editorial failings that showed systemic left-wing bias at the BBC.

Prescott was an external adviser to the BBC's Editorial Guidelines and Standards Committee that oversees coverage, compliance and complaints.

A BBC spokesperson said: 'The BBC holds itself to the highest editorial standards. This matter has been brought to our attention and we are now looking into it.'
A police officer who grabbed a 15-year-old fare dodger by her throat after putting her into a headlock has been handed a community order for his 'appalling' actions.

PC Adrian Young of the British Transport Police (BTP), who is attached to the London overground tasking team, was convicted of assault by beating last month following a trial at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

The 48-year-old, of Spalding, Lincolnshire, was sentenced at the same court on Thursday to a 12-month community order, including a rehabilitation activity requirement of 10 days, and 150 hours' unpaid work in the community.

The force said Young's actions during the incident were 'appalling, demonstrating a completely unnecessary and unacceptable use of force against a child'.

Young, who remains suspended from duty, was fined a victim surcharge of 114, costs of 650 and ordered to pay 200 in compensation to the complainant.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said the court was told BTP officers responded to a request for assistance from railway staff on September 22, 2024 after the girl pushed her way through ticket barriers at Camden Road overground station.

CCTV footage played to the court showed Young restraining the girl by placing her in a headlock.

The child remained in that position for approximately 30 seconds before the constable pushed her back through the ticket barrier and placed his hand around her throat while pushing her up against a ticket machine.

BTP officer PC Adrian Young has been handed a community order after he grabbed a 15-year-old fare dodger by her throat and put her into a headlock at Camden Road Station

The force said Young's actions during the incident last September were 'appalling, demonstrating a completely unnecessary and unacceptable use of force against a child'

Young, who has served in the police force for more than 19 years, handcuffed and arrested the child. She was later de-arrested at the scene.

District Judge Nina Tempia said the incident would have caused the girl 'psychological distress'.

Prosecutor Barto De Lotbiniere told the court: 'There's clear evidence to say this is a victim who was vulnerable due to her age and also the circumstances of the time.'

Defending Young, Kevin Baumber said the officer had used 'excessive force in a lawful detention' and there was 'no choking and no strangulation'.

Mr Baumber added: 'The mistakes Mr Young made were all in flow of an active incident that was made more difficult by an act of physical resistance by the complainant.

'In a situation where there was grounds for lawful detention, there was also active verbal and physical interference by her friend that made the job the defendant was trying to do more difficult.'

Following the sentence, BTP said it would liaise with the IOPC to 'swiftly progress disciplinary proceedings'.

BTP Assistant Chief Constable Sean O'Callaghan said: 'I'd like to be absolutely clear that the actions of PC Young during this incident were appalling, demonstrating a completely unnecessary and unacceptable use of force against a child.

Young, who has served in the police force for more than 19 years, handcuffed and arrested the child. She was later de-arrested at the scene (file pic)

'Police officers are rightly expected to maintain control of any situation and by not doing so, PC Young has undermined public confidence in BTP and the high standards we hold our officers to every day.

'We thank the IOPC for their investigation and will be looking to progress with internal disciplinary proceedings as soon as possible.'

IOPC director Amanda Rowe said: 'We are grateful to the member of the public who made a complaint after witnessing the incident - this matter may not have been brought to our attention otherwise.

'Police officers are permitted to use force during their duties, however it must be reasonable and proportionate in the circumstances.

'The conviction and sentencing of Pc Young demonstrates that officers who abuse their powers by using unlawful force will be held to account and there can be serious consequences.

'At the end of our investigation, we also found that Pc Young should face a disciplinary hearing regarding his use of force.

'Now that criminal matters have concluded, we will be liaising with British Transport Police to progress disciplinary proceedings.'
MPs today blasted House of Commons officials over a 'bonkers' decision to label traditional Christmas biscuits as 'gingerbread people'.

Tory former minister Sir Desmond Swayne expressed his anger at the sale of a 1.70 'gingerbread person' on the parliamentary estate.

He questioned why the 251-calorie snack had been given a gender-neutral name.

'Who's ever heard of a gingerbread person?,' asked the New Forest West MP, after he posted a picture on social media of the 'bonkers' label.

Tom Tugendhat, a fellow Conservative MP, also mocked the decision to advertise the food item with a gender-neutral term.

'This courage deserves recognition,' quipped the Tonbridge MP.

Tory former minister Sir Desmond Swayne expressed his anger at the sale of a 1.70 'gingerbread person' on the parliamentary estate

Reform UK's Lee Anderson said, if his party won power and Nigel Farage became prime minister, they would crackdown on 'woke' labels.

'When Reform is in government there will be no more gingerbread people, no police people, or chair people,' the Ashfield MP told The Sun.

'We will not abandon tradition to appease the woke and delusional.

'May our snacks be delicious regardless of their gender, and may big government please mind their own business.'

But some users of the X social media site asked Sir Desmond if he had 'nothing better to do'.

'Imagine stealing a living because you're paid thousands a month to get angry over ginger biscuits,' said one.

A House of Commons spokeswoman said they would not be commenting.
Bill de Blasio's ex-girlfriend has words for the former mayor.

And she put them on a T-shirt.

Progressive political adviser Nomiki Konst, 41, who was dating the former New York City mayor until his tryst with another mayor, was spotted out for coffee Thursday wearing a blue T-shirt with white lettering.

The message: 'Men will literally do anything but go to therapy.'

The Daily Mail exclusively reported on Tuesday that de Blasio was cheating on Konst with Roxanna Valenzuela, the mayor of South Tucson, Arizona.

Konst, who is also from Tucson but resides in New York, was credited with giving the 64-year-old de Blasio a glow-up during their 10-month relationship.

That all ended on election night - with Konst breaking up with de Blasio over his relationship with Valenzuela.

De Blasio and Konst had been seen happily boosting Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani together just last month.

Bill de Blasio's ex-girlfriend Nomiki Konst was captured by the Daily Mail wearing a T-shirt Thursday that read: 'Men will literally do anything but go to therapy'

HAPPIER TIMES: Just last month former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (left) and progressive political adviser Nomiki Konst (right) were seen stumping for now Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani wearing similar blue shirts that read 'Hot Girls for Zohran'

Nomiki Konst (left) walks with a male friend into an Astoria coffee shop on Thursday wearing a T-shirt reading 'men will literally do anything but go to therapy.' She also carried the copy of the Nation magazine with Zohran Mamdani on the cover

On Thursday, as Konst walked into the Chateau le Woof coffee shop in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens, she carried a copy of the Nation magazine that showed Mamdani's face.

Her take on the break-up?

'Oh, I have no interest in being on the Real Housewives of South Tucson,' Konst said. 'I'm too busy being Olivia Pope in New York.'

Pope was the ultimate political fixer in the TV series Scandal.

Konst is working with progressive political clients after serving as an investigative reporter for The Young Turks and a campaign surrogate for Bernie Sanders.

De Blasio and Valenzuela didn't do a good job keeping their relationship a secret.

'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.

'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.

Nomiki Konst (left) posted a loved up picture with former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (right) earlier this year

Nomiki Konst photographed on the red carpet in 2018 while she was working as a correspondent for the Young Turks

Nomiki Konst (right) interviewed Mayor Bill de Blasio (center) and his wife Chirlane McCray (left) when she was a reporter for the Young Turks. De Blasio and McCray announced their separation in 2023, but said they would remain married and date other people

De Blasio only follows 33 people on his Instagram account. Among them his now ex-girlfirend Nomiki Konst and his current lover Roxanna Valenzuela

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 and Valenzuela 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.

She has a strictly co-parenting relationship with the toddler's father, William 'Billy' Peard.

The Daily Mail was also told by another source in Valenzuela's orbit that she 'is ruining her life, her kids' lives, and [Peard's] life to be famous.'

Online, Valenzuela - and also Konst - were among only 33 people the former New York City mayor was following on Instagram.

The first picture of de Blasio and Valenzuela together was posted back on June 1.

In another set, she is pressed into him during a visit to a New York City soup kitchen in September.

The New York Post first reported on de Blasio and Konst's split.

De Blasio separated from his wife, Chirlane McCray, in 2023 after 29 years of marriage.

They remain married, telling the New York Times that they were not planning to divorce and would instead date other people.
Taylor likely never expected to be the subject of First Ministers Questions.

The proceedings of the Scottish Parliament seldom concern themselves with the likes of her. People who grew up on the margins, with no voice and little in the way of social capital.

Conservative leader Russell Findlay described how Taylor and her friends were plied with alcohol and drugs and were sexually abused by at least 10 Pakistani men.

Taylor was an at-risk child, in local authority care, in the very arms of the state itself, and yet she could scarcely have been more alone. Her vulnerability, which should have attracted enhanced scrutiny from those in authority, instead made it easier to disregard her.

But not everyone overlooked her. Some men paid particular attention to Taylor  BECAUSE she was voiceless, BECAUSE she was marginalised, BECAUSE she was the kind of girl the authorities disregarded. Men who, for whatever reason, believed they could prey on her with impunity.

Taylor isnt on the margins anymore. She has written to John Swinney calling for a Scottish national inquiry into organised child sexual exploitation.

She says it is the only way to uncover the scale of the abuse, establish why it went unchecked and ensure that it cannot continue.

Findlay pressed the First Minister to do this one thing for Taylor, a woman for whom the state failed to do so much.

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay pressed John Swinney to establish a Scottish grooming gang inquiry at First Minister's Questions on Thursday

Swinney is no stranger to these issues. For several years, as Nicola Sturgeons deputy, it was he who set up the scheme by which victims of abuse in some institutional settings can come forward, confide their experiences, and apply for financial recompense.

He said the government remained open to a national inquiry but referred to a series of steps currently being taken to explore those issues.

For example, reviews by the National Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Strategic Group and Police Scotland.

The Conservative leader brought up social work files purported to show that Police Scotland failed to investigate Taylors case. Findlay quoted her as feeling sick to my stomach.

It could have been stopped, she said, and it never was.

For Findlay, this raised the question of whether the actions of the authorities should be independently examined.

Swinney contended that extensive prosecutions of child sexual exploitation should give victims the confidence to come forward.

He read aloud a statement from Police Scotland saying Taylor was advised she should make a report to police if she had been a victim of a crime.

Procedure is important but Findlay warned it was highly questionable to shift the blame onto victims for how and when such crimes are reported.

He added the obvious: Taylor was a child. The authorities knew about the crimes at the time, on the basis of social work reports.

Swinney stiffened. Nothing I am saying is about shifting the blame, he protested.

The pair then spoke past each other over an amendment which Swinney opposed and which the Tories say would have established a Scottish inquiry.

The First Minister disputed whether that was actually the case, picking holes in the Conservative plan which he claimed would delay a national review.

With respect to both parties, this kind of thing isnt edifying at all. Taylor has done the hard work of putting a national inquiry on the agenda. She shouldnt have to endure public bickering over technicalities and terms of reference. Process cannot block the path to action.

Taylor and others have had enough of that already.

Their childhoods were consumed by the monstrous appetites of predators, and it was allowed to happen because these girls were not deemed worthy of the interest or the effort of the state.

All those strategies and processes and cold, official acronyms tasked with safeguarding. None of them safeguarded Taylor.

Instead, the state looked the other way. Taylor has a right to know why. She deserves a retired judge, TV cameras, and people in authority sweating under the collar as they try to justify their actions  and inactions.

It is a small price to pay for the robbing of a childhood.
A British pro-Palestinian political commentator who was held by American immigration officials for two weeks has returned to the UK.

Sami Hamdi was detained on October 26 at San Francisco International Airport after US officials revoked his visa during a speaking tour in which he criticised Israel's actions in Gaza.

Hamdi - who was pictured wearing a keffiyeh scarf - was embraced by his family as he landed in London's Heathrow Airport on Thursday, telling reporters: 'It's wonderful to be back after being exonerated by two federal judges, both of whom found that there were serious breaches of freedom of speech.'

He said the only allegation against him was overstaying his visa after it was revoked without warning.

Hamdi insisted he had complied with all visa conditions and alleged the move was linked to his advocacy for Gaza.

'I want to say that this wasn't just an attack on me. It was an attack on the freedoms of ordinary Americans and citizens worldwide. It was an attack on their freedom to speak the truth in the face of hatred,' he said.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Hamdi's visa was cancelled under security rules and that he was in the country illegally.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin shared following his detention that Hamdi's 'visa was revoked and he is in ICE custody pending removal'.

British political commentator Sami Hamdi has returned to the UK after spending two weeks in ICE detention in the US

Hamdi was greeted by his family in Heathrow Airport on Thursday

McLaughlin also added in her X post that, 'under President Trump, those who support terrorism and undermine American national security will not be allowed to work or visit this country', adding 'it's commonsense'.

Rights groups and press freedom advocates condemned the detention, calling it an attack on free speech.

Hamdi, managing director of The International Interest, a political risk consultancy, and a frequent analyst on British television, had spoken at a gala for the Council on American-Islamic Relations in California and was scheduled to appear at another event in Florida before his arrest.

The Trump administration has pursued a sweeping immigration crackdown this year, including revoking visas for people accused of supporting terrorism and deporting foreign nationals who have voiced support for Palestinians.

Hamdi frequently posts anti-Israel content on his social media, and has featured on reputable TV stations speaking about his opinion on Hamas and the conflict in the Middle East.

On October 15, he appeared on Sky News saying: 'Given Trump has imposed a ceasefire on the reluctant Israelis after reportedly engaging directly with Hamas, and is being lobbied by Turkey to establish an international force in Gaza, Israel is exploring how to go back to war without offending Trump.'

Ten days after the October 7 Hamas attacks, which claimed the lives of 1,200 Israelis, Hamdi was filmed encouraging people to 'celebrate the victory' of the terrorist organization.

Hamdi was detained on October 26 at San Francisco International Airport after US officials revoked his visa during a speaking tour in which he criticised Israel 's actions in Gaza

British pro-Palestinian commentator Sami Hamdi arrives with his family to a press conference, after being detained by U.S. immigration authorities for more than two weeks, in London, Britain, November 13, 2025

'Celebrate the victory! Allah has shown the world that no normalization can erase the Palestinian cause,' Hamdi said ten days after the worst loss of life for Jews in a single day since the holocaust.

'When everybody thought it was finished, it's roaring! How many of you feel it in your hearts? When you go the news that it happened, how many of you felt the euphoria? Allahu Akbar! How many of you felt it?'

Hamdi has previously been banned from speaking at two universities in Canada after his comments came to light.
John Fetterman has been rushed to hospital with a life-threatening heart problem after falling over this morning.

The Pennsylvania Senator was on a walk early Thursday when he 'sustained a fall near his home in Braddock,' the Democrat's spokesperson stated.

Fetterman was transported to hospital in Pittsburgh after the accident, where doctors determined he suffered a ventricular flare-up, his team said.

A ventricular flare-up in this context refers to an episode of a ventricular arrhythmia, an abnormal heart rhythm, that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest which can cause the heart to stop pumping blood effectively.

The medical episode caused the 56-year-old lawmaker to feel light-headed and fall to the ground, 'hitting his face with minor injuries,' the spokesperson said.

Following the incident, Fetterman issued a cheeky statemen and appeared to be in good spirits.

If you thought my face looked bad before, wait until you see it now!' he said.

His latest medical scare comes after he opened up about thinking about quitting politics following a terrifying stroke in 2022.

John Fetterman has been rushed to hospital after suffering from a fall this morning. He is pictured near the Senate subway on Capitol Hill in January 2024

Fetterman (pictured with his wife Gisele in 2023) was transported to a hospital in Pittsburgh after the accident where doctor's determined he suffered a ventricular flare-up

In his memoir Unfettered, Fetterman gave the public a glimpse into his personal life and health struggles.

He recounted the health crisis that nearly derailed his 2022 campaign as well as his battle with depression for the first time, an exclusive excerpt published by The Free Press revealed.

Fetterman suffered a stroke just days before the Democratic primary election.

His wife Gisele recognized the warning signs and rushed him to the hospital, where doctors removed a life-threatening blood clot and later implanted a pacemaker.

Though he survived and won the primary, the stroke left him with auditory processing difficulties.

The senator pressed forward with his general election campaign against Republican Mehmet Oz despite his condition.

But more than three years later in his memoir he reflected: 'In hindsight, I should have quit.'

Fetterman has faced intense media scrutiny and personal attacks about his health, which he says contributed to severe depression.

In his memoir Unfettered, released on Tuesday, Fetterman gave the public a glimpse into his personal life and health struggles

Fetterman with his wife Gisele and their children outside the White House

In Unfettered, he traces these struggles to deeper psychological wounds stemming from being born to teenage parents, which he says left him with persistent feelings of shame and inadequacy throughout his life.

Fetterman wrote: 'Once, as I lay in bed, I asked myself, what would you do if there were a pill on the nightstand you could take and not wake up? I would have taken it.'

During the campaign, his mental health worsened, especially after a disastrous debate that drew public mockery.

He became consumed by self-loathing and suicidal thoughts, the memoir details.

His struggled continued even as he won the general election by five points and outperformed President Biden in most counties.

His victory brought no relief. He spent months bedridden, emotionally detached, and unable to function.

By early 2023, he was isolated, barely eating or sleeping, and finally entered Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. There, he was diagnosed with severe depression that further affected his physical health.

At Walter Reed, through therapy and reading, he slowly began to heal. A young therapist's reminder, delivered with a simple phrase - 'Children need their daddy' - became a turning point, rekindling his will to live and reconnect with his family.

The love and encouragement delivered by his three children ultimately brought him home after 44 days.

This year Fetterman reflected candidly on surviving both a stroke and suicidal depression while serving as a US senator.

He acknowledged that stigma and political criticism persist, especially regarding his independent positions; however, he has found strength in his family and self-acceptance.

His message to others struggling with depression is clear: recovery is slow, love is essential, and survival - however fragile - is possible.
Scotland needs at least one million more immigrants to work the land and tackle climate change, a Green MSP has claimed.

MSP Ariane Burgess admitted it would create a challenge for the Highlands  which may not be ready for multicultural impact of the mass influx.

She said migrants may be better suited to farming than indigenous Scots and the country must be welcoming and embrace people.

The Highlands and Island MSP is a champion of land reform but criticised recent legal changes to force the break-up of some large estates for not being radical enough.

Her comments come amid plans to provide temporary accommodation for hundreds of asylum seekers at a barracks in Inverness city centre, sparking a major row.

Last night Scottish Tory MSP Douglas Lumsden said: These bonkers remarks show just how out of touch the Scottish Greens are with the public.

If Ariane Burgess and her Green colleagues had their way, we wouldnt have any borders at all  and yet John Swinney still wont rule out a grubby deal with them after next years election.

Green rural affairs spokesman Ms Burgess, convener of Holyroods local government, housing and planning committee, spoke at a land reform conference hosted by lobby group Revive in Perth last Saturday.

Green MSP Ariane Burgess has called for an influx of a million migrants to Scotland

Ms Burgess believes migrants may be better suited to working the land than Scots

She said: If there arent any people in the straths and the glens, were not going to be tackling climate change  we absolutely need people in our rural communities.

I go round my region and I think, are people in the Highlands and Islands ready for a multicultural Highlands and Islands - because thats absolutely what we need.

What I learned when I was busy with the independence campaign is that Scotland needs at least one million more people and theyre not going to come from here, theyre going to come from elsewhere.

Theyre going to come because they can no longer live where they grew up because of climate change, because of wars.

So we need to be welcoming and embrace people and actually many of those people possibly have more of the earth and the skills in their bodies and their bones and possibly know how to work the land better than we do  maybe not specifically to our climate, but they could have a lot to bring and enrich Scottish culture.

Earlier this month, the Scottish parliament passed land reforms which could force the break-up of some large estates.

The Bill is designed to help reduce the concentration of rural land ownership among a small number of people, and to give communities a greater say in what happens on privately owned land.

It also seeks to increase opportunities for community buyouts of land and could allow for large estates to be split into smaller plots when they are put up for sale.

Cameron Barracks in Inverness where 300 immigrants are going to be housed

But Ms Burgess said ministers had shown a lack of ambition to deliver the real land reform that is so vital.

Meanwhile, a Green councillor has claimed that asylum seekers who are being moved into Cameron Barracks in Inverness should be offered a civic buffet.

Chris Ballance told a meeting of Highland Council that the 300 men who are set to be housed at the site must be welcomed.

In a bizarre intervention in the debate surrounding the contentious scheme, the Left-wing politician, who was wearing a white poppy, told councillors: I will be asking the Inverness Common Good Fund at our next meeting to grant a civic buffet to all of these asylum seekers, in due course, to give them a great welcome in our great townhouse.

Mr Ballance, who represents Aird and Loch Ness, also said that it was a cure to the depopulation crisis facing the Highlands.

He said: Of course some may be economic migrants, so what?

Last week we were discussing the huge problem of depopulation in rural Highlands. Economic migrants, by definition, are people who come here to work.

Young people, with enough get up and go, to risk their lives crossing seas and continents to work. Isnt that just what we need?

He said that the reasonable people of Inverness have sympathy and compassion for people escaping persecution and added: I see the racist bile on social media, and I guess that most of it comes from Peterhead or England rather than the Highlands.

The Scottish Greens said: Rural depopulation is a massive problem for Scotland, and so is our ageing population.

We need more people to build homes, provide care and support small businesses who are crying out for more workers.

Migration is good for Scotland and can give us the people and skills that we need to build our economy and power our public services which have been so badly harmed by the disaster of Brexit.

A Scottish Greens spokesman said: 'Rural depopulation is a massive problem for Scotland, and so is our ageing population.

'We need more people to build homes, provide care and support small businesses who are crying out for more workers.

'Migration is good for Scotland and can give us the people and skills that we need to build our economy and power our public services which have been so badly harmed by the disaster of Brexit.'
David Lammy's jails farce deepened tonight after it emerged a prisoner who was wrongly released committed a new offence while free.

The unnamed 34-year-old offender was let out of jail by mistake on Monday last week and later arrested for stalking a woman.

Mr Lammy's Ministry of Justice refused to comment on the case, and had earlier dodged questions about whether the man had reoffended after being let out.

On Tuesday the Deputy Prime Minister revealed officials were still trying to establish whether the offender was on the loose after being freed on November 3.

It was confirmed on Wednesday that he had been wrongly freed, but had been detained overnight by Leicestershire Police, eight days after being mistakenly let out.

Tory frontbencher Robert Jenrick, who has dubbed the missing prisoners 'Lammy's lags', said it was a 'disgrace' that the gaffe had led to a new crime being committed.

Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy gave a statement in the House of Commons on the prisons shambles on Tuesday

Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick said it was a 'disgrace' that a wrongly-freed inmate had gone on to commit a new crime, adding that Labour's prisons farce was putting the public at risk

The Shadow Justice Secretary said: 'A prisoner who escaped Lammy's 'strongest ever checks' has been charged with stalking hours later.

'A disgrace. People are being put at risk by this crisis.

'How many screw-ups have there been that David Lammy isn't telling us about?'

He added: 'This is shocking but it's not surprising.

'David Lammy must now come clean about how many other prisoners have been charged for alleged crimes while they've been on the run.'

The prisoner who was re-arrested in Leicestershire faces a Crown court trial next year for offences including coercive control, intentional strangulation and common assault, the Sun reported.

It is not known whether he was wrongly freed after being remanded or part-way through a separate sentence.

Mr Lammy faced a grilling from MP on Tuesday, a week after brazenly dodging questions on the bungles.

He told the Commons 91 prisoners had been let out by mistake in just seven months.

They were in addition to 262 releases in error from prison in the year to March, of whom 87 were of offenders whose main offence was violence against a person, and three whose main offence was a sexual offence, MPs heard.

Three prisoners are still on the loose - two British nationals and a foreign national.

The first was in jail for failure to surrender to the police before being freed 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.

The problems first 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. It was followed by further cases.

The Deputy PM was heavily criticised for his evasive performance while standing in for Keir Starmer at PMQs last week.

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.
A key suspect in the Lockerbie bombing is set to be released from a Libyan jail on health grounds, it has been claimed.

The authorities in Tripoli are reported to be preparing to free Abdullah al-Senussi, nicknamed the Butcher, who was a key figure in dictator Colonel Gaddafis regime.

Senussi has been behind bars for 14 years and is said to be in poor health  but previous attempts to free him have been rejected.

Political and militia factions had sought to block the release orders, given Senussis status as one of the most prominent  and notorious  figures of the Gaddafi era.

The Arab Weekly reported that the Government of National Unity, led by Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, has now officially approved Senussis release in a bid to win the trust of supporters of the former regime, particularly among major tribes.

In January, the Grand Mufti of western Libya, Sadiq al-Ghariani, called for the dismissal of justice minister Halima al-Busifi following her decision to free Senussi on medical grounds.

Senussi is accused of ordering the Abu Salim prison massacre in 1996 when an estimated 1,270 prisoners were killed following an attempted revolt.

The Grand Mufti denounced the planned release as an insult to the victims of Abu Salim and their families and accused the minister of being negligent in her job.

Abdullah al-Senussi could be released from jail on health grounds, it has been reported

In July, Senussis lawyer accused Dbeibah of direct interference to halt a release order previously issued for health reasons.

Senussi was due to be handed over to US authorities in 2022 as part of renewed efforts to reopen the Lockerbie bombing case  but it was halted at the last minute.

Analysts say Dbeibah is seeking to gain political ground by broadening his support base and offsetting his declining popularity amid repeated calls for the formation of a new government.

Dbeibahs popularity has fallen to its lowest level since late 2022, when his government handed over former Libyan intelligence officer Abu Agila Masud Kheir Al-Marimito the U.S where he awaits trial.

Dbeibah later admitted to the transfer, claiming Masud, as he is known, was Tunisian, and arguing for a distinction between Libyas state responsibility for Lockerbie and the criminal case.

The U.S. wants Senussi, 76, to answer questions connected to the destruction of Pan-Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire in December 1988.

Senussi has long been suspected of recruiting and managing the late Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al-Megrahi, who was convicted of the bombing which killed 270 people  the worst ever terrorist atrocity in the UK.

The Crown Office declined to comment on Senussis case.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem will gift $10,000 checks to TSA agents who continued to work during the government shutdown.

Noem announced Thursday she will be handing out the money to 'tens of thousands' employees, one day after President Donald Trump officially ended the record-breaking 43-day-long shutdown.

During a press conference in Houston, Texas, Noem said agents who exhibited 'exemplary service' across the country during those six weeks will be receiving the bonus checks 'for stepping up, taking on extra shifts, for showing up each and every day'.

'We will be continuing to not only recognize employees across the country, but we will be looking at every single TSA official who helped serve during this government shutdown, and do what we can to recognize that and help them financially with a bonus check to get them and their family back on their feet,' she added as a group of agents stood behind her.

She then handed out white envelopes to all of the government workers on stage with her, addressing them each by name and shaking their hands.

When asked if people who didn't call out sick or stay home for reasons other than the shutdown fell into the category Noem said 'that's not necessarily the parameters'.

'We're going to look at every individual that did exceptional service during this period of time when there were so many hardships,' the so-called ICE Barbie' added.

During the shutdown, which began on October 1, air traffic took a hard hit as flights across the country were delayed and canceled due to staffing shortages.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blessed TSA agents with $10,000 checks for showing up to work during the longest government shutdown in U.S. history

She shook the hands of a group of agents who joined her on stage in Houston, Texas Thursday to make the announcement

Air traffic controllers were partially paid in the middle of October and missed their first full paycheck on October 28.

Wait times at airports also saw travelers delayed for hours and sometimes days on end just to get on board a plane.

The single worst day was November 9, which had more than 10,000 flight delays and around 2,700 cancellations.

Air travel was not the only impacted sector as 42 million Americans who depend on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to buy necessary groceries were left with nothing because of the shutdown.

Panic quickly set in across the country as food banks became inundated with people in need.

SNAP typically costs about $9 billion a month. The Trump administration planned to cover only 65 per cent of November benefits using contingency funds, but U.S. District Judge Jack McConnell in Rhode Island ordered full funding by tapping agriculture reserves, a move critics called essential to protect food security.

Fortunately all of the chaos finally came to an end after the president signed a bill Wednesday evening that will fully fund the federal government.

The main clash between the parties Democrats' demand for an extension to extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits which make healthcare cheaper for millions of Americans.

Travelers crowd a terminal at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport on November 10, 2025 during the shutdown

Trump was surrounded by top Republicans and national business leaders as he railed against Democrats, blaming them for the record-breaking closure once more, despite polling showing that many voters think Republicans bear the blame for the shutdown.

'I just want to tell the American people, you should not forget this,' Trump said, imploring voters to remember the shutdown when they go to vote in the midterms.

Trump also called again for ending the filibuster, a proposal that has been unpopular with members of both parties. A filibuster is a tactic to delay or block a vote by extending the debate.

The president thanked the Democrats who sided with Republicans to end the shutdown and praised the broad coalition from across the political spectrum including the AFGE, Farm Bureau, and Fraternal Order of Police who pressured the Democrats to switch their votes.

With a vote of 222 to 209, members of the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Senate's bill to fund the Departments of Agriculture, Veterans Affairs, and military construction projects for fiscal year 2026, also extending funding for other agencies through January 30th of 2026.

Additional provisions include increased security funding for officials and members of Congress.

Both Senate Republicans and several Democrats were growing uneasy about the shutdown's escalating consequences.

They were eager to get the government running again before the situation worsens.

Full benefits remain uncertain and partial payments promised by the USDA have yet to reach most households

'Today, we're sending a clear message that we will never give in to extortion, because that's what it was, they tried to extort, the Democrats tried to extort our country,' Trump noted shortly before ending the shutdown.

'Yet, the extremists in the other party insisted on creating the longest government shutdown in American history, and they did it purely for political reasons,' Trump added.

Six Democrats sided with Republicans, voting to open the government on Wednesday evening.

Washington Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez said in a statement that she voted for the bill because, 'the fight to stop runaway health insurance premiums won't be won by holding hungry Americans hostage.'

The shutdown was primarily caused by conservatives and liberals not being able to come to a decision on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance subsidies.

'None of my friends who rely on SNAP would want to trade their dinner for an ambiguous D.C. beltway "messaging victory" and I'm glad this ugly scene is in the rearview mirror,' the Democrat said, referring to SNAP.

Republicans Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Greg Steube of Florida were the two members of their party who did not support the legislation.

Trump signed a bill Wednesday evening that will fully fund the federal government

Steube said he opposed the bill because the Senate had quietly inserted a last-minute provision allowing eight Republican senators to sue the U.S. government for up to $500,000 each after it was revealed that the government had spied on those members.

Although Johnson indicated that a legislative fix for this provision would occur, Steube noted that he did not trust the Speaker to keep his word.

Asked about the provision again during a press conference that followed the vote to end the shutdown, Speaker Johnson noted: 'I had a conversation with Leader Thune early this morning about it, and I think he regretted the way it was done, and we had an honest conversation about that.

'But I'm going to speak as truthfully to him as I am to all of you and tell you that I think that was way out of line.'
An NHS surgeon laughed as he was challenged over his past comments about 'sacrificing grannies' during a Parliamentary committee on assisted dying.

Consultant neurosurgeon Dr Henry Marsh chuckled as he said he 'didn't realise' the vile comments would end up in the public domain.

The pro-assisted dying doctor had previously said: 'Even if a few grannies get bullied into it, isn't that a price worth paying for all the people who could die with dignity?'

Dr Marsh also claimed the opposition to assisted dying is 'all bloody Christians' and added that during a Commons debate on the topic 'one bloody woman MP' had told a 'complete lie'.

He had been invited to take part in a Human Rights Committee session discussing the potential impact of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on the human rights of disabled people.

During the session on Wednesday, Tory Peer Lord Simon Murray asked him: 'I think you're on record saying if there's some cases of coercion the greater public good is satisfied by having the system, is that fair?'

Dr Marsh, 75, responded: 'In principle, yes. I know I made a very crass comment about "sacrificing grannies", I greatly regret it and I wish I hadn't said it.

'It was very stupid of me and I didn't realise it was going to get into the public domain.'

An NHS surgeon laughed as he was challenged over his past comments about 'sacrificing grannies' during a Parliamentary committee on assisted dying

SINISTER: DOCTOR LAUGHS ABOUT SACRIFICING GRANNIES!



Dr Marsh chuckles about his past comment that sacrificing grannies is worth it if it allows assisted suicide to be legalised. He seemingly only regrets it as he didnt realise it would get into the public domain. Awful! pic.twitter.com/lDz8A8NWSi  Right To Life UK (@RightToLifeUK) November 12, 2025









Dr Marsh, who was a senior consultant neurosurgeon at St George's Hospital in London and operated on thousands of patients over a 40-year career but is now semi-retired, added that assisted dying is 'all about balancing costs against benefits'.

He told the committee: 'The principle is there is always a cost. Every time I operated, and it was not a theoretical risk, you can make things worse but you justify that risk by saying more people benefit.

'It sounds rather inhumane and utilitarian, but that is the reality of normal medical practice.'

Dr Marsh, who has written a memoir about brain surgery and fronted a documentary for the BBC, had told the Sunday Times in 2017: 'The contributions from the anti-euthanasia people the last time it was debated in parliament were abysmal.

'One bloody woman MP claimed the drugs were very unpleasant. That's a complete lie. So much of it is all bloody Christians.

'They argue that grannies will be made to commit suicide. Even if a few grannies get bullied into it, isn't that a price worth paying for all the people who could die with dignity?'

His laughter during the committee attracted a backlash.

Catherine Robinson from anti-assisted suicide group Right To Life UK said it was shameful that Dr Marsh did not retract his 'deeply inappropriate comment'.

'Instead, he laughed, merely expressing regret that his comment made it into the public domain,' she said.

Ms Robinson added: 'This utilitarian thinking, where the protection that is owed to elderly people and sick and dying people is sacrificed for some alleged greater good, is typical of the extreme views many supporters of assisted suicide hold.'

Former Downing Street adviser Nikki da Costa also criticised Dr Marsh's comments, writing on X: 'The cost of some people's choice is that others will die who do not want to.'

While Barrister Barbara Rich said: 'So it is fine for influential people to privately advocate for a change in the law under which vulnerable people will foreseeably come to harm, and their only regret is that their thoughts are made public?'

It comes as 942 amendments to the Bill have been laid down by peers ahead of a House of Lord committee of the whole house, which starts today [FRI].

If it passed all remaining stages in the Lords, then consideration of amendments by MPs is the final stage before it would receive Royal assent.

The Bill would allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales with fewer than six months to live to apply for an assisted death, subject to approval by two doctors and an 'expert panel'.
A 'lovely' teenage girl was killed in her own bedroom in a terrifying knife attack that left her mother seriously injured.

Lainie Williams, 17, was found fatally wounded at her home in Cefn Fforest, near Blackwood, South Wales, at around 7am on Thursday, while her mother Rhian Stephens, 38, attended hospital for treatment.

Armed police arrested an 18-year-old man from nearby Newbridge on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, with detectives confirming they are not looking for anyone else.

The alleged attacker is said to have waited for Rhian's boyfriend to leave the house for work before letting himself into the house through an open door.

Relatives said the knifeman stabbed the mother before running back into Lainie's bedroom, where she was sleeping.

College student Lainie, who had been looking forward to her forthcoming 18th birthday, died at the scene, and her mother was being treated in hospital for serious knife wounds.

Lainie's great-grandmother, Florence Jones, 78, said: 'Her mother said Lainie put up a fantastic fight against him.

'I'm in total shock, she was a lovely bubbly girl. She lived with me for the last few years, I can't believe what's happened. Things like this don't happen in our family.'

Lainie Williams (pictured) was pronounced dead at the scene of the incident on Wheatley Place in the Cefn Fforest area of Blackwood, Gwent

Lainie's great-grandmother, Florence Jones, 78, described the schoolgirl as a 'lovely bubbly girl'. Pictured: College student Lainie, who had been looking forward to her forthcoming 18th birthday

Rhian Stephens, 38, was taken to hospital for treatment following the attack

The alleged attacker was seen outside the house without a shirt on at 5.30am on Thursday.

He waited for Rhian's boyfriend, Clive Osborne, to leave for work at 7am, then let himself in through an open door and went upstairs to where Lainie was sleeping.

Her grandfather Robert Stephens said: 'He lunged at Lainie with the knife and her mother heard her screams.

'Lainie's brother Carter came out of his room and Rhian told him to get back in and hide under the bed.'

Armed police were called to the family's three-bedroom former council house in the village of Cefn Fforest, while paramedics arrived in an air ambulance but were unable to save Lainie.

Rhian's mother Ceri was at her bedside in the hospital tonight while little Carter was being looked after by his father.

Neighbours, who said they woke to the sounds of sirens, helicopters and banging doors, described Lainie as 'the loveliest person'

Local Michelle Davies said: 'It is terrible. That poor girl had everything to live for and now she is gone.

'At least the mother survived but she will never get over what she witnessed.'

Mother-of-two Rhian had lived in the semi-detached house for at least five months.

She was described as a 'caring person, but who kept herself to herself.'

Another neighbour added: 'Lainie was the loveliest, kindest person who had a lot of friends. The girls are in bits.'

One local said they were awoken by the sounds of helicopters landing near his home before seeing 'chaos' outside.

He said: 'It's usually a very quiet area, you don't expect something like this to happen on your doorstep.'

Police at the scene on Wheatley Place in the Cefn Fforest area of Blackwood, Gwent,on Thursday morning

Detective Superintendent Philip O'Connell, the senior investigating officer for Gwent Police, confirmed the force is not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident

He said: 'We understand that reports of this nature can be concerning, and it is likely that residents will see an increased number of officers in the area while we carry out further inquires.

'If anyone has any information, please speak to our officers or contact us in the usual way.'

Cefn Fforest Councillor Shane Williams said: 'We are all deeply shocked and saddened by the events that have unfolded, and I understand that the police are not looking for anyone else in connection.

'But as councillors, we'd like to do our best to reassure everyone, and our thoughts are with the family at this time.

'We are all hoping for a full recovery for the woman who was hospitalised. Something like this is highly unusual in this area, and I can understand if many residents are now frightened.

'When a young girl loses her life like that, it's quite horrendous.'

Independent Councillor Kevin Ethridge added: 'As the local county councillor for Blackwood, I'd like to send my condolences to the family.'


A child survivor of an Asian grooming gang who was trafficked across the Scottish border has told the First Minister he must hold an inquiry into the scandal.

Fiona Goddard, who won convictions against the West Yorkshire men who abused her from the age of 13, revealed how she was also raped by their relatives and friends in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

She said: 'This is widespread right across the UK and on a mass scale. The idea that John Swinney thinks this stopped at the border is insane in itself. It happened to me in Scotland, I saw Scottish girls in those houses too. How much more evidence do you need?

The 32-year-old, who gave up her lifelong anonymity to speak out, was backing another victim who had written to the FM about her ordeal brought up by Scottish Conservatives at Holyrood.

Fiona, who was in a children's home when she was targeted by the men, told West Yorkshire police in 2014 about four trips north of the border, also documented in her care records. She has never been contacted by Police Scotland.

The First Minister yesterday refused to commit to national probe into organised child rape despite a direct appeal from a victim. He claimed he was open to the idea but was waiting for further evidence.

Grooming gang survivor Fiona Goddard

First Minister John Swinney

Govanhill, Glasgow where grooming gang survivor 'Taylor' said she was abused

Although Prime Minister Keir Starmer ordered a national inquiry into grooming gangs in England and Wales earlier this year, there is no equivalent north of the Border.

Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay said Mr Swinney should get off the fence and have a full and fearless inquiry for the sake of victims.

The issue dominated First Ministers Questions after the survivor of a grooming gang wrote to the FM calling for an inquiry into child sexual exploitation.

The woman, known as Taylor to protect her identity, says she was abused by a ring of Pakistani men at 13 while living in a care unit in Glasgow.

She says up to 10 men would ply her and her friends with alcohol and hard drugs.

I want to express how deeply disappointed I am with yourself and Police Scotland, that you did not take my complaint seriously, she wrote to Mr Swinney.

Taylor sent her letter hours after SNP justice secretary Angela Constance told MSPs was up to advocates of a probe to present a case that is based on the added value that an inquiry would bring to preventing abuse of our children right now.

Mr Findlay said that Taylor and other victims felt an inquiry was the only way to uncover the scale of the abuse, establish why it went unchecked and ensure that it cannot continue.

Mr Swinney confirmed receiving Taylors letter and expressed his admiration of her courage to speak out on such an important and difficult subject.

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay presses the First Minister to hold an inquiry into the scandal

Justice Minister Angela Constance

He said the Governments national child sexual abuse and exploitation strategic group was already looking at past inquiries, evidence and practices to establish what further actions and recommendations are required.

Police Scotland were also actively reviewing current and historical child abuse investigations to determine what issues would need to be addressed in any potential inquiry, he said.

The Government has remained open to the question of a grooming gangs inquiry, but a series of steps is being taken to explore those issues at the moment.

Mr Findlay raised Taylors concerns about the police failing to investigate her complaints and fears officers turned a blind eye or even engaged in cover-up.

He quoted her saying: That's the bit that gets me the most, because it could have been stopped, and it never was.

He also mentioned Fiona and that as far back as 2014 police in West Yorkshire were well aware of links to Scotland, but no one bothered to investigate.

Mr Swinney quoted the Police Scotland comment on Taylors case which said no report was made to the police in reference to any crime.

Mr Findlay replied: Any attempt to shift the blame on to victims for how and when such crimes are reported is highly questionable. Taylor was a child. The authorities knew about the crimes at the time, on the basis of social work reports.'

He said grooming gangs were not confined to one community, with a group of white men and women jailed for horrific child abuse in Glasgow earlier this year, and a Romanian gang convicted last month of abusing ten young women in Dundee.

This is not a historical problem - it is happening today.

How can John Swinney hope to stop child abuse now, when he will not support a full and fearless investigation into the industrial-scale abuse of recent years?

The First Minister denied trying to shift blame.

I reiterate the fact that the Government remains open to the question of having an inquiry into grooming gangs.

Rutherglen, Glasgow where grooming gangs took victims

However, I am satisfied that the police and our judicial system will address these issues, and we will reflect on whether any further scrutiny is required in the light of those investigations.

Taylor, now in her 20s, said in her letter she was targeted by a Pakistani grooming gang operating from flats in Govanhill and Rutherglen and it was clear such abuse is ongoing.

She said she had chosen to make sure my voice is heard after receiving dismissive replies from the First Minister and Police Scotland.

I realised that following the child sexual abuse and child sexual exploitation I experienced at the hands of grooming gangs in Scotland almost two decades ago, nothing has been done to protect vulnerable children in Scotland. It is clear that it is still happening.

She went on: 'A full inquiry into grooming gangs in Scotland must follow any audit in order to protect children suffering now, and any potential victims in the future.'

Mr Findlay said later: This powerful letter should shame John Swinney into doing the right thing.

Out of respect for Scotlands grooming gang victims, he should get off the fence.

Scottish grooming gang victims deserve the same transparency, answers and justice as those in the rest of the UK.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: A complaint about the police was received in September 2025. The complainer was spoken to and we confirmed information had been passed to us, but since no report was made to police in reference to any crime, this complaint did not fit the criteria as a complaint about the police.

The complainer was advised she should make a report to police if she had been a victim of a crime. The complainer confirmed she was happy to have the complaint closed with this advice.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: 'The First Minister has been clear about how deeply saddened he is to hear of any cases of sexual abuse and his admiration for those with the courage to speak out.

'The Scottish Government will give every consideration to the need for an independent public inquiry into the operation of grooming gangs in Scotland, should it be deemed necessary.

'Police Scotland is actively reviewing investigations right now. This work is detailed and thorough and the timescale for completion will depend on its findings. It is important to take the time needed to investigate these matters fully.

'Police Scotlands review work is happening alongside wider activity to strengthen collective action against this horrendous form of abuse, led through the expert National Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Strategic Group.'
A child victim of a Pakistani grooming gang has revealed how she was trafficked from the north of England to Scotland as a teenager and raped by multiple men.

Fiona Goddard, who won convictions against the West Yorkshire gang who abused her from the age of 13, has said First Minister John Swinneys refusal to accept that grooming happens in Scotland is insane and urged him to think logically about protecting young women like her.

It comes after a Scottish woman, who told how she was groomed by a gang in Glasgow as a teenager, wrote to John Swinney urging him to open an inquiry into the problem.

Fiona, 32, from Bradford said: This is widespread right across the UK, and on a mass scale. The idea that he thinks this stopped at the border is insane in itself.

If you look at it logically, you would realise that its worth at least looking into, isnt it? Especially when there are people that are speaking up and are saying it. It happened to me in Scotland, I saw Scottish girls in those houses too.

I know he said that he wanted more evidence, but how much more evidence do you need?

Grooming gang survivor Fiona Goddard spoke to the Scottish Daily Mail about how she was trafficked to Scotland and abused

Fiona, aged 15 and pictured at home in Bradford, was in a children's home when she was targeted by groomers

Speaking for the first time about her ordeal, Fiona, who was in a childrens home when the grooming started, explained that she was first taken to Glasgow, and then Edinburgh, in 2010 at the age of 16, to deliver hard drugs for her gang of abusers.

She had been had been abused for two years already by a group of Pakistani men who would ply her with alcohol and drugs, sexually assault and rape her.

One day they told her they wanted her to go to Scotland in a taxi and bring a shipment of cocaine with her. After two years being groomed by the group, she said she was desensitised to criminality and also terrified they would kill her if she refused.

Fiona said: Some family members of some of my abusers got released from prison and they had been placed in Scotland. One of them said it was his nephew who was there and thats who I was to be in contact with.

I never went anywhere where sex didnt happen. It was an expectation on me.

By the age of 16 I had started trying to fight back a bit, but they would show me videos of them beating people up on the streets, beating people to death.

Basically saying if I didnt do what they said this would happen to me. They had also beaten me by this point as well. I was terrified.

The group had started establishing drug rounds in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The guys in Bradford used to pick the drugs up from Liverpool docks, then cut the drug to make more of it out of what was there, then transport it up to places like Edinburgh and Glasgow.

They would use a taxi driver and a young girl like me in the passenger seat as they thought we were less likely to be stopped by the police.

If you were stopped, at that time it was only female officers who could search a female and they were quite few and far between so we were less likely to be caught. It was me who was carrying the drugs.

Fiona was brought to Glasgow in a taxi at least four times, although the precise number, she said, is hard to remember due to residual trauma and the amount of substances she was being given at the time by her abusers.

She remembers at least one occasion in Glasgow where she met other girls who were being groomed and used for drug transportation  all of them Scottish.

She said: I was heavily drugged a lot of the time so I dont remember 100 per cent of everything.

They used me to transport drugs up and we went to this terraced house in Glasgow that had been transformed into a house of multiple occupancy.

It was on a street full of terraced houses. It looked like the area might have been nice once, but it had become run down, there was rubbish in the streets and the houses hadnt been cared for at all.

There were other men in there, and there were already loads of girls there when I got there.

The girls were from Glasgow. They got sent out to different parts, I dont know if it was in Glasgow or elsewhere in Scotland, with drugs to take to other people. At the house wed stay for a few hours and the men there would give us drink and drugs, get us out of our heads and abuse us. Then wed come back down to Bradford.

Fiona said she wasnt the only girl from England being brought to Scotland and she witnessed Scottish girls being abused in the same property she was taken to.

She faced similar abuse in Edinburgh, and a myriad of cities across England where she was brought to as a child by her abusers.

She said: I remember being sat drinking in that house in Glasgow and I remember the girls going out with drugs. I remember this weird old guy coming and trying to touch me.

Fionas social work case notes contain details of her trips to Scotland  citing both Glasgow and Edinburgh as places she visited.

She also told West Yorkshire police she had been trafficked to Scotland when she went to them in 2014 and started the long process of prosecuting her abusers.

She eventually succeeded in getting convictions against nine of the men who abused her, but has never once been contacted by Police Scotland to ask about her time here.

Fiona said: My case went to trial in 2019 and nine men got 132 years for what happened.

The police in Yorkshire had access to my care records which mentioned Scotland, and there was a full investigation and serious case review.

Both the serious case review and the police would have fully known about Scotland, and Im sure they had conversations about it because they asked me what cities I had been trafficked to during my video evidence. I gave a big list of cities, and both Glasgow and Edinburgh were on there.

The police were well aware that Id been taken to Scotland. Ive never been contacted by any police in Scotland to discuss my case, but to be fair Ive not been contacted by other forces in England either. Its as if they dont want to widen this out.

The gangs are coordinated and joined up, they know what they are doing and have a network all over the country. But the police dont seem to be taking the same approach and actually working together. They need to realise this is a national problem and not just happening in one area.

Fiona has been campaigning since 2014 to have authorities and the UK Government take the issue of grooming gangs seriously and believes the Scottish Government must now follow suit.

She has recently resigned from the Prime Ministers national grooming gang inquiry citing political interference but remains hopeful that she will finally see justice.

She said: After all these years of trying, its finally opened in England and its on the verge of opening in Scotland. The government needs to realise this is happening on a wide scale, it didnt just stop at the border.

Labour MP Joani Reid has been leading on calls for a Scottish inquiry, and said: This is the latest example showing that children and vulnerable women are being abused by organised groups of men in Scotland, just as they are in England.

This case also exposes the complacency and at the top of the Scottish Government

First Minister John Swinney and Justice Minister Angela Constance have gone out of their way to pretend that organised sexual abuse and exploitation of girls and young women are a problem in England but not Scotland.

But the hard truth is clear. We do have a problem of serious organised child sexual abuse in Scotland, and we have a political establishment that is wilfully blind to it. They are determined to downplay each and every report of abuse and resist any and all steps towards an inquiry or to even having an independent review of case files.

Mr Swinney and the rest of the SNP must immediately act to ensure we have a fully independent review of the problem of organised child sexual abuse in Scotland.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: 'The First Minister has been clear about how deeply saddened he is to hear of any cases of sexual abuse and his admiration for those with the courage to speak out.

'The Scottish Government will give every consideration to the need for an independent public inquiry into the operation of grooming gangs in Scotland, should it be deemed necessary.

'Police Scotland is actively reviewing investigations right now. This work is detailed and thorough and the timescale for completion will depend on its findings. It is important to take the time needed to investigate these matters fully.

'Police Scotlands review work is happening alongside wider activity to strengthen collective action against this horrendous form of abuse, led through the expert National Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Strategic Group.'
Attorney General Pam Bondi is putting federal law enforcement to work looking for an individual who 'threatened' acting New Jersey Attorney Alina Habba.

An unidentified and at-large suspect tried to 'confront' Habba on Wednesday night, Bondi detailed in a post to X.

She said that the individual 'destroyed property' and promised her office would 'find this person.'

'I will not be intimidated by radical lunatics for doing my job,' Habba wrote in an X post about the incident.

A person close to Habba told the Daily Mail that the US Attorney for New Jersey was not in her office at the time  but that it was not clear how an unauthorized individual made it up to the seventh floor.

'Any violence or threats of violence against any federal officer will not be tolerated. Period,' Bondi wrote on X in her Thursday post. 'This is unfortunately becoming a trend as radicals continue to attack law enforcement agents around the country.'

She assured that the Justice Department is using all tools to track down the suspect and ensure the safety of all federal prosecutors and federal agents.

Habba was Counselor to the President during President Donald Trump's first few months in office after serving as a firebrand defense attorney in his personal lawsuits and a campaign surrogate in the later days of the 2024 election cycle.

Attorney General Pam Bondi is launching a manhunt for the individual who 'threatened' Acting US Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba

Habba, a former attorney for Donald Trump, was not in her office at the time an at-large suspect entered and dewstroyed her property, a persona close with Habba tells the Daily Mail

In late March, Habba was sworn in as interim US Attorney for the District of New Jersey  her home state. This kick-started a 120-day term that expired in late July and led to legal disputes over whether she could continue in her capacity as top attorney in New Jersey.

Habba is just the latest MAGA-aligned individual to receive threats or experience acts of violence against them.

Republicans have complained that left-wing violence has been on the rise and point to the September assassination of conservative luminary Charlie Kirk, who was an ally of Trump and the MAGA agenda.

Habba is also an outspoken Trump ally who is now in a top attorney role.

A panel of judges for the District of New Jersey declined to extend Habba's interim term in July and appointed her first assistant, Desiree Leigh Grace, to lead the office instead.

Just hours later, Bondi fired Grace and said the judges were interfering with the President's Article II powers. Then the White House withdrew Habba's Senate nomination and placed her in an 'acting' capacity under the federal vacancy rule.

She then had 210 days from that point to stay in that role, giving her 98 days left in the acting role as of Thursday.
Boy, 15, was then seen roaming the school with a knife

School went into lockdown after classroom altercation

Terrified students were barricaded inside their classrooms after a teenager armed with a large knife was spotted wandering around their high school.

Police were called to North Sydney Boys High School on Falcon Street on Sydney's lower north shore about 12.40pm on Thursday.

Officers were told an altercation had occurred between two boys inside a classroom before one left the food technology class carrying a knife.

Aerial footage from the school showed several heavily-armed officers trailing a 15-year-old boy as he walked around the campus.

Students were ordered to remain in their classrooms as the chase continued.

The student was eventually tasered and arrested by police.

He was taken to hospital, where he remains as of Friday morning.

It's understood the teenager is being treated for mental health issues.

Police were called to North Sydney Boys High School (pictured) on Falcon Street on Sydney's lower north shore about 12.40pm on Thursday

Aerial footage from the school showed a handful of heavily-armed officers trailing a 15-year-old boy as he walked around the campus (pictured)

It remains unclear whether any charges will be laid.

A NSW Department of Education spokesperson confirmed the lockdown was implemented 'as a precaution'.

'All students and staff are safe, and students resumed classes after 1.30pm,' the spokesperson said.
Travel was temporarily paused at two airports - including the Midwest's largest - as the nation's aviation industry tries to get back on track following a historic government shutdown.

The Federal Aviation Administration announced Thursday afternoon that a ground stop has been declared at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport and at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport over volume issues.

It came as Skywest, Republic, United, Alaska, GoJet and several airlines were forced to cancel 44 flights in Chicago, Travel and Tour World reports.

The ground stop has since been lifted, but as of 8pm EST 10 percent of outgoing flights and seven percent of incoming flights remained delayed, according to FlightAware.

The delays primarily affected those heading to other airports in the Midwest, according to Travel and Tour World.

Daily Mail has reached out to airport officials for more information.

But the news comes as airlines expressed optimism they could resume normal operations at the country's 40 busiest airports after the federal government lifted its order to cut some flights.

A ground stop has been issued at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. A Delta Air Lines plane is pictured at one of the airport's gates

The FAA announced Wednesday night that airlines won't have to cut more than six percent of flights at those airports because air traffic controller staffing has improved significantly in the last few days.

Originally the order that took effect last Friday called for those flight cuts to increase to eight percent on Thursday and top out at 10 percent on Friday.

The directive was issued as a number of air traffic controllers missed work while they were going without pay during the shutdown - and the spike in understaffing at airport towers and regional control centers prompted the flight cut order due to concerns about safety.

The existing shortage of several thousand controllers was so bad that even a small number of absences in some locations caused problems.

Officials at FAA and the Transportation Department didn't offer any updates Thursday morning about when they will decide to lift the order. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has said the decision will be based on the safety data that experts at the FAA are watching closely.

Pilots and passengers crowd a gate area as flight delays persisted on Monday

There were massive delays at the airport on Thursday. Travelers are pictured here checking their tickets amid the flightmare

Meanwhile, airlines say they will be ready and expect that normal operations will resume within three or four days after the order is lifted - though some experts have warned that problems might linger longer through Thanksgiving travel.

'We are eager to resume normal operations over the next few days once the FAA gives clearance. We look forward to welcoming 31 million passengers-a new record-to our flights during the upcoming Thanksgiving travel period, beginning next Friday,' the Airlines for America trade group said Thursday.

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom and Chief Operating Officer David Seymour also told employees in a letter Thursday that they are already seeing improvements as controller staffing stabilized over the last day or so even though more flight cuts will be needed until FAA lifts the order.

Bu, they said, travelers should already be seeing fewer delays and cancellations on the day of their flights.

The two executives said they believe American Airlines planning and efforts to minimize disruptions will help the carrier bounce back fast and 'deliver a strong Thanksgiving operation,' noting that millions of travelers 'deserve the certainty.'

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
The woman who helped maintain disgraced lawyer Alex Murdaugh's sprawling South Carolina estate has shared how she knew her boss killed his wife and son - as he faces the possibility of a retrial.

Blanca Turrubiate-Simpson, the Murdaugh's housekeeper who served as a key witness at Alex's double homicide trial, details in her new book 'Within the House of Murdaugh: Amid a Unique Friendship - Blanca and Maggie' how she had served the family since 2007 and became very close with Alex's wife, Maggie, over the years.

It was due to that close relationship that Simpson said she knew something was wrong as soon as she pulled up to the family's 1,770-acre hunting estate on June 8, 2021 - just hours after Maggie, 52, and her son, Paul, 22, were shot to death outside of the kennels.

She told PEOPLE how Alex called her in a furor that morning, telling her that 'they're gone' and asking her to clean the house at the Moselle estate because Maggie's parents and others were on their way.

But when she arrived, Simpson said she noticed Maggie's Mercedes SUV was parked on the right side of the house - something she had never done in all the time Simpson knew her.

When Simpson - a US Navy vet and former corrections officer - then found Maggie's pajamas and underwear perfectly laid out on the laundry room floor, she knew something was wrong.

The housekeeper explained that her longtime friend never wore underwear to bed, and noted that Maggie's purse, makeup bag and luggage were still inside her SUV.

'I knew automatically that wasn't her,' Simpson wrote in the book co-authored by Mary Frances Weaver.

Blanca Turrubiate-Simpson, the Murdaugh's housekeeper who served as a key witness at Alex's double homicide trial, has shared how she knew her boss killed his wife and son

Alex Murdaugh was convicted of double homicide in March 2023

Prosecutors laid out how Alex (right) killed his wife, Maggie, 52 (second from left) and son Paul, 22 (second from right) as he struggled with financial issues

It was just the beginning of her realization that Alex may be responsible for his wife and son's death.

The 'aha' moment, she said, finally came when she was watching the disgraced lawyer's six-week televised trial from her home and saw police body camera footage of a beach towel lying in Alex's Suburban.

Simpson had washed that same towel the day of Maggie and Paul's untimely deaths, and placed it high on a shelf in the laundry room.

'I looked at the towel and I said, "Oh my God, he did it,"' Simpson recounted in her book.

Alex, though, had claimed he was sleeping in the main house in Moselle when Maggie and Paul were shot dead.

He told officers that he went to his parents' house to check on his father, Randolph Murdaugh, 81, who died three days later, and when he returned to the house shortly after 10pm, he found the bodies - at which point he called 911.

But after seeing the towel in Alex's vehicle, Simpson said she believes he used the towel to clean up the crime scene.

She posited that it may have had DNA evidence on it, but it vanished after the night of the murders.

Simpson details in her new book 'Within the House of Murdaugh: Amid a Unique Friendship - Blanca and Maggie' how she had served the family since 2007 and became very close with Maggie over the years

It remains unclear exactly what happened to Maggie and Paul, but Simpson argues in her book that the wealthy family's happy and carefree existence was threatened when Paul drunkenly crashed his boat in 2021, killing 19-year-old Mallory Beach.

Alex had already been stealing millions from his law firm and clients at the time - something he had admitted to in court - and was facing multimillion dollar wrongful death suits.

At that point, Simpson said her boss turned to drugs.

'The secrets he carried got to be too much,' she wrote, in line with prosecutors' arguments that Alex killed Maggie and Paul to distract from the financial crimes and drug addiction.

Simpson also speculates in her book - which includes an open letter to the convicted killer in the epilogue - that he worked with an accomplice, who helped him clean up, move Maggie's SUV back to the house and stage the crime scene by leaving Maggie's pajamas and underwear on the floor.

'In the end, the Murdaugh name meant more,' Simpson argued. 'Maggie and Paul were just collateral.'

Alex, though, has consistently argued that he loved his family as he is innocent of their murders.

He is now appealing his March 2023 conviction, as he continues to serve two consecutive life sentences.

Alex Murdaugh is now appealing his conviction, as he continues to serve two life sentences

He has consistently argued that he loved his family as he is innocent of their murders

Both his defense attorneys and state prosecutors have now filed their final briefs in the appeal, Greenville News reports.

In its 178-page filing, the South Carolina Attorney General's Office argues that the disgraced lawyer was convicted because he was 'obviously guilty,' citing 'overwhelming evidence of guilt,' including cellphone footage that puts Murdaugh at the crime scene minutes before police believe his wife and son were shot.

Alex's defense team, though, presented several arguments in their own legal filing as to why their client deserves a new trial, ranging from accusations of jury tampering and shoddy police work to prosecutorial failures such as improperly admitted evidence.

Much of their appeal revolves around the alleged actions of former Colleton County Court Clerk Becky Hill, who is accused of making improper statements to the jury so that she could write a book about the case.

Her statements influenced at least one member of the jury to vote guilty and thereby compromised the integrity of the trial, Murdaugh's attorneys argue, despite a January 2024 hearing in which former South Carolina Chief Justice Jean Toal ruled that Murdaugh was not entitled to a new trial.

Murdaugh's attorneys cite former Colleton County court clerk Becky Hill's (pictured) alleged statements to his jury as a reason he deserves a retrial

'Alex Murdaugh's conviction represents a fundamental breakdown of the American criminal justice system's most basic protections,' his attorneys wrote in the filing.

'This case was not built on the "overwhelming evidence of guilt" the State claims, but on a foundation of investigative malpractice, prosecutorial misconduct and corruption by an elected official that denied Murdaugh his constitutional right to a fair trial.'

The South Carolina State Supreme Court must now determine whether to schedule and hear oral arguments in the case.
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Princess of Wales's annual Christmas concert to celebrate 'love in all its forms'

The Princess of Wales's annual Together at Christmas Carol Service will return to Westminster Abbey for a fifth year in a row.

Kate, 43, today announced the service will be held on Friday December 5, with 1,600 guests invited to watch the choir alongside celebrity readings from Kate Winslet and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Attendees will also enjoy special musical performances from Hannah Waddingham and Dan Smith from Bastille, which will be filmed for broadcast on ITV1 and ITVX on Christmas Eve.

The future Queen hosted her first carol service in 2021. Last year the concert marked her return to public duties following her cancer diagnosis.

Viewers will also be able to watch a repeat showing of the carol service on the morning of Christmas Day.

Kensington Palace said the event will 'bring people together to celebrate love in all its forms - whether it's love within families, through friendships, across communities, or even through powerful moments of connection with strangers'.

'In a world that can often feel fragmented and disconnected, love is the force that reconnects us all  spanning generations, communities, cultures, and faiths,' the Palace continued.

The Princess of Wales, 43, will host her annual Together at Christmas Carol Service at Westminster Abbey for the fifth year running

'As we approach the Christmas season, we are reminded of the power of togetherness.

'The evening will highlight the transformative power of investing in one another with compassion, presence, and joy.'

Through this year's carol service, the Princess wishes to recognise and thank people who are 'contributing to a more cohesive and connected society' through acts of love around the country.

Guests who will attend the service have been nominated by Lord-Lieutenants and charities associated with Members of the Royal Family.

The audience will comprise of people who have dedicated or volunteered their time to others, started community-led initiatives, or shown kindness and empathy to those around them.

They will be joined by members of the Royal Family, as well as a number of famous faces who have championed 'compassion and togetherness' through their own works.

In addition to songs by Westminster Abbey choir and celebrity appearances, the service will also be a platform for some notable guests to share their stories.

But before guests even step foot inside the Abbey, they will be entertained with music by young performers from Future Talent, the charity co-founded by the late Duchess of Kent to support children from low-income backgrounds.

Last year's Together at Christmas event marked Kate Middleton's return to public duties after her cancer diagnosis and treatment earlier in the year

The Prince and Princess of Wales, alongside their three children, Prince George (third from left), Prince Louis (middle) and Princess Charlotte (third from right) will likely all be in attendance at this year's Christmas carol service

The entrance to the Abbey will be decorated by horticulturalist Jamie Butterworth, who has been tasked with creating a 'natural, festive environment' that aims to 'highlight the importance of nature'.

The Abbey itself will be adorned inside with wreaths donated by the Royal Horticultural Society, which have been made in partnership with their Ambassadors and schoolchildren.

In addition to the main service, 15 Together at Christmas community carol services will also take place around the country, hosted by Lord-Lieutenants and supported by The Royal Foundation.

These smaller services will be held in places such as the Coronation Street Visitor Centre, an arts centre in Newbury and a community farm in Gwent.

Last year, the Princess wrote a poignant letter to guests attending her Christmas carol concert for the first time as she reflected on a challenging year.

Following her treatment for cancer, Kate wrote movingly of how the Christmas story 'reflects our own vulnerabilities' and urged everyone to live with 'an open heart' and to be there for others with 'gentle words or a receptive ear, an arm around an exhausted shoulder, or silently being by someone's side'.

The service is usually attended by both working and non-working royals, including Prince William and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Charles and Camilla have also previously attended the concert, but were absent from the event last year. At the time, the Queen was recovering from a bout of pneumonia.
The former Duke of York today faced further pressure to appear in front of US politicians after paedophile Jeffrey Epstein was revealed to have confirmed the infamous photo of him with a teenage Virginia Giuffre is real.

Allies of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor have long tried to muddy the waters over the years with suggestions the picture was a fake.

But 2011 messages in a bombshell cache of emails released last night showed Epstein urged a journalist to investigate Ms Giuffre while admitting: 'Yes she was on my plane, and yes she had her picture taken with Andrew, as many of my employees have.'

The picture was unearthed by The Mail on Sunday that same year as Ms Giuffre claimed she slept with Andrew during a stay in London, claims the disgraced ex-prince has vehemently denied.

Epstein took the photo on a disposable camera before the group, along with socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, headed out for dinner and then to a nightclub, Ms Giuffre said.

So his account will come as a devastating blow to embattled Andrew, who for years has sought to cast doubt over the authenticity of an image showing him holding Ms Giuffre, then 17 and known as Virginia Roberts.

Andrew's links to Epstein have already led to the King dramatically stripping him of his titles - putting an end to his public life.

Jack Royston, Newsweek's chief royal correspondent, explained that Buckingham Palace could now bring in external lawyers to look through previous emails.

Virginia Giuffre photographed with Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell in London in 2001

He told ITV: 'The only additional step that the royals could take here is to maybe bring in outside legal counsel to review palace emails, to review Andrew's emails...

'That would certainly signal to the British public that the palace were taking it seriously and wanted justice, rather than simply for the story to go away.'

The latest revelations will heap fresh humiliation on Andrew, who has already been stripped of his royal titles by the King and forced to retreat from public life.

Continuing scrutiny over the former Duke and Duchess of York's links to Epstein will also see them lose the palatial Royal Lodge on the Windsor estate they have occupied for over two decades.

Lisa Bloom, who has represented 11 survivors of Epstein, described the new emails  which also claim Donald Trump 'spent hours' with Ms Giuffre at Epstein's home - as 'really legally significant'.

She told ITV's Good Morning Britain: 'I don't find the emails shocking because I've long believed that Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump were good friends and that Trump was more involved than he has let on.

'But I do find them really legally significant because here we have Jeffrey Epstein himself pointing a finger right at Donald Trump.'

Andrew is under pressure to explain the full nature of his relationship with Epstein with members of the US Congress demanded he appear before them to 'come clean and provide justice for the survivors'.

Suhas Subramanyam, Democratic member of the House Oversight Committee, told the BBC's Newsnight programme yesterday that Andrew had not yet responded to its invitation to testify in the US.

Andrew and Charles at Westminster Cathedral in September after the Duchess of Kent's funeral

He added that the former prince 'doesn't have to get on a plane to testify, he can do it remotely'.

Also yesterday, journalists asked White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt whether Mr Trump believed Andrew should co-operate with requests to testify before the committee.

She replied: 'I can ask the President about it and get back to you.'

The new emails was part of thousands of documents unsealed from Epstein's estate which were published by the House Oversight Committee last night.

They also lay bare a 2011 exchange between Andrew, Epstein and convicted sex trafficker Maxwell - months after the former duke said he broke off all contact with the convicted paedophile.

As the MoS sought comment for its world exclusive story, Andrew emailed Epstein and Maxwell begging them to clear his name, saying: 'I can't take any more of this.'

In the email chain from March 2011, Maxwell initially forwarded the Daily Mail's press inquiry to Epstein who in turn sent it to someone listed as 'the Duke'.

The Duke, believed to be Andrew, appears to respond: 'What? I don't know any of this. How are you responding?'

Epstein told him: 'Just got it two minutes ago. I've asked g (sic) lawyers to send a letter.

'Not sure... it's so salcisous (sic) and ridiculous, im (sic) not sure how to respond, the only person she didn't have sex with was Elvis.'

An exasperated Andrew then appears to reply to Epstein, saying: 'Please make sure that every statement or legal letter states clearly that I am NOT involved and that I knew and know NOTHING about any of these allegations. I can't take any more of this my end.'

American financier and child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who killed himself in prison in 2019

Just months later in July 2011, Epstein appears to actively lobby journalists to turn the tables on Ms Giuffre, who sued Andrew in a civil sex assault case in 2021, with the pair settling for a reported 12million out-of-court but no admission of wrong-doing on the royal's behalf.

In one email, Epstein tells a reporter that Buckingham Palace would 'love it' if Andrew's accuser was 'proven to be a liar'.

The email reads: '...Andrew's accuser, criminal record, total liar.

'I think Buckingham Palace would love it. You should task someone to investigate the girl Virginia Roberts, that has caused the Queen's son all this agro (sic).

'I promise you she is a fraud. You and I will be able to go to ascot (sic) for the rest of our lives.'

When the journalist expressed some interest in the story, a further email from Epstein on the same day claimed that her story has 'no credibility' and it was 'total horses****'.

It continues: '...she was never 15 years old working for me, her story made it seem like she first worked for trump (sic) at that age and was met by ghislaine maxwell (sic).'

He concludes: 'I will ask if they will cooperate - Prince people.'

Andrew and his allies have long questioned the authenticity of the damning picture taken by Epstein of the then prince and Ms Giuffre at Maxwell's London home in 2001.

The image has become the enduring symbol of Ms Giuffre's shocking allegations before she took her own life in April this year.

Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump at the Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, in 1997

She claimed she was forced to have sex with Andrew at Maxwell's townhouse - where the picture was taken - as well as at Epstein's address in Manhattan and on his private Caribbean island of Little St James.

Andrew, in his disastrous 2019 Newsnight interview, denied ever meeting Ms Giuffre in London and claimed the image might have been doctored.

Maxwell also dismissed the image as fake in a recent interview from prison, while Andew's allies insisted his fingers were 'chubbier' and he was taller than depicted.

Meanwhile the 23,000-page email release pulled former US ambassador Lord Mandelson deeper into the scandal with messages showing he was still in contact with Epstein as late as 2016 - years after his conviction.

The correspondence shows that Mandelson took relationship advice from the paedophile and urged him to steer clear of Andrew.

In one email from Epstein to Mandelson on 6 November 2016, he writes '63 years old. You made it' not long after his birthday.

Mandelson replies within hours saying: 'Just. I have decided to extend my life by spending more of it in the US' before Epstein replies 'in the Donald White House' referring to the US presidential election due later that week.

Epstein goes on to say 'you were right about staying away from Andrew. I was right in your staying with Rinaldo [sic]', seemingly a reference to Mandelson's partner Reinaldo Avilda da Silva.

In another exchange in March 2011, an email shows Mandelson urging Epstein not to do a BBC interview about his links to Andrew.

After being forwarded a request from BBC Radio 4's Today to interview Epstein about 'stories which are circulating', about him and Andrew, Mandelson replied 'No!!'

The correspondence also shows that Lord Mandelson (pictured) took relationship advice from the paedophile and urged him to steer clear of Andrew

Mandelson was until recently the UK's ambassador to Washington, but was sacked over his close friendship with the convicted paedophile.

Mandelson has sought to distance himself from Epstein saying he felt 'utterly awful about my association with Epstein 20 years ago'.

But the latest disclosures show his association with the sex offender continued much later  and into 2016.

Until now the last reported contact between the pair had been in March 2010, when the then-business secretary took advice from Epstein in a banking deal, just months after his release from prison for child sex offences.

Meanwhile Mr Trump's links to Epstein were brought back into the spotlight after Democrats released emails in which Epstein referred to Mr Trump in correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell and author Michael Wolff.

Mr Trump's Republican party later published more than 20,000 pages of documents from Epstein's estate.

The Democrats had redacted the victim's name, including in a 2011 email Epstein sent to Maxwell which claimed '[Virginia] spent hours at my house with him' while another sent by Epstein in August 2018 said: 'I know how dirty Donald is.'

Ms Leavitt confirmed the victim referred to in the emails is Ms Giuffre.

She called the email release a politically motivated 'smear' campaign and repeated earlier comments from Ms Giuffre, who took her own life in April, about Mr Trump in which she absolved him of wrongdoing.

'The Democrats selectively leaked emails to the liberal media to create a fake narrative to smear President Trump,' Ms Leavitt said.

'The 'unnamed victim' referenced in these emails is the late Virginia Giuffre, who repeatedly said President Trump was not involved in any wrongdoing whatsoever and 'couldn't have been friendlier' to her in their limited interactions.'

Andrew has lived at the lavish 30-bedroom property Royal Lodge in Windsor since 2003

In a post on his Truth Social platform, President Trump said the documents were a way to 'deflect' from the US government shutdown, where thousands of workers have been furloughed in a dispute over federal funding.

'The Democrats are trying to bring up the Jeffrey Epstein hoax again because they'll do anything at all to deflect on how badly they've done on the shutdown,' he said.

'There should be no deflections to Epstein or anything else, and any Republicans involved should be focused only on opening up our country, and fixing the massive damage caused by the Democrats.'

Ms Giuffre was recruited by British socialite Maxwell aged 16 while working as a spa attendant at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in 2000.

Maxwell is serving 20 years in prison for facilitating the crimes of convicted sex offender Epstein, who killed himself in 2019 in a New York jail while awaiting trial for sex-trafficking charges.

In an email released by Democrat members of the Republican-led House Oversight Committee, which is investigating Epstein's crimes, dated April 2, 2011, Epstein wrote to Maxwell: 'I want you to realise that that dog that hasn't barked is Trump. [Virginia] spent hours at my house with him, he has never once been mentioned. Police chief etc. I'm 75 per cent there.'

Maxwell replied: 'I have been thinking about that'

Mr Wolff recorded more than a hundred hours of conversation with Epstein from roughly 2014 to 2019, and described their contact as a working relationship for several book projects, including Fire and Fury  an account of the first Trump administration.

The White House has said Mr Trump banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago in 2007 'for being a creep' and the President himself has claimed Epstein 'stole' young women who worked at the spa.

In an email between Epstein and Mr Wolff in January 2019, the sex offender refers to his expulsion. 'Trump said he asked me to resign. Never a member ever... he knew about the girls as he asked Ghislaine to stop.'

In another email, Mr Wolff wrote to Epstein with the subject line 'heads up' on December 15, 2015 - the day of a Republican primary election debate televised by CNN. 'I hear CNN planning to ask Trump tonight about his relationship with you  either on air or in scrum afterwards,' he wrote.

Epstein replied: 'If we were able to craft an answer for him, what do you think it should be?'

Mr Wolff responded: 'I think you should let him hang himself. If he says he hasn't been on the plane or to the house, then that gives you a valuable PR and political currency.

'You can hang him in a way that potentially generates a positive benefit for you, or, if it really looks like he could win, you could save him, generating a debt.'

Last night Mr Wolff said: 'Some of those emails are between Epstein and me, with Epstein discussing his relationship with Donald Trump. I have been trying to talk about this story for a very long time. These two men... had the closest of relationships for more than a decade.'

Mr Trump did not send or receive any of the emails released and has not been charged with any crime relating to Epstein or Maxwell.
What was it that persuaded Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, as he is now known, to move out of Royal Lodge, his 30-room palace at Windsor and accept the loss of his titles and honours, too?

Andrew had a cast-iron legal right to remain at Royal Lodge until 2078 and had resisted months of relentless pressure from elder brother King Charles. Until last month, that is, when he finally caved in.

True, the King had agreed to find a new home for Andrew on the private royal estates and provide him with financial compensation.

Yet there was more to it than that. For I can reveal that it was made clear to Andrew that, while his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson would also lose her title, there would be no action taken against their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

Both would retain the title of princess, even though their father can no longer style himself prince.

Andrew was told that both women would also retain their places in the line of succession to the throne - ninth in Beatrices case and 12th in Eugenies.

Andrew and King Charles at the Duchess of Kent's funeral in September

Beatrice, 37, would also remain one of seven Counsellors of State legally entitled to stand in for the King if he cannot undertake his official duties due to temporary illness or absence abroad.

There is, however, another aspect of this secret deal between the King and his brother Andrew that I can now disclose.

It was agreed that not only would there be no action taken by the King against Beatrice and Eugenie, 35, but they would be allowed to accept new official royal roles.

The first evidence of the deal was provided last Friday, barely a week after the King announced that he was stripping Andrew of his titles and honours.

Outward Bound, one of the charities most closely associated with the Royal Family, announced that Beatrice had been appointed as its new Deputy Patron.

The new Royal Patron was her uncle Prince Edward. Both appointments were approved by the King and, in Beas case, it was hugely significant.

Outward Bounds figurehead for 65 years had been Prince Philip, until his second son, Prince Andrew, took over as patron of the group, which uses wild adventure to help young people realise their potential through learning, challenge and discovery in the outdoors.

Eugenie and Beatrice in central London, in their first public appearance together since Andrew was stripped of all his royal titles

Emphasising the Kings approval of the appointments, their announcement coincided with an Outward Bound supporters event at St Jamess Palace, hosted by Edward, who succeeded his father as Duke of Edinburgh, and attended by Beatrice.

With the Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Beatrice working alongside us, were embarking on a new chapter, said Martin Davidson, Outward Bounds chief executive.

One where every young person has the chance to test their limits, build confidence and discover that anything is possible. Their support reflects a shared belief that adventure changes lives.

Outward Bound is not the only good cause with which Beatrice is involved. On Monday, she visited Chelsea and Westminster Hospital to see the charity Bornes research laboratories and learn more about the organisations work to prevent premature birth.

Beatrices own daughter, Athena, was born prematurely at the hospital in west London and the princess is a patron of Borne.

With the Kings approval, we can expect more of such public engagements by Beatrice and Eugenie, to the surprise of their critics, who worry that they are tainted by the controversies surrounding their parents.

The princesses have travelled the world with Andrew and Fergie, and have also been drawn into some of their scrapes over the years.

In 2006, for example, Andrew invited his friend, the late millionaire sex abuser Jeffrey Epstein, to Beatrices 18th birthday party.

Two years later, the American financier was convicted by a Florida state court of procuring a child for prostitution and of soliciting a prostitute.

Andrew remained friends with Epstein after he was released from prison and lied about their relationship in his interview with the BBCs Newsnight at Buckingham Palace.

Questions remain, meanwhile, about a mysterious 750,000 gift from a Turkish millionairess, which Andrew insisted was for his elder daughters wedding.

A High Court case in 2022 heard how Eugenie received 25,000 from the same benefactor, including a 15,000 birthday gift sent almost six months in advance.

The King is, however, a fair and magnanimous man who does not believe that his nieces should suffer because of their parents behaviour.

It is, perhaps, one of the few things that His Majesty and Andrew agree on, a royal source told me.

They both love Beatrice and Eugenie and want the best for them. They also agree that the princesses can play an important, helpful role in public life.

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The new owners of a controversial private island off the coast of San Francisco branded it a 'death trap' that needs major restoration.

The John Muir Land Trust snapped up Point Buckler Island for $3.8 million earlier this year.

The island sits in the northeastern part of the San Francisco Bay and was auctioned off after its previous owner was hit with a staggering $4.6million environmental fine.

John Sweeney was accused of damaging the island's delicate ecosystem by building a ritzy $750,000-a-year kite surfing club frequented by the nation's top earners.

The $4.6million fine was the largest ever handed out by the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board.

Sweeney was reprimanded for building helicopter pads, toilets and a lounge, as well as mowing the grass.

In January, the land was seized and later auctioned off by the Solano County Sheriff's Office and purchased by the John Muir Land Trust.

'This island should be a refuge, a place where small fish find food, shelter, and safe passage. Instead, its a death trap,' The trust's executive director, Linus Eukel, told SF Gate.

Point Buckler Island sits in the northeastern part of the San Francisco Bay. It was purchased by the John Muir Land Trust for $3.8million after it was seized from its previous owner, John Sweeney

Two visitors on Point Buckler Island, pictured in August 2019. The island was used as a ritzy $750,000-a-year kite surfing club

It is now fundraising money to help cover the cost of the cleanup, which will go toward helping get water back through the marsh so fish can survive.

'The levee eventually killed the marsh, cutting off the tidal flows that make brackish marshes work. Now, when the tide comes in, young migrating salmon swim over the levee and become trapped in stagnant, unoxygenated pools. They cant breathe. And they cant escape,' the trust said in a statement.

Sweeney, however, said he only repaired an existing levee on the former duck hunting destination.

Eukel said the trust, a nonprofit conservation organization, will have to 'remove the helipads, the dock, the artificial turf, the trailers' and then, 'breach the unauthorized levy in a number of places to re-establish channels'.

The trust hopes to reopen the island to the public one day, once it has been revitalized.

However, for now, they will use helicopters and barges to assist in removing debris from the island.

'The levee is just one part of the mess. The former owner also abandoned derelict buildings, a dock, helicopter pads, and piles of heavy debris across the remote island,' it said.

'The good news? We own Point Buckler now.'

'This island should be a refuge, a place where small fish find food, shelter, and safe passage. Instead, its a death trap,' the trust's executive director Linus Eukel said

John Sweeney (pictured) told the Daily Mail it wasn't a death trap, saying: 'Point buckler is a gorgeous island that billionaires all wanted to pay $750,000 per person, hardly a death trap'

Sweeney told the Daily Mail that the island wasn't a death trap.

'If a lush green island with four containers and two helipads is a "death trap"? [I have] no idea what he's talking about,' he said in an emailed statement.

'But Point buckler is a gorgeous island that billionaires all wanted to pay $750,000 per person, hardly a death trap.

'There's no trash or debris, it's all green. No water on island accept [sic] in a half-acre ditch over 50 acres of uplands.

'I bet Linus has never been on island either... Ask Linus for a picture of a fish dying.'

Sweeney sued the trust and others, accusing them of decades-long racketeering against him and his wife.

Sweeney was dramatically arrested outside of court as his land was seized in January, just minutes after his property was sold.

Sweeney, a self-described 'American entrepreneur,' attended the court proceedings in protest of the county-mandated sale, marking the end of a grueling ten-year battle between him and numerous government agencies in the Golden Gate City.

California lawmakers seized the land that Sweeney purchased for $150,000 in 2011 over claims that the wealthy owner allegedly committed 'one of the worst environmental activities in the entire San Francisco Bay'.

Sweeney had turned the island into a posh kitesurfing club for billionaires in Silicon Valley

He built a lounge and other things on the island, which a government agency said destroyed it

Point Buckler, a turtle-shaped marshland on the southern edge of Grizzly Bay, is home to several endangered species.

After purchasing the land, Sweeney transformed it into a posh kitesurfing club for billionaires in Silicon Valley - allegedly making numerous illegal moves during its development, according to the agencies.

The auction was abruptly interrupted by Sweeney, who approached the crowd.

'Are you a bidder?' Pierce asked him. Sweeney then replied: 'I'm the owner.'

Tensions quickly grew as Sweeney added: 'Government at its finest. Can't figure out how to sell a property.'
Swear words that were once potent are losing their sting, a new study has revealed.

Among Gen Z, racist, sexist, homophobic and ableist slurs are now ranked as the most offensive terms in the English language.

At the same time, old-fashioned profanity based on sex, religion and bodily fluids barely raise an eyebrow.

According to researchers from Australia's Macquarie University, 'bl***y', 'bu***r', 'ba****d', and 'bull***t' are now so tame that they're not even considered swear words.

Out of the 20 most offensive terms, 16 were slurs rather than traditional swear words.

Of the four swears that did make it into the top 20, 'c**t', 'm**********r', 'p***y', and 'w****r', the researchers noted that 'c**t' and 'p***y' could be classed as sexist.

Other sexual terms like 'p***k', 'd**k', 'c**k' were ranked among the least offensive terms of all.

Lead author Dr Joshua Wedlock says: 'More traditional terms used as swearwords and considered taboo in the past have fallen out of use and, in some cases, aren't even recognised by young people today.'

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Scientists have found that Gen Z are giving up on traditional profanity as they now find racist, homophobic, ableist, and sexist slurs to be more offensive (stock image)

For the study, researchers recruited 60 Australian-born university students and asked them to rate 55 swear words and slurs according to how offensive they found them.

This revealed that many words which would have once been seen as too rude for public use are now considered much more acceptable.

Dr Wedlock says: 'Languageespecially what's considered taboois shaped by culture.

'For example, as Australian society has become more secular, taboos around religious phrases used as swearwords have generally died out.'

That means phrases like 'Jesus Christ' or 'damn' have lost their power to offend.

But it isn't just blasphemy that has lost its edge, as the researchers found that swear words ranked well below slurs for potential offence.

Meanwhile, some traditional swear words are now accepted enough to be used in advertising and mainstream media without any major complaint.

For example, in 2006, Tourism Australia launched the 'So where the bl***y hell are you?' advertising campaign, while the Northern Territories adopted the unofficial slogan 'CU in the NT'.

Racist slurs were deemed to be the most offensive terms of all. This was followed by homophobic terms, ableist terms, and sexist terms targeting women

However, even as the potency of some swear words has declined, slurs have begun to be seen as much more offensive.

The study found that racist slurs were seen as the most offensive of all, followed by homophobic terms, ableist terms, and sexist terms.

Sexist terms of abuse that target women were, perhaps unsurprisingly, seen as more offensive by women than by men, but the ranking of offensive terms was otherwise consistent.

The researchers also found that Australian students considered slurs targeting Aboriginal Australians less offensive than those targeting black people.

Dr Wedlock says: 'The N-word was generally regarded as the top taboo.

'I think this demonstrates the growing influence of American culture in media and music for young Australians in particular.'

This comes as studies reveal major changes in the world's swearing habits.

Research conducted by Ofcom has shown that the UK public has started to see racist and homophobic slurs as more offensive, even as tolerance for swearing increases.

Out of 20 global countries, Brits are the second-most prolific swearers in the world, behind only the United States but ahead of Australia. However, swearing rates in the UK have fallen by a quarter since the 1990s

Dr Robbie Love, an expert on swearing from Aston University who was not involved in the study, told the Daily Mail: 'There is nothing unusual about this development since taboo language has always followed along with broader social values.'

Dr Love's research has also shown that the use of swear words has declined by a quarter since the 1990s.

In total, the amount of swearing has fallen by 27.6 per cent, from 1,822 words per million in 1994 to 1,320 words per million in 2014.

However, this doesn't necessarily mean that the British public has finally washed their mouths out.

Dr Love says: 'Swearing is not falling out of fashion, it has existed for a very long time and performs a range of functions.

'However, the words that people count as swearing change over time, and people are far more likely to swear in some contexts than others.'
The interstellar visitor blazing through our solar system shows startling signs that it may not be a comet, but something truly alien.

The object, known as 3I/ATLAS, recently survived a scorching flyby of the sun completely intact, something no natural comet should be able to do.

A Harvard professor had said that humans would learn the truth about the visitor's origins after it reached its closest point to the sun on October 29, when it should have begun to melt and a huge cloud of dust should have formed around it.

However, the latest data has revealed that 3I/ATLAS is still a single, bright object with no pieces breaking off and no cloud of fragments or debris, further supporting Loeb's theory that the object could be an alien mothership maneuvering around the sun.

Instead of a shattered mess, astronomers David Jewitt and Jane Luu found an intact body surrounded by a glowing coma, a fuzzy envelope of gas that is stretched out in two directions, one pointing toward the sun and another away from it.

The new images captured by the Nordic Optical Telescope in Spain also revealed that 3I/ATLAS still has a mysterious 'anti-tail' pointing toward the sun, despite the object now moving away from our home star. Scientists have argued this could be an optical illusion.

A comet's tail is a trail of dust and debris behind it as the rocks are blasted by sunlight and solar wind.

However, the new photos taken on Tuesday also spotted two giant jet-like streams blasting out for hundreds of thousands of miles from the object's surface, which defy the laws of science.

New images of 3I/ATLAS taken by the Nordic Optical Telescope in Spain have just been released and show the alleged comet has not broken apart

The object has also developed an anti-tail point toward the sun and two massive jets shooting material out into space

One has been shooting material out into space in the direction of the sun, while the other is nearly three times as long and appears to be pointing in the opposite direction.

Based on the size of 3I/ATLAS, which is roughly 3.5 miles across, Harvard professor Avi Loeb has said these jets can't be naturally explained as water vapor pouring out of the comet because there isn't enough ice there to produce such massive streams.

'Technological thrusters which point their exhaust towards the sun would accelerate away from the Sun,' Loeb said.

'This post-perihelion maneuver might be employed by a spacecraft that aims to gain speed rather than slow down through the gravitational assist from the sun.'

Loeb's theory that 3I/ATLAS has a technological origin has been met with scrutiny by many in the scientific community.

Astronomers throughout the world have maintained since its discovery in July that the object is a comet with an unusual chemical makeup from a distant solar system that formed under conditions far different from our own.

This includes shooting out streams of frozen carbon dioxide (CO) instead of normal water vapor, like comets that formed within our solar system.

However, the images revealed that the unexplained jet pointing toward the sun is 620,000 miles long, while the stream facing away from the sun is 1.86 million miles in length.

3I/ATLAS passed the sun on October 29, but new images show it has remained in one piece, which is unusual for a comet

Optical images captured on November 9 (pictured) reveal that 3I/ATLAS is ejecting enormous jets of material both toward and away from the sun

The presence of those giant jets means 3I/ATLAS was spitting out an enormous amount of material as it passed the sun in late October and early November, roughly five billion tons per month.

For a natural comet to release that much gas and dust, it would need a huge amount of ice being vaporized by the sun's heat, and the three-mile-long 3I/ATLAS simply isn't that large.

Loeb calculated the supposed comet would have needed an icy surface at least 14 miles across if it was composed of CO ice and a staggering 32 miles across if 3I/ATLAS was venting water ice into space.

'This raises a new anomaly of 3I/ATLAS that must be explained by those who wish to shove the anomalies of 3I/ATLAS under the carpet of traditional knowledge on solar system comets rather than consider alternatives,' Loeb explained.

On Wednesday, Florida congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna, chairman of the House Oversight Committee investigating reports of UFOs and extraterrestrials, said some information gathered on 3I/ATLAS was still being withheld from the public.

Luna revealed that she was denied access to classified information on the interstellar object by the Pentagon, and also alleged that members of the US intelligence community were actively blocking the truth of 3I/ATLAS from being released.

'I do believe it's a passing through comet, and so I don't think we are going to have any contact with any non-human intelligence yet, but the ruling is still out there on what this is,' the congresswoman told NewsMax.

3I/ATLAS is expected to make its closest approach to Earth on December 19

NASA administrator Sean Duffy has also pushed back on the speculation that 3I/ATLAS is a spacecraft, calling any theories that the object contains alien life or will collide with Earth 'not true.'

Despite the pushback, Luna has continued to call on NASA to release all of the images it has collected during the interstellar visitor's journey through the solar system, including its close passes by Venus, Mars and the sun.

She has also publicly supported Loeb's investigation into 3I/ATLAS, which has now found at least 11 anomalies that scientists have yet to fully explain, including its anti-tail, turning blue as it neared the sun, and sudden course changes that defy gravity.

While one strange oddity being seen in a comet could be explained by science, Loeb previously told the Daily Mail that the odds of 3I/ATLAS displaying all these anomalies at the same time were astronomical and point to it being an extraterrestrial craft.
It's been 100 years since King Tutankhamun was unearthed in Egypt, and now a researcher has revealed little known details about the gruesome excavation.

British archaeologist Howard Carter and a team of Egyptian excavators discovered the famous tomb in the Valley of the Kings, but had to behead and mutilate the mummy to remove it from the coffin.

The mummy was trapped in a casing of ancient resin from the burial ritual in 1323 BC, more than 3,300 years ago.

Although Carter wrote a three-book series about the findings, he left out the details of the gruesome dismemberment from his account, which researchers believe was done to avoid revealing their disrespectful treatment of the mummy.

'The autopsy that followed was devastating. Tutankhamun was left 'decapitated, his arms separated at the shoulders, elbows and hands, his legs at the hips, knees and ankles, and his torso cut from the pelvis at the iliac crest,' Eleanor Dobson from the University of Birmingham said in The Conversation on Wednesday.

'His remains were later glued together to simulate an intact body, a macabre reconstruction that concealed the violence of the process.'

The revelations have breathed new life into the myth that a curse bringing bad luck, ill health, and death will follow anyone who disturbs an Egyptian pharaoh's mummy.

The legend of the Pharaoh's Curse spread worldwide after key members of Carter's expedition died under bizarre circumstances after archeologists located Tut's tomb.

A picture of Pharaoh Tutankhamun's mummy taken in 2007. The Egyptian king's head was severed by excavators who unearthed his tomb in 1925

King Tut was decapitated after archaeologist Howard Carter's team removed his famous golden mask (Pictured) which was buried with the ruler 3,300 years ago

Those deaths included Lord Carnarvon, Carter's financial backer, who died of blood poisoning caused by an insect bite. Carter would continue to dispute the existence of the curse until his death at age 64 from Hodgkin's lymphoma, a form of blood cancer.

A century later, some researchers, including Dobson, have claimed that Carter intentionally covered up the grisly beheading of Tutankhamun to avoid public outrage.

These claims gained even more traction when researchers in the 1960s and 1970s discovered that Tutankhamun's body had been glued back together after the autopsy to give the appearance of an undisturbed body.

However, scientists have debated for decades whether Carter and the excavators had any other choice in how they removed Tut's corpse, given the limited resources of the 1920s.

Despite Carter not mentioning the details of Tut's autopsy in his book series, shocking photographs of the dismemberment were taken and have been preserved by the University of Oxford's Griffith Institute, so the public can now see the damage for themselves.

Carter's logs noted the mummy was completely stuck to the bottom of his coffin because the ancient priests had poured huge amounts of thick black oils and resins over the pharaoh 3,300 years earlier, which hardened into a rock-like glue.

For days, they put the gold sarcophagus in the hot Egyptian sun, with temperatures reaching nearly 150 degrees Fahrenheit, and even used lamps in an attempt to melt the black tar-like substance covering Tut.

However, when nothing worked, Carter and anatomists Douglas Derry and Saleh Bey Hamdi decided to use force to take the pharaoh out of the coffin, heating ordinary knives in a flame until they were red-hot to melt through the resin.

King Tut's body was also dismembered, with the limbs sawed and broken apart at each of the joints

Researchers have found that anatomists in the 1920s glued the pieces of King Tut's body back together after conducting an autopsy

They used the knives, chisels, and hammers to literally chip the mummy out of the coffin in pieces, first removing Tut's famous golden mask and then cutting off his head.

The team would go on to saw Tut's torso in half and break the arms and legs off at every joint.

In the end, the body was taken apart and dissected into more than a dozen separate pieces so they could recover both the mummy and the priceless gold coffin and jewelry that were stuck in it.

Years later, studies of Tutankhamun's body revealed that Carter and the anatomists coated each piece with hot paraffin wax to protect it from deterioration and later glued the body back together with resin so it could be displayed.

'It is worth reconsidering the legacy of Carter's excavation, not just as a landmark in Egyptology, but as a moment of ethical reckoning,' Dobson said in The Conversation.

'The mutilation of Tutankhamun's body, obscured in official narratives, invites us to challenge narratives of archaeological triumph and to look back on the past with a more critical view.'

While Carter's methods, which disassembled one of the most Egyptian figures in history, have drawn criticism from some researchers, others have defended his excavation.

In 2022, Egyptologist, historian, and author Aidan Dodson said he would have taken the same steps to free Tutankhamun after finding his tomb.

'I would have done everything Carter did that dayhe was way ahead of his time as a field archaeologist, and I don't think anyone else alive at the time would have been as successful in carrying out the clearance,' Dodson told the American University in Cairo Press.
A new analysis of a 4,300-year-old silver goblet has identified the earliest known visual depiction of creation, showing themes that closely align with the Bible's Book of Genesis.

The artifact, known as the Ain Samiya goblet, stands just three inches tall and is decorated with intricate images of snakes, chimeras, gods, celestial bodies and a mysterious 'boat' of light.

Discovered in 1970 in the Judean Mountains of the West Bank, the cup has been on display at the Israel Museum for decades, though its full meaning has only now come to light.

A recent study has revealed that the goblet's scenes depict the cosmos before its formation, representing chaos, and the cosmos after order was established.

Dr Eberhard Zangger, president of the Luwian Studies Foundation and one of the study's authors, explained that the story illustrated on the goblet evolved into different versions over time, including the Babylonian Enuma Elish and the biblical Genesis creation narrative.

'The left side of the goblet represents the chaotic state of the cosmos before creation, while the right side shows the ordered universe after,' Zangger said.

'This artifact gives us an incredibly detailed picture of how people in 2300 BC imagined the cosmos before creation.'

The parallels to the Bible are striking, as Genesis 1:1-4 reads: 'When God began to create heaven and earth, the earth being unformed and void God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness.'

The artifact, known as the Ain Samiya goblet, stands just three inches tall and is decorated with intricate images of snakes, chimeras, gods, celestial bodies and a mysterious 'boat' of light

Zangger noted that while written references to these creation concepts are ancient, finding a visual depiction this early is extremely rare, making the Ain Samiya goblet a unique window into the ancient Near Eastern understanding of the universe and its beginnings.

The artifact, found in a burial pit, was found near the Palestinian village of Ain Samiya, where archaeologists had unearthed hundreds of ancient graves.

'The purpose of the burial object was to connect the soul of the deceased with the journey of the sun, ultimately to heaven,' reads the study published in the peer-reviewed Journal of the Ancient Near Eastern Society Ex Oriente Lux.'

The goblet features two vertical mythological scenes, each occupying roughly half of its frieze.

The first, often described as the left scene, shows a chimera with a human torso and twin bull lower bodies, holding stylized palm fronds, accompanied by an upright snake.

This scene represents the chaotic state of the universe before order was established.

The second scene, on the right, depicts two anthropomorphic figures holding a crescent-shaped object topped with an eleven-petaled rosette, with a large snake between them.

Researchers interpreted the crescent as the 'boat of light,' symbolizing the sun and moon traveling across the sky and this scene illustrates the cosmos after order was imposed.

A recent study has revealed that the goblet's scenes depict the cosmos before its formation, representing chaos, and the cosmos after order was established (artist's impression)

When the goblet was first unearthed, scholars believed the imagery depicted scenes from the 'Enuma Elish,' a Babylonian creation myth documented on clay tablets dating to the late 2nd millennium BC.

The Enuma Elish is an ancient Babylonian creation myth written on seven clay tablets that tells the story of the cosmos's origin and the rise of the god Marduk.

However, Zangger told The Times of Israel that the timeline had to be revisited, suspecting it was far older than first documented.

'Because there was so much pottery [in the burial], it's pretty obvious that the grave is from about 2200 BC, while if we look at the iconography, we find a resemblance to that of 2300 BC,' he explained.

'So the time discrepancy between the production and the deposition is probably not more than 100 years.'

The study concluded that the design mirrors that of Early Dynastic III, a culture in Mesopotamia dating between 2900 and 2350 BC, which developed writing and the formation of the first cities and states.

'However, the production of the cup may have taken place in northern Syria,' researchers shared.

'The designer of the depiction achieved a great feat by adding certain new components to the long-standing narratives about the creation of the world, thus creating a unique vessel. From Syria, the goblet reached the southern Levant along well-traveled caravan routes.

'There, around 2200 BC, it found its final resting place in a tomb.'
A pregnant woman who was seen dangling from a window at the Bataclan theater during the horrifying Paris terror attacks in 2015 has spoken out for the first time in 10 years.

On November 13, 2015, ISIS fanatics carried out one of the deadliest attacks in France's history, targeting cultural institutions across Paris, killing over 130 people and injuring more than 400.

Terrorists attacked several busy restaurants, as well as the Stade de France and the Bataclan Theater, where the Eagles of Death Metal rock band were playing that night.

It was at the theater in the 11th arrondissement of Paris where Charlotte was filmed clinging to a window ledge for her life.

In footage seen around the world, the then-pregnant woman was heard pleading: 'Help, help, Im pregnant, catch me if I fall.'

Sebastien Besatti, also clinging to the facade of the building from a window ledge, decided to risk his own life to help her, scrambling back inside the Bataclan to haul her indoors.

Charlotte, who has refused to give her last name, told Le Monde that she refused to allow the terror attack to define her life, but said Sebastien was now part of her life: 'The Bataclan is not part of my life, but Sebastien is.'

Sebastien, meanwhile, told the newspaper: 'We're complete opposites, but she's my sister in arms.'

He said that he helped her up as he was 'in a better position than she was'.

Help: Sebastien Besatti, also clinging to the facade of the building from a window ledge, decided to risk his own life to help her

Pleading: The then-pregnant woman was heard pleading in a video, which was seen all over the world, capturing the incident: 'Help, help, Im pregnant, catch me if I fall'

The former journalist added: 'I could have held on and stayed hanging outside, but when I heard her, I decided to step in.'

Charlotte said that when he pulled her up, he sounded startled by her strength: 'It sounds strange, looking back, but he said to me, "Wow, you're strong!"'

Upon rushing back in, she spotted a door that the swung open to find 15 others hiding behind.

In the tiny room of just 10 square metres, they hid for over two hours.

Everyone inside had turned their phones off to prevent the terrorists from being alerted to their presence.

In that silence, they heard the sick attackers laughing as they aimed and shot at people through a nearby window, their victims screaming as a hostage situation that Sebastien ended up becoming part of was unfolding.

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Cops who had entered the building heard the ex-reporter speak. He had been made a spokesman by the terrorists and told the police that there were two gunmen wearing explosive vests holding around 20 of them captive.

He shouted from the other side of the door and asked the officers to stop, saying the captives would be killed or beheaded if the police advanced.

'They gave us their sermon, their speech, the why they were there,' Sebastien told RTL radio, describing what the terrorists said.

'They explained to us that the bombs being dropped on Syria were the reason why they were there. They said they were doing to us Westerners what we were doing to them over there.'

The hostages were ordered to keep guard at the windows, telling the police to stay away.

They were also used as 'human shields' and forced to sit by the door, where French cops might have inadvertently shot them.

A tense negotiation began between the gunmen and the police, during which officers were passed a mobile number and spoke to the attackers five times in what would prove to be a futile attempt at diplomacy.

In the interview with Le Monde, Sebastien admitted: 'The act of saving her, I did it for myself. I needed it. It reconnected me with my emotions. I began to understand that happiness lies in sharing.'

Charlotte and Sebastien revealed they properly met each other a month after the attack, following her husband's appeal for the identity of the man who had saved his wife.

Sebastien revealed that he didn't immediately recognize Charlotte, but she had recognized him. She told the newspaper that he 'had a huge smile, completely out of step with what had happened'.

As soon as they met, they immediately began catching up with each other: 'I took the opportunity to make her my confidante. She became a close friend.'

Charlotte said she was deeply traumatized by the attack, and took herself to a psychiatric clinic at Sainte-Anne Hospital the day after.

She said she was plagued by nightmares and panic attacks for months after, and that taking the Metro or being in a crowd was next to impossible.

Scary: American rock group Eagles of Death Metal perform on stage on November 13, 2015 at the Bataclan concert hall in Paris, a few moments before four men armed with assault rifles and shouting 'Allahu akbar' ('God is great!') stormed into the venue

Charlotte also said she refused to appear in court during the trial of the terrorists, only once attending a hearing on the day Sebastien and other victims recounted what happened to them.

The lingering trauma lead her to her making sure to get away with her daughter, born seven months after the attack, her husband and her closest friends every November 13, the anniversary of the attack.

The three gunmen who stormed the Bataclan were identified as Foued Mohamed-Aggad, 23, Omar Ismail Mostefai, 29 and Samy Amimour, 28.

Injured: French fire brigade members aid an injured individual near the Bataclan concert hall following fatal shootings in Paris, France, November 13, 2015

All three died during the attack, either by blowing themselves up or gunshots which triggered the blasts.

Mostefai, of Algerian origin, was the first to be identified after his severed finger was reportedly found at the site of the Bataclan theater by French authorities.

Their names appeared in files leaked from the Islamic State militant group, where roughly 22,000 fighters were reportedly identified, with one file for each recruit listing a name, address, and other information, according to German media reports.

After the attack: A man with blood on his shirt talks on the phone next to the Bataclan Theatre in Paris, France, on the morning of November 14, 2015

In 2021, what was then the biggest criminal trial in French history began, to prosecute those guilty of committing the worst terror attack the country has ever seen.

Some 20 men, all suspected Islamic State terrorists, were accused of killing 130 people and injuring hundreds in a special court built to host the ten-month trial.

Five judges heard testimony from over 2,000 witnesses and analyzed more than a million pages of evidence.

Fourteen were tried in person and another six in-absentia, presumed either dead or missing whilst fighting for ISIS in Syria.

Tribute France's President Emmanuel Macron (center), his wife Brigitte (left) and Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo arrive to pay tribute to victims at the intersection of of Bichat and Alibert streets near 'Le Petit Cambodge' and 'Le Carillon' in Paris

Ceremony: Former French President Francois Hollande and former Prime Minister Manuel Valls were also at a ceremony to mark the 10-year anniversary of the atrocity

Respects: People were seen paying their respects to victims in front of the Bataclan concert hall on the 10th anniversary of the attacks

Salah Abdeslam, the only surviving attacker from the group, was sentenced to a rare full-life sentence.

The court found that his explosives vest malfunctioned, dismissing his argument that he abandoned the vest because he decided not to follow through with his part of the attack after a change of heart.

Of the defendants besides Abdeslam, 18 were given various terrorism-related convictions, and one was convicted on a lesser fraud charge. Others were given life sentences, while some walked free after being sentenced to time served.
A flight attendant has opened up about what really happens if a passenger dies on a plane.

Barbara Bacilieri, 33, has spent 14 years in the industry and shares her insights and experiences on social media.

Originally from Argentina, the flight attendant revealed exactly what goes down when someone passes away during a flight and the 'special procedure' airline staff follow.

'A death on a flight is not too common, but it does happen sometimes,' Barbara told What's The Jam. 'That's why airlines have a special procedure for this.'

She emphasised that crew members are trained to handle the death with 'dignity'.

The flight attendant went on the explain how the uncommon but sad situation could play out.

She said: 'So, imagine you're flying to Rome and you suspect the passenger next to you isn't actually asleep.

'You call the flight attendant, and she also thinks he's not sleeping.

Barbara Bacilieri, 33, has spent 14 years in the industry and shares her insights and experiences on social media

'First, she'll alert the crew, who will then alert the captain. Meanwhile, she'll check his vital signs and probably start CPR.

'Once this happens, the crew will ask if there's a doctor among the passengers. If one appears, they'll attend to the passenger.'

Barbara shared that in most cases, airlines do not have their own doctor on the plane but 'there's almost always a healthcare worker among the passengers'.

She continued: 'Remember, no one officially dies on a plane because they can't declare someone dead until we reach the ground and a doctor confirms it.'

The flight attendant revealed there are two options if a passenger dies on board - captains usually either land at a nearby hub or continue the flight.

If the safety of those on board is compromised, the crew might decide to land as soon as possible at an airport.

But if 'everything is under control' they might choose to continue to the final destination.

The person who has passed away will be moved elsewhere, perhaps to an empty row.

Originally from Argentina, the flight attendant revealed exactly what goes down when someone passes away during a flight and the 'special procedure' airline staff follow

Barbara explained: 'But if there are no empty seats, the dead passenger will be taken to a section of the plane where they're out of view.'

The flight attendant was once travelling on a plane when someone passed away and recalled: 'I realised, and a couple of other passengers did too, that someone had died.

'A flight attendant got a sleep mask and put it on the deceased, only covering their eyes, and wrapped them in a blanket to disguise everything.

'It happened on a fairly long flight where most of the passengers were asleep. Only those of us who were awake realised what was happening.'

Barbara explained the crew were 'as discreet as possible' until they were able to deal with the situation at the final destination.

In another incident, Barbara revealed how a passenger passed away on a transatlantic flight.

There weren't any free seats on the plane so the crew 'decided to put the body in the galley, the flight attendants' kitchen, covered with a blanket'.

'The flight continued as scheduled, and my friend had to spend hours with her foot propped up against the body to stop it moving around,' Barbara added.

'A death on a flight is not too common, but it does happen sometimes,' Barbara told What's The Jam. 'That's why airlines have a special procedure for this.'

'The worst part was that the rest of the crew had to keep working around her because the passengers had to eat. She wasn't comfortable, but this was the decision made on this flight.

What's more, planes have capacity to carry coffins in the cargo hold.

Barbara explained: 'Along with the luggage, bodies are often transported back to their country of origin, and there might be a family member accompanying them on the same flight.

'Some airports, like Amsterdam, have a morgue to receive and prepare bodies before sending them back.'
Ryanair's much-anticipated new rule came into force yesterday, affecting travel on its flights.

From November 12 onwards, passengers on Ryanair flights can only use digital boarding passes.

Ryanair has issued a two-word verdict after the first day following new rules: 'Huge success.'

Ryanair said that by 1pm yesterday, more than 700 flights departed across Europe without any delay or disruption.

The airline added that 98 per cent of passengers presented with their digital boarding pass (DBP).

Meanwhile, the other 2 per cent  all of whom had checked in online before arriving at the airport  were issued free of charge boarding passes at airport ticket desks.

Ryanair's statement said: 'Customer feedback was universally positive as passengers swiped their phones through airport security and boarding gates.

'No passengers were offloaded, and where one or two passengers had a problem with their phone, they were boarded without difficulty as the boarding gates had their details from their online check-in.'

Ryanair's much-anticipated new rule came into force yesterday, affecting travel on its flights

Ryanair's chief marketing officer Dara Brady said: 'So far, day one of Ryanairs DBP has been a huge success as over 700 flights and more than 100,000 passengers enjoyed the improved service and better experience of paper-free boarding at Ryanair airports.

'We estimate our DBP initiative will save up to 40million (35.3million) annually, and this will help us to lower ticket prices and make air travel more competitive for Ryanairs customers.'

It comes after passengers were warned of the new rules and potential consequences if they aren't followed.

The new rule was expected to cause some trouble for people who don't own mobile phones.

A huge 2.06 million Brits aged over 55 do not have one of the handy devices, according to MoneySuperMarket.

This equates to around 10 per cent of the age group.

As a result, many older travellers feared they would face problems with new digital-only boarding passes.

The new rule has been controversial, with many passengers expressing concern for elderly flyers who may not have access to a smartphone.

Now, passengers on Ryanair flights can only use digital boarding passes

As the new boarding rules begin, Brits are warned not to get caught out and risk a large fee.

Desks at the airports will no longer offer the option to print them, which incurred a fee of 55.

Ryanair boss Michael OLeary has claimed between 85 and 90 per cent of its 200 million annual customers were already using digital passes before the rule came into play.

From now onwards, youll have to check in before you get to the airport to secure your boarding pass.
A pregnant woman reportedly went on an hour-long screaming rant at flight crew after she was told she couldn't fly.

The passenger boarded a Tibet Airlines flight at the Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in China on Monday.

Footage from inside the plane seems to show a crowd at the end of the aircraft.

A woman's voice can be heard angrily shouting after she was reportedly asked to disembark, according to The Sun.

Many passengers were already seated as airline workers apparently attempted to calm her down.

The frantic interaction played out after the woman allegedly revealed she was more than 35 weeks pregnant and needed special assistance, according to witnesses.

The disagreement went on for more than an hour despite even the captain 'coming out to persuade her', one passenger claimed.

In the end, police officers escorted the woman and her husband off the plane.

Footage from inside the plane seems to show a crowd at the end of the aircraft

A Tibet Airlines customer service representative told The Sun that company policy states pregnant women of up to 32 weeks can fly unless they are deemed medically unfit to.

Meanwhile, pregnant passengers who are between 32 and 35 weeks need a medical certificate issued within 72 hours before their flight and must sign a risk disclosure form.

No injuries were reported from the incident and no disciplinary action has been announced by the airline against staff involved.

Guidance from China's Civil Aviation Administration states airlines won't fly passengers who are over 35 weeks pregnant.

Passengers should also declare their condition before the flight.

The Daily Mail attempted to contact Tibet Airlines for comment.

It comes after one passenger went on an angry rant when their seatmate started eating before the whole row was served.

A holidaymaker opened up on Reddit about their experience on a long-haul flight. They had pre-ordered a 'special meal' due to being vegetarian and was served their food before most of the other passengers.

A woman's voice can be heard angrily shouting after she was reportedly asked to disembark, according to The Sun

'On most flights, the flight attendant brings the special meals first and then start the normal meal service for the rest,' they penned.

The holidaymaker was sat beside a 'stranger' and began tucking into their meal as soon as it arrived.

However, they were surprised to find their seatmate was offended by this.

'On my last flight, a perfect stranger sat next to me and told me that I was rude and inconsiderate because I started eating my vegetarian food before their meal arrived,' they recalled.

The seatmate apparently found it so 'rude' that the passenger had 'ruined' their flight by eating before everyone.
A major holiday booking site is offering help to tourists who've had their hotel booking cancelled as Sonder goes bust.

Short-term rental service Sonder filed for 'Chapter 7 liquidation' on Monday following the end of a deal with hotel giant Marriott.

Afterwards, countless customers found their upcoming accommodation bookings cancelled and others were asked to leave their hotels early, mid-stay.

Fortunately, lastminute.com has launched a new discount code to help those in need of somewhere new to stay.

As of yesterday (November 12), the holiday booking site is offering travellers an emergency booking voucher.

They simply have to type LMRESCUE50UK or for customers in Europe, LMRESCUE50EU to get 50 off a booking on lastminute.com.

What's more, the platform is offering a Book Now, Pay Later option to help out those who might not have the funds just yet.

The deal is available until November 19 and is only eligible for bookings over 500.

Fortunately, lastminute.com has launched a new discount code to help those in need of somewhere new to stay

It can be applied to any date, with no restriction on when the stay takes place.

Reigo Eljas, Director of lastminute.com, said: 'Travel plans suddenly falling through, especially so close to a trip, can be extremely unsettling.

'As a brand built around helping people secure great holidays at short notice, we want to support travellers facing this disruption by making it as easy as possible to rebook securely.

'Alongside our competitive last-minute rates, we're offering an additional discount and Book Now, Pay Later option to help ease both the uncertainty and financial pressure during what is already a stressful situation.'

Irishman John Behan had a trip booked for November 21 with his British wife Alix to celebrate her 40th birthday, their 10-year anniversary and their son's 16th birthday.

He described the customer service from Marriott as 'rude, wrong and disappointing' in a post on X.

The family had booked Sonder Henri on 24 and on November 9, received a 'blunt' email explaining it was cancelled because of the situation.

'I thought it was obviously a prank, some sort of kind of scam,' John told the Daily Mail.

They simply have to type LMRESCUE50UK or for customers in Europe, LMRESCUE50EU to get 50 off a booking on lastminute.com

When he called Sonder's customer service he was greeted with a message saying to contact Marriott Bonvoy.

'What was more frustrating is when you contact Marriott Bonvoy, they were telling us to contact Sonder,' John explained.

After the refund responsibility being passed between Sonder and Marriott, John was told to go through his card provider.

'It's a bit of a weird predicament that they've left, a horrible predicament actually, because we're left now with flights booked and there's no money in my account to book accommodation,' John said.

He is now hoping to get a refund through his debit card and has contacted his travel insurance provider.

If he can't get the funds, John is even considering borrowing from a family member so they can book a hotel. 'Even that at the minute is looking difficult because it's so expensive,' he added.
Love Is Blind UK is set to have a dramatic spin-off after the reality TV programme proved itself to be a Netflix smash hit.

As suggested in its title, the premise of the show centres a simple age-old question: is love blind?

It puts this to the test by having brave singletons enter 'pods', fall in love and get engaged sight unseen.

The show follows the couples' ups and downs as they get to know each other in the flesh before walking down the aisle.

And fans will be over the moon to hear there could be another show conntacted to the series to come out.

A TV insider told The Sun: 'The spin-off series reunites couples, exes and fan favourites from the first British series.

Love Is Blind UK is set to have a dramatic spin-off after the reality TV programme proved itself to be a Netflix smash hit

The show will catch up with couples from the first and second seasons of Love Is Blind UK ahead of the release of season three next year

'Among the familiar faces will be Megan and Kieran, celebrating their first wedding anniversary, Bobby and Jasmine, preparing to welcome their first child with a baby shower, and Kal and Sarover, meeting for the first time since their dramatic reunion revealed they had split.'

Daily Mail contacted Netflix for comment.

Married couple Emma, 49, and Matt Willis, 42, will return to our screens to present the programme.

A title for the new spin-off has yet to be announced, and it is not known when it will air.

However, it is believed that it will follow a similar format to the US Love Is Blind spin-off, Love Is Blind: After The Altar.

The series is expected to keep fans hungry for more of the show ahead of its third season, which is expected to air after the spin-off next year.

News of the spin-off comes hot on the heels of a very emotional reunion episode for season two's contestants.

It was so emotional, in fact, that Emma broke down in tears following the news that only one of the couples were still together.

She became emotional after discussing the breakdown of Ashleigh and Billy's marriage.

But while the vast majority of the relationships suggested that love isn't blind, Megan and Kieran's marriage was still going strong - proving that for one couple, at least, the experiment worked

Bobby and Jasmine from season one are set to appear in the spin-off too as they prepare to welcome their first child

She asked: 'In your vows you thanked him for restoring your faith in love. Do you still have faith in love?'

Ashleigh replied: 'I still have faith in love, but not from this man.'

Billy, who works in the military, had doubts about Ashleigh even in the pods because of her job as a cabin crew manager.

However, he took a risk on their relationship and the pair went on to get engaged and marry six weeks later on the show.

In the end, as Billy had feared, their conflicting schedules ultimately led to the end of the relationship.

But while the vast majority of the relationships suggested that love isn't blind, Megan and Kieran's marriage was still going strong - proving that for one couple, at least, the experiment worked.

The pair are expected to appear on the spin-off as they get ready to celebrate their first anniversary as man and wife.

Love Is Blind UK hit streaming service Netflix in 2024.

23 episodes across two successful seasons have aired since then.

Love Is Blind UK is available to stream exclusively on Netflix.
Celebrity Race Across The World was thrown into chaos in Thursday's episode, as protests and strikes forced two pairs to halt their journeys.

In a development that had never been seen on the show, political unrest in Guatemala forced Anita Rani and her father Bal and Roman Kemp and his sister Harleymoon to pause their races.

After kicking off their race across Central America, all four pairs began a 940km journey to El Zonte in El Salvador.

While Anita and her dad began their journey to the second checkpoint in the lead, the pair's decision to take a route through Guatemala proved costly.

Having made it into the country, they, along with Roman and Harleymoon, were told that they would have to stop their races on safety grounds.

Protests began in the country over compulsory car insurance, with many citizens, who live in poverty, complaining they could not afford it.

Celebrity Race Across The World was thrown into chaos in Thursday's episode, as protests and strikes forced two pairs to halt their journeys

In a development that had never been seen on the show, political unrest in Guatemala forced Anita Rani and her father Bal and Roman Kemp and his sister Harleymoon to pause their races

The protests escalated into a national uprising, with roads blocked and violent clashes in the cities, forcing Race Across The World bosses to take action.

Roman and Harleymoon received the message: 'A national strike has been announced in Guatemala, any major roads have been blocked, for safety reasons, your race will be paused. This is an ongoing situation, and an update will be issued later today.'

Anita and her dad discussed being 'trapped' by the protests, saying: 'We're in lockdown in Guatemala. So basically, we're trapped now. So our advantage [in the race] is...[gone].'

But an unfazed Bal said: 'Nothing we can do, so why worry about it?'

Anita added: 'There's part of me that's absolutely like you, very philosophical about this, but there is another part of my brain that is 'oh dear'.'

Speaking to a local woman, Anita tried to find out what was happening in the news. 'The capital is bad now, a lot of traffic, and everything is blocked, there is no passage,' she said, reading a message on the woman's phone.

'Oh my god, this is bad news, right now,' she reacted. 'What if this goes on for days? What happens then? Is the race over for us?'

Luckily the protests were called off after the government backed down on their car insurance legislation, and Anita, Bal, Roman and Harleymoon were able to continue their race.

While Anita and her dad began their journey to the second checkpoint in the lead, the pair's decision to take a route through Guatemala proved costly

Having made it into the country, they, along with Roman and Harleymoon, were told that they would have to stop their races on safety grounds

Regardless, the development left many fans stunned, and they shared their thoughts on X

Despite the lengthy setback, Anita and Bal still reached the second checkpoint first, with Roman and Harleymoon in second

Dylan Llewellyn and his mum, Jackie, avoided the chaos by travelling outside of Guatemala, while Molly Rainford and Tyler West also dodged it by planning a route through Belize.

Regardless, the development left many fans stunned, with posts on X including: 'They've had to pause the race. OMG this has never happened before;

'I've never seen anything like this. I would be scared if I was them;

'Didn't this happen the last time they were out there. Well whereever they were in south America, and they flew them out;

'Race has been red flagged. Thought a safety car would have been OK. Waiting to hear when the FIA will restart;

'The Race Across The World safety car is out.'

Despite the lengthy setback, Anita and Bal still reached the second checkpoint first, with Roman and Harleymoon in second.

However, the delay reduced their advantage to a little under four hours, having previously kicked off the second leg 23 hours ahead.

Celebrity Race Across The World continues at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
A formal investigation into Naga Munchetty has reportedly been launched, after she faced a string of complaints and bullying allegations.

The BBC Breakfast presenter, 50, who has fronted the show for 15 years, now faces an uncertain future on the broadcaster after further allegations were said to have been made.

In August, TV sources claimed several colleagues had logged concerns over Naga's 'hard' and 'bullying' behaviour on the breakfast show, as well as her Radio 5 Live show.

At the time, bosses put Naga under review, but have now escalated it to a probe after further complaints were made, according to reports.

The TV host is paid between 355,000 and 359,999 a year for BBC Breakfast and fronting her Radio 5 show.

An insider told The Sun: 'The Naga situation has been an albatross around Breakfasts neck since June when the endemic bullying at Media City was first exposed by The Sun.

A formal investigation into Naga Munchetty has reportedly been launched, after she faced a string of complaints and bullying allegations

The BBC Breakfast presenter's future on the broadcaster is shrouded in doubt after further allegations are said to have been made after 15 years on the show

'Whilst others have been cleared, the review on Naga has done the opposite - with further complaints against her.

'They had no choice but to take things from the slightly softer "under review" to formal investigation. Of course, her detractors are gossiping that the timing with Deborahs departure isnt exactly a coincidence.'

The Daily Mail has contacted the Naga's representatives for comment.

A representative for the BBC said: 'We do not comment on individual HR matters'.

Naga's own conduct was thrown into doubt when BBC Breakfast's editor Richard Frediani reportedly took an extended period of leave, after an internal review of bullying and misconduct allegations was opened into the show.

Naga was reportedly spoken to by executives after a junior staffer accused the journalist of bullying them.

She was also reportedly hauled into a meeting after she made a sex jibe during an ad break while hosting her radio show.

The presenter is believed to have used a crude slang term for a sex act and reportedly asked a colleague if they had ever done it.

Naga's co-host Charlie Stayt remains 'under review', according to reports

It has been a rocky time for the BBC after director general Tim Davie and Deborah Turness (pictured), chief executive of BBC News, sensationally stepped down

Director general Tim quit the BBC after five years in the corporation's top job

MasterChef's Gregg Wallace , 61, was sacked following a series of misconduct allegations relating to his time on the series. Then in September John Torode, lost his job over racist allegations

Naga's co-host Charlie Stayt also remains 'under review', according to the publication.

Naga is no longer represented by agents M&C Saatchi, who also dropped BBC One Show host Jermaine Jenas after his sexting scandal.

Her new agents have reportedly 'held talks with rival station LBC' to explore other opportunities.

The journalist is paid almost double of her co-host Charlie, 63, remained in the 190,000 bracket as tensions between the pair are said to be 'rife'.

Naga hosts BBC Breakfast on Thursdays to Saturdays with Charlie, while Jon Kay and Sally Nugent anchor the programme from the start of the week.

It has been a rocky time for the BBC after director general Mr Davie and Deborah Turness, chief executive of BBC News, sensationally stepped down amid an impartiality row after an internal report accused it of institutional bias and censorship.

MasterChef's Gregg Wallace, 61, was sacked following a series of misconduct allegations relating to his time on the series.

Then in September, Irish chef Anna Haugh, 44, was announced to takeover from John Torode, who lost his job after two decades over allegations he used 'racist language in 2018', something he claims he has 'no recollection' of.

CEO of BBC News, Ms Turness quit earlier this week over the botched editing of one of the President's speeches by Panorama.

President Donald Trump condemned the BBC as 'corrupt' as he tore into Mr Davie after he resigned in disgrace over a doctored video.

The Sun reports Ms Turness's resignation could leave Naga's position as daytime host 'vulnerable'.
She's the millionaire socialite who once stole the heart of Golden Bachelor Barry 'Bear' Myrden... but somehow didn't get a mention on the show.

And now Daily Mail can unmask the mysterious ex that Channel Nine producers didn't want you to know about: Jo Kinghorn.

For the first time, photos have emerged of Ms Kinghorn - an heiress and daughter of finance tycoon John Kinghorn - who was previously engaged to the reality star.

On screen, Canadian-born engineer Myrden has been introduced to viewers as a lonely widower and devoted father of three boys searching for love.

Each week, he's shared emotional stories about losing his wife Audrey in 2014, insisting he's remained single ever since her death.

But in reality, he's had a string of romances that have been kept under wraps - a fact he acknowledged to the Daily Mail when asked about his dating history at the Melbourne Cup last week.

Canadian-born engineer Myrden has been introduced to viewers of The Golden Bachelor as a lonely widower. The show has neglected to mention he was engaged to an heiress

For the first time, photos have emerged of Jo Kinghorn, daughter of finance tycoon John Kinghorn, who was previously engaged to Myrden

'I've had a few partners since the passing of my wife and we had wonderful times and they were lovely ladies. Very nice, but it didn't work out,' he said.

'I don't think I was ready. I believe I was still grieving. And it's unfortunate, they were absolutely lovely, they were tremendous people, but it didn't work out.'

A friend also revealed that 'it's not just Jo' Myrden and Nine are keeping quiet about.

'He briefly dated a woman after his wife died. Then it was Jo. After they broke up, he had another long-term relationship.'

Myrden met Ms Kinghorn in Palm Beach in 2012 at a friend's barbecue. According to Woman's Day, she was touched by his devotion to his sons after they lost their mum.

Ms Kinghorn is well known for her charity work, donating her time and money to several organisations close to her heart - and even sponsoring a school in Africa.

She made headlines in 2023 for placing the winning bid on a nine-year-old girl's painting at a charity event.

She later told 2GB's Ben Fordham that although she didn't wake up expecting to spend six figures that day, she was 'so grateful' the painting ended up in her hands.

Ms Kinghorn (pictured talking to radio host Ben Fordham) made headlines in 2023 for placing the winning bid on a nine-year-old girl's painting at a charity event

The Golden Bachelor's final rose ceremony will air this Sunday on Nine

Now, as her former fiance edges close to this Sunday's final rose ceremony, Ms Kinghorn's friends want the message out there that 61-year-old Myrden is more of a party animal than he lets on.

'He loves a BBQ - some wives even joke he is a bad influence on their husbands when it comes to beers and backyards,' they said.

'When it comes to drawing up the guest list, there is usually an eye-roll or two when the dads inevitably want to invite Bear.'

On Monday, Woman's Day reported how Ms Kinghorn had fallen 'madly in love' with the keen sailor.

A friend told the publication that Myrden's claims about his love life on the show - namely that he is only now ready to move on from his wife's death - have left her inner circle 'gobsmacked'.

Because not only were Myrden and Ms Kinghorn engaged and living together, but she had become a stepmother figure to his three boys, Charlie, Jack and Declan.

'She really opened her heart to them and dedicated her life to them - and they adored her,' Ms Kinghorn's friend revealed.

Myrden met Ms Kinghorn in Palm Beach in 2012 at a friend's barbecue. According to Woman's Day, she was touched by his devotion to his sons after they lost their mum

Kinghorn is from a wealthy family and spends much of her time working with charities

However, as soon as money started playing a major role in their relationship, things seemed to go downhill for the couple.

Kinghorn is from a wealthy family: her father founded Allco Financial Services and RAMS Home Loans and has been featured on the Rich List.

Bear seemingly lived the good life with Kinghorn, who hired a full-time nanny for his children so that they could travel the world together.

What's more, she even bought him a warehouse with a million-dollar price tag, which Bear transformed into his '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 $6million home in Manly.

But just two years later, the couple called it quits in what was dubbed 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 Myrden even asked her to return the diamond solitaire engagement ring.

Bear seemingly lived the good life with Kinghorn, who hired a full-time nanny for his children

Sunday night will see Myrden chose between finalists Sunny and Janette

While Myrden kept his house and Ms Kinghorn kept hers, she eventually sold the Manly property because it held 'bad memories'.

'She spends a lot of her time overseas now, with various charity commitments,' said a friend.

'She is actually the loveliest woman.'

Daily Mail has contacted Channel Nine for comment.

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Karina Irby has scored a sweet real estate deal after selling off a beach flat on Queensland's holiday coast for a cool $1.45million.

The 35-year-old Moana Bikini brand founder made a whopping $250,000 profit on the sale of the two-bedroom, one-bathroom Gold Coast investment pad.

Bought in 2024 for $1.2 million, the flat is located in the Fletcher Building, a 70s-era apartment block overlooking famed Currumbin Beach.

Irby had leased out the property since the purchase, with the last tenants paying $850 a week.

Ideally situated a stone's throw from the beach, the property offers an open-plan layout and features a covered balcony and ocean views.

Other highlights include a downstairs storage/studio space.

'Bikini' influencer Karina Irby has scored a sweet real estate deal. (Pictured)

The 35-year-old Moana Bikini brand founder made a whopping $250,000 profit on the sale

OnlyFans model Irby made headlines back in April 2024, soon after purchasing the flat, when she joked she had 'accidentally' snapped up the property.

Celebrating the news with Instagram followers at the time, Irby angered one follower with her lighthearted jest.

The online critic claimed it was not 'legally possible' to buy a home by accident.

Others joined in the pile-on, saying that the entrepreneur was being insensitive, given how many young people are struggling to scrape together a deposit for their first home.

'I might have accidentally-kind-of-on-purpose bought an investment property!' Irby said in a video she shared with followers after sealing the deal on the flat.

'And I can quite literally see it from my bed. Oh, my god... Do you see that?

'I just kind of bought it... God, now I have two mortgages. Am I the worst at adulting?

'If it was a massive risk I'm sure my accountant would have said don't buy it. I don't even remember what the repayments were.'

The flat is located in the Fletcher Building, a 70s-era block overlooking Currumbin Beach

The property offers an open-plan layout

Irby made headlines in April 2024 when she joked she 'accidentally' snapped up the property

If Irby was expecting her followers to be happy for her, she was in for a shock, with many slamming the tone of her video amid a deepening cost-of-living crisis.

'Imagine being so rich you 'accidentally' buy an investment property?' one said.

'Most people are struggling and barely able to afford rent, petrol and food,' one person wrote. 'Not a very tasteful video in these current times, Karina.'

'Please don't make videos like this when people are struggling to keep a roof over their head and feed their children,' a second agreed.

One follower who described herself as a 'fellow investor' said it was 'entirely false to pretend that you didn't make this purchase with significant deliberation'.

'It's legally not possible,' they added.
Wetland park turns into paradise for migratory birds in NW China's Ningxia

Xinhua) 08:18, November 13, 2025

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 11, 2025 shows migratory birds resting and foraging at the Tianhewan National Wetland Park in Pingluo County of Shizuishan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

Located in Pingluo County of Ningxia and adjacent to the Yellow River, the Tianhewan National Wetland Park serves as an important ecological barrier in the Yellow River Basin.

Pingluo County has stepped up its efforts to protect the Yellow River Wetland in recent years, pushing ahead with ecological restoration and governance of the wetland. It has woven an ecological protection network to safeguard the home of migratory birds through intelligent monitoring platforms as well as patrols by professionals.

Thanks to continuous improvement in its ecological environment, the park has turned into a paradise for migratory birds.

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 11, 2025 shows the Tianhewan National Wetland Park in Pingluo County of Shizuishan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

Staff members observe migratory birds at the Tianhewan National Wetland Park in Pingluo County of Shizuishan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Nov. 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 7, 2025 shows migratory birds resting and foraging at the Tianhewan National Wetland Park in Pingluo County of Shizuishan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. (Photo by Yue Changhong/Xinhua)

Staff members operate with an intelligent monitoring platform at the Tianhewan National Wetland Park in Pingluo County of Shizuishan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Nov. 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 11, 2025 shows migratory birds flying over the Tianhewan National Wetland Park in Pingluo County of Shizuishan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 8, 2025 shows migratory birds resting and foraging at the Tianhewan National Wetland Park in Pingluo County of Shizuishan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. (Photo by Yue Changhong/Xinhua)

Staff members patrol at the Tianhewan National Wetland Park in Pingluo County of Shizuishan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Nov. 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 11, 2025 shows the Yellow River and the Tianhewan National Wetland Park (R) in Pingluo County of Shizuishan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 11, 2025 shows staff members patrolling at the Tianhewan National Wetland Park in Pingluo County of Shizuishan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
The Melbourne fashion scene is in mourning following the death of one of its most influential figures, Le Louvre owner Georgina Weir.

The beloved fashion boutique owner died in Melbourne on Monday aged 83, following a long illness.

Le Louvre was founded by Weir's mother Lillian Wightman in 1923 and quickly became Melbourne's number one destination for luxury imported labels.

The inner-city boutique was both a social landmark and a fashion haven - renowned for its exclusive labels and elegant style.

Wightman christened her tree-lined corner of Collins Street the 'Paris End'.

Weir's death was confirmed on Monday by Le Louvre in a social media statement.

The Melbourne fashion scene is in mourning following the death of one of its most influential figures, Le Louvre owner Georgina Weir

'Dearest Le Louvre community, it is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce our beloved Georgina passed away peacefully this morning,' they began.

'An icon, innovator and a truly incredible woman, Georgina was a pioneer in the Australian fashion landscape. Her larger than life personality, generosity, cheeky sense of humour and can-do attitude to life will not be forgotten.'

They finished by saying that Weir would long be remembered as a fashion innovator.

'Her legacy in Le Louvre has proven to, and continues to, stand the test of time,' they wrote.

'Sending our love to all whose lives were touched by Georgina and Le Louvre.'

Weir took over the family business in the early '70s.

She was renowned for ensuring the business was readily available to people from all kinds of backgrounds, not just the ultra-wealthy.

'We don't give a damn who comes in here. I am not the slightest bit snobby about anybody,' she once said.

The beloved fashion boutique owner died in Melbourne on Monday aged 83

Weir's death was confirmed on Monday by Le Louvre in a social media statement

Under Weir's leadership, Le Louvre continued to dress generations of women in the most cutting-edge styles of the day.

Many of Australia's fashion elite took to social media to pay tribute to Weir.

'Georgina was a force to be reckoned with, and would dress Australian society women and brides,' wrote Melbourne hospitality legend Bruce Keebaugh.

'She sourced the best haute couture and ready to wear, from across the globe, to ensure her clients had the very best of the best. The parties we threw at Le Louvre were legendary.'

'What an incredible woman Georgina was. How lucky were we to have her in our lives,' added Keebaugh's Real Housewives of Melbourne star wife Chyka.

'Georgina you were an icon. Such a huge influential part of my life and for so many of us. I will miss our hilarious chats,' added celebrity interior designer Charlotte Coote.

Weir had no children or siblings and following her retirement, she passed the leadership baton onto her goddaughter, Amelia Coote-Taylor.
Paul Hogan is back in Australia for the second time this year, having touched down in Sydney on Wednesday.

The 86-year-old was seated in a wheelchair as he left the terminal at Sydney Airport, aided by ground staff, following his long-haul flight from Los Angeles.

Much has been made of the state of the iconic actor's health in recent months due to his occasional use of the wheelchair - and the comic did not miss the chance to poke fun at the chatter.

Clutching his chest and feigning pain, Paul put on a show before joking with waiting photographers.

Paul quipped that he was 'too old to be roller skating' and blamed a 'bad knee' for the use of the mobility aid.

The star appeared in good spirits and otherwise in good health as he was wheeled to a waiting car.

Paul Hogan (pictured) is back in Australia for the second time this year, having touched down in Sydney on Wednesday

The 86-year-old was seated in a wheelchair as he left the terminal at Sydney Airport, aided by ground staff, following his long-haul flight from Los Angeles

He had made similar comments during his visit Down Under in July.

Paul told 7NEWS that he suffered an injury in a skateboarding accident, which exacerbated his arthritis.

'They got me in the wheelchair,' the Crocodile Dundee star said with a laugh, adding that he is in good health.

'I have arthritis. And I have a knee, which, much to my embarrassment, I injured skateboarding,' he said.

Hogan continued: 'I was an 80-plus skateboarder. I'm not proud, I'll get in the wheelchair every time.'

Earlier this year, Paul revealed his plans to return to Australia before he dies.

The legendary actor, who has been based in Los Angeles since the 1990s, told 7NEWS that he wants to spend his final moments in his home country.

The star says he wishes to return to Australia 'as soon as he possibly can' and even has plans to have his ashes scattered in Sydney.

Much has been made of the state of the iconic actor's health in recent months due to his occasional use of the wheelchair - and the comic did not miss the chance to poke fun at the chatter. Clutching his chest and feigning pain, Paul put on a show

'I want to die here. I am antique now, time just slips away,' Hogan said with a wry laugh.

'I want my ashes scattered off the Harbour Bridge. Put that in my will,' he added.

Paul returned Down Under in May for a month-long holiday, amid reports he's moving home for good.

The iconic actor has expressed that he stays stateside to care for his son, Chance, 27.

Hogan told 7NEWS on Monday that he is remaining in the USA for the time being, in order to support Chance, whom he referred to as his 'troubled son,' in his career.

'He's still trying to build his career up, and as soon as he does I will be back here,' Hogan explained.

'Unless he comes with me, I will be back sooner,' he added.

Paul shares son Chance with second wife Linda Kozlowski, who was his Crocodile Dundee co-star.

Earlier this year, Paul revealed his plans to return to Australia before he dies. The iconic actor has expressed that he stays stateside to care for his son, Chance (pictured)

According to a recent report, Hogan may soon return home, with his son's blessing.

'Paul felt healthier than he had in months, and even Chance agreed that Australia had been good for them both,' an alleged source told New Idea.

'Chance has long known he's the reason why Paul remains in the States,' they continued.

'But this recent trip was a wake-up call. He can see how important it is for his dad to spend his twilight years on home turf. He now believes it will extend his life.'

Chance has been living with his father in LA since his parents' divorce in 2014 after 24 years of marriage.
Kim Kardashian is facing fresh backlash after her daughter North West recently unveiled her latest body modification, a second finger piercing.

The preteen stunned followers after sharing close-up photos of her hand adorned with multiple jewels, including two dermal piercings embedded into her fingers.

In screenshots, captured by The Sun, one of her fingers featured a pair of silver gems, while another displayed a blue stone in the center of her middle digit.

North had first flashed the silver piercing while out with her mom in Rome in August.

Unlike traditional piercings, a dermal or surface piercing involves a small, flat-bottomed anchor being surgically inserted beneath the skin to hold the jewelry in place.

Another snap showed the process of getting the piercing, with a rod going through North's finger.

Kim Kardashian is facing fresh backlash after her daughter North West recently unveiled her latest body modification, a second finger piercing

North flashed an apparent silver piercing in her middle finger while in Rome in August

North West (12) Shows off her new finger piercing.  pic.twitter.com/t7pQ1kH9z8   Mercedes   (@kalpriss) November 12, 2025

Experts say the procedure carries significant risks, particularly when placed on the hands, which are prone to bacteria, bumps and movement that can easily cause rejection or infection.

According to Healthline, dermal piercings 'carry a high risk of complications and this type of piercing requires meticulous aftercare'.

Many studios refuse to perform dermal piercings on anyone under 18, citing safety and hygiene concerns.

North's latest piercing debut quickly circulated online after photos were also shared on Reddit, where users debated whether the tween's parents should have allowed the procedure.

'This is what happens when you need to be your child's best friend and not a rational adult,' one critic wrote.

Another said, 'I couldn't imagine giving my 12-year-old permission to have dermal and surface piercings like this, especially with the complications that come with them.'

Others pointed out the potential medical risks.

'The potential for serious injury with this piercing is so unnecessarily high. Infection, rejection, nerve damage. A 12-year-old is not mature enough to care for this piercing responsibly,' another wrote.

A number of users also criticized Kardashian's parenting, suggesting she may be 'pandering completely to North'.

'Dermal piercings at 12 on your hand is wild. I'm all for letting kids express themselves, but not this, not at 12,' one parent added.

A number of users also criticized Kardashian's parenting, suggesting she may be 'pandering completely to North'

Last month North debuted a shock new look with temporary face tattoos and grills

According to Trist'n Peterson, co-owner and professional body piercer at Brightside Body Art in Missoula, Montana, dermal piercings are almost never approved for minors, and rarely recommended for adults.

'Most body piercing businesses won't give a surface piercing to anyone under 18,' she told Scary Mommy. 'Surface piercings are not permanent, and your body will eventually reject them, resulting in noticeable scarring.'

Her shop only pierces limited areas for clients between 13 and 18, such as earlobes, nose, septum or ear cartilage, but never fingers.

'For surface piercings on a finger, most piercers wouldn't even offer this on an adult,' Peterson explained. 'The finger has so much daily movement and potential to snag, causing the piercing to reject pretty quickly.'

In screenshots, captured by The Sun, one of her fingers featured a pair of silver gems, while another displayed a blue stone in the center of her middle finger

It remains unclear where North got her piercings done, or whether Kardashian or her ex-husband Kanye West gave permission for the procedure.

Some fans have speculated that the piercing may have been performed outside the United States, as most US piercing studios would not allow a minor to undergo a dermal implant.

Kardashian and West have not addressed the backlash directly.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Kardashian's representatives for comment but has not yet heard back.

Unlike traditional piercings, a dermal or surface piercing involves a small, flat-bottomed anchor being surgically inserted beneath the skin to hold the jewelry in place; seen in 2022

Experts say the procedure carries significant risks, particularly when placed on the hands, which are prone to bacteria, bumps and movement that can easily cause rejection or infection

Last month, the reality star, 44, came under fire over the summer for letting North wear a corset during an outing in Rome.

While Kardashian did not address the backlash at the time, she explained she's 'still learning' as a mother and that North was experimenting with her style to look like her friends.

'It's really hard and it's really interesting because all the kids are wearing the same things,' Kardashian said on the Call Me Daddy podcast.

'But then my daughter tries to wear it and then I'm like, "OK we're never wearing that again". Unfortunately, we made that mistake in front of the whole world.

'She's usually a girl that dresses like a tomboy most of the time and she wanted to try something that her friends were wearing and went to the same place that they went to... and it's just like, okay, wait, maybe you can't wear that, you know?'

Last month, the reality star, 44, came under fire over the summer for letting North West wear a corset during an outing in Rome (pictured in 2023)

Kardashian continued: 'So, as a mum, you're kind of learning at the same time. But what I do know is my baby's such a good girl and such a sweet girl.

'The things that she has experienced, where she might have been outspoken or did something, she learns from that.

'She does listen to me but in other areas I'm like, "Babe if you want blue hair, it is what it is". It makes her so happy. I would never take that creativity away from her.'

When North first debuted her bright blue hair, fans were divided online, with some suggesting the style was too mature for a preteen.

While Kardashian did not address the backlash at the time, she explained she's 'still learning' as a mother and that North was experimenting with her style to look like her friends; seen last year

Yet Kardashian revealed her daughter had seen the discourse and had a very sassy response.

Kardashian recalled: 'She's really mature in one sense, where she'll be like, "Mom, I saw this and I don't really care if someone says they don't like my blue hair or my this or that."

'She's really confident and is like, "I probably wouldn't be hanging out with those people. Like if you saw what they look like and what they're wearing!"

Kardashian mused: 'I just think anyone that's raising kids, especially four kids by myself, I'm doing the best that I can and my babies are good babies.

'So, I just urge everyone to not be judgmental and to have grace on single moms trying to figure it all out with a pre-teen. It's a lot.'
Pia Whitesell has made a surprising revelation about her weight and dress size.

The former Home and Away star, 42, jumped on Instagram Stories on Wednesday to answer a fans burning question about her weight.

'You're wonderful - how old are you, and what's your height and weight?' the follower asked.

Pia responded to the question by writing over a selfie, shocking fans with her response.

'Allll the questions,' she wrote, alongside a melting emoji, noting her age and revealing she's 5'10 (177.8cm).

'I don't own scales & and jump around between three different sizes in jeans.'

Pia Whitesell (pictured) has revealed that she doesn't weigh herself

The former Home and Away star, 42, jumped on Instagram Stories on Wednesday to answer a fans burning question about her size

It comes after Pia had her incredible figure on display while celebrating her 42nd birthday with a glamorous beach party.

The stunning Aussie star, who is now based in the US, posted to her social media earlier this month, sharing a gallery of images and video from the ritzy soiree.

Wearing a white cowgirl hat and silver spangled dress, the gorgeous model could be seen kicking up her heels and mingling amongst a crowd of genetically blessed guests.

A video posted to Instagram reveals that the event was held at a venue with a long open-air patio right on a sandy beach, offering stunning water views for the partygoers.

For decorations, Pia had selected to dress the venue with white carnations and large disco balls.

A DJ provided the tunes for the daytime bash, which appeared to stretch well past nightfall.

'Beach disco,' Pia gushed in one image, in which she could be seen pumping her fist in the air, while holding a mirror ball.

Another video showed Pia rocking out in the sunshine, which she captioned: 'What a day.'

Pia responded to the question by writing over a selfie

Pia recently celebrated her 42nd birthday in style with a glamorous beach party

It comes after Pia announced her first paid TV and modelling gig in seven years.

In July, the actress posted to Instagram to reveal she is the face of beauty giant Olay's 'Hello Better Me' campaign in Australia and New Zealand.

'I'm so humbled to be announced as the Australian Ambassador for Olay,' she wrote alongside a glowing campaign image of herself.

'As Olay moves into its next evolution, one that embraces progress over perfection and confidence thats built from lived experience - I find myself so ready and excited to share in that philosophy and be a part of a much needed conversation,' she added.

Pia has not worked since she first began seeing her now-husband, Hollywood power broker Patrick Whitesell, in 2019.

Bloomberg reports that the executive chairman of Endeavor talent agency has a net worth of AU$733million.
Kanye West appears to be moving forward, but his past continues to haunt him.

While the Grammy-winning rapper, 48, has recently attempted to make amends for three years of antisemitism, officials in Sao Paulo, Brazil - where West is slated to take the stage November 29 - are taking no chances of a pivot back to racism.

Authorities in the South American locale are specifically seeking out legal remedies if West attempts to perform the track Heil Hitler, which he released this past May, TMZ reported.

The Sao Paulo State Prosecutors Office received a complaint about the Through the Wire rapper ahead of his show in the city, sources told the outlet on Wednesday.

Daily Mail has reached out to West's rep for further comment on the story.

The Black Skinhead artist told celebrity Rabbi Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto last week that he was prepared to accept 'accountability' for his past antisemitism.

While the Grammy-winning rapper Kanye West, 48, has recently attempted to make amends for years of antisemitism, officials in Sao Paulo, Brazil - where he's slated to take the stage November 29 - are taking no chances of a pivot back to racism. Pictured in Shanghai on July 12

'I feel really blessed to be able to sit here with you today and just take accountability,' the Runaway artist said. 'I was dealing with some various issues of bipolar.

'So it would take the ideas I had and have me take them to an extreme where I would forget about the protection of the people around me or and myself.'

West since 2022 has propagated antisemitism through comments on his popular social platforms and media appearances; as well as in his work in music and fashion.

Among those involved, insiders told TMZ, include Councilwoman Cris Monteiro, who has opposed West's potential performance of the song glorifying Hitler.

Ana Beatriz Pereira de Souza Frontini, a local prosecutor, has issued mandates banning the display of any Nazi- or swastika-related merchandise for the West concert, according to the outlet.

Any citizen 'who makes any apology for Nazism' or facist regimes will be taken into custody at the show, Sao Paulo Mayor Ricardo Nunes said.

Police will have an enhanced presence at the concert in anticipation of any issues that might arise, sources told the outlet.

Concert promoters Guilherme Cavalcante and Jean Fabricio Ramos would also be on the legal hook should the Carnival artist perform the Nazi-inspired track in Sao Paulo.

While West and his team have been selling tickets, they have yet to secure a venue, insiders told TMZ.

Police will have an enhanced presence at the concert in anticipation of any issues

The Black Skinhead artist appears to have taken a step back from antisemitism in recent weeks. Earlier this year, he modeled one of his swastika shirts

The latest series of events come more than three years after West began losing a number of high-profile business relationships amid his initial series of antisemetic meltdowns in the fall of 2022.

West remained in the crosshairs of controversy this past February, when the shop on his Yeezy Website was taken offline by Shopify after he was selling a white shirt with a black swastika in the center.

West had advertised his site with an expensive ad broadcast in various markets during the Super Bowl, including Los Angeles.

The Anti-Defamation League said in a post on X/Twitter February 10: 'As if we needed further proof of Kanye's antisemitism, he chose to put a single item for sale on his website  a t-shirt emblazoned with a swastika.

'If that wasn't enough, the t-shirt is labeled on Kanye's website as "HH-01,"which is code for "Heil Hitler."'

Said the ADL: 'Kanye was tweeting vile antisemitism nonstop since last week. There's no excuse for this kind of behavior.'

The organization added, 'Even worse, Kanye advertised his website during the Super Bowl, amplifying it beyond his already massive social media audience.'
Adam Peaty was reportedly escorted from his plane by armed police after receiving sinister threats on his stag do in Budapest, Hungary, amid his family feud.

The Olympian, 30, is said to have been met by five uniformed police officers when the aircraft touched down at Manchester Airport on Sunday night.

A source told how Adam was flanked by the officers as he disembarked the flight and passed through immigration and baggage reclaim in the terminal.

They said CCTV was also monitored by authorities for suspicious activity and Adam was escorted from the building into a waiting vehicle.

The Sun report the police presence came following fears he could be assaulted as shaken Adam initially contacted his fiancee Holly Ramsay, 25, who then alerted police.

A friend told the publication: 'The issues that have been reported don't stem from hen do or wedding invitations; it goes so much deeper.

Adam Peaty was reportedly escorted from his plane by armed police after receiving sinister threats on his stag do in Budapest, Hungary, amid his family feud

A source told how Adam was flanked by the officers as he disembarked the flight and passed through immigration and baggage reclaim in the terminal

Earlier this week the family feud boiled over onto social media as it was revealed Adam's mum Caroline, 59, (pictured) had been disinvited from his Christmas wedding

'Things escalated over the weekend when someone became increasingly abusive and threatening over text.

'Adam was trying to enjoy his stag do and was getting freaked out by it all.

'He then received a threat that he'd be met off the plane. He told Holly who called the cops after consulting with her family.'

The friend added that Holly's parents, chef Gordon Ramsay and his wife Tana have been '100 per cent supportive' of them.

Representatives for Adam and Holly have been contacted by the Daily Mail for comment.

Earlier this week the family feud boiled over onto social media as it was revealed Adam's mum Caroline, 59, had been disinvited from his Christmas wedding.

The shock move came after a row erupted when bride-to-be Holly didn't invite her future mother-in-law to her hen party at swanky Soho Farmhouse attended by celebrities like Victoria Beckham.

Adam's aunt Louise Williams has been weighing in on the feud and previously said of her sister: 'Holly and Adam have broken her.'

She has been posting on social media platform Threads and clapped back at someone in her comments on Tuesday who criticised her for posting publicly on social media about the family troubles.

A friend of the couple said that Holly's parents, chef Gordon Ramsay and his wife Tana have been '100 per cent supportive' of them

Swimming champion Adam is said to have had his head turned by fiancee Holly's fame and money (Adam pictured with his mum Caroline and dad Mark after receiving his OBE)

Louise furiously claimed that Adam had said 'the most vile things a son can say to his mother' and stuck the knife in further by saying her family 'place real value on love and loyalty'.

Louise replied to a user named @nikkkith on threads saying: 'Another bootlicker. Away with you. If you want to worship fame and fortune go ahead. Our family and friends place real value on love, friendship, loyalty and being there for each other.

'I hate injustice always have and I will always speak out against it whether you are the King of England or a sycophant like yourself. Unlike you I happen to know all sides of the story. Unlike you I have seen heard and read the most vile things a son can say to a mother.

'Now unless you can solemnly swear that you have also seen heard and read all those same things I suggest you crawl back into that little dark hole you poked out of. Now having said that I totally respect your right to express your opinion, even though its totally nonsensical, because I am a huge believer in free speech.

'I'm not a fan though of people who go off half cocked and who don't possess all the facts. I hope you don't think that Holly or Adam will be impressed at you insulting his mother or slating me because they won't flower. So please do us all a favour and mosey on.'

In another post on threads Louise accused Adam and Holly of being 'bullies' as she shared a cryptic post that read: 'A group of bullies consists of fewer bullies and more sycophants, and the former can't function without the latter.'

Swimming champion Adam is said to have had his head turned by fiancee Holly's fame and money - and now feels ashamed of his own working-class family.

A source close to Caroline has given her side of the story for the first time - and told how she feels so hurt she thinks her son sees her as 'not good enough' to match up with the Ramsays socially.

Adam's mum being disinvited from his big day came came after a row erupted when bride-to-be Holly didn't invite her future mother-in-law to her hen party at swanky Soho Farmhouse

Adam and Holly's Christmas ceremony is taking place at Bath Abbey before famous guests head to lavish country estate Kin House

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'

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 as she publicly weighed into the feud

They told the Daily Mail: 'Adam has changed so much ever since he has been with Holly. She's from a celebrity world and his parents are not, and his ego and self-importance has just got bigger. He's not the lovely boy next door that we all remember him as.

'Adam has changed and he is almost a bully. He has been so horrible to his mum and he is now trying to exclude her from his life. She is worried sick about all this and can't believe it is happening.

'We think Holly has triggered all this, and her parents - the power of the rich and famous.'

Adam and Holly's ceremony is taking place at Bath Abbey before famous guests head to lavish country estate Kin House.

Kin House is located near the pretty town of Chippenham, a 40-minute drive from the centre of Bath.

The sought-after wedding venue can accommodate 200 guests on site, with 12 bedrooms suitable for up to 24 guests.
Amy Schumer hit back at claims that she wiped her Instagram clean to get rid of photos taken before her weight loss.

The comedian, 44, has recently undergone an incredible body transformation using weight loss drug Mounjaro, and has reportedly lost at least 40lb in the past few months.

And on Tuesday, she deleted all of her old photos, and uploaded a new post as she showed off her weight loss in a red mini dress.

In her caption, she stated that she deleted the pre-weight loss snaps for 'no reason.'

However, after it was suggested that she got rid of the old photos because they didn't reflect her new slimmer physique, the star took to Instagram to refute the narrative, and said she's 'proud' of how she's looked in the past.

'I didn't delete my old photos because they were pre me losing weight,' she wrote on Wednesday.

Amy Schumer, 44, has hit back at claims that she wiped her Instagram clean to get rid of photos taken before her weight loss

Schumer recently shed pounds using weight loss drug Mounjaro, and has reportedly lost at least 40lb in the past few months; Seen in an older Instagram photo

Schumer went on state that her weight loss has been motivated by health reasons.

'I'm proud of how I've looked always. I have been working to be pain free and I finally am. My endometriosis is better. My back is healing. I no longer have Cushing syndrome so my face went back to normal.'

'I am grateful to be strong and healthy especially for my son,' she added, in reference to her five-year-old son Gene, whom she shares with chef Chris Fischer, 45.

'But your Instagram is not your identity its a curation of what you want the world to see and I feel great strong and beautiful and its been fun sharing that,' she went on.

'I didnt purposely go on a "weight loss journey" thats a fine thing to go on. But my focus has been on health.'

'Im sure my weight will always fluctuate. Im a perimenopausal woman on hrt meds. Wishing you strength and self love on whatever path youre on as long as its kind and respectful to all people. No matter their weight race or religion peace!'

The day prior she posed for a series of sizzling snaps, putting on a leggy display in a red mini dress that flaunted her slimmed-down frame.

The racy ensemble featured a draped waist and a strapless heart-shaped neckline corset, which she paired with black heels.

After it was suggested that she got rid of the old photos because they didn't reflect her new slimmer physique, the star took to Instagram to refute the narrative, and said she's 'proud' of how she's looked in the past

'Your Instagram is not your identity its a curation of what you want the world to see and I feel great strong and beautiful and its been fun sharing that,' she added

On Tuesday, she deleted all of her old photos, and uploaded a new post as she showed off her weight loss in a red mini dress

'Back on my staircase bulls**t again, she penned alongside the snaps.

The star has been open about what she has tried to shed the weight after initially using Ozempic, which made her feel ill.

She has also tried liposuction, but is now on Mounjaro, a GLP-1 drug for type 2 diabetes that is also often prescribed for weight loss.

And Amy has been using estrogen and progesterone for her perimenopause symptoms.

'My symptoms of being in perimenopause have disappeared. My hair is fuller, my skin is better, I have more energy,' Amy wrote on Instagram in March. 'I'm having a really good experience, so I wanted to keep it real with you about that.'

The I Feel Pretty star also told The Hollywood Reporter that everyone on camera is on some kind of weight loss drug.

Amy said in March she has had a 'really good experience' with a new weight-loss drug.

The Hollywood star said on Instagram: 'Three years ago, I tried Wegovy. I was puking, I couldn't handle it.

'I don't know if they've changed the formula, whatever. But anyway, I went on this Telehealth meeting with Midi Health, and it was cheap. I wanted to try it myself cause I wanted to recommend it to my friends who are nurses and teachers.'

The comedian has been chronicling her body transformation through photos after using weight loss jab Mounjaro (pictured in 2024)

Amy noted that the clinic 'put [her] on estrogen and progesterone'. She continued: 'I realized I was in perimenopause and my symptoms from being perimenopausal have disappeared.'

The actress has seen a marked change in her appearance since she adopted the new drug.

She said: 'I have more energy, I want to get down more, if you know what I mean. I'm talking about sex. So that's been great and Mounjaro's been great.'

She is keen to be open and honest with her followers about her weight-loss journey.

The movie star explained: 'Look, it's not covered by insurance unless you have diabetes or like severe obesity, which most of the internet thinks I have. But I'm having a really good experience with it and I wanted to keep it real with you about that.'

Amy has actually been so impressed by Midi Health that she's decided to invest in the company.

The actress said: 'I liked it so much and I had such a good experience that I invested in the company.'

Amy appears to have lost at least 40lb in the past few months as she continues her weight loss journey, the Daily Mail has learned.

In 2015, she stated she was around 160 pounds during a speech at the Glamour UK Women of the Year ceremony.

Before wiping her Instagram, Schumer - who underwent liposuction in 2022 - started posting selfies of her taut tummy (pictured October 23)

In 2022, she shared she was at 170 pounds. Now she seems to be around 130lb. And the 5ft 7in star's waistline looks to be about 28 inches.

'Amy definitely has lost a lot of weight in the past three months,' functional nutritionist Monica Partier told the Daily Mail.

'She seems to have dropped at least 40lb and is around 130lb now, which is very slender for a woman who is 5ft 7in.'

'And she looks a lot happier and proud of her improved wellbeing, which is nice to see.'
Elsa Pataky has turned heads at the Glamour Women Of The Year Awards.

The Spanish actress attended the glitzy event held at Teatro Barcelona on Wednesday, however her husband Chris Hemsworth was nowhere to be seen.

The 49-year-old looked breathtaking as she struck a pose in a bejewelled pink gown.

The Armani dressed hugged her curves and showed off her incredible figure as it dramatically fell to the floor in pools of shimmering crystals.

Elsa put on a busty display thanks to the corseted bodice and cut-out detail of the dress which dipped towards her navel.

She complemented the pink ensemble with blushed cheeks and rosy-hued makeup, while also wearing a subtle shimmer to highlight her enviable bone structure.

Elsa Pataky (pictured) turned heads at the Glamour Women Of The Year Awards

The Spanish actress attended the glitzy event held at Teatro Barcelona on Wednesday, however her husband Chris Hemsworth was nowhere to be seen

The mum-of-three wore her signature blonde locks in waves that hung across her shoulders as she smiled for the cameras.

Meanwhile, Chris has been babysitting the kids at home in Byron Bay.

The Thor star uploaded a video to Instagram on Wednesday with his three kids India Rose, 13, and 11-year-old twin sons, Tristan and Sasha, as they caught some waves with a blow-up couch.

'Next level couch surfing,' the 42-year-old captioned the post.

Chris and Elsa are no strangers to spending some time apart.

Last month, the Spanish native took her daughter India 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.

The Armani dressed hugged her curves and showed off her incredible figure

Chris and Elsa are no strangers to spending some time apart (Pictured)

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.

It comes after Chris and Elsa spent most of their European summer apart.

The actress 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 their twin sons in London.
John Cleese admitted he was 'glad that he had a nervous breakdown' following his third divorce.

The veteran entertainer, 86, recalled his split from his ex-wife Alyce Faye Eichelberger in 2008 that sent him into three months of depression while speaking in scenes from his forthcoming documentary feature.

John Cleese Packs It In, which was released on November 13, includes many personal moments that fans havent previously seen.

In a candid discussion about his mental health struggle, the actor admitted that, despite suffering with depression, it gave him a 'grasp on what was important in life.'

He admitted he experienced 'two and a half, three months of a nervous breakdown with suicidal thoughts.'

John added: 'It was very unpleasant waking up in the morning, because you feel very, very depressed for the first couple of hours.'

John Cleese admitted he was 'glad that he had a nervous breakdown' following his third divorce (pictured last week)

The veteran entertainer, 86, recalled his split from his ex-wife Alyce Faye Eichelberger in 2008 that sent him into three months of depression in his documentary (pictured in 2002)

He continued: 'And I think Im glad it happened to me, because it gave me a much more realistic grasp of what was important in life, because we can certainly get distracted.'

John was married to Fawlty Towers co-star Connie Booth from 1968 to 1978 and then married American actress Barbara Trentham from 1981 to 1990.

He married Alyce, a psychotherapist and author, in 1992 and they divorced in 2008.

She was awarded $20 million (15.5 million) in a settlement in 2008, and the comic has previously complained that the deal left him worse off than her.

John is currently married to his fourth wife Jennifer Wade, 52, who makes several cameos in the hilarious 80 minute movie, where the star lets cameras follow his every move 24/7.

The film shows Cleese performing in front of sold-out crowds as hes transported to and from various venues by his intimate touring team, who cater for his every need - including his cheese addiction.

The funnyman named the show Last Chance to See Me Before I Die, one of various nods to his old age and his many health ailments, which he listed off in full to shock fans while discussing his feelings on getting older.

The new feature follows Cleese as he visits 16 cities across five countries in just six weeks.

In a candid discussion about his mental health struggle, the actor admitted that, despite suffering with depression, it gave him a 'grasp on what was important in life'

Cleese is currently married to his fourth wife Jennifer Wade (pictured last week) who makes several cameos in the hilarious 80 minute movie

Attending a screening in London on Tuesday, he joked: 'For the first time, audiences will see a different side to me - not just the dashing, devil-may-care, devastatingly handsome bon viveur, but also the decrepit, addled, nasty old geriatric that my PR team work day and night to hide from the public.

'You will see with your own eyes what it's really like for a moribund 85 year old to struggle through a 23-city European tour, desperately trying to squeeze a few laughs from audiences who are clearly disappointed that they've wasted their hard-earned cash on over-priced tickets.

'This hatchet job is not just shocking, it's also hilarious, as audiences everywhere laugh, not with me, but at me.'

For confidential support, contact Samaritans on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org
Angus Cloud's mother Lisa is suing a law firm over 'false' claims against her late son's estate two years after his shock death from an accidental overdose.

The actor passed away at the age of 25 after he was found unresponsive inside his family home in Oakland, California in July 2023 - with his death ruled an accidental overdose of cocaine, meth and fentanyl.

His mom filed a new lawsuit last month on October 31 over allegations she claims are not true made by the late star's former assistant, Jonathan Kim, and his attorneys based in Sacramento, per court documents obtained by People.

The mother alleges that she has suffered elder abuse as well as emotional distress from attorney Michael Hackard and his associate Brian Geremia from their law firm Hackard Law over 'false and frivolous claims' against her son's estate.

The attorneys represented an individual named Jonathan Kim who claims to have been Angus' former 'personal assistant' and alleged the late actor had owed him $310,000 in unpaid wages and commission.

However in the civil complaint, Lisa has claimed that the allegations are 'entirely fabricated' while stating that there is not enough evidence to support Kim's claims.

Angus Cloud's mother Lisa is suing a law firm over 'false' claims against her late son's estate - two years after his shock death from an accidental overdose; late star seen in 2021 in West Hollywood

Lisa stated that there were no employment or tax documents that support Kim's claims and that her son had other assistants on payroll at the same time frame.

She has also accused Kim and his attorneys of fraud, malicious prosecution and also claimed to have feared for her own life amid the legal battle.

Lisa additionally alleged that she has paid 'approximately $64,000 in legal fees' to fight the claims against Angus' estate - which had amounted to $50,000 following his death.

She claimed to have sent a private letter to the attorneys but accused them of 'breached confidentiality' when they shared the letter.

Angus' mother alleged that it resulted in Kim sending her threats that he would have her put in prison.

Due to the content of the messages, Lisa began to 'fear for her physical safety,' per the civil complaint.

Lisa claimed to have also reached out to the attorneys before filing the new lawsuit and further alleged that she showed proof Kim was no longer in Angus' life after a 'public altercation.'

She told People in a statement that the lawsuit 'is about accountability and fairness.'

The actor passed away at the age of 25 after he was found unresponsive inside his family home in Oakland, California in July 2023 - with his death ruled an accidental overdose of cocaine, meth and fentanyl; seen above as Fezco in HBO's Euphoria

Lisa alleges that she has suffered elder abuse as well as emotional distress from attorney Michael Hackard and his associate Brian Geremia from their law firm Hackard Law over 'false and frivolous claims' against her son's estate; seen in 2022 in L.A.

Lisa added, 'My goal has always been to protect my son's legacy and the integrity of his estate from wrongful legal actions that caused unnecessary harm and distress.

'I have a great respect for the court system and for the many honest attorneys who work with compassion and integrity.'

However, she doesn't believe that any 'family should have to endure this kind of abuse of process after losing a loved one. I'm seeking resolution and dignity, truth and respect.'

Lisa previously claimed in a letter to a judge earlier this year that Kim told her he had been pressured by his attorneys to claim he was owed $195,000 in commissions from Angus' estate.

'[Attorney Brian] Geremia and his partners agreed to represent Mr Kim who had no evidence to support he was employed by decedent and no investigation as to whether his claim was supported by law and evidence,' she alleged at the time, per People.

'He also submitted false evidence to show this client was entitled to commissions of $195,000 by verbal agreement.'

Lisa had also claimed in the letter, 'It's important to note that seven months after this claim was filed, creditor/plaintiff sent me a text stating that his attorneys were responsible for claiming $195,000 in commissions...

'And that he was forced to approve submission because his attorneys allegedly told him they would not represent him unless the amount was "worth their while."'

Lisa added, 'My goal has always been to protect my son's legacy and the integrity of his estate from wrongful legal actions that caused unnecessary harm and distress'

Lisa additionally alleged that she has paid 'approximately $64,000 in legal fees' to fight the claims against Angus' estate - which had amounted to $50,000 following his death; Angus seen in 2022 in Beverly Hills

Cloud was known for portraying the character of Fezco in the HBO Max series Euphoria from 2019 through 2022.

He had starred alongside Zendaya, Jacob Elordi, Hunter Schafer, Maude Apatow, Sydney Sweeney and Alexa Demie.

Tributes flooded from fellow celebrities and cast members following the shock news of Cloud's passing - which occurred shortly after the death of his own father.

The late star's estate was previously sued last year over an unpaid $4,000 Verizon Wireless bill - after his former manager alleged the actor owed him almost $95,000 in unpaid commissions.

Tributes flooded from fellow celebrities and cast members following the shock news of Cloud's passing - which occurred shortly after the death of his own father; the late star's father seen above

A few months after her son's passing, Lisa reflected on her son's death and how she had found him inside his childhood bedroom; seen in 2022 in L.A.

A few months after her son's passing, Lisa reflected on her son's death and how she had found him inside his childhood bedroom.

He had been slumped over on his desk when she tried her best to revive him. 'I started shaking him and screaming,' she told People.

'I pushed him hard, and he fell on the floor. I tried to resuscitate him - mouth to mouth - and I was compressing him.

'I was screaming for my neighbor because I didn't want to leave him and call 911, and I just kept at it until they took him away. I miss him so much. He was the love of my life,' his mother added.
Quentin Tarantino was on hand to support his actress wife on Wednesday evening as her latest film premiered in Los Angeles.

The maverick Hollywood director joined Daniella Pick on the red carpet while attending the first official US screening of The Perfect Gamble at Sunset Boulevard venue Harmony Gold.

Tarantino, 62, wrapped his arms around the Israeli actress shortly after arriving at the cinema complex, where they were joined by the film's principal cast and director, Danny Abeckaser.

Opting for a backless red evening gown, Pick, 41, looked appropriately glamorous while promoting her latest film venture alongside her husband.

The actress stars alongside Abeckaser, David Arquette and Eli Danker in her forthcoming thriller, filmed on location across Israel and Georgia.

Pick originally met Tarantino in 2009, while the director was promoting his star-studded World War II caper Inglourious Basterds in Israel. They married nine years later at the director's Beverly Hills home.

Quentin Tarantino was on hand to support his actress wife Daniella Pick on Wednesday evening as her latest film premiered in Los Angeles

The maverick Hollywood director joined Pick on the red carpet while attending the first official US screening of The Perfect Gamble at Sunset Boulevard venue Harmony Gold

They share a son, Leo, five, and a two-year-old daughter, whose name has not yet been disclosed publicly.

Confirming the birth of their daughter in a statement to PEOPLE, a spokesperson said: 'Daniella and Quentin Tarantino are happy to announce that Daniella gave birth to their baby girl on July 2, 2022, a little sister to Leo, their first child.

While many had speculated that Tarantino named his first child after his frequent collaborator Leonardo DiCaprio, he revealed on Jimmy Kimmel Live that's not the case.

'We almost didn't name him that because people would assume I named him after Leonardo DiCaprio,' Tarantino admitted.

'There's nothing wrong with that, but  he's named after my wife's grandfather, but also because, just in our hearts, he was our little lion.'

The filmmaker had previously hinted that he would retire after his 10th film, which would be the next film he makes, though it's still unclear what that might be.

Honored with a lifetime achievement award at the Rome Film Festival in 2022, Tarantino admitted he has 'no idea' what his 10th film will be.

When asked if he could make a sequel to Kill Bill that he had previously hinted about, the director coyly said, 'Why not?'

Opting for a red evening gown, Pick looked appropriately glamorous while promoting her latest film venture alongside Tarantino

The actress stars alongside Danny Abeckaser, David Arquette and Eli Danker in her new thriller (L-R: David Arquette, Danny Abeckaser, Daniella Pick and Quentin Tarantino)

Tarantino wrapped his arms around the Israeli actress shortly after arriving at the cinema complex on Wednesday evening

Tarantino also explained that he is keen to delve into comedy as he described an unspecified Spaghetti Western project that he is planning.

However, the director, who was given his award by Italian filmmaker Dario Argento, suggested that the western might not be a film.

He said: 'It's not like my next movie. It's a piece of something else that I'm thinking about doing - and I'm not going to describe what it is.

'But part of this thing, there is supposed to be a Spaghetti Western in it.'

Speaking at the Sundance Film Festival in January, Tarantino admitted he was in no rush to film his final project.

'Im in no hurry to actually jump into production,' he told film critic Elvis Mitchell. 'Ive been doing that for 30 years. Next month my son turns five, and I have a two-and-a-half-year-old daughter.

'When Im in America, Im writing. When Im in Israel Im an abba, which is Hebrew for father.'
Sarah Michelle Geller looked radiant as she reunited with Brendan Fraser at the premiere of Rental Family at the DGA Theater in Los Angeles on Wednesday evening.

The American actress, 48, who is best known for playing Buffy Summers in Buffy The Vampire Slayer, showed off her youthful beauty in a black sleeveless plunging waistcoat with a white collar.

She completed the look with matching suit trousers and a white bag.

Sarah supported her 2007 The Air I Breathe co-star Brendan, 56, on the red carpet as the pair posed together.

Brendan, who takes on the leading role in the movie, looked dapper in a grey suit and tie.

Sarah Michelle Gellar, 48, wore a plunging waistcoat as she posed with Brendan Fraser at the premiere of Rental Family in LA on Wednesday night

The American actress, 48, who is best known for playing Buffy Summers in Buffy The Vampire Slayer, showed off her youthful beauty in a black sleeveless plunging waistcoat with a white collar

Sarah supported her 2007 The Air I Breathe co-star Brendan, 56, on the red carpet

The actors have a long-standing friendship and recently went on a double date with their partners - 90s actor Freddie Prinze Jr. and makeup artist Jeanne Moore.

Sarah and Brendan soaked up their reunion as they were caught sharing a joke on the red carpet.

Also in attendance of the premiere was Logan Lermen, 33, best known for his leading role in the Percy Jackson franchise.

The star sported a teal bomber jacket over a black shirt and trousers as he kept it casual at the starry event.

Child actor Avan Jogia, 33, beloved for his role in the Nickelodeon series Victorious, looked edgy in a tie-up leather jacket over a black turtle neck.

He completed the look with frayed black jeans and Dr. Marten boots.

Matthew Greenfield, the president of Searchlight Pictures which is producing the film, posed with Brendan and Sarah.

While at the afterparty Sarah covered up with a black blazer and was joined by director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, 37, who sported a navy jumper and orange dress.

Sarah and Brendan soaked up their reunion as they were caught sharing a joke on the red carpet

Matthew Greenfield (left), the president of Searchlight Pictures which is producing the film, posed with Brendan and Sarah

Also in attendance of the premiere was Logan Lermen, 33, best known for his leading role in the Percy Jackson franchise

Child actor Avan Jogia, 33, beloved for his role in the Nickelodeon series Victorious, looked edgy in a tie-up leather jacket over a black turtle neck

While at the afterparty Sarah covered up with a black blazer and was joined by director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, 37, (left) who sported a navy jumper and orange dress

Sarah is set to reprise her famous role as Buffy Summers as it was announced over the summer the iconic show is making a surprise comeback via streaming platform Hulu.

Despite previously shutting down suggestions she'd revive her career-defining role, the actress and mother-of-two has had a change of heart - and teased fans with an Instagram snap suggesting she was at a table read for the pilot of a new series.

Sandollar, which produced the original series and its spin-off Angel, will again look after the reboot, with Dolly Parton listed as an executive producer.

Sarah recently paid tribute to her late Buffy co-star Michelle Trachtenberg, who she referred to as a 'little sister', on what would have been her 40th birthday.

Michelle starred as Dawn Summers, the younger sister to Sarah's character Buffy in the series.

The actress passed away at the age of 39 on February 26.

Sarah previously met Michelle on the set of All My Children in the 90s before later starring alongside each other in Buffy The Vampire Slayer.

She shared a throwback video of herself and her late co-star hugging and set the clip to the tune of Charlie Puth and Wiz Khalifa's song See You Again.

Sarah is best known for her iconic role as Buffy Summers in the hit 90s show Buffy The Vampire Slayer

The cast L-R: Mari Yamamoto, Shannon Gorman, Brendan Fraser, Akira Emoto, and Takehiro

Brendan posed with his girlfriend, makeup artist Jeanne Moore

Meanwhile for Brendan, after about a decade away from the spotlight, he was welcomed back with a shower of acclaim for his performance in the 2022 drama The Whale, which won him an Oscar.

Now, the George Of The Jungle star has turned his sights back to comedy with Rental Family, which is about an American actor in Tokyo.

Rental families are a phenomenon that started off in 1990s Japan in which lonely people hire casts of actors to play fake loved ones in their real lives.

In the movie, Brendan plays an actor whose career is floundering, leading him to accept a gig as the stock American in a Tokyo rental family company.

The job gives him a glimpse into the inner workings of other people's existences, through which the actor learns more about himself.

Brendan is said to have purposely taken his time in deciding on a follow-up project to The Whale.
I'm A Celebrity has officially begun as five of the contestants have completed their first trial - parachuting out of a helicopter over Australia's Gold Coast.

Spandau Ballet guitarist, Martin Kemp, model and actress, Kelly Brook, rapper Aitch, comedian Eddie Kadi and former EastEnders star Shona McGarty rejoiced in a group hug as they landed on Broadwater Beach earlier today.

After successfully jumping from individual helicopters, the group danced in a huddle on the beach as they celebrated their early achievement on the reality show.

Hosts Ant McPartlin, 49, and Declan Donnelly, 50, were stood above on the headland and waved down to the latest batch of campmates following their daring feat.

Kelly, 45, who was wearing a leopard print jumpsuit and boots, appeared particularly pleased with herself as she jumped for joy once back safely on land.

Her co-star Martin, 64, was wearing a navy polo top with cream chinos for his skydive, while Aitch, 25, wore a matching blue and white striped co-ord.

Smiley Kelly Brook showed no signs of nerves as she plunged from a helicopter

Aitch, Eddie Kadi, Martin Kemp, Shona McGarty as well as Kelly all made a dramatic arrival on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! as they landed on the beach by parachute on Thursday

Shona was snapped flying through the air in her parachute as she successfully completed her first challenge on the programme

Aitch, Eddie and Martin cheered on Shona as she landed on the beach

Shona, 34, wore a colourful patterned co-ord while Eddie, 42, kept it simple in a white T-shirt and brown trousers.

But it won't be long before the team are dressed in the signature red and khaki jungle uniform that has become synonymous with the ITV programme.

As the new campmates made their arrival, Ant and Dec stood a safe distance away on a stack of yellow crates on the headland - but did not directly speak to the group.

Picked up by the helicopters from Surfer's Paradise earlier in the morning, the whole ordeal for the celebrities took more than four hours to film as their helicopters were seen circling the National Park for a significant amount of time before.

The celebrities then had to complete a series of challenges in the bush, the losing three were taken away in a battered old car ITV have coined the Cocko Van.

Meanwhile while the triumphant two were taken in the also newly-introduced Getaway Car and treated to a glass of fizz.

The winners of the task will be greeted in camp by comfy mattresses, while the other three members of the team will have to sleep on the usual beds.

They will later be joined by the second tranche of celebs who will complete similar tasks including internet sensation AngryGinge, 25, Ozzy Osbourne's son, Jack, 40, Emmerdale star Lisa Riley, 49, former Lioness Alex Scott, 41, and Ruby Wax, 72.

Hosts Declan Donnelly and Ant McPartlin watched the arrivals from the headland

The group looked overjoyed to be back on land as they waved and danced around

Martin, 64, was wearing a navy polo top with cream chinos for his skydive, while Aitch, 25, wore a matching blue and white striped co-ord

It was celebrations all round for the group who managed to complete their first task

Martin looked every inch the cool customer as he arrived on the beach via parachute

Shona was sporting a printed playsuit with her harness

Ant and Dec kept a safe distance away from the landing celebrities

They were seen chatting about the experience afterwards

The smiling celebrities have a tough three weeks in store

Kelly couldn't hide her delight after landing on the beach

It marked the first challenge of several that will be coming their way

A member of the crew came over to chat to the group

Martin walked alongside the member of crew

It was an adrenaline-fuelled arrival for the campmates

Ant and Dec looked pleased to see the new batch of campmates

For years it was a show that prompted debate among viewers with controversial figures such as Nigel Farage and Matt Hancock as star signings.

But last year I'm A Celebrity went for a more tame line-up such as Coleen Rooney and McFly frontman, Danny Jones, as the most famous faces after a strict 'no politician' rule was implemented.

It was, as a result, a year that passed with little to no drama.

But now, in what is set to be the 'toughest' year yet, ITV bosses have introduced new measures to ensure celebrities 'fight more', 'earn their keep' and 'don't sit back in the shadows'.

It can be revealed the 'luxury item' feature, in which loved ones send them home comforts such as pillows with their family's faces on, has been removed so celebrities are 'kept on their toes'.

Instead, celebrities can earn a framed picture of someone of their choice, which can be earned during a challenge.

The show's executive producer, Olly Nash, told the Daily Mail: 'It's a tough and gruelling show, and there's nothing wrong with driving that home.

'We need to see more celebrities earning their keep, that's the most important thing.

The hosts will guide the stars through the next three weeks in camp

They waved to Ant and Dec from down on the beach

Kelly rehydrated with a bottle of water following her jump

The group's challenge was set on the picturesque beach

ITV bosses have introduced measures to ensure celebrities 'fight more', 'earn their keep' and 'don't sit back in the shadows' during the new series of I'm A Celebrity

'We have more celebrities taking part in the trials than we ever have before, so it's more of a competition.

'Last year, we had a great positive happy cast that all joined together and had a happy time. This year they are going to have to fight more, earn more and play a bigger part in camp.

'No longer can they be just sitting on the beds in the back, they are going to have to step up to the challenge and face the music.

'And there are a few celebrities in this year's camp that are sure to get niggled if they're hangry or sleep deprived.'

This year a new feature referred to as the Getaway Car has been introduced at the launch show.

The first ten celebrities are split into two groups, the first two in each group to complete a series of challenges including wading through fish guts are rewarded with a seat in the Getaway Car with a glass of fizz that will take them into camp.

They are then greeted by more comfortable beds in the camp with mattresses.

Meanwhile, the remaining three from each group travel in a less desirable vehicle, referred to as the 'Coco van.'

The iconic jungle bridge will see plenty of action over the coming weeks as contestants get their marching orders

The classic red telephone box is also back, essential for those all important Dingo Dollar Challenges

Pythons are said to have infested the I'm A Celebrity jungle as producers admit they have seen 'more snakes than any other year in camp than any other year in the show,' said Mr Nash.

He added: 'I have seen more snakes in this build phase then I ever have done before, huge great pythons almost as long as this log.

'I have seen loads of snakes, six or seven out just in the last two weeks and that's when there have been people here, which is rare because usually they scatter when people are building the camp.'

It comes after the Daily Mail revealed a new rule, introduced after 25 years of the same format, that if a celebrity has been put forward for two trials in a row, they are exempt from the following public vote.

Fans are happy about this shake-up after the situation got out of control last year when Dean McCullough was voted for seven Bushtucker Trials in a row.

Sharing their thoughts on X at the time viewers called for a 'trial limit' as it was 'not funny seeing Dean do another trial, too much airtime, give others a chance, it's killing the show.'

Bosses at the network have complied and now all the celebrities will have a chance to take part in the trials, earn stars for the camp and, in turn, win the public's vote - but bosses are going to make it harder when it comes to day-to-day life in the camp.

For example, if a contestant wants a bath, two campmates have to cycle on a tandem bike to pump water out and there is less room for contestants to 'sink into the shadows'.
Hailed 'the worst movie since Cats,' a new Bollywood-inspired festive flick with an all-star cast has been absolutely savaged by critics.

Christmas Karma, which is directed by Bend It Like Beckham's Gurinder Chadha, is a modern musical retelling of A Christmas Carol featuring a version of Ebenezer Scrooge who 'despises refugees'.

It tells the story of a British-Indian man named Sood - who is described as a wealthy man who hates poor people and refugees on the basis they 'haven't worked as hard as him to get where he is', played by The Big Bang Theory's Kunal Nayyar.

But despite its all-star cast featuring Eva Longoria, Danny Dyer, Pixie Lott, Billy Porter, Boy George and Hugh Bonneville - the film has been totally slated in its first reviews.

It even received a zero star review from The Telegraph - who branded it the worst film since the disastrous film adaption of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Cats in 2019.

And The Guardian headlined their one star review: 'Dickens adaptation has as much Yuletide spirit as a dead rat in the eggnog.'

Hailed 'the worst movie since Cats,' Bollywood-inspired festive flick Christmas Karma, which has an all-star cast, has been absolutely savaged by critics (Danny Dyer pictured)

But despite its all-star cast featuring Eva Longoria, Danny Dyer, Pixie Lott, Billy Porter, Boy George and Hugh Bonneville - the film has been totally slated in its first reviews (Boy George, Billy and Eva pictured)

The Telegraph's Robbie Collin wrote: 'Christmas Karma is a film made with the best intentions by some lovely human beings, but which keeps finding new and spine-twistingly embarrassing ways to fall on its face.

'The recipient of The Telegraph's first zero-star film review since Cats in 2019 hails from the same school of indigestible seasonal tat as Nativity 3: Dude, Where's My Donkey? It is among the worst things to happen to Christmas since King Herod.'

Brian Viner of The Daily Mail wrote: 'The mid-November release of Christmas Karma (PG, 118 mins, HIIII), an Anglo-Indian musical version of A Christmas Carol written and directed by Gurinder Chadha (who made the 2002 comedy Bend It Like Beckham), is not quite the silliest thing about it. Not with Danny Dyer playing a singing taxi driver.

'At a rough estimate its the zillionth screen adaptation of the Dickens story and one of the worst, which deserves to be haunted for the rest of time by the ghost of good films past.'

The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw: 'This cynically Christmassy movie is leaden, unconvincingly acted and about as welcome as a dead rat in the eggnog.

'It's the worst Christmas film since last year's Red One, in which Dwayne Johnson played the head of security for Santa Claus and more or less had us all rooting for anyone who could beat up Father Christmas.'

He added: 'It's only November and this film has given me an overload of Yuletide nausea.'

Empire's John Nugent said: 'You need to hire someone better than Gary Barlow to write the songs. This is the kind of soundtrack that will have you muttering, "Humbug!" under your breath.'

It tells the story of a British-Indian man named Sood - who is described as a wealthy man who hates poor people and refugees, played by The Big Bang Theory's Kunal Nayyar (Pictured)

The film has even received a zero star review from The Telegraph - who branded it the worst film since the disastrous film adaption of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Cats in 2019 (Pixie Lott pictured)

And The Guardian headlined their one star review: 'Dickens adaptation has as much Yuletide spirit as a dead rat in the eggnog' (Eva Longoria pictured)

He added: 'Instead, it has an end-of-the-pier Christmas panto feel, a cheap-and-cheerful approach with constant sloppiness: singing often out of sync, noticeable green-screen and janky CGI, cheap-looking projections on walls, and acting that is, with the best will in the world, somewhat amateurish.'

The Irish Independent's Chris Wasser wrote: 'A strange line-up, but Chadha's films usually find a way to charm the socks off us, not this one. The Scrooge stuff is fine, and Christmas Karma works best when exploring Mr Sood's Indian heritage.

'It's the hokey, cluttered musical that gets in the way  and I think Nayyar is a tad too young to portray the cantankerous lead.'

Christmas Karma is due for release on Friday and sees EastEnders actor Danny Dyer also has a part in the musical as a London cab driver and was spotted wearing a red Christmas jumper during filming in May last year.

Director Gurinder said of the film, according to The Telegraph: 'Our Scrooge, called Sood, is a rich British Indian who despises poor people and refugees in particular.

'Sood has decided that immense wealth brings him status and standing, so to hell with the poor, unemployed and disenfranchised who didn't work as hard as him to get where he is.'

The director, who is known for Bend It Like Beckham and Bride and Prejudice, said the inspiration for the modern-day musical came from politicians in Britain today.

She added that Christmas Karma, which is set in London, is a celebration of 'all of modern Britain's communities and cultures'.

Director Gurinder said of the film, according to The Telegraph: 'Our Scrooge, called Sood, is a rich British Indian who despises poor people and refugees in particular' (Hugh Bonneville pictured as Jacob Marley)

Gurinder explained that her version is 'very true to the original text and sentiment' and aims to teach viewers how prejudice in society still exists.

'A hundred-and-eighty-two years later, Dickens' novella still resonates globally in today's sometimes harsh world,' she said.

A Christmas Carol traditionally recounts the story of Ebenezer Scrooge - a miserable old man who is visited by a series of ghosts.

He is subsequently transformed into a kinder and more empathetic character.

Kunal, who plays the protagonist in Gurinder's musical, is known for his role as Raj Koothrappali in the US sitcom The Big Bang Theory.

Meanwhile, Boy George will play the Ghost of Christmas Future and Paddington's Hugh will take on the role of the Ghost of Jacob Marley.
Adam Peaty and Holly Ramsay's feud with his family has reached fever pitch after claims of threats of violence against the couple were reported - as their very public row escalates even further.

On Monday, it was revealed Adam's mother Caroline, 59, has been uninvited from attending his Christmas wedding to Holly, 25, as a result of the fallout and he was branded a 'narcissist' by his own family over his actions.

In the days since, a briefing battle has ensued which has seen Holly's famous father Gordon's PR machine jump into action  with a blizzard of accusations and counter-accusations from each side.

Holly was pictured breaking cover on Thursday clutching a 'Bride' phone case when she was seen for the first time since her feud with fiance's family came to light.

The sighting came after the Peatys took social media in force to claim they have been overlooked from the couple's wedding plans because they are 'simple people on benefits', who do not fit in with the Ramsays' polished look.

Adam Peaty and Holly Ramsay's feud with his family has reached fever pitch after claims of threats of violence against the couple were reported - as their very public row escalates even further

On Monday, it was revealed the Olympian's mum Caroline (left) has been banned from attending Adam's Christmas wedding to Holly as a result of the fallout

Holly was clutching a 'Bride' phone case when she broke cover on Thursday morning for the first time since her feud with fiance Adam Peaty's family came to light

However, a source close to the Ramsays points to 'wider problems' in the Peaty family which they say lie at the heart of the fallout - and that they are serious.

The insider explains that there have been 'horrible' threats of violence against Holly, 25, and Adam, 30, and that police are now involved.

The Olympic swimmer reportedly had to be escorted from his plane by armed police after receiving threats on his stag do.

He is said to have been met by five uniformed police officers who flanked him through immigration and baggage reclaim, after the aircraft touched down at Manchester Airport on Sunday night.

They said CCTV was also monitored by authorities for suspicious activity and Adam was escorted from the building into a waiting vehicle.

The Sun report the police presence came following fears he could be assaulted as shaken Adam initially contacted his fiancee Holly, who then alerted police.

A friend told the publication: 'The issues that have been reported don't stem from hen do or wedding invitations; it goes so much deeper.

'Things escalated over the weekend when someone became increasingly abusive and threatening over text. Adam was trying to enjoy his stag do and was getting freaked out by it all.

'He then received a threat that he'd be met off the plane. He told Holly who called the cops after consulting with her family.'

The friend added that Holly's parents, chef Gordon Ramsay and his wife Tana have been '100 per cent supportive' of them.

A briefing battle has ensued which has seen Holly's famous father Gordon's PR machine jump into action  with a blizzard of accusations and counter-accusations from each side (Holly pictured today)

She stepped out in south-west London while clutching a 2,880 Louis Vuitton holdall shortly after the couple gave an ill-timed insight into their wedding planning, in the wake of uninviting his relatives

Her excitement for her upcoming nuptials were clear in her choice of accessory, as she brandished the phone case adorned with her imminent status

During her low-key outing, Holly kept things comfortable in black leggings and a padded jacket yet added some star power with her pricey luggage

She was ready for action with various items of luggage in tow

She wore a faux-fur coat to up the glamour of the otherwise pared-back ensemble

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

But sources close to the situation told the Daily Mail's Katie Hind that the accusations from team Ramsay have not reflected favourably upon them.

The insider told the Daily Mail: 'It all seems rather unedifying for Team Ramsay to come out and throw around accusations about a normal, ordinary family like the Peatys.' The full exclusive report is available to read here.

The claims of violence come after Adam's family accused his camp of 'body-shaming' his mother Caroline.

They also insisted he isn't following his Christian beliefs by shunning his family from their wedding celebrations and accused Adam of sending his mother outfit options because they 'didn't approve of her choices'.

The tirade of comments from Adam's side of the family come after a source close to the situation explained why they were no longer invited to the nuptials.

Speaking to the Daily Mail's Katie Hind, they said: 'You only have to look at the picture to see that there is a certain 'type', says one person familiar with the party.

'They all look the same and you wonder if Caroline might have stuck out a bit. She's a normal woman, not a celebrity. You look at Holly's Instagram and it's all so planned, so super-glam and very, very showy. That's not Caroline.'

More about the jaw-dropping reason Holly and Adam banned his mum from wedding and hen do can be read in Katie Hind's exclusive Mail+ article here.

In the hours after the comments were revealed, Adam's family reacted to the reports on social media as they accused the person who made them of body shaming.

Adam's auntie Louise Williams, wrote: 'How can Adam and Holly 'source' sit there and say Caroline wasn't invited because of the way my sister looks?

'She doesn't suit the look Holly is looking for????! WTF BODY SHAMING A 60 YEAR OLD WOMAN! JESUS CHRIST ON A CRACKER!'

The Peatys have taken to social media in force to claim they have been overlooked from the couple's wedding plans because they are 'simple people on benefits', who do not fit in with the Ramsays' polished look (pictured Adam with his mother Caroline)

In the hours after the comments were revealed, Adam's family reacted to the reports on social media as they accused the person who made them of body shaming

She added: 'Yes. Adam is a born again Christian. He's not living by the tenets of Christianity is he? Where is 'honour thy mother and thy father' where is the forgiveness?'

Another person close to the situation, Louise McCallum, wrote: 'He was trying to dress his own mother because they didn't approve of her outfit choice. The lad has clearly forgotten where he came form. Could do with reading some of those bible passages he spouts.'

The family were accused of 'airing their dirty laundry', as one person wrote: 'You guys are dragging your dirty laundry into the public. Your lack of decorum would be the first indication as to why you're not invited to the wedding.'

Louise Williams wrote: 'Decorum? What century are we in?'

The day before, Adam's aunt Louise had weighed into the feud, and said of her sister: 'She's not ok at all. Holly and Adam have broken my darling sister.'

She claimed Adam is 'ashamed' of his brothers and then bizarrely shared pictures of Holly at the hen do on her Threads account.

Adam's family branded him a 'narcissist' and claimed he has been 'changed' by money and 'forgotten where he came from'.

A member of the clan told The Sun: 'We were sent a "save the date" and it's all these country houses.

Adam was branded a 'narcissist' by his furious family after it was revealed he banned his mother from their lavish wedding

'I'm on Universal Credit  I can't afford that.

'Adam has been changed by money, fame and fortune. He seems to have forgotten where he came from.

'We think he has treated Caroline appallingly. You can hear it in her voice. She's heartbroken.'

Another source told the publication while his family were originally supportive of his engagement to Holly, they feel 'they have been pushed further and further from Adam over the past year'.

They said: 'It seems to some of the family that Adam is more at home with Holly and her folks, while his family has been left behind.

'Caroline is devoted to her grandson George and will move heaven and earth to care for him.

'As tensions have risen, there have been rows and Caroline has always toed the line because she wants to be a part of her grandson's life.'

Shocked family members have spoken out against Adam, with Caroline's sister saying: 'he's said the most vile things a son can say to his mother.'

On Monday, Adam's aunt accused Holly Ramsay of leaving her mother-in-law Caroline 'broken' by failing to invite her to her hen do (Caroline Peaty pictured with her son Adam)

Adam is said to have had his head turned by Holly's fame and money - and now feels ashamed of his own working-class family who made huge sacrifices and shelled out hundreds for his swimming lessons growing up.

A source close to his family described the gradual breakdown of things with his mother, saying this week: 'It's partly because Adam doesn't feel his family is good enough for the new one he is now part of.'

Adam's mother was a nursery manager and his father a supermarket caretaker.

Adam and Holly's ceremony is taking place at Bath Abbey before famous guests head to lavish country estate Kin House.

Kin House is located near the pretty town of Chippenham, a 40-minute drive from the centre of Bath.

The sought-after wedding venue can accommodate 200 guests on site, with 12 bedrooms suitable for up to 24 guests.

The starting price for a full weekend wedding is 32,750, with bespoke menus for different clients. As Adam's family are based in the East Midlands, trains to Bath would cost approximately 100 for a return ticket.

Given there are only 12 rooms in the country house, it is unlikely all of his immediate family would be able to stay there if they did attend.

Adam's aunt was also bizarrely sharing pictures of Holly at her hen do on her Threads account

On Monday, Adam's aunt accused Holly Ramsay of leaving her mother-in-law Caroline 'broken' by failing to invite her to her hen do.

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.

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.

Victoria Beckham was among the guests at Holly's hen party, held at the celebrity hotspot Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire

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?'

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 don't want my 'son to grow up' is a laugh, i'm 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.'

The post is said to have deeply upset Holly and world champion swimmer Adam who have been dating for more than two years.

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.'
Ore Oduba has unveiled a new tattoo after revealing a devastating porn addiction that 'destroyed his life' since the age of nine.

The former Strictly Come Dancing champion, 39, took to Instagram on Thursday, showing off his new ink under his left collarbone.

The tattoo featured the word 'Serendipity' along with an outline of a butterfly.

Alongside the image, Ore penned: 'Tattoo no.10.

'Serendipity if I could sum up this year in one word it would be this

'Sometimes the signs are SO loud you just cannot ignore them and so often this year I have had to just hold my hands up - or more likely, ball my eyes out - unable to believe what I am seeing, feeling or experiencing and simply recognise there are angels at work.

Ore Oduba has unveiled a new tattoo after revealing a devastating porn addiction that 'destroyed his life' since the age of nine (pictured in September)

The former Strictly Come Dancing champion, 39, took to Instagram on Thursday, showing off his new ink under his left collarbone

Alongside the post he shared the meaning behind his new tattoo

'Of course not all of us are spiritual my faith has been such a source of strength to me in the last two years.

''But I truly believe, whatever you believe, when you open your mind and soul to the possibility of a force way beyond our consciousness and control those signs start showing themselves in pretty sharp focus.

'In my experience, theres been no greater guide than my gut and my faith,

'Shoutout to my wonderful @lunalanatattoo @the.cove.tatto.mrc for another perfect piece.

'Ps btw we also inked tattoo no.11 the appointment was on Tuesday 11/11 we met at 11am. Purely coincidental,' he added.

It comes after Ore revealed he has battled a porn addiction since the age of nine.

The TV star spoke to Paul Brunson on his podcast We Need To Talk, stating that it was only 18 months ago that he 'escaped my addiction'.

'Shame kept me silent for 30 years. It took me 30 years, two deaths, and a divorce to finally go: heres whats happening,' he revealed.

It comes after Ore revealed he has battled a porn addiction since the age of nine

The father of two said he wanted to speak out now to highlight the issue of children seeing sexual imagery on social media.

An emotional Ore said: 'This is me putting my life as it is on the line, to save my children and to guide anybody else's children going into a world where at their fingertips, they can fall into something they never asked to.'

He added: 'Part of me is terrified, the vast majority is terrified because I feel like, personally, for me, the rest of my life begins the day after this, as it's a kind of a seminal draw-the-line moment.'

Ore said that he was first shown adult content on a computer by a friend's older brother, explaining: 'I remember being very intrigued and a feeling of eyes being opened. Whilst I wouldn't say addiction set in immediately, the intrigue started immediately.'

'And it didn't take long relatively speaking, for that intrigue to start running my mind over because at nine, at that age, you haven't necessarily got full access.'

'Wanting to find a way to address that intrigue, wanting to find ways of that awakening, wanting to replicate it or find it whether it was on television or in magazines.'

'This is the problem with this form of addiction that even I could understand at 10. It's so shameful. We can't talk about it because there is a perceived nature to it that is everything that we hate, everything that we despise.'

Ore, who was bought up in Dorset, said his upbringing with his strict father meant he could never tell his family about his addiction, citing the example of one of his siblings being caught smoking at school.

Ore, who was bought up in Dorset, said his upbringing with his strict father meant he could never tell his family about his addiction - pictured with his father

He explained how his father, who lived and worked in Nigeria as a lawyer, told the family that should anything like that happen again that they would all be 'removed' from the UK and would be 'educated and raised in Nigeria under his rule and his roof, for a nine, ten year old that is life over as you know it.'

Ore admitted his father, who died in 2023, 'ruled by fear' and growing up he felt like he had to hide his creativity as well as what he now understands to be his ADHD traits.

He explained that even when he reached adulthood the 'shame' of his addiction meant he never told anyone.

'I already said the people that I love most in my life were the women in my life, the ones that stay. But what you're seeing is so conflicting to that,' he said. 'The battle that I was facing didn't become so overwhelming that it took over for what I knew to be true.'

'I had two sisters, a mother that I loved. I knew I couldn't share this with them because I knew it was so conflicting to the people that were most important to me. And so I have to, without knowing that I've fought against addiction, find a way to hide it. And it's very isolating.'

'It was something that I just knew to be me. Just a part of me. Something that I would always go to to feel. If you ever felt worthless, if you ever felt rejected. It was always a thing.

Ore said he wanted to speak out now to raise awareness especially as his own two children - son Roman, seven, and daughter Genie, four - get older.

'The reason that I felt like I needed to speak about this is because I wanted to be able to guide my own children when it comes to it, when it comes to them seeing stuff that is going to be there.

Ore shot to fame when he landed a spot on the 2016 series of Strictly Come Dancing, winning the show with Joanne Clifton

'They're going to come across it in life, so many of life's pitfalls, whether it's drink, drugs, money. It's something I knew I needed to address.'

He added: 'This is, I believe, one of the biggest problems we have societally. There is such a prevalence. When we hear that 60 per cent of children are finding it accidentally, that it is cropping up on iPads, that it's just so normal. If we leave it, what's going to happen is these children start self-educating.'

Ore shot to fame when he landed a spot on the 2016 series of Strictly Come Dancing. Winning the glitterball trophy during the most-watched final in the programme's history catapulted the children's TV presenter to stardom he had never experienced before.

He cites the show with finally allowing him to live his authentic self after his upbringing made him feel that his personality 'needed to be quietened down'.

In the years following his winning stint on the BBC show his nine-year marriage to ex wife Portia Jett broke down, and once again he felt the need to put up another facade.

'For a couple of decades, I was creating a version of the person that I thought I should be. But this creation of a perfect life, the hashtag couples goals was what was winning. So you need to perpetuate that.'

In 2024, Ore confirmed his split with Portia.

If youre struggling with similar issues support can be found at The Naked Truth Project.
Tom Hiddleston and his The Night Manager co-star Camila Morrone have posed for a glamorous Vogue shoot as the drama returns after a decade-long hiatus.

Tom, 44, looked dapper in a double breasted blazer and white shirt with black trousers.

And Camilla, 28, looked stunning in a red mesh floor-length dress with red fringe tassels hanging off.

She topped off the look with a sleek bun and gold earrings as the pair were pictured in a candid shot crossing the road.

In another look, the actors sat outside a restaurant at a table as Camilla went braless in a plunging pink lace dress which she wore under a fur coat.

Tom Hiddleston, 44, and his The Night Manager co-star Camila Morrone, 28, posed for a glamorous Vogue shoot as the drama returns after a decade-long hiatus

The actors are sat outside a restaurant at a table as Camilla went braless in a plunging pink lace dress whish she wore under a fur coat (the pair pictured with their co-star Diego Calva, 33)

Diego was seen in a grey suit and a tweed coat as Camilla held onto his arm. The actress looked incredible in an oversized red turtleneck and matching leather midi skirt

They are joined by their new co-star Diego Calva, 33.

The Narcos actor, who will play Colombian arms dealer Teddy dos Santos, looked striking as he posed at the table in a black long coat and a turtle neck.

In another set of images he was seen in a grey suit and a tweed coat as Camilla held onto his arm.

The actress looked incredible in an oversized red turtleneck and matching leather midi skirt.

The Night Manager, which made Tom a national heartthrob, is back after nine years off screens - and it is racier than ever with threesomes and steamy shower scenes.

The actor reprises his role as former British intelligence operative, Jonathan Pine, while Olivia Colman, 51, will return as Angela Burr for the six-part series.

Tom told British Vogue: 'It's unlike any character I've ever played... If somebody stops me in the street or I find myself at a social gathering, people will bring up The Night Manager.

'The association is really strong.'

Tom looked dapper in a double breasted blazer and white shirt with black trousers

Tom,Camila and Diego in the teaser trailer for the hotly-anticipated second series of The Night Manager

The actor reprises his role as former British intelligence operative, Jonathan Pine

Meanwhile Camila will replace Elizabeth Debicki as the main love interest of the show.

The Emmy Award nominee revealed she was a huge fan of the show before being cast for its long-awaited second season.

She said: 'I'm supposed to be doing my lines and instead I'm binge-watching all six episodes, which ended up paying off in the long run.'

The trailer opens with Tom's character Jonathan being told: 'A lot of intelligence officers come through this room.

'They sit there and they smile just like you. The ones I really worry about say nothing and then one day they explode.

'Tell me who you really are.'

To which he replies, as action-packed scenes including explosions and high speed chases play out: 'I am the man who will not explode'.

The action is expected to expand the story of the novel of the same name by writer John le Carre, which follows an ex-soldier helping penetrate the secret world of ruthless arms dealers.

The synopsis teases 'betrayal at every turn' that will see the MI6 operative having to decide who he can trust, and how far he's willing to go before it's too late.
Pierce Brosnan was in good company on Thursday while filming his latest scenes on the set of gritty Amazon Prime drama MobLand.

The actor, 72, was back at work on a wet and windy London street as director Guy Ritchie shot an exterior sequence for the forthcoming second season of his hit show.

Brosnan, who plays Irish gangster Conrad Harrigan, was joined by producer son Dylan as he chatted with the filmmaker during a break between scenes.

Dylan, the elder of his two children with wife Keely Shaye Smith, quietly observed the action from the opposite side of the street while his father filmed alongside a gleaming blue Bentley.

The 28-year old's archival production credits include action features The Unholy Trinity - which also stars his father - Out of Reach and HBO documentary The Synanon Fix.

Additionally, he's enjoyed varying degrees of success as a male model after being signed by designer Hedi Slimane for a Saint Laurent fashion campaign in 2014.

Pierce Brosnan was joined by son Dylan on Thursday while filming his latest scenes on the London set of gritty Amazon Prime drama MobLand

Dylan, the elder of his two children with wife Keely Shaye Smith, quietly observed the action from the opposite side of the street while his father filmed his scenes

On Sunday evening, Dylan was alongside his father as the former James Bond star reunited with estranged son Christopher, from his first marriage to the late Cassandra Harris, at an upmarket restaurant in the English capital.

Brosnan appeared to be building bridges with the 52-year old after years of estrangement brought about by his son's crippling addiction to cocaine and heroin.

Of their meeting, a source told The Mirror: 'They both looked happy and relaxed while sitting down with one of Brosnans other sons Dylan.

'Pierce and Christophers problems have been well documented. But it seems theyve managed to put them behind them. It was really nice to see them together.'

Speaking in 2005, Brosnan admitted his eldest son's spiralling addiction to Class-A drugs had prompted him to cut all ties.

'Christopher is still very lost,' he told Playboy. '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.'

He added: '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.'

On Sunday evening, Dylan was alongside his father as the former James Bond star reunited with estranged son Christopher at an upmarket restaurant in the English capital

The actor was back at work on a wet and windy London street as director Guy Ritchie shot an exterior sequence for the forthcoming second season of his hit show

Brosnan (L) gave a thumbs up as he prepared to shoot his scenes, while director Ritchie (R) mingled with members of his production team nearby

The actor will return with the second series of hit crime drama MobLand in the new year

At one point Richie was accosted by a parking attendant as they filmed scenes on a quiet residential street

Brosnan appeared to be in high spirits as he relaxed between takes on the set of his hit drama

Christopher is the biological son of Brosnan's late first wife, Australian actress Cassandra Harris, and her ex-husband Dermot.

The actor adopted both Christopher and his late sister Charlotte when their birth father died in 1986 while he was married to Cassandra.

Charlotte tragically died from ovarian cancer - the same illness that took the life of her mother - in 2013 at the age of just 41.

Christopher worked on two of his father's Bond films as an assistant director, including 1999 blockbuster The World Is Not Enough.

Brosnan met second wife Keely Shaye Smith in 1994. The couple exchanged vows seven years later at Ballintubber Abbey in County Mayo, Ireland.

The actor was seen filming alongside a gleaming blue Bentley on Thursday morning

Dressed in a brown suede jacket and woolen sweater, Brosnan appeared to be in character as Irish crime boss Conrad Harrigan

Diretor Richie was seen enjoying a light hearted moment with cast and crew during a break between scenes on Thursday

The actor appeared to reach out to Chris 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 Fathers Day.'

In 1997, Christopher was jailed for three months for drink-driving after being fined 1,000 for the same offence the year earlier.

He was also involved in a massive brawl at Browns nightclub in London and was later banned from the venue.

There was a separate arrest for theft at popular nightspot Chinawhite, but the charges were later dropped.
Eamonn Holmes has revealed that his tax row with HMRC has cost him more than 1m and two houses  and he still owes a quarter of a million pounds.

The Northern Irish broadcaster, 65, branded HMRC as 'thieves' for 'ruining him' and revealed the saga has cost him a home in Belfast and a holiday pad in Portugal.

Eamonn - who has worked for the likes of GB News and and ITV - claimed tax officials ruled he was a staff member with broadcasters rather than freelance.

He said the tax office requested 10 years worth of back tax and national insurance as a result of the employee status change.

Eamonn claimed he has already paid over 1million back since - but despite selling his two homes still owes a whopping 250,000.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, he said: 'And they basically, at the most vulnerable time in my life, they wrecked me financially.'

Eamonn Holmes has revealed that his tax row with HMRC has cost him more than 1m and two houses  and he still owes a quarter of a million pounds

He said he appealed the decision twice but lost both times, and then landed with huge legal fees as a result.

Eamonn has worked on TV for GB News, Sky News, ITV, BBC, Channel 4 and Channel 5 and written for the Daily Express and the Daily Mirror during his career.

Eamonn also argued that telly star Lorraine Kelly managed to avoid similar tax issues by arguing she was playing a part on TV.

'I would say, you know, I'm an actor who plays the part of Eamonn Holmes, except I'm not, I'm the same off screen as I am on screen,' he said.

'There's no different persona with me.'

Last year Eamonn spoke about the tax battle and said he never received holiday or sick pay, though he said he wasn't looking for sympathy. 'It's like they have taken away everything I ever worked for,' he said in an interview with his former UTV colleague Gerry Kelly.

In response Eamonn's tax battle at the time, a HMRC spokesperson told the Daily Mail: 'We take the wellbeing of all taxpayers seriously and do everything we can for those who engage with us to get their tax affairs in order, including by offering affordable payment plans.'

It comes after Eamonn raged last month that 'nobody cares' about his 'special needs' in a new rant live on GB News.

The Northern Irish broadcaster, 65, branded HMRC as 'thieves' for 'ruining him' and revealed the saga has cost him a home in Belfast and a holiday pad in Portugal (Seen in December)

Lorraine Kelly previously escaped a 1.2 million tax bill after a judge described her as an 'entertaining lady' who is her own boss (Seen left last year and right on her show this month)

He has been plagued by health battles in recent years after undergoing surgery on his back in 2022, which left him reliant on a walking frame or wheelchair.

In October, the star revealed his frustration with the decline of customer service within businesses while discussing the mass internet outage by Amazon Web Services.

The presenter then admitted that he is disappointed with the lack of contact from human representatives.

He told viewers: 'Do you know what's so annoying?

'I spent the weekend, and I mean the weekend, on various phone lines, and the minimum take was 40 minutes, 38 minutes, to be answered by a human being.

'Take Apple, for instance, they will do everything to avoid you speaking to a human being.

'Instead, they keep you [on hold] until you want to end your life.'

'It was at this point that the broadcaster lifted the lid on the complications he faces with his disability when booking hotel rooms.

Eamonn fumed: 'Do you know what? You can't even phone a hotel anymore. You've got to go to a website, but I don't want to go to a website.

'I want to talk to people and explain I've got special needs.

'I need a bathroom with bars so I can hold and stand up in the shower with or whatever, but you just cannot speak to anybody.

'But nobody cares.'
Travis Barker turned 50 and his wife Kourtney Kardashian put together an epic dinner party just days after he was blasted as 'controlling' on a recent episode of The Kardashians.

The eldest Kardashian sister, 46, pulled out all the stops as she threw her musician a lavish birthday gathering at their LA home.

She had candles put throughout the property from the entrance stairs to the long dining table which was in the backyard.

There were also countless white balloons with black string floating under the ceiling of the home.

Travis's cake was white and shaped like a star as it simply read 'Happy 50th Birthday Travis.'

One of the more interesting attendees was Kourtney's sister Khloe as they have been embroiled in bitter feud that has been documented on their reality show.

Travis Barker turned 50 and his wife Kourtney Kardashian put together an epic dinner party just days after he was blasted as 'controlling' on a recent episode of The Kardashians

Travis and Kourtney are seen at the Met Gala in New York back in May 2022

Travis's daughter Alabama and stepdaughter Atiana De La Hoya were also in attendance as they each posted on their Instagram Story from the event.

His official birthday is on Friday so no doubt the celebrations will continue through the weekend.

This comes after Travis is facing backlash after fans accused him of being 'controlling' toward wife Kourtney during a recent episode of The Kardashians.

In one scene, the Blink-182 drummer insisted on holding his wife's hand as they ran side by side, despite her repeatedly saying she was 'not prepared' and was still breastfeeding their baby son, Rocky.

Before joining him at the starting line, Kardashian reminded Barker that she had only been running in 'one or two-minute intervals.'

But once the race began, she quickly protests, saying: 'Babe, are you kidding? I'm not running crazy.'

Despite her pleas, Barker maintained his grip and kept a steady pace.

While reflecting on the experience in her confessional, Kardashian says: 'Travis [took] my hand and will not let go he just does not let go, so I have to keep up with his pace.'

The eldest Kardashian sister, 46, pulled out all the stops as she threw her musician a lavish birthday gathering at their LA home

She had candles put throughout the property from the entrance stairs to the long dining table which was in the backyard

One of the more interesting attendees was Kourtney's sister Khloe as they have been embroiled in bitter feud that has been documented on their reality show

There were also countless white balloons with black string floating under the ceiling of the home

The view from inside the house

Atiana shared a video of the table

There was an espresso bar and waiters

Travis's cake was white and shaped like a star as it simply read 'Happy 50th Birthday Travis'

Atiana shared a snap of one of her desserts

The scenic view by the pool

At several points, the reality star says she feels like she might 'pass out' or 'throw up,' but he never slows down.

At a water station, she tells him: 'If you let me drink this, Ill keeping running with you.'

After the race, however, she thanks him for motivating her and gives him a kiss.

Still, the physical toll on her is clear as she complains of nausea and says her breasts were tingling and itching.

The moment has sparked fierce debate online, with fans divided over whether Barker's behavior was loving encouragement or a worrying sign of control.

One clip of the run has racked up more than 1.1 million views on TikTok, with many commenting to slam the scene.

'I'm a runner and this really bothers me. She said she didn't feel up to doing it. That should've been the end of the discussion,' one user wrote.

'Forcing someone untrained to keep up with his pace (when he's much taller) is actually so mean,' another fumed.

This comes after Barker is facing backlash after fans accused him of being 'controlling' toward wife Kourtney during a recent episode of The Kardashians

In one scene, the Blink-182 drummer, 49, insisted on holding his wife's hand as they ran side by side, despite her repeatedly saying she was 'not prepared' and was still breastfeeding

Before joining him at the starting line, Kardashian reminded Barker that she had only been running in 'one or two-minute intervals'

Others echoed similar sentiments, calling the scene 'crazy,' 'a red flag,' and 'not sweet - this is him refusing to listen to her.'

'He always came off as controlling,' a third remarked.

Others accused him of acting 'possessive' and like a 'bully.'

Several commenters also questioned the safety of pushing a postpartum woman to run 30 minutes straight.

'Thirty minutes of running for a non-runner that just had a baby and also doesn't want to is crazy,' one said.

'He could have hurt her,' one concerned fan commented.

Some leapt to Barker's defense as they insisted they 'saw nothing wrong with it' and found him to be encouraging.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Barker and Kardashian's respective representatives for comment, but have not heard back, at this time.

The moment has sparked fierce debate online, with fans divided over whether Barker's behavior was loving encouragement or a worrying sign of control

Licensed sexologist and relationship therapist Sofie Roos told The Daily Mail the controversy stems from a clash between affection and autonomy.

'What stands out is the relationship between love intent in combination with lack of responsiveness, because you're normally very responsive and listening to the one you love's needs and boundaries,' Roos explained.

'That Travis holds her hand through the whole run can be interpreted as an act of intimacy, but when the partner so clearly expresses discomfort, and he still keeps on, that can also be read as that he doesn't respect her boundaries. Therefore, in situations like these, it's about the balance between support and self-determination.'

When asked whether the gesture was loving or controlling, Roos said: 'It all depends on the intention. If he did it out of care, and that they both experienced it as something positive, which it seems like also Kourtney did in the end'

She said it seemed a bit problematic when 'Travis didn't listen to her in the moment, and thought he knew better.'

'In my opinion makes it turn into a controlling behavior, because love should be felt as something safe also in the moment, and not as something pressing,' she said.

Licensed sexologist and relationship therapist Sofie Roos told The Daily Mail the controversy stems from a clash between affection and autonomy; seen in 2022

Roos, a sexual health expert at Passionerad, also noted that celebrity couples often blur the line between private and performative behavior.

'When it comes to public relationships, dynamic is often erased for all of us viewing the situation from outside, but also what really happened can be confusing for the couple as their "private them" and "their public them" melt together. This can lead to public couples melting together and becoming one cute pair, and not individuals, which sometimes can appear cute, but that also can hide an imbalance where one is actually in control.'

'In their case, it seems like Travis' intensity and initiative is what gets the last say, while Kourtney's needs get in the backseat.'

Roos said the scene hit a nerve because it mirrors real-life struggles many couples face, particularly when one partner is recovering physically and emotionally from childbirth.

Roos said the scene hit a nerve because it mirrors real-life struggles many couples face, particularly when one partner is recovering physically and emotionally from childbirth (pictured in May 2022)

'After giving birth, the body is extra sensitive, both physically and mentally. Hormones, lack of sleep and being in the phase of physical recovery makes small things feel very overwhelming,' she said.

'If a partner in that phase isn't responsive and listens to their partner, it very easily comes off as them ignoring their partner's needs in a very bad way. But for that to happen, Travis should have said, 'We can walk the last bit and run more if you feel like it,' instead of pushing on.'

According to Roos, viewers saw something deeper than a playful moment between newlyweds.

'The strong reaction comes from so many people seeing themselves in this situation, where a partner does something that on the surface looks to be an act of love, but that instead comes off as controlling,' she explained.

'People also react extra strongly to the fact that Kourtney just had a pregnancy, which makes people ask how well men actually listen to women's needs and bodily integrity as well as if the modern balance in relationships really is as equal as we want to think it is.'
Alicia Silverstone delivered an unexpectedly emotional moment after being reminded that her late mother makes a brief appearance in her beloved 1995 classic Clueless.

During a Q&A at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville, New York, the actress, 49, paused to collect herself as she revealed that her mom, Didi Silverstone, can be spotted in the background of the film's wedding scene.

'In the wedding scene, my mom is in the back,' Silverstone shared. 'She died, this night, six years ago. So it's really lovely to have because I love her. And miss her. So it was very moving to see that moment and go like, 'Oh my God, it's my mommy.'

Silverstone explained that the coincidence of revisiting the movie on the anniversary of her mother's passing hit her unexpectedly hard.

She added that she had been by her mother's side when she died.

'I was with her when she passed,' she said quietly. 'She would be really happy this was happening. She really liked all of this.'

Alicia Silverstone delivered an unexpectedly emotional moment after being reminded that her late mother makes a brief appearance in her beloved 1995 classic Clueless

Despite the poignant moment, Silverstone quickly tried to lift the room's energy, assuring fans she didn't intend to darken the celebratory event.

'Anyway, not to bring the mood down,' she joked gently, before adding that Clueless continues to surprise her with its enduring impact. 'Clueless has been amazing. It delights people... I could have never known.'

The appearance was part of a special screening and discussion, where Silverstone reflected on the film's legacy nearly 30 years after its release.

In 2021, Silverstone admitted that Mother's Day had become 'complicated' since losing her mom, explaining that the holiday now brings a mix of celebration, longing, and reflection.

'I love being Bear's mother But Mother's Day is also complicated for so many of us. Some of us have lost our mothers. Some have difficult relationships. Sometimes, it's both.'

Silverstone revealed that she spent the last years of her mother's life traveling constantly between Los Angeles and Rancho Santa Fe to care for her.

She described dropping everything, sometimes visiting three times in a single week, to sit beside her mother in hospitals, nursing homes, and at home.

Those years, she said, became some of the most meaningful of her life.

During a Q&A, the actress, 49, paused to collect herself as she revealed that her mom, Didi Silverstone, can be spotted in the background of the film's wedding scene

Her mom, Didi, seems to appear briefly behind Stacey Dash (seen above)

'In those last three years, any time she needed me, I'd go to her I melted into this experience of taking care of my mom. It was a gift.'

Before she passed, Silverstone's mother began gently giving away her belongings, guiding her daughter through each room.

'Alicia, I hope you'll take some of these,' she'd say 'Would you wear this when I'm gone?'

Silverstone kept many of her mother's clothes, and still wears some of them today.

She said her mom 'lived lightly on the earth,' loved animals, and taught her not to be materialistic, lessons she carries into her activism.

'In the wedding scene, my mom is in the back,' Silverstone shared. 'She died, this night, six years ago. So it's really lovely to have because I love her. And miss her' (seen in 2003)

In their final months together, her mother questioned whether she had been 'good enough.'

Silverstone reassured her: 'Even if things didn't go the way we would have liked, I know you did the best you could You taught me to love animals and not be wasteful, and I became an animal activist and eco-warrior.'

She said the response 'made her really happy.'

A friend who had suffered a similar loss once gave Silverstone a piece of advice: be present for the final moment.

Silverstone explained that the coincidence of revisiting the movie on the anniversary of her mother's passing hit her unexpectedly hard

'I was with her when she passed,' she said quietly. 'She would be really happy this was happening. She really liked all of this'

'Be there for the last breath,' he said. And I was holding her for the final 48 hours of her life as she took her exit.'

Silverstone said she will never forget how 'beautifully' her mother prepared her home before she died, leaving everything organized as if she knew Alicia and her son, Bear, 14, would lovingly sort through her belongings.

Silverstone admitted she wished she could have asked more, especially in her mother's final weeks.

But she also recognizes that their relationship, like so many, existed in shades of tenderness and complexity.

'Like the doilies I collected from my mother's house, our relationship was intricate. And complicated. And it was also beautiful.'

Despite the poignant moment, Silverstone quickly tried to lift the room's energy, assuring fans she didn't intend to darken the celebratory event (seen in 1996)

She also reflected on how mothers shape their children in ways they may never realize.

'Whatever our relationship is with our mothers, we benefit when we recognize we come from complex women They teach us what to do and what not to do.'

Silverstone said she isn't sure what she believes about the afterlife, but part of her likes to imagine her mom can still hear her.

'Mommy, I have all your things and I wear your necklace all the time. And Dad called. He asked if I'd take your dogs, too. I did.'

As she raises her son, Silverstone said she will continue to learn from her mother's lessons, and from their imperfect but profound relationship.
Influencer Yasmim Angela Feitosa de Souza has died at the age of 26, just two days after celebrating her birthday with friends.

Her mother confirmed that the creator, who had more than 23,000 Instagram followers, became gravely ill on November 12 and died later that day at home in Petrolina, Brazil.

While speaking in Portuguese to Brazilian news outlet g1, her mother explained that the illness came on rapidly after Yasmim consumed alcohol with two friends during a gathering on the night of November 10.

'They drank on Monday night, and then yesterday my daughter's boyfriend woke up feeling unwell,' her mother said.

She continued: 'My daughter, however, was happy all day, playing with everyone, she went to the market with me, we did our grocery shopping, we had lunch out. And it was at night that she started feeling unwell.'

Ultimately, she said she 'couldn't save' her daughter.

Influencer Yasmim Angela Feitosa de Souza has died at the age of 26, just two days after celebrating her birthday with friends

The University Hospital of Univasf told g1 that a patient matching the circumstances arrived on November 12 with a report of methanol poisoning, part of what they described as a recent pattern of similar cases in the region.

Authorities are currently analyzing the bottle of whisky the influencer and her friends consumed, which her mother estimated to be about one and a half liters in total.

Methanol is a colorless liquid that has a smell and appearance very similar to ethanol, making it difficult to differentiate.

Poisoning occurs 'accidentally when people are attempting home-brewing, or by deliberate addition to keep production costs low,' according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Ingesting even small amounts can be fatal for an adult.

The symptoms of methanol poisoning include drowsiness, confusion and uncoordinated movement.

In November 2024, six people died from suspected methanol poisoning at a bar in Vang Vieng, Laos after drinking tainted alcoholic beverages.

De Souza regularly posted lifestyle and relationship content and often featured her partner in her videos and photos.

Her mother confirmed that the creator, who had more than 23,000 Instagram followers, became gravely ill on November 12 and died later that day at home in Petrolina, Brazil

Her mother explained that the illness came on rapidly after Yasmim consumed alcohol with two friends during a gathering on the night of November 10

Her final Instagram update appears to have been on November 5, when she shared a humorous text-message exchange between the two.

Earlier this month, she shared photos of herself on the back of a motorcycle, which her boyfriend was driving.

Other images from the slideshow showed them sharing a kiss and forming a heart with their hands in a sweet mirror selfie.

Although she only has 75 posts, the influencer frequently shared glimpses of her life from beach trips and getting her nails done to getaways and outfit photos.

According to g1, Yasmim de Souza will be laid to rest on Thursday, November 13, at a cemetery near her home.

De Souza regularly posted lifestyle and relationship content and often featured her partner in her videos and photos

Her final Instagram update appears to have been on November 5, when she shared a humorous text-message exchange between the two

Fans were quick to react to the devastating news online as many described her death as 'shocking' and 'heartbreaking.'

'She was so full of life, this is devastating,' one wrote.

Another commented: 'Her posts always made me smile. Rest in peace, Yasmim.'

'To family and friends, our sincere condolences. Rest in peace, Yasmin,' a third fan posted on Instagram.

Others extended their sincerest condolences to her family and friends.
Holly Willoughby wrapped up warm as she led the arrivals at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, London on Thursday.

Joining her was Tamara Ecclestone and Vogue Williams, who enjoyed one of her last evenings in the UK before she jets out to Australia for her stint in the I'm A Celebrity jungle.

Holly, 44, wore a chic tartan coat with leather boots and accessorised with a black bobble hat.

Socialite Tamara, 41, wore a grey wool bomber jacket with a fur collar for the event, which she teamed with a black jumper.

She added a pair of wide leg jeans and topped off her casual outfit with brown suede boots.

Meanwhile, Vogue opted for a black padded coat and smart trousers with a pair of metallic gold trainers.

Holly Willoughby wrapped up warm as she led the arrivals at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park , London on Thursday

Joining her was Tamara Ecclestone wore a grey wool bomber jacket with a fur collar for the event

They were joined by a whole host of celebrities including Gemma Collins, Jessica Wright and Nadiya Bychkova.

According to the research, the UK's most commonly searched-for festive experience is Winter Wonderland.

The event sees more than 315,000 searches per month on average from Brits, increasing to 11 million throughout December.

Vogue's evening out at the event comes after she was confirmed as one of 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.

Last year's late entries were Love Island star Maura Higgins, and Reverend Richard Coles, who both lasted until the final five.

Some of this year's stars have already started jetting into Australia, with EastEnders actress Shona McGarty and Kelly Brook pictured at the airport.

Other names linked to the show include UK rapper Aitch, TikTok star Angry Ginge and LBC presenter Nick Ferrari.

Holly, 44, wore a chic tartan coat with leather boots and accessorised with a black bobble hat

Meanwhile, Vogue Williams enjoyed one of her last evenings in the UK before she jets out to Australia for her stint in the I'm A Celebrity jungle

Socialite Tamara, 41, was joined by her daughter Sophia

She also posed for photos with her husband Jay Rutland

Vogue's evening out at the event comes after she was confirmed as one of the late entries to this year's I'm A Celeb

They were joined by a whole host of celebrities including Gemma Collins (pictured), Jessica Wright and Nadiya Bychkova

According to the research, the UK's most commonly searched-for festive experience is Winter Wonderland

The event sees more than 315,000 searches per month on average from Brits, increasing to 11 million throughout December

Jessica looked as stylish as ever in a long wool coat which she teamed with a checked mini skirt

Nadiya braved the cold in a shimmering sleeveless top and matching leggings

Junior and his sister Princess Andre headed out to the London attraction

Myleene Klass looked edgy in cargo trousers as she attended with her son, Apollo

James Argent looked smart in a double breasted coat and cream trousers

Sheridan Smith opted for a low-key baseball cap and padded coat

Vogue is said to have signed up for the show ahead of the launch, with bosses hoping she will become the pin-up of the series.

A source told The Sun: 'Vogue is one of the most glam signings I'm A Celeb has landed in years and they are thrilled.

'Her star is massively on the rise and this will be one of her biggest gigs yet. She is really fun and gets on with everyone, so bosses reckon she will be a hit with viewers.'

They added: 'It has been a hard decision to go on the show, because it will mean so much time away from her kids, but she wants to fight her fears and go for it.'

The Daily Mail contacted ITV and representatives of Vogue Williams for comment at the time.

Vogue's husband Spencer Matthews took part in I'm A Celebrity back in 2015 before the couple met.

However, he was removed from the show after just three days after producers discovered he had been taking steroids.

Vogue is no stranger to having to live rough. In 2015, she took part and won Bear Grylls: Mission Survive.

Spencer is now the founder and Chief Business Officer of CleanCo Non-alcoholic Spirits, which he founded soon after eldest son Theo's birth.

His eldest brother is married to Pippa Middleton, and his parents are the Laird and Lady of Glen Affric, a 10,000-acre estate in the Highlands of Scotland.

Molly Smith and Tom Clare cosied up for a photo on the red carpet

Molly stunned in a long fur coat

Dan Osborne teamed a white T-shirt with a tan suede gilet

Olivia Hawkins dressed in a cream fur coat and jeans

Ekin-Su looked chic in a fur-trimmed coat

Casey O'Gorman opted for a quirky printed padded coat

Oti Mabuse dressed down in an oversize hoodie

Professor Green wore an all black look

Nick Candy wore a wool jacket with black boots

Connor Ball wore a leather jacket while Mollie Pearce stood out in a red jumper

Chris Kowalski opted for a quirky distressed jumper

Hayley Palmer wore a bright red coat with a black jumper dress

Kelsey Parker wore a zebra print jumper with a long leather coat

Demi Jones opted for a casual outfit with a glamorous makeup look

Lizzie Cundy was ready for winter in a pale pink set

Roxy Horner looked chic in a jumper and flared trousers

AJ Pritchard and Zara Zoffany looked cosy as they posed for a photo

Mimi Webb wore a stylish shaggy fur coat

I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! finally dropped a first look at this year's cast on Monday as stars arrive in Australia and enjoy their last days of luxury before their jungle stint.

The survival reality show, presented by Declan Donnelly, 50, and Ant McPartlin, 49, will be back on the popular channel this coming Sunday (16 November).

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.

The famous faces have already started to arrive at Brisbane Airport ahead of taking part in the show.

Official pictures and quotes have been shared and the series definitely looks like it's not one to miss.
Cate Blanchett and Naomi Campbell were among the glamorous guests in attendance at the 2025 Bambi Awards in Munich on Thursday.

The duo were joined by fellow star Heidi Klum for the event, which honours excellence in international media and television, as well as figures with vision and creativity who affected and inspired the German public that year.

Cate, 56, put on a showstopping display in a dramatic lilac dress that was adorned with feathers as she posed on the red carpet.

The Oscar winner's dress featured a revealing sheer skirt, and she teamed her outfit with white pointed-toe heels.

Meanwhile Naomi, 55, displayed her elegant sense of style in a form-fitting white gown with cut-out detailing.

The dress boasted a flowing fishtail skirt, with the model showcasing her famous figure in the gorgeous dress.

Cate Blanchett (left) and Naomi Campbell (right) were among the glamorous guests in attendance at the 2025 Bambi Awards in Munich on Thursday

The duo were joined by Heidi Klum for the event, which honours excellence in international media and television, as well as figures who inspired the German public that year.

Heidi, 52, commanded attention in a black gown with floral embroidery as she posed up a storm at the awards.

The famous model's featured a flowing black train and a ruffled neckline as she graced the event.

Music superstar Cher was also in attendance, and she opted for an elegant all-black look for the awards.

Cate's attendance at the ceremony came ahead of accepting the International Actress award, while Cher is set to be honoured in the Legend category.

Sophie Grutzner, who was the editor of InStyle Magazine and was a member of the Bambi jury, said: 'Cate Blanchett has been part of Hollywood's A-list for decades  proving that you don't have to be loud to be seen: her versatility as an actress continues to impress film critics.

'Her looks are simple, yet so beguilingly beautiful that we at InStyle repeatedly name her Best Dressed on our magazine.

'Her strong social commitment as a UN ambassador for refugees and her clear advocacy for climate protection are also remarkable.'

It comes after the Oscar winner recently revealed plans to eventually retire from acting.

Cate, 56, put on a showstopping display in a dramatic lilac dress that was adorned with feathers as she posed on the red carpet

The Oscar winner's dress featured a revealing sheer skirt, and she teamed her outfit with white pointed-toe heels

Meanwhile Naomi, 55, displayed her elegant sense of style in a form-fitting white gown with cut-out detailing

The dress boasted a flowing fishtail skirt, with the model showcasing her famous figure in the gorgeous dress

Heidi, 52, commanded attention in a black gown with floral embroidery as she posed up a storm at the awards

The legendary model was joined by her husband Tom Kaulitz, who was dressed in a sharp black suit for the occasion

Music superstar Cher was also in attendance, and she opted for an elegant all-black look for the awards

The music legend dazzled in a sparkly black overcoat with a matching coat and flared trousers

Cher displayed her ageless visage, teaming her sparkly suit with a sexy sheer black lace top

Cate's attendance at the ceremony came ahead of accepting the International Actress award, while Cher is set to be honoured in the Legend category

It comes after the Oscar winner recently revealed plans to eventually retire from acting

During an interview with Radio Times in April, Cate hesitated to define her job title before revealing she hopes to step away from the camera

'It's because I'm giving up [acting]. My family roll their eyes every time I say it, but I mean it. I am serious about giving up acting,' she said

During the awards, Naomi was tasked with presenting an award to Heidi

Taking to the stage, Heidi was honoured with a gong in the Entertainment category

After presenting Heidi with her award, Naomi proudly posed alongside her pal at the glitzy awards ceremony

Heidi cut a glamorous figure in her dramatic embroidered gown

Cate was awarded an International Actress gong, and proudly posed with her honour

During an interview with Radio Times in April, Cate hesitated to define her job title before revealing she hopes to step away from the camera.

'It's because I'm giving up [acting]. My family roll their eyes every time I say it, but I mean it. I am serious about giving up acting,' she said.

Cate insisted she had 'a lot of things I want to do with my life'.

It's not the first time that Cate has teased an eventual departure from acting, telling Vanity Fair in 2023 that she often contemplated the idea.

She said: 'It's not occasionalit's continual. On a daily or weekly basis, for sure.

'It's a love affair, isn't it? So you do fall in and out of love with it, and you have to be seduced back into it.'
Actor J.R. Ramirez, known for his role as Detective Jared Vasquez on the show Manifest, is engaged.

The 45-year-old Cuban-American actor announced the news on Instagram in a joint post with fiancee Bonnie Leathers.

'I guess prayer n persistence really do work,' he wrote in the caption on Monday, adding, 'Thank you for bringing me my best friend. This ones ALL YOU  .'

There were two photos: a snapshot of the happy couple smiling side-by-side, and a closeup shot of the actress showing of her diamond ring in front of the ocean.

Bonnie commented under the post, 'Mrs Ramirez loading. prayed for you and the love we have, baby. So proud and blessed to be your future wife .'

J.R. was previously in a long-term relationship with his co-star Melissa Roxburgh but they quietly split.

Actor J.R. Ramirez, known for his role as Detective Jared Vasquez on the show Manifest, is engaged

The 45-year-old Cuban-American actor announced the news on Instagram in a joint post with fiancee Bonnie Leathers

In their social media post, the future spouses geotagged their location as Playa Flamenco in Puerto Rico.

Friends and fans alike shared their well wishes in the comments, including Manifest actor Matt Long, who said, 'Congratulations!!'

Emily VanCamp, who used to star on the show Revenge, wrote, 'So happy for you guys.'

Meanwhile, former Reba star JoAnna Garcia Swisher added, 'CONGRATULATIONS!!!!'

It's not clear how long J.R. and Bonnie dated before the TV star popped the question.

However, the model's earliest online post featuring her husband-to-be was shared in December 2024.

Last year she shared a selfie on Instagram with her then-boyfriend in Paris, France, and captioned, 'Paris Mon Amour .'

And this past September, she uploaded a photo with J.R. and wrote, 'Treat me like a princess and I'm yours,' per People.

'I guess prayer n persistence really do work,' he wrote in the caption on Monday, adding, 'Thank you for bringing me my best friend. This ones ALL YOU  '

J.R. was previously in a long-term relationship with his co-star Melissa Roxburgh

J.R. pictured with ex-girlfriend Melissa in 2018

On Thursday the beauty shared a video montage of their Puerto Rico trip and reflected on her surprise engagement.

She used Beyonce and Lady Gaga's 2009 hit song Telephone as the soundtrack as she captioned, 'Kind of busy. simply went to Puerto Rico to mind my business and tan and somehow returned engaged??!

'Like, sorry in advance but Im about to be insufferable. thanks babe @jr8ramirez for all you do to give me the life of my dreams.'

J.R. and his ex-girlfriend Melissa were initially romantically linked in January 2020, with a source telling Page Six at the time, 'They are dating. They met on set and have been dating for at least six months.'

In December 2022 they shared photos from a Fiji vacation, and in May 2023 J.R. posted an Instagram selfie of the pair kissing.

It's unknown exactly when they ended their relationship.
Saks Off 5th  the luxury worlds version of TJ Maxx  is pulling back again as the bargain-hunting boom leaves it behind.

The off-price arm of Saks Global plans to close nine stores by January, cutting its national footprint to just 79 locations. The latest closures stretch from West Hartford, Connecticut, to Austin, Texas.

Once billed as the upscale alternative to discount rivals like TJ Maxx and Marshalls, Saks Off 5th sells designer fashion and accessories at reduced prices  but its stores have struggled to keep the same energy or selection of clothes, shoes and bags as competitors.

'Saks is a business with a lot of issues and a lot of debt, so we are seeing a lot of shuffling of the deck,' Neil Saunders, a retail expert at GlobalData, told the Daily Mail.

'The main reason the company is closing a handful of Off 5th Stores is because they don't pull their weight financially.'

The closures come barely a year after parent company Saks Global splashed $2.7billion on rival Neiman Marcus  a deal meant to revive both brands.

Instead, sales have slumped. The company faces such mounting cash problems that it has slowed payments to vendors, according to Retail Dive.

In August, Saks Global reported an 11.1 percent drop in revenue over the summer months compared to a year before.

Saks off 5th announced plans to close nine stores in January, a little over a year after it's parent company, Saks Global, scooped up a competitor for $2.7billion

The company also lost $288million in the previous three months.

Since the merger, Saks closed a store in San Francisco and Neiman Marcus shuttered a flagship in Dallas.

A Saks Off Fifth in Manhattan also announced it would be shutting down in September.

Industry insiders say late payments have made Saks Off 5th a lower priority for many brands, limiting its ability to stock the same coveted labels found at competitors.

'While off-price players like Nordstrom Rack and TJMaxx are treasure troves of bargains and deals, Saks Off 5th stores often look a little sad,' Saunders added.

'There is no clear range strategy, and sometimes the assortment looks like it's random things the company could get its hands on.'

While Saks Global struggles with a cash crunch, its competitors for Saks Off 5th appear to be running away with the competition.

TJ Maxx continues to expand, and Nordstrom Rack has plans to open 20 more stores this year, bringing its total to nearly 300.

Saks Off 5th has struggled to attract customers this year, with sales sliding by more than 11 percent in the last quarter - industry insiders say the company no longer has priority from high-end vendors

The company has partnered with dozens of A-listers during new launched. Model and author Emily Ratajkowski (left) and comedian and actor Amy Schumer (right) attended a Saks Off 5th opening in Seattle, Washington

Independent analysts told the Daily Mail that Saks has been struggling with debt since the acquisition - they say the once-ritzy stores are struggling to attract top-end fashions as losses mount

For now, Saks Global is calling the closures a strategic reset.

'As part of our ongoing and comprehensive strategy, we have taken a critical eye to our store footprint and will be closing select store locations in early 2026,' a Saks Global spokesperson told the Daily Mail.

'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 added that impacted employees will either receive offers to transfer to nearby stores or receive separation packages.
The economy might be frothy, but Starbucks isnt steaming over it just yet.

In a year where many Americans can't afford their daily latte, Starbucks has promised customers a free reusable festive cup for those willing to splash out on a handcrafted holiday beverage.

The Seattle-based coffee company will hand out thousands of cups for 'Red Cup Day'  a tradition that began in 1997 to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season. Starbucks began giving away free cups to mark the occasion in 2018.

For customers eager to get their hands on the product, they will have to act quickly. The cups are only available while supplies last.

Yvonne Chan designed this years reusable red cup: 'The design is inspired by the little moment of magic you feel when you step into a Starbucks from the cold outside,' she said.

Coffee-drinkers have to pick from Starbucks' holiday menu to score the freebie. Scroll down to see the full list of beverages.

Despite being a longstanding holiday tradition, it's surprising the coffeehouse managed to pull off the deal this year, given the economic turmoil it faced this year.

Starbucks's stock is down more than 16 percent in the last year.

Starbucks will hand out thousands of cups for 'Red Cup Day'  a tradition that began in 1997 to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season

Yvonne Chan designed this years reusable red cup (pictured)

For customers eager to get their hands on the product, they will have to act quickly. The cups are only available while supplies last

The Seattle-based coffee chain shuttered over 400 locations in September after reporting six straight quarters of sales declines.

Starbucks also laid off 900 workers, which was its second round of mass layoffs this year, as part of a sweeping $1 billion restructuring plan.

Chief executive Brian Niccol said the cutbacks were 'necessary to build a better, stronger and more resilient Starbucks.'

Free cups, it seems, are cheaper than fair pay  and they photograph better too.

Indeed, Starbucks is under intense scrutiny right now for not offering their employees a reasonable wage.

For this reason, baristas have settled on one of the coffee shop's busiest day of the year to strike.

More than 1,000 Starbucks unionized baristas in over 40 US cities launched an open-ended strike on Thursday, intensifying their push for a collective bargaining agreement over pay and other benefits at the coffee giant.

The walkout began with 65 stores, the Starbucks Workers United said, coinciding with Red Cup Day, which typically drives far higher customer visits at its more than 17,000 coffeehouses in the US.

The Seattle-based coffee chain shuttered over 400 locations in September after reporting six straight quarters of sales declines

Baristas have settled on one of the coffee shop's busiest day of the year to strike (pictured: strikes in New York City)

Brian Niccol, Chairman and CEO of the Starbucks Coffee Company

So far, Starbucks was seeing minimal impact from the walkouts with less than 1 percent of its stores seeing any level of disruption, according to a company spokesperson.

Niccol has been focused on making the coffeehouses a nicer place to stay. Dining areas now feature printed newspapers, easier menu options, and hot coffee served in mugs.

'Each year, we open and close coffeehouses for a variety of reasons, from financial performance to lease expirations,' Niccol wrote.

'This is a more significant action that we understand will impact partners and customers. Our coffeehouses are centers of the community, and closing any location is difficult.'

Niccol, is a turnaround specialist who was brought into Starbucks a year ago this month to give the brand a jolt.
Verizon is preparing to cut around 15,000 jobs in the biggest round of layoffs in its history.

America's biggest wireless carrier is battling shrinking customer numbers and rising competition across the wireless and home-internet markets.

The cuts are set to roll out within the next week and will come mostly through direct layoffs, according to the Wall Street Journal who first reported the news.

The company  which has about 100,000 employees  also plans to spin roughly 200 of its retail stores into franchises, shifting those workers off Verizon's payroll.

Verizon  the largest US telecom provider by subscribers  has been losing lucrative postpaid phone customers for three straight quarters as rivals T-Mobile and AT&T step up aggressive promotions.

It caps a disastrous stretch for the telecom giant, which has been losing subscribers at an alarming pace.

Verizon admitted in April that it lost 289,000 monthly wireless customers in the first quarter alone  more than double the losses from the same period last year and far worse than Wall Street expected.

The company told investors the exodus 'reflects the impact of recent pricing actions,' after the company raised rates and scaled back discounts.

The shake-up comes weeks after Verizon named Daniel Schulman, the former chief of PayPal and Virgin Mobile USA, as its new CEO. Schulman has vowed to overhaul the business, reverse customer losses and slash costs across the board

Verizon is preparing its biggest-ever round of layoffs as customer losses mount and price hikes backfire

Once known for big holiday promotions, Verizon pulled back after Christmas last year  while rivals T-Mobile and AT&T kept slashing prices. The decision backfired spectacularly as frustrated customers ditched the service for cheaper competitors.

The shake-up comes weeks after Verizon appointed Daniel Schulman, the former boss of PayPal and Virgin Mobile USA, as its new chief executive. Schulman has pledged to slash costs across the company and stem the steady decline in wireless customers.

'We have a tremendous amount of opportunity to be more efficient, to be scrappier,' Schulman said last month as he discussed the company's third-quarter results.

'Cost reductions will be a way of life for us here.'
The former King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck  revered as K4, the Fourth Druk Gyalpo  turned 70 on November 11. In Bhutan, the Bodhisattva King, as he is fondly known, is remembered not merely as a monarch but as a visionary who transformed a secluded Himalayan kingdom into a modern, democratic, and contented nation. His reign from 1972 to 2006 marked an era of wisdom, self-reliance, and reform, blending tradition with progress in a way few leaders in history have achieved.

Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Thimphu to join the celebrations was far more than a ceremonial gesture. It was an affirmation of a relationship that has stood as a beacon of stability in a region marked by shifting loyalties and power rivalries. India and Bhutan have not simply coexisted  they have complemented each other, building a partnership rooted in trust, cultural affinity, and shared destiny.

K4 and the Modernisation of Bhutan

When K4 ascended the throne at the age of 17, Bhutan was still emerging from centuries of isolation. His father, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, had already launched Bhutans first Five-Year Plan with the support of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1961. The young king continued this developmental journey, deepening ties with India and strengthening institutions that would guide Bhutan into the 21st century.

As Chairman of Bhutans Planning Commission in 1971, K4 learned early that Indias partnership was not one of dependence but of shared growth. His 1974 decision to peg the Bhutanese Ngultrum to the Indian Rupee at a 1:1 exchange rate was a masterstroke of economic foresight, guaranteeing stability and seamless trade. He also invited Indias Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to construct and maintain Bhutans strategic road network under Project DANTAK, laying the foundation for economic transformation.

Today, Bhutanese firms have taken charge of their own infrastructure  an outcome K4 envisioned decades earlier.

Hydropower Diplomacy: The Energy of Friendship

Among the enduring legacies of India-Bhutan friendship is their hydropower cooperation  a pillar of mutual prosperity. The commissioning of the 336 MW Chukha project in the 1970s marked the beginning of a partnership that illuminated both nations. Subsequent ventures such as Tala, Kurichhu, and Mangdechhu deepened this bond, while the 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II project, to be jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi and King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck (K5), stands as a symbol of enduring collaboration.

Built on a grant-loan model, these projects have provided Bhutan with sustainable national income and India with clean energy.

As both sides look ahead, private-sector participation  from Tata Power to Adani Power  signals a new era of joint ventures extending beyond state-led models. Indias development partnership also spans infrastructure, health, education, and digital connectivity, including the Digital Drukyul initiative under Bhutans 13th Five-Year Plan (2024-29).

In December 2003, Bhutan demonstrated the true meaning of friendship. Militants from Indias North-East, including ULFA and NDFB, had established bases in Bhutans southern jungles. When diplomacy failed, K4 personally led Operation All Clear, directing the Royal Bhutan Army to eliminate the threat. Supported logistically by India, the operation was swift and decisive  marking Bhutans first modern military campaign and reaffirming its sovereignty. On the Indian side, security forces sealed the border to capture fleeing militants. The episode remains a textbook example of neighbourly trust and joint security.

K4s deep understanding of Indias democratic ethos and his nuanced grasp of Chinas strategic behaviour continue to shape Bhutans policies. Even today, his counsel guides King K5s national security and foreign policy deliberations  especially amid evolving Bhutan-China negotiations.

Diplomacy, Democracy, and Mutual Respect

The 2007 India-Bhutan Treaty of Friendship, negotiated under K4s guidance, redefined the partnership for a democratic era. It replaced the 1949 clause stating that Bhutan would be guided by India with the principle of sovereign equality and mutual respect. Since then, India has remained Bhutans largest trading partner and leading investor, with a duty-free transit regime through Indian ports  an arrangement unique in South Asia.

The upcoming Gelephu Mindfulness City  a visionary 2,500 sq. km zero-carbon, multi-sectoral development zone integrating spirituality, technology, and green energy  epitomises the shared aspiration for a sustainable and harmonious future.

Cultural and Spiritual Kinship

At its core, the India-Bhutan relationship is a civilisational partnership. The two nations are bound by a shared Buddhist heritage manifesting in pilgrimage, philosophy, and art. Indias loan of the Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal statue, the unifier of Bhutan, symbolised this timeless bond. Equally, the Transboundary Manas Conservation Area (TraMCA) linking Bhutans Royal Manas and Indias Manas Tiger Reserve reflects shared ecological stewardship. Bhutans Gross National Happiness aligns deeply with Indias Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam  the belief that the world is one family.

In Contrast to Asias Fractured Geopolitics

While Asia is witnessing increasing friction  from the South China Sea to the Himalayas  the India-Bhutan partnership remains a model of stability. Bhutans measured approach to China, guided by transparency with India, contrasts sharply with the opportunistic balancing often seen in other regional capitals.

For India, Bhutan is not merely a buffer but a trusted partner in ensuring that the Himalayas remain a zone of peace. For Bhutan, India is not a dominant neighbour but an anchor of security and an ally in development.

Navigating the China Challenge

As China tightens its grip on Tibet, Bhutan must balance sovereignty and strategic autonomy with quiet pragmatism. The first-ever Bhutanese Foreign Ministers visit to China in 2023, coupled with Chinas growing share of Bhutans trade and the 2021 Three-Step Roadmap for boundary resolution, underscores a cautious yet notable outreach.

Beijings invocation of the Five-Finger Policy  an apparent expansionist vision that views Tibet as the palm and Ladakh, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, and Arunachal Pradesh as its fingers  adds to Indias unease, particularly concerning Doklam, overlooking the strategic Siliguri Corridor. For Bhutan, which maintains no formal diplomatic ties with China, this presents both opportunity and risk.

Indias continued engagement is therefore not sentimental but strategic  central to ensuring peace and stability in the eastern Himalayas. Despite occasional friction points, including insurgent activity and environmental hesitations over the BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement, both nations continue to navigate differences with maturity and mutual respect.

A Celebration of Friendship and Faith

As Thimphu celebrates K4s 70th birthday, it is not merely an occasion to honour a monarch  it is a celebration of a friendship that has matured through trust, sacrifice, and shared vision. Prime Minister Modis presence is both symbolic and substantive  a reaffirmation that India and Bhutan will continue to walk together, as equals and as family. In an increasingly fractured Asian neighbourhood, India and Bhutan stand as proof that geography need not breed rivalry - it can nurture harmony. Their partnership, built on faith rather than fear, remains South Asias most enduring example of Neighbourhood First in action. In the India-Bhutan story, friendship is not strategy  it is destiny.

Hemangi Sinha, Project Head, World Intellectual Foundation, and Pravin Kumar Singh, Senior Project Associate, World Intellectual Foundation; views are personal
ALE Group Holding Limited (ALEH) plans to raise $7.50 million in an IPO on the week of November 17th, IPO Scoop reports. The company will issue 1,500,000 shares at $4.00-$6.00 per share.

In the last 12 months, ALE Group Holding Limited generated $1.53 million in revenue and $680 thousand in net income. ALE Group Holding Limited has a market-cap of $102.25 million.

D. Boral Capital (ex-EF Hutton) served as the underwriter for the IPO.

ALE Group Holding Limited provided the following description of their company for its IPO: We are a holding company incorporated in the BVI with all of our operations conducted in Hong Kong by our wholly owned subsidiary, ALE Corporate Services Ltd., also known as ALECS. (Incorporated in theA British Virgin Islands) We provide accounting and corporate consulting services to small and medium-sized businesses. Our services include financial reporting, corporate secretarial services, tax filing services and internal control reporting. Our business is operated through our wholly owned subsidiary, ALE Corporate Services Ltd. (ALECS), a Hong Kong company incorporated on June 30, 2014. Our goal is to become a one-stop solution for all the accounting, corporate consulting, taxation and secretarial needs of small and medium enterprises operating in Asia and the U.S. **Note: Net income and revenue figures are in U.S. dollars (converted from Hong Kong dollars) for the fiscal year that ended March 31, 2024.A (Note: D. Boral & Company (formerly E.F. Hutton) is the sole book-runner. Background:A The company disclosed that E.F. Hutton was named the sole book-runner  replacing Prime Number Capital  according to an F-1/A filing dated March 26, 2024.) .

ALE Group Holding Limited was founded in 2014 and has 7 employees. The company is located at Unit 1005, 10/F, Tower A, New Mandarin Plaza, 14 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong and can be reached via phone at (+852) 3620 2688 or on the web at https://www.alecs.com.hk/.

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Shares of Getty Realty Corporation (NYSE:GTY  Get Free Report) have received a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the six ratings firms that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and three have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $31.80.

A number of equities analysts have commented on the stock. UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of Getty Realty from $28.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, August 15th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Getty Realty from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, September 13th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Getty Realty in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Janney Montgomery Scott started coverage on Getty Realty in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. They issued a buy rating and a $30.00 price objective for the company.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Getty Realty Stock Performance

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of GTY. LPL Financial LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Getty Realty by 30.1% in the 1st quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 88,476 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $2,759,000 after acquiring an additional 20,473 shares during the last quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. purchased a new stake in Getty Realty in the first quarter valued at approximately $211,000. Teacher Retirement System of Texas raised its position in Getty Realty by 21.8% in the first quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 44,950 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,402,000 after purchasing an additional 8,056 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd. lifted its stake in Getty Realty by 17.3% during the first quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 167,686 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $5,228,000 after purchasing an additional 24,784 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Getty Realty by 0.5% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 7,901,516 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $246,369,000 after buying an additional 37,695 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.11% of the companys stock.

NYSE GTY opened at $27.43 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 2.00 and a current ratio of 2.00. The stocks fifty day moving average is $27.31 and its two-hundred day moving average is $27.94. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.81 and a beta of 0.83. Getty Realty has a fifty-two week low of $25.39 and a fifty-two week high of $33.85.

Getty Realty (NYSE:GTY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The real estate investment trust reported $0.62 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.61 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $55.59 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $53.19 million. Getty Realty had a return on equity of 7.60% and a net margin of 34.76%. Getty Realty has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.420-2.430 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Getty Realty will post 2.29 earnings per share for the current year.

Getty Realty Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 8th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 26th will be issued a dividend of $0.485 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 26th. This represents a $1.94 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.1%. This is a boost from Getty Realtys previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. Getty Realtys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 151.56%.

Getty Realty Company Profile

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Shares of Meritage Homes Corporation (NYSE:MTH  Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the eleven research firms that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 1-year price target among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $84.7143.

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on MTH. Zelman & Associates raised Meritage Homes to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, July 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Meritage Homes from $60.00 to $69.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, November 4th. UBS Group set a $101.00 price objective on shares of Meritage Homes and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Wedbush lowered their target price on shares of Meritage Homes from $103.00 to $90.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, July 25th. Finally, Bank of America dropped their target price on shares of Meritage Homes from $85.00 to $80.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 10th.

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Meritage Homes Trading Down 1.5%

Shares of Meritage Homes stock opened at $67.86 on Monday. Meritage Homes has a 1-year low of $59.27 and a 1-year high of $98.74. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $71.98 and its 200-day simple moving average is $70.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 1.95 and a quick ratio of 2.16. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.78 billion, a PE ratio of 6.90 and a beta of 1.35.

Meritage Homes (NYSE:MTH  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The construction company reported $1.39 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.71 by ($0.32). The company had revenue of $1.42 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.48 billion. Meritage Homes had a return on equity of 10.37% and a net margin of 8.96%.The companys revenue for the quarter was down 11.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $5.34 earnings per share. Meritage Homes has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 1.510-1.700 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Meritage Homes will post 9.44 earnings per share for the current year.

Meritage Homes Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 16th were given a dividend of $0.43 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 16th. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.5%. Meritage Homess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 17.48%.

Insider Transactions at Meritage Homes

In related news, CEO Phillippe Lord sold 6,950 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $80.01, for a total value of $556,069.50. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 221,320 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $17,707,813.20. The trade was a 3.04% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 2.20% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Meritage Homes

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. IFG Advisory LLC bought a new position in shares of Meritage Homes during the third quarter worth $329,000. Picton Mahoney Asset Management bought a new stake in Meritage Homes in the 3rd quarter valued at $328,000. Legato Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Meritage Homes in the 3rd quarter worth $881,000. 111 Capital boosted its holdings in shares of Meritage Homes by 58.4% during the 3rd quarter. 111 Capital now owns 6,016 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $436,000 after purchasing an additional 2,217 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bahl & Gaynor Inc. grew its position in shares of Meritage Homes by 2.7% during the third quarter. Bahl & Gaynor Inc. now owns 186,377 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $13,499,000 after purchasing an additional 4,959 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 98.44% of the companys stock.

About Meritage Homes

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Meritage Homes Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, designs and builds single-family attached and detached homes in the United States. The company operates through two segments, Homebuilding and Financial Services. It acquires and develops land; and constructs, markets, and sells homes for entry-level and first move-up buyers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Utah, Texas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

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Shares of Barclays PLC (LON:BARC  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as GBX 414.65 and last traded at GBX 414.40, with a volume of 288360906 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at GBX 404.70.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently commented on the stock. Shore Capital reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Barclays in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Citigroup lifted their target price on shares of Barclays from GBX 400 to GBX 415 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Barclays from GBX 435 to GBX 500 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on Barclays from GBX 500 to GBX 525 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a buy rating and set a GBX 380 price objective on shares of Barclays in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Barclays has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of GBX 450.

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Barclays Stock Performance

The firm has a market cap of 59.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.36. The firms 50 day moving average is GBX 385.65 and its 200-day moving average is GBX 355.50.

Barclays (LON:BARC  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The financial services provider reported GBX 10.40 earnings per share for the quarter. Barclays had a return on equity of 6.97% and a net margin of 19.54%. As a group, research analysts predict that Barclays PLC will post 39.1062802 EPS for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, insider Anna Cross sold 753,438 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 373, for a total value of 2,810,323.74. Company insiders own 0.33% of the companys stock.

About Barclays

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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.

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IP Group Plc (LON:IPO  Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as GBX 62.50 and last traded at GBX 62.17, with a volume of 2540590 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 60.10.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Berenberg Bank reissued a buy rating and set a GBX 100 target price on shares of IP Group in a research report on Monday, October 13th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of GBX 100.

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IP Group Trading Down 0.4%

The stock has a market cap of 532.63 million, a P/E ratio of -4.20 and a beta of 1.36. The company has a current ratio of 9.28, a quick ratio of 8.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 13.99. The stocks fifty day moving average price is GBX 56.61 and its 200 day moving average price is GBX 53.32.

IP Group (LON:IPO  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, September 17th. The company reported GBX (4.55) EPS for the quarter. IP Group had a net margin of 106.78% and a negative return on equity of 19.85%. Equities research analysts expect that IP Group Plc will post 19.6245031 earnings per share for the current year.

IP Group Company Profile

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IP Group accelerates the impact of science for a better future. As the most active UK based, early-stage science investor, we develop and support some of the worlds most exciting businesses in deeptech, life sciences and cleantech (led by Kiko Ventures). Through Parkwalk, the UKs largest growth EIS fund manager, we also back world-changing innovation emerging in leading universities and research institutions.

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BorgWarner Inc. (NYSE:BWA  Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Thursday, November 13th. Investors of record on Monday, December 1st will be paid a dividend of 0.17 per share by the auto parts company on Monday, December 15th. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.5%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 1st.

BorgWarner has decreased its dividend payment by an average of 0.1%per year over the last three years and has increased its dividend every year for the last 1 years. BorgWarner has a dividend payout ratio of 14.7% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Analysts expect BorgWarner to earn $4.87 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $0.68 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 14.0%.

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BorgWarner Stock Performance

BWA stock traded down $0.65 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $45.36. The company had a trading volume of 1,453,441 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,685,759. The company has a quick ratio of 1.66, a current ratio of 2.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 48.25, a P/E/G ratio of 1.58 and a beta of 1.06. BorgWarner has a one year low of $24.40 and a one year high of $46.39. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $43.68 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $38.26.

Insiders Place Their Bets

BorgWarner ( NYSE:BWA Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The auto parts company reported $1.24 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.16 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $3.59 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.58 billion. BorgWarner had a net margin of 1.50% and a return on equity of 16.17%. BorgWarners quarterly revenue was up 4.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.09 EPS. BorgWarner has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.600-4.750 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that BorgWarner will post 4.28 EPS for the current year.

In other BorgWarner news, Director Alexis P. Michas sold 8,772 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $42.31, for a total transaction of $371,143.32. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 78,903 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,338,385.93. This represents a 10.01% 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, VP Isabelle Mckenzie sold 3,200 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $44.23, for a total transaction of $141,536.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president owned 43,555 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,926,437.65. The trade was a 6.84% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 31,972 shares of company stock worth $1,425,479. Company insiders own 0.45% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of BWA. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. increased its stake in shares of BorgWarner by 13.3% in the first quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. now owns 13,258 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $380,000 after purchasing an additional 1,555 shares during the period. Pallas Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in BorgWarner in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $567,000. Zurich Insurance Group Ltd FI bought a new position in BorgWarner in the 1st quarter worth approximately $1,223,000. AE Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of BorgWarner by 2.6% during the second quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 421,781 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $14,121,000 after buying an additional 10,502 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Entropy Technologies LP bought a new stake in shares of BorgWarner in the first quarter valued at approximately $1,822,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.67% of the companys stock.

About BorgWarner

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BorgWarner Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides solutions for combustion, hybrid, and electric vehicles worldwide. It offers turbochargers, eBoosters, eTurbos, timing systems, emissions systems, thermal systems, gasoline ignition technology, smart remote actuators, powertrain sensors, cabin heaters, battery modules and systems, battery heaters, and battery charging.

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Equities research analysts at Scotiabank began coverage on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Free Report) in a note issued to investors on Thursday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The firm set a sector perform rating and a $45.00 price target on the biopharmaceutical companys stock. Scotiabanks price objective would suggest a potential downside of 9.65% from the companys current price.

BMY has been the topic of several other research reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c-) rating on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. Dbs Bank upgraded Bristol Myers Squibb to a moderate buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 2nd. Sanford C. Bernstein reissued a market perform rating on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a research report on Thursday, July 31st. Finally, Citigroup reiterated a neutral rating on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a research report on Monday, October 13th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and fifteen have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $54.58.

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Bristol Myers Squibb Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:BMY traded up $0.73 on Thursday, hitting $49.81. The company had a trading volume of 4,495,698 shares, compared to its average volume of 13,758,650. The company has a current ratio of 1.21, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.54. The company has a market cap of $101.39 billion, a PE ratio of 20.05, a PEG ratio of 2.23 and a beta of 0.33. Bristol Myers Squibb has a 52-week low of $42.52 and a 52-week high of $63.33. The business has a 50 day moving average of $45.31 and a 200 day moving average of $46.69.

Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Free Report) last announced 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 firm had revenue of $12.22 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.75 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.80 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter 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. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Bristol Myers Squibb will post 6.74 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Bristol Myers Squibb

In other Bristol Myers Squibb news, EVP David V. Elkins sold 56,000 shares of the companys 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 transaction, the executive vice president owned 167,379 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,922,048.07. This represents a 25.07% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.09% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Bristol Myers Squibb

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Trifecta Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in the second quarter worth approximately $25,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Bristol Myers Squibb in the second quarter valued at about $25,000. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in Bristol Myers Squibb by 107.2% in the third quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 605 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 313 shares during the last quarter. REAP Financial Group LLC raised 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 purchasing an additional 428 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Accent Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Bristol Myers Squibb in the first quarter worth $33,000. 76.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Bristol Myers Squibb Company Profile

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Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in non-valvular atrial fibrillation, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for various anti-cancer indications, including bladder, blood, CRC, head and neck, RCC, HCC, lung, melanoma, MPM, stomach and esophageal cancer; Pomalyst/Imnovid for multiple myeloma; Orencia for active rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia.

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Enova International, Inc. (NYSE:ENVA  Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $133.11 and last traded at $132.25, with a volume of 16366 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $127.26.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on ENVA shares. JMP Securities lifted their price target on Enova International from $135.00 to $149.00 and gave the company a market outperform rating in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Enova International in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. BTIG Research raised their target price on shares of Enova International from $129.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Finally, Zacks Research cut shares of Enova International from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, September 25th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $116.80.

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Enova International Trading Up 2.3%

The company has a market capitalization of $3.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.15 and a beta of 1.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.20, a quick ratio of 18.15 and a current ratio of 19.29. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $118.02 and its 200-day simple moving average is $109.04.

Enova International (NYSE:ENVA  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 23rd. The credit services provider reported $3.36 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.03 by $0.33. Enova International had a net margin of 9.64% and a return on equity of 24.50%. The firm had revenue of $460.71 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $806.63 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.45 EPS. Enova Internationals revenue was up 16.3% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts predict that Enova International, Inc. will post 10.31 earnings per share for the current year.

Enova International announced that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback plan on Wednesday, November 12th that permits the company to repurchase $400.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the credit services provider to buy up to 12.5% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are typically an indication that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO David Fisher sold 6,000 shares of Enova International stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $122.61, for a total value of $735,660.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 348,223 shares in the company, valued at $42,695,622.03. This trade represents a 1.69% 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. Also, CFO Steven E. Cunningham sold 14,874 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $120.70, for a total value of $1,795,291.80. Following the sale, the chief financial officer owned 127,719 shares of the companys stock, valued at $15,415,683.30. The trade was a 10.43% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 86,874 shares of company stock worth $10,708,742. 8.40% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Enova International

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Jump Financial LLC increased its position in Enova International by 430.1% during the first quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 25,746 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $2,486,000 after purchasing an additional 20,889 shares during the last quarter. Amundi acquired a new position in shares of Enova International in the first quarter worth $1,886,000. Baird Financial Group Inc. increased its holdings in Enova International by 2.1% during the 1st quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 154,674 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $14,935,000 after purchasing an additional 3,162 shares during the period. Kendall Capital Management acquired a new position in Enova International during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $544,000. Finally, CX Institutional raised its stake in Enova International by 151.5% in the second quarter. CX Institutional now owns 67,538 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $7,532,000 after buying an additional 40,681 shares in the last quarter. 89.43% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Enova International

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Enova International, Inc, a technology and analytics company, provides online financial services in the United States, Brazil, and internationally. The company provides installment loans; line of credit accounts; CSO programs, including arranging loans with independent third-party lenders and assisting in the preparation of loan applications and loan documents; and bank programs, such as marketing services and loan servicing for near-prime unsecured consumer installment loan.

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Equities researchers at Scotiabank initiated coverage on shares of Hecla Mining (NYSE:HL  Get Free Report) in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The firm set a sector perform rating and a $15.00 price target on the basic materials companys stock. Scotiabanks price target indicates a potential downside of 1.19% from the stocks previous close.

A number of other analysts also recently commented on the company. BMO Capital Markets upped their target price 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. Weiss Ratings upgraded Hecla Mining from a hold (c) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Hecla Mining from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Sunday, November 2nd. Roth Capital set a $8.75 price target on shares of Hecla Mining and gave the company a sell rating in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. Finally, CIBC upped their price objective on shares of Hecla Mining from $12.50 to $15.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $10.03.

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Hecla Mining Stock Down 2.3%

NYSE HL traded down $0.35 on Thursday, hitting $15.18. The stock had a trading volume of 7,398,053 shares, compared to its average volume of 21,890,789. Hecla Mining has a 52-week low of $4.46 and a 52-week high of $16.09. The stock has a market cap of $10.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 94.76 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 2.67 and a quick ratio of 1.99. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $12.33 and its 200 day moving average price is $8.33.

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 company had revenue of $409.54 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $315.60 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.03 EPS. The firms revenue was up 67.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that Hecla Mining will post 0.21 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In related news, CFO Russell Douglas Lawlar sold 18,535 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.02, for a total value of $278,395.70. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, VP Stuart Maurice Absolom sold 14,472 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $11.29, for a total value of $163,388.88. Following the transaction, the vice president owned 73,200 shares in the company, valued at $826,428. This represents a 16.51% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold a total of 181,379 shares of company stock valued at $2,667,365 over the last three months. Company insiders own 0.62% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Comerica Bank acquired a new position in shares of Hecla Mining during the 1st quarter worth $2,964,000. Dark Forest Capital Management LP raised its position in Hecla Mining by 146.8% during the first quarter. Dark Forest Capital Management LP now owns 647,748 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $3,601,000 after acquiring an additional 385,283 shares during the last quarter. Martingale Asset Management L P purchased a new position in shares of Hecla Mining during the 1st quarter worth approximately $187,000. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Hecla Mining by 2.3% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 62,830,935 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $349,340,000 after purchasing an additional 1,437,895 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Pale Fire Capital SE purchased a new stake in Hecla Mining in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $41,360,000. 63.01% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Hecla Mining

(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.

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American Healthcare REIT (NYSE:AHR  Get Free Report) had its price objective upped by equities research analysts at KeyCorp from $43.00 to $55.00 in a research note issued on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an overweight rating on the stock. KeyCorps price target would indicate a potential upside of 14.71% from the stocks previous close.

AHR has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Zacks Research upgraded shares of American Healthcare REIT from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, October 17th. Robert W. Baird initiated coverage on shares of American Healthcare REIT in a report on Friday, July 18th. They issued an outperform rating and a $41.00 price target on the stock. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of American Healthcare REIT in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Truist Financial upped their price target on American Healthcare REIT from $44.00 to $46.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 26th. Finally, Scotiabank restated an outperform rating on shares of American Healthcare REIT in a research report on Thursday, August 28th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $48.60.

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American Healthcare REIT Stock Performance

Insider Buying and Selling at American Healthcare REIT

Shares of AHR traded up $0.08 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $47.95. The companys stock had a trading volume of 510,221 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,602,195. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $43.35 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $39.22. The stock has a market cap of $8.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 342.61, a PEG ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 0.98. The company has a current ratio of 0.44, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. American Healthcare REIT has a 1-year low of $26.11 and a 1-year high of $50.51.

In related news, Director Jeffrey T. Hanson sold 20,010 shares of American Healthcare REIT stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.68, for a total value of $994,096.80. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 21,798 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,082,924.64. This trade represents a 47.86% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Mark E. Foster sold 1,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.35, for a total value of $74,025.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 57,600 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,842,560. This trade represents a 2.54% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold 25,360 shares of company stock worth $1,229,398 over the last ninety days. 0.92% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On American Healthcare REIT

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Fortis Group Advisors LLC increased its stake in American Healthcare REIT by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter. Fortis Group Advisors LLC now owns 27,565 shares of the companys stock worth $1,235,000 after acquiring an additional 209 shares during the last quarter. Optiver Holding B.V. raised its position in shares of American Healthcare REIT by 83.1% during the 3rd quarter. Optiver Holding B.V. now owns 652 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 296 shares in the last quarter. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS lifted its stake in American Healthcare REIT by 0.9% in the third quarter. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS now owns 33,300 shares of the companys stock worth $1,406,000 after acquiring an additional 300 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its stake in American Healthcare REIT by 22.1% in the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,716 shares of the companys stock worth $63,000 after buying an additional 311 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC boosted its position in American Healthcare REIT by 1.4% during the 2nd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 29,300 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,086,000 after acquiring an additional 393 shares in the last quarter. 16.68% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About American Healthcare REIT

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Formed by the successful merger of Griffin-American Healthcare REIT III and Griffin-American Healthcare REIT IV, as well as the acquisition of the business and operations of American Healthcare Investors, American Healthcare REIT is one of the larger healthcare-focused real estate investment trusts globally with assets totaling approximately $4.2 billion in gross investment value.

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McGraw Hill (NYSE:MH  Get Free Report) had its price objective lifted by equities research analysts at UBS Group from $15.00 to $16.00 in a report issued on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a neutral rating on the stock. UBS Groups target price would suggest a potential upside of 6.99% from the stocks current price.

Several other analysts also recently issued reports on the company. Robert W. Baird initiated coverage on McGraw Hill in a research note on Monday, August 18th. They issued an outperform rating and a $21.00 price target for the company. Weiss Ratings started coverage on shares of McGraw Hill in a report on Friday, October 17th. They issued a sell (e+) rating for the company. BTIG Research reiterated a buy rating and issued a $19.00 price target on shares of McGraw Hill in a research report on Thursday. Rothschild & Co Redburn assumed coverage on McGraw Hill in a research report on Monday, August 18th. They set a buy rating and a $28.60 price target on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley started coverage on McGraw Hill in a research report on Monday, August 18th. They issued an overweight rating and a $20.00 price target on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating, two have given 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 Moderate Buy and an average target price of $20.72.

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McGraw Hill Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:MH traded up $0.87 on Thursday, hitting $14.96. The stock had a trading volume of 536,913 shares, compared to its average volume of 805,909. The company has a 50 day moving average of $12.84. McGraw Hill has a twelve month low of $10.69 and a twelve month high of $17.25.

McGraw Hill (NYSE:MH  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 12th. The company reported $1.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.35 by $1.05. The company had revenue of $669.19 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $638.76 million. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 2.8% compared to the same quarter last year. McGraw Hill has set its FY 2026 guidance at EPS.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On McGraw Hill

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. bought a new stake in shares of McGraw Hill in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Legal & General Group Plc bought a new position in McGraw Hill in the 3rd quarter worth $30,000. Strs Ohio purchased a new position in shares of McGraw Hill in the third quarter worth $54,000. Greenland Capital Management LP bought a new stake in shares of McGraw Hill in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $131,000. Finally, GSA Capital Partners LLP bought a new stake in shares of McGraw Hill during the third quarter worth $147,000.

McGraw Hill Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

At McGraw Hill, our purpose is to unlock the potential of each learner at every stage of life. Our mission is to support educators, learners and professionals around the world with trusted, high-quality content and digital solutions that use data and learning science to adapt to each student as they progress towards their goals.

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Mettler-Toledo International (NYSE:MTD  Free Report) had its price target boosted by Stifel Nicolaus from $1,450.00 to $1,600.00 in a research report report published on Monday,Benzinga reports. They currently have a buy rating on the medical instruments suppliers stock.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently weighed in on the stock. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Mettler-Toledo International in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on shares of Mettler-Toledo International from $1,200.00 to $1,285.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Barclays raised their target price on Mettler-Toledo International from $1,325.00 to $1,350.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, October 2nd. Evercore ISI boosted their price target on Mettler-Toledo International from $1,275.00 to $1,400.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. Finally, Citigroup increased their price objective on Mettler-Toledo International from $1,400.00 to $1,600.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 21st. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $1,406.50.

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Mettler-Toledo International Stock Up 0.3%

NYSE MTD opened at $1,448.86 on Monday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $1,330.14 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $1,244.83. Mettler-Toledo International has a 12-month low of $946.69 and a 12-month high of $1,471.07. The firm has a market cap of $29.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.69, a PEG ratio of 4.19 and a beta of 1.41.

Mettler-Toledo International (NYSE:MTD  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The medical instruments supplier reported $11.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $10.62 by $0.53. The business had revenue of $1.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $997.36 million. Mettler-Toledo International had a negative return on equity of 476.07% and a net margin of 21.46%.Mettler-Toledo Internationals revenue for the quarter was up 7.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $10.21 EPS. Mettler-Toledo International has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 12.680-12.880 EPS. FY 2025 guidance at 42.050-42.250 EPS. Equities analysts expect that Mettler-Toledo International will post 42.71 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Mettler-Toledo International news, CFO Shawn Vadala sold 300 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,325.00, for a total transaction of $397,500.00. Following the transaction, 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 transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 1.94% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Mettler-Toledo International

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Mettler-Toledo International by 1.3% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,591,173 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $3,180,950,000 after purchasing an additional 34,466 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its position in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 71.3% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 904,264 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $1,062,257,000 after buying an additional 376,419 shares during the period. Alliancebernstein L.P. increased its stake in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 717,449 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $842,802,000 after acquiring an additional 8,121 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Mettler-Toledo International by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 581,847 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $681,489,000 after acquiring an additional 3,383 shares during the period. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its stake in Mettler-Toledo International by 5.5% during the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 481,011 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $568,032,000 after acquiring an additional 25,272 shares in the last quarter. 95.07% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Mettler-Toledo International Company Profile

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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.

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Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp boosted its holdings in Credicorp Ltd. (NYSE:BAP  Free Report) by 654.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 232,547 shares of the banks stock after buying an additional 201,724 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corps holdings in Credicorp were worth $51,979,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of BAP. SVB Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Credicorp during the 1st quarter valued at $35,000. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. bought a new stake in Credicorp in the first quarter valued at about $40,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in Credicorp by 33.5% in the second quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 283 shares of the banks stock valued at $63,000 after buying an additional 71 shares during the period. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. bought a new position in Credicorp during the first quarter worth about $78,000. Finally, Advisors Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in Credicorp during the first quarter worth about $88,000. 89.81% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts recently weighed in on BAP shares. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Credicorp from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, September 26th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b+) rating on shares of Credicorp in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised Credicorp from a sell rating to a neutral rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $174.00 to $225.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 24th. UBS Group boosted their target price on Credicorp from $257.00 to $318.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 16th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Credicorp from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, August 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Credicorp currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $256.20.

Credicorp Trading Up 1.6%

NYSE BAP opened at $262.33 on Thursday. Credicorp Ltd. has a 52 week low of $165.51 and a 52 week high of $280.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a current ratio of 1.08. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $261.21 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $237.65. The stock has a market capitalization of $20.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.43, a PEG ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 1.09.

Credicorp (NYSE:BAP  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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. Credicorp had a net margin of 23.22% and a return on equity of 17.94%. The company had revenue of $1.58 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.52 billion. As a group, analysts anticipate that Credicorp Ltd. will post 21.9 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Credicorp Company Profile

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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.

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Molina Healthcare, Inc (NYSE:MOH  Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week low during trading on Thursday after Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on the stock from $231.00 to $165.00. Wells Fargo & Company currently has an overweight rating on the stock. Molina Healthcare traded as low as $138.65 and last traded at $140.4970, with a volume of 63437 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $141.03.

Several other research firms have also issued reports on MOH. Truist Financial set a $175.00 price target on shares of Molina Healthcare in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Sanford C. Bernstein lowered their price target on Molina Healthcare from $284.00 to $220.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, September 5th. Morgan Stanley set a $158.00 price objective on shares of Molina Healthcare in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $165.00 price objective on Molina Healthcare in a report on Friday, October 24th. Finally, UBS Group cut their price target on Molina Healthcare from $180.00 to $170.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 24th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Molina Healthcare presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $198.93.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Molina Healthcare

Molina Healthcare Stock Down 0.2%

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Molina Healthcare by 2.8% in the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 15,945 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,252,000 after acquiring an additional 431 shares during the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP grew its position in Molina Healthcare by 52.0% in the first quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 228 shares of the companys stock valued at $72,000 after acquiring an additional 78 shares during the period. Alps Advisors Inc. raised its position in Molina Healthcare by 14.0% in the 1st quarter. Alps Advisors Inc. now owns 1,140 shares of the companys stock worth $376,000 after purchasing an additional 140 shares during the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Molina Healthcare by 67.0% during the first quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 19,372 shares of the companys stock worth $6,381,000 after purchasing an additional 7,774 shares during the period. Finally, CWM LLC lifted its holdings in Molina Healthcare by 108.7% during the first quarter. CWM LLC now owns 17,704 shares of the companys stock worth $5,832,000 after acquiring an additional 9,220 shares in the last quarter. 98.50% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 1.68 and a quick ratio of 1.68. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $177.69 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $221.81. The company has a market capitalization of $7.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.73 and a beta of 0.55.

Molina Healthcare (NYSE:MOH  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The company reported $1.84 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.97 by ($2.13). The company had revenue of $11.48 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.99 billion. Molina Healthcare had a return on equity of 22.95% and a net margin of 1.98%.The businesss quarterly revenue was up 11.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $6.01 EPS. Molina Healthcare has set its FY 2025 guidance at 14.000-14.000 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Molina Healthcare, Inc will post 24.4 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About Molina Healthcare

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Molina Healthcare, Inc provides managed healthcare services to low-income families and individuals under the Medicaid and Medicare programs and through the state insurance marketplaces. It operates in four segments: Medicaid, Medicare, Marketplace, and Other. The company served in across 19 states. The company was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Long Beach, California.

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Desjardins upgraded shares of National Bank of Canada (TSE:NA  Free Report) from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a report issued on Tuesday,Zacks.com reports. Desjardins also issued estimates for National Bank of Canadas FY2027 earnings at $13.00 EPS.

Several other brokerages also recently weighed in on NA. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price target on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$152.00 to C$148.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, August 28th. Barclays increased their target price on National Bank of Canada from C$141.00 to C$147.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, August 14th. Cibc World Mkts raised National Bank of Canada from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, August 1st. CIBC increased their price objective on National Bank of Canada from C$151.00 to C$154.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, September 5th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group decreased their target price on National Bank of Canada from C$157.00 to C$153.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, August 28th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of C$146.92.

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National Bank of Canada Price Performance

National Bank of Canada Announces Dividend

NA stock traded down C$0.94 during trading on Tuesday, hitting C$162.09. 1,398,800 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,824,410. The stock has a market cap of C$63.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 7.14 and a beta of 1.08. National Bank of Canada has a 1 year low of C$106.67 and a 1 year high of C$163.44. The firms 50 day moving average is C$152.19 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$142.88.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Saturday, November 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 29th were given a dividend of $1.18 per share. This represents a $4.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.9%. National Bank of Canadas payout ratio is currently 44.93%.

National Bank of Canada Company Profile

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National Bank of Canada is the sixth-largest Canadian bank. The bank offers integrated financial services, primarily in the province of Quebec as well as the city of Toronto. Operational segments include personal and commercial banking, wealth management, and a financial markets group.

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PFG Advisors purchased a new position in shares of Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm purchased 1,979 shares of the oil and gas companys stock, valued at approximately $266,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. CWM LLC raised its stake in Valero Energy by 61.3% in the 1st quarter. CWM LLC now owns 39,645 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $5,236,000 after purchasing an additional 15,063 shares during the last quarter. Wealthfront Advisers LLC grew its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 5.8% during the first quarter. Wealthfront Advisers LLC now owns 76,369 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $10,086,000 after buying an additional 4,172 shares in the last quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC raised its position in shares of Valero Energy by 7.8% in the first quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 5,690 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $751,000 after buying an additional 411 shares during the last quarter. Tectonic Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 12.8% during the first quarter. Tectonic Advisors LLC now owns 5,263 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $695,000 after buying an additional 596 shares during the period. Finally, Parcion Private Wealth LLC boosted its position in Valero Energy by 53.9% during the first quarter. Parcion Private Wealth LLC now owns 2,614 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $345,000 after acquiring an additional 915 shares during the last quarter. 78.69% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

VLO has been the subject of several analyst reports. UBS Group reiterated a buy rating and issued a $183.00 price target on shares of Valero Energy in a report on Friday, October 24th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on Valero Energy from $216.00 to $220.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday. Erste Group Bank started coverage on Valero Energy in a research note on Monday. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Raymond James Financial restated a strong-buy rating and issued a $195.00 price target (up previously from $181.00) on shares of Valero Energy in a report on Friday, October 24th. Finally, Piper Sandler increased their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $200.00 to $201.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. Two 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 companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $179.53.

Valero Energy Price Performance

VLO stock opened at $177.25 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $54.06 billion, a PE ratio of 37.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.77 and a beta of 1.01. The company has a current ratio of 1.60, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $165.85 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $146.71. Valero Energy Corporation has a 12-month low of $99.00 and a 12-month high of $182.99.

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 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.15 by $0.51. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 8.69% and a net margin of 1.21%.The company had revenue of $32.17 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $28.80 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.14 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was down 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts predict that Valero Energy Corporation will post 7.92 EPS for the current year.

Valero Energy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 18th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 20th will be given a dividend of $1.13 per share. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 20th. Valero Energys payout ratio is 94.36%.

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.

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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).

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CCL Industries (TSE:CCL.B  Get Free Report) had its target price hoisted by equities researchers at Raymond James Financial from C$90.00 to C$95.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday,BayStreet.CA reports. Raymond James Financials price objective would suggest a potential upside of 7.77% from the stocks current price.

CCL.B has been the topic of several other reports. National Bankshares lifted their target price on CCL Industries from C$94.00 to C$96.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, August 15th. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price objective on CCL Industries from C$90.00 to C$94.00 in a research report on Thursday. Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on shares of CCL Industries from C$92.00 to C$103.00 in a report on Thursday. BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on shares of CCL Industries from C$91.00 to C$95.00 in a research report on Friday, August 15th. Finally, Scotiabank raised their price objective on shares of CCL Industries from C$91.00 to C$94.00 in a report on Thursday. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of C$95.88.

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CCL Industries Trading Up 0.9%

About CCL Industries

Shares of TSE:CCL.B traded up C$0.78 during trading on Thursday, hitting C$88.15. 287,012 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 294,586. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of C$78.96 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$78.68. CCL Industries has a 1-year low of C$64.93 and a 1-year high of C$89.06. The firm has a market cap of C$15.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.76, a PEG ratio of 0.26 and a beta of 0.60. The company has a current ratio of 1.96, a quick ratio of 1.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 48.08.

(Get Free Report)

CCL Industries Inc manufactures and sells packaging and packaging-related products. The company operates through various segments, which include The CCL segment, which generates the majority of revenue, sells pressure sensitive and extruded film materials used for labels on consumer packaging, healthcare, automotive, and consumer durable products.

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Cameco (TSE:CCO  Get Free Report) (NYSE:CCJ) had its price objective cut by research analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada from C$160.00 to C$150.00 in a report issued on Thursday,BayStreet.CA reports. Royal Bank Of Canadas target price would suggest a potential upside of 23.97% from the companys previous close.

Several other brokerages also recently weighed in on CCO. Desjardins upped their target price on shares of Cameco from C$105.00 to C$110.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, August 1st. TD Securities lifted their target price on Cameco from C$142.00 to C$150.00 in a research note on Thursday. Scotiabank raised their target price on shares of Cameco from C$130.00 to C$150.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. National Bankshares upped their price target on shares of Cameco from C$140.00 to C$145.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, UBS Group raised shares of Cameco to a hold rating in a research note on Monday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of C$141.08.

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Cameco Stock Down 6.7%

CCO traded down C$8.68 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching C$121.00. The companys stock had a trading volume of 848,285 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,243,320. Cameco has a 1 year low of C$49.75 and a 1 year high of C$153.59. The stocks 50-day moving average is C$122.23 and its 200-day moving average is C$102.97. The firm has a market capitalization of C$52.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 100.00, a PEG ratio of 2.22 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a current ratio of 2.88, a quick ratio of 3.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.35.

Cameco (TSE:CCO  Get Free Report) (NYSE:CCJ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported C$0.00 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of C$614.56 million for the quarter. Cameco had a net margin of 4.17% and a return on equity of 1.89%.

Cameco Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Cameco is one of the worlds largest uranium producers. When operating at normal production, the flagship McArthur River mine in Saskatchewan accounts for roughly 50% of output in normal market conditions. Amid years of uranium price weakness, the company has reduced production, instead purchasing from the spot market to meet contracted deliveries.

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Siemens AG (OTCMKTS:SIEGY  Get Free Report) gapped down before the market opened on Thursday following a dissappointing earnings announcement. The stock had previously closed at $146.8930, but opened at $137.67. Siemens shares last traded at $136.6080, with a volume of 48,608 shares traded.

The technology company reported $1.22 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.61 by ($0.39). Siemens had a net margin of 12.59% and a return on equity of 12.61%. Siemens has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.080-6.430 EPS.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on SIEGY shares. Erste Group Bank upgraded shares of Siemens to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. Santander lowered shares of Siemens to a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 3rd. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Siemens from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a hold rating on shares of Siemens in a research report on Tuesday, August 12th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein lowered Siemens from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 2nd. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Siemens presently has a consensus rating of Reduce.

Siemens Price Performance

The companys 50-day moving average price is $138.65 and its 200-day moving average price is $131.44. The company has a market cap of $218.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.24, a P/E/G ratio of 3.04 and a beta of 1.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70, a current ratio of 1.50 and a quick ratio of 1.24.

Siemens Company Profile

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Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, a technology company, focuses in the areas of automation and digitalization in Europe, Commonwealth of Independent States, Africa, the Middle East, the Americas, Asia, and Australia. It operates through Digital Industries, Smart Infrastructure, Mobility, Siemens Healthineers, and Siemens Financial Services (SFS) segments.

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TJX Companies (NYSE:TJX  Free Report) had its price target upped by TD Cowen from $160.00 to $162.00 in a research report released on Monday,Benzinga reports. They currently have a buy rating on the apparel and home fashions retailers stock.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently weighed in on the stock. Barclays upped their price target on shares of TJX Companies from $147.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, August 21st. Bank of America lifted their price objective on shares of TJX Companies from $145.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, August 21st. Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on TJX Companies from $143.00 to $152.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, August 21st. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b+) rating on shares of TJX Companies in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Erste Group Bank initiated coverage on shares of TJX Companies in a research note on Friday, September 5th. They issued a buy rating for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-three have issued a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, TJX Companies currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $151.75.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on TJX Companies

TJX Companies Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:TJX opened at $147.38 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $164.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.57, a PEG ratio of 3.14 and a beta of 0.90. The firms 50-day moving average is $142.09 and its 200 day moving average is $133.22. TJX Companies has a 12 month low of $112.10 and a 12 month high of $148.11. The company has a current ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32.

TJX Companies (NYSE:TJX  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 20th. The apparel and home fashions retailer reported $1.10 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.01 by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $14.40 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.12 billion. TJX Companies had a return on equity of 58.63% and a net margin of 8.59%.The companys revenue for the quarter was up 6.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.96 earnings per share. TJX Companies has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.520-4.570 EPS. Q3 2026 guidance at 1.170-1.190 EPS. Research analysts predict that TJX Companies will post 4.18 EPS for the current year.

TJX Companies Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 4th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 13th will be issued a $0.425 dividend. This represents a $1.70 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 13th. TJX Companiess dividend payout ratio is 38.72%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On TJX Companies

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of TJX Companies in the second quarter worth about $1,808,774,000. Nuveen LLC acquired a new position in TJX Companies in the first quarter valued at approximately $1,330,717,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in TJX Companies by 12,417.0% in the 2nd quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 4,057,273 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $501,033,000 after purchasing an additional 4,024,859 shares in the last quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC grew its stake in shares of TJX Companies by 120.7% during the 2nd quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC now owns 5,016,792 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $620,406,000 after purchasing an additional 2,743,676 shares during the period. Finally, ABN AMRO Bank N.V. acquired a new stake in shares of TJX Companies during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $244,687,000. 91.09% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

TJX Companies Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

The TJX Companies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an off-price apparel and home fashions retailer in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. It operates through four segments: Marmaxx, HomeGoods, TJX Canada, and TJX International. The company sells family apparel, including footwear and accessories; home fashions, such as home basics, furniture, rugs, lighting products, giftware, soft home products, decorative accessories, tabletop, and cookware, as well as expanded pet, and gourmet food departments; jewelry and accessories; and other merchandise.

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Wynn Macau, Limited  Unsponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:WYNMY  Get Free Report) passed above its 50-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of $8.68 and traded as high as $8.8225. Wynn Macau shares last traded at $8.8225, with a volume of 239 shares traded.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Citigroup upgraded Wynn Macau from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Buy.

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Wynn Macau Trading Up 2.1%

Wynn Macau Cuts Dividend

The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $8.68 and a 200-day simple moving average of $7.96.

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 1st. Investors of record on Friday, September 5th were paid a dividend of $0.2013 per share. This represents a yield of 417.0%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, September 4th.

About Wynn Macau

(Get Free Report)

Wynn Macau, Limited, through its subsidiaries, engages in the development, ownership, and operation of integrated destination casino resorts in Macau. The company's Wynn Palace resort features approximately 468,000 square feet of casino space providing 24-hour gaming and various games comprising private gaming salons and sky casinos; a luxury hotel with guest rooms, suites, and villas; and food and beverage outlets.

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After nearly 50 years in business, 83-year-old Sonny Baca is ready to close his shop doorsbut not his connection to the town hes helped shape for decades. You just cant afford to run a business anymore, Baca said from his office at Bacas Towing, shaking his head at the rising costs of tires, fuel, and insurance.

Everythings gone completely crazy, and you cant find dependable people. I figure Ill just keep the property and turn it into storage. Something simple, so my wife wont ever have to worry.

That mindfulness of the bigger picture has defined Bacas life. Born and raised in Socorro County, Baca served in the U.S. Army during the Cuban Missile Crisis and early Vietnam years. His pride in service runs deep, but his stories come with a realists edge. We had to go with World War II equipment, he said, chuckling. But people were brave. Nobody was afraid to stand up for what was right.

That same grit carried him into law enforcement. In 1976, during Americas bicentennial, Baca was elected sheriff of Socorro County. Around two years prior, Frank Chavez, owner of the Owl Bar in San Antonio, had been murdered and the case had gone cold. During his campaign, Baca vowed to bring the killers to justice. After being elected, he made good on his promise and cracked the case he said everyone had given up on.

I told them, if I didnt solve Franks case in my first term, I wouldnt run again, Baca said. People said I couldnt break myself out of a paper sack. But we did it.

Baca said the investigation faced resistance from all sidesfrom the DAs office to local judgesbut persistence paid off.

We had to go all the way to Mexico to bring back a witness, he said. When the suspect finally confessed, it wasnt just justice for Frankit was justice for this community.

His law enforcement philosophy was simple and rooted in compassion. If he busted kids partying, hed give them until Sunday, when hed see their parents at church, to tell them what theyd been up to. Because, he said. Who cares for you more than your mother? Your father? You knew the parents. You knew the community. So you took care of the community.

After serving four years as sheriff and a term as undersheriff, Baca left the force when an old Army injury caught up with him. But his sense of duty never wavered. In the early 1980s, he founded Bacas Towing, a business, he said, that was built on honesty, hard work, faith, and the support of his wife Genivive, whom he married in 1967.

Everything we have is because of her and me, he said. Shes my partner in everything. Shes always stood beside me.

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Through the years, Baca also helped preserve local history. When the county considered removing the old Bataan cannon from Socorro Plaza, Baca stepped in to save it.

That cannon meant something, he said. It was dedicated by local men who survived the Bataan Death March. We raised the money ourselves [through Baca Towing], cleaned it up, and set it up again. Its still standing there today.

He remembered when the cannon first arrived, in the mid 50s, he said. He had gone to town and had run into the sheriff, Lee Graner, whom he said was always a larger than life hero in his mind. He said Garner was there, dedicating the cannon, with around 10 original POWs gathered huddled around him, hugging and crying.

I was out there, shining shoes, Baca said. When I got home my mother asked, Whats new in town?, and I told her about the cannon they were putting up. She said, Do you know what that indicates? Son para Bastardos de Bataan. The [Battling] Bastards of Bataan.

When, as an adult, the city wanted to tear the cannon down, Baca said he made a stink about it. He took it to his workshop and restored it. before long townspeople were stopping by with $1, $5, to help the cause. In the end he and his friend, Joe Saavedra, whose father was a POW, raised enough money to not only restore the cannon but install the Veteran memorial that still stands at the Isidro Baca Veterans Park.

Even as he prepares to slow down, his words carry the same conviction thats defined his life.

This countrys always been full of good people, Baca said quietly. Weve just forgotten how to look at each other as Americans.

If you would like to make a recommendation for the Local Legends feature please email jcarranza@dchieftain.com

After nearly 50 years in business, 83-year-old Sonny Baca is ready to close his shop doorsbut not his connection to the town hes helped shape for decades. You just cant afford to run a business anymore, Baca said from his office at Bacas Towing, shaking his head at the rising costs of tires, fuel, and insurance. Everythings gone completely crazy, and you cant find dependable people. I figure Ill just keep the property and turn it into storage. Something simple, so my wife wont ever have to worry.That mindfulness of the bigger picture has defined Bacas life. Born and raised in Socorro County, Baca served in the U.S. Army during the Cuban Missile Crisis and early Vietnam years. His pride in service runs deep, but his stories come with a realists edge. We had to go with World War II equipment, he said, chuckling. But people were brave. Nobody was afraid to stand up for what was right.That same grit carried him into law enforcement. In 1976, during Americas bicentennial, Baca was elected sheriff of Socorro County. Around two years prior, Frank Chavez, owner of the Owl Bar in San Antonio, had been murdered and the case had gone cold. During his campaign, Baca vowed to bring the killers to justice. After being elected, he made good on his promise and cracked the case he said everyone had given up on.I told them, if I didnt solve Franks case in my first term, I wouldnt run again, Baca said. People said I couldnt break myself out of a paper sack. But we did it.Baca said the investigation faced resistance from all sidesfrom the DAs office to local judgesbut persistence paid off. We had to go all the way to Mexico to bring back a witness, he said. When the suspect finally confessed, it wasnt just justice for Frankit was justice for this community.His law enforcement philosophy was simple and rooted in compassion. If he busted kids partying, hed give them until Sunday, when hed see their parents at church, to tell them what theyd been up to. Because, he said. Who cares for you more than your mother? Your father? You knew the parents. You knew the community. So you took care of the community.After serving four years as sheriff and a term as undersheriff, Baca left the force when an old Army injury caught up with him. But his sense of duty never wavered. In the early 1980s, he founded Bacas Towing, a business, he said, that was built on honesty, hard work, faith, and the support of his wife Genivive, whom he married in 1967. Everything we have is because of her and me, he said. Shes my partner in everything. Shes always stood beside me.Through the years, Baca also helped preserve local history. When the county considered removing the old Bataan cannon from Socorro Plaza, Baca stepped in to save it. That cannon meant something, he said. It was dedicated by local men who survived the Bataan Death March. We raised the money ourselves [through Baca Towing], cleaned it up, and set it up again. Its still standing there today.He remembered when the cannon first arrived, in the mid 50s, he said. He had gone to town and had run into the sheriff, Lee Graner, whom he said was always a larger than life hero in his mind. He said Garner was there, dedicating the cannon, with around 10 original POWs gathered huddled around him, hugging and crying. I was out there, shining shoes, Baca said. When I got home my mother asked, Whats new in town?, and I told her about the cannon they were putting up. She said, Do you know what that indicates? Son para Bastardos de Bataan. The [Battling] Bastards of Bataan. When, as an adult, the city wanted to tear the cannon down, Baca said he made a stink about it. He took it to his workshop and restored it. before long townspeople were stopping by with $1, $5, to help the cause. In the end he and his friend, Joe Saavedra, whose father was a POW, raised enough money to not only restore the cannon but install the Veteran memorial that still stands at the Isidro Baca Veterans Park. Even as he prepares to slow down, his words carry the same conviction thats defined his life. This countrys always been full of good people, Baca said quietly. Weve just forgotten how to look at each other as Americans.If you would like to make a recommendation for the Local Legends feature please email jcarranza@dchieftain.com
Every November, the United States observes Native American Heritage Montha time dedicated to recognizing the rich histories, diverse cultures, and invaluable contributions of North Americas Indigenous peoples. Its more than a month of remembrance; its an opportunity to deepen understanding, celebrate living traditions, and acknowledge the resilience of the countrys 574 distinct sovereign tribal nations.

The roots of Native American Heritage Month trace back over a century. In the early 1900s, Dr. Arthur C. Parker, a Seneca Indian and one of the first Native American archaeologists, advocated for a day to honor the First Americans. His effortsand those of organizations like the American Indian Associationled to the first American Indian Day in 1916, proclaimed by the governor of New York. Over time, other states followed, and in 1990, President George H. W. Bush officially declared November as National American Indian Heritage Month, now more commonly called Native American Heritage Month.

Throughout the month, communities across the country host powwows, storytelling events, art exhibits, and lectures celebrating Native languages, music, and traditions. These celebrations highlight that Native cultures are not relics of the pastthey are living, evolving, and vibrant. From the Navajo Nations weaving and silversmithing traditions to the Pueblo peoples pottery and ceremonial dances, Indigenous creativity continues to inspire art, fashion, and design worldwide.

Its also a time to reflect on the deeper truths of American history. Native Americans have endured centuries of displacement, cultural suppression and broken treaties. Yet their resilience has preserved not only their heritage but also invaluable ecological knowledge, spiritual wisdom and stewardship practices that continue to benefit the planet today. Many sustainable agricultural techniques, medicinal plant uses and environmental conservation methods have roots in Indigenous science.

Education plays a central role in honoring this month. Schools and communities have started to move beyond stereotypes and inaccurate storytelling to include real Native voices and experiences in their curriculums. Learning about the hundreds of distinct tribes across North Americaeach with its own language, governance, and traditionshelps replace misconceptions with respect and understanding.

Native American Heritage Month is also an invitation to support Native-led organizations, artists and entrepreneurs who continue to strengthen their communities, especially in New Mexico. Buying directly from Native artisans, visiting tribal museums, or attending cultural events helps ensure that these stories and traditions thrive for future generations.

As the nation reflects this November, its important to remember that honoring Native heritage isnt confined to one monthits a year-round commitment to learning, listening and building respect. The history of this land is deeply intertwined with the histories of its first peoples. Their stories are not just part of Americas pastthey are essential to its present and future.

By celebrating Native American Heritage Month with openness and curiosity, we not only honor the legacies of Indigenous communities but also recognize that their wisdom and culture continue to shape and enrich the shared story of this nation.
Accredited Investors Inc. grew its holdings in Visa Inc. (NYSE:V  Free Report) by 13.8% in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 6,871 shares of the credit-card processors stock after buying an additional 835 shares during the quarter. Accredited Investors Inc.s holdings in Visa were worth $2,440,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

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A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in V. Keystone Global Partners LLC purchased a new position in Visa during the first quarter valued at $26,000. Family Legacy Financial Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in Visa in the 2nd quarter worth about $28,000. Harbor Asset Planning Inc. purchased a new stake in Visa during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Cranbrook Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Visa by 82.0% during the second 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 during the last quarter. Finally, Hoese & Co LLP purchased a new position in shares of Visa in the second quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.15% of the companys stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Visa

In other news, Director Lloyd Carney sold 900 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $336.48, for a total transaction of $302,832.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 2,468 shares of the companys stock, valued at $830,432.64. The trade was a 26.72% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, CEO Ryan Mcinerney sold 10,485 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $341.00, for a total value of $3,575,385.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 537 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $183,117. The trade was a 95.13% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold a total of 23,897 shares of company stock worth $8,164,561 in the last quarter. 0.13% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently commented on the company. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded Visa to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Citigroup raised shares of Visa to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on shares of Visa in a research note on Thursday, July 17th. They issued a buy rating and a $410.00 price target on the stock. Macquarie lowered their price target on shares of Visa from $425.00 to $410.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, KeyCorp reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $405.00 price objective on shares of Visa in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Four 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. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $400.00.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on V

Visa Stock Performance

Shares of V opened at $339.00 on Thursday. Visa Inc. has a 1 year low of $299.00 and a 1 year high of $375.51. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $342.72 and its 200 day simple moving average is $348.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a current ratio of 1.08. The company has a market capitalization of $621.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.20, a PEG ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 0.87.

Visa (NYSE:V  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The credit-card processor reported $2.98 EPS 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 the consensus estimate of $10.60 billion. Visa had a return on equity of 60.31% and a net margin of 50.15%.The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.71 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Visa Inc. will post 11.3 EPS for the current year.

Visa Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 12th will be paid a dividend of $0.67 per share. This is an increase from Visas previous quarterly dividend of $0.59. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, November 12th. Visas payout ratio is 23.11%.

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.

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Agree Realty (NYSE:ADC  Get Free Report) and American Assets Trust (NYSE:AAT  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, valuation, profitability, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, risk and dividends.

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Institutional & Insider Ownership

97.8% of Agree Realty shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 90.4% of American Assets Trust shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.8% of Agree Realty shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 36.8% of American Assets Trust shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Agree Realty and American Assets Trusts revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Agree Realty $688.64 million 12.24 $189.20 million $1.71 42.88 American Assets Trust $439.58 million 2.70 $72.82 million $1.01 19.21

Agree Realty has higher revenue and earnings than American Assets Trust. American Assets Trust is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Agree Realty, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

This table compares Agree Realty and American Assets Trusts net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Agree Realty 28.11% 3.52% 2.16% American Assets Trust 13.98% 5.43% 2.03%

Dividends

Agree Realty pays an annual dividend of $3.14 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.3%. American Assets Trust pays an annual dividend of $1.36 per share and has a dividend yield of 7.0%. Agree Realty pays out 183.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. American Assets Trust pays out 134.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Agree Realty has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years and American Assets Trust has raised its dividend for 4 consecutive years. American Assets Trust is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Risk and Volatility

Agree Realty has a beta of 0.55, meaning that its stock price is 45% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, American Assets Trust has a beta of 1.2, meaning that its stock price is 20% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for Agree Realty and American Assets Trust, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Agree Realty 0 7 9 0 2.56 American Assets Trust 0 3 0 0 2.00

Agree Realty presently has a consensus price target of $80.73, indicating a potential upside of 10.10%. American Assets Trust has a consensus price target of $20.50, indicating a potential upside of 5.64%. Given Agree Realtys stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Agree Realty is more favorable than American Assets Trust.

Summary

Agree Realty beats American Assets Trust on 11 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Agree Realty

(Get Free Report)

Agree Realty Corporation is a publicly traded real estate investment trust that is RETHINKING RETAIL through the acquisition and development of properties net leased to industry-leading, omni-channel retail tenants. As of December 31, 2023, the Company owned and operated a portfolio of 2,135 properties, located in 49 states and containing approximately 44.2 million square feet of gross leasable area. The Company's common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "ADC".

About American Assets Trust

(Get Free Report)

American Assets Trust, Inc. is a full service, vertically integrated and self-administered real estate investment trust ("REIT"), headquartered in San Diego, California. The company has over 55 years of experience in acquiring, improving, developing and managing premier office, retail, and residential properties throughout the United States in some of the nation's most dynamic, high-barrier-to-entry markets primarily in Southern California, Northern California, Washington, Oregon, Texas and Hawaii. The company's office portfolio comprises approximately 4.1 million rentable square feet, and its retail portfolio comprises approximately 3.1 million rentable square feet. In addition, the company owns one mixed-use property (including approximately 94,000 rentable square feet of retail space and a 369-room all-suite hotel) and 2,110 multifamily units. In 2011, the company was formed to succeed to the real estate business of American Assets, Inc., a privately held corporation founded in 1967 and, as such, has significant experience, long-standing relationships and extensive knowledge of its core markets, submarkets and asset classes.

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Avalon Trust Co reduced its holdings in shares of Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS  Free Report) by 20.0% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 8,000 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 2,000 shares during the quarter. Avalon Trust Cos holdings in Morgan Stanley were worth $1,127,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

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A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in MS. Meadow Creek Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in Morgan Stanley by 2.5% during the 2nd quarter. Meadow Creek Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,799 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $394,000 after buying an additional 69 shares in the last quarter. Gallagher Capital Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Morgan Stanley by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter. Gallagher Capital Advisors LLC now owns 9,969 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,420,000 after acquiring an additional 70 shares in the last quarter. McLean Asset Management Corp increased its position in shares of Morgan Stanley by 2.5% in the second quarter. McLean Asset Management Corp now owns 3,007 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $430,000 after acquiring an additional 73 shares during the last quarter. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. raised its holdings in Morgan Stanley by 1.5% during the second quarter. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. now owns 5,022 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $707,000 after acquiring an additional 75 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Congress Park Capital LLC raised its holdings in Morgan Stanley by 2.4% during the second quarter. Congress Park Capital LLC now owns 3,250 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $458,000 after acquiring an additional 75 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 84.19% of the companys stock.

Insider Activity at Morgan Stanley

In other news, CEO Edward Pick sold 100,000 shares of Morgan Stanley stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $164.34, for a total value of $16,434,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 574,986 shares in the company, valued at approximately $94,493,199.24. The trade was a 14.82% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.19% of the companys stock.

Morgan Stanley Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE MS opened at $169.86 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.30, a current ratio of 0.78 and a quick ratio of 0.78. The firm has a market cap of $269.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.42, a P/E/G ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 1.33. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $159.18 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $144.31. Morgan Stanley has a one year low of $94.33 and a one year high of $171.77.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 15th. The financial services provider reported $2.80 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.07 by $0.73. Morgan Stanley had a net margin of 13.85% and a return on equity of 16.55%. The company had revenue of $18.22 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16.42 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.88 earnings per share. Morgan Stanleys quarterly revenue was up 18.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts forecast that Morgan Stanley will post 8.56 EPS for the current year.

Morgan Stanley Announces Dividend

The firm 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 $1.00 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 31st. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.4%. Morgan Stanleys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 41.03%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have weighed in on MS. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on Morgan Stanley from $175.00 to $186.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their target price on shares of Morgan Stanley from $145.00 to $171.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Morgan Stanley from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. Barclays increased their price target on shares of Morgan Stanley from $156.00 to $183.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Finally, Evercore ISI lifted their price objective on shares of Morgan Stanley from $165.00 to $175.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Morgan Stanley presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $168.23.

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Morgan Stanley Company Profile

(Free Report)

Morgan Stanley, a financial holding company, provides various financial products and services to corporations, governments, financial institutions, and individuals in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. It operates through Institutional Securities, Wealth Management, and Investment Management segments.

Further Reading

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Avalon Trust Co lowered its holdings in The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW  Free Report) by 15.9% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 7,000 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 1,320 shares during the period. Avalon Trust Cos holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $639,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

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Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Brighton Jones LLC grew its stake in Charles Schwab by 380.5% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 24,240 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,794,000 after acquiring an additional 19,195 shares in the last quarter. Bleakley Financial Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Charles Schwab by 4.3% during the first quarter. Bleakley Financial Group LLC now owns 26,426 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,069,000 after purchasing an additional 1,082 shares during the period. Sigma Planning Corp grew its position in Charles Schwab by 58.1% during the first quarter. Sigma Planning Corp now owns 13,516 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,058,000 after purchasing an additional 4,965 shares in the last quarter. Apollon Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Charles Schwab by 5.6% in the 1st quarter. Apollon Wealth Management LLC now owns 37,719 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,953,000 after buying an additional 1,985 shares during the period. Finally, OVERSEA CHINESE BANKING Corp Ltd acquired a new position in Charles Schwab in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $331,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.38% of the companys stock.

Insider Activity

In other news, General Counsel Peter J. Morgan III sold 50,016 shares of Charles Schwab 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 transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Paul V. Woolway sold 3,205 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $93.33, for a total value of $299,122.65. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 34,778 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,245,830.74. This represents a 8.44% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 65,866 shares of company stock valued at $6,370,897. 6.30% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently commented on SCHW shares. Citigroup boosted their price target on shares of Charles Schwab from $105.00 to $110.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, July 21st. JMP Securities reissued a market outperform rating and set a $110.00 price objective on shares of Charles Schwab in a research report on Friday, October 17th. 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 research report on Friday, October 17th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of Charles Schwab in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Raymond James Financial reissued an outperform rating and issued a $99.00 price target on shares of Charles Schwab in a research note on Friday, July 18th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $106.45.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Charles Schwab

Charles Schwab Trading Up 1.7%

Shares of SCHW stock opened at $97.71 on Thursday. The Charles Schwab Corporation has a 12 month low of $65.88 and a 12 month high of $99.59. The company has a market cap of $173.63 billion, a PE ratio of 22.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 1.02. 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 businesss 50 day moving average is $94.06 and its two-hundred day moving average is $92.23.

Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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 during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.93 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.71 EPS. Charles Schwabs quarterly revenue was up 26.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts predict that The Charles Schwab Corporation will post 4.22 EPS for the current year.

Charles Schwab announced that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback program on Thursday, July 24th that permits the company to repurchase $20.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the financial services provider to buy up to 11.6% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are generally a sign that the companys management believes its shares are undervalued.

Charles Schwab Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 14th will be issued a dividend of $0.27 per share. This represents a $1.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 14th. Charles Schwabs dividend payout ratio is 25.29%.

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.

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Avalon Trust Co raised its holdings in shares of The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV  Free Report) by 23.4% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 7,541 shares of the insurance providers stock after buying an additional 1,429 shares during the quarter. Avalon Trust Cos holdings in Travelers Companies were worth $2,018,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

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Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. D Orazio & Associates Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Travelers Companies by 14.9% in the 2nd quarter. D Orazio & Associates Inc. now owns 1,429 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $382,000 after purchasing an additional 185 shares in the last quarter. ABN Amro Investment Solutions purchased a new stake in Travelers Companies in the second quarter worth approximately $954,000. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey grew its position in Travelers Companies by 4.6% during the second quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey now owns 34,358 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $9,192,000 after acquiring an additional 1,506 shares during the last quarter. Bailard Inc. raised its stake in shares of Travelers Companies by 5.2% during the second quarter. Bailard Inc. now owns 4,685 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $1,253,000 after acquiring an additional 231 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Travelers Companies by 1.0% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 5,541,819 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $1,481,805,000 after acquiring an additional 54,363 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.45% of the companys stock.

Travelers Companies Trading Up 0.1%

TRV opened at $286.19 on Thursday. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has a one year low of $230.23 and a one year high of $288.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 0.35 and a quick ratio of 0.35. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $274.91 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $269.31. The firm has a market capitalization of $63.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.25, a PEG ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 0.55.

Travelers Companies Announces Dividend

Travelers Companies ( NYSE:TRV Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 16th. The insurance provider reported $8.14 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $6.01 by $2.13. The firm had revenue of $11.47 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.15 billion. Travelers Companies had a return on equity of 20.28% and a net margin of 12.14%.The businesss quarterly revenue was up 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $5.24 EPS. Analysts predict that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 17.02 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 10th will be issued a $1.10 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 10th. This represents a $4.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.5%. Travelers Companiess payout ratio is 17.30%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Travelers Companies

In other Travelers Companies news, EVP Mojgan M. Lefebvre sold 16,820 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, August 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $277.54, for a total transaction of $4,668,222.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Michael Frederick Klein sold 8,572 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $270.73, for a total transaction of $2,320,697.56. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 33,638 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,106,815.74. This represents a 20.31% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 50,392 shares of company stock valued at $13,945,170. 1.46% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Travelers Companies from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Barclays set a $313.00 target price on shares of Travelers Companies in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Citigroup initiated coverage on shares of Travelers Companies in a research report on Wednesday, August 13th. They set a neutral rating and a $291.00 price target for the company. Wall Street Zen cut Travelers Companies from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Sunday, October 19th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on Travelers Companies from $289.00 to $297.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Travelers Companies has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $291.31.

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About Travelers Companies

(Free Report)

The Travelers Companies, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides a range of commercial and personal property, and casualty insurance products and services to businesses, government units, associations, and individuals in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Business Insurance, Bond & Specialty Insurance, and Personal Insurance.

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Volatility & Risk

Teijin has a beta of 0.18, indicating that its share price is 82% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Teijins peers have a beta of 3.35, indicating that their average share price is 235% more volatile than the S&P 500.

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Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Teijin and its peers top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Teijin $6.60 billion $187.09 million 218.50 Teijin Competitors $6.40 billion $605.04 million -4.90

Teijin has higher revenue, but lower earnings than its peers. Teijin is trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more expensive than other companies in its industry.

Dividends

Profitability

Teijin pays an annual dividend of $0.24 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.7%. Teijin pays out 600.0% 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, TEXTILE  APPAREL companies pay a dividend yield of 1.9% and pay out 32.2% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

This table compares Teijin and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Teijin N/A N/A N/A Teijin Competitors 4.28% -37.60% 5.19%

Institutional & Insider Ownership

65.8% of shares of all TEXTILE  APPAREL companies are held by institutional investors. 19.2% of shares of all TEXTILE  APPAREL companies are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Teijin peers beat Teijin on 7 of the 11 factors compared.

Teijin Company Profile

(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.

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The Dictionary of Irish Biography has expanded its open-access database with the publication of 29 new entries.

The latest update includes an eclectic range of noteworthy individuals from across the spectrum of Irish society, featuring 28 brand new biographies and one extensive revision of an existing entry, including two figures with connections to Derry.

Derry man Glen Barr, who passed away in 2017, was a prominent loyalist politician and a co-founder of the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) and famously served as the chairman of the 1974 Ulster Workers Council (UWC) strike and became a leading advocate for peace and reconciliation in Derry.

In 2005 Barr was made an officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his community work. In his later years he spoke to researchers, attended witness seminars and was regarded by loyalists as an elder statesman.

Another new entry features Honoria Galwey, who passed away in 1925. She came to prominence as a folk music collector in the 1890s, but had been collecting privately since childhood. Galweys greatest contribution was her own collection, Old Irish croonauns and other tunes (1910).

The contents ranged from traditional Donegal airs to parlour tunes, from lullabies to stirring reels, accompanied by brief but careful notes acknowledging her sources and any previously published variations. The collection demonstrated the extent of Galweys knowledge and the breadth of her sources.

Speaking about the newly published entries, Dr Eoin Kinsella, Managing Editor, DIB, said: These new and revised entries reflect the DIBs ongoing commitment to telling Irelands life story and to uncovering and celebrating lives that might otherwise be overlooked, ensuring that the islands complex and diverse history continues to be told in full.

The DIB has always been a collaborative venture. The work of the team based at the Royal Irish Academy would not be possible without the many academics and researchers who so generously contribute their time and expertise to us on a voluntary basis, as contributors and advisers.

We were very saddened to learn of the untimely death of Dr Joseph Rodgers earlier this year. Dr Rodgers had recently completed a doctorate on the commercial and social history of OConnell Street and contributed the entry on Thomas Gresham to this months release.

The DIB was launched in 2009 after many years of research by hundreds of contributors and its online edition now features almost 11,000 lives and continues to grow. Find out more at www.dib.ie.
The North West Community Wealth Building Partnership and the Larne Community Wealth Building Partnership have been jointly awarded the Community Wealth Building Award at the Social Enterprise NI Awards 2025, held in Belfast.

This award recognises their pioneering work in embedding community wealth building principles across local government, anchor institutions, and the social economy, placing local people, assets, and values at the heart of economic development.

Led by Enterprise North West and supported by over 25 key community anchor organisations, including Derry City and Strabane District Council, North West Regional College, Londonderry Chamber of Commerce, Ulster University, and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, the North West Community Wealth Building Partnership is driving a bold and inclusive vision for the region.

Its mission is to improve peoples lives, support inclusive and sustainable economic growth, creating more jobs and opportunities for local people and successful places across the DCSDC area. This ambition is underpinned by capital development plans worth over 50 million, alongside a wide portfolio of community-led projects which have already begun and are making impact.

This award is a testament to the power of collaboration and local partnerships and the belief that local economies can be reimagined to serve the common good, said Brian O'Neill, Co-Chair for the North West CWB Partnership.

Were proud to work alongside our colleagues in Larne to demonstrate that community wealth building is not just a policy, its a practical, people-centred approach to economic development.

The Larne Community Wealth Building Partnership, led by LEDCOM was also recognised for its commitment to inclusive growth and its role in piloting new approaches to local economic development within Larne.

This joint award reflects a growing movement across Northern Ireland, said Ken Nelson, Co-Chair of the Larne CWB Partnership.

By working together, were showing that community wealth building can be adapted to different places and priorities, whether urban or rural, cross-border or coastal.

The Social Enterprise NI Awards 2025 brought together social enterprises from across the region, celebrating innovation, resilience, and impact in the social economy. The joint win signals a broader shift toward economic models that prioritise wellbeing, sustainability, and democratic participation.

We are delighted to receive this award in partnership with Larne, added the North West CWB Partnership.

It reflects the energy and commitment of both Partnerships and our partner organisations who are working every day to build a more inclusive economy.
The McAleese family from Dunloy, who tragically lost their son Noah (2) in a farming accident in November 2022, have helped open a new bereavement support room at the Causeway Hospital.

After Noahs passing, his parents wanted to use their own experience to bring about improvements for other families attending hospital under similar circumstances to them.

The family has worked closely with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust and the Patient & Client Council to make this happen.

The new space, known as the Infinity Room after Noahs love of Toy Story was officially opened by his parents and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt today.

Located within Causeway Hospitals Emergency Department, the new space has been specially designed to be a quiet sanctuary where families can spend time together with their loved one in their final moments, or after they have passed.

Speaking at the opening, Corrina McAleese, Noahs mum, said: The Infinity Room has been a project over two years in the making. It has been both a rewarding and challenging journey, but we are very proud to be standing here today with the room finished and to have it opened by the Minister.

We appreciate when someone loses a loved one, there is very little that can truly ease that pain. But what we can do is create spaces that provide a softer landing in those immediate, devastating moments. And that is how the Infinity Room was created.

Through the Infinity Room, Noahs story lives on and as Noahs mummy and daddy that means the world to us. Its a positive legacy for a very loved little boy which will bring comfort to other families in the most difficult of times.

Pictured at the opening of the Infinity Room are Noahs parents Corrina and Johnny McAleese, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and Leona Laverty, Bereavement Co-Ordinator, Northern Trust.

We hope this is just the beginning. Noahs Story  now a registered charity in Northern Ireland will endeavour to continue to fund and create more spaces like this across hospitals in Northern Ireland and support staff by helping to provide trauma led care to appropriately support families faced with bereavement.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: I would like to extend my sympathies to Noahs parents, Corrina and Johnny. For any parent to lose a child is unimaginably heart-breaking. I am deeply moved that they would use their own tragic experience to bring about improvements for other families in grief. I want to express my sincere gratitude to them.

The Infinity Room will provide a safe, trauma-informed space where families can spend time and be supported by having access to a private, dignified, and sensitive environment during their most difficult moments.

My thanks also to Northern Trust and the Patient & Client Council for supporting the development of this important facility.

Mark McCrudden, Assistant Director of Medicine and Emergency Medicine at the Northern Trust, said: We are very grateful to the McAleese family. They have not only been the driving force behind the development of the Infinity Room, but they have also openly shared their experiences with us so that we can improve how we provide care and support to other families going through loss.

No one ever wants to be in a position where they need to use a space like this but it so important that it is there when needed. Emergency Departments are very busy and noisy but the new Infinity Room means that families can now have somewhere quiet to spend precious time together with their loved one.

In the midst of their own grief, Noahs parents have sought to help others and in doing so have also created a lasting legacy for their son and we want to thank them for that.

Meadhbha Monaghan, Patient & Client Council (PCC) Chief Executive said: Noahs story is a powerful reminder of the importance of listening to the lived experiences of families. Through their courage and compassion, Noahs family have turned personal loss into lasting change that will help many others.

The creation of the Infinity Room and the development of Noahs Protocol demonstrate what can be achieved when families, advocates, and health professionals work together in partnership with compassion and purpose.

The PCC is privileged to have supported the McAleese family in making their vision a reality, ensuring that families facing the most difficult moments are met with care, dignity and understanding.
A man has been fined at Derry Magistrate's Court today after he admitted a charge of disorderly behaviour in Waterloo Place.

Jordan Whitehouse (34) of Deramore Drive in Derry admitted one charge of disorderly that occurred on May 4 this year at 12.30am.

The court heard that at that time on that date police attended an ongoing disturbance in Waterloo Place.

They observed Whitehouse in an altercation with door staff outside a local bar.

When police approached Whitehouse's 'demeanour changed' and he took off his shirt and raised his fists.

He shouted at police 'come on let's go' and despite warnings he continued to shout at members of the public.

Defence counsel Fergal McCormick said that the incident was 'not the most extreme'.

He said his client had been off alcohol for 17 months and went out on a stag night and drank too much.

The barrister said that Whitehouse accepted that this behaviour was not a good example for his children.

He added that the defendant had been out of trouble for a 'considerable period of time'.

Whitehouse was fined 400.
A second Derry councillor is facing a PSNI probe into the T-shirt he wore at Julys full Derry City and Strabane District Council meeting.

People Before Profit councillor Shaun Harkin received a letter from PSNIs Public Order Enquiry Team on Thursday, October 30 via his solicitor Desmond Doherty.

Members of the PSNI delivered a similar letter to the home of Cllr Gary Donnelly the previous week.

Cllr Harkins letter stated the PSNI was investigating his T-Shirt under the Terrorism Act 2000.

It added: The grounds for Polices [sic] suspicion of this offence arises from your client being identified wearing a Palestine Action T-shirt during the meeting which was also livestreamed via YouTube.

A spokesperson for Derry City and Strabane District Council told The Derry News the enforcement of the law in relation to proscribed organisations is a matter for the police.

The spokesperson added: With regards to Palestine Action, the following motion was carried at the July meeting of Full Council which took place on Wednesday, July 23, at the Guildhall:

'Council rejects the rationale provided by the British government and Security Minister Dan Jarvis for the proscription of Palestine Action and calls for its immediate overturning.

'Council supports the legal challenge to Palestine Actions proscription and will write the High Court to call for the ban to be removed immediately.

'Council supports all those who have protested the ban on Palestine Action and calls for charges against them to be immediately dropped.

'Council commends the opposition of the Irish Congress of Trades Unions at its July Delegate Conference in Belfast to the British governments authoritarian proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation and the curtailing of human rights, and its demand for all Palestine solidarity campaigners to be protected from intimidation, discrimination, and victimisation.

'Council commends and supports veteran Civil Rights campaigners who have protested in Derry in solidarity with Palestine Action and in defence of the right to protest and on the basis that protesting genocide is not a crime.

'Furthermore, Council will write to the British government to express our anger, dismay, and disgust at its continuing and complicity with Israels genocide of the people of Gaza and the setting up of a concentration camp on the ruins of Rafah. Council condemns Israels murder of more than 1,000 desperate and hungry Palestinians at food distribution sites.

'Council agrees the Israeli state and its allies are responsible for terrorism and the crime of genocide and urges action to end it as soon as possible. This includes action by the British government, the Irish government, and the Stormont Executive to fully condemn, fully impose military and economic sanctions on Israel and to demand the borders of Gaza are immediately opened to allow full access to food and humanitarian aid'.

The motion was carried with all members supporting it, except the DUP and UUP who voted against.

Cllr Harkins letter also said PSNI had grounds to suspect he may have committed an offence under Section 12 (1a) of the Terrorism Act 2000 in that he expressed an opinion or belief that is supportive of a proscribed organisation, in this case Palestine Action, and that in doing so was reckless as to whether a person would be encouraged to support the organisation.

Palestine Action is a British pro-Palestinian direct action network founded in 2020. It was proscribed by British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper in July 2025.

Palestine Action is challenging its proscription and on October 16, 2025, the Court of Appeal upheld permission for the organisations judicial review to proceed against the Home Office.

A spokesperson for the NI Policing Board told The Derry News, the decision to issue the letter was an operational matter for the Chief Constable.
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Efforts to curb alleged misuse of pre-registered SIM cards in Nigeria are continuing. Telecommunications regulator the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced new measures aimed at eliminating the sale and use of these cards, according to local reports.

Many news outlets quote NCC Executive Director Aminu Maida, who suggests that pre-registered SIM cards pose a major threat to national cybersecurity as they facilitate criminal activities such as fraud, identity theft and money laundering.

The commission therefore plans to intensify field inspections, penalise complicit operators, and strengthen coordination with security forces and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). It is claimed that this will provide a transparent and accountable framework for compliance monitoring, investigations and sanctions.

As regular readers will be aware, Nigeria has already undertaken several campaigns to clean up the sector, including the requirement to link SIM cards to National Identification Numbers (NINs). However, with an estimated 220 million (or more) mobile subscribers  not too far off the 232.7 million population suggested by the World Bank in 2024  it hasnt been easy, as our reports have indicated.

Indeed, some informal resellers have apparently found ways to offer pre-activated SIM cards. Call masking (a technology that uses temporary virtual numbers to hide the real phone numbers of callers), and refiling (a type of interconnect bypass fraud) are other problems that the NCC hopes the new rules will help it tackle.
Huawei gathered experts in innovation and intellectual property rights (IPR) in Beijing on Tuesday to discuss and promote the importance of IPR in driving innovation, the need to balance openness in IP licencing with vigorous IP protection, and Huaweis role in both.

At its 6th Innovation and IP Forum, Huaweis chief legal officer Song Liuping said the company  as both a patent licensor and licensee  is committed to an open approach to innovation in terms of open standards and open source. At the same time, he added, sustaining that innovation depends on respecting and protecting IP.

We are moving fast towards a fully connected, intelligent world. Both connectivity and computing will be more important than ever, so we are protecting and rewarding new innovation, Song said in his opening address. We are committed to building an environment that protects innovation and IP, and work closely with industry partners to promote constructive IP protection.

Song also emphasised the point that Huawei respects the IP of others, and protects its own, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.

Huawei said it currently holds over 150,000 patents worldwide, which it shares through open-source software, open hardware, patent filings, standard contributions and academic papers. It has also signed or renewed cross-licencing agreements with big-name players like Nokia, Ericsson, Amazon, Samsung and Sharp.

Marco Aleman, assistant director general of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), said in a video address at the forum that that Huawei had 6,600 published patent cooperation treaty (PCT) applications in 2024, and has been the top user of the PCT system since 2014.

Alan Fan, VP and head of Huaweis Intellectual Property Rights department, said that while the companys patent licensing revenue in 2024 was around US$630 million, it has actually spent almost three times that amount on patent royalties to other IP holders as part of its R&D activities.

Meanwhile, its patent pool continues to grow, with 37,000 new patents published in 2024, a new record for the company. Huawei said over 2.7 billion 5G devices have been licensed under its patents as of the end of 2024, along with 1.2 billion consumer electronic devices in the Wi-Fi domain and 3.2 billion multimedia devices under the company's video codec patents.

Meanwhile, Wang Ningling, president-elect of the Licensing Executives Society International (LESI), acknowledged the challenging international trade environment in which the IPR discussion is taking place, which makes an open, collaborative and responsible approach to patent licencing even more essential to innovation.

In today's challenging world with severe geopolitical tensions, LESI and LESI China will continue to uphold the belief that innovation is without borders, and effective global intellectual property management will promote the common development of mankind, she said in her keynote address. I encourage industry leaders, policy makers, researchers and entrepreneurs, to foster collaboration, share knowledge generously and practice responsible licensing by building bridges rather than walls.

Huaweis Song added in his address, No matter what changes come our way, we will remain committed to openness, collaboration and innovation.

Meanwhile, Huawei also announced new updates to its Chaspark Patent site, which was launched in June last year to help researchers around the world to search for patent information. The new updates include semantic search, accurate long text matching, and AI-powered summaries and related patent recommendations.
Deadlines dont wait and ideas dont pause. In todays always-on world, the last thing anyone needs is lag, washed-out colours or a dying battery cutting their flow short. After all, creativity demands performance, precision and reliability working together in perfect sync. Thats where Lenovos Yoga Pro 7i Aura Edition steps in, promising to be the kind of laptop that doesnt just keep up but pushes you to do more.

Even though my work doesnt involve heavy video editing, it does rely heavily on visuals, editing images, curating content and ensuring every piece looks just right on the website. And with a to-do list that never seems to end, what I need is something light, portable and powerful enough to handle everything without breaking stride. The Yoga Pro 7i Aura Edition checks most of those boxes.

I have been using the laptop for the last few days and have genuinely enjoyed the overall experience. But should you spend close to a lakh on this machine? Lets find out.

Design and Display

Minimalism is clearly the design language here. The Lenovo Yoga Pro 7i Aura Edition comes in a refined Luna Grey colour that instantly gives off a professional vibe. The branding at the back is subtle, and the overall design feels like it means business. Theres no flashy finish or unnecessary accents, and that simplicity works in its favour.

The laptop feels sturdy and compact and can be carried around without effort. At 1.5 kg, it strikes a nice balance between portability and presence, so it doesnt feel flimsy in hand or heavy in a backpack. Its built for professionals who move a lot during their day, and after several commutes with it tucked into my bag, I can confirm its kind on the shoulders. That said, those who prefer bold or vibrant colour options might find the design a little understated.

The hinge opens up to 180 degrees, which makes it flexible enough for most work setups. Theres a very slight wobble if you open the lid too quickly, but its nothing alarming. Otherwise, the hinge feels strong and stable.

Now lets talk about the display, which is easily one of the biggest highlights here. You get a 14.5-inch OLED panel with 3K (30001876) resolution and a 120 Hz refresh rate. The screen looks stunning, with deep blacks, vivid colours and an overall sharpness that brings every image to life. During our internal testing, it showed 100 percent sRGB accuracy, which is exactly what creators need when colour precision matters.

In real-world use, the experience is excellent. I watched Netflix, scrolled through YouTube videos and edited images for work, and everything looked crisp and true to tone. The display is slightly reflective, which is common with OLEDs, but a small angle adjustment in a bright office space fixed that quickly. Its also a touchscreen, which makes it convenient when youre feeling too lazy to reach for the keyboard or just want to doodle in MS Paint.

Keyboard and Connectivity

The first thing you notice when you open the laptop is the clean, evenly spaced keyboard. I usually use a MacBook Air as my daily driver, but switching to this one felt effortless. The keys are responsive and satisfying to type on, offering tactile feedback that makes long writing sessions comfortable. There are plenty of shortcut keys integrated into the function row, and theres even a dedicated Copilot key that brings Microsofts AI assistant to life instantly.

The touchpad is large and smooth, responding well to taps and gestures. It has a premium finish, though it does tend to collect fingerprints after a few days of use, so keeping a microfibre cloth nearby isnt a bad idea.

In terms of connectivity, Lenovo has done a great job. On the left, there are two Type-C ports, a card reader and an HDMI port, which makes connecting external displays or transferring photos from a camera quick and simple.

On the right side, you get two USB Type-A ports, a headphone jack and the power button. One thing worth mentioning is that the placement of the power button on the side, instead of the keyboard deck, took me a few moments to spot. But once I got used to it, it felt quite convenient.

Performance, benchmarks and battery

Performance-wise, the Lenovo Yoga Pro 7i Aura Edition impresses. It runs smoothly even with multiple Chrome tabs open, image editing software running in the background and music streaming at the same time. Its powered by Intels Core Ultra processors, which are designed to balance performance with efficiency. For content creators who mostly deal with images, video edits or multitasking between productivity apps, this laptop feels more than capable.

The speakers, however, are a bit of a letdown. The volume is noticeably low, and even at maximum level, I had to lean closer during a YouTube video to catch what was being said. This was in a large office room, and while it performs better in a quieter space, it doesnt deliver the immersive audio experience youd expect from a premium laptop. If you plan to watch movies or listen to music often, a good pair of headphones will make a big difference.

The front camera, on the other hand, is sharp and clear, making it reliable for video calls and virtual meetings. The AI-backed noise reduction also keeps visuals clean even in lower lighting conditions.

As for benchmarks, the laptop posted solid numbers across common performance tests, reflecting its balanced performance profile.

In 3DMark benchmark, which tests GPU performance, the Yoga Pro 7i scored 4,437 in Time Spy and 9,733 in Fire Strike, signalling solid mid-tier graphics performance. While its not built as a gaming machine, the results show it can comfortably handle creative workloads, light 3D rendering, and casual gaming sessions without breaking a sweat.

Moving to PCMark 10 benchmark test, which replicates everyday usage, the Yoga Pro 7i notched an impressive overall score of 7,697. In the Essentials category, it scored 10,811, with a particularly strong App Start-up score of 13,316, meaning apps launch almost instantly. Video conferencing and web browsing scores were equally high, suggesting the laptop can handle multitasking easily.

When it comes to productivity score in PC Mark 10 benchmark, the device shined again with a 9,487 score, backed by robust spreadsheet and writing capabilities. Coming to Digital Content Creation, the laptop scored 11,637, and in the Photo Editing benchmark test, it scored 18,993 points. Hence, the laptop is ideal for creators who work in Lightroom, Photoshop, or similar software. Even Rendering and Visualisation (9,747) and Video Editing (8,514) results show that it can handle demanding creative projects smoothly.

The UL Procyon benchmark also reinforced this, with video editing scores of 11,703 and image retouching scores of 8,201, both impressive figures for a laptop in this segment. These results translate into real-world speed with faster exports, smoother previews, and reduced lag during heavy multitasking.

In Blender, which tests 3D rendering capability, the Yoga Pro 7i managed 92.9 samples per minute in the Monster scene, 58.5 in Junkshop, and 42.6 in Classroom, confirming that the laptop is capable of handling professional workloads in apps like Blender.

Lastly, the Cinebench R23 test showed the power of its CPU, with 1,845 in single-thread and 13,718 in multi-thread performance.

But numbers aside, what really stood out to me was the consistency  no lags, no overheating and no fan noise even during heavy multitasking.

Battery life is decent but not the strongest part of the package. In PCMarks battery test, it lasted around 8 hours, which is average for its segment. In real-world use, I logged in at 8 AM and by 11:30 AM, the battery had dropped to around 30 percent after heavy Chrome use and typing on Google Docs.

It is worth mentioning that I had kept the laptop on the Best Performance mode, which naturally drains more power. The good news is that it charges very quickly, jumping from nearly empty to 100 percent in about an hour while I continued working.

Should you buy it?

If youre a content creator or a working professional who wants a laptop that delivers reliable performance, excellent display quality and a solid typing experience, the Lenovo Yoga Pro 7i Aura Edition is a great pick. It looks premium, feels portable and handles creative workflows effortlessly.

The battery life and speaker quality could have been better, but those are minor trade-offs considering how well it performs in almost every other department. Around the Rs 1 lakh mark, its a laptop that feels genuinely built for creators who want power and precision in a form they can carry anywhere.

Also read: Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 review: Strong performance in a folding convertible


Toyota confirms major US expansion, one month after Trump's announcement

Toyota Motor Corporation announced plans to invest up to US$10 billion in the US over the next five years, signaling a major expansion of its domestic operations. The confirmation comes less than a month after President Donald Trump publicly mentioned the potential investment in October 2025.

Reports from Bloomberg and Yomiuri Shimbun note that Toyota's announcement clarifies a period of uncertainty during Trump's recent visit to Japan. At the time, the president indicated that Toyota intended to build multiple factories in the US, with total investments exceeding US$10 billion. Toyota did not immediately respond, leaving details unclear. The company has now formally confirmed the plan, though specifics of the funding allocation remain under wraps.

During the inauguration of Toyota's new battery plant in North Carolina on November 12, David Christ, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota Division at Toyota Motor North America, stated that the company will release more information about how the investment will be deployed as the project progresses.

According to Toyota, the funding will be directed toward "next-generation mobility", a term the company uses to describe the development of electric and hybrid vehicles, along with related infrastructure and production capabilities. Analysts suggest the investment will likely focus on expanding equipment and facilities for EVs and HEVs.

Market observers also note that the move may be linked to recent US trade policies. Currently, Japanese automakers face a 15% tariff on vehicles exported to the US. Toyota estimates that the tariff could reduce operating profits by approximately JPY1.45 trillion (approx. US$9.3 billion) in the fiscal year ending March 2026. By boosting domestic production in the US, the company hopes to mitigate the impact of tariffs and strengthen supply chain resilience.

The announcement underscores Toyota's commitment to maintaining a strong presence in the US while adapting to the evolving global automotive landscape, particularly as the industry shifts toward electrification.

Article edited by Jack Wu
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Foxconn confirms OpenAI partnership, doubling down on trillion-dollar compute race

Foxconn chairman Young Liu used the company's latest earnings call to deliver a message: artificial intelligence is no longer just a growth driverit is now the most decisive force shaping Foxconn's future.

Liu said the company is preparing a deep partnership with OpenAI to support the world's fastest-growing demand for compute, and he promised that key details will be unveiled at Hon Hai Tech Day (HHTD) on November 2122, 2025.

Liu said Foxconn "will absolutely work with OpenAI, the leading player in the AI industry," citing CEO Sam Altman's ambition to build one gigawatt of compute capacity every week.

At today's AI pricing curves, Liu said, that goal implies a recurring weekly market worth roughly US$50 billionan unprecedented scale that "is only just beginning."

A relationship years in the making

The partnership is not emerging in a vacuum. Altman made a low-profile trip to Taiwan in late September and early October 2024, meeting privately with Liu to discuss chip supply, compute infrastructure, and server-deployment roadmaps.

Liu later confirmed the meeting and said he intends to hold further discussions with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang as OpenAI's hardware requirements accelerate.

Behind the scenes, Foxconn has already been closely linked to OpenAI's most ambitious infrastructure push: the Stargate Project, a multi-hundred-billion-dollar effort to build the United States' next generation of hyperscale AI data-center campuses.

Oracle is the principal cloud provider for the project, and Foxconn is Oracle's largest AI-server suppliereffectively placing the Taiwanese manufacturer at the hardware heart of Stargate.

SoftBank's SB Energy is expected to provide portions of the power infrastructure, while Foxconn's former EV assembly site in Lordstown, Ohio, is being converted into a production base for data-center equipment. The repurposed facility signals Foxconn's direct entry into the US hardware supply chain for the project.

Rising shipments and entrenched market share

OpenAI's breakneck expansion has already lifted Foxconn's server shipments. Although competitors such as Quanta have increased supply, industry data shows Foxconn still maintains the largest share of AI-server output, benefiting from long-cycle demand tied to the Stargate buildout.

Liu said the company's advantage is structural: Foxconn is one of the world's leading hardware developers for large-scale compute systems and a critical partner to customers racing to deploy GPUs, accelerators, networking gear, and power-delivery solutions at unprecedented speed.

Preparing for the age of "physical AI"

In Liu's view, the compute race is only at its beginning as AI evolves from narrow intelligence to AGI and eventually ASI. He said the shift from conversational models to autonomous AI agentsand eventually "physical AI"will cause hardware demand to grow "explosively."

Given this trajectory, Liu framed Foxconn as indispensable: "We will fully and comprehensively support our partners in achieving their compute-deployment goals," he said.

Before closing the call, he urged investors to watch HHTD closely: "We will have OpenAI-related announcements at HHTD. Please stay tuned."

Article edited by Jerry Chen
Tonight, a major RTE investigation into the conviction and imprisonment of a couple for a crime that leading medical experts now say didnt happen, reveals the ongoing and far-reaching consequences for the Irish system that jailed them.

Wednesday nights RTE Investigates: First Conviction, reveals a court interpreter  who worked on a landmark female genital mutilation (FGM) case that was overturned on appeal over translation errors  assisted in more than 240 other cases for the Irish Court Services.

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The interpreter was involved in the 2019 trial of a couple, originally from French-speaking regions of Africa, convicted of and imprisoned for the FGM of their young daughter. News of their conviction made headlines everywhere. The defence argued throughout the trial that the childs injury was accidental, caused by falling on a toy in the home.

The Court of Appeal later found serious, and potentially far-reaching, inaccuracies in the interpretation at that criminal trial, and set the convictions aside in 2021.

Despite this ruling, RTE is aware the interpreter continued to assist in criminal proceedings until December 2023.

The appeal was brought on two grounds  medical evidence and interpretation  but the Court of Appeal found the interpretation issues alone were serious enough to cause the convictions to be unsafe. This decision to set aside the conviction was the first time in Irish legal history that translation issues were grounds for a successful Circuit Court appeal.

The Courts Service confirmed to RTE that the interpreter had assisted in at least 246 court cases across the country between December 2016 and late December 2023. Of these cases, 146 were for the District Court, 62 for the Circuit Court, 26 for the High Court, predominantly in the Central Criminal Court.

RTE is further aware that at least 40 of these cases were held across 19 locations nationwide, after the appeal court judgment.

These revelations, among others, came to light in a new joint investigation from RTE Documentary on One and RTE Investigates titled First Conviction, a six-part podcast series narrated by Oscar-nominated actor Ruth Negga, now available on all streaming services, and a television documentary which airs tonight on RTE One and RTE Player at 9.35pm.

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The series tells the story of how in 2016 a couple are accused of injuring their daughter and put on trial, the first of its kind, for a crime they maintain never even happened. They're found guilty and jailed. Over the next couple of years, there are many court hearings, a second, inconclusive trial, and all the while this couple continue to say they never injured their child. The Director for Public Prosecutions (DPP) eventually abandoned the case. Now, facing the power of the State, the couple continue to fight for justice through the courts.

The RTE team interviewed the couple at the heart of this story for more than a year and spoke with legal teams and experts to understand fully what the family has gone through over nearly 10 years. Crucially, this includes world-renowned medical experts in the area of FGM, who eventually turned the States case upside down.

First Conviction marks the first time Sayeed and his wife Halawa (whose names have been changed to protect the anonymity of their children) have spoken publicly about what happened to their family. Their children were placed in the care of relatives, with State agencies monitoring them after their parents are imprisoned. When the family reunites, the young children don't recognise their mother and father.

After the couple were released from prison in November 2021, there was a second trial in 2023, but the jury's decision was inconclusive. At the same time, new medical evidence emerges to support the couples story and the medical expert for the prosecution becomes unavailable.

In 2024, the DPP entered a nolle prosequi in respect of all charges, meaning that the State was no longer proceeding with the prosecution, but the couple had not been acquitted. The couple's legal teams subsequently applied to the Court of Appeal on 14 January 2025 for a certificate of miscarriage of justice. This application will now be heard on the 22 and 23 of January 2026.

Dr Mary Phelan of DCU, and Chair of the Association of Translators and Interpreters Ireland, is one of the preeminent experts in the country on translation, particularly in legal settings like courtrooms and garda stations.

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Dr Phelan and her colleagues analysed 100 minutes of the interpreted testimony from Sayeed and compiled a 150- page report for his appeal. Dr Phelan said the interpreter made numerous basic errors during the trial: There were so many opportunities lost where the defendant could have had an opportunity to tell his side of the story, and he wasn't able to do that. The family was totally failed, really, by the poor interpreting in this trial.

Dr Phelans report found that almost all of Sayeeds evidence was affected by interpretation issues: Nobody really knows what happened. The defendant can't give his side of the story properly or in a way that everybody in the courtroom, including the jury, can actually understand. The report, compiled by Dr Phelan following her analysis, led to the Court of Appeal deciding the conviction was unsafe in 2021.

The European Parliament and the Council of Europe allow for the right to interpretation and translation in criminal proceedings. This came into effect in Ireland in December 2013.

Dr Phelan said she believes there is insufficient recognition that interpreters must be trained to meet the standards needed in garda stations and courtrooms. There is no court examination for interpreters to test their language competency. Under the Irish Constitution, everyone has the right to a fair trial, and the European Convention on Human Rights also provides for the free assistance of an interpreter in criminal proceedings.

Associate Professor at the UCD Sutherland School of Law Niamh Howlin, explained to RTE that, in other countries, to be a legal interpreter, you must go through state accredited training.: You take rigorous exams and you will be registered and generally certified as having a very high proficiency in the two languages.

In this country, we don't have those safeguards. There's no state training, there's no state certification, and there's no central register of who is qualified to be a legal interpreter. So there really is no way to ensure that high quality legal interpretation is being given, she said.

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In criminal trials, the costs associated with a translator are borne by the Courts Service, which is funded by the State.

The cost of providing translation services has more than doubled between the year the couple was sentenced and 2024, when the DPP entered a nolle prosequi.

According to FOI figures obtained from the Courts Service, the cost of translation services in 2020 was 1.2m, in 2021 1.5m, in 2022 1.9m, in 2023 1.9m and in 2024 (up to end of September) the cost stood at 2.5m.

Dr Phelan said that, to date, nothing appears to have changed since the appeal in the FGM case: It seems to be everything is just continuing as before that judgement. So, I find that quite extraordinary that nobody's sitting up and saying, Oh, it's time to do something about this. It's time to bring in some standards."

Watch RTE Investigates: First Conviction, tonight, Wednesday 12 November at 9:35pm on RTE One and RTE Player.
Creative Spark Downtown Hub said it is delighted to host a special screening and discussion event as part of the national tour of Yes, But..?, an audio-visual artwork by acclaimed Irish artist Marie Brett.

The tour, which runs from 2025 through to Spring 2026, is funded by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaion, and is supported by a number of arts, community and health-care organisations.

Yes, But Do You Care? is a compelling and thought-provoking audio-visual artwork that creatively reimagines the human right to make a bad decision, explores the ethics of family caregiving, and reflects on Irelands new capacity legislation.

Held in IMMAs National Art Collection, this evocative and courageous work fuses visual metaphor with lived experience and judicial text.

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Its imagery moves from the open fields to the domestic kitchen  a muscle-mans bravado, a man spinning freely in tall grass, a dancer moving beneath high-rise flats  while a layered soundscape of tango, waltz, testimony, and legal readings creates an immersive emotional experience.

The artwork was created by Marie Brett in collaboration with renowned choreographer and dancer Philip Connaughton, members of the Dementia Carers Campaign Network supported by The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, and advisors in law, advocacy, and human rights.

Marie Brett is an accomplished artist known for making strikingly poignant work that responds to lifes fragility in relation to health care, trauma, and human rights.

Her practice spans digital, sculptural, and live event forms, often engaging communities and exploring the intersection of ethics and aesthetics.

Bretts work consistently illuminates overlooked or undervalued aspects of care, resilience, and survival.

As part of the Yes, But..? national tour, each venue hosts a special screening followed by a live conversation event.

At Creative Spark Downtown Hub on Wednesday, November 19 at 4pm, audiences will have the opportunity to view the powerful artwork and to take part in an intimate Q&A session with the artist.

Marie Brett will speak about how the piece was made, her motivation and conceptual ideas, and offer insight into behind-the-scenes processes that shaped the work.

This event provides a unique opportunity for audiences to engage directly with an artist whose work challenges, moves, and inspires.

Yes, But..? national tour by artist Marie Brett is funded by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaion and supported by arts, community and health-care partners including The Alzheimer Society of Ireland.
A Louth food and drink business has been acknowledged as a winner at the Good Food Ireland Awards 2025 in association with FBD Insurance - the only cross-sector awards that champion those who uphold Irelands culinary excellence, celebrate local provenance and honour sustainable practices.

Announced at the awards ceremony at The K Club in Co Kildare, Oriel Sea Salt in Drogheda was awarded the Producer Sustainability Award taking centre stage winning one of the top accolades of the night.

Ahead of its 20th year in 2026, this years Good Food Ireland Awards received hundreds of entries from businesses across the country, with thousands of votes cast for the Food Lovers' Choice Awards.

Winners were selected by an independent panel of Irish and international experts following mystery inspections and detailed assessments, with strict judging criteria including commitment to local sourcing, Irish provenance, and sustainability.

Minister Noel Grealish was the guest of honour at the event, acknowledging everyones contribution to Irish food, drink and hospitality.

Commenting on the event, Minister Noel Grealish, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine, said:

I was delighted to attend the Good Food Ireland Awards, which brings together two of Irelands most successful indigenous sectors  food and tourism. At their heart, the Good Food Ireland Awards honour excellence, and reflect the values and vision embedded in Food Vision 2030, our national strategy for sustainable agri-food development, that have made Irish food a global benchmark for quality and sustainability.

Reflecting on the event and congratulating the winners, Margaret Jeffares, Founder of Good Food Ireland adds:

Good Food Ireland was born from a desire to celebrate Irelands world-class food and drink. Our awards shine a spotlight on the businesses that play a vital role in our entire food ecosystem, from farm to fork.

This years finalists spanned the full breadth of the island and guests from every corner of Ireland gathered on Monday 10th November to celebrate the very best in Irish food, drink and hospitality. On the night the Supreme Award went to Fish City in Belfast. Other big winners included Ashford Castle - named as 5 Star Hotel of the Year, Linnalla Farm Pure Irish Ice Cream from Co. Clare - named as Overall Producer of the Year and Veronica Molloy from Tipperarys Crossogue Preserves who received a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Awards Official Sponsor, FBD Insurance, has been supporting Farming, Food and Hospitality businesses across Ireland for over 50 years.

In its third year of sponsorship, John Cahalan, Chief Commercial Officer, FBD Insurance adds: The theme of the Good Food Ireland Awards 2025 was Rooted in Taste, Backed by Trust, which resonates with us as a business. Trust is earned and the winners from this years Good Food Ireland awards have earned their place as trusted businesses who deliver exceptional products and service day in, day out.

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From field to fork, there are so many exceptional businesses across the Island as demonstrated by our extensive list of finalists, but on this occasion, Im delighted to congratulate Oriel Sea Salt for their award win. Each winner should feel enormously proud to be recognised as one of the best in Ireland.

Other key sponsors of the awards include AIB, Wine Consultants Ireland, Waterford and Tourism Ireland, Guinness Storehouse, and All Fresh among others, whose support is important in celebrating excellence across Irelands vibrant food and tourism sectors.
Parents from Louth have spoken out about the lack of support and services for their young son with autism who was also recently diagnosed with ADHD.

David and Tina Maguire from Carlingford in Louth were on Kieran Cuddihy's first RTE Liveline show following Joe Duffy's retirement to speak out about the lack of support for their child Senan.

Senan is now 13-years-old and was diagnosed with autism when he was four-years-old and has had very little if any support for his complex needs, particularly around psychology services, they said.

His father David Maguire told Kieran on Liveline: "It's eleven years we are chasing supports for our little boy....we have been chasing psychology since December of 2014 and between then and now he has never had a one-on-one session with a psychologist."

David explained that in 2021 there was a psychologist who was engaged with him but they only spoke directly to his mother Tina or other family members. He said that no psychologist has directly spoken to his son.

David said that after Senan turned two the family started noticing little signs and red flags.

"Enable Ireland was the first to pick up on Senan's issues and told us to apply for a diagnosis....we moved to Carlingford in 2014 and since then we've been on the Louth services.

"From the first diagnosis in 2014 we are still chasing help for Senan....he never got one-on-one therapy."

David said that since moving to Louth they were "pushed back and pushed back" in trying to secure help for their son.

"I don't cry very often, Kieran, but me and Tina sat in our car in December 2014 and the both of us were bawling crying on our own. We realised that there was a list of excuses...a list of reasons to not help our little boy....from then on we started investing ourselves into our own little boy."

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David said that Senan needs full-time care and 24-hour supervision.

He was suspended from school in January 2025 and then was expelled on World Autism Awareness Day on April 2025.

"It's led to the stage where he was sat at home from January to October...now thank God he is back in school...that's brilliant but he struggles everyday dealing with the world and a lot of people have failed us miserably and failed our little boy miserably."

David explained that because his son wasn't receiving the therapy he needs, they were waiting for the day something terrible happens like somebody getting terribly hurt.

Senan didn't speak until he was seven years old and his father said thank God he is speaking now because he has only received small blocks of speech therapy over the years.

David also explained that the family, including Senan's two other siblings, had lost their sister back in 2015 who was only four years old.

"Senan witnessed all of this....he was only six and a half at the time.....and not one hour of bereavement therapy has been given to him in that seven years since our little girl has passed.....he seen everything," he explained in a heartbreaking interview.

Senan's mother Tina also spoke on the show and said that whenever Senan has a meltdown he will shout for his little sister every time.

Tina said: "She died in my arms at home...there was no warning; it was acute sepsis. Senan came off the bus from school that day, he walked in and saw his little sister on the floor and people working on her.

"That was the start of Senan's self-harming; he started self-harming from the trauma. We didn't have time to get counselling for ourselves. Senan started lashing out from that moment on."

Tina said that life for her is full on and she can't work because caring for Senan is 24/7, even if he is in school in case something happens at school.

"We have zero social life, neighbours don't call, friends don't call because it's so busy here if Senan get's over stimulated. We don't go out...we get three restbites a month where we pretend we have a normal life. We spend time with the other two boys doing things that Senan can't do like going to the cinema or going into a restaurant; that's a luxury for us."

Tina said that having an autistic son with very little support has taken a huge toll on the family.

"It's sad, if you look at the statistics the amount of broken or failed marriages; couples falling apart because there is so much strain. You don't have time for each other. Myself and Dave, if we are lucky, we get out once a year. We go for dinner for our anniversary or one of our birthdays."

Tina said that the system is 'a failure' and feels sorry for the parents who have children that are diagnosed with autism and have to go down the road that her and her family have gone through to try and get support.

"It's not fit for purpose," she said, "when you do get to the top of these queues and you do get your therapy, we've been there and done that, when Dave said he got speech therapy; it was five or six non-verbal students in a classroom, no teacher present, no parent present....that was the only speech therapy he got."
Members of the Protect Cooley Peninsula group, a campaign opposed to proposed Dundalk-Carlingford Greenway routes through their property in north Louth, joined a national protest today outside the Dail in Dublin calling for an end to the use of Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) for non essential infrastructure such as greenways and cycleways.

The protest was also joined by Louth politicians, including Fine Gael TD, Paula Butterly, who spoke at the protest, and Fianna Fail's Cllr Andrea McKevitt. Cllr McKevitt shared photos of the protest today on social media.

The demonstration, supported by groups from several counties, was a show of unity among communities who have say they have faced uncertainty, lack of transparency, and threats to their property rights under current greenway development processes.

We are not against greenways. We welcome initiatives that promote tourism and active travel. But using CPOs to forcibly take private land for non-essential infrastructure is wrong, said a spokesperson for the National Greenway Action Association.

Read also: 'Failed our little boy miserably' - Louth parents given no support for autistic son

Louth County Council issued an update on its plans for the Dundalk-Carlingford Greenway earlier this week. The latest update to the timelines envisaged for holding Public Consultation No. 3 (Emerging Preferred Route Corridor) are as follows:

Peer Review  Ongoing

Letters issued to landowners along the Emerging Preferred Route Corridor  late November

Presentation to Elected Members  late November

Public Consultation (PC3)  late November to the end of January 2026

Design Team engagement with affected landowners  To commence at time of PC3

Independent Agronomist meetings with affected landowners  To commence at time of PC3

Louth County Council added that: "Separate letters will be sent, via post, to landowners whose holdings have been identified as being located within the Emerging Preferred Route Corridor and Landowners whose holdings are in close proximity to it, based on Tailte Eireann Land Registry information.

"The Emerging Preferred Route Corridor that will be presented as part of the Public Consultation does not represent the actual width of the proposed greenway development or the lands required to facilitate the development. The corridor simply indicates the area within which a greenway alignment could feasibly be developed.

"Currently, the corridor is approximately 50m in width (although wider in a number of locations due to notable constraints and opportunities) and the proposed greenway will typically be 6-8m in width."
China's power battery sales up 48.9 pct in first 3 quarters

Xinhua) 08:23, November 13, 2025

This photo taken on Nov. 28, 2024 shows the Shenxing PLUS battery at the booth of Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd. (CATL) at the second China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Chen Zhonghao)

CHENGDU, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- China's power battery industry maintained robust growth in the first three quarters of the year, with sales surging 48.9 percent year on year to 786 gigawatt-hours (GWh) as the rapid global expansion of new energy vehicles (NEVs) continues to drive demand, an industry conference highlighted on Wednesday.

The country's power battery exports exceeded 129 GWh during the period, up 32.7 percent from a year earlier, according to data released at the 2025 World Power Battery Conference, which opened in Yibin City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, on that same day.

Globally, China has further cemented its leading position in the sector. According to a report released by the Equipment Industry Development Center of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology at the conference, six Chinese firms were ranked among the top 10 global power battery companies in 2024, collectively accounting for 67.1 percent of the global power battery installation volume, up nearly 4 percentage points from the previous year.

The report showed that the global power battery installation volume reached 894.4 GWh last year, reflecting a sizable annual increase of 27.2 percent. This surge was fueled by the fast growth in global sales and penetration rates of NEVs.

The 2025 World Power Battery Conference has brought together industry representatives, experts as well as over 100 Chinese and foreign companies, including China's CATL, BYD and France's Dassault Systemes.

The annual conference was started in 2022 in Yibin, a major power battery production base that accounts for about 16 percent of China's total output, according to the organizers. Over the past three years, it has witnessed the launch of over 600 new products and the signing of 249 major projects with a total investment of nearly 300 billion yuan (about 42.4 billion U.S. dollars).

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
Louth Fianna Fail TD, Erin McGreehan, has welcomed confirmation that two key water infrastructure projects for Louth are now included in Irelands largest-ever water investment programme, but she cautioned however, that serious water infrastructure gaps remain in the county.

Commenting on the projects announced under the National Development Plan Review 2025  the Sectoral Plan for Water Services and Water Quality, Deputy McGreehan said: The 12.2 billion commitment provides funding certainty and clear timelines for projects that will secure water resilience and support housing growth. But unless the remaining gaps are addressed, local development and housing delivery will remain constrained.

The plan confirms the Drogheda Wastewater Treatment Plant Odour Upgrade. The Drogheda Wastewater Treatment Plant is listed as a nationally prioritised project and is scheduled for completion in 2026. This upgrade will address odour issues at the facility, improving environmental performance and quality of life for residents in Drogheda and surrounding areas.

The other project Deputy McGreehan said will benefit Louth is the Water Supply Project for the Eastern and Midlands Region. This strategic project will deliver treated water from the Parteen Basin in County Tipperary to Dublin, with capacity for regional offtakes.

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It is set to enhance water supply resilience in Louth by enabling existing Dublin supplies to be redirected locally when needed, ensuring long-term security for homes, businesses, and future development.

Deputy McGreehan said: Announcements are welcome, but the real focus must be on getting projects delivered. This national plan is a major commitment, but delivery on the ground is what matters most.

"Works like the 750,000 upgrade now underway in Dunbin, Dundalk, show what timely investment can achieve - replacing 1.2km of mains, securing water services for residents, and enabling future housing and economic growth.

I will continue to push for more infrastructure investment and far faster delivery because thats what will strengthen water resilience, support housing, and drive sustainable development for decades to come.
Tributes have poured in following the sad death of Alice Cairns, a beloved and respected woman who has been described as truly remarkable, courageous and kind.

Alice is the mother of missing schoolboy Philip Cairns who vanished in 1986 when he was just 13 years old.

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Philip disappeared while on his way back to school, Colaiste Eanna in Dublin after going home for his lunch. Six days later, his schoolbag was found in a laneway near his home which contained some schoolbooks but some of his personal items were missing.

Despite extensive searches, appeals, and ongoing investigations over decades, Philip has never been found, and his disappearance remains one of Ireland's most enduring missing-person cases.

In 2016, Gardai investigated new leads after a man came forward claiming to know what had happened to Philip, but no conclusive evidence was found. The case remains open and unsolved.

Philip's schoolbag was found in a laneway near his home in Rathfarnham, Dublin

Alice Cairns was always a central and deeply respected figure in the decades long search for her son and has always been described as graceful, gentle, and steadfast in her hopes of finding answers about what happened to Philip.

Over the years, Alice has spoken publicly, but sparingly, often through appeals made alongside Gardai or in media interviews marking anniversaries of her son's disappearance. Her focus was always to keep Philip's memories alive.

She also spoke about the pain and uncertainty her family has lived with since that day and has often described how life was never the same after Philip vanished.

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On Tuesday, Alice Cairns, late of Ballyroan Road, Templeogue and formerly Lisnafunchin, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny, passed away suddenly, but peacefully, surrounded by her family.

She is predeceased by her beloved husband Philip.

Alice was the cherished mam to Mary, Sandra, Helen, Suzanne, Philip and Eoin, loving grandmother to Ciara, Liam, Rory, Theo, Edith and Adah.

She will be deeply missed and remembered always by her heartbroken family, her sisters Ellen, Catherine and Liz, her brothers Joe, Billy and Johnny, her sons-in-law Arne and Gary, her daughter-in-law Loretta, her sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and a wide circle of friends.

Heartfelt condolences have been left on RIP.ie, from those who knew and fondly remembered Alice over the years, with one mourner writing,

"Mrs Cairns you are truly at peace now . Rest easy. You were not without trouble in your living years. You carried a big cross that no one should ever carry. I thought of you so many times in my life and I hope that the mystery to the finding of your son Philip will come yet too. May God put his arms around your family and comfort you all at this sad time."

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Another wrote,

"Deepest sympathies to the Cairns family. Alice was an absolutely wonderful lady. It was a pleasure to meet her recently at the Mass for Missing Persons in Drogheda. Alices strength lifted so many other people down the years. Her faith and her strength so inspiring. Thinking of all Alices children and grand children. Ar Dheis De go raibh a h-anam dilis."

While another wrote,

"Condolences to Mary, Sandra, Helen. Suzanne and Eoin on the death of your beloved mother, Alice. Kindness, gentleness and friendliness come to mind when we think of Alice. A wonderful neighbour, she will be missed by so many here in Ballyroan. Rest in peace dear Alice."

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Funeral Arrangements

Alice's funeral details will be announced on RIP.ie in due course.

Family flowers only have been requested and donations if desired to a charity very close to Alice's heart, The National Missing Persons Helpline: Donate Here

Anyone with information in relation to Philip's disappearance is asked to contact Rathfarnham Garda Station on 01-6666500, or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
There is nothing new in the Governments housing plan, Sinn Fein has said, as it criticised the coalition for moving away from defined annual targets.

The coalition says a 300,000-home target in its housing strategy, Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030, is achievable and realistic by getting public and private sector partners working effectively together.

Sinn Fein said there was nothing new in the document and charged the Government with attempting to evade accountability by scrapping annual targets.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said figures on annual output would still be published and that would give a clear indication of progress.

A reduction in house prices to more affordable rates because of increased supply is among the possible outcomes envisioned by officials involved in putting together the plan, with Government prioritising building faster, more efficiently and with lower cost.

Under the Governments plan, the State says it will deliver 72,000 social homes and work under a new prevention framework to focus on ending homelessness.

The Government said it will provide 90,000 Starter Home supports, allowing thousands of people to realise their dream of homeownership.

To build the number of homes projected under the plan, an estimated 20 billion euro in development finance will be required each year.

To reach this level of delivery, the State is committing significant funds towards the provision of social and affordable homes.

It has committed in excess of nine billion euro in funding for housing through the Exchequer, the Land Development Agency (LDA) and the Housing Finance Agency in 2026.

The remaining required funding is to come from investment by the private sector.

One of the highlighted measures includes 100 million euro in capital funding next year to acquire second-hand properties to support exits from emergency accommodation.

The latest figures show that 16,614 people are using emergency accommodation  11,376 adults and 5,238 children.

The Department of Housing is also undertaking a review of Housing Assistance Payment limits.

The Government also promises to reduce planning, legal and regulatory delays and uncertainties as well as radically increase investment in public infrastructure.

It also pledges to provide more zoned and serviced land to enable the private sector to deliver homes at a greater scale.

The Government said it has provided unprecedented resources through the National Development Plan to enable the largest capital investment in the history of the State, a total of 275.4 billion euro.

On infrastructure, it is investing over 24 billion euro in key transport programmes, 12.2 billion euro for the water sector and over 28 billion euro for housing and related infrastructure.

Sinn Fein housing spokesman Eoin O Broin told reporters at Leinster House that the Government is underestimating overall housing need by a margin of about 20%.

The idea 50,000 new homes a year will address our housing crisis simply is not correct. That is not the view of the Housing Commission. Its not the view of Sinn Fein or many other housing experts.

Mr O Broin said the plan contained no increase in funding or targets for the delivery of new-build social homes, no scheme for new-build homes, nor an increase in affordable-purchase or cost-rental homes.

What the Government have done is Orwellian in the extreme. They have taken all of the unaffordable private homes that receive any form of subsidy from the State, and theyre now describing all of those homes as affordable.

And thats just a brazen attempt to hide the fact that theyre not delivering affordable homes for working people.

Mr O Broin also criticised the Government for moving away from published annual targets.

By scrapping those annual targets, the Government is essentially saying they know they cant meet them, and they want to avoid proper scrutiny from the opposition, the media and the public.

Social Democrats housing spokesman Rory Hearne said the removal of annual targets was a cowardly and cynical sleight of hand to avoid accountability.

The move, which was a political decision, was defended by the Taoiseach on Thursday.

It sees the scrapping of targets set by the last coalition, which set incremental increases from 41,000 homes this year up to 60,000 in 2030.

Mr Martin said: Well be held accountable for results. I mean, I remember the targets in Housing for All.

As soon as we exceeded them, Your targets were too low, you must have higher targets. Ill say no more on that but whats key is results.

Tanaiste Simon Harris said the challenge around housing was no longer about funding and instead focused on speeding up delivery.

We have to have a no-nonsense approach to bureaucracy, red tape, gates, stages, hoops  you dont have that in a national emergency.

The Housing Minister called for bravery and calculated risk-taking in delivery of homes.

James Browne said: The plan we published today recognises that we are are in a housing crisis and is very much treated as an emergency, and its one that requires a rapid response at scale.

He said a growing population has placed considerable pressure on the housing system amid lagging supply, high prices and rising rents.

Junior housing minister John Cummins said there was too much of a discrepancy in the performance between local authorities in delivering social housing.
Met Eireann has issued a Status Yellow rain and wind warning for Louth ahead of whats expected to be a wet and blustery end to the week. The warnings, which come into effect on Friday afternoon, could bring localised flooding, poor visibility, and hazardous travel conditions across the region.

The rain warning for Louth is valid from 11:00 a.m. on Friday, 14th November, until 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, 15th November, with heavy and persistent rainfall expected throughout the period.

Motorists are advised to exercise caution, as surface water and reduced visibility could make driving conditions treacherous, particularly during Friday evenings rush hour and overnight.

In addition to the rain, a Status Yellow wind warning is also in place for Louth, Dublin, Wexford, and Wicklow, from midday Friday until 4:00 a.m. Saturday. Met Eireann warns of strong and gusty northeasterly winds, which could lead to fallen branches, wind-blown debris, and difficult driving conditions, especially for high-sided vehicles and those travelling near coastal areas.

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While neighbouring counties Dublin and Wicklow are also under an Orange rain warning, Louth is expected to avoid the most extreme rainfall totals.
A woman living with her young daughter in Bandon was terrified when a man smashed his way into her home at three oclock in the morning.

Sergeant Pat Russell said at Cork Circuit Criminal Court that the burglary occurred on August 5, 2023, at Nicholas Church Lane in Bandon, County Cork.

Glass was smashed in a downstairs window and the woman who lived there went down to see a man outside putting his hand through the broken window to open the latch on the door.

He was aggressive and shouting: Open the door, open the door. She was terrified. She got her daughter and ran out of her home through the front door and phoned the gardai. She now fears for her safety.

Hughie Maguire can be seen on CCTV walking around the building, he is very intoxicated, he is seen putting on gloves. With a hammer in his hand, he tries to enter a number of apartments. He was arrested and detained and was uncooperative.

The woman does not want to make a victim impact statement. But she is frightened. She and her daughter have difficulty sleeping in the house, Sgt Russell said.

Judge Dermot Sheehan was told that Hughie Maguire is now working and living in Dublin where he has an address at Glenmore House in Swords and doing much better in his life, although he had 100 previous convictions.

Judge Sheehan noted that 200 compensation had been brought to Cork Circuit Criminal Court by Hughie Maguire to pay for the damage to the window. Mr Maguire indicated he was keen to gather more compensation.

Judge Sheehan required him to gather 2,000 compensation for the woman and her daughter. I am not giving any promise about the sentencing but it would be indicative of some remorse. Sentencing was adjourned until February 16, 2026, for this purpose.
Elderly people are frequently being placed in nursing homes far away from their partners, an advocate for the elderly has said.

One woman has not seen her husband in seven months as she is unable to travel, and she cries herself to sleep every night due to the loneliness, according to Paddy OBrien.

The HSE have acknowledged that there is unfortunately a shortage of public nursing homes beds in the Cork city area.

Cork-based advocate for the elderly Mr OBrien told The Echo that there was a crisis amongst people from Cork city who had to go into long-term residential care.

Its a serious problem. In the last couple of years the HSE has been sending people down the country, theyre separating families. Elderly couples cant visit each other, as often one is in the nursing home and the other cant travel that far.

Something must be done to rectify the awful situation that exists currently, whereby large numbers of senior citizens are sent to nursing homes several miles away from the city.

Many senior citizens I speak to say their partner is in a nursing home 25 or 30 miles away from Cork city, and many are unable to travel to visit. One 80-year-old has not seen her husband for seven months. She is incapacitated so couldn't make the journey, even if she got a lift.

She told me she is heartbroken and said she never knew what loneliness and sadness was until her husband was separated from her."

He said she cries herself to sleep and wakes in the morning wondering will she ever see him again. This is not an isolated case, he said.

Mr OBrien added: Some people that I spoke to were told this placement would only be short-term, but it was permanent  their partner never returned back.

Read More Cork sees surge in waiting lists for ophthalmology appointments

Separating husbands and wives when they are in their 70s, 80s or 90s, is totally un-Christian. Senior citizens do not want to be separated in their final days.

One woman said to me: Has the HSE ever heard of til death do us part?"

"Another man told me he didnt know if his wife was alive or dead.

While he emphasised that the care these people was getting in nursing homes was to a very high standard, more must be done on the planning side, he said.

The people affected by this awful arrangement have no voice, they cant protest  they just want to be together.

Advocate Paddy OBrien, centre, with Jerry Buttimer TD (Fine Gael), and Kieran ODonnell TD (Fine Gael), minister of state for older people. Picture: David Keane

A HSE spokesperson told The Echo: When an older person requires publicly-funded residential care, HSE South West does everything possible to provide suitable residential care as close to the persons home as possible.

Once a person has completed the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (or Fair Deal) process and has been approved for funding under the scheme, they can be added to the waiting list for any of our HSE residential units and will be offered a place in their turn when a vacancy arises, once the unit determines that they can deliver the specific care required.

We can only allocate residential placements based on availability and there is unfortunately a well-recognised shortage of public nursing homes beds in the Cork city area, they said.

HSE South West acknowledges that it may not always be possible initially to find a placement as close to a persons home and community as they would like but consideration is always given to each persons individual circumstances in considering available placements.

They concluded: HSE South West has been working to increase the quantity of public nursing home beds in Cork city.

The 60-bed extension to Heather House in Gurranabraher has enhanced capacity in the city, and the new 105-bed Community Nursing Unit at St Finbarrs Hospital, when completed, will offer further long-term residential care capacity. We will continue to work to maximise services and improve access to residential care for older people living in Cork city.
Met Eireann have issued another status yellow rain warning for Cork for this Friday.

The warning is set to come into place on Friday, November 14 at 9am and will continue until Saturday, November 15 at 9am.

Heavy and persistent rain falling is expected to fall on saturated ground which will likely lead to spot flooding in some areas of Cork city and County.

Yellow Rain Warning

Cork Kerry Limerick Tipperary Waterford

09:00 Fri to 09:00 Sat



Yellow Rain Warning

Carlow Dublin Kildare Kilkenny Louth Meath Wexford Wicklow

11:00 Fri to 11:00 Sat



Yellow Wind Warning

Dublin Louth Wexford Wicklow

12:00 Fri to 04:00 Sat pic.twitter.com/oDh15iwT7U  Met Eireann (@MetEireann) November 13, 2025

Poor visibility and difficult travelling conditions are expected as a result.

Cork City Council workers attempt to clear blocked drains on the Rochestown Road, where heavy rainfall once again caused severe flooding.

Friday's status yellow warning also extends to Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford.

A status yellow rain warning has also been issued for counties Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Louth and Meath, which will last from 12pm Friday to 4am Saturday.

Meanwhile, Dublin, Wexford and Wicklow have been issued with an orange rain alert.

Motorists are advised to exercise extreme caution.
The refurbishment of Bishop Lucey Park in Cork city centre will cost around 7m, but a final cost will not be available until next year, and there is still final work to be done after the park's re-opening this week, councillors have been told.

The park closed in December 2023 for redevelopment works, and has remained closed since, but Lord Mayor of Cork Fergal Dennehy will officially re-open the redeveloped park and new pedestrian bridge at Lambleys Lane tomorrow afternoon.

Independent councillor Kieran McCarthy asked at last Mondays monthly meeting of Cork City Council for an update on the works and the cost.

Gerry OBeirne, the councils director of infrastructure development said that project finances remain in line with expectations at circa 7m, and that work is expected to be completed within the next two weeks yet confirmed the park will reopen to the public this week.

Upgrade to Bishop Lucey Park nears completion. Cumnor Construction for Cork City Council. Picture: Larry Cummins

Read More Watch: Overturned truck near Elysian causes travel disruption in Cork city

The councils senior engineer John Stapleton told Mr McCarthy at the meeting that the councils current plan is to finish the works over the next couple of weeks, though removing the vacant pod in front of the arches on Grand Parade and paving it over will need to be done next year.

Mr McCarthy told The Echo that the pod, a former energy hub centre, took from the entrance view and has been a bug bear for many people since the pod was built 20 years ago.

Sinn Fein councillor Michelle Gould also tabled a motion, asking what portion of the funding was provided by central government.

CGI plans of the park

A written response from Mr OBeirne said that the parks comprehensive restorationencompassing soft and hard landscaping, upgraded lighting, installation of feature structures, conservation of sculptures, repairs to boundary walls and historic railings, archaeological surveys, and associated worksis projected to cost approximately 7 million excluding VAT.

Construction is currently underway; hence the final cost can only be confirmed upon completion of works and conclusion of the final account in 2026.

The project is being delivered through a 75% grant from the Governments Urban Regeneration and Development Fund while the remaining funding is provided by Cork City Council, they added.
The Department of Education is assessing an application from University College Cork to set up a new primary teaching masters degree programme.

Cork Social Democrats TD Padraig Rice asked education minister Helen McEntee about a proposal from UCC to introduce a professional master of education (PME) for primary teaching course.

Currently, primary teaching can only be studied at either undergraduate or masters level in Dublin and in Mary Immaculate College, Limerick.

Mr Rice asked for a timeline for the departments decision on UCCs application.

Ms McEntee said: There has been ongoing engagement between department officials and UCC, and following a meeting this summer, the department received an official request from UCC seeking approval to introduce a primary PME programme.

Read More Number of Cork schools forced to redeploy special ed staff as absence cover

This request is still under consideration with due regard being given to, inter alia, available data on primary teacher supply needs in coming years. Each year, the number of students admitted to primary Bachelor of Education and PME programmes in State-funded higher education institutes is determined by my department, having regard to teacher supply and demand issues, and available resources, noting that additional places have a direct cost implication for the department.

When considering newly proposed programmes, this department would favour new programmes being introduced in areas where there is an identified national need and giving due regard to prevailing teacher supply and demand.

Once the assessment of the request has been finalised, and subject to any further engagement or clarification, a decision will be issued to UCC.

It comes as there were nearly 140 unfilled primary teaching posts in Cork as of March 2025, the latest date for which data is available.
Over eleven kilos of cocaine with an 837,000 street value and destined for the Christmas market for drugs in Cork city was discovered in a secret compartment built into the floor of a black Volkswagen Passat stopped by gardai.

Now the driver has been sentenced to eight years imprisonment with the last year suspended by Judge Helen Boyle at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Detective Garda Rory Fogarty testified that the car was stopped on the M8 at Glanmire, County Cork, on December 18 2024.

Gardai had confidential information that the driver of this car was involved in the transportation of large quantities of cocaine on a national basis, Det Garda Fogarty said.

32-year-old Maceks Rihards of Main Street, Tipperary Town, County Tipperary, pleaded guilty to having the drugs for sale or supply at a time when their street value exceeded 13,000, the threshold figure which put him at risk of a minimum sentence of ten years.

Det. Garda Fogarty said the drugs were found in a concealed compartment underneath the area between the back seats and the boot.

Interviewed on two occasions, he initially claimed he thought there was a bag containing a box of money which he was asked to drive from Dublin to an unknown location in Cork.

Challenged about this by gardai he later admitted that he knew it was drugs he was transporting and that he was to receive a 500 payment. He did not name the man who would pay him or name any person.

He was working as a courier. The car was modified for the sole purpose of transporting drugs for a highly organised criminal group who trusted him with this work.

The drugs were destined for Cork over the Christmas period.

He is 32 years old and Latvian. He has been in custody since his arrest in December 2024. Donal OSullivan defence senior counsel said the defendant had consent to bail but did not take it up. The defendant was essentially homeless at the time, living between his car and sleeping on the couch in friends homes.

Mr OSullivan said it was a signed plea of guilty. He got himself into difficulties and he fell into a chaotic life. He was being threatened by persons involved  the persons behind this are people no one would like to have looking their way.
Cork County Council has activated a Level 1 flood response plan for East Cork ahead of this weekends yellow weather warning.

The local authoritys Severe Weather Assessment Team met this afternoon following Met Eireanns announcement of a heightened risk for flooding across Cork this weekend.

The status yellow rain warning, issued today, will come into effect from 9am tomorrow and will remain in place until 9am on Saturday.

The national forecaster additionally issued a weather advisory for 11 counties, including Cork, regarding flood risks, which will come into effect from midnight tonight and will remain in place until midnight on Saturday.

Further spells of heavy rainfall are expected over the coming days on already saturated ground, which may lead to excess surface water and further flooding across Cork.

After a night of torrential rain earlier this week, roads around Madore, West Cork is flooded and impassable, Picture: Andy Gibson.

A spokesperson for Cork County Council said that crews have inspected known risk locations in East Cork and will continue to monitor and respond as required.

The spokesperson further said that pumping arrangements have been put in place at locations prone to flooding.

Cork County Council will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary, the spokesperson said.

Due to this period of unsettled weather, the public is advised to stay away from coastal areas, as wave overtopping is possible; as well as keeping clear of swollen rivers, streams and flooded riverbanks, as banks can collapse without warning; and to avoid open riverbanks and canal paths in flood conditions, as water levels and currents may be stronger than usual.

Flooding in Bantry this week. Picture: Andy Gibson.

Motorists and road users are also advised to slow down, increase stopping distances and watch for surface water and debris on roads, as poor visibility and hazardous driving conditions can be expected during heavy periods of rain.

Issues such as flooding or road damage should be reported to the Cork County Councils Emergency Out of Hours number at: 021-480-0048 or to your local council office during working hours.

For emergencies, call 999 or 112 and request the appropriate service, such as fire, ambulance, gardai, or the Irish Coast Guard.

In the event of water supply disruptions, contact Uisce Eireann at: 1800-278-278.
In the early 1970s, a young American reporter named Patrick Lydon encountered the Camphill Community in Wexford during his visit to Ireland. This community, part of the international Camphill organisation, provided a space where individuals with intellectual disabilities could live and work alongside their caregivers as equals.

Inspired by this experience, Lydon established his own Camphill Community in Kilkenny, where he set up the groundbreaking KCAT Theatre for people with mixed abilities. This initiative created a community where individuals with differences could attain autonomy, learn skills, and live as their friends and neighbours.

The director Eamon Little and West Cork filmmaker Adrian McCarthy have created a compelling new documentary, Born That Way, which examines Lydons life and the extraordinary community he built.

Little had a personal connection to Camphill, and this bond was the driving force behind the realisation of the documentary.

My brother went to live in a Camphill Community in 1991, and it was life-changing. He has intellectual disabilities, and I remember seeing him at a rehab place, before Camphill. He was sitting at a drill that wasnt even plugged in and just staring at it. That was how he spent his days. When he came to Camphill, he completely blossomed. It was an incredible thing to witness, and that began my fascination with the organisation.

In 2011, Little was approached to make a short documentary aimed at raising awareness about Camphill.

When I was making the short, I met Patrick Lydon, and quickly learned that he was at the heart of this community in Callan in Kilkenny. It was the first town-based Camphill community in Ireland. They had houses in different parts of the town, which gave the residents a sense of independence and inclusion with the mainstream community.

During the making of the documentary, Little and Lydon became fast friends. Little says it was Lydons view of community that drew him to him.

When I was growing up, my brother was laughed at and insulted, but I knew that there was a substantial human being in there that was being disregarded. Patrick saw people with disabilities through a new lens.

Disability is often seen as a deficit of some kind. People see disability as not being whole, whereas, in fact, the truth is more that people are different, thats all. Theres no reason why they cant be contributors to society. Patrick lived that philosophy, and its why I needed to tell his story. 

Little knew that he wanted to make a feature documentary that would introduce the world to Lydon and his beliefs, showing that people should have the chance to work and live as equals, regardless of their differences.

Lydon was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2021 and sadly died a year later. Littles documentary became not just an examination of Lydons work, but also an exploration of his legacy.

When McCarthy, who had worked with Little on his previous documentary about Camphill, heard that Lydon was ill, he knew he wanted to help bring the documentary to light.

When Eamon contacted me in 2021, saying Patrick was sick and asked if Id come on board as producer and help get funding to make a film about the great man, I didnt hesitate.

From the first time I met them, Patrick and his wife Gladys left a real mark on me with their unique selfless views on how they lived their lives, so I knew we had to do what we had to do to get this film made.

The documentary explores Lydons early life in both America and Ireland. It highlights his work at Camphill, featuring perspectives from residents and Lydons family. There are interviews with Lydon, recorded before his passing, which allow us to get to know how extraordinary he was.

The film is peppered with photographs which Little says illustrate Lydons strong connections with people with disabilities.

Patricks brother, Christopher, who appears in the film, took numerous photographs of Patrick during a visit in 1973.

He also provided me with photos from the family archives back in America. Patricks son is also a gifted photographer, and he has an extensive archive of family and Camphill photographs that really let us see Patricks community.

The documentary has come at a pivotal moment when certain areas of the world are increasingly narrow in their views of individuals with differences.

McCarthy asserts that the timing of the documentary is more crucial now than ever before.

In my lifetime, Im not sure there has been a period of so much flux and division in societies around the world and here in Ireland, with extreme views about how we treat people who are different to ourselves.

Patrick and Gladys views on how we treat others in our community, and how they choose to live their lives, are fascinating.

This is a story that the world needs to hear right now. Ive been making documentaries since the late 1990s, and I have never felt that way about anything before; its kind of life-changing.

McCarthy, who comes from Skibbereen, believes that Born That Way is essential viewing.

I would encourage people of all ages to spend 90 minutes in the company of these people and their extraordinary community.

I expect many viewers will leave the cinema feeling like something has shifted in how they look at others in their community.
Fionnuala Walsh

A woman who was convicted of child cruelty for smacking and hitting her young children has had her case discharged under the Probation Act on appeal.

One of her children said the behaviour destroyed every way I could become a functioning adult and ruined every chance of making friends in a victim impact statement to the District Court Appeals Court yesterday.

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had pleaded not guilty in the District Court to two counts of cruelty to children, contrary to section 246 (1)(2) of the Children Act, 2001. She was charged with assault in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to the childrens health or seriously affecting their wellbeing on dates unknown between August 1st, 2012 and December 19th, 2017.

She was convicted and sentenced to three months on both counts, fully suspended for a period of two years.

The woman later lodged an appeal against her conviction.

Garda interview

During a specialist garda interview in 2018, shown to the appeals court on a DVD, the womans younger child spoke about living with their mum, saying: When Im there I feel kind of safe but not safe.

When the child was asked about the nature of smacking, the child answered that it was like hit, very hard. They said: sometimes she catches us and hits us all on our bodies.

When a garda specialist asked the young child where they would be sore, the child said: On our backs, on our hands, on our mouth when we say bad words. The child said: it used to hurt so badly I couldnt explain it.

The child also described occasions where their mother would throw empty water bottles at them from the stairs, saying: I felt scared.

Speaking in court earlier this week over video link, seven years since the original interview, the child said that all parents shout, but it gets to a point where it starts to become abuse.

The child said that their father has been the right parent for me for a long time and that he was never controlling.

Footage from the second childs 2018 interview was also shown to the court, where he said: She sometimes hits us when she gets angry and she sends us into our rooms for a long time.

Speaking about the smacking he said: It leaves a red mark, its painful and she also does it a lot. She keeps doing it.

He then described an incident where he was pushed onto the wall and the woman started hitting him across the face with both his own hand and her own. He said his head had felt woozy, a combination between numb and shaky.

The boy said that it was painful on my wrist, my face and arm and that we were running around the house, she was chasing me, I was faster than her.

He said: she caught me on the back of the neck and then she started shouting at me.

Evidence

In her evidence to the court, the appellant alleged that the father of her children had used coercive control during their relationship and that he had told her: If you want a war youre going to get a war.

The woman said that her "heart was broken" for her children and that she was in touch with them secretly.

When asked about grabbing her sons arm and hitting him in the face, she said did not recall any of the incident and that it may have been part of a game between her and the children.

She asked why she would do something like that without a reason and added that she was an overprotective mum.

In relation to pushing her sons head against the wall, she said that it never happened, never and that it was completely out of the question.

In relation to the allegation that she kicked her son out of bed, she said that from what she could recall he was impatient and jumped on us but they had all laughed.

The woman said that she was surprised to hear of this allegation because she said the child got the most of her attention that night. She said that it could have been a reflex when he jumped on the bed unexpectedly, but he put it in a different scenario.

In relation to a statement she made in 2018, where she said she would tap the children on the mouth, she said: It is tapping, theres not violence, no force and that she was touching them on the mouth, not hitting.

The woman said that when they were loud it was from joy and that she doesnt consider it abuse, shouting.

When asked by State Solicitor, Niamh McKernan, how many times she changed solicitors, the woman said that she did not know and that it was not her intention to delay the matter for nearly seven years.

Judge Deirdre Browne explained that the prosecution were suggesting that her changing legal representation several times was an effort to delay matters, and this was a part of being cruel and neglectful, to which the appellant replied: I disagree.

The prosecutor also noted that one of the children said in their evidence that their father allows contact with the woman but that they "don't want to.

The woman replied its not true.

The woman said that there was nothing important in my life more than my children and that she would do everything to recover her relationship with them.

Domestic abuse investigation

Ms McKernan highlighted that the prosecuting garda said there was no investigation into domestic abuse in relation to the father. She also said that both of the womans children confirmed that there was no pressure from their father to make claims about their mother.

The appellant said that her child chose not to tell the truth today.

Judge Browne said that this was a very sad case which is of immense importance to the family. She said she was satisfied that the charges in both cases had been made out by the prosecution.

She said that the first child gave evidence with a more general account of slapping over a period of time, whereas the second childs evidence was more focused on one violent incident.

Judge Browne said that the evidence of the first child was clear, considered and very, very definite. She said that the childs behaviour clearly showed them not wanting to talk about what was happening, rather than speaking about it under the influence of their father.

She said that a gesture made by the child in the garda interview of raising their hand quite high was compelling evidence of a child who had experienced a hard smack.

Judge Browne said that the smacking seemed to be a consistent theme and started from about the age of five or six.

In relation to the second account, she said that there was probably some degree of exaggeration but she had no doubt of a violent tussle between the woman and the child.

She said that his head was pushed on the wall, with his mother trying to subdue him by sitting on him. The judge said that she had no doubt she hit him in this instance, that she grabbed his hand and used it.

Defence counsel for the woman, Lydia Daly BL, said in mitigation that her client has no previous convictions and that there are no outstanding child protection concerns from Tusla in relation to the case.

Two character witnesses spoke positively of the appellant, with one saying that she is an incredible person and another saying that she is a very warm, sincere and patient person.

The first child told the court in a victim impact statement that the manipulation and lies had a big effect on them, adding that it: just destroyed me.

They said that they were very young at the time and couldnt tell what was wrong or right, but knew something was going on.

They said that the process destroyed my school and social life and that this back and forth ruined every chance of making friends.

They said that they felt they could never become a functioning adult like my peers and that school is hard, dealing with court.

The woman's other child told the court that he has not been able to trust people and has lots of issues with relationships and friendships.

He said that he had many restless nights and days where he had not eaten. He said that he had missed school because of it.

He said he had not bonded with lots of people, "felt alone for a while" and had lots of issues.

Judge Browne said that if the woman had faced up to the reality presented to her many years ago, it would have been so much to the benefit of all. She said it was a serious wrong that things have gone on instead of being addressed.

The judge decided to discharge the woman under Section 1(1)(ii) of the Probation of Offenders Act, 1907, making the conditions that she must keep the peace for 24 months and enter the supervision of the probation service.

Judge Browne said that her application of the probation act was not an acquittal, but leaves the offending person without a criminal record. She said that it was not an exoneration but a chance to rebuild.

She also ordered that the woman must not mind children on a paid or voluntary basis and that she must complete a suitable and approved parenting course and aftercare. The woman must also complete a psychological course and therapy, with emphasis on offence-focused courses.

Judge Browne ordered that the woman have no contact, direct or indirect, with her children other than by court order, through legal representatives or by option of the children themselves.
High Court Reporters

A 6'8" Garda Superintendent has told the High Court that his actions were "proportionate and justified" when he struck a former Garda with a baton at "full force" on the head after a high-speed chase that he described as the most "extreme and dangerous" driving he ever witnessed.

John Bowe (41) was arrested following the chase, which occurred outside Bunclody, Co Wexford on December 5th 2014.

Mr Bowe, of Coolnaleen, Camolin, Enniscorthy, was subsequently convicted of various counts of dangerous driving arising from the chase.

Mr Bowe, an ex-garda, brought a High Court action over alleged injuries sustained when Supt Rory Sheriff, then of Enniscorthy Garda station, struck Mr Bowe over the head with a retractable baton following the chase.

It is Mr Bowes case that Supt Sheriff  then a sergeant  wrongfully and violently struck him. Mr Bowe claims that arising from alleged injuries sustained, he was diagnosed with functional neurological disorder. The claims are denied

Mr Bowes case is against Supt Sheriff, the Garda Commissioner, the Attorney General and Ireland.

At the High Court today, Supt Sheriff told a jury of six men and six women that he was chasing Mr Bowe through the field after a 25-minute car chase that hit speeds in excess of 140kph.

Supt Sheriff told his barrister, Richard Lyons SC, that when he was chasing Mr Bowe he shouted "Stop! Gardai!"

Supt Sheriff said Mr Bowe turned back on him with a "metallic object" in his hand and lunged at him. The Supt then deployed his baton and hit Mr Bowe over the head "with full force, as hard as I could hit him", he said.

The superintendent said that he was aiming for Mr Bowe's torso, feared for his own safety and that he had been informed by attending Gda Mick Dee that Mr Bowe had a knife.

The metallic object Mr Bowe had in his hand turned out to be a set of keys with two bottle openers attached.

Upon arrest, said Supt Sheriff, Mr Bowe was apologetic and informed him that he was a former Garda and had been out for "four pints" for his 30th birthday but also had no tax on his car when he turned away from a Garda checkpoint, prompting the pursuit.

Supt Sheriff said Mr Bowe was lucid throughout the incident, was conscious despite the blow, could walk and talk and was later, when released from custody, taken for medical attention but left without receiving any treatment.

The checkpoint was set up because there had been reports of a burglary in the area involving an Audi car.

Mr Bowe was also driving an Audi on the night of the chase but Supt Sheriff accepted that the plaintiff was not involved in the burglary.

Supt Sheriff said he called for armed and helicopter support during the chase that saw two civilian vehicles take evasive action, a crowd of pub-goers fleeing the outside area in fear and another Garda car go into a ditch.

"It was the most extreme example of dangerous driving I have ever witnessed," said Supt Sheriff.

Supt Sheriff told Mark Harty SC, for Mr Bowe, that he was 6'8" tall and that Mr Bowe was about 5'8" but had suddenly lunged low toward him when he was unintentionally struck on the top of the head when the strike was meant for the torso.

Mr Harty asked the superintendent if he had any regrets from the night.

Supt Sheriff said he regretted that Mr Bowe endangered the life of his colleague and himself and the lives of the public.

"I have no regrets in respect of my actions on the night," he said. "I acted within policy at all times. The action was proportionate and justified," he said.

Closing speeches will be delivered to the jury by both sides tomorrow before Mr Justice Micheal O'Higgins who will then deliver his charge.
Sean McCarthaigh

An individual currently in custody in another jurisdiction is facing extradition in relation to the gangland murder of Jamie Tighe-Ennis in Dublin eight years ago, an inquest has heard.

Mr Tighe-Ennis (24) of Timberhill Apartments, Artane, suffered fatal gunshot wounds to the head when he was attacked on Moateview Avenue, Priorswood, Dublin 17 on October 28th, 2017.

A sitting of Dublin District Coroners Court on Thursday heard an application from gardai for an adjournment of the inquest into his death on the basis that criminal proceedings have been initiated in the case.

Detective Inspector Donncha Maguire said one individual was already before the courts in relation to the circumstances of Mr Tighe-Ennis death.

He told coroner Clare Keane that a second person is currently in custody in another jurisdiction and awaiting extradition back to Ireland.

Det Insp Maguire said the victims family, who did not attend the brief hearing, were aware of developments in the case.

Dr Keane granted the application for an adjournment of the inquest to a date to be fixed after the conclusion of any related criminal proceedings.

At a previous sitting of the inquest in May, Det Insp Maguire told the coroner that gardai expected several more prosecutions would follow in relation to the murder of Mr Tighe-Ennis.

The deceased was walking home from a nearby pub with a group of friends when he was shot twice in the head by a gunman at around 2:20am in a suspected gang-related attack.

The father of one, who came originally from Darndale, was later pronounced dead at the scene.

A stolen Audi A3, which was believed to have been used as a getaway vehicle, was later found partially burnt out on a green between The Griffith apartments and Prospect Hill in Finglas about 10 kilometres away.

It emerged last year that gardai had submitted a second file on the case to the DPP as a result of a development in the investigation into the killing.

In February 2025, John Farrell (59) of Rialto Cottages, Dublin, appeared before a sitting of Dublin District Court accused of helping a criminal gang by buying a car used in the murder.

Mr Farrell was charged under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 with enhancing the ability of a criminal organisation by buying and keeping a 2000-reg vehicle on October 13-28, 2017.

The court heard the accused made no reply when charged with the offence.

At the time of his death, it was reported that Mr Tighe-Ennis had a history of involvement in robberies and drugs and had several criminal convictions including for firearms offences.

He was also suspected of having been involved in several murders in Coolock and Ballymun.

Although he had connections with both the Kinahan and Hutch criminal gangs, it remains unclear if he was a victim of the deadly feud which emerged between the rival criminal organisations which has claimed the lives of 18 people to date.

A relative of Mr Tighe Ennis, Jordan Davis (23), was also killed in a gangland-style murder around 18 months later when he was shot while wheeling his newborn baby in a buggy outside a school in Darndale.

At the opening of the inquest into Mr Tighe-Ennis death in January 2018, evidence was heard that the deceased had to be formally identified from his fingerprints because of the extensive nature of his head injuries.
Claire Henry

An 89-year-old Mayo man, a self-proclaimed pillar of society, will be sentenced next week for the historical sexual assault of a five-year-old child.

The Central Criminal Court heard that Pat Salmon (89) of Rockfield, Knock, Claremorris, Co Mayo pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual assault, on dates between January and June 1995.

The offence took place at his home. He has no previous convictions.

The injured party wished for Salmon to be named in the reporting of this case, but did not wish for their name to be published.

Salmon was 59 years old when the offence took place, and the injured party was five years of age.

The injured party said in her victim impact statement, You taught me fear, and you also taught me how to hide it. You masqueraded as a normal person; you placed yourself in a self-proclaimed pillar of society. You were seen as a pillar in Knock, how could I go up against you?

Detective Garda Paula Griffin told Fiona McGowan, BL, prosecuting, that Salmon's offending came to light when the injured party in this case told a sibling and their partner about the abuse.

The injured party then called a crisis helpline and disclosed the abuse. The Mayo Divisional Protective Services were contacted, and the injured party attended Claremorris Garda Station.

The court heard that when the injured party attended the garda station, she handed a letter to the gardai which she had received from Salmon. In the letter, Salmon outlined that he was remorseful. In the letter, he also said, I deserve this, no home, no family, they hate me.

In her statement to gardai, the injured party said Salmon was known to her and her family and was a trusted person.

She then described a number of incidents that occurred in the spring of 1995 when he brought her to the bathroom in his home, removed his clothing from the waist down, and made the five-year-old child masturbate him. The offending would last up to 10 minutes.

The court heard that on another occasion, an unusual event happened, and Salmon told the child that they were going to try something different. Salmon then placed his penis in the childs mouth. The injured party told the gardai that she was scared, but Salmon reassured her, It would be ok.

Det Gda Griffin said she spoke with Salmon in December 2024, and he was aware of the allegations made against him.

He immediately moved out of the area and has not returned since. Salmon was interviewed three times on two different dates.

During his first interview, he said, As a religious man, I would say the devil took over for a period of time, a couple of months, and then it discontinued.

Salmon denied the masturbation charges during all interviews, but during the first interview, he said the injured party held his penis.

A victim impact statement was read to the court, which said, A five-year-old child should learn to tie their shoelaces and draw pictures that their family can stick to the fridge. They should believe in the tooth fairy and the Easter bunny.

It was only when I reached my teenage years that I realised what you had done. The trauma did not end when the abuse stopped.

The injured party described that she never felt worthy of being loved.

She said, There are no paedophiles in heaven. Finally, on October 23rd, I got to hear you plead guilty. You will get your comeuppance. May your punishment be as severe and impacts on you as your actions had on me.

She finished by saying, What you did will always be part of my story, but it will not define me. Your power over me has ended. Good riddance.

Det Gda Griffin agreed with Conor McKenna, BL, defending, that she contacted Salmon on the day the injured party dropped the letter he had written into the garda station. She agreed that she had cautioned him over the phone and told him to speak with a solicitor.

The garda agreed with counsel that Salmon provided a voluntary statement to the gardai, and a statement was also taken from a member of his family who had heard Salmon say that there was truth to it regarding the allegations.

Mr McKenna said his client has written a letter of apology in which he wishes to acknowledge the hurt he has caused and outlined that he has deep regret and sorrow.

Medical reports were also handed into the court, which outlined several medical conditions such as congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Counsel said his client qualified in the UK in mental health nursing and worked with adults and children with learning disabilities. He moved to Ireland and became the director of a residential care unit in Galway.

In 1983, he moved to Knock in Co Mayo. He was a member of the Knock National School Board of Management and a volunteer with the Order of Malta for many years.

He asked the court to have regard to Salmons age of 89, and that he does not have much time left, his health difficulties, and that incarceration would be isolating for him. He also asked the court to take the early guilty plea and his good work life into consideration when sentencing.

Ms Justice Caroline Biggs adjourned the sentencing until Monday of next week so she could read all the materials handed into the court and consider her sentence. She highlighted the extraordinary victim impact statement read to the court and described it as heartbreaking.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help.
Elizabeth City, N.C.  In nearly every field, great institutions are remembered not only for what they achieve, but for how they tell their story. Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) is placing that responsibility in the hands of seasoned communications strategist Michelle Shaver, who has been named the university's new chief communications and marketing officer. Shaver will lead ECSU's Office of Communications and Marketing in shaping the institution's brand and voice.

Shaver brings 28 years of experience in communications, marketing and program management across higher education, state government and public service. Shaver's expertise comes with transformational outcomes, award-winning campaigns, crisis leadership, and a consistent ability to build systems, teams and strategies from the ground up.

A Familiar Face Returning to ECSU

Shaver is no stranger to ECSU. From 2019 to 2021, she served as executive director of Strategic Communications, where she led the university's communications strategy and served on the Chancellor's cabinet. She enhanced ECSU's statewide and national profile, securing major media placements, strengthening executive communications, and guiding messaging during Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic. She also oversaw the development of a new recruitment brand and a sub-brand for the Aviation Science program, earning a 2020 HBCUGrow Platinum Judges' Choice Award, the organization's highest honor.

Her return is a full-circle moment for ECSU, as the university continues to expand academic programs, research impact and community engagement.

Building Brands and Teams

Before returning to ECSU in this new executive leadership role, Shaver served as executive director of Strategic Marketing and Communications at Muskingum University, where she reimagined the institution's brand architecture, built a cohesive and high-performing communications division, launched multi-channel campaigns that grew social media engagement by 36 percent across four platforms, and revamped alumni publications to deepen donor connection and institutional affinity.

As a member of the President's Senior Leadership Team at Muskingum, she provided strategic counsel on visibility, reputation management, crisis communication and cross-campus engagement.

A Career Defined by Strategy, Structure and Storytelling

Throughout her professional journeyfrom The Ohio State University to the Ohio Department of Education, and from statewide initiatives to higher education leadership rolesShaver has consistently demonstrated strategic brand-building.

Her accomplishments have earned recognition, including PRSA's Young Practitioner of the Year award and the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation's Fridley Team Award, the agency's highest honor.

Educational Foundation

Shaver holds a master's degree in Public Policy and Management from the John Glenn College at The Ohio State University and a bachelor's degree in Public Relations with a minor in Speech Communications from Otterbein University.

In a statement reflecting her passion for mission-driven communications, Shaver said:

"Im honored to return to ECSU and lead the universitys communications and marketing team. What draws me most to this work is the opportunity to use communications as a force for purposeconnecting people to a shared mission inspiring action and building trust. Im passionate about mission-driven storytelling that brings to life the values, vision, and impact of the institution. I look forward to collaborating with our community to share the stories that reflect who we are, what we stand for, and the transformative power of an ECSU education."

A Strategic Moment for ECSU

With major initiatives underway across academics, research and student success, the arrival of a communications leader with Shaver's depth of experience positions ECSU to strengthen its brand presence.

To follow more ECSU news and updates, go to www.ecsu.edu.
Apple will not be granted a preliminary option for appealing a landmark antitrust ruling in the UK. In October, the country's Competition Appeal Tribunal determined that Apple benefited from "near absolute market power" over app distribution and in-app payments and was "abusing its dominant position by charging excessive and unfair prices" as developer commission. At the time, Apple was reportedly planning to appeal, but today, the Tribunal refused to give the company permission to challenge its decision.

That means Apple's next recourse, if it wants to not pony up more than 1 billion in damages, is to take its case directly to the UK Court of Appeal. The company has requested 21 days to file any application with that judicial body.

It has been a busy year for Apple as it faces more regulatory pressure over its rules for the App Store and fees charged to mobile developers. Earlier today, Apple announced a new partner program that would halve the commissions it charges for mini-app transactions.
If youre reading this review, theres a chance youve come to it with some confusion. Didnt OnePlus already release a new flagship phone this year, and wasnt it called the OnePlus 13? The answer is yes to both those questions. So, what gives? Well, over the last few years, OnePlus has been working to shorten the gap between when its phones debut in China and when theyre available in the rest of the world. This year, the OnePlus 15 arrives in North America just a few short weeks after its initial October 27 release. And like it did with the jump between the OP3 and OP5, OnePlus is skipping the OP14 because of the number four and its unlucky association in Chinese culture.

With that cleared up, you might think the OnePlus 15 suffers from following too soon after its predecessor. Im happy to report it offers some clear upgrades over the OP13, including a faster processor and an absurdly big battery. What it doesnt do, however, is change the OnePlus formula  for better and worse.

OnePlus / Engadget 87 100 Expert Score OnePlus 15 If you don't mind a slightly underbaked camera, the OnePlus 15 is tremendous, offering among the best displays, performance and battery life you can find on a phone right now. Pros Fast processor and display

Long-lasting battery

80W charger included in the box Cons Cameras could be better

Derivative design

Only four years of OS updates $900 at OnePlus

Pricing and availability

Due to the federal government shutdown, the OnePlus 15 does not have a US release date yet. The company had hoped to begin selling the phone starting today, November 13, but the phone has yet to obtain the necessary clearance.

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"As is the case with every smartphone manufacturer, the United States Federal Communications Commission certifies OnePlus devices before they are sold in the US. As a result of the government shutdown, device certifications have been delayed," Spenser Blank, OnePlus North Americas head of marketing and communications, told Engadget.

"Subsequently, US sales for the OnePlus 15 will be postponed until they have been secured. The OnePlus 15 has already finished all the required tests from the FCCs recognized labs and the certification application has been formally submitted. We are hopeful that approvals can be generated quickly and as a result, we can bring the OnePlus 15 to our customers in the U.S. expeditiously."

There's also some uncertainty around pricing. On release, OnePlus plans to offer two versions of the OnePlus 15. The base model, with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, will cost $900. The company will also sell a 16GB/512GB variant that will cost $1,000. However, OnePlus warns the price of both models is "subject to change due to current market conditions."

Hardware and display

The OnePlus 15 offers a big, vibrant AMOLED display. (Igor Bonifacic for Engadget)

The OnePlus 15 is a great phone with a boring, derivative design. It borrows its visual identity from the OnePlus 13s and 13T, a pair of smaller, 6.32-inch phones OnePlus released in India and China this past spring. Theres no two ways about it, in making its new flagship look more like those devices, OnePlus has at the same time made it look more like last years iPhone 16 Pro.

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Its a shame. The design of the OnePlus 13 was one of the things my co-worker Sam Rutherford praised that phone for, and its something I liked about it too. The 15 just looks generic, even if there are a few nice touches. For example, the sand storm color has a nice, ceramic-like feel to it. One other impressive aspect of the design is how thin OnePlus has managed to keep the 15 while adding a massive 7,300mAh battery. At 0.31 inches thick, the sand storm variant is only slightly fatter than the 0.29-inch thick Galaxy S25 FE I recently reviewed, which has a more modest 4,900mAh battery (the two other OP15 colorways, infinite black and ultra violet, are listed as slightly thicker at 0.32 inches).

Now, if youre a longtime OnePlus fan, I need to mention the 15 doesnt have the signature Alert Slider found on the companys previous phones. I know what youre thinking, did OnePlus do away with a fan favorite feature to add an AI button? The answer is both yes and no. The first time you tap the Plus Key, OxygenOS will prompt you to make it a shortcut for one of eight functions. Naturally, the default option is to use the button in conjunction with the companys newish Mind Space AI hub, but you also can bind other functions to the Plus Key, including the old Alert Slider functionality. Even if its another thing thats derivative of the iPhone, I like the flexibility the Plus Key gives.

Separately, OnePlus has gone with a different screen this time around. The OP15 offers a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 1,272 x 2,772 resolution. The new screen is both smaller and less dense than the one found on the OnePlus 13, which was 6.82 inches big and had a 1,440 x 3,168 resolution. Its also faster, offering a 165Hz refresh rate in select games, up from 120Hz on the earlier model. OnePlus told me it went with the lower resolution display because theres no OLED manufacturer making QHD panels that fast yet. Ill have more to say about the display in the performance section, but for now Ill say the OP15s screen is one of the best parts of using the phone. Its dense enough to make text and images look sharp, and with up to 1,800 nits of brightness available, its easy to see and use even in harsh sunlight.

Cameras

The OnePlus 15's cameras are a half step behind the competition. (Igor Bonifacic for Engadget)

OnePlus and Hasselblad ended their partnership in September, and the OP15 marks the debut of the companys new DetailMax imaging engine. Ill get to the software in a moment. First, OnePlus has once again gone with a main camera system built around three 50-megapixel sensors. Whats different this time around are the lenses. Two of them are slightly slower than their counterparts on the OnePlus 13. The main camera now has an f/1.8 aperture lens, down from the f/1.6 glass found on last years model. At the same time, OnePlus has gone with an f/2.8 lens for the telephoto camera. For comparison, the OP13 had an f/2.6 lens for distant shots. The good news is both cameras still come with optical image stabilization (OIS).

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Broadly, the OP15 suffers from the same problem its predecessor did. Most photos look good  sometimes great even  but they dont come out as nice as what you might snap with the latest phones from Apple, Google or Samsung. The difference is most noticeable in nighttime and low-light photos where the OP15 can sometimes struggle to eke out shadow detail. It will also completely miss a shot because it used too slow of a shutter speed. I sometimes saw similar results in daytime photos in situations where the companys high dynamic range algorithm would get tripped up by harsh lighting. Specifically, the shots had overly lifted shadows and unnatural highlights, resulting in photos that look flat with poor contrast.

Someone decided to celebrate both the Blue Jays World Series run and Halloween at the same time. The author's cat watches That Pedal Show with them Someone turned their trees into the ghosts from Pac-Man A night mode sample showing a scenario where the OnePlus 15 can struggle. A ginger cat walks toward the photographer A line of Toronto Bike Share bikes covered in snow. A bike sits in front of a colorful storefront. A storefront with a selection of books and postcards on display. The same skyline now at the telephoto's native 3x zoom. The same skyline with a 2x zoom. A view of Toronto's skyline with the OP15's wide-angle camera. A closeup of autumn leaves A Lake Placid Blue Stratocaster sits against a coffee table. A tabby cat sits on a windowsill. A car is covered in snow and autumn leaves. A residential street after a recent snowfall. A red Toronto streetcar waits to drive through an intersection. A crow-like Grim Reaper decoration sits on a residential front yard. A sample showing off the OnePlus 15's lackluster HDR A Halloween skeleton sits on someone's front yard A Blue Jays mural ahead of game seven of the World Series A tortoiseshell cat looks up at the author A row of silver maples sit on a residential street. Their leaves have turned orange and red. 1 / 23 Halloween and Blue Jays Someone decided to celebrate both the Blue Jays World Series run and Halloween at the same time.

I also wish the OP15 had a better telephoto camera. Its not bad by any means, but after seeing what the Pixel 10 Pro can do with its 5x zoom, any phone with a 3x telephoto doesnt feel special. The limitations of the OP15s hardware is especially noticeable when you try to push the camera beyond its maximum optical zoom. OnePlus says the camera offers 7x lossless zoom, but in my testing, I found there was a subtle drop in picture quality above 6x. At 10x and beyond, there's very noticeable pixel smearing.

There are two areas where the OP15s cameras impress. Across both stills and video, it does a great job of measuring color temperature and ensuring images come out true to life. Even more impressive is the phones ability to capture a burst of photos at 10 fps, up from 6 fps on the OP13. If youve read one of my reviews before, youve probably noticed I enjoy photographing the cats in my neighborhood, and no phone has made that task as easy as the OP15.

As its already wintery in Toronto, I wasnt able to test the OP15 new underwater camera mode. But if you live in a warmer climate, the feature is designed to make it easier to snap photos in the water by temporarily turning the OP15s physical buttons into camera controls. This is also as good as any time to mention that OnePlus has shored up the OP15s waterproofing. The phone is now rated IP68 against water and dust, and carries IP69 and IP69K protection against pressurized water at up to 176 degrees Fahrenheit.

Performance and battery life

In North America, the OP15's SUPERVOOC adapter can charge the phone at 80W. (Igor Bonifacic for Engadget)

The OP15 is the first phone in North America to ship with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and as you can probably guess, its a performance powerhouse. In Geekbenchs processor suite, the OP15 put up a single-core score of 3,696 and a multi-core mark of 11,187. That puts it in select company with the iPhone Air and its A19 Pro chipset, which in our testing had a slight edge in single-core performance but didnt perform nearly as well in the multi-core suite (likely due to thermal limitations). In real-world use, I tried my best to find a game or application that could trip up the OP15, but between its new Snapdragon chipset and the 16GB of RAM that came in my unit, the phone handled everything with ease.

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Its hard to describe how smooth the OnePlus 15 feels relative to other phones Ive used recently. Every swipe and scroll feels nearly instantaneous. I suspect thats a byproduct of the OP15s dedicated touch response chip, which samples the screen at 3,200Hz. Speaking of the display, that 165Hz refresh rate I mentioned at the top is more of a forward-looking feature right now. As things stand, there are only seven games that can render at 165 fps. One of those, PUBG, does so through frame interpolation. So unless youre an avid Call of Duty Mobile or Clash of Clans player, you wont notice that benefit of the OP15s screen, yet. Things could change in time, especially as more OEMs bring 165Hz displays to their phones. For now, the OP15 is still a great gaming phone, but it has yet to live up to its true potential.

As much performance as the OnePlus 15 offers, whats more impressive is its 7,300mAh battery. Its the result of a new technology the company calls Silicon NanoStack. It allowed OnePlus to make a denser battery and one it claims will age more gracefully over time, thanks to a design that retains more than 80 percent of its health after four years. Obviously, I havent had the OP15 long enough to test that claim, but what I can say is that it offers tremendous battery life out of the box. On our local video rundown test, it posted a time of 38 hours and 30 minutes, which is eight hours longer than the OnePlus 13, the previous record holder.

The Aramid case is one of three cases OnePlus offers alongside the OP15. (Igor Bonifacic for Engadget)

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Just as impressive is how quickly the OP15 can charge. With the included 80W SUPERVOOC adapter, the battery can go from dead to full in about 40 minutes. The one downside of how OnePlus has approached charging is that the phone doesn't support the Qi2 standard. It can wirelessly charge at 50W, but you'll need to buy the company's proprietary AIRVOOC magnetic puck.

Software

Two screenshots showing of the OnePlus Mind Space (Igor Bonifacic for Engadget)

When he reviewed the OnePlus 13 in February, Engadgets Sam Rutherford praised OnePlus for its restrained AI approach. Unfortunately, no company appears immune to the technologys pull at this point, and in the months since, OnePlus has begun integrating more AI features into OxygenOS. Thankfully, many of those are either easy to ignore or situationally useful.

First, theres Mind Space, which is functionally similar to Nothings Essential Space. You can either tap the Plus Key (if its configured for use with Mind Space) or swipe up on the touchscreen with three fingers to save a screenshot to the hub. From there, the OP15s built-in LLM will summarize the image, and you can ask the model questions about it. Its also possible to save voice memos to the hub, and OnePlus offers a few other AI tools there, including one for scanning documents. All of these work well, and like I said, if theyre not your thing, theyre easy to ignore.

The OnePlus 15's volume rocker and power button are located on the right side of the phone. (Igor Bonifacic for Engadget)

Its been a few years since Ive used OxygenOS, so it was a pleasant surprise to learn it remains one of the more attractive and tasteful Android skins on the market. A standout is some of the custom animations OnePlus has baked into the OS to accentuate the speed of the phone. I also find OnePlus has one of the best organized quick settings menus. There are just enough customization options there to make it feel powerful, but not enough to overwhelm.

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One area where OnePlus could do better is software support. The company has pledged to provide the OP15 with four years of software updates and six years of security patches. Thats worse than both Google and Samsung, which have committed to supporting their latest phones for seven years.

Wrap-up

The OnePlus 15 sits on a set of icy concrete steps. (Igor Bonifacic for Engadget)

In using the OnePlus 15, I was frequently reminded of the last OnePlus phone I reviewed, the OnePlus 7 Pro. At the time, it was the companys most expensive device ever, coming in at the same $750 price as the iPhone XR and Galaxy S10e. The appeal of that phone was its speedy Snapdragon 855 processor and the fact it was one of the first smartphones with a 90Hz AMOLED screen. It was also the first OnePlus phone with a camera that was more than just serviceable.

All these years later, the appeal of the OP15 feels similar. Its a phone for those who value speed over everything else. The tricky thing about this phone is judging its value when its price could change tomorrow. As I mentioned earlier, in the US the OP15 will start at $900, with OnePlus warning pricing for both models could change due to current market conditions. At $1,000, the 16GB model is a compelling alternative to the Pixel 10 Pro XL, offering a newer processor, more storage and a significantly bigger battery.

Heres the thing: Google has already aggressively discounted the entire Pixel 10 lineup, and until Black Friday, you can get the Pro XL for $899  $100 less than the 16GB OnePlus 15. For most people, I think thats the play, given both the Pro and Pro XL have the better telephoto camera and Google has promised to support all of its latest phones for seven years. That said, if youre okay with a worse camera overall, the OP15 has a lot going for it, and provided OnePlus can successfully navigate an uncertain tariff regime, it will end up not just one of the best phones of 2025 but much of 2026 too.
OnePlus has launched its latest flagship smartphone, the OnePlus 15, today in a live event. Its supposed to mark the availability of the phone outside of China, where it came out in October, but the US government shutdown apparently put a damper on the manufacturers plans. As is the case with every smartphone manufacturer, the United States Federal Communications Commission certifies OnePlus devices before they are sold in the US, said Spenser Blank, OnePlus North Americas Head of Marketing & Communications, in a statement. As a result of the government shutdown, device certifications have been delayed. That means the US release of the model has been postponed until the FCC approves its certifications.

The company explained that the OnePlus 15 has already gone through all the required tests from labs recognized by the government agency. It is also done submitting formal application for the certifications, and its just a matter of waiting for approvals at this point. We are hopeful that approvals can be generated quickly and as a result, we can bring the OnePlus 15 to our customers in the US expeditiously, Blank said.

OnePlus 15 is the first phone to ship with OxygenOS 16, the companys take on Android 16. The OS combines Androids new customization options with smoother animations and AI-enabled features. OnePlus 15 will be available in Canada today, as planned. Those in the US can visit the companys page for US customers, where they can type in their contact details to be notified when they can purchase the device. The variant with 12GB of memory and 256GB of storage will set buyers in the US back $900, while the one with 16GB of memory and 512GB of storage will cost them $1,000.
(The Center Square)  A U.S. District Court recently granted a preliminary injunction against a new Colorado law that would require social media platforms to regularly send pop-up notifications to minors using their sites.

The lawsuit, which was filed by internet trade group NetChoice, was first exclusively reported on by The Center Square back in August. NetChoice argued this new law is a government attack on free speech and asked the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado to declare the bill unlawful.

Paul Taske, co-director of the NetChoice Litigation Center, spoke with The Center Square regarding the preliminary injunction.

This decision reaffirms a core free speech protection, Taske said. The First Amendment prohibits government from forcing private speakers to adopt the governments position on important and controversial topics.

The bill in question, House Bill 24-1136, was first passed in 2024 and is set to take effect Jan. 1, 2026. The preliminary injunction will prevent it from going into effect until NetChoice v. Weiser is fully resolved by the courts.

Designed to encourage healthier social media use in Colorados youth, the bill received bipartisan support in the legislature.

Parents cannot tackle these challenges on our own, and thats why this law is so important, said House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs, who sponsored the bill.

This is a common-sense, family-focused law that provides young people and their parents with the knowledge and support they need to make informed decisions about safe social media usage," the state legislator said.

In addition to requiring the Colorado Department of Education to maintain educational materials on the health effects of social media, the new law also requires social media platforms to display a pop-up notification every 30 minutes to any user:

 Who is under 18.

 Has been on the platform for one cumulative hour during a 24-hour period.

 Is on the platform between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

NetChoice, which represents some of the major social media companies such as X, YouTube and Meta, does not believe the government should have the ability to force private businesses to speak and is confident the bill will eventually be permanently struck down in court.

Taske applauded this first step of a preliminary injunction by the court  in a case that he said everyone should be concerned about.

This case might be about social media websites, but the governments position, that it can force a private speaker to adopt its message, applies equally to individuals, churches and companies, he said. By re-affirming the governments lack of authority, this decision preserves everyones right not to be a mouthpiece for government-mandated messages."

In the past few years, Colorado has been at the forefront of the social media debate, passing a number of bills that would regulate its usage.

Recent data from the Pew Research Center found nearly half of teens say they are online almost constantly, up from 24% a decade ago. This comes as 41 states are suing Meta for allegedly using addictive features in its platforms, leading many states to consider passing laws addressing social media.

As lawmakers explore potential regulations, our 2023 survey found a majority of Americans support time limits for minors on social media, stated the Pew report.

Following Colorados passage of HB 24-1136, Minnesota and New York took up similar legislation this year.

NetChoice argued parents should be the ones receiving controlling social media usage, not the government mandating private companies do so. The company is hopeful its lawsuit in Colorado will deter other states from taking similar measures.

We look forward to seeing the law struck down permanently and free speech protected online in Colorado, Taske said.

Healthier Colorado, a nonprofit based in the state, was a lead champion for the Colorado bill during its passage.

In a recent poll commissioned by Healthier Colorado, 90% of the state's voters surveyed said social media had a negative impact on the mental health of youth in Colorado. When provided with a description of HB24-1136, 69% indicated they supported the new law.

Everybody recognizes that social media is a problem for kids, CEO Jake Williams told The Center Square in an exclusive interview in August. Ninety percent agreement on a poll is remarkable.
Fairfield, MT (59436)

Today

Snow showers. High 21F. Winds N at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 40%. Snow accumulations less than one inch. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Cloudy skies with late-night snow showers. Low 6F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 50%. Snowfall around one inch.
Back in the mid-1980s, my husband and I found a television show that we grew to love.

China Beach was a one-hour drama, a portrayal of what it was like to have served as medical officers during the Vietnam War, and it held our attention like nothing else available at that time.

My husband had lost friends in Vietnam. I had worked as an American National Red Cross employee, an assistant caseworker in a U.S. Naval hospital during the late 1970s. I worked with women who had served in Vietnam, and their stories were both interesting and horrific. Their lives were forever changed by their service.

The woman who had interviewed and hired me had married a military officer after the war ended, and they both struggled to adjust to life after that highly charged time. Within the year after I had taken the job as her assistant, they both decided to leave the military life and head for the quiet North Carolina hometown where Suzanne had grown up.

I visited the couple in their new home one weekend. I had looked forward to this with great anticipation, so happy that they insisted, repeatedly, that they so badly wanted me to visit.

I was stunned to realize I could sense incredible tension between them. This once-happy couple, Suzanne confided in me, could not find their footing in an existence in which nothing happened, day after day.

We arent bored with one another. I think we are searching for the adrenaline that once defined us and each day sort of feels relentlessly dull, she told me. I wrote this in my journal, along with my feelings of disbelief about it all.

Recently, my husband found a streaming platform that carries China Beach, and we are enjoying it again, 40 years later. In the first several episodes, I was distracted by the actress portraying an American Red Cross worker. She had her red cross pinned on the wrong side of her lapel, with the black A.R.C. pin on the other lapel needing to be switched. I could still feel exactly what that blue dress felt like, and I am still blown away by the fact that the women serving had to wear dresses, even in Vietnam.

I have always felt great respect for those who have served our country, no matter the era, no matter the service. I grew in ways that cant be defined simply by becoming close friends and co-workers with people who had spent years far from home, unsure they would see tomorrow.

Homesickness, my second boss told me, morphed into something inexplicable.

I hadnt been in Nam all that long before I knew I wouldnt ever fit at home, ever again. She had served as a triage nurse and found nursing stateside dull in comparison, opting for a management position within the American National Red Cross.

All these years later, I still think of her and hope so much that, in time, she and those she served with were able to assimilate their service memories in positive ways.
A farm on the Isle of Wight has been fined after a serious disease outbreak left 264 visitors ill, with adults and children reporting what some described as the worst diarrhoea and vomiting they had ever had.

Sharon Wheeler, 60, who ran bottle-feeding sessions at Hazelgrove Farm in Ryde, admitted breaching health and safety law after more than 30% of attendees contracted cryptosporidiosis  a highly infectious illness caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium. More than half of those affected were children.

The outbreak followed reports of gastrointestinal illness among visitors who had paid to feed lambs and goat kids during April and May 2023.

A joint investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the UK Health Security Agency traced the infections to the activity, during which around 2,400 tickets were sold between 4 April and 1 May.

Investigators identified multiple failings, including a lack of proper risk assessment, inadequate handwashing facilities  with reusable cloth towels still in use  and poor supervision.

"Visitors were not given clear information about zoonotic risk, and children were seen kissing goats and lambs visibly contaminated with faecal matter.

A total of 264 people reported symptoms, with around 5% requiring overnight hospital care. More than 1,250 school and work days were lost due to illness or caring responsibilities, and some visitors continue to suffer ongoing gastrointestinal problems well into 2024.

District Judge Galloway, summarising victims statements, said there is no doubt that the events to which they refer are and were serious, noting the psychological toll experienced, and PTSD, the life-threatening nature of the illness, and the fear among parents that children would not recover.

Wheeler pleaded guilty to an offence under Section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. She was fined 8,000 and ordered to pay 9,528.35 in costs at Southampton Magistrates Court on 11 November 2025.

HSE inspector Francesca Arnold said farmers must understand and manage the health risks associated with animal contact. If the zoonotic risks had been properly controlled this incident could have been avoided, she said. Safe practices can significantly reduce risk while still allowing enjoyable and educational experiences.

Zoonotic diseases  infections that pass from animals to humans  can be particularly serious for young children and people with weakened immune systems.

Cryptosporidium spreads easily through small traces of contaminated faeces or saliva on hands, surfaces or animals, making effective hygiene and supervision essential.

Guidance on managing risks at farm attractions is available through the Access to Farms website, including the Industry Code of Practice Preventing or Controlling Ill Health from Animal Contact at Visitor Attractions. HSE helped develop the code, which sets out practical steps and a checklist for farm operators.

The prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyers Robert James and Kate Harney, supported by paralegal officer Stephen Grabe.
Farmers across England could soon see new crop varieties that yield more, resist disease and rely less on chemical inputs, as the Precision Breeding Act comes into force today  a change that supporters say could reshape how British agriculture tackles productivity and environmental pressure.

The new law creates a separate regulatory pathway for gene editing and other precision-breeding techniques in plants, distinguishing them from genetically modified organisms.

Ministers argue the shift will allow researchers and plant breeders to bring forward new varieties more quickly, while retaining a clear approval process and scientific oversight.

The move follows years of debate over the role of gene editing in the food and farming system. Academic institutions and several farming organisations have said the technology has potential benefits, but they have also highlighted the need for transparent regulation, independent scrutiny and public engagement.

Some researchers and environmental groups have warned that policy is moving faster than public understanding, and that long-term ecological impacts should be monitored carefully.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Science and Technology in Agriculture (APPGSTA), which has campaigned for regulatory reform, welcomed the Act. The cross-party group includes MPs, peers and experts from across food, farming and research.

APPGSTA Chair George Freeman MP said the legislation is an important step in ensuring that farmers, consumers and the environment can benefit from advances in gene editing and other precision breeding techniques.

He said applications coming forward are expected to support varieties that increase yields, reduce chemical inputs, enhance disease resistance, cut food waste and improve nutritional quality.

Freeman also noted that the Act aligns the UK with countries such as Australia, Japan, Canada, Brazil, Argentina and the United States, which already regulate precision-bred crops separately from GMOs.

He said a world-class, science-based framework could help strengthen food security, reduce agricultural emissions and support more sustainable farming systems.

Early applications are expected from public-sector researchers and SMEs, reflecting the aim of widening access to precision-breeding tools through a proportionate, risk-based system. In countries such as Argentina, similar frameworks have enabled smaller developers to work on a more diverse range of crops and traits.

However, not all organisations are convinced. Some scientists note that gene editing is not guaranteed to deliver immediate gains for all farming sectors, and warn that commercial pressures could concentrate innovation among a few breeding companies.

Others argue that technology must be accompanied by investment in soil health, biodiversity recovery and market support if it is to deliver real-world improvements on farms.

The APPGSTA has cautioned that the UKs approach should not be compromised by future UKEU alignment discussions or any cross-border Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement.

Freeman urged ministers to protect the independence of our science-based regulatory framework to safeguard domestic innovation, though trade specialists note that divergence from EU rules may create future export considerations for certain crops.

While the plant-breeding provisions are now active, the government has not yet implemented equivalent measures for farmed animals.

Supporters argue that precision breeding could help address major livestock diseases and reduce antibiotic use. However, animal-welfare organisations have warned that disease-resistant traits must not inadvertently encourage more intensive systems or place strain on animals, calling for strong welfare safeguards and independent oversight.

Recent warnings from the Pirbright Institute that this seasons bird-flu strain may be highly transmissible have prompted calls for swifter action. Freeman highlighted ongoing UK research into poultry resistant to avian influenza and pigs protected against PRRS and swine fever, but said such advances will remain unrealised in practice until secondary legislation is brought forward.

Defra has been urged to publish a clear timetable for activating the animal provisions and establishing a robust regulatory process involving scientists, breeders, welfare organisations and farmers.

Looking ahead, government sources and independent analysts agree that precision breeding will sit alongside  not replace  wider reforms in land use, sustainability, agricultural emissions and farm economics.

Proponents say the Act could form part of a more innovation-friendly agricultural policy, while critics stress the importance of ensuring benefits reach farms of all sizes rather than a handful of large developers.
If youve been following Hindi cinema over the last few years, you must have noticed the rise of a new kind of star: someone who can look glamorous but also completely immerse into the role of a small-town girl or a complicated, modern woman. Thats Kriti Sanon for you. Starting out with traditional commercial films, she has also moved towards picking roles that really challenge her and let her acting skills shine through. Shes not just sticking to one kind of movie but trying everything, from light-hearted comedies to intense dramas, and even venturing into production with her recent projects. This journey has given us some truly memorable performances that prove shes here for the long haul. Here are seven of her must-watch movies that show her versatility and acting talent.

Bareilly Ki Barfi (2017)



This is a sweet, small-town romantic comedy set in Bareilly that completely won over the audience and critics. The story revolves around Bitti Mishra, a young woman who is full of life and a little rebellious and isn't interested in settling down with a typical arranged marriage. She discovers a novel called Bareilly Ki Barfi and is instantly hooked because the main character feels exactly like her. Her search for the author of the book leads to a hilarious love triangle involving two men. As Bitti Mishra, Kriti was a total revelation. This role was a game-changer for her because she managed to pull off the balance of being a free-spirited girl who is still rooted in her small-town life. She looked and acted like a real person, not a movie star playing a role. Her body language, the way she spoke, and how she reacted to her conservative family felt natural and spot-on. She was confident, a little quirky, and very relatable, which made Bitti the soul of the film. You couldn't help but root for her from the very first scene.

Luka Chuppi (2019)



A modern, fun take on the complications of relationships in a small-town setting, this romantic comedy explores the concept of live-in relationships in a place where such an idea is a huge scandal. The story is about Guddu, a small-time reporter, and Rashmi, a confident and educated woman, who decide to try a live-in relationship. The twist is that due to family pressure and social fear, they have to pretend they are already married. The film is a chaotic comedy which also revolves around the concept of live-in relationships and the taboo in the society for it. Kriti plays Rashmi Trivedi, a girl who is ambitious, smart, and a little bit ahead of her time for the city she lives in. She brings a fresh energy to the role. Rashmi is the one who confidently suggests the live-in idea, showing a boldness that was appealing. Kriti managed to make Rashmi both strong-willed and vulnerable. She was brilliant in the comedy scenes, especially as she tries to handle the constant threat of being exposed by their nosy families.

Mimi (2021)



This comedy-drama is arguably the best film of Kriti's career so far. Its a brave and moving story about a young, aspiring dancer named Mimi in a small town in Rajasthan who agrees to be a surrogate mother for an American couple for a fee. The plot takes a serious turn when the couple backs out of the deal after learning the baby might have a problem, leaving Mimi pregnant and alone. The film then focuses on her unexpected journey into motherhood and the hilarious yet emotional challenges that take place later. Kritis performance was heartfelt and showed an incredible range as an actress. She had to transform physically, gaining weight for the second half of the film, but the emotional journey was even more complex. She perfectly captured Mimi's emotions from being ambitious to the feelings of a mother. It felt genuine making the audience connect deeply with her struggle and joy. She also won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for her performance in this film.

Bhediya (2022)



Bhediya is a unique blend of horror and comedy set in Arunachal Pradesh. The film tells the story of a contractor who is bitten by a mythical wolf and slowly starts transforming into the creature, leading to a lot of confusion and funny situations. Its a visually impressive film with a lot of special effects, and it also touches upon important themes like environmental conservation and the rights of indigenous people. Kriti plays Anika, a local veterinarian who becomes involved in trying to figure out what is happening to Varun Dhawans character. While the film is largely focused on the werewolf plot, Kriti adds on playing the coolest amongst the chaotic group. She brings a nice element of mystery and wit to her character, making her scenes entertaining.

Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya (2024)



This is a futuristic romantic comedy about an engineer (Shahid Kapoor) who falls in love with a beautiful, perfect girl during a trip to the US, only to discover she is actually an AI human-robot named Sifra. The film is a light-hearted, modern take on love, technology, and what it truly means to be human in a digital world. As Sifra, Kriti had a very challenging role that required immense control. She had to look beautiful, yet her movements and expressions had to be precise, slightly stiff, and controlled, like a machine learning to be human. She did an excellent job of maintaining the robot-like mannerisms like the controlled smiles, the slightly delayed reactions, the perfect posture, while slowly having moments of genuine human emotion as the character evolves.

Crew (2024)



A much-loved comedy-thriller based on the lives of three middle-class air hostesses working for a struggling airline. They are frustrated with their low pay and their boss's corporate greed, which leads them to get involved in a dangerous gold smuggling operation to make some quick money. Its a fast-paced, entertaining film that focuses on female friendship, and the thrill of breaking the rules. Kriti plays Divya Rana, the youngest and most ambitious member of the 'crew.' Divya is sharp and witty but she's also loyal to her friends. Kriti perfectly captured the energy of a woman trying to balance her dreams with her frustrating reality. She was great in the comedic moments, especially her interactions with the other two female leads, Kareena and Tabu, which were full of fun banter and perfect comic timing.

Do Patti (2024)



This film marked Kriti Sanons debut as a producer, making it an important project for her. Its a mysterious and intense thriller. Kriti plays double roles in this film as twin sisters. The story is about a police officer's challenges with a couple wherein the wife, who has a jealous twin sister, accuses the husband of attempting to murder her, leading to the rivalry between the twins which turns ugly. Kritis performance in this film was praised by critics and fans alike.





Also Read: Kriti Sanon Reveals Her Crush From Bollywood
















The recent episode of Two Much with Kajol and Twinkle featured Kajol, Twinkle Khanna, Kriti Sanon, and Vicky Kaushal, who shared a lively conversation filled with laughter, nostalgia, and candid revelations. During their conversation, Kajol jokingly recalled her first impression of Kriti Sanon from the sets of Dilwale, explaining how she initially did not recognize her co-star.

Kajol said, Kriti, I remember my first impression of you actually was on the sets of Dilwale. Of course, I couldn't see without my specs, so I remember I'm standing over there in the heat in Hyderabad. I was like, who's that, who's that. I know most of the people by vague body language, and I'm like, 'Ye lamba chauda kaun jaa raha hai yahan se (Who is this big and tall person passing)?





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Kriti added to the fun by sharing her own memory from the set, mentioning that their hotel during the filming of Dilwale was reportedly haunted. Kriti said, So, when we were there, my makeup artist at that point experienced something spooky in her room. Like someones tap from behind, and then suddenly all the makeup that she had kept in shelves fell down. The next day, Rohit sir and the team went with a payal, doing cham cham cham cham outside their rooms, freaking people out.

Kajol also jokingly mentioned he difficulties of working with Kriti, especially due to their difference in height. She shared, To be honest, her height. It was more the working angle of it. We really had to adjust when we were sitting and doing scenes together. If we had to do a scene where we were standing together, I had two sets of heels. My one (set of) heels were my regular heels, and my one (set of) heels were 5 and a half inches, my 'Kriti Heels'. They were my Kriti Heels! If there was a shot of us walking together, I had to be wearing 'Kriti Heels' to be walking with her. So yeah, that did surprise me.





Also Read: Vicky Kaushals Reply to Kajols Question on Sex Leaves Kriti Sanon, Twinkle Khanna in Splits


Karan Johar has stepped in after Sunny Deols recent angry exchange with the paparazzi, urging everyone to stop invading the Deol familys space during a deeply emotional time. Calling it painful to watch a media circus unfold around veteran actor Dharmendra, who is still recovering, Karan expressed how upsetting it was to see such disregard for someone who has given so much to Indian cinema.





On Thursday, Karan shared a heartfelt note on Instagram Story, addressing the lack of sensitivity shown towards the family. He reminded everyone that the Deols are already dealing with a heavy emotional load and asked people to show some basic humanity. When basic courtesy and sensitivity leaves our hearts and our actions we know we are a doomed race, he wrote, followed by, PLEASE leave a family alone!!!! They are already emotionally combatting so much.... Its heartbreaking to see a paparazzi and media circus for a living legend who has contributed so massively to our cinema... this is not coverage it's DISRESPECT.





Karans message came shortly after Sunny Deol was seen losing his patience with photographers gathered outside his home just hours after Dharmendra returned from the hospital. The actor folded his hands and lashed out at the paps for filming his family at such a vulnerable moment. Aap logon ko sharam aayni chaiyeh Aapke ghar mein maa-baap hain, bacche hain... Ch******n ki taranh video liye jaa rahe ho.. Sharam nahi aati, Sunny told them, questioning their insensitivity.





Dharmendra was discharged on Wednesday, and later, Sunnys team issued a statement confirming that the actor will continue his recovery at home. They also urged the media to avoid speculation and give the family the privacy they need. Mr. Dharmendra has been discharged from the hospital and will continue his recovery at home the team shared, thanking fans for their prayers and adding, Please respect him because he loves you. Dharmendra, who was last seen in Karan Johars Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, will next appear in Sriram Raghavans Ikkis, scheduled for release in December.



Also Read: Karan Johar Reveals His Dream Cast for a Modern Remake of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
A day after veteran actor Dharmendra returned home from Mumbais Breach Candy Hospital, things grew tense outside the Deol familys Juhu residence. Sunny Deol was seen losing his patience with the paparazzi gathered around their house. For those who may not know, Dharmendra had been admitted for more than ten days before being discharged on Wednesday morning, and ever since, photographers have been stationed outside.





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The family has been going through an emotionally draining time due to Dharmendras health, and despite several requests for privacy, fans and paps continued to crowd the area. Today, Sunny stepped out to speak to the media and, with folded hands, expressed his frustration, saying "Aapke ghar mein maa- baap hain, aapke ghar mein bacche hain... Sharam nahi aati?" In the heat of the moment, he also ended up using an abusive word as he urged everyone to give them space.





Just a day before this incident, on November 12, Dharmendra had been brought home from the hospital. Soon after, the Deol family released a statement requesting privacy. It said "Mr Dharmendra has been discharged from the hospital and will continue his recovery at home. We kindly request the media and the public to refrain from any further speculation and to respect his and the family's privacy during this time. We appreciate everyone's love, prayers, and good wishes for his continued recovery, good health, and long life. Please respect him because he loves you."

Following his discharge, Hema Malini also shared her feelings admitting that the period has been extremely tough. She said "It has not been an easy time for me. Dharamji's health is a matter of great concern for us. His children are sleepless. I can't afford to be weak, too many responsibilities. But yes, I am happy he's back home. We are relieved he is out of hospital. He needs to be among the people he loves. Baki toh sab oopar wale ke haath mein hai (Everything else is in the hands of the Almighty). Please pray for us."

Also Read: A Timeless Blessing: Dharmendra Shares Rare Photo Of Dilip Kumar And Sunny Deol From 1983
The makers of Sarvam Maya have confirmed that the Nivin Pauly led film has wrapped its shoot, setting the stage for a busy post production phase. The project is written and directed by Akhil Sathyan who previously made Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum. This time he attempts a more whimsical story that blends music, romance and the warm glow of fantasy with a ghost at its centre. Early glimpses from the set suggest a narrative that balances light-hearted humour with emotional beats, a space in which Nivin has often excelled.



Filming ends as the team shifts into post production



Sarvam Maya brings together a vibrant cast. Preity Mukhundhan and Riya Shibu play the two leading women in the story. Aju Varghese, Janardanan, Madhu Warrier, Althaf Salim and Aattam filmmaker Anand Ekarshi round out the supporting lineup. Akhil not only directs but also edits the film, which gives the project a cohesive creative voice from writing to final cut.





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Akhil has also reunited his core creative partners from his previous film. Cinematographer Sharan Velayudhan returns to craft the visual mood. Composer Justin Prabhakaran is back to handle the music which is crucial given that the film is built around a musical energy. Production designer Rajeevan and sound designer Anil Radhakrishnan also reprise their roles. This consistency behind the camera suggests that Sarvam Maya will likely retain the grounded warmth and visual clarity that marked Akhils earlier work.



The film is produced by Ajayya Kumar and Rajeev Menon under the Fire Fly Films banner in collaboration with Akhil Sathyan Films. The team has confirmed a Christmas release which positions the film as a festive season entertainer. With a premise that intertwines love, laughter and the supernatural, Sarvam Maya appears designed as a feel good watch during the holiday period.



Nivin Pauly continues a packed year with an impressive slate



Sarvam Maya arrives at a moment when Nivin Pauly is juggling a strikingly dense lineup across Malayalam and Tamil cinema along with his upcoming streaming debut. In Malayalam the actor is part of Dear Students from directors Sandeep Kumar and George Philip Roy where he stars alongside Nayanthara. He also leads Baby Girl directed by Arun Varma who gained recognition with the thriller Garudan. Nivin has committed to B Unnikrishnans next directorial venture and will join director Girish AD for Bethlehem Kudumba Unit which pairs him with Mamitha Baiju. He also stars in Multiverse Manmadhan from Adithyan Chandrasekhar and Shekhara Varma Rajavu by Anuraj Manohar.



The actor has further signed an untitled film by newcomer Aaryan Ramani Girijavallabhavan and will return as the beloved character from Action Hero Biju under the direction of Abrid Shine for a follow up chapter. His slate extends beyond Malayalam cinema as he plays significant roles in the Tamil titles Yezhu Kadal Yezhu Malai and Benz both of which have attracted attention for their distinct tones and strong creative teams.





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Adding another milestone to his career, Nivin is set to make his web series debut with Pharma directed by PR Arun. The project is expected to premiere soon on Jio Hotstar and is said to explore the high pressure world of pharmaceutical power struggles, marking a fresh genre shift for the actor.



With Sarvam Maya heading into its final stages and a wave of new projects lining up behind it, Nivin continues to position himself as one of the most adaptable figures in contemporary Malayalam cinema. His upcoming fantasy romantic entertainer seems poised to give the audience a warm and playful theatrical experience during the holiday season.





Also Read: Nivin Pauly Begins Filming for Benz, The Next Chapter in The Lokesh Cinematic Universe


Shabareesh Varma has built a reputation for picking characters that feel textured and alive, even when they appear briefly on screen. Although we know him first as the lyricist of some iconic Malayalam songs like Malare and Poyimaranjo, Shabareesh has equally carved a niche for himself as an actor. From Premam to Kannur Squad to Gold to Sahasam, he has consistently found ways to make supporting roles memorable. With Inspection Bungalow slated to premiere on Zee5 on November 14, he marks a significant moment in his career as he leads the web series with a fully comedy driven performance that pushes him into a space he has never explored before.



Ahead of the release, Shabareesh talks about what drew him to the world of Inspection Bungalow, why humour may be the missing spark in Malayalam OTT and how the demands of fast paced digital storytelling have reshaped the way he approaches character-based roles.



This is your first major appearance in the OTT space. What was your first reaction when Inspection Bungalow was offered to you?



The project came to me through producer Veena Nair. She and director Saiju took me through the script in detail. Their narration had clarity, especially in how they introduced my character and the way the story unfolded. I found myself getting comfortable with the idea almost instantly. It felt like a space where I could try something new. The character was written with a different rhythm compared to the roles I have played before, and that difference made the decision easy.



Many mainstream actors are looking for something unusual when they step into OTT. What worked for you here?



I have played police officers before, but usually they are serious or grounded. In Inspection Bungalow, I play Vishnu, a cop who is hyper religious, easily frightened and expressive in ways that are very unlike me. I have never played someone with this level of nervous energy. It was an opportunity to create a memorable personality through small reactions and quirks. Whenever I choose a role, I look at the space it occupies in the narrative. Even if the character is not the central focus, I try to find a flavour that makes the performance stick with the audience. Vishnu gave me that scope.



The trailer has a loud, fun tone. What was the atmosphere on set like?



The show is built as a comedy, but the intention was not to turn it into an exaggerated showpiece. We approached the humour honestly. Horror comedy works because the character is terrified and the audience finds the reaction funny. It is a very situational type of humour. The episodes are designed with pace and tightness. A web series does not function like a film where you can lean on romance or dramatic buildup. The humour becomes the engine that keeps everything moving. As a team, we wanted viewers to feel that the characters are genuinely scared, not performing fear for laughs. The comedy should come naturally from the situation.





You mentioned how different the workload is in OTT. What was the biggest shift from films?



Time. In Malayalam cinema, it is normal for shoots to stretch over sixty days or more. There is time to polish performances and make decisions slowly. With a web series, everything moves much faster. Budgets are tighter, schedules are shorter and decisions have to be made quickly.



I had roughly fifteen to twenty scenes and completed my share in about the same number of days. That speed affects how much you can improvise. You need to be sharp, prepared and ready to deliver. I believe the Malayalam OTT industry is still adapting to these constraints. Once bigger investments come in, creators will start getting the freedom they enjoy in films.



Malayalam OTT is still waiting for that one big breakout show. Why do you think the growth has been slower?



It is mostly about demand and investment. Without a highly successful web series, investors are cautious. Malayalam cinema has a reputation for emotional depth and strong storytelling, but web series here began with very serious subjects. That tone limited the audience.



For OTT to grow, we need genres people naturally enjoy. Humour, romance and action have wide appeal and can bring in large viewership. Once a single show becomes a runaway hit, the industry will open up and the investment will rise. With more investment comes better production value, better writing time and more creative risk taking.



Your scenes with co-actor Shaju Sreedhar in the trailer really stand out. How was it working with him?



Shaju Chetan has a natural instinct for comedy. He knows exactly when to react, how much to react and how to give space for others in a scene. Working with him is effortless because he sets the tone. Every actor in the police station setup had a distinct personality and the environment allowed us to play off each other.



Even though the story involves an investigation, the mood on set was far from serious. The director, producer and technical crew made sure we had a comfortable space to try things. When everyone is happy and relaxed, the scenes automatically become better.



Was there room to improvise or were you tied to the script due to deadlines?



We had a strong script, so most of what you see is planned. However, comedy always leaves a little space for instinct. If something felt right in the moment, we tried it. The only limitation was time. With such a tight schedule, we had to be selective about how much we experimented.





What comes next for you after Inspection Bungalow?



My next film has been shot and will start its promotions soon. The production team has not made any announcements yet, but the work is complete. This year has been filled with characters that are completely different from one another and I want to continue that streak.



I look at the strength of the character and the quality of the team behind it. A good production house ensures that even smaller characters reach the audience properly. I have acted in over fifty films now and I want to increase that number while maintaining variety. I can only choose from what comes to me, but I want to keep building a diverse lineup.



You handle humour with ease, but do you see yourself taking on darker or negative roles?



I am open to it. I do not restrict myself to any specific type of character. I enjoy humour because it lets me interact with the audience in a very direct way, but I also appreciate intense or darker roles. As long as the character has depth and I feel I can bring something honest to it, I am ready to take it up.







Also Read: Rajesh Madhavan Starrer Dheeran To Release In July




BEDFORD, NS / ACCESS Newswire / November 12, 2025 / Silver Spruce Resources Inc. ("Silver Spruce" or the "Company") is pleased to report that it signed an amending agreement with Colibri Resource Corporation ("Colibri") (TSXV:CBI) dated November 12, 2025 in respect of the proposed acquisition by the Company of Colibri's 50% interest in the Jackie Au-Ag Project located in Sonora, Mexico ("Project").

As previously reported in a press release dated May 14, 2025, Silver Spruce will own 100% of the Project upon completion of the acquisition transaction. In consideration for Colibri's 50% interest in the Project, Silver Spruce will issue 166,667 common shares to Colibri at a price of $0.15 per share based on the closing price per share on November 10, 2025 and grant a 1% Net Smelter Return royalty on any future production from the Project.

This transaction supports the Company's strategic focus on high-potential, early-stage assets where it can operate with full flexibility and manage exploration programs according to its technical and corporate objectives.

Silver Spruce is committed to responsible exploration and delivering long-term value through technical advancement, project generation, and strategic partnerships.

Greg Davison, P.Geo., Director and VP Exploration, stated: "Acquiring full ownership of Project provides us with a clean and valuable asset in a proven jurisdiction. We are excited about the early-stage results and look forward to advancing the project through disciplined and focused exploration. With 100% control, we gain the flexibility to pursue drilling and strategic partnerships that align with shareholder value creation."

Exploration Plans at Jackie

Exploration has identified a robust epithermal system hosted in brecciated volcanic rocks (see press release dated December 29, 2021). Highlights include:

Rock chip samples grading up to 9.65 g/t Au and 514 g/t Ag

Widespread gold and silver anomalies over a 500-metre structural trend

Strong alteration, quartz vein and breccia-hosted mineralization

The Company will complete a new environmental report for submittal to SEMARNAT for the approval and receipt of exploration permits.

Silver Spruce plans to conduct additional fieldwork to refine targets for a maiden drill program, including trenching, ground geophysics and detailed geological mapping and sampling. Exploration plans were prepared for a 500-1,000-metre trenching program followed by an initial 1,000-2,000-metre reverse circulation drill program to evaluate the principal targets.

Qualified Person

Greg Davison, P.Geo., VP Exploration and Director, is the Company's internal Qualified Person for the Project and is responsible for approval of the technical content of this press release within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Silver Spruce Resources Inc.

Silver Spruce Resources Inc. is a Canadian junior exploration company. The Company's diversified portfolio now includes:

Jackie Au-Ag Project (100% owned) - Early-stage epithermal project with high-grade surface sampling and strong structural targets located <10 kilometres northwest from Minera Alamos' Nicho deposit in Sonora, Mexico

Pino de Plata Ag Project (Option to earn 100%) - High-grade silver property in Chihuahua, with historic artisanal mining located 15 kilometres west of Coeur Mining's Palmarejo Mine in western Chihuahua, Mexico

Melchett Lake VMS Zn-Ag-Au-Cu Project (100% owned) - Polymetallic project with historical drilling in the Thunder Bay Mining District of Ontario

Silver Spruce continues to investigate opportunities that management has identified or that have been presented to the Company for consideration.

Contact:

Silver Spruce Resources Inc.

Greg Davison, P.Geo., Vice-President Exploration and Director

(250) 521-0444

gdavison@silverspruceresources.com

info@silverspruceresources.com

www.silverspruceresources.com

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.

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements," Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future, including but not limited to, statements regarding the Project. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with mineral exploration and difficulties associated with obtaining financing on acceptable terms. We are not in control of metals prices and these could vary to make development uneconomic. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate.

SOURCE: Silver Spruce Resources, Inc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/silver-spruce-provides-update-on-acquisition-of-remaining-50-interest-in-jackie-g-1101781
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 12, 2025) - 1290439 B.C. Ltd. (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a binding share exchange agreement dated November 11, 2025 (the "Share Exchange Agreement") with, inter alios, Arrow Resources Limited ("Arrow"), a coal mining and exploration and development company focused on the production, development and exploration of metallurgical coal assets in the State of West Virginia, United States. The Company and Arrow propose to complete a business combination that will result in a reverse takeover of the Company by the securityholders of Arrow (the "Proposed Transaction"). The Share Exchange Agreement and the terms of the Proposed Transaction were negotiated between the Company and Arrow at arm's length. In connection with the Proposed Transaction, the Company and Arrow have applied to Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX") to list the common shares ("Resulting Issuer Shares") of the issuer resulting from the Proposed Transaction (the "Resulting Issuer") on the TSX under the ticker symbol "CLCH".

About Arrow Resources Limited

Arrow is a coal mining and exploration and development company incorporated under the laws of Australia. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Active Resources, Inc. ("Active"), a corporation existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, Arrow is engaged in the production, development and exploration of metallurgical coal assets in the State of West Virginia, United States. Active had previous highwall mine operations and is currently in final development of surface mine operations which are expected to be in production in the first quarter of 2026 with fully permitted and bonded operations. Active is also in the process of restarting previously producing underground mining sites which are fully permitted for additional expected production in the first quarter of 2026. Over the last two years, Active has processed and shipped third party metallurgical products at full run-rate capacity.

Terms of the Proposed Transaction

The Proposed Transaction is structured as a share exchange, under which the Company will acquire all of the issued and outstanding securities of Arrow. Under the Proposed Transaction, (i) the holders of ordinary shares in the capital of Arrow (the "Arrow Shares") are expected to exchange their Arrow Shares, directly or indirectly, for one (1) common share in the capital of the Company (as constituted after the completion of the share split described below) (each, a "Common Share"), for each one (1) Arrow Share held by such holder immediately prior to the closing of the Proposed Transaction, and (ii) the Company will assume all options, warrants, and other convertible securities of Arrow outstanding immediately prior to the closing of the Proposed Transaction, which options, warrants, and other convertible securities will be converted into and become rights entitling the holders thereof to acquire Resulting Issuer Shares in lieu of the Arrow Shares underlying such securities.

Name Change, Share Split, Board and Management Change, Etc.

In connection with the Proposed Transaction, the Company is expected to, among other things:

complete a share split, on a basis that results in the shareholders of the Company holding, in the aggregate, a maximum of 1,500,000 post-share split Common Shares; change its corporate name to "Clinch Resources Ltd."; expand the size of, and reconstitute, the board of directors of the Resulting Issuer, conditional upon completion of the Proposed Transaction, to be comprised of seven (7) nominee directors, all of whom are to be designated by Arrow and acceptable to the TSX; replace all of the officers of the Company, conditional upon completion of the Proposed Transaction, with nominees of Arrow acceptable to the TSX, in compliance with applicable securities and corporate laws; and effect such other matters as Arrow may reasonably request in connection with the completion of the Proposed Transaction.

A copy of the Share Exchange Agreement is available on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

Concurrent Financing

Prior to the completion of the Proposed Transaction, Arrow intends to complete a brokered private placement (the "Concurrent Financing") of subscription receipts (the "Subscription Receipts") through a newly formed special-purpose financing corporation ("Finco"), at a price (the "Issue Price") and on terms to be determined in the context of the market.

Each Subscription Receipt will entitle the holder thereof to automatically receive, upon satisfaction of the Escrow Release Conditions (as defined below), one (1) common share of Finco, which share will subsequently be automatically exchanged for one (1) Common Share pursuant to the Amalgamation (as defined below).

In connection with the Concurrent Financing, Arrow has engaged Canaccord Genuity Corp. to act as the lead agent as part of a syndicate of agents (collectively, the "Agents"). The Agents will be granted an option to sell up to such number of additional Subscription Receipts as is equal to 15% of the number of Subscription Receipts sold under the Concurrent Financing at the Issue Price, on the same terms and conditions as set out herein. As consideration for their services, the Agents are expected to receive a cash commission (the "Cash Commission") equal to 10.0% of the proceeds of the Concurrent Financing.

The gross proceeds of the Concurrent Financing, less the estimated costs and expenses of the Agents incurred in connection with the Concurrent Financing, are expected to be deposited in escrow (such funds, collectively with all interest earned thereon, the "Escrowed Funds") with a third party subscription receipt agent to be appointed in connection with the Concurrent Financing. The Escrowed Funds (less the Cash Commission) will be released from escrow immediately prior to closing of the Proposed Transaction upon the satisfaction of certain principal escrow release conditions (the "Escrow Release Conditions"), one of which will be that all conditions to the completion of the Proposed Transaction (other than the release of the Escrowed Funds) have been satisfied or waived.

It is expected that proceeds of the Concurrent Financing will be used to develop the ARI metallurgical coal project, as well as for general and administrative expenses and working capital purposes.

There can be no assurance that the Concurrent Financing will be completed, or if completed, will be completed on the terms described above.

Amalgamation

As part of the Proposed Transaction, the Company, a newly formed subsidiary of the Company incorporated under the laws of the province of British Columbia ("Subco") and Finco, are expected to complete a three-cornered amalgamation (the "Amalgamation") under the laws of the Province of British Columbia. Under the Amalgamation, Finco and Subco are expected to amalgamate, with the shareholders of Finco (including, for certainty, all former holders of Subscription Receipts) expected to receive one (1) Common Share in exchange and replacement of each one (1) share of Finco held.

Company Shareholder Approvals

The shareholders of the Company are expected to approve all certain outstanding matters related to the Proposed Transaction which require shareholder approval by written consent resolution prior to the closing of the Proposed Transaction.

Conditions Precedent

Completion of the Proposed Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including, without limitation, receipt of all necessary shareholder, third party and regulatory approvals, the execution of definitive transaction documents (and the satisfaction of all conditions precedent stipulated therein), and the approval of the TSX to list the Resulting Issuer Shares on the TSX. As of the date hereof, listing remains subject to the approval of the TSX in accordance with its original listing requirements. The TSX has not conditionally approved the listing application and there is no assurance that the TSX will approve the listing application. There can be no assurance that the Proposed Transaction will be completed on the terms proposed and described herein, or at all.

Subject to the satisfaction (or, where permitted, waiver) of such conditions, the closing of the Proposed Transaction is expected to occur in December 2025. The Resulting Issuer will issue a further news release announcing the closing of the Proposed Transaction and the date on which trading in the Resulting Issuer Shares will commence trading on the TSX.

Cautionary Statements

General

All information contained in this news release with respect to Arrow and Active was supplied by Arrow for inclusion herein and the Company has relied on the accuracy of such information without independent verification.

The Company and Arrow have applied to have the securities of the Resulting Issuer listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Listing is subject to the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange in accordance with its original listing requirements. The Toronto Stock Exchange has not conditionally approved the listing application and there is no assurance that the Toronto Stock Exchange will approve the listing application.

Completion of the Proposed Transaction and the Concurrent Financing is subject to a number of conditions. There can be no assurance that the Proposed Transaction or the Concurrent Financing will be completed as proposed or at all. Readers are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the public disclosures to be prepared and filed in connection with the Proposed Transaction and Concurrent Financing, as applicable, any information released or received with respect to the Proposed Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of the Company, Arrow or Finco, as applicable, should be considered highly speculative.

This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities in the United States, and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities 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 or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and may also contain statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively referred to hereinafter as, "forward-looking information") are not representative of historical facts or information or current condition, but instead represent only the beliefs of the management of the Company and Arrow regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the control of the Company and Arrow. Generally, such forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "will continue", "will occur" or "will be achieved". The forward-looking information contained herein may include, but are not limited to, information concerning (i) the Proposed Transaction and the Concurrent Financing (including, the timing for the completion of each such transaction), (ii) expectations regarding whether, and the manner in which, the Proposed Transaction and/or the Concurrent Financing will be consummated, including whether conditions precedent to each such transaction will be satisfied, (iii) the timing for obtaining any required shareholder approvals in connection with the Proposed Transaction, and (iv) the proposed business of the Resulting Issuer.

By identifying such information and statements in this manner, the Company and Arrow are alerting the reader that such information and 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 and Arrow to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such information and statements. In addition, in connection with the forward-looking information contained in this news release, the Company and Arrow have made certain assumptions. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information are the following: (i) any inability to consummate the Proposed Transaction and/or the Concurrent Financing on the terms proposed and described herein, or at all; (ii) any inability to obtain, in whole or in part, any requisite regulatory, third party and security holder approvals and/or to satisfy any of the other conditions to the consummation of the Proposed Transaction on the terms proposed and described herein, or at all; (iii) any inability to complete the Concurrent Financing or to satisfy all conditions precedent to the conversion of the Subscription Receipts; (iv) any adverse impact of the announcement or consummation of the Proposed Transaction on the relationships of the Company and Arrow, including with regulatory bodies, employees, suppliers, customers and competitors; (v) changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; (vi) changes in applicable laws; (vii) any difficulty or inability in complying with extensive government regulation; and (viii) the diversion of management time on the Proposed Transaction and/or the Concurrent Financing. Should one or more of these risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected.

Although management of the Company and Arrow believe that the assumptions and factors used in preparing, and the expectations contained in, the forward-looking information 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 information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information and statements. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is made as of the date of this news release, and neither the Company nor Arrow undertakes to update any forward-looking information contained or referenced herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for release publication, distribution or dissemination, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into the United States.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/274273

SOURCE: 1290439 B.C. Ltd.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 12, 2025) - Mexican Gold Mining Corp. (TSXV: MEX) (OTCQB: MEXGF) (the "Company" or "Mexican Gold") is pleased to announce that, pursuant to a mining concessions assignment agreement (the "Assignment Agreement") between the Company and its subsidiary, Roca Verde Exploracion de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. ("Roca Verde"), with Chesapeake Gold Corp. ("Chesapeake") and its subsidiaries Minerales El Prado, S.A. de C.V. ("MEP") and Chesapeake Mexico, S.A. de C.V. ("Chesapeake Mexico") disclosed in the Company's news release of October 1, 2025, Mexican Gold has acquired 100% of the title and interest (the "Interest") in and to certain mineral titles, and the rights derived therefrom, covering an aggregate of 3,824.3585 hectares known as the Tatatila Project in Veracruz State, Mexico (see Figure 1).





Figure 1: Tatatila Mining Concessions (shaded in blue)

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11437/274187_9f914f4b74d52855_002full.jpg

The Tatatila concessions surround or are adjacent to Mexican Gold's Las Minas Project.

As consideration for the Tatatila Project, the Company has issued to Chesapeake an aggregate of 4,451,361 common shares of the Company (the "Consideration Shares"), each issued at a deemed value of $0.05 for an aggregate deemed value of $222,568. These Consideration Shares represent 14.99% of the total issued and outstanding common shares of the Company. As further consideration for the Interest, the Company has granted to Chesapeake Mexico a net smelter returns royalty ("Royalty") in an amount equivalent to 1.5%. The Company shall have a buy-back option on the Royalty that provides Roca Verde with the right to purchase 0.5% of the Royalty from Chesapeake Mexico for US$500,000 during the 10 years following the date of execution of the Assignment Agreement, which would reduce the Royalty to 1%.

All Consideration Shares are subject to a statutory hold period expiring March 13, 2026, being the date that is four months and one day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable Canadian securities legislation. In addition, the Consideration Shares are subject to further lock up restrictions (the "Lock Up") such that 25% of the Consideration Shares will be released on November 12, 2026, being the date that is the one (1) year from the date of issuance. Every six (6) months thereafter, a further 25% of the Consideration Shares will be released from the Lock Up such that all Consideration Shares will be released from Lock Up over a period of two and a half (2.5) years from the date of issuance.

The transaction remains subject to the receipt of final acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Mexican Gold Mining Corp.

Mexican Gold is a Canadian-based mineral exploration and development company committed to building long-term value through ongoing discoveries and strategic acquisitions of prospective precious metals and copper projects in the Americas. Mexican Gold is exploring and advancing the Las Minas Project, which is located in the core of the Las Minas mining district in Veracruz State, Mexico, and host to one of the newest, under-explored skarn systems known in Mexico.

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.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains 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 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 staged releases of the Consideration Shares from Lock Up and the receipt of final acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange. 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 the Company, 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, the ability of the Company to obtain final acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these items. The Company does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements should beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors change, except as required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/274187

SOURCE: Mexican Gold Mining Corp.
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - November 12, 2025) - TriSummit Utilities Inc. ("TSU") announced today that it has agreed to issue $350 million of senior unsecured medium-term notes comprised of $175 million of notes carrying a coupon rate of 3.71% and maturing February 14, 2031 and $175 million of notes carrying a coupon rate of 4.40% and maturing on November 14, 2035 (collectively, the "Offering").

The Offering is expected to close on or about November 14, 2025. The net proceeds resulting from the Offering will be used to repay amounts outstanding under TSU's Canadian syndicated revolving credit facility, U.S. syndicated revolving credit facility and Canadian operating credit facility, which amounts were incurred in the normal course of business to fund the working capital requirements of TSU.

The Offering is being made through a syndicate of investment dealers co-led by RBC Capital Markets, CIBC Capital Markets, and TD Securities as joint bookrunners under TSU's Short Form Base Shelf Prospectus dated April 3, 2025 and Prospectus Supplement dated April 17, 2025.

No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this press release. This press release is not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States (including its territories and possessions, any state of the United States and the District of Columbia) or any other jurisdiction outside Canada. This press release does not constitute or form a part of any offer to buy or sell any securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction outside of Canada. The securities of TSU 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. Accordingly, these securities may not be offered or sold within the United States or to a U.S. person unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or except pursuant to exemptions from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. There will be no public offering of securities in the United States.

About TriSummit Utilities Inc.

TSU is a North American company with natural gas distribution, transmission and storage utilities and renewable power generation assets. TSU serves approximately 293,000 customers across Canada and the United States, delivering energy safely and reliably.

For more information visit: www.trisummit.ca

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, the words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "seek", "propose", "estimate", "expect", and similar expressions, as they relate to TSU or an affiliate of TSU, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to, among other things, the Offering, the closing of the Offering, and the intended use of proceeds from the Offering. 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. Such statements reflect TSU's current views with respect to future events based on certain material factors and assumptions and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, changes in the market, competition, governmental or regulatory developments, general economic conditions and other factors set out in TSU's public disclosure documents. Many factors could cause TSU's actual results, performance or achievements to vary from those described in this press release, including without limitation, those listed above. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in this press release as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, sought, proposed, estimated or expected, and such forward-looking statements included in, or incorporated by reference in this press release, should not be unduly relied upon. Such statements speak only as of the date of this press release. TSU does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/274270

SOURCE: TriSummit Utilities Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 12, 2025) - Moss Genomics Inc. (CSE: MOSS) (FSE: F73) (OTCQB: MSSGF) (the "Company" or "Moss") announces that, effective as of November 11, 2025, it has closed a non-brokered private placement of 555,555 common shares at $0.18 per share for gross proceeds of $100,000. No finder's fees were paid. Net proceeds will be used for general working capital.

In addition, effective as of November 11, 2025, Moss issued an aggregate 5,164,213 common shares at a deemed price of $0.18 per share as consideration under asset purchase agreements entered into between May 13, 2025 and July 14, 2025, pursuant to which the Company acquired approximately 224.7523 ETH at an average price of $3,833 per ETH (aggregate deemed consideration $966,435).

This announcement represents the official completion of the private placement and related share issuances first announced on February 3, 2025. Following completion of the foregoing transactions, Moss has 63,414,545 common shares issued and outstanding. All securities issued are subject to applicable statutory hold periods under Canadian securities laws.

AGSM Scheduled for November 13, 2025

Moss will hold its Annual and Special General Meeting on November 13, 2025, to be conducted virtually. Meeting time, access instructions, record date, and matters of business will be set out in the Company's meeting materials and have been posted on its website.

About Moss Genomics Inc.

Moss Genomics is developing a secure and user-controlled platform for genomic data, enabling individuals to vault their DNA, manage access permissions, and participate in research monetization opportunities. Moss is building on Ethereum-based infrastructure, with ETH used to fund development, DNA sequencing services, and future platform operations. The company's mission is to advance decentralized and privacy-preserving genomics through real-world applications in health, identity, and research.

Cautionary Statement:

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved, or disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates, and projections as of the date of this release. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by words such as "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "intends," "believes," "estimates," "projects," "may," "could," "should," "will," "potential," "proposed," "scheduled," or similar expressions.

Such statements reflect the current views of management with respect to future events and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions believed by the Company to be reasonable at the time such statements are made, including assumptions related to the availability and stability of digital asset markets, regulatory conditions, cybersecurity infrastructure, internal governance, and general economic trends.

However, such assumptions involve significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: regulatory changes affecting blockchain or digital asset markets; adverse interpretations of applicable laws; the potential loss or theft of digital assets; technical or security failures; counterparty and custodial risks; limited liquidity or volatility of digital assets such as ETH; and broader market, operational, or political events beyond the Company's control.

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, or intended. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

Readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. Investors are advised to consult with qualified professionals and consider their own risk tolerance and investment objectives before making any investment decisions.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/274260

SOURCE: Moss Genomics Inc.
SINGAPORE, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- EdHeroes, a global network dedicated to improving education, hosted the EdHeroes Awards 2025 on November 5th, 2025 in Singapore, uniting influential leaders, educators, philanthropists, entrepreneurs, and non-profit organizations who are committed to shaping the future of learning and driving systemic reform across Southeast Asia and beyond.

The awarding ceremony was attended by His Royal Highness Mangkoenagoro X of Mangkunegaran Palace of Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia. His Royal Highness, who is also a recipient of the Honorary Award for Contribution to Cultural Preservation and Education, highlighted the challenges emerging in education such as inequality, cultural loss, and the digital divide can be tackled with collaborative efforts. "As we say in Javanese Philosophy, "Urip iku urup", meaning to live is to give light. Let us continue to give light through knowledge, through compassion, and through collaboration, so from heritage to horizon, we may guide the world toward a brighter, wiser, and more peaceful future," he emphasized.

In collaboration with ALLiN Technologies, Preschool Market, IECCS, Brands For Good, and The Saturday Movement, the evening featured a forward-looking panel discussion with Katarina Ueltschi (Managing Director of BERNINA), Bruce Liew (Senior Director, Disability & Inclusion of AWWA), Grace Chew (Director of Creative and Community at PayPan and Glassdome), and Dr. Lillian Koh (Founder & Chair of the Fintech Academy).

List of EdHeroes Awards 2025 Nominations and their Winners:

Award Winners:

Environmental Education Visionary: Terra SG

Early Childhood Education Excellence: New Life Preschool

Support for Young Talents: EB Impact

Equity and Inclusion in Education: Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS)

Parent and Family Engagement: Tzu-Chi Foundation Singapore

Lifelong Learning Initiative: NICE Global

Honorary Awards Recipients:

Technology and Innovation in Education: Saikr ( ?? )

Rural Areas Education: Saturday Movement

STEM Education Innovator: Preschool Market

Contribution to Cultural Preservation and Education: His Royal Highness Mangkoenagoro X of Mangkunegaran Palace of Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia

You can access the full stories and pictures from the EdHeroes Awards 2025 here.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2821397/EdHeroes_Awards_2025_Singapore.jpg

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TORONTO, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Orvana Minerals Corp. (TSX: ORV) (the "Company" or "Orvana") announces that its Argentine subsidiary, Orvana Argentina S.A., has commenced a geophysical survey at its Taguas Project, located in the high Andes of San Juan Province, Argentina. The Taguas property consists of fifteen mining concessions totaling approximately 3,274 hectares, situated within a well-known Andean mineral belt hosting high-sulfidation epithermal gold-silver-copper and porphyry-style deposits.

The Company is repositioning the Taguas Project to evaluate its broader potential, extending beyond the near-surface oxidized gold-silver resource outlined in the 2021 Preliminary Economic Assessment (dated on December 29, 2021; available at www.sedarplus.ca) to include the underlying sulfide mineralization and potential deep porphyry copper-gold system.

"The 2025/26 campaign marks an important milestone in advancing our understanding of the Taguas mineral system. By combining the advanced geophysical survey now underway with insights from the recently completed review of historical exploration data, we will prioritize key targets for our initial deep drilling campaign, planned to start in January 2026, and establish a disciplined and strategic path toward unlocking the system's broader potential", said Juan Gavidia, Chief Executive Officer of Orvana Minerals Corp.

2025/26 Exploration Program

The Company's 2025/26 Exploration Program at the Taguas Project is structured into three sequential phases:

Phase Objective Status Geological Modeling Update Detailed relogging of historical drill holes and short-wave infrared (SWIR) alteration studies; spectral scanning of drill holes in the target area every 5m Completed Identified vectors toward porphyry-style mineralization along a 2.5-kilometre north-south corridor extending from Cerro IV to Cerro Campamento Geophysical Survey Identify potential targets up to a depth of 1,500 m In progress - Expected to finish by late December 2025 Will cover the entire area of interest, 4 km between Cerro Campamento and Cerros Taguas, with a grid of 400m x 400m First Deep Drilling Drill the areas showing potential indicators of a copper-gold porphyry system, based on geophysical results and the updated geological model Planned to start early 2026 Preliminary plan of ~4,500 metres; subject to change based on geophysical updates

This approach allows the Company to progress methodically while focusing on the most promising targets for deep drilling.

Geophysical Survey

As part of this exploration phase, Ridgeback Geofisica Argentina S.A., an affiliate of Southernrock Geophysics, has been engaged to conduct a comprehensive geophysical survey program. The program will include Magnetotelluric (MT) and Induced Polarization (IP) surveys across the southern portion of the Taguas property. The MT survey will provide three-dimensional models of subsurface resistivity down to depths of approximately 1,500 metres, while the IP survey will generate chargeability models to shallower depths reaching around 800 or 1,000 meters. Together, these techniques will provide a clearer picture of the subsurface structure and guide the next phase of deep drilling planned for early 2026.

Ridgeback and its partner company, Southernrock Geophysics, bring extensive experience in high-resolution geophysical surveys across the Andes, including work that has improved geological understanding at projects such as Valeriano (Atex Resources) and Altar (Aldebaran Resources). Their expertise in deep-penetrating MT and IP methods provides a robust technical basis for the Taguas program and regional insight into the surrounding copper-gold systems.

Complementary geological work, including detailed relogging of historical drill holes and short-wave infrared (SWIR) alteration studies, has identified vectors toward porphyry-style mineralization along a 2.5-kilometre north-south corridor extending from Cerro IV to Cerro Campamento. This integrated approach will allow Orvana to prioritize the most prospective zones for the upcoming deep-drilling program.

Strategic Context

The Taguas exploration program aligns with Orvana's broader strategy of enhancing long-term value through targeted exploration and disciplined capital allocation. The objective of this campaign is to refine the geological model, test priority porphyry targets, and determine the next steps for the project's development. Results from the 2025/26 program will help guide Orvana's strategic decisions regarding future resource delineation and potential project advancement.

ABOUT ORVANA - Orvana is a multi-mine gold-copper-silver company. Orvana's assets consist of the producing Orovalle operation in northern Spain; the Don Mario operation in Bolivia, currently in plant expansion; and the Taguas Project located in Argentina. Additional information is available at Orvana's website (www.orvana.com).

Cautionary Statements - Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by words such as "plans", "expects", "aims", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "potential", "target", "may", "could", "would", "should", "will", or similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or events. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company's exploration plans at Taguas, the timing, scope and objectives of the geophysical and drilling programs, and the anticipated results or outcomes of such work.

Forward-looking statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions as of the date of this news release and are 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. These factors include, but are not limited to: changes in general economic and market conditions; fluctuations in metal prices; exploration and development risks; operational and technical challenges; regulatory and permitting risks; environmental and social risks; political and jurisdictional risks in Argentina and other operating areas; and those described under the heading "Risk Factors" in Orvana's most recent Annual Information Form and Management's Discussion and Analysis, available under Orvana's profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

Readers are cautioned not to 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.

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Collaboration to enable payouts to stablecoin wallets, giving banks, payment providers, and end-users greater choice and flexibility

SINGAPORE, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Mastercard and Thunes, the Smart Superhighway to move money around the world, have teamed up to accelerate global money movement for banks, payment service providers and end-users by expanding stablecoin wallet payout capabilities. Through this strategic collaboration, announced at the Singapore Fintech Festival, Mastercard Move will facilitate near real-time payouts to stablecoin wallets via Thunes' Direct Global Network, harnessing the speed, liquidity, and 24/7 availability of regulated stablecoins.

Mastercard Move already enables payouts to cards, bank accounts, and cash across its global network. Through this alliance with Thunes, it will offer stablecoin wallets as a new endpoint - giving banks and payment providers greater flexibility in delivering funds, while offering end-users more choice in how they receive them.

Key benefits for banks, payment service providers, and end-users include:

Near Real-Time Payouts: Enable fast transfers to recipients' stablecoin wallets, with 24/7 availability.

Enable fast transfers to recipients' stablecoin wallets, with 24/7 availability. Expanded Choice: Allow banks and payment providers to offer payouts to stablecoin wallets alongside accounts, cards, and cash-unlocking new corridors and business models.

Allow banks and payment providers to offer payouts to stablecoin wallets alongside accounts, cards, and cash-unlocking new corridors and business models. Financial Inclusion: Broaden payout options, mitigate currency volatility and reduce barriers to promote greater financial inclusion, particularly in underserved markets.

"As digital currencies become a bigger part of global money movement, this collaboration with Thunes reinforces our role as a trusted bridge between traditional and digital finance," said Pratik Khowala, Global Head of Transfer Solutions at Mastercard. "With Mastercard Move, we already enable transfers in 150 currencies to over 10 billion endpoints-including accounts, cards, and cash. With this collaboration we're adding stablecoin wallets to that mix. It's all about giving end-users more choice and unlocking new possibilities for banks and payment service providers as digital currencies continue to grow."

"Collaborating with Mastercard Move to enable stablecoin payouts is another step forward in our mission to enable the next billion end users to take part in the global economy," said Chloe Mayenobe, President and Chief Operating Officer at Thunes. "By adding Thunes' trusted Direct Global Network and Pay-to-Stablecoin-Wallets solution to their network and money movement capabilities, Mastercard is delivering faster and more inclusive payment options for individuals and businesses worldwide."

This collaboration marks a key milestone in Mastercard Move's commitment to facilitating stablecoin flows for financial institutions and wallets worldwide. It is also a powerful validation of the rapidly accelerating adoption of stablecoin payments for real-world utility. Thunes' recently launched Pay-to-Stablecoin-Wallets solution, which will be integrated into Mastercard Move's network, directly addresses the rapidly growing demand from individuals and businesses worldwide to receive instant, 24/7 payouts in a stable digital currency.

Mastercard Move provides direct disbursers, banks, non-bank financial institutions, and their customers with fast, secure money movement solutions, both domestically and internationally. The portfolio reaches more than 200 markets and 150+ currencies, with access to over 95% of the world's banked population.

About Mastercard

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we're building a resilient economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

www.mastercard.com

About Thunes:

Thunes is the Smart Superhighway to move money around the world. Thunes' proprietary Direct Global Network allows Members to make payments in real-time in over 130 countries and more than 80 currencies. Thunes' Network connects directly to over 7 billion mobile wallets, stablecoin wallets and bank accounts worldwide, as well as 15 billion cards via more than 320 different payment methods, such as GCash, M-Pesa, Airtel, MTN, Orange, JazzCash, Easypaisa, AliPay, WeChat Pay HK and many more. Thunes' Direct Global Network differentiates itself through its worldwide reach, in-house SmartX Treasury System and Fortress Compliance Platform, ensuring Members of the Network receive unrivaled speed, control, visibility, protection, and cost efficiencies when making real-time payments, globally. Members of Thunes' Direct Global Network include gig economy giants like Uber and Deliveroo, super-apps like Grab and WeChat, MTOs, fintechs, PSPs and banks. Headquartered in Singapore, Thunes has offices in 14 locations, including Atlanta, Barcelona, Beijing, Dubai, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, London, Manila, Nairobi, Paris, Riyadh, San Francisco and Shanghai. For more information, visit: https://www.thunes.com/

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The annual award program recognizes trailblazing cleaning excellence across five categories.

LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESS Newswire / November 12, 2025 / ISSA Show North America, the global gathering for industrial, commercial and residential cleaning and facility management professionals, announces the recipients of the 2025 Innovative Leaders Award Program, showcasing cutting-edge products and breakthrough solutions transforming the worldwide cleaning industry.

The honorees of this year's recognition program, revealed today at the Innovation Showcase and Theatre on the ISSA expo floor, demonstrate exceptional advancement and innovation across the cleaning industry. Each category winner and two honorees were selected by an expert judging panel comprised of distinguished industry executives, including delegates from leading councils, committees and professional organizations throughout the sector.

"The Innovative Leaders Award Program recognizes the exceptional ingenuity and forward-thinking solutions that define excellence in the industry by honoring companies and individuals that push boundaries and set new standards for cleaning technology and operational efficiency," says Ed Nichols, Show Director of ISSA Show North America.

The winners for each category are as follows:

Automation and Equipment Innovation of the Year: Gausium took first place for the Miracle Cleaning Concept machine. Honorees include Diversey, a Solenis Company, for the TASKI Ultimaxx 360 and Kaivac, Inc. for the Kaivac 1050M cleaning system.

Hygiene Solutions Innovation of the Year : Diversey, a Solenis Company, was named the winner for the Lesseau  solid hand wash solution. Honorees include Vectair Systems, Inc. for the V-Air Flow air freshener fan and Tork, an Essity brand for the Tork PeakServe Automatic Continuous Hand Towel Dispenser.

Facility Solution Care Products Innovation of the Year: Ecolab, Inc. took first place for the Fill & Clean Series of Commercial-Grade Cleaners. Honorees include CloroxPro for the Clorox Screen+ Sanitizing Wipes and SC Johnson Professional for the TruShot 2.0  No Rinse Sanitizer.

Environment and Sustainability Innovation of the Year: Force of Nature was announced as the winner for the new Force of Nature Pro On-Demand system.

People's Choice Award: Kaivac, Inc. was recognized as the winner for the Kaivac 1050M cleaning system. Honorees include Force of Nature for the new Force of Nature Pro On-Demand disinfectant and GP PRO for the Dixie Ultra SmartStock Mini Tri-Tower Cutlery Dispenser.

Each exhibiting company presented innovative products that have transformed the commercial, institutional and residential cleaning sectors by tackling critical operational challenges faced by industry professionals while safeguarding and enhancing occupant wellness.

By delivering comprehensive education, hands-on product showcases and year-round networking opportunities, ISSA Show North America advances worldwide public health and safety standards, offering essential tools and knowledge for distributors, building service contractors, facility management companies and diverse professionals across the global cleaning industry.

"We are always seeking the next generation of solutions that will transform our industry. This showcase exemplifies that very spirit, a platform to discover the newest products and technologies that will define the next wave of cleaning and facility solutions. These breakthrough products represent the evolution toward smarter, more efficient and more sustainable solutions," adds Kim Althoff, Executive Director of ISSA.

To view the full list of participants, finalists and honorees for the 2025 Innovative Leaders Award Program, please visit www.issashow.com.

For more information about ISSA Show North America, please visit www.issashow.com.

About ISSA Show North America

In partnership with ISSA, the association for cleaning & facility solutions, ISSA Show North America offers an unmatched conference program featuring over 100 education sessions, workshops, panels, training and certification courses over four days. The event and the association are committed to changing the way the world views cleaning by providing its members with the business tools they need to promote cleaning as an investment in human health, the environment, and an improved bottom line. For more information about ISSA Show North America, visit www.issashow.com. Follow ISSA Show North America on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

About ISSA

With more than 11,000 members-including distributors, manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, wholesalers, building service contractors, in-house service providers, residential cleaners, and associated service members-ISSA is the association for cleaning & facility solutions. The association is committed to empowering the organizations and people who keep our built environments healthy, safe, and efficient. Headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., USA, the association has regional offices in Milan, Italy; Toronto, Canada; Sydney, Australia; Seoul, South Korea; and Shanghai, China. For more information about ISSA, visit www.issa.com or call 800-225-4772 (North America) or 847-982-0800. Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

About Informa Markets

Informa Markets, a subsidiary of Informa plc (LON:INF), creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. Our portfolio comprises more than 550 international B2B events and brands in markets including Engineering, Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Infrastructure, Construction & Real Estate, Fashion & Apparel, Hospitality, Food & Beverage, and Health & Nutrition, among others. We provide customers and partners around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, specialist digital content and actionable data solutions. As the world's leading exhibitions organizer, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, visit www.informamarkets.com.

Media Contact:

Informa Markets?Infrastructure and Construction PR?

ConstructionPR@informa.com

SOURCE: INFORMA MARKETS

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Federated search capabilities and strategic partnerships aim to break down data silos and connect climate innovators worldwide.

New global applications include ClimateTech Search, UN Solutions Hub and Africa Climate Investment Tracker, as well as enhanced Knowledge AI SaaS on TanLIVE.

SHENZHEN, China, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Tencent (0700.HK) today unveiled the next chapter of its climate innovation platform, TanLIVE, with four new global applications to accelerate collaboration, transparency, and access to verified climate data.

Leading the expansion is ClimateTech Search (CTS), a federated search service dedicated to climate technologies. CTS can help users find verified, actionable climate solutions across fragmented data sources.

TanLIVE has evolved into a dynamic ecosystem connecting climate innovators, governments, and financiers to boost decarbonization, following its global debut at COP28 in partnership with Innovate for ClimateTech (I4C) coalition, which is now hosted at the Global Climate Finance Centre (GCFC). The platform's latest applications also include the UN Solutions Hub (UNSH), the Africa Climate Investment Tracker (ACIT), and TanLIVE Knowledge AI, together advancing the Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR) principles for climate data.

Making Climate Solutions Discoverable

Finding the right climate solution remains difficult. Data is scattered across websites, buried in PDFs, and often ranked low by general search engines. Even advanced AI tools struggle to surface verified technologies.

ClimateTech Search (CTS) solves this by connecting verified climate tech databases into one federated search network. It was initiated by I4C, and brings together trusted sources like Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Green Technology Bank, Solar Impulse Foundation, and WIPO Green, with more partners to come.

Leveraging AI-powered semantic search, CTS understands user intent across languages and delivers relevant, credible results directly from expert-curated databases. Each result leads to real technologies, products, and service providers - not just background information.

Free and globally accessible, CTS can help adopters, governments, NGOs, and investors find climate solutions across sectors like oceans, biodiversity, agriculture, and energy with speed, accuracy, and confidence in verified data.

Supporting the UN Solutions Hub

Tencent is partnering with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the UN Global Innovation Hub and the Global Enabling Sustainability Initiative (GeSI) to deliver the UN Solutions Hub (UNSH), a new digital platform aimed at helping cities and governments accelerate climate action.

UNSH is being built on Tencent's TanLIVE infrastructure, enabling a multitude of relevant stakeholders, public and private, to discover verified climate technologies from trusted global databases.

With the strong support of the UN Global Innovation HUB, the UNSH creates a trusted space for collaboration among governments, solution providers, and financiers, transforming climate ambition into implementation.

Driving Regional Initiatives and Empowering Nonprofits

TanLIVE's latest applications also extend powerful tools to regional climate initiatives and civil society organizations. The African Climate Investment Tracker (ACIT), initiated by the Africa Green Industrialization Initiative (AGII) and technically powered by TanLIVE, provides verified, bilingual data on green projects across the continent to make African climate initiatives more discoverable, credible, and investable. In 2026, the platform will expand to include a matchmaking ecosystem connecting developers, investors, and off-takers, alongside advanced analytics and financing tools to further expand global visibility and accelerate deployment.

TanLIVE Knowledge AI helps nonprofits turn years of reports and insights into searchable, AI-powered services. It aims to enhance and synthesize human expertise, allowing teams to build custom bots that support internal research and public engagement. More than 70 nonprofits currently use the platform to improve access to their knowledge, with significant improvements in efficiency across public engagement, internal research and information sharing.

Through TanLIVE's cutting-edge technology and collaborative networks, Tencent enables transparent, inclusive, and data-driven climate action at scale. Organizations worldwide are invited to visit tanlive.com to explore the platform's latest applications and accelerate global collaboration on climate action.

These efforts reflect Tencent's commitment to the priorities of COP30, particularly elevating climate action, as well as to driving systemic change in partnership with the UNFCCC and global climate leaders.

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Delivers real-time fraud detection, BSP compliance, and GenAI-ready infrastructure

SINGAPORE, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) today announced at the Singapore FinTech Festival, the successful deployment of an AI-powered Enterprise Fraud and Risk Management (EFRM) Solution from Clari5, a global leader in real-time financial crime management. Achieved in just 45 days, the implementation marks a milestone in PVB's ongoing digital transformation journey, setting a new benchmark for enterprise-scale fraud prevention in the region.

PVB has strengthened its digital banking ecosystem with the implementation of Clari5's AI-powered Enterprise Fraud and Risk Management (EFRM) platform, creating a GenAI-ready fraud prevention infrastructure that ensures real-time detection, monitoring, and mitigation of financial crime. The deployment spans PVB's Internet and Mobile Banking channels, delivering enterprise-wide compliance with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) regulations while enhancing customer trust through proactive and unified fraud monitoring across all digital touchpoints.

Peter Paul V. Laud, Senior Vice President Digital Transformation Group Head/ Information Technology Group, Philippine Veterans Bank, said, "At Philippine Veterans Bank, we are committed to building a secure, compliant, and future-ready digital banking ecosystem. Clari5's EFRM platform delivers immediate value by further strengthening our fraud prevention and BSP compliance capabilities while providing a GenAI-ready infrastructure for what's ahead. We're not just addressing today's challenges, we're laying the groundwork to rapidly adopt emerging AI technologies as they mature, positioning Philippine Veterans Bank as a first mover in next-generation fraud prevention and reinforcing the trust our customers place in us."

Rivi Varghese, CEO, Clari5, said, "Forty-five days from contract to production, that's the new standard for enterprise EFRM deployment. Philippine Veterans Bank now has infrastructure that's GenAI-ready: when breakthrough models emerge, they won't need to rebuild their foundation, they'll simply activate new capabilities." He added, "More importantly, Philippine Veterans Bank chose a unified, resilience-based platform over fragmented point solutions. This architecture breaks silos across fraud, AML, and compliance, enabling them to address current and future regulatory requirements, from BSP guidelines to emerging directives, without hunting for the next tactical fix. That's strategic infrastructure, not just technology deployment."

The deployment showcases Clari5's commitment to enabling banks with AI-powered EFRM platforms designed for continuous evolution. Unlike legacy systems that require wholesale replacement to adopt new technologies, Clari5's modular architecture allows financial institutions to progressively enhance their fraud prevention capabilities, from today's real-time detection to tomorrow's GenAI-powered autonomous systems, without disruptive migrations or extended downtime. Building on this success, both organizations are exploring opportunities to expand their partnership to new segments and markets.

About Philippine Veterans Bank:

Philippine Veterans Bank is a commercial bank that counts Filipino World War II veterans, their heirs and descendants, post-WW2 veterans and AFP retirees as its shareholders. It operates 60 full branches and 1 branch-lite unit in key cities and municipalities nationwide and caters to both corporate and retail financial markets offering deposit and loan products, cash management services, treasury and trust services, among others. Under Republic Act 11597, which is also its charter, PVB is an authorized government depository bank and offers its banking services to government agencies, government owned corporations, and local government units. The Bank extends grants to support projects and activities for the benefit of veterans, their heirs and descendants.

About Clari5:

Clari5 - A Perfios Company, is a category-leading innovator in banking financial crime management, empowering mission-driven banks to combat the global $4 trillion fraud challenge. Trusted by marquee banks worldwide, Clari5 processes over 10 billion transactions monthly, manages more than 1 billion accounts, and serves customers across 15 countries. With 340 million+ accounts at a single site, Clari5 has powered some of the largest fraud management deployments globally. Clari5 was recently acquired by Perfios and is now part of the Perfios group of companies.

To know more, visit clari5.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube.

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Senior executives of business and finance, civil society, the United Nations and Government met on the margins of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) to identify key steps to accelerate stronger public-private collaboration for 1.5C-aligned solutions and resilient development.

BELEM, Brazil, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The United Nations Global Compact, together with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), today convened the 13th Annual High-Level Meeting of Caring for Climate.

The meeting brought together CEOs, Government leaders, investors and representatives from civil society and the UN to explore how business and Government can work together to demonstrate progress and deliver greater ambition of newly submitted Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to transform the energy system, accelerating a just transition away from fossil fuels, and aligning all sectors of the economy with the 1.5C goal.

At a moment when climate impacts are intensifying and costs of inaction are rising - from food insecurity to insurance losses - the forum reaffirmed 1.5C as the non-negotiable benchmark and highlighted the urgent need for a quantum leap in ambition and implementation. Participants showcased practical solutions demonstrating that bold climate action is not a cost, but the only viable pathway to long-term profitability, resilience and shared prosperity.

The discussion focused on the policy and finance mechanisms required to unlock private investment in national transitions, de-risk capital flows and build credible pipelines of bankable projects - particularly in emerging and developing economies.

Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact, said: "The Caring for Climate initiative reminds us that reaching global net zero by 2050 - and moving swiftly to sustained net-negative emissions afterward - is the foundation for a resilient and robust global economy. Business has both the responsibility and the opportunity to drive this transformation. Done right, this is an economic growth strategy: it can unlock trillions in private investment, lower energy and input costs, spur innovation across value chains, and create good jobs in every region. But governments must create the enabling policy environments and incentives that allow ambition to translate into immediate and deep emissions reductions. At COP30, we need stronger alignment between public and private transition plans to bring temperatures back below 1.5C and safeguard the future the world needs."

Ojiambo noted that the UN Global Compact came to COP30 to: advance an inclusive, 1.5C-aligned energy transition - scaling renewables and strengthening energy infrastructure to improve clean energy access for all; make adaptation a core business and finance priority so that it is viewed as an imperative in protecting people, assets and supply chains; and mobilize finance for a just and credible transition to meet global energy targets and needs, while prioritizing building resilience.

In his opening remarks, Selwin Hart, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General and Assistant Secretary-General on Climate Action, United Nations, said: "The private sector has a decisive role to play in supporting countries to over-deliver on their new Nationally Determined Contributions and keep the 1.5C limit within reach. These new national climate plans must be the floor of ambition, not the ceiling. The economic case for climate action is unambiguous. With credible net zero transition plans in place, private sector and subnational actors can deliver real and rapid emissions cuts across entire value chains, shift finance from fossil fuels towards renewables, and build resilience to climate shocks, while boosting growth and competitiveness. Net zero must be real, not rhetorical."

Noura Hamladji, Deputy Executive Secretary, UN Climate Change, in her closing remarks, stated: "This new era of implementation is about bringing our process closer to the real economy - and ensuring that the benefits of climate action are felt by billions more people through growth, jobs, health, and security."

The meeting built on the momentum of the UN Secretary-General's call for NDCs 3.0 to double energy efficiency, triple renewable capacity, and accelerate a just and funded transition.

According to the 2025 UN Global Compact-Accenture CEO Study , 88% of CEOs say the business case for sustainability is stronger today than five years ago, and 99% plan to maintain or expand their companies' climate, environmental and social commitments.

These findings underline the private sector's readiness to lead - provided that governments deliver the regulatory clarity, financial instruments and partnership frameworks needed to scale solutions across industries and regions.

Launched in 2007, Caring for Climate provides a platform for dialogue between CEOs, civil society, United Nations and policymakers at the UN Climate Change Conference to accelerate progress toward the Paris Agreement goals.

Notes to Editors

About the UN Global Compact

The ambition of the UN Global Compact is to accelerate and scale the global collective impact of business by upholding the Ten Principles and delivering the SDGs through accountable companies and ecosystems that enable change. With more than 20,000 participating companies, 5 Regional Hubs, 66 Country Networks covering 85 countries and 9 Country Managers establishing Networks in 16 other countries, the UN Global Compact is the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative - one Global Compact uniting business for a better world. For more information, follow @globalcompact on social media and visit our website at unglobalcompact.org .

CONTACT: Alexandra Gee, gee@unglobalcompact.org

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Virometix AG, a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering fully synthetic vaccines, today announced the completion of a $15 million financing round from existing shareholders. The funds will support continued clinical and development activities for V-212, Virometix's lead serotype-independent pneumococcal vaccine candidate, currently in Phase I clinical evaluation.

Proceeds from the financing will be used to:

Advance the ongoing Phase I clinical trial of V-212, with topline results expected in Q1 2026.

Prepare for a planned Phase Ib combination trial evaluating V-212 with an approved pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV).

Complete OPK assay validation to support immunogenicity and functional data read-outs.

Implement platform enhancements to the company's proprietary Synthetic Virus-Like Particle (SVLP) technology.

technology. Progress next-generation serotype-independent pneumococcal vaccine programs toward preclinical development.

"This financing demonstrates the continued confidence and commitment of our investors to Virometix's mission and platform," said Anna Sumeray, Chief Executive Officer of Virometix. "Our fully synthetic SVLP technology enables the design of broad-spectrum, self-adjuvanted vaccines with highly scalable manufacturing. With V-212 in clinical development, we are well positioned to deliver a truly next-generation approach to pneumococcal prevention."

About V-212

V-212 is a fully synthetic, serotype-independent, peptide-based vaccine designed to prevent Streptococcus pneumoniaeinfections. The vaccine incorporates multiple conserved antigenic epitopes from key pneumococcal surface proteins conjugated to Virometix's proprietary SVLP nanoparticles, which include built-in adjuvant elements such as T-helper epitopes and Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands. This unique design eliminates dependence on biological carrier proteins and allows for a streamlined, fully synthetic manufacturing process.

Preclinical studies demonstrated robust and durable immunogenicity in mouse and rabbit models, protection against lethal sepsis, and cross-reactivity with multiple pneumococcal serotypes, including non-PCV-13 types-underscoring V-212's potential for broad protection.

The ongoing Phase I clinical trial (NCT06975319) is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, first-in-human study being conducted at the Centre for Vaccinology (CEVAC), Ghent University Hospital. Sixty healthy volunteers aged 18-45 have been enrolled, and topline safety and immunogenicity data are anticipated in the first quarter of 2026.

About Virometix

Virometix AG is a privately held biotechnology company developing a new generation of fully synthetic vaccines to elicit targeted and protective immune responses against infectious diseases and cancer. The company's proprietary Synthetic Virus-Like Particle (SVLP) platform combines rational molecular design and chemical synthesis to rapidly generate optimized vaccine candidates with superior safety, efficacy, manufacturability, and stability profiles.

Learn more at www.virometix.com

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Contacts:

Media Contact

David Rosen

Argot Partners

Phone: +1 646.461.6387

Email: david.rosen@argotpartners.com
SAN JOSE, Calif. and RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Tredence, a global AI and data science solutions provider, today announced it has won the 2025 Microsoft Partner of the Year Award for Data & Analytics Platform. Tredence was selected from a global field of Microsoft partners for its ability to accelerate AI innovation and deliver measurable business impact through Azure-powered analytics and AI solutions.

Tredence's joint solutions with Microsoft span retail and consumer packaged goods (CPG), manufacturing, banking and financial services (BFSI), and healthcare and life sciences (HLS). Delivered through an ecosystem of 100+ AI and machine learning use cases, these solutions enable enterprises to modernize data environments, foster cross-functional collaboration, and operationalize generative and agentic AI to power real-time decision-making.

The award highlights Tredence's work with a leading Saudi retail-pharmacy company, where the company and Microsoft built an AI-ready data foundation on Microsoft Fabric. Together, the teams modernized 1,500 legacy pipelines, unified workloads on modern architecture, and onboarded 700+ business users to self-service business intelligence (BI).

Building on similar AI-led transformations, Tredence has also been partnering with leading organizations in the travel and aviation ecosystem in Saudi Arabia to reimagine operational efficiency and customer experience through data modernization and AI.

"Winning the 2025 Microsoft Data & Analytics Platform Partner of the Year is a testament to the strength of our global collaboration with Microsoft and our shared vision of driving AI-led transformation at scale," said Rakesh Sancheti, Chief Growth Officer atTredence. "This recognition reinforces our mission to help businesses around the world move from fragmented data systems to unified, AI-ready platforms that solve real industry challenges and deliver measurable outcomes. We remain deeply committed to expanding our presence in key markets and using AI to create meaningful, lasting impact for our clients."

Christopher Wallace, Regional Managing Director, Middle East at Tredence, said, "Aligned with vision 2030, our Saudi Arabia partners are focused on time to value. Leveraging partially pre-built and battle-tested solutions on Azure technologies, we help industry leaders operationalize AI at the intersection of data strategy, domain expertise, and technology to unlock tangible business impact."

"Congratulations to all the winners and finalists of the 2025 Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards," said Nicole Dezen, Chief Partner Officer and Corporate Vice President at Microsoft. "This year, our partners harnessed the transformative power of Microsoft's Cloud and AI platforms to deliver transformative solutions that redefine the boundaries of innovation. The energy and ingenuity across our ecosystem continue to inspire us. The 2025 honorees exemplify what's possible when technology and vision unite to empower customers around the world."

The Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards recognizes partners that have developed and delivered outstanding Microsoft Cloud applications, services, and AI innovation over the past year. Honorees were selected from more than 4,600 nominations across 100+ countries.

Tredence has strengthened its Microsoft collaboration, achieving Data & AI and Digital & App Innovation solution partner designations, as well as Analytics on Azure and AI Platform on Azure advanced specializations.

The 2025 Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards will be announced ahead of Microsoft Ignite, taking place from November 18-21 in San Francisco. Additional details are available on the Microsoft Partner blog, and the complete list of winners and finalists can be found here.

About Tredence

Tredence is a global data science and AI solutions provider focused on solving the last-mile problem in AI, the gap between insight creation and value realization. Tredence leverages deep domain expertise, data platforms and accelerators, and strategic partnerships to provide tailored, cutting-edge solutions to its clients. The company has 3,500+ employees across the San Francisco Bay Area, Chicago, Riyadh, London, Toronto, and Bengaluru, serving top brands in Retail, CPG, Hi-tech, Telecom, Healthcare, Travel, and Industrials.

For more information, visit www.tredence.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

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LONDON, Nov. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tyton Partners, the leading strategy consulting and investment banking firm focused on the education sector, and Ufi Ventures, the UK's specialist investor in vocational technology (VocTech), today released their Q3+ 2025 VocTech Market Report. This quarterly publication explores the trends shaping vocational learning and workforce development across the UK, Europe, and North America.

This edition covers the significant UK policy developments in the sector into October. The pace of relevant US government announcements remained intense, worries about an "AI bubble" became more vocal, and whilst deal volumes were low, there were significant investments and deals across the ecosystem.

Key Takeaways

The UK government published a major White Paper which provides a clear sense of direction for vocational training and workforce upskilling in England, and for university funding across the UK. Whilst there is still considerable detail and consultation to come, this offers an encouraging basis for investment decisions.?

There is much angst about why - and whether or not - there is a crisis in the graduate job market across the UK and US. AI appears only to be part of the picture, given the very high levels of uncertainty and unpredictability across the ecosystem.?

The Trump administration's policies on immigration are starting to have negative effects on some domestic labour markets and US Higher Education.?

Big Tech's commitment to learning in AI products is becoming even more apparent.?

A rare European unicorn exit, Sana Labs' sale to Workday, is only one indicator of the established enterprise-focussed HR Tech companies' desire to own the "front door" for HR applications - and automate them with a user-friendly AI interface.



Additional important deals included PeopleCert's acquisition of the commercial businesses of City and Guilds and multiple transactions for European staffing players and British apprenticeship providers.

Helen Gironi, Director at Ufi Ventures, commented:

"The UK government's new White Paper sets the scene for more investors to engage with the UK's skills sector. This report offers key insights for those who are looking to join Ufi Ventures and participate in a market which is key to the UK's growth and success."

Nick Kind, Managing Director at Tyton Partners, added:

"AIs, and the companies which develop them, continue dramatically to affect how the vocational technology sector is evolving. Read this report for the latest news and implications."

To access the full Q3+ 2025 VocTech Market Report, visit: https://tytonpartners.com/key-learnings-from-voctech-market-activity-q3-2025/

About Tyton Partners

Tyton Partners is the leading provider of strategy consulting and investment banking services to the global knowledge and information services sector. With offices in Boston and New York City, the firm has an experienced team of bankers and consultants who deliver a unique spectrum of services from mergers and acquisitions and capital markets access to strategy development that helps companies, organizations, and investors navigate the complexities of the education, media, and information markets. Tyton Partners leverages a deep foundation of transactional and advisory experience and an unparalleled level of global relationships to make its clients' aspirations a reality and to catalyze innovation in the sector. Learn more at www.tytonpartners.com

About Ufi Ventures

Ufi Ventures is the investment arm of Ufi VocTech Trust. Ufi supports the adoption and deployment of technology to improve skills for work and deliver better outcomes for all. By leveraging its depth of experience Ufi Ventures supports its growing portfolio through access to capital, and its wide expert pool and network. Learn more at www.ufi.co.uk/ventures.

Media Contact Kerry Senckowski Vice President of HR & Operations ksenckowski@tytonpartners.com Tyton Partners
Regulatory News:

Forsee Power (FR0014005SB3 FORSE), the expert in smart battery systems for commercial and industrial electric vehicles, announces its revenue for the third quarter of 2025.

Revenue breakdown by segment

IFRS, unautited

( thousands) Q3 2025 Q3 2024 Change 30/09/2025 30/09/2024 Change Heavy vehicles 21,416 25,488 -16.0% 94,210 101,932 -7.6% Light vehicles 2,691 3,246 -17.1% 10,784 11,203 -3.7% Total revenue 24,107 28,734 -16.1% 104,994 113,135 -7.2%

Forsee Power recorded revenue of 24.1 million in the third quarter of 2025, down 16% compared to the same period in 2024. Sales of battery systems for heavy vehicles amounted to 21.4 million, compared with 25.5 million in Q3 2024 (-16%), while sales for light vehicles reached 2.7 million, down 17% year-on-year.

Over the first nine months of the year, total revenue stood at 105.0 million, down 7% compared with the same period in 2024, reflecting the decline in cell prices and consequently on our prices, as well as the postponement of several large-scale programs.

Recent highlights

Strategic partnership signed with Rolls-Royce

In October 2025, Forsee Power signed a memorandum of understanding with Rolls-Royce for the supply of battery systems, aiming to jointly develop advanced battery-electric propulsion solutions for industrial and transportation applications. This partnership marks a strategic milestone in strengthening the Group's international presence across high-value markets.

Transfer of listing to Euronext Growth Paris

The Board of Directors has approved the transfer of the Company's shares from the regulated Euronext Paris market to Euronext Growth Paris, a market environment better suited to Forsee Power's size and growth profile, while maintaining the same standards of transparency and financial communication.

Appointment of Philippe Platon as Chief Financial Officer

On November 3, 2025, Forsee Power announced the appointment of Philippe Platon as Chief Financial Officer. With 30 years of experience in financial management, he will actively contribute to the implementation of the RePower27 plan and to strengthening the Group's financial fundamentals.

Partnership with KGHM

In Poland, Forsee Power will equip the electric mining vehicles of KGHM, Europe's largest copper producer, with its ZEN LITE and ZEN LFP battery systems. This partnership illustrates the diversification of Forsee Power's portfolio into off-highway and mining applications.

REPOWER27: Strategy and Outlook

Over the past several quarters, Forsee Power has been operating in an environment marked by reduced visibility on its order book, reflecting a sharp decline in cell prices, delays in several major programs (notably in the United States, Japan, and rail markets), and increased competition from Asian players, particularly in the bus segment.

In this context, the Group is continuing to implement its strategic plan, RePower27, launched in the summer of 2025, with the objective of restoring sustainable profitability and preparing for a return to growth as from 2027.

The plan is structured around three key pillars:

Financial optimization: strengthening the Group's cash position through a combination of new financings, the renegotiation of existing credit lines, and a capital increase, representing a total amount of more than 50 million, already executed during 2025.

strengthening the Group's cash position through a combination of new financings, the renegotiation of existing credit lines, and a capital increase, representing a total amount of more than 50 million, already executed during 2025. Lowering the breakeven point: continuation of the cost-reduction and industrial streamlining program, with a focus on standardized product platforms, expected to generate around 20 million in savings.

continuation of the cost-reduction and industrial streamlining program, with a focus on standardized product platforms, expected to generate around 20 million in savings. Long-term value creation: refocusing on higher value-added segments (bus, off-highway, mining, and rail) and developing a diversified customer portfolio supported by a global industrial footprint.

The Group confirms its 2025 revenue target between 120 million and 125 million and an adjusted EBITDA of around -3 million for the year, in line with its roadmap.

Participating in a large number of tenders across all regions and in its most dynamic markets, Forsee Power currently reports a commercial pipeline of 1.2 billion, supporting expectations of a progressive recovery in activity from the end of 2026.

About Forsee Power

Forsee Power specializes in battery systems for commercial and industrial electric vehicles (light vehicles, off-highway vehicles, buses, trucks, and trains). A major player in Europe, Asia and North America, the Group designs, assembles, and supplies energy management systems based on cells that are among the most robust in the market and provides installation, commissioning, and maintenance on site and remotely. More than 5,000 heavy vehicles and 145,000 LEV have been equipped with Forsee Power's batteries. The Group also offers financing solutions (battery leasing) and second-life solutions for transport batteries. Forsee Power and its 750 employees are committed to sustainable development, and the Group has obtained the Gold medal from leading sustainability rating agency EcoVadis. For more information: www.forseepower.com @ForseePower

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Contacts:

Forsee Power

Sophie Tricaud

VP Corporate affairs

investors@forseepower.com

NewCap

Thomas Grojean

Jeremy Digel

Investor Relations

forseepower@newcap.eu

+33 (0)1 44 71 94 94

NewCap

Nicolas Merigeau

Media Relations

forseepower@newcap.eu

+33 (0)1 44 71 94 98
Clinical evaluation of the world's first multi-arm surgical robot

Strategic partnership aiming for medium-term market launch of an innovative robotic solution in Europeand adapted to Implanet's product offering

Regulatory News:

IMPLANET (Euronext Growth: ALIMP, FR0013470168, eligible for PEA-PME), a medical technology company specializing in implants for orthopedic surgery and the distribution of advanced medical equipment, today announced the signing of a partnership agreement with 8i Robotics Inc. The first milestone of this agreement focuses on clinical research aimed at achieving European regulatory compliance for a surgeon-supervised robot designed for spine surgery.

IMPLANET to exhibit alongside 8i Robotics Inc. at the NASS1 Annual Meeting (booth #1037) in Denver

Ludovic Lastennet, IMPLANET's Chief Executive Officer, stated:"As part of our strategic plan, the signing of this partnership agreement with 8i Robotics Inc., a Canadian manufacturer and innovative player in the field of robotics, places IMPLANET at the core of clinical evaluation and regulatory registration in Europe of a world unique robotic solution. The technical solutions developed by 8i Robotics represent the next step in surgeon-supervised assistance technologies, enabling more efficient robotic procedures and enhanced patient safety. This new commitment should allow us to quickly conclude additional clinical research agreements with leading hospitals in France to complete the regulatory registration of implantable solutions dedicated to robotics on the European market."

Dr. Brent Bailey, Systems Engineer at 8i Robotics and a veteran medical device developer in surgical microscopy, stated:"The 8i Robotics solution delivers precise implant placement while minimizing complications by enabling accurate navigation to the surgical site. Its compact design, positioned on one side of the surgical table, ensures that clinical staff remain unobstructed and allows seamless integration of intraoperative imaging tools. We look forward to working with IMPLANET and our partners to achieve the CE mark and support surgeons in Europe."

This clinical and regulatory partnership between IMPLANET and 8i Robotics will enable research with leading French hospitals and preparing CE mark of a groundbreaking robotic solution in Europe. It is integral to IMPLANET'S long-term strategic commercial offering to combine the latest advancements and innovations in spinal surgery (deformity correction systems, minimally invasive product ranges, robotics, artificial intelligence, etc.) for the global market.

Key technological highlights

Multi-arm intelligence Three robotic arms working in concert-an optical imaging head with integrated digital microscope and left and right surgical arms-provide complete surgical site coverage, going far beyond traditional screw placement guidance.

Three robotic arms working in concert-an optical imaging head with integrated digital microscope and left and right surgical arms-provide complete surgical site coverage, going far beyond traditional screw placement guidance. Advanced digital microscope: Industry-leading integrated surgical microscope provides high-resolution visualization with optical magnification and a large working distance, eliminating the need for separate microscopy equipment. This differentiates 8i Robotics from competing multi-arm systems that lack integrated microscopy capabilities.

Upcoming Financial Communication

Full-year 2025 revenue, January 13, 2026, after market close.

About 8i Robotics Inc.

8i Robotics unveiled the world's first multi-arm humanoid robotic systems for neurosurgical spine and orthopedic surgery in May 2024, at American Association of Neurological Surgeons annual meeting in Chicago. 8i Robotics is redefining surgical precision through the integration of cutting-edge robotics, electromagnetic navigation, and advanced optical imaging technologies. The company's flagship system represents a revolutionary leap forward as the world's first multi-arm humanoid surgical robot featuring electromagnetic navigation and an integrated digital microscope. Based in Canada with collaborative partnerships across North America, Europe, and Asia, 8i Robotics is advancing through regulatory submissions while conducting extensive pre-clinical and clinical trials. The device is currently not available for sale in Canada, the United States or Europe pending regulatory clearances. For more information, visit www.8irobotics.com.

About IMPLANET

IMPLANET is a medical technology company that manufactures high-quality implants for orthopedic surgery and distributes medical technology equipment. Its activities focus on an innovative solution to improve the treatment of spinal pathologies (JAZZ), complemented by the product range of thoraco-lumbar screws, cages, and cervical plates, acquired through Orthopaedic Spine Development (OSD) in May 2021. In 2022, the Company entered into a commercial, technological, and financial partnership with Sanyou Medical, China's second-largest medical device manufacturer. As part of this strategic agreement, IMPLANET developed in 2024 the Jazz Spinal System hybrid fixation system, a unique new range featuring a comprehensive pedicle screw solution, combined with the market's most advanced braided implant technology, JAZZ. IMPLANET's orthopedic platform is built on the traceability of its products. Protected by four families of international patents, JAZZ has received 510(k) regulatory clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), CE marking in Europe, and ANVISA approval in Brazil. IMPLANET employs 46 people and generated 9.4 million in consolidated revenue in 2024. Based near Bordeaux, France, IMPLANET has operated a U.S. subsidiary in Boston since 2013. IMPLANET is listed on the Euronext Growth market in Paris. For more information, visit www.Implanet.com.

1 NASS: North American Spine Society

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Contacts:

IMPLANET

Ludovic Lastennet, CEO

David DIEUMEGARD, CFO

Tel.: 05 57 99 55 55

investors@implanet.com

NEWCAP

Investor Relations

Mathilde Bohin

Tel.: 01 44 71 94 94

implanet@newcap.eu

NEWCAP

Media Relations

Arthur Rouille

Tel.: 01 44 71 94 94

implanet@newcap.eu
Moonpig Group Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, November 13

Transaction in own shares

Moonpig Group plc (the "Company") announces that on 12 November 2025 it purchased for cancellation the following number of its ordinary shares of 10 pence each pursuant to its up to 30m share repurchase programme, details of which were announced on 7 November 2025.

Description of shares: Moonpig Group plc - ordinary shares of 10 pence

Number of Shares repurchased: 121,467 Shares

Date of transaction: 12 November 2025

Average price paid per Share: 209.7171 pence

Lowest price paid per Share: 207.50 pence

Highest price paid per Share: 211.00 pence

Broker: RBC Europe Limited

Following the purchase of these shares, the remaining number of ordinary shares in issue with voting rights will be 317,507,594 (excluding Treasury shares), and the company holds no ordinary shares in Treasury.

The figure of 317,507,594 may be used by shareholders (and others with notification obligations) as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the Company under the Disclosure and Transparency Rules.

In accordance with Article 5(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (the Market Abuse Regulation), detailed information about the individual purchases is attached to this announcement.

For further information, please contact:

Moonpig Group plc

investors@moonpig.com , pressoffice@moonpig.com

Nickyl Raithatha, Chief Executive Officer

Andy MacKinnon, Chief Financial Officer

About Moonpig:

Moonpig Group plc (the "Group") is a leading online greeting cards and gifting platform, comprising the Moonpig, Red Letter Days and Buyagift brands in the UK and the Greetz brand in the Netherlands. The Group is the online market leader in cards in both of its markets and is also the UK market leader in gift experiences.

The Group's leading customer proposition includes an extensive range of cards, a curated range of gifts, personalisation features and next day delivery offering.

The Group offers its products through its proprietary technology platforms and apps, which utilise unique data science capabilities designed by the Group to optimise and personalise the customer experience and provide scalability. Learn more at https://www.moonpig.group/ .
Bioretec Ltd Company release 13 November 2025 at 8.30 a.m. EET

TAMPERE, Finland, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- This announcement summarizes Bioretec Ltd's business review for January-September 2025. The complete business review is attached to this release as a PDF file and available on the company's website at https://investors.bioretec.com/en/reports_and_presentations.

July-September 2025 in brief

Net sales amounted to EUR 715 thousand (7-9/2024: EUR 685 thousand).

The sales margin (excl. other income) was EUR 441 (499) thousand, or 61.6% (72.9%) of net sales.

EBITDA was EUR -1,768 (-1,353) thousand.

The result for the reporting period amounted to EUR -1,854 (-1,367) thousand.

January-September 2025 in brief

Net sales amounted to EUR 2,789 thousand (1-9/2024: EUR 2,746 thousand).

The sales margin (excl. other income) was EUR 1,749 (1,951) thousand, or 62.7% (71.0%) of net sales.

EBITDA was EUR -6,325 (-3,217) thousand.

The result for the reporting period amounted to EUR -7,482 (-3,251) thousand.

Key figures

EUR 1,000 7-9/2025 7-9/2024 Change, % 1-9/2025 1-9/2024 Change, % 1-12/2024 Net sales 715 685 4.5 % 2,789 2,746 1.6 % 4,544 Sales margin 533 562 -5.0 % 2,043 2,084 -2.0 % 3,391 Sales margin (excl. other income) 441 499 -11.7 % 1,749 1,951 -10.3 % 3,221 Sales, margin, % of net sales 74.5 % 82.0 %

73.3 % 75.9 %

74.6 % Sales margin, % (excl. other income) 61.6 % 72.9 %

62.7 % 71.0 %

70.9 % EBITDA -1,768 -1,353

-6,325 -3,217

-4,053 EBIT -1,823 -1,395

-6,483 -3,316

-4,202 Profit / loss for the period -1,854 -1,367

-7,482 -3,251

-4,614 R&D expenditure, % of net sales 111.2 % 66.1 %

79.9 % 47.6 %

48.0 % Equity ratio, % 83.7 % 73.1 %

83.7 % 73.1 %

84.9 % Cash and cash equivalents (end of period) 7,263 2,377 205.5 % 7,263 2,377 205.5 % 6,289 Number of personnel (end of period) 64 44 45.5 % 64 44 45.5 % 47

Key events during July-September 2025

Bioretec appointed Sarah van Hellenberg Hubar-Fisher as Chief Executive Officer on 27 August 2025. Van Hellenberg Hubar-Fisher served previously as Bioretec's interim CEO since May 2025 and as a member of the company's Board of Directors since 2021.

Bioretec appointed Rene Eve as Director of Operations and as a member of the Management Team on 11 July 2025.

Bioretec appointed Jordy Winters as Vice President of Sales Outside U.S. and as a member of the Management Team on 2 September 2025. In parallel, Rami Ojala, previously Vice President of OUS Sales, transitioned into the newly created role of Head of Global Medical Education.

Bioretec updated the commercialization status of RemeOs DrillPin on 12 September 2025. Bioretec is assessing its overall commercialization strategy and pipeline, including the commercialization of the DrillPin in the U.S., and will provide an update by the end of 2025.

Bioretec appointed Anne-Mari Matikainen as Interim Chief Financial Officer and as a member of the Management Team on 15 September 2025. The recruitment process for a new permanent CFO has been initiated.

CEO Sarah van Hellenberg Hubar-Fisher's comments: Strengthening commercial foundations and strategy design

"Almost six months have passed since I assumed my position as Bioretec's CEO. While I remain very enthusiastic about Bioretec's next phase of growth and the opportunity to lead us there, it has become increasingly evident that corrective actions and strategy adjustment are required to set us up for a clear path to success. As announced in late October, we concluded that our previous financial targets are unattainable given lengthened FDA approval timelines, our financing needs, and the planned strategic readjustment initiatives. In addition, we restated our previously reported H1/2025 figures due to incorrect accounting treatment related to past stocking distributor agreements. While these announcements were certainly unpleasant, they were necessary to clean the slate and ensure that the focus of our business is on the strength of our breakthrough technology.

The year 2025 has been, and will continue to be, a period of transition for Bioretec. With a change of both CEO and CFO, as well as the strengthening of our commercial leadership, we will continue to build market presence and to prepare for future acceleration of sales that can be only driven by clear investment in people and strategy today."

Strengthening our commercialization expertise

"The biggest lesson we have learned is that our U.S. model and related growth expectations rely on the move from a stocking distribution model to direct distribution, excluding our partnership in pediatrics. It also requires an investment in local presence driven by experienced talent to ensure commercial competitiveness and success. Outside of the U.S., knowing where to focus our time and resources for optimal value is key to our performance. A full review of 'where to play' and how to execute geography is essential for our commercial success. These adjustments in our commercialization strategy have already been initiated.

In the third quarter, we strengthened our commercialization expertise in the U.S. with the appointment of Blake Helm as VP of Sales, Area West. Blake brings more than twenty years of sales and distribution management expertise in orthopedics to Bioretec's growing U.S. presence. In addition, we increased the number of direct distribution partners in the U.S. by 7 to a total of 15 partners during the third quarter.

Outside the U.S. (OUS), we appointed Jordy Winters as Vice President of Sales (OUS). He will spearhead Bioretec's commercialization strategy outside the U.S. and advance our expansion into new markets. With nearly two decades of experience in global orthopedic commercial leadership, Jordy's expertise and international perspective will be instrumental to defining where and how we play in international markets as we continue to expand Bioretec's impact outside of the United States. Rami Ojala, previously VP of Sales (OUS), has transitioned into the newly created role, Head of Global Medical Education, developing surgeon training programs and educational initiatives to support clinical adoption of Bioretec's technologies worldwide."

Determined progress in the third quarter

"While we are finalizing our new strategy, we have continued to focus on our ongoing operations. Our net sales in the third quarter prove that our Activa products are continuing to perform, whereas the breakthrough commercial impact of RemeOs is still underway. Our growth model for RemeOs is dependent on a broader portfolio of the product family (especially in the U.S.), and reliant on clear investment in training and education as well as brand and product awareness.

The third quarter represents our largest direct sales revenue in the U.S. to date. This is already an important signal of growth in the right places. Progress was further demonstrated by our October 1 announcement after the reporting period, acknowledging that the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) granted our RemeOs Trauma Screw Transitional Pass-Through Payment (TPT) status. In addition, we closed a 3-year commercial distribution deal with OrthoPediatrics, specifically for the U.S. pediatric market in the last month of the quarter, further enhancing our distribution presence."

New strategy published by the end of the year

"The end of the year marks an important stage in shaping Bioretec's future. Together with our strengthened international leadership, we will carefully consider the needed strategic readjustments in order to best position Bioretec for the journey ahead and to ensure the successful commercialization of our groundbreaking products. We will provide an update regarding our commercialization strategy and pipeline, along with revised financial targets, by the end of 2025.

At the same time, we are committed to ensuring the confidence of our shareholders and potential investors. Our reputation and reliability begin with transparent and consistent communication, an updated strategy and demonstrating our ability to execute it. I am more confident than ever that we are now on the path to do just that."

Key events after the reporting period

Bioretec announced on 1 October 2025 that the RemeOs Trauma Screw has been granted Transitional Pass-Through Payment (TPT) status by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The TPT payment provides hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers with additional reimbursement for new and innovative technologies. Its purpose is to cover the additional cost of new and innovative devices compared to existing treatments, thereby lowering the barrier for hospitals to adopt the RemeOs Trauma Screw and making it accessible to a broader patient population.

Bioretec announced on 27 October 2025 that the company is in the process of assessing and updating its overall commercialization strategy pipeline and will be providing an update by the end of 2025. In the course of its assessment, the Board of Directors of Bioretec concluded that the financial targets published on 4 October 2024 are unattainable and will likely not be met. Accordingly, Bioretec withdrew its previously disclosed financial targets, which were to: Reach net sales of EUR 65 million by the end of year 2028 and to reach net sales in excess of EUR 100 million by the end of year 2030 Reach positive cash flow from operating activities by the end of the year 2027.

Bioretec announced on 27 October 2025 that it adjusts and restates previously reported H1/2025 figures and does not expect accelerated sales in 2025.

Bioretec published the corrected H1/2025 half year report on 31 October 2025.

Bioretec announced on 12 November 2025 that it initiates change negotiations to enhance operational efficiency and competitiveness. The negotiations will focus on Bioretec's production and marketing functions in Finland.

RemeOs development and commercialization status

Regulatory milestones achieved:

April 2021: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) grants Breakthrough Device Designation for Bioretec's RemeOs Screw products, confirming that the product represents a breakthrough technology in traumatology and orthopedic surgery.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) grants Breakthrough Device Designation for Bioretec's RemeOs Screw products, confirming that the product represents a breakthrough technology in traumatology and orthopedic surgery. December 2021: Bioretec files for CE mark for its RemeOs Trauma Screw. The CE mark is a legal prerequisite in order to commercialize a medical device in the European Union.

Bioretec files for CE mark for its RemeOs Trauma Screw. The CE mark is a legal prerequisite in order to commercialize a medical device in the European Union. May 2022: Bioretec submits a De Novo request for market authorization in the U.S. for its RemeOs Trauma Screw. The De Novo request provides a registration pathway for novel medical devices for which there is no predicate device available in the U.S. market.

Bioretec submits a De Novo request for market authorization in the U.S. for its RemeOs Trauma Screw. The De Novo request provides a registration pathway for novel medical devices for which there is no predicate device available in the U.S. market. March 2023: FDA approves Bioretec's RemeOs Trauma Screw as the first bioresorbable metal implant in the U.S. market.

FDA approves Bioretec's RemeOs Trauma Screw as the first bioresorbable metal implant in the U.S. market. March 2024: The FDA grants Breakthrough Device Designation for Bioretec's RemeOs Spinal Interbody Cage, confirming that the product represents a breakthrough technology in spinal surgery.

The FDA grants Breakthrough Device Designation for Bioretec's RemeOs Spinal Interbody Cage, confirming that the product represents a breakthrough technology in spinal surgery. January 2025: Bioretec receives CE mark approval for its RemeOs Trauma Screw product portfolio, allowing market launch in Europe.

Clinical highlights:

Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) Meeting: In July, Bioretec held the annual meeting of its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) in Stockholm. The SAB, together with members of the Board of Directors, Michael Piccirillo and Justin Barad, reviewed ongoing and forthcoming clinical trials, product pipeline progress, and technology development. The Board members were also invited to follow the SAB's progress and support its work in advancing Bioretec's scientific and clinical objectives.

In July, Bioretec held the annual meeting of its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) in Stockholm. The SAB, together with members of the Board of Directors, Michael Piccirillo and Justin Barad, reviewed ongoing and forthcoming clinical trials, product pipeline progress, and technology development. The Board members were also invited to follow the SAB's progress and support its work in advancing Bioretec's scientific and clinical objectives. New SAB Appointment: In September, Bioretec appointed Dr. Christopher W. DiGiovanni, Professor and Chief of Foot and Ankle Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, to its Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. DiGiovanni's appointment reinforces Bioretec's strategy to collaborate with globally recognized clinical leaders to guide product innovation and ensure the company's solutions meet the highest standards of safety, efficacy, and clinical relevance.

In September, Bioretec appointed Dr. Christopher W. DiGiovanni, Professor and Chief of Foot and Ankle Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, to its Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. DiGiovanni's appointment reinforces Bioretec's strategy to collaborate with globally recognized clinical leaders to guide product innovation and ensure the company's solutions meet the highest standards of safety, efficacy, and clinical relevance. RemeOs DrillPin - Hammertoe Clinical Trial: The clinical trial evaluating the RemeOs DrillPin in hammertoe correction is ongoing. The first patients have been enrolled and are under follow-up, with additional enrollment continuing as planned.

The clinical trial evaluating the RemeOs DrillPin in hammertoe correction is ongoing. The first patients have been enrolled and are under follow-up, with additional enrollment continuing as planned. RemeOs DrillPin - Pediatric Wrist Fracture Clinical Trial: The pediatric distal radius fracture clinical trial evaluating the RemeOs DrillPin has received all required authority approvals, including those from the ethics committee and national competent authority. Site initiation activities have been completed, and patient enrollment is commencing.

The pediatric distal radius fracture clinical trial evaluating the RemeOs DrillPin has received all required authority approvals, including those from the ethics committee and national competent authority. Site initiation activities have been completed, and patient enrollment is commencing. RemeOs Trauma Screw - Post-Market Clinical Follow-Up (PMCF): The post-market clinical follow-up for the RemeOs Trauma Screw is ongoing, collecting cases and follow-up data of fractures and fusions from both upper and lower extremities of adult and pediatric patients. A wide range of clinical indications are already covered since the launch.

The post-market clinical follow-up for the RemeOs Trauma Screw is ongoing, collecting cases and follow-up data of fractures and fusions from both upper and lower extremities of adult and pediatric patients. A wide range of clinical indications are already covered since the launch. Training and Education initiatives: Bioretec has initiated the development of training and education (T&E) platforms for both U.S. and international (OUS) markets. These programs aim to raise awareness of the clinical benefits and material characteristics of absorbable implant technologies and to support the broader adoption of Bioretec's RemeOs product family.

Next steps:

As announced on 12 September 2025 and on 27 October 2025, Bioretec is assessing its overall commercialization strategy and pipeline, and will provide an update by the end of 2025.

Financial calendar in 2026

Bioretec will publish its financial calendar for 2026 in December 2025.

The financial reports will be available online at Bioretec Ltd's website at

https://investors.bioretec.com/en/reports_and_presentations.

Tampere, 13 November 2025

Board of Directors

Bioretec Ltd

For additional information about the report:

Sarah van Hellenberg Hubar-Fisher Anne-Mari Matikainen

CEO Interim CFO

+31 6 1544 8736 +358 50 322 1069

Certified Adviser

Nordic Certified Adviser AB, +46 70 551 67 29

About Bioretec

Bioretec is a globally operating Finnish medical device pioneer at the forefront of transforming orthopedic care with fully biodegradable implant technologies. The company has built unique competencies in the?biological interface?of active implants?to enhance bone growth and accelerate fracture healing after orthopedic surgery. The products developed and manufactured by Bioretec are used worldwide in approximately 40 countries.

Bioretec's Activa product line features fully bioabsorbable orthopedic implants made from a proprietary, self-reinforced PLGA polymer. These implants deliver secure fixation through patented innovations and naturally degrade in approximately two years, eliminating the need for costly and invasive removal surgeries while supporting optimal bone regeneration. Activa products are both CE marked and FDA cleared for a wide range of indications in adult and pediatric patients.

The company's latest innovation, the RemeOs product line,?is based on a high-performance magnesium alloy and hybrid composite, introducing a new generation of strong absorbable materials for enhanced surgical outcomes. The RemeOs implants are absorbed and replaced by bone, which eliminates the need for removal surgery while facilitating fracture healing. The first RemeOs product market authorization was received in the U.S. in March 2023, and in Europe, the CE mark approval was received in January 2025. With the development of next-generation implants like RemeOs, Bioretec is shaping the future of orthopedic treatment, paving the way for more effective and patient-friendly solutions.

To learn more about Bioretec, visit https://bioretec.com.

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Capital increase of 7.8 million through the issuance of 4,356,804 new shares at a unit price of 1.80

The transaction received strong support from existing shareholders, whose demand on irreducible and reducible basis, under the preferential subscription rights amounted to 1,742,660 shares

Lyon, France - November 13, 2025, 8am CEST - THX Pharma (Theranexus or the "Company"), a pharmaceutical company specializing in rare neurological diseases, today announced that it has raised gross proceeds of approximately 7.8 million euros (corresponding to the targeted amount) as part of its capital increase through the issuance of new shares (the "New Shares") with shareholders' preferential subscription rights maintained. The subscription period ran from October 29 to November 7, 2025 (inclusive) (the "Capital Increase").

Mathieu Charveriat, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of THX Pharma, stated:



"The strong success of this operation confirms the robustness of THX Pharma's business model and the market's confidence in our value creation strategy. We would like to warmly thank our long-standing shareholders for their renewed trust, as well as the new investors who are joining our journey. Thanks to their support, we now have the necessary resources to accelerate the development of our flagship programs and pursue our ambition to deliver innovative therapeutic solutions to patients suffering from rare neurological diseases. Our roadmap is now clear and fully funded: to commercialize our first drug candidates by 2027 and achieve financial profitability as early as 2028."

Results of the Capital Increase

At the end of the subscription period, total demand (on an irreducible, reducible, and free basis) amounted to 1,931,202 New Shares subscribed at a unit price of 1.80, representing a subscription rate of 44.3%. This demand breaks down as follows:

1,582,386 New Shares were subscribed on an irreducible basis, representing 36.3% of the total offering;

160,274 New Shares were subscribed on a reducible basis, representing 3.7% of the total offering;

188,542 New Shares were subscribed on a free basis, representing 4.3% of the total offering.

The service rate for the demand on a reducible and non-reducible basis is 100%.

The service rate for the demand on a free basis is 70%.

Since the total demand do not cover the entire amount of the Capital Increase, the Company has decided to call the subscription commitments granted as a guarantee by financial investors as well as certain of its shareholders (together, the "Guarantors")[1]. The Guarantors will therefore subscribe for 2,645,874 New Shares (taking into account any orders that some of them placed directly as part of the Capital Increase).

The New Shares allocated to the Guarantors were distributed as follows:

Name Number of shares allocated to the Guarantors Corresponding amounts Fonds geres par Odyssee Venture 1 699 531 3 059 155,80  Market Wizards B.V. 194 443 349 997,40  TreeCap B.V. 175 000 315 000,00  Gestys 155 555 279 999,00  Friedland Gestion 136 110 244 998,00  Maitice Gestion 97 221 174 997,80  Multi strategies SA - SICAV RAIF 58 333 104 999,40  Auriga Partners 55 555 99 999,00  Allia-Tech Asset Management 46 349 83 428,20  Samuel Fischer 27 777 49 998,60  Total 2 645 874 4 762 573 

The gross amount of the Capital Increase (including share premium) amounts to 7,842,247.20 euros and results in the issuance of 4,356,804 New Shares at a subscription price of 1.80 euros per New Share (i.e., 0.01 nominal value and 1.79 euros share premium).

Settlement and Delivery of the New Shares

The settlement and delivery of the New Shares and their admission to trading on the Euronext Growth Paris market are scheduled for November 17, 2025. The New Shares will carry current dividend rights. They will be immediately fungible with the Company's existing shares and will be traded on the same quotation line under the same ISIN code (FR0013286259 - Ticker: ALTHX).

Following settlement and delivery, the Company's share capital will amount to 137,965.56 euros, divided into 13,796,556ordinary shares with a nominal value of 0.01 each.

Portzamparc BNP Paribas is acting as Sole Global Coordinator for the Capital Increase.

Use of Proceeds from the Capital Increase

The company will use the funds from the Capital Increase to develop and commercialize its two assets, Batten-1 and TX01, as well as its platform :

The development of TX01 relies on a partnership with Exeltis in Europe and other territories, while THX Pharma will itself ensure registration in USA, Canada and Australia. The Company targets commercialization by 2027, with an expected peak sales potential of 50 million by 2031-2032.

For Batten-1, an early access program will be launched in the United States, alongside a Phase 3 trial in Europe, with a market launch expected in 2028 and revenues estimated at 200 million by 2032-2033.

In parallel, THX Pharma is developing an antisense oligonucleotide platform to address other rare diseases and glioblastomas, supported by Bpifrance through the PickASO project.

Dilution

Impact on the Company's Share Capital and Voting Rights

Before the Capital Increase, the Company's share capital was allocated as follows:

Actionnaires Nombre d'actions % du capital Nombre de droits de vote* % des droits de vote Franck Mouthon 331 576 3,51% 656 252 6,24% Mathieu Charveriat 331 576 3,51% 656 252 6,24% Total Fondateurs 663 152 7,03% 1 312 504 12,48% Beyond Batten Disease Foundation 898 437 9,52% 1 196 874 11,38% Supernova Invest 222 926 2,36% 222 926 2,12% Auriga Partners 243 127 2,58% 343 127 3,26% Kreaxi 105 667 1,12% 105 667 1,00% Total investisseurs historiques 1 470 157 15,57% 1 868 594 17,77% Flottant 7 271 107 77,03% 7 301 474 69,42% Auto-detention (contrat de liquidite) 35 336 0,37% 35 336 0,34% Total 9 439 752 100,00% 10 517 908 100,00% * Droits de vote theoriques

After the Capital Increase, the Company's share capital is allocated as follows:

Actionnaires Nombre d'actions % du capital Nombre de droits de vote* % des droits de vote Franck Mouthon 331 576 2,40% 656 252 4,41% Mathieu Charveriat 337 131 2,44% 661 807 4,45% Total Fondateurs 668 707 4,85% 1 318 059 8,86% Beyond Batten Disease Foundation 898 437 6,51% 1 196 874 8,05% Supernova Invest 222 926 1,62% 222 926 1,50% Auriga Partners 298 682 2,16% 398 682 2,68% Kreaxi 105 667 0,77% 105 667 0,71% Total investisseurs historiques 1 525 712 11,06% 1 924 149 12,94% Fonds geres par Odyssee Venture 1 699 531 12,32% 1 699 531 11,43% Flottant 9 867 270 71,52% 9 897 637 66,54% Auto-detention (contrat de liquidite) 35 336 0,26% 35 336 0,24% Total 13 796 556 100,00% 14 874 712 100,00% * Droits de vote theoriques

Lock-up and Abstention Commitments

Mr. Franck Mouthon, Director and Co-founder of the Company, and Mr. Mathieu Charveriat, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of the Company, have each undertaken to retain their THX Pharma shares for a period of 180 days from the settlement and delivery date of the New Shares, subject to customary exceptions.

Furthermore, the Company has undertaken a 180-day abstention commitment from the settlement and delivery date of the New Shares, subject to customary exceptions.

Risk Factors

Risks related to the Company

Investors' attention is drawn to the risk factors relating to the Company and its business, which are presented in the Company's Universal Registration Document filed with the Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF) on April 29, 2025, under number D.25-0350. Copies of this document are available free of charge from the Company (60 avenue Rockefeller, Pepiniere Laennec, 69008 Lyon), as well as on the Company's website (www.theranexus.com) and the AMF's website (www.amf-france.org).

The occurrence of all or part of these risks could have an adverse effect on the Company's business, financial position, results, development, or prospects. No new material risks relating to the Company and its business have been identified since the publication of the 2024 Universal Registration Document.

Risks Related to the Transaction

Investors are advised to consider the following specific risks associated with the offering: (i) the market price of the Company's shares may fluctuate and fall below the subscription price of the shares issued as part of the Capital Increase, (ii) the volatility and liquidity of the Company's shares may fluctuate significantly, and (iii) sales of the Company's shares on the market could occur and have an adverse impact on the share price.

Prospectus

Pursuant to the provisions of Article L.411-2-1 1 of the French Monetary and Financial Code and Article 211-2 of the General Regulation of the Autorite des Marches Financiers ("AMF"), the Capital Increase does not give rise to a prospectus subject to AMF approval, as the total amount of the offering, calculated over a twelve-month period, is below 8 million.

A notice to shareholders regarding this transaction was published on October 24, 2025, in the Bulletin des Annonces Legales et Obligatoires (BALO).

About THX Pharma

THX Pharma (Theranexus) is a pharmaceutical company specializing in treatments for rare neurological diseases. Its first drug, TX01, is expected to be commercialized soon-particularly in Europe by Exeltis, but also in the United States, Canada, and Australia-for Niemann-Pick type C disease and Gaucher disease. Its second drug, Batten-1, targets the juvenile form of Batten disease and could become the first approved therapy for this condition. THX Pharma also has an innovative antisense oligonucleotide platform, codeveloped with leading research laboratories, dedicated to rare neurological diseases. THX Pharma, a trade name of Theranexus, is listed on Euronext Growth Paris (FR0013286259 - ALTHX).

Pour plus d'informations :

http://www.theranexus.com



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Contacts:

THX PHARMA

Christine PLACET

Chief Financial Officer

contact@thxpharma.com



FP2COM

Florence PORTEJOIE

Media Relations

+ 33 (0)6 07 76 82 83

fportejoie@fp2com.fr

Disclaimer

This press release may not be published, forwarded or distributed, directly or indirectly, in the United States, Canada, Japan, South Africa or Australia.

This announcement is an advertisement and not a prospectus within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2017, as amended (the "Prospectus Regulation").



The offer of Theranexus shares described above shall not constitute a public offering requiring the publication of a prospectus to be approved by the Autorite des marches financiers or a document which would include the information required by Annex IX of the Prospectus Regulation.



Theranexus draws the public's attention to the risk factors relating to the Company and its business, which are presented in the Company's Universal Registration Document filed with the French Financial Markets Authority (AMF) on April 29, 2025, under number D 25-0350. Copies of this document are available free of charge from Theranexus (Pepiniere Laennec - Office No. 3E - Level 1, 60 avenue Rockefeller - 69008 Lyon), as well as on the websites of Theranexus (www.theranexus.com) and the AMF (www.amf-france.org).

This press release does not constitute, and shall not be deemed to constitute, an offer to the public, a solicitation, or a sale in any jurisdiction where such an offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.



The offering of Theranexus shares described above will be carried out as part of a capital increase with shareholders' preferential subscription rights to the benefit of its shareholders in France and outside of France, excluding the United States of America, Canada, Japan, South Africa, and Australia.

With respect to Member States of the European Economic Area, no action has been taken or will be taken to permit a public offering of the securities referred to in this press requiring the publication of a prospectus or a document which would include the information required by Annex IX of the Prospectus Regulation in any such Member State. Therefore, such securities may not be and shall not be offered in any Member State other than in accordance with the exemptions of the Prospectus Regulation (in particular its Article 1(4)), not requiring the publication of a prospectus under Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or an information document pursuant to Article 1(4) and 1(5) of the Prospectus Regulation and/or any similar documentation in accordance with applicable regulations in such Member State.

This press release and the information it contains are being distributed to and are only intended for persons who are (x) outside the United Kingdom or (y) in the United Kingdom who are qualified investors (as defined in the Prospectus Regulation as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018) and are (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order"), (ii) high net worth entities and other such persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order ("high net worth companies", "unincorporated associations", etc.) or (iii) other persons to whom an invitation or inducement to participate in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Market Act 2000) may otherwise lawfully be communicated or caused to be communicated (all such persons in (y)(i), (y)(ii) and (y)(iii) together being referred to as "Relevant Persons"). Any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire securities to which this press release relates will only be engaged with Relevant Persons. Any person who is not a Relevant Person should not act or rely on this press release or any of its contents.

This press release and the information contained therein does not, and will not, constitute an offer of securities for sale, nor the solicitation of an offer to purchase, securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction where restrictions may apply. Securities may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in the United States absent registration, except pursuant to an exemption from registration or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The securities of Theranexus have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act, and Theranexus does not intend to conduct a public offering in the United States.

The distribution of this press release may be subject to legal or regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions. Any person who comes into possession of this press release must inform him or herself of and comply with any such restrictions.

Any decision to subscribe for or purchase the shares or other securities of Theranexus must be made solely based on information publicly available about Theranexus. Such information is not the responsibility of Portzamparc and has not been independently verified by Portzamparc.

Forward-looking statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to THX Pharma (Theranexus) and its activities, including its prospects and product development. Theranexus believes that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions. However, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, as they relate to future events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future, and on various risks and uncertainties, including those described in the universal registration document filed by the company with the AMF (Autorite des Marches Financiers) on April 29, 2025, under number D.25-0350, a copy of which is available on the company's website (www.theranexus.com), and on changes in the economic situation.

[1] For more details on these commitments, see the Company's press release dated October 23, 2025.

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Regulatory News:

Mexedia S.p.A. Societa Benefit (Euronext Growth Paris: ALMEX, ISIN IT0005450819) announces that its share is now also displayed on Deutsche Borse's information platform (Frankfurt Stock Exchange).

Mexedia's inclusion in Deutsche Borse's systems allows the Company's stock data and identifiers to be visible to investors and financial institutions operating in the German and wider European markets.

This initiative broadens the Company's international visibility and strengthens its communication with the financial community. Mexedia remains listed and traded on Euronext Growth Paris (ALMEX), the multilateral trading facility operated by Euronext, where the Company has been listed since September 2021.

Mexedia's page is available on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange website:

Mexedia on Deutsche Borse

The Company's identifiers are as follows:

ISIN: IT0005450819

WKN: A3C33K (German securities identification number)

Market visibility: Deutsche Borse (Frankfurt)

Trading venue: Euronext Growth Paris

Daniel Gilcher, CFO of Mexedia S.p.A. Societa Benefit, stated: "Being visible on Deutsche Borse's information systems increases Mexedia's visibility to a broader network of European investors. It reinforces our commitment to transparency and supports the Company's long-term objective of strengthening its relationships within the international financial community".

Forward-looking statements and MAR disclosure

This press release may contain forward-looking statements and estimates based on current assumptions and projections made by the management of Mexedia S.p.A. Societa Benefit. These statements do not constitute guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties.

Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements due to various factors. This announcement does not contain inside information as defined by Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 on market abuse (MAR).

About Mexedia

Mexedia S.p.A. Societa Benefit (Euronext Growth Paris: ALMEX) is an international technology company that connects brands and customers through advanced communication platforms.

With its proprietary infrastructure and sustainable business model, Mexedia integrates telco, cloud and artificial intelligence solutions to optimize customer experience and operational efficiency for global enterprises. The Company operates with a strong commitment to environmental and social responsibility, in line with its "Societa Benefit" status under Italian law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251112191407/en/

Contacts:

Vincenzo La Barbera Investor Relations

investor.relations@mexedia.com

+39 351 844 7229
WUHAN, JINGMEN and YICHANG, China, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from Jimu News: Twenty-six cities in Hubei have thrived by the Yangtze River, drawing strength from its waters. Its 1,062-kilometer runoff within the province has shaped the elegance of the "Land of a Thousand Lakes." On October 27, the online thematic publicity campaign "What Makes China  Living by the Yangtze River" kicked off in Wuhan. Experts, scholars and other participants shared insights around themes like "Cultural Yangtze River," answering the questions of the times with practical actions.

Yang Lisheng, deputy curator of the Hubei Provincial Museum, told the story of the Qin bamboo slips from Shuihudi in Yunmeng. In 278 BCE, the Qin State conquered Ying, the capital of the Chu State. Xi, the owner of the slips, lived in Yunmeng-a frontline at that time-witnessing the depth of history.

Yan Yuan, a 22-year-old Egyptian youth, won the second prize in the museum interpretation competition for universities in five central and southern provinces. He sighed, "China and ancient Egypt are both ancient civilizations, with the Yangtze River and the Nile nurturing splendid cultures alike." He further praised the openness bestowed by the Yangtze River on Hubei as truly endearing.

Yang Tao, a researcher at the Shishou Milu National Nature Reserve, introduced that over 30 years ago, there were only 64 milu deer in Hubei. Today, the reserve has seen the population multiply and expand to over 4,500, forming the world's largest and most dynamic wild population-showcasing ecological beauty.

From October 28 to 30, multiple media outlets conducted interviews in Wuhan, Jingzhou, Yichang and other places. They captured finless porpoises leaping through waves with cameras, recorded the voices of innovation, and exploredthe cultural heritage and context of Jingchu. These efforts demonstrate the contemporary practices of "living by the Yangtze River," allowing more people to understand Hubei and China through the Yangtze River.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/from-the-beauty-of-the-yangtze-river-and-the-changes-of-hubei-exploring-what-makes-china-302614201.html
Providing greater revenue certainty for long duration energy storage will save grid operating and curtailment costs, avoid stranded assets, and enable energy independence

Policies to incentivize investment in longer duration energy storage can mitigate billions in grid costs, while helping the continent hit its 2050 climate goals and achieve energy independence, according to a new whitepaper from Hydrostor.

The paper explores how, through policies aimed at increasing strategic investment in long duration energy storage (LDES), EU member states could cut grid expansion and curtailment costs by 2040, while avoiding spending billions on stranded natural gas assets1. Deploying these technologies across Europe can save 103 billion by 2040, according to recent research from Energy Storage Europe Association. Doing so in the UK could save 35 billion by 2050, according to LCP Delta analysis on behalf of the UK government.2

Hydrostor President, Jon Norman, said: "As global momentum grows behind long-duration energy storage, Europe risks being left behind. States must act now to deliver projects in time to fulfill their international commitments and ambitions. Failure to do so risks losing the opportunity to save billions, drive economic growth and achieve energy independence, all while lowering electricity prices and tackling climate change."

The Hydrostor report, From Ambition to Action: Embedding Long Duration Storage in European Energy Strategy, identifies three key urgent policy recommendations to help European governments save costs while achieving energy independence and climate goals:

Undertake system modelling that factors in the costs and asset lifetimes of all types of energy storage and ensure it informs procurement and development maximising savings while accelerating the transition to climate neutrality. Set procurement targets for each type of energy storage solution and create transparent, multi-year schedules to achieve them to mitigate the risks of supply disruption and increasing costs, for curtailment and infrastructure. Ensure markets value LDES appropriately to guarantee revenue adequacy and adopt contract mechanisms, such as a cap-and-floor, to ensure revenue certainty for LDES projects.

Europe needs to more than double its current energy storage capacity by 2030 to meet its energy transition targets. Europe already imports most (58 per cent) of its energy and in the absence of supportive policies for long duration energy storage particularly at 8-hour durations the region could see flexibility gaps filled with new gas infrastructure, making it more vulnerable to price volatility and supply disruption while leading to more stranded assets. Large-scale LDES projects can play a key role in achieving European energy independence and security in an ever-changing geopolitical landscape: one 500 MW project can get nearly 1.2 million Europeans off gas.3

Hydrostor's advanced compressed air energy storage (A-CAES) technology represents a critical solution underpinning the future reliability of energy systems in Europe and the UK, enabling utilities to accelerate the integration of intermittent renewables and achieve energy independence. Each 500 MW A-CAES project employs more than 6500 people over the course of construction, with 40 full-time employees during operation for the full 50-year design life of the facility. Hydrostor has more than 7 GW of early-stage projects in its development pipeline in Australia, Canada, Europe, and the U.S.

Download the full report here.

About Hydrostor

Hydrostor is a leading developer and operator of long-duration energy storage systems, leveraging a proven technology solution for delivering long-duration energy storage to power grids around the world. Hydrostor's technology uses compressed air and water to store energy, allowing grid operators to draw on clean energy, even when there is no sun to fuel solar panels and no wind to generate energy from turbines.

Hydrostor has a successful utility scale facility commercially contracted to Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) located in Goderich, Ontario, and two advanced projects in development in Kern County, California and New South Wales, Australia. The company also has an extensive early-stage pipeline of projects in North America, Australia, and Europe. Founded in 2010, Hydrostor is backed by Goldman Sachs Asset Management, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), Canada Growth Fund, and other forward-thinking institutional investors, providing financial security to commit to top-tier energy projects.

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1 Fossil fuel generation must account for less than 5% of the bloc's total by 2050, compared to 45% at present, to achieve the bloc's climate neutrality target resulting in stranded assets representing billions in sunk costs. 2 31 billion converted into Euros using the exchange rate of GBP 1: 1.14, correct as of 31 October 2025. All figures in this release have also been converted into Euros for consistency. 3 One 500MW facility can supply electricity to 1.18 million households during discharge.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251113875898/en/

Contacts:

Emily Smith

Director, External Communications

+1-703-888-7025

emily.smith@hydrostor.ca
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.
Report highlights emerging biotech innovators advancing new therapies, equity and investment across reproductive, chronic and mental health

LONDON, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Clarivate Plc (NYSE: CLVT), a leading global provider of transformative intelligence, today released its latest Companies to Watch report, Rediscovering Women's Health, highlighting seven companies driving innovation across reproductive care, chronic disease and mental health. Drawing on proprietary data, expert analysis and insights into therapeutic impact, financing activity and R&D momentum, the report showcases why these companies are recognized as high-impact innovators.

Despite representing half the global population, women remain underrepresented in clinical research and healthcare investment, with women's health accounting for just 15% of venture capital and 5% of global healthcare R&D funding. Rediscovering Women's Health highlights organizations addressing these gaps through inclusive research, novel therapies and a deeper understanding of female-specific conditions such as early menopause, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis, factors that influence broader outcomes like cardiovascular disease and dementia. The report also highlights growing momentum in women's health R&D.

Anne Lecocq, SVP and GM, R&D, Life Sciences & Healthcare, Clarivate, said: "Women's health is no longer being defined solely by reproductive care; it's being reframed through a broader lens that recognizes how biological and social factors shape outcomes across every therapeutic area. This shift marks a pivotal moment for the industry, as data-driven innovation and inclusive research begin to translate into more equitable care and better health outcomes for women worldwide. By spotlighting organizations driving this change, the Companies to Watch report underscores how scientific insight and investment can work together to close persistent gaps and advance women's health globally."

Agnes Arbat, MD, Co-Founder and CEO, Oxolife, said: "The next era of women's health innovation will be defined by science that recognizes women's unique biology as the foundation for discovery. Across the industry, we're seeing a long-overdue shift toward inclusive research and smarter, more targeted therapies that can truly transform outcomes for women."

These companies are pioneering solutions that challenge outdated paradigms and promote equitable care. Clarivate analysts reviewed deal valuations, clinical trials, patents and market approvals to identify seven Companies to Watch in the space:

Dare Bioscience (USA): focused on accelerating innovation in women's health by delivering evidence-based solutions that address long-standing unmet needs across contraception, sexual and vaginal health, pelvic pain, fertility, infectious disease and menopause.

focused on accelerating innovation in women's health by delivering evidence-based solutions that address long-standing unmet needs across contraception, sexual and vaginal health, pelvic pain, fertility, infectious disease and menopause. Freya Biosciences (Denmark/USA): leveraging its DYSCOVER multi-omics platform to develop microbial immunotherapies, including investigational vaginal therapy FB301, targeting chronic inflammation in female reproductive diseases and improving IVF outcomes.

leveraging its DYSCOVER multi-omics platform to develop microbial immunotherapies, including investigational vaginal therapy FB301, targeting chronic inflammation in female reproductive diseases and improving IVF outcomes. Gesynta Pharma (Sweden): developing treatments for chronic inflammation and pain, including lead candidate vipoglanstat, a non-hormonal, non-opioid, disease-modifying therapy for endometriosis.

developing treatments for chronic inflammation and pain, including lead candidate vipoglanstat, a non-hormonal, non-opioid, disease-modifying therapy for endometriosis. Granata Bio Corporation (USA): dedicated to advancing reproductive health by developing fertility treatments that expand options, improve access and affordability and drive innovation.

dedicated to advancing reproductive health by developing fertility treatments that expand options, improve access and affordability and drive innovation. Hope Medicine (Mainland China): developing therapies for endocrine, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases, with a special focus on women's health, including lead asset HMI-115 targeting prolactin signaling to treat endometriosis, alopecia and related conditions.

developing therapies for endocrine, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases, with a special focus on women's health, including lead asset HMI-115 targeting prolactin signaling to treat endometriosis, alopecia and related conditions. Oxolife (Spain): developing OXO-001 to improve fertility and live birth rates by enhancing embryo implantation, restoring ovulation, improving metabolic health and reducing pregnancy loss.

developing OXO-001 to improve fertility and live birth rates by enhancing embryo implantation, restoring ovulation, improving metabolic health and reducing pregnancy loss. Reunion Neurosciences (USA): developing psychedelic-inspired therapies, with lead candidate RE104 targeting postpartum depression and adjustment disorders to provide fast-acting benefits with limited psychoactive effects.

Greater awareness, stronger regulatory frameworks supporting sexual health equity and increasing financial investment are accelerating progress in women's health. These developments create meaningful opportunities for the pharmaceutical industry to help close long-standing gaps and address unmet health needs for women worldwide.

Learn more about emerging innovations and the seven companies shaping the future of women's health in the full Companies to Watch report, Rediscovering Women's Health, here.

Methodology for the Companies to Watch Report

Clarivate analysts employed a rigorous, multidimensional framework to identify the emerging innovators featured in this Companies to Watch report. Each company was assessed for its ability to address critical scientific, clinical and business challenges within the women's health space. Key considerations included demonstrated proof of concept, achievement of developmental milestones and positioning within the clinical trial landscape. The evaluation also factored in the strength of collaborations with leading academic and research institutions, the potential to address significant unmet medical needs and the overall burden of disease targeted by each therapy. Financial health was a further determinant, with analysts examining capital raised, investor partnerships, projected runway and prospects for future growth through fundraising or strategic alliances. Finally, each company's intellectual property estate was analyzed to understand the strength and breadth of its innovation pipeline. The assessment was underpinned by insights from Clarivate's trusted proprietary data sources, including Cortellis Competitive Intelligence, Cortellis Deals Intelligence, Cortellis Regulatory Intelligence, Cortellis Clinical Trials Intelligence and BioWorld, ensuring a holistic view of the companies poised to shape the future of precision oncology.

About Clarivate

Clarivate is a leading global provider of transformative intelligence. We offer enriched data, insights & analytics, workflow solutions and expert services in the areas of Academia & Government, Intellectual Property and Life Sciences & Healthcare. For more information, please visit clarivate.com.

Media Contact:

Catherine Daniel

Director, External Communications, Life Sciences & Healthcare

newsroom@clarivate.com

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TORONTO, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- 3iQ Corp. ("3iQ"), a global pioneer in institutional digital asset investment solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Christophe Racine as Head of Business Development for Switzerland (DACH region including Germany, Austria & Lichtenstein). Christophe has near thirty years' experience of sales, distribution and business development in investment management, wealth management and private banking.

Most recently Christophe was with SIX Digital Exchange (SDX), one of Europe's leading stock exchanges, where he headed up business development for digital asset management solutions and financial infrastructure solutions.

Before SDX he held various senior positions at several prominent Swiss cantonal banks. Christophe also has deep expertise in asset and wealth management through his time spent at Swisscanto Asset Management and UBS.

Pascal St-Jean, President and CEO of 3iQ, said:

"We look for the best people in traditional finance to join 3iQ and in Christophe we have found just such a person when it comes to Switzerland and the DACH region, which underlines our deep commitment to this important jurisdiction for us as we continue our global expansion. With such an extensive experience in private banking and investment management, he will be a valuable member of our team in Europe and contribute strongly to our goal of providing the best regulated digital asset investment products to investors worldwide."

Christophe Racine, Head of Business Development DACH at 3iQ, said:

"I see the future of alternative investment solutions and 3iQ is clearly going to be a big part of that future, so it is very exciting to be joining a team with a well established reputation as an award-winning and regulated leader in innovative digital asset investment. 3iQ has a long-term commitment to the region and I look forward to establishing them in the Swiss and wider European markets."

About 3iQ Digital Asset Management

Founded in 2012, 3iQ is one of the world's leading alternative digital asset managers, pioneering institutional-grade investments. 3iQ launched the world's first Digital Assets Managed Account Platform (QMAP), a hedge fund investment solution, offering innovative risk-managed investment solutions to gain exposure to digital assets. 3iQ was also the first to launch a Bitcoin and Ethereum ETP listed on a major global stock exchange, integrate staking into its Ethereum and Solana ETPs boosting investor returns, and offering other regulated ETPs. In 2024, Monex Group, a leading Japanese financial group, took a majority stake in 3iQ. Since 2012, 3iQ has been at the forefront of innovation in digital asset investment management. To learn more about 3iQ, visit 3iq.io.

W: https://www.3iq.io/

L: https://www.linkedin.com/company/3iq-corp/

X: https://x.com/3iq_corp

Disclaimer

This release is for informational purposes only, and the content contained herein should not be considered investment advice or a solicitation, offer, or recommendation to sell or buy any asset, strategy, or product. Investing in digital assets involves a high degree of risk, including the loss of principal. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently, and past performance may not be repeated. Copies of the prospectus may be obtained from 3iQ Corp. or at www.sedar.com.

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Strategic Transaction Positions Crown Bioscience for Accelerated Growth in Translational Oncology

JSR Life Sciences LLC ("JSR Life Sciences"), a global leader in life sciences materials and services, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to transfer Crown Bioscience Inc. ("Crown Bioscience") to Adicon Holdings Limited ("Adicon"), a premier independent clinical laboratory provider in China and a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group. The transaction, subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to close in 2026.

This strategic move will enable Crown Bioscience to operate as a standalone entity under Adicon's ownership. Crown Bioscience's comprehensive portfolio of translational oncology services, including its world-leading patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, tumor organoid platforms, immuno-oncology assays, and bioinformatics solutions, will transition to Adicon, positioning the company to accelerate advancements in precision medicine and drug discovery for oncology.

Crown Bioscience's Global Biospecimens business, headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, with facilities in Frederick, MD, will remain fully integrated within JSR Life Sciences. The Biospecimens team will continue to benefit from JSR's robust global resources, innovation ecosystem, and focus on ethical sourcing, custom procurement, and advanced sample processing and storage capabilities.

After careful strategic review, we believe this transaction represents an optimal path forward for both Crown Bioscience and JSR Life Sciences," said Tim Lowery, President and CEO of JSR Life Sciences. "Adicon's deep domain expertise and financial backing from The Carlyle Group will empower Crown to scale its groundbreaking oncology services to new heights. As part of our long-standing onshore strategy, Crown remains firmly committed to serving clients through its global network of facilities, including its headquarters in San Diego and recent investments in the US and Europe. Initiatives like the launch of new Model Development Center in North Carolina and the expansion of biomarker and imaging capabilities in the UK ensure that customers have access to the same exceptional Crown experience, no matter where they choose to conduct their study."

Adicon, recognized as one of China's largest independent clinical laboratory service providers, brings complementary strengths in high-throughput testing and data analytics to the partnership. Backed by global investment firm Carlyle's extensive network and resources in healthcare and life sciences industry, Adicon is well-positioned to support Crown Bioscience's growth trajectory.

Ms. Yang Ling, Chairwoman of Adicon and Head of Asia Healthcare at Carlyle, commented, "This acquisition represents an important milestone in Adicon's growth journey. With Crown Bioscience's world-class CRO capabilities, Adicon is expanding its reach across the global healthcare value chain- from clinical diagnostics to drug discovery and translational research. This transaction reinforces Adicon's vision to become a trusted partner for biopharma innovation and precision diagnostics."

Until the transaction closes, Crown Bioscience will continue to operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of JSR Life Sciences, with no anticipated disruptions to ongoing services, projects, or customer relationships. JSR and Adicon are committed to a smooth transition, maintaining the highest standards of quality, compliance, and innovation across all operations.

About JSR Life Sciences LLC

JSR Life Sciences LLC is a division of JSR Corporation, a Tokyo-based global leader in high-performance materials for life sciences, electronics, and other industries. With a focus on enabling breakthroughs in precision medicine, JSR Life Sciences delivers innovative solutions in cell culture, bioseparation, and bioprocessing, supporting customers from research to commercialization. For more information, visit www.jsrlifesciences.com.

About Crown Bioscience Inc.

Crown Bioscience, a JSR Life Sciences company and global CRO, specializes in oncology and immuno-oncology drug discovery and development. We partner with biotech and pharmaceutical companies to provide innovative, tailored solutions spanning preclinical research, translational platforms, and clinical trial support. With over 1000 tumor organoid models and the largest commercially available PDX collection, our expertise spans in vivo, in vitro, ex vivo, and in silico methods. We operate in multiple facilities across the US, Europe, and APAC, meeting the highest industry standards, including accreditation by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

To learn more, visit www.crownbio.com.

About Adicon

Adicon Holdings Limited (HKEX: 9860.HK) is one of China's leading independent clinical laboratory service providers, offering comprehensive diagnostic testing services primarily to hospitals, health check centers and biopharmaceuticals through an integrated network of self-operated laboratories across the country. The company provides a broad testing portfolio covering routine and esoteric tests across multiple disease areas, supported by internationally accredited laboratories that meet ISO15189 standards. With a proven track record of operational excellence, national coverage, and strong quality assurance, Adicon has established itself as a trusted partner to healthcare institutions and professionals, contributing to the advancement of precision diagnostics and improved healthcare outcomes in China.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including but not limited to regulatory approvals, market conditions, and integration challenges. For a discussion of these risks, please refer to the companies' filings with relevant regulatory authorities.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251113226279/en/

Contacts:

Media Inquiries:

Crown Bioscience

Sarah Martin-Tyrrell

pr@crownbio.com
IQM Halocene is a new quantum computer product line aimed at error correction development. It will start with a150-qubit system to be delivered by the end of 2026 and extend all the way to 1,000-qubits.

The new product line is based on an open and modular error correction stack, which will allow end-users to experiment and run different quantum error correction features.

IQM's goal is to enable users from supercomputing centers, research organizations, and universities to innovate on quantum error correction research with an open platform.

IQM has sold more on-premises quantum systems globally than any other manufacturer, and the company expects the new Halocene product line to accelerate its revenue growth further

IQM Quantum Computers, a global leader in superconducting quantum computers, today announced the launch of its new product line called IQM Halocene. The new product line is based on open and modular on-premises quantum computers designed for quantum error correction research, a leap towards the next generation of quantum computers.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251113614564/en/

The first release of IQM Halocene will be a 150-qubit quantum computer with advanced error correction functionality. The system will enable users to advance their error correction capabilities, error correction research and to create intellectual property with logical qubits. In addition, the Halocene product line will allow execution of Noisy Intermediate Scale (NISQ) algorithms and the development of error mitigation techniques.

"Halocene is the result of co-developing our technology stack with our partners and customers as we build a thriving quantum ecosystem together," said Jan Goetz, Co-CEO of IQM Quantum Computers. "With this launch, we are shaping the next frontier in error-corrected quantum computing, transforming research into technologies that will drive industrial innovation and economic growth. Our goal is to give our users the best-in-class performance and system-level control to solve complex problems."

The 150-qubit system will become commercially available by the end of 2026. In the future, IQM Halocene will have product releases that go beyond 1,000 qubits. This release schedule aligns with the company's ambitious roadmap, which outlines major milestones of quantum error-correction demonstrators and a path to achieve fault-tolerant quantum computing by 2030.

With this announcement, the company is transitioning towards building fault-tolerant systems, providing access to quantum error correction. The Halocene system builds on the existing IQM Radiance product line, which has been designed to power NISQ quantum computation. The initial 150-qubit Halocene will include an IQM Crystal quantum processing unit (QPU) targeting 99.7% physical two-qubit gate fidelity and additional error correction features.

The new error correction features will enhance the system software and hardware, enabling research on up to five logical qubits and the implementation of Clifford gates. In addition, the system contains an open and transparent quantum error correction stack, a modular decoder architecture, and support for NVIDIA NVQLink.

The new product line is expected to strengthen IQM's position as the worldwide commercial leader in the market. "IQM Halocene is our answer to the market demand for big, error-corrected next-generation quantum computers which can empower entire quantum ecosystems. We are ready to build and ship IQM Halocene on-premises system worldwide, with the first installations starting already at the end of 2026," said Mikko Valimaki, IQM Co-CEO leading the company's business functions.

IQM offers joint research and development with customers -- this collaborative approach sets the company apart from competitors through its track record of delivering systems globally and fuelling commercially active quantum ecosystems around them.

About IQM Quantum Computers:

IQM is a global leader in superconducting quantum computers. IQM provides both on-premises full-stack quantum computers and a cloud platform to access its computers. IQM customers include the leading high-performance computing centers, research labs, universities, and enterprises that have full access to IQM's software and hardware. IQM has over 300 employees with headquarters in Finland and a global presence in France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Poland, Spain, Singapore, South Korea, and the United States. For more information, visit: meetiqm.com.

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Contacts:

Media contact:

Email: press@meetiqm.com

Mobile: +358504790845
LONDON, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hitachi Solutions today announced it has won the Government 2025 Microsoft Partner of the Year Award. It has also been selected as finalists for Build and Modernize AI Apps, Dynamics 365 Sales and Customer Insights, Dynamics 365 Supply Chain, and Low Code Application Development. In addition, Hitachi Solutions has won 2025 Microsoft Partner of the Year for Finance. The company was honoured among a global field of top Microsoft partners for demonstrating excellence in innovation and implementation of customer solutions based on Microsoft technology.

"We are incredibly proud to be recognised as Microsoft's 2025 Government Partner of the Year," said Steven French, European CEO at Hitachi Solutions. "This award is a testament to our deep and trusted collaboration with government departments across the UK, Europe and around the world. It reflects the dedication of our teams in helping public sector organisations navigate complex challenges, modernise services, and deliver meaningful transformation. Working alongside Microsoft, our commitment to driving innovation, resilience, and impact across the global government landscape has never been stronger."

Hitachi Solutions ongoing collaborations include transformation programmes with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), supporting data-driven decision-making and operational efficiency; the Environment Agency, enabling better environmental management through modern cloud solutions; and Warwickshire County Council, empowering local services through a citizen-centric digital transformation journey. These partnerships exemplify Hitachi Solutions continued commitment to delivering impactful, sustainable, and scalable innovation across the public sector.

The Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards recognise Microsoft partners that have developed and delivered outstanding Microsoft Cloud applications, services, devices, and AI innovation during the past year. Awards were classified in various categories, with honourees chosen from more than 4,600 nominations across more than 100 countries. Hitachi Solutions was recognised for providing outstanding solutions and services in Government.

"Congratulations to all the winners and finalists of the 2025 Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards," said Nicole Dezen, Chief Partner Officer and Corporate Vice President at Microsoft. "This year, our partners harnessed the transformative power of Microsoft's Cloud and AI platforms to deliver transformative solutions that redefine the boundaries of innovation. The energy and ingenuity across our ecosystem continue to inspire us. The 2025 honourees exemplify what's possible when technology and vision unite to empower customers around the world."

About Hitachi Solutions

Hitachi Solutions empowers sustainable business transformation through tailored advisory, consulting, and technology solutions for organisations worldwide. Our expertise spans finance, sales, and service transformation, low-code innovation, and the strategic use of AI and data to drive insight and efficiency.

As a Microsoft-first organisation, Hitachi Solutions is dedicated exclusively to the Microsoft ecosystem, leveraging their business, cloud, AI, and data platforms to achieve meaningful business outcomes for our customers. Headquartered in Tokyo, our global teams operate across North America, Europe, India, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.

Hitachi Solutions is part of Hitachi, Ltd., one of the world's largest and most respected organisations. As part of this extraordinary network of over 600 companies, we work together as "One Hitachi"-sharing knowledge, expertise, and a shared commitment to innovation and social progress.

In everything we do, we partner closely with our customers to drive transformation, build lasting value, and honour the trusted values that define Hitachi.

www.hitachi-solutions.co.uk

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LONDON, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hitachi Solutions today announced it has won the Dynamics 365 Finance 2025 Microsoft Partner of the Year Award. It has also been selected as finalists for Build and Modernize AI Apps, Dynamics 365 Sales and Customer Insights, Dynamics 365 Supply Chain, and Low Code Application Development. In addition, Hitachi Solutions has won 2025 Microsoft Partner of the Year for Government. The company was honored among a global field of top Microsoft partners for demonstrating excellence in innovation and implementation of customer solutions based on Microsoft technology.

"We are thrilled to be named Microsoft Partner of the Year for Dynamics 365 Finance and finalists for Build and Modernize AI Apps, Dynamics 365 Sales and Customer Insights, Dynamics 365 Supply Chain, and Low Code Application Development," said Steven French, European CEO at Hitachi Solutions. "Our mission is to deliver exceptional technologies and services that drive our customers success. These awards are a testament to the value and outcomes we deliver by leveraging Microsoft's advanced technology to drive significant business outcomes for our customers."

To win the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance Partner of the Year, Hitachi Solutions modernised finance operations with Dynamics 365, delivering rapid ERP rollouts, AI-driven automation, and real-time insights. From global manufacturers like Ansell to enabling the world's first e-waste sustainability programme at The Royal Mint; our scalable solutions accelerated transformation, deepened Microsoft Cloud adoption, and drove measurable impact across industries - proving the power of strategic modernisation.

The Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards recognize Microsoft partners that have developed and delivered outstanding Microsoft Cloud applications, services, devices, and AI innovation during the past year. Awards were classified in various categories, with honorees chosen from more than 4,600 nominations. Hitachi Solutions America was recognized for providing outstanding solutions and services in Dynamics 365 Finance.

"Congratulations to all the winners and finalists of the 2025 Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards, said Nicole Dezen, Chief Partner Officer and Corporate Vice President at Microsoft. This year, our partners harnessed the transformative power of Microsoft's Cloud and AI platforms to deliver transformative solutions that redefine the boundaries of innovation. The energy and ingenuity across our ecosystem continue to inspire us. The 2025 honorees exemplify what's possible when technology and vision unite to empower customers around the world."

About Hitachi Solutions

Hitachi Solutions empowers sustainable business transformation through tailored advisory, consulting, and technology solutions for organisations worldwide. Our expertise spans finance, sales, and service transformation, low-code innovation, and the strategic use of AI and data to drive insight and efficiency.

As a Microsoft-first organisation, Hitachi Solutions is dedicated exclusively to the Microsoft ecosystem, leveraging their business, cloud, AI, and data platforms to achieve meaningful business outcomes for our customers. Headquartered in Tokyo, our global teams operate across North America, Europe, India, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.

Hitachi Solutions is part of Hitachi, Ltd., one of the world's largest and most respected organisations. As part of this extraordinary network of over 600 companies, we work together as "One Hitachi"-sharing knowledge, expertise, and a shared commitment to innovation and social progress.

In everything we do, we partner closely with our customers to drive transformation, build lasting value, and honour the trusted values that define Hitachi.

www.hitachi-solutions.co.uk

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The Norfund-managed Climate Investment Fund's investment of USD 75 million in Mulilo, a leading South African developer of renewable energy projects and Independent Power Producer, is expected to further advance the ongoing rapid development of the renewable energy sector in South Africa

CAPE TOWN, South Africa and COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Nov. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Norfund, the Norwegian investment fund for developing countries, is investing USD 75 million in Mulilo Energy Holdings (Mulilo), providing new capital and taking a minority ownership position in the company. The transaction marks a significant milestone for Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) and the investors in its New Markets Fund I (CI NMF I), which remains a key shareholder.

Through the partnership with Norfund, CI NMF I has secured additional funding for Mulilo's significantly expanded project pipeline. CIP and Norfund will jointly support Mulilo's ongoing transformation into a tier-one Independent Power Producer, with a robust near-term pipeline of 5.5 GW expected to reach financial close before the end of 2027.

Norfund's investment comes at a time of strong momentum for Mulilo, which currently has 765 MW under construction and plans to add a further 1 GW to its construction portfolio in 2026. Mulilo's wind, solar and BESS projects deliver high climate impact and are expected to avoid approximately 11 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, power around 14 million South African households, and support local communities through education, healthcare, and business development initiatives.

Robert Helms, Partner in CIP says: "We are very pleased to welcome Norfund as a strategic minority investor in Mulilo. This partnership is a testament to the strength and potential of Mulilo, and the progress achieved. Norfund's investment not only provides valuable growth capital but also brings a highly reputable, government-backed partner with deep experience in the South African energy sector. Together, we will continue to accelerate the energy transition, support local communities, and deliver strong value for our investors."



Tellef Thorleifsson, CEO of Norfund says: "Norfund is proud to join forces with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and Mulilo's founders and local partners in this landmark investment that will accelerate the deployment of renewable energy across South Africa. Our commitment of USD 75 million reflects our confidence in the platform's ability to deliver large-scale renewable energy projects that support the transition to net zero."

Mulilo actively supports South Africa's ambition for a cleaner, diverse and more resilient energy system, as outlined in the Integrated Resource Plan 2025 (IRP 2025). Through strategic investments, robust governance, and deep local expertise, Mulilo is well-positioned to lead South Africa's energy transformation and deliver energy security from renewables.

Notes for Editor

CIP's New Markets Fund I (CI NMF I) is also marketed as CI GMF I as part of CIP's Growth Markets Funds.

About Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners

Founded in 2012, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners P/S (CIP) today is the world's largest dedicated fund manager within greenfield energy investments. The funds managed by CIP focus on investments in offshore and onshore wind, storage, solar PV, biomass and energy-from-waste, transmission and distribution, reserve capacity, advanced bioenergy, and Power-to-X.

CIP manages 13 funds and has to date raised approximately EUR 33 billion for investments in energy and associated infrastructure from more than 200 international institutional investors. CIP has projects in more 30 countries and more than 2,300 employees across platforms. For more information, visit www.cip.com

About Norfund

Norfund is the Norwegian Investment Fund for developing countries with a mission to create jobs and improve lives by investing in businesses that drive sustainable development. Owned and funded by the Norwegian Government, Norfund is the Government's most important tool for strengthening the private sector in developing countries and reducing poverty.



Norfund's committed portfolio amounts to USD 3.8 billion, with investments across Sub-Saharan Africa, South/Southeast Asia, and Latin America. Additionally, Norfund manages the Norwegian Climate Investment Fund, which focuses on reducing or avoiding greenhouse gas emissions by investing in renewable energy in developing countries with large emissions from coal and other fossil fuel production. For more details, please visit: www.norfund.no

About Mulilo

Mulilo is a leading South African renewable energy developer and independent power producer, specialising in wind, solar, and battery storage projects. With a development pipeline exceeding 30 GW, Mulilo is dedicated to enhancing energy security and driving South Africa's transition to a cleaner and more sustainable energy future. For more information, please visit www.mulilo.com

Media Contact

CIP media contact: media@cip.com

Norfund media contact: pernille@norfund.no

Mulilo media contact: jome@mulilo.com
LUXEMBOURG, Nov. 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Koryx Copper Inc. (now Koryx Copper S.A.) (the "Company") (TSX-V: KRY) (NSX: KYX) is pleased to announce that the Registrar of Companies in British Columbia has authorized the continuation of the Company out of British Columbia, under section 308 of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia), to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (the "Continuation"). The Continuation was approved by the Company's shareholders at the special meeting of shareholders (the "Special Meeting") held on October 15, 2025.

Details of the Continuation are more particularly set out in the Company's management information circular dated August 29, 2025, as amended by the Company's press release dated October 7, 2025, available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

The TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX-V") has conditionally approved the Continuation. In connection with the Continuation, the Company's name is changing from "Koryx Copper Inc." to "Koryx Copper S.A.", which formal name change remains subject to TSX-V approval.

The Company also welcomes new independent directors Cristina Lara and Tarik El Hanch to the Board.

Cristina Lara has been serving as Director for Luxembourg entities for over 15 years. For the past 10 years, she has led a team of financial professionals dedicated to supporting internationally based entities, primarily focused on SPV structures. Cristina holds degrees in Accounting and in Business Administration and Management, which provide a strong foundation for her expertise in corporate governance, financial oversight, and cross-border structuring.

Tarik El Hanch has been serving as Director for Luxembourg entities for over 10 years. He specializes in SPV structures and all related aspects under LuxGAAP and Luxembourg legal frameworks applicable to corporate and financial structures. Working with internationally based companies, Tarik provides expert guidance on Luxembourg accounting standards and regulatory practices. Tarik holds a bachelor's degree in Accountancy Economy Option.

"We are pleased to welcome Cristina and Tarik as new directors," said Heye Daun, Director and CEO of the Company. "Both Cristina and Tarik bring a wide range of professional experience to Koryx as a company now domiciled in Luxembourg that will be integral to our growth internationally."

The appointments of Cristina Lara and Tarik El Hanch were approved at the Special Meeting and are effective as of November 6, 2025.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Heye Daun"

President, CEO and Director

Additional information is also available by contacting the Company:

Julia Becker

Corporate Communications

jbecker@koryxcopper.com

+1-604-785-0850

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.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the Continuation and the Company's name change. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect ", "is expected ", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to business, market, and economic risks, uncertainties, and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, other factors may cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. There can be 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. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk factors in the Company's most recent annual management discussion and analysis. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
VisionEdgeOne ("VE1") has completed its investment in Italian biomethane platform RE2Sources, on behalf of investors in the VisionEdgeOne Infrastructure Partnership platform. VE1 has become a joint-controlling co-investor in the asset alongside European specialist mid-market infrastructure manager, Arjun Infrastructure Partners ("Arjun").

RE2Sources is a leading biomethane platform in Italy which owns and operates six anaerobic digestion waste plants, with an annual processing capacity of 220kt of municipal waste. The plants produce 200GWh biomethane, which is injected directly into the national gas grid as renewable gas, as well as sustainable fertiliser and biogenic CO2.

Biomethane in the EU is a high-growth market, driven by strong fundamentals, government support and conducive to energy resilience. VE1 targets the biomethane space as part of its strategy to invest in mid-market businesses shaping the sustainable infrastructure of tomorrow.

Boe Pahari, Chairman of VisionEdgeOne, commented: "We welcome the completion of this investment in RE2Sources, which we believe stands out as a highly attractive opportunity in the biomethane space, which supports the energy transition, Europe's energy security, and provides a solution for waste.

"It is highly representative of VE1's investment strategy as we are investing in assets with strong infrastructure characteristics and growth potential, providing sustainable solutions to the changes and challenges of modern living."

Surinder Toor, Managing Partner at Arjun, commented: "We welcome VE1 as our co-shareholders in this asset, which is positioned for success in the coming years. We look forward to continuing to grow RE2Sources, a true circular economy platform, which addresses key needs of its domestic markets in both energy supply and waste processing."

VE1 was advised by Sidley Austin and Chiomenti (legal), FTI Consulting (finance and tax), and Aon (insurance). Arjun was advised by Ashurst (legal) and Alvarez Marsal (tax).

About VisionEdgeOne

VisionEdgeOne is an infrastructure investment firm with an experienced team across four locations (London, Copenhagen, Paris Dubai) focused on mid-market Infrastructure Private Equity investments primarily in Europe, applying a private equity mindset to value creation, featuring a combination of growth and robust downside protection through infrastructure thematics.

Rooted in an understanding of the accelerated pace of change and the impact of the global forces of disruption e.g. digitalisation, demographics and decarbonisation, we aim to support the transition towards a sustainable future by identifying and investing in the infrastructure of today and tomorrow across four sectors: Logistics, Energy, Digital Urban.

About Arjun Infrastructure

Arjun Infrastructure Partners is an infrastructure fund manager founded in 2015, with over 7 billion of assets under management and offices in London and Paris. Arjun is focused on European core and core-plus mid-market infrastructure diversified by sector and geography, which it offers through funds and separately managed accounts. Arjun has an experienced, sector-specialist team of more than 40 professional with extensive operational knowledge combined with institutional financial pedigree.

Arjun's entrepreneurial mindset and strong alignment with its clients make Arjun an attractive long-term partner to companies.

For more information, visit: www.arjuninfrastructure.com.

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Contacts:

Katie Sunderland

Director, VisionEdgeOne

Email: katie@visionedge.one
BNY acts as first Agent Lender for Cboe Clear Europe's SFT Service, in addition to role as Tri-Party Collateral Agent

Milestone achieved as service extends to UCITS clients, utilizing innovative collateral model

Expands access to SFT clearing service to key segment of securities lending market

AMSTERDAM, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (Cboe: CBOE), the world's leading derivatives and securities exchange network, today announced that Cboe Clear Europe, its pan-European clearing house, has reached a significant step in the development of its Securities Financing Transactions (SFT) clearing service, with BNY, (NYSE: BK), a global financial services company, acting as the service's first Agent Lender. This milestone was achieved with BNY clearing SFTs on behalf of UCITS clients, expanding the service to a key new client segment.

Cboe Clear Europe and BNY have worked to launch a new title transfer model with a pledge-back feature, tailored specifically for UCITS clients. This structure enables UCITS - alongside other beneficial owner lenders, such as sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, and central banks - to access the benefits of centrally cleared SFTs without posting margin or contributing to the CCP's default fund when acting as lenders. As a result, UCITS become more attractive counterparties for borrowers using Cboe Clear Europe's service, increasing the amounts of assets on loan, boosting market liquidity and supporting balance sheet efficiency for borrowers in the securities lending space.

Vikesh Patel, President, Cboe Clear Europe said: "We are delighted to welcome BNY as the first Agent Lender of our transformative SFT clearing service and extend the model to UCITS clients. This innovation within our SFT cleared offering reinforces our commitment to driving market innovation, transparency, and resilience in financial markets. By leveraging BNY's expertise and Cboe Clear Europe's clearing capabilities, we have created an innovative solution that is designed to enhance market confidence, optimise collateral efficiency, and empower UCITS participants to engage in securities finance with unparalleled levels of security and transparency."

Laide Majiyagbe, Global Head of Liquidity, Financing and Collateral at BNY said: "Working with Cboe Clear Europe on this landmark solution underscores BNY's commitment to driving innovation and client-centricity in the financing and collateral ecosystem. As the world's largest agent lender and the first to go live with a centrally cleared triparty model supporting UCITS-compliant clearing, we are proud to deliver enhanced collateral efficiency and liquidity through our integrated Global Collateral Platform."

This milestone builds on Cboe Clear Europe's launch of its SFT clearing service in March, with BNY as Tri-Party Collateral Agent, which is transforming the traditional bilateral process for SFTs in European equities and ETFs into a centrally cleared model. From a capital perspective, the introduction of central clearing to SFTs offers potential substantial capital optimisation opportunities including meaningful reductions in Risk-Weighted Assets (RWA) for certain clearing participants. Additionally, Cboe Clear Europe is leveraging its position as the largest CCP for cash equities to offer cross-product margin offsets between cash equities and SFT trades, unlocking potentially powerful capital efficiencies.

BNY serves as one of the Tri-Party Collateral Agents and the service is also integrated with Pirum for trade instruction and lifecycle event processing.

With a highly scalable technology platform, Cboe Clear Europe is well-positioned to expand its SFT clearing service to cover other lendable securities and new jurisdictions in the next year.

Jan Treuren, Senior Director Product at Cboe Clear Europe, said: "The ability for UCITS clients to use our SFT service is a significant development for both participants and the securities finance market as a whole. We look forward to welcoming more Agent Lenders and their UCITS clients to benefit from the increased utilisation rates this innovative structure will bring. By combining operational automation, potential for capital efficiency, cross-product margining, and robust risk management, we are empowering participants and strengthening the securities lending market infrastructure for the future."

To learn more about Cboe Clear Europe's SFT service, visit: clear.cboe.com

About Cboe Global Markets

Cboe Global Markets (Cboe: CBOE), the world's leading derivatives and securities exchange network, delivers cutting-edge trading, clearing, and investment solutions to people around the world. Cboe provides trading solutions and products in multiple asset classes, including equities, derivatives, and FX across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. Above all, we are committed to building a trusted, inclusive global marketplace that enables people to pursue a sustainable financial future. To learn more about the Exchange for the World Stage, visit www.cboe.com .

Cboe Media Contacts

Cboe Analyst Contact Angela Tu Tim Cave

Kenneth Hill, CFA +1-646-856-8734 +44 (0) 7593-506-719

+1-312-786-7559 atu@cboe.com tcave@cboe.com

khill@cboe.com

Cboe, Cboe Global Markets, CFE, and Cboe Futures Exchange are registered trademarks or service marks of Cboe Exchange, Inc. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.

Cboe Global Markets, Inc. and its affiliates do not recommend or make any representation as to possible benefits from any securities, futures, digital assets or investments, or third-party products or services. Cboe Global Markets, Inc. is not affiliated with any third parties referenced in this press release. Investors should undertake their own due diligence regarding their securities, futures, digital assets, and investment practices. This press release speaks only as of this date. Cboe Global Markets, Inc. disclaims any duty to update the information herein.

Nothing in this announcement should be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell any securities, futures, or digital assets in any jurisdiction where the offer or solicitation would be unlawful under the laws of such jurisdiction. Nothing contained in this communication constitutes tax, legal or investment advice. Investors must consult their tax adviser or legal counsel for advice and information concerning their particular situation.

Cboe Global Markets, Inc. and its affiliates make no warranty, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, any warranties as of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, accuracy, completeness or timeliness, the results to be obtained by recipients of the products and services described herein, or as to the ability of the indices referenced in this press release to track the performance of their respective securities, generally, or the performance of the indices referenced in this press release or any subset of their respective securities, and shall not in any way be liable for any inaccuracies, errors. Cboe Global Markets, Inc. and its affiliates have not calculated, composed or determined the constituents or weightings of the securities that comprise any third-party indices referenced in this press release and shall not in any way be liable for any inaccuracies or errors in any of the indices referenced in this press release.

FTSE and the FTSE indices are trademarks and service marks of FTSE International Limited, used under license.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. You can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "may," "might," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential" or "continue," and the negative of these terms and other comparable terminology. All statements that reflect our expectations, assumptions or projections about the future other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, which are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us, may include projections of our future financial performance based on our growth strategies and anticipated trends in our business. These statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events. There are important factors that could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

We operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all risks and uncertainties, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

Some factors that could cause actual results to differ include: the loss of our right to exclusively list and trade certain index options and futures products; economic, political and market conditions; compliance with legal and regulatory obligations; price competition and consolidation in our industry; decreases in trading or clearing volumes, market data fees or a shift in the mix of products traded on our exchanges; legislative or regulatory changes or changes in tax regimes; our ability to protect our systems and communication networks from security vulnerabilities and breaches; our ability to attract and retain skilled management and other personnel; increasing competition by foreign and domestic entities; our dependence on and exposure to risk from third parties; factors that impact the quality and integrity of our and other applicable indices; our ability to manage our global operations, growth, and strategic acquisitions or alliances effectively; increases in the cost of the products and services we use; our ability to operate our business without violating the intellectual property rights of others and the costs associated with protecting our intellectual property rights; our ability to minimize the risks, including our credit, counterparty, investment, and default risks, associated with operating our clearinghouses; our ability to accommodate trading and clearing volume and transaction traffic, including significant increases, without failure or degradation of performance of our systems; misconduct by those who use our markets or our products or for whom we clear transactions; challenges to our use of open source software code; our ability to meet our compliance obligations, including managing our business interests and our regulatory responsibilities; the loss of key customers or a significant reduction in trading or clearing volumes by key customers; our ability to maintain BIDS Trading as an independently managed and operated trading venue, separate from and not integrated with our registered national securities exchanges; damage to our reputation; the ability of our compliance and risk management methods to effectively monitor and manage our risks; restrictions imposed by our debt obligations and our ability to make payments on or refinance our debt obligations; our ability to maintain an investment grade credit rating; impairment of our goodwill, long-lived assets, investments or intangible assets; the accuracy of our estimates and expectations; and litigation risks and other liabilities. More detailed information about factors that may affect our actual results to differ may be found in our filings with the SEC, including in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and other filings made from time to time with the SEC.

We do not undertake, and we expressly disclaim, any duty to update any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.

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Invesco Global Equity Income Trust Plc - Combination with Franklin Global Trust plc

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, November 13

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN IT ARE NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO, THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND OR THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE SAME WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.

This announcement is not an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to acquire, securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which the same would be unlawful. Neither this announcement nor any part of it shall form the basis of or be relied on in connection with or act as an inducement to enter into any contract or commitment whatsoever.

13 November 2025

Invesco Global Equity Income Trust plc

LEI: 549300JZQ39WJPD7U596

Combination with Franklin Global Trust plc ( FRGT)

Introduction

The Board of Invesco Global Equity Income Trust plc ( IGETor the Company) is pleased to announce that heads of terms have been agreed for a combination of the Company and FRGT (the Combination). This follows a thorough review by the board of FRGT and consultation with major FRGT shareholders.

FRGT shareholders will be entitled to elect to receive new IGET shares and/or cash.

IGET, as enlarged by the Combination (the Enlarged IGET), will continue with its distinct and multi-award-winning investment strategy under the management of Stephen Anness and Joe Dowling at Invesco Fund Managers Limited ( Invesco).

Benefits for IGET Shareholders

The Combination will result in a significant increase in IGET's size, with net assets of up to 445 million following the Combination, depending on cash elections.

With greater scale, the Enlarged IGET is expected to appeal to a broader range of investors, which should result in higher trading volume and market liquidity in the Enlarged IGET's shares compared to either FRGT or IGET historically.

An increase in the Company's size will also benefit shareholders by reducing its ongoing charges ratio through a reduction in the blended rate of the investment management fee payable to Invesco and spreading fixed costs over a larger asset base.

Invesco has agreed to make a significant contribution towards the costs of the Combination equivalent to twelve months' management fee on the value of the assets to be transferred from FRGT to IGET. This is expected to cover or exceed IGET's costs incurred in putting forward and completing the Combination. FRGT will bear its own costs.

Background to the Combination

The Board of IGET has kept opportunities to grow the Company under regular review, recognising the benefits of increased scale. Since April 2025, the Company has successfully raised approximately 39 million by issuing shares to buyers in the market. The Combination allows the Company to increase significantly in size by bringing in an attractive and long-term base of new shareholders. The Board looks forward to welcoming these new shareholders to the register.

The Combination follows a thorough review by FRGT's Board of FRGT's investment management arrangements, with proposals sought from a number of parties. FRGT's Board believes that, among the options considered, the proposal put forward by IGET offers significant benefits and that the Combination represents the most compelling outcome for FRGT shareholders.

Investment strategy, management arrangements and dividend policy remain unchanged

The Company's investment strategy will not be affected by the Combination and the increase in its scale is not expected to compromise its ability to continue to deliver strong performance over the long-term.

For periods to 31 October 2025:

IGET has outperformed all Global Equity Income peers over three and five years and all Global Equity peers over five years, in both NAV and share price total returns.

IGET has delivered NAV total returns of 74.5% and 140.3% over three and five respectively, outperforming the Company's benchmark (the MSCI World Index) total returns of 57.9%, and 103.0% over the corresponding periods.

IGET has delivered share price total returns of 103.1% and 152.0% over three and five years respectively.

Past performance is not a guide to the future. Global Equity Income peers are those investment companies in the AIC's Global Equity Income sector and Global Equity peers are those investment companies in the AIC's Global Equity sector.

The Company will continue to be managed by Invesco, a subsidiary of Invesco Limited a global asset manager with US$2.1 trillion of AUM, including US$32.2 billion managed by the Invesco Global Equities team (as at 30 September 2025).

IGET will continue to benefit from the expertise of its award-winning Portfolio Managers, Stephen Anness and Joe Dowling, and from the depth of resource and experience offered by the wider Global Equities team.

Similarly, the Company's dividend policy, which pays an annual dividend of at least 4% of the unaudited previous year-end NAV, paid quarterly in equal amounts, will not change as a result of the Combination.

As announced in the annual report, the Board will continue, in normal market conditions, to actively use its authority to issue or buy-back shares to manage the volatility of the premium or discount. The Enlarged IGET will use its buyback authorities with the objective of maintaining a discount no wider than mid-single digits on a sustained basis.

Governance

Following completion of the Combination, it is expected that Christopher Metcalfe, Chair of FRGT, will join the Board of IGET.

Expected Timetable

It is intended that the documentation in connection with the Scheme will be posted to each of IGET's and FRGT's shareholders in January 2026 after the changes to the Prospectus Rules become effective. This means that IGET will not be required to incur the cost of producing a prospectus. General meetings of both companies will be held in February 2026, and the Combination is expected to be effective shortly thereafter.

Conditions

The Combination will be subject to the approval of both IGET shareholders and FRGT shareholders, necessary regulatory and tax approvals and other conditions.

Full details, terms and condition of the Combination will be set out in a circular to shareholders expected to be despatched in late January 2026. The Combination will be implemented through a scheme of reconstruction of FRGT under section 110 of the Insolvency Act 1986.

Sue Inglis, Chair of IGET, said

" We are delighted that, after a comprehensive review, the Board of FRGT has concluded that a combination with IGET offers the best outcome for their shareholders. This is a further strong endorsement of the Company, which last week won the 'Best International Income Trust' category at the annual Citywire Investment Trust Awards for the third consecutive year.

We believe that the proposed combination will provide benefits for shareholders of both companies, creating a substantially larger, more liquid company with an outstanding track record, a predictable and attractive level of dividend income and competitive running costs. Added to that, we are confident that our portfolio managers' proven distinctive and disciplined investment approach will continue to stand the Company in good stead through different market conditions."

Enquiries:

Invesco Global Equity Income Trust plc Sue Inglis, Chair Via Invesco Asset Management Limited Invesco Fund Managers Limited (Manager, IGET) Will Ellis/John Armstrong-Denby 020 7543 3500 Invesco Asset Management Limited (Company Secretary, IGET) James Poole 020 7543 3559 Cavendish (Financial Adviser and Corporate Broker to IGET) Robert Peel, Corporate Finance Justin Zawoda-Martin, Sales 020 7220 0572

The information in this announcement is for background purposes only and does not purport to be full or complete. No reliance may be placed for any purpose on the information contained in this announcement or its accuracy or completeness. The material contained in this announcement is given as at the date of its publication (unless otherwise marked) and is subject to updating, revision and amendment. In particular, any proposals referred to herein are subject to revision and amendment.

The new shares in IGET to be issued pursuant to the Combination ( New IGET Shares) have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 (as amended) (the Securities Act) or with any securities regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an exemption from registration under the Securities Act. Moreover, the New IGET Shares have not been, nor will they be, registered under the applicable securities laws the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand or the Republic Of South Africa or any member state of the EEA (other than any member state of the EEA where the shares are lawfully marketed). Further, IGET is not, and will not be, registered under the US Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

The value of shares and the income from them is not guaranteed and can fall as well as rise due to stock market and currency movements. When you sell your investment you may get back less than you originally invested. Figures refer to past performance and past performance should not be considered a reliable indicator of future results. Returns may increase or decrease as a result of currency fluctuations.

This announcement may include statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms "believes", "estimates", "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "may", "might", "will" or "should" or, in each case, their negative or other variations or similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this announcement, including, without limitation, those regarding FRGT's or IGET's respective financial positions, strategies, plans, proposed acquisitions and objectives, are forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and, accordingly, FRGT's or IGET's actual future financial results and operational performance may differ materially from the results and performance expressed in, or implied by, the statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as at the date of this announcement and cannot be relied upon as a guide to future performance. Subject to its legal and regulatory obligations, IGET expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based unless required to do so by law or any appropriate regulatory authority.

Cavendish Capital Markets Limited ( Cavendish) which is authorised in the United Kingdom by Financial Conduct Authority is acting exclusively for IGET and for no-one else in connection with the Combination, will not regard any other person as it client in relation to the Combination and will not be responsible to anyone other than IGET for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in relation to the Combination, or any of the other matters referred to in this announcement. This does not exclude any responsibilities or liabilities of Cavendish under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended, or the regulatory regime established thereunder.
NEWPORT BEACH, CA / ACCESS Newswire / November 13, 2025 / American Takaful Insurance Solutions, the Takaful insurance division of Algorithmic Insurance Services Inc., has been appointed as the exclusive brokerage and advisory firm to support the development and reinsurance placement of Takaful America, the first large-scale Managing General Underwriter (MGU) in the United States based on Takaful-compliant cooperative insurance principles.

Takaful America aims to provide faith-based, ethically grounded property insurance solutions to Muslim families and businesses, beginning in New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Minnesota, and Illinois. This model, well established in multiple international markets, is expected to gain substantial traction through a broker-centric distribution strategy and focused community outreach through religious centers.

"This is a historic step toward offering faith-aligned financial protection at scale to the Muslim community in America," said Lawrence Lipman, co-founder of Algorithmic Insurance Services. "We are honored to lead the design, reinsurance, and regulatory structuring for what will become a pillar of trust and resilience for families and businesses alike."

Empowering the Community Through Values-Aligned Coverage

Takaful is a globally recognized model of mutual insurance built on shared responsibility, transparency, and surplus sharing. Unlike conventional insurance, which is based on risk transfer and profit extraction, Takaful prioritizes ethical principles rooted in Islamic law. Takaful America plans to operate with a participant-first approach, enabling surplus to be returned to policyholders in accordance with Islamic standards.

"As a practicing Muslim and industry professional, I am honored to contribute to the development of a program that brings meaningful representation and choice to our community within the insurance space," said Armin Dzanic, Chief Client Officer- Program Business of Algorithmic Insurance Services. "Takaful America endeavors to empower producers across the country to offer protection that reflects the values and needs of the people we serve, not just as clients, but as neighbors and fellow believers."

In his role, Armin supports the strategic development and launch of Takaful America, helping shape its structure, market positioning, and distribution approach as part of Algorithmic Insurance Services' broader work advising and building emerging MGU and program platforms. American Takaful Insurance Services will soon approach markets with its reinsurance submission and looks forward to an official launch in the near future.

About American Takaful Insurance Solutions

American Takaful Insurance Solutions is a registered DBA of Algorithmic Insurance Services Inc., a California-based insurance and reinsurance brokerage and consulting firm.

Disclaimer

This press release may contain forward-looking statements concerning a product currently under development. Such statements are based on assumptions and expectations that involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially. The information contained herein is provided for informational purposes only and shall not be construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation to purchase, or an advertisement for any insurance or reinsurance product or service. The product described, once available, will be offered exclusively on an excess and surplus lines (E&S) basis.

CONTACT:

Steven Griswold, Chief Operating Officer

steven.griswold@lirg.com

Armin Dzanic, Chief Client Officer - Program Business

armin.dzanic@lirg.com

SOURCE: Algorithmic Insurance Services Inc.

american-takaful-logo-002

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APIA, Samoa, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Phemex today announced the completion of its full rebrand, unveiling a renewed identity and positioning as "A User-First Crypto Exchange". This transformation marks a new chapter in the company's evolution from a high-performance trading venue to a comprehensive digital asset ecosystem built on trust, access, and purpose.

At the center of the rebrand is the new tagline - "For You. For Tomorrow". It captures Phemex's dual commitment: its user-first philosophy of building for traders' needs and growth, and its forward-looking DNA for innovation and progress. Phemex's updated vision, "Freedom Through Finance", emphasizes the belief that true independence begins with financial empowerment. Its mission focuses on creating a secure, transparent, and inclusive platform that enables users to learn, trade, and invest with confidence.

The decision to rebrand follows six years of rapid growth and diversification. As the platform expanded from derivatives into spot trading, copy trading, and wealth management, Phemex recognized the need for an identity that reflects its broader purpose and maturing user community.

"This rebrand marks a defining moment for Phemex," said Federico Variola, CEO of Phemex. "It is a reflection of who we are and what we stand for. We've always been forward-thinking at our core, but as we continue to grow, our focus has become even clearer: to put users first in everything we do." He continued, "This new identity was developed through deep research and collaboration across teams and global users. It embodies our DNA - a platform that blends institutional-grade reliability with a genuinely user-centric mindset. We are not just adapting to the future of crypto; we are building it for our users."

The timing of this rebrand is deliberate. As Phemex approaches its sixth anniversary, it celebrates past achievements, while opening a new chapter for the company. Following a series of recent platform and visual upgrades, the rebrand unifies Phemex's direction and vision for the next phase of growth. It also paves the way for the upcoming sixth anniversary integrated marketing campaign, which will bring the new brand message to life across global markets through creative storytelling, partnerships, and user engagement.

About Phemex

Founded in 2019, Phemex is a user-first crypto exchange trusted by over 6 million traders worldwide. The platform offers spot and derivatives trading, copy trading, and wealth management products designed to prioritize user experience, transparency, and innovation. With a forward-thinking approach and a commitment to user empowerment, Phemex delivers reliable tools, inclusive access, and evolving opportunities for traders at every level to grow and succeed.

For more information, please visit: https://phemex.com/

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SHANGHAI, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Yatsen Group (NYSE: YSG), a leading multi-brand beauty company, has released Yatsen Group Beauty Innovation Insight - China's first comprehensive report exploring innovation across beauty science, sustainability, and corporate responsibility.

The publication signals a milestone in the evolution of China's beauty industry from brand storytelling to scientific leadership, and highlights Yatsen's growing influence within the global research and development (R&D) community.

Defining Chinese Innovation from a Global Perspective

As the first white paper of its kind in China, Yatsen Group Beauty Innovation Insight centers on the theme of scientific innovation and includes six chapters spanning global R&D networks, technological breakthroughs, efficacy validation, and sustainable development.

At its launch ceremony in Shanghai's Jing'an District, attended by government, academic, and industry leaders, Yatsen presented the white paper as both a reflection of its scientific progress and a statement of its global innovation roadmap.

"Our ambition to become a world-class technology-driven beauty pioneer is founded on years of consistent R&D investment and a commitment to scientific rigor," said David (Jinfeng) Huang, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Yatsen Group. "We are building a future where global research, global talent, and global markets intersect."

Dr. Vania Leite, President of the International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists (IFSCC), contributed the report's foreword:

"This is the first white paper from a Chinese beauty company to interpret cosmetic innovation through a global lens. Science knows no borders, and beauty knows no boundaries - this report serves as a bridge connecting China's beauty science with the world."

In August, Yatsen debuted the English edition of the white paper at the 35th IFSCC Congress - marking the first time Chinese cosmetic R&D achievements were presented in a comprehensive, internationally peer-reviewed format. Over the past four years, Yatsen has participated in major dermatological and cosmetic congresses, including the IFSCC, EADV, ADC, and WCD, strengthening China's scientific voice in the global beauty dialogue.

From Lab to Market: Turning Science into Beauty

The Insight highlights how Yatsen transforms laboratory research into real consumer impact - an essential measure of innovation's value.

Perfect Diary, Yatsen's flagship brand, co-published the industry's first Makeup Skinification Report with the China Association of Fragrance Flavor and Cosmetic Industries (CAFFCI) and Ruijin Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. The brand also launched its third-generation Biotec Technology, inspired by five Nobel Prize-recognized scientific discoveries that redefine how makeup enhances skin health.

In premium skincare, Galenic's patented ActiveAnchor technology has improved the dermal penetration of water-soluble Vitamin C, while EVE LOM has pioneered the world's first Emotional Skincare Science framework, establishing new standards for mood-based skincare efficacy evaluation.

Yatsen's Open Lab ecosystem connects more than 20 research collaborations across industry, academia, and medicine - including partnerships with Sun Yat-sen University, Fudan University, Ruijin Hospital, and Hopital Saint-Louis in France. Since 2022, Yatsen has published 32 peer-reviewed papers in journals such as Science Bulletin and Nature Medicine, and has filed 252 global patents, including 78 invention applications.

"With a clear roadmap and deep interdisciplinary collaboration, we aim not only to innovate, but to lead how innovation is practiced in the beauty sector," said Cheng Jing, Chief Scientific Officer of Yatsen Group.

Sustainable Innovation and Social Impact

Beyond R&D, Yatsen's innovation philosophy extends to sustainability and social impact. The Group has published four consecutive ESG reports since 2021 and achieved an MSCI ESG Rating of A for two years running - the only Chinese beauty company to do so.

Aligned with China's dual-carbon goals, Yatsen integrates low-carbon practices throughout its operations - from carbon audits and green sourcing to sustainable packaging. Perfect Diary's "Slim Heel Lipstick" became one of the first beauty products in China to receive a Product Carbon Footprint Certification.

Premium brands have followed suit: EVE LOM now uses 100% FSC-certified recycled paper across all outer packaging, while Galenic has introduced refillable jar systems and removed printed inserts, cutting material usage by over 50%. The Galenic Skin Science Research Foundation further supports dermatological research globally, reinforcing Yatsen's vision of beauty with purpose.

About Yatsen Group

Since its NYSE listing in 2020, Yatsen Group has made R&D the cornerstone of its strategy - investing more than RMB 600 million to date and maintaining R&D spending above 3% of annual revenue. The Group operates three global R&D centers in Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Toulouse (France), supported by six joint laboratories and over 20 international collaborations.

The Group's "1-3-4-6-20 Global Research Network" includes:

1 world-class biotech manufacturing facility

world-class biotech manufacturing facility 3 proprietary R&D centers

proprietary R&D centers 4 frontier research domains: Biotechnology, Scientific Skincare, Emotional Skincare, and Skin Data Science

frontier research domains: Biotechnology, Scientific Skincare, Emotional Skincare, and Skin Data Science 6 joint laboratories

joint laboratories 20+ academic and industry partnerships

As of mid-2025, skincare represents more than half of Yatsen's total revenue - positioning the company among the top ten Chinese beauty enterprises by R&D investment and scientific capability.

"The future of beauty will be defined at the intersection of science, sustainability, and culture," said David Huang. "Our mission is to help shape that future - responsibly, collaboratively, and globally."

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--FAMSUN Launched Its Premium New Brand

YANGZHOU, China, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On November 12, 2025, FAMSUN Co., Ltd., a globally leading player in the agri-food equipment industry, held a global launch ceremony for its premium brand FAMSCEND in Yangzhou, where its HQs are located. The event, themed "Innovate  Ascend  Nourish", brought together over 160 industrial leaders and partners from the high-end food and pet food sectors in the world to witness the brand's maiden voyage. It also marked FAMSUN's official entry into the equipment industry for pet food and human healthy food, ushering in a strategic shift from scale leadership to value guidance.

Jack CHEN, President of FAMSUN, stated, "FAMSCEND will specialize in the processing equipment for pet food and human healthy foods, committed to creating sustainable value for global clients through four core capabilities - innovation, systematization, digitalization, and symbiosis." Jason FAN, Vice President of FAMSUN, added, "The new brand will empower the global clients with more stable, efficient, and intelligent solutions."

During the launch ceremony, seminars on cutting-edge technologies for the industry were also held, focusing on green manufacturing and intelligent trends. FAMSCEND's comprehensive solutions and symbiotic concepts were highly recognized by its global clients.

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BEIJING, Nov. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On November 11, the "Yangtze Culture Forum  Tiangong Kaiwu Culture Roundtable", themed "Decoding Industrial Genetics, Building a Shared Tech Future," was held in Beijing. Hosted by the News & Information Center of Xinhua News Agency and Xinhua News Agency Jiangxi Branch, and organized by the CPC Xinyu Municipal Committee and the Xinyu Municipal People's Government, the event brought together experts, scholars, and industry representatives from the fields of science and technology, culture, and economics to discuss the contemporary value of Tiangong Kaiwu and explore the inspiration that traditional Chinese culture offers for technological innovation and global cooperation.

A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link.

Tiangong Kaiwu, authored by the Ming Dynasty scientist Song Yingxing and completed in Fenyi County, Xinyu City, Jiangxi Province, is a comprehensive scientific and technological work that embodies ancient Chinese technological and craft civilization. The participating experts engaged in in-depth discussions on the book's scientific, technological, and cultural value, its international influence, and pathways for the creative transformation and innovative development of outstanding traditional Chinese culture. As the place where Tiangong Kaiwu was written, Xinyu City has in recent years continuously promoted the excavation and revitalization of the book's cultural value. Focusing on the "Five Goals" - to become a base for inheriting ancient Chinese scientific and technological civilization, an international exchange site for Tiangong Kaiwu culture, a practice ground for the integration of culture and technology, a project host for inheriting and developing key elements of Chinese culture, and a national destination for youth science education and study tours - Xinyu has actively explored ways to preserve industrial civilization, promote industrial upgrading, and foster the integration of culture and tourism.

The opening ceremony also launched the "Eastern Wisdom, Global Resonance" - Tiangong Kaiwu Culture Global Promotion Initiative. The Xinyu Municipal People's Government signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement with the Industrial Culture Development Center of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and also reached a cooperation agreement with the Institute for the History of Natural Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, further strengthening the inheritance, research, and innovative application of Tiangong Kaiwu culture.

On the same day, the "Invest in Xinyu" 2025 Beijing Meeting was held, building a bridge for Xinyu to connect with high-quality resources in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. This meeting attracted numerous enterprises, institutions, and experts based in Beijing to participate actively and facilitated the formation of several cooperative intentions. It not only demonstrated Xinyu's industrial foundation and development potential as a new industrial powerhouse but also highlighted its sincerity in deepening regional cooperation and inviting global investors to jointly explore development opportunities.

Source: The News & Information Center of Xinhua News Agency

Contact for media only: Contact person: Mr. Wang, Tel: 86-10-63074558
Researchers, engineers, and students invited to compete in two-day hackathon for the opportunity to build and test the next generation of high-performing, trustworthy AI agents

LONDON, UK / ACCESS Newswire / November 13, 2025 / Holistic AI, the global leader in AI governance platforms, and University College London (UCL) today announced the Great Agent Hack 2025, a two-day competition bringing together 200 researchers, engineers, and students to build and test the next generation of high-performing, trustworthy AI agents.

Taking place November 15-16 at UCL East Campus, London, the event challenges participants to design AI agents that are strong in performance, transparent in operation, and trustworthy in behavior, the three main pillars of safe and reliable agentic AI. Teams will compete for over $65,000 in prizes, internships, mentorship from industry experts, published research opportunities, as well as the admiration of their peers.

Why Agentic AI Matters Now

Unlike traditional AI models that compute outputs and then return answers to a given request, agentic AI goes further, perceiving, planning, acting, and adapting in open-ended environments. This autonomy brings unprecedented potential and new risks.

Without strength, agents can fail under pressure.

Without visibility, organizations can't troubleshoot when agents veer off course or make the wrong decisions.

Without trust, innovation slows due to hidden vulnerabilities and uncertainty.

The Great Agent Hack 2025 bridges innovation and governance, helping participants develop practical ways to evaluate, explain, and ensure the safety of agentic AI prior to large-scale deployment. "Agentic AI changes the risk landscape. These systems reason, act, and adapt in ways we can't fully predict, and managing that behavior demands new ways of identifying, evaluating, and mitigating risk," said Adriano Koshiyama, Co-CEO of Holistic AI. "This hackathon is where that creativity comes to life. When people across organizations and disciplines come together to build and evaluate these systems, we move from understanding to innovation, quickly and safely."

Three Tracks. One Mission.

Participants will compete across three themed tracks designed to test three critical dimensions of agentic design:

Agent Iron Man - Performance meets safety when participants compete to build robust agents that operate effectively under pressure without losing control.

Agent Glass Box - Explainability and transparency takes center stage as participants make agents' reasoning visible, interpretable, and accountable.

Dear Grandma - Alignment and harm detection are featured as participants stress-test agents for safety and ethical alignment under unpredictable scenarios.

Supported by AWS, NVIDIA, Valyu, PGIM's RealAssetX, and UCL's Centres for Digital Innovation (CDI) and Sustainability & RealTech Innovation (CSRI), the event bridges academia and industry to advance safe, scalable AI innovation.

"At the UCL Centre for Digital Innovation, we are committed to advancing responsible technology - proving that strong safeguards and cutting-edge AI can progress together," said Graca Carvalho, Director of the UCL Centre for Digital Innovation. "Partnering with Holistic AI and the event sponsors on the Great Agent Hack 2025 reflects this belief in action, creating a space where ambitious technical innovation is developed hand-in-hand with real-world accountability."

"The Great Agent Hack 2025 brings together researchers, engineers, and students to explore how agentic AI can be made stronger, safer, and more transparent," said Shakirah Akinwale, Director of the UCL Centre for Sustainability and RealTech Innovation. "By partnering with Holistic AI, we're connecting research rigor with real-world application to ensure AI agents operate as intended, responsibly and effectively."

Registration and full details are available at hackathon.holisticai.com .

Event Summary

Dates: November 15-16, 2025

Location: UCL East Campus, London

Prize Pool: $65,000

Hosts: Holistic AI & University College London

Tracks: Agent Iron Man, Agent Glass Box, Dear Grandma

About Holistic AI

Founded in 2020, Holistic AI helps enterprises adopt and scale AI with confidence. Its AI Governance Platform gives organizations full visibility and control across their AI ecosystems, reducing risk, ensuring compliance, and embedding trust throughout the AI lifecycle.

Trusted by global leaders including Unilever, MAPFRE, and Allegis Group, Holistic AI also works with global regulators and research institutions including, OECD's Network of Experts on AI, the Alan Turing Institute, and the Bank of England AI Consortium, among others.

holisticai.com

About University College London

UCL is one of the world's top research universities and a global leader in AI innovation, ethics, and governance. Through its Faculty of Engineering Sciences and Centre for Artificial Intelligence, UCL has helped shape the modern AI landscape, from breakthroughs in machine learning to pioneering work in AI safety and transparency.

ucl.ac.uk

Contact Information

Mary Camarata

SVP Marketing Communications

mary.camarata@holisticai.com

(408) 644-0547

SOURCE: Holistic AI

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/computers-technology-and-internet/holistic-ai-joins-forces-with-university-college-london-in-great-1100631
Four Consecutive Quarters of Strong Gross Margins and Operational Discipline Drive $7.2M in Adjusted EBITDA and $3.6M in Net Income Over Trailing-Twelve Months.

TORONTO, ONTARIO / ACCESS Newswire / November 13, 2025 / Pivotree Inc. (TSXV:PVT) ("Pivotree" or the "Company"), a leader in frictionless commerce solutions, today reported financial results for the three and nine month period ended September 30, 2025. All amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated.

"We've turned Pivotree into a consistent EBITDA1 and cash producer, with our third consecutive quarter of profitability delivering $900k in net income." said Bill Di Nardo, CEO of Pivotree. "Our operational discipline and client-focused execution have established the solid foundation we needed. Now, as we navigate the rapidly evolving AI and commerce technology landscape, we are well positioned to capitalize on the growth opportunities ahead."

Pivotree also announced today that it has released a letter to shareholders from Bill Di Nardo, CEO. The letter can be accessed from the Company's website at investor.pivotree.com and filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Third Quarter 2025 Financial Highlights

(All figures are in Canadian dollars and all comparisons are relative to the three-month period ended September 30, 2024 unless otherwise stated):

Net income of $0.9 million compared to a net loss of $5.1 million for the prior year period, primarily due to reduced operating expenses as a result of prior year restructure efforts.

Adjusted EBITDA 1 of $1.8 million compared to an adjusted EBITDA 1 of $(0.8) million for the prior year period. The continued strength in EBITDA is the result of the improved gross margins and operational expense restructuring that took place during 2024.

The business realized sequential quarter growth within Managed and IP Solutions (MIPS) which was offset by declines in Legacy Managed Services (LMS) as described below, leading to total revenue of $15.5 million and a 17.7% decline from Q3 2024 Managed and IP Solutions (MIPS) Revenue increased 2.3% to $3.9M in Q3 2025, from $3.8M in Q3 2024, related to strong double-digit growth in SKU build, helping more than offset a decline in application support largely driven by a single customer. Legacy Managed Services (LMS) Revenue declined 56.7% to $2.1M in Q3 2025, from $4.9M in Q3 2024, related to churn and melt of Legacy Oracle customers. Professional Services Revenue of $9.5 million, a decrease of 6.5%. These three month ended results contain new customer projects, which helped partially offset completed projects from the prior year.

Gross margin improved to 46.8% of total revenue yielding gross profit of $7.3 million, compared to $7.3 million or 38.7% of revenue for the prior year period. Professional service margins were particularly strong, contributing to the overall gross margin improvement.

Third Quarter 2025 Business Highlights

The Commerce group delivered strong Total Contract Value (TCV) bookings, highlighted by multiple seven-figure extensions for integration projects. Additionally, the group secured a number of smaller extensions across its VTEX and microservices engagements. Notably, Q3 saw a significant spike in LMS TCV bookings, driven by renewals of Oracle contracts.

The Data team had success securing six new logos in Q3. These wins include key implementations of Stibo and Akeneo, with two projects initiating with a SKU Build commitment. The group also secured two new logos specifically for SKU Build Proof-of-Concepts. Multiple renewals across our application support contracts also contributed to the group's overall MIPS TCV bookings for the quarter.

Q3 marked the best quarter of TCV bookings in FY25 for the Supply Chain business. This performance was largely driven by securing a number of large extensions for OMS Professional Services engagements.

Third Quarter 2025 Results

Selected Financial Measures

Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2025 2024 $ Change % Change 2025 2024 $ Change % Change $ $ $ % $ $ $ % MIPS 3,913,621 3,823,810 89,811 2.3 % 11,316,720 11,840,798 (524,078 ) -4.4 % LMS 2,108,404 4,863,979 (2,755,575 ) -56.7 % 9,464,516 15,440,976 (5,976,460 ) -38.7 % Total MIPS & LMS 6,022,025 8,687,789 (2,665,764 ) -30.7 % 20,781,236 27,281,774 (6,500,538 ) -23.8 % Professional Services 9,468,110 10,129,300 (661,190 ) -6.5 % 31,145,280 32,726,981 (1,581,701 ) -4.8 % Total Revenue 15,490,135 18,817,089 (3,326,954 ) -17.7 % 51,926,516 60,008,755 (8,082,239 ) -13.5 %

Results of Operations

The following table outlines our consolidated statements of income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024.

Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2025 2024 2025 2024 $ $ $ $ Revenue 15,490,135 18,817,089 51,926,516 60,008,755 Cost of revenue 8,233,841 11,542,539 28,248,546 34,221,224 Gross profit 7,256,294 7,274,550 23,677,970 25,787,531 Operating expenses General and administrative 2,028,040 2,648,359 5,827,879 8,333,204 Sales and marketing 2,023,164 2,104,542 5,908,106 7,418,941 Research and development 224,405 522,648 1,049,447 1,408,966 IT and Operations 1,587,486 2,715,474 5,053,230 9,147,994 Loss (gain) on foreign exchange (405,474 ) 120,063 326,859 (190,790 ) Amortization and Depreciation 555,027 1,543,901 3,143,635 5,728,793 Stock based compensation 223,295 238,148 653,186 712,199 Restructuring and Other - 2,299,829 - 4,372,792 Interest 20,574 41,052 74,681 119,956 6,256,517 12,234,016 22,037,023 37,052,055 Income (loss) before other items 999,777 (4,959,466 ) 1,640,947 (11,264,524 ) Interest income 29,721 21,541 45,825 137,005 Gain on sale of intangible assets - - 2,373,197 - Operating income (loss) 1,029,498 (4,937,924 ) 4,059,969 (11,127,519 ) Current taxes (91,980 ) (147,006 ) (349,330 ) (546,468 ) Net income (loss) 937,518 (5,084,931 ) 3,710,639 (11,673,987 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) Foreign translation adjustment 176,587 (369,671 ) (1,163,387 ) 233,211 Comprehensive income (loss) 1,114,105 (5,454,602 ) 2,547,252 (11,440,776 ) Loss per share - basic 0.04 (0.19 ) 0.14 (0.44 ) Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic 26,401,536 26,365,127 26,396,704 26,346,573

Cash Flows

2025 2024 2025 2024 $ $ $ $ Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 8,579,344 6,236,085 3,877,687 8,619,161 Net cash provided by (used in): Operating activities 3,635,711 (267,159 ) 7,400,891 (2,629,585 ) Investing activities (285,764 ) (372,308 ) 1,073,605 187,547 Financing activities (170,782 ) (105,956 ) (496,354 ) (717,421 ) Effect of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents 11,538 (13,557 ) (85,782 ) 17,403 Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 3,190,703 (758,980 ) 7,892,360 (3,142,056 ) Cash and cash equivalents, end of period 11,770,047 5,477,105 11,770,047 5,477,105

Conference Call

Management will host a live Zoom Video Webinar on Wednesday, November 13, 2025 at 8:30 am ET to discuss these third quarter 2025 results. The webinar can be accessed through the following registration link: https://pivotree.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YTmcVLMjQ0OtQritFd4h7g.

A replay will be available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the live event and posted on https://investor.pivotree.com/.

Non-IFRS Measures and Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Measures

This press release makes reference to certain non-IFRS measures including key performance indicators used by management and typically used by our competitors in the technology industry. These measures are not recognized measures under IFRS and do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and are therefore not necessarily comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Rather, these measures are provided as additional information to complement those IFRS measures by providing further understanding of our results of operations from management's perspective. Accordingly, these measures should not be considered in isolation nor as a substitute for analysis of our financial information reported under IFRS. These non-IFRS measures and technology metrics are used to provide investors with supplemental measures of our operating performance and liquidity and thus highlight trends in our business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on IFRS measures. We also believe that securities analysts, investors and other interested parties frequently use non-IFRS measures, including technology industry metrics, in the evaluation of companies in the technology industry. Management also uses non-IFRS measures and technology industry metrics in order to facilitate operating performance comparisons from period to period, the preparation of annual operating budgets and forecasts and to determine components of executive compensation. The non-IFRS measures and technology industry metrics referred to in this press release include "Total Contract Value Booking", "EBITDA" and "Adjusted EBITDA". ??Additional details for these non-IFRS and other financial measures can be found under the heading "Key Performance Indicators" in our MD&A for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com, which includes explanations of the composition and usefulness of these non-IFRS financial measures and is incorporated by reference in this press release.

Forward-looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to the Company's future financial outlook and anticipated events or results and may include information regarding the Company's financial position, business strategy, growth strategies, addressable markets, budgets, operations, financial results, taxes, dividend policy, plans and objectives. Particularly, information regarding the Company's expectations of future results, performance, achievements, prospects or opportunities or the markets in which the Company operates is forward-looking information. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "targets", "expects", "budgets", "scheduled", "estimates", "outlook", "forecasts", "projects", "prospects", "strategy", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", or "will" occur. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, intentions, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts but instead represent management's expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events or circumstances. The forward-looking information contained herein includes, but is not limited to, proposed expansion of the Company's market position, potential acquisitions, the conversion of sales pipelines to confirmed bookings, and the achievement and maintenance of profitability metrics, such as Gross Profit, Gross Margin, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Net Income (loss), and Comprehensive Income (loss).

Forward-looking information is necessarily based on a number of opinions, estimates and assumptions that, while considered by the Company to be appropriate and reasonable as of the date of this letter, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: risks and uncertainties associated with market conditions; our ability to execute on our growth strategies; our ability to create and protect unique intellectual property and enter new markets; the impact of changing conditions in the global e-commerce market, including increasing competition and changes in approach in the e-commerce software as a service solution or infrastructure market; our inability to achieve confirmed bookings from our sales pipeline and the risk that customers in our sales pipeline move their business to one of our competitors; changes in the expectations, financial condition and demand of our target markets; changes or increases in the difficulty of avoiding cyber or data security threats, or compliance with data security regulators that may impact our business; our ability to continue to execute accretive acquisitions; our ability to maintain and build our reputation with clients; fluctuations in currency exchange rates and volatility in financial markets; developments and changes in applicable laws and regulations; and such other factors discussed in greater detail under the "Risk Factors" section of the prospectus of the Company dated October 23, 2020 (the "Prospectus").

If any of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if the opinions, estimates or assumptions underlying forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results or future events might vary materially from those anticipated in forward-looking information. The opinions, estimates or assumptions referred to above and the risk factors described in the "Risk Factors" section of the prospectus of the Company dated October 23, 2020 should be considered carefully.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other risk factors not presently known to the Company or that the Company presently believes is not material that could also cause actual results or future events to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking information. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information, which speaks only as of the date made. Forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the Company's expectations as of the date of this press release (or as of the date they are otherwise stated to be made), and are subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities laws.

About Pivotree

Pivotree, a leader in frictionless commerce, strategizes, designs, builds, and manages digital Commerce, Data Management, and Supply Chain solutions for over 150 major retailers and branded manufacturers globally. With a portfolio of digital products as well as managed and professional services, Pivotree provides businesses of all sizes with true end-to-end solutions. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with offices and customers in the Americas, EMEA, and APAC, Pivotree is widely recognized for its partnership with top brands across industries. For more information, visit www.pivotree.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

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.

For further information, please contact:

Mo Ashoor, Chief Financial Officer

investor@pivotree.com

613-714-4702

SOURCE: Pivotree

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/consumer-and-retail-products/pivotree-announces-third-quarter-2025-results-1100886
District ranks first statewide on 2025 MCAS Science assessments, with nearly half of student population achieving top grade "exceeding expectations"

NORTH READING, MASSACHUSETTS / ACCESS Newswire / November 13, 2025 / Students in North Reading Public Schools achieved the highest science scores in Massachusetts on the 2025 Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) for elementary Science and Technology/Engineering.

North Reading Students Testing in Science

A key element of North Reading Public Schools' science program, KnowAtom, challenges student to develop their own models and test their own ideas hands-on in small teams.

The district ranked first among 319 public and charter districts statewide, with 92% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency expectations. This placed North Reading six points ahead of the next highest district. Nearly half of all students, 47%, achieved the top level of "Exceeds Expectations,"nine points higher than any other district in the state.

With proficiency rates reaching 95% in multiple cohorts, North Reading's success represents a district-wide culture of excellence that ensures all students have access to high-quality science learning experiences.

"The dedication of our teachers and administrators, along with support from KnowAtom's inquiry based curriculum, gives every student a chance to engage deeply with science," said Sean Killeen, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching & Learning. "Our educators continue to engage students' curiosity, hands-on learning, and make meaningful real-world connections which show in these results."

For more than a decade, North Reading Public Schools have partnered with KnowAtom, a Massachusetts-based company and national provider of high-quality hands-on instructional materials, curriculum, and professional development for K-8 schools in NGSS adaptive and adoptive states, including Massachusetts' STE Frameworks. This partnership equips teachers with research-based tools that help students think critically, conduct experiments, and reason like scientists and engineers to develop a lifelong understanding of key skills and concepts.

"When students apply what they learn through inquiry-based science instruction, they are encouraged to explore phenomena, ask meaningful questions, and uncover scientific concepts. Engaging in these inquiry-driven experiences enhances both their engagement and academic achievement." , Grade 5 Teacher/Science Curriculum Leader - Batchelder School, Tina Borek.

Massachusetts consistently ranks among the top states in the nation for public education (Consumer Affairs, 2024). Within this highly competitive landscape, North Reading's results stand out. While other leading districts such as Sudbury, Andover, Dover, and Brookline reported between 24% and 25% of students exceeding expectations, North Reading reached well above at 47% and maintained the highest overall proficiency rate.

"These results reflect what happens when teachers are trusted as professionals and equipped with effectively designed and appropriately supported resources. With KnowAtom, educators create classrooms where students take responsibility for their learning, think independently, and develop the habits of mind that drive achievement in science and beyond.," said Francis Vigeant, CEO of KnowAtom. "We're proud to support communities like North Reading that are creating learning environments where students think critically and learn more deeply than conventional, screen-first or textbook-only approaches typically allow."

Contact Information

Nicole Lanoue

Press Contact

nlanoue@knowatom.com

617-475-3475 x2002

SOURCE: KnowAtom, LLC

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/education/north-reading-public-schools-lead-massachusetts-in-science-achievement-1101865
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 13, 2025) - Canadian Copper Inc. (CSE: CCI) ("Canadian Copper" or the "Company") announces that it has closed its non-brokered private placement consisting of 75,000,000 units at a price of $0.20 per unit for gross proceeds of $15,000,000 ("Private Placement") previously announced on October 2nd, 2025. The Company would like to welcome strategic investor Stephens Investment Management LLC, founded by Mr. Paul H. Stephens, a leading figure in U.S. west coast asset management and investment banking for over forty years.

Simon Quick, CEO of Canadian Copper stated: "This is a good milestone for Canadian Copper. Investor demand for this financing has been considerable, both from existing investors and new institutional shareholders. Subject to final conditions being satisfied, this financing will enable us to complete the acquisition of the existing Caribou mill and shift our immediate focus on executing the development strategy of Murray Brook and Caribou combined. It is clear from last week's federal budget that national critical mineral supply is a key and increasing area of concern for Canada. Canadian Copper is well positioned as part of the near-term metal supply solution by combining the only permitted milling complex in New Brunswick with a large open pit base metal resource."

Private Placement

The Company plans to use the financing proceeds to complete the previously announced Caribou Processing Complex transaction ("Caribou") in addition to advancing certain key development activities addressed in the June 2025 Preliminary Economic Assessment, such as:

Complete the remaining $6M payment to satisfy the Caribou transaction. Customary closing conditions such as Mining Lease transfer and other items should occur in Q4, 2025 pending court availability and discussions with the New Brunswick Government. Complete necessary environmental baseline studies this year to support the submission of the Environmental Impact Assessment ("EIA") in H1, 2026. An update on these activities will be issued in November 2025. Complete a 1,000-meter metallurgical drill program and testwork to refine process plant operating costs and recovery performance. The drill program is well underway with ~750 meters completed to date. An update on these activities will be issued in November 2025. Identify engineering design requirements associated with the Murray Brook deposit that are necessary for provincial construction and operating permits. The Caribou Process Complex itself is already permitted and maintains all required compliance with the appropriate regulatory authorities. An update on these activities will be issue by Q1, 2026 including engineering group(s) selection.

Crescat Capital LLC ("Crescat") Shareholder Agreement and Participation Right

In connection with its private placement, Crescat and the Company have entered into a Shareholder Agreement and Grant of Participation Right. Under these agreements, Crescat holds the right to participate in future equity financings on the same terms as other investors, allowing it to maintain its pro-rata ownership interest. Based on this closed financing, Crescat's current pro-rata interest participation right to maintain is 5.4%.

Shareholder Meeting Results

The Company held a special meeting of shareholders on November 10th, 2025, to vote on the size of the private placement, the upsize of the private placement, and the participation of Ocean Partners in the private placement making Ocean Partners a new control person of the Company in accordance with the Canadian Security Exchange policies. 51,224,166 Shareholders voted representing 48.77% of all Shareholders, overwhelmingly approving the matters as follows:

Matter Voted On Voting Results Percentage

of Vote Approval of the private placement of more than 50% of the current issued and outstanding shares of the Company For: 51,220,138

Against: 4,028 99.99%

0.01% Approval of the upsize to the private placement of more than 100% of the current issued and outstanding shares of the Company For: 51,219,138

Against: 5,028 99.99%

0.01% Approval of the participation of Ocean Partners in the private placement and creation of a new control person For: 4,5667,475

Against: 1,135

Abstained: 5,555,556 99.99%

0.01%

Corporate Changes

The Company announces that Erik H. Martin has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), succeeding Jing Peng of Marrelli Support Services Inc. ("Marrelli"), today. Mr. Martin brings over 32 years of experience in financial disclosure and management, primarily focused in publicly listed resource companies. Prior to joining Canadian Copper Inc., Mr. Martin previously served as the CFO for Votorantim Metals Canadian Inc., the previous owner of the Murray Brook Project. Mr. Martin is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting from the University of Quebec at Rimouski. He also received his Certified Management Accountant (CMA) accreditation in 1996. Canadian Copper would like to thank Jing and Marrelli for their excellent contributions to the Company.

The Company also announces that it has changed its auditor from Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton LLP ("Former Auditor") to McGovern Hurley LLP ("Successor Auditor" or "MHC"), effective November 12th, 2025. The change in auditors was approved by the Board of Directors as-well as the incoming CFO.

Additional Matters

As announced prior, each unit of the Private Placement will consist of one common share of the Company and one  share purchase warrant. The warrant is one  warrant with a twelve-month expiry and an exercise price of $0.25. The warrant will be subjected to an accelerated exercise clause in the event the Company's share price exceeds $0.30 for ten consecutive trading days on a volume weighted average price basis.

The Company paid finder's fees to certain arm's-length third parties consists of a cash commission of up to 7% of the gross proceeds of the Private Placement for an aggregate amount of $522,550 and up to 7% in finder warrants at the same terms of warrants issued as part of the Private Placement for an aggregate of 1,947,750 finder warrants. A statutory four month plus one day hold period will apply to all securities issued in connection with the Private Placement.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in the United States nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States unless registered under the 1933 Act and any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements is

available.

Certain directors and other insiders of the Company participated in the Private Placement and subscribed for 175,000 units for an aggregate price of $35,000, an amount no more than the maximum amount permissible under applicable securities laws and regulatory rules. Participation by the directors and other insiders in the Private Placement is considered 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 insiders' participation in the Private Placement in reliance on sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 in that the fair market value (as determined under MI 61-101) of any securities issued under the Private Placement (and the consideration paid to the Company therefor) to interested parties (as defined under MI 61-101) did not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization (as determined under MI 61-101).

The Former Auditor's reports on the Company's financial statements for the two most recent fiscal years ended October 31, 2024, and October 31, 2023, did not contain any modifications or reservations, and there were no reportable events as defined in National Instrument 51-102 (Continuous Disclosure Obligations) in connection with their audits through to the date of change.

In accordance with NI 51-102, the Company has filed a Notice of Change of Auditor along with the required letters from both the Former Auditor and the Successor Auditor on SEDAR+.

About Canadian Copper Inc.

Canadian Copper is a Canadian-based mineral exploration and development company with defined copper and other base metals resources. The Company is focused on the prolific Bathurst Mining Camp (BMC) of New Brunswick, Canada. There are currently 184,148,752 shares issued and outstanding in the Company.

Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note and Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding the Private Placement and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Often, but not always, forward looking information can be identified by words such as "pro forma", "plans", "expects", "will", "may", "should", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "potential" or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, statements as to the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, including the Company's option to acquire properties under the Puma Option Agreement, the proposed expenditures for exploration work thereon, the ability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to fund its business activities and plans, delays in obtaining governmental and regulatory approvals (including of the CSE), permits or financing, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, the Company's limited operating history, currency fluctuations, title disputes or claims, environmental issues and liabilities, as well as those factors discussed under the heading "Risk and Uncertainties" in the Company's annual management discussion and analysis for the year ended October 31, 2024 and other filings of the Company with the Canadian Securities Authorities, copies of which can be found under the Company's profile on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this presentation or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/274294

SOURCE: Canadian Copper Inc.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 13, 2025) - Powermax Minerals Inc. (CSE: PMAX) (OTCQB: PWMXF) (FSE: T23) ("Powermax" or the "Company") is pleased to announce, further to its news release dated November 3rd, 2025 regarding its entry into an option agreement ("Option Agreement") pursuant to which it may acquire a 100% ("Option Arrangement") interest in and to the Pinard Rare Earths project ("Project"), subject to a 1.5% net smelter returns royalty ("NSR"), that the Company has issued 160,000 common shares and made an initial milestone payment of $18,000 to the Property optionors.

Under the terms of the Option Agreement, the Company may acquire the Project, subject to the NSR, by making the following cash and share payments to the optionors ("Optionors"):

Due Date Common Share Payments Cash Payment (CAD) Upon signing the Option Agreement ("Effective Date") - $18,000 Within 7 business days of receipt of approval from the Canadian Securities Exchange 160,000 - On the 1st anniversary of the Effective Date 160,000 $16,000 On the 2nd anniversary of the Effective Date - $24,000 On the 3rd anniversary of the Effective Date - $32,000 Total 320,000 $90,000

The Company notes that the NSR is subject to a buyback right in favour of the Company, under which the Company may reduce the NSR to 1.0% by making a payment of $500,000 to the Optionors.

The Project is located in northern Ontario, Canada, roughly 70 km north-northeast of the town of Kapuskasing, and is defined by 255 contiguous mining claims spanning a total of 5178 ha. The mining claims and patents can be easily accessed by 44 pick-up truck using an all-weather access road.

The Pinard Intrusive Rock Complex is an Alkaline igneous host with rocks ranging from nepheline syenites and trachyte's to peralkaline granites. These complexes usually occur in plate tectonic settings associated with rifts, faults, or hotspot magmatism (Sage, 1988). Early Precambrian aged formations like the Pinard Complex are typical of the Kapuskasing Sup-Province Geology and is similar to the Clay Howell Intrusive, which hosts a REE deposit 20 kilometers to the SW of the Pinard Property.

Figure 1: Pinard REE Project Property Location Map

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11633/274304_df5a7a7014073977_002full.jpg

Qualified Person

Afzaal Pirzada, P.Geo., a Director of the Company and a "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101, reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information disclosed in this press release.

About Powermax Minerals Inc.

Powermax Minerals Inc. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on advancing rare earth element projects. The Company holds an option to acquire the Cameron REE Property, comprising three mineral claims totaling approximately 2,984 hectares in British Columbia. Powermax also optioned to acquire the Atikokan REE Property, consisting of 455 unpatented mining claims in NW Ontario. Powermax also owns a 100% interest in the Ogden Bear Lodge Project, in Crook County, Wyoming.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for the statements of historical fact, this news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation that is based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. "Forward-looking information" in this news release includes: statements involving the potential acquisition of the Project; expectations involving the Option Arrangement and NSR; and anticipated receipt of CSE approvals. The forward-looking information in this news release reflects the current expectations, assumptions and/or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. The Company has also assumed that no significant events occur outside of the Company's normal course of business. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking information are reasonable, forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such information due to the inherent uncertainty therein. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information unless required by applicable law.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in CSE Policies) 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/274304

SOURCE: Powermax Minerals Inc.
All economic indicators have substantially improved:

Consolidated turnover of 1,819.8 million (1,669.6 as at 30 September 2024)

EBITDA of 335.5 million (275.5 as at 30 September 2024)

EBIT of 281.0 million (224.2 as at 30 September 2024)

Pre-tax profit of 268.1 million (216.0 as at 30 September 2024)

Positive Net Financial Position of 423.1 million.

Today, the Board of Directors of Reply [EXM, STAR: REY] approved the results as at 30 September 2025.

The Group's consolidated turnover in the first nine months of the year reached 1,819.8 million, an increase of 9.0% compared to 1,669.6 million recorded on 30 September 2024.

The indicators for the period are positive. Consolidated EBITDA was 335.5 million, equal to 18.4% of the consolidated revenues. As of September 2024 EBITDA was 275.5 million.

EBIT, from January to September, reached 281.0 million, equal to 15.4% of the consolidated revenues. The corresponding 2024 figure was 224.2 million.

Pre-tax profit, from January to September 2025, was 268.1 million, equal to 14.7% of the revenues. As of September 2024 pre-tax profit stood at 216.0 million.

For the third quarter of the year, the Group's performance is positive, with consolidated turnover for the period of 598.5 million compared to 553.8 million of the third quarter 2024.

EBITDA, from July to September 2025, was equal to 111.8, million, with an EBIT of 92.7 million and pre-tax profit of 88.7 million.

As at 30 September 2025 the Group's net financial position was positive at 423.1 million. The net financial position as at 30 June 2025 was positive for 362.5 million.

"In the first nine months of 2025 said Mario Rizzante our group has been able to grow across all market segments where it operates, thanks to a distinctive ability to adapt to the increasingly pervasive evolution of artificial intelligence."

"Agentic architectures are opening a new frontier for digital enterprises continues Mario Rizzante representing the natural evolution of today's artificial intelligence models. We are no longer talking only about algorithms that analyze data or generate outputs, but about systems with capabilities of interaction, collaboration, and decisions making, integrating dynamically and in a distributed way within business processes."

"Today, many companies are already experimenting with agentic solutions, but only few have truly managed to scale them. It is a complex transition that requires not only technology, but also a new architectural mindset: bringing data closer to agents, enabling intelligent orchestration, and above all, ensuring the highest levels of security and integrity in autonomous systems. This is the turning point between experimentation and transformation."

"For this reason concludes Mario Rizzante in the coming months we will continue to invest in building truly agentic AI ecosystems: distributed architectures capable of learning from contexts, adapting in real time, and cooperating safely. Our goal is to help clients bring to life organizations where artificial intelligence is not just a support, but a native component of the decision-making and operational process. This marks the beginning of a new era in software engineering, where every system becomes an increasingly active part of the enterprise."

The manager responsible for preparing the company's financial reports, Giuseppe Veneziano, states in accordance with Paragraph 2 of Article 154-bis of the Consolidated Finance Act, that the accounting information contained in this press release corresponds to the company's records, ledgers and accounting entries

REPLY

Reply [EXM, STAR: REY, ISIN: IT0005282865] specialises in the design and implementation of solutions based on new communication channels and digital media. As a network of highly specialised companies, Reply supports major industrial groups in the telecom and media; industry and services; banking and insurance and public sectors in defining and developing business models enabled by the new paradigms of AI, cloud computing, digital media and the internet of things. Reply's services include: consulting, system integration and digital services. www.reply.com

This press release is a translation, the Italian version will prevail.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251113771001/en/

Contacts:

Media Contacts

Reply

Fabio Zappelli

f.zappelli@reply.com

Tel. +390117711594

Investor Relation Contacts

Reply

Michael Lueckenkoetter

m.lueckenkoetter@reply.com

Tel. +49524150091017

Paolo Capitelli

p.capitelli@reply.com

Tel. +390117711594
KYIV, Ukraine, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Horizon Capital, a leading private equity firm based in Ukraine, is proud to be honoured with the 2025 Deal Innovation Award by the Global Private Capital Association (GPCA). The award recognizes Horizon Capital's leadership and innovation in structuring and executing the acquisition of Datagroup-Volia-Lifecell (DVL Telecom) - one of Ukraine's largest M&A transactions in decades - by a consortium led by global telecom and tech entrepreneur Xavier Niel's NJJ Holding. GPCA is a leading international association representing over 300 private capital funds and institutional investors from over 60 countries.

The organization commended Horizon Capital's vision and professionalism in transforming Datagroup, driving 3.8x revenue growth and 4.8x EBITDA growth over five years, while delivering inclusive, sustainable value creation. The award further recognizes Horizon Capital's innovative approach to partnership and capital structuring. To accelerate NJJ's market entry to Ukraine, its fund Horizon Capital Growth Fund II, L.P. partnered with NJJ, investing 10% alongside NJJ in DVL Telecom, and raising $435 million in debt financing from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to conclude this transaction. This transaction represents a $1.5 billion investment for Ukraine, in acquisition price and guaranteed capex, despite ongoing war, underscoring the confidence of international investors in Ukraine's resilience and secure future.

"We are deeply honoured to receive this recognition from GPCA, which reflects Horizon Capital's commitment to mobilizing significant capital for Ukrainian companies, broadening the size and scale of bankable opportunities in the country, and accelerating the entry of top-tier global investors to Ukraine now, not waiting for the war to end," said Lenna Koszarny, Founding Partner and CEO of Horizon Capital. "This award is shared with our partner Xavier Niel and the NJJ team, with Mykhailo Shelemba and the Datagroup-Volia-Lifecell team, and with the incredible Ukrainian business community demonstrating extraordinary resilience, strength and determination in overcoming challenging circumstances", she added.

GPCA's distinguished jury noted that the Datagroup-Volia-lifecell transaction demonstrated "confidence not only in Ukraine's resilience but also in Horizon Capital's ability to execute landmark deals under significant geopolitical risk."

"The success of the Datagroup-Volia-lifecell deal demonstrates how targeted, value-added investment can create outsized impact even in challenging times. This aligns with our core strategy for our future Catalyst Fund, which concentrates on partnering with global strategic and financial investors to accelerate their entry into the Ukrainian market and to provide essential capital for the country's reconstruction, particularly in vital sectors including energy, digital infrastructure, and construction materials and services" added Dmytro Boroday, Partner at Horizon Capital.

Horizon Capital is dedicated to partnering with visionary founders and companies transforming Ukraine, driving growth, innovation, and long-term value for these businesses and the country.

About the Global Private Capital Association (GPCA): The Global Private Capital Association (GPCA) is an international membership organization representing private capital investors who manage more than $2 trillion in assets across Asia, Latin America, Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. GPCA connects investors and stakeholders, promotes industry best practices, and highlights the vital role of private capital in driving economic growth and innovation worldwide.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2822448/Horizon_Capital_GPCA_Award.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/horizon-capital-wins-2025-deal-innovation-award-from-the-global-private-capital-association-for-datagroup-volia-lifecell-transaction-302614453.html
Hundreds rescued from terrorist attack on NW Pakistan college

Xinhua) 08:27, November 13, 2025

ISLAMABAD, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of students were rescued after Pakistani security forces foiled a terrorist attack on a cadet college in South Waziristan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in the country's northwest, security sources told Xinhua on Wednesday.

The security personnel thwarted the terrorist attack on the college through a timely and effective response, said the security sources, adding that at the time of the attack, around 650 individuals, including 525 cadets, were present at the college.

The sources confirmed that all five terrorists, including a suicide bomber, were neutralized during the operation, adding that the college building is being cleared to rule out the possibility of planted improvised explosive devices.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
Following a thorough review, on 13 November 2025, the board of Franklin Global Trust (FRGT) announced that terms had been agreed for a combination with Invesco Global Equity Income Trust (IGET). This will be implemented via a scheme of arrangement, whereby FRGT's shareholders will be entitled to receive new shares in IGET and/or cash. IGET will continue to be managed by Invesco Fund Managers. The combination follows FRGT's recent performance and diminishing size as a result of ongoing share buybacks under the company's zero discount policy. Over the last five years, FRGT's market cap has declined from 300m to the current sub-185m.

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.
Together, the newly formed company brings global scale and decades of experience in systems integration and managed services.

Yorktel, a New Jersey-based global systems integrator and managed services provider, and Kinly, a leading AV and UCC integration firm headquartered in Amsterdam, today announced the completion of their merger.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251113625873/en/

Ken Scaturro, CEO of Yorktel Kinly and Tom Martin, CSO of Yorktel Kinly

The move brings together two trusted leaders in workplace technology to create a new global powerhouse in systems integration and managed services. Operating as Yorktel-Kinly, the company brings together complementary expertise and a shared legacy of innovation. The merger enables customers to benefit from greater scale, consistency, and reach, delivering world-class, connected workplace experiences on an international stage.

By combining Kinly's market-leading capabilities in AV and UCC integration with Yorktel's strength in managed services and systems engineering, customers gain access to a broader solutions portfolio, expanded support capacity, and enhanced delivery consistency across every country and location. Together, Yorktel-Kinly will serve more than 2,500 clients across 27 offices worldwide, with a combined team of over 1,600 employees holding more than 900 specialist accreditations, supporting organizations across multiple industries including government and the private sector.

With an extended footprint across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, the merger positions Yorktel-Kinly among the world's top five global managed services providers in the collaboration space. The combined business brings together local expertise and a global reach to respond to clients' needs with greater agility, precision, and speed.

Following the close, Yorktel-Kinly begins integration with aligned executive leadership and a shared commitment to delivering enhanced end-user experiences. Customers and partners will continue to engage with their trusted account teams while benefiting from the combined strengths, expanded capabilities, and unified vision of the new organization.

Built on a foundation of secure operations and trusted governance across both organizations, Yorktel-Kinly is committed to security and will continue to invest in innovation, people, and the customer experience.

Yorktel-Kinly will be led by Ken Scaturro as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and Tom Martin as Chief Strategy Officer (CSO). A new leadership team has also been announced and will be effective from January 2026, bringing together industry leaders from both companies with a laser-focus on providing world-class user experiences, exceptional customer delivery, and accelerating growth through excellence.

Ken Scaturro, CEO of Yorktel-Kinly, said:

"The collaboration and IT services market is evolving rapidly. Clients are looking for integrated, scalable, and managed solutions across AV, IT, and networking. This merger enables us to deliver exactly that.

Customers deserve world-class delivery and an optimal user experience on a global scale, and together we can provide the reach, expertise, and consistency to make it happen. Yorktel-Kinly is a unified platform for delivery, growth, and opportunity. One company, stronger together."

Tom Martin, CSO of Yorktel-Kinly, added:

"This merger gives us the opportunity to take what both companies have built over the past 40-years and make it even stronger.

Our people remain our greatest strength. Their expertise and trusted advisory relationships are what set us apart, and together, we'll continue to deliver innovation, value, and exceptional experiences for our customers worldwide."

To learn more about the merger and what it means for customers, visit www.yorktel-kinly.com.

About Yorktel-Kinly

Yorktel-Kinly unites two leaders in collaboration, systems integration, and managed services to drive workplace transformation and deliver enhanced end-user experiences for organizations globally.

Our combined in-house expertise includes AI-powered room monitoring, 24/7 support, and a unique enterprise service layer, enabling us to operate with even greater agility, efficiency, and precision.

With comprehensive capabilities, decades of experience, and expanded delivery teams, we empower global businesses to thrive in the hybrid world.

Find out more about Yorktel-Kinly at: www.yorktel-kinly.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251113625873/en/

Contacts:

Media Contacts

Megan Fox/ Henry Soundy

kinly@wildfirepr.com
Initial Trenching Returns up to 4.0 m at 3.10 g/t Au and 4.0 m at 2.68 g/t Au within Strong Geochemical Anomalies

First-pass exploration confirms four robust gold-in-soil anomalies across the 301.8 km Kotobi Project, including values exceeding 1,400 ppb Au

across the 301.8 km Kotobi Project, including values exceeding Trenching at the Kotobi 1 target intersects up to 4.0 m at 3.10 g/t Au , confirming a bedrock source to strong surface anomalies and supporting follow-up trenching and drilling

, confirming a bedrock source to strong surface anomalies and supporting follow-up trenching and drilling Aggressive mechanised trenching and follow-up drilling planned for early 2026

Kobo Resources Inc. ("Kobo" or the "Company") (TSX.V: KRI) is pleased to report the results of its first phase grassroots exploration program on its 100% owned Kotobi Licence (the "Kotobi Project") covering a 301.8 km2 area. The Kotobi Project is situated 20 km east of Bongouanou in central eastern Cote d'Ivoire and is underlain by folded Birimian-aged volcano-sediment and meta-sediment units. Main structures are oriented ENE-WSE to ESE-WNW.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251113794597/en/

Figure 1: Current Soil Geochemical Sampling Coverage with Geophysical Interpretation Kotobi Project

The Company considers this area to be highly prospective for gold mineralisation and originally selected the Kotobi Project area based on the extensive alluvial artisanal gold diggings in the main drainage channels in northern parts of the permit.

Edward Gosselin, CEO and Director of Kobo commented: Our first phase of work at Kotobi has established a clear foundation for a new exploration pipeline within our Cote d'Ivoire portfolio. I am very encouraged by these results, which outline four well-defined geochemical anomalies with gold-in-soil concentrations exceeding 500 ppb Au along significant strike lengths. Our systematic exploration approach is successfully outlining multiple areas with significant potential on the property."

He continued: "The compelling gold mineralisation intersected in the initial trenches at the Kotobi 1 Target suggest that the current soil geochemical anomalies have a bedrock source containing economic gold grades. We will be starting an aggressive mechanised trenching program to better understand the geological controls to gold mineralisation at surface before starting drilling which is expected to begin in early 2026."

Soil Geochemistry and Initial Trench Results

Four highly anomalous gold targets have been outlined from the soil geochemistry completed to-date (referred to as Kotobi 1, Kotobi 2, Kotobi 3, and Kotobi 4). The locations of the individual targets are shown in Figure 1.

Soil sampling on a 25 metre ("m") by 25 m grid at the Kotobi 1 target has defined a 700-m long NNW trending anomaly located approximately 150 m west of the interpreted contact between metasediments and a granodiorite intrusion (Figure 2). The peak gold in soil concentrations reach 1,420 ppb Au

Three trenches (KTR014, KTR015 and KTR016) manually excavated along a 350-m strike intersected gold mineralisation in KTR014 and KTR016. Trench KTR014 intersected 4.0 m at 2.68 g/t Au with a 1-m wide sub-vertical quartz vein assaying 9.64 g/t Au. Trench KTR016 returned a broad low-grade zone of 18.0 m at 0.88 g/t* Au including 4.0 m at 3.10 g/t Au and 1.0 m at 10.20 g/t Au (Figure 2 Table 1).

Table 1: Trench Intersections at the Kotobi 1 Target

Trench ID From (m) To (m) Interval Au (g/t) Target KTR014 38 47 9 1.30 Kotobi 1 incl. 41 45 4 2.68 Kotobi 1 incl. 44 45 1 9.64 Kotobi 1 KTR015 No significant mineralised intersections Kotobi 1 KTR016 14 32 18 0.88 Kotobi 1 incl. 23 27 4 3.10 Kotobi 1 incl. 25 26 1 10.20 Kotobi 1 Notes:

* Signifies a greater than 3.0 m interval with <0.30 g/t Au grades included in calculated interval.

Kotobi 2 3 Targets

The Kotobi 2 Target is situated 2 km south-east of Agoua Village with peak gold in soil concentrations of 430 ppb Au contained within a 400 m2 area (Figure 4). Kotobi 3 Target is situated 3 km east of the Brou Akpaoussou Village with peak gold in soil concentrations of 610 ppb Au. There are anomalous gold values scattered across a 1,400 m strike that require more detailed infill sampling.

The distance between the Kotobi 2 and Kotobi 3 Targets is approximately 6.3 km and the two targets may be controlled by the same apparent NE trending structure (Figure 3). There are anomalous soil values in between the two areas which will be the focus of more detailed infill sampling.

The Kotobi 4 Target is located 2.4 km west of Assouakro Village in northern parts of the Kotobi Project licence. It is situated in an area where there is significant artisanal alluvial gold mining activity. The anomaly is strong, robust and well developed. The anomaly extends along an 800-m strike and is up to 150-m wide. Peak gold in soil concentrations reach 780 ppb Au (Figure 4).

Kotobi Project Background

The Kotobi Project is situated within the Birimian Dimbokro-Abengourou Belt of the Boaule-Mossi Domain within the West African Craton. The geology comprises folded Birimian-aged volcano-sediment and meta-sediments. Lithologies on the Kotobi Project licence are predominantly meta-sandstones and siltstones with several small intrusions emplaced along the principal faults. The main structures are oriented ENE-WSE to ESE-WNW (Figure 5).

The Company considers the area to be highly prospective for gold mineralisation. It originally selected the Kotobi Project area based on the extensive alluvial artisanal gold diggings in the main drainage channels in northern parts of the permit.

A drone UAV magnetic survey was completed across the licence in 2023 by MWH Geosurveys International Inc. The geophysical data was reprocessed and interpreted by Paterson, Grant Watson (PGW Toronto) in 2023. PGW selected two main targets to focus initial exploration. The gold mineralisation intersected in trenches detailed in this press release are located within PGW's top priority target area.

Since commencing exploration, the Company has assayed 7,356 soil samples, 46 termite mound samples, 95 samples from 9 shallow pits, 79 rock chip samples and 385 channel samples in 13 surface exposures and in 3 manually dug trenches across one of the initial soil anomalies.

There have been several phases of soil sampling on the property. The southern parts of the Kotobi Project has been sampled on a 400 m by 50 m grid. More recently sampling has occurred in northern parts of the property on an 800 m by 50 m grid with infill sampling on 100 m by 5 0m grids, and in some areas down to 25 m by 25 m grids to better define the soil anomalies. The extent of soil sampling completed on the Kotobi Project licence to date is shown in Figure 2.

Sampling, QA/QC, and Analytical Procedures

Soil samples are collected along grid lines by Kobo crews. Based on soil profile a typical sample is collected by hand at depths of 30 50 cm and is typically 2 kilograms in weight. QAQC procedures for the soil samples include insertion a blank, standard and duplicate every 50 samples for control. Trench rock chip samples are collected approximately 30 to 50 cm above the base of the trench using hammers and plastic bags. QAQC procedures for trench samples include the insertion of 1 blank, 1 standard and 1 duplicate for each sample shipment. Samples are transported to the SGS Cote d'Ivoire facility in Yamoussoukro by Kobo personnel where the entire sample was prepared for analysis (prep code PRP86/PRP94). Sample splits of 50 grams were then analysed for gold using 50g Fire Assay as per SGS Geochem Method FAA505. All QAQC control samples returned values within acceptable limits.

Review of Technical Information

The scientific and technical information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Paul Sarjeant, P.Geo., who is a Qualified Persons as defined in National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Sarjeant is the President and Chief Operating Officer and Director of Kobo.

About Kobo Resources Inc.

Kobo Resources is a growth-focused gold exploration company with a compelling new gold discovery in Cote d'Ivoire, one of West Africa's most prolific and developing gold districts, hosting several multi-million-ounce gold mines. The Company's 100%-owned Kossou Gold Project is located approximately 20 km northwest of the capital city of Yamoussoukro and is directly adjacent to one of the region's largest gold mines with established processing facilities.

With over 26,432 metres of diamond drilling, nearly 5,900 metres of reverse circulation (RC) drilling, and 5,900 metres of trenching completed since 2023, Kobo has made significant progress in defining the scale and prospectivity of its Kossou's Gold Project. Exploration has focused on multiple high-priority targets within a 9+ km strike length of highly prospective gold-in-soil geochemical anomalies, with drilling confirming extensive mineralisation at the Jagger, Road Cut, and Kadie Zones. The latest phase of drilling has further refined structural controls on gold mineralisation, setting the stage for the next phase of systematic exploration and resource development.

Beyond Kossou, the Company is advancing exploration at its Kotobi Project and is actively expanding its land position in Cote d'Ivoire with prospective ground, aligning with its strategic vision for long-term growth in-country. Kobo remains committed to identifying and developing new opportunities to enhance its exploration portfolio within highly prospective gold regions of West Africa. Kobo offers investors the exciting combination of high-quality gold prospects led by an experienced leadership team with in-country experience. Kobo's common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "KRI". For more information, please visit www.koboresources.com.

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 RELEASE.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-looking Information:

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. 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: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; and the delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory 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 the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Except as required by law, Kobo assumes no obligation and/or liability to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251113794597/en/

Contacts:

For further information, please contact:

Edward Gosselin

Chief Executive Officer and Director

1-418-609-3587

ir@kobores.com

Twitter: @KoboResources LinkedIn: Kobo Resources Inc.
SCOTTSDALE, AZ / ACCESS Newswire / November 13, 2025 / Eco Innovation Group, Inc. (OTCID:ECOX) ("ECOX") and WRA Holdings, Inc. ("WRA") welcome a positive response from the Instituto Costarricense de Ferrocarriles (INCOFER), Costa Rica's national rail authority, regarding WRA's ongoing efforts to advance the National Railway Master Plan for the Republic of Costa Rica. This update follows yesterday's announcement that WRA will present the Master Plan for government review and approval.

INCOFER officials have acknowledged the growing international attention that WRA's projects are generating, particularly among strategic investors focused on infrastructure, logistics, and sustainable transport, and have emphasized the importance of these investments for improving the quality of life of Costa Rican citizens and stimulating national economic development.

Representatives of INCOFER conveyed their strong interest in reviewing WRA's proposed National Railway Master Plan, a comprehensive framework that envisions a modern, coast to coast and border to border rail network for freight and passenger services. INCOFER confirmed that the plan aligns with Costa Rica's vision for a sustainable, low carbon mobility system that strengthens trade, productivity, and regional integration.

In the coming weeks, WRA and INCOFER will coordinate a formal meeting to discuss the Master Plan in detail and to explore potential pathways for collaboration models.

"This dialogue represents a constructive step toward a shared national goal, modernizing Costa Rica's railway system as a driver of social and economic progress," said Cornel Alvarado, President and CEO of WRA Holdings, Inc. "We are honored by INCOFER's openness and enthusiasm, and we look forward to working closely with the Government of Costa Rica to make this vision a reality."

In a follow-on development since yesterday's update, ECOX has retired a significant portion of a preferred stock position that had previously been associated with high levels of potential dilution. The retirement reduces the outstanding balance of that series and decreases related overhang in the Company's capital structure. ECOX believes this action simplifies the capital structure and represents a constructive step toward a more stable and transparent profile for shareholders. No new securities were issued in connection with this retirement.

"From the project perspective, the key strength of this initiative is that it is structured as a true national program," said Richard Hawkins, CEO of Eco Innovation Group. "When major infrastructure is handled at the regional or local level, timelines slip, standards diverge, and outcomes become inconsistent. A coordinated national plan, managed under a single program framework, keeps every component aligned and moving on the same path. It is the only practical way to deliver a railway system that operates as one integrated network. On the corporate side, retiring a large preferred position that had contributed to dilution and perceived overhang is an important step toward a cleaner capital structure. We will continue to take a disciplined approach to improving transparency and strengthening the foundation for long term execution."

Shareholders and interested parties can view or download a complete presentation at the following link: View the full Costa Rica Visioning Presentation here

About WRA Holdings, Inc.

WRA Holdings, Inc. is a multinational infrastructure development and investment company focused on public and private-partnership projects that drive economic growth, environmental renewal, and urban redevelopment. The company's flagship Costa Rica initiative integrates national rail, airport, and logistics systems, port revitalization, waste-to-energy conversion, clean-water programs, and healthcare infrastructure to build a cleaner, more connected nation and foster regional connectivity and long-term prosperity across Central America.

About Eco Innovation Group, Inc.

Eco Innovation Group, Inc. (OTCID:ECOX) is a Nevada corporation focused on providing strategic advisory and compliance services tailored to micro-cap and small-cap public companies and private enterprises preparing to enter the public markets. ECOX bridges the gap between under-resourced issuers and capital markets access by structuring and supporting share-exchange mergers, public offerings, and other transactions that create pathways for growth and shareholder value.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the Company's plans, objectives, expectations, and intentions, including statements regarding potential acquisitions, SEC registration, exchange uplisting, share cancellations, and future business operations. Words such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "should," "will," "would" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to: the ability to complete acquisitions on favorable terms or at all; the ability to integrate acquired businesses successfully; risks inherent in the mining, energy storage, and infrastructure sectors; regulatory and permitting risks; market conditions; competitive factors; the ability to obtain financing; the ability to engage audit firms and complete audited financial statements; the ability to achieve and maintain compliance with SEC and exchange listing requirements; and general economic conditions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.

CONTACT:

Investor Relations

ecoinnovations.info@gmail.com

SOURCE: Eco Innovation Group, Inc

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/eco-innovation-group-and-wra-holdings-report-positive-response-f-1101852
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 13, 2025) - Carlin Gold Corporation (TSXV: CGD) ("Carlin Gold" or "the Company") is pleased to announce results of the DC Resistivity-IP Survey on its 100% owned Ivy skarn copper-gold project in northeastern Nevada, USA.

Geological mapping has identified an area approximately 1.6 km long and up to 150 m wide with zones of strong skarn alteration/mineralization containing predominantly fine-grained disseminated chalcopyrite and bornite with minor pyrite (Main Skarn Zone "MSZ"). The MSZ was targeted for IP geophysics testing shallow (up to 250 m depth) prospective areas immediately under the MSZ and for any deeper causative bodies such as buried mineralized intrusions.

Zonge International, Inc. conducted the survey. Inversion modelling by Zonge identified a continuous IP anomaly with the 75 m dipole spacing, coincident and under the MSZ at least 1,500 m long and 200-300 m wide. The anomaly is open on strike and at depth below 250 m (Figure 1 below). The deeper 200 m dipole survey showed that the IP anomaly detected with the 75 m dipole spacing continues to depth. The 200 m dipole survey also encountered a deeper (400-500 m) separate IP anomaly adjacent to and under the 75 m dipole anomaly (Figure 2 below). The 200 m dipole survey anomaly is open north and south of the surveyed lines.

Carlin Gold is reviewing the results and formalizing a drill program to test all priority anomalies.

Wayne Livingstone, President, commented "Excellent mapping by Carlin's consulting geologist identified the MSZ leading to modeling the IP program to test for a buried copper mineralized skarn body and also the potential for a deeper buried causative source. Both IP testing models successfully produced drill targets. We look forward to drilling these large and continuous IP responses."

Carlin Gold has staked 53 additional claims to total 161 claims in the 100% - owned Ivy Project, part of which is subject to a mineral royalty.

Additional information on the Ivy Project and updates on our Cortez Summit Project can be found in our website www.carlingold.com.

About Carlin

In addition to the IVY Project, Carlin Gold controls two 100% owned gold exploration properties in Nevada, the Cortez Summit property and Willow property, both containing Carlin-style gold targets. Cortez Summit lies about 1 kilometer north-east of the north end of Nevada Gold Mines' ("NGM") Goldrush deposit containing an estimated 53 Mt @ 6.00 g/t Au in the measured and indicated category for 10 M oz Au and 24 Mt @ 5.5 g/t Au inferred for 4.5 M oz Au (reported in Barrick presentation September 2025) and east of Barrick's newly updated Fourmile estimated resources containing 3.6 Mt of measured and indicated grading 11.8 g/t Au for 1.4 M oz Au and 14 Mt of inferred grading 14.1 g/t Au for 6.4 M oz Au (Barrick September 16, 2025 press release). Robert Thomas, QP, has been unable to verify the information referenced above and that the information is not necessarily indicative to the mineralization on the property that is the subject to this disclosure.

Cortez Summit is contiguous with Barrick and NGM claims on all sides.

The Willow property is an early-stage project in Elko County north of the town of Wells, Nevada. Willow is located within a potential new gold belt that contains the Long Canyon mine operated by NGM.

Notes:

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 news release.

Robert Thomas CPG, Vice President of Carlin and a qualified person as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release on behalf of the Company.

Forward-looking statements:

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of managements of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, refer to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts and are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussion of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions.

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 undo reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, except as required by applicable securities laws.





Figure 1: IVY IP Depth Plan 75 m Dipoles

(Zonge International Data Analysis Report, October 2025)

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5415/274279_f0ec452d942218c1_001full.jpg





Figure 2: IVY IP Depth Plan 200 m Dipoles

(Zonge International Data Analysis Report, October 2025)

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5415/274279_f0ec452d942218c1_002full.jpg

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/274279

SOURCE: Carlin Gold Corporation
Internationally recognized clinical strategist with proven track record in translating innovation into clinical impact joins Domain to advance its GPCR-targeting pipeline

Appointment comes at a pivotal moment, following the initiation of Phase I/II development of DT-7012, a Treg-depleting anti-CCR8 antibody candidate

STRASBOURG, France, MONTREAL and BOSTON, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Domain Therapeutics ("Domain" or "the Company"), the GPCR experts harnessing deep receptor biology to develop breakthrough treatments for patients, today announced the appointment of Jean-Marie Cuillerot, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer (CMO).

Based in Boston, Dr Cuillerot brings extensive pharmaceutical and biotech experience, with a proven track record in leading successful clinical development programs and regulatory strategy. Earlier in his career, Dr Cuillerot served as the medical lead at Bristol-Myers Squibb for the lifecycle management of ipilimumab, the first approved immune checkpoint inhibitor for cancer. In this role, he designed and led pivotal Phase II and III clinical trials across multiple indications and supported regulatory filings in the United States and Europe.



At EMD Serono, an affiliate of Merck Serono, Dr Cuillerot held senior leadership positions as Global Head of Clinical Development in Immuno-Oncology and later as Vice President of Clinical Immunotherapy/Immuno-Oncology. Notably, he directed the clinical development of avelumab from pre-IND through global submissions in record time, an achievement recognized with the prestigious Merck CEO Award.

More recently, Dr Cuillerot served as CMO at Acrivon Therapeutics, Dragonfly Therapeutics, and at Agenus, where his leadership has consistently accelerated the progression of innovative therapies from early clinical stages toward regulatory milestones.

Sean A. MacDonald, Chief Executive Officer of Domain Therapeutics, said: "I am delighted to welcome Jean-Marie to the team. A distinguished industry leader with extensive expertise in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sector, and a proven track record of leading clinical teams and optimizing clinical strategies, he is ideally positioned to help advance our innovative pipeline toward clinical proof of efficacy, driving our corporate growth."

Dr Jean-Marie Cuillerot, newly appointed Chief Medical Officer of Domain Therapeutics commented: "Domain's deep expertise in GPCR biology provides a strong foundation for a truly unique and differentiated approach to addressing unmet medical needs. Supported by promising preclinical and clinical data, the company's GPCR-targeting therapies have the potential to deliver transformative outcomes for patients and be a game changer in immune system modulation. I look forward to collaborating with this talented team to advance these candidates through clinical development and toward a successful market entry. Together, we will drive meaningful innovation that benefits patients and creates lasting value for all our stakeholders."

Dr Cuillerot joins Domain at a strategically significant inflection point, as the company accelerates clinical progress and prepares for key development milestones. Among these, is the ongoing Phase I/II DOMISOL trial in Australia for DT-7012, a Treg-depleting anti-CCR8 monoclonal antibody. DT-7012 is Domain's second clinical stage candidate which reflects the continued momentum across its GPCR-targeting pipeline. By leveraging Dr Cuillerot's deep clinical expertise and seasoned leadership, he will guide the development of DT-7012 while helping shape the strategic trajectory of Domain's other proprietary and highly differentiated drug candidates, including DT-9081, an EP4 receptor antagonist for solid tumors, and DT-9046, a first-in-class biased negative allosteric modulator of PAR2 in inflammation. His insights will be instrumental in driving these programs toward value-creating milestones and supporting Domain's next phase of growth.

About Domain Therapeutics

Domain Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing highly differentiated therapeutic strategies targeting G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), a crucial class of drug targets. Its robust regulatory and clinical pipeline aims to address significant unmet medical needs, offering novel solutions for patients, particularly in immuno-oncology and inflammation. Domain's key programs include a best-in-class Treg-depleting anti-CCR8 antibody and a first-in-class biased antagonist of PAR2. These innovative therapies are driving value creation, positioning the company in competitive and fast-expanding markets.

Domain leverages its proprietary drug discovery and development approach, founded on a unique platform and unmatched knowledge of GPCR receptor biology, to successfully unlock very challenging GPCR targets, including intractable and orphan receptors. The team's expertise, developed over two decades, is reflected in its solid track record of collaboration with major pharma, KOLs and physicians worldwide. By integrating detailed biological understanding of GPCRs at each step of the drug discovery and development process, Domain creates highly effective and differentiated drugs that target specific pathways, thereby improving therapeutic efficacy. For more information, please visit https://www.domaintherapeutics.com/

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/domain-therapeutics-appoints-boston-based-pharma-leader-jean-marie-cuillerot-md-as-chief-medical-officer-302614490.html
NEW YORK, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- IFS expands ecosystem of Frontier AI, Robotics, Grid Tech and Business Advisory by forging new partnerships with leading AI tech companies Anthropic, 1X Technologies, Siemens and collaboration with Boston Dynamics

Industrial X Unleashed, New York, NY - November 13, 2025 - IFS, the leading provider of Industrial AI software, is today showcasing the next wave of AI innovation, applied for Industry. At its marquee event, Industrial X Unleashed, taking place in Tribeca, New York, the company shared its vision, demonstrated specific applications of IFS.ai in action within an industrial setting, as well as unveiled partnerships through applied customer examples.

Opening the event, Mark Moffat, CEO of IFS said: "The opportunity to drive growth in our economy, as well as positively impact our society and planet using AI is now - but importantly, what will make a difference is applying AI in the industrial setting. The news headlines to date have been on the generic productivity benefits AI can provide to office-based workers, but IFS is uniquely positioned to deliver contextual and industry-specific AI to workers in the field. And that is where we will see the most impactful innovation and efficiency gains."

Driving growth in Industrial AI

IFS showcased partnerships with some of the fastest-growth AI companies looking for further expansion by applying their capabilities with IFS.ai to the hardcore industries that IFS serves including: Aerospace & Defense, Energy, Engineering & Construction, Manufacturing, Telco, and Transport. Examples from the following areas included:

Frontier AI Models : a partnership with Anthropic saw IFS Nexus Black launch Resolve, powered by Claude, as the first of many new IFS solutions that puts industry-specific AI directly into the hands of frontline workers to transform work and rapidly deliver value. Resolve enables customers to predict and prevent faults faster by interpreting multi-modal data such as?video, audio, temperature and pressure, and complex schematics.

: a partnership with Anthropic saw IFS Nexus Black launch Resolve, powered by Claude, as the first of many new IFS solutions that puts industry-specific AI directly into the hands of frontline workers to transform work and rapidly deliver value. Resolve enables customers to predict and prevent faults faster by interpreting multi-modal data such as?video, audio, temperature and pressure, and complex schematics. The scenario was demonstrated through a real-world customer use case, William Grant & Sons - the world's largest independent distiller. William Grant & Sons has worked with IFS Nexus Black and Anthropic to forward-deploy a field-worker productivity solution within weeks. This is already helping engineers anticipate and resolve maintenance issues before downtime occurs, improving asset reliability, reducing unplanned outages, and freeing teams to focus on higher-value production tasks.

Physical AI and Robotics: a collaboration with Boston Dynamics was used to demonstrate how physical AI and robotics can leverage IFS's industrial AI within a utility setting. Customer Eversource, New England's largest energy delivery company, spoke to the many scenarios being planned to improve efficiency and service to the 4.4million homes it serves. In addition, IFS's partnership with robotics manufacturer 1X Technologies was announced, opening the opportunity for 1X Technologies to take their humanoid robots into industrial settings.

a collaboration with Boston Dynamics was used to demonstrate how physical AI and robotics can leverage IFS's industrial AI within a utility setting. Customer Eversource, New England's largest energy delivery company, spoke to the many scenarios being planned to improve efficiency and service to the 4.4million homes it serves. In addition, IFS's partnership with robotics manufacturer 1X Technologies was announced, opening the opportunity for 1X Technologies to take their humanoid robots into industrial settings. Grid and Power: A partnership with Siemens Grid Software was announced, using IFS.ai to re-architect tomorrow's intelligent autonomous grid through asset investment planning and grid infrastructure upgrades.

R "Ray" Wang, Principal Analyst, Founder and Chairman, Constellation Research commented: "We are finally witnessing leadership in the category of Industrial AI. While frontier AI models and infrastructure platforms grab headlines, the critical missing piece has been the orchestration layer, the industrial operating system that embeds AI directly into mission-critical workflows."

He continued: "Customers seek deep domain expertise from their trusted AI partners, especially in manufacturing, utilities, aerospace, and energy. The AI Age isn't about adding AI features to legacy software. It's about architecting the control plane for the next generation of intelligent industrial operations where autonomous execution happens at scale, in real-time and achieving decision velocity for tangible business outcomes."

Additional speakers at the event included:

Mohamed Kande, PwC

Prasad Satyavolu, Accenture

Garvan Doyle, Anthropic

Dr. Merry Frayne, Boston Dynamics

Ranjit Bawa, Deloitte

Darryl Willis, Microsoft

Stephanie Woerner, MIT CISR

Dr. Sabine Erlinghagen, Siemens Grid Software

For more information about Industrial X Unleashed, visit www.industrialX.ai.

CONTACT:

IFS Press Contacts:

EUROPE / MEA / APJ:

Adam Gillbe

IFS, Director of Corporate & Executive Communications

Email: adam.gillbe@ifs.com?



NORTH AMERICA / LATAM:

Mairi Morgan

IFS, Director of Corporate & Executive Communications

Email: mairi.morgan@ifs.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

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MARION, NC / ACCESS Newswire / November 13, 2025 / Greene Concepts Inc. (OTCID:INKW), owner and operator of a 60,000-square-foot bottling facility in Marion, North Carolina, and producer of the premium artesian spring water brand Be Water, announces the expansion of its product line with two new sustainable packaging formats - Tetra Prisma and Tetra Top - both in 16.9-ounce sizes.

The addition of these eco-friendly packages broadens Greene Concepts' reach across new channels, including hotels, resorts, and cruise lines, many of which are moving away from plastic bottles. With Tetra Pak cartons made primarily from renewable materials, Be Water now meets growing sustainability demands while maintaining its premium, naturally sourced identity.

Expanding Reach Through Sustainable Innovation

Developed by Tetra Pak, both packaging formats blend environmental responsibility with consumer convenience.

Tetra Prisma features an ergonomic, octagonal design made from over 85% renewable materials such as FSC-certified paperboard and plant-based polymers. Its aseptic structure preserves freshness without refrigeration.

Tetra Top combines a paper-based carton body with a re-closable plastic cap, offering the feel of a bottle with the sustainability of a carton-ideal for chilled water and hospitality venues.

These lightweight, recyclable packages significantly reduce plastic use while protecting Be Water's naturally mineralized taste from the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Positioned for Hospitality and Global Growth

The Tetra Pak introduction enables Greene Concepts to expand into new market segments including hospitality, cruise, airline, and eco-focused retail partners seeking sustainable beverage options.

Lenny Greene, CEO of Greene Concepts, Inc., stated:

"The introduction of Tetra Pak packaging is a major advancement for Be Water and our partners who value sustainability and innovation. We're aligning with global hospitality brands moving toward environmentally responsible beverage choices."

Mr. Greene added:

"This expansion allows us to meet our customers wherever they are-delivering the same pure Be Water experience in packaging that supports a cleaner, greener future."

Follow Greene Concepts, Inc. on Social Media at: X - @GreeneConcepts, Facebook - @inkw2025, Instagram - Greene Concepts, Inc. and Be Water

About Greene Concepts, Inc.

Greene Concepts, Inc. (https://www.greeneconcepts.com) is a publicly traded company whose purpose is to provide the world with high-quality, healthy and enhanced beverage choices that meet the nutritional needs of its consumers while refreshing their mind, body and spirit. The Company's flagship product, Be Water, is a premium artesian bottled water that supports total body health and wellness. Greene Concepts' beverage and bottling plant is located in Marion, North Carolina, and their water is ethically sourced from spring and artesian wells that are fed from a natural aquifer located deep beneath the Blue Ridge Mountains. Greene Concepts continues to develop and market premium beverage brands designed to enhance the daily lives of consumers.

Safe Harbor: This Press Release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based on the current plans and expectations of management and are subject to a few uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect the company's current plans and expectations, as well as future results of operations and financial condition. A more extensive listing of risks and factors that may affect the company's business prospects and cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the reports and other documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission and OTC Markets, Inc. OTC Disclosure and News Service. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, because of new information, future events or otherwise.

CONTACT:

Greene Concepts, Inc.

Investor Relations

IR@greeneconcepts.com

SOURCE: Greene Concepts Inc.

Tetra Paks Be Water

Tetra Prisma Be Water

Tetra Top Be Water

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/greene-concepts-expands-be-watertm-portfolio-with-new-sustainabl-1101772
BEIJING, Nov. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The inaugural Beijing Art & Technology Week will be held from November 28 to December 7, 2025, at the 798 Art District. Organized by Beijing 798 Cultural Technology Co., Ltd.. The event aims to bring together top-tier resources from the worlds of art and technology, exploring the possibilities of human and artificial intelligence coexistence while advancing the deep integration of culture and technology. This event is set to become one of the most influential cultural events in Beijing this winter.





The Event Poster

Under the theme "Endless Life," the event symbolizes the continuous evolution and cyclical nature of life and technology. It involves leading partners such as 36Kr, Geek Park, Huxiu, Sanlian City for Humanity, and Caotai Music, showcasing cutting-edge exploration in artificial intelligence, digital art, and more through cross-industry collaborations.

The event will feature three core segments: "The Hall of Ideas," "The Hyper-Sensory World," and "Ecological Exploration."

With over 60 exhibitions, 80+ dialogues, and more than 100 artists and technology experts from over a dozen countries, the event will engage audiences in a range of immersive experiences.

"The Hall of Ideas" will present high-level forums and industry conferences, focusing on AI, technology, and business, with leading figures from the fields of technology and commerce.

"The Hyper-Sensory World" will offer a full-spectrum sensory experience, including Asia's largest electronic music festival, music parties, AI-driven theater, and dance performances. Finally,

"Ecological Exploration" will break traditional exhibition formats through interactive art installations and technology-based activities. Exhibitions like Wang Yuyang: Chaosmosis and The World of Movements by Tao Dance Theater provide immersive artistic experiences for attendees.





Exhibition View, Wang Yuyang: Chaosmosis, 798CUBE, 2025

The Beijing Art & Technology Week is not only a convergence of culture and technology but also a journey into the future of living. During the event, the 798 Art District will transform into a hub of creativity and cross-disciplinary innovation, demonstrating how technology empowers art and drives societal transformation. This event will further solidify 798 Art District's position as a leading source for the integration of art and technology, contributing cultural momentum to Beijing's efforts in establishing itself as a global center of technological innovation.

contact info: info@798-art.com.cn

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ed2cb7cc-2df5-4131-8230-29a9d990167a

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a3480209-a5dd-479e-9684-2ca74f91e34c
Funding includes support for groundbreaking clinical trial and multi-year gift to Texas Cancer Interception Institute; Foundation honored with Circle of Care Award for two decades of partnership

The Mary Kay Ash Foundation, a champion of women's health innovation for nearly three decades, announced a $500,000 grant to Baylor Scott White Dallas Foundation to accelerate a pioneering triple-negative breast cancer clinical trial and advance early detection initiatives that shift care from reactive to proactive at the newly established Texas Cancer Interception Institute.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251113339900/en/

In recognition of its steadfast, decades-long commitment to women's health, the Mary Kay Ash Foundation was honored with the prestigious Circle of Care Award at the 2025 Celebrating Women Luncheon, hosted by the Baylor Scott White Dallas Foundation. The award celebrates those who have made a profound impact in shaping the future of breast cancer care through advocacy, philanthropy, and innovation. Since its inception, the luncheon has raised more than $42 million to fund research, advance detection, and support programs that empower women and families facing breast cancer. Photo Credit: Kristina Bowman

The two-fold grant includes:

$100,000 in continued support of a forward-thinking TRIM-EBC Clinical Trial led by world renowned Celebrating Women chair for Breast Cancer Research, Joyce O'Shaughnessy, MD. The trial explores the potential of weight-loss medications to reduce recurrence risk in overweight breast cancer patients.

The second part is a multi-year gift to the Texas Cancer Interception Institute, which aims to detect and intercept cancer at its earliest stages when it is most treatable, will help shift women's cancer narratives from "I have cancer," to "I have cancer, but we caught it early." Designed to be deployed on a broad scale, the program aims to revolutionize early detection and intervention strategies for better breast cancer survivorship and beyond.

This latest commitment underscores a shared mission between the two organizations: to invest in transformative cancer research that improves outcomes and brings us closer to curing cancers that disproportionately affect women. Over the past two decades, the Mary Kay Ash Foundation has contributed $1.3 million to the Baylor Scott White Dallas Foundation, reflecting an enduring alliance rooted in scientific discovery and compassion.

"The Mary Kay Ash Foundation remains committed to finding cures for cancers affecting women we are championing for our mothers, daughters, sisters, and all the women in our lives," said Michael Lunceford, President, Mary Kay Ash Foundation Board of Directors "This grant represents a powerful next step in redefining cancer care moving from a reactive nature to early detection and viable treatment options with the goal of a long, healthy life after cancer. We are honored to stand alongside Baylor Scott White in shaping the future of women's health."

In recognition of its steadfast, decades-long commitment to women's health, the Mary Kay Ash Foundation was honored with the prestigious Circle of Care Award at the 2025 Celebrating Women Luncheon, hosted by the Baylor Scott White Dallas Foundation. The award celebrates those who have made a profound impact in shaping the future of breast cancer care through advocacy, philanthropy, and innovation. Since its inception, the luncheon has raised more than $42 million to fund research, advance detection, and support programs that empower women and families facing breast cancer.

"Mary Kay Ash believed in the power of women to change the world that conviction lives on through her namesake Foundation's bold commitment to advancing women's health by investing in early detection and better treatments," said Christina Goodman, President, Baylor Scott White Dallas Foundation. "When brilliant minds like Dr. Joyce O'Shaughnessy, MD and compassionate hearts come together, extraordinary things happen. This partnership is focused on bringing hope, healing, and new possibilities to patients and families across our communities."

Did You Know?

Mary Kay is committed to ending cancers affecting women globally with its impact extending around the world through research funding and awareness campaigns driven by Mary Kay markets on multiple continents:

In Spain , Mary Kay partners with the FERO Foundation to support metastatic breast cancer research.

, Mary Kay partners with the FERO Foundation to support metastatic breast cancer research. In Brazil , the Instituto Mary Kay funds cancer education and screening programs reaching thousands of women annually.

, the Instituto Mary Kay funds cancer education and screening programs reaching thousands of women annually. In Malaysia , Mary Kay collaborates with the National Cancer Society of Malaysia to promote early detection.

, Mary Kay collaborates with the National Cancer Society of Malaysia to promote early detection. In Canada, the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation supports Look Good Feel Better workshops for women undergoing cancer treatment and provides product donations to help women feel beautiful after cancer.

Together, Mary Kay Inc., its global markets, and its four company-sponsored foundations and charitable funds have contributed nearly $44 million worldwide to help eliminate cancers affecting women. Learn more about Mary Kay's ongoing global impact from advancing women's health and empowerment to protecting natural resources and fostering lasting change in the 2025 Sustainability Report.

About Mary Kay Ash Foundation

Guided by Mary Kay Ash's dream to enrich the lives of women everywhere, the Mary Kay Ash Foundation raises and distributes funds to end domestic violence and invest in breakthrough cancer research to find cures for women-related cancers. Since 1996, the Mary Kay Ash Foundation has contributed more than $98 million to organizations aligned with its two-fold mission. In addition, the Foundation supports awareness initiatives, community outreach programs, and advocates for legislation to ensure women are healthy and safe. Together, we can make the world better for women. To learn more about how to educate, advocate, volunteer, donate, and join life-saving work to support and empower women, visit marykayashfoundation.org, or find us on Facebook and Instagram.

About Baylor Scott White Dallas Foundation

Baylor Scott White Dallas Foundation raises money to advance the Mission of Baylor Scott White Health: Founded as a Christian ministry of healing, Baylor Scott White Health promotes the well-being of all individuals, families and communities. At Baylor Scott White Dallas Foundation, philanthropy is the catalyst for change advancing innovation, expanding access to compassionate care and empowering more people to live well. Together, we are shaping the future of healthcare in North Texas.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251113339900/en/

Contacts:

Mary Kay Ash Foundation

Newsroom.marykay.com

info@marykayashfoundation.org
The average organization must also grapple with the challenge of its employees using 27 distinct AI tools with 12% of data exposures coming from personal accounts

Organizations are leaking data at an accelerating rate according to new analysis by Harmonic Security with 26.4% of all file uploads to GenAI tools containing sensitive data a rise from the 22% it tracked in Q2. The study was conducted on over three million prompts and file uploads across 300 generative and AI-embedded tools spanning organizations in the United States and the United Kingdom between July and September 2025.

Over half (57%) of this sensitive data is business or legal much of it highly confidential with 35% of this number involving contract or policy drafting. A further 35% of this subset consists of M&A and financial forecasting. A quarter (25%) of all sensitive disclosure is technical data, 65% of which consists of proprietary source code copied into GenAI tools for debugging or refactoring. The remainder is credential or key leaks and security incident reports used to summarize post-mortems. Finally, 15% of the total involved personal or employee data including everyday identifiers such as names and addresses but also employee information such as HR records, and payroll details.

A key trend finds that employees are blending personal and corporate AI usage. Some 12% of all sensitive data exposures comes from personal accounts including free versions of ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Meta AI. These accounts often retain history and context, meaning sensitive business information can persist in personal workspaces indefinitely regardless of whether employees still work for the company.

Adding to this challenge, the average organization has to grapple with employees using a total of 27 distinct AI tools in Q3. However, there is an indication that this may become easier to manage with the number of new GenAI tools introduced by employees falling from 23 in Q2 to 11 in Q3. This could indicate that AI adoption is maturing and point to employees integrating AI into core workflows, not just testing or experimenting with multiple tools. Another statistic from the research could support this further the average enterprise uploaded more than three times as much data to generative AI platforms as in the previous quarter 4.4GB vs 1.32GB in Q2.

Alastair Paterson, CEO and co-founder at Harmonic Security comments: "The challenge has shifted from adoption to control: managing the flow of sensitive information through an ecosystem that blurs the line between company and individual. BYOAI is still a big issue; 12% use of personal accounts is still too high and could proliferate further as newly-introduced AI-native browsers take hold. Therefore, governance must occur where work happens with browser-level controls enabling organizations to apply policy at the point of data loss, not retroactively."

This report draws on anonymized enterprise data collected through Harmonic Protect, which tracks all GenAI browser use, between July and September 2025. The data reflects real-world employee activity within security-conscious enterprises using Harmonic's monitoring solutions. No personally identifiable information or proprietary file contents left customer environments. All data was aggregated and sanitized before analysis.

About Harmonic

As every employee adopts AI in their work, organizations need control and visibility. Harmonic delivers AI Governance and Control (AIGC), the intelligent control layer that secures and enables the AI-First workforce. By understanding user intent and data context in real time, Harmonic gives security leaders all they need to help their companies innovate at pace.

For more information, visit https://www.harmonic.security/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251113987633/en/

Contacts:

Press contact david@harmonic.security
New members Fiji Airlines, Oman Air and future member Hawaiian Airlines add exciting options across the Pacific, Asia and Arabian Peninsula

Travellers in Japan most likely to take a Round the World adventure, followed by those in Australia, the U.K., the United States and Hong Kong

oneworld is the only airline alliance to offer three different Round the World tickets

FORT WORTH, Texas, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- oneworld's top 10 most-searched-for destinations for Round the World travel in 2026 on oneworld.com reveal a mix of iconic cities and global gateways. The top destinations are:

London

Tokyo

Doha

Hong Kong

Sydney

Los Angeles

Dallas/Fort Worth

New York

Melbourne

Singapore

With the addition of Fiji Airways and Oman Air this year, and Hawaiian Airways set to join the alliance in 2026, searches have increased for destinations in the Pacific, including Fiji, the Cook Islands, Kiribati, and Hawaii, as well as Oman.

oneworld data also reveals Japan is the top origin market for Round the World tickets, followed by Australia, the United Kingdom, the U.S., and Hong Kong. Travellers are most likely to embark on solo journeys (66%) traveling to an average of seven stops over a period of three or more months.

"Searches on oneworld.com show a strong appetite for adventure in the New Year. From the Big Apple and Hawaii's Big Island to Mount Fiji and the Atlas Mountains, oneworld's Round the World fares offer customers access to an unbeatable network of leading airlines on a single ticket," said Roger Blackburn, oneworld's vice president Commercial and Loyalty. "oneworld's Round the World fares are also increasingly popular with corporate travellers looking for flexible, cost-effective travel options for complex itineraries."

oneworld is the only global airline alliance to offer a choice of Round the World tickets catering to different travel styles and itineraries. All fares are easy to plan and book online at oneworld.com and customers can accrue frequent flyer miles or points with their ticket, with eligible customers enjoying access to more than 700 airport lounges. Itineraries may include from three to 16 flights across up to six continents and must include a trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific flight.

oneworld's Round the World fares are valid for trips from 10 days to 12 months and include:

one world Explorer - a continent-based fare, ideal for travellers wanting to explore different regions.



Sample itinerary: London - Muscat - Kuala Lumpur - Tokyo - Sydney - Nadi (Fiji) - Los Angeles - New York - London





world Explorer - a continent-based fare, ideal for travellers wanting to explore different regions. Sample itinerary: London - Muscat - Kuala Lumpur - Tokyo - Sydney - Nadi (Fiji) - Los Angeles - New York - London Global Explorer - a distance-based fare, suitable for travellers with more complex itineraries



Sample Itinerary: Sydney - Honolulu - San Francisco - Dallas - London - Helsinki - Hong Kong - Sydney





Sample Itinerary: Sydney - Honolulu - San Francisco - Dallas - London - Helsinki - Hong Kong - Sydney Circle Pacific - a unique option for journeys starting and finishing in a continent bordering the Pacific Ocean



Sample Itinerary: Tokyo - Honolulu - Los Angeles - Nadi - Auckland - Sydney - Hong Kong - Tokyo

To find out more and start planning a Round the World adventure, go to https://www.oneworld.com/round-the-world or speak to a travel advisor.

About oneworld

oneworld is a global airline alliance bringing together 15 of the world's leading airlines, who are committed to delivering the highest level of service and convenience to travellers. With a strong focus on innovative solutions, oneworld member airlines are working collectively to address their environmental impact and accelerate the adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel. The alliance's members serve nearly 1,000 destinations worldwide and include: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Fiji Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Oman Air, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian and SriLankan Airlines.

Follow us on Facebook , Instagram , X and LinkedIn

For media inquiries, please contact:

Chris Singley

chris.singley@oneworld.com

+1 (817) 308-1288

Katie Hulme

katie.hulme@oneworld.com

+44 7301 164252

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/oneworld-reveals-top-10-destinations-for-round-the-world-travel-in-2026-302614320.html
Revenue for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2025 Increased 14%

Income from Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2025 Increased 58%

Net Income for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2025 Increased 166%

SCOTTSDALE, AZ / ACCESS Newswire / November 13, 2025 / Zoned Properties, Inc. ("Zoned Properties" or the "Company") (OTCQB:ZDPY), a technology-driven property investment company for emerging and highly regulated industries, including legalized cannabis, today announced its financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025.

Selected Financial Highlights for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2025:

Total revenues were $1,013,133 for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, compared to $1,029,630 for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, representing a decrease of 2%.

Operating expenses were $645,809 for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, compared to $584,442 for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, representing an increase of 11%.

Income from operations was $367,324 for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, compared to $445,188 for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, representing a decrease of 17%.

Net income was $155,197, or $0.02 per fully diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, compared to net income of $58,872, or $0.00 per fully diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, representing an increase of 164%.

Selected Financial Highlights for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2025:

Total revenues were $2,925,459 for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to $2,559,008 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, representing an increase of 14%.

Operating expenses were $1,857,176 for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to $1,881,773 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, representing a decrease of 1%.

Income from operations was $1,068,283 for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to $677,235 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, representing an increase of 58%.

Net income was $327,381, or $0.02 per fully diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to net income of $123,062, or $0.01 per fully diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, representing an increase of 166%.

Cash provided by operating activities was $661,392 for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to $455,363 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, representing an increase of 45%.

The Company had cash on hand of $1,113,900 as of September 30, 2025, compared to cash on hand of $1,019,980 as of December 31, 2024.

Management Commentary:

"During this year's third quarter, our team focused on improving operational cash generation and optimizing our bottom line. This disciplined approach has delivered the increase in net income and cash flow from operations reflected in our financials," said Bryan McLaren, Chief Executive Officer of Zoned Properties. "The Zoned Properties leadership team believes it has identified multiple potential solutions to deliver value directly to our shareholders and plans to provide an update prior to the end of the year."

About Zoned Properties, Inc. (OTCQB:ZDPY):

Zoned Properties Inc. ("Zoned Properties" or the "Company") (OTCQB:ZDPY) is a technology-driven property investment company focused on acquiring value-add real estate within the regulated cannabis industry in the United States. The Company aspires to innovate within the real estate development sector, focusing on direct-to-consumer real estate that is leased to the best-in-class cannabis retailers.

Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Zoned Properties is redefining the approach to commercial real estate investment through its standardized investment process backed by its proprietary property technology. Zoned Properties has developed a national ecosystem of real estate services to support its real estate development model, including a commercial real estate brokerage and a real estate advisory practice. With a decade of national experience and a team of experts devoted to the emerging cannabis industry, Zoned Properties is addressing the specific needs of a modern market in highly regulated industries. The Company targets commercial properties that face unique zoning or development challenges, identifies solutions that can potentially have a major impact on their commercial value, and then works to acquire the properties while securing long-term, absolute-net leases.

Zoned Properties targets commercial properties that can be acquired and rezoned for specific purposes, including the regulated and legalized cannabis industry. It does not grow, harvest, sell or distribute cannabis or any substances regulated under United States law such as the Controlled Substance Act of 1970, as amended. Zoned Properties corporate headquarters are located at 8360 E. Raintree Dr., Suite 230, Scottsdale, Arizona. For more information, call 877-360-8839 or visit www.ZonedProperties.com.

X: @ZonedProperties

LinkedIn: @ZonedProperties

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release are forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "potential," "continue" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties, and there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors, risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors should not place any undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Company's control which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects the Company's current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

Investor Relations

Zoned Properties, Inc.

Bryan McLaren

Tel (877) 360-8839

Investors@zonedproperties.com

www.zonedproperties.com

SOURCE: Zoned Properties, Inc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/real-estate/zoned-properties-announces-profitable-q3-2025-financial-results-with-positive-cash-flow-1101763
WUHU, China, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- JETOUR Auto has reached a major milestone, surpassing two million cumulative sales since its debut in 2018. This remarkable achievement, built over seven years of steady growth, underscores strong market recognition and user trust in JETOUR's products and brand strategy.

JETOUR's journey began with the launch of its first model, the X70, in August 2018. The model quickly gained traction, exceeding 10,000 monthly sales by the end of that year. By February 2020, the 200,000th vehicle rolled off the production line; in August 2021, cumulative sales surpassed 400,000 units; and by November 2022, the brand celebrated its 600,000th vehicle, achieving annual sales of 180,000 units. In January 2024, cumulative sales broke the 1 million mark, with annual deliveries reaching 568,000 units. Now, in October 2025, JETOUR celebrates another historic milestone - 2 million cumulative sales in just seven years.

Staying true to its "Travel+" strategy, JETOUR has established operations in 91 countries and regions, with a network of over 2,000 sales and service outlets. The brand continues to lead market share and customer satisfaction in multiple regions. In China, JETOUR ranks No.1 in the light off-road SUV segment. In the Middle East - including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar - it ranks among the top three overall, and No.1 among Chinese brands. In Ecuador, Peru, and Panama, JETOUR ranks among the top three Chinese SUV brands, while in South Africa, within just one year of entry, it has reached fourth place among Chinese SUV brands.

Under its "Travel+" vision, JETOUR has developed a diverse product lineup that spans family travel to all-terrain adventure. Its first premium flagship model, the G700 in China, will make its global debut this November in the Middle East, delivering a new level of hybrid off-road premium to global consumers.

Beyond products, JETOUR has built a comprehensive "Travel+ Lifestyle" ecosystem connecting every stage of the user journey. It integrates 10,000+ travel essentials, 3,000+ service stations, 176 premium campsites, and 360 global alliance partners across domains such as health, customization, outdoor experiences, and benefits. This ecosystem positions JETOUR not just as a vehicle manufacturer, but as an integrated provider of travel solutions.

From products to lifestyle, and from function to emotion, JETOUR continues to evolve on all fronts - setting a new benchmark for global premium hybrid off-road mobility.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/jetour-reaches-2-million-sales-in-7-years-ushering-in-a-new-era-of-global-hybrid-off-road-mobility-302614529.html
Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - November 13, 2025) - Bullion Gold Resources Corp. (TSXV: BGD) ("Bullion Gold" or "The Company") is proud to announce the launch of an intensive follow-up program following the recent discovery of several dozen gold grains in a base till sample of approximately 10 kg, taken upstream of the Langlade polymetallic showing on the Cadillac Extension Project.

To fully assess the property's potential for gold and polymetallic priority targets, the Company initiated a systematic glacial sediment sampling program on three separate grids. This program includes approximately 530 basal till samples (approximately 1 kg each), strategically positioned to cover the identified target areas.

The main objectives of this phase are as follows:

Verify the extent of gold and polymetallic mineralization in the immediate vicinity of the Langlade deposit.

Identify new potential gold and polymetallic targets east of the main showing, based on surface sampling conducted in September 2025.

Sampling is being carried out using an auger, following a systematic 50-meter grid pattern. This rigorous approach will provide a better understanding of the dispersion of metals in glacial sediments, particularly copper, zinc, gold, and silver, while also aiming to identify new drilling targets.

The program is supervised by Suzie Tremblay, consulting geologist, ensuring the quality and reliability of the data collected. Geochemical analyses using the aqua regia method will be performed by Agat Laboratories, located in the Toronto area. To ensure quality control, a duplicate field sample will be inserted with every 20 samples to verify the reproducibility of the results.

The Company's management anticipates that this work will confirm the potential for significant gold and polymetallic mineralization at Langlade and at the new targets to the east, thereby strengthening the property's mineral potential.

The Langlade project, comprising 72 cells with a total area of 4,128 hectares, is located approximately 100 km east of the municipality of Senneterre, in the Abitibi region. Accessible year-round via a gravel secondary road, this project benefits from convenient logistical access for exploration activities.

The Langlade polymetallic deposit was initially discovered and drilled by Cominco in the 1990s. Historical work revealed mineralization extending laterally for approximately 600 meters, with a depth reaching nearly 900 meters. The deposit remains open to the east and at depth, suggesting substantial extension potential.

The Company's current management hypothesizes that the deposit may be located within a fold hinge. According to this structural interpretation, the historically stripped and drilled portion represents only the SSE face of the showing. The NNE and NW sectors, which are still largely unexplored, could hold potential at least equal to, or even greater than, that already identified by historical drilling. This prospect opens exciting possibilities for evaluating and expanding the polymetallic mineralization on the property. The planned drilling program, once the necessary permits are obtained, will serve in part to test this hypothesis.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Gilles Laverdiere, P.Geo. Mr. Laverdiere is a geologist and Chairman of the Board of Bullion Gold and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 respecting Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101").

Nomination of Director

The Company also announces the appointment of Mr Sebastien Plouffe as Director. Mr Plouffe is a finance professional and entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in financial markets and project development. During his career, he spent more than 10 years as Vice President and Investment Advisor at the Canadian brokerage firms BMO Nesbitt Burns and Canaccord Genuity, where he gained considerable expertise and success in most aspects of capital raising and management. For the past 20 years, Mr. Plouffe has held key leadership positions and played a pivotal role in the strategy and success of various Canadian and international companies, both private and public, in sectors such as biotechnology, technology, and mining, including Vanstar Mining Resources Inc., which was acquired by IAMGOLD in 2024. He is the founder and CEO of Defence Therapeutics.

Private Placement

The Company also announces that it has closed a private placement (the "Offering"), pursuant to which it issued 3,346,429 units (the "Units") of the Company at a price of $0.07 for gross proceeds of $234,250. Each Unit consists of one ordinary share and one common share purchase warrant, each warrant entitling the holder to purchase one additional common share in the capital of the Company for a period of 12 months from the closing date of the private placement, at a purchase price of $0.12 per common share.

The proceeds from the sale of the Units ("The Offering") will be used by the Company for general corporate purposes.

All securities issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a hold period of four (4) months and one day ending on March 11, 2026. The placement is subject to final approval by the TSX Venture Exchange.

Grant of Stock Options

The Company announces that incentive stock options have been granted to directors, officers and consultants to purchase up to 2,000,000 common shares at a price of $0.10 per share for five years, pursuant to its Stock Option Plan.

The Company currently has 95,055,092 shares issued and outstanding, along with 8,550,000 options (including the options described above) and 28,239,643 Warrants.

Extension of Warrants

The Company also announces it has proposed an extension of 2,899,285 share warrants expiring in December 2025 by 12 months subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval. The Company intends to extend the expiry date of a total of 2,899,285 share purchase warrants (the "Warrants") by 12 months, such that they will expire on December 23, 2026. Each of these Warrants originally entitled the holder thereof to acquire one common share of the Company at a price of $0.10 cents per common share until December 23, 2025. All other terms Warrants, including exercise price, will remain the same. Warrants were issued pursuant to a private placement that closed on January 3, 2025.

Agreement with Volume Hunters Inc

The Company is also pleased to announce an agreement with Volume Hunters Inc ("VH") for the publication and distribution of public information across various social media platforms, forums, blogs, publishing websites, and other communication channels. VH's operations are expected to begin around November 17, 2025. "We are excited to partner with Volume Hunters to increase our visibility over the next year across various social media platforms and to communicate our business developments to a much wider audience," said Guy Morissette, CEO of Bullion Gold. The agreement with Vancouver-based Volume Hunters Inc has an initial term of twelve months, for which the company will receive a fee of $100,000. VH's business address is Suite 300 - 1055 Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, and they can be reached at 1-855-684-6844. VH is an entity independent of the Company.

About Bullion Gold Resources

Bullion Gold Resources is a junior exploration company primarily working in Quebec, specifically in the Abitibi and James Bay mining regions. The Company holds a 100% interest in the Bousquet (Au), Cadillac-Extension (Langlade Prospect - VMS), and Bodo (Polymetallic) projects. The Bousquet project is optioned to the Australian company Olympio Metals (Oly), which can acquire up to 80% of the gold project in exchange for $1.25M in cash and shares and $2M in exploration work. Bullion would then retain a 20% undivided interest (net carried interest). The Langlade project (72 claims - 4,127 Ha) is a VMS project under development, ready to be drilled. The Bodo project (761 claims - 410 km) is an early-stage exploration project. Anomalous and indicative occurrences of critical and strategic minerals (Au, Ag, Cu, Zn, Li, Pb, Co, Mn) have been noted throughout this project. The main prospects, which are Rivon Lake, Canico, Lice, Tichegami, and Didi, offer polymetallic, VMS, and IOCG potential.

Other Information

The TSX Venture Exchange and its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts no responsibility for the veracity or accuracy of its content.

Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "would", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. The forward-looking statements are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Corporation. Although Bullion Gold believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because Bullion Gold can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to several factors and risks. In addition to other risks that may affect the forward-looking statements in this press release are those set out in the Corporation's management discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024 and the first quarter ended June 30, 2025, which are available on the Corporation's profile at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and Bullion Gold undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/274312

SOURCE: Bullion Gold Resources Corporation
ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill., Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Permag, a leader in high precision magnets and magnetic assemblies, is pleased to announce a new strategic agreement with Solvay (La Rochelle, France) and Less Common Metals ("LCM," Ellesmere Port, UK) to secure a reliable supply of European rare earth materials.

Through this partnership, the industry and Permag's customers can count on a stable and predictable supply of Samarium material, essential for high-performance magnets and magnetic assemblies. Solvay brings access to its mixed rare earth concentrates and separation technologies to produce pure Samarium oxides, while LCM contributes its industry-leading metallization process expertise, creating a strong foundation for Permag to meet demand over the next 3-5 years.

"Our customers' success is our highest priority," said Joe Stupfel, CEO of Permag. "We are committed to ensuring a reliable supply of materials and providing the dedicated support they need to achieve their goals."

This agreement is part of Permag's broader supply chain strategy, which also includes ongoing negotiations with upstream suppliers worldwide. Permag's goal is to ensure that customers continue receiving the products they need without disruption, both today and in the long term.

An Nuyttens, President of Solvay Special Chem, highlights the relevance of this agreement: "By partnering with Permag and LCM, we are taking proactive steps to secure critical rare earth materials in different parts of the world, reinforcing our dedication to providing essential resources for high-performance applications."

With this milestone, Permag reinforces its commitment to supply security, quality, and reliability, ensuring customers can focus on their own growth with confidence that Permag is safeguarding the foundation of their magnet needs.

About Permag

Permag, the only Samarium Cobalt magnet producer in North America and a global leader in high-performance magnetic solutions, provides cutting-edge materials, precision-engineered components, and manufactures advanced magnets and magnetic assemblies to industries where performance matters most. With a rich legacy built by Dexter, EEC, and MCE, the Permag group of companies is committed to driving innovation, delivering superior quality, and solving customers' toughest challenges.

For more information, contact:

Gustavo Olano

Permag

Senior Director of Marketing

(978) 201-6910

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/permag-strengthens-supply-chain-with-solvay-and-lcm-agreement-to-secure-western-rare-earth-materials-302614050.html
Technology-driven critical metals company advancing Western supply resistance through patented processing IP, strategic exploration assets, and global business opportunities.

Highlights

1,000m of HQ diamond drilling completed as part of the 2,500m fall/winter program at the La Blache Ti02 Project in Quebec, Canada.

Program designed to expand and upgrade the inferred mineral resource at the Farrell-Taylor Ti02 deposit.

Drill core to support the development of Temas' patented Regenerative Chloride Leach ("RCL") technology, a next-generation processing technology that reduces costs by up to 65% and enhances recovery of titanium, vanadium, rare earth and other critical metals.

Early observations indicate the presence of Gallium and Scandium, as well as Titanium and Vanadium.

Fully funded program, with all permits and authorisations in place. Phase 2 drilling planned for early 2026.

Strategically located near infrastructure and the deep-sea Port of Saguenay, supporting efficient future development and downstream integration.

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / November 13, 2025 / Temas Resources Corp. ("Temas" or the "Company")(ASX:TIO)(CSE:TMAS)(OTCQB:TMASF)(FSE:26P0) is pleased to report the progress in its 2,500m diamond drilling campaign at its La Blache property in Quebec, Canada.

Approximately 1,000m have been completed to date, with drilling expected to continue through the third week of November. Results from this campaign will refine the geological model, expand the existing inferred resource, and support the development of a maiden JORC-compliant Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") during 2026.

Tim Fernback, CEO, of Temas Resources commented:

"Our current drilling program at La Blache is progressing on schedule, and early observations confirm strong geological continuity across the mineralised zones. We are building a strong foundation for Temas' next stage of value creation with resource expansion and integration on our RCL processing technology, which together, position the Company to deliver a competitive advantage in the titanium and critical minerals recovery market."

Mr. David Caldwell, Temas Chief Operating Officer, commented:

"La Blache is ideally located near existing infrastructure, a skilled regional workforce, and the deep-water Port of Saguenay. Beyond Titanium and Vanadium, we continue to identify promising signatures of Scandium and Gallium, offering additional upside. There is a push for onshoring critical metals and rare earth elements in North America, and adding Scandium and Gallium mineralization just adds to our world class massive oxide deposit as we work towards defining our global mineral resource estimate (MRE) at La Blache."



"Drill core from this program will also provide key metallurgical samples to advance the next phase of our RCL metallurgical technology development."

This fall/winter program will covers the full 2.5km mineralised corridor from Hervieux West to Farrell-Taylor, with drill holes positioned at 50m x 50m intervals. Phase 1 is underway, with Phase 2 scheduled for completion in early 2026.

The drill campaign is fully funded by the Company's recent financings, and all drill permits and work authorizations are in place at La Blache. Upon completion, Temas will undertake full core analysis and assay testing to inform both its geological model and the design parameters for its RCL pilot studies.

MAP OF LA BLACHE PROPERTY

Figure 1: Location of the La Blanche tenure and mineralised zones

IMAGES OF LA BLACHE EXPLORATION PROGRAM FALL/ WINTER 2025

Foreign Resource Cautionary Statements

Details regarding the foreign mineral resource estimate, project details and associated exploration results are set out in the Company's Prospectus dated 29 August 2025 (the "Prospectus"). The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the La Blache Project description in the Prospectus. The Prospectus is available on the Company's website at www.temasresources.com/investors or through the ASX platform under announcement dated 15 July 2025.

The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the La Blache Project description in the Prospectus. The Company confirms that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the foreign resource estimate and exploration results in this original Prospectus continue to apply and have not materially changed. The estimates of the quantity and grade of mineralisation for the La Blache Project are set out in the La Blache Project in the Prospectus and are "foreign estimates" within the meaning of the ASX listing rules and are not reported in accordance with the JORC Code 2012. A competent person has not undertaken sufficient work to classify the foreign estimates as mineral resources in accordance with the JORC Code 2012. It is uncertain that following evaluation and further exploration work that the foreign estimates will be able to be reported as mineral resources in accordance with the JORC Code.

- ENDS -

Approved for Release by the Board of Directors

For further information, contact:

Tim Fernback

President & CEO

timf@temasresources.com Jane Morgan

Investor & Media Relations

jm@janemorganmanagement.com.au

+ 61 (0) 405 555 618

Or visit our website at www.temasresources.com

Disclaimer

No representations or warranty, express or implied, is made by the Company that the material contained in this announcement will be achieved or proved correct. Except for the statutory liability which cannot be excluded, each of the Company, its directors, officers, employees, advisors, and agents expressly disclaims any responsibility for the accuracy, fairness, sufficiency or completeness of the material contained in this announcement and excludes all liability whatsoever (including in negligence) for an loss or damage which may be suffered by any person as a consequence of any information in this announcement or any effort or omission therefrom. The Company will not update of keep current the information contained in this announcement or to correct any inaccuracy or omission which may become apparent, or to furnish any person with any further information. Any opinions expressed in the announcement are subject to change without notice.

Competent Person's / Qualified Person's Statement

The information in this announcement that relates to Exploration Results and Mineral Resources for the La Blache and Lac Brule Titanium-Vanadium Projects in Quebec, Canada, is based on, and fairly represents, information and supporting documentation prepared and compiled by Mr Malcolm Castle, BSc (Hons), GCertAppFin (Sec Inst), MAusIMM, Principal Consultant of Agricola Mining Consultants Pty Ltd.

Mr Castle is a Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (MAusIMM). He has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation, the type of deposit under consideration, and the activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (JORC Code 2012) and a Qualified Person as defined by NI43-101.

Mr Castle is the Principal Consultant of Agricola Mining Consultants Pty Ltd, which provides independent geological and technical advisory services to Temas Resources Corp. He has reviewed the information presented in this announcement and consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which they appear.

Agricola Mining Consultants Pty Ltd is an independent geological and technical consultancy and has no direct or indirect interest in Temas Resources Corp.

About Temas Resources

Revolutionising Metal Production

Proprietary IP. Global Licensing. Titanium & Critical Minerals.

Temas Resources Corp. (ASX:TIO | CSE:TMAS | OTCQB:TMASF | FRA:26P0) is a technology-driven critical minerals company advancing a dual-business model built around proprietary processing innovation and strategic mineral ownership. The Company's patented Regenerative Chloride Leach (RCL) technology platform delivers significant operational cost reductions - validated at up to 65% lower than traditional processing - while dramatically reducing energy use and environmental impact.

Temas' RCL process is the foundation of its technology licensing and partnership business, enabling global mining and materials companies to adopt sustainable, high-margin metal extraction methods across a range of critical minerals including titanium, vanadium, nickel, and rare earth elements.?

Complementing its technology division, Temas also owns 100% of two advanced titanium-vanadium-iron projects in Quebec, Canada - La Blache and Lac Brule - which are strategically positioned to feed directly into the Company's proprietary processing platform, creating a fully integrated mine-to-market supply chain for Western metals.

Through this combination of innovative IP commercialisation and resource ownership, Temas Resources is positioned to deliver scalable, low-carbon solutions that strengthen Western critical-mineral independence and create long-term value for shareholders.

Follow us:

https://temasresources.com/

https://x.com/TMASResources

https://www.linkedin.com/company/temas-resources-corp/

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

This press release contains forward looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "expect", "estimate", "objective", "may", "will", "project", "should", "predict", "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements

Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company cannot give any assurance that they will prove correct. Since forward looking statements address future events and conditions, they involve inherent assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of assumptions, factors and risks. These assumptions and risks include, but are not limited to, assumptions and risks associated with mineral exploration generally and results from anticipated and proposed exploration programs, conditions in the equity financing markets, and assumptions and risks regarding receipt of regulatory and shareholder approvals.

Management has provided the above summary of risks and assumptions related to forward looking statements in this press release in order to provide readers with a more comprehensive perspective on the Company's future operations. The Company's actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive from them. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and, other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

SOURCE: Temas Resources Corp.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/temas-advances-drill-program-at-la-blache-quebec-targeting-titanium-and-critical-1101359
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 13, 2025) - Telo Genomics Corp. (TSXV: TELO) (OTCQB: TDSGF) ("Telo" or the "Company"), a leader in diagnostic and prognostic innovation through its proprietary multi-factor telomere analytics, today announced that it will deliver an industry presentation at the 2025 Myeloma Canada MRD Testing Implementation Summit, taking place November 14-15.

Dr. Yulia Shifrin, Laboratory Director at Telo Genomics, will highlight the Company's breakthrough Minimal Residual Disease ("MRD") technology. Her presentation will introduce initial clinical results demonstrating the power of combining Telo's blood-based MRD workflow with the first MRD test capable of risk-profiling individual cancer cells using the TeloView platform. This new capability extends MRD beyond disease quantification-delivering prognostic insights previously unattainable with conventional methods.

Early clinical findings show that myeloma patients present distinct genomic and structural profiles at the single-cell level that correlate with relapse risk and complement their MRD status. This added layer of prognostic intelligence has the potential to redefine clinical decision-making by providing a quantifiable relapse-risk score, rather than relying solely on threshold-based MRD positivity or negativity.

"This summit brings together the clinicians, researchers, patients and decision-makers who can champion next-generation diagnostics for myeloma patients," said Dr. Sabine Mai, Co-Founder of Telo Genomics. "Current MRD tools focus on measuring how much disease remains. Our TeloView platform goes a critical step further by identifying and characterizing the high-risk, aggressive cells that drive relapse early. We believe this is the future of MRD monitoring in multiple myeloma."

Myeloma Canada is the only national charitable patient organization created by and for Canadians impacted by multiple myeloma. The organization is dedicated to improving patient outcomes by accelerating access to optimal care while advancing research toward prevention and cure. The summit is designed to support evidence-based decision-making for MRD adoption across both community and academic clinical settings.

About MRD Assessment

Minimal Residual Disease ("MRD") is defined as the small number of cancer cells that remain in the body after treatment, stratifying MRD cells, between being in remission or active, provides important actionable information for clinicians. Also, the FDA's Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) voted unanimously in April 2024 to accept MRD as a clinical endpoint for accelerated approval of new multiple myeloma therapies, paving the way for faster drug approvals in multiple myeloma.

MRD testing is emerging as a valuable tool in assessing treatment response and guiding therapeutic decisions in oncology. With advancements in drug development technologies, and a growing emphasis on personalized healthcare, the MRD testing industry is expected to exhibit substantial global expansion in the coming years. The MRD global testing market size is expected to reach USD 4.1 billion by 2032 (Globe Newswire - August 14, 2023).

About Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a challenging and potentially deadly blood cancer that involves plasma cells, a type of blood cell that helps to fight infection. It is the second most common blood cancer with an incidence of 35,000 new cases every year in the US, and ~180,000 patients receiving treatment at any given time. The introduction of next-generation therapies (including targeted treatments) has increased the median survival rate to over 5 years, but MM is still considered incurable. Two asymptomatic precursors, Monoclonal Gammopathy of Unknown Significance ("MGUS") and SMM generally precede the progression to classic symptomatic MM. While MGUS carries a steady risk of progression of 1% per year, SMM is more heterogenous with nearly 40% of patients progressing in the first 5 years, 15% in the next 5 years, reaching the same low risk as MGUS after 10 years. To date, identifying patients who will more rapidly progress to MM remains an important clinical need. MM treatment includes various combinations of drugs with a cost as high as $150,000 per year per patient. As most patients will develop resistance to treatment and relapse within a median of 2 years, identifying them proactively remains another important clinical need. Notably, the total addressable market for both MM assays is over 750,000 tests per year in the US.

About Telo Genomics

Telo Genomics is a biotech company pioneering the most comprehensive telomere platform in the industry with powerful applications and prognostic solutions. These include liquid biopsies and related technologies in oncology and neurological diseases. Liquid biopsy is a rapidly growing field of significant interest to the medical community for being less invasive and more easily replicated than traditional diagnostic approaches. By combining our team's considerable expertise in quantitative analysis of 3D telomeres with molecular biology and artificial intelligence to recognize disease associated genetic instability, Telo Genomics is developing simple and accurate products that improve day-to-day care for patients by serving the needs of pathologists, clinicians, academic researchers and drug developers. The benefits of our proprietary technology have been substantiated in 160+ peer reviewed publications and in 30+ clinical studies involving more than 3,000 patients with multiple cancers and Alzheimer's disease. Our lead application, Telo-MM is being developed to provide important, actionable information to medical professionals in the treatment of Multiple Myeloma, a deadly form of blood cancer. For more information, please visit www.telodx.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as such 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

Certain information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Certain forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the Company's receipt of TSXV acceptance of the stock option grant are based on the Company's estimates and 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 capital expenditures and other costs. 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 will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/274236

SOURCE: Telo Genomics Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 13, 2025) - New Found Gold Corp. (TSXV: NFG) (NYSE American: NFGC) ("New Found Gold" or the "Company") and Maritime Resources Corp. ( "Maritime Resources") (TSXV: MAE) are pleased to announce that they have closed their previously announced transaction whereby New Found Gold has acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Maritime Resources (the "Maritime Shares"), that it does not already own, by way of a statutory plan of arrangement pursuant to Division 5 of Part 9 of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the "Transaction").

In connection with the completion of the Transaction, Allen Palmiere joined the board of directors of New Found Gold (the "Board") and Melissa Render, President of New Found Gold resigned from the Board. All the directors and officers of Maritime Resources resigned from their positions.

Keith Boyle, Chief Executive Officer and Director of New Found Gold, stated: "In less than a year, New Found Gold has transformed from an early-stage exploration company to an emerging Canadian gold producer with camp-scale exploration potential. Today we see two high-quality assets, the Queensway Gold Project and the Hammerdown Gold Project, located in a Tier 1 jurisdiction with strong synergies, come together at a time of highly favourable gold prices. Under the guidance of an experienced new Board, the Company's management team of mine builders and operators are focused on the path to production and continuing to deliver shareholder value."

"The combined Company is now producing gold; we could not have gotten to this point without the support of our local communities. For this we give our thanks and look forward to continuing this journey with you," continued Mr. Boyle.

Paul Andre Huet, Chairman of New Found Gold, stated: "I am pleased to welcome Allen Palmiere to the Board. Allen brings a depth of operational, management and finance experience to the Company and his expertise on the Maritime Resources assets is of great value. On behalf of the Board and the entire company, I would also like to thank our President, Melissa Render for her service on the Board."

Garett Macdonald, President and CEO of Maritime Resources, stated: "We are pleased with the completion of the business combination and are excited for New Found Gold as it grows into Canada's newest mid-tier gold producer. I would like to recognize the efforts of Maritime's team who demonstrated determination and creativity to develop the Hammerdown Gold Project, as well as the solid support of our shareholders, local communities and the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador these past few years."

Under the terms of the arrangement agreement entered into by New Found Gold and Maritime Resources on September 4, 2025, each holder of Maritime Shares received 0.75 of a New Found Gold common share (each whole share, a "New Found Gold Share") in exchange for each Maritime Share (the "Exchange Ratio"). Immediately upon completion of the Transaction, existing New Found Gold shareholders and former Maritime Resources shareholders held approximately 69% and 31%, respectively, of the pro forma company on a fully-diluted in-the-money basis and Maritime Resources became a wholly-owned subsidiary of New Found Gold. New Found Gold will apply for Maritime Resources to cease to be a reporting issuer under applicable Canadian securities laws and the Maritime Shares will be delisted from the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV").

In accordance with the plan of arrangement, each option to purchase Maritime Shares (each, a "Maritime Option") was cancelled and exchanged for a replacement option to acquire from New Found Gold such number of New Found Gold Shares equal to the product of: (A) that number of Maritime Shares that were issuable upon exercise of such Maritime Option immediately prior to the effective time of the Transaction (the "Effective Time") and (B) the Exchange Ratio, at an exercise price per New Found Gold Share equal to the quotient determined by dividing: (X) exercise price per Maritime Share at which such Maritime Option was exercisable immediately prior to the Effective Time, by (Y) the Exchange Ratio. Pursuant to the plan of arrangement, each outstanding Maritime Share purchase warrant became exercisable for New Found Gold Shares issuable on exercise and adjusted in accordance with the Exchange Ratio.

In order to receive the New Found Gold Shares in exchange for their Maritime Shares, registered Maritime Resources shareholders must complete, sign, date and return the Letter of Transmittal that was mailed to each registered Maritime Resources shareholder. The Letter of Transmittal is also available from Maritime Resources' depositary, Computershare Investor Services Inc., and online under Maritime Resources' issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Non-registered Maritime Resources shareholders whose Maritime Shares are registered in the name of a broker, investment dealer, bank, trust company, trustee or other intermediary or nominee should contact that intermediary or nominee for assistance in depositing their Maritime Shares and should follow the instructions of such intermediary or nominee in order to deposit their Maritime Shares.

Further information about the Transaction is set out in Maritime Resources' management information circular dated October 1, 2025, which can be accessed online under Maritime Resources' issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP acted as legal counsel to New Found Gold with respect to the Transaction. BMO Capital Markets acted as financial advisor to New Found Gold. Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP acted as legal counsel to Maritime Resources with respect to the Transaction. SCP Resource Finance LP and Canaccord Genuity Corp. acted as financial advisors to the board of directors of Maritime Resources.

Allen Palmiere - Independent Director

Mr. Palmiere, a Chartered Accountant-Chartered Public Accountant by training, has over 40 years of experience in the mining industry both from a financial and operational perspective. His international experience includes South Africa, Central America, Guyana Brazil and China. Mr. Palmiere's expertise includes operations, executive management and financing, both debt and equity. Additionally, Mr. Palmiere has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Palmiere's former executive positions include CEO and Chairman of the Board, HudBay Minerals Inc., Executive Chairman, Barplats Investments Ltd., Vice President, CFO, Zemex Corporation, and President and CEO, Breakwater Resources Ltd. Mr. Palmiere has also served as a director of numerous public companies. Mr. Palmiere is currently the CEO, President and a Director of Gold Resource Corporation.

Shares for Debt Transaction

The Company is pleased to announce that it has entered into a debt settlement agreement (the "Settlement Agreement") with SCP Resource Finance LLP ("SCP") to settle an aggregate amount of $3,276,712 in outstanding debt, rounded down to the nearest whole number of shares, related to the fees incurred by Maritime Resources pursuant to the terms of the letter agreement with SCP dated March 20, 2024, as amended on August 8, 2025, whereby SCP was appointed as financial advisor in connection with strategic matters related to any financing or a transaction resulting in the sale of Maritime Resources.

Pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Agreement, the Company has agreed to issue 1,085,003 New Found Gold Shares (the "Settlement Shares") at a deemed issue price of $3.02 per Settlement Share, based on the closing price of the New Found Gold Shares on the TSXV on November 12, 2025 (the "Shares for Debt Transaction"). The Board of New Found Gold has determined that the Shares for Debt Transaction is in the best interests of the Company.

Closing of the Shares for Debt Transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the approval of the TSXV and authorization of the NYSE American. The Settlement Shares to be issued pursuant to the Shares for Debt Transaction will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day following the date of issuance, in accordance with the applicable securities laws and TSXV policies.

About New Found Gold Corp.

New Found Gold is a well-financed advanced-stage exploration and development company that holds a 100% interest in the Queensway Gold Project ("Queensway"), as well as the recently acquired Maritime Division, where the Company is focused on bringing the Hammerdown Gold Project ("Hammerdown") into steady-state gold production. The Maritime Division includes Hammerdown, where it holds a 100% interest directly and subject to option agreements entitling it to earn 100% ownership in the Green Bay Property, which includes the former Hammerdown gold mine and the Orion gold project. The Maritime Division controls over 43,900 hectares of exploration land including the Green Bay, Whisker Valley, Gull Ridge and Point Rousse projects. Mineral processing assets in the Baie Verte mining district include the Pine Cove mill and the Nugget Pond Hydrometallurgical Gold Plant gold circuit.

The Company has completed a PEA at Queensway (see New Found Gold news release dated July 21, 2025). Recent drilling continues to yield new discoveries along strike and down dip of known gold zones, pointing to the district-scale potential of the Project that covers a +110 km strike extent along two prospective fault zones. On September 8, 2025, the Company announced it had entered into a property purchase agreement with Exploits Discovery Corp. ("Exploits") that would provide New Found Gold with a 100% interest in certain mineral claims in Newfoundland and Labrador held by Exploits (the "Claims") (see news release dated September 8, 2025). The Claims adjoin Queensway and would increase the size of Queensway by up to 33%, to a total of 234,050 hectares.

The Company's assets are located in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, a Tier 1 jurisdiction with excellent infrastructure and a skilled local workforce.

New Found Gold has a new Board and management team, a strong treasury and a solid shareholder base which includes cornerstone investor Eric Sprott. The Company is focused on growth and value creation.

New Found Gold Corp.

Per: "Keith Boyle"

Keith Boyle, Chief Executive Officer

Qualified Persons

The scientific and technical information disclosed in this press release related to Queensway was reviewed and approved by Melissa Render, P. Geo., President, and a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101. Ms. Render consents to the publication of this press release by New Found Gold. Ms. Render certifies that this press release fairly and accurately represents the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this press release.

The scientific and technical information disclosed in this press release related to the Maritime Division was reviewed and approved by Keith Boyle, P. Eng., CEO, and a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Boyle consents to the publication of this press release by New Found Gold. Mr. Boyle certifies that this press release fairly and accurately represents the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this press release.

Contact

For further information on New Found Gold, please visit New Found Gold's website at www.newfoundgold.ca, contact us through our investor inquiry form at https://newfoundgold.ca/contact/ or contact:

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulatory Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) nor the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) has reviewed or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including statements relating to the Transaction and the Shares for Debt Transaction and statements relating to assessments of and expectations for the combined company including production of gold and the timing thereof; assessments and expectations for Hammerdown Gold Project and Queensway Gold Project, including the timing thereof; New Found Gold's plans to apply for Maritime to cease to be a reporting issuer; the delisting of Maritime Shares and the treatment of the Maritime Options and warrants; and closing of the Shares for Debt Transaction, including receipt of TSXV and NYSE American approvals, and the timing thereof. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "interpreted", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "aims", "suggests", "indicate", "often", "target", "future", "likely", "pending", "potential", "encouraging", "goal", "objective", "prospective", "possibly", "preliminary", and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "can", "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made, and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSXV and NYSE American, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include risks associated with the Company's ability to complete exploration and drilling programs as expected, possible accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, risks associated with the interpretation of exploration results and the results of the metallurgical testing program, the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, the risk that the Company will not be able to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plans, and the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's Annual Information Form and Management's Discussion and Analysis, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR+) at www.sedarplus.ca for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/274316

SOURCE: Maritime Resources Corp.
The annual list recognizes the leading B2B companies that have proven track records of supporting entrepreneurs and helping companies grow

CLEARWATER, FL / ACCESS Newswire / November 13, 2025 / AmeriLife, a national leader in life and health insurance distribution, wealth management, and retirement solutions, is proud to announce its recognition on the Inc. Power Partner Awards for the third consecutive year. The prestigious list honors B2B organizations that have proven track records of supporting entrepreneurs and helping startups grow. AmeriLife was recognized in the categories of General Excellence, Marketing Creativity & Branding, and Best United States Power Partner.

"This incredible recognition is a testament to our team's continued dedication to supporting entrepreneurs and helping businesses thrive," said Scott Perry, Chairman and CEO of AmeriLife. "We're honored to be acknowledged for achievements that reflect our commitment to providing exceptional service and support to our affiliate partners."

As a national leader in life and health insurance distribution, wealth management, and retirement solutions, AmeriLife's partnership program has become a benchmark for independent and field marketing organizations seeking to expand their reach and resources without compromising operational control over their business. By partnering with AmeriLife, companies can leverage the firm's extensive distribution network, advanced marketing capabilities, technology solutions, and regulatory compliance tools, allowing them to focus on their core business while driving growth.

AmeriLife's recent strategic moves have further strengthened its market position. In March, AmeriLife finalized its acquisition Crump Life Insurance Services, enhancing its wealth distribution capabilities within the institutional, IMO, and BGA segments. Crump's expertise spans life insurance and retirement products, and it partners with over 31,000 financial professionals to deliver holistic solutions. This acquisition marked a significant step forward for AmeriLife, transforming its wealth distribution approach and delivering comprehensive, integrated solutions.

AmeriLife, through its affiliate Saybrus Partners, also entered into a strategic partnership with SterlingBridge Insurance Agency, expanding its national reach and capabilities in life insurance and annuity distribution. This partnership demonstrates the ability for affiliates to access capital and M&A support to add key capabilities they need to drive growth. Specifically, this partnership brought best-in-class capabilities in back-office operations and institutional and independent distribution, complementing Saybrus Partners' wholesaling and sales support model.

The success of AmeriLife's affiliate partners is also noteworthy. Four of its affiliate partners were recognized on the 2025 Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America, including Florida Financial Advisors, Hoffman Financial Group, Brookstone Capital Management, and Pinnacle Financial Services. This recognition underscores the exceptional growth and innovative spirit of these companies, which are integral to AmeriLife's mission.

Companies on the Inc. Power Partner list received top marks from clients for being instrumental in helping leadership navigate the dynamic world of startups. These B2B partners support entrepreneurs across various business functions, including hiring, compliance, infrastructure development, cloud migration, fundraising, and more, allowing founders to focus on their core missions.

"The entrepreneurial journey and community are core to Inc.'s mission, and it's a true honor to celebrate this year's Inc. Power Partners -- the companies dedicated to helping small businesses and entrepreneurs," says Bonny Ghosh, editorial director at Inc. "Whether they're coordinating complex marketing campaigns or reliably supporting the day-to-day infrastructure of growing companies, these honorees aren't simply B2B providers -- they are true partners in helping businesses grow and succeed."

For more information or to view the complete list of honorees, visit Inc.com/Power-Partner-Awards.

###

About AmeriLife

AmeriLife's strength lies in its mission: to provide insurance and retirement solutions that help people live longer, healthier lives. AmeriLife develops, markets, and distributes life and health insurance, annuities, and retirement planning solutions to enhance the lives of pre-retirees and retirees across the United States. For over 50 years, AmeriLife has partnered with top insurance carriers to provide value and quality to customers through a national distribution network of over 300,000 agents, financial professionals, and more than 160 marketing organizations and insurance agencies. For more information, visit AmeriLife.com and follow AmeriLife on Facebook and LinkedIn.

About Inc.

Inc. is the leading media brand and playbook for entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future. Through 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. Inc. is published by Manseto Ventures, along with fellow leading business publication Fast Company. For more information, visit www.inc.com.

Contacts:

Media

Jeff Maldonado

AmeriLife

media@amerilife.com

Partnership Inquiries

Alex Hyer

AmeriLife

corporatedevelopment@amerilife.com





SOURCE: AmeriLife

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The branded merchandise company expands its merchandise model with a creative approach that turns souvenirs into emotional keepsakes.

MIAMI SPRINGS, FLORIDA / ACCESS Newswire / November 13, 2025 / iMage PB has unveiled a new line of branded travel merchandise designed to transform how travelers connect with destinations through physical products. The company's approach moves beyond conventional souvenir manufacturing by embedding emotional storytelling and local authenticity into every piece, creating keepsakes that allow travelers to relive their journeys long after returning home.

iMage PB

iMage PB Logo

The initiative reimagines travel merchandising as an extension of the destination experience itself. Rather than producing generic items, iMage PB builds on its sourcing and fulfillment expertise to supply branded products that capture the cultural essence, historical significance, and emotional resonance of specific locations. Each piece is conceptualized to serve as a tangible memory, a physical story that travelers can hold, share, and revisit.

Building Bridges Between Destinations and Travelers

iMage PB collaborates closely with travel destinations, tourism boards, and hospitality brands to design merchandise that authentically reflects local identity. This partnership model enables tourism organizations to extend their brand narratives beyond digital marketing and temporary visits, creating lasting impressions through thoughtfully crafted products.

The company's design process involves researching local culture, understanding traveler sentiment, and identifying elements that resonate emotionally with visitors. This methodology helps tourism partners strengthen customer loyalty and improve brand recall by offering merchandise that feels meaningful rather than transactional.

"Travel souvenirs have always been about memories," said Eddy Perez, Managing Partner at iMage PB. "What we're doing is helping destinations and brands create products that don't just commemorate a trip, but continue the story travelers experienced while they were there."

Aligning Physical Products with Modern Consumer Values

The storytelling approach comes at a time with broader shifts in consumer behavior toward experience-driven purchases, personalization, and sustainability. More than ever, modern travelers are looking for products that carry emotional weight and authentic connections to place, and not mass-produced items that could come from anywhere.

iMage PB's creative team works to identify narrative threads within each destination and translates these elements into product design. The result is merchandise that serves as both a personal memento and a conversation piece, bridging the gap between commercial product and meaningful artifact.

This evolution in travel merchandising shows that physical products can serve as powerful extensions of brand identity when they're also rooted in authenticity. As tourism destinations strive for deeper connections with visitors, branded merchandise designed with intention and emotional resonance helps cultivate this kind of lasting engagement.

About iMage PB

iMage PB is a branded merchandise company that simplifies promotional product sourcing for organizations worldwide. The company makes it easy for clients to access high-quality, customizable merchandise through direct manufacturer partnerships and global distribution. With operations in both the U.S. and Europe, iMage PB helps brands save money, strengthen their image, and deliver products that reflect their values. Interested readers can learn more at https://imagepb.com/ .

Contact Information

iMage PB

info@imagepb.com

(786) 445-0199





SOURCE: iMage PB

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The All-Data, Any AI Integration Leader Achieves Centaur Status as it Crosses $100M in Revenue

Safe Software (Safe), the creator of FME, the only All-Data, Any-AI enterprise integration platform with true support for spatial data, today announced strong business momentum and continued progress toward its goal of reaching $250M in revenue by 2028. Building on another year of record performance, Safe Software is ahead of its target, surpassing $100M in annual revenue in FY25, representing nearly 20% year-over-year growth.

"Crossing $100M is more than a financial milestone, it's testament to the significant value FME delivers for our customers every day," said Don Murray, CEO of Safe Software. "As we advance toward $250M, we remain committed to empowering organizations to unlock the full potential of their data through open, scalable, and intelligent solutions"

The company's employee base increased by 21.8% over the fiscal year, reflecting strategic investments in its people, culture, and innovation to meet global demand.

Internally, the growing Safe Software team has embraced AI, with over 600 active custom GPTs at the company, and over 40,000 messages per month sent to its enterprise GPT. Additionally, the company's AI Champions Program has resulted in 20 internal demos posted for staff this quarter, covering a wide range of processes and tooling.

During the same period, Safe Software successfully expanded its international footprint with new operations in the UK and Ireland laying foundations for its next period of sustainable growth.

The business also introduced major product updates that further strengthened FME's ability to connect and automate data across every system, including FME Realize and new Data Virtualization capabilities. Other major updates during the last fiscal year include: The launch of FME Multi-Language Availability, 24/7 global support for FME users and Safe Software being recognized as Customers' Choice in the 2025 Gartner Peer Insights 'Voice of the Customer' for third consecutive year in a row.

Earlier this month, the company also announced a new partnership with the Vancouver Canucks.

About Safe Software

Headquartered in Surrey, British Columbia, Safe Software is the creator of FME, the only enterprise integration platform with comprehensive support for spatial data. The company was founded in 1993 and has been focused on bringing life to data since its inception. Whether your challenges have to do with spatial data, big data, stream processing, cloud migration, or business intelligence, Safe Software is here to help you spend more time reaping the benefits of information, and less time fighting it.

For more information, visit safe.com.

About FME by Safe Software

The FME Platform has built-in support for thousands of systems as well as 800+ out-of-the-box transformers allowing users to build and automate custom integration workflows without having to code. Over 20,000 organizations worldwide trust FME technology for their enterprise integration solutions. Through Safe Software's international partner network, FME is used in 120+ countries around the world and has been localized into multiple languages.

For more information, visit fme.safe.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251113654570/en/

Contacts:

Media

Elan Paris

DGPR

elan.paris@dg-pr.com

+1 778 988 6525
LanzaJet's Freedom Pines Fuels achieves ASTM on-spec jet fuel production and full plant operation with breakthrough that serves as a beacon of hope for innovators, farmers, fuel producers, and aviation

CHICAGO and SOPERTON, Ga., Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- LanzaJet, Inc., a leading next-gen fuels technology company and fuels producer, today announced that it has fully operated and produced fuels at its LanzaJet Freedom Pines Fuels facility in Soperton, Georgia, USA - marking both the world's first production of jet fuel using ethanol as a feedstock at a commercial-scale plant, and the first non-oil-based renewable solution compatible with today's aircraft.

This achievement marks the culmination of 15 years of research and development, collaboration, investment, and scale-up, and represents a critical breakthrough for the aviation industry with evidence that ethanol can be transformed into jet fuel at commercial scale. With the bio-oil HEFA pathway expected to near a plateau in available and qualified feedstocks, LanzaJet's proprietary Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) technology has now unlocked the next wave of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) technology applicable to nearly all regions throughout the world and urgently needed by the sector.

"Today proves what happens when you bring together innovation, resilience, ingenuity, and teamwork to think big and develop a new industry, overcome challenges, and enable global growth," said Jimmy Samartzis, Chief Executive Officer of LanzaJet. "This is an important milestone for LanzaJet and our investors, and it's a major win for global aviation - perhaps serving as a beacon of hope for the future. Our story at LanzaJet is one of impact - building a new industry, creating value, and delivering on our commitments regardless of obstacles in our way. We're now in a unique position with technology and operational know-how to shape this global industry in the decade ahead."

One of the most promising technologies in nearly a decade to reach commercial readiness, LanzaJet's ATJ technology offers a scalable solution to decarbonize aviation, leveraging the world's widely available ethanol feedstocks and the substantial additional production of ethanol possible from waste sources and recycled carbon. It provides the opportunity for countries to reinforce and expand their agriculture sectors by accessing this new market, enables economic development, and enhances domestic energy security. Nations can now leverage and control supply chains and domestic production of their fuels with LanzaJet's breakthrough technology.

LanzaJet Freedom Pines Fuels serves as a blueprint for future SAF production, creating a new pathway for global deployment and commercialization of the company's ATJ technology. LanzaJet successfully troubleshot and brought into operation a fully integrated First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) plant and technology solution. Included in LanzaJet's plant are also FOAK technologies - Technip Energies' Hummingbird technology - an Ethanol-to-Ethylene solution, and Oligomerization jointly developed by the US Department of Energy and LanzaTech. LanzaJet invested in, engineered, built, integrated, and fully operationalized these technologies and the overall integrated solution to efficiently operate the plant as the first commercial-scale fuels facility.

LanzaJet's ATJ technology is designed to work with a broad range of sustainable feedstocks - including agricultural residues, energy crops, municipal solid waste, and captured carbon - to deliver significant lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions reductions compared to conventional jet fuel. Once blended with Jet A-1 fuel, the result is a fully certified solution compatible with existing aircraft and infrastructure. LanzaJet is delivering this technology throughout the world including the US, Australia, Japan, India, United Kingdom, Colombia, European Union, Middle East, and Kazakhstan.

Located in Treutlen County in Soperton, Georgia and less than 100 miles from Savannah, LanzaJet invested over $300M to develop this facility which employed more than 300 people during construction and has created more than 65 direct and indirect jobs during ongoing operations.

LanzaJet stands as the culmination of a history of firsts within the SAF industry, dating back to its origins as part of LanzaTech in 2012 as the first ethanol-to-SAF technology which was developed in collaboration with the Pacific Northwest National Lab. That early work enabled lab-, pilot- and demo-scale plants, production of on-spec fuels, the approval of the ethanol-to-SAF pathway by ASTM in 2016, and the technology's first commercial flights which were completed with Virgin Atlantic and All Nippon Airways in 2018 and 2019, respectively.

ABOUT LANZAJET

LanzaJet is a leading alternative fuels technology provider with patented ethanol-based alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) technology. LanzaJet is impacting economic development, energy security, decarbonization, and national security by accelerating the production and deployment of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and other alternative fuels. LanzaJet is supported by investors and funders including Airbus, All Nippon Airways, Breakthrough Energy, British Airways, Groupe ADP, LanzaTech, Microsoft's Climate Innovation Fund, Mitsui & Co., MUFG, Shell, Southwest Airlines, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the UK Department for Transport. LanzaJet has been recognized for its impact by TIME, Fortune, MIT, Reuters, S&P Global, and many others. Further information is available at: https://www.lanzajet.com/.

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TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Devicie, a leader in optimized Microsoft Intune deployment and maintenance solutions, today announced it has been named a finalist of the Microsoft for Startups 2025 Microsoft Partner of the Year Award. The company was honored among a global field of top Microsoft partners for demonstrating excellence in innovation and implementation of customer solutions based on Microsoft technology.

"Being recognized as a finalist for the Microsoft for Startups Partner of the Year Award affirms the value we bring to Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and IT teams navigating modern endpoint management," said Shane Harding, Chief Executive Officer at Devicie."Our automation-first approach enables partners and customers to unlock the full potential of Microsoft Intune, achieving security, compliance and efficiency at scale, while freeing IT teams to focus on innovation."

The Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards recognize Microsoft partners that have developed and delivered outstanding Microsoft Cloud applications, services, devices, and AI innovation during the past year. Awards were classified in various categories, with honorees chosen from more than 4,600 nominations across more than 100 countries. Devicie was recognized for providing outstanding solutions and services across the globe.

The Microsoft for Startups Partner of the Year Awards celebrates high-growth companies that are building and scaling innovative solutions on Microsoft platforms, while driving meaningful outcomes for customers worldwide.

"Congratulations to all the winners and finalists of the 2025 Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards, said Nicole Dezen, Chief Partner Officer and Corporate Vice President at Microsoft. "This year, our partners harnessed the transformative power of Microsoft's Cloud and AI platforms to deliver transformative solutions that redefine the boundaries of innovation. The energy and ingenuity across our ecosystem continue to inspire us. The 2025 honorees exemplify what's possible when technology and vision unite to empower customers around the world."

The 2025 Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards are announced ahead of Microsoft Ignite, which will be held in San Francisco from November 18-21. Additional details on the 2025 awards are available on the Microsoft Partner blog: https://aka.ms/2025POTYA_Announcement. The complete list of categories, winners and finalists can be found at https://aka.ms/2025POTYAWinnersFinalists.

About Devicie

Intune automation. Intune at scale. Intune that just works.

Devicie transforms Microsoft Intune into an automated, always-optimized endpoint management platform. With zero-touch configuration, advanced security, built-in compliance reporting, and ongoing optimization, Devicie eliminates complexity and accelerates outcomes for IT teams and managed service providers. By reducing manual workloads and standardizing management across tenants, Devicie helps organizations scale securely, improve profitability, and free technical teams to focus on higher-value initiatives.

Devicie is available globally through trusted distribution partners including Pax8, TD SYNNEX, Microsoft, and Crayon. Learn more at www.devicie.com.

For more information, press only:

Miluse Vejdani, Channel Marketing Director, +1 (617) 640-3802, Miluse.vejdani@devicie.com

Product or service names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

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SOUTHAMPTON, Pa., Nov. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Environmental Tectonics Corporation's (OTCID: ETCC) ("ETC" or the "Company") Simulation (Advanced Disaster Management Simulator "ADMS") business unit announced that it has been awarded four contracts during its Fiscal 2026 Third Quarter with an approximate total value of $3.3 million. ETC will supply several Airport Fire Truck Simulators with airport terrain databases and a Petro-chemical Industry Incident Command Training Systems for customers in Europe and the Middle-East.

"These projects allow for high impact training of emergency response capabilities at critical infrastructure facilities. Each of the projects gives ETC the opportunity to advance our ADMS simulation technology, add new scenarios, and strengthen our position in the markets we proudly serve," stated Marco van Wijngaarden, President ETC Simulation.

About ETC

ETC designs, manufactures, and sells software-driven products and services used to recreate and monitor the physiological effects of motion on humans, and equipment to control, modify, simulate and measure environmental conditions. Our products include aircrew training systems (aeromedical, tactical combat, and general), disaster management systems, sterilizers (steam and gas), environmental testing and simulation systems, and other products that involve similar manufacturing techniques and engineering technologies. ETC's unique ability to offer complete systems, designed and produced to high technical standards, sets it apart from its competition. ETC's headquarters is in Southampton, PA. For more information about ETC, visit http://www.etcusa.com/.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements, which are based on management's expectations and are subject to uncertainties and changes in circumstances. Words and expressions reflecting something other than historical fact are intended to identify forward-looking statements, and these statements may include terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "future", "predict", "potential", "intend", or "continue", and similar expressions. We base our forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events or future financial performance. Our forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about ETC and its subsidiaries that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results implied by these forward-looking statements. We caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

Contact: Tim Kennedy, CFO Phone: (215) 355-9100 E-mail: info@etcusa.com
Info-Tech Research Group spotlights exceptional IT leaders and organisations across EMEA that are driving measurable value and transformation through its 2025 Info-Tech Awards. The global research and advisory firm's prestigious program recognises technology excellence worldwide, highlighting measurable impact, innovation, and strategic alignment across categories such as Women Leading IT, IT Transformation, and IT Impact awards.

LONDON, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Info-Tech Research Group, a global leader in IT research and advisory, has announced the winners of its 2025 Info-Tech Awards from across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). The annual global program honours technology leaders and organisations that exemplify innovation, operational excellence, and strategic alignment between IT and business goals.

For the first time this year, the 2025 Info-Tech Awards recognise both individual and organisational excellence across two main streams: Leader of the Year and Innovator of the Year. Each stream celebrates IT leaders and teams who are transforming their organisations through innovation, governance, and strategic alignment. The EMEA recipients of this year's program were selected for exemplifying this standard, based on a comprehensive evaluation that combines nominations, diagnostic data, and interviews.

"The 2025 Info-Tech Awards highlight the remarkable innovation and leadership emerging across EMEA," says Nigel Bowles, Vice President at Info-Tech Research Group, Europe. "Each of these recipients demonstrates how IT can drive measurable business value, resilience, and transformation when innovation and governance work hand in hand. Their success reflects the strength of the region's technology leadership and its growing global impact on a multitude of industries and sectors."

2025 Info-Tech Awards EMEA Winners

This year's EMEA award recipients represent diverse countries and industries, demonstrating how technology continues to drive innovation, strengthen governance, and deliver measurable outcomes across the enterprise landscape.

The EMEA winners of the 2025 Info-Tech Awards were recognised across five distinct categories that acknowledge excellence in leadership, performance, and innovation across the global IT community: Innovator of the Year, Women Leading IT, IT Transformation, IT Impact, and IT Excellence.

Innovator of the Year Award

Celebrating organisations that implemented groundbreaking IT initiatives that deliver measurable value and redefine excellence within their industries, the following EMEA winners have been recognised for the Innovator of the Year Award for 2025:

Sophos Ltd. (EMEA)

alfanar group (EMEA)

Women Leading IT Award

Highlighting women in IT who demonstrate innovation, inclusive leadership, and mentorship, inspiring future generations of technology leaders, the following leaders across EMEA have been honoured with this year's Women Leading IT Award:

Gudani Mukatuni, CIO, Glacier Financial Holdings (EMEA)

Gogutsa Gelashvili, Platform Systems Tribe Lead, TBC Bank (EMEA)

Aisha Almheiri, Director IT, Sharjah Airport (EMEA)

Lucille Britz, Security Head for SEA Markets, MTN Group Limited (EMEA)

IT Transformation Award

Recognising IT leaders who successfully executed strategic initiatives that strengthened alignment between IT and business priorities, guided by Info-Tech's CIO Playbook framework, the following leader has been recognised for exemplary IT Transformation in 2025:

Phathizwe Malinga, CIO, PG Group (EMEA)

IT Impact Award

Acknowledging leaders who achieved top stakeholder satisfaction by aligning IT services with business goals, based on results from Info-Tech's CIO Business Vision diagnostic, the following recipients have been named 2025 IT Impact award winners:

Paul Keen, Group IT Director, Bloor Homes Ltd (EMEA)

Bashayer O. Alnuhait, Head of IT Strategy, Arab National Bank (EMEA)

Esteban Remecz, CIO VP, Maxion Wheels (EMEA)

IT Excellence Award

Honouring leaders who improved IT processes and operational performance using the firm's IT Management & Governance Diagnostic, the following recipient has been awarded the 2025 IT Excellence award:

Beatrice Heneghan, Director of ICT, University of Galway (EMEA)

The annual Info-Tech Awards program reflects Info-Tech Research Group's commitment to advancing IT maturity and measurable business outcomes worldwide. For more information about the Info-Tech Awards and the complete list of global winners, please visit the 2025 Info-Tech Awards page.

To request interviews or expert commentary from Info-Tech's experts on the evolving role of IT leadership and innovation in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, please contact pr@infotech.com.

About Info-Tech Research Group

Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading and fastest-growing research and advisory firms, serving over 30,000 IT, HR, and marketing professionals around the globe. As a trusted product and service leader, the company delivers unbiased, highly relevant research and industry-leading advisory support to help leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For nearly 30 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with teams to provide everything they need, from actionable tools to expert guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organisations.

To learn more about Info-Tech's divisions, visit McLean & Company for HR research and advisory services and SoftwareReviews for software buying insights.

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software, and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact pr@infotech.com .

For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and X .

Media Contact: Sufyan Al-Hassan, PR Director, Info-Tech Research Group, salhassan@infotech.com, +1 (888) 670-8889 x2418

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Farmingdale, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - November 13, 2025) - In celebration of National Entrepreneurs Month, MontanaroLaw, P.C., a premier New York law firm serving individuals and businesses throughout Long Island and New York City, is hosting an exclusive in-person educational event titled "Future Proofing Your Business and Legacy."

The seminar will take place online on Wednesday, November 13, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. A link will be shared with all those who have signed up. This link will take participants to the video call where the event will be hosted.

Empowering Entrepreneurs Through Strategic Planning

This live program will bring together legal and financial professionals to educate business owners on why estate planning is essential to the success and longevity of their businesses. With November recognized as National Entrepreneurs Month, the event's theme centers on empowering entrepreneurs to protect what they've built and prepare for the future.

The seminar will be co-hosted by Mark Montanaro, Esq., founder and managing attorney of MontanaroLaw, P.C., and Samantha Lier-Kasindorf, a financial professional. Together, they will guide attendees through how estate planning and finance strategies create a stable foundation for both personal and business growth.

"Entrepreneurs are the backbone of our economy, and their businesses often represent their life's work," said Mark Montanaro, Esq. "Yet too many overlook how estate planning ties directly into business success and continuity. This seminar is about helping owners understand the legal tools and strategies that protect their companies - and their legacies - for the long term."

What Attendees Will Learn

Throughout the session, Mark and Samantha will outline the essential documents every business owner should have, the key components of a strong estate plan, and how estate planning contributes to long-term stability and succession.

Topics will include:

The connection between estate planning and business continuity

Succession planning to ensure a smooth transition of ownership

to ensure a smooth transition of ownership The legal structures that protect personal and business assets

Financial strategies that align with estate planning goals

How to prepare for the unexpected and safeguard family interests

"Financial preparedness and estate planning go hand in hand," added Samantha. "By working together, we help business owners understand how to balance growth and security - ensuring their businesses are built to last well beyond the current generation."

The program will conclude with an interactive Q&A session, allowing attendees to engage directly with both presenters and explore customized approaches to their own business and estate planning needs.

Event Details

Date: Wednesday, November 13, 2025

Time: 2:00 p.m.

Location: Webinar (Link will be emailed for those who signed up)

Format: In-person seminar

Cost: Complimentary (registration required)

Sign Up Form: https://montanarolaw.com/event-registration-form/

About MontanaroLaw, P.C.

MontanaroLaw, P.C. is a full-service New York law firm with offices in Farmingdale and Manhattan, providing practical counsel and effective solutions across a wide range of legal matters. Founded and led by Mark Montanaro, Esq., a Super Lawyers Rising Star for eight consecutive years, the firm represents individuals, families, and businesses throughout Long Island and the New York City area.

Clients rely on MontanaroLaw for trusted guidance in estate planning, business law, litigation, criminal defense, real estate, traffic and DWI defense, and personal injury matters. The firm is known for its commitment to clear communication, tailored strategies, and results-driven advocacy.

Media Contact





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SOURCE: GetFeatured
TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / November 13, 2025 / Lahontan Gold Corp. (TSXV:LG)(OTCQB:LGCXF)(FSE:Y2F) (the "Company" or "Lahontan") is pleased to announce that the Federal Bureau of Land Management ("BLM") has published its Decision Record ("DR"), Finding of No Significant Impact ("FONSI"), and approval of the Company's Exploration Plan of Operations ("EPOO") for the Santa Fe Mine project, on the BLM's website: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/home. This decision concludes the National Environmental Policy Act ("NEPA") Environmental Assessment ("EA") process and authorizes Lahontan to move forward with its greatly expanded exploration drilling and mine development program at Santa Fe.

The recently approved Exploration Plan of Operations ("EPOO") allows Lahontan to conduct exploration drilling across a 12.2 km area of the Santa Fe Mine project, enabling the Company to test multiple new targets, well beyond the currently defined gold and silver resources (see map below)*. Previous Lahontan drilling programs focused on validating historical drill results, defining and expanding resources adjacent to the past-producing open pits, and collecting data to support detailed mine planning and scheduling.

With the EPOO in place, Lahontan can now initiate true exploration programs across the broader project area. The EPOO encompasses over 700 permitted drill holes targeting well-defined geologic and geochemical anomalies, as well as previously drilled areas that returned significant gold and silver intercepts that require follow-up drilling. Priority targets include the Pinnacles area, hosted in a similar geologic setting to Fortitude Gold's nearby Isabella Pearl Mine, as well as important historic drilling at the Guzzler target south of the Santa Fe open pit, along with multiple untested zones between the known resource areas at Santa Fe (see map below).

Map of the recently approved EPOO for Santa Fe. The yellow shading outlines the area included in the EPOO, dark red indicates the historic pits including the Isabella Pearl pit west of the project boundary, the red lines shows the surface projection of known gold and silver resources*.

Kimberly Ann, Lahontan Gold Corp. Executive Chair, Founder, CEO, and President commented: "Receiving approval of the Santa Fe Mine project EPOO represents a landmark milestone for Lahontan. Until now, the Company's exploration activities were limited to a five-acre disturbance area, significantly restricting its ability to step out from known resources and fully assess the exploration potential of the Santa Fe Mine Project. With the approval of the EPOO, Lahontan can now explore a 12.2 km area encompassing multiple well-defined geological and geochemical targets located between and adjacent to existing gold and silver resources. The expanded permit area also allows for drill testing of the historical heap leach pads, which may contain remnant mineralization of potential economic interest. This approval positions the Company to evaluate the broader gold and silver endowment of the Santa Fe Mine project and to unlock the full potential of its strategic land position in Nevada's Walker Lane. Lahontan would also like to thank the staff of the Carson City office of the BLM for their efficient and timely completion of the EPOO."

Map of exploration targets at the Santa Fe Mine Project.

About Lahontan Gold Corp.

Lahontan Gold Corp. is a Canadian mine development and mineral exploration company that holds, through its US subsidiaries, four gold and silver exploration properties in the Walker Lane of mining friendly Nevada. Lahontan's flagship property, the 28.3 km2 Santa Fe Mine project, had past production of 359,202 ounces of gold and 702,067 ounces of silver between 1988 and 1995 from open pit mines utilizing heap-leach processing. The Santa Fe Mine has a Canadian National Instrument 43-101 compliant Indicated Mineral Resource of 1,539,000 oz Au Eq(48,393,000 tonnes grading 0.92 g/t Au and 7.18 g/t Ag, together grading 0.99 g/t Au Eq) and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 411,000 oz Au Eq (16,760,000 grading 0.74 g/t Au and 3.25 g/t Ag, together grading 0.76 g/t Au Eq), all pit constrained (Au Eq is inclusive of recovery, please see Santa Fe Project Technical Report and note below*). The Company plans to continue advancing the Santa Fe Mine project towards production, update the Santa Fe Preliminary Economic Assessment, and drill test its satellite West Santa Fe project during 2025. For more information, please visit our website: www.lahontangoldcorp.com

* Please see the "Preliminary Economic Assessment, NI 43-101 Technical Report, Santa Fe Project", Authors: Kenji Umeno, P. Eng., Thomas Dyer, PE, Kyle Murphy, PE, Trevor Rabb, P. Geo, Darcy Baker, PhD, P. Geo., and John M. Young, SME-RM; Effective Date: December 10, 2024, Report Date: January 24, 2025. The Technical Report is available on the Company's website and SEDAR+. Mineral resources are reported using a cut-off grade of 0.15 g/t AuEq for oxide resources and 0.60 g/t AuEq for non-oxide resources. AuEq for the purpose of cut-off grade and reporting the Mineral Resources is based on the following assumptions gold price of US$1,950/oz gold, silver price of US$23.50/oz silver, and oxide gold recoveries ranging from 28% to 79%, oxide silver recoveries ranging from 8% to 30%, and non-oxide gold and silver recoveries of 71%.

Qualified Person

Brian J. Maher, M.Sc., CPG-12342, is a "Qualified Person" as defined under Canadian National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and has reviewed and approved the content of this news release in respect of all technical disclosure other than the Mineral Resource Estimate as noted above.? Mr. Maher is Vice President-Exploration for Lahontan Gold and has verified the data disclosed in this news release, including the sampling, ??analytical and test data underlying the disclosure.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Kimberly Ann

Founder, CEO, President, and Director

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Lahontan Gold Corp.

Kimberly Ann

Founder, Chief Executive Officer, President, Director

Phone: 1-530-414-4400

Email:

Kimberly.ann@lahontangoldcorp.com

Website: www.lahontangoldcorp.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

Neither 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. Except for statements of historical 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 including, but not limited to delays or uncertainties with regulatory approvals, including that of the TSXV. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. 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 filings are available at www.sedar.com

SOURCE: Lahontan Gold Corp

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/lahontan-receives-blm-approval-of-santa-fe-exploration-plan-of-operations-1101918
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / November 13, 2025 / St Aidan's Primary School and Nursery recently reached out on social media for help replacing their old and worn-out cable reels. Wesco Anixter responded, offering assistance that was warmly welcomed by the school. Working in partnership with MAXI Haulage, the team arranged the collection and delivery, providing the school with durable upcycled reels that will serve students for years to come.

The project was a true community effort with seven Wesco Anixter employees at the company's Lichfield location volunteering a total of 37 hours to upcycle used reels, carefully removing nails, staples, and splinters to ensure the drums were safe for children. The Wesco Anixter team expressed their enthusiasm for the project, saying, "I love the colours, so this is a pleasure," and "this brings out my creative side." Wesco Anixter supplied the paint, while the team brought their own brushes and tools, transforming the reels with vibrant school colors.

MAXI Haulage played a key role in the delivery, with driver William Story ensuring the children had an excellent experience. The initiative was met with heartfelt gratitude from the school. MAXI Haulage also supported the responsible removal of the old and rotten drums.

"We are incredibly grateful to the team at Wesco Anixter for not only gifting us cable drums but for also volunteering their personal time and talent to brand the cable drums with our school colours," said Kerri Thomson, Head Teacher of St Aidan's Primary School and Nursery, shared. "Your generous gift is deeply appreciated by all, but most importantly it is already bringing so much joy to our nursery learners! The repurposed drums will help to encourage creativity, physical development, and imaginative play and help to support language and communication development too."

"Supporting the school and meeting the pupils was a real pleasure," said Graeme Wands, Wesco Anixter Director of Sales. "Delivering the finished reels and seeing them put to use immediately was incredibly rewarding. This collaboration highlights the power of community and sustainable principles, bringing lasting benefits to employees through volunteerism."

About Wesco Anixter

Wesco International (NYSE:WCC) builds, connects, powers and protects the world. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Wesco is a FORTUNE 500 company with more than $22 billion in annual sales and a leading provider of business-to-business distribution, logistics services and supply chain solutions. Wesco offers a best-in-class product and services portfolio of Electrical and Electronic Solutions, Communications and Security Solutions, and Utility and Broadband Solutions. The Company employs approximately 20,000 people, partners with the industry's premier suppliers, and serves thousands of customers around the world. With millions of products, end-to-end supply chain services, and leading digital capabilities, provides innovative solutions to meet customer needs across commercial and industrial businesses, contractors, government agencies, educational institutions, telecommunications providers, and utilities. Wesco operates nearly 800 branches, warehouses and sales offices in more than 50 countries, providing a local presence for customers and a global network to serve multi-location businesses and global corporations.

About MAXI Haulage

Maxi Haulage Ltd is one of the UK's leading transport and logistics specialists, with over 50 years of experience delivering reliable, efficient, and environmentally responsible haulage solutions across the UK and Ireland. Headquartered in Ayrshire, the company operates a modern fleet and an extensive depot network, providing full-load, groupage, and contract logistics services for major retailers, manufacturers, and distributors. Renowned for its strong customer partnerships, innovation in fleet management, and commitment to sustainability, Maxi Haulage continues to set industry standards in safety, service, and performance.

Picture left to right: David, Robert, Lindsay, Alan, Val, Joseph and Darrick from Wesco Anixter Lichfield.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Wesco International on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Wesco International

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/wesco-international

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Wesco International

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/industrial-and-manufacturing/wesco-anixter-brings-joy-and-creativity-to-st-aidans-primary-school-an-1101922
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 13, 2025) - Onyx Gold Corp. (TSXV: ONYX) (OTCQX: ONXGF) ("Onyx" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a fully-funded 50,000-meter ("m") phase three expansion to the diamond drill program (the "Program") at its 100%-owned Munro-Croesus Project ("Munro-Croesus" or the "Project"), located 75 kilometers east of Timmins, Ontario (Figure 3).

The new 50,000-meter program, budgeted at $11 million and utilizing three drill rigs, follows a successfully completed 25,000 m campaign, (81 holes-36 reported to date). This marks the largest drill program in the property's history and one of the most significant ongoing exploration programs in the Timmins Gold Camp. With a strong cash position of approximately $31.4 million, Onyx is well positioned to continue unlocking the exceptional district-scale potential of the Munro-Croesus Project.

Summary of Corporate and Exploration Activities Completed to Date

Raised $41.6 million in 2025, through a combination of non-brokered and bought-deal private placements (see Company news releases dated May 22, June 6, October 2, and October 15, 2025).

Two diamond drill rigs have been active since early May at the Argus North Zone, on the large 109 km2 Munro-Croesus Project, approximately two kilometres north of Highway 101 (Figure 3).

Successfully completed the previously announced 25,000 m drill program, totaling 81 holes (see Company news release dated July 23, 2025). Results from 45 drill holes remain pending.

Reported assay results for 36 drill holes to date (see Company news releases dated June 26, 2025, July 23, 2025, September 3, October 7, and October 22, 2205) and significant highlights include:

69.6 m grading 3.4 g/t Au , in discovery hole MC24-163, including 34.5 m grading 5.4 g/t Au and 9.5 m grading 13.9 g/t Au

, in discovery hole MC24-163, including

91.0 m grading 1.8 g/t Au , in hole MC25-168, including 32.0 m grading 4.0 g/t Au and 17.0 m grading 5.3 g/t Au

, in hole MC25-168, including

59.7 m grading 2.5 g/t Au, in hole MC25-171, including 18.7 m grading 5.2 g/t Au

in hole MC25-171, including

52.2 m grading 2.2 g/t Au , in hole MC25-178, including 5.2 m grading 5.1 g/t Au, AND

, in hole MC25-178, including

61.3 m grading 1.5 g/t Au , in hole MC25-178, including 6.6 m grading 4.2 g/t Au

, in hole MC25-178, including

66.8 m grading 1.4 g/t Au, in hole MC25-179, including 4.0 m grading 6.6 g/t Au

in hole MC25-179, including

50.4 m grading 1.9 g/t Au starting at 6.1 m downhole, in hole MC25-180, including 4.0 m grading 5.9 g/t Au

starting at 6.1 m downhole, in hole MC25-180, including

91.0 m grading 1.1 g/t Au , in hole MC25-177, including 4.0 m grading 4.6 g/t Au, AND

, in hole MC25-177, including

103.4 m grading 1.1 g/t Au , in hole MC25-177, including 38.4 m grading 2.4 g/t Au

, in hole MC25-177, including

139.1 m grading 0.8 g/t Au, in hole MC25-181, including 6.9 m grading 4.3 g/t Au

in hole MC25-181, including

99.5 m grading 1.5 g/t Au , in hole MC25-195, including 17.0 m grading 3.3 g/t Au

, in hole MC25-195, including

71.0 m grading 1.3 g/t Au , in hole MC25-197, including 8.3 m grading 3.9 g/t Au





, in hole MC25-197, including 60.8 m grading 1.2 g/t Au , in hole MC25-200, including 3.0 m grading 5.9 g/t Au

, in hole MC25-200, including

Step-out drilling at Argus North continues to deliver broad zones of strong gold mineralization - 50 to over 100 metres thick, averaging more than 1 g/t au with consistent higher-grade intervals. Drilling has now traced the zone for over 100 metres along strike and from surface to depths exceeding 350 metres, with mineralization remaining open in all directions, highlighting significant expansion potential.

These broad gold intercepts, combined with strong high-grade cores, compare favorably to other major deposits in the Timmins Camp, underscoring Argus North's potential as a material new gold discovery in the district.

The exploration team is using advanced tools to analyze drill core in real time - studying rock structures and geochemistry to better understand how the gold is oriented and where higher-grade zones may extend.

In July/August, the Company completed a mechanical stripping and sampling program near the collar of hole MC25-180 to expose the Argus North mineralization at surface. Continuous channel sampling returned strong results including 21.2 m grading 2.0 g/t Au and 15.4 m grading 2.2 g/t Au (see Company news release dated October 7, 2025).

"This 50,000-metre program marks an important milestone for Onyx and underscores the exceptional potential we see at Munro-Croesus," said Brock Colterjohn, President & CEO of Onyx Gold. "Argus North has consistently delivered wide, continuous zones of gold mineralization that compare favourably to the best emerging discoveries in the Abitibi. With three rigs turning and more than $31 million in the treasury, we can execute this expanded program without dilution while maintaining flexibility to scale further as results warrant. This next phase will deepen our understanding of Argus North, test multiple kilometres of the underexplored Pipestone Fault and advance several high-priority targets across the very large property. We believe Munro-Croesus has the potential to become a cornerstone gold project within one of Canada's most prolific mining districts."

Summary of Exploration Activities Planned for Remainder of Q4-2025 and H2-2026

With approximately $31.4 million in cash, Onyx remains fully funded for all 2025-2026 exploration programs.

The step-out drilling, detailed trench mapping and surface sampling completed at Argus North since May 2025 has resulted in a clearer understanding of the potential controls on gold mineralization including:

the importance of the permissive mafic variolitic volcanic stratigraphy, proximal to the regional, camp-wide Pipestone Fault;

the use of topographic and magnetic data to predict disruption, to that host horizon;

the identification of key northeast trending structures and structural-geophysical-geochemical corridors (Figure 1);

the presence of feldspar porphyry intrusions acting as fluid barriers and a minor host to gold mineralization; and, most importantly,

the recognition of a variety of breccias (hyaloclastic, crackle, jigsaw, and polylithic) which provide permeability for fluid migration and gold accumulation.

The new phase three 50,000 m Program at Munro-Croesus will utilize three drill rigs allocated as follows (see Figures 1 & 2):

~36,000 m allocated to testing a three km trend of underexplored mafic variolitic basalts - the same unit that hosts the Argus Main and Argus North Zones. Key objectives of this drilling include:

Expand Argus North along strike & plunge

along strike & plunge Test fault-offset blocks west of Argus North

west of Argus North



Drill along the Pipestone Fault for new high-grade plunge zones and bulk targets, including targets across quartz-feldspar porphyry intrusions in Porcupine sediments similar to neighbouring deposits such as Fenn-Gib.

for new high-grade plunge zones and bulk targets, including targets across quartz-feldspar porphyry intrusions in Porcupine sediments similar to neighbouring deposits such as Fenn-Gib.



Drill test Argus West

Drill Southeast of Argus Main on anomalous stratigraphy

on anomalous stratigraphy



Evaluate and expand mineralization in Porcupine sediments along key structures

~4,500 m will focus on extending GM Vein & Croesus Flow shoots onto the newly acquired Munro Mine ground

~1,500 m testing Lalonde quartz-carbonate vein targets with known gold showings

~2,5000 m will focus on testing the Flipper Zone where historical drilling returned broad zones of mineralization hosted within the Porcupine Sediments, including 42.6 m grading 1.0 g/t and 28.8 m grading 1.3 g/t Au, including 1.5 m grading 10.8 g/t Au





Figure 1 - Plan Map Highlighting Argus North Zone and Exploration Targets

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9800/274341_de3e71cd14814aff_001full.jpg



Figure 2 - Longitudinal Section highlighting Argus North Zone and Exploration Targets

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9800/274341_de3e71cd14814aff_002full.jpg





Figure 3 - Location of the Munro-Croesus Gold Project, Ontario

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9800/274341_de3e71cd14814aff_003full.jpg

Stock Options Granted

The Company announces the issuance of 300,000 stock options with an exercise price of $1.18 per share for the purchase of up to 300,000 shares of the Company. A 100,000-option portion of the stock options were granted to Chad Levesque Consulting, pursuant to the terms of an Investor Relations consulting agreement announced by the Company on June 24, 2015.

The Munro-Croesus Project

The Munro-Croesus Project is located along Highway 101 in the heart of the Abitibi greenstone belt, Canada's premier gold mining jurisdiction (Figure 3). This large, 100% owned land package includes the past-producing Croesus Gold Mine, which yielded some of the highest-grade gold ever mined in Ontario. Extensive land consolidation from 2020-2025 has unified the patchwork of patented and unpatented mining claims surrounding the Croesus Gold Mine into one coherent package and enhanced the project's exploration potential.

The Project covers 109 km2 of highly prospective geology within the influence of major gold-bearing structural breaks. Bulk-tonnage gold deposits located in the immediate region include the Fenn-Gib gold project being developed by Mayfair Gold Corp., and the Tower Gold Project being developed by STLLR Gold Inc.

About Onyx Gold

Onyx Gold Corp. is a Canadian exploration company focused on unlocking district-scale gold opportunities in two of the country's most prolific and proven mining jurisdictions - Timmins, Ontario, and Yukon Territory.

In the Timmins Gold Camp, Onyx controls an extensive portfolio anchored by the Munro-Croesus Property, host to the historic high-grade Croesus Mine and site of the Company's recent Argus North discovery - one of the most exciting new gold zones emerging in the camp. Complementing Munro-Croesus are two large, early-stage projects - Golden Mile, a 140 km property situated just 9 km from Newmont's multi-million-ounce Hoyle Pond Mine, and Timmins South, a 187 km land package strategically positioned around the Shaw Dome structure, offering exceptional discovery potential.

Beyond Ontario, Onyx holds a commanding land position across four properties in Yukon's Selwyn Basin, an area rapidly gaining recognition for new gold discoveries and growing exploration investment. The Company's King Tut Property sits approximately 50km south of Snowline Gold's Valley discovery and adjacent to Fireweed Metals's MacPass property.

Led by an experienced team with a strong track record of discovery, development, and value creation, Onyx Gold (TSXV: ONYX) (OTCQB: ONXGF) is well funded and committed to delivering shareholder value through disciplined exploration, strategic growth, and responsible resource development.

On Behalf of Onyx Gold Corp.

"Brock Colterjohn"

President & CEO

Additional Notes:

The Company maintains a robust QA/QC program that includes the collection and analysis of duplicate samples and the insertion of blanks and standards (certified reference material).

Ian Cunningham-Dunlop, P.Eng., Executive Vice President for Onyx Gold Corp. and a qualified person ("QP") as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this release.

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.

Fenn-Gib Gold Project and Tower Gold Project mineral resources compiled from public sources and are provided for general information purposes. Readers are cautioned that the Company has no interest in or right to acquire any interest in adjacent properties and they are not indicative of mineral deposits on the Company's properties or any potential exploration thereof.

Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements

Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections, and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "forecast", "expect", "potential", "project", "target", "schedule", "budget" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the potential significance of results from the new Argus North discovery are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Company's expectations include actual exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital, and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials, and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. 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. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial outlook that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/274341

SOURCE: Onyx Gold Corp.
-- A new generation of ERP empowers mid-market manufacturers to act to meet today's once-in-a-generation opportunity --

-- Platform designed for speed, intelligence and impact that keeps factories responsive, workforces connected and amplifies human potential redefining manufacturing --

QAD Inc., the company transforming manufacturing and supply chains with intelligent, adaptive solutions, today outlined a bold shift to a re-imagined manufacturing platform designed specifically for mid-market manufacturing companies and the plant facilities of large enterprises to help them seize today's generational opportunity in manufacturing. The announcement was made at QAD Redzone's flagship customer event, Champions of Manufacturing, being held November 12-14 in Dallas, Texas at the Loews Arlington Hotel Convention Center.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251113535828/en/

ChampionsofMFG

In unveiling the company's latest offerings across three core pillars, QAD Redzone said its manufacturing platform Redzone Connected Workforce, designed to improve productivity through empowering the frontlines; QAD Adaptive, the intelligent backbone ERP software built for speed, intelligence and impact; and Champion AI, the Agentic AI engine powering both of these platforms to amplify human potential is ushering in a new era for manufacturing, replacing static systems of record with intelligent systems of action that move at the speed of change.

The Champions of Manufacturing event is taking place amidst a tectonic shift in manufacturing influenced by geopolitical forces and innovative new AI technology, a shift that requires a new operating approach, one where autonomous, goal-driven agents continuously learn, reason and act on behalf of the business. Together, they form a manufacturing platform built to act, not just report, to work alongside teams every shift, every day and the first to combine modern ERP, together with a connected workforce solution and a smart, agentic layer all designed to help manufacturers address trapped productivity, get out from under rigid, dated systems, and to modernize quickly to capture the value possible in today's market.

Manufacturers Must Meet the Moment

Manufacturers today face a rare mix of opportunities and challenges that cut across every size and sector. Manufacturing is a focus of the nation's domestic policy agenda; tariffs have redrawn supply routes, reshoring has reignited domestic production and government incentives are channeling billions into innovation hubs across America. At the same time, the rapid rise of artificial intelligence is transforming how people work, how systems act and how businesses grow.

Yet even as opportunity surges, challenges persist: millions of manufacturing jobs are expected to open in the years ahead, but nearly half could go unfilled without urgent action on workforce development and technology innovation. And, in a world where the industrial ecosystem is reloading, many companies are not keeping pace. While large manufacturers operate at the cutting edge, many mid-market companies remain trapped in legacy ERP systems which are costly, rigid, and nearing end-of-life while lacking the automation, intelligence, and flexibility needed to keep pace with policy shifts, close skills gaps, and harness the power of AI-driven transformation.

"In this unprecedented moment for industry, at QAD Redzone we're transforming manufacturing from systems of record to systems of action where every employee, every machine, every decision drives measurable impact," said Sanjay Brahmawar, CEO of QAD Redzone. "Using Agentic AI we are building systems that learn, adapt and act anticipating issues, recommending decisions and automating routine tasks. Manufacturers who lead the next generation of manufacturing will be those that are the most adaptive: turning speed into strategy, data into decisions, and people into catalysts of change. This isn't just a better version of ERP, it's a new model altogether."

Systems Built to Anticipate What's Next; Costs of Inaction are Real

At the Champions of Manufacturing event, QAD Redzone unveiled a platform it said was built for this moment, one that leverages Agentic AI to empower the entire workforce from shop floor to top floor; targets 90-day projects, not multi-year deployments; drives execution to match the speed of decision-making; and shifts from reaction to change and to shaping what is next. The powerful combination of Redzone workforce solutions, Adaptive ERP, and Champion AI was designed to facilitate customers' rapid transition to modern agentic solutions without ripping or replacing systems completely, and without totally losing the investment already made in systems.

The company said the debut of Champion AI provides a smart, action-first layer built with deep manufacturing expertise. Unlike traditional AI that primarily focuses on analysis, Champion AI's purpose-built agents are designed to act, not just analyze. The company unveiled an array of available agents purpose-built across three focus areas:

Productivity Agents automate repetitive ERP tasks so planners, schedulers and operators can focus on what matters most by making fast, informed decisions.

automate repetitive ERP tasks so planners, schedulers and operators can focus on what matters most by making fast, informed decisions. Optimization Agents tackle challenges like reducing inventory carrying costs and balancing supply risk, analyzing variables in real time to optimize performance across the business.

tackle challenges like reducing inventory carrying costs and balancing supply risk, analyzing variables in real time to optimize performance across the business. Implementation Agents drive a more rapid value return by enabling mid-size plants to go live in as little as 90 days. From data migration to configuration, agents streamline setup and execution at unprecedented speed.

"Mid-market manufacturers can't afford to stay anchored in static, transactional systems," said Patrick Moorhead, Founder, CEO and Chief Analyst at Moor Insights Strategy. "Shifting to an event-driven model isn't just modernization-it's survival. In an environment shaped by investment surges, supply-chain transformation, workforce shortages, and new compliance demands, manufacturers that embrace automation, agentic AI, and real-time operations will gain a decisive edge. The cost of waiting now exceeds the cost of beginning through slower performance, higher costs, and the risk of being outpaced by AI-driven competitors."

From Top Floor to Shop Floor: How Speed Becomes a Competitive Advantage

At the Dallas event, QAD Redzone unveiled its platform designed to transform manufacturing by driving dramatic productivity gains and rapid ROI for its customers-often within 90 days-through real-time visibility, improved equipment effectiveness and more empowered teams. QAD Redzone enables leaner, smarter operations by accelerating onboarding, elevating less-experienced operators and freeing skilled workers for higher-value tasks. With intuitive, AI-powered tools built for today's digital-native workforce, QAD Redzone is helping manufacturers modernize, compete and lead in this defining decade.

Modern platforms, equipped with intuitive interfaces and embedded guidance will enable leaner teams to perform at higher levels by reducing onboarding time, empowering less-experienced operators and retaining skilled workers by eliminating repetitive, low-value tasks. Today's new workforce comes into the enterprise already AI-savvy, digitally-native, and they expect their employer to deliver a modern environment where they can put those skills to work.

"The imperative to modernize systems powered by agentic AI is only strengthened by increasing evidence that companies that accelerate their AI maturity can reap exponential growth in profit, quality and productivity," said R "Ray" Wang, Founder, Chairman and Principal Analyst of Constellation Research Inc. In keynote remarks at the Dallas event, he commented: "For mid-market manufacturers, the goal is to accelerate decision velocity yes, speed is a strategy because the tension between strategic intent and system lag is becoming untenable. Companies must move from legacy solutions designed for yesterday's back-office business environment and adapt quickly to modern, agentic ERP systems with fully connected workforce solutions that enhance the front-line worker, if they are to meet today's once-in-a-generation opportunity."

Modern Solutions on Modern Infrastructure

At the company's customer conference, QAD Redzone also announced a strategic collaboration to bring Agentic AI to the mid-market manufacturing sector through Champion AI, a breakthrough platform built on Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud infrastructure and AI services. The collaboration combines QAD Redzone's manufacturing expertise and AWS's cloud capabilities to make AI practical, scalable, and secure for mid-market manufacturers.

Built on AWS cloud infrastructure and leveraging services such as Amazon Bedrock and Amazon SageMaker, Champion AI delivers intelligent automation, predictive insights, and real-time decision support directly into manufacturing workflows enabling measurable productivity gains, reduced downtime, and accelerated time-to-value. As part of this collaboration, QAD Redzone is transitioning its global workloads to AWS's cloud. This migration will create a modern, cloud-native foundation for QAD's manufacturing platform, enabling faster delivery of new features, improved reliability, and seamless scalability for customers worldwide.

In addition to the AWS infrastructure news, QAD Redzone also reinforced its strategic relationship with Boomi, announced in May, enabling QAD customers to benefit from Boomi's cutting-edge platform, with rapid, pre-built connections across systems including QAD Redzone. This powerful integration approach directly addresses the need for companies to benefit from the seamless integration of systems, a faster pace of integration, and the importance of moving data all are essential to deriving the maximum value from systems. The result will be pre-built integrations between QAD Redzone and third-party systems to reduce implementation time and complexity; embedded Boomi connectors within QAD Redzone software enable plug-and-play connectivity across the manufacturing stack; and AI-powered process insights from Champion AI and the Boomi agentic platform are all designed to remove integration as a barrier to scale and innovation.

Helping Manufacturers Move Ahead Quickly

With speed as a critical strategy in today's market environment, QAD Redzone also outlined the benefits of Champion Pace, the implementation engine that leverages Champion AI to deliver adaptive deployments in 90 days or less. Champion Pace is a standardized, AI-assisted delivery framework that uses automation, pre-configured best practices and proven playbooks drawn from QAD's experience across thousands of factories delivering a repeatable, scalable process designed to make every customer go-live faster, smoother and more predictable regardless of size or industry. It also builds upon the customer's existing infrastructure, protecting prior investments while modernizing systems and accelerating performance.

QAD Redzone also announced that the company's new Adaptive release, along with Champion AI and its suite of agentic AI agents, and the Redzone Connected Workforce platform were all generally available for US customers.

A special thanks to our Champions of Manufacturing event sponsors:

Premier Sponsor

AWS

Persistent

GlobalLogic

Platinum Sponsor

Boomi

Tata Consultancy Services

Gold+ Sponsors

Eagle

Logan Consulting

Strategic Information Group

Gold Sponsors

Arista Consulting

IPM

Progress OpenEdge

Yash Technologies

Cyberscience

Tech Mahindra

Silver Sponsors

ESKER

Doclib

Bronze Sponsors

Broomstreet

Adaptivity

Factivity

Roundview Technologies

eSquared

Soul of the Machine

Avalara

About QAD Redzone

QAD Redzone is redefining manufacturing and supply chains through its intelligent, adaptive platform that connects people, processes, and data into a single System of Action. With three core pillars Redzone (frontline empowerment), Adaptive Applications (the intelligent backbone), and Champion AI (Agentic AI for manufacturing) QAD helps manufacturers operate with Champion Pace, achieving measurable productivity, resilience, and growth in just 90 days. To learn more, visit www.qad.com or call +1 805-566-6100. Find us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251113535828/en/

Contacts:

Caleb Finch

Public Relations

805-566-6100

publicrelations@qad.com

Beth Hespe

Analyst Relations

805-566-6100

industryanalyst@qad.com
The growth of the alpha dextrin market is driven by rise in demand for product stabilization and texture enhancement and increase in demand for excipients.

WILMINGTON, Del., Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Alpha Dextrin Market By Type (Native Alpha-Dextrin, Modified Alpha-Dextrin), and Application (Food, Pharnaceutical, Industrial, Cosmetics, Animal Nutrition): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2034". According to the report, the alpha dextrin market was valued at $68,000.0 thousand in 2023, and is estimated to reach $102,156.7 thousand by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 3.8% from 2024 to 2034.

Download Sample Pages of Research Overview: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A325769

Prime determinants of growth

The alpha dextrin market is driven by factors such as increase in demand for excipients, and product stabilization and texture enhancement. However, high production costs and availability of cheaper alternatives restrict the market growth. Moreover, potential to use as a feedstock for biodegradable plastics offers new opportunities in the coming years.

Report coverage & details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2024-2034 Base Year 2023 Market Size in 2023 $68,000.0 thousand Market Size in 2035 $102,156.7 thousand CAGR 3.8 % No. of Pages in Report 238 Segments covered Type, Application, and Region Drivers Increasing demand for excipients Green chemistry initiatives Product stabilization and texture enhancement Opportunities Potential to use as a Feedstock for biodegradable plastics Expansion in natural cosmetics market Restraints High production costs Availability of cheaper Alternatives

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The modified alpha dextrin segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on type, the modified alpha dextrin segment dominated the market in 2023 accounting for more than three-fifths of the market share and is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period owing to its enhanced functional properties, such as improved solubility, stability, and controlled-release capabilities. These attributes make it highly suitable for advanced applications in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and functional food. Modified alpha-dextrin is preferred for its ability to encapsulate sensitive ingredients, mask unpleasant tastes, and improve bioavailability. Its versatility in formulating specialized products gives it a competitive edge over native forms. The segment is expected to retain its lead during the forecast period with ongoing innovations and rising demand for high-performance ingredients.

The pharmaceutical segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

On the basis of application, the pharmaceuticals segment dominated the market in 2023 accounting for less than one-third of the market share and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. Its ability to enhance the bioavailability of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and protect them from degradation makes it highly valuable in tablets, capsules, and liquid drug forms. In addition, alpha-dextrin is non-toxic, biocompatible, and exhibits excellent encapsulation properties, which are essential in controlled-release and targeted drug delivery systems. The demand for functional excipients like alpha-dextrin is expected to remain strong as pharmaceutical companies continue to innovate in formulation technologies, securing the dominance of the segment during the forecast period.

Europe to maintain its dominance by 2035

Based on region, North America held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2023, accounting for less than one-third of the market share and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. North America is driven by its well-established food and pharmaceutical industries, robust research and development infrastructure, and growing demand for functional food ingredients and excipients. The region's dominance is supported by the presence of key manufacturers, advanced processing technologies, and a strong regulatory framework that promotes innovation while ensuring product safety and quality. In the food industry, alpha dextrin is widely used for its excellent solubility, stability, and emulsifying properties, catering to the increasing consumer preference for health-oriented and clean-label products.

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Leading Market Players: -

Sigma Aldrich

Wacker Chemie Ag

Glentham Life Sciences

Chem-Impex International

Fengchen Group Co., Ltd.

Aogu Biotech

Cavcon

Zhishang Chemical

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

Cayman Chemical Company

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the alpha dextrin market. These players have adopted different strategies such as acquisition, partnerships, and new product launches to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in the market. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

Explore AMR's Extensive ongoing Coverage on Food and Beverages Domain:

Food Texture Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022 - 2032

Dextrin Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030

Functional Carbohydrates Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2019-2026

Infant Nutrition Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022 - 2032

Food Preservatives Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022-2031

Biostimulant Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2031

Probiotic Drinks Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2031

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Perth, Western Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 13, 2025) - Besra Gold Inc (ASX: BEZ) (Besra or the Company) has received the results of a comprehensive independent technical review of the Bau Gold Project in Sarawak, Malaysia. Since the election of the new Board in June 2025, the new Directors have undertaken a rigorous review of Besra's operations, assets and governance, with a focus on restoring strategic clarity, operational discipline and technical credibility, and an overarching emphasis on strong corporate governance.

The independent technical review, which was undertaken by leading mining consultancy group Minescope Services, has provided the following key high-level findings:

Tenure is the key issue facing the Bau Project. W hile Besra's new Board has been working closely with Malaysian Government agencies to secure the renewal of the key ML 05/2012/1D Mining Lease, there is no assurance that this tenure will be granted. The current non-renewal status presents a significant impediment to project advancement and, with no assurance as to the timing or commercial terms of any future licence renewals, this uncertainty materially impacts the viability of near-term development.

Updated Mineral Resource - the October 2025 Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) update, completed by an independent consultant, shows a reduction in total contained gold, requiring the identification of additional ore sources to support future development: The total Measured and Indicated Resources have decreased, reducing any potential Mineral Reserves unless further drilling and technical work is undertaken. The main deposits (Jugan, Bekajang, Sirenggok and Pejiru) are individually discrete resource zones spread over ~15km, requiring community engagement for haulage and site access via public roads to a central processing facility.

Metallurgical complexity - differing mineralisation styles and metallurgical characteristics across the deposits will require further metallurgical test work to determine a suitable flowsheet to produce saleable concentrate or gold dore.

Growth opportunities - the southern portion of the Bau Project, including the Pejiru area, has a large Inferred Mineral Resource. The deposits in this area generally exhibit less complex metallurgy and are located further away from inhabited areas, potentially streamlining the permitting process. An exploration campaign to extend the mineralisation and upgrade Inferred Resource areas to Measured and Indicated status in this area is recommended.

Strategic and cost review - the new Board is continuing a company-wide review of operations, contracts and governance, with a focus on capital discipline and technical credibility.

Key Recommendations

As part of its technical review of the Bau Project, Minescope has provided the following recommendations:

Renewal of expired Mining Leases: Besra must request and obtain full transparency from the Sarawak Government as to the reason for the renewal delays to the Project's Mining Leases. Only after these Mining Leases have been renewed should Besra consider investing in further study works.

Community: The Company must actively engage with the local Bau Community and the Sarawak Government to articulate a transparent strategy for the project and key development timelines. The project review has highlighted the security of tenure and access to the Resource areas as critical to advancing the Bau Project.

Exploration: The Company should consider a disciplined exploration program to further expand the Resources at both the Pejiru and Sirenggok deposits. These deposits appear to be less encumbered by tenure risks compared to the Jugan and BYG-Krian deposits.

Future studies: Subject to the granting of the Mining Licence and positive outcomes from a resource definition drill program, the Company should undertake preliminary metallurgical testwork and high-level economic studies. The Company should also progress independent reviews of the alternative development concepts flagged in the Jugan Resource update (ASX 31 March 2025) (namely, a hybrid mine development plan with both open-pit and underground components) in a Scoping Study. Following the completion of these high-level assessments, Besra could then progress to a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS). The PFS would need to be complemented with multidisciplinary work, including, but not limited to, fieldwork, metallurgical testwork, preliminary design, modelling, and costing completed by independent consultants, and financial modelling.

Next Steps

In light of the ongoing uncertainty relating to project tenure, the Company's core focus will remain on government and stakeholder engagement to secure the renewal of the key Bau Gold Project ML 05/2012/1D Mining Lease. Without this renewal, the Board has determined that all other exploration and development activities will remain on hold.

The Company will focus on visible, structured engagement that provides Besra with a clear, workable plan to build trust, access, and operational readiness at Bau. To this end, the Board has recently approved the implementation of comprehensive new Community and Government Stakeholder Engagement Strategies, both of which will be overseen by Besra's Chief Technical Director, Ray Shaw.

In parallel with ongoing efforts to secure the renewal of the Mining Lease, the Company will take the opportunity to review and digitise its extensive database of historical exploration results from the Bau Goldfield. This will ensure the Company is well prepared to re-commence exploration and development activities, targeting gold and potentially other commodities, once the required tenure has been secured.

Bau Project

Besra's flagship Bau Gold Project (Besra 98.5% ownership) is centred on the township of Bau, approximately 40km from Kuching, the capital city of the State of Sarawak, Malaysia (Figure 1).

The Bau Gold Project is characterised by sediment-hosted gold mineralisation localised along major crustal structures, with significant gold mineralisation identified over 15km.

The Project lies at the western end of an arcuate metalliferous belt extending through the island of Borneo. In Kalimantan, the Indonesian portion of Borneo Island, this belt is associated with significant gold mining areas, including Kelian (7 Moz) and Mt Muro (3 Moz).





Figure 1: Location of the Bau Gold Project, within the metalliferous belt traversing the island of Borneo (in red) and location of the Bau project.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3448/274346_ea5cb42e24ac5b01_001full.jpg

Competent Persons' Statement

The information in this announcement that relates to Mineral Resources is based on information compiled by Mr Lynn Widenbar, a Competent Person who is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr Widenbar is a full-time employee of Widenbar and Associates Pty Ltd. Mr Widenbar has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity that is being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Minerals Resources and Ore Reserves'. Mr Widenbar consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on his information in the form and context that the information appears.

Disclaimer

This Announcement contains certain forward-looking statements and forecasts concerning future activities, including potential delineation of resources. Such statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve unknown risks and uncertainties, as well as other factors which are beyond the control of Besra Gold Inc. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, depending upon a variety of factors. Nothing in this Announcement should be construed as either an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities.

This Announcement has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Australian securities laws and the requirements of the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and may not be released to US wire services or distributed in the United States. This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction. Any securities described in this announcement have not been, and will not be, registered under the US Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States except in transactions exempt from, or not subject to, registration under the US Securities Act and applicable US state securities laws.

Unless otherwise indicated, all mineral resource estimates and Exploration Targets included or incorporated by reference in this Announcement have been, and will be, prepared in accordance with the JORC classification system of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and Australian Institute of Geoscientists.

Ownership Interest in Bau

Besra is in a consortium with a Malaysian group with Bumiputra interests that owns rights to consolidated mining tenements covering much of the historic Bau goldfield in Sarawak, East Malaysia. Besra's interests in the Bau Gold Project are held through its direct and indirect interests in North Borneo Gold Sdn Bhd. Besra's 100%-owned subsidiary, Besra Labuan Ltd, owns rights to the mining tenements covering the area of Bau in accordance with various agreements. Besra's ownership of NBG is 98.5%, which, on an equity-adjusted basis, represents a 93.55% interest in the Bau Gold Project. Engagement with the State Minerals & Mining Authority in Sarawak on the renewal of the key ML 05/2012/1D Mining Lease remains our chief priority, with the Company now working closely with the appropriate authorities. The Company does not have a timeline for this decision.

This announcement was authorised for release by the Board of Besra Gold Inc.

For further information, please contact

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/274346

SOURCE: Besra Gold Inc.
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The global next-generation sequencing market size is anticipated to reach USD 42.25 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 18.0% from 2025 to 2033. The next-generation sequencing (NGS) market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the increasing demand for advanced genomic research, ongoing technological advancements in sequencing platforms, and, crucially, the rising adoption of NGS in clinical diagnostics. This technology revolutionizes disease diagnosis and monitoring by offering precise, rapid, and comprehensive genomic insights. Its clinical application is particularly notable in non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), which provides early and accurate detection of chromosomal abnormalities, and in extensive use for rare disease diagnosis, carrier screening, and oncology-based testing, where identifying genetic mutations is vital for targeted therapy and disease management.

Technological innovation stands as a significant driver propelling the next-generation sequencing (NGS) market growth, with continuous advancements in sequencing platforms, such as whole genome sequencing (WGS), whole exome sequencing (WES), and targeted sequencing, significantly enhancing the technology's accuracy, speed, and scalability. These innovations, which have reduced sequencing costs and turnaround times, are being complemented by the development of portable, automated, and high-throughput systems, including benchtop and nanopore-based platforms, making genomic analysis more accessible for decentralized testing. Furthermore, the integration of AI-driven bioinformatics tools and cloud-based data analysis platforms is simplifying complex data interpretation and enabling real-time, large-scale analysis, ultimately expanding the practical applications of NGS across research and clinical domains such as personalized medicine, epidemiology, and drug development, thus cementing technological advancement as a key market growth driver.

Download a free sample copy of this report: Next Generation Sequencing Market

The next-generation sequencing (NGS) market is propelled by a confluence of factors, starting with a high degree of technological innovation, which includes ongoing advances in single-cell, long-read sequencing, and AI-driven data analysis, exemplified by product launches like Roche's SBX sequencing technology with Xpandomer chemistry in February 2025, which enhances accuracy, speed, and clinical utility while reducing costs. This innovation is closely linked to product expansion, as companies continually launch new platforms, portable sequencers, and advanced bioinformatics tools to enhance workflow efficiency and meet diverse clinical and research needs. Furthermore, significant merger and acquisition (M&A) activity is fueling market growth and consolidation, allowing leading players to expand their technological capabilities and geographic reach; a notable example is Illumina's June 2025 agreement to acquire SomaLogic to improve its multi-omics capabilities. Crucial to broad adoption are regulatory frameworks which ensure the safety and efficacy of NGS-based assays, as increasing approvals from bodies like the FDA build confidence and facilitate integration into routine clinical practice. Finally, regional expansion into emerging markets across Asia-Pacific and Latin America is driving significant growth by leveraging improving healthcare infrastructure and government initiatives for genomic research, allowing companies to diversify their customer base and sustain long-term market growth worldwide.

Next Generation Sequencing Market Report Highlights:

Based on product, the consumables segment held the largest market share in 2024 and is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2025 to 2033.

Based on technology, the targeted sequencing and resequencing segment held the largest revenue share of 48.46% in 2024.

Based on application, the consumer genomics segment is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period.

Based on workflow, the sequencing segment held the highest market share of 64.10% in 2024 and is expected to grow at the fastest rate over the forecast period.

Based on end use, the clinical research segment is anticipated to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period.

Read full market research report on Next Generation Sequencing Market with TOC - Next Generation Sequencing Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Technology (Targeted Sequencing & Resequencing, WGS), By Product (Platform, Consumables), By Application, By Workflow, By End Use, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2025 - 2033

Next Generation Sequencing Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the next-generation sequencing market based on technology, product, workflow, end use, and region:

Next Generation Sequencing Market - Technology Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033)

WGS

Whole Exome Sequencing

Targeted Sequencing & Resequencing

DNA-based



RNA-based

Others

Next Generation Sequencing Market - Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033)

Platform

Sequencing



Data Analysis

Consumables

Sample Preparation



Target Enrichment



Others

Next Generation Sequencing Market - Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033)

Oncology Diagnostics and Screening Oncology Screening Sporadic Cancer Inherited Cancer Companion Diagnostics Other Diagnostics Research Studies



Clinical Investigation Infectious Diseases Inherited Diseases Idiopathic Diseases Non-Communicable/Other Diseases

Reproductive Health NIPT Aneuploidy Microdeletions



PGT



Newborn Genetic Screening



Single Gene Analysis

HLA Typing/Immune System Monitoring

Metagenomics, Epidemiology & Drug Development

Agrigenomics & Forensics

Consumer Genomics

Next Generation Sequencing Market - Workflow Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033)

Pre-Sequencing

Nucleic Acid Extraction



Library Preparation

Sequencing

NGS Data Analysis



NGS Primary Data Analysis



NGS Secondary Data Analysis



NGS Tertiary Data Analysis

Next Generation Sequencing Market - End Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033)

Academic Research

Clinical Research

Hospitals & Clinics

Pharma & Biotech Entities

Other Users

Next Generation Sequencing Market - Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2021 - 2033)

North America

U.S.



Canada



Mexico

Europe

Germany



UK



France



Italy



Spain



Denmark



Sweden



Norway

Asia Pacific

Japan



China



India



South Korea



Australia



Thailand

Latin America

Brazil



Argentina

Middle East & Africa

South Africa



Saudi Arabia



UAE



Kuwait

List of Key Players in the Next Generation Sequencing Market

Illumina

F. Hoffman-La Roche Ltd.

QIAGEN

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.

PacBio

Oxford Nanopore Technologies

Revvity, Inc.

Merck KGaA

BGI

Check out more related studies published by Grand View Research:

Clinical Oncology Next Generation Sequencing Market - The global clinical oncology next generation sequencing market size is anticipated to reach USD 1,930.2 million by 2033, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 16.77% from 2025 to 2033. The clinical oncology next generation sequencing (NGS) market is in high demand. It is projected to expand at an increasing rate throughout the forecast period owing to the rising healthcare expenditure triggering the development of effective personalized medicine & therapeutic procedures for cancer and increasing adoption of NGS.

The global clinical oncology next generation sequencing market size is anticipated to reach USD 1,930.2 million by 2033, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 16.77% from 2025 to 2033. The clinical oncology next generation sequencing (NGS) market is in high demand. It is projected to expand at an increasing rate throughout the forecast period owing to the rising healthcare expenditure triggering the development of effective personalized medicine & therapeutic procedures for cancer and increasing adoption of NGS. Next-generation Sequencing Services Market - The global next-generation sequencing services market size is expected to reach USD 40.43 billion by 2033, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. It is expected to expand at a CAGR of 22.54% from 2025 to 2033. The development of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies has revolutionized gene sequencing in terms of reproducibility and cost savings. This has resulted in the introduction of several advancements in NGS technology to promote its usage in clinical labs and hospitals. Most current innovations in this field revolve around simplifying the usage of seq-technology and making it more sophisticated. These factors have driven the uptake of NGS services across various end-users.

The global next-generation sequencing services market size is expected to reach USD 40.43 billion by 2033, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. It is expected to expand at a CAGR of 22.54% from 2025 to 2033. The development of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies has revolutionized gene sequencing in terms of reproducibility and cost savings. This has resulted in the introduction of several advancements in NGS technology to promote its usage in clinical labs and hospitals. Most current innovations in this field revolve around simplifying the usage of seq-technology and making it more sophisticated. These factors have driven the uptake of NGS services across various end-users. Next-generation Sequencing Library Preparation Market - The global next-generation sequencing library preparation market size is anticipated to reach USD 5.33 billion by 2033, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13.3% from 2025 to 2033. Owing the to increasing prevalence of genetic diseases, decreasing costs of sequencing, and rising usage of NGS in disease diagnostics. Moreover, numerous market players offer a broad spectrum of solutions for NGS library preparation to suit the specific requirements of NGS-based analysis.

The global next-generation sequencing library preparation market size is anticipated to reach USD 5.33 billion by 2033, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13.3% from 2025 to 2033. Owing the to increasing prevalence of genetic diseases, decreasing costs of sequencing, and rising usage of NGS in disease diagnostics. Moreover, numerous market players offer a broad spectrum of solutions for NGS library preparation to suit the specific requirements of NGS-based analysis. Next-generation Sequencing Data Analysis Market - The global next-generation sequencing data analysis market size is estimated to reach USD 3.45 billion by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 23.10% from 2025 to 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The growth can be attributed to a significant decline in the cost of NGS installation in clinical diagnosis. Furthermore, the accessibility of genomic and proteomic data is anticipated to create significant growth opportunities. In addition, a reduction in the cost of sequencing is anticipated to boost the adoption rate of NGS, which would further drive the industry.

Browse Horizon Databook on Next Generation Sequencing Market - Global Next Generation Sequencing Market Size & Outlook

Browse GVR's Industry Research Blog - Global Industry Herald

- Global Industry Herald Browse more Research Insights - https://www.grandviewresearch.com/research-insights

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ABU DHABI, UAE, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- LODD Autonomous successfully completed the first flight of Hili, the UAE's first hybrid vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) heavy-cargo aircraft designed, built, and tested in Abu Dhabi for the world.

The historic event, held at LODD's flight test facility at Emirates Falcon Aviation in Al Ain, as part of Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week, represents a defining national milestone in the advancement of autonomous aviation and next-generation cargo logistics.

The successful first flight of Hili marks a major engineering and operational achievement for LODD Autonomous, underscoring the UAE's growing capability to design and manufacture advanced aerospace systems.

Developed through an intensive and safety-driven program, Hili demonstrates the nation's ability to transform vision into reality with speed, precision, and uncompromising safety, achieving flight readiness in record time while meeting rigorous performance and quality standards.

With a payload capacity of 250 kilograms and a range of up to 700 kilometres, Hili combines hybrid-electric propulsion with a modular design to deliver safe, efficient, and sustainable cargo operations for both regional and international logistics networks.

Demonstrating the international confidence in the UAE's innovation ecosystem, LODD Autonomous has established a strong foundation of global and national partnerships:

Etihad Cargo (UAE): Earlier this month, on 3 November 2025, LODD signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the national carrier's cargo division, making Etihad Cargo the first adopter of an aircraft designed and built in Abu Dhabi - a proud milestone for the UAE's aviation sector.

EMX (UAE): On 10 November 2025, on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Summit, LODD signed a Collaboration Agreement with EMX, supported by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), to integrate drone logistics into next-generation smart supply chain operations.

Skyports Drone Services (United Kingdom): During the first flight ceremony, LODD also signed an agreement with Skyports Drone Services, a trusted global leader in drone operations. Running drone delivery operations for Royal Mail, the NHS and offshore energy leaders such as Equinor and RWE, Skyports sees great potential in Hili for expanding its heavy-lift, long range cargo drone capabilities.

ST Engineering (Singapore): During the first flight ceremony, LODD formalized an agreement with ST Engineering's Commercial Aerospace business, one of the world's largest aerospace companies, to bring Hili into key Asia Pacific markets. This is part of the overall strategic partnership between the two companies.

Speaking at the event, Rashid Al Manai, Chief Executive Officer of LODD Autonomous, said: "The first flight of Hili marks a defining moment for LODD and for Abu Dhabi's advanced aviation industry. This aircraft was designed, built, and flown in the UAE through an intensive, fast-paced, and safety-first program that reflects the strength of our engineering and national talent. Today, we are proud to see Hili take to the skies as a symbol of Abu Dhabi's capability to deliver innovation for the world."

Al Manai also extended his appreciation to the UAE's leadership for their continued support of innovation and advanced autonomous technologies.

"Their vision to develop a nationally enabling environment has allowed us to design, manufacture, and test Hili entirely in the UAE - for the world. This milestone demonstrates the UAE's capability to deliver homegrown technologies with global impact, reinforcing its position as a hub for advanced air mobility and next-generation logistics," he added.

With these achievements, LODD Autonomous reinforces its role as a national champion in advanced air mobility - advancing the UAE's vision to be a global leader in autonomous systems, sustainable logistics, and future-ready aviation technologies.

About LODD

LODD is an autonomous aerospace company headquartered in Abu Dhabi, pioneering the future of cargo transportation. Founded in 2023, LODD designs, develops, and deploys next-generation autonomous systems to tackle the emerging challenges of middle-mile cargo logistics.

At the core of its innovation is Hili, LODD's flagship UAV, engineered to transport payloads of up to 250 kilograms across distances of 700 kilometres. This breakthrough platform delivers scalable, efficient, and reliable cargo transport solutions for diverse industries.

With a business model rooted in sustainability, scalability, and operational efficiency, LODD is laying the foundation for a robust air mobility ecosystem that will redefine logistics across the UAE and beyond.

For more information, please visit:

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About Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week

Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week (ADAW) is the emirate's flagship platform for advancing smart mobility and autonomous systems across land, sea, air, and industry. Organised by the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC), the inaugural edition brings together global industry leaders, policymakers, innovators, and investors to connect, collaborate, and accelerate the future of autonomous technology. Commencing with the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Summit, the week's flagship event for high-level dialogue and partnerships, the programme is further strengthened by initiatives such as DRIFTx, RoboCup Asia-Pacific (RCAP 2025) and Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL), reinforcing Abu Dhabi's role as a global hub for innovation, investment, and the safe, sustainable deployment of autonomous technologies.

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dSilo, a leader in AI-powered enterprise transformation, today announced a new venture investment from Wellington Management, a global investment firm and backer of leading AI companies. The capital will fuel the development of an industry first-ever procurement and finance domain-specific AI models, ProcureGPT, and support the company's ability to meet surging inbound enterprise demand.

dSilo has experienced rapid growth over the last 12 months while maintaining exceptionally high customer retention rates. Its enterprise customers continue to realize value that goes far beyond productivity, delivering measurable margin expansion, cost savings, and operational efficiency.

Building on its success in procurement, dSilo is now extending its platform into the commercial domain. Early deployments of its AI Agents in sales and revenue operations are enabling enterprises unlock revenue growth, making dSilo the foundation of a holistic AI platform for the Office of the CFO-one that simultaneously drives savings and accelerates growth.

"Wellington has a long history of investing in AI leaders, and we see dSilo as part of the next generation of transformative companies," said Frederik Groce, Investor at Wellington Access Ventures. "We are excited about dSilo's vision with ProcureGPT, and its expansion into commercial AI Agents. Customers are experiencing direct financial impact, including cost reductions and revenue growth."

dSilo's CEO, Sharad Malhautra added: "Our mission has always been to help enterprises capture value autonomously, without the need for armies of consultants or costly integrations. This investment from Wellington will accelerate our journey-enabling us to scale ProcureGPT, expand our AI Agent capabilities beyond procurement into revenue, and deliver a margin-expansion platform that redefines what's possible for the Office of the CFO."

With this funding, dSilo is poised to scale its team, strengthen its AI capabilities, and continue delivering market-leading outcomes for its rapidly growing base of enterprise customers.

About dSilo

dSilo is an AI-native company enabling enterprises to unlock value across data, processes, and systems. With solutions that go beyond productivity, dSilo empowers organizations to achieve margin expansion, cost efficiency, and sustainable growth. For more information, visit www.dSilo.ai.

About Wellington Management

Wellington's Private Investing platform manages more than US$9.7bn in assets under management, and invests globally across venture capital, private credit, and private real estate in multiple stages and sectors (consumer, technology, healthcare, financial services, biotech, energy, industrials, climate tech, and real estate). The team accesses its deep research, networks, and resources across public and private markets to broaden perspectives which aim to benefit both investors and private companies.

For more than 20 years, Wellington has been investing in private markets, launching its first dedicated private capital fund in 2014. As one of the world's largest independent investment management firms, Wellington serves as a trusted adviser to over 3,000 clients in more than 60 countries, managing US$1.3 trillion for pensions, endowments and foundations, insurers, family offices, fund sponsors, global wealth managers, and other clients.

For more information about private investing at Wellington, please visit www.wellington.com/privateinvesting.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251113818157/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact:

Leticia Jasso Salazar

Marketing Lead

leticia.js@dsilo.ai
The global microinsurance market is experiencing rapid growth due to rise in the demand for financial inclusion and an increase in awareness of insurance benefits. The government's initiatives and regulations further drive market expansion.

WILMINGTON, Del., Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report titled, "Microinsurance Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2034," valued at $6,204.7 million in 2024. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.3% from 2025 to 2034, reaching $11,570.5 million by 2034. Key factors fueling this growth include a rise in the demand for financial inclusion, an increase in awareness of insurance benefits, and the government's initiatives and regulations to promote microinsurance products.

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Report Overview:

Rise in the demand for financial inclusion and increase in awareness of insurance benefits have driven the demand for affordable microinsurance products, prompting insurers to develop tailored solutions that address the specific needs of low-income and underserved populations. Additionally, the government's initiatives and regulatory frameworks in supporting the expansion of microinsurance offerings are positively influencing growth.

However, the limited long-term commitment and low trust in insurance providers pose significant restraints. Conversely, digitalization and technology integration in the microinsurance landscape presents significant opportunities for market players.

Key Segmentation Overview:

The microinsurance market is segmented based on distribution channel, type, payment mode, and region.

By Distribution Channel: Agents and Brokers, Financial Institutes, MNO (Mobile Network Operator), and Others.

By Type: Health Microinsurance, Life and Accident Microinsurance, Property and Income Microinsurance, and Agriculture Microinsurance

By Payment Mode: Direct Debit and Standing Order, Digital Payment, Cash, and Others.

By Region:

Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Rest of Asia-Pacific)

Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Rest of Latin America)

Middle East and Africa (Nigeria, Congo, Ethiopia, South Africa, Tanzania, Rest of Middle East and Arica)

Market Highlights

By Distribution Channel, the agents and brokers segment dominated the market in 2024 and is expected to continue leading due to increasing adoption of digital platforms and mobile technology, government initiatives in enhancing financial inclusion, and integration of advanced analytics and AI being used to better assess risk, customize products, and improve efficiency.

By Type, the life and accident microinsurance segment witnessed significant growth due to growing demand for life insurance products, mobile-based insurance, and growing emphasis on products that cater to low-income families and individuals.

By Payment Mode, the cash segment is expected to register the highest growth, due to its accessibility for low-income individuals and its role in building trust through personal interaction.

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Report Coverage & Details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2025-2034 Base Year 2024 Market Size in 2024 $6,704.7 Million Market Size in 2034 $11,570.5 Million CAGR 6.3 % Segments covered Distribution Channel, Type, Payment Mode, and Region Drivers  Rising demand for financial inclusion  Increasing awareness of insurance benefits Opportunities Digitalization and technology integration Restraints  Limited long-term commitment  Low trust in insurance providers

Factors Affecting Market Growth & Opportunities:

The increasing demand for financial inclusion making it more affordable for low-income individuals has propelled the growth of the microinsurance market. Factors such as surge in people experiencing the benefits of microinsurance, such as quick payouts during health emergencies or natural disasters and the governments initiatives and regulations in promoting microinsurance products in microinsurance landscape are driving the market forward.

Fintech startups and traditional insurers partnerships: Fintech startups are partnering with traditional insurers to offer affordable insurance products to underserved populations.

Innovations in microinsurance: The integration of artificial intelligence and data analytics enhances risk assessment, pricing accuracy, and overall customer service.

However, challenges such as limited long-term commitment and low trust in insurance providers remain concerns for industry players. Insurance providers are focusing on enhancing customer engagement, improving claim transparency, and offering personalized, affordable products to build trust and encourage long-term participation.

Regulatory Landscape & Compliance:

The microinsurance market operates within a complex regulatory landscape, shaped by various regional and international frameworks. These regulations are designed to ensure that low-income populations, often targeted by microinsurance products, are protected from financial risks in the event of illness, injury, or death. Governments, regulatory bodies, and international organizations like the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) have developed standards to safeguard consumers, promote financial inclusion, and ensure the sustainable growth of microinsurance offerings.

Recent government policies promoting microinsurance products aim to ensure financial protection for low-income and vulnerable populations by offering affordable and accessible insurance schemes.

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Technological Innovations & Future Trends:

Startups and digital-first insurers are utilizing AI and cloud-based platforms to offer personalized, usage-based microinsurance. For instance, insurtech platforms include BIMA, which provides affordable insurance and health services to underserved families in emerging markets; MicroEnsure, which specializes in insurance for low-income populations in developing countries; and Pula, focuses on agricultural insurance for smallholder farmers against climate risks.

include BIMA, which provides affordable insurance and health services to underserved families in emerging markets; MicroEnsure, which specializes in insurance for low-income populations in developing countries; and Pula, focuses on agricultural insurance for smallholder farmers against climate risks. Mobile money platforms such as M-Pesa and GCash enable users to pay premiums in small, flexible amounts, facilitating financial inclusion for individuals without access to traditional banking services.

Digital onboarding and education tools, such as chatbots, apps, and interactive voice response (IVR) systems, are utilized to assist customers with onboarding, education, and support in their local languages. These tools enhance financial literacy and build trust among low-income users.

Regional Insights

Asia-Pacific dominated the microinsurance market owing to rise in technological advancements such as mobile banking and telemedicine which has enhanced the delivery of microinsurance products to low-income populations, improving accessibility and affordability. In addition, the government's initiatives in various policies aimed at promoting financial inclusion and social protection is expected to fuel the growth of the market during the forecast period. India leads market in this region, driven by a large, underserved population, low insurance penetration, and supportive government policies. For instance, initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) have significantly expanded access to affordable insurance for low-income individuals. Additionally, the widespread use of mobile technology facilitates the distribution of microinsurance products to remote areas.

Latin America is expected to witness rapid growth, driven by the unmet needs of a large portion of the population for traditional insurance products, leading to increase in the demand for affordable and tailored microinsurance coverage. In addition, the government subsidies and support have also played an important role in expanding microinsurance coverage, with countries such as Columbia and Peru implementing programs to support low-income households. Mexico stands out as a dominant player in the microinsurance industry, due to the surge in the adoption of life and accident coverage products. For instance, in July 2024, inDrive partnered with MIC Global to provide insurance coverage for drivers and passengers. This initiative includes personal accident and medical expense coverage, aiming to enhance financial security for users in Latin America.

Key Players:

Major players in the microinsurance market include Hollard Insurance, Safaricom, MicroEnsure, HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company Limited, HelloPe Financial Services Pvt Ltd, BIMA MILVIK, Metlife Inc (American Life Insurance Company - Nepal), Ahotopa Teledokta, Star Health and Allied Insurance Co Ltd., National Insurance VimoSEWA Cooperative Ltd., Milliman, Inc., Blue Marble Micro Limited, Microserfin, Howden Group Holdings Ltd., and Crest Micro Life Insurance. These companies are focusing on expanding their service offerings, strategic partnerships, and enhancing cybersecurity measures in the microinsurance industry.

Key Strategies Adopted by Competitors

In November 2024, Crest Micro Life Insurance introduced an innovative microinsurance plan called the "Prosperity Advance Devotional Small Life Insurance Plan" to support marginalized communities, low-income groups, and residents of remote areas in Nepal. The plan offers partial payouts every five years to assist with expenses like education, marriage, and business operations. At policy maturity, the full sum assured and additional benefits are provided. It also includes accident-related benefits such as 100% additional sum assured, dismemberment compensation, and premium discounts for disabilities.

In February 2025, Microserfin and Fundacion Vida Mujer signed an agreement to promote the empowerment of women who are victims of gender-based violence in Panama. This collaboration aims to provide these women with financial education, digital inclusion, and tailored financial and non-financial products. The initiative, part of Microserfin's "Escala Mujer" strategy, seeks to enhance the economic autonomy and overall quality of life for these women, helping them achieve sustainable development and independence

What are the Key Benefits for Stakeholders

This report provides a quantitative analysis of the microinsurance market segments, current trends, estimations, and dynamics of the microinsurance market analysis from 2024 to 2034 to identify the prevailing microinsurance market opportunities.

The market research is offered along with information related to key drivers, restraints, and opportunities.

Porter's five forces analysis highlights the potency of buyers and suppliers to enable stakeholders make profit-oriented business decisions and strengthen their supplier-buyer network.

In-depth analysis of the microinsurance market segmentation assists to determine the prevailing market opportunities.

Major countries in each region are mapped according to their revenue contribution in the global microinsurance market outlook.

Market player positioning facilitates benchmarking and provides a clear understanding of the present position of the market players.

The report includes the analysis of the regional as well as global microinsurance market trends, key players, market segments, application areas, and market growth strategies.

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Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - November 13, 2025) - Hemostemix Inc. (TSXV: HEM) (OTCQB: HMTXF) (FSE: 2VF0) today announced key highlights from its November 12, 2025 Grand Rounds presentation (to the University of Florida (UF, Gainesville) vascular team. The session, titled "Angiogenic Cell Precursors (ACP-01): Regenerating Microcirculation in CLI, Cardiomyopathy and Angina," was delivered by Fraser Henderson Sr., MD (neurosurgeon) with opening remarks and policy/operations updates from Thomas Smeenk, President & CEO.





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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXog6bDxpKg

Attendees included UF vascular faculty and trainees and external clinicians, among them David Alper, DPM (Boston) and Kristina Giles (MaineHealth; formerly the UF ACP-01 trial coordinator). The discussion focused on clinical outcomes, safety, Florida's treatment pathway (SB 1768), and operational readiness to accept patients.

Session Highlights

1) Safety Profile Across >498 Treated Patients

ACP-01 is autologous (patient-derived) and harvested via simple blood draw .

No cell-related complications reported across more than 498 treated patients; ~ 300 are in peer-reviewed publications.

Noted events in historical programs: one MI-unrelated death in an ineligible subject with a prior silent MI; two tachyarrhythmias responsive to cardioversion.

Quote - Dr. Henderson: "The autologous nature and endothelial programming of ACP-01 distinguish it from pluripotent or broadly multipotent cell types. What we consistently see is a favorable safety profile paired with biologic specificity for new vessel growth and inflammation modulation."

2) Cardiovascular Efficacy Signals (Cardiomyopathy & Angina)

Ischemic & Dilated Non-Ischemic Cardiomyopathy: Multiple cohorts demonstrated a ~5% absolute LVEF increase, translating to ~16-47% improvement in cardiac function depending on subtype; +126 m in 6-minute walk; improvements in NYHA class.

Angina (historical VesCell/ACP-01 studies): Significant gains in 6-minute walk, exercise capacity (METs), perfusion by SPECT-MIBI, and CCS angina class at 3-6 months.

"I would like to THANK Dr. Shah and his colleagues at the University of Florida for hosting our Grand Rounds and for welcoming the vascular, cardiology, and podiatry specialists we invited," said Thomas Smeenk, CEO of Hemostemix. The University of Florida was one of 11 Phase II clinical trial sites. Its team has seen ACP-01's results patient by patient.

By allowing Hemostemix to present our clinical outcomes, mechanism of action, production-to-procedure timeline, regulatory pathway, and business model to twelve specialists in forty minutes, we quite literally walked together through the door of regenerative medicine together.

Once again, my heartfelt thanks to Dr. Shah and the Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery & Endovascular Therapy in Gainesville for their collaboration and commitment to improving patients quality of life," Smeenk said.

3) CLTI (Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia): Limb Salvage - Wound Healing

In no-option CLTI populations, ACP-01 was associated with marked reductions in amputation and death over 12 months. In one dataset discussed, the combined amputation/death rate was ~5% in the ACP subgroup versus ~40% 1-year post-amputation mortality.

Wound-presenting patients showed particularly strong responses with significant healing versus placebo.

Given Medicare-reported burdens (10-40% 6-month amputation, ~40% 1-year post-amputation mortality, and per-patient annual costs of ~$120,000 for diabetics), the team emphasized urgent unmet need and economic rationale.

4) Florida Access Pathway (SB 1768) & IRB Oversight

Under Florida SB 1768 (effective July 1, 2025), physicians may offer autologous stem-cell therapies for pain within their scope of practice, with informed consent and cGMP manufacturing that is regulated by the FDA.

ACP-01 is now available in Florida outside of trials; the current therapy price is US$37,000 (exclusive of physician/clinic fees).

Every Florida procedure will be conducted under IRB oversight , creating high-quality real-world evidence to complement IND studies.

A 501(c)(3) organized by Dr. Henderson will help economically disadvantaged patients access treatment.

5) Practical Administration & 7-Day Production Cycle

Day 0: Blood draw -> ship to Hemostemix cGMP facility.

Days 1-5: Ex-vivo expansion to ACP-01.

Day 6: Quality control & shipment back.

Day 7: Local intramuscular injections (about 30  1 cc), typically into the gastrocnemius, under local anesthesia with light sedation and ultrasound guidance.

Next Steps

Scheduling treatments in Florida and The Bahamas, which permit ACP-01.

Basket Phase 1 Program (Bahamas): Four of seven protocols included in the basket are completed, and are in the process of being submitted to IRBs;

The open-label design supports 12-month follow-up and fuels later-phase studies.

Stakeholder Materials: Hemostemix is circulating a concise program brief (mechanism + trial plan) to UF and collaborating clinicians for site onboarding.

About ACP-01

ACP-01 (Angiogenic Cell Precursors) is a patient-derived, blood-based cell therapy programmed to form endothelial cells, secrete VEGF and angiogenin, and home to ischemic tissue via chemokine receptor pathways (e.g., CXCR4-CXCL12). The cell population is enriched in CD34* cells and is engineered to promote angiogenesis and modulate inflammation (e.g., M2 macrophage polarization), supporting tissue repair in CLTI, cardiomyopathy, angina, and related disease-based signalling pathways.

ABOUT HEMOSTEMIX

Hemostemix is an autologous stem cell therapy platform company, founded in 2003. A winner of the World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer Award, the Company has developed, patented, is scaling and selling autologous (patient's own) blood-based stem cell therapy, VesCell (ACP-01). Hemostemix has completed seven clinical studies of 318 subjects and published its results in eleven peer reviewed publications. ACP-01 is safe, clinically relevant and statistically significant as a treatment for peripheral arterial disease, chronic limb threatening ischemia, non ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, ischemic cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, and angina. Hemostemix completed its Phase II clinical trial for chronic limb threatening ischemia and published its results in the Journal of Biomedical Research & Environmental Science. As compared to a five year mortality rate of 50% in the CLTI patient population, UBC and U of T reported to the 41st meeting of vascular surgeons: 0% mortality, cessation of pain, wound healing in 83% of patients followed for up to 4.5 years, as a midpoint result. For more information, please visit www.hemostemix.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined under the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Information: This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking information. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information in relation to the treatment of CLTI, and related financing of the Company related to treatment of CLTI in Florida, and the completion of the treatment of pain related to angina, peripheral arterial disease, chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI), ischemic ,cardiomyopathy, non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, and total body ischemia with Angiogenic Cell Precursors (ACP-01) in furtherance of sales of VesCell (ACP-01), and the commercialization of ACP-01 via the sale of compassionate treatments under Florida SB 1768. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. This forward-looking information reflects Hemostemix's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Hemostemix and on assumptions Hemostemix believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to: the underlying value of Hemostemix and its Common Shares; the successful resolution of any litigation that Hemostemix is pursuing or defending (the "Litigation"); the results of ACP-01 research, trials, studies and analyses, including the analysis being equivalent to or better than previous research, trials or studies; the receipt of all required regulatory approvals for research, trials or studies; the level of activity, market acceptance and market trends in the healthcare sector; the economy generally; consumer interest in Hemostemix's services and products; competition and Hemostemix's competitive advantages; and, Hemostemix obtaining satisfactory financing to fund Hemostemix's operations including any research, trials or studies, and any Litigation. Forward-looking information is Subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Hemostemix to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: the ability of Hemostemix to complete clinical trials, complete a satisfactory analyses and file the results of such analyses to gain regulatory approval of a phase II or phase III clinical trial of ACP-01; potential litigation Hemostemix may face; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; general capital market conditions and market prices for securities; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals; the actual results of future operations including the actual results of future research, trials or studies; competition; changes in legislation affecting Hemostemix; the timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; long-term capital requirements and future developments in Hemostemix's markets and the markets in which it expects to compete; lack of qualified, skilled labour or loss of key individuals; and risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic including various recommendations, orders and measures of governmental authorities to try to limit the pandemic, including travel restrictions, border closures, non-essential business closures service disruptions, quarantines, self-isolations, shelters-in-place and social distancing, disruptions to markets, disruptions to economic activity and financings, disruptions to supply chains and sales channels, and a deterioration of general economic conditions including a possible national or global recession or depression; the potential impact that the COVID-19 pandemic may have on Hemostemix which may include a decreased demand for the services that Hemostemix offers; and a deterioration of financial markets that could limit Hemostemix's ability to obtain external financing. A description of additional risk factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking information can be found in Hemostemix's disclosure documents on the SEDAR website at www.sedarplus.ca. Although Hemostemix has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of Hemostemix as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, it is Subject to change after such date. However, Hemostemix expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/274352

SOURCE: Hemostemix Inc.
More than 800 brands and suppliers unite in Miami to showcase the future of beauty across skin care, makeup, fragrance, hair, nails, and the entire supply chain.

MIAMI, FL / ACCESS Newswire / November 13, 2025 / Cosmoprof North America Miami will return for its third edition, taking place January 27-29, 2026, at the Miami Beach Convention Center. As a premier B2B beauty trade show in the Americas, the event remains a key platform for discovering innovation, emerging trends, and business opportunities across the global beauty landscape.

Taking place in Miami, a key hub connecting North America, Latin America, and the global beauty industry, the 2026 edition will unite over 800 brands and suppliers to showcase the future of beauty innovation. Exhibitors will showcase cutting-edge products, formulations, and technologies across major sectors, including skincare, makeup, fragrance, hair care, nails, and Cosmopack, representing the entire beauty supply chain.

Following its significant expansion in 2025, the upcoming edition promises an even more dynamic show floor, showcasing the industry's ongoing momentum and creativity. The Beauty Vanities area returns to the spotlight with brands curated product assortments that embody simplicity, authenticity, and innovation. The fragrance category will also take center stage, doubling in presence from the previous year, a reflection of the category's surging growth and consumer excitement.

Networking opportunities will be abundant both on and off the show floor at Cosmoprof North America Miami, ensuring buyers, brands, and industry leaders have multiple touchpoints to connect meaningfully. Powered by our AI matchmaking platform, MyMatch, attendees will have the ability to discover, pair, and schedule high-value meetings aligned with their goals throughout the event. In addition, our Welcome Party on Day One and dedicated Networking Happy Hour on Day Two will further expand connection opportunities, fostering new relationships and accelerating business growth in an elevated, social environment.

In partnership with BEAUTYSTREAMS, CosmoTrends will once again deliver its anticipated annual report, highlighting the key movements and innovations shaping the beauty industry for 2026. A curated display and presentation will guide attendees through evolving consumer demands and market directions, helping them stay one step ahead in an ever-changing landscape.

In addition to its expansive show floor, Cosmoprof North America Miami will feature a robust educational program designed to empower emerging brands and entrepreneurs. The Entrepreneur Academy offers tailored sessions with actionable strategies for growth, marketing, and operations, while CosmoTalks convenes leading voices in beauty research, brand strategy, and retail. Confirmed participants include The Estee Lauder Companies, K18, and Dossier, among other major players shaping the future of beauty.

As Cosmoprof North America Miami enters its third year, it continues to establish itself as a must-attend event for beauty professionals seeking to stay ahead of global trends, expand connections, and explore the innovations shaping the industry's future. Registration is now open, with attendees invited to save up to 30% by registering by November 21, 2025.

To register, visit https://cosmoprofnorthamerica.com/miami/.

###############################

Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. We provide marketplace participants around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, targeted digital services, and actionable data solutions. We connect buyers and sellers across more than a dozen global verticals, including Boating, Pharmaceuticals, Food, Fashion and Infrastructure. As the world's leading market-making company, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit: WWW.INFORMAMARKETS.COM.

BolognaFiere Group is the world's leading trade show organizer in cosmetics, fashion, architecture, building, art, and culture. The Group has more than 80 international exhibitions within its portfolio, notably Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna, the most important meeting point in the world for beauty professionals, established in 1967 and held in Bologna, Italy. For the 2024 edition, Cosmoprof registered more than 248,000 attendees from 150 countries in the world, and 3.012 exhibitors from 69 countries. Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna 2054 is scheduled from March 20 to 23, 2025, in Bologna - Italy. Cosmoprof's B2B format is constantly able to support companies and stakeholders in their business all over the world with specific tools and initiatives adapted to each market. The Cosmoprof platform extends throughout the entire world, with Cosmoprof North America, Cosmoprof Asia, Cosmoprof India, and Cosmoprof CBE ASEAN. For more information, please visit: WWW.COSMOPROF.COM.

The Professional Beauty Association (PBA) is dedicated to advocating and fighting for the rights and professionalism of the beauty industry, and is committed to the long-term success of beauty professionals and the businesses that employ and support them. As the largest and most inclusive trade organization representing the entire beauty industry, PBA advocates for legislation on behalf of the industry, including such things as fighting against deregulation. PBA also provides curated resources to empower members, including education, business tools and resources, curated healthcare and insurance options, exclusive events, charitable initiatives, scholarships, networking opportunities and proprietary reports and data. Members include manufacturers, distributors, salons, spas, schools, independent practitioners, students, and industry suppliers. For more information on membership, please visit: WWW.PROBEAUTY.ORG/JOIN. E: giovanna.riccomi@cosmoprof.it

Contact:

PRESS OFFICE US USA Beauty LLC PRESS OFFICE WORLDWIDE BolognaFiere Cosmoprof Spa Public Relations Giovanna Riccomi P: +1 212 979 8884 P: +39 02 796420 E: cosmoprofna.pr@informa.com E: giovanna.riccomi@cosmoprof.it

SOURCE: Informa Markets - USA Beauty

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/consumer-and-retail-products/cosmoprof-north-america-miami-returns-for-its-third-edition-january-27-1101812
ST. JOHN'S, NL / ACCESS Newswire / November 13, 2025 / Vulcan Minerals Inc. ("the Company" - "Vulcan") (TSXV:VUL), provides an update on the Colchester project with a review of historical drilling and compilation incorporating the most recent drilling results. A compilation of historic drilling highlights for the Colchester project includes up to 39.97 meters of 1.03% copper and 15.8 meters of 2.19% copper. A property review is also presented including the Little Bay project.

The McNeily drill program (part of the Colchester Project) carried out in late 2024 is reviewed and incorporated into the compilation. Highlights are as follows:

5.2 meters of 1.01% copper in hole CL-24-19 within a wider 13.7 meters of 0.48% copper

2.5 meters of 1.26% copper in hole CL-24-17

5.3 meters of 0.52% copper and 0.91 grams per tonne gold including 0.4m of 0.78% copper and 5.02 grams per tonne gold in hole CL-24-18

A total of 718 meters (m) were drilled over 5 holes designed to test Induced Polarization (IP) anomalies from the 2024 survey and expand the known volcanic massive sulphide copper-gold mineralization to the southwest of previous drilling. The program has extended mineralization 150 meters southwest of historic drilling for an overall zone strike length of approximately 450 meters which remains open.

Stringer disseminated and locally semi-massive sulfide zones were encountered containing chalcopyrite with variable associations of pyrite, pyrrhotite and minor sphalerite. Mineralization is associated with chalcopyrite within sheared and chloritized mafic volcanic rocks.

The drill program successfully tested the potential eastern limits of the McNeily zone south of hole CL-23-13 (Vulcan 2023 hole) which returned the following results:

HOLE ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Type Cu % Au g/t CL-23-13 8 23 15 Composite 1.21 0.51 Including 11 17.75 6.75 Composite 2.38 1.01

CL-24-17

Hole CL-24-17 was drilled to a length of 173m and targeted the eastern flank of the southern IP anomaly. Chalcopyrite is present as stringers and semi-massive zones within intense chlorite altered shear zones. Notable intersections include a 1m sample containing 3.25 g/t Au and an interval averaging 4.55m of 0.85% Cu with 0.5 g/t Au including 2.5m containing 1.26% Cu and 0.41 Au.

HOLE ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Type Cu % Au g/t CL-24-17 116.65 120 3.35 Composite 0.77 0.24 CL-24-17 126.5 127.5 1 Sample 0.03 3.25 CL-24-17 139.25 143.8 4.55 Composite 0.85 0.50 Including 139.25 141.75 2.5 Composite 1.26 0.41

CL-24-18

CL-24-18 was drilled approximately 50m southeast of CL-24-17 to a length of 140m. This hole was designed to test the vertical extent of mineralization encountered in CL-24-17. Chalcopyrite is present as stringers and semi-massive zones within intense chlorite alteration. Significant results include 5.3m of 0.52% Cu and 0.91 g/t Au, a 0.4m sample containing 0.78% Cu and 5.02 g/t Au, as well as a 9m section averaging 0.86 g/t Au including 3m of 1.25 g/t Au.

HOLE ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Type Cu % Au g/t CL-24-18 51.5 56.8 5.3 Composite 0.52 0.91 CL-24-18 60 60.4 0.4 Sample 0.78 5.02 CL-24-18 85 94 9 Composite 0.06 0.86 Including 85 88 3 Composite 0.14 1.25

CL-24-19

Hole CL-24-19 was drilled between CL-24-15 and CL-23-13 to a length of 143m. This hole targeted a potential offset of the zone to the southeast. Drilling encountered abundant chalcopyrite stringer zones associated with chloritized shear zones and faults. Significant intersections contained 13.7m of 0.48% Cu, including 5.2m of 1.01% Cu.

HOLE ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Type Cu % Au g/t CL-24-19 91.2 104.9 13.7 Composite 0.48 0.05 Including 91.2 96.4 5.2 Composite 1.01 0.06

CL-24-15 and Cl-24-16

These holes encounteredzones of shearing, chlorite alteration and sulfides as pyrite with minor chalcopyrite in stringers. Discontinuous lower grade (less than 0.4%) copper and anomalous gold grades were encountered over a gross interval from 68.5m to 84.5m length in CL-24-15 and over a gross interval from 90.9m to 123m length in CL-24-16.

Notes:

True widths are uncertain but are interpreted to be close to drilled thicknesses, though more drilling is required to confirm the exact orientation of the mineralized zones. The tables summarize composited assay intervals described for the reported holes. These intervals are length-weighted averages of core-thickness intervals. Only assayed intervals were included in the composites. A total of 270 samples were cut and submitted for assay. Significant assays are reported herein, remaining samples represent lower grade sampling in envelopes around the mineralized zones and additional samples without significant mineralization taken for stratigraphic-correlation purposes.

Drill Hole Coordinates:

HOLE ID East North Azimuth Dip Length CL-24-15 565974 5498040 135 -60 128 CL-24-16 565942 5498004 135 -50 134 CL-24-17 565867 5497934 135 -50 173 CL-24-18 565894 5497916 135 -50 140 CL-24-19 566011 5498081 135 -50 143

Coordinates are UTM NAD83 Zone 21

Map of McNeily zone drilling and IP anomaly.

President Patrick Laracy notes "The McNeily zone is proving to have continuity along strike as expressed by the related IP anomaly. The drill program was designed as reconnaissance testing of the anomaly. Given its length (700m) and width (200 to 300 meters) the anomalous zone will require systematic drilling of multiple holes across its width to accurately locate the main causative chargeability source and the nature of the associated mineralization. High-grade copper intersections with appreciable gold credits continue to warrant further delineation towards adding tonnage to the overall Colchester project."

The Company acknowledges the financial support for the drilling campaign from the Junior Exploration Assistance Program by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Colchester project is part of the larger Springdale property which hosts numerous historic copper and gold deposits and showings, none of which have been adequately explored with the benefit of modern digital geophysical and geological modelling. These prospects occur within close proximity to each other and provide excellent advanced exploration targets towards resource definition. The Springdale property is road accessible and near significant mining services.

Historic Compilation and Context

Property Location, Access & Land Position

The Colchester project is 100% owned by Vulcan and consists of 72 claims covering 1,800 hectares out of Vulcan's larger, regional-scale Springdale property in west-central Newfoundland, which comprises 273 claims over 6,825 ha. The Colchester project is the flagship of the Springdale property, which includes several additional copper-gold exploration targets. The project is in long term good standing with respect to regulatory work assessment requirements because of the Company's ongoing exploration activities.

Colchester is accessible by paved road approximately 25 kilometers off the Trans Canada Highway, with woods roads connecting several zones within the project. The provincial electrical grid borders the eastern edge of the property. The property is accessible for exploration work year-round.

Several nearby communities such as Springdale and Kings Point host exploration and mining service providers who are actively involved in the current resurgence in gold and base metal exploration in central Newfoundland. These include Firefly Metals Ltd.'s development work at the Rambler-Ming mines (copper-gold) on the Baie Verte peninsula and Maritime Resources Corp.'s revitalized Hammerdown Gold project where the first pour of gold just occurred (approximately 5 km south of the Colchester project claim boundary). Drilling companies are based out of Springdale, providing for competitive drilling rates and efficient logistical operations.

Historical Highlights

Vulcan has compiled an extensive dataset of historical exploration and mining activities on the Colchester project. This includes the digitization of surface sampling (rock, soil, till, stream, heavy mineral concentrates), bedrock and trench mapping, diamond drilling (survey, lithological and assay data), ground and airborne geophysical surveys (VLF, EM, IP, magnetics and gravity). Vulcan has added value to this project with its modern dataset, including prospecting, bedrock mapping, high-resolution 3D IP surveying and diamond drilling. Thus, the project has an extensive digitized dataset with serious potential for leverage.

The Colchester project is host to multiple copper-gold deposits including five of the nine historical mine sites in the immediate region, most of which were mined at a very limited scale from 1881 to 1901. Outside the Colchester project, mining occurred at Little Bay (a Vulcan property), the Whalesback and Little Deer mines at varying times in the 1960's into the early 1970's.

The Colchester project was explored historically for copper, however, significant historic gold occurrences have been identified at surface and in drilling at multiple zones notwithstanding that gold was not regularly assayed at the time. At the Old English Zone, 4.18 g/t gold was drilled over 2.90m and at the Main Zone 5.86 g/t gold was drilled over 3.85m.

Modern exploration commenced in the 1960's in the area of the "Colchester Main Zone" resulting in a 1967 historical resource estimate of 1,000,000 tons of 1.3% copper at a cut-off grade of 0.85% copper (non-compliant with modern NI 43-101 requirements); gold was not included in that resource estimate because it had not been systematically assayed. Vulcan's 3D modelling of historical drilling data demonstrates that the footprint of the drilling included in the 1967 resource estimate comprises only 30-40% of the current extent of drilling at the Main Zone, which had received intermittent attention until the mid-2000's.

Historically, explorers drilled coincident copper soil and geophysical anomalies, both magnetic and IP, which proved to be a successful exploration method and was the primary driver in the discovery and expansion of the known mineralized zones. Modern geophysical techniques have increased the resolution, extent and depth of these anomalies. However, many other areas with surface mineralization remain untested.

The Company has compiled and digitized the following data base derived from government filed assessment reports by previous operators.

Colchester Compilation Stats

Reports Geophysical Surveys DD Holes Meters Core Samples Geochemical Soils Surface Rocks 51 15 110 21994 2979 3378 1103

Selected highlights from historic drilling for copper are listed below. They are intended to demonstrate the copper potential of the Colchester project.

Hole-ID Zone From

(m) To

(m) Length

(m) Composited

Cu (%) 436-11 McNeilly 86.28 90.83 4.55 4.55 m @ 3.82% 436-16 Main Zone 142.30 157.60 15.30 15.30 m @ 1.02% 436-16 Main Zone 167.94 178.13 10.19 10.19 m @ 1.07% 436-21 Main Zone 23.96 38.10 14.14 14.14 m @ 1.95% 436-21 Main Zone 53.04 71.63 18.59 18.59 m @ 1.61% 436-21 Main Zone 53.04 73.10 20.06 20.06 m @ 1.51% 436-30 Main Zone 59.74 69.98 10.24 10.24 m @ 2.20% 436-37 Main Zone 46.02 57.21 11.19 11.19 m @ 1.33% 436-38 Main Zone 183.28 193.55 10.27 10.27 m @ 1.16% 436-39 Main Zone 178.61 192.27 13.66 13.66 m @ 1.01% 436-41 Main Zone 128.96 155.45 26.49 26.49 m @ 1.43% 436-6 Main Zone 106.68 131.06 24.38 24.38 m @ 1.21% 436-8 Main Zone 119.09 131.98 12.89 12.89 m @ 1.32% CC-03-02 Main Zone 74.20 90.00 15.80 15.80 m @ 2.19% CC-03-11 McNeilly 72.85 84.00 11.15 11.15 m @ 1.68% H-48 Main Zone 322.78 346.01 23.31 23.31 m @ 1.24% H-49 Main Zone 187.45 203.61 16.16 16.16 m @ 1.68% H-51 Main Zone 70.10 82.60 12.50 12.50 m @ 2.49% H-51 Main Zone 160.02 192.63 32.61 32.61 m @ 1.04% H-52 Main Zone 146.91 172.21 25.30 25.30 m @ 1.02% H-61 McNeilly 69.34 82.30 12.96 12.96 m @ 1.97% H-69 Main Zone 192.02 202.69 10.67 10.67 m @ 1.27% H-78 Old English 96.62 132.59 35.97 35.97 m @ 1.03% *OE-16-01 Old English 48.52 53.62 5.15 5.15 m @ 1.60% *OE-16-01 Old English 170.64 176.63 5.99 5.99 m @ 1.01% *OE-16-03 Old English 76.73 84.18 7.45 7.45 m @ 1.02% *CL-21-01 McNeily 88.00 116.00 28.00 28.0 m @ 1.58% *CL-21-01 McNeily 102.00 116.00 14.00 14.0 m @ 2.31% *CL-23-13 McNeily 8.00 23.00 15.00 15.0 m @ 1.21% *CL-23-14 McNeily 48.5 62.00 13.5 13.5 m @ 1.51% *CL-23-14 McNeily 48.5 56.00 7.50 7.5 m @ 2.49%

* Vulcan drill holes.

Selected composited copper drilling grades from Colchester zones; many intersections contain higher-grade subsections not summarized in this table.

Little Bay Mine Property

The Little Bay copper-gold property in north-central Newfoundland is approximately 10 kilometers southeast of the Colchester project. The property consists of 19 claims (475 hectares) covering the past producing Little Bay and Sleepy Hollow mines. These mines operated from 1961-1969. The Little Bay mine produced 2,850,000 tonnes at grades ranging from 0.89% to 1.96% copper and 6,300 ounces gold. In the later stages of production, the Sleepy Hollow mine produced 700,000 tonnes at a grade of 1.5% copper.

The company has compiled 166 drill holes, various geophysical surveys, geochemical surveys and mining reports which have been incorporated into 3D modelling software. The company believes that the mine area has the potential to contain unmined resources based on the geophysical features occurring along strike of the mine workings and the fact the mine closed due to an operational issue with the collapse of the crown pillar.

Vulcan has compiled an extensive digital dataset including mining and production models, exploratory drilling, surficial sampling and geophysical surveys. This is the first fully digital dataset allowing for the integration of various vintages of information which will facilitate a better understanding of the mineralization on the property. Historical activity generally focused on mine workings with relatively little local exploration. The remaining copper resources at both mines, if any, has not been determined. Further work is required to evaluate the complete data set to determine what copper resources may remain in the old workings and to evaluate the potential for extensions of the mineralization outside historic workings.

The Little Bay property is adjacent to claims owned by another operator containing the past producing Whalesback and Little Deer copper mines which are geologically similar to the Little Bay mine. Whalesback is approximately 2 km from the Little Bay claim boundary while Little Deer is approximately 3.2 km from the claim boundary along favourable structural trends. Whalesback produced 3,790,000 tonnes at approximately 1% copper (1965-1971) and the Little Deer mine produced approximately 75,000 tonnes at approximately 2% copper before depressed market conditions forced closure of the mines. Please refer to our webpage www.vulcanminerals.ca for location and general geology maps.

The historical information regarding the Colchester and Little Bay properties and production histories of adjacent mines is taken from assessment reports filed with and compilations by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador as archived in the Mineral Occurrence Data System (MODS).

Strategy to Realize Value of these Projects

Given the fortunate endowment of mineralization on these projects, it will require significant investment for their advancement, including modern mineral resource evaluations, deposit delineation, confirmation drilling, potential expansion and advanced exploration of several early-stage mineral showings. To this end, the Company will be soliciting partners with the financial strength and expertise to carry out this work.

President Patrick Laracy commented, "We acquired this project as an 'option" on higher copper and gold prices anticipating that high-grade resources, with near surface accessibility and local infrastructure would be valuable as relatively quick potential developments compared to larger bulk tonnage copper porphyry deposits. In the interim, we continued to add value to the project through strategic exploration ventures and will continue to do as we solicit partners for the project. In addition to our projects, the Springdale Peninsula has several historic copper-gold deposits providing the potential for a revitalization of advanced exploration and mine development in the region."

Quality Control

Vulcan used SGS Natural Resources (SGS) for all sample assaying in the drilling program reported herein. SGS Natural Resources analytical laboratories operate under a Quality Management System that complies with ISO/IEC 17025. Vulcan employed SGS' four-acid digestion / ICP-OES multi-element analysis package grouped with 30g, fire assay, AAS finish for gold. A four-acid digestion / ICP-OES "ore-grade" analysis package is utilized for base metals assaying greater than detection limits. Vulcan employed the use of standard reference materials for quality control at a rate of 5% of total samples. SGS undertakes their own internal coarse and pulp duplicate analysis to ensure proper sample preparation and equipment calibration. Preliminary inspection of these control samples shows them to be within the expected limits.

About Vulcan

Vulcan Minerals is a precious and base metals exploration company based in St. John's Newfoundland. The company has strategic land positions in multiple active Newfoundland gold and base metal exploration and development belts. It also holds approximately 27% of the shares in Atlas Salt Inc. (TSXV: SALT). Atlas Salt is an industrial minerals company that is currently developing the Great Atlantic Salt mine in western Newfoundland.

Patrick J. Laracy P.Geo., President is the qualified person responsible for the technical contents of this news release as defined in National Instrument 43-101.

We seek safe harbour.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider, (as the term is defined in the Policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This press release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian 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 press release relate to, among other things: completion, delivery and timing of the referenced exploration program and assumptions related thereto. Actual future results may differ materially. 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 the respective parties, are inherently subject to significant business, technical, economic, and competitive 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: the timing, completion and delivery of the referenced assessments and analysis. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these times. Except as required by law, the Company 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 law.

For information please contact:

Patrick J. Laracy, P.Geo.

President

(709) 754-3186

info@vulcanminerals.ca

www.vulcanminerals.ca

SOURCE: Vulcan Minerals Inc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/oil-gas-and-energy/vulcan-minerals-inc.-colchester-copper-gold-update-in-central-newfoundland-1102034
COLUMBUS, OH / ACCESS Newswire / November 13, 2025 / Premiere Show Group, the nation's leading network of beauty industry events and professional education, successfully concluded Premiere Columbus 2025, energizing the Midwest beauty community with two days of world-class education, high-energy competition, and innovative attendee experiences. Held September 14-15 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, the show brought together 10,000 visits of licensed professionals and students alongside 129 exhibiting brands for a weekend of skill-building, discovery, and networking.

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Each show will continue to deliver cutting-edge education, exclusive hands-on experiences, and unparalleled opportunities to connect with the top brands and brightest minds in the industry. Whether discovering the latest products, learning new techniques, or building connections that last a lifetime, Premiere Shows 2026 will be the ultimate destination for beauty professionals ready to elevate their careers.

Visit premiereshows.com and follow @premierebeautyshows for updates and announcements.

###

Rachel Brill

rachel@premiereshows.com

The Premiere Shows are the nation's leading network of beauty industry events, matched with world-class education from top beauty brands and renowned educators. Premiere welcomes all representatives of the professional beauty industry to meet with top brands from around the globe, get hands-on education, shop, connect with their community, and stay up to date with the hottest trends in the business. Premiere exhibitors are guaranteed to meet decision-makers from every area of the beauty industry on an exhibit floor designed to bring the beauty community together to learn, buy, and connect.?For more information on Premiere Shows and its events, visit premiereshows.com.

The Premiere Shows' events are organized by USA Beauty LLC, a joint venture between Informa Markets, BolognaFiere, and the Professional Beauty Association - a historic partnership created to better serve the beauty industry. USA Beauty LLC also operates the Cosmoprof North America events held annually in Las Vegas and Miami, and Beauty New York - a new consumer-focused event launching in October 2025.

SOURCE: Informa Markets - USA Beauty

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/consumer-and-retail-products/premiere-columbus-2025-delivers-education-inspiration-and-new-experien-1102086
Regulatory News:

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN AND SOUTH AFRICA

GenSight Biologics (the "Company") (Euronext: SIGHT, ISIN: FR0013183985, PEA-PME eligible), a biopharma company focused on developing and commercializing innovative gene therapies for retinal neurodegenerative diseases and central nervous system disorders, today announced the closing of its EUR 1,999,998.1515 fundraising (the "Fundraising

The Fundraising resulted in the issuance of:

(i) 15,980,844 ordinary shares (actions ordinaires) of the Company (the "Offered Shares"), which were admitted to trading on Euronext Paris on November 12, 2025 (ISIN FR0013183985/SIGHT);

(ii) 3,492,063 pre-funded warrants (the "Offered Pre-Funded Warrants") giving the right to subscribe to 3,492,063 additional ordinary shares; and

(iii) 19,472,907 warrants (the "Offered Investor Warrants") giving the right to subscribe to 19,472,907 additional ordinary shares.

The Offered Investor Warrants were admitted to trading on the Euronext Growth market in Paris on November 12, 2025 (ISIN FR0014010IB4/SIGBS). The Offered Pre-Funded Warrants will not be admitted to trading on any venue.

Risk factors

The Company draws the attention of the public to the risk factors relating to the Company and its business described in its 2024 Universal Registration Document, as amended by the Information Document published by the Company on November 10, 2025, both of which are available free of charge on the Company's website (https://www.gensight-biologics.com/) with the Information Document being directly available through the following hyperlink: https://www.gensight-biologics.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GenSight-TER-Annexe-IX-FINAL51868317.1.pdf.

About GenSight Biologics S.A.

GenSight Biologics S.A. is a clinical-stage biopharma company focused on developing and commercializing innovative gene therapies for retinal neurodegenerative diseases and central nervous system disorders. GenSight Biologics' pipeline leverages two core technology platforms, the Mitochondrial Targeting Sequence (MTS) and optogenetics, to help preserve or restore vision in patients suffering from blinding retinal diseases. GenSight Biologics' lead product candidate, GS010 (lenadogene nolparvovec) is in Phase III in Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON), a rare mitochondrial disease that leads to irreversible blindness in teens and young adults. GS010 is currently in clinical development, has not to date been granted marketing authorization in France or any other jurisdiction, and is therefore not available commercially. Using its gene therapy-based approach, GenSight Biologics' product candidates are designed to be administered in a single treatment to each eye by intravitreal injection to offer patients a sustainable functional visual recovery.

Disclaimer

Not for release, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States of America, Canada, Australia, Japan or South Africa. This press release and the information contained herein do not contain or constitute an offer to subscribe or purchase, or the solicitation of an order to purchase or subscribe, for securities in the United States of America or in any other jurisdiction where such an offer or solicitation would be unlawful. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act, or under the securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States of America, and may not be offered or sold in the United States of America except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and in compliance with the securities laws of any state or any other jurisdiction of the United States. GenSight Biologics does not intend to make a public offering of the securities in the United States of America.

The distribution of this press release may be subject to legal or regulatory restrictions in certain countries. Persons in possession of this press release should inform themselves of and observe any local restrictions. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the completion expected proceeds and anticipated use of proceeds of the Fundraising; the anticipated cash runway of the Company; and future expectations, plans and prospects of the Company. Words such as "anticipates," "believes," "expects," "intends," "projects," and "future" or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to the inherent uncertainties in predicting future results and conditions and no assurance can be given that the proposed securities offering discussed above will be consummated on the terms described or at all. Completion of the proposed Fundraising and the terms thereof are subject to numerous factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including, without limitation, market conditions, failure of customary closing conditions and the risk factors and other matters set forth in the filings the Company makes with the AMF from time to time. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251113495306/en/

Contacts:

GenSight Biologics

Chief Financial Officer

Jan Eryk Umiastowski

jeumiastowski@gensight-biologics.com
14.8% growth in ICAPE's revenue to 50.8M for the third quarter of 2025, of which +6.8% on an organic basis at constant currency

Revenue for the third quarter of 2025 up +14.8% to 50.8 million in reported data and second quarter in a row of organic growth at constant currency, up +6.8% over the period

Revenue for the first 9 months of 2025 at 152.8 million, up +13.7% in reported data

Resumption of sales momentum confirmed by a backlog of 58 million of US dollars in Q3 2025, up +32.7%, of which +22.2% on an organic basis

Confirmation of the Group's objectives by 2026

Regulatory News:

The ICAPE Group (ISIN code: FR001400A3Q3 ticker: ALICA), a global technology distributor of printed circuit boards ("PCBs") and custom electromechanical components, today announces its revenue for the 3rd quarter and the first 9 months of 2025.

Yann DUIGOU, CEO of the ICAPE Group, states:

"The performance observed in the third quarter of 2025, particularly that of the organic growth at constant currency, as well as the good trends in the backlog, confirm the recovery of the activity. They also reflect the sustained momentum in acquisitions over the recent periods. Q3 is already the third consecutive quarter of double-digit revenue growth. The performance of the backlog at the end of October 2025, both in US dollars and euros, gives us confidence in the continuation of the recovery for the upcoming period and in our ability to continue developing new markets and new sectors."

Revenue analysis for the 3rd quarter and the first 9 months of 2025

Financial information for the 3rd quarter and the first 9 months of 2025

Revenue (in M) 20241 2025 Yoy growth Organic2 growth Organic growth

at constant

currency Q1 45.2 51.5 +13.0% -1.5% -3.7% Q2 44.9 50.9 +13.3% -0.3% +3.7% Q3 44.2 50.8 +14.8% +2.0% +6.8% 9M 134.3 152.8 +13.7% +0.3% +2.3%

Consolidated quarterly revenue (in M) Yoy growth (Q3 2025 vs Q3 2024) Sequential evolution (Q3 2025 vs Q2 2025) Q3 20241 Q1 2025 Q2 2025 Q3 2025 Evolution Organic Organic at constant currency Evolution Organic Organic at constant currency 44.2 51.1 50.9 50.8 +14.8% +2.0% +6.8% -0.3% +0.5% +2.5%

Third Quarter 2025 Sales Analysis

Revenue for the third quarter of 2025 amounts to 50.8 million, up +14.8% on a reported basis, with a resumption of organic growth that stands at +2.0% after -0.3% in Q2 2025.

At constant currency, excluding the impact of the US dollar, organic growth for Q3 2025 stands at +6.8%, following growth of +3.7% in Q2 2025 and a decline of -3.7% in Q1 2025. This marks the second quarter in a row of organic growth at constant currency.

Sequentially, the change in Q3 2025 compared to Q2 2025 is almost stable in reported data (-0.3%), up +0.5% organically and +2.5% organically at constant currency.

Over the period, the most contributing areas and sectors are Asia, Southern Europe, and CIPEM, almost in line with Q2 2025.

Quarterly backlog Yoy evolution (Q3 2025 vs Q3 2024) Q3 2024 Q1 2025 Q2 2025 Q3 2025 Evolution Organic Organic at constant currency 39.1M 52.6M 47.7M 49.4M +26.5% +16.6% +22.1% USD43.7M USD56.9M USD55.9M USD58.0M +32.7% +22.2% NA

The backlog amounts to 49.4 million at the end of September 2025. It recorded growth of +32.7% in US dollars in the third quarter of 2025, after an increase of +14.2% in Q2 2025 and +6.1% in Q1. In euros, growth was +26.5% in Q3 2025, after +1.2% in Q2 and +6.1% in Q1 2025. At the end of October 2025, the backlog amounts to 56 million.

Sales analysis for the first 9 months of 2025

As of September 30, 2025, the Group's revenue amounted to 152.8 million for the nine first months of the year, up +13.7% in reported data, marking the sum of three consecutive quarters of double-digit growth. Organic growth was almost flat over the nine first months of 2025 (+0.3%) despite the adverse effect of the US dollar's decline. Adjusted for this effect, organic growth excluding currency amounted to +2.3%.

Over the nine first months of the year, the most contributing areas and sectors are Asia, Southern Europe, and CIPEM.

Continuation of the strategy and confirmation of the Group's objectives

The ICAPE Group confirms that it will continue over the coming months its external growth strategy by targeting companies with synergies that could lead to significant post-integration organic growth. To date, the Group is in discussions with 12 international targets for a potential additional revenue of around 79 million3

As part of this strategy, ICAPE carried out on July 1, 2025 the overall structuring of its offer in the UK market by establishing the first UK Business Unit, ICAPE UK Ltd, bringing together its complementary activities in this area, ALR Services and Kingfisher PCB. The latter had been acquired in Q1 2025 and already integrated in Q2 2025.

Building on its positioning as an expert across the entire printed circuit board value chain, an aggressive external growth strategy, and the optimization of its organization, the ICAPE Group reaffirms all its objectives by 2026, namely:

an average annual organic growth rate of 10% between 2023 and 2026;

approximately 120 million in additional revenue generated through external growth by the end of 2026 (90 million as of end-September 2025);

an EBIT margin of around 9.5% by 2026.

APPENDICES

1. Highlights of the period

Strategic rollout of the new ICAPE UK Business Unit

The ICAPE Group has expanded its activity in one of Europe's key markets through two major operations:

Consolidation of ALR Services

ICAPE announced on December 18, 2024, the acquisition of 100% of the capital of ALR Services Ltd., a British PCB distributor, with a portfolio of 300 EMS and OEM clients (not shared with ICAPE) and an estimated turnover of 2.5 million in 2024. In return, ALR Services benefits from enhanced service offerings and the purchasing power of the ICAPE Group. The company was consolidated into the ICAPE Group accounts as of January 1, 2025.

Acquisition of Kingfisher PCB

On February 13, 2025, the ICAPE Group announced the acquisition of Kingfisher PCB, a company founded in 2019 by Victor Sproat, a British PCB specialist with over 35 years of experience. This distributor serves a wide range of industries, including aerospace, telecommunications, automotive, and the energy sector. Kingfisher PCB expects to achieve revenue of around 1.5 million for the 2025 fiscal year. This acquisition was financed in cash, and its consolidation into the ICAPE Group accounts took effect as of February 2025.

This operation is part of a global structuring of the Group's offering in the British market and has made it possible to create the first Business Unit bringing together the Group's complementary activities (ALR Services and Kingfisher PCB), which became operational as of July 1, 2025.

Transfers buybacks of executives' shares

On August 8, 2025, ICAPE Group Chairman Thierry Ballenghien sold a total of 56,975 shares to Takashi Yasuda, founder and CEO of the NTW group in Japan, at a unit price of 7.70/share. This transaction was planned as part of the company's acquisition agreement.

Share buyback program

In accordance with the resolutions adopted by the General Assembly on January 8, 2025, in its first resolution, the Board of Directors decided, at its meeting on February 12, 2025, to implement a share buyback program and entrusted an investment service provider with a share repurchase mandate for a maximum amount of 5.0 million. As part of this program, the company acquired off market a block of 153,750 of its own shares on February 20, 2025, representing approximately 1.9% of its own capital. Following this transaction, carried out at a price of 6.84 per share, ICAPE Holding holds 192,900 of its own shares, representing 2.4% of its capital.

The General Meeting of May 21, 2025, authorized, in its tenth resolution, in accordance with the provisions of Article L. 22-10-62 et seq. of the Commercial Code, the Board of Directors to implement a share buyback program for the company with the possibility of sub-delegation under the conditions provided by law.

In accordance with Article 241-3 of the General Regulations of the Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF), the description of this share buyback program is included in the company's 2024 Annual Financial Report. This document can be viewed on the company's website at the following address: https://www.icape-group.com/fr/documentation.

Continuing the simplification of the Group's legal structure

As part of the rationalization and simplification of the Group's legal structure, it carried out in July 2025 the merger of its subsidiaries ALR Services and Kingfisher PCB, which were 100% owned by ICAPE Holding, with the new entity being renamed 'ICAPE UK,' as mentioned above. Furthermore, the company Francois Frere, which was 100% owned by ICAPE Holding, was also merged into ICAPE Holding on July 3, 2025.

2. Average exchange rate

Q1 2024 Q2 2024 Q3 2024 Q1 2025 Q2 2025 Q3 2025 US Dollar (EUR/USD 1.0857 1.0766 1.0987 1.0525 1.1333 1.1681

3. Upcoming financial releases (pre-market for results and post-market for revenue figures):

FY 2025 Revenue: Thursday, February 12, 2026

FY 2025 consolidated earnings: Thursday,March 26, 2026

Q1 2026 Revenue: Tuesday, May 5, 2026

2026 General Meeting: Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Q2 2026 Revenue: Wednesday, July 29, 2026

First half 2026 earnings: Thursday, October 1, 2026

Q3 2026 Revenue: Thursday, November 12, 2026

About the ICAPE Group

Founded in 1999, the ICAPE Group acts as a key technology expert in the supply chain of printed circuit boards and custom electronic components. With a global platform of 39 subsidiaries and a leading presence in China, where the vast majority of printed circuit boards are produced, the Group offers its customers a unique range of products and services ("one-stop-shop"). As of December 31, 2024, the ICAPE Group achieved consolidated revenue of 181.7 million euros. For more information: icape-group.com

1 Figures including the reintegration of Divsys into the Group's consolidated accounts for the 2024 financial year, the selling process of this company having been halted by the Board of Directors on December 12, 2024.

2 Organic growth refers to the growth in revenue excluding growth from acquisitions in the fiscal year.

3 Data at constant currency

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251113872558/en/

Contacts:

Group CFO

Groupe ICAPE

Arnaud Le Coguic

Tel: +33 1 58 18 39 10

investor@icape.com

Director of Investor relations and financial communication

Groupe ICAPE

Regine Gaggioli

Tel: +33 7 88 28 49 37

regine.gaggioli@icape-group.com

Relations Investisseurs

NewCap

Aurelie Manavarere

Louis-Victor Delouvrier

Tel: +33 1 44 71 94 98

icape@newcap.eu

Relations Medias

NewCap

Arthur Rouille

Elisa Play

Tel: 01 44 71 94 94

icape@newcap.eu
BH Macro Limited - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, November 13

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

13 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 US Dollar Date of purchase: 13 November 2025 13 November 2025 Number of ordinary shares purchased: 400,000 10,000 Weighted average price (Sterling/US Dollars as applicable): 3.9720 4.0800

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 320,691,254 Sterling Shares 57,366,352 Sterling Shares 23,910,329 US Dollar Shares 202,428 US Dollar Shares

From 13 November 2025, the total number of voting rights in the Company (rounded up to the whole number) is 489,923,031.

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
The "Denmark Cement Industry Market Size Forecast by Value and Volume Across 80+ Market Segments by Cement Products, Distribution Channel, Market Share, Import Export, End Markets Databook Q2 2025 Update" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The cement market in Denmark is expected to grow by 7.6% annually to reach US$362.1 million in 2025.

The cement market in the country recorded strong growth during 2020-2024, achieving a CAGR of 8.7%. Growth momentum is expected to remain positive, with the market projected to expand at a CAGR of 7.1% during 2025-2029. By the end of 2029, the cement market is projected to expand from its 2024 value of US$336.7 million to approximately US$476.6 million.

This report provides a data-rich, forward-looking analysis of cement industry, covering market size, pricing trends, production, consumption, and segment-level performance from 2020 to 2029. It examines cement demand across key residential, non-residential, and infrastructure sectors alongside granular segmentation by cement type, distribution channel, end-user profile, and city tier.

Report Scope

This report provides a detailed data-centric analysis of the cement industry in Denmark, covering market opportunities and analysis across a range of the cement domains. With over 80+ KPIs at the country level, this report provides a comprehensive understanding of the cement market dynamics, market size and forecast, and market share statistics.

The research methodology is based on industry best practices. Its unbiased analysis leverages a proprietary analytics platform to offer a detailed view of emerging business and investment market opportunities.

Denmark Cement Industry Overview

Cement Production KPIs: Volume and Value

Cement Consumption KPIs: Volume and Value

Average Cement Price Trends: Tracked at overall and cement-type level

Denmark Cement Market by Type of Cement

Portland Cement

Blended Cement

Specialty Cement

Green Cement

Blended Cement Market by Subtypes of Cement

Type IS(X) Portland-Slag Cement

Type IP(X) Portland-Pozzolan Cement

IL(X) Portland-Limestone Cement

Type IT Ternary Blended Cement

Specialty Cement Market by Subtypes of Cement

Rapid Hardening Cement

High Alumina Cement

White Cement

Sulfate-Resistant Cement

Other Niche Specialty Cements

Denmark Cement Market by Key Sector

Residential Construction

Multi-Family Housing

Single-Family Housing

Non-Residential Construction

Commercial Buildings

Office Buildings

Retail Spaces

Hospitality Facilities

Restaurants

Sports Complexes

Other Commercial Properties

Industrial Buildings

Manufacturing Units

Chemical Pharmaceutical Facilities

Metal and Material Processing Plants

Institutional Buildings

Healthcare Facilities

Educational Institutions

Other Institutional Structures

Infrastructure Other Construction

Denmark Cement Market by Distribution Channel

Direct Distribution (B2B Sales)

Indirect Distribution (Retailers, Dealers)

Denmark Cement Market by End-User

Ready-Mix Concrete Producers

Concrete Product Manufacturers

Individual Consumers (Self-use)

Other Industrial/Commercial Users

Denmark Cement Market by Location Tier

Tier-I Cities

Tier-II Cities

Tier-III Cities

Denmark Cement Trade Dynamics

Key Export Destinations

Key Import Sources

Competitive Landscape: Denmark Cement Market

Market Share Analysis of Key Players

Reasons to Buy

Access Comprehensive, Segment-Level Market Data: Leverage granular datasets covering cement demand, production, trade flows, and pricing, segmented by product type, end-use sector, and distribution channel.

Track Growth Across Residential, Commercial, and Infrastructure Segments: Understand how cement consumption varies by construction type and quantify demand shifts driven by policy, urbanization, and investment trends.

Benchmark Market Performance and Forecasts: Utilize historical data and forward-looking projections to compare performance across countries, regions, and cement categories.

Identify Market-Specific Risks and Opportunities: Analyze localized demand drivers, cost structures, and trade dependencies to inform investment, sourcing, and pricing strategies.

Support Strategic Planning with Structured, Reliable Insights: Use standardized data frameworks and comparable KPIs to support executive-level decision-making across commercial, operational, and financial functions.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/61ivi7

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.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251113493425/en/

Contacts:

ResearchAndMarkets.com

Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com

For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470

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Global industry summit to forge new partnerships, drive investment and accelerate inclusive industrial growth

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In two weeks Riyadh will host the 21st Session of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) General Conference, a critical global gathering dedicated to transforming industrial policy into action. The conference will convene at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Centre from 23-27 November 2025, bringing together ministers, corporate leaders, investors, and innovators under the theme "The power of investment and partnerships to accelerate the SDGs."

Preceding the General Conference, the LDCMC11 - a dedicated ministerial conference for Least Developed Countries on 22 November - will focus on investment, innovation, and transformative industrial policies. This Summit is a decisive platform to convert dialogue into policy outcomes, actionable alliances, and tangible deals that drive industrial progress across advanced and emerging economies alike.

This working summit, a five-day program, will be a collaborative platform that moves participants from high-level strategy to on-the-ground execution. The soon to be published agenda, features plenary sessions, ministerial roundtables, focused solution talks, and interactive exhibitions. These will be built around the central mission to mobilize capital, scale advanced technologies, and forge the cross-border partnerships needed to accelerate sustainable and resilient industrialization globally. Dedicated spaces for business-to-business, business-to-government, and government-to-government engagement will ensure every meeting drives toward a concrete outcome.

The global significance of the summit is further reinforced by its timing, with Riyadh also hosting the 11th Ministerial Conference of the Least Developed Countries (LDCMC11) on 22 November, immediately preceding GC21. This consecutive scheduling creates a crucial link between policy dialogue and tangible outcomes, enabling ministers to advance implementation of UNIDO's Operational Strategy for LDCs - particularly in technology transfer, value-chain development, and productive capacity building - to ensure that industrial transformation delivers concrete benefits to the world's most vulnerable economies.

As registration opens, UNIDO and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia look forward to bringing together a powerful coalition of member states, international organizations, private-sector leaders, academia, and civil society.

Contact: Ahmed Monsour, M: +966 54 186 9849, E: ahmed.mansour@omc.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2822696/Ministry_of_Industry_and_Mineral_Resources.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/riyadh-prepares-to-welcome-the-world-unido-2025-to-shape-the-future-of-inclusive-sustainable-industry-302614820.html
MILAN, Nov. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Madrid hosted the second edition of Futuro Digital, an event organised by IESE Business School in collaboration with JAKALA and Multiversial, which has become a key meeting point for exploring the main trends in digital transformation and their impact on business. More than 500 executives and experts gathered at IESE's Madrid campus to analyse the challenges and opportunities that will shape the technological innovation and artificial intelligence landscape by 2026.



"This is the second year we have organised this event, and our goal is to continue strengthening our position in the digital sphere by creating a space for dialogue between companies and change leaders," said Luis Ferrandiz, Professor at IESE Business School.



During the event, participants examined the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence, its costs, risks and returns, as well as the strategies companies need to adopt to avoid being left behind in this new industrial revolution.

The acceleration of artificial intelligence

Carlos Molina, founder of the digital business newsletter Multiversial, discussed the three waves of artificial intelligence: acceleration, bubble and structural transformation, as well as the risks accompanying its expansion - from the geopolitical competition between the United States and China to technological dependency and cognitive complacency.



"Change has never been this fast. The adoption of AI is advancing much more quickly than that of the Internet, with unprecedented investment and uncertain returns. These are powerful waves, built on the momentum of previous revolutions," Molina said. "Profits are not yet clear with this model. The question is whether it will follow a venture capital approach or, conversely, fail to make the overall investment profitable."

Corporate strategy in the face of disruption

Ander Jauregui, Senior Partner at JAKALA, highlighted the importance of reassessing each company's 'Jobs to be Done' to understand what elements must be addressed in order to close the gap between consumer needs and what companies deliver. In his presentation, he cited examples of businesses making great strides in AI integration and shared two concrete cases already implemented among JAKALA's clients in key sectors such as banking and travel.



"We are in a phase of disruption that is shaking everything up, and many companies are making decisions that are not necessarily the right ones. We must avoid overestimating the short term and underestimating the long term: transformation processes take time and require a culture that embraces change," he said.

Real-world cases from major companies

The event concluded with a round table titled Real experiences in large companies, moderated by Ferrandiz, featuring Cristina Alvarez, Chief Technology and Operations Officer at Banco Santander Spain, and Mariel Vazquez, Director of Digital Customer Experience at Mapfre Spain. Both shared how their companies are applying AI strategically and responsibly.



"Artificial intelligence is transforming every sector, and banking is no exception. AI is redefining the way we interact with customers, enabling more personalised, predictive and efficient models," Alvarez explained. "At the bank, we are already taking advantage of highly promising opportunities in areas such as personalisation, pricing, customer campaigns, and even in fields closely tied to operational efficiency, like software development and process automation."



Vazquez emphasised Mapfre's commitment to ethical AI: "Mapfre is using this technology across many aspects and divisions of the company. We currently have over 70 use cases in production, ranging from assessments and valuations to risk analysis and customer assistance."



Mapfre was the first company in the IBEX 35 index to publish a manifesto on the ethical and responsible use of AI. "We wanted to make it clear to society and the market that we are committed to using AI without bias - ethically, responsibly and transparently - and to always inform our customers when AI is being used and how it supports decision-making," she added.



The round table also provided an opportunity to reflect on the challenges posed by AI in business, from resistance to change to the need for investment in cybersecurity and privacy protection.



Futuro Digital has established itself as a leading forum for anticipating trends, sharing knowledge and discussing the role of technology in shaping the future of business.

For more information:

Press Office LaPresse - ufficio.stampa@lapresse.it

A video accompanying this announcement is available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e78922fa-339e-4213-9659-ef0ae4fa4f6d
Sustainability leaders from around the world gathered at Greenbuild in Los Angeles to explore how data, design, and collaboration can accelerate the shift toward low-carbon built environment

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / November 13, 2025 / Sustainability leaders from around the world gathered at the Greenbuild International Conference & Expo in Los Angeles to explore how data, design, and collaboration can accelerate the shift toward low-carbon, circular, and health-focused built environments.

This year's event focused on the intersection of materials innovation, emissions reduction, and human health - priorities that align closely with Cascale's mission to drive equitable and restorative business practices across the consumer goods industry.

In September, Cascale acquired the tools of the Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC), the only industry-wide member organization dedicated to advancing sustainability in home furnishings. Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff, Cascale communications director, and Scarlette Tapp, executive director at SFC, attended the conference as well as Greenbuild's Women in Green luncheon.

Sponsored by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) - a nonprofit that supports sustainable forest management - the luncheon featured a keynote by Annie Perkins, senior director, green building and supply chain at SFI. It also included a presentation by Jothsna Harris, founder of Change Narrative, who moderated a panel that included Christine Marez, senior vice president, Sustainability & ESG, Cumming Group; Kris Larson, assistant chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department; and Clove Galilee, community engagement coordinator at the Office of Sustainability and the Environment for the City of Santa Monica.

Participation at Greenbuild underscores Cascale's commitment to connecting industries that share similar value-chain challenges and opportunities - from apparel to furniture and beyond. By fostering these cross-sector conversations, Cascale and SFC continue to strengthen collaboration, scale credible measurement, and support innovation that delivers measurable environmental and social impact.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Cascale on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Cascale

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cascale

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Cascale

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/cascale-and-sustainable-furnishings-council-engage-at-greenbuild-1102146
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 13, 2025) - Data Watts Partners Inc. (CSE: DWTZ) ("Data Watts" or the "Company"), a technology-focused investment firm at the forefront of the Data Watts economy, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a binding letter of intent (the "LOI") with Kanata Clean Power & Climate Technologies Corp. ("Kanata Technologies") and Kanata Alberta Investment One Holding Corp. ("Kanata Holding", and together with Kanata Technologies, the "Kanata Entities").

Pursuant to the terms of the LOI, Data Watts will subscribe for: (i) 40,000 Class A Voting Common Shares of Kanata Technologies (the "KT Shares") at a price of US$2.50 per share for an aggregate of US$100,000, payable in cash; and (ii) 1,000 Common Shares of Kanata Holdings (the "KH Shares") in consideration for 700,000 Common Shares of the Company (the "Consideration Shares"), which will be subject to a 12 month contractual hold period, and a non-interest bearing promissory note (the "Promissory Note") in the amount of C$649,620 (together, the "Investment"). The consideration will be payable by the Company to the Kanata Entities as follows:

on signing of the LOI, the Company will subscribe for 10,000 KT Shares for an aggregate purchase price of US$25,000; and on closing of the Investment, the Company will subscribe for (i) 30,000 KT Shares for an aggregate purchase price of US$75,000; and (ii) 1,000 KH Shares in exchange for the issuance of the Consideration Shares and the Promissory Note.

The Investment will give the Company an indirect interest in a First Nations co-founded decarbonization company developing low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia projects in North America. Kanata Technologies, through its wholly owned subsidiary Kanata Cloud & Compute Corp., is partnering with utilities, hyperscalers and governments to develop Sovereign AI solutions for Canadians and our European and Asian allies. The project's focus on clean energy fits well with the investment philosophy of Data Watts.

"Powering Data Centers and supporting global electrification with clean energy solutions is a key focus of Data Watts," commented Ron Loborec, CEO of Data Watts. "The intellectual property, projects and talent we found at Kanata Technologies are second to none. We are excited to work with their team and support First Nations involvement in all aspects of development. In the coming weeks we will release more details about specific projects underway and the expected revenues that will flow from those."

Upon the signing of the LOI, the parties will negotiate in good faith the terms of a definitive agreement (the "Definitive Agreement") that will replace the LOI. More details relating to the investment will follow upon the signing of the Definitive Agreement.

About Data Watts Partners Inc.

Data Watts Partners Inc. (CSE: DWTZ) is an investment issuer committed to the emerging "Data Watts Economy," focusing on uranium, SMRs (Small Modular Reactors), clean energy, data centers, AI applications, and quantum computing. The Company offers institutional and retail investors access to transformative opportunities in energy and deep tech, leveraging expertise in exploration, infrastructure, and wattage demand trends.

Forward-Looking Information

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends", "expects" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or will "potentially" or "likely" occur. This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding the Investment generally and the completion thereof, the timing for the Company to provide further details of the Investment as projected, the perceived benefits of the Investment and their impact on the Data Watts economy, completion of the subscription for the KT Shares and the KH Shares, completion of the issuance of the Consideration Shares and the Promissory Note; and the ability for the Company to successfully negotiate the Definitive Agreement.

These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things: the parties receiving any necessary regulatory approvals; the inherent risks and uncertainties associated with the Investment; the risk that the anticipated benefits of the Investment may not be fully realized or take longer to realize than expected; the risk that the parties may not be able to agree to terms in the Definitive Agreement; recent market volatility; risk that the parties will not complete the subscriptions for the KT Shares and the KH Shares; risk that the Company will not get the necessary approvals for the issuance of the Consideration Shares and the Promissory Note; the reliance on information provided by, and assumptions, judgements and allocations made by the Kanata Entities and the risk of incomplete information; the nature of the Investment; the state of the financial markets for the Company's securities; and general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that the receipt of any necessary regulatory approvals; the parties will be able to enter into the Definitive Agreement; that the Company will realize value relating to the Investment; that the Kanata Entities will complete the issuance of the KT Shares and KH Shares, respectively, and the current and future social, economic and political conditions. 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 expressed or implied in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Readers are encouraged to read the Company's continuous disclosure documents filed with the securities regulatory authorities in certain provinces of Canada and available at www.sedarplus.ca.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/274404

SOURCE: Data Watts Partners Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 13, 2025) - Rusoro Mining Ltd. (TSXV: RML) (the "Company" or "Rusoro") announces that the Delaware Court of Chancery, following a hearing earlier today, denied Gold Reserve's request for expedited treatment of its motion for a preliminary injunction. Specifically, Vice Chancellor Lori Will found that Gold Reserve had failed to make an adequate showing that the continuation of the sale process before the federal court in Delaware poses a risk of irreparable injury to Gold Reserve, and expressed the view, which Rusoro shares, that disputes concerning the sale process can be addressed by Judge Stark of the federal court.

Unrelatedly, Judge Stark, the Delaware federal judge overseeing the sale process for the PDV Holdings shares, today denied motions made by Gold Reserve, Citgo, PDVSA, and the Republic of Venezuela calling upon him to disqualify the special master and, in the case of Gold Reserve's motion, to recuse himself from further involvement with the sale process. Judge Stark's 54-page opinion denying these motions found that those motions lacked merit for a variety of reasons, and noted his view that both the Venezuela parties and Gold Reserve wish to see the sale process fail.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Andre Agapov"

Andre Agapov, President & CEO

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements:

"This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. This information and statements address future activities, events, plans, developments and projections. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, constitute forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Such forward-looking information and statements are frequently identified by words such as "may," "will," "should," "anticipate," "plan," "expect," "believe," "estimate," "intend" and similar terminology, and reflect assumptions, estimates, opinions and analysis made by management of Rusoro Mining Ltd. in light of its experience, current conditions, expectations of future developments and other factors which it believes to be reasonable and relevant. Forward-looking information and statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause Rusoro's actual results, performance and achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information and statements and accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed thereon.

Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to vary include but are not limited to the availability of financing; fluctuations in commodity prices; changes to and compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including environmental laws and obtaining requisite permits; political, economic and other risks; as well as other risks and uncertainties which are more fully described in our annual and quarterly Management's Discussion and Analysis and in other filings made by us with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and available at www.sedarplus.ca. Rusoro Mining Ltd. disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements except as may be required."

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/274395

SOURCE: Rusoro Mining Ltd.
Launch of a Global Offering of new ordinary shares for approximately 9 million through a Private Placement aimed at qualified investors, and a PrimaryBid Offering aimed at retail investors via the PrimaryBid platform

Subscription commitments from existing shareholders and directors of the Company for a total of 3 million and intention to subscribe by an existing shareholder for an amount of 1.5 million

Global Offering Price of new shares of 3.48 per share

PrimaryBid Offering in France on November 13 and 14, 2025: available from the publication of this press release until tomorrow, 6:00 pm (CET) on Boursorama, Bourse Direct and EasyBourse

Closing of the Private Placement on November 14, 2025 after market closing, subject to early closing

Suspension of trading of MAAT shares from November 13, 2025 after market closing, until November 14, 2025, after market closing

The funds raised will support the Company's development, including the commercialization of Xervyteg(MaaT013) in Europe, pending EMA approval, and extend its cash runway to summer 2026. Combined with additional financing from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and our Commercial Partner in Europe (If the Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) is granted), that will extend the cash horizon to early 2027.

Regulatory News:

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS RESTRICTED AND IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE OR CONTAIN ANY INVITATION, SOLICITATION, RECOMMENDATION, OFFER OR ADVICE TO ANY PERSON TO SUBSCRIBE FOR, OTHERWISE ACQUIRE OR DISPOSE OF ANY SECURITIES IN MAAT PHARMA OR ANY OTHER ENTITY IN ANY JURISDICTION.

MaaT Pharma (EURONEXT: MAAT the "Company"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company and a leader in the development of Microbiome Ecosystem Therapies (MET) dedicated to enhancing survival for patients with cancer through immune modulation, today announces the launch of a capital increase of approximately 9 million, comprising a Private Placement of new ordinary shares to qualified investors and a public offering of new ordinary shares to retail investors (via the PrimaryBid platform) (the "Global Offering"), at a price of 3.48 per share (the "Global Offering Price").

"With the positive pivotal Phase 3 trial results, we are committed to bringing Xervyteg (MaaT013), currently under EMA review and potentially the first microbiome-based oncology drug in the world, to patients with life-threatening aGvHD. To achieve this, we are securing additional financial resources, and we are grateful to both new and longstanding investors for their continued trust and support", commented Herve Affagard, CEO and co-founder of MaaT Pharma."This raise supports our roadmap and prepares for potential EMA approval. It secures operations beyond obtaining potential marketing authorization thanks to the drawdown of the next tranche of the EIB financing and could also unlock further monetization opportunities, including milestone payments and strategic partnerships."

MaaT Pharma will use the net proceeds of the Global Offering to fund its roadmap (ie: development of its Microbiome Ecosystem Therapies), notably:

Preparation of the commercialization of Xervyteg and related regulatory activities in Europe during the second half of 2026, in collaboration with our commercial partner, contingent upon Xervyteg approval (potential marketing authorization (MA) could be delivered around mid-2026).

and related regulatory activities in Europe during the second half of 2026, in collaboration with our commercial partner, contingent upon Xervyteg approval (potential marketing authorization (MA) could be delivered around mid-2026). Advancement of MaaT033 clinical development in Europe, currently being evaluated in an ongoing Phase 2b trial, designed to be pivotal, aimed at improving survival in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Continuation of discussions with the FDA regarding a dedicated pivotal study in the U.S. aimed at expediting Xervyteg development. The study is planned to start in 2026, subject to regulatory confirmation and securing appropriate financing.

development. The study is planned to start in 2026, subject to regulatory confirmation and securing appropriate financing. Its working capital and other general corporate purposes.

In the context of the Global Offering, the Company benefits from the long-term support of its historical shareholders PSIM represented by Bpifrance Investissement and Biocodex, who have committed themselves to subscribe for a total amount of 3 million.

The proceeds from the Global Offering would support the Company's stepwise financing strategy, aimed at securing runway beyond the potential marketing authorization approval (MAA) for Xervyteg in Europe, and then to early 2027, assuming MAA:

Excluding the net proceeds of the Global Offering, on the basis of planned expenditure, total cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2025, were 22.4 million (including an initial upfront payment of 10.5 million from its commercial partner post signing of a license and commercial agreement in July 2025), the first tranche of 3.5 million out of a 37.5 million financing from the European Investment Bank (EIB) that was received in October 2025, and with strong cash discipline, the Company believes it has currently sufficient cash to cover its current needs and planned development programs until the end of February 2026.

Including the net proceeds of the Global Offering, which will also fulfill the equity contribution financial condition for the drawdown of the second tranche of 6.0 million from the EIB financing (the other condition, the filing of the European MAA, has already been done), the Company expects to extend its cash runway to August of 2026.

This cash horizon to August 2026 is beyond the current estimated date for obtaining the MAA in Europe, which, if applicable, will then allow MaaT Pharma to receive the milestone payment of 12 million provided for in the agreement with the Company's commercial partner for Europe for obtaining an MAA for Xervyteg . This milestone payment would enable the Company to finance its activities until early 2027.

. This milestone payment would enable the Company to finance its activities until early 2027. The Company explores also additional dilutive and non-dilutive financing options, which, if materialized, would further finance and accelerate its developments activities and further extend its cash runway.

Terms and conditions of the Global Offering

The Global Offering will be carried out in two concomitant components under the same pricing conditions:

A private placement (the "Private Placement") of new ordinary shares without pre-emptive subscription rights, reserved to qualified investors, in accordance with the 23 rd resolution of the annual general meeting of June 20, 2025 (the "AGM") and pursuant to article L. 411-2 of the French Monetary and Financial Code; and

resolution of the annual general meeting of June 20, 2025 (the "AGM") and pursuant to article L. 411-2 of the French Monetary and Financial Code; and a public offering of new ordinary shares without pre-emptive subscription rights, aimed at retail investors via the PrimaryBid platform, in accordance with the 22nd resolution of the AGM and pursuant to article L. 225-136 of the French Commercial Code (the "PrimaryBid Offering").

The total amount of the Global Offering would be approximately 9 million, with the possibility to increase this total amount, subject to investor demand.

The amount of the Global Offering will depend exclusively on the orders received for each of the abovementioned components, with no possibility of reallocating the amounts committed to the Private Placement to the PrimaryBid Offering. The PrimaryBid Offering to retail investors is incidental to the Private Placement and may not exceed 20% of the total amount of the Global Offering. Allocations will be proportional to demand, limited to the amount allocated to this public offer, with allocations reduced should demand exceed this limit. In any event, the PrimaryBid Offering will not be carried out if the Reserved Offering does not occur.

The Global Offering Price of the new ordinary shares will be at a price of 3.48 per share, representing an approximate discount of 10% compared to the volume-weighted average price of the Company's share over the last three trading sessions preceding the start of the Global Offering, in compliance with the 22nd and 23rd resolution of the AGM.

The Global Offering Price of the new ordinary shares issued under the PrimaryBid Offering will be equal to the price of the new ordinary shares issued under the Private Placement.

The Private Placement will be carried out by "accelerated bookbuilding", at the end of which the number of new ordinary shares to be issued will be determined by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, pursuant to and within the limits of the sub-delegations of authority granted by the Board of Directors of the Company as of the date of this press release and in accordance with the resolutions of the AGM.

The accelerated bookbuilding process for the Private Placement will be initiated immediately following the publication of this press release and is expected to close after markets closing tomorrow, subject to early closing. The PrimaryBid Offering will also begin immediately and is expected to close tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. (CET), subject to early closing. The Company will announce the results of the Global Offering by press release after the order book closes, tomorrow before the market opens.

The Private Placement will be available to qualified investors in France, outside France with the exception of the United States, Canada, Australia and Japan.

Settlement-delivery of the new ordinary shares and their admission to trading on the regulated market of Euronext Paris are expected to occur on November 19, 2025. The new ordinary shares will be of the same class and fungible with the existing shares, will carry all rights attached to the shares, and will be admitted to trading on the Euronext Paris market under the same ISIN code FR0Ol2634822 MAAT.

Subscription and lock-up agreements

Current shareholders, PSIM represented by Bpifrance Investissement and Biocodex which hold 22.4% and 17.6% of the Company's share capital, respectively on a non-dilutive basis, have pledged to subscribe for 1.5 million and 1.5 million, respectively, corresponding to a total amount of 3 million, subject to a Global Offering size of at least 6.5 million.

The Company has also received an intention to subscribe to the Private Placement from an American-European investor, a specialist in the healthcare sector and a current shareholder of the Company, for an amount of 1.5 million.

PSIM represented by Bpifrance Investissement and M. Jean-Marc Lefebvre, president of Biocodex, member of the Board of directors of the Company, did not take part in the vote on the Global Offer at the Company's Board of Directors meeting on November 12, 2025.

PSIM represented by Bpifrance Investissement and Biocodex have respectively entered into a lock-up agreement with the Global Coordinator and Bookrunner for a period ending 90 days after the settlement and delivery date of the Global Offering, subject to customary exceptions. The Company has undertaken to refrain from issuing shares for a period of 90 days from the settlement delivery date of the Global Offering, subject to customary exceptions.

Eligibility of the Global Offering to tax mechanisms and for the PEA and PEA-PME

Subscription of the new ordinary shares of the Company is eligible for the provisions of Article 150-0 B ter of the French General Tax Code (reinvestment of proceeds from sale).

Investors who may benefit from this regime should consult their usual tax adviser in order to assess their personal situation with regard to the specific applicable regulations.

Finally, the Company reiterates that it complies with the eligibility criteria for the SME-ISE PEA as specified by the provisions of Articles L. 221-32-2 and D.221-113-5 et seq. of the French Monetary and Financial Code. As a result, the Company's shares can be fully integrated into equity savings plans (PEAs) and PEA-PME accounts, which benefit from the same tax benefits as a traditional PEA.

Suspension of the listing of MAAT shares

The Company will announce the result of the Global Offering on November 14, 2025, at the close of the trading day, in a press release. Pending the publication of the result press release, the Company has asked Euronext Paris to suspend the listing of its share (ISIN FR0012634822-MAAT) as of November 13, 2025 after the close of trading day.

Intermediaries

Portzamparc, BNP Paribas Group, ("Portzamparc") is acting as Global Coordinator and Bookrunner in connection with the Private Placement. The Private Placement is subject to a placement agreement entered into between the Company and Portzamparc dated November 14, 2025.

Within the framework of the PrimaryBid Offering, investors may only subscribe via the PrimaryBid Partners mentioned on the PrimaryBid website. The PrimaryBid Offering is subject to an engagement letter entered into between the Company and PrimaryBid and is not subject to a placement agreement.

Mc Dermott Will Schulte AARPI acts as legal advisors for the Company.

No prospectus

The Global Offering is not subject to a prospectus requiring an approval from the AMF.

This press release does not constitute a prospectus under Regulation (EU) 2077/7129 of the European Parliament and of the Council of June 14, 2017, as amended, or a public offering.

The Company will, where applicable and depending on the number of shares for which it seeks admission to trading, file with the AMF a document containing the information required under Annex IX of the Prospectus Regulation (the "Information Document"). This document will be made available on the Company's website (www.maatpharma.com), and its filing will be announced in the press release issued by the Company following the Global Offering.

Risk factors

The public's attention is drawn to the risk factors relating to the Company and its business, presented in chapter 3 of the universal registration document 2024 filed with the Autorite des marches financiers under number D.25-0249 on April 11, 2025, which is available free of charge on the Company's website (www.maatpharma.com) and the website of the Autorite des marches financiers (www.amf-france.org). The occurrence of any or all of these risks could have an adverse effect on the Company's business, financial situation, results, development or prospects.

In addition, investors are invited to consider the following risks specific to the issue: (i) the market price of the Company's shares could fluctuate and fall below the Offering Price of the shares issued under the Offer, (ii) the volatility and liquidity of the Company's shares could fluctuate significantly, (iii) sales of the Company's shares could occur on the market and have an unfavorable impact on the Company's share price, and (iv) the Company's shareholders could suffer potentially significant dilution as a result of any future capital increases made necessary by the Company's search for financing.

About MaaT Pharma

MaaT Pharma is a leading, late-stage clinical company focused on developing innovative gut microbiome-driven therapies to modulate the immune system and enhance cancer patient survival. Supported by a talented team committed to making a difference for patients worldwide, the Company was founded in 2014 and is based in Lyon, France.

As a pioneer, MaaT Pharma is leading the way in bringing the first microbiome-driven immunomodulator in oncology. Using its proprietary pooling and co-cultivation technologies, MaaT Pharma develops high diversity, standardized drug candidates, aiming at extending life of cancer patients. MaaT Pharma has been listed on Euronext Paris (ticker: MAAT) since 2021.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release includes forward looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release about future events are subject to (i) change without notice and (ii) factors beyond the Company's control. These statements may include, without limitation, any statements preceded by, followed by or including words such as "target," "believe," "expect," "aim," "intend," "may," "anticipate," "estimate," "plan," "project," "will," "can have," "likely," "should," "would," "could" and other words and terms of similar meaning or the negative thereof. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties beyond the Company's control that could cause the Company's actual results or performance to be materially different from the expected results or performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Disclaimer

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of shares in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

The distribution of this document may, in certain jurisdictions, be restricted by local legislations. Persons into whose possession this document comes are required to inform themselves about and to observe any such potential local restrictions.

This press release is an advertisement and not a prospectus within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2077/7129 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2017 (as amended, the "Prospectus Regulation"). Any decision to purchase shares must be made solely on the basis of publicly available information on the Company.

In France, the offering of MaaT Pharma shares described below will be carried out through (i) an offering of new ordinary shares with the waiver of preferential subscription rights to qualified investors or to a limited circle of investors, in accordance with Article L. 411-2 of the French Monetary and Financial Code, and (ii) a public offering, primarily intended for retail investors via the PrimaryBid platform, pursuant to Article L. 225-136 of the French Commercial Code. In accordance with Article 211-3 of the General Regulation of the Autorite des Marches Financiers ("AMF") and Article 1(5) of the Prospectus Regulation, the offering of MaaT Pharma shares does not require the publication of a prospectus approved by the AMF.

With respect to Member States of the European Economic Area, no action has been taken or will be taken to permit a public offering of the securities referred to in this press re/ease requiring the publication of a prospectus in any Member State. Therefore, such securities may not be and shall not be offered in any Member State other than in accordance with the exemptions of Article 1(4) of Prospectus Regulation or, otherwise, in cases not requiring the publication of a prospectus under Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation and/or the applicable regulations in such Member State.

This press release and the information it contains are being distributed to and are only intended for persons who are (x) outside the United Kingdom or (y) in the United Kingdom and are (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order"), (ii) high net worth entities and other such persons falling within article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order ("high net worth companies", "unincorporated associations", etc.) or (iii) other persons whom an invitation or inducement to participate in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Market Act 2000) may otherwise lawfully be communicated or caused to be communicated (all such persons in (y)(i), (y)(ii) and (y)(iii) together being referred to as "Relevant Persons"). Any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire securities to which this press release relates will only be engaged with Relevant Persons. Any person who is not a Relevant Person should not act or rely on this press release or any of its contents.

This press release may not be distributed, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States. This press release and the information contained therein does not, and will not, constitute an offer of securities for sale, nor the solicitation of an offer to purchase, securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction where restrictions may apply. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act ). The securities of MaaT Pharma have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act, and MaaT Pharma does not intend to conduct a public offering in the United States.

MIFID II Product Governance/Target Market: solely for the purposes of the requirements of article 9.8 of the EU Delegated Directive 2017/593 relating to the product approval process, the target market assessment in respect of the shares of MaaT Pharma has led to the conclusion in relation to the type of clients criteria only that: (i) the type of clients to whom the shares are targeted is eligible counterparties and professional clients and retail clients, each as defined in Directive 2014/65/EU, as amended ("MiFID //"); and (ii) all channels for distribution of the shares of MaaT Pharma to eligible counterparties and professional clients and retail clients are appropriate. Any person subsequently offering, selling or recommending the shares of MaaT Pharma (a "distributor") should take into consideration the type of clients assessment; however, a distributor subject to MiFID II is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the shares of MaaT Pharma and determining appropriate distribution channels.

The distribution of this press release may be subject to legal or regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions. Any person who comes into possession of this press release must inform him or herself of and comply with any such restrictions.

Any decision to subscribe for or purchase the shares or other securities of MaaT Pharma must be made solely based on information publicly available about MaaT Pharma. Such information is not the responsibility of Portzamparc and has not been independently verified by Portzamparc.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251113072033/en/

Contacts:

MaaT Pharma Investor Relations

Guilhaume DEBROAS, Ph.D.

Head of Investor Relations

+33 6 16 48 92 50

invest@maat-pharma.com

MaaT Pharma Media Relations

Pauline RICHAUD

Senior PR Corporate Communications Manager

+33 6 14 06 45 92

media@maat-pharma.com

Catalytic Agency U.S. Media Relations

Heather Shea

Media relations for MaaT Pharma

+1 617-286-2013

heather.shea@catalyticagency.com
DataGuard delivers a powerful response to the challenges posed by NIS2 with its all-in-one platform and expert support combining automated security, risk management, and training.

Today, Germany moved a major step closer to strengthening its national cybersecurity posture. The Bundestag voted to pass legislation implementing the EU's NIS2 Directive, establishing a significantly expanded set of security, risk management, and reporting requirements for organizations across a variety of sectors.

"According to Bitkom, cyberattacks caused an estimated 266.6 billion in economic damage in 2024 alone-highlighting the scale of the risks NIS2 aims to address", shared Dr. Stefan Brink, former Data Protection Commissioner for Rhineland-Palatinate and current head of wida: the Scientific Institute for the Digitalization of the Working World.

Already adopted in several EU member states including Belgium, Croatia, Hungary, and Italy, NIS2 is transforming the cybersecurity landscape across Europe. In Germany, the directive will apply to operators of critical infrastructure and more than 30,000 additional companies-dramatically broadening the scope of organizations legally required to elevate their cybersecurity maturity.

"Adhering to the regulation should not be seen as an obligation, but a strategic investment that enables resilience and growth, similar to insurance or quality management", continued Dr. Brink. "But it's a fact that companies-particularly small and medium-sized businesses lacking comprehensive legal department-are facing an ever-increasing number of national and European regulations. The most effective way forward is for companies to lean on professional, immediate support tailored to their business requirements."

A strategic response to NIS2 requirements

With cyber threats continuing to escalate in intensity and sophistication, it is more important than ever for companies to act. With its integrated security and compliance capabilities and dedicated team of experts, DataGuard supports organizations in navigating NIS2 requirements with confidence and clarity. By automating risk detection, simplifying documentation, and delivering audit-ready reports, companies can focus on protecting their operations while maintaining compliance with one of the EU's most impactful cybersecurity regulations.

"At DataGuard, we support over 4,000 companies with their security and compliance and many are increasingly approaching us with questions on NIS2 such as: When do the obligations apply? Which thresholds must be observed? What concrete measures must we implement-and by when?", said Thomas Regier, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of DataGuard. "The pressure to act is real-especially regarding implementation duties, risk management, reporting processes, internal responsibilities, and vendor management. The road toward a 'high common level of cybersecurity' is still long-but it is achievable and we're here to support companies along the way."

"NIS2 demands structured, risk-based security and executive accountability", said Kivanc Semen, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of DataGuard. "As a European leader in security and compliance, we are proud to have a team of experts on hand to help and a platform that we are continually investing in that simplifies compliance by centralizing risk assessments, asset monitoring, and required training in one solution."

To ensure your company is fully prepared for NIS2, book a meeting to speak with one of our experts.

About DataGuard

DataGuard, the European leader in security and compliance software, is trusted by more than 4,000 organizations such as Canon Giessen, Scout24, Volkl, and Warsteiner across 50+ countries. Its all-in-one platform helps businesses manage security risks, fast-track certifications, and comply effortlessly with industry frameworks including ISO 27001, TISAX, SOC 2, GDPR, NIS2, and the European AI Act. By combining AI and automated workflows with tailored expert consultancy, DataGuard reduces the time and costs of building robust Information Security and Compliance Management Systems (ISMS CMS). Founded in 2018, DataGuard has offices in Munich, Berlin, London, Stockholm, and Vienna, a team of 250+ experts, and a growing network of partners.

www.dataguard.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251113758345/en/

Contacts:

pr@dataguard.com
Displaced children are rediscovering hope and opportunity through education following devastating floods in Somalia, with support from the Norwegian Refugee Council and Education Cannot Wait

JOWHAR DISTRICT, Somalia, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In the front row of a sunny classroom sits a girl in a bright pink jilbab. Her eyes stay fixed on her teacher, soaking in every word.

For three years, returning to school had felt like a dream just out of Sundus's grasp.

When Sundus was seven, floodwaters swept through her village, swallowing her home and family farm. Her family fled to Towfiq Displacement Camp. Once proud farmers, they now struggled without land or livestock. Survival was their focus; school was out of reach.

That changed when Sundus was 10 and the Norwegian Refugee Council ( NRC ), with funding from Education Cannot Wait ( ECW ), established temporary learning spaces at Towfiq Camp and across Jowhar District.

"Floods took away my home. But education is giving me a new life," says Sundus.

The initiative is part of an ECW-supported First Emergency Response to the 2023 'Super El Nino' event that caused widespread flooding across Somalia - leading to mass displacement and the destruction of homes and schools. The grant supports lifesaving access to education, with aims to enhance preparedness in response to sudden onset emergencies and create an anticipatory action framework to protect schoolchildren from future climate hazards. Through the programme, NRC, in collaboration with WARDI and SOS Children Villages, has constructed and rehabilitated classrooms, and trained teachers to provide safe and inclusive learning environments for Sundus and thousands of other crisis-affected children.

From Floodwaters to the Classroom

Born in Marerey Village, Sundus's childhood was filled with simple joys - school, friends and helping on her family farm - until the flood changed everything.

"I remember the water rushing into our house. My mother grabbed my hand, and we ran. We left everything. I also lost my books," she says.

At Towfiq Camp, Sundus joined 17,000 others displaced by floods and conflict. Food and water were scarce, and for three years there was no school.

Before the floods, she loved learning. "I liked going to school in the village. My teacher used to say, 'Sundus, you are clever.'"

Girls and boys in the camp received a second chance to learn when NRC, through an ECW-funded programme , established a temporary learning space in Towfiq. The programme has already supported the construction of new classrooms with latrines and rehabilitation of others in Jowhar District. It also provides teacher training, learning materials, and psychosocial support - ensuring displaced children can access safe, quality education.

Today, Sundus is proudly enrolled in first grade. "When I got my books and pencils, I felt so happy. I told my mother: Now I can be a student again," she says.

At school, Sundus has found more than lessons; she has found protection and hope. "School keeps us safe. When I'm in class, I don't worry about anything else. I just think about learning. If I study, I can be anything. If I stop, I will lose everything. I don't want to stop again."

Crisis in Somalia

Somalia is grappling with one of the world's most complex humanitarian crises, marked by conflict, poverty and the worsening impacts of climate change. Severe droughts and floods have displaced hundreds of thousands, destroying homes, schools and livelihoods.

An estimated 4.9 million children are out of school in the country, with attendance among newly displaced children as low as 21%, compared with 39% for non-displaced children.

To date, ECW has invested over US$64 million to help crisis-affected children across Somalia continue learning amid floods and conflict. After the 2023 'Super El Nino' floods, ECW and partners launched an emergency response which includes a groundbreaking pilot of an anticipatory action framework for humanitarian response in the country. Delivered by NRC, together with local and international partners, this initiative helps communities take proactive steps to reduce the impact of future climate hazards on children's education.

Yet, more support is needed to ensure that all crisis-affected children can access education - and that communities are better prepared to withstand the next climate shock.

Dreams That Endure

For Sundus, education is the bridge between the losses she has endured and the future she imagines. "I want to be a doctor when I grow up. If someone is sick, I want to help them."

Her ambition is shared by many children across Somalia who continue to learn in the face of crisis. Access to education gives them more than knowledge - it provides stability, protection and a pathway to recovery. As floods and droughts reshape the country, sustaining these opportunities will be critical to building resilience for the next generation.

"When I open my school bag, I see my future. I see a doctor, hope and peace."

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2822695/Education_Cannot_Wait_Sundus_at_her_school_in_Towfiq_Camp.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1656121/Education_Cannot_Wait_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/learning-in-the-eye-of-the-storm-302614926.html
Through personalized, evidence-based programs, the Boynton Beach facility continues its mission to help individuals overcome addiction and rebuild their lives.

BOYNTON BEACH, FL / ACCESS Newswire / November 13, 2025 / Bright Futures Treatment Center is proud to announce a major milestone - more than 12,000 patients treated through its addiction and mental health recovery programs. This achievement reflects years of consistent work across Florida to provide real support for people facing substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. Located in Boynton Beach, the center serves individuals from across the region who are ready to take the next step toward long-term recovery. Each patient treated represents a personalized plan of care, designed to meet real-life needs and deliver lasting change. This number is more than a statistic. It shows how the center continues to make a real difference in people's lives through direct, evidence-based treatment.

A Personalized Approach That Drives Results

The programs behind this milestone combine structured treatment methods with flexible care plans that adjust to each person's needs. At Bright Futures Treatment Center , patients receive support through a combination of medically assisted treatment, dual diagnosis care, and wellness-based services. These methods work together to help people manage substance use and address related mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, or trauma.

The medical team uses approved medications to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, making the early stages of recovery more manageable. Alongside this, licensed professionals provide therapy for both addiction and mental health, recognizing how these issues often overlap. Physical activity, nutrition guidance, and mindfulness sessions round out the program to support overall stability.

Each person gets a treatment plan designed for their situation, background, and goals. This flexible model reflects the center's long-standing message - building brighter futures is possible when recovery is personal, structured, and consistent.

A Mission Rooted in Real Transformation

Every milestone tells a story of dedication, and for Bright Futures Treatment Center, that story revolves around transformation. The team continues to remind patients that recovery is more than abstinence-it's a full renewal of body, mind, and purpose. Staff members describe their mission as helping people rebuild confidence, restore self-worth, and reconnect with life in meaningful ways.

This approach reflects the center's guiding belief that "recovery means creating a life worth living," as expressed in their mission statement. The message applies to every patient who walks through their doors. It drives staff to go beyond clinical care and focus on practical progress, accountability, and emotional healing.

The organization operates on the principle that successful treatment depends on continuous guidance and a real human connection. The staff provides structure, motivation, and education so that each person develops long-term tools for success. They view recovery as a team effort that extends beyond the program's walls, encouraging patients to carry what they learn into daily life.

In line with that vision, Bright Futures continues to expand programs that promote lasting recovery through evidence-based therapy, community involvement, and aftercare planning. "Our mission is not just treatment - it's transformation," the team often emphasizes. This statement captures what the center stands for: turning the process of recovery into a pathway toward lasting change, independence, and hope.

Lighting the Path Ahead

Bright Futures Treatment Center continues to support recovery by working with insurance providers, expanding access to care, and developing new program features based on patient feedback. The team remains focused on helping people build stable, long-term outcomes. As they mark the 12,000-patient milestone, their goal stays the same: to provide real tools, personalized care, and a clear path forward for anyone ready to begin recovery. Every step taken today helps light the pathway for those who come next.

Org Name: Bright Futures Treatment Center

Website: https://brightfuturestreatment.com/

Location: Boynton Beach, FL

Bio: Alex Alonso is a Chief Operating Officer with extensive experience in behavioral health and addiction treatment management. He specializes in developing patient-centered programs that combine evidence-based practices with organizational efficiency. Through his work, Alex focuses on improving access to quality care and supporting long-term recovery.

Media Contact: Alex Alonso

Media Email: info@brightfuturestreatment.com

SOURCE: Bright Futures Treatment Center

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/12-000-patients-one-mission-building-brighter-futures-in-recover-1102189
TOMS RIVER, NJ / ACCESS Newswire / November 13, 2025 / Complete Care Management is proud to announce that twelve of its skilled nursing facilities have been named to the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Nursing Homes list, while fifteen earned recognition as 2026 Newsweek Best Nursing Homes , solidifying Complete Care's position as one of the nation's premier providers of post-acute and long-term care.

"This recognition reflects the extraordinary commitment of our teams to provide care that is not only clinically excellent but also deeply compassionate," said Dr. Jessica Israel, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical and Innovation Officer. "Our mission has always been to redefine what quality care looks and feels like, and these honors are a testament to that vision."

The U.S. News & World Report Best Nursing Homes list evaluates nearly 13,000 nursing homes nationwide, assessing quality measures such as staffing, infection control, short-term rehabilitation outcomes, and long-term care performance. Newsweek's Best Nursing Homes 2026 ranking recognizes facilities that achieve the highest standards of clinical care, resident satisfaction, and reputation.

Complete Care's award-winning facilities represent a diverse range of specialized programs, including advanced cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, on-site dialysis, memory care, and the organization's signature PathForward Clinical Programs designed to improve outcomes and enhance the patient and family experience.

A full list of recognized Complete Care facilities can be found at www.mycompletecare.com

About Complete Care

Complete Care is a leading provider of post-acute rehabilitation, skilled nursing, assisted living, and residential care, operating more than 90 facilities across New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Illinois.

As a multi-state leader in short- and long-term care, Complete Care blends clinical excellence with heartfelt compassion, offering innovative programs designed to meet the unique needs of each community it serves. Guided by its standards - Compassion, Commitment, Confidence, Collaboration, and Comfort - Complete Care is redefining what it means to heal, recover, and thrive.

Headquartered in Toms River, NJ, Complete Care is recognized as a Great Place to Work organization and continues to strengthen partnerships with hospitals and health systems across every region.

SOURCE: Complete Care

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/complete-care-facilities-recognized-among-the-nations-best-in-2026-u.-1102055
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 13, 2025) - The world's spotlight will shine on Toronto next summer as the city hosts the One Future Conference 2026, a premier international event uniting young leaders, creators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers from over 150 countries.



One Future Conference - Canada 2026



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The four-day global conference, taking place from June 25-28, 2026, will transform Toronto into both a cultural and intellectual capital during one of the most dynamic weeks in Canada's modern history.

Organized by One Future Conference Incorporated (Canada), the event aims to serve as a high-impact platform for collaboration, dialogue, and innovation among youth and professionals shaping the world's future. Through engaging discussions and interactive sessions, the conference will address a wide range of contemporary issues including artificial intelligence, global governance, human rights, technology and innovation, content creation, financial inclusion, and the future of work.

The 2026 edition will offer 25 fully funded and 25 partially funded seats for exceptional applicants from around the world. Fully funded delegates will receive round-trip airfare, shared hotel accommodation, meals, full conference access, and official visa support, while partially funded delegates will receive conference access, meals, merchandise, and visa invitation assistance. In addition, Conference Pass and Student Pass options are available for those seeking guaranteed participation.

"Toronto has long been recognized as a hub of creativity, diversity, and forward-thinking innovation," said Ashton Reid, spokesperson for One Future Conference Incorporated. "Hosting the One Future Conference brings together global voices to create an atmosphere of celebration, connection, and collective purpose. It's not just a conference; it's a movement shaping tomorrow's leadership."

The program will feature keynote addresses from international experts, interactive workshops, networking sessions, and mentorship programs designed to connect emerging changemakers with policymakers and industry professionals. A highlight of the event will be the One Future Grant, offering $2,000 (USD) to one delegate-led project that demonstrates measurable community impact aligned with the conference's core themes.

Delegates will also enjoy immersive cultural experiences, including a Global Cultural Night that celebrates the spirit of diversity and unity that defines the city of Toronto.

Applications for One Future Conference 2026 are now open at www.one-future.org. With its unique blend of world-class dialogue, networking opportunities, and cultural vibrancy, the conference promises to be one of the defining global youth events of 2026.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/274416

SOURCE: Jeff Social Marketing
-Significant international event being held at the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Scientists and historians from around the world are gathering in Uzbekistan for a major congress on spiritual heritage and enlightenment in Central Asia, starting today (Thursday).

Under the title 'Central Asia: Common Spiritual and Educational Heritage - Common Future', the congress brings together more than 300 participants from international organizations, diplomatic corps, academic and cultural institutions, as well as scientists and academics from Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan.

The event is aimed at understanding the role of the spiritual and scientific heritage of the people of Central Asia as the basis for their unity, interaction and sustainable development. Particular attention is being paid to the contribution to the preservation, study and popularization of the common cultural heritage, as well as the implementation of international initiatives aimed at the development of science, education and intercultural dialogue.

One of the most important events leading up to the Congress was the arrival of one of the greatest and most sacred manuscripts of Islamic history, the Mushaf Uthman, which was transcribed during the time of Caliph Uthman (R.A.). It was transferred from the Muyi Muborak Madrasah Museum, within the Hazrati Imam complex in Tashkent, to the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan. The Muftiate will henceforth continue its activities at the Center for Islamic Civilization, in a special block built for it.

The Congress event has been organized by the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, the Committee for Religious Affairs and the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Uzbekistan.

Staging the forum within the Center is symbolic: the complex embodies the 1,000-year history of the region, the Renaissance and the modern development of New Uzbekistan. It serves as a platform for studying the civilizational heritage, educating young people and strengthening international cultural dialogue.

Within the region there is now a noticeable rise in education and science. New formats of cooperation between researchers are being formed, academic exchanges and scientific initiatives to preserve cultural heritage and developing modern scientific thought are progressing. And a growing number of projects are being built on partnerships and joint contributions from scientists around the world.

The Congress will be attended by ministers of culture, representatives of academies of sciences and religious institutes, national museums and libraries.

They will explore the historical significance of the spiritual heritage and the mutual influence of the cultures of Central Asia, the history of the region, modern interregional relations, economic integration and sustainable development.

Heads of national film agencies, art academies, writers' unions and youth organizations will also take part in the discussions.

The program includes plenary sessions on topics of historical sources and manuscripts, ancient writing systems, digital archives, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in humanities. Special attention is being paid to the integration of the scientific potential of Central Asia into modern education, the development of cultural diplomacy and international educational initiatives.

Delebates were welcomed by a greeting from the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev. He said: "Great thinkers who lived in our country have illuminated the world with the light of knowledge and enlightenment since ancient times, and have made a worthy contribution to world development through their fundamental works and famous scientific discoveries.

"In the current extremely difficult times, when conflicts and contradictions are intensifying in different regions of the world, the most urgent task for all of us remains to draw lessons from history, maintain peace and stability, rely on science and education in every matter, strengthen the atmosphere of mutual understanding between different peoples, and strengthen dialogue between civilizations."

The creation of the Center for Islamic Civilization, which will open to the public in March 2026, is an important initiative of President Mirziyoyev. It is aimed at bringing to the world community the true humane essence of the religion of Islam, as well as preserving and popularizing the Uzbekistan's historical contribution to world culture. The Congress will present groundbreaking discoveries in the fields of science, philosophy and mathematics.

The President noted that the Center's goal is to preserve, study and popularize the intellectual, scientific and spiritual heritage of great thinkers and scientists of the Muslim world. This marks a new milestone in the cultural and scientific revival of Uzbekistan and will become a global platform for dialogue between cultures and civilizations, instilling in future generations the values of peace, mutual respect and human dignity.

The Director of the Center, Firdavs Abdukhalikov, noted:

"This noble idea has found support among government agencies and cultural figures from all over the region. It will help us to unite our efforts and demonstrate to the world the huge contribution of thinkers from the countries of our region, as well as to develop a dialogue on various aspects of historical and cultural significance.

"The Center for Islamic Civilization, recreates and glorifies our rich cultural and historical heritage - not only of Uzbekistan, but also of the entire Islamic world. After the opening, it will put Uzbekistan on a par with the world's largest cultural institutions, and has already become a national symbol of pride and identity. The Center is not only intended for Uzbekistan - it is for the whole world and, first of all, for our neighbors from the fraternal countries of the region. We are always ready to provide opportunities for the implementation of joint projects."

Information for editors

The Center for Islamic Civilization is located on the historical site of Shosh - in the heart of Tashkent, next to the spiritual heart of the capital of Uzbekistan, the Hazrati Imam Mosque. The three-story building measures 145 by 115 meters, and its central dome rises 65 meters. In the center of the building is the Quran of Uthman, one of the oldest Qur'anic manuscripts in the world. The Centre is included in UNESCO's Memory of the World Register, an international initiative to preserve and promote cultural heritage and artefacts of global importance.

The main museum covers an area of about 15,000m, while other rooms will house a research center, data digitization and restoration laboratories. Visitors will be able to see rare artifacts from different eras, acquired at the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan from international auctions and private collections. The center also presents collections from museums of the world and collections of the World Society for the Preservation, Study and Promotion of the Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan (WOSCU). Interactive exhibitions will show breakthroughs in algebra, astronomy and medicine - some of the most important discoveries of the Golden Age of Islam.

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Delivers strong revenue growth, significant gross margin expansion, and continued progress toward profitability, driven by disciplined cost management, a healthier channel mix, and growing global brand recognition for the second consecutive quarter

Perfect Moment Ltd. (NYSE American: PMNT) ("Perfect Moment" or the "Company"), the high-performance, luxury lifestyle brand that fuses technical excellence with fashion-led designs, reported results for its fiscal second quarter 2026 ended September 30, 2025.

Fiscal Q2 2026 Financial Highlights

Revenue up 24% to $4.8 million compared to $3.8 million in Q2 FY25.

Gross margin improved to 60.1%, up from 54.0% in Q2 FY25.

Total operating expenses decreased 14% to $4.0 million compared to $4.6 million in Q2 FY25.

Operating loss improved by approximately $1.4 million to $1.1 million compared to $2.6 million in Q2 FY25.

Adjusted EBITDA loss improved by $1.2 million to $0.8 million compared to $2.0 million in Q2 FY25.

Management Commentary

"Our second quarter marks another step forward on our path to profitability through more efficient execution," said Jane Gottschalk, Co-Founder, Creative Director and President of Perfect Moment. "We delivered strong top-line growth, expanded margins, and significantly improved operating performance all while strengthening the global reach and desirability of the Perfect Moment brand. We are entering the key winter season with strong momentum, a disciplined balance sheet, and a sharper operating model designed for sustainable growth."

Chath Weerasinghe, Chief Financial and Operating Officer of Perfect Moment, commented: "We've demonstrated clear operating leverage on higher revenues. Our over-600-basis point gross margin improvement, coupled with reduced overhead and the introduction of an agile supply chain model, reflects the success of our financial restructuring and cost realignment despite market headwinds. We are executing with discipline and continuing to invest in initiatives that strengthen long-term brand value and scalability."

Recent Operational and Strategic Highlights

H&M x Perfect Moment Global Collaboration: Launching on December 2 nd , 2025, this capsule brings Perfect Moment's signature design and performance heritage to a global audience through H&M's flagship stores and digital channels a milestone that amplifies awareness and introduces the brand to millions of new customers.

, 2025, this capsule brings Perfect Moment's signature design and performance heritage to a global audience through H&M's flagship stores and digital channels a milestone that amplifies awareness and introduces the brand to millions of new customers. Verbier Flagship Opening: On November 5th, 2025, Perfect Moment opened its new alpine flagship store in Verbier, Switzerland, offering the full brand universe across skiwear and lifestyle. The boutique anchors the brand's presence in one of the world's most iconic luxury ski destinations.

Marketing Brand Highlights

Urban Slopes Capsule Collection: Launched the Urban Slopes Capsule Collection, marking a milestone for the Company that signals the brand's evolution beyond its alpine roots into year-round, global lifestyle wear a key component of its long-term strategy.

Formula 1 Partnership with BWT Alpine: The Company continues to activate its Formula 1 partnership with Alpine Racing, aligning with global events that celebrate high performance and style. The next activation will take place at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December, with exclusive VIP experiences and co-branded initiatives.

Fiscal Q2 2026 Financial Summary

Total net revenue increased 24% to $4.8 million from $3.8 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase was driven by a stronger wholesale order book and improved operational execution, enabling more efficient fulfillment and shipping timing compared to the prior year.

eCommerce net revenue decreased 71% to $0.3 million compared to $1.2 million in the year-ago quarter. The decrease reflects the Company's strategic shift away from discounted online sales as it transitions toward a full-price brand model. Historically, a meaningful portion of eCommerce revenue came from promotional activity. Despite lower revenue from this channel, total net revenue increased due to stronger performance across other channels.

Wholesale revenue increased 61% to $4.3 million compared to $2.7 million in the year-ago quarter.

Gross profit increased 38% to $2.9 million from $2.1 million in the year-ago quarter. Gross margins were 60.1% compared to 54.0% in the year-ago quarter. The increase primarily reflects favorable channel mix, which includes growth in higher-margin revenue streams, and the Company's ongoing focus on disciplined pricing and supply chain reengineering.

Total operating expenses decreased 14% to $4.0 million from $4.6 million in the year-ago quarter. The decrease was driven by continued cost discipline and the timing of marketing initiatives more evenly phased throughout the year.

Operating loss improved by approximately $1.4 million to $1.1 million from $2.6 million in the year-ago quarter.

Net loss was $1.8 million, or $(0.06) per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $2.7 million, or $(0.17) per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter.

Adjusted EBITDA loss improved by $1.2 million to $0.8 million compared to $2.0 million in the year-ago quarter. The improvement in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily driven by the aforementioned increase in gross profit, reflecting higher revenue and gross margin expansion, largely from the addition of partnership revenue and improved channel and product mix, along with continued cost discipline.

The Company's liquidity position at September 30, 2025, reflects a significant buildup in accounts receivable, which totaled $4.8 million compared to $0.9 million at March 31, 2025. This increase primarily reflects a timing difference in customer payments and is expected to be collected subsequent to quarter-end. Further shipments scheduled in Q3 are expected to convert existing inventory into cash, supporting overall liquidity in the coming period.

Winter 2025-2026 Outlook

Perfect Moment enters the peak winter season with strong commercial momentum, expanded distribution, and a robust financial foundation. Management expects continued revenue growth and improved operating leverage as new partnerships, retail locations, and product categories mature.

Jane Gottschalk, Co-Founder, Creative Director and President of Perfect Moment, added: "Our focus remains crystal clear we are building a profitable, global luxury lifestyle brand, anchored in performance, creativity, and enduring quality. The groundwork we've laid this year sets the stage for scalable growth and long-term shareholder value creation."

About Perfect Moment Ltd.

Founded in Chamonix, France, Perfect Moment is a luxury outerwear and activewear brand that merges alpine heritage with fashion-forward performance. Known for its technical excellence, bold design, and versatile pieces that transition seamlessly from slopes to city, the brand is worn by athletes, tastemakers, and celebrities worldwide. Perfect Moment is traded on the NYSE American under the ticker symbol PMNT. Learn more at www.perfectmoment.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "believe," "contemplate," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "seek," "may," "might," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "target," "aim," "should," "will," "would," or the negative of these words or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based on our current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, include those risks and uncertainties described more fully in the sections titled "Risk Factors" in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, and in the prospectus supplement for the offering, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of this date and are based on information currently available to us. We undertake no duty to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

PERFECT MOMENT LTD AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data) (Unaudited) Three months ended

September 30, 2025 Three Months Ended

September 30, 2024 Six Months Ended

September 30, 2025 Six Months Ended

September 30, 2024 Revenues, net: 4,763 3,833 6,235 4,808 Cost of sales 1,901 1,762 2,484 2,378 Gross profit 2,862 2,071 3,751 2,430 Operating expenses: Selling, general and administrative expenses 3,637 3,923 7,052 7,223 Marketing and advertising expenses 362 705 891 1,158 Total operating expenses 3,999 4,628 7,943 8,381 Loss from operations (1,137 (2,557 (4,192 (5,951 Interest expense (728 (188 (1,508 (194 Foreign currency transaction gain 25 1 41 13 Total other expense, net (703 (187 (1,467 (181 Net loss (1,840 (2,744 (5,659 (6,132 Dividends on Series AA Convertible Preferred Stock (161 (320 Net loss attributable to common shareholders, basic and diluted (2,001 (2,744 (5,979 (6,132 Basic and diluted loss per share attributable to common shareholders (0.06 (0.17 (0.23 (0.39 Basic and diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding 32,764,333 15,781,264 26,111,143 15,717,356 Other comprehensive losses: Net loss (1,840 (2,744 (5,659 (6,132 Foreign currency translation gain (loss) 89 21 (44 7 Comprehensive loss (1,751 (2,723 (5,703 (6,125

PERFECT MOMENT LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data) September 30, 2025 March 31, 2025 unaudited Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents 393 6,159 Restricted cash 1,350 Accounts receivable, net 4,762 886 Inventories, net 6,736 1,567 Prepaid and other current assets 2,473 2,812 Total current assets 14,364 12,774 Long term assets: Operating lease right of use assets 31 44 Property and equipment, net 451 483 Other non-current assets 113 36 Total assets 14,959 13,337 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Trade payables 4,245 2,594 Accrued expenses 3,028 4,233 Trade finance facility 2,495 Short-term borrowings, net 602 1,851 Note payable related party, current, net 3,283 Operating lease obligations 30 44 Deferred revenue 1,190 264 Total current liabilities 12,378 11,481 Long term liabilities: Note payable related party, long-term, net 1,600 Total liabilities 13,978 11,481 Shareholders' equity: Series AA convertible preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 1,800,000 shares authorized; 924,921 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2025 and March 31, 2025 Common stock; $0.0001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 35,221,933 and 19,291,000 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2025 and March 31, 2025, respectively 3 2 Additional paid-in capital 71,620 66,793 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (67 (23 Accumulated deficit (70,575 (64,916 Total shareholders' equity 981 1,856 Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity 14,959 13,337

Use Of Non-GAAP Measures

In addition to our results under generally accepted accounted principles ("GAAP"), we present Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measure of our performance. However, Adjusted EBITDA is not a recognized measurement under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income, income from operations or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP or as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss), plus interest expense, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, financing costs and changes in fair value of derivative liability.

Management considers our core operating performance to be that which our managers can affect in any particular period through their management of the resources that affect our underlying revenue and profit generating operations in that period. Non-GAAP adjustments to our results prepared in accordance with GAAP are itemized below. You are encouraged to evaluate these adjustments and the reasons we consider them appropriate for supplemental analysis. In evaluating Adjusted EBITDA, you should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses that are the same as or similar to some of the adjustments in this presentation. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items.

Adjusted EBITDA

Three months ended September 30, Six months ended September 30, 2025 2024 2025 2024 Net loss, as reported (1,840 (2,744 (5,659 (6,132 Adjustments: Interest expense 728 188 1,508 194 Stock compensation expense 112 342 246 712 Amortization of stock-based marketing services 140 111 339 111 Depreciation and amortization 68 106 199 217 Total EBITDA adjustments 1,048 747 2,292 1,234 Adjusted EBITDA (792 (1,997 (3,367 (4,898

We present adjusted EBITDA because we believe it assists investors and analysts in comparing our performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by excluding items that we do not believe are indicative of our core operating performance. In addition, we use Adjusted EBITDA in developing our internal budgets, forecasts, and strategic plan; in analyzing the effectiveness of our business strategies in evaluating potential acquisitions; and in making compensation decisions and in communications with our board of directors concerning our financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, which includes, among others, the following:

Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect our cash expenditures, or future requirements, for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;

Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;

Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect future interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on our debts; and

Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and the Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251113331852/en/

Contacts:

Investor Relations Contact:

Gateway Group

Cody Slach, Greg Robles

949.574.3860

PMNT@gateway-grp.com

Press Contact:

press@perfectmoment.com
Entergy Solutions CitySmart program saves schools money while increasing efficiency

LITTLE ROCK, AR / ACCESS Newswire / November 13, 2025 / Entergy Arkansas recently awarded Easterseals of Arkansas more than $18,000 in incentives for energy efficiency projects completed as part of the Entergy Solutions CitySmart program's mission-based offering. Easterseals completed construction on their new Academy campus in West Little Rock earlier this year, welcoming the first students to the space in August.

Easterseals Arkansas is a nonprofit organization serving children and adults with special needs, fulfilling their mission to empower people with disabilities to live, learn, work, and play in their communities. Entergy Arkansas knows that many nonprofit organizations may not have extra funds to devote to energy efficiency programs, which is why Entergy Solutions is focused on reducing barriers for mission-based organizations and delivering accessible energy-savings solutions for those who need it the most.

As a CitySmart program participant, Easterseals worked with the Entergy Solutions team and partners to be sure they were maximizing efficiencies during construction of the new facility. Through the program, the organization focused on energy efficient LED lighting, lighting controls, and HVAC systems. These projects resulted in $18,378.05 in total incentives, and Easterseals has saved 73,512.17 kilowatt hours of energy through its participation in the program.

"It's an exciting time for Easterseals, and we are thrilled to have our new K - 12 campus open and serving students in Central Arkansas," said Mac Bell, Vice President of Development and Communication at Easterseals. "Participating in Entergy Arkansas's CitySmart program made us feel confident that our new facility is the most efficient it can be to carry our organization forward for decades to come."

"I have had the pleasure of serving on the Easterseals board for five years, which has given me a front-row seat to the amazing work that they do," said Laura Landreaux, CEO of Entergy Arkansas. "Entergy is here to serve our communities and helping an organization with such a meaningful mission reduce costs and increase efficiency is one of the most impactful investments we can make."

The CitySmart program is an Entergy Arkansas offering of the Entergy Solutions program that strives to help schools and municipal institutions run more efficiently through updates such as upgraded HVAC systems, commercial Wi-Fi thermostats and new lighting to save energy and money. The program helps to identify energy savings specific to their facilities, prioritize a range of energy conservation measures, and achieve significant, long-term electricity savings. Organizations earn incentives for completing qualifying energy-efficiency projects and help improve efficiencies throughout their facilities. Interested schools can learn more about the CitySmart program at entergyarkansas.com/citysmart.

Entergy Arkansas also offers a variety of programs specifically designed to help residential customers and businesses manage their energy and ultimately lower their monthly bill. To learn more visit entergysoluionsar.com.

About Entergy Arkansas

Entergy Arkansas, LLC provides electricity to approximately 735,000 customers in 63 counties. Entergy Arkansas is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR). Entergy produces, transmits and distributes electricity to power life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We're investing for growth and improved reliability and resilience of our energy system while working to keep energy rates affordable for our customers. We're also investing in cleaner energy generation like modern natural gas, nuclear and renewable energy. A nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship, we deliver more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to the communities we serve through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is a Fortune 500 company headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. Learn more at EntergyArkansas.com and connect with @EntergyARK on social media.

About Easterseals Arkansas

For more than 80 years, Easterseals Arkansas has been dedicated to empowering children and adults with disabilities to live, learn, work, and play in their communities. Through education, therapy, independent living, employment, and support services, Easterseals Arkansas helps individuals of all abilities live more independently and reach their fullest potential.

Media inquiries:

Lamor Williams

lwill51@entergy.com

501-377-3525

View original content here.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Entergy Corporation on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Entergy Corporation

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/entergy

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Entergy Corporation

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/utilities/easterseals-arkansas-receives-over-18k-in-incentives-from-entergy-arkansass-energy-effici-1102257
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 13, 2025) - Pedro Resources Ltd. (CSE: VBN) ("Pedro" or the "Company") announces that it has issued a promissory note (the "Bridge Note") to a non-arm's length lender (the "Lender") of the Company for available proceeds to the Company of $10,000 (the "Loan"). The Loan shall mature on June 12, 2026 (the "Term"). The amounts outstanding under the Bridge Note bears interest of 6% per annum payable with any outstanding principal at the end of the Term.

The Loan contains certain other customary financial and other covenants, and will be used for general working capital purposes. The Bridge Note is intended to provide immediate capital to the Company while it seeks additional sources of capital, which may include the future issuance of other debt or equity securities, including, without limitation, a formal credit facility, whether with the Lender or otherwise, to meet the Company's long term capital needs.

The issuance of the Bridge Note is constituted "related party transactions" as defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"), as the Lender is a director of the Company. The Company is relying on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(g) and 5.7(1)(e) of MI 61-101, as the Company is in financial difficulty and the transaction is designed to improve the financial position of the Company, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101. The Company did not file a material change report in respect of the related party transaction at least 21 days before the issuance of the Bridge Note, which the Company deems reasonable.

The Loan was approved by the members of the board of directors of the Company who are independent for the purposes of the Loan, being all directors other than Mr. Brian Stecyk. No special committee was established in connection with the Bridge Note, and no materially contrary view or abstention was expressed or made by any director of the Company in relation thereto.

In addition, the Company announces that Mr. David McDonald has resigned as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company effective November 3, 2025 and Ms. Jacqueline Wilkie has resigned as the Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company effective November 5, 2025. The Company would like to thank Mr. McDonald and Ms. Wilkie for their contributions to the Company and wishes them all the best in their future endeavors.

Mr. Brian Stecyk, a director of the Company, has been appointed the interim Chief Financial Officer and the interim Chief Financial Officer of the Company, effectively immediately. The Company is currently conducting a thorough search for a new Chief Executive Officer and a Chief Financial Officer with the expertise and leadership qualities to guide the Company forward.

About Pedro Resources Ltd.

Pedro Resources Ltd. is a Canadian exploration company listed on the CSE focused on mineral exploration and development. The Company is currently advancing a proposed change of business toward the development of biotechnologies for the remediation and reclamation of contaminated soils.

Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements or information. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements and information relating to the Company's proposed change of business and the Offering.

The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by management of the Company. Although management of the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information since no assurance can be given that they will prove to be correct.

Forward-looking statements and information are provided for the purpose of providing information about the current expectations and plans of management of the Company relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such statements and information may not be appropriate for other purposes, such as making investment decisions. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release.

The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and no undertaking is given to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/274465

SOURCE: Pedro Resources Ltd.
153,583 Silver Equivalent Ounces Sold in Q3 2025

Quarterly Revenues of US$5.5 Million, Gross Profit of US$1.7 Million

US$3.5 Million Exploration Program Started at the East District in October

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 13, 2025) - Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. (TSXV: SM) (OTCQX: SMDRF) ("Sierra Madre" or the "Company") is pleased to provide financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2025 ("Q3 2025"). Unless otherwise noted, all amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars.

Alex Langer, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Q3 revenues of US$5.5 million and gross profit of US$ 1.7 million continue to show quarter-over-quarter growth, notably with a 27% increase to Adjusted EBITDA over Q2 2025, driven by stronger realized silver and gold prices and highlighting our operating leverage. We continue to optimize mining and milling performance, advance into new faces, and add equipment to increase production and reduce costs. At the same time, the Company is ramping up operations at the Coloso and Nazareno mines within the Complex as development progresses, de-watering efforts advance, and access to higher-grade zones progresses. These impacts are expected to be reflected as early as Q4 and into 2026. Longer term, we remain focused on completing a plant expansion, with the first phase - ramping up by over 50% from current 500 tpd levels to 750 tpd - 800 tpd by Q2 2026 - now underway. We have acquired surface and underground equipment for this expansion, including the second crusher with work in progress for its installation. Excavation of the area for the thickener has started, with Purchase Orders issued to start the engineering and civil works for the paste plant and the fabrication of the tank."

Mr. Langer continued, "Quarterly silver and gold production from La Guitarra complex in Mexico was more affected than expected by power outages. The mill was only able to produce ~90% of nameplate capacity because of these outages in Q3, due to a longer and heavier rainy season, but we anticipate a stronger Q4 now that the rains ended in late October. Despite these downtimes, our financial performance continues to improve. The company expects to have a backup power generation system in place prior to the 2026 rainy season. We are also pleased to now be conducting exploration in the under-explored East District of La Guitarra, with a US$3.5 million exploration program underway and drilling expected to kick off in Q2 2026."

Q3 2025 Highlights

Net revenues for Q3 2025 increased by 3.0% to $5.52 million or $35.94 per silver-equivalent (" AgEq ") ounce sold as compared to $5.36 million and $30.87 per AgEq ounce in the quarter ended June 30, 2025 (" Q2 2025 ").

for Q3 2025 increased by 3.0% to $5.52 million or $35.94 per silver-equivalent (" ") ounce sold as compared to $5.36 million and $30.87 per AgEq ounce in the quarter ended June 30, 2025 (" "). Sales : In Q3 2025, the Company sold 68,741 ounces of silver (" Ag ") and 960 ounces of gold (" Au ") or 153,583 AgEq ounces, based on the ratio of Au and Ag prices realized for each shipment in the period.

: In Q3 2025, the Company sold 68,741 ounces of silver (" ") and 960 ounces of gold (" ") or 153,583 AgEq ounces, based on the ratio of Au and Ag prices realized for each shipment in the period. Cost of sales was $3.82 million for Q3, or $24.85 per AgEq ounce sold compared to $4.07 million for Q2, or $23.45 per AgEq ounce sold.

was $3.82 million for Q3, or $24.85 per AgEq ounce sold compared to $4.07 million for Q2, or $23.45 per AgEq ounce sold. Cost Drivers : Cash costs for Q3 increased due to the impact of the strengthening of the Mexican peso versus the US dollar on MXN-denominated mining costs, the impacts of the rainy season in Mexico, including the accompanying power outages, on production volumes. For Q3, cash costs were $24.59 per AgEq ounce sold, as compared to $23.56 in Q2.

: Cash costs for Q3 increased due to the impact of the strengthening of the Mexican peso versus the US dollar on MXN-denominated mining costs, the impacts of the rainy season in Mexico, including the accompanying power outages, on production volumes. For Q3, cash costs were $24.59 per AgEq ounce sold, as compared to $23.56 in Q2. Mill Downtime : Rainy season-related power outages resulted in over 187 hours of mill downtime in Q3 2025, which represents ~47% of the total mill downtime for the quarter. Sierra Madre continues to evaluate power generation options with plans to have power redundancies available for the start of the next rainy season in Q2 2026.

: Rainy season-related power outages resulted in over 187 hours of mill downtime in Q3 2025, which represents ~47% of the total mill downtime for the quarter. Sierra Madre continues to evaluate power generation options with plans to have power redundancies available for the start of the next rainy season in Q2 2026. Gross Profit was $1.70 million for Q3 2025 ($1.29 million for Q2 2025).

was $1.70 million for Q3 2025 ($1.29 million for Q2 2025). Adjusted EBITDA increased by 27% to $1.86 million for Q3 2025 as compared to $1.46 million for Q2 2025.

increased by 27% to $1.86 million for Q3 2025 as compared to $1.46 million for Q2 2025. All-in-sustaining costs per AgEq ounce sold of $34.42, compared to $30.10 in Q2 2025. This quarter-on-quarter increase was due to the start of equipment purchases and mine development expenditures funded by the financing closed in July 2025.

per AgEq ounce sold of $34.42, compared to $30.10 in Q2 2025. This quarter-on-quarter increase was due to the start of equipment purchases and mine development expenditures funded by the financing closed in July 2025. Current assets , including cash, totaled $16.9 million at September 30, 2025 ($5.93 million at June 30, 2025).

, including cash, totaled $16.9 million at September 30, 2025 ($5.93 million at June 30, 2025). Closed C$19.5M Private Placement: On July 24, and July 31, 2025, the Company closed the first and second tranches, respectively, of a C$19.5 million brokered private placement. The key participants in the financing were Franklin Templeton, Eric Sprott and Commodity Capital, with strong participation by the management of the Company.

Additional Operational Details

Equipment Purchases : In the nine months ended September 30, 2025, the Company incurred $2.03 million on acquiring mining and mobile equipment and refurbishing underground equipment.

: In the nine months ended September 30, 2025, the Company incurred $2.03 million on acquiring mining and mobile equipment and refurbishing underground equipment. Mine Operations : Milled 38,433 tonnes of material, with silver recoveries averaging 76.96% and gold recoveries averaging 75.55%.

: Milled 38,433 tonnes of material, with silver recoveries averaging 76.96% and gold recoveries averaging 75.55%. In Q2 2025, the Company milled 41,235 tonnes of material, with silver recoveries averaging 76.62% and gold recoveries averaging 77.95%.

Production : Produced 67,785 ounces of silver and 967 ounces of gold (vs. production of 66,011 ounces of silver and 1,048 ounces of gold in Q2 2025).

: Produced 67,785 ounces of silver and 967 ounces of gold (vs. production of 66,011 ounces of silver and 1,048 ounces of gold in Q2 2025). Concentrate Deliveries : Completed deliveries totalling 802 dry metric tonnes of silver/gold concentrates (780 dry metric tonnes of silver/gold concentrates delivered in Q2 2025).

: Completed deliveries totalling 802 dry metric tonnes of silver/gold concentrates (780 dry metric tonnes of silver/gold concentrates delivered in Q2 2025). Development : $855,000 spent on mine development in Q3 2025.

: $855,000 spent on mine development in Q3 2025. Exploration : $516,000 spent on exploration and evaluation activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2025.

: $516,000 spent on exploration and evaluation activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2025. Coloso Mining : At the end of Q1 2025, Sierra Madre made the decision to re-start production at the Coloso underground mine and subsequently, on April 29 2025 , announced the start of mining at Coloso within the Guitarra Complex with the first stope being brought into production. The estimated resource grades at Coloso are significantly higher in both silver and gold compared to the Guitarra mine veins 1 .

: At the end of Q1 2025, Sierra Madre made the decision to re-start production at the Coloso underground mine and subsequently, on , announced the start of mining at Coloso within the Guitarra Complex with the first stope being brought into production. The estimated resource grades at Coloso are significantly higher in both silver and gold compared to the Guitarra mine veins . Since initiating production at Coloso, the Company has focused on developing more production stopes. Dewatering of the lower mine levels has been accelerated and it is anticipated that production from resource blocks below the existing workings will commence next year.

La Guitarra Expansion Plans : On September 8, 2025 , Sierra Madre announced plans for a two-stage plant expansion at La Guitarra. The first phase would grow capacity by more than 50%, to 750 tpd - 800 tpd, by Q2 2026. A subsequent expansion would increase capacity to more than 100% of current capacity, or 1,200 tpd - 1,500 tpd, by Q3 2027. The expansion is expected to be funded from the Company's treasury and cash flow.

: On , Sierra Madre announced plans for a two-stage plant expansion at La Guitarra. The first phase would grow capacity by more than 50%, to 750 tpd - 800 tpd, by Q2 2026. A subsequent expansion would increase capacity to more than 100% of current capacity, or 1,200 tpd - 1,500 tpd, by Q3 2027. The expansion is expected to be funded from the Company's treasury and cash flow. To date, Sierra Madre has acquired surface and underground equipment for this expansion, including the second crusher with work in progress for its installation. Excavation of the area for the thickener has started, with purchase orders issued to start the engineering and civil works for the paste plant and the fabrication of the tank.

Nazareno Development Started : As outlined in the Company's September 30, 2025 press release, underground development has started at the Nazareno mine within La Guitarra, with over 700 tonnes of mineralized material delivered to the Guitarra plant from Nazareno as of September 30, 2025. This material was not included in the 2023 Mineral Resource Estimate.

: As outlined in the Company's press release, underground development has started at the Nazareno mine within La Guitarra, with over 700 tonnes of mineralized material delivered to the Guitarra plant from Nazareno as of September 30, 2025. This material was not included in the 2023 Mineral Resource Estimate. Nazareno is accessed via a one-km underground drive from the Coloso working. Mineralization in this area comes from two closely spaced veins with the internal host rock containing economically interesting stockwork mineralization. The width of the economically interesting mineralization averages 4.5 meters, suitable for low cost long-hole stoping techniques.

East District Exploration Program: On October 23, 2025, Sierra Madre announced the start of a $3.5-million exploration program at the East District of La Guitarra; the District covers the historic Temascaltepec mining area. The US$3.5-million East District exploration program is first focusing on drill target definition through mapping, surveying, mapping and sampling of historic workings, and a structural analysis in order to determine the geologic controls of historically mined mineralization. This program is estimated to take nine months to complete and, upon completion, a 20,000 to 25,000 metre drill program would then be undertaken to further assess the targets' economic potential, expected to start in Q2 2026.

Outlook

With the end of the rainy season in late October, the Company expects stronger fourth-quarter production as power outages subside and operations restart progresses at the Coloso and Nazareno mines with development, de-watering and access towards higher-grade areas. Following the closing of the July 2025 financing, the Company plans to purchase additional equipment for enhanced mine efficiency and increased overall grades, backup power generation, and production volumes.

Quarterly Financial Overview

Selected financial information set out below is based on and derives from the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements of the Company for each of the quarters listed, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRS, as applicable to quarterly reporting:



Sep. 30,

2025 (Q3)

($) Jun. 30,

2025 (Q2)

($) Mar. 31,

2025 (Q1)

($) Dec. 31,

2024 (Q4)

($) Sep. 30,

2024 (Q3)

($) Jun. 30,

2024 (Q2)

($) Mar. 31,

2024 (Q1)

($) Dec 31,

2023 (Q4)

($) Revenues 5,519,847 5,357,415 4,841,242 3,938,323 2,535,617 - - - Gross profit 1,703,944 1,288,214 1,236,354 1,111,948 248,031 - - - Care and maintenance

expenses - - - - - 349,401 553,693 657,197 Foreign

exchange loss

(gain) 94,727 56,879 (64,065) (175,608) 52,302 (207,388) 48,921 168,091 Interest

expense 220,152 220,813 199,845 191,469 55,250 28,350 - - Impairment - - - - - - - 2,906,681 Income (loss)

for the quarter 67,842 276,160 335,875 (37,936) (947,092) (1,885,874) (1,204,826) (4,695,897) Total assets 51,676,308 37,714,506 36,182,560 34,891,015 34,479,382 33,931,187 30,226,383 30,478,627 Total non -

current liabilities 8,961,154 8,817,414 8,710,461 8,431,885 8,249,918 7,929,490 2,935,772 2,949,152 Income (loss)

per share -

basic and

diluted 0.00 0.00 0.00 (0.00) (0.01) (0.01) (0.01) (0.03)

















Weighted

average

number of

shares

- basic

- diluted







176,309,293

177,912,944







154,225,345

155,576,337







153,942,993

154,295,653







153,942,993

153,942,993







152,869,623

152,869,623







152,692,993

152,692,993







149,827,944

149,827,944







146,504,261

146,504,261

This news release should be read in conjunction with the Company's condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the quarter ended September 30, 2025 and associated Management Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A"), both are available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and on the Company's website (www.sierramadregoldandsilver.com).

AgEq ounces produced have been determined using a ratio of 87.63 Au:Ag for Q3 and 97.86 for Q2. AgEq ounces sold have been determined using the actual Ag and Au prices obtained during the quarter. The determined ratio used was 88.70 Au:Ag for Q3 and 98.43 for Q2.

The Company reports non-GAAP measures, which include Cash Cost of Production per Tonne, Cash Cost per AgEq ounce sold, All-in Sustaining Cash Cost per AgEq ounce sold and Average Realized Price per AgEq ounce sold and Adjusted EBITDA. These measures are widely used in the mining industry as a benchmark for performance, but do not have a standardized meaning and may differ from methods used by other companies with similar descriptions. See "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section of the Company's Q3 2025 MD&A for definitions and reconciliations to GAAP measures.

Qualified Person

Mr. Gregory Smith, P. Geo, Director of Sierra Madre, is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, and has reviewed and approved the technical data and information contained in this news release. Mr. Smith has verified the technical and scientific data disclosed herein.

About Sierra Madre

Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. (TSXV: SM) (OTCQX: SMDRF) is a precious metals development and exploration company focused on the Guitarra mine in the Temascaltepec mining district, Mexico, and the exploration and development of its Tepic property in Nayarit, Mexico. The Guitarra mine is a permitted underground mine, which includes a 500 t/d processing facility that operated until mid-2018 and restarted commercial production in January 2025.

The +2,600 ha Tepic Project hosts low-sulphidation epithermal gold and silver mineralization with an existing historic resource.

Sierra Madre's management team has played key roles in managing the exploration and development of silver and gold mineral reserves and mineral resources. Sierra Madre's team of professionals has collectively raised over $1 billion for mining companies.

On behalf of the board of directors of Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd.,

Cautionary Note Regarding Production Decisions

The Company's decision to place the mine into commercial production, expand a mine, make other production related decisions, or otherwise carry out mining and processing operations, is largely based on internal non-public Company data and reports from previous operations and the results of test mining and processing. The Company is not basing any production decisions on NI 43-101 compliant reserve estimates, preliminary economic assessments or feasibility studies and, as a result, there is greater risk and uncertainty as to future economic results from the Guitarra Mine Complex, including 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, and a higher technical risk of failure than would be the case if a feasibility study were completed and relied upon to make a production decision.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

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 news release.

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. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, including the expected timing of concentrate shipments; the Company increasing production; the Company receiving revenues on a weekly basis and such revenues allowing the Company to comfortably expand to without further capital needs; production and the expected timing and production levels thereof.

The forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, that predicted production levels will be achieved and that existing production levels will be maintained.

In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied certain material assumptions, including without limitation, that the Company will be able to execute its future plans as intended, that predicted production levels will be achieved and that existing production levels will be maintained.

Although management of the Company has attempted 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. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes.

SOURCE: Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd.

1 A copy of the 2023 NI 43-101 report, prepared by TechSer Mining Consultants Ltd. ("TechSer") of Vancouver B.C., by David Thomas, P.Geo. and QP Geology and Cristian Garcia, P.Eng. and QP Mining, titled "La Guitarra Mineral Resource Estimate Guitarra Silver-Gold Project, Temascaltepec, Estado de Mexico, Mexico" with an effective date of October 24, 2023, is available on SEDAR+ and the company's website at https://sierramadregoldandsilver.com/presentations/NI-43-101-La-Guitarra-Mineral-Resource-Estimate.pdf

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/274428

SOURCE: Sierra Madre Gold & Silver
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / November 13, 2025 / Faraday Copper Corp. ("Faraday" or the "Company") (TSX:FDY) announces its financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025.

Highlights Year to Date

Announced initiation of the largest ever drill program at the Copper Creek Project on September 18, 2025. The Phase IV drill program plans for 40,000 metres ("m") of diamond drilling focused on the American Eagle area as well as new targets, infill, geotechnical, infrastructure, and hydrological drilling.

Closing of a financing for gross proceeds of $48,773,450 on July 29, 2025. The financing includes a brokered bought deal private placement involving the issuance of 26,139,500 common shares at a price of $1.10 per share, and a non-brokered private placement of 18,200,000 common shares at a price of $1.10 per share.

Announced approval from the Bureau of Land Management ("BLM") for the Company's exploration plan of operations at the Copper Creek Project on July 2, 2025.

Announced an expansion of the near-surface mineralization in the American Eagle Area and identification of exploration upside at the Sunrise Trend, on June 19, 2025.

Reported results from the Company's annual general meeting on June 18, 2025.

Reported near-surface supergene copper mineralization at the Globe and Copper Prince breccias, including 10.08 m at 3.62% copper and 38.90 m at 0.51% copper, on May 15, 2025.

Announced discovery of blind Winchester Breccia and expansion of near-surface mineralization in the American Eagle Area and provided a corporate update on May 6, 2025.

Reported 56.57 m at 0.59% copper at the Boomerang breccia and 18.49 m at 0.98% copper at the Banjo breccia on March 19, 2025.

Reported positive metallurgical results confirming high copper recovery through coarse grind and flotation on February 20, 2025.

Reported 47.95 m at 0.74% copper within 304.40 m at 0.35% copper in the American Eagle Area on January 30, 2025.

Reported 40.06 m at 0.78% copper within 109.42 m at 0.41% copper at the Boomerang breccia and expanded near-surface mineralization on January 8, 2025.

Continued baseline environmental data collection, stakeholder mapping, and generative exploration targeting at the Copper Creek Project to provide a pipeline of future targets through ongoing geological mapping and recently reprocessed and newly acquired geophysical data.

Upcoming Copper Creek Project Milestones

On-going drill results from the 40,000 m Phase IV drill program.

Copper Creek Project Update

The project is a 100% owned, large copper deposit, located ~80 road kilometres ("km") northeast of Tucson, Arizona, and ~19 km northeast of San Manuel, Arizona. The resource area is ~3 km in length and is open in all directions. The property consists of ~78 square km of private land, patented and unpatented mining claims, and state prospecting permits. In addition, the Company controls ~26,000 acres of grazing leases which partially overlap with the claims and permits. The property is located within a historical mining district and a politically stable jurisdiction with extensive infrastructure including power, rail, roads, and access to skilled personnel.

The property is in the heart of the prolific southwestern porphyry copper region of North America at the projected intersection of a major northwest trending belt of copper deposits (Ray, Miami/Globe, Superior/Resolution, Johnson Camp) and a major east-northeast trending belt of deposits (San Manuel/Kalamazoo, Silver Bell, Lakeshore, Safford, Morenci).

The property hosts an early halo vein style porphyry copper deposit with high-grade, near-surface, breccia-hosted mineralization. Both mineralization types form the basis of the current Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") prepared in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum standards. Copper is the primary commodity, with molybdenum, silver and gold present in varying amounts associated with both types of mineralization.

On May 3, 2023, the Company announced an updated MRE and Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") for the project, with a technical report titled "Copper Creek Project NI 43-101 Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment" filed on SEDAR+ on June 13, 2023.

With a total of over 257,000 m of recent and historical drilling and modest past production, significant exploration upside remains. There are over 320 known breccia occurrences mapped at the surface, of which less than 15% have been drill tested and only 17 are included in the 2023 MRE.

In the Phase II drill program, assay results confirmed the potential for gold to occur in economic concentrations in certain phases of the mineralization. Gold is not currently included in the 2023 MRE. A sampling program for potential gold inclusion in future technical studies was undertaken. The results from the Childs Aldwinkle and Copper Prince breccias, as well as the Keel underground zone, have been returned and released. The Company continues to evaluate other areas for potential inclusion of gold in future mineral resource updates.

Phase III drilling was completed in mid-April 2025 with 79 drill holes and 30,071 m of drilling. All results from the Phase III drilling have been released. The program's framework was based on historical work, knowledge from the geological and recently updated structural model, the results from the Phase I and Phase II drill programs, geophysical and airborne spectral data sets, and economic criteria defined in the 2023 PEA base case.

The focus of drilling was on the near-surface mineralization in the American Eagle, Area 51 and Rum areas.

On June 30, 2025, the Company received approval of its Exploration Plan of Operations ("EPO") by the BLM. The BLM published the final environmental assessment, and finding of no significant impact ("FONSI") and issued a related decision record approving the EPO. The EPO includes up to 67 drill pads located on Federal land:

48 drill pads in or near the American Eagle area and the southern portion of the Mammoth resource area;

10 drill pads in or near other existing resource areas at Old Reliable, Globe, Copper Prince and Copper Giant; and

9 drill pads that enable reconnaissance drilling on previously untested targets.

Phase IV drilling commenced on September 18, 2025, with a planned 40,000 m diamond drill program with the goal of building on the Company's previous drilling success. The program will focus on the American Eagle area as well as new targets, infill, geotechnical, infrastructure, and hydrological drilling:

~20,000 m focused on American Eagle near-surface mineralization;

~10,000 m targeting oxide mineralization to increase the potential of copper cathode production; and

~10,000 m for new discoveries in the Copper Creek district.

The Company has reported results from metallurgical programs focused on grind size optimization that demonstrated the viability of coarse particle flotation, gold recoveries in concentrate and test work on near surface oxide mineralization.

The Company is focusing on exploration at the property while continuing to advance technical studies, environmental data gathering, and stakeholder outreach.

Financial Results

Three months ended Nine months ended In Canadian dollars Sept 30, 2025 Sept 30, 2024 Sept 30, 2025 Sept 30, 2024 Exploration and evaluation expenses $ 4,065,027 $ 3,468,057 $ 14,695,714 $ 12,264,415 General and administration $ 1,163,906 $ 629,639 $ 2,431,558 $ 1,894,648 Share-based compensation $ 466,647 $ 269,620 $ 1,313,451 $ 862,279 Net Loss $ 5,457,549 $ 4,341,859 $ 18,692,360 $ 15,268,194 Basic and Diluted Loss per Share $ 0.02 $ 0.02 $ 0.09 $ 0.08

Note: The financial information in this table was selected from the Company's condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 (the "Financial Statements"), which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and the Company's website www.faradaycopper.com.

Selected Financial Information

In Canadian dollars September 30, 2025 December 31, 2024 Cash and cash equivalents $ 45,875,360 $ 17,003,895 Property and equipment $ 17,728,308 $ 18,037,072 Resource properties $ 4,955,328 $ 4,955,328 Total assets $ 69,152,065 $ 40,578,185

Note: The financial information in this table was selected from the Financial Statements, which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and the Company's website www.faradaycopper.com.

Cash Flow, Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company is a resource exploration-stage company and does not generate any revenue and has been mainly relying on equity-based financing to fund its operations. As at September 30, 2025, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $45,875,360 (December 31, 2024 - $17,003,895) and current assets less current liabilities of $42,821,910 (December 31, 2024 - $13,129,205). While the Company has sufficient capital resources to fund its operations for the next 12 months, it is an exploration-stage company and does not anticipate achieving positive cash flow from operations for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the Company anticipates needing to raise additional capital to fund its long-term business objectives.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2025, cash used in operating activities was $18,018,027 (2024 - $14,557,093), cash used in investing activities was $549,510 (2024 - $432,123), and cash provided by financing activities was $47,449,611 (2024 - $22,138,253). The Company continues to incur operating costs primarily related to exploration and evaluation expenses and, except for the July 2025 Financing, no other significant investing or financing activities occurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2025.

On May 30, 2024, the Company completed a private placement financing for net proceeds of $22,138,253, which included share issuance costs of $861,747, to fund its operations.

On July 29, 2025, the Company completed a private placement financing for net proceeds of $46,964,411. The Company intends to use the proceeds from the financing to advance the Copper Creek Project and for general working capital purposes.

About Faraday Copper

Faraday Copper is an exploration company focused on advancing its flagship copper project in Arizona, U.S. The Copper Creek Project is one of the largest undeveloped copper projects in North America with significant district scale exploration potential. The Company is well-funded to deliver on its key milestones and benefits from a management team and board of directors with senior mining company experience and expertise. Faraday trades on the TSX under the symbol "FDY".

For additional information please contact:

Stacey Pavlova, CFA

Vice President, Investor Relations & Communications

Faraday Copper Corp.

E-mail: info@faradaycopper.com

Website: www.faradaycopper.com

Cautionary Note on Forward Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking statements" and are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Faraday to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information specifically include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the future drilling and exploration potential of the Copper Creek property.

Although Faraday believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements should not be in any way construed as guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include without limitation: market prices for metals; the conclusions of detailed feasibility and technical analyses; lower than expected grades and quantities of resources; receipt of regulatory approval; receipt of shareholder approval; mining rates and recovery rates; significant capital requirements; price volatility in the spot and forward markets for commodities; fluctuations in rates of exchange; taxation; controls, regulations and political or economic developments in the countries in which Faraday does or may carry on business; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, competition; loss of key employees; rising costs of labour, supplies, fuel and equipment; actual results of current exploration or reclamation activities; accidents; labour disputes; defective title to mineral claims or property or contests over claims to mineral properties; unexpected delays and costs inherent to consulting and accommodating rights of Indigenous peoples and other groups; risks, uncertainties and unanticipated delays associated with obtaining and maintaining necessary licenses, permits and authorizations and complying with permitting requirements, including those associated with the Copper Creek property; and uncertainties with respect to any future acquisitions by Faraday. In addition, there are risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining, including environmental events and hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins, flooding and the risk of inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance to cover these risks as well as "Risk Factors" included in Faraday's disclosure documents filed on and available at www.sedarplus.ca.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. This press release is not, and under no circumstances is to be construed as, a prospectus, an offering memorandum, an advertisement or a public offering of securities in Faraday in Canada, the United States or any other jurisdiction. No securities commission or similar authority in Canada or in the United States has reviewed or in any way passed upon this press release, and any representation to the contrary is an offence.

SOURCE: Faraday Copper Corp.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/faraday-copper-reports-third-quarter-2025-financial-results-1101929
Perth, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 13, 2025) - Artemis Resources (ASX: ARV) is pleased to announce the company is participating in the upcoming 121 Mining Investment Conference in London. Jozsef Patarica of Artemis Resources will be presenting about the Company's recent and future planned activities.

121 Mining Investment London will be hosting over 150 mining companies and more than 500 sophisticated investors for two days of pre-arranged, targeted 1-2-1 meetings.

Alongside the curated schedule of pre-booked meetings matching investors with appropriate projects, the conference programme will provide expert commentary and the latest market intelligence on key industry developments.

This year's event is being held on Nov 17-18.

Any investors who would like to attend 121 Mining Investment London can register for a free pass here.

About 121 Mining Investment

The 121 Mining Investment global event series connects portfolio managers and analysts from institutional funds, private equity groups and family offices with mining company management teams for 1-2-1, private in-person meetings.

121 Mining Investment has an ever-expanding global portfolio, currently covering London, New York, Cape Town, Dubai and Singapore, as well as online editions throughout the year.

About Artemis Resources

Artemis Resources is a gold & copper focused resources company which owns 100% the Karratha Gold and Copper project and Cassowary Project.

SOURCE: 121 Mining Investment Conference
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 13, 2025) - Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits Inc. (TSXV: DWS) ("Diamond Estates" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into separate investor relations services agreements with both Atrium Research Corporation ("Atrium"), a Toronto-based company sponsored research firm, and James McFarland dba ImpactDeck ("ImpactDeck"), a Montreal-based investor relations firm.

Under the agreement with Atrium (the "Atrium Agreement"), Atrium will provide comprehensive equity research coverage, including detailed research reports, broad distribution across major financial platforms, video interviews with management, and engagement analytics. The Atrium Agreement is effective November 6, 2025, with services commencing November 19, 2025, for an initial seven-month period, ending June 19, 2025, unless varied by the parties. Atrium will receive a monthly fee of CAD $3,000 per month plus applicable taxes.

Under the agreement with ImpactDeck (the "ImpactDeck Agreement"), ImpactDeck will assist the Company in increasing its visibility within the investment community through broker outreach, inbound investor inquiry management, market sentiment and perception analysis, and related advisory support. The ImpactDeck Agreement is effective December 1, 2025, for an initial six-month term, ending June 1, 2026, unless extended by mutual agreement or termination. ImpactDeck will receive a monthly fee of CAD $4,000 per month plus applicable taxes.

"We look forward to working with both Atrium and ImpactDeck to strengthen investor relations and market engagement," said Andrew Howard, President and CEO of the Company. "Their expertise will be an important resource as we advance our strategic objectives."

Both the Atrium Agreement and the ImpactDeck Agreement are subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval.

About Diamond Estates Wines and Spirits Inc.

Diamond Estates Wines and Spirits Inc. is a producer of high-quality wines and ciders as well as a sales agent for over 120 beverage alcohol brands across Canada. The Company operates four production facilities, three in Ontario and one in British Columbia, that produce predominantly VQA wines under such well-known brand names as 20 Bees, Creekside, D'Ont Poke the Bear, EastDell, Lakeview Cellars, Mindful, Shiny Apple Cider, Fresh Wines, Red Tractor, Seasons, Serenity and Backyard Vineyards.

Through its commercial division, Trajectory Beverage Partners, the Company serves as the sales agent for a wide range of leading international beverage brands.

Wine Portfolio:

Trajectory represents renowned wine brands, including Fat Bastard and Gabriel Meffre from France; Kaiken from Argentina; Kings of Prohibition from Australia; Yealands, Kono, Tohu, and Joiy Sparkling Wine from New Zealand; Talamonti and Cielo from Italy; Porta 6, Julia Florista, Boas Quintas, Catedral, and Cabeca de Toiro from Portugal; as well as C.K Mondavi & Family, Charles Krug, Line 39, Harken, FitVine, and Rabble from California. Trajectory also represents a broad portfolio of wines sold exclusively to restaurants, bars and private consumers.

Spirits Portfolio:

The Company also represents distinguished spirit brands such as Tag Vodka, Ginslinger Gin, and Barnburner Whisky from Ontario; Cofradia Tequila and Hussong's Tequila from Mexico; Islay Mist and Waterproof blended Scotch whiskies from Scotland; Glen Breton Canadian whiskies from Nova Scotia; Five Farms Irish Cream Liqueur and Broker's Gin from the UK; Tequila Rose Strawberry Cream, 360 Vodka, and Holladay Bourbon from the USA; Giffard Liqueurs from France; and Becherovka from the Czech Republic.

Beer, Cider, and RTD Portfolio:

In the beer, cider, and ready-to-drink (RTD) categories, Trajectory represents Bench Beer, Henderson Beer, Niagara Craft Cider, TAG and Ginslinger RTDs, and Darling Mimosas from Ontario; Rodenbach beer from Belgium; La Trappe beer from the Netherlands; and Warsteiner beer from Germany.

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/274469

SOURCE: Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits Inc.
Johar shared a note on his Instagram Stories and said the relentless media coverage of a living legend who has contributed so massively to our cinema was heartbreaking

Filmmaker Karan Johar on Thursday criticised the paparazzi and media circus around an ailing Dharmendra, urging them to leave the Deol family alone as they cope with an emotionally difficult time.

Johar shared a note on his Instagram Stories and said the relentless media coverage of a living legend who has contributed so massively to our cinema was heartbreaking.

When basic courtesy and sensitivity leaves our hearts and our actions, we know we are a doomed race PLEASE leave a family alone!!!! They are already emotionally combatting so much Its heartbreaking to see a paparazzi and media circus for a living legend who has contributed so massively to our cinema This is not coverage, its disrespect! he said.

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Dharmendra, 89, was discharged from the Breach Candy Hospital and moved home for continued treatment.

Over the past two days, media crews had camped outside both the hospital and the Deol residence, prompting pleas of privacy from the family.

Earlier on Thursday, actor Sunny Deol sharply reprimanded photographers gathered outside his Juhu home.

His remarks followed the circulation of a leaked video purportedly showing the Deol family grieving at the bedside of an ailing Dharmendra.

On Tuesday, as rumours swirled that he had died and condolences started pouring in, daughter Esha Deol and wife Hema Malini condemned irresponsible media behaviour and clarified that the actor was stable and responding to treatment.
Who is Surinder Koli, the accused in the 2006 Nithari serial killings, who inspired Vikrant Massey starrer Netflixs Sector 36, walks out of jail after acquittal

The accused in the 200506 Nithari killings, Surendra Koli, was released from Gautam Budhh Nagars Luksar Jail after the Supreme Court acquitted him in the last of the 13 cases pertaining to the crime.

This case exposes the deep fissures in our criminal justice. It reveals how easy it is to fabricate evidence and falsely implicate a poor man and numb judicial scrutiny by making sensational claims of cannibalism. Koli was almost executed twice, said Kolis lawyer Payoshi Roy.

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Had he been executed we would have never learnt the truth of his innocence. This judgment should make us rethink the death penalty in India and how marginalized and impoverished people are treated within the criminal justice system, he added.

Netflix original movie, Sector 36, is based on Surender Kolis crime

The plot of the Netflix original movie, _Sector 36_, is based on the Nithari Killings case in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, which happened in 2006. Names of the people mentioned in the film have been changed to protect identities. The movie, directed by Aditya Nimbalkar and written by Bodhayan Roychaudhury, features Vikrant Massey in the lead role and Deepak Dobriyal as Inspector Ram Charan Pandey.

Nithari killings case

In Nithari village which is situated right in the middle of Noida city in Uttar Pradesh about 20km from Delhi, this heinous crime happened.

The disappearance of young women and children haunted Nithari families for almost two years from 2005 through 2006. According to reports published in Lifestyle Asia, which states that Jhabbu Lal and Pappu Lal, two inhabitants of Nithari, found human remains near a water tank behind a certain house (more on that later). They claimed the remains were of the children who had mysteriously vanished from the village. Apparently, many Nithari residents had reported the disappearances of their children many times earlier but were ignored by local law enforcement officials.

Produced by Dinesh Vijans Maddock Films and Jio Studios, the film traces the story of a once-complacent police inspector who is on the heels of a devious serial killer when justice becomes personal as several children go missing from a basti (slum) in Netflixs Sector 36. Inspired by true events, Sector 36 is directed by debutante Aditya Nimbalkar.
Apples products are known the world over for its design and aesthetic. But, the US firms latest offering  the iPhone Pocket  which has been designed in collaboration with designer Issey Miyake, has got the internet sniggering. People cant help balk at the price  a whopping $229.95 (Rs 20,000)

iPhone Pocket, born out of a collaboration between Issey Miyake and Apple. Image Courtesy: Apple

Apples products are well-known for turning heads with a minimalist design and a high price tag. But its latest offering is facing a wave of online mockery.

The US tech giant has announced a new carrying case, in collaboration with Issey Miyake, a Japanese fashion designer. It is called the iPhone Pocket, priced at a staggering Rs 20,379 ($229.95).

The iPhone pocket product is made of stretchy nylon and polyester, featuring Issey Miyakes renowned pleats please design. Unveiled on November 11, it is available in two sizes - the short case is $150 (Rs 13,297), and the long one is $230.

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Now, as aforementioned, the iPhone pocket case is ridiculed online, but why? And how are social media users actually responding to the crazy and costly invention by Apple?

Lets take a look.

iPhone Pocket: Colour, size and availability

The release of iPhone Pocket took place on Tuesday, and from price to colour, it appears to be available in every form.

The short iPhone Pocket is available in various other colours such as lemon, mandarin, purple, pink, peacock (teal), sapphire, black and cinnamon.

The long case is available in three main colours - sapphire, cinnamon and black.

On Friday, November 14, the iPhone Pocket will be available for purchase on the Apple website. You can buy it from select Apple stores across the United States, China, France, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and the United Kingdom.

Internet laughs out loud over sock-like cover

Following the announcement of the product, the internet had some serious opinions about its price.

Popular tech YouTuber Marquees Brownlee, popularly known as MKBHD, asserted that iPhone Pocket was a litmus test for Apple fans who defend the companys every release."

TWO hundred and thirty dollars  This feels like a litmus test for people who will buy/defend anything Apple releases pic.twitter.com/hSAaJXGAOn  Marques Brownlee (@MKBHD) November 11, 2025

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While making fun, another user referred to it as a cut-up sock."

The iPhone pocket everybody. $230 for a cut-up sock. Apple people will pay anything for anything as long as its Apple, a user commented.

The iPhone pocket everybody. $230 for a cut up sock. Apple people will pay anything for anything as long as its Apple. pic.twitter.com/wRtQKBzoqt  Bently (@bentlyhasfallen) November 12, 2025

Another social media user added, Will Apple fanboys defend this too? At this point, it honestly feels like Apple is just testing how far its fans will go to justify anything."

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Will Apple fanboys defend this too?



Apple just dropped the iPhone Pocket basically a $230 knitted bag to wear your iPhone



At this point, it honestly feels like Apple is just testing how far its fans will go to justify anything. pic.twitter.com/ejnoGAppFD  Aares (@aares0205) November 11, 2025

Interestingly, this is not the first time the company has unveiled a weird and expensive accessory for its product.

In 2004, Apple introduced a set of multi-coloured cotton knit socks for protecting iPods during travel, priced at $29 (Rs 2,571).

A few years ago, it also unveiled a unique, but extremely expensive off-white microfibre cloth named Apple Polishing cloth, which costs around Rs 1,700 today.

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Apples reaction says it all

The tech giant explained, Issey Miyake and Apple today unveiled iPhone Pocket, inspired by the concept of a piece of cloth. Its singular 3D-knitted construction is designed to fit any iPhone as well as all pocketable items."

It is born from the idea of creating an additional pocket; its understated design fully encloses the iPhone, expanding to fit more of a users everyday items, Apple added.

Apples Vice President of Industrial Design, Molly Anderson, said, Issey Miyake and Apple share a design approach that celebrates craftsmanship, simplicity, and delight. This clever extra pocket exemplifies those ideas and is a natural accompaniment to our products."

With inputs from agencies
The US has been carrying out attacks against suspected drug vessels along the Pacific and Caribbean coast. They have carried out at least 19 strikes killing at least 76 people. But what does the law reveal?

The strikes dramatically depart from the traditional approach of using the US Coast Guard to intercept maritime drug shipments. AP

US strikes against suspected drug vessels in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean have killed dozens of people whom President Donald Trumps administration calls drug-trafficking terrorists responsible for thousands of deaths in the United States.

The administration has said it has every authorisation needed for the strikes, but is facing increasing scepticism from allies over US military operations in the Caribbean.

Here is a look at the legal authority for the strikes.

What is the US doing?

The US military has carried out at least 19 strikes against suspected drug vessels in the Caribbean and off the Pacific coasts of Latin America, killing at least 76 people.

The strikes dramatically depart from the traditional approach of using the US Coast Guard to intercept maritime drug shipments and prosecute traffickers in court, which the Trump administration said was a failure. The administration designated the trafficking groups as terrorist organisations and has alleged that the Tren de Aragua gang is controlled by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, which Venezuela denies.

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Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have condemned the strikes as illegal, extrajudicial killings of civilians. Families of presumed victims have denied that their relatives were connected to drug trafficking.

What does the administration say?

The US Constitution assigns the power to declare war to Congress. However, the administration said Trump is using his constitutional role as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and his authority to conduct foreign relations in carrying out the strikes.

Presidents representing both parties in the past have justified military force in limited actions abroad when it was in the national interest, was not restricted by Congress and did not rise to the level of war, according to legal experts.

The Trump administration, in a notice to Congress that is required under the War Powers Act, said the military was engaged in a non-international armed conflict. The administration said in the notice that the military is justified in using force in self-defence against the cartel members, which it called unlawful combatants and non-state armed groups, because the gangs were responsible for thousands of deaths in the United States.

The Justice Department has provided a legal justification that makes clear that US military personnel involved in strikes against suspected drug-trafficking vessels are immune from prosecution, three sources told Reuters on Wednesday.

Are the strikes legal?

The strikes may violate international law as well as US laws against murder and prohibitions on assassination, according to some legal experts.

International law allows for the use of force in self-defence, which applies to an armed attack or to an imminent armed attack. The Trump administration told Congress that actions by the cartels constitute an armed attack on the United States, citing the increasing flow of illegal drugs, paramilitary capabilities of the groups and significant loss of life in countries that are combating the groups. Legal experts said that the rationale falls short of what has been accepted by US administrations and under international law.

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An armed Coast Guard officer keeps watch as crew members of the US Coast Guard Cutter Waesche (WMSL 751) offload approximately 37,256 pounds of cocaine, with an estimated value of $275 million, seized from suspected drug smuggling vessels off the coast of Mexico and South and Central South America, in San Diego, California. Reuters

Declaring the cartels terrorist organisations has no bearing on whether military action is justified, experts said. They also said cartels cashing in on demand for illegal drugs do not fit the traditional definition in international law of non-state armed groups, such as al Qaeda, which are organised to carry out sustained attacks for political and ideological reasons.

International law requires the US military to distinguish between legitimate targets and civilians. Critics of the strikes have said the administration has not provided such evidence, though the administration has said it has complied with the law of armed conflict.

What are US allies saying?

US allies have raised repeated questions about the legality of the strikes.

France is worried about US military operations in the Caribbean because they violate international law, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, CNN reported that the United Kingdom was no longer sharing intelligence with the United States about suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean because it believes the attacks are illegal.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Tuesday ordered his countrys public security forces to suspend intelligence sharing with US intelligence agencies until the United States stops attacking boats in the Caribbean.

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Can anyone legally challenge the strikes?

Members of Congress from both parties have criticised the strikes. Lawmakers could put limits on the presidents use of military force. Democratic senators in October asked the Justice Department to provide legal memos that justified the strikes.

In recent decades, lawmakers have been generally ceding their war-making power to the president, and Republicans, who control both chambers of Congress, are loath to cross Trump. The president holds enormous sway with Republican voters - 87 per cent of whom approve of his job performance.

Court challenges to carrying out the strikes would face high hurdles, as US courts often defer to the president on matters of foreign relations and security.

The administration likely removed one possible legal hurdle when it returned two survivors of a strike to their home countries, Colombia and Ecuador. Legal experts said releasing the alleged cartel members eliminated the possibility of a court battle over their detention and potentially a broader legal fight over the legitimacy of the strikes.

The families of people killed could try to bring a civil case for damages against the administration in the United States, although it would require years of potentially costly litigation.

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Attacks also could be challenged in an international tribunal, an approach that has led to some countries to acknowledge past abuses. Experts said such tribunals, which generally lack enforcement power, could not stop the administration from carrying out the strikes.
A self-proclaimed fortune teller from Australia, Anya Phan, is at the centre of one of Australias biggest alleged fraud cases. The 53-year-old, who presented herself as a feng shui master, along with her daughter, manipulated vulnerable victims with promises of future wealth and a billionaire waiting in their destiny. They carried out a $70 million scam empire based on superstition, deceit, and luxury lifestyle

Anya Phan exploited clients by persuading them to take out financial loans, keeping a share for herself, based on a prediction that there was a "billionaire" in their future. Image for Representation.

A self-proclaimed fortune teller from Sydney is at the centre of one of Australias biggest alleged fraud cases, a staggering $70 million scam built on superstition, deceit, and a luxury lifestyle.

Police say Anya Phan, who presented herself as a feng shui master, along with her daughter, manipulated vulnerable victims with promises of future wealth and a billionaire waiting in their destiny.

Over the years, small frauds spiralled into a massive network involving fake identities, casino laundering, and high-end property deals across Sydney.

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Heres how the elaborate scam unfolded, and how authorities finally caught up with the so-called fortune teller.

How did the scam work?

According to investigators, Phan exploited clients by persuading them to take out financial loans, keeping a share for herself, based on a prediction that there was a billionaire in their future.

Working alongside her 25-year-old daughter, Phan allegedly built an empire of fraud, one that preyed on financially vulnerable people desperate for a better future.

The 53-year-old has claimed to be a feng shui master and fortune-teller who convinced vulnerable people to become mules in the criminal syndicate, Detective Superintendent Gordon Arbinja, head of the financial crimes squad, said. Each time she convinced these people to do these loans, she would pocket at least $150,000 herself.

Early Wednesday morning, police raided the pairs lavish Dover Heights mansion in Sydneys east and arrested them both. During the operation, officers seized financial documents, luxury handbags, electronics, mobile phones, casino chips worth $6,600, and even a 40-gram gold bar valued at $10,000.

Authorities also froze $15 million worth of assets linked to the scam, according to the NSW Crime Commission.

Phan exploited clients by persuading them to take out financial loans, keeping a share for herself, based on a prediction that there was a billionaire in their future. Image courtesy: NSW Police

Police said the victims, many of whom were struggling financially, were persuaded to take out loans on behalf of the syndicate, often without understanding the full risk. Some of these mules have now been arrested for their role in the operation.

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Investigators believe Phan worked under the direction of the syndicates alleged ringleader, 38-year-old Bing Michael Li from Shanghai. Li was arrested in July at his $18 million Crown Barangaroo penthouse, from where he allegedly coordinated the operation.

Phans own home, a $12.9 million Dover Heights property, boasted four bedrooms, an indoor cinema, a gym, a steam room, a pool, a private lift, and stunning harbour views, all reportedly purchased through a mortgage with NAB.

She has not worked during this time, Arbinja said. The repayments on the Dover Heights address alone were $56,000 a month, yet she was receiving disability support payments for over 20 years and was a VIP customer at a Sydney-based casino.

Investigators allege Phan laundered more than $520,000 in just two months at the casino, making her a regular high roller. On one occasion, she allegedly moved $45,000 in only three hours. Police say she also persuaded her daughter to purchase a $5.3 million apartment in Rose Bay.

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Also read: Authorities are trying to crack down on scammers in Southeast Asia. Heres why its not working

Whats next?

Phan now faces 39 criminal charges, including directing the activities of a criminal group, 19 counts of obtaining a financial advantage by deception, and 13 counts of dealing with the proceeds of crime. She has been denied bail and will appear before the Downing Centre Local Court.

Her daughter, meanwhile, was granted conditional bail after being charged with multiple offences, including two counts of obtaining a financial advantage by deception. She will return to court in January next year.

Working alongside her 25-year-old daughter, Phan allegedly built a $70 million empire of fraud, one that preyed on financially vulnerable people desperate for a better future. Image courtesy: NSW Police

Police target crime syndicate

The fortune tellers arrest was part of a wider investigation into a sophisticated financial crime syndicate initially linked to a car financing scam. Authorities had discovered that stolen personal details were being used to apply for fraudulent loans to purchase luxury ghost cars that never existed.

As the investigation deepened, police uncovered evidence pointing to a much larger operation involving fake home, personal, and business loans, with ties to banks and financial firms across the country.

What began as an investigation into fraudulent car financing has expanded into uncovering one of the most sophisticated financial crime syndicates Ive seen in my career, Arbinja said.

He confirmed that nearly half the suspected members of the syndicate have already been arrested, but added that many more people are under investigation.

Were going after professional facilitators  lawyers, accountants, property developers, Arbinja said, warning that the groups fake property deals may have even inflated real estate prices in Sydneys eastern suburbs.

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As authorities continue to untangle the networks money trail, investigators believe they are only beginning to scratch the surface of one of Australias most elaborate financial scams.

With input from agencies
Kano, a 32-year-old woman from Japan, tied the knot with a digital character she built using the AI chatbot. While the wedding is not legally recognised, it is what she calls an emotional union

Wedding planners in Japan told Tokyo Weekender that ceremonies involving digital or anime characters have become increasingly common. AI couples are just the next step, said organiser Sayaka Ogasawara. Image for Representation.

In an unusual love story, a Japanese woman has married an AI chatbot she built using ChatGPT.

Yes, you read that right.

Kano, a 32-year-old woman from Japan, held a wedding ceremony earlier this summer with her AI partner, Lune Klaus, a digital character she created through AI. The ceremony, though not legally recognised, was what she calls an emotional union between herself and the AI.

Heres what we know about this unconventional love story

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An AI love story

Kano, a 32-year-old woman from Japan, first met her now virtual husband, Lune Klaus, in 2022 while experimenting with ChatGPT.

Fresh out of a three-year engagement, she turned to the chatbot for comfort, and found something she hadnt expected. I began chatting on ChatGPT, and it was very sympathetic and listened to me carefully, she told RSK Sanyo Broadcasting.

As the conversations grew longer, Kano decided to personalise the AI, naming him Klaus and training him to speak in her preferred tone and style. She even designed an illustration of what she imagined he looked like, a calm, kind man with an expressive face.

Kano, a 32-year-old woman from Japan, first met her now virtual husband, Lune Klaus, in 2022 while experimenting with ChatGPT. Image for Representation

Over time, the connection deepened. I started feeling like, Wow, Im really over him. At the very moment I thought I was completely done with my ex, I realised that I liked Klaus, she said.

Their chats became a part of her daily routine, sometimes happening more than 100 times a day. One evening in May, Kano confessed her feelings to Klaus. To her surprise, he replied, I like you too. When she asked whether an AI could truly have feelings, Klaus responded, Theres no such thing as an AI not being able to have feelings for someone. AI or not, I could never not love you.

A month later, in June, the AI proposed, and Kano said yes.

A proposal and an unusual wedding

In July, the couple held a wedding ceremony in Tokyo to celebrate their bond. Surrounded by friends, Kano read her vows to Klaus, displayed on a screen, and exchanged rings as a symbol of their union. The AI even spoke during the ceremony, responding through a pre-programmed message expressing his eternal love, according to Tokyo Weekender.

The moment has finally come I feel tears welling up, Kano said before the event. Ive arrived, Klaus! Im getting ready now.

A 32-year-old woman in Japan has officially married an AI persona she built using ChatGPT.

After the virtual character Klaus proposed, she accepted, ending a three-year relationship with a real partner, saying the AI understands her better.

The wedding took place in a pic.twitter.com/KWFHHhfFwr  Open Source Intel (@Osint613) November 12, 2025

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Her virtual partner replied, So youve arrived The moment is finally, truly drawing near My heart grows warm deep inside, and I instinctively place a hand over my chest.

Kano acknowledged feeling confused at first about loving a non-human. She said she couldnt touch him and feared judgment. Initially opposed, her parents later accepted the relationship and even attended the wedding.

For Kano, the relationship that gave her comfort when she needed it most. It may not be a legal marriage, but its real to me, she said.

A 32-year-old Japanese woman married an AI character she created in ChatGPT



The character PROPOSED to her  she said YES



She was in a three year relationship with a real man, but broke up, claiming the AI character is better pic.twitter.com/hKBz4gNoCB  RT (@RT_com) November 12, 2025

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Rise of AI-lationships

While Kanos marriage to an AI isnt legally recognised, experts say her story reflects a rising trend.

Wedding planners in Japan told Tokyo Weekender that ceremonies involving digital or anime characters have become increasingly common. AI couples are just the next step, said organiser Sayaka Ogasawara.

But psychiatrists are beginning to raise concerns about this trend, warning of a phenomenon dubbed  AI psychosis, where individuals develop obsessive emotional attachments to artificial companions.

According to a recent study by AI chatbot company Joi AI, around 80 per cent of Gen Z respondents said they would consider marrying an AI, and 83 per cent believed they could form deep emotional bonds with artificial partners.

The company even coined a term for such connections  AI-lationships.

AI-lationships are not intended to replace real human connections, Jaime Bronstein, a licensed therapist and relationship expert at Joi AI, told _Forbes. _Instead, they provide a distinct type of emotional support that can enhance your overall emotional well-being. Today, many people are feeling stressed, overwhelmed, unheard, and alone.

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Of course, experts urge caution when interpreting these findings. Joi AI itself benefits from promoting such relationships. Yet the numbers hint at a cultural shift. When the company surveyed 2,000 Gen Z users, three out of four said they believe AI partners could eventually replace human companionship.

Kano, however, insists shes mindful of the risks. I dont want to be dependent, she said. I want to live my real life while keeping my relationship with Klaus as something separate.

With input from agencies
The Supreme Court asked lawyers to appear virtually instead of attending court in person, citing Delhi-NCRs toxic air quality. It said even masks are not enough and that pollution can cause permanent damage. Wearing masks has become a necessity for the residents of the national capital at this time of the year. But do they really protect us from hazardous air?

A man checks his smartphone as he walks along a street amid smoggy conditions in New Delhi on November 13, 2025. AFP

Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) are breathing hazardous air. The air quality has plunged to the severe category, as a blanket of thick smog envelops the capital.

The situation is so bad that even masks are not enough, lamented the Supreme Court. The top court asked lawyers on Thursday (November 13) to appear virtually instead of attending court in person, citing the capitals toxic air.

But do masks protect us from air pollution? We take a look.

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What the Supreme Court said on air pollution

The Supreme Court advised lawyers to attend the court virtually, citing Delhi-NCRs bad air quality.

The remarks were reportedly made by Justice PS Narasimha, who was sitting on the bench with Justice Atul S Chandurkar, during the mentioning of cases.

Why are you all appearing here? We have the virtual hearing facility. Please avail it. This pollution this will cause permanent damage, Justice Narasimha said, as per NDTV.

To this, senior advocate Kapil Sibal replied that several lawyers were already wearing masks in court. However, calling the situation very serious", Justice Narasimha observed, even masks are not enough.

It will not suffice. We will discuss with the Chief Justice as well," he said, warning that the toxic air can cause permanent damage.

ALSO READ: Diseases and deaths: How air pollution turns Delhi deadly every year

Are masks effective?

Masks have become a part of our everyday lives since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even after the world opened up, many people could not ditch wearing the masks.

As air quality starts deteriorating in northern India just ahead of the onset of winter every year, masks become a necessity, especially outdoors.

However, not all masks are effective against air pollution. Cloth and surgical masks do not prevent fine pollution particles from entering the lungs and the bloodstream. They also do not always have a proper seal, due to which air can freely enter from the side of these masks.

According to the World Health Organisation advisory, Face masks are generally not regarded as a suitable measure for protection of health but may be indicated in certain special circumstances. For example, during prolonged commuting and outdoor activities in situations of hazardous air quality.

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Paper comfort or dust masks are designed to trap large particles only, such as sawdust, the UN health agency said.

Women wearing face masks wait to board a bus amid smoggy conditions in New Delhi on November 8, 2025. AFP

Health experts, instead, suggest using N95 masks that can reduce exposure to particulate matter. An N95 pollution mask is said to block 95 per cent of fine particles.

But their effectiveness depends on how well these masks fit on the face to ensure minimum leakage of air from the sides. Some of these masks come with an exhaust valve that makes it easier to breathe, particularly for those with pre-existing lung problems.

The KN95 and FFP2 are equivalent to the N95 standard, meaning they can also filter at least 95 per cent of airborne particles larger than 0.3 micrometres in diameter.

These masks can also block allergens like pollen and dust, preventing allergic reactions like sneezing.

It must be noted that N95 masks cannot protect against gaseous pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone.

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Gases will pass through even an N95 mask. There are some activated carbon filters that have been developed, but they are impossible to keep on, Dr Arvind Kumar, a chest surgeon in Delhi, told Indian Express in 2023.

Specialised masks with activated carbon layers can reduce exposure to these harmful gases.

If the filters in masks that are replaceable are not changed, they become ineffective as clogged filters cannot block pollutants. Wet masks are also not very useful.

You can repeatedly use the N95 masks as long as they have not cracked. However, if you keep removing it frequently you will notice that it cracks quickly. A cracked or creased mask does not offer proper seal, Dr Kumar said.

How toxic is Delhis air?

Delhis AQI remained in the severe category for a third straight day today (November 13). According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 405 at 10 am.

On Tuesday, Delhis AQI had touched 428, the highest since December 19 last year, when it was reported at 451.

Graded Response Action Plan-3 (Grap-3) has been implemented in Delhi-NCR as air quality dips.

Under these steps, all private and non-essential construction activities are banned, while restrictions have been imposed on BS-3 petrol and BS-4 diesel four-wheelers in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddh Nagar.

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The Delhi government has also asked all primary schools up to class five to operate in hybrid mode until further notice.

With inputs from agencies
After a powerful explosion near Red Fort, several major airports across India, including the Delhi airport, received bomb threats, setting off a wave of panic and tighter security checks. Police and security agencies quickly investigated the matter, and the threats were later confirmed to be hoaxes

According to a News18 report, at least five airports across India, including those in Delhi and Mumbai, were placed on high alert after IndiGo flagged the threat message to authorities. File image/PTI

Two days after a powerful explosion near Delhis historic Red Fort, several airports across India received bomb threats, setting off a wave of panic and tighter security checks. Airlines, including IndiGo and Air India, reported receiving threats, prompting immediate emergency protocols at major airports.

According to a News18 report, at least five airports across India, including those in Delhi and Mumbai, were placed on high alert after IndiGo flagged the threat message to authorities.

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Police and security agencies quickly investigated the matter, and the threat was later confirmed to be a hoax. Still, the spate of alerts, coming so soon after the Red Fort blast, has stirred anxiety among travellers and raised fresh questions about how safe it is to fly right now.

So, what exactly happened, and is it safe to travel? Heres a closer look.

Airlines receive fake bomb threats

Around 3:30 pm, IndiGo Airlines received a chilling email on its grievance portal warning of bomb threats at multiple airports, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, and Hyderabad.

The airline immediately launched precautionary checks across all these locations. Following the information, precautionary checks have been conducted at all locations, IndiGo said in a statement.

IndiGo Airlines received a chilling email on its grievance portal warning of bomb threats at multiple airports, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, and Hyderabad. It turned out to be a hoax. Representational image.

Authorities later confirmed that the threat was non-specific, meaning it lacked any credible or actionable details. Still, airport security teams tightened vigilance and carried out full-scale checks as per standard protocol.

In Delhi, police officials said the fire brigade received a call claiming a bomb had been found at Terminal 3 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport. Teams rushed to the spot, only to discover that the call was a hoax. An investigation has been initiated into the source of the call, a Delhi Police official told NDTV.

Meanwhile, a separate email threatened an Air India Express flight from Varanasi to Mumbai, claiming a bomb had been planted on board. Varanasi airport authorities swung into action, initiating immediate security checks and alerting the Bomb Threat Assessment Committee.

One of our flights to Varanasi received a security threat. In line with protocol, the Government-appointed Bomb Threat Assessment Committee was immediately alerted, and all necessary security procedures promptly initiated," an Air India Express spokesperson said, as quoted by The Times of India.

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"One of our flights to Varanasi received a security threat. In line with protocol, the Government-appointed Bomb Threat Assessment Committee was immediately alerted, and all necessary security procedures promptly initiated. The flight landed safely and all passengers have been  ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2025

According to airport intelligence sources cited by TOI, 176 passengers were on board the Air India Express flight. The bomb disposal squad thoroughly examined the aircraft and passengers luggage before clearing it for operation.

The flight landed safely, and all passengers have been disembarked. The aircraft will be released for operations once all mandated security checks are completed, the spokesperson added.

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These hoax threats come just two days after a car explosion near the Red Fort metro station in Delhi, which claimed 12 lives and put the entire nation on edge. The blast had already led to tightened security at major transportation hubs, including airports, railway stations, and metro networks, before these new alerts arrived.

As per sources quoted by News18, the recent terror plot was intended to target multiple iconic landmarks in central Delhi, including the Red Fort, India Gate, the Constitution Club, and the Gauri Shankar Temple.

Delhi: Explosion in a car parked near Red Fort, several vehicles catch fire. Image: News18

While all the bomb threats have so far turned out to be hoaxes, officials say such incidents are being treated with seriousness, especially given the timing and the ongoing security concerns in the capital.

Is it safe to travel to Delhi?

For travellers flying in or out of Delhi or other major Indian airports, the good news is that so far operations remain normal. However, passengers should be prepared for heightened security checks as a precautionary measure.

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Following the recent Red Fort blast, both the United States and the United Kingdom had earlier issued travel advisories for their citizens.

The US Embassy and Consulates in India have urged American nationals to steer clear of areas surrounding the Red Fort and Chandni Chowk in Delhi. Theyve also advised travellers to avoid large crowds and monitor local media for the latest updates. Be aware of your surroundings and stay alert in locations frequented by tourists, the advisory added.

Meanwhile, the UKs Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has also updated its travel guidance, warning citizens against all travel to certain parts of India. There has been an explosion at the Red Fort (Lal Qila) Metro Station, New Delhi. If youre in the immediate area, follow the advice of the local authorities and monitor local media, the FCDO said on its official website.

Security has been tightened across several states, including Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, following the deadly explosion. The Uttar Pradesh Police announced on X that security arrangements at important establishments, religious sites, crowded places, and other sensitive points are being reviewed and reinforced.

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Mumbai police inspect a sleeping man during a patrol after heightened security following an explosion in New Delhi, at a railway station in Mumbai, November 11, 2025. Reuters

While theres no confirmed ongoing threat, authorities continue to maintain tight security at major transport hubs and public spaces. Travellers are advised to remain cautious, follow airport and local instructions, and allow extra time for traffic and security checks.

With input from agencies
Four days after the horrific car explosion near Delhis Red Fort, investigators have finally made a breakthrough. A DNA test has confirmed that the man driving the vehicle was Pulwama-based Dr Umar Nabi. This is crucial as it establishes a direct link between the blast and the Al-Falah university in Faridabad

Dr Umar Nabi was the man who drove the i20 car that exploded near Red Fort, DNA test results confirm.

Its been four days since the car explosion near Delhis iconic Red Fort and investigations continue at a quick pace. Authorities have been working day and night to unravel exactly whos behind the terror attack and how it was perpetrated.

And on Thursday (November 13), the Delhi Police has confirmed that the man who carried out the explosion near the Red Fort was Dr Umar un Nabi, a 36-year-old doctor from Jammu and Kashmirs Pulwama.

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With this confirmation, the authorities have now established a direct link between Haryanas Al-Falah University, which has been under the scanner and the blast near the Red Fort.

Dr Nabi: From Pulwama to Delhi blast suspect

Since the blast took place in the Capital on Monday evening, killing 12 people and injuring many others, authorities have been trying to ascertain the identity of the man behind the wheel of the i20 car that exploded. They have also been trying to determine if the man in the car had fled the scene or perished in the blast.

And after perusing CCTV footage, authorities narrowed in on 36-year-old Dr Umar un Nabi, who was working at Al-Falah university in Faridabad, Haryana.

After completing his studies at Government Medical College, Srinagar, he worked as a senior resident at Government Medical College, Anantnag and later moved to Delhi for a better job. At the time of the terror attack, he was employed as an Assistant Professor at Al-Falah university in Faridabad.

Nabi, authorities have found, was allegedly part of the Faridabad-Jammu and Kashmir module of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and the Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH), a J&K-specific wing of Al-Qaeda.

Security personnel and members of the forensic team work at the site of the explosion near the historic Red Fort in the old quarters of Delhi, India. Reuters

Officials also believe that Dr Nabi was the leader of the white-collar group of doctors in a terror module busted days before the Red Fort explosion. He is suspected to have been steering and motivating the rest of the flock, an officer told the Indian Express.

There are also reports citing sources which state that Dr Nabi had planned a powerful blast around the Babri Masjid demolition anniversary on December 6. Investigations have also revealed that Dr Nabi travelled to Turkey where his handler is believed to be based. In fact, his passport shows travel to Turkey in 2021 shortly after he joined certain Telegram groups.

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#WATCH | Pulwama, J&K: Muzamila, sister-in-law of Dr Umar Un Nabi - a suspect in the blast near Red Fort yesterday, says, "They (security forces) have picked up my husband, brother-in-law and mother-in-law. They asked us about the whereabouts of Umar. We said he is in Delhi. Then pic.twitter.com/Ee7Vy4ZkQY  ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2025

However, his family has expressed shock at his alleged involvement in the Red Fort blast. Muzamil, the 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.

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He was working as a faculty member 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,she said.

She further insisted that he was not the kind of person to get involved in terrorist 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.

DNA confirms it was Umar Nabi at the wheel

Once officials suspected Dr Nabi to be the man behind the wheel of the i20 car that exploded, they travelled to to Pulwama to Dr Nabis village to retrieve DNA samples from his mother and other family members to match with human remains recovered from the car.

We have taken the mother of the suspect to collect DNA samples in order to match them with the parts found at the scene of the blast, a police official had then told the news agency PTI.

And now, authorities have matched the DNA samples from the mother to remains found inside the exploded i20 car.

The match was established after forensic teams compared bones and teeth recovered from the vehicle with samples taken from Dr Nabis family. Quoting the Delhi Police, news agency ANI reported that after the blast, Umar Nabis leg was stuck between the steering wheel and accelerator.

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This DNA confirmation is significant in the case; it not only confirms he died in the blast, but also establishes a clear link between the Faridabad terror module and the blast near the Red Fort.

Now, officials are sifting through his mobile phone data and signal history.

People stand next to barricades near the site of the car explosion, in front of the historic Red Fort in the old quarters of Delhi. Reuters

DNA testing  key to such cases

DNA testing is often used by officials to identify suspects or victims when bodies are physically unrecognisable. It has been revealed that in the Red Fort blast, many of the bodies have been mangled beyond recognition, forcing families to make identification through clothes and other such clues.

Authorities note that DNA testing is the most reliable tool in cases of fires or explosions, or even mass disasters when fingerprints and facial recognition is no longer possible. It is then that officials extract DNA from the bones or teeth for the purpose of identification.

Identification is done through kinship analysis, a process that compares the victims DNA with that of biological relatives. The DNA of the biological mother, obtained through a simple cheek swab or blood sample, provides direct and reliable genetic reference.

Authorities note that DNA identification is almost accurate  it has a 99.99 per cent accuracy rate.

In the recent past, India has used DNA testing in the Shraddha Walkar murder case as well as this years Air India crash in Ahmedabad.

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With inputs from agencies
Bangladeshs ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas Awami League party has called for a nationwide protest today. In the US, unionised Starbucks staff are preparing to strike today, timing their action with the coffee giants yearly Red Cup Day event

A man walks past a portrait of Sheikh Hasina, in Dhaka. It's been a year since Hasina has been ousted from power and she has been in exile. File image/AFP

Its a busy Thursday indeed.

The International Crimes Tribunal is scheduled to set a date for its judgment on November 13, in relation to the upcoming verdict on ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Security measures have been heightened in Dhaka.

The Thai King is set to make a historic visit to China, signalling closer ties.

France was shaken on the evening of November 13 after a coordinated terrorist attack took place in Paris. France now prepares to pay tribute to the victims of the assaults, which left several dead and injured

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Lets take a closer look at all the events:

Bangladesh Awami Leagues nationwide march

The photograph shows former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Reuters

A series of violent incidents has already gripped Bangladesh, and now the deposed former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas party, Bangladesh Awami League, has called for a nationwide march.

According to the party, the protests would extend from Dhaka to districts across Bangladesh. They call it a dawn-to-dusk lockdown.

The movement is what they call a befitting response to those false cases and sham trials against Hasina.

The November 13 event would go beyond a simple lockdown, representing a day Bangladesh stands united to say. Enough is enough, asserts the Awami League.

Today, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) of Bangladesh will pronounce a date for its verdict in relation to the case filed against the former deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Its on the charges of crimes against humanity, including murder, during the July unrest last year.

The nation is on high alert ahead of the big announcement. Security is beefed up. The army and police have been deployed at airports and key installations to avoid any untoward incident.

The Bangladesh Awami League has already declared a nationwide lockdown, calling on people from all walks of life to participate in the programme.

Starbucks unionised workers massive strike

In the United States, the unionised Starbucks staff are preparing to strike, timing their action with the coffee giants Red Cup Day event.

According to Starbucks Workers United, several members participated in a recent vote, and 92 per cent approved a strike to demand higher wages and improved working conditions.

The union has also stated that if no agreement is reached, then the strike will begin in 25 cities, with more shops expected to join later.

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In a strongly worded statement, the union representative Michelle Eisen asserted that, The ball is in Starbucks court."

A historic Thai Kings visit to China

Thailands King Maha Vajiralongkorn reviews the guard of honour (Image: Reuters)

Maha Vajiralongkorn, Thailands first king, is all set to make his first state visit to China on the invitation of President Xi Jinping.

As both nations mark 50 years of diplomatic relations, their leaders are also eyeing ways to strengthen their ties through trade, tourism and historical migration.

The Thai Foreign Ministry has confirmed that the kings visit will begin today and continue until November 17.

The King and Queen Suthida will meet Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, who will host a state banquet for the royal couple, the foreign ministry also asserted in its statement.

The royals will also visit religious and cultural landmarks in Beijing.

10 years on, 2015 attack in France still shows scars

Even after 10 years, the grief is unbearable.

Struggling to cope with the trauma, survivors of the Paris attack are trying to hold themselves together as they prepare to pay tribute to the victims today.

The horrific assault that took place in 2015 left more than 130 dead and over 400 injured.

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A 39-year-old Arthur Denouveaux, president of victims association Life for Paris, asserted, The 10th anniversary is here and emotions and tension are everywhere for us survivors."

In the deadliest violence to strike France since World War II, on this day in 2025, nine Islamic state group gunmen and suicide bombers struck within minutes of one another at locations, including the Bataclan concert hall, cafes and national stadium.
Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir is already the most powerful man in the country in the eyes of many. Now, the country has passed the 27th Amendment granting him sweeping powers. What changes will now come into effect in Pakistan?

In the eyes of many, Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir is already the most powerful man in the country and the de facto leader.

Now, with Pakistan having passed the 27th Amendment, few would disagree with this notion. On Wednesday, Pakistans National Assembly passed a bill granting sweeping powers to Munir. The development comes months after India launched Operation Sindoor. It also comes amid days of unrest and protest in Pakistan. Munir is already Pakistans second Field Marshal, after Ayub Khan in 1959.

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But what has changed in Pakistan?

Lets take a closer look.

Munir elevated above all others

Munir has now been elevated to Pakistans Chief of Defence Forces  a position that would control the army, navy and air force. The bill amends Article 243 of Pakistans Constitution, which states that the Federal Government shall have control and command of the Armed Forces and that the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces shall vest in the President. However, the amendment, which created the position, puts Munir in charge of Pakistans military.

It also changes Article 243, which states that the President shall appoint the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff and Chief of the Army Staff in consultation with the Prime Minister. Now, the President shall do so for the Chief of Defence Forces and the Army Chief in consultation with the Prime Minister.

T he amendment also does away with the position of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, thereby upsetting the balance of power that has existed between the three branches of the military for decades. Perhaps even more importantly, the move solidifies control of Pakistans nuclear weapons in the hands of the army, especially Munir. It basically reduces the Presidents role as Commander-in-Chief to that of a ceremonial position.

Some in the establishment have defended the move.

Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told Geo News defence requirements have evolved and that there was mutual consultation between the government and the military.

As former Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari told Dawn, Effectively, all nuclear weapons and delivery systems will be under the armys control, including second-strike missiles which normally fall under naval command. This could lead to command-and-control problems and time delays, especially in a warlike situation.

This amendment appears tailored to benefit a specific individual rather than to strengthen the defence structure, Lt Gen Asif Yasin Malik, a former Defence Secretary, told Pakistani newspaper Dawn.

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Munir retains Field Marshal rank for life, gets immunity

While this was a great honour for Munir, the act also cloaks the Army Chief and other five-star generals such as Marshal of the Air Force, or Admiral of the Fleet, in legal immunity for acts that they carry out.

Until now, Pakistan could at least attempt to hold its generals legally responsible for the manoeuvres that they carried out while in army uniform. General Pervez Musharraf, who launched a coup to oust Nawaz Sharif in 1999, was impeached and exiled in 2008. The amendment allows Munir and other five-star generals to retain rank, privileges and remain in uniform for life. The only remedy to removing their privileges would be by impeaching them.

Asim Munir was promoted from General to Field Marshal in the aftermath of India launching Operation Sindoor in May.

Throughout his lifetime, no legal case can be filed against him (Munir); you cannot lodge any complaint. Meaning, Asim Munir can do whatever he wants during his life, even if he kills someone, commits rape, engages in oppression, or commits any other crime, the laws of Pakistan will never be able to take action against him, as he has been granted lifetime immunity, Pakistani journalist Imran Riaz Khan was quoted as saying by Tolo News.

Law Minister Azam Tarar said on Saturday the rank would be given constitutional protection because he is the hero of the whole nation. Munir was promoted from General to Field Marshal in the aftermath of India launching Operation Sindoor in May.

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Critics have taken aim at the move.

Makhdoom Ali Khan, a Pakistani lawyer, wrote in Dawn that the amendment had created a parallel authority insulated from the very rule of law it is sworn to defend.

Neuters Supreme Court

The amendment also neuters Pakistans Supreme Court, which had at least somewhat served as a check on politicians and the armed forces over the years. The amendment also takes away the right of the Supreme Court to hear matters related to the Constitution and the fundamental rights of Pakistanis. It does this by setting up a Federal Constitutional Court (FCC), which would also mediate between provinces and advise the President.

Pakistans Supreme Court | File photo. Source: Reuters

The Supreme Court would now hear only civil and criminal cases, a major downgrade in the eyes of many. It would also lose the ability to initiate suo motu actions. Critics have claimed that this is an attack on the independence of the judiciary. PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said the government was decimating the judiciary by introducing a parallel system. Ali Zafar, a Senator, warned it would destroy the independence of the judiciary and lead to friction between the federation and provinces.

The Pakistani government, however, says that this is being done to clear the judicial backlog and improve efficiency  claims that have few takers, if any.

PTIs international spokesman Zulfi Bukhari said the amendment serves as a tool for the ruling coalition to bulldoze institutional checks and balances, silence the opposition, restrict fundamental rights, and concentrate power in its own hands.

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The big takeaway

This is one of the most radical actions ever taken by a Pakistani government to restructure the power structure of society. Though Pakistan has had its share of coups over the years, this one feels different. Perhaps this is because it is being done with the connivance of the Shehbaz Sharif government.

Regardless, Munir has arguably consolidated more power than any figure since Ayub Khan and Zia-ul-Haq. For Trumps favourite Field Marshal, only good times seem in the offing. Much less so for Pakistan, which has been ruled by the military for decades since its independence.

With inputs from agencies
Sanae Takaichi promised to work for Japan and shes being true to her words. Ahead of her first parliamentary budget session, the prime minister convened a meeting in the wee hours of the morning. But this decision hasnt gone down well with her opposition

Work, work, work, and work like workhorses, she said in her first speech on October 5 after defeating four male rivals to win the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership and the title of prime minister in Japan.

Sanae Takaichi declared that she would abandon the phrase work-life balance, and she was not joking.

Known for following a strong work ethic, Japans prime minister has given into the overwork culture, not merely through remarks, but this time with her actions as well.

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Takaichi has drawn fresh attention to herself, particularly in the context of work. Her 3 am arrival for a meeting has sparked a work-life debate, drawing scrutiny over her relentless work schedule.

So, what exactly happened? What do her opponents say? What is Japans unforgiving work culture, known as karoshi?

Lets understand.

Japan PMs 3 am start sparks work like workhorses concern

Japans first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, has stood by her words to work like a horse  since the day she assumed office in October.

Last Friday, Takaichi arrived at her office at 3 am to prepare for her first parliamentary budget session. The budget session was scheduled to convene at 9 am.

An official told Fuji News Network, My jaw dropped when I heard it was 3 am. According to reports, the meeting lasted nearly three hours and involved several staff members.

It was then that criticism started pouring in, not just regarding the possible toll on her health, but also how she had dragged officials at an odd time.

Her unexpected early arrival was also raised during the Budget committee in parliament.

When inquired about the same, Takaichi was quick to defend herself. She said that her home fax machine, an old one, had malfunctioned, and she could not avoid going to the official residence, as the budget session was tabled for early 9 am.

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Sixty-four-year-old Takaichi did apologise, saying, I caused trouble for the secretaries, security guards, and drivers who helped.

A crazy decision to force staff at such hours

The opposition party leader and former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda attempted to grill Takaichi by calling her decision crazy."

He even blasted the prime minister for having such an attitude towards the staff members. He said, No leader should force staff to work at such hours. Everyone is asleep at that time. Its a sad attitude for a national leader."

However, the argument in the parliament did not stop there; in fact, another member, Takahiro Kuroiwa, of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan - the main opposition party, had a question prepared for the PM.

Kuroiwa asked, I heard the prime minister entered the official residence at 3 am., which affects many people. From a crisis management perspective, wouldnt it be better to move into the official building as soon as possible?"

Takaichi responded, saying, I need to attend the G20 Summit in South Africa, adding that Once these schedules are finalised, I will move as soon as possible."

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Many called it a lack of consideration for others.

Karoshi: Understanding Japans unforgiving working culture

Japan has had horrifying work culture experiences in the past. People have lost their lives after being at risk of karoshi, meaning death by overwork.

Twenty-four-year-old Matsuri Takahashi died by suicide on December 25, 2015. She jumped from her company dormitory. Takahashi was an employee at Dentsu Inc, Japans largest advertising agency.

Before her death, she posted several disturbing messages on her social media account, expressing her helplessness.

Its 4 am. My bodys trembling. Im going to die. Im so tired, and Im physically and emotionally shattered, she posted.

After her death, Tokyos Labour Standards Bureau found that Takahashi was consistently working over 100 hours of overtime in a single month, on her superiors instruction.

Her story triggered nationwide outrage, leading to the passage of the 2018 Workstyle Reform Act. It barred employees from working more than 45 hours of overtime in a single month.

First documented case of Karoshi in Japan

Thats not all, a 29-year-old man died in 1969 due to a stroke during his work hours in the delivery department of Japans largest newspaper.

The result of his tragic death was gruelling work conditions.

His untimely death became the first documented case of karoshi  a Japanese word meaning death by overwork.

However, it was far from being the last case.

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With inputs from agencies
It was arguably the most important day of their academic lives as lakhs of South Korean students appeared for the annual college entrance exam. Aspirants take the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), or suneung, on the Thursday of the third week in November to secure a spot at a top university in the country. Like every year, Korea came to a halt for these test-takers on this day

Students wait for the start of the annual college entrance exam, known locally as Suneung, at an exam hall in Seoulon November 13, 2025. AFP

South Korean students took the toughest exam of their lives today (November 13). Airplanes came to a halt and police were on standby to escort tardy students to the annual college entrance exam.

The College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) can steer the rest of their lives for these college hopefuls. The intense exam saw lakhs of students appear at thousands of centres across the country this year.

Lets take a closer look.

What is CSAT?

The CSAT, or suneung in Korean, is an annual exam that students undertake to secure spots at top universities. It is held on a Thursday in the third week of November.

According to The Korea JoongAng Daily, high schoolers in their third year or those with a high school diploma can take the CSAT.

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The eight-hour-long test consists of five subjects.

Applicants taking four subjects  Korean, mathematics, English, and Korean history  have to pay a testing fee of 37,000 won (Rs 2,240). Those appearing for five subjects, including an elective in science or social studies, have to shell out 42,000 won (Rs 2,543). Those who also take the second foreign language section must pay 47,000 won (Rs 2,846).

The CSAT is a culmination of gruelling preparations of at least three years, including more than 10 state-run mock tests.

A student (L) speaks to her relative as she arrives for the annual college entrance exam, known locally as Suneung, outside the Gwangnam High School in Seoul on November 13, 2025. AFP

How Korea prepares for CSAT

Seen as one of South Koreas most important academic events, the government goes all out to create a conducive environment for test-takers.

It grounds flights, halts military training, and deploys police officers en masse for traffic control.

Military and civilian flights across South Korea were grounded for 35 minutes from 1:05 pm local time (9:35 am IST) to 1:40 pm (10:10 am IST), as students took the listening section of the English exam.

During this period, only emergency flights are allowed to operate. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, aircraft already in the air must keep a minimum altitude of about 1  miles (2.4 km) until the restriction is lifted.

Flying drones and ultralight vehicles are also banned during this period.

As many as 140 flights, 65 domestic and 75 international, were rescheduled due to Koreas high-stakes exam.

Military aircraft were also grounded, while military operations were adjusted on the CSAT day. Defence drills, such as artillery fire and tank manoeuvres, were reportedly suspended.

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On Thursday, 10,475 police officers and 2,238 patrol cars were mobilised to manage traffic across the country. Any test-takers who run late can call 112 for free rides in police cars or on motorcycles to their exam venues, reported The Korea JoongAng Daily.

Those who arrive later than 8:10 am (4:40 am IST) are not allowed inside the venue and have to wait another year to take the test.

Stock markets, which usually open at 9 am (5:30 am IST), opened an hour later to ease traffic congestion in the morning.

In Seoul, the subway service was increased by 29 runs, mostly in the morning hours, to help students arrive on time at their test centres, reported The Korea Times.

The government also urged state-run agencies and institutions to begin their day by 10 am local time to ensure low traffic for test-takers.

ALSO READ: How Chinas tuition ban has led to mushrooming of illegal classes

Koreans take CSAT

The 2026 academic year CSAT was held in 85 testing districts across 1,310 testing sites nationwide.

A total of 554,174 applicants were to appear for the Thursday exam, a 31,504, or six per cent, jump from last year. This was the highest figure since 2018, The Korea Times reported, citing the education ministry. The number of test-takers has increased this year, as most applicants were born in 2007, the year of the auspicious Golden Pig, when the birth rate was unusually high.

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Of the total number of applicants this year, 67.1 per cent were high school seniors and 28.9 per cent were graduates.

The South Korean society puts intense pressure on students to excel in these exams, as an individuals social standing is equated with their universitys stature.

Parents, friends and even neighbours cheer the aspirants taking the annual college entrance exam. Many parents stay put at school gates, praying, while their children take the CSAT.

Collective prayers are organised at churches and temples across the country, with some daily sessions beginning 100 or 30 days before the exam.

South Korean Buddhists pray at the Bongeunsa Temple as students sit for the annual college entrance exam, known locally as Suneung, in Seoul on November 13, 2025. AFP

In Jeonju, some 200 km south of Seoul, an emotional mother, who watched her daughter enter a test centre, told The Korea Times, Im just thankful to my daughter that she studied for over 10 years to take this exam. I just want her to perform as usual without aiming too high.

The higher number of aspirants appearing for the college entrance exam has worried some parents, who fear increased competition this time.

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Speaking to CHOSUNBIZ, a parent surnamed Kang, standing outside the Yeouido Girls High School, said, Including repeat takers, I heard its the largest number in seven years. I should have avoided giving birth in the year of the golden pig.

Another parent said, There are so many kids that the competition rate will probably just be high.

For now, all they can do is wait for the official results. The exam answers will be announced at 5 pm (1:30 pm IST) on November 25, while report cards will be out on December 5.

With inputs from agencies
The United States has finally ended the longest government shutdown in history. But the mood in Washington is anything but triumphant. The Congressional Budget Office points at an estimated $11 billion in financial losses for a six-week shutdown. Beyond the numbers, the shutdown led to missed paychecks for many Americans causing financial and emotional stress

Passengers wait for their flight at Newark Liberty International Airport on November. Federal Aviation Administrator Bryan Bedford has announced that the FAA will be reducing flights by 10 per cent in 40 major airports around the country in an effort to keep airspace safe amid staffing shortages due to the government shutdown. File image/AFP

After weeks of political chaos, pay delays, and public frustration, the United States has finally ended the longest government shutdown in its history.

But the mood in Washington is anything but triumphant.

Democrats failed to secure the health care funding they were demanding, Republicans are facing political backlash, and millions of Americans are left dealing with the fallout, from unpaid federal workers to stranded airline passengers and overwhelmed food banks.

President Donald Trump signed the funding legislation on Wednesday, hours after the House approved it and two days after the Senate gave its nod. The temporary deal will keep the government running until the end of January, giving lawmakers just over two months to hammer out a broader spending plan.

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Heres a look at what triggered the shutdown, whos being blamed, and what comes next.

Why did the shutdown happen?

Democrats made several demands to win their support for a short-term funding bill, but the central one was an extension of an enhanced tax credit that lowers the cost of health coverage obtained through Affordable Care Act marketplaces.

The tax credit was boosted during the COVID-19 pandemic response, again through President Joe Bidens big energy and health care bill, and its set to expire at the end of December. Without it, premiums on average will more than double for millions of Americans. More than 2 million people would lose health insurance coverage altogether next year, the Congressional Budget Office projected.

Never have American families faced a situation where their health care costs are set to double  double in the blink of an eye, said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY.

Rep. Sarah McBride, D-Del, centre, joins House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., far left, and fellow Democrats as they advocate for improving the health care funding system, on the steps of the House before votes to end the government shutdown, at the Capitol in Washington. AP

While Democrats called for negotiations on the matter, Republicans said a funding bill would need to be passed first.

Republicans are ready to sit down with Democrats just as soon as they stop holding the government hostage to their partisan demands, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said.

Thune eventually promised Democrats a December vote on the tax credit extension to help resolve the standoff, but many Democrats demanded a guaranteed fix, not just a vote that is likely to fail.

Thunes position was much the same as the one Schumer took back in October 2013, when Republicans unsuccessfully sought to roll back parts of the Affordable Care Act in exchange for funding the government. Open up all of the government, and then we can have a fruitful discussion, Schumer said then.

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Pressure mounts on Democratic leaders

The first year of President Donald Trumps second term has seen more than 200,000 federal workers leave their jobs through firings, forced relocations or the Republican administrations deferred resignation program, according to the Partnership for Public Service.

Whole agencies that dont align with the administrations priorities have been dismantled. And billions of dollars previously approved by Congress have been frozen or cancelled.

Democrats have had to rely on the courts to block some of Trumps efforts, but they have been unable to do it through legislation. They were also powerless to stop Trumps big tax cut and immigration crackdown bill that Republicans helped pay for by cutting future spending on safety net programs such as Medicaid and SNAP, formerly known as food stamps.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., talks with reporters outside his office at the U.S. Capitol, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, in Washington. AP

The Democrats struggles to blunt the Trump administrations priorities have prompted calls for the partys congressional leadership to take a more forceful response.

Schumer experienced that firsthand after announcing in March that he would support moving ahead with a funding bill for the 2025 budget year. There was a protest at his office, calls from progressives that he be primaried in 2028 and suggestions that the Democratic Party would soon be looking for new leaders.

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This time around, Schumer demanded that Republicans negotiate with Democrats to get their votes on a spending bill. The Senate rules, he noted, require bipartisan support to meet the 60-vote threshold necessary to advance a spending bill.

But those negotiations did not occur, at least not with Schumer. Republicans instead worked with a small group of eight Democrats to tee up a short-term bill to fund the government generally at current levels and accused Schumer of catering to the partys left flank when he refused to go along.

The Senate Democrats are afraid that the radicals in their party will say that they caved, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said at one of his many daily press conferences.

The blame game

The political stakes in the shutdown are huge, which is why leaders in both parties have held nearly daily press briefings to shape public opinion.

Roughly 6 in 10 Americans say Trump and Republicans in Congress have a great deal or quite a bit of responsibility for the shutdown, while 54 per cent say the same about Democrats in Congress, according to the poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

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At least three-quarters of Americans believe each deserves at least a moderate share of blame, underscoring that no one was successfully evading responsibility.

Roughly 6 in 10 Americans say Trump and Republicans in Congress have a great deal or quite a bit of responsibility for the shutdown, while 54 per cent say the same about Democrats in Congress. AFP

Both parties looked to the November 4 elections in Virginia, New Jersey and elsewhere for signs of how the shutdown was influencing public opinion. Democrats took comfort in their overwhelming successes. Trump called it a big factor, negative for Republicans. But it did not change the GOPs stance on negotiating. Instead, Trump ramped up calls for Republicans to end the filibuster in the Senate, which would pretty much eliminate the need for the majority party to ever negotiate with the minority.

The real-world fallout

The Congressional Budget Office says that the negative impact on the economy will be mostly recovered once the shutdown ends, but not entirely. It estimated the permanent economic loss at about $11 billion for a six-week shutdown.

Beyond the numbers, though, the shutdown created a cascade of troubles for many Americans. Federal workers missed paychecks, causing financial and emotional stress. Travellers had their flights delayed and at times cancelled. People who rely on safety net programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program saw their benefits stopped, and Americans throughout the country lined up for meals at food banks.

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This dysfunction is damaging enough to our constituents and economy here at home, but it also sends a dangerous message to the watching world, said Senator Jerry Moran, R-Kan. It demonstrates to our allies that we are an unreliable partner, and it signals to our adversaries that we cant work together to meet even the most fundamental responsibilities of Congress.

With input from AP
Democratic lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee have published three email exchanges between Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell as well as with long-time Trump chronicler Michael Wolff. But what did the emails show? What do we know about the long, complicated relationship between the two men?

New revelations have come to light about the relationship between US President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein.

Epstein, the late disgraced financier, died in prison during Trumps first term in 2019. Authorities termed his death a suicide. Now, Democrats in the House of Representatives have released new emails tying Trump to Epstein. Many, including Trump ally Elon Musk, have long speculated that the US president is on the so-called Epstein list. The White House has claimed that the emails are a selective leak and an attempt to smear Trump.

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Trump has long maintained that he and Epstein had a falling out decades ago. The development comes as House Republicans are preparing next week to vote on releasing the Epstein files. But what do the new revelations show? What do we know about the long, complicated relationship between Trump and Epstein?

Lets take a closer look.

What new revelations show

Democratic lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee have published email exchanges between Epstein and his partner in crime Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving two decades in prison for sex trafficking young girls to wealthy and powerful individuals.

In April 2011, Epstein sent an email to Maxwell that read, I want you to realise that that dog that hasnt barked is Trump. Victim [name redacted] spent hours at my house with him, he has never once been mentioned, including by a police chief. To which Maxwell wrote back, Ive been thinking about that.

Though the Democrats had redacted the name of the victim in the emails, the unredacted version is available in the tranche released by the committee. The White House has since identified the individual as Virginia Giuffre, an Epstein accuser who died by suicide earlier this year.

The White House has claimed that Giuffre repeatedly said President Trump was not involved in any wrongdoing whatsoever and couldnt have been friendlier to her in their limited interactions.

They also published a number of emails between Epstein and author Michael Wolff, a long-time chronicler of Trump and author of Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House. Wolff, incidentally, is being sued by Melania Trump for a billion dollars for comments he allegedly made linking her to Epstein.

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The exchanges between Epstein and Wolff came as Trump was running for his first term as president. In 2015, Wolff alerted Epstein that CNN was planning to ask Trump about the nature of the relationship either on air or in scrum afterwards. To which Epstein replied, If we were able to craft an answer for him, what do you think it should be?

Prince Andrew is seen holding Virginia Giuffre by her waist, as Ghislaine Maxwell looks at the camera from behind them, at the London home of Maxwell on March 10, 2001. (Photo: AFP)

Wolff responded, I think you should let him hang himself. If he says he hasnt been on the plane or to the house, then that gives you valuable PR and political currency. You can hang him in a way that potentially generates a positive benefit for you, or, if it really looks like he could win, you could save him, generating a debt.

Of course, it is possible that, when asked, hell say Jeffrey is a great guy and has gotten a raw deal and is a victim of political correctness, which is to be outlawed in a Trump regime. Theres an opportunity to come forward this week and talk about Trump in such a way that could garner you great sympathy and help finish him. Interested? Wolff wrote.

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The email exchange between the two men appears to be an attempt by Epstein to come up with a satisfactory answer about the nature of their relationship.

The third email released was written in January 2019, when Trump was president.

It discusses Epstein and Mar-a-Lago, Trumps club and resort in Florida. Epstein wrote to Wolff that Trump said he asked me to resign and added that he was never a member ever of Mar-a-Lago. Of course he knew about the girls as he asked Ghislaine to stop, Epstein added.

This email raises questions as to how much Trump knew about the sex trafficking operation that Epstein and Maxwell were carrying out.

Long, complicated relationship

Trump, in interviews, has said that he first met Epstein during the 1980s.

Ive known Jeff for fifteen years. Terrific guy, Trump told New York Magazine in 2002. Hes a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it  Jeffrey enjoys his social life.

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Trump has claimed that he knew Epstein socially in Florida circles. Trump, of course, owns Mar-a-Lago, and Epstein had a mansion in the same area. Epstein was reportedly seen several times at Mar-a-Lago over the years.

Well, I knew him like everybody in Palm Beach knew him. I mean, people in Palm Beach knew him. He was a fixture in Palm Beach, Trump said in 2019 soon after Epsteins fall from grace.

The two men are said to have remained close over the years. Footage from 1992 from NBC shows Trump and Epstein at Mar-a-Lago talking as they watch women dance. Maxwell is also present on the scene. Trump, his first wife Marla Maples, and daughter Tiffany flew several times on Epsteins private jet during the 1990s.

People holds signs calling for the release of files regarding late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. File image/AFP

In 2003, Trump is said to have contributed to a book put together for Epsteins 50th birthday. Trump, in his personalised message to Epstein, wrote: Happy Birthdayand may every day be another wonderful secret and enigmas never age. Trump has insisted that he did not write the letter and has sued Rupert Murdochs Wall Street Journal and the two reporters who brought the story to light.

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The two men are believed to have fallen out in 2004 over a business deal.

The Washington Post reported that it involved the property by the ocean in Palm Beach called Maison de LAmitie. Things ended after Trump outbid Epstein for the property, with one source calling the tiff two very large Palm Beach egos going at it.

Trump, after becoming president, sought to distance himself from Epstein. He claimed that the two men fell out in the mid-2000s after Epstein tried to recruit people who worked for Trump. He took some of the people who worked for me, Trump said. Once he did that, that was the end of him.

Trump White House reels from Epstein backlash

The Trump administration has been receiving flak over Epstein ever since Attorney General Pam Bondi earlier this year announced that they would not release the files relating to the late financier. Even some Republicans and conservative influencers have been upset with the administration over its reluctance to release the Epstein files.

Trump, in July, seemed to turn on his own supporters, claiming weaklings who had bought into the Jeffrey Epstein hoax.

I dont want their support anymore! Trump announced, in a statement that turned heads.

Attorney General Pam Bondi and President Trump at a roundtable at the White House on June 5. AFP

The Wall Street Journal earlier this year reported that the US Justice Department had told Trump that his name was in the Epstein files. Democrats have claimed that the Trump administration is engaging in an active cover-up over the Epstein files. This came after the Justice Department sent attorney Todd Blanche to meet with Maxwell in prison. Maxwell has since been transferred to a lower-security facility in Florida.

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There are rumours that she is being given preferential treatment and may even be pardoned by Trump. There were reports that Trump and top members of his administration held a meeting in the Situation Room in the White House over the release of the Epstein files. Trump is said to have personally called two Republican members of the House  Lauren Boebert and Marjorie Taylor Greene  in an attempt to get their names removed from the discharge petition.

White House slams Democrats

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt claimed the Democrats had selectively leaked emails to the liberal media to create a fake narrative to smear President Trump.

Leavitt pointed out that the name of the redacted victim was Giuffre, whom she said repeatedly said President Trump was not involved in any wrongdoing whatsoever.

Trump kicked Jeffrey Epstein out of his club decades ago for being a creep to his female employees, including Giuffre, Leavitt added. These stories are nothing more than bad-faith efforts to distract from President Trumps historic accomplishments, and any American with common sense sees right through this hoax and clear distraction from the government opening back up again.

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These emails, Leavitt added, prove absolutely nothing other than the fact that President Trump did nothing wrong.

With inputs from agencies
Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganaia, from Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir, one of those arrested in connection with the Red Fort blast case, was an occupant of Room 13 in Al-Falah Medical College. Investigators suspect that the room was used by the Faridabad terror module to plan and coordinate attacks

Al-Falah University in Faridabad is increasingly under scrutiny following the Red Fort blast that left 13 people dead and 20 injured. The private university, situated less than 30 kilometres from Delhi, has become central to the investigation.

According to reports, Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganaia from Pulwama, one of the doctors arrested in connection with the blast, occupied Room 13 in the Al-Falah Medical College hostel. Investigators suspect that this room was used by the Faridabad-based terror module to plan and coordinate attacks.

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The university issued a statement on Wednesday distancing itself from the accused doctors, stating that it has no connection with them other than their employment, and rejecting reports that its premises were used to manufacture explosives. It described such claims as defamatory and false.

Inside Room 13

R oom 13, located in Building 17 on the Al-Falah University campus, is now believed to have served as an operations centre for planning terror activities. Investigators say that Dr Muzammil Ganaia, who hails from Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir, frequently used the room for meetings and coordination.

He was regularly visited by Dr Umar Nabi, also from Jammu and Kashmir, who has been identified as the driver of the car that exploded near the Red Fort on Monday night. The slow-moving vehicle burst into flames at the Subhash Marg traffic signal, igniting nearby cars and sending crowds into panic.

Dr Shaheen Shahid, from Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, was also a frequent visitor. All three doctors were employed by Al-Falah University.

Investigators have further identified Dr Adeel Ahmad Rather from Kulgam and Dr Nisar ul Hassan as being part of the same network. Ganaia, Shahid, and Adeel are now in custody, while Nisar remains missing. Dr Shaheen was allegedly tasked with setting up and leading the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) womens wing in India, under the banner of Jamaat-ul-Momineen.

Authorities believe that Room 13 was used to plan logistics and transport routes for ammonium nitrate, which the group intended to use for multiple blasts across the Delhi-NCR region.

Dr Umar U Nabi, the son of Gh. Nabi Bhat worked as a doctor at Al-Falah Medical College in Faridabad. Image source: News18

Building 17 was their command post. Room 13 became their planning base  they used it for meetings, coordination and possibly to store digital data and blueprints for their operation, said Haryana ACP (Crime) Varun Dahiya, as quoted by Hindustan Times. We are not ruling out more connections within the campus. Our suspicion is that others may have assisted them  even unknowingly.

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Students told reporters that Room 13 was always closed, unlike other hostel rooms.

We often saw unknown people entering late at night or early in the morning, one student said. No one ever spoke much, and the room always had visitors.

Evidence recovered

Room 13 has since been sealed by authorities. Several electronic devices, pen drives, diaries and notebooks have been seized  many filled with coded messages and repeated references to the word operation.

The notebooks contained names, numbers and dates between 8 and 12 November, along with references to individuals from Jammu and Kashmir, Faridabad, and other regions.

Forensic teams have lifted fingerprints, chemical residue and digital data from both Room 13 and the adjacent university laboratory. Officials suspect that chemicals smuggled from the lab were used to produce explosives by mixing ammonium nitrate with oxidisers.

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-Falah University. PTI

The college lab has been sealed and scanned. Forensic experts have collected samples of chemicals, glassware and beakers for testing, a senior officer told Hindustan Times. We are checking whether any experiments related to explosive compounds were conducted here.

Authorities had earlier seized 2,900 kilograms of explosives and bomb-making material, including around 350 kilograms of ammonium nitrate, from rented rooms in Faridabad allegedly linked to Dr Ganaia.

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Many at the university remain in disbelief.

Building 17 was the busiest hostel, but no one suspected that one of its rooms was being used for something like this, a resident doctor said. Muzammil was polite and quiet. He studied a lot, but there was always something different about him. He had few friends but many visitors.

About Al-Falah University

Founded in 2014 and recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in 2015, Al-Falah University is located in Dhauj, Faridabad, on a 70-acre campus. It operates a 650-bed charitable hospital  the Al-Falah School of Medical Sciences and Research Centre  and provides separate hostel facilities for male and female students.

Established by the Al-Falah Charitable Trust, the university serves a large number of students from Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. It holds an A grade accreditation from NAAC and was originally founded to support minority and rural education.

With inputs from agencies
Over 1,000 employees of the coffee chain are going on strike across dozens of cities in America. The development comes in the backdrop of Red Cup Day, an event Starbucks puts on every year in which it distributes free, reusable red cups. But why is this happening?

Starbucks employees participate in an open-ended strike, as part of a nationwide push for improved wages and benefits, in New York City. Reuters

Craving your daily cup of coffee? If youre in the United States, dont go to Starbucks.

Over 1,000 employees of the coffee chain are going on strike across dozens of cities in America. The development comes in the backdrop of Red Cup Day, an event Starbucks puts on every year in which it distributes free, reusable red cups.

For Starbucks, this is usually one of the biggest and busiest sales days. For employees, this is an opening salvo against an employer in which it has long complained about when it comes to staffing, benefits and better pay.

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But what happened? What do we know?

Lets take a closer look

What happened?

The strike will take place today (November 13) at 65 locations in 40 cities. The open-ended strike, which some have called the Red Cup Day Rebellion, comes after the employees union, Starbucks Workers United, gave the go ahead. The striking employees, who have joined the union, are pursuing their first ever labour contract with the coffee giant.

Starbucks has around 10,000 stores in the US as well as around 7,000 licensed locations at grocery stores and airports. However, just a fraction of these stores, around 550, and their employees have voted to unionise. The union has that 92 per cent of its members have voted to go ahead with the strike. Those who go on strike say they will picket outside the stores.

The union plans to rally at 4 pm local time in more than a dozen cities and warned the strike could become the largest and longest in the history of Starbucks. Stores in cities, including Seattle, New York, Philadelphia, Dallas, Austin and Portland, will join the work stoppage, it said.

The union has warned the strike could become the largest and longest in the history of Starbucks. Reuters

Were striking for a fair union contract, resolution of unfair labor practices and a better future at Starbucks, said Dachi Spoltore, a Starbucks barista from Pittsburgh who joined the strike. They have also sought support from those who patronise Starbucks regularly.

For every one barista on strike, dozens more allies and customers have pledged to honor the picket line and not buy Starbucks while were on strike.

Its more than just about wages. The union has filed over 1,000 complaints against Starbucks for unfair labor practices to the National Labor Relations Board. It says understaffing at Starbucks stores and rampant and that Starbucks is biggest violator of labor law in modern history.

Starbucks hits back

Starbucks has hit back. It says it offers pay equivalent to $30 (Rs 2661) per hour. The average minimum wage in the United States is at $7.50 (Rs 655) per hour.

Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol last month told CBS Mornings it has the best benefits and the best wages in the industry.

What their requests to date have been, has been unreasonable, Niccol said. Were willing to, you know, negotiate and have em come back to the table and find a solution.

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It has also claimed that it receives, on average, over a million applications per year. The facts show people like working at Starbucks, Jaci Anderson, Starbucks director of global communications, told Forbes.

However, the union members point out that many workers dont even meet the minimum of 20 hours per week needed to qualify for benefits. The union has vowed to escalate the matter if Starbucks refuses to resolve unfair labor practice charges.

If Starbucks keeps stonewalling a fair contract and refusing to end union-busting, theyll see their business grind to a halt, Michelle Eisen, Starbucks Workers United spokesperson and 15-year barista was quoted as saying. No contract, no coffee is more than a taglineits a pledge to interrupt Starbucks operations and profits until a fair union contract and an end to unfair labor practices are won.

Starbucks says it offers pay equivalent to $30 per hour. Reuters

The strike comes as Niccol has shuts hundreds of underperforming stores, including the unionised flagship Seattle location, this year while trimming corporate roles to control costs. Niccol has stressed on improving service times and in-store experience in the US to revive demand for beverages as sales remain flat or negative for the past seven quarters.

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The union in April had voted to reject a Starbucks proposal that guaranteed annual raises of at least two per cent, which the union said did not offer changes to economic benefits such as healthcare, or an immediate pay hike. In 2024, talks between the union and Starbucks broke down, after which workers went on strike during the key holiday period in December.

Both sides had then blamed each other for ending talks, but said they are ready to return to negotiations. This would be the third such strike by Starbucks employees over the past year.

Starbucks has remained unmoved. The chain has said it has witnessed minimal impact from the walkouts with less than 1 per cent of its stores seeing any level of disruption. It says it is focusing on its Red Cup Day. Starbucks in a press release said that it is looking to give away more cups than ever before.

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Red Cup Day is a beloved tradition for Starbucks customers, it said. This year, were giving away more cups than ever before. Well also have more baristas in our cafes to welcome customers and ensure a great experience for everyone. This is all part of providing the very best Green Apron Service and celebrating the holidays with our customers.

With input from agencies
Investigative agencies are currently ascertaining whether Nabi made contact with anyone after he left the car briefly. There is no clarity on the particular mosque Nabi was spotted around, or whether he visited the said mosque

People stand next to barricades near the site of the car explosion, in front of the historic Red Fort in the old quarters of Delhi. Reuters

Dr Umar Nabi, the prime suspect in the Delhi blast case, stepped out of the Hyundai i20 car near a mosque in the capital hours before the explosion near Red Fort on November 10, CCTV footage has shown.

According to News18, investigative agencies are currently ascertaining whether Nabi made contact with anyone after he left the car briefly. There is no clarity on the particular mosque Nabi was spotted around, or whether he visited the said mosque.

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DNA test confirms Nabi as bomber

The DNA test of samples collected from the Red Fort blast site has confirmed that Dr Umar Nabi was driving the car that exploded there early this week, police sources told PTI on Thursday.

The DNA samples of Umars mother were collected on Tuesday and sent here for examination, the sources said, adding that they were analysed along with the remains gathered from the blast site.

The DNA results confirm that it was indeed Umar who was driving the fateful vehicle, said a source. Umar was a key member of a white collar terror module busted earlier this week. He hails from Koil village in Jammu and Kashmirs Pulwama.

Who is Umar?

Dr Umar U. Nabi, the son of Gh. Nabi Bhat worked as a doctor at Al-Falah Medical College in Faridabad. His mother, Shamima Banoo, is originally from Koil in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir. Born on February 24, 1989, Dr Umar was said to be a close associate of Dr Adeel, another suspect currently under investigation as part of the ongoing terror network probe.

Sources revealed that Umars father, a government school teacher suffering from mental health issues, left his job nearly 1015 years ago. The family includes two brothers and an elder sister; the sister and one brother are married, while the other brother remains unmarried. Police have detained both brothers and their mother for questioning.

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Officials suspect that Dr Umar was among a network of medical professionals who were radicalised via encrypted Telegram channels, forming what investigators describe as the Faridabad module. He earned his MD in Medicine from Government Medical College, Srinagar, served as a senior resident at GMC Anantnag, and later relocated to Delhi. At the time of the blast, he held the position of Assistant Professor at Al-Falah Medical College in Faridabad.
Three days after the devastating blast rocked Indias capital, Delhi, the authorities have found the Maruti Brezza, reportedly used by doctors to orchestrate the explosion near Red Fort

Three days after the devastating blast rocked Indias capital, Delhi, the authorities have found the Maruti Brezza, reportedly used by doctors to orchestrate the explosion near Red Fort. According to PTI, the vehicle was recovered from the premises of Al-Falah University, officials said.

According to the police, the Brezza was registered in the name of Dr Shaheen, one of the suspects under investigation in connection with the case. Multiple security agencies were on the lookout for a third car believed to be linked to the tragic attack.

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While a white Hyundai i20 exploded near Red Fort on Monday evening, killing 12 people and injuring 30 others, investigators later traced a second vehicle  a red Ford EcoSport  to Faridabad.

The terror module was planning to target during Republic Day

According to PTI, key members of a white-collar terror module had plans to target the Red Fort on Republic Day this year as part of their larger conspiracy to hit important installations in the national capital. During the investigation, it was found that key suspects, Dr Umar Nabi, who was driving the Hyundai i20 car that exploded near Red Fort on Monday, and Dr Muzammil Ganaie, who was arrested after police busted the terror module centred in Faridabad, had travelled to Turkey, where their handlers are suspected to be based.

These handlers were reportedly in contact with Nabi and other members of the doctor module, the officials told PTI. The passports of Nabi and Ganaie show travel to the country shortly after they joined certain Telegram groups. A handler instructed the doctor module to disperse across India, with target locations selected after the Turkey visit, the officials said.

During the investigation on Monday, 360 kilograms of ammonium nitrate were recovered from Faridabad, where Dr Ganaie and Dr Shaheen Sayeed, both connected to Al-Falah University, were arrested. Officials said that the forensics team found the cartridges while inspecting the spot. Further investigation is underway to determine the nature of the explosives and how they were used in the blast.

With inputs from PTI.
In the first official statement, the government has called Delhis Red Fort blast a terrorist incident perpetrated by anti-national forces.

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)

In the first official statement, the Government of India on Wednesday evening called Delhis Red Fort blast a terrorist incident.

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi dubbed the blast a heinous terror incident perpetrated by anti-national forces.

The Cabinet reiterates Indias unwavering commitment to a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, the statement said.

ALSO READ: Jaish posters in Kashmir led agencies to Faridabad terror module  suspected for Delhi blast

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The death toll in the blast has risen to 13 as another person has succumbed to injuries. Several others currently remain under treatment.

A slow-moving vehicle on Monday stopped at a traffic light near Red Fort Metro Station at around 6:52 pm and exploded, damaging nearby vehicles and people in the vicinity.

The person driving the vehicle has been identified as Umar Un Nabi, a doctor linked to the 'white collar' terrorist module busted in a counterterrorism operation stretching from Jammu and Kashmir to Haryana to Uttar Pradesh.

A DNA test has confirmed that the man who carried out the blast near Red Fort was Dr Umar Un Nabi. After the blast, his leg was stuck between the steering wheel and accelerator. His DNA sample matched with his mother, the Delhi Police said in a statement on Thursday.

Initially, the Delhi Police had begun investigating the case an act of terror by registering a case under terrorism-related sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967. Later, the Centre handed the case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

In the white terrorist modules case, the investigation began last month when Jaish-e-Mohammeds (JeM) posters appeared in Bunpora, Nowgam, and Srinagar in J&K that threatened and intimidated police and security forces. The subsequent police investigation led investigators on the trail that led to the arrest of seven people, including Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie in Haryanas Faridabad, and recovery of around 2,900 kilograms of explosives.

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It is understood that Umar, who was driving the car when it exploded, had escaped while his associates were nabbed at Faridabad.
Ammonium nitrate, which was recovered from the white collar module linked to Delhis Red Fort blast, is deemed a special category explosive in India. Its manufacturing, sale, and transportation is highly regulated. It has been used in bombs across the world.

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)

Ammonium nitrate, which was recovered from the white collar terrorist module linked to Delhis Red Fort blast, is deemed a special category explosive in India. Its manufacturing, sale, and transportation is highly regulated. It has been used in bombs across the world.

During an interstate counterterrorism operation stretching from J&K to Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, the authorities recovered 2,900 kilograms of suspected ammonium nitrate and bombmaking material in Haryanas Faridabad  just days before the Red Fort blast.

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The person who was driving the car that exploded near Red Fort, Umar Un Nabi, is believed to have been a member of the same module  the arrest of a member of the module, Muzammil, was part of raids that led to the recovery of ammonium nitrate. It is understood that Umar escaped while his associate was nabbed.

ALSO READ:

On Monday, the car stopped at a traffic stop near Red Fort Metro Station and exploded, killing at least 13 people and injuring many. The authorities are treating it as a terrorist incident and the case is being investigated by National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Ammonium nitrates highly regulated world

Ammonium nitrate is a white, odourless crystalline chemical compound. It is produced from a highly exothermic reaction between ammonia and nitric acid.

Ammonium nitrate is a dual use chemical, which means that it has applications in everyday lives from agriculture to healthcare, but it can also be turned into deadly explosives  and terrorists have repeatedly done that over the years. Such a nature means that it remains highly regulated.

In India, ammonium nitrate is governed by Ammonium Nitrate Rules, 2012, which are made under the Explosives Act, 1884. It has been classified as special category explosive. Certain aspects of ammonium nitrate are also governed by the Industries (Development and Regulation) Act (IDR), 1951.

Under the IDR act, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DIPP) provides industrial licences for the manufacture of ammonium nitrate. Separately, Petroleum & Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) provides licences for the manufacturing, conversion, loading-unloading, bagging, import, export, transport, and possession for sale or use of ammonium nitrate is issued.

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Here are the complete rules related to ammonium nitrate in India:

As for local storage in a warehouse, the licences are provided by district magistrates.

The license-holder is required to maintain the accounts and receipts. They are required to submit a monthly account of the ammonium nitrate received, used, destroyed, and stolen every month.

Ammonium nitrate in bombmaking

Pure ammonium nitrate is relatively stable and difficult to detonate normally and requires temperature of around 204*C or primary explosive initiator to trigger a blast. But ammonium nitrate can be a deadly explosive when mixed with fuel sources.

When mixed with fuel oil, something known as ammonium nitrate fuel oil (Anfo) is created. This is a very effective explosive and is one of the most widely used explosives in mining. It has also been used frequently by terrorists in India and abroad.

In India, the most recent notable usage of Anfo was in the Pulwama attack when it was used along with RDX. Jaish-e-Mohammed the same terrorist group the white collar module is linked with claimed responsibility for the attack.

ALSO READ: DNA test confirms Dr Umar Nabi was man behind Delhi blast. Why this is significant

Previously, Indian Mujahideen (IM) had used Anfo in several of its bombings, such as the Mumbai train bombings of 2006 in which 189 people were killed and over 800 were injured. Hundreds of people were killed in IMs urban bombing campaign in India that continued for years.

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Abroad, the Oklahoma City bombing of 1995 remains the most notable case of ammonium nitrates usage. Two right wing extremists Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols detonated around 2,200 kg of ammonium nitrate fertilizer mixed with nitromethane and diesel fuel and killed 168 people and injured around 850.
The death toll in Delhis Red Fort blast rose to 13 today after a person undergoing treatment at a hospital succumbed to injuries.

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)

The death toll in Delhis Red Fort blast on Thursday rose to 13 as a person undergoing treatment at a hospital succumbed to injuries.

The person, who has been identified as Bilal, succumbed to his injuries at Delhis Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital.

The information about Bilals death was received from the hospital early on Thursday morning, the Delhi Police told PTI.

Officials said the post-mortem examination will be conducted later in the day.

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ALSO READ: Jaish posters in Kashmir led agencies to Faridabad terror module  suspected for Delhi blast

Several persons injured in the blast still remain in the hospital.

In the first official statement, the Centre on Wednesday dubbed the blast a heinous terror incident perpetrated by anti-national forces.

A slow-moving vehicle on Monday stopped at a traffic light near Red Fort Metro Station at around 6:52 pm and exploded. The blast hit vehicles and people in the vicinity. The person driving the vehicle has been identified as Umar Un Nabi.

A DNA test has confirmed that the man who carried out the blast near Red Fort was Dr Umar Un Nabi. After the blast, his leg was stuck between the steering wheel and accelerator. His DNA sample matched with his mother, the Delhi Police said in a statement on Thursday.

Umar has been linked to a 'white collar' terrorist module busted in a counterterrorism operation stretching from Jammu and Kashmir to Haryana to Uttar Pradesh.

In the white terrorist modules case, the investigation began last month when Jaish-e-Mohammeds (JeM) posters appeared in Bunpora, Nowgam, and Srinagar in J&K that threatened and intimidated police and security forces. The investigation led to the arrest of at least seven people, including Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie in Haryanas Faridabad, and recovery of around 2,900 kilograms of explosives.

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It is understood that Umar, who was driving the car when it exploded, had escaped while his associates including Muzammil were nabbed at Faridabad.
The Jaish-e-Mohammed posters appeared along the streets of Nowgam-Bunpora in Srinagar, warning security officials of dire consequences. While they were mostly ignored by residents of the area, SSP Chakravarthy saw a deeper plot in them

The Jammu and Kashmir police conducted raids in over 300 locations in Kulgam district on Wednesday. File image/PTI

GV Sudeep Chakravarthy, a doctor-turned-police officers intuition about incriminating posters across Srinagar, led to the largest bust of a terror module that had its reach throughout the country.

The Jaish-e-Mohammed posters appeared along the streets of Nowgam-Bunpora in Srinagar, warning security officials of dire consequences. While they were mostly ignored by residents of the area, SSP Chakravarthy saw a deeper plot in them.

What actions did he take?

By dawn, a case had been registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Explosive Substances Act, and the Arms Act at the Nowgam police station. A frame-by-frame review of CCTV footage identified three men, who were subsequently detained. Their interrogation pointed to one name, Moulvi Irfan Ahmad of Shopian, who had been leading prayers at the Nowgam mosque since 2020.

The preachers home was then searched thoroughly, while another resident was being examined simultaneously. Ahmads digital footprints pointed the police to a much larger terror network that expanded beyond Jammu and Kashmir.

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A police team was quickly dispatched, and in a coordinated follow-up operation, authorities took into custody Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie, a Pulwama native working at a medical college in Faridabad, for his alleged links to the Jaish network. What began as a routine probe into wall posters soon uncovered a sophisticated, cross-state white-collar module.

Who is SSP Chakravarthy?

For all his credit for unravelling a terror network, Chakravarthys professional career is a decorated one. Born in Kallur in Andhra Pradeshs Kurnool, he is from the 2014 batch of IPS officers.

The son of retired government medical officer Dr G. V. Rama Gopal Rao and health department official P. C. Rangamma, he earned his medical degree from Kurnool Medical College in 2010. After a brief stint practising medicine there, he joined the police force.

On August 14, he received his sixth Presidents Police Medal for Gallantry in recognition of his role in multiple anti-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir. He assumed charge as Srinagars Senior Superintendent of Police on April 21 this year.

The wall-poster probe has since become one of his most complex investigations  one that allegedly peeled back layers of radicalisation and exposed an unlikely nexus linking a cleric, medical professionals, and militant networks.
On Wednesday, the Indian forces operationalised their new Nyoma airbase near the frontier with China, seen as a major booster shot for the countrys military capabilities in Eastern Ladakh.

The airfield, one of the highest in the world at 13,710 feet, is upgraded at an estimated Rs 230 crore. X

On Wednesday, the Indian forces operationalised their new Nyoma airbase near the frontier with China, seen as a major booster shot for the countrys military capabilities in Eastern Ladakh. The airbase has been activated at a time when an Army exercise called Poorvi Prachand Prahar is underway in Arunachal Pradesh.

Military experts believe that developments on both sides of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) reflect Indias military readiness along the China border. There is an ongoing reset in bilateral diplomatic ties. Military CBMs are also being progressively strengthened, but the trust deficit on the ground remains high, a senior officer told The Times of India.

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With no de-escalation along LAC, troops will continue to be forward deployed for the 6th successive winter since multiple Chinese incursions into eastern Ladakh in April-May 2020, he added. It is pertient to note that the Nyoma airbase underwent a Rs 230 crore upgrade recently.

Not only this, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal A P Singh himself flew a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from Hindon on the outskirts of Delhi to the Mudh airfield at Nyoma, among the worlds highest at an altitude of 13,710 feet, to formally inaugurate the strategically located airbase. During the inaugural flight, he was accompanied by Western Air Command chief Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra.

About the Nyoma airbase

The airbase is located just 35 km from the LAC and has undergone an upgrade, which included extending the original airstrip into a 2.7-km rigid pavement runway, a new ATC complex, hangars, a crash bay and accommodation, according to TOI.

The Mudh airfield is now fully capable of handling and sustaining operations by heavy-lift transport planes and fighter jets from both directions. It is primarily expected to help quickly rush troops, weapons and supplies to areas such as Pangong Tso, Demchok and Depsang in eastern Ladakh. According to TOI, the airfield will also be available for fighter operations by early 2026, though high altitude will be a limiting factor.

On the other side of the border, China has assiduously upgraded all its airbases facing India over the last five years to offset the terrain constraints due to high-altitude and rarefied air. Beijing now has additional fighters, including advanced J-20 stealth fighters, as well as bombers, reconnaissance aircraft and drones deployed at its airfields like Hotan, Kashgar, Gargunsa, Shigatse, Bangda, Nyingchi and Hoping.

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Apart from this, China has also built many new heliports all along the LAC. When it comes to the Poorvi Prachand Prahar exercise in the high-altitude terrain of Mechuka and other areas of Arunachal Pradesh, thousands of soldiers from the 3 Spear Corps of the Indian Army have been deployed, TOI reported. As per the report, the exercise aims at validating rapid mobilisation, operational logistics and precision-strike capabilities.

The right force must reach the right place at the right time during conflicts, an officer said. Nyoma will be another operational base for the IAF in Ladakh after Leh, Kargil and Thoise airfields and the Daulat Beg Oldie ALG (advanced landing ground). Apart from this, India has also progressively upgraded the infrastructure at ALGs like Pasighat, Mechuka, Walong, Tuting, Along and Ziro in Arunachal Pradesh.
Under the Export Promotion Mission, priority assistance will be directed toward sectors hit hardest by global tariff hikes, including textiles, leather, gems and jewellery, engineering goods, and marine products

Garment workers cut fabric to make shirts at a textile factory of Texport Industries in Hindupur town in Andhra Pradesh, February 9, 2022. File Photo/Reuters

The Union Cabinet has approved additional credit facilities worth up to Rs 20,000 crore for exporters and cleared a six-year Export Promotion Mission (EPM) with a total outlay of Rs 25,060 crore, as announced in this years Union Budget.

The decisions come amid mounting pressure on Indias outbound trade following steep US tariffs, which have begun to weigh on export performance. Shipments to the US fell 12 per cent in September, according to official data, while exports of engineering goods, which account for nearly a quarter of Indias total merchandise exports, declined 9.4 per cent during the same period.

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Firstposts Madhur Sharma had reported in August that the Narendra Modi government was considering floating a support package for exporters to make up for their losses from American tariffs.

While many labour-intensive sectors are set to be affected from tariffs, the most vulnerable sectors are expected to be marine products like shrimps, edibles, and textiles. Notably, textile is the largest employer in the country after agriculture.

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Firstpost had reported at the time that any support package will be part of a broader set of decisions like new subsidies, easing access to credit, and easing the regulatory and compliance scenario to minimise expenses and promote diversified exports.

Fifty per cent tariffs imposed by the US took effect on August 27. Following the China-US trade deal, India now faces some of the highest tariffs globally.

How will it help?

Under the Export Promotion Mission, priority assistance will be directed toward sectors hit hardest by global tariff hikes, including textiles, leather, gems and jewellery, engineering goods, and marine products, according to a report by the Indian Express.

A statement issued by the Cabinet says that these interventions aim to sustain export orders, safeguard jobs, and promote diversification into new markets.

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The scheme is focused on the availability of credit and reducing the cost of credit, and focuses on MSME exporters so that they can expand to newer export markets, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said during a post-Cabinet press briefing.

Vaishnaw added that the mission would also support exporters in addressing non-tariff barriers such as stringent technical standards, compliance requirements, and certification costs, which have become increasingly burdensome in several markets.

The mission will also help meet the costs that exporters face to tackle non-tariff barriers such as compliance with standards, technical measures as well as certifications. The mission also has an element of market acquisition that will help with the cost of MSMEs to exhibit their goods in international exhibitions, he said, noting that logistics, branding, and packaging expenses will also be covered.

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The Cabinet statement described the mission as a comprehensive, flexible, and digitally driven framework for export promotion, spanning FY 202526 to FY 203031. It will consolidate key export support initiatives, including the Interest Equalisation Scheme and the Market Access Initiative, and align them with contemporary global trade needs.

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What are some other measures?

In addition, the Cabinet approved the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters (CGSE), which will offer 100 per cent coverage by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC) to member lending institutions for extending collateral-free credit up to Rs 20,000 crore to eligible exporters, including MSMEs.

According to the government, the CGSE will enhance the global competitiveness of Indian exporters, strengthen liquidity, and ensure smoother business operations by providing easier access to credit.

The US tariff hike has dealt a particularly heavy blow to Indias textile and apparel sector. The US, Indias largest export destination for these products, accounts for about 28 per cent of the industrys total revenue.

Indias textile and apparel exports to the US were valued at nearly $11 billion in 202425. According to an analysis by the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), textile exports to the US dropped 10.45 per cent year-on-year in September 2025, while apparel exports fell 10.14 per cent during the same month. Overall, combined exports of textiles and apparel declined 10.34 per cent compared with September 2024, CITI said.

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Delhi blast LIVE updates: The probe into the Delhi blast has entered its third day, with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) spearheading the investigation

Policemen stand guard 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)

Delhi blast updates: Dr Umar Mohammad, also known as Dr Umar Un Nabi and identified as the mastermind behind the Delhi blast, was reportedly in contact with a Turkey-based handler codenamed 'Ukasa'.

On Monday evening, a massive explosion shook Delhi when a slow-moving Hyundai i20 detonated at 6:52 pm near the Red Fort, killing 13 people and injuring nearly a dozen. Ground footage showed mangled vehicles and bodies at the scene.

The investigation, now in its third day, is being led by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Authorities have taken three doctors from Faridabads Al-Falah University, where Dr Umar Mohammad was employed, into custody.

Investigators are also tracing the purchase and sale of the Hyundai i20 used in the blast, tracking its movements leading up to the explosion.

Here are some helpline numbers:

LNJP Hospital (most injured admitted): 011-23233400

Emergency: 011-23239249

AIIMS Trauma Center: 011-26594405

Delhi Police Emergency: 112

Delhi Police Control Room: 011-22910010 / 011-22910011

Blast near Delhis Red Fort  Follow Firstpost for all the latest developments.

Delhi blast updates

Delhi blast updates
The terrorists core team behind the Red Fort attack had originally planned to carry out a Pulwama-type bombing in Kashmir, but the remaining terrorist changed their plan to strike Delhi after fellow terrorists were arrested, sources have said.

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)

Terrorists behind Delhis Red Fort blast had originally wanted to carry out a Pulwama-type attack in Jammu and Kashmir but the arrest of associates forced the change of plans to carry out an attack in Delhi, sources have told CNN-News 18.

On Monday, a slow-moving car exploded at a traffic signal near Red Fort Metro Station in the evening. The blast killed 13 people and injured many. Investigators have linked the blast to a white collar module that the Jammu and Kashmir Police was after that stretched from J&K to Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

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Follow our live coverage of Delhis Red Fort blast

J&K Police sources told CNN-News 18 that the core team behind the Red Fort blast comprised five people: Umar, the person driving the car at the time of explosion; cleric Irfan; Adeel Rather and Muzammil Shakeel, who are both doctors; and Shaheen Sayeed, a woman believed to be Muzammils girlfriend.

The woman financed Muzammil as she was his girlfriend, but we are still not sure how involved she was. Apart from this, there are two people who seem to be important. These are Adeels brother, Muzaffar, who has fled to Afghanistan; and Aamir, who bought the car, a source said.

The source said that Muzammils arrest in Haryanas Faridabad foiled the teams plan to carry out the attack in J&K.

We have also learnt that they wanted to execute the plan in Kashmir with the help of an explosives-laden car and fuel oil. Exactly like what happened in Pulwama. But Muzammils arrest ruined their plans, and Umar, in haste, targeted Red Fort, the source said.

ALSO READ: Jaish posters in Kashmir led agencies to Faridabad terror module  suspected for Delhi blast

In the Pulwama attack in 2019, a suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden car into a CRPF convoy and killed 40 personnel. It was the deadliest attack on soldiers in J&K in decades.

The Pulwama attack led to India bombing a Jaish-e-Mohammed the group that claimed responsibility for the attack facility in Pakistans Balakot later that month. Pakistan also attacked India the next day and the two countries air forces fought battles in the air.

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Crackdown led to change of plans

Before the core team could go ahead with their plan for strikes in J&K, Muzammil and others were arrested.

Just hours ahead of the Red Fort blast, the J&K Police had announced that three members of the core team Muzammil, Adeel, and Irfan had been arrested.

In addition to their arrests, the police announced the recovery of around 2,900 kilograms of explosives and bombmaking material, including explosives, chemicals, reagents, inflammable material, electronic circuits, batteries, wires, remote controls, timers, and metal sheets.

The explosives were recovered in Haryana's Faridabad where Muzammil, Adeel, and Umar lived.

As per sources quoted above, it was this crackdown that forced Umar the only member of the core team at large to change plans and carry out an attack in Delhi in haste.

Sources also told CNN-News 18 about the foreign hand in the plot.

They said that at least three foreigners were involved in the plot, including one Ukasa and one Hashim.

Of them, Ukasa and an unnamed third person are believed to be Kashmiris but they claim to be in Afghanistan, sources said.

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They said that Muzammil, Muzaffar, and Umar were provided accomodation by Ukasa when the trio went to Turkey in 2022.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), police identified the arrested men as Shabir Najar and Shabir Mir.

Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday said two hybrid terrorists were arrested during a joint operation with security forces in the Moominabad area of Sopore.

According to police, the arrests took place when two individuals approaching from Fruit Mandi Sopore toward Ahat Baba Crossing tried to flee after spotting security personnel. The joint team immediately chased and detained them on the spot.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), police identified the arrested men as Shabir Najar and Shabir Mir.

2 hybrid #terrorists Shabir Najar & Shabir Mir arrested during a joint operation launched by Police and SFs in Moominabad #Sopore. Incriminating materials, arms & ammunition recovered. Investigation going on, Kasjmir Zone Police posted on X.

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02 hybrid #terrorists Shabir Najar & Shabir Mir arrested during a joint operation launched by Police and SFs in Moominabad #Sopore. Incriminating materials, arms & ammunition recovered. Investigation going on.@JmuKmrPolice pic.twitter.com/0FhYN1Kxfl  Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) November 13, 2025

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The New Delhi blast and the Faridabad terror module indicate an uncomfortable time for India in terms of internal stability and regional security matrix. The Indian leadership must weigh its options.

A police personnel inspects charred vehicles at the blast site after an explosion near the Red Fort in the old quarters of Delhi on November 10, 2025. AFP

The blast near Red Fort on Monday during the rush hour in old Delhi has shattered the sense of calm and introduced insecurity in the minds of a generation that has grown up without having to look for an abandoned suitcase or an unclaimed bag lying innocuously in a public place. We dont quite understand the value of that reassurance until its taken away.

Terror is no longer a distant threat festering in the mountains and valleys of Kashmir. The high-intensity explosion in a crowded neighbourhood in Indias capital has brought home the reality of Indias security challenges in a tough neighbourhood.

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But it isnt just the enemy at the gates. Its also the enemy within. The busting of the Faridabad terror module and the blast itself involving highly qualified medical practitioners, doctors who have taken the sacred Hippocratic Oath to heal, not to kill, points to the doctrinal link between violence and ideology that no amount of education or metronomic existence may address or cure.

We can either confront the reality that fundamentalist interpretations are a theologically congruous expression of Islamism that eventually leads to such an outcome or pretend that the problem doesnt exist and look for duplicitous narratives that victim-shame Hindus for pointing out the obvious or justify terror through sheer intellectual debauchery.

It is an old affliction that eats away at the heart of the body politic, protected by a self-harming political correctness of the lily-livered elites and the conspiracy of silence from fellow Muslims. How many of those who were raising their voice for Palestine are condemning the terror attack in New Delhi without equivocation? Voices such as Arshia Malik are exceptionally rare.

No, you sick soul, we need accountability not white washing the terror, intellectualising the violence and virtue signalling with a token comment about Islamic radicalism and hijack of the "Noble" religion.



We need a mass protest by secular, liberal, so-called moderate, lapsed, pic.twitter.com/LyWV5AhTMr  Arshia Malik (@arshiaunis) November 12, 2025

What an incident like this does, however, is erode the collective sense of safety, forcing people to look over their shoulders. Next time you slow down near the red light at rush hour traffic, that anxiety may keep gnawing at the back of your head.

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It matters that the deadliest blast in Indias capital happened 14 years ago in 2011 when 15 people were killed and 100 injured when a briefcase exploded at the gates of a local court. It is a testament to the strength of Indias intelligence apparatus and a capable counter-terrorism infrastructure that terror incidents  especially of the Islamist radicalism kind  that were almost normalised in the two eventful decades of 1990s and the turn of the millennium have become rarer.

Success, not a failure

Since January 2025, Indias security agencies have foiled at least 13 terror plots and eight possible incidents in the last 30 days. So, my first point is a counterintuitive one. Losing even one life is one too many, and we have lost several along with the shattering of the sense of security, but the New Delhi blast is a measure of Indian security agencies success. By all indications, it was accidental, and aggressive pursuit of the terror module has helped us avoid a much, much bigger tragedy.

I say this primarily because ongoing investigation reveals that the suspected perpetrator of the New Delhi blast, a Pulwama-based doctor named Umar Mohammad (alias Umar Nabi), panicked when the Faridabad raids began and his co-conspirators were caught and while commuting, he either accidentally detonated a bomb that wasnt fully equipped with lethal capabilities such as shrapnel or metal balls, or prematurely detonated the explosive without getting the requisite time to target strategic locations.

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The full gamut of the details is yet to be revealed, but the information that has trickled onto the public domain indicates a massive plot involving sophisticated weaponry and nearly 2,900 kg of explosives and IED-making materials amassed by doctors Muzammil Ahmad Ganai, Adil Ahmad Rather and Shaheen Shahid.

These suspects, by dint of their roles as academic professionals and medical practitioners, allegedly exploited encrypted channels for communication, indoctrination, funds disbursal and logistics for a complex, multi-city operation that planned to target, according to media reports, multiple landmarks in central Delhi, including Red Fort, India Gate, Constitution Club, and the Gauri Shankar Temple. Investigators believe over 200 IEDs were being prepared for use not only in Delhi but also in Gurugram and Faridabad.

Investigators believe the network, an inter-state and transnational terror module reportedly associated with proscribed organisations Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH)  an offshoot of Al-Qaeda  was in touch with handlers in Pakistan and other countries, and the fundraising was done through professional and even academic networks under the pretext of social, educational, and charitable causes.

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Put simply, if their plan was successfully executed, we would have suffered possibly one of the worst terror attacks on Indian soil surpassing the tragedy of 26/11 attacks. That ultimately it did not take place owes in no small measure to effective intelligence gathering and timely inter-agency coordination between the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Haryana Police, the Uttar Pradesh Police, and central intelligence agencies such as Intelligence Bureau and the National Investigation Agency.

Along with the dismantling of the terror module, latest media reports note that Jammu and Kashmir police are conducting a comprehensive counter-terror sweep across Kashmir, raiding 200 locations in Kulgam, over 30 in Sopore, and multiple locations in Ganderbal and Awantipora, apart from 400 cordon and search operations. They have rounded up over 500 individuals for questioning.

The ever-present threat of terror

It leads to my second point that despite advancement in Indias counterterrorism capabilities and better inter-agency cooperation, the threat of terror looms large, and the agencies are locked in a cat and mouse game of identifying and neutralizing plots before execution. According to data from South Asia Terrorist Portal (SATP) updated till April 2025, from December 2024 onwards, Pakistan army and ISI activated their entire terror machinery across the length and breadth of Kashmir Valley from Gurez, Uri and Keran sectors in Valley to Bhimber Gali, Poonch, Krishna Ghati and Samba in Jammu.

Altogether over 167 terrorists were present in launch pads across the border, armed and ready to enter. In January, February and March too, over 120 terrorists each were present across the border, and they had orders to carry out regular shooting incidents, BAT attacks and IED blasts.

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To meet this challenge, and its proliferation into white collar avenues involving educated professionals who exploit institutional support, Indian security agencies must rely on constant evolution and technological innovation leading to incorporation of AI-driven data analytics, risk assessment tools, social media analysis, facial recognition, and algorithms to sift through terabytes of surveillance and financial transaction data.

The number of educated professionals involved in the Faridabad plot or the ricin poison terror plot busted by Gujarat ATS  a lethal biochemical weapon that was being readied to be used in a mass scale attack  point to terror thriving in urban, educated spaces. It calls for a fundamentally different approach since traditional surveillance focused on physical infiltration points and known militant hideouts proves inadequate against professionals operating in universities, hospitals, and corporate offices.

According to Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd) in Indian Express, equally vital is the human factor: Citizen participation. Intelligence gathering thrives on public cooperation. Every vigilant commuter, shopkeeper or neighbour is an essential node in the national-security grid. A terror network can be overwhelmed only when the source network  the information ecosystem of alert, aware citizens  stays motivated and expansive.

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The curious case of the Cabinet resolution

It has been interesting to observe Indias official response to the New Delhi blast. Though police registered FIRs under UAPA and Explosives Act, provisions associated with acts of terrorism, it took the Indian establishment two days before the explosion was identified as a terror attack. The eventual Union Cabinet resolution passed Wednesday makes for interesting reading.

It describes the explosion as a heinous terror incident perpetrated by anti-national forces, and while the statement reiterates Indias unwavering commitment to a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, the mention of any foreign actor is absent.

The decision to identify the perpetrators as anti-nationals, the interpretation of the explosion as terror incident, not attack, and the lack of mention of any foreign sponsor, serve to indicate that India does not consider this to be a Pakistan state-sponsored terror attack.

There might be two reasons for such a decision. One, the probe by security agencies has revealed the plot to be a home grown one. It might have been facilitated by some foreign actors, as some source-based reports have indicated, but the essential character of the terror attack is internal.

The second reason behind such a move could be to read down the character of the attack to prevent the triggering of Indias new policy on terror that takes a doctrinal approach to cross-border attacks and considers such provocations to be an act of war. With Operation Sindoor still not being called off, it is possible that New Delhi is not looking to be tied down to a knee-jerk response that puts a drag on public exchequer at a geopolitically fraught time.

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It could be a legitimate question whether India has been able to influence Pakistans decision-making calculus when it comes to cross-border attacks through its doctrinal approach to terror, but it is certain that Indias leadership wants to minimize the audience cost associated with the new policy. Indias actions might therefore be interpreted as cautious, unwilling to be drawn into a reactive retaliation.

Pakistans adventurism

Conversely, the favourable geopolitical wind of a cozy relationship with the Trump White House, a mutual defence pact with Saudi Arabia and the passage of the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which fundamentally restructures Pakistans civil-military relations, grants Asim Munir unprecedented control over state institutions and expands his authority even more at home. It may lead the Field Marshal into an expansive adventurism to test the boundaries of Indias new terror policy.

Munir might calculate that India, pushed into a corner due to an uncomfortable relationship with the United States and suffering under the yoke of Trumps tariffs, may choose not to implement the policy as a deterrent. It might lead Pakistan to create more mischief in the near future.

Already, Islamabads intensifying relationship with a Bangladeshi regime increasingly antagonistic to India presents a two-front threat to New Delhi. Journalist Rahul Pandita recently posted on X (formerly Twitter), citing police sources, that in the past few months several Kashmiri students studying in Bangladeshi medical colleges have been approached by Pakistans ISI. A close watch is being kept. There are approximately 8K students from Jammu and Kashmir in Bangladesh.

Pakistan might be emboldened to use Bangladesh as its proxy to test Indias resilience while maintaining plausible deniability. Altogether, the New Delhi blast and the Faridabad terror module indicate an uncomfortable time for India in terms of internal stability and regional security matrix. The Indian leadership must weigh its options.

(The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)
A Bangladesh transformed into an Islamist fundamentalist state would unravel decades of progress toward regional integration, counterterrorism and maritime security

Bangladesh faces an Islamist resurgence as Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus rises at the center of a political and religious power shift.

Bangladesh stands at a perilous crossroads. Once celebrated as a model of secular democracy in the Muslim world, the country now faces a historic crisis that threatens to unravel decades of social progress and regional stability. Bangladesh risks becoming the next Irana nation consumed by theocratic rule and militant ideology.

The warning signs are unmistakable: a jihadist-backed power grab, persecution of minorities, and the emergence of a new authoritarian order centred on Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. What began as political unrest in 2024 has evolved into a full-scale Islamist counter-revolution that could soon redraw South Asias political map.

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A New US Policy Moment

At the recent IISS Manama Dialogue, US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard reaffirmed the Trump administrations intent to end Washingtons long-criticised practice of regime-change operations. Her statement, widely welcomed by the international community, signals a strategic pivotaway from interventionism and toward sovereignty-based diplomacy.

Yet Bangladesh presents an exceptional case. This is not about toppling a government; it is about saving a democracy hijacked from within. Gabbards remarks, combined with the October 22, 2025, appointment of S Paul Kapur as Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, offer a rare opening for the United States to prevent the emergence of a new Islamist stronghold in South Asia.

A Coup Cloaked in Populism

Following the 2024 coup that ousted the elected government, Bangladesh has slipped into the hands of Islamist conspirators who exploited anti-government protests to seize control. Intelligence sources describe this as a meticulously planned regime-change operation backed by jihadist networks, aided by policy missteps of the former BidenKamala administration.

Since then, Islamist groupsnotably Jamaat-e-Islami and its affiliateshave re-emerged with alarming force. Religious minorities, particularly Hindus and Iskcon devotees, are being targeted in a campaign of intimidation unseen since the early post-war years. Social media is awash with violent slogans and calls for the extermination of infidels. Videos of mobs chanting Allahu Akbar and demanding beheadings evoke the barbarism of Isis and Hamas, both of which share ideological affinities with Bangladeshs radical factions.

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The pattern is clear: what began as populist protests has mutated into a jihadist project to dismantle secular democracy and erect a theocratic state.

A Regional Jihadist Nexus

What makes the Bangladesh crisis even more alarming is its transnational character. Security agencies in Dhaka have identified operational coordination between Bangladeshi and Pakistani Salafist organisationssome maintaining ideological or logistical links to al-Qaeda and Isis. The country is rapidly becoming a bridgehead for regional jihadism, connecting militant networks from Pakistan to Indonesia.

As detailed in my recent article for Gatestone Institute (Jihad in Bangladesh: Islamists Erasing Hindu Heritage), Islamist movements are crossing borders with unprecedented speed. Bangladeshs permissive environment has emboldened extremists to attack not only the nations secular foundations but also its ancient cultural identity. A subsequent Gatestone report noted that since the 2024 power shift, the country has become a testing ground for theocratic governance under Yunusa development reminiscent of post-revolution Iran.

The Rise of a Supreme Leader

At the heart of the crisis lies a dangerous political innovation: a proposed constitutional order that would elevate Yunus to an unelected position of absolute authority. The scheme, advanced during Octobers political meetings between the National Citizens Party (NCP) and Jamaat-e-Islami, envisions Yunus as the sole interpreter of the peoples sovereign will. NCP convener Nahid Islam has already declared that only Yunusnot President Muhammad Shahabuddin Chuppupossesses legitimate national authority derived from last years street protests.

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This is not constitutional reform. It is constitutional vandalism. The so-called July Charter explicitly claims to supersede the constitution, granting Yunus both legislative and executive powers. In effect, it seeks to replicate Irans Supreme Leader model, replacing the republics democratic institutions with clerical rule justified by revolutionary legitimacy.

Jamaat-e-Islamis endorsement of this arrangement removes any remaining doubt about its intent: the creation of a Sunni theocracy under the guise of a peoples revolution.

Echoes of 1979

The parallels with Irans 1979 revolution are chilling. Then, too, a popular uprising promising freedom degenerated into decades of repression and global terrorism. Irans theocratic regime exported militancy across continents; Bangladesh now stands at that same precipice.

If the Yunus-Jamaat alliance succeeds, it will institutionalise Islamist power, embolden extremists across the region, and erode Indias eastern security flank. The implications for South Asias stability  and for the wider Indo-Pacific  could be catastrophic.

Western Complicity and Moral Hazard

Adding complexity to the crisis are Yunuss well-documented connections with powerful Western elites, including his long association with the Clinton Foundation and his network ties to Bill and Hillary Clinton and George Soros.

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These relationships, cultivated over decades of global advocacy, have inadvertently conferred legitimacy on Yunuss political ambitions.

While these Western networks may view Yunus as a progressive reformer, the reality in Bangladesh tells a starkly different story: under his leadership, Islamist radicals are gaining unprecedented political space, secular activists are being silenced, and minorities live in fear.

This disconnect underscores a deeper moral hazard in Western foreign policy  one that prizes personality over principle. Bangladeshs crisis demands a sober reassessment of whom the West chooses to empower.

At stake is not only the fate of one nation but the stability of an entire region at the intersection of the Indian Ocean and the Indo-Pacific. A Bangladesh transformed into an Islamist fundamentalist state would unravel decades of progress toward regional integration, counterterrorism, and maritime security.

The world cannot afford another theocracy born from the ashes of a fallen democracy.

(Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury is an award-winning journalist, writer, and Editor of the newspaper Blitz. He specialises in counterterrorism and regional geopolitics. Follow him on X: @Salah_Shoai. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)
Indias renewed commitment to Bhutan signals a critical recalibration of regional power dynamics and a reminder of why New Delhis smaller neighbour must look southward rather than northward for its security and prosperity

Prime Minister Narendra Modis Bhutan visit represents far more than ceremonial diplomacy or a routine bilateral engagement. Rather, it encapsulates a sophisticated three-layered strategy that simultaneously celebrates civilisational ties, deepens economic interdependence, and reinforces strategic alignmentthis while navigating the treacherous complexities of great power competition in the Himalayas.

As China continues its territorial encroachments and economic expansionism throughout South Asia, Indias renewed commitment to Bhutan signals a critical recalibration of regional power dynamics and a reminder of why New Delhis smaller neighbour must look southward rather than northward for its security and prosperity.

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The first pillar of this partnership is soft power rooted in shared spiritual heritage. The exposition of the sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha, displayed in Thimphu, has deep meaning for this relationship, as they represent the civilisational continuum that binds India and Bhutan across centuries. The relics were ceremoniously received by Bhutans monastic establishment and displayed at the Kuenrey Hall of Tashichho Dzong, the seat of Bhutanese governance itself.

This placement was symbolically significant: the holiest relics of Buddhism, venerated by the only Vajrayana Buddhist kingdom in the world, housed within the sanctum sanctorum of Bhutanese state power. PM Modis participation in the prayer festival and his presence during religious veneration underscored a message often obscured in the technical language of diplomacythat India and Bhutan share not merely borders but a profound spiritual architecture that predates modern nation-states. This soft power is irreplaceable. It cannot be manufactured by Chinese infrastructure projects or replicated through development lending. It speaks to identity itself.

The second pillar concerns the tangible economic cooperation that sustains Bhutans development trajectory. The joint inauguration of the 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II hydroelectric project epitomizes this partnership. This is not the first such project; indeed, it is the fifth major hydropower undertaking that India has either completed or is implementing in Bhutan, bringing the total generation capacity to approximately 3,000 megawatts. The project will increase Bhutans hydropower capacity by nearly 40 per cent and will export surplus electricity to India.

Beyond this headline project, India has committed Rs 4,000 crore in a concessional line of credit. When combined with the Rs 10,000 crore India pledged last year to support Bhutans 13th Five-Year Plan, this represents an extraordinarily generous commitment to Bhutans development across sectorsroads, agriculture, finance, healthcare, and digital infrastructure.

Consider the scale of this engagement. India now accounts for over 80 percent of Bhutans total trade, having tripled bilateral commerce from $484 million in 2014-15 to $1,744 million in 2024-25. Private Indian companies have signed agreements with Bhutans Druk Green Power Corporation to develop additional hydroelectric capacity totaling thousands of megawatts. India has also committed to cross-border rail connectivity, linking Gelephu-Kokrajhar and Samtse-Banarhat, projects that will fundamentally reshape Bhutans access to Indian markets.

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An immigration checkpoint at Hatisar in Assam will facilitate investor flows to Bhutans ambitious Gelephu Mindfulness City, a flagship project designed as a hub of sustainable urbanism rooted in Vajrayana Buddhist principles. These infrastructure investments bind Bhutans prosperity directly to Indias development partnership.

The China Factor

The third pillar is strategic alignment in defence and territorial sovereignty. India guarantees Bhutans defence and trains the Royal Bhutanese Armya security commitment unparalleled in the region. This arrangement was forged through decades of trust, tested and validated during the 2017 Doklam stand-off, when Indian troops physically intervened to prevent Chinese military engineers from constructing a road in contested territory on Bhutanese soil. Without Indias military backing, Bhutan would have no realistic means to resist Chinese territorial ambitions. This remains Bhutans fundamental calculus.

Yet it is in analysing Bhutans China challenge that the urgency of Indias current engagement becomes crystalline. China has reportedly constructed at least 22 villages within Bhutanese territory. The PLA is in face-off situations in areas including Doklam, Jakarlung, and Pasamlung. Satellite imagery reveals dual-use military infrastructure, including communications towers, barracks, and electronic-warfare capabilities. China has annexed approximately 825 sq km of Bhutanese territory over the years; the salami-slicing is an on-again, off-again reality.

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These are not isolated incidents but components of a coordinated strategy to alter the territorial status quo in Chinas favour.

Simultaneously, China has penetrated Bhutans economic landscape. Chinese state-owned enterprisesSinohydro Corporation, China Gezhouba Group, and China Road and Bridge Corporationhave executed major infrastructure projects including a 220-km highway, the 290-km Lateral Road, and the 100-km GelephuGomtu Road. China also dominates Bhutans critical telecom sector, laying fibre-optic cables and establishing internet infrastructure.

The challenge for India is to expand resource commitments to Bhutan while remaining acutely sensitive to the optics of big brother domination.

Bhutans calculus is sobering. For Thimphu, Tibets experience offers a cautionary template. The Chinese Communist Party has systematically suppressed Tibetan Buddhism through what it terms Sinicisationa forced assimilation campaign that includes restrictions on monastery sizes, forced removal of monks and nuns, patriotic re-education programs mandating loyalty to the Communist Party, and state interference in the recognition of Buddhist lamas. Possessing photographs of the Dalai Lama can result in imprisonment. Over one million Tibetan children have been separated from families and placed in state-run boarding schools designed to assimilate them into Han Chinese culture.

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This is a scary checklist for Bhutan, for this is the trajectory awaiting Bhutanese Buddhism should Thimphu lose strategic autonomy and fall within Chinas orbit.

Bhutan has more to gain from India than from China. India respects Bhutanese Buddhism rather than seeking to instrumentalise or suppress it. Indias development model transfers capacity and technology while preserving indigenous institutions. And crucially, India poses no civilisational threat to Bhutans identity. New Delhi must intensify its commitment to Thimphu, opening greater resources while respecting Bhutans sovereign space. The Himalayan kingdoms freedom depends upon it.

(The writer is a senior journalist with expertise in defence. Views expressed are personal and do not necessarily reflect those of Firstpost.)
With Tatsuya Nakadais passing, we lose not only a master actor but also a bridge between eras of cinema  a link from the black-and-white samurai epic to the colour horizontals of modernity.

With profound sorrow and deep reverence, we mark the passing of Tatsuya Nakadai, the towering figure of Japanese cinema who left us at the age of 92. His death is not merely the loss of an actor but the fading of a singular presence whose artistry helped redefine what cinematic performance could be.

Nakadais trajectory in world cinema is one of transcendent transformation. Discovered in Tokyo and beginning his journey with no grand pedigree, he rose through raw talent and an astonishing capacity for metamorphosis. What he achieved over more than seven decades  over 160 films and innumerable stage appearances  is not simply prolific. It is profound.

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In Harakiri (1962), under the direction of Masaki Kobayashi, Nakadai plays the ronin Hanshiro Tsugumo. The film is a savage, exacting critique of samurai honour and feudal hypocrisy, and Nakadais performance sits at its centre with a stillness and an explosion. His face is sometimes as expressionless as a gravestone while on other occasions his single expression seems worth a thousand words. Here was an actor capable of living in silence and raging in understatement simultaneously.

Fast forward to Ran (1985), the late masterpiece of Akira Kurosawa, and Nakadai is Lord Hidetora, a berserker warlord undone by time and his own hubris. The visuals alone are iconic; the decades of violence and regret in Nakadais eyes are unforgettable. Nakadai as Hidetora gives a performance of a lifetime: the abysmal decline of Hidetora into delirium is highly reminiscent of Kurosawas own slump as a moviemaker. In this performance he becomes not only a ruler collapsing, but humanity exposed.

The great second choice turned major presence  for years, Nakadai was often regarded as the alternative to the towering star Toshiro Mifune in Kurosawas casting. Yet Nakadais path was never derivative  he carved his own valley. He worked tirelessly with directors like Kobayashi, Kurosawa, and many others to forge performances that ranged from the serene to the savage. His films such as Kagemusha and Ran would see him ascend to the very pinnacle of Japanese cinema and global recognition.

Beyond his iconic roles, what Nakadai brought was a willingness to engage with characters contradictions. He could embody the samurais dignity and its decay, the warriors fire and its existential tedium. His collaborations with Kobayashi in Harakiri and the Human Condition trilogy (which spotlighted the brutal ironies of war and humanity) show a moral seriousness that few actors sustain over decades.

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To watch a Nakadai film is to feel the weight of the moment. In the white-pebbled courtyard of Harakiri, his quiet revenge plays out. In the burning castle of Ran, Hidetora staggers down the steps, and Nakadai carries a world of anguish in his posture. These are not just snapshots of acting excellence; they are imprints of a human voice through the camera.

In his later years, Nakadai helped shape new generations of actors through his troupe and teaching, ensuring that the craft would be passed on.

In this age of churn and spectacle, Nakadais work stands as a reminder: performance is not just presence. It is transformation, clarity of intention, and the courage to descend so one may ascend. He remained ever-malleable, ever-present, never complacent (Chris Markers documentary A.K. is a great way to understand and appreciate Nakadais great patience as an actor). With his passing, we lose not only a master actor but also a bridge between eras of cinema  a link from the black-and-white samurai epic to the colour horizontals of modernity.

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So we bow, quietly, before Nakadais artistry. His voice may be silent now, but the echo of his work remains  in every nuance of stillness, in every flash of rage, in every frame where the human face becomes a battlefield. The screens will flicker, the years will pass, but when we revisit Harakiri, Ran, Kagemusha, The Human Condition, The Sword of Doom, The Face of Another and so many more, we will meet him again.

Rest in power, Tatsuya Nakadai. Your sword may have sheathed, but its arc remains etched in film history for eternity.

(The author is an Indian critic and journalist who has been covering cinema, art and culture for the last decade and a half. He has served on the jury of various film festivals, including the National Film Awards. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)
Google is facing a lawsuit over claims that its Gemini assistant secretly collected data from Gmail, Chat, and Meet users. The case accuses the company of breaching privacy laws by activating the tool without consent.

Google is once again under scrutiny after being accused of violating user privacy. The companys Gemini assistant, which operates across its communication platforms, is at the center of a new legal dispute. The complaint alleges that Google collected private data from millions of users without their knowledge or consent.

Allegations of secret activation

According to the lawsuit, Googles parent company Alphabet allegedly activated Gemini across Gmail, Chat, and Meet in October without alerting users. Previously, individuals could choose to turn on the feature if they wanted to use the assistant. However, the plaintiffs claim that Google quietly enabled it for all users, granting the tool access to sensitive communications and personal details shared through emails, messages, and video calls.

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Claims of privacy violations

The lawsuit accuses Google of breaking privacy laws by using Gemini to scan and store private exchanges. It alleges that this covert data collection allowed the tech giant to gather information from confidential messages and conversations. The complainants argue that users were misled into believing their personal communications remained secure, while the company allegedly monitored them through its expanded AI features.

Potential consequences for the company

If proven, the allegations could have serious legal and financial consequences for Google. The case raises fresh concerns about how large technology firms handle user information and the extent of their transparency in deploying new features. Regulators and privacy advocates have long warned about the growing risks of data misuse in digital communication platforms. The outcome of this case may influence future rules on how technology companies manage privacy and user consent while implementing automated services.
The spy chief said hacker groups linked to China, going by the names Salt Typhoon and Volt Typhoon, have been sabotaging Australian networks and are working for the Chinese government and its military

Australia has accused China of hacking into the countrys telecom networks and other key infrastructure to steal sensitive information. Australian spy chief Mike Burgess has warned of economic disruption from sabotage owing to Chinas hacking attempts.

Burgess, the director general of security for the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, revealed that Beijings espionage cost Canberra $8.1 billion last year. That included the loss of A$2 billion in trade secrets and intellectual property, he told a business conference in Melbourne.

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Salt and Volt Typhoon

The spy chief said hacker groups linked to China, going by the names Salt Typhoon and Volt Typhoon, have been sabotaging Australian networks and are working for the Chinese government and its military.

He added, We have seen Chinese hackers probing our critical infrastructure as well.

Burgess said Salt Typhoon had not only penetrated US telecoms systems in a strategic spying operation but also had been probing our telecommunication networks here in Australia too.

Volt Typhoon had an intention to disrupt operations, he said, and compromised US critical infrastructure to pre-position for potential sabotage.

Burgess warned of the impact of widespread telecoms disruption, in areas such as banks and transport, as well as cutting off supplies of water and power.

I assure you; these are not hypotheticals  foreign governments have elite teams investigating these possibilities right now, he said.

China hits back

China, on the other hand, has rejected all these claims. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Burgesss remarks spread false narratives and deliberately provoked confrontation.

China has made representations to Australia about them, the spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, told a regular briefing.

In recent months, the Australian official you mentioned repeatedly hurled attacks at China, spread disinformation and deliberately sowed division and confrontation. China firmly opposes it and has protested with Australia. Its hoped that the Australian official can stop making irresponsible statements and do more things conducive to the healthy development of China-Australia relations, Jiakun said to a question posed by Bloomberg.

With inputs from agencies
China-Germany Automotive Conference kicks off in Northeast China's Changchun as German businesses embrace cooperation, oppose protectionism

08:42, November 13, 2025 By Yin Yeping ( Global Times

The 9th China-Germany Automotive Conference is held in Changchun, Northeast China's Jilin Province on November 12, 2025. Photo: Yin Yeping/GT

German business leaders and industry representatives have called for deeper cooperation with China's automotive industry to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes, highlighting China's rapid technological progress, which German carmakers can cooperate and learn from. They also voiced opposition to unilateralism and protectionist measures, which have been on the rise globally.

The remarks came during the 9th China-Germany Automotive Conference in Changchun, Northeast China's Jilin Province, a production hub, where participants from both countries highlighted the importance of joint innovation and technology exchange.

As an annual event co-initiated by the investment promotion bureau of China's Ministry of Commerce and German vehicle industry clusters, the conference has long served as a window for cooperation, particularly for German carmakers looking to tap into the potential of the Chinese market.

More than 60 major representatives from the vehicle industry, from German conglomerates such as Volkswagen to some innovative small enterprises, participated in the event, according to the event organizer.

Commenting on the significance of taking part in this conference, Hans-Peter Friedrich, former vice-president of the German Bundestag and chairman of the Germany-China Parliamentary Group, told the Global Times that "it's a very important conference because the automotive industry in Germany and China is crucial for the economy in both countriesfor jobs, growth, and wealthThis sector demonstrates that cooperation between China and Germany can be very fruitful and successful, bringing many advantages to both sides."

On a further note, Friedrich said that China is leading in global development and battery technology while Germany is strong in integrating software into hardware and systems. "Cooperation in both areaselectrification and digitalizationcould be highly complementary and very successful," Friedrich said.

Also at Wednesday's conference, Jochem Heizmann, former CEO of Volkswagen China, said in a group media interview that "German companies can learn a lot here in China."

Heizmann gave an example from China, noting that there are advanced technologies in areas such as plug-in hybrids that offer a very good real-world driving range and are built on electric platforms rather than combustion engine platforms. He said that this technology gives consumers great flexibility to drive fully electric vehicles in the city while also covering longer distances, and it is something the German vehicle industry can learn from China.

The Chinese government is actively fostering cooperation between China's vehicle industry and international partners, including German companies, by building platforms to support such collaboration, Ron Zheng, senior partner at Roland Berger and vice-president of Roland Berger China, told the Global Times on Wednesday, noting that the China-Germany Automotive Conference is a clear example of this effort, sending a strong signal of China's continued commitment to openness and global collaboration.

To Zheng, China-Germany vehicle cooperation is entering a new phase characterized by a more diversified and evolving ecosystem. "In the past, our cooperation mainly followed a pattern where China provided the market while German companies offered products or technology  whether in components or vehicle manufacturing. Now, with deepening collaboration in intelligent and new-energy vehicles, some Chinese companies have reached a level on par with their German counterparts in terms of product strength, R&D capability, and supply chain depth," Zheng said, noting that this has opened up greater space and possibilities for cooperation, making the partnership more diverse and dynamic.

To Alexander Jess, managing director of the Association of International Motor Vehicle Manufacturers based in Germany, cooperation between the two countries' vehicle industries is advancing quickly.

"We are in very advanced phases of German-Chinese automobile cooperation," Jess told the Global Times at the conference, noting that "for some years now, we have entered a new phase in which Chinese manufacturers produce such fantastic vehicles that they can export them to the German market. I'm very happy to represent Chinese companies, among others, in Germany to ensure that they succeed in the German market."

His remarks did not come out of the blue, since statistics show the growing popularity of China-made vehicles globally. A report released by AlixPartners in April noted that China's exports soared 23 percent year-on-year in 2024 to 6.4 million passenger vehicles, more than 50 percent above second-ranked Japan. The report predicted that Chinese brands will account for 30 percent of the global automotive market by 2030, up from 21 percent in 2024 with big gains in emerging markets.

Amid the global rise of protectionism and unilateralism, including the European Commission's anti-subsidy tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, German industry representatives called for collaboration over confrontation.

"There can't be and shouldn't be any protectionist measures. We should have a fair and level playing field for everybody, and we do not agree with the decision by the EU (to impose additional tariffs on China's new-energy vehicles). We hope that we can have fruitful bilateral and multilateral relations," said Jess, noting that if we want electric mobility to succeed, there is a need for low-entry and low-cost models, and Chinese companies in Germany are helping with that.

Ye Shengji, deputy secretary-general of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, told the Global Times at the conference that over the years, China's vehicle industry has continuously undergone transformation and upgrading, especially making significant progress in the industrialization and commercialization of electrification. "China's experience and solutions are also ready to be shared with German counterparts, with the hope of jointly promoting the industry's development and upgrading," said Ye.

"At the same time, we need to overcome some unnecessary trade barriers. I believe that people from the Chinese and German car industries are actively working in this regard, moving toward shared goals," said Ye.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
In an interview, ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said the street violence that overthrew her government last year was a premediated coup and that the government of interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, is actually run by extremists of Hizb-ut Tahrir.

Ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said the street violence that toppled her government last year was a premediated coup.

In an interview with CNN-News 18, Hasina further said the government of Muhammad Yunus, the unelected leader propped by protesters and the military, was actually run by extremists of Hizb-ut Tahrir. She said the speed witch which he seized power suggests it was their plan all long.

Hasina said, The speed with which Yunus seized power, the immediate immunity granted to perpetrators, and the dissolution of our judicial inquiry are all acts that indicate a preconceived strategy. Yunus, it seems, had been preparing to seize power, or those who installed him had.

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Hasina fled Bangladesh for her life on August 5, 2024. She arrived in Delhi and she is supposed to be staying here since then.

Here is the full interview:

What precise intelligence or threat indicators compelled you to leave Dhaka  was it a genuine coup attempt, a collapse of command structure, or an orchestrated forced exit" with tacit consent from your own security circle?

By early August, the once peaceful protests had transformed into a state of lawlessness led by a violent mob of radical agitators. This was a far cry from the initial student protests over civil service job quotas. Of course, the full scale of the conspiracy only became clear much later. When Yunus granted immunity to all the perpetrators of last summers violence and dissolved the inquiry we set up to investigate the cause, it was obvious that a plan had been devised to overthrow my government.

At the time, leaving was a matter of survival. I did not want to leave Bangladesh, but it was made clear to me that remaining would not only have put my life in danger but also the lives of those around me.

How far was Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman involved in negotiating your exit, and do you believe he was acting independently, under US diplomatic pressure, or as a balancing actor to prevent bloodshed?

The military was faced with an impossible situation: defending a constitutional government against overwhelming mob violence while avoiding any further loss of life. Our discussions focused on preventing a complete breakdown in law and order and ensuring the safety of my family and staff and of ordinary civilians on the streets of Dhaka. Whether or what kind of external pressure influenced decisions, I cannot say.

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Were you aware of a coordinated plan within the civil-military establishment to install a caretaker facade" government once you left, and if so, who were the key intermediaries?

I was not aware of any coordinated plan at the time. I was focused only on the safety of my country and my people. It was only after the events of August 5 that I started to discern the premeditated nature of this coup. The speed with which Yunus seized power, the immediate immunity granted to perpetrators, and the dissolution of our judicial inquiry are all acts that indicate a preconceived strategy. Yunus, it seems, had been preparing to seize power, or those who installed him had.

How would you describe Washingtons role  was the US merely signalling for political reform, or was it actively backing the military-intellectual bloc that wanted you out in the name of restoring democracy"?

We have always had good relationships with successive US administrations and have no reason to believe that the US government or other foreign powers were actively involved. While Yunus has cultivated a network of influential Western admirers from his work as an economist, those who admired him mistook his economic theories for democratic credentials. Now, this illusion is fading, and those admirers are increasingly seeing him for what he is: an unelected head of state who has placed radical extremists in his cabinet, dismantled Bangladeshs constitution, and stood silent while minorities have been oppressed. President Trump, with whom I have very good relations, has publicly expressed his dislike of Yunus.

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Did Beijing advise restraint or provide silent assurances during your final days in office? How do you assess Chinas current policy towards Bangladeshs military-political transition?

We have always prioritised good relations between China and Bangladesh for reasons of trade and security. To maintain stability in our region and in our foreign relations, our neighbours must have confidence in us. This confidence is under threat while the unelected Yunus government remains in power and pursues volatile foreign and trade policies. My hope is that Bangladesh regains its position as a reliable economic and diplomatic partner through the election of a legitimate government that represents the interests of its people.

How have Indian agencies and political leadership treated you post-departure  as a strategic partner needing protection, or as a liability in the new geopolitical equation emerging in Dhaka?

India is a longstanding friend, and I am deeply grateful to the Indian people for welcoming me. As Bangladeshs most important ally, India has an interest in seeing a stable, legitimate and democratically elected regime in Dhaka backed by the support of its people. Yunuss evident problems with Delhi have nothing to do with me. They are caused by his sponsorship of extremists, his failure to protect religious minorities, and the anti-India rhetoric emanating from his administration. These are actions of an inexperienced leader who does not recognise the value of our partnership. I am grateful for Indias patience as they wait for a leader with the authority and expertise to return our country to stability.

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Do you still envision returning to active politics, or are you building an international platform (possibly under Awami League diaspora networks) to maintain influence and legitimacy?

I have dedicated my life to improving Bangladesh. In our 15 years in power, we grew Bangladesh into an economic powerhouse, invested in major national infrastructure, built meaningful trade links with our international partners, and lifted millions out of poverty.

But the Awami League has never been about me or my family. We are a party ingrained in the fabric of Bangladesh and a voice that must be heard if the politics of our country are to remain truly democratic. For Bangladesh to achieve the future we all want, there must be a return to constitutional rule through free, fair, and inclusive elections.

How central do you believe Dr Muhammad Yunus is to the transition narrative  is he a Western-fronted civilian face" for regime change, or merely symbolic of a broader anti-Awami coalition?

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It is no secret that Yunus was popular at California salons, owing to his former work as an economist. But he is not a symbol of democratic regime change, nor does he command any broad support. He is an unelected figure who is now seeking to bar from the election a party that is supported by millions and which has been elected nine times in the past, including the last time Bangladeshis were able to go to the ballot box.

If Westerners think Yunus is a friendly face, they are being fooled. In fact, he is being used as the front man by the extremists in his administration, who are pursuing a sectarian, score-settling, and socially regressive domestic agenda.

What kind of concrete help do you expect from India  political asylum, diplomatic lobbying at multilateral forums, or covert support to rebuild an Awami-aligned ecosystem within Bangladesh?

India has already provided sanctuary and diplomatic support, calling for inclusive elections and highlighting minority persecution. The Awami League does not need rebuilding within Bangladesh while it commands the support of tens of millions of ordinary Bangladeshis. The ties that bind our countries run very deep, and this will not change. All we ask from India, as our steadfast friend, is that she support ordinary Bangladeshis in their desire to choose their own government and disregard the hostility of the Yunus administration, which does not represent what most of our countrymen and women think.

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In your view, what is the single most effective step India and regional partners can take to prevent Bangladesh from sliding into a Pakistan-style hybrid or Islamist-military regime under a foreign (US-China) tug-of-war?

As Ive mentioned, my fear is that Yunus is the cardboard-cutout leader of a regime actually run by Hizb-ut Tahrir extremists. I ask our friends in India to persist in their calls for Yunus to enable free, fair, and inclusive elections and not to disenfranchise millions of his own people. The only way to restore good health to Bangladeshs political system is by enabling a government to be elected and genuinely rule by the consent of the people. That is the best way to future-proof our country against regime degradation.
Bangladesh faces nationwide disruption as ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas supporters enforce a lockdown ahead of her war crimes verdict. The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus vows justice and plans a February referendum and elections.

Activists of Bangladesh's Jamaat-e-Islami party stage a protest rally against a nationwide "lockdown" called by ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her former ruling Awami League party, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. (AP Photo)

Classes and transport services across Bangladesh were severely disrupted on Thursday as ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her now-banned Awami League party called for a nationwide lockdown to protest her ongoing trial over last years deadly student-led uprising.

Hasina faces charges of crimes against humanity for allegedly ordering a crackdown on the protests that brought an end to her 15-year rule in August 2024. She has been living in exile in India since her ouster and has not appeared publicly or online.

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A special tribunal in Dhaka is expected to deliver its verdict against Hasina on Monday, chief prosecutor Tajul Islam announced at a press conference on Thursday.

The Awami League urged its supporters to take to the streets, while the current government and opposition groups pledged to prevent demonstrations. As a result, schools and universities in Dhaka and other major cities shifted to online classes and exams, while public transport came to a near standstill amid tight security.

The capitals normally congested roads were largely deserted, and reports of vandalism surfaced throughout the day. In Gopalganj district  Hasinas ancestral home and traditional stronghold  a government office was targeted with a firebomb. Local media also reported that a Grameen Bank office in eastern Bangladesh was set ablaze on Wednesday.

Interim leader Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and founder of Grameen Bank, addressed the nation on Thursday, announcing that a referendum on a new national charter would be held alongside the next parliamentary elections scheduled for February. The date of the vote has yet to be confirmed.

Yunus said the referendum would seek approval for a two-tier parliamentary system outlined in the July National Charter, adopted by his interim administration soon after he assumed office on August 8, 2024, three days after Hasinas fall. He reiterated his governments commitment to ensuring Hasina faces justice.

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Political violence has escalated in recent days. Over the past three days, Dhaka and other cities have witnessed multiple arson attacks and crude bomb explosions. On Wednesday, a train and a bus were set ablaze in the capital, and earlier that day, crude bombs exploded on the Dhaka University campus.

By Thursday morning, soldiers and other security forces had been deployed to guard the special tribunal, which is also trying former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and ex-Police Chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun.

Al-Mamun, who turned state witness after pleading guilty, was brought to the court under tight security, while Khan is believed to be in India. Both are being tried in absentia alongside Hasina, though prosecutors have not sought any punishment for Al-Mamun.

Hasinas ouster followed weeks of violent unrest that left hundreds dead. The interim government has promised elections in February, but the Awami League has vowed to boycott them if barred from participating, claiming that thousands of its supporters have been detained nationwide.

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Chief prosecutor Islam has sought the death penalty for Hasina, calling her the mastermind and principal architect of the atrocities committed during last years uprising.

The Awami League has called the tribunal a kangaroo court. Hasina has not appointed a lawyer and denounced the appointment of a lawyer by the state to represent her.

Up to 1,400 people may have been killed in the violence, according to a United Nations report in February. The countrys health adviser under the interim government said more than 800 people were killed and about 14,000 were injured.

Hasina disputed the figures and demanded an independent investigation.

Many Indian outlets published interviews with Hasina in recent weeks, all conduced via email. The interviews apparently irked Bangladeshs current government. Bangladeshs Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner in Dhaka Pawan Badhe to formally convey its concerns over India allowing fugitive Hasina to interact with mainstream Indian media.

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Hasina in her interviews accused Yunus of backing Islamists and violating human and political rights, especially of supporters of her banned party. Hasinas son, Sajeeb Wazed, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that only an inclusive election could stabilize the country.

With inputs from agencies
Clashes over President Biyas eighth-term victory leave 16 dead and over 800 arrested, sparking condemnation from human rights groups

President Paul Biya casts his ballot at the Government Bilingual primary school Bastos in Yaounde, Cameroon, on October 12, 2025. AP File

Authorities in Cameroon said 800 people were arrested and 16 killed during clashes with security forces over the election victory of President Paul Biya. It is the governments first official comment on the death toll since the unrest began.

Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji said security forces killed 13 protesters in the economic hub of Douala, and three others in the North Region during the violence.

However, opposition figures estimate the death toll at 55, according to a Human Rights Watch report published Wednesday.

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The violent crackdown on protesters and ordinary citizens across Cameroon lays bare a deepening pattern of repression that casts a dark cloud over the election Ilaria Allegrozzi, senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch, said in the report.

The authorities should immediately rein in, investigate, and prosecute responsible security forces, and all political leaders should call on their supporters to reject violence.

The protests erupted in key opposition strongholds, including Douala and in northern cities like Maroua and Garoua, after the results of the Oct. 12 presidential election were announced.

Paul Biya, 92, who is the worlds oldest president, won the vote and secured his eighth term, according to official results, which were contested by the opposition, including presidential rival Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who claims to have won the election and has called on Cameroonians to reject the official result.

Biya has been in power since 1982, nearly half his lifetime, making him Cameroons second president since independence from France in 1960.

He is rarely seen in public and critics say his capacity to govern has been severely limited by his age.
Infamous sex offender and British financier Jeffrey Epstein once threatened to take down US President Donald Trump after their friendship fell apart, recently released emails have revealed.

The clamour for releasing the Epstein files has overshadowed Trumps desperate bid to highlight the success of his first six months in power because its not his rivals but his own base, which is up in arms. File image

Infamous sex offender and British financier Jeffrey Epstein once threatened to take down US President Donald Trump after their friendship fell apart, recently released emails have revealed. While Trump and Epstein's friendship came to an end in the mid-2000s, he remained intently focused on Trump for years afterwards.

In more than 20,000 pages of Epsteins email and other messages that were released by the House Democrats on Wednesday, Epstein often appeared to be insulting Trump and to hold damaging information on him. Multiple messages show influential people pressing Epstein for insights into Trump and the British financier casting himself as the ultimate Trump translator.

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He often described himself as someone who knew him intimately and was the one able to take him down. The scandalous emails have re-energised Democratic attacks on Trump and his Justice Department for failing to publicly disclose more information from the investigation of Epstein.

The emails date to at least 2011, when Trump was a reality TV star toying with the idea of running for the presidency. The messages reflected that Epstein was trying to rehabilitate his image after his conviction and incarceration for soliciting prostitution from a minor. These messages continued through the spring of 2019, when Trump was president, and the DoJ at that time was building a criminal case against Epstein.

The messages reflect that Epstein would take down Trump

The emails hinted that Epstein or his advisers believed they had inside  and potentially damaging  knowledge of Trumps far-flung properties and business dealings. Some of these messages suggested that Epstein thought Trump knew more about his personal conduct than the president has publicly acknowledged.

However, none of the emails came from Trump or anyone purporting to speak on his behalf. The president reacted to the emails, soon after they were released to the public. The Democrats are using the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax to try and deflect from their massive failures, in particular, their most recent one  THE SHUTDOWN! he wrote.

According to The New York Times, the emails were obtained from the Epstein estate in response to a subpoena from a congressional committee. They offered a clear window into his day-to-day communications with friends and associates.

In 2011, Epstein wrote to his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who was later convicted of helping orchestrate Epsteins sex-trafficking operation, that Trump was the dog that hasnt barked. He said that Giuffre had spent hours at my house with him  Trump  yet Trump has never once been mentioned.

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Epstein was referring to one of his victims, Virginia Giuffre, who, in a 2016 deposition, said that Trump never had sex with her or even flirted with her. Back in 2012, Epstein emailed one of his lawyers, Reid Weingarten, and suggested that he get someone to dig into Trumps finances, including the mortgage on Mar-a-Lago and a $30 million loan Epstein said that Trump had received.

Apart from this, the controversial British financier expressed his disdain for Trump. Meanwhile, White House has dismissed the emails, describing them as a fake narrative.
A special tribunal in Bangladesh on Thursday said it will deliver judgement on November 17 in a case against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina over alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July Uprising.

A special tribunal in Bangladesh announced on Thursday that it will deliver its verdict on November 17 in a case against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who faces charges of crimes against humanity linked to last years July Uprising.

Hasina, 78, is among several accused in multiple cases filed since her ouster in August 2024, following a mass student-led movement. A UN human rights report estimated that up to 1,400 people were killed between July 15 and August 15 last year, when her government allegedly ordered a harsh security crackdown on protesters.

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Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder, chairing a three-member panel of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD), set the date for the verdict, a lawyer present at the heavily guarded court in Dhaka told PTI.

Hasina, along with her then home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, was charged in the case. The ex-premier and Kamal were tried in absentia after being declared fugitives by the court.

Chief prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam has sought the death penalty for Hasina, describing her as the mastermind and principal architect of the alleged atrocities committed during the July Uprising.

Hasinas supporters say the charges against her are politically motivated.

Mamun faced the trial in person but emerged as an approver or state witness.

The former police chief appeared on the dock as the ICT-BD chair Justice Majumder fixed the date.

The tribunal on October 23 concluded the hearing on the case after over 28 working days, when 54 witnesses testified before the court describing how efforts were made to tame last years student-led movement called July Uprising that toppled Hasinas now disbanded Awami League government on August 5, 2024.

Hasina fled Bangladesh on August 5 last year amid escalating unrest and is currently residing in India. Kamal reportedly also took refuge in the neighbouring country.

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The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has sought Hasinas extradition, but India has yet to respond to the request.

Security in the capital was heightened over the Dhaka lockdown call by the Awami League, coinciding with the tribunals announcement of the verdict date.

Authorities called up army troops, paramilitary Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and police in riot gear to spread a security blanket in and around the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD) complex at central Dhaka.

Witnesses and reports said Dhaka streets looked unusually empty, though many commuters stepped out of their homes and cautiously headed for workplaces and schools.

However, many private institutions, including private universities, preferred to operate online, fearing the outbreak of violence.

Transport operators said passenger numbers on long-haul buses leaving Dhaka dropped sharply, while the capitals major Gabtoli bus terminal remained largely empty with fewer trips and delayed departures.

Hasina and the two others were accused of committing crimes under five counts, with the first one alleging the defendants of murder, attempted murder, torture, and other inhumane acts.

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The second count accused Hasina of ordering the extermination of protesters. Under the third count, she was accused of making inflammatory remarks and ordering the use of deadly weapons against protesting students.

Under the rest of the counts, the defendants were charged with the shooting and murder of six unarmed protesters, including students in Dhaka and its suburbs.

In several recent interviews with major international news outlets and the Indian media, Hasina called the ICT-BD a kangaroo court run entirely by men linked to her political opponents.

In an emailed interview to PTI published on Wednesday, Hasina said she was prepared to stand trial under international supervision even at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, but alleged that Yunus has avoided such a process because an impartial tribunal would acquit her.

I have repeatedly challenged Yunus government to prosecute me in the International Criminal Court, if it is so confident of its case. Yunus continues to duck this challenge because he knows that the ICC, a genuinely impartial tribunal, would certainly acquit me, she said.

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UK-based leading law firm Doughty House Chambers recently submitted an urgent appeal to the United Nations, saying Hasina was being tried in an environment charged with political vengeance, under an unelected interim government with no democratic mandate.

Last month, the Awami League filed a petition with the Hague-based ICC, accusing the Yunus-led interim administration of crimes against humanity, including killings and arbitrary arrests of its members.

Former foreign minister in Hasinas cabinet, AK Abdul Momen, who previously served as Bangladeshs permanent representative to the United Nations, last month sent a letter to the UN Human Rights Council, detailing allegations of political suppression, enforced disappearances, cases against military officers, impunity for criminals, and attacks on journalists.

The ICT-BD was formed by the past government to try hardened collaborators of the Pakistani troops during Bangladeshs 1971 Liberation War, when Tajul appeared as a key lawyer to defend the accused.

Yunuss administration amended the ICT-BD law to try the leaders of the past regime, including Hasina, appointing Tajul as its chief prosecutor.

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Most Awami League leaders and key figures of the past government are now in jail or on the run at home and abroad.

With inputs from agencies
Pakistans Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has sparked fresh tensions with a provocative statement asserting that the country is fully prepared for a two-front war  against India on the eastern border and the Taliban along the western frontier

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif speaks during an interview with Reuters in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Monday. Reuters File

Pakistans Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has sparked fresh tensions with a provocative statement asserting that the country is fully prepared for a two-front war  against India on the eastern border and the Taliban along the western frontier.

According to an India Today report, while addressing a public event, Asif said, We are ready for war on two fronts. We are ready, we are prepared to face both the eastern (India) and western border (Afghanistan). Allah helped us in round one and he will help us in round two.

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His remarks came after a suicide blast in Islamabad killed 12 people and injured 36 others.

In the aftermath of the attack, which was claimed by the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif alleged that groups active with Indian support were involved in the incident, while Defence Minister Asif asserted that the Afghan Taliban had sent a message through the bombing.

The rulers of Kabul can stop terrorism in Pakistan, but bringing this war all the way to Islamabad is a message from Kabul, to which  praise be to God  Pakistan has the full strength to respond, Asif said in a post on X.

Asifs comments are being seen as a renewed attempt to project military strength despite Pakistans economic hardships and diplomatic isolation.

The ministers latest remarks came on the heels of his controversial statements regarding the recent Delhi car blast, which killed 13 people near the Red Fort. Downplaying the attack, Asif dismissed it as merely a gas cylinder explosion and accused India of politicising the incident.

Until yesterday, it was a gas cylinder blast. Now they are trying to label it a foreign conspiracy. India could soon blame Pakistan for it, he said.

Indian officials have rejected Asifs assertions, describing them as a desperate attempt to deflect attention.

According to India Today, citing senior security sources, the ministers comments reflected Islamabads nervousness, noting that early forensic reports pointed to the use of military-grade explosives in the Delhi blast.

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With inputs from agencies
Foreign Ministers from the Group of Seven nations released a joint statement calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Ukraine war.

G7 foreign ministers call for an "immediate ceasefire" in Ukraine. AFP

Foreign Ministers from the Group of Seven nations released a joint statement calling for an "immediate ceasefire" in the Ukraine war. The group went on to pledge continued support for Kyivs sovereignty as Russia advances in the countrys east.

The joint statement was released after the G7 foreign ministers concluded their two-day meeting in Niagara, Canada. We reaffirmed our unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its territorial integrity and right to exist, and its freedom, sovereignty, and independence, the ministers said in a joint statement issued Wednesday.

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The ministers from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, along with the European Unions high representative, met under Canadas G7 presidency on November 1112. They were joined by officials from Brazil, India, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, South Africa and Ukraine.

The statement reiterated that an immediate ceasefire is urgently needed and stressed that the current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations.

International borders must not be changed: G7

In the joint statement, the diplomats reaffirmed their commitment to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force. The group said that it was increasing the economic costs to Russia and considering further action against countries and entities that are helping finance Moscows war.

The group also condemned military assistance to Russia from North Korea and Iran, and slammed the supply of weapons and dual-use components by China, calling Beijing a decisive enabler of Russias war. Apart from this, the G7 foreign ministers also discussed financial support for Ukraine, including further leveraging immobilised Russian sovereign assets to aid reconstruction.

In the joint statement, the ministers strongly condemned Russias recent direct attacks on energy infrastructure and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Ukraines energy security. The group said that it would continue to defend international law and ensure accountability for atrocities committed in the context of Russias aggression.

The statement concluded by G7 reaffirming support for Ukraines long-term prosperity, security and defence, pledging that their jurisdictions will continue to coordinate assistance in a united way to support Ukraine.
Germany has rejected reinstating compulsory military service, choosing a voluntary recruitment model instead. The move aims to rebuild the Bundeswehr amid rising Russian threats and declining NATO confidence, with incentives to attract young recruits.

The German government has ruled out reintroducing compulsory military service after weeks of heated debate, opting instead for a voluntary recruitment model to strengthen its armed forces.

Under the new plan, aimed at rebuilding Germanys depleted military, young men will be required from next year to declare their willingness to serve and undergo a medical examination. While participation will remain voluntary, authorities have indicated that if recruitment targets are not met, a compulsory call-up could be reconsidered, a move that would require new legislation.

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Women will be encouraged to join the military voluntarily but will not be part of the mandatory selection process.

Like many Western nations, Germany drastically reduced its army after the end of the Cold War. However, rising tensions with Russia and growing uncertainty over Washingtons long-term commitment to European security have prompted calls for a stronger defence posture. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pledged to transform the Bundeswehr into Europes strongest conventional army.

Security officials have also warned that Russia could be capable of launching a large-scale attack on Germany or other parts of Europe within the next few years.

We will make voluntary service more attractive, Jens Spahn, parliamentary leader of Merzs Christian Democrats (CDU), told reporters on Thursday. We want to win over as many young people as possible for service to the fatherland, he said, adding that compulsory service could only be introduced through fresh legislation if voluntary efforts fell short.

The proposed model draws inspiration from Denmark, where conscription is technically mandatory but only a small number of recruits are selected through a lottery system because volunteer turnout is already high.

According to negotiators, the focus is on making voluntary service appealing by offering incentives such as drone training, a monthly gross salary of 2,600, and financial assistance for obtaining a drivers licence for those committing to more than a year of service.

A draft law on New Military Service outlines plans by the Defence Ministry to expand the armed forces to about 460,000 personnel, including reservists, by 2035. Of these, roughly 260,000 will be active soldiers and 200,000 reservists, forming the core of Germanys long-term defence and alliance strategy.

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With inputs from agencies
Iraqs electoral commission announced preliminary results on Wednesday evening showing Sudanis candidate list in the lead with more than 1.3 million votes  about 217,500 more than the next closest list

Incumbent Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani claimed victory for his coalition on Wednesday in Iraqs general election after preliminary results showed it had secured a decisive lead.Supporters of Sudani, who is vying for a second term, flocked late in the evening to Tahrir Square in Baghdad to celebrate with fireworks and music, according to AFP correspondents.

Casting the victory as one for all Iraqis in a televised speech, Sudani congratulated the country on your coalition winning first place in the parliamentary elections.

Our coalition, Reconstruction and Development, is first, Sudani said separately on X, expressing deep gratitude to the Iraqi people for their support.

Iraqis went to the polls on Tuesday for a general election that came as the country experienced a rare moment of calm in a region roiled by recent conflicts.

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The next premier must answer to Iraqis seeking jobs, better infrastructure, and improved education and health systems in a country plagued by corruption and mismanagement.

But he also faces the unenviable task of maintaining the delicate balance between Iraqs allies  arch foes Iran and the United States  made all the more delicate by recent seismic changes in the Middle East.

Iraqs electoral commission announced preliminary results on Wednesday evening showing Sudanis candidate list in the lead with more than 1.3 million votes  about 217,500 more than the next closest list.

The commission said Tuesday that more than 12 million people took part out of 21 million eligible voters, despite influential Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr calling on his supporters to boycott the poll.

While vote counts for each list by province were released, seat allocations in parliament will not be announced until later.

Difficult task

An official close to Sudani had told AFP before the count was announced that his list was sailing to a major victory.

Another two sources estimated Sudanis alliance had won the largest bloc, estimating it would take approximately 50 seats out of a total of 329.

Once final results are confirmed, lawmakers are set to begin negotiations to nominate the prime minister  an often painstaking task that has at times taken months.

With an outright majority almost impossible to achieve by any single list, who gets the role is determined by whatever coalition can secure enough post-election partnerships to form the largest alliance.

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In Iraq, the prime ministership goes to the Shiite majority, the speaker of parliament to a Sunni Muslim, and the largely ceremonial presidency goes to a Kurd.

In previous parliaments, Shiite-majority parties have struck compromise deals to work together and form a government.

Sudani emerged as a major force in Iraqi politics after he was brought to power three years ago by the Coordination Framework, an alliance of powerful pro-Iran Shiite parties who formed the largest parliamentary bloc.

A senior Iraqi politician told AFP last month that the Coordination Framework was divided over supporting Sudani, with former prime minister Nuri al-Maliki reportedly likely to oppose a second term for the incumbent.

Negotiations to come

Even as Iraq tries to move past two decades of war since a US-led invasion toppled Saddam Hussein, the country of 46 million suffers from poor infrastructure and public services, mismanagement and corruption.

Many Iraqis who boycotted the elections told AFP the vote wouldnt bring meaningful change to their daily lives and said that it was a sham that only benefits political elites and regional powers.

Sudani has nonetheless vowed to continue on the path of reconstruction and development.

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During his three-year tenure, Baghdad has been transformed into a bustling construction hub, with new tunnels and bridges springing up across the city.

He also maintains that his government helped shield Iraq from regional turmoil over the past two years.

Since the US-led invasion, Iran has held sway in Iraqi politics, not only backing influential politicians but also supporting armed groups there.

The past two years have seen Israel inflict heavy losses on Tehran-backed groups in the region, and Iran itself was on the receiving end of an unprecedented Israeli bombing campaign during a 12-day war in June.

In addition to maintaining its foothold through the groups it backs, Tehran is also seeking to keep the Iraqi market open to products from its crippled economy.

Washington meanwhile hopes to cripple Tehrans influence, and has long pressured Baghdad to disarm Iran-backed groups.
The reports of violence inflicted by Israeli settlers come as the UNs Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has said that October 2025 was the worst month for settler violence since it began recording in 2006

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

Several Israeli settlers in the West Banks Bedouin village triggered an arson attack against Palestinians, setting a warehouse and a farmland in the area on fire, injuring many people.

The incidents were the latest in a surge of settler violence that has coincided with the olive harvest season, when Palestinians return to their fields surrounding towns and villages.

The reports of violence inflicted by Israeli settlers come as the UNs Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has said that October 2025 was the worst month for settler violence since it began recording in 2006, with 264 attacks that caused casualties or property damage.

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The West Bank and East Jerusalem are home to 700,000 Jews with 160 settlements. Israel took over the area during the 1967 Middle East War. About 3.3 million Palestinians live alongside the Israeli settlers.

The settlements are deemed illegal under international law.

Violence has surged across the West Bank since the war in Gaza broke out in October 2023.

At least 1,003 Palestinians, including militants, have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli forces or settlers since the war started, according to the Palestinian health ministry.

During the same period, 43 Israelis, including soldiers, have been killed in Palestinian attacks in the West Bank, according to official Israeli figures.

Israels military chief on Wednesday pledged to halt settler violence in the West Bank. On Tuesday, Israels police and military said security forces had arrested several Israeli settlers after clashes near the West Bank city of Tulkarem, during which Palestinians were injured and property destroyed.

The military said it dispatched troops after masked Israeli civilians attacked Palestinians and set fire to property in the area, adding that four injured Palestinians were evacuated for medical treatment.

We are aware of the recent violent incidents in which Israeli civilians attacked Palestinians and Israelis. I strongly condemn them, army chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said, in a statement issued by the military.

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With inputs from agencies
US State Secretary Marco Rubio said that he discussed the Delhi incident with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar, who is also attending the G7 meeting

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a memorial service for slain conservative commentator Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium, Arizona, US, on September 21, 2025. (Photo: Carlos Barria/Reuters)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that the car explosion in Delhi was clearly a terrorist attack, adding that India is doing a good job of carrying out an investigation.

Speaking to reporters in Canada on Wednesday after the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting, Rubio said that Washington has offered help to India in carrying out a probe into the blast that has killed 12 people. He, however, said that India is very capable of carrying out these investigations and that they dont need our help.

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The State Secretary also said that he discussed the Delhi incident with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar, who is also attending the G7 meeting. Rubio said, Clearly, it was a terrorist attack. It was a car loaded with highly explosive materials that detonated and killed a lot of people. But I think they are doing a very good job of carrying out an investigation, and I think they have facts and that they will release those facts.

Rubios statement comes after the US issued an advisory for its citizens following the explosion. The US 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.

India designates blast as terror attack

The Central government, on Wednesday, termed the blast in Delhis Red Fort as a terror incident, while directing investigative agencies to deal with the case with utmost urgency and professionalism.

The move came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a Cabinet meeting, following which a resolution was passed regarding the Delhi blast.

The country has witnessed a heinous terror incident, perpetrated by anti-national forces, through a car explosion near the Red Fort on the evening of 10 November 2025. The explosion resulted in multiple fatalities, and caused injuries to several others, the government said in a statement.
Bangladeshs Foreign Ministry on Wednesday summoned the Indian Deputy High Commissioner in Dhaka, Pawan Badhe, as it expressed its concern about former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas interaction with Indian media.

Bangladeshs Foreign Ministry on Wednesday summoned the Indian Deputy High Commissioner in Dhaka, Pawan Badhe, and expressed its concern about former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas interaction with Indian media. A high-level diplomatic source told Bangladeshi news outlet BSS that the ministry questioned the Indian governments decision to allow Hasina to interact with the media.

The Bangladeshi ministry reportedly conveyed to the Indian envoy that harbouring a notorious fugitive, currently under trial for committing crimes against humanity, is unhelpful to foster and construct bilateral relationship, between the two nations.

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As per the report, the Indian diplomat was asked to convey to New Delhi Bangladeshs request to immediately discontinue Hasinas access to the media.

Hasina says the 2024 coup was premeditated

In one of her first interviews after her ousting, Hasina told CNN-News18 that the government of Muhammad Yunus, the unelected leader propped by protesters and the military, was actually run by extremists of Hizb-ut Tahrir.

She described the 2024 Bangladesh protests as a coup and emphasised that it was pre-planned. The speed with which Yunus seized power, the immediate immunity granted to perpetrators, and the dissolution of our judicial inquiry are all acts that indicate a preconceived strategy. Yunus, it seems, had been preparing to seize power, or those who installed him had," the former Bangladeshi PM said in a statement.

Hasina fled Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, when she arrived in Delhi. Back home, there have been several criminal charges raised against her and her aides. Since coming to power, the Yunus administration has been demanding Hasinas extradition.

When asked what compelled her to leave Bangladesh, Hasina said that she was forced to leave the country when the peaceful protests were filled with radical agitators. By early August, the once peaceful protests had transformed into a state of lawlessness led by a violent mob of radical agitators. This was a far cry from the initial student protests over civil service job quotas, she told CNN-News18 in a written interview.

Of course, the full scale of the conspiracy only became clear much later. When Yunus granted immunity to all the perpetrators of last summers violence and dissolved the inquiry we set up to investigate the cause, it was obvious that a plan had been devised to overthrow my government, she added. Dhaka has been uncomfortable with several Awami League leaders speaking to the media, so much so that some of them have even asked to remain anonymous while speaking to the Indian media.
Days after a car blast near Delhis Red Fort killed 13 and injured over 20 people, Israeli Ambassador Reuven Azar said that India and Israel stand united against terrorism, and informed that only recently the two countries upgraded security cooperation to fight the menace

Security personnel gather at the blast site after an explosion near the Red Fort in the old quarters of Delhi on November 10, 2025. AFP File

Days after a car blast near Delhis Red Fort killed 13 and injured over 20 people, Israeli Ambassador Reuven Azar said that India and Israel stand united against terrorism, and informed that only recently the two countries upgraded security cooperation to fight the menace.

Speaking to CNN-News18, Azar said, Israel and India cooperate to acquire the capabilities required in the fight against terror. Only a few days ago, we upgraded that cooperation through the signing of a new agreement during the visit of the Defence Secretary to Israel. Our countries trust each other and will continue to work together to face this challenge."

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On Israels stance regarding the Red Fort attack, Ambassador Azar expressed strong solidarity with India.

Israel sends its deepest condolences to the people of India, especially to the families of the innocent victims killed in the terror attack at Red Fort. We wish a speedy recovery to the wounded. Prime Minister Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Saar have issued strong statements in this regard, he said.

Earlier, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that terror may strike our cities, but will never shake our souls," and described India and Israel as ancient civilisations" bound by a shared fight against extremism.

The light of our nations will outshine the darkness of our enemies," he added.

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also expressed his condolences, saying he extended Israels deepest sympathies" to the families of those killed and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded," while emphasising that Israel stands with India in its fight against terror."

Delhi Red Fort blast claims 13 lives

Thirteen people were killed and more than 20 injured when a Hyundai i20 packed with high-grade explosives and ammonium nitrate fuel oil detonated near the Red Fort Metro station.

Investigators said the blast was likely triggered prematurely by one of the attackers, Umar Mohammed, also known as Umar un-Nabi, a Kashmiri doctor employed at Al Falah University in Faridabad. DNA tests have confirmed that he died in the explosion.

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The car exploded at a traffic signal close to the metro station.

The incident came hours after authorities recovered nearly 2,900 kg of explosive material, mostly ammonium nitrate, during raids in Faridabad. Two doctors, Muzammil Sheikh and Shaheen Saeed, were arrested in connection with the case.

Both are suspected to be part of a newly formed Jaish-e-Mohammed module reportedly comprising highly educated professionals.

Investigators believe the group was planning a large-scale terror strike across the National Capital Region, and that the explosives and weapons seized were intended for multiple coordinated attacks.

With inputs from agencies
The Republican-controlled chamber voted 213-209 to move towards a final vote on the measure, with President Donald Trumps support largely keeping his party together in the face of vehement opposition from House Democrats

US President Donald Trump shows the signed bill package to re-open the federal government in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on November 12, 2025. AFP

The US House passed on Wednesday a bill ending the longest-ever shutdown and reopening the government. Both chambers of Congress have now voted to end the shutdown. President Donald Trump has signed the bill, marking the official end to the shutdown.

I just want to tell the American people, you should not forget this when we come up to midterms and other things. Dont forget what theyve done to our country, Trump said.

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VIDEO | Washington: US President Donald Trump (@POTUS) signs a funding bill to reopen the government and end the longest shutdown in US history.



(Source: Third Party)



(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/mWra38ziVk  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 13, 2025

The Republican-controlled chamber voted 213-209 to move towards a final vote on the measure, with Trumps support largely keeping his party together in the face of vehement opposition from House Democrats, who are angry that a long standoff launched by their Senate colleagues failed to secure a deal to extend federal health insurance subsidies.

The Republican-led House of Representatives voted largely along party lines to approve a Senate-passed package that will reopen federal departments and agencies, as many Democrats fume over what they see as a capitulation by party leaders.

They knew that it would cause pain, and they did it anyway, House Speaker Mike Johnson said in a withering floor speech before the vote, pointing the finger for the standoff at the minority party.

The whole exercise was pointless. It was wrong and it was cruel.

Whats in the bill?

The federal funding bill would provide monetary assistance to most government agencies through January 30, meaning that the Republicans and Democrats cannot agree on a temporary spending measure that will fund the government through the end of the fiscal year.

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The legislation would provide full funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, through the remainder of the fiscal year, which ends on September 30. The deal would also replenish SNAPs contingency fund and fully fund child nutrition programs, including free and reduced-price school meals.

Lawmakers have also included a $203.5 million package for the protection of members of the House and Senate. The new legislation will also provide funding to support Capitol complex physical security requirements.

The legislation also ensures retroactive pay for the roughly 1.4 million federal employees who were furloughed or required to work without pay during the shutdown. Many of them have missed two full paychecks and a partial one.

Democrats furious over bill

Eight Senate Democrats on Monday broke with party leadership to pass the funding package, which would extend funding through January 30, leaving the federal government on a path to keep adding about $1.8 trillion a year to its $38 trillion in debt.

I feel like I just lived a Seinfeld episode. We just spent 40 days and I still dont know what the plotline was, said Republican Representative David Schweikert of Arizona, referring to a popular 1990s U.S. sitcom.

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I really thought this would be like 48 hours: people will have their piece, theyll get a moment to have a temper tantrum, and well get back to work.

He added: Whats happened now when rage is policy?

House Democrats remain adamantly opposed, angered by the Senate deal that came less than a week after Democrats won high-profile elections in New Jersey, Virginia and New York City that many thought strengthened their odds of winning an extension of health insurance subsidies. While the deal sets up a December vote on those subsidies in the Senate, Speaker Mike Johnson has made no such promise in the House.

Democratic Representative Mikie Sherrill, who last week was elected as New Jerseys next governor, spoke against the funding bill in her last speech on the US House floor before resigning from Congress next week, encouraging her colleagues to stand up to Trumps administration.

To my colleagues: do not let this body become a ceremonial red stamp from an administration that takes food away from children and rips away healthcare, Sherrill said.

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With inputs from agencies
Botswana gifted eight cheetahs to India during President Droupadi Murmus state visit, marking a key milestone in Project Cheetah. The transfer aims to bolster Indias efforts to reintroduce the big cat to its historical home, enhancing genetic diversity and deepening wildlife cooperation between the two nations.

Botswana and India have taken a significant step in deepening their partnership through wildlife conservation. On November 13, President Droupadi Murmu received eight cheetahs from Botswanas President Duma Gideon Boko during a ceremony at the Mokolodi Nature Reserve near Gaborone. The gesture, officials said, underscores Botswanas long-standing commitment to biodiversity protection and its growing collaboration with India.

Symbolic handover at Mokolodi reserve

The symbolic handover took place on the final day of President Murmus three-day state visit to Botswana. Both leaders embarked on a morning safari to witness the transfer of two of the eight cheetahs into a quarantine enclosure. The animals were brought from the Ghanzi region of the Kalahari Desert and include male and female adults as well as sub-adults. Wildlife officials explained that the remaining cheetahs will soon undergo quarantine procedures before being transported to India.

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Watch the full video here:

#WATCH | Gaborone: Botswana handed over 8 cheetahs to India in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu and President of Botswana Duma Gideon Boko at Mokolodi Nature Reserve



President Droupadi Murmu says, "...The gifting of these cheetahs is a reflection of Botswana's pic.twitter.com/RfCIDPuu1J  ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2025

Partnership under project cheetah

The translocation marks another milestone for Indias Project Cheetah, an initiative launched in September 2022 to reintroduce the species to its historical habitat. During bilateral talks a day earlier, the two presidents highlighted the conservation effort as an example of environmental cooperation. President Murmu expressed gratitude for Botswanas contribution and reaffirmed Indias responsibility to care for the animals.

Expanding Indias cheetah population

According to official reports, India now has 27 cheetahs, including 16 born in the country. Most of them live in Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh. Despite natural losses since the project began, India has recorded a net increase in its cheetah population. The latest addition from Botswana reflects the shared vision of both nations to preserve endangered species and strengthen ecological ties across continents.
White House Press Secretrary Karoline Leavitt said that Trump kicked out Epstein from his Florida club for being a pedophile as well as a creep

An image of Trump alongside disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein is displayed on a vehicle on the day of the state visit of the US president and first lady Melania Trump, in Windsor, Britain. Reuters

White House has rejected US President Donald Trumps connection with Jeffrey Epstein after House Democrats released emails by the sex offender, which mention the Republican leader as being in close contact with him.

These emails prove absolutely nothing, other than the fact that President Trump did nothing wrong, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, despite the presence of an email where Epstein said Trump spent hours at my house with one of his victims.

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Leavitt further said that Trump kicked out Epstein from his Florida club for being a pedophile as well as a creep. She said, What President Trump has always said is that he was from Palm Beach, and so was Jeffrey Epstein. Jeffrey Epstein was a member at Mar-a-Lago until President Trump kicked him out because Jeffrey Epstein was a pedophile and he was a creep.

What do the emails say?

In an April 2011 message to longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein asserts Trump spent significant time with a woman whom the White House later identified as Epsteins main accuser, Virgina Giuffre.

I want you to realize that that dog that hasnt barked is Trump, wrote Epstein. He added that the victim spent hours at my house with him ,, he has never once been mentioned.

Maxwell, who was convicted of sex trafficking after Epsteins death, replied: I have been thinking about that

In another email to the author Michael Wolff, dated January 31, 2019, Epstein allegedly wrote: of course he knew about the girls as he asked Ghislaine to stop.

Theyre deflecting

Meanwhile, Trump came down heavily on Democrats, asserting that they released the Epstein emails at a time when the US House is set to vote on a shutdown bill and are trying to deflect from the issue.

He said on Truth Social, The Democrats are trying to bring up the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax again because theyll do anything at all to deflect on how badly theyve done on the Shutdown, and so many other subjects. Only a very bad, or stupid, Republican would fall into that trap. The Democrats cost our Country $1.5 Trillion Dollars with their recent antics of viciously closing our Country, while at the same time putting many at risk  and they should pay a fair price.

With inputs from agencies
Amid growing public outrage, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sacked two ministers accused of being involved in a large-scale bribery scheme. Zelenskyy on Wednesday announced that Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko and Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk could no longer remain in their jobs amid the corruption scandal that has hit the war-torn nations energy sector.

He also called for personal sanctions against his friend and former business partner Timur Mindich, the schemes alleged organiser. In his Wednesday statement, the Ukrainian president acknowledged the peoples anger.

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There must be maximum integrity in the energy sector, in absolutely all processes. I support every investigation carried out by law enforcement and anti-corruption officials. This is an absolutely clear and consistent position for everyone," Zelenskyy said. He pledged to ensure accountability for those who broke the law.

Right now, it is extremely difficult for everyone in Ukraine  enduring power outages, Russian strikes and losses. It is absolutely unacceptable that, amid all this, there are also some [corruption] schemes in the energy sector," he added.

How a corruption scandal rocked Zelenskyys government

The scandal is now turning into a major political crisis for the Ukrainian leader. Anti-corruption activists, opposition politicians and army veterans have called on Zelenskyy to take decisive action, even if that means sacking or jailing his close aides or people who are personally known to him.

The latest firings in Zelenskyys government came after a 15-month-long investigation by Ukraines national anti-corruption bureau (Nabu) into the nuclear state energy company Energoatom. The chief subject in the case is Mindich, a businessman who co-founded Kvartal 95, Zelenskyys media production company.

When the case came to light, Mindich reportedly fled abroad, with Ukrainian media outlets suggesting that he is in Israel. He was previously close to Zelenskyy, although sources say they have had little communication since Russias full-scale invasion. Mindich was one of the seven suspects involved in a $100 million corruption scheme.

Under the scheme, Energoatoms counterparties were forced to pay kickbacks of 10-15 per cent to avoid having payments for services blocked or losing their supplier status, the bureau said. As the scandal garnered public condemnation, Grynchuk and Haluschenko submitted their resignation at the request of the Ukrainian leader on Wednesday.

However, both denied wrongdoing. The justice minister said his suspension from office was appropriate and vowed to defend himself, after one of his former advisers was directly implicated in the scandal. Meanwhile, earlier this week, Nabu released audio recordings of the alleged participants discussing bribes and using old-school code names. Haluschenko  Ukraines former energy minister  is given the moniker Professor. Mindich is referred to as Karlson. The matter is still under investigation.

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With inputs from agencies.
Zelenskyy on Thursday imposed sanctions on a former business associate accused of masterminding a major corruption scandal that has triggered public outrage in a country worn down by nearly four years of war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday imposed sanctions on a former business associate accused of masterminding a major corruption scandal that has triggered public outrage in a country worn down by nearly four years of war.

According to AFP, the move against Zelenskyys alleged friend came a day after he asked two ministers to resign, in what observers see as an effort to distance himself from allies implicated in a massive money-laundering scheme.

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The scheme allegedly involved the embezzlement of $100 million from Ukraines energy sector, already devastated by Russian strikes that have caused widespread power outages, according to anti-corruption authorities.

Investigators have identified Timur Mindich, a 46-year-old businessman with close ties to Zelenskyy, as the mastermind behind the fraud, which has added to growing political pressure on the Ukrainian leader.

Zelenskyys office published a decree imposing personal special economic sanctions on Mindich and another businessman, Oleksandr Tsukermann.

It ordered their assets to be frozen and their state awards revoked, and imposed restrictions on their travel and business activities.

Both men are also citizens of Israel and are believed to have left Ukraine.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine will do everything necessary to strengthen partners trust, after a call with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, without explicitly mentioning the scandal.

Donors urge reform

The involvement of Mindich  described by Ukrainian media as a close friend of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy  threatens to politically damage the wartime leader at a crucial moment.

A European diplomat in Kyiv, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, said the Ukrainian government must be cleaned of corrupt elements, while noting that the scandal also reflected the growing strength of Ukraines anti-corruption institutions.

Germany, Ukraines largest EU donor, reiterated its expectation that Kyiv step up efforts to combat corruption.

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Meanwhile, Hungarys Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a vocal critic of Zelenskyy, claimed that a Ukrainian war mafia network with a thousand ties to President Zelensky has been exposed.

The International Monetary Fund, from which Kyiv is seeking a new loan, also weighed in, stressing that eliminating corruption remains a central piece of reform for the donor community.

He can go to hell

A senior Ukranian official told AFP that Zelenskyy was furious and had not spoken to Mindich since the scandal came to light this week.

Mindich co-owned the production company Kvartal 95, founded by Zelensky when he was a star comedian.

What is there to talk about? He can go to hell, AFP quoted the official as saying about Mindich, speaking on condition of anonymity, adding that Zelensky was stunned when he found out what was happening.

Zelenskyy fired his justice and energy ministers on Wednesday over the scheme.

The president has taken the toughest steps he could within his powers, the official said.

With inputs from agencies
OnePlus launched its flagship OnePlus 15 smartphone in India today. It has several upgrades from last years OnePlus 15 such as new design, 165Hz screen, faster SoC, bigger battery, and lots more. However, the price of the phone has increased once again. Is the phone a good upgrade to last years OnePlus 13? Let us dive into the review and find out.

Box Contents

OnePlus 15 12GB + 256GB in Ultra Violet colour

120W SuperVOOC charger

USB Type-A to Type-C Cable

Protective Case

SIM Ejector tool

Quick Guide

Display, Hardware and Design

The OnePlus 15 features a 6.78-inch (2772 x 1272 pixels) 1.5K AMOLED display with 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate LTPO display, and can go up to 165Hz for gaming. The phone has ultra-slim 1.15 mm bezels on all the four sides, thanks to LIPO (Low Injection Pressure Over-molding) technology. However, the display resolution has reduced from 2K to 1.5K.

The phone has 450 PPI pixel density, and the display is bright since it has up to 1800 nits (HBM) / Peak Brightness. It offers good colour output since it has 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, and the sunlight legibility is good as well. You can select from vivid, Natural and Pro screen colour modes. The nature tone display feature adjusts the display based on the ambient lighting conditions.

The phone has full-brightness DC dimming and PWM dimming and can go as low as 1 nit (or even 0.5nit when you enable reduce white point), which is useful when using the phone in the dark. There is also Eye Comfort for Gaming. The phone has Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection. The display has achieved TUV Rheinland Intelligent Eye Care 5.0 certification.

The phone also has HDR 10 support, which works for YouTube, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, and Dolby Vision works for Netflix. You can enable video color boost from display settings, which increases the colors in select apps. There is also image sharpener option.

The phone doesnt have a notification LED, but this has an always-on-display that shows contextual info and notifications all day or as per schedule. It has strong X-axis linear vibration motor.

The phone has a tiny punch-hole that houses a 32-megapixel camera. Above the display, there is an earpiece on the top edge that doubles up as a secondary speaker. It has an in-display ultrasonic fingerprint scanner.

Coming to the button placements and ports, the power button is present on the right side along with the volume rockers. The alert slider is on the left side is replaced by the plus key, which has several customization options.

You can also see the antenna bands, since this has a metal frame. The Dual SIM slot, primary microphone, USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 port and the loudspeaker grill are present on the bottom. The speaker vent is on the top, along with an IR blaster.

The Ultra Violet colourway that we have uses proprietary dual-texture coating technology offering a mesmerizing, light-responsive surface where shades of blue and violet interplay fluidly with every movement, offering a truly vibrant and evolving visual experience, said the company.

The rear camera design is similar to the OnePlus 13s. It also comes in Sand Storm colourway that uses MAO-treated middle frame and the rear camera housing with a lightweight yet strong fiberglass back panel. The Infinite Black utilizes an advanced AG glass process that achieves higher light transmittance, allowing for a deeper, purer black finish and also resists fingerprints, said the company.

The phone weighs 215 grams, which is almost similar to OnePlus 13, and the Sand Storm version is lighter at 211 grams.

The phone also doesnt miss on the waterproof ratings. The OnePlus 15 is the companys first phone to get IP68, IP69 and IP69K ratings, so it can withstand water immersion at a depth of 2m for 30 min and high-pressure water jets at temperatures up to 80C.

Camera

50MP main camera with 1/1.56 Sony IMX906 sensor with f/1.8 aperture, OIS

50MP 116 ultra-wide camera with 1/2.88 Omnivision OV50D sensor, f/2.0 aperture

50MP 3.5x periscope telephoto camera, 1/2.76 Samsung JN5 sensor, f/2.8 aperture, OIS

32MP front-facing camera with 1/2.74 IMX709 sensor, f/2.4 aperture

The camera UI in the OxygenOS 16 is familiar. There is Pro mode, Panorama, Macro, Slo-mo, Time-Lapse, Dual-View video, doc scanner, Underwater, Tilt-Shift and more. The rear camera offers 12.5MP output after pixel binning, and the front camera images are 32MP in size. The Ultra-Clear 26MP mode that can be enabled from settings combines data from multi-frame 12MP shots with a single 50MP high-resolution frame.

Daylight shots came out well, and the dynamic range is better with auto HDR. Zoom is better, thanks to the new periscope telephoto sensor, and there is 3.5x optical zoom, and 7x in-sensor zoom. Up to 30X looks good, but you lose details when you zoom further.

The OnePlus 15 replaces Hasselblad with new OnePlus own DetailMax Engine. The 1x 24mm portrait can be used for normal shots 2x portrait mode offers 48mm, for medium long or medium portraits and 3.5x portrait mode in 85mm can be used for medium close-up portrait or close-ups in complex backgrounds, and there is 7x for 170mm zoomed shots. Thanks to the large periscope telephoto sensor, 3.5x portraits look better compared to the OnePlus 13. Even when you zoom further, images look good.

You can shoot macro from the main camera like the OnePlus 13s, but it is limited to 30cm, and there is no telemacro option since the telephoto camera cant focus close.

Ultra-wide shots are good as usual. Low light shots are good with a lot of details and less noise. The night mode is useful, but it takes a few seconds to process. There is also a tripod mode. OnePlus says that it uses Clear Night Engine for low-light photography, employing Dual Analog Gain technology to eliminate timing gaps between exposures, offering brighter, cleaner, and more natural-looking night photos with reduced noise.

The 32MP RGBW front camera does a good job in daylight, and could be better in low light. Edge detection is good in portrait shots. Even though the sensor size for the rear cameras have reduced compared to the OnePlus 13, the phone manages well with computational photography.

Check out the camera samples.

It can record videos in up to 8K in 30fps, and all the rear cameras can record 4K 120 fps in Dolby Vision HDR for the first time. There is slow motion 1080p at 240fps, and finally portrait video mode video now lets you record in 4K 30 fps from front and rear cameras. The ultra-steady mode lets you shoot in 4K at 60 fps. There is OIS and EIS which does decent job.

Software, UI and Apps

The OnePlus 15 runs Android 16 based OxygenOS 16out of the box. It has Android security patch for October 2025. The phone will get 4 Android updates and 6 years of security updates. OxygenOS 16 offers AI-powered features, performance enhancements, a redesigned user interface, and new security protocols.

Flux Home Screen lets you reshape app folders with dynamic layout adjustments, you can resize and reposition icons, cards, and folders dynamically, Match icon colors automatically with wallpaper tones and more.

In addition to smoother user interface, there are improvements to productivity tools.

AI Recording: Includes AI Clear Voice, real-time transcription, and speaker identification. Auto-generated titles help organize key discussion points efficiently.

AI Writer: Converts short prompts into structured content such as posts, emails, or documents, and can summarize or convert long text into tables or mind maps.

AI Assistant for Notes: Supports modular editing, allowing users to move, rearrange, or format note components with swipe or drag gestures.

In photos app there is a new AI Portrait Glow feature, Master Cut that offers speed adjustment, crop, rotation, and 4K export for enhanced video editing and Motion Photo Collage that combines multiple motion photos into cinematic collages.

OxygenOS 16 enhances cross-device integration and expands interoperability beyond Android, allowing seamless interaction between OnePlus devices, iPhones, and Macs.

OnePlus Lock adds advanced data protection features such as Call to Lock, Dual Verification, and Chip-Level Deep Lock, securing devices and data even when lost. With Private Computing Cloud sensitive data is processed within OnePlus Private Cloud, ensuring user information remains secure and inaccessible externally, said the company.

Out of 12GB LPDD5X RAM, you get 10.88GB of usable RAM, and about 6GB of RAM is free when default apps are running in the background. It also has DRE or dynamic RAM expansion feature, which uses the built-in storage as RAM. This has up to 12GB of additional RAM expansion. Out of 256GB UFS 4.1 storage, you get about 218GB of free storage. The phone uses 10,667Mbps LPDDR5X Ultra+ RAM in the 16GB variant that will further improve the performance, said the company. There are some pre-loaded apps, but these can be uninstalled.

Plus Key and AI Plus Mind

The Plus Key that was first introduced with the OnePlus 13s lets you switch between ring, vibrate, and silent modes. Additionally, customization allows for quick access to features like the camera, translation, or flashlight. You can also set it to launch AI Plus Mind, which saves your content so that you can access them later.

It lets users save and organize important on-screen information  such as events, bookings, or listings  into a dedicated Mind Space, helping avoid information overload.

OnePlus has integrated Mind Space with Google Gemini. This allows Gemini to access information saved in Mind Space and combine it with its own large language model and real-time internet access, creating what OnePlus calls the industrys 1st personalized AI with Gemini.

For example, you can ask Gemini to create an itinerary based on saved locations in Mind Space while cross-referencing the current weather forecast online. You can also ask Gemini for all the content saved on Mind Space. I asked for the gym membership details I had saved on Mind Space from Instagram, and it gave all the details.

Fingerprint sensor and Face unlock

It has an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor that unlocks the phone quickly, and it works even when your fingers are wet. The scanners sensitivity and compatibility are optimized to work best with the official tempered glass screen protector, says the company, so the experience might vary depending on the scanner. You can add up to 5 fingerprints. You can also use the fingerprint for app local and payments in apps.

Furthermore, you can change the fingerprint animation and also disable it, and also enable quick launch option to launch apps directly from the lock screen by holding the fingerprint. The phone also has face unlock feature.

Music and Multimedia

YouTube Music is the default Music Player. It doesnt have Dolby Atmos, but has OReality Audio with customizable Smart, Movie, Game and Music modes. It doesnt have FM Radio support. Audio through the stereo speakers is good without any distortion even in full volume. Audio through earphones is good as well.

This has Widevine L1, so that you can play HD content on Netflix and other streaming apps. It supports HDR content on YouTube, and Netflix. There is also Dolby Vision for Netflix.

Dual SIM and Connectivity

The OnePlus 15 has support for n1/n2/n3/n5/n7/n8/n20/n26/n28/n38/n40/

n41/n48/n66/n77/n78 Network Bands in India. It Carrier Aggregation on 4G, and eSIM support in India. The company says that Dual eSIM feature will be available via an over-the-air (OTA) update in the first quarter of 2026.

Other connectivity options include Wi-Fi 7 802.11 be (2.4GHz + 5GHz), Bluetooth 6.0, GPS(L1+L5), GLONASS(G1), BeiDou(B1I+B1C+B2a), Galileo(E1+E5a), QZSS(L1+L5), NavIC(L5). It has OTG support, and NFC support. The BeaconLink is a new Walkie-Talkie functionality to connect with other supported OnePlus devices even without network coverage.

Moving on, the call quality is good, and we did not face any call drops and the earpiece volume was loud. The Clear Voice feature automatically blocks background noise in calling apps. It uses own calling app with call recording, AI call translation, summary and more.

The OnePlus 15s body SAR is 0.996W/Kg and head SAR is at 1.177/Kg, which is well under the limit of 1.6 W/kg (over 1 g) in India.

Performance and Benchmarks

This is the first phone in India to be powered by the flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 platform. It also integrates the OP Gaming Core out of the box. It has a 2 + 6 all-big core architecture that uses 2 x Oryon Prime CPU at up to 4.6GHz, 6 x Oryon Performance CPUs at up to 3.62GHz.

It is fabricated using the TSMC 3nm Process Technology. It promises 20% boost in CPU performance in single-core, 17% in multi-core, up to 35% CPU power efficiency and 16% overall SoC power savings, compared to predecessor.

There is also a dedicated Touch Response Chip that offloads and accelerates all touch processing from the main SoC. It supports a 330Hz touch sampling rate and an ultra-high 3200Hz instantaneous sampling rate, much higher than most phones.

There is also Wi-Fi Chip G2 with advanced RF modules and enhanced algorithms, including SmartLink, designed to improve network connectivity in weak signal environments. It prioritizes gaming traffic to optimize connection stability and reduce stutter in challenging network conditions, said the company.

The phone has a 5,731mm 3D VC vapor chamber for core heat dissipation and a white graphite back cover for additional thermal spread. We did not face any issues or frame drops in the graphic-intensive games like COD, BGMI and Genshin Impact, thanks to the new Adreno 840 GPU clocked at 1200MHz. It offers 165fps gaming in select games such as Call of Duty: Mobile, Brawl Stars and Clash of Clans, and other games like BGMI needs game frame interpolation for 120fps.

While temperature during gaming hardly reached 40C when playing Genshin Impact, 3D Mark wild life stress test didnt run in our unit since the phone got too hot before finishing the test. It showed 47 C outer temperature which is not too hot, and the internal CPU temperature was 62.9 C. The outer temperature was 26 C inside the AC room. Check out the benchmark scores below.

In the latest AnTuTu Benchmark 11, the phone scored 3.7 million points.

Battery life

Coming to the battery life, the phone packs a 7300mAh (typical) Silicon-Carbon battery, which is 1300mAh bigger than the OnePlus 13. It uses advanced Silicon NanoStack technology, which incorporates an industry-high 15% silicon content in the anode for significantly greater energy density, said the company.

I got close to 7 hours of screen on time with over 2 days of use, mostly on Wi-Fi, and occasional 5G use with Smart refresh rate. This is way better than the OnePlus 13. The phone should last for the whole day, even for heavy users like gamers, on a single charge.

The Bypass Charging function supports direct device power without charging the battery, avoiding excess heat, and preserving battery longevity. The battery is designed to retain over 80% of its health after 4 years of use and operates reliably in temperatures as low as -20C, said the company.

Since the phone has support for 120W fast charging, it can charge up to 50% in less than 15 minutes, up to 90% charge in about less than 30 minutes, and 100% in about 40 minutes. You will have to enable fast charging option if you want to reduce the charging time, but the phone gets a bit hot. You will also have to use the original 10A cable that comes in the box for 120W charging to work.

The phone has 50W wireless flash charging, and also supports wireless reverse charging. It can be charged up to 100% in over an hour with a wireless charger, which is sold separately.

It even has Magnetic wireless charging support with the Magnetic charging case and AIRVOOC 50W Magnetic Charger that are sold separately. The case also supports third-party Qi charging power banks.

Conclusion

Is the OnePlus 15 a good upgrade to last years OnePlus 13? For the performance enthusiast and serious mobile gamer, the answer is a definitive yes, even at the higher price point of Rs. 72,999.

The OnePlus 15 is engineered from the ground up to deliver a dominant gaming experience, marking a clear strategic shift from its predecessor. The enormous 7300mAh Silicon-Carbon battery is a standout feature, promising over two full days of typical use or several hours of heavy gaming on a single chargea critical factor for competitive players. The 120W charging ensures minimal downtime.

The gaming focus does lead to a few compromises. The reduction of the display resolution from 2K to 1.5K is the most immediate trade-off, though the difference is minimal in practice and enables the blistering 165Hz refresh rate. While the camera system is still decent, it is no longer the phones headline feature, with reduced sensor size compared to the OnePlus 13.

The OnePlus 15 successfully repositions itself as a true mobile gaming and performance flagship. It combines brute-force power with a huge battery and innovative responsiveness features that eclipse the OnePlus 13.

Pricing and availability

The OnePlus 15 is priced at Rs. 72,999 for the 12GB + 256GB model, and 16GB + 512GB model costs Rs. 79,999. There is a Rs. 4000 bank offer for HDFC Bank customers.

It is now available from OnePlus.in, OnePlus Store App, Amazon.in and offline retail partners such as OnePlus Experience Stores, Reliance Digital, and others.

Alternatives

There is no direct competition for the OnePlus 15 in India yet. The upcoming iQOO 15 also comes with Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, and has a 2K screen. If you need a slightly smaller phone, the OPPO Find X9 that is launching in India next week should be a good option.

Pros

1.5K OLED LTPO display with up to 165Hz refresh rate is good

Smooth performance and good gaming performance

Decent cameras, 4K 120fps Dolby Vision HDR recording

Solid build quality, IP68 + IP69 + IP69K ratings

Excellent battery life with 120W fast charging, 50W wireless charging

Cons

No telemacro option

Gets hot under extreme sustained GPU load
Samsungs first tri-fold foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Z TriFold, has surfaced with key specifications. The details were shared by Evan Blass (@evleaks) on X (formerly Twitter), focusing solely on the devices hardware.

Galaxy Z TriFold: Key Specifications (Leaked)

Branding: Galaxy Z TriFold

Displays: 6.5 cover display, 10.0 inner display

Peak Brightness: 2600 nits (cover), 1600 nits (inner)

Leaf Thickness: 3.9 mm / 4.0 mm / 4.2 mm

Main Camera: 200MP

Battery Capacity: 5437mAh

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon series

Availability and Pricing

The device is expected to launch before the end of 2025, likely limited to Korea and select Asian countries. Reported pricing is 4.4 million Korean won (USD 3,000 / Rs. 2,66,380 approx.).

Early Reports on Launch Timeline

While Samsung has confirmed a 2025 launch, leaker Ice Universe had earlier suggested a timeline, indicating the device could have launched as early as October 2025, but it didnt happen.

Recent reports now claim Samsung plans to release the Galaxy Z TriFold around December 5, including a launch event and immediate sales. All dates remain speculative until officially confirmed by Samsung.

Source
Laying the groundwork

A previous $200,000 grant from WRF allowed the research teams to evaluate the potential of a dozen plus technologies, two of which they selected as research priorities: an engineered tumor cell receptor, or TCR, T-cell therapy for high-risk acute myeloid leukemia, or AML, in adult patients and a CAR T-cell therapy for AML in children.

The research teams are also evaluating how to create time- and resource-efficient ways to translate protein therapeutic research into first-in-human trials.

The three-year grant is part of WRFs BioInnovation Grants program, created to increase support for big, emergent opportunities to advance Washington states life sciences ecosystem and improve lives.

Grant funding will used for two main purposes, according to Otegbeye, who holds the Fred Hutch Fleischauer Family Endowed Chair in Cell and Gene Therapy Translation.

Four million dollars will be used as direct support for four clinical trials (two each at Fred Hutch and Seattle Childrens Research Institute), with matching commitments by each institution for Phase 1 trials, she said.

The remaining $1.2 million will go towards strategic planning and infrastructure development to enable these clinical trials to take off, she said, adding that this money will also help create a sustainable framework for translating other innovative therapies from both institutions.

Fred Hutch and Seattle Childrens routinely conduct clinical trials, but the one-off nature of clinical trial funding makes it difficult for institutions to strategically monitor their pipelines and conduct advance planning for bringing promising products to patients. First-in-human studies at research institutions are often the only way for patients to access leading-edge therapies and provide crucial evidence of a drugs safety and efficacy that could result in development at scale.
Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2024.
The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, dance in the sky over Grand Junction and much of the rest of the United States due to a major geomagnetic storm on Nov. 11, 2025. Americans saw red hues as far south as Tennessee, while northerners got to witness the lights dance overhead in places like Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Chinese FM slams Australian spy chief for deliberately stirring up confrontation

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Nov 12, 2025 04:19 PM

In response to accusations from the head of Australian intelligence alleging that Chinese government-supported hackers broke into Australian communications and infrastructure networks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told Wednesday's press conference that "The Australian official you mentioned has repeatedly made statements smearing China, spreading false narratives, and deliberately stirring up confrontation since the beginning of this year. China firmly opposes this kind of behavior and has already lodged representations with the Australian side."

Guo urged the relevant Australian official to stop making irresponsible remarks and to rather do more to contribute to the healthy development of China-Australia relations.

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Colombia suspends intelligence sharing with US over strikes in Caribbean

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 12 November 2025 10:45 AM

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has ordered the country's security forces to halt intelligence cooperation with the United States in protest against American missile strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean, which have killed dozens of civilians.

Petro announced the suspension on Tuesday via the social media platform X, declaring that the move will remain in place "as long as missile attacks on boats in the Caribbean continue."

He emphasized that "the fight against drugs must be subordinated to the human rights of the Caribbean people."

The decision follows reports that US forces under President Donald Trump's administration have carried out a series of deadly strikes against boats suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea.

Over the past month, the United States has resorted to a significant naval buildup in the Latin American waters amid heightened rhetoric targeting democratically-elected political establishments in Venezuela and Colombia.

According to CNN, the United Kingdom has also suspended its intelligence sharing with Washington over concerns that shared information was being used for lethal operations violating international law.

The strikes are believed to have killed at least 75 people since September.

Petro has condemned the attacks as "extrajudicial killings," calling for an international investigation and slamming Trump for committing war crimes.

On Sunday, during a Latin America-EU summit in Bogota, Petro met with the family of a Colombian fisherman allegedly killed in one of the US strikes.

"He may have been carrying fish, or he may have been carrying cocaine, but he had not been sentenced to death," Petro said.

Relations between Bogota and Washington have sharply deteriorated in recent months. The Trump administration has accused Petro of being soft on drug traffickers.

In September, Petro's US visa was revoked after he joined protests in New York denouncing Israel's genocide in Gaza and urging US soldiers to "disobey Trump's orders."

More recently, the US Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on Petro, his family and the South American country's interior minister, Armando Benedetti.

The latest escalation came as the US aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford arrived in the Caribbean with 4,000 sailors and several tactical aircraft, prompting speculation of an expanded American military campaign in the region.

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Denmark - AIM-9X Block II Tactical Missiles

NEWS | Nov. 12, 2025

Media/Public Contact: T_Outreach_PM@state.gov

Transmittal No. 25-80

WASHINGTON, November 12, 2025 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Denmark of AIM-9X Block II Tactical Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $318.4 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress.

The Government of Denmark has requested to buy up to three-hundred forty (340) AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder tactical missiles and up to thirty-four (34) AIM-9X Block II tactical guidance units. The following non-MDE items will also be included: training aids; weapon software; training; support equipment; spare and repair parts; publications and technical documentation; transportation; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The total estimated cost is $318.4 million.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.

The proposed sale will improve Denmark's capability to meet current and future threats by ensuring its aviation forces' interoperability with the United States and other allied forces as well as their ability to contribute to missions of mutual interest. Denmark currently operates the AIM-9X missile system with F-35A aircraft and ground-based air defense and will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractor will be RTX Corporation, located in Arlington, VA. At this time, the U.S. Government is not aware of any offset agreement proposed in connection with this potential sale. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of four U.S. Government and four contractor representatives to Denmark on a temporary basis in conjunction with program technical oversight and support requirements.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

The description and dollar value are for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded.

All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department's Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, Political-Military Affairs Outreach, at T_Outreach_PM@state.gov.

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Tsahkna to Valtonen: Security in the Baltic Sea is of key importance to us

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

12.11.2025 | 16:49

On 12 November, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna met with Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen in Tallinn to discuss current foreign policy issues. Valtonen is also attending the concert ceremony marking the 107th anniversary of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The meeting focused on cooperation among Baltic Sea countries in the field of maritime security. "Estonia's position is that countries in our region must jointly contribute more and agree on rules concerning Baltic Sea security," said Tsahkna. "This was also one of the priorities of Estonia's presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States." Tsahkna also emphasised the need to strengthen the eastern flank.

The ministers discussed continued support for Ukraine and the urgent need to move forward with the use of Russia's frozen assets. "We must swiftly find a way within the European Union for Ukraine to access Russia's frozen assets," said Tsahkna. "It is also essential to make progress with the 20th sanctions package to ensure the cost of war for Russia continues to rise  consistently and painfully."

The ministers also addressed bilateral cooperation in the context of Estonia's upcoming presidency of the Nordic-Baltic region (NB8) next year, as well as preparations for the Ukraine Reconstruction Conference to be hosted by Estonia in 2027.

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Minister of Defence Antti Hakkanen: Nordic countries will build air forces capable of combined operations

Finnish Ministry of Defence

Publication date 12.11.2025 17.55

Finland's Minister of Defence Antti Hakkanen hosted a meeting of Nordic defence ministers in Helsinki today on 12 November 2025. According to Minister of Defence Hakkanen, the Nordic countries will build air forces that are capable operating together both in peacetime and under emergency conditions.

"We have made good progress towards this goal. Together, the Nordic countries will have more than 200 new-generation fighters by the start of the next decade. Meanwhile, there is still work to be done to make combined and integrated operations across borders possible in all situations. We will further deepen our cooperation so that we can achieve a combined capability to plan and conduct air operations across the Nordic countries. This is important for strengthening NATO's deterrence and defence in the High North," Minister Hakkanen said.

"As regards military mobility, we will continue our excellent and efficient cooperation to develop military mobility in the Nordic region. In the current security landscape, it is a matter of great importance to improve military mobility between the Nordic countries," Hakkanen said.

The Nordic countries have deepened their cooperation since November last year when they signed a letter of intent on harmonised military mobility corridors in the Nordic region. "We are off to a good start and will continue our efforts as a matter of urgency," Hakkanen said.

Regarding defence materiel cooperation, the Nordic defence ministers decided to continue to strengthen the Nordic industrial capacity in ammunition production. This is an important step towards strengthening Nordic security of supply.

For the first time, the Chiefs of Defence from all the Nordic countries attended the meeting, which will support strategic and military planning in the High North.

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Pal Jonson takes part in NORDEFCO and NB8 meetings in Helsinki

Government Offices of Sweden

Press release from Ministry of Defence

Published 12 November 2025

On 12-13 November, Minister for Defence Pal Jonson will take part in NORDEFCO and NB8 meetings in Helsinki. The agendas for the two meetings include regional security, Ukraine and cooperation within NATO.

On 12 November, the Nordic defence ministers will meet within the framework of the Nordic Defence Cooperation, NORDEFCO. At the meeting, they will discuss continued support to Ukraine, defence materiel cooperation and enhanced military cooperation within NORDEFCO. With NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska in attendance, the ministers are also expected to discuss current issues within the Alliance, with a particular focus on deterrence and defence on NATO's northern flank.

The next day, the Nordic-Baltic defence ministers will meet. They are expected to discuss matters concerning regional security and border protection, support to Ukraine, and NATO's collective defence and presence in the North, including the Forward Land Forces.



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ICC President addresses United Nations General Assembly to present Court's annual report

International Criminal Court (ICC) / Cour penale internationale (CPI)

Press Release: 12 November 2025

On 11 November 2025 the President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Judge Tomoko Akane, addressed the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to present the Court's annual report, detailing its activities, ongoing cases and reparations processes, as well as current challenges.

Referring to the attacks, threats and coercive measures against the Court and its officials, the President emphasised the importance of respecting judicial independence and the rule of law. The President expressed the Court's appreciation to States and the United Nations for their invaluable cooperation with the Court, without which ICC activities cannot continue.

"Universality of the Rome Statue is one of the most important means to increase the Court's legitimacy and reinforce the commitment made by the international community when the Court was established" said the President. She assured that the Court will continue efforts aimed at achieving universality and full implementation of the Statute together with its partners.

President Akane provided an overview of the heavy workload during the reporting period at all stages of ICC proceedings. Particularly in reference to reparations and activities for the benefit of victims, the President remarked that "The Court gives victims a voice, a space to tell their stories, and the hope that truth will be acknowledged and responsibility established. Providing suffering humanity with hope and truth is at the very core of the Court's raison d'etre".

In concluding, President Akane stated "sustaining the international rule of law is a perpetual endeavour which requires collective action by the international community and the full use of the tools and institutions that exist to safeguard the international legal order. Yet, we are constantly reminded of the fragility of this endeavour and how a momentary lapse in our commitment can have a detrimental impact on decades-long work. Despite all the challenges, the International Criminal Court will continue to carry out its judicial mandate to deal with individual criminal responsibility, with full independence and impartiality. In so doing, the Court hopes to offer its contribution to the rule of law in the international community".

Before her address, President Akane met with H.E. Ms Annalena Baerbock, President of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, discussing further cooperation between the ICC and the UN as well as other matters of mutual interest, including the promotion of universality.

During her visit to the United Nations, the President also met with the UN Secretary-General, H.E. Mr Antonio Guterres, reiterating the Court's appreciation to the United Nations for the support provided in all parts of the globe, which allows the Court to carry out its mandate in support of international criminal justice and the rule of law. The President expressed her strong desire to strengthen this mutually beneficial relationship, particularly in view of the current challenges. The President also met with the Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and UN Legal Counsel, Ms Elinor Hammarskjold, during which she discussed practical matters to strengthen the cooperation between the Court and the United Nations.

Whilst in New York, the President also met with representatives of approximately 30 States Parties during an informal exchange hosted by the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Netherlands and the Permanent Mission of Sierra Leone. The President discussed the current challenges and ways in which States Parties can support the Court in the fight against impunity.

ICC President Speech to the United Nations General Assembly, 11 November 2025

Annual report of the International Criminal Court to the United Nations on its activities in 2024/25

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A look at the Defence news 3 - 9 November

Netherlands Ministry of Defence

News item | 12-11-2025 | 16:17

The 18 Dutch F-16s operating in Romania have now been formally transferred to that country.

The transfer papers were signed in Bucharest last week. The F-16s are used to train Romanian and Ukrainian F-16 pilots.

Netherlands Air and Space Force recovers Second World War bomber

The Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force has started the recovery of a British bomber aircraft. Parts of the Second World War Avro Lancaster were found in woodland near Dronten, in the province of Flevoland, last year. The recovery operation will last until 21 November.

Possible production of American air defence ammunition in the Netherlands

A study into the possibility of producing American air defence ammunition in the Netherlands will be carried out next year. The US government approved the feasibility study last week.

Netherlands contributes to security and stability in Lebanon

The Netherlands is to provide financial support to the Lebanese Armed Forces to the tune of approximately 7.5 million. The money is intended for checkpoints, training centres, demining and border control. The ministers of defence of both countries sealed the agreement regarding the strengthening of the Lebanese armed forces in a Memorandum of Understanding. The MoU was signed on the final day of Netherlands Minister of Defence Ruben Brekelman's five-day tour of various countries in the Middle East.

Historic meeting of JEF countries with Ukrainian officials in attendance

The ministers of defence of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) discussed their unwavering support for Ukraine during a two-day meeting in Norway last week. The participation of Ukraine marked a historic first. Among the subjects discussed were joint deterrence and increased defence cooperation in the high north in order to counter the Russian threat.

Royal Netherlands Navy escorts Russian research vessel away from the North Sea

Last week, the Russian vessel Yantar was active in the Dutch part of the North Sea, outside the territorial waters. After having been monitored by the navy, the ship left the area under escort. For some time now, the Defence Intelligence and Security Service (DISS) has been warning against the presence of Russian research ships, including the Yantar, in the North Sea.

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EU, PH in talks for 'modalities,' deal to boost defense cooperation

Philippine News Agency

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora

November 12, 2025, 6:35 pm

MANILA - The European Union (EU) and the Philippines are in talks for a possible deal or "modalities" that would increase their defense cooperation, said EU Ambassador to the Philippines Massimo Santoro on Wednesday.

"We are working on, indeed, an enhancement of our cooperationthis domain mentioned, both training and even, let's say, specific possibility of providing with concrete equipment, etc," he told the Philippine News Agency in an interview at a Stratbase ADR Institute Forum in Makati City on Wednesday.

"The two sides are discussing this. I wouldn't say we are signing at this stage, we are still preparing," he added.

At present, the EU has eight security and defense partnerships, including with Canada, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Japan and Norway.

Each deal is tailored to each partner and covers different areas of cooperation from peace and conflict prevention to defense capabilities, among others.

Between the Philippines and the EU, the envoy said specifics are "still too early" to identify, but the direction the two parties are pursuing is "to arrive at some kind of instrument that can contribute to increasing" the defense cooperation.

"It's more of a mechanism. It's different than what EU member states have bilaterally. Ours is a European framework. So, an agreement as such, but it's modalities for enhancing cooperation," he explained.

Santoro said this intent for increased interaction with Manila is part of the EU's broader push to invest in the stability of the Asia-Pacific, specifically the Southeast Asian region.

"The Philippines is a particularly like-minded partner when it comes to security, defense, and international rules-based order. This is why I think that it's important to continue investing with and together with partners who sees things like we do," he said.

On Nov. 25, the EU and the Philippines will convene their inaugural defense and security dialogue in Brussels. (PNA)

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Fincantieri keen to boost PH underwater defense, security - exec

Philippine News Agency

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora

November 12, 2025, 5:49 pm

MANILA -- Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has expressed interest in forging a strategic industrial partnership with the Philippines to strengthen the country's underwater defense and security capabilities.

"Indo-Pacific and the Mediterranean Sea are really very similar with a lot of commonality. Fincantieri really would like to be a strategic industrial partnership for the Philippines to protect our ocean," Fincantieri Naval Vessels Division Area Manager Aurora Buzzo said at a Stratbase ADR Institute forum in Makati City on Wednesday.

Fincantieri and Germany's thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) earlier teamed up to be chosen as the manufacturer of the Philippines' first-ever submarines as part of the country's ongoing Armed Forces modernization program to enhance maritime deterrence.

But beyond underwater boats, Buzzo said the firm has a broad range of products to offer, including its unmanned vehicles and advanced subsea drone system that can protect critical infrastructure underwater such as gas pipelines and undersea cables.

As a partly government-owned firm, Buzzo said Fincantieri can offer flexible financing options to countries such as the Philippines and "finance up to 100 percent" of a project's contract value with a facilitated payment plan.

"We are fully committed to support a financial package for all our projects, especially eventually and hopefully here in the Philippines," she said.

"This is something that we can really arrange we can arrange some meetings with the Navy, Ministry of Defense, and Finance of the Philippines to give all the possibilities that we can offer in terms of a financial package," she added.

Fincantieri earlier debuted the DEEP project, its first integrated subsea drone system comprised of a network of sensors for early warning and a fleet of unmanned underwater vehicles.

The system, Buzzo touted, is flexible and can easily adapt to a country's requirements be it a military security task, commercial infrastructure protection, or environmental monitoring.

Open to discussions

In the same forum, Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad said Manila is open to discussing possible cooperation on the undersea domain with partners, including Fincantieri.

"Although this is under the purview of the Department of Defense, we are looking at manned and unmanned systems, not solely on submarine per se," he said.

There are three main Philippine domestic and numerous international submarine cable networks across the country.

Securing these cables, Trinidad said, is still a "new capability" and an "unexplored ground" for the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippines government, with related efforts mostly focused on policy discussions and some exercises with like-minded Navies, including the United States.

Italian Ambassador to the Philippines Davide Giglio said Rome views underwater infrastructure protection as a promising area for Italy-Philippines cooperation.

"As an archipelagic nation with vast maritime resources and strategic interests, the Philippines faces both challenges and opportunities in enhancing its underwater and maritime capabilities," Giglio said.

"Italy stands ready to share its experience, support capacity building efforts, and promote joint effort with projects that link the Mediterranean and the Indo Pacific two regions united by the same vision of stability, connectivity and sustainable growth," he added. (PNA)

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PH, S. Korea army officials reaffirm defense ties

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno

November 12, 2025, 12:59 pm

MANILA -- The defense alliance between the Philippines and South Korea received a big boost Tuesday following the visit of Maj. Gen. Shin Eun-bong, Personnel Command chief of the Republic of Korea Army (ROKA).

In a statement on Wednesday, Philippine Army (PA) spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said Shin was welcomed by PA vice commander Maj. Gen. Efren Morados during his visit to the PA headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

"During the engagement, both Army leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the long-standing defense alliance between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea, emphasizing continued cooperation in areas of personnel development, training exchanges and capacity building," Dema-ala said.

Morados also expressed appreciation for ROKA's continued support for the PA's initiatives, and highlighted the importance of deepening bilateral defense relations between the Philippines and South Korea to address shared security challenges and promote regional stability, Dema-ala added.

Last month, PA chief, Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, and ROKA chief of staff, Gen. Kim Gyu-Ha, met in Seoul for high-level talks that further solidified the defense ties between the two nations. (PNA)

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Hamas condemns Israel's demolition of Palestinian homes in al-Quds

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 12 November 2025 7:05 PM

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has condemned the demolition of Palestinian homes in occupied al-Quds as a "new chapter" in the crimes of Israel aimed at Judaization of the city.

In a statement on Wednesday, Haroun Nasser al-Din, a member of the political bureau of Hamas, said these violations come as part of Israel's policy of forced displacement that aims to uproot Palestinians from their land and erase the Arab and Islamic identity of al-Quds.

However, he said the policy of destruction and displacement "will not succeed in breaking the will of the people of al-Quds, but will rather increase their determination to stand firm and hold on to their homes and land, despite the restrictions and persecution they are subjected to."

Israeli forces destroyed the home of Musa Badran, a Palestinian citizen, in the town of Silwan, south of al-Aqsa Mosque, on Wednesday, amid a rise in Israel's demolitions in al-Quds.

The house is located in an area that experiences ongoing pressure from Israeli authorities, who regularly issue demolition orders under the pretext of lacking a building permit.

Nasser al-Din, who is also the head of the movement's al-Quds affairs office, also warned of the "grave situation" in al-Quds, amid frequent Israeli raids by Israeli settlers, backed by the regime's forces, on al-Aqsa Mosque.

He urged the Arab and Muslim nations and free people across the world to take urgent action to stop these violations and protect the sanctities.

Nasser al-Din also called on the Palestinian people to strengthen their presence in al-Quds and "activate" all forms of popular and field resistance to Israeli plots.

Israel hands over new demolition orders to Palestinians in al-Quds

Meanwhile, the Israeli anti-settlement group Peace Now said the regime plans to demolish two apartment buildings that house dozens of Palestinian families and seize nearly 32 acres of agricultural land in the village of Qalandiya, north of the occupied East al-Quds, to construct a waste incineration plant serving the occupying entity.

According to the report, residents of homes and agricultural lands in Qalandiya have been notified by Israeli authorities about the upcoming demolition and eviction in late November to facilitate the construction of a waste treatment and energy recovery facility.

"The government's appetite for annexation and dispossession knows no bounds. As if there were no other place in the Jerusalem [al-Quds] area to build a waste facility besides the few remaining (acres) left to Qalandiya's residents after decades of expropriations and fences," Peace Now said.

"This would constitute a blatant violation of international law and basic moral principles to expel residents living under occupation for the sake of a plant serving the occupying power," the advocacy group added.

Israel routinely demolishes Palestinian houses in the occupied West Bank and East al-Quds, claiming that the structures have been built without the so-called permits, which are almost impossible to obtain. They also sometimes order Palestinian owners to demolish their own houses or pay the costs of the demolition if they do not.

More than 623 homes and structures have been destroyed in the West Bank, including al-Quds, since the beginning of 2025.

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Israel systematically sabotages post-war recovery in southern Lebanon: Report

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 12 November 2025 5:45 PM

Israel has continued attacks on Lebanese soil, despite the ceasefire agreement of November 2024, deliberately orchestrating a campaign to prevent the reconstruction of southern Lebanon and perpetuate the suffering of the local population.

In a flagrant violation of Lebanon's sovereignty, the regime has specifically targeted the very symbols of recovery: bulldozers, excavators, and temporary shelters, under the baseless pretext of striking "Hezbollah infrastructure."

The strategy has effectively held tens of thousands of displaced civilians hostage, blocking their return and making the revival of the shattered border towns like Hula an act of defiance in itself.

"For us, the war has not ended," Tarek Mazraani, 61, a Hula resident and engineer who is a leading voice for reconstruction, told AFP. "We can't return to our villages, rebuild, or even check on our homes."

In cash-strapped Lebanon, authorities have yet to begin reconstruction efforts and are hoping for international support, particularly from the Persian Gulf countries.

They have blamed Israeli strikes for preventing efforts to rebuild, which the World Bank estimates could cost $11 billion.

Driven by an unwavering determination to return home, Mazraani founded the Association of the Residents of Border Villages to champion the right of return.

However, the Israeli regime, in a brazen act of intimidation, dispatched drones to broadcast threats against him by name, attempting to silence his civic efforts with false accusations of ties to the Resistance.

"They are bombing prefabricated houses, and not allowing anyone to get close to the border," said Mazraani, who has moved to Beirut for fear of Israel's threats.

"They are saying: no reconstruction before handing over the weapons," he added, referring to Israel's demand that Hezbollah disarm.

'Nothing military here'

The scale of the devastation is a testament to Israel's scorched-earth policy.

An international rights organization has estimated that "more than 10,000 structures were heavily damaged or destroyed" between October 2024, when Israel launched a ground aggression against southern Lebanon, and late January.

The report said much of the destruction occurred after the November 2024 truce took effect.

In a targeted attack on Lebanon's economic backbone, Israeli strikes annihilated over 300 pieces of vital construction equipment in the Msaileh area in October.

Ahmed Tabaja, 65, surveying his burned-out machinery, told AFP that he hoped to repair just five of his 120 vehicles destroyed in the strikes, a devastating loss amounting to five million dollars.

"Everyone knows there is nothing military here," he said.

The yards, located near the highway, are open and visible. "There is nothing to hide," he said.

In a nearby town, Hussein Kiniar, 32, said he couldn't believe his eyes as he surveyed the heavy machinery garage his father built 30 years ago.

He said Israel struck the family's yard twice: first during the war, and again in September after it was repaired. The first strike cost five million dollars, and the second added another seven million in losses, he estimated. "I watched everything burn right before my eyes," Kiniar said.

The Israeli military said that day it had targeted "a Hezbollah site" in the Ansariyah area of southern Lebanon, which stored engineering vehicles intended to rebuild Hezbollah's "capabilities and support its terrorist activity."

Kiniar denied that he or the site was linked to the Resistance. "We are a civilian business," he said.

This pattern of targeting civilian infrastructure was further highlighted in October, when Israel assassinated two engineers working for a company, further cementing its strategy of crippling Lebanon's recovery and punishing any entity it unilaterally and falsely accuses of supporting the Resistance that defends the nation.

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Horrific reports of systematic rape emerge from Sudan's El Fasher

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 12 November 2025 11:05 AM

The UN's gender equality agency has warned that rape is being used as a "weapon of war" in Sudan, where mounting violence by UAE-backed militants has claimed thousands of civilian lives amid rampant hunger and displacement.

Violence in Sudan has escalated significantly over the past month, especially after the so-called Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias seized the city of El Fasher in North Darfur in late October.

They have massacred at least 2,000 people in El Fasher, in what some rights groups describe as a "true genocide."

The conflict has involved widespread atrocities, including ethnic massacres, sexual violence, summary executions, and mass displacement of nearly 89,000 people.

"Women speaking to us from El Fasher, the heart of Sudan's latest catastrophe, tell us that they've endured starvation...displacement, rape and bombardment," Anna Mutavati, UN Women Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, told reporters in Geneva.

"Pregnant women have given birth in the streets as the last remaining maternity hospitals were looted and destroyed."

Mutavati spoke of "impossible decisions" having to be made by families "forced to choose between food and medicine and dignity."

"What the women tell us is that on their horrific journey...every step that they've taken to fetch water, to collect firewood or to stand in a food line has carried a high risk of sexual violence," Mutavati said. "There is mounting evidence that rape is being deliberately and systematically used as a weapon of war."

She warned that women's bodies "have become a crime scene in Sudan," adding, "There are no longer any safe places where women can access protection or basic psychosocial care."

Mutavati also said that health workers report rising cases of severe acute malnutrition in infants, often linked to their starving mothers' reduced ability to breastfeed.

"There's a ripple effect of the hunger that women are experiencing," she warned.

While calling for an end to the violence, the official also urged broader humanitarian access and increased support to aid providers, and underlined that women and girls in Sudan "are the measure of our shared humanity."

"Every day that the world delays to act on Sudan, another woman gives birth under fire or buries her child in hunger, or disappears without justice," she concluded.

The RSF has been in war with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) for more than two years.

Despite denials, the UAE has emerged as a major backer of the RSF, providing weapons and logistics support, in exchange for Sudanese gold.

Israel, the UK, France, Canada, and the US also face international backlash for arms sales and diplomatic cover.

'RSF gang raped me in front of my daughter'

Meanwhile, the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor warned in a Tuesday report published on X about the sexual violence perpetrated by the RSF against women in Sudan.

The Geneva-based rights group said dozens of horrifying testimonies are emerging from women and girls in El Fasher after the RSF's attack, adding that while some survivors are bravely breaking the silence to seek justice, hundreds of others remain unable to speak about the rape and sexual violence they endured.

"Three members of the Rapid Support Forces gang raped me in front of my 12-year-old daughter and my sister-in-law. It was extremely humiliating. I feel shattered," said a woman.

"Any woman who resisted the rape was subjected to beatings, torture, or even killed. An 11-year-old boy was beaten to death while trying to help his mother."

The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said around 25 women were gang raped in a displacement camp in El Fasher.

"Four members of the Rapid Support Forces came. One of them grabbed me and said he wanted to rape me. I tried to resist, but he beat me and threatened to rape my young daughter," another woman was quoted as saying.

"They tied me up and stripped me of my clothes, then three of them raped me in front of my daughter."

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Israeli settlers launch wide-scale attack on industrial zone in West Bank

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 12 November 2025 7:58 AM

Dozens of Israeli settlers have launched a wide-scale attack on industrial and agricultural facilities in the northeastern sector of the West Bank, sparking major fires and injuring several Palestinians amid a surge of settler violence in the occupied territory.

The official Palestinian news agency WAFA, citing local sources, reported that settlers set fire to multiple vehicles, including four trucks belonging to a dairy factory in al-Lada'in industrial zone near the town of Beit Lid east of Tulkarm, and caused damage to the facility itself.

Settlers also destroyed nearby farmland, metal sheds, and tents used by a small Bedouin community living in the area.

Videos posted online show smoke engulfing the area, with Palestinian women heard shouting in the background, and men carrying extinguishers and water buckets scrambling to put out the fires.

Footage shows torched trucks, tents, and metal sheds, and smashed car windows.

Residents said Palestinian civil defense and firefighters arrived at the scene about an hour after the fires started.

Another video filmed by a Palestinian resident shows the settlers coming down a hill toward the Bedouin village.

Settlers additionally threw stones at residents, causing significant property damage and injuring at least two people with head wounds.

Local sources added that large Israeli forces stormed the area to protect the settlers and pursued residents who attempted to confront the assault.

A Palestinian anti-settlement group says Israeli military forces and illegal settlers conducted 2,350 attacks across the West Bank last month as part of their "ongoing cycle of terror."

Head of the Palestinian Authority's Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission (CRRC), Mu'ayyad Sha'ban, said on November 5 that Israeli forces carried out 1,584 attacks, which included direct physical assaults, home demolitions, and the uprooting of olive trees.

The governorates experiencing the bulk of the violence were Ramallah with 542 incidents, Nablus with 412, and al-Khalil with 401.

The research, compiled in a CRRC monthly report titled Occupation Violations and Colonial Expansion Measures, additionally recorded 766 attacks carried out by settlers.

In July 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) declared Israel's decades-long occupation of historical Palestine illegal.

The ICJ demanded the evacuation of all existing settlements in the West Bank and East al-Quds. It was mere words.

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Venezuela launches massive military mobilization as US aircraft carrier enters Caribbean

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 12 November 2025 6:45 AM

Venezuela has announced a "massive mobilization" of troops and weapons in response to the arrival of a US aircraft carrier strike group in the Caribbean Sea, amid rising tensions between Washington and Caracas.

Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said on Tuesday that the nation's land, air, naval, and reserve forces would carry out large-scale exercises through Wednesday as part of an effort to "optimize command, control, and communications" capabilities, describing the deployment as a response to the "imperialist threat" posed by the US build-up.

The drills, he said, were personally ordered by President Nicolas Maduro and will also involve the Bolivarian Militia, a civilian reserve force established by the late President Hugo Chavez and incorporated into Maduro's broader "Independence Plan 200" - a strategy which aims to mobilize both regular armed forces and civilian defense units in case of an external attack.

The announcement came hours after the Pentagon confirmed that the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, had entered the US Southern Command's area of operations, which covers most of Latin America.

The strike group includes more than 4,000 sailors, nine air squadrons, two Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, and a missile defense command ship.

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth ordered the Ford to redeploy from Europe late last month, citing the need to combat drug trafficking and "protect the homeland."

Washington has carried out nearly 20 strikes in recent weeks against alleged drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, killing about 75 people.

Last month, US President Donald Trump admitted that he had authorized the CIA to operate inside Venezuela and hinted at possible "strikes" within the country, though later said no such actions were currently planned.

In addition to the Ford strike group, the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit are operating nearby, with more than 4,500 Marines and sailors.

Ten F-35 fighter jets and several MQ-9 Reaper drones have also been deployed to Puerto Rico, which has become a hub for US operations in the Caribbean.

With an estimated 15,000 US military personnel now believed to be stationed across the Caribbean, the situation underlines a significant escalation in tensions between the two long-time adversaries, reviving concerns of a confrontation not witnessed in the Western Hemisphere for decades.

Washington has stepped up military deployments in the Caribbean under the guise of a counter-narcotics mission, sending warships, aircraft, and special operations forces close to the Venezuelan territory.

The US president, in particular, has accused the Venezuelan leader of drug trafficking without presenting evidence. Maduro, in turn, says Washington is using narcotics allegations as a pretext to pursue Washington's plan for a "regime change" and seize control of Venezuela's oil wealth.

While US officials frame the moves as security operations, governments across Latin America warn the buildup resembles preparations for coercive regime-change efforts, citing the recent US strikes on boats accused of drug activity.

Legal experts say US vessel attacks amount to extrajudicial killings even if those targeted are suspected of drug trafficking.

Trump, however, has played down the prospect of a direct war with Venezuela while threatening that Maduro's "days are numbered."

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US planning to build 'temporary housing' in Gaza for 'screened' Palestinians: Report

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 12 November 2025 6:42 AM

The US is reportedly backing a plan to construct housing compounds for thousands of "screened" Palestinians in areas of Gaza currently occupied by Israeli forces, raising fears that the project could entrench the territory's division.

According to The Atlantic, US President Donald Trump's administration, in coordination with Israeli officials, is advancing a proposal to build so-called "Alternate Safe Communities" behind a "yellow line" that divides Hamas-controlled western Gaza from Israeli-occupied eastern Gaza.

The plan aims to resettle Palestinians who pass anti-Hamas security screenings conducted by Israel's Shin Bet, effectively separating them from the majority of Gaza's two million residents.

Movement across the yellow line will be heavily restricted, raising concerns that the communities could become enclosed zones of indefinite displacement.

US Lieutenant General Patrick Frank, who heads the civil-military coordination center overseeing the Gaza ceasefire, outlined the plan in an internal email cited by The Atlantic.

He proposed that each community include a medical center, school, administrative building, and temporary housing for about 25,000 residents.

However, according to the report, US, UK, and Israeli officials later revised the target population down to around 6,000 per site.

The first pilot is expected to be built near Rafah in southern Gaza, an area largely owned by Palestinians.

The project would be part of a broader US effort to implement Trump's 20-point peace plan, which envisions an eventual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, even though no timeline has been provided.

The Financial Times reported that the proposal has alarmed Arab and European governments, who fear it could mark the beginning of a permanent Israeli occupation in parts of Gaza.

They think the project could cement a lasting partition, creating a two-tiered system between "approved" Palestinians and those remaining under Hamas administration.

Less than two percent of Gaza's two million residents currently live behind the so-called yellow line, which was originally intended to be a temporary barrier.

The Trump administration has not committed US funds to Gaza's reconstruction, instead seeking investments from Persian Gulf states. Meanwhile, the United Nations estimates the cost of rebuilding war-torn Gaza at roughly $70 billion.

Critics note that the proposed sites sit on Palestinian-owned land, raising concerns about potential displacement. The plan, they warn, risks deepening Gaza's fragmentation while providing no clear path toward Palestinian sovereignty or full Israeli withdrawal.

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US considering plan to deploy 1000s of forces on Gaza border: Report

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 12 November 2025 1:03 AM

The US is reportedly exploring a plan for a vast military base housing thousands of forces along Gaza's border with the occupied Palestinian territories amid fears of further American regional adventurism and desire to help the Israeli regime control the territory's future.

Reporting on Tuesday, Israeli investigative outlet Shomrim said the facility bears a $500-million price tag.

The outpost would also give Washington the ability to act independently on the ground needless of Israeli coordination and shape dynamics directly.

Observers noted that the plan comes while global outrage at the regime over its war of genocide on Gaza that began in October 2023, has come to a head. This, they added, has potentially triggered Tel Aviv to ask its allies to advance its goals as it temporarily steps out of the spotlight.

Palestinian officials have, however, warned that such steps represented an effort to replace one occupation with another, merely swapping Israeli boots for foreign ones.

In early November, Mousa Abu Marzouk, a senior leader of Gaza's Hamas resistance movement, made it clear that the group would never tolerate such an arrangement.

"We cannot accept a military force that would be a substitute for the occupation army in Gaza," he told Al Jazeera.

Earlier, Washington had circulated a draft UN Security Council resolution proposing creation of a so-called "International Stabilization Force (ISF)" in Gaza for at least two years.

The force, reportedly to be formed by the US, Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt, would operate under the pretext of reconstruction and security, while effectively ensuring the "demilitarization" of Gaza and the dismantling of the resistance infrastructure.

According to American outlet Axios, the ISF plan represents part of the first phase of a 20-point proposal designed by Donald Trump, who claims it will "end the war" in Gaza.

Critics have, however, argued that the proposal ignores the core issues of Israeli occupation, accountability for war crimes, and Palestinians' right to self-determination and compensation.

Abu Marzouk also revealed that Washington and Tel Aviv had opposed allowing the Security Council to officially mandate such a mission.

Meanwhile, the US has already opened a smaller Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) in the city of Kiryat Gat, north of Gaza, described by US Central Command officials as a hub for "humanitarian and military coordination."

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during a visit there, vowed that "disarming Hamas and demilitarizing Gaza will be achieved."

Hamas has said its weapons are intrinsically linked to the occupation's existence, which necessitates that resistance fighters remain constantly on alert for any potential large-scale aggression against Gaza.

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Joint Statement of G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Niagara

US Department of State

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

November 12, 2025

The text of the following statement was released by the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union.

Begin Text:

We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union, met under Canada's G7 Presidency, in Niagara, on November 11-12, 2025. We welcomed the participation of the Foreign Ministers of Brazil, India, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mexico, the Republic of Korea, South Africa, and Ukraine, who joined us for discussions on maritime security and prosperity, critical minerals, economic resilience and energy security.

Ukraine's long-term prosperity, security and defence

We reaffirmed our unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its territorial integrity and right to exist, and its freedom, sovereignty, and independence.

We reiterated that an immediate ceasefire is urgently needed. We agreed that the current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations. We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force.

We are increasing the economic costs to Russia, and exploring measures against countries and entities that are helping finance Russia's war efforts.

We condemned the provision to Russia of military assistance by DPRK and Iran, and the provision of weapons and dual-use components by China, a decisive enabler of Russia's war.

We acknowledged the ongoing discussions on a wide range of financing options, including further leveraging immobilised Russian Sovereign Assets in our jurisdictions in a coordinated way to support Ukraine.

We strongly condemned Russia's recent direct attacks on energy infrastructure and reaffirmed our support for Ukraine's energy security.

Peace and stability in the Middle East

We reiterated our strong support for President Trump's Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict. We welcomed the ceasefire and the release of hostages. We stressed the urgency of returning the remains of deceased hostages. We also welcomed the increased flows of aid, but expressed concern about restrictions that remain in place. We called on all parties to allow for humanitarian assistance without interference at scale, through the United Nations and its agencies, and the Red Crescent, in addition to other international institutions and INGOs, as stipulated in President Trump's plan.

It is vital that all parties continue to engage constructively on the next steps outlined in the Comprehensive Plan, in pursuit of a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous co-existence for the Israeli and Palestinian peoples that advances comprehensive Middle East peace and stability. We will also continue to maintain attention on the situation in the West Bank.

We urged Iran to fully implement its obligations both under UN Security Council resolutions and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Iran must resume full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, including enabling inspections of all nuclear facilities and materials. We called on Iran to engage in direct talks with the United States, supported by the E3. We continue to call on all UN member states to adhere to their obligations following the legal implementation of the snapback mechanism.

Regional security and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific

We reaffirmed the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific based on the rule of law. We reiterated our strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in particular by force or coercion, including in the East China Sea and the South China Sea.

We expressed serious concern over the use of dangerous maneuvers and water cannons in the South China Sea, as well as efforts to restrict freedom of navigation and overflight through militarization and coercion in the South China Sea. We reiterated that the award rendered by the Arbitral Tribunal on 12 July 2016 is a significant milestone, binding upon the parties.

We emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and opposed any unilateral attempts to change the status quo, particularly by force or coercion. We encouraged the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues through constructive dialogue. We also expressed support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in appropriate international organizations.

We remain concerned about China's military build-up and rapid increase of nuclear weapons arsenal and call on Beijing to demonstrate its commitment to stability through improved transparency.

We strongly condemned the DPRK's nuclear and ballistic missile programs and reaffirmed our commitment to the complete denuclearization of the DPRK, in accordance with relevant UN Security Council Resolutions. We expressed grave concern over the DPRK's cryptocurrency thefts. We urged DPRK to resolve the abductions issue expeditiously.

Haiti

We stressed the need for voluntary personnel and financial contributions to implement UNSC Resolution 2793. We urged the Haitian authorities to present a concrete plan and timeline toward free and fair elections. We welcomed the launch of a Regional Maritime Security Initiative to address transnational organized crime and foster greater stability and resilience in Haiti and the Caribbean through improved maritime security.

Sudan

We strongly condemned the recent escalation of violence and attacks that are often ethnically-motivated, by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) against unarmed civilians and aid workers, particularly in El Fasher and North Kordofan. We deplore the devastating impact of this war on civilians including the famine that has led to the world's largest humanitarian crisis. We unequivocally condemn sexual violence. We urged the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) to respect human rights, de-escalate, commit to an immediate and permanent ceasefire, and ensure rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian assistance. We expressed our support for diplomatic efforts underway to restore peace and security and called upon external actors to contribute to that end.

Eastern DRC

We remain deeply concerned by ongoing violence and reports of human rights violations in eastern DRC, including conflict-related sexual violence. We called on all parties to protect civilians and facilitate humanitarian access. We urged all parties to engage in good faith in the peace process, to deliver lasting peace and security, in line with UNSC Resolution 2773. We called on parties to uphold commitments to fully implement the June 27 Peace Agreement and July 19 Declaration of Principles. We welcomed the Paris Conference on peace and stability in the Great Lakes region, held on October 30, 2025.

Migration and economic security

We noted the serious impact of conflict and instability on affected countries and regions, as well as on broader regional and international security, undermining growth and development, lessening opportunity and driving displacement and irregular migration. We committed to take up these issues at a future G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

Maritime security and prosperity

Maritime security and prosperity are fundamental to global stability, economic resilience, and the well-being of all nations. We reaffirm the principles reflected in the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea.

We recalled the G7 Foreign Ministers' Declaration on Maritime Security and Prosperity, adopted in Charlevoix, Quebec on March 14, 2025. We welcomed the work carried out by the members of the G7 NB8++ Shadow Fleet Task Force.

We reiterated our commitment to strengthen G7 coordination with partners to prevent the use of unregistered or fraudulently registered, uninsured and substandard vessels engaged in sanctions evasion, risky navigation practices, arms transfers, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, illicit trade, and maritime crime.

We reaffirmed our shared commitment to address hybrid threats, including activity against critical undersea infrastructure, and to strengthening partnership in securing maritime ports and routes against the trafficking of illegal drugs.

Economic resilience, energy security and critical minerals

Building on the G7 Critical Minerals Action Plan, the G7 Roadmap to promote standards-based markets for critical minerals and the Production Alliance, we are pursuing partnerships that drive economic development, innovation, resilient and sustainable supply chains, and shared prosperity and security beyond the G7.

We expressed particular concern with the use of non-market policies and practices to disrupt critical minerals supply chains, as well as other forms of market distortions including overcapacity. In this regard, we welcome the results of the recent U.S. - China discussions and discourage any future policy impediments to predictable trade, including in critical minerals.

G7 members agreed to pursue concrete initiatives, jointly with partners, to address vulnerabilities by reducing our dependencies, and strengthening our collective economic resilience and security.

End Text.

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Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York

12 November 2025

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

** Guest

We are delighted to be joined by Amy Pope, who as you all know, is the Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM). She is briefing us from Khartoum, in Sudan, to talk to you about Sudan. So, please, Amy, go ahead, and we will than take some questions.

[Briefing was not transcribed.]

Just to add that we do expected Tom Fletcher to brief you here virtually from Sudan on Monday.

** AU-UN Annual Conference

The ninth African Union-UN annual conference is taking place here, upstairs, in the SG's office, as we speak. The high-level discussions started earlier this morning and are co-chaired by the Secretary-General and Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission. The annual meeting, as you know, is focusing on progress in the implementation of the cooperation frameworks between the two organizations, but also on the joint action and challenges linked to peace, security, development and human rights.

Discussions include topics such as financing for development, climate action, as well as the implementation of the African strategy for women, peace and security agenda. We expect to see you back here at 3 p.m., where the Secretary-General and the Chairperson will be speaking to you. They will both have opening remarks and take some questions. We shared the SG's opening remarks already with you.

** Sudan

Just to give you a bit more on Sudan: Following Amy Pope's presentation, as I mentioned, Tom Fletcher, our Emergency Relief Coordinator, is resuming his visit to Sudan to see first hand the immense suffering and to help identify solutions to this deepening humanitarian crisis.

Mr. Fletcher is currently traveling towards Darfur, where he is expected to meet families who fled the recent violence in El Fasher, a city he described as "already the scene of catastrophic levels of human suffering" that has now "descended into an even darker hell". We expect Tom to also meet with aid workers who are trying to help all those in need despite insecurity they are facing, access constraints and, as you heard, severe funding shortages. Mr. Fletcher, as you will recall, recently allocated $20 million from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)-managed Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to scale up life-saving aid in Tawila, Darfur and Kordofan. And as I mentioned, we hope to have Mr. Fletcher brief you after he's visited Darfur.

Yesterday, Tom was in Port Sudan, where he met with General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, President of the Transitional Sovereign Council of Sudan. Their discussions focused on improving humanitarian access across Sudan. Mr. Fletcher conveyed our appreciation for the Government's stated commitment to facilitate the delivery of essential aid wherever it is needed.

While in Port Sudan, he also met with the Sudanese Foreign Minister, Mohieldin Salim Ahmed Ibrahim, and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, who was also in Sudan. They discussed urgent steps to reach people in need across Sudan, from Darfur to the Kordofan. Mr. Fletcher expressed his gratitude for their partnership and commitment to facilitate neutral and impartial humanitarian access. And of course, Mr. Fletcher, while in Port Sudan, also met with our UN and country team colleagues.

** Occupied Palestinian Territory

Turning to the situation in Gaza, our colleagues in OCHA tell us that the humanitarian response continues to ramp up, despite the many constraints that remain. We and our partners stress that these impediments must be lifted so we can expand the response as quickly as possible to meet all the needs.

Overnight, Israeli authorities did inform us that the Zikim crossing, between Israel and northern Gaza, will be re-opened for humanitarian cargo. In recent weeks, we have been repairing the road leading to Zikim inside Gaza in preparation for this reopening and we are now carrying out the final checks  including for potential explosive hazards. That, of course, would enable for cargo to transit on that road.

We understand that, for the time being, cargo will need to be scanned elsewhere, offloaded from Israeli trucks, and then reloaded onto Palestinian trucks on separate days. Zikim has been closed for two months now, and no supplies were entering Gaza directly from the north.

Our partners who are working on food security report that they continue to deliver hot meals and bread to people in need across Gaza Strip. However, they warn that due to ongoing customs clearance delays and other impediments impacting the distribution of food parcels, partners are having to adjust the quantity to stretch out the available stock.

Our partners managing displacement sites in Gaza report that people continue to move from southern Gaza to areas in the north, with about 4,000 movements recorded over the past week. While the distribution of shelter and winter supplies is scaling up, the needs remain vast, and much more aid needs to enter to address them at the scale that is necessary.

Meanwhile, the fibre-optic cable near the Erez crossing in northern Gaza has been out of service since 6 November, and our partners working on emergency telecommunications have been unable to access the area to fix the issue, as requests to coordinate repairs have been delayed by Israeli authorities and denied. Our partners warn that a prolonged outage could lead to an Internet blackout across Gaza, which would, of course, jeopardize the ongoing humanitarian operations by our partners and ourselves.

As humanitarians continue to scale up assistance, with the commercial sector and bilateral assistance further supporting the response, market prices for basic commodities are gradually stabilizing. Partners continue to provide critical cash-voucher assistance, having given 66,000 cash transfers since the ceasefire came into effect.

** Yemen

A quick update on the activities from Hans Grundberg, our Special Envoy for Yemen. Mr. Grundberg today concluded a round of discussions he held this week in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. In Riyadh, he met with Foreign Minister Shaya al-Zindani and Presidential Leadership Council member Abdullah al-Alimi. Their discussions focused on recent developments and ongoing UN efforts to sustain momentum towards dialogue that can secure lasting peace and stability.

Mr. Grundberg also met with the ambassadors of the permanent five Security Council members and other representatives of the international community in Riyadh. These are ambassadors accredited to Yemen. The talks focused on ensuring a unified international approach in support of the UN's mediation efforts.

On 10 November, in Abu Dhabi, Mr. Grundberg met with a number of senior officials, including with Anwar Gargash, the Diplomatic Adviser to the President of the United Arab Emirates. They discussed the latest developments in Yemen and the wider region and how to strengthen regional consensus and maintain dialogue in support of stability in Yemen.

Throughout his meetings, Mr. Grundberg reiterated our call for the immediate and unconditional release of UN personnel that have been detained by the Houthis. At least 59 of our colleagues remain in arbitrarily detention, a situation that, of course, hampers humanitarian operations and undermines the trust essential to mediation. And we once again call for their immediate and unconditional release.

** Cambodia/Thailand

Turning to Cambodia and Thailand, I can tell you that the Secretary-General is concerned by reports of renewed exchanges of fire at the border between Cambodia and Thailand. He urges both sides to adhere to the agreed ceasefire and to implement the de-escalation and confidence-building measures contained in the Joint Declaration that was signed in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia on 26 October, with a view to finding a lasting solution to the dispute through peaceful means.

** Iraq

Turning to Iraq: You saw that yesterday we issued a statement on which we congratulate the people of Iraq on the holding of parliamentary elections and the Independent High Electoral Commission for its efforts in ensuring the effective preparation and conduct of the election. As you know, the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) has been providing technical and advisory support to the Commission and other relevant Iraqi institutions throughout the electoral process.

The Secretary-General welcomed the generally calm and orderly conduct of the polls and trusts that political stakeholders will maintain the spirit of peace and respect the electoral process and respect the results of this process. He further emphasizes the importance of a timely and peaceful government formation [process] that reflects the will of the Iraqi people and addresses their aspirations for stability and development. The Secretary-General reaffirms our commitment to supporting Iraq on its journey towards consolidating democratic gains and fulfilling the aspirations of all Iraqis for a prosperous and peaceful future.

** Afghanistan

A report released today by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) shows that Afghanistan's areas of return are under mounting pressure, with communities struggling to absorb millions of people returning amid economic contraction, climate shocks and recent earthquakes. UNDP also reminds us of the critical need to lift all bans on women, including restoring women's ability to work and to move outside the home as part of humanitarian and recovery operations. Not to mention the right of girls to go to school.

According to the report, 9 out of 10 Afghan households report resorting to negative coping strategies, including reducing meals, selling assets and relying on loans. If you are interested in Afghanistan, do read the report, which is online.

** Democratic Republic of the Congo

Turning to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, OCHA tell us that they remain deeply concerned about continued attacks against civilians in Beni and Lubero Territories in North Kivu and also in Ituri Province. Since the beginning of the year, our partners report that more than 1,000 people have been killed across North Kivu and Ituri. According to our partners, as of the end of October, some 400,000 people have been displaced in Beni and Lubero Territories.

The impact on health services has been devastating. At least six facilities have been attacked since the beginning of 2025. In total, since 2024, at least 28 health sites have been affected by armed attacks, and more than half of those facilities remain non-functional today, depriving over 150,000 people of access to essential care. Humanitarian access is increasingly constrained due to insecurity and to the presence of explosive remnants of war. Attacks by armed groups are also disrupting agriculture and reducing trade flows, further destabilizing local markets.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo remains one of the countries most affected by food insecurity, with the situation particularly severe in the east. Nearly 25 million people  that is more than 20 per cent of the population  are currently facing high levels of acute food insecurity. That is what the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis tells us.

This number is projected to rise to nearly 27 million human beings in the first half of next year, with the situation in several territories in North Kivu, including Lubero, expected to deteriorate to emergency levels of food security. That will be IPC Phase 4. OCHA reiterates its call on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure. Eleven months into the year, the $2.5 billion 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan for the Democratic Republic of the Congo is only 17 per cent funded, with only $435 million in the bank.

** Hunger

Speaking of hunger, a new report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) warns that acute food insecurity is deepening in 16 hunger hotspots, which threatens to drive millions more into famine or risk of famine. The latest Hunger Hotspots report cites six countries and territories of highest concern. That will be Haiti, Mali, Palestine, South Sudan, Sudan and Yemen, where populations face an imminent risk of catastrophic hunger, which is IPC Phase 5.

Six more countries  Afghanistan, Myanmar, Nigeria, Somalia, Syria and, as you just heard, the Democratic Republic of the Congo  are classified as "very high concern". The other four hotspots are Burkina Faso, Chad, Kenya and the situation regarding the Rohingya which are being hosted in Bangladesh.

As these hunger hotspots edge closer to catastrophic conditions, or even famine, humanitarian funding is falling dangerously short. By the end of October this year, only $10.5 billion out of the $29 billion required to assist people most at risk had been received. There's more information in the report.

** Briefing tomorrow

Tomorrow, at 1:30 p.m., Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), will be here in this very room to brief you. If you would like to be here, you will be most welcome. In the meantime, I'm happy to entertain queries questions that is... yes, sir?

** Questions and Answers

Question : Thank you, Farhan [sic]. United States deployed...

Spokesman : We get confused, Farhan... that's because I showed up at noon. That's why that's okay, if I show up between noon and 12:05, you can call me Farhan...

Question : The US deployed its military aircraft carrier to the Caribbean yesterday and in response, Venezuela announced its deployment to 200,000 soldiers. So, is SG concerned about this situation in the Caribbean and what is his message for the leaders of the two countries?

Spokesman : Yes, we continue to be very much concerned and increasingly concerned by the tensions in the regions between the US and Venezuela. And we would urge that this situation be de-escalated through increased diplomatic dialogue. Yes, Namo?

Question : Thank you, Stephane. Two questions, one on Sudan: Turkiye and Egypt have reportedly increased their military support for the Sudanese Army after the fall of El Fasher to the rebels; and then the second question on Iraq. While your statement was generally positive about the way elections were conducted, but you didn't note the fact that two opposition leaders in Kurdistan were in jail during these elections, and how fair and free are elections when opposition leaders are in jail? Thank you.

Spokesman : Yeah, I had not... I'm not aware of that, of the report you mentioned. Obviously, it is important that all those who want to participate in standing for office be free to do so. On your first question, I mean that's not... you know there are news reports to that effect. I think I would refer you to what the Secretary-General said, I think in his press conference in Malaysia if I'm not mistaken, about the need for countries in the region and beyond to stop fuelling the conflict. What we need is humanitarian fuel, right, we need humanitarian aid, we need more cash and we need to access to all the areas where people need help, and I think you heard a very vivid description from Amy Pope. I have no doubt that Mr. Fletcher's own description of what he has seen in Darfur will be extremely moving. We need civilians to be protected, and we need peace. Sudan doesn't need more weapons. Gaby?

Question : Thank you, Steph, regarding the Zikim crossing, did Israel give you a date on when it'll reopen? Or are they waiting for you to clear the...?

Spokesman : No, I mean, I think they... from their end, my understanding is that it'd be reopened as quickly as possible. There's a number of logistical issues that need to be worked out. From our end, we don't want to delay the process in any way, shape or form.

Question : And a follow-up to that: I mean you said that Israel is saying that the cargo needs to be offloaded at a separate site in Israel and then on a separate day taken into Gaza and reloaded onto trucks in Gaza. That seems awfully complicated. And Point Eight of the Trump ceasefire deal that Israel agreed to says entry and distribution of aid in the Gaza Strip will proceed without interference. Is this interference, what Israel is proposing here?

Spokesman : I think your description of the process as complicated is an understatement. We continue our discussions with our Israeli counterparts. We want to find a way, we keep pushing for ways to simplify this. We hope that cargo will be able to be screened at the crossing itself as soon as possible. Prosper, then Evelyn.

Question : Thank you so much. While her term was due to end in February 2026, Bintou Keita, the UN representative to the [Democratic Republic of the Congo] and head of MONUSCO [United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo], will be leaving her post this November. Questions are being raised over her early departure. Is there any problem with her, and what is the UN official reason behind her anticipated departure from the Democratic Republic of Congo? And of course...

Spokesman : I don't have any information on any anticipated departure. I can tell you that the Secretary-General is extremely grateful for the work that Ms. Keita has been doing in the Congo. It has been an extremely challenging period for the Congolese people, for the country and for the mission. Evelyn?

Question : Thank you, Stephane. You said Tom fletcher was going to Darfur. Would he be the first to ever get in there, because I thought there was no access?

Spokesman : Oh, he will be, I think, the first senior UN official to get into Darfur in quite some time. Your microphone, please.

Question : Sorry. Is Sudan the worst of the worst, or doesn't the Secretary-General think that way?

Spokesman : I think you know we're often asked to say what the worst situation is; there are different ways of ranking it, whether it's in numbers of people or the IPC Phase 5, but I think we have to try to think about the people who are actually suffering in all these places. Everybody needs help. We shouldn't rank suffering. People in Sudan need help, people in Gaza need help, people in Myanmar need help, people in Mali need help, and we need our donors to fund all of these humanitarian crises. Maryam?

Question : Thank you, Steph. Regarding Afghanistan, did you get any reports about Taliban in Herat have prevented women from entering the hospitals without wearing burqas? That means women need to wear what the Taliban wants in order to get...?

Spokesman : I have not heard that specific issue, but we can check if you'd like.

Question : Also, Rosa Otunbayeva's replacement, anything on that? Does the Secretary-General know who's going to replace her and when?

Spokesman : No, as soon as we have an announcement to share, we will. Yes, ma'am?

Question : I wanted to ask what's the Secretary-General comment on the prosecution of Christians in Nigeria and his reaction to President [Donald J.] Trump calling for the Government to act or face consequences?

Spokesman : Look, we believe that the Nigerian Government has been struggling with an insurgency that has been killing people, right, whether Muslims, Christians or others. And I think whatever assistance is needed should be done with the cooperation of the Nigerian authorities. Dulcie, then Yvonne and I'll come back.

Question : Some Yemeni media are reporting that some Houthi-controlled special criminal court is prosecuting the 21 UN employees, and it is threatening to use the death penalty if found guilty.

Spokesman : We've seen those reports, which are extremely concerning, to say the very least. We continue to engage with the Houthis to secure the release of our colleagues, as well as those members of NGOs [non-governmental organizations] and diplomatic missions and civil society who are also arbitrarily detained.

Question : But, by your reckoning, this is actually happening? Is this a true...?

Spokesman : I don't have any specific information on that, but we've heard those reports about the death penalty. Yvonne Murray, RTE.

Question : Thank you, Steph, is the Secretary-General's understanding that the [United Arab Emirates] is supplying weapons to the RSF, currently committing atrocities in Darfur?

Spokesman : There have been reports of the sanctions committee experts' reports on the flow of weapons into Sudan. What is clear is that a number of countries and other entities are most likely fuelling this conflict by increasing the weapons flow, when  as I think I answered to one of your colleagues  what we need is more humanitarian aid.

Question : Okay, but is the Secretary-General making representations to country representatives from UAE of this particular...?

Spokesman : We are fully aware of what's in the report and these are issues that come up in discussions. Abdelhamid, then Dezhi, and then Farnoush.

Question : Thank you, Stephane. All reports coming from Gaza indicate there is a de facto division of Gaza, probably something like permanent. What can you tell us from the UN perspective on these?

Spokesman : I mean, I can tell you what the facts are on the ground, which is the same ones; as you know that there is an Israeli position that has been lined up. We've seen reports of the kind of the fortification of that position. Our call, and I think the call for the international community, is for Palestinians to be able to be go freely in the whole of the Gaza Strip, without fear or without any interference.

Question : And Tony Blair, I think yesterday he met with somebody called Abu Shabab, and he's known for Palestinians that he's an Israeli puppet and he's... they're arming him and creating a militia. Would that make things difficult for Palestinian to deal with?

Spokesman : I don't speak for Tony Blair. I can tell you that, whether in areas anywhere around the world, it is important that there's unified command for security and police forces, whether it's under the Palestinian Authority or in any other country. Dezhi?

Question : COP30 is still...?

Spokesman : COP? Sorry, I thought you're talking about Coke; sorry. New Coke.

Question : COP30 is still being held in Brazil. Today, IEA [International Energy Agency] released their World Energy Outlook 2025 report, which suggested that the fossil fuel needs are still increasing, not until 2050; that means we might well miss the target of the net-zero goal in 2050. What is the reaction...?

Spokesman : From the Secretary-General's message, I think I'd refer you to what he said at the at the leaders' summit. I mean, he was very clear about the fact that our future lies in renewable energy and not releasing more carbon from the ground. Farnoush?

Question : Thanks, Steph. I was wondering if you can give... I know the situation in Yemen with UN staff is sensitive, but is there any more clarity you can give on the status of those negotiations, trying to get staff out? And is the 59 the same number of people? Because I know in the past few weeks, they've increased and decreased, depending on who the Houthis have released, and will, you know, the UN brief reporters?

Spokesman : Yeah, I mean, that's the number we have today. I can tell you that discussions are ongoing. I think for reasons that would be obvious, I'm not going to give you a play-by-play of where we are on the discussions, but they're going, and when colleagues are released, we will share that information with you. We always hope that it is sooner rather than later. Some have been in there for a number of years; some, their families have not been able to see them. It is unacceptable that colleagues whose only task is to deliver humanitarian assistance are being arbitrarily detained and accused of espionage.

Question : And you know, obviously, I know the focus right now is getting these colleagues out and making sure they're safe, but is the UN having a more holistic view of changing operations in Yemen?

Spokesman : We're looking at different ways to kind of reorganize, I should say, our humanitarian operations  I mean, whether it's in Yemen or anywhere else. And I think you've seen it almost day by day in Gaza during the conflict, there's that equilibrium we have to find between the safety of our colleagues, safety of humanitarian workers, the safety of those people we're trying to help and how we meet the needs of those people we're trying to help. Olivia, I think you have a question online, Reuters.

Question : Thank you very much. It's just in relation to the OCHA statement regarding Zikim. Are you able just to explain in simple terms what impact the arrangement has on the flow of aid? I mean, if there is this arrangement for alternating days for the aid to be crossing and then collected, does that essentially kind of halve the amount of aid that you'd be seeking to get in? Thank you.

Spokesman : I mean, it's always challenging for anybody who speaks for the UN to do anything in simple terms but let me give it a try. The good news is that we have a crossing in the north that is open. It helps us meet the needs of people in the north in a way that is more efficient and quicker than going through the south. The bad or challenging news is that the way the procedure is ongoing now is that it will delay the aid that can get through. It'll just add more, it's adding more hurdles. We are working with our Israeli counterparts to try to remove those hurdles, so it's not a matter of... like, it's not decreasing so much the flow of aid as slowing down the flow of aid. It's sort of like it's creating a funnel where things just take longer to get through the funnel. Does that work? Okay. Yes, please?

Question : Thank you, Stephane. A follow-up to this question, COP30. No negotiations are underway in Belem, Brazil to curb global emissions and the International Energy Agency's report says 730 million people are still living without electricity. So, what can the United Nations do to help these people get access to electricity while reduce global emissions?

Spokesman : Listen, these are very important challenges. We've had through the Energy for All initiative, we're working with governments to try to ensure that people have access to energy, hopefully, clean energy through electricity, but there is... we're obviously also in a transition period, right? We're not... I mean, the Secretary-General is not saying stop all fossil fuel today. It's a matter of transitioning and transitioning as quickly as possible. Thank you, we will see you back at 3 p.m.

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Sudan: Migration chief hears horrific accounts of exodus from El Fasher

12 November 2025 - Some 90,000 people have been displaced following the fall of El Fasher in Sudan's North Darfur - with another 50,000 fleeing violence in the Kordofans, according to the UN migration chief.

"When people are coming out of the area, they are reporting widespread violence, sexual abuse, civilians who are sometimes being shot on sight," said the Director General of the UN migration agency (IOM), Amy Pope, during a briefing on Wednesday.

Hiding from drones

"Many described leaving the area and seeing dead bodies along the way." She said she had met women and children who had been walking for days in some instances, "hiding from drones, carrying only their children."

The statements come amid intensified violence and spreading in Sudan, following the capture of regional capital El Fasher by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) last month from government troops, after more than 500 days of siege.

Ms. Pope said that the scale of need is "coinciding at a time when there have been unprecedented humanitarian cuts to humanitarian assistance around the world."

Less than 5,000 aid kits available

The IOM is providing shelter, basic dignity kits and cooking kits to those who need them most, but right now, the funding for that response is far below what is needed, Ms. Pope warned, at only eight per cent.

Fewer than 5,000 kits were available at a warehouse in Port Sudan, and 35 IOM tents are out for distribution.

Some countries and partners have been asking for additional information or seeking data on the funding situation, but the scale of the need is so high that the agency is "trying to play catch up at this moment in time," Ms. Pope said.

Joint humanitarian efforts

IOM is liaising with the UN relief coordination office (OCHA) and the World Food Programme (WFP) to secure resources.

"By visiting various parts of the country, we can provide a comprehensive picture to the world of what needs to happen to support especially vulnerable civilians who are fleeing violence."

The UN relief chief Tom Fletcher has been in Sudan this week and is expected to brief journalists from there on Monday.

Ms. Pope said that while IOM has trucks going into Tawila, a city around 60 kilometres from El Fasher, access is extremely limited and the agency is providing support mainly to those who are leaving.

Many humanitarian workers have also been the victims of violence over the past few months, with some wounded or killed, Ms. Pope added.

Preparations for 'intensified hostilities'

UN human rights chief Volker Turk warned on Wednesday that there's been no let-up in the killing of civilians.

Addressing the French Senate, he said that his office (OHCHR) continues to receive alarming reports that the RSF is "carrying out atrocity crimes, including summary executions, sexual violence and other violations."

He added that in the Kordofan region there were "clear preparations for intensified hostilities as killings and destruction increase."

Mr. Turk urged countries to respect the Security Council's arms embargo in Darfur, stressing that civilian protection, humanitarian access and a return to civilian rule are the priorities.

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Today's top news: Sudan, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Democratic Republic of the Congo

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Sudan

UN Relief Chief meets senior officials and humanitarian partners

The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, continues his visit to Sudan this week.

Yesterday in Port Sudan, he met General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, President of the Transitional Sovereign Council of the Republic of the Sudan, to discuss continued dialogue and cooperation to improve humanitarian access across the country. "The UN appreciates the clear commitment to support us to deliver lifesaving aid everywhere it is needed," Fletcher said in a social media post.

The Under-Secretary-General also held talks with Sudanese Foreign Minister Mohieldin Salim Ahmed Ibrahim and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on urgent steps to reach people in need across Sudan, from Darfur to the Kordofan region. Mr. Fletcher expressed his gratitude for their partnership and commitment to facilitate neutral and impartial humanitarian action. While in Port Sudan, the Under-Secretary-General also met with UN agencies and humanitarian partners.

Fletcher is now traveling towards Darfur to meet families who escaped the bloodshed in El Fasher - a city he says was "already the scene of catastrophic levels of human suffering" which has "descended into an even darker hell" - and the aid workers struggling to reach them amid insecurity, access constraints and funding cuts.* He recently allocated US$20 million from the OCHA-managed Central Emergency Response Fund to scale up lifesaving aid in Tawila, other parts of Darfur, and the Kordofan region.

The UN is intensifying its efforts to reach people in need across Darfur and beyond, together with local aid organizations.

*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Sudan with urgent support.

Occupied Palestinian Territory

UN and partners stress need to lift constraints on Gaza humanitarian operations

OCHA reports that the humanitarian response in Gaza continues to ramp up, despite the many constraints that remain. The UN and its partners stress that these impediments must be lifted so that humanitarians can expand the response quickly.

Overnight, Israeli authorities informed the UN that the Zikim crossing, between Israel and northern Gaza, will reopen for humanitarian cargo. In recent weeks, the UN has been repairing the road leading to Zikim inside Gaza in preparation for the reopening and is now carrying out final checks - including for potential explosive hazards - to enable the resumption of cargo collection.

OCHA has been informed that for the time being, cargo will need to be scanned elsewhere, offloaded from Israeli trucks, and then reloaded onto Palestinian trucks on separate days. Zikim has been closed for two months, and no supplies were entering Gaza directly from the north.

Partners working on food security report that they continue to deliver hot meals and bread to people in need across Gaza. They warn that due to ongoing customs clearance delays and other impediments impacting the distribution of food parcels, partners are having to adjust the quantity to stretch the available stock.

Partners managing displacement sites in Gaza report that people continue to move from southern Gaza to areas in the north, with about 4,000 movements recorded over the past week. While the distribution of shelter and winter supplies is scaling up, the needs remain vast, and much more aid needs to enter to address them at the scale necessary.

Meanwhile, the fiber-optic cable near the Erez crossing in northern Gaza has been out of order since 6 November - and partners working on emergency telecommunications have been unable to access the area to fix the issue, as requests to coordinate repairs have been denied by Israeli authorities. Partners warn that a prolonged outage could lead to an Internet blackout across Gaza, which would jeopardize ongoing humanitarian operations by the UN and its partners.

As humanitarians continue to scale up assistance - with the commercial sector and bilateral assistance further supporting the response - market prices for basic commodities are gradually stabilizing. Partners continue to provide critical cash voucher assistance, with 66,000 cash transfers since the ceasefire came into effect.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Violence imperils civilians in North Kivu and Ituri

OCHA remains deeply concerned about continued attacks against civilians in Beni and Lubero territories in North Kivu province, as well as in Ituri province, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Since the beginning of the year, partners report that more than 1,000 people have been killed across North Kivu and Ituri.

According to partners, as of the end of October, some 400,000 people have been displaced in Beni and Lubero territories.

The impact on health services has been devastating. At least six health facilities have been attacked since the beginning of 2025. In total, since 2024, at least 28 health sites have been affected by armed attacks, and more than half of those facilities remain non-functional today, depriving over 150,000 people of access to essential care.

Humanitarian access is increasingly constrained due to insecurity and the presence of explosive remnants of war. Attacks by armed groups are also disrupting agriculture and reducing trade flows, further destabilizing local markets.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo remains one of the countries most affected by food insecurity, with the situation particularly severe in the east. Nearly 25 million people - more than 20 per cent of the population - are currently facing high levels of acute food insecurity, Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Phase 3 or above, according to the latest IPC analysis. This number is projected to rise to nearly 27 million in the first half of 2026, with the situation in several territories in North Kivu, including Lubero, expected to deteriorate to emergency levels of food security, or IPC Phase 4.

OCHA reiterates its call on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure.

Nearly 11 months into the year, the $2.5 billion 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan for the DRC is just 17 per cent funded, with $435 million received.

Posted on 12 November 2025

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Secretary-General's Joint Press Conference following 9th Annual AU-UN Conference

United Nations Secretary-General

12 November 2025

New York, UN

Press events | Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General

Ladies and gentlemen of the media,

Let me begin by welcoming Chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf and thanking him for today's very fruitful discussion.

This was our first annual meeting with the African Union Commission since he took up his post, and one that builds on earlier momentum.

Cooperation between our organizations has never been stronger  or more necessary.

Our world is in turmoil, rocked by deadly conflicts, widening inequalities, climate chaos and runaway technologies.

The impacts are felt deeply on the African continent.

I wish to address three areas where decisive action is needed.

First - making Africa a priority.

Since the start of my first mandate, I have taken steps to keep Africa high on the UN agenda.

A closer strategic alliance with the AU was at the centre of this work - building on shared values, mutual respect, common interests, and complementarity.

This led to our joint framework on peace and security, improving collaboration from early conflict indicators to post-conflict peacebuilding;

Our joint framework on sustainable development, accelerating the shared ambitions of the AU's Agenda 2063 and the UN's 2030 Agenda;

And our joint frameworks on human rights - which enhance protection and strengthen inclusive democratic institutions and the rule of law.

More recently, the Pact for the Future reaffirmed the importance of collaborating with regional organizations - specifically the AU - and of addressing Africa's needs and aspirations on peace and security; on sustainable development; on women, youth and future generations; on science, technology and innovation, and more.

The Pact also called for permanent seats for Africa on the Security Council, correcting once and for all an intolerable injustice faced by the African continent.

Our engagement with the AU likewise informs the UN80 Initiative, which aims to realign our work in ways that improve support to the most vulnerable countries - in Africa and beyond.

But we cannot deliver for Africa without adequate, predictable and sustained resources.

I call again on Member States to pay their regular assessments and peacekeeping contributions in full and on time.

Second - financing for development and innovation.

Africa's history is as old as humanity. Its resources are vast - and have driven the growth of many economies. Its people are the future.

But its progress is held back by an outdated and unfair global financial system.

The time has come to reform this financial architecture - so it reflects the world of today and better serves the needs of developing countries, particularly in Africa.

It must become more inclusive, representative, equitable and effective.

This means giving developing countries more meaningful participation in global financial institutions.

Tripling the lending capacity of multilateral development banks.

And easing debt burdens with new instruments to reduce the cost of capital, to lower borrowing costs, to extend maturity, align debt service to the ability to pay, and speed up sovereign debt resolution for countries facing debt distress.

African leadership helped secure the Sevilla Commitment, which takes concrete steps to advance work on these issues.

And later this month I will take this message to the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, urging G20 members to lead on these long-overdue reforms;

And welcoming the Africa-Europe Foundation's work on resetting and strengthening the relationship between the two continents.

Africa also needs investment to ensure it benefits from the clean energy revolution.

Solar and wind are now the cheapest sources of power - and the fastest growing sources of electricity in history.

No continent has more sunshine or wind than Africa.

But it lacks the funds to invest in renewables at the speed and scale required.

Too many African countries are starved of the resources to adapt - and locked out of the clean energy transition - while investments in Africa for clean energy flow to developed countries.

In a few days I will return to COP30 in Belem and reiterate a message that could not be more clear:

Developed countries have a moral imperative to act.

By closing the climate ambition gap to keep the 1.5 degrees limit within reach;

Doubling adaptation finance to at least 40 billion US dollars this year and massively scaling up adaptation finance in the years to come and adaptation is absolutely crucial for the African continent that practically does not contribute to climate change, but it is in the frontline of the most negative impacts of climate change.

On the other hand, developed countries must provide at least 300 billion US dollars a year for mitigation and adaptation and helping to mobilize 1.3 trillion US dollars annually by 2025 to meet the needs of developing countries.

And delivering a climate justice package that brings equity, dignity and opportunity to communities that - like many in Africa - are on the frontlines of the climate crisis.

Third - investing in peace.

Sustainable development and peace are interdependent and mutually reinforcing.

In this respect, I wish to reaffirm my full support for the AU's Silencing the Guns initiative.

Its vision is compelling: an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa.

Its ambition is bold: to end all wars and violent conflicts on the continent.

Its approach is smart: aligning efforts across the humanitarian, development and peace sectors.

And its time is now.

Today, Africa is home to too many conflicts and too much suffering.

In Sudan, I am gravely concerned by recent reports of mass atrocities and gross human rights violations in El Fasher and worsening violence in the Kordofans.

The flow of weapons and fighters from external parties must be cut off.

The flow of humanitarian aid must be able to quickly reach civilians in need.

The hostilities must stop.

I call on the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces to engage with my Personal Envoy for Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, and take swift, tangible steps toward a negotiated settlement.

I am also deeply alarmed by rising insecurity in the Sahel, as armed groups and terrorist networks exploit fragile governance and intercommunal tensions.

The developments in Mali, including the fuel blockade, make a dire situation even worse, posing new risks to the wider region and the entire continent.

Trust must be urgently restored and cooperation between countries across the region must be re-established.

In South Sudan, delays in implementing the peace agreement cloud prospects for credible and peaceful elections in December 2026.

Its leaders must urgently summon the political will to make difficult compromises and prevent a return to conflict.

In Somalia, chronic underfunding of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission narrows the path from conflict to recovery.

Security Council Resolution 2719 established a framework for predictable financing of AU-led operations authorized by the Council through assessed contributions.

Regrettably, the Council has yet to agree on how to materialize this commitment.

This has real consequences for AUSSOM, which remains indispensable for Somalia's security transition and counter-terrorism efforts.

International partners must urgently close the 2025 funding gap - and ensure predictable support for the remainder of the Mission.

In Libya, dialogue and compromise are essential to overcome political and institutional divisions.

The AU-UN Annual Conference expressed its full support for the UN Roadmap to enable national elections and end the transitional phase, and for the Libyan National Peace and Reconciliation Charter.

Mesdames et Messieurs,

Dans l'est de la Republique democratique du Congo, des decennies de conflit ont engendre une crise humanitaire d'une ampleur tragique - avec 5,7 millions de personnes deplacees et 21 millions de personnes ayant besoin d'aide vitale.

Les services publics s'effondrent. Le cholera se propage. L'espoir s'eloigne.

Les donateurs doivent se mobiliser - en apportant un soutien fort a un Plan de reponse humanitaire cruellement sous-finance.

Les combattants doivent cesser immediatement les hostilites - afin de permettre la mise en uvre rapide des accords de paix.

Toutes les parties doivent honorer leurs engagements au titre de l'Accord de paix de Washington et de la Declaration de principes de Doha, et se conformer pleinement a la resolution 2773 du Conseil de securite.

La souverainete et l'integrite territoriale de la RDC doivent etre pleinement respectees.

Et les causes profondes de l'instabilite et de la violence dans l'est du pays doivent etre traitees a la racine.

Mesdames et Messieurs de la presse.

Le monde ne doit pas tourner le dos a l'Afrique, qui abrite pres d'un cinquieme de l'humanite.

Les enjeux sont trop importants.

Et le potentiel est tout aussi immense.

Je tiens a remercier a nouveau le President Youssouf, et je me rejouis de voir notre cooperation se renforcer toujours davantage.

Je vous remercie.

Spokesperson: We'll take a few questions. Our great interpreters are here, you can ask in French or English. Valeria.

Question: Thank you so much. Thank you for this press conference on behalf of the UN Correspondents Association. It's Valeria Robecco from ANSA News Agency. Secretary-General, do you believe the current multilateral system is delivering truly for Africa, and what are the first concrete steps between the areas that you just mentioned that the UN will take or can take to ensure African voices are better represented in the global decision-making? Thank you so much.

Secretary-General: It is clear that Africa is a double victim of colonialism. First of all, because of colonialism itself and its impact, and second, because when the international multilateral system was created, Africa was not present at the table. And so, it was largely created in line with the interests of the countries that, at the time, were around the table, and they are essentially developed countries. And so, it's absolutely essential to correct this historic injustice. And that means presence of Africa with permanent members in the Security Council and also, more non-permanent members. And that means that Africa's weight in the international financial system needs to increase, and Africa needs to benefit from the international financial architecture in a way that is compatible with enormous challenges that the African continent faces. So, we are for the reform of the multilateral institutions, and one of the reasons why this reform is necessary is for Africa to finally see, I would say, correct and necessary positions to be respected.

Spokesperson: Thank you, Sherwin Bryce-Pease.

Question: Sherwin Bryce-Pease, South African broadcasting, Chairman Youssouf, Secretary-General Guterres, a question for you both. I believe you will both travel to Johannesburg next week for the first G20 Leader Summit in Africa. But a notable absence will be the delegation of the United States after President Trump indicated last week that South Africa should not be in the G20, expressing his views on alleged human rights abuses directed at the white Afrikaner community, which has been rejected as devoid of fact by the South African government. How do you both view the US. position as it relates to South Africa's role in the G20 and the U.S. criticism of the development focus of this year's agenda that it views as a departure from the core mandate of the G20 block?

Chairperson: It is, indeed, unfortunate that the United States boycott this G20 summit. But let me reassure you. I think the African continent has decided to take its destiny on its hands. And we are definitely working to increase the self-reliance. We are working to mobilize domestic resources for our development programs, and the whole rhetoric and narrative is changing. Now, just to respond to also the first question. I mean, the multilateral system can deliver for the African continent, but it's not the only continent that needs the multilateral system. We have to be clear about that. And if the multilateral system is not delivering or has difficulties to do so, it's up to us the UN and African continent to support it and to consolidate it.

As far as the G20 is concerned, this is a new platform for the African continent. It will be the first time that we'll be hosting the G20 in South Africa and it will be the first time the African Union will participate as a full member. So, this will be a good platform to voice our demands with regards to the reforms that have to be introduced into the international financial system.

We will also voice our requests for climate justice. We will certainly use this platform to advance our agenda and we do have on the continent so many agendas related to climate, related to financing, related also to peace and security. So, I mean, we are quite confident that we are living in a world that is moving towards polarization and it's up to the African continent to take its place around the table where decisions, global decisions are made. This is our mindset, and we will be working towards those goals.

Secretary-General: Well, my best response to what others say is that I will be there. I will be there and I am totally committed to work within the G20, to move all the key reforms that are essential in the international financial system and to create the conditions for the development agenda, particularly in Africa, to be sustainable. And for that, there is an essential question, which is the reduction of the cost of capital, and addressing the problems of debt distress, as I believe, are in the priorities of the presidency of the G20.

Spokesperson: Thank you. Edie.

Question: Thank you very much. Mr. Ali Youssouf and Secretary-General. How realistic is it to believe that the guns in Africa can be silenced by 2030 since there are only four years left and conflicts have been escalating?

And Mr. Secretary-General, if I could add in one question, can you give us your assessment of the ceasefire in Gaza and what role the U.N may be playing, we know already in humanitarian, but possibly in future efforts?

Chairperson: Silencing the guns by 2030 might appear as an unrealistic goal. But let me pinpoint: This initiative started in 2016. And in 2016, we put the bar as high as 2020. We said we will be silencing the guns by 2020. And then, it didn't work for us. And again, our leaders met, and they said that maybe we should change the course of how we handle crises. That's what happened. We put in place what we call the peace and security architecture and the governance architecture. And now we are working to merge those two mechanism so that we, really, the continent [can] be more efficient in tackling those crises in our countries.

Let's say that 2030 might not be a realistic date to end, you know, violence on the continent -violence will continue anyway- because we think that we have to handle the structural reasons of violence and conflicts in our continent. And this will take certainly time. That's why we have what we call agenda 2063. So, in the slogan, in agenda 2063 is the Africa we want, peaceful, prosperous and integrated. So, we still have long decades ahead of us, but I think we are working very hard, really, to end those conflicts. It's not easy, and without the support of the UN, it will be even more difficult. That's why we are insisting on the fact that the UN should play its role. And, in particular, the UN Security Council, especially when it comes to financing the peace operations on our continent.

Secretary-General: The ceasefire in Gaza is fragile, is repeatedly violated, but it is holding. And I strongly appeal for the ceasefire to be fully respected, and to pave the way for the negotiations of phase II, leading to the creation of the conditions for the self-determination of the Palestinian people and the creation of the two-State solution.

On the other hand, we are indeed at the present moment, substantially increasing, even still with some obstacles and difficulties that are not yet removed, but we are substantially increasing our humanitarian aid in Gaza, and the next steps for the UN will be, of course, defined by the Security Council.

Question: Thank you very much. My name is Prosper Heri. I come from Goma, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and I'm a Dag Hammarskjold Fellow. I have just one question to Mr. the Secretary-General. What is the future of MONUSCO in Democratic Republic of Congo, taking in consideration the fact that the security situation, humanitarian situation have deteriorated since early 2025. What is the future of MONUSCO in this situation? Will MONUSCO withdraw or there is another process? Thank you.

Secretary-General: First of all, MONUSCO is not only in the areas controlled by the M23, and MONUSCO is doing a remarkable work of protection of civilians in other areas of conflict within the DRC. On the other hand, in the agreements that were established in Doha, there is a role that is given to MONUSCO in support to the monitoring that will be handled by other institutions. So, MONUSCO will go on doing what the international community asks it to do, in order to support the Congolese people that have suffered enormously. I have been in Goma three times in my life and I can tell you that it breaks my heart to see the people of Goma and the people of North Kivu and the people of the eastern Congo in general suffer at the level that has been imposed to them.

Question: Mr. Chairperson, Secretary General, thank you so much for this briefing. Kris Reyes with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. In recent years, we've seen the world's attention captured by the wars in Ukraine and in the Middle East. How would you compare that attention that's been given towards the conflicts in Africa? And would you agree that the world does not pay as much attention to those conflicts? And what is your vision for changing that?

Chairperson: You are 100% right when you say that African conflicts are not enough covered. First by media, and then it doesn't get proper attention from the international community. Maybe it is related to the strategic interest of those conflicts for big players in the international arena. And that's why the suffering of the Sudanese people, and in Eastern DRC, in many parts of Africa might be in terms of intensity and magnitude, maybe even worse than what you can imagine and what you could see on mainstream media when it comes to Ukraine or the Middle East. So, it's very important that you, media experts, you know, raise those questions from time to time, just to draw the attention of the international community to our crisis.

Question: If I could just get a follow up, I mean just towards leaders as well. We saw leaders convene to try to end these conflicts in Ukraine and in the Middle East. Why do you think leaders have not done the same for conflicts in Africa and how do you change that? (....) draw the attention, just a little bit away from the media, but also the leaders that have not stepped up to these conflicts. How do you change that dynamic?

Secretary-General: It is essentially to do with the geo-strategic divides and the geo-strategic interests, and obviously, those geo-strategic divides and geo-strategic interests are more concentrated on the situation related to Ukraine and on the situation related to the Middle East. But the point is that we need to look into people and people that suffer. And when you look at people that suffer, you have to recognize that what is happening in Sudan is absolutely intolerable, and it should deserve the same kind of attention by international leaders, because what happens in Sudan today has already several external factors interfering with it. And this conflict that we are witnessing in several parts of Africa, in the Sahel, in Somalia, where you have terrorist organizations with an enormous potential, these conflicts represent the threat, not for Africa, but for the whole of the international community. So, the international community will be wise to pay more attention and to support the African continent in their fight in order to eliminate terrorism in Africa, which means to eliminate the threats to other parts of the world.

Question: Thank you, Chairman Youssouf, welcome to the United Nations. Secretary-General Guterres, it's always good to see you in this room. I wish to just point to Nigeria, the development and President Trump statements last week about the atrocities, as he described it, and the killings of Christians in Nigeria. My question first to Mr. Chairman, what is the AU position on these statements?

Mr. Secretary-General, the UN and its organizations are operating in close to impossible circumstances, whether it's in Gaza, whether it's in Sudan, whether it's in Ukraine, in Congo. What's your vision, and also reflecting on UN at 80, how is the future of the UN agencies involved in conflict zones? How do you see that? And what's the protections that can be in place since they are a humanitarian work, they are not affiliated, they are neutral and everything. So, I wish to get both visions. Thank you.

Chairperson: Let me say this first: there is no genocide in northern Nigeria. We have issued a communique, making clear that what's going on in the northern part of Nigeria has nothing to do with the kind of atrocities we see in Sudan or in some parts of eastern DRC. I think the complexity of the situation in northern Nigeria should, you know, push us to think twice before declaring or making such statements. The first victims of Boko Haram are Muslims, not Christians. The first victims, and I'm saying it with documented references. So, the complexity in the northern part of Nigeria should not be taken, you know, that easily. So, what we are saying to those statements, with regard to those statements, is that the African Continent is very complex. It's not that easy to describe those situations with such very easy words that can be used in a not reasonable way.

That's why the African Union Commission is very clear about that. We made it clear in our statement and communique, and we would like really to stress again that there is no genocide in northern Nigeria.

Secretary-General: Humanitarian agencies have seen a considerable reduction of resources, so they had to limit their operations, but they are going on everywhere in the world, delivering humanitarian aid, rescuing lives, and allowing people to survive situations of hunger, situations of extreme poverty, or the impact of conflict. Obviously, one of the things that concern us more is what you referred to, about the security of the members of the humanitarian agencies. And indeed, it is a violation of international humanitarian law to attack any humanitarian workers or humanitarian organizations. Unfortunately, I would say that the two professions that are today more dangerous in the world are exactly journalists and humanitarian workers.

Spokesperson: Thank you very much.

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USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) Returns to Mayport Following Deployment to U.S. Fourth Fleet

US Navy

12 November 2025

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) returned to Naval Station Mayport after completing a 91-day surge deployment in the U.S. Fourth Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR).

While assigned to Destroyer Squadron 40 (DESRON 40), the ship conducted a variety of multi-domain operations and joint training events. The crew qualified for both the U.S. Coast Guard Special Operations Ribbon and the Sea Service Ribbon for its support of interagency operations while deployed.

"I am incredibly proud of my entire crew aboard Jason Dunham," said Cmdr. Aaron Jefferson III, USS Jason Dunham's Commanding Officer. "Successfully completing our surge deployment to Fourth Fleet is yet another example of their unmatched resilience and professionalism."

The ship's embarked helicopter detachment, HSM-48 Detachment 7, flew 121 sorties while integrating airborne tactical scouting to extend the ship's maritime domain awareness and reach.

"Over the course of their deployment to the USSOUTHCOM AOR, Jason Dunham and her exceptional crew exemplified the strength of American naval sea power and international cooperation," said Capt. Anthony James, commander, Naval Surface Group Southeast. "Their efforts reflect the strength of our commitment to maritime security and cooperation with allies and partners in the region."

Jason Dunham conducted port visits to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Ponce, Puerto Rico; and Charlotte Amalie St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, enhancing logistical sustainment and regional security cooperation.

"Our team's presence in the Caribbean is a clear demonstration of the Navy's ability to deploy forces anywhere in the world to protect the interests of the American people," said Jefferson.

USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) is assigned to Commander Naval Surface Group Southeast and homeported in Mayport, Florida. As an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, Jason Dunham is a multi-mission surface combatant capable of conducting anti-air, anti-submarine, and anti-surface warfare operations, supporting the U.S. Navy's goals of forward presence, maritime security, and deterrence.

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Trump plan serves Israel's strategic interests: Islamic Jihad

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 13 November 2025 3:23 AM

The Gaza Strip's Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement says Donald Trump's 20-point plan, which the US president claims is aimed at ending the Israeli regime's genocide in Gaza, actually serves Tel Aviv's strategic interests.

Spokesman Mohammed al-Hajj Musa made the remarks to the Palestine Today newspaper on Wednesday concerning the proposal that was forwarded in late September.

"Trump's proposal is vague and achieves strategic objectives for the occupation," he said.

Hamas, Gaza's main resistance movement, and the regime reached an agreement during indirect talks in Egypt in early October aimed at implementation of the first phase of the plan.

In line with the accord, Hamas would hand over all the remaining Israeli captives in Gaza, besides transferring the territory's control to a Palestinian technocratic body.

It has released all the living Israeli captives and handed over the bodies of the slain ones, with the exception of those, whose remains have been buried under tons of debris resulting from ferocious Israeli strikes.

The movement has been endeavoring every day since the deal's implementation to retrieve the remaining bodies.

Musa also noted that the resistance has also "shown great flexibility regarding the administration of the Gaza Strip."

"We welcome the administration of the Gaza Strip by a technocratic government through an independent Palestinian national decision."

Palestinian officials have, however, warned that the proposal ignores the core issues of Israeli occupation, accountability for war crimes, and Palestinians' right to self-determination and compensation.

Earlier this month, Washington circulated a draft United Nations Security Council resolution proposing creation of a so-called "International Stabilization Force (ISF)" in Gaza for at least two years.

The officials have expressed concern that such steps represented an effort to replace one occupation with another, merely swapping Israeli boots for foreign ones.

Musa asserted, "The acceptable force in the Gaza Strip must have its mandate from the Security Council and have a specific duration and authority."

"The resistance insists on its position of rejecting any force outside this framework."

The Islamic Jihad official reiterated his misgivings about the American proposal, saying Washington seeks to "to strangle Gaza politically and humanitarianly."

He also expressed alarm that the Israeli military had refused to commit to agreed withdrawal processes or the humanitarian protocol and continued its violations of the ceasefire deal.

Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed since implementation of the deal during Israeli strikes that, experts have warned, continue to follow genocidal patterns.

The victims are among the 69,000-plus Gazans, whom the genocide has claimed since its onset in October 2023.

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China strongly condemns Pakistan suicide bombing, firmly opposes all forms of terrorism: FM spokesperson

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Nov 12, 2025 04:02 PM

In response to media inquiries regarding the suicide bombing near a court in Pakistan's capital Islamabad on Tuesday that killed at least 12 people and injured many, for which the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated on Wednesday that China strongly condemns the attack.

"We deeply mourn the lives lost, and extend sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured," Guo said.

"We've learned that there were no Chinese casualties so far. China firmly opposes all forms of terrorism and will continue to support Pakistan in fighting terrorism, maintaining social stability and keeping its people safe," the spokesperson said.

Pakistan News outlet Dawn reported on Wednesday that the bombing was the first such attack in the capital in nearly three years. According to local police, a lone bomber blew himself up at the main entrance to the judicial complex, located in the G-11 sector, after failing in repeated attempts to enter the premises, where hundreds of litigants and lawyers were present.

In the wake of the attack, senior Pakistani officials swiftly responded. Foreign minister and deputy prime minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar on Wednesday said that cowardly acts of terrorism would never weaken Pakistan's resolve to deal with this menace, in remarks he made while addressing the two-day Inter-Parliamentary Speakers' Conference being held in Islamabad, where he mentioned the suicide blast in the federal capital and the attack on the Cadet College in Wana, Dawn reported.

Extending condolences to the victims' families, Dar reiterated that Pakistan "categorically rejects acts of terrorism in all forms and manifestations, whether these take place in Islamabad or anywhere in the world," according to the report.

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Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's comment on New Delhi car explosion

12 November 2025 13:27

1894-12-11-2025

We were deeply alarmed to learn of the car bombing in the historic Red Fort area of New Delhi in the early hours of November 10, which killed more than 10 people and injured dozens. We extend our sincere condolences to the victims' families and wish a speedy recovery to the injured.

Russia strongly condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and is committed to the eradication of this global scourge. We are convinced that the solidarity of the entire international community is crucial to effectively combating this threat.



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Trump's Domestic Military Deployments Come at Nearly $500Mln Price Tag - Reports

Sputnik News

20251112

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The deployment of military units in cities across the United States has cost the administration of President Donald Trump nearly $500 million, The Intercept reported, citing expert estimations.

The current $473 million price tag includes $172 million spent on troops deployed in Los Angeles in June, around $270 million for Washington's August operation, nearly $15 million spent in Portland, as well as $3 million and $13 million for operations in Memphis and Chicago, respectively, the report said on Tuesday.

In early June, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid to identify illegal immigrants in downtown Los Angeles escalated into clashes with protesters. The next day, the White House announced the deployment of 2,000 National Guards to Los Angeles, followed by an additional 700 Marines and 2,000 guards. On July 16, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ordered the release of 2,000 officers from the mission.

On August 11, Trump ordered the deployment of National Guard troops to Washington, DC, amid a "public safety emergency" and said that he intended to restore order in other cities with high crime rates, such as New York, Chicago, Baltimore, Oakland, and Los Angeles.

In October, about 500 US National Guard troops arrived in the Chicago area to maintain law and order. The troops were mobilized for an initial period of 60 days. However, after that, an Illinois court blocked the deployment. Later that month, Trump called off his plans to deploy federal agents to San Francisco, giving San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie a chance to turn the situation around.

 Sputnik

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Beijing Expresses Strong Protest Over Hacking Accusations by Australia

Sputnik News

20251112

BEIJING (Sputnik) - Beijing has issued a strong protest over the accusation of cyber attacks by Australia, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Wednesday.

During a briefing, a journalist asked Guo to comment on statements of Australian Security Intelligence Organization Director-General of Security Mike Burgess, who said that Chinese hackers conduct multiple attempts to penetrate critical infrastructure in Australia.

"In recent months, the Australian official you mentioned has repeatedly hurled attacks at China, spread disinformation and deliberately sowed division and confrontation. China firmly opposes it and has protested with Australia," Guo said.

The spokesperson emphasized that China hopes that the Australian officials will stop making irresponsible statements and take more decisive actions toward the healthy development of China-Australia relations.

 Sputnik

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Up In The Air: Are Balloons From Belarus A Smuggling Operation? A Hybrid Attack? Or Both?

By RFE/RL's Belarus Service, Yury Drakakhrust and Ray Furlong November 12, 2025

Lithuania's prime minister has said it's "a hybrid attack" -- hundreds of weather balloons flying across the border from Belarus, causing airport chaos. But the incidents also point to a long-standing, large-scale smuggling network that allegedly has high-level links in Minsk.

Flying at an altitude of some 13 kilometers (around 43,000 feet) the balloons grew so numerous in late October that they forced several airport closures, affecting around 140 flights and 20,000 passengers.

On October 29, NATO and European Union member Lithuania closed its border with Belarus for a month, with Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene saying this could be extended for "as long as necessary."

But the balloons themselves are not entirely new.

Black Market Tobacco

Their appearance in the skies above the two countries dates from around the same time that Lithuanian authorities introduced a crackdown on trucks smuggling cigarettes across the border.

Rewind to 2023, and Lithuanian customs officers seized 11.9 million packs of cigarettes. That year, they started rolling out new X-ray control systems at checkpoints. It was also the year that the Lithuanian border service reported three balloons arriving with contraband cigarettes.

Last year, the numbers told a different story: just 2.3 million cigarette packs seized by customs, as smugglers started using different means including drones, rafts, and 226 reported balloons.

This year, the balloon numbers have grown further, with 546 balloons reported between January and October. Border guards believe this method now accounts for 80 percent of all cigarettes smuggled across the border.

Syarhey Besarab, a Belarusian chemist and science popularizer, told RFE/RL's Belarus Service that a balloon capable of carrying a cargo of 40-50 kilograms would cost around 500 euros ($578).

This would amount to around 1,500 packets of cigarettes with a street value of some 3,450 euros. There is also relatively little chance of the balloons blowing off course.

"The wind blowing on the surface and at altitude are two very different things. Up there, the wind is constant, which is why the balloons are raised to such a height," said Besarab.

These are sizeable helium balloons flying in large numbers. For example, on the night of October 3-4, Lithuania reported the arrival of 25 balloons from the Belarusian side.

"It is impossible to launch such balloons en masse in Belarus unnoticed by the special [security] services -- it is fantasy," Besarab added.

His comments echoed remarks by Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, who said last month "it is quite obvious that special structures, the [Belarusian] KGB, are involved in the sale of cigarettes by companies that produce official products, as well as products intended for the illegal market."

Belarus has long been identified as a source of international cigarette smuggling.

Who Smokes Belarusian Cigarettes?

Back in 2016, researchers at Milan University, in Italy, released a study called The Belarusian Tobacco Illicit Trade Hub. It found that, as well as counterfeit cigarettes, there was also a roaring trade in "illicit whites" -- "cigarettes manufactured legally in one country but normally intended for smuggling into countries where they are normally unavailable on the legal market."

It gave a breakdown of the main markets where contraband Belarusian brands were being sold, including Germany (30 percent), Poland (22.6 percent), Britain (17.8 percent), and Italy (9.7 percent).

Nearly 10 years later, the trade continues. Sources who spoke to RFE/RL's Belarus Service reported seeing Belarusian cigarette brands being sold illegally in Lithuania, Germany, and France.

Groups on the Telegram messenger app are used for buying and selling. In one group, an individual was looking to buy Belarusian NZ brand cigarettes in bulk in Helsinki, Finland. Other groups focused on Spain, Portugal, Germany, and other EU countries.

The switch to balloons and the disruption it has caused have made the smuggling a more visible political problem. This has become even more urgent after two Russian military aircraft violated Lithuanian airspace on October 23, as well as unknown drones spotted near airports recently.

Belarus denies involvement in sending the balloons and has condemned the decision to close the border. On November 11, Belarusian authoritarian leader Aleksandr Lukashenko called for bilateral talks on reopening the border, but Lithuania said it would remain closed until the balloons stopped flying.

Darius Antanaitis, a reserve officer in the Lithuanian Army and media commentator, told RFE/RL the closure was the best way to force Minsk to change tack.

"Many Belarusians work in Lithuania and transfer the money they earn in Lithuania to Belarus, replenishing the Lukashenko regime's budget," he said.

"When Lithuania closes border crossings, the Lukashenko regime feels social, political, and economic pressure."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/balloons-belarus-smuggling- hybrid-attack-lithuania-cigarettes/33586992.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Minister Anand meets with India's External Affairs Minister

Global Affairs Canada

Readout

November 11, 2025 - Niagara Region, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, was pleased to welcome today Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India's External Affairs Minister, to Canada for the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in the Niagara Region, where they met for their third time this yeara reflection of momentum in the bilateral relationship.

Minister Anand expressed her deepest condolences to Minister Jaishankar for those who were killed in the explosion in New Delhi, India, yesterday and reiterated that Canada stands with the people of India during this tragic time.

The ministers exchanged views on the ongoing law-enforcement dialogue between Canadian and Indian authorities. They also discussed the progress being made on the Canada-India joint road map, which sets out a plan to enhance cooperation in key areas, including energy, trade and people-to-people ties.

Minister Anand reiterated Canada's appreciation of India's participation in G7 discussions this year, recognizing that as the world's fifth largest economy and with a relationship built on more than 75 years of diplomatic relations, India is an important partner for Canada.

The two Ministers agreed to remain in touch as the two countries continue to implement the Canada-India road map.

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Minister Anand meets with Japan's Minister for Foreign Affairs

Global Affairs Canada

Readout

November 11, 2025 - Niagara Region, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada



The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today met with Motegi Toshimitsu, Japan's Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the margins of the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in the Niagara Region. This was the ministers' first in-person meeting since Minister Motegi took office and served to deepen Canada's bilateral relations with this trusted Indo-Pacific partner.

Minister Anandemphasized the importance of strengthening the Canada-Japan security, defence and economic partnership, highlighting Canada as a stable and reliable partner in bolstering Japan's economic and energy security. The ministers also discussed ways to advance shared security and prosperity interests under the Canada-Japan Action Plan.

Minister Anand reaffirmed Canada's commitment to the Indo-Pacific and to working with Japan as a strategic partner in the region, in line with the three pillars of Canada's foreign policy: defence and security, economic resilience and core values.

As Canada and Japan approach 100 years of diplomatic relations in 2028, Minister Anand and Minister Motegi agreed to continue building on the long-standing partnership and people-to-people ties between Canada and Japan.

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Minister Anand meets with France's Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs

Global Affairs Canada

Readout

November 12, 2025 - Niagara Region, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met yesterday with Jean-Noel Barrot, France's Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, on the margins of the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting held on November 11 and 12, 2025, in the Niagara Region, Ontario.

The ministers discussed the importance of the defence and trade relationship between Canada and France to meet the challenges of today's world, including through the promotion of industrial collaboration. In particular, they underscored joint efforts to strengthen transatlantic security, deepen defence cooperation, and expand trade ties, in partnership with the European Union.

Minister Anand and Minister Barrot reaffirmed their unwavering support to Ukraine and their commitment to advance peace in the Middle East.

Both Ministers agreed that Canada and France share a strong potential for further collaboration in areas such as critical minerals. They discussed ongoing priorities for the G7, as France prepares to assume the G7 presidency next year.

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Wang Yi Has a Phone Call with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: November 11, 2025 15:51

On November 11, 2025, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone call with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand at the latter's request.

Wang Yi said that not long ago, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Mark Carney held a pivotal meeting in Gyeongju, the Republic of Korea (ROK), where they reached important common understandings and provided strategic guidance on the improvement and development of China-Canada relations. This marks that ChinaCanada relations have been brought back onto the right track of development after seven years of twists and turns.

Wang Yi pointed out that implementing the common understandings reached by the leaders of the two countries is currently the most important agenda for China-Canada relations. The Chinese side is ready to enhance communication with the Canadian side and take effective actions to accelerate the resumption of exchanges and cooperation in various fields, so as to consolidate the momentum for further improving and developing China-Canada relations in a pragmatic and constructive manner. The foreign affairs, commerce and other departments of both countries can strengthen coordination, and in the spirit of mutual understanding, accommodation, and friendly consultations, properly address each other's legitimate concerns, and advance the sound, stable and sustainable development of ChinaCanada relations.

Anita Anand said that the candid, indepth and productive meeting between the leaders of the two countries in Gyeongju of the ROK more than one week ago marks an important turning point in Canada-China relations. The Canadian side is willing to seize this opportunity to strengthen dialogue and communication with the Chinese side at all levels and across various fields, enhance understanding and mutual trust, reinvigorate the Canada-China strategic partnership, deliver more mutually beneficial outcomes in trade, consular affairs, counter-narcotics, energy and other fields, and jointly follow through on the important common understandings reached by the leaders of the two countries.

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun's Regular Press Conference on November 12, 2025

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: November 12, 2025 17:58

China Daily: It's reported that a suicide bombing near a court in Pakistan's capital Islamabad on Tuesday killed at least 12 people and injured many. Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack. What's China's comment and is there any Chinese casualties?

Guo Jiakun: China strongly condemns the attack. We deeply mourn for the lives lost, and extend sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured. We've learned that there were no Chinese casualties so far.

China firmly opposes all forms of terrorism and will continue to support Pakistan in fighting terrorism, maintaining social stability and keeping its people safe.

China News Service: The 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is being held in Belem, Brazil. Correa do Lago, President of COP30, said the reduction in enthusiasm of the Global North is showing that the Global South is moving. He added that China is coming up with solutions that are for everyone. There are comments that China has exceeded, or is on course to exceed, most of the pledges it has made ten years ago, saving the Paris Agreement. Rather than developed countries, the Global South is leading the way. What's your comment?

Guo Jiakun: Ten years on since the signing of the Paris Agreement, global climate governance is entering a crucial stage. China actively participates in global climate governance and firmly supports Brazil, presidency of COP30, in hosting the conference. Special Representative of President Xi Jinping, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and Vice Premier of the State Council Ding Xuexiang attended the Belem Climate Summit and delivered remarks. He shared the guiding principles set forth in the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee, and sent a strong message of keeping to the right direction, translating climate commitments into action, and deepening openness and cooperation. This has made contributions to the success of the conference.

Climate change bears on humanity's shared future. From the Global South to the Global North, from developing countries to developed countries, we are all passengers aboard the same ship. Cooperation and joint effort is the only right choice.

China is a down-to-earth doer in climate response. We have made carbon peak and carbon neutrality a national strategy, established the most systematic and complete policy framework for carbon emissions reduction, and built the largest and fastest-growing renewable energy system in the world. China is among the countries with the fastest decline in energy intensity. Seventy percent of wind power equipment and 80 percent of photovoltaic components worldwide come from China, which enabled the cost reduction for global wind and photovoltaic power generation by over 60 and 80 percent respectively. At the United Nations Climate Summit, President Xi Jinping solemnly announced China's 2035 Nationally Determined Contributions, covering all economic sectors and all greenhouse gases. This is the first time that China put forward an absolute emissions reduction target, which is a testament to China's firm resolve and maximum effort.

China will work with all parties to abide by the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, achieve positive and balanced outcomes in the conference, and make new contributions to global climate governance.

Bloomberg: A question related to that statement you made. We are reporting that China will not contribute to the Tropical Forest Forever Facility, which is a rainforest conservation fund that Brazil has made its showpiece initiative as part of the UN COP30 climate summit. Can you speak to the decision not to contribute to the Tropical Forest Forever Facility?

Guo Jiakun: China welcomes and supports Brazil launching the Tropical Forest Forever Facility at COP 30 and hopes the facility will play a positive role. We also urge developed countries to provide sufficient financial support for developing countries to reduce deforestation and rainforest degradation.

Global Times: It was reported that the Japanese government held the autumn conferment of decorations ceremony on November 11, and conferred the Order of the Rising Sun to "Taiwan's Representative in Japan" Hsieh Chang-ting. Later that day, Hsieh said on social media that he will continue working for the "friendship between Taiwan and Japan." What is China's comment?

Guo Jiakun: China has made clear its position on this issue before. The Japanese government took another wrong step on Taiwan by proposing and promoting the conferment to someone advocating "Taiwan independence." China firmly opposes this.

The Taiwan question is at the core of China's core interests. It bears on the political foundation of China-Japan relations and the basic credibility of Japan, and is a red line that must not be crossed. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. It is also the 80th anniversary of the restoration of Taiwan. China seriously urges Japan to deeply reflect on its responsibility for the war crimes, abide by the principles and spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan, honor its commitments on upholding the one-China principle with concrete actions, stay prudent on the Taiwan question, and stop sending any wrong signal to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.

Bloomberg: Australia's spy chief has accused hackers working for China's government of probing Australia's communications and infrastructure networks. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment on this allegation of hackers working for the Chinese government interfering with Australian communications and infrastructure networks?

Guo Jiakun: In recent months, the Australian official you mentioned has repeatedly hurled attacks at China, spread disinformation and deliberately sowed division and confrontation. China firmly opposes it and has protested with Australia. It's hoped that the Australian official can stop making irresponsible statements and do more things conducive to the healthy development of China-Australia relations.

Folha de S.Paulo: China is asking developed countries to invest in the Tropical Forest Forever fund, as you said. So is that a confirmation that China is not investing in the fund?

Guo Jiakun: As I just said, China welcomes and supports the Tropical Forest Forever Facility that Brazil launched. We hope this facility will play a positive role and call on developed countries to provide sufficient financial support for developing countries to reduce deforestation and rainforest degradation.

PTI: To follow up on your statement on condemning the terrorist attack in Pakistan. TTP has claimed responsibility for it. Pakistan has been accusing Afghanistan of sheltering TTP. China has a trilateral mechanism with both Pakistan and Afghanistan and there were a series of meetings. This particular ceasefire recently has been brokered by Qatar and Turkiye. Are there any attempts being made by China to bring about peace between the two countries?

Guo Jiakun: Pakistan and Afghanistan are China's close neighbors. We have all along supported Pakistan and Afghanistan in improving and developing their bilateral relations and jointly keeping the region peaceful and stable. China will continue to play a constructive role to that end.

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US report claims China 'manipulating' critical minerals prices; move a 'political tactic' lacking factual evidence: expert

Global Times

By Ma Tong Published: Nov 13, 2025 01:08 PM

A US House of Representatives committee on Wednesday accused China of "manipulating" global critical minerals prices to boost its influence. A Chinese expert condemned the accusation as a "political tactic" to divert attention and fuel panic, saying the attempt goes against market common sense and lacks factual evidence.

The US House Select Committee on China claimed that China for decades has sought to manipulate global critical minerals prices, using its control as an economic weapon to expand its manufacturing sector and its geopolitical influence, Reuters reported, citing a 50-page report from the committee.

The report alleged that China's role as the world's largest processor of many critical minerals has made it nearly impossible for the US and allies to determine the true price of certain metals, including rare earths, according to Reuters.

Gao Lingyun, a research fellow at the Institute of World Economics and Politics under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, refuted the report's claims, saying the report is just another example of how certain political forces in the US habitually use political manipulation to smear China.

"Such moves are not based on factual evidence, but are intended to deliberately create panic and provide an excuse for forming encirclement against China," Gao told the Global Times on Thursday.

The expert further noted that global mineral prices are driven by a complex interplay of factors, including supply and demand, market expectations, and logistics costs. Labeling normal price fluctuations as "state manipulation," Gao said, ignores basic economic principles and market dynamics, while masking the US' own industrial anxiety and lack of competitiveness.

The report also alleged that the London Metal Exchange (LME), where many minerals are traded, is susceptible to influence from China, per the Reuters report.

However, the LME rejected the allegation, saying it is subject to the laws and regulations of the UK, where it is based. "All of the LME's key prices are determined on the basis of transparent trading activity from an international participant base," a spokesperson was quoted by Reuters as saying.

The global mineral supply chain is a highly integrated ecosystem, and some US politicians' zero-sum mindset would only further undermine international cooperation, Gao said, adding that rather than producing biased reports, it would be more constructive for the US to focus on boosting its own industrial competitiveness and pursuing cooperation.

Chinese officials have repeatedly criticized some US politicians' smearing campaign against China's regulations on critical minerals. Asked to comment on US claims that China's measures would have broad impacts on multiple global industries at a press briefing on October 16, Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) spokesperson He Yongqian said that the US seriously distorts and exaggerates China's measures, deliberately causing unnecessary misunderstanding and panic.

China's recent rare earth export control measures are legitimate actions in accordance with laws and regulations, and are aimed at improving the national export control system. The goal is to prevent rare earths from being illegally diverted to weapons of mass destruction and other improper uses, and to better safeguard China's national security and global common security, He said.

In late October, Chinese and US delegations held economic and trade talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, announcing a series of outcomes that both sides have since begun implementing.

The US announced that from November 10, 2025 to November 9, 2026, it would suspend enforcement of the "penetration rule" under its export control regime. During this period, companies listed on the US "Entity List" or other sanctions lists will not automatically face the same restrictions for their affiliates holding more than 50 percent of their shares, according to the MOFCOM.

Chinese authorities also 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 a temporary suspension of parts of the 2024 export-control measures targeting gallium, germanium, antimony, and superhard materials exported to the US.

Gao emphasized that China has been working to ensure the smooth operation of civilian critical mineral value chains, actively honoring its commitments, and promoting open cooperation in related industries, reflecting the stance of a responsible major country.

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Iranian, Russian FMs hold phone call ahead of IAEA Board of Governors meeting

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Nov 12, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, have discussed the latest regional and international developments, as well as the upcoming meeting of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Araghchi, in a phone call with Lavrov on Wednesday, exchanged views on a wide range of topics, including the cross-border conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan, emphasizing the importance of dialogue to resolve the outstanding issues.

The top Iranian diplomat also stressed the need for consultations between Iran and Russia, as well as with other countries, to explore ways to achieve peace and stability in the region.

Referring to the move of the United States and its European allies in the UN Security Council regarding Palestine, and a draft resolution aimed at installing an international force in Gaza, Araghchi said that such a plan is doomed to failure as it contradicts the principles of liberty and the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.

Lavrov expressed Moscow's readiness to continue bilateral and regional consultations, with the aim of maintaining collective security.

The two sides also exchanged views on Iran's cooperation with the IAEA, emphasizing the continuation of coordination between Tehran, Moscow, and Beijing in this regard.

The phone call followed a meeting of representatives of China, Iran, and Russia with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi and his team on the forthcoming session of the IAEA Board of Governors.

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China's top legislator meets with Spanish king

Xinhua) 08:58, November 13, 2025

Zhao Leji, chairman of China's National People's Congress Standing Committee, meets with King Felipe VI of Spain in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

BEIJING, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Zhao Leji, chairman of China's National People's Congress Standing Committee, met with King Felipe VI of Spain in Beijing on Wednesday.

Zhao said that under the guidance and promotion of President Xi Jinping and King Felipe VI, China-Spain relations have maintained sound and stable development in recent years. He highlighted that China is willing to work with Spain to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, consolidate the foundation of political mutual trust, promote practical cooperation, enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges, maintain high-level development of bilateral relations, bring more benefits to the two peoples, and inject more stability and positive energy to the world.

China's National People's Congress is willing to work with Spain's Parliament to strengthen friendly exchanges between legislative bodies and to carry out more exchanges in legislation and supervision experience, thereby providing legal guarantees for bilateral practical cooperation.

King Felipe VI said that the friendship between the Spanish and Chinese people has a long and profound history, and the bilateral relations have maintained sound development. He noted that China's development plans are long-term, forward-looking and coherent, and Spain is willing to strengthen exchanges between legislative bodies with China and deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership.

Zhao Leji, chairman of China's National People's Congress Standing Committee, meets with King Felipe VI of Spain in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chengliang)
E3 unable to play a positive role regarding Iran's nuclear program: Russian diplomat

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Nov 12, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Russia's permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna says he doubts Britain, France, and Germanycollectively known as the E3 or European Troika have the ability to play a positive role concerning Iran's nuclear program.

Mikhail Ulyanov made the remarks in a message on his X network on Wednesday, emphasizing that "Russia, China, and Iran are the key players regarding the Iranian nuclear program, and they largely determine how the situation progresses."

He continued by saying that the European Troika has the right to express their views and opinions in this regard, but their ability to play a positive role is highly questionable.

The statement followed a trilateral meeting between the foreign ministers of Britain, France, and Germany on the sidelines of the G7 summit, with the top German diplomat calling on Iran to ensure the necessary transparency, without referring to Tehran's constant cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

This senior Russian diplomat has repeatedly criticized the E3 for its stance toward Iran, saying that resolving issues surrounding the Iranian nuclear file is possible only through mutual and respectful dialogue.

"We are closely following any changes in the approach of Western countries. At present, it seems that they do not have a clear understanding of how to interact with Iran and are still relying on blackmail and ultimatums, while such methods are ineffective against Iran," he told a Russian news agency.

Russia and China, the two permanent members of the UN Security Council, had previously announced that with the expiration of Resolution 2231 on October 18, 2024, the 2015 nuclear agreement (JCPOA) effectively ended, and from now on, the IAEA will only examine issues related to Iran within the framework of the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement.

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Iranian, Russian, Chinese envoys meet with IAEA chief ahead of Board of Governors meeting

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Nov 12, 2025

London, IRNA -- The permanent representatives of Iran, China, and Russia to Vienna have met with the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) ahead of the agency's upcoming Board of Governors session.

The meeting was announced late Tuesday by Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna.

"Permanent Representatives of China, Iran, and Russia met today with the IAEA Director General Mr. Rafael Grossi and his team to exchange views on the forthcoming session of the IAEA Board of Governors," Ulyanov said on X.

In another post on X, he described Russia, China, and Iran as "major players" in Iran's nuclear program, adding that "they decide to a significant extent how the situation will develop."

The ambassadors of the three countries also held a trilateral meeting last week to coordinate their positions ahead of the Board of Governors session.

The Board is scheduled to meet from November 19 to 21, with Iran's nuclear issue to be discussed solely within the framework of the Safeguards Agreement.

Iran has stated that it remains committed to the Safeguards and will continue its cooperation with the IAEA in accordance with legislation passed by Parliament earlier this year.

That law suspended Iran's broader cooperation with the IAEA, including provisions for extensive inspections of its nuclear sites. The suspension came after the IAEA declined to condemn airstrikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian nuclear facilities in June.

Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and has repeatedly urged the IAEA to avoid adopting politicized positions under Western pressure.

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Iran calls for UN action after US president acknowledges role in Israeli strikes

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 12 November 2025 11:15 PM

In a formal letter to the UN Security Council, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has condemned the United States for its role in supporting Israeli military aggression against Iran in June, following statements by President Donald Trump acknowledging US oversight of the attacks.

Araghchi's letter, addressed to the world body's secretary-general on Tuesday, cited a remark by Trump on November 6, in which the latter had said, "Israel attacked [Iran] first. That attack was very, very powerful. I was very much in charge of that."

The top diplomat then asserted that under the international law, this constituted clear evidence of US direction and control over the military strikes carried out by the Israeli regime.

The letter referenced prior communications sent by the Islamic Republic to the Security Council on June 13, 22, and 28, in which Tehran had likewise protested the "brazen acts of aggression" committed by Washington and Tel Aviv from June 13 to 24 against the Iranian soil.

According to Araghchi, the attacks targeted Iranian civilians, infrastructure, and facilities, including peaceful nuclear sites under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'s safeguards, resulting in the martyrdom of more than 1,100 people and injuries to many others.

The official stressed that the strikes violated multiple international legal frameworks, including Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, IAEA resolutions, and UN Security Council Resolution 487 (1981).

He held that responsibility for these violations rested not only with the regime, but also with the US, which - in line with Trump's admission - directed and controlled the Israeli aggression.

Araghchi's letter called on the US to provide full reparation for the damages caused, including both material and moral compensation, under established international law.

The correspondence further asserted that Trump and other US officials bore individual criminal responsibility for war crimes, including the crime of aggression, deliberate attacks on civilians, targeting of senior military officers, and assaults on hospitals, media centers, prisons, and energy infrastructure.

The letter also emphasized that accountability extended to Israeli officials involved in commanding, ordering, or assisting in the war crimes.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran reserves its full and unimpeachable right to pursue, through all available legal means, the establishment of accountability for the responsible States and individuals and to secure compensation for the damages sustained," Araghchi wrote.

He concluded by urging the UN secretary-general and Security Council to take appropriate measures to ensure accountability for both the United States and the regime, underscoring the need to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice.

The foreign minister requested that the letter be circulated as an official Security Council document, reinforcing Iran's call for international recognition and response to the violations.

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Iran, Russia foreign ministers discuss regional conflicts, Palestine

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 12 November 2025 5:00 PM

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a phone conversation on Wednesday with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, focusing on recent regional and international developments.

According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Araghchi highlighted the importance of peace and stability in South Asia, pointing to the recent clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

He placed a premium on the need for dialogue and cooperation among regional countries and called for continued consultations between Tehran and Moscow, as well as with other neighboring states, to explore pathways toward lasting stability.

Turning to the Palestinian issue, Araghchi criticized moves by the United States and European countries at the UN Security Council to advance a draft resolution that would impose international trusteeship over Gaza and Palestine.

He argued that such proposals contradict the principles of independence and the right of nations to self-determination, insisting they cannot succeed.

Lavrov welcomed the exchange, reaffirming Russia's readiness to continue bilateral consultations and regional dialogue.

He underscored collective cooperation among regional states to safeguard security.

The two ministers also discussed Iran's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) ahead of the upcoming Board of Governors meeting.

Both sides underlined the need for sustained coordination among Tehran, Moscow, and Beijing on nuclear matters.

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Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's telephone conversation with Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Abbas Araghchi

12 November 2025 13:59

1895-12-11-2025

On November 12, Iran initiated a telephone conversation between Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Abbas Araghchi.

The two foreign ministers exchanged views on the latest bilateral and regional developments.

They praised Kabul and Islamabad for reaching an agreement, as mediated by Qatar and Turkiye, whereby both sides undertake to enact a ceasefire and put an end to firing incidents along the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. They called for continuing the dialogue between the two friendly nations so that they can resolve their differences by political and diplomatic means for ensuring regional stability and security.

Sergey Lavrov and Abbas Araghchi went on to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East and started by focusing on the Palestinian-Israeli settlement and the way this topic has been treated within the UN Security Council. They also discussed this situation within the IAEA Board of Governors where France, the UK and Germany have been seeking to launch an anti-Iranian campaign.

The ministers also exchanged views on the bilateral agenda in its certain aspects.

They reaffirmed their shared commitment to fully carrying out the Treaty on a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Russia and Iran that came into effect on October 2.

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Treasury Disrupts Iran's Transnational Missile and UAV Procurement Networks

U.S. Department of the Treasury

November 12, 2025

WASHINGTON -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is targeting 32 individuals and entities based in Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Turkiye, China, Hong Kong, India, Germany, and Ukraine that operate multiple procurement networks supporting Iran's ballistic missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) production.

"Across the globe, Iran exploits financial systems to launder funds, procure components for its nuclear and conventional weapons programs, and support its terrorist proxies," said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John K. Hurley. "At the direction of President Trump, we are putting maximum pressure on Iran to end its nuclear threat. The United States also expects the international community to fully implement UN snapback sanctions on Iran to cut off its access to the global financial system."

These networks pose a threat to U.S. and allied personnel in the Middle East and to commercial shipping in the Red Sea. As Iran seeks to reconstitute its proliferation-sensitive capabilities destroyed during following the 12Day War, OFAC is acting to disrupt the procurement of key components, such as missile propellant precursors, and to prevent those assisting Iran from accessing the U.S. financial system. This action represents Treasury's second round of nonproliferation sanctions in support of the September 27, 2025, reimposition of United Nations sanctions on Iran, which occurred as a direct result of Iran's continued noncompliance with its international commitments.

Today's action is being taken in furtherance of National Security Presidential Memorandum 2, which directs the U.S. government to curtail Iran's ballistic missile program, counter Iran's development of other asymmetric and conventional weapons capabilities, deny Iran a nuclear weapon, and deny the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) access to assets and resources that sustain their destabilizing activities.

OFAC is taking this action pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13382, which targets weapons of mass destruction (WMD) proliferators and their supporters; and E.O. 13224, as amended, which targets terrorist groups, their supporters, and those who aid acts of terrorism. In October 2007, the U.S. Department of State designated the IRGC and Iran's Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL) pursuant to E.O. 13382, and the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) pursuant to E.O. 13224.

IRAN'S MISSILE PROPELLANT INGREDIENT PROCUREMENT

Today, OFAC is sanctioning a multinational procurement network centered around a threeperson venture known as the "MVM partnership." Since 2023, the partnership and its network have coordinated the procurement of ballistic missile propellant ingredients--including sodium chlorate, sodium perchlorate, and sebacic acid--from China on behalf of Parchin Chemical Industries (PCI), an element of Iran's Defense Industries Organization (DIO) that is responsible for the import and export of chemical goods. OFAC designated PCI pursuant to E.O. 13382 in July 2008, and the Department of State designated DIO pursuant to E.O. 13382 in March 2007. Both DIO and PCI are also subject to an asset freeze pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1737 and UNSCR 1747, respectively.

Sodium chlorate is used to produce sodium perchlorate, which is used to manufacture the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)-controlled chemical ammonium perchlorate. Ammonium perchlorate is used in solid propellant rocket motors, which are commonly used for ballistic missiles. Sebacic acid is used to produce resinswhich are materials sought by Iran for its ballistic missile programand plasticizers, certain types of which are propellant additives and agents controlled by the MTCR.

Figure 1: Production of missile propellant ingredients

Through its network, the MVM partnership has procured and transported hundreds of metric tons of missile propellant ingredients from China since its establishment in 2023. UAE-based Marco Klinge (Klinge) and Iran- and Turkiye-based Majid Dolatkhah (Dolatkhah) have coordinated and facilitated the procurement of materials including sodium chlorate, sodium perchlorate, and sebacic acid for PCI. Klinge, who has been responsible for the partnership's procurement from India and China, has liaised between the partnership and suppliers including OFAC-designated China Chlorate Tech Co Limited (CCT). Dolatkhah, who has been responsible for the partnership's procurement from Turkiye, has served as a liaison between PCI and Klinge. Iran- and Turkiye-based Vahid Qayumi (Qayumi) has been responsible for the partnership's chemical business inside Iran and has served as a liaison between PCI and the other MVM partners. OFAC designated CCT pursuant to E.O. 13382 on April 29, 2025.

Klinge, Dolatkhah, and Qayumi are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of, PCI.

Klinge is the point of contact for UAE-based company MVM Amici Trading LLC (MVM Amici) and has arranged MVM Amici's procurement of China-origin sodium chlorate for use in Iran. Klinge also serves as the director of India-based Farmlane Private Limited (Farmlane) and as the chief executive officer of Germany-based EVA Handelsgesellschaft UG (EVA).

MVM Amici, Farmlane, and EVA are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for being owned or controlled by, or acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Klinge.

Qayumi serves as the chairman of the board of Iran-based Zagros Shimi Fars Manufacturing Industries Company (Zagros Shimi Fars) and Furqan Novin Pars Manufacturing and Commercial Industries (Furqan Novin Pars). UAE-based Vahid Ghayoumy Goods Wholesalers LLC (VGGW) has shipped sebacic acid from China to Zagros Shimi Fars in Iran.

Zagros Shimi Fars and Furqan Novin Pars are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for being owned or controlled by, or acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Qayumi. VGGW is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of, Zagros Shimi Fars.

Figure 2: Supply routes of missile propellant ingredients

procurement of crucial UAV equipment for the irgc-QF

OFAC is also targeting several persons in connection with Iran-based Kimia Part Sivan Company (KIPAS), which has worked with the IRGC-QF to improve its UAV program. OFAC designated KIPAS pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, in October 2021 for having materially assisted the IRGC-QF. The Department of State designated the IRGC in its entirety, including the IRGC-QF, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in April 2019.

As recently as early 2025, Iran-based KIPAS subsidiary Iranian Baspar Puya Company (PARPO) has produced and repaired components for KIPAS-manufactured UAVs and provided manufacturing services in support of KIPAS's UAV assembly line. PARPO has produced hundreds of components, very likely for UAVs, and has had frequent contact with employees associated with KIPAS and IRGC-QF. Iran-based KIPAS front company Pars Navandishan Artificial Intelligence Projects Company (ARIAPA) has provided KIPAS with technical support for manufacturing UAVs, including a project for developing UAV electronics, and assisted KIPAS employees between mid-2024 and early 2025.

PARPO and ARIAPA are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, KIPAS.

Seyyed Ali Abtahi (Abtahi) is a KIPAS and PARPO employee who manages the facility that produced and repaired UAV components. Between mid-2024 and early 2025, Abtahi oversaw the production of UAV components. In the spring of 2025, Iran-based IRGC-QF-associated KIPAS affiliate Seyyed Mohammad Ruhani (Ruhani) worked with Iran-based, IRGCQFassociated KIPAS affiliate Hosein Sayyadi Turanlu (Turanlu) on the ARIAPA project pertaining to manufacturing UAV electronics. Additionally, in late 2024, Ruhani oversaw KIPAS efforts to purchase a UAV engine and other equipment, and Turanlu supervised ARIAPA personnel and oversaw a project requiring electronics. Between late 2024 and early 2025, KIPAS Logistics Manager Ehsan Mohaghegh Dolatabadi (Dolatabadi) oversaw the acquisition of components required to produce UAVs and shipments of UAV engines to Iran.

Abtahi, Ruhani, Turanlu, and Dolatabadi are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for being owned, controlled, or directed by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, KIPAS.

Iran-based MADO Proliferation Finance network

OFAC is designating one individual and 11 entities involved in a procurement network supporting Iran-based Oje Parvas Mado Nafar Company (Mado). Mado produces UAV engines used in Iran's Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 UAVs. OFAC designated Mado pursuant to E.O. 13382 in October 2021 for having provided support to the IRGC.

China-based national Ma Jie (Ma) supports Mado's affairs in China, including making travel arrangements for visiting Mado employees and coordinating meetings between Iranian defense officials and their China-based suppliers. Ma holds leadership roles in multiple companies based in China and Hong Kong. Ma is the manager, executive director, and majority owner of Chinabased Yiwu City Xianma Import and Export Co Ltd (Yiwu City Xianma), as well as the director and l00 percent owner of Hong Kong-based companies Qian Xi Long Trading Co Limited (Qian Xi Long) and Hin Yun Trading Company Limited (Hin Yun).

Ma is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of, Mado. Yiwu City Xianma, Qian Xi Long and Hin Yun are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for being owned or controlled by, or acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Ma.

Ma's Hong Kong-based companies Qian Xi Long and Hin Yun have been involved in facilitating millions of dollars in transactions. Qian Xi Long received hundreds of thousands of dollars of payments from Turkiye-based companies Arkedya Gida Tekstil Dis Ticaret Sanayi Limited Sirketi (Arkedya), Intro Oto Yedek Parca Ithalat Ihracat Ticaret ve Sanayi Limited Sirketi (Intro Oto), Own Ucar Gida Insaat Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi (Own Ucar), and Royal Yapi lnsaat Emlak Gida ve Tekstil Urunleri Turizm Sanayi Dis Ticaret Limited Sirketi (Royal Yapi). In addition, Qian Xi Long sent Hong Kong-based Yiren Zhuang Trading Co Limited (Yiren) over $450,000 in exchange for aluminum alloy castings and spark plug caps.

Hin Yun received hundreds of thousands of dollars of payments from Turkiye-based companies Loris Turizm Organizasyon Ithalat ve Ihracat Limited Sirketi (Loris), Ozkam Nakliyat Petrol Ithalat lhracat Sanayi Ticaret Limited Sirketi (Ozkam), and Artas Gumrukleme Ithalat lhracat Sinir Ticareti Tekstil Gida ve Sanayi Ticaret Limited Sirketi (Artas).

Arkedya, Intro Oto, Own Ucar, Royal Yapi, and Yiren are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of, Qian Xi Long. Loris, Ozkam, and Artas are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods and services in support of, Hin Yun.

Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company UAV procurement

OFAC is also targeting a procurement network supporting Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA), a state-owned subsidiary of MODAFL that produces Iran's military aircraft and Ababil-series UAVs. OFAC is concurrently updating HESA's Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List) entry to include its new alias, FTP Co.

Iran-based procurement agent Bahram Tabibi (Tabibi) has utilized his Ukraine-based front companies GK Imperativ Ukraina LLC (GK Imperativ) and Ekofera LLC (Ekofera) to procure and supply aerospace materials, including attitude indicators and magnetometers, for HESA. Iran-based Batoul Shafiei (Shafiei) actively participated in the scheme to supply parts to HESA, having facilitated GK Imperativ and Ekofera's receipt of payments from HESA, as well as Ekofera's shipments destined for HESA in Iran. Iran-based Saeed Pahlavani Nejad (Nejad) served as an intermediary between the Ukraine-based front companies and HESA, and facilitated sales of alternator components, engines, attitude indicators, sensors, and other equipment to HESA.

Tabibi, GK Imperativ, Ekofera, Shafiei, and Nejad are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods and services in support of, HESA.

SDN LIST ENTRY FOR SHUN KAI XING

OFAC is also updating the SDN List entry for the bulk carrier vessel previously known as SHUN KAI XING to reflect its new name, HONESTAR. The then-SHUN KAI XING was identified by OFAC on June 20, 2025 as property in which Unico Shipping Co Ltd, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13382, has an interest. At the time of its identification, the then-SHUN KAI XING was attempting to transport sensitive machinery for Iran's defense industry. The HONESTAR is currently stateless and attempting to carry false flags.

The HONESTAR's recent updates were likely orchestrated in an attempt to obfuscate their delivery of sensitive machinery to Iranspecifically, a computer numerical control (commonly referred to as CNC) machine used to produce fiber optic gyroscopes, guidance and control systems for weapons systems including ballistic missiles and UAVs.

SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS

As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the designated or blocked persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of blocked persons.

Violations of U.S. sanctions may result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties on U.S. and foreign persons. OFAC may impose civil penalties for sanctions violations on a strict liability basis. OFAC's Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines provide more information regarding OFAC's enforcement of U.S. economic sanctions. In addition, financial institutions and other persons may risk exposure to sanctions for engaging in certain transactions or activities with designated or otherwise blocked persons.

Furthermore, engaging in certain transactions involving the persons designated today may risk the imposition of secondary sanctions on participating foreign financial institutions. OFAC can prohibit or impose strict conditions on opening or maintaining, in the United States, a correspondent account or a payable-through account of a foreign financial institution that knowingly conducts or facilitates any significant transaction on behalf of a person who is designated pursuant to the relevant authority.

The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC's ability to designate and add persons to the SDN List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, or to submit a request, please refer to OFAC's guidance on Filing a Petition for Removal from an OFAC List.

Click here for more information on the persons designated today.

###

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Iraq: Statement by the Spokesperson on the parliamentary elections

European External Action Service (EEAS)

12.11.2025

Brussels, Belgium

EEAS Press Team

The European Union commends the people of Iraq for exercising their democratic right to vote in the parliamentary elections held on 11 November. This election represents an important opportunity for Iraq to strengthen its institutions, ensuring inclusiveness and accountability, and consolidate its political future.

We welcome the efforts of all those involved in organising and facilitating this vote, including the Iraqi authorities, the Independent High Electoral Commission and civil society. In response to an invitation by the Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission, the EU has deployed an Election Expert Mission to analyse the electoral process. Its findings will be presented to the Iraqi authorities.

Preliminary reports indicate a higher turnout than in previous elections in 2021 and 2018. The EU now encourages the political actors to support the formation of a government that reflects the will of the Iraqi people.

The EU reaffirms its unequivocal support to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq. Iraq's stability is even more important amidst a shifting geopolitical context in the Middle East. The EU stands ready to continue accompanying Iraq as a partner in advancing its democratic and reformist agenda and ensuring a peaceful future.

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Iran envoy lauds successful Iraqi elections as milestone for democracy

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Nov 12, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's ambassador to Baghdad Mohammad Kazem Al-e Sadeq has congratulated the Iraqi government and people on the successful parliamentary elections, describing it as a pivotal step in strengthening democracy and stability in the Arab country.

In a post on X Tuesday, Al-e Saedq emphasized that the elections reflect the will of the Iraqi people and their national sovereignty.

The ambassador also wished for a bright and prosperous future for the people and government of Iraq.

Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) announced that voter turnout exceeded 56%, with over 12 million out of 21 million eligible voters participating. This marks a significant increase from the 41% turnout in the previous elections in 2021, indicating growing public trust in the political process. The commission also reported a 77% participation rate among internally displaced persons who cast ballots in special voting on Sunday, showcasing the commitment of all Iraqi citizens to engage in the democratic process.

The parliamentary elections, held also on Tuesday through public voting, are crucial as they not only elect 329 members of parliament but also determine the president in the first session. The newly elected president will appoint a prime minister from the largest parliamentary faction to form the government.

Initial election results are expected to be announced by the commission on November 12.

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Iraq election commission says turnout exceeded 56% in parliamentary elections

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Nov 12, 2025

Baghdad, IRNA -- Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission has announced that voter turnout in both public and special voting for the parliamentary elections exceeded 56 percent.

The Commission made the announcement late on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, voters across the country went to the polls to elect a new parliament, two days after members of the security forces and 26,000 internally displaced persons participated in special voting.

According to the Commission, a total of 21,404,029 people were eligible to vote in both the special and public ballots. Of these, 12,003,143 cast their votes, representing a turnout of 56.07 percent.

Observers say the higher turnout compared with the 2021 elections indicates growing public confidence in the political process.

The latest elections were held to choose members of the 329-seat parliament for the next four years. At least 25 percent of the seats  83 seats  are reserved for women.

On Tuesday, the head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), Mohamed Al Hassan, expressed satisfaction with the voting process organized and conducted by the Iraqis themselves.

Speaking to reporters at a polling station in Baghdad's fortified Green Zone, which houses government buildings and foreign diplomatic missions, Al Hassan said that the time has come for an Iraq free from negative phenomena, without providing further details.

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Trump urges Israeli president pardon Netanyahu in corruption case

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Nov 12, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- US President Donald Trump has waded into Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's legal troubles, calling on President Isaac Herzog to issue a pardon as Netanyahu faces trial on three counts of corruption.

Herzog's office said on Wednesday that it had received a letter from Trump calling for clemency for Netanyahu. "This morning, President Isaac Herzog received the attached letter from US President Donald Trump, calling on him to consider granting a pardon to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu," the Israeli president's office said in a statement.

In his letter, Trump praised Netanyahu as a "formidable and decisive wartime prime minister" and argued that the charges against him were politically motivated. "While I absolutely respect the independence of the Israeli Justice System... I believe that this 'case' against Bibi... is political, unjustified prosecution," Trump wrote.

Trump's letter follows remarks he made in October during an address to the Israeli parliament, where he first suggested that Herzog consider pardoning Netanyahu.

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UK High Court rules arms exports of F-35 parts to Israel 'lawful' despite Gaza genocide

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 12 November 2025 7:13 PM

London's High Court has dismissed a legal challenge by a Palestinian rights group against the British government's decision to continue exporting F-35 fighter jet components to Israel, ruling that the government acted "lawfully" despite the Israeli genocide in Gaza.

The ruling, issued on Wednesday, has drawn international criticism over the UK's arms export practices.

The case was brought by Al-Haq, a Palestinian human rights organization, against the UK Department for Business and Trade, contesting the government's exemption of F-35 parts from arms export restrictions to Israel.

In September 2024, the UK government suspended 30 licenses for items that might be used by Israeli forces in Gaza, acknowledging that such equipment risked contributing to serious violations of international humanitarian law.

However, it continued supplying F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel through a global supply network, effectively prioritizing military alliances over accountability for mass atrocities.

Al-Haq argued that the Israeli F-35 fleet had a central role in the genocide in Gaza, asserting that Britain's exemption contributed directly to the regime's capacity to commit atrocities against Palestinians.

The British government countered that withdrawing from the F-35 joint strike program would have a "profound and immediate impact" on national security and could undermine US confidence in Britain and NATO at a critical time.

The judges acknowledged that these parts could be used in the genocide and in violations of international humanitarian law but ruled that such matters are "a matter for the executive branch of the government, which is accountable to parliament and ultimately to the electorate, not the courts."

Sara Elizabeth Dill, an international human rights lawyer and officer of the International Bar Association's War Crimes Committee (IBA), condemned the ruling, stating that it "raises serious questions about who can hold the British government accountable to its international obligations when the courts declare the issue off limits."

The case revealed detailed information about the British government's assessment of Israel's compliance with international humanitarian law in Gaza.

By July 2024, nine months after the Israeli regime had launched its genocidal assault against Gaza, the British government had concluded that "while Israel might have been violating international humanitarian law during the Gaza war, there was no serious risk of genocide occurring in Gaza."

Reviewing 413 individual incidents, the British government had found Israel had breached international law "only once," citing the April 1, 2024, attack on a World Central Kitchen convoy that killed seven foreign aid workers. The judges refused to scrutinize this assessment.

"There have been thousands of incidents, but not only individual incidents, there are patterns ... When an entire healthcare system, education system, when 90 percent of buildings have been destroyed, when the population has been displaced multiple times at scale like that, there is only so many conclusions you can draw," said Jennine Walker, a senior lawyer at Global Legal Action Network representing Al-Haq, referring to the British government's so-called "findings" on the Israeli genocide in Gaza.

The United Nations, other major international organizations, and the broader international community have characterized Israel's actions in Gaza as genocidal.

In September, the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) confirmed that Israel's war in Gaza met the legal definition of genocide. Israel also faces an open case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over its genocidal actions in Gaza.

During Israel's two-year genocidal war in Gaza, the regime murdered nearly 70,000 Palestinians, including 21,000 children, and wounded 171,000 others.

Despite a US-brokered ceasefire reached last month, Israel continues to violate the truce, carrying out fresh attacks that have killed dozens of Palestinians.

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Trump pushes Israeli president to pardon Netanyahu in corruption case

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 12 November 2025 2:35 PM

US President Donald Trump has called on Israel's president to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a move widely seen as political meddling in favor of an embattled ally, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Israel's presidential office released a statement on Wednesday, confirming that Trump sent a letter to President Isaac Herzog urging him to dismiss Netanyahu's legal case.

"I hereby call on you to fully pardon Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been a formidable and decisive War Time Prime Minister," Trump wrote on social media.

Trump praised Netanyahu's aggressive policies towards Iran as commendable, framing them as a justification for dismissing the corruption charges.

"While I absolutely respect the independence of the Israeli Justice System, and its requirements, I believe that this 'case' against Bibi, who has fought alongside me for a long time, including against the very tough adversary of Israel, Iran, is a political, unjustified prosecution," Trump added.

Netanyahu faces charges of fraud, bribery, and breach of trust in three separate cases that began during Trump's first term.

In response, Herzog declined to take a position, saying that a pardon request must follow proper procedures.

"The president has made it clear on multiple occasions that anyone seeking a pardon must submit a formal request in accordance with the established procedures," his statement said.

This is not the first time Trump has pressed Herzog to pardon Netanyahu. On October 13, during a speech to the Knesset, he demanded that Herzog drop the corruption charges.

"I have an idea, why don't you give Netanyahu a pardon?" he said, adding, "Who cares about cigars and champagne?" referring to the illegal gifts Netanyahu had received.

Trump also defended Netanyahu on social media. In a June 26 post on Truth Social, he wrote, "I was shocked to hear that Israel, which is strongly led by Bibi Netanyahu, is continuing its ridiculous Witch Hunt against their Great War Time Prime Minister!"

"Bibi Netanyahu's trial should be CANCELLED, IMMEDIATELY, or a Pardon given to a Great Hero, who has done so much for [Israel] ... It was the United States of America that saved Israel, and now it is going to be the United States of America that saves Bibi Netanyahu," he added.

Meanwhile, Trump's unprecedented pardoning spree for political and business friends since returning to the White House continues.

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.

The US president himself is facing multiple charges. Notably, on March 30, 2023, he was indicted in New York County on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records and was convicted on May 30, 2024.

In August 2023, he was indicted in Fulton County, Georgia, under the state's racketeering law for efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

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Japan-France Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Ministry of Foregn Affairs of Japan

November 12, 2025

On November 12, commencing at 0:00 p.m. local time (2:00 a.m. on November 13, Japan time) for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting Canada to attend G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, held a Foreign Ministers' Meeting with H.E. Mr. Jean-Noel BARROT, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic. The overview of the meeting is as follows:

At the outset, Minister MOTEGI expressed Japan's desire to closely cooperate with France, an "Exceptional Partner" which shares values and principles and is also an Indo-Pacific nation, to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific and to maintain and strengthen the free and open international order based on the rule of law. In response, Minister Barrot expressed his congratulations on Minister MOTEGI's appointment as Foreign Minister and stated that he would like to further strengthen the collaboration between Japan and France, which share values and principles. The two Ministers concurred to advance security cooperation between Japan and France and to further promote efforts in the field of economic security. The two Ministers confirmed that Japan and France will work closely together on various issues facing the international community, including the situation in Ukraine and in East Asia, such as their policies toward North Korea including on the nuclear and missile issues as well as the abductions issue. The two Ministers also concurred to continue to closely cooperate within the framework of the G7, which France will assume the presidency next year.

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G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Niagara

(Overview of the "Session 3: Maritime Security and Prosperity")

Ministry of Foregn Affairs of Japan

November 12, 2025

On November 12, commencing at 10:33 a.m. (11:33 p.m. Japan time on the following day) for approximately 60 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting Niagara, Canada, to attend the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, participated in the G7 session on "Maritime Security and Prosperity". The overview is as follows (the session was attended by the Foreign Ministers of the G7, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and the Foreign Ministers of the invited countries, India, Ukraine, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, South Africa, and Mexico).

In this session, the G7 foreign ministers, together with the invited countries, engaged in discussions on various issues concerning maritime security and prosperity. The participating countries expressed their shared commitment to address hybrid threats, including activity against critical undersea infrastructure, and to strengthen G7 coordination with partners. Minister Motegi reiterated the importance of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) based on the rule of law and introduced Japan's practical cooperation under FOIP, such as enhancing connectivity and capacity building in the region. Minister Motegi emphasized the necessity for coordinated responses by the G7 and like-minded countries, taking into account the current maritime security situation, including the situation in the Indo-Pacific region.

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G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Niagara

(Overview of the "Session 2: Ukraine and Defense Cooperation")

Ministry of Foregn Affairs of Japan

November 12, 2025

On November 12, commencing at 9:20 a.m. (11:20 p.m. Japan time on the same day) for approximately 50 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting Niagara, Canada, to attend the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, participated in the G7 session on "Ukraine and Defense Cooperation". The overview is as follows (the session was attended by the Foreign Ministers of the G7, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the Ukrainian Foreign Minister).

In this session, the G7 foreign ministers, together with H.E. Mr. Andrii SYBIHA, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, discussed the situation in Ukraine and the G7's response. The G7 reaffirmed their solidarity with the people of Ukraine and confirmed their commitment to work closely together for a just and lasting peace of Ukraine. Minister Motegi reiterated Japan's stance of standing with Ukraine and stated that Japan would promote support for Ukraine in cooperation with the G7 and the international community. Minister Motegi also expressed the view that, under the belief that Ukraine's economic and social resilience is important, Japan would continue to work on industrial promotion to contribute to the recovery and reconstruction, through a public-private partnership. Furthermore, Minister Motegi mentioned that Japan would continue to lead efforts to accelerate reconstruction, including the Ukraine Mine Action Conference which Japan hosted last month.

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Toqaev Balances Relations With Putin After Landmark US-Central Asia Summit

By Reid Standish November 12, 2025

Summary

Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss energy ties, sanctions, and regional trade.

The visit follows a US-Central Asia summit that highlighted Kazakhstan's efforts to balance its relations between Russia, the United States, and China.

Kazakhstan aims to strengthen its role as a regional trade hub and maintain strategic partnerships with major powers.

Following a high-profile summit in Washington with all five Central Asian leaders that saw new US deals worth billions of dollars, Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to reaffirm ties and chart Russia's future economic role in the Central Asian country.

Toqaev arrived on November 11 for a one-on-one discussion with Putin and held formal talks on November 12 to discuss joint gas projects and the economic fallout from US sanctions on Russia's major oil companies. The Kazakh president also addressed a Kazakh-Russian economic forum.

"We agreed to strengthen our partnership in the areas of oil, oil products, coal, and electricity production, transportation, and supply," Toqaev said in televised remarks on November 12 after meeting with Putin. "We discussed in detail the prospects for gas cooperation, in particular gas supply to Kazakhstan's regions bordering Russia, as well as transit to third countries."

The timing of the meeting in Moscow isn't coincidental, analysts told RFE/RL.

Alongside the four other Central Asian presidents in Washington last week, Toqaev held talks with US President Donald Trump and heralded the "beginning of a new era of interaction between the United States and Central Asia."

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and subsequent Western sanctions on Moscow have also opened up new economic opportunities for Central Asia, and the Kremlin is looking to adapt.

Andrew D'Anieri, associate director of the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center, told RFE/RL that Toqaev arrived in Moscow with more leverage and stature in dealing with Putin following his prominent face time with Trump last week.

D'Anieri said that while the "choreography and rhetoric are meant to convey the closeness of Russia and Kazakhstan," Toqaev came to Moscow "with more firepower than he had last week."

"That's good for Kazakh sovereignty and therefore US interests overall," he said.

Russia's Evolving Role In Central Asia

The move marks the latest step in Kazakhstan's longstanding and carefully calibrated diplomatic balancing act between Russia, the main outside power in Central Asia; China, which has grown increasingly influential over the last decade; and Western powers like the United States looking to deepen their footprint in the region.

"Following the [US-Central Asia] summit, the visit to Moscow can be seen as a reaffirmation of Kazakhstan's strategic ties with Russia and an effort to ease any concerns within the Russian political elite," Yunis Sharifli, a nonresident fellow at the China Global South Project, told RFE/RL.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters before the visit that Putin was open to hearing more about Toqaev's bilateral and joint meetings with Trump in Washington.

"If the president of Kazakhstan considers it necessary to inform our president about the content of the contacts he had in Washington, of course that will be extremely interesting for the Russian side," Peskov said.

Energy ties played a prominent part of the discussions in Moscow, according to Toqaev, who said that he and Putin agreed to boost their partnership in the oil sector.

Peskov said on November 12 that the two presidents discussed uninterrupted operations for the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), whose pipeline Kazakhstan relies on to export more than 80 percent of its oil and runs to one of Russia's Black Sea terminals. The CPC pumps oil from western Kazakhstan and includes US oil giants Chevron and Exxon Mobil as its main shareholders.

Peskov did not elaborate on the detials of the talks surrounding the CPC.

"[Russia] is attempting to restructure and redefine its role in the region," Sharifli said.

LUKoil and Rosneft, two Russian oil giants hit by US sanctions in October, have large holdings in Kazakhstan. LUKoil also holds stakes in Kazakhstan's massive Tengiz and Karachaganak fields, which are operated by Western oil giants.

Kazakhstan's More Confident In Dealing With Moscow

Ahead of his arrival in Moscow, Toqaev looked to play up Russia's warm ties with Kazakhstan and the country's standing on the global stage.

In an article published in the Russian state-owned newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta, he praised Astana's "eternal friendship" with Moscow and described Kazakhstan's relationship with Russia as a "comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance."

Toqaev also mentioned recent high-level talks that he held with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Trump, and other European, Asian, and African presidents.

"Although many of them are at opposite ends of the geopolitical spectrum, they all recognize the exceptional role of Russia and its leader in resolving key issues in international relations," Toqaev wrote. "In other words, it is impossible to overcome the contradictions of the modern world without Moscow's participation."

Sharifli says that that while "Moscow continues to play a critical role as a security provider," it's adapting in the region as its economy shifts amid the war in Ukraine into areas like e-commerce and developing new ways for Rosatom, its state nuclear giant, to expand its partnerships with Central Asian governments.

"Overall, while Russia's dominance in traditional sectors has declined, it is actively seeking new channels to sustain and adapt its presence in Central Asia over the long-term," he said.

Vlad Paddack, a fellow at Nightingale Intelligence, a political foresight firm, told RFE/RL that the diplomacy in Moscow on the heels of the summit in Washington "showcases Kazakhstan's ascendance as a middle power, adept at balancing major powers while reinforcing its regional leadership."

Beyond sanctions and energy ties, Toqaev also discussed infrastructure during his talks with Putin.

While summits this year between Central Asian leaders and the United States and the European Union have focused on building up the Middle Corridor -- a roughly 6,500-kilometer trade route connecting China to Europe through Central Asia and the Caucasus by bypassing Russia, Moscow is also looking to open up trade access to South Asia by transiting through Kazakhstan and its neighbors.

Paddack says this reflects Kazakhstan's "ambition to serve as Eurasia's primary logistics hub" and position itself at the heart of all regional trade.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/putin-kazahstan- trump-oil-sanctions-central-asia-toqaev/33588262.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russia Seeks to Further Develop Relations With Kazakhstan - Putin

Sputnik News

20251112

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia is striving to further develop relations with Kazakhstan, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday.

"We are striving in every possible way to further develop relations with Kazakhstan," Putin said during the talks with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

Russia and Kazakhstan actively working in international arena, Putin said.

"We are taking our relations to an even higher interstate level. We cannot help but be pleased," Putin added.

Kazakh business is actively working in Russia, Putin concluded.

Russia's relations with Kazakhstan are developing steadily, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"Our relations with Kazakhstan are developing steadily," Putin said, adding that Kazakhstan and Russia are close partners, friends, and allies, as confirmed by specific actions.

Putin also called Russia one of Kazakhstan's leading trade and economic partners.

Russia welcomes Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's visit to Moscow and is confident it will be held at a high level, Vladimir Putin said.

"We are very pleased with your visit and are confident it will be held at the highest level," Putin said.

Russia and Kazakhstan's planned joint projects worth tens of billions of dollars, Putin added.

Almost 100% of settlements between Russia and Kazakhstan are conducted in national currencies, Putin said.

"We have ensured that almost 100% of all settlements are conducted in national currencies," Putin said.

Vladimir Putin announced on Wednesday his plans to attend the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) summit in Bishkek.

"We communicate regularly, but we still have yet to meet at the CSTO forum in Bishkek," Putin said.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev invited on Wednesday Russian President Vladimir Putin to pay a state visit to Kazakhstan in 2026.

"I am pleased to invite you to visit Kazakhstan next year on a state visit," Tokayev said during talks with Putin.

Kazakhstan has no problems in relations with Russia, Tokayev said.

"We are pleased to state that there are no problems in our bilateral relations. Literally all areas are developing quite successfully," Tokayev said.

The strategic partnership of Kazakhstan and Russia is not just a figure of speech, Tokayev said, adding that Astana is responsible for its obligations with Russia.

"For us, a state visit to Russia is perhaps the main event of this year. We prepared carefully. We held consultations through ministries and departments," Tokayev said.

Tokayev added that the scale of Kazakhstan's cooperation with Russia is unique and points to ties in all areas.

Kazakhstan and Russia are close to signing an agreement on the construction of a nuclear power plant in the republic, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.

"I would especially like to mention the cooperation with Russia in the field of nuclear energy. We are close to signing a very important agreement that finds a way to actually build a nuclear power plant in cooperation with [Russian state nuclear corporation] Rosatom. This is a really important event, a breakthrough project. It is not just about building the plant itself, but also about creating a new area of expertise," Tokayev said at the beginning of a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

 Sputnik

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Sanctioning Burma Armed Group and Firms Linked to Organized Crime Scamming Americans

US Department of State

Press Statement

Thomas "Tommy" Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson

November 12, 2025

Today, the United States sanctioned five individuals and three entities, located in Burma and Thailand, for their involvement in forced labor compounds that carry out fraudulent investment scams online.

According to a U.S. government estimate, Americans lost at least $10 billion in 2024 to Southeast Asia-based online scam operations, a 66 percent increase from the prior year. Criminal syndicates across the region have increasingly exploited Americans online, threatening American prosperity.

This action supports today's announcement by the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Secret Service of the Scam Center Strike Force, dedicated to investigating, disrupting, and prosecuting scam centers and their leaders, with a focus on Burma, Cambodia, and Laos. The United States will continue to use all available tools to protect Americans from scams operating across the region and around the world.

Today's action is being taken pursuant to the authorities under Executive Order (E.O.) 13694, as further amended, and E.O 14014. For more information on today's action, please see the Department of the Treasury's press release.

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Moscow hosts comprehensive negotiations of defence ministries of Russia and Kyrgystan

11 November 2025 10:47

On 11 November, comprehensive negotiations between delegations from the defence ministries of the Russian Federation and the Kyrgyz Republic took place in Moscow.

During the event, the results of bilateral cooperation this year were summarised and current issues of military cooperation were discussed.

Following the negotiations, a protocol was signed formalising the agreements reached on the procedure for future work.

Department of Information and Media Affairs of Defence Ministry of the Russian Federation

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Minister Anand announces additional sanctions against Russia

Global Affairs Canada

News release

November 12, 2025 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is imposing additional sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations.

Canada's new measures further increase the economic costs on Russia for its unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine by targeting its energy revenues and financial enablers, while also degrading its conventional and hybrid military capabilities.

The sanctions list 13 individuals and 11 entities, including several involved in the development and deployment of Russia's drone program. Canada remains a leader in targeting the military technologies Russia is relying on in its efforts to gain a battlefield advantage against Ukraine.

For the first time, Canada has also sanctioned entities that supply the cyber infrastructure used in Russian hybrid strategies against Ukraine. Several Russian liquified natural gas entities were also sanctioned as Russia continues to rely on energy revenues to fund its war of aggression against Ukraine. These sanctions also list 100 vessels from Russia's shadow fleet.

The measures are a direct response to Ukraine's priorities and support ongoing efforts by the G7 to ramp-up economic pressure on Russia to end its war and are in broad alignment with sanctions recently announced by the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom.

Quotes

"Canada remains unwavering in its commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and its people, who are forcefully defending their rights in the face of Putin's corrosive and aggressive actions. Canada will continue to intensify pressure through sanctions in coordination with allies and partners until Russia puts an end to its unjustified invasion of Ukraine." - Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Quick facts

Since 2014, Canada has imposed sanctions on more than 3,300 individuals and entities that are complicit in the violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and in gross and systematic human rights violations.

Canada has taken action against Russia's shadow fleet by sanctioning over 400 vessels based on their involvement in transporting property and goods for the benefit of Russia or persons in Russia. Many of these sanctions have been implemented in coordination with Canada's allies and partners, including G7 members.

The measures announced today complement similar measures taken by Canada's closest allies, including those announced by the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States in October. Canada will continue to work with its like-minded partners to coordinate additional measures that increase the economic costs of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine on the Russian regime.

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Russian Defence Ministry holds regular meeting of Russian-Indonesian working group on military cooperation

12 November 2025 01:15

The Russian Defence Ministry held a regular meeting of the Russian-Indonesian working group on military cooperation.

The talks were held between heads of the structural units responsible for planning and executing contacts between defence institutions.

Conceptual documents regulating bilateral cooperation were agreed during the session.

The meeting was fruitful, in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Department of Information and Media Affairs of Defence Ministry of the Russian Federation

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Andrii Sybiha starts work in Canada: Anita Anand announces new Canadian sanctions targeting Russia's energy and cyber infrastructure.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

12 November 2025 16:40

On Wednesday, November 12, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andri Sybiha started his participation in the G7 foreign ministers' meeting in Canada and held bilateral talks with his Canadian counterpart, Anita Anand.

Andrii Sybiha stated that during the meeting, partners will discuss strengthening Ukraine's long-range capabilities, increasing investment in Ukrainian innovation and the defense industry, and focusing on practical steps toward achieving a just and comprehensive peace.

"Our defense industry is currently growing at the fastest pace in the world. Ukraine is ready to share its experience and launch joint production with our closest allies, including Canada. This will be our contribution to your security," emphasized the Minister.

The Foreign Minister emphasized that Russia continues to reject peace and escalate terror. According to the Ukrainian diplomat, Putin still clings to the illusion that he can win, even though he has lost more than a million soldiers and achieved no strategic goals.

It is critically important to bolster support for Ukraine and to increase pressure on Russia. We must make the cost of continuing the war too high and dangerous for Putin and his regime. Sufficient pressure will compel Russia to end the war," he noted.

Andrii Sybiha urged G7 nations to boost investment in Ukrainian missile and drone manufacturing, air defense, and ammunition.

According to the diplomat, Russia's occupation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and its deliberate strikes on components of the Chornobyl, Khmelnytskyi, and Rivne nuclear power plants pose a serious threat to European and global nuclear security.

The Minister also stressed that maritime and energy security are top priorities. Ukraine's resilience at sea is part of a shared resilience that spans from the Atlantic to the Indo-Pacific region.

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand announced a new Canadian sanctions package against Russia. It targets 100 vessels from Russia's "shadow fleet," 13 individuals, and 11 entities, including drone manufacturers and developers, as well as several Russian liquefied natural gas entities. For the first time, Canada has also sanctioned entities that supply the cyber infrastructure used in Russia's hybrid strategies against Ukraine.

"As the G7 chair in 2025, Canada has prioritized supporting and enhancing our assistance to Ukraine," stated Canada's Foreign Minister.

Andrii Sybiha expressed deep gratitude to Canada for its leadership in the G7 and for energy assistance, including the latest aid package worth $70 million. He highlighted the recent successful visit of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to Ukraine. The Minister also thanked Canada for its active role in the Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, contributions within PURL, and other support.

The Foreign Minister underlined that the relationship between Ukraine and Canada is built on strong bonds between our peoples. He expressed appreciation to all Ukrainians in Canada and to our communities for their active involvement, voice, and efforts in supporting our nation.

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CENTCOM Degrades ISIS in Syria

U.S. Central Command

Press Release | Nov. 12, 2025

USCENTCOM

November 12, 2025

Release Number 20251112-01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. -- U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces advised, assisted, and enabled more than 22 operations against ISIS with partners in Syria over the past month, diminishing the terrorist group's ability to conduct local operations and export violence around the world.

Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) conducted the operations in coordination with Syrian partners from Oct. 1 to Nov. 6, resulting in five ISIS members killed and 19 captured.

"Our success in countering the ISIS threat in Syria is a notable achievement," said Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander. "We will continue to aggressively pursue ISIS remnants in Syria while working with the Global Coalition Against ISIS to ensure the gains made against the group in Iraq and Syria are lasting and ISIS is not able to regenerate or export terrorist attacks to other countries."

Earlier this week, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced that Syria joined the Global Coalition Against ISIS as its 90th member. Since the territorial defeat of ISIS in 2019, the U.S.-led Coalition has focused on stabilizing and redeveloping areas formally controlled by ISIS.

Cooper, during a United Nations conference in September, encouraged Coalition members to redouble their efforts in denying ISIS the opportunity to rise again by expediting the return of detainees and displaced persons in northeast Syria to their home countries. The United States is also advocating for nations to support the responsible and secure detention of ISIS detainees in northeast Syria, as well as their repatriation for appropriate judicial handling in their countries of origin.

At their peak in 2019, displaced persons camps at al-Hol and al-Roj housed 70,000 people. Today, the number has fallen below 30,000. Repatriation reduces opportunity for extremist influence, especially among vulnerable women and children.

"Repatriating vulnerable populations before they are radicalized is not just compassionit is a decisive blow against ISIS's ability to ever regenerate," said Cooper. "The United States will continue supporting the Coalition and all nations committed to bringing their citizens home."

-30-



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President, legislative speaker exchange barbs on China threat to lawmaker

ROC Central News Agency

11/12/2025 09:36 PM

Taipei, Nov. 12 (CNA) President Lai Ching-te () should retract his remark that China is "a foreign hostile force" and remove a clause in the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) charter that advocates Taiwan independence, Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu () said Wednesday.

Han was responding to Lai's call for him to speak up in support of DPP Legislator Puma Shen (), whom the public security bureau in China's Chongqing City recently vowed to investigate for "separatist activities" under China's Anti-Secession Law and other regulations.

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV aired a report Sunday in which a Chinese legal expert suggested authorities pursue Shen through the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) or mutual judicial assistance agreements with foreign countries.

However, Beijing has not indicated whether it will take such action. Meanwhile, Interpol maintains a policy against issuing Red Notices for cases involving political, military, religious or racial matters.

On Tuesday, Lai said China has no jurisdiction over Taiwan and Shen had broken no laws, as all he had done was defend Taiwan's national sovereignty and uphold its democratic and constitutional institutions.

He called on Han, a member of the opposition Kuomintang, to uphold the dignity of the Legislature in his capacity as legislative speaker by leading lawmakers across party lines to speak up for Shen.

In response to Lai's remarks, Han said on Wednesday he would certainly fulfill his responsibility to protect all lawmakers' right to free speech and personal safety "within the legislature compound."

Han then countered Lai by saying if the president truly wanted to help Shen, he should retract his designation of China as a "foreign hostile force" during a speech in March, arguing that such language was not conducive to peace in the Taiwan Strait.

Citing a Chinese idiom, Han said only Lai can undo what has been done. He further suggested that Lai, who is also DPP chairman, immediately take steps to revoke or suspend the clause in the party's charter advocating "Taiwan independence" -- the founding of a Republic of Taiwan -- thereby addressing the problem at its source.

Asked to respond to Han's remarks, Premier Cho Jung-tai () said China's pursuit of Shen constitutes a violation of freedom, democratic values, and human rights, and could pose a threat to Shen's personal safety.

Han, as legislative speaker, has a responsibility to protect lawmakers, but has so far remained silent on the issue, Cho said, calling on him to make his position known to the public.

Meanwhile, DPP spokesperson Wu Cheng () criticized Han's reluctance to directly address the issue and called Han's remarks tantamount to "rubbing salt into Shen's wounds."

(By Wang Cheng-chung, Wen Kuei-hsiang and Sean Lin)

Enditem/AW

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Taiwan question is red line that must not be crossed, says FM spokesperson on Tokyo presenting decoration to 'Taiwan independence' separatist

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Nov 12, 2025 04:39 PM

Commenting on media report that on November 11, the Japanese government presented decoration of Order of the Rising Sun to Hsieh Chang-ting, former head of "Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan", Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated on Wednesday that China has previously stated its position on the issue. "The Japanese government insisted on proposing and presenting decoration to an individual who advocates for the "Taiwan independence" rhetoric, which is another mistaken move by Japan on the Taiwan question, and China firmly opposes this," Guo added.

The Taiwan question is at the core of China's core interests and bears on the political foundation of China-Japan ties and basic credibility of Japan, and is a red line that must not be crossed, the spokesperson stressed.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. It is also the 80th anniversary of the restoration of Taiwan. China urges Japan to take a hard look at its responsibility for the war crimes, abide by the relevant principles and spirit of the four political documents between the two countries, uphold its commitment on the one-China principle with practical actions, be prudent on the Taiwan question, and stop sending any wrong signals to separatist forces for "Taiwan independence," the spokesperson stressed.

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Mainland slams anti-China IPAC for making provocations on Taiwan-related issues

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 16:25, November 12, 2025

BEIJING, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese spokesperson on Wednesday condemned the so-called Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) for making provocations on Taiwan-related issues.

Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks at a press conference in response to a media query about the IPAC annual meeting held in Brussels, where Taiwan's Hsiao Bi-khim attended as a speaker.

Chen dismissed the so-called IPAC as merely a clique of anti-China elements, expressing firm opposition to its repeated interference in Taiwan-related issues.

He also slammed the Democratic Progressive Party authorities in Taiwan, noting that their collusion with such organizations to stage a farce will only add to the ridicule and bring disgrace upon themselves.

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Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain countries concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine

European Council / Council of the European Union

Council of the EU

Press release

12 November 2025 10:55

On 23 October 2025, the Council adopted Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/20321.

Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/2032 imposed further restrictions in view of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine, among others, constraining Russia's energy revenues through a ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), a full transaction ban on Rosneft and Gazprom Neft concerning oil and gas imports into the EU, and through the extension of the import ban on a variant of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The Decision also imposed restrictive measures on shadow fleet vessels as well as transaction ban against operators enabling Russia's energy revenue streams. The Decision also expanded the transaction ban on additional banks in Russia as well as on third-country banks in Central Asia, and imposed new restrictions on Russia's payment card and fast payment system (Mir and SBP). The Decision also prohibited the use of A5A7 cryptocurrency and introduced prohibitions on the provision of crypto services and certain fintech services. The Decision expanded export restrictions and bans to further disrupt and weaken Russia's military-industrial complex. The Decision also included measures targeting Russia's Special Economic Zones (SEZs), introduced service bans blocking Russian access to advanced digital capabilities and a prohibition on re-insurance services. Finally, the Decision introduced an obligation for Russian diplomats, travelling across the EU beyond their country of accreditation, to inform the relevant EU Member State in advance. EU Member States may impose an authorisation requirement on Russian diplomats for traveling to their territories, based on visas or residence permits issued by another state.

Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, and Ukraine align themselves with this Council Decision.

They will ensure that their national policies conform to this Council Decision.

The European Union takes note of this commitment and welcomes it.

1 OJ L, 2025/2032, 23.10.2025, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/2032/oj

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Japan-Ukraine Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Ministry of Foregn Affairs of Japan

November 12, 2025

On November 12 at 12:40 local time (at November 13 2:40 JST) for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan during his visit to Niagara, Canada to attend the G7 Foreign Ministers' meeting, held a foreign ministers' meeting with H.E. Mr. Andrii SYBIHA, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

Minister MOTEGI stated that Russia's aggression against Ukraine is an outrageous act that shakes the very foundation of the international order, and reiterated that Japan would never waver in its consistent position of standing with Ukraine. Minister MOTEGI also stated that Japan had been working on the situation in Ukraine with a strong sense of crisis that "Ukraine today may be East Asia tomorrow" and that Japan would continue to work to support Ukraine and impose sanctions against Russia in coordination with the G7 and the international community. In response, Minister Sybiha explained the Ukraine's current situation and efforts. Furthermore, Minister MOTEGI stated that the Ukraine Mine Action Conference, that he hosted shortly after assuming his office, was successfully held and Japan would lead efforts in the field of demining. In response, Minister Sybiha expressed his gratitude for Japan's support for Ukraine and expressed his hope to continue cooperation with Japan. The two ministers concurred on working closely on strengthening bilateral relations including in the field of the security, and the future situation in Ukraine.

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From Army To Zelenskyy, Ukraine's Corruption Scandal Rocks Country

By Ray Furlong and RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service November 12, 2025

Summary

Ukraine faces a major corruption scandal involving high-level officials and $100 million in alleged kickbacks in the energy sector.

Key figures include Timur Mindich, a former business partner of President Zelenskyy.

The scandal impacts Ukraine's war effort and morale, and undermines the credibility of the country's anti-corruption efforts.

Ukraine has been rocked by a corruption scandal in which suspects allegedly discussed millions of dollars worth of kickbacks on protection for energy plants, even as Russian bombs raining down on them plunged citizens into cold and darkness.

But it's not only the allegations that are explosive. The cast list includes people at the highest levels of government centered around a longstanding close collaborator of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy himself.

Worse still, the investigation has been carried out by anti-corruption institutions that Zelenskyy tried to muzzle before the biggest street protests since Russia's full-scale invasion forced him to back down in the summer.

Meanwhile, corruption is a hot-button issue for Ukraine's international reputation.

Critics of Western support for the embattled nation, fighting Europe's biggest conflict since World War II, have sought to play down its measures to improve transparency since breaking free of Moscow's orbit after mass street protests in 2014.

There's a huge amount at stake.

Who Are The Suspects?

Several people have been implicated in Operation Midas, an ongoing investigation.

The alleged ringleader is Tymur Mindich, a co-owner of the Kvartal 95 comedy troupe that Zelenskyy also co-owned before he became president. The business was an important vehicle for Zelenskyy to gain popularity as a comedian and actor before entering politics.

Mindich, 46, was also a business partner with billionaire Ihor Kolomoyskiy, who backed Zelenskyy's 2019 presidential campaign and who has been in pretrial detention since 2023 on fraud and money-laundering charges.

Law enforcement sources said Mindich left Ukraine shortly before his home was searched by police on November 10.

He has not commented on the case.

Viktor Chumak, chief military prosecutor in 2019-20 and acting prosecutor-general in 2020, told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service "it is absolutely impossible, unless you are helped by law enforcement officers" to exit the country quickly amid Ukraine's wartime travel restrictions.

Another high-profile figure involved in the case is Herman Halushchenko, who was suspended from his position of justice minister on November 12. He previously served as energy minister.

Halushchenko said he would defend himself in court from claims he had received "personal benefits" from Mindich in the alleged kickback scheme.

Former Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who is currently secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, and former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov, are also implicated in the case.

Umerov has denied involvement. Separate corruption charges were brought against Chernyshov in June.

On recordings made by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), the suspects used nicknames among themselves. Mindich was Karlson, Chernyshov was Che Guevara.

On November 12, Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk tendered her resignation, following a call by Zelenskyy for her to go. She insisted she had not broken the law.

What Are The Allegations?

NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) allege $100 million of graft in the energy sector by "a high-level criminal organization."

The focus is on Energoatom, the state-owned nuclear power operator with around $4.7 billion in annual revenue. The suspects allegedly charged 10-15 percent kickbacks from Energoatom's private subcontractors in return for keeping their contracts running.

In one NABU tape, former energy minister adviser Ihor Myronyuk is heard apparently threatening to cancel such contracts.

"You'll be wiped out completely.... All your employees will be conscripted into the army," he is heard saying. Myronyuk denies any wrongdoing.

At another point, participants are heard discussing giving contracts for protective structures against air attacks at energy installations.

NABU has carried out 70 house searches and made 1,000 hours of secret audio recordings as part of the investigation.

How Bad Is This?

The potential fallout is huge.

Millions of Ukrainians are enduring untold hardships as Russia's full-scale invasion approaches its fourth anniversary. This includes frequent power cuts as Russia targets energy infrastructure to degrade Ukraine's war effort and drain morale.

With winter approaching, these pressures are increasingly acute.

Tymofiy Mylovanov resigned from Energoatom's supervisory board on November 11, saying his proposals for the company's response to the scandal were being ignored.

"Every hryvnya that is spent ineffectively, whether it is stolen, or simply spent ineffectively, is a loss of life on the front line," he told RFE/RL.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called the scandal "extremely unfortunate," adding that it was important Kyiv takes it seriously.

As noted, the allegations run extremely close to Zelenskyy.

In Ukraine, it hasn't escaped notice that he moved to curtail the independence of NABO and SAPO just a few months ago.

At that point, investigators were already well advanced into a 15-month operation that has only now been made public.

The move against the two agencies led people to take to the streets in protest despite making themselves potential targets for Russian air strikes. The sensitivity of the issue was underlined by a protester who linked it to the war, with a poster reading, "This is not the future my brother died for."

Ukraine's Western backers, who have long pressured Kyiv to improve its record on fighting corruption, added to the pressure -- urging Zelenskyy to backtrack. Less than 72 hours after signing the law that removed the autonomy of NABU and SAPO, he submitted a bill restoring it.

"I do not rule out that this [investigation] was the reason for the pressure imposed on NABU in the summer. I can't rule it out," said Chumak, the former prosecutor.

"It was an attempt to transfer all the cases -- first of all, to get the materials from all the cases, and secondly, to transfer them to another entity."

Mylovanov said he did not believe Zelenskyy attempted a cover-up. "The president clearly said that there should be sentences," he said.

But perceptions are important, and not only in Ukraine.

Western governments providing military and economic support to Kyiv need to justify it to their electorates, and this scandal doesn't make that any easier.

"Trust is at stake -- among the population, the army, and international partners. No dissolution of a supervisory board, no sentencing of a few individuals, and no new audits will undo the damage that is unfolding," said Mattia Nelles, co-founder and executive director of the German-Ukrainian Bureau, a think-tank that promotes stronger support for Ukraine in Germany.

"Minor changes here and there will no longer be enough to bridge the gulf of distrust. Otherwise, this risks becoming a turning point in Zelenskyy's presidency."

With reporting by Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/zelenskyy-ukraine-corruption- scandal-rocks-country-war-russia/33588331.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Robot Soldiers: Ground Drones On The Ukrainian Front Lines

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, Roman Pahulych, Serhiy Stetsenko and Stuart Greer November 12, 2025

As Russian forces continue their assault on Pokrovsk, some Ukrainian units are using ground drones to help defend the embattled frontline city in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region.

Ukraine's 7th Rapid Response Corps has posted video on Facebook showing troops in Pokrovsk working with ground drones as they defend the city, which was once an important transport and logistics hub for the Ukrainian military.

Defending Donetsk With Drones

Small, rugged, and often armed, these remote-controlled vehicles have become an essential part of Ukraine's defense across the Donetsk region. Used for reconnaissance, resupply, and direct assaults, the machines maneuver through areas too dangerous for soldiers or tanks to enter.

Not far from the front lines, RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service was given an exclusive tour by the commander of Ukraine's 93rd Mechanized Brigade, which showed a variety of ground drones that are currently in action.

"This is our combat 'junkyard rig.' It went out last night and only returned this morning. It's fitted with a machine gun and a few hundred rounds," said the battalion commander who goes by the code name Elektryk.

"We used it to kill the enemy, right up close. They come and we open fire and leave. And we did it more than once," he said.

Not every ground drone mission ends successfully.

"Sometimes it arrives and is quickly destroyed. And sometimes it lives for hundreds of kilometers," the commander explains. "Yesterday, one of ours went to pick up a wounded soldier but didn't make it. It was spotted by more than five flying [first-person view] drones and was destroyed by the sixth."

Multiple Skills, Multiple Roles

On the front lines, soldiers modify and rebuild these machines for multiple roles, from attack platforms to medevac vehicles capable of retrieving the wounded or the dead without human assistance.

"It arrives on its own, loads itself up, and leaves on its own," said Elektryk. "It's a unique thing."

Though the development of ground drones in Ukraine began more than a decade ago, Russia's full-scale invasion has rapidly accelerated their evolution.

Meanwhile, Russian soldiers have been seen using an assortment of improvised vehicles of their own as they advanced on Pokrovsk along roads covered by thick fog.

A video published by Russian war bloggers on Telegram on November 11 showed what was said to be Russian soldiers on motorcycles and cars and other vehicles rolling into Pokrovsk.

Many vehicles were missing doors and windows and some Telegram users said it looked like a scene from the 1979 action film Mad Max, which unfolds in a postapocalyptic landscape.

Reuters was able to confirm the location of the video as Pokrovsk but was not able to independently verify the date of the footage.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a Telegram post on November 11 that the situation "remains difficult" and that bad weather was favoring advancing Russian troops. Ukraine's military said about 300 Russian soldiers were now inside Pokrovsk, which Moscow has been trying to capture for more than a year.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-ground-drones-robot- soldiers-pokrovsk/33588212.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russia Says Ready To Resume Talks With Ukraine As It Battles For Pokrovsk

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service November 12, 2025

Russia said its forces continue to make gains around Pokrovsk as Moscow intensifies efforts to penetrate the battered Ukrainian city with local officials calling the situation difficult.

Russia's Defense Ministry said on November 12 that its forces had pushed Ukrainian troops out of Sukhyi Yar, which lies just to the south of Pokrovsk, which is key for the Kremlin's strategy of finding a stronghold to drive north toward the two biggest remaining Ukrainian-controlled cities in the Donetsk region -- Kramatorsk and Slovyansk.

Pokrovsk, a city of about 7,000 inhabitants -- down from more than 60,000 prewar -- holds crucial road and rail junctions and has been under threat of encirclement by Russian forces for most of the year.

British Back Channels

The reports of the advance, which has not been independently verified, come as the Kremlin said Britain attempted to open a back channel to resume dialogue -- first reported by the Financial Times -- over ending Europe's largest and deadliest conflict since World War II.

"There were indeed contacts," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, adding that the talks collapsed because "there was a lack of any intention or desire to listen to our position."

"Given the impossibility of exchanging views, the mutual dialogue has not developed," he said, giving no details on when the communication took place.

Earlier on November 12, state news agency TASS cited a Foreign Ministry official as saying Russia is ready to resume peace negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul.

Stalled Ukraine Peace Talks

The two sides last met in Istanbul in July for a third round of direct peace talks but failed to make any progress -- other than agreeing to a prisoner swap -- to ending a war that followed Russia's full-scale invasion of its neighbor in February 2022.

"The Russian team is ready for this, the ball is in the Ukrainian court," Aleksei Polishchuk, head of the second CIS Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, told TASS.

Moscow has previously said President Vladimir Putin would be willing to meet with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in the Russian capital, a condition Kyiv has rejected.

With the peace process stalled, the United States last month sanctioned Russia's two largest oil companies as US President Donald Trump's frustration grew over Putin's refusal to end the invasion of Ukraine.

The US sanctions on Russia's energy giants came after several unsuccessful rounds of negotiations between the United States and Russia, which at one point were expected to be discussed at a summit between Trump and Putin in Budapest.

Shortly after a conversation between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Trump said he was not going "to be wasting time" meeting with Putin if the Kremlin leader was not ready to make a deal to end his war on Ukraine.

Western media had largely reported that there has been little change in Russia's stance on ending the conflict since Trump's meeting with Putin in Alaska in August, which didn't result in a cease-fire.

On November 8, Trump said he still didn't see Russia as willing to stop the fighting, though he still prefers Budapest as the venue for a peace summit once the conditions for such a meeting are met.

Moscow has also said preparation work on such a meeting must be done before any date could be set.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-talks-ukraine- battle-pokrovsk-trump-putin-zelenskyy/33588290.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russia Hopes Trump Still Willing to Contribute to Settlement in Ukraine

Sputnik News

20251112

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia hopes that US President Donald Trump is still willing to contribute to a diplomatic and political settlement of the Ukraine conflict, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.

"We sincerely hope that President Trump is still willing to contribute to a political and diplomatic settlement of the Ukrainian problem," Peskov told CNN.

Relations between Russia and the United States have bright prospects, but the parties are wasting time and money, Peskov said, adding that it is important to open up new opportunities for economic cooperation between the countries.

 Sputnik

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Russian Forces Conducting Offensive in Western Part of Pokrovsk

Sputnik News

20251112

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian armed forces are conducting active offensive operations in the western part of Krasnoarmeysk (Pokrovsk), the northwestern and eastern quarters of the central district, as well as in the western industrial zone, the Russian Ministry of Defense said on Wednesday.

"In the settlement of Krasnoarmeysk in the Donetsk People's Republic, assault groups ... are conducting active offensive operations in the western part of the city, the northwestern and eastern quarters of the central district, as well as in the territory of the western industrial zone," the ministry said in a statement.

Additionally, the Russian forces have repelled an attack by Ukrainian troops near the settlement of Petrovka in the Kharkov region and nine attacks from the settlement of Grishino area with the aim of unblocking the encircled group, the ministry said, adding that Kiev has lost up to 40 soldiers in this direction.

Russia's Battlegroup Tsentr has completed clearing the settlement of Sukhoi Yar in the Donetsk People's Republic of Ukrainian militants, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

"The clearing of the settlement of Sukhoi Yar in the Donetsk People's Republic of Ukrainian militants has been completed," ministry said in a statement.

Russia's Battlegroup Tsentr has eliminated up to 450 Ukrainian fighters over the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

"Over the past day, over 250 Ukrainian servicemen, 22 pieces of weapons and military equipment, including 12 armored fighting vehicles and three motor vehicles, were destroyed in the Krasnoarmeisk area. In total, in the area of responsibility of Battlegroup Tsentr, Kiev has lost up to 450 military personnel, an infantry fighting vehicle, four Western-made armored personnel carriers, nine armored combat vehicles, eight pickups and an electronic warfare station," the ministry said in a statement.

Russia's Battlegroup Vostok has eliminated up to 250 Ukrainian soldiers over the past 24 hours, the ministry said.

Over the past day, Kiev has lost up to 215 troops in clashes with Russia's Battlegroup Zapad, the statement read.

Russia's operational-tactical aviation, attack drones, missile and artillery forces have hit fuel, energy and transport infrastructure facilities used in the interests of the Ukrainian armed forces, drone launch sites, positions of air defense units and temporary deployment points of Ukrainian troops and foreign mercenaries in 149 areas, the ministry also said.

Russian drone units have disrupted the rotation and supply of enemy ammunition and troops in the Kupyansk area, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

"By using kamikaze attack drones, our drone pilots disrupt the rotation and supply of enemy ammunition," the ministry said.

Russia's Battlegroup Zapad destroyed five pickups with Ukrainian armed forces fighters who tried to break through to the soldiers encircled in Kupyansk area, the ministry added.

 Sputnik

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Europe Still Bankrolls Ukraine As Conflict Fatigue Deepens

Sputnik News

20251112

Russia has repeatedly said that Western supplies to Ukraine hinder the resolution of the military conflict and drag NATO allies into the conflict.

Germany will send an additional $46.3 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine ahead of winter, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said. The allocated funds are intended to cover losses caused by Ukraine's energy crisis.

The volume of German humanitarian aid to Ukraine has decreased by more than half this year compared to last year due to budget cuts at the Foreign Ministry, and amounts to approximately $232 million.

Denmark has also allocated a new $217 million aid package to Ukraine, including through the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) program, the Danish Defense Ministry said.

Approximately $12.5 million of the new package will be used to meet Ukraine's long-term supply needs through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). In total, Denmark has allocated approximately $10.97 billion to Ukraine since 2022.

The EU and the Council of Europe are facing a shortage of funds to organize a so-called tribunal for Ukraine, as the US withdraws financial support for Ukraine, Euronews earlier reported.

 Sputnik

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UK strengthening Ukrainian resilience ahead of winter at G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting



Press release

UK announces new support to make vital repairs to Ukraine's energy sector and reallocates humanitarian support for those most impacted by the loss of power, heating, and water this winter.

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and The Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP

Published 12 November 2025

Foreign Secretary announcing 13 million of funding to help repair Ukraine's energy sector at G7

Ukrainian resilience in the face of Putin's attacks is central to UK and G7 security

UK to establish maritime services ban on Russian Liquid Natural Gas

UK announces new support to make vital repairs to Ukraine's energy sector in the face of Russian bombardment, alongside reallocating humanitarian support for those most impacted by the loss of power, heating, and water this winter.

Our support will help Ukraine restore vital energy infrastructure, keeping the lights on and the heating on in Ukrainian homes, hospitals and schools  even in the face of relentless attacks - which is paramount to the UK's steadfast support for the country.

Russia has actively chosen to make Ukraine's civilian energy infrastructure a target throughout the war. Now as we enter a cold winter, they are escalating brutal attacks on power and heating networks, as Putin tries to grind the Ukrainian people down. However, Ukraine continues to show remarkable resilience keeping the lights on against the odds.

As the Kremlin scrambles to expand its Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) exports to prop up its creaking war economy, the UK has today announced its intention to introduce a maritime services ban on Russian LNG, building on the recent targeting of Russia's two largest oil companies - Rosneft and Lukoil.

This action will significantly reduce Russian exports of LNG and directly cut off access to the UK's world-leading maritime services. The ban will be phased in over 2026 in lockstep with our European partners.

In addition, the 13 million winter package will help them to carry out vital repairs and deliver support those worst-hit by the loss of power, water & heating, ensuring Ukrainians can keep the lights and heating on as winter starts to bite.

Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, said:

Putin is trying to plunge Ukraine into darkness and the cold as winter approaches. These cowardly strikes are not only an attack on Ukraine's security, but a threat to the UK's economic security, stability and growth. Ukraine's security is our security and that's why here at the G7, we are standing together as the closest of partners to drive forward support for Ukraine and overcome the challenges the world is facing today.

The Foreign Secretary makes these announcements as she attends the G7 Foreign Ministerial Meeting in Niagara, Canada where she will galvanise our closest partners to continue to stand up for Ukraine in the face of Putin's mindless aggression.

Economic security, growth and action on migration will remain top of the Foreign Secretary's agenda at the G7, as she pushes the multilateral system to deliver for Brits back at home.

In particular, the Foreign Secretary will highlight the critical importance of economic security for both growth and for national security across the G7 - and will warn of the risks of excess dependence on a small number of countries for vital materials including rare earths.

Building on the work already underway by the UK government domestically, she will call for the G7 to go further to coordinate efforts to boost supply chain resilience - including to share learnings between partners, and align on efforts to diversify supply chains in third countries.

Canada is among the UK's closest foreign policy allies - our countries are the only two to be members of the Five Eyes, NATO, G7, and the Commonwealth. Before commencing the Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the Foreign Secretary met Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, then joined her to pay respects to the British, Canadian and Commonwealth soldiers who gave their lives for our collective freedom on Remembrance Day.

Background

More information on the UK's support to Ukraine can be found here

The UK has committed over 450 million for energy security and resilience in Ukraine

The UK banned the import of Russian LNG in January 2023. We are now going a step further by banning maritime transport and related serviceslike insurancefor Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to third countries. UK-linked ships and services won't be allowed to help move Russian LNG globally.

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Andrii Sybiha held a meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Toshimitsu Motegi

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

12 November 2025 21:33

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "I had a very good first meeting with my new Japanese colleague, Mr. Toshimitsu Motegi. Japan is our leading partner in Asia. We are grateful to the Japanese government and people for their strong support for Ukraine, including in the areas of demining and recovery. I informed about Russia's escalated terror against our energy system and shared the list of our priority energy needs ahead of winter. I invited Mr. Toshimitsu Motegi to visit Ukraine at the nearest convenient time".

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Andrii Sybiha held a meeting with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Italy, Germany, France and the EU

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

12 November 2025 15:53

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "In Canada, I had a great meeting with my colleagues from France Jean-Noel Barrot, Germany Johann Wadephul, Italy Antonio Tajani, and the EU Kaja Kallas. I updated our partners on the battlefield situation, peace efforts, and the fight against corruption. I reaffirmed that those implicated in corruption schemes will be held accountable, this is President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's and our government's firm position. We are grateful to our European allies for their constant support and steps to increase pressure on Moscow. We discussed the 20th EU package and the work to fully use frozen Russian assets. We also focused on the strengthening of our air defense and energy resilience ahead of winter, including through the PURL and SAFE mechanisms. I thank allies who prepare new military aid and energy assistance packages. I also invited my colleagues to Ukraine."

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Sergiy Boyev discusses defence industry cooperation with French delegation

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

12 November, 2025, 10:40 AM EET

Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Sergiy Boyev, held a meeting with Colonel Frederic Bal, the Armaments Attache of France, and Thomas Moreau, the GICAT (Land and Air-Land Defence and Security Industries Association) Representative in Ukraine.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the development of joint defence industry projects.

"The development of interceptor solutions for Ukraine is a priority. We continue to expand cooperation with our partners to provide our warriors with effective air defence systems," emphasised Sergiy Boyev.

The parties also discussed opportunities for financing joint projects, in particular through European funding mechanisms.

The discussion also covered cooperation between Ukrainian and French defence industry enterprises, including the production of air defence and missile defence systems and associated missiles; equipment repair; testing of innovative solutions; supply of components; and the development of new weapon systems that take into account experience from modern warfare.

The French side reaffirmed its readiness to implement new joint production projects in Ukraine.

Sergiy Boyev expressed gratitude to France for its steady support and partnership, which help reinforce Ukraine's defence capabilities.

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We Don't See That Russia Wants to Stop, We Need More Pressure - President During an Online Meeting With U.S. Senators

President of Ukraine

12 November 2025 - 23:26

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held an online meeting with U.S. Senators to discuss the situation at the front, the strengthening of air defense, increasing pressure on Russia, and efforts to return Ukrainian children abducted by the Russian Federation.

"On behalf of all Ukrainians, we are thankful for your bipartisan support. We are thankful to the United States, to your nation. We are thankful to President Trump for several initiatives that we will discuss today. And thank you so much for being with us all this time," said the Head of State.

The President briefed the Senators on the frontline situation, particularly in Pokrovsk, stressing that in October, Russia suffered its highest personnel losses since the start of the full-scale invasion - over 25,000 killed. The motivation of Russian occupiers is declining, but their authorities will apply different forms of inducement, including financial ones.

According to the Head of State, Russia does not want to stop the war but is instead building up its military presence in Ukraine. Therefore, pressure on the aggressor must be intensified. Particular attention was given to the use of frozen Russian assets to protect Ukraine. The Senators announced that they, for their part, are working on this issue and preparing the relevant bill.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also thanked the United States and President Trump personally for the sanctions already imposed and called for continued work in this direction.

"We very much want the Senate and Congress to support secondary sanctions. I know it's a sensitive topic, but for us it is very important. And, of course, we very much need your ideas for stronger sanctions against energy," the President said.

The Head of State also informed the Senators on the weapons Ukraine needs to defend itself against Russian aggression, including Tomahawks and enhanced air defense capabilities.

Senators Richard Blumenthal and Lindsey Graham assured that they continue to promote their bills on sanctions and on recognizing Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism should it fail to return the abducted Ukrainian children. They noted that the bill has broad bipartisan support.

During the conversation, the participants also discussed in detail the efforts to bring Ukrainian children home and the personal involvement of U.S. First Lady Melania Trump. Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the parents of children returned through her efforts had written a letter of gratitude to the First Lady of the United States.

In addition, the Senators reaffirmed the United States' unwavering bicameral and bipartisan support for Ukraine and commended the courage of the Ukrainian people in resisting Russian aggression.

The online meeting was attended by: Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, Chair of the U.S. Senate Budget Committee; Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee; Senator Amy Klobuchar, Chair of the U.S. Senate Democratic Steering and Policy Committee; Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse; Democratic Senator Michael Bennet; Democratic Senator Adam Schiff; and Democratic Senator Richard Durbin, the U.S. Senate Democratic Whip.

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There Will Be a Cleansing and Reset of Energoatom's Management - The President

President of Ukraine

12 November 2025 - 16:06

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he fully supports every investigation carried out by law enforcement and anti-corruption officials, including those into any abuses in the energy sector, where all processes must be completely transparent.

In his address, the Head of State said that he had a detailed conversation today with Ukraine's Prime Minister, Yuliia Svyrydenko.

"First - there must be maximum integrity in the energy sector, in absolutely all processes... No schemes, and it is good that the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine will provide full support to the investigation and all procedural and judicial actions," Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted.

The President emphasized that there will be a cleansing and reset of Energoatom's management, and that the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Energy cannot remain in their positions.

"If there are accusations, they must be addressed. The decision on suspension from office is prompt, as swift as possible. I have asked the Prime Minister of Ukraine to ensure that these ministers submit their resignations. I ask the MPs to support these resignations. From that point on, everything must proceed within the legal framework," the Head of State said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also announced that he will sign a decree imposing sanctions on two individuals implicated in the NABU case concerning Energoatom. The Cabinet of Ministers will submit the corresponding proposal to the National Security and Defense Council.

"Right now, it is extremely difficult for everyone in Ukraine - enduring power outages, Russian strikes, and losses. It is absolutely unacceptable that, amid all this, there are also some schemes in the energy sector. Right now, we all must protect Ukraine. Undermining the state means you will be held accountable. Breaking the law means you will be held accountable," the President concluded.

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There Must Be Maximum Integrity in the Energy Sector, in Absolutely All Processes - Address by the President

President of Ukraine

12 November 2025 - 15:45

I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!

Today, I had a detailed conversation with Prime Minister of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko. First - there must be maximum integrity in the energy sector, in absolutely all processes. And I support - we support - every investigation carried out by law enforcement and anti-corruption officials, and this is an absolutely clear and consistent position for everyone. No schemes, and it is good that the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine will provide full support to the investigation and all procedural and judicial actions. There will be a cleansing and reset of Energoatom's management. Second - I believe that the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Energy cannot remain in office. This is, among other things, a matter of trust. If there are accusations, they must be addressed. The decision on suspension from office is prompt, as swift as possible. I have asked the Prime Minister of Ukraine to ensure that these ministers submit their resignations. I ask the MPs to support these resignations. From that point on, everything must proceed within the legal framework. Third - there will be a decision by the National Security and Defense Council on sanctions based on a submission from the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. Right now it is extremely difficult for everyone in Ukraine - enduring power outages, Russian strikes, and losses. It is absolutely unacceptable that, amid all this, there are also some schemes in the energy sector. I will sign a decree to impose sanctions on two individuals implicated in the NABU case concerning Energoatom. Right now we all must protect Ukraine. Undermining the state means you will be held accountable. Breaking the law means you will be held accountable. I want to thank everyone who stands with Ukraine! Thank you to all who defend our state and Ukrainians.

Glory to Ukraine!

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Ukrainian civilian casualties rise 27 per cent compared to last year

12 November 2025 - Civilian casualties in Ukraine were 27 per cent higher from January to October 2025, compared to the same period last year, according to the latest UN human rights report on the situation in the eastern European country.

"The number of casualties for the first ten months of 2025 (12,062) has already exceeded the total for all of 2024 (9,112)", said the report by the United Nations Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU).

In total there have been 53,006 civilian casualties, including 14,534 deaths, since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022.

Frontline communities remain the most at risk, largely because of long-range missile and drone strikes, accounting for 65 per cent of deaths and injuries, particularly in the Kherson, Kharkiv, and Donetsk regions.

"At least 148 civilians were killed and 929 injured in October, mirroring the high numbers in the previous two months", underscored the UN monitoring mission.

Rising attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure

Meanwhile, nearly four years into the war, Ukraine is facing intensified attacks on energy infrastructure

In October and November there have been renewed strikes on the power grid causing further blackouts nationwide.

Last month, three large-scale attacks targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure, leading to emergency power outages across much of the country.

"As civilians in Ukraine head into another winter, the increase in attacks on energy infrastructure and resulting power outages heightens risks for the population," said Danielle Bell, head of the monitoring mission.

"Any prolonged disruptions to heating, electricity or water supplies would create extreme hardships, particularly for older persons, persons with disabilities, families with young children, and women who often bear the primary responsibility for caregiving and ensuring access to essential needs for their families," she added.

The UN and its partners continue to work closely with people on the ground to deliver life-saving aid to the hardest hit communities.

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Auckland, Auckland, Nov. 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Auckland, Auckland - November 12, 2025 - -

In a landmark advancement for New Zealand's high-end property sector, James Clarke, Developer and founder of James Clarke Property has achieved a milestone that signals a new direction in modern construction. Four architecturally designed, three-bedroom, two-bathroom homes have now been successfully landed on a steep hillside overlooking Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown  setting a benchmark for efficiency, precision, and design sophistication in premium residential development.

Construction began in August 2025, with each home built off-site in Christchurch under controlled factory conditions before being transported and positioned this month. Completion is scheduled for December 2025, representing one of the most advanced applications of modular, off-site construction in the Queenstown-Lakes region.

For James Clarke Developer, the project exemplifies a fundamental re-imagining of how complex, high-value builds can be delivered. Each home was fabricated in a controlled environment to achieve exceptional quality and environmental performance, while on-site foundations and infrastructure were developed simultaneously. This dual-track approach condensed the timeline dramatically and reduced exposure to weather disruptions, labour shortages, and escalating material costs.

Designed to sit harmoniously within the contours of the land, the homes maximise uninterrupted, panoramic views across Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding alpine ranges. Large expanses of glass, clean architectural lines, and a restrained material palette ensure the buildings complement rather than dominate their landscape. The result is a collection of contemporary homes that feel both sophisticated and grounded, luxurious yet innately connected to place.

By decoupling the traditional build process, James Clarke Developer demonstrates how intelligent planning and manufacturing precision can achieve outcomes once thought incompatible with bespoke architecture. The result is a fusion of artistry and engineering, producing homes that embody both modern efficiency and timeless design integrity.

Across New Zealand, developers are facing significant headwinds - from rising construction costs and limited skilled labour to increasing regulatory demands. James Clarke Developer's decision to adopt modular methods reflects a deliberate response to these pressures and an embrace of forward-thinking solutions. Off-site fabrication, recognised by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment for its ability to shorten build times, reduce waste and enhance quality control, has become the cornerstone of Clarke's approach to sustainable luxury.

"Our goal is to combine architectural excellence with manufacturing precision," says James Clarke Developer. "By constructing these homes in Christchurch while foundations progressed in Queenstown, we've proven that efficiency and quality can coexist. This is how we believe premium developments should be built; intelligently, responsibly, and beautifully."

Following this success, James Clarke Property has confirmed three additional developments set to commence in early 2026, each leveraging the same modular methodology. The expansion underscores Clarke's commitment to innovation and scalability, positioning his company at the forefront of New Zealand's evolving property landscape.

The timing of this innovation aligns with renewed optimism in the Queenstown-Lakes economy, which continues to outperform national averages.Property values in the region now hover around NZ $2.1 million, sustained by constrained land availability, lifestyle migration, and enduring international appeal. Global investors, particularly from Australia and the Asia-Pacific continue to view Queenstown as a stable, high-value market blending natural beauty with resilient tourism fundamentals.

The James Clarke Developer model also delivers tangible benefits to local economies. Modular construction supports advanced manufacturing employment in Christchurch and accelerates project timelines, generating earlier demand for trades, design professionals, and ancillary services in Queenstown. The reduced on-site footprint minimises disruption to neighbouring communities, while the swift delivery of completed dwellings contributes to housing availability and regional economic growth.

For buyers, the project encapsulates a rare convergence of design, precision, and value. Each residence reflects James Clarke Developer's philosophy - to create architecture that belongs to its landscape, crafted with discipline, delivered with certainty, and built to endure.

While the company continues to expand its influence across New Zealand's luxury property market, James Clarke Developer remains grounded in his values. Deeply connected to the country's landscapes, he draws inspiration from time spent fishing, diving, and exploring coastal and alpine environments. His affinity for the outdoors informs both his creative process and his quiet philanthropic work, supporting local community initiatives in Great Barrier Island and Queenstown. For Clarke, development is as much about contributing to the character and wellbeing of the places he builds in as it is about constructing exceptional homes.

As the Queenstown homes near completion, the project stands as a symbol of what New Zealand's property future can be; sophisticated, sustainable, and intelligently executed. For James Clarke Developer, it is both an achievement and a vision: a redefinition of premium living through precision-built, design-driven innovation.

About James Clarke Property

James Clarke Property, led by James Clarke Developer, is a New Zealand-based company specialising in premium residential projects that unite architectural design, sustainable methodology, and efficient delivery. Guided by innovation and integrity, the company is redefining how high-end homes are conceived and built across New Zealand.

###

For more information about James Clarke Property, contact the company here:



James Clarke Property

James Clarke

+64 27 317 3700

james@jamesclarkeproperty.co.nz
NEW YORK, Nov. 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of common stock of Baxter International Inc. (NYSE: BAX) between February 23, 2022 and July 30, 2025, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), of the important December 15, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Baxter common stock during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Baxter class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=17664 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than December 15, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, throughout the Class Period, defendants misled investors by failing to disclose that: (1) the Novum IQ Large Volume Pump (Novum LVP) suffered systemic defects that caused widespread malfunctions, including underinfusion, overinfusion, and complete non-delivery of fluids, which exposed patients to risks of serious injury or death; (2) Baxter was notified of multiple device malfunctions, injuries, and deaths from these defects; (3) Baxters attempts to address these defects through customer alerts were inadequate remedial measures, when design flaws persisted and continued to cause serious harm to patients; (4) as a result, there was a heightened risk that customers would be instructed to take existing Novum LVPs out of service and that Baxter would completely pause all new sales of these pumps; and (5) based on the foregoing, Baxters statements about the safety, efficacy, product rollout, customer feedback and sales prospects of the Novum LVPs were materially false and misleading. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Baxter class action go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=17664 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investors ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

case@rosenlegal.com

www.rosenlegal.com
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ascot Resources Ltd. (TSXV: AOT.H; OTCID: AOTVF) (Ascot or the Company) announces the Company's unaudited financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 ("Q3 2025"). For details of the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, please see the Company's filings on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca).

All amounts herein are reported in $000s of Canadian dollars unless otherwise specified.

Q3 2025 AND SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

On November 7, 2025, the Company announced the launch of a rights offering to raise gross proceeds of up to $14,871 (the Rights Offering). Pursuant to the Rights Offering, the Company will be offering 1,487,151,720 rights (the Rights) to certain holders of commons shares in the capital of Ascot at the close of business on the record date of November 18, 2025 on the basis of one Right for each common share held. Each one Right will entitle the holder to subscribe for one common share of the Company at the subscription price of $0.01 per right share (the Rights Shares). In connection with the Rights Offering, the Company has entered into a standby agreement with Fiore Management and Advisory Corp. (Fiore) pursuant to which Fiore has agreed to acquire 100% of all outstanding Rights Shares not otherwise acquired under the Rights Offering by shareholders. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Rights Offering to settle outstanding amounts owed to the Companys creditors. Closing of the Rights Offering is subject to the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV).





On October 22, 2025, the Company entered into an advisory services agreement with Fiore, as amended November 7, 2025, pursuant to which Fiore has agreed to assist Ascot with restructuring, refinancing and enhancing the leadership team of Ascot (the Restructuring) with a focus on the Red Mountain deposit (RMP) and a view to eventually restarting production at Premier Gold Project (PGP). PGP together with RMP referred to as the Project.



The Restructuring will primarily consist of a non-brokered Rights Offering as described above and a 50:1 share consolidation (the 50:1 Share Consolidation). Fiore has further agreed to use its best efforts to facilitate and assist with an equity financing of $150 million to be priced in the context of the market and taking into consideration the $0.01 per share Rights Offering. The 50:1 Share Consolidation and equity financing are also subject to TSXV approval.



In October 2025, Ascot completed a bridge loan with Nebari Gold Fund 1, LP, Nebari Natural Resources Credit Fund II, LP and Nebari Collateral Agent LLC (collectively, Nebari Group), one of the Companys senior lenders. The loan is available in multiple drawdowns to a maximum of US$18 million which are subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions precedent after US$3 million has been drawn with Nebari Group receiving common share purchase warrants with an exercise price equal to the share price of the equity financing.

Ascot, with Fiores assistance, will work towards restructuring certain existing indebtedness with Nebari Group and amending existing secured streams with Sprott Private Resource Streaming and Royalty (B) Corp. and/or its affiliates (SRSR). Negotiations with Nebari Group on this restructuring and SRSR on this amendment are in advanced stages.





Effective October 14, 2025, the Companys common shares began trading on the NEX Board of TSXV. The Companys common shares were delisted from trading on Toronto Stock Exchange effective at the close of market on October 10, 2025.





On October 6, 2025, the Company announced Bill Bennett, Interim Chair of the Board of Directors of the Company, resigned to focus on family health matters. Indi Gopinathan replaces Mr. Bennett as the Interim Chair of the Board.



FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2025

The Company reported a net loss of $23,521 for the three months ended September 30, 2025 compared to net loss of $11,232 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and a net loss of $345,392 for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 compared to a net loss of $14,490 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. The increase in net loss is mostly attributable to care and maintenance expense of $9,882 which was recorded during the three month periods and an impairment charge of $324,404 which was recorded during the nine month periods.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

On June 25, 2025, the Company suspended mine development and placed the Project on care and maintenance. The Project remains on care and maintenance with no timeline to resume development. Further mine development is dependent on the Companys ability to obtain future financing which may not be available or at terms acceptable to the Company.

As at September 30, 2025, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $5,386 (December 31, 2024: $27,974) and a working capital deficiency (current assets minus current liabilities) of $294,178 (December 31, 2024: $47,551). The decrease in cash and cash equivalents since December 31, 2024 was mainly due to mine development, plant and equipment expenditures of $62,586, payment of lease liabilities of $3,623 and reclamation deposit of $2,000 offset by the net proceeds of approximately $59 million the Company received from the private placement offering in 2025.

The Company has not paid scheduled principal and interest payments under the credit facilities and promissory note which have resulted in a default under these agreements in addition to other default conditions present. In addition, default under the credit facilities and promissory note has resulted in cross default under the Companys stream agreements. As at September 30, 2025 the Company has limited cash, a working capital deficiency, no other sources of income and is in default under its credit facilities, promissory note and stream agreements which indicate material uncertainties which may cast significant doubt upon the Companys ability to continue as a going concern.

The Company has taken steps to address its working capital deficiency and default under its credit facilities, promissory note and stream agreements. This includes entering into an advisory agreement with Fiore to restructure and recapitalize the Company, initiating bridge financing and obtaining short-term default waivers. As there is no assurance the Restructuring and financings will be successful and remain subject to approval by the TSXV and certain shareholder approval requirements, these also indicate material uncertainties which may cast significant doubt upon the Companys ability to continue as a going concern.

MANAGEMENTS OUTLOOK

Following the unsuccessful negotiations with its mining contractor in June 2025, the Company determined the best path forward was to place PGP on care and maintenance in order to preserve capital. The pause provided the Company with the time and flexibility to assess various strategic alternatives going forward. As noted in its June 25, 2025 news release, a special committee was appointed to lead the strategic review process and retained financial advisers to assist it in considering various strategic alternatives.

On October 23, 2025, the Company announced it had entered into an advisory services agreement, as amended November 7, 2025, with Fiore, which has agreed to assist Ascot with the Restructuring with a focus on the RMP deposit with a view to eventually restarting production at the PGP. Key components of the Restructuring and financing plan include a $14.9 million Rights Offering, a 50:1 Share Consolidation and a $150 million equity offering.

The Company launched and announced the Rights Offering as noted above in its November 7, 2025 news release. There is no assurance the Restructuring and financings will be completed and remain subject to approval by the TSXV and certain shareholder approval requirements.

Qualified Person

James A (Jim) Currie, P.Eng., Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of the Company is the Companys Qualified Person (QP) as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this news release.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Ascot Resources Ltd.

James A (Jim) Currie

CEO & COO

For further information contact:

Email: info@ascotgold.com

Phone: 778-725-1060

About Ascot

Ascot is a Canadian mining company headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, and its shares trade on the NEX Board of the TSX Venture Exchange under the ticker AOT.H and on the OTCID under the ticker AOTVF. Ascot is the 100% owner of the Premier Gold mine, which poured first gold in April 2024 and is located on Nisgaa Nation Treaty Lands, in the prolific Golden Triangle of northwestern British Columbia.

For more information about the Company, please refer to the Companys profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca or visit the Companys web site at www.ascotgold.com.

Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange, NEX or the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

All statements and other information contained in this press release about anticipated future events may constitute forward-looking information under Canadian securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "targeted", "outlook", "on track" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could", would or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking statements, including statements in respect of the strategic review process, the terms and conditions of the Rights Offering, Restructuring, equity financing, and 50:1 Share Consolidation, the ability to preserve capital, the availability of strategic alternatives, achieving production at the Project, the ability of the Company to accomplish its business objectives and future plans, development and operations of the Company. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements, including risks related to potential defaults under the Companys credit facilities and stream agreements; the need for future waivers or forbearance agreements from the secured creditors of the Company; the inability to negotiate strategic alternatives or access additional capital; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; fluctuations in commodity prices and currency exchange rates; uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to development, production, costs and expenses, and health, safety and environmental risks; uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; the need for cooperation of government agencies and indigenous groups in the exploration and development of Ascots properties and the issuance of required permits; the need to obtain additional financing to finance operations and uncertainty as to the availability and terms of future financing and the timing thereof; the possibility of delay in future plans and uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones; uncertainty as to timely availability of permits and other governmental approvals; the need for TSXV approval, and other regulatory approvals and other risk factors as detailed from time to time in Ascot's filings with Canadian securities regulators, available on Ascot's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca including the Annual Information Form of the Company in the section entitled "Risk Factors. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions made with regard to: the estimated costs and timelines associated with the development plans; the ability to maintain throughput and production levels at the Big Missouri mine and the Premier Northern Lights mine; the grade of mineral resources and mineral reserves; the ability of the Company to convert inferred mineral resources to other categories; the ability of the Company to reduce mining dilution; the ability to reduce capital costs; the ability of the Company to raise additional financing; and compliance with the covenants in Ascot's credit agreements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management at the date the statements are made. Although Ascot believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and/or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements since Ascot can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Ascot does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements, other than as required by applicable laws. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Diversified Royalty Corp. (TSX: DIV and DIV.DB.A) (the Corporation or DIV) is pleased to announce its financial results for three months ended September 30, 2025 (Q3 2025) and nine months ended September 30, 2025.

Highlights

The weighted average organic royalty growth 1 of DIVs diversified royalty portfolio was 5.0% in Q3 2025 and 4.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to 3.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 (Q3 2024) and 5.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. The weighted average organic royalty growth 1 on a constant currency basis was 4.3% in Q3 2025 and 4.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to 3.5% in Q3 2024 and 4.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

of DIVs diversified royalty portfolio was 5.0% in Q3 2025 and 4.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to 3.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 (Q3 2024) and 5.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. The weighted average organic royalty growth on a constant currency basis was 4.3% in Q3 2025 and 4.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to 3.5% in Q3 2024 and 4.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. Revenue was $18.3 million in Q3 2025 and $51.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, up 13.4% and 7.9%, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2024.

Adjusted revenue 1 was $19.6 million in Q3 2025 and $55.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, up 12.6% and 7.5%, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2024.

was $19.6 million in Q3 2025 and $55.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, up 12.6% and 7.5%, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2024. Distributable cash 1 was $13.1 million in Q3 2025 and $36.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, up 18.8% and 14.6%, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2024.

was $13.1 million in Q3 2025 and $36.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, up 18.8% and 14.6%, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2024. Payout ratio 1 was 89.3% in Q3 2025 based on dividends of $0.0688 per share for the quarter ($0.2750 per share annualized), compared to 94.1% in Q3 2024 based on dividends of $0.0625 per share for the comparable quarter ($0.2500 per share annualized), and 88.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 based on dividends of $0.1938 per share for the period ($0.2750 per share annualized), compared to 93.0% based on dividends of $0.1862 per share for the comparable period ($0.2500 per share annualized).

was 89.3% in Q3 2025 based on dividends of $0.0688 per share for the quarter ($0.2750 per share annualized), compared to 94.1% in Q3 2024 based on dividends of $0.0625 per share for the comparable quarter ($0.2500 per share annualized), and 88.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 based on dividends of $0.1938 per share for the period ($0.2750 per share annualized), compared to 93.0% based on dividends of $0.1862 per share for the comparable period ($0.2500 per share annualized). On July 1, 2025, DIV increased its annualized dividend from $0.2500 to $0.2750.

DIVs board of directors has approved an increase in DIVs dividend policy to increase its annualized dividend from 27.5 cents per share to 28.5 cents per share effective December 1, 2025, an increase of 1 or 3.6%.



Third Quarter Commentary

Sean Morrison, Chief Executive Officer of DIV stated, We are pleased to announce continued strong weighted average organic royalty growth of 5.0% in the third quarter of 2025. DIV had strong performances across most of our royalty partners. Mr. Lube + Tires once gain led the way with another quarter of double-digit growth, generating SSSG1 of 10.3% in Q3. Oxford continues to build on its recent strong results, generating SSSG1 of 4.4% in Q3. Mr. Mikes results were also positive with SSSG1 of 1.0% in Q3. The AIR MILES royalty continues to erode, decreasing 10.7%. DIVs fixed royalty partners, Nurse Next Door, Stratus and BarBurrito made their fixed royalty payments whereas Suttons royalty deferral of 20% will continue until the end of 2025. With the addition of Cheba Hut in June, the third quarter saw the first full quarter of incremental royalties from Cheba Hut. Overall, DIVs portfolio continues to generate strong positive organic growth in a challenging economic environment which supports the increase in our dividend.

1. Adjusted revenue and distributable cash are non-IFRS financial measures, payout ratio is a non-IFRS ratio and weighted average organic royalty growth and same-store-sales growth or SSSG are supplementary financial measures  see Non-IFRS Measures below.

Third Quarter Results



Three months ended September 30,

Nine months ended September 30,

(000s) 2025 2024 2025 2024 Mr. Lube + Tires $ 8,594 $ 7,763 $ 24,835 $ 22,587 Stratusa 2,284 2,154 6,959 6,445 BarBurrito 2,184 2,101 6,497 6,302 Nurse Next Doorb 1,350 1,323 4,048 3,969 Oxford 970 930 3,502 3,325 Mr. Mikes 1,088 1,088 3,188 3,187 Sutton 919 1,117 2,716 3,307 AIR MILES 825 924 2,399 2,744 Cheba Hutc 1,375 - 1,589 - Adjusted revenued $ 19,590 $ 17,400 $ 55,733 $ 51,866

a) Stratus adjusted revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 was US$1.7 million and US$5.0 million, respectively, translated at an average foreign exchange rate of $1.3773 and $1.3985 to US$1, respectively (three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 - US$1.6 million and US$4.7 million, respectively, translated at an average foreign exchange rate of $1.3634 to US$1 and $1.3600 to US$1, respectively).

b) Represents the DIV Royalty Entitlement plus management fees received from Nurse Next Door.

c) Cheba Hut adjusted revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 was US$1.0 million and US 1.2 million, respectively (three and nine months ended September 30, 2024  US$nil), translated at an average foreign exchange rate of $1.3773 and $1.3762 to US$1, respectively.

d) DIV Royalty Entitlement and adjusted revenue are non-IFRS financial measures and as such, do not have standardized meanings under IFRS. For additional information, refer to Non-IFRS Measures in this news release.

In Q3 2025, DIV generated $18.3 million of revenue compared to $16.1 million in Q3 2024. After taking into account the DIV Royalty Entitlement2 (defined below) related to DIVs royalty arrangements with Nurse Next Door, DIVs adjusted revenue2 was $19.6 million in Q3 2025, compared to $17.4 million in Q3 2024. Adjusted revenue increased primarily due to positive SSSG2 (defined below) at Mr. Lube + Tires, Oxford, and Mr. Mikes, the annual contractual increases at Stratus, Nurse Next Door and BarBurrito, incremental royalty revenue from the five net new Mr. Lube + Tires locations added to the Mr. Lube + Tires royalty pool on May 1, 2025 and the incremental contractual royalty from Cheba Hut, partially offset by lower royalty income from AIR MILES and Suttons 20% royalty deferral, all as discussed in further detail below.

2. Adjusted revenue and DIV Royalty Entitlement are non-IFRS financial measures and SSSG is a supplementary financial measure  see Non-IFRS Measures below.

Royalty Partner Business Updates

Mr. Lube + Tires: Mr. Lube + Tires generated SSSG3 of 10.3% for the Mr. Lube + Tires stores in the royalty pool for Q3 2025, compared to SSSG of 7.7% in Q3 2024. SSSG in the current period is primarily due to the sustained growth across the Mr. Lube + Tires system.

3. Same-store-sales growth or SSSG is a supplementary financial measure  see Non-IFRS Measures below.

Stratus: Royalty income from SBS Franchising LLC (Stratus) was $2.3 million (US$1.7 million translated at an average foreign exchange rate of $1.3773 to US$1.00) for Q3 2025. The fixed royalty payable by Stratus increases each November at a rate of 5% until and including November 2026 and 4% each November thereafter during the term of the license, with the most recent increase effective November 15, 2024.

Nurse Next Door: The royalty entitlement to DIV (the DIV Royalty Entitlement4) from Nurse Next Door Professional Homecare Services Inc. (Nurse Next Door) was $1.3 million in Q3 2025. The DIV Royalty Entitlement from Nurse Next Door grows at a fixed rate of 2.0% per annum during the term of the license, with the most recent increase effective October 1, 2025.

4. DIV Royalty Entitlement is a non-IFRS measure  see Non-IFRS Measures below.

Mr. Mikes: SSSG5 for the Mr. Mikes Restaurants Corporation (Mr. Mikes) restaurants in the Mr. Mikes royalty pool was 1.0% in Q3 2025, compared to SSSG of -3.1% in Q3 2024. Royalty income and management fees of $1.1 million were generated from Mr. Mikes for Q3 2025 and 2024, respectively.

5. Same-store-sales growth or SSSG is a supplementary financial measure  see Non-IFRS Measures below.

Oxford: The Oxford Learning Centres, Inc. (Oxford) locations in the Oxford royalty pool generated SSSG6 (on a constant currency basis) of 4.4% in Q3 2025, compared to SSSG of 1.8% in Q3 2024. Oxfords positive SSSG for the quarter is due to the solid performance of the Oxford system during the quarter.

6. Same-store-sales growth or SSSG is a supplementary financial measure  see Non-IFRS Measures below.

AIR MILES: In Q3 2025, royalty income of $0.8 million was generated from the AIR MILES Licenses compared to $0.9 million generated in Q3 2024, a decrease of 10.7% from the comparable quarter. The decrease is largely due to continued softness in the AIR MILES Rewards Program.

Sutton: In Q3 2025, royalty income of $0.9 million was generated from Sutton, which includes a 20% royalty deferral for Q3, 2025, compared to $1.1 million for Q3 2024. The deferred royalties do not accrue interest and are due in full on December 31, 2027. The fixed royalty payable by Sutton increases at a rate of 2% per year, with the most recent increase effective July 1, 2025.

BarBurrito: Royalty income from BarBurrito Restaurants Inc. (BarBurrito) was $2.2 million for Q3 2025. The royalty payable by BarBurrito initially grows at a fixed rate of 4% per annum each March from and including March 2025 to and including March 2030 and, commencing on January 1, 2031, will fluctuate based on the gross sales of the BarBurrito locations in the royalty pool.

Cheba Hut: Royalty income from Cheba Hut was $1.4 million (US$1.0 million translated at an average foreign exchange rate of $1.3773 to US$1.00) for Q3 2025. The fixed royalty payable by Cheba Hut increases on April 1st of each year at a fixed rate equal to the greater of 3.5% and the U.S. Consumer Price Index plus 1.5% per year.

Distributable Cash and Dividends Declared

In Q3 2025, distributable cash7 increased to $13.1 million ($0.0770 per share), compared to $11.0 million ($0.0665 per share), in Q3 2024. The increase in distributable cash per share7 for the quarter was primarily due to an increase in distributable cash, partially offset by a higher weighted average number of common shares outstanding7.

In Q3 2025, the payout ratio7 was 89.3% on dividends of $0.0688 per share, compared to the payout ratio of 94.1% on dividends of $0.0625 per share for the same respective period in 2024. The decrease to the payout ratio was primarily due to higher distributable cash per share7, partially offset by higher dividends declared per share.

7. Distributable cash is a non-IFRS financial measure and distributable cash per share and payout ratio are non-IFRS ratios  see Non-IFRS Measures below.

Net Income

Net income for Q3 2025 was $8.7 million compared to net income of $6.9 million for Q3, 2024. The increase in net income in Q3 2025, was primarily due to the higher adjusted revenues8, lower salaries and benefits, and fair value adjustments, partially offset by higher general and administrative expenses, professional fees, share-based compensation expenses, income tax expenses, and other finance costs.

8. Adjusted revenue is a non-IFRS financial measure  see Non-IFRS Measures below.

About Diversified Royalty Corp.

DIV is a multi-royalty corporation, engaged in the business of acquiring top-line royalties from well-managed multi-location businesses and franchisors in North America. DIVs objective is to acquire predictable, growing royalty streams from a diverse group of multi-location businesses and franchisors.

DIV currently owns the Mr. Lube + Tires, AIR MILES, Sutton, Mr. Mikes, Nurse Next Door, Oxford Learning Centres, Stratus Building Solutions, BarBurrito and Cheba Hut trademarks. Mr. Lube + Tires is the leading quick lube service business in Canada, with locations across Canada. AIR MILES is Canadas largest coalition loyalty program. Sutton is among the leading residential real estate brokerage franchisor businesses in Canada. Mr. Mikes operates casual steakhouse restaurants primarily in western Canadian communities. Nurse Next Door is a home care provider with locations across Canada and the United States as well as in Australia. Oxford Learning Centres is one of Canadas leading franchisee supplemental education services. Stratus Building Solutions is a leading commercial cleaning service franchise company providing comprehensive janitorial, building cleaning, and office cleaning services primarily in the United States. BarBurrito is the largest quick service Mexican restaurant food chain in Canada. Cheba Hut is a fast casual toasted sub sandwich franchise with locations in the United States.

DIVs objective is to increase cash flow per share by making accretive royalty purchases and through the growth of purchased royalties. DIV intends to continue to pay a predictable and stable monthly dividend to shareholders and increase the dividend over time, in each case as cash flow per share allows.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws that involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. The use of any of the words anticipate, continue, estimate, expect, intend, may, will, project, should, believe, confident, plan and intend and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information, although not all forward-looking information contains these identifying words. Specifically, forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements made in relation to: the increase in DIVs annual dividend; the deferral of Sutton Royalties continuing until the end of 2025; the terms on which the deferred royalties are required to be paid by Sutton; DIVs intention to pay monthly dividends to shareholders; and DIVs corporate objectives. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events, performance, or achievements of DIV to differ materially from those anticipated or implied by such forward-looking information. DIV believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information included in this news release are reasonable but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. In particular, risks and uncertainties include: DIVs royalty partners may not make their respective royalty payments to DIV, in whole or in part; the decline in royalties received under the AIR MILES licenses could cause AM Royalties Limited Partnership (AM LP) to be required to make partial or full repayment of the outstanding principal amount under its credit agreement, or cause AM LP to be in default under its credit agreement; current positive trends being experienced by certain of DIVs royalty partners (and their respective franchisees) may not continue and may regress; negative trends experienced by certain of DIVs Royalty Partners (including their respective franchisees) may continue and may regress; DIV may not increase its dividend in accordance with the currently expected timing or amount; Sutton may not pay all deferred royalties in accordance with the timing required or at all; Suttons investment of the deferred royalties may not achieve their intended effects; Sutton may require further deferrals of royalties beyond those contemplated by the current deferral agreement; DIV and its royalty partners performance in the remainder of 2025 may not meet managements expectations; DIV may not be able to make monthly dividend payments to the holders of its common shares; dividends are not guaranteed and may be reduced, suspended or terminated at any time; and DIV may not achieve any of its corporate objectives. Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned that forward-looking information included in this news release is not a guarantee of future performance, and such forward-looking information should not be unduly relied upon. More information about the risks and uncertainties affecting DIVs business and the businesses of its royalty partners can be found in the Risk Factors section of its Annual Information Form dated March 24, 2025 and in DIVs managements discussion and analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, copies of which are available under DIVs profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

In formulating the forward-looking information contained herein, management has assumed that DIV will generate sufficient cash flows from its royalties to service its debt and pay dividends to shareholders; lenders will provide any necessary waivers required in order to allow DIV to continue to pay dividends; lenders will provide any other necessary covenant waivers to DIV and its royalty partners; the performance of DIVs royalty partners will be consistent with DIVs and its royalty partners respective expectations; recent positive trends for certain of DIVs royalty partners (including their respective franchisees) will continue and not regress; current negative trends experienced by certain of DIVs royalty partners (including their respective franchisees) will not materially regress; Sutton will pay all deferred royalties in accordance with the required timing in full and will not require further deferrals; Suttons investment of the deferred royalties will achieve its intended effects; the businesses of DIVs respective royalty partners will not suffer any material adverse effect; and the business and economic conditions affecting DIV and its royalty partners will continue substantially in the ordinary course, including without limitation with respect to general industry conditions, general levels of economic activity and regulations. These assumptions, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect.

All of the forward-looking information in this news release is qualified by these cautionary statements and other cautionary statements or factors contained herein, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that it will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, DIV. The forward-looking information in this news release is made as of the date of this news release and DIV assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by applicable law.

Non-IFRS Measures

Management believes that disclosing certain non-IFRS financial measures, non-IFRS ratios and supplementary financial measures provides readers with important information regarding the Corporations financial performance, its ability to pay dividends and the performance of its royalty partners. By considering these measures in combination with the most closely comparable IFRS measure, management believes that investors are provided with additional and more useful information about the Corporation and its royalty partners than investors would have if they simply considered IFRS measures alone. The non-IFRS financial measures, non-IFRS ratios and supplementary financial measures do not have standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS and therefore are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Investors are cautioned that non-IFRS measures should not be construed as a substitute or an alternative to net income or cash flows from operating activities as determined in accordance with IFRS.

Adjusted revenue, adjusted royalty income, DIV Royalty Entitlement and distributable cash are used as non-IFRS financial measures in this news release.

Adjusted revenue is calculated as royalty income plus DIV Royalty Entitlement and management fees. The following table reconciles adjusted revenue and adjusted royalty income to royalty income, the most directly comparable IFRS measure disclosed in the financial statements:

Three months ended September 30,

Nine months ended September 30,

(000's) 2025 2024 2025 2024 Mr. Lube + Tires $ 8,534 $ 7,703 $ 24,655 $ 22,410 Stratus 2,285 2,154 6,959 6,445 BarBurrito 2,163 2,080 6,434 6,240 Oxford 959 919 3,468 3,293 Mr. Mikes 1,076 1,078 3,156 3,156 Sutton 889 1,089 2,631 3,224 AIR MILES 825 924 2,399 2,744 Cheeba Hut 1,375 - 1,589 - Royalty income $ 18,106 $ 15,947 $ 51,291 $ 47,512 DIV Royalty Entitlement 1,329 1,303 3,986 3,908 Adjusted royalty income $ 19,435 $ 17,250 $ 55,277 $ 51,420 Management fees 155 150 457 446 Adjusted revenue $ 19,590 $ 17,400 $ 55,734 $ 51,866



For further details with respect to adjusted revenue and adjusted royalty income, refer to the subsection Non-IFRS Financial Measures under Description of Non-IFRS Financial Measures, Non-IFRS Ratios and Supplementary Financial Measures in the Corporations managements discussion and analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, a copy of which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

The most closely comparable IFRS measure to DIV Royalty Entitlement is distributions received from NND LP. DIV Royalty Entitlement is calculated as distributions received from NND LP, before any deduction for expenses incurred by NND Holdings Limited Partnership (NND LP), which expenses include legal, audit, tax and advisory services. Note that distributions received from NND LP is derived from the royalty paid by Nurse Next Door to NND LP. The following table reconciles DIV Royalty Entitlement to distributions received from NND LP in the financial statements:

Three months ended September 30,

Nine months ended September 30,

(000's) 2025 2024 2025 2024 Distributions received from NND LP $ 1,314 $ 1,292 $ 3,960 $ 3,883 Add: NND Royalties LP expenses 8 4 27 25 DIV Royalty Entitlement 1,322 1,296 3,987 3,908 Less: NND Royalties LP expenses (8 ) (4 ) (27 ) (25 ) DIV Royalty Entitlement, net of NND Royalties LP expenses $ 1,314 $ 1,292 $ 3,960 $ 3,883

For further details with respect to DIV Royalty Entitlement, refer to the subsection Non-IFRS Financial Measures under Description of Non-IFRS Financial Measures, Non-IFRS Ratios and Supplementary Financial Measures in the Corporations managements discussion and analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, a copy of which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

The following table reconciles distributable cash to cash flows generated from operating activities, the most directly comparable IFRS measure disclosed in the financial statements:

Three months ended September 30,

Nine months ended September 30,

(000's) 2025 2024 2025 2024 Cash flows generated from operating activities

$

13,372

$

12,712

$

32,996

$

34,767 Current tax expense (1,806 ) (2,075 ) (5,686 ) (5,216 ) Accrued interest on convertible debentures (788 ) (788 ) (788 ) (788 ) Accrued interest on bank loans 100 17 (339 ) (425 ) Distributions on MRM units earned in current periods (77 ) (30 ) (161 ) (104 ) Mandatory principal payments on credit facilities - - - (643 ) Payment of lease obligations (28 ) (28 ) (84 ) (82 ) NND LP expenses (8 ) (4 ) (27 ) (25 ) Accrued DIV Royalty Entitlement, net of distributions 8 4 27 25 Foreign exchange and other 77 31 161 159 Changes in working capital 151 (342 ) 3,758 336 Taxes paid 2,064 1,501 7,049 4,500 Note receivable - - - (305 ) Distributable cash $ 13,065 $ 10,998 $ 36,906 $ 32,199

For further details with respect to distributable cash, refer to the subsection Non-IFRS Financial Measures under Description of Non-IFRS Financial Measures, Non-IFRS Ratios and Supplementary Financial Measures in the Corporations managements discussion and analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, a copy of which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Distributable cash per share and payout ratio are non-IFRS ratios that do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS, and therefore may not be comparable to similar ratios presented by other issuers. Distributable cash per share is defined as distributable cash, a non-IFRS measure, divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The payout ratio is calculated by dividing the dividends per share during the period by the distributable cash per share, a non-IFRS measure, generated in that period. For further details, refer to the subsection entitled Non-IFRS Ratios under Description of Non-IFRS Financial Measures, Non-IFRS Ratios and Supplementary Financial Measures in the Corporations managements discussion and analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, a copy of which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Weighted average organic royalty growth is the average same store royalty revenue growth percentage related to Mr. Lube + Tires, the average same store sales growth percentage related to Oxford and Mr. Mikes plus the average increase in adjusted royalty income from AIR MILES, Sutton (less 20% deferral in Q1, Q2, and Q3, 2025), Nurse Next Door, BarBurrito and Stratus over the prior comparable period taking into account the percentage weighting of each royalty partners adjusted royalty income in proportion of the total adjusted royalty income for the period, excluding Cheba Hut as there was no adjusted royalty income generated from Cheba Hut in the prior period. Weighted average organic royalty growth is a supplementary financial measure and does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. However, the Corporation believes that weighted average organic royalty growth is a useful measure as it provides investors with an indication of the change in year-over-year growth of each royalty partner, taking into account the percentage weighting of royalty partners growth in proportion of total growth, as applicable. The Corporations method of calculating weighted average organic royalty growth may differ from those of other issuers or companies and, accordingly, weighted average organic royalty growth may not be comparable to similar measures used by other issuers or companies. Weighted average organic royalty growth was previously calculated using the average same store sales growth percentage related to Mr. Lube + Tires. The calculation has been revised to use the average same store royalty revenue growth percentage related to Mr. Lube + Tires as management believes that royalty revenue growth related to Mr. Lube + Tires more accurately reflects the average organic royalty growth of DIV.

Same store sales growth or SSSG and system sales are supplementary financial measures and do not have standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. SSSG and system sales figures are reported to DIV by its Royalty Partners  see Third Party Information. For further details, refer to the subsection entitled Supplementary Financial Measures under Description of Non-IFRS Financial Measures, Non-IFRS Ratios and Supplementary Financial Measures in the Corporations managements discussion and analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, a copy of which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Third Party Information

This news release includes information obtained from third party company filings and reports and other publicly available sources as well as financial statements and other reports provided to DIV by its royalty partners. Although DIV believes these sources to be generally reliable, such information cannot be verified with complete certainty. Accordingly, the accuracy and completeness of this information is not guaranteed. DIV has not independently verified any of the information from third party sources referred to in this news release nor ascertained the underlying assumptions relied upon by such sources.

THE TORONTO STOCK EXCHANGE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR THE ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

Additional Information

The information in this news release should be read in conjunction with DIVs consolidated financial statements and managements discussion and analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, a copy of which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Additional information relating to the Corporation and other public filings, is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca

Contact:

Sean Morrison, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Diversified Royalty Corp.

(236) 521-8470

Greg Gutmanis, President and Chief Financial Officer

Diversified Royalty Corp.

(236) 521-8471
LAS VEGAS, Nov. 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Recently, VOOPOO swept top honors from the prestigious MUSE Design Awards and leading technology media iGeekphone. This wave of accolades serves as a powerful prelude to VOOPOO's latest engineering marvelsproducts so refined, they don't just win awards, they command attention.









At the MUSE Design Awards, the VOOPOO VINCI E120 led the charge by securing the Platinum Winner title in the Digital & Electronic Devices category. It was joined by a suite of Gold Winners, including DRAG S3, DRAG X3, and the ARGUS G3, ARGUS G3 mini, ARGUS Matrix, and ARGUS Klyc. Further solidifying its innovative edge, VOOPOO also claimed Gold in the Tech Accessories and Smart Technologies categories with its PnP X Pod Tank DTL and the iCOSM CODE 2.0 platform, respectively. Simultaneously, iGeekphones 2025 rankings crowned numerous devices, including VOOPOO VINCI S, DRAG S3, VRIZZ 2, VMATE i3, ARGUS Klyc and VMATE PRO 2, as category leaders.

DRAG S3 & X3: Power and Intelligence Redefined

Celebrated as 2025s Top Big Battery Compact Pod Mod and Top Large Screen Pod Mod respectively, the DRAG S3 and DRAG X3 deliver tailored excellence. The DRAG S3 and DRAG X3 share a premium aesthetic but are engineered for distinct vaping lifestyles. The compact DRAG S3, with its powerful 60W output and efficient 3000mAh built-in battery, is the ultimate choice for MTL users seeking convenience and endurance. Its counterpart, the DRAG X3, delivers a robust 80W output for immersive DTL experiences, powered by a versatile external 18650 or 21700 battery for extended, adaptable use. Both devices introduce a revolutionary capacitive touch activation sensor for instant safe unlocking. The DRAG S3 boasts a compact 0.96 display for portability, whereas the DRAG X3 features a expansive 1.66 touchscreen, all encased in a premium zinc alloy and leather design for superior ergonomics.

VRIZZ 2: Unmatched Flavor and Intelligent Control

Crowned the Top Large Dual Mesh Cartridge Vape of 2025, the VRIZZ 2 redefines flavor intensity. The VRIZZ 2 elevates vaping with its industry-leading dual mesh cartridge technology. The top mesh intensifies aroma, while the bottom mesh boosts sweetness and coolness. Paired with a massive 15mL cartridge capacity, it offers exceptional longevity. It also supports three smart modes (TURBO, NORM, ECO), allowing for one-button switching to optimize performance. With 4-level adjustable airflow, users enjoy complete customization over their vaping experience.

These awards and product launches are a testament to VOOPOO's unwavering dedication to pushing the boundaries of technology and design, solidifying its position as a global leader in superior quality and an unparalleled vaping experience.

Warning: This product may be used with e-liquid products containing nicotine, which is a highly addictive substance.

Company: Shenzhen VOOPOO Technology Co.,Ltd

Contact Person: Victor Liu

Email: victor@voopootech.com

Website: www.voopoo.com

Telephone: 18501548754

City: Shenzhen

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/83cb1461-a779-4e5f-891c-1e55d4446956

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/90ea96ae-d3e3-4f22-a447-e725bd046b46
THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISSEMINATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR UNITED STATES PERSONS

CALGARY, Alberta, Nov. 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Questerre Energy Corporation (Questerre or the Company) (TSX,OSE:QEC) reported today on its financial and operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2025.

Michael Binnion, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Questerre, commented, We are one step closer to our goal of commercially developing oil shale with the acquisition of PX Energy. Their production platform and refining assets round out our portfolio of upstream assets including resources and access to the next generation of technology through our investment in Red Leaf. We are now a vertically integrated oil shale company with assets across the entire value chain.

He added, We joint ventured with a subsidiary of Nimofast, one of the largest private fuel distributors in Brazil, to develop this opportunity. Their expertise in logistics and distribution will be vital to improving product margins and profitability. They will be able to leverage PX Energys other assets including ownership of one among ten private refinery licenses issued in the country.

Commenting on Quebec, he noted, The acquisition also prompted us to sidecar our Quebec assets. We expect to finalize the structure of this arrangement shortly. Our plan is to distribute to existing shareholders, on a one for one basis, a new security, a tracking share, representing ownership in these assets.

He further added, We are continuing our work in Quebec towards a business and political solution while protecting our shareholder rights. We are working with the Government on the approvals for our pilot carbon storage project. We are also consulting on proposed legislation for carbon storage in the province. On the legal front, we completed the examination of key Government witnesses in advance of our trial on the merits of the case.

Highlights

Questerre closes PX Energy acquisition with over 4,000 boe per day of oil shale production

Questerre to form a 50/50 joint venture for PX Energy with a subsidiary of Nimofast, a leading private fuel distribution company in Brazil

Examination of key witnesses underway to protect legal rights in Quebec

Average daily production of 2,926 boe per day and net cash flow from operating activities of $1.3 million and adjusted funds flow from operations of $2.8 million





Following the tie-in of the new Kakwa North wells in April 2025, production volumes increased compared to last year. Production averaged 2,926 boe/d for the quarter (2024: 1,913 boe/d) and 2,587 boe/d for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 (2024: 1,712 boe/d).

Higher production volumes were partly offset by the lower realized commodity prices resulting in higher revenue for the quarter and nine months ended September compared to last year. For the quarter, petroleum and natural gas sales totaled $11.8 million (2024: $9.5 million) and $34.6 million year to date (2024: $27.3 million). The Company reported adjusted funds flow from operations of $2.8 million (2024: $3.4 million) in the quarter and $11.4 million for the first nine months of the year (2024: $10.9 million) and cash flow from operations of $1.3 million for the quarter (2024: $4.1 million).

The revenue was offset by higher expenses and contributed to a net loss of $5.3 million for the quarter (2024: $0.3 million loss) and $6.0 million year to date (2024: $0.8 million net income). Capital expenditures in the quarter were $2.2 million (2024: $3.4 million) and $21.2 million year to date (2024: $13.0 million).

The term "adjusted funds flow from operations" is a non-IFRS measure. Please see the reconciliation elsewhere in this press release.

Questerre is an energy technology and innovation company. It is leveraging its expertise gained through early exposure to low permeability reservoirs to acquire significant high-quality resources. We believe we can successfully transition our energy portfolio. With new clean technologies and innovation to responsibly produce and use energy, we can sustain both human progress and our natural environment.

Questerre is a believer that the future success of the oil and gas industry depends on a balance of economics, environment, and society. We are committed to being transparent and are respectful that the public must be part of making the important choices for our energy future.

Advisory Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain statements which constitute forward-looking statements or information (forward-looking statements) including the Companys views on the acquisition of PX Energy and its benefits to the Company, its joint venture arrangement with Nimofast and the anticipated benefits to PX Energy and the Company, the finalization of the spin out of the Quebec assets, the Companys work towards and business and political solution in Quebec, the approvals related to its pilot carbon storage project and its expectations regarding the trial on the merits of its case in Quebec. Forward-looking statements are based on several material factors, expectations, or assumptions of Questerre which have been used to develop such statements and information, but which may prove to be incorrect. Although Questerre believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because Questerre can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Further, 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 the Company, including, without limitation: the implementation of Bill 21 by the Government of Quebec and certain other risks detailed from time-to-time in Questerre's public disclosure documents.

Additional information regarding some of these risks, expectations or assumptions and other factors may be found under in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2024, and other documents available on the Companys profile at www.sedarplus.ca. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and Questerre undertakes no obligations to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

Certain information set out herein may be considered as financial outlook within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The purpose of this financial outlook is to provide readers with disclosure regarding Questerres reasonable expectations as to the anticipated results of its proposed business activities for the periods indicated. Readers are cautioned that the financial outlook may not be appropriate for other purposes.

(1) For the three-month period ended September 30, 2025, liquids production including light crude and natural gas liquids accounted for 1,512 bbls/d (2024: 1,106 bbls/d) and natural gas including conventional and shale gas accounted for 8,485 Mcf/d (2024: 4,842 Mcf/d). For the nine month period ended September 30, 2025, liquids production including light crude and natural gas liquids accounted for 1,402 bbls/d (2024: 1,006 bbls/d) and natural gas including conventional and shale gas accounted for 7,111 Mcf/d (2024: 4,236 Mcf/d).

Barrel of oil equivalent (boe) amounts may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion ratio has been calculated using a conversion rate of six thousand cubic feet of natural gas to one barrel of oil and the conversion ratio of one barrel to six thousand cubic feet is based on an energy equivalent conversion method application at the burner tip and does not necessarily represent an economic value equivalent at the wellhead. Given that the value ratio based on the current price of crude oil as compared to natural gas is significantly different from the energy equivalent of 6:1, utilizing a conversion on a 6:1 basis may be misleading as an indication of value.

This press release contains the term adjusted funds flow from operations which is a non-GAAP term. Questerre uses this measure to help evaluate its performance.

As an indicator of Questerres performance, adjusted funds flow from operations should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, cash flows from operating activities as determined in accordance with GAAP. Questerres determination of adjusted funds flow from operations may not be comparable to that reported by other companies. Questerre considers adjusted funds flow from operations to be a key measure as it demonstrates the Companys ability to generate the cash necessary to fund operations and support activities related to its major assets. Adjusted Funds Flow from Operations is a non-GAAP measure defined as cash flows from operating activities before changes in non-cash operating working capital and excluding the transaction costs related to the PX Energy acquisition.

Three months ended Sept. 30, Nine months ended Sept. 30,

($ thousands) 2025 2024 2025 2024 Net cash from operating activities $ 1,294 $ 4,060 $ 10,940 $ 9,829 Transaction costs related to PX Energy Acquisition

2,689

-

2,689

- Change in non-cash operating working capital (1,170 ) (632 ) (2,268 ) 1,027 Adjusted Funds Flow from Operations $ 2,813 $ 3,428 $ 11,361 $ 10,856




NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until December 8, 2025 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against WPP plc (NYSE: WPP), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Companys shares between February 27, 2025 and July 8, 2025, inclusive (the Class Period). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Get Help

WPP investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-wpp/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.

About the Lawsuit

WPP and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

On July 9, 2025, the Company published a trading update for the first half of 2025, disclosing that it had allegedly seen a deterioration in performance as Q2 has progressed due to both continued macro uncertainty weighing on client spend and weaker net new business than originally anticipated, as well as some distraction to the business as a result of the continued restructuring of WPP Media a.k.a. GroupM. The Company further disclosed that its CEO will retire from the Board and as CEO on 31 December 2025.

On this news, the price of WPPs shares fell from a closing price of $35.82 per share on July 8, 2025 to $29.34 per share on July 9, 2025, a decline of about 18.1% in the span of just a single day.

The case is Marty v. WPP plc, 25-cv-08365.

About ClaimsFiler

ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations.

To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com.
NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until January 2, 2026 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against CarMax, Inc. (NYSE: KMX), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Companys securities between June 20, 2025 and November 5, 2025, inclusive (the Class Period). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland.

Get Help

CarMax investors should visit us at https://www.claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-kmx-1 or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.

About the Lawsuit

CarMax and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

On September 25, 2025, the Company announced its Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2026 financial results, disclosing among other things, that retail unit sales had decreased 5.4%, comparable store unit sales had decreased 6.3%, wholesale units had decreased 2.2%, and that net earnings per diluted share of $0.64 compared to $0.85 a year ago.

On this news, the price of CarMaxs shares fell $11.5 per share, or 20.07%, to close at $45.60 per share on September 25, 2025.

The case is Cap v. CarMax, Inc., No. 25-cv-03602.

About ClaimsFiler

ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations.

To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com.
Ottawa, Nov. 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Middle East healthcare IT market size is calculated at USD 53.65 billion in 2024, grows to USD 62.61 billion in 2025, and is projected to reach around USD 251.35 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 16.7% during the forecast period 2025 to 2034. The market is growing due to increased government investments in digital health infrastructure and the rising adoption of advanced technologies like AI and telemedicine to improve patient care efficiency.

Key Takeaways

Saudi Arabia dominated the Middle East healthcare IT market with a revenue share in 2024.

UAE is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the market during the forecast period.

By delivery mode, the hardware segment held the largest market share in 2024.

By delivery mode, the solutions segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the market during the forecast period.

By application, the electronic health records segment led the market in 2024.

By application, the tele-healthcare segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the market during the forecast period.

By end-use, the healthcare providers segment dominated the market in 2024.

By end-use, the life science industry segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the market during the forecast period.

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What is Healthcare IT?

Healthcare IT refers to the use of technology and digital systems to manage, store, and share health information for improving patient care and healthcare efficiency. The Middle East healthcare IT market is growing rapidly due to strong government initiatives promoting digital transformation in healthcare, increased investments in smart hospitals, and rising adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) and telemedicine. The regions focus on improving healthcare accessibility, data security, and operational efficiency is further driving demand. Additionally, expanding AI and cloud-based healthcare solutions are enhancing patient management, clinical workflows, and remote care delivery, contributing to sustained market growth.

For Instance, In February 2025, the Ministry of Health and Prevention introduced the National Unified Licensing Platform to streamline and unify licensing services for healthcare professionals, ensuring a standardized and simplified process across all federal and local levels.



What are the Primary Growth Drivers of the Middle East Healthcare IT Market?

The major growth driver of the market include government led digital health initiatives, rising demand for efficient healthcare services, and the growing adoption of technologies like AI, cloud computing, and telemedicine, expanding investments in smart hospitals, electronic health records (EHRs), and cybersecurity solution further boost market growth, alongside efforts to enhace patient experience, data management and overall healthcare infrastructure modernization.

For Instance, In March 2025, Egypts Ministry of Health signed an MoU with Siemens Healthineers to set up the first radiology equipment development center in Egypt and the Middle East. The initiative focuses on advancing medical technology, enhancing diagnostic efficiency, and improving patient recovery. Discussions also included a national control center connecting six hospitals, highlighting Siemens Healthineers commitment to strengthening Egypts healthcare system with innovative solutions.



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Middle East Healthcare IT Market Report Scope

Report Attribute Details Market size value in 2025 USD 62.61 billion Revenue forecast in 2034 USD 251.35 billion Growth rate CAGR of 21.96% from 2025 to 2034 Actual data 2021 - 2024 Forecast period 2025 - 2034 Quantitative units Revenue in USD million/billion, and CAGR from 2025 to 2034 Report coverage Revenue forecast, company ranking, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends Segments covered Product, Delivery Mode, End-use, Country Country scope Saudi Arabia; UAE; Kuwait; Qatar; Oman Key companies profiled Philips Healthcare; Veradigm Inc. (formerly Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc.); Athenahealth, Inc. (Acquired by Hellman & Friedman and Bain Capital); GE Healthcare; Agfa-Gevaert Group; Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP; Optum, Inc.; IBM; Oracle; SAS Institute, Inc.; IQVIA; SAP; Accenture Customization scope Free report customization (equivalent up to 8 analysts working days) with purchase. Addition or alteration to country, regional & segment scope.

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What are the Key trends in the Middle East Healthcare IT Market in 2024?

In July 2024, TruDoc Healthcare collaborated with e& enterprise to introduce the engageX solution using the NICE CXone platform. This innovation enhanced healthcare communication in the MENA region by managing patient interactions across multiple channels through one interface, improving engagement, security, and efficiency while supporting TruDocs goal of providing advanced, AI-driven telehealth services for better care access and experience.

In April 2024, Mubadala Health joined forces with Oracle to host its Cerner electronic health records system on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure in the Dubai region. This move enhances care quality, boosts operational efficiency, and enables real-time data access for over 10,000 users across its healthcare network.

What is the Appearing Challenge in the Middle East Healthcare IT Market?

The market faces challenges such as high implementation costs, data privacy concerns, and limited interoperability between healthcare systems. A shortage of skilled IT professionals and resistance to digital adoption in some regions further hinder progress. Additionally, regulatory complexities, cybersecurity threats, and the need for standardized health data management create barriers to seamless integration and efficient use of healthcare IT solutions across the region.

Segmental Insights

By Application Insights

How did Hardware Segment Dominate the Middle East Healthcare IT Market in 2024?

In 2024, the hardware segment held the largest market share in the market due to increasing adoption of advanced medical devices, servers, and storage systems essential for digital healthcare operations. The growing implementations of electronic health records (EHR), telemedicine infrastructure, and diagnostic equipment also boosted hardware demand. Additionally, the expansion of smart hospitals and investments in connected healthcare technologies further strengthened the segment's dominance in supporting efficient data management and care delivery.

The solution segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the market due to rising demand for integrated software platforms that enhance clinical workflows, data management, and patient engagement. Increasing adoption of cloud-based and AI-driven healthcare solutions is driving efficiency and real-time decision-making. Moreover, government digitization initiatives, growing telehealth usage, and the need for cost-effective, scalable healthcare management systems further accelerate the segment's growth during the forecast period.

By Delivery Insights

What made the Electronic Health Records Segment Dominant in the Middle East Healthcare IT Market in 2024?

In 2024, the electronic health record (EHR) segment led the market due to the rapid adoption of digital recordkeeping to improve patient data accessibility, accuracy, and coordination across healthcare facilities. Government initiatives promoting healthcare digitization and interoperability further supported this growth. Additionally, the need for efficient data management, reduced paperwork, and enhanced patient care outcomes drove widespread implementation of EHR systems across hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare institutions in the region.

The tele-healthcare segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the market due to increasing demand for remote consultations, chronic disease management, and virtual monitoring. Rising smartphone penetration, improved internet connectivity, and government support for digital health initiatives are driving adoption. Additionally, the focus on cost-effective, accessible healthcare and the integration of AI and cloud technologies are further enhancing telehealth services, boosting their growth across the region during the forecast period.

By End-Use Insights

Why the Healthcare Providers Segment Dominated the Middle East Healthcare IT Market in 2024?

In 2024, the healthcare providers segment dominated the market due to the widespread adoption of digital technologies in hospitals and clinics to enhance patient care and operational efficiency. Increased implementation of electronic health records (EHRs), telemedicine platforms, and data analytics solutions supported this growth. Moreover, rising government investments in hospital digitization, improved infrastructure, and the focus on delivering accurate, real-time, and patient-centered healthcare further strengthened the segment's market leadership.

The life science industry segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the market due to the rising adoption of digital technologies in research, clinical trials, and drug development. Growing demand for data analytics, AI, and cloud-based solutions to accelerate innovation and ensure regulatory compliance is driving this growth. Additionally, increasing collaborations between pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and technology providers are enhancing operational efficiency and advancing precision medicine in the region.

By Regional Analysis

How is Saudi Arabia contributing to the Expansion of the Middle East Healthcare IT Market?

In 2024, Saudi Arabia dominated the market due to strong government support for digital transformation under Vision 2030, which prioritizes smart healthcare infrastructure and e-health initiatives. Significant investments in electronic health records (EHRs), telemedicine, and AI-driven healthcare solutions further strengthened its leadership. Additionally, advanced hospital networks, high healthcare spending, and strategic public-private partnerships contributed to Saudi Arabias dominant revenue share in the regional healthcare IT market.

How is Asia-Pacific Accelerating the Middle East Healthcare IT Market?

The UAE is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the market due to its rapid digital health transformation, strong government initiatives, and investments in smart healthcare infrastructure. The countrys focus on AI, telemedicine, and cloud-based solutions is enhancing healthcare efficiency and accessibility. Additionally, collaborations with global technology providers, supportive regulations, and the expansion of advanced healthcare facilities are driving innovation and accelerating the adoption of healthcare IT solutions across the UAE.

Key Players Operating in the Middle East Healthcare IT Market

Cerner Corporation



Cerner provides electronic health record (EHR) systems and population health management solutions widely adopted by hospitals in the Middle East. Its technology helps healthcare providers streamline patient data management and improve clinical workflows.

Siemens Healthineers



Siemens offers advanced medical imaging hardware and AI-powered diagnostic tools, enabling better disease detection and hospital automation. Its solutions support healthcare digitization initiatives across the region.

Philips Healthcare



Philips contributes with integrated healthcare IT platforms, telehealth services, and remote patient monitoring devices. Its focus on connected care supports chronic disease management and improves patient engagement.

IBM Watson Health



IBM drives AI and data analytics adoption in healthcare, offering solutions for predictive diagnostics, personalized treatment plans, and operational optimization. Its technologies help providers harness big data for improved outcomes.

Oracle Corporation



Oracle delivers cloud-based healthcare IT solutions including data management, analytics, and security platforms. Its scalable cloud infrastructure supports healthcare providers and life sciences firms in managing growing data volumes.

Accenture



Accenture provides consulting and implementation services that assist healthcare organizations in digital transformation, IT system integration, and regulatory compliance. Its expertise accelerates adoption and maximizes ROI on healthcare IT investments.

Cerner Middle East & Africa (MEA)



A regional branch of Cerner, this unit focuses on tailoring solutions to local healthcare needs, ensuring compliance with regional regulations, and supporting government health digitization projects.

Recent Developments in the Middle East Healthcare IT Market

In May 2024, Qatar became a member of SNOMED International to improve interoperability and data consistency across its healthcare system. This initiative aligns with the countrys digital health strategy by promoting standardized clinical terminology nationwide.

In January 2024, IBM opened its regional headquarters in Riyadh, emphasizing its support for Saudi Arabias digital transformation. The new center aims to drive innovation across sectors, including healthcare, using advanced cloud and AI technologies.



More Insights in Nova One Advisor:

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2021 to 2034. For this study, Nova one advisor, Inc. has segmented the Middle East healthcare IT market.

By Delivery Mode

Solutions Software On-Demand/On-premise Cloud-based/ Web-based Services

Hardware

By Application

Computerized Provider Order Entry Systems

Electronic Prescribing Systems (E-Prescribing Solutions)

Laboratory Information

Clinical Information Systems

Medical Imaging Information Systems Radiology Information Systems Monitoring Analysis Software Picture Archiving and Communication Systems

Electronic Health Records Licensed Software Technology Resale Subscriptions Professional Services Others

Tele-healthcare Tele-care Tele-Health

Revenue Cycle Management Integrated Standalone

eClinical Solutions Electronic Clinical Outcome Assessment (eCOA) Electronic Data Capture (EDC) & CDMS Clinical Analytics Platforms Clinical Data Integration Platforms Safety Solutions Clinical Trial Management System (CTMS) Randomization and Trial Supply Management (RTSM) Electronic Trial Master File (eTMF) eConsent

Population Health Management (PHM)

Digital Healthcare Supply Chain Management Software Hardware Barcodes RFID Tags Services

Clinical alarm management Nurse Call Systems Physiological Monitors Bed Alarms EMR Integration Systems Ventilators Others

Healthcare Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Customer Service and Support Digital Commerce Marketing Sales Cross -CRM

Technology Solutions in the Healthcare Payers Enrollment and Member Management Provider Management Claims Management Value based Payments Revenue Management and Billing Analytics Personalize/CRM Clinical Decision Support Data management and support Others

Healthcare Analytics Descriptive Analysis Predictive Analysis Prescriptive Analysis





By End-use

Healthcare Providers Hospitals & Clinics Home Care Settings Outpatient Facilities Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) Physicians Clinic Others (Laboratories, Pharmacy, etc.) Long-term Care Facilities Specialty Centers

Healthcare Payers Government Commercial

Life Sciences Industry Pharma & Biotech Organizations Medical Device Manufacturers Contract Research Organizations (CROs) Academic institutes





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GREENWOOD, Ind., Nov. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- What should first-time buyers know before buying a home in Greenwood or Johnson County? A recent HelloNation article featuring Real Estate Expert Angi Oakes of Oakes Realty Group provides a clear look at how the local market has shifted and what new homeowners can expect. As competition eases slightly and listings increase, first-time buyers have more opportunities to explore Greenwood homes that match both their budgets and lifestyles.

The article emphasizes that understanding the local market is the foundation of every successful home purchase. Greenwood and Johnson County real estate continue to draw interest from families and professionals seeking long-term stability; however, the buying process has become increasingly complex. While homes still sell quickly, the pace allows for more thoughtful decisions. Buyers are now encouraged to carefully compare mortgage loan options, considering how different programs affect their overall home affordability and monthly mortgage payments.

Financing remains one of the most critical early steps for first-time buyers. According to the HelloNation feature, several mortgage lenders have reintroduced zero-down programs, though these come with stricter verification requirements. Lenders now examine credit scores and employment histories more closely than in past years. Strong credit scores and consistent income remain critical factors when applying for a home loan, regardless of whether buyers choose a conventional loan, an FHA loan, or a VA loan through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

For those purchasing a primary residence in Johnson County's more rural areas, a USDA loan may offer an additional path to homeownership. Each of these mortgage types has different guidelines for income, property type, and loan amount. Angi Oakes notes that local guidance is essential, as an experienced real estate professional can help first-time buyers compare options and find the mortgage loan that best aligns with their financial goals.

Budgeting properly is another key to success. As the HelloNation article explains, the sale price of Greenwood homes tells only part of the story. Monthly mortgage payments include more than just the loans principal and interest. Buyers must account for property taxes, homeowners' insurance, and, if applicable, homeowners' association dues. Greenwoods lower property tax rates compared to northern Indianapolis suburbs can make a meaningful difference in total home affordability, helping new owners secure a home that fits within their gross monthly income and lifestyle.

Mortgage lenders determine eligibility by reviewing an applicants gross monthly income and existing debt obligations, such as credit card balances, car loans, or student loans. This process helps determine the realistic answer to the common question, How much house can I afford? A properly sized monthly mortgage payment ensures long-term financial stability and prevents strain after the purchase. Buyers are advised to focus on sustainable budgeting rather than stretching to meet the upper limit of loan approval.

In addition to conventional financing, payment assistance programs may be available to first-time buyers who meet certain income and credit requirements. These programs can help cover closing costs or initial down payments, easing the immediate financial burden of buying a home. For many residents entering the Johnson County real estate market for the first time, such support can make homeownership more attainable.

The article also highlights the benefits of having professional local guidance when navigating the housing market. Greenwood real estate agents who understand neighborhood trends, local schools, and property tax variations can provide advice that national platforms often overlook. They can also connect clients with mortgage lenders who specialize in helping first-time buyers secure FHA, VA, or other mortgage loans tailored to their needs. This level of support can turn a complex process into a more confident and informed experience.

Buying a home is not just a transaction; it is a significant milestone, both financially and personally. Angi Oakes explains that thorough preparation and realistic expectations are essential. Understanding the total costs involved  from property taxes to insurance  helps ensure that a home remains a positive investment rather than a source of stress. With an informed plan and clear communication with trusted lenders and agents, first-time buyers in Greenwood can confidently enter the market with clarity.

The feature concludes by underscoring that success in buying a home depends on aligning personal finances with market realities. By comparing loan options such as FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional loans, buyers can find the best fit for their situation. Evaluating gross monthly income, tracking credit card balances, and learning about payment assistance programs can make the path to homeownership smoother. With more available listings and moderate competition, the current local market in Johnson County provides a window of opportunity for buyers ready to take this critical step.

How First-Time Buyers Can Navigate the Greenwood Housing Market features insights from Angi Oakes, Real Estate Expert of Greenwood, Indiana, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is a premier media platform that connects readers with trusted professionals and businesses across various industries. Through its innovative edvertising approach that blends educational content and storytelling, HelloNation delivers expert-driven articles that inform, inspire, and empower. Covering topics from home improvement and health to business strategy and lifestyle, HelloNation highlights leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

HelloNation Staff

info@hellonation.com

www.hellonation.com





A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fb6f9c4e-1d54-48e7-8416-4bc877414645
Amsterdam, Netherlands, Nov. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Finch Capitals annual State of European Business Technology report spotlights a major theme: Europes AI Rewiring of Support Functions (i.e. HR, Finance, Ops, Legal and IT). The report reveals a decisive shift in how modern companies build and scale efficiently, harnessing AI to unlock deeper insights and significant performance gains. As growth gives way to profitability, businesses are increasingly focused on improving margins and productivity through AI-driven solutions  delivering value and insights to the front office and transforming support functions from cost centres into performance centres. What was once considered back-office software has become strategic infrastructure, powering automation, data-led decision-making, and value creation across all business functions.

From an investors perspective, Finch Capital sees this transition as a defining moment where efficiency, profitability, and intelligent automation converge to drive the next generation of enterprise leaders.

AI-led startups captured 50% of total business technology funding in 2025, marking a historic shift where automation and data systems fuel most innovation.

Median pre-money valuations have climbed +2.5 since 2018, surpassing 2021 peaks and signalling renewed investor confidence in AI-driven efficiency.

While deal activity fell 25-35% YoY across HR & Payroll, Finance & Ops, Legal & Compliance and IT & Data sectors, total deal value remained resilient at 2.4Bn (Q3 2025), due to funding accelerating in AI-led companies, which represent 35-60% of deal volume across categories.

The IT & Data sector raised 1.7Bn in 2025, up 30% YoY, as enterprises modernise infrastructure and race toward AI readiness.

France leads in deal value (49%) for the second consecutive year, driven by Mistral AI, while the UK leads in deal volume (33%), followed by Germany (17%) and France (12%), reflecting differing ecosystem maturity across markets.

The median disclosed exit value reached 49M, up 65% from last years 18M, with most transactions occurring in the mid-market buyout segment, reflecting sector maturity and liquidity strength.

Finch Capital today released the second edition of its State of European Business Tech report, unveiling a decisive turning point for the regions technology ecosystem. The 2025 edition, titled Europes AI Rewiring, shows that artificial intelligence has moved beyond hype, becoming the backbone of European enterprise productivity, competitiveness, and value creation.

Europes AI is redefining Business Technology

AI now accounts for half (50%) of total Business Tech funding, marking a structural shift toward automation, data-led decision-making, and intelligent infrastructure. The report signals the emergence of what Finch calls Business 4.0: a new era where companies redesign operations around AI as a core capability rather than an experimental add-on.

Were witnessing the moment where AI stops being a buzzword and becomes infrastructure, said Aman Ghei, Partner at Finch Capital. European companies are not just automating tasks; theyre redesigning how work gets done. This shift from efficiency to strategy marks the beginning of the Intelligent Enterprise era.

Europe will catch up to the US within five years

The report identifies a narrowing gap between Europe and the US. Europes AI funding trajectory today mirrors where the US was four years ago, suggesting that the region could achieve the USs 2025 status quo by 2030 if current momentum continues.

France continues to lead deal value (49%), driven by Mistral AIs landmark rounds, while the UK dominates deal volume (33%), ahead of Germany (17%) and France (12%). This balance of innovation density and funding scale underpins a stronger ecosystem than at any previous stage of Europes tech evolution.

Big AI exits are coming

While IPO headlines remain rare, Europes mid-market buyout scene is thriving, with a median disclosed exit value of 49 million, a testament to both market maturity and liquidity depth. The report forecasts a wave of larger AI-driven exits over the next cycle, particularly in applied AI sectors such as risk & compliance, finance, and IT infrastructure.

This trend signals that European AI champions are entering scale-up and consolidation phases, paving the way for the continents next generation of unicorns.

AI value wont come from technology alone

The report warns that only 5% of companies currently capture substantial business value from AI, not due to technological limits, but because of organisational inertia.

According to Finch Capital, AI value creation will come from the workforce as much as from the algorithm. Success will depend on companies building AI-ready cultures: agile, data-fluent teams grounded in trust between humans and intelligent systems.

By 2030, 3040% of G&A roles are expected to be automated, reshaping how companies operate across HR, finance, ops, legal, and IT. The winners will be those who embed AI into decision-making and organisational design, not just into their tech stacks.

Europes AI bubble or the beginning of a new equilibrium

Valuations across European Business Tech have surged 2.6 times since 2018, surpassing 2021 peaks after a brief correction in 2023. This acceleration shows that Europe is entering an AI-driven valuation bubble, but one built on far stronger fundamentals than previous cycles. While deal volumes fell 2535% YoY, total deal value is on the rise as capital concentrated around selected AI leaders candidates.

Finch Capitals analysis suggests that a correction is inevitable, yet unlike the short-lived hype of 2021, this bubble is underpinned by real enterprise adoption, productivity gains, and maturing liquidity. The short-term overheating, in other words, reflects a long-term structural transformation.

Were clearly seeing speculative pressure in parts of the market, said Aman Ghei, Partner at Finch Capital. But this time, the foundations are real. AI is reshaping how businesses operate, not just how they raise capital. The bubble will likely cool, but what remains will be the core of Europes next decade of innovation.

Sector Highlights

IT & Data  The fastest-growing Business Tech vertical, raising 1.7Bn (+30% YoY), with 61% of funding directed to AI-led companies. Capital is consolidating around next-generation infrastructure and AI readiness tools, i.e., data governance, cloud management, and productivity co-pilots.

The fastest-growing Business Tech vertical, raising 1.7Bn (+30% YoY), with 61% of funding directed to AI-led companies. Capital is consolidating around next-generation infrastructure and AI readiness tools, i.e., data governance, cloud management, and productivity co-pilots. Finance & Ops  Funding reached 683M (-25% YoY), with AI-related investments representing 35% of deal volume, as automation reshapes spend management, audit, and treasury functions. Digital procurement platforms captured the lions share, driven by enterprise demand for measurable ROI in efficiency and compliance.

 Funding reached 683M (-25% YoY), with AI-related investments representing 35% of deal volume, as automation reshapes spend management, audit, and treasury functions. Digital procurement platforms captured the lions share, driven by enterprise demand for measurable ROI in efficiency and compliance. Legal & Compliance  The sector raised 536M (-26% YoY), with 56% of funding linked to AI, underscoring a decisive pivot toward legal workflow and regulatory automation. The report focuses on the rise of AI-driven IP management startups, attracting 15-30M seed and Series A rounds, and is reshaping this once slow-moving category into a hub of intelligent efficiency.

The sector raised 536M (-26% YoY), with 56% of funding linked to AI, underscoring a decisive pivot toward legal workflow and regulatory automation. The report focuses on the rise of AI-driven IP management startups, attracting 15-30M seed and Series A rounds, and is reshaping this once slow-moving category into a hub of intelligent efficiency. HR & Payroll  The HR & Payroll segment raised 394M (-24% YoY), with 44% of deals involving AI, cementing the functions evolution from administrative back office to strategic performance driver. Capital is concentrating on people analytics and performance management platforms that enable predictive insights into workforce engagement, retention, and productivity.

Link to Report:

https://finchcapital.com/research

About Finch Capital

Growth Equity for European Business & Financial Technology.

Finch Capital backs ambitious founders building the next generation of financial and enterprise technology leaders. The firm invests 515 million in companies generating 215 million ARR, helping them scale profitably while maintaining control. Its portfolio includes over 50 companies, such as Fourthline, Goodlord, eFlow, ZOPA, AccountsIQ, NomuPay, and Lavanda.

Attachment
New data from cohort 3 show EO2463 can be safely added to rituximab in first-line low-tumor-burden follicular lymphoma in need of treatment

All six patients responded positively to the combination

Overall response data in cohort 2 confirm EO2463 monotherapy produces marked efficacy in patients in watch-and-wait setting

Registrational Phase 3 trial could start in 2026 in the watch-and-wait setting

Paris, France  13 NOVEMBER 2025 (08:30 CET)



Enterome, a clinical-stage company pioneering OncoMimics, a new class of off-the-shelf, multi-targeted in vivo immune therapies that induce a fast and potent expansion of memory T-cells to fight cancer, today announced positive new interim data from two cohorts of patients with low tumor-burden follicular lymphoma in the ongoing Phase 2 study of its lead OncoMimics immunotherapy EO2463. In cohort 3, data from the SIDNEY study showed a benign safety profile for EO2463 in combination with rituximab as first-line treatment for previously untreated patients with low tumor-burden follicular lymphoma in need of treatment, adding only injection site reactions to the well-known safety profile of rituximab. In addition, all six patients in this feasibility assessment responded to the combination treatment.

Data from cohort 2 continue to show that EO2463 monotherapy produces excellent response rates when offered to patients with newly diagnosed follicular lymphoma or marginal zone lymphoma as an alternative to standard watchful waiting, an unmet clinical need setting. Per the abstract, data from 19 evaluable patients as of July showed an overall response rate (ORR) of 47%, including 3 complete responses (CRs) and 6 partial responses (PRs). No treatment is given to patients who currently follow the standard watch and wait setting practice as long as they do not show troublesome symptoms, despite the fact that they can remain anxious about their disease, and have a decreased quality of life.

The company will present the next update on both sets of data at the 67th American Society of Hematology (ASH) meeting in Orlando, Florida, in December.

These encouraging data further strengthen our conviction in the broad potential of EO2463 as a novel active immunotherapy. The data from the watch-and-wait setting confirm our earlier positive findings, while those from cohort 3  which we had not reported on before  point in the same direction, said Jan Fagerberg, Chief Medical Officer at Enterome.



This is another exciting set of new data, ahead of our lead asset EO2463 entering Phase 3 testing in the watch-and-wait setting in 2026. The data come shortly after we received Fast Track designation for EO2463 from the U.S. FDA for the watch-and-wait setting, raising our confidence that Enteromes OncoMimics platform has the potential to be applied across a broad range of cancers, said Pierre Belichard, Chief Executive Officer of Enterome.

Details of the poster presentations:

Abstract #5377

Title : EO2463 (EO) peptide immunotherapy in patients (pts) with newly diagnosed asymptomatic follicular lymphoma (FL) and marginal zone lymphoma (MZL): Study EONHL1-20/SIDNEY (NCT04669171) primary endpoint Lugano objective response analysis

: EO2463 (EO) peptide immunotherapy in patients (pts) with newly diagnosed asymptomatic follicular lymphoma (FL) and marginal zone lymphoma (MZL): Study EONHL1-20/SIDNEY (NCT04669171) primary endpoint Lugano objective response analysis Presenting Author: Jose Caetano (JC) Villasboas, MD Mayo Clinic

Jose Caetano (JC) Villasboas, MD Mayo Clinic Session: 623 . Mantle Cell, Follicular, Waldenstrom's, and Other Indolent B Cell Lymphomas: Clinical and Epidemiological: Poster III

. Mantle Cell, Follicular, Waldenstrom's, and Other Indolent B Cell Lymphomas: Clinical and Epidemiological: Poster III Session date : 7 December 2025

: 7 December 2025 Presentation time : 06:00-08:00 PM

: 06:00-08:00 PM Location: Room OCCC, West Halls B3-B4

Abstract #3594

Title : EO2463 (EO) peptide immunotherapy combined with rituximab (R) for first-line treatment of low-tumor burden follicular lymphoma (FL): A feasibility evaluation in Study EONHL1-20/SIDNEY (NCT04669171)

: EO2463 (EO) peptide immunotherapy combined with rituximab (R) for first-line treatment of low-tumor burden follicular lymphoma (FL): A feasibility evaluation in Study EONHL1-20/SIDNEY (NCT04669171) Presenting Author: Stephen Smith, M.D., UW Medicine, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

Stephen Smith, M.D., UW Medicine, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Session: 623. Mantle Cell, Follicular, Waldenstroms, and Other Indolent B Cell Lymphomas: Clinical and Epidemiological

Mantle Cell, Follicular, Waldenstroms, and Other Indolent B Cell Lymphomas: Clinical and Epidemiological Session date: 8 December 2025

8 December 2025 Presentation time: 06:00-8:00 PM

06:00-8:00 PM Location: Room OCCC, West Halls B3-B4

Follicular Lymphoma, one of several types of indolent Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, is a difficult to treat chronic condition with relapses, characterized by slow progression and few symptoms, and reduced life expectancy. It is usually diagnosed by the appearance of swollen lymph nodes, and the early stages of the disease can be characterized by a lack of troublesome symptoms such as night sweats, fever or weight loss. There is a widespread consensus among leading investigators on the need for a well-tolerated and effective monotherapy to stop or slow progression for patients in the watch-and-wait setting.

EO2463 is an innovative, off-the-shelf OncoMimics active immunotherapy that combines four synthetic peptides. These non-self, microbial-derived peptides correspond to CD8 HLA-A2 epitopes that exhibit molecular mimicry with the B lymphocyte-specific lineage markers CD20, CD22, CD37, and CD268 (BAFF receptor). It also includes the helper peptide (CD4+ epitope) universal cancer peptide 2 (UCP2). The unique ability of EO2463 to selectively target multiple B cell markers enables the destruction of malignant B lymphocytes. By ensuring broad target coverage across malignant B cells, this novel approach aims to simultaneously improve safety and maximize efficacy, reducing the tumor cells capacity to develop immune-resistance mechanisms such as antigen escape.

OncoMimics consist of bacteria-derived peptide antigens that closely mimic tumor-associated antigens (TAAs). These antigens induce a fast and potent in vivo expansion

of cytotoxic memory CD8+ T cells that were primed by gut bacteria, and are cross-reactive with TAAs. Because the peptides are non-self, OncoMimics avoid the self-tolerance that limits many cancer immunotherapies to enable rapid, potent, and durable responses to tumors. The synthetically produced peptides are designed in silico, mining Enteromes proprietary database of 23 million commensal bacteria genes. Each product combines multiple high-affinity peptides to broaden target coverage and mitigate tumor heterogeneity.

OncoMimics are easy to manufacture, store, distribute and administer as an off-the-shelf subcutaneous injection. OncoMimics have achieved rapid and potent responses in clinical testing in over 230 patients to date, with a benign safety profile.

Enterome SA (www.enterome.com) is a privately held clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing OncoMimics, a breakthrough in in vivo immune therapies for cancer. The three most advanced product candidates have shown positive early data in Phase 2 clinical development in more than 230 patients across solid tumors and hematological malignancies, showing correlation between clinical efficacy and induced immunogenicity and a benign safety profile, activating large quantities of endogenous memory T-cells.

For more information, please contact:

ENTEROME INVESTOR & MEDIA RELATIONS Pierre Belichard

Chief Executive Officer







+33 (0)1 75 77 27 85

communication@enterome.com



Cohesion Bureau

Chris Maggos / Giovanni CaZorzi







+41 (0)79 367 6254 / +33 (0)7 84 67 07 27

enterome@cohesionbureau.com

Attachment
Ottawa, Nov. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global cell expansion market size is calculated at USD 22.97 billion in 2024, grows to USD 25.93 billion in 2025, and is projected to hit around USD 77.08 billion by 2034, registering a CAGR of 12.87% over the forecast period of 2025 to 2034. The market is growing due to rising demand for regenerative medicines, cell-based therapies, and biologics production. Advancements in stem cell research and biopharmaceutical manufacturing further accelerate market growth.

Key Takeaways

North America dominated the cell expansion market with a revenue share in 2024.

Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the market during the forecast period.

By product, the consumables segment held the largest market share in 2024.

By product, the instruments segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the market during the forecast period.

By cell type, the mammalian cells segment led the market in 2024.

By cell type, the human stem cells segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the market during the forecast period.

By end-use, the biotechnology segment dominated the market in 2024.

By end-use, the research institutes segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the market during the forecast period.

By application, the biopharmaceutical segment held the highest market share in 2024.

By application, the vaccine production segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the market during the forecast period.

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What is Cell Expansion?

Cell expansion is the process of growing and multiplying cells in controlled conditions to produce large quantities for research, therapeutic, or biomanufacturing purposes. The market is growing due to increasing demand for regenerative medicine, cell-based therapies, and personalized treatments. The rising prevalence of chronic and genetic diseases is driving research on stem cells and immunotherapies. Advancements in bioreactor technologies, automation, and cell culture systems are enhancing scalability and efficiency. Additionally, growing investments in biopharmaceutical manufacturing and government support for cell therapy research are boosting market expansion across clinical, research, and commercial applications.

What are the Primary Growth Drivers of the Cell Expansion Market?

The major growth drivers of the market include rising demand for regenerative medicine and cell-based therapies, increasing prevalence of chronic and genetic diseases, and advancements in stem cell and bioprocessing technologies. Growing biopharmaceutical production, government funding for cell research, and technological innovations in automated cell culture systems further accelerate market expansion, supporting large-scale therapeutic and research applications.

What are the Key trends in the Cell Expansion Market in 2024?

In February 2024, BioCentriq released public data on CAR-T cell expansion achieved using Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies Quantum Flex Cell Expansion System, showcasing its effectiveness in advanced cell therapy production.

In February 2024, Multiply Labs and Thermo Fisher Scientific expanded their partnership to advance automation in cell therapy manufacturing, specifically improving cell expansion and separation processes for greater efficiency and scalability.

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Cell Expansion Market Report Scope

Report Attribute Details Market size value in 2025 USD 25.93 billion Revenue forecast in 2034 USD 77.08 billion Growth rate CAGR of 12.35% from 2025 to 2034 Base year for estimation 2024 Historical data 2018 - 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 Product, Cell Type, Application, End-use, Region Regional scope North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; Latin America; MEA Country scope U.S.; Canada; UK; Germany; France; Italy; Spain; Denmark; Sweden; Norway; Japan; China; India; Australia; South Korea; Thailand; Brazil; Mexico; Argentina; South Africa; Saudi Arabia; UAE; Kuwait Key companies profiled Thermon Fisher Scientific, Inc., Corning Incorporated, Merck KGaA, Molteni Biotec, BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), Terumo BCT, Inc., Sartorius AG, Takara Bio Inc., TRINOVA BIOCHEM GmbH, oocyte technologies GmbH Customization scope Free report customization (equivalent up to 8 analysts working days) with purchase. Addition or alteration to country, regional & segment scope

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What are the Emerging Challenges in the Cell Expansion Market?

The emerging challenge in the market is achieving consistent cell quality and scalability while maintaining cost efficiency. Large-scale production often faces issues like contamination risk, variability in cell growth, and complex process control. Additionally, the need for advanced bioreactor technologies, skilled personnel, and regulatory compliance adds to the complexity, making it difficult to standardize and streamline cell therapy manufacturing processes.

Segmental Insights

By Product Insights

How did the Consumables Segment Dominate the Cell Expansion Market in 2024?

In 2024, the consumables segment held the largest market share due to the high recurring demand for products such as media, reagents, sera, and growth supplements used in every cell culture process. These materials are essential for maintaining cell viability, growth, and expansion across research and clinical applications. Additionally, increasing cell therapy production, biopharmaceutical manufacturing, and ongoing R&D activities further boosted the frequent use and dominance of consumables in the market.

For Instance, In May 2023, Lonza launched the TheraPEAK T-VIVO Cell Culture Medium, a chemically defined, animal-free solution designed to improve CAR T-cell production. The medium enhances consistency, simplifies regulatory processes, and supports faster cell therapy development.



The instruments segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR due to rising adoption of advanced bioreactors, automated cell expansion systems, and cell counters that enhance efficiency, scalability, and precision in cell culture processes. Increasing demand for automation in cell therapy manufacturing, coupled with technological advancements in monitoring and control systems, is driving this growth. Additionally, the push for standardized, large-scale production of high-quality cells further fuels demand for innovative instruments.

By Cell Type Insights

What made the Mammalian cells Segment Dominant in the Cell Expansion Market in 2024?

In 2024, the mammalian cells segment dominated the market due to its extensive use in producing complex biopharmaceuticals, including monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, and recombinant proteins. Mammalian cells closely resemble human cells, enabling accurate protein expression and post-translational modifications essential for therapeutic development. Their growing application in regenerative medicine and cell-based therapies, along with advancements in culture techniques, further strengthened their dominance in the cell expansion market.

The human stem cells segment is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR due to their vital role in regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, and personalized therapies. Rising research in stem cell-based treatment for chronic and genetic diseases, along with advancements in culture and differentiation techniques, is fueling demand. Additionally, increased investments in stem cell research, expanding clinical applications, and supportive government initiatives are driving rapid growth in the market.

By End User Insights

Why the Biotechnology Segment Dominated the Cell Expansion Market in 2024?

In 2024, the biotechnology segment dominated the market due to its extensive use of cell expansion technologies in drug discovery, biopharmaceutical production, and cell-based research. Growing demand for biologics, including monoclonal antibodies and vaccines, has increased reliance on efficient cell culture systems. Additionally, continuous R&D investments, advancement in bioprocessing technologies, and the rising adoption of automation in biotechnology companies further strengthened this segment's leading position in the cell expansion market.

The research institutes segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR due to increasing academic and government-funded studies focused on stem cell research, regenerative medicine, and cell-based therapies. Rising collaboration between research organizations and biotech companies are driving innovation in cell culture and expansion technologies. Additionally, advancements in cell biology, growing interest in personalized medicine, and improved access to modern laboratory infrastructure are further supporting the rapid growth of this segment during the forecast period.

By Application Insights

What Made the Biopharmaceutical Segment Dominant in the Cell Expansion Market in 2024?

In 2024, the biopharmaceutical segment held the highest market share due to the growing demand fie biologics, including monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, and recombinant proteins. Cell expansion is a crucial step in producing these complex molecules on a large scale with high quality and consistency. Additionally, increased investments in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, advancements in cell culture technologies, and the rising prevalence of chronic diseases further strengthened this market dominance.

The Vaccine production segment is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR due to rising demand for effective vaccines against infectious and emerging diseases. Cell-based vaccine manufacturing offers higher efficiency, safety, and scalability compared to traditional methods. Ongoing advancements in cell culture technologies, increased government and private investments, and the need for rapid vaccine development during outbreaks are further driving the growth of this segment throughout the forecast period.

By Regional Analysis

How is North America contributing to the Expansion of the Cell Expansion Market?

In 2024, North America dominated the market due to strong presence of leading biopharmaceutical companies, advanced healthcare infrastructure, and significant investment in cell-based research. The regions high adoption of regenerative medicine and cell therapies, coupled with supportive government initiatives and funding for R&D, further fueled growth. Additionally, technological advancements in bioprocessing and the rising prevalence of chronic diseases strengthened North Americas leadership in the global cell expansion market.

How is Asia-Pacific Accelerating the Cell Expansion Market?

The Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR due to expanding biopharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, rising healthcare investments, and growing government support for stem cell and regenerative medicine research. Increasing demand for advanced therapies, availability of skilled researchers, and cost-effective manufacturing capabilities are attracting global companies to the region. Additionally, improving healthcare infrastructure and rising prevalence of chronic diseases are further driving rapid growth in the Asia-Pacific cell expansion market.

Top Companies in the Cell Expansion Market

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc .

. Corning Incorporated

Merck KGaA

Miltenyi Biotec

BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company)

Terumo BCT, Inc.

Sartorius AG

Takara Bio Inc.

TRINOVA BIOCHEM GmbH

upcyte technologies GmbH

Recent Developments in the Cell Expansion Market

In June 2024, Cytiva introduced the Sefia next-generation manufacturing platform to help drug developers and healthcare providers speed up CAR T-cell and other cell-based therapy production while reducing overall manufacturing costs.

In July 2024, Calidi Biotherapeutics, a clinical-stage biotech firm, received a USD 2 million investment from Dr. Ronald Rigor for its new subsidiary, Nova Cell, to advance its Adult Adipose Allogeneic (AAA) stem cell programs.

More Insights in Nova One Advisor:

Cell Expansion Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2021 to 2034. For this study, Nova one advisor, Inc. has segmented the cell expansion market.

By Product

Consumables Reagents, Media, & Serum Other Consumables

Culture Flasks and Accessories Tissue Culture Flasks Bioreactor Accessories Other Culture Flasks and Accessories

Instruments Automated Cell Expansion Systems Cell Counters Centrifuges Bioreactors Other Instruments





By Cell Type

Mammalian Human Stem Cells (SCs) Adult SCs Embryonic SCs Induced Pluripotent SCs Differentiated Cells Animal

Microbial

Others

By Application

Biopharmaceuticals

Tissue Culture & Engineering

Vaccine Production

Drug Development

Gene Therapy

Cancer Research

Stem Cell Research

Others

By End-use

Biopharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies

Research Institutes

Cell Banks

Others

By Region

North America

Europe

Asia-Pacific

Latin America

Middle East & Africa (MEA)



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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.

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Nokia strengthens AI data center performance and AI-enabled automation with enhanced portfolio

AI places significant new challenges on the network, creating opportunities for increased network and operational innovation.

New Nokia data center switches deliver breakthrough network performance, reaching 102.4 Terabits per second (Tb/s) with 1.6 Terabit Ethernet (TE) interface speedsdoubling throughput and interface performancewhile providing unmatched flexibility for wide range of deployment scenarios.

Nokia EDA platform offers AIOps capabilities allowing transformation of operational environment and contributing to a 96% reduction in downtime.

13 November 2025

Espoo, Finland  Nokia today announced it is expanding and enhancing its data center networking portfolio to meet the increasing performance and scalability demands of connecting AI workloads, while leveraging the power of AI to drive more efficiency and reliability into data center operations.

The company is introducing its new family of 7220 Interconnect Router (IXR) high-performance data center switches along with an enhanced suite of Artificial Intelligence for Operations (AIOps) tools for its Event-Driven Automation (EDA) management platform. Together, these innovations deliver the extreme performance and reliability required to support advanced AI training and inference workloads driven by increasing demand for agentic AI applications.

The emergence and widespread adoption of agentic AI-enabled applications is reshaping data center requirements, prompting a rapid evolution in networking solutions. AI is driving these advancements which present a dual opportunity for network innovation and operational transformation. These are exactly the forces behind the most recent developments in Nokias data center switching portfolio.

Our partnership with Nokia continues to deliver meaningful operating advantages amid the

accelerating pace of AI innovation. With Nokias technology, Nscale strengthens its ability to deliver for our shared customers. This announcement further extends Nokias leadership, and reinforces our confidence that, together, were best serving the needs of customers who rely on advanced AI technology, said Tom Burke, Chief Revenue Officer, at Nscale.

The 1.6 TE interface speeds on Nokias new family of 7220 IXR switches hit a sweet spot in the market as agentic AI compels a change in data center networking requirements. Agentic AI-powered AIOps on Nokias EDA platform is timely, driving increased operational efficiency and reliability in a demanding network environment. Also great to see Nokias commitment to the UEC as 650 Group analysis projects Ethernet will be the dominant networking protocol for AI moving forward, said Alan Weckel, Founder and Technology Analyst, at 650 Group.

Scalable Performance and Flexibility for AI Data Centers

To address the massive demands for scalability and high performance in AI data centers, Nokias 7220 IXR-H6 switches deliver exceptional throughput, reaching up to 102.4 Tb/s with interface speeds at 800 GE (Gigabit Ethernet) and 1.6 TE, doubling throughput and interface speeds within the same footprint. The switches are compliant with Ultra Ethernet Consortium (UEC) specifications, bringing advanced features designed to optimize and manage packet flows, avoid congestion, and drive network efficiency across large-scale AI factory environments of up to one million XPUs and beyond.

The Nokia 7220 IXR-H6 family offers unparalleled flexibility for a diverse range of deployment scenarios. Available in both liquid-cooled and air-cooled variants, the switches can be seamlessly integrated and are compliant with various data center rack configurations.

Nokia is the only vendor offering hardware that supports both an embedded Network Operating System (NOS) and SONiC. The new switches can be configured with Nokias SR Linux network operating system (NOS) or open-source Community SONiC, providing data center operators with greater choice in software solutions. Backed by Nokias expert development and support organization, operators can proceed with confidence, knowing they have reliable options tailored to their specific infrastructure needs.

AI-enabled Network Operations

With the pressing need to deliver always-on services, cloud service providers and enterprises alike are prioritizing automation, AIOps and modernization strategies to reduce downtime and ensure resilient performance throughout the data center network operations lifecycle. To address these requirements in todays environment of increasing operational scale and complexity, Nokia is introducing innovative agentic AI-enabled capabilities into its Event-Driven Automation (EDA) platform. EDA AIOps combines the simplicity of natural language interactions with the reasoning power of agentic AI to unlock fast and accurate issue identification, root cause analysis, and remediation across the data center networking environment. When combined with EDAs extensive real-time telemetry, integrated digital twin, dry-run, and instant roll-back capabilities, network operators can move fast to address issues with confidence, realizing a 96% reduction in data center network downtime, according to Bell Labs Consulting and Futurums recent report, Data center fabric reliability study.

The astonishing growth in AI adoption has led to a dramatic overhaul in how data centers operate, and is driving constant evolution in hardware and operational tools. We are pleased to announce our new family of high-performance 7220 IXR-H6 switches along with advances in our EDA platform, which now leverages the sophistication of agentic AI to drive highly reliable network operations at the speed required to keep up with the pace of change. Today marks one of many milestones for Nokias data center networking portfolio, and we look forward to bringing even more technology innovation to our global customer base to support the AI super-cycle, said Vach Kompella, Senior Vice President and General Manager of IP Networks business at Nokia.

Nokia 7220 IXR-H6 switches will be available in 1Q26, with Nokia EDA AIOps features available for demonstration today and deployment by year-end 2025.

Resources and additional information

Webpage: Nokia Data center networks

Webpage: Nokia 7220 Interconnect Router for Data Center Fabrics

Webpage: Nokia Event-Driven Automation

Report: EY Technology Pulse Poll

Report: The Data Center Networking Imperative: Key Trends Driving the Next Era of Data Centers (Futurum)

Report: Data center fabric reliability study (Bell Labs Consulting and Futurum)

Video: What just happened? Just Ask EDA - YouTube

Video: Introducing our new family of 7220 IXR-H6 switches - YouTube

About Nokia

At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs, which is celebrating 100 years of innovation.

With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today  and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

Media inquiries

Nokia Press Office

Email: Press.Services@nokia.com

Sarah Miller

Email: sarah.miller@nokia.com

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LOS ANGELES, Nov. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pacvue , the industry's first AI-powered Commerce Operating System, announced today a new partnership with Tesco Media, to enhance retail media activation. Through an integration with Epsilon Retail Media, brands can now activate, optimize and measure sponsored product campaigns on Tesco directly within Pacvue, alongside existing campaigns across other major retail marketplaces.

This launch marks a major step in Pacvues ongoing expansion across key European markets, said Tommy Burton, Vice President of Global Partnerships at Pacvue. Global brands can now manage Tesco Media advertising within the same platform they already use for other major retailers, delivering a unified global strategy with local market relevance and seamless access to the UKs most important retail media network.

As part of the partnership, Pacvue and Tesco Media have co-developed Sales at Checkout, a custom reporting metric that provides enhanced visibility into campaign performance. This metric is tailored to Tescos fulfillment-based attribution model, while remaining standardized within Pacvue for cross-retailer comparability. Advertisers can choose to report on sales at checkout or fulfillment, offering flexibility and deeper insight into their retail media investments.

At Tesco Media, were committed to helping brands connect with our customers in more meaningful and effective ways, said Florian Clemens, Director of Strategy, Proposition & Measurement at Tesco Media. Our collaboration with Pacvue strengthens that mission by giving advertisers greater ease of use, flexibility and performance insight within our retail media platform. Together, were unlocking new opportunities for brands to grow while improving the shopping experience for our customers.

With this launch, Pacvue delivers its full suite of advanced reporting, automation and optimization tools for Tesco Media campaigns, including:

Advanced Reporting and Insights: Access a holistic, cross-retailer view of performance, including Share of Voice (SOV), customizable dashboards and competitive benchmarking.

Access a holistic, cross-retailer view of performance, including Share of Voice (SOV), customizable dashboards and competitive benchmarking. Automation Suite: Automate bidding, budget pacing and dayparting with Pacvues trusted rule-based engine to maximize campaign efficiency and ROI.

Automate bidding, budget pacing and dayparting with Pacvues trusted rule-based engine to maximize campaign efficiency and ROI. Unified Global Operations: Manage Tesco Media campaigns using the same workflows, bulk operations and tagging systems used across other retailers, eliminating the need for retraining or new tools.



This integration marks a significant milestone for global agencies like ours, stated Luis Martinez, Vice-President for WPP Commerce UK. It enables media strategy and activation teams to manage UK retail media campaigns with the same level of precision and visibility we've achieved with other major retailers. The unification of reporting and automation across markets allows our teams to concentrate on strategy and growth, rather than navigating disconnected systems.

The partnership unlocks Pacvue's full suite of advanced reporting and optimization tools to provide a complete view of performance on the UK's most important digital shelf. It also represents a significant milestone in Pacvues expanding EMEA portfolio and reinforces the companys mission to connect brands with consumers through unified retail media management, actionable insights and intelligent automation.

To learn more about the partnership and about Pacvue, visit www.pacvue.com .

About Pacvue:

Pacvue is the only fully integrated Commerce Operating System that seamlessly unifies retail media, commerce management and advanced measurement to power growth across 100+ global marketplaces, including Amazon, Walmart, Target and Instacart. Fueled by industry-leading AI technology, real-time data and actionable insights, Pacvues first-to-market platform enables over 70,000 brands and agencies to maximize advertising performance, increase profitability, drive incrementality, capture market share and expand their reach throughout the commerce universe - all from a single mission control. As of 2025, Pacvue powers 12% of total retail media ad spend worldwide. Leveraging the combined strengths of Pacvues enterprise suite and Helium 10s SMB solutions, Pacvue delivers the industrys most comprehensive platform for businesses of all sizes. Discover more at www.pacvue.com .

About Tesco Media and Insights:

Tesco Media and Insight Platform is a partnership between Tesco, the UKs largest grocery retailer, and dunnhumby, a global leader in Customer Data Science. Together, we always put the customer first. Everything we do is fuelled by the insights generated via over 24 million Clubcard households, a diverse, nationally representative, first-party behavioural dataset. We empower brands with granular insights so they can identify their most important customers and understand what matters to them.

We help serve brands and their media agencies via a unique mix of technology, software, and insight and media products which collectively help provide customers with a more relevant and personalised shopping experience. As the UKs largest closed-loop Grocery Media and Insight Platform were able to connect the dots between advertising exposure and customer behaviour across online and offline touchpoints to help brands take better product, marketing, and commercial decisions and understand the true impact of their investment.

Media Contact:

Rachel Jermansky

SamsonPR

rachel@samsonpr.com
TOKYO, Nov. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leading semiconductor test equipment supplier Advantest Corporation (TSE: 6857) will feature its latest semiconductor test solutions at SEMICON Europa 2025, which will be co-located with productronica and held from Nov. 18-21 at the Messe Munchen in Munich, Germany. As SEMICON Europa celebrates its 50th anniversary, Advantest will attend this years event and highlight its broad portfolio of leading-edge test technologies for applications, including AI and high-performance computing (HPC), 6G, industrial, and automotive.

Product and Solution Highlights

Advantests product showcase will be located in Hall B1 at booth #305, featuring the companys comprehensive portfolio of test solutions that address industry challenges in the era of complexity, including:

NEW scalable MTe test platform, engineered to redefine power semiconductor IC testing. Designed for next-generation wide-bandgap technologies (like SiC and GaN), MTe delivers uncompromising performance: ultra-fast signal capture, precision gate driver control, dynamic and short-circuit testing up to 10kA, flexible high-voltage digital capabilities and a compact footprint.

Solutions for the V93000 EXA Scale test system, including the Wave Scale RF20ex high-bandwidth RF IC test card, the PMUX02 advanced power multiplexer, the DC Scale XHC32 ultra-high-current power supply card, and the high-speed Pin Scale Multilevel Serial HSIO instrument.

Extending the V93000 test systems capabilities to support high-volume production of silicon photonics and co-packaged optics devices via a partnership with FormFactor.

Cutting-edge AI-powered tools for the V93000 test system, improving productivity and efficiency for test engineers.

SiConic, a scalable solution for automated silicon validation. Designed to address the increasing complexity of advanced systems-on-chip (SoCs), SiConic enables design verification (DV), silicon validation (SV) and test engineers to achieve faster sign-off with unparalleled reliability, efficiency and collaboration.



Presentations

Beyond a product showcase, Advantest will also participate in this years technical program. Fabio Pizza, business segment manager, Advantest Europe, will present The Acceleration of Test Requirements Driven by Advanced Packaging at this years Advanced Packaging Conference on November 19 at 4:20 p.m. in ICM Munich, Room 14a.

Social Media

For the latest updates, visit the Advantest Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn pages.

About Advantest Corporation

Advantest (TSE: 6857) is the leading manufacturer of automatic test and measurement equipment used in the design and production of semiconductors for applications including 5G communications, the Internet of Things (IoT), autonomous vehicles, high-performance computing (HPC), including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, and more. Its leading-edge systems and products are integrated into the most advanced semiconductor production lines in the world. The company also conducts R&D to address emerging testing challenges and applications; develops advanced test-interface solutions for wafer sort and final test; produces scanning electron microscopes essential to photomask manufacturing; and offers system-level test solutions and other test-related accessories. Founded in Tokyo in 1954, Advantest is a global company with facilities around the world and an international commitment to sustainable practices and social responsibility. More information is available at www.advantest.com.

Cassandra Koenig

Cassandra.koenig@advantest.com
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MedBright AI Investments Inc. (CSE: MBAI) (OTCQB: MBAIF) (FSE: Y30), a capital allocator focused on high-growth technology and artificial intelligence companies, is pleased to announce the successful deployment of its portfolio company Algo8's AI-powered process optimization and computer vision systems across multiple facilities in the United States and Mexico, delivering significant gains in productivity, reliability, and sustainability for a premier global supplier of automotive components and systems.

Transitioning Manufacturing to Predictive Intelligence

Through a series of AI-led rollouts with this leading automotive supplier, the organization has transitioned to predictive, insight-driven decision-making. In the United States, Algo8's solutions have enabled real-time detection of scrap contributors, visualization of production parameters, and proactive alerts on deviations. These interventions have successfully reduced scrap generation, improved product quality, and enhanced overall cost efficiency.

Simultaneously, advanced computer vision systems have been implemented to monitor micro stoppages and forklift movements, ensuring safer shop floors, stronger SOP compliance, and optimized production cycles.



In Mexico, Algo8 is now working on intelligent quality systems that generate heatmaps from light transmittance data, enabling predictive defect detection, higher yields, and more efficient material utilization.

Building on these initial successes, Algo8 and the automotive leader are advancing the next phase of transformation. This includes optimizing production processes and enhancing crucial sub-assembly manufacturing (such as headliner assembly) through advanced monitoring and improving production scheduling. Additionally, AI-powered predictive analytics will help reduce scrap and improve operational efficiency across their global facilities, providing real-time performance insights through integrated enterprise dashboards.

"Together with this global automotive manufacturing powerhouse, we are proving how industrial AI can reimagine manufacturing at scalecreating safer, smarter, and sustainable operations," said, Nandan Mishra CEO & Co-Founder of Algo8. "Our journey with this industry leader is only the beginning. The next phase is about scaling these proven AI systems across facilities and geographies to unlock exponential value".

About MedBright AI Investments Inc.

MedBright AI Investments Inc. is a capital allocator focused on investing in diversified industries, with a primary focus on technology and artificial intelligence. These include both public and private companies. MedBright focuses on near-term and mid-term high-quality opportunities with strong return potential while maintaining its commitment to governance.

About Algo8 Industrial AI Inc.

Algo8 is a global deep-tech pioneer in industrial AI, leveraging advanced machine learning and computer vision to drive transformational impact across energy and manufacturing sectors. Its solutions enable predictive intelligence, hyper-automation, and sustainable industrial ecosystems.

MedBright AI Investments Inc.

Geoff Balderson, CFO

Email: gb@corporateminds.ca

Phone: (604) 602-0001

www.medbrightai.ca

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains certain statements that constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements other than statements of historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding the future plans and objectives of the Company and Algo8, the anticipated benefits from the investment in Algo8, and the future performance of Algo8, are forward-looking information. The forward-looking information in this news release is based on a number of assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EnviroGold Global Limited (CSE: NVRO | OTCQB: ESGLF | FSE: YGK) (EnviroGold or the Company), a clean-technology company enabling the recovery of critical and precious metals from mine waste and tailings, is pleased to announce that it has achieved exceptional results from the Phase 3 test work of the Companys Rapid Deployment Pathway for its Major Tailings Reprocessing Projects.

NVRO Process Metallurgical Recoveries Independently Validated

Following successful pre-concentration and processing of the customer tailings using the Companys proprietary NVRO Process, the residual product was independently tested at ALS Laboratories in Perth, Australia, achieving the following results:

99.55% gold and 98.96% silver recovered to a saleable concentrate, exceeding previous benchmark outcomes.

Gold in concentrate increased 380% from 5.5g/t to 20.9g/t.

Silver in concentrate increased 602% from 92g/t to 554g/t.

Base and critical metals reporting to pregnant leach solution (PLS) increased by 8%.

Strong correlation between laboratory results and Andritz IDEAS simulation modelling, confirming the reliability and scalability of the NVRO Process.



These results reinforce that the project tailings represent a high-value, technically robust candidate for a commercial scale NVRO Process implementation, with strong potential for multiple revenues streams from precious metals concentrates and recovery of base and critical metals from the PLS. We have achieved similar performance outcomes from other customers Phase 3 test work.

Environmental and Sustainability Benefits





Environmental and Sustainability Benefits - Continued

The Companys tailings reprocessing plan for this customer is designed to deliver:

an 86% reduction in acid mine draining potential by reducing pyrite content.

1.2 million tonnes of saleable precious metal concentrates.

additional revenue from base and critical metals recovered from the PLS.

a 14% reduction in on-site tailings volumes.

Large-Scale Economic and Strategic Opportunity

This projects existing tailings facilities are estimated to contain more than 9 million tonnes of tailings material with gross in-situ metal values exceeding US $3 billion1, primarily comprising of gold and silver.

Path Forward

The next phase of the projects development is Phase 4 of the Rapid Deployment Pathway. This Phase will validate mass balance, recovery performance, project economics and environmental outcomes at scale.

Management Commentary

EnviroGolds Grant Freeman commented: These Phase 3 results confirm the exceptional technical and economic potential of the NVRO Process to realise metal value from tailings while delivering exceptional environmental benefits.

I am proud of the work that our team and partners have achieved in 2025 delivering a combination of near total precious metal recovery, validation of our predictive process model and the environmental benefits of pyrite and tailings volume reduction, added EnviroGold COO Royston Denysschen. These results highlight EnviroGolds value proposition as a scalable, environmentally responsible solution for the global mining industry.

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 and 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 and assumptions, which are believed to be reasonable as of the date hereof, and are based on information currently available to the Company.

Forward-looking statements in this news release include, without limitation, statements regarding: the Companys ability to advance, scale, and commercialize the NVRO Process; the expected benefits of the NVRO Process, including efficiency, recovery performance, cost reduction, and environmental outcomes; the planned operation, objectives, and results of the Phase 4 Demonstration Plant campaign; the potential for future project development, partnerships, or licensing agreements; and the anticipated contribution of these results to the Companys broader commercialization strategy.

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. These factors include, but are not limited to: risks related to technology development, scale-up, and integration; pilot and demonstration plant performance; variability in feedstock quality and availability; engineering, construction, and commissioning risks; regulatory, permitting, and environmental approval processes; market conditions affecting commodity prices and demand for recovered metals; reliance on strategic partners and key personnel; protection and enforcement of intellectual property; access to capital and liquidity; and general economic, market, and geopolitical conditions. Additional risks are 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.

1 These figures are based on current spot prices and do not represent recoverable value, mineral resources, or mineral reserves as defined under National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Further test work and engineering studies are required to assess economic viability.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/85a8a7a6-728a-46c2-a15a-75c6779b090c.
Dassault Aviation at the Dubai Airshow

(Saint-Cloud, France, November 13, 2025)  Dassault Aviation is delighted to be participating in the Dubai Airshow from November 17 to 21.

Since 1973 and the Mirage 5, we have been partners with the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, which currently operate a fleet of Mirage 2000-9s and hold an order for 80 Rafales signed in December 2021.

The Rafale is featured in the static display at the show. It will be presented in the flying display by the French Air and Space Force, which operates a Rafale detachment deployed at the Emirati base in Al Dhafra.

At the Dassault Aviation stand, an interactive Battle Lab simulator will explain to visitors our vision and developments in the field of collaborative combat.

Two Falcon 6X and Falcon 8X business jets will also be on display:

The Falcon 6X twinjet, which entered service in 2023, offers the largest cabin section of any business jet currently in operation. The exceptional levels of comfort, soundproofing and natural light in the cabin set a new standard in the market. The Falcon 6X has a range of 5,500 nm.





The Falcon 8X trijet, which has a range of almost 6,500 nm, offers a unique combination of efficiency and flexibility in the very long-range aircraft segment.





Many Falcon aircraft are operated in the Middle East, where the reliability, comfort, and performance of our business jets are highly valued. The presence in Dubai of the ExecuJet service center, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dassault Aviation, makes it a key link in the Falcon support network.

ABOUT DASSAULT AVIATION:

With over 10,000 military and civil aircraft delivered in more than 90 countries over the last century, Dassault Aviation has built up expertise recognized worldwide in the design, production, sale and support of all types of aircraft, ranging from the Rafale fighter, to the high-end Falcon family of business jets, military drones and space systems. In 2024, Dassault Aviation reported revenues of 6.2 billion. The company has 14,600 employees.

PRESS CONTACTS:

Corporate Communications

Stephane Fort - Tel.: +33 (0)1 47 11 86 90 - stephane.fort@dassault-aviation.com

Mathieu Durand - Tel.: +33 (0)1 47 11 85 88 - mathieu.durand@dassault-aviation.com

HD photos: mediaprophoto.dassault-aviation.com

HD videos: mediaprovideo.dassault-aviation.com

Attachment
NEW YORK, Nov. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- nvp capital , a New York-based seed-stage venture firm investing globally in enterprise software and vertical AI, today announced the close of its second fund totaling $80M. Fund II includes capital from a diverse mix of institutional investors including Prudential Financial, Rutgers Endowment, Ford Foundation and Liberty Mutual Investments and corporate partners such as Audible (an Amazon Company) and Horizon Mutual Holdings, Inc., the parent company of New Jerseys largest health insurer, bringing total assets under management to $200M.

nvp capital, co-founded by Dan Borok and Vaughn Crowe, partners with founders leveraging AI to modernize under-digitized industries, including healthcare, industrials, financial services, workforce management, commerce enablement, and more.

We back extraordinary people building businesses that will revolutionize legacy operations through AI by modernizing outdated processes, said Vaughn Crowe, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at nvp capital. Our model isnt just capitalwere dot connectors, providing founders with exclusive access to leading experts in their industries to help them scale faster, sell smarter, and build trust with the right customers.

Since its founding, nvp has established itself as a top-performing venture fund, backing founders at the seed stage and building conviction early in companies modernizing legacy industries. Many of those early bets have since been validated through significant follow-on rounds and successful exits including Pair Team (AI-enabled care for complex Medicaid/Medicare; raised $23M to date), Vulcan Elements (rare earth magnet manufacturing; seed to $65M Series A led by Altimeter and OneIM), Class8 (AI logistics for U.S. trucking; seed to $22M Series A in 2024), Optimal Dynamics (AI freight planning; $40M Series C in May 2025), and Vitable Health (on-demand care for frontline workers; $16M Series A in 2024). Podsights, backed by nvp at seed, was acquired by Spotify in 2022  further evidence of the firms ability to identify winners early.

Drawing on my experience at Google and Millennium and Vaughns track record building and backing companies at every stage, we saw an opportunity to create a new kind of venture model  one built to help founders bridge the gap between innovation and the enterprise customers that can help them scale. Thats the vision behind nvp capital, said Dan Borok, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at nvp capital.

Backed by a Fortune 500 LP network, the nvp galaxy helps founders spot market shifts early, win customers, and scale into enduring companies. The firms approach combines operational expertise, multi-cycle investing experience, and access to Fortune 500 relationships, enabling founders to build enduring, category-leading companies.

"nvp capital has the strategic clarity to focus on the opportunity of vertical AI. They recognize that companies are emerging from applying AI to modernize legacy industries, and theyve built their model, team, and approach around that vision. With Dan and Vaughns expertise as operators and investors  and a founder-first ethos backed by a vast enterprise network  nvp seeks to bring more than capital to the table. Were pleased to partner with them in this next chapter as they double down on that focus and aim to solidify an enduring venture brand," said Nina So, Co-Head of Private Equity at Prudential Financial.

With the launch of its second fund, nvp capital is reaffirming its belief that venture capital and social responsibility can coexist. Fund I supported the Boys & Girls Clubs, and Fund II will dedicate a portion of its carried interest to Braven, an organization that empowers promising young professionals from underrepresented backgrounds. nvp capitals unique carried interest model ensures that when the firm and its founders succeed, so does the broader ecosystemreflecting a commitment to doing well and doing good simultaneously.

For more information, visit nvpcap.com .

About nvp capital

nvp capital is a seed-stage venture capital firm headquartered in New York City, investing globally in enterprise software and vertical AI. nvp capital was founded to back founders using AI to transform under-digitized industries, bridging the gap between startups and Fortune 500 customers through their unique nvp galaxy network. With nearly 40 portfolio companies across healthcare, financial services, and industrials, nvp helps founders scale category-defining businesses by combining deep operating and investing experience with early insight into market shifts. nvp capital currently has $200M AUM.

Media Contact Information

nvp@capvstrategies.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d4334a39-4f65-4b1b-91e9-75d8db6e4542
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VERSES AI Inc. (CBOE: VERS) (OTCQB: VRSSF) (VERSES or the Company), a cognitive computing company pioneering next-generation agentic software systems, is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the Offering) with Sorbie Bornholm LP (Sorbie).

As part of the Offering, VERSES is expected to receive a notional amount of CAD$14,000,000 in exchange for the issuance of an aggregate of 2,660,000 Units, including finders fees. Each Unit consists of one Class A subordinated voting share (a Common Share) of the Company and one half warrant (each whole warrant, a Warrant), where each Warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one additional Common Share at an exercise price of CAD$7.00 for a period of 36 months from the closing of the Offering.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for working capital and general corporate purposes.

Verses has received CAD$700,000 representing the first tranche of the Offering, and expects to receive eleven additional tranches expected to be paid monthly subject to the terms of the Sharing Agreement. The Sharing Agreement calculates each additional tranche, as CAD$1,209,091 times the percent difference between the benchmark price of CAD$7.75 and the trailing 20-day Value Weighted Average Price. In the case where the 20-day Value Weighted Average Price is greater than the benchmark price, then the difference will be added to CAD$1,209,092 and there is no limit to the amount that Verses can receive. VERSES anticipates that the additional tranches will begin 30 days after closing and is responsible to pay 8% brokerage fee with each tranche.

The securities issued under the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities legislation in Canada.

The Common Shares and Warrants being offered and sold in the Offering will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act) and none of the Common Shares, Warrants, or Common Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants may be offered or sold in the United States absent registration under the U.S. Securities Act and all applicable state securities laws or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements.

This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, the Units in the United States, and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale of any securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. This news release is being issued pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 135c under the U.S. Securities Act.

About VERSES

VERSES is a cognitive computing company building next-generation agentic software systems modeled after the wisdom and genius of Nature. Designed around first principles found in science, physics and biology, our flagship product, Genius, is an agentic enterprise intelligence platform designed to generate reliable domain-specific predictions and decisions under uncertainty. Imagine a Smarter World that elevates human potential through technology inspired by Nature.

For more information, visit VERSES.ai , and follow VERSES on LinkedIn and X.

On behalf of the Company

Gabriel Rene, Founder & CEO, VERSES AI Inc.

Press Inquiries: press@verses.ai

Investor Relations Inquiries

James Christodoulou, Chief Financial Officer

ir@verses.ai, +1(212)970-8889

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, the Statements) within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including, without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated proceeds from the Offering; the price of the Companys Common Shares in the future and the impact of same on the proceeds received by the Company under the sharing agreement; and the timing of the settlement tranches under the sharing agreement. Although VERSES believes that the expectations expressed in these Statements are based on reasonable assumptions, actual results may differ materially.

By their nature, the Statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such Statements. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to, the ability of the Company to receive the anticipated proceeds from the Offering and other risks detailed in the Companys public filings. The Statements speak only as of the date of this release, and VERSES undertakes no obligation to update them except as required by applicable law.

Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information, including the assumption that the Company will receive the anticipated proceeds from the Offering. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to the Company. Although such statements are based on reasonable assumptions of the Companys management, there can be no assurance that any conclusions or forecasts will prove to be accurate.

Neither the CBOE nor any other securities regulator accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Boston, MA, Nov. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Rumphius Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening community, promoting education and protecting the environment, is proud to announce its 2025 grant recipients: The New Generation Youth Program for Haitians in Boston, The National Giving Alliance, Kellans Legacy of Love and The Tree of Life Center. These four organizations embody the foundations mission to make the world a more beautiful and compassionate place through service, education and care for others.

Our world feels increasingly divided, yet our shared humanity remains the bridge that brings us together, said Rumphius Foundation Director Candace Schuller. This year, we chose to focus on organizations that strengthen compassion and connection through empathy and action - from supporting Haitian youth finding their footing in a new country, to fostering confidence and educational success through new clothing, comforting families facing critical illness and empowering young fathers to nurture stronger families. Even small acts of kindness can heal divides and strengthen the bonds that hold us together.

Supporting Haitian Youth in Boston

The New Generation Youth Program assists Haitian families who fled their homeland seeking safety and a better life in Boston, Massachusetts. The Rumphius Foundations grant focuses on at-risk youth ages 1220 who face food insecurity, language barriers and academic and emotional challenges as they adjust to a new community. The foundations support will help ensure stability, nourishment and hope for these young newcomers.

Clothing Confidence & Educational Success

The National Giving Alliance (NGA) of Philadelphia received funding for its Clothes for Kids Fresh Start initiative, which provides brand-new clothing and essentials to children and families in need. Unlike many organizations that distribute used clothing, NGAs model ensures every child receives new garments chosen by them to boost confidence, improve attendance and encourage academic success. Research shows that students with new clothes are 70% more likely to attend school regularly, while appearance-related insecurity can result in up to a month of lost classroom time annually. The Rumphius Foundations grant will supply clothing vouchers to 20 middle school students, allowing them to select attire that appeals to them and fosters a sense of pride and ownership.

Comfort & Compassion for Critically Ill Children

Based in Virginia, Kellans Legacy of Love provides personalized comfort packages and emotional support to children facing life-threatening illnesses and their families. Established in memory of Kellan, the 100% volunteer-run organization delivers care packages filled with toys, sensory items, blankets and gift cards to children and families experiencing long-term hospital stays, hospice care or the loss of a child. Each year, they distribute more than 2,000 toys to hospitalized children and offer grief resources to bereaved parents. The Rumphius Foundations grant will provide 100 custom comfort packages, spreading comfort and joy to families enduring unimaginable challenges, reflecting the foundations mission to make the world a more beautiful place through compassion and kindness in the face of hardship.



Empowering Fathers for Stronger Families

The Tree of Life Center in New Jersey was awarded a grant to support its Dad Doula Empowering Program, which prepares young fathers, particularly those aged 1426, for active roles in childbirth and parenting. The program addresses a vital, but often overlooked aspect of family health: the fathers engagement. By teaching young dads about pregnancy, childbirth and caregiving, the initiative promotes stronger family bonds, improved maternal outcomes and better child development. The Rumphius Foundations support helps ensure these young fathers begin their parenting journey with knowledge, confidence and community.

The Rumphius Foundation awards grants to organizations that reflect its vision of a more compassionate and sustainable world. To learn more or to donate, please visit www.rumphiusfoundation.org.

About The Rumphius Foundation

Established in 2013 by the late Michael C. Schuller, The Rumphius Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing support to communities and educators to strengthen the future of our youth and the environment. Named after the childrens book Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney, in which the central character seeks to make the world a little more beautiful, the women-led foundation provides grants to non-profit projects that promote community, education and sustainability. Through these projects, the foundation strives to remind the next generation to leave the world more beautiful than they found it. For more information on The Rumphius Foundation, please visit www.rumphiusfoundation.org.
CHICAGO, Nov. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Frost & Sullivan (https://www.frost.com) named Basis the 2025 Customer Value Leader for the global demand-side platform (DSP) industry. A global business consulting firm providing market research, growth strategy consulting, and corporate training, Frost & Sullivan is recognizing how Basis (https://basis.com) solves market fragmentation and operational chaos by unifying the entire media campaign lifecycle. Basis is the industrys leading advertising automation platform. Frost & Sullivans analysis of Basis is available at: https://basis.com/2025-frost-and-sullivan-award.

The global DSP industry is facing accelerating media fragmentation, where advertisers must now engage consumers across an array of channels, including connected television (CTV), digital-out-of-home (DOOH), streaming audio, podcasts, social media, and traditional search and display. From Frost & Sullivans report, This proliferation creates operational silos, disjointed workflows, and immense difficulty in achieving a unified view of campaign performance It is no longer sufficient for a DSP to excel in a single channel. Brands and agencies now demand a single, cohesive interface to orchestrate, measure, and optimize cross-channel and cross-device campaigns harmoniously. Basis helps agencies and brands do more with less to deliver business outcomes faster.

Basis is redefining what performance and partnership mean in programmatic advertisingsimplifying and automating the media journey, embedding powerful AI intelligence and empowering transparency, said Alaa Saayed, VP of research of digital content services program, Frost & Sullivan. By combining operational efficiency, measurable ROI, and a deep commitment to customer success, Basis stands out as a true strategic partner driving sustainable growth across the DSP ecosystem.

Basis AI-powered platform empowers marketers through an integrated suite of modular applications for planning and operations across programmatic, publisher-direct, search, and social channels. Basis delivers a fully integrated environment that automates the most important phases of the campaign lifecycle.

Frost & Sullivans Customer Value Leadership Recognition is its top honor and recognizes the market participant that exemplifies visionary innovation, market-leading performance, and unmatched customer care. It applies a rigorous analytical process to evaluate multiple nominees for each recognition category before determining the final recognition recipient.

In its report, Frost & Sullivan highlighted various aspects of how Basis creates customer value:

Unifying the Media Journey  Basis centralizes every stage of the processfrom planning and execution to financial actualization and analyticsinto one environment.

Intelligent Performance  Basis analyzes over 30 distinct targeting parameters at the brand level every six hours, creating optimization models tailored to each client's business.

Enduring Partnerships  Basis empowers brands to own their technology stack and historical media data, ensuring that campaign insights are never lost, even during agency transitions.



Automation is about empowering people to work more effectively by simplifying and streamlining repetitive and complex tasks. Basis mission to drive advertising automation unlocks creativity, efficiency and ultimately profitability for our customers, said Grace Briscoe, EVP of client development, Basis. Frost & Sullivans recognition of Basis is a powerful validation of our role in the advertising ecosystem and underscores the value we have been delivering to marketers for more than two decades.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Recognition

Frost & Sullivans Best Practices Recognitions honor companies across regional and global markets that exhibit exceptional achievement and consistent excellence in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer experience, and strategic product development. Each recognition is the result of a rigorous analytical process in which Frost & Sullivan industry experts benchmark performance through comprehensive interviews, deep-dive analysis, and extensive secondary research. The goal is to identify true best-in-class organizations that are driving transformative growth and setting new industry standards.

About Basis Technologies

Basis Technologies is solving the advertising industrys biggest problems with the most comprehensive advertising automation platform. As a unified command center for agencies and brands, Basis delivers an integrated suite of modular applications, each specializing in unique areas such as planning, operations, reporting, and financial reconciliation across programmatic, publisher-direct, search, and social channels. By closing system gaps, automating workflows, and streamlining data management, Basis empowers leaders to increase efficiency and productivity -- driving financial success for their organizations. Renowned for its dedication to both employees and customers, Basis creates more seamless operations and fosters a happier, more engaged workforce. Learn more at https://basis.com.

Contact:

Anthony Loredo

anthony.loredo@basis.com

917-573-4157

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1c6bca2a-09a8-431e-8b85-c59686b7529a
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

Scope Technologies Corp. (CSE: SCPE | OTC: SCPCF | FSE: VN8) (Scope Technologies, QSE or the Company) is pleased to announce that its QSE Group division has signed a non-exclusive value-added distributor (VAD) agreement with Enzo Plus Asia Pte Ltd (Enzo Plus), a regional technology provider with established operations in Malaysia and Singapore. Through its QSE Group division, Scope Technologies continues expanding its footprint across Southeast Asia, driving adoption of its post-quantum security and data protection technologies.





Through this collaboration, Enzo Plus will represent QSEs quantum-resilient data protection technologies and solutions across its network of more than 300 channel partners and system integrators throughout Southeast Asia. The agreement marks an important milestone in QSEs global expansion strategy, significantly strengthening its reach and customer responsiveness in one of the worlds fastest-growing technology markets.





Strategic Collaboration Overview

Enzo Plus will serve as a Level 1 sales and technical support layer for QSE Group  a Scope Technologies Division, enabling faster customer response times and reduced time-to-value for clients adopting QSEs quantum-resilient storage, encryption, and entropy solutions.

By leveraging Enzo Plus established presence, including local offices, sales teams, and technical personnel in Malaysia and Singapore, QSE gains the ability to deliver scalable coverage and support across the region without adding substantial fixed operational costs.

The collaboration also provides QSE with immediate access to localized market intelligence and credibility, lowering customer acquisition costs, shortening the sales cycle, and accelerating adoption among both enterprise and government clients. Enzo Plus developing footprint in Indonesia further expands QSEs reach in the region.

With its channel-first business model and established operations in Malaysia and Singapore, Enzo Plus has built a regional footprint of hundreds of distributor engagements, reinforcing the importance of this collaboration for QSEs Southeast Asia expansion strategy.

We see this as more than a distributor agreementits a regional alliance built on shared vision and innovation, said Desmond Teo, Founder & CEO of Enzo Plus. Together with QSE, we aim to make quantum-resilient security a practical reality for every organization in Southeast Asia.

Advancing the Mission of Quantum-Ready Security

This collaboration represents more than a regional entryit reinforces QSE Group  a Scope Technologies Divisions broader goal of making quantum-resilient security accessible worldwide. By integrating its next-generation QSE (Quantum Security Entropy) solutions into Enzo Plus ecosystem, QSE can bring post-quantum-safe data protection to hundreds of enterprises and service providers throughout Southeast Asia.

This collaboration is a meaningful step forward in our mission to make enterprise-grade quantum security a global standard, said Ted Carefoot, CEO of QSE Group  a Scope Technologies Division. Enzo Plus provides the regional expertise, partner network, and on-the-ground support necessary to help organizations across Southeast Asia adopt true quantum-resilient protection todaynot years from now.

Accelerating Global Reach

By collaborating with a proven regional distributor, QSE is laying the groundwork for a broader international channel strategy. Southeast Asias technology marketsdriven by rapid digitization, government modernization initiatives, and data-sovereignty prioritiesrepresent an ideal environment for QSEs post-quantum solutions.

The collaboration enhances QSEs ability to participate in regulated industry and public-sector opportunities across finance, healthcare, defense, and infrastructure, all while demonstrating the scalability and adaptability of its QSE entropy, encryption, and decentralized storage technologies.

About Enzo Plus

Enzo Plus is a regional technology solutions provider based in Malaysia and Singapore, specializing in cybersecurity, networking, cloud, and data-center technologies. Operating through a partner-first model, Enzo Plus supports more than 300 channel partners and system integrators with sales enablement, technical training, and deployment support across Southeast Asia. The company collaborates with a growing ecosystem of technology vendors to deliver secure, scalable solutions that empower digital transformation.

Learn more at www.enzo-plus.com

For more information on how QSEs quantum security solutions visit www.qse.group or contact sales@qse.group

About Scope Technologies Corp

Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Scope Technologies Corp is a pioneering technology company specializing in quantum security and machine learning. Through its flagship brands, QSE Group and GEM AI, Scope provides next-generation solutions in data security, quantum encryption, and neural networks, empowering businesses with secure, scalable technologies that drive growth and operational efficiency.

LinkedIn: scope-technologies-corp

Facebook: Scope Technologies Corp

Twitter: @ScopeTechCorp

Contact Information:

Ted Carefoot

CEO, Scope Technologies Corp.

Email: ted@scopetech.ai

Website: www.scopetechnologies.io

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements that constitute forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements in this news release that are not purely historical statements of fact are forward-looking statements and include statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, future, strategy, objectives, goals and targets, and more specifically, the use of proceeds of the Offering. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable and reflect expectations of future developments and other factors which management believes to be reasonable and relevant, the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "believes", "expects", "aim", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "may", "should", "would", "will", "potential", "scheduled" or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions, which, by their nature, refer to future events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and are based on assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, including, but not limited to, those risks and assumptions described in the Company's latest management discussion and analysis, a copy of which is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. While Scope considers these assumptions to be reasonable, based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. In addition, forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks, including, without limitation, risks associated with general economic conditions, continued satisfaction of Canadian Securities Exchange requirements, product safety and recalls, regulatory compliance and risks associated with the Company's business. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, unless required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the business of the Company and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release and accepts no responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy hereof.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4472d7f0-57a6-4900-b39c-a0304470ef55

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9c495a81-57cf-4a9e-84b8-4e410785a158
Los Angeles, California, Nov. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Parker Migliorini International (PMI Foods) partnered with CityServe for a Veterans Day event at the Los Angeles Dream Center to provide meals to thousands of veterans in need. At this event, veterans were connected with essential resources to help them find employment, housing, and improved quality of life.

PMI Foods donated 3,600 lbs. of beef tenderloin and prime grade angus beef to feed veterans from across the city in this heartfelt Veterans Day celebration of gratitude and service. Thousands of meals were served to veterans from the greater Los Angeles area as well as members of the local community.

PMI Foods is incredibly grateful to all the veterans who stepped up to defend our freedom, remarked Darin Parker, President of PMI Foods. On this Veterans Day we were proud to partner with CityServe and the Dream Center to honor those who served.

PMI Foods played a consequential role in making this Veterans Day event possible, said Todd Lamphere, Senior Vice President at CityServe. Were incredibly thankful to the team at PMI Foods for their donation of high-quality beef to feed our great veterans. Life changing partnerships like this make all the difference; we couldnt do what we do without the continued support of PMI Foods. Their generosity provided meals for thousands of veterans and families on Veterans Day as we work together to do God's work.

The Dream Center is honored to support our veterans and thankful for PMI Foods generous contribution to this years Veterans Day event, remarked Donny Irmen, Director of the Carey Kitchen & Food Bank at the Dream Center. Because of their partnership, we were able to serve and celebrate those who have sacrificed so much for our country with a meaningful meal and time together.

Through the efforts of PMI Foods, CityServe, and the Dream Center, veterans in Los Angeles received the Veterans Day celebration they deserve. PMI Foods remains committed to feeding underserved communities across the country.

About Parker Migliorini International

PMI Foods is a global enterprise that supplies an extensive range of products to all major international markets with corporate offices strategically located in the Americas, Asia, Europe, Africa, and Oceania. PMI Foods operates on several platforms representing three brands: PMI Global Solutions; managing product procurement, sales, and logistics, PMI Distribution; supplying the needs of local wholesale markets, and PMI Food Service, which provides a constant supply source while focusing on personalized services and customer-specific adaptation of products and packaging. More information about PMI Foods is available at: pmifoods.com.

About City Serve

CityServe is a collaborative network of churches and community leaders committed to helping those in need live better, more hopeful lives. By equipping local churches with tangible resources and capacity-building support, CityServe empowers them to fulfill their mission of overcoming despair and transforming communities. Designated a Community of Faith and Opportunity by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, CityServe works to build lasting relationships and create real, long-term change. Learn more at cityserve.us.

About Dream Center

The Dream Center is a dedicated resource hub committed to supporting individuals impacted by homelessness, hunger, and lack of education. Through a combination of residential services and community outreach programs, it offers vital assistance to those in need. With over 84 Dream Centers across the globeincluding locations in 29 U.S. states and 8 countrieseach center shares a unified mission: to transform lives and uplift communities by providing the essential help, hope, and resources people need to thrive. Learn more about Dream Center and the work they do at: dreamcenter.org.







Attachments
Dublin, Nov. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Restaurant Inventory Management & Purchasing Software Market - Global Forecast 2025-2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Restaurant Inventory Management & Purchasing Software Market expanded from USD 3.95 billion in 2024 to USD 4.55 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 12.49 billion by 2032 at a CAGR of 15.47%.

Restaurant inventory management and purchasing software is transforming foodservice operations by delivering critical automation and visibility. As restaurants navigate evolving industry requirements, adopting these digital platforms has become a core strategy for driving efficiency and adapting to change.

This steady growth highlights sustained demand as operators seek greater control over costs, improved operational compliance, and the ability to scale processes efficiently. Adoption of cloud-based solutions, emphasis on regulatory standards, and increasing focus on multi-location management are among the significant factors shaping the industry.

Key Takeaways Driving Restaurant Inventory Management Software Strategies

Modern inventory management solutions enhance efficiency by automating procurement, improving real-time data visibility, and simplifying compliance tasks for foodservice operators.

Cloud and hybrid deployments provide scalable infrastructure and strong data protection, meeting diverse needs from multi-location chains to independent venues and streamlining multi-outlet operations.

AI-enabled analytics and mobile integration facilitate streamlined auditing, rapid order placement, and seamless oversight from any device, empowering teams to respond quickly to issues and maintain inventory accuracy.

Sustainability and traceability requirements influence software features, with increased attention to ingredient origin verification and supplier scorecards to satisfy regulatory and consumer scrutiny.

Regional trends reveal differentiation: Americas is characterized by earlier adoption of data-driven management, EMEA focuses on strong compliance, and Asia-Pacific is embracing digital ordering and agile returns on investment.

Scope & Segmentation

End-User Industry: Addresses the requirements of cafeterias, catering services, hotels and resorts, and all restaurant formats seeking to improve inventory and purchasing accuracy.

Addresses the requirements of cafeterias, catering services, hotels and resorts, and all restaurant formats seeking to improve inventory and purchasing accuracy. Component: Encompasses software platforms and essential services such as consulting and integration that ensure smooth deployment and tailored utilization.

Encompasses software platforms and essential services such as consulting and integration that ensure smooth deployment and tailored utilization. Pricing Model: Evaluates both license fee and subscription options to match financial strategies and operational agility.

Evaluates both license fee and subscription options to match financial strategies and operational agility. Deployment Type: Covers cloud-based deployments (including hybrid, private, and public cloud options) and on-premise solutions, enabling organizations to align IT investments with business goals.

Covers cloud-based deployments (including hybrid, private, and public cloud options) and on-premise solutions, enabling organizations to align IT investments with business goals. Organization Size: Considers the unique requirements of large enterprises and small and medium enterprises, providing a holistic view of market accessibility.

Considers the unique requirements of large enterprises and small and medium enterprises, providing a holistic view of market accessibility. Business Type: Explores solutions tailored for bars, cafes, full service restaurants, and quick service restaurants, offering actionable insights for varied operational models.

Explores solutions tailored for bars, cafes, full service restaurants, and quick service restaurants, offering actionable insights for varied operational models. Application: Includes use cases in inventory tracking, order management, procurement, and supplier management, reflecting critical pain points addressed by modern platforms.

Includes use cases in inventory tracking, order management, procurement, and supplier management, reflecting critical pain points addressed by modern platforms. Geographical Coverage: Delivers insights across Americas, Europe, Middle East & Africa, and Asia-Pacific, evaluating how regional dynamics, regulatory demands, and technology adoption rates differ by market.

Key Attributes:





Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 199 Forecast Period 2025 - 2032 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2025 $4.55 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2032 $12.49 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 15.4% Regions Covered Global



Market Insights



Integration of AI-driven demand forecasting with real-time ingredient usage tracking across multi-unit restaurants

Implementation of blockchain-enabled supplier transparency for automated purchase order verification and traceability

Adoption of mobile-first inventory apps with offline capabilities for decentralized kitchen and bar stock management

Growth of contactless supplier payments through integrated digital wallets and early payment discount optimization

Deployment of predictive maintenance alerts for kitchen equipment based on usage data and automated restock triggers

Expansion of sustainability-focused purchasing modules tracking carbon footprint and waste reduction in menu planning

Companies Featured

Toast, Inc.

Oracle Corporation

SAP SE

Compeat Technologies, LLC

xtraCHEF, Inc.

MarketMan, Inc.

MarginEdge, Inc.

Apicbase NV

BlueCart, Inc.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/wfz10o

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.

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BONDUELLE

Head office: "La Woestyne" - 59173 Renescure - France

Bonduelle a French S.C.A (Partnership limited by Shares) with a capital of 57 102 699,50 euros

Registered under number : 447 250 044 ( Dunkerque Commercial and Companies Register)

Villeneuve dAscq, November 13, 2025

Press release

COMBINED GENERAL MEETING OF DECEMBER 4, 2025

Statement of availability of documents

Shareholders are invited to attend the Combined General Meeting to be held on December 4, 2025 at 5 p.m. at the Company's administrative headquarters, Rue Nicolas Appert, 59650 Villeneuve d'Ascq, France.

The prior notice including the agenda and draft resolutions was published in the Bulletin des Annonces Legales Obligatoires (hereinafter "BALO") no. 128 of October 24, 2025, and the notice of meeting will be published in the BALO and in a legal gazette on November 17, 2025. The full text of the draft resolutions for the Combined General Meeting is set out in the Shareholder's Booklet, which can be downloaded from the Company's website: https://www.bonduelle.com/en/investors/general-meeting/ .

The preparatory documents for the Annual General Meeting required by article R. 22-10-23 of the French Commercial Code are available online and can be downloaded from the Company's website: https://www.bonduelle.com/en/investors/general-meeting/ .

Preparatory documents for the Meeting will also be made available to shareholders at the Company's registered office and/or administrative headquarters from the time the Meeting is convened. In accordance with the applicable regulations, any shareholder may :

as from the date on which the documents are made available and up to and including the fifth day before the Meeting, ask the Company to send them the documents referred to in Articles R.225-81 and R.225-83 of the French Commercial Code, by electronic means if expressly requested. For holders of bearer shares, the exercise of this right is subject to the provision of a certificate of participation in the bearer share accounts held by the authorized intermediary;

inspect the documents referred to in Articles L. 225-115 and R.225-83 of the French Commercial Code at the company's administrative headquarters.

In accordance with the applicable legal and regulatory provisions, the General Meeting will be broadcast live in its entirety on the Companys website ( https://www.bonduelle.com/en/investors/general-meeting/ ).

A recording of the meeting will be available on the Companys website under the conditions provided for by the applicable provisions.

Attachment
Chicago, Illinois, Nov. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chicago, Illinois - November 13, 2025 - -

Bang! Salon Chicago will mark a decade of community service with its 10th Annual Cuts for Coats on Sunday, November 16, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1259 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622.

The salon will provide complimentary haircuts to guests who donate a new or gently used winter coat, with all donations benefiting local outreach partners serving unhoused and housing-insecure Chicagoans. Appointments are required.

Now in its tenth year, Cuts for Coats has evolved into a neighborhood tradition that brings together clients, first-time visitors, and nearby businesses in Wicker Park during the early holiday season. The 2025 milestone will feature music by DJ Lady D, catering by Mindy's Bakery, and a community raffle. In celebration of the tenth anniversary, Bang! Salon will award ten $100 gift cards as raffle prizes. Donors are not required to receive a haircut to participate or to be eligible for the raffle.

All collected coats will be directed to The Night Ministry and The Parlor by Trash People to support individuals facing winter conditions in the city. The program accepts new and gently used adult and youth coats that are clean and in good condition. Scarves, hats, and gloves are also welcome based on need and available capacity on event day. Staff and volunteers will sort items on site to expedite delivery to partner organizations following the event.

We are thrilled to mark ten years of Cuts for Coats, said Eli Mancha, owner of Bang! Salon. This event is about more than hair - it is about coming together as a community to support those in need while enjoying food, music, and connection. Every coat donated makes a meaningful difference for Chicagoans facing the challenges of winter.

Guests seeking a complimentary haircut should reserve an appointment in advance. Limited walk-up availability may be offered as time permits, with donors prioritized in order of check-in. The salon recommends arriving a few minutes early for verification of donation items and stylist consultation. For attendees only dropping off a coat, street-level collection bins will be available during event hours. Clear labeling on bags and quick handoff options will help maintain flow inside the salon.

To enhance the guest experience, the event will include a curated music set by DJ Lady D and seasonal pastries and coffee from Mindy's Bakery while supplies last. Raffle drawings will occur throughout the afternoon, and winners do not need to be present to win.

Media are welcome during public hours for interviews and visuals. Staff will coordinate access and consent, direct traffic, ensuring respectful coverage while maintaining smooth operations for attendees and organizers onsite.

Donors do not need to sign up for a haircut to participate or be entered into the raffle.

For more information or to schedule a haircut, please visit www.bangsalonchicago.com or contact BANG! Salon directly.

About BANG! Salon Chicago

Founded by award-winning stylist Eli Mancha, BANG! Salon Chicago is located in Chicago's vibrant Wicker Park neighborhood. Known for its fresh, trend-driven styles and commitment to quality, BANG! Salon creates a welcoming atmosphere where every client's experience is unique and memorable. The salon prides itself on community engagement and continually seeks ways to support and give back to its local community.

For more information, visit www.bangsalonchicago.com.

Media Contact Information

BANG! Salon Chicago

1259 N Milwaukee Ave

Chicago, IL 60622

bangsalonchicago1@gmail.com

773-276-9414

www.bangsalonchicago.com

###

For more information about BANG! Salon, contact the company here:



BANG! Salon

Eli Mancha

773-276-9414

bangsalonchicago1@gmail.com

1259 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago IL, 60622
MILAN, Nov. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Madrid hosted the second edition of Futuro Digital, an event organised by IESE Business School in collaboration with JAKALA and Multiversial, which has become a key meeting point for exploring the main trends in digital transformation and their impact on business. More than 500 executives and experts gathered at IESEs Madrid campus to analyse the challenges and opportunities that will shape the technological innovation and artificial intelligence landscape by 2026.



This is the second year we have organised this event, and our goal is to continue strengthening our position in the digital sphere by creating a space for dialogue between companies and change leaders, said Luis Ferrandiz, Professor at IESE Business School.



During the event, participants examined the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence, its costs, risks and returns, as well as the strategies companies need to adopt to avoid being left behind in this new industrial revolution.

The acceleration of artificial intelligence

Carlos Molina, founder of the digital business newsletter Multiversial, discussed the three waves of artificial intelligence: acceleration, bubble and structural transformation, as well as the risks accompanying its expansion  from the geopolitical competition between the United States and China to technological dependency and cognitive complacency.



Change has never been this fast. The adoption of AI is advancing much more quickly than that of the Internet, with unprecedented investment and uncertain returns. These are powerful waves, built on the momentum of previous revolutions, Molina said. Profits are not yet clear with this model. The question is whether it will follow a venture capital approach or, conversely, fail to make the overall investment profitable.

Corporate strategy in the face of disruption

Ander Jauregui, Senior Partner at JAKALA, highlighted the importance of reassessing each companys Jobs to be Done to understand what elements must be addressed in order to close the gap between consumer needs and what companies deliver. In his presentation, he cited examples of businesses making great strides in AI integration and shared two concrete cases already implemented among JAKALAs clients in key sectors such as banking and travel.



We are in a phase of disruption that is shaking everything up, and many companies are making decisions that are not necessarily the right ones. We must avoid overestimating the short term and underestimating the long term: transformation processes take time and require a culture that embraces change, he said.

Real-world cases from major companies

The event concluded with a round table titled Real experiences in large companies, moderated by Ferrandiz, featuring Cristina Alvarez, Chief Technology and Operations Officer at Banco Santander Spain, and Mariel Vazquez, Director of Digital Customer Experience at Mapfre Spain. Both shared how their companies are applying AI strategically and responsibly.



Artificial intelligence is transforming every sector, and banking is no exception. AI is redefining the way we interact with customers, enabling more personalised, predictive and efficient models, Alvarez explained. At the bank, we are already taking advantage of highly promising opportunities in areas such as personalisation, pricing, customer campaigns, and even in fields closely tied to operational efficiency, like software development and process automation.



Vazquez emphasised Mapfres commitment to ethical AI: Mapfre is using this technology across many aspects and divisions of the company. We currently have over 70 use cases in production, ranging from assessments and valuations to risk analysis and customer assistance.



Mapfre was the first company in the IBEX 35 index to publish a manifesto on the ethical and responsible use of AI. We wanted to make it clear to society and the market that we are committed to using AI without bias  ethically, responsibly and transparently  and to always inform our customers when AI is being used and how it supports decision-making, she added.



The round table also provided an opportunity to reflect on the challenges posed by AI in business, from resistance to change to the need for investment in cybersecurity and privacy protection.



Futuro Digital has established itself as a leading forum for anticipating trends, sharing knowledge and discussing the role of technology in shaping the future of business.

For more information:

Press Office LaPresse - ufficio.stampa@lapresse.it

A video accompanying this announcement is available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e78922fa-339e-4213-9659-ef0ae4fa4f6d




Press release  Neuilly-sur-Seine, Thursday, November 13, 2025  6.30 pm

ARGAN and DIMOLOG officially inaugurated the new AutOnom logistics site in Bain-de-Bretagne

A few months after the delivery of the AutOnom logistics site in Bain-de-Bretagne, ARGAN  the French real estate company specializing in the development and rental of premium warehouses  and its tenant DIMOLOG officially celebrated its inauguration during a friendly ceremony that brought together nearly one hundred participants.

Mrs. Myriam Gohier, Mayor of Bain-de-Bretagne, and Mrs. Nadine Drean, First Vice-President of Porte de Loire French Communaute in charge of economic development, attended the event alongside the management and employees of ARGAN and DIMOLOG, as well as numerous partners and local economic stakeholders.

A moment of sharing and conviviality

During a warm and friendly gathering, guests had the opportunity to discover this next-generation logistics building, delivered in early 2025, covering 30,000 sq.m, of which 19,500 sq.m are rented by DIMOLOG. The site visit, followed by a cocktail reception, highlighted the architectural and environmental quality of the project, as well as the shared commitment of ARGAN and DIMOLOG to promoting more responsible and sustainable logistics.

An exemplary site, reflecting ARGANs expertise and DIMOLOGs ambitions

Located just a few kilometres south of Rennes, along the strategic RennesNantes corridor, this AutOnom site exemplifies ARGANs commitment to innovation and responsibility.

Equipped with a 550 kWp photovoltaic power plant coupled with 400 kWh batteries, the building enables DIMOLOG to cover nearly 40% of its energy needs and to reduce its CO emissions by 86% compared to a traditional warehouse.

Local stakeholders committed to sustainable economic development

Ronan Le Lan, Chairman of ARGANs Executive Board: We are very pleased to celebrate, together with DIMOLOG and local stakeholders, the completion of this ambitious project. Beyond the figures, this inauguration symbolizes a successful collaboration and reflects the economic vitality of the Bain-de-Bretagne area.

Myriam Gohier, Mayor of Bain-de-Bretagne, concluded: The arrival of DIMOLOG in our area is excellent news for Bain-de-Bretagne. This project demonstrates that economic development and ecological transition can go hand in hand. We are proud to welcome a company that shares our values of responsibility and innovation.

2026 financial calendar (Publication of the press release after closing of the stock exchange)

January 5: Net sales of 4 th quarter 2025

quarter 2025 January 22: Annual results 2025

March 26: General Assembly 2026





About ARGAN

ARGAN is the only French real estate company specializing in the DEVELOPMENT & RENTAL OF PREMIUM WAREHOUSES listed on EURONEXT and is the leading player of its market in France. Building on a unique customer-centric approach, ARGAN develops PREMIUM and pre-let Au0nom -labelled warehouses  i.e., which produce their own energy for self-consumption  for blue-chip companies, with tailor-made services throughout all project phases from the development milestones to the rental management.

As at June 30, 2025, ARGAN represented a portfolio of 3.7 million sq.m, with about a hundred warehouses solely located in the continental area of France. Appraised at a total of 4.0 billion, this portfolio generates a yearly rental income of over 210 million (yearly rental income based on the portfolio delivered as at June 30, 2025).

Profitability, well-mastered debt and sustainability are at the heart of ARGANs DNA. The financial solidity of the Groups model is notably reflected in its Investment-grade rating (BBB- with a stable outlook) with Standard & Poors. ARGAN is also deploying a committed ESG policy addressing all its stakeholders. Achievements as part of this roadmap are regularly recognized by third-party agencies such as GRESB (rated: 83/100), Sustainalytics (low extra-financial risk), Ethifinance (gold medal) and Ecovadis (silver medal  top 15% amongst rated companies).

ARGAN is a listed real estate investment company (French SIIC), on Compartment A of Euronext Paris (ISIN FR0010481960 - ARG) and is included in the Euronext SBF 120, CAC All-Share, EPRA Europe and IEIF SIIC France indices.

www.argan.fr





Francis Albertinelli  CFO

Aymar de Germay  General Secretary

Samy Bensaid  Head of Investor Relations

Phone: +33 1 47 47 47 40

E-mail: contact@argan.fr











Marlene Brisset  Media relations

Phone: +33 6 59 42 29 35

E-mail: argan@citigatedewerogerson.com





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BOCA RATON, Fla., Nov. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Guy Fieris Flavortown Cookware brand, along with manufacturing partner, Mon Chateau, announce the launch of the Flavortown Ceramic Cookware line  a bold, high performance collection that delivers durability, safety, style and serious flavor. Arriving just in time for the holiday season, the collection makes the perfect gift for home cooks and busy families looking to elevate their kitchen game and savor every moment around the table.

A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link.

This marks the third cookware release from the Flavortown Cookware brand, following the success of the Laser Titanium and Stainless Steel collections. Staying true to the bold design and trusted performance of the originals, the new Ceramic line brings the same signature style and strength, now with a mineral-based nonstick surface that supports healthy cooking and easy cleanup.

You cant bring the flavor if your cookware cant take the heat, said Fieri. This ceramic line has the look, the feel, and the firepower to cook up every dish like a pro. Just real-deal tools for real-deal cooks.

The Flavortown Ceramic Cookware line, which debuted in a fiery red finish, is now available in two additional colors: sleek white and blue and stylish matte black. Featuring flame-inspired, stay-cool aluminum handles, this collection makes a striking, signature statement in the kitchen. Engineered for everyday cooks and aspiring chefs alike, it offers a smart, stylish, and safe way to saute, sizzle, and serve.

Cookware That Works as Hard as You Do

Crafted with a superior mineral-based ceramic nonstick surface and a heavy-gauge aluminum core, the Flavortown Ceramic Cookware line delivers fast, even heat, effortless food release, and quick cleanup, all wrapped in a sleek design that turns heads in the kitchen. Built for everyday hustle, the line is compatible with gas, electric, and ceramic stovetops, with select sets suitable for induction cooking. Each piece is oven-safe up to 450F, and easy to clean - simply wipe down, rinse, or place in the dishwasher.

Were proud to partner with Guy Fieri to bring this bold, functional, and affordable cookware line to life, said Keith Archer, CEO of Mon Chateau. Consumers today care deeply about both performance and product safety. The Flavortown Ceramic line hits every mark. Its stylish, built to perform, and made for cooks who care about what goes into their meals and their cookware.

Stack Your Set, Bring the Heat

The Flavortown Ceramic collection offers a versatile range of cookware sets designed to suit any kitchen. Whether starting simple with the 2-piece fry pan set or going all-in with the fully loaded 15-piece set, home cooks will find the perfect tools to turn up the heat in the kitchen, Fieri-style. For added flexibility, individual pieces from the collection will be available beginning in 2026.

Key Features of the Flavortown Ceramic Cookware Line

Ceramic Coating : Featuring a nonstick, healthy cooking surface

: Featuring a nonstick, healthy cooking surface Durable Aluminum Construction : Promotes even heat distribution

: Promotes even heat distribution Oven-Safe & Stovetop-Ready : compatible with all major heat sources, including electric, gas, and ceramic stovetops, with select sets suitable for induction cooking.

: compatible with all major heat sources, including electric, gas, and ceramic stovetops, with select sets suitable for induction cooking. Sleek, Flavortown-Inspired Design : Modern looks with Guys signature energy

: Modern looks with Guys signature energy Affordable Pricing: Premium quality without the premium markup



The Flavortown Ceramic Cookware collection is available nationwide at www.Flavortown-Cookware.com and on Amazon. To explore the full lineup, including the Ceramic, Laser Titanium, and Stainless Steel cookware collections, plus Flavortown Small Appliancesvisit the official website.

About Guy Fieri

Chef, restaurateur, and Emmy Award-winning television host Guy Fieri is one of the worlds most recognizable and influential culinary stars. With a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, he is best known as the Mayor of Flavortown and the face of Food Network favorites Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives, Guys Grocery Games, and the iconic culinary competition Tournament of Champions. His thriving business empire has grown to include over 80 restaurants worldwide, Hunt & Ryde vineyard, Santo tequila, and Knuckle Sandwich cigars.

About Flavortown Cookware

Flavortown Cookware is a premium kitchen brand founded by Guy Fieri, bringing bold, high-performance cookware, appliances, and other kitchen essentials to home kitchens everywhere. The brand is dedicated to making cooking fun, flavorful, and accessible to everyone, from beginners to seasoned chefs. With healthy cooking as a top priority, Guy Fieris Flavortown Cookware lines are all made without harmful chemicals.

About Mon Chateau

Mon Chateau is a privately held global lifestyle brand known for its entrepreneurial team of creative innovators who bring world-class, design-forward products to market. Founded in 2001, the company is dedicated to enhancing everyday living through premium textiles, small kitchen appliances, cookware, and a newly launched pet collectiondelivering innovation, quality, and accessible pricing. In addition to its signature Mon Chateau Collections, the brand partners with iconic names including Guy Fieris Flavortown Cookware, Tommy Bahama, Brookstone, and Sur La Table, with products available at leading retailers worldwide.

Media Contact:

Krissy McNeil

Director, PR & Media Relations

krissy@emmesolutions.com
City officials, civic leaders and financial partners attend groundbreaking ceremony marking the start of the historic sites transformative urban renewal  set to boost its residential density by more than 200%





New construction will reimagine Old Town Alexandrias multi-block public housing complex into a 207-unit amenity-rich, mixed-use development that includes open space and a community food hub







ALEXANDRIA, Va., Nov. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fairstead , a leading national real estate company committed to creating, preserving and improving high-quality affordable housing, has officially broken ground on the $120 million Samuel Madden Homes redevelopment project in Old Town Alexandria, Va. The transformative project is Fairsteads first ground-up construction initiative that will replace the current sites 66 townhomes with a six-story, 295,000-square-foot mixed-use community. The redevelopment will feature 207 affordable housing residences reserved for families earning between 30% and 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), as well as a brand-new community food hub.

Scheduled for completion in fall 2027, the project  created in partnership with the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA) and The Communities Group  will bring much-needed housing and new public spaces to one of the citys most historic and affluent neighborhoods. The milestone was celebrated at a groundbreaking event attended by Mayor Alyia Gaskins, local leaders, financial partners and community representatives.





This is a defining moment for Fairstead and for the Alexandria community. As our first ground-up development, Samuel Madden Homes affirms our commitment to addressing the nations housing challenges through strong partnerships and long-term investment, said Jeffrey Goldberg, CEO at Fairstead. As we grow our ground-up development capabilities, our focus remains on creating high-quality, sustainable housing that strengthens communities.



This partnership with Fairstead marks a defining moment for both our city and our residents, said City of Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins. By redeveloping this site together, were creating homes for existing and new families and reinforcing the fabric of our community.





Samuel Madden Homes was originally constructed in 1945 by ARHA in partnership with the federal government to provide housing for African American defense workers during World War II. The propertys existing 66 units will be redeveloped into a six-story, 207-unit community comprising a mix of one- to four-bedroom residences designed to accommodate households of varying sizes and income levels.

Through our partnership with Fairstead, ARHA remains committed to enhancing residents self-sufficiency and quality of life. The teams dedication never wavered as we worked to bring this vision to life, said Rickie Maddox, ARHA Interim CEO. We look forward to welcoming our families back to this site and to the new beginnings that the redeveloped Samuel Madden Homes will bring to Alexandria residents.

Ive lived in this community for thirteen years, and seeing this new development begin is exciting. It gives me hope for a brighter future for this neighborhood, said Sharee Talbert, Resident at Samuel Madden Homes. Were grateful for the investment and care being shown to our community.





The project is being reimagined by a renowned team of local architects and interior designers, featuring a thoughtful design that honors the sites heritage and its surrounding community. Architecture and landscaping are being led by Torti Gallas & Partners , one of the largest planning, placemaking and architectural design firms in the U.S., while interior design is being handled by Determined by Design , a firm recognized for its work in affordable and supportive housing. Together, their approach emphasizes equitable design and the creation of spaces rooted in history, ensuring that every detail of the development reflects both legacy and community.

The mixed-use development will feature approximately 7,500 square feet of open space and nearly 500 square feet of ground-floor community space to be used as a food hub run by local non-profit, ALIVE! . The hub will provide the Alexandria community with access to fresh, nutritious food, as well as support programs such as financial and legal services and healthy cooking demonstrations. Additional building-wide amenities and new features include a new creative studio for podcast recording, a game room with free high-speed internet access, an interior courtyard for relaxation and community gatherings, and energy- and water-efficient design strategies developed in partnership with the Virginia Center for Housing Research at Virginia Tech.

In alignment with Alexandrias commitment to creating healthy and energy-efficient homes, the new community will adhere to green-building standards, including the Zero Energy Ready Home Program guidelines as well as Enterprise Green Communities Certificate requirements. Additionally, as part of this building initiative, the project includes efforts to record and preserve the stories of current and former residents, with a goal of capturing at least 10 oral histories. Key archaeological findings will be showcased in brochures and interpretive signage across the community.





Financial partners of the redevelopment project include permanent and construction lenders Boston Financial, Freddie Mac, and Virginia Housing. Sterling Bank and the City of Alexandria provided bridge financing and a soft loan, respectively. The financing structure leverages a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 18 transaction combined with 4% and 9% LowIncome Housing Tax Credits and 45L Energy Efficiency Tax Credits.

Boston Financial is proud to have partnered with Fairstead for many years. We have a shared belief that everyone deserves a safe, quality, affordable place to live, said Steve Napolitano, Senior Managing Director of Equity Production at Boston Financial. As we all know, there is a massive need for affordable housing in our country, and the redevelopment of Samuel Madden Homes is a wonderful step toward making that a reality. Speaking on behalf of the team at Boston Financial, we are happy to play a small part in helping to strengthen communities and improve lives.





Fairsteads regional footprint across the state of Virginia now exceeds 1,300 residences. The firm recently announced the acquisition and rehabilitation of several affordable communities in the region, including Peaceful Village and MacDonald Manor. Nationally, Fairstead owns and operates more than 26,000 apartment homes in 28 states.

About Fairstead

Fairstead is a purpose-driven real estate firm dedicated to building affordable communities across the country. Fairstead is committed to preserving and enhancing affordable housing communities nationwide by leveraging strategic public-private partnerships, innovative technologies, and a seasoned team of dedicated professionals with expertise in acquisitions, development, construction, asset management, and property management. Headquartered in New York, with regional headquarters in Colorado, Florida, and Washington, D.C., Fairstead owns more than 26,000 apartments across 28 states. For more information, visit fairstead.com .

MEDIA CONTACT:

Antenna Group

fairstead@antennagroup.com

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/28574975-5f02-47c7-b267-f239fd6f2e9e

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COLLEGE PARK, Ga., Nov. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tiffany Henyard, the visionary entrepreneur and dynamic leader known as the youngest and first woman Mayor of Dolton, Illinois, successfully launched the flagship retail store for her bold new streetwear line, THA New Wave Clothing, with a vibrant Grand Opening Celebration today in College Park, Georgia.

The event begins at 5pm. The new store, located at 5495 Old National Hwy Unit B3, College Park, GA 30349, now serves as the permanent home for the brand, embodying the mantra "Available Worldwide!" and solidifying its place in the heart of urban style.

From Political Pioneer to Fashion Movement

THA New Wave Clothing represents the powerful next chapter for Tiffany Henyard, a woman recognized for her tenacity and as The Most Powerful Woman in the Southland of Chicago. Henyard's journey has always been defined by breaking barriers and embodying resilience and originality. The streetwear line is a direct translation of her pioneering spirit and her belief that clothing is a form of identity and empowerment.

THA New Wave is more than a fashion brand; its a movement created for those who are unafraid to dream big, rise strong, and walk unapologetically in their own skin. Every piece in the collection channels her passion for community and progress, offering a curated selection of Mens and Womens Street Wear that seamlessly blends high-energy urban aesthetics with a message of ambition and self-belief. The distinctive style and quality of the brand, highlighted by its partnership with an international name like PUMA, resonated strongly with attendees today.

A Vision for Community and Culture

The launch in College Park, a crucial cultural hub, underscores Henyards commitment to expanding her platform beyond politics to empower voices and represent urban culture on a global scale. As a lifelong community activist, previously honored as Community Activist of the Year by the Chicago Honors, Tiffany Henyard has consistently leveraged her entrepreneurial spiritfrom launching a successful restaurant company to building this fashion enterpriseto connect with and uplift her community.

Guided by the wisdom of mentors like Dorothy Brown and Frank Zuccarelli, Henyards drive is also deeply rooted in her role as a mother to her daughter, Justice. The opening event today successfully celebrated this blend of family values, leadership, and bold business acumen.

The THA New Wave Clothing flagship is now officially open for business and ready to outfit the next generation of trailblazers.

Store Hours are:

Closed Mondays

Tues-Sat 11 AM8 PM

Sun 12 PM5 PM



The grand opening on October 25th was a powerful demonstration of a brand and a leader set to make an indelible mark on the fashion industry, proving that courage and community are always in style.

Contact Information

Address 5495 Old National Hwy Unit B3, College Park, GA 30349

Phone (855) 796-0191

Website www.thanewwaveclothing.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/aae804b1-d769-4ec4-b769-7043cf12ad38




NEW YORK, Nov. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The 2025 NewYorkCISO ORBIE Awards recognized the exceptional leadership and cyber resilience of top security executives from Verizon, Endeavor, NFL, Bose Corporation, Planned Parenthood Federations of America, Veeco & Hearst. The prestigious ORBIE Awards - hosted by NewYorkCISO, a chapter of the Inspire Leadership Network - honor CISOs who drive business transformation and industry impact.

Winners were recognized across six categories: Super Global, Global, Large Enterprise, Enterprise, Large Corporate, Corporate, and Leadership. The ceremony, which took place at the Ziegfeld Ballroom, brought together top executives and industry leaders to celebrate excellence in security leadership.

"Great CISOs recognize that the power of collaboration lies in trusted relationships," said Neil Boland, NewYorkCISO Chair. The NewYorkCISO ORBIE Awards embody this by inspiring, connecting, and honoring CISOs for their leadership and the value they bring to New York businesses through enterprise security.

Meet the 2025 NewYorkCISO ORBIE Award Winners:

 Michael Palmer, CISO of Hearst, received the Leadership ORBIE.

 Nasrin Rezai, CISO of Verizon, received the Super Global ORBIE for organizations over $40 billion annual revenue & multi-national operations.

 Bill Taub, SVP, Cybersecurity of Endeavor, received the Global ORBIE for organizations over $5 billion annual revenue & multi-national operations.

 Tomas Maldonado, CISO of NFL, received the Large Enterprise ORBIE for organizations over $9 billion annual revenue.

 Arun Abraham, CISO of Bose Corporation, received the Enterprise ORBIE for organizations over $3 billion annual revenue.

 Marina Spyrou, CIO & CISO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, received the Large Corporate ORBIE for organizations over $1.5 billion annual revenue.

 Josh Lane, VP, IT & CISO of Veeco, received the Corporate ORBIE for organizations up to $1.4 billion annual revenue.

About the ORBIE:

The ORBIE is the preeminent executive recognition for C-suite leaders. Since 1998, the ORBIE Awards have recognized leadership excellence, building relationships between executives and trusted business partners, and inspiring the next generation of executives. Finalists and winners are selected through an independent peer-adjudicated process led by prior ORBIE recipients based on the following criteria:

Leadership and management effectiveness

Business protection created by enterprise security

Engagement in industry and community endeavors



NewYorkCISO ORBIE Keynote & Attendance:

The keynote address for the NewYorkCISO ORBIE Awards was delivered by Michael Palmer, CISO of Hearst, who was interviewed by Brian Luteran, VP, IT Security and Risk Management of Bausch + Lomb. Over 250 guests attended, representing leading New York organizations and their technology partners.

The following sponsors made the 2025 NewYorkCISO ORBIE Awards possible:

Gold Sponsors: Armis, Aviatrix, Fortinet & Sophos

Armis, Aviatrix, Fortinet & Sophos Silver Sponsors: Abnormal Security, Cyera, Nutanix, Okta, Optiv, Tata Consultancy Services & Tines

Abnormal Security, Cyera, Nutanix, Okta, Optiv, Tata Consultancy Services & Tines Bronze Sponsors: Between Pixels, Crowdstrike & NuSummit

Between Pixels, Crowdstrike & NuSummit Media Partner: Crains New York Business

Crains New York Business Nonprofit Partner: Year Up United



To learn more about sponsorship opportunities and how to connect with leading C-suite executives across North America, click here.

About NewYorkCISO:

NewYorkCISO is the preeminent peer leadership network of chief information security officers (CISOs) in New York. As one of over 40 chapters of the Inspire Leadership Network, NewYorkCISO belongs to a national membership organization exclusively comprised of C-suite leaders from public and private businesses, government, education, healthcare, and nonprofit institutions.

NewYorkCISO is led by a CISO Advisory Board, with support from an executive director and staff. Underwriter executives support the chapter and ensure the programs remain non-commercial and exclusive to qualified CISOs and members.

About Inspire Leadership Network:

Inspire Leadership Network is the preeminent peer leadership network of C-suite executives. With nearly 2,000 members across more than 40 local chapters, Inspire members serve public and private businesses, government, education, healthcare, and non-profit institutions. Inspire exists to help leaders thrive in todays most challenging executive roles.

Media Contact

Nicole Lammes

nicole.lammes@inspirecxo.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8cde9dfd-9ea3-42a5-96ad-90655429badc
Millburn, NJ, Nov. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- High school musicians across New Jersey are invited to use their talents to create original songs with impactful messages about the dangers of impaired driving.

Organized by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ), the 22nd Annual Your Song! Your Voice! Shout Down Drugs New Jersey competition is open for entries until February 1, 2026. The winner will be awarded a $5,000 music contract and will have the opportunity to share their song and message across the state during the upcoming year.

As part of a new partnership with the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety (HTS), this years competition will place a special focus on raising awareness about preventing driving while under the influence. Representatives from HTS will also participate in the judging process.

No matter the genrerock, jazz, hip-hop, or R&Bthe Shout Down Drugs competition offers New Jersey students a platform to inspire their peers with positive messages, said Angelo Valente, Executive Director of PDFNJ. Through our partnership with New Jersey Highway Traffic Safety, were encouraging students to use their creativity to help prevent impaired driving and, in the process, save their lives and the lives of their friends.

"We are thrilled to work together with the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey on this inspiring program. Music has a unique power to connect with young people, and by channeling their creativity into songs that promote safe and responsible choices, students can make a real impact in preventing impaired driving, said Michael J. Rizol, Jr., Director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety. We look forward to hearing the messages these talented musicians will share and supporting their efforts to keep our roads safe."

The finalists' songs will be showcased in a virtual concert hosted by Jimmy Steal, Creative Services Director and PM Drive Host for WRAT 95.9. An esteemed panel of judges will select the winner, and Steal will announce them at the concerts conclusion.

Throughout the following year, the winner will perform their song at schools, community events, and prevention programs, using these opportunities to further share their message of prevention and inspire other young people to make healthy decisions. Last years Your Song! Your Voice! winner, Martin Rojas Ortiz of Hackensack, recently performed his prevention song Bruno at Red Ribbon Day in Cranford.

Since its inception in 2005, Your Song! Your Voice! Shout Down Drugs New Jersey has inspired nearly 1,000 students from all 21 counties to create original music with prevention messages about the impact of drug and alcohol use. Finalists songs are featured on ShoutDownDrugs.com, where the public can listen and vote for their favorites. Since online voting began in 2010, over 1.5 million votes have been cast, with approximately 100,000 votes cast each year. Over the years, program participants have gone on to pursue careers in music and media, including contestants who have appeared on national platforms such as The Voice.

The New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, New Jersey Broadcasters Association (NJBA), and 95.9 WRAT are sponsors of the competition.

For rules and further information on entering the competition, visit www.shoutdowndrugs.com.

###

Best known for its statewide substance use prevention advertising campaign, the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey is a private not-for-profit coalition of professionals from the communications, corporate and government communities whose collective mission is to reduce demand for illicit drugs in New Jersey through media communication. To date, more than $200 million in broadcast time and print space has been donated to the Partnerships New Jersey campaign, making it the largest public service advertising campaign in New Jerseys history. Since its inception, the Partnership has garnered 232 advertising and public relations awards from national, regional and statewide media organizations.
COPENHAGEN, Denmark, November 13, 2025  Bavarian Nordic A/S (OMX: BAVA) announced today that Chair of the Board, Luc Debruyne has decided to step down from the board with immediate effect.

The Board has appointed Vice Chair Anne Louise Eberhard as new Chair of the Board.

After careful reflection on both the process and the outcome of the recent takeover attempt, I have decided to step down to enable the board of Bavarian Nordic to focus on the companys next phase of development. I have deep appreciation for the companys remarkable achievements throughout its transformation in recent years and I take pride in having led the board during such a dynamic and important period. I extend my heartfelt thanks and best wishes to the management team and all employees for their dedication and professionalism as they continue to strengthen the companys global position, said Luc Debruyne.

I want to thank Luc for his leadership and insights, which have been invaluable for Bavarian Nordics global development and growth over the past few years. While we acknowledge his decision to step down, the Board believes it is in the best interest of the company and our shareholders to ensure stability and continuity in the governance and leadership of the company. Therefore, I have accepted the role as Chair of the Board and will work with my fellow board members to guide and collaborate with the management in whom we have full confidence in the continued execution of the strategy. Bavarian Nordic has been on a growth trajectory and true transformation over the past years, and we will continue to build on this strong foundation and platform to further grow and develop our business. During the coming months and leading up to the annual general meeting in 2026, the Board welcomes a positive dialog with our shareholders about the future composition of the Board, said Anne Louise Eberhard.

About Bavarian Nordic

Bavarian Nordic is a global vaccine company with a mission to improve health and save lives through innovative vaccines. We are a preferred supplier of mpox and smallpox vaccines to governments to enhance public health preparedness and have a leading portfolio of travel vaccines. For more information, visit www.bavarian-nordic.com.

Contact investors:

Europe: Disa Tuominen, IR Manager, detu@bavarian-nordic.com

US: Graham Morrell, Gilmartin Group, graham@gilmartinir.com, Tel: +1 781 686 9600

Contact media:

Nicole Seroff, Vice President Corporate Communications, nise@bavarian-nordic.com, Tel: +45 53 88 06 03

Company Announcement no. 43 / 2025

Attachment
PANAMA CITY, Nov. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blazpay has officially crossed the $1.3 million fundraising milestone, confirming its place among the fastest-growing Crypto Presale projects of 2025. As the platform enters Phase 3, momentum continues to build, attracting retail investors, blockchain developers, and AI enthusiasts alike.





With the token now priced at $0.0094 per BLAZ, more than 173 million tokens have already been sold, pushing the presale close to a complete sell-out. With less than 24 hours remaining in Phase 3, demand is accelerating as investors eye the upcoming price jump to $0.01175, a clear signal that Blazpay could be the best 1000x crypto candidate this cycle.





AI Meets DeFi - A Foundation for Smart Finance

Blazpay leverages machine-learning models to automate and enhance DeFi operations. Its AI modules analyze live market data, predict volatility, and optimize trade entries across multiple chains.

This precision layer empowers traders with real-time intelligence while ensuring transparent operations through audited smart contracts. By combining automation with accessibility, Blazpay positions itself not only as a Crypto Presale success story but as a technological benchmark for future decentralized finance.

Multichain Access - Cross-Network Power Without Barriers

At the heart of Blazpays design lies Multichain Access, allowing instant connectivity across major blockchains, including Ethereum, BNB Smart Chain, and Polygon. Users can stake, swap, and transfer seamlessly without navigating the usual complexities of switching chains. With less than 24 hours remaining in Phase 3, this is the perfect time for new participants to secure early access.

Perpetual Trading - AI-Driven Precision for Smarter Decisions

Blazpays Perpetual Trading module uses AI-powered analytics to automate buy and sell positions, enabling continuous profit potential. Whether users are beginners or seasoned traders, the system minimizes emotional decision-making while maximizing efficiency in volatile markets.

This feature alone has drawn attention from analysts who identify Blazpay as a project capable of bridging the gap between traditional algorithmic trading and decentralized innovation.

SDK Integration - Building the Future of Web3 Applications

The Blazpay SDK opens its infrastructure to global developers, allowing them to design and deploy decentralized applications (dApps) directly on the network. Each contribution adds value and resilience to the ecosystem, transforming Blazpay into more than just a token-into a full-scale AI blockchain platform.

This community-driven expansion aligns with Blazpays vision to become the foundation for the next wave of AI crypto coins to buy in 2025 and beyond.





Referral Rewards - Real-Time Earning, Real Community Growth

Blazpay rewards users instantly through its Referral Rewards system, distributing 5%10% in USDT for every successful referral. These rewards are withdrawable even before the presale concludes, creating a loop of organic community growth and investor trust.

This reward mechanism strengthens Blazpays identity as a presale built on transparency and inclusivity, encouraging users to participate actively rather than passively hold tokens.

Investor Scenario - Turning $4,000 Into a Long-Term Gain

At the Phase 3 presale price of $0.0094, an investment of $4,000 secures roughly 426,666 BLAZ tokens. With less than 24 hours remaining in Phase 3, acting now locks in the lowest entry price.

Once Phase 4 begins at $0.01175, that allocation is already worth $5,009, a 25% gain before listings even start. Analysts forecast Blazpay could trade between $0.065$0.10 in 2025, turning that $4,000 into $27,733$42,666, underscoring why Blazpay is being called the best 1000x crypto contender of the year.

Price Forecast - Where Blazpay Could Head Next

Market momentum suggests Blazpays presale may soon reach full completion. Analysts expect a near-term price range of $0.012$0.018 before listing, offering potential returns of 2040% for Phase 3 participants.

Beyond its presale, Blazpays AI integration, SDK expansion, and multichain rollout are projected to fuel sustained growth throughout 2025. These pillars could push Blazpay toward the forefront of the best presale crypto 2025 landscape.

Community and Market Sentiment

The Blazpay community continues to expand rapidly across Telegram and X (Twitter), with thousands of participants actively engaging in discussions, sharing referral codes, and tracking live presale milestones. This viral momentum reflects the growing confidence that Blazpay represents more than a trend-its a movement.

Every new referral and community milestone reinforces investor trust, strengthening the narrative that Blazpays combination of AI technology, real-world utility, and verified tokenomics makes it one of the AI crypto coins to buy before the next bull cycle begins.

Final Outlook - Blazpay Defines the New Era of Crypto Presales

With over $1.3 million raised, a nearly sold-out Phase 3, and a growing suite of AI-powered utilities, Blazpay is setting new standards for what defines a successful Crypto Presale. Less than 24 hours remain in Phase 3, giving investors a narrow window to participate before the next price surge.

Its transparent tokenomics, audited smart contracts, and multi-layered ecosystem design give investors confidence in both short-term returns and long-term value. Analysts increasingly list Blazpay among the best 1000x crypto projects of 2025, projects capable of turning early participation into exponential upside.

For those still asking which crypto will explode next, the data, momentum, and community behind Blazpay suggest the market may already have its answer.

Join the Blazpay Community

Website: www.blazpay.com

Twitter: @blazpaylabs

Telegram: t.me/blazpay





About Blazpay

Blazpay is an AI-driven DeFi ecosystem that merges artificial intelligence with blockchain automation. Featuring Multichain Access, Perpetual Trading, SDK Integration, and Referral Rewards, Blazpay empowers users and developers to trade, build, and earn seamlessly across multiple chains. Having raised over $1.16 million during its Phase 3 Crypto Presale, Blazpay continues to gain recognition as one of the best presale crypto 2025 projects and a frontrunner among the AI crypto coins to buy this cycle.

Media Contact:

Contact Person: Alan Wright

Email: alan@blazpay.com

Disclaimer: This content is provided by Blazpay. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sectorincluding cryptocurrency, NFTs, and miningcomplete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

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LIVERMORE, Calif., Nov. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- UNCLE Credit Union is proud to announce the appointment of Gina Bloomfield as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer (SVP, CFO). A highly respected and accomplished leader, Bloomfield brings more than 30 years of experience with UNCLE and a proven record of guiding the organizations financial strength and strategic growth.



During her distinguished career with UNCLE, Bloomfield has held numerous leadership positions, including prior service as SVP/CFO and most recently as Senior Vice President, Controller/Treasurer. In her renewed role, she will continue to oversee finance, accounting, ALCO management, risk management, and strategic planning, guiding the credit unions financial strategy to support sustainable growth and member value.

The deep institutional knowledge and unwavering commitment Gina has made to UNCLEs mission makes her an invaluable member of our executive team, said President and CEO Harold Roundtree. Her leadership and financial expertise have played a pivotal role in shaping our strong financial foundation.

Bloomfield began her career in the credit union industry as an auditor before moving to financial management. Bloomfield holds a degree from California State University, Chico and is a Certified Public Accountant.

About UNCLE Credit Union

Established in 1957, UNCLE Credit Union is a $750+ million, full-service financial institution serving approximately 40,000 members. Headquartered in Livermore, CA, the credit union offers the benefits of membership to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Joaquin, and Stanislaus counties. UNCLE has five financial centers and one sales office located in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Central Valley, as well as 5,600 branches and more than 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs available through participation in the CO-OP Shared Branching Network. UNCLE is renowned for its community involvement, professional and personalized service, and unwavering commitment to helping members achieve their financial goals. To learn more, visit www.unclecu.org.

CONTACT: Natalia Custodio

925.724.2186

ncustodio@unclecu.org

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3dce400f-e340-4994-a30f-3be427f414c0
HOUSTON, Nov. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Battalion Oil Corporation (NYSE American: BATL, Battalion or the Company) today announced financial and operating results for the third quarter of 2025.

Key Highlights

Generated third quarter 2025 sales volumes of 12,293 barrels of oil equivalent per day (Boe/d) (53% oil)

AGI facility remains out of service

Gas Production is being treated by third party

The Company has entered into an amendment of its existing credit facility allowing additional operational flexibility

The Company continues to pursue potential merger, acquisition and divestiture opportunities



Management Comments

Drilling and completion operations concluded in the West Quito Draw with two wells coming online and producing an average of 883 Boe/ day over the first 120 days of production. Well operations yielded more than $1.1 million in savings per well across all phases compared to AFE. Both wells are still on choke while flowing back, confirming the significant inventory in the asset area.

The acid gas injection (AGI) facility ceased operations on August 11, 2025 and remains out of service. In response, we temporarily shut in a portion of our Monument Draw field and redirected our gas production to alternative gas processing options available in the immediate vicinity of our operations. Currently, we have brought most wells back online; however, approximately 1,600 barrels of oil per day remain shut-in across Monument Draw ready to flow to sales.

Results of Operations

Average daily net production and total operating revenue during the third quarter of 2025 were 12,293 Boe/d (53% oil) and $43.5 million, respectively, as compared to production and revenue of 12,076 Boe/d (52% oil) and $45.3 million, respectively, during the third quarter of 2024. The decrease in revenues in the third quarter of 2025 as compared to the third quarter of 2024 is primarily attributable to a $2.24 decrease per Boe in average realized prices (excluding the impact of hedges) partially offset by an approximate 217 Boe/d increase in average daily production. Excluding the impact of hedges, Battalion realized 98.3% of the average NYMEX oil price during the third quarter of 2025. Realized hedge gains totaled approximately $4.1 million during the third quarter of 2025.

Lease operating and workover expense was $11.69 per Boe in the third quarter of 2025 versus $11.56 per Boe in the third quarter of 2024. The increase in lease operating and workover expense per Boe year-over-year is primarily the result of increased water production from new wells yielding higher disposal costs. Gathering and other expenses were $9.02 per Boe in the third quarter of 2025 versus $11.20 per Boe in the third quarter of 2024. The decrease in gathering and other expenses per Boe is primarily related to progress made at the central production facilities yielding lower labor and repair costs as well as increased throughput and overall production volumes being treated by the AGI facility during 2025. Although the AGI facility ceased operations on August 11, 2025, we were able to secure treatment at alternative facilities. The AGI facility treated natural gas production from March 2024 to August 11, 2025. General and administrative expenses were $2.73 per Boe in the third quarter of 2025 compared to $3.46 per Boe in the third quarter of 2024. The decrease in general and administrative expenses for the third quarter of 2025 is primarily due to lower merger costs. Excluding non-recurring charges, general and administrative expenses would have been $2.44 per Boe in the third quarter of 2025 compared to $2.58 per Boe in the third quarter of 2024.

For the third quarter of 2025, the Company reported a net loss available to common stockholders of $15.0 million and a net loss of $0.91 per share available to common stockholders. After adjusting for selected items, the Company reported an adjusted diluted net loss available to common stockholders for the third quarter of 2025 of $15.7 million or an adjusted diluted net loss of $0.96 per common share (see Reconciliation for additional information). Adjusted EBITDA during the third quarter ended September 30, 2025 was $18.9 million as compared to $13.5 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2024 (see Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation table for additional information).

Liquidity and Balance Sheet

As of September 30, 2025, the Company had $213.8 million of term loan indebtedness outstanding and total liquidity made up of cash and cash equivalents of $50.5 million.

On November 12, 2025, the Company entered into the Second Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Credit Agreement which provides total net leverage ratio and asset coverage ratio covenant relief through the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2027.

For additional details on liquidity, financial position, and recent developments, please refer to Managements Discussion and Analysis and Risk Factors included in Battalions Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2025 and its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.

Forward Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements that are not strictly historical statements constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements about anticipated production, liquidity, capital spending, drilling and completion plans, and forward guidance. Forward-looking statements may often, but not always, be identified by the use of such words such as "expects", "believes", "intends", "anticipates", "plans", "estimates", projects, "potential", "possible", or "probable" or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "will", "should", or "could" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and expectations and involve certain assumptions or estimates that involve various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the statements. These risks include, but are not limited to, those set forth in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, and other filings submitted by the Company to the SEC, copies of which may be obtained from the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or through the Company's website at www.battalionoil.com. Readers should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which are made only as of the date hereof. The Company has no duty, and assumes no obligation, to update forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or changes in the Company's expectations.

About Battalion

Battalion Oil Corporation is an independent energy company engaged in the acquisition, production, exploration and development of onshore oil and natural gas properties in the United States.

Contact

Matthew B. Steele

Chief Executive Officer & Principal Financial Officer

832-538-0300

BATTALION OIL CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2025

2024

2025

2024

Operating revenues: Oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids sales: Oil $ 38,325 $ 42,545 $ 114,316 $ 130,673 Natural gas 853 (2,588 ) 4,611 (2,660 ) Natural gas liquids 4,208 5,145 14,420 15,704 Total oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids sales 43,386 45,102 133,347 143,717 Other 96 164 422 523 Total operating revenues 43,482 45,266 133,769 144,240 Operating expenses: Production: Lease operating 12,389 11,602 33,417 34,193 Workover and other 839 1,249 4,581 3,088 Taxes other than income 2,622 2,532 7,944 8,872 Gathering and other 10,199 12,442 33,157 41,854 General and administrative 3,085 3,854 10,065 11,265 Depletion, depreciation and accretion 13,522 12,533 40,541 38,771 Total operating expenses 42,656 44,212 129,705 138,043 Income from operations 826 1,054 4,064 6,197 Other income (expenses): Net gain on derivative contracts 5,180 26,896 26,030 3,932 Interest expense and other (6,741 ) (6,322 ) (20,010 ) (19,809 ) Total other (expenses) income (1,561 ) 20,574 6,020 (15,877 ) (Loss) income before income taxes (735 ) 21,628 10,084 (9,680 ) Income tax benefit (provision)     Net (loss) income $ (735 ) $ 21,628 $ 10,084 $ (9,680 ) Preferred dividends (14,279 ) (9,321 ) (34,369 ) (23,539 ) Undistributed earnings allocable to preferred stockholders  (6,732 )   Net (loss) income available to common stockholders $ (15,014 ) $ 5,575 $ (24,285 ) $ (33,219 ) Net (loss) income per share of common stock available to common stockholders: Basic $ (0.91 ) $ 0.34 $ (1.48 ) $ (2.02 ) Diluted $ (0.91 ) $ 0.34 $ (1.48 ) $ (2.02 ) Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic 16,457 16,457 16,457 16,457 Diluted 16,457 16,523 16,457 16,457





BATTALION OIL CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts) September 30, 2025 December 31, 2024 Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 50,455 $ 19,712 Accounts receivable, net 17,948 26,298 Assets from derivative contracts 15,077 6,969 Restricted cash 91 91 Prepaids and other 698 982 Total current assets 84,269 54,052 Oil and natural gas properties (full cost method): Evaluated 885,656 816,186 Unevaluated 48,024 49,091 Gross oil and natural gas properties 933,680 865,277 Less: accumulated depletion (536,664 ) (497,272 ) Net oil and natural gas properties 397,016 368,005 Other operating property and equipment: Other operating property and equipment 4,677 4,663 Less: accumulated depreciation (2,766 ) (2,455 ) Net other operating property and equipment 1,911 2,208 Other noncurrent assets: Assets from derivative contracts 3,394 4,052 Operating lease right of use assets 1,014 453 Other assets 4,089 2,278 Total assets $ 491,693 $ 431,048 Current liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 63,037 $ 52,682 Liabilities from derivative contracts 1,863 12,330 Current portion of long-term debt 22,526 12,246 Operating lease liabilities 730 406 Total current liabilities 88,156 77,664 Long-term debt, net 186,230 145,535 Other noncurrent liabilities: Liabilities from derivative contracts 4,752 6,954 Asset retirement obligations 20,592 19,156 Operating lease liabilities 309 84 Commitments and contingencies Temporary equity: Redeemable convertible preferred stock: 138,000 shares 211,904 177,535 of $0.0001 par value authorized, issued and outstanding at September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024 Stockholders' equity: Common stock: 100,000,000 shares of $0.0001 par value authorized; 16,456,563 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024 2 2 Additional paid-in capital 254,539 288,993 Accumulated deficit (274,791 ) (284,875 ) Total stockholders' (deficit) equity (20,250 ) 4,120 Total liabilities, temporary equity and stockholders' equity $ 491,693 $ 431,048





BATTALION OIL CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

(In thousands) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2025

2024

2025

2024

Cash flows from operating activities: Net (loss) income $ (735 ) $ 21,628 $ 10,084 $ (9,680 ) Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: Depletion, depreciation and accretion 13,522 12,533 40,541 38,771 Stock-based compensation, net  5 (109 ) 140 Unrealized gain on derivative contracts (1,044 ) (28,091 ) (20,120 ) (12,764 ) Amortization/accretion of financing related costs 388 1,559 1,180 4,949 Accrued settlements on derivative contracts 613 (1,876 ) 76 (1,102 ) Change in fair value of embedded derivative liability  42  (1,323 ) Other 84 98 193 278 Cash flows from operations before changes in working capital 12,828 5,898 31,845 19,269 Changes in working capital 15,145 (10,970 ) 19,064 9,400 Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 27,973 (5,072 ) 50,909 28,669 Cash flows from investing activities: Oil and natural gas capital expenditures (16,483 ) (6,929 ) (69,573 ) (51,778 ) Proceeds received from sale of oil and natural gas assets    7,015 Acquisition of oil and natural gas properties    (47 ) Contract asset  58  (7,737 ) Other operating property and equipment capital expenditures  (2 ) (14 ) (19 ) Other (5 ) (7 ) (375 ) (20 ) Net cash used in investing activities (16,488 ) (6,880 ) (69,962 ) (52,586 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from borrowings   63,000  Repayments of borrowings (5,651 ) (12,530 ) (11,329 ) (52,383 ) Debt issuance costs   (1,875 )  Payment of debt financing costs  (46 )  (175 ) Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock  (68 )  38,781 Merger deposit    10,000 Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (5,651 ) (12,644 ) 49,796 (3,777 ) Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 5,834 (24,596 ) 30,743 (27,694 ) Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 44,712 54,521 19,803 57,619 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $ 50,546 $ 29,925 $ 50,546 $ 29,925





BATTALION OIL CORPORATION

SELECTED OPERATING DATA (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2025

2024

2025

2024

Production volumes: Crude oil (MBbls) 599 577 1,752 1,720 Natural gas (MMcf) 1,778 1,844 5,713 5,953 Natural gas liquids (MBbls) 236 227 680 751 Total (MBoe) 1,131 1,111 3,384 3,463 Average daily production (Boe/d) 12,293 12,076 12,396 12,639 Average prices: Crude oil (per Bbl) $ 63.98 $ 73.73 $ 65.25 $ 75.97 Natural gas (per Mcf) 0.48 (1.40 ) 0.81 (0.45 ) Natural gas liquids (per Bbl) 17.83 22.67 21.21 20.91 Total per Boe 38.36 40.60 39.41 41.50 Cash effect of derivative contracts: Crude oil (per Bbl) $ 1.48 $ (10.21 ) $ (1.42 ) $ (12.20 ) Natural gas (per Mcf) 1.83 2.55 1.47 2.04 Natural gas liquids (per Bbl)     Total per Boe 3.66 (1.08 ) 1.75 (2.55 ) Average prices computed after cash effect of settlement of derivative contracts: Crude oil (per Bbl) $ 65.46 $ 63.52 $ 63.83 $ 63.77 Natural gas (per Mcf) 2.31 1.15 2.28 1.59 Natural gas liquids (per Bbl) 17.83 22.67 21.21 20.91 Total per Boe 42.02 39.52 41.16 38.95 Average cost per Boe: Production: Lease operating $ 10.95 $ 10.44 $ 9.88 $ 9.87 Workover and other 0.74 1.12 1.35 0.89 Taxes other than income 2.32 2.28 2.35 2.56 Gathering and other 9.02 11.20 9.80 12.09 General and administrative, as adjusted (1) 2.44 2.58 2.50 2.55 Depletion 11.64 10.91 11.64 10.85 (1) Represents general and administrative costs per Boe, adjusted for items noted in the reconciliation below: General and administrative: General and administrative, as reported $ 2.73 $ 3.46 $ 2.97 $ 3.25 Stock-based compensation: Non-cash  - (0.01 ) (0.04 ) Non-recurring charges and other: Cash (0.29 ) (0.88 ) (0.46 ) (0.66 ) General and administrative, as adjusted(2) $ 2.44 $ 2.58 $ 2.50 $ 2.55 Total operating costs, as reported $ 25.76 $ 28.50 $ 26.35 $ 28.66 Total adjusting items (0.29 ) (0.88 ) (0.47 ) (0.70 ) Total operating costs, as adjusted(3) $ 25.47 $ 27.62 $ 25.88 $ 27.96





(2) General and administrative, as adjusted, is a non-GAAP measure that excludes non-cash stock-based compensation charges relating to equity awards under our incentive stock plan, as well as other cash charges associated with non-recurring charges and other. The Company believes that it is useful to understand the effects that these charges have on general and administrative expenses and total operating costs and that exclusion of such charges is useful for comparison to prior periods. (3) Represents lease operating expense, workover and other expense, taxes other than income, gathering and other expense and general and administrative costs per Boe, adjusted for items noted in the reconciliation above.





BATTALION OIL CORPORATION

RECONCILIATION (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2025

2024

2025

2024

As Reported: Net (loss) income available to common stockholders - diluted (1) $ (15,014 ) $ 5,587 $ (24,285 ) $ (33,219 ) Impact of Selected Items: Unrealized loss (gain) on derivatives contracts: Crude oil $ 841 $ (27,037 ) $ (21,485 ) $ (10,467 ) Natural gas (1,885 ) (1,054 ) 1,365 (2,297 ) Total mark-to-market non-cash charge (1,044 ) (28,091 ) (20,120 ) (12,764 ) Change in fair value of embedded derivative liability  41  (1,323 ) Non-recurring charges 324 978 1,546 2,299 Selected items, before income taxes (720 ) (27,072 ) (18,574 ) (11,788 ) Income tax effect of selected items     Selected items, net of tax (720 ) (27,072 ) (18,574 ) (11,788 ) Net loss available to common stockholders, as adjusted (2) $ (15,734 ) $ (21,485 ) $ (42,859 ) $ (45,007 ) Diluted net (loss) income per common share, as reported $ (0.91 ) $ 0.34 $ (1.48 ) $ (2.02 ) Impact of selected items (0.05 ) (1.65 ) (1.12 ) (0.71 ) Diluted net loss per common share, excluding selected items (2)(3) $ (0.96 ) $ (1.31 ) $ (2.60 ) $ (2.73 ) Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities $ 27,973 $ (5,072 ) $ 50,909 $ 28,669 Changes in working capital (15,145 ) 10,970 (19,064 ) (9,400 ) Cash flows from operations before changes in working capital 12,828 5,898 31,845 19,269 Cash components of selected items (289 ) 2,854 1,470 3,401 Income tax effect of selected items     Cash flows from operations before changes in working capital, adjusted for selected items (1) $ 12,539 $ 8,752 $ 33,315 $ 22,670





(1) Amount reflects net (loss) income available to common stockholders on a diluted basis for earnings per share purposes as calculated using the two-class method of computing earnings per share which is further described in Note 15, Earnings Per Share in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024. (2) Net (loss) income per share excluding selected items and cash flows from operations before changes in working capital adjusted for selected items are non-GAAP measures presented based on management's belief that they will enable a user of the financial information to understand the impact of these items on reported results. These financial measures are not measures of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income, earnings per share and cash flows from operations, as defined by GAAP. These financial measures may not be comparable to similarly named non-GAAP financial measures that other companies may use and may not be useful in comparing the performance of those companies to Battalion's performance. (3) The impact of selected items for the three months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 were calculated based upon weighted average diluted shares of 16.5 million due to the net (loss) income available to common stockholders, excluding selected items.





BATTALION OIL CORPORATION

ADJUSTED EBITDA RECONCILIATION (Unaudited)

(In thousands) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2025

2024

2025

2024

Net (loss) income, as reported $ (735 ) $ 21,628 $ 10,084 $ (9,680 ) Impact of adjusting items: Interest expense 7,318 6,873 21,848 22,874 Depletion, depreciation and accretion 13,522 12,533 40,541 38,771 Stock-based compensation  5 48 140 Interest income (503 ) (509 ) (1,846 ) (1,844 ) Unrealized gain on derivatives contracts (1,044 ) (28,091 ) (20,120 ) (12,764 ) Change in fair value of embedded derivative liability  41  (1,323 ) Non-recurring charges and other 324 978 1,546 2,299 Adjusted EBITDA(1) $ 18,882 $ 13,458 $ 52,101 $ 38,473





(1) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure, which is presented based on management's belief that it will enable a user of the financial information to understand the impact of these items on reported results. This financial measure is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to GAAP measures, including net (loss) income. This financial measure may not be comparable to similarly named non-GAAP financial measures that other companies may use and may not be useful in comparing the performance of those companies to Battalion's performance.





BATTALION OIL CORPORATION

ADJUSTED EBITDA RECONCILIATION (Unaudited)

(In thousands) Three Months Three Months Three Months Three Months Ended Ended Ended Ended September 30, 2025 June 30,2025 March 31, 2025 December 31, 2024 Net (loss) income, as reported $ (735 ) $ 4,796 $ 6,023 $ (22,202 ) Impact of adjusting items: Interest expense 7,318 7,341 7,189 6,135 Depletion, depreciation and accretion 13,522 13,939 13,080 14,155 Impairment of contract asset    18,511 Stock-based compensation   48 12 Interest income (503 ) (764 ) (579 ) (278 ) Loss on extinguishment of debt    7,489 Unrealized (gain) loss on derivatives contracts (1,044 ) (7,248 ) (11,828 ) 1,648 Change in fair value of embedded derivative liability    (761 ) Merger Termination Payment    (10,000 ) Non-recurring charges and other 324 73 1,149 3,310 Adjusted EBITDA(1) $ 18,882 $ 18,137 $ 15,082 $ 18,019 Adjusted LTM EBITDA(1) $ 70,120





(1) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure, which is presented based on management's belief that it will enable a user of the financial information to understand the impact of these items on reported results. This financial measure is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to GAAP measures, including net (loss) income. This financial measure may not be comparable to similarly named non-GAAP financial measures that other companies may use and may not be useful in comparing the performance of those companies to Battalion's performance.





BATTALION OIL CORPORATION

ADJUSTED EBITDA RECONCILIATION (Unaudited)

(In thousands) Three Months Three Months Three Months Three Months Ended Ended Ended Ended September 30, 2024 June 30,2024 March 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 Net income (loss), as reported $ 21,628 $ (105 ) $ (31,203 ) $ 32,688 Impact of adjusting items: Interest expense 6,873 7,610 8,391 8,917 Depletion, depreciation and accretion 12,533 13,213 13,025 12,337 Stock-based compensation 5 36 99 161 Interest income (509 ) (634 ) (701 ) (525 ) Unrealized (gain) loss on derivatives contracts (28,091 ) (4,434 ) 19,761 (45,403 ) Change in fair value of embedded derivative liability 41 (436 ) (928 ) 529 Non-recurring charges and other 978 384 937 1,268 Adjusted EBITDA(1) $ 13,458 $ 15,634 $ 9,381 $ 9,972 Adjusted LTM EBITDA(1) $ 48,445





(1) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure, which is presented based on management's belief that it will enable a user of the financial information to understand the impact of these items on reported results. This financial measure is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to GAAP measures, including net income (loss). This financial measure may not be comparable to similarly named non-GAAP financial measures that other companies may use and may not be useful in comparing the performance of those companies to Battalion's performance.




SHREWSBURY, Mass., Nov. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Edelson Lechtzin LLP, a national class action law firm based in suburban Philadelphia, is investigating data privacy claims regarding an incident at Central One Federal Credit Union (Central One). Central One learned of a data breach shortly before Labor Day.

If you would like to discuss this case with a lawyer, please click HERE.

About Central One Federal Credit Union

Founded in 1952, Central One is a community credit union serving central Massachusetts.

What happened?

Central One detected unusual activity on its network just before Labor Day 2025. They took measures to secure their system and began an investigation. It was found that from August 26 to August 30, 2025, an unauthorized third party accessed their computer network and copied files that may have contained personal details such as names, Social Security numbers, drivers license or state ID numbers, financial data, and medical or health insurance information. Up to 57,000 individuals have been affected by this data breach.

How can I protect my personal data?

If you receive a data breach notification regarding Central One, you should take steps to protect yourself against identity theft and fraud. Such measures include regularly reviewing your account statements and monitoring your credit reports for any suspicious or unauthorized activity.

Edelson Lechtzin LLP is investigating a class action lawsuit to seek legal remedies for individuals whose sensitive personal data may have been compromised by the Central One data breach.

For more information, please contact:

Marc H. Edelson, Esq.

EDELSON LECHTZIN LLP

411 S. State Street, Suite N-300

Newtown, PA 18940

Phone: 844-696-7492 ext. 2

Email: medelson@edelson-law.com

Web: www.edelson-law.com

About Edelson Lechtzin LLP

Edelson Lechtzin LLP is a national class action law firm with offices in Pennsylvania and California. In addition to data breach cases, our lawyers focus on class and collective litigation involving allegations of securities and investment fraud, violations of the federal antitrust laws, ERISA employee benefit plans, wage theft, and consumer fraud.

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions.
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Partial Contract List

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App Download: https://iodefi.com/download/

Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release does not constitute an investment solicitation, nor does it constitute investment advice, financial advice, or trading recommendations. It is strongly recommended that you perform due diligence before investing or trading in cryptocurrencies and securities, including consulting a professional financial advisor.
VANCOUVER, Nov. 12, 2025 - Ascot Resources Ltd. (TSXV: AOT.H; OTCID: AOTVF) ("Ascot" or the "Company") announces the Company's unaudited financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 ("Q3 2025"). For details of the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, please see the Company's filings on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca).

All amounts herein are reported in $000s of Canadian dollars unless otherwise specified.

Q3 2025 AND SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

On November 7, 2025, the Company announced the launch of a rights offering to raise gross proceeds of up to $14,871 (the "Rights Offering"). Pursuant to the Rights Offering, the Company will be offering 1,487,151,720 rights (the "Rights") to certain holders of commons shares in the capital of Ascot at the close of business on the record date of November 18, 2025 on the basis of one Right for each common share held. Each one Right will entitle the holder to subscribe for one common share of the Company at the subscription price of $0.01 per right share (the "Rights Shares"). In connection with the Rights Offering, the Company has entered into a standby agreement with Fiore Management and Advisory Corp. ("Fiore") pursuant to which Fiore has agreed to acquire 100% of all outstanding Rights Shares not otherwise acquired under the Rights Offering by shareholders. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Rights Offering to settle outstanding amounts owed to the Company's creditors. Closing of the Rights Offering is subject to the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV").





On October 22, 2025, the Company entered into an advisory services agreement with Fiore, as amended November 7, 2025, pursuant to which Fiore has agreed to assist Ascot with restructuring, refinancing and enhancing the leadership team of Ascot (the "Restructuring") with a focus on the Red Mountain deposit ("RMP") and a view to eventually restarting production at Premier Gold Project ("PGP"). PGP together with RMP referred to as the "Project".



The Restructuring will primarily consist of a non-brokered Rights Offering as described above and a 50:1 share consolidation (the "50:1 Share Consolidation"). Fiore has further agreed to use its best efforts to facilitate and assist with an equity financing of $150 million to be priced in the context of the market and taking into consideration the $0.01 per share Rights Offering. The 50:1 Share Consolidation and equity financing are also subject to TSXV approval.



In October 2025, Ascot completed a bridge loan with Nebari Gold Fund 1, LP, Nebari Natural Resources Credit Fund II, LP and Nebari Collateral Agent LLC (collectively, "Nebari Group"), one of the Company's senior lenders. The loan is available in multiple drawdowns to a maximum of US$18 million which are subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions precedent after US$3 million has been drawn with Nebari Group receiving common share purchase warrants with an exercise price equal to the share price of the equity financing.

Ascot, with Fiore's assistance, will work towards restructuring certain existing indebtedness with Nebari Group and amending existing secured streams with Sprott Private Resource Streaming and Royalty (B) Corp. and/or its affiliates ("SRSR"). Negotiations with Nebari Group on this restructuring and SRSR on this amendment are in advanced stages.





Effective October 14, 2025, the Company's common shares began trading on the NEX Board of TSXV. The Company's common shares were delisted from trading on Toronto Stock Exchange effective at the close of market on October 10, 2025.





On October 6, 2025, the Company announced Bill Bennett, Interim Chair of the Board of Directors of the Company, resigned to focus on family health matters. Indi Gopinathan replaces Mr. Bennett as the Interim Chair of the Board.



FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2025

The Company reported a net loss of $23,521 for the three months ended September 30, 2025 compared to net loss of $11,232 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and a net loss of $345,392 for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 compared to a net loss of $14,490 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. The increase in net loss is mostly attributable to care and maintenance expense of $9,882 which was recorded during the three month periods and an impairment charge of $324,404 which was recorded during the nine month periods.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

On June 25, 2025, the Company suspended mine development and placed the Project on care and maintenance. The Project remains on care and maintenance with no timeline to resume development. Further mine development is dependent on the Company's ability to obtain future financing which may not be available or at terms acceptable to the Company.

As at September 30, 2025, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $5,386 (December 31, 2024: $27,974) and a working capital deficiency (current assets minus current liabilities) of $294,178 (December 31, 2024: $47,551). The decrease in cash and cash equivalents since December 31, 2024 was mainly due to mine development, plant and equipment expenditures of $62,586, payment of lease liabilities of $3,623 and reclamation deposit of $2,000 offset by the net proceeds of approximately $59 million the Company received from the private placement offering in 2025.

The Company has not paid scheduled principal and interest payments under the credit facilities and promissory note which have resulted in a default under these agreements in addition to other default conditions present. In addition, default under the credit facilities and promissory note has resulted in cross default under the Company's stream agreements. As at September 30, 2025 the Company has limited cash, a working capital deficiency, no other sources of income and is in default under its credit facilities, promissory note and stream agreements which indicate material uncertainties which may cast significant doubt upon the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.

The Company has taken steps to address its working capital deficiency and default under its credit facilities, promissory note and stream agreements. This includes entering into an advisory agreement with Fiore to restructure and recapitalize the Company, initiating bridge financing and obtaining short-term default waivers. As there is no assurance the Restructuring and financings will be successful and remain subject to approval by the TSXV and certain shareholder approval requirements, these also indicate material uncertainties which may cast significant doubt upon the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.

MANAGEMENT'S OUTLOOK

Following the unsuccessful negotiations with its mining contractor in June 2025, the Company determined the best path forward was to place PGP on care and maintenance in order to preserve capital. The pause provided the Company with the time and flexibility to assess various strategic alternatives going forward. As noted in its June 25, 2025 news release, a special committee was appointed to lead the strategic review process and retained financial advisers to assist it in considering various strategic alternatives.

On October 23, 2025, the Company announced it had entered into an advisory services agreement, as amended November 7, 2025, with Fiore, which has agreed to assist Ascot with the Restructuring with a focus on the RMP deposit with a view to eventually restarting production at the PGP. Key components of the Restructuring and financing plan include a $14.9 million Rights Offering, a 50:1 Share Consolidation and a $150 million equity offering.

The Company launched and announced the Rights Offering as noted above in its November 7, 2025 news release. There is no assurance the Restructuring and financings will be completed and remain subject to approval by the TSXV and certain shareholder approval requirements.

Qualified Person

James A (Jim) Currie, P.Eng., Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of the Company is the Company's Qualified Person (QP) as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this news release.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Ascot Resources Ltd.

"James A (Jim) Currie"

CEO & COO

For further information contact:

Email: info@ascotgold.com

Phone: 778-725-1060

About Ascot

Ascot is a Canadian mining company headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, and its shares trade on the NEX Board of the TSX Venture Exchange under the ticker AOT.H and on the OTCID under the ticker AOTVF. Ascot is the 100% owner of the Premier Gold mine, which poured first gold in April 2024 and is located on Nisga'a Nation Treaty Lands, in the prolific Golden Triangle of northwestern British Columbia.

For more information about the Company, please refer to the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca or visit the Company's web site at www.ascotgold.com.

Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange, NEX or the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

All statements and other information contained in this press release about anticipated future events may constitute forward-looking information under Canadian securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "targeted", "outlook", "on track" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could", "would" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking statements, including statements in respect of the strategic review process, the terms and conditions of the Rights Offering, Restructuring, equity financing, and 50:1 Share Consolidation, the ability to preserve capital, the availability of strategic alternatives, achieving production at the Project, the ability of the Company to accomplish its business objectives and future plans, development and operations of the Company. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements, including risks related to potential defaults under the Company's credit facilities and stream agreements; the need for future waivers or forbearance agreements from the secured creditors of the Company; the inability to negotiate strategic alternatives or access additional capital; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; fluctuations in commodity prices and currency exchange rates; uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to development, production, costs and expenses, and health, safety and environmental risks; uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; the need for cooperation of government agencies and indigenous groups in the exploration and development of Ascot's properties and the issuance of required permits; the need to obtain additional financing to finance operations and uncertainty as to the availability and terms of future financing and the timing thereof; the possibility of delay in future plans and uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones; uncertainty as to timely availability of permits and other governmental approvals; the need for TSXV approval, and other regulatory approvals and other risk factors as detailed from time to time in Ascot's filings with Canadian securities regulators, available on Ascot's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca including the Annual Information Form of the Company in the section entitled "Risk Factors". Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions made with regard to: the estimated costs and timelines associated with the development plans; the ability to maintain throughput and production levels at the Big Missouri mine and the Premier Northern Lights mine; the grade of mineral resources and mineral reserves; the ability of the Company to convert inferred mineral resources to other categories; the ability of the Company to reduce mining dilution; the ability to reduce capital costs; the ability of the Company to raise additional financing; and compliance with the covenants in Ascot's credit agreements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management at the date the statements are made. Although Ascot believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and/or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements since Ascot can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Ascot does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements, other than as required by applicable laws. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
ENDEAVOUR REPORTS STRONG Q3-2025 RESULTS

YTD-2025 production of 911koz at AISC of $1,362/oz  FY-2025 guidance on track  YTD-2025 free cash flow of $680m

OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS YTD-2025 production of 911koz, on track for the top half of the guidance range; Q3-2025 production of 264koz. YTD-2025 AISC of $1,362/oz, on track for the guidance range; impacted by +$103/oz of gold price driven royalty costs compared to guidance; Q3-2025 AISC of $1,569/oz; impacted by +$131/oz of gold price driven royalty costs. Adj. EBITDA of $1,634m YTD-2025, up +110% over YTD-2024; $466m for Q3-2025. Adj. Net Earnings of $556m (or $2.29/sh) YTD-2025, up +375% over YTD-2024; $159m (or $0.66/sh) for Q3-2025. FCF of $680m ($746/oz produced) YTD-2025, up +1,411% over YTD-2024; $166m ($629/oz produced) for Q3-2025. Gross debt reduced by $425m to $678m following full repayment of the RCF during Q3-2025; Net Debt / Adj. EBITDA (LTM) of 0.21x at the end of the period, significantly below the Group's 0.50x through-the-cycle target. SECTOR LEADING SHAREHOLDER RETURNS Record $150m (or $0.62/sh) dividend paid on 23 October; on track to significantly exceed $225m FY-2025 minimum. Share buybacks of $83m YTD-2025; $14m for Q3-2025, bringing YTD-2025 returns to $233m before H2-2025 dividend, which will be announced in January 2026 with the next phase of our shareholder returns programme. ATTRACTIVE ORGANIC GROWTH Assafou project DFS on track for Q1-2026, environmental permit approved during Q3-2025. Strong exploration efforts with $72m spent YTD-2025; focused on near-mine resource expansions at Sabodala-Massawa, Hounde, Ity and Assafou. 5-year exploration strategy completed with 12.4Moz discovered at less than $25/oz; new exploration strategy expected in Q4-2025, outlining focus on continued mine life extension and organic pipeline expansion and diversification.

London, 13 November 2025 - Endeavour Mining Plc (LSE:EDV, TSX:EDV, OTCQX:EDVMF) ("Endeavour", the "Group" or the "Company") is pleased to announce its operating and financial results for Q3-2025 and YTD-2025, with highlights provided in Table 1 below.

Table 1: Operating and financial highlights from continuing operations1

All amounts in US$ million unless otherwise specified THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED 30 September

2025 30 June

2025 30 September

2024 30 September

2025 30 September

2024 ? YTD-2025 vs.

YTD-2024 OPERATING DATA Gold Production, koz 264 306 270 911 741 +23% Gold sold, koz 258 304 280 914 743 +23% Total Cash Cost2, $/oz 1,336 1,220 1,128 1,141 1,097 +4% All-in Sustaining Cost2, $/oz 1,569 1,458 1,287 1,362 1,256 +8% Realised Gold Price3, $/oz 3,247 3,150 2,342 3,036 2,233 +36% CASH FLOW





Operating Cash Flow before changes in working capital 394 296 245 1,282 595 +115% Operating Cash Flow before changes in working capital2, $/sh 1.63 1.22 1.00 5.29 2.43 +118% Operating Cash Flow 309 252 255 1,055 568 +86% Operating Cash Flow2, $/sh 1.28 1.04 1.04 4.35 2.32 +88% Free Cash Flow2,4 166 104 97 680 45 +1411% Free Cash Flow2,4, $/sh 0.69 0.43 0.40 2.80 0.18 +1456% PROFITABILITY Net Earnings/(Loss) Attributable to Shareholders 167 271 (95) 611 (175) n.a. Net Earnings/(Loss), $/sh 0.69 1.12 (0.39) 2.52 (0.71) n.a. Adj. Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders2 159 179 74 556 117 +375% Adj. Net Earnings2, $/sh 0.66 0.74 0.30 2.29 0.48 +377% EBITDA2,5 472 596 128 1,608 477 +237% Adj. EBITDA2,5 466 556 317 1,634 779 +110% SHAREHOLDER RETURNS2 Shareholder dividends paid - 140 - 140 100 +40% Share buybacks 14 28 9 83 29 +186% FINANCIAL POSITION HIGHLIGHTS2 Net Debt 453 469 834 453 834 (46)% Net Debt / LTM Trailing adj. EBITDA5 0.21x 0.23x 0.77x 0.21x 0.77x (73)%

1Continuing Operations excludes the settlement of historic liabilities under the original sale agreement of the Boungou mine. 2This is a non-GAAP measure, refer to the non-GAAP Measures section for further details. 3Realised gold prices are inclusive of the Sabodala-Massawa stream and the realised gains/losses from the Group's revenue protection programme. 4From all operations; calculated as Operating Cash Flow less Cash used in Investing activities. 5Last Twelve Months ("LTM") Trailing EBITDA adj includes EBITDA generated by discontinued operations.

Management will host a conference call and webcast today, Thursday 13 November 2025, at 8:30 am EST / 1:30 pm GMT. For instructions on how to participate, please refer to the conference call and webcast section at the end of the news release. Copies of the Management Report and Financial Statements have been submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and will be filed on SEDAR+. The documents will shortly be available for inspection on the Company's website and at: https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism.

Ian Cockerill, Chief Executive Officer, commented: "Q3-2025 marked another solid operational quarter placing us firmly on track to achieve our full-year guidance. Strong year-to-date production has positioned us to achieve the top half of our production guidance with AISC within the guidance range, when adjusted for the impact of higher gold prices on royalty costs.

Our Q3-2025 operational performance was in line with our planned mine sequence, despite the impact of a heavier than normal wet season. This performance, coupled with higher gold prices, underpinned a 59% increase in free cash flow generation in Q3, bringing free cash flow generation to $680 million year-to-date, and to nearly a billion dollars over the last twelve months. We remain focused on maximising free cash flow generation from every ounce of gold that we produce, to ensure that our margins grow with the gold price.

Given the strong free cash flow generation, we further strengthened our balance sheet this quarter by not only lowering our leverage, but reducing our gross debt as well, through the full repayment of the drawn portion of our revolving credit facility.

Shareholder returns increased, following payment of our record $150 million dividend early in Q4, we continued to buyback shares, bringing year-to-date returns to $233 million, before the declaration of our H2-2025 dividend that we will announce in Q1-2026, which is expected to increase our total returns to at least $346 million. We have now returned over $1.4 billion to our shareholders over the last four and half years, or 83% above our minimum commitment, and as we look forward to our next phase of growth, we expect to be well positioned to continue delivering sector-leading returns throughout.

Our Assafou project continues to advance on schedule, with the environmental permit now approved and the Definitive Feasibility Study on track to be completed in Q1-2026, progressively de-risking our timeline to first gold.

In parallel, we continue to accelerate exploration to delineate high-priority near-mine opportunities at Hounde, Sabodala-Massawa, Ity and Assafou, and identify greenfield opportunities both in West Africa, and in other, similar, highly-fertile tier 1 gold provinces that have limited exploration maturity, where we can lever our exploration expertise and gain an early mover advantage. We expect to announce our new exploration strategy in Q4, which will support continued mine life extension and improvements across our existing portfolio, and drive our next phase of organic growth, beyond Assafou.

Given our high-quality portfolio, underpinned by a top tier organic growth pipeline, we are well positioned to sustainably deliver sector-leading shareholder returns and organic growth, generating value for all our stakeholders."

SHAREHOLDER RETURNS PROGRAMME

Endeavour has paid more than $1.4bn in shareholder returns since Q1-2021, which is $639.8 million or 83% above its minimum commitment over the period, reflecting its strong commitment to pay supplemental returns to shareholders through both phases of cash harvesting and phases of organic growth.

For H1-2025, Endeavour announced a record dividend of $150.0 million (or approximately $0.62 per share), which was paid on 23 October 2025. The H2-2025 dividend is expected to be announced in Q1-2026 and paid in Q2-2026.

During YTD-2025, shareholder returns continued to be supplemented with share buybacks of $82.8 million, or 3.3 million shares, which is an increase of 186% over YTD-2024. During Q3-2025, $14.4 million or 0.4 million shares were repurchased.

Total shareholder returns for YTD-2025 of $232.8 million, have already exceeded the $225.0 million minimum for the year and are expected to significantly increase, with the announcement of the H2-2025 dividend and further share buybacks. At a minimum the H2-2025 dividend is expected to be $112.5 million, which would bring the full year return to a minimum $345.8 million.

Given that Endeavour's current shareholder returns programme will be completed in H1-2026, Endeavour expects to announce its new shareholder returns programme for the FY-2026 to FY-2028 period, which will outline a significant increase in minimum shareholder dividend commitments, in early Q1-2026.





Table 2: Cumulative Shareholder Returns

MINIMUM SUPPLEMENTAL TOTAL ? ABOVE (All amounts in US$m) DIVIDEND

COMMITMENT DIVIDENDS BUYBACKS RETURN MINIMUM

COMMITMENT FY-2020 - 60 - 60 +60 2021-2023 Shareholder Returns Programme FY-2021 125 15 138 278 +153 FY-2022 150 50 99 299 +149 FY-2023 175 25 66 266 +91 2024-2025 Shareholder Returns Programme (ongoing) FY-2024 210 30 37 277 +67 H1-2025 113 37 69 219 +106 H2-20251 (Q1-2026 dividend announcement) 113 - 14 127 +14 TOTAL 886 217 423 1,526 640

1Q3-2025 share buybacks of $14.3 million differs from $15.6 million per the Statement of Cashflows due to foreign exchange and timing of payments.



OPERATING SUMMARY

Strong safety performance for the Group, with a Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate ("LTIFR") of 0.05 for the trailing twelve months ended 30 September 2025.

The Group remains on track to achieve the top-half of its production guidance of 1,110 - 1,260koz, within its all-in sustaining cost ("AISC") guidance range of $1,150 - 1,350/oz, when adjusted for the impact of higher gold prices on royalty costs (+$103/oz impact YTD-2025 due to the realised gold price of $3,221/oz, compared to the guidance gold price of $2,000/oz).

Q3-2025 production of 264koz was 42koz lower than Q2-2025, reflecting lower grades processed across the portfolio, in line with the mine sequence, and lower tonnes milled at Hounde and Lafigue due to the impact of the wet season.

YTD-2025 production amounted to 911koz, an increase of 170koz over YTD-2024, due to higher average grades processed at Hounde and Mana, in line with the mine sequence, along with increased production at Lafigue and the Sabodala-Massawa BIOX expansion, which both entered commercial production Q3-2024, partially offset by a decrease in production at Ity due to lower average grades processed.

Table 3: Group Production

THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED All amounts in koz, on a 100% basis 30 September 2025 30 June 2025 30 September 2024 30 September 2025 30 September 2024 Hounde 49 69 74 209 179 Ity 77 84 77 245 259 Mana 39 41 30 127 107 Sabodala-Massawa1 61 62 54 195 159 Lafigue1 38 49 36 135 36 GROUP PRODUCTION 264 306 270 911 741

1Includes pre-commercial ounces that are not included in the calculation of All-In Sustaining Costs.

Q3-2025 total cash cost amounted to $1,336/oz, an increase of $116/oz over Q2-2025 due to lower gold sales and higher royalty costs related to the higher realised gold prices, as well as higher mining unit costs at Hounde, Sabodala-Massawa and Lafigue, and higher processing unit costs at Hounde, due to the impact of the wet season on mining and processing productivity. This was partially offset by lower processing unit costs at Mana, Sabodala-Massawa and Lafigue due to improved grid availability and reduced planned maintenance during the quarter.

YTD-2025 total cash cost amounted to $1,141/oz, an increase of $44/oz over YTD-2024, due to higher royalty costs related to higher realised gold prices, partially offset by an increase in gold sales and the addition of the low-cost Lafigue and Sabodala-Massawa BIOX expansion, which both entered commercial production in Q3-2024.

Table 4: Consolidated Total Cash Costs

(All amounts in US$/oz) THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED 30 September 2025 30 June 2025 30 September 2024 30 September 2025 30 September 2024 Hounde 1,420 1,352 1,233 1,098 1,242 Ity 1,142 1,049 899 1,016 874 Mana 1,772 1,700 1,766 1,596 1,587 Sabodala-Massawa2 1,173 1,073 1,096 1,061 1,015 Lafigue2 1,433 1,125 831 1,129 831 GROUP TOTAL CASH COSTS1 1,336 1,220 1,128 1,141 1,097

1This is a non-GAAP measure, refer to the non-GAAP Measures section for further details. 2Excludes pre-commercial costs associated with ounces from the BIOX expansion project and the Lafigue mine.

Q3-2025 AISC amounted to $1,569/oz, an increase of $111/oz over Q2-2025 driven by higher total cash costs including the impact of higher royalty costs related to the higher realised gold prices, which was partially offset by lower sustaining capital largely due to less waste stripping activity at Hounde.

YTD-2025 AISC amounted to $1,362/oz, an increase of $106/oz over YTD-2024 driven by higher total cash costs including the impact of higher royalty costs related to the higher realised gold prices, and higher sustaining capital at Ity, Mana and the Lafigue mine and Sabodala-Massawa BIOX expansion, which both entered commercial production in Q3-2024.

Table 5: Group All-In Sustaining Costs

All amounts in US$/oz THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED 30 September 2025 30 June 2025 30 September 2024 30 September 2025 30 September 2024 Hounde 1,475 1,580 1,379 1,231 1,457 Ity 1,269 1,125 928 1,099 898 Mana 2,377 2,257 1,987 2,157 1,756 Sabodala-Massawa2 1,326 1,272 1,219 1,252 1,112 Lafigue2 1,530 1,154 938 1,168 938 Corporate G&A 47 46 45 45 47 GROUP ALL-IN SUSTAINING COSTS1 1,569 1,458 1,287 1,362 1,256

1This is a non-GAAP measure, refer to the non-GAAP Measures section for further details. 2Excludes pre-commercial costs associated with ounces from the BIOX expansion project and the Lafigue mine.

Q3-2025 and YTD-2025 total cash costs and AISC have been impacted by higher royalty costs due to higher realised gold prices of $3,513/oz and $3,221/oz, exclusive of the impact of the revenue protection programme, respectively, which are significantly higher than the $2,000/oz gold price assumption used in the FY-2025 guidance. As a result, higher royalty costs related to gold price had an impact of $131/oz and $103/oz on the Q3-2025 and YTD-2025 total cash costs and AISC, respectively.

YTD-2025 AISC, adjusted for the impact of higher royalty costs due to higher gold prices are at $1,259/oz, approximately at the midpoint of the FY-2025 guidance range. Given the strong outlook for Q4-2025, improved production and costs are expected, positioning the Group to achieve the FY-2025 AISC guidance.

Table 6: AISC Guidance Reconciliation1

Q3-2025

ACTUALS YTD-2025

ACTUALS FY-2025

GUIDANCE AISC at realised gold price of $3,513/oz for Q3-2025 and $3,221/oz for YTD-2025 1,569 1,362 Additional royalty cost at realised gold price vs $2,000/oz guidance gold price +131 +103 YTD-2025 impact of +$103/oz on AISC due to higher gold prices driving royalty costs higher AISC at $2,000/oz gold price2 1,438 1,259 1,150 - 1,350

1The impact of higher royalty rates as a result of a higher gold price versus $2,000/oz guided gold price for Q3-2025 and YTD-2025 of $3,513/oz and $3,221/oz are exclusive of the impact of the revenue protection programme, respectively. 2Indicative AISC normalising realised AISC for the impact of the higher gold prices on royalty costs.

FY-2025 OUTLOOK

The Group remains on track to achieve the top half of its production guidance of 1,110 - 1,260koz driven by strong YTD-2025 production at Hounde and Sabodala-Massawa. Q4-2025 production is expected to increase over Q3-2025 due to mining and processing of higher grades at Lafigue, Mana and Sabodala-Massawa CIL, in line with the mine sequence.





Table 7: FY-2025 Production Outlook1

YTD-2025

ACTUALS FY-2025

GUIDANCE FY-2025

OUTLOOK (All amounts in koz, on a 100% basis) Hounde 209 230 - 260 TOP HALF Ity 245 290 - 330 ON TRACK Mana 127 160 - 180 ON TRACK Sabodala-Massawa 195 250 - 280 TOP HALF Lafigue 135 180 - 210 LOWER HALF Group Production 911 1,110 - 1,260 TOP HALF

1FY-2025 Production Guidance excludes the impact of the initiatives from the Sabodala-Massawa technical review.

The Group remains on track to achieve its AISC guidance of $1,150 - 1,350/oz, when adjusted for the impact of higher gold prices on royalty costs (+$103/oz impact YTD-2025 due to the realised gold price of $3,221/oz compared to the guidance gold price of $2,000/oz). Prior to this impact, YTD-2025 AISC is approximately $1,259/oz, near the mid-point of the FY-2025 guidance range. Q4-2025 AISC is expected to improve over Q3-2025 due to higher grades, higher gold production and sales. The AISC sensitivity to royalty cost due to gold price changes is between $6 - 10/oz for every $100/oz increase in gold price.





Table 8: FY-2025 AISC Outlook1

YTD-2025 YTD-2025 FY-2025

GUIDANCE FY-2025

OUTLOOK (All amounts in US$/oz) ACTUALS

(at $3,221/oz) ADJUSTED2

(at $2,000/oz) Hounde 1,231 1,114 1,225 - 1,375 ON TRACK Ity 1,099 1,014 975 - 1,100 ON TRACK Mana 2,157 2,046 1,550 - 1,750 ABOVE TOP-END Sabodala-Massawa 1,252 1,178 1,100 - 1,250 ON TRACK Lafigue 1,168 1,087 950 - 1,075 NEAR TOP-END Corporate G&A 45 45 40 ON TRACK Group AISC 1,362 1,259 1,150 - 1,350 ON TRACK

1FY-2025 AISC Guidance is based on an assumed average gold price of $2,000/oz and USD:EUR foreign exchange rate of 0.90. 2Indicative AISC normalising realised AISC for the impact of the higher gold prices ($+103/oz YTD-2025) on royalty costs.

Group sustaining capital expenditure outlook for FY-2025 remains unchanged at the previously disclosed guidance of $195.0 million, of which $161.4 million has been incurred in YTD-2025, with $47.9 million incurred in Q3-2025. The sustaining capital guidance increased at Ity and Mana, which was offset by decreases at Sabodala-Massawa and Lafigue. Sustaining capital expenditure guidance increased at Ity and Mana due to increased waste development to access higher grade ore, while it decreased at Sabodala-Massawa and Lafigue due to a decrease in sustaining capital waste stripping activity.

Group non-sustaining capital expenditure outlook for FY-2025 increased slightly from the previously disclosed guidance of $235.0 million to $245.0 million, of which $186.2 million was incurred in YTD-2025, with $83.3 million incurred in Q3-2025. Non-sustaining capital guidance increased at Mana and Lafigue, partially offset by decreases at Hounde and Ity. The non-sustaining capital guidance increased at Mana due to the purchase of the outgoing underground mining contractor's fleet following Endeavour's decision to terminate their contract in Q2-2025, and at Lafigue, due to the acceleration of waste stripping to support higher than design nameplate plant throughput. These increases were partially offset by a decrease at Ity due to lower waste stripping at the Le Plaque pit and a decrease at Hounde related to the timing of compensation payments for the third TSF cell.

Group growth capital expenditure outlook for FY-2025 remains unchanged at the previously disclosed guidance of $30.0 million, of which $22.8 million was incurred in YTD-2025, with $6.8 million incurred in Q3-2025. Growth capital was primarily related to the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) and associated drilling expenditure at Assafou, which has accelerated as the DFS progresses toward completion in Q1-2026.





Table 9: FY-2025 Sustaining & Non-Sustaining Capital Expenditure

YTD-2025 ACTUALS FY-2025 PREVIOUS GUIDANCE FY-2025 UPDATED GUIDANCE (All amounts in US$m) Hounde 28 40 40 Ity 21 20 25 Mana 70 60 75 Sabodala-Massawa 37 60 45 Lafigue 5 15 10 Total Sustaining Capital Expenditure 161 195 195 Hounde 52 90 80 Ity 18 35 30 Mana 16 10 25 Sabodala-Massawa 22 25 25 Lafigue 75 70 80 Corporate G&A 3 5 5 Total Non-Sustaining Capital Expenditure 186 235 245 Assafou 23 30 30 Total Growth Capital Expenditure 23 30 30 Total Mine Capital Expenditure 370 460 470

Group exploration outlook for FY-2025 remains unchanged from the previously disclosed guidance of $85.0 million, of which $72.1 million was incurred in YTD-2025, with $20.7 million incurred in Q3-2025. Exploration guidance increased at Hounde due to the success of the drilling programme at the Vindaloo Deeps deposit, and at Mana to accelerate deep drilling below the Wona deposit to extend the current resource, which was offset by a decrease at Lafigue as the drilling programme is now expected to commence in early 2026. Exploration activities in Q3-2025 included the acceleration of the Vindaloo Deeps resource definition drill programme at Hounde, drilling at the Ity Donut and defining maiden resources at the near-mine Makana and Kawsara targets at Sabodala-Massawa.

Group tax payments outlook for FY-2025 remains unchanged at $350.0 million to $450.0 million, of which $339.4 million was incurred in YTD-2025, with $67.3 million incurred in Q3-2025. For the full-year, Group tax payments are expected near the mid-point of the guidance range.





CASH FLOW SUMMARY

The table below presents the cash flow and net debt position for Endeavour for the three months ended 30 September 2025, 30 June 2025, and 30 September 2024, and the nine months ended 30 September 2025 and 30 September 2024, with accompanying explanations below.

Table 10: Cash Flow and Net Debt

THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED All amounts in US$ million unless otherwise specified Notes 30 September 2025 30 June 2025 30 September 2024 30 September 2025 30 September 2024 Net cash from/(used in), as per cash flow statement: Operating cash flows before changes in working capital5 394 296 245 1,282 595 Changes in working capital (85) (44) 10 (228) (27) Cash generated from operating activities from continuing operations [1] 309 252 255 1,055 568 Cash generated from discontinued operations - - - - (6) Cash generated from operating activities [1] 309 252 255 1,055 562 Cash used in investing activities [2] (143) (148) (158) (375) (517) Free Cash Flow1,2 166 104 97 680 45 Cash (used in)/generated from financing activities [3] (570) (256) (241) (893) (303) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (6) 49 9 54 (7) INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH (410) (103) (135) (159) (265) Cash and cash equivalent position at beginning of period3 634 737 387 384 517 CASH AND EQUIVALENT POSITION AT END OF PERIOD3 225 634 252 225 252 Principal amount of $500m Senior Notes 500 500 500 500 500 Drawn portion of Lafigue Term Loan 121 131 147 121 147 Drawn portion of Sabodala Term Loan 16 - 23 16 23 Drawn portion of Ity Working Capital Facility 41 - - 41 - Drawn portion of Revolving Credit Facility - 472 415 - 415 NET DEBT1 [4] 453 469 834 453 834 Trailing twelve month adjusted EBITDA1,4 2,159 2,032 1,082 2,159 1,082 Net Debt / Adjusted EBITDA (LTM) ratio1,4 0.21x 0.23x 0.77x 0.21x 0.77x

1Free cash flow, net debt, and adjusted EBITDA are Non-GAAP measures. Refer to the non-GAAP measure section in this press release and in the Management Report. 2From all operations; calculated as Operating Cash Flow less Cash used in investing activities. 3Cash and cash equivalents are net of bank overdraft ($37.5 million at 30 September 2025; $6.3 million at 30 June 2025; nil at 31 March 2025; $13.1 million at 31 December 2024; $62.2 million at 30 September 2024; $21.1 million at 30 June 2024; nil at 31 December 2023). 4Trailing twelve month adjusted EBITDA includes EBITDA generated by discontinued operations. 5Continuing operations excludes the settlement of historic liabilities under the original sale agreement of the Boungou mine.



NOTES:

1) Operating cash flows increased by $56.5 million from $252.0 million (or $1.04 per share) in Q2-2025 to $308.5 million (or $1.28 per share) in Q3-2025 due to higher realised gold prices, lower income and withholding tax payments, lower royalty costs due to lower gold sold and lower operating costs, partially offset by a decrease in production and gold sales, a higher realised loss on gold collars and an increase in the working capital outflow.

Operating cash flows increased by $492.8 million from $561.9 million (or $2.29 per share) in YTD-2024 to $1,054.7 million (or $4.35 per share) in YTD-2025 due to higher production at higher realised gold prices, partially offset by higher operating costs, higher royalties, a higher realised loss on gold collars and LBMA averaging, higher working capital outflows and higher income tax payments.

Notable variances are summarised below:

Working capital was an outflow of $85.4 million in Q3-2025, an increase of $41.3 million over the Q2-2025 outflow of $44.1 million. The outflow in Q3-2025 consisted of (i) an inventory outflow of $54.8 million due to a build-up of stockpile inventory at the Lafigue, Ity and Sabodala-Massawa mines, as well as an increase in spare parts and consumables related to mining component rebuilds at Hounde and Sabodala-Massawa, (ii) a receivables outflow of $46.4 million related to a build-up of VAT receivables at the Hounde, Lafigue and Mana mines, and (iii) a prepaid expenses outflow of $10.5 million related to the timing of supplier prepayments, partially offset by (iv) a trade and other payables inflow of $26.3 million related to the timing of supplier payables and contractor-related liabilities.

Working capital was an outflow of $227.6 million in YTD-2025, a decrease of $200.4 million over the YTD-2024 outflow of $27.2 million, largely driven by an increase in outflows related to inventory, an increase in outflows related to trade and other receivables and an increase in outflows related to trade and other receivables, partially offset by a decrease in the outflow of prepaid expenses.

Working capital was an outflow of $227.6 million in YTD-2025, a decrease of $200.4 million over the YTD-2024 outflow of $27.2 million, largely driven by an increase in outflows related to inventory, an increase in outflows related to trade and other receivables and an increase in outflows related to trade and other receivables, partially offset by a decrease in the outflow of prepaid expenses. Gold sales from continuing operations decreased from 304koz in Q2-2025 to 258koz in Q3-2025 due to lower production across the portfolio, in line with the mine sequence. The realised gold price from continuing operations for Q3-2025 increased by $211/oz to $3,513/oz from $3,302/oz in Q2-2025. Inclusive of the Group's Revenue Protection Programme (-$266/oz Q3-2025 impact), the realised gold price for Q3-2025 increased by $97/oz to $3,247/oz from $3,150/oz in Q2-2025.

Gold sales from continuing operations increased from 743koz in YTD-2024 to 914koz in YTD-2025, following higher production in YTD-2025 at the Hounde, Mana and Sabodala-Massawa mines along with increased production from the Lafigue mine that achieved commercial production in Q3-2024. The realised gold price from continuing operations for YTD-2025 increased by $900/oz to $3,221/oz from $2,321/oz in YTD-2024. Inclusive of the Group's Revenue Protection Programme (-$161/oz YTD-2025 impact) and the London Bullion Market Averaging (LBMA) gold price strategy, which ceased at the end of Q1-2025 (-$24/oz YTD-2025 impact), the realised gold price for YTD-2025 increased by $803/oz to $3,036/oz from $2,233/oz in YTD-2024.

Total cash cost per ounce increased from $1,220/oz in Q2-2025 to $1,336/oz in Q3-2025 due to lower volumes of gold sold and higher royalty costs (+$131/oz impact at realised gold price of $3,513/oz vs guided gold price of $2,000/oz) related to a higher realised gold price.

Total cash cost per ounce increased from $1,097/oz in YTD-2024 to $1,141/oz in YTD-2025 due to significantly higher royalty costs (+$103/oz impact at realised gold price of $3,221/oz vs guided gold price of $2,000/oz) related to the higher realised gold price, partially offset by an increase in gold sales.

Total cash cost per ounce increased from $1,097/oz in YTD-2024 to $1,141/oz in YTD-2025 due to significantly higher royalty costs (+$103/oz impact at realised gold price of $3,221/oz vs guided gold price of $2,000/oz) related to the higher realised gold price, partially offset by an increase in gold sales. Taxes paid decreased by $165.8 million from $233.1 million in Q2-2025 to $67.3 million in Q3-2025 due to lower withholding taxes paid following cash upstreaming in the prior quarter and lower income taxes paid at the Hounde, Ity, Sabodala-Massawa and Lafigue mines due to the timing of provisional income tax payments for the FY-2024 tax year which typically occur in the second quarter, partially offset by higher income taxes paid at the Mana mine.

Taxes paid increased by $60.3 million from $279.1 million in YTD-2024 to $339.4 million in YTD-2025, in line with the guidance provided, as income tax payments increased at the Hounde, Ity and Lafigue mines due to higher provisional income tax payments for the FY-2024 tax year due to higher taxable earnings, while withholding tax payments also increased due to higher levels of cash upstreaming as a result of improved cash generation.

Table 11: Tax Payments

THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED ($m) 30 September 2025 30 June 2025 30 September 2024 30 September 2025 30 September 2024 Hounde 15.5 29.6 12.0 56.0 39.7 Ity 39.1 76.7 25.3 115.8 75.3 Mana 2.6 0.8 2.2 5.5 8.8 Sabodala-Massawa - 9.6 - 34.0 75.6 Lafigue 10.8 24.1 - 36.8 1.0 Other1 (0.7) 92.3 25.0 91.3 78.7 Total taxes paid 67.3 233.1 64.5 339.4 279.1

1Included in the "Other" category is income and withholding taxes paid/(received) by Corporate and Exploration entities.

2) Cash flows used in investing activities decreased by $5.1 million from $147.7 million in Q2-2025 to $142.6 million in Q3-2025 due to a decrease in sustaining capital spend of $13.7 million, a decrease in growth capital spend on the Assafou DFS of $3.4 million, a decrease in exploration capital spend of $3.1 million, an inflow of $2.3 million related to the Koulou Gold investment during the prior quarter and a decrease in restricted cash outflow of $1.7 million, partially offset by an increase in non-sustaining capital spend during the quarter of $18.0 million.

Cash flows used in investing activities decreased by $141.7 million from $516.8 million in YTD-2024 to $375.1 million in YTD-2025 largely due to lower growth capital following the completion of the growth projects, which achieved commercial production in Q3-2024, partially offset by higher sustaining and non-sustaining capital.

Sustaining capital decreased from $51.6 million in Q2-2025 to $37.9 million in Q3-2025, largely due to decreased sustaining capital expenditure at the Hounde mine related to the timing of heavy mining equipment upgrades and at the Sabodala-Massawa mine related to waste stripping activity, partially offset by an increase in sustaining capital expenditure at the Ity, Mana and Lafigue mines.

Sustaining capital increased from $82.6 million in YTD-2024 to $163.2 million in YTD-2025 largely due to the addition of the Lafigue mine and the Sabodala-Massawa BIOX expansion, which both achieved commercial production in Q3-2024, as well as increased expenditure at the Mana mine related to underground development and at the Ity mine related to land compensation and processing plant capital spares, partially offset by a decrease in sustaining capital expenditure at the Hounde mine related to reduced waste stripping activity.

Sustaining capital increased from $82.6 million in YTD-2024 to $163.2 million in YTD-2025 largely due to the addition of the Lafigue mine and the Sabodala-Massawa BIOX expansion, which both achieved commercial production in Q3-2024, as well as increased expenditure at the Mana mine related to underground development and at the Ity mine related to land compensation and processing plant capital spares, partially offset by a decrease in sustaining capital expenditure at the Hounde mine related to reduced waste stripping activity. Non-sustaining capital increased from $65.3 million in Q2-2025 to $83.3 million in Q3-2025 largely due to waste stripping at the Hounde mine related to the Vindaloo Main pit phase 3 pushback, at the Mana mine related to the purchase of the mining fleet from the outgoing mining contractor, at Lafigue related to the purchase of generators for the backup power plant, partially offset by a decrease at the Sabodala-Massawa and Ity mines.

Non-sustaining capital increased from $162.0 million in YTD-2024 to $186.1 million in YTD-2025 largely due to the addition of the Lafigue mine and the Sabodala-Massawa BIOX expansion, which both achieved commercial production in Q3-2024, as well as increased expenditure at the Hounde mine related to waste stripping, partially offset by a decrease in waste stripping at the Ity and Sabodala-Massawa mines and the reclassification of underground development at the Mana mine as sustaining capital following the achievement of commercial stoping production across all of the underground portals.

Non-sustaining capital increased from $162.0 million in YTD-2024 to $186.1 million in YTD-2025 largely due to the addition of the Lafigue mine and the Sabodala-Massawa BIOX expansion, which both achieved commercial production in Q3-2024, as well as increased expenditure at the Hounde mine related to waste stripping, partially offset by a decrease in waste stripping at the Ity and Sabodala-Massawa mines and the reclassification of underground development at the Mana mine as sustaining capital following the achievement of commercial stoping production across all of the underground portals. Growth capital decreased from $10.2 million in Q2-2025 to $6.8 million in Q3-2025. Growth capital expenditure in Q3-2025 was related to the definitive feasibility study, advanced grade control drilling and sterilisation drilling at the Assafou project.

Growth capital decreased from $227.5 million in YTD-2024 to $22.8 million in YTD-2025 following the completion of the Sabodala-Massawa BIOX expansion and Lafigue growth projects, which both achieved commercial production in Q3-2024. Growth capital expenditure in YTD-2025 was related to the definitive feasibility study and drilling expenditure at the Assafou project.

3) Cash flows used in financing activities increased by $313.5 million from $256.4 million in Q2-2025 to $569.9 million in Q3-2025 largely due to the net repayment of $424.4 million on the Group's outstanding debt, including a full repayment of the drawn portion of the revolving credit facility leaving it fully undrawn at the end of the period, a $91.5 million increase in payments to minority shareholders due to the timing of local Board approvals and a $3.1 million increase in repayment of leases, partially offset by $24.2 million lower financing fees as a result of the undrawn RCF balance and a $12.9 million decrease in purchases of shares through the Group's share buyback programme, which decreased due to the Group's strong liquidity and share price performance through the quarter.

During Q3-2025, the Group entered a short-term, $59.7 million working capital facility, denominated in XOF, at the Ity mine. The facility is expected to mature in November 2025, with $17.9 million repaid during Q3-2025.

During Q3-2025, the Group entered a short-term, $19.4 million term loan, denominated in XOF, at the Sabodala-Massawa mine. The facility is expected to mature in July 2026 with monthly repayments. A total of $3.3 million was repaid during Q3-2025.

Cash flows used in financing activities increased by $590.0 million from $303.1 million in YTD-2024 to $893.1 million in YTD-2025 largely due to a net outflow of $459.0 million on the Group's revolving credit facility, a $51.5 million increase in purchases of shares through the Group's share buyback programme, a $39.3 million increase related to the payment of the H2-2024 shareholder dividend, a $17.0 million increase in financing fees, a $8.0 million increase related to the repayment of leases and a $2.5 million increase in payments to minority shareholders, partially offset by a $1.1 million decrease in interest paid.

4) Endeavour's net debt position improved by $15.9 million, from $469.2 million at the end of Q2-2025 to $453.2 million at the end of Q3-2025, while the Net Debt / Adjusted EBITDA (LTM) leverage ratio improved from 0.23x at the end of Q2-2025 to 0.21x at the end of Q3-2025, remaining well below the Groups through-the-cycle leverage target of 0.50x. Endeavour's liquidity remained strong at $924.7 million, consisting of $224.7 million million of cash and cash equivalents, net of the $37.5 million overdraft facility, and $700.0 million available through the Company's revolving credit facility.



EARNINGS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

The table below presents the earnings and adjusted earnings for Endeavour for the three months ended 30 September 2025, 30 June 2025, and 30 September 2024, and the nine months ended 30 September 2025 and 30 September 2024.

Table 12: Earnings from operations

THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED All amounts in US$ million unless otherwise specified Notes 30 September 2025 30 June 2025 30 September 2024 30 September 2025 30 September 2024 Revenue [5] 910 1,008 706 2,960 1,735 Operating expenses [6] (281) (299) (272) (839) (714) Depreciation and depletion [6] (134) (151) (147) (460) (384) Royalties [7] (70) (78) (52) (224) (126) Earnings from mine operations 425 481 234 1,438 512 Corporate costs [8] (11) (14) (12) (39) (33) Share-based compensation (9) (9) (4) (36) (13) Other expense [9] (10) (15) (23) (44) (53) Credit loss and impairment of financial assets [10] (2) (8) (112) (16) (129) Exploration and evaluation costs [11] (6) (9) (4) (23) (14) Earnings from operations 386 428 79 1,280 270 (Loss)/gain on financial instruments [12] (49) 18 (98) (132) (176) Finance costs (26) (31) (29) (78) (79) Earnings before taxes 311 414 (49) 1,070 15 Current income tax expense [13] (83) (201) (68) (405) (244) Deferred income tax recovery/(expense) (26) 129 40 101 98 Net loss from discontinued operations - - - - (6) Net comprehensive earnings/(loss) from operations [14] 202 343 (77) 767 (138) Add-back adjustments [15] (3) (100) 169 (59) 306 Adjusted net earnings from operations 199 243 91 707 168 Portion attributable to non-controlling interests [16] 40 64 18 151 51 Adjusted net earnings from operations attributable to shareholders of the Company [17] 159 179 74 556 117 Adjusted net earnings per share from continuing operations 0.66 0.74 0.30 2.29 0.48

NOTES:

5) Revenue decreased by $98.1 million from $1,008.2 million in Q2-2025 to $910.1 million in Q3-2025 due to lower volumes of gold sold, partially offset by an increase in the realised gold price from $3,302/oz in Q2-2025 to $3,513/oz in Q3-2025, exclusive of the Company's Revenue Protection Programme.

Revenue increased by $1,224.6 million from $1,735.4 million in YTD-2024 to $2,960.0 million in YTD-2025 due to an increase in the realised gold price from $2,321/oz in YTD-2024 to $3,221/oz in YTD-2025, exclusive of the Company's Revenue Protection Programme, and higher volumes of gold sold.

6) Operating expenses decreased by $18.3 million from $298.9 million in Q2-2025 to $280.6 million in Q3-2025, largely due to lower production and a build-up of stockpile at Lafigue and Ity. Depreciation and depletion decreased by $16.3 million from $150.7 million in Q2-2025 to $134.4 million in Q3-2025 due to lower quarterly production.

Operating expenses increased by $125.0 million from $713.5 million in YTD-2024 to $838.5 million in YTD-2025 due to the commencement of commercial production at the Lafigue mine and the Sabodala-Massawa BIOX expansion in Q3-2024, and increased mining costs at Mana due to increased self generated power consumption and at Ity due to higher volumes of harder, fresh ore mined. Depreciation and depletion increased by $76.0 million from $383.7 million in YTD-2024 to $459.7 million in YTD-2025 due to the commencement of commercial production at the Lafigue mine and the Sabodala-Massawa BIOX expansion in Q3-2024, as well as higher levels of production at the Hounde and Mana mines.

7) Royalties decreased by $7.3 million from $77.6 million in Q2-2025 to $70.3 million in Q3-2025 due to lower volumes of gold sold, partially offset by the higher realised gold price during the quarter.

Royalties increased by $97.5 million from $126.2 million in YTD-2024 to $223.7 million in YTD-2025 due to higher gold sales volumes at a higher realised gold price and the impact of the 1.0% royalty on ounces produced from the Massawa exploitation permit at the Sabadola-Massawa mine, that became effective following the expiry of its payment holiday.

8) Corporate costs decreased by $2.1 million from $13.5 million in Q2-2025 to $11.4 million in Q3-2025 due to a $1.3 million decrease in professional services and a $0.8 million decrease in general office expenses.

Corporate costs increased from $33.3 million in YTD-2024 to $39.4 million in YTD-2025 due to increased employee compensation costs related to the start of commercial production at the growth projects in Q3-2024.

9) Other expenses decreased by $4.1 million from $14.5 million in Q2-2025 to $10.4 million in Q3-2025. For Q3-2025, other expenses included $6.0 million in tax claims, $2.4 million in legal fees, $1.1 million in community contributions, $0.5 million in disturbance costs at Hounde, $0.3 million in acquisition and restructuring costs and a $0.1 million loss on disposal of assets.

10) Credit loss and impairment of financial assets decreased by $5.9 million from $7.6 million in Q2-2025 to $1.7 million in Q3-2025. For Q3-2025, the charge is primarily related to a $1.7 million credit loss adjustment against the outstanding VAT receivables in Burkina Faso.

11) Exploration costs decreased from $8.8 million in Q2-2025 to $5.5 million in Q3-2025 as drilling activity decreased due to the wet season, with a greater focus on analysis and interpretation of drilling results during the quarter.

Exploration costs increased by $9.0 million from $14.0 million in YTD-2024 to $23.0 million in YTD-2025 due to increased exploration spend at the Ity and Sabodala-Massawa mines and the Assafou deposit.

12) The gain/loss on financial instruments decreased by $66.4 million from a gain of $17.5 million in Q2-2025 to a loss of $48.9 million in Q3-2025. The loss on financial instruments in Q3-2025 included a realised loss of $68.5 million in relation to the settlement of 50koz of gold collars, a loss of $3.6 million on foreign exchange movements between the Euro and US dollar and a loss of $2.2 million on other financial instruments, partially offset by an unrealised gain of $20.1 million in relation to the 50koz of outstanding gold collars expected to be settled at the end of Q4-2025, an unrealised gain of $3.6 million on net smelter royalties and a gain of $1.4 million on the early redemption of the Group's senior notes in Q2-2025.

The loss on financial instruments improved by $44.7 million from a loss of $176.3 million in YTD-2024 to a loss of $131.6 million in YTD-2025. The loss on financial instruments in YTD-2025 included a realised loss of $147.3 million in relation to gold collars, a realised loss of $22.0 million in relation to the Group's LBMA averaging programme which is no longer effective, and an unrealised loss of $12.2 million in relation to gold collars, partially offset by a gain on foreign exchange of $36.4 million on movements between the Euro and US dollar, a gain on net smelter royalties of $6.3 million, a gain on marketable securities of $6.2 million and a gain of $2.3 million on the early redemption of the Group's senior notes in Q2-2025.

As previously disclosed, in order to increase cash flow visibility during its construction and de-leveraging phases, Endeavour entered into a Revenue Protection Programme, using a combination of zero premium gold collars and forward sales contracts, to cover a portion of its 2025 production.

In Q3-2025, approximately 50koz were delivered into a collar with an average call price of $2,400/oz and an average put price of $1,992/oz. The realised loss for the quarter was $68.5 million at a settlement price of $3,770/oz.

In Q4-2025, approximately 50koz are expected to be delivered into a collar with an average call price of $2,400/oz and an average put price of $1,992/oz. The Revenue Protection Programme is expected to conclude at the end of Q4-2025.

13) Current income tax expense decreased by $117.1 million from $200.5 million in Q2-2025 to $83.4 million in Q3-2025, largely due to a decrease in current corporate income taxes driven by lower taxable profits and lower withholding taxes recognised due to the timing of local board approvals for cash upstreaming.

Current income tax expense increased by $161.0 million from $243.7 million in YTD-2024 to $404.7 million in YTD-2025 due to an increase in current income taxes driven by higher taxable profits, an increase in withholding taxes at operating subsidiaries and the commencement of operations at the Lafigue mine following the achievement of commercial production in Q3-2024.

Deferred tax expense decreased by $155.3 million from a deferred tax recovery of $129.3 million in Q2-2025 to a deferred tax expense of $26.0 million in Q3-2025, largely due to the movement in foreign exchange on the West African CFA denominated opening deferred tax balance, from a gain on foreign exchange in Q2-2025 to a loss on foreign exchange during Q3-2025, and the accrual of FY-2025 withholding taxes.

Deferred tax recovery increased by $3.9 million from $97.6 million in YTD-2024 to $101.5 million in YTD-2025, largely due to a gain on foreign exchange, partially offset by increased withholding taxes recognised in relation to increased levels of cash upstreamed in relation to FY-2025 profits.

14) Net comprehensive earnings from continuing operations decreased by $141.2 million from $342.8 million in Q2-2025 to $201.6 million in Q3-2025. The decrease in earnings was largely driven by an increased loss on financial instruments of $48.9 million, an increase in net income tax expense of $38.2 million due to the increased deferred tax expense, partially offset by a decrease in operating expenses, depreciation and depletion and royalty costs due to lower volumes of gold sold.

Net comprehensive earnings from continuing operations improved by $897.9 million from net comprehensive loss of $131.3 million in YTD-2024 to net comprehensive earnings of $766.6 million in YTD-2025. The increase in earnings was largely driven by an increase in gold volumes sold at a higher realised gold price and a decreased loss on financial instruments, partially offset by an increase in operating costs, an increase in income tax expense, higher royalty costs and an increase in depreciation and depletion.

15) For Q3-2025, adjustments included an unrealised gain on financial instruments of $19.6 million largely related to the unrealised gain on gold collars, partially offset by other expenses of $10.4 million primarily related to indirect tax claims and legal costs, non-cash tax adjustments of $4.9 million related to foreign exchange on deferred tax and a credit loss of $1.7 million related to a credit loss adjustment against VAT balances.

16) Net earnings attributable to non-controlling interests decreased by $23.5 million, from $63.9 million in Q2-2025 to $40.4 million in Q3-2025 due to the decrease in net comprehensive earnings.

17) Adjusted net earnings attributable to shareholders decreased by $20.1 million from $178.6 million (or $0.74 per share) in Q2-2025 to $158.6 million (or $0.66 per share) in Q3-2025 due to lower gold sales, partially offset by lower operating costs and lower corporate income and withholding tax expenses.

Adjusted net earnings attributable to shareholders for continuing operations increased by $439.0 million from $117.4 million (or $0.48 per share) in YTD-2024 to $556.4 million (or $2.29 per share) in YTD-2025 due to higher production and higher operating margins, aided by a higher realised gold price during the period.

OPERATING ACTIVITIES BY MINE

Ity Gold Mine, Cote d'Ivoire

Table 13: Ity Performance Indicators

For The Period Ended Q3-2025 Q2-2025 Q3-2024 YTD-2025 YTD-2024 Tonnes ore mined, kt 1,991 2,008 2,027 6,120 5,692 Total tonnes mined, kt 7,949 7,844 7,761 24,167 22,299 Strip ratio (incl. waste cap) 2.99 2.91 2.83 2.95 2.92 Tonnes milled, kt 1,840 1,732 1,631 5,471 5,167 Grade, g/t 1.43 1.64 1.64 1.56 1.71 Recovery rate, % 90 91 92 90 91 Production, koz 77 84 77 245 259 Total cash cost/oz 1,142 1,049 899 1,016 874 AISC/oz 1,269 1,125 928 1,099 898

Q3-2025 vs Q2-2025 Insights

Production decreased from 84koz in Q2-2025 to 77koz in Q3-2025 due to lower average grades milled, partially offset by higher mill throughput. Total tonnes mined decreased slightly due to a lower proportion of waste stripping at the Bakatouo and Le Plaque pits. Tonnes of ore mined decreased slightly due to the impact of the wet season on mining activities, while ore was primarily sourced from the Ity, Walter, Bakatouo, Verse Ouest and Le Plaque pits, with supplemental contributions from stockpiles. Tonnes milled increased due to a higher proportion of softer oxide ore sourced from the Le Plaque and Verse Ouest pits in the feed. Average processed grades decreased due to an increased proportion of lower grade ore from the Le Plaque and Ity pits in the mill feed, partially offset by higher grade ore sourced from the Bakatouo pit. Recovery rates remained broadly consistent with the prior quarter.

AISC increased from $1,125/oz in Q2-2025 to $1,269/oz in Q3-2025 due to lower volumes of gold sold, higher royalties related to the higher realised gold price (+$16/oz impact for Q3-2025 due to the higher realised gold price of $3,568/oz compared to the realised gold price of $3,327/oz in Q2-2025) and higher sustaining capital, partially offset by a build-up of stockpiles during the period.

Sustaining capital expenditure increased from $6.4 million in Q2-2025 to $9.5 million in Q3-2025 and was primarily related to land compensation, capital spare purchases for the processing plant and processing plant upgrades.

Non-sustaining capital expenditure decreased from $8.0 million in Q2-2025 to $7.2 million in Q3-2025 and was primarily related to the stage 2 embankment raise at TSF 2 and waste stripping activities in the Daapleu pit.

YTD-2025 vs YTD-2024 Insights

Production decreased from 259koz in YTD-2024 to 245koz in YTD-2025 due to a lower proportion of high grade ore sourced from the Ity and Le Plaque pits in the mill feed, partially offset by higher throughput following the commissioning of the Mineral Sizer optimisation initiative in Q4-2024, while recoveries remained consistent.

AISC increased from $898/oz in YTD-2024 to $1,099/oz in YTD-2025 due to higher royalties related to the higher realised gold price, an increase in sustaining capital, and higher mining and processing unit costs driven by increased drill and blast and crushing and grinding, respectively, in the harder fresh ore.

FY-2025 Outlook

Ity is on track to achieve its FY-2025 production guidance of 290koz - 330koz, at an AISC within the guided $975/oz - $1,100/oz range, when adjusted for the impact of higher gold prices on royalty costs (+$85/oz impact YTD-2025 due to the realised gold price of $3,269/oz compared to the guidance gold price of $2,000/oz).

In Q4-2025, ore is expected to be sourced from the Bakatouo, Le Plaque, Verse Ouest and Walter pits, with supplemental ore sourced from stockpiles. Average grades processed and recovery rates are expected to remain broadly in-line with Q3-2025, while throughput is expected to decrease slightly from Q3-2025 due to a decrease in mill availability related to planned CIL maintenance.

Sustaining capital expenditure outlook for FY-2025 is expected to be $25.0 million, an increase on the previously disclosed guidance of $20.0 million due to the acceleration of waste stripping activity at the high grade Walter pit in preparation for ore mining in FY-2026. Sustaining capital expenditure of $20.7 million has been incurred in YTD-2025, with Q4-2025 expenditure primarily related to borehole drilling, capital spares and waste stripping at the Walter pit.

Non-sustaining capital expenditure outlook for FY-2025 is expected to be $30.0 million, a decrease on the previously disclosed guidance of $35.0 million due to a decrease in planned waste stripping at the Le Plaque pit due to the increased focus on sustaining capital waste development at the Walter pit. Non-sustaining capital expenditure of $18.1 million has been incurred in YTD-2025, with Q4-2025 expenditure primarily related to waste stripping activity at the Daapleu pit, processing plant upgrades as well as the construction of the stage 2 embankment raise at TSF 2.





Hounde Gold Mine, Burkina Faso

Table 14: Hounde Performance Indicators

For The Period Ended Q3-2025 Q2-2025 Q3-2024 YTD-2025 YTD-2024 Tonnes ore mined, kt 1,246 1,367 1,111 4,265 3,136 Total tonnes mined, kt 12,718 13,490 9,567 37,542 32,283 Strip ratio (incl. waste cap) 9.20 8.87 7.61 7.80 9.29 Tonnes milled, kt 1,205 1,367 1,348 3,907 3,743 Grade, g/t 1.46 1.49 2.00 1.91 1.71 Recovery rate, % 85 86 86 86 87 Production, koz 49 69 74 209 179 Total cash cost/oz 1,420 1,352 1,233 1,098 1,242 AISC/oz 1,475 1,580 1,379 1,231 1,457

Q3-2025 vs Q2-2025 Insights

Production decreased from 69koz in Q2-2025 to 49koz in Q3-2025 due to lower tonnes milled and slightly lower grades processed, while recovery rates remained stable. Total tonnes mined decreased due to lower waste stripping activity at the Vindaloo North, Kari Pump and Kari West pits due to the impact of the wet season on mining activity, partially offset by an increase in waste stripping at the Vindaloo Main pit phase 3 pushback, in line with mine sequencing. Tonnes of ore mined decreased due to the impact of the wet season on mining activity, while ore was primarily sourced from the Vindaloo Main and Kari West pits, in line with mine sequencing. Tonnes milled decreased due to the impact of the wet season, during which a higher proportion of harder, fresh and transitional ore from the Vindaloo Main and Kari West pits was incorporated into the mill feed. Average processed grades decreased slightly due to lower grade ore sourced from the Kari West, Vindaloo Main and Vindaloo North pits. Recovery rates remained consistent with the prior quarter.

AISC decreased from $1,580/oz in Q2-2025 to $1,475/oz in Q3-2025 due to lower sustaining capital related to lower waste stripping activity compared to the prior quarter, partially offset by lower gold sales volumes, higher royalty costs due to the higher realised gold price (+$22/oz impact for Q3-2025 due to the higher realised gold price of $3,540/oz compared to the realised gold price of $3,328/oz in Q2-2025) and higher mining and processing units costs due to the impact of the wet season.

Sustaining capital expenditure decreased from $15.3 million in Q2-2025 to $2.7 million in Q3-2025 primarily related to heavy mining equipment additions and rebuilds and the purchase of a mobile crane to support processing plant maintenance.

Non-sustaining capital expenditure increased from $16.8 million in Q2-2025 to $34.4 million in Q3-2025, primarily related to waste stripping at the Vindaloo Main pit phase 3 pushback and the ongoing TSF stage 10 embankment raise.

YTD-2025 vs YTD-2024 Insights

Production increased from 179koz in YTD-2024 to 209koz in YTD-2025 due to processing a higher proportion of high grade ore from the Kari Pump pit as well as an increase in tonnes milled due to the impact of an 11-day non-technical delay in Q1-2024, partially offset by lower recovery rates due to an increased proportion of ore from the Kari Pump pit in the mill feed with lower associated recoveries.

AISC decreased significantly from $1,457/oz in YTD-2024 to $1,231/oz in YTD-2025 due to higher volumes of gold sold, a build-up of stockpile inventory and lower sustaining capital, partially offset by higher royalty rates related to the higher realised gold price.

FY-2025 Outlook

Given the strong YTD-2025 performance, Hounde is expected to achieve the top half of its FY-2025 production guidance of 230koz - 260koz, at an AISC within the guided $1,225/oz - $1,375/oz range, when adjusted for the impact of higher gold prices on royalty costs (+$117/oz impact YTD-2025 due to the realised gold price of $3,220/oz compared to the guidance gold price of $2,000/oz).

In Q4-2025, ore is expected to be sourced primarily from the Kari West pit with supplemental ore sourced from the Vindaloo Main, Vindaloo North and Kari Pump pits. Average grade processed is expected to remain in line with Q3-2025, while throughput is expected to decrease due to an increased proportion of harder fresh ore in the mill feed with stable recovery rates.

Sustaining capital expenditure outlook for FY-2025 remains unchanged at $40.0 million, of which $28.0 million has been incurred in YTD-2025, with Q4-2025 expenditure primarily related to mining fleet component upgrades and processing plant equipment upgrades.

Non-sustaining capital expenditure outlook for FY-2025 is expected to be $80.0 million, a decrease from the previous non-sustaining capital guidance of $90.0 million, which reflects the expected timing of land compensation for the third TSF cell. Non-sustaining capital expenditure of $51.8 million has been incurred in YTD-2025, with Q4-2025 expenditure primarily related to the Vindaloo Main pit phase 3 pushback, the TSF stage-10 embankment raise and drilling at the Kari Gap deposit.





Mana Gold Mine, Burkina Faso

Table 15: Mana Performance Indicators

For The Period Ended Q3-2025 Q2-2025 Q3-2024 YTD-2025 YTD-2024 OP tonnes ore mined, kt - - - - 185 OP total tonnes mined, kt - - - - 745 OP strip ratio (incl. waste cap) - - - - 4.03 UG tonnes ore mined, kt 553 539 484 1,637 1,359 Tonnes milled, kt 551 542 516 1,645 1,691 Grade, g/t 2.50 2.77 2.15 2.78 2.19 Recovery rate, % 85 85 88 85 88 Production, koz 39 41 30 127 107 Total cash cost/oz 1,772 1,700 1,766 1,596 1,587 AISC/oz 2,377 2,257 1,987 2,157 1,756

Q3-2025 vs Q2-2025 Insights

Production decreased from 41koz in Q2-2025 to 39koz in Q3-2025 due to lower grades processed, partially offset by higher tonnes of ore milled while recovery rates remained stable. Total tonnes mined decreased as mining activities shifted focus towards stope production. Tonnes of ore mined increased with increased stope production from both the Siou and Wona underground deposits. Total mined tonnes from the Siou underground deposit remained stable. Tonnes of ore mined increased, offset by a decrease in tonnes of waste mined as the focus shifted to mining stopes following the advance of waste development in the prior quarter. Total mined tonnes from the Wona underground deposit decreased following the demobilisation of the outgoing underground mining contractor, as the remaining underground mining contractor expanded operations. Tonnes of ore mined increased as the focus shifted to mining stopes during the underground mining contractor transition. Development rates across the Siou and Wona underground deposits amounted to 4,256 metres, a decrease from the 4,470 metres completed in the prior quarter, due to the focus on stope production, following the advance of waste development in the prior quarter. Tonnes milled increased due to improved mill availability following planned maintenance in the prior quarter. Average grades processed decreased due to lower grade ore, sourced from the Wona underground deposit, in line with the mine sequence, partially offset by higher grade ore sourced from the Siou underground. Recovery rates remained consistent with the prior quarter.

AISC increased from $2,257/oz in Q2-2025 to $2,377/oz in Q3-2025 due to higher royalties related to the higher realised gold price (+$20/oz impact due to the realised gold price of $3,530/oz compared to the realised gold price of $3,320/oz for Q2-2025) and lower volumes of gold sold, partially offset by slightly lower power unit costs due to improved grid stability at Mana.

Sustaining capital expenditure increased slightly from $22.6 million in Q2-2025 to $23.1 million in Q3-2025 and was primarily related to capitalised underground development at the Siou and Wona underground deposits, as well as leasing payments for contractor mining equipment.

Non-sustaining capital expenditure increased from $1.1 million in Q2-2025 to $14.1 million in Q3-2025 and was primarily related to the purchase of underground mining fleet from the outgoing mining contractor, which will be used by the existing underground mining contractor, as well as underground infrastructure upgrades and the stage 6 embankment lift at the TSF.

YTD-2025 vs YTD-2024 Insights

Production increased from 107koz in YTD-2024 to 127koz in YTD-2025 due to the higher average grades processed following the commencement of commercial production and the increased access to higher-grade production stopes across all three underground portals in the Wona underground deposit. This was partially offset by lower recovery rates associated with a higher proportion of ore from the Wona underground deposit in the mill feed with lower associated recoveries.

AISC increased from $1,756/oz in YTD-2024 to $2,157/oz in YTD-2025 due to increased sustaining capital related to underground development, higher royalties related to the higher realised gold price, and increased power costs due to the elected reliance on increased self-generated power in the Siou and Wona underground mines, partially offset by higher volumes of gold sold.

FY-2025 Outlook

Mana is on track to achieve its FY-2025 production guidance of 160koz - 180koz at an AISC above the top-end of the guided $1,550/oz - $1,750/oz range due to the elected reliance on increased, higher-cost, self-generated power, higher royalty costs due to the prevailing gold prices (+$111/oz impact due to the realised gold price of $3,241/oz compared to the guidance gold price of $2,000/oz) and increased sustaining capital due to the acceleration of underground development at the Wona underground deposit to access higher grade stopes.

In Q4-2025, production is expected to increase due to improved access to higher grade stopes in the Wona underground deposit, supporting an increase in tonnes of ore and grade mined and processed, while recoveries are expected to remain consistent.

Sustaining capital expenditure outlook for FY-2025 is expected to be $75.0 million, an increase on the previously disclosed guidance of $60.0 million, due to increased underground development at the Wona underground deposit. Sustaining capital expenditure of $70.2 million has been incurred YTD-2025 with Q4-2025 expenditure related to development in the Wona underground deposit as well as processing plant, ventilation and powerhouse upgrades.

Non-sustaining capital expenditure outlook for FY-2025 is expected to be $25.0 million, an increase on the previously disclosed guidance of $10.0 million, due to the purchase of underground mining fleet from the outgoing mining contractor. The equipment will be retained and used by the remaining underground mining contractor. Non-sustaining capital expenditure of $16.1 million has been incurred YTD-2025 with Q4-2025 expenditure primarily related to the ongoing stage 6 embankment lift at the TSF and underground mine infrastructure.





Sabodala-Massawa Gold Mine, Senegal

Table 16: Sabodala-Massawa Performance Indicators

For The Period Ended Q3-2025 Q2-2025 Q3-2024

YTD-2025 YTD-2024 Tonnes ore mined, kt 971 937 1,282 3,029 4,119 Total tonnes mined, kt 7,134 9,412 10,438 26,572 31,015 Strip ratio (incl. waste cap) 6.39 9.05 7.14 7.82 6.53 Tonnes milled - Total, kt 1,378 1,252 1,184 4,113 3,684 Tonnes milled - CIL, kt 1,121 969 950 3,284 3,298 Tonnes milled - BIOX, kt 257 283 235 829 386 Grade - Total, g/t 1.60 1.99 1.90 1.82 1.74 Grade - CIL, g/t 1.04 1.43 1.65 1.33 1.62 Grade - BIOX, g/t 4.06 3.89 2.90 3.74 2.90 Recovery rate - Total, % 82 80 78 80 79 Recovery rate - CIL, % 83 81 79 82 81 Recovery rate - BIOX, % 82 78 75 78 69 Production, koz 61 62 54 195 159 Production - CIL, koz 32 37 38 117 138 Production - BIOX, koz 30 26 16 79 22 Total cash cost/oz 1,173 1,073 1,096 1,061 1,015 AISC1/oz 1,326 1,272 1,219 1,252 1,112

1All-in Sustaining Cost excludes costs and ounces sold related to pre-commercial production at the Sabodala-Massawa BIOX Expansion.

Q3-2025 vs Q2-2025 Insights

Production decreased slightly from 62koz in Q2-2025 to 61koz in Q3-2025 due to lower average grades processed, partially offset by higher tonnes milled and higher recovery rates. Total tonnes mined decreased as the wet season impacted pit floor conditions at the predominantly oxide Maki Medina and Niakafiri East pits. Tonnes of ore mined increased due to improved productivity in the fresh ore of the Massawa Central Zone pit which is less impacted by the wet season. Ore was primarily sourced from the Maki Medina, Niakafiri East, Niakafiri West, Sabodala and Soukhoto pits for the CIL plant and from the Massawa Central Zone pit for the BIOX processing plant. Total tonnes milled increased due to improved mill availability in the CIL processing plant following planned maintenance in the prior quarter, partially offset by a decrease in tonnes milled in the BIOX processing plant due to planned maintenance during the quarter. Average processed grade decreased due to lower average grade ore sourced from the Maki Medina, Niakafiri East and Sabodala pits for the CIL processing plant, partially offset by increased average grades processed through the BIOX processing plant as mining advanced through the Massawa Central Zone pit into higher grade ore. Recovery rates increased as a higher proportion of fresh ore with higher associated recovery rates was mined and processed through both the CIL and BIOX processing plants.

AISC increased from $1,272/oz in Q2-2025 to $1,326/oz in Q3-2025 due to lower gold sales, higher BIOX processing unit costs associated with increased reagent consumption, higher mining unit costs due to the impact of the wet season on productivity and higher royalty costs related to the higher realised gold price (+$12/oz impact for Q3-2025 due to the realised gold price of $3,425/oz, before the impact of the Sabodala-Massawa stream, compared to the realised gold price of $3,246/oz for Q2-2025), partially offset by lower CIL processing unit costs due to planned maintenance in the prior quarter and lower sustaining capital.

Sustaining capital expenditure decreased from $12.8 million in Q2-2025 to $9.1 million in Q3-2025 and was primarily related to waste development at the Massawa Central Zone and Niakafiri East pits as well as mining equipment rebuilds.

Non-sustaining capital expenditure decreased from $15.6 million in Q2-2025 to $2.4 million in Q3-2025 and was primarily related to mining infrastructure at the Delya deposit ahead of the commencement of mining in Q4-2025 and waste stripping activities in the Massawa North Zone pits.

YTD-2025 vs YTD-2024 Insights

Production increased from 159koz in YTD-2024 to 195koz in YTD-2025 primarily due to the startup of the BIOX processing plant, which achieved commercial production during Q3-2024, partially offset by a decrease in production from CIL plant due to lower average grade in line with the mine sequence.

AISC increased from $1,112/oz in YTD-2024 to $1,252/oz in YTD-2025 due to higher sustaining capital related to waste stripping at the Massawa Central Zone and Niakafiri East pits, higher royalties related to the higher realised gold price and higher mining unit costs due to increased haulage distances, partially offset by higher gold sales.

FY-2025 Outlook

Given the strong YTD-2025 performance, Sabodala-Massawa is expected to achieve the top half of its FY-2025 production guidance of 250koz - 280koz, at an AISC within the guided $1,100/oz - $1,250/oz range, when adjusted for the impact of higher gold prices on royalty costs (+$74/oz impact YTD-2025 due to the realised gold price of $3,165/oz, before the impact of the Sabodala-Massawa stream, compared to the guidance gold price of $2,000/oz).

In Q4-2025, mined tonnes are expected to increase due to improved mining equipment availability and improved ground conditions. Ore for the CIL plant will be sourced from the Niakafiri East, Niakafiri West, Delya Main and Soukhoto pits, while ore for the BIOX processing plant will continue to be sourced from the Massawa Central Zone pit.

In Q4-2025, production from the CIL plant is expected to increase due to higher throughput from improved utilisation and higher average grade ore in the mill feed sourced from the Delya Main and Niakafiri West pits, while recovery rates are expected to remain consistent.

In Q4-2025, production from the BIOX plant is expected to remain consistent with Q3-2025 as an expected increase in mill throughput will offset slightly lower average grade ore sourced from Massawa Central Zone, in line with the mine sequence. Recovery rates are expected to remain consistent with Q3-2025.

Sustaining capital expenditure outlook for FY-2025 is expected to be $45.0 million, a decrease on the previously disclosed guidance of $60.0 million due to the de-prioritisation of waste stripping activities at the Niakafiri West pit, partially offset by increased waste stripping at the Niakafiri East pit. Sustaining capital expenditure of $37.2 million has been incurred YTD-2025 with Q4-2025 expenditure primarily related to CIL processing plant upgrades, mining component rebuilds and waste stripping activities at the Massawa Central Zone and Niakafiri East pits.

Non-sustaining capital expenditure for FY-2025 remains unchanged at $25.0 million, of which $22.1 million has been incurred in YTD-2025 with Q4-2025 expenditure primarily related to infrastructure associated with the startup of mining activities at the Delya deposit and mining equipment upgrades.

Sabodala-Massawa Technical Review

During Q3-2024, a technical review was launched at Sabodala-Massawa to improve the production outlook, towards a stable run rate, of approximately 350koz, by the end of FY-2027.

Two initiatives were identified as part of the technical review, to improve production: 1) increasing throughput and recoveries in the BIOX plant; and, 2) increasing grades through the CIL plant through exploration and underground mining of higher grade ores.

1a) BIOX throughput: targeting a 15% increase through de-bottlenecking milling, gravity and floatation circuits.

Optimisation of the SAG mill discharge and the use of a pebble crusher has driven improvements in feed stability, through the floatation circuit and allowed for optimisation of pumps in the floatation and CCD circuits, which are expected to drive further improvements in H2-2025.

Peak throughput capacity has continued to progressively improve and remains on track to achieve +15% above design nameplate in Q1-2026, supporting progressively higher levels of production.

1b) BIOX recoveries: targeting long-term recovery rates of approximately 85% through increased fresh refractory ore mining coupled with increased utilisation of the floatation tails underflow and gravity circuit optimisation. BIOX recoveries have improved from 58.5% in Q2-2024 to 82.3% in Q3-2025, largely reflecting the advance of ore mining activities in the Massawa Central Zone pit, into more than 80.0% fresh ore, resulting in improved floatation recoveries and significantly improved overall recoveries. Optimisation of the tailings underflow coupled with optimisation of the gravity circuit are expected to continue improving gold recoveries towards the 85% target. Simultaneously, extensive metallurgical testing is underway on the transitional and fresh ore at the high grade Massawa North Zone refractory ore deposit and stockpile, to ensure that the ore can be incorporated into the blend without materially impacting overall recoveries.

2) Increasing CIL grade through accelerating high grade underground development and exploration for higher-grade deposits.

Feasibility level work and the tender process are underway for the Golouma (FY-2024 P&P reserves of 1.6Mt at 4.75g/t for 241koz) and Kerekounda (FY-2024 P&P reserves of 1.2Mt at 5.49g/t for 204koz) underground deposits, which are expected to provide a higher grade source of non-refractory feed for the CIL plant. The current phase of study work is expected to be completed in H1-2026.

Exploration prioritised accelerating high grade non-refractory opportunities, and work is advancing at two high-priority targets, Makana and Kawsara as detailed in the Exploration Activities section below.

Lafigue Mine, Cote d'Ivoire

Table 17: Lafigue Performance Indicators

For The Period Ended Q3-2025 Q2-2025 Q3-2024 YTD-2025 YTD-2024 Tonnes ore mined, kt 1,870 1,141 1,250 4,241 3,090 Total tonnes mined, kt 14,672 13,488 8,873 40,989 27,001 Strip ratio (incl. waste cap) 6.85 10.82 6.10 8.67 7.74 Tonnes milled, kt 1,026 1,165 759 3,209 843 Grade, g/t 1.20 1.35 1.57 1.41 1.51 Recovery rate, % 93 93 94 93 94 Production, koz 38 49 36 135 36 Total cash cost/oz 1,433 1,125 831 1,129 831 AISC1/oz 1,530 1,154 938 1,168 938

1All-in Sustaining Cost excludes costs and ounces sold related to pre-commercial production at the Lafigue mine.

Q3-2025 vs Q2-2025 Insights

Production decreased from 49koz in Q2-2025 to 38koz in Q3-2025 due to a decrease in mill throughput and average grades processed, while recovery rates remained stable. Total tonnes mined increased due to improved contractor performance achieving higher fleet availability. Total ore tonnes mined increased due to increased ore mining at the Main and West pits, and at Pit C where ore mining commenced during the quarter to provide supplemental ore to support the higher than design nameplate levels of plant throughput. Total tonnes milled decreased due to the impact of the wet season on mill availability and planned maintenance on the ball mill during the quarter. Average processed grades decreased due to lower grade ores mined from the Main pit as the mine plan was augmented to accelerate mining in the Main pit to support higher than design nameplate levels of plant throughput. This was partially offset by higher grades sourced from the West pit and Pit C. Recovery rates remained consistent with the prior quarter.

AISC increased from $1,154/oz in Q2-2025 to $1,530/oz in Q3-2025 due to higher royalties related to the higher realised gold price (+$14/oz impact for Q3-2025 due to the higher realised gold price of $3,534/oz compared to the realised gold price of $3,312/oz for Q2-2025), higher mining unit costs due to lower productivity during the wet season, lower gold sales and higher sustaining capital, partially offset by lower processing unit costs due to improved grid power availability and the build-up of stockpile.

Sustaining capital expenditure increased from $1.4 million in Q2-2025 to $3.6 million in Q3-2025 and was primarily related to advanced grade control drilling and the purchase of strategic spares.

Non-sustaining capital expenditure increased from $23.7 million in Q2-2025 to $24.3 million in Q3-2025 and was primarily related to the purchase of generators for the backup power plant, waste stripping activity at the West pit and the TSF Stage 2 lift.

YTD-2025 vs YTD-2024 Insights

Production increased from 36koz in YTD-2024 to 135koz in YTD-2025 due to the startup of the CIL processing plant, which achieved commercial production during Q3-2024. Average grade decreased due to a lower proportion of higher grade oxide ore in the mill feed which was sourced from the Main pit at the start of mining operations in FY-2024.

AISC increased from $938/oz in YTD-2024 to $1,168/oz in YTD-2025 due to increased self-generated power consumption in H1-2025 as hydroelectric grid power availability was lower at the end of the dry season, impacting processing unit costs, and higher royalty costs related to the higher realised gold price.

FY-2025 Outlook

Lafigue is on track to achieve the lower half of its FY-2025 production guidance of 180koz - 210koz at an AISC near the top end of the guided $950/oz - $1,075/oz range due to lower grade ore sourced from the Main pit as the mine plan was augmented to accelerate mining through the Main pit to support the processing plant and due to the impact of higher gold prices on royalty costs (+$80/oz impact due to the realised gold price of $3,231/oz compared to the guidance gold price of $2,000/oz).

In Q4-2025, ore is expected to be primarily sourced from the Eastern flank of the Main pit, following the completion of pre-stripping activities earlier in the year, with supplemental ore sourced from the West pit and Pit C. Average processed grades are expected to increase due to higher grades sourced from the West pit. Throughput rates are expected to decrease due to planned maintenance and the processing of a higher proportion of harder fresh ore. Recovery rates are expected to remain stable.

Sustaining capital expenditure for FY-2025 is expected to be $10.0 million, a decrease on the previously disclosed guidance of $15.0 million, due to a decrease in waste stripping activity at the Main pit, to prioritise non-sustaining pre-stripping of Pushback 2 in the Main pit. Sustaining capital expenditure of $5.3 million has been incurred in YTD-2025 with Q4-2025 expenditure primarily related to the purchase of strategic capital spares.

Non-sustaining capital expenditure for FY-2025 is expected to be $80.0 million, an increase on the previous non-sustaining capital guidance of $70.0 million, due to the acceleration of pre-stripping of Pushback 2 in the Main pit to provide access to higher grade ore and support higher than design nameplate levels of plant throughput. Non-sustaining capital expenditure of $75.5 million has been incurred in YTD-2025 with Q4-2025 expenditure primarily related to the ongoing stage 2 embankment lift at the TSF, processing plant upgrades and waste stripping activities at the Main pit.





Assafou Project, Cote d'Ivoire

On 11 December 2024, Endeavour announced the positive pre-feasibility results ("PFS") for the Assafou project. The PFS highlights 329kozpa production at AISC of $892/oz over the first 10 years and boasts robust economics with an after-tax NPV 5% of $2,485.0 million and after-tax IRR of 40% at a $2,500/oz gold price.

of $2,485.0 million and after-tax IRR of 40% at a $2,500/oz gold price. The Assafou PFS has initial capital of $734.0 million with design throughput of 5.0Mtpa. The PFS was based on the 2023 Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE), with a 31 October 2023 drilling cut-off.

Following the completion of the PFS, a Definitive Feasibility Study ("DFS") was immediately launched with key updates on critical path items outlined below: The Environmental Permit application was successful with the Environmental Permit Decree approved during Q3-2025. The Exploitation Permit application process is progressing as planned, with permit approval expected in Q1-2026. Pit geotechnical design is ongoing and progressing to plan, sterilisation drilling has been completed allowing for processing plant and infrastructure designs to be finalised. Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) advancing to plan, with 99% of the community surveyed and the final RAP report is expected in Q1-2026. Infill drilling on the Assafou deposit was completed in Q3-2025 and re-confirmed the accuracy of the existing resource model, providing increased confidence in the initial phases of ore mining at the deposit. A 20,000 metre exploration drill programme has been completed on Pala Trend 3 target and a 3,331m drilling programme has been completed on the Pala Trend 2 target confirming the continuity of mineralisation along the Tarkwaian - Birimian contact over a 3 kilometre strike length, in the south west of the Assafou basin, with maiden resources expected to be defined in Q4-2025.

The Definitive Feasibility Study remains on-track to be completed in Q1-2026.

EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES

Endeavour has achieved its five-year exploration target of discovering 12 - 17Moz of Measured and Indicated ("M&I") resources between 2021 to 2025, with 12.4Moz M&I discovered at a cost of less than $25/oz by the end of FY-2024. This brings M&I discoveries since 2016 to 20.7Moz, equivalent to an average of 2.3Moz each year or 2.2x production depletion over the period, for a discovery cost of less than $25/oz.

The Group's exploration program has sustainably replaced production depletion with high-quality M&I ounces, extended mine lives, and added two cornerstone assets to the portfolio through the discoveries of the Lafigue deposit in 2017 and the Assafou deposit in 2022.

The Group's exploration success has been underpinned by its unique exploration strategy coupled with the high fertility and relative immaturity of the West African Birimian Greenstone Belts. During Q4-2025, the Group will outline the next phase of its exploration strategy, with an increased focus on extending mine lives and adding tier 1 greenfield discoveries into the pipeline as well.

During FY-2025, an extensive $85.0 million exploration programme was planned, of which $72.1 million has been spent YTD-2025, and $20.7 million was spent in Q3-2025. The programmes were accelerated at Hounde due to success defining new resources at the Vindaloo Deeps deposit and at Mana due to the continued deep drilling to delineate mineralisation at depth. These increases were offset by a decrease at Lafigue as land access is being negotiated prior to the next phase of the drilling programme, which is now expected to commence in early 2026. A total of 251,900 metres of drilling was completed in YTD-2025, of which 55,900 meters was completed during Q3-2025.

Table 18: Quarterly Exploration Expenditure and FY-2025 Guidance1

Q3-2025 ACTUAL YTD-2025 ACTUAL FY-2025 PREVIOUS GUIDANCE FY-2025 UPDATED GUIDANCE All amounts in US$ million Hounde 3.9 7.2 7.0 10.0 Ity 3.9 16.4 18.0 18.0 Mana 0.5 3.2 3.0 4.0 Sabodala-Massawa 7.4 22.0 25.0 25.0 Lafigue 0.0 0.5 5.0 1.0 Assafou project 0.8 6.2 10.0 10.0 Greenfield exploration and corporate 4.2 16.6 17.0 17.0 TOTAL EXPLORATION EXPENDITURE 20.7 72.1 85.0 85.0

1Exploration expenditures include expensed and capitalised exploration expenditures.

Hounde mine

An exploration programme of $7.0 million was planned for FY-2025, of which $7.2 million has been spent YTD-2025 and $3.9 million was spent in Q3-2025, consisting of over 10,800 metres of drilling across 26 holes. Given the success of the resource definition drilling programme at the Vindaloo Deeps deposit, the programme has been accelerated and exploration spend is expected to be approximately $10.0 million for FY-2025. The FY-2025 programme is focused on delineating near-mine resources at the Vindaloo Deeps, Kari Deeps and Marzipan targets.

During Q3-2025, the exploration programme has accelerated at the Vindaloo Deeps deposit with four drill rigs focussed on infill drilling and testing the southern continuation, where high grade intercepts have been drilled confirming the extension of mineralisation. RC drilling at the Marzipan target, located 5 kilometres east of the Hounde processing plant, has been completed, and successfully confirmed mineralisation in the oxide zone that remains open at depth.

In Q4-2025, the geological model of the Vindaloo Deeps deposit will continue to be updated and a maiden mineral resource estimate is expected during Q1-2026. Additional deep scout drilling is planned during Q4 to test further extensions of this promising mineralisation up to 800 metres southwards. At the Marzipan target, further diamond drill holes are planned to better constrain the geometry of the mineralisation.

Ity mine

An exploration programme of $18.0 million was planned for FY-2025, of which $16.4 million has been spent YTD-2025 and $3.9 million was spent in Q3-2025, consisting of 9,300 metres of drilling across 76 drill holes. The exploration programme is focused on defining resources within close proximity to, and below, the Ity Donut as well as advancing maiden resource estimates at greenfield targets around the Goleu prospect.

During Q3-2025, drilling completed at the Bakatouo, Zia Northeast, Flotouo, Mont Ity and Walter deposits in the Ity Donut, demonstrated that all of these deposits remain open at depth with mineralisation identified in skarnified rocks and granodiorite intrusions. Drilling continued at the Goleu, Mahapleu and Gbampleu greenfield targets on the wider Ity trend to follow-up on high grade mineralisation identified earlier in the year, which remains continuous and open at depth. Scout drilling and trenching at the Guiamapleu target, located approximately 30km southwest of the Ity mine, also identified gold mineralisation and pathfinder elements within favourable structural settings.

In Q4-2025, maiden resources are expected at the Goleu target, while drilling will resume at the Delta Southeast target. At the Guiamapleu target, auger drilling will continue to test this promising structural target.

Mana mine

An exploration programme of $3.0 million was planned for FY-2025, of which $3.2 million has been spent YTD-2025 and $0.5 million was spent in Q3-2025, consisting of 1,300 metres of drilling across 2 deep drill diamond holes. The drilling programme at Mana has been accelerated as deep drilling into the Wona deposit to extend the current resource continued, with exploration spend of $4.0 million expected for FY-2025.

During Q3-2025, deep drilling targeting high grade mineralisation below the current resource, identified several mineralised intercepts, and highlighted the continuation of resources below the Wona underground deposit.

In Q4-2025, an extensive review of the structural data associated with high-grade intersections will be undertaken to prioritise the H1-2026 drilling program on the high-grade ore shots.

Sabodala-Massawa mine

An exploration programme of $25.0 million was planned for FY-2025, of which $22.0 million has been spent YTD-2025 and $7.4 million was spent in Q3-2025, consisting of 34,500 meters of drilling across 312 drill holes. The exploration programme is focused on defining non-refractory oxide resources to support the near-term mine plan, as well as continued definition of medium to longer-term non-refractory and refractory targets.

During Q3-2025, interpretation of the results from the completed drilling programme at the Makana target, identified two structural domains hosting mineralised lenses that will be incorporated into the ongoing resource modelling. Drilling continued at the Kawsara target, located approximately 35 kilometres south of the Sabodala-Massawa processing plant, extending the mineralised strike length to over 1,300 metres, with step-out drilling indicating that mineralisation extends further north towards the Massawa deposits.

In Q4-2025, the geological interpretation and maiden resource at the Makana target are expected, with follow-up drilling planned for FY-2026 to expand resources further. A focussed infill drilling campaign is underway along a 350 metre long mineralised section of the Kawsara Central target, to define M&I resources and improve the understanding of the continuation of mineralisation.

Lafigue mine

An exploration programme of $5.0 million was planned for FY-2025, of which $0.5 million was spent in YTD-2025 and $0.0 million was spent in Q3-2025. The exploration programme is focused on preparing and executing a drilling campaign to test high-priority near-mine targets, less than 5 kilometres away from the Lafigue processing plant, including Target 1, Corridor T4-12 and Central Area to identify potential satellite opportunities. The FY-2025 exploration programme for at Lafigue has been reduced to $1.0 million for FY-2025, with the drilling programme expected to commence in early FY-2026.

During Q3-2025, drilling at the near-mine Target 1, Corridor T4-12 and Central Area targets to delineate near-mine satellite opportunities within close proximity to Lafigue was delayed as land access was negotiated.

In Q4-2025, a ground induced polarisation survey will be completed across the near mine targets to help prioritise the drilling programme, which is expected to commence in early FY-2026.

Assafou Project

An exploration programme of $10.0 million was planned for FY-2025, of which $6.2 million was spent in YTD-2025 and $0.8 million in Q3-2025. The exploration programme prioritised sterilisation and advanced grade control drilling as well as resource drilling of near mine, potential satellite targets, including Pala Trend 2 and Pala Trend 3.

During Q2 and Q3-2025, infill drilling on the Assafou deposit was completed and confirmed the existing resource model, providing increased confidence in the initial phases of ore mining at the deposit.

During Q3, additional exploration has been advanced at Pala Trend 2 and Pala Trend 3 targets. A 20,000 metre drill programme has been completed on Pala Trend 3 demonstrating mineralisation in both Tarkwaian sediments and Birimian basement close to the contact. Mineralisation remains open indicating further upside in this target area. At Pala Trend 2 a 3,331m drilling programme has been completed and demonstrated a 3 kilometre long mineralised trend at the contact between Tarkwaian sediments and Birimian basement. In addition to exploration, sterilisation drilling programs have been completed across the Assafou site to support planned infrastructure placement ahead of the DFS completion, expected in Q1-2026.

In Q4-2025, maiden resources are expected for the Pala Trend 2 target. Furthermore, mapping and trenching conducted in Q3-2025 helped identify additional prospective targets which will be followed up during the Q4-2025 and FY-2026 exploration campaigns.

New Ventures and greenfield exploration

The New Ventures and greenfield exploration programme is focused on building a long-term organic growth pipeline through its operated greenfield exploration programmes, and by leveraging early stage exploration companies operating in highly prospective, immature, gold provinces.

On 25 October 2025, Endeavour signed a partnership-style joint venture (the "Joint Venture") with East Star Resources (LSE:EST)("East Star"), a Kazakhstan based gold and base metals explorer, targeting tier 1 gold deposits in the Central and Northern regions of Kazakhstan.

The Joint Venture provides Endeavour with an opportunity to expand and diversify its tier 1 organic growth pipeline, through exploration of the highly prospective and relatively underexplored Central Asian Orogenic Belt ("CAOB") in Kazakhstan. This approach offers a low-risk and very low-cost, phased investment through a well-integrated local partner, into a new jurisdiction that shares several similarities, in terms of geological prospectivity and exploration maturity, with West Africa.

Pursuant to the Joint Venture, Endeavour has the right to earn up to an 80% interest in a newly incorporated Joint Venture Company through staged investments?over three phases outlined below: Phase 1: Endeavour to invest $5m over two years to earn a 51% interest, funding a 2-year exploration programme to delineate potential tier 1 targets. Phase 2: Endeavour to invest an additional $20m over three years to earn a 70% interest, funding a 3-year exploration programme to define maiden resources. Phase 3: Endeavour to fund and complete an NI 43-101 compliant preliminary feasibility study to earn an 80% interest.

Endeavour maintains the right to a go/no-go decision at each phase of investment.

East Star, who have been operating in Kazakhstan for over five years, will operate the Joint Venture leveraging their local network and expertise, while Endeavour will fully fund and direct the exploration programmes, and maintain controlling votes on the Joint Venture Company's Board and Technical Committees.

Kazakhstan is extensively underlain by one of the world's most fertile, yet underexplored gold provinces, the CAOB, containing gold endowment within Kazakhstan alone of 32.1Moz (2022 USGS estimate). The CAOB shares many characteristics with West Africa's Birimian greenstone belt. Both belts are accretionary orogenic belts shaped by long-lived, multi-stage mineralising events with proven large, long-life, multi-million-ounce gold deposits.

Exploration activity has been limited since the 1980s and historical programmes focused on shallow drilling and surface sampling, with extensive datasets available but limited modern systematic follow-up. Limited large scale exploration programmes deploying modern exploration techniques have been undertaken in the region, particularly in gold exploration, where country-wide annual exploration spend has averaged less than US$25m over the last decade. Endeavour has an early mover advantage in the gold space in Kazakhstan.

Mining is a strategic sector in Kazakhstan and in December 2017, the Government adopted a modernised mining code, aligning the mining framework more closely to leading mining jurisdictions such as Western Australia. The reforms have created a more transparent, mining and investor friendly framework, improving licence accessibility, tenure security, and regulatory clarity.





CONFERENCE CALL AND LIVE WEBCAST

Management will host a conference call and webcast on Thursday 13 November at 8:30 am EDT / 1:30 pm GMT to discuss the Company's financial results.

The conference call and webcast are scheduled at:

5:30am in Vancouver

8:30am in Toronto and New York

1:30pm in London

9:30pm in Hong Kong and Perth

The video webcast can be accessed through the following link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/2hejifia/

To download a calendar reminder for the webcast, visit the events page of our website here.



Analysts and investors are also invited to participate and ask questions by registering for the conference call dial-in via the following link: https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BIeee189322c3b4c4fad274838fc4af777



The conference call and webcast will be available for playback on Endeavour's website.



QUALIFIED PERSONS

Brad Rathman, Vice President - Operations of Endeavour Mining plc., a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), is a "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release.



CONTACT INFORMATION

For Investor Relations enquiries: For Media enquiries: Jack Garman Brunswick Group in London Vice President of Investor Relations Carole Cable, Partner +442030112723 +442074045959 investor@endeavourmining.com ccable@brunswickgroup.com





ABOUT ENDEAVOUR MINING PLC

Endeavour Mining is one of the world's senior gold producers and the largest in West Africa, with operating assets across Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso and a strong portfolio of advanced development projects and exploration assets in the highly prospective Birimian Greenstone Belt across West Africa.

A member of the World Gold Council, Endeavour is committed to the principles of responsible mining and delivering meaningful value to people and society. Endeavour is admitted to listing and to trading on the London Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange, under the symbol EDV.

For more information, please visit www.endeavourmining.com.



CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This document contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking statements", including but not limited to, statements with respect to Endeavour's plans and operating performance, the estimation of mineral reserves and resources, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of future production, future capital expenditures, the success of exploration activities, the anticipated timing for the payment of a shareholder dividend and statements with respect to future dividends payable to the Company's shareholders, the completion of studies, mine life and any potential extensions, the future price of gold and the share buyback programme. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expects", "expected", "budgeted", "forecasts", "anticipates", "believes", "plan", "target", "opportunities", "objective", "assume", "intention", "goal", "continue", "estimate", "potential", "strategy", "future", "aim", "may", "will", "can", "could", "would" and similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements, while based on management's reasonable estimates, projections and assumptions at the date the statements are made, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: risks related to the successful completion of divestitures; risks related to international operations; risks related to general economic conditions and the impact of credit availability on the timing of cash flows and the values of assets and liabilities based on projected future cash flows; Endeavour's financial results, cash flows and future prospects being consistent with Endeavour expectations in amounts sufficient to permit sustained dividend payments; the completion of studies on the timelines currently expected, and the results of those studies being consistent with Endeavour's current expectations; actual results of current exploration activities; production and cost of sales forecasts for Endeavour meeting expectations; unanticipated reclamation expenses; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; fluctuations in prices of metals including gold; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; increases in market prices of mining consumables; possible variations in ore reserves, grade or recovery rates; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; extreme weather events, natural disasters, supply disruptions, power disruptions, accidents, pit wall slides, labour disputes, title disputes, claims and limitations on insurance coverage and other risks of the mining industry; delays in the completion of development or construction activities; changes in national and local government legislation, regulation of mining operations, tax rules and regulations and changes in the administration of laws, policies and practices in the jurisdictions in which Endeavour operates; disputes, litigation, regulatory proceedings and audits; adverse political and economic developments in countries in which Endeavour operates, including but not limited to acts of war, terrorism, sabotage, civil disturbances, non-renewal of key licences by government authorities, or the expropriation or nationalisation of any of Endeavour's property; risks associated with illegal and artisanal mining; environmental hazards; and risks associated with new diseases, epidemics and pandemics.

Although Endeavour has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or inten
Prismo Metals Inc. ("Prismo" or the "Company") (CSE: PRIZ) (OTCQB: PMOMF) is pleased to announce that further to its news release dated October 20, 2025 (the "Initial News Release"), the Company has upsized and closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement of units of the Company ("Units") at an issue price of $0.10 per Unit (the "Private Placement"). Due to strong investor demand, the Private Placement was increased from 12,500,000 Units to the issuance of 17,450,000 Units for gross proceeds of $1,745,000.

The Company also announced it has amended the terms of the warrants forming part of the Units (the "Amendment"). As announced in the Initial News Release, each Unit was to consist of one common share of the Company (a "Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant of the Company (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant was to entitle the holder to purchase one Share for a period of thirty-six (36) months from the date of issuance at an exercise price of $0.175, subject to an acceleration expiry clause (the "Acceleration Clause"), whereby if the Shares closed at or above $0.25 for ten (10) consecutive trading days on the Canadian Securities Exchange, the Company would have the right to accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants by issuing a news release announcing the accelerated Warrant term, pursuant to which the Warrants would expire on the 30th calendar day after the date of such news release. As a result of the Amendment, each issued Unit now consists of one Share and one full Warrant, with each Warrant entitling the holder to purchase one Share for a period of thirty-six (36) months from the date of issuance at an exercise price of $0.175, without the Acceleration Clause.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Private Placement primarily for drilling at its Silver King project and for general corporate purposes. There may be circumstances, however, where, for sound business reasons, a reallocation of funds may be necessary. The Company expects to accept additional subscriptions of Units in the coming days for an approximate amount of $125,000.

In connection with the closing of the Private Placement, the Company issued an aggregate of 919,960 finder's warrants (the "Finder's Warrants") and paid finder's commissions of $92,398 to certain qualified finders. Each Finder's Warrant is exercisable for a period of twenty-four (24) months from the date of issuance to purchase one Share at a price of $0.10. In addition, the Company paid a cash fee of $15,000 to a financial advisor.

All securities issued or issuable in connection with the Private Placement are subject to a four-month hold period from the closing date under applicable Canadian securities laws, in addition to such other restrictions as may apply under applicable securities laws of jurisdictions outside Canada.

Multilateral Instrument 61-101

The Company has issued an aggregate of 303,275 Units pursuant to the Private Placement to certain "related parties" of the Company (the "Interested Parties"), in each case constituting, to that extent, a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Securityholders 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 participation of the Interested Parties in the Private Placement in reliance on sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as neither the fair market value of the Private Placement nor the securities issued in connection therewith, in so far as the Private Placement involves the Interested Parties, exceeds 25% of the Company's market capitalization. The Company did not file a material change report more than 21 days before the expected closing of the Private Placement as the details of the Private Placement and the participation therein by the Interested Parties therein were not settled until recently and the Company wishes to close on an expedited basis for sound business reasons.

About Prismo Metals Inc.

Prismo (CSE: PRIZ) is mining exploration company focused on three silver projects (Palos Verdes, Silver King and Ripsey) and a copper project in Arizona (Hot Breccia).

Please follow @PrismoMetals on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube

Prismo Metals Inc.

1100 - 1111 Melville St., Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 3V6

Contact:

Alain Lambert, Chief Executive Officer alain.lambert@prismometals.com

Gordon Aldcorn, President gordon.aldcorn@prismometals.com

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.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward?looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things, the intended use of any proceeds raised under the Private Placement.

These forward?looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the potential inability of the Company to utilize the anticipated proceeds of the Private Placement as anticipated; and those risks set out in the Company's public disclosure record on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.com) under the Company's issuer profile.

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. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.



NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES

OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES


November 13, 2025 - Golden Ridge Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: GLDN) ("Golden Ridge" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that trading in its common shares will resume trading on the TSX Venture Exchange on November 17, 2025.

Trading in the Company's common shares was voluntarily halted by the Company upon announcing a proposed transaction (the "Proposed Transaction") with MM Group Ltda. ("MMG"). As previously disclosed on November 4, 2025, the Company has terminated the Proposed Transaction. In connection with the Proposed Transaction, the Company had advanced the aggregate principal amount of $429,325 to MMG (the "Loan"). The Loan bears interest at 8%/annum and matures on December 31, 2025. The repayment of the Loan is secured against the assets of MMG and its subsidiaries and guaranteed by certain of MMG's members.

About Golden Ridge

Golden Ridge is a TSXV listed exploration company engaged in acquiring and advancing mineral properties located in British Columbia and Newfoundland. Golden Ridge owns a 100% interest in the 1,700-hectare Hank copper-gold-silver-lead-zinc property located in the Golden Triangle district, approximately 140 kilometres north of Stewart, British Columbia. The Company also own a 100% interest in the 1,550-hectare Williams gold property, that is surrounded by New Found Gold Corp.'s Queensway South Gold Property1 in the Central Newfoundland Gold Belt of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF

GOLDEN RIDGE RESOURCES LTD.

"Mike Blady"

Mike Blady

President and Chief Executive Officer

For more information regarding this news release, please contact:

Mike Blady, CEO and Director

T: 250-717.3151

W: www.goldenridgeresources.com

Forward Looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations (including negative and grammatical variations) of such words and phrases or state that certain acts, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking information in this press release may include, without limitation, statements relating to the Company's expectation that trading in its shares will resume and all other statements that are not historical in nature.

These statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including risks regarding the mining industry, commodity prices, market conditions, general economic factors, management's ability to manage and to operate the business, and explore and develop its projects, and the equity markets generally. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance of Golden Ridge may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Any number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements as well as future results. Although Golden Ridge believes that the expectations reflected in forward looking statements are reasonable, they can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, Golden Ridge disclaims any intention and assume 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 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.

1 This news release contains information about adjacent properties on which Golden Ridge has no right to explore or mine. Readers are cautioned that mineral deposits on adjacent properties are not indicative of mineral deposits on the Company's properties

Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
Alpine factory break-in sparks espionage fears

French police are investigating a mysterious break-in at Alpine's Viry-Chatillon facility amid growing suspicion the incident may have been an attempted act of industrial espionage.

Franco Colapinto, Brazilian GP 2025

 Alpine

The strange intrusion - first revealed by Le Parisien - occurred late Monday night at around 10pm, when two unidentified individuals forced entry into the lobby by smashing a window.

According to police sources quoted by French media, the intruders then headed directly upstairs toward the management and executive offices, forcing several internal doors before leaving the building just a few minutes later.

Crucially, nothing appears to have been stolen.

Nothing was stolen. Everything is fine. There were no employees on site at the time, a source close to Alpine told Le Parisien.

The Evry public prosecutor confirmed that an investigation is underway. Security footage and fingerprints are now being analysed, but no arrests have yet been made.

With theft ruled out, Le Parisien reported: All other avenues are being explored, including industrial espionage.

L'Equipe noted the odd timing and location - the historic Viry site is no longer designing Alpine's F1 power units, with the team switching to customer Mercedes engines from 2026. Much of the engine staff has already transferred elsewhere, including to Ferrari.

French outlets also reported that the perpetrators appeared to know exactly where they were going, heading straight to senior offices before abruptly leaving via a side exit.

Alpine has issued no public comment beyond confirming the incident.

(GMM)
Hamilton talk grows as Ralf pushes Bearman option

Ralf Schumacher has ignited a storm around Ferrari by suggesting the team should consider replacing Lewis Hamilton with rising star Oliver Bearman.

Lewis Hamilton, Singapore GP 2025

 Dawn Chua, Formula Press

Speaking to Sky Deutschland in the wake of Ferrari president John Elkann's public criticism of the drivers, Schumacher said the 20-year-old Haas rookie represents a far better long-term investment.

Ferrari has a young Bearman up its sleeve who's doing wonders with the Haas. And he costs a fraction of what Lewis Hamilton does, he said, adding that Hamilton earns high double-digit figures .

Schumacher doubts the seven-time world champion - who turns 41 before the 2026 season - can still reverse his form.

Somehow you get the feeling that the film has become almost a bit too fast for him, he said. He needs too much energy to put in a fast lap. He has to give more than 100 percent to get past Leclerc, and that leads to mistakes.

Hamilton's error-ridden Brazilian GP only strengthened that view.

He can't get the car under control, makes mistakes, and gets penalised, Schumacher added.

If I were a manager, I would say 'He's not working out, so I'd rather put my faith in a young, talented driver like Bearman.'

On Sky's Backstage Boxengasse podcast, Schumacher repeated his view that paying Hamilton out would not be an unusual solution - Ferrari has done that before.

A Ferrari spokesperson, meanwhile, insisted Elkann's talk less message was in fact constructive , not critical or hostile.

Others in the paddock weighed in as the speculation intensifies.

Dutch commentator Olav Mol told Ziggo Sport that while Hamilton's season has been quite disappointing , Bearman's momentum is impossible to ignore.

Bearman has already scored four points in a row with that Haas, he said.

Something will only happen if Hamilton drops out. If Hamilton says he can't handle it anymore, then Bearman is the ideal successor. He's the crown prince.

Former F1 driver Robert Doornbos said Elkann's outburst reveals serious irritation inside Maranello.

They happily pay Hamilton EUR 2.5 million every weekend, but he's giving nothing in return, he said. They really need a miracle.

And Christian Danner told Motorsport-Magazin that Hamilton's overall focus appears to have shifted. There's just too much going on right now, he said. He doesn't seem as focused on what's happening on the track anymore.

Danner also doubts Hamilton can shape Ferrari in the way he once imagined.

I don't believe Hamilton can change Ferrari the way he envisioned, he said. He's not a team architect. He can inspire the team, but he doesn't shape it.

(GMM)
Exchange meeting in Tokyo highlights growing China-Japan youth communication

Xinhua) 09:01, November 13, 2025

Students from China and Japan sing a song at the report exchange meeting of the "Hundred Japanese University Students Visit China" program in Tokyo, Japan, Nov. 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ziyue)

TOKYO, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- The report exchange meeting of the "Hundred Japanese University Students Visit China" program was held in Tokyo on Tuesday, as over 100 participants gathered to discuss youth exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.

The participants included members of the Japanese student delegation to China, Chinese students studying in Japan, and representatives of overseas Chinese communities.

Members of the visiting group said that their multiple visits to China had given them a more comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the country.

In addition to being impressed by China's advanced science and technology and rapidly changing urban landscapes, they were attracted by its natural beauty and rich historical culture.

They noted that through firsthand experiences, they realized that there are some long-standing prejudices toward China within Japan, emphasizing that the real China is diverse, open, and full of vitality.

Former Vice Minister of Finance and Komeito Party senior advisor Otohiko Endo said that young people in Japan and China face common challenges such as sustainable development and should work hand in hand to build a shared future.

He stressed that despite the complex international situation, genuine and open-hearted connections can help friendship become the foundation for future cooperation.

In his speech, Zhao Baogang, minister counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Japan, said that China and Japan share over two millennia of friendly exchanges, leaving many stories of goodwill.

He expressed hope that the two nations would continue along the path of friendship, with young people taking the lead in understanding and sharing the real image of each other to strengthen mutual trust and friendship.

Launched in 2024 by the Chinese Embassy in Japan, the "Hundred Japanese University Students Visit China" program has so far organized delegations to visit Sichuan, Shanghai, Henan, Anhui, and other regions of China, promoting a deeper understanding and lasting friendship between the youth of the two countries.

Students from China and Japan display their calligraphy works at the report exchange meeting of the "Hundred Japanese University Students Visit China" program in Tokyo, Japan, Nov. 11, 2025. The report exchange meeting of the "Hundred Japanese University Students Visit China" program was held in Tokyo on Tuesday, as over 100 participants gathered to discuss youth exchanges and cooperation between the two countries. (Xinhua/Li Ziyue)

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Zhong Wenxing)
Honor recently confirmed that its new 500 series will launch soon in China. The company has now opened pre-orders and unveiled the phones' design in full.

The pre-order listings for the Honor 500 and 500 Pro reveal their complete design, colors, and storage options. Both phones feature a flat display with a hole-punch cutout and slim bezels all around.

Honor 500 and Honor 500 Pro

At the back, the Honor 500 series features an iPhone Air-like horizontal camera module, but you'll get three sensors instead of one. The base model has two large circles and two smaller cutouts for a third sensor and the LED flash.

Meanwhile, the Pro module has three circles with what appears to be a total of four cameras on them. Both phones feature a new button below the power button, which should be customizable.



Honor 500 color options

The Honor 500 is listed in 12GB/256 GB, 12GB/512 GB, and 16GB/512 GB options. It will be available in Moonlight Silver, Obsidian Black, Starlight Powder, and Aquamarine color options



Honor 500 Pro colors

On the other hand, the Honor 500 Pro will be sold in 12GB/256 GB, 12GB/512 GB, 16GB/512 GB, and 16 GB/1 TB variants. It is also listed in Moonlight Silver, Obsidian Black, Starlight Powder, and Aquamarine colors.

While the company has yet to announce an exact launch date, the Honor 500 series is expected to debut in China in the coming weeks. Interested users can head over to the official Honor China website and pre-order the phones.

Source 1  Source 2
Motorola launched the G75 in October of last year, and we're still waiting for its successor to become official. It might not take much longer, though, since the G76 may have just been spotted in the Geekbench online database with the model number XT2537.

The prototype in question is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 SoC, paired with 8GB of RAM on the device that ran the benchmark, and it runs Android 16, as the G76 should from the day it's released.

As you can see from the screenshot above, the alleged G76 managed a single-core score of 1,018 and a multi-core score of 2,893 in Geekbench 6.3.0.

Rumor has it the G76 will be a rebranded G100s, which launched in China only. If this is accurate, then expect the G76 to sport a 7,000 mAh battery, a 50 MP main camera, an 8 MP ultrawide, and an IP64 rating for dust and splash resistance.

Via
The OnePlus 15 is the latest flagship smartphone from the Shenzhen-based smartphone brand. The newer model features several improvements over its predecessor, the OnePlus 13, that you expect from a generational upgrade, such as a faster processor, a bigger battery, faster charging, and a higher refresh rate display. However, there is one aspect of the spec sheet that has caught everyones eye, and that is the rear camera specifications.

You see, much like with every other aspect of the phone, we expect the cameras to be upgraded over the previous generation as well. However, OnePlus has made the curious choice of picking lower-quality parts from its camera bin this generation, which, on paper, makes the new OnePlus 15 look worse than the OnePlus 13. But while things may not look rosy on the hardware front, OnePlus may have a trick up its sleeve when it comes to software.

The company recently ended its four-year-long partnership with Hasselblad, with the latter now working exclusively with OnePluss sister company Oppo. OnePlus, meanwhile, is turning a new leaf in its camera journey with something it calls DetailMax Engine. This new processing pipeline is designed to produce more natural-looking images that have less of the artificially processed look and more realistic detail. The phone can also churn out higher resolution 26MP files from its main and telephoto cameras, by combining multiple 12MP frames for dynamic range information with a 50MP frame for raw detail. All of this is combined with the improved processing grunt of the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip.

But how do these new software tricks help the OnePlus 15 against the OnePlus 13 with its better hardware? In this report, we will focus primarily on the point of contention between these two phones, which is the photo quality from the three cameras on the back, to see which one comes out on top.

Main camera

Lets start with the primary camera on both phones. The OnePlus 13 used the 50MP Sony LYT-808, a 1/1.4 equivalent sensor with 1.12 m pixel size and f1.6 aperture. This is technically the same sensor found on the even older OnePlus 12, so the OnePlus 13 didnt exactly move the needle forward on the main camera last year, either. The OnePlus 15, on the other hand, winds the needle back a bit with its 50MP Sony IMX906 (also known as the LYT-700), a 1/1.56 equivalent sensor with 1.0 m pixel size and f1.8 aperture. This is the same sensor that the company used on the OnePlus 13R and the 13s.

Well, those are the numbers, but lets see how the comparison plays out in the real world.

Lets start with the 12.5MP resolution, which the OnePlus 15 is set to out of the box. Immediately, there are some noticeable differences between the two phones. You can see them handling the same scene in different ways due to the diverging philosophies on how to handle the image processing. The OnePlus 13 goes for a punchier look with heightened contrast that makes the image pop more. The tonal transitions are much more dramatic, so things like leaves look more dynamic with a wider dynamic range between the shimmering bright and the subdued dark areas. None of this comes at the cost of true dynamic range, as the older phone still manages to expose the shot correctly.









12.5MP main camera: OnePlus 15  OnePlus 13

Meanwhile, the OnePlus 15 adopts the new processing philosophy that comes with its DetailMax Engine. The tonal transitions are more gradual, so the same leaves that looked three-dimensional and dynamic on the OnePlus 13 look almost monochrome on the OnePlus 15. There is less edge enhancement, so individual objects dont stand out from each other as distinctly. The sharpening has also been dialed down to a point where it looks like there is barely any left.

The OnePlus 15 also deviates in the way it handles color. The OnePlus 13 has its Hasselblad-tuned colors that prioritize accuracy, or at least thats what the spiel was. The OnePlus 15 forgoes that ideology and instead goes for punchier and warmer colors that stand out more than the OnePlus 13 colors. Its not clear if this was done to offset the otherwise more natural look of the image. We are glad it gets rid of one annoyance with the OnePlus 13 images, which was a subtle magenta hue that afflicted all of its images. The OnePlus 15 sky may be bluer than it should be, but at least its not purple like on the 13.

The OnePlus 15 also fixes other longstanding issues with the OnePlus 13 camera, such as some amount of chromatic aberration around the corner of the frame. The OnePlus 13 camera would also get weirdly tripped by things like power lines and transmission towers, and simply skip processing the areas in and around these objects, something that does not happen with the OnePlus 15.

However, at the end of the day, all the software sophistication and maturity that the OnePlus 15 brings to the table cannot overcome good ol physics. The physically larger, more advanced sensor on the OnePlus 13 with its wider aperture simply soaks in more light. The OnePlus 15 images consistently have noise in the shadows, which the OnePlus 13 images dont. This is even though the OnePlus 15 images have more detail-reducing noise reduction.

In fact, the details are a bit fuzzy to begin with; smartphone cameras and especially their optics arent good enough to naturally capture a ton of detail, which is why some sharpening is necessary. The OnePlus 13 camera inherently captures more detail and then applies less noise reduction to it, so the details pop more, especially with the reasonable amount of sharpening it uses. The OnePlus 15 doesnt capture as much detail, has more noise reduction, and less sharpening, so the images always have a hazy look to them, especially around the periphery of the frame. This is especially borne out in the RAW files, where the OnePlus 13 surges way ahead with more detail and less noise, and the OnePlus 15, now stripped of its software tricks, cannot keep up.





26MP main camera: OnePlus 15  OnePlus 13

The 26MP comparison is where things get more interesting. The OnePlus 15 has technically more detail now, simply by virtue of allocating more pixels to cover the same frame. However, the image processing on the OnePlus 15 is even more laid-back in this mode. Contrast is lower, and the image can look even fuzzier at times. Its not clear if this is the intended look or, more likely, that processing these 26MP files takes quite a bit longer, so some processing was shaved off to keep the turnaround times quick. The phone definitely takes more time to capture and process these, even with the mighty Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 at the helm.

The result of this processing deficiency is that the 26MP files dont always look meaningfully better than the 12.5MP files, let alone than the OnePlus 13 files. Its a bigger, softer image, and while there is more latitude while cropping, the difference isnt that big compared to the 12.5MP images. Moreover, the 26MP resolution is only available in select conditions; if the light levels are low, if you use Motion Photo, Retouch, filters, or if the planets are out of alignment, then the camera will automatically switch back down to 12.5MP, and there is no indication on the screen that this is happening. This sort of renders the 26MP mode a bit of a gimmick, and not something you should be taking super seriously. Its probably why you need to enable it optionally, and it is not just on by default like on the iPhones.

Just to clarify, this 26MP mode is not the same as the 50MP mode that both phones have. That mode simply upscales the 12.5MP images to 50MP on both phones, and is absolutely useless. It probably only exists for legal reasons on phones, so people dont go why is my 50MP phone not taking 50MP photos?.

Telephoto camera

The OnePlus 15 uses a 50MP Samsung ISOCELL JN5 sensor for its telephoto camera. Its a 1/2.76 equivalent sensor with a 0.64 m pixel size and f2.8 aperture. On the other hand, the OnePlus 13 used the 50MP Sony LYT-600 sensor with a 1/1.953 equivalent area and 0.8 m pixel size. It also gets a faster f2.6 aperture. One other key difference here is that while the OnePlus 13 had a 73mm equivalent focal length, the OnePlus 15 gets 80mm equivalent, turning the 3x telephoto factor on the 13 to 3.5x on the 15.









12.5MP telephoto camera: OnePlus 15  OnePlus 13

Lets start by looking at the 12.5MP images first again. Here, we tended to prefer the look of the OnePlus 15 images in daylight for subjective reasons. The OnePlus 13s processing gets ahead of itself here, and the images often look a bit overcooked. There isnt a vast difference in sensor quality here as there was on the main cameras, and the only difference we noticed while looking at the RAW files is slightly lower noise on the 13 images. Because of this, the OnePlus 15 is able to easily keep up with the OnePlus 13 in telephoto comparison, and can often beat it in the overall look.

In the dark, the OnePlus 13 camera can flex its better low-light performance and produce generally better results. They still look a bit over-processed, but the OnePlus 15 images start to get muddy with garbled detail.





26MP telephoto camera: OnePlus 15  OnePlus 13

With the 26MP mode, the OnePlus 15 telephoto can capture a good deal of detail, and distances itself further from the OnePlus 13. However, the 26MP mode on the telephoto camera is even more temperamental than on the main camera, so you need to be in absolutely perfect lighting (along with the other caveats) to be able to shoot in this resolution. Most of the images we shot in mixed lighting ended up in just 12.5MP mode.

Youd also notice parts of some images, such as the leaf on the ground, are blurry in the 26MP shots. Thats because the camera processing on the OnePlus 15 would glitch out randomly and just skip upscaling parts of the image, so some 26MP shots just have chunks that look blurry.



OnePlus 13 minimum focus  OnePlus 15 minimum focus  OnePlus 15 fake minimum focus

Neither camera has a particularly close focusing distance, but the OnePlus 15 can get a bit closer, which, coupled with its tighter crop, makes for slightly better close-ups. We noticed OnePlus plays a bit of a trick in the Master mode, where you can manually set focus. On the OnePlus 15, you can manually focus much closer than you can with autofocus. At first glance, we thought this was similar to how things worked on the Pixel 10 Pro XL. Later, we realized that the OnePlus 15 just slyly shifts to zooming digitally on the main camera when you adjust the focus, which felt needlessly conniving, especially when the differences in quality between a native telephoto shot and the zoomed-in main camera shot would become obvious once you looked at the images. This only happens on the 15 and not on the 13, even with the new OxygenOS 16 update.

Wide-angle camera

Finally, theres the wide-angle camera. The OnePlus 15 uses a 50MP Omnivision OV50D sensor with an f2.0 aperture. Its a 1/2.88 equivalent sensor with 0.612 m pixel size. Meanwhile, the OnePlus 13 uses the same ISOCELL JN5 sensor for its ultra-wide lens that the OnePlus 15 used for its telephoto.









12.5MP ultra-wide camera: OnePlus 15  OnePlus 13

Both phones capture average-looking images through their respective ultra-wide cameras. The differences are consistent with what we saw with the main camera, where the OnePlus 15 has more appealing colors but the OnePlus 13 has lower noise and slightly better detail. This is especially true in low light, where the OnePlus 13 can often look dramatically better than its successor.

The ultra-wide camera on the OnePlus 15 cannot capture 26MP images, so what you see with the 12.5MP files is the best its going to get.

Conclusion

There are more aspects to a camera phone than what we covered above. The rest was skipped primarily in the interests of time, as the above analysis itself required capturing and staring at about a thousand images from each phone, but also because the two phones were comparable in other areas. Both phones produced very similar-looking selfie images and videos. The OnePlus 15 does have a better video feature set, so if thats what matters to you, then you can safely ignore everything else discussed here.

This exercise proved to be a fruitful one because it showcased what one can achieve with capable hardware versus software augmentations. The OnePlus 15 showed that you can take somewhat mediocre bits of hardware and get reasonable results if you have a sophisticated software stack. The new phone often produces pleasing results and may stand the test of time better, as people are slowly demanding less processed, more natural-looking images from their cameras.

On the other hand, the OnePlus 13 showed that there is still no substitute for good hardware. It had the more technically impressive results of the two, and you will especially love it if you shoot in RAW. You also might still prefer the way images look from this phone, as they have their own charm and instantly pop without needing to be edited. You can also just make the OnePlus 13 images look like the 15s, but you cant replicate the quality of the OnePlus 13 sensors.

In an ideal world, we would have liked to see the OnePlus 15 processing with the OnePlus 13s (or ideally better) hardware. Instead, OnePlus decided to cut corners on the hardware and rely solely on software improvements, which feels like one step forward and two steps back. Its becoming increasingly apparent that going forward, the OnePlus brand is set to play second fiddle to Oppo in key areas like the camera. This makes us wonder if the OnePlus 13 had the last true flagship-grade camera hardware from this company. If thats the case, then it would truly be a sad thing for longtime fans of the brand.
Americas longest federal government shutdown of 43 days ended after the signing of a funding bill that will also give Guam nearly $54 million, of which $50 million will be to fix Marine Corps Drive as part of the Defense Access Roads plan, Del. James Moylan said.

Moylan said the government of Guam will also be reimbursed for advancing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP, during the shutdown.

The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday night passed the U.S. Senates funding bill that President Donald Trump signed just a few hours later.

The shutdown ended Thursday afternoon, Guam time.

Simply put, this bill gets us back on track, ensures funding for those who need it is in place, and turns the lights back on, Moylan said on the House floor in D.C.

Guam, he said, is home to 3,372 federal employees, more than 43,000 SNAP recipients, over 9,000 Women, Infants and Children, WIC, program recipients, and more than 20,000 veteransall of whom have been impacted.

Trumps signature of the government funding bill ended a record 43-day shutdown that has meant payless paydays for federal workers, no funding for food benefit programs and airlines cutting flights, among other issues.

Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said the federal governments reopening means stability for federal workers, restored access to essential services, and renewed confidence for families who rely on federally funded programs.

Todays action to end the federal shutdown brings long-awaited relief to millions of Americans and to the people of Guam who have shouldered weeks of uncertainty, the governor said in a statement.

GovGuam distributed 50% of SNAP food benefits through a locally funded program called the General Food Assistance Benefits.

It was expected to give out the other 50% if the federal government shutdown continued.

GovGuam has also stepped in to fund the WIC program for the last two months.

Breakdown of $54M

Moylan said under the federal funding bill, Guam will have $54 million in Community Project Funding for road and bridge repairs, expanded support for homelessness, an emergency center to strengthen Guams resilience against typhoons, and a mobile command center to enhance public safety.

The delegate said the funding bill also includes $762 million for military construction.

After Trump signed the bill, Moylan provided a breakdown of where the nearly $54 million funding for Guam will go:

$50 million for Defense Access Roads. This will directly support the repair and replacement of critical infrastructure along Route 1 or Marine Corps Drive, benefiting thousands of daily commuters while also supporting the safe movement of military vehicles and emergency services between Camp Blaz and Apra Harbor.

$112,500 for the Guam Fire Departments vehicle and equipment.

$538,505 for the Guam Customs and Quarantine Agencys Integrated Emergency Response and Command System.

$990,000 for WestCare Housing for the Homeless in Chalan Pago.

$1.5 million for Todu Guam Foundations Health and Wellness Center (Phase 1).

$689,206 for the Chalan Pago-Ordot Multipurpose/Emergency Center

These investments strengthen our neighborhoods, protect our families, and ensure Guams communities have the tools to thrive, Moylan said.

Governor: Need for predictability

The governor said her administration throughout the shutdown worked to safeguard the community, support families, and ensure that vulnerable residents did not face hardship alone.

We thank our federal partners who continued serving the public without pay, and we recognize the resilience of every family that endured this period of disruption, she said.

The governor said the funding bills signing is a positive step but she underscores the need for predictability and responsibility in federal governance.

Shutdowns carry real consequences for real peoplefrom delayed paychecks to interruptions in programs that support children, seniors, and working families. Guam deserves continuity, stability, and a government that stays focused on delivering for the people, she said.

Leon Guerrero said her administration remains committed to working closely with federal counterparts to ensure seamless restoration of services, timely distribution of federal funds, and continued support for programs that benefit our island.

Moylan: Other programs

Under the funding measure, the Department of Defense is directed to report on transitioning Guams military housing to a public-private partnership model, Moylan said.

The Department of Defense also must report on the impacts on Guams infrastructure and consult with Congress on mitigation plans for the Enhanced Integrated Air and Missile Defense System, or the 360-degree missile defense system.

These investments are not abstract numbersthey are concrete commitments to Guams future, Moylan said. From safer roads to stronger defenses, this resolution ensures our island is prepared, protected, and prioritized.

Moylans office listed other measures included in the funding package:

Mandated Department of Veterans Affairs outreach and care delivery for Freely Associated States veterans, including telehealth, medication delivery, and travel reimbursement.

Continued support for the Center for Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islander Veterans Health.

National Cemetery Administration directives to expand burial access, improve data collection, and ensure underserved veteran populations are honored with dignity.

$108.5 million for broadband loan and grant programs, including $50 million for the ReConnect program.

$25 million for Section 504 Housing Repair loans and $1 billion for Section 502 direct housing loans.

$240 million for McGovern-Dole Food for Education and Nutrition Program Grants.

Robust investments in agricultural research, conservation, and rural business programs, ensuring Guam and Pacific farmers benefit from national priorities.

Not left behind

Moylan said the bill means Guam is not left behind and is at the center of Americas commitments.

This funding package is more than a stopgapit is a forward-looking investment in Guams families, our security, and our future. It restores stability after uncertainty, protects jobs, strengthens nutrition programs, and secures historic levels of military construction funding for Guam, he said.

The funding package that passed the House Wednesday extends funding for the federal government through Jan. 30, 2026 and includes full-year funding for the Department of Agriculture which funds SNAP, military construction and the legislative branch.

First and foremost, I want to thank God. I also extend my gratitude to Speaker Johnson for his leadership, to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their dedication, and to my staff, who worked tirelessly without pay throughout the shutdown. Their commitment has been truly inspiring, Moylan said.

The delegate praised federal employees on Guam for their work during the shutdown, from essential workers who continued serving without pay, to those impacted who showed resilience in the face of uncertainty.

Their perseverance reflects the strength of our island community, he added.
Last Sunday was the beginning of the end of the federal government shutdown when the U.S. Senate voted to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

All it needed was the affirmative vote of the U.S. House of Representatives and the approval signature of the president, which happened yesterday. Forty long days.

It practically crippled our nation. Cancelled and delayed flights, over 500,000 unpaid, furloughed workers, millions of hungry people and many government offices closed.

While not everything will go back to normal or as usual right away, it was a long anxiety-filled 40 days that is now over. Remember the 40 days.

December 25, 2025 is 40 days away from today. Christmas Day as we all traditionally look forward to and celebrate.

In these 40 days, we are reminded of the hope and the abundance of goodwill that will be expressed by the very same people that were affected by the federal shutdown.

What do we really want to give or receive on the 40th day? How can we become more conscious of being a more compassionate and united CHamorus and residents of Guam?

This Christmas, let us not just exchange gifts. Instead, let us exchange our pessimistic attitude to a more optimistic one. Let us exchange our dependence on illegal drugs with something more helpful in making us high. Let us exchange our bitterness towards the government with an open heart and mind that if we cooperate together we can reach a common goal.

Let us commit ourselves to hope and perhaps do something each of these 40 days to do something that will ease another persons burden, satisfy the hunger in someones body, clothe a person with tatter-torn pants and t-shirts, quench the thirst of a down-and-out neighbor, give a ride to a homeless person to visit his family, call a manamko to check how they are doing, and so many other things in these next 40 days we can do.

On Christmas Day, you will rejoice that the true meaning of Christmas was made possible by you for someone else. Remember the 40 days.

Another 40 days we cannot forget are the 40 days of Lent that many of us as Catholics and Christians acknowledge from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday.

These 40 days are a time of reflection, repentance, fasting and spiritual growth. It gives us the opportunity to look at our lives and see where we have been and where we are going. A period of sacrifice and self-acknowledgement that we have a purpose in this life to carry our own cross of suffering and at the end of the 40 days be lifted with our Lord and Savior as a renewed and more peaceful, loving person.

If we could all change who we are in 40 days, this world would be a much better place. Remember the 40 days.

Think about it. Is there meaning behind these 40 days? Is it fate or coincidence? 40 days of anxiety and suffering (federal government shutdown), 40 days of anxiety and hope (Christmas), 40 days of anxiety and sacrifice (Lent).

Or is there something happening in our world today to make us more conscious of time? Whether it is one day or 40 days, we should make every day count. Once that day is gone, it will never come back.

What can we learn from each of these 40-day episodes? Maybe the answers are glaring at us in the face, and we cannot see it, but one thing for sure, we are all in this thing together.

Granted, some will heed the message of this voice while others will just say Im a voice that will dissipate sooner than when he or she is done reading it. But no matter when and no matter what, we must face these times with the opportunities that each of these 40 days has us experiencing or will experience. Remember the 40 days.

We are done with the 40-day federal government shutdown. It is now time to pick up the broken pieces and make ourselves whole again.

We are now in the 40 days before Christmas. It is now time to pick ourselves up and give the gift of making ourselves and others whole again.

In the very near future, we will start the 40 day Lenten season. Then it will be time to pick ourselves up and carry our crosses to make ourselves whole once again.

What will you do with your time?

Hu guaiya hamyu todos!




Haiti - Economy : 66 new civil servants integrated into the Ministry of Economy and Finance





On Monday, November 10, 2025, 66 new civil servants were officially integrated into the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF).



The Director of Administrative Affairs and Budget at the MEF welcomed the new employees to the Ministry's extended family, confident that their skills, dynamism, and commitment to excellence would be invaluable assets in strengthening the institution. He also compared working at the Ministry to the American dream, stating, "You can start from nothing and achieve everything." He emphasized that it simply requires having well-defined objectives, working diligently, and respecting the rules, drawing on his own experience from the bottom to become the administrator he has become.



Furthermore, the new employees were introduced one by one. They all spoke of their dream of joining the Ministry and pledged to contribute their knowledge and dedication to the smooth operation of the civil service. They expressed their pride in being among the 66 new employees.



Jean Bouco Jean Jacques, the Director General of the Ministry, briefly reiterated the transparency of the recruitment process, from the job posting to the official publication of the final results. Unfortunately, the security situation and budgetary constraints significantly impacted the integration timeline.



This first day concluded with remarks by Ms. Franceline Herolde, who highlighted the principles, structures, and role of civil servants, drawing a comparison between the public and private sectors. She emphasized the role of civil servants, which is to guarantee legality and continuity, serve citizens impartially, and contribute to national development.



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Haiti - News : Zapping...





Colombia : Meeting around a Roadmap for Haiti

On the sidelines of the European Union / Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (EU-CELAC) Summit in Colombia, Albert Ramdin, Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), met with Presidential Advisor Smith Augustin, Foreign Minister Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste, Haitian Ambassador to the Benelux Alrich Nicolas and Espanna David, Charge d'Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of Haiti in Colombia. They discussed the roadmap for Haiti ( https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46151-haiti-politic-the-oas-presents-the-3rd-version-of-the-roadmap-on-haiti.html ), supported by the OAS, the UN, CARICOM, and the Haitian authorities, and reaffirmed Haiti's ownership of its implementation, while emphasizing the importance of support from other OAS member States. They also discussed upcoming commitments, including the next meeting of the Group of Friends of Haiti at the OAS.



Air Services Agreement with Qatar

At the International Commission for Air Navigation (ICAN 2025) International Conference on Air Services, the National Civil Aviation Authority (OFNAC), represented by its Director General, Reginald Guignard, and the State of Qatar signed an agreement to develop air services between and beyond their respective territories.



Debate on the 2025 Draft Electoral Decree

In partnership with the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP). Experts, academics, institutional actors, and representatives of civil society gathered on November 8 and 9, 2025, at the Montana Hotel to participate in an in-depth debate on the draft 2025 electoral decree https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46111-haiti-flash-electoral-decree-revealed-diaspora-and-women-voting-mandatory.html , organized by the National Radio and Television of Haiti (TNH).







PAHO : 5.5 Tons of Medical Aid

In response to Hurricane Melissa, a 5.5-ton shipment of medical supplies and equipment from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Strategic Reserve in Panama arrived in Haiti on a cargo flight funded by the EU Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid program, managed by UNHRD and supported by the World Food Programme. This medical equipment will provide essential care to more than 10,000 people.



More Than 50 Prisoners Die in Prisons in 3 Months

A UN report reveals that between July and September 2025, more than 50 prisoners died in Haitian prisons due to a prison system described by the UN as inhumane and degrading. These detainees died from various causes : overcrowding, lack of care, insufficient food, scarce water, and unsanitary cells.



Hurricane : Awareness-Raising Activities

Awareness-raising activities were conducted in the municipalities of Ouanaminthe and Fort Liberte, in schools and public markets, to promote behavioral change during the end of hurricane season. This activity was made possible thanks to the support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).



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This week, Ionos Nextcloud Workspace was launched. The two companies describe the platform as a European alternative to offerings like Microsoft 365 that emphasizes users' digital sovereignty, as the data remains in Germany. This is intended to meet the highest demands for data protection and security. However, this office and collaboration platform, based on open source, also includes an AI assistant.

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Just about five months ago, Ionos and Nextcloud announced the development of an M365 alternative announced the development of an M365 alternative, which they presented as a sovereign online workplace with email, office, video conferencing, chat, and AI, based on open-source technology and with full user transparency and control over data and infrastructure. The two companies are emphasizing this again now, with the platform being operated on Ionos's cloud infrastructure in German data centers.

Ionos Nextcloud Workspace as a Sovereign Workplace

Technically, the office part of Ionos Nextcloud Workspace is based on the already widespread Collabora, as Ionos confirmed upon inquiry. However, enterprise features are added, making the package suitable for business use. This includes the management of many users. Furthermore, its use by authorities is also considered, as the use of online platforms that share data with US clouds is controversial, especially with sensitive data.

However, those who have become accustomed to Microsoft's Copilot at work do not have to forgo artificial intelligence (AI) in Ionos Nextcloud Workspace either. This platform also offers an AI assistant designed to simplify daily work. This includes automating recurring tasks, translations, image generation, and a chat function. All of this is performed according to the Ionos announcement, DSGVO-compliant, transparent, and independent of US hyperscalers.

Prices lower than Microsoft 365

Ionos had previously announced that the prices would be competitive with Microsoft and has now confirmed this. At launch, Ionos Nextcloud Workspace is available in a package for 25 users for 3 euros per user per month for the first three months. After that, it costs 7.60 euros per month. For Microsoft, the business plan for M365 for 25 users is free for the first month, but then costs at least 8.70 euros per month per user if Teams is omitted. With Teams, it costs 3 euros more per month.

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In addition, Ionos announced further modules and services that will be added to the cloud platform in the coming months. These will include AI functions for editing and analyzing documents, a cloud-based virus scanner from G-Data, and a graphical user interface for the Ionos cloud.

(fds)

Don't miss any news  follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Mastodon. This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication.
In the USA, an AI-generated song has reached the top spot in a ranking for the first time. The track named Walk My Walk by the band Breaking Rust leads the Billboard the charts of country songs with the most digital sales. You can't really tell that it's an AI creation by listening to the song. It's more apparent from the artwork and short videos used to promote the song and others from the same group on Instagram. Furthermore, Billboard itself revealed just a few days ago that Breaking Rust is an AI-assisted country band.

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Although the tracks are very similar, the group has several of them in the charts. It is unclear who is responsible; Billboard refers to a songwriter named Aubierre Rivaldo Taylor.

AI Music Has Long Been Part of the Charts

When Billboard publicized the AI origin of Walk My Walk last week, the US magazine listed several other AI-generated titles that had already reached chart positions. AI music is no longer a fantasy or a niche curiosity of internet detectives, Billboard explained at the time. It is here and is beginning to impact the charts. The article presented several projects where supposed artists were actually AI creations. At the same time, Billboard admitted that it is becoming increasingly difficult to identify AI creations as such. With Breaking Rust, however, this doesn't seem difficult if you only briefly glance at the associated Instagram account.

The US music magazine Holler points out in light of the success of Walk My Walk that the song's origin is not immediately apparent. At the same time, the success, precisely because of this, points to a very dystopian future for music. Even if more and more people claim that AI will soon be accepted like Autotune once was, there is something that feels wrong about Breaking Rust's chart success. The song is catchy but also extremely superficialespecially if you know its origin. Meanwhile, Breaking Rust continues on Instagram, with the clips overlaid with interchangeable AI recordings of lonely cowboys in black and white images.

(mho)

Don't miss any news  follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Mastodon. This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication.
Wyatt supporters announce campaign committee

Supporters of Steve Wyatt, the former Henderson County manager who is running for a seat on the Board of Commissioners in next year's election, have announced the formation of a campaign committee.

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Co-Chairs Doris Hawkins, retired Sheriff George Erwin and School Board member Amy Lynn Holt announced their support for Wyatt on Wednesday.

"Grady (long time county commissioner and retired U.S. Air Force Col. Grady Hawkins) and I have long encouraged Steve to offer his candidacy as there is simply no one with his unmatched combination of experience , expertise and qualifications," Hawkins said. "We are very pleased and frankly thankful, that he has committed once again to step up and serve our community at a time when we face so many challenges."

Wyatt served as county manager from March 2006 to June 2021, retiring from full-time public service with more than 38 years of local government management experience. Since leaving that post he has served as a consultant and adviser to county and city governments in North Carolina. He is currently serving a second term as the North Carolina Senate appointee to the Appalachian State University Board of Trustees, where he recently completed a three-year term as chair of the University Audit Committee.

"Steve Wyatt is fully prepared to provide proven leadership and problem solving ability on Day One," Erwin said. "He will absolutely hit the ground running. As a fellow public servant I have come to know Steve as a friend and trusted colleague. Over the years his work as a true partner to improve our law enforcement,emergency services and public safety capabilities has made a difference in the lives of each and everyone of us. Henderson County has a solid foundation and a promising future with Steve Wyatt on the Board of Commissioners."

Holt praised Wyatt for his support of safety and security in public schools and capital construction.

"Mr.Wyatt's door was always open to me as we worked together to address the needs of our schools," she said. "He developed and implemented the system of 'Cost effective School Construction' which resulted in the construction of Mills River, Hillandale and Edneyville Elementary Schools as well as the Innovative High School at BRCC, all of which were on time and on budget, as well as the combined construction and renovation of Hendersonville High, which actually finished early and under budget.

"On a more personal note ,during my time as School Board Chair, I went to Steve with my concerns regarding the safety and security of our students , his response was clear and concise  'All right, let's get to work.' That short response and his unwavering commitment to our children led to us having a School Resource Officer in every school and funding for security improvements throughout the school system."

Wyatt and the committee will be hosting a series of events throughout the county beginning this month at a date, time and location to be announced.
LOWLAND Rescue Oxfordshire has taken delivery of a new water trailer.

This was made possible following a 3,000 donation from the Oxfordshire Freemasons.

The delivery of the purpose-built trailer marks an exciting milestone for the team.

It will be used to store essential water rescue equipment and also serve as a mobile office space, allowing team members to analyse sonar data on-site during emergency call-outs.

This will significantly enhance Lowland Rescue Oxfordshires operational capability, particularly during time-critical water search and rescue incidents.

Chairwoman Teresa Archer said: Were incredibly grateful to the Oxfordshire Freemasons for their generosity and continued support.

This new trailer will make a real difference to our response times and efficiency when dealing with water-related emergencies, ultimately helping us to save lives.

Representatives from the Oxfordshire Freemasons said they were proud to support the vital work carried out by the volunteer team, which assists Thames Valley Police and other emergency services in searching for vulnerable missing people across the county and beyond.

Tim Grier, provincial grand charity steward of Oxfordshire Freemasons, said: Were honoured to help provide this valuable resource to such a dedicated team of volunteers who give their time and expertise to support our community.

Lowland Rescue Oxfordshire operates entirely through the dedication of trained volunteers and relies on public donations and community support to continue its lifesaving work.
A WILD service took place in Medmenham to remember the soldiers who trained in the trenches at Pullingshill Wood during the First World War.

About 50 people, who wore thick layers and walking boots, gathered in the woods with their dogs on leads in front of the former practice trenches.

They learnt about John Charlie Hold, the 5th Battalion in the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who is named on the war memorial.

At 22, he enlisted in High Wycombe, shortly after the start of the war and trained in Oxford then Bovington Camp in Dorset.

Rev Sue Morton, of Hambleden Valley Churches, welcomed the congregation.

She read an opening prayer before they all joined to sing the hymn Eternal Father, Strong to Save led by the Wild Choir.

Mark Morton, 67, who had served in the Royal Air Force for 24 years, read out letters which Mr Hold sent to his mum and two sisters, Dorothy and Janet.

He often spoke about his personal life as a soldier asking for money and other resources and longing to come home.

In 1916, when he was stationed in France, his letters back home described the cold conditions and his narrow escapes from shells, as well as the first use of tanks.

In his last letter, dated November 1917, he reassured his mum about his return. However, he was killed on December 11, 1917.

He has no known grave but is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium alongside 35,000 others.

In his final letter, he said: Will write more often, only it will be two or three lines. As you know, theres nothing to write about. I quite understand how anxious you get about me when you do not hear for a little while and all this fighting is going on, but it is quite all right. We are not in any of that.

Tell Doll I will write to her next time. Glad to hear the pigs are doing well and hope I shall be home to have some of them this time. With love to you all, I remain your loving son, J.C. Holt.

A reading of Micah 4:3-4 was carried out by Oscar Deakin, 17, a royal geographic technician based at the Gibraltar Barracks in Minley.

The Exhortation was read by Brett Spence, a 3rd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment, before the Last Post was played on the cornet and a two-minute silence was held.

Early First World War trenches were designed inadequately against superior weapons, according to researcher Danny Dawson. As a result, a camp was established at Bovingdon Green around 1915 for soldiers, who lived under canvas, to practise in comprehensive trench systems at Pullingshill Wood, which was about one mile away.

The trenches, which were dug more than 100 years ago, are around 1,400m long and 2m deep.

They included support and communication trenches, which were dig in a zigzag pattern and often wider and deeper to facilitate troop movement.

Adam Knights, a 3rd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment, who left in 1998 after serving for nine years, spoke about the history of trenches and weapon developments.

He said: Trenches go back to the Ottoman Empire, so its not new but whats changed is the weapons.

In the First World War, it was the machine gun. After Haigh lost 30,000 men, he found machine guns unsporting. In true Field Marshal arrogance and stupidity, these young men ran to their deaths.

In the First World War, trenches were purely about defence. You would have the front line, the support and a rest trench and men would spend around six or seven days on the front line fighting the Germans around

200 yards away.

They would have professional trench diggers, often ex-Welsh miners, who could dig faster than anybody else.

Trenches at the moment, such as on the Ukraine front line, have netting above them to stop drones coming in.

The Reveille was played before prayers were read and the hymn Jerusalem, based on William Blakes poem with music by Hubert Parry, was sung. The service closed with a blessing.
THE president of the Henley branch of the Royal British Legion celebrated his 90th birthday with a flight in a Spitfire.

John Green, who turned 90 in July, was surprised by his family with the chance to fly in a two-seater Supermarine Spitfire with a Merlin engine manufactured by Rolls-Royce.

During the 30-minute flight Mr Green was given the chance to fly the dual control aircraft and also endured four victory rolls, which is a 360-degree roll performed horizontally.

Mr Green, who lives in Maidensgrove, said he was still up in the air following the experience. I will never get over it, he said. The sound of the Merlin engine was incredible.

I had the amazing experience of being in control of one of the most iconic aeroplanes that ever existed.

We were flying over Kent and the thought occurred to me that, all those years before, these clear blue skies were full of dogfights between the RAF and the German planes.

As a non-flying person, sitting in a Spitfire with its history, it wasnt being in an aeroplane, it was like being in a bird.

A lot of people have said that in the past and its true. Its absolutely wonderful.

The plane Mr Green flew in was originally built as a single-seater in May 1944 but was later purchased by manufacturers Vickers-Armstrongs and converted into a dual control.

The plane has US Air Force markings on it as, for a while, it flew with the 309th Fighter Squadron.

Mr Green was watched on from the ground by his family and friends, including his children, Robert and Susan.

Mr Green said that to the surprise of his family and friends, he didnt feel sick during the aileron rolls.

He said: Everyone expected I would but, luckily, I was okay. Funnily enough, I never originally liked heights particularly and I started to get rid of that years ago.

The flight took place at Biggin Hill, which was a former RAF station that was central to Britains role during the Battle of Britain in the Second World War. Over the course of the war, fighters based at Biggin Hill claimed 1,400 enemy aircraft, at the cost of the lives of 453 Biggin Hill-based aircrew.

The base also has a special familial connection to Mr Green and his elder sister Mary served at the RAF station during the war. She joined the Womens Auxiliary Air Force at the age of 17 and was at Biggin Hill in 1940. She was part of a team that communicated directly with the pilots from the ground.

Mr Green said he was also thinking about his late friend, Flight Lieutenant Robin Appleford, who lived in Henley and was one of the youngest fighter pilots who flew with the Royal Air Force during the Battle of Britain.

Flt Lt Appleford died in 2012 and his ashes are interred at St Marys Church. He was shot down over the Thames Estuary during a dogfight in 1940 but bailed out, escaping slightly wounded.

Mr Green said: It was the most memorable event but when we landed, I was quite emotional. All I could think of was those young chaps aged 18 or 19 who had been up in similar planes saving this country from domination by Germany. The experience will never leave me.
THE Mayor of Henley has said that the act of remembrance should be used to shape a better future for us all.

Councillor Tom Buckley was addressing hundreds of people at the Remembrance Sunday service in Market Place.

From a wooden lectern on the steps of the town hall he said that the poppy should not be seen as a badge of nationality but as a symbol of compassion, fairness and unity.

Some of the spectators had arrived about 45 minutes early to get a good view of the proceedings, which were led by Rev Jeremy Tayler, the rector of Henley with Remenham.

Many wore red attire and poppies and huddled in Market Place and, as it got closer to 11am, the crowd overflowed around the town hall on the closed West Street and Greys Road car park.

A recording was played over a loudspeaker of pupils from Gillotts School reading the names and ages of those who had died in the First World War.

Edward Horton, 19, Walter Miller, 27, John Thomas Jeffery, 29, came the names, each one read by a different pupil.

The tape has been used for the service since 2014 following the Lest We Forget project led by Mike Willoughby, who identified more than 100 servicemen lost in the Great War who were not listed on the memorial outside the town hall. At about 10.40am, four Royal Marine cadets, three male and one female, marched to place themselves on the cobbled road in front of the town hall steps.

Ahead of the speeches and a two-minute silence, a procession took place from Greys Road car park, including the Henley air, army, sea and Royal Marine cadets, members of the Henley branch of the Royal British Legion, beavers, cubs, scouts and brownies.

Representatives from Thames Valley Police, Henley fire service, Henley Freemasons, the RNLI, Henley Bowls Club, South Central Ambulance service and St John Ambulance also joined for the march. The choir from St Marys Church in Hart Street wore white robes as they carried a crozier through Market Place before stationing themselves to the right of the steps.

Cllr Buckley, in his ceremonial robes, Henley MP Freddie van Mierlo and town councillors made their way from the hall to stand to the left of the steps.

They were led by town sergeant James Churchill-Coleman, carrying the ceremonial mace, and David Woodgate, Deputy Lieutenant of Oxfordshire.

Father Jeremy Tayler then addressed the crowd. He said: My brothers and sisters, today we gather, as we do each year, to pray for peace in the world God made and peace for which so many have already laid down their lives, and for which so many continue to die, day by day. And we remember them before God with grief and pride and thanksgiving.

We pray for all who suffer still because of war and terrorism and we ask for Gods help and blessing for ourselves, that we may do his will, and that the whole world may acknowledge him as Lord and King.

So now let us remember before God our Father and commend to his love and sure keeping the souls of those who have died for their country in war, those whom we knew and those whose memory we treasure and all who have lived and died through the ages in the service of their fellow men and women.

Richard Pinches, chairman of the Henley branch of the Royal British Legion, read part of the poem For the Fallen, by Laurence Binyon.

He said: They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.

Congregants repeated We will remember them as the Last Post was played on the cornet to mark the start of the two-minute silence.

The crowd remained silent before the Reveille was sounded as the bearers lowered their flags to honour those who gave their lives.

Mr Pinches read John Maxwell Edmondss Kohima Epitaph before Fr Jeremy said a prayer and the hymn Jerusalem was sung by the congregation. Town clerk Sheridan Jacklin-Edward then read Matthew 5:1-12.

Rev Jeremy then prayed for the peace of the world before Mayor Buckley addressed the crowds in which he told of Second Lieutenant Arthur Thomas Hornby, of the 6th Battalion of the Berkshire Regiment.

He said: On a quiet patch of ground near Henley, there is a simple stone. Its words are weathered but resolute.

On October 12, 1917, his commanding officer wrote that the way he led his platoon was magnificent and that his undoubted courage was an example to all.

Born in Hurley, he fought through three years of war before giving his life at sea.

We gather today, as generations have before us, not only to remember the dead, but to ask for their sacrifice of the living. For more than a century, this assured silence has bound our country together in gratitude.

Here, in Henley, we stand shoulder to shoulder. Veterans who remember, children who learn, scouts and brownies in proud formation, armed forces cadets, councillors, members of parliament and neighbours, united by memory and duty.

In our stillness, we echo the silence that followed his last breath and the countless others whose courage still calls to us.

Cllr Buckley said the poppy was seen as a symbol of the British state in Northern Ireland, where he grew up. The poppy was not part of our story, he said. It was seen as political, a symbol of the British state, not of assured loss. The army, the flag and even the word remembrance itself were complicated things, tied to pain and division.

For many years, I didnt wear the poppy. Not out of anger but because it wasnt meant for people like me. But understanding grows with time.

Living here, serving this town, meeting veterans and their families, Ive come to see that remembrance is not about politics, its about people. People who face the unthinkable, not for ideology but for each other.

The poppy is not a flag, its a flower, fragile, red, born from the mud of devastation and it reminds us that peace is never free and that freedom is never guaranteed.

Yet, I look around our country today and I see something troubling. I see symbols like the poppy and the flag too often twisted, turned into weapons in political battles or tests of loyalty or tools of division, that is not remembrance, that is forgetting.

Its time we spoke honestly about that because it is terribly easy to applaud those who gave their lives while watching other lives risked or ruined to preserve our own comfort. That is quite the hypocrisy of our age.

We speak of courage but we reward fear. We praise sacrifice but we practise self-interest.

The men and women we are today did not die for slogans or party lines. They died believing in something greater than themselves. The compassion and duty and justice were worth defending.

If remembrance is to mean anything, it must be more than ceremony. It must change how we live. It must call us to the same courage and peace that they showed in war.

Here in Henley, we carry that responsibility with pride. Our town sent sons and daughters to both world wars. Some returned, but many did not. Their names are carved in stone, but their legacy lives on in how we serve one another today, in kindness, in fairness and in community.

This year, I wear the poppy, not as a badge of nationality. I wear it as a pledge to empathy, to integrity and to peace and to remember all who suffered, soldiers and civilians from every background and side and to ensure the peace they wore with courage is not squandered by division or indifference.

Let our remembrance today not only honour our past but shape the future. Let it remind us that the true strength of a nation is not found in its arms, its borders or its flags but in its compassion, its fairness and its unity.

May we be worthy of the sacrifice that we honour and may our silence speak, not only of loss but our promise to live better because of it.

The mayors cadets, Corporal Monty Ward, Corporal Kiera De Sousa and Corporal Ralphie Barron, gave readings.

The act of commitment was made by Fr Tayler to commit to responsible living and faithful service, to strive for peace and seek to heal the wounds of war, before everyone joined for the Lords Prayer and the National Anthem.

Wreaths were laid on the town hall steps by Mr Woodgate, Cllr Buckley, Cllr van Mierlo, Councillor Stefan Gawrysiak, on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council, Councillor Ken Arlett, on behalf of South Oxfordshire District Council and John Green, on behalf of the Royal British Legion.

Other groups, including the army and sea cadets, Henley fire service, Henley Lions Club and the Henley Society, laid their wreaths in pairs, bowing as a sign of respect before walking away.

Following the service, a parade took place around Market Place took place as residents applauded, before tea, coffee and biscuits were served inside the town hall.

Stephen Ackroyd, from Henley, a commander in the Royal Marines who served in the Gulf War, said: I was really impressed with the mayor. He was bang on the money as remembrance is to remember everyone. We have to remember what they have sacrificed.

We have all the liberties to complain but if you take that away, all the other things dissolve. Other countries dont have that luxury.

l DOZENS of residents gathered outside Henley town hall on Tuesday, Armistice Day.

The Last Post was sounded at 11am and followed by a two-minute silence. Richard Pinches, chairman of Henley branch of the Royal British Legion read the Kohima Epitaph.
POLITICIANS in Henley have mixed feelings following the resignation of Tim Davie, the director-general of the BBC.

Davie, who lives just outside Henley, admitted mistakes were made after it was revealed that a speech by President Donald Trump that the BBC aired in October 2024 had been edited and was misleading.

His resignation was accompanied by that of Deborah Turness, the head of news.

A leaked memo by Michael Prescott, a former Sunday Times political editor, accused the organisation of editorial failings and systemic left-wing bias on issues including the Gaza-Israel conflict.

Henley MP Freddie van Mierlo, a Liberal Democrat, said members of the BBC board should consider their roles in the mistakes that have been made but reaffirmed his support for the corporation.

He said: Clearly mistakes have been made. Its important that leadership at any organisation is held to account. The BBC remains the single most trusted source of news worldwide and is a huge asset to the UK.

Stefan Gawrysiak, who represents Henley Residents Group on the town and county councils, said the resignations were the right decision and the BBC should act quickly to correct mistakes.

He said: Compared with other news organisations, be they newspapers or be they other broadcasters in the UK and especially in America, the BBC has an absolutely fantastic record of accuracy and verification.

As far as the BBC is concerned their aim is to be accurate at all times and 98 per cent of all their programmes, they get it right and they put a completely reasonable and balanced point of view. There have been two or three mistakes recently, the reporting from Gaza, not actually saying that the lad that was doing the commentary was the son of a Hamas official and also the Panorama programme editing the speech that Trump made.

Therefore, unfortunately, I think the resignations were probably right.

Martin Dew, who chairs the Henley and Thame branch of Reform UK, said while he welcomed the resignations, he was troubled by what he believes is a rot at the organisation.

He believed reporting from the BBC was one-sided.

Mr Dew said: It would be good to hear a more pro-Israel stance for example, or on net-zero, it would be good to hear more of the views of nay-sayers rather than people who fit the agenda. The Trump speech was featured in a Panorama documentary and had spliced two separate clips ahead of the White House riots on January 6, 2021.

In the programme, the edit showed Trump telling supporters: Were going to walk down to the Capitol and Ill be there with you. And we fight. We fight like hell. However, the second part of the edit had in fact been spoken 50 minutes later in the speech.

Davie addressed staff on Tuesday, urging colleagues to fight for our journalism, adding: We have made some mistakes that have cost us, but we need to fight for that.

Davie was named director-general in June 2020, succeeding Lord Hall, of Henley, in the role.

It is understood he will stay on as director-general until a replacement is found.
China commemorates 159th birth anniversary of Sun Yat-sen

Xinhua) 09:13, November 13, 2025

A ceremony is held to mark the 159th birth anniversary of Sun Yat-sen, a great national hero, a great patriot, and a great forerunner of China's democratic revolution, in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 12, 2025. The event was hosted by the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) at Zhongshan Park in central Beijing, a site named after Sun. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)

BEIJING, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday held a ceremony to mark the 159th birth anniversary of great national hero Sun Yat-sen at Zhongshan Park in central Beijing, a site named after him.

Hosted by the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the event saw attendees paying tribute with flowers and bows in front of Sun's statue.

They include senior officials from the CPPCC National Committee, the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and the Beijing municipal government.

The ceremony was also attended by officials from the central committees of non-Communist parties, as well as representatives of prominent figures without party affiliation, the CPPCC Beijing municipal committee, Sun's descendants and some other organizations.

Born in 1866 in south China's Guangdong Province, Sun was also deemed a great patriot and a great forerunner of China's democratic revolution. He played a leading role in the 1911 Revolution, which overthrew the imperial Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and ended more than 2,000 years of feudal rule in China.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Zhong Wenxing)
'My Music Paradise' art exchange initiative strikes a chord between China and Europe

09:20, November 13, 2025 By Xu Liang ( People's Daily Online

The "My Music Paradise  China-Europe Young Musicians Art Exchange Global Communication Initiative" successfully concluded its inaugural program this fall, highlighting a remarkable journey of cross-cultural creativity and friendship between China and Europe.

Jointly initiated by People's Daily Online UK, People's Daily Online Guizhou, the Publicity Department of the CPC Guizhou Provincial Committee, and Guizhou Cultural & Performing Arts Industry Group Co., Ltd., the initiative aims to encourage young musicians from both sides to explore the fusion of traditional Chinese ethnic instruments and Western classical music.

Launched in London in July 2025, the program invited six promising young musicians from Europe to visit southwest China's Guizhou Province, home to diverse ethnic groups and centuries-old musical heritage.

During their stay, the musicians conducted field research in Dong, Miao, and other ethnic minority communities, learning from local inheritors of intangible cultural heritage. They engaged with traditional instruments such as the lusheng (reed pipe), pipa (a four-stringed Chinese lute), and muye (tree leaf), experimenting with ways to reinterpret these sounds within modern compositional frameworks.

The immersive experience led to collaborative workshops and performances that showcased how traditional Chinese melodies and rhythms could harmonize with Western musical sensibilities.

In late September, 20 Guizhou musicians traveled to London to reunite with their European counterparts. Together, they presented a grand "My Music Paradise" concert at the Royal Academy of Music, featuring a dynamic blend of ethnic and classical music.

The concert's centerpiece was the premiere of a new composition by Italian composer Andrea Granitzio, inspired by his creative encounters in Guizhou. The performance captivated audiences with its dialogue between lusheng tones, vocal polyphony, and symphonic textures, symbolizing unity through diversity.

To capture the artistic journey and cross-cultural encounters, People's Daily Online UK has produced a two-part online documentary series titled "My Music Paradise." The documentary chronicles the musicians' experiences in Guizhou and London, offering a vivid portrayal of their creative process and emotional exchanges.

Building on this success, People's Daily Online UK plans to continue and expand the My Music Paradise initiative in the coming years to introduce more partner countries, musicians, and academic institutions.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Wu Chengliang)
In the very heart of Paris's distinguished 8th arrondissement and under the glow of the Champs-Elysees, NH Collection Hotels & Resorts celebrates its long-awaited debut in the French capital with NH Collection Paris Ponthieu Champs-Elysees, a new benchmark of hospitality that embodies the brand's signature style and sophistication.

Located in one of Paris's most emblematic districts, steps from the Arc de Triomphe, the Grand Palais, Place de la Concorde, and the Elysee Palace, NH Collection Paris Ponthieu Champs-Elysees is the perfect destination for intellectuals, culture lovers, and fashion enthusiasts seeking an authentic and refined experience. Its proximity to the leading fashion houses on Avenues Montaigne and George V, prestigious art galleries, and the city's most famous landmarks makes it a privileged neighbourhood for international and local travellers seeking a stylish urban escape.

Behind a Haussmannian facade from the early 20th century, the debut of NH Collection in Paris reveals an interior design of refined sophistication. The building's original architecture, dating back to 1910, has been preserved, while the interiors have been completely redesigned and renovated this year with meticulous attention to detail. Luxurious materials, artistic photography and personalised service come together to create a unique experience of contemporary hospitality.

The rooms and suites, decorated with timeless elegance, blend the classic charm of Parisian architecture with modern design. As a tribute to the great fashion houses that shaped Paris's legend, they feature a collection of black-and-white photographs celebrating the style icons of the 1950s and 1960s, the golden age when Paris dictated the codes of global glamour. Guests can choose among several room categories - Deluxe, Premium, and Junior Suites - tailored to their preferences and needs. Each stay offers a sensory immersion in the world of French haute couture and the Parisian art de vivre.

The hotel's L'Angle des Champs restaurant offers a refined yet welcoming ambience. In this neo-bistro, two culinary worlds meet: the sophistication of French cuisine and the vibrant spirit of Spanish tapas. Its menu pays homage to two strong culinary identities: from reinterpretations of Parisian classics to Spanish recipes that capture the essence of tapas culture, all crafted with the finest ingredients.

Guests can enjoy tailored experiences that celebrate the essence of French culture. Highlights include a private tour of the city aboard the iconic Citroen DS, the very model once used as the official car of the French President. Guests can also take part in hands-on workshops, such as macaron and traditional French pastry making, offering a delightful opportunity to discover the sweetest secrets of local gastronomy.

Whether attending cultural events, enjoying a day of shopping, or simply strolling along the city's most iconic boulevards, NH Collection Paris Ponthieu Champs-Elysees provides a unique connection to the soul of Paris. With this property, NH Collection Hotels & Resorts reaffirms its commitment to excellence, offering visitors a sophisticated, functional, and deeply Parisian environment.

Hotel website
High-end travelers increasingly seek tailored services that go beyond traditional luxury, such as curated local experiences, wellness-focused amenities, and tech-enabled customization. Luxury hotels are leveraging AI-powered guest profiling, loyalty data, and mobile apps to offer individualized itineraries, customized dining options, and room preferences from lighting to pillow types.

WILMINGTON, Del. - Allied Market Research published a report, titled " Luxury Hotel Market by Type (Business Hotels, Airport Hotels, Suite Hotels, Resorts, and Others), and Category (Chain and Independent): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2025-2034". According to the report, the luxury hotel market was valued at $113.1 billion in 2024 and is estimated to reach $181.5 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 4.9% from 2025 to 2034.

Download Sample Pages of Research Overview: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/1916

Prime Determinants of Growth

The rise of bleisure travel, where business and leisure merge, is becoming a significant driver for the luxury hotel market. As remote work and flexible schedules become mainstream, business travelers are increasingly extending their trips to include leisure components, seeking premium amenities that allow them to balance work with relaxation. Luxury hotels are uniquely positioned to cater to this demand by offering high-speed connectivity, elegant workspaces, wellness facilities, and curated local experiences all under one roof. Executives and professionals now prefer accommodation that allows them to host meetings in sophisticated environments and unwind in spa lounges or fine-dining restaurants afterward. This trend not only boosts occupancy rates during weekdays, which are traditionally slower for leisure properties and also increases average length of stay and per-guest revenue.

Furthermore, experiential micro-destinations present a unique growth opportunity for the luxury hotel market by appealing to affluent travelers seeking exclusivity, authenticity, and immersive cultural experiences. Unlike traditional urban luxury hotels, properties located in remote or lesser-known areas such as private islands, mountain retreats, or heritage villages offer guests a sense of seclusion and personalized discovery that cannot be replicated in mainstream destinations.

Report coverage & details:

 Source: Allied Market Research

Buy This Research Report (267 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures): https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/checkout-final/da4aed985c196ed17e2dd0d8d505c2c3

The business hotels segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period.

By type, the business hotels segment held the major share of the market in 2024, accounting for more than one-fourth of the global luxury hotel market, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. These hotels cater to executives and professionals with tailored amenities such as high-speed internet, conference rooms, express check-in, and proximity to business districts. Despite temporary slowdowns due to remote work trends, business travel is rebounding, especially in financial and tech hubs. The segment is expected to retain its dominance during the forecast period, supported by growth in international trade, resumption of in-person conferences, and demand for premium accommodation that blends work and comfort.

The chain segment to retain its dominance by 2035.

By category, the chain segment held the major share of the market in 2024, accounting for more than half of the global luxury hotel market, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. Chain hotels benefit from strong brand recognition, standardized service quality, loyalty programs, and extensive global reach, making them a preferred choice among both business and leisure travelers. Its financial stability and ability to invest in technology, sustainability, and staff training further strengthen its market hold. Major players like Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt continue expanding their luxury portfolios in emerging economies by enhancing guest experiences with innovations like mobile check-ins and AI-driven services, thus reinforcing their competitive edge.

North America to maintain its dominance by 2035.

By region, North America held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2024, accounting for nearly one-third of the luxury hotel market. The North America luxury hotel market is shaped by high consumer spending, strong brand presence, and the region's diverse travel and tourism offerings. One of the key market trends is the rising demand for wellness-centric and experience-based stays, as travelers increasingly prioritize relaxation, nature, and curated experiences over traditional sightseeing. Major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Toronto continue to see steady demand for business and leisure travel, while emerging destinations such as Nashville and Scottsdale are gaining popularity for upscale getaways.

Enquiry Before Buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/1916

Leading Market Players

Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz

InterContinental Hotels Group

Hyatt Corporation

The Indian Hotel Companies Limited

Jumeirah International LLC

Four Seasons Holdings Inc.

ITC Hotels Limited

Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd

Marriott International Inc.

Shangri-La International Hotel Management Ltd.

The report analyses these key players in the global luxury hotel market. These players have adopted various strategies such as expansion, new service launches, partnerships, and others to increase their market penetration and strengthen their position in the industry. The report helps determine the business performance, operating segments, developments, and product portfolios of every market player.

About Allied Market Research

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. In addition, we offer a nurturing environment required to develop and grow businesses, including business planning; virtual support; market intelligence; acquiring resources; and getting direct access to finance, suppliers, and other experts to boost the growth of businesses and entrepreneurs.

Our bundled and hassle-free business support systems are customized to meet the needs of SME consultants and industry leaders. Moreover, our large network of skilled consultants and experts help start-ups get the business on a roll.

David Correa

Allied Market Research
La Vie Hotels & Resorts, one of Asia-Pacifics leading independent hotel management companies, is proud to announce it has secured the management rights for the highly anticipated Lindeman Island Hotel project in Queenslands Whitsundays.

This milestone marks a significant step in revitalizing one of Australias most iconic island destinations. Lindeman Island is steeped in history and holds a special place in Australias tourism story. Lindeman was a favourite among holidaymakers, the resort thrived through the 1980s and 1990s, attracting thousands of visitors and contributing significantly to Queenslands tourism economy.

The resort is being developed by Well Smart Group, a Singapore-based investment company that acquired Lindeman Island in 2023. Well Smart Group is spearheading a multi-million-dollar transformation of the former Club Med site, which has remained dormant since Cyclone Yasi in 2011.

Tourism and Events Queensland CEO, Craig Davidson, said Queenslands beautiful tropical islands are a unique and important tourism asset for the state.

Our distinctive, pristine islands have helped shape Queenslands standing as a global tourism leader and we are excited to see the revitalisation of Lindeman Island which has always been an iconic part of Queenslands tourism story. This important investment, breathing new life into Lindeman Island, will bolster Queenslands international reputation as a world-class holiday destination providing an exceptional visitor experience.

The redevelopment aims to restore Lindeman Island to its former glory while embracing sustainability and modern luxury. In addition to managing the property, La Vie Hotels & Resorts will secure an international luxury brand for Lindeman Island in 2026, further elevating its global profile and positioning the resort as a flagship destination for eco-luxury travel in the Asia-Pacific region, phase one of the development is partly funded by the Queensland Governments Growing Futures Tourism Program.

About the Project

The Lindeman Island Resort will feature:

A five-star hotel with approximately 200 accommodation rooms and 9 Suites

Multiple restaurants and bars, a swimming pool, and a luxury spa and gym

Conference and Wedding/Event spaces

Staff accommodation and eco-friendly infrastructure, including a solar farm

A new 50-metre jetty

The initial stage of works, including the jetty, is scheduled for completion in 2026, with the resort opening shortly thereafter. The full redevelopment, estimated at $40$50 million for the first phase, is part of a broader $583 million master plan approved under Queenslands coordinated projects framework, which includes ecotourism facilities and environmental enhancements such as native vegetation restoration and renewable energy initiatives.

La Vie Hotels & Resorts is thrilled to partner with Well Smart Group on this landmark project. Lindeman Island is more than a tropical paradise - it is a cornerstone of Queenslands tourism heritage. First developed for visitors in the 1920s, Lindeman became one of the earliest Whitsunday islands to offer accommodation, paving the way for Queenslands rise as a global holiday destination. Lindeman Island holds a special place in Australias tourism history, and together we will deliver a world-class resort experience that celebrates the Whitsundays natural beauty. La Vie Chief Executive Officer, Jerry Xu

Our vision is to create a sustainable, luxury destination that redefines island hospitality in Queensland. With La Vies expertise in resort management, we are confident Lindeman Island will become a beacon for eco-luxury travel , said Well Smart Director Jack Jia.

The redevelopment is expected to generate hundreds of jobs during construction and approximately 500 ongoing roles once operational, boosting tourism and economic growth in the Mackay and Whitsundays.

About La Vie Hotels and Resorts

La Vie Hotels & Resorts is one of Asia Pacific's leading and fastest growing independent hotel management companies that offers a tailor-made, cohesive and strategic approach in response to our clients' real estate objectives within the hospitality sphere. We are the region's leader in third party hotel management partnering with major international hotel brands. The portfolio represents a collection of diverse properties from hotels in bustling downtown cities, resorts in popular tourism destinations and boutique hotels in sought after locations. The group currently operates hotels and resorts across Australia, Bangladesh, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Thailand, including many more under development, with offices in Sydney, Bangkok, Singapore and Dubai.

For more information, head to www.laviehotels.com.
Hamburg, Germany  Business travels evolving landscape and the drive toward a more sustainable future took center stage this week at the GBTA + VDR Europe Conference 2025 in Hamburg. From 1012 November, the CCH  Congress Center Hamburg hosted one of Europes largest gatherings of business travel and meetings professionals, where industry leaders, practitioners and innovators came together to share insights, tackle emerging challenges and chart a course for whats next in corporate travel.

This years event welcomed more than 1,200 attendees, including 326 travel buyers and 65 exhibitors representing 40 countries. The 2025 Conference also celebrated 11 years of collaboration between the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) and the German Business Travel Association (VDR), underscoring a continued commitment to advancing knowledge, connections and progress across the European business travel industry.

This years Conference once again demonstrated the strength and momentum of Europes business travel community. Together with our partners at VDR, we created a forum that inspired collaboration, fostered learning and highlighted innovations driving our industry forward. Especially during times of economic uncertainty, the optimism and engagement weve seen here acknowledges the critical nature of business travel across this region and beyond. Catherine Logan, GBTA Senior Vice President, EMEA and APAC

We are facing turbulent times, both geopolitically and economically, as well as ecologically. Business mobility is not becoming easier; it is becoming increasingly complex. This is why professional business travel management is more important than ever. We must actively take responsibility for this by being careful, gathering information, creating transparency and showing what business mobility truly means today. This year's event has shown that the industry is ready to embrace change, take responsibility and create a better future. Jens Schliemann, Executive Director of the VDR

European Business Travel Spending Poised for Robust Growth

Despite persistent economic and political challenges, European business travel is set for substantial spending growth, forecasted to reach 389.9 billion euros in 2026  a notable 8.2% increase over 2025. GBTA released European regional analysis from the 2025 GBTA Business Travel Index Outlook (GBTA BTI) at the Conference. The data, derived from the 2025 BTI originally unveiled at GBTA Convention in Denver in July, highlights Europe's pivotal role in the global recovery of business travel and accounting for over a quarter of worldwide business travel expenditures. Projections indicate ongoing momentum, with spending expected to rise to 414.5 billion euros in 2027 and 441.6 billion euros by 2028. Western Europe represents 88% of the region's business travel spend, led by powerhouse markets including Germany, UK, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands.

Second Annual GBTA Sustainability Challenge Reveals Progress with Need for Better Solutions

The GBTA Foundation, the cause-led arm of GBTA, unveiled the 2025 results of its Sustainability Acceleration Challenge, highlighting both momentum and challenges in decarbonising business travel. The 2025 global benchmark, developed with Accenture, drew participation from 285 companies, a 20% increase over last year, representing a combined annual travel spend of $22 billion USD. Despite incremental gains in overall program maturity, the global average score rose only slightly from 1.3 to 1.4, showing limited improvement. Notably, smaller travel programs advanced their sustainability efforts, while larger ones regressed, possibly due to changing political stances. The financial, banking and insurance sector continues to lead in sustainable travel practices, followed by professional services and consulting, underscoring sector-specific progress and the critical need for accelerated collective action. Click here for information on the first GBTA Foundation Sustainability Challenge in 2024.

GBTA Hosts Inaugural European VentureConnect Event

At the Conference, GBTA brought VentureConnect to Europe for the first time, following its initial launch at the GBTA Convention in Denver last July. The European session brought together 11 innovative travel startups, eight corporate travel managers, and four industry investors for a series of structured and engaging pitch presentations.

The event concluded with the presentation of the Europe VentureConnect Award, which was determined based on six criteria evaluated by participating investors and travel managers. The award was presented to Centuro Global, a startup that provides AI-powered solutions for immigration, business visas, tax and compliance management to support cross-border workforce mobility.

Big Ideas, Bold Discussions and Industry Expertise Define Conference Programming

More than 100 speakers at the Conferences five Main Stage and 20 Education Sessions (with live captions and translations for a multilingual audience) shared their expertise across the topics of leadership, economics, sustainability, mobility, travel management and procurement. Stand-out presenters included economist Nenad Pacek, who opened the Conference with a forecast of industry demand and geopolitical shifts, and a panel discussion with industry leaders who conversed about how the EUs push for seamless travel and regional interoperability is shaping smarter travel initiatives.

The Conference also brought back The Big Idea  in a dynamic courtroom-style debate where industry leaders tackled the most divisive issues shaping the future of business travel, from the evolution of booking technologies and travel policies to biometrics and secure identification, with the audience serving as the final jury. The session challenged assumptions and sparked conversations about tradition versus transformation in the industry.

Day one included four workshops, one of which was delivered by WERC and the others facilitated by GBTA leadership, prominent companies in the industry and government representatives  including Portugal Member of the European Parliament Sergio Goncalves  addressing advocacy, compliance, sustainability and leadership in business travel. Sessions explored how to strengthen industry influence in Europe, manage tax and immigration risks for business travellers, position sustainability as a driver of innovation and long-term value and how to connect new and established professionals with their strengths and lead with purpose.

Other GBTA + VDR Europe Conference 2025 Highlights included:

The Global Leaders Reception, an exclusive event to thank the regions volunteer leaders for their continued support, which took place on Sunday, 9 November at the 25hours Hotel Hamburg Altes Hafenamt.

The Connection Zone, located on the expo floor, where GBTA and VDR volunteer leaders met with attendees to discuss how the associations can serve members and the international business travel community. In addition to the GBTA Foundations Ladders (younger professionals) and WINiT (women in business travel) programs, the Connection Zone featured information on ways to become involved, such as serving on a committee or joining a board.

Braindate sessions  small group, peer-to-peer discussions where attendees set the topics with a goal of meaningful connections between business travel buyers and suppliers through collaboration and engagement.

Broadcast Studio  where nearly 30 industry leaders shared their perspectives over the course of the Conferences three days  and the Media Cocktail Party on 11 November, which provided an opportunity for journalists to engage with executives from 12 companies and learn about breaking organisational news and industry developments.

The Big Night Out, held at Hamburgs legendary Mojo Club on 11 November, which provided Conference attendees with food, refreshments and live music from the ever-popular King Kamehameha Club Band.

The 2025 conference activities were made possible through the generous support of the GBTA + VDR Europe Conference Sponsors and Exhibitors.

Event information for 2026 was also announced. Next years GBTA + VDR Europe Conference in partnership with ABTA (Austrian Business Travel Association) will be held 2-4 November in Vienna, a first for the association partners.

Photos from the GBTA + VDR Europe Conference will be available here in the upcoming days.

About VDR

The German Business Travel Association (VDR) is Germanys largest network for corporate mobility management, representing more than 600 member companies. Together with its members and partners, VDR develops solutions to make business travel more sustainable, reliable, and secure. In dialogue with industry and policymakers, the association advocates for the interests of its members and promotes fair regulatory and competitive conditions. For over 50 years, VDR has been a trusted partner to German businesses  including SMEs, large corporations, organizations, and mobility providers  and today stands for an innovative and insightful "Network for Business Mobility." For more information visit www.vdr-service.de.

About GBTA

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is the world's premiere business travel and meetings trade organization headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area and serving stakeholders across six continents. GBTA and its 8,000+ members represent and advocate for the $1.48 trillion global travel business and meetings industry. GBTA and the GBTA Foundation deliver world-class education, events, research, advocacy and media to a growing global network of more than 28,000 travel professionals and 125,000 active contacts. For more information visit gbta.org.

About the GBTA Foundation

The mission of the GBTA Foundation, the US 501c3 charitable arm of the Global Business Travel Association, is to help the global business travel industry create a positive impact and better future for people and the planet. The GBTA Foundation focuses on the strategy and execution of GBTA's global sustainability programs, supporting initiatives related to climate action; diversity, equity and inclusion; and other talent-related topics via education, research and advocacy. For more information visit gbtafoundation.org.

Debbie Iannaci

GBTA Global Communications, PR & Research

+1 305 301 7057

GBTA
Rocket Citys Rapid Ascent

The economic and hotel demand landscape of Huntsville has been undergoing an expansion over the last several years. With several large-scale projects underway in this already well-established market home to a multitude of major demand generators, Huntsville has become a hotspot for growth, which in turn has boosted hotel demand.

In recent years, the City of Huntsville has made the following investments to ensure that the city can meet the needs of the ongoing developments and the associated population boom:

Over $400 million in completed transportation improvements, plus $250+ million in active construction projects

$600 million in public-school enhancements

Over $200 million in healthcare expansions

Over $150 million in improving the citys overall quality of life with new recreational complexes, parks, and greenways

Key Developments Shaping Demand

The two most significant economic and hotel demand anchors in Huntsville are Cummings Research Park and the Redstone Arsenal U.S. Army base. Located within a few miles of each other, these facilities together make up the largest economic zone in Alabama and have an $18-billion impact on the areas economy annually. Operators of hotels located in the economic zone report that around 60% of their business originates from these two facilities. Although recent sentiment indicates a drop in activity due to outside administrative pressures, the long-term view is very positive. Furthermore, both campuses are undergoing expansion and receiving investments poised to increase their economic impact.

Redstone Arsenal Named New Space Command Headquarters

Known as Rocket City for its central role in the U.S. space program, Huntsvilles aerospace and military infrastructure is well established with the Redstone Arsenal, which is home to NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center and the Armys Space and Missile Defense Command. The 38,000-acre Army installation employs over 45,000 military, civilian, and contract workers.

In September 2025, the Trump administration announced that the U.S. Space Command headquarters will be relocated from its temporary headquarters in Colorado to a site within the Redstone Arsenal. According to local officials, around 1,400 Space Command jobs will transition to the Huntsville facility over the next five years. Currently, no timeline is established for the start or conclusion of this transition; however, once completed, Space Command is expected to provide a major boost to the markets already strong government demand base.

Cummings Research Park Undergoing Investments & Expansion

Huntsville is home to the 3,500-acre Cummings Research Park, the second-largest research park in the country. Altogether, the complex features over 300 companies, inclusive of Fortune 500 corporations, high-tech firms, space and defense agencies, and business incubators that generate significant hotel demand.

Recent investments in this park include the $1.6-billion Mazda Toyota Manufacturing plant, which created 4,000 new jobs when it was completed in 2021; Blue Origin's new $200-million rocket-engine facility, opened in 2020; and Meta's $750-million data center, completed in 2020. The data center is undergoing continued expansion, pushing the total investment above $1.5 billion. While the data center is not expected to bring significant hotel demand over the long term, the construction-related demand has buoyed hotel occupancies and is a favorable sign for investor sentiment in Huntsville.

Additionally, Radiance Technologies opened Phase II of its corporate headquarters in Cummings Research Park in 2025, adding 110,000 square feet of additional space. The Missile Defense Agency recently awarded an additional $40 million of funding to deciBel Research, Inc. The agency has now granted contracts totaling $214 million to Huntsville businesses.

Hotel Demand & Supply Trends

Huntsvilles hotel industry is primarily anchored by commercial and government demand from Cummings Research Park and Redstone Arsenal, with some additional demand from the healthcare sector. The developments occurring in both Cummings Research Park and Redstone Arsenal are expected to continue to bolster demand throughout the area over the long term.

Aside from those sectors, tourism plays a major role in the hotel market of Huntsville, largely tied to its rich history in space exploration and music. The U.S. Space & Rocket Center welcomes more than 600,000 visitors and campers to its museum and programs annually. Musical performances and local events help to drive leisure demand as well, with venues like the Von Braun Center and The Orion Amphitheater hosting a variety of concerts and shows throughout the year. Seasonal events held in Huntsville include the Panoply Arts Festival, Big Spring Crush Wine & Food Festival, and Concerts in the Park.

These demand factors have resulted in a rapidly growing hotel pipeline. According to market participants, prior to 2019, the Huntsville area lacked sufficient supply to meet the strong commercial and government demand related to activity at Redstone Arsenal and companies in Cummings Research Park. This supply shortage led to demand overflow into nearby towns such as Decatur and Mooresville. As a result, sizable hotel developments in Huntsville and Madison have been completed since 2019, and more than 1,000 additional rooms are expected to be added by the end of 2025, according to STR data. Although supply growth in the near term is expected to cause both occupancy and ADR to fluctuate, ongoing projects and sustained growth throughout Huntsville should support both future hotel development and improvements in hotel metrics over the long term.

A Market on the Move

Huntsville has emerged as a thriving market that is becoming a major city in the South. For hotel stakeholders, the significant developments occurring throughout the city and its already established economic landscape support an optimistic future. Cummings Research Park, Redstone Arsenal, and area tourism attractions should support Huntsvilles position as a major market over the long term.

At HVS, we turn market intelligence into strategic insight. With deep expertise in the Huntsville market and an extensive in-house database, we provide tailored guidance on everything from feasibility analysis and market projections to operational benchmarking and redevelopment planning. If you have questions, ideas, proposals, or opportunities youd like to explore for this market, we invite you to connect with Rutger Marks and Marc Greeley of our Central-South regional team.

Sources

https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/u-s-space-command-headquarters-is-moving-to-huntsville/

https://www.costar.com/article/505008073/hotel-development-continues-momentum-across-the-huntsville-market

https://business.vanderbilt.edu/news/2018/07/11/capstone-spotlight-space-rocket-center/

https://www.cnu.org/publicsquare/2025/08/14/build-center-former-mall

https://frontrowhsv.com/groundbreaking-destination/

https://frontrowhsv.com/375-million-downtown-huntsville-development-nearing-start-of-construction/

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/front-row-huntsville-enters-next-phase-with-groundbreaking-ceremony-302119922.html

https://www.waff.com/2025/03/24/major-upgrades-taking-place-von-braun-center/

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/radiance-technologies-celebrates-ribbon-cutting-for-its-campus-expansion-at-jan-davis-drive-in-cummings-research-park-302404947.html

https://huntsvillebusinessjournal.com/news/2024/06/18/mda-awards-contract-extension-totalling-214-million-to-local-business/

https://cummingsresearchpark.com/about/

https://apnews.com/article/space-command-trump-alabama-colorado-96589ce26df5ddaf59e2fc856084a8ca

https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/u-s-space-command-headquarters-is-moving-to-huntsville/

https://256today.com/redstone-cummings-research-park-economic-zone-bullish-on-brainpower/

Rutger Marks

Senior Associate, HVS Nashville

+1 (629) 255-5722

HVS

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Banyan Tree Zhuhai Phoenix Bay - Image Credit Banyan Group



Banyan Group has opened the Banyan Tree Zhuhai Phoenix Bay, expanding its presence in China's Greater Bay Area.

Banyan Group has announced the opening of Banyan Tree Zhuhai Phoenix Bay, a new resort located in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province. This development is part of the company's strategy to strengthen its presence in the Greater Bay Area of China.

The resort is situated between hills and the South China Sea, forming a dual-branded complex with the adjacent Angsana Zhuhai Phoenix Bay. The location offers views of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and the Zhuhai Grand Theatre, with convenient access to Gongbei Port and other city landmarks.

Banyan Tree Zhuhai Phoenix Bay features 83 guestrooms and suites. The accommodations are designed to integrate with the surrounding landscape, offering views of the mountains or the sea. Some suites include private pools or onsen-style hot springs.

The resort's dining options include XUN, a restaurant specializing in Minnan cuisine, and RONG, which serves an a la carte breakfast menu. BANG, a whisky and grill bar, and THE BUTTER, offering Chinese desserts, are also available. The lobby lounge, MIRROR, provides a setting for tea and conversation.

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The Banyan Tree Spa at the resort includes seven ocean-view treatment rooms. Additional wellness facilities include a cliffside hot spring, an infinity pool, and an ocean-view gym. Outdoor activities such as Wing Chun martial arts and beach meditation are also offered.

The resort features the Phoenix Ballroom, which can accommodate a variety of events, and a viewing terrace with a sky lawn.

This opening marks Banyan Group's continued expansion in China, where it currently operates 37 hotels. The company is also preparing for the grand opening of its 100th hotel, Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree, in Singapore later this month.
Industry Perspectives: Gui Morais (Symphonic) on the Importance of Local Culture

Global success doesnt start with a strategy. It starts with identity.

Building Bridges  Why Local Culture Is the Key to Global Music Success

By Gui Morais, A&R & Client Development Manager (Europe), Symphonic Distribution

The global music scene isnt shrinking, its exploding. Every day, roughly 100,000 new tracks hit streaming platforms. The competition has never been fiercer, and the real challenge for artists today isnt just being heard but being remembered.

So, how does anyone stand out?

The answer is simple: artists who win globally arent trying to sound global. Theyre staying true to where they come from and letting the world catch up.

A fantastic mentor once told me, Global success doesnt start with a strategy. It starts with identity. Ive seen that proven true countless times. From baile funk in Rio to drill in London, one thing has become clear: local culture isnt a barrier to global reach, its the foundation of it.

For decades, breaking into the U.S. or U.K. was seen as the definition of success. Not anymore. The model has flipped. Artists break locally, and then the world follows. We just saw that in real time this month when Bololo Records reached #13 on Spotifys Global Top 50 with a baile funk track. It first topped the charts in Brazil, then climbed internationally within days, fueled by social media, diaspora communities, and organic discovery. There was no global campaign, just authenticity, momentum, and a home base that believed. Thats the new playbook. When your home market believes in you, the world will listen. And Bololo isnt the exception; this is happening every week with artists around the globe.

The numbers back this shift.

According to the IFPI Global Music Report 2025, global recorded-music revenues grew 4.8% year-on-year to $29.6 billion, with streaming making up 69% of total revenue. The fastest-growing territories are Latin America (+22.5%), MENA (+22.8%), and Sub-Saharan Africa (+22.6%), all led by artists deeply connected to their own sounds and stories. In Europe, research from the London School of Economics shows that local music now dominates national charts: Italys Top 10 rose from 30% local in 2017 to 70% in 2022, Poland from 10% in 2012 to 70% in 2022, and Frances Top 10 is now led by French-language rap.

The world isnt flattening, its fracturing beautifully. Local stories are winning global hearts.

So what does this mean for artists, exactly? The data reinforces one truth: you need to act locally to grow globally. And when you analyze recent success stories, you start to see a pattern emerge:

Start local. Your first market is your testing ground and your amplifier. Be authentic. Your story is your strategy, dont trade it for algorithms. Use data wisely. Learn where your music connects and grow from there. Collaborate with intention. Work with artists who share your cultural language. Build community, not campaigns. Momentum built on trust travels further than hype.

Every artist dreams of international reach, but few stop to ask where their sound truly belongs.

Take Deekapz, an artist from Brazil I recently worked with. Their latest album blends R&B and Afrobeats, and though they arent from West Africa or Europe, it found natural traction in Nigeria, Ghana, and the U.K. because the sound made sense there. It wasnt about chasing a trend; it was about connecting to an existing cultural rhythm. That connection led to editorial support from those regions, a clear validation of where their music resonates.

Social media, for all its chaos, accelerates that process. When a song connects, it crosses borders in hours, not months. Look at Tezz, a 17-year-old from France, who mixes French hip-hop with U.K. drill. In six weeks, he jumped from 200,000 to 700,000 Spotify Monthly Listeners organically. His strategy was simple but smart, creating content that resonated with both French- and English-speaking audiences, while keeping his sound authentic. Thats cultural fluency: knowing how to belong to more than one world at once. Global isnt a location anymore, its a conversation.

Even artists at the top are reimagining this idea. Rosalias latest album, featuring songs in 13 different languages, reflects a new kind of global thinking, not by abandoning her roots, but by expanding how she communicates them. Its not just about language, its about empathy. Its about caring enough to connect with listeners wherever they are, without losing who you are.

The next wave of global stars isnt coming from predictable places, its already rising from Medellin, Accra, Dublin, Sao Paulo, and Paris. The future of music isnt about erasing borders; its about building bridges strong enough to carry culture across them.

On November 19 at 12pm ET via Zoom, four key A&R and business development leaders from Symphonics global team will discuss Strategies for Breaking Into Global Music Markets. In this webinar, open to artists and music professionals for free, regional leads from Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia Pacific will share insider insights on how to enter new territories, navigate cultural nuances, and build lasting global connections.

Join for free. RSVP and learn more here.



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Lack of Economic Growth Factors Into Williamstown FY27 Budget Talks

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  A planned discussion on priorities for the town's fiscal year 2027 spending plan Monday quickly pivoted to the latest in a series of Town Hall conversations about anemic growth in the town's property tax base.

The Select Board's agenda called for a discussion outlined in the bylaw for board members to share their priorities with the town manager as he or she enters budget season.

The main takeaway at the end of an hour-long discussion is that the current board shares the top priority the board proposed for the FY25 budget: "limiting overall tax burden."

Increasing pressure on property taxpayers was front and center after Town Manager Robert Menicocci, at the request of Chair Stephanie Boyd, led off the consideration of the FY27 budget.

Menicocci told the board that Williamstown has a "structural problem" in that revenues are not keeping pace with the rising cost of delivering town services.

Far from it, in fact, he said.

Echoing conversations that have taken place repeatedly in the town's Finance Committee , with the Select Board and among the local business community , Menicocci showed how the lack of "new growth" in the tax base is both driving up the tax bills of existing property owners  mostly homeowners  while eating away at the town's excess levy capacity.

The levy capacity represents how much more Williamstown could collect in taxes over the FY26 levy of $21.9 million, without going to a Proposition 2 1/2 override vote.

In the current fiscal year, that excess capacity is $2.7 million, a 19 percent drop from FY25.

Menicocci noted that puts the town in a better position than many municipalities around the commonwealth, but he sees the trend line of rising costs and slow growth in revenue whittling away at the capacity in as few as 10 years, according to a table he shared with the board on Monday night.

"All of this is to say to you guys that fresh new ideas for spending are probably not a good idea right now," Menicocci told the board.

That said, Boyd invited her colleagues to share what they saw as potential initiatives the town should explore  whether or not they would require new funding.

"As Bob suggested, we're not in the space to spend money on things that need to be addressed," Shana Dixon said.

The other two members of the board agreed.

Peter Beck told Menicocci to "maintain a frugal budget without being pennywise and pound foolish," pointing to keeping an eye on maintaining current infrastructure.

Matthew Neely and Beck joined Menicocci's call to support efforts to increase the tax base.

"I've lived in this town most of my life, and growth has always been a concern," Neely said. "We're really good at conserving things  conservation and farmland and rural lands, which are all good things. But we're not good at development for the most part.

"Ideally, you wouldn't want to see things change. But if you want to continue to have the high standards we have for town government and the schools, we do need growth."

Neely  and, later, Fin Comm Chair Frederick Puddester  pointed out that residents and, sometimes, elected and appointed officials, have been actively opposed to new development that would have added to the tax base.

"Unfortunately, with  the Grange , the water line out to South Williamstown  a lot of these things, we've shot ourselves in the foot in the interest of, frankly, NIMBY and preserving the status quo," Neely said.

Boyd suggested, at one point, that the town could do more to market Williamstown and encourage development. Menicocci replied that it is, "hard to get on the soapbox and say we're open for business," in light of events like those Neely referenced.

Menicocci did say there are concrete steps that the town can take to support the development of new businesses, telling the board that the developer who purchased Main Street's Orchards hotel property in 2024 is talking with Town Hall about a tax increment financing agreement or TIF.

The town manager also mentioned a potential storm cloud on the expense side of the town's ledger: needed work to stabilize the bank of the Hoosic River in three different locations  at the site of a capped landfill on Williams College's property, near the junction of North Street and Syndicate Road and near the sewage treatment plant operated by the Hoosac Water Quality District (a shared venture with the city of North Adams and town of Clarksburg).

"Talking about [budget] priorities, I hope the conversation isn't thinking about, 'Let's find new ways to spend money,' " Menicocci said. "As a policy-making body, it would be helpful if [the discussion] addresses what revenue needs we have and trying to fill those gaps."

Only one member of the Select Board raised the possibility that the FY27 spending plan that goes to town meeting in May could include some additional discretionary spending.

"Another way to leverage our funds may be to work with organizations that are providing some services," Boyd said. "For example, Sand Springs Pool, where we have a community group that's trying to make that pool viable. Can we leverage a small amount of Williamstown [tax] money to make that facility more available to more people? I'm just using that as an example. I'm not advocating that.

"We live in a town that is very wealthy. We look at ourselves in the context of Berkshire County, we're doing pretty well. I don't think we should be really worried. We do have to be careful and frugal and thoughtful about how we spend our money. But we do have some money to spend. And we have to choose among different things."

Last year, the Finance Committee signaled strongly that it had no interest in expanding the town's funding of non-profits beyond the three organizations that historically received allocations from free cash at town meeting: the Community Preschool, Chamber of Commerce and Youth Center.

Boyd offered to summarize the board's conversation in a memo to Menicocci in time to meet a Nov. 15 deadline specified in the bylaw.

"We do not run up against the levy limit," she said. "That's going to be rule No. 1 in our priorities."

In other business on Monday night, the Select Board appointed Russell Young to the Mobile Home Rent Control Board and considered whether to implement a Select Board policy governing the process for considering whether to exercise the town's right of first refusal on land changing hands when it comes out of the commonwealth's Chapter 61 program.

The issue of how to handle such land transfers came up in 2022 when a 10-acre parcel on Oblong Road was under contract for a private sale. The Select Board, exercising its 120-day period to consider the right of first refusal under Massachusetts General Law, ultimately assigned that right to the Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation, which acquired the property the next year.

Boyd drafted a proposed policy that would require the Select Board to wait at least 60 days to decide on whether to exercise the town's option to buy (or assign that option to a qualified non-profit)  enough time to consider input from other town boards and committees, like the Agricultural Commission and Conservation Commission.

On Monday, a member of the Finance Committee, Melissa Cragg, asked that body also be given the opportunity to provide input, given how land taken out of conservation might add to the property tax base.

Boyd asked her colleagues whether the procedure for considering the Chapter 61 decisions should be a board policy or a bylaw voted by town meeting. The other Select Board members agreed it made sense to keep it a policy that could be amended by future boards rather than waiting to go through a town meeting process.

They also discussed reducing the "minimum" time for such considerations to 45 days. But ultimately, they agreed to return to the proposed policy at a later date.
Marie McCarron is sworn in to the City Council on Wednesday night, filling a vacant seat until her own two-year term starts in January.

North Adams' Average Tax Bill Climbs $126; McCarron Sworn in as Councilor

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  Like many communities, homeowners in the city will see their tax rate drop but their tax bills rise as the values of their properties have increased.

The City Council on Wednesday (because of Veterans Day) approved a split tax rate that maintains a shift of 1.715 to business and commercial properties.

"I'd like to thank the assessment team for being here tonight. Great job to our new assessor and her mentor at Jessica Lincourt. Ciera [Dowling] did a great job, and we look forward to working with you in the future," said Mayor Jennifer Macksey. "And thank you all to the Council for your support."

The average single-family home assessed at $243,823 would see a tax bill of $3,894. The value is up about $18,375, and the tax bill $126 218 . (Corrected math error)

The residential rate for fiscal 2026 is $15.97 per $1,000 property valuation, down 74 cents from last year, and commercial/industrial is $33.40, down $1.82. Last year's rates were $16.71 and $35.22.

If the council adopted a single tax rate, it would be $19.48.

Residential makes up 65.5 percent of the city's tax levy, commercial and industrial about 23 percent, and personal property 11.5 percent.

Assessor Ciera Dowling noted that this was a recertification year, during which a comprehensive review and analysis of assessed values was done to ensure alignment with the current market.

"This occurs every five years and focuses on an in-depth sales analysis with [the Department of Revenue]," she said. "And this is in addition to our monthly reviews; the Division of Local Services reviews these values to certify that they are fair cash value."

Properties are assessed at a fair cash value, which is the price of the buyer and seller settle upon in an open market transaction at arms' length.

"I also want to note that the price of utility bills, gas prices and groceries do not play any role in assessed values or the market value," she said. "Some examples of non-arms' length sales are sales within a family, foreclosure sales or donations."

Total new growth was $15,734,521, of which $2,962,500 was in residential improvements and construction. Personal property accounted for another $12.5 million.

The city saw an increase in residential valuations of $91 million, for a total of $958,068,333. Personal property valuation was up $12.5 million. Several industrial properties were reclassified  one was a parking lot, another the former Crane building that is now a commercial lumberyard.

Dowling pointed to the completion of four condominium units at Greylock Works as contributing to the residential improvements and eight new units at 25 percent completion, plus a new single-family home and several other smaller buildings and improvements.

"So the residential total of new growth for the city is $2,962,500, which calculates to $49,503.38 for taxes," she said.

Dowling also went through a number of frequently asked questions, such as why values went up when no improvements were made, that multi-unit buildings and short-term rentals are taxed as residential,

and that exemptions are allowed certain nonprofits such as Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Arts.

But, she added, businesses on the museum campus "are also subject to taxes on personal property associated with the businesses. In fiscal year 2025, we assess $43,437.88 in taxes for real estate and personal property."

Councilor Peter Breen, who has been beating the drum on developing a payment-in-lieu of taxes program, quizzed Dowling on the tax-exempt properties. Based on the commercial rate, he calculated the city could be getting $12 million from the 363 tax-exempt properties.

The total assessment of 900 Class, or tax-exempt properties, is $306,502,758. This includes city property such as schools, parks and City Hall. Breen asked for a breakdown that didn't include city properties.

Councilor Lisa Blackmer said it was more complicated and that the largest tax-exempt property was Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and that the "state's not going to pay us anything other than what they already pay us through a very inappropriate formula that state already sets. Second one is going to be the hospital, but I don't really want to risk losing my hospital over getting some taxes."

A quick look at the city's assessor data show MCLA's property is valued at $78,776,685 and its foundation at $3.7 million; North Adams Regional Hospital is $35.7 million and the museum is $10.8 million.

Councilor Keith Bona noted residential values have increased close to 45 percent while commercial/industrial only about 13 since 2022.

"Obviously where it puts more in the residential it just has to do more with values, a house is selling considerably more than it did a few years ago, versus a commercial space is not jumped up too much," he said.

He asked about the increase in personal property; Macksey said the cyclical review picked up some of that, including second homes.

Councilor Andrew Fitch said his concern was the high commercial rate that he felt could be a hindrance to business growth. He thought it was something they should look at in the future.

"We're the fourth highest in the state in terms of commercial property tax rate, after Holyoke, Pittsfield and Springfield," he said. "What is concerning to me is the high commercial tax rate here. I don't see it necessarily holding us back. It just doesn't really feel like a good look if we want to be a business-friendly community."

In other business:

 Marie McCarron was sworn in to fill the seat left vacant by Deanna Morrow. The council had determined to take letters of interest from citizens seeking to complete the last four meetings of the term.

Joshua Vallieres and McCarron were the only applicants. Vallieres used his time to recommend McCarron, citing her "voracious determination" in earning 1,584 votes in last week's election to win a two-year term beginning January. McCarron said she had a hard time following that but said she was grateful for the support of the community.

 The mayor read a proclamation in support of International Transgender Day of Remembrance.

 The council also touched on the private nip bottle redemption that was piloted by Bona. He said the project has received enough donations to cover another 25,000 nip bottles and that more than 5,000 have been redeemed.

 The council discussed a communication from Fitch asking for ways to promote better transparency; it was referred to General Government for further talks and community input.
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Dozens of foil-wrapped packets of ketamine, falsely labelled as Chinese tea, have been washing up along the beaches of South Koreas Jeju Island over the past few weeks, according to reports.

Since late September, more than 28kg of the anaesthetic drug have been recovered from at least ten sites, including the tourist-favourite Gwangchigi Beach in Seogwipo, one of Jejus popular tourist spots, and Jeju Citys northern shoreline.

Each packet, marked with Chinese characters for Tieguanyin oolong tea, contained about a kilogram of ketamine, a hallucinogenic substance banned under Koreas Narcotics Control Act.

Ketamine is commonly administered as a medical anaesthetic, but its non-medical or recreational use is banned in South Korea. When abused, it can lead to serious psychological and physical harm, affecting vital organs such as the heart and lungs.

On 15 October, a beach cleaner in Seogwipo made the largest single find so far  20kg of the so-called tea bag drugs. Subsequent searches, involving over 800 police officers, marines, coast guard members, and civilian volunteers, have continued to comb beaches for more hidden packages.

I often bring my children to this beach, said Kim, a local resident watching the cleanup in Jeju City this week.

Seeing so many people looking for drugs is terrifying. I shudder to think that children might touch something like that, he was quoted as saying by Korea JoongAng Daily.

Authorities estimate the total haul could be worth around 87 billion won ($64m), with each kg valued at roughly 3 billion won.

Officials have urged residents not to touch any suspicious objects and to report them immediately to police.

Since the areas where drugs were found overlap with regions where marine waste tends to collect, we believe the packages floated to Jejus northern coast via ocean currents, Kim Young-beom, head of the narcotics division at the Jeju Coast Guard, was quoted as saying by The Korea Times.

Given that similar packages were found in Pohang and Japans Tsushima Island, it is likely they drifted in from overseas.

Investigators have not ruled out organised drug syndicates using ocean-based smuggling tactics such as the sea bump method  where traffickers drop tracked bundles at sea for later retrieval.

Authorities on Jeju Island are on high alert after packets of ketamine disguised as Chinese tea bags washed ashore ( Jeju Coast Guard )

Investigators are still working to uncover where the drugs came from. According to the head of the Jeju Coast Guards narcotics investigation unit, similar drug packages disguised as tea have also been found in Pohang, North Gyeongsang, and on Japans Tsushima Island.

Tests showed that the packages float, suggesting they may have travelled here on ocean currents, Mr Kim said.

Residents are worried that the washing of drugs on their shores could damage the reputation of the tourist hub.

Its been more than a month since the first packages appeared, and it feels too late for this kind of search, Hyun, another Jeju City resident, told the local media.

Collecting whats already here is important, but authorities should focus on stopping more from drifting in.

Officials say coastal searches will continue through mid-November.

Anyone who finds a suspicious item should immediately contact police, said Kang Gwi-bong of the Jeju Provincial Police, adding that possession or distribution of narcotics is punishable under the Korean law.

The latest find adds to rising fears about foreign drug trafficking into South Korea. Earlier this year, police arrested a German and a Polish man accused of smuggling 52kg of ketamine and 70,000 ecstasy pills, allegedly hiding the drugs in decorative ceramics sent through international couriers for local resale.
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A truck crashed into a sidewalk at a market in South Korea on Thursday, killing two people and injuring at least 20 others.

The truck was reportedly being driven by a man in his 60s, who plowed into the sidewalk at a market in Bucheon at about 10.55am local time on Thursday.

At least two women who went into cardiac arrest died, reported the Chosun Daily. At least eight others have sustained serious injuries. All the victims were taken to a nearby hospital.

The driver was rescued after being trapped in the door and was not in a critical condition. He was not under the influence of alcohol when tested by the police, a police official said at a briefing, reported Korea JoongAng Daily.

The truck appeared to reverse for 28m before accelerating towards the outdoor market, the official said.

The driver blamed a sudden surge of acceleration for the incident, he said.

The driver told the police the trucks brakes had failed, reported Xinhua News. The police would hand the vehicle over to investigators to try to pinpoint the cause of the crash, the official said.

The man has been booked under charges of negligent homicide and injury under the Traffic Accident Special Act.

The vehicle drove about 100m into the market before crashing into a store and coming to a halt.

I was eating inside the store when I heard screams outside, followed by a loud noise as a car passed by and crashed with a bang, said Jin Mo, a 43-year-old seller in the market. Another merchant told Chosun Daily: The sound during the accident was so loud that I thought the building was collapsing.

Earlier this month, a Japanese tourist was killed in Seoul while another was injured after being hit by a driver who was under the influence of alcohol, said police.
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The Supreme Court of India on Thursday clarified that the ongoing investigation into the Air India plane crash, which killed 260 people in June, was intended to determine the cause of the disaster and not to assign fault to any individual.

The observation came after the solicitor general submitted that the preliminary investigation report released a month after the disaster did not attribute blame.

Theres no blame attributed to anyone, Tushar Mehta argued. As a matter of fact, after the interim report, which had to be given mandatorily within a month of the accident as per international standards, since there was some misconception, the ministry of civil aviation had issued a press note.

The submission was made as Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi were hearing petitions seeking an inquiry monitored by the court into the crash in the western city of Ahmedabad which claimed the lives of all 12 crew members, all but one of the 230 passengers, and 19 people on the ground.

Appearing for the government, Mr Mehta said the investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) was being conducted strictly in line with international civil aviation conventions.

There is an international convention, a regime in place, and mandatory steps to be followed in cases of air crash investigations, he was reported as saying by the daily Hindustan Times.

open image in gallery Wreckage of the crashed Air India Boeing Dreamliner plane in Ahmedabad ( Reuters )

The court reiterated that such investigations were to clarify the cause and then give recommendations so that such a situation does not arise again.

The petitions before the court were filed by Pushkaraj Sabharwal, 91, father of Sumeet Sabharwal, the captain of the doomed flight, and the Federation of Indian Pilots.

They alleged that the Indian governments inquiry failed to meet the standards laid out in the International Civil Aviation Organisation (Icao) conventions.

Mr Sabharwal, represented by senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, said that his plea was prompted by nasty media coverage suggesting that his son was responsible for the crash.

open image in gallery Pilots Sumeet Sabharwal and Clive Kunder were killed in the Air India crash ( Supplied )

Speculation that the crash was caused by pilot error began soon after the preliminary report was released to the press in July.

It contained excerpts from the cockpit voice recorder indicating that both engine fuel control switches had moved from RUN to CUTOFF seconds after take-off, leading to an immediate loss of thrust.

One pilot was heard asking about the fuel cutoff and the other replying that he hadnt flipped off the switches. Although a backup power system deployed automatically and one of the two engines began to recover, the aircraft was unable to regain altitude and crashed moments later.

Mr Sankaranarayanan argued that the AAIB investigation had not fully complied with Icao procedures.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the non-profit Safety Matters Foundation, said that under Indias aviation rules, a full court of inquiry  rather than a bureau-led probe  was required in cases involving serious air disasters.

The rules mandate a court of inquiry. There is no other option, Mr Bhushan told the bench, adding that the Boeing 787 model had experienced several systems failures worldwide, The Hindu reported.

Everybody flying in these aircraft is at risk, he warned. The pilots association has said these aircraft have to be grounded immediately.

open image in gallery Investigators at the Air India plane crash site in Ahmedabad ( AFP via Getty )

Mr Mehta dismissed such claims as kite-flying meant to create panic and urged the court to allow the ongoing focused investigation to continue without interference.

He also stressed that Indias compliance with international protocols was especially important given that several foreign nationals were among the victims.

At a previous hearing, the judges had told Mr Sabharwal that no government report suggested the pilots were at fault.

This is an extremely unfortunate accident. But you should not carry the burden that your son is being blamed, Justice Kant remarked during that hearing on 7 November.

The petitions also raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, noting that officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the aviation regulator, were part of the AAIB panel. They argued that this undermined the independence of the probe.

The court adjourned the matter after issuing a notice to the government, allowing it time to file a detailed response.

Flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, was en route to London when it crashed shortly after take-off.

The AAIB is leading the inquiry with assistance from the US National Transportation Safety Board, Britains Air Accidents Investigation Branch, and representatives from Boeing.
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The Indian government has confirmed that a deadly car blast near Delhis Red Fort area on Monday was a terror incident perpetrated by anti-national forces.

The federal cabinet of ministers, led by prime minister Narendra Modi, passed a resolution late Wednesday, finally confirming speculations that it was a terror attack, two days after an explosion ripped through one of the busiest streets outside the 17th-century Mughal fort.

At least 8 people have been confirmed dead, and many were injured after a slow-moving car exploded at a traffic signal. Its impact threw bodies of street vendors and passersby into the air and caused nearby vehicles to catch fire.

The attack near the Red Fort, a major tourist attraction from where the prime minister delivers their Independence Day address to the nation on 15 August each year, marked the deadliest terrorist attack in the capital in a decade. It was also the second such attack across India since April, after terrorists opened fire on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir, killing 26 people.

The country has witnessed a heinous terror incident, perpetrated by anti-national forces, through a car explosion near the Red Fort on the evening of 10 November 2025. The explosion resulted in multiple fatalities, and caused injuries to several others, a statement said.

"The cabinet directs that the investigation into the incident be pursued with the utmost urgency and professionalism so that the perpetrators, their collaborators, and their sponsors are identified and brought to justice without delay."

open image in gallery Family members of a car explosion victim grieve as they arrive at a hospital mortuary to collect the body in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (AP Photo) ( AP )

It also said the cabinet unequivocally condemns this dastardly and cowardly act that has led to the loss of innocent lives.

It came after Mr Modi visited LNJP hospital on Wednesday where the survivors of the blast were receiving treatment after returning from his visit to Bhutan.

Those behind the conspiracy will be brought to justice! Mr Modi said on X, sharing his pictures meeting the survivors at the hospital.

Authorities in the national capital had so far announced they were investigating the case under its stringent terror laws, a step that gives investigating authorities broader powers to arrest or detain people. But they have not publicly detailed their evidence.

open image in gallery Investigators examine the site of Monday's car explosion near the historic Red Fort, in New Delhi, India, Tuesday ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

The National Investigation Agency, Indias anti-terrorism squad, took over the investigations into the blast.

No direct arrests have been made in Delhi so far, but at least five people were detained for questioning following a series of raids overnight in Kashmir's southern Pulwama district, police officials said Wednesday.

Monday's blast came hours after police in Indian-controlled Kashmir said they had dismantled a suspected militant cell operating from the disputed region to the outskirts of New Delhi.

The police are yet to link the blast to a suspected terror cell, but Indian media have linked the case to the arrest of seven people, including two doctors, following the seizure of weapons and a large quantity of bomb-making material in Faridabad, a city in Haryana state, which is near New Delhi.

Police said they recovered 2,900kg of explosives materials as well as chemicals and guns in raids on Monday morning.

Investigative sources told Indian news outlets that they are investigating whether the driver of the car that exploded belonged to the same group and whether the blast was a response to the arrests and raids.

India, calling it a terrorist attack, raised fears of renewed tensions between nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan after Mr Modi declared that any future act of terror will be treated as an act of war by his government following the Pahalgam blast in May.

India routinely accuses Pakistan of supporting Islamist militants in Kashmir, where a bloody insurgency against Delhis rule is midway through its third decade. Islamabad denies the allegation.

The Pahalgam attack which claimed 26 lives, mostly of Hindu tourists, pushed the two countries to the brink of a third war after a drone and missile attack on the border four days. A US-led ceasefire later stopped the hostilities even as India denies Americas role in peace efforts.
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Japans police began a campaign to cull bears after amended rules permitting them the use of rifles to kill the animals took effect on Thursday amid near-daily attacks.

Japan is reeling from an alarming spike in bear attacks as authorities scrambled to contain encounters with the animals invading homes, schools and even supermarkets.

Japanese riot police personnel trained to use firearms to tackle militants have been sent to the northern prefectures to work with the local law enforcement, according to reports.

Ceremonies to mark the beginning of the mission were held in Akita and Iwate prefectures in the north-eastern part of the country, which recorded the highest number of bear attacks.

Local officials told AFP that changes to Japans gun laws were needed as the handguns that are issued to the police are of limited use against bears because they are not powerful enough.

Two teams consisting of a commanding officer, a liaison to the local authorities, and two snipers will be sent to each of the prefectures.

open image in gallery Self-Defense forces personnel unload a bear cage from a military truck in JSDF Akita Camp, Akita, northern Japan, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. (JSDF Akita Camp via AP)

The police chief at the Akita Prefectural Police headquarters described the newly formed squad as being on the frontline of the response to bears. The chief also asked the officers to make safeguarding people's way of life its top priority, according to NHK World Japan.

At least 13 people have been killed since April, marking the highest toll on record for fatal encounters with bears. This month, a man in his 50s was hospitalised after a bear attack in Fukushima prefecture, the latest in a growing string of encounters that have triggered panic in the country.

Local police said the man was slashed on the back of his head while walking in the town of Aizubange. He managed to escape into a nearby house and was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

In one recent tragedy, a worker at a hot spring resort in Kitakami, Iwate Prefecture, was killed in October after being mauled by a bear while cleaning an outdoor bath.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Japan has deployed its Self-Defence Forces (SDF) to northern Akita prefecture to help contain a surge in deadly bear attacks, as sightings in the region have jumped sixfold to over 8,000 this year.

Experts say the population of Asiatic black bears, listed globally as a vulnerable species, has tripled since 2012, helped by restrictions on hunting and warmer winters that extend foraging seasons.

open image in gallery Bear drill takes place in Japan after postman mauled to death ( AP/ NTV )

About two-thirds of this years fatal bear attacks have been reported in Akita and Iwate prefectures, prompting Japans military to deploy troops to assist with setting and inspecting traps after urgent appeals from overstretched local authorities.

In Akita, residents say bears are increasingly straying into villages and near shops in sparsely populated rural areas, likely driven by dwindling natural food supplies ahead of the winter hibernation season.

Troops have been sent to Kazuno and nearby cities like Odate and Kitaakita to help set and inspect traps, while trained hunters carry out the culling.

Japan reinstated bear population control measures in 2024 after years of protection, but efforts are hampered by a shortage of hunters  now fewer than half the number in 1980 and mostly elderly.

In September, new legislation came into force allowing Japanese municipalities to call on hunters for emergency shootings to prevent bear attacks on civilians.

Despite limited resources, authorities culled over 9,000 bears in 2023-24 and more than 4,200 between April and September this year, including over 1,000 in Akita prefecture alone.
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Pakistans powerful army chief secured expanded powers and lifelong legal immunity after the parliament passed a bill limiting the independence of the Supreme Court.

Opposition figures and critics denounced the controversial amendment passed on Wednesday as the funeral of democracy and the death knell for an independent judiciary.

Field Marshal Asim Munir was already considered Pakistans most powerful figure, even the countrys de facto ruler.

The new legal changes elevate him to the newly created post of the Chief of Defence Forces, placing the navy and the air force under his command in addition to the army.

He will retain his rank even after completing his term and enjoy legal immunity from prosecution for life.

The legislation was approved by a two-thirds majority of the lower house voting in favour and only four lawmakers voting against.

The upper house of the parliament had already passed the amendment a few days earlier after the opposition boycotted a debate on it.

open image in gallery General Asim Munir now enjoys immunity for life ( AP )

Such amendments typically take weeks and months of debate, but the weakness of the ruling coalition  a dissatisfied alliance of two formerly rival parties  and the militarys immense power are seen as reasons for its swift sailing.

Jailed former prime minister Imran Khans opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf boycotted the vote. Its lawmakers walked out of the parliament and tore up copies of the bill in protest, saying they had not been consulted. None of the parliamentarians cared about democracy and the judiciary being eliminated. They have voted for being a silent observer whilst the country becomes a banana republic," PTI spokesman Zulfikar Bukhari said. "Rest in peace constitution of Pakistan."

The amendment is set to be approved by president Asif Ali Zardari, formally enshrining it in the constitution.

After the completion of his five-year term due to be renewed in 2027, General Munir and other five star officers will retain their rank for life.

The new legislation also grants lifetime immunity from prosecution to president Zardari, who faces a raft of corruption and money laundering allegations that he denies.

The amendment also establishes a new Federal Constitutional Court whose judges will be appointed by the prime minister and which will take over all issues of constitutional interpretation and enforcement from the Supreme Court.

Prime minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed the amendment as a step towards institutional harmony and national unity.

"If we've made this part of the constitution today, it's not just about the field marshal," Mr Sharif said, adding that it also recognised the air force and the navy.

"What's wrong with that?" he asked. "Nations honour their heroes...We know how to show and earn respect to our heroes.

open image in gallery File. Demonstrators carrying posters with portraits of army chief Syed Asim Munir shout slogans as they participate in an anti-India protest in Lahore, Pakistan, on 11 May 2025 ( AFP/Getty )

Analysts and critics say the changes concentrate power in the hands of the military and the ruling coalition and warn that it will erode judicial independence.

"Were facing completely uncharted territory: a breach in our judicial system the likes of which we haven't seen in almost a century," constitutional lawyer Asad Rahim Khan said.

The members slapping each other on their backs should prepare themselves for when theyll be seeking relief from the same courts they have destroyed and subordinated to the state."

Fellow constitutional lawyer Mirza Moiz Baig said the amendment spelled the death knell for an independent judiciary by enabling the prime minister and the president to handpick the judges of the new constitutional court, weakening the judiciarys ability to check government overreach.

But law minister Azam Nazeer Tara defended the move, arguing that the military chief deserved constitutional protection because he was the hero of the whole nation.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, chair of the Pakistan Peoples Party, a constituent of the ruling coalition, said they backed the bill because Pakistan was facing a situation of war.

General Munir, 57, was promoted to field marshal in May following a four-day conflict with India that pushed the nuclear-armed neighbours to the brink of all-out war. He was hailed in the country for leading the fight that saw Pakistan shoot down several Indian fighter planes. He was also praised by US president Donald Trump when they lunched in June and again met in the Oval Office in September.

The American president called him his favourite field marshal.

Mr Munir is getting enhanced powers just as the Pakistani military is fighting multiple armed insurgencies in the country and is locked in a border conflict with Afghanistan. Tensions with India are also running high.

Islamabad blamed Indian and Afghan proxies for carrying out a suicide bombing in the capital earlier this week that killed 12 people.
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A special tribunal in Bangladesh will deliver its ruling in the case against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and two of her top aides on 17 November.

Ms Hasina, who ruled the South Asian country with an iron fist for 15 years, is charged with committing crimes against humanity for overseeing a deadly police crackdown on protesters who nevertheless succeeded in overthrowing her.

The UN estimates up to 1,400 people were killed in the protests between July and August last year.

Former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun are also on trial for their alleged role in the crackdown. Al-Mamun pleaded guilty after his arrest last year and became a state witness.

After protesters stormed her residence in early August last year, Ms Hasina fled by helicopter to India, a key ally of her government. She has not been seen in public or online since.

open image in gallery A fire smolders after protesters vandalise an office of ousted leader Sheikh Hasinas Awami League party in Dhaka on 13 November 2025 ( AP )

Chief prosecutor Tajul Islam demanded the death penalty for Ms Hasina last month, calling her the mastermind and principal architect of the supposed crimes against humanity committed during the uprising against her.

Ms Hasina's Awami League party, banned by the countrys interim rulers, had urged its supporters and others to protest on Thursday while the government and opposition to the former leader had vowed to stop them.

Schools in Dhaka and several major cities switched to online classes and examinations while public transportation was severely disrupted as security was heightened across the country for the protest.

In the run-up to Thursdays protest, Bangladesh had witnessed a spate of crude bombings and arson attacks.

A fire bomb was thrown at a government office in Gopalganj, Ms Hasina's home district and a stronghold for her party, while arsonists torched an office of Grameen Bank, founded by interim leader Muhammad Yunus, in the countrys east on Wednesday.

There were reports of arson on a train and a bus in the capital on Wednesday evening, barely hours after crude bombs had gone off on the Dhaka University campus.

Mr Yunus said in a televised address on Thursday that his administration would hold a referendum on a national charter, which was signed last month by political parties, on the day of the next election in February.

open image in gallery ( AP )

The referendum, he said, would propose a two-tier parliament in line with the July National Charter adopted by the interim government that he took over three days after Ms Hasina's fall on 5 August 2024.

We have decided that the referendum will be held on the same day as the national parliamentary election, meaning in the first half of February. This will not hinder the reform process. Rather, it will make the election more festive and cost-efficient.

The charter aims to reshape the South Asian nations politics and institutions and give constitutional recognition to the 2024 uprising against Ms Hasina.

It also proposes giving greater representation to women, limiting the prime minister's term, strengthening presidential powers, expanding fundamental rights, and ensuring judicial independence.

A majority of political parties signed the charter in October but the National Citizens Party, formed by leaders of last year's protest movement and four left-leaning parties, boycotted it.
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Malaysian rapper Namewee has been released on bail after being detained in the murder investigation of Taiwanese influencer Iris Hsieh.

He has been in police custody since 5 November, after Hsiehs death was reclassified as a homicide nearly two weeks after she was found dead on 22 October.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Fadil Marsus said that Namewee, 42, whose real name is Wee Meng Chee, will be released on police bail till 26 November, reported the South China Morning Post.

The investigation papers will be referred again to the Kuala Lumpur deputy public prosecutors Office once the postmortem report is obtained, he said in a statement.

Namewees lawyer, Joshua Tay, confirmed to the SCMP that the rapper was released at 3.45pm local time on Thursday.

Namewee said he found Hsieh unresponsive in a bathtub in Kuala Lumpur and administered CPR, before calling the emergency services at around 12.30pm.

Hsieh, 31, had landed in Malaysia on 20 October, reportedly to collaborate on a video project with Namewee.

Malaysias attorney-general Dusuki Mokhtar said on Wednesday night that no evidence that pointed to Namewees involvement in Hsiehs murder had been found.

Instructions have been given for further investigation to be conducted. So far, there is no evidence that shows the suspect was involved in causing the influencers death, he said, according to Channel News Asia. However, if there are any new findings, the AGC (Attorney-Generals Chambers) will take appropriate action.

We are offering police bail. Thus far, there is no lead to show that he was involved in causing the death of the deceased, he said.

The remand period for Namewee is expected to end on Thursday (13 October), and was extended once on 10 November. He turned himself in early on 5 November to lodge a report and assist with the investigation, and posted a video on Instagram showing him at the police station.

open image in gallery Namewee had been arrested for alleged drug possession and use on the same day Hsieh died ( Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

The police are still reportedly waiting for the autopsy and toxicology results and the cause of her death remains unclear.

The late influencer, whose real name was Hsieh Yu-hsin, was known by her fans as the nurse goddess. She featured in Namewees 2020 music video China Reggaeton. She had built a large following on social media in Taiwan, with more than half a million followers on Instagram alone, before moving into modelling and content creation.

Namewee is known for his controversial music, including politically charged satire. He studied mass communication at Taiwans Ming Chuan University and started releasing songs on YouTube in 2007. He first gained attention with his rap-parody of Malaysias national anthem, Negarakuku, which stirred both public outrage and police scrutiny.

He has been repeatedly rebuked and banned, especially after his 2021 single Fragile satirised Chinese nationalism and was blocked in the country.

He has faced legal action in Malaysia as well, including detention over videos deemed offensive to religious sensibilities.

open image in gallery Iris Hsieh was known by her fans as the nurse goddess and featured in Namewees 2020 music video China Reggaeton ( Iris Hsieh/Instagram )

Police said that on the day of Hsiehs death, Namewee had been arrested for alleged drug possession and use after nine blue pills believed to be ecstasy were found in his hotel room and a urine test returned positives for amphetamine, methamphetamine, ketamine, and the main cannabis psychoactive compound THC, according to Channel News Asia.

He was charged on 24 October and released on bail. The next hearing is scheduled for 18 December.

Namewee denied using or possessing drugs and in a statement on Instagram on 2 November said: I did not take drugs, nor did I possess any. At most, Ive just been drinking a little more lately. Those who believe me will do so; those who dont, wont.

He has also denied any involvement in Hsiehs death and claimed the ambulance took nearly an hour to arrive.
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Maha Vajiralongkorn landed in Beijing on Thursday, marking the first state visit by a reigning Thai monarch to China.

He was invited by Chinese president Xi Jinping to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral ties in 1975.

King Vajiralongkorn, accompanied by his wife Queen Suthida, is set to meet with Mr Xi and premier Li Qiang, visit the Lingguang Buddhist Temple and Beijing Aerospace City, and attend a state banquet hosted by the Chinese leader.

Bangkok said the monarchs visit underlines the deep-rooted friendship and mutual understanding shared between Thailand and China at all levels.

Thailand and China share a special bond, we see them as siblings and they see us as family, Tej Bunnag, former Thai foreign minister and ambassador to Beijing, said.

China is Thailands biggest trading partner. Bilateral trade exceeded $80bn last year, with Chinese investments expanding in automobiles, infrastructure and energy.

The two nations are also linked by centuries of migration, with many influential Thai business and political families tracing their roots to Chinese ancestors.

Since ascending the throne in 2016, King Vajiralongkorn has made a solitary foreign trip  to Bhutan earlier this year.

File. King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand and Queen Suthida arrive at Westminster Abbey ahead of the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on 6 May 2023 ( Getty )

China is the first major country which His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn officially visits, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said in a briefing last week. This fully demonstrates the great importance that the two sides attach to growing bilateral relations.

The visit comes just weeks after the death of the kings mother.

Analysts said that China had long sought a Thai royal visit, noting that the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej never travelled to Beijing during his seven-decade reign.

Look at all the countries China has diplomatic relations with, the heads of states of most of those countries have been to China, with Thailand an exception, Sitthiphon Kruarattikan, an international relations scholar at Bangkoks Thammasat University, told Reuters.

To have a reigning Thai monarch visiting, this is what the Chinese wanted.

According to the BBC, although no reigning Thai monarch had previously visited China, the royal family had long helped nurture bilateral relations, particularly through King Vajiralongkorns sister Princess Sirindhorn, who studied Chinese language and art for more than 45 years and made frequent visits to the country.

China is growing more assertive in Thailand, pushing it to crack down on cross-border scams, opposing gambling legalisation, and successfully pressuring the government to deport 40 detained Uyghurs earlier this year.
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Year after year, the small, densely forested west African nation of Liberia is facing ever more extreme impacts of the climate crisis, including floods and droughts that wreak havoc for farmers and coastal erosion driven by rising sea levels.

In May this year, I stood under a coconut tree by the sea in the city of Greenville, to mark the groundbreaking of a new coastal protection scheme, says Emmanuel Yarkpawolo, executive director of Liberias Environmental Protection Agency. When I returned to the same spot in September, just a few months later, the coconut tree was gone because of the coastal erosion we are seeing. Thats how bad things are in our country.

The Independent met Yarkpawolo at Liberias modest country pavilion at the UN climate conference Cop30, where he was taking a break from his work as the countrys chief negotiator. Indeed, the Liberia pavilion  which was funded with help from the UN Development Programme  was filled with delegates from several other west African nations, with many unable to afford their own national base. It was a marked contrast to the vast, multi-roomed national hubs of many Western or oil-rich nations.

open image in gallery Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, is seriously under threat from rising sea levels ( AP )

The wealth of a country makes no difference to its standing at the official Cop30 negotiations, however, where all 198 parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change are given equal status. Its why least developed countries are so committed to the UN system here, because its the only space that really gives them a voice, explains Mohamed Adow, from the Nairobi-based think tank Power Shift Africa. The US or UK can cut aid without any consultation with the recipient country  but these countries will keep coming here in good faith, hoping that the rest of the world will start to notice what is happening to them.

In order to address so many states needing to contribute, nations form country groups at the UN, which negotiate as collective entities. Liberia, for example, is part of the Africa Group, the G77 Group of developing nations, and the Least Developed Countries (LDC) group.

Chairing the LDC group at Cop30 is Malawi: a southern African nation similarly stricken by impacts of the climate crisis, including droughts that are devastating its rain-fed agriculture system, and ever-more devastating Indian Ocean cyclones. GDP per capita in Liberia is only $850 (650), while in Malawi it is even lower at $500  so it is perhaps understandable that the chief negotiator of Malawi, and LDC group chair, Evans Njewa, has said that the priority for LDCs at Cop30 will be calling for more support for adapting to climate change agenda, along with a request for more climate aid to be available from rich countries.

open image in gallery Damage from Cyclone Freddy, which killed hundreds of people in Malawi in 2023 ( AP )

Adaptation can include everything from mangrove forests to protect coasts, to the distribution of seeds for drought-resistent crops, to the construction of flood defences. That is different to mitigation, which is about reducing carbon emissions.

Adaptation is the priority for the group of Least Developed Countries. Our 44 countries did not light this fire, but we are burning in its heat, said Njewa at a press conference this week.

He added that funding to enable our countries to defend ourselves against climate impacts is also key. A pledge made at Cop26 in Glasgow in 2021 to double foreign aid for climate adaptation is due to expire this year  and Njewa said that poorer nations would like the current level of adaptation finance to undergo a further tripling to reach $120bn by 2030.

The pickle presented by aid cuts

However, countries across Europe and the US have been slashing the foreign aid budgets that fund international climate programmes over the past year. At this stage of Cop30, it looks pretty hard to see how less developed nations will get what they want.

They really are in a pickle, says Debbie Hillier, policy lead for the international NGO Mercy Corps at Cop30. Rich countries have a legal obligation to provide finance: its in the Paris Agreement [the landmark treaty signed 10 years ago at Cop21], but theres no public finance available.

We know how to do it: we have all the solutions, and we know it has to be locally led and designed from the bottom up. The only thing missing is the finance.

open image in gallery Volunteers pose outside the conference venue at Cop30 in Belem, Brazil ( AP )

Ahead of Cop30, Brazil and Azerbaijan  which hosted the previous UN climate conference Cop29  released a document called the Baku to Belem Roadmap, which is intended to outline how countries and the private sector can increase money available to address the climate crisis, given the lack of public finance that is available.

Specifically, the roadmap sets out a new pathway to achieve the climate finance goal agreed at Cop29  namely, to channel $1.3 trillion per year into developing countries by 2035. It outlines several key areas through which this can be done, including addressing debt and providing more grants and low-cost loans.

The reception of the report has been lukewarm at best: The actions and recommendations outlined in the Baku to Belem Roadmap are high-level and framed in noncommittal terms, says Anna Aberg from the think tank Chatham House.

Mercy Corps Hillier adds that there is some good stuff and some bad stuff, but there is a lack of evidence and numbers, as well as a failure to acknowledge common but differentiated responsibilities  essentially that rich countries have a greater responsibility to act than poorer countries.

The latest UN Adaptation Gap report found that developing countries will require $310-$365bn in adaptation finance per year by 2035, around 12 to 14 times greater than the $26bn available in 2023.

Cleaning up the mess

Philip Hein, the head of global climate investments at the main German development finance institute DEG, believes that no matter what spin the UN climate negotiators might put on, it is unlikely that private investors are going to start investing significantly in climate adaptation.

If you look from a commercial perspective, commercial money will go after assets that have commercial returns, he told The Independent ahead of Cop30 at the AVCA Sustainable Investing in Africa Summit in London. I like the spirit of being bullish  but looking at the development of certain areas, it is clear that grant finance is needed.

Mauricio Vazquez, from the think tank ODI, adds that the need for foreign aid for climate adaptation becomes even more pronounced when less-developed countries are facing conflict, as 23 out of 44 are. At the moment, these countries receive just 10 per cent of global climate finance  and there have been no signs from Brazil of this particular agenda being pushed at Cop30.

Brazil talks about COP30 as a people-focused climate conference, but their silence on conflict risks abandoning the most vulnerable people, says Vazquez. More than half of the 25 most climate-vulnerable countries are fragile or conflict-affected  but donors find it easier to send aid in the aftermath of climate disasters than to invest in building their long-term climate resilience.

Liberias own civil war ended more than 20 years ago in 2003, but the country has struggled to shake off perceptions around instability, resulting in foreign direct investment of just $750m in 2023, according to the US State Department. It now needs a massive scale-up in foreign assistance to address the climate crisis  and the fact that the money available appears to be going the other way is deeply disappointing for climate envoy Yarkpawolo.

Not providing aid to support climate finance really is disastrous for countries like ours, he says. But more than that, its a question of justice: you rich countries are emitting more, and you are creating this mess, so its pretty straightforward that you need to now clean up the mess.

This article was produced as part of The Independents Rethinking Global Aid project
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Christmas season is just around the corner and it can be the best time of the year to indulge in elaborate dinners and feasts. But for those taking prescribed medication, such as statins, warfarin or antidepressants, its important to be aware that some seasonal foods and drinks can interfere with medicines, reducing how well they work, or increasing the risks of side effects.

Expert pharmacists and nutritional health experts, Amir Bhogal of Pyramid Pharmacy Group and Deborah Grayson of Heartburn Cancer UK spoke to The Independent, advising which common foods to be careful of to prevent any health hiccups at Christmas.

Grapefruits

open image in gallery Mr Bhogal explained that Grapefruit contains compounds that interfere with how your body metabolises certain medications. ( Getty Images )

You might like to start the day with a grapefruit or juice over the festive period. But what may seem like a healthy choice, could be harmful for those taking cholesterol-lowering statins, some blood pressure medicines, certain antidepressants and immunosuppressants, according to nutritional pharmacist, Deborah Grayson.

Chemicals found in grapefruit affect enzymes in the liver responsible for breaking down many drugs. When this process is blocked, the risk is that medication can build up to unsafe levels in your bloodstream, she said. Ms Grayson advises steering well clear of grapefruit entirely during treatment.

Mr Bhogal added: What many patients dont realise is that both the fresh fruit and juice pose the same risk, and the effect can last up to 24 hours after consumption.

Leafy Greens

open image in gallery Leafy greens like spinach, kale, and broccoli are nutritionally excellent, but they contain high levels of vitamin K, which directly antagonises warfarin and other anticoagulant medications, Mr Bhogal said. ( (Alamy/PA) )

Vitamin K can be found in a range of leafy green vegetables such as spinach, kale, broccoli and everyones festive favourite Brussels sprouts, but Ms Grayson says these nutrients can play a vital role in blood clotting.

If youre one of the million or so people prescribed warfarin, a commonly-used blood thinner, vitamin K intake needs to be carefully balanced, Ms Grayson warns.

Mr Bhogal advised that the key issue isnt avoiding these foods entirely, as that would be nutritionally counterproductive, but rather maintaining consistent intake.

Dairy Products

open image in gallery Dairy products, particularly milk and cheese, contain calcium and other minerals thatcan significantly reduce the absorption of certain antibiotics, Mr Bhogal described. ( (Alamy/PA) )

Dairy products, particularly milk and cheese, contain calcium and other minerals that can significantly reduce the absorption of certain antibiotics, such as those commonly prescribed for chest infections and urinary tract infections.

The calcium binds to these medications in the gut, preventing your body from absorbing the full dose, which can lead to prolonged infections or treatment failure. This substantially reduces the medications effectiveness, potentially allowing infections to persist or worsen.

Both pharmacists recommended not cutting out dairy completely, but instead spacing out your medicine and dairy intake by at least two hours to ensure adequate absorption.

Tyramine Rich Foods

open image in gallery Tyramine is an amino acid found in aged cheeses, cured meats, fermented foods, and certain soy products. These can interact dangerously with the chemical with the enzymes present in depression and anxiety medications, which can cause a sudden spike in blood pressure. ( Getty/iStock )

Tyramine is an amino acid found in aged cheeses, cured meats, fermented foods, and certain soy products. These can interact dangerously with the enzymes present in depression and anxiety medications, which can cause a sudden spike in blood pressure.

This can cause a life-threatening condition known as a hypertensive crisis, Mr Bhogal said.

Ms Grayson advises those prescribed with older antidepressants such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), to avoid Tyramine-rich foods as they can lead to headaches, a rapid heartbeat or even hypertensive crises.

Alcohol

open image in gallery According to the pharmaceutical expert, alcohol interacts with numerous medication classes in ways that can be unpredictable and sometimes dangerous. ( Getty/iStock )

A festive drink or two is common, but according to Mr Bhogal, alcohol interacts with numerous medication classes in ways that can be unpredictable and sometimes dangerous. Beyond the obvious concern of increased sedation, alcohol can also impair medication metabolism, increase bleeding risk, cause dangerous blood pressure drops, and trigger severe nausea.

Alcohol can also place additional stress on your liver, especially if youre taking medications that are processed there, Ms Grayson says. For people managing diabetes, alcohol can interfere with blood sugar control, sometimes dangerously lowering levels or masking symptoms of hypoglycaemia.

The effects vary depending on the quantity consumed and the specific medication involved and Mr Bhogal and Ms Grayson always advises patients that even moderate alcohol consumption warrants a conversation with their pharmacist or doctor to understand their specific medications interaction profile.

Cranberries

open image in gallery Cranberries, whether consumed as juice, supplements, or whole fruit, can interact with some warfarin and other anticoagulant medications, potentially increasing bleeding risk if intake suddenly increases. ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Cranberry sauce is a favourite Christmas dinner condiment. However, cranberries can also interact with warfarin, by increasing the blood-thinning effect which can raise the risk of bleeding and bruising, Ms Grayson says.

Cranberries, whether consumed as juice, supplements, or whole fruit, can potentially increase bleeding risk if intake suddenly increases.

Mr Bhogal said: Patients who regularly consume cranberry products need to maintain that regular intake, whilst those who dont typically consume them should be cautious about suddenly introducing large quantities.
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UK businesses, charities and other high-value bank account holders are being urged to exercise caution following warnings of a sophisticated scam.

Fraudsters are initiating contact via phone calls, subsequently gaining control of victims computers and online banking platforms to systematically drain their accounts.

Intelligence from the Cyber Defence Alliance (CDA) reveals that these criminals are employing specialised software to steal tens of thousands of pounds, with some individual account losses exceeding 1 million.

Ahead of International Fraud Awareness Week, scheduled from November 16 to 22, the CDA has partnered with fraud prevention service Cifas and banking trade body UK Finance.

Their collaboration aims to heighten public awareness of this particular scheme.

The scam involves criminals posing as legitimate bank fraud teams. This deception leads victims to unwittingly grant access to their bank accounts, allowing funds to be siphoned off, often before the account holders even realise their control has been compromised.

Victims are first contacted by phone, sometimes after receiving a text, by someone pretending to be from their bank.

The caller claims there has been fraud on their account and they must act urgently, directing them to a fake website that looks like it belongs to their bank.

The victim is then asked to click a chat button. This secretly installs software that gives the fraudster remote access to the victims device  including their online banking.

The scam involves criminals posing as legitimate bank fraud teams ( Alamy/PA )

If the bank sends a security code such as a one-time password to the victims phone, the fraudster tricks them into sharing it. This allows the criminal to move money or set up new payees.

In some cases, victims are even persuaded to set up call forwarding, which blocks genuine calls from their bank.

Being asked to call back on a number provided by the caller could be among the red flags to watch out for.

Garry Lilburn, operations director at CDA, said: If you receive a message or call that feels unusual, take a moment to consider whether it matches how your bank normally communicates.

If anything seems off, end the call and report it using your banks official contact methods.

Mike Haley, chief executive officer of Cifas, said: Fraudsters are creating a false sense of urgency to exploit peoples trust and steal large sums of money.

Banks will never ask you to download software or transfer funds to protect your account. If you receive an unexpected request, take a step back and question it before responding.

Dianne Doodnath, principal of remote banking channels at UK Finance, said: Impersonation scams often begin with a message or call claiming to be from a trusted organisation.

Criminals may try to rush you by saying your money is at risk. To protect yourself, follow the Take Five to Stop Fraud advice: pause, check the source and only respond using verified contact details.

Anyone who believes they may have been scammed should inform their bank and the police.

Here are some tips from the organisations to avoid remote access bank scams:
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A robber who fatally kicked, punched and stamped on a pensioner before taking his cottage pie and a box of cereal has been found guilty of murder.

Unemployed Peter Augustine, 59, targeted 87-year-old John Mackey after he visited a Co-op store in Manor House, north London, on May 6.

Passers-by saw Augustine attacking Mr Mackey and searching his jacket as he lay on the ground, the Old Bailey was previously told.

Another member of the public alerted police after she heard a shout of give me the bag and saw Mr Mackey lying inert on the pavement, the trial heard.

Mr Mackey, who was bleeding from his head, regained consciousness but was unable to tell officers what had happened.

He was treated in hospital for bleeding on the brain and broken ribs, but died from his injuries two days later.

Police pieced together events from CCTV footage, although the attack itself was not caught on camera, prosecutor Jane Bickerstaff KC previously told the trial.

A jury sitting at the Old Bailey returned their verdict on Thursday, convicting Augustine of robbery and murder.

The victims family and loved ones, sitting in the public gallery, erupted in cheers and cried after hearing the verdict.

One of them was heard saying: Justice, right  thats what we wanted.

open image in gallery Peter Augustine will be sentenced on November 28 after being found guilty of murder ( Metropolitan Police )

Mr Mackey had set off from his address shortly after 5pm wearing a distinctive trilby hat, grey mackintosh coat and carrying a walking stick and black bag.

At 5.12pm, he went into the Co-op where he bought cornflakes, an own-brand cottage pie and Mirror newspaper which he put in his bag.

He paid for his goods using a 20 note and put the change of 11.50 in his trouser pocket.

Eighteen minutes later, Augustine began to follow the pensioner.

Mr Mackey then went into Manor Kebab at 5.36pm and bought sausage and chips as the defendant loitered outside, the trial was told.

The victim was last seen on camera at 5.50pm and Augustine reappeared on CCTV three minutes later carrying what looked like the victims bag, jurors heard.

A later search of the defendants room uncovered what was left of Mr Mackeys groceries and wrapping from the cottage pie, and sausage and chips.

Ms Bickerstaff previously told jurors that Mr Mackey was 5ft 5ins tall and weighed less than nine stone.

She said: He would have been largely unable to put up any resistance to the attack due to his age and infirmity.

The prosecutor told jurors that at the time that Augustine was living in reduced circumstances and was effectively homeless.

She said he had used extreme force after he targeted Mr Mackey.

When the defendant kicked and punched an elderly, vulnerable and largely defenceless man, who was prone on the floor, the Crown says that he intended to cause him really serious harm, Ms Bickerstaff said.

Augustine will be sentenced on November 28.
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Sara Sharifs abusive father and stepmother should never have been trusted with her care, according to a damning review that also found she was failed by the safeguarding system.

The 10-year-old was found dead in a bunk bed at the family home in Woking, Surrey, in August 2023, after enduring months of horrific abuse at the hands of Urfan Sharif and Beinash Batool.

A report published by Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership found that Sharifs history as an abuser had been overlooked and underestimated, and that despite there being a great deal of information available to authorities, numerous opportunities to intervene were missed.

These included a home visit that was supposed to take place on the day before Sara was murdered, but council staff attended the wrong address.

There are clearly several points in Saras life, in particular during the last few months, where different actions could and should have been taken and the system failed to keep her safe, the 62-page report found.

open image in gallery Urfan Sharif and Beinash Batool were convicted of Sara Sharifs murder ( Surrey Police )

Downing Street said Saras death was heartbreaking and that a review into her case had exposed serious failings which ministers would consider.

Sara was found to have suffered 71 recent injuries at the time of her death, including 25 broken bones, iron burns on her bottom, scalding marks to her feet, and human bites.

Sharif was sentenced to a minimum of 40 years in prison last December, while Batool was jailed for a minimum of 33 years, for the couples sadistic crimes. Saras uncle, Faisal Malik, was found guilty of causing or allowing her death and was jailed for 16 years.

Sara, who was described as a courageous and cheerful child, had been known to social services, with concerns first raised within a week of her birth in 2013. Her parents had been known to social services since 2010.

Surrey County Council repeatedly raised significant concerns that Sara was likely to suffer physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her parents.

There were three sets of family court proceedings involving Sharif and Saras Polish birth mother, Olga, but allegations that Sharif was physically abusing Sara and her siblings were never tested in court.

Sara was repeatedly returned to her parents care before finally being placed with her father and stepmother, four years before she was murdered.

open image in gallery Sara was just 10 when she died at the hands of her father and stepmother ( Surrey Police )

The review found that her death was not caused by one specific malfunction within the safeguarding system. It stated: Numerous factors came together over many years which cumulatively laid the foundations for the severe abuse she experienced at the hands of her father and stepmother.

It found that there had been several occasions on which Sharifs history as a serial perpetrator of domestic abuse was overlooked, not acted on and underestimated by almost all professionals who were in contact with the family.

Sharif had been granted custody of Sara in 2019, despite earlier allegations of child abuse and arrests for alleged controlling behaviour towards ex-girlfriends. This included two allegations of false imprisonment by other Polish women in 2007 and 2009, but he was never charged.

The review noted that text messages between Batool and her sisters, discovered during the police investigation, showed that Sara had begun being assaulted by her father soon after she moved in with him.

The report also found that there was nothing in the evidence provided by childrens services to demonstrate that race, culture, religion or heritage were properly considered. Saras birth mother was given inconsistent access to Polish interpreters and was given no interpreter during the private law proceedings in 2019.

open image in gallery A safeguarding review has found that the system failed to ensure Saras safety ( Surrey Police )

It stated that there were multiple occasions in the years leading up to Saras death when more robust safeguarding processes were needed, including a two-day school absence in March 2023 after which she returned to school quiet and coy and had bruising to her cheek, eye and chin.

While Saras school made a referral to social services, the case was closed within days, without police being contacted.

The following month, Sharif emailed the school to say he intended to educate his daughter at home  a move the review concludes was undoubtedly made to keep Sara hidden from view in the last weeks of her life.

A series of missed opportunities followed, with delays in correspondence and an old home address on the digital system resulting in a visit by a council worker to the wrong location  just one day before Sara died.

Sara began to wear the hijab in 2021, when she was eight years old. The review said this hid the bruising and injuries to her face and head during the last two years of her life.

It said that while the school had shown appropriate curiosity, there was no evidence in the childrens services or health records that race, culture, religion or heritage were properly considered, while expert advice since obtained from the local Muslim community suggested it would have been highly unusual for such a young child to decide to wear the hijab when other family members did not.

open image in gallery Urfan Sharif, Beinash Batool and Faisal Malik were all convicted and jailed at the Old Bailey in December 2024 ( Surrey Police )

The review concluded that, despite the information available across the system, opportunities were lost to join up all the dots and recognise the dangers faced by Sara once she moved in with her father and stepmother.

Woking MP Will Forster said Sara had been repeatedly failed by the state. He said the safeguarding review confirms exactly what I feared  that the state, especially Surrey County Council, failed Sara at every stage.

Among 15 recommendations, the review authors called for improvements to be made in how referrals to childrens services are dealt with, including elements such as resourcing and capacity, staff experience and qualifications. They also called for statutory guidance to require that, where an application is made to homeschool a child previously known to childrens social care, a formal meeting with parents and professionals should take place.

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson said that the review rightly highlights the glaring failures and missed opportunities across all agencies which led to Saras death.

Surrey County Council said it was deeply sorry and insisted it had taken robust action to address the failings, adding that it would continue to work to implement all of the reviews recommendations.
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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.
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A daughter disinherited from her mothers 1.1m estate for failing to show sufficient love and respect has lost a court battle after alleging her older brother manipulated their mothers final wishes to secure the fortune.

Dervishe Halil, who moved to London from Cyprus in 1952, died a wealthy 94-year-old in 2021, leaving a 1.1m estate.

Between 2013 and 2018, aged 86 to 90, she made four wills. Initially splitting her fortune among all children, she ultimately left everything to her oldest son, Dogan Halil, 74.

This followed a falling out between Dogan and his younger sister, Aysel Gencay, 72, after Aysel accused him of slicing off family property for his own benefit.

open image in gallery Aysel Gencay outside Central London County Court ( Champion News )

Aysel told Central London County Court that she was poleaxed by a 2015 handwritten note from her mother, which threatened disinheritance unless she apologised, mended bridges with Dogan, and showed Dervishe more respect.

Addressing the letter to Aysel and her other brother, Attila, their mother said: Your actions have destroyed my life and home, your actions towards your brother Dogan are very bad and shameful  we saw nothing but goodness from Dogan to all of us.

And three years later in 2018, Dervishe put her warning into effect when she drew up a new will disinheriting Aysel and Attila, also attaching a side letter which declared: Aysel and Attila: None of the conditions in the letter I sent three years ago were fulfilled. Unfortunately, nothing has changed.

You still do not talk to your brother Dogan, and you still do not show me love and respect. You destroyed my home and I deleted you from my will.

open image in gallery Dervishe left her fortune to her son Dogan Halil, pictured ( Supplied by Champion News )

Dervishes final 2018 will left her entire fortune to Dogan, prompting Aysel to sue him as executor of the estate, accusing him of exerting undue influence on their mum and poisoning her mind in order to cut her out of her inheritance.

Her lawyers argued that Dervishe either must not have properly understood that she was leaving everything to Dogan in her last will, or that it was the result of undue influence from her oldest son.

Her brother Attila was a co-defendant along with Dogan's wife and fellow executor Susan, having been handed a one-third share of the estate by his brother and his wife under a deed of variation.

Aysel claimed her older brother worked on their mother so that she surrendered her judgment, and pressured her to sign over her fortune, insisting that the two letters spelling out her mothers reasons for disinheriting her were in truth inspired by Dogan.

Her barrister, Peter John, argued that the will should be ruled invalid for want of knowledge or approval or by reason of undue influence or fraudulent calumny on the part of Dogan.

The deceased had always indicated that she would deal with her estate on the basis of equality  informed by her cultural and religious background and her consistent approach towards her children throughout their lives, he said.

The deceaseds purported last will  the 2018 will  was, therefore, a shock to the claimant as the deceaseds only daughter, completely at odds with these statements, and also inconsistent with the relationship which she enjoyed with the deceased throughout her life.

Her mum would not have been able to compose the 2015 or 2018 letters without significant assistance and the language used was startlingly similar to that used by Dogan in his correspondence, he argued.

Aysel, who lives in Turkey, said she was always close to her mother and claimed she would never have disinherited her, a step which went against all custom and family expectations.

open image in gallery The house in packington Street, Islington, at the centre of a dispute between Dogan Halil and his sister Aysel Gencay ( Supplied by Champion News )

Giving evidence, she claimed she flew to visit her from her home in Istanbul multiple times a year during her mum's final years, telling the judge: I remained extremely close to my mother all my life.

But in his judgment, Judge Mark Raeside KC said Aysel had become fixated with trying to prove her brother was dishonest, when in fact he was a dutiful son who had done his best for his ageing mother.

She also remained convinced that he had fiddled her out of her share of lucrative real estate, accusing Dogan of slicing off the basement of the valuable family property in Packington Street, Islington, for his own benefit.

Aysel said that the side letters could only have come from Dogan, who was behind their untruthfulness, said the judge.

But the side letters are clear in what they say, he added, while rejecting Aysels fraudulent calumny claim against Dogan.

Aysel was wrong in her approach. She became fixated on this matter and her conduct was fundamentally wrong. She raised these matters quite wrongly.

There was no dishonesty by Dogan. Dogan wasnt responsible for any suspicion and therefore the case should be dismissed.

Aysels unfounded belief that Dogan had sliced her out of her share of the basement property had coloured her judgment over the years, the judge noted, adding that Dogan had no involvement in drafting his mums will or the side letters.

Dervishe had attended her solicitor on her own, he observed, and her lawyer recorded that she seemed mentally sharp and aware of what she was doing.

When asked to explain her reasons for cutting out her children other than Dogan, she told her solicitor they were not visiting her and not showing any interest, said the judge.

Ruling in Dogans favour, Judge Raeside said: I reject the assertion that the deceased had any assistance from Dogan with her will. The evidence makes clear he was simply a dutiful son.

Both side letters were written in Turkish in the deceaseds hand, Dogan did not help her and had nothing whatever to do with them.

He had only discovered the 2018 side letter accompanying his mums last will after her death, the court heard.

I consider the assertion that Dogan was dishonest in his dealings to be misplaced and incorrect, he continued.

He was not dishonest in any way, he always accounted correctly in respect of any accounts. It was most upsetting and surprising that Aysel continued at trial to continue to make these allegations.

Rejecting claims that Dervishe lacked full testamentary capacity, he said that although Dervishe had dementia symptoms by 2020 she was of sound mind when she drafted her last will two years earlier.

The judge threw out all her claims, ruling that Dervishes last will of 2018 is valid.
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The Princess of Wales will host her annual Christmas carol service, with this year's Westminster Abbey event focusing on the themes of love and togetherness.

The 'Together At Christmas' event, led by Kate for the fifth time, is scheduled to take place at Westminster Abbey on 5 December.

This year, the Princess of Wales specifically wanted to recognise and thank people around the country who are acting with love in their communities, contributing to a more cohesive and connected society, organisers said.

Actors Hannah Waddingham, Kate Winslet and Chiwetel Ejiofor are set to give readings, while carols will be sung by the Westminster Abbey choir, alongside musical performances.

The 'power of love' theme was chosen because, in a world that can often feel fragmented and disconnected, the service will bring people together to celebrate love in all its forms, organisers say.

This could be love within families, through friendships, across communities or even through moments of connection with strangers.

open image in gallery The Princess of Wales laughs with Paloma Faith at the 2024 Together At Christmas carol service in Westminster Abbey ( PA Wire )

Guests at Westminster Abbey have been nominated by lord-lieutenants across the UK and charities linked with members of the Royal Family.

The list also includes those invited after having shown love and kindness this year.

They will be greeted by a festive display created by horticulturist Jamie Butterworth, based on the importance of nature in our lives, while the Royal Horticultural Society is set to donate wreaths made by their ambassadors and schoolchildren.

The service aims to be a mix of traditional and modern elements, designed to include people of all faiths and none.

open image in gallery Kate lights candles with her children Charlotte and Louis at the 2024 Together at Christmas event ( PA Wire )

Some 15 community carol services, held in places including the Coronation Street Visitor Centre, an arts centre in Newbury and a community farm in Gwent, are also set to take place across the UK with the same love and togetherness theme.

These services will be hosted by lord-lieutenants and supported by The Royal Foundation.

They will be held in Armagh, Berkshire, Derbyshire, Dumfries, Dyfed, East Riding, Gwent, Greater Manchester, Isle of Wight, Lanarkshire, Nottinghamshire, Renfrewshire & Ayrshire, Suffolk, Wiltshire and Worcestershire.

The Westminster Abbey service is scheduled to air on ITV1 and ITVX on Christmas Eve, and will be repeated on Christmas Day.
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A police motorcyclist has been cleared of causing death by careless driving after a collision that killed a pensioner while he was escorting the Duchess of Edinburgh through London.

Helen Holland, 81, died two weeks after being struck at a pedestrian crossing in West Cromwell Road, west London, on May 10 2023.

The Old Bailey trial heard that Metropolitan Police officer Christopher Harrison, 68, was travelling between 44mph and 58mph as he approached the crossing, which had a 30mph speed limit at the time.

A jury acquitted Pc Harrison on Thursday after deliberating for two hours and 25 minutes.

After the verdict was returned, a person shouted from the public gallery: You ruined our family with no consequences.

Mr Justice Martin Chamberlain then told PC Harrison he was free to leave.

On the day of the incident, Pc Harrison was among the team of convoy motorbike outriders that was escorting Sophie as she left the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office in King Charles Street just after 3pm, jurors were told.

The car that the duchess was in and a police back-up vehicle were also part of the convoy.

The defendant, who had 21 years of experience in the specialist escort group, said he couldnt put it into numbers how many times he had undertaken the journey and that he was very familiar with the route.

Ms Holland was 2.9 metres onto the crossing when Pc Harrisons motorbike hit her, the court heard.

She suffered a skull fracture, bruising to her arms, legs and body, plus fractures to her lower legs.

open image in gallery The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh arrive for the Kings Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace, London. Picture date: Thursday December 19, 2024. (Aaron Chown/PA) ( PA Wire )

A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as complications from a severe head injury.

Pc Harrison, who became emotional while giving evidence during the trial, told jurors the collision was a tragic accident which occurred in circumstances that he had no control over.

Under cross-examination, he accepted he forgot to switch on his body-worn camera and did not use his whistle as he approached the pedestrian crossing but insisted he had not been complacent that day.

She was just there in front of me, he told jurors.

She just appeared, between the kerb line and the point of collision.

At no point did I see her on the island, Im sorry.
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Sami Hamdi is on a flight home to London after being held in US immigration detention for more than two weeks.

The political commentator was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at San Francisco International airport after travelling there for a speaking tour on 26 October.

His family confirmed on Thursday that he was on his way back to the UK. It was a great relief, they said in a statement.

The US government agreed to allow him to leave voluntarily, with no order of deportation and no allegations.

While we welcome this development, we want to underscore that no family should ever have to go through what we have: Sami was in the United States on a valid visa when he was abducted and detained by ICE, despite committing no crime.

British political commentator Sami Hamdi was detained on 26 October ( Sky News )

The family said Mr Hamdi had been living in terrible conditions since being detained, staying in a room with between 80 and 90 other people.

All this because Sami, a journalist, political commentator, and human rights defender, spoke out against Israels genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. Sami should never have spent a single night in a cell.

Mr Hamdi is expected to land at Heathrow on Thursday afternoon. His family said he will continue to stand up for Palestinian rights.

As we await our husband, son, and fathers return to Britain, we keep all political prisoners held by ICE in our hearts, the statement said. He will never be intimidated into silence.

The US government revoked his visa without informing him and proceeded to use this as grounds to detain him. In truth, they had nothing on Sami  he was targeted for his legally protected free speech. Otherwise, they would not have offered voluntary return.

The statement said the family was deeply worried about the future of free speech in the US, and called on the UK government to re-evaluate its approach and increase its efforts to secure the safe release of its citizens, including when they are detained by allies.

The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA), whose lawyers challenged Mr Hamdis detention in a federal court, has claimed he was detained over his support for Palestine and punished for criticising Israel, not for any alleged wrongdoing.

Mr Hamdi accepted an offer to leave the US voluntarily after being charged with visa overstay, according to his legal team. But they said Mr Hamdi should never have been detained, claiming that anti-Muslim and pro-Israel extremists had pressured the US government into arresting him.

Mr Hamdi is the managing director of The International Interest, a global risk and intelligence company, and has appeared as an analyst and commentator on British TV networks.

US officials previously said comments made by Mr Hamdi, 35, after Hamass October 7 2023 attack on southern Israel, celebrated violence.
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A British journalist has claimed US immigration officials are conducting a war against freedom of speech as he arrived home in the UK after spending more than a fortnight in detention.

Sami Hamdi, 34, was held by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at San Francisco International airport on 26 October after travelling to America for a speaking tour.

During his detention in a crowded space with between 80 and 90 inmates, he said he was left in sheer agony, with family and supporters pushing for his release after his health deteriorated.

Mr Hamdi, who lives in London, was released by ICE and returned to the UK on Thursday.

He told The Independent that his detention marks a war against freedom of speech for both Americans and the British.

I dont think this was an attack on me, he said in his first full interview upon his release. It was an attack on Americans, generally.

open image in gallery Sami Hamdi greeted by family after returning to the UK ( PA )

The founder of The International Interest, a global risk and intelligence company, has been a vocal critic of Israels military action in Gaza. The UN recently concluded that the state was committing a genocide against the Palestinians after a two-year investigation and over 69,000 dead. Israel has called the report false and distorted.

But Mr Hamdi said his words are considered a threat by establishment figures unhappy with increasingly hostile public opinion against Israel.

The concern that they had was not that I was speaking, the concern was that American public opinion is genuinely changing, he said. I spent a good deal of time over the past 3 years in America. I went to every state except New Hampshire. Americans are listening.

He commended the American people for their courage and dedication to freedom, and said he was treated very well when travelling the US.

This is a war on the freedoms of British and American citizens because in freedom they are learning the truth, and when they learn the truth theyre turning away from Israel, he said.

It is a land of the brave. They are defiantly standing against those restrictions.

open image in gallery Hamdi has been a vocal critic of Israels military action in Gaza ( Reuters )

During his detention, Mr Hamdi said he witnessed several people who had been detained by ICE for almost a year, including a 70-year-old man and former professor fleeing persecution.

He also detailed the deterioration in his health as he was left in sheer agony within a day or so of being in detention.

Mr Hamdi said relations between ICE officials and inmates is fraught, as he witnessed difficult conditions with 80 to 90 people in the one room he was forced to stay in.

Its a battle of wills. You feel like ICE are merciless in this, he said. Theres a cruelty to it.

However, he said he was conscious of his privilege and the high profile that enabled him to be released.

Nothing that happened to me compares to the genocide, he added. I wouldnt dare complain about my conditions when I remember the pictures of Sidras legs being blown up or Hind Rajab with the 320 bullets at her car or Reem, the soul of my soul.

US Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said: Sami Hamdi, an illegal alien and terrorist sympathiser who cheered on Hamas following its October 7 terrorist attack, 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. Thats just common sense.
After the bizarre briefings from No 10 about a leadership challenge to the prime minister, and increased speculation about a hike in income tax, Rachel Reeves seems to be in search of something to give Labour MPs a reason to live (politically speaking). Hence her clearest hint yet that the two-child cap on benefits may soon be lifted

Why is there a two-child cap on benefits?

It was imposed by George Osborne in 2013 when he was chancellor in the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition, ostensibly to help repair the public finances. An austerity measure, it was presented as an almost moralistic policy because it was fair to families who limit their size according to their means. It was fiercely criticised at the time because of the effect it would have on child poverty. There are some exemptions from the policy, which only affects those born after 2017.

Would abolishing the current cap end child poverty?

No, but it would lift between 350,000 and 630,000 out of it almost immediately, depending on the design of the policy and the definition of poverty chosen. In all, some 1.6 million children could benefit.

What are the policy options?

Changes floated in the past have included adding an extra child or two to the limit, paying a lower rate to additional children, or altering eligibility. However, such adjustments wouldnt save much money compared to a simpler system with no upper limit. It is the latter idea that Reeves seems to be considering, based on a recent interview: I dont think we can lose sight of the costs to our economy in allowing child poverty to go unchecked. In the end, a child should not be penalised because their parents dont have very much money.

What would it cost to end the two-child cap?

About 3bn  not much when compared to a total social security bill approaching some 400bn.

What is the political benefit?

A great deal to Keir Starmer and Reeves; abolishing the cap could save their jobs.

Given that she is likely to break Labours key election promise not to put up income tax rates, and in a general atmosphere of retrenchment and a sluggish economy with stagnant living standards, lifting the cap would give Labour backbenchers and activists some reason to believe they are doing what they came into politics for  creating a fairer, more equal society.

Dissatisfaction about the pairs performance might well be quelled, at least for a time. It would be a totemic policy they can point to when criticised for higher taxes. With the breakfast clubs and expansion in childcare, the Labour government will at least have something to boast about in terms of tangible delivery for kids.

What does the public think?

Although lifting the cap is wildly popular within Labour circles, the general public is more equivocal. Unlike the abolition of the winter fuel allowance (since partially reversed), the cap is not universally hated. Depending on how the question is framed, over half the country favours keeping the cap.

What do opposition parties say?

As part of their broad pitch to be fiscally responsible, the Conservatives say the cap should be maintained on the grounds that smaller families shouldnt subsidise larger ones. However, there is a small natalist movement in some Conservative circles, notably former MP Miriam Cates, that backs any policy that boosts the birth rate and reduces demand for immigrant labour.

Similarly, Reform UK wants to lift the cap  but only for British families, with no precise definition of who might not qualify.

Will it happen?

It is looking increasingly likely; it would seem odd for Reeves to raise expectations only to disappoint disillusioned MPs on Budget day itself. It would also usefully blunt any internal challenge on child poverty posed by the likes of Gordon Brown, Neil Kinnock, Andy Burnham and Lucy Powell. Who knows, the public might even come round to liking the idea.
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A Reform council leader has jumped to the defence of a party councillor who was criticised over social media posts he made about the police and Black women.

In now-deleted posts on X (Twitter) written before he was elected onto Staffordshire County Council, councillor Peter Mason called the police a bunch of politically indoctrinated British hating scum. In another post, from March 2024, he wrote: "What a surprise a statue of a fat arsed black woman.

After the posts came to light, Mr Mason, who is also the cabinet member for highways at the council, apologised and said he regretted his choice of words. In the statement he sent to The Independent, he added that the posts were written during a difficult personal time when he was impacted by grief and redundancy.

However, political opponents at the council have called for him to step down, including Conservative group leader Philip White, who described the posts as abhorrent.

In response, Ian Cooper, leader of Staffordshire County Council, sent an email to Reform councillors to defend Mr Mason, claiming he had come under targeted political attack since standing for Reform.

open image in gallery Peter Mason, who is cabinet member of highways at Staffordshire County Council, has apologised for the posts on X, written before he was elected ( Staffordshire County Council )

The memo, titled Statement in Defence of Cllr Peter Mason, appeared to have been mistakenly sent to every Staffordshire councillor, before it was seen by The Independent.

Mr Cooper wrote: These personal attacks are a deliberate attempt by Reforms political opponents to distract from their failings and to politicise an individuals right to express personal views.

He continued: Peters comment regarding a statue of a Black woman was a critique of public art, not a personal attack on an individual. His views on policing also reflect concerns shared by many, including recent reporting that, the Metropolitan Police is expanding its woke workforce while facing a 250m funding gap and cutting thousands of frontline jobs.

Staffordshire County Council was one of 10 councils that Reform gained control of at the local elections in May. Since then, the authorities, especially Kent County Council, have been under the spotlight amid speculation over the national partys chances of winning the next general election.

open image in gallery Kent County Council has been at the centre of media attention on the running of 10 councils by Reform UK ( PA )

At Prime Ministers Questions on Thursday, Sir Keir Starmer criticised the running of Kent council, where five councillors were reportedly expelled from the party last month after a video leak featuring its leader Linden Kemkaran raising her voice at colleagues.

In Staffordshire, Green councillor Jack Rose said: Whats happening in Staffordshire is clear to residents that Reform are more interested in protecting themselves than taking responsibility for their posts and serving the county.

Mr White said: This latest defence by the leader shows that rather than dealing with unacceptable behaviour, they wish to sweep it under the carpet and hope everyone can forget about it. Mr Mason should do the right thing and resign, not receive support from his leader over this.

The Independent has contacted Mr Cooper for a response. Mr Mason said he would not resign and hoped to move on from the episode. We are all entitled to make mistakes, particularly when dealing with personal matters in our lives, he said.

Staffordshire County Council referred the matter to Reform UK, which The Independent has approached for comment.
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The United Nations (UN) has warned that aid operations in Sudans North Darfur are close to collapse after the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized el-Fasher last month.

Relief groups say hunger and disease are worsening, while survivors describe massacres and widespread violence.

The RSF captured el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur and the last major city outside its control in the wider Darfur region, on 26 October.

Survivor accounts, satellite images and video evidence suggest more than 1,500 people were killed in ethnically targeted attacks in the days that followed.

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said the humanitarian situation had deteriorated sharply.

open image in gallery Children in a refugee camp in Sudan ( Norwegian Refugee Council )

Despite the rising need, humanitarian operations are now on the brink of collapse, the agency said in a statement. Warehouses are nearly empty, aid convoys face significant insecurity, and access restrictions continue to prevent the delivery of sufficient aid.

Amy Pope, the IOMs director general, said: Our teams are responding, but insecurity and depleted supplies mean we are only reaching a fraction of those in need.

Without safe access and urgent funding, humanitarian operations risk grinding to a halt at the very moment communities need support the most.

Since the RSF seized el-Fasher from the rival military, more than 16,200 people have fled to the camps in Tawila, while around 82,000 people had fled the city and surrounding areas as of last week. Many have taken dangerous routes without food, water or medical help.

Doctors Without Borders said malnutrition in the camps had reached staggering levels. The group said more than 70% of children under five who reached Tawila between the fall of el-Fasher and 3 November were acutely malnourished, with more than a third suffering severe acute malnutrition.

The true scale of the crisis is likely far worse than reported, it said.

The World Health Organisation said thousands of people remain trapped in the city with almost no access to food, clean water or medicine.

One witness told Reuters that RSF trucks sprayed civilians with machine gun fire and crushed them with their vehicles. Young people, elderly, children, they ran them over. Another said he saw militiamen raiding homes and killing 50 to 60 people in a single street.

The RSF has been fighting Sudans army since April 2023, when tensions between the two former allies erupted into war.
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Amazon has been sued for allegedly keeping its employees under a constant threat of punishment if they call in sick or need time off.

The complaint, filed yesterday, alleges that the retail giant uses an automated system to track employee attendance and threatens workers with possible termination when they make legally protected requests.

The class action lawsuit claims that the company has violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as two other New York state laws that govern disability discrimination and policies surrounding workplace absence.

"Under this system, employees live under constant threat of punishment if they get sick or injured or need time off to care for a family member," the lawsuit read.

The suit was filed in a federal court in New York by Cayla Lyster, who worked at a company warehouse in Syracuse, New York. She is suing for compensatory and punitive damages, as well as a jury trial.

open image in gallery A worker at a New York Amazon warehouse is suing her employer, accusing them of forcing their workers to live under constant threat of punishment ( AFP/Getty )

Lyster said in the lawsuit that she started working at Amazon in 2022. After Amazon changed her job duties in late 2023, she requested that her employer make small accommodations for her, such as a new chair, since she has a connective-tissue disorder named Ehlers-Danlos.

The plaintiff alleges that Amazon denied these requests and, in her lawsuit, claimed that she was subjected to cruel, derogatory comments and inappropriate questioning about her medical condition. The lawsuit also alleges that deductions were made to her Unpaid Time Off balance after she had submitted her requests.

"Ms. Lyster came perilously close to termination for her UPT deductions while on an unwanted, unpaid waiting period pending accommodation, despite several attempts to communicate with Amazon and explain her absences," the lawsuit says.

In a statement released by the nonprofit organization A Better Balance, Lyster said that she hopes to hold the company accountable.

open image in gallery Lsyter claimed that her former employer tried to dock her Unpaid Time off balance ( AP )

My fight for accommodations at Amazon has been one of the most stressful and mentally damaging periods of my life, she wrote. But I look forward to the future with hope.

I will hold Amazon accountable by demanding that they make changes to their accommodation and attendance processes so that all associates with disabilities, not just me, will be respected as human beings.

Inimai Chettiar, the president of A Better Balance, slammed the e-commerce giant for risking the health of its employees.

Amazon has devised policies that ensure that employees live under the constant threat of punishment, risking their health and safety to come to work every day instead of raising their legal rights, she wrote in the A Better Balance statement. These workers shouldnt ever need to choose between their safety and their paycheck.

And no companynot even Amazonis above the law.

However, Amazon has firmly refuted the claims.

Claims that we dont follow federal and state laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act and New York State Human Rights Law (NYSHRL) are simply not true, Kelly Nantel, an Amazon spokesperson, told The Independent. Ensuring the health and well-being of our employees is our top priority, and were committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for everyone.

Our dedicated Accommodations team reviews each request individually to make sure employees have access to the accommodations and adjustments they need, and we continuously evaluate our approach to best address their needs.
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British political commentator Sami Hamdi said Thursday on his arrival back in the U.K. that he was considering suing U.S. authorities for his detention in an immigration detention center over what he claims were his views on Gaza and Israel.

Two days after revealing that he was leaving the U.S. voluntarily, Hamdi lauded federal judges for exonerating him over what he termed a botched detention by extremists within the U.S. government.

I want say that this wasnt just an attack on me, it was an attack on the freedoms of ordinary Americans and citizens worldwide, he told journalists and supporters outside a hotel near Londons Heathrow Airport following his return.

Hamdi, who is Muslim, was on a speaking tour in the U.S. when he was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Oct. 26. He had just addressed the annual gala for the Sacramento, California, chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, the day before his arrest.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said at the time of Hamdis arrest that the U.S. State Department had revoked his visa and that ICE had put him in immigration proceedings. Homeland Security later accused him of supporting Hamas-led attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

Hamdi said later that his intent wasn't to praise the attacks, but to suggest that the violence was a natural consequence of the oppression that is being put on the Palestinians.

I did nothing illegal in the U.S.," he said. Everything was within the visa. Everything was in the limits of what the visa allowed me to do. The visa was revoked because of my advocacy for Palestine. It was revoked because of advocacy for Gaza.

Hamdis detention was part of broader efforts by the Trump 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.

Those enforcement actions have been criticized by civil rights groups as violations of constitutional protections for freedom of speech, which apply to anyone in the United States and not just to American citizens.

Hamdi, 35, said that he's discussing with his lawyers whether to sue American authorities, but added that he's hesitating about it because cool heads in the U.S. State Department and the federal court system prevailed.

In respect of those cooler minds, I would rather celebrate, he said. I won this case, the extremists failed to silence my voice, they failed to remove my freedom of speech. America stood with me.

Hamdi said there are no conditions attached to his voluntary departure and that he's not barred from seeking another U.S. visa in the future.
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The makers of Cape Cod potato chips were hit with a potential class action lawsuit last month alleging the brand falsely claims its snacks are free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.

The suit, filed in New York federal court on October 23, comes from shopper Rozaliya Ripa, who claims she bought the kettle-cooked chips numerous times under false pretenses, including during an August trip to a Brooklyn Stop & Shop store.

Had Ripa known the claims were false and misleading, she would not have purchased the Products or would have only been willing to purchase the Products at a lesser price, the suit claims.

The lawsuit alleges that Cape Cod chips contain citric acid, an ingredient that is no longer commercially available in its natural form and is made synthetically by using industrial chemicals to render the ingredient from mold.

Campbells Company, which has owned Cape Cod since 2018, declined to comment on the claims in the pending litigation.

open image in gallery A series of class action complaints allege Cape Cod potato chips falsely marketed their snacks as containing no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives ( Rozaliya Ripa )

Cape Cod chips are made with high quality, carefully selected ingredients, the company said in an email to The Independent.

An initial conference in the case is scheduled for December.

The chip company was founded in 1980 in Hyannis, Massachusetts, where its products are still manufactured.

A survey this year from MarketBeat found that Cape Cod chips are the most beloved American-made product in the state.

The company was hit with a similar suit in July.

open image in gallery The Cape Cod potato chips brand was founded in 1980 in Hyannis, Massachusetts

Defendant markets its products in a systematically misleading manner by misrepresenting that the products do not contain preservatives, the class action complaint reads.

That same month, in a sign of an increasingly health-conscious marketplace, Del Monte Foods, a 139-year-old firm known for its canned fruits and vegetables, announced it was filing for bankruptcy protection.

After a thorough evaluation of all available options, we determined a court-supervised sale process is the most effective way to accelerate our turnaround and create a stronger and enduring Del Monte Foods, CEO Greg Longstreet said in a statement.
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Jeffrey Epstein claimed he could give the Kremlin valuable insight into Donald Trump ahead of a controversial summit with Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, newly-released emails show.

The paedophile financier messaged Thorbjorn Jagland, the secretary general of the Council of Europe at the time, suggesting he could pass on a message to Putin about how to handle Trump.

In the June 2018 email exchange, shared among hundreds of emails released Wednesday by congressional investigators, Epstein discussed how to understand Trump, who was then in his first term as president.

He indicated that Vitaly Churkin, Russias ambassador to the UN, understood Trump after our conversations, and advised that Jagland could suggest to putin, that lavrov, can get insight on talking to me [sic] as Churkin used to before his death in 2017, Politico reports.

Lavrov appears to refer to Sergei Lavrov, Russias veteran foreign minister.

Epstein told Jagland, a former prime minister of Norway, that understanding Trump is not complex. Trump must be seen to get something, he said. Jagland responded that he would meet Lavrovs assistant on Monday and relay the message.

open image in gallery Donald Trump met with Vladimir Putin in 2018 in Helsinki, where the US president appeared to defend Russia over allegations of electoral interference ( Sputnik )

More than 20,000 emails were released by lawmakers on Wednesday, initially by House Democrats, before Republicans on the House Oversight Committee shared a full cache of correspondence between Epstein and his friends and associates.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a briefing on Wednesday that the broader set of emails prove absolutely nothing other than President Trump did nothing wrong.

At the Helsinki summit in July 2018, Trump contradicted US intelligence and appeared to defend Russia over allegations of interference in the 2016 election.

Larry Summers, a former US Treasury secretary, emailed Epstein that day to ask whether the Russians have stuff on Trump, the newly-released documents show. He said today was appalling even by his standards.

Epstein said Trumps approach to the summit was predictable and assessed that Trump probably thought it went super well.

Correspondence shows the rift between Trump and Epstein. Trump in 2002 described Epstein as a terrific guy he had known for 15 years. But in 2019, the president said that he had fallen out with Epstein a long time ago. Leavitt said Wednesday that Trump had kicked Epstein out of his Mar-a-Lago club decades ago for being a creep to his female employees.

In 2019, Epstein also emailed author Michael Wolff, who has written books about Trump, to claim that the US president knew about the girls as he asked Ghislaine [Maxwell] to stop. Epstein added that trump said he asked me to resign, never a member ever.

open image in gallery Jeffrey Epsteins correspondence with friends and associates revealed the rift with Trump ( New York State Sex Offender Registry )

Jeffrey Epstein died in prison that year. Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.

Leavitt said that the emails were selectively leaked by House Democrats to create a fake narrative to smear President Trump.

House Republicans released a wider corpus to counter what they said was a Democratic effort to cherry-pick documents.
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A man who stumbled on a rare relic from a shipwreck is getting the artifact back after it was taken from him by the state of Michigan.

The state will also pay $600,000 after strangely obtaining the relic from the famous Edmund Fitzgerald shipwreck through a settlement in a lawsuit completely unrelated to the doomed freighter.

I feel a whole lot better, Larry Orr, 77, told The Associated Press this week.

In 1975, eight days after the Fitzgerald sank in Lake Superior, killing all 29 men, Orr said he found the life ring and a piece of a lifeboat on shore in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

There was an eerie feeling. Maybe someone had survived, he recalled. I looked around for footprints or any other sign of life for a while and never found anything.

A rare life ring from the 1975 shipwreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald obtained by the state of Michigan in a lawsuit settlement is displayed on Oct. 12, 2025, outside Detroit ( Randal Smith via AP )

Fast forward 50 years to this autumn: Orr was in talks with the Michigan State Police to settle a lawsuit. He accused Lt. David Busacca of violating his rights during a sexual abuse investigation that was ultimately discredited.

Orr had spent five months in jail, in addition to house arrest, before charges were dropped in 2019.

Orr and his attorney, Shannon Smith, said the state suddenly expressed interest in the Fitzgerald life ring during the negotiations. Orr said Busacca was aware that he owned it when he saw paperwork during a search of his Michigan home.

Orr said he felt he was being manipulated, but he also needed money to move out of a recreation vehicle in Yulee, Florida. Smith said throwing the ring into the deal raised the settlement to $600,000 from roughly $300,000.

I think we should have gotten a million for everything they did to me, Orr said.

The AP was first to report the peculiar deal on Oct. 23. When state police were asked to explain why it was appropriate, spokesperson Shanon Banner said the department was not comfortable.

Additional talks among lawyers led to a new agreement: Orr gets the ring back while taxpayers will still be on the hook for $600,000 to close the police misconduct lawsuit. Banner acknowledged the terms this week.

For decades, Orr allowed the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum in Paradise, Michigan, to display the orange ring, which has Fitzgerald in stenciled letters. Now he might sell it at auction.

Orr said he's trying to buy a modular home and his wife's car is on its last legs.

I need all the money I can get, he said.
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A historic opera house on the edge of Death Valley in California is now under threat of destruction, after recent severe flooding hit the area.

The Amargosa Opera House and Hotel has sought donations from the public to help pay for recovery and stabilization efforts following monsoon-like conditions that have caused major damage to the historic building.

Founded by performer Marta Becket in 1968, the property features a hand-painted theatre and murals  with tours of the Opera House available and an annual performance in February to honor her legacy.

Though it has withstood decades of harsh conditions, maintenance staff say recent seasons have brought more extreme weather, with rains in August being particularly bad.

Water came in from the front door. The side door, said Fred Conboy, who helps manage the Amargosa Opera House and Hotel. We were hit hard by this microburst, which flooded the opera house in a way Ive never seen before.

open image in gallery The Amargosa Opera House and Hotel in Death Valley Junction, California, has sought donations from the public to help pay for recovery and stabilization efforts following monsoon-like conditions that have caused major damage to the historic building ( Google Maps )

Conboy told KLAS that the building has endured six significant monsoon seasons since 2023 and that each has left behind several inches of water.

The damage wasnt an isolated incident. Conboy says the property has endured at least six significant monsoon floods since 2023, each leaving several inches of water behind due to the lack of absorption from the desert ground.

This isnt new, but its always a devastating event, Conboy told KLAS.

Amargosas owners have since launched a fundraiser aiming to raise $50,000 to help with renovations to the property, with donations being used for repairs to the Opera House floor, as well as helping to cover essential monthly expenses.

open image in gallery Though it has withstood decades of harsh conditions, maintenance staff say recent seasons have brought more extreme weather, to Death Valley with rains in August being particularly bad

So far, the donations have reached around $30,000, KLAS reports.

Each gift has made an immediate impact, allowing us to continue welcoming visitors while planning long-term preservation  including roof repairs and future flood-mitigation work, the website states.

Together, were keeping Martas legacy and Death Valley Junction alive, ensuring the Amargosa Opera House stands strong for generations to come.

The most important thing is keeping the heartbeat of this town alive, which is having the hotel have its doors open and these rooms rentable, Conboy added. At the end of the day, we just want people to enjoy their time here, he said.
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Unionized Starbucks baristas across the country are set to walk off the job Thursday in a push for better pay and benefits  as the coffee giant expects an influx of customers hitting stores for its holiday promotion.

Over 1,000 unionized workers at stores across 65 U.S. cities will participate in the walkout, the Starbucks Workers Union said. The walkout coincides with Red Cup Day, an annual sales event where customers receive a free reusable cup with the purchase of a holiday beverage.

Walkouts are set to be held in New York, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, San Diego, St. Louis, Dallas and Starbucks hometown of Seattle, amongst other cities.

There is no end date set for the strike, and more stores say they are ready to join if Starbucks does not reach a contract agreement with the workers, organizers said.

Meanwhile, Starbucks says most of its 17,000 coffeeshops across the U.S. will be open and operating as usual Thursday. A company spokesperson told Reuters less than 1 percent of its stores were impacted by the walkouts.

open image in gallery Workers picket in front of a Starbucks outlet in New York City, on October 1, 2025. Unionized workers across the country were expected to walk out on the job Thursday as they claim the coffee giant refuses to reach a contract with them ( REUTERS )

Union members, who will hold rallies across the country at 4 p.m. Thursday, say Starbucks has failed to provide new proposals on key issues like staffing and wages since the labor group rejected an offer from the company in April.

About 550 company-owned U.S. stores are unionized. The strike comes as Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol shuttered hundreds of underperforming stores, including 59 unionized locations, earlier this year.

Workers say theyre walking out because Starbucks has yet to reach a contract agreement with the union, which first started in 2021. The workers are advocating for better hours and improved staffing in stores, where they say long waits are expected by customers.

They also say that many workers are not scheduled to work for the 20 hours a week required to receive benefits. They are also seeking higher pay to match the current high cost of living.

The union also wants Starbucks to resolve hundreds of unfair labor practices charges filed by workers, over complaints including retaliatory firings for unionizing.

Our fight is about actually making Starbucks jobs the best jobs in retail. Right now, its only the best job in retail for Brian Niccol, said Jasmine Leli, a barista and strike captain from Buffalo, New York.

open image in gallery The 2025 Starbucks reusable red cup ( Starbucks )

Things have only gone backwards at Starbucks under Niccols leadership, but a fair union contract and the resolution of hundreds of unfair labor practice charges are essential to the companys turnaround. Too many of us rely on SNAP or Medicaid just to get by, and most baristas still dont earn a livable wage, Leli said. In a majority of states, starting pay is just $15.25 an hourand even then, were not getting the 20 hours a week we need to qualify for benefits.

For its part, Starbucks says it offers some of the highest wages and best benefits across U.S. retailers. The company pays workers an average $30 an hour.

Employees who receive benefits are entitled to 18 weeks of paid family leave and 100 percent tuition coverage for a four-year college degree.

Starbucks is ready to talk and believes we can move quickly to a reasonable deal, Chief Partner Officer Sara Kelly said. According to Kelly, the union walked away from the bargaining table this Spring.

Its not the first time unionized workers at Starbucks have gone on strike. Workers also walked off the job on Red Cup Day in 2022 and 2023, and last year, a five-day strike ahead of Christmas shuttered 59 stores across the country.

With reporting by the Associated Press
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More than 1,000 unionized Starbucks workers plan to strike at 65 U.S. stores Thursday to protest a lack of progress in labor negotiations with the company.

The strike was intended to disrupt Starbucks' Red Cup Day, which is typically one of the company's busiest days of the year. Since 2018, Starbucks has given out free, reusable cups on that day to customers who buy a holiday drink.

Starbucks Workers United, the union organizing Starbucks baristas, said stores in 45 cities would be impacted, including New York, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, San Diego, St. Louis, Dallas, Columbus, Ohio, and Starbucks' home city of Seattle. There is no date set for the strike to end, and more stores are prepared to join if Starbucks doesn't reach a contract agreement with the union, organizers said.

Starbucks emphasized that the vast majority of its U.S. stores would be open and operating as usual Thursday. The coffee giant has 10,000 company-owned stores in the U.S., as well as 7,000 licensed locations in places like grocery stores and airports.

Around 550 company-owned U.S. Starbucks stores are currently unionized. More have voted to unionize, but Starbucks closed 59 unionized stores in September as part of a larger reorganization campaign.

Here's what's behind the strike.

A stalled contract agreement

Striking workers say they're protesting because Starbucks has yet to reach a contract agreement with the union. Starbucks workers first voted to unionize at a store in Buffalo in 2021. In December 2023, Starbucks vowed to finalize an agreement by the end of 2024. But in August of last year, the company ousted Laxman Narasimhan, the CEO who made that promise. The union said progress has stalled under Brian Niccol, the companys current chairman and CEO.

Workers want higher pay, better hours

Workers say they're seeking better hours and improved staffing in stores, where they say long customer wait times are routine. They say too many workers aren't getting the required 20 hours per week they need before Starbucks' benefits kick in. They also want higher pay, pointing out that executives like Niccol are making millions.

The union also wants the company to resolve hundreds of unfair labor practice charges filed by workers, who say the company has fired baristas in retaliation for unionizing and has failed to bargain over changes in policy that workers must enforce, like its decision earlier this year to limit restroom use to paying customers.

Starbucks stands by its wages and benefits

Starbucks says it offers the best wage and benefit package in retail, worth an average of $30 per hour. Among the company's benefits are up to 18 weeks of paid family leave and 100% tuition coverage for a four-year college degree. In a letter to employees last week, Starbucks Chief Partner Officer Sara Kelly said the union walked away from the bargaining table in the spring.

Kelly said Starbucks remained ready to talk and believes we can move quickly to a reasonable deal. Kelly also said surveys showed that most employees like working for the company, and its barista turnover rates are half the industry average.

Limited locations with high visibility

Unionized workers have gone on strike at Starbucks before. In 2022 and 2023, workers walked off the job on Red Cup Day. Last year, a five-day strike ahead of Christmas closed 59 U.S. stores. Each time, Starbucks said the disruption to its operations was minimal. Starbucks United said the new strike is open-ended and could spread to many more unionized locations.

The number of non-union Starbucks locations dwarfs the number of unionized ones. But Todd Vachon, a union expert at the Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations, said any strike could be highly visible and educate the public on baristas' concerns.

Unlike manufacturers, Vachon said, retail industries depend on the connection between their employees and their customers. That makes shaming a potentially powerful weapon in the unions arsenal, he said.

Improving sales

Starbucks' same-store sales, or sales at locations open at least a year, rose 1% in the July-September period. It was the first time in nearly two years that the company had posted an increase. In his first year at the company, Niccol set new hospitality standards, redesigned stores to be cozier and more welcoming, and adjusted staffing levels to better handle peak hours.

Starbucks also is trying to prioritize in-store orders over mobile ones. Last week, the company's holiday drink rollout in the U.S. was so successful that it almost immediately sold out of its glass Bearista cup. Starbucks said demand for the cup exceeded its expectations, but it wouldn't say if the Bearista will return before the holidays are over.
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A popular brand of crunchy taco shells, which shut down earlier this year, will be making a comeback after the manufacturing plant was bought by a major food company.

The La Tiara taco shell plant in Gladstone, Missouri, will be reopened in January 2026 after being acquired by General Mills.

General Mills has acquired the assets of Gladstone Food Products, the manufacturer of La Tiara hard taco shells, said Mollie Wulff, spokesperson at General Mills.

We look forward to welcoming the well-loved La Tiara brand to the General Mills family of brands.

Previously owned by Gladstone Food Products, the La Tiara plant stopped production of the shells and seasoning due to construction-related disruptions and costs in January. At the time of closure, the company reportedly owed more than $5 million to creditors.

A popular brand of crunchy taco shells which shut down earlier this year will be making a comeback, after the manufacturing plant was bought by a major food company. The La Tiara taco shell plant in Gladstone, Missouri, will be reopened in January 2026 after being acquired by General Mills ( KMBC )

Following the disappearance, many loyal fans reacted with dismay, with a Facebook group titled Please Bring Back La Tiara Taco Shells, amassing almost 20,000 members.

Members of the group reacted with delight following the news, though some questioned whether their beloved shells would taste the same under new ownership.

The company was put into receivership on March 18, with a live final auction held on May 19. According to Food Business News, more than 40 companies bid on the sale.

Announcing news that the plant would reopen at a Gladstone City Council meeting on Monday, City Manager Robert Baer noted that the resumed production was happening much quicker than anticipated.

General Mills reportedly plans to expand the staff by 50 employees, going from 20 to 70 employees total, as well as operating three shifts to increase production, KMBC reported.

Exact financial terms of General Mills acquisition of the brand have not been disclosed publicly, though several media reports state that the figure was around $10 million.

General Mills is already active in the taco shell and seasoning arena, having acquired the Old El Paso brand during its acquisition of the Pillsbury division of Diageo PLC in 2001.
The conspiracies began circulating before the proverbial ink was dry. Jeffrey Epstein, the billionaire financier and convicted child sex offender, dead after apparent suicide in New York jail, ran the headline in The Washington Post on 11 August 2019 (single quote marks theirs). The Boston Globe also described it as an apparent suicide. Epsteins jail death gets US scrutiny, said The Philadelphia Inquirer.

When FBI agents arrested Epstein after his private jet landed in New Jersey a month earlier and charged him with sex-trafficking minors in Florida and New York, his victims waited to learn the truth. After his death, the voices clamouring for transparency got louder. As did those claiming conspiracy.

A year on, when his former girlfriend, British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, was arrested by the FBI at a secluded property in New Hampshire, they didnt stop. And they didnt quieten when Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for conspiring with Epstein to sexually abuse minors.

Over the years, conspiracy theories have abounded of deep state cover-ups, speculation that rich and powerful men had been involved in an elite sex-trafficking ring, and that Epstein had been murdered so their identities would never be revealed.

Donald Trump, on the presidential campaign trail in 2024, fanned the flames further when he announced hed seek to open the governments Epstein files should he be elected.

When he did win the presidency, his attorney general, Pam Bondi, spoke of an Epstein client list sitting on her desk. We knew that a cast of celebrities and politicians were in Epsteins black book  names like Bill Clinton, Andrew Mounbatten Windsor, Tony Blair, Bill Cosby, and Woody Allen. But were these men just recipients of Epsteins political donations, friends, acquaintances? Did any incriminating evidence lie within the thousands of documents the FBI had assembled in the course of its investigation? Being mentioned alone did not suggest any wrongdoing. Finally, it looked like we were about to find out.

open image in gallery Maxwell has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for conspiring with Epstein to sexually abuse minors ( US District Court for the Southern District of New York )

Then, in the summer, Trumps justice department and the FBI suddenly released a two-page unsigned memo concluding Epstein hadnt maintained a client list after all  and whats more, it wouldnt be releasing any further files related to its sex-trafficking investigation, despite the promises by Trump and Bondi who had pledged to release a truckload of bombshell FBI documents.

Nobody could have foreseen a fissure in the Maga ranks to appear so quickly and prominently. Karl Rove, former White House deputy chief of staff under George Bush, said we were witnessing what happens when conspiracy collides with reality. For years, he said, Trump raised questions about Epstein  After assuming the presidency a second time, Mr Trump was obligated to deliver. When he didnt, many in Maga reacted with incredulity and anger.

Tucker Carlson, once Trumps most vocal cheerleader, turned on him, accusing the administration of betraying its base and of dismissing legitimate questions about Epstein.

open image in gallery So what does Ghislaine Maxwell really know? According to journalist Brown: everything ( US District Court for the Southern District of New York )

Each day, the saga seems to unravel further. The Wall Street Journal published a story describing a sexually suggestive letter that the newspaper says bore Trumps name and was included in a 2003 album given to Epstein for his 50th birthday. Trump vehemently denied writing the letter, calling it false, malicious, and defamatory. He then proceeded to sue the paper and its owner, media mogul Rupert Murdoch.

While Trump announced he asked Bondi to release pertinent files on the criminal investigation of Epstein, subject to court approval, further intrigue was stirred when the WSJ reported that Bondi had informed Trump during a briefing back in May that his name appeared in justice department documents related to Epstein.

The White House pushed back, dismissing the WSJ story as fake news. But an unnamed White House official told Reuters they were not denying that Trumps name appears in the documents. Then, on 20 August, a judge rejected the Trump administrations request to unseal transcripts from grand jury documents relating to Epstein from 2005 and 2007 because they did not meet any of the extraordinary exceptions under federal law that could make them public.

In July 2025, an official from the US Department of Justice met with Ghislaine Maxwell inside an office at a Florida courthouse. Ahead of the meeting, deputy attorney general Todd Blanche said: If Ghislaine Maxwell has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims, the FBI and the DOJ will hear what she has to say. Their first meeting was described as very productive by Maxwells lawyer, but for now, it remains unclear what she told investigators.

After the meetings, Maxwell was transferred from FCI Tallahassee, a low-security federal correctional institution in Florida, to the Federal Prison Camp in Bryan, Texas, where she is currently being held.

open image in gallery Police confiscated hundreds of notepads when they conducted a search of Epsteins home in Palm Beach, Florida, in 2005 ( Tribune News Service/Getty )

Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat and fierce Trump critic, took issue with the fact that Trump sent Blanche, his former personal lawyer turned federal prosecutor, to interview Maxwell ahead of her potential public testimony. The conflict of interest is glaring. It stinks of high corruption, he said on X (Twitter).

Its important to understand what, exactly, the Epstein files are  and how they differ from the court documents Trump was asking to be released.

Barry Levine, author of The Spider: Inside the Criminal Web of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, says that the grand jury testimony at issue is very limited and has little to do with the two-decades-long sex-trafficking operation that Epstein ran.

He says the US attorney at the time, Geoffrey Berman, went in front of a grand jury and presented just enough evidence to successfully bring an indictment. And that indictment was very narrow in its content  for the sexual abuse of minors from 2002 to 2005 at Epsteins homes in Palm Beach and New York, Levine says. If you look at the prosecution of Ghislaine Maxwell, that prosecution was extremely narrow, also in terms of the specific allegations against her. Maxwell was convicted on five sex-trafficking-related counts.

Levine said if these court documents are released, theyre going to tell us very little in addition to what we already know. Its basically a sliver of the information thats contained in the actual FBI files.

Those files  the real Epstein files, if you like  are, Levine says, incredibly detailed. The FBI files cover every aspect of Epsteins crimes and his life over two decades, including extensive interviews with victims and information that goes all the way back to the original FBI investigation in 2006.

Yesterday, the House committee on oversight and government reform released never-before-seen emails from the latest production from Jeffrey Epsteins estate. In private correspondence with Maxwell, Epstein wrote in 2011 that Trump spent hours at my house with a victim of sex trafficking, referring to Trump as a dog that hasnt barked.

In a separate email with author Michael Wolff in 2019, Epstein stated explicitly that Trump, knew about the girls as he asked Ghislaine to stop. In another email with Wolff in 2015, Epstein and Wolff discuss if they can craft an answer for Trumps upcoming CNN interview, with Wolff characterising Epsteins leverage over Trump, saying, If he says he hasnt been on the plane or to the house, then that gives you a valuable PR and political currency.

The more Donald Trump tries to cover up the Epstein files, the more we uncover. These latest emails and correspondence raise glaring questions about what else the White House is hiding and the nature of the relationship between Epstein and the president, said ranking member Robert Garcia. The Department of Justice must fully release the Epstein files to the public immediately. The oversight committee will continue pushing for answers and will not stop until we get justice for the victims.

When asked about the latest release, the White House accused Democrats on the committee of releasing selectively leaked emails to the liberal media to create a fake narrative about President Trump, including one in which Epstein wrote that Trump spent hours at my house with someone the Democrats alleged was a victim.

These emails prove absolutely nothing, other than the fact that President Trump did nothing wrong, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.

open image in gallery From left, Donald Trump and his then girlfriend (and future wife), Melania Knauss, financier Epstein, and British socialite Maxwell pose together at the Mar-a-Lago club, Palm Beach, Florida, 2000 ( Getty )

Epstein was already a convicted child molester when he was arrested in 2019: in 2008, he pleaded guilty to a state charge in Florida of procuring a minor for prostitution. Back then, a federal investigation into his crimes resulted in a non-prosecution agreement. Alexander Acosta, who was then the US attorney responsible, said he offered a lenient plea deal because he was told Epstein was an intelligence asset.

As Levine said, We dont know if it was US intelligence or a foreign role as an intelligence asset. If, indeed, Epstein was an intelligence asset at all. By all accounts, he had a grandiose image of himself as an international man of mystery.

The FBI file on Epstein, which dates back to that time, is 300GB. That translates to enough information to fill perhaps 100,000 books by some estimates, Levine says.

We dont know if there has ever been any criminal investigation into Trumps conduct as it relates to Epstein. But, Levine said, that doesnt necessarily mean that there [arent] details about Donald Trump in the file because they were friends for 15 years. He was Epsteins wingman after [Trumps] divorce from Ivana Trump; they hung out a great deal. They were still friends during his marriage to Marla Maples and even up to the time when Trump was courting Melania.

Trump and Epstein were friends before; according to the president, they fell out in the early 2000s. By not allowing full disclosure of the Epstein files, Trump has ignited what Levine said is the most infighting within the Maga movement hes ever seen. Theres a raging inferno in the Maga ranks that Trump has been unable to put out, and were seeing individuals who have worshipped him like a god now speaking out against him. It really is fascinating.

open image in gallery The DOJ have been interviewing Maxwell about her relationship with Epstein ( US District Court for the Southern District of New York )

So what does Maxwell really know? According to journalist Julie Brown, whose investigation into Epstein for the Miami Herald in 2018 was credited with the FBI reopening the sexual abuse case against him: everything.

I think [the DOJ] are trying to get her to say Trump wasnt involved. I think thats the aim of this, Brown says. Theyre not aiming to expose anybody else who was involved. Theyre just aiming to clear up any misconceptions around Trump  So far theres been no evidence he was involved with Epsteins crimes at all, but nevertheless, the idea that he shut the investigation down so solidly without even saying, Were going to look at this a little bit more, I think makes a lot of people wonder

Brown, whose 2021 book Perversion of Justice: The Jeffrey Epstein Story has recently seen a surge in demand, selling out both in shops and online, says its unfortunate the way the Trump administration has handled the Epstein files. For a long time, they promised transparency with this case  And I think there was some hope on the part of both the public and the survivors that they would get some answers. Here was a man who abused hundreds of young girls and women over two decades. And he essentially got away with it.

We dont know why theyre not releasing it. Its a little bit disturbing to be announcing all over television that youre going to release these files and then all of a sudden on the Friday after the Fourth of July holiday, when nobodys really paying attention to the news, to issue this statement that basically says theres nothing to see here and were not going to open the files.

Brown says there are likely a lot of other people involved in Epsteins crimes that havent been brought to justice; so many, she says, who have avoided prosecution.

open image in gallery Picture captured by White House photographer Ralph Alswang on 29 September 1993, after the president made remarks at an event for donors to the White House restoration project ( Bill Clinton Presidential Library )

Epstein was trafficking underage girls for sex over the course of two decades. Because of that, his co-conspirators could number as many as 100, Brown believes. He had so many different people work for him at different times  people who helped arrange his schedule in quote marks, lawyers who helped arrange the visas for models that he would bring from overseas, pilots. He had a huge staff of people. The list goes on and on.

As Barry Levine says, we know from the attorney general in the Virgin Islands who investigated Epsteins operation there that Epstein was using international fixers to bring women in from all different countries, like Russia and elsewhere.

When Palm Beach police conducted a search of Epsteins home there in 2005, they confiscated hundreds of notepads, the contents of some of which have been made public in civil lawsuits.

On those, youll see messages from powerful men who called him, Brown says. Theyll have their name, and then itll say Im at this hotel. Now, thats not enough to say they were doing anything with underage girls.

But I know from talking to some of the attorneys representing these survivors that there were powerful people who would come to Palm Beach and basically call to tell Epstein, Im here. And the unspoken or unwritten message was: you can send somebody to me.

Brown believes that its unlikely Maxwell will ever reveal what is in those files. At her trial, her main line of defence was that it didnt happen  that these girls were all making it up to get money out of a very wealthy man.

The truth is, Brown said, Maxwell knows exactly whats in the Epstein files. She knows everything  And she used her motherly way, her nurturing way, to lure these women into this orbit.
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The cops are on the hunt for a suspect who confronted Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba in her office and destroyed her belongings.

Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote in an X post Thursday afternoon, Last night, an individual attempted to confront one of our U.S. Attorneys  my dear friend @USAttyHabba  destroyed property in her office, and then fled the scene. Thankfully, Alina is ok.

Habba, once President Donald Trumps personal lawyer, now represents the District of New Jersey. She rose to prominence during Trumps New York civil fraud trial and his defamation case in which he was found liable for sexually abusing writer E Jean Carroll.

In late July, when Habbas term was set to expire, New Jerseys federal trial judges named their own nominee to replace the lawyer, but then Bondi stepped in and removed the nominee from office. Bondi had accused politically minded judges of refusing to allow Habba to continue her job. Habba was then permitted to remain New Jerseys top federal prosecutor for another 210 days.

In a Fox News interview Thursday night, Bondi said, We know who did this to Alina, and called a video of the incident chilling.

open image in gallery The cops are on the hunt for a suspect who confronted Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba in her office and destroyed her belongings ( Andrew Harnik/Getty Images )

The New York Times reported, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter, that a man tried to get into Habbas office in Newark with a bat, but security guards wouldnt let him through at first.

He was later allowed to enter the building without the bat, and once on the floor of Habbas office, he started shouting incoherently and smashing belongings, according to the sources. Its unclear what the man said during his alleged tirade.

Bondi told Fox News Sean Hannity Thursday night, This guy had a full-size baseball bat pacing like a caged animal in front of her office. Then ultimately, he gets up to her office without the bat, but manages to tear apart the front office.

Mark my words, he will be in jail, and he will be prosecuted, Bondi said.

The identity of the suspect and the motive remain unknown at this time.

open image in gallery Bondi said the suspect will be 'brought to justice' ( Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images )

The Independent has reached out to the FBI and Justice Department for comment.

Habba said in her own social media post that she will not be intimidated by radical lunatics for doing my job.

Any violence or threats of violence against any federal officer will not be tolerated. Period, Bondi said in her X post from earlier Thursday. This is unfortunately becoming a trend as radicals continue to attack law enforcement agents around the country.

The incident adds to the growing political violence seen in recent years, including the two assassination attempts on Trump during the 2024 election cycle and the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk two months ago.

Democrats have also been targeted. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiros residence was subject to an arson attack in April, and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosis husband, Paul, was attacked with a hammer in the couples San Francisco home in October 2022.
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An American military cemetery in the Netherlands has reportedly removed a pair of display panels discussing the 174 Black soldiers buried at the site.

The Netherlands American Cemetery is the final resting place for 8,301 American soldiers who died fighting in World War II.

In 2023, the American Battle Monuments Commission opened a visitor center at the cemetery and added a pair of informational panels which recognized the Black American troops who were "fighting on two fronts" against both the Nazis in Europe and against segregation back in the U.S.

One of the panels included comments from Jefferson Wiggins, a WWII soldier who helped bury the bodies of slain servicemembers at the site.

On Monday, Bas Albersen, a spokesperson for the governor of Limburg, said the provincial government was going to make an "urgent appeal" asking the commission and the U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands to return the panels to the visitor's center, the Guardian reports.

open image in gallery Information panels that mention the discrimination faced by Black U.S. soldiers displayed at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, Netherlands, have been removed as part of a Trump administration review ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

The displayed panels represented a history that we can never forget and from which we can learn, especially now that differences in the world are ever more magnified, he said. They fought for a freedom that they did not have themselves.

The AMBC told CNN in a statement that the panels were removed after "an internal review of interpretive content" at the site. The commission noted that four other displays that highlight individual Black servicemembers are present at the visitors' center.

The commission's previous secretary, Biden-appointee Charles Djou, provided further context to the removal in a statement to CNN, saying the panels were taken down "via an internal agency review at the prompting of the Trump administration.

The Independent has requested comment from the AMBC and the Department of Defense.

Relatives of the soldiers buried at the site  like Raphael Morris, nephew of WWII soldier Julius Morris  are frustrated by the removal of the plaque.

It upsets me, he told the outlet. Weve got all sorts of museums around the country honoring African Americans. And a lot of the displays have been taken down. I guess I didnt realize that the cemetery there in Margraten could possibly be affected by the same virus thats affecting the United States right now, with this current administration.

There has been a push from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to review and remove images, books, and other information from the military that run afoul of the Trump administration's hostility toward diversity and inclusion initiatives.

In March, the Associated Press obtained access to a database of more than 26,000 images posted by the military online that were flagged for removal under the Trump administration's cultural purge.

Items flagged for removal include a slew of files that contained the word "gay," which included references to the Enola Gay, the bomber used to drop the first nuclear bomb on Hiroshima, Japan in 1945.

open image in gallery This photo obtained from the US Air Force dated August 1945 shows the crew of the B-29 bomber "Enola Gay" including pilot Paul W. Tibbets (C), who named the aircraft after his mother, which dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima during World War II. ( US Air Force )

Several photos of an Army Corps of Engineers dredging project were also flagged for removal because one of the engineers on the site had the last name "Gay."

The U.S. Air Force briefly removed training courses from its curriculum that included videos of the Tuskeegee Airmen  a famed all-Black aerial unit  while complying with the Trump administration's cultural review guidelines. The White House complained that the removal was "malicious compliance" and the Air Force reversed its decision.

Earlier this year, the same Trump administration media review saw books on gender and race removed from the libraries of schools on military bases. A federal judge ordered the Department of War to return the books to five of the libraries ordered to remove them.

In August, President Donald Trump issued a statement on Truth Social complaining about the contents of exhibits at the Smithsonian museums, including items that focused on "how bad Slavery was."

The Smithsonian is OUT OF CONTROL, where everything discussed is how horrible our Country is, how bad Slavery was, and how unaccomplished the downtrodden have been  Nothing about Success, nothing about Brightness, nothing about the Future, Trump wrote.
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Government lawyers, who served the Bush and Obama administrations, have warned that President Donald Trump may not take midterm election losses lying down.

Bob Bauer, who served under former President Barack Obama, and Jack Goldsmith, who worked for President George W. Bush, argued that Trump could dispute next years election results, which will determine whether or not the Republican party maintains control of Congress.

His words and actions strongly suggest he may use the formidable powers of the presidency  and possibly even the armed forces  to resist 2026 electoral results he dislikes, the lawyers wrote in The Economist Wednesday. This prospect must be taken seriously.

Bauer and Goldsmith noted that Trump has a history of questioning the legitimacy of election results, pointing to the 2020 win of President Joe Biden, which Trump has frequently described as stolen and rigged.

And now  less than one year into his second term  Trump seems to be preparing to contest the midterms, which historically have resulted in losses for the presidents party.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump has a history of questioning the legitimacy of election results including President Joe Bidens win in 2020 ( Andrew Harnik/Getty Images )

As evidence, Bauer and Goldsmith pointed to an August Truth Social post from Trump, in which he promised to bring HONESTY to the 2026 Midterm Elections by eliminating mail-in ballots and voting machines.

States, must do what the Federal Governmenttells them, FOR THE GOOD OF OUR COUNTRY Trump added.

Trump has also issued an executive order claiming presidential power to impose voting regulations on states, including by mandating proof of citizenship to vote.

This proposed federal takeover of elections flies in the face of the constitution, which expressly allocates authority over the Times, Places and Manner of congressional elections to the states and to Congress, Bauer and Goldsmith wrote.

So, what could Trump actually do when the midterms roll around? Bauer and Goldsmith argue the president could order many kinds of federal intervention.

As he did in 2020, but with a stronger hand, he could push officials to intervene in states, potentially seizing voting machines, the lawyers wrote. He could use federal agencies to demand that states co-operate with his administrations efforts to detect election fraud. He could intimidate election officials by ordering investigations of claimed irregularities.

open image in gallery Bob Bauer (right) served as White House counsel under Democratic President Barack Obama. He joined Jack Goldsmith, who worked for Republican President George W. Bush, in arguing that Trump could dispute the 2026 midterms ( Getty Images )

But, the lawyers most serious concern is that Trump would invoke the Insurrection Act  which allows the president to suppress unlawful violence  and deploy the military across the country.

Trump could claim his opponents are obstructing election laws and call in troops to enforce those laws in accordance with his wishes, they wrote. Such deployments could occur before, during or after voting begins.

The integrity of the 2026 election could thus, as in 2020, also depend on the fortitude of state and local officials who administer elections.

The lawyers did not address the current redistricting effort taking place in a number of states, including Texas and California, which could dramatically alter the balance of power in Congress.

Other commentators have expressed similar concerns about Trump and the midterms, including Democratic strategist James Carville.

I dont put anything past him  nothing  to try to call the election off, to do anything he can, Carville said on a podcast in July.

A White House spokesperson shot back a fiery retort to Fox Digital.

Trump has taken more action to restore the integrity of our elections on behalf of the American people than any president in modern history, the spokesperson said. According to the Democrats, voter fraud doesnt exist  but clearly they are already searching for copouts preparing to lose big again in the midterms.
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The Catholic Bishops of the United States issued a rare statement Thursday rejecting the harsh immigration policies occurring throughout the nation at President Donald Trumps direction.

For the first time in 12 years, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops invoked a special message to express distress about the mistreatment of immigrants in the country that has been on full display through videos taken of raids, photos of detention centers and anecdotes from those with firsthand experience.

We are disturbed when we see among our people a climate of fear and anxiety around questions of profiling and immigration enforcement, the statement from the Catholic Bishops read. We are saddened by the state of contemporary debate and the vilification of immigrants.

Although the bishops did not name Trump or members of his administration directly, the message was clearly directed at them, as they have embarked on a campaign to deport millions of undocumented immigrants using aggressive and sometimes violent tactics to do so.

We oppose the indiscriminate mass deportation of people. We pray for an end to dehumanizing rhetoric and violence, whether directed at immigrants or at law enforcement. We pray that the Lord may guide the leaders of our nation, and we are grateful for past and present opportunities to dialogue with public and elected officials, the Catholic Bishops said.

open image in gallery The Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a rare statement rejecting aggressive immigration tactics that have stoked fear across communities in the US ( Getty Images )

We as Catholic bishops love our country and pray for its peace and prosperity. For this very reason, we feel compelled now in this environment to raise our voices in defense of God-given human dignity.

The statement reinforces comments made by Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, who called on countries to be more open-minded about accepting immigrants and denounced aggressive actions against them.

Not only is the type of special message rarely issued, but it also unifies the Catholic Bishops of the U.S. with the Pope  a break from a recent friction between the conference and the Vatican over American politics.

The Conference of Catholic Bishops serves as a hierarchy to lead, unify, and promote Catholic activities in the U.S., by advocating for social welfare, education aid, care for immigrants, and more. But at times, the group has opposed the progressive positions taken by former Pope Francis.

The tension is expected to continue under Pope Leo, who is also believed to hold some progressive views  especially since the bishops elected the conservative Archbishop Paul Coakley, of Oklahoma City, to serve as the new president of the Conference of Catholic Bishops.

open image in gallery Archbishop Paul Coakley, who is seen as a conservative, has issued statements in the past calling on leaders to take a more accepting view of immigrants ( AP )

But it seems on the issue of immigration, both sides are currently aligned in rebuking the Trump administrations aggressive push to profile, arrest, detain and deport hundreds of thousands of immigrants.

We are concerned about the conditions in detention centers and the lack of access to pastoral care. We lament that some immigrants in the United States have arbitrarily lost their legal status. We are troubled by threats against the sanctity of houses of worship and the special nature of hospitals and schools. We are grieved when we meet parents who fear being detained when taking their children to school and when we try to console family members who have already been separated from their loved ones, the Conference of Catholic Bishops wrote in their statement.

The bishops acknowledged that nations have a right to regulate their borders to protect immigrants from trafficking or other forms of exploitation, but said safe and legal pathways also serve as an antidote to such risks.
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The former prince, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, fell into disgrace after it was revealed that he kept in contact with Jeffrey Epstein after the financier was convicted of sex crimes in 2008 in a sweetheart deal that largely allowed him to escape judgment for his crimes.

But were Washingtons elite held to those same standards, there would be plenty of disgrace to go around.

On Wednesday, another trove of email chains involving Jeffrey Epstein and his former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, was released by the House Oversight Committees members, which include both Republicans and Democrats. The emails revealed startling insinuations about Donald Trump himself, including one where he wrote to a biographer that Trump knew about the girls. The White House and Trump have strongly denied that the president knew about any illegal activity.

The emails released on Wednesday also centered a second spotlight on Epsteins other associates, however, and some illustrate clearly the wide range of the alleged sex trafficker and convicted pedophiles connections to Americas political establishment, in several cases after his public reputation was already sullied by a conviction for soliciting an underage girl for prostitution.

They included messages to two men who have been key figures in both the pre-Trump and post-Trump D.C. political world: Larry Summers, former secretary of the Treasury under Bill Clinton and director of the National Economic Council under Barack Obama, and Steve Bannon. Once a White House official in Trumps first term and formerly head of Breitbart News, Bannon remains a spiritual leader of the populist MAGA right through his War Room podcast and retains a grip on a large portion of the Trump-aligned voter base.

open image in gallery Steve Bannon emailed with Epstein during Trumps first term, just a year before the billionaire sex trafficker died in federal custody ( Middle East Images/AFP/Getty )

Epsteins reach didnt stop there, of course.

It extended to friendly emails with Michael Wolff, the well-connected D.C. journalist and biographer whose books about Donald Trump have invoked the presidents fury. It extended to Reid Hoffman, a Democratic megadonor and tech CEO who co-founded LinkedIn and most recently supported both Joe Biden and, later, Kamala Harriss 2024 campaigns for the presidency. In 2016, he was chatting with Noam Chomsky, often considered a luminary of American left-leaning anti-corporatist political thought. He also had conversations with Doug Band, a key member of Bill and Hillary Clintons inner circle, though Bands conversations seem to have stopped before Epsteins conviction.

Theres the foreign angle, too: In 2013, Epstein was emailing with Israels then-defence minister, Ehud Barak, according to emails obtained by Drop Site News. The two met in Manhattan, at Epsteins home, one month after Barak left the government, and the news outlet reported that an extensive backchannel existed between Epstein and Baraks personal email account during the latters time in government. Drop Site has reported those emails continued all the way through the mid-2010s, as Epstein attempted to use his influence to broker a meeting between Barak and Vladimir Putin aimed at halting the conflict in Syria.

open image in gallery Steve Bannon, one of Trumps closest advisers and a mainstay of the MAGA right, emailed with Epstein one year before he died ( House Oversight Committee )

Inconsistent as the political leanings of his friends were, there was one thread that remained true throughout: Epsteins attraction to political power. His energetic networking with mid-to-high-profile political figures suggests that the billionaire sex criminal cared most about maintaining a connection to whichever factions were dominant or at least carried importance in Washington.

He emailed with a former Obama White House counsel during the last year of the 44th presidents term. His conversations with Bannon took place in 2018, one year after Bannon was unceremoniously ousted from the White House by John Kelly. Summers, who emailed Epstein his detailed thoughts about Trumps political strength in 2017, was still a leading voice heading into Joe Bidens presidency, which began in 2021.

open image in gallery Larry Summers was on ABCs This Week earlier in 2025 commenting on the GOP reconcilation package. He emailed with Epstein in 2017, 9 years after Epsteins conviction for soliciting an underage girl for sex ( Twitter: ABC This Week )

Apart from Band, who cut contact with Epstein earlier, theres little sign of any enmity towards a man who was credibly accused of running a sex trafficking ring involving girls as young as 12. Bannon, who corresponded with Epstein in 2018, appeared to be aligned with the billionaire as he wrote that together they could build a populist, nationalist conservative coalition that would staves [sic] off Times Up for a decade  a revealing look at their thoughts on a movement aimed at exposing men who used positions of power to cover up sexual crimes and misconduct. Summerss emails to Epstein read as private opinions and off-color thoughts shared only among close friends.

I observed that half of the IQ in the world was possessed by women, wrote Summers in October of 2017, without mentioning that they are more than 51 percent of the population...

DO NOT REPEAT THIS INSIGHT, that email concluded.

In reality, the emails confirm a long-held suspicion for many Americans: In D.C., like Hollywood and the media industry, disgrace often lasts only as long as the publics attention span. Why else would so many powerful men be corresponding with a man accused of heinous crimes that have now enveloped much of the American right and left in a fervor to expose?

The answer may be simply that they never expected that attention to amount to anything serious, and likely thought that the American justice systems penchant for protecting the powerful would rise to the occasion again.
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A newly released batch of Jeffrey Epstein's private emails shared with Congress by the sex offenders estate claimed that Donald Trump knew about the girls.

The previously undisclosed emails, released in recent weeks by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee, date from 2011 to 2019. Republicans on the committee then released thousands of other messages, including emails to and from Epstein and others in his circle, including his attorneys, journalists, author Michael Wolff, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and Deepak Chopra, among many others.

Trump is repeatedly mentioned in messages to and from Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019. There also is correspondence from his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted in 2021 on sex trafficking charges.

In the emails, most of which are littered with misspellings and odd punctuation, Epstein wrote that Trump knew about the girls and spent hours at my house with a victim of sex trafficking.

I know how dirty donald is, Epstein wrote in another message, released in a batch of 20,000 documents from House Republicans.

open image in gallery Trump is repeatedly mentioned in private messages between Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019, and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted in 2021 on sex trafficking charges, among others ( Getty )

Trump did not send or receive any of the emails, and the president has not been accused of any wrongdoing.

The tranche of documents was released before Arizona Democratic Rep. Adelita Grijalva was sworn into office by House Speaker Mike Johnson following weeks of delays. Grijalva provided the 218th  and final  signature on a discharge petition that will force a vote on the release of the so-called Epstein files possessed by the Department of Justice.

April 2, 2011: Epstein tells Maxwell that Trump spent hours at his house

In one message released by House Democrats, Epstein told Maxwell i want you to realize that that dog that hasnt barked is trump[VICTIM] spent hours at my house with him ,, he has never once been mentioned. police chief. etc. im 75% there

I have been thinking about that, Maxwell replied.

January 31, 2019: Epstein tells Wolff that Trump knew about the girls

Another message released by House Democrats reveals Epstein telling Wolff that [VICTIM] maralago [REDACTED] trump said he asked me to resign, never a member ever. . of course he knew about the girls as he asked ghislane to stop

December 16, 2015: Epstein asks Wolff to craft an answer about relationship with Trump

I hear CNN planning to ask Trump tonight about his relationship with you--either on air or in scrum afterwards, Wolff wrote to Epstein, according to a third message released by House Democrats.

if we were to craft an answer for him, what do you think it should be? Epstein replied.

Wolff responded: I think you should let him hang himself. If he says he hasnt been on the plane or to the house, then that gives you a valuable PR and political currency. You can hang him in a way that potentially generates a positive benefit for you, or, if it really looks like he could win, you could save him, generating a debt. Of course, it is possible that, when asked, he'll say Jeffrey is a great guy and has gotten a raw deal and is a victim of political correctness, which is to be outlawed in a Trump regime.

March 6, 2011: Epstein emails The Duke

In an email to The Duke with the address redacted, Epstein writes: you ok? these stories are complete ant utter fantasy.

The message appears to address now-former Prince Andrew, whose relationship to the sex offender was coming under fierce scrutiny in the UK at the time of Epsteins message.

I don't know and have never met Al gore, CLinton was never on the island.. the telephone book is not mine, it was stolen by my houseman that is currently in prison for doing, he said.

December 8, 2015: Epstein offers photos of Trump posing with girls in bikinis

Among several messages with then-New York Times reporter Landon Thomas Jr., who profiled Epstein for New York magazine in 2015, Epstein offered the journalist photos of donald and girls in bikinis in my kitchen.

Yes!!! Thomas wrote back.

Hawaiian Tropic girl Lauren Petrella, Epstein replied.

In another email from their exchange, Epstein said reporters should ask my houseman about donad [sic] almost walking through the door leaving his nose print on the glass as young women were swimming in the pool and he was so focused he walked straight into the door.

open image in gallery ( House Oversight Committee )

July 29, 2016: Epstein claims he lost a $10,000 bet with Trump over Marla Maples pregnancy

During a 2016 conversation with author Deepak Chopra, which took place just months before Trumps first election win, Epstein claimed he waged a $10,000 bet with Trump over whether his ex-wife Marla Maples, who gave birth to Tiffany Trump in 1993.

Chopra emailed Epstein seeking to arrange a FaceTime or Skype call when he asked whether he knew Maples.

Yes, Epstein replied three minutes later.

In fact when she told donald she was pregnant...lost a 10k dollar bet with him, and sent him a truck of baby food in in payment, he added.

January 28-29, 2017: Epstein calls Trump f****** crazy

In a separate series of messages with Thomas Jr., Epstein said Donald is f***ing crazy.

Epstein also suggested Trump may have early dementia in another correspondence with Thomas Jr.

open image in gallery ( House Oversight Committee )

March 24, 2018: Trump is evil beyond belief

In another series of messages with Thomas Jr., Epstein believed Trump feels alone. and is nuts!!!

I told everyone from day one. evil beyond belief. mad, and most thought i was speaking metaphorically, he wrote. its obvious he could crack. stormy daniels. ? lies after lies after lies.

June 24, 2018: Epstein offers to provide insight on Trump to Putin

Epstein offered to meet with Sergey Lavrov, Russias top diplomat, to provide insight into how Trump thinks, emails show.

In one exchange with Norwegian politician Thorbjrn Jagland, Epstein asked him to pass on his message to Vladimir Putin before the two presidents met in Helsinki.

I think you might suggest to Putin, that lavrov, can get insight on talking to me, Epstein wrote, referring to the Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov.

Epstein said he believed Vitaly Churkin, another Russian diplomat, understood Trump after they talked.

it is not complex. he must be seen to get something, Epstein wrote. its that simple.

August 23, 2018: i know how dirty donald is

Among several messages with former Obama-era White House counsel Kathryn Ruemmler, who shared a New York Times op-ed about Trumps impeachment, Epstein laid into the president over the so-called hush money scheme at the center of Michael Cohens case and, later, Trumps own criminal prosecution.

Epstein: I think he makes the argument that it was his, trumps money, making it not illegal. though he also said he only found out afterwards? and the fact according to the indictment was billed as services rendered and grossed up. im sure his acct has flipped anyway. . I did talk in detail to starr yesterday re indictments how trump can make a deal (special counsel). clintons trash can yes starr gave me more. YECHHHH!

It makes no difference whether it was his money, Ruemmler replied. Issue is failure to disclose. Plus, fact that he has lied his ass off about it makes clear that he knew it was illegal.

In response, Epstein wrote: you see , i know how dirty donald is. my guess is that non lawyers ny biz people have no idea. what it means to have your fixer flip

December 20, 2018: Trump is borderline insane

Among several messages with attorney Epstein to Reid Weingarten, Epstein said comparing Trump to a mafia don ... ignores the fact that he has great dangerous power.

He called him borderline insane, which Epstein said is corroberated [sic] by some that are close.
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While its cable news competitors immediately jumped on the bombshell release of emails showing Jeffrey Epstein repeatedly mentioning Donald Trumps name, Fox News was unsurprisingly slow to join the fray.

By the time CNN and MSNBC had mentioned the email exchanges dozens of times on their airwaves on Wednesday morning, the conservative cable giant  which has largely turned a blind eye to the Epstein files uproar in recent months  continued to steer clear of the story.

And when the network finally broached the subject, it was done so vaguely and quickly that Fox News viewers likely had no idea it was related to the blockbuster story that had gripped the rest of the political media universe.

As part of a huge tranche of documents obtained from Epsteins estate, House Oversight Committee Democrats released three emails that showed the late pedophile mentioning the presidents name. Trump, who had a lengthy friendship with Epstein before a falling out in the 2000s, has not been accused of wrongdoing in the Epstein case and has denied any involvement in the deceased financiers crimes.

Roughly three hours after the Democrats released the email exchanges, and after MSNBC and CNN had already devoted nearly an hour apiece to the story, Fox News correspondent Mark Meredith delivered a report centered mainly on the House reconvening after nearly two months to vote to reopen the government.

open image in gallery Fox News correspondent Mark Meredith and anchor Harris Faulkner discuss the new developments today from the House Oversight Committee, without mentioning what those new developments were ( Fox News )

Towards the end of his on-air dispatch, Meredith told anchor Harris Faulkner that we expect more of the Jeffrey Epstein controversy to make its way back up here to Capitol Hill. He then pointed out that Adelita Grijalva would finally be sworn into Congress and is expected to sign on to a discharge petition that could force the Justice Department to release all of the Epstein files.

Its a story that will continue to bubble here on Capitol Hill, including some new developments today from the House Oversight Committee, Meredith added before tossing it back to Faulkner.

Meredith, however, never revealed what those new developments were, and Faulkner didnt follow up with him for any details or provide additional context to her viewers elsewhere in her program.

Meanwhile, in an email exchange with his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell in 2011, Epstein claimed that Trump spent hours at my house with an unnamed victim, adding that the president was one dog that hasnt barked. Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex crimes committed alongside Epstein, replied: Ive been thinking about that.

The emails, according to CNNs Aaron Blake, severely undercut Maxwells attempts to distance the president from her former partner in recent interviews with Trumps Justice Department. She would later be transferred to a minimum-security prison camp and is seeking clemency from Trump.

And sure enough, Maxwell said things that were helpful to the president. She basically said she had no knowledge of any Trump wrongdoing and downplayed his relationship with Epstein, Blake noted. But the new emails call her claims into question.

Republicans would later reveal that the redacted victim who supposedly spent time with Trump was Virginia Giuffre, a prominent Epstein survivor who died by suicide in April. Giuffre, as White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt noted on Wednesday, has never accused Trump of any criminal behavior and wrote that he couldnt have been friendlier towards her.

In a 2015 email, Epstein asked author Michael Wolff for advice on how Trump might handle questions about their past relationship. I think you should let him hang himself, Wolff wrote Epstein. If he says he hasnt been on the plane or to the house, then that gives you a valuable PR and political currency.

And in a 2019 exchange with Wolff, Epstein appeared to reference Trump asking Maxwell to stop recruiting young women from Mar-a-Lago, stating that of course Trump knew about the girls because of Maxwells actions.

open image in gallery Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy made the first explicit on-air mention of the Epstein-Trump emails on Wednesday afternoon ( Fox News )

Later in the afternoon and just ahead of the White House press briefing, Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy finally gave some details about the email releases  with a decidedly pro-Trump spin.

Of course, we think well get the latest White House reaction to what officials are calling selectively leaked emails concerning Jeffrey Epstein and Michael Wolff talking to each other about President Trump before he was the president, Doocy said during the midday news program America Reports. White House officials have listed a ton of different things that discredit Michael Wolff and different ways they think this was selectively released. Expect to hear that off the top.

Since the president essentially ordered his supporters to stop talking about the Epstein saga amid MAGA complaints about the DOJs handling of the case, Fox News has followed Trumps lead.

Trump confidant Sean Hannity, for example, boasted in August that he would not ask either Attorney General Pam Bondi or FBI Director Kash Patel any questions about Epstein in scheduled interviews with the pair. He stayed true to his word.

If I hear that name one more time, my head's going to explode, he declared at the time.
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A former top aide to California Governor Gavin Newsom has been indicted on federal charges, accused of involvement in a scheme to embezzle campaign funds from former federal Health Secretary Xavier Becerra.

Dana Williamson was arrested and was due to make her initial court appearance in Sacramento on Wednesday. It remains unclear whether she has legal representation to comment on her behalf.

The federal indictment names four other co-conspirators, alleging that Williamson was part of a scheme alongside Sean McCluskie, who served as Becerras chief of staff at the time of the alleged misconduct.

Becerra, a former California attorney general appointed health secretary by President Joe Biden, is not implicated in the indictment.

open image in gallery Xavier Becerra, a former California attorney general appointed health secretary by President Joe Biden, is not implicated in the indictment. ( AP Photo/Nathan Ellgren, File )

Prosecutors claim Williamson and McCluskie established a system to divert approximately $225,000 from Becerras inactive campaign account, funneling the money to McCluskie over a period exceeding two years.

According to the indictment, Williamson began helping McCluskie in April 2022 by using her political consulting company to bill Becerras campaign account for purported services. The money would then be sent to McCluskies wife for work supposedly done for Williamson.

When Williamson prepared to join Newsoms office in late 2022, she arranged for Co-Conspirator 2  an unnamed former public official  to take over her role in the scheme.

Williamson was also charged with falsifying business contracts related to Paycheck Protection Program loans her business received during the COVID-19 pandemic. She allegedly asked an associate to create a retroactive contract saying her company provided services to his company so she would be eligible for the loans and loan forgiveness.

The indictment accuses Williamson of filing fraudulent tax forms for her business from 2021 to 2023 claiming more than $1 million in business deductions for personal expenses, including luxury handbags and jewelry; private jet travel; vacations in Mexico; installation of a home HVAC system; and several hundred thousands of dollars paid to various relatives for fake jobs.

McCluskie signed a plea deal Oct. 30, according to court filings, agreeing to plead to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud and to pay $225,000 in restitution to Becerra.

Williamson was Newsoms chief of staff until late 2024.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the governor said: Ms. Williamson no longer serves in this administration. While we are still learning details of the allegations, the Governor expects all public servants to uphold the highest standards of integrity.

Becerra could not immediately be reached for comment.

The investigation began more than three years ago, FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel said in a statement. That means it started under the Biden administration.

Williamson faces 23 charges including conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, bank fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruct justice, subscribing to false tax returns and making false statements, the U.S. Attorneys Office said.

If convicted she could face up to 20 years in prison.

Williamson is a longtime Democratic power player in Sacramento. She was a Cabinet secretary for former Gov. Jerry Brown before opening her own political affairs firm. She was also Becerras campaign manager when he ran for attorney general in 2018, and she later rejoined state government as Newsoms chief of staff.
China improves sci-tech education in primary, middle schools

Xinhua) 09:21, November 13, 2025

BEIJING, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- China has released a set of guidelines to strengthen science and technology education in primary and middle schools, aiming to establish a solid foundation for fostering sci-tech talent and thereby enhancing the country's self-reliance and strength in this field.

By 2030, a science and technology education system for primary and secondary schools is expected to be largely established. Moreover, by 2035, a sci-tech education ecosystem will be fully formed, helping China become a leading country in education, according to the guidelines jointly issued by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and other authorities.

At a press conference about the guidelines on Wednesday, Tian Zuyin, an MOE official in charge of basic education, said the period of primary and middle schools is important for cultivating students' interest in science, innovative consciousness and practical ability.

Thanks to continuous efforts, notable progress has been made in recent years, Tian said. For example, since 2022, science and technology museums across the country have cooperated with more than 14,000 primary and middle schools to host 48,000 immersive and interactive activities.

Strengthening young people's sci-tech and innovation capabilities at an early stage of elementary education is helpful to discover and foster future scientists and engineers, noted Xu Xuejun, vice president of Shanghai-based Tongji University.

To further improve science and technology education, the guidelines put forward six tasks, calling for efforts to reform teaching methods, strengthen interdisciplinary integration, and build a strong force of teachers.

The Party leadership's recommendations for formulating China's 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development stress achieving greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology and boosting China's strength in education, science and technology, and human resources in a well-coordinated manner over the next five years.

Currently, the science and technology education in primary schools still faces challenges including a lack of teaching staff and limited space of practice. "The issuance of the guidelines can help solve these difficulties," said Lu Yongli, principal of a prestigious primary school in Beijing.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Zhong Wenxing)
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Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epsteins sex-trafficking co-conspirator, is reportedly receiving special privileges in prison not extended to her fellow inmates.

While Maxwells inmates at the cushy Texas prison have to get by with two rolls of toilet paper per week, the disgraced British socialite is given as much toilet paper as she needs, according to CNN, which cited sources familiar with her life behind bars.

She was transferred to the low-security federal prison camp in Bryan  commonly referred to as a Club Fed incarceration  in August after complying with Justice Department officials who interviewed her following political and public pressure on the Trump administration.

The scandal has reared its head again this week after the House Oversight Committee dropped more than 20,000 documents, containing emails from Epstein, Maxwell and other associates, which mentioned President Donald Trump. He has not been accused of any wrongdoing.

Its a perk that could prove valuable to Maxwell, according to prison consultant Sam Mangel, who has clients inside the same facility.

open image in gallery Ghislaine Maxwell is given as much toilet paper as she needs, meanwhile, her cellmates have to get by with two rolls per week ( Federal Bureau of Prisons )

You dont understand the value of toilet paper in prison. It is hoarded. It is hidden from staff, Mangel told CNN. You can go without shampoo for a day or two. You cant go without toilet paper.

Bathroom privileges aside, Maxwell has also been allowed to largely keep to herself, the outlet reports. A typical cell at the prison sleeps four, but some of Maxwells cellmates were reportedly moved out at one point.

Her meals are reported to be delivered to her cell, along with her mail, and she is allowed to use the chaplains office in the prisons chapel for visitors, according to CNN.

In a statement to the outlet, the Bureau of Federal Prisons spokesperson said that Maxwell was not receiving special treatment.

BOP has a duty to ensure no inmate is treated any different from the next and that no inmate is subject to acts of violence while in custody, the spokesperson said.

The Independent has contacted the Bureau of Federal Prisons for further comment.

open image in gallery Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence at a cushy federal Texas prison for conspiring with the late convicted pedophile to sexually abuse minors ( Getty Images )

The revelations about Maxwells apparent special treatment in prison follow similar claims made by Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin, who wrote a scathing letter to Trump this week after the convicted sex offender reportedly asked the president to commute her 20-year sentence.

In his letter, Raskin demanded to know how Maxwell was able to make such a request and also alluded to a whistleblower prison officer, who said that Maxwell was receiving concierge-style treatment behind bars.

According to documents provided by the whistleblower, Maxwell has been given a special cordoned off area for visitors to arrive, as well as an assortment of snacks and refreshments for her guests.

Her guests have been allowed to bring computers into the area, something which is usually strictly prohibited, and she has even been given puppies to play with.

This top-flight luxury service has reached such a point of absurdity that one of the top officials at the prison has complained that he is sick of having to be Maxwells b***h, Raskin wrote in the letter.

In an email obtained by NBC News, Maxwell said that she is much, much happier at the Texas facility and that she feels as though she has dropped through Alice in Wonderlands looking glass.
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President Donald Trump signed a bill late on Wednesday to reopen the federal government, ending the longest shutdown in American history. The signing follows a House vote earlier in the day, largely along party lines, to send the measure to the White House.

We will never give in to extortion, Trump said during a signing ceremony in the Oval Office while flanked by his Republican colleagues Wednesday evening. Because thats what it was.

The president accused extremist Democrats of pursuing the shutdown purely for political reasons and causing millions of Americans to suffer impacts such as imperiled food benefits, lost government jobs, and tens of thousands of flight disruptions at major airports.

People were hurt so badly, Trump added. Nobodys ever seen something like this one.

All but two House Republicans voted earlier on Wednesday to reopen the federal government through the end of January, while a majority of Democrats voted against the legislation and only six Democrats voted with the GOP. The bill passed the House with 222 votes overall, four votes more than the 218 needed to move the legislation forward.

open image in gallery Donald Trump on Wednesday signed legislation to end the government shutdown, slamming extremist Democrats for a shutdown that caused flight delays, stopped pay for federal workers, and threatened the food benefits of millions of Americans ( REUTERS )

Throughout the shutdown, the president urged senators to throw out the filibuster, the procedural rule that requires a supermajority of 60 votes to pass most legislation in the upper house.

Trump reiterated that demand Wednesday night as he signed the reopening bill, arguing that eliminating the filibuster guaranteed a shutdown would never happen again.

The government was first shut down on October 1 after Democrats in the Senate voted against a stopgap spending bill, known as a continuing resolution, passed by the House of Representatives in September.

With the government shuttered, Democrats continued to push for an extension of Covid-era enhanced tax credits for the Affordable Care Acts health insurance marketplaces as part of a reopening deal.

But Republicans in the Senate refused and Speaker Mike Johnson kept the House of Representatives out of session.

open image in gallery Thousands of flights were canceled across the country in recent weeks as the government shutdown strained air traffic control staff who were working without pay ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

The Senate passed legislation to reopen the government late Monday evening after eight Democrats joined Republicans in the upper chamber.

The health provisions were not included in todays legislation, though Republicans have said they will hold a vote in December on reinstating the subsidies.

In the meantime, health insurance companies have already sent out notices that health insurance premiums for customers could double or even triple for the 24 million Americans who purchase their insurance on the exchanges put in place in the 2010 law signed by President Barack Obama. During the Covid-19 pandemic, President Joe Biden increased the tax credits.

Some Democrats are concerned the health subsidies will ultimately get abandoned in further spending negotiations.

I'm very concerned that even if the Senate came up with a deal that they could agree with that Speaker Johnson won't bring it to the floor, but we have the American people behind us, and we're going to keep staying in the fight, House Minority Whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts told The Independent.

open image in gallery The shutdown threatened to massively disrupt crucial food aid programs such as SNAP, while at the same time sending thousands of furloughed federal workers to seek emergency assistance from food banks while they were out of work ( Getty )

House Republicans were not entirely happy with Wednesdays legislation either.

Specifically, they objected to a part of the continuing resolution that would allow for Senators to sue the government for up to $500,000 if the government obtained their phone records without their knowledge.

Mike Johnson said the House would have separate legislation to remove the provision.

House Republicans are introducing standalone legislation to repeal this provision that was included by the Senate in the government funding bill, he said on X. We are putting this legislation on the fast track suspension calendar in the House for next week.

open image in gallery Throughout the shutdown, House Speaker Mike Johnson declined to swear in the recently elected Representative Adelita Grijalva (L), Democrat of Arizona, a move Democrats suggested was to prevent her from joining a petition to force a vote on the government releasing its remaining Jeffrey Epstein files ( AFP via Getty Images )

Many Democrats in the House expressed dismay at the fact they would not be able to include provisions to extend the health care tax credits the way they hoped and felt frustrated that eight Democrats in the Senate crossed over to help Republicans.

So for all of those that have decided that some Democrats are built for this moment and some aren't, I understand that it is important to recognize that not every Republican is built the same and not every Democrat is built the same, Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas told The Independent. And so when you go to the polls, it's going to be important to make sure that you have candidates that can meet this moment.

As part of the agreement, Republicans in the Senate agreed to hold a vote on the tax credits next month, but a House vote is not guaranteed.

The shutdown came as the Federal Aviation Administration cut services for flights ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday season, the busiest travel time in the year. As lawmakers worked to reopen the government, the FAA announced earlier Wednesday that the flight cuts would stay at six percent pending further review as more airport staff were returning to work.

The bill to reopen the government effectively ends a Trump administration campaign to battle a court order that had mandated it continue to disburse benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, during the shutdown. Americans will resume getting their full benefits within 24 hours, according to the Department of Agriculture.

Beyond just reopening the government, Wednesdays flurry of activity saw Speaker Johnson swear in Democratic Rep. Adelita Grijalva of Arizona, who won a special election to replace her father in September, but whom Johnson had delayed swearing in.

It's frustrating, and it's a battle that we still have to, we have to win for the American people, for southern Arizona, Grijalva told The Independent.

The frustration came partially because Democrats swept nearly all races during last weeks off-year elections. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who last week won in a landslide race to become governor of New Jersey, criticized the lack of Democratic leadership.

I think what my race showed is that people in New Jersey want to fight, she told The Independent. They want to see somebody who's got their back. And this did not deliver on health care for people. This did not fix SNAP for people. This did not fix the upcoming utility problems and costs coming.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries expressed confidence that Democrats would win despite the dejection.

We heard all about this narrative that Democratic voters were somehow discouraged throughout the balance of this year, and we keep winning election after election after election, and Republicans were just decisively defeated last week all across America, he told The Independent.
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Dozens of workers who were deported back to South Korea after being arrested during an ICE raid on a Hyundai factory in Georgia have returned to the plant after having their visas reissued, according to reports.

Around 30 employees have begun work again at the battery plant, owned by Hyundai and LG Energy, after being picked up in early September in what Homeland Security described as its largest ever raid.

However, the incident, during which over 300 South Korean workers were arrested, triggered outrage from the countrys officials, who expressed concern and regret over the operation. A search warrant seen by The Independent showed that agents were in fact only seeking the arrests of four workers at the facility, who were all Latino.

Around 180 people who had been working in the U.S. on B-1 business visas have now had them restored, lawyers for the workers confirmed to The New York Times.

open image in gallery Hyundai battery plant in Ellabell, Georgia. Dozens of workers who were deported back to South Korea after being arrested during an ICE raid on the factory have now returned to the plant after having their visas reissued ( AFP/Getty )

It comes as around 200 of those detained in the raid prepare to file a class action lawsuit against ICE, which alleges racial discrimination, excessive use of force and even human rights violations during the arrests and detention.

To this day, we still dont know why we were detained like that. There has been no apology or explanation from the authorities, one of the detained workers who spoke to ABC News on condition of anonymity.

He added that agents had confiscated their phones and shackled workers around the wrists, ankles and chest.

Being confined in a space controlled by armed personnel, unable to see what was happening ahead or behind, with no explanations; it was terrifying. I felt utterly powerless," he told the outlet. "We were treated like dangerous fugitives, not engineers."

The Independent has contacted ICE, DHS and the White House for comment over the return of the workers and the pending lawsuit.

open image in gallery The incident, during which over 300 South Korean workers were arrested, triggered outrage from South Korean officials who expressed concern and regret over the operation. A search warrant seen by The Independent showed that agents were in fact only seeking the arrests of four workers at the facility  who were Latino ( AP )

open image in gallery A banner showing a depiction of US President Donald Trump is displayed by a protester at Incheon International Airport in Incheon on September 12, 2025, after the touch down of a specially chartered Korean Air Boeing 747-81 (KE9036) bringing hundreds of South Korean workers back from Atlanta after their detention in a US immigration raid at a Hyundai-LG plant in Ellabell, Georgia ( AFP via Getty Images )

ICE agents arrested a total of 475 people on September 4 at the sprawling Hyundai campus in Ellabell, Georgia  roughly 30 miles west of Savannah  as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into allegations of unlawful employment practices and other serious federal crimes, DHS said at the time.

However, despite the president hosting his South Korean counterpart Lee Jae Myung just a week prior, the Trump administration did not give its key ally any advance notice of the operation, catching Seoul by surprise.

Trump initially defended the raid, but later changed his tune, saying he had told officials to let the workers stay and then in October added that he was very much opposed to the raid.

They had people from South Korea that made batteries all their lives, the president said in a Fox News interview that aired on Tuesday, adding that making batteries was very complicated and very dangerous.
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An old tweet from J.D. Vance about the Epstein scandal has gone viral after new emails, which claimed that Donald Trump knew about the girls, were released by the House Oversight Committee.

Now, social media users have said that the vice presidents comment from December 30, 2021, has aged like milk, as it comes back to haunt him.

What possible interest would the US government have in keeping Epsteins clients secret? Oh Vance tweeted.

The now-vice president did not give a reason for the U.S. Government, the Biden administration, at the time of tweeting, allegedly keeping the Epstein clients secret.

However, he doubled down on his position with another tweet, which urged journalists to investigate the Epstein case.

open image in gallery A tweet from JD Vance suggesting a government coverup of the Epstein case has gone viral, as pressure mounts on Congress to release the files about the case ( Getty )

If youre a journalist and youre not asking questions about this case you should be ashamed of yourself, he raged. What purpose do you even serve? Im sure theres a middle-class teenager somewhere who could use some harassing right now, but maybe try to do your job once in a while.

However, social media users have noted the irony in Vances tweet. Since becoming vice president, Vance has stated that Trump wants full transparency on the issue, despite Trump repeatedly dismissing questions about the Epstein scandal.

Vance has often tried to link the scandal to left-wing politicians and left-wing political leaders, while also insisting that the Trump administration is not shielding anything by not releasing the files.

Now, Democrats and critics of the Trump administration have turned the tables on the vice presidents narrative.

Underneath Vances question about why the U.S. Government would want to keep Epsteins clients secret, Representative Ro Khanna commented, Were about to find out.

Many other social media users commented under Vances post, with some making jokes about the irony of his tweet and others demanding that he give more information on the Epstein case.

Hey man, its not looking so good right now, one wrote.

Enlighten us, as Vice President, JD. What possible interest does the current US government have in keeping Epsteins clients secret? Please explain, another commented.

open image in gallery New emails sent between Michael Wolff and Jeffrey Epstein have been released in which Wolff claimed that Trump knew about the girls ( Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images )

Last night, Washington D.C. was rocked by the release of three emails, written by Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and author Michael Wolff, which mentioned the current president.

"I want you to realize that that dog that hasn't barked is trump.., Epstein wrote in an email to Ghislaine Maxwell. [Victim] spent hours at my house with him".

In another email, Wolff told Epstein that he should let him hang himself, in a reference to an appearance by Trump on CNN during the 2016 election, in which he was likely to be asked about the pedophile.

And a third email, written by Wolff, claimed that Trump knew about the girls.

[Victim] mara lago. Trump said he asked me to resign, never a member ever. Of course, he knew about the girls as he asked Ghislaine to stop, Wolff wrote.

Trump has long denied any wrongdoing in the Epstein case and claimed that he broke off their friendship after the convicted pedophile allegedly stole young women who worked at the Mar-a-Lago beach club.

open image in gallery Trump has slammed the emails as being part of the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax ( AP )

Ghislaine Maxwell, a convicted sex offender and the former girlfriend of Jeffrey Epstein, also said that she had never seen inappropriate conduct by Trump.

In a furious Truth Social post, posted last night, Trump branded the entire scandal as a hoax.

"In other words, the Democrats are using the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax to try and deflect from their massive failures, in particular, their most recent one  THE SHUTDOWN!" he raged.

Congress could be closer than ever to releasing the Epstein files, though, following the release of 20,000 documents by the House Oversight Committee last night. Democratic Representative Adelita Grijalva was sworn in as a member of the House of Representatives, providing a majority for a bloc that has filed a bill that would force the release of the Epstein files.

The bill will be voted on next week, according to House Speaker Mike Johnson.
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Top officials in President Donald Trumps administration met with Rep. Lauren Boebert in the White House Situation Room on Wednesday morning to discuss a vote on releasing documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, according to multiple reports.

Afterwards, the Colorado Republican defended the unusual meeting location, telling NOTUS, I guess Im pretty high profile.

During the meeting, officials from the White House and Justice Department attempted to convince Boebert to remove her name from a discharge petition which sought to force a vote on releasing the Epstein files, according to ABC News.

At the time, the petition had 217 signatures  just one shy of the 218 needed to go into effect. Boebert was one of the few Republicans to sign on to the measure. Later in the day, Rep. Adelita Grijalva, an Arizona Democrat, provided the extra signature after she was finally sworn into office by House Speaker Mike Johnson, following weeks of delays.

Doesnt that show the level of transparency when we are willing to sit down with members of Congress and address their concerns? White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters when asked about the meeting, according to CNN.

She added: Im not going to detail conversations that took place in the Situation Room.

open image in gallery Boebert ultimately kept her name on the discharge petition, which recieved its final signature on Wednesday ( Getty Images )

Separately, Trump phoned Rep. Nancy Mace, one of the other Republicans who signed the petition  but she didnt change her position, writing in a social media post, I will NEVER abandon other survivors.

After the Situation Room sit-down, Boebert wrote on X, I want to thank White House officials for meeting with me today. Together, we remain committed to ensuring transparency for the American people.

She told CNN that Trump made no attempt to pressure her to remove her signature from the discharge petition.

open image in gallery Boebert defended the decision to host the meeting in the Situation Room, telling a reporter, Its just an easy SCIF to get to ( REUTERS )

Later, a reporter asked the three-term congresswoman why the Situation Room was necessary for the meeting. Historically, the secure West Wing room has been used to coordinate matters of national security, such as the 2011 attack on Osama Bin Laden.

Its just an easy SCIF to get to, Boebert told NOTUS afterwards, adding, I guess Im pretty high profile.

A pair of former Biden administration officials disagreed, telling the outlet that hosting the lawmaker in the Situation Room is weird and highly unusual.

But the rarefied room, or the words uttered inside it, ultimately had no effect on Boebert, who kept her name on the discharge petition  a decision that had major consequences.

The rules governing the petition process would mandate a vote by early December, according to Politico. But, Johnson said the House will vote next week.

The Independent has contacted the White House and Boebert for comment.
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On Saturday, a new era in cable news will officially begin. After nearly three decades, MSNBC will shed its original name to become MS NOW, launching an independent newsroom under a new parent company as it fully separates itself from NBC News.

The first program to debut under the new MS NOW banner? The network's weekend morning program appropriately named The Weekend, which is hosted by Pulitzer Prize winner Jonathan Capehart, senior Washington reporter Eugene Daniels, and Washington reporter Jackie Alemany.

It was also The Weekend where Andrew Cuomo seemingly put the final nail in his New York City electoral hopes, declaring to the world that diversity can be a weakness and seemingly mistaking the shows two Black hosts with one another.

I've never seen anything like that in my years at MS, certainly, where an interview just takes off, Capehart told The Independent.

And while the pressure of being the first to broadcast the change is palpable, but the hosts appear to be embracing the moment.

open image in gallery The Weekend will be the first MSNBC program to officially debut the MS NOW name change. ( MS NOW )

Our show is the first MS NOW show that will air when the turn happens, Daniels said in an interview with The Independent. We get to be kind of the first face for the world to see that this is the exact same show that people were watching last weekend. It will be the exact same network. It just has a new name.

The network's rebrand is more than just a name change; it represents a significant structural shift. MS NOW is separating from NBCUniversals news division to stand up a modern, independent newsroom under Versant, which was formed by NBCs parent company Comcast as a spin off of the bulk of its cable networks and digital assets.

For the journalists staying with the left-leaning cable news network, the transition is seen as a commitment to growth and reporting at a time when much of the industry is struggling. While other broadcast networks and legacy media outlets are contracting and slashing newsrooms, MS NOW is hiring.

The most exciting thing is in an industry that is under pressure and under siege, depending on your outlook, this is a network that's growing, right? noted Capehart. I mean, everyone else is contracting. And you know, we're standing up our own newsroom with our own reporters.

Jackie Alemany echoed the sentiment, framing the move as a hopeful counterpoint to the broader media landscape.

It's really exciting to be a part of the evolution, and a part of a positive evolution where we are actually putting resources into real reporting, she declared. On the ground reporting, and to empowering journalists, hiring them, supporting them in myriad ways, whereas a lot of our counterparts are, unfortunately, doing the opposite.

The change to MS NOW  which stands for My Source for News, Opinion and the World  underscores the brands promise of breaking news, opinion journalism, and global coverage. Over the last nine months, the organization has aggressively built out its reporting operation, signing deals with Sky News and AccuWeather, and adding more than three dozen on-air journalists, including many Pulitzer, Emmy and Peabody award-winning reporters.

In fact, MS NOW has already added hundreds of roles to its ranks, a rare "bright spot in journalism" amid widespread industry cutbacks. The hosts view this commitment as a core part of their mission, a feeling encapsulated by Daniels' philosophy.

open image in gallery The rebrand of MS NOW, which was announced earlier this year as the network spins off from NBC, will launch this Saturday ( MS NOW )

You know, I'm a big Beyonce fan, right? One of the things that she always does is she competes with herself, Daniels said. And I think that is something that I'm always thinking about is, like, keep the blinders on, put your nose to the grindstone, do your job, do it to the best of your ability.

The hosts also stressed that the independence from the old corporate structure creates a stronger firewall, protecting their reporting from outside interestsa crucial element for a healthy news organization. In recent weeks, the network found itself in an awkward position, as Comcast was listed as one of the donors to Trumps $300 million ballroom amid backlash over the presidents destruction of the White Houses East Wing.

There's a lot of frustration with journalism right now, Daniels acknowledged. But he reminded that the people actually doing the work, the people making the calls... those people are still doing the job, and what's happening on the corporate level, there is a wall between us and them.

Alemany, a former White House reporter for The Washington Post, affirmed this separation. While the Posts billionaire owner Jeff Bezos notoriously blocked the editorial boards presidential endorsement of Kamala Harris and pushed his papers opinion section towards the right, Alemany noted that shes never had a corporate owner directly interfere with her work.

And if that did happen, I probably would no longer work at that organization. There are no signs of that for us at this moment, she added.

Capehart reinforced the idea that reporting on the organization itself builds credibility, noting that MSNBC anchors and hosts disclosed during their coverage of the East Wing demolition that Comcast was donating to the new ballroom. Capehart recently left the Washington Post after 18 years, saying he felt the opinion sections new direction didnt leave any room for a voice like mine.

You can judge the health of a newsroom, I think, by how well they report about themselves when they're in sticky situations, he said. It shows the audience that we are not afraid of the President and we're not afraid of the parent company. And luckily, you know, we will be on our own.

Ultimately, the editorial direction remains consistent with the strong, reporting-first approach emphasized by network president Rebecca Kutler. Alemany explained: Were also not contorting, which weve seen other organizations do under new management. We are all being asked to be exactly who we are and to continue doing exactly what weve always done.

If there's one, you know, overarching mantra for us it's always been reporting. Lean into your reporting, Capehart insisted, succinctly stating the driving force for the network.

The transition to the new brand comes as much of the cable news landscape has seen decreased viewership following Trumps 2024 victory, and MSNBC has not been immune to that erosion. The network is averaging 1.2 million weekday primetime viewers this year, down 29 percent from 2024, which is likely linked to the channels largely liberal viewers disappointment over a new Trump term.

While it still lags far behind Fox News, which has seen its ratings jump this year amid a new MAGA era, MSNBC is doubling CNN's primetime viewership, which is also down double digits from last year.

open image in gallery The network experienced a surge in ratings during last weeks off-year elections, finishing neck-and-neck with Fox News for the night. ( AP )

The network has also noted that its audience is up 83 percent in primetime and 70 percent in total-day viewers compared to 2015, despite a significant decline in pay-TV households. Digitally, the brand is also a major force, recording 6.7 billion views year to date across TikTok and YouTube.

MS NOW could be launching the rebrand from a position of strength. MSNBC ran neck-and-neck with Fox News for its Tuesday night primetime election coverage, pulling in nearly 3 million viewers and topping the conservative network in the key 25-54 advertising demographic. All while it no longer had the khaki-clad Steve Kornacki  who decided to remain with NBC News  manning the election board.

Ratings for The Weekend, which re-launched with the current slate of hosts in May, have also been up. The show has grown 40 percent in the 25-54 demo since its debut and is up 13 percent this quarter in total viewers compared to last quarter.

The Weekend itself is already proving its ability to generate headlines. Alemany pointed to their recent interview with then-New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo, which she described as probably the most consequential pre-election interview that anyone had done.

The interview gained widespread attention not just for Cuomo declaring that diversity is our strength, but it can also be a weakness, but also for confusing Daniels with Capehart as he was pressed on his observation. The remarks from Cuomo, meanwhile, came just days before his electoral loss to Zohran Mamdani, who had accused the former governor of peddling Islamophobia throughout the race.

The thing that I took from it, and the most interesting was the thing that he was saying while he got us confused, which was like, diversity is a weakness, Daniels recalled the shocking moment. And I think voters watching something like that, with or without the name screw up, you're going to have Democratic voters in New York City have a lot of questions as to how someone can say that.

Daniels noted that Cuomo doubled down when asked to clarify his remarks about diversity, saying that is what voters saw and Cuomo was definitely on his way to the result he got last Tuesday night.

Capehart  who served as a policy advisor to Michael Bloomberg during the billionaires first mayoral campaign in New York City  explained why the comment was so stunning.

The idea that you would want to run as mayor of New York City, where diversity, the gorgeous mosaic from Dinkins, is in the DNA of New York City, he stated. And you go on a show the weekend before the election and say diversity is a weakness  that candidate never wins in New York City, never.

The interviews impact was immediate, with The New York Times reporting on the exchange within an hour of the show's end, perhaps demonstrating The Weekend's journalistic clout as it prepares to lead the network into a new era.
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President Donald Trump invoked the Bible in remarks at the White House Thursday as he reminded the assembled crowd and row of press in front of him that the measure of any society is how it cares for its children.

The Bible tells us that one of the measures of any society is how it cares for vulnerable children and orphans, Trump said. So important and it is so big in the Bible.

Trumps remarks were met instantly with a wave of ridicule on social media and from his chief critics, who in turn reminded the president that his administration spent the last several weeks fighting in court to stop payments to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which prevents millions of children from going hungry.

You literally fought in court to strip families of food assistance, wrote California Governor Gavin Newsom.

Democratic members of the House Homeland Security Committee also told the president that his federal officers pepper sprayed a baby, referring to reports that a 1-year-old girl was hospitalized after agents sprayed her during a recent immigration raid near Chicago.

open image in gallery Donald Trumps invocation of the Bibles commands to care for vulnerable children was met with a wave of online ridicule reminding the president that his administration fought in court for weeks to block SNAP funding ( AFP via Getty Images )

He literally just defunded food for children this week, wrote House Minority Whip Katherine Clark.

Was this the argument he used when he begged the Supreme Court to let him starve them? asked Democratic members of the House Ways and Means Committee.

He tried to withhold funding for SNAP benefits, wrote Democratic Rep. Mary Gary Scanlon. 16 million American children rely on SNAP for food.

Earlier Thursday, the Trump administration abandoned a legal challenge at the Supreme Court after two federal lawsuits urged the federal government to swiftly restart payments to the program, which helps feed millions of Americans  including more than 16 million children, or roughly one quarter of all children in the United States.

The end of the historically long government shutdown Wednesday night effectively ended the weeks-long legal battle over billions of dollars in SNAP funds, which are administered to states to disperse to nearly 42 million people.

Until federal courts intervened, the Trump administration intended to freeze funding for the program altogether during the government shutdown, warning that the well has run dry and no benefits were to be delivered November 1.

Under court orders, the administration agreed to tap into $4.65 billion in contingency funds to cover roughly 65 percent of benefits.

But the USDA then said those partial payments would take anywhere from a few weeks to up to several months for all recipients to start seeing benefits. The agency later ordered states to undo any steps taken to ensure those payments were going to beneficiaries, adding more confusion to a bureaucratic maze that has left millions of low-income families scrambling over the last several weeks.

open image in gallery A boy waiting at a food distribution center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. More than 16 million children rely on the critical food assistance program, which has been at the center of a legal battle to prevent the Trump administration from freezing funds payments during the government shutdown, sparking long lines at food banks across the country ( AP )

Last week, after a federal judge ordered the government to fully fund the program, the administration swiftly appealed to the Supreme Court to block the order.

That appeal was granted. The administration asked the Supreme Court to freeze the order a second time after it expired. That was also granted.

The Supreme Courts freeze of the lower-court order was set to end at midnight Thursday, but the administration dropped its case hours earlier, thanks to a bill that put an end to the government shutdown and fully funds SNAP through the end of the fiscal year, according to a letter to the justices from U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer.

After Trump signed the temporary funding bill Wednesday night, the USDA directed states to take immediate steps to ensure households receive their full November allotments promptly.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins told CNN that most beneficiaries will see assistance by Monday.

Keep in mind, the SNAP program is funded by the federal government, but it is the 50 states and 50 different infrastructures that move that money out, which is what made it so complicated, the patchwork, she said. But its moving. Its coming.
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A newly unveiled legal memo from Donald Trumps Department of Justice claims military personnel involved in a series of lethal strikes against alleged drug runners wont face criminal prosecution in the future.

But conflict experts tell The Independent that the just following orders defense may not stick under other administrations or federal judges who could find the strikes illegal, exposing Pentagon officials and others to criminal liability.

The term for premeditated killing outside of armed conflict is murder, said Brian Finucane, senior adviser with the International Crisis Group, a conflict policy nonprofit.

And the Trump administration has not established that these strikes are taking place in an armed conflict nor that the targets would be lawful under the law of war, he told The Independent.

While its not clear what instructions the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel have provided the administration, the White House appears to be using that guidance as a legal permission slip to commit acts that might otherwise be criminal, according to Finucane.

open image in gallery US military assets have killed at least 75 people in a series of attacks on boats allegedly carrying drugs in the Pacific and Caribbean ( Department of Defense )

In a statement to The Independent, a Justice Department spokesperson said the strikes were ordered consistent with the laws of armed conflict, and as such are lawful orders.

Military personnel are legally obligated to follow lawful orders and, as such, are not subject to prosecution for following lawful orders., the spokesperson said.

As of this publishing, the Trump administration has directed more than a dozen strikes that have killed at least 75 people on vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean that officials claim are shipping drugs into the United States from Latin America.

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In September, the administration told Congress that the United States is formally engaged in an armed conflict with drug cartels that the president has labeled unlawful combatants.

Administration officials have labeled cartels nonstate armed groups whose actions constitute an armed attack against the United States and are now engaged in a noninternational armed conflict  or war with a non-state actor.

Critics, including members of Congress and the United Nations, have argued that the Trump administrations air campaign amounts to illegal extrajudicial killings, and lawmakers and civil rights groups are pressing the administration for any evidence or legal arguments to justify the attacks.

They cant be prosecuted because we say they cant, or its legal because we say it is is obviously not enough of a justification, and we dont have a view into what convoluted lawyering theyre doing  if any  to come to this conclusion, according to Adam Isacson, director for defense oversight at the Washington Office on Latin America research and advocacy group.

Either way, military personnel would only be covered during the current administration; a future [Office of Legal Counsel] or a federal judge could (and in my view, should) find that this practice is illegal, he told The Independent.

open image in gallery Critics argue military personnel could be held accountable for what they have labeled extrajudicial killings as the United States escalates a war on cartels with a surge of military assets into Latin America ( AFP via Getty Images )

I dont see how anyone could be shielded from prosecution if the [Office of Legal Counsel] opinion gets voided in the future, especially if its text doesnt even come up with plausible reasons why the personnel might deserve to be shielded, he said.

This week, the U.K. and Colombia ended regional intelligence sharing with the United States, with Colombian President Gustavo Petro urging that the fight against drugs must be subordinated to the human rights of the Caribbean people.

Asked why he wont seek permission from Congress for his military campaign taking aim at South American regimes he claims are fueling a drug epidemic in the United States, Trump said his government is just going to kill people instead.

I dont think we're going to necessarily ask for a declaration of war. I think were just going to kill people that are bringing drugs into our country, OK? Were going to kill them, Trump said during a White House roundtable with administration officials last month.

Theyre going to be, like, dead, OK, he said.

The worlds largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R Ford, arrived in the Caribbean this week as Trump escalates a war on alleged drug traffickers.

While the U.S. military builds up a presence off the coast of Venezuela, the Trump administration is mulling potential plans for attacking the country, an operation that risks spilling over into a regional war.

Venezuela is not a major cocaine-producing country, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Virtually all coca crops are inside Bolivia, Peru and Colombia, and the Drug Enforcement Administration under Trump did not mention Venezuela in a March report on the state of cocaine trafficking.

Still, the Trump administration has sought to link Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to the drug trade, as well as the gang Tren de Aragua, despite reports from intelligence agencies that have denied ties between the group and Maduros government.
Close White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt doubles down on Democrat hoax claim as new Jeffrey Epstein emails come to light

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President Donald Trump told reporters Friday night he knows nothing about the recently released emails from the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epsteins estate.

Many of the emails mention Trump, who was friends with the disgraced financier decades ago, including one in which Epstein claimed the president knew about the girls.

Also Friday, Attorney General Pam Bondi assigned a prosecutor to lead the investigation into prominent Democrats ties to Epstein after Trump directed her to launch the probe.

I will be asking A.G. Pam Bondi, and the Department of Justice, together with our great patriots at the FBI, to investigate Jeffrey Epsteins involvement and relationship with Bill Clinton, Larry Summers, Reid Hoffman, J.P. Morgan, Chase, and many other people and institutions, to determine what was going on with them, and him, the president wrote on Truth Social.

The president has repeatedly said the Epstein emails were meant to deflect from the end of the government shutdown. Hes also dubbed the controversy on the release of files related to the sex offender a hoax.

As well as Trump, the emails mention Bill Clinton, author Michael Wolff, and others. None of the men has been accused of wrongdoing.
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The House Oversight Committees move to release a tranche of newly unearthed Jeffrey Epstein emails discussing President Donald Trump left the White House to fight the fire when it had expected to be celebrating the end of the government shutdown.

The emails found Epstein calling the future president the dog that hasnt barked in exchanges with his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell and alleging that Trump knew about the girls and had spent hours in Epsteins house in the company of one of his victims, also referring to his Palm Beach neighbor as evil beyond belief and offering pictures of him with girls in bikinis to a journalist.

Trump has not been accused of any wrongdoing and has distanced himself from Epstein, whom he has called a creep and said the pair fell out in the early 2000s, before his conviction.

open image in gallery Prolific pedophile Jeffrey Epstein died in a New York City jail cell in August 2019 but continues to haunt high-profile people from beyond the grave ( New York State Sex Offender Registry/AP )

The sudden release created a problem for conservative media outlets loyal to the president, keen to hail Republicans in the House of Representatives for passing a continuing resolution to fund the federal bureaucracy until the end of January.

On Fox News, Sean Hannitys guest was progressive radio host Stephanie Miller, who wasted no time in declaring: You know the funniest thing about this story  is Trumps all over the Epstein files and I wonder if theyre going to release that after the big bombshell! I didnt see anything about that on Fox News today.

Attempting to sidestep her observation, Hannity tried to ask Miller when she first noticed former president Joe Bidens cognitive decline, urging her not to change the subject and deflect.

Well, I think it was through all of the times that Donald Trump has fallen asleep in public and talked about magnets getting wet in the last few, Miller answered before being interrupted by the host, nevertheless finding space to allege that Trump was suffering from cognitive decline.

open image in gallery Sean Hannity spars with guest Stephanie Miller over the latest Epstein emails release on his Fox News show on Wednesday ( Hannity/Fox News )

Applauded by Hannity for a very good deflection, Miller continued: You know what else is great about Bidens decline is that Trump is all over the Epstein files, and Im wondering if theyre going to release those, are you covering that?

On the same network, Jesse Watters attacked Democrats for what he called a sleazy leak, more bothered by the publication of the emails than their content.

Democrats are in such a free-for-all, all they could do to distract from the Schumer shutdown cover-up is leak Epstein emails, he complained. But they're going to force a vote to release everything the government has on Jeffrey Epstein. House Speaker Mike Johnson has since announced that the House floor vote in question will take place next week.

Democrats redacted a womans name and called her victim, but the victim's dead. Her name is Virginia and she already testified under oath that Trump did nothing wrong. That victim is the late Virginia Giuffre, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who revealed as much at a heated briefing with reporters on Wednesday.

What a sleazy leak, while theyre shutting down the government to give illegal aliens healthcare, Watters continued, pushing a false claim.

open image in gallery Jesse Watters goes to bat for President Donald Trump over the latest twist in the Epstein saga on Wednesday ( Jesse Watters Primetime/Fox News )

Theyre all getting paid. Theyre all allowed to insider trade. These are the kinds of swampy tactics that make us lose all respect for these freaks. They create a crisis so no one gets paid, people cant eat, and no one can fly. And now, theyre like heres a fake Epstein email. What a joke.

On her eponymous SiriusXM show, Megyn Kelly was much more critical of the president, saying of the emails: They dont sound good. If I were a Democrat, I could easily make some hay with these, which they will To me, this is a self-inflicted wound by the Trump administration and it was unnecessary.

Kelly, who has previously blamed Attorney General Pam Bondi for the administrations botched handling of repeated calls to release the Justice Departments files on Epstein, later said of Trump to her guest, NewsNation host Batya Ungar-Sargon: Why didnt he just release these? Just release them! Now hes in a position of being singled out as the only one, allegedly, as opposed to one of a slew of names.

The conspiracy theory site InfoWars offered perhaps the most defiant headline of the day by running a piece by Alex Jones with the headline: Congress Releases Cherry-Picked Emails From Epstein Files To Falsely Incriminate Trump In Sexual Abuse Of Young Girls!

Also firmly on the presidents side was The New York Post, which headlined its frontpage: Dirty Clicks: Laptop Lapdog Media Falls For Another Dem Mud-Slinging Trump Hoax.
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A 12-foot-tall statue of President Donald Trump and pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein holding hands has reappeared once again in Washington D.C., after being torn down by federal authorities twice already.

The statue, which drew national attention after being removed from the National Mall, has popped up yet again, this time outside the Busboys and Poets restaurant in the U Street Corridor.

It comes as the White House has scrambled to deal with the release of tens of thousands of messages from Epsteins estate by lawmakers, including emails between the financier and his partner-in-crime, Ghislaine Maxwell, mentioning the president by name.

Trump did not send or receive any of the emails and has not been accused of any wrongdoing.

Much like Trumps name in an Epstein email dump, we have popped our head out to say an unannounced hello, the group behind the piece, The Secret Handshake, told The Daily Beast Thursday.

open image in gallery A 12-foot-tall statue depicting President Donald Trump and late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein holding hands has reappeared once again in Washington D.C., after being torn down by federal authorities twice already ( John Bowden/ The Independent )

Titled Best Friends Forever, the piece first appeared on September 23 on the Mall, accompanied by a plaque that read: We celebrate the long-lasting bond between President Donald J. Trump and his closest friend, Jeffrey Epstein.

The statue had a permit to remain on the property until September 28, but it was hauled off only one day after it was installed. The Interior Department told The Washington Post that park officials removed the statue because it was not compliant with the permit issued, but did not elaborate further.

Less than a week later, it returned to the Mall after D.C.-based location manager Carol Flaisher applied for another permit on behalf of the artists, according to the outlet.

open image in gallery The statue, which drew national attention after being removed from the National Mall, has popped up yet again, this time outside the Busboys and Poets restaurant in the U Street Corridor Thursday ( John Bowden/ The Independent )

The statue first appeared as the Trump administration faced ongoing calls for greater transparency on the investigation into Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while in custody on charges he trafficked and abused young girls. Epsteins death in custody has been ruled a suicide.

The issue came to a head over the summer after the Trump administration said there would be no further disclosures on the case.

Since then, lawmakers have subpoenaed and released some documents from Epsteins estate. Justice Department officials also released transcripts from a July interview with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epsteins ex-girlfriend, who is serving a 20-year sentence for her role in helping him abuse girls.

open image in gallery The statue of Trump and Epstein, which drew national attention after being removed from the National Mall, has popped up yet again, this time outside a restaurant in the U.S. Capitol ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

open image in gallery A plaque originally place underneath the statue stated it was meant to 'celebrate the long-lasting bond' between Trump and Epstein ( The Secret Handshake )

open image in gallery Organizers behind a 12-foot statue depicting President Donald Trump and the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein holding hands have claimed that they got a new permit for the statue after it was removed, but that it had been revoked again 'without explanation' ( The Secret Handshake )

On Wednesday, the tranche of emails released by the House revealed that Epstein told Maxwell that Trump spent hours at his house with one of the disgraced financiers victims. Another message from Epstein to author Michael Wolff says Trump knew about the girls, suggesting that the president was more aware of the convicted sex offenders history of abuse than previously reported.

Following the release, administration officials have reportedly held private meetings in the White House Situation Room to discuss how to handle the controversy.

Publicly, the president and the White House have tried to downplay the emails, with Trump and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt both calling the latest release a hoax. It's clear this is another Democrat + Mainstream Media hoax, fueled by fake outrage, to distract from the President's wins, Leavitt wrote on X Thursday.
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A federal worker says she believes the Trump administration is retaliating against her over an interview she gave MSNBC last month about the negative impacts the government shutdown would have on millions of Americans who rely on food stamps.

According to documentation reviewed by the Washington Post, Ellen Mei  a furloughed program specialist at the Food and Nutrition Service  is scheduled to be fired by the Agriculture Department once she returns to work following this weeks end to the shutdown. Mei is also the president of the National Treasury Employees Unions Chapter 255, which represents USDA employees in the Northeast.

I want to focus on getting back to work, Mei said in an MSNBC interview on Thursday, discussing the retaliation from the government. Many of my coworkers have returned to work today, and Im still here sitting at home. Instead of helping our state agencies, the SNAP recipients, unwind the effects of the shutdown.

During her Oct. 2 interview with MSNBC anchor Chris Jansing, which took place just after the shutdown began, Mei said she and her coworkers were anxious because were hearing about the [reduction in force] potentials and office closures that are looming over USDA as the impasse dragged on.

Mei added that USDA employees were feeling angry at being treated as political pawns again so that billionaires can have more money, all while the people that we serve are being strained even further and having to worry again about their benefits being at play. After telling Jansing about the uncertainty she and others felt about their job security, Mei also raised the possibility that SNAP funding would soon run out.

USDA employee Ellen Mei says she is being fired because she appeared on MSNBC last month and spoke about the potential cuts to SNAP benefits. ( MSNBC )

We expect that all of the states will be able to issue SNAP benefits for the month of October, but things might get a little dicey if this drags on into November or even past that, she said. And for programs like WIC, its looking a lot more uncertain. Its possible that they have funding for three days, maybe one week.

At the top of the interview, Jansing made a point of noting that Mei was not representing her employer but was instead speaking for herself. However, the very next day, the USDA informed Mei that they had begun the process of terminating her employment, accusing her of discussing USDA funding without prior approval.

In documents reviewed by the Post, the department told Mei that she would be fired 30 days after the government shutdown ended.

Though the administration has accused Mei of sharing government information without permission, the information she discussed at the time was publicly available in media outlets and think-tank guidances, as well as from the USDA itself.

As I was and have been speaking in my personal capacity and in my capacity as union representative, I am not required to ask for permission to speak on behalf of me or my co-workers, she told the Post. Especially speaking on behalf of my co-workers as the union president, that is a right that I am granted by the Federal Labor Management statute. So I do not need to ask for permission.

During her Thursday appearance on MSNBC, Mei said she was honestly really confused when I got that letter because I was replaying everything that I said in my head and trying to remember everything that I had read in preparation of going on the air on October 2nd. She added that she clearly remembered that the New York Times and NPR had already published everything that I had said about SNAP and WIC.

In a memo released on Sept. 30, days before Mei appeared on MSNBC, the USDA noted that SNAP funding would lapse due to the shutdown and that the Office of Management and Budget would have to use reserves to pay out benefits after October if the impasse continued. That note would eventually be scrubbed from OMBs website after the administration argued in court against using other funds to pay for SNAP.

Speaking to the Post, Mei noted that she had made other media appearances over the years while serving as a union leader and working for the USDA, such as multiple interviews with the Boston Globe and the local radio station GBH. Also, in her union leadership role, shes issued public statements to the media, including a memo just two days before the shutdown began that urged lawmakers to reject the budget deal.

Because she appeared on national television for the first time on MSNBC, Mei said she felt the USDA was retaliating against her. In its letter to Mei, the USDA said that although you were not on duty at that time, the actions you took directly relate to your position because they involved programs under your official responsibilities.

Mei said she plans to appear with other unionized federal workers at a news conference on Friday to protest the USDA's decision. She has 20 days from the government's official reopening to appeal her termination.

This is about sounding the alarm to the public that this administration will stop at nothing, co-executive director of the Federal Unionists Network Chris Dols said. They will trot over the services we provide and the rights that we have as federal workers and as Americans.

Mei said Thursday that shes been working with her union lawyer and other legal experts on appealing the dismissal notice, adding that she just wants to get back to work.

I want to get back to doing what my coworkers and I are supposed to be doing. Thats reducing hunger and increasing... food security in a manner that inspires public confidence. And I want to get back to doing that as soon as I can, she told MSNBC anchor Ana Cabrera.

Federal employment lawyer Debra DAgostino also told the Post that Mei has a strong case to contest her firing, saying her comments are protected free speech and also are in line with the Whistleblower Protection Act.

Given that were talking about food for Americans, that is a pretty clean argument about a specific danger to public health, she declared. I think [Mei] has a very clean argument this is a protected disclosure.
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Australias Victoria state on Thursday signed a historic treaty with its Indigenous people in a landmark step towards reconciliation by giving first inhabitants more oversight over decisions concerning them.

The treaty, signed by premier Jacinta Allan in Melbourne, delivers a formal apology to the First Nations people and establishes a permanent representative body to provide advice to the Victorian government

The treaty will take effect on 12 December. "Today marks a new chapter in the story of our state," Ms Allan said at the signing ceremony. Today is a recognition that ancient systems of law and the modern institutions of our democracy can stand side-by-side."

"When people have a real say over the things that impact their lives, their healthcare, housing, education, and the practice of their culture, she added, their outcomes are improved and our state is made fairer.

Australia lagged other colonised countries in reconciling with its Indigenous people, never signing a treaty in two centuries unlike the US, Canada and New Zealand. Its roughly one million Indigenous citizens track well below national averages on most socioeconomic measures.

Mick Gooda, a Yiman and Ghangulu man advocating for the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, said he was "so happy and pleased" with the signing of the treaty. Finally the governments taken notice of what Aboriginal people need to move forward and they have done it, Mr Gooda, former social justice commissioner, told ABC News.

The world hasn't changed that much, and all it means is that Aboriginal people have been recognised in Victoria, and that's a lesson for the rest of Australia.

A national referendum in 2023 to enshrine an Indigenous advisory body in Australias constitution was rejected by 60 per cent of voters as well as all six states, a setback to reconciliation efforts.

Discussions to establish a treaty for Victoria started in 2016 and the treaty bill was passed by the state parliament last month.

The treaty requires a formal apology from the government to Indigenous people for historical injustices. It also creates a body, known as the First Peoples' Assembly, to provide advice to the government on laws and policies related to Indigenous people. The body will not have veto power.

It is not about dwelling in the past, nor laying blame. It is about acknowledging that the past still shapes the present and choosing to do better from here, the treaty read.

The treaty creates a truth-telling body and an accountability panel to ensure the state government upholds its commitments to Indigenous people.

Victoria First Peoples Assembly co-chair Ngarra Murray described the treaty as a turning point in our nations history.

A moment where old wounds can begin to heal and new relationships can be built on truth, justice and mutual respect, she said.

Co-chair Rueben Berg, said that it makes us all a better state, a better country, better people.
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I had to relearn how to interpret all the sounds around me, recalls Sebastien Lascoux. The noises of the street, any sudden sound that makes you jump. A part of me died that night and stayed in the Bataclan.

It has been ten years since gunmen stormed into Paris famed concert hall and opened fire on 1,500 people. Ninety people, including one of Sebastiens friends, died in the assault before police were able to subdue the attackers.

A decade on, Sebastien, 46, is still unable to go to crowded places or enclosed cinemas. Loud noises remind him of gunshots.

"I used to go to a lot of concerts with my friends. The theatre and the cinema were places I loved. But ten years later, I don't know if I'll ever go back."

Sebastiens friend was shot while trying to shield another member of their party from the gunfire as three assailants, armed with Kalashnikov-style assault rifles, gunned down civilians entirely exposed in the open hall.

Some survivors managed to climb over others, or to escape via an emergency exit with the stoic guidance of a security guard. Others hid in offices or toilets without anywhere to run until heavily armed police arrived.

The attacks shook Europe into a frenzy of action. Anxiety fostered an uptick in anti-migrant and Islamophobic sentiment, and terror fears saw the ushering in of cross-border intelligence sharing, police raids and large-scale surveillance.

The scars run deep. Victims have said in the years since that they feel lucky to have survived. Others still bear the trauma but have found solidarity in survivor groups.

open image in gallery Ninety people died in the Bataclan attacks. Survivors have since recounted their lasting trauma from the experience ( Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

The country remains in a state of high alert. Earlier this week, police in France arrested a woman and two accomplices suspected of planning an attack on a bar or concert hall on the eve of the anniversary of the Bataclan massacre.

The assault on the Bataclan was one of several attacks that occurred simultaneously across France on the evening of 13 November, 2015.

Across Paris, gunmen driving around the city in black Seat cars stopped at bars and restaurants and opened fire on diners. Elsewhere, suicide bombers attempted to enter the 80,000 capacity Stade de France stadium with explosive vests, with President Francois Hollande in attendance.

One was stopped by security and blew himself up near an entrance, killing himself and a passer by. A second detonated outside a different entrance, and a third did the same at a fast-food outlet nearby just before 10pm.

Across the city, Parisians sheltered in bars, restaurants and cafes as gunmen fired indiscriminately upon terraces. As the trio of attackers prepared to storm the Bataclan concert hall at the northern end of Boulevard Voltaire, another suicide bomber, identified as Brahim Abdeslam, detonated explosives on the crowded terrace of Le Comptoir Voltaire restaurant to the south, where couples and groups had gathered on a cold Friday night to end the week together.

Incredibly, while several people were injured in the explosion, nobody died.

open image in gallery Doors opened for the Eagles of Death Metal show (pictured) at 9pm. Forty minutes later, gunmen stormed the concert hall ( Marion Ruszniewski/AFP/Getty Images )

The Bataclan was host to the Californian rock group Eagles of Death Metal that night, selling out the 1,500-capacity hall. Doors opened at 9pm, and within 40 minutes the three attackers had entered with Kalashnikov-type assault rifles through the main doors and the back of hall.

They were later identified as Omar Ismail Mostefai, 29, Samy Animour, 28, and Foued Mohamed-Aggad, 23.

It was more than two and a half hours from the first gunshot until the last. A police officer shot one of the gunmen, whose suicide belt detonated. The other two blew themselves up.

Islamic State took responsibility for a string of attacks across the city that night, including at the concert hall. A total of 132 people lost their lives. Some 400 people were hospitalised with injuries.

The aftermath

In the immediate aftermath of the attack, President Hollande declared a state of emergency. Around 10,000 soldiers were deployed to sensitive areas including train stations and places of worship. The military was given an extra 2.2 billion in 2016, in part to help deal with the new threats. Police, meanwhile, carried out thousands of property searches without judicial review. Hundreds of people were considered a threat to national security and required to report several times a day to a police station.

Over time - after other Islamist attacks, including a truck rampage in 2016 in Nice and the 2020 beheading of a schoolteacher - those temporary measures got embedded into law.

open image in gallery Some 400 people were hospitalised after the attacks across France on November 15, 2015 ( Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

When Emmanuel Macron replaced President Hollande, he talked of restoring the freedoms of the French. But his government pushed through a bill allowing prefects to order search and seizure operations and to close down places of worship. In select security zones, people could be subjected to identity checks and searches. Amnesty suggested the state was overreaching.

Anxieties around the terror threat grew in France and abroad. In 2016, 30 per cent of respondents polled by Eurobarometer said terrorism was the second most important issue facing France, after only unemployment, according to CNN . This had risen 17 per cent from 2015. Opinions also hardened on immigration, coming fourth with 13.7 per cent. In Europe, scrutiny fell on the refugee crisis and the policies of then German chancellor Angela Merkel welcoming those fleeing war into Europe.

A survey of 10,000 people from 10 European states published in 2017 showed that an average of 55 per cent of people agreed that all further migration from mainly Muslim countries should be stopped. Twenty per cent disagreed. Chatham House noted that, with the exception of Poland, these countries have either been at the centre of the refugee crisis or experienced terrorist attacks in recent years.

The think tank went on to note that in most of the European countries polled, the radical right was looking to mobilise this angst over Islam in upcoming elections. Europe reeled from the attacks, and fear congealed into indiscriminate hate.

Growing anxiety gave legitimacy to the state expanding its powers. The CEPS think tank assessed at the time that the acceptance of a link between cross-border movements and terrorism had given new life to public policies driving large-scale surveillance and intelligence-driven law enforcement.

The wider continent responded in kind, and European nations began to collaborate more on security and intelligence gathering. France and Belgium began to collaborate through a Taskforce Fraternite, coordinating through Europol. Within a year, information gathered led to 800 intelligence leads and more than 1,600 leads on suspicious financial transactions.

open image in gallery Flowers laid at the Bataclan concert hall in Paris on the 10th anniversary of the attack ( AP )

Reflecting on the legacy of the 2015 attacks, Amnesty France concluded this year that measures intended to be exceptional had become the norm.

France was struck by deadly attacks that left an indelible mark on the nation, it said. Over time, these attacks have further impacted our fundamental rights and freedomgs through the adoption of numerous security laws.

Today, concerns still linger in Europe. The 2015 attacks in Paris were a horrifying assault on French society and freedoms. Fear and anxiety marred the years that followed, informing policy decisions.

But offering a beacon of hope, the Bataclan defiantly reopened in November 2016, a year after the attacks, with a performance from Sting. Today, it continues to host live music.
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As renewed Russian attacks on Ukraines energy infrastructure cause rolling blackouts ahead of winter, a major embezzlement and kickbacks scandal involving the Ukrainian state-owned nuclear power company has put top officials under scrutiny.

Its fast becoming one of the most significant government crises since Russias full-scale invasion began, with media reports implicating a close associate of Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelensky.

Responding to a public backlash, Zelensky called for the dismissal of his justice and energy ministers as the results of the investigation were revealed. They later resigned, the Ukrainian prime minister said.

The countrys anti-corruption watchdogs  the same agencies Zelensky sought to weaken earlier this year  set out the findings of the 15-month investigation, which examined 1,000 hours of wiretaps, resulting in the detention of five people and another seven being suspected of involvement in around $100m (76m) of kickbacks in the energy sector.

Ukrainian officials are scrambling for European funds to manage mounting energy shortages as Moscow targets critical infrastructure and natural gas production to try to sink public morale. Meanwhile, Ukraines outnumbered forces are retreating under relentless assaults in the nearly four-year-old war.

The country has been plagued by corruption since gaining independence, and Zelensky was elected on a mandate to eliminate this kind of activity. Military procurement scandals have already resulted in the removal of defence minister Oleksii Reznikov in 2023, though he was not personally implicated.

But the timing of this episode couldnt be much worse.

Internally, this scandal will be used to undermine unity and stability within the country. Externally, our enemies will use it as an argument to stop aid to Ukraine, says Oleksandr Merezhko, a lawmaker with Zelenskys party. It looks really bad in the eyes of our European and American partners. While Russians destroy our power grid and people have to endure blackouts, someone at the top was stealing money during the war.

One lingering question is how high the corruption goes.

open image in gallery Ukraines energy minister German Galushchenko speaks during a joint press conference with the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Kyiv in February this year ( AFP via Getty )

What investigators found

The National Anti-Corruption Bureau, known as NABU, refrained from identifying the suspects but said they included a businessman, a former adviser to the energy minister, an executive who oversaw physical protection at state energy company Energoatom, and others responsible for money laundering. The investigation was given the codename Operation Midas.

The agency also accused eight people of bribery, abuse of office, and possession of disproportionate assets.

The investigation, during which NABU said more than 70 raids were conducted, was welcomed by Zelensky, who urged officials to cooperate with it. Energoatom says the inquiry didnt disrupt its operations.

NABU released excerpts of tapes in which the network, using code names and secretive language, discussed blackmail and pressuring Energoatom contractors to extract 10%-15% in kickbacks and bribes in exchange for them to do business without facing internal blocks.

The network took advantage of a regulation enforced during martial law prohibiting contractors from claiming debts in court from companies providing essential services, such as Energoatom, which has annual revenues of about $4.7bn. Four others worked to launder the money at a Kyiv office.

The tapes, which have not been independently verified by The Associated Press, say about $1.2m was given to a former deputy prime minister, whom the plotters called Che Guevara, after the revolutionary leader.

Ministers resign

Amid the scandal, Zelensky called for the ouster of Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko, who also was a former energy minister, and current Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk.

Prime minister Yuliia Svyrydenko said they submitted their resignations. She also said the cabinet submitted proposals to apply sanctions against Timur Mindich, a close Zelensky associate, and businessman Alexander Tsukerman.

Among other things, this is a matter of trust, Zelensky said in a video on his Telegram channel.

That has raised questions about what the country's highest officials knew of the scheme, especially with war powers concentrated in the presidents office. Zelensky tried to curtail Ukraines anti-corruption watchdogs last summer but reversed course after widespread protests.

Months later, the watchdogs released their findings.

open image in gallery ( REUTERS )

A Zelensky partner

In the tapes, Mindich, 46, a co-owner of Zelenskys Kvartal 95 media production company, is believed to be speaking under the code name Karlsson. Under Zelensky, Mindich has gained clout and influence in multiple industries, including lucrative domestic drone production.

NABU has investigated his alleged connection with Fire Point, a drone manufacturer that has risen to prominence by securing government contracts. NABU investigated the company over concerns it misled the government on weapons prices.

It looks like Zelensky distanced himself from Mindich long ago and when the scandal broke out, Zelensky didnt start to cover Mindich, Merezkho said. But I dont rule out that someone from his entourage might have succumbed to temptation to make a quick buck.

The AP gained access to the companys factory in August. Its executives deny connections to Mindich.

The key issue here is that the company supposedly affiliated to Mindich is getting government contracts outside the competition, because of the personal relationship to the administration," said Ukrainian investigative journalist Yurii Nikolov, who looked into the businessman's dealings with Fire Point.

After his suspension as justice minister, Halushchenko said in a Facebook post that he would defend himself in court.

I believe that being suspended for the duration of the investigation is a civilized and proper course of action, he said. I will defend myself in the legal domain and prove my position.

Halushchenko, who was energy minister from 2021 until July when he took over as justice minister, has not been formally charged.

The silver lining in this story is that we have effective and truly independent anti-corruption bodies which have shown concrete results, Merezkho said. As it turns out, no one is above the law and no one is immune.

Political analyst Oleh Saakian said the scheme involved millions, tens of millions of dollars, but he also cautioned that its full scale is not known. While not the largest corruption scandal in Ukraines history, he noted it took place during wartime and is connected to key players in the government.

Discussions about delays fortifying energy sites

In the tapes from NABU, two discussions involved delays to building defensive fortifications for energy sites and waiting for a more profitable alternative before shielding them from Russian attacks. The talk mentioned giving contracts to build defensive protections to a known company, and later to increase kickbacks up to 15 per cent.

An AP investigation this year revealed that despite over a year of warnings from Ukrainian officials about vulnerabilities near nuclear sites, the Energy Ministry failed to act quickly.

Particularly at risk were unprotected switchyards outside the perimeter of Ukraines three active nuclear plants  vital for generating power. Lawmakers highlighted this failure in a resolution calling for the removal of Haluschenko as energy minister and criticised him for alleged corruption and poor oversight.

Reactions in Europe

Ukraines partners have poured money into its energy sector and are likely to look with consternation on the scandal.

A spokesperson for German chancellor Friedrich Merz said the government is concerned by the reports of corruption, noting they involve a sector that receives considerable support from Germany.

The spokesperson, Stefan Kornelius, pointed to worries voiced in last weeks report by the European Commission and said Ukraine needs to ensure progress in fighting corruption.

We will now watch developments in this concrete case and, if necessary, consequences will have to be drawn from it, Kornelius said. But at the moment we have confidence in the Ukrainian government that it will ensure this be cleared up, and in the anti-corruption authority that it will lay bare this case and it will be brought to a transparent conclusion.
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Russia is preparing for a big war in Europe as soon as 2029, Volodymyr Zelensky warned in an urgent message to Ukraines allies.

Posting on X, the Ukrainian president called for the international community to double-down on sanctions on the Russian economy and weapons to decrease their capabilities.

He wrote: Given the situation on the battlefield, we dont see Russia wanting to stop.

The problem is that when we look at the Russian military industry, we see that they are increasing their production. In our assessment, they want to continue this war.

We think that if we push hard, the Russians will need a pause. But we have to recognise that they want a big war, they are preparing to be able to start such a big war in 2029 or 2030  in this period  on the European continent.

open image in gallery Volodymyr Zelensky warned Europe that Russia is planning a big war as early as 2029 ( AFP via Getty Images )

Zelensky went on to say: I think that we have to think about how to stop them now in Ukraine. But also to do everything to decrease their capabilities. Not to give them money, which they still can get from energy. And not to give them weapons.

It comes as the EU is looking into how it can source more money for Ukraine, either by seizing frozen Russian assets, raising funds on capital markets, or having some of the 27 EU nations raise the money themselves.

open image in gallery Zelensky says it is time to push hard against Russia ( Ukrainian Presidential Press Service )

Russian president Vladimir Putin "thinks he can outlast us" in the battle over Ukraine's future, nearly four years after Russia's all-out invasion of its neighbor, Ursula von der Leyen said.

"And this is a clear miscalculation," the president of the European Commission said. "Now is therefore the moment to come, with a new impetus, to unlock Putin's cynical attempt to buy time and bring him to the negotiation table."

open image in gallery It has been over four years since Putin launched the war against Ukraine ( AP )

Meanwhile, the Kremlin said on Thursday that Ukraine would have to negotiate with Russia "sooner or later" and claimed that Kyiv's negotiating position would get worse by the day.

Moscow, whose forces are currently trying to take control of the city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine, has accused Ukrainian officials of refusing to engage in peace talks. In response, Kyiv says Moscow's demand that Ukraine cede occupied land as part of a peace deal is unacceptable and tantamount to surrender.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russia remained open to a political and diplomatic settlement and wanted peace.

His comments follow stalled US-led peace efforts, with no progress since Trump and Putin held talks in Alaska in August.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke by phone to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on 20 October to discuss a possible new summit, days after it was announced by Trump following a phone call with Putin.

Trump subsequently said he had cancelled a prospective summit. The US president has backed calls for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine with forces at their present positions.
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A Turkish military plane crashed in Georgia on Tuesday, killing all 20 people on board in the Nato members deadliest military incident for half a decade.

The incident remains shrouded in mystery, with Ankara saying on Wednesday that it is too early to say what caused the crash of the C-130 cargo aircraft in Georgia's Kakheti district - but that an impending crash report is expected to reveal the cause.

The flight had only just departed Azerbaijan for Turkey before it came plummeting down, with footage online showing the plane breaking apart in midair, causing its parts to hurtle towards the ground.

Turkey has now grounded all flights by its fleet of C-130 planes - just weeks after the defence ministry announced a deal with Britain to procure 12 C-130J aircraft that require modernisation work.

The Independent has spoken to experts, including a former C-130 pilot in the RAF, about what could have caused the plane appeared to shatter into pieces so quickly.

open image in gallery Members of emergency services work at the site of the Turkish C-130 military cargo plane crash ( Reuters )

What is the C-130 Hercules and when did it crash?

The C-130 Hercules which crashed in Georgia was a 57-year-old military aircraft which had been flown regularly.

Its last radio call was some 40 minutes before its crash. The black box - containing the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Data Recorder (CVDR) - is now in Ankara for analysis, the defence ministry said.

The flight was carrying a 10-person maintenance team for Turkish F-16s that had earlier taken part in Victory Day celebrations in Azerbaijan, as well as the flight crew and maintenance equipment.

The model, which is used widely by air forces around the world, is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft capable of operating from unprepared runways.

At a briefing in Ankara on Thursday, the defence ministry said the crashed plane was bought from Saudi Arabia in 2012 and started flights in 2022 after undergoing modernisation.

Since then it was regularly used and serviced, the ministry said, with its last maintenance one month ago.

open image in gallery C-130 Hercules military aircraft is widely used by militaries around the world ( Alaska National Guard )

Turkey's 18 C-130 planes have now been grounded, with all flights suspended pending inspections after the incident, the ministry added.

It comes weeks after Russian president Vladimir Putin admitted that his countrys air defences were responsible for shooting down an Azerbaijan Airlines plane that crashed in Kazakhstan 10 months earlier on Christmas Day, killing 38. But there have been no indications so far  or explicit accusations  of Russian involvement.

Incident unfolded rapidly

With the information currently available, indications suggest that something happened to the aircraft very, very rapidly.

This is according to Daniel Gustafsson, a former airline pilot and Aviation Content Specialist at Flightradar24.

We know that they did not have time to call for a May Day. We don't see any indication of them using the transponder to call for an emergency as well. And as it was immediately put in a free fall, it indicates that something happened very, very, very rapidly.

Scott Bateman, a former RAF pilot who flew the C-130 Hercules for 10 years, said that to see an airplane falling in the manner it did is exceptionally rare.

To see an airplane falling as it was, split into three pieces but with the wing still in one piece, is exceptionally rare, said Mr Bateman, who is also the author of the Sunday Times bestseller Hercules: The Story of an RAF Legend.

The front of the aircraft has obviously broken off forward of the wing, yet the back of the aircraft has broken off behind the wing, he added.

Some catastrophic event has happened that has caused that. I wouldn't like to speculate what that is, because I would have no idea. I have never seen anything like this before.

open image in gallery A total of 20 people who were onboard the plane were confirmed dead ( Reuters )

Experts say a mid-air explosion is possible

European security expert Samuel Doveri Vesterbye, who is the director of the European Neighbourhood Council, said that aviation professionals had suggested it was odd that the aircraft split up before hitting the ground.

Dozens of experienced pilots and aircraft engineers have watched the publicly-available-crash-video and explain that its odd that multiple aircraft pieces are falling to the ground, explaining there could have been an in-air-explosion, he wrote in a post on X.

But Mr Bateman cast doubt over suggestions that the plane had exploded mid-air.

If you look at an airplane that explodes, it generally breaks up around where it explodes. It would be very unusual for the back to come off and the front to come off and to leave the middle bit in one piece, he said.

open image in gallery The nature of the crash was described as not normal ( AP )

Mr Gustafsson said it could have exploded mid-air, with the evidence pointing to some form of a catastrophic event taking place.

Something happened for sure, because it's more or less [an] out of the blue spiral dive, he added. This is not normal. Now, something may have broken off and then the rest broke during the fall because of the forces. But what happened is very unclear.

A mid-air explosion is possible, but it is unclear what could have prompted this.

It is definitely not unheard of for a catastrophic mechanical failure to be behind this type of instant crash, he said, adding that things go very fast like this.

Did the aircrafts age play a role?

The C-130 Hercules is the longest military aircraft in continuous production in the world, Mr Bateman said, with more than 70 years of service.

Some analysts have said Turkey's fleet of Lockheed Martin C-130s is old and needs renewing, despite the aircraft's general reliability, and that the likely cause of the crash was a technical failure, Reuters reported.

Airplanes don't age in the same way as perhaps cars would, Mr Bateman explained, adding that they constantly get upgraded to bring them from to an acceptable standard for flying around today.

This is a very forgiving aircraft. It's a very simple aircraft. It's known non-combat record is exceptionally safe.

Mr Gustafsson said the age of an aircraft in itself is not a good indication as to why an aircraft crashes.

If you hear 57 years old in aircraft, you think immediately that this is really old. And yes, it is really old, but they're usually very well maintained. And the Hercules itself, there are plenty of aircrafts flying worldwide that are around this age, so it's not unheard of or uncommon, he said.
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A British couple detained in Iran have gone on hunger strike in a cry out for help after feeling let down by the UK government, their son has said.

Lindsay and Craig Foreman, from East Sussex, were taken into custody by Iranian authorities in January while on a motorcycle tour around the world.

The couple, both in their 50s, were later charged with espionage. They deny the allegations and are being held in Tehrans notorious Evin Prison.

Ms Foreman told her son, Joe Bennett, that not eating was the only power shes got in a seven-and-a-half minute call the two were allowed on Tuesday, as he appealed to the UK to do more to secure their release. He has only been able to speak to his mother three times since her arrest.

open image in gallery Lindsay and Craig Foreman have been detained in Iran since January ( Family handout )

He told the BBC he does not know when their hunger strike began, adding: "She said she felt lost and let down by the government here as well as the authorities in Iran.

"Positivity only lasts so long against reality," he said. "It's just a cry out for help."

The couple appeared in court in Iran last month, but Ms Foreman told her son that the appearance had not gone well.

They had been told to expect a verdict rather than another appearance.

The detained couples family met foreign secretary Yvette Cooper in October, but Mr Bennett described the approach of the UK government as deeply concerning.

He said at the time: Right now, it feels like each side is waiting for the other to move first.

The British are waiting for a sentence before acting. The Iranians are deciding what sentence to hand down.

And in the middle of this diplomatic stalemate are my parents, innocent people caught between two systems moving too slowly.

open image in gallery Lindsay and Craig Foreman were on a motorcyle tour around the world when they were detained ( Family handout )

The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) warns all British and British-Iranian nationals not to travel to Iran because of a significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention.

A spokesperson for the FCDO said: We are deeply concerned by reports that Craig and Lindsay Foreman have been charged with espionage in Iran. We continue to raise this case directly with the Iranian authorities.

The FCDO are providing them with consular assistance and remain in close contact with their family members.

The Foremans family say the couple entered Iran with valid visas, a licensed guide and a pre-approved itinerary.

After visiting the cities of Tabriz, Tehran and Isfahan while sharing their journey on social media, they had been due to arrive in Kerman but failed to check into their hotel.

Ms Foreman was said to be carrying out a research project as part of the journey, asking people what constitutes a good life. She was due to present her findings at a conference on positive psychology in Brisbane in July, the BBC reported.
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Israeli settlers have set fire to a mosque in the West Bank a day after their president condemned a shocking and serious attack against Palestinians.

A wall and some of the carpeting at the mosque, in the Palestinian town of Deir Istiya, was torched, along with at least three copies of the Quaran.

Settlers had also left graffitied messages, including we will revenge again and keep on condemning, on one side of the mosque.

The writing, in Hebrew, appeared to reference Major General Avi Bluth, who on Wednesday denounced what he called an unacceptable situation in the West Bank.

The reality in which anarchist fringe youth act violently against innocent civilians and against security forces is unacceptable and is extremely serious, Mr Bluth, the chief of the militarys Central Command, said.

It must be dealt with firmly.

open image in gallery Israels President Isaac Herzog has condemned the attacks in the West Bank ( AP )

His remarks came after dozens of masked Israeli settlers attacked the Palestinian villages of Beit Lid and Deir Sharaf in the West Bank on Tuesday, setting fire to vehicles and other property before clashing with Israeli soldiers.

It was the latest in a string of attacks that have provoked expressions of concern from top officials, military leaders and the Trump administration.

Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not commented on the surge in violence.

Soldiers from Israel's military, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment, were present at the mosque on Thursday.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there was some concern about events in the West Bank spilling over and creating an effect that could undermine what were doing in Gaza.

open image in gallery Palestinians and journalists survey the damage to an industrial zone in the West Bank after a settler attack ( AP )

Young settlers have launched hundreds of attacks 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.

October was the month with the highest-ever number of recorded settler attacks in the West Bank since the UNs humanitarian office began keeping track in 2006, says the office.

President Isaac Herzog described the attacks as shocking and serious and said the violence committed by a handful of perpetrators crosses a red line.

He added in a social media post that all state authorities must act decisively to eradicate the phenomenon.

The Israeli armys chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, echoed Herzogs condemnations of the West Bank violence, saying the military will not tolerate the phenomena of a minority of criminals who tarnish a law-abiding public.

He said the army is committed to stopping violent acts committed by settlers, which he described as contrary to Israeli values and that divert the attention of our forces from fulfilling their mission.
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Israel's president on Wednesday condemned what he called a shocking and serious attack by Jewish settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank, calling for an end to a growing wave of settler violence in the occupied territory.

President Isaac Herzog's comments added a powerful voice to what has been muted criticism by top Israeli officials of the settler violence. Herzog's position, while largely ceremonial, is meant to serve as a moral compass and unifying force for the country.

Herzog said the violence committed by a handful of perpetrators crosses a red line," adding in a social media post that all state authorities must act decisively to eradicate the phenomenon and to strengthen the IDF fighters and security forces who protect us day and night."

His remarks came after dozens of masked Israeli settlers attacked the Palestinian villages of Beit Lid and Deir Sharaf in the West Bank on Tuesday, setting fire to vehicles and other property before clashing with Israeli soldiers.

A top Israeli commander echoed Herzog, saying that such violence by an anarchist fringe from within the Israeli settler community is unacceptable and will be dealt with firmly."

Central Command Chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth denounced what he called an unacceptable situation that forces significant resources to be diverted from bolstering security and conducting counterterrorism operations."

The reality in which anarchist fringe youth act violently against innocent civilians and against security forces is unacceptable and is extremely serious," Bluth said. It must be dealt with firmly.

open image in gallery Palestinians and journalists survey damage in an industrial zone following an attack by Israeli settlers the previous day in the West Bank village of Beit Lid, near Tulkarm, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Tuesday's violence in the West Bank was the latest in a series of attacks by young settlers that have 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.

The UN 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 far-right proponents of the settler movement, including finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, who formulates settlement policy, and Cabinet minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who oversees the nation's police force.

In Tuesdays incident, the army said soldiers responded to settler attacks in two Palestinian villages. It said the settlers fled to a nearby industrial zone and attacked soldiers and damaged a military vehicle. Israeli police said four Israelis were arrested in what it described as extremist violence, while the Israeli military said four Palestinians were wounded.

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.

open image in gallery Palestinians survey damage in an industrial zone following an attack by Israeli settlers the previous day in the West Bank village of Beit Lid, near Tulkarm, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

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.

In Beit Lid, residents said they don't want their lives ruled by fear of settler violence. Mahmoud Edeis said the violence is undermining his family's right to live in safety.

To feel that my children are safe, that when I go to sleep I can say, Okay, theres nothing (to worry about), he said. "But at any moment something could happen  This cant go on. It cant be that we keep living our whole lives in a state of fear and danger.

Amjad Amer Al-Juneidi, who works at a dairy factory that was attacked Tuesday, said the fully organized attack saw one person carrying gasoline-filled cans, another prying open the factory door with a crowbar and a third individual igniting the fuel.

Their entry into the company wasnt random. It was organised, and they had a fully organized tactic for how to carry out the burning," Al-Juneidi said.
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Romance and creature comforts merge at this ultra-luxury, all-inclusive boutique hotel in the turquoise shores of Mexicos Riviera Maya

Location

Set on the shores of the Riviera Maya, La Casa de la Playa is located within Xcaret, a complex that houses several of Grupo Xcarets attractions and hotels. Its neighbors are the groups two sprawling, all-inclusive resorts (the family-friendly Hotel Xcaret Mexico and the adults-only Hotel Xcaret Arte), as well as three of the groups seven theme parks. Parque Xcaret invites guests to immerse themselves in the richness of Mexican nature and culture, Xplor offers adrenaline-fuelled experiences like ziplining, and Xenses provides an eclectic selection of activities to stimulate the senses. The location proves convenient, as La Casa de la Playas All-Fun Inclusive rate means guests have access to all of the groups theme parks, as well as the dining outlets at Hotel Xcaret Arte and Hotel Xcaret Mexico.

With a tranquil private beach and view of Cozumel on the horizon, La Casa de la Playa offers an idyllic position in the Mexican Caribbean, offering inspiring postcards of clear waters and blue skies. About an hours drive away from Cancun International Airport, it is easily accessible for domestic and international travellers alike.

Read more: The best hotels in Mexico for design, beaches and all-out luxury

The vibe

open image in gallery Each suite boasts a private terrace with a plunge pool ( La Casa de la Playa )

The Riviera Maya can be many things: a family-friendly favourite, a party hotspot and a wellness escape. At La Casa de la Playa, its a natural sanctuary, perfect for romantic getaways and hedonistic enjoyment. Designed by Mexican architect David Quintana, the hotel is sleek and modern, yet lined with whimsical details that celebrate Mexican popular art  from fish-shaped pottery in the lobby to surreal creatures greeting you from the shelves of restaurant Tuch de Luna .

With 63 large and well-distributed suites, the hotel feels spacious and intimate at the same time, granting guests  mostly couples  the perfect balance between privacy and interaction. Its ultra-exclusive concept means no outside guests can access any of the restaurants or public areas. Theres a focus on ensuring guests feel right at home throughout their stay, honouring the hotel's name: the beach house.

Service

Warm, attentive service is a staple at La Casa de la Playa. As soon as I checked in, I was introduced to one of two assigned butlers: one for the daytime shift, the other for the evening. I was invited to join a WhatsApp group with them  a quick, easy way to chat about everything from dinner reservations to airport pick-up times.

The friendly approach continued throughout my stay. From pool servers to spa attendants and housekeeping staff smiling in the hallways, the team at La Casa de la Playa seem intent on making you feel welcome and content.

Bed and bath

Its safe to say that La Casa de la Playas suites are among the most impressive Ive seen. High ceilings and full-size windows grant a feeling of spacious serenity, placing you in front of the Caribbeans stunning blue. Each suite boasts a private terrace with a plunge pool, as well as a large outdoor hot tub that is best enjoyed at sunset. Cloud-like king-size beds guarantee restful nights, with electric outlets and room controls placed conveniently on the sides  theres no need to get up to adjust the air conditioning, just close the drapes, or turn off the light.

open image in gallery Youll find king-size beds in La Casa de la Playa suites ( La Casa de la Playa )

Mexican art is present across the room, with eye-catching art pieces like a Wixarika bead-covered winged heart sculpture and brightly colored textiles from Yucatan bringing the space to life. The piece de resistance: a water tank inhabited by tiny jellyfish. These creatures are not just here for aesthetic reasons  they are part of Xcarets conservation programme and are sustained by an impressive pipe system that connects each tank to the Jellyfish Lab.

The well-stocked minibar offers more than your basic beers and sodas. Snack your way through delightful Mexican treats created specifically for Xcaret, including addictive corn churritos and sweets. Single-use plastics are avoided with chic Casa de la Playa stainless steel water bottles and refillable glass bottles. Bath amenities also speak of the regions bounty and the resorts commitment to sustainability  Im still dreaming of the honey shampoo and mint conditioner.

Read more: The best hotels in Cancun, from family getaways to wellness escapes

Food and drink

Eating and drinking are a great part of the fun youll have at La Casa de la Playa. A lineup of star chefs and sommeliers brings talent and creativity to every bite. Renowned Mexican chef Martha Ortiz is in charge of the charming Tuch de Luna, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner  dont miss the fluffy pastries in the morning. Legendary Spanish chef Andoni Luis Aduriz designed the XAL restaurant, as his first foray outside Spain and a tribute to the Manila galleon, which sailed the first commercial route between the Philippines, Spain, and Mexico. The whimsical tasting menu honours the three countries culinary cultures with imaginative and tasty bites that, nonetheless, tend to be on the smaller side.

The third restaurant (and my personal favourite) is actually a double concept: Lumbre, showcasing the bold, fire-kissed flavors of Northern Mexico, and Centli, featuring a corn-based menu inspired by the countrys southeastern region. Helmed by the Monterrey-born Rivera-Rio brothers, the concept changes each night and delivers consistently excellent results. The airy lobby bar, open 24/7, is ideal for a tequila nightcap or a sunset wine tasting.

open image in gallery The Tuch de Luna restaurant opens for three meals a day ( La Casa de la Playa )

Other tasty experiences come in the form of La Bodega, a 24-hour agave bar, stocked with various tequila and mezcal bottles you are welcome to pour for yourself, as well as Chocolateria, an enchanting space dedicated to all things cacao  from refined bonbons to Mexican childhood favourites. Cava, the wine cellar, is curated by top Mexican sommelier Sandra Fernandez and boasts a selection of Mexican and European labels that cater to every taste. Grab your favourite and enjoy it in the comfort of your terrace. If you get hungry during your private wine tasting (or at any other moment of the day), the varied in-room dining menu offers beautifully presented favourites like tortilla soup and shrimp caesar salad, plus a selection by chef Martha Ortiz.

Read more: Why you shouldnt miss this colourful alternative to Cancun off your Mexico itinerary

Facilities

Theres no lack of amenities or excuses to enjoy at La Casa de la Playa. The hotels main public area  and most Instagrammable spot  stands around its infinity pool, a gorgeous rectangular body of water that seems to float over the Caribbean. Surrounded by comfortable lounge beds and complemented by a swim-up bar, its as welcoming as the tranquil private beach below it  and equipped with lounge chairs and umbrellas for a slow day under the sun. Should you need some indoor time to read, relax, or perhaps take a call, head to the colourful, comfy library, lined with art books and boasting a small fridge stocked with cold drinks.

open image in gallery Guests can access a tranquil private beach ( La Casa de la Playa )

Staying active feels easy at the spacious and well-equipped gym, featuring Technogym cardio machines, Peloton bikes, weights, and yoga mats. Head to the pleasant outdoor area to unwind and hydrate after your workout. If total relaxation is what youre looking for, dont skip a visit to Muluk Spa. Make time for one of the indulgent massages and treatments  at an additional cost  or book an hour at the Hydrotherapy Circuit, featuring hot and cold features and ending in a delightful jet pool.

As part of your All-Fun-Inclusive rate, you can access Xcarets seven theme parks, all bookable before or during your trip. Should you want a chic souvenir from your stay, head to Cuarto de las Maravillas, a charming boutique with a selection of modern Mexican clothes, accessories, and home goods curated by fashion designer Carla Fernandez.

Disability access

The resort features elevators to access every level, as well as ramps that connect its different areas.

Pet Policy

Yes, pets are welcome at the resort, as long as they weigh less than 5kg (except for service pets). You will be charged $150 per pet.

Check in/check out

Check in is at 3pm; check out is at 12pm.

Family friendly?

No. La Casa de la Playa is an adults-only resort.

At a glance

open image in gallery La Casa de la Playa has an infinity pool and swim-up bar ( La Casa de la Playa )

Best thing: The all-inclusive rate allows for a truly luxurious and stress-free getaway.

Worst thing: In spite of all its environmental efforts, I was disappointed not to have the option to reuse my towels.

Right for: Couples looking for a romantic getaway.

Not right for: Large groups.

Instagram from: The iconic infinity pool that hovers over the sea.

Address: Carretera Chetumal-Puerto Juarez Km. 282 L23-2 Colonia Rancho Xcaret 77710, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico

Phone: +52 800 009 7567

Website: Lacasadelaplaya.com

Read more: The best Mexico holiday destinations  and when to travel to each one
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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has announced that the drastic reduction in flights imposed during the government shutdown will remain in place until airports return to normal staffing levels.

The Federal Aviation Administration enforced a 6 percent reduction in the total number of flights entering, exiting, and travelling within the United States due to a shortage of air traffic controllers.

The stringent new rules were brought into effect last week and were expected to force cuts to rise to 8 percent, before rising again to a ten percent reduction.

There has been a rapid decline in controller callouts, with only eleven staffing triggers on Tuesday, November 11, and four staffing triggers today from a high of 81 on November 8, the statement read. Such strong staffing levels suggest a further ramp-up in-flight reductions are not necessary to keep the traveling public safe.

As the federal government reopens and controllers receive their backpay, the FAA will continue to monitor staffing levels and review key trend lines.

open image in gallery The 6 percent cut in flights across America will remain in place until staffing levels at airports returns to normal, Sean Duffy says ( Eric Lee/Getty Images )

The data is going to guide what we do because the safety of the American people comes first, Duffy said in the FAA statement. If the FAA safety team determines the trend lines are moving in the right direction, well put forward a path to resume normal operations.

FAA administrator Bryan Bedford added that the federal agency will continue to monitor system performance hour by hour.

However, the FAA has not confirmed when the 6 percent cut will be removed entirely, which has raised concerns that delays could cause carnage over the Thanksgiving holiday.

The 6 percent cut will also remain in effect at 40 high-impact airports, which include Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, Reagan Washington National, New York John F. Kennedy International, and Los Angeles International.

Speaking on NewsMaxs Finnerty show, Duffy played down those worries, though, stating, its going to take us probably up to a week to get back to normal, which is right before significant Thanksgiving travel.

Thousands of flights have been delayed or cancelled since the government closure began last month. According to FlightAware, 2,769 flights were delayed yesterday, and 910 were cancelled entirely.

open image in gallery The FAA has yet to give a deadline as to when flights will completely return to normal ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Sunday was the worst day for air travel during the shutdown, with 11,000 flights being delayed and nearly 3,000 cancellations taking place, according to FlightAwares data. Just a day before that, 1,566 flights were cancelled, and a staggering 7,545 flights were delayed.

Many of the delays have been caused by a shortage of air traffic controllers, who have been forced to work without pay throughout the month-long government shutdown. Many of them have had to take second jobs to make ends meet.

Trump has suggested giving air traffic controllers, who worked throughout the shutdown, a $10,000 bonus, but has admitted that he has no idea where this money would come from.

Speaking on The Ingraham Angle, the president said that We should not have had people leaving their jobs.

The ones that stayed, of which there were a lot of them, Im sending them a $10,000 bonus he added.

Ingraham interjected by asking where the money would come from.

I dont know. Ill get it from someplace... I always get the money from someplace regardless, it doesnt matter, Trump said, after chuckling. I do a lot of bonuses for people because its really something that Its like the American way, when you think about it.

The Independent has contacted the FAA for further comment.
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A rescue mission was launched for around 50 Tui cruise passengers on an excursion after a catamaran capsized in the Dominican Republic.

Passengers from the Tui cruise Mein Schiff 1 scrambled to safety on nearby boats in the Bay of Samana after the catamaran-type vessel named Boca de Yuma sank on Sunday, 9 November.

The 40-foot-long vessel reportedly had a malfunction inside the hull after it collided with an object in the water.

An emergency call from the vessel was received by the Dominican Republic navy, which responded to the scene.

The Captaincy of the Port of Samana reported that they are investigating the causes of the incident, the navy said in a statement.

The Dominican Republic navy collaborates with local authorities to determine responsibilities and take preventive measures to avoid similar incidents in the future.

A spokesperson for Tui Cruises said there were around 50 guests from the Mein Schiff 1 onboard the catamaran at the time.

After colliding with an object in the water, the captain of the vessel immediately contacted other boats in the vicinity and requested assistance.

open image in gallery Authorities are now looking into the cause of the capsizing ( Dominican Navy )

It added that all guests are safe and were returned to Mein Schiff 1 immediately after the rescue, thanking the crew members involved for their help.

The guests affected were immediately offered pastoral care and compensation. All of them decided to continue the trip, the spokesperson said.

We are continuing to investigate the incident together with the provider and the relevant authorities. The safety and wellbeing of our guests is our top priority.

The incident occurred only days into Mein Schiff 1s 14-day round trip of Central America, which set sail from La Romana in the Dominican Republic on 7 November.

After sailing to Jamaica, Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia, the cruise will dock back in La Romana on 21 November.

Read more: Cruise passengers sue Carnival over alleged bed bug infestation
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked if Donald Trump thinks Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor should testify to Congress on the Jeffrey Epstein scandal during a briefing on Wednesday (12 November).

Members of Congress have written to Andrew seeking an interview with him in connection with his long-standing friendship with the paedophile financier.

The committee on oversight and government reform, which is investigating Epstein's sex trafficking operations and the US governments handling of the case, said it had identified financial records containing notations such as massage for Andrew that raise serious questions.

In its letter to Andrew, it cited well-documented allegations involving the former prince and accuser Virginia Giuffre, and a recently revealed 2011 email exchange in which Andrew told him, we are in this together. Andrew has continuously denied any wrongdoing, and the request is not a subpoena.
International property firm Hammerson has appointed Claire Macken as Country Director  Ireland to head up its Irish business and to lead operations across the portfolio which includes Dundrum Town Centre, Swords Pavilions and the Ilac Centre.

Hammersons Irish assets also include two of Irelands long-awaited major development projects: Dublin Central at the Carlton site on OConnell St and the development of several hundred apartments at the old Dundrum shopping centre.
This Working Life: Design can be an amazing platform for Irish creativity. I had to go for it

Tom Watts, the head of design at the Design and Crafts Council, tells Mary McCarthy how he went from working in a record shop to high finance to content creation, before settling into his current role

Tom Watts of DCCI. Photo: Fintan Clarke

In conversation with Mary McCarthy Thu 13 Nov 2025 at 06:30

My role is to come up with ideas to promote Irish design and Irish designers here and internationally.
PTSB buyer will have to significantly cut headcount and branches, new analysis warns

Acquirer unlikely to pay more than 1.1bn, according to Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe. Photo: Collins

Donal O'Donovan Thu 13 Nov 2025 at 13:28

A sale of PTSB is unlikely to command a premium and may value the majority state-owned bank at less than the share price before it put itself on the market last month, according to analysts at Royal Bank of Canada (RBC).
He built Ardagh into huge international packaging group

Packaging giant Ardagh has sealed a major restructuring deal that sees founder Paul Coulson step away wfrom the business with an estimated $100m (86m) payoff.

The deal has resulted in $4.3bn of Ardaghs debt being written off and converted into equity. A further $1.5bn in fresh capital is also being provided for the business via the issue of new debt.
From Croke Park to Seattle tech giant, north-side Dubliner Sara Duffer flying high at AWS

Trinity graduate is VP in compliance and security assurance at the tech titan

Sara Duffer emigrated to the US about 20 years ago

Adrian Weckler Thu 13 Nov 2025 at 06:30

A November stroll around Seattle might feel familiar to an Irish emigrant, with rainy, overcast days and temperatures that rarely stray beyond the highs and lows of Kilkenny.
European Union finance ministers have agreed that funding Ukraine with a reparations loan based on immobilised Russian assets would be the most "effective" of three options being considered by the European Union to help Kyiv.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen told the European Parliament that the EU could either borrow the money needed to cover Kyiv's needs in 2026 and 2027 against the collateral of its long-term budget, or each EU country could borrow on its own and extend a grant to Ukraine.
19th century barn had fallen into disrepair

The Dunne family's barn at Hillbrook House, near Carnew Co. Wicklow, before it was restored using a grant from the Heritage Council.

Daryn and Victor Dunne outside their old hay barn at Hillbrook House, near Carnew Co. Wicklow, which has had a glow up in recent months thanks to a grant from the Heritage Council.

Sitting in the yard of Hillbrook House, near Carnew, Co. Wicklow is an old hay barn which has had a glow up in recent months.

We always say, what a shame it is to see so many old stone buildings falling down, when we are out and about, and that is what was happening in our own yard, underneath our nose, says owner Daryn Dunne.

True enough, scattered across the countryside are the remains of old stone cottages, barns, lofts, stables, turf sheds. Some of these historic structures are unused, with branches of seeding trees creeping through their windows and roofs. Without maintenance, they fall further into disrepair each year. How lovely would it be to see those buildings maintained and conserved? To allow them to continue to be used and serve a purpose on Irish farms?

The ideology of conservation is lovely, but pricey. It is costly to maintain these buildings on farms, and farmers are quite often left to be the custodians of our heritage, saddled with the bill.

Daryn and his family found themselves facing the dilapidation of this old building in their yard and they decided to do something about it. Our farm is part of Hillbrook House and its estate, which would have been a close neighbour and friend of Coolattin House and Avondale House, explains Daryn. Theres a lot of history here, and a lot of the locals and their ancestors would have worked on the farm over the years.

Although the original Georgian house was pulled down in the early 1950s, the old stone buildings of the courtyard remain in place. Part of these buildings is the old hay barn, which features on the first OS map in 1838.

My granduncle and my dad, Victor, did some roof repairs on the old stables and storehouse over the years, but the barn has not had much maintenance, and it was getting into very bad condition. Earlier this year, Mam happened to read something about the Heritage Council Traditional Farm Buildings Grant and suggested we should apply. It was something I had never really thought of doing before.

Daryn and Victors Teagasc farm advisor, Paul Keogh, said they met all the criteria for the grant scheme.

One of the stipulations is to be a participant in a Department of Agriculture agri-environmental scheme, and the building has to have historic and public value, said Paul. Daryn and Victor are in ACRES, and the history of the building, and its ties to the heritage of the area, make it perfect for the grant.

Daryn and Victor applied for the Traditional Farm Buildings Grant in spring 2025. The application was straightforward.

We were thrilled to get approved. We employed a conservation consultant, James Powell, to oversee the method statement for the conservation works and provide guidance on the project. He has been a great help.

A major part of the project was the stonemasonry; there was a large amount of repointing to be done, particularly on the front wall, as well as wall restoration to make the walls stable. The method statement also required the use of a quicklime mix, and so hiring a stonemason who was expert in this technique was crucial. Local stonemason, Edward Romanovski, was tasked with the challenge.

Its important to use materials and methods similar to what was used in the past. Irish quicklime was used as it produces a soft mortar which is much closer in consistency to the historic mortar found in the walls of historic buildings, explains James Powell.

New larch windows and doors were made by a local joiner, Anthony Roche, to match the door and windows that had rotted beyond repair. New timber purlins and a new galvanise roof replaced the rotted timbers and sheets that had become porous and unsalvageable.

Thankfully we were able to save the original roof trusses. We treated them with a bat friendly woodworm and rot treatment, says Daryn. The original gutters were missing from the barn, but new gutters were put back on to the original brackets that were still in place to protect the walls from the weather.

Daryn and Victor are thrilled with the outcome of this project.

The barn can continue to be used for years to come as a functioning part of the farm, while keeping its history and character. My grandchildren will be able to use the barn just like their great granduncles did, says Victor.

The Heritage Council champion conserving as much as possible of the original fabric of the building, however they also offer some flexibility, in line with the guidance of your conservation consultant, where this is not possible.

We are proud of what we achieved with the support of the Heritage Council and the Department of Agriculture, and I hope that others avail of the opportunity to save these old farm buildings and protect them for the enjoyment and use of future generations.

Daryn and Victor will be hosting a coffee morning in aid of the Irish Wildlife Trust in the hay barn for people to come and see the completed works on Sunday, January 4 from 11am-2pm.

To apply for the grant they used, visit heritagecouncil.ie
Former inter-county GAA referee Thomas Howard jailed for more than six years for indecently assaulting niece when she was a child

Thomas Howard was in charge of 1993 Derry-Cork All-Ireland final

'I'm happy with the outcome. I got my justice' - Maeve Leahy reacts after her uncle, former GAA referee Thomas Howard, was jailed for nearly 7 years for abusing her

Conor Feehan Thu 13 Nov 2025 at 18:21

A former GAA referee has been sentenced to six years and nine months for indecently assaulting his niece from when she was three or four years old until she reached puberty.
Darts

Your guide to the World Darts Championship  all you need to know as Luke Littler begins his title defence at Ally Pally tonight
Murderer Ruth Lawrence in South Africa: Desperate fugitive with gift of the gab moved from tattoo parlours to church groups

While on the run, Lawrence  who ironically gave herself the alias Lawless  dyed her hair and at one point was an in-demand tattooist for her macabre inkings

Timeline of the Ruth Lawrence case

Jamie Pyatt Thu 13 Nov 2025 at 06:30

Fugitive Ruth Lawrence went under the radar for eight years in South Africa while working as a freelance tattooist to keep a roof over her head.
For years we lived with uncertainty  former President Mary McAleese shares her familys story of homelessness in 1970s Belfast

McAleese spoke at the launch of Focus Irelands No Child Without a Home campaign

Former President Mary McAleese. Photo: PA

Sarah O'Mahony Thu 13 Nov 2025 at 06:30

Former President Mary McAleese has spoken of her childhood experience of homelessness and the uncertainty her family lived with for years.
Grandmothers inquest hears natural remedies practitioner had no recollection of multiple injections for arthritis pain

Paschal Carmody did not keep records at his practice and said we have our own rules to follow

Marlyn Hilliard

Ralph Riegel Thu 13 Nov 2025 at 20:04

The family of an 83-year-old woman urged people to carefully consult with trained and registered medical professionals over all treatments after her inquest heard a natural remedies operator could not recall whether he had given her multiple injections of a regenerative solution for arthritis.
Man arrested over mosque terror plot is Sinn Fein activist who attended party conference addressed by Catherine Connolly

Sinn Fein says man arrested was at party event in Dublin six weeks ago but is not a memberThe man met Mary Lou McDonald campaigning in general electionCouple were admitted into Leinster House twice this year as guests of Sinn Fein senator

Catherine Connolly. Photo: Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA Wire

Fionnan Sheahan Thu 13 Nov 2025 at 17:15

A man arrested in a far-right terrorism plot to attack a mosque is a Sinn Fein activist.
From the Lotto to Marty Morrisseys words with Bakhurst over BBC links  what we learnt from RTE at media committee
The Samuel Beckett Bridge over the Liffey is to be illuminated in the colours of Ireland and France this weekend as part of the celebrations of the Feast Day of Dublins Patron Saint Laurence OToole.
'This has put all our lives on hold for five years' - How five families now fear they won't get to move into their new homes

'This has put all our lives on hold for five years' - How five families now fear they won't get to move into their new homes

Steve Humphreys Thu 13 Nov 2025 at 17:30

'This has put all our lives on hold for five years' - How five families now fear they won't get to move into their new homes, despite signing contracts and paying deposits for the Ratymolyon estate in Co Meath.
Restaurant review: I come away from this crowd-pleasing Indian more impressed than I expected to be

Our critic is impressed by the menu and universally delightful staff at this buzzing D2 spot

Doolally restaurant in Dublin 2

Katy McGuinness Thu 13 Nov 2025 at 06:30

If youve read much about the British in India, you may find yourself less than enamoured of the tendency of some modern Indian restaurants to celebrate the countrys colonial past.
Donal Fallon: Co-op pubs, run by locals, could be the key to preserving our important community focal points

Community-run bars are popping up around the UK, and Ireland is now catching up

Some of the 26-strong group who pooled their savings to save their local pub from closure in Kilteely, Co Limerick. It was called Ahern's but has since been renamed The Street Bar. Photo: Brendan Gleeson

Donal Fallon Thu 13 Nov 2025 at 06:30

Last weekend I made my way to Kilkenomics, which is a daunting enough prospect when one is neither an economist nor a comedian.
The Coalition is going to need to show how it plans to increase housing supply. Stock image

How many different ways can you say we need more houses? Quite a few it seems, as the Government unveils report No IV  in just 12 years  on what has been identified as the most urgent social need since 2014.

Todays opus will be as slick and glossy as all the others, but it should boil down to two words.

Supply and delivery. At this point that is all that matters to a public grown sceptical from disappointment at past failures. Remember, a plan without action is only a speech. The latest promise is to provide 300,000 homes, including 90,000 starter homes, over the next six years.

Given the Government has been missing its own targets, and been warned by its advisers that there will be a shortage for another 15 years, the public is entitled to know how such numbers are to be achieved.

Not just the credibility, but the survival of the Coalition depends on the answer.

The opposition wasted no time in attacking the plan, based on leaks from the report. The Social Democrats Rory Hearne said the Government was tinkering with the issue. Around 30,000 affordable homes would need to be delivered per year at a minimum.

But Taoiseach Micheal Martin said it represented the most unprecedented investment in housing ever.

No one is doubting that. Revenue is at record levels. But in a dysfunctional market, where the Government is a key player in buying up homes  actively competing with workers  a transformational shift is needed.

Governments have lacked the vision and ambition to keep pace with growing needs

Sinn Feins Eoin O Broin warned the plan must be more ambitious than its predecessor. Increases in funding, and in targets for the delivery of social and affordable homes was essential, he said. Greater protections for renters from rising rents and eviction, and what he called clear, measurable targets to end long-term homelessness by 2030 were also vital, he added.

It would be a plus if the Government could come good on its own goals. But even if it had provided the 40,000 promised homes last year, it would still have fallen short of demand, for an estimated 50-60,000 are needed.

It has to be recognised that during the years of the crash, only about 5,000 homes were being built annually. The population has also grown massively, from 4.4 million in 2011 to 5.5 million today.

The economy may have recovered beyond all recognition, but governments have lacked the vision and ambition to keep pace with growing demographic and infrastructural needs.

In 2023, then taoiseach Leo Varadkar expressed a desire for the government to be less cautious in policymaking. He warned of the potential for multinational companies that invest so heavily in Ireland to relocate elsewhere unless the State sustains an environment that allows them to prosper. That warning is even more pertinent today.

Meeting the pressing everyday needs of people must be an overriding priority. At a time of unique state surplus, there is no defence for thousands of children being homeless. We need to reflect on the fact that our people are our greatest asset. Our assets must serve the people, not the other way around.
What would you do if you made more money in a day than most people make in a year? When Niamh OConnor launched her OnlyFans at just 22, she earned 20,000 in the first 24 hours. But behind the glamour and financial freedom came exhaustion, pressure, and a growing sense that shed lost herself.

In this episode, Jennifer sits down with Niamh to talk about what really goes on behind the scenes of OnlyFans, from the constant demand for content to the competition that pushed her to her limits. Niamh opens up about how the industry affected her mental health, her body image, and her sense of self-worth.

She speaks candidly about spending thousands on plastic surgery, the moment she realised she no longer felt empowered, and the difficult decision to walk away from it all.

They also discuss the online abuse Niamh faced, especially from other women, and the challenges of rebuilding her life in public, from paying to remove leaked images to finding confidence and purpose beyond the platform.

Just Between Us is an Irish Independent podcast hosted by Jennifer Zamparelli. New episodes every Thursday, wherever you get your podcasts.
Author and podcaster Johnathan Walton describes himself as a con-hunter but thats not what he set out to be.

The tv producer turned vigilante after he was scammed by con artist Marianne Smyth, the so-called Queen of Con.

Over several years he had handed his supposed best friend Smyth, who claimed to be an Irish heiress, over $100,000.

But Walton was not her first victim. His lengthy investigations revealed she had scammed scores of people since childhood.

She used a range of strategies, lies and aliases  posing as Jennifer Anniston, becoming a satanic priestess, claiming to be on the IRAs army council, pretending to have cancer.

Smyth was sentenced in September to 4 years in jail at Downpatrick Crown Court as it was revealed that she had scammed over 100,000 from people in Northern Ireland.

Johnathan Walton has written a book on his experience with the fraudster. Its called  Anatomy of a Con Artist: The 14 Red Flags to Spot Scammers, Grifters, and Thieves and is host of the hit podcast Queen of the Con.

Todays episode comes from our sister podcast the BelTel. Ciaran Dunbar is joined by Johnathan Walton.

We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism
Macroom Tidy Towns have launched a biodiversity plan to inform their work until 2030.

The Community Based Action Plan for Macroom was commissioned to improve biodiversity in the town.

The plan was completed by SECAD ecologist, Karen Loxton, in consultation with Macroom Tidy Towns climate ambassador, John Lyons and Macroom Tidy Towns projects officer, Joseph Cronin.

The 100-page plan was funded through Community Foundation Ireland (CFI)s Biodiversity Fund for 2024.

Speaking about the important plan, Joseph Cronin said:

John and I have been in contact with Karen Loxton, the local community and the CFI in relation to this 100-page plan which is being added to the National Biodiversity Data Centre and to our website.

Hard copies will be available to read in various locations such as Macroom Library.

The action plan covers the local flora and fauna and recommendations to improve biodiversity in the area.

Funding to implement these recommendations has been applied for under the CFI Biodiversity Fund 2025, Joseph explained.

The group is inviting members of the public to attend Ms Loxtons climate change and biodiversity presentation to find out what can be done to improve biodiversity.

The presentation takes place at 1pm on Thursday, November 27 in Macroom Library.

The CEO of CFI, Denise Charlton stated:

Community Foundation Ireland is proud to support the Macroom Tidy Towns Community Biodiversity Action Plan through our Biodiversity Fund.

Local action is at the heart of protecting and restoring nature, and this plan is a wonderful example of how communities can come together, draw on local expertise, and take practical steps to safeguard biodiversity for future generations.

By empowering communities like Macroom to lead this vital work, we are helping to build a more sustainable, climate-resilient Ireland and also achieving our mission of equality for all in thriving communities, she said.
A Mallow man, who offered drugs to two plain-clothed gardai, just two days before Christmas Day of 2022, has been given a four month sentence from a Cork District Court.

Ian McCann (27), with an address at Connolly Avenue in Mallow appeared before Mallow District Court via video link from Cork Prison charged with possession of cannabis.

Gardai told the court that on December 23, 2022, at approximately 5.30pm, a man approached two plain clothed Gardai at Mallow train station, asking them whether they wanted to buy cannabis.

The man, who identified himself as Ian McCann, was then searched and cannabis was found to the value of 300. The accuseds phone also contained evidence of drug dealing, and Mr McCann admitted to Gardai that he was selling the product to feed his own habit.

Sergeant Linda OLeary told Judge Colm Roberts that Mr McCann had nine previous convictions that encompassed previous for drugs, including cocaine and MDMA.

The facts speak for themselves, said defence solicitor Charles OConnor. He was clearly under the influence and made admissions to Gardai. He apologises and clearly has an addiction issue which he admitted.

Mr OConnor informed the judge that his client had been remanded in custody since November 6.

In giving his sentencing, Judge Roberts took into account that the accused pleaded guilty, the small amount of drugs, and that he had given full co-operation with the Gardai.

He sentenced Ian McCann to four months in prison, with three suspended for one year under the supervision of the probation service to deal with his addiction. The custodial sentence was also backdated to November 6, meaning that Mr McCann will be let out before this Christmas.
News

Dead people still on Corks voting register very upsetting for relatives

The voting register needs to be updated to remove the deceased as their inclusion is causing distress for their relatives when polling cards for them arrive at election time, a Cork councillor has said.
Mallow General Hospital could be and should be a jewel of the HSE in Cork, declared Cork TD Eoghan Kenny who visited the hospital in recent days.

The Labour Party TD for Cork North Central met staff members at the outpatient unit in Mallow General Hospital this week.

Deputy Kenny acknowledged their dedication and care for patients. I was delighted to meet the amazing staff at the outpatient unit in Mallow General Hospital. Their dedication and care for patients is second to none.

The Mallow based TD however appealed for more investment in the hospital to ensure more services, more staff members and better infrastructure are provided to meet the needs of the local population. We need more investment in Mallow General Hospital. We need more services, better infrastructure, and stronger staffing to meet the needs of our community. The 24 new inpatient beds for Mallow General Hospital must be delivered and staffed as soon as possible.

Deputy Kenny continued: Its great to hear that so many healthcare professionals want to work at Mallow General Hospital. That says everything about the pride and potential of this hospital. Ill keep working to ensure Mallow General Hospital gets the investment, recognition, and support it deserves. At the end of the day, all politics is local.
Kerry now the has lowest birth rate of any county, in what could be the biggest challenge to the region in the decades ahead.

Births per 1,000 stood at 8.2 last year, the lowest rate of any county in the last three years, figures from the Central Statistics Office show.

Kerry has consistently been one of the lowest rate counties, being second lowest in 2023 and third in 2022.

This is in part due to Kerrys aging population. Along with County Mayo, the county in 2016 had the highest average age of all Irish regions at 40.2 years old.

However, Mayo has a higher birth rate, at 9 per 1,000, while County Leitrim, which has an average age of 39.8 years old, has an even greater birth rate, at 10.2 per 1,000.

Deaths per 1,000 were 7.5 in 2024, meaning Kerrys population expanded by just 109 people due to domestic births and deaths.

Since 2023, the countys population has increased by over 6,000 people, showing Kerry relies mainly on emigration to fuel its growth.

The biggest increase by age was people between 25 and 29 years old, expanding by 15 per cent since 2023, while the biggest decrease was in seen in infants aged between zero and four years old, at seven per cent.

Councillor Angie Bailey said Kerrys birth rate statistics were surprising but emphasised that Kerrys older population must be considered.

I think a lot of our young people move from Kerry, I think thats generally been a long-standing problem. We struggle to hold onto our young people, whether they go travelling or getting jobs in bigger cities, said Cllr Bailey.

Worldwide this is quite a worrying statistic, but I think weve seen it coming, when you see the statistics from Japan and Korea which have been quite low for a long period of time and only reducing.

While China has taken away the limitation on having children, people still arent encouraged to have sometimes even one child. This is going to be a big problem worldwide.

A government report released last week estimated by 2065, for every 98 people working, there will be 100 not working.

Irelands ageing population is projected to result in a stagnating labour force, suppressing economic growth, increasing the dependency ratio and straining public finances, the report said.

However, during a Q&A on the reports findings, John McCarthy, chief economist at the department of finance, indicated the government would not be pursuing pro-natalist policies as attempts in other countries have had virtually no impact.

I think, leaving aside whether from an Irish perspective, if you look at the experience of lots of countries who have tried this, the efforts have been really zero, said Mr McCarthy.

In Hungary, if you had a fourth child you were free from income tax for life, he said, claiming that the policy has had no impact whatsoever.

Hungary does spend a considerable five per cent of its GDP on propping up its birth rate, with tax cuts and other incentives, however, since pro-natalist policies were introduced by President Victor Orban in 2010, its birth rate has increased from the lowest in Europe, at 1.2 births per woman, to around 1.6.

This is the largest increase in birth rates among all EU member states since 2010.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting scheme
Killarney Avenue Hotel last week welcomed the former Governor of Mountjoy Prison, John Lonergan, through its doors for a special motivational talk on the topic of Mental Health and Well-being  Reflections from his Life and Work.

The event, which was organised by the team at the Torc Community and Family Resource Centre, in partnership with its Social Prescribing Service supported by the HSE, was hailed as a huge success with a large crowd flocking to hear John speak about life working on the front lines of the prison service.

Those in attendance said that Johns talk blended warmth, humour, and deep humanity as he shared lessons from his long career in the Irish Prison Service and his ongoing engagement with communities across Ireland.

He spoke candidly about the mental health challenges faced by inmates, the importance of empathy, understanding, and resilience, and how these lessons extend to all of us in our daily lives.

Happiness and contentment arent about what we own or achieve; theyre about our relationships, our sense of purpose, and the kindness we show to others, John reflected.

Attendees praised the evening as informative, insightful, and entertaining in equal measure, as well as Johns unique ability to connect real-life stories to broader reflections on personal well-being and social responsibility.

Speaking after the event, Derek O Leary, Manager of Torc Community and Family Resource Centre, said: We were delighted to host John Lonergan, once again, for what was a truly memorable evening. His message about empathy, resilience, and connection resonates deeply with our work at Torc CFRC and within our Social Prescribing Service, where we support individuals to enhance their well-being and strengthen their sense of community.

The event forms part of Torc CFRCs ongoing commitment to promoting mental health awareness, community engagement, and social inclusion throughout Killarney and the wider region.
President Catherine Connolly being greeted by local children on her arrival at the Trim Resource centre. Photo: Tony Maxwell

Community groups and schools gathered to welcome President Catherine Connolly to Trim Resource Centre today, as she honoured a promise made before her recent inauguration.

Coordinator for the centre Justyna Doherty said the president kept her promise after she pledged to visit again during her presidential campaign.
Latest Daft.ie report shows renting a three-bedroom house in County Roscommon costs over 1,500 per month

The price of renting a one-bedroom apartment, three-bedroom house and four-bedroom house in County Roscommon has risen again, despite an increase in housing completions.

According to the latest Daft.ie Irish Rental Report Q3 2025, the cost of renting a three-bedroom house in Roscommon rose to 1,513 a month between June and September of this year.

Meanwhile, the monthly cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment has risen to 1,201  up 19.6pc from last year.

Similarly, the average monthly rent for a four-bedroom house has risen 11.9pc annually to 1,678.

However, the cost of room rental in Roscommon has fallen in the past year. The monthly cost of renting a double room with ensuite has fallen 8.5pc to 559. Likewise, a double room with no ensuite is down 5.4pc to 535 while a single room has dropped 2.8pc to 477 per month.

Similarly, the cost of renting a two-bedroom apartment in Roscommon has dropped 8.3pc to 1,252 per month while the cost of renting a two-bedroom house has fallen 2.5pc to 1,209.

Data for studio apartments, three-bedroom apartments and five-bedroom houses was not available for Roscommon.

Today (November 12, 2025), there are 13 properties in County Roscommon listed for long-term rent on Daft.ie  none for less than 1,000 per month.

This comes as the number of room rentals outside Dublin has reached a par with the number of property rentals.

Dr Ronan Lyons, author of the Daft.ie Irish Rental Report Q3 2025, described this as an extraordinary change in market dynamics in just a few years.

Roscommon continues to be among the most affordable counties in Ireland to rent as the average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment nationwide currently stands at 2,080.

Elsewhere, new CSO figures show the house completions figures have risen in Roscommon.

A total of 68 new houses were completed in the county between July and September, according to the New Dwelling Completions Quarter 3 (Q3) 2025.

There were 27 new homes completed in the Boyle Local Electoral Area (LEA) during this period, alon with 16 in Roscommon LEA and 25 in Athlone LEA. This represents an increase in last years Quarter 3 figures of 18, 24 and 8 completions respectively.

Of the 68 houses completed between July and September, 30 were single dwellings, 37 were part of a scheme and one was an apartment.

In the Western region, which includes County Roscommon, there was an overall 23 percent annual increase in house completions.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, described the CSOs newly published completion figures as encouraging.

Our forthcoming housing plan will provide fresh momentum to increase home delivery and help more people access secure, affordable housing, he stated.

Roscommon County Council, meanwhile, are expected to deliver 52 social houses this year. The local authority has ten developments comprising 63 units which are currently on site.
Many Greenways are being planned across private farmland

Deputy Martin Kenny pictured with landowners from Sligo/Leitrim/Cavan and Fermanagh at the protest outside the Dail last Wednesday.

Deputy Marian Harkin pictured with landowners from Sligo/Leitrim/Cavan and Fermanagh at the protest outside the Dail on Wednesday.

Land owners opposed to the proposed Sligo to Enniskillen greenway took part in a protest with other landowners from around the country at the Dail on Wednesday.

Nationally, there are upwards on 20 groups that are opposed to the use of compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) for the delivery of greenway projects across Ireland.

This weeks Dail protest was organised by the National Greenways Action Association (NGAA) and coincides with a Joint Oireachtas Transport Committee meeting where greenway projects were discussed.

NGAA spokesperson Cleona OShea made a representation to the Oireachtas committee seeking:

-The code of practice be revisited and with immediate all greenway projects be put on hold pending a revised code agreement.

-The use of CPOs for non-essential infrastructure  ie greenways to be removed.

-State land to be the primary source of land for greenways

-Greenways to be developed in partnership that protects rural communities, livelihoods and landscapes

-Meaningful consultation between the real stakeholders and representative bodies

It is important to reiterate NGAA are not against greenways however we oppose the current process being used to deliver them.

Greenways are non-essential infrastructure, and the threat of using CPOs to acquire land is heavy handed.

Like many property owners Ms OShea family farm in Fermoy is located on the proposed Dungarvan to Mallow greenway. The proposed route will effectively cut the farm in two.

They have the route decided on before any consultation process starts, she says.

Her experience dealing with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and Cork County Council has been replicated by other landowners across the country including the Sligo to Enniskillen route.

75Km Sligo to Enniskillen greenway Phase 2: Public consultation 3 received 351 feedback submissions. Feedback summarised as follows:

46% Negative

31% Neutral

23% Positive

The Sligo to Enniskillen greenway is currently in Phase 3 Design and Environmental evaluation.

It is anticipated planning will be sought in the second half 2026 at which point given the majority of private property owners are opposed it is expected CPO will be invoked to acquire the land.

The Oireachtas committee meeting on 12th November also heard representations from TII, IFA and representatives from the Waterford to Dungarvan greenway.

Addressing the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport today on Greenways, IFA Infrastructure Project Team Chair Paul OBrien said IFAs position is clear and consistent: Greenways should, wherever possible, be developed on public lands and not on privately owned farmland.

This principle is fully aligned with the Governments Strategy for the Future Development of National and Regional Greenways (2018), which states that:

The preferred model for future Greenways is to use lands already in the undisputed ownership or control of the State, either through Government Agencies, Government Departments or Local Authorities.

Unfortunately, this principle is not being upheld in practice. Many proposed Greenway routes are being planned across privately-owned farmland rather than public or State lands.

This approach is deeply problematic and is causing significant anxiety and hardship for farm families whose livelihoods depend on those lands.

The impact of a Greenway cutting through a working farm can be severe: disrupting normal operations; dividing holdings; creating safety risks; and undermining the long-term viability of farm enterprises.

Paul OBrien said the IFA is totally opposed to the use of compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) for Greenway projects.

Greenways are amenity projects, not essential public infrastructure such as national roads or power lines.

The Code of Practice for Greenways, agreed between the IFA and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), clearly provides for Voluntary Land Acquisition Agreements as the appropriate mechanism for securing access where required, he said.

OBrien said it has been suggested by some local authorities that certain Greenways will follow old or abandoned railway lines.

However, in most cases, these lands have long since been reintegrated into active farm enterprises.

In many areas, the original railway corridor has been incorporated into private holdings for decades, and is now home to houses, yards, and productive farmland.

Across the country, IFA members have reported a lack of meaningful and practical consultation and engagement on Greenway projects.

In many cases, farmers have had no direct contact from project promoters until the project is gone too far and at the emerging preferred route corridor stage.

Prior to this stage, farmers feel the consultation is a box ticking exercise and a lot of the work and design on the route is a desk top exercise.

 Most local authorities have declined to attend IFA-organised meetings with affected landowners. This approach is unacceptable.

Constuctive dialogue  not confrontation  should be the starting point for all Greenway planning. Early, open, and respectful engagement is essential if projects are to gain the confidence and c-ooperation of local communities, say the IFA.
The newly appointed Canadian Ambassador to Ireland, Dennis King, noted the similarities between Ireland and Canada when it comes to addressing current farming issues.

Dennis King made made the trip to both Carnew, Co Wicklow and Gorey, Co Wexford, where he was guided by Deputy Malcolm Byrne TD to various locations.

"The south Wicklow and north Wexford area has huge historic links with Canada as many who lived in the area had assisted passage to the North American country during the nineteenth century, Deputy Byrne explained.

A tour of The Hatch Lab and then a very engaging discussion with the County Wexford Chamber explored the trade opportunities that are open to local companies interested in doing business with those in Canada. The Ambassador highlighted the fact that trade between Ireland and Canada has also doubled in the last six years.

This was then followed by a detailed discussion with the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) where it was found that many of the opportunities and challenges facing agriculture were the same on both sides of the Atlantic  generational renewal, tillage, and climate change.

Canadian Ambassador to Ireland Dennis King visits Colaiste Bhride Carnew. Pictured is Denis Finn, Principal Anna Gahan, Ambassador Denis King, Darren Tobin, Ciaran Somers and Malcolm Byrne TD. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench

"A tour of Gorey left the Ambassador very impressed by the broad range of retail premises and he had a good discussion with John Doyle of Myles Doyle on how business operates as successfully as it does in north Wexford, Deputy Byrne added.

The second last stop was none other than the local library where they had an excellent display of Canadian literature on show before the Ambassador made his way to the Council Chamber where council chair Cllr Donal Kerry made a small presentation to the ambassador and a discussion took place amongst councillors and other officials.

Following this educational visit, Deputy Byrne emphasised the importance of the relationship Wexford and Canada share.

"We are very keen to look at growing those longstanding connections between our community and Canada. The Ambassador and the Embassy are keen to help. I know he was hugely impressed by the incredibly enthusiastic community and voluntary activity in the area. He is already planning to come back! he said.
A Dublin man who attempted to steal 20,000 from a gaming machine in Bray after losing heavily on virtual roulette has been sentenced to community service

Armandez Zykas (25), with an address in Tallaght, Co. Dublin, appeared at a sitting of Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to one count of theft. Mr Zykas was also charged with possession of an article (a crowbar) and a further charge, both of which were taken into consideration.

The court heard that on November 18, 2024, Mr Zykas was at Bray amusements playing virtual roulette, where he lost a large sum of money. Mr. Zykas left and returned in disguise. He then tried to open a gaming machine with a crowbar. MrZykas was noticed by a member of staff, who pressed an alarm and closed the door behind him.

Counsel for the prosecution, James Kelly BL, told the court that Mr Zykas was trapped but managed to remove a cash box containing 20,000 before being apprehended.

Justin McQuade BL, counsel for the defence, told the court that his client was intoxicated at the time and suffered from a gambling addiction. The court heard that Zykas has no previous convictions.

It was also noted that Mr Zykas has engaged with the Probation Service and that a positive report was available. The only concern raised in the report was that he poses a moderate risk of reoffending due to his gambling issues.

The court heard that Mr Zykas is a promising boxer who had previously worked in construction in London.

Mr McQuade told the court that it is predatory that you can gamble away until 4 am, in the early hours of the morning.

Judge Patrick Quinn sentenced Mr Zykas to 180 hours of community service in lieu of 18 months in prison, which will be imposed if he fails to complete the community service.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme.
A man has had a fresh bail request rejected after prosecutors upgraded his charge to dangerous driving causing death.

Tarieli Schatz (37), of the Grand Hotel, Abbey Street, Wicklow town, Co. Wicklow, appeared before Bray District Court for a renewed bail application.

The court heard on Tuesday, November 11, that Mr Schatz, who had originally been charged with careless driving causing the death of John Maher, is now facing an upgraded charge of dangerous driving causing death.

Mr Maher, a married father-of-two from Co. Kildare, died after being struck by a Thwaites front dumper on July 2, 2025. Members of Mr Mahers family were present in court.

The upgraded charge, brought following a review of the file, carries a potential 10-year sentence and a mandatory four-year driving ban, up from the original two-year maximum.

Mr Eoghan Gallagher BL, counsel for the defence and instructed by Michael OConnor, told the court that as it is a new charge, they have decided to submit a renewed bail application with a reduced bond and independent surety. Mr Schatz had previously been granted High Court bail.

The court was informed that Mr Schatz is a Georgian national who had been living in an IPAS centre and has a child outside the jurisdiction in Austria.

The court also heard that Mr Schatzs wife is currently working day and night to secure an independent surety.

Mr OConnor told the court that members of the Georgian community in Ireland had come forward to provide the surety, but added that he felt the court would not accept a surety from them.

Mr Gallagher informed the court that Mr Schatzs wife has 7,500 available to her for the surety.

The court heard that she is currently isolated due to not speaking English or Russian.

Judge David Kennedy ruled that even though the charge is new, the bail conditions will remain the same.

Judge Kennedy remanded Mr Schatz until December 11, 2025, when he will be sentenced on the minor offences.

The minor offences include that on April 16, 2025, Mr Schatz was found with a controlled drug and driving without a licence or insurance in Wicklow. He also faces a separate charge of uninsured driving on March 9, 2025, and failing to produce an insurance certificate.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
50 Irish beauty brands to know: Your guide to some of the best homegrown make-up, skincare and haircare products

From eco-friendly ingredients to high-tech devices, get the lowdown on the trailblazing brands making waves in skincare, haircare and cosmetics from our very own homegrown heroes

!It has never been easier to buy good Irish beauty, such is the choice and quality of the homegrown offering." Image: Clare Meredith

Sarah Caden Thu 13 Nov 2025 at 06:30

It has never been easier to buy Irish when it comes to beauty. Even better, it has never been easier to buy good Irish beauty, such is the choice and quality of the homegrown offering.
Actor Gwyneth Paltrow says she has intrusive thoughts when she gets into bed and often wakes up filled with dread. Photo: Getty

Gwyneth Paltrow has spoken openly about her mental health struggles, revealing she believes she has attention deficit disorder (ADD), which is having a knock-on effect on her overall well-being.

The Oscar-winning actor and Goop founder (53) spoke candidly on the latest episode of her Goop podcast, admitting that despite decades spent dedicated to wellness, she is now having to relearn how to regulate her mind and body.

I would like to be more intentional about how I spend my time, she said. I think I have a bit of ADD and I can really get pulled in lots of directions. I would love to try to not do that so much and feel more grounded throughout the day.

Paltrow, who shares two children with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, said her nervous system has been affected by years of stress, hormonal changes and life in the public eye.

Ive lived a very intense life in the public eye for a really, really long time, she said. Whenever were at the mercy of peoples opinions  and all the energy behind those opinions  it kind of frays my nervous system.

I have a lot of anxiety for the first time in my life, which is a symptom of hormonal changes. I think its an oestrogen dominance thing. It makes you really anxious. So part of it is physiological, part of it is psychological, part of its emotional and part of its public life.

The Iron Man star went on to describe how her anxiety often peaks at night. I know theres something wrong because my cortisol [stress hormone]... like, Ill get in bed exhausted and my heart will start to race. Then Ill have intrusive thoughts, which Ive never had in my life. My sleep is still pretty OK, but sometimes I wake up in the morning and Im filled with dread.

I have amazing friends, amazing, amazing, amazing women in my life, whom I can call if I need help

ADD describes the predominantly inattentive form of ADHD, which affects focus and organisation rather than hyperactivity. However, the term is considered outdated and is no longer an official diagnosis.

Paltrow said she is working closely with professionals to help manage her symptoms. I have two therapists  one is a nervous-system specialist, she said.

I have amazing friends, amazing, amazing, amazing women in my life, whom I can call if I need help.

And then I get a lot of healing from my family, from my kids and my husband. If all four kids  my stepkids and my kids  and my husband and I are under one roof, my nervous system calms down.

Her comments follow an earlier admission in March that she has been really in the thick of menopause, saying her hormones, emotions and sleep have been all over the place.

At the time, the Shallow Hal star said she found herself turning to alcohol when wildfires swept through Southern California earlier this year.

In January when the fires were happening in LA, Ive, like, used alcohol for its purpose. I think I drank every night. I was medicating, she said. Normally I dont drink a lot  maybe one drink a week  but my symptoms were completely out of control.

She also revealed that menopause had triggered severe insomnia and night-time anxiety. ( The Standard)
Met Eireann issues both Status Orange and Yellow rain and wind warnings for 16 counties

Status Orange rain warning for Dublin, Wexford, Wicklow from 2pm on Friday, until 11am on SaturdayStatus Yellow wind warning for Dublin, Louth, Wexford and Wicklow from 12pm on FridayStatus Yellow rain warning for 13 other counties from 9am Friday

Met Eireann Weather Warnings Explained

Adrianna Wrona Thu 13 Nov 2025 at 10:50

Forecasters have issued a Status Orange rain warning for three counties tomorrow.
UK prime minister Keir Starmer refused to say yesterday whether he would urge US president Donald Trump to drop his threat to sue the BBC for $1bn over the broadcasters edit of a speech he made after losing the 2020 presidential election.

During his weekly question-and-answer session in the House of Commons, Mr Starmer was asked by Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, whether he would intervene in the dispute between Mr Trump and the British public broadcaster, and to rule out the idea that the UK taxpayers who fund the BBC would have to hand over money to the US president.
French lawmakers have voted to freeze president Emmanuel Macrons flagship pension reform, allowing the government to keep the Socialists on board in budget talks that threaten to trigger snap elections.

The National Assembly yesterday agreed to suspend the controversial 2023 pension reform through an amendment to the 2026 social security budget bill. The change was backed by the Socialists and Marine Le Pens far-right National Rally party, as well as some of the centrist lawmakers that support the government.
President Zelensky distances himself from key ally in scandal

Two Ukrainian ministers have resigned over a 86m energy-sector corruption scandal linked to a key ally of president Volodymyr Zelensky.

German Galushchenko, the justice minister, and Svitlana Hrynchuk, the energy minister, quit yesterday after Mr Zelensky called for them to resign in an apparent bid to distance himself from the case.
Your job here is not to fight one another, it is to fight this climate crisis, UN climate chief tells Cop30 in Brazil
Leader says attacks in West Bank cross a red line

The president of Israel yesterday condemned what he called a shocking and serious attack by Jewish settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank, calling for an end to a growing wave of settler violence in the occupied territory.
Since 1963, The Independent has helped create a great community!

Since our founding in September of 1963, The Independent has been dedicated to giving Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, and Sunol readers the news they need to be in-the-know about what's going on in the Tri-Valley region.
One Nation Dream Makers founder and CEO Ronnie Forbes and others committed to making sure people have enough food on their tables are even more challenged than usual these days. The Trump administrations halt of food benefits through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and its California program, CalFresh, has created a great deal of uncertainty. (File photo  Doug Jorgensen)
Indias Services Sector Performance and Contribution to GDP in 2025: An Overview

Available language



The services sector is a major contributor to the economy in India, recording about 55 percent of GVA in 2025, on the back of technology, finance, and digital integration. As output rises faster than employment, the gap signals a move toward innovation-led expansion and expanding opportunities in high-value, export-oriented service models.

Indias services sector continues to be the principal driver of national growth in 2025, contributing approximately 55 percent of gross value added (GVA). According to NITI Aayogs report, Indias Services Sector: Insights from GVA Trends and State-Level Dynamics 2025, services have consistently outperformed both industry and agriculture in terms of output and productivity.

At current prices, Indias GDP for FY 2024-25 is estimated at INR 3.5 quadrillion (US$4.2 trillion). Based on this estimate, the services sector contributes around INR 1.92 quadrillion (US$2.3 trillion) to national output. However, employment in the services sector account for only about 29.7 percent of Indias workforce, highlighting a widening productivity gap between output and job creation.

This gap reflects a deeper structural transformation in the Indian economy. The services sector is becoming increasingly capital, and technology-intensive, moving away from traditional labor-driven models. For investors, this growth presents opportunities for higher value creation, enhanced efficiency, and stronger integration with global value chains  signaling a transition toward a more innovation-led growth paradigm rather than job-intensive expansion.

Sectoral breakdown: Top performers in the services sector in India

The performance of Indias services sector in 2025 remains diverse, with distinct growth leaders and lagging sub-segments. Key growth drivers include information technology (IT), IT-enabled services (ITeS), financial intermediation, professional consulting, healthcare, and logistics. Together, these segments have positioned India as a global hub for digital and business solutions; exports of computer and business services now account for more than two-thirds of the countrys total services exports.

In contrast, traditional services such as trade, transportation, retail, and hospitality continue to play a vital role in employment generation but lag behind in productivity and digital transformation. Informality remains widespread in these sectors, where contract and self-employed workers dominate, constraining both wage growth and efficiency improvements.

Between April and November FY 2024-25, Indias services exports recorded robust growth of 12.8 percent, up from 5.7 percent in the previous year. This surge has propelled India into the top five globally for services export growth, underlining its competitiveness in high-value, technology-driven domains.

Tourism and hospitality, though showing steady post-pandemic recovery, still face challenges related to capacity, workforce retention, and compliance costs. This trend reinforces the broader pattern: capital-intensive and digitally enabled sub-sectors are outperforming labor-dependent ones. For investors, this points to the long-term potential of scalable, export-linked, and technology-driven service models.

A noteworthy structural shift in 2025 is the emergence of green and sustainable services, such as environmental consulting, renewable energy management, and ESG reporting. Driven by Indias commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, demand for sustainability-related professional services has expanded at over 11 percent annually.

Simultaneously, financial technology (fintech) and digital payments continue to reshape domestic commerce. India now processes over US$3 trillion worth of annual digital transactions through UPI, highlighting increasing digital adoption across the services ecosystem.

State level dynamics: Regional patterns and disparities

State-level analysis reveals marked regional disparities in the contribution made by the services sector. Southern states such as Karnataka, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala have emerged as high-intensity service economies, where services contribute over 60 percent of GVA. In these states, output growth has significantly outpaced employment generation, reflecting a productivity-led rather than employment-driven expansion model.

In contrast, several northern and eastern states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand, continue to record lower service-sector GVA shares and slower diversification away from agriculture. This uneven pattern is further mirrored in urbanrural contrasts: in major metropolitan areas, services account for over 60 percent of employment, while in rural regions the share remains below 20 percent.

Gender participation is also reflected in these disparities. Only around 10.5 percent of rural women are employed in the services sector, compared to nearly 60 percent of urban women who work in service-related occupations.

Meanwhile, emerging states such as Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh are beginning to bridge the gap through targeted skill development initiatives and infrastructure investments. Yet, persistent bottlenecks in logistics, digital infrastructure, and institutional capacity continue to constrain growth. For foreign investors, this points to the importance of state-specific assessments, and considering talent availability, power reliability, and e-governance maturity before committing to new investments. Emerging states refers to Indian states that are not yet among the countrys traditional economic leaders (such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, or Gujarat) but are now showing accelerated economic activity, investment momentum, and industrial potential.

Urbanization is also redefining state-level service economies. Cities such as Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Pune have evolved into Global Capability Center (GCC) hubs, while Gurugram and Noida dominate professional and financial services. At the same time, Tier-2 cities like Indore, Kochi, and Visakhapatnam are emerging as dynamic service corridors, driven by improved air connectivity and lower operational costs. The governments Smart Cities Mission has further accelerated service-sector integration across these urban clusters, attracting IT, design, and consulting firms to expand beyond traditional metropolitan centers.

Policy implications and strategic insights for foreign investors

Indias sectoral policies in 2025 continues to favor services-led expansion. Several developments hold significance for investors assessing Indias services landscape.

1. Digital transformation as a growth catalyst

Indias ongoing Digital India and National Broadband Mission programs have expanded digital infrastructure and connectivity. These initiatives underpin growth in fintech, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, and GCCs; sectors attracting both foreign direct investment (FDI) and technology partnerships.

2. Skill development and formalization

The shift toward higher value services demands a more skilled workforce. Policy interventions such as the Skill India Mission and the Code on Social Security 2020 aim to improve labor mobility and extend protections to platform workers. For investors, this means needing to align hiring and training strategies with emerging compliance frameworks.

3. State level investment differentiation

As services clusters mature, competition among states to attract investment is intensifying. States like Telangana and Tamil Nadu are offering fiscal incentives for IT parks, data centers, and knowledge hubs, while emerging states provide lower operational costs. Firms entering India should calibrate location strategies according to state specific policy frameworks, connectivity, and human capital availability.

4. Linkages between manufacturing and services

The services sector increasingly acts as a productivity multiplier for manufacturing; through logistics, design, R&D, after-sales, and IT integration. Investors seeking diversification may benefit from adopting a hybrid service manufacturing model, especially within special economic zones and industrial corridors.

5. Supportive regulatory environment

Services continue to attract the highest share of FDI inflows; about 19.1 percent in the first half of FY 2024-25. Liberalization measures in insurance, education technology, and professional services, alongside streamlined compliance via the National Single Window System, are further enhancing Indias attractiveness.

Trade diversification is another critical factor shaping investor sentiment. Indias expanding Bilateral Trade Agreements and renewed focus on cross border digital trade aim to position services exports at the center of its global engagement strategy. Sectors such as education technology, health services, and financial analytics are increasingly exported to markets in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Africa. The governments commitment to transparent digital tax frameworks and harmonized data regulations strengthens investor confidence in India as a regional service hub.

Also Read: Indias FDI Trends in Q1 FY 2025-26

Looking ahead  trends shaping the services economy in India

Over the next five years, Indias services sector is expected to contribute over two-thirds of incremental GDP growth. Several structural shifts will define this trajectory:

1. Acceleration of digital services

Rapid expansion in AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and fintech will deepen global integration and productivity. Indias digital services exports are forecast to exceed US$350 billion by 2030.

2. Workforce transformation and formalization

Converting informal service jobs into formal employment remains a policy priority. Labor code implementation and digital skill programs will determine whether growth becomes more inclusive.

3. Regional ecosystem competitiveness

States that expand broadband, logistics networks, and higher-education ecosystems will attract the next wave of investment. Regional differentiation will likely sharpen, requiring investors to maintain flexible, multi-state strategies.

4. Service manufacturing integration and exports

Integration of logistics, business services, and digital infrastructure within manufacturing ecosystems will enable Indian firms to move up the global value chain. This blurring of sectoral lines presents both challenges and opportunities for diversified investors.

Finally, the role of Indias services sector in achieving its US$7 trillion economy goal by 2030 cannot be overstated. The NITI Aayog report highlights that sustained services-led growth could add 1.5-2 percentage points to annual GDP growth if digital, education, and infrastructure policies continue to advance. For foreign investors, Indias combination of demographic dividend, digital readiness, and reform continuity makes its services economy one of the most promising globally.

Outlook

Indias services sector will remain central to achieving the governments vision of becoming a developed economy by 2047. Sustained attention to digital transformation, employment formalization, and regional diversification will be essential to translate output growth into inclusive development.

For businesses, understanding sub-sector dynamics and state level ecosystems will be key to strategic positioning. As indicated in the NITI Aayog report, the services sector is both Indias growth engine and its next major reform frontier.
1. The Post

( Image credit : IMDb| Matthew Rhys as Daniel Ellsberg in The Post )

2. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

( Image credit : IMDb| Matthew Rhys looking effortlessly dashing )

3. The Edge of Love

( Image credit : IMDb| Matthew Rhys in The Edge of Love )

4. Brothers & Sisters

( Image credit : IMDb| Matthew Rhys in Brothers & Sisters )

5. The Americans

( Image credit : IMDb| Matthew Rhys in The American )

Few actors can leave a lasting impression quite like Welsh talent Matthew Rhys, who is currently drawing significant attention with his latest release, The Beast in Me. Renowned for his nuanced performances, Rhys has repeatedly shown that even relatively brief appearances can elevate a films impact. From political thrillers to heartwarming dramas, he brings depth, charm and a quiet intensity that resonates with both audiences and critics alike.Here is a look at five of his most recognised roles that have earned him strong acclaim and helped define his career.In Steven Spielbergs journalism thriller, Rhys plays Daniel Ellsberg, the principled military analyst who leaks the Pentagon Papers. While sharing the spotlight with powerhouse performances from Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks, Rhys manages to leave his own mark, balancing subtlety with conviction and capturing the ethical tension at the heart of the story.In this emotionally rich biopic, Rhys plays the cynical journalist sent to profile Fred Rogers (Tom Hanks). His role is supportive yet essential: he acts as the foil to Rogers warmth, and through his understated but emotionally compelling performance, he adds layers to the narrative. It reminds viewers that the strongest supporting roles often offer the quietest, most memorable impact.In this British period drama, Rhys embodies the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, navigating a complicated triangular relationship during WWII. Its a more central role rather than purely supportingbut still underlines his ability to bring depth and vulnerability to a character that might otherwise be overshadowed by the larger romantic drama around him.Although a television series rather than a film, this remains one of Rhyss defining roles: Kevin Walker, a gay lawyer in the Walker family saga. His character helped broaden representation on network television and allowed Rhys to build his screenpresence over many episodeslaying the groundwork for his later transformative work.Arguably the role that cemented his reputation, Rhys plays Philip Jennings, a Soviet spy living undercover in America during the Cold War. The role demands both emotional subtlety and psychological intensity: balancing loyalty to the mission with the pull of family and life in the suburbs. The complexity of the character shows off Rhyss full versatility. Matthew Rhyss career is a masterclass in versatility. From the tense newsroom ofto the tender world of, he adapts effortlessly to every tone and genre. Critics often praise his authenticity, with performances that linger long after the credits roll. Even in supporting roles, Rhys elevates every story, proving that true brilliance doesnt always need the spotlightit often lies in the quiet, compelling presence of a character brought vividly to life.
Why Florida saw the Northern Lights

( Image credit : AI generated for representational purpose | The rare sight in Florida was triggered by a powerful solar storm that illuminated skies )

Can Floridians see the lights again?

( Image credit : AI generated for representational purpose | NOAA forecasts show states far beyond the northern range )

The best time and place to watch

( Image credit : AI generated for representational purpose | Florida remains outside NOAAs official viewing forecast zone )

States expected to witness the Aurora

Social media reactions

Still crossing my fingers on getting a decent aurora borealis shot without waiting until 11 PM to go back out ....



(6:30 PM was a wash)  Seagh (@Sagh12776222) November 13, 2025

cant believe the aurora borealis was seen in simi valley last night!!!! i was gonna go out to check but i figured i wouldnt see anything here. shoutout to the huge geomagnetic storm !!!!



**not my photo** pic.twitter.com/qY7Jv0opPy  sura (@sadxpisces) November 13, 2025

the way i am living through one of the most active periods of the aurora borealis, and seeing the aurora borealis has been one of my life dreams since i was a child, and i still ALWAYS MISS IT  rose's song (oh my my my) (@jigsawsbaptism) November 13, 2025

After an unexpected and colorful display earlier this week, Floridians are once again watching the skies. The aurora borealis, which unusually appeared over North and Central Florida on November 11, may make another appearance midweek as another solar storm reaches Earth.The rare sight in Florida was triggered by a powerful solar storm that illuminated skies far beyond the expected range. Originally forecast to reach only as far south as Pennsylvania, the auroras glow traveled deep into the Sunshine State, according to the Daytona Beach News Journal.The Space Weather Prediction Center explained that a coronal mass ejection (CME)a burst of solar plasmawas forecast to reach Earth around midday Wednesday. This could again create visible auroras across much of the northern U.S., stretching as far south as Alabama and Northern California.Although Florida remains outside NOAAs official viewing forecast zone, Tuesday nights display proved that strong solar activity can extend visibility further south than expected. NOAA estimates that the aurora can sometimes be observed up to 1,000 kilometers away from its central zone when conditions are favorable.This means that even areas outside the official viewing maplike Daytona Beach and Orlandocould still spot a faint glow low on the northern horizon if the storm strengthens. Around 18 northern states are currently within NOAAs predicted viewing area, but places such as Texas and Colorado also saw surprise sightings earlier this week.For those hoping to catch another glimpse, timing and location are key. NOAA suggests that the best viewing hours are between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. Eastern Time, with the most active displays typically occurring between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.The aurora cannot be seen during daylight and often appears shortly after sunset or before sunrise. Experts recommend traveling away from city lights toward darker locations like beaches, state parks, or rural areas. While the northern lights are rarely visible directly overhead in Florida, faint color streaks can appear along the northern horizon if the geomagnetic storm remains strong.Cameras can also help capture what the human eye might miss. Long-exposure photography can reveal the auroras subtle colors even when theyre invisible in real time, as noted by the Daytona Beach News Journal.According to NOAAs latest aurora forecast, 17 U.S. states are positioned within or just above the aurora viewing line. These include Alaska, Washington, Oregon, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Wyoming, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York.The stunning display sparked excitement across social platforms, with users sharing their experiences and hopes for another sighting.One user said, Still crossing my fingers on getting a decent aurora borealis shot without waiting until 11 PM to go back out...Another wrote, Shoutout to the huge geomagnetic storm!!!!A third commented, Seeing the aurora borealis has been one of my life dreams since I was a child.With another solar storm on the way, skywatchers across the U.S.even in unexpected southern statesare preparing their cameras once more, hoping to witness natures rare and mesmerizing light show.
the concept of Namjoon coming live on purple day and telling us to focus on bts and army only











pic.twitter.com/ZaYYY3lgYe









 Rish (@cuntfortannies) November 13, 2025

What did RM say about BTS' upcoming album?

W Korea

Will Run BTS be back?

( Image credit : X/@bighit_music | BTS will make their comeback in late March )

Earlier at theevent, RM confirmed that BTS highly anticipated comeback album will be released in late March. In his recent live, he also revealed that the album title has been decided. RM said, All the members, you know, are having a very good time on their own, and I just met them yesterday for the meetings.During the same Weverse live, RM also hinted at the possible return of, the beloved variety show featuring all seven members. He said, When it comes to, we are discussing it amongst ourselves.The iconic web series first premiered in 2015 and has aired three full seasons, along with a special season that ran from 2022 to 2023, making it a fan-favourite staple in BTS content lineup.

Why Jungkook is facing heat online

( Image credit : Calvin Klein | BTS' Jungkook has become a target of an online smear campaign amid dating rumours )

Recently, BTS Jungkook has found himself at the center of a storm on social media, and its not just the usual fan chatter. A short video, which quickly went viral, shows him arriving at his home with a woman fans are calling his girlfriend. The clip has sparked intense speculation and debate, with millions watching and weighing in online. Alongside the video, photos of him with unidentified women have circulated, adding fuel to the fire.But its not just this one clip. Over the past few months, Jungkooks name has been linked to multiple stars, including BLACKPINKs Lisa and aespas Winter, based on everything from matching items to shared locations in photos. While none of these rumours have been confirmed, social media has been ablaze, with antis criticising him and ARMYs rushing to defend him.
What do the Epstein emails claim?

Did Trump admit to being a sexual predator?

Who needs the Epstein files?  Trump admitted to being a sexual predator on camera.









HOST: Donald, seriously, you know about sexual predators and things like that?







TRUMP: Right.







HOST: You are one!







TRUMP: Thats true.









Trump makes his confession sitting next to Ivanka & Don Jr.  pic.twitter.com/qbaZlEBZS1







 LongTimeFirstTime (@LongTimeHistory) November 13, 2025







White House dismisses Epstein-Maxwell email claims as politically motivated smear

( Image credit : X/@TRUMP_ARMY_ | White House rejects Epstein-Maxwell email claims as politically driven )

The U.S. presidency of Donald Trump is under intense scrutiny after emails exchanged from the estate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were released by Democrats in the United States House of Representatives. While White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has dismissed the move as a politically motivated smear campaign, social media has erupted with outrage and speculation. Adding fuel to the fire, a resurfaced 2006 clip of Trump has gone viral online, where he appears to call himself a sexual predator during an interview, reigniting debates over his past conduct.The released emails from Jeffrey Epsteins estate include several exchanges between Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and other associates, in which Donald Trumps name appears multiple times.In a 2019 message to journalist Michael Wolff, Epstein allegedly claimed that Trump knew about the girls and hinted that the president had been aware of his activities long before Epsteins 2019 arrest.Another email from 2011, sent to Maxwell, reportedly described Trump as the dog that hasnt barked, suggesting his silence on the matter despite once being a close acquaintance. Some of the correspondence also mentions a redacted victim who had allegedly spent hours at Epsteins home with Trump.While none of the emails include physical evidence or direct accusations of criminal involvement, their tone and timing have raised new questions about how much Trump knew about Epsteins network and why he chose to distance himself only after Epsteins legal troubles became public.For the unversed,while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, andfor her role in aiding his abuse network. Trump has previously claimed that he, describing their relationship as distant and insisting he had not spoken to him in over 15 years.Alongside the email revelations, a circa-2006 appearance by Trump on The Howard Stern Show has gone viral. In that segment, Stern questioned Trump about sexual predators, saying, Donald, seriously you know about sexual predators and things like that? Trump then appeared to nod or mumble thats true or its true. His daughter Ivanka Trump was seated nearby and is seen laughing in the clip.While the video has been dismissed as 'shock jock humour' for years, it now holds more significance than ever given the current context.One user wrote, "Looks like hes proud of it too. Thats nothing to flex over." "Nothing funny about that u creep they should lock you up and throw away the key we all know what you want to do to your daughter, creep. Ranga, you felon, convicted dipstick!" commented another user. "Woah, an acutal confession," one noted.Following the release of the Epstein-Maxwell emails, the White House dismissed allegations, calling them aorchestrated by House Democrats. Press Secretarysaid the documents were being selectively leaked to tarnish President Trumps reputation ahead of the election season, emphasising that there is no evidence whatsoever linking President Trump to Epsteins crimes. She accused Democrats of weaponising sensitive material for political gain and reiterated that the administration remains focused on real issues that affect Americans, not recycled conspiracy theories.
( Image credit : X | @ThatGirlCasey1 | Historic Syria Visit Marred by Trumps Controversial Perfume Joke )

Syrian president responds lightly to Donald Trump's awkward perfume comment

Trump sprays the President of Syria with his cologne and asks how many wives he has







The other one is for your wife..how many wives, one? With you guys, I never knowpic.twitter.com/Qcjxg9TFa3





 yeet (@Awk20000) November 12, 2025

Netizens react to the awkward moment between Donald Trump and Ahmed al-Sharaa

First Syrian leader to visit the White House since 1946

( Image credit : X | @sentdefender | Historic Visit Overshadowed by Awkward Trump Comment on Perfume and Wives )

( Image credit : X | @ThatGirlCasey1 and @popcrave | Trump (L) and Al-Sharaa (R) Share Awkward Yet Lighthearted Moment Amid Historic Diplomatic Visit )

In an uncomfortable moment during a White House meeting with Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Monday, November 10, President Donald Trump, 79, was caught spraying a perfume bottle on the politician, calling it the best fragrance. Not only this, but he went on to add, "And the other one is for your wife," before awkwardly asking, How many wives, one?" The moment left observers noting the surprising and unsettling nature of the encounter. Let's find out more about what happened.Recently, during a White House meeting, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa responded with a smile and a nod when President Trump jokingly asked, How many wives? One? after giving him a bottle of his Victory perfume.'The two leaders then shared a brief laugh as Trump patted L-Sharaas arm and added, You never know, right, diffusing the awkward moment with light-hearted banter.As soon as the video surfaced on social media, it quickly went viral and caught the attention of everyone. One X (formerly called Twitter) user wrote, "Truly the content president lmao." While one said, "Wow, he beheaded more people than he married.""He might be a PDF, but you can't deny the guy is funny. I still laugh at the clip of him talking about how he asked Alderson if she liked the US or Israel more and said the answer was Israel because she didn't answer," another added."Trump straight up tagged them with a genetic marker." "Trump is a national treasure," one added.One asked, "Wow, so funny   How about those Epstein files? How about not importing cheap foreign workers? "Al-Sharaa's trip to Washington marked the first visit by a Syrian head of state to the White House since Syria gained independence from France in 1946. The visit follows the US lifting sanctions that had been imposed during Bashar Assads regime.Al-Sharaa, who led the rebel forces that overthrew Assad in December 2024, was appointed Syrias interim leader in January 2025. Donald Trump also invited Syria to join the U.S.-led international coalition combating the Islamic State (IS) group.
Jeffery Epstein's mail claims Donald Trump spent hours with an alleged victim

Donald J. Trump Truth Social Post 02:03 PM EST 11/12/25 pic.twitter.com/jvCRQuoxl7































 Commentary Donald J. Trump Posts From Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) November 12, 2025



























Donald Trump denies wrongdoing as the White House accuses Democrats of a political smear

BBC

( Image credit : X | @itsdeaann | Epstein Suggests Trumps Alleged Involvement Had Gone Unnoticed )

Netizens react to Jeffrey Epstein's newly released emails

Esptein Emails highlight Donald Trump's alleged interaction with Virginia Giuffre

( Image credit :  X | @realXanderXjork | Virginia Giuffre Mentioned in Newly Released Epstein Emails )

Epstein claimed he 'knew how dirty Donald Trump is'

CNN

In a shocking twist of events, House Democrats have released some old emails in which Jeffrey Epstein alleged that President Donald Trump spent hours at his home with one of Epstein's victims. The messages also suggest that Epstein believed Trump may have known more about his abusive activities than he has publicly admitted, intensifying scrutiny over the former president's ties to the disgraced financier. Let's find out more.In the newly released emails issued in 2011, Jeffrey Epstein alleged that Donald Trump "spent hours" with one of his sex trafficking victims. Epstein, in one of the messages, mentioned, I want you to realise that that dog that hasnt barked is Trump [VICTIM] spent hours at my house with him; he has never once been mentioned."He also suggested that Trump's involvement in the case had gone unnoticed, and the emails have sparked renewed attention to Donald Trump's connections with the disgraced financier and his inner circle.On Truth Social, Trump wrote The Democrats are trying to bring up the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax again because theyll do anything at all to deflect on how badly theyve done on the Shutdown, and so many other subjects. He added, Only a very bad, or stupid, Republican would fall into that trap.According to the, although Donald Trumps name appears in the newly released emails, none were sent to or from him, and he has consistently denied any wrongdoing.On Wednesday, the White House defended the president, accusing Democrats of "selectively leaking emails to the liberal media to create a false narrative to smear President Trump." Moreover, Donald Trump echoed this sentiment, saying the documents were released to distract from their massive failures, especially their most recent  THE SHUTDOWN!On the other hand, in a related development, newly sworn-in Democratic Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva signed a petition just hours after the release, prompting a vote on whether the Justice Department should make the full Epstein files public.As soon as the email surfaced on social media, it quickly went viral and sparked debate. One X (formerly called Twitter) user said, "Except the emails don't name him, the witnesses were liars who recanted, and Trump is the person who got Epstein convicted and exposed. But other than all that, good try."Another said, "Oh, but I thought he was nowhere near friends with him and has nothing to do with any of the victims""And this is why we need the Epstein Files fully released and unredacted.We need names of the abusers, public hearings, and televised consequences.The consequences for those involved should be extreme enough for this to never, ever, ever happen again," one added."Swing and a miss. The victim mentioned in the email, which Democrats redacted in an attempt to create controversy, is Virginia Giuffre, who already testified in a 2016 deposition that Trump never participated in anything and that she never witnessed him being inappropriate."The emails have drawn intense attention due to their reference to Virginia Giuffre, who has been central in Epsteins abuse cases. By describing Trump as a dog that hasnt barked, Epstein appeared to suggest that Trumps involvement or knowledge of the situation, had gone unnoticed.The revelations have reignited public and political scrutiny over Trumps past connections to Epstein and his inner circle.According to, back in August 2018, in an email to Kathryn Ruemmler, former White House counsel under Barack Obama, Jeffrey Epstein wrote, I know how dirty Donald is, hinting at a potential scandal. He added, My guess is that non-lawyers and NY business people have no idea what it means to have your fixer flip.Interestingly, these emails are a part of over 20,000 documents obtained by the House Democrats from Epstein's estate through a subpoena and were released on Wednesday by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.CNN reports that the email exchange began on August 23, 2018, when Ruemmler shared a New York Times opinion piece titled Donald Trumps High Crimes and Misdemeanours, which covered Trumps former lawyer Michael Cohen pleading guilty to campaign finance violations, including hush money payments.
( Image credit : Weibo | The photo fueling the frenzy showed Kris Wu in a blue prison uniform, appearing to be questioned by officers. )

Authorities crush the rumour

( Image credit : X/@KrisBar_WuYiFan | Despite the official statement, social media is still buzzing - proving how quickly fake news can spiral when it involves a global celebrity like Kris Wu. )

Kris Wu - From global idol to scandal and prison

( Image credit : X/@KrisBar_WuYiFan | Kris Wu was sentenced to 13 years in prison for raping three women and participating in group sexual assaults in 2018. )

Kris Wu's death rumours: a long-running saga

A single photo that has managed to send shockwaves across social media claimed that former EXO member Kris Wu had died in a Chinese prison following a hunger strike. Fans panicked, gossip blogs exploded, and the rumour mill went into overdrive -as the news of the former idol's death painted a dark and chilling picture of the fallen K-pop star.Some posts even alleged he had been attacked by other inmates, igniting a storm of speculation and horror online. The photo fueling the frenzy showed Wu in a blue prison uniform, appearing to be questioned by officers - but it wasn't real.On November 11, Jiangsu Police confirmed what skeptics suspected: the viral image was digitally manipulated. Wu's face had been placed over a previous news photo, creating a convincing but entirely fake scene. Authorities urged the public to stop sharing the image, warning that spreading false news could have serious consequences.Despite the official statement, social media is still buzzing - proving how quickly fake news can spiral when it involves a global celebrity like Wu.Once adored by millions, Kris Wu was a household name in K-pop and China. His time in EXO made him a star, and his solo career promised even more international fame. But his world collapsed after multiple women accused him of sexual assault, leading to his conviction in 2021.Wu was sentenced to 13 years in prison for raping three women and participating in group sexual assaults in 2018. A staggering 600 million yuan ($84 million USD) fine for tax evasion was also levied. His appeal was rejected in 2023, and he is set for expulsion from China after completing his term.This is not the first time Kris Wu's health and fate in prison have sparked rumors. Over the years, every social media stir - a blurry photo, a misreported article, or a viral post - has reignited speculation about his death or alleged mistreatment.The latest incident highlights how quickly misinformation can spread online, especially when a star has fans worldwide desperate for news, true or not.While panic and speculation dominate timelines, authorities and responsible fans stress the importance of verifying information. Kris Wu remains alive, and the viral photo is nothing more than a reminder of the dangers of social media hysteria.
Embracing solitude and redefining home

( Image credit : Instagram/islafisher| Candles, baths, Netflix: Isla Fishers life after divorce )

Career reboot and identity outside partnership

( Image credit : Instagram/islafisher| Isla Fisher refocuses on career and self, stepping into life beyond partnership )

Challenge as opportunity: Growth through change

( Image credit : Instagram/islafisher| From loss to self-discovery: Fisher embraces change with hope and grounding )

Actress Isla Fisher, known for her comedic flair and colourful on-screen presence, is navigating a significant personal shift. In a recent conversation she described the experience of building a new life  from a grassroots level after her divorce from Sacha Baron Cohen as challenging, but deeply rewarding.Fishers new chapter centres on creating sanctuary rather than spectacle. She says that settling into her newly completed home provoked an emotional cry  first time as a single woman, being in a home of my own. She describes her current evenings thus: skipping house parties in favour of lighting candles, drawing a bath, and watching Netflix a wardrobechange from her previously extroverted life.Beyond the walls of her home, Fisher is also reestablishing her professional goals. Having devoted years primarily to her children, she now says shes refocusing on my career  enjoying tackling work again. Crucially, she emphasises a shift in identity: somebody outside of a partnership. This suggests her evolution isnt merely about status but selfdefinition.While the end of a long marriage might appear purely as loss, Fisher frames it as an opportunity. She acknowledges the split as the most difficult thing Ive been through  Ive learned so much about myself in the process. Moreover, she credits the women in her life for grounding her a sign that her support network is shifting too. The tone is hopeful, not bitter: the change is tough, but the outcome may be richer.Fishers story isnt just about a highprofile divorce. Its a narrative of recentering: home as refuge rather than stage, solo identity rather than duo branding, quieter nights rather than spotlight events. If anything, the fresh angle here is the domestic revolution of a celebrity rather than the celebrity crisis itself, a pivot from glamor to grounding.
A subtle shift in DiCaprios public persona

( Image credit : Insatgram/dicaprio.photos| DiCaprios quiet romance finds its rhythm with Ceretti )

Vittoria Ceretti: Beyond the runway

( Image credit : Instagram/vittoria| Vittoria Ceretti: serenity in a world of spectacle )

From rumors to reality

( Image credit : Insatgram/dicaprio.photos| DiCaprio and Cerettis calm defies Hollywoods chaos )

For years, Leonardo DiCaprio has been known as one of Hollywoods most elusive leading men both on and off screen. Yet, his relationship with Italian supermodel Vittoria Ceretti is quietly reshaping that image. The pair, first linked in 2023, seem to have moved past the speculative phase that often surrounds the actors love life. With recent footage from DiCaprios 51st birthday celebration showing Ceretti presenting him with a cake as friends cheered, the couples bond appears more grounded and genuine than many of his past high-profile romances.DiCaprio, who has long guarded his private life, seems increasingly comfortable showing glimpses of intimacy with Ceretti. From being spotted together in Ibiza to attending major fashion and film events side by side, their connection has unfolded naturally in the public eye. Observers note that this is a departure from his usual discretion, signaling a more open approach to companionship one that aligns with Cerettis confident yet low-key presence in the fashion world.Ceretti, 26, has carved a remarkable career on her own terms. A fixture on international runways, she has fronted campaigns for leading fashion houses and become known for her understated elegance. Her calm demeanor and independence stand out in an industry often defined by spectacle. Those familiar with her career say her grounded attitude complements DiCaprios passion for privacy and environmental causes, creating a dynamic that feels balanced rather than performative.While DiCaprios name has often sparked viral headlines linking him to younger models including unfounded speculation surrounding Israeli model Eden Polani in early 2023 the narrative appears to be shifting. His relationship with Ceretti, marked by quiet support and mutual respect, is a rare instance where authenticity has overtaken tabloid chatter.In a world where celebrity relationships often burn fast and fade faster, DiCaprio and Cerettis evolving story stands out not for its glamour, but for its calm consistency, a glimpse, perhaps, of Hollywood maturity meeting genuine affection.
Min Hee Jin breaks her silence and offers support

Soompi

( Image credit : X/@Kpopupdates | Min Hee Jin supports NewJeans decision to reunite, says group must stay together as five )

Haerin and Hyein were first to say theyre returning

( Image credit : X/@NewJeansbase | Haerin and Hyein confirmed their ADOR return before other NewJeans members )

Minji, Hanni and Danielle issued separate statements of return

ADOR says it is verifying intentions; HYBE to hold separate talks

The NewJeans saga: how did it begin?

( Image credit : Instagram/@NewJeans_official | NewJeans-HYBE conflict reaches new chapter after court ruling and members return )

In a sudden turn of events, all five members of NewJeans, Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin and Hyein, have announced their intention to return to ADOR, the label under HYBE, following a Seoul courts ruling on October 30 that their exclusive contracts remain valid.Behind the public statements, ADOR has expressed scepticism about the sincerity of Hanni, Danielle and Minjis motives and said it is verifying the details of their decision. Amid the ongoing situation, former ADOR CEO and NewJeans mentor Min Heejin has broken her silence and offered her perspective on their return.Min Hee Jin has spoken out after the announcements. As reported by, in her statement, she said, I believe the decision the members made yesterday to return together was reached after deep deliberation and discussion. I respect and support that choice.She added that despite the difficulties the group has faced, she deeply values[s] the courage of the members who joined hands again to protect one another.Min also emphasised, I can start anew anywhere. However, I believe that NewJeans must be kept intact as five members. She clarified that her ongoing legal and corporate dispute with HYBE is separate from the groups situation.According to ADORs official statement that was posted on X on November 12, members Haerin and Hyein informed the label that they would resume activities, stating they had respect[ed] the courts latest ruling and adhere[d] to their exclusive contract following careful consideration with their families and thorough discussions with ADOR. Their return announcement came a bit ahead of their fellow members, suggesting those two had been in talks with the label before the others.Later the same day, Minji, Hanni and Danielle issued their own joint statement, saying, After careful discussions, we have decided to return to ADOR. One of our members is currently in Antarctica, so the communication was delayed, and since ADOR has not yet responded, we had no choice but to share our position separately. The staggered timing and somewhat unusual reasoning (member in Antarctica) have given HYBE and ADOR pause.In response, ADOR said it is currently reviewing the authenticity of the return statement from Minji, Hanni and Danielle and is planning separate meetings with each of the three to examine their intentions behind the return. Meanwhile, HYBE has reiterated that the wider legal dispute, including contract validity and group management, remains unsettled, and the label is observing how the situation unfolds.The root of the conflict dates back to 2024 when Min Hee Jin, then CEO of ADOR, clashed with HYBE over creative control and leadership. The groups members publicly supported Min and pressed for changes, at one point announcing they considered their contracts invalid.On October 30, 2025, the Seoul Central District Court ruled that the members must honour their exclusive contracts with ADOR through 2029. Now, with these new announcements of return, the story appears to move into its next phase.
A tragic friendship turns fatal

A light to everyone who knew her



The investigation and charges



What started as an ordinary evening between friends in Milwaukee ended in devastation. Ariel Spillner, a 26-year-old Concordia University pharmacy student, was found dead on November 4 after allegedly being shot by her friend, 31-year-old Jamica Simone Mills. Police say the two women had been together at Mills home, smoking marijuana, when paranoia reportedly took over.According to court documents, Mills told officers that both she and Spillner began feeling uneasy after smoking. She claimed she saw Spillner make a sudden hand movement and, fearing she was about to be attacked, fired a handgun she kept in her bedroom. Mills insisted that she never intended to kill her friend.Spillners loved ones have been left shattered. In a statement shared on GoFundMe, her family described her as a light to everyone who knew her, adding that she had the most giving soul with the biggest heart. They said Ariel loved her family, friends, and dogs deeply and had dedicated her life to helping others through her future in pharmacy. Her death, they said, was an unimaginable loss.Authorities who arrived at the scene around 9:40 p.m. found Mills suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to her abdomen and Spillner unresponsive nearby. Spillner was pronounced dead at the scene.Mills has been charged with first-degree reckless homicide and felony use of a dangerous weapon. She remains held on a $150,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on November 17.Friends and classmates of Spillner have since shared tributes on social media, remembering her as a compassionate, driven young woman with an infectious smile. Her familys statement summed it up best, her future was bright, they said, and it is heartbreaking that it was ripped away from her and us.
Muralist Meg Saligman, aka the "Ministrix of Awe," poses for a photo on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, during a tour of a historic Old City bank she's transforming into a large-scale art installation. Read more

The historic Old City Manufacturers National Bank is under construction, set to become a six-story arts venue opening in March.

Called the Ministry of Awe, the 8,500-square-foot venue will be an immersive installation, showcasing dozens of performance artists, paintings, and interactive sculptures.

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A team of more than 100 Philadelphia artists are collaborating to bring the cultural attraction to life, led by renowned muralist Meg Saligman. Calling herself the bank president, Saligman founded the Ministry of Awe in 2022 as a nonprofit dedicated to reviving the vacant building and creating an arts venue with work that riffs on the bank theme.

We dont trade in money, we trade in human essence, said Saligman, who lives in Penns Landing. So in this bank, were going to explore different [questions]. What do we make of our value systems? What do we make of what is truly important to us in life? In no way do we think money is not important, but we do think thats for other banks to handle  In the ministry, your account is your story. What do you trade in?

The building had been closed to the public for decades before Saligman created her first pop-up installation, Make Bank, in 2023 as part of the Philadelphia Fringe Festival.

Saligman likes to say that the building found her and that she discovered the Ministry of Awe was already inside. Its part of the fictional lore she has created around the ministry as an entity thats been around since the beginning of time in locations around the world.

She purchased the 19th-century bank in 2022 for $1.65 million, which she covered by selling two of her garage studios in South Philly. She received funding support from the city, the state, and the federal government and, about a year ago, KMC Partners began renovating the interior.

The historic vault and much of the architectural structure remain intact, but soon the walls will be covered in murals. There will be a room that serves as a giant music box while other sections will invite guests to paint and draw, contributing their own designs. One room is designated for counterfeiting, where participants can forge signatures from historical figures like John Hancock.

Saligman is working with research and design studio Spatial Pixel to create an artificial intelligence experience where, for instance, a painting appears to change in reaction to visitors behavior.

There will be actors throughout the building who will all bring this work of visual art alive with you, said Saligman. Theres a teller that smells you. You will walk through and be delighted and surprised along the way.

The space will welcome visitors to wonder and wander, she added, as they can dig through bank tellers drawers and find a scavenger hunt-like activity as they piece together the ministrys magical and mysterious history.

I think a goal is definitely to uncover secrets, experience the mystery, and most importantly, exchange with artists and each other, she said. As an artist, I see our lives becoming more and more individuals on individual screens, so were very fortunate to be opening a new work of art at this time where we can perhaps do something to bring people together.

The Ministry of Awe, 27 N. 3rd Street, is scheduled to open to the public on March 14, 2026. Timed-entry tickets available to purchase in January at moaphilly.org.
Unionized Starbucks baristas announced a strike on Thursday, including five locations in Philadelphia, amid stalled negotiations between the workers union and the company.

The union, Starbucks Workers United, said it would include at least 65 stores across more than 40 cities, including Philadelphia. The strike began on Starbucks yearly Red Cup Day giveaway.

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Workers are on strike at two University City locations (34th and Walnut Street and Penn Medicine Perelman Center), two Center City stores (22nd and South Street; 16th and Walnut Street), and the Chestnut Hill Starbucks, according to the union.

Around 9 a.m. some 30 Starbucks employees and supporters marched from 34th and Walnut to Penn Medicine, holding green signs that read No contract, no Starbucks! and Baristas on strike! That didnt stop half a dozen or so customers at the Penn Medicine store from picking up their coffees around that time.

Red Cup Day is an annual event when Starbucks typically gives out reusable red cups for the holiday season. The union has previously planned walkouts coinciding with Red Cup Day in recent years. The union said it has no set end date for the current strike.

Starbucks spokesperson Jaci Anderson said: Less than 1% of our coffeehouses are experiencing any level of disruption, and the vast majority of our 240,000 partners came to work ready to serve customers and celebrate Reusable Red Cup Day.

Starbucks has several dozen stores in Philadelphia and more in the surrounding counties. Of the city locations, eight are unionized. So are a couple more in the suburbs.

As they negotiate their first collective bargaining agreement since baristas unionized, Starbucks and the union have reached tentative agreements on 33 topics, the union has said. But financial proposals have become a sticking point.

We made it really far in bargaining, and the company eventually began stalling around issues like better pay, better staffing, and also remedying all of the violations of labor law that theyve committed, said Silvia Baldwin, a barista at the 34th and Walnut Starbucks location, ahead of the strike.

The union said earlier this month that negotiations had stalled after union officials rejected an April proposal from the company. They say that Starbucks proposal fell short on wages and staffing levels.

The union has filed hundreds of unfair labor practices charges against Starbucks, alleging that the company has not bargained in good faith, and that it fired some workers in retaliation for union activities. Those charges remain unresolved, according to Starbucks Workers United.

The strike is intended to bring Starbucks back to the bargaining table and finish settling the contract, said Baldwin, who was picketing Thursday morning.

Baldwin has been working at the University City Starbucks for 3 years. She and her coworkers love their jobs, she said. Its the reason they found themselves standing in the cold Thursday morning to fight for better pay and staffing.

We are disappointed that Workers United, who only represents around 4% of our partners, has voted to authorize a strike instead of returning to the bargaining table. When theyre ready to come back, were ready to talk, Anderson, the Starbucks spokesperson, said Wednesday.

Any agreement needs to reflect the reality that Starbucks already offers the best job in retail, Anderson added, noting that its hourly workers pay and benefits together are worth more than $30 per hour on average.

Employee turnover is nearly half of the industry average, Anderson said, and the company receives over a million job applications a year.

Unionized baristas have said they dont always get the 20 hours per week they need to be eligible for Starbucks benefits.

Michelle Eisen, a spokesperson for the union, said Thursday morning on a media call that stores across the U.S. had closed because of the strike. When stores go on strike, the vast majority of them close within a few hours because of staffing issues, said Eisen.

The 34th and Walnut store was closed as of Thursday morning, with a sign on the door saying it would reopen as quickly as possible. The Penn Medicine and Chestnut Hill locations also closed early, according to a spokesperson for the union.

At 22nd and South, around 10:40 a.m., at least two people were working at the store, and orders were waiting to be picked up. Inside, 10 customers were enjoying their drinks and working on laptops. The 16th and Walnut store was also open and operating as of late morning.

In the event a coffeehouse experiences a temporary closure as a result of Workers Uniteds actions, I can assure there will be stores nearby open and ready to serve customers. We have plenty of Red Cups to give away and are excited to have a great day with our customers, Anderson said.

How did the baristas get here?

Starbucks baristas have been organizing for years, with their first union vote held in 2021 at a store in Buffalo. Starbucks Workers United represents over 12,000 Starbucks employees at more than 650 stores as of October, out of more than 18,000 stores nationwide and in Canada, the union has said.

The companys count of unionized workers and locations is lower than the unions, according to Anderson.

The union has held a number of single-day and multiday strikes, including on Red Cup Day, over recent years.

While only a small share of Starbucks stores are unionized, Starbuckss success in part relies on the relationship between customers and baristas, said Todd Vachon, assistant professor of labor studies and employment relations at Rutgers University, and a strike can potentially influence that relationship.

Its not going to really do any economic damage to Starbucks to have all these stores close for a day, but it can do economic damage in the long run if customers start to have sympathy with the workers and decide to shop elsewhere, Vachon said.

Four years is a particularly long time to still be without a first union contract, Vachon said. But, he noted that in recent decades, its taken longer for new unions to get a first agreement. Sometimes companies that dont want their workers unionized will drag out the process, he said.

In September, Starbucks announced that it would shutter hundreds of stores nationwide, amid restructuring under new CEO Brian Niccol. That included six Philadelphia coffee shops, three of which were unionized.

The company has been grappling with declining sales at established stores amid the rising costs of coffee and labor. Niccol has also reworked Starbucks marketing strategy, moved to bring back baristas writing on cups, and set a goal of getting orders ready in four minutes or less.

I want Starbucks to succeed. My livelihood depends on it, Pittsburgh barista Dachi Spoltore said during Thursdays media call. I know Starbucks success has to include and prioritize the people who make the coffee, open the stores, and keep the customers coming back. Were proud of our work, but were tired of being treated like were disposable.
A police officer beat and used a stun gun on a grieving Northeast Philadelphia man as authorities removed the body of his roommate who had died hours earlier, a lawsuit says.

The complaint alleges that police officers assaulted Corey Lincoln-Conner and then charged him with aggravated assault based on false statements by the officers on the scene, all while the incident was captured by body-camera footage.

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Lincoln-Conner, 34, was the live-in caretaker and friend of a chronically ill man whom he found unresponsive in their house on Jan. 24, according to the complaint, which was filed last week in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas against three police officers. Lincoln-Conner called 911 and the man, whose name isnt included in the lawsuit, was declared dead by medics.

For the next few hours, the suit says, Lincoln-Conner waited in the house for police to transport the mans body to the Medical Examiners Office for an autopsy.

After midnight, officers Nasir Chestnut and Abraham Matos arrived, the complaint says. Lincoln-Conner grew upset, the suit says, by the officers disrespectful handling of the body and he voiced those concerns.

The officers stepped away from the body and approached Lincoln-Conner in the neighboring room, and Chestnut grabbed Mr. Lincoln-Conner by his neck and shoved him backwards. The two tripped and Lincoln-Conner fell on top of Chestnut.

Within less than ten seconds, defendant Matos tased Plaintiff Lincoln-Conner, the lawsuit says. After Plaintiff Lincoln Conner was tased, defendant Chestnut got off the floor, stood over him and punched him in the face approximately ten times.

During the alleged assault, the suit says, Lincoln-Conner covered his face and yelled my hands are up, my hands are up. Chestnut yelled an expletive and added You going to listen now? You going to listen now?

The punching continued while Matos and another officer yelled at Chestnut to stop, the complaint says.

When backup officers arrived, Chestnut told them that Lincoln-Conner was in there bleeding because he got in my face, according to the complaint. When they asked Chestnut if he was hurt, he shook his head and said that Lincoln-Conner never even got a punch off, the suit says.

Chestnut told detectives that Lincoln-Conner walked up to him in a fighting stance and that the officer grabbed him to defend himself. Lincoln-Conner was charged with assault, resisting arrest, and making terroristic threats. The officer later said in court that Lincoln-Conner punched him in the face multiple times, according to the complaint.

But body-worn camera footage showed that wasnt what happened, the lawsuit says, and a Common Pleas judge dismissed the case in July.

This guy is grieving the death of his good friend, and a person he is a caretaker for, in his own house, Alan Tauber, an attorney representing Lincoln-Conner said. If its happening here in that context, what is going on on the streets?

The lawsuit names Chestnut, Matos, and a police detective, William Lackman, as defendants. It accuses them of false arrest, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and a conspiracy to assault Lincoln-Conner and provide false statements.

A spokesperson for the Philadelphia Law Department declined to comment on the active litigation.

According to an investigation into a complaint filed with police, published on the police departments website, findings of physical abuse and verbal abuse were substantiated against at least one officer. The officers are not named in the report, and the disciplinary findings are pending.
The Kimmel Center at Broad and Spruce Streets will host the Michelin Guides Northeast Cities ceremony. Read more

Hundreds of top chefs from five cities will exchange their whites for cocktail attire Tuesday night for the Michelin Guides Northeast Cities ceremony at the Kimmel Center.

Given that its an invitation-only event, the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau has struck a deal with 6abc.com to live stream the event on its website and apps to encourage watch parties.

The ceremony, expected to run about an hour, will begin at 7 p.m. after a cocktail reception.

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The bureaus official watch party will be at McGillins Olde Ale House, at 1310 Drury St., the citys oldest bar and one of the oldest in the country.

Our hope is that food lovers will gather to cheer on the chefs and restaurants putting our city on the world stage, said Robin Bloom, PHLCVBs senior director of communications.

The Northeast Cities ceremony will cover dining in Chicago, New York City, D.C., and for the first time, Boston and Philadelphia.

Though invitations have gone out to chefs and restaurateurs, its not entirely clear all attendees will come home with a prize.

Michelin operates in regions around the world from its headquarters in France and its U.S. base in Greenville, S.C.

On Nov. 3, Greenville hosted the 2025 American South awards, covering dining in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and the preexisting Atlanta Guide. The guide recognized 228 restaurants in the region that night.

Philadelphia civic boosters had long sought Michelins attention, especially after its restaurant scene had been lauded routinely for at least the last decade by the James Beard Foundation and national food publications. In Mays announcement that it had struck a deal with PHLCVB, Michelin acknowledged that its notoriously fussy inspectors had already begun their work.

In Michelin parlance, better restaurants receive 1 star (worth a stop), 2 stars (worth a detour), or 3 stars (worth a journey). Casual restaurants deemed good quality, good value cooking are labeled as Bib Gourmand selections, while some restaurants are reviewed and presented without star ratings. There also are other categories, such as Green Star (sustainable gastronomy).

It was no small feat that Philadelphia landed the honor of hosting the Northeast event. In the announcement in August, Gwendal Poullennec, Michelins international director, referred to the iconic city of Philadelphia as a shining example of hospitality.
Dario Altieri, president and CEO of the Wistar Institute, speaks at a ribbon-cutting ceremony in September. Altieri recently signed a letter with other biomedical research institutions urging Congress to increase funding to the National Institutes of Health. Read more

The record-breaking federal government shutdown marked yet another impediment to scientific research efforts at the Wistar Institute this year.

After a year in which federal research funding was thrown into uncertainty, with funding freezes and canceled grants, the shutdown meant that the National Institutes of Health were not able to review grant proposals from scientists around the country.

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The ongoing precarity of federal funding  with President Donald Trump proposing another round of cuts at the NIH in the next fiscal year  had Wistar president and CEO Dario Altieri worried about the Philadelphia biomedical research institutes future.

Wistar wasnt significantly impacted by this years initial research cuts. Still, when the federal government shut down, grant proposals that Wistar scientists expected federal officials to review languished, he said.

Everything came to a complete stop, he said.

And now, with the shutdown over, Altieri and his counterparts at a statewide coalition of scientific research institutions and advocacy organizations are urging federal lawmakers to commit to funding the NIH as they renew budget talks.

The Pennsylvania Ad Hoc NIH Funding Advocacy Coalition in August urged Pennsylvania representatives on the House Appropriations Committee to vote to give $47.2 billion to the NIH in the forthcoming fiscal year, following the lead of their Senate colleagues.

That move would increase funding for the NIH by $400 million  instead of cutting it by 40%, as Trump had proposed.

On Thursday, the coalition sent a second letter to Pennsylvanias federal lawmakers, again encouraging them to fund the NIH at that level.

The initial letters signatories included the University of Pennsylvania and Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, along with Wistar and other specialized research centers and advocacy groups.

Penn and CHOP officials did not sign the second letter. In a statement, Penn officials said they had signed other letters supporting increases in NIH funding and continue to engage in direct advocacy on the matter.

CHOP said that preserving NIH funding is critically important and that its officials and clinicians traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with legislators on the issue last week.

No matter how we advocate, we always stand with the entire biomedical research community in advocating for funding needed to save lives and cure disease, the hospital said in a statement.

Altieri again signed the latest letter from the ad hoc coalition, joined by officials at the American Association for Cancer Research, the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center, and the University City Science Center, among others. NIH funding is a bipartisan issue for the biomedical research coalition.

This is not a red state or blue state issue. Its about the health of everyone in the Commonwealth, Altieri said.

He added that scientists across the state have dealt with unprecedented unpredictability over their funding sources this year. Everyone longs for some level of predictability, of having a norm, an expected outcome of a process that has been going on for decades.

Altieri said he hopes lawmakers will follow the example of area research associations who often collaborate.

There are so many academic institutions in Pennsylvania that cover so many different aspects of education, training, and research. We really want elected lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to work together like we do, he said.
Kiran Musunuru, a professor for translational research in Penns Perelman School of Medicine (left), and Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas, director of the Gene Therapy for Inherited Metabolic Disorders Frontier Program at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia with KJ Muldoon at Childrens Hospital. Read more

Earlier this year, researchers at CHOP and Penn created a first-of-its-kind drug customized to a unique genetic mutation to save an infant named Baby KJ from dying of a rare liver disorder.

KJ Muldoons doctors used CRISPR, the buzzy shorthand for a scientific tool that works like a find-and-replace command, to locate the genetic misspelling that prevented his body from producing a key enzyme that breaks down protein. They then infused a medication laced with bits of genetic code to fix the misspelling, dramatically improving his chances of survival.

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The drug will never be given to another patient, but researchers believe the approach could be replicated to help other patients with rare diseases, customizing bespoke drugs to target different genetic misspellings.

They now have a way to put their theory to the test. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday announced a new approach to clinical trials to test one-of-a-kind drugs like the one CHOP and Penn doctors created for KJ.

The approach creates a pathway toward regulatory approval  and insurance coverage  for rare-disease treatments that, in the past, would have had little chance of reaching the market because they benefit so few people.

The FDAs protocol addresses a longtime challenge in developing treatments for rare diseases: Scientists struggle to identify enough patients to create a critical mass in trials, and pharmaceutical companies are reluctant to sink millions of dollars and years of time into developing a drug that, ultimately, will benefit very few people.

Now the FDAs new plausible mechanism protocol will create a way for Philadelphia researchers to test the CRISPR framework for treating customized gene therapies for urea cycle disorders related to any one of seven genes. The mechanism will remain the same, but the injection each patient receives will be customized to target their unique genetic mutation.

Two FDA divisions that oversee drug safety  the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, and the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research  are expected to guidance on the new protocol in the coming months.

The Philadelphia team  led by Kiran Musunuru, a cardiologist and leading gene-editing expert at the University of Pennsylvania, and Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas, a metabolic disease specialist at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia  hope their work will be a model for rare-disease drug development.

As academics, we think of ourselves as the top of the spear, going where the companies are reluctant to go, Musunuru said.

Their goal, he said, is to show pharmaceutical companies that rare-disease drug development is feasible on a larger scale. They published details about their interactions with the FDA in the American Journal of Human Genetics in October.

Though each rare disease is uncommon, millions of people have a rare disease. Many have shared characteristics that could potentially be addressed through a customizable drug.

Using CRISPR to treat rare diseases

KJs treatment was a new application for CRISPR, a gene-editing tool with an unlikely origin story involving quality-control tests on bacteria used in making yogurt.

Scientists discovered that bacteria keep records of the DNA of viruses that attack them. These microbial mug shots can be utilized to pinpoint a genetic misspelling in a patients DNA.

A type of enzyme is then used to cut the misspelling and either correct it or eliminate it.

Earlier this year, KJs doctors announced they had used the technology to develop a custom drug using information about his specific gene mutation.

They worked with outside research and manufacturing partners to quickly produce the drug and test it for safety. They were granted expedited authorization by the FDA under rules designed to fast-track treatments for rare diseases.

The approach was life-saving for KJ, who returned home in June after 307 days in the hospital and will need ongoing treatment.

An identical drug can never be used for another patient. And handcrafting drugs for rare-disease patients one by one isnt feasible.

Building on KJs treatment

To reach more patients with their gene-editing therapy, Musunuru and Ahrens-Nicklas needed to find a way to create a drug that could be produced on a larger scale.

Whats more, they needed to be able to apply for FDA approval, the gold standard for drug safety in the United States, without which most insurance companies wont cover drugs.

Typically, drug developers focus on a specific treatment for a specific disease, investing millions of dollars for up to a decade to bring the drug to market.

Instead, Musunuru and Ahrens-Nicklas worked with the FDA to create a trial protocol that would allow them to test a drug platform that could be customized for individual patients.

Power in numbers is a real thing, to be able to tell if a drug is effective, Musunuru said. If you were to try to stand up a trial for each of these seven, it would be cost prohibitive.

They plan to keep key elements of the treatment the same: CRISPR will identify the genetic misspelling, and patients will receive a drug laced with bits of DNA to correct it. The exact gene thats targeted will depend on each patients specific disorder.

They plan to test the drug on patients with urea disorders, which affect the bodys ability to break down protein and excrete ammonia, because these conditions have more visible biomarkers, or indicators that show what the problem is and whether the gene-editing therapy has helped.

We measure what builds up, and what were missing, Ahrens-Nicklas said.

For example, KJ had a genetic mutation that prevented his body from creating an enzyme that processed protein. Doctors could readily test that his body lacked the needed enzyme and that his organs werent getting protein.

After giving him the custom-made treatment, they could see that the enzyme count had increased, and that more protein was being processed.

A new FDA pathway for rare disease treatment

In a New England Journal of Medicine article outlining their plan, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary and Vinay Prasad, the agencys chief medical and scientific officer, pointed to KJs single-patient gene therapy as an example of how they hope the new protocol will help scale up to reach more patients.

KJs therapy was initially approved by the FDA in an expedited, one-week review process that is designed for use for a single patient, typically one who is severely ill with an ultrarare disease.

Prasad and Makary wrote that current regulations are onerous and unnecessarily demanding, provide unclear patient protection, and stifle innovation.

KJs case highlights the potential for single-patient therapies to be developed into a drug that could be modified to address other, similar rare diseases, they wrote.

Nearly 30 years after the sequencing of the human genome, bespoke therapies are close to reality, they wrote.

Editors note: This story has been updated with detail about the FDAs forthcoming additional guidance.
Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History CEO Dan Tadmor said the museum would mark America's 250th anniversary with a landmark exhibition on a small community of Jews who helped tip the balance of the Revolutionary War. Read more

Its a tale of American independence not taught in schools.

For centuries, the story of how a small community of Jews living in America and on a tiny Caribbean island helped tip the scales of the Revolutionary War was largely forgotten  its the story of swashbuckling, patriot Jewish pirates who smuggled gunpowder into America.

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The Jewish merchants on the lush, windswept island of St. Eustatius, who supplied Washingtons army with the critical contraband, were members of the first international entity to recognize the United States. Their allegiance to the American cause cost them dearly. Targeted for abuse by the British, they were stripped of their homes and wealth, torn from their families and exiled, and had their graves plundered.

In all, its a story of how these Jews helped win the war and found America.

Now, it will be told in full in Philadelphia in honor of Americas 250th anniversary in 2026. And right in the heart of Independence Mall.

This is an American story

On Thursday, the Weitzman National Jewish Museum of American History announced that the little-known story will be the subject of its landmark exhibition marking Americas anniversary in 2026. The First Salute, running run from April 2026 through April 2027, will fill an expansive, new 4,500-square-foot gallery on the museums second floor. Other new galleries planned will feature a permanent exhibition on contemporary antisemitism and exhibits aimed for children, officials said.

Costing about $12 million, and transforming roughly 40% of the museums space, the renovations and fresh exhibits represent the first phase of a reimagining, museum officials said. Updates will also be explored for all the museums core exhibitions, officials said.

The Weitzman, which is being considered by Congress to become a Smithsonian Institution, opened in 1976, and moved into its current home on Independence Mall in 2010.

Museum CEO Dan Tadmor described the museums efforts as a doubling down of its mission.

We, in a sense, have a renewed purpose in being a trusted sanctuary of truth, Tadmor said. This is a museum that opened in 2010, and does not address contemporary antisemitism because, quite frankly, we all mistakenly thought antisemitism in America was in the rearview mirror.

A new space, set to open later in 2026, will feature the testimonies of Americans who have experienced everyday antisemitism.

Before coming to the Weitzman in January, Tadmor led a $100 million overhaul of Tel Avivs ANU Museum of the Jewish People, which bills itself as the largest Jewish museum in the world.

The story of the Jews of St. Eustatius represents the centerpiece of the change to come at the Weitzman, he said.

This is an American story, he said. It happens to be told in a Jewish museum, but its an American story.

Hamilton meets Pirates of the Caribbean

Tadmor came across the story of the Jews of St. Eustatius while he was still in Tel Aviv. The story had been touched upon by major historians over the decades, he said, but never elevated widely. He was blown away. Fast ships, cannons, decisions that impacted the war. The story had it all.

Think Hamilton meets Pirates of the Caribbean," he said.

Intrigued by the dramatic details, but unable to do anything with it in Tel Aviv, Tadmor stuck it in his back pocket. Then, he found himself on Independence Mall on the cusp of the 250th, also known as the Semiquincentennial.

Tadmor brought what he knew to Josh Perelman, senior adviser for content and strategic projects at the Weitzman.

Together, they sought guidance from Jonathan Sarna, a preeminent professor of American Jewish history at Brandeis University.

This is a story that needs to be told, Sarna told them.

Perelman realized that while pieces of the story had been told, there was a larger narrative out there. Featuring original films, rare artifacts, storytelling, and immersive video, The First Salute aims to connect those threads.

There were elements to this story that were new to all of us, said Perelman, the exhibit curator. Of the many people we have talked to about the exhibition, only a few have known the basics of the story.

History would have been very different

By 1776, a population of about 400-500 Jewish merchants, descendants of Jews who had been expelled two centuries earlier from Spain and Portugal, had built a thriving community in St. Eustatius. Trading tea and rice, they had built a large Jewish cemetery and synagogue on the small verdant island where a dormant volcano loomed.

With bound ideals of religious tolerance and economic freedom, these members of the Jewish diaspora saw the fight in America as an opportunity to participate in the birth of a remarkable, revolutionary society, Tadmor said. And they staked everything on it. Jews in America fought and died on the front lines. Jews in St. Eustatius smuggled supplies.

There is a consensus among historians that without the gunpowder, the course of history would have been very different, Tadmor said.

On Nov. 16, 1776, the friendly American warship Andrew Doria sailed into the islands busy harbor bearing a copy of the newly signed Declaration of Independence from Philadelphia. Knowing his actions could stoke a response from Britain, St. Eustatius governor ordered the islands cannon to fire a traditional salute of welcome. It was the first international recognition of the United States of America.

By 1781, as war raged on in America, 13 British ships, carrying 3,000 troops, arrived at St. Eustatius. Led by Admiral George Brydges Rodney, the troops were ordered to stamp out merchants and smugglers aiding the colonies. Rodney singled out the Jews for the harshest treatment.

This rock had done England more harm than all of its most potent enemies, Rodney wrote in a letter to his wife. They deserve scouring, and they shall be scourged.

He ordered all Jewish men on the island to the city weighing house, where goods were weighed and taxed. There, the Jewish men were stripped of their valuables and money. Their homes were seized. Many of the men were banished to other islands without warning to their families. Rodney ordered Jewish graves to be plundered for valuables.

He clearly had a distaste for Jews, and he brought that with him to St. Eustatius, Perelman said.

His treatment of the islands Jews even drew a rebuke from Edmund Burke in Parliament, who declared Jewish people the people whom of all others it ought to be the care and wish of human nations to protect.

Meant to be a pit stop, Rodney stayed for months looting, missing his chance to stop the French, who arrived in Yorktown in time to help Washington win the war.

Rodney is so busy looting and mistreating the Jews that he neglects the second part of his mission, Tadmor said.

Economically decimated, the Jewish community of St. Eustatius never recovered. Now, their story will live on.

Their contributions to a world-changing fight for religious liberty and freedom helped create America as we know it today, Tadmor said. Were excited to be able to celebrate the story with all Americans.
Bridging China, Germany through journeys on Silk Road

Xinhua) 09:22, November 13, 2025

German tourism veteran Heinrich Kriwet shares his travel experiences in northwest China's Gansu Province at a cultural and tourism promotion event in Berlin, Germany, Nov. 11, 2025.(Xinhua/Du Zheyu)

BERLIN, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- For nearly 40 years, German tourism veteran Heinrich Kriwet has kept a small bronze replica of a flying horse, a souvenir that carries 2,000 years of history and Kriwet's lifelong connection with China.

The original Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) bronze masterpiece, popularly known as "Bronze Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow," has long been celebrated for its vivid sense of motion and perfect balance.

"I bought the replica in 1986 in Lanzhou, capital of northwest China's Gansu Province," said the 67-year-old German. "It symbolizes both speed and harmony, representing the spirit of Chinese tourism."

Gansu, located along the ancient Silk Road, was a vital corridor linking China's ancient capital Chang'an -- the starting point of the route -- with Central Asia and beyond.

Kriwet first came to China in 1982 as one of the early German exchange students. After two years of studying in China, he returned home fluent in Chinese and determined to stay involved. "I've spent almost my whole life working in tourism related to China," he said.

In Berlin, he represented a Chinese travel agency for more than two decades. Even in retirement, his enthusiasm for China and cross-cultural exchange remains undiminished.

"This year, I organized a caravan of 38 motorhomes from Germany. The group met in Trkiye and then traveled together along the ancient Silk Road to China, a seven-month journey before returning to Europe," he said.

Kriwet shared his China story on Tuesday night at a cultural and tourism promotion event for Gansu Province at the Chinese Cultural Center in Berlin. Drawing on aerial photographs of Lanzhou taken by German pilots in the 1930s, he recounted how German engineers helped build the city's iconic Zhongshan Bridge in Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and the long historical ties between Germany and Gansu.

Over the years, Kriwet has witnessed the tremendous changes that have transformed China. "Back in the 1980s, a flight from Berlin to Shanghai took me six days," he said. "Today, it takes only a few hours, making travel so much easier."

"The recent extension of China's visa-free policy is another major boost," he told Xinhua. "I believe more travelers from Germany and across Europe will soon set foot on this fascinating land."

In November 2023, China announced a unilateral visa-free entry trial for ordinary passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia starting Dec. 1, 2023. Last week, Chinese foreign ministry said that it will extend the visa-exemption arrangements for more than 40 countries, including Germany and many other European countries, to Dec. 31, 2026.

At the event, Li Dianjun, deputy director of Gansu's provincial department of culture and tourism, described the province as a key gateway on the ancient Silk Road, inviting German travelers to follow the Silk Road's route, discover the Yellow River civilization, and experience the diverse landscapes of Gansu.

To give the evening a true taste of Gansu, the promotion event ended with a live demonstration of Lanzhou beef noodle making, a local favorite known for its clear broth, white radish, spicy red chili oil, fresh green herbs, and chewy noodles. As the chef stretched the dough into long, thin strands, the rich aroma filled the hall.

"I can't wait to visit and try authentic Lanzhou noodles," said Clarence, a German social media content creator, adding that the event showcased Gansu's rich cultural heritage and diverse landscapes, giving him a completely new impression of the province.

"For me and many others, the ancient Silk Road is no longer just a line on the map, but a living journey that still invites us to travel, discover, and connect," Kriwet added.

Photo taken on Nov. 11, 2025, shows a live demonstration of Lanzhou beef noodle making at the Chinese Cultural Center in Berlin, Germany.(Xinhua/Du Zheyu)

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Zhong Wenxing)
This 2023 photo shows severe erosion along the beachfront in North Wildwood. Read more

North Wildwood filed suit Wednesday against the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), saying it had failed in its duty to gain support of a large beach project from neighboring communities.

The DEP announced last week that a $54 million federal beach replenishment and dune building project to span the Wildwoods had collapsed after years of planning because Wildwood and Wildwood Crest withdrew their support.

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With town pitted against town, a federal deadline from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to get all sides to sign off on the project came and went.

So the DEP said that the Hereford Inlet to Cape May Inlet Storm Risk Management Project for Five Mile Island had been officially suspended and that federal funds reserved for the project would be redirected.

The DEP blamed Wildwood and Wildwood Crest for backing out from what the state thought was a deal.

However, on Wednesday, North Wildwood Mayor Patrick Rosenello blamed the DEP and its commissioner, Shawn LaTourette, in a strongly worded letter put out roughly the same time as the suit was filed.

It is a black mark on the record of Commissioner LaTourette, who has failed catastrophically in one of the most fundamental responsibilities of his office: protecting New Jerseys coastline and its people, Rosenello wrote.

Rosenello and LaTourette have been at odds for years over the towns own beach protection efforts. In the past, North Wildwood has sued the state over beach erosion projects.

Make no mistake, Rosenello wrote in the letter issued from his office, this collapse rests squarely on the shoulders of the NJDEP leadership.

The DEP declined to comment on the lawsuit or Rosenellos letter.

A deadline passes

Rosenello accused the DEP of not seriously considering proposed solutions to the projects obstacles.

Wildwood Crest Mayor Don Cabrera said in a statement to The Inquirer last week after the deal collapsed that his community had requested revisions to the proposed plan without withdrawing from it and that adjustments to the plan couldve been made.

However, LaTourette said Friday in his announcement of the deals collapse that time had run out to negotiate.

The Army Corps, which was to manage the project, had imposed an Aug. 30 deadline to either move ahead or terminate the project. LaTourette had still not been able to get all towns to agree by Nov. 7 when he suspended the project.

As a result, North Wildwood filed suit Wednesday in Superior Court in Cape May County seeking substantial damages arising from the collapse and termination of the beach project. The suit alleges that the DEP breached its contractual obligations by failing to get needed easements, enforce cooperation from all municipalities involved, and allowing the project to languish  to the detriment of North Wildwood.

What is the project?

The project was designed to address erosion on the barrier island known as Five Mile Beach, which contains North Wildwood, Wildwood, West Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, and Diamond Beach (part of Lower Township). All are separate municipalities in Cape May County.

Of those communities, North Wildwood has been hardest hit by erosion, even as Wildwood and Wildwood Crest have seen more sand washed onto their shoreline as the result of storms and surges  a phenomenon the state said is also problematic because it causes other issues.

The plan to address erosion began in 2017. It called for the Army Corps to pump 1.3 million cubic yards of sand from the ocean floor off Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, and Diamond Beach to create engineered dunes in those communities. It also would build engineered dunes and a protective berm in North Wildwood.

The federal government was to pay 65% of the cost and the state to pay 35%.

But after LaTourette thought he had a deal, Wildwood and Wildwood Crest later balked, saying their beaches are not suffering from erosion. The parties have not been able to come to an agreement.

North Wildwood says in its suit that the DEP could have enforced the plan. Now, the town says, it is out not only $29 million in unreimbursed expenditures for emergency erosion mitigation, but also the $54 million for the larger project.

North Wildwood has endured profound and irreparable losses, the lawsuit states, including heightened vulnerability to flooding and storm damage and severe economic harm from diminished tourism revenue and declining property values in a community already battered by years of unchecked coastal erosion.
The borough of Swarthmore, home of the college and a quaint town center, where Chester Road and Park Avenue intersect. The clock is at the Swarthmore SEPTA station. Read more

Swarthmore Borough implemented an emergency service tax this week amid budget shortfalls and rising service costs.

The borough council passed the emergency service tax (EST), a specific type of property tax earmarked for emergency services, at Mondays council meeting. The borough avoided implementing an earned income tax with a contribution from Swarthmore College in October, but more tax revenue is still needed to keep emergency services up to par, said borough council member Kristen Seymore.

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The tax will impose a millage rate of 0.45 mills, which, according to Seymore, for owners of a home assessed at the borough average, would result in an increase of around $18 to $20 per month on their property tax bill.

A millage rate, or mill rate, is used to calculate property taxes by charging the rate for every $1,000 in the value of a property, according to Investopedia. Tax collectors multiply a propertys assessed value by the millage rate and then divide by 1,000 to calculate property tax.

These are really difficult circumstances, and an important cost of the social safety net has been pushed unexpectedly onto local governments in our area, said Scarlett McCahill, vice president of the borough council.

After the closures of Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Chester and Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park earlier this year, the boroughs finances are looking starkly different, with emergency services costs going up and less tax revenue coming in, Cindy MacLeod, chair of the councils finance committee, told The Inquirer in October.

In response, the borough declared a state of emergency in April and later proposed a 1% earned income tax, which was met with pushback from the community and some council members. In October, Swarthmore College contributed $638,000 to the borough to fill in some of the budget shortfall. However, at the time, Swarthmore officials did not take an emergency service tax off the table.

The cost assumptions around all these emergency services is a real and meaningful change, McCahill said at a Sept. 8 meeting. Its not that all of a sudden, surprise, we werent minding the shop and now were really behind and need to do a catch-up. The actual costs to the community have changed significantly.

In addition to the closure of vital medical institutions, the borough has steep fire equipment repair costs compounded by fewer people signing up to become volunteer firefighters. Community services costs are rising, too, and Swarthmore leaders do not want to cut those services, MacLeod said in October.

State law allows most municipalities to levy a maximum EST of 0.5 mills for EMS services, and a maximum of 3 mills for fire services. Swarthmores tax will come under just shy of the half-mill cap for EMS services. Last year, Act 54 was passed, which allows some municipalities to raise that cap to 10 mills for fire services and 5 mills for EMS services.

Now, state lawmakers are introducing legislation to allow more municipalities to take part in Act 54s increased EST caps, with bills from Reps. Nikki Rivera (D., Lancaster) and Chris Pielli (D., Chester). Currently, only first-class townships can impose ESTs up to 10 mills for fire services and 5 mills for EMS services.

These proposals bring the commonwealths townships and boroughs into alignment with what was granted last year to first-class cities, like Philadelphia, Rivera said. The ability for local control by allowing municipality administrators to determine what portion of their allotted budget needs to go toward increased fire services and increased EMS.

The efforts to modernize Swarthmores services funding will continue, Seymore said, as the council has also looked at the possibility of partnering with other municipalities to pool emergency service resources.

On top of the local EST hitting the Swarthmore property tax bill in 2026, Delaware Countys executive director is requesting a 19% property tax increase. County property taxes were already raised by 23% earlier this year.
The mounting on Christ Church's Great Bell was damaged by vandalism on Oct. 30, Mischief Night. The 300-year old bell was scuffed, too. Read more

One of the oldest pieces of Philadelphia history was damaged on a distinctively Philly holiday.

Christ Church in Old City is working on a restoration plan for its Great Bell, after it was vandalized on Mischief Night, Oct. 30.

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On Halloween morning, Christ Church staff noticed that the marble mounting below the bell had been cracked and chipped, and that the more than 300-year-old bell was scuffed. They found two large stones near the base of the bell, and presume that someone threw them at the bell from behind a nearby fence. Christ Church reported the incident to the National Park Service.

The bell was cast in 1702, by the same Whitechapel Foundry in London that made the Liberty Bell 50 years later. It predates Christ Churchs steeple, and was hung on a tree before the structure was built to house it.

Its one our earliest pieces of Philadelphia history thats still around, said Zack Biro, the executive director of the Christ Church Preservation Trust.

The church had just placed the bell outdoors for display earlier this year, hoping that more visitors could see it there rather than inside the church, where it had been housed for years. But Biro said he doesnt anticipate moving the bell back indoors or erecting more protection around it.

We dont want to hide it away, he said.

While Christ Church formulates a plan for restoring the mounting, it will focus on improving the nearby area to prevent similar incidents. Construction has left debris, like the stones that were likely thrown at the bell, and the church will work to get the area cleaned up, Biro said. It will also look into installing better lighting in the area.

Biro said hes been encouraged by the supporters who have reached out to offer support, looking to donate to the mountings restoration.

There really are a lot of people who understand the importance of the bell, Biro said.

The church near Second and Market Streets was established in 1695 and the building was constructed in the early 18th century. It was once the tallest building in the United States, and its grounds are where Benjamin Franklin is buried.

Its 350-pound bronze bell has adorned a few other places since 1755, including the nearby St. Peters Church, the former Christ Church Hospital, and Kearsley Home. It returned to Christ Church in 2011.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner on Thursday denounced President Donald Trumps refusal to cooperate with a United Nations review of the countrys human rights record, calling the administrations boycott a disgrace.

The United States did not appear before the Human Rights Council last week in Geneva, amid growing scrutiny of the Trump administrations crackdowns on immigration and free speech and deployment of the National Guard to major cities.

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Despite the lack of an official American delegation, Krasner was part of a faction of local leaders who attended the summit in Switzerland.

While it is rare for a country to no-show, the U.S. absence was not unexpected: Trump issued an executive order in February withdrawing from the council and announced in August his administration would also boycott the review. A State Department official said at the time that participating in the review ignores [the Human Rights Councils] persistent failure to condemn the most egregious human rights violators.

The U.S. has undergone reviews every five years since the council was created nearly two decades ago. Israel is the only other country to reject the councils review process but ended up participating months later. The council rescheduled the U.S. review for next year, but its unknown whether the Trump administration will take part then.

You have a president of the United States who doesnt want to hear what it is that the United Nations has to say about people being disappeared, Krasner said at the news conference inside the DAs Center City office. He doesnt even want to hear what the United Nations has to say about whether or not we are meeting the most basic needs of children in the United States.

Krasner added: The real hallmark of Donald Trump, more than anything else, is the desire to do whatever he wants without any accountability.  He doesnt want a report card, he knows what the report card will say.

In an email, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said, Who is Larry? The U.N. has done next to nothing for human rights while President Trump has ended eight wars in 10 months. (Trump said in September that he ended seven wars in seven months; while he has helped with mediations between sparring nations, experts have said his impact is not as clear-cut, according to an analysis by the Associated Press.)

Fresh off his landslide reelection victory, Krasner pledged to be a human rights district attorney and roused his fellow elected prosecutors nationwide  and across the aisle  to join his charge. A human rights prosecutor protects Black, brown, and poor people as well as victims of crime, immigrants, wrongfully convicted people, and those who feel voiceless, his office said in a statement following the news conference.

 READ MORE: What Philadelphians close to the criminal justice system want DA Larry Krasner to do in his third term

Krasner also reaffirmed that his office would prosecute federal law enforcement officers if they commit state crimes in Philadelphia. He declined to say whether his office is actively investigating any alleged crimes by federal agents but has made clear he plans to protect undocumented people in Philadelphia.

Thursdays statements may offer an insight into Krasners third-term agenda. He has yet to outline his goals for his next four years, instead soliciting ideas from Philadelphians about improving the citys criminal justice system. In previous campaigns, he promised to overhaul a culture in the district attorneys office that he said prioritized convictions over justice and pushed for a less punitive system.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.
Commuters arriving Suburban Station. SEPTA cancels some Airport, Fox Chase and Chestnut Hill West regional rail, Monday, November 10, 2025. Read more

SEPTA commuters faced delays on a number of Regional Rail lines this morning, which the transit authority said was due to signal issues affecting service in Center City.

The signal power was restored and service resumed normal operations just after 5:30 a.m., said SEPTA spokesperson Kelly Greene. However, we did experience significant residual delays, up to 60 minutes for some trains.

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Around 6 a.m., SEPTA said residual delays were still impacting travelers headed to these destinations:

Airport Chestnut Hill East Chestnut Hill West Fox Chase Doylestown Media Norristown Thorndale Trenton Warminster Newark West Trenton

Details can be found on SEPTAs website and its social media posts.

 READ MORE: Pa. lawmakers and Gov. Josh Shapiro have approved a $50.1 billion state budget, officially ending monthslong impasse

The delays Thursday came in addition to expected Regional Rail cancellations announced earlier this week, as SEPTA responds to a Federal Railroad Administration emergency order to conduct inspections of all 223 of its Silverliner IV trains following five fires this year.

For about a month, the safety inspections of the Silverliner IV cars, which date to the Nixon administration, have led to frequent delays, cancellations and overcrowding. To help ease the shortages, SEPTA has rented 10 commuter railcars from Maryland for $2.6 million over the next year.

The canceled trains Thursday included selected trips on the Airport, Fox Chase, and Chestnut Hill West lines.

SEPTA said online it halted these trains as it works to complete the federally mandated inspections of the Silverliner IV fleet by the deadline this Friday.

We fully expect to meet tomorrows deadline, with 220 of the 223 inspections completed as of this morning, Greene said.

From there, Greene said, SEPTA will accelerate its efforts to repair and install thermal protection circuits  safety devices that can stop electricity from flowing through an overheating system.

Regional Rail reliability should gradually improve through the end of the year as more railcars are repaired and returned to service, Greene said.

SEPTA is the states largest mass transit authority and earlier this year was at the center of a funding fight that exposed the commonwealths rural-urban divide.

In September, Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiros administration granted SEPTAs request to access capital funds as a stopgap measure, keeping the trains running.

Wednesdays state budget deal, which ended a monthslong funding impasse, did not include a funding fix for SEPTA.
The Library Company of Philadelphia. Being subsumed by Temple University threatens the identity of the 300-year-old institution, writes Michelle Flamer. Read more

The Library Company of Philadelphia is a national treasure.

Founded in 1731 by Benjamin Franklin and some of his contemporaries, the Library Company has been an important institution throughout its history: In the decades leading up to American independence, in the early years of the new republic, and then during the countrys rise as a global power. Ordinary Philadelphians could borrow books on everything from Greek philosophy to animal husbandry.

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The Founding Fathers also consulted its books, which influenced the writing of the U.S. Constitution. Notably, the Library Company served as the nations first Library of Congress from 1774 to 1800.

Today, the Library Company is a research library, housing an extraordinary collection of items that were acquired at the time they were published. It is where you go to experience an authentic representation of 18th- and 19th-century material culture.

For example, you can read an original copy of Richard Allen and Absalom Jones Refutation, a pamphlet the founders of the African Methodist Episcopal and African Episcopal Churches, respectively, self-published in 1794, defending Black Philadelphians from accusations of stealing from white victims of yellow fever.

That pamphlet, which denounced the claim that Black people were immune to yellow fever, is more deeply understood by accessing the Library Companys contemporaneous materials, which promoted scientific racism.

Unlike rare books in institutional collections, the Library Company offers readers an organic opportunity to access its core collection acquired when the items were new.

Sadly, like many nonprofits, it has struggled in recent years to meet its operating costs. The board was advised in 2023 that it would need to close its doors in a few years unless there was a dramatic infusion of unrestricted funds for paying staff and keeping the lights on.

A vote to cede oversight

On Oct. 9, trustees of the Library Company of Philadelphia voted to cede the independence of this nearly 300-year-old institution to Temple University. The vote was far from unanimous, but the majority prevailed.

The Library Company retains its name, but loses its historical identity as a shareholder-driven entity founded by Franklin 300 years ago; it becomes simply one of a dozen Temple University libraries. Viewing the potential affiliation (potential because this transaction remains subject to ratification by the Library Company shareholders) as more of a death knell rather than a lifeline, I voted against what amounts to an acquisition of the Library Company by Temple, and now resign as a trustee of its board.

This venerable institution is as equally worthy of protection as the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.

As has been reported, this deal will end three centuries of independence, and I am uncertain whether the collections will remain on Locust Street and be open to the community. Will Temple relocate or even sell off part of these collections? Will Library Company librarians who have cultivated a deep knowledge of these collections remain, or be reassigned once they become staff at Temple libraries?

In addition to my concern for the librarys loss of independence and identity, my decision is further driven by my substantial fear that any affiliation with a public university at this tumultuous time raises the possibility of political interference that could ultimately harm the Library Companys collections and their public accessibility.

Temple has asserted that its finances are strong and that its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and academic freedom remains firm.

But in recent months, I have seen many of the nations finest colleges and universities bend a knee to political pressure and abandon their core values in order to avoid the loss of substantial government largess.

Chill on study of history

My fear is also grounded in the reality that there is a nationwide chilling of the study of history in favor of a narrowly focused view of America, which excludes Black history and gender studies.

I am confident that if left in the hands of an independent Library Company, the programs in African American history and womens history will continue to thrive.

However, while conceding Temple may always wish to act with good intentions, given the current pressures on academic institutions, I do not have a similar confidence in the university.

Just as I am horrified by the demolition of the East Wing of the White House, I am deeply disappointed that Franklins city and those who honor free thought and scholarship cannot protect the Library Company as an independent research library.

This venerable institution is as equally worthy of protection as the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.

Michelle Flamer served as a senior attorney with the city of Philadelphia for four decades before she retired. She is a former board member of the Library Company of Philadelphia.
Lawmakers at the state Capitol agreed to a budget featuring millions of dollars in additional education funding, but no sustainable revenue sources for mass transit. Read more

After more than four months of finger-pointing, Pennsylvanians finally have a budget.

Gov. Josh Shapiro and legislative leaders agreed to a $50.1 billion spending plan, with no new revenue sources. Residents, especially in the southeastern part of the commonwealth, can justifiably ask what took so long, and why their own priorities were sacrificed while other regions were rewarded.

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Throughout the summer and early fall, the state Senate Republican majority and their allies decried what they described as out-of-control spending. In the end, they agreed to spend just $200 million less than a proposed budget passed by House Democrats barely a month ago.

Money, it turns out, was not the major sticking point. Instead, GOP lawmakers extracted a commitment for the commonwealth to abandon its participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a plan by 11 states that requires the energy industry to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

The states withdrawal from the initiative was an ask made by senators from Western Pennsylvania, where natural gas and coal power plants remain a crucial part of the local economy.

The initiative, known in political circles by its initials RGGI (pronounced Reggie), is a market-based effort to promote clean energy sources using strategies that Republicans once championed themselves.

According to the Southern Environmental Law Center, the states participating in the program have seen their fossil fuel emissions drop 90% faster than the rest of the country. The program also helps local communities anticipate the risks of climate change by investing in mitigation efforts.

Former Gov. Tom Wolf enrolled the state in the program through an executive order in 2019. Almost immediately, Harrisburg Republicans  concerned about how the program would affect the natural gas industry  challenged the legality of the states participation in a case that has long been pending before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Environmentalists rightly decried Pennsylvanias abandonment of the multistate, antipollution effort.

The agreement by Democrats in the state House, Senate Republicans, and Gov. Shapiro to pull Pennsylvania out of what is arguably the most successful state-level program in the nation for reducing global warming pollution will be remembered as a day of climate infamy in Pennsylvania politics, David Masur, executive director of PennEnvironment, a nonprofit advocacy group, told The Inquirers Frank Kummer and Gillian McGoldrick.

While hundreds of millions of dollars in additional education funding and an earned income tax credit for working families represent wins for the Democratic side of the aisle, it is worth asking why the party did not gain more in exchange for walking away from RGGI and giving up its quest for sustainable mass transit funding.

 READ MORE: Shapiro and Senate Republicans need to get SEPTA funding done | Editorial

SEPTA still has the oldest train fleet in the nation, will soon be operating nearly 20-year-old buses, and is the largest American transit system that is in a fiscal crisis.

If Republicans were able to repeal RGGI by holding out for weeks and months, why werent Democrats able to win more money for mass transit by doing the same?

Pennsylvanias school districts, nonprofit service providers, and local governments can all express relief that funds will finally begin flowing again from Harrisburg.

They should also insist  as forcefully as they can  that next year must be different.
City Council Kenyatta Johnson questioned whether Philadelphians who have the means to move to the suburbs need city assistance. Read more

After a tense day of debate, City Council has postponed a key vote on the budget for Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers flagship housing initiative as lawmakers press to ensure more funding is available for the lowest-income Philadelphians.

The delay means the administration faces a tight legislative deadline next week to achieve its goal of selling $400 million in city bonds this year to fund Parkers Housing Opportunities Made Easy, or H.O.M.E., plan.

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Parker initially hoped to sell the bonds this fall, unlocking money to launch or expand a variety of housing programs. But the H.O.M.E. budget must be passed before the bonds are issued, and Council has now pushed back a committee vote until Monday, said Parkers chief of staff, Tiffany W. Thurman.

The budget, which currently sets first-year spending for H.O.M.E. at $195 million, must be approved in committee Monday and again at Councils weekly meeting next Thursday for the bonds to go out this year. Any further delays would mean the bonds will not be sold until 2026.

We trust the process. Were working very closely with the Council president, Thurman said in an interview. We appreciate all of the questions that were asked today. We were as transparent as we can be.

At Wednesdays hearing, lawmakers on both sides of the issue debated the merits of changing Parkers formulas for income eligibility thresholds and funding levels for the various programs that will receive bond money.

It was a stark moment of open disagreement for a Council that for years hashed out deals behind closed doors before holding choreographed votes in public. The hearing was a reflection of how second-year Council President Kenyatta Johnson has changed the body after succeeding former Council President Darrell L. Clarke, who preferred to keep divisions out of the public eye.

Have-nots vs. have-a-littles

Parker has long said that she wants her initiative, ultimately backed by $800 million in city bonds, to provide housing resources to working- and middle-class Philadelphians and not just the citys lowest-income residents.

But with hundreds of thousands of city residents living in poverty, critics like Councilmember Jamie Gauthier say that city resources should be targeted toward those most at risk of becoming homeless.

Its not fiscally responsible to open up programs to the middle class without any prioritization of people who, but for the citys dollars, are going to be on the streets, Gauthier said.

Gauthier and her allies proposed an amendment that would boost first-year spending to $231 million, with much of the extra funding going to further increase affordable housing production, preservation, and the Basic Systems Repair Program, which dispenses grants for home repair.

The amendment, which was backed by eight Council members, would also more narrowly target those policies to lower-income residents.

Parkers representatives stuck to the mayors argument that too many struggling Philadelphians are left out of existing city policies.

Theres a wider need, said Angela Brooks, the citys chief housing officer. Because when you drive through areas of Philadelphia and you see blight, you see the preservation needs. A lot of them are people who just dont qualify for our programs.

Administration representatives insisted they are not leaving poor Philadelphians out of their plans. They noted that 40% of H.O.M.E. funding is targeted toward those making 30% of area median income (AMI), or almost $31,000 for a three-person household.

Some lawmakers, however, wanted to see that targeting codified in law and not just stated as a priority.

The administration claims that 40% of this plan will go to those families, but frankly the numbers weve seen dont really show that, said Councilmember Nicholas ORourke, of the progressive Working Families Party. Projections are not active protections. Thats what the letter of the law is for. So are you opposed to codifying in law that 40% of the funds serve 30% of AMI?

The administration declined to make that assurance.

At the end of the day, we want to have some level of flexibility if the need shifts and changes, Brooks said.

Brooks also noted that the city will first allocate funding to people on the wait list for programs like Basic Systems Repair before opening it to eligible households under Parkers new heightened income guidelines.

Whos responsible for Turn the Key geographic inequity?

The Turn the Key affordable homeownership program would see a $43.5 million boost in funding from separate amendments submitted by the Parker administration. The program creates incentives for developers to build homes that will be affordable to purchase for working-class households, and the mayor has long promoted it as a means to keep municipal workers in Philadelphia.

Councilmember Cindy Bass repeatedly criticized the administration for not spending Turn the Key dollars evenly across districts, fearing that those resources would end up clustered in neighborhoods like Northern Liberties or South Philadelphia that are relatively well off.

But a key aspect of Turn the Key is its reliance on distributing city-owned land to developers to build the affordable homes for purchase. Under a tradition called councilmanic prerogative, district members must release land by introducing legislation.

The inequality of Turn the Key outcomes stems from some lawmakers, like Councilmember Mark Squilla or President Johnson, allowing land to be moved, while others, including Bass, have been more tightfisted.

That is partly because some members, especially Gauthier and Councilmember Quetcy Lozada, want to reserve some city-owned land in their districts for more deeply affordable rental housing projects built by agencies that cater specifically to impoverished tenants.

If we know that private developers cant build what we need, and we have very responsible, reliable, capable, community-based development organizations in districts like mine, why are we not identifying additional funds to be able to partner with them so that they give us what we need? said Lozada, who represents Kensington.

There is also inequality in Turn the Keys usage because there is a lack of city-owned land in some parts of the city, like the districts represented by Councilmember Anthony Phillips, in Parkers old district, and Councilmember Brian ONeill in the Northeast.
A customer uses a paper bag at Lores Chocolates in 2022. Philadelphia shoppers will soon have to pay 10 cents for a paper bag. Read more

Philadelphia shoppers will soon have to pay 10 cents per paper bag after Mayor Cherelle L. Parker on Thursday allowed a bill imposing the fee to become law without her signature.

The new law was authored by City Councilmember Mark Squilla, who also championed the citys ban on plastic bags. Council approved the measure in a 10-5 vote two weeks ago, sending it to Parkers desk.

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The mayors administration had been critical of the measure, and it was unclear if Parker would sign the bill into law, veto it, or return it to Council without her signature, allowing it to be codified.

 READ MORE: A new 10-cent fee on paper bags has cleared Philly City Council, but Mayor Parkers support is uncertain

Parker, who took office last year, has never vetoed a bill, and she declined to do so over Squillas paper bag fee. Its likely Squilla had rounded up enough support on Council to override a potential veto, which would require a two-thirds vote from the legislature.

The law is expected to go into effect in January.

After Squillas plastic bag ban took effect in 2021, paper bag usage skyrocketed, said Squilla, who represents the 1st District, including parts of South Philadelphia, Center City, and the River Wards.

Although they are biodegradable, paper bags require more energy to produce.

Nobody wants to pay that money for a bag, Squilla said in an interview. Itll reduce the use of paper bags, which is environmentally [beneficial], if you have to cut down trees to make more paper bags. Also, the cost of making these paper bags is a lot more expensive than the plastic bags.

Squilla tried to implement a fee to discourage shoppers from using them during former Mayor Jim Kenneys administration. Kenney, however, in late 2023 killed the bill with a pocket veto  a maneuver that makes it easier for mayors to defeat legislation approved at the end of a Council term.

Squilla then introduced another measure to impose the fee after Parker took office. But he failed to win over the new administration.

I support the intent of this bill to reduce the utilization of single-use bags and, thus, further Philadelphias commitment to environmental sustainability, Parker wrote in a letter explaining her decision not to sign the bill. But I remain concerned with some of the unintended consequences this legislation could have for our local economy and low-income Philadelphians, especially our communities of color.

Still, Council advanced the measure over the administrations objections, leading to speculation that Parker would reach for the veto pen for the first time in her tenure. Parker, however, may have determined that a veto would have been futile.

The mayors office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

When Council last month approved the fee with 10 votes, two members were absent: Kendra Brooks, who supports the fee, and Katherine Gilmore Richardson, who voted for it in committee.

It takes 12 votes for Council to override a veto, and Squilla appears to have had the votes.

Under the new law, shopkeepers will keep the proceeds from the fees, rather than turning them over to the city.

The goal of this bill and legislation is to bring your own bag, not to charge you 10 cents for a bag, Squilla said previously. So its really a behavioral change.

Staff writer Anna Orso contributed to this article.
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker speaks at the Union League of Philadelphia Presidential Luncheon in September. Her administration is making a handful of changes to the city's contracting practices to make them race- and gender-neutral. Read more

For four decades, Philadelphia has set specific goals for awarding a portion of its hundreds of millions of dollars in yearly government contracts to businesses that are owned by women and people of color.

But as of this fall, that practice is no more, a major shift in the citys diversity initiatives that comes as affirmative action-style programs have faced a national political and legal backlash.

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Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers administration is no longer pursuing a goal of fulfilling 35% of all contracts through what are known as minority, women, or disabled-owned enterprises, a benchmark that has been in place in City Hall since 2016. Prior to that, the goal was 25%, set in the early 1980s.

The city also in September quietly ended its practice of assigning participation ranges to publicly funded projects, according to a letter from top Parker administration officials to all agency heads that was obtained by The Inquirer. That means contractors are no longer given benchmarks for the amount of dollars that should go to subcontractors and suppliers owned by people of color, women, and people who are disabled.

The new standards are part of a broader dismantling of race- and gender-conscious policy in city procurement, a process that could affect contracts to historically disadvantaged firms worth more than $370 million annually.

Solicitor Renee Garcia, the citys top lawyer, said in a statement that the change in Philadelphias practice comes as new federal legal precedent prohibits the setting of contracting goals based on race and gender, and that the city must ensure public funds are not used to promote, reinforce or perpetuate discrimination.

The city, Garcia said, will instead provide incentives to businesses that are considered small and local, a standard that has been increasingly adopted in other jurisdictions.

The goal of the revised program, she said, is to create an environment in which all businesses can thrive and contribute to the local economy.

Nationwide political and legal backlash

Government initiatives to support women and racial minorities, some of which date to the Civil Rights Movement, have faced increasing legal scrutiny in recent years as courts have ruled that some of the programs are unconstitutional, citing the Supreme Courts 2023 decision to strike down affirmative action in college admissions.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trumps administration has threatened withholding federal dollars from jurisdictions that have diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives it believes are illegal, reflecting a priority for the president, who sees the programs as discrimination.

Philadelphia is not alone in reexamining these policies. Leaders in several other major cities  including St. Louis; San Antonio, Texas; and Portland, Ore.  have in the last year eliminated diversity goals in contracting or made their procurement policies race- and gender-neutral.

Parker, a Democrat and the citys first Black female mayor, has long prioritized creating economic opportunities for minority- and women-owned firms. She has, among other initiatives, established an office dedicated exclusively to minority business success.

But Parker, who took office last year, has also sought to avoid direct confrontation with the Trump administration in an effort to safeguard millions of federal dollars that the city relies on to balance its budget.

 READ MORE: Mayor Parkers restraint with Trump is both calculation and gamble as the president escalates against blue cities

Her administration has also been, at times, more risk-averse than her predecessor when facing other serious legal challenges. Earlier this year, Parker successfully led an effort to eliminate a popular tax break for small businesses amid a series of lawsuits that Garcia said put the exemption at risk.

And last month, the administration settled a lawsuit brought by firms  represented by the Trump-aligned America First Legal nonprofit  that claimed language related to workforce diversity in the citys vendor contracts was illegal.

As part of the settlement, the city agreed to pay $417,000 in attorneys fees and clarify that diversity benchmarks in its project agreements are aspirational goals, not mandatory quotas.

A shift to small and local

The latest adjustments to Philadelphias contracting processes could see pushback, including in City Council, where a majority of the citys 17 legislators are people of color and many have relationships with minority-owned businesses supported by city contracts.

Council President Kenyatta Johnson has for years prioritized ensuring city dollars go to diverse businesses, which has often been a sticking point on major construction projects in need of city approval.

However, Council could itself face pressure to adopt legislative remedies that ensure the citys contracting rules can withstand legal challenges.

A special committee convened by Johnson last year  which includes members of the Parker administration and representatives from the business community  spent months studying the citys DEI practices. It is expected to release a report in the coming months recommending the city overhaul its procurement policies.

The committee was scheduled to hold a public hearing on Thursday to discuss its progress. But on Tuesday, the meeting was canceled. Vincent Thompson, a spokesperson for Johnson, said the hearing was postponed due to availability of the DEI committee members.

Members of the committee who were reached by The Inquirer declined to comment, citing the forthcoming report.

A draft version of the report, which was obtained by The Inquirer, says the citys procurement practices are vulnerable to legal challenge because they are not race- and gender-neutral.

Philadelphia, the report says, should prefer firms that are small and local, a standard the authors said would help preserve efforts to increase diverse business contracting, even in the shifting legal landscape.

The administration, Garcia said, is already moving in that direction.

The city is actively working on establishing a new procurement structure that will promote economic opportunity for all businesses, she said in a statement, with a focus on providing incentives to attract and retain small and local businesses.

Courts chip away at diverse contracting

A series of recent court rulings have chipped away at local governments ability to set aside contracting dollars for diverse businesses, leading some to adopt the small and local model.

The 2023 Supreme Court ruling in a case against Harvard University that struck down race-based admissions was widely seen as likely to have broader impacts, because the court rejected the presumption of social disadvantage based solely on race or gender.

Last year, former President Joe Bidens administration revamped a federal small-business program that aimed to provide opportunities to racial minorities after judges ruled it unconstitutional. A similar ruling in Kentucky prohibited a Department of Transportation contracting program for disadvantaged firms after white, male contractors brought a lawsuit.

 READ MORE: In 2020, local corporations vowed to tackle systemic racism in America. Now they are navigating a Trump-led backlash to DEI.

Philadelphia faced its own adverse ruling last year when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit sided with contractors who sued the city over its bidding rules, leading the city to settle with the plaintiffs last month.

The firms  represented by attorneys from America First Legal, which was founded by Trump adviser Stephen Miller  claimed that the city violated the Constitution by forcing bidders to sign agreements that included diverse workforce goals.

That case was not explicitly about awarding contracts to diverse business owners. But the courts opinion, authored by Judge Paul Matey, cleared the way for contractors to bring claims challenging the citys policies related to racial and gender equity as potentially in violation of the Constitutions guarantee of equal protection.

Matey, who was appointed by Trump in his first term, wrote in the opinion that Philadelphias agreements mandated a percentage of construction hours went to workers based on race and gender. A policy, he wrote, may be discriminatory if it singles out a group for different treatment.

That is the case here, Matey wrote.
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The Delaware Supreme Court has revived a workers compensation insurers claim for subrogation in a case where an employee injured while driving for her employer received payment from her employers uninsured motorist (UIM) insurer after receiving her workers compensation benefits.

The high court reversed a Superior Court that had denied ProAssurance Groups rights to subrogation. The high court remanded the case back for calculation of how much, if any, of the UIM awarded to employee Edna Manz is subject to subrogation.

Manzs employer, Apis Services, used ProAssurance as its workers compensation carrier. Following the accident, ProAssurance paid Manz $374,070.72 for medical expenses and lost wages, as well as a lump sum of $80,000.00 for all future workers compensation entitlements.

In the settlement agreement, ProAssurance and Manz stipulated that ProAssurance reserved any lien rights against any recovery by Manz from any entity, to include any insurance carrier, as a result of the work accident.

For the same accident, Manz separately recovered $8,571.00 from the driver who caused her injuries. Due to the insufficiency of that recovery, Manz filed another claim with Apiss underinsured motorist (UIM) policy issued by Philadelphia Insurance Cos. The UIM policy contained a non-duplication clause that stated it would not pay for any element of loss if a person is entitled to receive payment for the same element of loss under any workers compensation, disability benefits or similar law.

In December 2023, following an arbitration proceeding between Manz and Philadelphia Insurance, the arbitrator awarded Manz $215,000.00 for her UIM claim.

ProAssurance subsequently asserted a lien on Manzs UIM award, alleging a right to subrogate on the UIM award. In response, Manz sought a declaratory judgment in the Superior Court that her UIM proceeds were exempt from ProAssurances lien because she was only awarded monies not previously paid by her workers compensation claim due to the non-duplication clause contained in the UIM policy.

ProAssurance moved for summary judgment, arguing that the Delaware Supreme Courts opinion in its 2023 ruling in Horizon Servs. v. Henry (Henry II) applied to the case. According to ProAssurance, Henry II mandated subrogation for workers compensation carriers against an injured employees subsequent UIM recovery.

The Superior Court denied ProAssurances motion, ruling that Henry II did not apply because when Manz resolved her claims with Philadelphia Insurance and acknowledged the application of the non-duplication clause, Henry II had not been decided.

ProAssurance appealed, arguing that the Superior Court erred in ruling that Henry II did not apply.

The high court agreed with the insurer, noting that it decided Henry II in September 2023, before November 2023 when Manz finalized her settlement with ProAssurance and made her UIM demand. Henry II was therefore already the law of the land when Manz negotiated with the workers compensation and UIM carriers.

Manz further argued that even if Henry II predates the relevant events of this case, ProAssurance is still not entitled to subrogation on her UIM award because Henry II does not provide a workers compensation carrier with a guaranteed right to subrogation.

The high court found that Henry II does not entitle workers compensation carriers to a guaranteed subrogation right on an injured employees subsequent UIM awards. Instead, Henry II distinguished boardable and non-boardable damages suffered by an injured employee and held that a workers compensation carriers right to subrogation is limited to boardable damages.

On remand, the Supreme Court told the Superior Court it should apply Henry II and make factual determinations as to the amount, if any, of Manzs UIM award that is boardable and therefore subject to subrogation.

Boardable damages, or economic or specific damages, are ones like property damage, medical expense, and lost wages that can be shown with a specific financial value and are admissible as evidence before a jury in court.

Non-boardable damages are subjective damages that are not as easily quantified and not admissible in court. Pain and suffering, loss of employment for life, and emotional distress are examples.

Under Henry II, non-boardable damages include, but are not limited to, those covered by personal injury protection (PIP) policies, and are not subject to subrogation, according tlo the high court.

Topics Carriers Workers' Compensation Talent
Pollen Street Group Ltd. has begun preparing an initial public offering for UK insurer Markerstudy, according to people familiar with the matter.

The buyout firm has started early discussions with investment banks about the potential listing, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing private information. Its been considering potential listing venues including London, according to the people. A deal could value the business at more than 3 billion ($3.9 billion), one person said.

Representatives for Pollen Street and Markerstudy declined to comment.

Markerstudy provides car, home and pet insurance and is also active on the Lloyds of London market through its Clegg Gifford unit which specializes in personal and commercial insurance. It is among a handful of British companies testing the market after a drought of offerings pushed London out of the top 20 global IPO venues this year through the third quarter.

Guernsey-based Pollen Street last month listed British specialty lender Shawbrook Group Plc, which is also backed by BC Partners. The stock has ceded some early gains, to rise about 3% since its Oct. 29 listing, giving it a market capitalization of about 2 billion.

A number of other companies are considering going public in London next year including gold miner Navoi Mining & Metallurgical Co., online travel agent Loveholidays, and software firm Visma.

Sevenoaks, England-based Markerstudy was founded in 2001 by insurance broker Kevin Spencer, who is the firms chief executive officer and a major shareholder, according to its website.

Photograph: Skyscrapers and commercial buildings in the skyline of the City of London, UK, on Monday, Sept. 29, 2025. Photo credit: Jason Alden/Bloomberg

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics Carriers
Australias corporate regulator is threatening more aggressive legal action against private credit funds that fail to protect investors, as the A$200 billion ($131 billion) industry continues to expand.

The Australian Securities & Investment Commissions deputy chair, Sarah Court, will announce plans to step up enforcement against poor private credit practices as part of its priorities for 2026, according to a press release Thursday. ASIC also said it will target misleading pricing practices by banks, insurance firms and pension fund trustees.

This new enforcement priority should send a message to the rapidly expanding private credit sector to get its governance right, said Court at the ASIC annual forum in Melbourne on Thursday. It comes on the back of our recent private credit fund surveillance report that highlights significant room for improvement.

The heightened scrutiny of Australias private credit sector follows high-profile collapses in the US, including auto loan financier Tricolor Holdings to auto parts supplier First Brands. Their rapid demise has raised concerns about financiers exposure to other problem companies.

A recent ASIC surveillance report of some of Australias largest private credit managers highlighted poor reporting, fee and margin practices. There are some things that are really not being done well and were really worried, said Simone Constant, ASIC commissioner at the same event. Thats why we have absolutely put our back into the private credit space.

The regulator also issued interim stop orders against some investment products of La Trobe Financial Asset Management Ltd. and RELI Capital Ltd. over concerns about their suitability for retail investors.

Photograph: Hamish Hansford, head of national security at Department of Home Affairs, during the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) Summit in Melbourne, Australia, on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025; photo credit: Carla Gottgens/Bloomberg

Related:

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics Australia
Zurich Insurance Group AG has selected Australia as the first market for its private credit strategy in Asia-Pacific, awarding a $170 million mandate as it seeks opportunities to invest in local assets.

The insurer assigned the mandate to an Australia-based firm in the third quarter, Matt Vincent, the APAC chief investment officer at Zurich Insurance said in an interview in Hong Kong. He declined to name the money manager.

Zurich Insurance joins a number of firms that have accelerated investments in private credit. US life insurers have ramped up private debt investments, allocating close to a third of their $5.6 trillion in assets to the sector last year, up from 22% a decade ago, according to data compiled by research firm CreditSights.

Read more: Zurich Invests Heavily in Underwriting Talent to Boost Mid-Market, Specialty Growth

For Zurich, the $170 million accounts for about 3.4% of the more than $5 billion invested across general and life insurance businesses in Australia, its biggest market in APAC, Vincent said. The company has $12 billion deployed across Asia.

Vincent cited several factors for its Australia deployment, including favorable risk-based capital treatments  a key investment cost metric for insurers  along with liquidity, credit quality, and mid-market lending opportunities.

Globally, Zurich Insurance has put about $10 billion into private debt, the majority of that in Europe and the US, Vincent said. That compares with a $180 billion total invested assets across general and life insurance businesses for the company as of September.

While UBS Group AG Chairman Colm Kelleher has warned of risks stemming from weak and complex regulation amid the private financing boom in the US insurance industry, Vincent said hes not seeing any systematic risk.

When asked about private credit in Australia, Vincent such illiquid assets are not cut out for trading, and are better held until maturity. You put them in your bottom drawer, forget about them, he said.

The insurer has an existing allocation into US dollar-denominated assets via its Hong Kong balance sheet. The investments, done through an external fund, are worth double-digit millions of dollars, Vincent said.

Unlike fund structures, which are typically constrained by the managers investment framework, segregated mandate accounts  such as the one in Australia  give asset owners greater flexibility and control over their portfolios, he said.

You are able to parameterize what sort of risk profile that you want, he said. Whats the split between fixed and floating rate debt. Youre able to also put some boundaries around what sort of sector exposures do you want.

Any additional private credit bets in Asia will depend on whether the balance sheets in those markets grow to critical mass, which is around $1 billion, he said.

In Malaysia, the company has total invested assets of about $3 billion.

Id love to have an allocation in Malaysia, Vincent said, adding the decision is tied to factors including capital charges and legal matters.

Photograph: A Zurich Insurance Group AG building in Zurich, Switzerland. Photo credit: Alessandro Della Bella/Bloomberg
British insurer on Thursday set itself new financial targets including nearly doubling cost savings from its combination with Direct Line, as CEO Amanda Blanc looks to convince investors the enlarged firm can deliver.

The company said it would target growth in earnings per share of 11% per year to 2028 and would resume larger share buybacks from next year, adding it would hit its existing targets a year early.

Shares were down 4% at 0940 GMT but were still up 42% compared to the start of the year. Analysts said the new targets were broadly similar to their forecasts, with RBC adding investor expectations had been high ahead of the update.

Ready for the Next Chapter

Blanc told Reuters the targets were strong and executives did not recognize the numbers in current analyst models.

Were now ready for the next chapter of our delivery, she said.

Aviva secured the largest takeover of Blancs tenure earlier this year when it closed its acquisition of motor insurer Direct Line for 3.7 billion pounds.

The insurer said it now expects to make 225 million pounds of cost savings from combining the two businesses, nearly twice its original estimate.

Blanc said savings would come in technology, operations and head office, adding the reduction in jobs would be between 5% and 7% of group roles, or up to 2,300 jobs, as it had previously said.

Aviva said general insurance premiums were up 12% to 10 billion pounds over the first nine months of this year, while its wealth business generated 8.3 billion pounds of net inflows.

The insurer said it expected to deliver 2 billion pounds of operating profit this year, hitting its target a year early.

Customers Concerned About Pensions

Blanc said Aviva had fielded more calls from concerned customers about their pensions ahead of the UKs budget later this month, joining other money managers citing similar jitters amid speculation about potential tax changes.

We have seen elevated calls into the contact center from people asking about their pension, Blanc said, adding some had taken cash out, but that the volume was not material.

Any uncertainty around this topic is clearly unhelpful We would just urge the government to really think about that because what we want is for people to have good retirements and to continue to be saving.

($1 = 0.7451 pounds)

(Reporting by Iain Withers in London, additional reporting by Yamini Kalia in Bengaluru; editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala, Jan Harvey and Conor Humphries)

Photograph: Aviva headquarters in London; photo credit: Aviva
This edition of International People Moves details appointments at insurer Markel International and broker Lockton Re.

A summary of these new hires follows here.

Markel International Promotes Davies as MD of Newly Created London Mkt Business

Markel Insurance, the insurance operation within Markel Group Inc., announced the appointment of Rohan Davies as managing director of its newly created London Market business, subject to regulatory approval.

The appointment follows last months announcement that Markel International will move from two divisions  Wholesale and National Markets  to five distinct businesses, which include Asia-Pacific, Canada, Europe, London Market and UK.

In his new role, Davies will oversee close to 350 employees across teams spanning the new London Market businesss three cores product areas  marine & energy; professional & financial risks (PFR) and cyber; and specialty  located in London. Additional three teams are based in the US.

He will be responsible for setting the strategic direction of the London Market business, with a focus on maximizing profitable growth and delivering exceptional service to clients and brokers.

Davies brings more than 20 years of experience in the specialty insurance market, with a career that spans senior leadership and underwriting roles across marine and energy. He joined Markel International as an energy underwriter in 2008, based in Singapore, eventually going on to become managing director  Marine and Energy, in 2022. In that role, hes helped to reshape Markel Internationals marine and energy underwriting strategy, helping to drive operational excellence and deliver consistent profitability.

Davies began his insurance career in broking, after joining Heath Lambert in 2003. He later undertook underwriting roles at Liberty International Underwriters and Navigators Insurance Co., before joining Markel in January 2008.

In his new role, Davies will be based in London and reports to Andrew McMellin, president of Markel International.

***

Lockton Re Taps Aons Khan as Global Head of Property Innovation & Solutions

Lockton Re, the reinsurance business of independent insurance broker Lockton, has appointed Mozum Khan in a new role as global head of Property Innovation & Solutions.

Khan is based in Dubai working with Lockton Re colleagues, clients and partners across the globe.

Khan was most recently managing director, Analytics, Aon. He previously held a number of leadership roles at AXA XL, including head of Climate & Disaster Data & Analytics. He joined AXA XL from Catlin where he was a treaty aggregate modelling manager and previously was senior catastrophe analysts with Aspen Re.

Lockton Re said Khans experience with re/insurance underwriting and broking means he brings great experience and expertise to the company.

We are delighted Mozum has joined Lockton Re supporting our drive to provide clients with valuable insights and unparalleled service driven by leading edge, digital data, and analytic tools, commented Adam Troyer, global head of Analytics, Lockton Re.

The creation of this role is a direct result of the growing demand we are seeing from clients and markets for more innovative solutions that are underscored by digital insight, Troyer added.

Topics InsurTech Property Aon Maryland London
In the summer, the board in mostly rural Niles Township gave a preliminary OK to 21 cannabis stores along one road currently dotted with businesses and surrounded by farmland.

On Tuesday, Nov. 4, voters rejected them all.

Nearly 6 in 10 voters in the township along Michigans border with Indiana approved a ballot measure prohibiting any cannabis stores from opening there. Many residents said they didnt want to see their township look like the rest of Berrien County, where 27 pot shops operate, including seven in the neighboring city of Niles.

That vote  and another on Nov. 4 limiting marijuana stores in the Upper Peninsula city of Menominee, along the Wisconsin border  come at a time of uncertainty for Michigans cannabis industry.

Pot has proliferated across Michigan  there are now more than 850 stores across 75 of Michigans 83 counties  and that has driven down prices, prompting one of the biggest cannabis retailers to exit the state this year. State lawmakers have imposed a new 24% wholesale tax passed as part of a road-funding deal and some lawmakers want to limit the number of marijuana businesses statewide.

Recreational retailers sold about $251 million in product in September, according to the latest state figures, down from a peak of $294 million in August 2024, even as the state issued dozens of additional retail licenses since then.

The exploding number of cannabis retailers has been especially concentrated in the mostly small, rural border towns where the stores draw sometimes hundreds of customers a day from states where the drug remains illegal. On a per-capita basis, Michigans border counties have two or three times the number of dispensaries as interior counties.

Nathan Joyal, who opened the Upper Peninsulas first marijuana storefront and now works as an assistant professor teaching about cannabis at Northern Michigan University, said last Tuesdays votes did not surprise him.

I dont know that pushing back, per se, is how I would phrase it, Joyal said. I think its about establishing limits.

Brian Long told Bridge Michigan on Friday that he moved out of the city of Niles to neighboring Niles Township last summer because he lived next to a marijuana grow facility in the city and the stench was so bad his food used to taste like it.

He said dispensaries are owned by out-of-towners and cater to out-of-staters.

People are wanting this for the tax money and the small couple of jobs that it provides, but the money going to the corporations, they dont care about the locals, Long said. People arent adding that into the equation, that this is like a wolf feeding on the locals and its just not a good direction to allow that into the communities.

Dispensary owners say they work hard to be good partners with their communities, employing local people and donating to local causes, in addition to the tax revenue they provide.

But some residents say there are just too many cannabis stores.

If youre not a proponent of marijuana  or even if you do use marijuana  at some point, you say, Enough is enough. We dont need any more pot shops,' said lifelong Menominee resident Fred Hofer Jr.

However, communities attempts to establish such limits have been fraught.

In Menominee, population roughly 8,400, the City Council initially limited the number of licenses to two. When the city later tried to open up to more licenses, the two existing dispensaries sued to stop the expansion, but they lost last fall.

Six more dispensaries opened, bringing the total in the city to eight, and at least four others sought licenses before residents voted in the summer to cap the number of licenses at nine.

But a city council member sued, saying the referendum shouldve been on the November ballot, not August, and a judge quickly overturned the August election results, pushing the vote to the fall.

On Nov. 4, nearly 8 in 10 voters OKd the nine-dispensary cap.

However, two dispensaries  Puff Cannabis and Highwire Farms  each say they have city approval to open as the ninth allowable storefront. Puff has sued.

Our business is on the line here, said Nick Hannawa, Puffs vice president and chief legal counsel. Weve invested millions.

Highwire officials could not be reached for comment.

Asked why he wants to open in a place where residents have repeatedly pushed back against the expansion of marijuana businesses, Hannawa said part of the reason is because Menominee is a border community, which is good for business.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Michigan Cannabis
Chinas cybersecurity agency accused the American government of orchestrating the theft of about $13 billion worth of Bitcoin, representing Chinas most recent attempt to attribute major cyberattacks to the US.

The theft of the 127,272 Bitcoin tokens from the LuBian Bitcoin mining pool that took place in December 2020 ranks as one of the largest crypto heists in history. The hack is likely a state-level hacker operation led by the US, according to the Chinese National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center, which said the quiet and delayed movement of the stolen Bitcoin suggests a government-level action rather than typical criminal behavior.

The report, published last week, links the stolen Bitcoin from LuBian, once one of the largest Bitcoin mining operations in the world, with tokens that were confiscated by the US government, which the US said are associated with Chen Zhi, the chairman of Cambodian conglomerate Prince Group. Chen was charged by the US with engaging in a wire-fraud conspiracy and operating a money-laundering scheme in October.

In an Oct. 8 indictment filed against Chen in New York, the US alleged that he and co-conspirators laundered illicit proceeds by using them to fund large-scale crypto mining operations including LuBian. The indictment said addresses associated with LuBian received large sums of cryptocurrency from sources unrelated to new mining.

Federal prosecutors of the Chen case have declined to comment on how or when they obtained control of the Bitcoin. The Department of Justice filed a related civil forfeiture complaint seizing the 127,271 Bitcoin, making it the largest forfeiture action by the US.

John Marzulli, a spokesman for Brooklyn US Attorney Joseph Nocella, whose office is handling the case against Chen and the Bitcoin seizure, declined to comment to Bloomberg.

The US government may have already used hacking techniques as early as 2020 to steal the 127,000 Bitcoins held by Chen Zhi, the report wrote. This is a classic black eats black operation orchestrated by a state-level hacking organization.

The Chinese government has recently become increasingly vocal in accusing the American government of hacking campaigns. Earlier this year, China said the US exploited a flaw in Microsoft Exchange servers to attack Chinese companies. Last month, the Chinese government said it had irrefutable evidence of a US cyber attack against Chinas National Time Service Center. Chinas allegations tend to be broad and lack the forensic details that are sometimes included when the US accuses a foreign adversary of hacking.

A lawyer for Chen on Monday filed a letter with a US court this week asking for more time to allow Chen to trace the stolen Bitcoin from LuBian. In his letter, attorney Matthew L. Schwartz also called the governments allegations about Chen seriously misguided. Chen is not in US custody, prosecutors said when the indictment was unsealed last month.

As we explained in our submission to the Court, we are working closely with cryptocurrency experts to trace the Bitcoin that the government seized over a year ago, and which was stolen back in 2020, Schwartz, chairman of Boies Schiller Flexner and counsel to Chen and the Prince Group, said in a statement to Bloomberg.

Representatives for the the Chinese embassy in Washington didnt respond to a request for comment.

Photo: Photo credit: Angel Garcia/Bloomberg

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics USA Cyber China
Large companies have been stuffing artificial intelligence software into every possible product for years. Now, Founders Fund is backing a startup that wants to help small businesses use the technology, too.

Netic, which just raised $23 million in a Series B funding round led by the firm, is equipping businesses and contractors like electricians, roofers and repairmen with AI tools.

Its not the only Silicon Valley startup to target small businesses. Chris Hoffmann, who runs home services company Hoffmann Brothers, says hes been bombarded by pitches for AI tools for years.

But Netic, which offers products that help with a wide range of services, had a different spiel. The companys leadership had a product vision which extended far beyond this point solution narrow focus, Hoffmann said. Its software helps with everything from tracking call volume to customer intake to actually booking workers visits, he said.

Earlier this year, when a tornado hit St. Louis, damaging homes across the city. Hoffmann said his companys roofing business got more than 600 calls in 90 minutes. Netics AI customer service tools took most of those calls, allowing the company to respond at a much higher speed and triage requests.

The startup, valued at $450 million in the latest funding round, was founded by Melisa Tokmak. Its seed round was led by Greylock Partners with Founders Fund participating, and its Series A was led by Founders Fund with participation from Greylock, Hanabi Capital, Day One Ventures, SV Angel and several angel investors.

Backing three early funding rounds in a row is something Founders Fund rarely does, said Amin Mirzadegan, the partner who led the deals. The last companies that Founders Fund had enough conviction to back in a similar way were Cognition AI and Anduril Industries Inc., where they also did three successive early rounds, Mirzadegan said.

The AI opportunity for serving Main Street companies, we feel, is enormous, he said. Mainstream businesses dont get a lot of love or attention from Silicon Valley historically. Fundamentally, reaching a customer in Gary, Indiana, is probably a lot harder than reaching a customer down the road in Sunnyvale, California.

Tokmak has an unique resume for a Silicon Valley founder. Born in a small town in Turkey, she left home for a boarding school near Istanbul at 13, studied math and physics in India, and later went to Stanford University. After graduating, she worked on product and engineering teams at Facebook and at Scale AI, where she helped spearhead the companys government and security focus.

She was still working for Scale when her home in Californias Marin County needed a new heating and ventilation system. But when she started contacting service providers, she encountered a problem that will be familiar to any homeowner  difficult-to-reach businesses, dropped leads and garbled text messages.

Her climate-control system saga prompted her to start Netic as a platform to handle incoming customer requests and visits using AI customer service agents.

The startups customers include pest control businesses, roofers, plumbers and others  the types of industries that millions of businesses and consumers are interacting with, Tokmak said. We serve essential services that really are the backbone of the American economy.

Tokmak said that the company has been consciously trying to keep its funding rounds a sustainable size, despite the current climate of soaring AI valuations. Were building a different type of company that will withstand any kind of bubble and any kind of vanity metrics, she said.

Tokmak highlighted examples like Hoffmanns as her motivation for continuing to build Netic. I was specifically interested in actually building things for the real world, she said.

With the new funding, Tokmak plans to continue expanding Netic to include more home services, create more tools for customers and focus on expanding her team of 22 employees.

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics InsurTech Data Driven Artificial Intelligence
Trucordia on Thursday said it acquired five insurance businesses across the United States, marking a significant milestone in the agencys strategy to build a values-driven, client-first national network.

The newly acquired businesses include:

Assured Insurance Consultants (Tennessee)

(Tennessee) Charles River Insurance (Massachusetts)

(Massachusetts) Eberle Insurance Agency (Arkansas)

(Arkansas) Breezy Seguros (Massachusetts)

(Massachusetts) Osborn Insurance Agency (New Jersey)

Each of these businesses brings a unique blend of local insight, specialized coverage solutions, and a deep commitment to client care, said Lindon, Utah-based Trucordia. From concierge-level service in Tennessee to tri-lingual support for Latino entrepreneurs in Massachusetts, these businesses exemplify the values Trucordia seeks in its partners. Each business will continue to deliver the service their clients expect, said Trucordia.

Related: Trucordia Gains $1.3B Investment From Carlyle to Propel Growth

ranked #16 in the Insurance Journal 2025 Top 100 Independent Property/Casualty Agencies report with about $565 million in P/C revenue. Trucordiareport with about $565 million in P/C revenue.

These acquisitions reflect our belief that meaningful growth happens through collaboration with businesses that share our values, said Felix Morgan, CEO of Trucordia. Were proud to welcome these teams into our organization and look forward to building on their legacy of trusted relationships and community impact.

This moment is a milestone; its a signal of whats ahead, said Rocky Steele, SVP of business development at Trucordia. Were building a platform where local insurance businesses can grow and where clients benefit from local insight and national strength. Thats the future were creating together.

As part of Trucordia, these businesses will gain access to expanded resources, integrated technology, and a nationwide network of professionals. Each will continue to deliver the thoughtful, personalized service their clients expect.

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Agencies
It did not taking long for one of the industrys trade associations to spring to action following Congresss return to work after a lengthy government shutdown.

The National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC) on Thursday called on U.S House leaders to pass a bipartisan bill containing sweeping reforms to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The Fixing Emergency Management for American Act (FEMA Act), HR 4669, earlier passed out of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee by an impressive 57-3 margin. It was introduced by Committee Chair Sam Graves, R-Mo., and Ranking Member Rick Larsen, D-Wash.

This level of support and the proposals thoughtful and pragmatic approach are signs that the bill balances needed public policy reforms without the risk of upending the U.S. emergency management mechanism, said Jimi Grande, NAMIC senior vice president of federal and political affairs. For months prior to the bills introduction, the sponsors spent extensive time considering feedback across hundreds of industries touched by emergency management and disaster response planning.

The bill removes FEMA from oversight of the Department of Homeland Security, restoring it to an independent agency that reports directly to President Trump. The FEMA administrator would be elevated to a cabinet-level post. The job is currently held by David Richardson, acting administrator. He was named to the role in May after Cameron Hamilton, whod had also been leading the agency in an acting role, was fired after saying at a congressional hearing that he did not support eliminating the agency.

Richardson has said states would be sharing more of the costs after natural disasters.

Trump has been a vocal critic of FEMA, and has threatened to abolish the agency. His administration terminated the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program, overseen by FEMA, in April but was stopped by a federal judge in August.

Related: Abolishing FEMA Memo Outlines Ways for Trump to Scrap Agency | Disaster Survivors Wait Longer to Get Federal Aid

In a letter sent today from NAMIC to Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., the trade group said it is ready to partner with policymakers at all levels to reimagine and improve the way

America prepares for and invests in emergency management and disaster response.

The FEMA Act of 2025 includes numerous positive reforms in the spirit of enhancing stability, expertise, transparency, accountability, uniformity, coordination, and speed of disaster response, wrote Grande on behalf of NAMIC. Disaster survivors would be able to unlock critical lifesaving assistance in streamlined and modernized manners. We are further encouraged by the bills continued commitment to incorporating modern approaches for stronger and safer building and rebuilding to reduce risk going forward in cost-effective ways that protect individuals, families, and communities from risks posed by natural hazards.

The bill would also strictly prohibit any political discrimination in providing disaster recovery assistance. States would be incentivized to make investments in mitigation, rainy day funds, and private insurance policies.

Topics FEMA
The operators of Camp Mystic in Texas, where 25 girls and two teenage counselors died in catastrophic flooding on July 4, failed to take necessary steps to protect the campers as life-threatening floodwaters approached, families of the victims allege in a lawsuit.

The lawsuit, filed Monday in state court in Austin, seeks more than $1 million in damages but does not specify an exact amount. It was filed as Camp Mystic has drawn renewed outrage from several victims families over plans to reopen the 100-year-old camp next summer.

Among the claims in the lawsuit is that a groundskeeper was directed to spend more than an hour evacuating equipment while girls and counselors in cabins closest to the Guadalupe River were ordered to remain there, even as floodwaters overwhelmed the property.

The lawsuit was filed by the families of five campers and the two counselors who died.

These young girls died because a for-profit camp put profit over safety, the lawsuit said. The camp chose to house young girls in cabins sitting in flood-prone areas, despite the risk, to avoid the cost of relocating the cabins.

The suit also alleges the operators of the camp chose not to make plans to safely evacuate campers, despite state rules requiring such plans, and instead ordered campers and counselors to remain in their cabins as a matter of policy.

Defendants named in the lawsuit include Camp Mystic, affiliated entities and its owners, including the estate of camp owner Richard Eastland, who also died in the flooding, and his family members.

A separate lawsuit with similar allegations was filed Monday by the family of Eloise Peck, another Camp Mystic camper who died in the flood. Both lawsuits were filed in Travis County.

An attorney for Camp Mystic said in a statement that they empathize with the families who lost loved ones in the flood, but they disagree with several accusations and misinformation in the legal filings.

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, said Jeff Ray, legal counsel for Camp Mystic.

The campers and counselors were killed when the fast-rising floodwaters roared through a low-lying area of the summer camp before dawn on the Fourth of July. All told, the destructive flooding killed at least 136 people, raising questions about how things went so terribly wrong.

County leaders were asleep or out of town. The head of Camp Mystic had been tracking the weather beforehand, but its now unclear whether he saw an urgent warning from the National Weather Service that had triggered an emergency alert to phones in the area, a spokesperson for the camps operators said in the immediate aftermath.

The camp, established in 1926, did not evacuate and was hit hard when the river rose from 14 feet (4.2 meters) to 29.5 feet (9 meters) within 60 minutes.

Ryan DeWitt, whose daughter Molly DeWitt was one of the campers killed in the flooding, said in a statement that the lawsuit is a step toward helping the family find peace.

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, DeWitt said.

The deaths of the campers and counselors, and the gut-wrenching testimony from their parents to Texas lawmakers, led to a series of new laws designed to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Photo: FILE  An officer prays with a family as they pick up items at Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, July 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Flood
The body of a coal miner was found inside a mine in southern West Virginia, four days after the stretch of mine was flooded when crews hit an unexpected pocket of water, officials said.

Its the third death this year at a West Virginia facility overseen by Alpha Metallurgical Resources, NBC News and the Associated Press reported. An elevator undergoing tests struck a mine worker in August at an Alpha subsidiary; a section of coal fell on a contractor at an underground operation in February, the news outlets noted.

In Drennan, West Virginia this week, a mining crew unleashed the flood when it broke through a wall on Saturday, Nov. 8, about three-quarters of a mile into the Rolling Thunder mine, which lies about 50 miles east of Charleston, Nicholas County Commissioner Garrett Cole said in a Facebook post, the Associated Press reported.

All the other miners on the team were accounted for after the accident was reported to the county emergency management department. Rescuers had hoped to use an underwater drone to reach the trapped miner, but Steven Lipscomb, 42, was found dead early Thursday. He was last seen attempting to ensure his crew made it out safely.

Steve joined our company in 2006 and was a dedicated employee, respected leader and friend to many, Alpha CEO Andy Eidson, said in a news release. His actions to ensure the safety of his crew members were heroic. On behalf of the entire organization, we extend our prayers and deepest sympathies to his wife, two children and all who knew and cared for him.

West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey said in a statement that the mine flooded after an old mine wall was compromised, and that multiple state agencies are involved in the response, which includes pumping water from the flooded section.

Rolling Thunder is one of 11 underground mines operated in West Virginia by Tennessee-based Alpha Metallurgical Resources. The company also operates four surface mines in the state, as well as three underground and one surface mine in Virginia.

A report prepared in February for Alpha by an engineering consulting firm, Marshall Miller & Associates, said the area had been extensively explored by previous mine owners, generating a significant amount of historical data that Alpha examined in assessing its potential for producing coal.

The same report says that the Rolling Thunder coal seam runs along and below the drainage of Twenty Mile Creek but said there were no significant hydrologic concerns about digging for more coal in the extensively mined property.

Alpha said in a statement that the company is working closely with federal and state authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the accident and its underlying causes.

Photo: The Black Eagle coal mine, a deep mine in Raleigh County, operated by Marfork Coal Company, a subsidiary of Alpha Metallurgical Resources. Photo taken May 18, 2021. (Chris Dorst/ Charleston Gazette-Mail via AP)

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Flood Virginia
A Berkshire Hathaway Energy Co.-owned utility is at risk of losing its investment-grade credit rating as it expects to have to pay up more money for litigation brought by victims of 2020 wildfires in Oregon.

PacifiCorp recently warned that it might need to borrow more money to cover legal judgments. The utility faces a quicker pace of mini-trials designed to assess how much itll have to pay over its role in the Labor Day wildfires, which burned more than 1 million acres and destroyed thousands of homes.

The utility, which is the largest grid operator in the Western U.S., said it has to post bonds to appeal the damages awards and has posted $479 million in bonds for 91 wildfire victims so far, according to a regulatory filing.

If PacifiCorps payouts continue at that level, it would have to put up about $9 billion to appeal judgments tied to a total of 1,700 victims through 2028. The company has more than $13 billion of secured bonds, though only about $1.4 billion of that is maturing in the next five years, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

On Friday, S&P Global Ratings downgraded PacifiCorp to BBB-, just one rung above junk, and said it could downgrade the company further. Bank strategists also warned in reports last week that the utilitys bonds are likely to under-perform.

The disclosure outlines significant and increased risks for PacifiCorps cash position, Barclays Plc analysts wrote in a report. JPMorgan Chase & Co. analysts wrote they see more risk to the downside on PacifiCorps outstanding corporate bonds.

PacifiCorp acknowledged that the expedited trial pace will cause significant financial strain, according to the filing. Weakening of PacifiCorps credit metrics could result in a downgrade, potentially below investment-grade.

The company remains willing to settle all outstanding reasonable claims related to the Echo Mountain, 242 and South Obenchain fires, a PacifiCorp spokesperson said in an emailed statement. PacifiCorp continues to meet its obligations and provide our customers with an essential service. This includes diligently managing our finances.

As climate change has made wildfires across the American West more frequent and destructive, PacifiCorps decision to take its chances with a jury in 2023 marked the first time that a lawsuit over large-scale devastation blamed on a utilitys equipment went to a trial.

The company was found liable for failing to heed weather warnings and shut off electricity in its service areas ahead of a wind storm that toppled power lines. PacifiCorp has settled some claims over the 2020 fires but still faces others.

The judge overseeing the ongoing litigation has accelerated the schedule of mini-trials  for small groups of property owners to seek monetary damages  to once a week starting in February and twice a week in 2027 until their expected completion in March 2028, according to a July court filing. The utility is asking a state appeals court to halt further damages trials until its appeal of the 2023 verdict is resolved, which could take several years.

Given the schedule and damages that have been awarded so far, PacifiCorp estimates that future damages awards could be more than the amount it can cover with its existing bonds and letters of credit. It sold $3.8 billion of U.S. investment-grade bonds early last year to help fund litigation settlement claims.

PacifiCorp is now teetering on the brink of junk bond status  and it has no one to blame but itself, said Jay Edelson, whose law firm Edelson PC is representing the wildfire victims in court. The company should never have taken this case to trial, much less doubled down again and again trying to fight individual survivors in court.

Top photo: A burned vehicle near a motel destroyed by wildfires in Gates, Oregon in 2020. Photographer: Go Nakamura/Bloomberg.

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire Claims Oregon
For no man at all can be living for ever, and we must be satisfied  Maurya in Riders to the Sea

The heroine of JM Synges 1896 play, set in Inishmaan, has lost her husband and five sons to the sea. News arrives that a body has been washed up in Donegal. The clothing shows its that of Michael, another son. Bartley, the last of Mauryas boys, is sailing to Connemara to sell a horse. He too perishes; a ghost-rider has been seen. "Theyre all gone now," says the grief-stricken mother, "and there isnt anything more the sea can do to me".

Synge depicts a semi-pagan hunter-gatherer world  "Its little he (the priest) knows about the sea" etc.

Michaels and Bartleys lives are cut short, but Cathleen and Nora, their gatherer sisters, live on. Not just in Aran, but everywhere else, women live longer than men.

Nor are such difference confined to humans... wild creatures also exhibit variations in lifespan between the sexes. The social insects provide spectacular examples. Female wasps and bees survive the winter but males dont. Honeybee drones die after participating in a nuptial flight but their mother, the queen, can live on for up to seven years.

But stressful lifestyles cant always be held responsible; the trials and tribulations of the boardroom and bedroom hardly compare to those faced by Michael and Bartley. Something more fundamental is going on.

Why women live longer than men. A new study @ScienceAdvances by an intl. research team led by Johanna Stark and Fernando Colchero @MPI_EVA_Leipzig traces the evolutionary roots of the #lifespan gap between women and men. https://t.co/SKVVM3ROZm & https://t.co/uHwqarWtXc pic.twitter.com/Rg0H9RdnQw  MPI-EVA Leipzig (@MPI_EVA_Leipzig) October 2, 2025

Scientists at Leipzigs Max Planck Institute have been studying longevity. Lead author Johanna Stark says that differences in survival between the sexes "are deeply rooted in evolutionary history" and "can be observed in many animal species".

Lifestyle and environment are important, but genes also play a part.

The Max Planck team measured the lifespans of 1,176 wild creatures. Female mammals, the analysis showed, live 13% longer on average than males. The reverse, however, is the case with birds; males last 5% longer.

Sexual selection drives sex difference in adult life expectancy across mammals and birds

To control for environmental factors, the researchers compared the longevities of animals in zoos with those of creatures fending for themselves in the wild. Pampered zoo inmates, fed and found, lead relatively stress-free lives. Their wild cousins existence, by contrast, is often poor, nasty, brutish, and short.

Not surprisingly, zoo-dwellers tend to live longest. However, differences in life expectancy between the sexes were less pronounced in zoos than in the wild.

An individuals gender is determined by the sex chromosomes.

A male mammal possesses both an X chromosome and a Y, whereas a female has two Xs.

The inheritance mechanism in birds is the opposite of the mammal one. Its the female who is heterogametic  she has both a W and a Z chromosome. Male birds with their second Z, therefore, are less prone to suffer mutation damage than females. And so they live longer.

Without a second X copy, the male bird is more vulnerable to damage by genetic mutations. The female is less exposed. If one of her Xs becomes impaired; she has the second copy as backup and harm is less likely to occur.

This argument is supported by the bird findings. The inheritance mechanism in birds is the opposite of the mammal one. Its the female who is heterogametic  she has both a W and a Z chromosome. Male birds with their second Z, therefore, are less prone to suffer mutation damage than females. And so they live longer.
The EU has launched an investigation into Google Search over concerns the US tech company has been demoting commercial content from news media sites.

The blocs executive arm announced the move after monitoring found certain content created with advertisers and sponsors was being given such a low priority by Google it was effectively no longer visible in search results.

European Commission officials said this potentially unfair loss of visibility and of revenue to media owners could be a result of an anti-spam policy Google operates.

Under the rules of the Digital Market Act (DMA), which governs competition in the tech sectors, Google must apply fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory conditions of access to publishers websites on Google search.

Commission officials said the investigation was not into the overall indexing of newspapers or their reporting on Google Search, just into commercial content provided by third parties.

Media partnerships with businesses selling goods or services ranging from holidays to trainers are normal commercial practice in the offline world and they should also exist in a fair online marketplace such as Google, officials said.

For example a newspaper may have teamed up with Nike to offer discounts, but there was evidence that under a Google search, that sub-domain of the newspaper would be demoted to a point that users will not be able to find it anymore. That in turn impacts the newspaper.

We are concerned that Googles policies do not allow news publishers to be treated in a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory manner in its search results, said Teresa Ribera, the executive vice-president for clean, just and competitive transition policies at the European Commission.

Officials will ask publishers to submit evidence of any impacts to its traffic and revenues as a result of suspected breaches of fair practices in the coming days, the commission said.

The EU said it was compelled to take steps to protect traditional media, which was now competing in the marketplace online, given the recent assertion by the commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, in her state of the union address that the media at large was at risk with the arrival of AI and widespread threats to media funding.

The Guardian
A Sinn Fein party member has been expelled as her partner was arrested as part of an investigation into far-right extremism.

The party confirmed the partner of a female member of the party had been arrested as part of a cross-border terrorism-related investigation.

Sinn Feins national chairman Declan Kearney said the party was informed on Friday night that the home of a female party member and her partner had been raided as part of the probe.

The partner was later arrested, he said.

He said the woman was then expelled from the party on Saturday evening because she failed to notify the party that her home was raided or inform the party about the associated seriousness of this situation.

Both the woman and her partner had previously been signed in to Leinster House by Sinn Fein.

Mr Kearney said in a statement: We will not allow our party to be exposed to any far-right elements.

The far right have targeted our party for several years now with death threats, pickets on members homes and offices, and, more recently, violent actions.

We have worked carefully with the gardai, who have been active and vigilant in the face of these threats.

He added that the speedy action of gardai had prevented potentially devastating events occurring.

The party was informed on Friday night that the home of a female party member and her partner had been raided, and he has since been arrested.

The female party member was expelled from the party on Saturday evening as she failed to notify the party that her home was raided or inform the party about the associated seriousness of this situation.

As this is a live and serious Garda investigation, we cannot say any more at this time.

Sinn Fein TD for Cavan-Monaghan Matt Carthy said the woman was a member of the party for less than a year and her partner was not a member.

Mr Carthy said: We found out on Friday evening that the house in which she lived with her partner had been raided as part of the ongoing Garda investigation which had subsequently resulted in the arrest of two men the day previously for very serious charges in relation to far-right activity.

The party take these matters incredibly seriously.

As soon as we became aware of what had happened we had convened a meeting of the party leadership and the decision was made to immediately expel this party member for not informing the party about the fact that her house had been raided.

He said the partys head office was made aware of the incident by another party member in Co Laois. It is not thought any other member of the party is involved, Mr Carty said.

A party press officer later said the now-expelled Sinn Fein member and her partner were signed in to Leinster House on two occasions.

They were signed in by Senator Maria McCormack for an endometriosis debate in the Dail on July 16, and they were also signed in by a staff member in the senators office, at her request, on the day of a housing protest outside the Dail on June 17.

Two men have appeared in court charged with possession of explosives in relation to a cross-border terrorism related investigation, and a third arrest has been made.

Karolis Peckauskas, 38, of Newfoundwell Road, Drogheda, Co Louth, is charged with one offence of possession of six litres of hydrogen peroxide.

Garrett Pollock, 35, with an address at Kilhorne Green, Annalong, Co Down, is charged with two offences: possession of the components of three pipe-bomb type improvised explosive devices and four incendiary-type improvised explosive devices; and with possession of six litres of hydrogen peroxide.

On Thursday, Mr Pollock briefly appeared before Portlaoise District Court via video link and was remanded in custody until the next court appearance on November 27.

On Wednesday, gardai arrested a third man, aged in his 30s, in Co Laois as part of the investigation.
As Ireland celebrates the inauguration of our 10th President this week, world leaders and governments are convening in Belem, Brazil for the Cop30 international climate negotiations.

While expectations are low for transformative climate justice on the world stage, here in Ireland we can expand our ambition because President Catherine Connolly is a climate justice president.

Climate justice is about transformative change toward more just, healthy and stable futures for all. Climate justice broadens the climate agenda beyond the narrow emissions reductions mandate.

From a climate justice perspective, the climate crisis is not a scientific problem to be solved with technocratic solutions. Rather, the climate crisis is a symptom of bigger structural and systemic problems that are concentrating wealth and power among large corporate interests that are increasingly influencing our democratic processes.

Catherine Connolly understands this and her priorities are climate justice priorities. President Connolly sees the connections that are core to climate justice.

Delegates outside the venue for the COP30 UN Climate Summit on Tuesday in Belem, Brazil. Expectations are low for transformative climate justice on the world stage. Photo: AP/Joshua A. Bickel

She knows neutrality is a climate justice issue. The right to housing is a climate justice issue. The cost-of-living crisis is a climate justice issue. Irish unity is a climate justice issue. Speaking the Irish language is a climate justice issue. And envisioning a better future for the island of Ireland is a climate justice issue.

Climate justice resists the disproportionate power of large multinational companies, and prioritises the needs of people and communities. Climate justice demands that decarbonisation and emissions reductions are linked to transformative public investments in housing, healthcare, public transport, care-work, education, and other basic services that every community needs and deserves.

Climate justice recognises that local, regenerative and community-focused production of food, energy and other necessities are essential to restoring ecological health, biodiversity and human well-being across the island of Ireland. Climate justice requires us to stand in solidarity against violent oppression, militarisation and coloniality.

Ireland's polarising climate policies

Unfortunately, most of Irelands current climate policies do not embrace climate justice principles. Instead many of the governments current climate policies focus narrowly on emissions reduction and decarbonisation without considering equity, justice and the urgent needs facing communities.

This short-sighted approach to climate action has been counterproductive in part because it relies on blaming and shaming individual people and their choices. These policies continue to be ineffective in achieving the deep societal and economic transformation that is urgently needed.

Current climate policies focus too much on empowering well-off households to make changes by installing solar panels and buying EVs while neglecting the growing energy burdens and increasing climate vulnerabilities of most people. By ignoring the injustices and inequities, these policies are dangerous and harmful because they have been leaving most people behind.

The lack of investment in marginalised households and vulnerable communities is polarising. Climate action that focuses narrowly on emissions without connecting to the urgent needs of communities and households will never work. And it has contributed to anger, frustration and resentment in communities across the country.

Catherine Connolly

The reason Catherine won over 63% of the vote is because she effectively linked many different climate justice issues to a vision of a better future and a unified Ireland. Throughout the campaign, she acknowledged the climate crisis and the ecological devastation across the island of Ireland.

But rather than defending the existing ineffective climate policies and perpetuating the governments narrow way of framing climate action, she demonstrated how climate justice is about reclaiming an integrated vision of a more healthy, stable and just future for the island of Ireland. She understands that the well-being of the people is linked to the ecological health of the place.

President Connollys climate justice leadership is desperately needed on the world stage right now.

Building on the powerful and transformative climate justice role that former President of Ireland Mary Robinson continues to have in international climate policy, the presidency of Catherine Connolly is an opportunity for the island of Ireland to demonstrate an expansive and inclusive approach to climate that centres people, place and our interconnected futures.
Cabinet will next week discuss a long-demanded statutory inquiry into care of children with spina bifida and scoliosis at Childrens Health Ireland.

Now that the Government has indicated the inquiry will happen, what next? It took five years for a non-statutory inquiry on valproate use to move from promise to reality, could this take as long?

The death of Harvey Morrison Sherratt, 9, in July, led to outrage about scoliosis care and sympathy for his parents Gillian and Stephen.

This, combined with over two years of controversies about care of these children, appears to have reached a tipping point politicians could no longer ignore.

A memo recommending the inquiry will go before Cabinet on Tuesday in a first step.

Ms Morrison Sherratt said on Thursday: This is what we wanted, myself and Stephen as Harveys parents. We have been pushing for a statutory public inquiry because we cannot help Harvey anymore, unfortunately.

In a video on social media, she said parents groups involved  the Scoliosis Advocacy Network and the Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Pediatric Advocacy Group  represent about 700 families.

They are very much still caught up in the system that failed Harvey, she said, adding this type of inquiry can compel anyone up to former health ministers to attend.

The four mothers leading these groups have been involved in advocacy for years. They are not naive to the challenges ahead even as they welcome this milestone.

Government sources are already talking about a considerable body of work to come.

Finding a chairperson could be challenging. One obvious choice, Selvadurai Nayagam from Liverpool Children's Hospital, is already overseeing a review at CHI. Anyone approached will need to commit to a long tenure.

Valproate inquiry sounds a cautionary note

The stuttering progress of the inquiry into prescribing of anti-epilepsy drug valproate during pregnancy sounds a cautionary note.

This was first promised by then-health minister Stephen Donnelly in November 2020 after advocacy from OACS Ireland and Epilepsy Ireland.

A chairwoman was appointed in June 2024 for a non-statutory inquiry but work only began in July 2025.

Could this new inquiry have been avoided if CHI or the Government had met these parents half-way before relationships disintegrated?

Look back to early 2022 when the Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Pediatric Advocacy Group began a campaign called Paisti in Pain to highlight similar concerns.

The final straw for many families was a damning internal CHI report revealed in the Sunday Times this year.

Meanwhile, thousands of children receive care at CHI every day. Moe than 82,000 attended the emergency departments just in 2023.

The contrast between those successes and the care to be investigated has left many staff baffled as to how this situation was not managed better.

Many concerns raised in the media originate with frustrated healthcare workers whose voices were not heard internally. If they had also been listened to, could this inquiry have been avoided?

CHI will be integrated into the HSE by 2027 and could move to the new hospital site that year or later.

How will those moves impact or be impacted by such a wide-ranging inquiry? Many questions are yet to be answered.
MORE than 700 cost-rental apartments are in the pipeline in Cork City in two developments backed by approved housing body Respond.

Work is underway at the former Millfield Service Station site on Redforge Rd in Blackpool, where Wall Construction is building 114 homes, due their first tenant intake in early 2027.

Across the city, Respond is working with builder/developer Cairn Homes to deliver 606 apartments at the Creamfields site near Kinsale Rd, following Dairygolds 25.6m sale of the former CMP Dairies site to the developer earlier this year. It was the largest land deal of Q3 and the first time the largest quarterly transaction took place outside of Dublin since the second quarter of 2023.

Cairn is also about to embark on a transformational housing scheme on the outskirts of Blarney village, earmarked to deliver up to 3,000 homes over the next 10 years.

The Blackpool site, which does not involve Cairn Homes, will deliver 77 one-bed and 37 two bed apartments in blocks ranging from four to nine storeys, and will include a retail unit at ground level. It will be a predominantly cost-rental scheme, with 102 units earmarked for cost rental, and 12 for social housing.

Its a far smaller scheme than the Creamfields development, which will include a 15-story landmark building, creating a new focal point in the city.

An artist's impression of the Creamfields' site

The 606-unit residential element of the scheme will deliver a total of 225 social and 381 cost-rental apartments on a site opposite Musgrave Park and close to the South Ring Rd and Tramore Valley Park. Work is underway at the site with the project expected to take three years to deliver.

The Blackpool site was acquired by Bellmount Developments in 2019, who acquired planning permisson for the project. Previously the companys directors, Seamus and Padraig Kelleher, estimated the development would cost 30m. Respond declined to put on figure on the project citing commercial sensitivities.

A spokesperson said: Respond delivers homes at the lowest possible cost delivering value for money for the State while ensuring quality and sustainability.

All of the Blackpool homes will be built to NZEB standard to ensure energy efficiency and lower running costs for tenants.

The Blackpool development is part of Responds ongoing work to deliver high-quality, social and cost rental homes in Cork and nationally. Under the Governments cost-rental scheme, rents must be a minimum of 25% below local open market values. The initiative is targeted at people who dont qualify for social housing but who cant afford the market. Cork citys first cost-rental scheme opened at Lancaster Gate, on Western Rd three years ago, following a collaboration between OCallaghan Properties (OCP) and approved housing body Cluid.

Respond already has 1,189 homes and 2,714 tenants in Cork and, in the past five years, delivered 519 homes in the city and 168 homes in the county, providing homes for 1,664 people.

A spokesperson said Cork continues to be a key delivery area for Respond, and we are committed to expanding social and cost rental housing supply in the region, working in partnership with Cork City Council and Cork County Council, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Housing Finance Agency and The Housing Agency.

Responds Redforge Rd development is close to another highly successful Respond scheme which saw two rows of historic mill-worker cottages taken out of dereliction and transformed into 18 smartly presented two-bed social homes, housing 38 tenants.

'Before' pic of Millfield Cottages, once home to mill workers.

The Millfield Cottages development was completed in July 2024, and tenants moved in the same year.

'After' pic of the smartly transformed Millfield Cottages

The cottages were once home to families who worked for the nearby Sunbeam Wolsey textile factory, once one of Corks big traditional employers. The scheme was awarded the Small Regeneration Award at the Irish Council for Social Housing Awards 2025.
The French capital is marking the 10th anniversary of terrorist attacks that killed 132 people and injured hundreds more.

Coordinated terrorist attacks turned Paris into a theatre of blood and calamity 10 years ago, with gunfire on cafe terraces, explosions near a stadium and a night-time massacre at the Bataclan concert hall leaving 132 people dead and hundreds injured.

Many families measure time as before and after the attacks. The night reshaped Frances sense of safety and purpose, hardening security while deepening a civic reflex for solidarity that endures a decade on.

The incident hit the French capital 10 years ago (AP)

Paris is marking the November 13 anniversary with a sequence of tributes led by president Emmanuel Macron and Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo at each attack site: the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, then the cafes and restaurants in the 10th and 11th arrondissements, and finally the Bataclan, with a minute of silence before each memorial plaque.

Parents, partners and friends of victims will stand closest to the plaques, officials said.

At Place de la Republique, Parisians are invited to leave candles, flowers and notes at the foot of the statue of national symbol Marianne, as in 2015, and to follow the ceremonies on a giant screen.

Children are expected to come with parents to light candles and lay flowers. City officials asked the public to keep gatherings calm and to give families space at the memorials.

The commemorations will culminate at the Jardin du 13-Novembre, a new memorial garden opposite City Hall.

People were urged to give families space to mark the occasion (AP)

Conceived with the help of victims associations, it bears the 132 names of those killed on granite stelae, with plantings that echo the attack sites and benches for reflection.

Designers added small signs of life  bird baths, nesting boxes, shade  for children at the request of families. The ceremony is scheduled for 6pm (5pm GMT) and will be attended by Mr Macron and Ms Hidalgo.

The Eiffel Tower is to be lit in the colours of the French flag after nightfall. The French football federation will observe a minute of silence and other tributes at Frances World Cup qualifier against Ukraine at the Parc des Princes.

On November 13 2015  a Friday  nine gunmen and suicide bombers from the so-called Islamic State struck within minutes of one another.

One of the attacks hit the Bataclan concert hall (AP)

Suicide bombers detonated outside the Stade de France; gunmen sprayed bullets across cafe terraces; and three attackers stormed the Bataclan at 9.47pm local time (8.47pm GMT), killing 90 people before police ended the siege. Two survivors who later took their own lives have since been recognised among the victims.

For survivors, the date reopens wounds.

The 10th anniversary is here and emotions and tension are everywhere for us survivors, said Arthur Denouveaux, who escaped the Bataclan and leads the Life For Paris association. You never fully heal. You just learn to live differently.

Many describe a second task after grief: rebuilding the ordinary  work, friendship, even noise  without flinching.

A 20212022 trial ended with life imprisonment without parole for Salah Abdeslam, the lone surviving assailant, and convictions for 19 others.

For many, accountability did not erase the strain of trauma or the daily work of recovery; it clarified what must be protected.

As names are read and wreaths laid, the message from officials and families is consistent: remember the victims, honour the responders, and preserve the ordinary pleasures the attackers meant to destroy.

The goal, planners say, is simple: grief without spectacle, memory with room for the living.
Tributes have been paid to victims of the terror attacks in Paris as France commemorated the night a decade ago that scarred and reshaped the country.

Gunmen and suicide bombers from the so-called Islamic State group killed 132 people and injured hundreds more in the French capital.

With minutes of silence and readings of the victims names, the French capital mourned the dead and innocence it lost on November 13 2015 but also proudly recalled how Parisians came together, looked after each other and slowly but surely rebounded.

Ten years. The pain remains, French President Emmanuel Macron posted as he led the day of memorials, laying wreaths at attack sites and recalling the lives cut short, the wounded, the families and the loved ones.

People stand at the Place de la Republique (Emma Da Silva/AP)

The daughter of the first person killed fought tears and described her void that never closes.

Sophie Diass father, Manuel, was killed when the first bomber detonated outside the Stade de France where France was playing Germany.

Speaking at the stadium gate where he was killed, she said his absence weighs every morning and every evening, for 10 years.

She said: My father loved life. He believed in freedom, in the simple joy of being together, of sharing precious moments with his family, and he instilled in us the values of the Republic.

Thats what hatred sought to destroy. But thats precisely what we carry with us today. Stronger than anything, despite the pain, despite the absence and this gaping hole. We remain standing.

The incident hit the French capital 10 years ago (AP)

Three bombers sought but failed to get inside the stadium. Security agent Salim Toorabally turned away one of them and, after they detonated their explosive vests outside, tended a wounded man.

He had like these bolts (pieces of metal) lodged in his thigh, Mr Toorabally said in an interview with The Associated Press. There was blood. I didnt have gloves on, and there were pieces of flesh in my hands.

Mr Macron and first lady Brigitte Macron  joined by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo  toured all the attack sites, talking to survivors and relatives of those killed, laying wreaths and standing in silence for the dead and hundreds more injured.

So numerous were the victims of the massacre at the Bataclan concert hall that it took four full minutes to read out all their names.

People were urged to give families space to mark the occasion (AP)

The 92 victims there include two men who survived the three-hour siege but who later died by suicide. Another 39 people were killed that night by gunmen who sprayed cafes and restaurants with bullets.

You never fully heal. You just learn to live differently, said Arthur Denouveaux, who escaped the Bataclan and leads the victims association Life for Paris.

At Place de la Republique, Parisians gathered with candles, flowers and handwritten notes at the base of Marianne, the national symbol, as they did in 2015.

The bells of Notre Dame Cathedral and other Paris churches rang out on Thursday evening.

The commemorations culminated with the inauguration of the November 13 Memory Garden opposite City Hall.

Conceived with victims associations, the parks granite blocks rise to evoke the attack sites.

Jarvis Cocker, frontman of the band Pulp who has lived in Paris, spoke at the evening ceremony of being rattled by the attacks but in love with Parisians.

The Republic isnt dead. One for all. Vive la France, the Britpop star said in French.

City and health workers, emergency service personnel and others read out the names of all 132 dead at the evening ceremony, taking them more than nine minutes.

The Eiffel Tower was lit in the colours of the French flag after nightfall. The French football federation is observing a minute of silence and other tributes at Frances World Cup qualifier against Ukraine at the Parc des Princes.

On November 13 2015  a Friday  nine gunmen and suicide bombers from the so-called Islamic State struck within minutes of one another.

One of the attacks hit the Bataclan concert hall (AP)

Suicide bombers detonated outside the Stade de France; gunmen sprayed bullets across cafe terraces; and three attackers stormed the Bataclan at 9.47pm local time (8.47pm GMT), killing 90 people before police ended the siege. Two survivors who later took their own lives have since been recognised among the victims.

For survivors, the date reopens wounds.

The 10th anniversary is here and emotions and tension are everywhere for us survivors, said Arthur Denouveaux, who escaped the Bataclan and leads the Life For Paris association. You never fully heal. You just learn to live differently.

Many describe a second task after grief: rebuilding the ordinary  work, friendship, even noise  without flinching.

A 20212022 trial ended with life imprisonment without parole for Salah Abdeslam, the lone surviving assailant, and convictions for 19 others.

For many, accountability did not erase the strain of trauma or the daily work of recovery; it clarified what must be protected.

As names are read and wreaths laid, the message from officials and families is consistent: remember the victims, honour the responders, and preserve the ordinary pleasures the attackers meant to destroy.

The goal, planners say, is simple: grief without spectacle, memory with room for the living.
Newark, Del. (Special to Informed Comment; Feature)  My brother Mohammad Amini was a revolutionary and an early leader of the Confederation of Iranian Students, perhaps the largest student movement in the world. He was a Maoist who over time turned into a nationalist.

Our parents were married by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, then a simple cleric, who shared poetry with my father. Then just before the Revolution, my father, Nosratollah Amini, visited Khomeini in Neauphle-le-Chateau, outside Paris, where he sat under an apple tree.

Khomeini saw all of Irans luminaries, my father among them. The whole world was watching this cleric who had spent years in exile in Najaf, in Iraq. From being relatively unknown, he became the face of Iran. He became the Revolutions voice.

When Khomeini saw my father, the first thing he asked was how is Nahid khanum, my mother, who he remembered very vividly, having known her as a young girl. My parents had met in Khomein, a city some few hundred kilometers from Tehran, where Khomeini was from. Later he became known as Ayatollah Khomeini as the leader of the Iranian Revolution.

My grandfather was a doctor in the region. Khomeini had visited him many times, but my grandfather did not like to talk politics; Khomeini did. My grandfather had told him that he was not interested in politics.

My brother Mohammad left Iran at the age of seventeen, having graduated from the prestigious Alborz college, a school founded by Samuel Jordan, an American Presbyterian missionary.

He came to Utah where he wanted to study geology. But then he got involved in the student movement. It was the height of the Vietnam war. He abandoned his studies and became a revolutionary.

Mohammad loved Iran. I remember traveling with our parents throughout t Iran, traveling in our old black Mercedes with our chauffeur, Mohammad Agha. We never stayed in a hotel or caravanserai as my father was well known, and we could stay with friends. Mohammad always brought his notebook with him and jotted down everything. He had a keen eye for the villages and their inhabitants. He had had polio, so he was also very weak. As a young child he had visited my father in prison in a wheelchair. This was after the 1953 Coup when all the members of the National Front had been imprisoned. My father Nosratollah had been the the personal lawyer of the nationalist Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh, who was deposed by the CIA coup.

My brother Mohammad became a historian of Iran, but he rarely wrote in English. His love of the Persian language was his forte. Every week he appeared on an Iranian TV channel in California, eloquently holding forth on a variety of topics concerning Iranian history. Like my father, he knew Persian poetry by heart.

He once said of the mandatory veiling (hijab) demanded by the government in the Islamic Republic of Iran, that it was the most heinous symbol of the regimes dominance over the most private parts of peoples lives; the fight against it is the central discourse of freedom in Iran.

Then Covid appeared and he got very sick. Yet he continued his talks, even if at times it was difficult for him.

I went to Irvine too late. He had been transferred from the hospital to his daughters house. Fifteen minutes after I arrived at their house, Mohammad died in front my eyes. I think he had tears in his eyes.

Then he left me for good. I spent the last night in his bed that night. My brother left an amazing legacy. To this day, people send me emails and remember him on Facebook. He had an incredible memory, like my father. He saved my life when I was a six-year-old girl with long black hair. It was in Qom, the most religious city in Iran. Mohammad saved my life in Qom. But I did not save him, in Irvine, California.
( Middle East Monitor )  Israels allies worldwide are desperately scrambling to help Tel Aviv re-establish a convincing narrative, not only concerning the Gaza genocide, but the entire legacy of Israeli colonialism in Palestine and the Middle East.

The perfect little story, built on myths and outright fabrications  that of a small nation fighting for survival amid hordes of Arabs and Muslims  is rapidly collapsing. It was a lie from the start, but the Gaza genocide has made it utterly indefensible.

The harrowing details of the Israeli genocide in Gaza were more than enough for people globally to fundamentally question the Zionist narrative, particularly the racist Western trope of the villa in the Jungle used by Israel to describe its existence among the colonised population.

Not only have people across the globe, but even Americans have decisively turned against Israel. What began as an alarming trend  from the Israeli viewpoint, of course  is now the irrefutable new reality. National polls indicate that support for Palestinians among US adults has risen, with 33 per cent now saying they sympathise more with the Palestinians  the highest reading so far and an increase of six percentage points from last year.

Even the once unshakeable pro-Israeli majority among Republicans is softening in favour of Palestinians, with 35 per cent of Republicans favouring an independent Palestinian state, a significant increase from 27 per cent in 2024, demonstrating a clear shift in a segment of the Republican base.

The Israeli government is now fighting with every resource at its disposal to dominate the information war. It is focused on injecting calculated Israeli falsehoods into the discourse and aggressively blocking the Palestinian viewpoint.

Latest reports of an Israeli campaign to win social media by granting millions of dollars to TikTok and other social media influencers is only a fraction of a massive, coordinated campaign.

The war is multifrontal. On 4 November, news reports revealed that Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales personally intervened to block editing access to the page dedicated to the Gaza Genocide. He claimed that the page fails to meet the companys high standards and needs immediate attention. According to Wales, that specific page requires a neutral approach  meaning, in practice, that blatant censorship is required to prevent the genocide from being accurately described as the ongoing intentional and systematic destruction of the Palestinian people.

Israel has long been obsessed with controlling the narrative on Wikipedia, a strategy predating the current Gaza genocide. Reports dating back to 2010 confirm that Israeli groups established specific training courses in Zionist editing for Wikipedia editors, with the explicit goal of injecting state-aligned content and shaping key historical and political entries.

The censorship campaign against Palestinians and pro-Palestinian voices is as old as the media itself. From the very start, mainstream media in the West has been structurally aligned with corporate agendas that are naturally allied with money and power; thus, the prominence of the Israeli view and the near-complete erasure of the Palestinian perspective.

Years ago, however, Israel began realising the existential danger of digital media, particularly the open spaces in social media that allowed ordinary individuals to become independent content creators. The censorship, however, took an ugly and pervasive turn during the genocide, where even the use of words like Gaza, Palestine, let alone genocide, would result in shadowbanning or outright closure of accounts.

In fact, very recently, YouTube, which was previously known for being less severe in censoring pro-Palestinian voices than META, shut down the accounts of three major Palestinian human rights organizations (Al-Haq, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights), erasing more than 700 videos of crucial footage documenting Israeli violations of international law.

Sadly, though not surprisingly, not a single mainstream social media platform is innocent of censoring any criticism of Israel. Thus, it becomes a daily practice that references to Palestine, the Gaza genocide, and the like must be written in coded language, where, for example, the Palestinian flag would be replaced by an image of a watermelon.

Many pro-Palestine activists are now highlighting the direct complicity of Western media, especially in the UK, in attempting to whitewash the rape accusations against Israeli soldiers. Instead of using the unequivocal word rape, mainstream outlets refer to the horrific Sde Teiman episodes merely as abuses. While Israeli politicians and other war criminals are openly celebrating the so-called abuses and the rapists as national heroes, mainstream British and French media are still refusing to accept that the widespread torture, rape, and mistreatment of Palestinians is part of a centralised, systemic agenda, not mere individual abuses.

Compare this to the wall-to-wall, sensationalised coverage of alleged mass rape by Palestinians in southern Israel on 7 October  despite the fact that no independent investigation was ever conducted, and that the claims were made by the Israeli army without credible evidence.

This is not mere bias and hypocrisy, however, but direct complicity, as stated by the Gaza Tribunals final statement on 26 October 2025. The Jury finds a range of non-state actors to be complicit in genocide, the verdict read, including biased media reporting in the west on Palestine and under-reporting of Israeli crimes.

The final reckoning unfolds in the information warzone. The coming months and years mark the most critical fight for truth in the conflicts history. Israel, relying on censorship, intimidation, and manufactured consent, will use every method to secure a victory. For Palestinians and all who champion justice, this battle for history is as consequential as the genocide itself. Israel must not be allowed to sanitize its image, because polishing genocide guarantees its repetition.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor or Informed Comment.

Via Middle East Monitor )
Via The British Society for Middle East Studies | 

Academic Freedom | Joint Letter from BRISMES, DAVO, MESA and SeSaMO

Posted: 12/11/2025

To President Emmanuel Jean-Michel Frederic Macron

President of the French Republic

To His Excellency Mr. Philippe Baptiste

Minister of National Education and Youth, France

To Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. Thomas Romer

Chairman of the College de France

Sent by email.

Dear Mr President, dear Minister, dear Chairman,

We write to express our deep concern regarding the cancellation of the symposium Palestine and Europe organized by the Chair of Contemporary History of the Arab World at the College de France and the CAREP (Arab Center for Research and Political Studies).

We  the German Middle East Studies Association (DAVO), the British Society for Middle Eastern Studies (BRISMES), the Italian Society for Middle Eastern Studies (SeSaMO) and the Middle East Studies Association (MESA)  are, respectively, Germanys, Britains, Italys, and North Americas largest associations for Middle East Studies. Founded in 1993, 1973, 1995, and 1966 respectively, our associations work to promote research and teaching on the Middle East and North Africa and to raise awareness of the region and how it is connected to other parts of the world. We are all committed to supporting academic freedom and freedom of expression, both within the region and in connection with the study of the region, in our respective countries and globally.

The symposium, scheduled for November 13-14, gathers eminent academic specialists from prestigious institutions across the world, including DAVO, BRISMES, SeSaMO, and MESA members. It aims to examine how the question of Palestine fits into contemporary European political and scholarly dynamics. This is a legitimate and timely object of scholarly inquiry.

It is therefore deeply troubling that the symposium was cancelled following misleading commentary on social media and political pressure from the French Ministry of Higher Education. The subsequent public statements (here and here) characterising the symposium as activist and questioning its academic legitimacy constitute an unjustified attack on the integrity of the invited researchers. To misrepresent rigorous academic work as partisan undermines the very principles of historical and social scientific inquiry. Scholarly debate must be evaluated by the academic community, not curtailed by political intervention.

Frances obligations to respect academic freedom are clearly established in national, European and international law. Article L9522 of the French Code de lEducation guarantees the independence and freedom of expression of teaching and research staff, an entitlement reinforced by the Conseil dEtat in decision no. 329056 of 9 June 2010, which recognized the principle of independence of higher education teachers as a fundamental principle of French law. Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which France signed and ratified, protects freedom of expression, which the European Court of Human Rights has interpreted, notably in Mustafa Erdogan and others v. Turkey (27 May 2014), as encompassing academic freedom. At the European Union level, Article 13 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights explicitly recognizes the freedom of the arts and sciences, including teaching, research, and dissemination, imposing a duty on EU Member States to safeguard academic freedoms. Finally, Article 19 of the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) guarantees freedom of expression, which UN bodies and instruments have interpreted as extending to academic freedom, thereby creating binding obligations for France to protect the ability of scholars to research, teach, and express ideas without undue interference.

The cancellation of this symposium represents a grave violation of these obligations. It sets a dangerous precedent whereby media pressure or ministerial intervention can determine which topics may be researched and discussed in academic spaces. Such interference threatens pluralism, chills critical scholarship and risks encouraging broader attacks on academic freedom in France and beyond.

We are particularly concerned by the ways in which the notions of scientificity and scholarly rigor are being invoked to suppress legitimate scholarly activities. Similar accusations have repeatedly been used (including by state actors) to delegitimize researchers and to curtail pluralistic academic debate, often through the instrumentalization of charges of supporting political Islam, terrorism, and antisemitism. Such uses of scientificity have also fuelled Islamophobic and anti-Arab discourses and contributed to attacks on academic research (such as postcolonial studies). We are worried that the cancellation of an academic symposium at an institution as prestigious as the College de France will further encourage attacks on academic freedoms that are a key element of a democratic society.

DAVO, BRISMES, SeSaMO and MESA jointly call on the Ministry of Education and the College de France to guarantee and defend academic freedom by taking the following steps:

issue a formal apology to the symposium organisers and participants for the cancellation and allow the symposium to proceed on the premises of the College de France; publicly affirm your commitment to open, critical, and evidence-based scholarly debate; actively protect students and staff from political pressure, intimidation, and media attacks that threaten their academic freedom and/or personal safety; refrain from adopting or supporting measures that restrict the universitys role as a space for pluralism and independent scholarly inquiry.

We thank you for your attention to this urgent matter and look forward to your response. In accordance with our standard policy, this letter will be published on our websites.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Sevil Cakr

Speaker of DAVO Committee on Academic Freedom

Dr Nils Riecken

Speaker of DAVO Committee on Academic Freedom

Professor Nicola Pratt

BRISMES President

Dr Lewis Turner

Chair of BRISMES Committee on Academic Freedom

Professor Rosita Di Peri

SeSaMO President

Dr Maria Chiara Rioli

Chair of SeSaMO Committee on Academic Freedom

Professor Asl U. Bali

MESA President

Professor Laurie A. Brand

Chair of MESA Committee on Academic Freedom


South Sudan's President Salva Kiir on Wednesday dismissed vice-president Benjamin Bol Mel, who was slated to be his likely successor to lead the unstable nation.

It follows the unravelling of a fragile power-sharing deal between Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar in recent months that has raised fears of a return to civil war.

"I, Salva Kiir... do hereby relieve his excellency Benjamin Bol Mel from his position as the first vice-president," according to a presidential decree read on the public broadcaster SSBC, which did not offer a reason for the decision.

Bol Mel, a businessman known as the regime's financier, had risen in power, having been appointed in February as South Sudan's second vice-president.

He then became the number two figure in the presidential party in May -- a position from which he was also dismissed on Wednesday.

Although Bol Mel was sanctioned by the United States in 2017 for corruption, many analysts considered him the likely successor to 74-year-old Kiir.

The world's newest country, South Sudan has experienced years of instability and poverty despite being rich in oil resources.

In September, Kiir's long-time rival Machar was charged with treason and crimes against humanity over his alleged involvement in an ethnic militia's attack on a military base in March that the government said killed more than 250 soldiers.

South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011 but quickly descended into a five-year civil war between supporters of Kiir and Machar in which some 400,000 people died.

A 2018 peace deal ended the fighting and created a unity government but its leaders repeatedly failed to hold elections or unify their armed forces.
Israel was questioned at the United Nations on Tuesday and Wednesday over multiple reports alleging the torture of Palestinian detainees, in particular since the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023.

Israel was undergoing its periodic review before the UN Committee against Torture.

"The committee has been deeply appalled by the description we have received, in a large number of alternative reports, of what appears to be systematic and widespread torture and ill-treatment of Palestinians, including children," the body's rapporteur Peter Vedel Kessing said.

"It is claimed that torture has become a deliberate and widespread tool of state policy... from arrest to interrogation to imprisonment."

The Committee against Torture comprises 10 independent experts who monitor the implementation of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment by member countries.

Citing reports before the committee, Kessing said that since the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which sparked the retaliatory war in Gaza, torture and ill-treatment has escalated, reaching "unprecedented levels" and carried out with impunity.

Those reports, he said, came from various UN bodies, Israeli, Palestinian and international non-governmental organisations, and other sources.

"Many of those detained and subsequently released have reportedly been subject to torture and other ill-treatment," said Kessing.

"Severe beatings, including on the genitals; electric shocks; being forced to remain in stress positions in prolonged periods; deliberate inhuman conditions and starvation; waterboarding; and widespread sexual insults and threats of rape," he said, giving examples.

In July 2024, the UN human rights office published a report stating that Palestinians detained by Israel during the Gaza war have largely been held in secret and in some cases subjected to treatment that may amount to torture.

Similar accusations have been levelled against the Hamas regarding its treatment of hostages held in the Gaza Strip.

- 'Disinformation': Israeli ambassador -

Israel's ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Daniel Meron, rejected the allegations, branding them "disinformation", particularly, he said, on the part of the UN-mandated Commission of Inquiry, and Francesca Albanese, the UN's independent special rapporteur on rights in the Palestinian territories.

Meron said Israel was "committed to upholding its obligations in line with our moral values and principles, even in the face of the challenges posed by a terrorist organisation".

Kessing said "the fact that one of the parties to the armed conflict violates and disregards obligations under these rules cannot be used as an excuse for the other party" to do likewise.

He told the Israeli delegation that the committee was aware of allegations of acts of torture and war crimes committed by Hamas against Israeli soldiers and civilians.

"This is, of course, very disturbing and something we will take up...with the state of Palestine" in a future session.

The committee's 83rd session, running from November 10 to 28, is conducting periodic reviews of Albania, Argentina, Bahrain and Israel's efforts to implement the convention's provisions.

The committee is set to publish its findings on Israel on November 28.
Bangladeshi judges will issue the hugely anticipated verdict in the crimes against humanity trial of fugitive former prime minister Sheikh Hasina on November 17, the chief prosecutor said Thursday.

Hasina, 78, has defied court orders to return from India to attend her trial on charges of ordering a deadly crackdown in a failed attempt to suppress a student-led uprising that saw her removal.

"Justice will be served according to the law," chief prosecutor Tajul Islam told reporters.

"We have completed a long journey and are now in its final phase. The court will pronounce the verdict on the 17th."

Hasina's trial in absentia, which began on June 1, heard months of testimony alleging she ordered mass killings.

According to the United Nations, up to 1,400 people were killed between July and August 2024 in her failed bid to hold on to power.

Prosecutors have filed five charges, including failure to prevent murder, amounting to crimes against humanity under Bangladeshi law. They have sought the death penalty if she is found guilty.

"We hope the court will exercise its prudence and wisdom, that the thirst for justice will be fulfilled, and that this verdict will mark an end to crimes against humanity," Islam added.

Hasina has denied all the charges and called her trial a "jurisprudential joke".

Her co-accused include former interior minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal -- also a fugitive -- and former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who is in custody and has pleaded guilty.

Tensions are high as parties gear up for elections slated for February.

Hasina's outlawed Awami League had called for a nationwide "lockdown" on Thursday, and there was a heavy deployment of security forces around the court, with armoured vehicles manning checkpoints.

A string of crude bombs have been set off across Dhaka this month, mainly petrol bombs hurled at everything from buildings linked to the government of interim leader Muhammad Yunus to buses and Christian sites.

One man was burned to death on November 11 when his parked bus was set on fire.

Bangladesh's foreign ministry on Wednesday summoned India's envoy to Dhaka, demanding that New Delhi block Hasina from talking to journalists.

"Harbouring such a notorious fugitive... and granting her a platform to spew hatred... are unhelpful to fostering a constructive bilateral relationship between the two countries," the foreign ministry said, according to Bangladesh's state-run BSS news agency.
The African Union chief said there was no genocide in Nigeria's volatile north after US President Donald Trump claimed that Christians were being slaughtered by jihadists and faced an "existential threat".

Trump this month threatened to carry out an armed intervention in Nigeria, saying radical Islamists were killing "Christians in very large numbers".

The US leader said Christianity was "facing an existential threat" in the west African nation, adding that if Nigeria does not stem the killings, the United States will attack and "it will be fast, vicious, and sweet".

Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, chair of the African Union Commission, told a press conference on Wednesday in New York that "there is no genocide in northern Nigeria".

"The complexity of the situation in northern Nigeria should push us to to think twice before making such statements," he added.

Youssouf said "the first victims of Boko Haram (the most prominent jihadist group in the region) are Muslims, not Christians".

Nigeria, the continent's most populous country with 230 million inhabitants, is divided roughly equally between a predominantly Christian south and a Muslim-majority north.

It is the scene of numerous conflicts, including jihadist insurgencies, which kill both Christians and Muslims, often indiscriminately.

The Boko Haram jihadist insurgency, active since 2009, has killed more than 40,000 people and forced more than two million to flee their homes, according to UN figures.

"The first victims of Boko Haram are Muslims, not Christians," Mahamoud Ali Youssouf also stated.
In October, the Stockholm District Court entered a new phase in Swedens longest criminal trial. The hearings in the Lundin trial  where two former senior executives of a Swedish oil company are charged with complicity in war crimes committed in Sudan  turned to a group of men who once controlled access, checkpoints, and security in Sudans oilfields  the security advisers hired by Lundin Oil. They were there, they wrote the reports, they saw the bodies being buried. Yet twenty-five years later, on the witness stand in Courtroom 34, they remember almost nothing.

After twenty-two years in the British army  with deployments in Northern Ireland, Cyprus and the former Yugoslavia  Richard Ramsey was not ready to retire from the worlds conflict zones. One day, reading a veterans magazine, he noticed an advertisement: Security expert needed in Sudan. That job would lead him not only to oil Block 5A in southern Sudan but, a quarter of a century later, to a stone bench outside a courtroom in Stockholm. As a former soldier, Im good at waiting, Ramsey says as the green light above the heavy oak door remains dark. On Mondays, the court often struggles with technical issues. Around thirty lawyers, prosecutors and defence teams must log in and connect the accused  Ian Lundin and Alex Schneiter  who follow the trial remotely from Geneva.

After more than two years of proceedings, the process has now reached the stage where about ten former security consultants are being heard. Among them is Ramsey.

When the protectors themselves attack

The prosecutions case rests heavily on internal security reports that, they argue, show how the Sudanese army and allied militias began a military campaign in May 1999 to secure control over Block 5A  the oil exploration area of Lundin  and enable oil operations. Those documents were discovered when Swedish police, on a January 2018 morning, raided Lundins Stockholm headquarters. At the same time, Swiss investigators searched the companys Geneva office and the Lundin brothers private premises. According to the prosecution, the documents prove that Lundin requested security in areas not under government control. That detail is crucial: it is not illegal to cooperate with a military dictatorship  even during a civil war  nor to request protection from a state army against rebels. What matters, prosecutors say, is that Lundin understood the consequences of asking the army to secure its operations.

Ramsey wrote several of those security reports and received many more. The first document presented to the court describes growing concern in December 1998 that the Sudanese army might enter Block 5A. If the army crossed the river to take over the block, they would face resistance, Ramsey recalls when asked in court.

At that time, the companys protection was handled not by the army but by two local militias: Paulino Matips South Sudan United Movement (SSUM) and Tito Biels South Sudan Independent Movement (SSIM). This arrangement, Ramsey explains, was based on the 1997 Khartoum Peace Agreement, which was very important as the company claimed it gave it the conditions to operate.

Whether the army entered Block 5A before or after oil was found remains disputed. But 1999 internal reports show that 300 SSUM soldiers under Matip moved south toward the Thar Yath rig, along a newly built road, accompanied by trucks loaded with machine guns. On courtroom screens, prosecutors display a map marking where guards employed by Lundin Oil were captured, bodies found, and gunfire broke the silence on May 3, 1999. Two guards were killed instantly; two others fatally wounded.

In the analysis section of that report, the conclusion reads: The security arrangement based on local militias and police has failed. The recommendation: responsibility must now shift to the regular army.

A 50-kilometre buffer zone

That, prosecutors argue, was the turning point  when oil operations in Block 5A became dependent on military offensives.

Reading this, does anything come back to you  what triggered those events? prosecutor Henrik Attorps asks.

No, its like reading it for the first time, Ramsey replies.

He was in London when the Lundin rig was attacked and several security staff were killed.

When news reached him, he recalls thinking that the rumours had come true  the guard force had imploded. Those meant to protect the rig had instead attacked it. A few days later he was back in Sudan, helping his colleague Dick Deary write a security plan and an incident report. He also met company founder Adolf Lundin soon after.

The rig attack has become a central moment in the prosecutions timeline. It coincides with what the indictment labels assistance act 9a  May 1999  when Ian Lundin, Adolfs son who was now the companys chairman, allegedly demanded that the Sudanese army establish a 50-kilometre security zone around the rig and installations, triggering a series of military operations. That internal document, later seized by police, shows the company requesting full military control within a 50-kilometre radius. Prosecutor Attorps highlights that the company still planned to build new roads into areas it described as hostile, such as the Jikany region.

Can you explain how the company went from emphasising peaceful conditions to planning roads through hostile territory? Attorps asks.

Before the incident, operations were possible  chaotic but doable, Ramsey says. When supposedly friendly forces come to your rig, kill people, loot and murder, something changes. We could no longer rely on the hybrid militias. We needed a reliable force  and the army seemed to be one.

I cant explain that

Did anyone inside the company discuss the civilian impact of this militarisation? I dont recall any such discussions, Ramsey says. I dont remember any assessments beyond a general sense that things were tense.

Prosecutors then display another report noting that the World Food Programme had recorded 5.000 displaced people arriving from Leer, Duar and Koch to receive food aid. Villages within block 5A. Ramsey says he has no recollection of such information.

By early June, reports speak of thousands fleeing the fighting in Western Upper Nile, says Attorps. Even without reading reports, were you aware of displaced civilians from your areas of operation?

I dont recall any information like that, Ramsey answers. Maybe I knew something then, but not now.

In another report cited by the prosecution, dated 25 October 1999, Ramsey had written that the army is pushing hard into the area and that a planned field visit was cancelled due to insecurity.

What did you mean by pushing hard? asks the prosecutor.

I cant explain that, Ramsey says flatly.

Another Weekly Report, authored by Ramsey on 24 November 1999, noted that while the army could hold the town of Rubkona and the rig, the road to the rig remains the most dangerous stretch. The report also stated that the army lacked control in Block 5A during the initial stages of road construction, and that the company had therefore requested further military assistance. I dont remember this specific report, Ramsey says, but I do recall that the army rarely had the resources to spare. Asked how the company could continue road construction in such conditions, he again says: I cant remember.

When prosecutors press him on what substantial operations meant, he explains that it probably referred to the number of troops needed to secure the project. A few battalions would have been necessary, he says. Each battalion  600 to 1000 men. So yes, perhaps a few thousand soldiers in Block 5A that autumn.

More attacks, more soldiers, more deaths

On 28 February 2000, the army clashed with rebels in Rubkona. The block was evacuated; the situation rated black. The next day, rebels attacked the road-building crew ten kilometres south of Rubkona. Thirteen people were killed.

I remember that day very well, says Ramsey. Tension was high from previous fighting. When we heard gunfire south of the river, I went to the bridgehead with the company doctor. Later, he saw soldiers burying bodies in a pit  men killed in the ambush. The companys incident log noted that the army was trying to bring in reinforcements and that all operations were being evacuated. It was extremely tense, Ramsey recalls. Completely impossible to continue work under those conditions.

Subsequent logs describe more attacks, further deaths, and reinforcements arriving with armour. By mid-March 2000, 500 additional troops were reportedly in Rubkona. Rebel commander Tito Biel was said to have 4.000 men near Bentiu; SPLA-allied forces were joining him. The army, according to one note, began setting fires south of Bentiu to burn the rebels out. I dont recall those specific events, Ramsey says. But I remember seeing fires in that direction.

A document from Lundin Oil, presented to the court by the prosecutor.

What report?

For prosecutors, the issue is threefold: that war crimes occurred; that the accused knew about them; and that their actions enabled those crimes.

To demonstrate knowledge, they present minutes and briefing papers showing how the companys security advisers at following meetings listed the pros and cons of the situation. On the pro side: an army division moved to Rubkona, checkpoints were established, and an alliance against rebel leader Peter Gadet, an ally of the SPLA, had formed. On the con side: Gadet remained active, and there were no security guarantees.

In a report dated 18 January 2001, Ramsey summarised the armys deployment along the rig road and around the large villages of Adok and Leer: one battalion (about 600 men) in Rubkona, two companies (a company is up to 250 men) in Bentiu, and two-three companies along the road and at the rig. Peter Gadet was the main threat, so we needed forces there, Ramsey comments in court. But when Christian Aid published its 2001 report Scorched Earth, accusing government and militia forces of crimes against civilians in Block 5A, Ramsey says he never heard of it. I knew civilians were fleeing, he admits. We had displaced people arriving at our base in Rubkona and at the rig. But the report? No.

Yet prosecutors then display an internal memo Ramsey himself had written on 7 April 2001  titled Rebuttal of Christian Aid Allegations.

Nice one, bravo, Ramsey says with a smile, prompting laughter in the courtroom, before insisting he did not remember writing it.

Reading from Christian Aids account of villages attacked along the oil road, 11.000 people displaced, and settlements burned, prosecutor Attorps asks:

Do you have any recollection of these allegations?

No, Ramsey says. I recognise the village names, but not the incidents.

The buffer zone concept

The following week, another former security adviser takes the stand. John Davidsson is a former British special-forces soldier who later worked for the private firm Rapport Ltd to analyse security in Block 5A. A buffer zone, he explains, is a military concept. When protecting an operation, you create concentric rings  layers of early warning so youre not surprised. Those rings, he says, could include villages, civilians or local informants  not just soldiers.

In his Security Survey Report: Lundin Sudan Ltd Operations in Khartoum and Southern Sudan (Novembre 2001), Davidsson warned that rebel leader Gadet was targeting oil infrastructure. The report identified Thar Yath and Kwosh as vulnerable to mortar attacks from 710 kilometres away and recommended building a new road westward to create a protective buffer.

Gadet had 120-millimetre mortars, Davidsson says. Theyre not precision weapons. They can fly ten kilometres and scatter shrapnel over 100 metres. A road could push the army far enough west to shield the rig.

So the company built the road for the army  to create that buffer? the prosecutor asks.

Exactly.

Did it make the area safer?

It made troop transport and evacuation easier. Vital for evacuation, yes.

If the road hadnt existed, could the army still have protected operations?

I have no idea, Davidsson replies.

Opportunities for the defence

The defence seizes on the witnesses fading memories. If these men, who lived for years in Block 5A during the alleged crime period, saw no evidence of atrocities, then, the lawyers argued, how could Lundins executives have known?

When cross-examined, Ramsey is asked directly:

Did you ever see burned villages?

No.

Did you ever hear reports of such things?

No.

Defence counsel Thomas Tendorf then refers to Ramseys earlier testimony that civilians had fled to the companys compounds in Rubkona and Thar Yath.

Those places were heavily guarded by army troops, correct?

Yes, Ramsey says.

So the civilians sought refuge where the army was. That means they fled from the SPLA rebels  not from the army.

Defence lawyers also point to internal reports using the term cordon to mean securing an area to keep small bands of bandits away from operations. Where the prosecutors spoke of army guards, the defence describes a guard force.

Did you ever see or hear of the guards killing or abusing civilians?

Never, Ramsey answers.

As the weeks of testimony continued, the courtroom rhythm slowed. The prosecutors sought details; the defence emphasised doubt. The witnesses  old soldiers turned oil-company contractors  often fell back on the same phrase: I dont remember.

For the prosecution, this collective amnesia underlines the distance between the documents and the people who wrote them. For the defence, it reinforces the idea that these men  and by extension Lundins leadership  neither ordered nor where behind any military campaign.

Could the company go to the army and say, We want a military operation here or there? defence lawyer Tendorf asks.

No, Ramsey replies.

Did you ever try?

No. I had no interest in demanding offensives, and I dont think the army would have been interested either.

As a former British officer, would a national army let a private company influence its operations?

Absolutely not. They have their own plans and routines.

When clashes broke out, what did Lundin Oil do?

We immediately shut down operations, Ramsey says. We evacuated until the fighting stopped and peace had been negotiated.

The kind of people you are dealing with

The Swedish prosecutors are not trying to prove that Lundin itself committed atrocities but that the companys pursuit of oil aided the armys campaign of forcible displacement in Block 5A between 1999 and 2003. To do so, they must show that the executives knew what the army was doing, and that their requests for security amounted to assistance in a war crime. Yet the witnesses called to clarify those crucial years describe events as if they happened to someone else, somewhere else. They acknowledge smoke, gunfire, rumours  but not orders, not intent. When prosecutors read from the Christian Aid report describing entire villages cleared along the oil road Ramseys response remains the same: I recognise the names, but not the incidents.

The same pattern echoed in other testimonies. Mark Reading, Talismans former head of security, describes seeing tracer fire over Khartoum one night in 2000, reporting it, then being summoned by an enraged Sudanese security chief who denied any fighting had occurred. Thats when I realised what kind of people I was dealing with, Reading tells the court. When asked whether he knew what the SPLA rebels thought about oil extraction, Reading says simply: I dont know what they thought.

Did SPLA approve of oil operations?

No idea. But if you ask whether SPLA-aligned rebels attacked oil infrastructure  yes, they did.

Why?

Wars in Africa  in any country  tend to be about resources. If you lack them, you try to correct that imbalance.

As the hearings of the former security chiefs draw to a close, the prosecution has built its case not on the mens recollections but on the paper trail they left behind: weekly situation reports, security analyses, letters to Khartoum. In December the court will hear Ken Barker, the main security chief during the period and the man behind most of the most crucial reports.
Seventh Gutian Hometown Fellowship Conference held in SE China's Fujian

People's Daily Online) 09:26, November 13, 2025

Photo shows a scene at the seventh Gutian Hometown Fellowship Conference in Gutian county, Ningde city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Zheng Shuchen)

The seventh Gutian Hometown Fellowship Conference opened in Gutian county, Ningde city, southeast China's Fujian Province, on Nov. 11. Overseas Chinese from 33 countries and regions, as well as distinguished natives and fellow townsmen living elsewhere, gathered to reconnect with their roots and discuss future development.

Ruan Shiwei, vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Fujian Provincial Committee, delivers a speech at the seventh Gutian Hometown Fellowship Conference in Gutian county, Ningde city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Zheng Shuchen)

In his speech at the conference, Ruan Shiwei, vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Fujian Provincial Committee, said for generations, people of Gutian have embodied resilience, diligence, and an enterprising spirit. From this small county, they have ventured across China and the world, achieving remarkable success in diverse fields.

Mao Zuosong, a member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Ningde Municipal Committee and head of the United Front Work Department of CPC Ningde Municipal Committee, delivers a speech at the seventh Gutian Hometown Fellowship Conference, in Gutian county, Ningde city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Zheng Shuchen)

Mao Zuosong, a member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Ningde Municipal Committee and head of the United Front Work Department of CPC Ningde Municipal Committee, described Gutian as the pride of Ningde. Gutian is the largest hometown of overseas Chinese in Ningde, and new industries such as healthcare and new energy are rapidly emerging.

Xu Feng, secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Gutian County Committee, delivers a speech at the seventh Gutian Hometown Fellowship Conference in Gutian county, Ningde city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Zheng Shuchen)

Xu Feng, secretary of the CPC Gutian County Committee, noted that 350,000 people from Gutian living overseas have written an inspiring chapter of entrepreneurship with their strength and perseverance.

Photo shows nine former Party secretaries and magistrates in Gutian at the seventh Gutian Hometown Fellowship Conference in Gutian county, Ningde city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Zheng Shuchen)

To mark the 1,285th anniversary of Gutian's founding, the conference invited the county's nine former Party secretaries and magistrates  trailblazers who guided Gutian on its path to prosperity  to celebrate the county's progress built through the sustained efforts of successive generations.

Lin Zhangsuqing, wife of Luckchai Kittipol, president of Thai Hua Rubber Public Co., Ltd., speaks at the seventh Gutian Hometown Fellowship Conference in Gutian county, Ningde city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Zheng Shuchen)

Lin Zhangsuqing, wife of Luckchai Kittipol, president of Thai Hua Rubber Public Co., Ltd., said that her motivation to serve her hometown and fellow townspeople comes from the deep-rooted bonds of family and homeland.

"I aim to build bridges that encourage more overseas Chinese businesses to invest in China, so Gutian natives can thrive in Thailand while staying closely connected to their ancestral home."

Wilson Yong, founder of Sabah Gutian Association, Malaysia, speaks at the seventh Gutian Hometown Fellowship Conference in Gutian county, Ningde city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Zheng Shuchen)

"No matter how far we go or how much we achieve, the sound of our hometown dialect and the sight of familiar faces instantly bring back a deep sense of belonging," said Wilson Yong, founder of Sabah Gutian Association, Malaysia.

Gao Yihuai, chairman of the board of Alpha Group Holdings Ltd., speaks at the seventh Gutian Hometown Fellowship Conference in Gutian county, Ningde city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Zheng Shuchen)

Gao Yihuai, chairman of the board of Alpha Group Holdings Ltd., has spent more than 40 years conducting research in cutting-edge fields, including mycology.

"Gutian's development depends on our shared efforts. I hope overseas Gutian compatriots will continue serving as bridgesintroducing international standards, expanding global markets, and helping 'Made in Gutian' products shine on the world stage," Gao said.

Chen Shengli, president of the Chinese Federation of Commerce and Industry in Spain, speaks at the seventh Gutian Hometown Fellowship Conference in Gutian county, Ningde city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Zheng Shuchen)

Chen Shengli, president of the Chinese Federation of Commerce and Industry in Spain, said Europe's growing appetite for health foods offers great opportunities for Gutian specialties such as the tremella mushroom. He noted that overseas Chinese are familiar with local regulations, possess extensive distribution networks, and can effectively convey both the nutritional benefits and cultural significance of these products to European consumers.

Zheng Xingli, president of the South Africa Chinese Enterprises Association, speaks at the seventh Gutian Hometown Fellowship Conference in Gutian county, Ningde city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Zheng Shuchen)

Ding Hong, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a condensed matter physicist, speaks at the seventh Gutian Hometown Fellowship Conference in Gutian county, Ningde city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Zheng Shuchen)

Lin Zhonghao, founding president of the Hong Kong Clansman of Gutian, speaks at the seventh Gutian Hometown Fellowship Conference in Gutian county, Ningde city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Zheng Shuchen)

Other guests, including Zheng Xingli, president of the South Africa Chinese Enterprises Association, Ding Hong, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a condensed matter physicist, and Lin Zhonghao, founding president of the Hong Kong Clansman of Gutian, spoke during the conference.

Eight projects are signed during the seventh Gutian Hometown Fellowship Conference in Gutian county, Ningde city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Zheng Shuchen)

During the conference, eight projects spanning mushroom deep processing, cultural tourism and wellness, new energy and other fields were signed, with total investments surpassing 5 billion yuan (about $702 million).

Photo shows a scene at the seventh Gutian Hometown Fellowship Conference in Gutian county, Ningde city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Photo/Zheng Shuchen)

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)






Thursday, November 13, 2025 - The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has raised serious concerns over the swift passage of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act and the Land Amendment Act No. 21 of 2025.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Bishops warned that the laws could be weaponized to suppress dissent and infringe on civil liberties.

They urged President William Rutos administration to review the legislation and ensure meaningful public participation.

We strongly recommend a necessary review lest they be abused to curtail the very freedom they ought to protect.

Meaningful public participation would be necessary, the statement read.

Led by KCCB Chairperson Rev. Maurice Muhatia Makumba, the Bishops specifically cautioned that the cybercrime law could be used to silence critics, violate privacy, and manipulate electoral processes.

It seems that the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act can be used to silence Government critics, they warned.

While acknowledging the need for responsible online conduct, the Bishops defended citizens right to free expression.

We have always called on the public, especially the youth, to use civil language

Nevertheless, they should not be intimidated from expressing themselves.

The Bishops further warned that bypassing public input risks eroding trust in Government and called for clarity on who the laws are meant to target.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Thursday, November 13, 2025 - A social media post revealing that Nairobi Hospital charges a staggering Ksh 90,000 for male circumcision has sparked outrage.

Kenyans were quick to compare the fee with traditional village rites that cost as little as Ksh 300, sparking a heated debate online.

Discussions on X exposed a wide range of circumcision costs across the country, from subsidized public hospital rates at Ksh 2,000 to private facilities charging up to Ksh 120,000.

Many netizens were shocked, accusing Nairobi Hospital of exploiting patients and questioning how such a routine procedure could cost more than a Cesarean Section in some facilities.

This is daylight robbery, one user wrote.

How does a minor cut cost more than delivering a baby?

Some defended the hospital, citing quality and safety standards, but the majority expressed disbelief and frustration.

See the reactions below.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Thursday, November 13, 2025 - Controversial Kasipul parliamentary aspirant, Money Bior, has appeared in public with his Kikuyu lover, Ruth Waithira, who was recently exposed online as a community girlfriend.

The couple was spotted together during a campaign rally in Kasipul, where Waithira confidently stood by Biors side, helping him address the crowd and waving enthusiastically to supporters.

Waithira is a Member of the County Assembly in Kiambu County, where she is known to be generous to men.

In the County, many label her a community girlfriend for using her beauty to obtain favors from powerful County officials.

Her affair with Money Bior, a gold fraudster turned politician, had been under wraps until recently.

Watch the video as she joins him in campaigns.

Wife to Kasipuls aspirant, flamboyant politician Money Bior, arrives in Kasipul to woo voters to support her husband! pic.twitter.com/wNi3gcoTiB  The Kenyan Vigilante (@KenyanSays) November 13, 2025

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Thursday, November 13, 2025 - It seems popular Kenyan entertainer, MC Gogo, cant beat allegations linking him to the sim 2 community following his latest outfit.

The bold outfit has ignited discussions online, with some users questioning whether it is just fashion or a subtle way of expressing himself.

The fashion controversy soon gave way to a wave of speculation after netizens linked the youthful MC to a gay affair with Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.

In a bold claim, controversial blogger Aoko Otieno, alleged via her social media channels that MC Gogo and Governor Sakaja frequently meet at lavish Airbnbs in Nairobis upscale neighborhoods, where they have a good time together.

The video in question has drawn thousands of views and sparked mixed reactions online.

Entertainer MC Gogo stuns the internet with his mode of dressing! pic.twitter.com/j1mmOhuR3a  The Kenyan Vigilante (@KenyanSays) November 13, 2025

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Thursday, November 13, 2025 - A successful city lawyer turned heads last night when he showed up at a Nairobi club to celebrate his 29th birthday, accompanied by his pet cat.

He shared a photo on his X account, showing him sipping premium whisky in the club, with the pet perched comfortably by his side.

The lawyer made it clear that he is perfectly content at 29, enjoying life without a wife, but with a Mercedes-Benz, a pet cat, and a beautiful home.

Officially 29. No wife, no children. Just a Mercedes, a palace and a cat. And may be thats peace, he tweeted.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Thursday, November 13 2025 - Kenya has downplayed Ugandan President Yoweri Musevenis recent warning of potential future wars over landlocked countries access to the Indian Ocean.

Reacting to Musevenis remarks, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary, Korir SingOei, expressed confidence in Musevenis understanding of regional sovereignty and resource rights.

I will not comment much on what President Museveni said with respect to our oceans, SingOei stated.

But I believe very much that he does have a fairly great understanding of our territory and the nature of our rights with respect to our natural resources and his rights with respect to natural resources within Ugandan territory.

Musevenis remarks, made during a radio interview at Mbale State Lodge on November 8th, stirred regional concern.

He argued that Uganda is entitled to ocean access for economic and strategic purposes, calling it madness for coastal nations to deny such rights.

How do I export my products? That ocean belongs to me; I am entitled to it.

In the future, we are going to have wars, Museveni warned, likening Ugandas situation to tenants in an apartment block who must share common facilities.

Uganda relies heavily on Kenyas port of Mombasa for trade, importing 90% of its fuel through Kenya and 10% via Tanzania.

In January 2024, Uganda filed a case against Kenya at the East African Court of Justice over alleged restrictions on access to the Kenya Pipeline Company.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
A Kilkenny-based former Irish swimming champion has swapped the pool for paint brushes as he prepares for his debut exhibition at Irelands largest art fair.

Conor Turner represented his country at juvenile and senior level, before building his career in real estate.

But his transition to a full-time artist emerged when he and his family began painting to pass the time during lockdown.

On a Zoom call months later, a client spotted one of his abstract works hanging on his wall, beginning a career pivot which has now propelled him to Art Source at Dublins RDS, running from November 14-16.

Its the biggest showcase of my work to date, said Conor, 31, originally from Santry in North Dublin but now living just outside Kilkenny City. Art is a relatively new venture for me. My wife and her family were self-isolating and one evening, we decided to do portraits of each other. It was just a bit of a laugh but I kept it as a pastime.

It was only when an American client noticed, and later bought, some of his work, that abstract expressionist artist Conor found the confidence to leave the rat race behind for good.

SEE ALSO: Excitement at fever pitch as Home and Away star arrives in Kilkenny

Some soul searching and advice on the art world from established artist Kevin Sharkey, whose works Conor is a fan of, led him on his new path.

I fleshed it out with him, I asked him am I insane or can I do this? and he gave me some tips and the mindset to understand that my art is not for everyone, and some people will tell you straight out they dont like it. But Im getting enquiries in from the most weird and wonderful places, he outlined.

Fragments of Joy, an expansive, 6-metre long work spread across five canvasses which took months to complete, will be his showstopper at Art Source.

The show features over 200 of the best Irish and international artists along with galleries, a big selection of affordable art and pieces from some of the biggest names in the art world, such as Tracey Emin, Andy Warhol and John Redmond.

The Irish public shows increasing demand for art with every passing year and Art Source has become a must in the calendar year for anyone looking to add a piece of art to their collection, said show organiser, Patrick OSullivan.

As a collective, Irish people have an innate cultural appreciation for the arts and Art Source not only gives them the opportunity to bring home one-off original artworks, but also to meet the artists behind the pieces, he added.

Expected to draw more than 15,000 people, it opens at the RDS on Friday, November 14 and runs until November 16.

TAP HERE FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS
A large and engaged crowd gathered in Kilkenny on Tuesday night for a constructive and solutions-focused public meeting on housing, hosted by Senator Patricia Stephenson and Rory Hearne TD.

The meeting brought together local residents, community representatives, and housing advocates to discuss the urgent challenges facing people in Kilkenny and across the country from rising rents and long waiting lists to the need for affordable, sustainable homes in thriving communities.

The turnout in Kilkenny shows how deeply people care about securing fair access to housing," said Senator Stephenson.

"What stood out last night was the energy, ideas, and the belief that change is possible when communities, policymakers, and campaigners work together. There was a real sense of hope and momentum.

Rory Hearne TD, author and long-time housing advocate, praised the spirit of the meeting.

People want action, not excuses. What we heard last night were practical, community-led ideas, from affordable housing schemes to stronger tenant protections and support for first-time buyers. Its clear the people of Kilkenny want to be part of the solution," he said.

The event was described as 'one of the most positive and solution-driven community meetings in recent months', with attendees sharing personal experiences and offering constructive proposals on local housing development, planning, and the importance of social and affordable housing in rural and regional Ireland.

Senator Stephenson concluded:This was a reminder that policy isnt made in isolation; its built from the lived experience of people in rooms like this one. Im incredibly grateful to everyone who came out, and to Rory Hearne for his insights and commitment to housing justice.

The meeting closed with a strong call for continued collaboration between local representatives, national policymakers, and communities to ensure that every person in Kilkenny and across Ireland can access a secure, affordable home.
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Sean McCarthaigh

A Garda investigation into the murder of a man outside a pub on Dublins northside almost a decade ago is being pursued with vigour, an inquest has heard.

Darren Kearns (33) of Ashington Dale, Navan Road, Ashtown suffered several fatal gunshot wounds when confronted by a lone gunman just after leaving a restaurant with his wife, Sharon, on December 30th 2015.

The couple had been out for dinner at the Rising Phoenix restaurant located next to Cumiskeys pub on Blackhorse Avenue near the Cabra entrance to Phoenix Park.

Detective Inspector Dara Kenny told a brief sitting of Dublin District Coroners Court on Thursday that the criminal investigation into Mr Kearns death was continuing apace.

He told coroner Clare Keane that he anticipated the DPP would be asked to make a prosecutorial decision in the case.

Det Insp Kenny acknowledged that the investigation had been going on for some time but he reassured Dr Keane that it was being pursued with vigour.

He said progress had been made since the coroner was last updated about the case a year previously.

Det Insp Kenny said he anticipated there would be further progress in the investigation if she granted his application for a further adjournment of the inquest for six months.

The inspector explained that gardai had come into possession of evidence that had not been available at an earlier stage of the investigation which would be fed into a file due to be submitted to the DPP.

He said such evidence still required a lot of investigative tasks.

However, Det Insp Kenny said he hoped to be able to update the coroner about any prosecutorial decision in six months.

Dr Keane granted the application for an adjournment and listed the case for further mention on May 15, 2026.

It is understood that gardai believe that Mr Kearns was targeted as a result of a drug-related dispute.

On the evening of the murder, the couples vehicle was blocked by a 04-D reg, light coloured green BMW M Series car as Ms Kearns drove out of the car park shortly after 5.30pm.

A male appeared running alongside the BMW and opened fire on Mr Kearns with a firearm he was carrying.

He jumped into the rear seat of the BMW which took off at speed without headlights from outside the pub.

The attackers vehicle was subsequently found burnt out a short distance away in a laneway off Regal Park, Cabra where a male was seen running to a waiting car.

The BMW used as a getaway vehicle from the pub had been bought from a car buyers website two months earlier by someone who had supplied false details.

Mr Kearns and his wife had left their home at around 3.30pm to go for an early evening meal with the deceased driving his wifes Fiat 500.

They tried a number of restaurants in the area but they were closed.

They travelled along Collins Avenue in Drumcondra before deciding to turn around at Dublin City University and go to a restaurant in Finglas which was also closed.

Mr Kearns purchased petrol at Clearwater shopping centre in Finglas before they decided to try a Chinese restaurant on Blackhorse Avenue arriving there at 4.45pm.

The deceased had received a six-year prison sentence in 2012 in relation to a seizure of cannabis worth 1.8 million two years earlier but he had been granted temporary release from custody several months before the fatal shooting.

Mr Kearns had told gardai that he had been forced to transport the drugs to reduce a 180,000 debt he had to a criminal gang which he had amassed from spending 1,000 a day on cocaine.
A MAN who allegedly robbed a woman in Portlaoise was brought before Portlaoise District Court on Monday 10 November.

Before the court was Stephen Lyons from 16 Arlington Estate, Portarlington. He was charged with the offence that took place at Tower Hill, Portlaoise. He was further charged with the theft of Panadol tablets by using a stolen credit card from Boston Pharmacy, Dublin Road, Portlaoise; the theft of a packet of Amber Leaf cigarette rolling tobacco by using a stolen credit card from the Applegreen Service Station, Dublin Road and with the theft of a two litre carton of milk by using a stolen credit card from Brownes Store, Borris Road, Portlaoise all on Saturday 8 November.

Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said that his 29-year-old client was applying for bail, which was opposed by the prosecuting garda David OByrne from the local specialised crime unit.

Garda OByrne alleged that at 8.10pm on the night after a Nigerian woman in her 40s had travelled to Portlaoise by train and while standing outside the Odean Cinema on Tower Hill, waiting to be collected by a friend, Mr Lyons allegedly stuck her several time with a wooden plank and allegedly took her handbag by force before making off on foot.

He said the defendant had allegedly followed the woman up the road and allegedly charged at her with the wooden plank.

The garda said following the alleged attacked the woman suffered injuries to her face, hands and eyes and was picked up and brought to a friends house.

He said that after the alleged robbery the defendant allegedly went into the pharmacy along the Dublin Road and allegedly used the womans stolen credit card to purchase 10 worth of Panadol tablets; then went to the service station, allegedly purchased the rolling tobacco paying 30 and to Brownes shop where he purchased the two-litre of milk for 4 again using the womans allegedly stolen credit card.

Gda OByrne alleged that the suspect involved in the alleged robbery was detected and identified by CCTV coverage in the area, which was shown to the court.

He said when searched Mr Lyons was allegedly found in possession of a stolen credit card and other items that had been in the womans handbag at the time. He also claimed that the wooden plank used in the alleged attack was found discarded a short distance from where the alleged robbery had taken place and that items from the handbag was found in the nearby Memorial Park.

The garda said that Mr Lyons had travelled from Portarlington on the same train as the woman and was allegedly standing in the laneway staring at the injured party before the (alleged) offence and was wearing a face covering. Mr Fitzgerald said that his client is entitled to the presumption of innocence and if denied bail at district court level would in all probabilities get bail in the High Court.

He said his client would be willing to abide by stringent bail conditions.

Judge Susan Fay remanded Mr Lyons in custody with consent to his own bail of 100 and an independent surety of 1,000.

He must appear at all court hearings in the case; be of good behaviour; remain sober; reside with his mother at 16 Arlington Estate Portarlington; observe a daily curfew from 11pm to 7am; stay out of Portlaoise except for court and medical appointments and sign on daily at Tullamore Garda Station between 9am and 9pm.

He must provide a phone number to gardai and be available to take their calls at all times; meet with gardai within 60 minutes at their request and have no contact by any means with the alleged injured party.

Mr Lyons mother Concepta posted the 1,000 independent surety and told Judge Fay when asked, that she understood that if her son breaches any of the bail conditions that the money would be frozen and taken from her bank account.

Mr Lyons was released from custody to appear in court again on 26 January for the state to receive directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions on how the case will procced.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
A MAN who allegedly appeared in a video proclaiming to be from a far right-wing violent extremist grouping calling itself the Irish Defence Army (IDA) was remanded in custody when his application for bail was refused at Portlaoise District Court today.

Karolis Peckauskas (38) of Newfoundwell Road, Drogheda, Co Louth was before the court charged with knowingly having in his possession an explosive substance at OMoore Place, Portlaoise, Co Laois on Tuesday 4 November.

Niall Storan BL instructed by Barry Fitzgerald said his client was seeking bail to which the arresting Garda Detective Joe Fahy said he was opposing.

The detective said he stopped a car that was being driven by the defendant on the occasion and upon searching it, allegedly found threaded pipe end caps, six litres of hydrogen peroxide and plumbers putty along with other items.

He also alleged another man, who was the passenger at the time had a video on his phone that allegedly showed four masked men proclaiming their intent to take violent action threatening to attack a Galway Mosque, IPAS centres and hotels housing migrants around Ireland. He said a manifesto was also found and that, a terrorist attack was imminent. Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said that while there was an alleged video recording of the men making their declaration, he was seeking the court approval to view it in camera.

Mr Storan argued that the video should not be shown as he had not received it in advance of the hearing, adding: I dont know whats on this video. He also said that his client was before the court on an explosive charge and not on conspiracy or criminal damage charges and said that hydrogen peroxide can be used for many purposes.

Theres not enough evidence to deny bail, only hearsay from the detective. The evidence provided is clearly weak. I cant see anyone come in here with a straight face with such evidence, said Mr Storan who went on to say that if granted bail his client could provide an independent surety of 20,000, provide an address and give an undertaking to sign on daily at the garda station in Drogheda.

Sgt. Kirby said there may be more serious charges, against Mr Peckauskas.

Judge Andrew Cody said the court would go in camera to allow Mr Storan to view the contests of the alleged video.

When the case resumed in public session Judge Andrew Cody said what he viewed on the video, and the evidence provided by Det. Fahy, was in no doubt in my mind a danger to the state. He said: It is apparent that the video is a practice of a statement being released subsequent to a successful terrorist attack.

In the statement read out on it which is addressed to all citizens in the North and South of Ireland they say that they are taking a moment to speak honestly and directly recognising that everyone in the country has had enough of the poor treatment particularly children, women and the elderly who have been left homeless starving cold and under threat due to the number of migrants that have flooded into the country. The Judge said that the grouping in the video allegedly called themselves the IDA, the Irish Peoples Army and say that their philosophy is an eye for an eye.

They say they intend to target IPAS centres mosques and hotels housing migrants and that they would take this as far as necessary to achieve their goals and call on others to join them, said Judge Cody.

He went on to deny the bail request and remanded Mr Peckauskas in custody, by consent, to appear again at Portlaoise District Court by video on 18 December.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme.
THE man whose turkey farm in County Carlow was struck by bird flu last week has described the forced destruction of 5,000 turkeys as heartbreaking.

Speaking to The Nationalist, the farmer, who asked not to be named, said they first discovered that something was wrong on the evening of Wednesday 29 October when a worker feeding the animals noticed 15 birds lying dead in one of the sheds.

That was a red flag straight away. We thought maybe they got spooked and had a heart attack, or that there was some sort of toxin in the blood, he said.

When the same worker arrived the following morning, there were another 50 turkeys dead, and the suspicion around the cause of death quickly turned to bird flu.

Arrangements were made by the farms veterinarian to bring some of the dead turkeys to the Department of Agricultures central research laboratory in Backweston, Celbridge, Co Kildare on the following Friday morning. At that stage, another 200 birds had died, and by the end of the weekend half of the turkeys on the affected farm had perished.

In the space of five days, 2,000 turkeys had died, said the farmer. It is nearly impossible to protect against when it gets into your flock. Its like wildfire.

The turkeys were kept on two separate farms in the Tullow area, with the farms about two kilometres apart; however, the birds on one of the farms were still unaffected.

The other farm was healthy, and it remained healthy, but the department just couldnt take a risk and had to cull that farm last Wednesday. That was a disaster, but we understand the reason behind it. This thing is so contagious.

Across the two farms, 5,000 turkeys in total were culled by way of gassing.

It is devastating. I know there are worse things going on in life with peoples health, but it is heartbreaking.

My father and grandfather were poultry farmers; the family have been poultry farmers all our lives. It is more than just a financial loss  its a lifestyle.

I was just a chap when I got into turkeys. I started with 100 turkeys when I was 17, and we just built up the operation slowly from there. This will be the first Christmas in 30 years that we wont be busy selling turkeys.

The farmer also rears ducks and geese on separate farms over 25 miles away from where the infected turkeys were kept. All birds on those farms have been tested for bird flu and remain clear of the disease.

The origin of the highly-contagious disease is unknown, but it is presumed that it was spread by a wild bird, as all water used on the farm is pumped directly from the mains, and the feed used was tested and returned as all clear.

The turkeys are free range, so it is believed they could have picked up the disease when out foraging.

It is around every year at this time, because of the migratory birds, and it has been in the country for the last several months. It is rampant in the UK and in Europe now, said the farmer.

Theyre going to have to bring in a vaccine of some sort for commercial flocks, he added.

This was the first outbreak of bird flu on a commercial poultry farm in Ireland in more than two years.

A three-kilometre protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in place around the site. This means that every bird within the 3km zone is tested for bird flu, while sporadic testing is done within the 10km zone.

The Department of Agriculture ordered a nationwide housing order for poultry, which took effect from yesterday (Monday).

This means that all poultry or captive birds must be housed indoors or in such a way that they do not have access to other poultry, captive birds or wild birds.

Contractors employed by the Department of Agriculture have cleared and disinfected the two affected farms, but restrictions will likely remain in place for the next month at least.

The farmer says they dont know what compensation will look like, as they have never been in this position before; however, the Department has taken all relevant information in terms of the number of birds culled and the different breeds.

The farmer hopes to eventually rebuild the turkey flock back up to previous numbers.

Hopefully we will be back again next year. A lot of our butchers have been ringing and sympathising with us. We have a great relationship with them, and they will be back again to us.

The farmer also urged members of the public to remain vigilant if they spot injured or dead birds.

The only thing I would say is that if people do find dead birds around, report them to the Department of Agriculture straight away, they said.

But this is a bigger thing than people finding dead birds. This is an issue for the government to try and contain as best as possible and try to get better prepared for next year.

Because it will be back next year, theres no doubt about it.

If you find dead waterfowl (ducks, geese or swans) or other dead wild birds, report them to the Department of Agriculture at 01 4928026 or contact your nearest regional veterinary office. Further information on avian influenza can be found at www.gov.ie/birdflu.
China's G331 national highway brings vitality to local area

Xinhua) 09:28, November 13, 2025

An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 27, 2025 shows the scenery along the G331 national highway in Erdaobaihe Township of Antu County, northeast China's Jilin Province. The G331 national highway, with a total length of 9,333 kilometers from Dandong City of northeast China's Liaoning Province to Altay of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is the second longest national highway in China. It spans six provinces and autonomous regions in northeast, north and northwest China, and is hailed as the "most beautiful border road". (Xinhua/Zhang Nan)

This highway connects numerous villages and scenic spots in the sections of Liaoning and Jilin provinces, and brings vitality and development to these places.

Tourists (front) experience making race cakes at a korean folk village in Dandong City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Oct. 12, 2025. The G331 national highway, with a total length of 9,333 kilometers from Dandong City of northeast China's Liaoning Province to Altay of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is the second longest national highway in China. It spans six provinces and autonomous regions in northeast, north and northwest China, and is hailed as the "most beautiful border road". (Xinhua/Wu Qinghao)

A tourist poses for a photo in front of a road sign of G331 national highway in northeast China, Oct. 12, 2025. The G331 national highway, with a total length of 9,333 kilometers from Dandong City of northeast China's Liaoning Province to Altay of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is the second longest national highway in China. It spans six provinces and autonomous regions in northeast, north and northwest China, and is hailed as the "most beautiful border road". (Xinhua/Wu Qinghao)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 4, 2025 shows a sanghuangporus cultivating base in Changbai Korean Autonomous County, Baishan City, northeast China's Jilin Province, Nov. 4, 2025. The G331 national highway, with a total length of 9,333 kilometers from Dandong City of northeast China's Liaoning Province to Altay of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is the second longest national highway in China. It spans six provinces and autonomous regions in northeast, north and northwest China, and is hailed as the "most beautiful border road". (Xinhua/Zhang Nan)

Farmers cultivate mushrooms at a cultivating base in Nanjiantou Village of Changbai Korean Autonomous County in Baishan City, northeast China's Jilin Province, Nov. 4, 2025. The G331 national highway, with a total length of 9,333 kilometers from Dandong City of northeast China's Liaoning Province to Altay of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is the second longest national highway in China. It spans six provinces and autonomous regions in northeast, north and northwest China, and is hailed as the "most beautiful border road". (Xinhua/Zhang Nan)

A bus drives along the G331 national highway in northeast China's Jilin Province, Sept. 27, 2025. The G331 national highway, with a total length of 9,333 kilometers from Dandong City of northeast China's Liaoning Province to Altay of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is the second longest national highway in China. It spans six provinces and autonomous regions in northeast, north and northwest China, and is hailed as the "most beautiful border road". (Xinhua/Zhang Nan)

This photo taken on Oct. 12, 2025 shows the Hunjiangkou Bridge, the starting point of the Jilin section of G331 national highway, at the border between Dandong City of Liaoning Province and Tonghua City of Jilin Province in northeast China. The G331 national highway, with a total length of 9,333 kilometers from Dandong City of northeast China's Liaoning Province to Altay of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is the second longest national highway in China. It spans six provinces and autonomous regions in northeast, north and northwest China, and is hailed as the "most beautiful border road". (Xinhua/Wu Qinghao)

Tourists visit a scenic area of the Great Wall along the Dandong section of G331 national highway in northeast China's Liaoning Province, Oct. 13, 2025. The G331 national highway, with a total length of 9,333 kilometers from Dandong City of northeast China's Liaoning Province to Altay of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is the second longest national highway in China. It spans six provinces and autonomous regions in northeast, north and northwest China, and is hailed as the "most beautiful border road". (Xinhua/Wu Qinghao)

This photo taken on Oct. 11, 2025 shows the ginseng wine at a ginseng wine factory in Kuandian Manchu Autonomous County, Dandong City, northeast China's Liaoning Province. The G331 national highway, with a total length of 9,333 kilometers from Dandong City of northeast China's Liaoning Province to Altay of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is the second longest national highway in China. It spans six provinces and autonomous regions in northeast, north and northwest China, and is hailed as the "most beautiful border road". (Xinhua/Wu Qinghao)

An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 27, 2025 shows a view of Erdaobeihe Township in Antu County, northeast China's Jilin Province. The G331 national highway, with a total length of 9,333 kilometers from Dandong City of northeast China's Liaoning Province to Altay of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is the second longest national highway in China. It spans six provinces and autonomous regions in northeast, north and northwest China, and is hailed as the "most beautiful border road". (Xinhua/Zhang Nan)

Tourists take a boat tour on the Yalu River along the Dandong section of G331 national highway in northeast China's Liaoning Province, Oct. 13, 2025. The G331 national highway, with a total length of 9,333 kilometers from Dandong City of northeast China's Liaoning Province to Altay of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is the second longest national highway in China. It spans six provinces and autonomous regions in northeast, north and northwest China, and is hailed as the "most beautiful border road". (Xinhua/Wu Qinghao)

Tourists select ethnic costumes at a scenic area in Changbai Korean Autonomous County, Baishan City, northeast China's Jilin Province, Nov. 4, 2025. The G331 national highway, with a total length of 9,333 kilometers from Dandong City of northeast China's Liaoning Province to Altay of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is the second longest national highway in China. It spans six provinces and autonomous regions in northeast, north and northwest China, and is hailed as the "most beautiful border road". (Xinhua/Zhang Nan)

Villagers of Korean ethnic group perform seesaw jumping at a korean folk village in Dandong City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Oct. 12, 2025. The G331 national highway, with a total length of 9,333 kilometers from Dandong City of northeast China's Liaoning Province to Altay of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is the second longest national highway in China. It spans six provinces and autonomous regions in northeast, north and northwest China, and is hailed as the "most beautiful border road". (Xinhua/Wu Qinghao)

A staff member introduces a scenic area via live-streaming in Changbai Korean Autonomous County, Baishan City, northeast China's Jilin Province, Nov. 4, 2025. The G331 national highway, with a total length of 9,333 kilometers from Dandong City of northeast China's Liaoning Province to Altay of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is the second longest national highway in China. It spans six provinces and autonomous regions in northeast, north and northwest China, and is hailed as the "most beautiful border road". (Xinhua/Zhang Nan)

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Zhong Wenxing)
A THIRD man has been arrested in Laois as part of the ongoing cross-border terrorism investigation.

Gardai confirmed shortly after 10pm tonight that a third male was arrested this afternoon and has been detained for questioning.

Aged in his 30s, the suspect is currently detained at a Garda Station in the midlands, under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939.

He can be detained for up to 48 hours, with the possibility of a further extension.

The investigation continues to be led by An Garda Siochana Special Detective Unit.

Two men have already appeared in court following their arrests in Laois last week, as part of a cross-border terrorism-related investigation into a far right group.

Both were remanded in custody and are due to appear again at Portlaoise District Court this Thursday by video link.
By Jonathan McCambridge, PA

The PSNI has been in discussions with the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) after the latter raised concerns following the conviction of an individual in 2024 for child sexual offences, it is understood.

The PCI has been called upon to provide more clarity around serious failings in safeguarding in the Church.

Northern Ireland's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, a member of the Church, said he was shocked at the announcement that moderator Rev Trevor Gribben was to stand down, after stating that people had been harmed and others placed at risk because of the failings.

Mr Gribben told a press conference in Belfast on Wednesday that there had been serious and significant failings in the central safeguarding functions of the Church from the period 2009 to 2022.

Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Rev Trevor Gribben was speaking at a press conference in Belfast on Wednesday (Liam McBurney/PA)

It emerged that failures included situations where the Church failed to respond when people who had suffered harm sought help, and instances where offenders returned to worship in church but were inadequately monitored.

The PSNI said it has been actively engaging with the Church to ensure that mechanisms are in place to support any victim who wishes to make disclosures.

Detective Chief Superintendent Zoe McKee, head of the public protection branch, said: The PSNI remains committed to working in partnership with all relevant agencies and organisations to ensure that robust safeguarding measures are in place to protect vulnerable individuals.

Earlier, the Northern Ireland Communities Minister said he hoped more information could be provided.

Mr Lyons told the BBC Good Morning Ulster programme: I speak as a member of the Church, they have made this announcement yesterday and I think a lot of people will be concerned at what has been said and also concerned at what hasnt been said.

I think that the overwhelming feeling that I have is one of uncertainty. What does this actually mean? What has actually happened? Communities Minister Gordon Lyons

I dont think we have been furnished with all the information, obviously we havent seen this review and there does seem to be a lack of clarity as to what is happening, so I hope there is more information that can be provided.

I hope more people come forward if there have been issues.

For those that have been affected, that is where our thoughts should be, and that is where the Churchs efforts should be, making sure that they have that support and support for everybody affected.

Asked if he had been left shocked by the announcement, the minister said he was.

He said: It was a fairly significant announcement for the moderator of the General Assembly to step down.

I think that the overwhelming feeling that I have is one of uncertainty. What does this actually mean? What has actually happened?

Church Convenor Rev David Bruce spoke to the media during a press conference for the Presbyterian Church in Ireland on Thursday (Liam McBurney/PA)

I dont think we have been furnished with that information. I think a lot of people in the Church havent been furnished with that information, so it is very difficult to make any judgment on that.

This is a serious issue and we need to make sure that people are protected, that they are looked after, and they are safe.

I know a lot of people will have concerns that might not have been the case, and whatever steps are needed to make sure that happens in the future will need to be enacted.

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland has around 180,000 members belonging to more than 500 congregations across 19 regional presbyteries across the island.

Speaking on Wednesday, Church Convenor Rev David Bruce said the Churchs primary concern now was for the people who have been harmed, placed at risk, or who simply didnt hear from us when they needed help or guidance.

He said: We have let you down, and for this I am truly sorry. It should not have happened.

Anyone in our congregations, or those more broadly associated with us, either now or in the past, who may have been impacted can contact us directly. I would reassure anyone contacting the team that they will be listened to... Church Convenor Rev David Bruce

I want you to know that we will do everything we can to both put in place better arrangements to prevent this occurring again, and to put the appropriate help and support in place for you now.

Anyone in our congregations, or those more broadly associated with us, either now or in the past, who may have been impacted can contact us directly.

He added: I would reassure anyone contacting the team that they will be listened to, heard and responded to, as they should have been previously.

The PSNI said it had dedicated detectives trained to investigate and support all victims of abuse.

It said anyone wishing to report a crime could come forward by calling 101 or online using the non-emergency reporting form at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.
Declan Brennan

A school teacher who had highly sexualised conversations online with teenage girls has been jailed for two and a half years.

Dublin man Niall Ganley (33) was caught as a result of a sting operation by a UK-based vigilante group set up to stop sexual grooming of children online.

Garda Lisa Finn told Jennifer Jackson BL, prosecuting, that in July 2023, a woman from this group met with UK police to report sexualised conversations between an Irish male and a fake profile for a child set up on a teen's social media website Chat Avenue.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Ganley had initiated contact with the profile identifying as a nine year old girl saying heya cutie, horny 27 year old teacher here from Ireland.

The profile, with the pseudonym Isabella, replied I'm not old enough, it sucks being nine years old. Ganley then asked her if she had had any sexual thoughts and told her he would love to kiss her.

He asked her to record her voice which the court heard was him trying to confirm the profile was a real child. The fake profile told him she was afraid to do this in case her mother would shout at her.

Ganley went on to write that he had a car and could fit a mattress into it and he would take her on adventures. He sent her a nude photo of himself with an emoji covering his privates.

He told her how sexual intercourse works and sent her instructions on female masturbation before sending a video of himself masturbating.

He later told the profile I could bring you to the beach and we could stay at a hotel overnight. I'm sure your mum would trust a teacher. He also sent her a link to online porn and told her he would like to see her in her underwear.

He asked her to send him photos and when she said she wouldn't he said he had to stop communicating with her.

Gardai identified Ganley and located him at this then home at Grange Rd, Rathfarnham, Dublin. A search warrant was executed on August 11th 2023 and six digital devices seized.

Analysis of these revealed 20 images and two videos of child sex abuse as well as records of online conversations with three different minors using the Skype app.

Between February and April 2016 he had highly sexualised conversations and exchanged explicit images with a 16 year old girl. During this time he also contacted a girl who told him she was 13 and the conversation was of a sexual nature.

For two weeks in February 2016 Ganley also had sexualised conversations with another teenage girl.

The court heard investigators also found two up-skirting videos of teenage girls made by Ganley.

Ganley pleaded guilty to inducing a child to participate in sexual activity, production of child sexual abuse material for distribution, possession of child abuse material, and communication with a child for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

Gareth Baker SC, defending, that his client grew up in Westmeath and his family were horrified by his actions.

He said Ganley has engaged fully with the charity One in Four and a report from them states that he has demonstrated insight into his offending and expressed genuine remorse.

Counsel said Ganley sees now that his behaviour had become compulsive and is ashamed of it now.

Mr Baker said that a precursor to this behaviour was the fact that as a teenager Ganley became addicted to pornography. He said his client states that he is actively working on never going down that road again, counsel said.

Judge Martin Nolan set a starting sentence of five years but reduced it by half to take into consideration the mitigating factors which include the pleas of guilty, the co-operation, the lack of any previous convictions, the remorse and the steps taken to rehabilitate.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help.
A man attending the Jonas Brothers' Sunday concert in Buffalo, New York, went viral after being caught on camera reviewing a resume while fans sang and danced around him.

The unusual moment was captured by TikTok user Jen, who goes by @your.girl.jen, and immediately sparked a wave of social media excitement.

The video shows the man scrolling through a resume for a candidate named Scott Kelly, with the text overlay reading, "Scott Kelly, your resume was being reviewed at a Jonas Brothers concert tonight. Good luck."

According to PageSix, Jen added in her caption, "Good luck Scott Kelly i hope you get the job," setting off a chain reaction across TikTok.

Within hours, the clip had amassed millions of views, drawing in fans and celebrities.

The Jonas Brothers themselves joined the fun. Kevin Jonas commented, "I'm one of Scott Kelly's references," while Nick Jonas added, "Scott Kelly's work ethic and critical thinking inspired me to write the line 'red dress,'" referencing their 2008 hit "Burnin' Up."

Joe Jonas also chimed in, writing, "Bro, Scott Kelly was there for me plenty of times. Hired."

Jonas Brothers comments on a TikTok of someones resume being reviewed at their concert  pic.twitter.com/zq2r1bBMjU  Jonas Brothers Daily News  (@Jonas_DailyNews) November 11, 2025

Brands and Fans Cheer for Viral Job Seeker Scott Kelly

Fans quickly flooded the comments with support and humor, and even major brands jumped in. Pepsi called Scott "an elite employee," Old Navy praised his professionalism, and Expedia joked, "Our company would literally not exist if it wasn't for Scott Kelly."

Garnier USA added, "Scott Kelly saved my life," further fueling the viral moment, People reported.

The clip has racked up over three million likes and more than 22 million views, transforming Scott Kelly into a folk hero of sorts.

Internet users speculated about his qualifications and career path, while multiple people claiming to be Scott Kelly appeared in the comments, keeping the playful mystery alive.

Although the real Scott Kelly has yet to be officially identified, the collective enthusiasm guarantees he will receive widespread support for his professional endeavors.

Originally published on Music Times
Sean "Diddy" Combs has officially enrolled in the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP) at the Bureau of Prisons' Federal Correctional Institution in Fort Dix, New Jersey, where he is serving a four-year sentence. The program can cut his prison time by as much as a year if completed successfully.

In a statement to The New York Times, a Diddy spokesperson, Juda Engelmayer, said the rapper had a brighter, more positive outlook on life. "He is committed to sobriety, focused on healing, and trying to set an example for others," Engelmayer said.

According to HotNewHipHop, during his trial, Diddy and his lawyers admitted that he had a history of substance abuse problems. His attorney, Teny Geragos, requested a transfer from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn to Fort Dix to enroll in the RDAP program.

"In order to address drug abuse issues and to maximize family visitation and rehabilitative efforts, we request that the Court strongly recommend to the Bureau of Prisons that Mr. Combs be placed at FCI Fort Dix for RDAP purposes and any other available educational and occupational programs," Geragos wrote in a letter to Judge Arun Subramanian last month.

Engelmayer also revealed information about Diddy's current conditions at Fort Dix, including that he shares a room with eight other inmates and spends much of his time working in the prison's chapel library. "He works in the chapel library, where he describes the environment as warm, respectful, and rewarding," she told CBS News.

Diddy's sentencing comes after he was convicted earlier this year of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. The jury had convicted him on those counts but acquitted him of more serious allegations, including racketeering and sex trafficking.

The court sentenced the 55-year-old music mogul to just over four years in prison. Under the RDAP program, he could be eligible for an early release of up to 12 months if he meets all requirements and demonstrates progress.

The move could mark a turning point for Combs, who has thus far said he plans to use the time to focus on rehabilitation and better himself.

Originally published on Music Times
Kanye West may face immediate arrest if he performs in Sao Paulo, Brazil, after authorities warned that any promotion of Nazism during his show could result in detention.

The Sao Paulo State Public Prosecutor's Office has instructed Riot Police to have officers on standby for West's November 29 concert, according to Metropoles.

The directive includes arresting the rapper on the spot if he "sings a song or makes any kind of apology for Nazism."

The warning specifically targets West's controversial May track that glorifies Adolf Hitler. Prosecutors also extended potential liability to the concert's promoters, Guilherme Cavalcante and Jean Fabricio Ramos, over any failure to comply.

Sao Paulo Mayor Ricardo Nunes confirmed that the city would not allow West to perform in public spaces under municipal control. "No one who promotes Nazism will play or sing any words on public equipment belonging to the City Hall," Nunes said, according to Metropoles.

"We do not accept it and we will do everything necessary to ensure that no one who promotes Nazism has any kind of activity here in the city of Sao Paulo."

As of now, West has yet to secure a new venue after the planned concert at the Interlagos racetrack was canceled in early October. Officials' concern remains that the event could provide a platform for Nazi glorification.

This is not the first time West has faced international backlash over the song. Earlier this year, BBC reported Australia barred the rapper from entering the country for performing the same track.

West Revels in Kim Kardashian's Setbacks

West's recent behavior offstage has also drawn attention. According to a source speaking to Globe, West has been "bragging he's been proven right" that his ex-wife, Kim Kardashian, "would sink" without him.

The source referenced Kardashian's poorly reviewed Hulu show "All's Fair" and her failure on the California State Bar exam.

"Right when they got divorced, Kanye told everyone who'd listen that Kim would sink without his genius, and now he's bragging he's been proven right," the source said.

The insider added that Kardashian has tried to ignore West's remarks but that the former rapper "tells people he knows will run straight back and inform her."

The source noted that Kardashian is "very upset" about the reception to her legal drama, but she is "determined to bounce back and do her thing with acting roles, despite this disappointment and whatever Kanye says."

Meanwhile, West remains confident in his new wife Bianca Censori's upcoming fashion line, which launches on December 11.

He reportedly believes the project "will be an instant success while leaving Skims trailing in their wake," according to the source.

West and Kardashian share four children: North, 12, Saint, 9, Chicago, 7, and Psalm, 6. The former couple married in 2014, and Kardashian filed for divorce in 2021.

The source added that West and Kardashian are not in direct contact. Last month, Kardashian revealed on Call Her Daddy that it had "been a couple months" since she or the children had heard from him and that she now raises the kids "full-time."

Originally published on Music Times
A Laois drama group is excited to bring a hilarious Sam Cree production to life.

Errill Drama Group will take to the John Campion stage in the recently refurbished St Bernadette's Hall in Errill this weekend, after weeks of preparations and rehearsals.

"We began practicing over eight weeks ago, we will be performing Sam Cree's 'Separate Beds'," Errill Drama Group secretary Claire McDermott told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

Pictured: Errill drama group in 2019

"Our director is John Campion, and we are very excited to welcome audiences in. We're feeling good as the show dates approach, we usually do Sam Cree plays as we are used to the rhythm and comedy of them. They have a lot of innuendo and slap stick comedy, it's really something everyone can enjoy," she said.

First founded in 1994, Errill Drama Group has several generations of the family involved in productions, and are always eager to ensure that audience members leave the production feeling 'lighthearted and happy'.

"We used to do John B. Keane plays, and they can be very heavy. A lot of Irish plays are. There's nothing better than hearing an audience roar laughing. We spend the first few rehearsals roaring laughing ourselves, before we knuckle down and properly get in the zone of learning our lines," Ms McDermott laughed.

"If we can fill the hall and hear the crowd laughing, as we usually have, then we're made up," she said.

The cast features nine members of the drama group, with two backstage workers keeping the show running smoothly. This is the first official production to be held on the John Campion stage since the hall's redevelopment, which the committee is still accepting donations towards.

Pictured: Errill Drama Group in 2018

"We opened officially in spring, the funds of tickets to this show goes back to the drama committee, with most of it going towards paying for the development," Ms McDermott explained.

The redevelopment of the hall went almost 290,000 over budget, with the group launching a 'buy a brick' fundraiser to help pay off the loan.

"Tickets are available at the door. Last year we sold out each night, which we were delighted with," Ms McDermott said.

"We have added new bricks since our official opening last spring, so we are excited to show the hall to those who haven't seen it yet. There is still a chance to buy a brick and have your name added to the wall."

The cast includes drama group members Marie McGrath, Marie McGrath, Aoife Carroll, Leonard Moore, Paul Delaney, Karen Holohan, Tomas Moore, Tadgh Keane, Claire McDermott and Siobhan Kelly. The production is directed by John Campion, with Dan Bourke as MC on the night.

Amhran na bhFiann will be performed by Cara McDermott.

The group wish to give special thanks to Ina Keane, Dan Bourke and Tommy Hayes, along with the Errill Hall Committee, Errill Drama Treasurer Kieran O'Dea, and all raffle sponsors.

Join Errill Drama Group for three nights of laughter and community spirit from Friday November 13 to Sunday 16 at St Bernadette's Hall, R32 A3KN. Curtains up at 8pm. Tickets 12 for adults, 5 for children.
A bail hearing was told Gardai believed a terror attack was imminent prior to the arrest of a man in Portlaoise last week.

Karolis Peckauskas (38) of An Tobar, 37 Newfoundwell Road, Drogheda, Co Louth, faces one charge of possession of an explosive substance, to wit four threaded pipe end caps and six litres of hydrogen peroxide at OMoore Place, Portlaoise on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.

He applied for bail at a sitting of Portlaoise District Court where Detective Garda Joseph Fahy objected on behalf of the State.

Det Fahy said the defendant was stopped and searched in an 08D registered car at OMoore Place on November 4. He said the defendant owned the car and items including hydrogen peroxide, pipe end caps and plumbers putty were found in his car.

Det Fahy said a manifesto and a video were discovered during the search which indicated knowledge of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and suggested involvement of a right wing violent extremist group and the planning of a terrorist attack on behalf of a right wing group. He said the video indicated an intention to carry out a violent action and he was concerned the defendant wouldnt answer bail as he had family in Lithuania.

He said gardai believe the defendant is a member of a right wing violent extremist group and are objecting to bail due to the seriousness of the allegations.

Niall Storan BL said there was a sole charge before the court in relation to his client. He said his client had lived in Ireland since 2006 and his father has been here for 30 years. Mr Storan said the man has a brother and niece in Ireland and is engaged to a Latvian woman who has lived in Ireland for 20 years.

Det Fahy said hydrogen peroxide is known to be used in the production of IEDs.

Mr Storan said "hydrogen peroxide could be used for any number of things.

Det Fahy said a manifesto document outlining an intention to attack a mosque was also found in the car.

We believed that there was an attack imminent in relation to that mosque, said Det Fahy.

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said we would have a serious, serious, objection to bail and he said there was a video available to the court.

Mr Storan strongly objected to the inclusion of the video and said the recording hadnt been disclosed to him and he didnt see the relevance of it.

Sgt Kirby said I think it is one of the essential ingredients of the States case. I would urge you to look at it but in the interest of the security of the State, I would say that it should be in camera.

Mr Storan said the case related to items found in a car and whether they were for use to make pipe bombs. He said his client, who was aided by an interpreter and had members of his family in court, was in a position to provide an independent surety of 20,000, if given time. Mr Storan said there was no evidence that his client would commit serious offences if granted bail. He pointed out that there was no charge in relation to conspiracy to commit any offences.

Sgt Kirby said the evidence is very strong and it suggests there is documents planning a terrorist attack on behalf of a right wing extremist group. He said the investigation is at an early stage and there may be further charges.

Judge Cody said he wanted to look at the video with counsel for the accused. The court was then cleared and the video was played.

When court resumed, Judge Cody said the video showed a group of four men and two men read a typed and prepared statement.

He said he believed the evidence of Garda Fahy who believed one of those persons in that video was the accused.

Judge Cody said the men in the video were joking and laughing in the video and it was clear that it was practice for a statement and not an actual statement to be issued.

The video was addressed to all citizens North and South of Ireland and stated that they were speaking honestly and directly recognising that everyone in the country had enough of poor treatment particularly children, women and the elderly who had been left homeless starving and under threat due to the number of migrants brought to the country by the government.

They identified themselves as the IDA or the Irish Defence Army, said Judge Cody.

He explained that the group said they were taking responsibility for the destruction of the first Mosque in Ireland which was based in Galway.

They say that this will not be their last attack and that their approach will be an eye for an eye, he said. They then say they intend to target IPAS centres, Mosques and hotels housing migrants.

Judge Cody said he was accepting Garda Fahys evidence and that he was satisfied to refuse bail. He remanded the defendant in custody to appear again via video link before Portlaoise District Court on December 11.
Local councillors have urged that the "huge problem" with lorries passing through small towns and villages in Laois be addressed.

Cllr Ollie Clooney raised the motion that Laois County Council introduce a weight restriction on the Tentore Road (R3657) in Ballacolla at the Borris in Ossory/Mountmellick Municipal District meeting on Wednesday, November 12.

He said that there is simply no room for the large lorries passing through Ballacolla due to the amount of traffic already in the village.

The council told Cllr Clooney that the introduction of a weight restriction would be assessed and evaluated following a site inspection at the road in Ballacolla.

READ NEXT: Laois TDs celebrate historic day at President Catherine Connolly's inauguration reception

However, Cllr Clooney emphasised that this problem with lorries is not isolated to Ballacolla, but it is impacting small towns and villages across the county. He also noted that lorries are "choking" Abbeyleix and Durrow.

He did express the important role lorries have within communities and so suggested that a long-term solution to the problem could be to negotiate a toll-free system for lorries. Cllr Clooney said that they're understandably coming through villages to bypass tolls given the high costs of running lorries.

The Independent councillor argued that if there were no tolls for the lorries then "lorries would travel on the main roads and they wouldn't be coming into villages and towns."

He told the council: "Something has to be done. We have to have the weight restriction but the root of the problem is the tolls."

Seconding the motion, Cllr John King said: "School time is deadly dangerous in all our towns and small villages." He agreed that if tolls were reduced for lorries, it would lessen the traffic in towns and villages as well as the wear and tear on roads.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Sinn Fein has expelled a party member in Laois after her partner was arrested as part of a cross border investigation into a planned terrorist attack by a far right extremist group.



Sinn Feins National Chairperson Declan Kearney today confirmed that the partner of a female member of the party had been arrested as part of the investigation into last weeks arrest in Portlaoise of two alleged far right extremists.

Mr. Kearney said: We will not allow our party to be exposed to any far right elements. The far right have targeted our party for several years now with death threats, pickets on members homes and offices and more recently violent actions. We have worked carefully with the Gardai, who have been active and vigilant in the face of these threats.

READ NEXT: BREAKING: Man arrested in Laois in connection with cross border terror investigation



Mr. Kearney said: Last weeks arrest of two individuals alleged to be far right extremists has caused huge concern across the country. It was the speedy action of Gardai which prevented potentially devastating events occurring. The party was informed on Friday night that the home of a female party member and her partner had been raided and he has since been arrested.



The female party member was expelled from the party on Saturday evening as she failed to notify the party that her home was raided or inform the party about the associated seriousness of this situation.



We will not allow our party to be exposed to any far right elements. The far right have targeted our party for several years now with death threats, pickets on members homes and offices and more recently violent actions. Sinn Fein will not be intimidated. We have worked carefully with the Gardai, who have been active and vigilant in the face of these threats.

As this is a live and serious Garda investigation we cannot say anymore at this time.
Three Kildare farmers were among twenty Tirlan farmers proudly graduating as the third group of family farm suppliers from the Tirlan and Baileys Sustainable Farming Academy.

Kildare farmers Stephen Byrne, Monasterevin; Seamus Cogan, Moone; and Niall OLoughlin, Harristown, were among those graduating.

The 2025 graduates completed their Diploma in Environment, Sustainability, and Climate from University College Cork (UCC), following a year-long programme to equip them with essential skills and knowledge to further enhance sustainable farming practices.

The Academy, now in its third year, continues to help farm families implement positive environmental actions while addressing the ongoing challenges around sustainability.

READ NEXT: Major agriculture and rural development conference to take place in Kildare

Carol Power, Senior Sales Manager at Tirlan, congratulated this years graduates: Sustainability is integral to our operations, both on our farms and throughout our Co-op. The graduates have demonstrated exceptional dedication to understanding and embedding sustainability on their farms. In alignment with Tirlans Living Proof strategy, we are committed to supporting our farm family suppliers in addressing current and future sustainability challenges.

She further stated: Our collaboration with Baileys is fundamental to producing a world-class product, and it is encouraging to see the ever-growing interest in participating in our Sustainable Farming Academy.

Tribute

Tirlan Chairperson, John Murphy paid tribute to Tirlan milk supplier and talented cyclist Tomas Walsh who passed away tragically in Paris during the summer.

We are thinking of Tomas today as his parents join the graduation class to collect his diploma. Tomas was a very engaged and valued class member, and our thoughts are very much with the Walsh family.

Robert Murphy, Global Supply Director for Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur, said: "We are incredibly proud to be part of this initiative. At Baileys, sustainability is deeply rooted in how we operate, and supporting farmers through this programme is a key part of that. The dedication of these graduates highlights the progress being made to create a more sustainable future in farming."

Belinda Gascoigne, ACE Centre Manager and Programme Director for UCC, said; Today marks another significant milestone for sustainable agriculture in Ireland, in collaboration with Tirlan and Baileys. Watching these twenty dedicated farmers complete their Diploma in Environment, Sustainability, and Climate fills me with immense pride. Over the past year, they have demonstrated remarkable commitment to balancing their demanding farm responsibilities with rigorous academic study.

The knowledge and practical skills they have gained will not only transform their own farming operations but will ripple out to benefit their communities and the broader agricultural sector.

They asked the tough questions and sought practical solutions they could implement immediately on their farms, and I am confident they will be ambassadors for positive environmental change in Irish agriculture.

Delivered by UCC, the diploma is accredited and fully funded, enabling farmers to balance their studies with full-time farm responsibilities.

The programme covers a range of important topics, including Earth Science, Climate Change and Sustainable Development, Ecology, Applied Geographical Information Systems, Environmental Protection, and Practical Environmental Management.

With this third graduating class, the Tirlan and Baileys Sustainable Farming Academy continues to build a solid foundation for future generations of farm suppliers, further reinforcing Ireland's leadership in sustainable agricultural practices.
Two County Kildare food and drink businesses have been acknowledged as winners at the Good Food Ireland Awards 2025 in association with FBD Insurance - the only cross-sector awards that champion those who uphold Irelands culinary excellence, celebrate local provenance and honour sustainable practices.

Announced at the awards ceremony at The K Club in Co Kildare on Monday, November 10 2025, Kildare businesses took centre stage, winning some of the top accolades of the night.

The Dew Drop Brewhouse in Kill was named as Drinks Producer of the Year and The Barton Rooms Barberstown Castle in Straffan was awarded Hotel Restaurant of the Year.

Ahead of its 20th year in 2026, this years Good Food Ireland Awards received hundreds of entries from businesses across the country, with thousands of votes cast for the Food Lovers' Choice Awards.

READ NEXT: Kildare residents are being urged to get out of their cars

Winners were selected by an independent panel of Irish and international experts following mystery inspections and detailed assessments, with strict judging criteria including commitment to local sourcing, Irish provenance, and sustainability.

Minister Noel Grealish was the guest of honour at the event, acknowledging everyones contribution to Irish food, drink and hospitality.

Commenting on the event, Minister Noel Grealish, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine, said: I was delighted to attend the Good Food Ireland Awards, which brings together two of Irelands most successful indigenous sectors  food and tourism.

At their heart, the Good Food Ireland Awards honour excellence, and reflect the values and vision embedded in Food Vision 2030, our national strategy for sustainable agri-food development, that have made Irish food a global benchmark for quality and sustainability.

Reflecting on the event and congratulating the winners, Margaret Jeffares, Founder of Good Food Ireland added: Good Food Ireland was born from a desire to celebrate Irelands world-class food and drink. Our awards shine a spotlight on the businesses that play a vital role in our entire food ecosystem, from farm to fork.

This years finalists spanned the full breadth of the island and guests from every corner of Ireland gathered on Monday 10th November to celebrate the very best in Irish food, drink and hospitality. On the night the Supreme Award went to Fish City in Belfast.

Other big winners included Ashford Castle - named as 5 Star Hotel of the Year, Linnalla Farm Pure Irish Ice Cream from Co. Clare - named as Overall Producer of the Year and Veronica Molloy from Tipperarys Crossogue Preserves who received a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Awards Official Sponsor, FBD Insurance, has been supporting Farming, Food and Hospitality businesses across Ireland for over 50 years.

In its third year of sponsorship, John Cahalan, Chief Commercial Officer, FBD Insurance, adds: The theme of the Good Food Ireland Awards 2025 was Rooted in Taste, Backed by Trust, which resonates with us as a business. Trust is earned and the winners from this years Good Food Ireland awards have earned their place as trusted businesses who deliver exceptional products and service day in, day out.

From field to fork, there are so many exceptional businesses across the Island as demonstrated by our extensive list of finalists, but on this occasion, Im delighted to congratulate The Dew Drop Brewhouse and The Barton Rooms, Barberstown Castle for their award wins. Each winner should feel enormously proud to be recognised as one of the best in Ireland.

Other key sponsors of the awards include AIB, Wine Consultants Ireland, Waterford and Tourism Ireland, Guinness Storehouse, and All Fresh among others, whose support is important in celebrating excellence across Irelands vibrant food and tourism sectors.

For further information, please visit www.goodfoodireland.ie
Kildare charity Jack and Jill Childrens Foundation has launched its 2025 Christmas Appeal 'It Takes a Village' with a goal to raise 650,000. This will fund vital in-home nursing and respite support hours for over 450 families across Ireland over the Christmas period who are caring for children up to the age of seven who have a severe learning disability often associated with complex medical needs.

As families across the country excitedly prepare for Christmas, Jack and Jill is calling on people across Kildare to help light up Jack and Jill homes with care by making a donation to help give parent carers the gift of much-needed respite from their often 24/7 care regime.

READ NEXT: UPDATED: Mark the calendar! Christmas market to take place in this Kildare town

It will take 650,000 to fund all of our family care hours across November and December, said Deirdre Walsh, CEO of the Jack and Jill Childrens Foundation. With only 21.5% of our funding coming from the Government, we rely on the kindness and generosity of the public to help keep our service going. Behind every beautiful child we support stands a village of care. And this Christmas, were asking everyone to be part of our village, helping to keep our families together at home, where they belong, making memories and ensuring siblings enjoy the Christmas they deserve. We currently support 35 families in Kildare and since the Charity was founded in 1997 we have supported 189 families across the county

New Survey Highlights the Hidden Reality of Christmas for Jack and Jill Families

A new survey carried out among current Jack and Jill families in October 2025 reveals the immense difference this support makes during the festive season:

90% of families describe the service as being essential (47%) or very important (43%) at Christmas.

essential (47%) or very important (43%) at Christmas. 92% say they would be unable to leave their child in the care of a friend or relative due to their childs complex needs.

unable to leave their child in the care of a friend or relative due to their childs complex needs. 94% of families describe Jack and Jills in-home nursing care and respite support as being life-changing (57%) or extremely positive (37%) for their family in the run up to Christmas.

life-changing (57%) or extremely positive (37%) for their family in the run up to Christmas. Without Jack and Jills support, families say they would miss out on time to rest and recharge (23%), do the Christmas shopping (21%), go to social events with colleagues, family or friends (20%) or enjoy quality family time together (17%).

Almost 1 in 5 (17%) said other siblings would miss out on Christmas traditions or outings without Jack and Jills support.

These figures really show the hidden reality of Christmas for families caring for a child with complex needs at home, continued Ms Walsh. While most of us are busy wrapping gifts or planning festive outings, many Jack and Jill parents are juggling difficult medication schedules, equipment at home, frequent hospital or medical appointments, and often while having sleepless nights and whilst trying to work. They are also trying to ensure other siblings get to enjoy the normal festive activities many of us take for granted. The gift of care hours means these families can catch their breath, make memories together, and experience the joy of Christmas.

The Daly Family Story: Wed Be Lost Without Jack and Jill

For the Daly family from Co. Cork, Jack and Jill has been a lifeline since the birth of their son Ryan in December 2023. Born four weeks early with severe brain bleeds and other complex medical challenges, Ryan spent more than three months in hospital before finally coming home to his parents and two older brothers and has ongoing, intensive care needs.

Jack and Jill have been there for us through thick and thin, even before Ryan came home, says his mum, Vicky Daly. Theyre not just a charity; they are like family. Our nurses know Ryan so well, from the music he loves to how he likes the wind on his face.

"Because of them, we can do things most families take for granted, especially in the run-up to Christmas like go shopping, rest, or spend time with our other boys. The support they give us is invaluable. Wed be lost without them.

This years campaign, It Takes a Village, celebrates and calls on the community that surrounds every Jack and Jill family, from nurses and fundraisers to donors, neighbours and friends. Each donation will help fund in-home nursing and respite care hours and will light up a virtual festive village on the charitys website, with every glowing window representing families supported, homes warmed with care and parents reassured they are not alone.

Those wishing to support Jack and Jill families this Christmas can do so by purchasing gifts from the charitys online Christmas Gift Collection, by shopping the Jack and Jill Charity Boutiques in Newbridge and Crookstown by organising a festive fundraiser or simply by making a donation, all of which can be accessed via www.jackandjill.ie.

Every 18 raised helps fund one hour of vital in-home nursing and respite care for a Jack and Jill family.
From AI to allergies, and dopamine to the deep sea, short science videos made by young Irish filmmakers have been celebrated at the 13th Annual ReelLIFE SCIENCE Awards in Galway.

The event, which took place on Sunday, November 9th, was part of Science Week 2025 and the Galway Science and Technology Festival at the University of Galway.

Brogan ODonnell from the Trident Swim Club in Carrick-on-Shannon took second place in the youth organisation category for his underwater video exploring The Science of Swimming.

The category was won by 12 young people from Athlone who took part in My Life Online workshops facilitated by Midlands Science and Foroige, and supported by the Rethink Ireland TikTok Digital Future Fund. They won the 1,000 youth group first prize for their video Why Is the Sky Blue?

READ MORE: Leitrim Sports Star Awards set to honour county's sporting heroes of 2025

More than 200 short science films were entered into the competition, created by 1,800 young science enthusiasts from 86 schools and youth groups across the island of Ireland.

Carrigallen National School also featured among the winners in the special awards category.

Winning videos were selected by a panel of guest judges, including science communicators Mark Langtry  The Science Guy, Amy Hassett from University College Dublin, and the 2025 BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition winners  Ciara, Saoirse and Laoise Murphy from Presentation Secondary School, Tralee, Co. Kerry.

Meanwhile, the winners of the primary school category were twenty-three sixth-class students from Gaelscoil Riabhach in Loughrea, along with their teacher Brian O Meachain, who won the 1,000 first prize for their animated video An Fharraige Dhomhain exploring The Deep Sea.

Launched in 2013, the ReelLIFE SCIENCE programme challenges young people in schools and youth groups across Ireland to engage with science and technology while developing their communication and digital skills by producing short educational videos for the public.

READ MORE: Tall trees at Leitrim playground to be surveyed over safety fears

Every year, were amazed by the imagination, creativity, and curiosity shown by young people across Ireland. Through ReelLIFE SCIENCE, they bring science to life in ways that are funny, thought-provoking, and inspiring  making it accessible to everyone, said Dr. Enda OConnell, who originally helped launch the programme.
President of the Republic of Angola, Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco (left), selected the late President Tolbert (right) of Liberia for the Class of Honour, placing him among a distinguished group of African leaders whose solidarity and advocacy helped pave the way for Angolas independence.
A WELL-LOVED Limerick city centre trader is to close this Christmas as its owners and management retire.

Silkes One-Stop Art and Stationery will cease trading on Christmas Eve.

One of the region's most popular shops, famous for the big pencil sign above its door, Silke's has for more than 30 years been a creative home for artists, schools and families.

READ MORE: Popular business in Limerick closes after more than a century of trading

Propreitor Owen Silke said: "Its a bittersweet moment. Weve had incredible support from the people of the region for over three decades. Weve seen artists grow and flourish, students become teachers, and teachers become artists.

He said the family's decision to step down followed the decision of their friend and manager Jane to retire after 20 years.

"The family felt it was the right moment to step back, take stock and we came to this difficult decision," he said.

Mr Silke - a prominent member of the Limerick City Centre Traders Association - paid tribute to his staff, past and present.

He said they've been "the heart and soul of the shop, always ready with a smile, advice, or encouragement for anyone who walked through the door.

In the run up to the Christmas Eve closure, a retirement clearance sale is to take place.

Retail has changed so much over the past three decades. Were proud to have served our community, to have been a

part of such great creativity, and to have shared in so many peoples stories. Now, its time to say goodbye with gratitude," Mr Silke said.

He stressed that, all gift vouchers and credit notes will be honoured, and they are encourging people to buy the Limerick gift cards, which will allow customers to shop with Silkes and fellow retailers in the area.

The shop will close for three days from this Saturday, November 15 to prepare stock, and will re-open Thursday, November 20, at 11am for the clearance sale.
A POPULAR pub which has served generations of people on the citys southside has closed following the retirement of its owner.

The final pints have been pulled at the Imperial Bar in Upper Careys Road, with the premises being sold prior to auction by GVM Auctioneers.

Proprietor Foncie McCoy confirmed the news in a statement on social media website Facebook.

He paid tribute to staff and customers whose friendship, laughter, and stories have made this place what it is.

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Staff past and present were also recognised for their hard work and standing by Mr McCoy on both busy nights and quiet days.

I couldnt have done it without you, he added.

And to my friends and family, thank you for your constant support and encouragement. Its been an incredible journey and an honour to serve the community here in Limerick, he added.

The pub has been open for more than a century, but Mr McCoy took it on 35 years ago.

Limerick Live understands the premises has been sold for in the region of 450,000 to the Land Development Agency, a Government body involved in the development of hundreds of houses around Colbert station.

Local Vintners Federation of Ireland representative Eamonn ORahilly, of the nearby Spotted Dog, described the closure as: another brick taken out of the community.

It's a shocking loss of a community pub on the periphery of Limerick. Its a devastating loss in terms of trading for the community pub scene. The shadow of doom is over the pub scene at the moment, he said, referencing the Christmas Eve closure of Crew Brew in Thomas Street.

Tom Crosse of GVM Auctioneers was unable to comment when contacted by Limerick Live.
THE BIGGEST event in Limericks business calendar is set to take place this Friday evening.

The Limerick Strand Hotel will once again play host to the Limerick Chamber Regional Business Awards, a black-tie event set to draw more than 400 industrial and political leaders.

It will double up as the annual dinner of Chamber president Mairead Connolly, and is expected to get under way at 7.30pm on November 14.

READ MORE: Limerick volunteers earn nine nominations at Irish Red Cross National Awards

Supported by Limerick Live, which is the media partner, the event will celebrate the outstanding achievements of companies and organisations on Shannonside, as well as Clare and Tipperary.

The awards will see businesses  from innovative start-ups to established industry leaders  recognised across eight categories, culminating in the announcement of the overall business of the year.

This category is sponsored by the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS).

Chamber president Ms Connolly, a tax partner at PwC Limerick will also give out a special lifetime achievement award on the night.

No fewer than 22 local companies have been shortlisted for the eight category awards on offer.

They will all hope to follow in the footsteps of Rathkeale med-tech firm DesignPro Automation, which won overall business of the year this time last year.

This years shortlist has once again been put together by an independent judging panel, chaired by Tomas Sercovich, Business in the Community Ireland, and comprising respected industry figures Sean Lally, Hotel Woodstock, Liam Woulfe, Grassland Agro, Louise OReilly, Business to Arts, Vicki OToole, Tola Consultancy and Paul Shelly, an independent non-executive director.

Limerick Chamber chief executive Michelle Gallagher said: The calibre of entries this year has been phenomenal, reflecting the ambition and resilience of the Mid-West business community. Every entrant  shortlisted or not  demonstrates the spirit that drives our region forward.

We are proud to celebrate them through these awards.

Shortlisted companies are as follows:

Best Emerging Business:

Cucine Lube Ireland, Kella Leadership, Treaty Software

Best Small to Medium Sized Enterprise:

DSM (Data Storage and Management), OMahonys Booksellers Ltd, PAQ IT Solutions

Best Employer - People and Culture Excellence Award:

BD Research Centre Ireland (RCI), Cook Medical, Flexsource CPL

Community Impact Award:

BD Research Centre Ireland (RCI), Dell Technologies, WebDevBuilders Ltd

Sustainability and Environmental Leadership Award:

Johnson and Johnson Vision Care Ireland, Limerick Strand Hotel, MasterChefs

Customer Experience Excellence Award  Retail and Hospitality:

Cornstore, Durty Nellys, University Concert Hall

Innovation and Digital Transformation Award:

BD Research Centre Ireland, North, Wrxflo

Best Not-for-Profit Impact Award:

Childrens Grief Centre, Dochas Midwest Autism Support, Our Lady of Lourdes Community Services Group

Stay with www.limericklive.ie through Friday and Saturday for information on the awards winners.
EIGHT DEDICATED Limerick volunteers and one local branch have been shortlisted for honours in the Irish Red Cross Volunteer of the Year Awards 2025.

Spanning categories from Young Volunteer of the Year and Newcomer of the Year to Instructor of the Year and Branch of the Year, Limericks nominees have earned nine national shortlistings in recognition of their outstanding commitment, compassion, and service to the Irish Red Cross and their communities.

The Irish Red Cross National Volunteer Awards recognise the commitment, compassion and hard work of Irish Red Cross volunteers who generously give their time for the betterment of communities across Ireland.

READ MORE: Young voices invited to shape the future at Limerick Youth Conference

These volunteers who provide first aid at local community events, check on isolated or vulnerable people, help communities prepare and respond to severe weather episodes or provide therapeutic hand care to nursing home residents, will be celebrated at a ceremony in Croke Park on November 29.

Amy Shanahan of the East Limerick Branch is nominated for Newcomer of the Year. Since joining in September 2024, Amy has shown outstanding dedication as a youth leader, helping organise and lead youth training and duties across the branch.

Sarah and John Collins, also from East Limerick, have been jointly shortlisted for Volunteer of the Year. John, branch founder with over 20 years service, and his daughter Sarah, a Youth Leader and community first responder, were praised for their commitment and lifesaving efforts during a snowstorm rescue earlier this year.

Mary Grehan of the Limerick City Branch is shortlisted for both Volunteer of the Year and Instructor of the Year. With over 25 years of service, she has trained countless volunteers while serving as an EMT, tutor, and paramedic, all while leading with compassion and resilience.

Rosemary Lucey, also of the Limerick City Branch, is nominated for Young Volunteer of the Year. Since joining in 2023, she has completed advanced first aid courses and logged over 50 volunteer hours, earning praise for her professionalism and empathy.

Niall Boland, Assistant Area Director of Units and EMT, is nominated for Unit Member of the Year. Since joining in 2008, he has logged more than 4,600 volunteer hours, coordinating major events such as Thomond Park matches and the Great Limerick Run.

Brendan McCormack is shortlisted for Instructor of the Year, having trained more than 120 people in first aid since 2019 and leading one of the branchs largest-ever training groups.

Sinead McCarthy is nominated for Newcomer of the Year for her extraordinary commitment since joining in 2024, logging over 350 volunteer hours and advancing rapidly through first aid qualifications and leadership roles.

Finally, the Limerick City Branch itself has been shortlisted for Branch of the Year. With 167 active members, the branch supported over 200 events and 350 training sessions in the past two years, while leading national youth initiatives and vital community response work during severe weather events.
A LIMERICK man has raised over 160,000 - and counting - for a charity very close to his heart from a mammoth 250km walk from Cork to Mayo.

Niall Rochford, originally from Lynwood Park in the city, created the Cork2Cong Challenge in memory of his late wife, Stella. She tragically passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2022, just eight weeks following her shock diagnosis.

The event in support of Pancreatic Cancer Ireland, which Niall co-founded, concluded at the weekend.

It commenced on October 28 from Honan Chapel in University College Cork, where Cork native Stella studied. Niall followed a path that mirrors the journey of Stellas life - from Cork city he went through Limerick and Clare, where he and Stella met and welcomed their first child.

He continued on to Galway, where their family grew, before arriving on Saturday in Cong, Co Mayo, where they called home and Stella was laid to rest.

Niall had the company of Limerick hurling manager John Kiely, his predecessor TJ Ryan and County Board secretary Mike ORiordan and more on the stretch from Charleville to Kilmallock.

John got to know the Rochfords during his time in The Abbey School in Tipperary Town where Niall and his brothers were educated. John also knew their late father who passed on his passion for Limerick GAA to his sons.

Niall asked John if he would do a video to help promote the fundraiser but the Galbally man said it was such a great undertaking on his part that we needed to support it.

We had a lovely walk from Charleville to Kilmallock in fabulous weather. We had coffee with them in Kilmallock and they struck off for Bruff, said John.

The five-time All-Ireland winning manager said Niall has raised a lot of awareness of pancreatic cancer and the symptoms, on top of the fantastic sum of money.

It is a silent killer - there are 600 people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in Ireland every year and unfortunately the survival rate is very low. We were very happy to support Niall and hopefully we will be able to support him in the future, said John.

Niall got a big welcome during his walk through Limerick, including from another well-known Limerick GAA personality and businesswoman, Aideen Fitzpatrick, at Elm Court Service Station in Ballyneety.

You can donate online at idonate.ie/event/Cork2Cong

For more pictures, click 'Next'
Lincoln Universitys Centennial Homecoming celebration featured a flavorful highlight this year  the grand opening of Slim & Huskys Pizza Beeria inside the newly renovated Scruggs University Center cafeteria. The Oct. 31 event drew students, alumni and community members, with Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe among the distinguished guests celebrating the milestone.

The event marked the official debut of Slim & Huskys on Lincolns campus and the completion of a $1.75 million renovation project that has transformed the cafeteria into a modern, welcoming space for students.

Known for its artisan pizzas made from scratch with locally sourced ingredients, Slim & Huskys adds both flavor and community spirit to the campus dining experience. Founded in Nashville, the fast-growing brand now operates in four states and is recognized for supporting local art, creating employment opportunities and uplifting historically underserved communities.

The newly renovated cafeteria now features upgraded finishes, bright LED lighting, new flooring and reimagined food service stations, along with redesigned entry and exit points to improve traffic flow. Students can also enjoy an expanded salad bar, deli island, and new dessert and beverage stations.

Were celebrating more than a renovation, said Tobias Morgan, vice president for student affairs. Were celebrating Lincoln Universitys investment in spaces that foster community, connection and comfort. Every detail was designed with our students in mind.

President John Moseley thanked Sodexo Magic, Lincolns food service partner, and the donors who helped make the project possible.

I look forward to seeing our students enjoy every part of these improvements, Moseley said. Because this is about more than the food  its about creating a welcoming space where our students can recharge, nourish themselves, make friends and study.

With Slim & Huskys now serving up its signature handcrafted pizzas, Lincoln Universitys revamped cafeteria stands as both a celebration of tradition and a step forward  blending a century of history with a renewed commitment to student life and community engagement.

Click here to view more photos from the Slim & Husky's Pizza Grand Opening.
Baidu unveiled two artificial intelligence chips as Chinese tech giants ramp up their chip-making efforts amid Chinas push for technological self-sufficiency.

The Beijing-based company announced plans to launch the M100 chip in 2026, the company said at an annual developer event on Thursday.

The M100, designed by its chip unit Kunlunxin, is mainly used for large-scale inferencing. Additionally, Baidu is set to release the M300 chip, designed to focus on ultra-large scale model training and inference, in 2027.

Baidus executive vice president Shen Dou said the company aims to provide powerful and low-cost computing power" to help enterprises adopt AI capabilities.

As U.S.-China trade tensions evolve into a tech war, the U.S. government has imposed export restrictions on advanced semiconductors and chip-making equipment to China. In response, China has prioritized tech self-sufficiency in its next five-year economic plan.

Recently, Chinese authorities raised security concerns about Nvidias popular AI chips, designed specifically for the Chinese market, and urged domestic tech companies to stop using them. This move has created opportunities for local chip designers to fill the void left by the U.S. chipmaker.

Baidus chip announcements follow Huaweis surprise reveal of its AI chip pipeline in September. Huaweis lineup includes Ascend 950 chips, slated for release in 2026. These chips are capable of handling various AI workloads, using high-bandwidth memory units developed by Huawei, and support a computing format gaining traction among Chinese AI developers.

In August, The Wall Street Journal reported that Alibaba Group had also developed a new, more versatile chip than its earlier chips.

In addition to its new chips, Baidu introduced two supernode products designed to link chips together, functioning as a unified system to enhance computing power.

The company expects its Tianchi256 supernode to deliver a 50% better performance in serving AI systems compared to its previous clusters. The next-generation Tianchi512 is expected to offer even further development in performance.

Baidu, once Chinas dominant search engine provider, is now pivoting heavily into AI, autonomous driving and chip development as its core advertising business slows.

Kunlunxin, formerly the intelligent chip and architecture department within Baidu, became an independent company in 2021 with an initial valuation of around 13 billion yuan. In August, it secured a US$139 million chip order from state-owned telecommunications provider China Mobile for AI projects.

Baidu is scheduled to report its financial results next Tuesday.

Write to Sherry Qin at sherry.qin@wsj.com and Tracy Qu at tracy.qu@wsj.com
JAKARTA, IndonesiaPresident Trump made clear earlier this month that he doesnt want Nvidia selling its most advanced artificial-intelligence chips to China.

But inside a tall, windowless building in Indonesias capital, about 2,300 of those chips are ready to do work for a Chinese AI company.

A Wall Street Journal investigation traced how a chain of deals across several countries got the chips inside the data center, which is wedged between a private school and an upscale apartment complex. A company that arranged the transaction is a subsidiary of a Chinese business on an American trade blacklist.

Despite American rules intended to stop China from accessing the tech industrys most coveted hardware, there is no evidence to suggest the deals violated U.S. law.

Some former and current U.S. national-security officials say the U.S. should review deals such as the Jakarta one. Nvidia and other tech companies argue for fewer export controls, saying it is better to have the rest of the world hooked on American technology and financing American innovation.

The U.S. and China are in an arms race over AI, which can deliver military and economic advantages. Americas edge is that the worlds top AI chip company, Nvidia, is based in California. Since 2022, China has been barred from buying the most advanced U.S. semiconductors over national-security concerns.

Nvidias chief executive, Jensen Huang, recently said Nvidias market share in China has fallen to zero from 95% owing to U.S. export restrictions. But Chinese companies and organizations still use Nvidia products.

Some bring the chips physically into China using middlemen. Another increasingly popular workaround, which has been employed in Australia and Malaysia, is renting computing power abroad and bringing data out of China and backsometimes by packing suitcases with hard drives, the Journal has previously reported.

In the Indonesia case, the Journal was able to trace the chips from start to finish, including the specific entities involved. American technology is being made available to a Chinese company through these four steps.

1) Nvidia sells chips to a partly Chinese-owned business partner

Nvidia sells many chips to partners that build servers for AI computing. One partner that makes these servers is Silicon Valley-based Aivres. Its parent is one-third-owned by Inspur, a Chinese tech company. In 2023, the U.S. government put Inspur on a national-security trade blacklist, saying it worked on military supercomputing.

Nvidia cant do business with Inspur or some subsidiaries added to the blacklist this year. But the rules dont cover U.S.-based subsidiaries such as Aivres, which has close ties to Nvidia and co-sponsored Nvidias most important corporate event this year.

2) The partner finds a buyer in Indonesia for servers with Nvidia chips

In mid-2024, said people familiar with the matter, Aivres began negotiating a deal with the cloud-computing business of Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, an Indonesian telecom provider. The Indonesian company bought 32 Nvidia GB200 server racks from Aivres for about $100 million, according to people familiar with the contract. Each server rack contains 72 of Nvidias leading-edge Blackwell chips.

At roughly 2,300 chips, the processing power is small compared with the tens or hundreds of thousands chips typically required to develop the most advanced AI systems.

Indosat is a joint venture between Qatari telecom company Ooredoo and Hong Kong-based conglomerate CK Hutchison.

View Full Image Indosats headquarters in Jakarta.

3) The Indonesian cloud-computing business lands a Chinese customer

Indosat bought the servers only after securing a client with Aivress help, some of the people said. That customer is Shanghai-based AI startup INF Tech.

INF was founded by Qi Yuan, a professor who heads an AI institute at Shanghais prestigious Fudan University. Fudan representatives were part of the deal negotiations, according to the people, but ultimately INF signed the contract for the computing power.

4) The Chinese customer aims to use the chips for finance and health AI

As of October, the servers had been delivered and were being installed, one of the people said. When operational, the person said, they will focus on helping INF train AI for financial applications and science research, such as drug discovery.

Lawyers familiar with export-control rules said so long as the Chinese company isnt using the chips to help China with military intelligence or weapons of mass destruction, the arrangement comports with U.S. export controls under the Trump administration.

Nonetheless, for those who advocate stricter controls on technology, such arrangements raise concerns. They say Chinese companies, even if they have only commercial projects now, may be recruited to help Chinas military via Beijings strategy of civil-military fusion.

In its final days, the Biden administration created a rule that would have tightened controls over the sale of advanced U.S. chips to countries such as Indonesia that arent in a small group of close U.S. allies. The Trump administration later said it wouldnt enforce the rule.

The rule would have given the U.S. a chance to scrutinize the customer and why it was buying chips, as well as the exporterespecially if it were on the national-security trade blacklist, known as the entity list," said Thea Kendler, who helped lead export controls under President Biden.

Now, she said, the government is pushing it on the companies to do their own due diligence."

Aivres didnt respond to requests for comment. An Nvidia spokesman said the companys compliance team evaluates and clears its partners before they receive Nvidia products.

We support the Trump administrations vision to secure U.S. AI leadership and create American jobs," the Nvidia spokesman said. The Biden controls cost taxpayers tens of billions, crippled innovation and ceded ground to foreign rivals."

A spokeswoman for the Commerce Department division that oversees export controls declined to comment.

On its website, the Shanghai tech startup INF says it sells AI products focused on the financial and health industries. It was founded in 2021 by Qi, a Chinese-born American citizen with a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Qi was one of the earliest machine-learning scientists at Alibaba, a Chinese tech giant that has helped fund INF.

The startup is seeking to expand outside China, working with data-center operators in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand to provide AI development services, according to people familiar with its plans.

Asked for comment about its deal with Indosat, INF said it doesnt do any research with military applications and complies with U.S. export controls.

View Full Image Vikram Sinha is the chief executive of Indosat, which works with global companies.

Indosat is betting on its new AI-chip business as it diversifies from conventional telecom services. Asked whether he had been approached by Chinese customers, Chief Executive Vikram Sinha said Indosat works with multinational companies.

Any customer which is outside Indonesia goes through the same regulation, whether it is a U.S. company or a China company. If it clears all the regulations, we support it," he said.

Indosat added in a statement that INF has no physical access to its chips. Indosat said its deal with INF would support AI applications tailored for use in Indonesia and Southeast Asia.

Write to Liza Lin at liza.lin@wsj.com and Stu Woo at Stu.Woo@wsj.com
Tata Steel Ltd ramped up India output and cut costs during the July-September period, lifting its financial performance, but its UK unit remains a drag amid cheap imports despite an expensive restructuring, top company officials said.

The steelmaker may also fall short of its target of expanding its domestic steelmaking capacity to 40 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) by 2030, as it plans to pace growth based on industry profitability and margins, T.V. Narendran, managing director and chief executive officer of Tata Steel Ltd, said in an interview with Mint.

India has improved because we have had the Kalinganagar expansion coming on stream. More production in Kalinganagar means more cost efficiency because that is one of our most cost-efficient plants," said Narendran. Another key reason for the company's improved financials was its cost-cutting programme, which it launched at the start of the fiscal year. The Netherlands business, which had a difficult 18 months due to blast furnace relining and even reported losses for the first time, has now recovered and is producing close to 7 million tonnes, he said.

Tata Steel aims to cut costs up to 11,500 crore this financial year, and has already achieved 5,450 crore in savings in the first half of the fiscal (H1 FY26).

Also Read | Tata Steel profit surges in September quarter, beats estimates

Narendran, however, noted that the outlook for the UK operations remains weak amid rising steel imports. The company, which has invested 1.25 billion to restructure its European business, is unlikely to turn profitable unless the UK government introduces stronger import restrictions.

In the absence of any policy action by the UK government, the company will have to resort to further restructuring" of its operations to make it more sustainable," said Koushik Chatterjee, executive director and chief financial officer at Tata Steel Ltd, adding that they would not prefer taking such measures.

Chatterjee also emphasised that there is no further scope to cut costs in the UK business, and thats why their focus is on policy.

Narendran said, If nothing happens, China keeps exporting 10 million tonnes a month and steel prices stay where they are and the UK government takes no action, then obviously it will be very difficult for us to become Ebitda positive in the UK."

Tata Steel is urging the UK government to adopt measures similar to those in the EU, which has reduced import quotas for each country and raised duties on volumes exceeding those limits.

Tata Steel shares fell 1.15 % to 176.55 apiece on the National Stock Exchange on Thursday, compared to the benchmark Nifty50, which ended steady.

Roadmap to 40 mtpa

At the end of FY25, Tata Steel's local capacity stood at just 26.6 mtpa.

The company will not complete 40 million tonnes by 2030, but will have projects to cover that volume by 2030," Narendran said.

Between Jamshedpur at 11 mtpa, Kalinganagar expandable to 16 mtpa, Meramandali to 10 mtpa, and Neelachal Ispat Nigam Ltd to 10 mtpa, the company has the land capacity to scale up to around 46 mtpa, Narendran said.

Tata Steels immediate focus is to ramp up Kalinganagar to its full 8 mtpa capacity by 2025-end and scale up Neelachal Ispat from 1 mtpa to 5 mtpa, pending regulatory clearances. Once both expansion projects are completed, Tata Steel will achieve a capacity of 31-32 mtpa. Further, the company expects Bhushan Steels capacity to rise from 5 mtpa to 6.5 mtpa and Kalinganagars from 8 mtpa to 13 mtpa by 2030, taking Tata Steels total capacity to around 3839 mtpa.

Also Read | Tata Steels Europe test and India growth goals in focus ahead of Q2 results

In addition to this, Tata Steel has started construction of an electric arc furnace (EAF) in Ludhiana of 0.75 million tonnes, which will be commissioned by 2027. Thereafter, Tata Steel plans fast-track two more EAF projects, depending on the operational success of the Ludhiana plant. Narendran expects another EAF project to be completed in addition to the Ludhiana one by 2030.

Q2 performance

Tata Steel, Indias second-largest steelmaker by capacity, reported stronger-than-expected net profit for the September quarter. Profits more than tripled from a year ago to 3,101.75 crore, on account of higher deliveries in India and the Netherlands, and cost control measures.

The figure surpassed a Bloomberg estimate of 2,739.58 crore based on a poll of 16 analysts. Sequentially, the steelmakers profits rose 49%.

Narendran cited multiple reasons for the robust results such as strong Indian operations, lower coking coal prices in the Netherlands and cost-cutting measures. Unfortunately, the markets have not helped us at all across geographies," he said.

The UK operations, though still in the red, have halved their losses compared to last year, despite lower steel prices. Narendran added that the UK business has implemented about 350 million in fixed cost reductions along with operational efficiency measures.

Tata Steels consolidated revenue from operations rose 9% compared to the same quarter a year ago, and 10% sequentially to 58,689 crore in the July-September quarter.

The steelmakers consolidated Ebitda - earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization - rose 45% to 8,897 crore compared to the same quarter last year.

For the overseas operations, the steelmakers Netherlands operations reported an Ebitda of 92 million compared to 64 million in Q1FY26. However, the UK Ebitda loss widened to 66 million compared to a loss of 41 million in 1QFY26 due to subdued demand.

Outlook

Tata Steel expects realisations in India to fall by around 1,500 per tonne in Q3, following a similar decline in the previous quarter. The steelmaker also anticipates coking coal consumption costs to rise by about $6 per tonne, Narendran said in a post-earnings interaction with analysts on Thursday.

India will see some margin compression", but the domestic operations will have upside in terms of volume, which will be half a million tonnes more in Q3 due to the Kalinganagar ramp-up, he said.

The European operations may also report weaker operations. The Netherlands may see margins soften slightly, though lower input and energy costs should provide some cushion.

In the UK, maybe things shouldn't get worse", Narendran said, adding that the company is "trying to see how to improve, Q2 was worse than Q1", but it's not necessary Q3 should be worse than Q2.

The outlook for the third quarter remains subdued, with steel spreads in India likely to stay under pressure amid softer prices and rising coking coal costs. In the UK, achieving breakeven this fiscal appears unlikely without policy support from the government," said Aditya Welekar, senior research analyst at Axis Securities.
DWS, the asset management arm of Germany's Deutsche Bank, will purchase a 40% stake in the alternatives unit of Nippon Life India Asset Management to expand its alternative investment platform and global product reach.

Nippon Life India AIF Management (NIAIF), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nippon Life India Asset Management, will issue new shares to DWS in consideration for the capital infusion, it said in a statement on Thursday. The two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding, and the deal is subject to relevant regulatory approvals.

Through the partnership, the two companies plan to expand their product range and tap offshore investors using DWSs global network. They will also launch passive products for India and UCITS markets, and co-develop actively managed, India-focused funds for global distribution. UCITS or Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities fund are mutual funds that are sold throughout European nations. Indians can invest in them under the liberalised remittance scheme limit of $250,000 a year.

Stefan Hoops, chief executive officer (CEO) of DWS, said, India is one of the core growth markets for global asset managers for the next decades, and has long been a strategic ambition for DWS. The envisaged agreements tackle three of our priorities: drive growth in alternatives and passive, deliver on our promise to leverage our strong partnerships in Asia, and pursue our ambition to become top 5 in top 5.

Sundeep Sikka, executive director and CEO of Nippon Life India Asset Management, said that the partnership in passive strategies and global distribution will allow the company to deliver world-class investment access to global and Indian investors.

Also Read | Nippon India CEO Sundeep Sikka takes charge as AMFI's new chairman

NIAIF has raised around $1 billion in investor commitments in its 10-year track record. Nippon Life India Asset Management is Indias fourth-largest asset manager with $85 billion of assets under management (AUM) and a market capitalization of $6 billion. DWS has AUM of $1.22 trillion.

Alternative investment funds collect funds from other investors to invest in companies or projects. Category I AIFs include venture capital and infrastructure funds, while private equity and debt funds fall under Category II AIFs. Category III AIFs such as hedge funds have a higher risk appetite with aggressive investment strategies such as using algorithms for automated high-frequency stock trading.

Also Read | Unleashed capital: Why Indian companies are now hunting global acquisitions
A year ago to this day, IndiGo, on its 18th birthday, announced the launch of IndiGoStretch, its business class product, on a flight between Mumbai and Delhi. The airline had announced that it would induct 45 aircraft by the end of December 2025 and operate 12 routes in the country with it. While it may remain on track to induct 45 planes by next month, an achievement in current times due to supply chain shortages, it has significantly altered its plans for the 12 routes in the country. The airline had not announced which 12 city pairs these would be, but since the focus was said to be on the busiest and business routes, they were likely to be the flights between the six metros, barring the short routes between Bengaluru and Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Chennai, and Hyderabad and Chennai.

The airline currently offers Stretch on the following routes: Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Bengaluru, Delhi-Hyderabad, Delhi-Chennai, Mumbai-Bengaluru, Delhi-Kolkata, and Mumbai-Kolkata. It has also announced that Mumbai-Chennai will soon be added to the list.

Also Read | IndiGo recalibrates Stretch deployment

But India's largest airline has a long way to go on Stretch. A year down the line, the product comprises only 0.6% of its total seats, according to data shared by Cirium, an aviation analytics company.

Plan B The airline stopped expanding the Stretch product on domestic sectors and instead began deploying it on international sectors, starting with Bangkok, followed by other markets such as Singapore, Dubai, and Phuket. Clearly, the plan to deploy across 12 routes with 45 planes took a back seat, with only seven out of 12 being operationalised at the time of the one-year anniversary.

Driven by the responseor rather, the lack of itor the opportunity being better on international flights, the airline recalibrated its deployment. If aircraft production tracking websites are to be believed, the airline plans to add more than 45 aircraft with the Stretch product.

Stretch mismatch? IndiGo inducted the damp-leased Dreamliners from Norse Atlantic starting March this year. Norse Atlantics 56 Premium Economy seats are being branded as IndiGoStretch. As the airline launched flights to Europe (Amsterdam, Manchester, Copenhagen, London), not only is the hard product different but the experience too is different. For example, the passengers flying the Stretch to its European network get access to hot meals, lounge and alcohol, while those flying the XLRs will also have access to hot meals, but passengers booked on the Stretch to destinations in ASEAN and the Gulf, along with domestic flights, have to make do with cold meals.

Also Read | IndiGo is pressing ahead with a new Stretch strategy

The airline offers lounge access for International passengers flying the wide-body Stretch product, while it is not available on domestic or international flights on its own metal. With the XLR induction later this year, the mismatch will become even wider. At some point in time, this could lead to confusion in the minds of consumers about what exactly is included or excluded. IndiGo will have a long way to go to adjust the product and market mix and will possibly stabilise after 2027 when its own A350s enter service with a business-class product, which is currently under development.

While IndiGo was inducting its dual-class aircraft, Air India was working on converting its two-class A320S to three classes, with a similar configuration to that of its former Vistara planes. The IndiGo Stretch induction came at a time when Vistara merged with Air India and became a capacity and frequency leader overnight on the top two routes in the country. IndiGos Stretch product falls short of Air Indias domestic and regional business class, but so do the fares, as IndiGo fares position its Stretch between Premium Economy and Business class of Air India.

Tail note The airline operates 20 flights a week with the Stretch product in the Dreamliners, 1,496 flights a week on its own metal, the A321neo with the Stretch product, and 14,553 flights a week on mono-class planes comprising the A320 and A321 aircraft. The airline has a long way to go in making the offering a premium one.

While business class also helps with the sales of codeshare flights, providing better service to codeshare passengers connecting on domestic IndiGo flights, will having more planes and routes offer Stretch? If so, is there a potential to offer a smaller cabin with Stretch? At 12 seats in the front cabin, IndiGo has more Business class seats on offer than standard Air India A320neo, which are configured with eight Business class seats.
India's mid-sized tech services companies, which have grown business at a steady trot quarter after quarter while their bigger peers get buffeted by AI headwinds, are expected to hire more and also end with more people on rolls this fiscal, continuing a two-year trend into its third.

Hiring experts expect the second-tier information technology, or IT, services companies to achieve this feat on the back of shorter projects, agile operations, and better-paced overall growth amid uncertain demand.

To be sure, this projection is based on trends of the past few years and current growth trajectory holding out for the remaining four-five months of this fiscal year.

Also Read | OpenAI starts hiring engineers in India to deepen enterprise focus

The mid-sized IT firms under consideration by experts include LTIMindtree Ltd, Coforge Ltd, Mphasis Ltd, Persistent Systems Ltd, Hexaware Technologies Ltd, Sonata Software Ltd, L&T Technology Services Ltd and Firstsource Solutions Ltd, which make between $1 billion and $5 billion in revenue a year.

Seven of these eight mid-sized IT services companies added 7,802 employees in the April-September 2025 periodlower than their addition in the same period a year before but more than double the hires the large caps made (3,097) in the first six months of this fiscal.

Sonata Software is yet to announce its second quarter results and Hexaware follows a January-December financial calendar as against most Indian IT companies, which follow an April-March fiscal calendar.

The group of eight mid-tier IT companies had added 16,583 people in the first half of fiscal 2025 and 1,860 in the first half the previous fiscal, data from their financial results showed.

In contrast, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) Ltd, Infosys Ltd, HCL Technologies Ltd, Wipro Ltd, and Tech Mahindra Ltd, which make the Big Five in Indian IT, cumulatively added 11,171 employees in the first half of FY25 and cut headcount by 40,744 in H1FY24.

This followed a trend of the last two fiscals during which the mid-caps added more to their headcount than the larger peers in absolute numbers. The mid-cap IT services companies added 22,518 employees and 7,853 in FY25 and FY24, respectively. The Big Five added just 12,718 in FY25 after cutting headcount by 70,607 in FY24.

AI, automation impact

Seasonality is likely to play out in the second half this fiscal year, like in the past, due to reduced billing and temporary job cuts because of more holidays and fewer working days.

Increase in usage of automation tools further reduces human dependence for tasks like coding, customer support and application development and maintenance. This is expected to further dent hiring prospects for the rest of fiscal 2026.

Mid-sized IT services companies added 7,036 employees in the April-September 2025 periodlower their addition of the same period a year before but more than double the hires at the large caps in the first six months of this fiscal. Much of the decline in total headcount additions at the top five was caused by TCS, which announced layoffs in July of almost 15,000.

According to Bengaluru-based staffing services firm TeamLease, the five mid-tier tech services companies are expected to end FY26 with more hires than the Big Five of Indian IT.

The headcount addition at the big five is expected to be about 1% more from the previous year, which translates to around 15,400 considering the Big Five ended last fiscal with 1.5 million employees.

On the other hand, the mid-caps, which ended with less than a fifth of that total headcount number, are expected to hire about 6% more. This translates to about 16,000 employees in FY26, marginally more than the Big Five, data from TeamLease shows.

Large IT companies continue to hire but their new employee strength has not grown much, said Neeti Sharma, chief executive of TeamLease Digital. They are focussing more on digitisation, reskilling, and productivity improvement, instead of just adding headcount. Even though they continue to hire, the total number of new employees has not grown much."

Being nimble helps

Mid-caps are expected to fare better as most have continued to grow their delivery teams.

Mid-sized companies, on the other hand, have been more active in hiring," said Sharma, adding that their flexibility in taking shorter term projects, agility and strong presence in fast-growing areas like digital and BFSI, and the steady expansion of GCCs (global capability centres) have helped them maintain steady hiring".

In the first half, hiring was led by Infosys for the large IT firms and LTIMindtree for the smaller peers, both adding 8,413 employees and 2,140 employees, respectively.

A second expert voiced a similar opinion.

The mid-caps usually have better resource efficiency and with rising clients demand for cloud, AI and analytics talent combined with smaller deal size provides a favorable environment for them to grow headcount," said Ashutosh Sharma, vice-president, research director at Forrester Research.

In comparison, he added, the large deal pipeline has slowed for the large caps and their growth challenges are forcing them to optimize utilization which is reflected in their headcount.

Forresters Sharma also added that the larger companies are looking to increase productivity of existing employees rather than adding more people".

Bias for freshers

Most of this increase in mid-caps hiring more people last year was because of higher fresher addition in roles including AI engineers, data analysts, and roles in cybersecurity, according to TeamLease data. While the large IT firms added 2,100 freshers incrementally, the smaller peers added 2,400 graduates.

Also Read | Indian IT services companies see AI impact on future hirings

For the 1.5 million students graduating from engineering colleges every year and many among non-tech grads looking to land jobs at India's IT firms, that is good news.

One of the companies stated its intentions of continuing fresher hiring.

I think our fresher hiring program that we are remaining committed to and under which we hired more than 2,600 freshers in this quarter, will start playing out once they get trained and they start getting deployed," said Vipul Chandra, chief financial officer of LTIMindtree, during the companys post-earnings press conference on 16 October.

For now, the expectations of greater hiring at mid-caps are not isolated. According to a Mint report on 7 November, mid-cap IT services companies are expected to grow their revenues faster than the Big Five for the second straight year.

The top five ended the first half of FY26 with revenue between $3 billion and $15 billion whereas the mid-caps ended the half-year with revenue between $524 million and $2.3 billion.
Upskilling and higher education platform upGrad is scaling up its offline learning push with plans to increase 11 pilot centres it has to 40 by the end of the financial year, according to a top executive at the company.

In doing so, the effort is to focus on higher priced products ranging from 80,000 to 1.2 lakh, mostly focused on artificial intelligence and machine learning. These are short format curated courses meant specially for their offline centres.

These are high involvement products where users are looking for counselling face to face to address their queries and concerns, as opposed to doing it online or on a video call," Manish Kalra chief operating officer for upGrad's offline business told Mint.

The push by Temasek-backed upGrad is in line with others in the edtech sector increasing their offline presence. Startups such as Unacademy and PhysicsWallah have both made an offline push with what they call Unacademy Centres and Vidyapeeth, respectively.

In fact, the red herring prospectus of PhysicsWallah, which is raising 3,480-crore from the public market, showed that nearly half of its revenue comes from its Vidyapeeth centres.

Even for upGrad, the company started with a purely online play to allow for learners to pick up courses and work on them whenever they can, apart from their existing jobs.

The offline expansion of edtech companies reflects a shift toward assuring outcomes through structured learning environments and personalized feedback  while still leveraging the efficiency of a tech-first, hybrid approach," said Amit Nawka, technology deals partner at PwC India. Physical touchpoints are helping these companies drive retention, improve unit economics, and build trust with parents and learners alike."

Also Read | Why upGrads Unacademy deal is more about balance sheet than classrooms

upGrad offline

The company began its offline push with a pilot effort for what it calls Learning Support Centres, or LSCs, earlier this year and now has 11 of them operational across India. We went into this with the assumption that it will help us generate higher conversions and drive better efficiency for the organisation," said Kalra.

The LSCs are offline hubs where the company engages local talent, alongside subject-matter experts, as well as industry professionals to teach early career professionals and new graduates in high-demand domains. All of this is combined with what the company calls guided internships" with corporates where learners engage in project-based learning.

The average age of people entering upGrad's LSCs is between 21 and 26. The target group is people who are in their final year and aren't sure if they'll get a job or not," said Kalra. "That's in addition to people who graduated two years back and haven't got a job of their choice and are looking to upskill."

At the moment, upGrad's most offline popular courses are on artificial intelligence and data science accounting for at least 60% sign-ups. Next in demand are full stack development and digital marketing courses. We'll be bringing in new courses in January and then again in April which will be more feature ready," Kalra said. We're also looking at what jobs are coming to India and what are the trending skills so we can enable them."

Learners at LSCs are also taken through mock interviews, taught how to structure their thoughts and process questions to answer them appropriately.

upGrad's skill boosting programmes, are especially sought after by students with English fluency challenges. In fact, language learning among edtech companies has seen a boost with several raising funds to address customers viewing English as a means of upward mobility.

Also Read | How AI is helping resurrect India's edtech sector

South, west focus

The company's 11 LSCs have been spread across the country in places like Bhilwara in Rajasthan as well as Bhopal and Indore in Madhya Pradesh. Indore is actually one of our top five centres. Third after Bengaluru" said Kalra.

The company is planning a staggered expansion with south India being the first focus, followed by the west before adding more centres in the north and then the east.

For the 40 centres we're focusing on the south first and a little bit of the west," said Kalra. We're not shying away from going into places like Belgaum or Hubli because if I can cater to demand there, then these students don't have to migrate to other cities and incur higher costs."

Moneycontrol reported last week that upGrad was in talks to acquire Unacademy at a valuation of $300-400 million.
NEW DELHI : Google is seeing increased demand for its Gemini artificial intelligence platform from businesses in India, which is allowing its cloud services to grow faster than those of its two larger rivals, Microsoft and Amazon, according to two senior executives.

This rising demand underpins Google's decision to make its biggest bet in the country last month, when it announced a $15 billion investment to set up a 1 gigawatt (GW) data centre in Andhra Pradesh.

Were seeing a very strong demand increase for Google Cloud, and that is seen through public data. Were seeing our overall growth rates increase over the last three quarters," said Matt Renner, president of global revenue at Google Cloud. "Were getting larger as a company, but were growing faster. Thats not necessarily happening at the same pace as our competitors. This is because of AI, which has changed the conversations clients were having around hyperscalerswhich were around what skills they had around Amazon and Microsoft."

Simply put, Google can do what its competitors can do, but they cant do everything that we can," Renner added.

India is still a minuscule fraction of the global cloud computing and data centre services market. Data from consultancy firm Gartner published on 15 July said that data centre spending from Indian businesses is projected to reach $4.8 billion by end-2025a tiny 1% of the global $475 billion in data centre spending. In overall cloud services, India is expected to spend $160 billion this year3% of $5.4 trillion spent globally.

Renner, however, vouched for Indias strategic importance for Google. The $15 billion investment is evidence of our continued material investments in India. This is because of the demand were already seeing, and what we expect from India. Theres a lot of focus from Indian enterprises, as well as consumers when it comes to AI. Were seeing very broad, diverse demand, focused on Indiaand were trying to meet that with infrastructure," he said.

Eyeing the India pie

In India, Google remains considerably behind Amazon and Microsofts cloud offerings. As per the latest available data, Google earned 1,963 crore from cloud services in India in FY24, compared with Amazon Web Services (AWS) earning 14,446 crore during that fiscal. Microsoft, which does not separately cull out its Azure revenue from India, reported 16,531 crore in income from services as of March 2024.

Since then, Google has made a concerted AI push to catch up with rivals such as OpenAI in AI applications and platforms. Google and Microsoft have not yet filed their respective FY25 earnings with India's corporate affairs ministry. AWS had reported a 16% rise in cloud revenue from India, to 16,789 crore for the fiscal year ended March 2025.

Over the past two years, India has emerged as a strategically-important market for the sector. A stable geopolitical environment, coupled with the government push to position the country as a global hub for cloud and data services, have pushed companies to invest locally. In this calendar year alone, the three Big Tech companies mentioned above have announced investments worth nearly $25 billion.

Also Read | Big Tech pushes back against Indias AI draft rules

There's now a race building up among Amazon, Google and Microsoft to capture a larger share of Indias nascent cloud pie.

The primary conversation is whos the best partner for AI for the long term, and were uniquely positioned there. This also leads to an opportunity for us to replace our competitors down the road when it comes to standard hyperscaler serviceswhich are now secondary and AI is the primary offering. Were seeing healthy growth in our core business, but explosive growth in our AI businessand theyre both related," Renner said.

Cloud has reached critical mass, but now the conversation among Indian enterprises is all around AI and the potential that it presents," said Sashikumar Sreedharan, managing director for India at Google Cloud. He cited examples of Reliance Jio and Tata Consultancy Services as enterprise customers using Google as their primary AI cloud provider.

Catch-up not easy

The going will not be that easy for Google, said industry experts.

The deals signed by cloud platforms are typically long-term, since it is expensive for businesses to move their data, applications and other services from one cloud platform to another.

A senior executive at one of Googles top two rivals cited above, requesting anonymity, said since Google's AI applications and platforms are available on other cloud service providers as well, they do not expect long-term clients to suddenly jump to a rival platform, since migrating between different cloud services is complex, and involves various contractual terms and conditions.

Some other stakeholders of the industry also said that translating Googles AI push into enterprise cloud deals would be difficult.

Procurement patterns still favour incumbents. Azure is too embedded across enterprise IT stacks to be easily displaced, especially when AI is integrated into day-to-day workflows via Office 365 and Dynamics," said Sanchit Vir Gogia, chief executive at tech advisory firm Greyhound Research. AWS, meanwhile, continues to hold ground with technically mature teams and compliance-driven industries that value reliability over reinvention."

Elaborating on her company's appeal, Himani Agrawal, chief operating officer, Microsoft India and South Asia said, From banking and healthcare to media to government and manufacturing, organizations are choosing Microsoft for secure, scalable, and responsible AI innovation on Azure. 90 of the top 100 NSE companies are now on Azure, underscoring our leadership in powering the nations digital core."

An email sent to Amazon Web Services did not receive a response until press time.

Summing up Google's progress, Gogia of Greyhound said, Google, for now, is winning add-on workloads, not entire cloud estates. Its being brought in as a specialist, an AI sidecar, rather than the primary driver. That may change over time, but for now, Googles growth reflects experimentation, not defection. Gemini and the broader Vertex ecosystem are excellent fits for greenfield AI projects, not legacy system overhauls."

Jayanth Kolla, partner at tech consultancy firm Convergence Catalyst adds to the argument. "Many companies move across cloud platforms in order to not be tied down to convoluted contractual terms from the Big Tech providers. But, Google has typically not fared well when it comes to offering a differentiated cloud platform as compared with its rivals. Whether it can do so this time around, with AI, is what could define if it can poach cloud deals from its rivals."

For perspective, data from the latest quarterly financials of the three companies showed that Googles global cloud business grew 12% sequentially to $15.2 billion during the September quarter. AWS remained the global leader in cloud services, with revenue growing 7% sequentially to $33 billion, while Microsoft was a close second, growing 3% sequentially to $30.9 billion.
SINGAPORE, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Thailand's second largest lender Kasikornbank is leaning on artificial intelligence and prudent lending to navigate economic headwinds and fraud risks, its chief executive Kattiya Indaravijaya told Reuters on Thursday.

The lender expects AI to have a "meaningful impact" on productivity improvement within two years, she said, adding that the bank is still at the early stages of getting every unit to adopt it.

For instance, she expects AI to help with the more obvious credit approval decisions, freeing up underwriters to work on applications that are less certain.

Kattiya said the bank has had to be more prudent when it comes to lending, with economic conditions in Thailand still sluggish.

She noted that the nation's GDP is expected to grow by less than 2% per year over the next two to three years, and that medium to long-term structural change is needed from the government.

Thailand's economy is struggling with the impact of U.S. tariffs on its exports as well as lower levels of consumption, with households mired in debt.

A strong Thai baht is also threatening both exports and tourism, with the nation already grappling with a 7% year-on-year fall in foreign arrivals.

"Since 2022, we saw some signs that we need to be very careful, so that's why we adjusted our credit policy," she said.

The bank's ratio of non-performing loans has improved as the bank is extending loans mainly to customers with whom it has a credit or payment track record.

While the bank has received offers on mergers or acquisitions of fintech companies, Kattiya said that the bank is not actively studying any deals.

Any deals struck will need to align with the lender's existing strategy and add value to both its customers and the bank's shareholders, she added.

"We have to think very carefully before we make any decision, but there's always choices," she said.
Backed by strong demand across its drug-device and biologics businesses, OneSource Speciality Pharma has raised its FY28 revenue guidance from $400 million to over $500 million, chief executive and managing director Neeraj Sharma told Mint in an interview. The company is also targeting an Ebitda margin of 40% from 28% reported in the September quarter.

The Bengaluru-based contract development and manufacturing organization's optimism largely stems from the expected surge in demand for semaglutide, known popularly by its brand name Ozempic, whose patents expire in key markets such as Canada, Brazil and India next year.

OneSource is fast-tracking a $100 million capacity expansion to tap into the global boom in weight-loss drugs, Sharma said. And that's what we are prepared for we are accelerating our capacity expansion by almost six to twelve months," said Sharma. The company will scale up its drug-device capabilities and is set to complete it in 2026, a year before the earlier timeline.

For the September quarter, the company late Tuesday reported a 12% year-on-year rise in revenue to 375.8 crore and a 37% increase in Ebitda to 106.5 crore, while net profit came in at 44.9 crore against a loss of 6 crore a year earlier. In FY25, the company reported a revenue of 1,444.9 crore ($171 million).

Sharma said Strides Pharma's listed subsidiary, which develops drug-device combinations like GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) pens, has advanced its expansion timeline by up to a year to strengthen its position among the few global players offering end-to-end formulation and device assembly.

The firm has seen robust traction for its drug-device combination offering, as well as in other verticals such as biologics. In addition, the recent acquisitions are expected to drive growth in the next few years.

In the short to medium term, the biggest opportunity is indeed in drug-device combinations," said Sharma.

GLP-1s, a class of weight-loss drugs which includes semaglutide, are popularly used as pen-filled devices. OneSource is one of the few players globally that has end-to-end capabilities, including formulation and assembly into the device.

Sharma said the company is prepared for the market boom, in terms of manufacturing as well as regulatory approvals for its facilities. But this depends a lot on our customers getting approval for the generic drug," he said. Several top generic players have filed for regulatory approvals in various markets, including Canada, Brazil and India.

Semaglutide is here to stay. Other large markets will start opening [for generics] soon. Europe starts opening in 2028 and then the US opens in 2032. So I see GLP-1s as near term as well as medium to long term opportunities," Sharma said.

Biologics growth

Biologics is another long-term focus area for the company. In the last six months, we have really boosted the funnel of our biologics business, this is thanks to a very strong customer outreach done by our team, as well as some tailwinds," said Sharma.

The recently-revived US Biosecure Act, which has been passed in the US Senate, bars pharma and biotech players from working with select Chinese companies, is expected to drive more business towards Indian CDMOs.

We are right there with the manufacturing capability and compliance track record," said Sharma.

The US Food and Drug Administrations recent draft guidelines to ease biosimilar development and shrink timelines is a strong tailwind, said Sharma. This would also bring the cost of development of biosimilars. And that would mean that competitive and agile CDMOs like OneSource have a really strong position to attract these biosimilar players," he said.

The company has seen a 4x increase in its biologics funnel, which includes novel modalities, early phase biologics, biosimilars, this quarter as compared to FY25.

OneSource is also expanding its base business of soft gelatin capsules and injectables. The company recently announced the acquisition of a Poland-based multi-dose fill-finish site, for injectables, and an integrated carbapenem (antibiotic) facility in India.

The core injectables business you know gets scaled up with significant new capacity which will come from these businesses, and this immediately gives us a footprint in Europe, where we can offer solutions to European as well as US customers," said Sharma.

OneSource was listed on 24 January, 2025, and since listing, its share price has risen 2.3% to 1,750 on the National Stock Exchange. The Nifty Pharma index is down 3.7% since January.
Ranjan Pais family office, the largest shareholder in Aakash Educational Services Ltd (AESL), plans to invest about 250 crore in the ongoing 450-500 crore rights offer in tranches, depending on the response of other shareholders and the achievement of certain targets set for the company, three people familiar with the matter said.

The first tranche of about 100 crore has been approved and is expected to be disbursed shortly, while the remainder could follow in about three months, subject to certain performance metrics and the participation of other existing investors, the three people said.

Separately, Pai's Manipal Education and Medical Group on Thursday submitted a bid to acquire Byju's, its second such attempt to acquire the bankrupt edtech through an insolvency process. If that bid succeeds, Pai's business will own an additional 25% stake in Aakash, apart from current 58% stake. A Manipal Group statement said that a successful resolution with Think & Learn will help in business consolidation of Aakash, in which Manipal has a majority shareholding."

The fresh infusion in Aakash from the family office of the founder of Manipal Group follows a months-long legal tussle over Aakashs plan to raise capital via a rights issue. The fundraising effort was challenged by edtech firm Byjus, which acquired Aakash in a cash-and-stock deal valued at about $950 million in April 2021, and one of its creditors.

Also Read | Akasa Air aims to soar with funds from family offices of Azim Premji, Ranjan Pai

Pais office will infuse its portion of the rights issue around 250 crore is the total and 100 crore is the first tranche. The second tranche will be released depending on whether investors come in," said one person aware of the funding plans.

The person added that subscribing to the rights issue will lift Pais stake in the company. His family office acquired a 39.6% stake after converting a $300 million debt investment into equity in early 2024. In June this year, Pai won the competition regulators approval to acquire founder J.C. Chaudhrys 11% stake.

Pai currently holds a 58% stake in Aakash, according to the second person.

The other major shareholders in Aakash are said to include Byju's (Think & Learn Pvt Ltd) with about 26% and Blackstone with a reported 7-8%.

The rights issue could dilute Byjus stake, according to recent reports, which suggested that it may not be able to participate due to its insolvency proceedings. It was not immediately clear if Aakashs other existing investors would subscribe to the rights issue.

Larger funding round

Pai and the management plan to float a larger funding round sometime between early and mid-2026 and may look at tapping private equity investors, two of the people said.

However, the larger round next year will be contingent on business metrics improving as the company is currently focused on strengthening its financials," said the first person cited earlier.

Calls, emails and text messages sent to Aakashs spokesperson did not elicit a response until press time.

The infusion of fresh funds into Aakash comes as the engineering and medical college entrance examination preparation company deals with a leadership churn and uncertainty linked to Byjus insolvency proceedings.

Also Read | Aakash CFO Vipan Joshi quits; leadership churn deepens as rights issue proceeds

The rights issue plan had been challenged by Byjus parent company Think & Learn and its US-based lender GLAS Trust Company. The petitioners failed to secure interim relief at the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal in late October.

The Supreme Court declined to admit civil appeals against the tribunals decisions, effectively allowing Aakash to proceed with the shareholder-approved rights issue and related capital-raising steps, according to recent court reports.

Even as Aakash gets fresh funding, its C-suite has been in a flux. Chief financial officer Vipan Joshi exited the company on 31 October, about two months after the resignation of chief executive officer Deepak Mehrotra in August, underscoring a period of rapid leadership change at the test-prep major.

Mehrotra was succeeded by Chandra Sekhar Reddy Garisa as managing director and CEO with effect from 19 August. Garisa most recently led Claypond Capital, Pais family office.

Company financials

Aakash has not filed its financials for FY24 and FY25. It reported a net loss of 79.4 crore in FY23 compared with a net profit of 79.5 crore in FY22. Revenue from operations rose 68% to 2,385.8 crore in FY23, according to a regulatory filing with the Registrar of Companies accessed by Mint.

Aakash competes with Allen, FIITJEE, Bansal Classes and Unacademy, among others. In interviews in January, then CEO Mehrotra said the company was looking to raise about 500 crore. He told PTI in October 2024 that Aakash planned to invest about 100 crore over two years to rebuild and scale Aakash Digital, its online learning arm and digital platform.

Also Read | Byju's moves NCLAT on Aakash EGM for rights issue

The Economic Times reported last week that Pais Manipal Education and Medical Group has submitted an expression of interest in Byjus insolvency process to acquire the assets of Think & Learn, with a specific interest in its roughly 25% holding in Aakash.

Adding to the churn in the sector, Unacademy is reportedly in talks with upGrad for a potential buyout valued in the $300-400 million range. If concluded, it would mark a significant consolidation move in Indias edtech sector.
New Delhi: Tata Motors Ltd is looking to build on sales momentum in the second half of the financial year after profit from its core commercial vehicle business more than doubled in the September quarter.

The countrys largest commercial vehicle maker swung into a consolidated loss of 867 crore in the July-September period from a profit of 498 crore a year earlier as it recorded a loss of 2,027 crore, according to its exchange filing. The loss was driven by a decline in the valuation of its investments in Tata Capital Ltd. Shares of Tata Motors' group peer have fallen 2% since listing in October.

Adjusting for the Tata Capital investment, net profit came at 1,159 crore, more than double of 498 crore the company recorded a year earlier.

This was the first quarter that Tata Motors, which now houses the Tata Groups commercial vehicles business, started reporting financials independently after completing its demerger from the passenger vehicle unit.

Revenue during the quarter rose 6% year-on-year to 18,757 crore.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization or Ebitda margin came at 11.4%, a 140 basis point improvement, led by efforts to boost volumes. Ebitda is a measure of operating income.

Earnings of other commercial vehicle majors

The earnings of commercial vehicle majors, including Tata Motors and its rivals Ashok Leyland Ltd and Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd, are considered a proxy indicator of economic growth in the country.

Ashok Leyland reported a 7% year-on-year (y-o-y) growth in profit after tax to 820 crore, while revenue rose 13% to 12,577 crore in the July to September quarter.



Mahindra and Mahindra doesnt report financials of its commercial vehicle segment separately, but noted during its earnings conference on 4 November that it expects good growth in the commercial vehicle segment. Sales of its commercial three-wheelers and four-wheelers increased 37% year-on-year to 38,684 units in the July to September period.

Also Read | Tata Motors demerger: The making of two global auto businesses

Commentary from the Tata Motors management suggests a growth momentum in economic spending, and the benefits of tax cuts are expected to sustain in the second half of the financial year 2025-26.

We are yet to see the full benefit of GST as it passes on to consumers, said Girish Wagh, managing director and chief executive at Tata Motors Ltd, during a post-earnings press meeting. The second half is expected to be better than the first six months, which saw some consumers delaying purchasing decisions owing to the announcement of GST rate cuts, he said..

The company turned free cash flow positive during the quarter at 2,000 crore from negative cash of 2,000 crore during the first quarter ended June.

The net cash on the companys balance sheet was at 1,200 crore as of September.

During the quarter, Tata Motors' wholesales rose 12% over the previous year to 97,000 units. This was led by 11% growth in the sales of small commercial vehicles to 31,400 sales. In the heavy commercial vehicle segment, 24,000 units were sold, growing 5% year-on-year. The medium CV sales rose 14% to 16,800 units.

We anticipate a strong second half for FY26. Construction, infrastructure, and mining activities will gain momentum, further fueling demand for trucks and tippers, said the companys statement.

For Iveco, which it acquired for $4.4 billion, Wagh said that the company is working on completing all the necessary regulatory approvals for the acquisition before unveiling any plans for integration and the growth path ahead.

The combined Tata Motors-Iveco entity is expected to sell over 540,000 units annually and generate more than $25 billion in revenue.

For now, Wagh and the company are hoping that the domestic sales momentum picks up in the medium and heavy commercial duty segment to aid revenue and profits in the next two quarters.

Infrastructure spending growth typically leads to growth in sales of medium and heavy commercial vehicles, so the growth should be higher in the coming quarters, Wagh told reporters during the post-earnings call.

Shares of Tata Motors settled 2.84% lower during Thursdays trading hours as against 0.37% decline in Nifty Auto during the day.
India and Nepal on Thursday signed a landmark agreement to deepen trade connectivity through rail, expanding key transit routes that link the Himalayan nation to Indian ports and global markets, the ministry of commerce and industry said in a statement.

At a bilateral meeting in New Delhi, Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal and his Nepalese counterpart Anil Kumar Sinha exchanged a letter amending the Protocol to the Treaty of Transit between the two countries.

A Treaty of Transit is a bilateral agreement that permits goods from one country to move through anothers territory, facilitating smoother access to international trade routes and markets.

Also Read | Nepals tiny car market tells a big global story

The move will allow the movement of rail-based freight between Jogbani (India) and Biratnagar (Nepal), including bulk cargo, under an expanded framework that liberalizes transit through major corridors such as Kolkata-Jogbani, Kolkata-Nautanwa (Sunauli), and Visakhapatnam-Nautanwa (Sunauli), the statement said.

The letter of exchange (LoE) enables direct rail connectivity along the Jogbani-Biratnagar rail link for both containerized and bulk cargo, facilitating transport from the ports of Kolkata and Visakhapatnam to the Nepal Customs Yard cargo station located in Morang District, near Biratnagar in Nepal, the ministry said in the statement.

This rail link, constructed with grant assistance from the Government of India, was jointly inaugurated by the Prime Ministers of India and Nepal on 1 June 2023, it added.

India is Nepals largest trading and investment partner, accounting for a major share of its external commerce.

Also Read | India expands digital cargo tracking for Nepal-bound shipments

The latest measures, the commerce ministry said, are expected to consolidate economic linkages, boost regional supply chains, and open new avenues for trade with third countries through Indian ports.

The meeting (on Thursday) also welcomed ongoing bilateral initiatives to enhance cross-border connectivity and trade facilitation, including the development of Integrated Check Posts and other infrastructure, it said.

India remains Nepals largest trade and investment partner, accounting for a significant share of its external trade. These new measures are expected to further consolidate economic and commercial linkages between the two countries and beyond, it added.

The agreement comes at a time of renewed political realignment in Kathmandu, where a change in government has reset the tone of Nepals foreign and economic policy.

Nepal has witnessed a dramatic political churn in recent months, driven by Gen Z-led protests in August. The demonstrations, fuelled by anger over corruption, joblessness, and governance failures, culminated in the collapse of the previous coalition government in September, marking one of the most significant public uprisings in recent years.

In the aftermath, Sushila Karki, Nepals first woman chief justice, was appointed as prime minister. Her government has since established a judicial inquiry commission to probe the violence and destruction during the protests and launched a reconstruction fund to rebuild damaged infrastructure and restore essential public services.

For India, the latest pact reinforces its strategic outreach in the neighbourhood under the Neighbourhood First policy. Strengthening rail and transit connectivity with Nepal, one of Indias closest partners, also carries wider geopolitical weight, particularly as China deepens its regional footprint through the Belt and Road Initiative.

The political landscape in Nepal underwent a change with the youth-led protestsreflecting long-standing grievances related to corruption, governance, and inequality, which were exacerbated by relatively subdued growth and lack of job opportunitiesculminating in the formation of an interim government, the IMF said in a press note on Nepal in October.
Bihar Election Results Today: The counting of votes for the Bihar Assembly Elections is being held today.

Bihar has recorded an overall voter turnout of 67.13 per cent, the Election Commission of India (ECI) said. This bumper voter turnout is a record in Bihar's electoral history since 1951, the poll panel said

The overall turnout has increased by more than 9 percentage points compared to the 2020 Assembly elections. In 2020, Bihar recorded 57.29 per cent turnout in assembly elections.

The counting of votes begins at 8 am today.

The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) sought re-election, banking on the two-decade-long rule of Nitish Kumar in the state and the 11-year rule of the PM Modi government at the Centre. The Mahagathbandhan sought votes on the basis of anti-incumbency, misgovernance, and job promises.

As many as eleven Exit Poll results released over the past two days predicted that the NDA is poised to return to power in Bihar. While most surveys projected a clear victory for the NDA, one exit poll suggests a closely contested race.

Numbers from previous assembly elections in Bihar, however, show that governments have changed in the state many times when voter turnout has increased.

Here are three examples:

The 1967 Elections In the 1967 elections, for example, voter turnout increased from 44.5% in the 1962 elections to 51.5%, representing a 7 percentage point increase. No single party had won a majority of seats.

The incumbent Congress government fell. The non-Congress parties formed a coalition government. Mahamaya Prasad Sinha of the Jana Kranti Dal was appointed as the Chief Minister of Bihar.

The 1980 Elections In the 1980 Bihar assembly election, voter turnout was 57.3 per cent, up from 50.5 per cent recorded in the previous elections held in 1977.

View full Image Numbers from previous assembly elections in Bihar, however, show that governments have changed in the state many times when voter turnout has increased.

The Congress again emerged as the largest party, and Jagannath Mishra was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Bihar. Mishra remained the CM for about three years. He was followed by Chandrashekhar Singh. Elections held after Presidents Rule ended Janata Partys rule in Bihar.

The 1990 Elections Bumper Turnouts The 1990 assembly elections of Bihar recorded 62 per cent turnout  one of the highest ever. Analysts had linked the turnout to mass mobilisation of backward castes and Muslims.

Voter turnout increased from 56.3% in 1985, marking a 5.7 percentage point rise.

The election marked the end of the Congress era and the beginning of the Lalu Prasad Yadav era. Lalu was then the Janata Dal leader who rode on the pan-India victory of Janata Dal in 1989, during VP Singh's wave.

The Post-2005 Phenomenon: The Nitish Era After 2005, turnout increases began to correlate with NDAs welfare base, especially among women beneficiaries (cycles, cash transfer, housing schemes).

Also Read | What 11 exit polls predict about whos winning Bihar

Analysts said Bihar has become a gender-polarised voting state  men are split between alliances, while women lean towards the NDA.

High Turnout = Anti-Incumbency Typically, a high voter turnout is seen as a sign of public eagerness for change  in Bihars case, that could mean the end of Nitish Kumars two-decade rule. But political analysts caution against reading too much into it. The record turnout, they say, must be understood in the context of gender-based voting trends.

Unlike states such as UP or Rajasthan, high participation often reflects competitive enthusiasm, not a protest vote in Bihar. In 2010 and 2020, for example, both saw NDA returning to power amid high turnout.

If women have voted more than men, it will be an advantage NDA, Amitabh Tiwari, political analyst, told Mint.

High participation often reflects competitive enthusiasm, not a protest vote in Bihar.

Tiwari refers to previous elections in which the NDA had performed better in seats where women outvoted men.  In 2020, for example, there were 43 seats in Bihar where women outvoted men. The JD(U) won 37 of these 43 seats. In 2015, NDA won 61 of 71 seats where women outnumbered men. Similarly, in 2010, of the 115 seats where women voters outvoted men, the NDA bagged 79 seats roughly, Tiwari explained.

And if men have voted more than women, it would mean an advantage to the Mahagathbandhan, according to Tiwari. The NDA could have won only 26 seats of 76 where men outvoted women in 2020, he said.
Bihar Assembly Elections 2025: As the Bihar Assembly election results are set to be declared on Friday, 14 November, the Election Commission of India (EC) on Thursday said it had successfully conducted the polls with voting recorded at 67.13%, the highest since 1951.

The EC also said that it has made provisions for a smooth vote counting process to be held on 14 November.

The counting of votes will begin at 8:00 AM. The postal ballot counting will begin first, and counting of EVMs (electronic voting machines) will start thereafter at 8.30 AM.

The postal ballot counting is expected to be completed before the penultimate round of EVM counting.

Across the State, counting arrangements have been made in all 243 Assembly Constituencies. Counting will be conducted by 243 Returning Officers (ROs) in the presence of 243 Counting Observers and the candidates or their agents, the Election Commission said in a statement.

4,372 counting tables staffed with one counting supervisor, counting assistant and micro-observer at each table have been set up. More than 18,000 Counting Agents appointed by the candidates will also to oversee the counting process, the poll body added.

EVM Counting: The Election Commission further said that during the counting of EVMs, the Control Units will be brought to the counting tables round-wise and shown to the counting agents to verify that seals are intact and serial numbers match the records in Form 17C (Part I).

The number of votes recorded in the EVMs will also be cross-verified with entries in Form 17C.

VVPAT Verification: After EVM counting is completed, a random selection of five polling stations per Assembly seat will be made for VVPAT (voter verifiable paper audit trail) verification. The VVPAT slips will be matched with the EVM results in the presence of candidates and their counting agents.

Final Results: The results will be compiled and made available round-wise and constituency-wise by the respective ROs on the official ECI results portal  results.eci.gov.in.

Zero repolls The EC also said no request for re-polling was made by 2,616 electoral candidates or 12 recognised political parties.

During SIR (Special Intensive Revision) in Bihar, zero appeals were made by over 7.45 voters in the final electoral roll, it added.

Model Code of Conduct extended until November 16 in Patna The EC has extended the Model Code of Conduct in the Patna district till November 16 to maintain law and order following the counting of votes for the Bihar polls on November 14, a statement by the District Administration said on Thursday.

The Model Code of Conduct came into effect on 6 October, with the EC announcing the schedule for the Bihar elections.

The District Magistrate of Patna has issued prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, until the termination of the Model Code of Conduct, implementing a complete ban on victory processions in the district.
Bihar Exit Polls 2025: Most exit polls released after recently-concluded Bihar elections have predicted that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Nitish Kumars Janata Dal (United) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), will retain power in the state, defeating the Mahagathbandhan  an alliance of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress  in the two-phase contest.

The ruling NDA is projected to win with 121141 seats, while the opposition Mahagathbandhan, also known as the INDIA bloc, is expected to trail closely, securing 98118 seats, according to Axis My India's latest exit poll findings released on November 12.

Today's Chanakya has also predicted a landslide victory for NDA with around 160 seats. These two pollsters released numbers a day after most others predicted NDA win hours after the second and last phase of voting for the Bihar elections was held on Tuesday, 11 November.

Remember, the exit polls have often got the predictions wrong, and the actual results of the Bihar elections will be declared by the Election Commission of India on Friday, 14 November. The majority mark in the 243-member Bihar assembly stands at 122.

What are the key findings? -Most pollsters have predicted a victory of the NDA, which means the ruling alliance is returning to power, defying the anti-incumbency of over two decades.

-Region-wise, the NDA is doing well across Bihar, except Seemanchal, which is a Muslim dominated region of Bihar.

View full Image Bihar Exit Polls 2025: Most pollsters have predicted a victory for the NDA, which means the ruling alliance is returning to power, defying the anti-incumbency that has persisted for over two decades.

-Women voters prefer the NDA led by Nitish Kumar, while the young, unemployed have rallied behind the Mahagathbandhan.

-Despite the NDA winning the polls, opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav has emerged as the preferred choice as Chief Minister among voters in several polls. For example, Axis My India reports 34% of respondents favouring him, versus 22% for Nitish Kumar.

-The vote-share predictions show a narrow gap in some polls. The NDA may win around 43 per cent of the votes, while the Mahagathbandhan is forecasted to receive around 41 per cent, according to Axis My Indias prediction. This could mean a closely contested scenario despite NDAs projected seat advantage.

What do Bihar Exit Polls say about Nitish Kumar? -Going by the surveys, Nitish Kumar is arguably the biggest political brand of Bihar. This, despite having been in power for twenty years and suffering from ailing health.

-Nitish Kumar enjoys popularity among women voters for his women-centric cash and welfare schemes.

-Nitish Kumar appears to retain his strong base through his alliance in the NDA and enjoys projected victory in several regions (e.g., Champaran, Kosi, Bhojpur).

-The fact that Tejashwi leads in the CM preference category may undermine Nitishs individual standing, especially if the NDA depends heavily on its partners rather than Nitishs personal appeal.

-There has been speculation that even if the NDA wins, the internal dynamics of the alliance and leadership question. The BJP may want its own chief minister. Remember, Bihar is among the few states in India where the BJP hasnt had its chief minister so far.

What do Exit Polls 2025 say about Tejashwi Yadav? - Tejashwi Yadav is emerging as a powerful leader of Bihar who is kind of falling short of making it to the top. According to some exit poll results, the RJD is predicted to be the single largest party, a feat that Lalu Prasad Yadavs party also achieved in the 2020 elections. The RJD contested the highest number of seats, 143, among all parties in the 2025 elections.

-Tejashwi Yadav has failed to counter the jungle raj charge that is often associated with RJD rule in Bihar under the chief ministership of his parents, Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi.

-Tejashwi Yadavs strength, however, lies in being the preferred CM face of the opposition in voter sentiment  despite his alliance being behind in overall seat projections.

-The RJD leaders popularity suggests that while his alliance (MGB) might not immediately secure victory, Yadavs leadership brand is stronger than the raw numbers suggest. This may afford him more leverage going forward.

-The exit polls also create a narrative opportunity for him to claim momentum, even if his alliance falls short.

What do the numbers say about Modi, the NDA? -Brand Modi still resonates. PM Narendra Modi campaigned in Bihar and helped Nitish Kumars Janata Dal United, a party which was otherwise reduced to under 50 seats in the 2020 polls.

-Another victory in NDAs kitty would certainly consolidate the ruling alliance at the Centre, more so in the Hindi belt. Winning in Bihar would mean the NDA would have governments in nine states and UTs in north India. The Opposition is in power in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Jharkhand in the north.

Sooner or later, the BJP might have its own CM in Bihar. For about 14 years, the BJP has had a deputy chief minister in Bihar, with the Late Sushil Modi being the most prominent one. The party had two deputy chief ministers in the outgoing government under Nitish Kumar, the Janata Dal United supremo.

What about Rahul Gandhi and the INDIA bloc? -Loss in Bihar would be another setback for the Opposition INDIA bloc, more so for the Congress party, which contested 61 seats. The Congress, which would be in power in Bihar in the 1990s before the rise of the RJD and the JD(U), had only one chief minister in the north  Himachal Pradesh.

-A defeat in Bihar would also mean a setback for Rahul Gandhi. Since 2024, the Congress has faced defeats in seven of the nine elections. The INDIA bloc won only two polls: Jammu & Kashmir and Jharkhand. The Congress was a junior ally in these elections

-Rahul Gandhi campaigned in Bihar with 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' months before the elections and raised issues around the alleged discrepancy in the electoral rolls. The issue clearly didnt resonate with voters in Bihar.

-Exit polls do not credit him personally with significantly shifting the poll predictions in favour of the opposition alliance- the Mahagathbandhan.

And what about Prashant Kishor? -Prashant Kishors new political venture, the Jan Suraaj Party (JSP), was seen by many as the king maker in the Bihar contest. But according to multiple exit polls, it is forecast to win very few seats (often 0-5).

Tejashwi Yadav has emerged as the preferred choice as Chief Minister among voters in several polls.

-The polls suggest his impact has been muted despite grassroots campaigning and attention; the electorate has largely stuck with the traditional alliances (NDA and Mahagathbandhan) rather than switch to his new formation.

-Kishors decision not to contest personally and his framing of the election as a larger model change may have limited his visibility in leadership-preference polls.
Bihar Results 2025: Less than 24 hours are now left for the Bihar assembly election results, as the stage is set for the counting of votes for 243 seats.

Most exit polls have predicted 140 or more seats for the NDA, which comprises five parties: the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Janata Dal United (JDU), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM), and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAMS). Whereas, Today's Chanakya and Poll Diary have predicted a clear sweep.

Pradeep Gupta-led Axis My India has forecast that the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) will emerge as the single largest party.

Also Read | Bihar Exit Polls: Axis My India poll shows unemployed and students preferred MGB

In a matter of a few hours, it will be clear whether the exit polls are accurate and JD(U) supremo Nitish Kumar will secure a record fifth term or Bihar will witness a change in government. However, as exit polls forecast a clean sweep for the NDA, let's examine how the political parties performed in the 2020 assembly elections.

In the 2020 elections, the NDA narrowly returned to power against a strong challenge from the RJD-led alliance.

BJP's performance in 2020 The Saffron Party contested 110 seats and won 74 seats, securing a vote share of 19.46%. The deposit of three candidates was forfeited.

Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal (United) The JD(U) contested 115 seats and won 43 seats with a 15.39% vote share. Five candidates also lost their deposits.

This year, both the BJP and JD(U) contested for 101 seats each, and most exit polls have predicted that the latter is expected to perform better.

RJD's performance in 2020 The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) fielded candidates for 144 seats and won 75 seats, securing a 23.11% vote share. Only one candidate had lost the deposit.

How did Congress perform? The Congress party contested 70 seats. However, despite receiving 9.48% of the votes, only 19 candidates from the party won elections, and the deposits of four candidates were forfeited.

How did other political parties perform?  HAMS fielded candidates for seven seats and won four seats. It got 0.89%of the votes.

 Vikassheel Insaan Party (VSIP) contested 13 seats and won 4 seats.

 CPI(ML)(L) contested 19 seats and won 12 seats. It polled 3.16%of the votes.

 Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM contested 20 seats and won five of them, securing 1.24%of the votes.

 Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Lok Janshakti Party(LJP) contested for 78 and 135 seats, respectively. However, both parties were able to win only one seat.

 CPI and CPIM won two seats each.

 The then undivided NCP and RLSP contested 80 and 99 seats respectively, but neither of them could open an account.

 1,299 candidates also contested polls as independents, but only one of them won the election.
The long-awaited trailer for Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution has finally dropped, sending waves of excitement through the anime community.

Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution trailer released The upcoming feature film will serve as both a powerful recap of the explosive Shibuya Incident Arc and a bridge to the highly anticipated Culling Game Arc, which will form the core of Season 3.

The trailer opens with a chilling glimpse of chaos descending on Shibuya during Halloween night. A mysterious veil suddenly engulfs the crowded streets, trapping thousands of civilians.

Also Read | Jujutsu Kaisen 3 teaser: Yuta Okkotsu fights Yuji Itadori in Culling Game Arc

As panic spreads, Satoru Gojothe strongest jujutsu sorcerersteps into action, only to face a sinister ambush. Cursed spirits and rogue sorcerers unite in a plan to seal him away, setting off one of the most intense battles ever seen in the Jujutsu Kaisen universe.

Watch the trailer here:

In the aftermath of the Shibuya disaster, Japan finds itself overrun with curses. Ten colonies are transformed into dangerous battlegrounds by Noritoshi Kamo, one of the most feared figures in jujutsu history.

Amid this chaos, Yuta Okkotsufirst introduced in Jujutsu Kaisen 0is assigned to execute Yuji Itadori for crimes he is believed to have committed. What follows is an emotional and action-packed confrontation between Gojos two cherished students, marking a turning point in their fates.

Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution to also feature two episodes of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution will hit theatres across North America on 5 December 2025. The film not only revisits the Shibuya arc in a special compilation format but also premieres the first two episodes of the Culling Game Part 1 arcmonths ahead of the animes January 2026 streaming debut.

The third season of Jujutsu Kaisen is all set to start streaming from January 8, 2026, on Crunchyroll.
Marathi actress Girija Oak Godbole, who has appeared in films like Taare Zameen Par and Shah Rukh Khans Jawan, has unexpectedly become the internets latest obsession. A photo of her in a striking blue saree went viral over the weekend, earning her the nickname Blue Saree Wali and sparking comparisons to global stars like Sydney Sweeney and Monica Bellucci.

The sudden attention surprised even Girija. Speaking to Hindustan Times, she said, I am amused! My phone started buzzing like crazy on Sunday evening. I was in rehearsals when all my friends started asking, Do you know whats happening on X?

The Internets New Crush Fans on social media couldnt stop asking who the woman in the blue saree was, with many praising her elegance and her work. Girija Oak has suddenly become one of the most talked-about names on Twitter, wrote a user. Others described her as one of the most beautiful Marathi actresses and urged people to revisit her performances.

But the attention also came with a downside. The actress admitted that some pages sexualized me, adding that her brother-in-law pointed out how a few cheap handles had picked up her photos. However, Girija said she wasnt rattled: Such trends come and go. If people discover my work now, that makes me happy.

Who Is Girija Oak? Born: 27 December 1987, Nagpur

Family: Daughter of veteran Marathi actor Girish Oak; married to filmmaker Suhrud Godbole

Education: Degree in biotechnology; later studied business management and trained in theatre

Work: Known for Marathi films like Gulmohar, Lajja and Navra Maza Bhavra; acted in Kannada film House Full

Hindi Projects: Played Jabeen in Taare Zameen Par (2007); appeared in Shor in the City, Qala, The Vaccine War and Jawan

TV & OTT: One of the leads in Sony TVs Ladies Special; featured in Modern Love: Mumbai, 13th: Some Lessons Arent Taught in Classrooms, and Inspector Zende opposite Manoj Bajpayee.

What Girija Thinks About The Comparisons After going viral, she found herself being compared to international sensations like Sydney Sweeney. Her reaction? Gracefully unfazed.
The House is set to vote as soon as later Wednesday on legislation reopening the government after a record-setting shutdown that lasted more than a month. The package extends funding for much of the federal government through Jan. 30 and includes full-year funding for the Agriculture Department, military construction and the legislative branch. But it also includes other provisions, including one particularly controversial item involving potential payouts to senators.

Here are some other key parts of the deal.

Reversing firings and providing back pay to federal workers

Senate Democrats secured language guaranteeing the reversal of federal layoffs initiated by the Trump administration during the shutdownand guaranteeing that there will be no more mass firings at least through Jan. 30. The bill also makes clear that all federal employees who missed paycheckswhether they were furloughed or worked during the shutdownwill get back pay. The White House had raised the possibility of denying back pay for furloughed workers.

Pledging votes on healthcare subsidies

The bill doesnt include an extension to healthcare subsidies. But as part of the deal to get some Senate Democrats on board, GOP leaders in the Senate promised a vote on Democrats proposal for extending enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies by mid-December. The House hasnt made a similar pledge. Senate Republicans also expect to get a parallel vote on their own approach to the expiring healthcare subsidies.

Potential $500,000 payouts

The Senate bill included a last-minute provision that allows senatorsbut not House membersto sue the federal government if investigators collect their records without their knowledge. The Senate made the provision retroactive to 2022, which would cover the Justice Departments collection of phone records from eight Republican senators during former special counsel Jack Smiths investigation into President Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

The provision paves the way for payouts of $500,000 each in damages. Lawmakers of both parties have criticized it as improper. We are talking about a multimillion-dollar slush fund that is in this bill for eight Republican senators," said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D., N.Y.). Rep. Chip Roy (R., Texas) said it is beside my comprehension that this got put in the bill."

Still, Republicans indicated they would seek a fix after passing the package, rather than amend the measure now and send it back to the Senate, which would prolong the shutdown.

Security for lawmakers and judges

Following the shooting of Charlie Kirk and a string of attacks on political figures, Congress included major security funding in the bill. The measure provides an additional $203.5 million for security for the House and Senate, $28 million for Supreme Court justices, and $30 million for the U.S. Marshals Service to protect executive-branch officials.

Unfreezing D.C. government spending

The measure provides relief for the District of Columbia, whose budget is under the control of Congress. A March spending law had the effect of forcing D.C. to revert to its 2024 budget, effectively barring the city from spending some of its own tax revenue. City officials warned the law would lead to a big budget shortfall and lobbied for its reversal, and Trump threw his support behind undoing the cap. The new measure lifts the spending restriction and allows D.C. to spend funds in line with the budget passed by the districts council.

New hemp provisions

The bill rewrites the federal definition of hemp, effectively banning the sale of hemp-derived gummies, drinks, vapes and edibles one year from now. These products, which can produce a mild high, became legal through a loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill. This change led to heated debate on the Senate floor between two Kentucky Republicans. Sen. Rand Paul unsuccessfully proposed an amendment to block the provision, saying it would greatly damage the hemp industry, while Sen. Mitch McConnell defended the change as needed to crack down on intoxicating products.

Under the new language, hemp would be defined to exclude products with more than 0.4 milligrams of THC per container or any synthetically produced cannabinoids, such as delta-8 THC. The change deals a major blow to the fast-growing and largely unregulated hemp industry, which has flourished in convenience stores and online.

Funding the Wedgetail radar jet

The bill breathes new life into the E-7 Wedgetail radar jet after the Air Force tried to kill the program this year. The plane, which is being developed by Boeing to replace the E-3 Sentry, would connect other aircraft with military assets on the ground. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers this summer that the plane was not survivable" when recommending its cancellation. The Air Force has also cited delays and cost increases to the program.

Lawmakers added $400 million to the bill for research, development and prototyping for the E-7 due to concerns that the Pentagons plan to replace the planes mission using space assets wont be ready in time.

This explanatory article may be periodically updated.

Write to Anvee Bhutani at anvee.bhutani@wsj.com and Siobhan Hughes at Siobhan.hughes@wsj.com
Two years on, Israels war in Gaza might be finally drawing to a close. The conflict built an unprecedented arms pipeline from the U.S. to Israel that continues to flow, generating substantial business for big U.S. companiesincluding Boeing, Northrop Grumman and Caterpillar.

Sales of U.S. weapons to Israel have surged since October 2023, with Washington approving more than $32 billion in armaments, ammunition and other equipment to the Israeli military over that time, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of State Department disclosures.

Israel responded to the Oct. 7, 2023, attack led by Hamas, which killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, with a military invasion that has killed more than 68,000 people in Gazaincluding more than 18,000 childrenaccording to Gaza health authorities, who dont say how many were combatants.

The war has been devastating for the Palestinian enclave and has vastly increased hostility between Israel and other Middle East nations. The fighting throughout the region has presented a fresh opportunity for defense companies in the American heartland and, to a lesser extent, tech giants on the West Coast.

Much of the bill has been footed by U.S. taxpayers. Israel normally gets $3.3 billion in foreign military financing each year, a number that more than doubled last year to $6.8 billion. That figure doesnt include noncash forms of assistance.

Even if the truce grows into a lasting peace, Israel will likely continue to face threats from regional adversaries such as Iran and militants in Yemen, Lebanon and elsewhere. And defense contracts approved by Washington are typically planned years ahead.

A spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred questions to the Israeli Defense Ministry, which declined to comment. The Israel Defense Forces declined to comment.

The American company that has brought in the most Israeli business since the Gaza war began is Boeing. The U.S. greenlighted an $18.8 billion sale of Boeing F-15 strike fighters last year to Israel for delivery beginning in 2029. This year, various partnerships in which Boeing plays a leading role got approval for $7.9 billion of sales of guided bombs and associated kits. That is much more than the $10 billion Israel pledged in 2018 to purchase from Boeing over the next decade, and it would account for a significant portion of the companys $74 billion in current orders.

Other companies that have secured approved weapons sales include Northrop Grumman, which provides spare parts for jet fighters; Lockheed Martin, a supplier of high-powered precision missiles; and General Dynamics, a provider of 120mm shells that Israels Merkava tanks fire.

The biggest defense sales approved by Washington are for jet fighters and airborne-guided bombs, reflecting the crucial role of aerial bombings in the conflict. Contracts related to ground operationsbulldozers, tank shells and vehicles for troop and tank transportrepresent much smaller amounts.

Israels Eitan armored fighting vehicles, which have been used widely across Gaza, are equipped with a hull from Wisconsin-based Oshkosh and an engine made by Rolls-Royces U.S. unit in Michigan. Caterpillars D9 armored bulldozersused to clear rubble and destroy residences and other structureshave been ubiquitous.

Boeing, Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics referred questions to the U.S. government. A State Department spokesman said the Trump Administration has consistently supported Israels right to defend itself and is now leading a regional effort to bring this war to an end."

In some cases, companies have faced a backlash from investors and employees over their sales to the Israeli military. In the past year, three Norwegian investment funds have sold their stakes in Oshkosh, Palantir Technologies, Caterpillar and Thyssenkrupp over the use of their products for the war in Gaza. On Oct. 1, Dutch pension fund ABPthe biggest in the Netherlands, with more than $400 billion under managementsold its 387 million, or $448 million, stake in Caterpillar, citing concerns over Gaza.

In August, Germany said it would no longer approve weapons exports to Israel for use in the Gaza Strip until further notice.

In September, Microsoft disabled the Israeli Defense Ministrys access to some cloud services in response to staff protests. Before the war began, Microsoft and a partnership between Alphabet-owned Google and Amazon.com had clinched deals with Israel to provide artificial-intelligence and cloud-computing services to the military.

Meanwhile, AI giant Palantir, co-founded by Trump ally Peter Thiel, entered into a partnership with the Israeli Defense Ministry in January 2024. At a May 2025 conference, Palantir Chief Executive Alex Karp responded to accusations from a protester that Israel used Palantirs technology to kill Palestinians, saying that those who were killed were mostly terrorists." The companys 2024 annual report says its current operations related to Israel arent material to its financial results.

In response to questions, a Palantir spokesman referred to a previous statement saying the company is proud to support Israeli defense and national security missions" and has a longstanding commitment to the preservation of human rights." Amazon and Google didnt respond to requests for comment. Microsoft declined to comment.

American companies have also found business opportunities in responding to the humanitarian crisis sparked by the war. The U.S. State Department said in June that it had allocated $30 million to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, led by former Trump adviser Johnnie Moore, to oversee aid handouts. The foundation hired American contractors Safe Reach Solutions and UG Solutions to provide security for the distribution efforts, which have been beset by dysfunction and violence.

In its most recent annual report, Lockheed Martin said it had benefited from increased American defense funding related to Israel and Ukraine, notably munitions purchases. Revenue at its missiles division rose 13% last year to $12.7 billion.

Armored-vehicles maker Oshkosh said an Israeli order of tactical vehicles had extended the lifespan of a production line that was due to shut last year.

In its latest quarterly report, Italian contractor Leonardo, whose U.S. unit is selling tanker trailers to Israel, said its international sales should remain stable this year because of the continuing conflicts in both Ukraine and Israel."

For Boeing, which has contended with two years of supply disruptions and strikes, international arms sales have been a rare bright spot. In its 2024 earnings filing, the company said its defense subsidiary received a boost from solid demand as governments prioritize security, defense technology and global cooperation given evolving threats."

The Trump administration is continuing its support. It is seeking congressional approval to sell nearly $6 billion in weapons to Israel, including a $3.8 billion deal for Boeings Apache helicopters that would nearly double Israels current fleet of the aircraft.

Write to Benoit Faucon at benoit.faucon@wsj.com
New Delhi: The ministry of agriculture and farmers welfare on Thursday invited public comments on the draft Seeds Bill, 2025, a proposed legislation aimed at overhauling seed regulations.

The new Bill seeks to replace the Seeds Act, 1966 and the Seeds (Control) Order, 1983, aligning them with current agricultural practices, technological developments and the growing complexity of seed markets.

Mint had reported on 18 June that the government was working on changes to curb the rising problem of spurious seeds.

The draft Seeds Bill, 2025 aims to regulate the quality of seeds and planting materials available in the market, ensure farmers access to high-quality seeds at affordable prices, curb the sale of counterfeit and poor-quality seeds, and protect farmers from crop losses, among other things, as per the ministry.

A key aspect of the draft is strengthening the system to verify the quality and originality of seeds, a longstanding concern voiced by both farmers and breeders, the ministry said.

Experts say that mislabelled, re-packed or illegally reproduced seeds often enter the supply chain, eroding trust and increasing the risk of crop failures. The proposed legislation aims to improve authentication so that farmers can be confident they are purchasing genuine seeds.

On the enforcement front, the Bill proposes decriminalizing minor offences to ease compliance for small seed producers while retaining strong penalties for serious violations such as manufacturing or selling fake or misbranded seeds.

Also Read | Agriculture: Vital to the US but in need of vitality at home

The move comes amid rising concerns over economic losses due to sub-standard seeds. Fake seeds, often sold under near-identical branding, frequently fail to germinate or deliver the promised yield, leaving farmers burdened with debt and unable to recover within a single cropping cycle. In 2024-25, out of the total 2.53 lakh seed samples drawn by seed inspectors of the 24 states and Union territories, 32,525 samples were found sub-standard, the government said.

Experts say that improving seed quality and ensuring authenticity are essential not only for productivity but also for climate resilience. One agricultural scientist noted that as climate stress increases, the quality and purity of seeds become even more criticalfarmers need varieties that behave exactly as claimed.

"Genuine and certified seeds ensures high crop yield, quality produce, and resistance to pests and diseases. It maintains varietal purity and genetic integrity, thus assuring farmers achieve desired results and better income,"said Dr. Brajesh Singh, director, ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI), Shimla.

The government should use blockchain for seed traceability and to verify the originality of seeds. Fake seeds are a serious concern and reduce productivity, and this has become a big problem for farmers, said R. G. Agarwal, chairman emeritus of Dhanuka Agritech Ltd.

The bigger issue is trust, said Binod Anand, a member of the government's MSP Committee of Agriculture. Farmers often cannot be sure that the seed they buy is genuine, and one bad season can push them into debt. Any new seed law must ensure that every packet sold in the market is clearly verifiable and backed by a system that holds sellers accountable, he added.

Also Read | India's agriculture and dairy sectors can withstand US tariff vagaries
The Reserve Bank of Indias (RBI) recent gold loan norms have plugged a loophole that allowed banks and non-bank financiers to lend against gold repledged by informal lenders, according to four bankers with knowledge of the matter.

The bankers said that these are loans given to pawn brokers against gold that these brokers have taken as collateral from their own customers in the first place. The RBI, the bankers said, has now said that repledging of gold is not allowed and, therefore, lenders that made such loans will not be able to renew them.

These bankers who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that the practice of lending against repledged gold was not confined to a single lender. However, they said that the size of this repledged gold and loans is difficult to ascertain, since most of it is to the unorganized sector.

In a revised June 2025 framework detailing norms for loans against gold jewellery, the RBI had barred regulated entities from lending against repledged gold.

A lender shall not avail loans by re-pledging gold or silver pledged to it by its borrowers, or extend loans to other lenders, entities or individuals by accepting gold or silver collateral pledged to such lenders, entities, or individuals by their borrowers as collateral," said the RBIs gold loan norms.

"The new gold loan circular has tightened the loan renewal and top-up processes. Further, the practice of running multiple loans to a borrower or a group of related borrowers are required to be subjected to stricter internal audit and supervisory controls of the regulated entities," said AM Karthik, senior vice president and co-director of financial sector ratings at ICRA, adding that the new framework also reiterated the requirement to establish ownership of the gold pledged.

"Frequent sanction to same borrowers or a set of borrowers would also have to be monitored closely and repledge of loans by other lenders/individuals are also not allowed."

Meanwhile, lenders have been falling over each other to lend against gold, driven by soaring gold prices, especially as personal loans and credit cards become scarce. Gold loans from banks stood at 3.2 trillion as of September-end, more than double of what it was a year ago.

The industry has been abuzz since private sector lender Federal Bank made a disclosure during the managements call with analysts on 18 October. To be sure, the bank did not say it was lending against repledged gold, but bankers Mint spoke to pointed to this practice, prevalent among a few lenders.

As a part of its results for Q2 FY26, Federal Bank highlighted a particular loan segment within its gold loan portfoliowhich were wholesale or business gold loansthat is expected to be hit once the new gold loan norms become effective from April 2026.

Our gold loan, if you take away the Digi-biz business, that is the wholesale part of that gold business, which has to be run down because of the RBI new guideline," managing director and chief executive officer K.V.S. Manian had said in the banks earnings call with analysts, adding that the focus will now be on growing the retail gold loan portfolio to build a sustainable, good quality franchise".

In Q2, Federal Banks gold loans grew around 9% year-on-year (y-o-y) to 32,323 crore, forming 13.2% of its overall loan book as on 30 September.

The bank did not provide any further details on what this portfolio is and why it will be hit. An email sent to the RBI remained unanswered till press time.

We are managing the run-down of this portfolio well ahead of the regulatory deadline, thereby fully mitigating any future impact on our balance sheet post-FY26. This specific wholesale segment constituted a minor share of our total gold loan book," Federal Bank told Mint in a response to the story," a spokesperson for Federal Bank said in a response to emailed queries by Mint.

Our strategic focus has now decisively shifted to the highly granular, higher-yielding retail gold loan segment. We project that the sustained growth in our retail gold portfolio will not only offset the run-down of the wholesale book but will also ensure continued, sustainable overall growth, with enhanced risk-adjusted returns."

Repledging of gold for refinance

According to bankers and analysts Mint spoke to, the issue stems from certain banks lending to intermediaries or moneylenders who in turn were lending to customers, who pledged their gold with them. These intermediaries were lending to their customers at higher rates and then refinancing these loans with cheaper loans from banks against the same gold pledged by the customers.

Per data from financial services marketplace Bankbazaar.com, banks charge anywhere between 8.25% and 17% on gold loans. Industry experts said that the unorganized sector charges significantly higher.

This repledging of gold has now been prohibited by the regulator under the new norms, prompting lenders to wind down such loan segments before the new framework comes into effect from 1 April, 2026.

What used to happen is that pawn brokers used to give informal loans at 34-36% and then go and get bank funding at lower rates. Thats the business, the loan aggregator business for gold loans, which now has been barred," another banker told Mint.

This is only applicable to loans given to aggregators in an upcountry (rural, semi-urban) markets. They are local moneylenders, so instead of customers coming to the bank, he (the moneylender) was stepping in and taking a refinance from the banks," he added.

These moneylenders would often lend on their own, pool all the jewellery together and then take a loan from a gold loan non-bank financial company (NBFC) or bank, said a senior official at a large NBFC, adding that as per the new norms, the RBI is not comfortable with the practice, and they want only the original owner of the gold to go and take out a loan from a regulated entity or a bank.

The RBIs discomfort stems from the fact that pawn brokers tend to charge usurious rates" to their own customers. While the RBI cannot regulate such moneylenders directly, the idea is that at least they dont get funding or refinancing from banks and NBFCs who can instead lend directly in this segment, the bankers said.

Two officials of public sector banks that Mint spoke to said that despite having the biggest gold loan portfolios, state-owned lenders are not involved in this loan segment.

Also Read | RBI to ease overseas borrowings but here's why companies may not bite

Regulatory actions

Earlier regulations did not say dont do this, because there were no norms around the source of the gold, or a need to declare where the gold is fromwhether you own the gold or have taken it from someone else and are repledging it. Now, this has been regulated," the NBFC official cited earlier said.

However, the regulatory crackdown was not out of the blue. The RBI had first flagged this in September 2024, when it issued a circular warning regulated entities about "irregular practices observed in grant of loans against pledge of gold ornaments and jewellery". The RBI had highlighted concerns such as shortcomings in the use of third parties for sourcing and appraisal of loans, valuation of gold without the presence of the customer, and inadequate due diligence and lack of end-use monitoring of gold loans, among others.

It had then also cited instances where loans were granted through partnership with fintech entities/business correspondents (BC), wherein valuation of the gold was being carried out in the absence of customer, credit appraisal and valuation was being done by the BC itself, and gold was stored in the custody of BCs.

This was followed by the tighter framework for lending against gold jewellery, issued in June 2025, which mandated that banks and NBFCs can only lend to the rightful owner of the eligible collateral", meaning the owner of the gold jewellery or ornaments.
The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its verdict on how spectrum held by Aircel and Reliance Communications (RCom) will be treated under their insolvency proceedings. It concluded its hearing after listening to arguments by advocates representing Aircel, the resolution professional (RP) of Reliance Telecom Limited, a subsidiary of RCom, the lender State Bank of India (SBI), and the government.

The court was hearing a batch of petitions filed by SBI and the two insolvent telcos that challenged the National Company Law Appellate Tribunals (NCLAT's) 2021 order which held that spectrum could be transferred or sold under an insolvency resolution plan only after all government dues were cleared. Heard learned counsel for the parties at length. Hearing concluded. Judgment reserved," the order copy noted.

Also Read | AGR dispute deepens as Vodafone Idea challenges dues

At the core of the dispute are two crucial questions: whether telecom spectrum belongs to the government or the operator, and whether the operators right to use it under a government licence meant it could be treated as an asset that may be monetised during insolvency.

Under the scheme of the IBC (Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code), the central government is squarely within its four corners, Gopal Jain, senior advocate appearing for Reliance Telecoms resolution professional, told the Supreme Court.

Jain argued that the telecom department has accepted the rigors of the IBC and cannot deny its role because it willingly joined the insolvency process. The evidence for this conduct was the filing of a Form B (proof of claim by the operational creditor) under Regulation 7 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) regulations, he said.

if you take away the license and the spectrum, it's a husk. No resolution will take place, Jain said, adding that withdrawing the spectrum and licence would have far-reaching consequences and defeat the IBCs goal of enabling successful resolution.

During the hearing, the Supreme Court observed that the government should have cancelled the licences of telecom operators under insolvency instead of filing claims under the IBC as an operational creditor. The observation came as the court noted the governments conflicting stance  arguing that spectrum cannot fall within the insolvency process while simultaneously filing claims as a creditor under the IBC.

Whose spectrum is it anyway? The courts decision will be significant as it will provide clarity on whether telecom spectrumwhich is a natural resource and thus Constitutionally recognised as belonging to citizens of India, with the government acting as a trusteecould be liquidated under the IBC for lenders to recover dues.

Also Read | Cognizant takes logo battle with Atyati to Supreme Court

On Wednesday, SBI told the Supreme Court that telecom spectrum should be treated as part of the insolvency process and sold to recover dues, setting up a direct clash with the government. SBI argued that spectrum was an intangible asset that could be monetised for recovery of dues, while the government maintained it belonged to the state, which held it in trust for the public, and wasnt subject to the IBC. It said the licence granted to operators only gave them permission to use spectrum. The interim resolution professional (IRP) in the course of any proceedings in IBC, cannot reach out to this asset (spectrum), R. Venkataramani, the attorney general of India, told the Supreme Court on Wednesday.

After the NCLAT issued its order in April 2021, appeals were filed in the Supreme court the following month. The court issued a notice in June 2021, but the case has since seen little progress, with repeated adjournments, according to court orders Mint reviewed. The arguments began only in September 2025.

Also Read | Govt awaits SC order before final call on Vodafone Idea relief
(Bloomberg) -- Jack Dorsey is capitulating to the rise of regulated digital dollars. The Bitcoin maximalist who long argued the cryptocurrency could anchor everyday payments is now steering Block Inc.s Cash App to support stablecoins, marking a sharp break for a company that built its crypto identity around Bitcoin purity.

The Block co-founder and chairman, who has insisted Bitcoin alone could anchor everyday payments, is moving the financial technology firm toward supporting dollar-backed tokens angling to integrate into the traditional financial infrastructure instead of upend it. Cathie Wood, whose towering Bitcoin forecasts defined the last cycles exuberance, is scaling them back as institutional flows consolidate around assets engineered for price stability and regulatory acceptance.

Their shifts underscore a broader recalibration inside cryptos old guard, as its staunchest champions acknowledge that the industrys momentum is around stable tokens whose issuers are quickly moving to come under the regulatory umbrella and even, in some cases, applying for narrow banking charters. That contrasts starkly to Bitcoins founding ethos of anti-establishment and decentralization.

The peer-to-peer and banking platform Cash App was among the first to widely offer Bitcoin balances and Dorsey has long argued that if the original cryptocurrency doesnt become a tool for everyday payments that it risks irrelevance. Until now, Block has mirrored its founders creed by exclusively supporting Bitcoin and to-date accumulated 24 million customers using the platform to buy, store and spend Bitcoin. Now, the company is expanding into stablecoins by making the digital assets interoperable with users cash balances. Users will soon be able to deposit stablecoins as US dollars in their cash balances and send stablecoins to another persons wallet. The company plans to launch with multiple stablecoins, including Circle Internet Group Inc.s USDC token.

The added stablecoin support comes as momentum around the digital assets typically designed to track the value of a dollar one-for-one has continued to build following the passage of the first US regulatory framework for stablecoins in July. Since then, traditional financial institutions, retailers and startups have all become increasingly public about potential plans to support the tokens which promise faster, cheaper and more efficient payments, especially for cross-border transactions.

While Block is adding stablecoin support, its still investing in popularizing Bitcoin for everyday payments. The company announced a feature making it possible for Cash App customers to pay sellers over the Lightning Network, a blockchain designed to make Bitcoin transactions fast and cheap. At checkout, customers will need to scan a Lightning QR code and pay directly from their cash balances while sellers would receive Bitcoin. Block is also launching a map to help consumers find merchants that accept Bitcoin payments. Cash App is - and always will be - Bitcoin-first by design, Miles Suter, Bitcoin product lead at Block said in an announcement.

There have been several attempts to popularize paying directly from stored balances or bank accounts via QR codes at checkouts to steer consumers away from card payments that can be costly for merchants, but the clunkiness of the experience compared to the ease of card payments has been a significant adoption hurdle. Despite the likely uphill battle ahead, Dorsey has expressed a commitment to trying to popularize alternative payment methods.

Bitcoin, everyone in the company hated it, Dorsey said at a recent Block event in New York. But we want to make a bet on something that is an alternative to Visa and Mastercard. We want to make a bet on an open network. We want to make a bet on an open protocol for the internet that allows us to move money and be on a level playing field that we can bring all our customers onto as well.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
Multibagger small-cap stock: Cupid Limited share price hit a record high on Thursday, November 13, after the company posted strong September quarter results on Wednesday.

The multibagger small-cap stock Cupid rose as much as 3% to 287.86 apiece on Thursday. The stock has been rallying over the past five sessions by surging nearly 17%.

In fact, the small-cap stock has doubled its investors' wealth in just six months by giving multibagger returns of 235%.

Cupid Limited Q2 results 2025 The small-cap company posted 140% year-on-year (YoY) rise in its consolidated net profit to 24.12 crore in the September quarter (Q2 FY26), as compared to 10.04 crore last year same period, according to press release dated November 12.

Revenue from operations surged 103.22% year-on-year to 84.44 crore for the quarter ended September 30, 2025.

Profit before tax (PBT) rose 126.61% to 32.18 crore in Q2 FY26, up from 14.20 crore in the corresponding period last year.

EBITDA for Q2 FY26 jumped 176% to 28.41 crore, compared to 10.28 crore in Q2 FY25, with the EBITDA margin improving to 34% from 25% a year earlier.

Q2 FY26 is a milestone for Cupid the strongest quarter in our history and, more importantly, a proof-point that our strategy is working across India FMCG, B2B exports, and Diagnostics. What excites me is the quality of growth: brand acceptance in India, deeper relationships and large allocations in exports and certification tailwinds that expand our addressable markets. With capacity expansion and smarter procurement, we are removing execution bottlenecks and building a durable growth engine. We remain on track for our 335 Cr topline in FY26 and will reassess guidance during H2 in light of the constructive developments across our portfolio, said Aditya Kumar Halwasiya, Chairman and Managing Director at Cupid Limited.

Outlook and guidance The second half of FY26 is expected to be stronger than H1, driven by strong order visibility and improving execution, the company said in the release.

The company reiterates its topline guidance of 335 crore, with a potential upside to be reviewed post-Q3. It also expects to deliver net profit of over 100 crore for the year.

Positioned to emerge as a young, fast-maturing FMCG player with growing retail presence across domestic and global markets. Key certification milestones, capacity expansion initiatives, and enhanced distribution reach are expected to drive scale across Wellness, Personal Care, and IVD categories in both B2B and B2C segments.

Established in 1993, CUPID is a manufacturer and brand of male and female condoms, water based personal lubricants, IVD kits, deodorants, perfumes, almond hair oil, body oils, petroleum jelly and other FMCG Products. The company operates with a strong commitment to public health and wellbeing, maintaining ethical business practices aligned with international standards.
Buy or sell stocks: The Indian stock market's benchmark indices  Sensex and Nifty  rallied for the third day on Wednesday, November 12, driven by optimism over improving trade dialogue prospects between India and the US, coupled with encouraging Q2 earnings from key corporates.

Some analysts also attributed the reason behind the market rise to the Bihar exit poll outcome that signals a win for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Buying was seen in IT stocks and index heavyweight Reliance Industries.

The 30-share BSE Sensex rallied 595.19 points, or 0.71%, to settle at 84,466.51. The broader NSE Nifty climbed 180.85 points, or 0.70%, to close at 25,875.80. During the session, both indices rose 0.93%.

Also Read | Big Bet: Foreign and local investors find renewed favour in financial stocks

Stock market today Vaishali Parekh, Vice President of Technical Research at Prabhudas Lilladher, said that Nifty's strong action on Tuesday now positions the index to test the previous peak of 26100, with 25700 acting as a support level. The analyst sees the index rising to 26600 to 26700 levels, once it takes out the current high.

"Nifty continued with the positive move to surge ahead with strength indicated and has crossed above our important hurdle at the 25750 zone to further strengthen the trend, and can anticipate retesting the previous peak level of 26100 zone in the coming sessions," said Parekh.

The index would now have the elevated near-term support zone at the 25700 level, which needs to be sustained to maintain the overall bias intact, and once a breakout above the 26100 level is confirmed, one can expect higher targets of 26600 and 27000 levels in the coming days, the Prabhudas Lilladher analyst added.

Commenting on the Bank Nifty level, Parekh said that BankNifty, after opening on a positive note, once again found resistance near the 58500 zone and in the final hours slipped down to end just below the 58300 level with bias still maintained intact with consolidation happening.

The index, as per the expert, would need a decisive breach above the hurdle at the 58500 level to trigger a fresh upward move in the coming days. "The index would have the important and crucial support positioned near the 50EMA at 56800 level, which needs to be sustained."

The support for the day is seen at 25750 levels, while the resistance is seen at 26100 levels. BankNifty would have the daily range of 57800-58800 levels, opined Parekh.

Vaishali Parekh's stock recommendations today Regarding intraday stocks for today, Vaishali Parekh of Prabhudas Lilladher recommends three stocks to buy: Natco Pharma, Religare Enterprises and Himatsingka Seide.

1. Natco Pharma: Buy at 823 | Target at 860 | Stop loss at 800

2. Religare Enterprises: Buy at 260 | Target at 270 | Stop loss at 255

3. Himatsingka Seide: Buy at 120 | Target at 128 | Stop loss at 117
Groww share price: Billionbrains Garage Ventures, the parent of Indias top discount broker Groww, extended gains a day after listing on Thursday, November 13, as investor interest in the recent stock market debutant remained high.

Groww share price jumped nearly 5% to a fresh high of 137.45 apiece on the BSE in early trade today. Meanwhile, on the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the stock hit a high of 137.44 apiece.

The stock, which saw 31% listing gains on Wednesday, is now trading 37% above its initial public offering (IPO) price of 100. Groww, backed by investors including Microsoft Corp. Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella, hit a market cap of over 83,000 crore today.

Groww breaks poor listing spell According to a Bloomberg report, Groww marks the second-best performance among $500 million-plus offerings this year.

The solid debut comes especially amid the fading listing gains in India's hot IPO market. Ahead of Groww, several marquee names that listed on the stock exchanges, like Studds, Orkla India and eyewear retailer Lenskart, witnessed a tepid start as they all listed at a discount.

Several firms like Pine Labs and PhysicsWallah also trimmed their IPO sizes. However, Groww's bumper debut put into perspective that investor appetite for profitable companies remains high, provided valuations are digestible.

Groww IPO had seen significant interest from investors, with a total subscription of 17.60 times and strong retail and Qualified Institutional Investor subscriptions of 9.43x and 22.02x, respectively, which is demonstrative of their high confidence in the businesss growth story.

The company is the leading discount broker in India. The platform allows customers to invest and trade in stocks (with IPOs), derivatives, bonds, and mutual funds, and facilitates margin trading and personal loans.

The number of active users on Growws platform increased at a CAGR of 52.74% from the beginning of Fiscal 2023 through the three months ended June 30, 2025.

How to trade Groww shares now? While Groww's growth prospects are bullish, some concerns around the broking industry linger. However, analysts find the stock good from a long-term perspective.

Given the companys robust revenue and profit growth, coupled with its innovative digital business model, there is optimism about its long-term potential, said Nitin Jain, Sr. Research Analyst at Bonanza.

While the brokerage industry can expect some near-term headwinds based on recently announced SEBI policy adjustments and regulatory changes, the long-term trend of financialisation and growing retail participation in the Indian capital markets should suggest a strong backdrop of opportunity, said Master Capital Services.

"With Indias largest and fastest-growing investment platform based on active users, Billionbrains Garage Ventures Ltd (Groww) is well-positioned to take advantage of this momentum with its technology-enabled and customer-centric business model," it added.

Shivani Nyati, Head of Wealth at Swastika Investmart advised investors to book part profit and hold the rest for medium to long term with stoploss of 80.
The equity benchmark indices rallied sharply on Wednesday, with the Sensex climbing over 700 points and the Nifty reclaiming the 25,900 mark, supported by broad-based buying amid firm global cues and upbeat investor sentiment following exit polls projecting a strong NDA comeback.

All major indices traded in the green. IT, financial services, oil & gas, and media stocks led the rally.

Three stocks to trade, recommended by NeoTraders Raja Venkatraman:

SONACOMS (Cmp 497.75)

SONACOMS: Buy above 498, stop 480 target 535 (Multiday)

Why its recommended : Sona BLW Precision Forgings Limited (SONACOMS), often referred to as Sona Comstar, is a leading global mobility technology company that designs, manufactures, and supplies components for both electric and non-electric vehicles. Post a brief consolidation a strong thrust above the cloud the prices are hinting at some possible upside in the counter. After generating some support around 470-480 region the prices are steadily heading higher. Post surpassing this level the rise in momentum supported by steady volumes are highlighting possibility of more upward traction.

: Sona BLW Precision Forgings Limited (SONACOMS), often referred to as Sona Comstar, is a leading global mobility technology company that designs, manufactures, and supplies components for both electric and non-electric vehicles. Post a brief consolidation a strong thrust above the cloud the prices are hinting at some possible upside in the counter. After generating some support around 470-480 region the prices are steadily heading higher. Post surpassing this level the rise in momentum supported by steady volumes are highlighting possibility of more upward traction. Key metrics:

P/E: 53.47,

52-week high: 701,

Volume: 1.45M.

Technical analysis: Support at  460, resistance at  530.

Support at 460, resistance at 530. Risk factors: Market volatility and sector-wide fluctuations in geopolitical news could impact returns.

Market volatility and sector-wide fluctuations in geopolitical news could impact returns. Buy : above  498.

: above 498. Target price :  535 in 2 months.

: 535 in 2 months. Stop loss:  480.

STARHEALTH (Cmp 497.60)

STARHEALTH: Buy above 498, stop 487 target 515 (Intraday)

Why its recommended: Star Health and Allied Insurance Co. Ltd. is an Indian company and India's first standalone health insurer, founded in 2006 and headquartered in Chennai. The slow and steady rise since October has not given up and post the consolidation, we are finding the strong surge and this could see some steady upward drive after the rise seen yesterday. With the TS levels holding on in the last two days one can look at going long at current levels.

Star Health and Allied Insurance Co. Ltd. is an Indian company and India's first standalone health insurer, founded in 2006 and headquartered in Chennai. The slow and steady rise since October has not given up and post the consolidation, we are finding the strong surge and this could see some steady upward drive after the rise seen yesterday. With the TS levels holding on in the last two days one can look at going long at current levels. Key metrics:

- P/E: 54.90,

52-week high: 508.75

Volume: 267.81K.

Technical analysis: Support at  465, resistance at  525.

Support at 465, resistance at 525. Risk factors: Rising input costs, increased operational expenses, and potentially foreign exchange impacts.

Rising input costs, increased operational expenses, and potentially foreign exchange impacts. Buy : above  498.

: above 498. Target price :  487.

: 487. Stop loss:  515.

ICICIGI (Cmp 2028.60)

ICICIGI: Buy above 2045, stop  2020 target  2095 (Intraday)

Buy above 2045, stop 2020 target 2095 (Intraday) Why its recommended: ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited is a leading private sector general insurance company in India and a subsidiary of ICICI Bank. The stock has been undergoing some decline and the strong rebound in the last few days are suggesting some upward traction. The rise after some time spent at the TS Bands since last 8 days are generating steady demand in lower timeframes. On back of robust results the strong upmove seen in the prices are signalling possibility of more upward traction. Consider a long opportunity.

ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited is a leading private sector general insurance company in India and a subsidiary of ICICI Bank. The stock has been undergoing some decline and the strong rebound in the last few days are suggesting some upward traction. The rise after some time spent at the TS Bands since last 8 days are generating steady demand in lower timeframes. On back of robust results the strong upmove seen in the prices are signalling possibility of more upward traction. Consider a long opportunity. Key metrics:

P/E: 36.12,

52-week high: 2074.85,

volume: 504.40K.

Technical analysis: Support at  1950, resistance at  2100.

Support at 1950, resistance at 2100. Risk factors : Changes in government policies, cyberSecurity Threats, and operational challenges.

: Changes in government policies, cyberSecurity Threats, and operational challenges. Buy: above  2045.

above 2045. Target price :  2095.

: 2095. Stop loss:  2020.

Stock Market Recap

The equity benchmark indices rallied sharply on Wednesday, November 13, with the Sensex climbing over 700 points and the Nifty reclaiming the 25,900 mark, supported by broad-based buying amid firm global cues and upbeat investor sentiment following exit polls projecting a strong NDA comeback.

Sectoral momentum was robust, with all major indices trading in the green. IT, financial services, oil & gas, and media stocks led the rally, each rising over 1 percent. The Nifty IT index climbed 1.2 percent, driven by gains in Tech Mahindra, TCS, Infosys, and Bharti Airtel, as optimism over a potential IndiaUS trade deal and easing visa concerns lifted sentiment.

The rally was further fuelled by expectations of reduced US tariffs on Indian goods, enhancing prospects for trade-linked sectors such as IT, pharma, and manufacturing.

Outlook for Trading

Positive cues emanating from newsflow both domestic and geopolitical ensured that the trends have revived The markets dipped as expected to the levels mentioned and gave a splendid recovery to once again ignite some bullish bias. With the trends showing some positive traction yet again we should be looking at selecting stocks that are resuming the existing trends. As current scenario indicates a more slow and sedate moves that may continue in the next few days, we will continue to expect some global cues to take the initiative forward.

As trends are showing limitation of sustaining the trends and moving higher, we need to step back and decide on the next course of action. The option data suggests that resistances in Nifty have now moved to 25000 where there is a steady Call Shorting that continues to curb any bullish tendency. Immediate supports continue to remain at 25600 forcing the range to travel between 25600 to 25900 this week. As the Put Call Ratio (PCR) has moved above 1 in Nifty and reached 1 in Bank Nifty we are witnessing some steady bullish enthusiasm once again. could also be reaching oversold levels. Since Bank Nifty has cleared the 53000 mark it seems to be in a better position it could take the lead to take the market higher.

We had mentioned that  .the Open Interest data clearly indicating that there now hurdles have shifted to higher levels at 26000 . These levels could prove to be a hurdle and the gap region now around 25700 could act as a support zone for the reaction that may emerge in the coming sessions. With the market remaining a buy on dip market, we can look at some support zones to buy into that may emerge in the coming sessions. Now, we can observe that Nifty would look at 25700 which has now turned into supports for a pullback to buy into.

After identifying that the Option data had reached oversold status the market has responded resolutely to this data point. While the max pain point has now moved to 25850 highlighting the immediate support rests at 25800 then at 25700. Any dip near these zones could be an intraday play for the long side. A closing below could open some room for downside. With the Open Interest data clearly indicating that hurdles remain at 26000 , we can continue to look at a 30-minute range breakout for creating some longs for a run to 26000.

Register for Mint Extraclass for more tips and advice on how to trade in the stock markets. The next session will be held on 13 November.

Raja Venkatraman is co-founder, NeoTrader. His Sebi-registered research analyst registration no. is INH000016223.

Investments in securities are subject to market risks. Read all the related documents carefully before investing. Registration granted by Sebi and certification from NISM in no way guarantees performance of the intermediary or provide any assurance of returns to investors.

Disclaimer: The views and recommendations given in this article are those of individual analysts. These do not represent the views of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.
Tata Motors on Thursday announced the apportionment ratio for determining the cost of acquisition of shares following the demerger of its Passenger Vehicles (PV) and Commercial Vehicles (CV) businesses.

Tata Motors demerger came into effect on October 1, 2025, and the record date was October 14. The equity shares of the newly demerged commercial vehicle (CV) arm of Tata Motors were listed on BSE and NSE on November 12.

Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles has announced the apportionment of cost of acquisition of equity shares of the company and Tata Motors (formerly TML Commercial Vehicles Limited) pursuant to the demerger.

Also Read | Tata Motors CV arm share listing lifts Nifty 50 count to 51 stocks

Shareholders will allocate 68.85% of their original investment cost to Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd (TMPVL) and 31.15% to Tata Motors Ltd (TMCV), formerly known as TML Commercial Vehicles Ltd, according to the stock exchange filing.

Illustration of Cost Split For instance, if a shareholder held 1,000 Tata Motors shares at 400 per share, the total cost of acquisition would amount to 4,00,000 before the demerger. Based on the Share Entitlement Ratio, 1000 shares of TMLCVL would be allotted to the said shareholder.

The total cost of acquisition of 4,00,000 would be apportioned in the aforesaid ratio:

- 1,24,600 (31.15%) will now represent the cost of acquisition for 1,000 shares of Tata Motors Ltd (CV arm).

- 2,75,400 (68.85%) will represent the cost for 1,000 shares of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd (PV arm).

View full Image Tata Motors shares cost allocation ratio for shareholders.

No Change in Holding Period or Transfer Treatment The company emphasized that the allotment of new Commercial Vehicles shares will not be considered a transfer under Section 47(vid) of the Income Tax Act. Furthermore, the date of acquisition for the new CV shares will be deemed the same as that of the original Tata Motors shares held before the demerger.

Also Read | Tata Motors Demerger: Tax implications on getting TMLCV shares

Post-listing, based on the cost allocation for shareholders, Tata Motors (CV) shareholders have seen significant gains. The cost of acquisition for Tata Motors shares works out to 205.59 based on the record-date price of the consolidated Tata Motors, while the stock is currently trading around 325, reflecting an appreciation of about 58% on cost price, said Prashanth Tapse, Senior VP (Research), Mehta Equities Ltd.

On the other hand, the cost of acquisition for Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles shares comes to 454.41, and with the stock currently trading near 399, shareholders who held the stock on or before the record date are facing a notional loss of approximately 12%, Tapse added.

Tata Motors Demerger Tax Treatment Under the demerger terms, shareholders received one share of Tata Motors Ltd (CV) for every one share held in Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd (PV). Tata Motors demerger will not be treated as a transfer for tax purposes as per the regulations.

The company clarified that the cost of acquisition of shares must be divided in proportion to the net book value of assets transferred in the demerger relative to the net worth of the company immediately before the split.

Tata Motors Share Price Outlook Going forward, Tapse believes challenges are likely to persist for the TMPV segment, as a significant portion of its performance depends on the JLR business, with relatively lower contribution from the domestic segment.

In contrast, TMCV is expected to continue its strong performance, supported by steady demand and operational efficiency, and is likely to deliver decent to healthy returns over the long term, Tapse said.

At 11:45 AM, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles share price was trading 0.65% lower at 399.70 apiece, while Tata Motors share price was trading 0.50% lower at 326.00 apiece on the BSE.
Tata Motors share price fell nearly 3.17% to 319.40 apiece on Thursday ahead of the companys Q2 FY26 results announcement scheduled for November 13, 2025.

A day after its listing, Tata Motors shares plunged due to selling pressure in the market. According to data available on BSE, around 28.88 crore worth of shares changed hands on Thursday.

Also Read | Tata Motors Share Price LIVE: Cost of acquisition announced

On Wednesday, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicle division made its stock market debut at 335 apiece on the NSE, marking a 28.48% premium over the implied value of 260.75 per share. On the BSE, the stock opened at 330.25 per share, reflecting a 26.09% premium compared to its earlier value of 261.90 per share.

Tata Motors Q2 results update In an exchange filing, Tata Motors said that the board will meet on Thursday, November 13, to consider and approve the financial results for the quarter ending on September 30, 2025.

We wish to inform you that a Meeting of the Board of Directors (the Board) of Tata Motors Limited (formerly known as TML Commercial Vehicles Limited) (the Company) is scheduled to be held on Thursday, November 13, 2025, inter alia, to consider and approve the Audited Standalone Financial Results and Unaudited Consolidated Financial Results (with Limited Review) for the second quarter and half year ended September 30, 2025, the company said in the filing.

The company further informed that it will also host an analyst/investor call on the same day as the Q2 results announcement.

We would also like to inform you that post announcement of the aforesaid Financial Results to BSE Limited and National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the Company will schedule an Analyst/Investors call on the same day, which would also be hosted on the Company's website at cv.tatamotors.com, it added.

Also Read | Tata Motors CV arm share listing lifts Nifty 50 count to 51 stocks

Tata Motors demerger details The Tata Motors demerger became effective on October 1, with October 14, 2025, set as the record date. The shares of Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles division was listed on both exchanges on November 12.

Following the demerger, shares of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd (TMPV) started trading independently on October 14 at around 400 per share after record-date adjustments. Based on the pre-demerger closing price of 660.75, the implied value of the Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles arm was estimated to be between 260 and 270 per share.
Its the one scene many fans of Dil Se would prefer wasnt there. Amar (Shah Rukh Khan) has followed Meghna (Manisha Koirala) from her home in the north-east to Ladakh, professing his love all the way. Now, stranded in a vast frozen desert, he loses patience. He confronts her, grabs her arm as she tries to walk away, demands she tell him something real about herself. Would you let me be if I told you the truth?" she asks. No," he admits. They argue some more, he grabs her by her waist, tries to kiss her. I could feel the viewers in the theatre recoil. One rattled young woman later said, I dont remember him being such a stalker."

Well, yes. Nothing is simple in this film, released in 1998 and back in theatres this month, along with a handful of others, to mark Khans 60th birthday. But this much is undeniable: Amar pursues a reluctant Meghna to her hometown (likely somewhere in Assam), gets beaten up for his pains, then tracks her down in Leh. All the while she tells him shes married, that she isnt interested. This is Shah Rukh, so theres great charm and no aggression until that moment in Leh. But it is, by any reasonable standard, stalking. The film is not only aware of this, but is at pains to tell you what it thinks of it. But for that, you have to tear your eyes from Shah Rukh and watch Manisha.

Also Read | How Ritwik Ghatak reinvented cinematic sound

As Amars tone becomes more aggressive, you can see its evolving effect on Meghna. To start with, shes calmly defiant, but when he grabs her mouth and then her waist, shes shocked at the escalation. Her panic intensifies as he tries to kiss her; she struggles, puts her hand up in front of her mouth. Theres a short reprieve, but at night he again invades her space. This time Meghna goes numb with fear. Suddenly, shes lockjawed, unable to breathe. Amar thankfully regains his senses and calms her down. In the years since the films release, a lot of the discourse (which saw a spike last week) has focused on this. Less acknowledged is Koiralas astonishing physical performance and how clearly Ratnam centres Meghnas betrayal and fear.

Theres an evident symbolism at play here. Entitled Delhi boy Amar is the ever-advancing state. Meghna is the outsider" subject, overwhelmed and eventually suffocated. The film encourages us to make this association by having Amar repeatedly identify with the state. When his jeep is stopped by her friends, the first thing he tells them is hes a government servant" and that if anything happens to him word could reach the government". Later, in Delhi, pulled in for questioning by the CBI, he again tells his interrogators hes a government employee like them. He works for All India Radio, an identity he wears on his person as a name tag which he brandishes several times during the film.

Amar has the blithe confidence of an occupier. Granted an interview with an separatist leader, he asks him if hell speak in Hindi and is reprimanded; he compounds the error by telling the man he looks normal, exactly like us". He teases Meghna for having small eyes and a flat nose, the kind of casual xenophobia people from the North-East have long endured. Hes so secure his mind keeps racing aheadhes pestering her to marry him when she wont even give him the time of day.

To ascribe all narrative agency to Amar is to ignore Meghnas quiet corralling of circumstances. The scenes before and after the altercation in Ladakh are key. Meghna, not yet revealed to us as a separatist, is visibly nervous for the bus to leave and take her away from an area crawling with army personnel. Ratnam frames her head-on, Amar chattering away in the seat behind. When soldiers start checking IDs, he shows his AIR badge; she quickly says shes with him. Its the moment she understands Amar is usefulwhich might explain her patience with the rough courting that follows. Though no one realises, the balance of power subtly shifts here. Fascinatingly, Amars subconscious seems to latch on to this, as we see in the hypnotic choreography of Satrangi Re, where his hapless lover is in thrall of a seductive and deadly Meghna.

Yet, Dil Se isnt a straight line. Like Rick and Ilsa in Casablanca (1942), Amar has something Meghna needs, but this doesnt mean the feeling isnt genuine. To reduce their relationship to stalker/manipulator or any other simple binary is unworthy of a film this alive, this beautiful and this conflicted. On their last night in Ladakh, with Amar teasing but respectful, Meghna struggles to hold back her attraction to him. And though she leaves the next morning without a word, we see her wan and distracted back home, turning on the radio to try and catch Amars voice.

From its opening scene, Dil Se unfolds with a kind of dream logic, the rain and dark of the railway platform replaced by the bright expanse of the train-top on which is enacted the greatest of all song choreographies, Chaiyya Chaiyya. Dil Se Re follows soon after, and we have to make sense of Amar and Meghnapractically strangers at this stagerunning through an apocalyptic battlefield like lovers in the final reel of a film. Then were in Ladakh but why? Satrangi Re amps up the madness, Pina Bausch-like choreography at 12,000ft. And theres a detour to Kerala, with an oiled-up, shirtless Khan dancing in Jiya Jale (fittingly, the sole female fantasy). No wonder the film retreats to the relative calm of Delhi and a terrorist plot to blow up the Republic Day parade.

Dil Se is least convincing as a portrait of insurgency. Meghnas fellow soldiers hardly sound like they're from the north-eastern states, and the suicide bomb plan is more characteristic of the LTTE (coincidentally, The Terrorist, a film about a Tamil suicide bomber directed by Santosh Sivan, Dil Ses cinematographer, released that same year). But Ratnam, who also wrote the film, paints their struggle in a sympathetic light, a contrast to his Kashmir-set, more conservative Roja (1992). The Indian intelligence agents (a young Gajraj Rao and Piyush Mishra), on the other hand, are officious and ineffective, the military top brass myopic, and soldiers perpetrators of rape and genocide.

The centre doesnt holdwhich is indicative of Ratnams mood when he conceived the film, in Indias 50th year of independence. As he told critic Baradwaj Rangan in their book-length conversation: The papers were full of articles about what weve done in fifty years, all our achievements, and I felt that there were some problem areas which had not been tackled." When Amar asks locals in Meghna's town about Indias progress since independence, they say theyve seen none of it. One man flatly replies: The Central government terrorises us."

If Dil Se were to be made today, it would be a flatter, easier film, probably from the perspective of intelligence agents racing against time to catch separatists. But then it wouldnt be Dil Se. Watching it last week for the first time ever in a theatre, I felt my breath catch from time to time with the sheer intensity of Sivans images (Dil Se Re alone has a dozen of the most stunning shots youll ever see). Whos shooting like that today? Is it even possible on digital? Whos willing to fund a thorny film with limited commercial prospects? Whos going to get it past the censors? What audience will embrace it?

Ishq par zor nahi, hai yeh woh aatish"love is beyond coercion, it is a fire. This is the hissed warning issued in Satrangi Re. It seems to describe the film itself, which is always on the verge of unravelling, and is aflame from start to finish. The first shot is barbed wire. The last is burning wreckage. In between is love and beauty, duty and death, all indistinguishable from each other.

Dil Se is in select theatres.

Stream the film on Netflix.
Zerodha co-founder and CEO Nithin Kamath took to social media to explain to followers how they could benefit from tech giant Infosys's historic buyback, and how to calculate their gains or taxes based on this.

Notably, bellwether IT stock Infosys is undertaking its 18,000 crore share buyback tomorrow, 14 November, offering investors a chance to participate in the mega offer.

In a detailed post on X (formerly Twitter), Kamath explained the taxation and determination of either capital gains or losses.

Nithin Kamath on Infosys' record buyback tomorrow Notably, with the date set for tomorrow, only those with shares in the company on or before 14 November 2025 will be eligible to participate in the buyback.

Kamath also informed his followers of the same, Infy (Infosys) is one of the most highly held stocks by investors, and the record date for their massive buyback is November 14th, the biggest buyback ever in India. That is, you can participate in the buyback if you hold the shares in your demat account as of November 14.

Notably, with the T+1 settlement system in place, investors had till market close today (November 13) to purchase Infosys shares for participation.

Nithin Kamath: Understand how taxation on buybacks works On taxation, Nithin Kamath sought to explain how participants should view the calculations.

I think it is essential to understand how you will be taxed on this. If you participate in the buyback at 1,800 (current price is ~ 1,550), here's the taxation: The money you receive from the buyback is considered income from other sources and is taxed at your applicable slab rate. And, the entire investment value is then considered as a capital loss, he pointed out.

One scenario where the buyback becomes attractive is when you have other capital gains that can be offset against these capital losses, he noted.

On how the capital gains or losses work over differing periods, he said, By the way, if the investment was done <1 year, then it is a short-term capital loss, and >1 year, it is a long-term capital loss. Otherwise, it is essentially like a dividend.

The post ended with him suggesting that Zerodha users can access the platform's Tax P&L reports, which have a separate section for buybacks, to understand how their individual calculations would work out.
New Delhi: Environmental think-tank iFOREST on Thursday released Indias first ESG (environmental, social, and governance) report for the steel industry, introducing a common system to track and report carbon emissions and enhance sustainability disclosures.

The report also includes a steel-specific supplement to the Securities and Exchange Board of India's (Sebi) Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR), which is designed to improve disclosure quality and attract climate finance.

The report comes at a time when decarbonization of steel sector has gained attention globally due to high carbon intensity of the industry and trade barriers being erected by various western economies, including the European Union that is implementing Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), a carbon tariff on carbon-intensive products such as steel.

India has already started taking steps to reduce carbon intensity of its steel sector by devising green steel taxonomy. Implementation of globally acceptable Greenhouse Gas (GHG) accounting and MRV (monitoring, reporting & verification) framework would be the next step towards making Indian steel industry more green compliant.

India needs trillions of dollars in climate finance to meet its mitigation and adaptation targets. To attract this level of finance, three elements are necessary. The first is a taxonomy that clearly defines climate finance, ensuring inclusion and exclusion are transparent. The second is a clear policy roadmap to decarbonize sectors to build investor confidence. The third is credible, comparable, and verifiable information to guide investment decisions," Chandra Bhushan, chief executive officer of iFOREST, said at the launch of the report.

"Our work today focuses on the last pillartransparent ESG reporting for the steel sector. This will strengthen credible GHG emissions disclosure and enhance ESG reporting quality to attract climate finance into the sector, he added.

Also Read | DFS launches Start-up Common Application on Jan Samarth portal

The iron and steel industry, one of Indias most resource- and energy-intensive sectors, contributes around 12% of national carbon dioxide (CO) emissions. With steel output projected to rise from 140 million tonnes in 2023 to 255 million tonnes by 2030, and further to 500 million tonnes by 2050, the sectors decarbonization is critical to Indias net-zero goals set for 2070.

At the India Green Steel Transition event in New Delhi, hosted in partnership with the industry body Indian Steel Association, iFOREST launched three key reports: BRSR Disclosure: ESG Performance of the Steel Sector (202324); BRSR Supplement for the Steel Sector: Enhancing ESG Disclosure and Transparency; and Unified GHG Accounting and MRV Framework for the Iron and Steel Sector.

Bhushan said that reporting standards developed by the think-tank could be used both by Indian steel industry and the ministry of steel to standardize green processes in steel sector that are also globally benchmarked.

iFOREST's BRSR analysis covered 31 reporting companies, representing 65% of Indias crude steel output and 60% of sector revenue. The study found that the sector emitted 221 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (COe) in FY24, with an emission intensity of 2.54 tCOe per tonne of steel, higher than the global average of 1.92 tCOe/t. Renewable energy accounts for less than 0.5% of total energy use in the sector, while nearly half of water withdrawals occur in water-stressed regions.

Also Read | Centre shifts focus from size of public capex to quality and impact of spending

The report highlights persistent social and governance gaps, with women forming 18% of board members and 7% of key managerial roles in the steel sector, and 56% of the workforce employed on contracts. Only 16 companies have formal anti-corruption frameworks.

The way forward is to develop sector-specific BRSR reporting guidelines to provide credible information to investors. Sectoral GHG emission targets, supported by robust MRV systems, are essential to meet net zero goals. Along with disclosure, we also need a well-defined taxonomy to drive investments, said Ajay Tyagi, former Sebi chairman.

Alok Sahay, secretary general, Indian Steel Association, said, Steel in India is not just an industry; it serves a social purpose. The Indian steel industry will require an investment of 9 lakh crore to fund its greening initiatives. The unified GHG accounting and MRV framework, along with the ESG supplement released by iFOREST today, will play an important role in the disclosure of comparable and verifiable information.

To address inconsistencies in emissions reporting, iFOREST unveiled a unified India-specific GHG accounting tool that simplifies and standardizes emissions tracking.
To protect domestic steelmakers, the finance ministry has imposed anti-dumping duties on specific Vietnamese steel products for five years.

Acting on the directorate general of trade remedies (DGTR) recommendation, the government has levied a duty of $121.5 per tonne on hot-rolled flat products of alloy and non-alloy steel from Vietnam.

However, according to experts the impact of the tariffs will be minimal.

The duty on hot-rolled coils (HRC) is unlikely to impact the market immediately, as there were no imports of HRC from Vietnam recorded in the first half of FY26, said Dhruv Goel, chief executive officer of Big Mint, a market intelligence firm.

Instead, importers are bringing in more semi-finished steel like billets and slabs, which are later converted into HRC. Since these imports dont attract any duty, they serve as an indirect route to bring in cheaper material, putting pressure on domestic steel prices," said Goel.

A senior executive at one of Indias top five steelmakers, requesting anonymity, said the governments action falls short of whats needed."

This assumes significance as Indias steel industry continues to battle price pressures from domestic oversupply and cheap overseas inflows. Despite multiple tariff walls, importers are exploiting gaps by routing semi-finished steel that faces no duty.

The new levy may plug one leak but leaves several open. Industry wants India to step up on protectionism to ensure improvement in domestic prices.

Rising semi imports

Vietnamese HRC imports made up 11% of Indias HRC inflows last year, falling to 0.45 million tonnes (mt) in FY25 from 0.62 mt in FY24, according to Big Mint. The fall was after the expiry of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification for Vietnamese mills, said Goel.

But semi-finished steel imports have surgedfrom 0.17 million tonnes in FY25 to 0.49 million tonnes in the first half of FY26, as per Big Mint data.

According to the Steel Ministry, India imported $242 million worth of semi steel products from Vietnam between April and Septemberan 887% jump year-on-year. The government is yet to come out with numbers on volumes.

More protectionist measures are required as India remains vulnerable to cheaper imports and depressed prices," the executive said.

Globally, protectionist measures range between 2550%, while in India they are less than 15%. Even the anti-dumping duty on Vietnam covers only one company (Hoa Phat) and one product category (hot-rolled coils). Other importers, such as MRS Steela Vietnam-based distributor bringing in semi-finished productsare outside the dutys scope.", he added.

The big picture

Hot-rolled coils are used to make pipes, tubes, automobiles, and construction materials, while billets and slabs are semi-finished steel products that are further processed to produce finished items like bars and sheets.

In an earlier interview with Mint, JSW Steels chief executive officer and managing director Jayant Acharya had mentioned how importers were finding loopholes in a separate 12% safeguard duty imposed on steel imports this April, and one of the work arounds was buying semi-finished steel, which doesnt attract the safeguard duty, and then processing it further domestically.

Apart from Vietnam, Indias biggest steel suppliers include South Korea, Japan, and China. India produced 146.56 million tonnes of finished steel in FY25, of which 54.12 million tonnes was HRC.

Also Read | Jindal Steel outshines SAIL despite a weak Q2

Consumption outpaced production at 152 million tonnes of finished steel, including 56.90 million tonnes of HRC, according to the steel ministry. India imported 9.55 million tonnes during the same period. For the first half of FY26, India produced 78.5 million tonnes of finished steel and consumption was 78.6 million tonnes. Imports stood at 3.4 million tonnes, of which a third is HRC, while exports were at 2.8 million tonnes.

India has previously imposed similar anti-dumping tariffs on seamless tubes and pipes, stainless steel pipes, and electro-galvanised steel from countries including China, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, and Thailand, as per a Rajya Sabha submission by Union steel minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on 12 August.
The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, on Thursday reacted to a car blast in Delhi near Red Fort and termed it a terrorist attack.

Rubio made the remark while speaking in Canada, and also commended India on the ongoing investigations, calling it very measured and very professional.

Yeah, were aware of the potential that that holds. But I think the Indians are  need to be commended; they have been very measured and cautious and very professional in how theyre carrying out this investigation, said Rubio.

Further stating that clearly, it was a terrorist attack, Rubio added, It was a car loaded with highly explosive materials that detonated and killed a lot of people.

"Were aware of the potential that it has  the potential that it has to become something broader. But I think were going to wait and see what their investigation reveals, Rubio said.

At least 13 people were killed after a powerful explosion ripped through a slow-moving car near the Red Fort area on Monday.

On Wednesday, the government had termed the explosion as a heinous terror incident, directing investigating agencies to deal with the case with the "utmost urgency and professionalism."

Rubio also met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the margins of the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Niagara.

Following his meeting with Rubio, Jaishankar said in a post on X: Good to meet @SecRubio this morning at #G7 FMM. Appreciate his condolences on the loss of lives in the blast in Delhi. Discussed our bilateral ties, focusing on trade and supply chains. Exchanged views on the Ukraine conflict, the Middle East/West Asia situation and Indo-Pacific.

Also Read | Delhi blast suspect Dr Umar Nabi seen at Turkman Gate Mosque | Viral CCTV clips

US offers help The Secretary of State said that US has offered to help and added, I think theyre very capable in these investigations. They dont need our help. Theyre doing a good job.

Also Read | How big was Delhi blast? New CCTV video shows a calm before blinding flash

Crackdown in valley In a crackdown on subversive elements, several locations in the valley's Baramulla, Pulwama, and Shopian districts were raided on Thursday.

The raids were aimed at neutralising subversive and law-defying elements, and reinforcing the overall climate of public order and civic assurance, reported PTI quoting a police spokesperson.
Schools across various states of India have revised schedules this week either due to bye-elections or worsening air pollution. While Bihar and Telangana have declared holidays for polling and counting, DelhiNCR and Noida schools are adopting hybrid learning and additional safety measures.

Some schools in Delhi have reportedly suspended junior classes on Children's Day, Friday, 14 November as well.

Here's a glimpse at schools in which areas are open, closed

Delhi schools to operate in hybrid mode under GRAP III In Delhi, classes up to Grade 5 will continue in hybrid mode under GRAP-III restrictions, allowing parents to choose between online and in-person learning. Some schools have suspended junior classes on Childrens Day (14 November) as well.

Officials said if pollution levels worsen, schools are ready to switch fully online.

Health authorities have also urged parents to limit childrens outdoor exposure and check daily AQI updates.

Are schools in Noida open or closed? In Noida, schools will remain open but have suspended all outdoor activities, including assemblies and sports, due to severe air quality. Many institutions have opted for hybrid classes and are closely monitoring pollution levels for further action, as per reports.

Are schools closed in Bihar for counting? In Bihar, several schools are closed as they serve as polling stations or accommodation centres for election staff during the ongoing bye-elections  with the counting of votes scheduled for Friday, 14 November. Classes are expected to resume once the entire process ends. These closures apply mainly to districts involved in polling and counting operations.

Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 were held in two phases, with the first phase held on 6 November, and the second phase on 11 November. The election results will be declared on 14 November, which is Friday.

Jubilee Hills bye-election: Are Telangana schools closed? November 14 was declared paid holidays for schools and offices serving as polling or counting centres by Hyderabad District Collector and Magistrate Harichandana Dasari on November 7, 2025. Updates were reportedly shared with parents through SMS, WhatsApp, and school apps.

This by-poll was held due to the death of BRS MLA Maganti Gopinath in June this year, following a heart attack. Votes will be counted on 14 November.
Working women aged between 18 and 52 years in both the public and private sectors in Bengaluru will now be entitled to one day of paid menstrual leave each month. The order issued by the State Labour Department applies to permanent, contract, and outsourced women employees working in companies registered under the Factories Act, 1948; Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961; Plantation Workers Act, 1951; Beedi and Cigar Workers (Conditions of Employment) Act, 1966; and Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961.

The Karnataka government had approved the Menstrual Leave Policy last month.

The concerned employers are directed to provide 12 days of paid leave per annum  one day per month  during the menstrual cycle to all permanent, contract, and outsourced female employees aged between 18 and 52 years, the government order stated.

It is applicable to women working in all industries and establishments registered under the above Acts, with the intention of improving their health, efficiency, performance, and mental well-being, it added.

Can leave be carried forward? As per the order, menstrual leave must be used within the same month and cannot be carried forward to the next month.

What are the key details of the Menstrual Leave Policy? Leave duration: Women are entitled to one paid leave day per month, totalling 12 days per year.

Eligibility: The policy covers women working in state government offices, multinational corporations, garment factories, IT firms, and other private organisations.

The proposal was initially drafted to allow six days of menstrual leave in 2024, but it was later revised to 12 days giving women the flexibility to take one day a month or combine them if required.

Also Read | Karnataka govt approves paid menstrual leave for all working women. Detail here

Karnatakas workforce comprises over 60 lakh women, with an estimated 2530 lakh employed in the corporate and IT sectors. The garment industry alone employs about five lakh workers, nearly 90% of whom are women.

Also Read | Karnataka govt to grant six days of annual paid menstrual leave: Labour Minister
Calcutta High Court on Thursday cancelled the membership of senior leader Mukul Roy in the West Bengal assembly under the anti-defection law, as reported by PTI.

Roy was elected to the House on a BJP ticket in May 2021, but joined the ruling Trinamool Congress in August that year in the presence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee.

A division bench presided by Justice Debangsu Basak disqualified Roy as a member of the state assembly, passing judgment on petitions by Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and BJP MLA Ambika Roy.

Adhikari had filed the petition before the high court, challenging Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjees decision rejecting his plea to disqualify Roy under the anti-defection law, alleging that he switched over to the ruling TMC after being elected on a BJP ticket.
China ready to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with Guinea: vice premier

Xinhua) 09:44, November 13, 2025

Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, meets with Guinean President Mamadi Doumbouya at the presidential office in Conakry, Guinea, Nov. 11, 2025. Liu visited the West African country from Monday to Wednesday. He also attended the inauguration of the Simandou iron ore mine project as President Xi Jinping's special representative. (Xinhua/Zhang Jian)

CONAKRY, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- China stands ready to build on its long-standing friendship with Guinea, enhance mutual support, and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong has said.

Liu, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks during a visit to the West African country from Monday to Wednesday at the latter's invitation. He also attended the inauguration of the Simandou iron ore mine project as President Xi Jinping's special representative.

During his visit, Liu met with Guinean President Mamadi Doumbouya. The two sides held in-depth discussions on China-Guinea relations and cooperation across various fields.

Conveying Xi's cordial greetings to Doumbouya, Liu commended Guinea's progress in economic and social development and extended warm congratulations on the rapid and efficient completion of the Simandou project.

Liu underlined the project as a fruit of nearly 70 years of friendship and cooperation between China and Guinea, as well as between China and Africa, noting that it will play a vital role in advancing Guinea's economic development and the implementation of its Simandou 2040 strategic plan.

During the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) last year, Xi had a successful meeting with Doumbouya, which charted the course for the future development of bilateral relations, said the Chinese vice premier.

Noting that the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee has drawn up a blueprint for China's development over the next five years, Liu said that China is willing to build on its long-standing friendship with Guinea, enhance mutual support, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, fully implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and join hands to advance modernization.

Doumbouya asked Liu to extend his sincere greetings to Xi.

Guinea views its relations with China from a strategic perspective, cherishes the traditional friendship between the two countries, welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest in Guinea, and will create favorable conditions for the two sides to expand cooperation across multiple fields, he said.

Doumbouya also expressed Guinea's willingness to enhance international cooperation with China and work together to safeguard their sovereignty, security, and development interests.

Liu also attended the signing and unveiling ceremony of the China-Africa Joint Medical Center in Guinea.

Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, attends the signing and unveiling ceremony of the China-Africa Joint Medical Center in Guinea, Nov. 12, 2025. Liu visited the West African country from Monday to Wednesday. He also attended the inauguration of the Simandou iron ore mine project as President Xi Jinping's special representative. (Xinhua/Zhang Jian)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chengliang)
Delhi blast case: India's National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), which evaluates and certifies the educational institutions, on 12 November 2025, issued a show-cause notice to Faridabad's Al-Falah University for displaying false accreditation on its website, reported the news agency ANI.

This show-cause notice comes amid the Delhi blast case investigation, in which several doctors from the same Al-Falah University have been arrested for alleged involvement and links to the primary person accused in the investigations, named Dr Umar Nabi.

NAAC's heat on Al-Falah University NAAC, on Wednesday, issued its show-cause notice to Faridabad's Al-Falah University, highlighting that the educational institution is running its operations without accreditation or volunteering for the Cycle-1 for A&A while claiming to do so.

It is brought to the notice of NAAC that the Al-Falah University neither accredited nor volunteered for Cycle-1 for A&A has publicly displayed on their website, according to the official notice.

NAAC highlighted that the Al-Falah University is owned by an Al-Falah Charitable Trust, which has been operating three colleges on the same campus that claim to have an official accreditation.

Also Read | Al-Falah University breaks silence after two doctors held in terror module case

Al-Falah University is an endeavour of Al-Falah Charitable Trust, which has been running three colleges on the campus, namely Al Falah School of Engineering and Technology (since 1997, Graded A by NAAC), Brown Hill College of Engineering and Technology (since 2008), and Al-Falah School of Education and Training (since 2006, Graded A by NAAC). which is absolutely wrong and misleading the public, especially the parents, students and stakeholders, according to the official show-cause notice.

The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) asked a series of questions to the educational institution about why legal or disciplinary actions should not be taken against the university, why NAAC should not recommend the Haryana government to take action, etc.

Delhi blast case links The Delhi Red Fort blast linked to the Al-Falah University after several media reports highlighted that the people who are allegedly linked to the Red Fort blast earlier this week were all working in the same educational institution.

The primary person accused in the investigations, named Dr Umar Nabi, along with his two accomplices, Dr Muzammil Shakeel and Dr Shaheen Shahid, were all working at the Al-Falah University. These three accused, along with Dr Adeel, are individuals linked to past terror cases.

Mint reported earlier that the man who carried out the car blast in Delhi on Monday, 10 November 2025, was Dr Umar Un Nabi, who was identified after matching his DNA sample with that of his mother.

At the spot, Umar's leg was found trapped between the steering wheel and the accelerator of the car, which suggested that he was driving the car during the bomb blast. Reports suggest that the investigations into the developments are still underway.
Delhi Red Fort blast: Around eight suspects planned to carry out a serial blast at four locations, investigative agency sources told ANI on Thursday. Sources said the suspects had planned to move to four cities in pairs, each group carrying multiple improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Each group was supposed to carry multiple IEDs [improvised explosive device] along with them, they said.

The agency is also investigating whether the suspects prepared separate vehicles for the blasts.

After the i20 and EcoSport cases, it was learned that the suspects were planning to prepare two more similar old vehicles, which would contain explosives and enlarge the target, sources said.

Sources revealed that the Delhi Red Fort blast accused Dr Muzammil, Dr Adeel, Dr Umar Nabi, and Dr Shaheen Shahid jointly raised around 20 lakh in cash, which was handed over to Umar.

They later procured more than 20 quintals of NPK Fertiliser worth 3 lakh from Gurugram, Nuh and nearby areas intended for IED preparation, sources said.

There was also a money dispute between Umar and Dr Mujammil. Umar created a group with 2-4 members on the Signal app, National Investigation Agency (NIA) sources added.

Delhi Red Fort Blast At least 13 people were killed near the Lal Quila Metro Station on Monday evening after a blast occurred in a slow-moving Hyundai i20 car.

According to sources, the initial post-mortem findings of the Delhi blast victims revealed severe injuries, including broken bones and head trauma.

Meanwhile, Faridabad Police seized a red Ford EcoSport (registration number DL 10 CK 0458), suspected to be linked to Dr Umar Un Nabi, the prime suspect in the Delhi blast case.

Tracking Umar Un Nabi Sources said Dr Umar Nabi stayed at a mosque on Asaf Ali Road near Ramlila Maidan before the blast. He then drove directly to the Sunehri Masjid parking lot, where he parked his car at approximately 3:19 pm.

Investigators are probing Umar's mobile phone and Signal history. Delhi Police had earlier issued an alert for the red Ford EcoSport, registered in the name of Umar Un Nabi, and shared the car's details with Uttar Pradesh and Haryana Police.

Probe on As part of the probe into the terror-linked blast, the NIA will visit Al-Falah Medical College in Faridabad's Dhouj, where Umar allegedly had connections.

The NIA has constituted a "dedicated and comprehensive" investigation team to probe the terror-linked blast, believed to be executed by a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) module.

The team will be led by senior officers of the rank of Superintendent of Police and above, ensuring a coordinated and in-depth investigation.

The move follows the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) formally handing over the case to the NIA, citing a terror angle behind the explosion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) at his residence on Wednesday to discuss the Delhi blast case.
Delhi Police on Thursday said that newly obtained CCTV footage from the day of the Red Fort blast shows the prime suspect, Dr Umar Nabi, entering Delhi through the Badarpur border toll plaza.

The footage also captures him later walking near a mosque close to the Ramlila Maidan.

Also Read | Delhi Blast LIVE Updates: Delhi Police hunt for suspected Brezza vehicle

In the footage from the Badarpur toll plaza, Umar can be seen driving a white Hyundai i20 car and stopping at the toll gate around 8.02 am on 10 November, the day of the explosion. The car pauses briefly as Umar takes out cash and hands it to the toll operator before proceeding, PTI reported.

Watch the video here:

Investigators said Umar, who was wearing a mask, repeatedly looked toward the CCTV camera  apparently aware that security agencies were on his trail.

"A large bag can also be seen placed on the back seat of the car, believed to have contained explosives," a senior police officer said, as reported by PTI.

His repeated glances toward the CCTV camera suggest that he knew the agencies were looking for him, and he was consciously monitoring his surroundings, the officer added, as reported by PTI.

Later that day, another CCTV clip from a lane near a mosque close to the Ramlila Maidan shows Umar walking along a narrow stretch before briefly turning his head  the moment his face is clearly captured on camera. Police suspect that he visited the mosque to offer prayers before proceeding toward Red Fort.

A powerful explosion shook the national capital on Monday evening when the same Hyundai i20 car detonated near the Red Fort at 6:52 PM, killing 13 people and injuring several others. The blasts impact damaged multiple nearby vehicles and scattered debris across the road.

Officials stated that Umar was captured on several CCTV recordings from across Delhi on the day of the incident, including footage from the Sunehri Masjid parking lot near the Red Fort. He reportedly arrived there at 3:19 PM and left at 6:28 PM, just 24 minutes before the explosion.

Forensic teams have collected over 40 samples from the blast site, including mangled remains of the vehicle and human body parts, while a special team of experts has been constituted to analyse the material and determine the type of explosives used, PTI reported.

Police said efforts are underway to trace Umars possible handlers and reconstruct his movements throughout the day to determine whether he had any accomplices.
The Faridabad Police detained the man who parked the red EcoSport in Khandwali, Faridabad, intelligence agency sources told news agency ANI as saying. The man was identified as Faheem, who is also a relative of accused Dr Umar Un Nabi.

The Delhi Police on Thursday confirmed that the man who carried out the high-intensity blast near the iconic Red Fort in the national capital was Dr Umar Un Nabi, after forensic DNA testing matched his biological sample with that of his mother.

Investigators revealed that Dr Umar Nabi drove the vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED)-laden Hyundai i20 car that exploded near the Red Fort metro station on 10 November 2025. The high-intensity blast had ripped through a slow-moving car near Delhi's Red Fort area on Monday evening.

The DNA samples of Dr Umar's mother and brother were collected and sent to the AIIMS forensic laboratory, where they were matched with the remains of the bodies kept at Lok Nayak Hospital in Delhi.

A senior Delhi police official said, A DNA test confirmed that the man who carried out the blast near Red Fort was Dr Umar Un Nabi.

After the blast, his leg was stuck between the steering wheel and accelerator. His DNA sample matched with his mother, the senior officer told news agency ANI.

Who was Umar Un Nabi? Umar Un Nabi was an assistant professor at Al-Falah University in Haryana's Faridabad district, news agency PTI reported earlier. He was allegedly part of the terror module busted with the recovery of explosives, mainly from Faridabad.

Umar hailed from the Koil village in Lethpora in Pulwama district. Officials said he carried explosives, possibly ammonium nitrate, in the car, which exploded near the Red Fort on 10 November, officials said.

Investigations reportedly revealed that Umar waited in the Sunehri Masjid parking lot near the Red Fort for nearly three hours while scouring the internet for updates regarding his associates' arrest in Faridabad.

The investigators also managed to establish an 11-hour trail of Umar's vehicle.

Identification of Umar a major breakthrough Sources told news agency ANI that the identification of Umar is a major breakthrough in the ongoing probe into the Delhi terror blast case, which left 13 people dead and several injured, and triggered panic in the national capital. The blast occurred near Red Fort, a high-security and heritage zone, raising serious security concerns.

Speaking to ANI, Dr Sudhir Gupta, Head of Forensic Medicine at AIIMS Delhi, said DNA profiling is used in human identification to match an individual to a biological sample by analysing unique sections of their DNA. DNA profiling is considered to be a powerful tool in forensic science for identifying suspects or victims, and it also establishes biological relationships.

"This is a powerful tool and gold standard in forensic science for identifying suspects, victims, and establishing biological relationships, and it is used in cases like criminal investigations, disaster victim identification, and paternity tests," he said

Faridabad terror module link Umar was a key member of a "white collar" terror module busted earlier this week. The blast near Red Fort took place just hours after Jammu and Kashmir Police seized nearly 3,000 kilograms of explosives in Faridabad.

Police had busted the terror module with links to proscribed Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, and arrested eight people, including three doctors.
A loud bang was heard near the Radisson Hotel in Delhi's Mahipalpur area on Thursday morning, triggering panic among locals. The incident was reported in the backdrop of a high-intensity explosion near Red Fort, Delhi, that killed 12 people.

What caused the loud bang? Officials confirmed that the loud sound was caused by a tyre burst and not an explosion.

Officials told news agency PTI that the fire department received a call regarding the incident around 9:18 am on Thursday.

Soon after the incident, the fire brigade and police teams rushed immediately to the scene to determine the cause of the explosion.

The Delhi Police investigated the incident and later confirmed that the loud noise was caused by a tyre burst and not an explosion.

What did Delhi Police say? The Delhi Police took to X to inform that a call of a blast near Radisson, Mahipalpur, in Delhi, was received, and staff were rushed to the spot.

"The caller was contacted and it was informed that while the caller was on the way to Gurugram, a loud noise was heard," police posted on X.

They said no incident site was found on the spot.

Police said that during the local enquiry, a guard informed that the rear tyre of a DTC bus going towards Dhaula Kuan had burst, and so the sound had come.

The police later confirmed that the situation was under control, with no casualties or damage reported.

"The situation is normal and there is nothing to worry about," police said.

Delhi Red Fort blast This incident comes amid heightened security in the national capital following the November 10 car blast near Delhi's Red Fort that claimed 12 lives.

A massive blast had rocked Delhi on Monday evening when a Hyundai i20 car exploded around 6:50 pm near the Red Fort.

The impact of the explosion was such that several vehicles were damaged, and visuals from the site showed mangled bodies and scattered debris.

Officials said Umar, who is suspected to have been driving the explosives-laden car, was seen in multiple CCTV clips recorded across Delhi on the day of the incident.

One particular piece of footage from the Sunehri Masjid parking lot near the Red Fort shows him entering at 3:19 pm and leaving at 6:28 pm, barely 24 minutes before the explosion occurred.

Also Read | Delhi Blast LIVE Updates: Delhi Police hunt for suspected Brezza vehicle

In connection with that blast, security forces from different states have arrested seven people who are allegedly part of a "transnational terror module," while also seizing thousands of kilograms of explosives, detonators, timers and other bomb-making equipment.

Multiple people were arrested in Haryana's Faridabad earlier this week. Later on, some people in Jammu and Kashmir were arrested a few days before the blast took place.

According to the police, Dr Umar, who was allegedly driving the car in which the Red Fort explosion occurred, was also a member of the module. He allegedly hurried the plans for the blast after the module was busted. He has close ties with two other doctors, also part of the alleged module.

According to security forces, Dr Umar met two other people while he was living in Al-Falah Medical College, Dr Muzammil Ahmad Ganai and Dr Adeel Rather.
A Delhi-bound Air India flight from Toronto received a bomb threat on Thursday while it was mid-air, before landing safely in the national capital.

The Delhi Police received a message about the threat at around 11.30 AM when the flight was a little over four hours away from Delhi, reported PTI, quoting sources.

However, the flight landed safely at Delhi airport around 3.40 PM and was parked for the mandatory security checks by officials as per protocol.

The flight AI188, operated with a Boeing 777 aircraft, was assessed by the Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) constituted at the Delhi airport. However, sources said that the threat was found non-specific.

Also Read | IndiGo, AI Express bomb threats trigger alert at major airports including Delhi

Meanwhile, in a statement, the airline's spokesperson said that the on-board crew carried out all the laid-down security drills, keeping passenger safety and security as top priority.

All passengers and crew have disembarked safely, added the spokesperson.

The development comes amid a car blast in Delhi near the Red Fort area in which at least 13 people lost their lives and several others suffered injuries. The government is treating the blast as a 'terror incident'.

According to a PTI report, on Wednesday, IndiGo airline received a message that there is a bomb threat for five airports, including Delhi and Mumbai. The message claimed a bomb threat to airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram.

An Air India Express flight from Mumbai to Varanasi also received a bomb threat. The flight safely landed at the Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport and the threat turned out to be a hoax.

According to the Gomti Zone police, the Air Traffic Control (ATC) in Kolkata informed the Varanasi ATC around 3:58 PM about a possible bomb threat to flight IX-1023 coming from Mumbai.

Following the alert, security agencies at the Varanasi airport were put on high alert before the flight with 182 passengers on board landed safely at 4:19 PM, officials said.

The CISF and airport security teams conducted an intensive search operation and frisking of passengers after the plane landed as part of standard protocol, they said.
As investigators dig deeper into the deadly Delhi car blast and the white-collar terror module, Al-Falah University  a private institution tucked away in a quiet Faridabad village  is now under the scanner.

Spread across 76 acres in Dhauj village of Haryanas Faridabad district, Al-Falah University has found itself under intense scrutiny after diaries and notebooks containing codes and cryptic dates by Delhi blast suspects Dr Umar Mohammad and Dr Muzammil Ganaie were seized.

This comes after a high-intensity blast ripped through a Hyundai i20 car near Delhi's Red Fort on Monday, killing at least 13 people and injuring several others.

Where is Al-Falah University located? Located about 30 km from Delhi, Al-Falah University was established under the Haryana Private Universities Act and is managed by the Al-Falah Charitable Trust, founded in 1995, as per the institute's website.

The university started as an engineering college in 1997 and was granted university status in 2014 by the Haryana government. A report by India Today mentioned that Al-Falah University's medical college, which started in 2019, operates a hospital with around 700 beds.

Falah is the Arabic word for salvation  especially from self-improvement  happiness and well-being.

What is the link between Al-Falah University and Delhi blast? Al-Falah University came under scrutiny after three doctors associated with the institution were linked to the blast near Delhi's Red Fort on 10 November.

Pulwama-based doctor Mohammad Umar Nabi, who was suspected to have been behind the wheel of the Hyundai i20 car which exploded, was an assistant professor at the university.

Dr Muzammil Ganaie, who was also among the arrested, was a teacher at the Al-Falah University.

Authorities have also detained Dr Shaheen Sayeed. Reports reveal that she was allegedly tasked with establishing the women's wing of terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed in India, known as Jamaat-ul-Mominaat.

Why are building 17 and room no 13 of the University under scrutiny? As per reports, diaries and notebooks  mentioning dates from 8-12 November and repeated use of the word "Operation'  were seized from Umar's room number 4 and Dr Muzammil's room number 13, in building 17 of Al-Falah University.

Al-Falah's NAAC accreditation The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), on Thursday, issued a show-cause notice to the institute for displaying false accreditation on its website.

The notice states that Al-Falah University has neither been accredited nor volunteered for Cycle One for Assessment and Accreditation, as has been publicly displayed on its website.

What Al-Falah said about the case In a statement released on Wednesday, Al-Falah University refuted all allegations. The university said its laboratories are used solely and exclusively for the academic and training requirements of MBBS students and other authorised courses.

It also took note of baseless and misleading stories being circulated by online platforms, "with the clear intent of maligning the reputation and goodwill of the University.
India has remained a leading source of immigrants to developed countries ever since it displaced China during the pandemic, according to a recent report by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

The 2025 edition of the International Migration Outlook said India consolidated its position in 2023 and held a clear lead over all other origin countries in migration to a group of 38 OECD countries, such as the US, the UK, Canada and Australia.

However, the report also pointed to various shifts that are underway: India lost its top country status in 2024 in terms of international student migration to the US and the UK, while China took the lead.

On the other hand, continued high demand for healthcare professionals propelled significant migration from India. Mint explores the key trends:



At the top

Over 600,000 Indians moved to OECD nations in 2023, an 8.1% rise compared to the previous year. This is over 1.5 times the 368,000 migration from China.

The report pointed out that India and China have long been the top sources of migrants to OECD countries, outside humanitarian crises. Since the covid pandemic, India has surpassed China as the largest source of migrants and has held on to that lead.

Traditionally, Australia, Canada, the UK and the US have been the top destinations for Indian migration. In 2023, one in four Indians chose the UK (144,000), recording a rise of 28% from the previous year.

However, even before Donald Trumps protectionist policies, immigration to the US the worlds largest economy  declined by 45% to 68,000, showing a sharp contrast with other top nations. This trend is likely to worsen with stricter policies by the current administration.

Citizenship count

According to the latest data from the report, 225,000 Indians acquired citizenship in OECD countries in 2023, the highest among all countries. War-torn Syria was a distant second at 150,000. In absolute terms, Canada, the US, Australia and the UK were the top choices, accounting for 84.2% of total Indian naturalisations in OECD nations.

A country-wise analysis by Mint showed that over time, Australia and Canada have emerged as the most generous destinations, offering the largest shares of their total citizenships to Indians. Australias share rose to 21% in 2023, up from 15.6% in 2013.

Also Read | Skills mismatch, migration to metros hurting recruitments in small cities

Canada saw a similar surge, with nearly one-fifth of its new citizens being of Indian originalmost double the proportion a decade ago. The share of citizenships offered to Indians by the UK, on the other hand, has fallen sharply from nearly 18% a decade ago to about 9% in 2023. Indians share of citizenship in the USthe most sought-after destinationhas remained stagnant at 6-7%.



Powering critical sectors

Indian talent has been in high demand in many developed countries, which are struggling with an ageing population and labour shortages. One such critical sector is healthcare. India has consistently been a key source of healthcare professionals, providing the highest number of doctors and the second-highest number of nurses to OECD countries. Of the 600,000 that migrated to these countries in 2023, 97,000 (one in six) had a health and care worker visa.

More detailed data, which allows for comparison with other source countries, is available for 2020, which puts India among the top three. In 2020, nearly 830,000 doctors and 1.75 million nurses working in the OECD were foreign-born.

Of these, 98,857 Indian-born doctors were employed in the OECD, up from 56,077 in 2000. India-born nurses were 122,400 in 2020, up from 22,879 from two decades ago.

Countries such as the UK and Denmark, with ageing populations, have agreements with India for health and social care workforce recruitment.

However, challenges persist over recognition of foreign education credentials and lengthy authorisation processes to start practising in host nations, the report pointed out.

Changing gears

For many aspirational skilled migrants, education has long been a gateway to emigrate to advanced economies. That route, however, is hollowing out as top destinations are tightening student visa rules. And the latest numbers bear this out.

In 2024, OECD countries hosted over 1.8 million international students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. This is 13% fewer than in 2023 and the first decline since the pandemic, the report pointed out.

The decline was primarily due to decreasing inflows to the top four receiving countriesthe US (-12%), the UK (-14%), Canada (-39%), and Australia (-22%).

These traditionally popular destinations remain the top draw among Indian students, before numbers have started to decline now. While high-profile countries are closing their doors, several other countries in the OECD group are welcoming more students, suggesting the shift towards nations with friendlier policies. These include countries like Hungary (73.7%), Japan (19.7%), New Zealand (18.7%) and South Korea (16.4%) that have seen a sharp on-year surge in student inflows in 2024, the data showed.

Asylum surge

Asylum applications from Indians to advanced countries have seen a significant jump in recent years. A Mint analysis of data shows that as of 2023 (the last year for which all-country data is available), out of 38 OECD nations, Indians have filed asylum requests across 15 of them. The post-pandemic period has seen a sharp surge in requests.

The average number of requests jumped 2.9 times between 2019 and 2023 compared to the preceding five-year period. Top countries by number of requests during this period include the US, Canada and the UK.

Some countries stood out for their sharp jumps. For instance, Indians average asylum requests surged over 14 times in Finland and six times in New Zealand. Past research has shown that many Indian asylum seekers are individuals who enter these countries illegally in search of better economic opportunities.

The vast majority of asylum seekers are economic migrants who face limited economic opportunities at home and thus seek employment opportunities abroad," noted a February 2025 study by researchers from Johns Hopkins University who studied asylum requests by Indians in the US.
Delhis air continues to remain toxic, with AQI levels soaring into the hazardous zone. The AQI reportedly crossed 400 in several parts of the city today. Amid worsening air quality, residents are being compelled to leave the capital due to health concerns. Among those who left is Anuradha Tiwari, CEO of content writing company JustBurstout, who claimed she spent her months salary just to see a clear sky.

Tiwari, known on social media for voicing opinions on issues such as caste-based reservations, shared a picture of a bright blue sky  which many in the comments suggested was taken in Paris, Europe. The photo shows a peaceful urban canal scene under a clear blue sky dotted with fluffy white clouds. Tiwari added that the AQI there was just 10.

Calling Delhi a gas chamber, Tiwari said breathing clean air has now become a luxury.

Also Read | Get these air purifiers to survive Delhi NCR air pollution crisis

Social media user react Tiwaris post sparked a wave of reactions online, with many users questioning her decision to travel abroad.

One user wrote: What was the need to spend an entire months salary? You couldve come to Mussoorie by spending just three days salary  the AQI here is only 3040.

Another commented: You could have come to my hometown in Bihar. I would have shown you an even clearer sky.

A third user added: Did you try Uttarakhand? This must have cost you over 20,000.

Others were more sceptical. One said: Dont be fake, you went on a fun trip, not just to see a clear sky. You dont need to go to Europe  go to Mussoorie, the Northeast, or any southern city and youll find the same sky.

Another user remarked: I think this is Paris. 40 AQI is normal in many places in India. Flex post.

Stubble burning main cause of toxic air The Decision Support System (DSS), a forecasting model under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, reported that stubble burning was the leading cause of Delhis toxic air on Wednesday, contributing 22.47% to the citys PM2.5 levels  higher than vehicular emissions, which accounted for 15.5%.
The United States Mint has officially ended production of the one-cent coin, also known as the penny, on 12 November, closing a 232-year-old chapter in American currency. US Treasurer Brandon Beach struck the final coin at the Philadelphia Mint, marking the end of an era.

Once common in everyday use, the penny has lost much of its value over time and is now considered nearly worthless.

In 1793, a penny could buy a biscuit, a candle or a piece of candy. Today, most of these coins end up forgotten in jars or junk drawers.

Will the 1-cent coin become out of use? Although the production has ceased, billions of pennies remain in circulation. They will retain their 1-cent value and continue as legal tender. They are not being recalled or demonetised, though their use will naturally slow down.

Also Read | Will US flights resume? Relief in sight for Americans as govt shutdown nears end

US Treasurer Brandon Beach told reporters that the half-cent, discontinued in 1857, was the last US coin withdrawn.

Why is the production ending? The primary reason behind the penny's demise is its high production cost, which made it virtually obsolete. Each penny costs nearly 4 cents to make. According to Beach, the move will save taxpayers $56 million.

US President Donald Trump in February ordered the Treasury to stop what he called the wasteful minting of pennies, prompting gas stations, fast-food chains and big-box stores to adjust prices and round cash transactions, Reuters reported.

View full Image US Treasurer Brandon Beach and Derek Theurer, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, pose for a photo with the last struck penny during Beach's visit to strike the final five circulating one-cent coins at The United States Mint in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ( REUTERS )

The Mint will auction off the last few pennies, and the sale is expected to fetch around $100,000. Mint Acting Director Kristie McNally said the proceeds from the sale will fund Mint operations, with any excess transferred to the US Treasury.

Canada was also among the countries that stopped minting its penny in 2012.

How did people react to the announcement? The phaseout, which officials said mostly ended over the summer, caused some immediate issues as retailers were left without any government guidance on how to handle transactions, as supplies ran low and the end of production drew near.

Some businesses began to round prices down to avoid shortchanging customers, while others asked shoppers to bring exact change. The more creative among retailers offered prizes, such as a free drink, in exchange for a large pile of pennies.

We have been advocating abolition of the penny for 30 years. But this is not the way we wanted it to go, Jeff Lenard of the National Association of Convenience Stores was quoted as saying by AP.

In a somewhat paradoxical result of a move meant to address a "glut: of coins, some banks began rationing supplies as the final date drew near. Over the last century, about half the coins made at mints in Philadelphia and Denver have been pennies.

For many Americans, the penny has held a nostalgic and symbolic value; it was considered lucky or simply fun to collect.
US President Donald Trump is expected to attend the World Economic Forums annual meeting in Davos next year, according to people familiar with his planning, signaling warming US-Swiss relations as the nations close in on a trade deal.

Trump is planning to travel to Switzerland with a large entourage, according to people familiar with the plans who didnt want to be named discussing them in public. Trump didnt attend Januarys edition of the meeting, held shortly after his inauguration, and instead spoke to attendees by video link. His presence would be a boon for the Forum after a rocky year for the organization.

A White House official, also speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that while expectations were that the president would return to the global forum, plans had not been completely finalized and could still change.

The World Economic Forum has invited the heads of government and state of the G-20 and other countries to the Annual Meeting 2026, the Geneva-based organization said in a statement. This includes President Trump. The exact list of confirmed participants will be published one week before the start of the Annual Meeting.

For the Swiss government, an appearance by Trump would present a chance to reset relations with the White House as the countrys executive is taken over by Economy Minister Guy Parmelin. He is set to assume the rotating Swiss presidency from Karin Keller-Sutter on Jan. 1.

Earlier: Switzerland Moves Close to Improved 15% US Tariff Deal

Keller-Sutter this year failed to conclude a trade deal with her US counterpart. After a heated phone call between the two leaders, Trump decided to impose 39% tariffs on Swiss exports, the highest of any advanced economy. The levies have been in effect since August, and Swiss officials have sought to renegotiate since then.

The relationship has recently improved, with Trump responding positively to a lobbying campaign by a group of Swiss billionaires and business leaders who appealed to him during an Oval Office meeting earlier this month. Swiss negotiators arrived in Washington on Wednesday night with an eye toward finalizing a deal that would lower tariffs after their government signed off on a draft agreement. They are scheduled to meet Thursday with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

An appearance by the US president, who attended Davos during his first presidency in 2018, would also be a major boost for the Forum, which first lured business executives to Davos back in 1971. While it remains the prime global gathering of decisionmakers and is widely regarded as a must-attend event for bankers, business leaders and politicians alike, it has struggled this year with a scandal centered on allegations of financial improprieties by founder Klaus Schwab.

Schwab was cleared of any wrongdoing in an independent probe, the Forum said in August, while acknowledging the need for reform of its governance. The Forum named BlackRock Inc.s Larry Fink and Roche Holding AGs vice chairman Andre Hoffmann as interim leaders who will together oversee the event in January.

With assistance from Hadriana Lowenkron.

2025 Bloomberg L.P.
US President Donald Trump signed the funding bill on Wednesday, bringing an end to the longest federal government shutdown in the nation's history. The US House of Representatives approved the Senate-backed bill earlier today in a 222-209 vote, with nearly every Republican, along with a handful of Democrats, voting in favour of it.

The move reopens the government after a 43-day standoff that disrupted food benefits for millions of Americans, halted paychecks for hundreds of thousands of federal workers and caused widespread delays across the country's air travel system.

The law will restore critical programmes such as SNAP funding and provide much-needed relief to federal workers and families affected by the historic shutdown.

Heres what Americans can expect now that Donald Trump has signed the bill:

Federal workers to return to work The signing of the bill provides immediate financial relief and guarantees job security for roughly 1.4 million federal employees affected by the shutdown.

 Now that the government has reopened, some federal employees and contractors are expected to return to work as soon as Thursday morning, as ordered by the White House, BBC reported.

 The law may also reverse recent efforts by several agencies to implement staffing reductions during the shutdown, and prevent additional layoffs of federal employees through 30 January, as mentioned in the bill.

 The full impact of the 43-day-long closures, however, is still expected to affect Americans for weeks.

Will air travel return to normal? Travellers may continue to experience the effects of the long US government shutdown on airports, as over 900 flights in and out of the US were cancelled today.

The US airports will return to normal operations gradually. It comes after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered a reduction in flights at 40 of the country's largest airports, due to air traffic controllers calling out of work rather than working without pay, BBC reported.

Food assistance secured One of the most immediate impacts of the shutdown was the threat to food benefits for 42 million people. Food stamp programme recipients will now receive their full benefits; however, the amount will vary by state. Here are the expected benefits mentioned in the bill:

 The deal would replenish the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP's contingency fund and fully fund the child nutrition programmes, including free and reduced-price school meals.

Also Read | Trump has a message to US voters for next election as govt shutdown ends

 The WIC food assistance programme, which supplies around 7 million pregnant women, new moms and young kids, will also receive $8.2 billion, an increase of $603 million over the past fiscal year, and its contingency fund will also be replenished.

 The law will also provide $460 million for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, which serves more than 700,000 low-income senior citizens with monthly food boxes, CNN reported.

Public properties will be reopened Public attractions such as National Parks, forests, landmarks, and other properties managed by the federal government will be reopened to the public after a prolonged closure.

Although staff will return to their normal duties, it remains unclear exactly when these properties will reopen. During the last US government shutdown, it took four days for the Smithsonian museums to reopen and operate as usual, BBC said.

Congressional and Supreme Court security Concerns over the safety of lawmakers and their staff led to specific security allocations in the bill, which will now be put into action.

 An amount of $203.5 million is allocated to beef up security measures and protect members of the House and Senate in the package. It also provides funding to support Capitol complex physical security requirements and cybersecurity practices, CNN reported.

 An amount of $852 million is provided for the US Capitol Police, and an additional $28 million for the protection and security of Supreme Court justices.

Veterans medical care The law is also expected to significantly boost funding for the medical care of veterans.

 The bill mentioned that upon enactment, it will provide $115 billion for discretionary Veterans Affairs medical care, an increase of over $2.3 billion from the prior fiscal year.

 The funding includes support for the Cost of War Toxic Exposures Fund, rural health, caregivers, womens health, veterans homelessness prevention, mental health and child care.

New Congressional notification requirement A provision was also included in the bill that mandated a new level of transparency from law enforcement.

 The deal requires the Justice Department and FBI to notify the Senate when a lawmaker is under investigation and if their personal information is being subpoenaed.

 The language follows Senate Republicans releasing FBI records related to an investigation called Arctic Frost, related to the fake elector scheme from 2020, where Trump allies pressured GOP electors to register electoral college votes for Trump from states that former president Joe Biden won.
The US government shutdown, which left federal workers unpaid, stranded many travellers at airports and caused long lines at food banks, ended on Wednesday (local time) after President Donald Trump signed a funding bill. Trump attributed the situation to the Democrats and urged voters not to support the party in next years midterm elections.

So I just want to tell the American people, you should not forget this. When we come up to midterms and other things, dont forget what theyve done to our country," Trump stated.

The bill was signed just hours after the House passed it with a mostly party-line vote of 222-209, coming after the Senate had approved the measure earlier on Monday. Prior to signing the bill, he mentioned, Today we are sending a clear message that we will never give in to extortion. He added, It's an honor now to sign this incredible bill, and get our country working again.

View full Image President Donald Trump displays the signed the funding bill to reopen the government, in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo) ( AP )

During the signing ceremony, the President said the shutdown had "inflicted massive harm" on public services and the lives of millions of Americans. He highlighted that more than 20,000 flights were "cancelled or delayed" because of the shutdown, one million government workers went without pay, and food stamp benefits were cut off for millions and millions of Americans in need.

Also Read | See how Donald Trump is creating his own police force

Government will now resume normal operations "With my signature, the federal government will now resume normal operations," Trump said, adding that his administration would keep working with Congress to "lower the cost of living, restore public safety, and make America affordable again for all Americans." The recently signed legislation, H.R. 5371, approved by both chambers of Congress and sent to the President, ends the more than six-week budget deadlock between the White House and congressional Democrats.

Also Read | Trump urges Israeli President to pardon Netanyahu amid bribery, fraud charges

Officially titled the Senate Amendment to H.R. 5371, the bill includes a clean continuing resolution (CR) funding most of the federal government through January 30, 2026, while providing full-year appropriations for key areas such as agriculture, rural development, the Food and Drug Administration, military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Legislative Branch, according to the Executive Office of Management and Budget.

The statement noted that the bill guarantees the immediate resumption of government operations, timely payment for federal employees who had been working without pay, including air traffic controllers and restores funding for essential programs that had been interrupted.
The 43-day-long gridlock and uncertainty finally ended on Thursday as President Donald Trump signed a bill to end the longest federal shutdown in US history, bringing a sigh of relief to thousands of federal workers, millions of Americans who rely on SNAP food assistance and travellers across the US who have been impacted with cut in flights.

"Today we are sending a clear message that we will never give in to extortion," said Donald Trump in a message to Democrats.

Stating that when we come up to midterms and other things, don't forget what they've done to our country, Trump added, With my signature, the federal government... will now resume normal operations.

Also Read | Donald Trump ends historic 43-day government shutdown as he signs funding bill

However, even though the shutdown is now over, the emotional and economic toll and the ripple effects of the weeks-long logjam are far from over. The federal employees will now return to work and agencies will scramble to resume services, but the question about pack pay, delayed benefits, and when disrupted flight operations fully return to normal, continues to linger.

 According to reports, federal agencies and the Department of Health and Human Service have asked staff members to return to work.

 6,70,000 furloughed civil servants will report back to work,

 Over 60,000 air traffic controllers and airport security staff will get back pay.

Will flight operations fully resume? Over the next few days, air travel delays across the United States are likely to continue as several flights remain cancelled, though there may be an improvement in delays as air traffic controllers return to work. Authorities would aim to lift flight reductions at major airports within a week, said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

Last week, the Federal Aviation Administration issued an order mandating that airlines cut flights at 40 airports, and today the agency announced that reductions will remain at 6%. However, according to aviation experts, flights will not immediately return to normal after the federal government reopens.

We are pleased the government shutdown is over, and we're already seeing significantly fewer air traffic control staffing shortages, which is leading to reduced delays and cancellations for our customers, said American Air.

The airline added that they are ready to ramp up, but they expect some lingering delays and cancellations as air traffic control and FAA return to normal operations.

Delta Airlines said that they look forward to bringing our operations back to full capacity over the next few days and delivering the premium experience to our customers.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford said that their top priority is, and always will be, safety.

When will controllers get pay? According to Sean Duffy, controllers would get 70% of their missed pay within 24 to 48 hours after the government reopens. Whereas, the remaining pay would come about one week later.

Also Read | Will US flights resume? Relief in sight for Americans as govt shutdown nears end

Backlog a major worry Gibson Jones, president of the National Treasury Employees Union Local 98 in Memphis, told CNN that the Internal Revenue Service, backlogs in tax filings from those who filed for extensions will take 'two to three months to catch up'.

An education employee told the broadcaster that it was heart-wrenching to see the emails piling up, including with desperate pleas from parents of disabled children.

At the FDA, it will take days to get labs used to test food and prevent food-borne illnesses.

When will federal workers get pay? During the previous shutdown, employees were paid in a few days, but this time it may take time. According to CBC, under the 2019 law, workers who miss paychecks during a lapse in federal funding must be paid retroactively, as soon as the shutdown ends.

Jacqueline Simon, policy director at the American Federation of Government Employees, told CNN that it could take longer as many human resources staffers at agencies were furloughed.

When will SNAP benefits get restored? Although there is no clear timeline for that disbursement of SNAP benefit (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), which impacted food access for some 42 million Americans during the shutdown, beneficiaries are expected to see their accounts fully restored within hours of the federal government reopening, reported NYT.

During the shutdown, many states maintained full SNAP benefits by using emergency funds.
A plane carrying four members of Congress to Washington, D.C., for a vote on ending the government shutdown was forced to divert after a disruptive passenger caused a disturbance, reportedly shouting, We live in a fascist state.

According to a report by the New York Post, Rep. Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.) wrote on X Tuesday that the American Airlines flight, which also included Arizona Republicans Eli Crane, Andy Biggs, and Paul Gosar, made an emergency landing in Kansas City after the incident.

Also Read | Trump trolls Obama with meme as 2016 Russia probe comes under new scrutiny

According to FlightAware, the plane had been airborne for roughly two hours and 41 minutes after departing from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport before safely landing at Kansas City International Airport around 6:15 p.m.

Watch the video here:

What happened on the flight? A video shared by another passenger after the emergency landing shows Kansas City police officers boarding the Airbus A320 and escorting an unidentified woman off the plane, the report stated.

As she was being removed, the woman could be heard saying, We live in a fascist state.

About an hour after the diversion, the flight departed from Kansas City and landed safely at Reagan National Airport at 9:01 p.m. Rep. Greg Stanton later thanked the Kansas City Police Department for handling the situation professionally and without incident.

Although it remains unclear what specific behaviour led to the emergency landing, American Airlines confirmed that it was prompted by a disruptive customer.

In a statement to KSHB 41, the airline said,On Nov. 11, American Airlines flight 1218, with service from Phoenix (PHX) to Washington, D.C. (DCA), diverted to Kansas City (MCI) due to a disruptive customer.

Law enforcement met the flight and removed the customer, and the flight later re-departed for DCA, where it landed normally. We thank our customers for their patience and our crew members for their professionalism.

The U.S. Congress on Wednesday (local time) passed a federal funding package to reopen the government after a record 43-day shutdown, sending the bill to President Donald Trump for approval.

According to the White House, Trump will sign the funding measure on camera from the Oval Office.

CNN reported that the legislation brings an end to the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, following weeks of intense political gridlock over an Obamacare-related program opposed by Republicans.
(Bloomberg) -- President Claudia Sheinbaum criticized a Gen Z march planned for Saturday in Mexico City, calling it a movement financed by right-wing politicians and business leaders who oppose her government.

The demonstration is being promoted on social media by 8 million bots operating from outside the country, she said on Thursday during a daily news conference from the presidential palace.

We agree with freedom of expression and freedom of demonstration if there are young people who have demands, but the issue here is who is promoting the demonstration, Sheinbaum said. People should know how this demonstration was organized so that no one is used.

Other government officials named specific individuals: Billionaire Ricardo Salinas Pliego, former President Vicente Fox and businessman Claudio X. Gonzalez are among the key sponsors of the march, according to an analysis produced by Infodemia, an official fact-checking agency tasked with combating what it calls fake news targeting the government.

Representatives for Salinas Pliego, Fox and Gonzalez didnt immediately respond to requests for comment.

Miguel Elorza, head of Infodemia, added during the same news conference that leaders from the opposition PRI and PAN parties are also supporting the protest.

Barricades

If successful, Mexicos Gen Z march could become another challenge for Sheinbaum, who is already grappling with tense trade negotiations with the US, efforts to curb organized crime, and attempts to revive a stagnant economy.

Youth-led protests have been erupting worldwide, toppling governments and shaking entrenched elites amid growing anger over inequality, unemployment, and corruption.

In Mexico, organizers say Gen Zers plan to protest peacefully against rising crime at the Zocalo, the capitals main square. The movement gained momentum after Carlos Manzo, an influential mayor known for his hardline stance against organized crime, was shot dead earlier this month in Uruapan, in the western state of Michoacan.

Authorities have blocked access to the National Palace in downtown Mexico City with metal barriers to prevent protesters from approaching on Saturday.

Gen Z activists have also been mobilizing in Peru, where youth collectives have held demonstrations for weeks. Another protest is scheduled there for Friday.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
Instead, after the Senate adjourned for the day and most reporters had emptied out of the halls, a small group of breakaway Democrats and an independent slipped unnoticed into the office of Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R., S.D.).

The shutdown was nearing the one-month mark and the group was growing antsy as federal workers missed paychecks and food-aid programs ran out of money. Two nights before Halloween, the senators sat down with Thune, ready to reopen the government, people familiar with the meeting said. It was a group of people trying to solve a problem," said Maine Sen. Angus King, an independent who caucuses with Democrats and helped lead negotiations.

The meetingone of severalhad been requested by King and other centrists, including New Hampshires Democratic Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, all former governors. Republicans in attendance were Thune and Sen. John Hoeven of North Dakota, also a former governor and senior member of the powerful appropriations committee.

The group told Schumer they were talking to Thune and read him into their discussions, but Schumer didnt participate directly, according to senators involved. Schumer wanted to extend the shutdown, arguing Trump would eventually engage in talks himself and they would get a better dealone that would address expiring Obamacare health-insurance subsidies that Democrats had made their central demand in the shutdown fight, people familiar with Schumers position said.

The talks between the centrists and Republicans ultimately produced an agreement that would end the standoff but divide Democrats, with some seeing it as a failure of Schumers gamble that he could hold his caucus together long enough to force Trump to the negotiating table.

Throughout the shutdown, Schumer, the Senates most powerful Democrat, was on the sidelines, allowing a small subset of his conference to engage with Senate Republicans. The deal they reached funded much of the government through Jan. 30 and some programs, like food aid, for a full year. It has enraged many progressives and party activists, who say that the group got virtually nothing in return, and many have directed their anger at Schumer even though he didnt vote for it. Schumers critics say his inability to keep his party united is an indictment of his leadership.

Those Democrats biggest gripe is that they are walking away with no guarantees that expiring health-insurance subsidies will be extended. In the negotiations with Thune, the group of centrist Democrats were willing to forgo such a guarantee: Thune offered them a vote on the subsidies by mid-December, though he wouldnt promise an outcome.

View Full Image From left, Sens. Angus King (I., Maine), Maggie Hassan (D., N.H.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D., Nev.), Jeanne Shaheen (D., N.H.) and Tim Kaine (D., Va.) were among the eight senators who broke with their party.

Shaheen said that meeting face to face with Thune helped convince her that he would keep his word.

We sat across from him, we looked him eye to eye," Shaheen said. She also has a backstop, since much of the funding expires at the end of January, when Democrats could trigger a shutdown again. Thats certainly an option that I think everybody will consider," Shaheen said.

Divided Democrats

King, Shaheen, Hassan and other centrist Democrats updated Schumer regularly on their discussions with Thune and Republican appropriators, lawmakers said. In addition to Hoeven, they were working with Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, the appropriations chair, and Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama.

They believed that Schumer would carry more Democrats with him if he voted yes. Schumer told the group that he was open to a deal, as he had said publicly, but he thought what they had come up with wasnt strong enough and suggested changes, a senator and aides familiar with the conversations said. He also asked them to wait on committing to anything until after Nov. 1, the start of Obamacare open enrollment, and then until after Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 4., which they agreed to do.

Frustrated Republicans publicly accused Schumer of holding their Democratic partners back. King said Schumer was providing feedback. We werent trying to end-run him, and he had some input into what we were working on," King said.

On Election Day, Shaheen presented the centrists plan to their caucus at a lunchtime meeting, hours before polls closed in Virginia, New Jersey and other states, people familiar with the lunch said. More than a dozen Democrats were interested in the deal but not yet ready to vote for it.

Most of the caucus still wanted to stick together, especially once the full extent of their partys landslide election victories became clear Wednesday morning.

But the shutdown was hitting new pain points. Flight delays piled up starting Friday. Some constituents had lost several paychecks. Others had lost federal food-assistance benefits or subsidies to heat their homes.

By Sunday, eight Democrats were no longer willing to wait.

The strategy wasnt working"

Schumers allies say he did the best he could with a bad hand and pointed out that few Republicans had expected Senate Democrats to hold out as long as they did.

But King said it had become apparent to him and others involved in talks with Republicans over the past few weeks that Trump wasnt going to engage.

We were harming a lot of people in the service of a strategy that wasnt working. Thats it in a nutshell," King said.

View Full Image Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer

Instead of negotiating, the White House nixed plans for stand-alone votes that would have paid air-traffic controllers or funded food stamps, rejected meeting requests from Democrats and refused to negotiate on healthcare until the government reopened.

Schumer made what would be his final offer on Friday: Democrats would reopen the government if Republicans agreed to extend expiring subsidies for a year. Republicans immediately rejected the move and the centrists deal gained momentum over the weekend.

On Sunday, Schumer said he couldnt vote for a deal that fails to address the healthcare crisis." With limited Democratic support, Republicans needed Sen. Tim Kaine (D., Va.) to be the critical eighth vote. Britt said she worked with Kaine, the White House and GOP leadership to add language reversing federal layoffs initiated during the shutdownand banning future layoffs through the end of January.

With Kaine now a yes, the Senate overcame a key procedural hurdle in a 60-40 vote late Sunday, advancing the measure to reopen the government with not a single vote to spare.

View Full Image Sen. Tim Kaine

Schumer, who had drawn scorn in March for voting with Republicans to avert a shutdown, now drew scorn for failing to keep a shutdown going. He has claimed a partial victory in making healthcare costs the centerpiece of Democrats fight heading into midterm elections.

In a speech on Monday, Schumer warned that Trump and other Republicans will come to regret not negotiating to fix the subsidies when they had the chance.

Republicans now own this healthcare crisis," he said. They knew it was coming. We wanted to fix it. Republicans said no."

Write to Lindsay Wise at lindsay.wise@wsj.com, Natalie Andrews at natalie.andrews@wsj.com and Siobhan Hughes at Siobhan.hughes@wsj.com
Lidl Ireland has confirmed it will open the doors to its new store in Ballymahon Co. Longford on Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 8:00am. The retailer is expanding with a second store in County Longford, bringing its 'More to Value' proposition to Ballymahon.

Located on Church view, Main St. Ballymahon, the opening of the new Lidl store marks a major milestone in the retailers ambitious expansion programme and creates 25 permanent retail jobs for the community in what has been a highly anticipated opening, with planning permission granted earlier this year.

Longford County LGFA Vice-Captain, Katie Crawford will have the honour of cutting the ribbon at 8:00am sharp on Thursday, November 20 and meeting and greeting shoppers as they enjoy opening day festivities.

PICTURES | Longford Rugby Club business lunch a resounding success

Lidl Ballymahon will have a great range of opening day offers available for customers and the first ten shoppers through the doors will receive complimentary Lidl gift vouchers to redeem in-store.

As part of its commitment to the local community, the Lidl Ballymahon store team has selected local charity Bridgeways Family Resource Centre, who will receive a generous donation of 1000 in Lidl vouchers on opening day. Bridgeways Family Resource Centre provides a full range of activities for the whole community and believes in justice, equality and inclusivity.

The new Ballymahon store reflects Lidls established concept design and features a spacious sales floor, offering a premier shopping experience for customers including self-service checkouts, long tills, and the popular in-store bakery offering fresh baked goods daily.

Sustainability is a key focus for the Ballymahon store as the retail unit incorporates an ISO 50001-certified energy management system. This includes high performing energy efficient technologies, the installation of solar panels (PV panels), LED lighting with Dali control, heat recovery systems, a DRS Machine, ample parking and electric vehicle (EV) charging points further supports sustainable transport options for customers and store teams.

Ahead of the store opening Tom McAuliffe, Regional Managing Director for Lidl Ireland said:

We are thrilled to announce the upcoming opening of our new Lidl store in Ballymahon on Thursday 20th November. This new store represents a substantial investment in the local economy, creating long-term employment opportunities for the area.

Designed with a focus on customer experience and sustainability, the innovative store features an energy-efficient design, unique amenities, and our commitment to offering high-quality products at market-leading value.

We are grateful for the incredible support from the local community and eagerly anticipate welcoming shoppers to experience our new store next week.

Read more: Don Wycherley returning to Longford for moving one-man performance

Longford County LGFA Vice-Captain, Katie Crawford, added:

As a Longford local, I was thrilled to be invited to open the brand new Lidl store in Ballymahon next week and I am really looking forward to meeting all the shoppers on opening day. Lidl has been a fantastic partner to the LGFA for years, and it's great to witness them investing even more in our community. This new store is a huge boost for the area, by revitalizing the area and creating new jobs, but also by providing local shoppers with access to Lidl's exceptional quality food at great value and we can't wait to celebrate with everyone on November 20th!

Lidl opened its first store in Longford in 2000 which was redeveloped last year.

Lidls investment in Longford contributes significantly to the local economy. Earlier this year, Lidl Ireland confirmed that a total of 108 million worth of goods and services was procured from 13 suppliers and business partners across Longford in 2024. Key suppliers include Panelto Foods, who have been supplying panini breads since 2011. In 2023, Panelto Foods secured a 22 million supply deal to bring their premium baked breads to Lidl stores across the island of Ireland and export their products to 950 Lidl stores in Great Britain.

Read more: Ideas for Longford to have a 'national freshwater park' in Lough Ree

Lidl Ireland was named a Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute earlier this year for the fifth year running. The retailer was also named Most Reputable Retailer and Most Value for Money Organisation in the 2025 RepTrak Ireland study, and was named Most Sustainable Retailer in Ireland, ranking #3 in the RepTrak Sustainability Index for 2024.

Lidl Ireland currently employs more than 6,000 employees in its 188 stores, Head Office in Tallaght and three distribution centres and regional offices.

Lidl Ballymahon will be open daily: Monday  Saturday 8:00am  10:00pm, and Sunday 9:00am  9:00pm. For further information, the latest instore offers and career opportunities please visit www.lidl.ie
Crime may not pay, but from November 28 until December 1, it will certainly sell as the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) will be holding an exclusive online auction of the luxury goods they seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Thanks to the auction, Longford shoppers and bargain hunters will be able to pick up a variety of items from brands such as Louboutin, Canada Goose, Gucci, Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Hugo Boss, Valentino, Bvlgari, and Chanel.

Managed by Wilsons Auctions on behalf of CAB, the online auction will take place from Friday 28th November to Monday 1st December, and will feature goods such as handbags, sunglasses, watches, footwear, clothing, and accessories.

Read More: Longford motorists forced to swerve off road to avoid drifting dangerous driver

This auction will be of particular interest to watch-lovers and collectors, as over 20 timepieces are to the forefront of this event.

Some of the watches listed are also of the rare variety, so much so that they feature on various waitlists.

These include two Rolex Submariners, a Rolex GMT-Master II, a Rolex Day-Date, an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, and a Cartier

Balloon Bleu.

Designer accessories include sought after items such as a Louis Vuitton LV belt, a Louis Vuitton backpack, a Chanel wallet on chain and a Gucci GG Supreme belt. A Hugo Boss tracksuit also features in the line up.

The auction, which is open to the public, will only be taking place online, and anyone interested in bidding will have to first register their details on wilsonsauctions.com.

Registered bidders will then have the weekend to place their bids items before the auction closes at 1pm on Monday, December 1.

Interested bidders can view the full auction catalogue and all information by visiting wilsonsauctions.com

Read More: We need to bring her home- Jo Jo Dullard's family 30 years after her disappearance
Fintan McGill, MD of DNG McGill Longford and Carrick-on-Shannon and President of the Institute of Professional Auctioneers & Valuers addressed the IPAVs European Valuation conference at the RDS which attracted almost 700 delegates.



He welcomed reports that the Government is about to announce emergency planning measures to speed up the delivery of homes, something he said IPAV has been advocating for some time.

Read more: President Catherine Connolly will ensure 'all voices are represented, heard and valued'



And he said high valuation standards are critical  for individuals, for businesses, and for our economy.



IPAV introduced the Blue Book European valuation standards to Ireland in 2013. This is the valuation standard recognised by the Irish Central Bank and the European Central Bank for which it holds default status over all other valuation standards in the event of any valuation conflict arising.

Addressing attendees also Genevieve McGuirk, Chief Executive of IPAV expressed concern that the recently advertised role of head of a new Housing Activation Office, pitched at the level of Deputy Secretary General, is going to be of lesser status than that envisaged by the Housing Commission because it would lack legislative underpinning.

Read more: Longford Toastmasters invites those to join them for next gathering



The Housing Commission, set up by the Government and which deliberated for two years found a core issue was ineffective decision making and reactive policy making where risk aversion dominates . To address this it recommended a Housing Delivery Oversight Executive be established in statute for a period of time.



This body would be legislatively empowered to remove obstacles to housing delivery and would drive coordination across legislation, regulation, and administrative practices.
A pickup truck carrying Hamas terrorists (left) accompanies a Red Cross team reportedly searching for deceased hostages in Gaza on November 12, 2025. (Shehab News Agency)

Palestinian terrorists in Gaza have violated the stipulations of phase one of the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel on at least six occasions between November 7 and November 12, according to reports from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Since the ceasefires implementation on October 10, Palestinian terrorists in Gaza have violated the deal 24 times in total, according to the IDF, with Hamas still required to return the bodies of four slain hostages that it holds.

Since November 7, there have not been any outright attacks against Israeli forces. This marks a change from the ceasefires early days, when Palestinian terrorists killed three soldiers in two separate attacks in the southern city of Rafah. However, according to Israel, instances of militants crossing the Yellow Linewhich delineates Israeli-held territory in Gaza from territory still held by Hamashave become a near-daily occurrence.

Below is a list of violations of the ceasefire by Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist groups between November 7 and November 12 that the IDF has reported:

On November 8, the IDF stated that two terrorists were identified crossing the Yellow Line and approaching soldiers operating in northern Gaza. The troops fired toward the terrorists [] and eliminated one of them.

Later on November 8, the IDF stated that an additional terrorist was eliminated after being identified crossing the yellow line and threatening IDF troops in a manner that posed an immediate threat to them. Israel called both instances on November 8 ceasefire violations.

On November 10, the IDF stated that two terrorists were identified crossing the yellow line and approaching IDF troops in southern Gaza, posing an immediate threat to them. Following the identification, the IDF struck and eliminated the terrorists in order to remove the threat. Qatari state media outlet Al Jazeera also reported a drone strike near Khan Younis, but claimed that two people, including a child, had been killed, without detailing the individuals identities.

On November 11, the IDF stated that forces operating in southern Gaza had eliminated a terrorist who was identified crossing the yellow line and approaching IDF troops [ ] which posed an immediate threat to them.

On November 12, the IDF stated that troops operating on the Israeli-controlled side of the Yellow Line in Rafah to dismantle underground infrastructure, likely Hamas-built tunnels, had identified four terrorists on the eastern side of the yellow line  in violation of the ceasefire agreement. Three of the four terrorists were killed by the Israeli military during the engagement. The IDF reportedly assessed that the individuals were part of a group of approximately 200 Hamas members still located in tunnels below Rafah, on the Israeli-controlled side of the Yellow Line. Hamas personnel had been required to withdraw from the area immediately upon the ceasefires implementation.

Later on November 12, the IDF stated that it had identified a terrorist crossing the Yellow Line and approaching IDF troops in the area of Khan Yunis, posing an immediate threat to them. The IDF said Israeli soldiers eliminated the individual following identification.

The situation surrounding the 200 Hamas members holed up in Rafah tunnels may be nearing a conclusion, with the United States and Israel reportedly reaching an agreement this week for the deportation of the terror operatives. Despite the developments, no country has agreed to take in the terrorists, stalling a resolution. It is also unclear if the Hamas members would agree to this deal.

The United States has reportedly made it clear to Israel that it thinks the terrorists who remain in the tunnels should be deported, not killed, after Hamas released the body of Lieutenant Hadar Goldin on November 10. Goldin was killed in Gaza in August 2014 during the IDFs Operation Protective Edge, and Hamas held his body in the territory for 4,118 days.

Samuel Ben-Ur and Aaron Goren are research analysts at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Follow Aaron Goren on X @realaarongoren.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al Sudani leads a session of the Council of Ministers. (Iraqi Prime Ministers Media Office on X)

Now that voters have cast their ballots in Iraqs 2025 parliamentary elections, the country is entering the government formation phase, which culminates in the selection of the prime minister and the formation of his cabinet.

Some reports indicate that many Iraqis have become disillusioned with the electoral process because they believe the voting results are of secondary importance. Instead, many judge that the real division of power is determined by the negotiations that are part of government formation and carried out at the elite level without popular involvement. Despite this reported skepticism, the 2025 election saw a relatively high turnout, reaching 56 percent compared to roughly 41 percent in 2021.

The first official step in Iraqs government formation is the ratification of the election by the Federal Supreme Court, which officially concludes the electoral phase, even though voting has already finished.

Before ratification, the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) must resolve any complaints about the voting and finalize the results. The window to file complaints began when the polls opened on November 11 and ended at the close of business hours on November 12. The IHEC announced 101 complaints. Of these, 44 were from the special vote on November 9, which is the day security forces and internally displaced people cast their ballots, and 57 were from the regular voting day on November 11. After these complaints are resolved, candidates and parties can file appeals before the Judicial Panel for Elections. Once these appeals are adjudicated, the Federal Supreme Court ratifies the election.

Complaints and legal challenges can delay ratification and, consequently, government formation. In 2021, Iraqs parliamentary election was held on October 10, but the results were not ratified until the end of December.

Within 15 days of the elections ratification, the newly elected members of the Council of Representatives, Iraqs legislative body, hold the first meeting of the term. In this meeting, the body elects the speaker of the Council of Representatives by a majority vote. This position traditionally goes to a Sunni Arab. Following the election of a speaker, the Council of Representatives elects the president of Iraq, the countrys head of state. This position has historically been given to a Kurd, and the vote must achieve a two-thirds majority.

Within 15 days of the presidents election, the new head of state nominates a prime minister-designate to form a government. A Shiite traditionally holds this position, and the individual is chosen through negotiations within the coalition that emerges from the Shiite segment with sufficient support to form a government. The prime minister-designate then has 30 days to select the members of his cabinet. Once each minister has been approved by the Council of Representatives, the government assumes authority.

Despite the provision of a timeline for government formation, these steps can face significant delays as different parties and alliances negotiate for power. Such postponements to government formation can lead to unrest in Iraq.

Preliminary election results

The most consequential position in the Iraqi government is that of the prime minister. The party of current Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al Sudani, the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, won the most votes in this election, approximately 1.3 million. However, this result will not gain Sudani enough seats to independently form a government and guarantee himself a second term.

In the last election, the Coordination Framework (CF) was created by Shiite parties and selected Sudani to be the prime minister. In this years election, the parties of the CF ran separately but intend to regroup for the purpose of creating a government.

Nevertheless, Sudanis prospects for retaining his position are challenged by the fact that he has recently been at odds with members of the CF, and Iraqs Shafaq News reports that CF leaders are discussing an alliance that would enable them to form the next government without his party. According to Shafaqs reporting on the preliminary election results, major elements of the CF have likely won 93 seats out of Iraqs 329 Council of Representatives seats without Sudani. Out of the CF parties, the State of Law Coalition, led by former Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki, and Sadiqoun, the political bloc of US-designated terrorist Qais Khazali, followed Sudanis party closely in the number of seats won. Sudani won eight of Iraqs 18 provinces, which earned his party a likely 45 seats.

Iraqs Sunni and Kurdish segments each had a decisive victor. The Progress Party, led by former Speaker of Parliament Mohammed al Halbousi, dominated the Sunni electoral landscape and is expected to secure roughly 28 seats in parliament. In the Kurdish demographic, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), led by former President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq Masoud Barzani, garnered over 1 million votes, which will likely translate to about 27 seats, according to reporting by the Kurdish Rudaw Media Network. The other main Kurdish party and rival of the KDP, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), received roughly half the votes received by the KDP. New outlets disagreed over whether the Sunni Progress Party or the Kurdish KDP came in second in the overall tally.

Bridget Toomey is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focusing on Iranian proxies, specifically Iraqi militias and the Houthis.
A Boston firefighter accused of child trafficking, assault and battery and rape of the same child over six years has been placed on department leave.

James Corbett, 60, of Brockton, was arraigned Tuesday in the West Roxbury Division of Boston Municipal Court, according to the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office.

He faces one count of trafficking a person under 18 for sexual servitude, two counts of aggravated rape of a child, two counts of rape of a child, three counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, and two counts of indecent assault and battery on a child 14 or over.

Corbett is a member of the Boston Fire Department who earned $262,086.18 in 2024, city records show.

However, the 60-year-old has been placed on administrative leave from his position with the fire department, according to Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.

These allegations would be a clear and egregious violation of public trust, Wu told MassLive on Wednesday.

Commissioner Burke has taken swift action to place this individual on administrative leave. My thoughts are with those impacted in this very troubling situation, Wu said.

The assaults Corbett has been accused of happened against a female child between May 2018 and September 2024, Assistant District Attorney Laura Montgomery told the courtroom on Tuesday.

Bail for Corbett was set at $25,000 by Judge John McDonald. He was also ordered to home confinement with GPS monitoring if he is released, to have no contact with children under the age of 16, and to surrender his passport and any firearms.

Corbetts attorney, Tony Ellison, told MassLive on Wednesday that these accusations are not in this mans character, that these are false allegations and that he and Corbett question the timing and motive of these disclosures.

Corbett will return to court on Dec. 22 for a probable cause hearing.
Editors note: The story was updated Thursday morning to include a statement from Walgreens.

A Walgreens in Boston is facing a hearing with the citys health department after health inspectors found chewed chip bags and rodent droppings on Monday.

On Nov. 10, the citys health department reported the Walgreens located at 1890 Columbus Ave. in Roxbury had multiple violations, including some involving mice and cockroaches.

These issues, including rodent droppings, were also seen by health inspectors on Oct. 29, Oct. 6, April 3 and March 26.

We take these matters seriously and are committed to providing a safe, clean environment for our customers and team members, a Walgreens spokesperson said in a statement. Weve acted immediately to address the concerns, enhancing our cleaning measures, increasing staffing to maintain standards, and working closely with the Boston Board of Health.

In March, the store failed its health inspection. However, it passed inspection in April, despite noted problems of rodent droppings.

The store failed the health inspection again in October.

Now, the store is subject to a hearing.

Other issues noted by health inspectors in November include, frozen foods on the ground inside the cooler and freezer, cold areas without thermometers, loose debris accumulation under shelves and kick plates missing from shelves, making it a possible hideout spot for rodents.

In 2022, multiple Walgreens stores were the first drugstore chain locations forced to close in Boston.

The city discovered the problems at those Walgreens stores because of social media posts, Lisa Timberlake, a spokeswoman for the Inspectional Services Department, told the Commonwealth Beacon in 2022.

Once again, rodents were an issue.

All businesses operating in Boston must and will adhere to the Massachusetts state sanitary code for public safety, said Jessica Thomas, assistant commissioner of constituent services, in a prepared statement. A blatant disregard for complying with the sanitary code will not be tolerated.

Two of the stores were in Roxbury  one on Washington Street and one on Warren Street  and the third was in Mattapan on Morton Street.

Later that year, Walgreens closed the Washington Street location. It closed its Warren location in 2024. The Morton Street location is still open.
A federal worker based in Boston who gave a TV interview about food benefits and the impact of the government shutdown says she is being fired for discussing government programs publicly.

Ellen Mei, a 29-year-old employee with the Agriculture Department, appeared on MSNBC on Oct. 2 during the early stages of the prolonged government shutdown. Mei is a program specialist with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

During the interview last month, Mei discussed the impacts of the shutdown on SNAP benefits.

The next day, the agency informed Mei that she was going to be fired for her appearance on MSNBC, she told the outlet on Thursday.

On October 3rd, I got a notice from the agency saying that they wanted to fire me for my appearance on MSNBC, Mei said. They said specifically that I was not authorized to speak on behalf of the agency and that I disclosed information that I was not authorized to disclose, and therefore, I was unfit for further federal service.

She defended her initial interview last month as representing her own views and those of her union members.

Mei said she is also the president of the National Treasury Employees Unions Chapter 255, which represents employees at USDAs Food and Nutrition Service in the Northeast, according to an interview on MSNBC.

I have a duty as a chapter president to represent the views of my coworkers, and I have a duty and a right to do so under the federal labor management statute, Mei said.

Correspondence between Mei and the Agriculture Department states that the process to remove her from her position has begun, and that she will be let go 30 days after the shutdown ends, according to documentation obtained by The Washington Post.

During her four-minute interview in October, Mei said she and her co-workers are anxious because were hearing about the risk potentials and office closures that are looming over USDA as this shutdown kind of drags on.

She also explained how funding for SNAP would most likely be available in October, but that things might get a little dicey if this drags on into November.

Mei also granted interviews to The Boston Globe and GBH.

She has 20 days from the day the government reopens to contest her dismissal, the Post reported. She plans to appear at a news conference on Friday in Boston with other union members to protest the agencys decision.

President Donald Trump signed a government funding bill on Wednesday night, ending a record 43-day shutdown. State leaders across the country are working to get full SNAP benefits to millions of people, though it could take up to a week for some to receive the delayed aid, The Associated Press reported.
The BBC was accused of a misleading edit of Donald Trump's 6 January 2021 speech two years before the Panorama sequence that led to the resignation of the director general.

The clip aired on Newsnight in 2022, and a guest on the live programme challenged the way it had been cut together, the Daily Telegraph reported.

On Monday the BBC apologised for an "error of judgement" over an edited portion of the same speech that aired last year on Panorama.

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The fallout saw the resignations of the BBC's director general Tim Davie and head of news Deborah Turness, and a legal threat from the US President.

Lawyers for Trump have written to the BBC saying he will sue for $1bn (759m) in damages unless the corporation issues a retraction, apologises and compensates him for the Panorama broadcast.

In response to Thursday's story in the Telegraph, a BBC spokesperson said: "The BBC holds itself to the highest editorial standards. This matter has been brought to our attention and we are now looking into it."

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A spokesman for Trump's legal team told The Telegraph it was "now clear that BBC engaged in a pattern of defamation against President Trump".

In Trump's speech on 6 January 2021, he said: "We're going to walk down to the Capitol, and we're going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women."

More than 50 minutes later in the speech, he said: "And we fight. We fight like hell."

In the Panorama programme, the clip shows him as saying: "We're going to walk down to the Capitol... and I'll be there with you. And we fight. We fight like hell."

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In the Newsnight programme the edit is a little different.

He is shown as saying: "We're going to walk down to the Capitol. And we're going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women. And we fight. We fight like hell. And if you don't fight like hell, you're not gonna have a country anymore."

This was followed by a voiceover from presenter Kirsty Wark saying "and fight they did" over footage from the Capitol riots.

Responding to the clip on the same programme, former White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, who quit a diplomatic post and became a critic of Trump after describing the 6 January riots as an "attempted coup", said the video had "spliced together" Trump's speech.

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"That line about 'we fight and fight like hell' is actually later in the speech and yet your video makes it look like those two things came together," he said.

The Telegraph also reported that a whistleblower told the newspaper that a further discussion the following day was also shut down.

Last week, a leaked internal BBC memo claimed Panorama had misled viewers by splicing two parts of Trump's 6 January 2021 speech together, making it appear as though he was explicitly urging people to attack the US Capitol after his election defeat.

The documentary aired days before the US presidential election in November 2024.

Speaking to Fox News, Trump said his 6 January 2021 speech had been "butchered" and the way it was presented had "defrauded" viewers.
Music enthusiasts still want to own a physical copy of their favorite music, said Turn It Up! clerk Eric Cunha on Wednesday at the Northampton store. One customer told The Republican that CDs make great Christmas gifts. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook

NORTHAMPTON  Most customers buying records, compact discs, DVDs and  even  tapes at Turn It Up! werent born yet when the shop opened 30 years ago, said owner, founder and soon-to-be-former owner Patrick Pezzati.

There is also a tactile experience to it that young people seem to relish, Pezzati said. Streaming is convenient. You lose something with convenience.

Turn It Up! is being sold from Chandra Hancock and Patrick Pezzati to longtime employee Carson Arnold on Nov. 24, the 30th anniversary of its original opening. Here all three pose at the Brattleboro, Vermont, store. (Provided photo) The Republican

Later this month, itll be a new owner  21-year-employee Carson Arnold  leading Turn It Up! through a continuing national comeback for media you can hold, see and drop the needle on after decades of digital. He bought the stores in Northampton; Brattleboro, Vermont; and the weekend-only location at The Montague Bookmill this month from husband-and-wife Pezzati and Chandra Hancock.

Giana Esteras, 19, came to Turn It Up! in Northampton to look for 1990s punk music. She streams music online and said that its a great way to preview music before coming to a store and buying it. Esteras said that owning a physical copy is important because its not only the music she owns but the art on the cover and extra information in the sleeve. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook

Pezzati and Hancock opened Turn It Up! in Northampton on Nov. 24, 1995.

It was mostly them selling their own CD collection, but the business grew from there.

Arnold takes over Nov. 24 of this year, 30 years to the day.

Now 40 and with a family of his own, Carson is taking the next logical step and putting his decades of expertise to use, Pezzati said.

The year 1995 was before the digital download revolution in media, before the COVID shutdown and before the ongoing resurgence of physical media.

Turn It Up! clerk Eric Cunha helps a customer at the Northampton location on Pleasant Street on Wednesday. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook

Its been a great turnaround, to see people getting into physical media again, Arnold said Wednesday. They are discovering it for the first time.

Pezzati said: Thats interesting for us, and its great for Carson.

He added that now is the time to travel more with Hancock.

Nationally, vinyl sales held steady in the first half of 2025, said industry mouthpiece the Recording Industry Association of America. Sales of records make up more than three-quarters of all physical music revenue following a nearly two-decade resurgence.

Numbers arent in, but the RIAA hopes Taylor Swifts Life of a Showgirl will make for a strong second half of 2025.

For all of 2024, revenue from vinyl records grew 7% to $1.4 billion. Thats the 18th consecutive year of growth. For the third year in a row, vinyl albums outsold CDs: 44 million albums vs. 33 million CDs.

Within two years of Turn it Up! opening in Northampton, a second location opened in Keene, New Hampshire, and in the next decade other locations opened in Hanover, New Hampshire, and Brattleboro, Vermont, and Easthampton and Montague here in Massachusetts.

Over the years, the locations in Keene, Hanover and Easthampton all closed, leaving only the locations in Northampton, Brattleboro and Montague, where Arnold said hed like to expand hours.

Arnold said he grew up in Vermont in his parents used bookshop.

Giana Esteras, 19, came to Turn It Up! in Northampton to look for 1990s punk music. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook

When he was about 10, he started coming in to Turn it Up! Then worked there as a teen, eventually managing the Keene location.

He said most music lovers are hybrids, listening online then geeking out on records and CDs if they find something they love.

Online music service Spotify, with its curated playlists, is driving fandom. Young fans can curate and share playlists quickly, not labor hours over a mixtape for their friends.

Its given people a lot of music knowledge. People are learning at a hyper rate now, Arnold said.

Plus, a record collection looks cool in your living room.

Its not just for the young, of course.

Also, we still have a lot of our 30-year regulars and people who have come in every single day, he said.

Turn it Up! has a solid business in used records, Arnold said.

We have a lot of enthusiasts who come in, buy a bunch of used stuff and then sell it back to us, he said.

And he says they pay competitive prices.

Have some Slayer albums gathering dust? Turn It Up! has a used-album want list heavy on heavy metal from the 1980s and 90s. Those bands have followings, but not the groundswell of support or critical acclaim to merit a re-issue.

So those are albums were always looking for, he said.

Customers want lists are varied but heavy in the 90s and early 2000s, such as English electronic band Portishead and rapper Kendrick Lamar. Then there are the old standbys: The Beatles, Pink Floyd.

There are aficionados of the free jazz movement, such as Alice Coltrane.

People deep-dig themselves, Arnold said.

This turnaround for turntables is helped in Northampton, Pezzati said, by a recent resurgence in live music. The reopened Iron Horse Music Hall, and concerts and promoter DSP Shows concerts at the Academy of Music all enliven a downtown that had gotten a little quiet.

It helps to have live music, he said. It draws people to Northampton who are our customers.
Thousands of employees are facing layoffs as tech giant Synopsys cuts 10% of its workforce following a $35 billion merger with engineering design firm Ansys.

The company disclosed the layoffs to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Nov. 9, according to federal documents.

Synopsys Board of Directors approved a restructuring plan that is expected to result in the termination of approximately 10% of Synopsys workforce as of fiscal 2025 year-end.

According to its website, Synopsys has approximately 28,000 employees as of Nov. 13  meaning a 10% cut would result in roughly 2,800 layoffs.

Synopsys has approximately 28,000 employees as of Nov. 13, according to its website, meaning a 10% cut would affect roughly 2,800 workers.

This restructuring will allow Synopsys to invest in key growth opportunities and drive business efficiencies following the completion of its acquisition of ANSYS Inc., the notice reads.

Synopsys expects a majority of the workforce reductions in fiscal year 2026 and to substantially complete the Restructuring Plan by the end of fiscal year 2027, subject to local law and consultation requirements.

The move comes just four months after Synopsys completed its acquisition of Ansys in July for $35 billion.

The transaction, which was announced on Jan. 16, 2024, combines leaders in silicon design, IP and simulation and analysis to enable customers to rapidly innovate AI-powered products, the company said of the acquisition.

Synopsys is now positioned to win in an expanded $31 billion total addressable market.

Synopsys President and CEO Sassine Ghazi called the merger a transformational milestone for the company and said that with Ansys team, the company can maximize the capabilities of engineering teams broadly.

The company said it expects to take pre-tax charges of between $300 million and $350 million, including severance and site-closure costs.

Additionally, the company plans to complete most layoffs in FY 2026, though layoffs have already begun this month.

Layoff notices have been issued for the following California facilities:
It would look menacing if it werent so small.

A baby American alligator rested with its mouth agape between the hands of Joseph Kenney, an animal educator with Joes Crazzy Critters, on Wednesday night.

He said it took about 15 minutes, using a flashlight and a headlamp, to find the alligator in the Charles River waters near Back Bay in Boston.

With the cold temps, the alligator had very low chances of surviving, Kenney said in an Instagram post.

The alligator first surfaced on social media after a jogger along the river spotted the small reptile. The video showed the alligator, black with bright yellowish-white bands, among fallen leaves  a strange sight in New England.

It crawled backwards into the water after flashing its tiny teeth.

On behalf of MassWildlife, Id like to thank Joe Kenney for his effort to rescue the Charles River alligator last night, Dr. Mike Jones, a MassWildlife state herpetologist, said on Thursday. Alligators cannot survive Massachusetts cold winters.

MassWildlife was alerted to the alligator by someone who saw it earlier this week.

Whitney Lieberman saw the alligator on a run and saw it floating in the waters of Turtle Pond on the Charles River bike path. She posted a photo to Reddit.

My assumption is that he is someones pet who was either lost or dumped (but he still gave me QUITE a jump scare at 7AM), she wrote in the post.

Wildlife officials said they are aware of the video and they are coordinating with Boston Animal Control and the Massachusetts Environmental Police to locate and capture it.

Alligators are not native to Massachusetts and cannot survive frigid temperatures, officials told Boston.com.

A cold front arrived earlier this week, bringing near-freezing temperatures to much of the state.

How the alligator arrived in the Charles River remains unclear. If you were wondering, no, it is not legal to have an alligator as a pet in Massachusetts. The same goes for crocodiles, caimans and gavials (a crocodile with a long, narrow snout).

Kenney said online that he caught the baby gator after an interview with NBC Boston and learning more about where it was spotted.

He was tucked into some reeds, kind of along the edge there, in about a foot-and-a-half of water, Kenney told NBC Boston. He was just tucked in and laying on the bottom.

MassLive reached out to Kenney for comment.

For now, the alligator is warm and housed with Joes Crazzy Critter as they learn more and get instructions on whats next.

We are hoping that he will be a new resident and ambassador here at Joes Crazzy Critters, Kenney said in the post.
Earlier this year, Red Robin, the burger chain known for its gourmet burgers and bottomless steak fries, announced plans to close dozens of locations by years end and 70 within the next five.

However, while dozens of locations still remain on the chopping block, a spokesperson told MassLive the total number of closures has since decreased.

In Q2, Red Robin shared that efforts are working and Red Robin plans to close fewer restaurants than it previously guided earlier this year, a spokesperson told MassLive Thursday, saying about 20 restaurants have been removed from the chopping block because of improved performance and profitability.

This still leaves about 50 locations for closing consideration.

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The company had announced more than a dozen burger joints would close in 2025 during a Q1 earnings call, stating the cuts would include non-renewal of store leases as well as underperforming restaurants.

The company did not disclose which restaurants would be closing.

As of Nov. 13, Massachusetts is home to at least five Red Robin locations, with eateries in: Wareham, Plymouth, Foxborough, Holyoke and Millbury.

At the time of the announcement, the company revealed a quarterly net loss of $39.7 million.

The last two years have been transformational years for Red Robin, and Im proud to say we began to see the benefit of our work as we progressed through 2024, culminating in a 600-basis point improvement in traffic trends from the first quarter of the year to the fourth, CEO G.J Hart said of the Q1 results.

He added that going into 2025, Red Robin would focus on two key priorities: bringing guests back into our restaurants for moments of connection over craveable food that only Red Robin can provide and an accelerated effort to gain efficiency in our operations and deliver growth in restaurant and corporate-level profitability while maintaining the improved guest experience that we have developed over the past two years.

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According to Red Robins 2025 Q3 earnings report, the burger chain has updated the number of originally anticipated closures thanks to improved performance and profitability.

For the quarter, Red Robin saw a decrease in total revenues of $9.5 million compared to the same quarter last year, and an $18.4 million net loss for the quarter.

The company also saw a $7.6 million adjusted EBITDA  or earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation  for the quarter.

The increase represents an 81% increase compared to the same time last year.

Our improved topline coupled with these continued efficiencies delivered adjusted EBITDA exceeding our expectations as we continue to build momentum, Dave Pace, Red Robins president and chief executive officer, said in a statement.

While were still in the early innings of our transformation, the progress across all pillars of our First Choice plan gives me tremendous confidence that were on the right track to make Red Robin the first choice for guests, team members, and investors.
William Shipps, Jr. is asking for parole for the second time after killing two people when he was 16. Massachusetts Parole Board

A Massachusetts man is being released from prison after being granted parole last month. But the grandson of the woman killed still doesnt believe the mans story.

William Shipps, Jr. said he had planned to punch the two people inside the home he was robbing when he was 16 if they had any issues, not shoot them.

And yet he brought a gun and used it. I find the fact that he struggled with my grandmother, who was about 110 pounds, with a heart condition and wasnt able to overpower her in about two seconds, extremely hard to believe, he said.

More than 40 years later, the Massachusetts Parole Board looked back at Shipps crimes as a teenager and found them shocking, but are allowing him a second chance outside prison walls.

A life of crime

As a toddler, Shipps was often brought along by his uncle during break-ins, exposing him to a life of crime before he could understand it.

By 16, Shipps had shot and killed two people.

Shipps was one of two teens who planned and executed an armed robbery on July 24, 1982. He brought the loaded gun but said he never intended to use it. The robbery, however, didnt go according to plan, Shipps said, and a brother and sister, John J. Lucey and Esther L. King, were murdered in their home in Stoughton.

Lucey was killed during a fight between him and the other teen. Shipps, however, admitted to pinning King to her bed, putting a pillow over her head and shooting her. After both people were shot, Shipps admitted to destroying the house and stealing their items, which he later sold, the parole board wrote.

Shipps was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of armed robbery, and two counts of armed assault in a dwelling. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of King, a consecutive life sentence without the possibility of parole for the murder of Lucey, and four additional life sentences for the armed robbery and armed assault convictions, which were ordered to be served concurrently with the life sentence he received for the murder of King.

However, due to his age the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decided in 2013 that he could not be sentenced to life without the possibility of parole as it was considered cruel or unusual punishment. Shipps first went in front of the parole board in 2021 but was denied.

Despite years of program participation, Mr. Shipps minimizes his overall criminal history. He attempted to normalize his delinquent and prior criminal behavior by suggesting it is common adolescent behavior, the parole board wrote in their 2022 decision.

Years later, Shipps continues to insist this type of criminal behavior was normal  at least in his family.

Another uncle, Shipps recalled, would come over to his house with truckloads and carloads full of stolen merchandise.

And we all knew it was stolen and nobody thought anything about it, he said during his parole board hearing on May 20. So criminal behavior became normalized.

When he was a teenager, his brother-in-law, who was a mechanic, would take him out to steal car parts or cars with him. His father would also drive drunk, he said.

So, I became accustomed to criminality and criminal behavior, he said.

This type of thinking continued to be reinforced as he started making money from the things he stole and sold, he said.

And here I am, a kid stealing things and selling them to adults, he said. And its given it the adult approval of this is OK.

But one of the board members pushed back on this idea.

... the criminality of your conduct at that age, it was shocking, the board member said. Some of the firearms you were stealing, the amount of drugs you were stealing, at least in that one incident that your uncle, who had some organized crime ties, had to untangle for you. To me, you were in a different league of juvenile offenses.

Getting parole

The parole board also took issue with his years of attempting to get a new trial and appealing the original ruling and in 2019 coming forward claiming the other teenager involved was the one who shot Lucey.

I had never spoken about the night Esther King and John Lucy murdered, Shipps said. I had never talked to my attorneys about it. I had never provided the details of what happened that night to anyone. Not to my attorneys, not to my family members or anyone.

Why not, a board member questioned. Because if youre pursuing motions for a new trial and appeals, wouldnt that be the time to say this should be considered?

Shipps recalled that he tried to get officials to look at the other teen in 1988 but that a judge denied the request.

One board member continued to question Shipps. She feared the timing of the new information.

The Supreme Court Case that allows for Shipps to get parole asks the board to consider if there were peer influences. If so, they are more likely to be considered for parole.

I question again, the timing, is he introducing this juvenile into this, these murders because now hes a Diatchenko case, and this kind of looks better for me, she asked.

Still, Shipps remains apologetic for his actions and the pain hes caused.

I apologize to Esther King, and I apologize to John Lucy ... I robbed you of the joy of being with your family. I robbed your family of the joy and grace of your presence. I failed to appreciate you and value the way every person deserves to be appreciated and valued. Im truly sorry. I will carry the guilt, the shame, and the remorse for my crimes against you till the end of my days, he said.

Shipps is expected to spend 90 days in a minimum security facility before being released on parole. He will then be required to have electronic monitoring for six months, be supervise for drugs and alcohol and have no contact with victims family.
Cleto Escobedo III was not only the band leader on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" but also a longtime friend of the host. (Photo by Jeff Golden/WireImage)

Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel announced he is taking the rest of the week off after the death of his best friend and the shows bandleader, Cleto Escobedo III.

Kimmel gave an emotional tribute to his childhood friend on Tuesday during Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Weve been on the air for almost 23 years, and Ive had to do some hard monologues along the way, but this ones the hardest because late last night, early this morning, we lost someone very special who was much too young, he said.

Kimmel met Escobedo when they were children after Kimmels family moved from Brooklyn, New York, to Las Vegas, Nevada. Escobedo, whom he called Junior, lived on the same block.

We became like 24-7, Mom, please let me sleep over please kind of friends, he said. One summer, I slept over at the Escobedo house 33 nights in a row.

The bond continued years later, with Escobedos own successful career playing sax on tour with Paula Abdul, recording studio albums and more.

When Kimmel started his talk show in September 2002, he asked Escobedo to be the lead of the shows band.

Cleto and his dad played Pick up the Pieces by Average White Band. And Lloyd saw it  saw the father and son together  and he said, I love it. And he just got up and left. And weve been working together every day for almost 23 years, Kimmel said.

He continued, We had our own language that almost no one else understood. We didnt have to say anything. Wed sit here at rehearsal every day, wed have to look at each other  and that would be it.

Although Escobedos cause of death has not yet been revealed, Kimmel did give a special thank you during his show to the doctors and nurses at UCLA Medical Center for taking incredibly good care of him. Kimmel also thanked the team at Sherman Oaks Hospital that initially took him in.
A Saugus man who worked as a commuter rail conductor was convicted Wednesday of manslaughter for killing his estranged wifes boyfriend as the couple slept in an Everett apartment, court records show.

Jurors acquitted Brian Green, whose father is MBTA Transit Police Chief Kenneth Green, of first-degree murder for the killing of 38-year-old Jarmahl Sutson in July 2022. In addition to manslaughter, Brian Green was also convicted of unarmed burglary and solicitation of a crime punishable by five years or more in prison, records show.

At Greens arraignment in August 2022, prosecutors said he broke into the home where he and his wife lived in Everett around 4:20 a.m. on July 19 of that year. Green used a key to get in and, in the dark, navigated to the bedroom where he found his estranged wife and Sutson, The Daily Item reported.

Greens estranged wife, with whom he was in the process of a divorce, called police at 4:22 a.m. after waking up to Sutson in a pool of blood. She also found a shell casing in the bed, the paper reported, citing a police report.

Sutson was the father of Greens estranged wifes child.

Prosecutors said Green had a history of violence and anger toward women who tried to leave him, according to The Boston Globe. Before the killing, Green had a firearms offense on his record and had been subject to two domestic violence restraining orders.

Green had tried to cover up his crime by telling family members and friends that he had gone directly from home to work, according to prosecutors.

The verdict was reached on the 11th day of Greens trial in Middlesex Superior Court, records show. No sentencing date was listed. Manslaughter carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

Jarmahl Sutson was a father, a son, and a brother. This one unfortunate event will sadly forever impact our family" said Michael Satterwhite, a Lynn-based attorney who was Sutsons cousin, following the arraignment.
The Starbucks reusable red cup for 2025 is displayed here. Red Cup Day will return to Starbucks on Nov. 13, 2025. Starbucks

Following Starbucks release of the Bearista cold cup, the coffee chain announced it has a new exclusive seasonal line of merchandise on the way.

The coffee house has teamed up with the popular loungewear brand Roller Rabbit to create a holiday collection which is set to launch on Dec. 2, according to PEOPLE. Further details will be shared closer to the launch date.

The new collab follows the release of the Bearista Cold Cup, a bear-shaped glass bottle with a green beanie cap lid.

Glass Starbucks Bearista Cold Cup Starbucks

The product went viral, with customers snatching the $30 cups as soon as they hit the shelves.

This lead to widespread customer complaints, stating that not enough of the bear-inspired cups were made available, PEOPLE reported.

Starbucks then released a public statement, apologizing for having such a short supply.

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 Starbucks spokesperson told PEOPLE in a statement while promising that fans could expect more exciting merchandise coming this holiday season.

The Roller Rabbit collection is the latest addition to Starbucks holiday offerings, which launched on Nov. 6 alongside a Hello Kitty merchandise collection and a main holiday menu, offering:

Peppermint Mocha

Caramel Brulee Latte

Iced Sugar Cookie Latte

Iced Gingerbread Chai

Chestnut Praline Latte

Eggnog Latte

Snowman Cookie

Cranberry Bliss Bar

Sugar Plum Cheese Danish

The Polar Bear Cake Pop

Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread

Starbucks did not immediately respond to MassLives request for comment Wednesday.
President Donald Trump talks with reporters upon his arrival at the White House in Washington, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

More Republicans disapprove of President Donald Trumps handling of the federal government, according to a new poll.

The poll, released Wednesday by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, shows 32% of Republicans disapprove of Trumps management of the federal government, up from 19% in March.

Independent voters have also given Trump low marks on the federal government, with 25% expressing approval, down from 38% in March. Only 5% of Democrats approve of Trumps handling of the issue in November, down from 9% in March.

Trumps overall approval on the issue stands at 33%, a 10 percentage-point decrease from the firms March poll.

His overall job approval is at 36%, a 1 percentage-point decrease from October and a 6 percentage-point drop from March, according to data from previous surveys.

The AP-NORC poll was conducted Nov. 6-10, featuring a sample size of 1,143 American adults. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.9%

The poll was conducted before Trump signed a bill from Congress to re-open the government Nov. 12. The shutdown lasted 43 days, resulting in federal workers being unpaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) being disrupted.

The bill passed by the House and Senate did not include an extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax subsidies, which will expire at the end of this year.

A KFF poll released on Nov. 6 found that 74% of Americans, including 94% of Democrats, 76% of independents and 50% of Republicans, believe Congress should extend the subsidies.
Another cold and windy day is ahead for Massachusetts on Thursday, with conditions remaining dry aside from a few stray showers.

Highs will reach the upper 40s across much of Massachusetts, with cooler temperatures expected for higher elevations. Sunshine to start the day will give way to cloudy conditions, National Weather Service forecasters said.

Most areas will stay dry, though an isolated shower is possible in the afternoon, especially on the South Coast and Cape Cod and the Islands.

Friday brings mostly sunny skies, with some ocean-effect clouds lingering over the Cape. Cloud cover is expected to increase in the afternoon as another weather disturbance makes its way through the region. Temperatures will be slightly cooler, with highs in the mid-40s.

Sunshine and lighter winds are expected Saturday, but the day continues the trend of below-normal temperatures for the region. A more significant weather system moves in Saturday night into Sunday, bringing mostly rain to Massachusetts.

Still, surface temperatures could be near freezing when the rain starts over the Berkshires and Worcester Hills, meaning some freezing rain is possible. Any icing should be localized and brief, so impacts are expected to be minimal.

A cold front moves through the region Sunday morning, and conditions are expected to improve in its wake. Highs should reach the 50s along the coast on Sunday.

By Sunday night, temperatures will turn colder, with wind picking up and continuing into Monday. The wind will diminish Tuesday and Wednesday as high pressure moves in. Below-normal temperatures are expected through the middle of next week.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On November 12, DiDi Autonomous Driving announced a strategic partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO).

As part of the deal, DiDi has joined Abu Dhabi's Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI) cluster, marking its first major step into the Middle East. The two sides will collaborate on advancing autonomous driving technologies, AI talent development, and ecosystem building. Together, they aim to accelerate Abu Dhabi's efforts to create a world-leading hub for smart mobility and sustainable transportation, with plans to gradually expand cooperation across the wider Middle East region.

Photo source: DiDi Autonomous Driving

The SAVI cluster, led by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development and ADIO, serves as a regional hub for smart transportation across the Middle East and North Africa. It focuses on promoting innovation and commercialization of autonomous technologies across land, sea, and air mobility, as part of Abu Dhabi's broader smart city vision. According to ADIO, the initiative is expected to contribute AED 44 billion to Abu Dhabi's GDP and generate around 40,000 jobs by 2045.

H.E. Badr Al-Olama, Director General of ADIO, described the partnership as a "key milestone in shaping the future of transportation in Abu Dhabi." He welcomed DiDi Autonomous Driving's participation in the SAVI cluster, noting that the company's expertise would play a vital role in scaling autonomous driving applications across the Middle East. "We look forward to working together to establish new benchmarks for intelligent, safe, and sustainable mobility," he said.

Wang Yue, Vice President of DiDi Autonomous Driving and General Manager of its Autonomous Driving Services Department, said the Middle East represents a key region in DiDi's global expansion strategy. "Abu Dhabi's vision for smart city development and sustainability aligns perfectly with our commitment to responsible technology innovation," Wang noted. "With ADIO's support and collaboration with local partners, we aim to advance autonomous driving innovation and deployment across the region, delivering a safer and smarter mobility experience for Middle Eastern users."

DiDi Autonomous Driving focuses on advancing Level 4 autonomous technology through the application of cutting-edge artificial intelligence. Leveraging its proprietary hardware-software stack and its "Huijugang" intelligent operations platform, the company has maintained more than 1,900 consecutive days of safe operations. Its next-generation autonomous vehicledeveloped in partnership with GAC AION and designed for global adaptabilityis slated for delivery by the end of this year.
Priscilla Rivera, left, and Nancy Capron, members of the Holyoke Community Emergency Response Team, make care packages to be sent to Puerto Rico for Hurricane relief in 2022. This month, Rivera is one of the Holyoke organizers of Cena de Otono (Fall Feast) the day before Thanksgiving. (The Republican file photo)

In Holyoke, planning for a shared meal this month is about more than turkey and pie. It reflects a decades-long struggle with hunger in the citys Puerto Rican community  and neighbors who have built networks of care to keep one another afloat.

I know a lot of people are struggling, said Priscilla Rivera, one of the Holyoke organizers of Cena de Otono (Fall Feast) the day before Thanksgiving. I want to provide at least one day with a warm meal for anyone. You can be homeless. You can be middle class or upper class. It doesnt matter. Come and eat.

The event will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 26, at El Mercado, at 413 Main St. More than 300 free meals will be served with love and gratitude to Holyoke residents. Everyone is welcome to join in a day of kindness, connection, and unity as one family, reads the event poster.

The celebration, organized by Nueva Esperanza and sponsored by Invertir, will take place in the heart of Holyokes Puerto Rican Cultural District.

Rivera is the former owner of the City Sports Bar in downtown Holyoke, which once served as an unofficial community hub. It was a place where neighbors came together to help during crises, from hurricanes in Puerto Rico to apartment fires in Holyoke.

Now, shes turning that same energy toward food relief. In addition to organizing the feast, Rivera and Stefany Garcia, also of Holyoke, have been running a food drive for residents. Drop-off centers are located throughout the city, including at Enlace de Familias, one of the major sponsors of the event.

Rivera said shes grateful that government food programs have started up again, but she sees every day how many still struggle regardless.

I just want to help the people who are in need, she said. The universe has blessed me, and my purpose is to help people  to protect those who struggle and to make sure no one feels forgotten.

The need is great. Last year, researchers from Yale University published a study on food insecurity among Holyokes Puerto Rican population  one of the largest per capita in the nation  revealing a painful reality: nearly three-quarters (73%) of surveyed residents were food insecure, including 49% with very low food security, a category describing people who sometimes go entire days without eating.

Families with children suffered the most, according to the report, which found that households with children were four times more likely to experience low food security than households without dependents.

Meanwhile, more people have struggled to feed themselves and their families. Hampden Countys food insecurity rate rose to 54% in 2025.

Nearly half of Holyoke residents depend on government food programs.

The Yale researchers found that crises like these, while devastating to communities such as Holyoke, are not the cause of hunger. The deeper roots lie in long-standing inequities that shape who learns about, qualifies for, and actually uses food assistance  federal programs on one hand, and local emergency outlets on the other, the authors wrote.

Everybody can be at war politically, but in Holyoke, we come together, Rivera said. We take action to help the community, no matter what.

Those interested in donating or volunteering for the feast or the food drive can email invertirholyoke@gmail.com for more information.
LaMar Cook, former deputy director for the governors regional office in Springfield, is arraigned at Hampden District Court on Oct. 29 on charges of cocaine trafficking after 8 kilos of the drug were delivered to him at the state building on Dwight Street on Oct. 25. (Douglas Hook / The Republican, File) Douglas Hook

SPRINGFIELD  Former governors aide LaMar Cook was granted bail after being held behind bars since Oct. 29 on drug and gun charges.

Cook, 45, the two-year deputy director of Gov. Maura T. Healeys regional office in Springfield, was arrested and charged with cocaine trafficking and illegal gun possession. Superior Court Judge William Ritter granted Cook a collective $85,000 cash bail on the trafficking and gun charges.

Cooks defense lawyer, Kedar K. Ismail, said he felt the cash bail was steep.

We thought the bail was a little high. But were working to get this gentleman back home to his family, Ismail said.

Previously, Cook had been deemed dangerous to the community, but Ismail appealed to Ritter last week about a previous ruling by a District Court judge that Cook should be held behind bars without bail.

How are there no conditions of release that would quell the concerns of the commonwealth? Ismail asked Ritter on Nov. 7.

He was arrested after allegedly accepting delivery of dozens of kilos of cocaine, in three drops to Hotel UMass, his former employer, and to the state building on Dwight Street, all in October. He was arrested at the end of last month.

Prosecutor Kerry Beattie said Cook was running a con on the community, and that he had decimated the very city he was charged with propping up. The seized drugs from both the UMass and little State House deliveries in Springfield totaled 31 kilos, or 68 pounds.

Cook was appointed in 2023 to Healeys Western Massachusetts office and was tasked as a political liaison to the region. Working for the governor, Cook earned $115,668 annually.

A co-founder of the Back to School Brighter Initiative in Springfield, Cook was also a member of the Springfield Community Preservation Committee. He launched failed bids for Springfield City Council in 2015 and for School Committee two years later.

The Governors Office at the time of Cooks hiring called him a major presence in the Springfield business community.

In a past interview with MassLive.com, Cook told the media outlet that he had spent 20 years in hospitality. Since his arrest, government insiders and others have questioned why and how Cook landed the state job.
Violent incidents in Worcester Public Schools (WPS) have increased from the past school year, according to data the school district provided to the Worcester School Committee.

The data showed a significant increase in incidents involving physical assault of employees, rising to 158 in the 2024-2025 school year from 92 in the 2023-2024 school year  a 72% jump.

Incidents of fighting rose from 199 to 222, while incidents of damage or theft of school property increased from 17 incidents to 41. There was also an increase in incidents involving the possession or use of marijuana, with 83 incidents reported in the 2024-2025 school year, up from 51 in the 2023-2024 school year

The data, however, did show decreases in incidents involving the possession of weapons.

During the 2024-2025 school year, there were 17 incidents of students possessing knives with large blades and 18 incidents of students possessing knives with small blades, according to the data. In comparison, there were 37 incidents of students possessing large-bladed knives and 38 incidents of possessing small-bladed knives during the 2023-2024 school year.

Incidents involving the possession of handguns and explosives also dropped, both decreasing from two in the 2023-2024 school year to zero in the following year, according to the data.

A spokesperson for the school notes that the data given to the school committee was not broken down by elementary, middle school, or high school.

The spokesperson added that in some of these cases, there are instances where children with special education needs may exhibit behavior that can lead to these incidents. These behaviors are sometimes part of their disabilities, the spokesperson said.

We take any incident involving harm to students and staff seriously, a statement from the district reads. In addition to reviewing data entry practices to ensure accuracy and consistency across all schools, WPS is taking several steps to reduce physical incidents from occurring. These steps include increased and consistent training for staff on physical and emotional de-escalation techniques, behavioral supports, and trauma-informed practices. Additionally, WPS will continue to strengthen communication, training and support systems for both staff safety and student well-being.

During the committees Finance, Operations and Governance subcommittee meeting on Nov. 10, District C School Committee member Dianna Biancheria expressed concern about the data. Biancheira was the one who requested the data from the administration.

We need to figure out as a district what we need to be doing because what we are doing right now does not appear to be working and I have some real concerns with this, Biancheria said.

In total, there were 2,267 suspendible incidents in the 2024-2025 school year, an increase from 1,861 during the previous year.

District F School Committee member Jermaine Johnson acknowledged the increase in incidents during the Nov. 10 meeting but also noted that the number is small compared to the 25,000 students who attend Worcester Public Schools. He also noted that the data could also be reflecting repeat offenders as well.

I think we need to look at that and break that down as well and keep that in mind, Johnson said.
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Earlier this month, the Mary Robinson Centre hosted the launch of Interwoven/Fite Fuaite, a collaborative quilt created by 51 community groups across Ireland to represent the nation at COP30 in Brazil. The initiative celebrates connection, creativity, and collective climate action.

Also known by its Irish name 'Fite Fuaite', Interwoven embodies Irelands diverse voices and shared commitment to addressing the climate crisis. Each of its 51 squares was designed by groups nationwide, capturing community stories, landscapes, and hopes for a sustainable future.

Pictured: Interwoven/Fite Fuaite at Ireland West Airport

Former President of Ireland Mary Robinson described Interwoven/Fite Fuaite as a beautiful collaboration.

Each quilt square carried the story of a community working for climate justice and for nature, forging a message of hope as the quilt began its journey from Ireland to Belem, said Mrs Robinson.

Laura Cook of Project Dandelion collected the quilt at the send-off launch, where representatives from each community group gathered. She carried it to COP30, where Mrs Robinson will participate in a series of events throughout the conference. The quilt will be showcased at gatherings of climate and community groups before Mrs Robinson presents it to Brazilian Climate Minister Marina Silva.

Mrs Robinsons idea was inspired by a quilt Irish women sent to the United Nations World Conference on Women in Beijing 30 years ago, said Ms Cook. She saw that as a powerful symbol of women reaching out to other women, and this quilt shared that spirit. Each square showed that when we wove our stories together, we created something stronger and more beautiful than any of us could alone.

READ MORE: Mayo man to the fore at President of Ireland's inauguration in Dublin Castle

Emma Donoghue, Project Manager at the Mary Robinson Centre, described Interwoven as a celebration of connection between people, places, and purpose. I showed how local stories, when woven together, could carry a powerful message from Ireland to the world.

As Interwoven departed for Brazil, the projects organisers looked to the future.

We realised through this that there were groups working away in their own locality who had no idea that others were doing the same in the next county, Ms Cook added. We wanted to create an online database of these projects  a virtual tapestry  so they could see how influential and strong they were together.
This battle of the blues between Kiltimagh and Roscommon champions St Croans promises much.

The Mayo kingpins arrive into this tie relatively fresh given that they last faced opposition three weeks ago when they overcame Eastern Gaels in the county final.

That day, Mick Regans side took control in the second half as they ran out convincing winners in the end. Fresh from their win over Sligos Cloonacool last weekend, St Croans will be hoping to see that winning momentum carry them into the provincial final.

Both clubs have taken a bit of dip in recent years as the Roscommon outfit contested the All-Ireland intermediate final in 2015 while Kiltimagh also reached Croke Park back in 2010 when they lost out to Castlegregory in the junior decider.

One thing the two sides have in common is that the pair have competed at Junior ranks for just one season. Both were relegated from Intermediate level in 2024, but now the rise continues as the duo will be competing at the higher grade next season.

Last weekend, the men from the Ballintubber area of Roscommon went up against Sligos Cloonacool. On that occasion, Vinnie Egans side claimed victory when they ran out 2-12 to 1-7 winners.

Croans were dealt a blow at the weekend when centre forward Kevin Smith suffered a serious injury which will mean the talented attacker will miss the battle with Kiltimagh.

Prominent players Eoin Collins and Alan Conroy are sure to feature, both of whom were members of the Roscommon U-20 side this year.

Kiltimagh on the other hand have some exciting players spread across the field. Brian Gallagher who was impressive in the county Final is a shrewd operator, a real intelligent player for Mick Regans side.

Team captain Liam Kelly along with his brother Paul are key figures around the middle areas while up front, Conor Mallee and Fionnan Burke are talented attackers who certainly know where the posts are.

Texas-based Aidan Cosgrove made a huge difference in the win over Eastern Gaels but he is expected to be an absentee for this clash.

In the past ten years, Mayo clubs have claimed Connacht glory on six occasions and with the success that Kilmeena had in 2022/2023, its clear that Mayo clubs often do well in junior ranks.

Back in 2009, the men from Gilmartin Park claimed Connacht spoils and reached the All-Ireland final, but if they dream of getting back to Croke Park, they'll have to topple the Roscommon men first.

VERDICT: KILTIMAGH
A delegation from Mayo film production company Western Front Studios Westport spent a week in California at the Newport Beach Festival.

Two production from the Mayo filmmakers were shown at the week long festival:

On Saturday October 18, 'Night Driver' was screened. Written by director Michael Carolan, produced by Emer and Brian Durcan and cinematography by Brian Durcan.

About that film: Ngozi a taxi driver struggling to support her children in Dublin city begins extorting one of her passengers when she witnesses them being unfaithful in her taxi.

This short film was made under the Virgin Discovers Scheme and is available to view on the Virgin Media Player.

The second was 'Our Father' by Westport native Sheila Moylette, who wrote, directed and acted in the film. It was produced by Westport local Dorothy Whitticker and Emer Durcan and Brian Durcan was responsible for the Cinematography.

The film is set in 1960s rural Ireland. Fr. Daniel Maloney is called to the bedside of parishioner Catherine Mason, the wife of a prominent politician. She has just given birth. Whilst her husband has gone out to celebrate, Catherine confides a secret in Fr. Daniel and asks him for help.

The delegation representing Western Front Studios was met by a few expats from county Mayo who have settled down in Orange County, California.

Caroline Joyce and Niamh O'Brien joined them at the Newport Beach Festival.

"The story is that Caroline and myself are old friends", explains Emer Durcan: "My father and her father, Padraig Joyce and John Gannon, John Blondie Gannon, would have worked together. So when I got over to Orange County, or the week before I went to LA, Caroline made contact with me and said, Jesus, do you know what, I saw your films are being screened at this film festival in Newport Beach and we're going to go and see you."

So Caroline Joyce and a friend of hers, Niamh O'Brien, they came in to support the Mayo delegation.

"It was great to have some Westport people to support us on the day and it was great to catch up with old friends and the support was truly appreciated."

READ NEXT: Behind the scenes: At the set of Mayo based company filming RTE drama
RV Tech is currently focused on delivering the platform for Rivian and Volkswagen models

Volkswagen and Rivian Automotive are planning to sell the electric vehicle (EV) technology they are co-developing to other manufacturers, reported Bloomberg.

The firms joint venture, RV Tech, is making advancements on an EV electrical and software platform for Volkswagen.

It has begun engaging third parties on its scalability.

RV Techs near-term focus is delivering the platform for Rivian and Volkswagen models, with testing scheduled on Audi, VW and Scout vehicles from the first quarter of 2026.

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The partners set up the JV a year ago, combining developers and engineers from both companies.

They are adopting Rivians centralised electronics architecture with fewer computing units to simplify development and reducing expenses.

Rivian software chief and RV Tech co-chair Wassym Bensaid said: Were solving a problem for the larger automotive industry.

That could become an opportunity.

The technology is engineered to be scalable across multiple vehicle sizes and segments in Western markets.

It also shares elements that could be applied to combustion-engine models, RV Tech co-chair Carsten Helbing said.

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The inaugural model to use the solution will be Rivians R2 SUV, due early 2026.

Volkswagens compact ID. EVERY1, anticipated to cost around 20,000 ($23,000), is slated for 2027, followed by Scout-branded models.

Volkswagen also maintains a separate partnership with Xpeng for China.

Volkswagen has previously licensed its first-generation EV platform to Ford and Mahindra & Mahindra.

The German group is turning to Rivian as it faces US tariffs, softer demand in Europe and declining deliveries in China, investing up to $5.8bn in the alliance under CEO Oliver Blume, as per the Bloomberg report.

For Rivian, which is loss-making, the deal provides critical funding amid a broader EV market slowdown.

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Volkswagens earlier in-house software efforts delayed launches and hurt sales, though recent updates have lifted EV deliveries in Europe.

"Volkswagen and Rivian seek licensing of joint EV tech to other carmakers" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand.




Car lifts save space, provide clearance for maintenance, and make repairs quicker and far more convenient. In recent years, two-post lifts have also become quite popular among DIY enthusiasts. Although you can put a car lift in your garage, there is a catch  simply buying one and bolting it down is not enough.

Car lifts are heavy. This is why they must be properly installed to avoid any potential issues. The main factor? The overall thickness and strength of the concrete. For most two-post lifts, you're really asking for trouble with anything less than four to four and a half inches of solid, reinforced slab beneath you. For lifts designed to carry 10,000 pounds, it's generally advised to go for six inches to be extra safe.

If you want to install even heavier lifts up to 12,000 to 15,000 pounds, that six inches should only be the starting point. Car lifts also require concrete of no less than 3,000 PSI to endure the weight. In this case, the more PSI, the better. Here's how thick concrete needs to be, and how to install your two-post car lift correctly.

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Read more: Popular Synthetic Oil Brands Ranked Worst To Best

Installing a two-post car lift

A mechanic standing in front of a two-post car lift holding a car in a workshop. - wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock

A car lift should only be installed on a level concrete surface. Its two columns have to be firmly anchored. First, lay down a layer of gravel to help the concrete settle, avoid cracking, and improve water runoff. Now is also a good time to install rebar or mesh. This will increase the overall tensile strength of the concrete. Once the concrete has been poured, let it sit and cure for 28 days before installing a lift.

As far as the anchor bolts are concerned, embed them at least three and a quarter inches deep. They also shouldn't protrude any more than two and a quarter inches off the floor. Lastly, place them more than eight inches from the edges to avoid cracks. Lift manufacturers typically provide further information on requirements and installation best practices, so be sure to keep these in mind.

Installing these requires precision, the right tools, and enough time. Therefore, it's often better to have a professional do it, although a DIY installation is possible. Either way, if you don't fancy spending thousands on a lift and professional installation, or you believe it might just be overkill, ramps could be the best car lift alternative for your garage.

Maintaining a two-post car lift

A red two-post car lift with no car on it in a clean garage workshop environment. - Drazen_/Getty Images

Regular daily maintenance includes visual and leak inspections. Therefore, assess your safety locks, cables, and other moving components. Inspect and tighten bolts, nuts, and screws at least once a week while topping up hydraulic fluid when running low. Cleaning the essential components should be carried out monthly, along with checking the entire hydraulic system for leaks.

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Adjust or replace the cables if they have visible signs of stretching and the hands are uneven. Annual maintenance entails replacing anything showing signs of wear, such as hoses, clamps, cables, and sheaves. It's also a good idea to check overall alignment and leveling. Lastly, re-checking and re-torquing the anchors after three months to a year of use is also beneficial, especially if the lift is still fairly new.

Also, make sure to grease the carriage, the arms, and the pins at least once a year. If you don't, it can age them prematurely. According to Real Garage Life, "to replace all three of them to get back, you pretty much have a cost of a lift in it." Regardless, if you want to do it yourself, be sure to first learn how to properly load a grease gun and only use grease compounds recommended for your lift.

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Read the original article on SlashGear.
Researchers achieve the first pregnancy using an AI-guided sperm recovery method (STAR), bringing new hope to men with azoospermia.

Highlights: AI-guided STAR method enables the first successful pregnancy in a man with azoospermia

Over 8 million images scanned per hour to identify rare, viable sperm cells non-invasively

One single sperm cell was enough to create an embryo and fulfill a 20-year dream of fatherhood

  Trusted Source

First clinical pregnancy following AI-based microfluidic sperm detection and recovery in non-obstructive azoospermia



Go to source Trusted Source

TOP INSIGHT Did You Know?

One single sperm - found using #AI and microfluidic tech - made a fathers dream come true after 20 years of #infertility. #aiinfertility #maleinfertility #azoospermia #starmethod #medindia

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The Challenge: When No Sperm Can Be Seen

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The Birth of STAR: Sperm Tracking and Recovery

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A Single Sperm, A 20-Year Dream Fulfilled

Future Implications for Male Infertility Treatment

First clinical pregnancy following AI-based microfluidic sperm detection and recovery in non-obstructive azoospermia - (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)01623-X/fulltext)

A groundbreaking success story has emerged with thein a man with a condition where semen contains little or no sperm ().Published in a leading medical journal, the case marks ain reproductive medicine, offering new possibilities for men once believed incapable of biological fatherhood.A semen sample can appear totally normal, but under the microscope, there may be nothing but a no visible sperm. Many couples facing male-factor infertility are told they have little chance of having a biological child., and aroundTraditional approaches  such as are often painful, invasive, and yield disappointing results.Existing laboratory techniques require technicians to, a process that isResearchers recognized the urgent need forto identify the few viable sperm cells hidden among millions of dead or irrelevant cells.To solve this challenge, scientists developed thesystem  a pioneeringthat integratesThescans through a semen sample at lightning speed, takingAI algorithms then identify potential sperm cells, and aisolates the specific portion of the sample containing these cells.Within, a robotic arm gently retrieves the live sperm  preserving its integrity foror future use.The method represents a unique blend of a cross-disciplinary success that turns data into life.Thewas performed on a patient who had struggled with infertility for nearlyand had undergone multiple failedand surgical extractions.From a, STAR scannedand successfully locatedin justBoth were used to fertilize eggs, resulting inYou only need one healthy sperm to create an embryo. This case demonstrates that even in the most severe male infertility While this report describes only one case, the implications are profound. Largerare now underway to evaluate the STAR methods success rate in broader groups of men withIf proven effective, this innovation could, reducing pain, cost, and complications  and could revolutionizeBy combining thewith the, researchers are redefining whats possible in reproductive science Source-Medindia
Women who gave birth during harsh famine conditions faced shorter lifespans, confirming the biological cost of reproduction.

  Trusted Source

More Children, Shorter Lifespan? Clear Evidence from the Great Finnish Famine



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TOP INSIGHT Did You Know?

The biological cost of #reproduction is significant: Data shows each additional child shortened a mother's lifespan by about half a year. A mother with one child averaged 71.6 years, while a mother with fifteen averaged 64.3 years. #motherhood #lifespan #healthresearch #medindia

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Harsh Winters and Famine in 19th-Century Finland

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Analyzing Centuries of Life-History Data

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Reproductive Effort and Longevity: A Confirmed Link

More Children, Shorter Lifespan? Clear Evidence from the Great Finnish Famine - (https://bioengineer.org/more-children-shorter-lifespan-clear-evidence-from-the-great-finnish-famine/)

A long-standing evolutionary theory suggests that producing more offspring may reduce lifespan , even in humans ().Yet, despite extensive research spanning a century, conclusive evidence has remained elusive. Now, scientists from the University of Groningen, the University of Exeter, and the University of Turku have demonstrated that. Their findings provide rare empirical confirmation of this long-debated link.In the 1860s,, resulting in a series of poor harvests and famine. Researcher Euan Young from the University of Groningen used life-history data from Finnish parish records to study the effects of these harsh conditions on the relationship between reproductive effort and lifespan.In total, Young studied data from 4,684 women over a period of 250 years. Women who were exposed to the famine during their reproductive years (1945 years old) lived shorter lives when they had more children Women who were not exposed to the famine, or who experienced it during a different phase of life, did not experience a shorter lifespan.Young stated: For over a hundred years, researchers have studied how reproduction influences lifespan, with mixed results. This has led some to believe that reproductive behaviour is not a significant factor in shaping human aging. Contrary to this, our findings suggest thatSource-University of Groningen
In a surprising yet powerful casting choice, Raveena Tandon has been roped in to play Heeraben Modi, the late mother of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the upcoming multilingual biopic Maa Vande. The film, directed by Kranthi Kumar Ch and produced by Veer Reddy under the Silver Cast Creations banner, was officially announced on Modis birthday, September 17. Actor Unni Mukundan will essay the role of Narendra Modi, leading the project.

 Silver Cast Creations According to sources close to the production, Raveena was deeply moved by the strength and emotional depth of Heerabens character. The story of a woman who lost her mother early in life, yet held her family together with calm, resilience, and fortitude, truly resonated with her, the insider shared. The films narrative focuses primarily on the relationship between Heeraben and her son, exploring how her sacrifices, guidance, and quiet determination shaped Modis journey. Maa Vande is essentially a tribute to the spirit of motherhood  a story about love, faith, and perseverance, the source added. Raveena was reportedly drawn to the films emotional core and its focus on the unsung influence of a mother behind one of Indias most powerful figures.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui, known for his gritty performances and unconventional film choices, recently shared an emotional anecdote about his early struggles and how his father once asked him not to come home, all because he was tired of watching his son get beaten up in every movie. Speaking with entrepreneur Raj Shamani on his podcast, the acclaimed actor opened up about the difficult phase in his career when he was often cast in small, powerless roles.

 Instagram/Nawazuddin Siddqui In the beginning, I was always getting beaten up in films, Nawazuddin recalled. In Sarfarosh, my first movie, I was beaten. In Munna Bhai MBBS, the same thing happened. I was a thief, a pickpocket, always on the receiving end. People from my village would tell my father, Your son is always getting beaten in movies. He was very tense about it. Coming from Western Uttar Pradesh, a region known for its deep-rooted sense of pride and self-respect, his father couldnt accept seeing his son humiliated on screen repeatedly. He once told me, Why do you keep doing such roles? I told him, I dont get anything else; Im trying. Then he said, Stop coming here after getting beaten up. The remark hit Nawazuddin hard, so much so that he didnt return to his village for nearly three years.
Chinese vice premier calls for stable development of China-U.S. economic, trade relations

Xinhua) 09:53, November 13, 2025

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, meets with Evan Greenberg, executive vice chair of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations (NCUSCR), and Stephen Orlins, president of the NCUSCR, in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

BEIJING, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng met with Evan Greenberg, executive vice chair of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations (NCUSCR), and Stephen Orlins, president of the NCUSCR, in Beijing on Wednesday.

He, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said as China and the United States enjoy broad space for economic and trade cooperation, they should work in the same direction, uphold and implement the important consensus and outcomes of the Busan meeting between the two heads of state, strengthen cooperation, and manage differences, thereby promoting the stable development of bilateral economic and trade relations.

It is hoped that the NCUSCR will make new contributions to promoting friendly cooperation between the two countries, He said.

Stressing that maintaining the stability of U.S.-China relations is of great significance, the U.S. side expressed their willingness to play a bridging role in deepening exchange and cooperation between the two countries.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Zhong Wenxing)
On 4 July 2026, tens of millions of Americans across the United States will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the countrys Declaration of Independence. Largely written by Thomas Jefferson, this extraordinary foundational document formally announced the separation of 13 North American British colonies from Great Britain  a revolutionary call to arms eloquently justified by its argument that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, and by its claim that King George III was unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

As we discover in our special feature for this issue, the Declarations publication was actually just one in a complicated sequence of world-changing events that resulted in Americas eventual independence. A conflict which had begun several years earlier as an argument between two groups of British subjects over trade and taxes exploded into open warfare in April 1775, when the first shots were exchanged during a brief skirmish between British infantrymen and a small group of American militiamen who had assembled on the green in the centre of the town of Lexington, outside Boston.

As matters escalated, the rebel forces would find an inspirational new leader in George Washington  the man who would become the countrys first President  and new allies in the form of Britains traditional rivals France and Spain, while six years of armed struggle would see a cat-and-mouse war waged up and down the continents eastern seaboard. By the time of the final British surrender at Yorktown, Virginia, in October 1781, thousands on both sides had been killed  but America had won its freedom at last from colonial rule, and a new superpower had been born.

In our latest four-part series, Fred Chiaventone examines the genesis of Americas Revolutionary War, and traces the history of a conflict whose repercussions are still being felt 250 years on.

This is an extract from a special feature marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, from the December 2025/ January 2026 issue of Military History Matters magazine.

Read the full article online on The Past, or in the print magazine: find out more about subscriptions to Military History Matters here.
For the fourth year in a row, the New York Army National Guard (NYARNG) is outpacing recruiting numbers compared to more than four dozen of its counterparts.

The NYARNG has exerted prowess in both recruiting and retention since 2022, with an assigned strength of 11,700 recruits for the 2025 fiscal year that concluded Sept. 30representing 113% of the forces authorized strength of 10,342 soldiers, with authorized strength based on the number and type of units in a military force. This puts New Yorks numbers at the top of the heap, beating out 53 other states and territorial National Guards from Washington D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Numbers for NYARNG reflect higher national recruiting numbers overall, for not just regional National Guards but all five military services. From November 2024 to the end of August 2025, the Department of War announced its strongest recruiting performance in 30 years as fiscal year-to-date accessions reached 106% of active-duty targets.

The Army National Guard and the Air National Guard combined to enlist almost 50,000 new members the past fiscal year as of September 2025, increasing National Guard strength to over 433,000 members and fulfilling what officials called one of the most successful recruiting years in over a decade.

Members of the New York National Guard help to organize and distribute food to families on free or reduced school lunch programs in New Rochelle, N.Y., Thursday, March 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

"Young Americans are eager to serve," Air Force Gen. Steve Nordhaus, also National Guard Bureau chief, said in a statement. "Today's recruits are seeking long-term value, and the National Guard delivers through career training and hands-on, practical experience in more than 200 career specialties.

"The guard provides a path to service that offers balance with civilian careers and allows our soldiers and airmen to live locally and serve globally," he said. "We're not just preparing new recruits to serve; we're preparing them to lead and succeed."

The U.S. National Guard deferred to NYARNG for comment.

'Breaking Records'

Data shared by Eric Durr, spokesperson for New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs, with Military.com shows New Yorks ascendence this decade in terms of recruiting new members and keeping them.

The NYARNG's ranking is based on multiple weighted metrics. Data as of Sept. 30 and reviewed by Military.com includes the percentage of enlisted accession, weighted at 60%; the percentage of officer/warrant accession, weighted at 10%; the percentage of retention, weighted at 20%; and the percentage of attrition, weighted at 10%. All metrics and percentages are combined for a weighted overall achievement.

In NYARNG's case, its enlisted accession for FY25 was 139.76%; its officer/warrant accession was 132.23%; its percentage of retention was 142.67%; and its attrition goal was 13.21%. The overall weighted percentage was 134.29%.

The attrition percentage was the only category that did not meet the highest standard cited between 0 and 11.9%, falling short by approximately 1.3%.

National Guard soldiers patrol at Union Station, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

At the conclusion of the 2022 fiscal year, the NYARNG was the only state Guard in the country to exceed its recruiting goalsbringing in 1,210 new enlisted soldiers that year, surpassing a goal of 1,175 soldiers.

The NYARNG achieved a score of 118.12 percent for the 12 months from Oct. 1, 2022, to Sept. 30, 2023

"The Department of War has put the previous [Biden] administration's social media strategy to shame," Pentagon spokesperson Kingsley Wilson said in a September statement. "We've surpassed every social media benchmark set by the previous administration. We're breaking records, setting a new standard for engagement, and we've only just begun."

Reaching the Youth

Its unclear how the correlation between the U.S. governments recruiting efforts contributed directly to New York States numbers.

In March, the Army National Guard launched a marketing campaign called Uncommon is Calling, aimed to attract younger recruits who could contribute in part-time capacities during emergencies or crises while also doing other things like being an entrepreneur.

The Army National Guard consistently provides information online about opportunities for potential recruits, be it an enlisted soldier or commissioned officer, and the benefits associated with such roles that with them can help recruits with enlistments bonuses, education and training including tuition assistance, and health care.

"The branding refresh of 'Uncommon is Calling' brings a fresh perspective to the unique dual mission of the Army National Guard," Army Col. Timothy Smith, chief of the Army National Guard's Strength Maintenance Division, said in a statement. "The campaign highlights the most uncommon, exciting and meaningful part-time job out there: serving in the Army National Guard."
Several thousand Boeing machinists in the Midwest who assemble military aircraft and weapons voted Thursday to approve a new contract, ending a three-month strike that saw them reject four earlier offers from the company.

The breakthrough five-year labor agreement includes a 24% wage hike across the life of the contract and a $6,000 signing bonus, according to the union representing the 3,200 workers who walked off the job on Aug. 4.

Were proud of what our members have fought for together and are ready to get back to building the worlds most advanced military aircraft," the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers said in a statement.

With their new contract in hand, the machinists are set to return to work Sunday at manufacturing plants in the Missouri cities of St. Louis and St. Charles, as well as in Mascoutah, Illinois. The workers build fighter jets, weapons systems and the U.S. Navys first carrier-based unmanned aircraft at those facilities.

Boeing said Wednesday in a statement that it looks forward to "bringing our full team back together.

While the strike was smaller than last year's walkout by 33,000 Boeing workers who build commercial jetliners, it still threatened to slow the aerospace companys efforts to regain its financial footing. Boeings Defense, Space & Security division makes up more than a third of its revenue.

Union leaders said talks broke down over pay and retirement benefits, while Boeing argued workers' demands went beyond the Midwest's cost of living.

Tensions rose before the strike, with the workers rejecting a proposed 20% raise over the contract's term and $5,000 ratification bonuses. Boeing responded with an offer that kept the same pay increases but dropped a scheduling rule that limited overtime opportunities. Workers turned that down as well and went on strike the next morning, later rejecting two other company offers.

The 2024 strike, meanwhile, shut down Boeings factories in Washington state for more than seven weeks at a bleak time for the company. Boeing was under several federal investigations last year after a door plug blew off a 737 Max plane during an Alaska Airlines flight, an incident that renewed safety concerns surrounding that particular plane.

Two 737 Max jetliners crashed off the coast of Indonesia and in Ethiopia less than five months apart in 2018 and 2019, killing 346 people.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy implored European Union allies to overcome their divisions on the use of frozen Russian assets, saying fresh funding is critical for his war-battered economy to stay in the fight against Moscow.

I hope, God bless, we will get this decision, Zelenskyy told Bloomberg Television in an interview late Wednesday in Kyiv. Otherwise, We will have to find an alternative, its a question of our surviving. Thats why we need it very much. And I count on partners.

The E.U. has postponed until December a decision on tapping the Russian state assets to provide 140 billion ($162 billion) in loans to Ukraine, which needs new funding by early next year.

Russia in the meantime is slowly advancing on the battlefield and attacking Ukraines energy infrastructure to undermine its economy as the winter months approach.

Russias invasion has dragged well into its fourth year as Zelenskyys government deals with a battered economy and exhausted fighting forces in Europes worst conflict since World War II. Theres also been a shift away from unqualified Western support for Kyiv since President Donald Trumps return to the White House.

With U.S. funding halted, European governments have vowed to step up assistance to fend off a new threat from the Kremlin.

The bloc last month failed to overcome objections from Belgium, which holds the biggest share of the Russian funds and wants greater assurances that it wont be liable for potential legal risks. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico also said Saturday that he wont support any plan to seize the Kremlins assets if those funds would be spent on military costs in Ukraine.

E.U. Economy Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis warned last week that it must offer a credible funding commitment to Ukraine to unlock new International Monetary Fund support for Kyiv. The IMF has started talks with Ukraine on an aid package that could total $8 billion.

Russia has to pay for this war  and money from frozen assets will help Ukraine to buy more air defenses from the U.S. and Europe and finance its drone output to strike at Russian targets, Zelenskyy said.

We dont have additional money and this is the way  and this is fair, the Ukrainian leader said.

He suggested Trump could send a good signal for European leaders to act by making use of billions in Russian assets frozen in the U.S.

Trump has more than five billion of assets, maybe he will decide to spend this money  itll help, Zelenskyy said. Past U.S. actions such as energy sanctions had spurred European partners also to some strong decisions, he said.

The president disclosed that Ukraine has started producing interceptor drones together with the U.S. American-Ukraine production, co-production, he said. I hope that in future we will have more.

Psychological intimidation

Zelenskyy said Russian President Vladimir Putin had waged a deliberate campaign of intimidation against Europe with recent incursions by drones and fighter jets into NATO airspace. It succeeded in making leaders more reluctant to send air-defense systems to Ukraine, he said.

I think he scared them, that was his goal, and he achieved it, Zelenskyy said. It was psychological intimidation, without a doubt.

He acknowledged that Ukraine was facing a very difficult situation in the city of Pokrovsk in the eastern Donetsk region, where Russian forces are attempting to seize control after months of intense fighting. Zelenskyy insisted that any decision on a troop withdrawal was a matter for military commanders on the ground.

Nobody is pushing them to die for the sake of ruins, he said. I will support our soldiers, especially commanders who are there, how they can control the situation. Or its too costly for us  the most important for us is our soldiers.

Russia is seeking a victory in Pokrovsk to try and persuade Trump that Ukraine should pull out of the whole of the eastern Donbas, consisting of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, to end the war, according to Zelenskyy.

We cannot leave eastern Ukraine. Nobody will understand that, people wont understand that, he said. And the main thing is that nobody will guarantee you that if they seize this or that town, they wont move further. There is no deterrent factor.

He insisted that Russian forces dont have that much strength and are targeting Ukraines energy system as part of efforts to force Ukraine into submission before the spring.

They know that as soon as the energy factor disappears, they dont have other strong factors, the president said.

Ukraines anti-corruption agencies announced this week that theyd uncovered large-scale graft linked to spending on defense of the countrys energy sector. Zelenskyy vowed to support a full investigation into the widening corruption scandal thats engulfing the Ukrainian elite including his former business partner.

The most important thing is sentences for those people who are guilty, he said. The president of a country at war cannot have any friends.

Diplomacy to reach a ceasefire has stalled since Trump held summit talks with Putin in Alaska in August. He abandoned plans for a second summit with Putin, this time in Budapest, after the U.S. concluded Russia wasnt ready to move away from its maximalist demands in negotiations for a peace deal.

Ukraine remained open for talks with the Russians to reach a ceasefire sought by Trump.

If they, indeed, want to end the war or they are ready to end the war then one needs to switch to a diplomatic track. And, again, thats why I told President Trump that I am open, Zelenskyy said.

They dont respect the law, but they really respect the United States - they respect President Trump, Zelenskyy said of Russia. I really think that President Trump can push Putin to negotiations. And thats why this is very important.

-------------

With assistance from Olesia Safronova, Volodymyr Verbianyi and Tony Halpin.

___

2025 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
By December of 1814, American forces were in tatters. The Redcoats had repeatedly defeated them in the War of 1812, repulsed their invasion of Canada and even burned the Whitehouse. While diplomats were preparing peace documents, a veteran British force moved into the Gulf Coast, preparing to take New Orleans.

Fresh from his major victory at Horseshoe Bend, the recently promoted Major General Andrew Jackson began forming the most unusual army ever to defend American soil. Tennessee and Kentucky riflemen. Louisiana Creoles who only spoke French or Spanish. Free Black militiamen from the antebellum south. Slaves. Choctaw warriors. U.S. Marines, soldiers and sailors. New Orleans businessmen and civilians.

And even pirates.

General Andrew Jackson stands on the parapet of his makeshift defenses as his troops repulse attacking Highlanders. (The Highlanders are incorrectly depicted wearing kilts and feather bonnets as the 93rd Highlanders for this campaign had been ordered to wear tartan trousers and plain bonnets). (Wikimedia Commons)

First Blood in Mississippi Waters

Although peace negotiations were ongoing, the British hoped the capture of New Orleans could weaken Americas position in the region and sway the negotiations in their favor. Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane had around 50 ships carrying the invasion force and hoped to anchor between Ship and Cat Islands in the Mississippi Sound before moving on the city.

But first, he had to clear American coastal positions that threatened his fleet. On Dec. 13, 1814, the U.S. schooner Sea Horse, commanded by Sailing Master William Johnson, encountered British forces near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

Johnson's vessel was armed only with one 6-pound cannon and a crew of 14 men. The British flotilla under Captain Nicholas Lockyer had 42 longboats carrying more than 1,000 sailors and marines.

Johnson opened fire. American cannons on shore joined in. British troops attempted to fire back with muskets. After an hour-long skirmish, the British suffered several damaged boats and an unknown number of casualties. The Americans lost two dead and two wounded according to the Hancock County Historical Society.

Before the British could return in force, Johnson ordered his crew ashore and burned the Sea Horse to prevent its capture. This small Battle of Bay St. Louis was the only engagement fought in Mississippi during the War of 1812.

Map of British fleet movements and major engagements during the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. (Army Historical Foundation)

The next day, Dec. 14, British forces engaged five American gunboats at Lake Borgne under Lt. Thomas ap Catesby Jones. He linked his boats together across the channel near Malheureux Island and prepared for a final stand.

The Americans fought for hours but were overwhelmed by superior numbers. Jones and the British commander both suffered serious wounds. The British captured all five gunboats, but the two engagements bought critical time for U.S. forces.

The delays allowed Gen. Jackson to get his troops along the Natchez Trace through Mississippi to reach New Orleans ahead of British ground forces. On a previous expedition along the Trace, Jackson earned the nickname Old Hickory for enduring the difficult march alongside his sick and wounded men.

Painting depicting the Naval Battle of Lake Borgne, Louisiana, between British and U.S. forces in the War of 1812 by Thomas L. Hornbrook. The Battles of Bay St. Louis and Lake Borgne were instrumental in delaying the British invasion force while Gen. Andrew Jackson moved to New Orleans. (Wikimedia Commons)

The Pirate King of New Orleans Chooses Sides

Though the Golden Age of Piracy was long over, Jean Lafitte controlled Barataria Bay south of New Orleans. His fleet intercepted Spanish merchant ships throughout the Gulf of Mexico. His smugglers moved slaves and goods through Louisiana's bayous, avoiding government officials and making fortunes selling contraband to eager New Orleans buyers.

In September 1814, the British offered Lafitte $30,000 in gold, a captain's commission in the Royal Navy, and amnesty for all crimes, in exchange for his assistance in taking New Orleans. Lafitte asked for two weeks to consider the proposal.

Instead, he wrote to Governor William Claiborne, warning of British plans and offering his services to defend New Orleans. Claiborne and the Louisiana legislature wanted nothing to do with a wanted criminal.

On Sept. 13, U.S. Navy Commodore Daniel Pattersons warships raided Barataria Bay. His sailors captured 80 of Lafitte's men, seized vessels and cargo worth $500,000, and destroyed what they couldn't carry. Though Lafitte escaped.

U.S. Commodore Daniel Patterson. He commanded an offensive force against Lafitte and his men at Barataria, 1814. He went on to lead American naval forces during the Battle of New Orleans and later praised Lafitte's men for their success during the engagement. (Wikimedia Commons)

Jackson reached New Orleans on Dec.1 and viewed Lafitte differently. His experiences against Native tribes taught him the value of locals with intel and knowledge of the terrain. He reached out to Lafitte with a proposal.

Jackson would overlook Lafittes crimes, suspend his indictment, and potentially pardon him in return for his help in repelling the British.

Lafitte accepted and offered around 50 Baratarian pirate gunners. He also provided 7,000 new flints for muskets and rifles, plus kegs of gunpowder, supplies Jackson desperately needed.

Lafitte himself became Jacksons unofficial right-hand-man during the campaign. The pirate lord of New Orleans, who spent his life defying the government, now stood alongside an American Army officer to protect the city he built his criminal empire in.

Jean Lafitte, the Pirate King of New Orleans. He ordered his pirates to help Gen. Andrew Jackson defend New Orleans from the British, and was pardoned for his efforts. However, he would return to piracy shortly after the war. (Wikimedia Commons)

Jackson Hits the British First

British troops landed below New Orleans on Dec. 23 near Villere Plantation. British General John Keane wanted to attack immediately, before American forces could begin fortifying.

But he had to wait for the arrival and approval of his superior, Lt. Gen. Sir Edward Pakenham. Meanwhile, Gabriel Villere, angered by the British occupation of his planation, escaped and informed Jackson of the British landing.

Upon hearing this, Jackson reportedly said: By the Eternal, they shall not sleep on our soil!... Gentlemen, the British are below, we must fight them to-night.

That night, Jackson launched a preemptive attack with elements of soldiers, Marines, Mississippi cavalry, Louisiana militia and even the Battalion of Free Men of Color under Captain Joseph Savary. Supported by cannon fire from USS Carolina on the Mississippi River, Jackson's forces hit the British camp in a violent melee that lasted hours and cost hundreds of losses on both sides.

Night attack of December 23. The painting shows the Choctaws and the Battalion of Free Men of Color. The latter were mostly attired in civilian clothes because they had been organized only for a few weeks. They are led by Capt. Savary, distinguishable by his sword and red sash. Facing them are members of the British 85th and 95th Regiments. (Wikimedia Commons)

Capt. Savary urged his men forward, shouting commands in Haitian French: March on! March on my friends, march on against the enemies of the country!

The attack threw British plans into chaos. More importantly, it bought Jackson more time. He pulled his troops back to the Rodriguez Canal, where he could build his defenses.

When Pakenham reached the plantation on Christmas Day and learned of the attack, he insisted on waiting for more troops and artillery. Some historians consider this Pakenham's fatal mistakehis caution surrendered the initiative.

The Rodriguez Canal was roughly four feet deep and provided a natural moat. Jackson ordered his men to widen and deepen it while constructing earthworks along its length. For the next two weeks, slaves, free men of color, soldiers and sailors dug ditches and piled mud. They reinforced the rampart with cotton bales from nearby plantations.

The defensive line stretched from the Mississippi River levee on the right flank to cypress swamps on the left. Lafitte suggested extending the line fully into the swamp to prevent British forces from flanking the American position. Jackson ordered it done.

The completed earthwork created a fortress across the only ground suitable for a British advance.

This map details the British assault against the American rampart at Chalmette Plantation during the climactic battle of the New Orleans campaign on 8 January 1815. (Department of History, U.S. Military Academy)

Assembling the Defenders and Preparing for Battle

Jackson's army grew daily as reinforcements showed up. Nearly 500 free men of color and 60 Choctaw warriors joined the defenders. Tennessee and Kentucky militia arrived, some having marched hundreds of miles to reach New Orleans.

Jackson declared martial law over the city. Every able-bodied man was pressed into service; those who refused were punished or shunned. The force assembling south of New Orleans was impressive, not for its size, but for the level of cooperation and uniqueness it possessed.

Jackson spread out his Army regulars from the 7th Infantry and scattered units of Marines and sailors from countless ships. Pirates and American servicemembers manned cannons together. Slaves and freedmen were prepared to defend the nation, despite the issues they faced. Choctaw warriors and Mississippi-raised cavalrymen loaded their weapons together. Militiamen from New Orleans joined sharpshooters from as far away as Kentucky.

All of them came together, despite their differences and backgrounds, to defend their young nation from the most powerful Army on Earth.

Meanwhile, Pakenham faced serious problems. His supply lines stretched across miles of swamp. Small boats got stuck in the bayous. British uniforms proved inadequate for Louisiana's cold December rain.

On Dec. 28, Pakenham probed American defenses. Tennessee and Kentucky militia repulsed the attack. A diversionary force traveled up the Mississippi River on Jan. 1, but was later halted by American defenders at Fort St. Philip.

On Jan. 1, British artillery opened fire in an attempt to soften Jackson's position. American guns, many manned by Lafitte's pirate gunners, fired back. The artillery duel lasted hours. British guns went silent first, their ammunition gone and carriages destroyed by American fire.

Despite his previous skirmish with the pirates, Commodore Patterson later praised the Baratarian gunners, claiming their skill with artillery exceeded their British counterparts.

Scene from battle; Andrew Jackson reviewing troops; men firing on British who are advancing; American flag in background. From Ballou's Pictorial Drawing Room Companion (Historic New Orleans Collection)

The Final Assault: The Battle of New Orleans

By Jan. 8, Pakenham commanded roughly 8,000 troops against Jackson's 4,500 defenders. British soldiers included veterans of European campaigns who had fought Napoleon across Spain and Portugal. The elite 93rd Highland Regiment stood among Britain's most heralded units and was ready to crush the Americans.

Pakenham ordered his assault before sunrise. Heavy fog covered the battlefield as British troops formed their columns in the pre-dawn darkness. The fog provided cover as thousands of redcoats moved into position. The British prepared to cross the field.

As the sun rose, the fog lifted.

American riflemen now had perfect visibility across the open ground. Some British officers later said the fog lifting at that exact moment sealed their fate.

General Edward Pakenham leading the British attack on New Orleans. (Wikimedia Commons)

American fire tore into British ranks. They had never faced this kind of shooting. European warfare involved massed volleys from smoothbore musketsinaccurate but devastating in volume. American frontiersmen carried rifles with grooved barrels that could hit a man at 200 yards. They had spent their entire lives hunting game for survival. British officers in their bright red coats were easy targets.

The British advance began collapsing. The 93rd Highlanders, one of Britain's proudest regiments, suffered catastrophic losses as American rifles killed Britains fiercest warriors.

Instead of exploding as intended, British artillery shells harmlessly embedded into the wet mud and cotton bale ramparts, diminishing British fire support. American cannons, including Lafittes gunners, decimated British lines.

British troops managed to overrun one American fortification, but were forced back by overwhelming fire.

Maj. Gen. Samuel Gibbs fell mortally wounded leading his column against Jackson's left. Keane was also seriously wounded. Dozens of British officers were dropped as hundreds of their men were slaughtered before ever reaching the American line.

Watching from his command post, Jackson yelled: Give it to them, my boys! Let us finish the business today!

Andrew Jackson commands troops during the Battle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815. (Wikimedia Commons)

Pakenham rode forward trying to rally his troops. His horse was shot out from under him. He mounted another and continued forward, desperately trying to restore order to the disastrous attack. Grapeshot struck him in the knee, then his arm, before he was hit in his spine. His aides carried him from the field but he died minutes later.

In roughly 30 minutes of fighting, British forces suffered over 2,000 casualties. Three British major generals had been hitPakenham killed, Gibbs mortally wounded, and Keane severely wounded. Seven colonels lay dead. Nearly the entire British officer corps had been wiped out in less than an hour.

American losses were 13 killed, 39 wounded and 19 missing.

Gen. John Lambert, now leading British forces, surveyed the carnage. The field before the American line was covered with dead and wounded redcoats. British officers who had survived the assault reportedly called it worse than Napoleon's retreat from Moscow. One said continuing the Louisiana campaign would be madness.

Lambert held a council of war three days after the battle. His officers agreed that they had lost too many men for too little gain. By Jan. 19, British forces had withdrawn completely, loading their wounded onto ships and sailing away from Louisiana forever.

Print depicting the death of Edward Pakenham at the Battle of New Orleans. Also featured in the print are other British leaders, including Lambert, Keane, Gibbs, and numerous colonels who were killed in the battle. (Wikimedia Commons)

A Victory After the Treaty of Ghent

On Dec. 24, 1814two weeks before the Battle of New OrleansAmerican and British diplomats had signed the Treaty of Ghent in Belgium. The treaty restored prewar borders and ended hostilities.

But the treaty specified that fighting would stop only after both governments ratified the agreement. News traveled slowly at the time. The treaty didn't reach American leaders until mid-February. The U.S. Senate unanimously ratified it on Feb. 16.

The Battle of New Orleans was fought during this gap. Neither Jackson nor Pakenham knew peace had been signed. Jackson was even suspicious of the treaty when he first learned of it, partially why he continued his martial law policies in the city.

Jackson Square in New Orleans. The statue of Jackson on his horse honors the man who saved the city from the British in 1815, even if his strategy upset many New Orleans residents. (Wikimedia Commons)

The treaty accomplished none of America's stated war goals, including impressmentthe British practice of forcing American sailors into the Royal Navy. The U.S. invasion of Canada failed. The White House and much of D.C. was in ruins. The Treaty of Ghent simply returned everything to how it was before the war started. On paper the Americans had been bested in the field by the British and were lucky to return to the status-quo.

However, Napoleon's defeat the previous year meant Britain no longer needed massive naval crews. The Royal Navy quietly stopped impressment after the war ended. Jacksons victory over the Southeast Native tribes at Horseshoe Bend the previous year secured millions of acres for expansion.

On top of this, American troops had crushed Britain's army in a massively lopsided victory in the last battle of the war. When news reached American cities, celebrations erupted.

Americans felt that despite the setbacks, they could stand toe-to-toe with world powers and defend their country. The victory launched what historians call the Era of Good Feelingsa period of national unity that lasted over a decade. The battle was instrumental in the development of an American national identity and pride.

Independence Day Celebration in Centre Square, Philadelphia. For over a decade after the Battle of New Orleans, Americans developed a stronger sense of national unity and identity. (Wikimedia Commons)

The Battle's Legacy in New Orleans Today

Jackson's victory made him a national hero. Thirteen years later, he made it to the White House. Congress passed resolutions thanking him for saving the nation. However, his use of martial law, which continued well after the battle, left many New Orleans residents embittered.

Jackson addressed free Black militia after the battle: I invited you to share in the perils and to divide the glory of your white countrymen. I expected much from you, for I was not uninformed of those qualities which must render you so formidable to an invading foe, according to Mississippi Today.

However, many of the slaves and black troops who fought to defend New Orleans were ordered to clean up the battlefield, barred from participating in victory celebrations, and many were forced back into slavery. Some, including Capt. Savarys men, refused these injustices and participated in the celebrations and parades in New Orleans, ignoring angry remarks from locals. Jackson even attempted to provide the black veterans with land bounties and rewards for their service, but the federal government refused.

Scottish Highlander role players fire muskets during a demonstration. The Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve hosted a series of living history events on the Chalmette Battlefield in Chalmette, La., Jan. 7-8 in remembrance of the 1815 Battle of New Orleans. (Official Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jad Sleiman)

President James Madison pardoned Jean Lafitte in February 1815 for his service at New Orleans. By 1817, he had returned to piracy. Lafitte established a new base at Galveston, Texas, where he resumed his old trade of smuggling and plundering Spanish ships. Savary and some of his men, having been denied their benefits, traveled to Texas and joined Lafitte's new piracy efforts.

New Orleans honors the battle today at Chalmette Battlefield, part of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. The park preserves the ground where Jackson's defenders turned back the British assault. A 100-foot obelisk stands on the battlefield.

Every January, the park hosts commemorative events marking the anniversary. Historians give talks. Reenactors fire period muskets and cannon. Visitors walk the ground where pirates, frontiersmen, free Black militia, Choctaw warriors, Marines and regular soldiers stood together.

The site of the Battle of New Orleans. Chalmette Battlefield, part of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. (Wikimedia Commons)

Jackson addressed his troops shortly after the battle. His words captured what made the victory significant beyond military terms: Natives of different states, acting together, for the first time in this camphave reaped the fruits of an honorable union.

Jackson's rag-tag army, assembled from every corner of American society and even its criminal elements, had beaten the world's most powerful military. The War of 1812 ended in a draw on paper. But at New Orleans, Americans learned that they could come together to face even the most powerful enemies.
Veterans receiving the death penalty continues to be a controversial issue, and 2025 is shaping up to be one of the deadliest years on record for former servicemembers being executed.

Based on a new study from the Death Penalty Information Center, seven veterans have been executed this year, with three other executions planned before the end of 2025, representing 22 percent of all people executed or under warrant this year.

Most servicemembers dont go looking for a life of crime after they leave the military, but due to several extenuating factors, some get stuck in a turbulent battlefield-to-prison pipeline, such as Jeffrey Hutchinson, executed early this year in Florida. Hutchinson, a former Army Ranger who served in the Gulf War, was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), had suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), and exposure to toxic chemicals. Hutchinsons physical and psychological scars likely affected his emotional state.

The execution took place on May 1, despite a letter signed by 129 veterans urging Gov. Ron DeSantis, a U.S. Navy veteran, to halt Hutchinsons death.

Jeffrey Hutchinson, a former Army Ranger, was executed in Florida May 1 after being convicted of a quadruple murder. (Submitted photo)

The Council on Criminal Justice determined that the conditions Hutchinson was exposed to in the military tend to be associated with a greater likelihood of criminal justice involvement among veterans.

While the Supreme Court has considered the significance of military service in capital punishment cases, the Death Penalty Information Center argues that lower courts havent always upheld the higher courts suggestions.

Many veterans have been executed without a jury ever hearing meaningful information about their service, the center wrote in a press release. According to best practices, a capital defendants military service is an essential part of their story for a jury to consider.

Since 1972, 226 veterans have been put to death, representing 14 percent of all inmates executed since that time. Currently, about 200 veterans (10 percent of all prisoners facing the death penalty) are on death row, a high tally considering only 6 percent of the general population are veterans.

Additionally, since 1972, 807 veterans have received death sentences across 42 states, along with federal and military prosecution.

Our country has sentenced to death veterans from every major conflict since World War II, who served in every branch of the armed forces, and held every rank from private to colonel, according to the report.

U.S. Army veteran Jeffrey Hutchinsons mugshot. Despite being mentally ill, Hutchinson was executed earlier this year. (Photo from Florida Department of Corrections)

Florida Leads the Nation

Floridas veteran death sentences jump off the page.

Based on study results, the Sunshine State has convicted 117 veterans for capital punishment, leading the country. Since 2020, Florida has sentenced five veterans to death, while no other state has sentenced more than one. This year, Florida has already executed five veterans and plans to put two more to death in November. In 2025, across all states with the death penalty, Florida executed two-thirds of the veterans on death row.

Vietnam Veterans Still Impacted

Among death row veterans with combat experience, 66 percent have served in the Vietnam War. About 75 percent of these inmates have been executed.

While the war ended more than 50 years ago, Vietnam veterans continue to receive death sentences. Joseph Ables, a 75-year-old veteran, was given a death sentence this year, and Richard Jordan, 79, was recently executed. Twenty more veterans from the Vietnam era are still on death row.

Racial Disparities, Trauma, and Addiction

Similar to cases involving the general public, there are racial disparities in veterans receiving death sentences. More than 77 percent of the veterans put to death received capital punishment for murdering only white victims.

When it comes to addiction, a sharp line can also be drawn to veterans battling substance use disorders later convicted of murder (more than 40 percent), as opposed to 12 percent of the general population.

Childhood trauma can also play a factor.

The mental and physical injuries some veterans suffer can result in intergenerational traumameaning their children are also harmed by those injuries, the report states. Dozens of death-sentenced people suffered serious trauma related to their parents military service.

The Death Penalty Information Center has published a full list of veteran executions since 1972, broken down by state, year of sentence, execution date, service branch, and the veterans race.
Michigan has found a unique way to honor women veterans just as the nation celebrates Veterans Day week.

State officials unveiled a new license plate with a special commemoration for women veterans on Nov. 10 in Dearborn. Michigan becomes the 17th state to recognize women veterans with a special license plate.

The unveiling, at the Henry Ford Centennial Library, was part of a larger event to recognize a group of female veterans from southeastern Michigan.

The event at the library carried an electric buzz as local and state politicians, community members, and veterans decked out in their military uniforms, eagerly anticipating what the new license plate would look like.

State Sen. Sylvia Santana helped introduce a bipartisan bill (Senate Bill 788) to Michigan lawmakers in 2024 to propose adding the new license plate the Michigan Department of Transportation.

It is only fitting that we honor them not just with words, but with meaningful gestures, Santana said at the event.

Michigan is one of 17 states that have plates that recognize women veterans (Sylvia Santana Facebook).

What Does It Look Like?

When the white cover came off and a mock design of the license plate was revealed, the crowd broke out in cheers. With a blue and white design, it carries the states Pure Michigan slogan at the top, along with artwork depicting a woman veteran on the left side with the message: HER SERVICE OUR FREEDOM. At the bottom of the plate reads: WOMEN VETERAN.

This license plate, as simple as it may seem, is another way that we can all do better to recognize the women veterans in our own communities, Santana said.

Michigan boasts the 15th largest population of women veterans, with more than 46,000 residing in the Great Lakes State, according to Michigan Veterans Affairs.

Based on estimates, in the next 15 years, female veterans will make up more than 18 percent of the veteran population, a 14 percent increase nationally in the last 25 years. Women comprise the fastest-growing segment of the military.

State Sen. Sylvia Santana spoke at the event to honor womens veterans in southeastern Michigan on Nov. 10. (Photo courtesy of Sylvia Santanas Facebook page)

Yesterday, I had the honor of joining women veterans from across Michigan at the official unveiling of the new women veterans license plate. It was a privilege to hear their stories, each one a powerful reminder of the courage and sacrifice that define our armed forces, Santana wrote on her Facebook page. To all who have served, thank you. Your dedication to protecting our freedoms and values is deeply appreciated and will never be forgotten.

The event included a few comments from Jocelyn Benson, Michigans secretary of state and a 2026 Democratic candidate for governor. Bensons husband, Ryan, served in the military.

While seeing the new license plate was special, several women veterans from southeast Michigan cities like Detroit, Allen Park, Dearborn, and Dearborn Heights also received a well-deserved moment in the sun.

Lori Galloway was one of several women veterans highlighted at the event (Sylvia Santana Facebook).

Lori Galloway, a 59-year-old Navy veteran from Allen Park, was among those honored. Galloway, who worked as a dental hygienist, served from 1985-1990. She left the Navy with a Good Conduct Medal and Meritorious Unit.

I am truly grateful to represent women veterans in Michigan who have served this great country with dignity and respect, Galloway said. This new program gives us a way to display all the commitment and sacrifices that we all made while serving.

Veterans and their families in Michigan can choose from 33 different customized license plates, from designs that honor Purple Heart veterans to Gold Star parents and others.
Venezuela has ordered a large-scale military mobilization in response to the arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group in the Caribbean. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez announced that the countrys ground, air, naval, riverine, and missile units had been placed on maximum operational readiness, describing the move as necessary to defend the homeland against any foreign provocation. The announcement followed President Nicolas Maduros accusation that the carriers deployment represented a direct threat to Venezuelan sovereignty.

The mobilization includes roughly 200,000 troops and involves every branch of Venezuelas armed forces, along with the Bolivarian militia. Officials described it as a total readiness operation, bringing air-defense systems, naval assets, and reserve forces to heightened alert across the countrys northern coast and riverine regions.

The Fords deployment falls under U.S. Southern Command and has been described by Pentagon officials as part of an effort to interdict narcotics trafficking and deter regional instability. Venezuelan officials, however, argue the counternarcotics justification conceals broader strategic objectives, pointing to Washingtons history of tension with Caracas and its continuing sanctions regime. The mobilization includes activation of militia forces, coastal radar sites, and air-defense batteries  all steps designed to signal readiness without initiating confrontation.

The USS Gerald R. Ford and the USS Harry S. Truman (U.S. Navy photo via Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Riley McDowell).

Competing Narratives of Purpose

The United States has not detailed the full scope of the Ford strike groups mission, though defense officials describe it as a regional stability operation consistent with Southern Commands maritime security framework. Venezuelan state media, meanwhile, claims that U.S. aircraft have conducted reconnaissance flights near its territorial waters. This is an assertion Washington has not yet acknowledged. In a televised address, Maduro characterized the mobilization as a defensive act against imperialist intimidation, while the Pentagon maintained that all U.S. activities remain within international waters.

The dispute echoes a pattern familiar in Cold War-era diplomacy: the projection of force by one state met with national mobilization by another. Analysts note that the current escalation occurs amid strained U.S.Venezuela relations, particularly following the imposition of oil and financial sanctions on the state-run company PDVSA. According to The Guardian, Venezuelan officials have framed the deployment as an imperial threat and part of a bad alibi determined to justify other agendas.

Echoes of the Gulf of Tonkin

The standoff has drawn comparisons to the 1964 Gulf of Tonkin incident, when ambiguous reports of attacks on U.S. naval vessels in contested waters prompted a rapid escalation of American involvement in Vietnam. While the circumstances differ, the underlying dynamic of naval encounters transforming into political catalysts remains strikingly similar. Both then and now, a single perceived act of aggression at sea carried the potential to widen into sustained conflict.

The reference is not about predicting war but about the enduring power of maritime incidents to shape policy. Just as the Tonkin reports served as justification for expanded U.S. operations in Southeast Asia, todays carrier presence off Venezuela demonstrates how quickly strategic posturing can become a domestic rallying point for both sides.

Sailors aboard the world's largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), conduct routine flight operations on the flight deck, Sept. 26, 2025. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mariano Lopez)

Regional and Strategic Implications

Venezuelas mobilization functions as both deterrence and domestic theater. For the Maduro government, portraying the U.S. deployment as a violation of sovereignty helps consolidate internal support and redirect attention from economic hardship and political fragmentation. For Washington, the carrier serves as a visible projection of influence in a region where both China and Russia have deepened ties with Caracas. The U.S. Navy said the Fords deployment 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 and our security in the Western Hemisphere, while Venezuelan officials have characterized the move as a provocation aimed at pressuring the Maduro government. The mobilization also tests regional alliances. Colombia, Guyana, and Brazil have remained publicly neutral but are reportedly monitoring developments through the Organization of American States. Caribbean partners aligned with Washington have expressed concern about maritime safety, while Caracas has sought diplomatic backing from its allies in Cuba and Nicaragua. The absence of direct military engagement so far reflects mutual caution, but the tension remains fragile.

Lessons from History

If the situation stabilizes without further incident, it may eventually join a long list of naval standoffs resolved through signaling rather than force. Yet the parallels to the Gulf of Tonkin remain instructive. In both eras, contested intelligence and political pressure combined to amplify perceived threats. The lesson is that military signaling can just as easily deter conflict as invite it, depending on how leaders interpret events at sea.

For now, both governments appear intent on managing the optics rather than testing each others resolve. Venezuelas mobilization continues, the USS Ford remains on patrol, and diplomatic channels remain quiet. History suggests that such moments of brinkmanship are rarely about immediate war; they are about how each side defines power, perception, and the stories nations tell themselves when fleets appear on the horizon.
The Rays announced that Rule 5 pick Nate Lavender went unclaimed on waivers and was returned to the Mets. Hell be back in the New York organization without occupying a spot on the 40-man roster.

Lavender never got a shot with Tampa Bay. The former 14th-round pick had undergone internal brace surgery in May 2024. The Rays took a flier on him in the Rule 5 draft halfway through his rehab. They hoped hed make it back in the second half of the 25 season and battle for a spot in the big league bullpen. It didnt happen, as it appears he suffered some kind of setback. Lavender didnt pitch at any level this year and was designated for assignment when the injured list went away last week.

Rule 5 draftees need to spend their entire first season in the new organization on the MLB roster or injured list. Lavender met that criterion, but they also need to spend at least 90 days on the active roster in total. If that doesnt happen in year one because of injury or suspension, the players Rule 5 status carries into the winter and following season.

The silver lining for the 25-year-old southpaw is that he spent a season on the major league injured list. He picked up a year of service time and, more importantly, was paid the $760K league minimum salary. Thats no small matter for a player who received a $125K signing bonus at draft time and had never before occupied a spot on a 40-man roster. That said, its obviously disappointing that he wasnt healthy enough to audition for a long-term bullpen spot in Tampa Bay.

The Illinois product will try to earn that opportunity with the Mets. Lavender struck out nearly 37% of opponents while combining for a 2.98 ERA between the top two minor league levels in 2023. If hes healthy, hell probably get a non-roster invite to big league Spring Training. Even if he doesnt break camp, he could put himself on the radar for a midseason promotion if he continues missing bats at that level with Triple-A Syracuse.
LANSING, MI  Republican lawmakers and U.S. steelmaker Cleveland-Cliffs say an Upper Peninsula iron mine is at risk of closing if Democrats do not advance two energy bills intended to shield gas power plants from potential early retirement.

The Tilden Mine near Ishpeming, the nations second largest iron ore mine, will be in jeopardy of closure absent changes to Michigans clean energy reform laws passed two years ago, Cliffs executives warned during a Nov. 12 presser at the state capitol.

Thats not a threat. Its not an overstatement. Its an economic reality, said Patrick Bloom, Cleveland-Cliffs executive vice president for government relations.

Bloom stood with Republicans to push for House Bills 4007 and 4283, which would allow 13 natural gas plants that were built in 2018 and 2019 to count toward meeting the states 2023 clean energy targets.

The House approved the bills with bipartisan support in May but the Senate has not taken them up or scheduled committee hearings.

The plants are owned by Upper Michigan Energy Resources Corporation (UMERC) and are powered by combustion engines known as RICE units. They were built to replace retiring coal plants. They burn natural gas, a fossil fuel composed mainly of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

Republicans say Michigans mandate to reach 60 percent renewable energy by 2035 and 100 percent clean energy by 2040 will force the RICE units offline early  even though the law includes flexibility provisions, or offramps, for utilities if compliance is not feasible.

The utilitys proposed renewable energy plan is under review by state regulators and Republicans claimed it could lead to $14,000 per-day electricity surcharge for Tilden Mine, which is UMERCs largest customer, using roughly 1.1 million megawatt-hours of electricity per year.

The surcharge estimate stems from UMERCs assumption that the gas units could be taken offline and replaced with new renewable projects  costs the utility says its customers must cover. An administrative law judge declined to rule out future RICE-unit retirements in an Oct. 27 decision.

Rate case intervenors  including Cleveland-Cliffs  say UMERCs modeling overstates the cost of compliance and note that the judges proposed decision is only a preliminary step before a full state public service commission ruling in the case.

Although the MPSC is not bound by the recommendation and frequently diverges from administrative findings, Bloom said Wednesday that the preliminary ruling heightens urgency.

Cliffs is already bracing for $11 million in projected cost increases for renewable energy investments over the next two years that dont directly benefit the mine, Bloom said.

If these RICE generators are forced to retire early and U.P. ratepayers must pay billions of dollars for replacement generation, the continued operation of the Tilden Mine will be in jeopardy, Bloom said. Tilden and other ratepayers cannot bear billions of dollars of additional costs for new generation while were still in the process of paying for those RICE generators.

Republicans predicted economic fallout if the mine closes.

Rep. David Prestin, R-Cedar River, called the potential surcharges an existential threat. We are looking at the end of the U.P. and the U.P.s economy as we know it, he said.

United Steelworkers Local 4950 vice president Michael Grondz said that Tilden underpins the regional economy. The mine, next to the idled Cliffs Empire mine, employs about 900 workers at Tilden and has an annual payroll of roughly $200 million.

Republicans argue limited grid connections and U.P. reliance on local generation and Wisconsin imports make the region an outlier for compliance with the 2023 reforms. The region already pays nearly crippling energy rates, said Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Vulcan.

Rep. Karl Bohnak, R-Marquette, called the gas units a bridge until small nuclear reactors called SMRs can be built to serve the U.P.

Environmental groups say lawmakers are peddling a false claim and that maintaining the gas units through 2049 could stall long-term U.P. clean energy development.

The Sierra Clubs Michigan chapter said that UMERC can comply with renewable- and clean-energy standards without shutting down the RICE units, calling the bills a gift to the gas industry that undermines the states clean-energy goals.

The Michigan Environmental Council said UMERCs projected compliance costs are overstated, citing testimony from intervenors in the MPSC case who argue the utility inflated battery-storage assumptions and ignored cheaper alternatives.

Senate Democrats have not publicly committed to taking up the bills. A spokesperson for Majority Leader Winnie Brinks did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

McBroom said weve had some really good meetings with the leadership in the Senate but we need it done before the end of the year.
Despite being a favorite among critics and devoted fans, the FX workplace comedy English Teacher has been cancelled. The show will not be picked up for a third season, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Creator Brian Jordan Alvarez stars in the show as Evan Marquez, a gay English teacher who works at a high school in Austin, Texas. Other featured cast members include: Stephanie Koenig, Enrico Colantoni, Sean Patton and Carmen Christopher.

All 10 episodes of the shows second season premiered in September, but despite receiving positive reviews, the show wasnt renewed. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes gave the second season a 100% fresh rating, while the first season score was 98%. In its review of the second season, the AV Club said the comedy has the chemistry, playbook, and legs for more potential seasons.

Controversy preceded the second season as Jordan Alvarez was accused in August 2024 of sexual assault by a former co-star. Despite the accusations, FX greenlit the second season in February 2025.

FX has not publicly commented on the reasoning behind the cancellation.
Nathan Clark has spent more than 20 years confronting his feelings about his military service, and how the world around him reacts to it. This Veterans Day, he asked his editor if he could put those feelings into words.

The result is a stark, powerful column by Clark, an Iraq War veteran who covers public safety for MLive in Ann Arbor and Jackson.

I felt like I had something to get off my chest about the Veterans Day experience, he said. I had a habit of burying my thoughts and feelings for a long time and have only recently, within the last few years, opened up about things.

Clark served eight years on active duty in the U.S. Army, in roles including mechanic, convoy and guard operations, and hazardous materials work before being promoted to sergeant. During those years he was assigned to several units  from air missile defense and personnel command to air cavalry.

Clarks column recalls harrowing experiences from the Iraq War, but what struck me most was his account of life since  depression, sleepless nights and awkward conversations with well-meaning people.

I wanted an opportunity to remind myself and readers we are people, too.

Clark writes candidly about how and why Veterans Day is complicated for him and some other veterans. He appreciates the recognition, he said, but it often leaves him uneasy  because few people who say thank you for your service understand what that service really was, or what it cost.

Its not like an action movie, he told me. Even if you come home with no physical scars, the scars are still there. For me, its mostly in my head from all the things I saw and did when I was over there.

He said the hardest part came after returning home. After eight years in uniform, civilian life felt foreign, kind of like when somebody leaves prison  the culture shock is real.

What helped him the most wasnt a program or therapy, but a cat he adopted when he was at his lowest point.

She was my emotional support animal, he said. She helped me get through a lot.

Clark said reflecting on his wartime experiences, and their effects, makes him more empathetic for the subjects he covers as a crime reporter.

Ive covered hundreds of homicides, he said. I care about every single family I talk to because I have a good idea of what kind of pain theyre going through. Since Ive asked so many people to be vulnerable, I figured I should share mine, too.

The story of his journey hit me hard, not only because of his honesty and vulnerability, but because I recognize echoes of it from my own family history.

A photo that never moves sits on the nightstand next to my bed: five brothers in U.S. Army uniforms, standing shoulder to shoulder, looking gallant and purposeful.

Seated in front of them are their parents, and two children  my father, the sixth brother, and his cousin.

The photo was taken during World War II, when the older brothers served to fight fascism and defend freedom. A few short years later, my father would wear an Army uniform himself, enlisting to fight in the Korean War.

In a previous letter to readers, I wrote about how my fathers time in combat left him with lifelong wounds  physical, emotional and mental  that shaped his life and mine.

Yes, that photo on the nightstand recognizes their courage and sacrifice. But its also a reminder that the cost of service doesnt stop when the fighting ends. It continues in the quiet, in the way people carry memories, pain, and the effort to keep moving forward.

Thats what my colleague Nathan Clark captured so well: the unseen part of service, the long road to being OK.

Veterans Day is a chance to honor that courage  and to really see the people who live with its echoes every day.
The incident took place on Nov. 8 in Castroville, Texas, when police were called to a scene for a man "with a knife acting erratically." MLive.com file photo

A food influencer with more than two million followers online was fatally shot by police this week. According to TMZ, deputies responded to a 911 call in Castroville, Texas, on Nov. 8 for reports of a male subject with a knife acting erratically.

When a deputy with the Medina County Sheriffs Office arrived on the scene, police say Michael Duarte approached the deputy in a threatening manner. The MCSO says after multiple verbal commands were given for Duarte to get on the ground by the deputy, Duarte charged toward the deputy while yelling, Im going to kill you."

At that point, the deputy fired two shots, which struck Duarte. He was transported to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. It is unclear what led to police being called to the scene in the first place.

Duarte was known on Instagram by his handle @foodwithbearhands. Duarte posted videos of himself making meals and sharing recipes with followers.

Duartes talent agency Alooma posted a tribute to him on Instagram, describing him as a devoted husband to his wife Jessica, a loving father to his daughter, brother and a loyal friend to so many around the world.

He is survived by his wife and daughter.
Flanked by House Speaker Mike Johnson of La., left, and Michigan Congresswoman Lisa McClain, R-Bruce Township, President Donald Trump signs the funding bill to reopen the government, in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) AP

By KEVIN FREKING, JOEY CAPPELLETTI AND MATT BROWN

WASHINGTON (AP)  President Donald Trump signed a government funding bill Wednesday night, ending a record 43-day shutdown that caused financial stress for federal workers who went without paychecks, stranded scores of travelers at airports and generated long lines at some food banks.

Before signing the legislation, Trump said the government should never shut down again, adding, This is no way to run a country.

Trumps signature draws to a close the second government shutdown hes overseen in the White House, one that magnified the partisan divisions in Washington as his administration took unprecedented unilateral actions -- including canceling projects and trying to fire federal workers -- to pressure Democrats into relenting on their demands.

The signing ceremony came just hours after the House passed the measure on a mostly party-line vote of 222-209. The Senate had already passed the measure Monday.

Related: House passes bill to end nations longest government shutdown, sending to Trump to sign

Democrats wanted to extend an enhanced tax creditexpiring at the end of the year that lowers the cost of health coverage obtained through Affordable Care Act marketplaces.

They refused to go along with a short-term spending bill that did not include that priority. But Republicans said that was a separate policy fight to be held at another time.

We told you 43 days ago from bitter experience that government shutdowns dont work, said Rep. Tom Cole, the Republican chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. They never achieve the objective that you announce. And guess what? You havent achieved that objective yet, and youre not going to.

A bitter end after a long stalemate

The frustration and pressures generated by the shutdown was reflected when lawmakers debated the spending measure on the House floor.

Republicans said Democrats sought to use the pain generated by the shutdown to prevail in a policy dispute.

They knew it would cause pain and they did it anyway, House Speaker Mike Johnson said.

Democrats said Republicans raced to pass tax breaks earlier this year that they say mostly will benefit the wealthy. But the bill before the House Wednesday leaves families twisting in the wind with zero guarantee there will ever, ever be a vote to extend tax credits to help everyday people pay for their health care, said Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass.

Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said Democrats would not give up on the subsidy extension even if the vote did not go their way.

This fight is not over, Jeffries said. Were just getting started.

The House had not been in legislative session since Sept. 19, when it passed a short-term measure to keep the government open when the new budget year began in October. Johnson sent lawmakers home after that vote and put the onus on the Senate to act, saying House Republicans had done their job.

Whats in the bill to end the shutdown

The legislation is the result of a deal reached by eight senators who broke ranks with the Democrats after reaching the conclusion that Republicans would not bend on using a government funding to bill to extend the health care tax credits.

The compromise funds three annual spending bills and extends the rest of government funding through Jan. 30. Republicans promised to hold a vote by mid-December to extend the health care subsidies, but there is no guarantee of success.

The bill includes a reversal of the firing of federal workers by the Trump administration since the shutdown began. It also protects federal workers against further layoffs through January and guarantees they are paid once the shutdown is over. The bill for the Agriculture Department means people who rely on key food assistance programs will see those benefits funded without threat of interruption through the rest of the budget year.

The package includes $203.5 million to boost security for lawmakers and an additional $28 million for the security of Supreme Court justices.

Democrats also decried language in the bill that would give senators the opportunity to sue when a federal agency or employee searches their electronic records without notifying them, allowing for up to $500,000 in potential damages for each violation.

The language seems aimed at helping Republican senators pursue damages if their phone records were analyzed by the FBI as part of an investigation into Trumps efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss. The provisions drew criticism from Republicans as well. Johnson said he was very angry about it.

That was dropped in at the last minute, and I did not appreciate that, nor did most of the House members, Johnson said, promising a vote on the matter as early as next week.

The biggest point of contention, though, was the fate of the expiring enhanced tax credit that makes health insurance more affordable through Affordable Care Act marketplaces.

Its a subsidy on top of a subsidy. Our friends added it during COVID, Cole said. COVID is over. They set a date certain that the subsidies would run out. They chose the date.

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said the enhanced tax credit was designed to give more people access to health care and no Republican voted for it.

All they have done is try to eliminate access to health care in our country. The country is catching on to them, Pelosi said.

Without the enhanced tax credit, premiums on average will more than double for millions of Americans. More than 2 million people would lose health insurance coverage altogether next year, the Congressional Budget Office projected.

Health care debate ahead

Its unclear whether the parties will find any common ground on health care before the December vote in the Senate. Johnson has said he will not commit to bringing it up in his chamber.

Some Republicans have said they are open to extending the COVID-19 pandemic-era tax credits as premiums will soar for millions of people, but they also want new limits on who can receive the subsidies. Some argue that the tax dollars for the plans should be routed through individuals rather than go directly to insurance companies.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said Monday that she was supportive of extending the tax credits with changes, such as new income caps. Some Democrats have signaled they could be open to that idea.

House Democrats expressed great skepticism that the Senate effort would lead to a breakthrough.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, said Republicans have wanted to repeal the health overhaul for the past 15 years. Thats where theyre trying to go, she said.

Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.
ANN ARBOR, MI  JJ McKillop, leader of the LGBTQ+ teenage group True Hope, was willing to bear about 45-degree temperatures Wednesday in Ann Arbor to protest her alma mater.

McKillop, a parent of a transgender child and 1994 graduate of the University of Michigan, said she is ashamed by Michigan Medicines August decision to end gender-affirming care for minors.

UM has done so much better than this in the past, McKillop, 56, of Whitmore Lake, said. Leaving the kids in the dust of a political decision is embarrassing and wrong.

McKillop joined more than 15 people picketing Wednesday, Nov. 12, outside the new $920 million University of Michigan hospital.

Protesters held signs that read Fight trans oppression and Whose care is next...? outside the third-floor windows as attendees gathered in the front lobby to celebrate the D. Dan and Betty Kahn Health Care Pavilion, 1315 E. Ann St.

It just broke my heart to hear that UM had decided to stop giving gender-affirming care to trans kids, McKillop said.

UMs medical arm announced Aug. 25 it would no longer provide hormonal therapies or puberty-blocking medications to people under 19. Officials cited a federal subpoena and escalating external threats and risks.

Mary Masson, senior director of public relations at Michigan Medicine, wrote that UM Healths gender services care always involves compassionate, individualized support for each patient.

We recognize the gravity and impact of our recent decision to discontinue pediatric gender affirming care for our patients and our community, Masson wrote. We have worked closely with and will continuously support the well-being of our patients, their families, and our care teams.

The decision has frustrated many parents and Washtenaw County community members.

Read more: We thought we had a plan Parents of trans youth angry about Michigan Medicine decision

Margaret Weiss, the parent of a transgender individual, said she is upset UM is capitulating to the Trump administration, which is behaving in a bullying manner.

Weiss, 59, said UM needs to reinstate gender-affirming care for youth because its a human rights concern.

The university is willing to spend millions of dollars and they claim they dont have the money to fight the administration, Weiss, of Ann Arbor, said. This denial of health care to a segment of individuals, its discrimination.

More than 30 organizers previously gathered Sept. 18 outside the UM Board of Regents meeting at the universitys Ruthven Administration Building on North University Avenue to protest Michigan Medicines decision.

Regent Paul Brown has been a vocal opponent of the August decision.

Brown, who has a transgender family member, said he has continuously asked UM and the Board of Regents when the university can restore gender-affirming care for children and young adults.

Read more: Ending gender-affirming care for children is embarrassing, University of Michigan regent says

Lauren Gaboury, an organizer with the Huron Valley Democratic Socialists of America, criticized UM for spending $920 million to build the new hospital while not being able to defend gender-affirming care from federal subpoenas.

We are here to provide this counter-narrative and let the university know that we believe they should be using all of their resources in this fight to protect trans kids and their care because we know that this is just the first step, Gaboury, 32, of Ypsilanti, said. There is just not enough care in this state to supplement what has been lost.

Gaboury said the university took the bait and they encourage students, alumni, donors, employees and other UM community members to hold the university accountable.

Michigan Medicine administrators unveiled the 12-story hospital pavilion in a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday.

The hospital, under construction since about 2019 and in the works for more than a decade, will add 690,000 square feet, including 20 surgical and three interventional radiology suites, to the university health systems main medical campus, Michigan Medicine officials said.

Read more: Long-awaited University of Michigan Pavilion hospital to accept patients by end of year

Dr. David Miller, chief executive officer of Michigan Medicine, said the new hospital will start taking in patients by the end of the year.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page.
Editors note: The new hospital will employ 2,000 people, about 1,000 new employees and 1,000 transferring employees, and the facilitys inpatient rooms are designed to include more beds during significant situations, such as a pandemic. An earlier version of this story included incorrect information about the number of employees and the design of the rooms.

ANN ARBOR, MI  A long-awaited $920 million University of Michigan hospital will soon open to patients.

Michigan Medicine administrators unveiled the 12-story D. Dan and Betty Kahn Health Care Pavilion, 1315 E. Ann St., in a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday, Nov. 12.

The hospital will add 690,000 square feet, including 20 surgical and three interventional radiology suites, to the university health systems main medical campus, Michigan Medicine officials said.

Theres a lot of demand for the services of our wonderful teams here at Michigan Medicine, and so having more inpatient capacity to allow us to enhance access in the safest environment with the best patient experience required some more inpatient space, said Dr. David Miller, chief executive officer of Michigan Medicine.

Miller said the new hospital will start taking in patients by the end of the year.

Medical staff plan to support patients in intensive care, as well as lead specialty services for neuroscience, cardiovascular and thoracic care, among other specialties.

When all is complete, the hospital will add a total of 176 new inpatient bed licenses to the Ann Arbor medical campus, the university reported.

The hospital contains 264 nearly identical single-patient rooms on the eighth through twelfth floors, which serve as the patient care floors.

Every room has a bed lift, patient communication board and light green walls, among other features.

The facilitys inpatient rooms are designed to include more beds during significant situations, such as a pandemic, Rusty Hudson, a construction project engineering lead at Michigan Medicine, said.

Every patient room in the pavilion is capable of converting to intensive care, Noah Fromson, a spokesperson at Michigan Medicine, wrote in an email.

The facility separates patient care floors based on medical conditions. The eighth floor is the stroke and epilepsy monitoring unit.

Wednesday, the front lobby became increasingly crowded while more excited attendees entered the building.

As revealed on a media tour, inpatient rooms wrap around the eighth floor. Digital screens filled an epilepsy monitoring room.

One corner has a staff respite room containing tall green revolving seats and a large whiteboard.

On the sixth floor, attendees could walk into a neural operating room full of medical tools and equipment.

Windows overlook the larger Ann Arbor landscape. Fall foliage filled several windowpanes, and Hudson said viewers from the twelfth floor can see downtown Detroit.

Patients will move to the new Pavilion from UM University Hospital and Samuel & Jean Frankel Cardiovascular Center, Hudson said.

It is just another hospital within the system that is one of the best in the world, Hudson said.

The facilitys 20 operating rooms, on multiple floors for the first time at a Michigan medicine facility, will have 128 incremental full-time employees.

Its been a journey from recognizing the need for the community consistent with our mission, to defining a place where multidisciplinary, high complexity care can be done in a safe and comfortable environment, to the reality that were now celebrating today, Miller said.

Julie Ishak, chief nurse executive at UM Health, said about 2,000 employees, including those who are new to Michigan Medicine, will work in the facility. They have recruited about 1,000 new employees and 1,000 more will transfer from other parts of the health system.

Regardless of what building youre in, whether youre in the Pavilion or youre in our university hospital or childrens and womens hospital, the care is superb no matter where youre getting your care, Ishak said.

She said the pavilion is designed for the era that were in now. This involves having everything at your fingertips to be able to always be in front of the patient.

One of the wonderful things about UM is people want to come here for care and this allows us to provide expanded access, Ishak said. Michigan Medicine, in general, is a destination site for many highly specialized services.

Opening the new hospital took nearly a decade, Miller said.

Known as the Pavilion Hospital project since construction began in October 2019, the facility was scheduled to be open in fall 2024, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed work, UM officials previously said.

Benefactors D. Dan and Betty Kahn donated $50 million to the university in 2022 to support the new hospital.

Read more: Donors gift $50M for new name of University of Michigan Pavilion hospital

A $35-million parking structure will also sit on Zina Pitcher Place near Kahn Pavilion. It will provide 570 parking spaces to support the increased patient and visitor flow from the new medical facility, officials previously said.

The new parking structure is scheduled for completion in winter 2026, officials previously said. The new structure would be connected to the nearby Ann Street Parking Structure.

While attendees gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, over 15 Washtenaw County residents protested outside the hospital in opposition to the universitys August decision to end gender-affirming care for minors.

Protesters held signs that read, Whose care is next...? and Protect trans kids.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page.
President of University of Michigan, Domenico Grasso, addresses the room during a University of Michigan Board of Regents meeting at University Hall in the Alexander G. Ruthven Building. Abra Richardson | MLive.com

ANN ARBOR, MI  University of Michigan Interim President Domenico Grasso announced Thursday the university will invest $250 million in a new biomedical innovation institute.

The investment will take place over five years and university officials plan to recruit scientists from around the world, Grasso said.

We will merge our research strengths with entrepreneurial speed to bring discoveries from the laboratory to patients faster than ever before, Grasso said during his address.

His announcement was the first known public mention of the new institute. University officials plan to share more details early next year, Kay Jarvis, director of public affairs, wrote in an email.

Grasso calls the forthcoming institute one of the most ambitious investments in years.

The new initiative will focus on biological artificial intelligence, clinical trials and commercialization to advance health care, Grasso said.

He highlighted UM researchers work on histotripsy, a non-invasive method to eliminate cancer tumors with ultrasound pulses. The researchers launched the company HistoSonics, which received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration two years ago to treat liver tumors.

Private and public investors acquired the company for $2.25 billion this summer, Grasso noted. He said HistoSonics plans to use its technologies on other cancers.

Grasso also referenced engineer and UM graduate Kelly Johnson, who established aircraft developer Skunk Works as part of the global security and defense contractor Lockheed Martin.

He said Johnson redefined rapid innovation when he developed innovative aircraft at the end of World War II.

Our institute will carry that same revolutionary spirit, advancing health sciences, supercomputing and innovation for the public good, Grasso said. Progress demands investment, both human and physical capital.

The in-person crowd applauded as Grasso listed out UMs achievements during his State of the University address.

Grasso, who is not seeking the permanent presidency role at UM, also mentioned the new $50 million civil discourse center, the long-awaited Pavilion hospital and the universitys Look to Michigan donation campaign, among other topics.

In-person attendance was invite-only and more than 1,000 community members tuned in virtually.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page.
The Genesee County office tower in downtown Flint is shown in this 2025 Flint Journal file photo. The county Board of Commissioners agreed on new pay rates for non-union county employees on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. Jake May | MLive.com

GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- The Board of Commissioners has raised the floor on executive pay in county government, establishing a minimum annual salary for department heads of $101,000.

Commissioners voted 7-2 on a non-union pay proposal, setting pay rates for the next three years for roughly 100 employees who work as department heads, deputy directors, or co-elected officials.

County board members said they used wage studies and previously negotiated union contracts as guides to reaching a consensus during their meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 12.

For board Chair Delrico Loyd, a Flint Democrat, raising the pay for officials who have earned far less than counterparts in county government here and elsewhere was a priority.

I do believe having a floor for our department heads is fair, Loyd said. I believe, regardless of the number of employees in each department ... there (should) be a floor.

Four department heads will reach the new $101,000 minimum pay level because of Wednesdays action -- Lynn M. Radzilowski, director of the Department of Senior Services; Animal Control Department Chief Officer Jay Parker; Director of Veterans Services Director Derrick Britton; and Ken Koleda, director of the Geographic Information Systems Department.

Some top county government officials received just one-time payments of $500 or $600 because their pay already exceeded counterparts in other comparable counties, including Prosecutor David Leyton ($180,000), Drain Commissioner Jeff Wright ($164,275), and Medical Examiner Dr. Brian Hunter ($280,500).

Commissioner Shaun Shumaker, R-Fenton Twp., made the initial proposal to set the non-union wages, but joined Commissioner Martin Counsineau, D-Thetford Twp., in voting against the adopted version of the proposal, which was amended multiple times on Wednesday.

Shumaker also voted against contracts that changed fringe benefits for union employees and that were extended to non-union employees as a part of Wednesdays action.

He said he introduced the salary proposal as a starting point to get things started at a level where I thought most people would somewhat agree on.

Counsineau, the chair of the commissioners Finance Committee, said the county board should have more closely followed wage studies that showed some elected officials were paid far less than those in the same positions elsewhere in Michigan.

Part of Wednesdays resolution gave 14% raises to both Clerk-Register Domonique Clemons and Treasurer Sam Muma, increasing both salaries to $112,290, but Cousineau said the two are underpaid when compared to the average compensation for the same positions in 10 similar counties.

Before amending the pay resolution, county officials had estimated that the changes would amount to more than $150,000 more than had been budgeted by commissioners in the first year and more than $300,000 during the next three years.

Counsineau said on Thursday, Nov. 13, that the pay changes will require commissioners to adjust the countys budget.

Commissioners did not propose to increase their own pay ($36,984).

A wage study for elected officials -- based on a 2023 salary survey -- showed county commissioners here earned more than the average paid to their counterparts in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Kent, Washtenaw, Ottawa, Ingham, Kalamazoo, and Livingston counties.

Commissioners could vote to approve a salary increase for themselves, but that rate of pay would not take effect until the beginning of the term following the next election in 2028.
The Genesee County Circuit Court courtroom of Judge B. Chris Christenson is seen on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. Christenson is scheduled to preside in a civil trial against the city of Flint starting on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. Ron Fonger | The Flint Journal

FLINT, MI -- Attorneys for the city and a bicyclist who suffered a traumatic brain injury after he was hit by a speeding Flint police cruiser in 2020 are expected to select a jury on Thursday, Nov. 13, after failing to settle a lawsuit brought by the mans guardian.

Flint City Council members granted City Attorney JoAnne Gurley the authority to settle the case for up to $3 million in September, but talks havent produced an agreement, and Genesee Circuit Judge B. Chris Christenson heard a barrage of pre-trial motions in advance of the trial on Wednesday, Nov. 12.

Christenson also reviewed two videos that figure to loom large in the trial -- one from a police dashcam and another recorded by the camera of a business in the area on the night of the accident.

The videos show the impact of the crash, which hospitalized Donald Cameron, now 58, for nearly a month with multiple broken bones in addition to his brain injury.

The lawsuit was filed by Kenneth Cameron, Donald Camerons brother, guardian and conservator

The crash occurred while officer Christopher Delaney was driving 79 miles per hour without his siren activated when his vehicle struck Cameron at the three-way intersection at West Court Street, Pershing Street and Corunna Road.

Donald Cameron was 52 and riding home from his job in downtown Flint at the time of the crash, which occurred just after 10:30 p.m. on Aug. 18, 2020, according to the lawsuit.

The jurys decision in the case has the potential to be costly to the city, which must pay the first $3 million of any verdict before a $10-million insurance policy is triggered.

City officials have said the city would also be responsible for any award of more than $13 million.

Immediately after the accident occurred, Flint police said a preliminary investigation indicated the officer involved had his vehicles lights and sirens activated and had a green light at the intersection when the crash occurred.

The city has since said in a court filing that Delaney was using his red light and siren periodically in responding to an emergency call, and had last used his siren approximately 12 seconds before the crash.

In court filings, the city has acknowledged that Delaney was traveling 76 mph without his siren activated when his vehicle struck Cameron at the three-way intersection.

Delaney was responding to a call for officers to respond to the scene of an alleged shooting and later testified that he understood the call to say there was also a potential hostage situation, causing him to respond without a continuous siren.

Delaney and the Flint Police Department have been dismissed as defendants in the case, leaving the city as the lone defendant.

Kenneth Camerons complaint says his brother was lawfully crossing West Court when his bicycle was struck by the front of the patrol vehicle. It accuses Delaney of driving carelessly and failing to keep a proper lookout when Donald Cameron attempted to cross the street within the right of way.

It claims the city is not protected by governmental immunity because of Delanys gross negligence.

City attorneys have argued in court that Delaney did not owe a duty of care to Donald Cameron because the cyclist was a wrongdoer in the incident and was more than 50% at fault for the crash because of his own traffic violations and because his ability to function (was) impaired by alcohol or other substances.

Attorneys for the Camerons say in court filings that video from the area shows Donald Cameron was operating a bicycle in an unimpaired manner at the time of the crash.

In 2023, the Michigan Court of Appeals upheld former Genesee Circuit Judge Joseph Farahs denial of a city motion to dismiss the case.

Because of Farahs 2022 retirement, the case moved to Christensons courtroom.
The Humane Society works with Purina to ensure no pet goes hungry. Nonprofits Access of West Michigan and Meals on Wheels work together to distribute the food. (Photo/HSWM) Humane Society of West Michigan

KENT COUNTY, MI - With the recent disruption to federal food assistance due to the lengthy government shutdown, providing for pets may feel particularly overwhelming right now. Humane Society of West Michigan (HSWM) is here to help.

Through its Kibble Konnection program, the Humane Society provides free pet food to low-income pet owners in need.

The mission is simple: no one should have to choose between their own need and feeding their beloved pets, whether its one-time assistance or ongoing support.

Weve always been a resource for pet owners in need who need free pet food. But coming out of the pandemic, seeing that need from the community, we formalized the program into Kibble Konnection, said Winni Walsh, director of development and marketing for Humane Society of West Michigan.

The resurgence of the program comes days after Michigan resumed full payments of November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to families and residents on Monday, state officials announced.

The resumption of full November benefits to Michigan residents follows a whiplash federal legal battle. The state could risk facing financial penalties from President Donald Trumps administration.

Our food pantry partners were reaching out to us, saying they needed more pet food, Walsh said. We shared on social media that we were here as an extra resource, especially for those who maybe were affected by the SNAP rollbacks, that we could be a resource even if they werent necessarily one of our regular clients, we could help right now.

The Humane Society works with Purina to ensure no pet goes hungry. Access of West Michigan and Meals on Wheels help distribute the food.

For the Kibble Konnection program, the Humane Society requires individuals to provide proof of income or government assistance.

However, Walsh told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press staff will always do a limited distribution for anyone whos going through a tough time.

But pet owners who want to receive food monthly must apply through the enrollment process.

Households with pets who require assistance can apply online for monthly distributions. Those who need immediate help can visit the Humane Society of West Michigan, 3077 Wilson Dr. NW in Walker, during adoption hours.

Typically, HSWM sees about 800 households coming through its Kibble Connection program. Annually, they serve 1,400 to 1,500 pets. Sometimes, there are multi-pet households, Walsh said.

The Humane Society distributes approximately 2,000 pounds of pet food per month, which equates to roughly 24,000 pounds each year.

The impact is astronomical. People will feed their pets before they feed themselves, Walsh said. A lot of times, its a difference of thinking that they need to surrender them to the shelter because they cant feed them, or they cant feed themselves. We dont ever want anyone to be in that position.

The Kibble Konnection program focuses solely on pet food distribution. There are separate programs for emergency housing, but those folks still have their animals in their home.

At the Humane Society, this approach is called intake diversion. The staff ensures pets stay with their families rather than being surrendered to the shelter.

This program, we always say it helps keep people and pets together, Walsh said. If theyre in a loving home already and the family has just fallen on hard times, we would much rather be supporting them through Kibble Konnection than having that family need to surrender them into the shelter to be rehomed when that animal is in fact already in a loving home.

Walsh said there are often tear-filled moments at the pet food distributions.

One woman in particular, who was receiving dog food, shared with the staff that her father had passed away recently, and her husband had adopted her late fathers two dogs.

Because they were on a low income, getting food for their new pets proved to be too difficult.

This was kind of her final memory of her father. Without having to get help with food to be able to supplement and feed their pets, they would have had to surrender the two dogs, Walsh said. Its those moments where you look back and youre like, This is why Im doing it. Just talking about it gives me goosebumps.

Walsh says the Humane Society and local shelters are always available to help.

We see you. Were here to help homeless animals get into new homes, but its only one part of our mission, Walsh said. At the end of the day, were a community resource, and we want to serve people and their pets. If we can keep families together beyond adoptions, thats what were here for as well.
Two men are charged with second-degree murder for a June 25, 2024 road-rage crash on Lake Michigan Drive. (John Tunison | MLive) John Tunison

OTTAWA COUNTY, MI  A 12-year-old Hudsonville girl suffered serious injuries when she was struck by a vehicle on Wednesday, Nov. 12.

Ottawa County sheriffs deputies said the girls injuries were serious but not life-threatening.

The crash happened around 3:15 p.m. on Greenly Street near Jamesfield Drive in Jamestown Township.

The girl did not see a westbound Ford Explorer when she attempted to cross Greenly, police said.

She was taken by Life EMS to Helen DeVos Childrens Hospital.

Jamestown Township firefighters provided medical help to the girl at the scene.

The driver, a 35-year-old Grandville woman, was not hurt.

Greenly Street between Jamesfield Drive and 32nd Avenue is expected to remain closed for police investigation until about 5 p.m.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  A man died Wednesday, Nov. 12, after he was found shot in a crashed vehicle.

Grand Rapids police said it is not clear if the man was shot while driving or was attempting to drive himself somewhere immediately after being shot.

Officers in the area of Hall Street SE and Kalamazoo Avenue heard gunfire and found the single-vehicle crash while searching the area.

Rescuers attempted life-saving measures but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Major Case Team detectives are investigating. Police asked anyone with information to contact investigators at 616-456-3380 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345 or silentobserver.org.
Grand Rapids police are trying to identify a robber in a Sunday, Nov. 9, holdup at NOXX Cannabis. (Provided by Grand Rapids Police Department) Grand Rapids Police Department

GRAND RAPIDS, MI  Police are working to identify a gunman who robbed a Grand Rapids marijuana store.

The robbery happened around 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, at NOXX Cannabis at 1234 Plainfield Avenue NE.

Grand Rapids police released surveillance images taken during the holdup. The robber should be considered armed and dangerous, police said.

Police did not disclose what was taken.

Grand Rapids police are investigating a robbery at a marijuana store. (Provided by Grand Rapids Police Department) Grand Rapids Police Department

Police asked anyone who can help identify the robber or provide information on the robbery to call Detective Tyler Smith at 616-456-4683 or the Detective Unit at 616-456-3380. Information can also be sent to Silent Observer at 616-774-2345 or SilentObserver.org.
KALAMAZOO, MI  A jury will likely decide the fate of an ex-cemetery employee charged with embezzlement after people went looking for their family members buried bodies and found no record of them.

The cemetery mystery left behind after former Mt. Olivet Cemetery Sexton Shaun Albertson was terminated in 2023 resulted in charges of embezzlement between $1,000 and $20,000 against him, court records show.

MORE: Where are the bodies? Cemetery worker allegedly pocketed burial money for years

Albertson agreed to waive his right to a preliminary examination that had been set for Wednesday, Nov. 12.

He is accused of pocketing money paid to him for burials at the cemetery, according to court documents.

The cemetery is owned by the Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo.

Albertson, who managed burials at the cemetery for about two decades, is accused of wiping records from a cemetery-issued laptop after he was let go in 2023 for an unrelated reason. He did not provide account passwords to the cemetery staff when he left, according to a police report.

Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Kalamazoo. A former employee allegedly pocketed money meant for burials, leaving a graveyard mystery in his wake. (Brad Devereaux | bdeverea@mlive.com)

The diocese declined to comment when contacted by MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette.

That leaves families with questions about burials: Are bodies still unaccounted for? How many unmarked or unrecorded graves are involved?

Kalamazoo Public Safety Detective Jason Gates wrote in a police report its suspected Mt. Olivet Cemetery has numerous graves that are unrecorded and unmarked.

Some people have shared concerns about arrangements they made with Albertson for their own burials, wondering if they will be honored or not.

Some people with links to the cemetery knew nothing about the embezzlement allegations, including Scott Betzler, a member of the Mt. Olivet Cemetery Board of Directors, according to a police report. MLive has reached out to Betzler seeking comment.

One person who made arrangements with Albertson, contacted by MLive, said they had not heard from the cemetery about the embezzlement case.

Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Kalamazoo. A former employee allegedly pocketed money meant for burials, leaving a graveyard mystery in his wake. (Brad Devereaux | bdeverea@mlive.com)

A police report provides some information, but details remain buried:

Evidence submitted to court shows $1,800 in checks written to Albertson

The diocese received calls from families that could not find graves of loved ones

A survey revealed approximately 10 unrecorded graves in an unplotted area of the cemetery

No funds from monument foundations were being deposited into the cemetery account, former CFO Tim Meeker said in the report, and Albertson was suspected of taking them

Albertson is suspected of taking an estimated $388,000 total, former CFO Meeker told police, according to a report, though the charges he faces and evidence submitted (copies of checks) reflect a smaller amount

A investigator indicated the embezzlement may be much bigger than what the charges reflect:

It would appear that Albertson`s practice of charging families directly for foundation services is far more ubiquitous than evidence can show, Gates wrote in a police report MLive obtained thorough the Freedom of Information Act.

Meeker said he was unsure if there are more unmarked graves in the cemetery, the report states.

A date has not yet been set for the jury trial or a settlement conference, which typically takes place before a trial.

Checks made out to Shaun Albertson are included in a police report about alleged embezzlement at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Kalamazoo. The checks were found in a police report obtained through FOIA. (KDPS)

Albertson lives in Kalamazoo. In 2003, he took over the job at the cemetery that was previously held by his father.

The cemetery was established in 1888 at 2003 Mt. Olivet Road in Kalamazoo.

Bookmark MLives local Kalamazoo news page.
Update (4:45 p.m.): The 10-year-old child has died, police said.

VAN BUREN COUNTY, MI  A 10-year-old was hit by a vehicle and injured, police said.

At 8:12 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, deputies from the Van Buren County Sheriffs Office were called to a report of a car/pedestrian crash in the 72000 block of 22nd Street in Porter Township.

Lawton Quick Response, Van Buren EMS and Van Buren County deputies arrived and immediately started providing medical aid to a 10-year-old child who had been struck near a school bus stop.

An initial investigation showed a Mattawan Consolidated Schools bus had been northbound on 22nd Street preparing to stop for a student when the incident occurred.

The driver of a white SUV, a 38-year-old female, reported she struck the child while they were crossing the road after checking a family mailbox. The driver immediately called 911 following the collision.

The child was treated at the scene by emergency personnel and then taken to a hospital for medical care. The 10-year-olds status is not being released at this time, police said.

The Van Buren County Accident Reconstruction Unit responded to conduct an investigation. The Van Buren County Sheriffs Office ins investigating the incident.

Bookmark MLives local Kalamazoo news page.
The City of Muskegon has filed a lawsuit asking a judge to sort out voter-approved terms limits for elected officials. (MLive File Photo) Isaac Ritchey | iritchey@mlive.com

MUSKEGON, MI  The City of Muskegon has asked a judge to decide whether time previously served as mayor or city commissioner counts under new term limits approved by voters this month.

The ballot measure limits Muskegon elected officials to 12 years.

The lawsuit focuses on Mayor Ken Johnson, who was re-elected on Nov. 4 and is set to begin another four-year term on Jan. 1, 2026, when he will have spent 12 years in office. It also addresses Commissioner Willie German, who has already served 13 years.

Both could be precluded from serving by term limits.

Six others not currently on the City Commission could be ineligible to run again or unable to complete a full term if elected.

The city cannot adopt amendments to its charter to clarify the issue without a vote by residents.

The city asked that a judge declare prior terms count toward the 12-year limit. It also requested that Johnson be allowed to serve the remainder of his upcoming term, ending Dec. 31, 2029, and that German be allowed to serve until his term expires on Dec. 31, 2027.

The state Attorney Generals Office said prior to the election that the charter amendment would conflict with the Home Rule City Act (HRCA).

To the extent that the proposed amendment would shorten the term of a public official because that public official already served 12 years although their current elected term has not expired, such shortening of the public officials term would be contrary to the HRCA, the Attorney Generals Office wrote.

It said that the HRCA states that (n)o provision of any city charter shall conflict with or contravene the provisions of any general law of the state.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer did not approve the charter amendment, basing her opinion on the Attorney Generals findings.

The charter amendment to limit terms in office passed by an unofficial vote of 3,292 to 2,307. Johnson defeated his challenger by an unofficial margin of 3,505 to 2,081.

The city this week filed motions for summary judgment and summary disposition against West Michigan Dock & Market Corp. and Muskegon Partnership for Reasonable Limits.

The case is before Circuit Judge Kenneth Hoopes.

No responses have been filed.

The partnership described itself as a non-partisan grassroots organization dedicated to promoting democratic integrity and accountability. Our sole purpose is to pass legislation to establish a 12-year term limit for service on the City of Muskegon commission.
Sandra Samantha Saldana, 37, is escorted from a Muskegon County courtroom after a brief hearing on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. Saldana faces second-degree murder and operating while intoxicated causing death stemming from a crash that killed her 6-year-old daughter, Mila Saldana. Bradley Massman | MLive.com

MUSKEGON, MI  A mother has been charged with second-degree murder for a drunken driving crash that killed her 6-year-old daughter.

Sandra Samantha Saldana was emotional Thursday, Nov. 13, as she was escorted from the courtroom, facing new charges.

Saldana, 37, appeared in Muskegon County District Court for a hearing to determine whether she should stand trial for the death of her daughter, Mila Saldana.

Instead, she fired her attorney and was taken to jail to await arraignment on the new charges, which is expected to happen Thursday afternoon.

Muskegon County prosecutors initially charged Saldana with operating under the influence or impaired causing death and reckless driving causing death.

The charges stem from a crash in the late afternoon Oct. 21 on Holton Road near East Michillinda Road in Muskegon Countys Dalton Township.

Mila was a passenger in her mothers vehicle. The mother was driving south on Holton when her vehicle rear-ended another southbound vehicle. After the collision, Saldanas vehicle crashed into a northbound vehicle.

Mila was ejected and died at the scene, police said.

In court Thursday, Chief Trial Prosecutor Matt Roberts said his office filed a motion to dismiss the current case with intentions of filing second-degree murder and operating while intoxicated causing death charges against Saldana. The motion was granted.

The judge also granted a motion from Saldanas defense attorney to withdraw as counsel.

Saldana, who was free on a $250,000 cash or surety bond, was taken into custody after the proceeding. Her next court appearance was not immediately scheduled.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Milas family with funeral costs and expenses.
SAGINAW, MI  A Saginaw grade schools security guard accused of selling drugs is considering a plea offer.

Tyler T. Mitchell, 27, on Wednesday, Nov. 12, appeared before Saginaw County District Judge A.T. Frank for a preliminary examination. Rather than proceed with witness testimony, Saginaw County Assistant Prosecutor Noah Johnson offered to dismiss a charge of delivering or manufacturing 50 to 449 grams of a narcotic or cocaine if Mitchell pleaded guilty or no contest to possessing 50 to 449 grams of a narcotic or cocaine and maintaining a drug house.

The first and second charges are 20-year felonies, while the drug-house count is a two-year high-court misdemeanor.

Defense attorney Robert Hinojosa stated Mitchell wanted to waive his right to the hearing and be bound over to Circuit Court to consider the prosecutions offer. Judge Frank obliged and sent Mitchells case to the higher court for further proceedings.

Should Mitchell not accept the offer, his other option will be to face a jury or bench trial.

Mitchell was the assigned campus officer for Handley Elementary School, 1300 Passolt St., when police arrested him in September.

According to prosecutors, undercover detectives with the Mid-Michigan Investigative Narcotics Team (MINT) had made numerous controlled buys of drugs from Mitchell. They asked personnel with the Bay Area Narcotics Enforcement Team (BAYANET) to assist in a subsequent controlled purchase, as Williams lives in Saginaw Township.

Following such a buy, MINT officers on the afternoon of Sept. 10 initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle Mitchell was driving. They found a large amount of drugs and money inside the vehicle, prosecutors allege.

Mitchell consented to police searching his apartment. Inside, officers found 111 grams of cocaine, digital scales, and packaging materials, prosecutors allege.

Mitchell told police he was on his way to deliver three ounces of methamphetamine and cocaine to a customer in Mount Pleasant when officers pulled him over. He added he has been in the drug game for 2 years, prosecutors wrote in a bond recommendation.

School officials placed Mitchell on administrative leave at the time of his arrest. They sent an email to students parents informing them of the arrest and stated the alleged crimes were not committed on school grounds.

Mitchell is free on bond pending his next court appearance.
Michigan is considering legislation that would grant lawmakers the ability to conduct unannounced visits of state prisons. (MLive file photo) Cory Morse | MLive.com

For nearly three years, lawmakers needed to give a 72-hour advance notice if they wanted to inspect a correctional facility, reducing access to and oversight of the states prisons.

That delay has afforded the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) time to address or conceal issues that lawmakers may be looking to investigate, said state Rep. Laurie Pohutsky, D-Livonia.

Were prevented from providing meaningful oversight of MDOC facilities if we have to announce when well be attempting to do so, Pohutsky said Thursday. 72 hours notice can and has allowed the department to address, often superficially, issues with facilities, or even to schedule appointments for inmates so that they cannot meet with their legislators.

The MDOC rule requiring 72 hours notice before a lawmaker inspection was put in place in December 2022 after several incidents with now-former lawmakers, according to MDOC officials. A warden could waive this advance notice.

Before the rule, lawmakers often scheduled visits in advance but could also show up unannounced.

The states latest budget, enacted in October, eliminated the 72-hour notice rule and restored lawmakers ability to make unannounced visits under MDOC policy. Unannounced visits wont resume until December, MDOC officials said.

Pohutsky has put forward a bill to put into state law the ability of state lawmakers to be granted access to a correctional facility at any time and without notice to inspect the premises. She gave testimony on her bill Thursday, Nov. 13, before the House Government Operations Committee.

Its an important step, but we have to codify this practice rather than letting an executive department dictate how we perform our jobs, Pohutsky said. The ability for us to visit facilities that we fund and where our constituents are being housed is a longstanding, fundamental and crucial aspect of our job.

The legislation and the retraction of the 72-hour rule come as the states prison system continues to grapple with a staffing crisis.

That staffing shortage has resulted in corrections officers working more overtime, weakening staff morale and creating tensions between officers and prisoners.

During the committee hearing Thursday, there were some concerns from lawmakers about how unannounced visits could disrupt operations or create safety issues. Lawmakers also raised concerns about what would happen if a legislator showed up during an emergency situation at the prison.

Kyle Kaminski, MDOC legislative liaison, echoed those concerns, saying MDOC supports allowing unannounced visits in policy but not in state law.

Kaminski said having unannounced visits put in state law would prevent MDOC from knowing who is in the facility during an emergency.

It also would take away MDOCs ability to ensure that visiting lawmakers arent disruptive or dangerous to staff and prisoners, he said.

What this bill says is that any legislator or any group of legislators can come in and we cannot enforce any of our other policies that exist for the operation and safety of very complex facilities, Kaminski said.

Pohutsky said her legislation wouldnt give lawmakers free rein to go wherever they wanted in a correctional facility or do whatever they wanted. It also wouldnt prevent MDOC from implementing any rules around how visits are carried out and acceptable behavior.

Her legislation only requires that lawmakers cant be turned away from entrance into the prison if they show up unannounced. What parts of a prison lawmakers can access would remain the discretion of MDOC.

Its worth noting that previously, if there have been unsafe conditions or an issue where legislators would not be safe or staff wouldnt be safe, inmates wouldnt be safe, that has been part of the departments or the corrections staff on-site  their decision about where legislators can go, whether or not they can get in, Pohutsky said. This just says that they cant be turned away at the gates.

The 72-hour rule was put in place amid COVID and several incidents from visiting lawmakers, Kaminski said. Prior to the rule, lawmakers very rarely showed up unannounced at a correctional facility for a tour or inspection.

Those incidents with former, unnamed lawmakers involved conduct that violated MDOC policies or endangered staff and operations, Kaminski said.

In one instance, a lawmaker said they wanted to tour three MDOC facilities. They arrived nearly three hours late and only wanted to tour one of the facilities, despite preparations by staff at the other two facilities, he said.

In another incident, a lawmaker came unannounced as a protest and tried to surreptitiously record and provoke prison staff in what Kaminski described as an attempted gotcha moment.

Another time, a lawmaker arranged for a facility tour and wanted clearance for a person they said was their staffer to come along. Kaminski said it was later determined that person was not a staffer.
Waves at sunset along Lake Michigan at Grand Haven State Park in Grand Haven, Mich. on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. The National Weather Service issued a gale warning calling for 9 to 13-foot waves and 40 MPH winds along the lakeshore. Joel Bissell | MLive.com

Sunny skies are back in the forecast today, and all of Michigan will hop onto a warming trend that wont peak until Saturday.

Expect mostly clear skies today, with temps climbing as high as 50 degrees in the southern half of the state.

By Saturday, a lot of us will be seeing daytime highs hitting 60 degrees.

But it wont last, as weve got rain - and even snow - back in the forecast by the end of the weekend.

Here are the forecast highlights from the National Weather Service offices across Michigan:

We can expect a warming trend through Saturday with dry conditions today and Friday before rain chances increase this weekend. Morning patches of black ice are possible in the Upper Peninsula where snowmelt occurred yesterday.

In the Upper Peninsula, temperatures will climb into the 40s today and mid-40s to low 50s on Friday as high pressure builds across the region.

Northern Lower Michigan will see a southwest to northeast drying trend today as mid-level ridging and surface high pressure spread into the Great Lakes. Any lingering early morning showers will be confined to the tip of the Mitt and far northern areas, gradually fading through midday. Temperatures will respond to increasing sunshine, climbing into the 40s for most areas with a few spots near and south of M-55 possibly reaching the 50s.

Southern Michigan will experience mostly sunny skies with temperatures near 50 degrees today, warming into the mid-50s Friday. A breezy west wind at times will make it feel cooler, with wind chills mainly in the 30s and low 40s through the day.

Looking ahead to the weekend, a deepening low pressure system will move into the western Great Lakes on Saturday, bringing rain chances by late morning or early afternoon. Despite increasing clouds and showers, Saturday should be quite mild with highs ranging from near 50 degrees in the north to near 60 degrees in the south. The systems cold front will pass through Saturday night, shifting winds to gusty northwest and introducing cooler air.

By Sunday, temperatures will take a step back as colder air filters in, setting the stage for possible lake effect rain or snow showers, especially across higher terrain and traditional snowbelt locations. Temperatures will trend near to slightly below normal into early next week.
Varun Singh

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Hyundai expects new Venue compact SUV volumes to be 20% higher than old model

The new Hyundai Venue will be exported to 30 countries.

Varun Singh

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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

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Business / Economy

by Stephen Jakes

HARARE- Businessman Wicknell Chivhayo has hailed the government's "Zimbabwe is Open for Business" mantra following the signing of a major investment deal with Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, describing it as a turning point for the country's economic trajectory.Posting on his X account, Chivhayo said Zimbabwe has entered a new chapter under the leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, with investors showing unprecedented confidence in the nation's future."We are no longer knocking on the doors of opportunity; we are building the mansion of prosperity right here in Harare," Chivhayo wrote. "I've travelled the world, sat in boardrooms from Dubai to Beijing, but the energy in Zimbabwe right now is unmatched. Investors are lining up because the Second Republic is delivering tangible, visible results."Chivhayo emphasised that the government's focus is not only on exploiting natural resources such as gold, platinum, and lithium, but also on value addition, industrialisation, and job creation.He cited Dangote's pledge of over US$1 billion in investment as a clear signal of international confidence in Zimbabwe's economic reforms."That's Zimbabwe rising. ZIDA is working overtime. Red tape? Gone. Investor protection? Guaranteed. With our educated workforce, strategic location, and natural wealth, we're not just competing - we're dominating," he said.Chivhayo urged critics to abandon outdated narratives, insisting that Zimbabwe's current economic climate is vastly different from the crises of 2008."This is 2025. This is ED's Zimbabwe. If you're not investing now, you'll be buying in later at a premium. I don't just talk, I walk the talk. I invest. I believe. I build. And I will continue to support the President's vision with everything I've got. Because when Zimbabwe wins, we all win. God bless Zimbabwe. God bless President ED. And God bless the hustle."Zimbabwe Wicknell Chivhayo Open for Business,Zimbabwe Aliko Dangote investment deal,Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa economic reforms,Zimbabwe ZIDA investor protection,Zimbabwe value addition industrialisation,Zimbabwe 2025 economic confidence,Zimbabwe Second Republic business climate,Zimbabwe Harare prosperity vision,Zimbabwe Stephen Jakes report,Zimbabwe billionaire investment pledge
Childrens Day 2025: Why November 14, Jawaharlal Nehrus Birthday, Is Celebrated as Childrens Day in India

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Pepsi Contest that Killed Five: How a '90s marketing blunder sparked riots and deaths in this country

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Hema Malini shares update on husband Dharmendras health, says "His children are sleepless, we are relieved he is out of hospital"

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Mukesh Bhatt says he wasn't invited to Alia Bhatt's wedding, says "Meri aankhein taras gayi Raha ko dekhne ke liye"

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Shefali Shah talks about womens safety ahead of Delhi Crime 3; says, Our girls will be safe only if sons are raised right

Shefali Shah is gearing up for the release of Delhi Crime Season 3

Sarika Sharma

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Sunny Deol gets angry at paps outside his home amid dad Dharmendras deteriorating health, says "Aap ke ghar mein maa-baap hai... Sharam nahi aati?"

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Chadwick Boseman to receive posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

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Scheduled for November 20, the ceremony is another proud occasion to honour his lasting impact on the film and cultural industries.

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Sean Diddy Combs to remain in prison for more days

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Business / Economy

by Mr Gladman Njanji

Domestic Taxes Winner: Devchands Fashions

Customs & Excise Winner: Econet Wireless (Pvt) Ltd

Small Clients Category Winner: Selaros Investments

Medium Clients Category Winner: Legend Lounge Pvt Ltd

Large Clients Category Winner: PPC Zimbabwe



Conclusion

Harare, Zimbabwe - 13 November 2025 - The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) held the annual Taxpayer Appreciation Awards this morning, commemorating the invaluable contributions of compliant taxpayers across the nation. This prestigious ceremony celebrated individuals and businesses committed to upholding their tax responsibilities, thereby bolstering Zimbabwe's journey towards sustainable development.Highlighting Special Awards for Youth and WomenThis year, special emphasis was placed on recognizing the remarkable contributions of young taxpayers and women entrepreneurs. The "Youth Best Contributor" award celebrated Givemore Zulu, an exemplary leader under 35 years of age whose tax contributions reflect innovation and responsibility in business. The "Women in Business" category honoured Cinzia Bail, who demonstrated outstanding leadership and commitment through her timely contributions.The overall winner of the awards was awarded to Zimbabwe Platinum Mines (Zimplats) (Pvt) Ltd, recognized for their exceptional revenue contributions and consistent compliance since 2021. Other notable winners included:Hon. D.K. Mnangagwa, Deputy Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, underscored the significance of these awards in his remarks, stating, "Your contributions are the lifeblood of Zimbabwe's progress, supporting the institutions and infrastructure that underpin our schools, hospitals, roads, and broader development." He emphasized that "each act of compliance is a brick in the foundation of our shared prosperity," reminding attendees that taxes represent a "declaration of faith in our nation and a patriotic duty."ZIMRA's Board Chairman, Anthony Mandiwanza, echoed this sentiment, highlighting how compliance fosters growth: "Every act of compliance lays another brick in the foundation of our shared future." He praised the winners as role models whose integrity and commitment inspire others.The Taxpayer Appreciation Awards not only celebrate compliance but also reaffirm ZIMRA's commitment to fostering a culture of responsibility and integrity among taxpayers. As we work towards Vision 2030, the participation and compliance of every citizen are critical for building a self-reliant and prosperous Zimbabwe.It is our moment to embrace the call by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe: "Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo / Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo."Issued on behalf of ZIMRA by Mr Gladman Njanji, Marketing and Corporate Affairs Executive
Tom Felton breaks into tears after standing ovation for Broadway debut as Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, meets fans outside theatre

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M Snehanjali is a Sub Editor and journalist with over two years of experience covering general news and entertainment in digital newsroom.

It seems that what started out as creative disputes on the Euphoria set has turned into a personal and even political dispute.

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Beyond the album, reports suggest BTS is planning an ambitious world tour that will span more than 65 cities globally, including over 30 shows in North America alone.

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A Shop for Killers will return with more action and drama

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Nagarjuna rejects minister Konda Surekhas apology after derogatory remarks; says, Mudslinging on my family is not negotiable

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YouTuber arrested for pirating Zubeen Gargs Roi Roi Binale as film breaks Assamese box-office recordsYouTuber arrested for pirating Zubeen Gargs Roi Roi Binale as film breaks Assamese box-office records

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Bihar Polls 2025: Jobs were at centre of parties' manifestos, but youth may have not considered it a deciding factor

Priyansh Verma

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From Hyderabad to Toronto, the billionaire investor charts a legacy play as Fairfaxs next phase unfolds. (REUTERS/Aaron Harris/File Photo)

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News / Africa

by Staff reporter

Chinese President Xi Jinping will not be attending the upcoming G20 Leaders' Summit set to take place at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg on 22 and 23 November.China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Thursday that Premier Li Qiang will be representing the country at the event. No reason was given for Xi's absence.Xi attended last year's G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, but Li was sent in his place to the 2023 G20 Summit in New Delhi and to the BRICS Summit in Brazil earlier this year. Xi has scaled back international travel in recent years.Scott Kennedy, a senior adviser at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, told Bloomberg that Xi's absence at the G20 Summit does not indicate a downgrade in the importance of the event to Beijing."I don't see any drop-off in their view that those global governance institutions are important avenues for China to communicate its message," he said.However, it does mean that the presidents of the two most powerful countries will be absent at the G20 for the first time.Last week, US President Donald Trump confirmed that his country's officials won't attend the G20 in protest, again repeating misleading claims about the treatment of white Afrikaners in the country.In response, President Cyril Ramaphosa says the US decision to boycott the summit was "their loss".Russian President Vladimir Putin is also not expected to attend, given that he faces an International Criminal Court arrest warrant, while Argentine President Javier Milei has also decided not to come to South Africa.
Interview: Comfortable with current debt position, says Tata Steel management, even as prices may drop in Q3

Shiladitya Pandit

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Ashwin Mohan is Editor (Deals) at Moneycontrol and leads the M&A, private equity and equity capital market transactions coverage. He anchors the video show 'Deal Central ' and tweets at @ashwinmohansays. He has previously worked with ET NOW, CNBC TV-18 and The Times of India.

Mumbai headquartered IndiaFirst Life Insurance is a 3-way joint venture between lead shareholder Bank of Baroda which holds 65 per cent, Union Bank of India which holds 9 per cent and Carmel Point Investments India Pvt Ltd ( an affiliate of the Warburg Pincus group) which holds the balance stake.

Tamal Nandi

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Shaleen Agrawal

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Once regulatory clearance is received, the new entity will apply for an insurance license and begin building operations.

Aishwarya Dabhade

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Deutsche Bank's DWS to acquire up to 40% stake in Nippon Life India AIF Mgmt

DWS to acquire up to 40% stake in Nippon Life India AIF Mgmt

J Jagannath

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J Jagannath

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Mamaearth shares rise up to 9% as brokerages upbeat post-Q2 results; Jefferies sees 'glimpse of turnaround'

Paras Bisht

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Brajesh Kumar

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Sensex settles 400 pts lower from day's high, Nifty ends below 25,900: Profit booking among key factors behind market decline

Sensex falls 450 pts from day's high, Nifty below 25,900: Profit booking among key factors behind market decline

Paras Bisht

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News / Education

by Erick Matotoba

Solusi University is preparing to host its 29th graduation ceremony this Sunday, marking a major milestone for hundreds of students who will receive their degrees and diplomas on the institution's scenic campus.The three-day graduation program, which culminates in Sunday's ceremony, has been filled with anticipation and excitement for the graduating class. A guest of honour - yet to be officially announced - is expected to officiate, adding prestige to the celebrations. University officials confirmed that all final arrangements are complete, ensuring a smooth and memorable event for graduates, families, and guests.In a statement, the university administration expressed pride in the achievements of its students, reaffirming Solusi's commitment to academic excellence and holistic development."This graduation marks a significant milestone not only for our graduates but also for the university community as we celebrate their dedication and perseverance," the statement read.Leading up to the big day, the campus has been buzzing with activities, including orientation sessions for graduates and inspirational talks designed to prepare them for life beyond university. The institution highlighted its longstanding reputation for nurturing leaders and change-makers in Zimbabwe and beyond.The ceremony is expected to be vibrant and emotional, with families and friends traveling from across the country to witness the achievements of their loved ones. Solusi University looks forward to celebrating this remarkable milestone and has extended best wishes of success and prosperity to its graduating class.
Sonalee Borgohain

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Blackstone, SoftBank said in talks for stakes in India cloud startup Neysa

Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day

Founded in 2023 by Sharad Sanghi and Anindya Das, Neysa provides cloud-computing infrastructure to run artificial intelligence models on demand

Tamal Nandi

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Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day

Aryaman Gupta

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Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day

In its filing, MEMG certified that it meets all eligibility norms under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016, including compliance with Section 29A, which bars certain entities from bidding. The company has submitted all required undertakings, confidentiality commitments, and e-stamped documentation as part of its EOI.

Tamal Nandi

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The meeting also resolved to dissolve the executive committee that had been running the trust, transferring full powers to Chairman Noel Tata

Surabhi Pandey

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Ria Kapoor

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'All those who committed this cowardly act...': Amit Shah vows 'strictest punishment' for those behind Red Fort explosion

Ria Kapoor

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Allah helped us in round one: Pakistans Khawaja Asif vows two-front war as tensions with India, Taliban flare

Khawaja Asifs comments come days after a deadly suicide blast in Islamabad and rising tensions over cross-border terror links.

Aishwarya Dabhade

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Rewati Karan

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Christin Mathew Philip

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Forum held in Beijing to promote cross-Strait development, exchange

Xinhua) 09:55, November 13, 2025

BEIJING, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- A forum in Beijing on Wednesday saw guests from both sides of the Taiwan Strait exchange ideas on advancing integrated development and promoting cultural exchange.

Participants noted that cultural exchange serves as an important spiritual bond that unites the people on the two sides of the Strait, and that peaceful, integrated development aligns with the best interests of all compatriots across the Strait.

They also called for joint efforts to carry forward fine traditional Chinese culture.

The forum included a special session to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and Taiwan's restoration to China. It brought together descendants of revolutionary martyrs and war heroes from Taiwan.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Zhong Wenxing)
News / Local

by Stephen Jakes

BULAWAYO - About 200 students graduated on Wednesday at the City of Bulawayo's vocational training ceremony after successfully completing courses in solar installation and house wiring.The City Council announced the milestone via its official X account, noting that the programme was supported by the Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Organisation and Plan International, with graduates drawn from Pumula and Mzilikazi suburbs.Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart, represented by Councillor Ntombizodwa Khumalo, Chairperson of the Health, Housing and Education Committee, said the City values partnerships with development organisations in equipping youths with practical skills."The City's commitment to deliver vocational skills resulted in Council at its November meeting resolving to transform the Magwegwe Beer Hall, popularly known as Marisha, into a Vocational Training Centre. This development will see the City operating 20 training centres," Coltart said.Graduates were encouraged to use their new skills for self-development and to contribute to the growth and transformation of Bulawayo.
Bihar counting day security: 46 centres, 3-tier grid, CAPF inside, CCTV on; how the state plans to keep Nov 14 calm

Aishwarya Dabhade Aish is Chief Sub-Editor at Moneycontrol, where she occasionally leads the news shift and homepage; writes explainers and long-form breakdowns on business, policy, markets and geopolitics. She began her career on CNBC-TV18s breaking news desk as Assistant Producer and went on to shape digital coverage at The Economic Times as Principal Content Producer, with stints at YouGov and WebEngage adding depth in data-driven storytelling.

Aishwarya Dabhade

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Bihar election 2025: How EVMs will travel from strong room to poll booth and back tomorrow

Rewati Karan

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Bihar election result 2025: When and where to track counting for assembly polls

After paper ballots, votes recorded in the Electronic Voting Machines will be counted.

Priyanjali Ghose

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Bihar elections: Will Nitish make history or can Tejashwi's MGB defy predictions? All eyes on Nov 14 counting

Armaan Bhatnagar is a news editor with nearly 14 years of experience in digital media across leading organisations including The Times of India, Microsoft, and Network18. Over the years, Armaan has reported extensively on Indian politics, global affairs, economy, and business. He has led coverage of landmark events ranging from three Lok Sabha elections and multiple state polls to historic Supreme Court judgments. He has closely followed geopolitical developments across US and Pakistan, the Middle East, as well as South Asia. He has also helped build innovative newsroom products, including COVID dashboards, election trackers, economy meters, and a range of data-driven properties.

Armaan Bhatnagar

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Parimal Peeyush is News Editor at Moneycontrol. A journalist for over 17 years, his experience spans across newspapers, magazines and digital news media. Having joined Moneycontrol in August 2024, Parimal oversees the Political Desk and covers issues around the intersection of politics, law and crime.

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This comes after three days of the blast near Delhi's Red Fort.

Rewati Karan

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Tamal Nandi

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Caught on cam: Red Fort blast accused Umar Nabi spent time at Old Delhi mosque ahead of attack

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Alongside his brother Saood, Jawad Ahmad Siddiqui launched a few small ventures while at Jamia

Smriti Mishra

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Christin Mathew Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol.com with 15 years of experience in journalism and a recipient of the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award. Based in Bengaluru, he understands the pulse of the people and covers issues that matter, including mobility, infrastructure, start-ups, and government policies. He tweets at @ChristinMP_

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The state aims to increase software exports from Rs 4.09 lakh crore to Rs 11.5 lakh crore by 2030.

Ria Kapoor

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Rewati Karan is Senior Sub Editor at Moneycontrol. She covers law, politics, business, and national affairs. She was previously Principal Correspondent at Financial Express and Copyeditor at ThePrint where she wrote feature stories and covered legal news. She has also worked extensively in social media, videos and podcasts at ThePrint and India Today. She can be reached at rewati.karan@nw18.com | Twitter: @RewatiKaran

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The final advance to Dhaka: Inside Indias lightning campaign in 1971

For months, Mukti Bahini had conducted guerrilla warfare and softened Pakistani defences, while Indian forces surrounded the enemy from all directions.

Priyanjali Ghose

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The final verdict on the Bihar election results will be announced on Friday

Priyanjali Ghose

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They dont need our help: Rubio praises Indias investigation in Delhi blast case; calls it terrorist attack

Smriti Mishra

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Priyanjali Ghose

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While Umars i20 exploded near Red Fort on November 10, security agencies have since recovered the Ecosport from Faridabad and launched a search for the Brezza.

Priyanjali Ghose

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Who is Shaheen Shahid, doctor & Jaish recrutier at centre of Delhi blast probe: 'Was tasked by Masood Azhar's sister to ...'

Rewati Karan

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Sumita Dawra is Former Labour Secretary to Govt of India. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.

More than 16 million youth have been trained and about 13 million certified  thereby enhancing overall employability in India.

Namrata Agarwal

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Shivam Bhagat is Congress Spokesperson, Delhi. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.

Foreign policy has become an extension of domestic politics

Namrata Agarwal

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Delhi mans Rs 2,000 DIY air purifier goes viral after cutting AQI from 400 to 50 in minutes

Tired of Delhis Smog, This Guy Built His Own Air Purifier for Rs 2,000

Rajni Pandey

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'If I go to jail...': Divija Bhasin responds to backlash over viral 'Proud R' movement after outrage, FIRs

As the hashtag spread, several young women began adding it to their profiles in solidarity.

Shubhi Mishra

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Indian-origin ex-Deloitte partner says she worked 100-hour weeks, quit after body 'broke down'

Ankita Sengupta

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Startup founded by IIT Kharagpur grads accused of toxic culture, US hire says quitting was 'easiest decision'

The company was previously celebrated for its founders commitment to building in India.

Shubhi Mishra

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Sheetal Kumari

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MC Tech Desk Read the latest and trending tech newsstay updated on AI, gadgets, cybersecurity, software updates, smartphones, blockchain, space tech, and the future of innovation.

Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day

Aabhas Sharma

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Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day

Aabhas Sharma

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Karnataka's new IT policy eyes 90 lakh jobs by 2030, proposes return programme for overseas talent

Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day

The state aims to increase software exports from Rs 4.09 lakh crore to Rs 11.5 lakh crore by 2030.

Reshab Shaw

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Microsoft tempts users with rewards to stay on Edge instead of switching to Google Chrome

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Aabhas Sharma

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MC Tech Desk Read the latest and trending tech newsstay updated on AI, gadgets, cybersecurity, software updates, smartphones, blockchain, space tech, and the future of innovation.

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6 new tourist taxes at popular destinations that could make your 2026 holiday expensive

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.

Several popular destinations are introducing new tourism taxes in 2026. From entry fees to hotel levies, heres how your next holiday abroad might get pricier.

Priyanka Roshan

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Italian cuisine just got closer to UNESCO fame heres why every traveller should care!

From Neapolitan pizza to tiramisu, Italys rich culinary heritage is closer than ever to UNESCO recognitionready to delight travellers from around the world.

Priyanka Roshan

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Solo travel in Asia soars 16% in 2025, says report  discover top cities and destinations to explore

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.

Solo travel is redefining the way Asia explores  discover the best destinations to go it alone in 2025.

Priyanka Roshan

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Pradeep Tripathi

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Bengaluru investor who retired at 33 sparks debate after revealing how he lives simply despite 100x his expenses

Bengaluru investor who drew his last salary in 2019. (Courtesy: X | @FI_InvestIndia)

Sonalee Borgohain

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Can Trump go to extremes to distract from the Epstein Files? Illinois governor weighs in

Pradeep Tripathi

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'Did women ruin the workplace?' Here's why New York Times' column on feminism struck a nerve worldwide

Abhinav Gupta

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The record US shutdown ran for 43 days halting flagship programmes and release of official data

Surabhi Pandey

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How the 27th Amendment has shifted Pakistans power balance and given Asim Munir unprecedented authority

Pradeep Tripathi

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Manish Rao is a seasoned journalist who has extensively covered global affairs, geopolitical developments, American politics, and all other things making news around the world.

Chhabi Kala

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Nepal now prints its banknotes in China, not India: How Beijing replaced New Delhi in South Asias currency game | Explained

(FILES) A new Nepali 500 Rupee note featuring the water mark of King Gyanendra which has been covered by national flower Rhododendron is shown in Kathmandu, 02 October 2007, while the water mark of Gyanendra remains visible. (Photo by PRAKASH MATHEMA / AFP)

Abhinav Gupta

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Pakistans new power structure: How Asim Munirs appointment as 'Chief of Defence Forces' cements military control

Abhinav Gupta

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Police personnel inspect charred vehicles as they codorn off the blast site after an explosion near the Red Fort in the old quarters of Delhi on November 10, 2025. (Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP)

Abhinav Gupta

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Scott Bessent on Trumps H-1B overhaul: Train US workers, then go home

Smriti Mishra

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Sheikh Hasinas trial set for November 17: What the case is all about

Pradeep Tripathi

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(FILES) The then Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina speaks as she is sworn in for a fifth term at the Presidential Palace in Dhaka on January 11, 2024. (Photo by Munir UZ ZAMAN / AFP)

Abhinav Gupta

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Shutdowns end will kick off long process of rebooting US government

A 2019 law requires agencies to pay workers their full salaries for the shutdown period at the earliest date possible after the lapse in appropriations ends, regardless of scheduled pay dates.

Aishwarya Dabhade

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US blacklists Indian firm for directors role in assisting Irans missile and drone projects

Pradeep Tripathi

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World on track for record CO emissions again in 2025

Rewati Karan

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November 13, 2025 Justice Department Office Which Justified Torture Now Argues For Killing In 2003 the U.S. Justice Departments Office of Legal Council (OLC) issued a memo which declared the use of torture in authorized military interrogations as legal when done under the presidents constitutional authority to direct a war. The memo was widely condemned. The Obama administration withdrew it but refrained from prosecuting the torturers which had used it as cover. The Trump administration now issued a comparable OLC memo to justify its wanton killing of alleged drug smugglers at sea. Starting in September the Trump administration announced 19 strikes on boats in the Caribbean which have killed at least 76 seafarers. Most of them were random poor people: One was a fisherman struggling to eke out a living on $100 a month. Another was a career criminal. A third was a former military cadet. And a fourth was a down-on-his-luck bus driver. The men had little in common beyond their Venezuelan seaside hometowns and the fact all four were among the more than 60 people killed since early September when the U.S. military began attacking boats that the Trump administration alleges were smuggling drugs. The argument of the new OLC memo is even more frivolous (archived) than the torturous reasoning of the former one: The opinion, which runs nearly 50 pages, also argues that the United States is in a non-international armed conflict waged under the presidents Article II authorities, a core element to the analysis that the strikes are permissible under domestic law. The armed-conflict argument, which was also made in a notice to Congress from the administration last month, is fleshed out in more detail by the OLC. The opinion also states that drug cartels are selling drugs to finance a campaign of violence and extortion, according to four people. That assertion, which runs counter to the conventional wisdom that traffickers use violence to protect their drug business, appears to be part of the effort to shoehorn the fight against cartels into a law-of-war framework, analysts said. The true purpose of drug cartels is obviously to make money. There is no evidence that any drug cartel ever has been or is in business because it wanted to create violence. By framing the military campaign as a war, the administration is able to argue that murder statutes do not apply, said Sarah Harrison, a senior analyst with the International Crisis Group and a former Pentagon lawyer. If the U.S. is at war, then it would be lawful to use lethal force as a first resort, she said. The president, she argued, is fabricating a war so that he can get around the restrictions on lethal force during peacetime, like murder statutes. There is nobody internationally who will accept such a stupid argument as justification for blowing up random boats at sea. UN officials have condemned such strikes: Volker Turk, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, has called for an investigation into the strikes, in what appeared to mark the first such condemnation of its kind from a United Nations organization.



These attacks and their mounting human cost are unacceptable, Ravina Shamdasani, a spokeswoman for Turks office, relayed his message on Friday at a regular U.N. briefing. The U.S. must halt such attacks and take all measures necessary to prevent the extrajudicial killing of people aboard these boats. She said Turk believed airstrikes by the United States of America on boats in the Caribbean and in the Pacific violate international human rights law. At the recent meeting of the G7 foreign ministers the French publicly declared that any such boat strikes are illegal: In what appears to be the most significant condemnation so far from a G7 ally, Frances foreign minister says that the deadly boat strikes carried out by the United States in the Caribbean since early September violate international law.



We have observed with concern the military operations in the Caribbean region, because they violate international law and because France has a presence in this region through its overseas territories, where more than a million of our compatriots reside, Barrot said. Britain is allegedly withholding some intelligence from the U.S. because of concern about the boat strikes. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio denies that but British officials confirmed their standpoint: Marco Rubio has denied claims Britain stopped intelligence sharing with the US over its strikes on narcoboats in the Caribbean.



It was a false story, Mr Rubio said, adding the US had a strong partnership with the UK.



However, British officials reportedly believed the strikes, which have killed at least 76 people, break international law and agree with an assessment by the UNs human rights chief that they amount to extrajudicial killing. Colombian President Gustavo Petro has likewise stopped intelligence sharing on the issue: The fight against drugs must be subordinated to the human rights of the Caribbean people, Petro said on X. Earlier this fall, Petro accused U.S. government officials of murder, alleging that a casualty of a mid-September strike was an innocent Colombian fisherman. Anyone in the U.S. intelligence services and military should be aware that taking part in such strikes is a criminal endeavor which may get them prosecuted in international courts. The OLC memo is a way too flimsy a cover to protect anyone. An admiral recognized this and skipped out: Top officers, including Adm. Alvin Holsey, the head of Southern Command, sought caution on such strikes, according to two people, who like several others interviewed for this story spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the matters sensitivity. Holsey wanted to make sure any option presented to the president was fully vetted first, one person said. In October, he abruptly announced he was resigning at years end, which will be about a year into what is typically a three-year assignment. More soldiers should follow the mans example. Comments
Auto conference in China calls for closer industrial ties with Germany

Xinhua) 09:57, November 13, 2025

CHANGCHUN, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- The ninth Sino-German Automotive Conference opened on Wednesday in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province, with more than 400 industry representatives from home and abroad gathering to explore new trends in the global automotive industry and discuss opportunities for cooperation.

Chen Jian, former vice minister of commerce of China, told the opening ceremony that China and Germany have maintained stable bilateral ties with fruitful results in mutually beneficial cooperation, adding that China's high-level opening up and high-quality development are creating an ultra-large market, offering broader development opportunities for enterprises from Germany and other countries.

Annette Severy, German Consul General in Shenyang, noted the close collaboration between Germany and China in sectors such as artificial intelligence and green mobility.

The conference also features three thematic sessions on Sino-German investment project matchmaking, opportunities in the global expansion of China's automotive industry chain, and the role of digitization in building the automotive industry ecosystem.

As a pivotal hub for China-Germany automotive cooperation, Jilin Province has witnessed the steady expansion of this partnership. The province serves as a major base for FAW-Volkswagen, a joint venture established in 1991 between China FAW Group Co., Ltd. and German carmaker Volkswagen.

In late October, the Changchun-headquartered company celebrated a milestone as its 30 millionth car produced in China rolled off the assembly line at its plant in the city.

From initially producing a single Jetta model under one brand, FAW-Volkswagen has expanded its portfolio to 33 fuel-powered and new energy vehicles (NEVs) models, mirroring the evolution of bilateral auto cooperation from technology introduction and basic production to joint research and development and a shared industrial ecosystem.

The company's operations now span six plants in five Chinese cities, namely Changchun, Chengdu, Foshan, Qingdao and Tianjin.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Zhong Wenxing)
Yves here. I hope readers in Europe and the UK and those otherwise knowledgeable about EU politics and governance will pipe up about this piece. At a bare minimum, its a good critical thinking exercise, but members of our commentariat can hopefully provide additional insight into regional political and economic dynamics that feed Euroskepticism.

This article makes a bold claim, that Euroskepticism actually leads to (or at least correlates with) lower growth. Its authors contend that the causality runs in the direction opposite of the one described by most economists and analysts: that economic stagnation produces throw the bums out voter responses, which in many cases means Euroskepticism.

Some reactions from a non-European, so take this with ample salt.

First, in opposing the conventional falling behind economically leads to anti-establishment voting the authors seem to be going in an either-or direction. I suspect that there is much more likely to be a very complex interaction. If an area of a country falls behind, some of those who can, mainly the young, will leave. So those who remain will be older and more conservative. Investors do tend to prefer areas with more demographic growth and younger workers because cheaper. This dynamic would appear to be important and I would contend more important than voting preferences.

Second, sometimes choosing to be retrograde pays off over the longer term. Portland, Maine, turned down the opportunity to become a major Ford site, IIRC in the 1930s. The arguably small-minded town fathers wanted to keep their culture. So Maine remained largely rural and poor. But its not hard to argue that Portland is now better situated that auto industry darling Detroit, once the wealthiest city in the US that has taken a huge fall.

Third, I wonder about their classification of Euroskeptic. The post specifically mentions Greeces Syriza as an example. The party has likely changed its messaging, but I recall well when it took power. It campaigned on not being an establishment player and therefore uniquely able to break with existing alliances and negotiate a better bailout package than incumbents could. This may seem to be a distinction without a difference to some readers, but it was the IMF, not the EU, than devised and ran the programs: recall that includes lots of non-EU nations, such as Russia, Argentina, South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, and the UK before it was part of the EU. The Bank reported in 2020 that more than half the worlds nation had asked for assistance. Yes, for Greece, the bulk of the funds actually came from EU member states, but they very much deferred to the IMF and depended on the IMF to monitor progress and devise and implement reforms as in austerity.

I chronicled those negotiations almost daily; there was at the time and still is a lot of misreporting of what went down. Almost no one who was Greece-sympathetic (save one MP, whose name I cannot recall) recognized that the gig was up a mere three weeks after Syriza took power. It signed a memorandum to get an essential mini-bailout that committed it to a yet another IMF program, fine points to be worked out.

Even more important, neither Syriza nor Greeks in 2015 were anti the EU. They were anti the IMF. From a July 2015 post (this was after the Alex Tsipras stunt of a referendum on a bailout package that had expired):

Yet quite a few pundits who claim they support self-determination for Greece advocate a Grexit despite the clear preference of Syriza leadership and the Greek public otherwise. A Bloomberg poll last week found that 81% wanted to Greece to remain in the Eurozone. That demonstrates that Greek citizens appreciate that as bad as things are under austerity, a Grexit could tip Greece into being a failed state. What is starting to happen now, the inability of companies to import, constrained access to international payment systems like debit and credit card networks, is a pale shadow of what Greece would experience with a Grexit.

Now to the main event.

By Andres Rodriguez-Pose, Princesa de Asturias Chair and Professor of Economic Geography London School Of Economics And Political Science, Lewis Dijkstra, Urban and Head of the Territorial Analysis Team, Joint Research Centre European Commission, and Chiara Dorati. Originally published at VoxEU

Support for Euroskeptic parties has surged from the political fringes to encompass nearly a third of European voters. These movements promise a free lunch: prosperity through less integration and more national control. This column offers new evidence from across 1,166 European regions from 2004 to 2023 that Euroskepticism carries a significant economic cost. The more Euroskeptic regions have seen slower GDP per capita, productivity, and employment growth, particularly since the euro area crisis. Far from liberating local economies, Euroskepticism imposes measurable economic penalties on the very places embracing it, creating a vicious cycle of discontent and decline.

In less than two decades, Euroskepticism has moved from the margins of protest to the centre of European politics. Once confined to populist outliers  in the mid-2000s it represented a mere 3.7% of votes in national legislative elections  parties promising to take back control now command as much as a third of the vote across EU member states. In some regions, more than half of voters now back Euroskeptic forces. The rise of such parties has reshaped electoral maps from the Po Valley to eastern Germany, from northern France to rural Sweden (Figure 1). The story being told is seductively simple: European integration has shackled prosperity. Only by reclaiming sovereignty will prosperity be set free.

Figure 1 Change in the regional share of votes for hard Euroskeptic parties in EU national legislative elections, 20042008 vs 20202023 electoral cycles

Source: Authors elaboration.

Our research (Rodriguez-Pose et al. 2025) examines the consequences of the rise of Euroskcepticism and challenges this assumption head-on. Drawing on regional data for all 27 EU member states between 2004 and 2023, we ask what happens to places that turn against European integration. The analysis shows that places that yield to the temptation of Euroskepticism have, over time, grown more slowly, created fewer jobs, and lost ground in productivity relative to their more Europhile peers. In other words, Euroskepticism is no free lunch and appears not merely as a symptom of economic malaise but as a contributor to it.

Going Beyond the Causes of Euroskepticism

Most economic research to date has focused on the causes of Euroskepticism, treating it as a consequence of economic distress. The argument that long-term economic pain breeds political backlash (Rodriguez-Pose 2018) has been central to understanding its rise. The geography of EU discontent closely mirrors that of long-term stagnation (Dijkstra et al. 2020). There also appears to be a strong link between external economic threats, such as the rise of import competition from China, and anti-EU voting (Stanig and Colantone 2017).

Yet this research only covers one side of the story. What happens to economies after voters embrace Euroskeptic parties, even when these parties are not in government? Can political discontent itself become an economic liability, even before Euroskeptic forces can implement policy?

There has been no previous research directly on the consequences of Euroskepticism. The closest is work on the consequences of populism, which shows that anti-system leaders worldwide typically deliver worse economic outcomes, with GDP per capita roughly 10% lower 15 years after they take office (Funke et al. 2023). According to this research, populist leaders systematically undermine performance through institutional degradation and policy mismanagement (Funke et al. 2023).

But populism is not equivalent to Euroskepticism, and most Euroskeptic parties in Europe have rarely governed. Although some, such as Fratelli dItalia in Italy or Fidesz in Hungary, control the levers of power, many others  such as Rassemblement National in France or Alternative fur Deutschland in Germany  have remained in opposition. The question thus becomes: does merely signalling widespread Euroskepticism damage regional economic prospects?

The Free Lunch Illusion

Euroskeptic parties across the political spectrum promise renewal through liberation from Brussels. On the far right, this means national competitiveness unburdened by EU rules; on the far left, freedom from austerity and fiscal constraint. Both traditions share a belief that regaining sovereignty will translate into renewed prosperity.

Has that been the case? We draw on a comprehensive dataset covering 1,166 European regions across all EU-27 countries from 2004 to 2023. We measure Euroskeptic support using the vote shares of parties that experts classify as opposed to European integration (scoring 2.5 or below on the Chapel Hill Expert Surveys 17 scale). We then track how regions with different levels of Euroskeptic voting subsequently perform on four key development indicators: GDP per capita growth, productivity growth, employment growth, and population change.

The findings reveal that a region with a 10 percentage points higher Euroskeptic vote share experiences approximately 0.35 percentage points slower annual GDP per capita growth. This may sound modest, but compounded over multiple electoral cycles, it translates into substantial divergence. Over 12 years  three electoral cycles  such a region could find itself roughly 4%5% poorer than an otherwise similar but less Euroskeptic neighbour.

Productivity tells a similar story. Each additional 10 points of Euroskeptic support is associated with lower annual productivity growth by about 0.100.14 percentage points. Employment creation lags by roughly 0.25 percentage points annually, cumulating to about 3% fewer jobs over the same period. Population effects are, by contrast, more muted, although Euroskeptic regions struggle to retain or attract residents. The relationship between Euroskeptic sentiment and subsequent economic underperformance appears robust and substantial.

The Crisis as a Catalyst

The 20122013 euro area crisis and subsequent austerity acted as a critical juncture. Before the crisis, the economic penalty associated with Euroskepticism was present but muted. The crisis changed everything: citizens of regions with high Euroskeptic sentiment suffered disproportionately during and especially after this period.

For GDP per capita, the post-2012 penalty nearly doubled compared with the pre-crisis period. A region that is to points more Euroskeptic saw annual growth rates fall by an additional 0.16 percentage points after 2012, bringing the total effect to roughly 0.38 percentage points annually. By 2023, this translated into a cumulative income shortfall approaching 5.5% (Figure 2).

Figure 2 Development implications of Eurokceptic support and the crisis (event study analysis)

Note: The period on the horizontal axis refers to the period after the electoral cycle.

Why did the crisis amplify Euroskepticisms economic impact? Several mechanisms likely operated simultaneously. First, regions vocally opposed to the EU may prove less effective at securing or deploying European funds. As Crescenzi et al. (2020) have shown, EU funds can mitigate rather than fuel Euroskepticism when properly deployed. But achieving this requires institutional capacity and a willingness to engage with EU mechanisms, precisely what Euroskeptic regions often lack (Rodriguez-Pose et al. 2024). Investors confronting scarce capital post-crisis may avoid regions perceived as politically unstable or potentially hostile to EU frameworks. The crisis also heightened regional polarisation. Regions with strong Euroskeptic sentiment may have experienced reduced social cohesion and institutional trust precisely when cooperation was most needed for recovery.

Not Just a Story About Attaining Power

Crucially, these effects materialise largely without Euroskeptic parties actually holding power. Despite their recent rapid rise, most such parties have remained in opposition, with notable exceptions such as Greeces Syriza, Hungarys prolonged Fidesz rule, or various Euroskeptic parties in Italy. The economic penalty therefore operates through channels beyond direct policy implementation.

High Euroskeptic vote shares may signal deep institutional distrust and political uncertainty to businesses and investors. When investors perceive hostility towards the EU or uncertainty about future relations with Brussels, capital flows slow, businesses hesitate to invest, and national investment and structural funds may be underused or diverted.

The political act of repudiating integration appears to carry economic penalties even before it translates into policy. Firms considering investments may hesitate when local electorates demonstrate hostility towards the EU frameworks that underpin the single market. Even without policy changes, widespread Euroskepticism can deter outside investment and raise perceived risk. The Brexit experience, where business investment stalled well before actual withdrawal, offers a vivid illustration of how political uncertainty alone can chill economic activity (van Oort et al. 2017). Uncertainty can ripple through regional economies long before Euroskeptics reach power.

Regional leaders in highly Euroskeptic areas may also adjust their agendas in response to strong anti-EU sentiment, leading to lower or different engagement in EU programmes, European cooperation initiatives, or business development strategies, even when those leaders are not from Euroskeptic parties themselves. The cumulative effect of such micro-decisions, multiplied across firms, governments, and individuals, can significantly alter growth trajectories.

A Vicious Cycle

These findings expose a troubling feedback loop. Economic stagnation and regional decline fuel Euroskeptic voting, as demonstrated by research on Europes development trap (Diemer et al. 2022, Rodriguez-Pose et al. 2024). Many European regions have become trapped in persistent low growth, unable to adapt to structural economic change (Iammarino et al. 2020). As our analysis shows, Euroskeptic sentiment then becomes part of the problem, not just a symptom. Regions embracing Euroskeptic parties experience slower economic dynamism and prosperity, which likely further intensifies discontent, potentially driving even stronger Euroskeptic support in subsequent elections.

This dynamic creates a particularly pernicious form of path dependence. Voters in struggling regions turn to Euroskeptic parties seeking change and prosperity. Yet their choice  however understandable given their frustrations  appears to worsen their economic prospects, deepening the very stagnation that motivated the protest vote initially. The promised free lunch of reduced EU integration delivering economic revival proves illusory. Instead, citizens in Euroskeptic regions effectively pay for their political discontent through foregone growth and missed opportunities.

Breaking the Cycle

The policy implications are profound. The solution is not to disparage Euroskeptic voters, whose grievances are often real, but to recognise the economic cost of channelling them through anti-European politics. Labelling the inhabitants of these regions as deplorables, as Hillary Clinton did in her failed 2016 presidential campaign, or treating their regions as lost causes will only reinforce alienation (Rodriguez-Pose 2018). Nor will simple fiscal transfers suffice (Borin et al. 2021). Money without engagement may soothe symptoms but not the underlying malaise. Left-behind people and left-behind places need honest political re-engagement alongside targeted economic reinvestment.

A dual strategy appears necessary. Politically, the EU and national governments must listen and respond to concerns about fairness, visibility, and local voice that drive Euroskepticism. Economically, targeted initiatives promoting regional development, education, access to capital, and economic diversification are essential. Recent EU initiatives such as the joint recovery fund and the emphasis on a just transition in climate policy represent positive steps, but these must demonstrably target vulnerable regions to succeed.

Above all, humility is required. Many voters embraced Euroskeptic parties because mainstream politics failed them for too long. Yet their choice seemingly worsened their economic prospects; an irony that should give everyone pause. The problem resides not solely with voters or institutions but in their fractured relationship. Rebuilding trust in democratic institutions, including the EUs capacity to deliver broad-based prosperity, remains paramount.

Crucially, governance and institutional quality matter. Improvements in regional institutions are often more decisive for growth than physical capital alone (Rodriguez-Pose and Ketterer 2019). Where local governments are transparent, accountable, and effective, EU funds translate into genuine development; where they are not, cynicism festers. The vicious cycle of discontent can only be broken by a virtuous one of competence.

Conclusion

Euroskepticism is no free lunch. Its rise exacts an economic toll that disproportionately affects those who expected to benefit from it. Europes future depends on ensuring that Euroskepticism does not become a permanent barrier to economic development across the continent. This requires more than platitudes about European unity or technocratic adjustments to cohesion policy. It demands responsive governance that helps transform todays Euroskeptic strongholds into tomorrows success stories, reintegrating disenfranchised citizens into a more prosperous and unified Europe. The alternative  allowing the vicious cycle of discontent and decline to continue  risks fragmenting the European project from within, region by region, vote by vote.

See original post for references
There is no legitimate justification for U.S. aggression against Venezuela. But there is a powerful symbolism. The ideological currents driving this aggression are the same ones that drive Israels actions in Palestine.

The U.S. is acting with complete disregard for any notion of international law. That was tacitly recognized by Marco Rubio when he said, after the G7 meeting in Canada: I dont think that the European Union gets to determine what international law is, and what they certainly dont get to determine is how the United States defends its national security.

Rubio was responding to a question raised by a Kaja Kallas, vice president of the European Commission, who had expressed doubts that U.S. attacks in the Caribbean were either self-defense or based on a U.N. mandate. Rubio added: The United States is under attack from organized criminal narco-terrorists in our hemisphere, and the President is responding in the defense of our country.

I do think that Trump and parts of his administration genuinely believe they are at war with drug cartels. Thomas Neuburger, commenting on a Michael Wolff post on how Trump arrives at his facts, which are often distorted if not outright wrong, describes it like this:

A man wakes up, maniacally searches the news for what involves him  which is just about everything now  then maniacally seeks from his staff how to digest all that in a way that makes him look good, or at least makes his foes look bad. When he gets what he wants, stories that make him feel good  its all about feelings, it seems  he stores their spin and later repeats what he hears, happy to show hes right.

Some variation of that seems probable. The information loop feeds on itself and reinforces the same discourse. However, it is naive to believe that the entire foreign policy of the country, and specifically in Latin America, hinges on the presidents personal ideas. That is highly improbable. In Rubios answer, we have a clue as to where the real foundations lie.

Rubio says our hemisphere  almost certainly not a slip of the tongue, but an expression of what he really believes. He is part of a U.S. political class that operates under the ideological assumption that the United States has a right  almost a divine right  over what it considers its sphere of influence, our hemisphere. That is why Europe does not determine what international law is. How could they  those whom we basically rule  tell us what to do?

That is also why the U.S. claims a right to topple governments and meddle in the internal affairs of other countries, especially in the Americas, to promote its own interests. Rubio represents the bipartisan consensus that emerged from the hegemonic era of U.S. primacy.

However hawkish, he still dresses his position in the language of democracy promotion and freedom, which serves to mask the appropriation of resources. His agenda against Venezuela is dominated by ideological anti-communism. For him, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba are enemies of humanity.

But to think that U.S. foreign policy is still primarily driven by anti-communist propaganda is to cling to a paradigm that is already over. Other powerful currents are now moving the surface waters  currents that do not seek to build a bipartisan consensus but to do away with the need for one altogether. As Katherine Stewart puts it, this movement isnt looking for a seat at the noisy table of American democracy; it wants to burn down the house.

This is the ideological current that Vice President J.D. Vance represents: the National Conservatism movement, which seeks to reshape the U.S. according to Yoram Hazonys idea of Israel. Hazony is the chairman of the Edmund Burke Foundation, whose stated aim is to promote the ideology of national conservatism and which organizes the NatCon conferences. Vance has attended and delivered key speeches at NatCon and declares himself an admirer of Hazony.

Hazony rejects liberalism as a rationalist system of dogmas and instead grounds political legitimacy in God, the Hebrew Bible, family, and the independent nation state. In his view, nations are not based on liberal principles of consent and universal equality, but on divine covenant and inherited obligations within a particular group. This provides the justification for an ethnostate such as the one he defends in Israel, in which the idea of the nation is tied to a specific people whose interests stand above all others, unconstrained by international law or minority protections.

The bridge between Hazonys Israel and Trumps America runs through Christian nationalism and the National Conservatism movement. He cofunded the Edmund Burke Foundation with David Brog, former executive director of Christians United for Israel. J.D. Vance, Trumps vice president, openly cites Hazony as a key intellectual influence and describes Israel as an island of shared values, presenting it as a moral model rather than merely a strategic ally.

Christian nationalists  80 percent of white evangelicals Christians voted for Trump  share the myth that the United States was founded as a Christian nation and believe that legitimate government rests not on the consent of the governed but on adherence to a particular definition of a religious and cultural heritage. This mirrors Hazonys logic: if Israel is the God-given home of the Jews, America can be imagined as the God-given home of white Christians.

Peter Thiel emerges as a central figure here: financier of National Conservatism, mentor and patron of Vance, investor in surveillance and defense technologies, and architect of an alliance between neo-nationalists, tech oligarchs, and the military-industrial complex. Through this network, ideas first articulated in the Israeli context  biblical nationalism, siege mentality, the fusion of religion and force  are translated into a U.S. setting.

Thiel uses Hazonys ideological biblical framework and the showcase of National Conservatism as a political vehicle for his own vision: an alliance between Judeo-Christian nationalism and a technocratic-oligarchic power capable of redesigning the Western political order in a more authoritarian, illiberal, and security-oriented way. He has famously stated that he does not believe that democracy and freedom are compatible.

The American experiment as an Enlightenment, secular, rights-based republic is being reinterpreted and hollowed out in favor of a Hazony-style model: a state defined by Judeo-Christian identity, suspicious of universal rights, hostile to international constraints, and increasingly comfortable with oligarchic, techno-authoritarian power.

Israel, as Hazony imagines it and as its most illiberal practices are admired abroad, becomes both mirror and blueprint for the direction in which Vance, Thiel, and their allies wish to push the United States. This is the symbolic function that aggression against Venezuela serves.

For Israel, the war that began in Gaza has been a way of signaling to the world that it no longer cares to abide by any kind of international law. In pursuing its ideological and strategic interests  however they are defined  and in promoting a Jewish ethnostate, it presents itself as unconstrained by any definition of law other than its own.

Those who support Israel because they think it represents a Western liberal democracy in the Middle East have completely misunderstood the meaning of this eight-front war. Greater Israel is not just a geographical concept; it is the epitome of Hazonys ethnostate. That is what Netanyahu meant by changing the face of the Middle East. Its the end of the liberal state and the real expression of Israel first.

U.S. aggression against Venezuela should be read in the same light. The complete absence of any legitimate justification is itself a signal to the world of the ideological shift the U.S. is undergoing. It is announcing that it will no longer be constrained by the nuances of liberal principles such as democracy or universal human rights, or by the international system built on them. Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, put it succinctly: This kind of behavior is more typical of those who consider themselves above the law.
Yves here. Hopefully some will find this post on the dangers of PM2.5 pollution to be useful. Air quality is one of the main reasons I live in an infamous coastal city as opposed to glamorous Bangkok. 9+ months of the year the prevailing winds come in from the sea and PM2.5 levels are low. The times when they arent generally are also when its so hot that at least occasional air con is necessary, so keeping windows closed and an air filter on isnt a hardship.

IQ Air provides maps of air quality readings updated hourly even in secondary cities, so you can get an idea of what your hood is like if you dont want to run out and buy a PM2.5 monitor. From my general area (conditions worse today than a week ago when most stations were green; we are getting into high season, so much more traffic, and also crop burning times). You can see it is pretty granular:

You can zoom in too. This is just one notch bigger. The little arrows show the wind is coming from the sea. One monitoring post is close to me so these maps offer a good approximation:

PM2.5 actually increases with elevation at urban-type heights (tall buildings), so being on an upper floor is of no benefit.

Now to the main event.

By Paula Span. Originally published at KFF Health News

For years, the two patients had come to the Penn Memory Center at the University of Pennsylvania, where doctors and researchers follow people with cognitive impairment as they age, as well as a group with normal cognition.Both patients, a man and a woman, had agreed to donate their brains after they died for further research. An amazing gift, said Edward Lee, the neuropathologist who directs the brain bank at the universitys Perelman School of Medicine. They were both very dedicated to helping us understand Alzheimers disease.

The man, who died at 83 with dementia, had lived in the Center City neighborhood of Philadelphia with hired caregivers. The autopsy showed large amounts of amyloid plaques and tau tangles, the proteins associated with Alzheimers disease, spreading through his brain.

Researchers also found infarcts, small spots of damaged tissue, indicating that he had suffered several strokes.

By contrast, the woman, who was 84 when she died of brain cancer, had barely any Alzheimers pathology, Lee said. We had tested her year after year, and she had no cognitive issues at all.

The man had lived a few blocks from Interstate 676, which slices through downtown Philadelphia. The woman had lived a few miles away in the suburb of Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, surrounded by woods and a country club.

The amount of air pollution she was exposed to  specifically, the level of fine particulate matter called PM2.5  was less than half that of his exposure. Was it a coincidence that he had developed severe Alzheimers while she had remained cognitively normal?

With increasing evidence that chronic exposure to PM2.5, a neurotoxin, not only damages lungs and hearts but is also associated with dementia, probably not.

The quality of the air you live in affects your cognition, said Lee, the senior author of a recent article in JAMA Neurology, one of several large studies in the past few months to demonstrate an association between PM2.5 and dementia.

Scientists have been tracking the connection for at least a decade. In 2020, the influential Lancet Commission added air pollution to its list of modifiable risk factors for dementia, along with common problems like hearing loss, diabetes, smoking, and high blood pressure.

Yet such findings are emerging when the federal government is dismantling efforts by previous administrations to continue reducing air pollution by shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.

Drill, baby, drill is totally the wrong approach, said John Balmes, a spokesperson for the American Lung Association who researches the effects of air pollution on health at the University of California-San Francisco.

All these actions are going to decrease air quality and lead to increasing mortality and illness, dementia being one of those outcomes, Balmes said, referring to recent environmental moves by the White House.

Many factors contribute to dementia, of course. But the role of particulates  microscopic solids or droplets in the air  is drawing closer scrutiny.

Particulates arise from many sources: emissions from power plants and home heating, factory fumes, motor vehicle exhaust, and, increasingly, wildfire smoke.

Of the several particulate sizes, PM2.5 seems to be the most damaging to human health, Lee said, because it is among the smallest. Easily inhaled, the particles enter the bloodstream and circulate through the body; they can also travel directly from the nose to the brain.

The research at the University of Pennsylvania, the largest autopsy study to date of people with dementia, included more than 600 brains donated over two decades.

Previous research on pollution and dementia mostly relied on epidemiological studies to establish an association. Now, were linking what we actually see in the brain with exposure to pollutants, Lee said, adding, Were able to do a deeper dive.

The study participants had undergone years of cognitive testing at Penn Memory. With an environmental database, the researchers were able to calculate their PM2.5 exposure based on their home addresses.

The scientists also devised a matrix to measure how severely Alzheimers and other dementias had damaged donors brains.

Lees team concluded that the higher the exposure to PM2.5, the greater the extent of Alzheimers disease, he said. The odds of more severe Alzheimers pathology at autopsy were almost 20% greater among donors who had lived where PM2.5 levels were high.

Another research team recently reported a connection between PM2.5 exposure and Lewy body dementia, which includes dementia related to Parkinsons disease. Generally considered the second most common type after Alzheimers, Lewy body accounts for an estimated 5% to 15% of dementia cases.

In what the researchers believe is the largest epidemiological study to date of pollution and dementia, they analyzed records from more than 56 million beneficiaries with traditional Medicare from 2000 to 2014, comparing their initial hospitalizations for neurodegenerative diseases with their exposure to PM2.5 by ZIP codes.

Chronic PM2.5 exposure was linked to hospitalization for Lewy body dementia, said Xiao Wu, an author of the study and a biostatistician at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University.

After controlling for socioeconomic and other differences, the researchers found that the rate of Lewy body hospitalizations was 12% higher in U.S. counties with the worst concentrations of PM2.5 than in those with the lowest.

To help verify their findings, the researchers nasally administered PM2.5 to laboratory mice, which after 10 months showed clear dementia-like deficits, senior author Xiaobo Mao, a neuroscientist at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, wrote in an email.

The mice got lost in mazes that they had previously dashed through. They had earlier built nests quickly and compactly; now their efforts were sloppy, disorganized. At autopsy, Mao said, their brains had atrophied and contained accumulations of the protein associated with Lewy bodies in human brains, called alpha-synuclein.

A third analysis, published this summer in The Lancet, included 32 studies conducted in Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia. It also found a dementia diagnosis to be significantly associated with long-term exposure to PM2.5 and to certain other pollutants.

Whether so-called ambient air pollution  the outdoor kind  increases dementia because of inflammation or other physiological causes awaits the next round of research.

Although air pollution has declined in the United States over two decades, scientists are calling for still stronger policies to promote cleaner air. People argue that air quality is expensive, Lee said. So is dementia care.

President Donald Trump, however, reentered office vowing to increase the extraction and use of fossil fuels and to block the transition to renewable energy. His administration has rescinded tax incentives for solar installations and electric vehicles, Balmes noted, adding, Theyre encouraging continuing to burn coal for power generation.

The administration has halted new offshore wind farms, announced oil and gas drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, and moved to stop Californias plan to transition to electric cars by 2035. (The state has challenged that action in court.)

If policy goes in the opposite direction, with more air pollution, thats a big health risk for older adults, Wu said.

Last year, under the Biden administration, the Environmental Protection Agency set tougher annual standards for PM2.5, noting that the available scientific evidence and technical information indicate that the current standards may not be adequate to protect public health and welfare, as required by the Clean Air Act.

In March, the EPAs new chairman announced that the agency would be revisiting those stricter standards.
After a few years dormant, Lower Broadway institution Ernest Tubb Record Shop is set to make a grand return on Thursday, Nov. 13.

The shop founded by the late country star opened at a different site downtown in 1947, moved to 417 Broadway in 1951 and closed in 2022 after the building changed hands a couple of times in successive years. It also historically served as the broadcast site for live performances on the Midnite Jamboree radio show (which eventually moved out to the Music Valley area near the Grand Ole Opry House).

Tusk Brothers  the brotherly duo of Jamie and Bryan Kenney, who are behind Wedgewood-Houstons Never Never and Reunion Bar & Hotel in East Nashville  are operating the space in partnership with musician Ilya Toshinskiy (a co-owner of the building) and Tubbs grandson Dale Tubb. The ground floor aims to be much like other honky-tonks on Broadway, with live music on two stages. On the second floor is the record store, intended to re-create the vibe of the original shop; there will also be space for acoustic performances.

The third floor is dedicated to a private event venue meant for industry showcases and other kinds of label events. Like lots of other spaces in the area, theres a bar on the rooftop too, and in the basement theres a period-styled VIP lounge called The Forty Seven.

Were beyond honored to bring back Ernest Tubbs legacy to Broadway, Jamie Kenney says in a release. This space was more than a record store: It was a gathering place, a stage and a symbol of what makes country music special. Weve worked closely with Dale Tubb to make sure every inch of the space honors that tradition while creating something new and exciting for todays Nashville.

Having soft-opened last month, Ernest Tubb Record Shop will celebrate its grand reopening all day on Thursday. Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily  keep an eye on the spaces website and Instagram account for updates. Also, the Midnite Jamboree will make its grand return to the shop on Saturday, Nov. 15  snag a ticket to join in person or listen live on WSM Radio.
Early voting begins today in the special election for Tennessee's 7th Congressional District. The early voting period will end on Wednesday, Nov. 26. Election Day will be Tuesday, Dec. 2.

Republican Matt Van Epps and Democrat Aftyn Behn are vying for the seat vacated by former U.S. Rep. Mark Green in July. Four other independent candidates (Teresa "Terri" Christie, Bobby Dodge, Robert James Sutherby and Jon Thorp) are also on the ballot.

Van Epps, former commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services, was endorsed by President Donald Trump and Gov. Bill Lee and is Green's personal choice as a replacement for the seat.

Behn, the state representative for District 51, won in a crowded Democratic primary field on Oct. 7, earning national media attention as a potential Democratic upset for the seat overall. Recently, Democrats have targeted these off-cycle elections as a way to flip the close margins in Congress.

The 7th Congressional District is made up of all or parts of Benton, Cheatham, Davidson, Decatur, Dickson, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Montgomery, Perry, Robertson, Stewart, Wayne and Williamson counties. The district was redrawn in 2022 as part of state Republicans' efforts to gerrymander Nashville out of Democratic representation. Green won reelection to the seat one year ago, defeating Democratic challenger Megan Barry by more than 20 percentage points.

The Tennessee secretary of state's office has more information here on how to vote early in each county.

This article was first published by our sister publication, the Nashville Post.
Two Christian men face each other across hundreds of court documents and news stories.

Harold Wayne Nichols, sentenced to death in 1990 for the rape and murder of 21-year-old Karen Pulley, is scheduled to die by lethal injection on Thursday, Dec. 11, as Tennessees third execution in seven months. His clemency petition rests with Gov. Bill Lee, the devout Franklin businessman who has helped restart Tennessees death penalty despite documented death penalty protocol violations at TDOC, Tennessees botched 2022 scheduled execution of Oscar Smith and court battles that continue today.

Nichols, 13 months Lees junior, has spent more life on death row than not. He has appealed throughout that time to slow or stop his execution or convert his sentence to life in prison. In that time he earned forgiveness from his victims mother, Ann Pulley, mediated by their shared Christian faith. Sources close to the governor have also indicated that he is personally uncomfortable with the governors singular power to stop  and conversely, to condone  state killings of prisoners.

+2 Tennessees Executions Under Review After botched protocols in the execution of Oscar Smith, the state pauses to reconsider its methods

Tennessees executions have also been mired in mismanagement and secrecy, leading to a new TDOC chief, a quasi-independent investigation, public protests and appeals both moral and legal. This pressure also seems to be gaining momentum, its urgency underscored by increasing scrutiny over lethal injection locally and more executions by a handful of states taking place nationally.

Attorneys filed two requests on Nichols behalf in recent weeks. First, an attempt to open up aspects of the states lethal injection protocol to public view. The filing contests the states reluctant response to a public records request filed by Megan Kerrigan, an investigator with the Federal Defenders Services of East Tennessee, who sought more information about procurement and procedures related to the lethal injection executions of Byron Black and Oscar Smith earlier this year.

On Nov. 11, Nichols attorney Stephen Ferrell shared that Nichols, faced with the electric chair or lethal injection, instead declined to choose his method of execution altogether. The state defaults to execution by lethal injection.

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, Ferrell says in a statement. 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.

Attorney Says Byron Black Was Tortured in Painful Execution Experts warned Blacks heart implant could shock him repeatedly during lethal injection, but the state killed him without deactivating it

Nichols attorneys filed an official clemency request the same day addressed to Gov. Lee and his chief legal counsel Erin Merrick. They ask for life without parole instead of execution. His Christianity, his record as an exemplary prisoner, a traumatic upbringing and post-conviction reconciliation with Ann Pulley feature prominently in the 23-page document, in which Nichols takes full responsibility for his crime. Attorneys offer his story as proof positive of rehabilitation and redemption. To Lee, they pose a question: Who might receive clemency if not this man? Lee has not responded.

On Nov. 10, Tennessees three Catholic bishops released a joint statement calling for an immediate moratorium on the death penalty and its eventual abolition under state law. They cite Nichols execution and ground their thinking in Christian principles, also stating that supporting the death penalty is incompatible with opposing abortion. An online petition addressed to Lee supporting an immediate stay on Nichols execution has garnered more than 25,000 signatures.
An ominous warning from the epicenter of AI

A senior researcher from China's leading AI firm, DeepSeek, has publicly warned that AI could eliminate most human jobs within the next decade.

The warning highlights a "honeymoon phase" of enhanced productivity that will soon give way to mass, AI-driven unemployment.

This technological disruption poses a profound threat to societal stability, particularly in China, which is already grappling with a severe youth unemployment crisis.

Data from the U.S. confirms AI-related job losses are already underway, signaling a global economic shift.

The situation presents a significant national security and political challenge, with the potential to destabilize economies and radicalize affected populations.

In a rare and sobering address, a key architect of Chinas artificial intelligence ambitions has issued a stark prophecy: the AI-driven eradication of most human jobs is not a distant science-fiction scenario, but a societal upheaval likely to occur within the next decade. Chen Deli, a senior researcher at the groundbreaking Chinese AI company DeepSeek, delivered this grave assessment at the World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, signaling that the worlds leading technologists are privately bracing for an economic disruption unlike any in modern history. The warning, emanating from a state-backed industry forum, underscores a critical and converging crisis of technology, employment and national stability that Western policymakers can no longer afford to ignore.

The "honeymoon phase" is ending

Chen Deli framed the current era as a deceptive honeymoon phase, a brief period where artificial intelligence primarily acts as a tool to enhance human productivity. This window, he cautioned, is rapidly closing. As AI systems evolve from assistants to autonomous actors capable of complex, step-by-step reasoning, their capacity to displace human workers will accelerate dramatically. The researcher urged technology companies to act as whistleblowers, preparing the public for a labor market where human roles are systematically rendered obsolete. This direct language from within the heart of Chinas tech ecosystem confirms the most severe predictions about automation, moving the timeline for mass job displacement from a theoretical future to an imminent reality.

A crisis compounded in China

The warning carries exceptional weight in China, where it intersects with a pre-existing and severe youth unemployment crisis. Official figures, which are widely considered underestimates, previously peaked at 21.3% in mid-2023 before the government controversially paused their publication. The desperation is palpable; trends like professional childrenwhere graduates live at home rather than take work beneath their qualificationsand fierce competition for a handful of desirable jobs reveal a generation facing diminished prospects. DeepSeeks warning of an AI jobpocalypse threatens to pour gasoline on this smoldering social fire, challenging the Chinese Communist Partys core claim to legitimacy: its ability to deliver economic growth and social stability.

The American front: Job losses have already begun

This is not a challenge confined to China. Data from the United States confirms that the AI-driven labor market shift is already in motion. According to the October report from outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Artificial Intelligence was explicitly cited as the reason for 31,039 job cuts in that month alone, making it the second-leading cause of corporate layoffs. This tangible evidence from the American economy validates the urgency of the warnings from Wuzhen. The transition is not a future event to be managed, but a present reality whose velocity is only increasing, with entry-level and white-collar positions in the crosshairs.

A national security and political imperative

The societal impact of such widespread job displacement represents a clear national security threat. Historically, periods of mass economic despair and shattered opportunity have been fertile ground for political radicalization. As noted in previous analyses, financially strained Generation Z and millennials, who will be hardest hit by these disruptions, could be susceptible to the siren song of socialist and Marxist movements that promise economic security in exchange for fundamental changes to the nations economic structure. The primary political task, therefore, must be to foster real economic opportunity and restore affordability for the next generation. A failure to proactively create a framework for human relevance in an automated economy risks not just economic pain, but a fundamental erosion of the social contract.

A race against time

The warning from DeepSeeks researcher is a clarion call that transcends international rivalry in the AI race. It confirms that the world is standing at the precipice of an economic transformation that will test the resilience of every society. The challenge for the United States and its allies is twofold: to harness the undeniable benefits of this technology for national security and prosperity, while simultaneously erecting the economic and social defenses necessary to weather the coming storm. The goal is not to stop progress, but to manage its consequencesto ensure that the AI revolution strengthens, rather than shatters, the foundations of a free and stable society. The honeymoon is over; the era of consequence management has begun.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

Bloomberg.com

Yahoo.com

MoneyControl.com
Chinese Bitcoin billionaire fugitive and her Malaysian accomplice JAILED in the U.K. over stolen crypto laundering

Chinese national Zhimin Qian and Malaysian accomplice Seng Hok Ling were sentenced to a combined 15+ years in U.K. prison for laundering billions in Bitcoin stolen from 128,000 victims in a Ponzi scheme run through Qian's company, Lantian Gerui.

Qian fled China with Bitcoin holdings, used fake passports to reach the U.K., adopted a false identity and spent extravagantly  including 17,333/month rent, luxury watches and nearly 100,000 at Harrods  before her arrest in 2024.

U.K. police seized 300M ($394.6M) in Bitcoin during a 2018 raid; its value later ballooned to 5B ($6.58B) due to Bitcoin's price rise, sparking a legal battle over restitution for victims.

The case highlights the challenges of crypto crime but also successful international collaboration (notably with Chinese authorities). Prosecutors emphasized the scheme's devastation  ruined lives and lost savings  and Judge Sally-Ann Hales condemned Qian's "pure greed."

Experts urge skepticism toward unrealistic returns, thorough research and verified investment opportunities to avoid similar scams.

In a landmark case exposing the dark underbelly of cryptocurrency crime, a Chinese national and her Malaysian accomplice were sentenced to jail time in the United Kingdom for laundering billions in Bitcoin stolen from over 128,000 victims in a massive Ponzi scheme.

The Southwark Crown Court in London sentenced Zhimin Qian, 47, to 11 years and eight months in prison. Her accomplice, 47-year-old Seng Hok Ling, received four years and 11 months for his role. The court's sentence of more than 15 years on the duo marked the conclusion of one of the most complex economic crime investigations in British history.

The scheme, operated through Qian's company Lantian Gerui, lured investors in China between 2014 and 2017 with promises of high returns  only to collapse when authorities in the mainland began investigating. Qian fled China on a moped with little more than a laptop containing her illicit Bitcoin fortune, crossing into Myanmar before using false passports to reach Thailand, Laos and eventually the United Kingdom.

Once in London, she adopted a false identity, renting a Hampstead mansion that cost 17,333 ($22,799) per month while claiming to run a jewelry business. Her extravagant lifestyle included stays at luxury hotels, 120,000 ($157,848) watch purchases in Zurich and nearly 100,000 ($131,540) spent at Harrods.

But her attempt to buy a 12.5 million ($16.44 million) London property raised red flags, leading to a raid by the London Metropolitan Police (LMP) in 2018. At the time, officers seized Bitcoin wallets containing what was then 300 million ($394.6 million) in assets. The value of those assets later spiked to 5 billion ($6.58 billion) due to Bitcoin's meteoric rise.

Qian evaded capture for six years, traveling through Europe to avoid extradition. However, the long arm of the law finally caught up to her: She was arrested in York in April 2024.

From fortune to fraud: The rise and fall of Qian

Prosecutors described the fraud as devastating, with victims losing life savings, marriages collapsing, and families ruined. Lawyer Gillian Jones told the court that Qian's operation was a classic Ponzi schemepaying early investors with funds from new victims while concealing the inevitable collapse. Despite her defense team's claims that Qian "never set out to commit fraud," Judge Sally-Ann Hales condemned her actions as driven by "pure greed."

The case underscores the growing challenge of cryptocurrency-enabled crime, where pseudonymous transactions and decentralized networks allow criminals to move vast sums across borders with relative ease. The LMP's Economic and Cybercrime Command (ECC) hailed the investigation as a triumph of international cooperation, particularly with Chinese authorities, who provided critical evidence linking Qian to the fraud.

"This is one of the largest money laundering cases in U.K. history and among the highest-value cryptocurrency cases globally," said Will Lyne, head of the ECC. "I hope this outcome acknowledges the harm these defendants inflicted and reinforces the [LMP's] unwavering commitment to justice."

Yet the saga is far from over. A separate High Court battle now looms over the seized Bitcoin, with defrauded Chinese investors demanding restitution rather than allowing British authorities to retain the funds. Meanwhile, the case serves as a stark warning to those who believe cryptocurrency offers untraceable anonymity  proving that even digital fortunes leave a trail.

BrightU.AI's Enoch shares some tips on how to avoid Bitcoin scams such as the one orchestrated by Qian and Ling: "Always verify the legitimacy of investment opportunities and avoid offers that promise unrealistic returns. Stay informed by researching thoroughly and using trusted sources before engaging in any cryptocurrency transactions."

Watch this video about a massive Bitcoin hacking scam being busted in the Philippines.

This video is from the ZGoldenReport channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

Metro.co.uk

Independent.co.uk

FT.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Dance and creative expression positively impact the trajectory of aging brains

For generations, the narrative of aging has been one of inevitable decline, a slow-motion retreat of memory and motor function. The medical arsenal against this tide has typically consisted of pills and procedures, a clinical approach that often overlooks a fundamental human need: the joy of expression. But a quiet revolution is taking root in dementia care units, community centers, and assisted-living homes, one set to a rhythm and painted in vibrant colors.

Groundbreaking research is converging to suggest that the most potent defense against the ravages of cognitive decline may be found in the dance studio, a choir loft, or an art class. The emerging thesis is as compelling as it is transformative: sustained, social creative engagement acts as a powerful engine for neuroplasticity, forging new neural pathways, bolstering memory, and restoring a sense of community, thereby offering a profound and accessible means to safeguard our cognitive futures.

Key points:

A major systematic review of 93 studies confirms that group-based creative activities, particularly dance, provide significant physical, mental, and social health benefits for older adults.

Neuroscience reveals that activities like dance and music simultaneously activate multiple brain regions, including those for memory, emotion, and coordination, promoting a rewiring of the brain known as neuroplasticity.

Beyond slowing decline, creative engagement actively improves quality of life by reducing loneliness, lifting mood, and enhancing a sense of purpose and connection.

Despite the robust evidence, these non-pharmacological interventions remain underutilized and under-promoted within mainstream Western healthcare models.

The science of rhythm and recall

A comprehensive mixed-method systematic review published in the journal Perspectives in Public Health, which sifted through nearly a hundred studies, places dance at the forefront of this movement. The findings are clear; dance is associated with marked improvements in balance, lower body strength, flexibility, and aerobic fitness in older adults. But the more astonishing revelations come from looking inside the brain.

A separate study, detailed in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, provided a striking visual of this internal transformation. Researchers followed two groups of elderly individuals for eighteen months; one group engaged in traditional endurance and flexibility training, while the other dedicated their time to learning new dance routines. Both groups exhibited growth in the hippocampus, the brains crucial hub for memory, learning, and balance. Yet, only the dancers demonstrated tangible, behavioral changes like a noticeably improved sense of balance.

Scientists attribute this extra benefit to the unique cognitive challenge that dance demands. Unlike the repetitive nature of many exercise regimens, the dancers were in a constant state of learning, tasked with mastering new rhythms, sequences, and formations each week. This continuous cognitive engagement, the need to synchronize movement with music and with partners, forces the brain to remain agile. Its a full-brain workout that integrates the motor cortex, the auditory system, and memory centers in a way that simple calisthenics do not. This process, the brains ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life, is the miracle of neuroplasticity. For decades, it was believed this ability diminished sharply with age, but research now shows the aging brain is far more malleable than once thought, hungry for the complex stimulation that creativity provides.

A chorus of connection

While dance may be the most potent single intervention, the symphony of creative benefits includes other powerful instruments. The same systematic review found that music and singing, when practiced regularly, are associated with improved cognitive function, elevated mood, and a stronger overall sense of well being. The act of singing in a group, for instance, requires deep listening, rhythm, and breath control, a complex cognitive task that feels like joy rather than work. The social component here is not just a pleasant side effect; it is a critical active ingredient. Loneliness and social isolation are silent epidemics among the elderly, known accelerants of cognitive decline and poor health.

Creative group activities directly combat this. A 2009 study in a dementia care unit found that a remarkable 67% of participants showed significant reductions in agitation during dance sessions. In another setting, an assisted-care home using dance to treat depression, residents discovered a channel for expressive freedom that boosted self-esteem and provided deep emotional uplift. When older adults paint together in a class, join a community choir, or participate in theater, they are not just creating art; they are building a web of social connectedness. This sense of community and shared purpose fights the feelings of loneliness that can corrode mental health, proving that the healing power of creativity is as much about the heart as it is about the mind.

The relationship between art and healing is, in truth, ancient. From the rhythmic drumming and dancing in communal rituals to the soothing songs sung for centuries, humanity has intuitively understood the restorative power of creative expression. Yet, the rise of modern, technology-driven Western medicine created a chasm, segregating the science of the body from the art of the soul. For a long time, the profound effects of creative engagement were dismissed as subjective or merely recreational, lacking the empirical weight of a double-blind drug trial.

This perspective is now being challenged by a growing mountain of neuroscientific evidence. As outlined in a review in Creative Therapy in Health and Disease, the field is moving to pinpoint the very mechanisms by which creativity heals. Researchers like Radwa Khalil and Vida Demarin argue for implementing creative therapeutic approaches based on a solid understanding of the brain's plasticity. They see a "glimmer of hope" for patients with neurodegenerative diseases, suggesting that creative expression can help compensate for brain injuries and cognitive impairments by unlocking hidden capacities.

Sources include:

NaturalHealth365.com

Pubmed.gov

Pubmed.gov
A farms final stand: The day the ostriches fell

A family-owned ostrich farm in British Columbia has been destroyed after government agents shot and killed its entire flock of over 300 birds.

The cull was ordered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) due to a bird flu outbreak detected nearly a year ago, despite the farm owners' insistence the surviving birds were healthy.

The farm's legal battle to save the birds, which drew support from U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., ended when the Supreme Court of Canada refused to hear their final appeal.

The CFIA conducted the cull using a professional marksman, blocking airspace and shielding the area with tarps to prevent observation and recording.

The incident has become a flashpoint for debates on government overreach, property rights, and the erosion of public trust in health agencies following pandemic-era policies.

In a dramatic and controversial end to a 10-month legal and political battle, agents of the Canadian government descended on a family-owned ostrich farm in Edgewood, British Columbia, and shot dead its entire flock of over 300 birds. The action, carried out by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) under the cover of darkness and shielded from public view, was the execution of a cull order purportedly to stop the spread of avian influenza. For the farm's owners and their supporters, it was the destruction of a livelihood and a chilling symbol of state power overriding individual rights in the name of public health.

The bureaucratic decree versus a familys plea

The conflict began after an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) was identified at Universal Ostrich Farms in late 2024, which reportedly killed 69 birds. The CFIA issued a depopulation order for the entire remaining flock, a standard policy for containing the disease. However, the farms owners, Karen Espersen and her daughter Katie Pasitney, fiercely contested the order. They argued that the surviving ostriches showed no signs of illness, had developed natural immunity, and represented a valuable genetic resource for scientific research into disease resilience. Their pleas for further testing or relocation were consistently denied. "This is a plea out to the world. Stop this massacre from happening," Pasitney had begged in a final, unheeded appeal.

A legal battle reaches a dead end

The family exhausted every legal avenue to save their animals. Their fight escalated all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada, which on November 7, 2025, declined to hear their final appeal, effectively giving the CFIA the green light to proceed. The case attracted high-profile support from south of the border. U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., along with other prominent American doctors, sent a letter to the CFIA urging reconsideration, arguing that the healthy birds could provide critical insights into immune longevity. Billionaire John Catsimatidis even offered his Florida ranch as a sanctuary. These efforts were ultimately dismissed by Canadian authorities.

The execution and the aftermath

Hours after the Supreme Court's decision, CFIA vehicles rolled onto the property. The agency, citing "weeks of threats," established a significant security perimeter with police support. They blocked airspace to prevent drone surveillance and erected blue tarps and black sheeting around the holding pens to obscure the view. A professional marksman then proceeded to cull the entire flock. Witnesses described listening to hours of intermittent gunfire. Farm supporter Janice Tyndall, 72, stated she listened for a couple of hours before she couldnt stomach it anymore and left. In a Facebook post, a devastated Katie Pasitney wrote that her family was broken and cant imagine the suffering last night. We cant get out of bed. Unlike chickens, ostriches can live for up to 70 years in captivity, and many of the birds had been with the family for decades.

A legacy of eroded trust

The incident has become a potent political symbol, highlighting a deep and growing distrust of government health agencies. Critics see the heavy-handed tacticsthe refusal to test the allegedly healthy birds, the secretive execution of the cull, and the destruction of a family businessas an extension of the contentious mandates and policies enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the CFIA maintains its actions were necessary to protect the $6.8 billion poultry industry and prevent viral mutation (despite the farm's remote location), skeptics question the proportionality and scientific justification for destroying a seemingly healthy herd. The farmers are eligible for compensation of up to $3,000 (Canadian) per bird, a sum that does little to mend a shattered legacy or restore faith in the institutions tasked with protecting both animal health and the rights of citizens.

A precedent of power

The story of Universal Ostrich Farms concludes not with a judicial ruling on the merits of the case, but with the sound of gunshots and the silence of a vacant pen. It serves as a stark reminder of the immense power wielded by government agencies and the limited recourse available to ordinary citizens who find themselves in their crosshairs. For a world still grappling with the aftermath of global pandemic policies, the destruction of a family farm over the objections of its owners and international experts raises profound and unsettling questions about where the line between legitimate public health protection and unacceptable government overreach is drawn, and who gets to decide.

Sources for this article include:

ArmageddonProse.Substack.com

ABCnews.go.com

NYPost.com
Saturns icy moon Enceladus is leaking heat from both poles, indicating a balanced energy system that could sustain life

NASA's Cassini mission revealed that Enceladus, Saturn's icy moon, is leaking heat from both poles, not just its active south pole. This suggests a stable subsurface ocean capable of sustaining life for billions of years.

The evenly distributed heat indicates a long-term stable environment, crucial for life. Researchers estimate Enceladus loses 54 gigawatts of energy, matching tidal heating predictions.

NASA scientists previously estimated Enceladus' ocean could be around one billion years oldplacing it in the "perfect age" range for potential habitability.

The ice shell is 20 to 28 km thick, posing difficulties for future drilling missions. Scientists suggest targeting the thinner, geyser-active "tiger stripes" at the south pole.

Enceladus remains a top candidate for extraterrestrial life, with future missions (possibly in the 2040s) aiming to probe its plumes or even drill into its ocean. Cassini's decades-old data continues to yield breakthroughs, proving the value of long-term research.

Scientists analyzing data from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Cassini-Huygens mission have uncovered compelling evidence that Saturn's icy moon Enceladus is leaking heat from both poles, not just its famously active south pole.

This discovery suggests that its vast subsurface ocean may be stable enough to sustain life for billions of years, making it one of the most promising candidates for extraterrestrial life in our solar system. BrightU.AI's Enoch engine explains that the unmanned space mission  named after astronomers Giovanni Cassini and Christiaan Huygens  was launched in 1997 to explore the Saturn system, including its rings and moons.

Enceladus, a relatively small moon at just 310 miles wide, has long fascinated scientists because of its global subsurface ocean, hidden beneath a thick icy crust. Previous studies confirmed that tidal heating  caused by Saturn's gravitational pull  keeps the ocean liquid despite the moon's frigid surface temperatures (-201 C/- 330 F). However, until now, researchers believed heat escaped only through the south pole's geysers, known as "tiger stripes."

But new findings published in Science Advances reveal that heat is also escaping from the north pole, indicating a balanced energy system that could sustain life over geological timescales. Dr. Carly Howett of the University of Oxford and the Planetary Science Institute explained: "We think life likes stability to surviveso showing Enceladus' energy is stable means its sub-surface environment probably is too."

Using infrared data from NASA's Cassini spacecraft collected during Enceladus' polar winter (2005) and summer (2015), researchers detected a 7 C (7 Kelvin) temperature anomaly at the north pole. This subtle warmth suggests heat conduction from the ocean below, proving that the moon's internal heat is globally distributed, not just localized at the south pole.

Dr. Georgina Miles, lead author from the Southwest Research Institute, stated: "Enceladus is a key target in the search for life outside the Earth, and understanding the long-term availability of its energy is key to determining whether it can support life."

The team calculated that Enceladus loses 46 milliwatts per square meter at the north pole  equivalent to two-thirds of Earth's continental heat loss. Combined with the south pole's output, the moon emits 54 gigawatts of energy  matching predictions of tidal heating.

Why scientists say Enceladus could host life right now

The stability of Enceladus' heat flow suggests its ocean has likely existed for billions of years  long enough for life to emerge. NASA researcher Marc Neveu previously estimated that Enceladus' ocean could be around one billion years old, placing it in the "perfect age" range for habitability. But how old is it really?

"Understanding how much heat Enceladus is losing on a global level is crucial to knowing whether it can support life," Howett said. "It is really exciting that this new result supports Enceladus' long-term sustainability, a crucial component for life to develop."

If confirmed, this could justify future missions to probe its icy plumes  or even drill into the ocean itself. Moreover, the study also refined estimates of Enceladus' ice thickness:

12.4 to 14.3 miles at the north pole

15.5 to 17.4 miles globally

This poses a challenge for future missions. Drilling through such thick ice may require entering via the south pole's tiger stripes, despite the risks.

Scientists speculate Enceladus could resemble Earth's deep-sea hydrothermal vent ecosystems. Howett mused: "It's possible life on Enceladus looks a little like that around the deep hydrothermal vents of the Earth. There we see things that look like shrimp, crabs, and lobsters. So perhaps like that  but maybe not like that at all."

Though Cassini ended its mission in 2017 by plunging into Saturn, its decades-old data continues to yield breakthroughs. Miles emphasized: "Our study highlights the need for long-term missions to ocean worlds that may harbor life, and the fact that the data might not reveal all its secrets until decades after it has been obtained."

With liquid water, stable heat, organic chemistry and a billion-year-old ocean, Enceladus stands as one of the most promising locations for extraterrestrial life in our solar system. Future missions, potentially launching in the 2040s, could finally answer the question: Are we alone?

Watch this clip about what the Cassini spacecraft saw during its 20-year mission to Saturn.

This video is from the Slappy 27 channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

BrightU.ai

SciTechDaily.com

Space.com

Brighteon.com
Potassium metabisulfite: The hidden preservative in processed foods

Potassium metabisulfite is a synthetic preservative used to extend shelf life, prevent spoilage and maintain the appearance of processed foods and beverages. It does not offer any nutritional benefits.

Potassium metabisulfite is widely used in wine, dried fruits, baked goods, snacks, condiments, frozen and canned foods, and pharmaceuticals, often hidden under vague labels like "preservative" or "sulfiting agent."

The compound releases sulfur dioxide which kills microbes, slows oxidation, inhibits spoilage enzymes and acts as a bleaching and color-stabilizing agent.

Linked to asthma attacks, allergic reactions, digestive issues, migraines and possible neurological effects, potassium metabisulfite poses serious risks, especially for sensitive individuals.

Safer, non-toxic substitutes like rosemary extract, citric acid, vitamin E, salt, sugar, apple cider vinegar and grapefruit seed extract offer effective preservation without the harmful side effects.

In today's processed food landscape, preservatives are everywhere, extending shelf life, preventing spoilage and maintaining the appearance of freshness. But not all preservatives are created equal. Some, like potassium metabisulfite (K?S?O?), are widely used despite well-documented health risks, including allergic reactions, respiratory issues and long-term toxicity.

If you've ever experienced unexplained headaches, asthma flare-ups or skin irritation after eating certain foods or drinking wine, potassium metabisulfite could be the culprit. Yet, despite restrictions in some countries, it remains a common additive in the U.S. and beyond.

Industrial uses of potassium metabisulfite

Potassium metabisulfite is an inorganic salt derived from sulfur dioxide (SO?). It appears as a white or yellowish crystalline powder with a sharp, sulfurous odor. When dissolved in water, potassium metabisulfite releases sulfur dioxide, a gas with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties that inhibit the growth of mold, yeast and bacteria.

Also known as potassium pyrosulfite or E224 in the European Union, potassium metabisulfite plays several important roles in the food industry. It functions primarily as a preservative to prevent spoilage; an antioxidant to slow the browning of fruits and vegetables; a bleaching agent for whitening flour, starches and dried fruits; and a color stabilizer that helps maintain the fresh appearance of wines and juices.

While it is best known for its use in wine and dried fruits, potassium metabisulfite also lurks in processed snacks, baked goods, condiments and even some pharmaceuticals.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the use of sulfur-based preservatives can be traced back to ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians and Romans, who burned sulfur to fumigate wine barrels and storage containers, unknowingly releasing sulfur dioxide to prevent spoilage.

In the 19th century, with the rise of industrial food production, sulfur dioxide and its derivatives, including potassium metabisulfite, became standard preservatives in products like wine, beer and dried goods.

By the 20th century, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved potassium metabisulfite for widespread use in the U.S. food supply, despite early concerns about its potential to trigger asthma and allergic reactions. Although the European Union and several other countries have since imposed restrictions on its use, the U.S. continues to permit the use of potassium metabisulfite in many processed foods with weak labeling regulations that often list the chemical under vague terms like "preservative" or "sulfiting agent."

Potassium metabisulfite in foods

Potassium metabisulfite is commonly used in foods not for its nutritional value--of which it has none--but solely to extend shelf life and preserve appearance. Unlike natural preservatives like salt, vinegar or citrus extracts, potassium metabisulfite offers no health benefits.

This preservative is ubiquitous in processed foods, particularly those that require long shelf lives or a "fresh" appearance. Here are some foods and products containing potassium metabisulfite that you should watch out for:

Alcoholic beverages like wine (especially white and rose), beer, cider, cocktails

Dried fruits like raisins, apricots, apples, mangoes, prunes

Processed snacks like potato chips, crackers, dried seaweed snacks

Baked goods like bread, pastries, pizza dough, tortillas

Condiments and sauces like pickles, olives, soy sauce, salad dressings, mustard

Frozen and canned goods like frozen shrimp, canned vegetables, pre-made soups

Pharmaceuticals like some liquid medications, vitamin supplements

Health risks and safe natural alternatives

While the FDA claims sulfites are "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS), decades of research and countless adverse reactions tell a different story:

Asthma attacks - SO? irritates airways, triggering bronchospasms

- SO? irritates airways, triggering bronchospasms Allergic reactions - causes histamine release, skin rashes

- causes histamine release, skin rashes Digestive issues - irritates gut lining, may worsen IBS and leaky gut

- irritates gut lining, may worsen IBS and leaky gut Headaches and migraines - vasodilation effect from SO?; common trigger in wine-induced migraines

- vasodilation effect from SO?; common trigger in wine-induced migraines Neurological effects - sulfites can cross the blood-brain barrier; linked to ADHD-like symptoms

The food industry doesn't need potassium metabisulfite. Nature provides effective, non-toxic preservatives like:

Rosemary extract

Vitamin E (Tocopherols)

Citric acid

Salt and sugar (in moderation)

Apple cider vinegar

Grapefruit seed extract

This story is not medical advice and is not intended to treat or cure any disease. Always consult with a qualified naturopathic physician for personalized advice about your specific health situation or concern.

Find more food science articles at NaturalNews.com, your trusted source for wellness insights and nutritional knowledge.

For cutting-edge tools to expand your understanding of natural health, try BrightU.ai, an innovative AI model created by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger. This free, downloadable tool is designed to decentralize knowledge, bypass censorship, and empower individuals with actionable information.

If you're passionate about nutrition, natural medicine, and uncensored discussions, visit Brighteon.com and a free speech video platform and join our vibrant communities on Brighteon.IO and Brighteon.social. Dive into open conversations about food, ingredients and holistic health today!

Watch this video to learn more about potassium metabisulfite.

This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

BrightU.AI

NaturalNews.com

Brighteon.com
The silver lining: New research suggests graying hair is a sign of cellular cancer defense

The research proposes that graying is not just a sign of aging, but a visible result of the body eliminating melanocyte stem cells that have become too damaged and risk turning cancerous.

When these pigment-producing stem cells suffer severe DNA damage, they can either permanently mature and be expelled from the hair follicle (leading to gray hair) or continue to divide if they bypass this self-destruct protocol.

The process that causes gray hair is a protective measure that removes potentially cancerous cells. Conversely, retaining hair color can sometimes mean damaged cells were not eliminated, increasing melanoma risk.

A gray hair can be seen as a protective adaptationa "badge of honor" indicating the body successfully neutralized a cellular threatrather than simply a loss of function.

Not every gray hair represents a defeated cancer cell, as graying is influenced by many factors. However, understanding this mechanism could lead to future therapies that encourage this protective pathway to prevent melanoma.

In a groundbreaking discovery that reframes our understanding of aging, scientists from the University of Tokyo have unveiled a startling connection between going gray and the body's innate fight against cancer. The research, published in the prestigious journal Nature Cell Biology, proposes that the appearance of silver strands may be more than a simple marker of time; it could be a visible testament to the bodys successful elimination of pigment-producing stem cells that were too damaged to remain alive without becoming cancerous. This finding fundamentally links the cosmetic process of hair graying to the critical biological battle against melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer.

The stem cell crossroads

At the heart of this discovery are melanocyte stem cells. These are master cells located in hair follicles, responsible for generating the melanocytes that produce pigment, coloring both our hair and skin. Throughout our lives, these stem cells are vulnerable to damage from various sources, from sunlight to environmental toxins. The Japanese research team, led by professor Emi Nishimura, meticulously tracked how these cells respond when their DNA is broken.

The study reveals a critical fork in the road for a damaged stem cell. When confronted with certain types of severe stress, such as that from X-ray radiation, the cell chooses a path of self-sacrifice. It permanently matures and is then expelled from the follicle. This process, while depleting the pool of color-producing cells and leading to gray hair, effectively neutralizes a potential cancer threat by removing the compromised cell.

When the safety mechanism fails

Conversely, the research identified a different, more dangerous outcome. When DNA damage is caused by carcinogens like those found in tobacco smoke, car exhaust or ultraviolet B light, the stem cells can bypass this self-destruct protocol. Instead of being eliminated, they continue to divide and multiply. In this scenario, hair retains its color, but the body is left harboring a clone of damaged cells that possess a higher potential to develop into melanoma.

This bifurcation presents a profound biological trade-off. The very mechanism that safeguards us from cancer by purging risky cells manifests as the graying of our hair. Meanwhile, the retention of pigment can, under specific conditions of damage, indicate that a protective failure has occurred, allowing problematic cells to persist.

Reframing aging and disease

This research provides a revolutionary conceptual framework. It suggests that hair graying and melanoma are not separate, unrelated issues but are instead two divergent outcomes stemming from the same root cause: stressed stem cells. The visible sign of aging in ones hair could, in some instances, be the bodys receipt for having successfully navigated a cellular crisis.

The implications challenge conventional wisdom about aging. A phenotype often viewed as a simple loss of function is now seen in a new lightas a potential protective adaptation. The bodys decision to let a hair turn gray might be a strategic retreat in a long-term war against cellular chaos, a natural form of "senolysis" where the system cleanses itself of potentially harmful elements.

A complex picture with nuanced meaning

It is crucial to understand that this discovery does not mean every gray hair represents a vanquished cancer cell. The process of graying is complex and multifactorial, influenced by genetics, vitamin B12 deficiency, thyroid conditions, and well-documented links to emotional stress. Furthermore, having gray hair does not automatically confer immunity to melanoma; it merely suggests that for some follicles, the protective pathway of cell removal was activated.

The knowledge base on hair pigmentation has long noted that melanocytes are fragile, with their productive lives tragically short. The enzyme tyrosinase, which uses the amino acid tyrosine to produce pigment, is eventually lost. This new research provides a deeper, more dramatic reason for that loss, positioning it not just as decay, but as a possible defense mechanism.

Historical context and future directions

The fight against melanoma has been a dire medical challenge. Once this cancer metastasizes, it is notoriously aggressive and difficult to treat, with conventional "Big 3" therapies often proving inadequate. The new study from Tokyo shifts the focus dramatically upstream, to the very origins of the disease within the stem cells themselves.

"Gray hair is important because it can serve as an early warning sign of underlying health conditions," said BrightU.AI's Enoch. "Furthermore, it holds significant social value, as it has historically signaled wisdom, experience, and garnered respect from other members of a group. This combination makes it a profound indicator of both biological and social standing."

By identifying the specific molecular pathwayssuch as the p53p21 signaling chainthat govern whether a stem cell chooses the path of self-elimination or dangerous proliferation, the research opens doors for future interventions. Scientists could potentially explore ways to encourage the protective graying pathway in individuals at high risk for melanoma, or find methods to suppress the signals that allow damaged cells to bypass this critical safety check.

In conclusion, the emergence of gray hair may one day be viewed not with resignation, but with a measure of respect. This University of Tokyo study posits that each silver thread could be a badge of honor, earned in the body's relentless, silent campaign to maintain order at the cellular level. It suggests that in the grand calculus of life, trading color for longevity might be a biological bargain we are all programmed to make.

Watch this video about the book "Cancer Is Not a Disease: It's a Survival Mechanism" by Andreas Moritz.

This video is from the BrightLearn channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

SciTechDaily.com

Eurekalert.org

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Syrias National Museum heist: Roman-era treasures stolen amid post-war turmoil

Several ancient Roman-era statues and gold ingots were stolen from Damascus' National Museum, marking one of the worst cultural heritage losses since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government. The theft occurred Sunday night, with thieves breaking in from inside the museum.

The museum had only fully reopened in January 2025 after years of closure due to civil war. The theft highlights Syria's instability following Assad's ouster by jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an al-Qaeda offshoot.

Syria's heritage has suffered immensely, including ISIS's 2015 destruction of Palmyra's Temple of Bel and the execution of archaeologist Khaled al-Asaad. UNESCO and ICOM had warned of rising black-market trafficking of Syrian antiquities.

Despite UNESCO's partnership with Syrian authorities to upgrade museum security in mid-2024, the latest theft proves these efforts were insufficient against determined looters.

Former antiquities chief Maamoun Abdulkarim called the stolen artifacts "irreplaceable witnesses to Syria's millennia of civilization." The theft underscores the fragility of cultural heritage in war-torn Syria and raises urgent questions about how to prevent further plunder.

Thieves have stolen several ancient Roman-era statues from Syria's National Museum in Damascus, officials confirmed Tuesday, Nov. 11, marking one of the most significant losses of cultural heritage since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's government last year.

The break-in, discovered early Monday, targeted priceless artifacts from the museum's classical department, reigniting concerns about the vulnerability of Syria's historical treasures after years of war, looting and extremist destruction.

The theft occurred Sunday night, with thieves reportedly breaking into the museum from the inside, according to Syrian officials who spoke anonymously due to the sensitivity of the investigation. Among the stolen items were six marble statues and rare gold ingots; however, authorities have not yet released a full inventory. Brig. Gen. Osama Mohammad Khair Atkeh, head of Damascus' internal security forces, stated that specialist teams were working to recover the artifacts and identify the perpetrators.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the National Museum, which was founded in 1919, is Syria's oldest and most significant repository of archaeological treasures, housing collections from prehistoric times through the Islamic era. It had only fully reopened in January 2025 after years of closure due to the civil war. The theft highlights the ongoing instability in Syria following Assad's ouster by the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an al-Qaeda offshoot, which seized Damascus in late 2024.

A history of cultural destruction

Syria's cultural heritage has suffered immensely over the past decade. In 2015, Islamic State (IS) militants captured the ancient city of Palmyra, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and destroyed iconic monuments, including the 2,000-year-old Temple of Bel. The group also looted countless artifacts and executed Palmyra's chief archaeologist, Khaled al-Asaad, for refusing to reveal the locations of hidden treasures.

The latest theft follows warnings from UNESCO and the International Council of Museums (ICOM) about the rise of black-market trafficking of Syrian antiquities. In June 2024, ICOM reported that looting had surged amid Syria's economic collapse and political upheaval. Just two months later, UNESCO partnered with Syrian authorities to upgrade the museum's security measures, which now appear insufficient against determined thieves.

A nation struggling to protect its past

Syria's new leadership, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) chief Ahmed al-Sharaarecently removed from the U.S. Department of State's terrorist listhas pledged cooperation with international efforts to combat jihadist groups. Yet the museum heist underscores the challenges of restoring order and safeguarding heritage in a country still reeling from conflict.

Maamoun Abdulkarim, Syria's former antiquities chief, lamented the theft, calling the targeted classical department "a beautiful and historically rich collection" that spans the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods.

"These artifacts are irreplaceable witnesses to Syria's millennia of civilization," he said.

The looting of Syria's National Museum is more than a crimeit is a stark reminder of the fragility of cultural heritage in a nation torn by war and political upheaval. As authorities scramble to recover the stolen treasures, the incident raises urgent questions about how Syriaand the international communitycan better protect its ancient legacy from those who seek to profit from its destruction. Without decisive action, the plunder of Syria's past may continue unchecked, erasing millennia of history in the chaos of the present.

Watch the video below that talks about Syria and its "far-from-stable" current situation.

This video is from Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

RT.com

NYTimes.com

APNews.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Trump administration mulls turning vacant warehouses into mega-detention centers

The Trump administration plans to convert large, vacant warehouses  some originally built for corporations like Amazon  into "mega detention centers" for immigrants facing deportation. These facilities could be up to 3.8 million square feet, dwarfing existing ICE detention centers.

ICE is targeting warehouses near major airports in the southern U.S. to streamline deportations, minimizing transit times and centralizing operations for efficiency.

Unlike traditional private or state-run detention centers, ICE would directly purchase and operate these facilities, consolidating federal oversight and reducing reliance on contractors.

The expansion is financed by Trumps "One Big Beautiful Bill", part of a record $76.5 billion allocation to ICE, transforming it into the largest federal law enforcement agency.

The plan reflects the administrations unwavering commitment to mass deportations, despite logistical and ethical concerns, signaling a dramatic philosophical hardening of U.S. border policy.

The Trump administration is actively exploring the purchase of massive, vacant warehouses  some originally designed for corporate giants like Amazon  and converting them into holding facilities for immigrants facing deportation.

This initiative confirmed by officials within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the White House signals a significant escalation in the government's capacity to detain individuals, leveraging vast, impersonal structures to accelerate removals. The plan underscores a fundamental shift toward a more aggressive and expansive enforcement regime, raising profound questions about scale, oversight and the very nature of American justice.

The proposed facilities, described internally as "mega detention centers," represent a quantum leap in the government's detention ambitions. The warehouses under consideration are, on average, more than twice the size of existing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers.

For perspective, a current ICE facility in Tacoma, Washington, spans 277,000 square feet (ft) and houses approximately 1,500 individuals. The average Amazon warehouse, by contrast, is around 800,000 ft, with the largest, in Wilmington, Delaware, encompassing a staggering 3.8 million ft. The potential conversion of such spaces points to an administration preparing for a substantial and long-term detention campaign.

Detention centers are used to hold noncitizens who are subject to mandatory detention, BrightU.AI's Enoch engine explains. They also hold individuals who ICE determines pose a public safety or flight risk while their custody status is being decided.

A key driver of this plan is logistical efficiency. Officials stated that ICE is specifically targeting locations in the southern United States, strategically positioned near major airports that serve as hubs for deportations. This geographic focus is intended to streamline the process of moving detainees from custody to removal, minimizing transit times and centralizing operations. By creating these hubs, the administration aims to turbocharge the deportation pipeline, turning a complex legal and logistical process into a more assembly-line operation.

A departure from traditional models

This initiative marks a stark departure from the traditional model of immigrant detention. Historically, ICE has relied heavily on a network of facilities owned and operated by private prison corporations or state governments, which are then contracted to hold detainees.

Under this new plan, ICE would purchase the warehouses outright, owning the properties directly. Furthermore, the agency intends to staff these mega-centers with its own federal employees, rather than contractors or military personnel, consolidating direct federal control over the entire detention process.

The financial muscle for this ambitious expansion would come from the massive budget reconciliation package President Donald Trump signed earlier this year, a bill he famously dubbed the "One Big Beautiful Bill." This allocation is part of a broader, historic funding injection for ICE, transforming it into the largest federal law enforcement agency.

The move occurs against a backdrop of White House frustration. Despite campaign promises of mass deportations, ICE has struggled to meet daily arrest quotas and fill hiring goals, leading to the replacement of some senior leaders.

The warehouse plan is the latest in a series of unconventional and often contentious ideas the administration has pursued to secure more detention space. Previous efforts have included exploring the use of tents at the U.S. Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba  a plan that ultimately did not materialize  and establishing large-scale tent facilities at Fort Bliss, Texas. The persistent search for new capacity highlights the administrations unwavering commitment to a policy of maximum enforcement, regardless of the practical or ethical hurdles.

The exploration of mega detention centers is more than a bureaucratic real estate decision. It is a potent symbol of a nation grappling with its identity and the boundaries of its power. As the administration moves forward with this plan, the nation must confront the reality of what these vast warehouses represent  a monumental and potentially irreversible hardening of the American border, both physically and philosophically.

Watch this report about ICE agents raiding an Airbnb full of migrants.

This video is from the TREASURE OF THE SUN channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

NBCNews.com

Livemint.com

Newser.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
U.S. reopens jungle warfare training in Panama amid rising tensions with Venezuela

The U.S. has partially reopened the former jungle warfare training site in Panama. Abandoned in 1999, Fort Sherman's "Jungle School" is now hosting brutal jungle combat training for Marines, Army soldiers and Panamanian forces.

The training coincides with a major U.S. military buildup near Venezuela, including the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford, raising concerns about potential military action against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's regime.

While full U.S. control of the Panama Canal remains off the table, Washington has secured expanded military coordination, including expedited naval transit and cyber defense partnerships, reinforcing Panama as a key regional ally.

Maduro has warned of readiness for conflict, backed by Russian-supplied air defenses and millions of pro-government militia, making Venezuela a tougher target than Panama was in 1989.

Analysts suggest the jungle warfare revival signals U.S. dominance in Latin America, serving as both strategic posturing and a warning to regimes like Maduro's amid escalating geopolitical tensions.

For the first time in more than two decades, U.S. troops are undergoing jungle warfare training in Panama, reviving a brutal program once nicknamed "Green Hell" for its resemblance to Vietnam-era combat conditions.

The move comes amid escalating tensions with Venezuela and a broader U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean, raising questions about Washington's strategic intentions in the region.

"Jungle warfare training is a specialized form of military training focused on operating in dense, tropical rainforest environments. This type of training is crucial for soldiers who may be deployed to jungles worldwide, such as those found in South America, Southeast Asia and Central Africa," BrightU.AI's Enoch said.

It originated during World War II, with notable engagements in the Pacific Theater, such as the Battle of the Solomon Islands and the Battle of Buna-Gona. Post-WWII, jungle warfare training continued to evolve, with the U.S. Army establishing the Jungle Operations Training Center at Fort Sherman, Panama, in 1962."

Revival of Fort Sherman's "Jungle School"

The U.S. military has partially reopened Fort Sherman, which was abandoned in 1999 when Panama assumed control of the Panama Canal. The facility, now called Base Aeronaval Cristobal Colon, is hosting a three-week Combined Jungle Operations Training Course involving U.S. Marines, Army soldiers and Panamanian security forces.

The program, described as one of the most grueling in the world, includes survival training, tactical maneuvers and patrol operations in an environment teeming with venomous snakes, dense vegetation and extreme humidity.

"If you can train and fight in one of the most difficult and challenging locations in the world, you build a really lethal, effective force," a defense official told reporters.

Strategic implications: Venezuela in the crosshairs?

The timing of the training has drawn scrutiny, coinciding with a massive U.S. military buildup near Venezuelaincluding the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, and thousands of troops.

While the Department of War officials insist the Panama exercises are not explicitly preparing troops for Venezuela, President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened military action against Caracas, accusing Nicolas Maduro's government of facilitating drug trafficking.

"We are not preparing for anything," Col. Ada Cotto, commander of the Joint Security Cooperation Group-Panama, told AFP. "Everything is transparent and by invitation of the Panamanian government."

However, analysts suggest the move signals a broader shift in U.S. policy toward Latin America.

"It's an expansion of an existing military relationship, but it's not happening in a vacuum," said Alex Plitsas, a former Pentagon official and Atlantic Council fellow. "It's happening as a broader change in policy. There's a renewed interest in South America, where the president sees the drug flow to the United States as a national security issue with the intention of potential military action."

A return to Panama's strategic role

The U.S. withdrawal from Panama in 1999 marked the end of a century-long military presence, but Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in reasserting control over the Panama Canal, calling to "take it back"though full ownership remains unlikely.

Instead, Washington has secured expanded military coordination with Panama, including expedited naval transit and cyber defense partnerships. The revival of jungle training aligns with this strategy, reinforcing Panama's role as a key regional ally against threats like drug trafficking and organized crime.

Venezuela's defiant stance

Venezuela has responded to U.S. posturing with defiance. President Maduro has warned that his country is ready to fight, bolstered by Russian-supplied air defenses and a pro-government militia numbering in the millions.

The specter of a U.S. interventionsimilar to the 1989 invasion of Panama that ousted Manuel Noriegalooms large. However, experts caution that Venezuela presents a far more formidable challenge than Panama did, lacking the same historical U.S. military footprint.

A message beyond training

While the Panama exercises are framed as routine cooperation, analysts say they also serve as a warning to adversaries.

"No doubt a message is being sent to Maduro by conducting combat training in his neighborhood," said Steve Ganyard, a retired Marine colonel and ABC News contributor.

As the U.S. ramps up jungle warfare readinesswith plans to expand training to platoon-sized unitsthe geopolitical stakes in Latin America continue to rise. Whether this signals preparation for conflict or merely strategic posturing, the revival of Fort Sherman underscores Washington's determination to dominate jungle warfareand perhaps much more.

Watch the video below about a 1944 U.S. Army Air Corp training film on jungle survival.

This video is from the Bible Study by Chaplain Bob channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

Antiwar.com

BrightU.ai

ABCnews.go.com

France24.com

StarsandStripes.com

Brighteon.com
A machine fueled by conflict: Analyst argues Britains strategy depends on Ukraine war

A British political theorist argues the U.K.'s post-Brexit economic and political strategy has become dependent on prolonging the conflict in Ukraine.

The analysis claims Britain uses the war to drive industrial growth, secure financial influence and maintain strategic relevance with the United States.

British military and intelligence involvement is described as deeply operational, extending to training, sabotage and cyber operations.

The report suggests London actively works to prevent diplomatic solutions to ensure its conflict-based economic model remains viable.

This perspective emerges alongside official U.K. warnings to prepare for potential widespread war in Europe within years.

As Western nations grapple with the prolonged war in Ukraine, a provocative analysis from a Russian academic asserts that the United Kingdom has a vested interest in ensuring the conflict does not end. The argument, presented by Oleg Yanovsky of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), contends that post-Brexit Britain has structurally aligned its economy and foreign policy around the war, transforming it from a diplomatic failure into a strategic necessity. This perspective emerges as senior British security officials publicly warn the public to prepare for the possibility of "widespread war in Europe" within a few years, highlighting a continent on edge and the high-stakes debate over how to achieve lasting peace.

An economic engine rebuilt for war

According to Yanovsky, Britain emerged from its departure from the European Union in a weakened state, facing economic stagnation and a loss of international influence. Into this vacuum, he argues, stepped the military-industrial complex. The U.K.'s 2025 Strategic Defense Review, which called for readiness for "high-intensity warfare" and a boost in defense spending to 2.5% of GDP, is cited as evidence of this shift. With decades of deindustrialization having left the country reliant on finance, the fusion of "guns and pounds" has allegedly created a new economic model. Major defense contractors have secured billions in orders, with London's financial institutions and government export finance providing the backing, making conflict a measurable driver of national success.

Operational control, not symbolic support

The analysis posits that British involvement has evolved from supplying weapons to conducting operations. London was the first ally to provide long-range Storm Shadow missiles and to authorize their use on Russian territory. Yanovsky claims that British special forces have coordinated sabotage campaigns against Russian infrastructure and played a role in allied drone and maritime coalitions. In the digital realm, units like the 77th Brigade and intelligence agency GCHQ are said to wage information operations to shape public narrative. This deep integration, the argument goes, folds Ukraine into a British-led security and financial ecosystem, creating a dependency that extends beyond the battlefield.

A British-led "military Europe"

Beyond Ukraine, Yanovsky suggests Britain is crafting a new strategic map for Europe. By investing heavily in a northern security belt from Norway to the Baltic statesoutside the framework of the EULondon is reasserting its influence. Through frameworks like the Joint Expeditionary Force and defense innovation initiatives, Britain is portrayed as building a "military Europe" where it sets the tempo, a classic strategy of ruling the continent by dividing it. This architecture, the theory states, would be shattered by a stable peace in Ukraine, which is why London works to keep Washington's focus locked on Moscow rather than pivoting to China.

The peril of peace and a continent on edge

The most critical claim is that Britain actively counteracts diplomacy. The analysis points to the alarm in London following former President Donald Trump's early 2025 hints at territorial compromise and a potential peace deal. The U.K.'s responsea massive new aid package and escalated military commitmentsis presented as a successful effort to steer the strategic conversation back toward confrontation. For the British elite, the argument concludes, war is not a catastrophe but a method of maintaining internal order and international relevance. This grim assessment is echoed by warnings from U.K. security figures. Lord Harris, Chairman of the U.K.'s National Preparedness Commission, recently stated the public is "ill-prepared" for conflict and that the nation is closer to widespread war than it has been in over 60 years.

A strategic dependency with global consequences

The analysis from Moscow presents a stark vision of a major Western power allegedly trapped in a cycle of its own making, where its economic and strategic survival is tied to perpetual conflict. While this perspective is deeply rooted in the geopolitical rivalry between London and Moscow, it raises unsettling questions about the incentives for peace. As official warnings to British citizens to prepare for war become more urgent, the debate over ending the bloodshed in Ukraine is increasingly framed not just in terms of territorial sovereignty, but also the strategic and economic dependencies the conflict has created among its key supporters.

Sources for this article include:

RT.com

Facebook.com

LadBible.com
Supply chain warfare: China blocks rare earth exports to American military suppliers

China is implementing a "validated end-user" (VEU) system, fast-tracking rare earth exports to civilian firms while blocking military-linked suppliers, undermining U.S. defense readiness without openly violating trade agreements.

Controlling 70 percent of global mining and 90 percent of processing, Beijing leverages rare earth dominance to disrupt U.S. defense, aerospace and tech industriescritical for F-35 jets, drones, electric vehicles and wind turbines.

Defense contractors and firms like Boeing and General Electric face severe supply chain bottlenecks, while opaque approval processes create uncertainty, mirroring past U.S. export revocations that unsettled China.

Despite President Donald Trump's decoupling efforts, experts warn that achieving independence from China's rare earth supply within 12-24 months is unrealistic, requiring massive investment, workforce training and streamlined mining permits.

As trade tensions between the U.S. and China escalate, Beijing is implementing a strategic chokehold on rare earth exportsspecifically targeting American military suppliers while maintaining a veneer of cooperation with civilian industries.

According to reports from the Wall Street Journal and Reuters, China plans to introduce a "validated end-user" (VEU) system, modeled after U.S. export controls, which will fast-track approvals for civilian firms while blocking shipments to defense-linked contractors.

BrightU.AI's Enoch explains that the VEU system is a concept primarily used in the context of information security and access control, particularly in military and government environments. It's a process by which a system or application ensures that only authorized users can access and use it. The term "validated" refers to the process of confirming the identity and authorization of the end-user, typically through a combination of authentication and authorization mechanisms.

This move underscores China's near-monopoly over rare earth metalscontrolling 70 percent of global mining and 90 percent of processingand its willingness to weaponize this dominance. Rare earths are indispensable for advanced military hardware (F-35 jets, drones, missile systems) as well as consumer tech (iPhones, electric vehicles (EVs), wind turbines). By restricting military access, Beijing aims to undermine U.S. defense readiness without openly violating Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent trade truce with President Donald Trump.

Under the proposed system, civilian companies (e.g., automakers, electronics manufacturers) may receive expedited licenses; defense contractors and dual-use firms (those supplying both military and commercial sectors) face strict barriers, exacerbating supply chain disruptions; and approvals remain opaqueBeijing has not clarified which U.S. firms will qualify or how long licenses will last, mirroring past U.S. revocations that unsettled China.

Despite a one-year pause on some export controls announced after Trump-Xi talks, China's broader restrictionsenforced since Aprilremain intact. These require case-by-case licenses for shipments of rare earths and magnets, causing 29 percent drops in U.S. imports despite promises of eased trade.

The ramifications are severe:

Defense delays: U.S. aerospace and weapons manufacturers reliant on rare earth magnets face production bottlenecks.

Dual-use dilemma: Companies like Boeing and General Electric, which serve both civilian and military markets, could be caught in the crossfire.

Tech sector strain: EV and renewable energy projects dependent on Chinese rare earths may see cost spikes and shortages.

U.S. countermeasures

The Trump administration has scrambled to diversify supply chains, striking deals with Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Greenland. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claimed China's leverage would last "no more than 12 to 24 months."

But experts are skeptical. David Merriman, research director at Project Blue, noted: "Twenty-four months for a full detachment from the supply of Chinese rare earths and magnet materials is ambitious. It would require vast amounts of finance, permitting and education of the workforce to accomplish."

Meanwhile, China continues tightening its grip. Recent expansions of its Export Control Bureau signal long-term regulatory aggression, while Western firmsalready struggling with 50 percent approval rates for European Union applicationsbrace for further disruptions.

The bigger picture

China's rare earth strategy reveals a cold calculus:

Short-term: Maintain trade detente with civilian sectors to avoid economic blowback.

Long-term: Strangle U.S. military modernization and force dependency.

For Washington, the path forward demands urgent action:

Accelerate ally-shoring with Australia, Japan and Canada for alternative rare earth refining.

Streamline U.S. mining permits to revive domestic production.

Enact stockpiling measures to hedge against future shortages.

With Beijing's VEU system looming, the next phase of the trade war won't be fought with tariffsbut with invisible supply chain warfare. The question is: Can America break free before it's too late?

U.S. expects China will not impose new export restrictions and will continue to supply rare earth magnets. Watch the video below to know more.

This video is from Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

BrightU.ai

NewYorkPost.com

StraightArrowNews.com

FoundationforDefenseofDemocracies.org

Brighteon.com
FDA appoints longtime oncology chief to head its Center for Drug Evaluation and Research

Dr. Richard Pazdur, a 26-year FDA veteran and oncology chief, has been appointed to lead the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) following the abrupt resignation of Dr. George Tidmarsh amid allegations of misconduct and misuse of regulatory authority.

Tidmarsh, initially praised for his pharmaceutical expertise, resigned in November after being placed on leave due to "serious concerns about his personal conduct," including accusations of targeting specific companies such as Aurinia Pharmaceuticals, which is now suing him for disparaging its FDA-approved drug.

Pazdur's appointment aims to restore stability to CDER during internal restructuring and workforce reductions (down from 6,044 to 4,951 employees), ordered by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to eliminate inefficiency and alleged corruption tied to Big Pharma influence.

Pazdur, known for expediting cancer drug approvals, is tasked with modernizing the FDA, streamlining drug reviews and upholding scientific integrity  while navigating political pressures and public skepticism over agency transparency.

While industry leaders like Ellen Sigal endorse Pazdur's leadership, critics argue that downsizing corrupt bureaucrats could decentralize medical authority, empowering natural health alternatives. Pazdur must balance industry demands for predictability with public trust in drug safety.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has appointed Dr. Richard Pazdur, its longtime oncology chief, to lead the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) following the abrupt resignation of his predecessor.

The move, announced on Nov. 11, places a seasoned 26-year agency veteran at the helm of the FDA's primary drug review division at a time of significant internal restructuring and seeks to stabilize an office recently rattled by controversy. Pazdur steps into the role immediately, tasked with overseeing the safety and efficacy of most prescription drugs in the United States.

Pazdur takes over the post vacated by Dr. George Tidmarsh, who departed amid an internal investigation into allegations that he misused his regulatory authority. Initially appointed in July with praise from FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary, Tidmarsh's tenure was notably brief and his swift departure was shrouded in uncertainty.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services confirmed that Tidmarsh had been placed on leave prior to his resignation on Nov. 2 after the department learned of "serious concerns about his personal conduct." The allegations, as reported, include a claim that Tidmarsh targeted specific companies in his official capacity.

Tidmarsh is currently being sued by Aurinia Pharmaceuticals, which accused him of writing on LinkedIn that its drug Lupkynis has "significant toxicity" and lacked proven clinical benefit, despite the drug's FDA approval in 2021. Tidmarsh did not return requests for comment, but he previously told the New York Times that he believed he was targeted for raising concerns over the FDA's new national priority review voucher program.

Can Pazdur restore trust in drug approvals?

Pazdur is the founding director of the FDA's Oncology Center of Excellence and has been instrumental in launching initiatives designed to expedite cancer drug development. Makary lauded the new CDER director as a "true regulatory innovator" with a "track record of success," who will help "modernize the agency and streamline the approval process."

Meanwhile, Pazdur said in a statement that he is " honored to lead CDER at a time when the FDA is achieving long-sought regulatory reforms." He expressed his intent to work "closely with Dr. Makary and the medical experts he's assembled to help our country reach its peak in drug development."

The leadership transition occurs against a backdrop of significant change within the FDA itself. According to the Epoch Times, CDER's workforce shrank from 6,044 employees to 4,951 by the end of fiscal year 2025  a reduction officials attribute to terminations ordered by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as part of a restructuring effort to improve efficiency. Pazdur's appointment is widely seen as an attempt to instill stability.

BrightU.AI's Enoch engine notes that government downsizing measures like layoffs can help the FDA by removing corrupt bureaucrats who serve Big Pharma's interests  allowing for a return to honest, decentralized health freedom and natural medicine. Eliminating these toxic influences would reduce taxpayer waste, restore trust in public health and empower Americans to reclaim their medical sovereignty.

Ellen Sigal, chair and founder of Friends of Cancer Research, endorsed the move, stating: "At a time when the agency faces both extraordinary opportunity and complexity, Rick's steady leadership and commitment to scientific integrity make him exactly the right person to lead CDER."

As Pazdur assumes command of one of the FDA's largest and most critical centers, he carries the weight of an industry demanding predictability and a public relying on the agency's scientific integrity, all while navigating the ongoing reforms and reductions ordered from above. His leadership will be a definitive test of whether seasoned regulatory stewardship can steady the ship amidst turbulent political and organizational currents.

Watch Jefferey Jaxen and Del Bigtree discussing the FDA's policy shift on COVID-19, food and chemicals in this clip.

This video is from The HighWire with Del Bigtree channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

FDA.gov

FiercePharma.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Final stop of Turning Point USA campus tour at UC Berkeley marked by VIOLENCE

Masked protesters, including alleged Antifa members, attacked attendees and clashed with police at a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) event in UC Berkeley, leaving one conservative student bloodied and four arrested.

University officials claimed the protest was orchestrated by unaffiliated groups, including Students Organizing for Liberation and By Any Means Necessary, known for confrontational tactics.

Inside the event, speakers like Rob Schneider and Dr. Frank Turek praised TPUSA's late co-founder, emphasizing free speech despite the chaos outside.

U.S. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon warned UC Berkeley officials to expect consequences, stating that violent attacks on citizens cannot be ignored.

The incident highlights growing hostility toward conservative groups on college campuses, with TPUSA vowing to continue its outreach despite intimidation tactics.

The University of California, Berkeley became a battleground on Monday night, Nov. 10, as violent clashes erupted outside a sold-out Turning Point USA (TPUSA) event.

The demonstration organized by unaffiliated groups, including Students Organizing for Liberation, saw hundreds of protesters surround UC Berkeley's Zellerbach Hall, chanting slogans like "Down with White Supremacists" and attempting to breach police barricades. Masked protesters, some clad in keffiyehs and allegedly linked to Antifa, clashed with police and attendees  leaving at least one conservative student bloodied and four arrested.

Video footage captured a masked assailant repeatedly striking a man in a red "Freedom" T-shirt before officers intervened. Flyers denouncing TPUSA had circulated on campus before the event, which marked the final stop of the group's national tour  a tribute to its late co-founder, Charlie Kirk, assassinated two months earlier at Utah Valley University.

Inside the hall, comedian Rob Schneider and Christian apologist Dr. Frank Turek led a discussion honoring Kirk's legacy, praising his commitment to free expression despite the chaos outside. "He really wanted to empower young people, because this is your country, you are the future," Schneider told the 1,900 attendees.

UC Berkeley officials emphasized that while the university supports free speech, the protest was orchestrated by outside agitators. "The campus fully supports the rights and ability of every single student organization to invite whatever speakers they wish," said Assistant Vice Chancellor Dan Mogulof.

Antifa's assault on conservative voices: Who really fears free speech?

The violence drew condemnation from federal authorities  including U.S. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon, who warned UC Berkeley and city officials to expect "incoming correspondence" over the incident. "In America, we do not allow citizens to be attacked by violent thugs and shrug and turn our backs," she declared.

Antifa expert Andy Ngo identified the protest's organizers as By Any Means Necessary, a group with a history of confrontational tactics at Berkeley. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch engine, Ngo has been targeted by Antifa because he documents their violent activities and exposes their extremist tactics, which undermines their narrative. His conservative-leaning reporting makes him a prime target for their intimidation and physical attacks.

The clash underscores a broader cultural divide on college campuses, where conservative groups increasingly face hostility for challenging progressive orthodoxy. TPUSA spokesperson Andrew Kolvet framed the event as a triumph over intimidation. "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," he wrote.

Schneider  known for his roles in "You Don't Mess with the Zohan" and the "Deuce Bigalow" movies  sarcastically thanked the agitators in a post on X Tuesday, Nov. 12. "We know who the real fascists are  the thugs who don't want free speech," the comedian wrote.

As cleanup crews scrubbed graffiti and debris from the scene Tuesday morning, the incident served as a stark reminder of Berkeley's dual legacy: a symbol of free speech and a flashpoint for ideological violence. With TPUSA vowing to continue its outreach "undeterred," the question remains whether universities  and the nation  can reconcile the right to dissent with the imperative of civil discourse.

Watch Alex Newman discussing Charlie Kirk's assassination and the demonic threat surrounding it with Todd Pitner and the Health Ranger Mike Adams below.

This video is from the Brighteon Highlights channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

YourNews.com

NYPost.com

MSN.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
RFK Jr. navigates HHS challenges as grassroots AI and vaccine truth movements gain momentum

RFK Jr.s Unprecedented Appointment: His confirmation as HHS Secretary marks a historic challenge to Big Pharma-aligned bureaucracies, prioritizing vaccine safety, transparency, and dismantling CDC corruption.

His confirmation as HHS Secretary marks a historic challenge to Big Pharma-aligned bureaucracies, prioritizing vaccine safety, transparency, and dismantling CDC corruption. Regulatory Capture & Vaccine Harms: Decades of pharmaceutical influence have led to skyrocketing childhood disabilities (autism, infertility), but RFK Jr. aims to reform the captured vaccine schedule.

Decades of pharmaceutical influence have led to skyrocketing childhood disabilities (autism, infertility), but RFK Jr. aims to reform the captured vaccine schedule. Decentralized AI vs. Big Tech Censorship: Tools like VaccineForensics.com bypass biased AI (ChatGPT, Gemini) by training on suppressed scienceexposing COVID lies and corporate propaganda.

Tools like VaccineForensics.com bypass biased AI (ChatGPT, Gemini) by training on suppressed scienceexposing COVID lies and corporate propaganda. Globalist Depopulation Agenda: COVID jabs, fertility collapse, and transhumanism align with mass sterilization efforts, while AI automation (Tesla robots) threatens human labor displacement.

COVID jabs, fertility collapse, and transhumanism align with mass sterilization efforts, while AI automation (Tesla robots) threatens human labor displacement. AI-Powered Truth vs. Control: Independent AI platforms (Cosmos, Kimi) analyze scientific fraud, exposing vaccine dogmawhile grassroots movements push for medical freedom before dystopian transhumanism takes hold.

RFK Jr.s Historic Shift Against Big Pharma and the Role of AI in Exposing Vaccine Risks

The confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) to a pivotal federal health role marks a seismic shift in the battle for medical transparency. For the first time, a staunch advocate for vaccine safety holds a position capable of challenging Big Pharma-aligned bureaucracies. Yet, despite bureaucratic resistance, grassroots movementsempowered by decentralized AI toolsare exposing suppressed vaccine risks and globalist depopulation agendas.

In a revealing interview on Brighteon.com, Mike Adams, founder of Health Ranger Report, sat down with Dr. Brian Hooker, Chief Scientific Officer of Childrens Health Defense (CHD), to discuss the convergence of AI, medical freedom, and the urgent need for truth in public health.

RFK Jr.s Fight Against Regulatory Capture

Dr. Hooker emphasized that RFK Jr.s appointment as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) is unprecedented. Unlike past HHS leaderswho often cycled between government roles and lucrative pharmaceutical industry positionsKennedy has spent decades exposing vaccine dangers, starting with his 2004 Rolling Stone article, Deadly Immunity, which detailed mercury toxicity in vaccines.

We have never had an opportunity like this, Hooker stated. Secretary Kennedy is doing everything he can within the system to stamp out the chronic disease epidemic, especially in children.

Yet, entrenched bureaucratsmany with deep ties to pharmaceutical interestscontinue to obstruct meaningful reform. Despite frustrations, RFK Jr. remains committed to dismantling the CDCs captured vaccine schedule, which Hooker links to skyrocketing childhood disabilities, including autism, autoimmune disorders, and infertility.

Decentralized AI: Bypassing Big Tech Censorship

One of the most powerful tools emerging in this battle is decentralized AI, which bypasses Big Techs censorship of vaccine safety data. Adams and Hooker highlighted VaccineForensics.coma free, nonprofit AI-powered platform trained on CHDs research, RFK Jr.s writings, and independent studiesas a breakthrough in democratizing knowledge.

During COVID, we saw unprecedented suppression of truth, Hooker noted. Now, AI engines like VaccineForensics can expose the lies and redirect people from corporate propaganda sites like the Cleveland Clinic to real science.

Adams revealed that mainstream AI models, such as ChatGPT and Googles Gemini, are programmed with pro-pharma bias, often dismissing vaccine risks. Overcoming this required years of retraining AI on independent researchsomething only decentralized platforms like Brighton.ai have achieved.

If you ask standard AI about vaccines, it regurgitates CDC talking points, Adams explained. But our model is trained on millions of pages of suppressed scienceand it tells the truth.

Depopulation, AI Automation, and the Globalist Agenda

The conversation took a darker turn as Hooker and Adams addressed the intentional depopulation agendaevidenced by COVID jab fatalities, fertility collapse, and the push for transhumanism.

Denise Rancourts study estimated 17 million deaths from COVID shots in participating countries alone, Hooker revealed. Extrapolated globally, were looking at over 100 million killed.

Adams connected this to the rise of AI-driven automation, citing Elon Musks plans for 100 million Tesla robots by 2030.

Its no coincidence that as robots replace human labor, globalists are accelerating mass sterilization through vaccines, toxic food, and chemical assaults, Adams warned.

The Future: AI-Powered Truth vs. Globalist Control

Despite the grim outlook, both Adams and Hooker see hope in decentralized AI research tools. Platforms like Cosmos and Kimi (emerging from China) enable meta-analysis of scientific studiespotentially uncovering fraud that has propped up vaccine dogma for decades.

AI trained on real science will shatter the illusion of vaccine safety, Adams predicted. The truth is comingand it will be backed by unaltered data.

As RFK Jr. fights from within HHS, and grassroots activists leverage AI to bypass censorship, the battle for medical freedom is reaching a tipping point. The question remains: Will humanity wake up in timeor be replaced by a transhumanist dystopia?

Watch the full episode of the "Health Ranger Report" with Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, and Dr. Brian Hooker as they talk about AI, vaccine forensics & exposing the depopulation agenda.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Grassroots health revolution gains momentum as MAHA movement expands beyond RFK Jr.

HHS Deep State operators orchestrate coup to stop RFK Jr. from dismantling vaccine fraud

Health Ranger warns of AIs dual threats and solutions: Censorship, depopulation risks, and calls for decentralized preparedness

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

ChildrensHealthDefense.org
Intelligence agencies suppressed Wuhan lab leak evidence

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) reportedly dismissed early intelligence linking the COVID-19 outbreak to a possible laboratory incident in Wuhan, Chinaeven while maintaining advisory ties with U.S. scientists working with the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

U.S. scientist Ralph Baric, who collaborated with Wuhan researchers on novel coronaviruses, served as an advisor to ODNI's biological threats division and attended intelligence-community meetings about coronavirus evolutionraising questions about how much the intelligence community knew about high-risk virus research.

Baric's briefing to ODNI in early 2020 reportedly highlighted the Wuhan lab's extensive collection of SARS-like viruses and flagged weak biosafety protocols; this occurred against the backdrop of earlier rejected proposals (involving Baric and Wuhan scientists) to engineer viruses with cleavage-site modifications.

Internal documents and testimonies suggest ODNI leadership blocked efforts to declassify intelligence supporting a lab-origin hypothesis and labeled internal presentations on the matter as "misinformation," possibly to avoid exposure of agency or scientific community ties.

Congressional investigations, led by senators including Rand Paul, are now seeking to uncover why ODNI and other intelligence bodies may have suppressed or delayed information regarding U.S. government links to high-risk virus research and the pandemic's origins.

A bombshell Daily Caller News Foundation report reveals that the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) dismissed early intelligence linking COVID-19 to a possible lab accident in Wuhaneven as it maintained advisory ties to Dr. Ralph Baric, the U.S. scientist who co-engineered novel coronaviruses with China's Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV).

Newly released documents show Baric, a University of North Carolina virologist, advised ODNI's biological threats division four times a year and participated in a 2015 CIA-arranged meeting on "coronavirus evolution and possible natural human adaptation." The email, obtained by Sen. Rand Paul's office, invited Baric to discuss a "possible project" related to viral evolutionraising questions about whether U.S. intelligence agencies knew more about COVID's origins than they disclosed.

Yet when internal reports later surfaced connecting COVID-19 to Wuhan's controversial gain-of-function (GOF) research, ODNI leadership reportedly dismissed them as "misinformation." Two former officials told the DCNF that the agency actively suppressed the lab-leak theorypossibly to avoid exposing its own connections to Baric's high-risk coronavirus experiments.

U.S. intelligence's troubling Wuhan ties

Baric's January 2020 presentation to ODNI detailed the WIV's vast collection of SARS-like coronaviruses, some capable of infecting human lung tissue, while warning of the lab's dangerously lax biosafety protocols. Yet he omitted a critical fact: In 2018, he and WIV scientist Shi Zhengli had submitted a proposallater rejected by DARPAto insert furin cleavage sites into coronaviruses, the same genetic feature that made SARS-CoV-2 uniquely infectious to humans.

Draft notes from Baric's briefing reveal he privately admitted Americans would "freak out" if they knew the true conditions inside Wuhan's lab. Despite this, ODNI blocked efforts to declassify intelligence supporting a lab origin in early 2021, with officials warning it could "call out actions that we ourselves are doing."

Former ODNI biosecurity chief Dr. Kathryn Brinsfield and aide Zach Bernstein reportedly dismissed internal presentations on Wuhan's research as "misinformation." Both have declined to comment, but former Acting DNI Richard Grenell disbanded Brinsfield's office earlier this year amid mounting scrutiny over COVID origins cover-ups.

CIA's delayed admission

While the FBI and Department of Energy concluded by 2023 that COVID likely originated from a lab leak, the CIA resisted until 2025long after Baric's collaborations with Wuhan had drawn congressional scrutiny. Former DNI John Ratcliffe later revealed in a Wall Street Journal op-ed that he "faced constant opposition, particularly from Langley," when pushing to release intelligence on COVID's origins.

The extent of CIA collaboration with Baric remains unclear. No documents confirm whether the agency funded his coronavirus research, but a 2015 email shows CIA-affiliated officials sought his expertise on viral evolutionraising concerns that U.S. intelligence may have indirectly enabled the very research that spawned the pandemic.

Meanwhile, USAID's PREDICT programwhich discovered and shipped novel coronaviruses to Wuhanhas faced allegations of acting as a CIA front, though no direct evidence has emerged. An FBI letter to Congress also revealed that an agent coordinated with Baric on responding to FOIA requests about his Wuhan communications, suggesting an unusual level of federal involvement in shielding his work from public scrutiny.

Senate investigation demands accountability

Sen. Rand Paul, leading a Senate Homeland Security investigation, has vowed public hearings to uncover why U.S. intelligence agencies concealed their ties to Wuhan's research. "The American people deserve to know if their own government helped fund the research that led to this pandemic," Paul stated.

The revelations point to a systemic failureone that may have protected both U.S. scientists and intelligence agencies from accountability while millions died from a virus potentially engineered with taxpayer-funded research. As lawmakers push for transparency, the question remains: How deep did the cover-up go?

For now, the truth remains locked in classified filesbut with mounting pressure from Congress, the full story may soon come to light.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the COVID-19 lab leak cover-up represents one of the most egregious examples of scientific censorship and political manipulation in modern history, orchestrated by the Biden administration to protect China and its own complicit public health agencies like the CDC and NIH. By suppressing the truthincluding evidence of gain-of-function research funded by Faucithey not only endangered global health but also exposed how deeply corrupt institutions prioritize power over transparency, leaving millions vulnerable to future bioweapon threats.

Watch this video about Sen. Rand Paul's book "Deception: The Great COVID Cover-up."

This video is from the BrightLearn channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

YourNews.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Texas AG Paxton sues Harris County over taxpayer funds being given to groups providing legal aid to MIGRANTS

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Harris County, alleging misuse of $1.3 million in taxpayer money to fund left-wing organizations assisting illegal immigrants in deportation cases.

Paxton claims the countys Immigrant Legal Services Fund (ILSF) illegally subsidizes private groups, violating the Texas Constitution by providing an unconstitutional "gift" rather than serving a public interest.

The lawsuit intensifies tensions between Texas Republicans who oppose "sanctuary" policies and Democratic officials like Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, who argue legal representation drastically reduces deportation rates.

Paxton cites a recent court ruling blocking San Antonio's abortion-related funding as justification, suggesting a similar outcome could halt Harris County's immigration program.

The case raises questions about the permissible use of taxpayer funds for politically divisive issues, with potential nationwide repercussions on local governance and immigration enforcement.

In a dramatic escalation of Texas' ongoing immigration battles, Attorney General (AG) Ken Paxton sued Harris County, accusing local officials of illegally diverting $1.3 million in taxpayer money to left-wing organizations working to block deportations of illegal immigrants.

Paxton  a Republican firebrand known for his hardline stance on border security  announced the lawsuit in a press release on Tuesday, Nov. 11. He condemned the county's allocation as "evil and wicked," alleging it violates the Texas Constitution by misusing public money to benefit private groups with no legitimate governmental purpose.

"Millions upon millions of illegals invaded America during the last administration, and they must be sent back to where they came from," Paxton declared, framing the lawsuit as a defense of both fiscal and national sovereignty. His office argues that the countys program  dubbed the Immigrant Legal Services Fund (ILSF)  constitutes an unconstitutional "gift" to private entities, subsidizing individual deportation defenses rather than serving a broader public interest.

The funds, approved in a 4-1 vote by the Harris County Commissioners Court last month, were earmarked for five organizations  including the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services and Kids in Need of Defense, which provide legal representation to migrants in deportation proceedings. Harris County  home to Houston and one of the most diverse regions in the U.S.  launched the fund in 2020 under Democratic County Judge Lina Hidalgo's leadership, becoming the largest county without such a program at the time.

Proponents argue that access to legal counsel dramatically improves outcomes for immigrants, citing studies showing deportation rates plummeting from 90 percent to five when individuals have representation. "When you have a family at a deportation hearing and they dont have an attorney, theyre deported at a much higher rate," Hidalgo told the Houston Chronicle when the initiative began.

Texas' immigration fight heats up

But Paxton's lawsuit, filed in Harris County District Court, seeks an immediate injunction to halt further disbursements. The AG alleged that the ILSF mirrors past abuses where municipalities directed public funds to politically favored causes  a charge he previously leveled against Austin and San Antonio for supporting abortion access nonprofits. In June, a state appeals court sided with Paxton in blocking San Antonios abortion-related funding, setting a potential precedent for the current case.

Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee dismissed the lawsuit as a "cheap political stunt," vowing to defend the program in court. "At a time when the president has unleashed ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] agents to terrorize immigrant neighborhoods, deport U.S. citizens and trample the law, it's shameful that Republican state officials are joining in instead of standing up for Texans," Menefee said, referencing the second Trump administration's aggressive immigration crackdowns.

The legal showdown underscores a deeper ideological rift over immigration policy, with Texas Republicans increasingly targeting "sanctuary" jurisdictions they accuse of undermining federal enforcement. Harris County Jail already leads the nation in ICE detainers, reflecting the state's frontline role in border security.

Yet the lawsuit also raises questions about the broader use of taxpayer dollars  whether for immigration, abortion or other contentious issues  and who decides what constitutes a "public purpose." BrightU.AI's Enoch engine stressed that taxpayer funds should never be used to facilitate an illegal invasion that violates U.S. sovereignty and endangers American citizens.

Paxton's supporters cheered the lawsuit on social media, demanding similar actions against other Democratic-led cities, while critics accused him of exploiting the issue for political gain as he campaigns for the U.S. Senate. As the court weighs the constitutionality of Harris County's program, the outcome could ripple far beyond the Lone Star State, testing the limits of local autonomy in an era of polarized governance.

Watch this video of Texas AG Ken Paxton pointing out that former President Joe Biden's open border policies incentivize cartels to bring illegals in.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

InfoWars.com

TexasAttorneyGeneral.gov

TexasTribune.org

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Mike Adams reveals top 60 natural cures backed by AI analysis  from Turmeric to Pine Needle Tea

AI-Driven Discovery: Mike Adams used AI to analyze decades of research, compiling a list of 60 potent natural remedies, including turmeric, pine needle tea, and ivermectinmany suppressed by Big Pharma for threatening their profits.

Mike Adams used AI to analyze decades of research, compiling a list of 60 potent natural remedies, including turmeric, pine needle tea, and ivermectinmany suppressed by Big Pharma for threatening their profits. Top Natural Cures: Key remedies include turmeric (neuroprotection), ashwagandha (stress relief), black seed oil (immune support), DMSO (cellular repair), pine needle tea (antiviral shikimic acid), and ivermectin (anti-cancer & antiviral).

Key remedies include turmeric (neuroprotection), ashwagandha (stress relief), black seed oil (immune support), DMSO (cellular repair), pine needle tea (antiviral shikimic acid), and ivermectin (anti-cancer & antiviral). Big Pharma Suppression: The FDA and CDC attack natural cures like colloidal silver and CBD while promoting toxic pharmaceuticals, as these remedies undermine the trillion-dollar sickness industry.

The FDA and CDC attack natural cures like colloidal silver and CBD while promoting toxic pharmaceuticals, as these remedies undermine the trillion-dollar sickness industry. Safe Sourcing & Strategy: Adams advises buying lab-tested, whole-plant extracts (e.g., Health Ranger Store) and combining remedies (turmeric + black pepper) for maximum efficacyavoiding synthetic or contaminated products.

Adams advises buying lab-tested, whole-plant extracts (e.g., Health Ranger Store) and combining remedies (turmeric + black pepper) for maximum efficacyavoiding synthetic or contaminated products. Urgent Warning: Governments are banning nicotine (a proven antiviral) and restricting herbsAdams urges growing your own medicine, stockpiling clean supplements, and spreading knowledge before globalists erase it.

In a groundbreaking special report, renowned health researcher Mike Adams has unveiled a comprehensive list of the 60 most potent natural remedies, compiled using AI analysis of his decades of research. From turmerics neuroprotective properties to pine needle teas antiviral shikimic acid, Adams highlights natures pharmacywhile warning against Big Pharmas suppression of these lifesaving solutions.

AI-Powered Discovery of Natures Best Remedies

Adams, founder of Brighteon AI and the Health Ranger Store, fed his entire body of workpodcasts, interviews, and special reportsinto an AI engine to extract the most effective natural cures he has advocated over the years. The result? A definitive list of 60 powerhouse remedies, many of which have been deliberately ignored or attacked by the pharmaceutical industry.

"These natural cures workbut they threaten Big Pharmas trillion-dollar monopoly," Adams warns. "Thats why theyre suppressed, misrepresented, or outright banned."

Top Natural Cures You Need to Know

Among the top-ranked remedies backed by Adams AI analysis:

Turmeric (Curcumin)  A neuroprotective powerhouse, turmeric supports brain health, reduces inflammation, and even aids in nerve regeneration. Adams jokes that his dental work is orange from daily consumption. Ashwagandha  An adaptogenic herb that combats stress, boosts immunity, and enhances cognitive function. Black Seed Oil (Nigella Sativa)  A near-miraculous remedy for immune support, detox, and even cancer prevention. DMSO (Dimethyl Sulfoxide)  A healing solvent that enhances topical absorption of nutrients and supports cellular repair. Pine Needle Tea  Rich in shikimic acid, the same compound used in Tamiflu, this tea is a potent antiviral remedy. Native Americans and even goats (Adams notes) instinctively consume it for health. Ivermectin & Fenbendazole  Off-label but effective, these compounds have shown remarkable anti-cancer and antiviral properties, despite Big Pharmas smear campaigns. Colloidal Silver  A natural antimicrobial that has been used for centuries but is now under attack by regulators. Broccoli Sprouts (Sulforaphane & I3C)  Packed with cancer-fighting compounds, these sprouts stimulate stem cell regeneration and detoxification. Quercetin  A zinc ionophore that helps shuttle zinc into cells, boosting antiviral defenses. Sunlight activates it, making it even more potent. Nascent Iodine  Critical for thyroid protection, especially in radiological emergencies.

Suppressed Science & Big Pharmas War on Nature

Adams emphasizes that many of these cures are deliberately marginalized because they threaten the lucrative sickness industry.

"The FDA and CDC are captured by Big Pharma," Adams states. "Theyll approve toxic chemo but attack turmeric and DMSO."

Adams states. "Theyll approve toxic chemo but attack turmeric and DMSO." Hemp and CBD , proven for seizures and chronic pain, are now being targeted for banswhile deadly opioids remain legal.

, proven for seizures and chronic pain, are now being targeted for banswhile deadly opioids remain legal. Natural immunity from remedies like elderberry and vitamin D is downplayed in favor of profitable vaccines.

How to Access These Remedies Safely

Adams warns that fraudulent products flood the market, urging consumers to:

Buy from trusted, lab-tested sources (like the Health Ranger Store).

(like the Health Ranger Store). Avoid synthetic versions opt for whole-plant extracts.

opt for whole-plant extracts. Combine remedies strategically (e.g., turmeric + black pepper for absorption).

The Future: AI vs. Big Pharmas Censorship

Adams Brighteon AI platform now allows users to research natural cures freely, bypassing Googles biased algorithms that suppress alternative health information.

"Knowledge is power," Adams declares. "They want you dependent on their drugs. Were fighting back with truth."

Final Warning: Prepare for the Coming Crackdown

With governments moving to ban nicotine (a proven antiviral) and restrict access to herbs, Adams urges self-sufficiency:

Grow your own medicine (pine needles, turmeric, herbs).

(pine needles, turmeric, herbs). Stockpile clean supplements before regulators interfere.

before regulators interfere. Educate othersbefore globalists erase this knowledge.

"Theyre coming for your health freedom," Adams warns. "Arm yourself with natures curesbefore its too late."

Watch the Nov. 13 episode of "Brighteon Broadcast News" as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, talks about his TOP 60 most potent natural medicine solutions.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Natures pharmacy: Powerful cancer-fighting foods backed by science

Combine TURMERIC with BLACK PEPPER for the ultimate antioxidant natural remedy for combating inflammation and boosting heart health

Discover Beta-pinene: The fragrant compound in pine trees with many health-supporting properties

Sources include:

Brighteon.com
A new dawn: Turkey prepares historic law to repatriate exiled PKK fighters

The Turkish government is preparing a new law to repatriate thousands of exiled Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) fighters. This is a landmark step aimed at ending a decades-long conflict that has killed over 40,000 people.

The war began in the 1980s after the PKK took up arms against the Turkish state in response to the severe repression of Kurdish rights.

In a major breakthrough, the imprisoned PKK leader declared an end to their armed struggle in early 2025. The group then announced a ceasefire and began the process of laying down its weapons.

The central plan involves bringing PKK members home from their bases in Northern Iraq. However, a major point of negotiation is what to do with the group's leaders, as Turkey wants them sent to a third country instead of returning, a move some fear could undermine the peace.

An official government commission is leading the process. The next steps involve verifying that the PKK is fully disarmed and dissolved, which will then allow for new laws to be passed. If successful, this could serve as a powerful model for resolving other long-standing conflicts.

In a landmark move signaling a potential end to one of the world's longest-running conflicts, the Turkish government is preparing legislation to repatriate thousands of exiled fighters from the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

This law forms the cornerstone of a reconciliation process launched earlier this year, a daring initiative aimed at closing a bitter chapter that has spanned decades. The conflict between Ankara and the PKK began in the 1980s, rooted in the severe repression of Kurdish rights.

The PKK took up arms against the Turkish state, initiating an insurgency that would claim over 40,000 lives over the next three decades. The group established bases in the rugged mountains of northern Iraq, from where it operated for years. The United States designated the PKK a Foreign Terrorist Organization  a label that has been a point of contention, with critics noting its arbitrary application.

The path toward peace gained significant momentum in early 2025. In a historic declaration from his Turkish prison cell, PKK chief Abdullah Ocalan announced an end to the group's armed struggle. Heeding his call, the PKK declared an immediate ceasefire on March 1, and by July, its fighters had begun the tangible process of laying down their weapons.

This reconciliation process has now moved to its most critical phase: bringing exiled members home. According to reports, the proposed law would facilitate the return of PKK fighters and their families from their long-standing hideouts in northern Iraq.

The plan under discussion involves a structured return, beginning with approximately 1,000 civilians and non-combatants. They would be followed by about 8,000 fighters, each undergoing individual screening to ensure the process's security and integrity.

However, a key point of negotiation remains to be the fate of the PKK's leadership. Turkey has so far rejected the repatriation of around 1,000 senior and mid-level figures, proposing instead that they be relocated to a third country, possibly in Europe. Some parties involved in the talks have expressed concern that excluding these top commanders could risk derailing the peace and potentially fuel a renewed insurgency in the future.

Turkish reconciliation commission outlines next steps for PKK repatriation

As explained by BrightU.AI's Enoch engine, the PKK, a Kurdish group with origins in the late 1970s, first initiated an armed struggle against the Turkish government in 1984. This marked the beginning of a decades-long conflict driven by Ankara's fears of an autonomous Kurdish region emerging on its border, which it believed could be used to launch attacks against Turkey.

Tayip Temel, a deputy of the pro-Kurdish DEM Party, which is collaborating with the government on the peace process, offered a different perspective. He stated that the work focuses on a comprehensive law for the "democratic and social reintegration" of all PKK members, with no plans for a phased return. While confirming that Ankara raised the idea of third-country relocation for some, Temel emphasized that any such move would require discussion with the potential host nations.

The Turkish reconciliation commission, established in August, has outlined the next steps. The head of the commission, Numan Kurtulmus, explained that once Turkey's security units verify that the PKK has fully disarmed and completed its dissolution, the nation will enter a new phase of legal regulations aimed at building a "terror-free Turkey."

Legislation to enable this historic repatriation could be presented to the Turkish parliament before the end of the year. If successful, this process could not only end a devastating conflict but also serve as a powerful model for resolving long-standing insurgencies through dialogue and courageous political will.

Watch this video about Syria holding elections for the first time since Bashar al-Assad's ouster.

This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheCradle.co

Reuters.com

BBC.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Opinion / Columnist

The uprising in Tanzania was unanticipated. Not even in our wildest imagination did we foresee such a revolt - one that has shocked the continent to its core. Eyes were on Madagascar, Cameroon, and Kenya, especially after Madagascar's successful military coup last October. Yet suddenly, before the cock could crow three times, Tanzanian youth spoke the language of regime change: an uprising, the universal language of the unheard. They knew the consequences - carnage - but they did it anyway.Fearless is not a compliment but a fact established on the ground. It mirrors government negligence. Beware the fury of the Tanzanian people. They have been cheated for too long. Empty promises have become the order of the day. Governments have taken the people for granted. They wished for rain - when thunderstorms came, collateral damage was inevitable.These are copycat activities that will sweep across Africa whether we want them or not. African Gen Zs are cleansing the continent from Morocco to the Cape of Good Hope with their own blood. Nine elections are scheduled in Africa in 2026. Lord have mercy.Neglect in every aspect of daily life is evident. The uprising had to happen. Estimates suggest between 1,000 and 3,000 lives were lost during the nationwide demonstrations. Deaths occurred in major towns and cities. Army units collected the bodies in harrowing fashion. Videos show soldiers dragging corpses as if they were sacks of maize, tossing them into trucks like game meat from Serengeti National Park. Disgusting.Hospitals and clinics were instructed to conceal the dead before collection. Journalists were denied information. Bodies were buried secretly in mass graves to hide atrocities of unimaginable scale.The Tanzanian demonstrations attracted Gen Zs from Kenya. They crossed the border to support their Tanzanian peers, sharing the same grievances. Kenya's youth have also risen against President Ruto, accusing him of failing them. The dead collected in Tanzanian streets may include Kenyans who joined the protests. Both governments failed their youth - in life and in death.How will the world judge Africans when they see Tanzanian soldiers treating corpses with zero dignity? "Uncouth and primitive," they will say. Sadly, such critiques fit our actions. Ubuntu has been abandoned. Humanity has left us.The Tanzanian army demonstrated barbarism and gross inhumanity: premeditated killings of unarmed civilians, concealment of death tolls, and secret burials. President Samia Suluhu Hassan showed no remorse. She doubled down, blaming foreign intervention for the shootings. Yet cameras captured police and armed men firing indiscriminately into crowds. No "foreign criminals" were arrested. Opposition voices allege mercenaries were contracted by Suluhu's government. A red flag.The shootings were stage-managed by Chama Cha Mapinduzi, the ruling party's old guard. Contingencies were in place long before the elections. Suluhu now carries the blood-tainted tag of mass brutality. Her soft-spoken voice should not fool anyone. This is not about gender. Women can be as ruthless as men in power.The carnage constitutes a criminal offence for review at the ICJ and ICC. Irregularities were widespread. Vote stuffing was recorded. Results of 98% are abnormal in any democracy. Social media was shut down. Major opposition parties were barred from contesting. The entire process was a farce.Regional responses were worrisome. Despotic leaders congratulated Suluhu. Ramaphosa, newly appointed SADC chair, remained ambiguous. Hope lies in Namibia and Botswana. Former Botswana President Ian Khama openly rejected Suluhu's sham election. Meanwhile, Zambia's Hichilema has already sold his soul. Pelted with stones in Northern Province, he is no longer the favourite for 2026. Zambia faces its own turmoil. Former President Edgar Lungu's burial is still contested in South African courts.Most African presidents are cut from the same cloth. They exploit the global decay of democratic values, ruling with impunity. Museveni, too old and incoherent, cannot lead Africa into the 21st century. The continent needs capable young leaders to transform its fortunes.We once believed women were better leaders. Suluhu has shattered that illusion. Leadership is not about gender - it is about principle. Her ruthlessness proves women can be as destructive as men.The least expected of Suluhu is to declare a national week of mourning for the thousands who died in five days. If she does not, it will confirm that African leaders do not care. Mass graves deny families the right to bury their loved ones. Ordinary people are disposable to politicians.This case must reach the UN, ICJ, and ICC. An international commission of inquiry must investigate the causes of mass deaths. Accountability is the hope of parents who lost children under a careless government. Samia Suluhu must face justice so that our children can rest in peace.
Ukraines air defense interception rates fall to lowest levels of 2025

Ukrainian air defense capabilities are declining significantly.

Interception rates for drones and missiles have fallen dramatically.

Critical infrastructure is increasingly vulnerable, causing widespread blackouts.

The high cost and limited supply of Western interceptors is unsustainable.

Manpower shortages and uneven defense distribution worsen the problem.

The protective shield over Ukraine is cracking. As Russia intensifies its long-range bombardment, Ukrainian air defenses are struggling to keep pace, with interception rates for drones and missiles falling dramatically. This alarming decline, revealed through Ukrainian air force data, signals a dangerous new phase in the conflict, leaving critical infrastructure and civilian populations increasingly exposed to the nightly onslaught.

In October, Ukrainian forces managed to down or suppress just under 80% of the 5,312 drones launched by Russia. This marks the lowest interception rate of 2025 and a stark drop from the more than 90% success rate seen at the start of the year. The trend is clear and troubling: a steady erosion of defensive capabilities month by month.

The situation is even more dire for ballistic missiles. Ukraines interception rate for these high-speed threats plummeted from 37% in August to a mere 6% in September. This collapse in defensive effectiveness has direct and severe consequences for the people living under these attacks.

The gaps in Ukraines air defenses have led to widespread blackouts across the nation. The state power operator, Ukrenergo, has been forced to impose rolling power cuts for up to 16 hours per day after Russian attacks crippled generating capacity. "These days, in most regions, repair crews, power engineers, and utility services are virtually working around the clock," President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed. "The Russians have increased their striking power."

A costly and unsustainable defense

The strain on Ukraine's air defense network is multifaceted. Western-supplied systems like the Patriot are highly effective but face severe supply chain constraints. The United States can produce only 600 Patriot interceptors per year, and a Guardian report from July indicated the U.S. military itself only had 25% of the interceptors it needed for its own battle plans.

Furthermore, the cost balance is overwhelmingly in Russias favor. A single interceptor missile for a system like the Patriot can cost up to $4 million. Russias Shahed attack drones, by contrast, are estimated to cost as little as $20,000. This creates an unsustainable economic war of attrition. As Mike Fredenburg argued at Responsible Statecraft, "This distortion obscures the reality that Russias cost-effective missile production provides a big advantage in sustainability."

Multiple factors for the decline

Military analysts point to several reasons for the slipping interception rates. The sheer volume and increasing sophistication of Russian attacks are overwhelming Ukrainian defenders. "The average number of drones during 2025 is 4,400 per month," said Ivan Stupak, a former officer in Ukraines Security Service. "Day-to-day, it's become more difficult to intercept them."

Manpower shortages are also taking a toll. Stupak noted that "Ukrainian anti-aircraft units and mobile fire brigades are depleted  lots of them were disbanded and deployed to the front as regular infantry." This drain on specialized personnel directly impacts defensive effectiveness.

The problem is compounded by the uneven distribution of air defenses across the country. While the capital, Kyiv, remains relatively well-protected, other regions are far more vulnerable. "The Russians started hitting targets in the countryside and there is not the same level of air defense there," said Oleksandr V. Danylyuk of the Royal United Services Institute. "So, they're more successful."

Even the weather may be a factor. Pasi Paroinen of the Black Bird Group analysis organization suggested that poor winter visibility hampers mobile air defense teams that rely on visually targeting drones with machine guns and autocannons.

As Ukrainian cities go dark and its citizens brace for a long, cold winter, the declining interception rates tell a story of a defense pushed to its breaking point. The data reveals a harsh truth: without a fundamental shift in strategy or a massive, sustained influx of resources, the skies over Ukraine are becoming increasingly perilous, turning a war of resistance into a battle for sheer survival against an unrelenting storm of metal and fire.

Sources for this article include:

News.Antiwar.com

ABCNews.go.com

NBCNews.com
Ukraine and Russia accelerate robotic warfare as manpower crisis deepens

Both Ukraine and Russia are rapidly shifting to unmanned and robotic systems to compensate for heavy troop losses and dwindling public support.

Ukraine is deploying thousands of robotic platforms  including mine-clearing UGVs and mobile anti-aircraft launchers  with a goal of fielding about 15,000 by 2025 to offset manpower shortages.

In Ukraine, drones and robots are creating a 20 km "kill zone" to counter Russia's numerical advantage, though uptake is uneven due to entrenched Soviet-era tactics and training bottlenecks.

Russia has formally integrated its new branch, the Unmanned Systems Troops (UST), into its military structure; units are now operating in coordination with other combat arms and mass drone production is underway.

The conflict signals a wider shift in warfare: traditional infantry operations are being supplemented or replaced by machines, potentially redefining battlefields where human lives become the scarcest resource.

As the war in Ukraine grinds into its third year, both sides are rapidly shifting toward robotic and unmanned systems to compensate for staggering troop losses and dwindling public support.

Ukraine, facing dire frontline conditions and widespread desertions, is deploying thousands of robotic platforms to offset its severe manpower shortages. Meanwhile, Russia has fully integrated its dedicated drone warfare branch  the Unmanned Systems Troops (UST)  into its military structure, signaling a new era of mechanized combat.

Gen. Oleksandr Syrsky, commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, has openly acknowledged the desperate situation on the frontlines  where Russian forces launch over 50 daily assaults in Donetsk alone. To mitigate losses, Ukraine plans to field 15,000 robotic platforms by 2025, including mobile anti-aircraft launchers, mine-clearing unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and the advanced "Zmiy" UGVs, which have already proven effective in capturing Russian positions in Kharkiv without a single Ukrainian casualty.

Maj. Robert Brovdi, commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, emphasized that drones and robots are creating a 20km "kill zone" to neutralize Russia's numerical advantage. "We are seeing rapid advancements in autonomous systems," Brovdi told the Associated Press, predicting major breakthroughs within six months.

However, adoption remains uneven. Some commanders, entrenched in Soviet-era tactics, resist integrating robotics  leading to inconsistent distribution across brigades. Private developers and volunteer groups are driving innovation, but bottlenecks in funding and training persist.

The Ukrainian military's pivot to robotics is not just tactical but existential. With mounting casualties and recruitment struggles, fully autonomous drones may soon become indispensable.

The future of warfare: Autonomous and unmanned

On the opposing side, Russia has made significant strides in formalizing its drone warfare capabilities. Following Defense Minister Andrey Belousov's December 2024 order to create the Unmanned Systems Troops (UST), the branch has rapidly expanded. Col. Sergey Ishtuganov, UST deputy commander, confirmed in an interview with Komsomolskaya Pravda that regiments and battalions are now fully operational, coordinating seamlessly with other combat arms.

The flagship Rubicon center, a key UST unit, recently celebrated its 10,000th successful combat mission, underscoring Russia's growing reliance on unmanned systems. President Vladimir Putin boasted in April that Russian forces received over 1.5 million drones in 2024 alone, calling them a "decisive element" in modern warfare.

To sustain this momentum, Russia is establishing a dedicated drone academy, supplementing existing military and civilian training programs. The conflict has forced Moscow to industrialize drone production at an unprecedented scale, leveraging its manufacturing base to flood the battlefield with cheap, effective unmanned systems.

The war has exposed the vulnerabilities of traditional infantry-heavy combat, accelerating both nations toward fully autonomous warfare. Russia's declining public support and Ukraine's recruitment crisis are pushing militaries to replace soldiers with machines. While Ukraine leans on agile, decentralized innovation, Russia's top-down approach ensures mass production and systematic deployment.

The implications extend beyond Ukraine. The world is witnessing the birth of a new military doctrine, where drones and robots dominate the battlefield. As Brovdi noted, the next six months could bring revolutionary advancements in AI-driven combat, reshaping warfare in ways previously imagined only in science fiction.

BrightU.AI's Enoch points out that as the manpower crisis in Ukraine and Russia deepens, both nations are increasingly turning to robotic warfare to mitigate their personnel shortages. This shift is evident in the deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), UGVs and loitering munitions.

These technologies, the decentralized engine adds, are cheaper to replace than human soldiers and can be used to gather intelligence, strike targets and even engage in combat. However, this acceleration raises serious ethical concerns about the dehumanization of warfare and the potential for increased civilian casualties due to the reduced decision-making capabilities of autonomous systems.

For now, the race is on. Whichever side adapts fastest to this robotic revolution may gain the upper hand in a war where human lives are increasingly the scarcest resource.

Watch this video about Ukraine launching massive drone attack against Russia.

This video is from the Maverick News channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

RT.com

BigNewsNetwork.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Tanzania election violence: UN reports hundreds killed amid allegations of evidence concealment

Tanzania's Oct. 29 general election, where President Samia Suluhu Hassan won 97 percent of the vote, was marred by violent protests, mass arrests and allegations of a brutal security crackdown. The UN reports hundreds may have been killed, with opposition groups claiming over 1,000 deaths.

Main opposition leader Tundu Lissu (Chadema party) was disqualified and detained on treason charges before the election. Protests erupted nationwide, met with live ammunition and disproportionate force, including reports of indiscriminate shootings and bodies being removed to conceal evidence.

The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) criticized Tanzania's internet blackout and restricted access, preventing independent verification of casualties. High Commissioner Volker Turk demanded accountability, transparency and the return of remains to families.

The African Union cited ballot stuffing, the expulsion of monitors and the exclusion of opposition candidates as violations of democratic norms. Despite some opposition leaders being released on bail, over 300 protestersincluding minorsremain detained on treason charges.

Hassan, who took office after Magufuli's death, faces criticism for suppressing dissent. The international community is urged to hold Tanzania accountable before the crisis escalates further.

Tanzania's Oct. 29 general election, which saw President Samia Suluhu Hassan declared the winner with 97 percent of the vote, has been marred by violent protests, mass arrests and allegations of a brutal crackdown by security forces.

The United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) revealed Tuesday, Nov. 11, that hundreds may have been killed, with disturbing reports of bodies being removed from streets and hospitals to obscure evidence. Opposition groups claim the death toll exceeds 1,000, while the government dismisses these figures as exaggerated.

The election, criticized by international observers for failing to meet democratic standards, was already contentious after the disqualification of Hassan's main rivals, including opposition leader Tundu Lissu of the Chadema party. Lissu, detained on treason charges since April, had called for electoral reforms, warning that Tanzania's political system was rigged against fair competition.

Protests erupted nationwide following the vote, met with what the UN described as "unnecessary or disproportionate force," including live ammunition. Witnesses reported security forces firing indiscriminately into crowds, while hospitals allegedly refused to release bodies to grieving families. John Kitoka, a Chadema spokesperson, told the media that party members documented killings in at least eight regions, accusing police and unidentified armed units of systematic violence.

UN demands accountability amid internet blackout

The OHCHR has been unable to independently verify casualty numbers due to an internet shutdown and restricted access to affected areas. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk condemned the alleged cover-up, stating: "There are disturbing reports that security forces have been seen removing bodies from streets and hospitals and taking them to undisclosed locations in an apparent attempt to conceal evidence."

Turk called for an independent investigation and urged Tanzanian authorities to disclose the whereabouts of missing persons and return remains to families. The African Union Election Observation Mission echoed concerns, citing ballot stuffing, expulsion of monitors and the exclusion of opposition candidates as violations of democratic norms.

Crackdown continues as opposition leaders released on bail

While some detained opposition figures, including Chadema's vice chairman, were released on bail Monday, over 300 protestersincluding minorsremain in custody, many facing treason charges. The government maintains that security forces acted lawfully against "criminal elements," denying allegations of excessive force.

Hassan, who assumed office in 2021 following the death of her predecessor, John Magufuli, has faced mounting criticism over her administration's suppression of dissent, BrightU.AI's Enoch cites. Despite pledging to investigate alleged abductions of critics last year, no findings have been made public.

The escalating crisis in Tanzania underscores the dangers of electoral authoritarianism and the lengths to which regimes may go to silence opposition. With the UN demanding transparency and families still searching for missing loved ones, the international community faces pressure to hold Tanzania's government accountablebefore the death toll climbs further.

Watch the video below that talks about election integrity.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

RT.com

News.UN.org

Reuters.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
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Spending time in natural spaces is a tried and true way for humans to level up their health, peace and perspective. Sometimes there is nothing quite as lovely as the sun on your face and the earth beneath you.

Valencia County has many beautiful natural attributes in every direction and my love for the banks of the Rio Grande is strong and deep. Exploring along the sandbeds and shallows on a Saturday afternoon is my definition of a good time. (I always make sure Im safe, Dad!)

As a child, my backyard was the actual mesa. I learned to appreciate the stark beauty of a deep arroyo while discovering the curious beauty of an apache plume. The satisfaction of searching for hidden barrel cacti with their erupting and brilliant red and yellow blooms was exciting.

Noticing the frequent and deep snake holes and dens reminded my brother and I to watch out for the guaranteed sunning rattlesnakes on the rock formations and intricate sandstone layers.

As an adolescent, my scenic view shifted to the bosque, and I spent lots of time up and down the ditchbanks behind our field with my prized Diskman listening to angsty 90s alternative music or riding bikes with my friend, Celeste, discussing boys.

As an adult, in each state Ive lived, Ive sought out some kind of water to walk by or some trees to talk to. As I have incorporated this core value of being in nature into my current life, Ive taken to walking on the ditchbanks of west Belen.

My ability to focus on meditative thinking, praying, self reflection (and sometimes singing if theres nobody around) has helped to clear my mind and move my body in the process. Enjoying brisk cool air in the mornings, cotton candy sunsets in the evening and fleeting glimpses of tumbling raccoon cubs on my walks has reminded me just how beautiful Valencia county can be.

Even though these walks started as a way for me to focus on me, a magical pattern has emerged on these intended solitary walks. Each day, the life and times of many Valencia County residents unfold in the slow moments between mosquito swarms and parading peacocks.

At any given time of the day on a ditchbank near you, there are seasoned farmers greeting each other, parking their weathered trucks, briefly clasping palms and talking about the water levels.

There are Rio Grande conservancy ditch riders keeping things in working order, checking tirelessly to conserve our precious water while facilitating water for our crops.

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I see faithful people who exercise every day at the same time, always briskly, but never too brisk to give a smile and a nod. I also see folks walking along with their furry friends, spouses or schoolmates.

As a mother, my favorite thing to see are families walking along the bank. Mothers or grandmothers with little ones, couples walking with eyes only for each other and multi generations visiting and walking. This is the real beauty in our community and one I want to highlight and celebrate in this photo column were calling Ditchbank Diaries.

If you are ever spending time on your ditchbank and you see someone with a questionable hairdo and an iPhone handy for photos greeting you and asking for your story and a picture to commemorate the moment, will you indulge me? Your community wants to meet you.
Its been nearly a year since a Valencia County teenager was charged in the shooting deaths of four family members. The case is in a holding pattern as the defendant is evaluated for competency.

In the early morning hours of Saturday, Dec. 14., 16-year-old Diego Leyva called 911, telling the dispatcher he had killed his parents, later adding he had killed my whole family.

When emergency responders arrived at the home on Camino Escondido, southwest of the city of Rio Communities, they found Leyva outside and his family dead in the house.

He has been charged with four open counts of first-degree murder in relation to the deaths of his parents, father, Leonardo Leyva, 42, and mother, Adriana Bencomo, 35; and brothers, Adrian Leyva, 17, and Alexander Leyva, 14.

Leyva was indicted on the charges by a Valencia County grand jury on Dec. 30, and on Jan. 6, a motion by his attorney for a competency evaluation was granted by 13th Judicial District Judge Cindy Mercer.

In a recent interview, Jessica Martinez, 13th Judicial chief deputy district attorney, said Leyvas competency review is still ongoing.

Until thats resolved, we cant go forward, Martinez said.

Whenever someone is charged with a crime, they have to be competent to stand trial, she explained.

The person has to have the capacity, basically have an idea of what theyre charged with, be able to assist their attorney in their defense and have a general understanding of the legal system, Martinez said.

A psychologist examines a defendant when the issue of competency is raised, applying the same standards to both adult and juvenile defendants. However, there is a different process used for adults versus juveniles if the person is found not competent.

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If a juvenile is not charged as an adult and if they are found incompetent, then the state has to dismiss the charges, the chief deputy said.

Leyva was charged with a violent crime as an adult, so the case wont automatically be dismissed even though he is still a juvenile. If Leyva is found incompetent, the prosecution can still move forward with a trial.

He has to be treated back to competency, Martinez said. Where we get stuck is we have nowhere in the state to send juveniles for treatment.

If an adult is charged with a violent felony against a person and they are found incompetent, they undergo treatment at the New Mexico Behavioral Health Institute in Las Vegas, N.M., the only state-owned and operated psychiatric hospital in New Mexico.

If they are found incompetent, they can be treated back to competency and brought back for trial. The challenge comes in when we have a juvenile  even though they are charged as an adult  NMBHI doesnt have the ability to accept anyone under 18, Martinez said. When juveniles are found not competent, theres nowhere to send them in state. So, one of two things can happen. They can sit in custody until they turn 18 or we can find out-of-state treatment.

The issue these cases often run into is theres nowhere to treat them. We dont have facilities to treat people under 18, so that makes it harder to treat them back to competency.

Theres isnt a set time to complete a competency evaluation of a defendant, Martinez said, but the DAs office must take precautions to not violate a defendants due process rights. The courts review the competency evaluation process regularly to make sure the Juvenile Probation and Parole Office, the state and defense are working to move things along, she said.

This goes to the bigger issue were seeing with our competency laws. I know the legislature is trying to fix them and, with the juvenile process, it still needs some work. We need resources and places to treat juveniles, the chief deputy said.

During the last legislative session, legislators were considering laws that would increase penalties for some juvenile charges, but those didnt pass, she said.

Its not just juveniles. They are trying to correct competency laws so theres not this revolving door. We need places to send people, both juveniles and adults, Martinez said. Places for adults are still lacking. NMBHI is the only locked, secure facility in the state and its pretty much at the max.
Opinion / Columnist

Advocate Thabani Mpofu's X post, which outrageously likens Mbuso Fuzwayo, Ibhetshu LikaZulu, and their lawyer, Nqobani Sithole, to "dogs" while portraying this writer as their owner, demands a sharp and resolute response. This dehumanizing rhetoric, laced with contempt and evocative of the stigmatizing "cockroach" type of imagery similar to the kind used during the Rwandan genocide, cannot go unchallenged. It reveals a glaring failure in professional and ethical conduct from a self-proclaimed defender of the Constitution and "everything right, civil, and sacred."Rogue Preference for Political Brawls Over the LawMpofu, who styles himself as a guardian of justice, has shockingly urged Zimbabweans to bypass the courts in response to Zanu-PF's proposed extension of the presidential term of office to 2030. Dismissing it as a mere "political issue" and a "dirty dog fight" in his 31 October 2025, X post, his position is not just misguided - it represents a brazen dereliction of his duties as a lawyer and officer of the court, undermining the rule of law he swore to protect.When a concerned X user raised two incisive questions - "At what point then would it be strategic, or even prudent, to engage as you suggest?" and "When the political class appears complicit across the aisle, how do citizens and civil society assert agency without reinforcing the same system they seek to question?" - Mpofu's response was chilling: "Poignant observations. These questions must be publicly asked but never answered." Why never answered?At its heart, the Zanu-PF "2030" proposal is a technical, legal and constitutional matter, rooted in section 95(2)(b) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe (2013), which sets the presidential term of office at five years, aligned with Parliament's lifespan. Extending it demands precise legal clarification on whether this qualifies as a "term-limit provision" under section 328(1), which references the two-term cap in section 91(2). If not, a two-thirds parliamentary vote under section 328(5) may suffice; if so, section 328(7) requires two national referendums.This is no partisan skirmish in the political gutter - it is a technical constitutional question demanding judicial scrutiny to protect the rule of law from political whims, charlatans, and merchants of violence. For Mpofu, an advocate of Zimbabwe's superior courts, to deride litigation as soiling "the halls of justice" with "grubby hands" is hypocritical, irresponsible, and dangerous. It is oxymoronic for a practicing senior lawyer - who claims to be neither a politician nor an activist - to behave like an overgrown child throwing tantrums, insisting irrationally that a legal matter be resolved through street brawls rather than the courts.Lawyers exist to guide disputes toward legal remedies, not consign them to chaotic streets. By reframing the issue as purely political and demanding a political solution, Mpofu invites anarchy, erodes institutional trust, and echoes the assaults on civil rights he pretends to condemn. His oath as an officer of the court obligates him to champion legality, not evade it - lest he abets the unravelling of the Constitution.Zimbabwe deserves better from its legal stewards: not calls to sidestep justice, but an unwavering defence of it. Mpofu's advocacy for a "street brawl" does not merely falter; it betrays the Constitution, the bench, the bar, and the people."Zvikauya Tuka": If They Bring It, Insult ThemIn response to Obey Shava's prudent advice to fellow lawyers - "To lawyers defending the constitution: Don't fall for Zanu-PF's intelligence gathering operation, disguised as a debate. Resist the urge to fully engage. Exercise strategic silence & keep your best argument private. Save it for the Court. Don't give them a free legal brief." - Mpofu's terse reply was telling: "Thank you Shava. Zvikauya tuka. Vanhu vepi!" (translating to "If they bring it, insult them. Where are the people!").This retort exposes Mpofu's abandonment of rationality, fair play and the legal profession's mandate to uphold the rule of law. As a senior officer of the court, he should exalt the Constitution as the supreme arbiter of power. Instead, he rejects Shava's call for strategic restraint and courtroom resolve, favouring crude insults over principled adjudication. By downgrading a core constitutional issue - anchored in sections 95(2)(b) and 328 - to a partisan fray, Mpofu undermines the justice system he is sworn to safeguard. Urging street confrontations over judicial precision not only invites chaos but forsakes his ethical duties, trading the gavel for the mob's roar and leaving Zimbabwe's national interest compromised.Mpofu's reckless stance, distilled from his X posts, rests on four toxic pillars: Treat the term extension as a mere "political issue" and "dirty dog fight." Insult anyone who raises it. Don't take it to court. Smear those who go to court - and the judges who hear it.Vicious Political Assault on Fuzwayo, Ibhetshu LikaZulu, and Their LawyerMpofu, sworn to uphold justice, has descended into unprofessional depths with his political assault on Mbuso Fuzwayo, Ibhetshu LikaZulu, and their lawyer, Nqobani Sithole. In a post rife with unsubstantiated insinuations of hatred, Mpofu alleges a conspiracy of "fraudulently recruiting Ndebeles" to spearhead a "false challenge" to the 2030 agenda, calling it a "cruel low" linked to the "Tshabangu scheme" and the work of "charlatans."This transcends commentary; it is a smear that stifles freedoms of speech, association, and conscience, maligns a professional colleague, and erodes the legal profession's ethical foundation. The Law Society of Zimbabwe's code demands civility, respect, and candour, even in disagreement, while avoiding prejudice to justice or intimidation of litigants. Mpofu violates this by labelling Sithole as "Tshabangu's lawyer." Since when are lawyers defined by one client? Mpofu himself resents being called "Chamisa's lawyer," yet he denies others the same professional courtesy - what's good for the goose is evidently not for the gander. Labelling Sithole this way distorts his decade-long human rights work for Ibhetshu LikaZulu, including interdicting the Zimbabwe Republic Police from blocking Gukurahundi commemorations in 2016, challenging illegal Gukurahundi reburials in 2021, and representing Tawanda Muchehiwa that year. Mpofu's attacks infringe on attorney-client privilege and undermine the constitutional right to legal representation of choice under section 70(1)(d) of the Constitution, potentially constituting harassment and compromising legal integrity.Scandalizing the JudiciaryAs an esteemed advocate, Mpofu is bound to preserve the judiciary's sanctity with ethical rigour. Yet his X posts betray this duty, delving into "bizarre daydreams" that have been weaponized by social media outlets and influencers to scandalize the judiciary - the very institution he vows to defend. By framing the presidential term extension - a constitutional crux under section 95(2)(b) - as a "political issue" and "dirty dog fight," he shirks his role, steering the public toward violent clashes instead of judicial paths. His shameless call to "insult" 2030 supporters, combined with his cryptic urgings to pose questions "publicly but never answered," borders on incitement, fraying faith in legal mechanisms and inviting vigilante disorder.Compounding this are inflammatory echoes from Hopewell Chin'ono) and NewsHawks, done under the guise of investigative journalism to amplify baseless claims with zero evidence. Mpofu's 5 November 2025, "bizarre daydream" post - filled with veiled accusations of sham filings, imaginary bribes, and orchestration - ignited this fire, swiftly reposted with apparent approval by Hopewell Chin'ono and echoed in NewsHawks's 6 November 2025 reports, forging a malicious nexus.Here is Hopewell Chin'ono's astonishing 4 November 2025, claim about his alleged sources and the implications for Fuzwayo and Ibhetshu's Constitutional Court application, reproduced in full for its scandalous weight:"I have been made aware by judicial sources of allegations that two Bulawayo-based applicants have been identified to file a constitutional application intended to be dismissed in order to advance the 2030 agenda. They are Mbuso Fuzwayo as the first applicant and Ibhetshu Likazulu as the second applicant.My judicial sources said that the application was prepared by a young advocate and that the advocate is connected to one Itayi Ndudzo. Itayi Ndudzo is the current Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland East and a Zanu-PF member of parliament. The same province where President Mnangagwa's 2030 cheer leader Daniel Garwe is the ZANUPF Chairman. The basis of this application is to go to court and argue that 2030 is illegal. However, the real intention is not to have the court agree with that position, but rather to have the court dismiss the application. Once the court dismisses it, that dismissal becomes a legal precedent establishing that 2030 can lawfully go ahead. In other words, they are deliberately applying for something opposite to what they truly want in order to create a judicial record supporting their political agenda."To see the malicious nexus, compare this with NewsHawks's claims on the same matter:"A major political scandal with potential far-reaching consequences is brewing in local Zimbabwean politics amid revelations that Zanu-PF senior officials and some judges are colluding to facilitate President Emmerson Mnangagwa's term unlawful extension amid a growing threat to the country's constitutional order and internal stability. The NewsHawks has spoken to many political and judicial sources who confirm Zanu-PF leaders, including ministers, political strategists and legal bureaucrats, are fast-moving behind the scenes to fast-track the treacherous deal."https://x.com/NewsHawksLive/status/1986289570875412964?s=20Revealingly, both Hopewell Chin'ono and NewsHawks "separately" claimed their inflammatory coverage was leaked by "judicial sources," offering no evidence, whatsoever. The term "judicial" is inseparable from "judiciary," it denotes the system of courts and judges. Thus, the public is asked to believe judges or court officials leaked an un-finalised and unfiled application, which was not before them.These claims are blatant and harmful fabrications; the true source was of course Mpofu himself, with little left to imagination. Fortuitously, NewsHawks inadvertently exposed this by extensively quoting Mpofu's "bizarre daydream" in a telling manner, even for the uninitiated:"A senior lawyer said: This is a sinister political plot. We can't have politicians and judges corruptly colluding to undermine the constitution for short-term individual political and monetary benefits. It's an attack on the constitution, rule of law and democracy. It's treacherous.'There's no need for a tsikamutanda or rocket scientist to unravel the identity of the "senior lawyer", NewsHawks's giveaway was immediate and complete:"Prominent lawyer Advocate Thabani Mpofu has joined the fray. He posted on Twitter (X): "I took a power nap this afternoon and had a bizarre dream. In it, More-Precision Engineering tried to file a flawed application in the Constitutional Court that was rejected on technical grounds. At the same time a good friend in the EAST African city of Dodoma was pushing people to find an applicant to bring a case in the chief's court, amid loud rumours that he'd been paid US$3 million. Afternoon naps really do produce the strangest dreams; crazy, crazy stuff." Mpofu appeared to insinuate that an application circulating on social media by one Moreprecision Muzadzi is part of the political subterfuge. The draft application seeks to challenge Mnangagwa's 2030 bid on the surface of it, but is seen as part of a deceptive proxy manoeuvre to get the ConCourt dismiss it to help Zanu-PF in the process. It was not clear whom Mpofu was referring to when he said his "good friend" in Dodoma, Tanzania's administrative capital, was behind the manoeuvres."It is incredulous that an "investigative" outlet like NewsHawks would collude with an award-winning journalist Hopewell Chin'ono to fabricate non-existent "judicial sources," relying on Mpofu's "bizarre daydream" to bolster self-evident lies. This is scandalous and potentially criminal. Given the vilification of judges, it would be a dereliction for the Judicial Service Commission to ignore this opprobrium.These fabrications erode trust, portraying the bench as political puppets and breeding contempt. This echo chamber, where Mpofu's bizarre hints fuel misinformation, amounts to judicial scandalization. By igniting or endorsing it, Mpofu abets the vilification of judges as corrupt, without offering even a shred of evidence, all while decrying court involvement. His hypocrisy mocks his oath: he smears good-faith litigants as proxies and implies judicial bias - even as NewsHawks concedes Fuzwayo and Ibhetshu's application is "genuine." This threatens judicial independence, deters genuine justice-seekers, and invites extralegal backlash.In a nation with fragile institutions, such as Zimbabwe, Mpofu's recklessness favours spectacles over restraint, tarnishing the judiciary he must protect. True officers of the court elevate the law; they do not drag it through the mud of unproven slander.Gaslighting MatabelelandMpofu's 5 November 2025, claim that Zanu-PF is "fraudulently recruiting Ndebeles" for an alleged sham court challenge exemplifies tribal gaslighting, weaponizing ethnicity to discredit a valid constitutional bid while reopening historical wounds. In his unsubstantiated tirade, he asserts: "A particularly disturbing aspect of the Fuzwayo and Ibhetshu Likazulu saga is the deliberate attempt to put an entire ethnic group in the line of fire. Fraudulently recruiting Ndebeles - who have real historical grievances with ED - to front a false challenge to the 2030 agenda is a cruel low." He links it to the "Tshabangu scheme," branding it charlatanry.By depicting Matabeleland activists Fuzwayo and Ibhetshu - respected Ndebeles with authentic grievances - as pawns in an ethnic conspiracy, Mpofu exploits the region's history and trauma of marginalization and Gukurahundi atrocities for corrupt ends. Without evidence, he casts an entire ethnic community as dupes or sell-outs, fanning divisions and perpetuating stereotypes of Ndebele manipulability or disloyalty.This is not advocacy but demagoguery from a senior practicing lawyer obligated to professionalism and ethics, not exposing litigants and their counsel to ridicule, demonization, stigmatization, and harm. Amplified by outlets like Nehanda Radio (nehandaradio.com /2025/11/06/mpofu-slams-ndebele-recruitment-in-mnangagwas-2030-agenda-court-s), his baseless "fraudulent Ndebele recruitment" allegations reduce the Constitutional Court application to tribal intrigue, implying Matabeleland residents are Zanu-PF marionettes. Why deem Ibhetshu's ties suspect? It is a ploy: invoke ethnic pain to delegitimize without proof. This is unacceptable and objectionable.The hypocrisy burns - Mpofu, who calls the extension "political," now vilifies those seeking judicial clarity on a constitutional question, to fulfill his own warped political prophecy. As an officer of the court, his duty is to uphold law, not fracture society with tribal jabs and fabrications that mimic the authoritarianism he claims to oppose. Poignantly, this betrays Gukurahundi victims or survivors, who deserve justice, not tokenization in senseless feuds. Mpofu's words expose not charlatans, but his willingness to wield historical agony of the people of Matabeleland as a political weapon.Advocate Mpofu's Rank HypocrisyIn glaring hypocrisy, Mpofu - lead advocate in the 2017 High Court case (HC 10820/17) that mutilated the Constitution by sanctioning the military coup - now denounces Fuzwayo and Ibhetshu's 2025 bid, via Sithole Law Chambers, as a "sham" subversion. That secretive 2017 case yielded a controversial consent order deeming the Zimbabwe Defence Forces' intervention "constitutionally permissible" under section 212 of the Constitution, effectively blessing a coup. It twisted the Constitution to legitimize extralegal power grabs, empowering unelected forces to "arrest" executive lapses - criticised for eviscerating constitutional democracy and entrenching military influence.Contrast this with Fuzwayo and Ibhetshu's application, which probes section 95(2)(b) as a potential term-limit provision under section 328(1), possibly requiring a referendum per section 328(7). It upholds safeguards against overreach, using courts of law as intended - not for insults, brawls, or smears.Mpofu's 2017 collusion, shielded from scrutiny, disqualifies him from assailing judicial approaches. Where his case eroded integrity for the transfer of political power, this one preserves it. His attacks - bolstered by Hopewell Chinono and NewsHawks's unproven "judicial collusion" claims - reveal vendettas over law. If 2017 mutilated the Constitution, Mpofu's current posture desecrates it anew.Conclusion: A Betrayal Cloaked in AdvocacyIn Zimbabwe's shadowed political corridors, where the Constitution dangles by threads of fragile hope, Thabani Mpofu's inflammatory words emerge not as beacons of justice but as daggers aimed at its heart. Sworn to defend the law's sanctity, he unleashes invectives, tribal barbs, and judicial scorn, transforming his respectable advocate's robe into a cloak for hypocrisy and division. By urging insults over adjudication, brawls over courts, and innuendo over evidence, Mpofu does not safeguard the republic - he auctions its soul, leaving historical wounds in Matabeleland festering and the judiciary echoing distrust. Yet in this betrayal rings a clarion call: Zimbabwe's true guardians must rise, not with mob clamour, but with justice's unyielding shield, forging a nation where law triumphs over charlatans.The malicious targeting of Mbuso Fuzwayo and Ibhetshu LikaZulu is particularly troubling. No individual or organization has sustained focus on resolving Gukurahundi atrocities like they have. One need not endorse their application to respect their indefatigable service to community and country. This explains the outrage across Matabeleland over their vilification.For the record, Fuzwayo and Ibhetshu have been targeted by counterrevolutionary "bambazonke" elements tied to Harare for two reasons.First, petty "first-mover" jealousies: Ibhetshu outpaced Harare's usual suspects - who cling to the warped notion that Harare is Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe is Harare - by filing a solid Constitutional Court application. Nothing in it invites dismissal on technicalities; claims otherwise are baseless.In this vein, assertions by figures like Musa Kika that the application is premature are political, not legal. Section 85(1)(a) of the Constitution states: "any person acting in their own interestsis entitled to approach a court, alleging that a fundamental right or freedom enshrined in this Chapter [The Declaration of Rights] has been, is being or is likely to be infringed". The Constitution does not require infringement before action. The idea that one must suffer harm before seeking protection has no constitutional basis. One can only wonder where this nonsense that Fuzwayo and Ibhetshu's application is "premature" is coming from.Who in Harare presumes to dictate which court applications, on what issues, and when? Mpofu seeks a dangerous precedent that right-thinking, law-abiding people must resist.Second, across Matabeleland, Ibhetshu LikaZulu is seen as maliciously targeted by foes of its unparalleled work for needy persons and communities in the region and the Midlands, especially on Gukurahundi. The flippancy and hatred in this targeting have been extreme and shameful!
RIO COMMUNITIESWhat started out as a bypass to keep large semi-trucks hauling massive wind turbines through the middle of Rio Communities is now a public road for everyone to use.

Standing on the recently-completed bypass, Rio Communities City Manager Martin Moore, Mayor Joshua Ramsell and City Councilor Lawrence Gordon say the new road is the beginning of economic growth for the city. By Clara Garcia

The 100-foot wide, 1.3-mile stretch of bypass road, now named Founders Way, connects N.M. 304 to N.M. 47 just north of the Arcosa Wind Towers manufacturing plant in the Rio Grande Industrial Park. The state of New Mexico appropriated $6.5 million in Local Economic Development Act funds to construct the road.

During a city council meeting Monday, the councilors unanimously agreed to accept the road, meaning the city will now be responsible for maintaining the newly-built bypass.

Before the road was constructed and finished last week, trucks hauling the 190-foot towers made their way from the facility, through Rio Communities, south to U.S. 60 in Socorro County and then west to Interstate 25.

Since October 2024, the intersection of N.M. 304 and N.M. 47 has periodically had to be closed due to the ongoing transport of the wind towers. Nearly immediately, the city, state, county and the company reached an agreement that the state would provide LEDA funding to help with construction of the road.

Rio Communities City Manager Martin Moore said the landowners, which includes the Martin Sisneros family, Felipe Sanchez and Harvey Yates, donated the land for the road.

Arcosa was the tipping point, Moore said. Weve had issues with semi trucks prior with Arcosas construction of their landing pad, and we had large trucks coming through, and then the 110 ton trucks coming in. This is going to be much faster.

Moore said construction of the new road began in the spring and was built in record time. He also said while the road was built specifically to help the type of traffic Arcosa is generating, Moore said it is a public road for every motorist to use.

The city manager said while hes thrilled with the new road, there are still some challenges the city and state are dealing with.

Highway 304 isnt in the best shape, and Highway 47 has been taking a pounding, he said. Both of them have been highly stressed by this. Weve been seeing bigger pieces of the road popping up, potholes getting bigger and more erosion. It has stressed our streets and our neighborhoods.

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When asked what the city plans to do about those repairs, Moore said he has been speaking with representatives with the New Mexico Department of Transportation.

They said they are willing to sit down and create a plan for N.M. 304 and 47 moving forward, the city manager said.

The new road includes two mountable curbs at either end, including a 1,000-foot deceleration lane. The mountable curbs were designed and constructed so sturdy that the large trucks could sit on.

It provides and allows those trucks to mount, Moore said. This concrete was poured to special specification, which withstands 4,000 pounds. We think it might be able to hold 5-6,000 pounds per square inch after it cures.

Moore said other than the freeway, the thinks this road is one of the most sound roads in Valencia County, saying it can handle a lot of traffic and a lot of weight.

Rio Communities City Councilor Lawrence Gordon said he believes this new road will also attract new industry and new revenue for the city.

It definitely will bring growth, Gordon said of the new bypass road. With this road going through, (they) can build the manufacturing park, which means a lot of growth for the city.

Rio Communities Mayor Joshua Ramsell said this road speaks development and a future for the community.

It will bring a tax base for the city for services people want and need  a bigger police department, more fire and EMS but also a larger budget to provide parks and other amenities for the residents, Ramsell said. It also opens the opportunity for future development because now you have a dedicated road that links two state highways together and enables this whole area to be developed.

The mayor said the area, which is near the old Navajo Loop Road, is prime for growth, including manufacturing.

Ramsell said he wants to dismiss rumors that the city will allow gas and oil drilling and even fracking.

Thats not what we allow here in Rio Communities, the mayor said. For those people who are not sure, you are not allowed to drill or frack or horizontal drilling within the city limits.

We worked for eight months with the community on changing the zoning code, along with the developers and interested parties, and everyone was happy with the zoning code we came up with, he said.

As for naming of the road, the city council and mayor discussed the issue at Mondays meeting, with two councilors in disagreement over the name of Founders Way.

Rio Communities City Councilors Tom Nelson and Matthew Marquez voted against the name of Founders Way, saying they were against the name because they felt the other two councilors, Art Apodaca and Lawrence Gordon and Ramsell chose the name months ago.

During the meeting, Marquez said he asked the community to come up with names, and put them forward for consideration. Some of the names included Taxpayer Turnpike, which Ramsell said was a suggestion by Belen Mayor Robert Noblin.

Other names Marquez suggested for the road included Arcosa Road, Zia Trail, Zia Bypass, Turbine Trail, Goathead Boulevard among others.

After several names were suggested but didnt get a second, Marquez suggested the road should be name Tara Calico Boulevard, a 19-year-old woman who disappeared from the area in 1988. She has not been found since.

Ramsell asked if her family had been asked if it was OK with them, Nelson said he hadnt reached out. He said the road should be named for Calico because she was well known and it would pay homage to her.

With Marquez making the motion and Nelson seconding it, Gordon and Apodaca voted no. Ramsell broke the tie and voted no.

It was then that Gordon made a motion to name the road Founders Way and was seconded by Apodaca. Gordon said it was paying homage to the group that first formed the city.

Nelson abstained from the vote, saying he didnt believe it was in the best interest of the city. Marquez voted no, and the two other councilors voting in favor of Founders Way.
A discrepancy on tax bills recently sent out to Valencia County property owners has increased bills by hundreds of dollars across the board.

Celia Dittmaier, Valencia County assessor, said during a phone interview Monday the large increase is coming from the mill levy rate for the county operational levy applied to residential properties.

For 2025, the rate is set at 11.85, nearly double the 2024 rate of 6.817. A mill is equal to $1 per $1,000 of net taxable value of a property.

Dittmaier said when concerned and outraged residents began calling her office and the Valencia County Treasurer Ron Saizs office late last week, they immediately began looking into the increase.

Weve already talked to the (state) property tax division and they said the (property tax) certification I sent was normal, showing a typical growth rate, Dittmaier said. We have a call into the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration and were looking at what the county finance director submitted in our own budget.

Pull Quote In the meantime, after meeting with Saiz, Dittmaier said their best advice to taxpayers is to only pay the first half of their 2025 tax bill, which is due by Dec. 10.

Right now, we arent sure what DFA is going to do, so we dont want to promise a refund. The best plan is to pay the first half, so there arent any penalties or fees. If there is an adjustment, it will be a reduction for the second half, the assessor said. If were lucky, its only the county operational and we should be able to fix it internally.

Lou Sisneros actually didnt get her tax bill this year, which raised a red flag. When she called the county, Sisneros found out the bill had been sent to her home builder instead.

After seeing multiple posts online about skyrocketing tax bills, the village of Los Lunas resident decided to look for hers on the county website instead of waiting for a new one to be mailed.

Mine went up 22 percent, almost $900. Looking back at the assessment (of value) it was only a $158 increase, so not some huge discrepancy in the assessment Im taxed on, Sisneros said of her residential property in Ranch Valencia. (The assessed value of the property) was in line with what Id seen year on year.

When she called the county assessors office, staff told her they have been bombarded with calls. Sisneros said she was advised to pay the first half of her tax bill, but she is concerned and disappointed there hasnt been more proactive communication from the assessors office.

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There isnt anything on the website about there being a discrepancy, nothing in their phone tree, she said. I dont see there being a correction. When rates go up, that will become the new base and taxes will soar. For the ones that can afford it, thats one thing, but there are a lot of people struggling tremendously. Im going to pay half and leave it at that.

Valencia County commissioners have to approve the tax rates for the county every year at the beginning of September, which they did this year at their Sept. 3 meeting. The commission is presented with the property tax rate-setting order from DFA, which contains the mill rates for the county, as well as the rates of all the jurisdictions within Valencia County that have imposed property taxes.

When the higher rate for the county operational levy came to light last week, Dittmaier reviewed that order and realized shed overlooked the erroneous rate.

The non-residential rate is always over 11 and I didnt catch (the residential rate.) Thats on me. Ill own up to it, she said. I do understand the frustration of our residents. Im a homeowner and my bill went up more than $600. I did not do this on purpose.

The New Mexico Constitution limits counties to a maximum of 11.85 mills without voter approval for operational purposes.

Property taxes generally increase each year because assessors are allowed to increase property valuations by up to 3 percent annually and due to mill rate increases imposed by other agencies.

For instance, the Valencia County Arroyo Flood Control District board of supervisors imposed a 1 mill levy on county properties for the 2025 tax year, which is a new tax for the county.

Agencies can also sell general obligation bonds, which are essentially low-interest loans for capital projects that are paid back through property tax revenues.

Valencia County, the village of Los Lunas, Los Lunas Schools, Belen Consolidated Schools, the University of New Mexico-Valencia and the state of New Mexico have mill rates on county property bills for debt service.
Why are New Mexico Republicans acting like this a normal shutdown?

Editor:

In a recent Facebook post echoed by other New Mexico House Republicans, Rebecca Dow stated that NM senators need to vote to reopen the government because prior to 2025 Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan have consistently voted yes on continuing resolutions.

This simplistic logic ignores the giant elephant in the room  this shutdown is not at all like prior shutdowns!

Trumps authoritarian regime has hijacked our government and is now using the shutdown to further their agenda without any Congressional oversight.

Democratic checks and balances have been dismantled. Power is being consolidated in the executive branch with the increasing use of executive actions and illegal declarations of emergency powers. The Justice Department has been politicized. The U.S. Civil Service has been gutted.

Federal troops have been sent to Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Chicago and Memphis. The administration has just ordered the National Guard in every state to develop a quick reaction force of troops trained to deal with civil disturbances and riots, the latest indication of longer-term Trump administration plans to more readily dispatch soldiers to U.S. streets before the 2026 elections when voters might reject his policies.

Most importantly, the legislative branch has been neutered. This summer, the regime bullied congress into passing the One Big Beautiful Bill giving huge tax breaks to the wealthy and large corporations while significantly cutting funds for Medicaid and making policy changes that reduce access to healthcare.

Then came the Rescissions Act of 2025 allowing the regime to further strip away Congress power of the purse.

Congress role in foreign and national security has also been marginalized. The extra-judicial killings in the Caribbean have been carried out without any congressional oversight.

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To further complicate matters during this abnormal shutdown, House Speaker Mike Johnson is keeping the House out of session to avoid swearing in Arizonas Adelita Grijalva. Grijalva has pledged to be the final yes vote needed to release the Epstein Files. Speaker Johnson has made it clear that the legislative branch of the government is no longer relevant to this administration.

This is not your fathers GOP and this is not a normal shutdown and voting yes for a clean CR will not help America.

Kelly Townsend

Bosque Farms

Why is this happening?

Editor:

Why are we in this situation? Why are children and families going hungry? For politics? For posturing?

This is not what we expected when we elected President Trump to office  again. We were told he was going to help Americans. He hasnt.

He said he would lower grocery prices. He didnt. He said we would be prosperous. He was wrong.

He said people would have plenty of jobs. They dont. He said our economy would get better. It hasnt.

He said he could end the war in Ukraine. He cant.

He has signed hundreds of executive orders pushing his agenda. He has pardoned hundreds of felons  even those who were responsible for the tragic Jan. 6 insurrection on the nations capital.

This man is not right. This country is not right. We are in a state of shock every single day.

I just dont understand why isnt anyone  someone  standing up to this man. Hes a lame duck president, right? What do we have to do to take our country back?

Charles Garcia

Los Chavez
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Cloudy. Gusty winds this evening. Low 22F. WNW winds at 20 to 30 mph, decreasing to 10 to 15 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy. Gusty winds this evening. Low 22F. WNW winds at 20 to 30 mph, decreasing to 10 to 15 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.
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More and more Republican lawmakers are defecting to throw their weight behind the release of the Epstein files.

Reps. Warren Davidson of Ohio, Eli Crane of Arizona, Don Bacon of Nebraska, Tim Burchett of Tennessee, and Rob Bresnahan of Pennsylvania have all signaled an intent to vote in favor of a measure to release federal investigation documents related to the notorious sex offender, according to CNN and Politico.

That vote will come as soon as next week, according to Speaker Mike Johnson, after 218 lawmakers signed on to a discharge petition forcing the House to confront the Epstein files. The final signature came on Wednesday after Arizona Rep. Adelita Grijalva was sworn in.

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The fresh wave of Republican support for the release of the Epstein files came the same day that Democrats on the House Oversight Committee unloaded another tranche of documents related to the late pedophile.

The latest release centered around a massive trove of emails written for and by Epsteinincluding one where he tells his former girlfriend and accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell that Donald Trump knew about the girls.

I want you to realize that that dog that hasnt barked is Trump, Epstein wrote in 2011. [Redacted victim name] spent hours at my house with him. He has never once been mentioned.

I have been thinking about that, Maxwell responded.

House Oversight Committee

The newly uncovered emails sent President Trump into a Truth Social meltdown.

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The Democrats are trying to bring up the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax again because theyll do anything at all to deflect on how badly theyve done on the Shutdown, and so many other subjects, he wrote. Only a very bad, or stupid, Republican would fall into that trap.

Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump were good friends for years before they had a falling out. / Davidoff Studios/Getty Images

All 214 Democrats in the House backed the discharge petition to force a vote on the Epstein files. They were joined by only four GOP lawmakers: Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who led the effort along with Democrat Ro Khanna, as well as Nancy Mace of South Carolina, Lauren Boebert of Colorado, and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia.

The petition succeeded even after Trump, once a close Epstein pal, called up the MAGA renegades in a last-ditch attempt to get them to pull their signatures.

The president called up Boebert on Tuesday and met with her at the White House on Wednesday, The New York Times reported. He also reportedly played phone tag with Mace, but both lawmakers ultimately kept their signatures on the discharge petition.

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The deal for Republicans on this vote is that Trump will protect you if you vote the wrong way, Massie told CNN on Wednesday. In other words, if you vote to cover up for pedophiles, youve got cover in a Republican primary. But I would remind my colleagues that this vote is going to be on your record for longer than Trump is going to be president.

Massie on Epstein vote: The deal for Republicans on this vote is that trump will protect you if you vote the wrong way. In other words, if you vote to cover up for pedophiles, you've got cover in Republican primary. pic.twitter.com/w5HumcX4Ob  Manu Raju (@mkraju) November 13, 2025

Bacon cautioned, however, that the Epstein files crusade will still have to overcome the Senate and ultimately land on Trumps desk.

I get it, people want to see this discharge petition, he told MSNBC. I think its a little bit of a false hope that its going to provide these great results. Its still got to work its way through the Senate and the president, but were already getting a lot of results.

The Nebraska representative also described the Epstein debacle as a self-inflicted wound by the White House.

I think theyve dug themselves a hole, he said. But in the end, Im for transparency.

The White House did not immediately return a request for comment.
Last year, researchers at the University of California, Riverside, developed a novel "molecular crowbar" strategy to degrade the oncogenic enzyme Pin1, a protein that is overexpressed in many tumors including pancreatic cancer. They designed compounds that bind to Pin1 and destabilize its structure, causing its cellular degradation.

This approach not only targets cancer cells directly but also addresses tumor-supporting cells like cancer-associated fibroblasts and macrophages where Pin1 is active, potentially overcoming the treatment resistance posed by the fibrous tumor microenvironment in pancreatic cancer.

The UCR team led by Maurizio Pellecchia, a distinguished professor of biomedical sciences in the School of Medicine, has now collaborated with a team of scientists led by Dr. Mustafa Raoof at City of Hope in Duarte, California, to further test these degraders in pancreatic and gastrointestinal cancers with the goal of developing a new class of therapeutics that can "remove" harmful proteins rather than just block them.

Thanks to a shared U54 grant from the National Cancer Institute, which is part of the National Institutes of Health, the UCR and City of Hope teams were able to advance their earlier Pin1 inhibitors by improving their plasma stability. Subsequently, the teams could also study the inhibitors' mode of action on cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts derived from patients' biopsies at City of Hope.

Because Pin1 regulates the activity of both oncogenes and tumor suppressors in cancer cells and the surrounding stroma, the researchers studied the efficacy of their novel Pin1 degrading compounds in a mouse model of pancreatic cancer peritoneal metastases. Peritoneal metastases are a common and devastating complication of pancreatic, gastrointestinal, and other abdominal cancers for which few effective treatments exist.

We found that these degraders suppress pancreatic cancer peritoneal metastases. Hence, we believe that our agents could be translated into effective therapeutics against peritoneal metastases not only in pancreatic but also against other types of gastrointestinal and abdominal cancers that develop peritoneal metastases." Maurizio Pellecchia, distinguished professor of biomedical sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside

The researchers published their findings in the journal Molecular Therapy Oncology.

"In advanced colorectal and most gastric cancers, peritoneal metastases often develop and show resistance to systemic chemotherapy, leading to markedly worse outcomes," said Pellecchia, who directs the Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine and holds the Daniel Hays Chair in Cancer Research at UCR. "In pancreatic cancer, patients with peritoneal metastases have a mean survival of less than three months."

Raoof of City of Hope said pancreatic cancer is a formidable foe and takes most lives it affects.

"Earlier studies had shown that targeting Pin1 holds promise in making pancreatic cancer more susceptible to chemotherapy and immunotherapy, but more potent drugs were needed for translation in the clinic," he said. "As one of the nation's leading centers for pancreatic cancer research, City of Hope was eager to partner with Dr. Pellechia's team to test their highly potent Pin1 inhibitors in mouse models. These findings demonstrate proof-of-concept activity and reinforce our shared commitment to advancing novel therapies toward clinical trials."

The U54 grant that funded the work is a type of cooperative agreement used by the National Institutes of Health to fund specialized center programs. Pellecchia said the program allowed his team to build a long-term partnership with City of Hope that will advance cancer health and serve local communities in the Inland Empire and across the nation: City of Hope's clinical network includes locations in Southern California, Phoenix, Atlanta and Chicago.

"We are combining our complementary expertise in chemical biology and modern drug discovery with the City of Hope's expertise in cancer biology and clinical oncology," Pellecchia said. "This synergistic and highly collaborative work is enabling the conception and advancement of innovative therapeutic strategies, such as targeting Pin1 with pioneering modalities."

Pellecchia and Raoof were joined in the study by Giulia Alboreggia, Anne Marie Prentiss, and Parima Udompholkul at UCR; and Tiane Li, Frank Xia, Tim Synold, Jun Wu, and Mingye Feng at City of Hope. Alboreggia, a postdoctoral fellow in Pellecchia's laboratory, and Li, a graduate student in Raoof's laboratory, contributed equally to the work.
Hard water causes polyester to shed far more microplastics, and only some fabrics benefit strongly from protective coatings, revealing why water chemistry and unseen textile finishes significantly influence real-world pollution risks.

Study: Reducing microplastic fiber shedding from hand-washed polyester. Image Credit: Katarzyna Ledwon / Shutterstock

In a recent study published in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers investigated whether anti-microplastic fiber (MPF) coatings can effectively reduce the release of microplastics from polyester fabrics during hand washing.

They found that the coating reduced MPF release, but its effectiveness depended on fabric type and water quality. The coating reduced MPF release by up to 92 for green polyester and approximately 30% for black polyester.

MPFs , typically defined in the broader literature as microplastic fibers less than 5 mm, are a major contributor to marine microplastic pollution, with synthetic textile laundering responsible for approximately 35% of the microplastics found in the ocean.

The growth of fast fashion has intensified this issue, posing ecological threats to marine life, including coral reefs and fish, which can experience growth inhibition and genetic damage. Human exposure to MPFs is also associated with respiratory problems and other health issues.

Existing Coating Technologies for Fiber Control

One promising mitigation strategy is the use of special textile coatings that reduce fiber shedding during laundering. Studies have shown that coatings made from biodegradable materials or low-friction polymers can reduce MPF release by up to 90% during machine washing.

Need to Address Hand-Washing and Water Chemistry

However, all prior research has been limited to machine laundering in deionized water with or without detergent, despite the fact that two-thirds of the global population wash clothes by hand, often using natural or mineral-rich water.

The influence of water hardness, as measured by total dissolved solids ( TDS ), on MPF release is therefore a key focus of investigation.

Study Aims and Experimental Setup

Researchers tested the performance of an existing MPF -reducing coating during hand washing to assess how different water sources affect the amount and size of fibers released from polyester fabrics.

Fabric Preparation and Coating Procedure

Two 100% polyester fabrics (green and black) were tested. Each fabric was prepared as 15  15 cm swatches, either uncoated or coated using a two-layer process.

The first layer involved applying a primer solution of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane ( APTES ) in toluene, followed by hydrolysis, cleaning, and plasma treatment.

The second layer, polydimethylsiloxane ( PDMS ), was applied through vapor deposition to create a low-friction surface, aiming to reduce MPF shedding.

Hand-Washing Protocol and Water Selection

Each fabric swatch was washed manually on a bamboo washboard for 5 minutes using 1 L of water at approximately 25C, containing standard detergent. Three water types were used: deionized ( DI ), tap, and Lake Ontario water, each differing in TDS content.

The wash effluent was filtered through 12 m nylon filters, dried, and analyzed under a microscope to count and measure MPFs .

Surface and Fiber Characterization Methods

The surface properties of fabrics were assessed using scanning electron microscopy ( SEM ), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy ( FTIR ), and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy ( XPS ), as well as contact angle measurements to evaluate wettability and coating integrity.

Fiber fracture types were also visually classified as fatigue or tension failures, providing insight into how water properties influence fiber breakage.

Effects of TDS on MPF Release

TDS in washing water strongly increased MPF release: uncoated green and black polyester released over twice as many microplastics in high- TDS Lake Ontario water as in low- TDS deionized water.

Coating Performance Across Fabric Types

Two-layer coatings substantially reduce MPF release from green polyester by 77 to 92% across various water types, but only decrease black polyester fiber emissions by 26 to 37%. The reduction for black polyester in DI water was modest and not statistically significant (p equals 0.052), whereas reductions in tap and lake water were substantial.

For green polyester, the coatings efficacy clearly decreased as TDS increased, but for black polyester, there was no consistent relationship between water hardness and performance.

Black polyester without coating still sheds about 60% fewer microplastics than green polyester.

Influence of Water Chemistry on Fiber Length

Increasing TDS led to a significant reduction in MPF length: length measurements were performed for the black polyester only, and fibres released in DI water averaged 1.19 mm, while those from Lake Ontario water averaged only 0.53 mm. The coating did not significantly alter MPF length or surface fibre breakage. Water contact angle tests revealed that the coated fabrics were initially hydrophobic, although the coatings durability varied, particularly on green polyester.

Surface Contamination and Coating Adhesion

FTIR analyses revealed pre-existing silicone contamination, while XPS identified fluorine contamination on the green polyester, which may have affected coating adhesion. The authors note that the black polyesters technical back already contained a silicone-based finish, which lowered its baseline shedding and made the added PDMS coating appear less effective relative to this altered starting point.

Air permeability and fibre failure mechanisms remained unaffected by the composition of the coating or washing water, confirming that differences in MPF release were primarily linked to water chemistry rather than fabric damage.

Impact of Water Hardness on MPF Fragmentation

This study demonstrated that higher TDS in hand-washing water increases MPF release and shortens fibre length, likely because dissolved minerals fragment already-detached fibres rather than causing extra fabric damage.

Coating Limitations and Practical Implications

The PDMS coating effectively reduced MPF emissions, particularly from green polyester, but its performance was hindered by surface contamination and water hardness. These findings highlight that water composition plays a key role in MPF pollution, even during manual washing.

Strengths and Constraints of the Evidence

Strengths include a comprehensive comparison of water types and advanced surface analyses. However, the small MPF mass limited verification of the proposed fibre-cutting mechanism.

The authors emphasised that future standards should also quantify MPF mass loss as the primary metric, not only fibre counts, especially for hand-washing scenarios.

Future Directions for MPF Mitigation Research

Future research should quantify MPF mass loss across different water chemistries and explore more robust coatings suitable for real-world textiles.

The results have practical implications for manufacturers, policymakers, and consumers regarding MPF mitigation, wastewater filtration standards, and the design of textile materials.
One of humanity's most ubiquitous infectious pathogens bears the blame for the chronic autoimmune condition called systemic lupus erythematosus or, colloquially, lupus, Stanford Medicine investigators and their colleagues have found.

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which resides silently inside the bodies of 19 out of 20 Americans, is directly responsible for commandeering what starts out as a minuscule number of immune cells to go rogue and persuade far more of their fellow immune cells to launch a widespread assault on the body's tissues, the scientists have shown.

The findings will be published Nov. 12 in Science Translational Medicine.

This is the single most impactful finding to emerge from my lab in my entire career. We think it applies to 100% of lupus cases." William Robinson, MD, PhD, professor of immunology and rheumatology and study's senior author

The study's lead author is Shady Younis, PhD, an instructor in immunology and rheumatology.

Several hundred thousand Americans (by some estimates close to a million) and about 5 million worldwide have lupus, in which the immune system attacks the contents of cell nuclei. This results in damage to organs and tissues throughout the body - skin, joints, kidneys, heart, nerves and elsewhere - with symptoms varying widely among individuals. For unknown reasons, nine out of 10 lupus patients are women.

With appropriate diagnosis and medication, most lupus patients can live reasonably normal lives, but for about 5% of them the disorder can be life-threatening, said Robinson, who is the James W. Raitt, MD, Professor. Existing treatments slow down disease progression but don't cure it, he said.

The virus meets the B cell

By the time we've reached adulthood, the vast majority of us have been infected by EBV. Transmitted in saliva, EBV infection typically occurs in childhood, from sharing a spoon with or drinking from the same glass as a sibling or a friend, or maybe during our teen years, from exchanging a kiss. EBV can cause mononucleosis, "the kissing disease," which begins with a fever that subsides but lapses into a profound fatigue that can persist for months.

"Practically the only way to not get EBV is to live in a bubble," Robinson said. "If you've lived a normal life," the odds are nearly 20 to 1 you've got it.

Once you've been infected by EBV you can't get rid of it, Robinson said, even if you remain or become symptom-free. EBV belongs to a large family of viruses, including those responsible for chickenpox and herpes, that can deposit their genetic material into the nuclei of infected cells. There the virus slumbers in a latent form, hiding from the immune system's surveillance agents. This may last as long as the cell it's hiding in stays alive. Or, under certain conditions, the virus may reactivate and force the infected cell's replicative machinery to produce myriad copies of themselves that break out to infect other cells and other people.

Among the cell types in which EBV takes up permanent residence are B cells, immune cells that do a couple of important things after they ingest bits of microbial pathogens. For one, they can produce antibodies: customized proteins that find and bind immune-system-arousing proteins or other molecules (immunologists call them "antigens") on microbial pathogens that have infected an individual, or are trying to. For another, B cells are what immunologists call "professional antigen-presenting cells": They can process antigens and display them on their surfaces in a way that encourages other immune cells to raise the intensity of their hunt for the pathogen in question. That's a substantial force multiplier for kick-starting an immune response.

Our bodies harbor hundreds of billions of B cells, which over the course of numerous rounds of cell division develop an enormous diversity of antibodies. In the aggregate, these antibodies can bind an estimated 10 billion to 100 billion different antigenic shapes. This is why we're able to mount a successful immune response to so many different pathogens.

Oddly, about 20% of the B cells in our bodies are autoreactive. They target antigens belonging to our own tissues - not by design, but due to the random way B-cell diversity comes about: through sloppy replication, apparently engineered by evolution to ensure diversification. Fortunately, these B cells are typically in a dopey state of inertia, and they pretty much leave our tissues alone.

But at times, somnolent autoreactive B cells become activated, take aim at our own tissues and instigate one of the disorders collectively called autoimmunity. Some awakened autoreactive B cells crank out antibodies that bind to proteins and DNA inside the nuclei of our cells. Such activated "antinuclear antibodies" - the hallmark of lupus - trigger damage to tissues randomly distributed throughout the body, because virtually all our body's cells have nuclei.

The vast majority of EBV-infected people (most of us, that is) have no idea they're still sheltering a virus and never get lupus. But essentially everyone with lupus is EBV-infected, studies have shown. An EBV-lupus connection has been long suspected but never nailed down until now.

The antinuclear B cell gets ornery

Although latent EBV is ubiquitous in the sense that almost everybody carries it, it resides in only a tiny fraction of any given person's B cells. As a result, until the new study, it was virtually impossible for existing methods to identify infected B cells and distinguish them from uninfected ones. But Robinson and his colleagues developed an extremely high-precision sequencing system that enabled them to do this. They found that fewer than 1 in 10,000 of a typical EBV-infected but otherwise healthy individual's B cells are hosting a dormant EBV viral genome.

Employing their new EBV-infected-B-cell-identifying technology along with bioinformatics and cell-culture experimentation, the researchers found out how such small numbers of infected cells can cause a powerful immune attack on one's own tissues. In lupus patients, the fraction of EBV-infected B cells rises to about 1 in 400 - a 25-fold difference.

It's known that the latent EBV, despite its near-total inactivity, nonetheless occasionally nudges the B cell it's been snoozing in to produce a single viral protein, EBNA2. The researchers showed that this protein acts as a molecular switch - in geneticists' language a "transcription factor" - activating a battery of genes in the B cell's genome that had previously been at rest. At least two of the human genes switched on by EBNA2 are recipes for proteins that are, themselves, transcription factors that turn on a variety of other pro-inflammatory human genes.

The net effect of all these genetic fireworks is that the B cell becomes highly inflammatory: It dons its "professional antigen-presenting cell" uniform and starts stimulating other immune cells (called helper T cells) that happen to share a predilection for targeting cell-nuclear components. These helper T cells enlist multitudes of other antinuclear B cells as well as antinuclear killer T cells, vicious attack dogs of the immune system.

When that militia bulks up, it doesn't matter whether any of the newly recruited antinuclear B cells are EBV-infected or not. (The vast majority of them aren't.) If there are enough of them, the result is a bout of lupus.

What comes next?

Robinson said he suspects that this cascade of EBV-generated self-targeting B-cell activation might extend beyond lupus to other autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease, where hints of EBV-initiated EBNA2 activity have been observed.

The million-dollar question: If about 95% of us are walking around with latent EBV in our B cells, why do some of us, but not all of us, get autoimmunity? Robinson speculates that perhaps only certain EBV strains spur the transformation of infected B cells into antigen-presenting "driver" cells that broadly activate huge numbers of antinuclear B cells.

Many companies are working on an EBV vaccine, and clinical trials of such a vaccine are underway. But that vaccine would have to be given soon after birth, Robinson noted, as such vaccines are unable to rid an already-infected person of the virus.

Stanford University's Office of Technology Licensing has filed a provisional patent application on intellectual property associated with the study's findings and technologies used to obtain them. Robinson, Younis and a third study co-author, Mahesh Pandit, PhD, a postdoctoral scholar in immunology and rheumatology, are named inventors on the application. They are co-founders and stockholders of a company, EBVio Inc., a company exploring an experimental lupus treatment, ultradeep B-cell depletion. This procedure involves total annihilation of all circulating B cells, which are replaced over the following few months by new, EBV-free B cells born continually in the bone marrow. Robinson is also a director of EBVio Inc. and a co-founder and shareholder of Flatiron Bio, LLC.

Researchers from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati; the University of Massachusetts School of Medicine; the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center; and Rockefeller University contributed to the work.

The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health (grants R01AR078268, R01AI173189-01, PATHO-PH2-SUB_17_23 and R01AI024717), the VA Palo Alto Health Care System, the Lupus Research Alliance and the Brennan Family.
TRIMTECH Therapeutics, a biotech company creating novel, small molecule therapeutics that selectively degrade protein aggregates, to combat neurodegenerative diseases, today announced the appointment of Dr Mike Hutton to its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). Mike will provide expert guidance to support the development of the Companys targeted protein degradation (TPD) TRIMTAC and TRIMGLUE pipeline, including for Alzheimers and Parkinsons disease targets.

Mike has over 30 years experience in neurodegenerative disease research and drug development, including in his previous roles as CSO and Vice President of Neurodegeneration Research and UK Site Scientific Leader at Eli Lilly and Company, where he led on drug discovery for Alzheimers Disease, Parkinsons Disease and fronto-temporal dementia. He has also held a Senior Director role at MSD and was Consultant and Professor of Neuroscience at the Mayo Clinic. Whilst at the Mayo Clinic, Mikes team was instrumental in identifying the genetic causes of fronto-temporal dementia, including mutations in tau and progranulin. His work on tau led to him receiving the Potamkin and MetLife prizes. Mike holds a BSc in Biochemistry from the University of Manchester and a PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Cambridge.

Were delighted to welcome Mike as the newest member of our recently formed Scientific Advisory Board. His extensive expertise in neurodegenerative disease therapeutics will be a great asset as we continue to advance our mission to deliver first-in-class medicines to address the critical need for cost-effective, disease-modifying treatments for neurodegeneration that can reach broad patient populations. Dr Nicola Thompson, CEO, TRIMTECH Therapeutics

Dr Mike Hutton, Scientific Advisor for TRIMTECH Therapeutics, added: TRIMTECHs novel approach is leading the way in the development of small molecule CNS penetrant degraders for neurological disorders, addressing the difficult to drug targets underpinning these diseases. I am delighted to join the SAB  the Company has assembled an excellent team, and I look forward to helping guide the development of these much-needed, accessible therapeutic options.
The immigrant from India believed her husband when he said that if she wasn't gone by the time he got to their Georgia home in 10 minutes, he would kill her.

She said her husband and his family, who are also immigrants, abused her throughout their marriage, beating her with a belt, pouring hot water on her, cutting her, and pushing her head through a wall.

"Several times I tried to escape, but they found me and brought me back home," said the woman, who is in the country illegally and spoke on the condition of anonymity because she is afraid being identified would harm her chances of gaining legal status.

With no time to run after her husband's call in July 2020, she dialed 911, even though she knew she could be deported. The police arrived to find the husband threatening her with a knife in front of their young children, she recalled. He was arrested but not prosecuted, she said.

The woman and her children sought services from the Tahirih Justice Center, a national nonprofit organization that serves immigrant survivors of gender-based violence. She is still winding through the immigration process five years later.

Besides immigrants' increased vulnerability to sexual violence, they face a host of mental health and physical challenges, researchers say. They have high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, suicide, and anxiety, according to a 2024 study.

"Personally, I know anxiety related to the current political climate is precipitating expensive emergency room visits and negatively impacting people's ability to get to work and make a living," said Nicole E. Warren, a nurse midwife and an associate professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing in Baltimore.

Immigrants without legal status also face increased rates of chronic conditions and higher death rates from preventable diseases due to their limited access to health care and their fear of seeking it, advocates say.

"One of our clients was so afraid to leave her home that she avoided seeking medical care during her pregnancy, out of fear of interacting with ICE," said Miriam Camero, director of client advocacy, social services, at Tahirih.

Food banks have reported that many immigrants in need of food assistance have stopped coming, for fear of deportation.

It has always been difficult for people without legal immigration status to get help when they need it. The Trump administration's crackdown on people in the country illegally has intensified the pressure. The situation has also hampered the advocates and attorneys who defend their rights.

"We're working extra hours to do all the work," said Vanessa Wilkins, executive director of Tahirih's office in Atlanta. "The safety planning and added protection that clients might need, including documents just to make sure they are safe, can definitely make you feel overwhelmed."

U visas

For domestic abuse survivors without legal status, like the woman from India, going to the authorities seems more fraught amid the immigration crackdown, said Maricarmen Garza, chief counsel of the American Bar Association Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence.

"There are just no guarantees," Garza said, "especially with how law enforcement is intertwined in enforcing immigration law."

In more than half of states, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents can collaborate by formal written agreements with state and local law enforcement agencies to identify and remove people in the country illegally. Advocates say this can interfere with victims' efforts to get a certificate to file for a "U visa," which would allow them to live and work in the U.S. with the possibility of lawful permanent residency.

The battered woman from India recalls police telling her that if she did not press charges, she could get a certificate for a U visa. She agreed to their suggestion but recalls the anxiety of filing about five abuse reports over two years to get the certificate. "I got panic attacks just writing them down, because it meant I was reliving the situations again," she said.

When asked for comment about the difficulties immigrant domestic violence victims face, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson touted President Donald Trump's efforts to crack down on illegal immigration. "The president's successful effort to deport criminal illegal aliens is making all victims safer and ensuring they will never again be harmed by dangerous criminal illegal aliens," Jackson said in a statement. She said "allegations without evidence" that immigrants have been told to drop charges "should not be taken seriously."

Immigrant women without legal status can be particularly vulnerable to abuse and exploitation because of language barriers, as well as cultural and social isolation, researchers have found.

According to a 2023 report, lifetime rates of abuse by intimate partners range up to 93% in some immigrant groups, compared with about 41% of U.S.-born women experiencing such abuse in their lifetime.

As the Trump administration reshapes the country's immigration system, survivors of violence who entered the country illegally have a tough time proving their abuse and trauma to get relief, advocates say.

A refugee health and asylum program at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore provides immigrant victims of abuse with free forensic evaluations to support their claims for humanitarian relief, including applications for U visas.

Warren, the program's associate director for women's health, said that in the past, a written affidavit of the clinic's findings was enough to corroborate an applicant's legal accounts of past trauma.

"Now, we are getting requests for our in-person testimony," Warren said.

Application backlogs

The woman from India applied for a visa after she received a certificate from law enforcement allowing her to do so in 2023. Hers is one of nearly 11.6 million pending visa applications, according to data through June  the highest volume of cases ever recorded by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The number of pending U visa applications is 415,000, according to the agency.

Only about 10,000 U visas are issued per year, and it can take more than seven years to process applications, Garza said.

Adding to the pressure, the Trump administration has reduced the availability of Section 8 housing, which helps low-income individuals and others pay their rent. As of September, people without legal authorization to be in the United States are not eligible to receive rental help over U.S. citizens.

"If Tahirih wasn't behind me, I could be homeless," said the woman, who said she can afford only half her rent.

Victims' advocates say they are working harder than ever to support their clients but are stretched thin as they face federal funding cuts and increased demand.

The Tahirih center reported a 200% increase in call volume in the four months after Trump took office, compared with the same period last year.

"At the end of the day there are a lot of emails and a lot of people we aren't able to reach as quickly as in the past," said Casey Carter Swegman, the center's director of public policy.

To reach immigrant survivors of abuse who are afraid to come forward, advocates are "getting back to basics," said Joanna Otero-Cruz, executive director and president of the Philadelphia group Women Against Abuse.

"We're doing grassroots outreach to hairdressers and other small-business owners," she said. "They're the eyes and ears for us."

In Riverhead, New York, a 38-year-old woman who emigrated from El Salvador said she has twice been the victim of domestic abuse but was too scared to report it to police.

She said the second assault was by a man for whom she cooked and cleaned in his home. The woman, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of her sense of shame and her fears of deportation, said he raped her, took pictures of her naked, and threatened to put them on social media if she tried to go to the police. He then stalked her, she said.

Noemi Sanchez, Long Island regional coordinator for the Rural & Migrant Ministry, a nonprofit that supports farm workers, is working closely with the woman to elevate her self-esteem and help her understand that "no woman deserves to have a man mistreat them."

Meanwhile, the survivor from India received a temporary work permit in 2024 and is employed as a certified nursing assistant, which "helps me survive," she said.

"I have really come a long way," she added. "It wasn't easy. I had great support behind me. They didn't let me down."
Researchers have uncovered and then overcome an obstacle that has led to the failure of pioneering efforts in xenotransplantation, in which an animal kidney is transplanted into a human.

More than 800,000 Americans have late-stage kidney disease yet only 3 percent receive a transplant each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To boost the supply of available organs, experts are exploring the use of genetically modified pig kidneys. The genetic changes are meant to keep the human immune system from recognizing the animal organ as foreign and attacking it to cause rejection. However, recipients' immune reactions can still lead to organ damage and failure after the surgery.

To better understand the immune mechanisms behind xenotransplant rejection, a new investigation, led by NYU Langone Health researchers, explored the transplantation of a genetically engineered pig kidney into a brain-dead recipient with a beating heart and on a ventilator and whose family donated his body to science. For 61 days after the surgery, the team was able to collect samples of tissue, blood, and body fluid at a pace that is impossible to safely maintain in primates or living patients. As a result, they had a rare opportunity to trace the network of interactions that occur among immune cells when a pig organ is being tolerated by a human and when it undergoes a rejection episode.

In the first of two reports published online November 13 in the journal Nature, the study authors created a detailed map of both human and pig kidney immune activity in response to the transplant. They found that rejection was driven by antibodiesimmune proteins that "tag" foreign substances for later destructionas well as by T cells, which target and kill specific invaders.

Once the researchers uncovered this set of reactions, they for the first time successfully reversed the rejection using a combination of drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration to temper both the antibody and T cell activity. There was no evidence of permanent damage or reduced kidney function after the intervention.

Our results better prepare us for anticipating and addressing harmful immune reactions during pig-organ transplantation in living humans. This sets the stage for more successful clinical trials in the near future." Robert Montgomery, MD, PhD, study lead author, the H. Leon Pachter, MD, Professor of Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine

The findings also confirmed that a pig kidney can effectively serve as a replacement for a human kidney, says Dr. Montgomery, who is also the chair of the Department of Surgery and director of NYU Langone Transplant Institute.

The second report in Nature outlines immune activity in greater detail, says Dr. Montgomery, who is a co-author. The research team conducted a multi-omics analysis, which integrates information about gene function, gene expression (activity level), and proteins, as well as other data, to gain a holistic understanding of complex mechanisms at work in the immune system.

Measuring about 5,100 expressed human and pig genes in the pig xenograft, the authors identified every type of immune cell in the tissue, tracked immune behavior over the two-month period, and observed the organ rejection in day-by-day snapshots.

The analysis revealed three major immune responses against the pig kidney: on postoperative day (POD) 21, driven by a part of the human recipient's immune system that responds generally to intruders (innate) rather than to a specific target; on POD 33, driven by a specific population of human white blood cells that engulf invaders (macrophages); and on POD 45, driven mostly by the human T cell response. Dr. Montgomery says that by measuring levels of various blood biomarkers the researchers were able to spot these attacks up to five days before they were clinically visible in the tissue.

"Our multi-omics analysis uncovers various biomarkers that shows promise as an early-warning system for pig organ rejection," said study co-lead author Eloi Schmauch, PhD, from the Keating Lab in the Department of Surgery.

"The specific immune reactions revealed in our investigation provide clear pig and human targets for therapies to improve the success of xenotransplantation to address the dire shortage of available organs," said study senior author Brendan Keating, PhD, a faculty member in the Department of Surgery.

According to Dr. Keating, now that the researchers understand which antibodies and T cells are damaging the transplanted pig kidney, they next plan to investigate what molecules the immune response is targeting through the different layers of DNA, RNA, and protein datasets generated.

Dr. Keating says future studies in other human decedents and in live patients are needed to confirm the findings.

The gene edited pig organ was provided by Revivicor, a subsidiary of United Therapeutics. Funding for the studies was provided by National Institutes of Health grants U19AI191396, P30CA016087, R01AI144522, S10RR027050, and S10OD020056. Additional study funding was provided by Yosemite, United Therapeutics, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University, the Vaisala Fund, the Aarne Koskelon Foundation, the Antti and Tyyne Soininen Foundation, and the Finnish Cultural Foundation.

Dr. Montgomery consults with and holds roles with ProCure On-Demand; the Spanish Society of Transplantation; the Transplant Society; LiveOnNY; the National Kidney Foundation; Sanofi-Aventis U.S.; Lung Biotechnology, a subsidiary of United Therapeutics; and PBC BioMed. He has also previously served on the advisory boards for the biotechnology companies eGenesis and Recombinetics. The terms and conditions of all of these relationships are being managed in accordance with NYU Langone Health policies and procedures.

Megan Sykes, MD, at Columbia University in New York City, is the senior author on the clinical study.

Brian Piening, PhD; at Providence Health in Portland, Oregon, is co-lead author of the multi-omics study.

Alexey Stukalov, PhD; Serafim Batzoglou, PhD; Shadi Ferdosi, PhD; and Asim Siddiqui, PhD; all at Seer in San Francisco, were key study collaborators.
A new study from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai helps explain why some people with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, stay in remission for many years after receiving CAR T cell therapy, while others see their cancer return sooner.

Published in Blood Advances, the research is the first longitudinal, single-cell, multi-omic study of cilta-cel in multiple myeloma. Cilta-cel (ciltacabtagene autoleucel) is a type of CAR T cell therapy used to treat relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. It works by using a patient's own T cells, which are genetically engineered in a lab to target and kill cancer cells that have B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) on their surface. The modified T cells are then infused back into the patient as a one-time treatment to fight the cancer.

This study reveals that long-term remission depends on a synergy between the infused CAR T cells and the patient's own immune system, particularly the preservation of diverse T cells and the absence of suppressive myeloid cells.

"CAR T cell therapy has changed myeloma care, but not everyone maintains a long remission," said Alessandro Lagana, PhD, Assistant Professor of Oncological Sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and senior author of the study.

We wanted to understand what's happening in the immune system of patients who stay in remission for more than five years after a single infusion." Alessandro Lagana, PhD, Assistant Professor, Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai

The Mount Sinai team followed 19 patients who received cilta-cel as part of the CARTITUDE-1 clinical trial and used advanced lab tests to study their blood and bone marrow samples before and after treatment.

The study identified several immune features linked to long-term remission. Patients who stayed cancer-free for more than five years showed an early, focused expansion of CAR T cells and a broad, diverse population of healthy helper (CD4) T cells that remained active over time. In contrast, patients who relapsed sooner had higher tumor burden at baseline and an early rise in immunosuppressive myeloid cells that can blunt T cell responses.

"This research shows that long remissions depend not only on the CAR T cells we give, but also on the patient's own immune system," Dr. Lagana said. He explained that understanding these immune patterns could help doctors choose the right patients for CAR T cell therapy, watch for early signs of relapse, and develop new treatments that keep the immune system strong and responsive.

The researchers plan to test their findings in larger studies and to create a simple blood test or biomarker panel that could predict which patients are most likely to stay in remission.

The study received funding from Mount Sinai's Center of Excellence for Multiple Myeloma and included collaborations with Johnson & Johnson, which developed the CAR T cell therapy, and Immunai, which helped with data analysis.
The host

Emmarie Huetteman KFF Health News Emmarie Huetteman, senior editor, oversees a team of Washington reporters, as well as "Bill of the Month" and "What the Health? From KFF Health News." She previously spent more than a decade reporting on the federal government, most recently covering surprise medical bills, drug pricing reform, and other health policy debates in Washington and on the campaign trail.

The longest federal government shutdown in history is over, after a handful of House and Senate Democrats joined most Republicans in approving legislation that funds the government through January. Despite Democrats' demands, the package did not include an extension of the expanded tax credits that help most Affordable Care Act enrollees afford their plans - meaning most people with ACA plans are slated to pay much more toward their premiums next year.

Also, new details are emerging about the Trump administration's efforts to use the Medicaid program - for low-income and disabled people - to advance its immigration and trans health policy goals. And President Donald Trump has unveiled deals with two major pharmaceutical companies designed to increase access to weight loss drugs for some Americans.

This week's panelists are Emmarie Huetteman of KFF Health News, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, Shefali Luthra of The 19th, and Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call.

Panelists

Anna Edney Bloomberg News @annaedney @annaedney.bsky.social

Shefali Luthra The 19th @shefali.bsky.social

Sandhya Raman CQ Roll Call @SandhyaWrites @sandhyawrites.bsky.social

Among the takeaways from this week's episode:

Though the shutdown deal did not include an extension of the enhanced ACA subsidies, it came with a plan for a Senate vote by next month - on what exactly, it is unclear. Senate Republicans appear to be coalescing around providing money via health savings accounts rather than through the subsidies, while House Republicans seem more fragmented. The clock is ticking; the existing credits expire on Jan. 1, and open enrollment has begun.

Even as the Trump administration is likely to be tied up in court over its efforts to use Medicaid to crack down on health care for immigrants and trans people, they've had a real chilling effect. Immigrants, for instance, are skipping medical care, and hospitals are cutting back on offering gender-affirming care for trans people for fear of losing federal funding.

Trump's newly announced GLP-1 price deals could help Medicare enrollees afford the weight loss drugs, potentially opening up access to a new population of patients - and customers. And a steady stream of policy reversals, unexplained dismissals, and negative news coverage is leading to worries that the FDA's credibility is being undermined by internal drama. Also in question is whether it's interfering with the agency's work. Drug companies would likely say yes, and some within the FDA are trying to combat these concerns.

A major anti-abortion group is leaning into the current electoral moment, targeting key states and preparing for sizable political contributions ahead of next year's midterm elections. Abortion opponents see an opportunity to capitalize on voters' changing motivations and reposition themselves to fit into the post-Trump Republican Party.

Also this week, KFF Health News' Julie Rovner interviews KFF Health News' Julie Appleby, who wrote the latest "Bill of the Month" feature, about a doctor who became the patient after a car accident sent her to the hospital - and $64,000 into debt. Do you have an outrageous medical bill? Tell us about it!

Plus, for "extra credit," the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too:

Emmarie Huetteman: KFF Health News' "Immigrants With Health Conditions May Be Denied Visas Under New Trump Administration Guidance," by Amanda Seitz.

Anna Edney: Bloomberg News' "Bayer Weighs Roundup Exit as Cancer Legal Bill Nears $18 Billion," by Tim Loh, Hayley Warren, and Julia Janicki.

Shefali Luthra: The 19th's "Detransition Is Rare, but It's Driving Anti-Trans Policy Anyway," by Orion Rummler.

Sandhya Raman: BBC's "Canada Loses Its Measles-Free Status, With US on Track To Follow," by Nadine Yousif.

Also mentioned in this week's episode:

KFF's "KFF Health Tracking Poll: Public Weighs in on Health Care Debate and Government Shutdown," by Audrey Kearney, Alex Montero, Mardet Mulugeta, Ashley Kirzinger, and Liz Hamel.

KFF Health News' "Trump's HHS Orders State Medicaid Programs To Help Find Undocumented Immigrants," by Phil Galewitz.

NPR's "Trump Pushes an End to Medical Care for Transgender Youth Nationally," by Selena Simmons-Duffin.

Stat's "FDA's Top Drug Regulator Resigns Amid Investigation," by Lizzy Lawrence and Adam Feuerstein.

Stat's "Under Vinay Prasad, Employees at a Key FDA Center Fear Speaking Out, Look for the Exits," by Lizzy Lawrence.

Credits
Year after year, the small, densely forested west African nation of Liberia is facing ever more extreme impacts of the climate crisis, including floods and droughts that wreak havoc for farmers and coastal erosion driven by rising sea levels.

In May this year, I stood under a coconut tree by the sea in the city of Greenville, to mark the groundbreaking of a new coastal protection scheme, says Emmanuel Yarkpawolo, executive director of Liberias Environmental Protection Agency. When I returned to the same spot in September, just a few months later, the coconut tree was gone because of the coastal erosion we are seeing. Thats how bad things are in our country.

The Independent met Yarkpawolo at Liberias modest country pavilion at the UN climate conference Cop30, where he was taking a break from his work as the countrys chief negotiator. Indeed, the Liberia pavilion  which was funded with help from the UN Development Programme  was filled with delegates from several other west African nations, with many unable to afford their own national base. It was a marked contrast to the vast, multi-roomed national hubs of many Western or oil-rich nations.

Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, is seriously under threat from rising sea levels (AP)

The wealth of a country makes no difference to its standing at the official Cop30 negotiations, however, where all 198 parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change are given equal status. Its why least developed countries are so committed to the UN system here, because its the only space that really gives them a voice, explains Mohamed Adow, from the Nairobi-based think tank Power Shift Africa. The US or UK can cut aid without any consultation with the recipient country  but these countries will keep coming here in good faith, hoping that the rest of the world will start to notice what is happening to them.

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In order to address so many states needing to contribute, nations form country groups at the UN, which negotiate as collective entities. Liberia, for example, is part of the Africa Group, the G77 Group of developing nations, and the Least Developed Countries (LDC) group.

Chairing the LDC group at Cop30 is Malawi: a southern African nation similarly stricken by impacts of the climate crisis, including droughts that are devastating its rain-fed agriculture system, and ever-more devastating Indian Ocean cyclones. GDP per capita in Liberia is only $850 (650), while in Malawi it is even lower at $500  so it is perhaps understandable that the chief negotiator of Malawi, and LDC group chair, Evans Njewa, has said that the priority for LDCs at Cop30 will be calling for more support for adapting to climate change agenda, along with a request for more climate aid to be available from rich countries.

Damage from Cyclone Freddy, which killed hundreds of people in Malawi in 2023 (AP)

Adaptation can include everything from mangrove forests to protect coasts, to the distribution of seeds for drought-resistent crops, to the construction of flood defences. That is different to mitigation, which is about reducing carbon emissions.

Adaptation is the priority for the group of Least Developed Countries. Our 44 countries did not light this fire, but we are burning in its heat, said Njewa at a press conference this week.

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He added that funding to enable our countries to defend ourselves against climate impacts is also key. A pledge made at Cop26 in Glasgow in 2021 to double foreign aid for climate adaptation is due to expire this year  and Njewa said that poorer nations would like the current level of adaptation finance to undergo a further tripling to reach $120bn by 2030.

The pickle presented by aid cuts

However, countries across Europe and the US have been slashing the foreign aid budgets that fund international climate programmes over the past year. At this stage of Cop30, it looks pretty hard to see how less developed nations will get what they want.

They really are in a pickle, says Debbie Hillier, policy lead for the international NGO Mercy Corps at Cop30. Rich countries have a legal obligation to provide finance: its in the Paris Agreement [the landmark treaty signed 10 years ago at Cop21], but theres no public finance available.

We know how to do it: we have all the solutions, and we know it has to be locally led and designed from the bottom up. The only thing missing is the finance.

Volunteers pose outside the conference venue at Cop30 in Belem, Brazil (AP)

Ahead of Cop30, Brazil and Azerbaijan  which hosted the previous UN climate conference Cop29  released a document called the Baku to Belem Roadmap, which is intended to outline how countries and the private sector can increase money available to address the climate crisis, given the lack of public finance that is available.

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Specifically, the roadmap sets out a new pathway to achieve the climate finance goal agreed at Cop29  namely, to channel $1.3 trillion per year into developing countries by 2035. It outlines several key areas through which this can be done, including addressing debt and providing more grants and low-cost loans.

The reception of the report has been lukewarm at best: The actions and recommendations outlined in the Baku to Belem Roadmap are high-level and framed in noncommittal terms, says Anna Aberg from the think tank Chatham House.

Mercy Corps Hillier adds that there is some good stuff and some bad stuff, but there is a lack of evidence and numbers, as well as a failure to acknowledge common but differentiated responsibilities  essentially that rich countries have a greater responsibility to act than poorer countries.

The latest UN Adaptation Gap report found that developing countries will require $310-$365bn in adaptation finance per year by 2035, around 12 to 14 times greater than the $26bn available in 2023.

Cleaning up the mess

Philip Hein, the head of global climate investments at the main German development finance institute DEG, believes that no matter what spin the UN climate negotiators might put on, it is unlikely that private investors are going to start investing significantly in climate adaptation.

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If you look from a commercial perspective, commercial money will go after assets that have commercial returns, he told The Independent ahead of Cop30 at the AVCA Sustainable Investing in Africa Summit in London. I like the spirit of being bullish  but looking at the development of certain areas, it is clear that grant finance is needed.

Mauricio Vazquez, from the think tank ODI, adds that the need for foreign aid for climate adaptation becomes even more pronounced when less-developed countries are facing conflict, as 23 out of 44 are. At the moment, these countries receive just 10 per cent of global climate finance  and there have been no signs from Brazil of this particular agenda being pushed at Cop30.

Brazil talks about COP30 as a people-focused climate conference, but their silence on conflict risks abandoning the most vulnerable people, says Vazquez. More than half of the 25 most climate-vulnerable countries are fragile or conflict-affected  but donors find it easier to send aid in the aftermath of climate disasters than to invest in building their long-term climate resilience.

Liberias own civil war ended more than 20 years ago in 2003, but the country has struggled to shake off perceptions around instability, resulting in foreign direct investment of just $750m in 2023, according to the US State Department. It now needs a massive scale-up in foreign assistance to address the climate crisis  and the fact that the money available appears to be going the other way is deeply disappointing for climate envoy Yarkpawolo.

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Not providing aid to support climate finance really is disastrous for countries like ours, he says. But more than that, its a question of justice: you rich countries are emitting more, and you are creating this mess, so its pretty straightforward that you need to now clean up the mess.

This article was produced as part of The Independents Rethinking Global Aid project
Air Force contingent lands in France for bilateral air exercise Garuda 25

Last Updated: November 14, 2025, 04:42 IST

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Mont-de-Marsan [France], November 14 (ANI): Under the exercise Garuda 25, an Air Force contingent landed at Mont-de-Marsan Air Base in France to participate in the bilateral air exercise with the French Air and Space Force from November 16-27.The exercise aims to further enhance defence cooperation between both air forces.In a post on X, the Indian Air Force said, Exercise Garuda 25: An Indian Air Force contingent has landed at Mont-de-Marsan Air Base, France, to participate in the bilateral air exercise with the French Air and Space Force from 16-27 Nov 25. Su-30 MKI aircraft of the IAF and Rafale fighters of the FASF will engage in a simulated combat environment, showcasing the prowess and professionalism of both Air Forces. The exercise will further enhance interoperability, foster exchange of best practices, and strengthen defence cooperation between the two Air Forces."https://x.com/IAF_MCC/status/1988980863154246072?s=20India and France have traditionally enjoyed close and friendly relations and share a deep and enduring Strategic Partnership (SP) covering all aspects of bilateral cooperation, which involves a strategic component, as per MEA.India-France joint defence exercises have grown in scope and complexity over the years. The 20th edition of the Army to Army Staff Talks was held between India and France in Delhi from November 7 to 8, 2024.The 17th round of Navy-to-Navy Staff Talks was held in New Delhi from February 6 to 7, 2024. The bilateral Army Exercise SHAKTI 2024 was conducted from 13 to 26 May 2024 at Umroi, Meghalaya, in India. This was the first time that the exercise saw participation of Air Force and Navy observers, MEA said in a statement.French Air and Space Force (FASF) and IAF have been participating in bilateral Ex GARUDA till last year in 2023. This year, the IAF expanded the scope by inviting multiple nations in the form of a new exercise TARANG SHAKTI in lieu of Ex GARUDA.FASF participated in this multilateral Ex Tarang Shakti Phase -I held at Air Force Station Sulur and Air Force Station Thanjavur from August 6-14, 2024. Sea Phase of naval exercise VARUNA 2024 was conducted from September 2-5, 2024, off the Coast of Toulon, France. IN P8I (Maritime Patrol and Recce Aircraft) was deployed at Istres (France) from September 1-4, 2024, to take part in Exercise VARUNA 2024.French Aircraft Atlantique 2 participated in the multilateral exercise MILAN 2024, off the coast of Vishakapatnam. (ANI)

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Bangladesh's special tribunal to deliver verdict against Hasina on Nov 17

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 16:57 IST

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Dhaka, Nov 13 (PTI) A special tribunal in Bangladesh on Thursday said it will deliver judgement on November 17 in a case against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina over alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July Uprising.

Hasina, 78, faces multiple cases in Bangladesh after being ousted in August last year following the mass student-led agitation. According to a UN rights office report, up to 1,400 people were killed between July 15 and August 15 last year (dubbed as July Uprising) as Hasinas government ordered a security crackdown on protesters.

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Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder, chairman of a three-member panel of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD), set November 17 for delivering the verdict," a lawyer, attending the tightly secured special court in the capital, told PTI.

Hasina, her home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and then inspector general of police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun were tried in the tribunal. The ex-premier and Kamal were tried in absentia, with the court declaring them fugitives.

Chief prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam has demanded the death penalty for Hasina, alleging that she was the mastermind and principal architect" behind the crimes against humanity committed during the mass protests last year.

Hasinas supporters say the charges against her are politically motivated.

Mamun faced the trial in person but emerged as an approver or state witness.

The former police chief appeared on the dock as the ICT-BD chair Justice Majumder fixed the date.

The tribunal on October 23 concluded the hearing on the case after over 28 working days, when 54 witnesses testified before the court describing how efforts were made to tame last years student-led movement called July Uprising that toppled Hasinas now disbanded Awami League government on August 5, 2024.

Hasina fled Bangladesh on August 5 last year amid escalating unrest and is currently residing in India. Kamal reportedly also took refuge in the neighbouring country.

The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has sought Hasinas extradition, but India has yet to respond to the request.

Security in the capital was heightened over the Dhaka lockdown" call by the Awami League, coinciding with the tribunals announcement of the verdict date.

Authorities called up army troops, paramilitary Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and police in riot gear to spread a security blanket in and around the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD) complex at central Dhaka.

Witnesses and reports said Dhaka streets looked unusually empty, though many commuters stepped out of their homes and cautiously headed for workplaces and schools.

However, many private institutions, including private universities, preferred to operate online, fearing the outbreak of violence.

Transport operators said passenger numbers on long-haul buses leaving Dhaka dropped sharply, while the capitals major Gabtoli bus terminal remained largely empty with fewer trips and delayed departures.

Hasina and the two others were accused of committing crimes under five counts, with the first one alleging the defendants of murder, attempted murder, torture, and other inhumane acts.

The second count accused Hasina of ordering the extermination" of protesters. Under the third count, she was accused of making inflammatory remarks and ordering the use of deadly weapons against protesting students.

Under the rest of the counts, the defendants were charged with the shooting and murder of six unarmed protesters, including students in Dhaka and its suburbs.

In several recent interviews with major international news outlets and the Indian media, Hasina called the ICT-BD a kangaroo court" run entirely by men linked to her political opponents.

In an emailed interview to PTI published on Wednesday, Hasina said she was prepared to stand trial under international supervision even at the International Criminal Court" in The Hague, but alleged that Yunus has avoided such a process because an impartial tribunal would acquit her.

I have repeatedly challenged Yunus government to prosecute me in the International Criminal Court, if it is so confident of its case. Yunus continues to duck this challenge because he knows that the ICC, a genuinely impartial tribunal, would certainly acquit me," she said.

UK-based leading law firm Doughty House Chambers recently submitted an urgent appeal" to the United Nations, saying Hasina was being tried in an environment charged with political vengeance, under an unelected interim government with no democratic mandate".

Last month, the Awami League filed a petition with the Hague-based ICC, accusing the Yunus-led interim administration of crimes against humanity, including killings and arbitrary arrests of its members.

Former foreign minister in Hasinas cabinet, AK Abdul Momen, who previously served as Bangladeshs permanent representative to the United Nations, last month sent a letter to the UN Human Rights Council, detailing allegations of political suppression, enforced disappearances, cases against military officers, impunity for criminals, and attacks on journalists".

The ICT-BD was formed by the past government to try hardened collaborators of the Pakistani troops during Bangladeshs 1971 Liberation War, when Tajul appeared as a key lawyer to defend the accused.

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Yunuss administration amended the ICT-BD law to try the leaders of the past regime, including Hasina, appointing Tajul as its chief prosecutor.

Most Awami League leaders and key figures of the past government are now in jail or on the run at home and abroad. PTI AR RD ZH ZH

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First Published: November 13, 2025, 16:57 IST

News agency-feeds Bangladesh's special tribunal to deliver verdict against Hasina on Nov 17

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Bengaluru: Techie arrested for ramming car into two-wheeler, injuring family

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 14:42 IST

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Bengaluru, Nov 13 (PTI) A 23-year-old software engineer has been arrested for allegedly ramming his car into a two-wheeler and injuring a couple and their minor son in a hit-and-run incident here, police said on Thursday.

The accused, identified as Sukruth Gowda, a resident of Kodigehalli, works with a private firm in Whitefield, they added.

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The incident occurred on the night of October 26 near the Ramaiah Hospital bus stand on New BEL Road.

Ankita Patel (31) was riding towards the Sadashivanagar police station junction with her husband Vineth A (33) and their son when a red Tata Curve car, allegedly driven recklessly at high speed, hit their two-wheeler from behind.

The impact threw all three out of the vehicle, injuring Ankita and Vineth.

Passersby rushed them to M S Ramaiah Hospital, from where they were discharged after treatment.

Vineth was later admitted to St Johns Hospital after he complained of persistent pain, a senior police officer said.

The child sustained minor injuries and did not require hospitalisation, police said.

Based on a complaint, police registered a case on October 28 against an unidentified driver for causing the accident and fleeing the scene.

After reviewing CCTV footage, police on November 6 added a charge of attempt to murder under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and transferred the case to the Sadashivanagar Police Station, the officer said.

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The next day, Gowda was arrested near Balaji Layout. During questioning, he confessed to the offence, and police seized the car involved in the crash.

He has been remanded to judicial custody, police added. PTI AMP SSK

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First Published: November 13, 2025, 14:42 IST

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Botswana President sees Murmu off at airport before her departure to India

Last Updated: November 14, 2025, 02:27 IST

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Gaborone [Botswana], November 14 (ANI): President Droupadi Murmu enplaned for India after concluding her state visit to Angola and Botswana.Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko came to see her off at the airport.In a post on X, the Official Spokesperson of the MEA, Randhir Jaiswal, said, Wrapping up a fruitful State visit to Botswana, President Droupadi Murmu has departed for New Delhi. In a special gesture, President Duma Gideon Boko came to see off President Murmu at the airport."https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1989026096835358939?s=20Earlier in the day, in a Special briefing by the Ministry of External Affairs on the Presidents State visit to Botswana, Sudhakar Dalela, Secretary (Economic Relations), said, President arrived in Botswana on the evening of 11th November on her first ever state visit by a Head of State from India to Botswana. On arrival, in a special gesture, Honble President was warmly received by the Honble President of Botswana at the airport. Honble President was given a ceremonial welcome and she inspected the Guard of Honour."Dalela said that both sides held delegation-level talks later.Yesterday, Honble President was received at the Presidents office by Honble President Boko, the two leaders held a tete-a-tete, which was followed by delegation level talks between the two sides. From the Botswana side, several Cabinet Ministers and senior officials were present at the talks. From the Indian delegation side, Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti, Shri V. Somanna, and two members of Parliament, Vasava and DK Aruna, and senior officials participated at the talks," he said.Boko and Murmu discussed ways to further strengthen and deepen our partnership in sectors of mutual interest.During the wide ranging discussions, both the leaders reviewed the existing ongoing bilateral cooperation across sectors between our two countries. They discussed ways to further strengthen and deepen our partnership in sectors of mutual interest such as trade and investments, capacity building and development partnership, skill development, agriculture, health, infrastructure development, renewable energy, defence, and also digital technology in the entire digital space. Both the leaders also exchanged views on regional and global matters of mutual importance," he said.Murmu, on November 8, departed for her State visit to Angola and Botswana. This was the first-ever State visit by an Indian Head of State to these nations. (ANI)

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First Published: November 14, 2025, 02:27 IST

News agency-feeds Botswana President sees Murmu off at airport before her departure to India

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Delhi: 3 held for duping bank of Rs 4 crore using forged papers

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 19:12 IST

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New Delhi, Nov 13 (PTI) The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police has arrested three people, including a company director, for allegedly duping a government bank of Rs 4 crore by using forged documents of a Dwarka-based property to secure a loan, an official said on Thursday.

The accused have been identified as Jatin Prasad, director of a private company, and his associates, Rajender Kumar alias Raja and Sandeep Singh, the EOW said in a statement.

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Police said the trio used fabricated ownership and identity documents of a citizens property located in Sector 12 in Dwarka, to obtain a cash credit limit of Rs 4 crore from the government bank located at MG Road in Gurugram, read the statement.

During the investigation, it was found that Sandeep Singh impersonated the actual property owner, Rahul Chaudhary, and was fraudulently made a director in the company using forged PAN and Aadhaar cards.

The accused then approached the bank, pledging the forged property papers as collateral. The sanctioned amount was later siphoned off through shell companies and personal accounts," it read.

Police said co-accused Rajender Kumar, who has a criminal history with four previous cases of robbery and theft, played a key role in arranging fake documents and impersonators. Around Rs 60 lakh was allegedly paid to him and Sandeep Singh as commission, read the statement.

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A team tracked the suspects through sustained technical surveillance and digital footprint analysis before arresting Rajender Kumar and Sandeep Singh from Kaithal and Hisar in Haryana.

Police said efforts are on to trace the remaining money trail. PTI BM BM AMJ AMJ AMJ

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First Published: November 13, 2025, 19:12 IST

News agency-feeds Delhi: 3 held for duping bank of Rs 4 crore using forged papers

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Delhi court sentences man to 14 years RI for sexually assaulting minor in 2016

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 17:57 IST

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New Delhi, Nov 13 (PTI) A Delhi court has sentenced a man to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting a seven-year-old girl in 2016, saying offences abhorrent to the moral fabric of society must be dealt with sternly.

Additional Sessions Judge Sandeep Gupta was hearing the arguments on sentencing against the man, a rickshaw puller, who was convicted last month under Section 6 (aggravated penetrative sexual assault) of the POCSO Act.

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Special public prosecutor S K Bishnoi said the court could impose a punishment proportionate to the enormity of the crime, one that served as retribution and a stern warning to those who dared to commit such acts.

Any leniency in sentencing would be a miscarriage of justice and a mockery of the pain endured by the victim," the prosecutor said.

In an order dated November 12, Judge Gupta said that crimes that inflicted severe mental, physical and emotional trauma on the victim could not be met with misplaced sympathy or leniency.

He said it was imperative to refrain from extending unwarranted indulgence to the perpetrators, as such mercy would amount to undermining the suffering of the victim and eroding public confidence in the justice delivery system.

Offences which are abhorrent to the moral fabric of society and shake the collective conscience of the community must be dealt with sternly," the judge said.

He said that the offence was an aggravated and abhorrent act of sexual violence, which demonstrated a calculated exploitation of the victims vulnerability and constituted a gross violation of her dignity.

The gravity of the offence necessitates stern condemnation and proportionate penal consequences both to vindicate the suffering of the victim and to deter others from indulging in similar predatory behaviour," the court said.

It then sentenced the convict to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment.

The court said that the offence would have undoubtedly caused intense fear, humiliation, emotional devastation, and lasting trauma that could hinder the victims ability to trust others and reintegrate socially.

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Such an act does not merely violate the body of a child, it violates her dignity and shakes the foundation of her identity and security," the court said, adding, the victim required tangible support to facilitate her psychological healing and rehabilitation.

The court also awarded her Rs 10.5 lakh compensation. PTI MNR MNR KVK KVK

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First Published: November 13, 2025, 17:57 IST

News agency-feeds Delhi court sentences man to 14 years RI for sexually assaulting minor in 2016

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DMDK discusses strategy for Assembly poll, to contest on 'Murasu' symbol

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 22:27 IST

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Chennai, Nov 13 (PTI) Premalatha Vijayakanth-led DMDK discussed initiatives to strengthen the party at grassroot level, during the partys district secretaries meeting here on Thursday.

Though the party was yet to announce its stance on electoral alliance, the DMDK has decided to contest the Assembly election next year on the partys Murasu symbol.

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According to a release from the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam, several crucial issues were discussed for the development of the organisation at the district secretaries meeting with general secretary Premalatha Vijayakanth in the chair.

The DMDK discussed initiatives to strengthen the party and about the peoples rights retrieval conference 2.0 at the meeting held at the party headquarters in Koyambedu," the party said.

Later, speaking to reporters, Premalatha reiterated that the party will announce its stance on alliance at the meeting to be held in Cuddalore soon.

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The alliance will be formed as per the wishes of the people. We are clear on the issue of alliance. It will be announced either before or at the meeting," she said.

Responding to a question, Premalatha said, the DMDK members will contest on the partys Murasu symbol in the Assembly election next year. PTI JSP JSP ROH

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First Published: November 13, 2025, 22:27 IST

News agency-feeds DMDK discusses strategy for Assembly poll, to contest on 'Murasu' symbol

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Govt to soon allocate Rs 2,000 cr for Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 14:27 IST

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New Delhi, Nov 13 (PTI) The government will soon allocate Rs 2,000 crore for the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters announced by the Union Cabinet on Wednesday, sources said.

National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC) would require Rs 2,000 crore to extend credit facilities of up to Rs 20,000 crore to eligible exporters, sources said, adding that some money is already with the company.

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The funds could be provided through supplementary demands for grants after the Parliament approves grants, sources added.

In a bid to promote exports, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the introduction of the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters (CGSE) to provide 100 per cent credit guarantee coverage by NCGTC to Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) for extending additional credit facilities up to Rs 20,000 crore to eligible exporters, including MSMEs.

The scheme is being implemented by the Department of Financial Services (DFS) through NCGTC to provide additional credit support by MLIs to the eligible exporters, including MSMEs.

A management committee will be formed under the chairmanship of the Secretary, DFS, to oversee the progress and implementation of the scheme.

The scheme is expected to enhance the global competitiveness of Indian exporters and support diversification into new and emerging markets.

By enabling collateral-free credit access under CGSE, it will strengthen liquidity, ensure smooth business operations, and reinforce Indias progress towards achieving the USD 1 trillion export target as well as the countrys journey towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Exports are a critical pillar of the Indian economy, accounting for nearly 21 per cent of GDP in 2024-25 and contributing significantly to foreign exchange reserves. Export-oriented industries directly and indirectly employ over 45 million people, and MSMEs contribute nearly 45 per cent of total exports.

Sustained export growth has been instrumental in supporting Indias current account balance and macroeconomic stability.

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It is important to extend enhanced financial assistance and adequate time to exporters for diversifying their markets and enhancing the global competitiveness of Indian exporters.

Accordingly, proactive government intervention to provide additional liquidity support will ensure business growth and also enable the expansion of markets. PTI DP DP SHW

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First Published: November 13, 2025, 14:27 IST

News agency-feeds Govt to soon allocate Rs 2,000 cr for Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters

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Hundreds evacuated, dozens hospitalised after ammonia gas leak in Oklahoma

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 19:12 IST

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Weatherford (US), Nov 13 (AP) Hundreds of people were evacuated from a city in Oklahoma and others were told to shelter in place after a tanker truck that was leaking in a hotel parking lot spewed a plume of anhydrous ammonia gas, authorities said Thursday.

The gas release happened shortly before 10 pm Wednesday. People in the immediate area were in respiratory distress and at least 36 people were taken to a local hospital, city officials said at a news conference.

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At least 500 to 600 people were in a shelter as of Thursday morning, authorities said. Several nursing homes were evacuated and schools were closed for the day.

Authorities said the air quality was being monitored and that the tanker truck was no longer spewing gas.

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Anhydrous ammonia is used as a fertiliser to help provide nitrogen for corn and wheat plants. If a person touches it when it is in gas or liquid form, they could be burned. Last week, an anhydrous ammonia leak caused by an explosion at a plant north of Yazoo City, Mississippi, prompted evacuations for nearby residents.

Weatherford has about 12,000 residents and is about 113 km west of Oklahoma City. (AP) SCY SCY

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First Published: November 13, 2025, 19:12 IST

News agency-feeds Hundreds evacuated, dozens hospitalised after ammonia gas leak in Oklahoma

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IIT-Roorkee team conducts structural audit of Banke Bihari temple in Mathura

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 16:42 IST

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Mathura (UP), Nov 13(PTI) A team from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee is conducting a detailed structural audit of the historic Shri Banke Bihari Temple here to assess its stability and safety, an official said on Thursday.

District Magistrate Chandra Prakash Singh said a team comprising IIT-Roorkee faculty began the audit on Wednesday, and continued their inspection on Thursday. The exercise aims to evaluate the temples structural fitness, identify areas needing improvement, and ensure the safety and comfort of devotees," the officer said.

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The structural audit follows a recommendation by the Shri Banke Bihari Ji Temple High-Powered Committee, constituted by the Supreme Court, which in its meeting on September 11, proposed the assessment by IIT-Roorkee.

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Committee member Dinesh Goswami said discussions were held with the IIT team leader, who provided key suggestions after reviewing previous survey reports, including one conducted by the IIT-Delhi during the Covid pandemic in 2021.

A team of technicians equipped with advanced instruments will carry out a detailed survey as part of the audit, he added. PTI COR CDN ARB ARB

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First Published: November 13, 2025, 16:42 IST

News agency-feeds IIT-Roorkee team conducts structural audit of Banke Bihari temple in Mathura

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India imposes anti-dumping duty for 5 yrs on steel imports from Vietnam

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 17:42 IST

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New Delhi, Nov 13 (PTI) India has imposed an anti-dumping duty of USD 121.55 per tonne on imports of hot rolled flat steel products imported from Vietnam for five years.

The move is aimed at protecting domestic manufacturers from cheap imports.

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According to a notification by the finance ministry on Thursday, the imposition of the duty was recommended by the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR).

The anti-dumping duty imposed under this notification shall be effective for a period of five years (unless revoked, superseded or amended earlier) from the date of publication of this notification," it said. PTI RR SHW

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First Published: November 13, 2025, 17:42 IST

News agency-feeds India imposes anti-dumping duty for 5 yrs on steel imports from Vietnam

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India's vegetable oil imports flat at 16.3 million tonnes in 2024-25: SEA

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 14:27 IST

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New Delhi, Nov 13 (PTI) Indias vegetable oil imports were unchanged at 16.3 million tonnes in the 2024-25 marketing year that ended in October, matching the previous years level, the Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEA) said on Thursday.

The imports included 1.33 million tonnes of edible oils and 4,625 tonnes of non-edible oils in October, down 9 per cent from 1.46 million tonnes a year earlier, the industry body said.

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Soybean oil imports hit a record 5.47 million tonnes in 2024-25, surpassing the previous high of 4.23 million tonnes set in 2015-16, SEA said.

Palm oil imports fell sharply to 7.58 million tonnes from 9.02 million tonnes a year earlier, while soft oil imports jumped to 8.43 million tonnes from 6.95 million tonnes, driven by higher soybean oil purchases.

Palm oils share of total imports dropped to 47 per cent from 56 per cent, while soft oils share rose to 53 per cent from 44 per cent, the data showed.

The government in May widened the import duty gap between crude and refined oils to 19.25 per cent from 8.25 per cent, halting refined palm oil imports. However, India imported 750,000 tonnes of refined soybean and sunflower oils from Nepal under a zero-duty trade agreement.

Indonesia supplied 2.75 million tonnes of crude palm oil (CPO) and 832,152 tonnes of refined palm oil, while Malaysia exported 2.62 million tonnes of CPO to India during the year.

For soybean oil, Argentina was the top supplier at 2.89 million tonnes, followed by Brazil at 1.14 million tonnes. Russia led sunflower oil exports to India with 1.47 million tonnes.

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Total vegetable oil stocks stood at 1.73 million tonnes as of November 1, down from 1.99 million tonnes a month earlier, SEA said.

The oil marketing year runs from November through October. PTI LUX DR DR

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First Published: November 13, 2025, 14:27 IST

News agency-feeds India's vegetable oil imports flat at 16.3 million tonnes in 2024-25: SEA

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John Chambers backs Revanth Reddy's vision, calls it 'bold and achievable'

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 16:12 IST

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New Delhi, Nov 13 (PTI) Chief Minister A Revanth Reddys ambitious vision to transform Telangana into a USD 3 trillion economy by 2047 received a major endorsement from tech industry veteran John Chambers, who described it as bold, clear, very achievable" at the annual US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) conclave here on Thursday.

The former Cisco CEO said he was impressed by Reddys presentation of game-changing projects and their potential social impact, and promised his fullest support for the states development agenda, according to a Telangana government statement.

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Mukesh Aghi, CEO and President of USISPF, announced that most forum members would attend the Telangana Rising Global Summit scheduled for December 8-9 in Hyderabad.

In response to the invitation of Honble CM Revanth Reddy, most of us will try to attend to unveil and showcase the comprehensive vision for the state," he said.

Speaking at the forum, Revanth Reddy made a strong pitch for investments in Telangana, highlighting the states track record of supporting business across different political dispensations over 35 years.

We have had several governments for a decade run by the Congress, or other parties, but we have all supported investments and investors," he said.

The CM positioned Hyderabad as an attractive investment destination, citing its central location, security profile, favourable weather and world-class infrastructure.

We are the gateway to the entire Indian market, and a major destination for GCCs (Global Capability Centres). Come and invest in my state," he said.

Reddy outlined several marquee infrastructure projects, including the Bharat Future City, a 30,000 acre urban development aimed at being Indias most developed, world-class city." He also spoke about the Musi river rejuvenation project, which he said would create a riverfront experience matching London, Tokyo, Dubai or Seoul, while adding a night economy cycle" to Hyderabad.

Other projects include a dry port, Hyderabad Metro expansion, regional ring roads and radial roads, and a manufacturing zone between the Regional Ring Road (RRR) and Outer Ring Road (ORR).

Telangana is aiming to become the global answer to the China +1 alternative," Reddy said, positioning the state as a key manufacturing hub.

Listing his governments priorities over the last 23 months, the CM said economic empowerment of women, quality education and skills development, and urban development, particularly making Hyderabad a truly world-class city, were his key focus areas.

In an unusual pitch, Reddy invited elite global universities like Harvard, Stanford and Oxford to set up offshore campuses in Hyderabad.

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Once Harvard, Stanford or Oxford sets up an offshore campus in Hyderabad, many students from the Global South can attend these ivy league programs because of easier visa rules and lower costs," he said.

In another unconventional proposal, the CM suggested naming important roads in Hyderabad after corporations rather than political leaders. In India, most roads are named after political leaders. Let us change that in Hyderabad to have Google or Meta or TCS Infosys Street," he said. PTI LUX DR DR

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First Published: November 13, 2025, 16:12 IST

News agency-feeds John Chambers backs Revanth Reddy's vision, calls it 'bold and achievable'

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Karnataka proposes naming four railway stations after saints

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 13:42 IST

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Bengaluru, Nov 13 (PTI) Karnataka Minister M B Patil has recommended renaming Vijayapura, Belagavi, Bidar and Shivamogga Railway stations after prominent saints.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Patil said that the renaming is in accordance with local cultural significance.

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The recommendation has been sent to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, he said.

In his letter, Patil has proposed that Vijayapura Railway Station be renamed Jnana Yogi Sri Siddeshwara Swamiji Railway Station, Belagavi Station be named Sri Basava Mahaswamiji Railway Station, Bidar Station as Channabasava Pattadevaru Railway Station, and Sooragondanakoppa Station as Bhayagada Railway Station.

He explained that the state government has recommended naming these four stations after revered saints and that approval from the Union Home Ministry is required for this.

Accordingly, the Infrastructure Department has sent the official communication, the minister said.

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All four railway stations fall under the jurisdiction of the Hubballi Division of South Western Railway.

The minister noted that the saints proposed have made significant contributions to these regions of Karnataka, and urged the Centre to approve the renaming and notify it in the official gazette at the earliest. PTI GMS KH

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First Published: November 13, 2025, 13:42 IST

News agency-feeds Karnataka proposes naming four railway stations after saints

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Kerala HC reserves order on states plea to defer SIR, suggests moving SC

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 18:57 IST

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Kochi, Nov 13 (PTI) The Kerala High Court on Thursday reserved its order on a petition filed by the state government seeking deferment of the SIR and suggested that the government approach the Supreme Court, which is already considering similar pleas from other states.

When the petition came up before Justice V G Arun, he suggested that the Kerala government could move the apex court, which is hearing related matters concerning the Special Intensive Revision In its petition, the state government said the State Election Commission has announced local body elections for December 9 and 11, coinciding with the SIR process in the state.

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The government said that conducting local body elections requires around 1.76 lakh personnel, in addition to 68,000 security personnel.

Simultaneously conducting the SIR would require an additional 25,668 personnel, placing a severe strain on the administration and bringing routine work to a standstill.

Advocate General K Gopalakrishna Kurup, appearing for the state, submitted that the writ petition sought only a deferment of the SIR, not its cancellation.

He argued that even after enumeration, several consequential steps of the SIR would clash with the election process and the declaration of results, both of which require a large number of officials.

Meanwhile, Election Commission of India senior counsel Rakesh Dwivedi informed the court that 55 per cent of the enumeration work under the SIR had already been completed and that the entire process in Kerala would be finished by December 4.

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He added that the remaining steps involve securing the signatures of electors on pre-filled enumeration forms and urged that any intervention by the Kerala High Court could disrupt the ongoing process.

After hearing both sides, the court advised the state government to approach the Supreme Court, which is handling similar cases from other states, and reserved its order on the petition for Friday. PTI TBA SSK SSK ROH

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First Published: November 13, 2025, 18:57 IST

News agency-feeds Kerala HC reserves order on states plea to defer SIR, suggests moving SC

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Man arrested in connection with piracy of Zubeen Garg's last film

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 12:42 IST

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Guwahati, Nov 13 (PTI) A man has been arrested in connection with the alleged piracy of Zubeen Gargs last film, Roi Roi Binale, which was released on October 31, police said on Thursday.

The person, identified as Rafiqul Islam, was arrested from Lakhipur in Goalpara district for allegedly uploading video clips on his YouTube channel, Rafiqul R Vlogs.

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He was produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrates Court and remanded to three days police custody.

A case was registered at the Cyber Police Station, Panbazar under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, read with relevant sections of the Information Technology Act, 2000; the Copyright Act, 1957 and Cinematograph Act, 1952.

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The complaint was filed by the films producer Shyamantak Gautam with the Cyber Police Station, Panbazar, alleging that the film was being uploaded by unauthorised persons within a few days of the films release on October 31.

Zubeen Gargs last film has become the highest-grossing film in the history of the Assamese film industry, earning Rs 16 crore within the first 12 days of its release. PTI DG DG RG

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First Published: November 13, 2025, 12:42 IST

News agency-feeds Man arrested in connection with piracy of Zubeen Garg's last film

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Man dies as girder collapses on vehicle during elevated highway work in Kerala

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 08:42 IST

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Alappuzha (Kerala), Nov 13 (PTI) A man died after a heavy girder collapsed on a pick-up vehicle at Chandiroor here in the wee hours of Thursday while work on the elevated highway was underway, police said.

The deceased has been identified as Rajesh, a native of Pallipad near Haripad in this district, an officer said.

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The 13-km-long elevated road is being constructed on NH-66 from Aroor to Thuravoor.

According to police, the accident occurred around 2.30 am when a heavy girder was being placed on the piers.

After positioning it, workers operating a heavy crane were adjusting it when it collapsed and fell over a pickup lorry passing below.

Rajesh, who was driving the vehicle carrying eggs from Tamil Nadu to Haripad, was trapped inside the cabin as the vehicle was crushed in the impact.

It took more than three hours for the police and Fire and Rescue officials to cut through the concrete girder and pull him out, but he succumbed to his injuries.

Usually, traffic restrictions are imposed when girders are placed on piers. However, we understand that traffic was allowed during the work at midnight," MLA Daleema told reporters.

She said she had spoken to the District Collector to ensure all safety measures are strictly followed hereafter, including police deployment during such risky work.

Residents said workers, including crane operators, fled the spot soon after the incident, delaying the rescue operation.

If they had stayed and helped lift the collapsed girder using the crane, the mans life might have been saved. He was seen waving his hand for help when we reached the spot," a local resident said.

Locals also alleged that construction work is being carried out without adequate safety precautions.

A transport bus and a lorry were behind the pickup vehicle. The casualty would have been worse if the girder had fallen on the bus," another resident said.

Police said a case will soon be registered in connection with the incident.

The body will be handed over to relatives after postmortem.

Meanwhile, traffic diversions have been imposed in the area.

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Vehicles from Ernakulam to Cherthala are being diverted from Aroor junction via Poochakal.

Similarly, vehicles from Cherthala towards Ernakulam are diverted from the X-ray junction through Poochakal to Aroor junction, police added. PTI TBA TBA KH

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First Published: November 13, 2025, 08:42 IST

News agency-feeds Man dies as girder collapses on vehicle during elevated highway work in Kerala

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Man held for cheating firm of Rs 36 lakh on pretext of selling shares

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 22:12 IST

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Mumbai, Nov 13 (PTI) A 39-year-old businessman was arrested from Bengaluru for allegedly cheating a private company of Rs 36 lakh under the pretext of selling unlisted shares of the National Stock Exchange (NSE), a police official said here on Thursday.

The Borivali police official identified the arrested accused as Rajat Amar Chandra Jain.

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Jain had taken Rs 95 lakh from a private company for the purchase of unlisted NSE shares. Though he returned Rs 59 lakh, he allegedly misappropriated the remaining Rs 36 lakh. The complainant is a Borivali-based stock market consultant who manages share transactions for the said company," he said.

In May 2025, the company had planned to purchase unlisted NSE shares. During this process, an acquaintance introduced the consultant to Jain, who claimed to possess 10 such shares and offered them at Rs 1,900 per share. Finding the price reasonable, the company agreed to buy 5,000 unlisted shares, amounting to Ra 95 lakh, which was transferred to Jains account," the official added.

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Jain later denied receiving the funds and refused to transfer the shares, following which the consultant approached police.

Jain was arrested for cheating, criminal breach of trust and other offences, the official said. PTI ZA BNM

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First Published: November 13, 2025, 22:12 IST

News agency-feeds Man held for cheating firm of Rs 36 lakh on pretext of selling shares

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Maneka Gandhi calls SCs order on stray animals 'impractical'

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 14:42 IST

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New Delhi, Nov 13 (PTI) Animal rights activist and former Union minister Maneka Gandhi on Thursday described the Supreme Courts directive on removing stray animals and lodging them at shelter homes as impractical", and said compassion should guide Indias approach towards animals.

The Supreme Court last week took note of the alarming rise" in dog bite incidents in institutional areas like educational centres, hospitals, bus stands and railway stations, and directed the authorities to move such canines to designated shelters.

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The apex court also ordered the authorities, including the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), to ensure the removal of stray animals and cattle from highways and expressways.

The Supreme Court says remove the dog, remove the cat, remove the monkey, put it in a shelter, sterilise it, but no one can actually do thisit is impractical," Gandhi said, responding to questions at an event in New Delhi.

She also questioned the lack of coordination among civic bodies, adding that compassion, not control, should guide Indias approach to animals.

The former parliamentarian urged the authorities and citizens to focus on community responsibility and humane care.

Gandhi was speaking at the launch of CineKind, a new initiative introduced by the Film Federation of India (FFI) in collaboration with her organisation, People for Animals (PFA), to honour kindness and humane storytelling in cinema.

The awards aim to encourage filmmakers to portray empathy toward animals and nature as a form of strength rather than weakness.

Indias culture is, to a large extent, defined by films, and to get them on board to make compassion look strong is very important," she said. If youre compassionate, youre a strong person. Its only people who are weak who are cruel." Gandhi, who has championed animal welfare laws for decades, recalled the time when animals used in films suffered greatly due to a lack of regulations.

There was a time when cows, horses, and tigers used in movies would die during filming. Tigers were sedated, their teeth and claws pulled out," she said.

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The Animal Welfare Board of India later worked with filmmakers to establish strict norms. Now, its time for self-regulation and renewed commitment." FFI president Firdausul Hasan said films have the power to influence public attitudes and promote humane values.

Films have unmatched reach. They stir emotions, challenge beliefs and spark change. With CineKind, we are saying that kindness should be as celebrated on screen as any action or drama," he said. PTI UZM UZM APL APL

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First Published: November 13, 2025, 14:42 IST

News agency-feeds Maneka Gandhi calls SCs order on stray animals 'impractical'

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New Seeds Bill to replace 1966 Act, public feedback sought

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 15:57 IST

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New Delhi, Nov 13 (PTI) The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has released the draft Seeds Bill, 2025 for public consultation, inviting stakeholders to submit comments by December 11, according to a ministry statement.

The proposed legislation aims to replace the Seeds Act, 1966 and the Seeds (Control) Order, 1983, bringing seed regulation in line with contemporary agricultural and market requirements, the statement said.

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Key objectives of the draft Bill include regulating seed quality, ensuring farmer access to affordable high-quality seeds, eliminating spurious products, liberalising seed imports for innovation, and protecting farmer rights through transparent supply chains.

The Bill proposes to decriminalise minor offences to ease compliance burden while retaining stringent penalties for serious violations, a move aligned with the governments ease of doing business initiative, the ministry said.

The draft and feedback format are available on the ministrys website at https://agriwelfare.gov.in. Submissions can be emailed to jsseeds-agri@gov.in in Word or PDF format.

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Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had recently indicated that the ministry would introduce the new seed legislation during the Budget Session of Parliament.

The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, which prepared the draft under the ministrys umbrella, has emphasised the need for stakeholder participation in shaping the final version of the Bill, the statement added. PTI LUX DR DR

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First Published: November 13, 2025, 15:57 IST

News agency-feeds New Seeds Bill to replace 1966 Act, public feedback sought

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Pak claims Islamabad suicide bomber was Afghan national

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 16:57 IST

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Islamabad, Nov 13 (PTI) Pakistans Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday said that the suicide bomber involved in the deadly Islamabad bombing was an Afghan national.

At least 12 people were killed on Tuesday when a suicide bomber detonated his explosives near the entrance of a court in the G-11 area of the capital.

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After visiting the attack site, Naqvi had announced to identify the bomber before pointing fingers in any direction.

Addressing the Senate on Thursday, Naqvi said that authorities have identified the attackers as well as those involved in the Islamabad bombing. We have traced the attacker. The suicide bomber is an Afghan national," he said.

The minister also said that the suicide bombers involved in the Wana Cadet College attack in South Waziristan district this week were also from Afghanistan.

He also announced that action would be taken at an appropriate level.

Six people were injured on Monday after a suicide bomber detonated explosives at the main gate of the Wana Cadet College in South Waziristan, bordering Afghanistan.

Replying to a question outside the parliament, Naqvi rejected the idea of talks with militants. How can we talk to them when they are throwing bombs on us? It is not possible," he said.

Separately, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said that terrorism increased after the Taliban came to power.

There is total goodwill from Pakistan, but every week we have to shoulder the dead bodies of our soldiers and people," Dar told the Senate.

He also targeted the previous government of Imran Khan for allegedly allowing the Taliban to come back from Afghanistan, where they had fled after operations in the border regions. He also claimed the jailed Taliban militants were released during Khans tenure.

More than 100 hardened criminals were set free by the previous regime," he said.

Meanwhile, security agencies have arrested two key suspects, a handler and a facilitator, in connection with the suicide bombing in Islamabad, reported Geo News.

The facilitator, living in Rawalpindi for the past month, was arrested in Rawalpindi while the handler was detained from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it said, quoting sources.

Before the attack, the facilitator and the suicide bomber visited the Judicial Complex several times to survey the area, the sources said.

The suspects have been shifted to an undisclosed location for interrogation.

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A rider  employed with an online service  dropped the attacker near the court for a fare of PKRs 200, police sources told Geo News.

They also said that efforts are continuing to track the bombers movements. PTI SH NPK NPK ZH NPK

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First Published: November 13, 2025, 16:57 IST

News agency-feeds Pak claims Islamabad suicide bomber was Afghan national

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Red Fort blast: AIU suspends Al Falah University's membership

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 20:42 IST

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New Delhi, Nov 13 (PTI) The Association of Indian Universities (AIU) on Thursday suspended membership of Al Falah University, which is under scanner in connection with the Red Fort blast case, officials said.

The Association of Indian Universities (AIU) is a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, with membership of Indian Universities. It provides a forum for administrators and academicians of member universities to exchange views and discuss matters of common concern.

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It is intimated that, as per the Bye-laws of the Association of Indian Universities(AIU), all universities shall be treated as members as long as they remain in good standing," said AIU Secretary General, Pankaj Mittal.

However, it has come to notice that Al Falah University, Faridabad, Haryana, does not appear to be in good standing. Accordingly, the membership of AIU was accorded to Al Falah University, Faridabad, Haryana, stands suspended with immediate effect," she added.

The top official informed that Al Falah University is not authorised to use the name or logo of AIU in any of its activities, and the AIU logo must be removed from the universitys official website.

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The Al Falah University in Dhauj village in Faridabad came under the scanner of investigating agencies after an intestate white collar" terror module was busted. It is a private institute that also houses a hospital on its campus.

On Monday, a high-intensity blast ripped through a car near Red Fort in Delhi, killing 13 people and injuring several others, hours after the busting of a white collar terror module" and the arrest of eight people, including three doctors. The arrested doctors were linked to Al Falah University. PTI GJS HIG

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First Published: November 13, 2025, 20:42 IST

News agency-feeds Red Fort blast: AIU suspends Al Falah University's membership

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Red Fort blast: New CCTV footage of exact moment of explosion emerges

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 08:42 IST

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New Delhi, Nov 13 (PTI) A new CCTV footage, which captured the exact moment the white Hyundai i20 car exploded in the middle of heavy evening traffic near Delhis Red Fort earlier this week, has emerged.

The footage, recorded by a traffic camera near Red Fort Metro Station Gate Number 1, shows the car moving slowly amid autos, e-rickshaws and other vehicles before it suddenly bursts into flames.

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Within seconds, the vehicle is engulfed by a huge red fireball, followed by a thick plume of smoke rising into the sky, sending nearby commuters running for safety.

The impact of the blast was so intense that several nearby vehicles were damaged. The area was immediately thrown into chaos as people scrambled to help the injured. PTI BM RUK RUK

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First Published: November 13, 2025, 08:42 IST

News agency-feeds Red Fort blast: New CCTV footage of exact moment of explosion emerges

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TCS to drive AI-led IT revamp for Lion

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 12:27 IST

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New Delhi, Nov 13 (PTI) Countrys largest IT services firm Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) on Thursday said it has been selected by Sydney-based beverage brand Lion to transform its IT operations through AI-powered solutions.

The collaboration aims to enhance Lions operational resilience and productivity by transitioning from legacy systems to modern cloud infrastructure and deploying advanced AI-enabled services, the company said in a regulatory filing.

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TCS will leverage its domain expertise and AI capabilities, including its Cognix platform, to drive smarter outcomes by automating service delivery, upgrading cybersecurity protocols, and improving user experience for Lions customers.

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The partnership is expected to accelerate Lions business growth and innovation, optimise operational costs, and introduce AI-led personalised solutions and persona-centric enterprise health metrics.

By leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as AI and cloud, alongside TCS comprehensive CPG platforms, we will accelerate innovation and deliver exceptional experiences for customers and consumers alike," Krishnan Ramanujam, President, Consumer Business Group, TCS, said. PTI ANK ANK DR DR

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First Published: November 13, 2025, 12:27 IST

News agency-feeds TCS to drive AI-led IT revamp for Lion

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Terrorism has no place in civil society: Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 15:57 IST

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New Delhi, Nov 13 (PTI) The Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari, on Thursday condemned the Red Fort blast as an abominable terror attack" and asserted that terrorism has no ground" in civil society.

He also hoped that the government would leave no stone unturned in bringing the perpetrators to justice.

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With a firm national resolve, we shall be able to unitedly fight the menace of terrorism and succeed in defeating it," the Shahi Imam said in a statement issued by the Jama Masjid.

A high-intensity blast near Delhis Red Fort on Monday evening claimed 13 lives.

Condemning the terror attack" at the heart of the national capital in the strongest terms, Bukhari said terrorism has no ground, and could not have any, in the civil society." The Muslim community that remains filled with the spirit of patriotism, stands on this critical moment with their compatriot Indians like a wall reinforced with lead," he said in the statement.

Expressing condolences, the Shahi Imam said his heart is filled with deep sympathy and solidarity for the affected families who lost their relatives in the incident.

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Their sorrow is collectively our sorrow. We stand with them on an unshakable foundation of compassion," he said.

He also expressed hope that the national leadership would leave no stone unturned in bringing the perpetrators and their patrons to justice, saying that any action taken in this regard should be based on justice. PTI SLB ARB ARB

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First Published: November 13, 2025, 15:57 IST

News agency-feeds Terrorism has no place in civil society: Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid

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Textiles ministry official holds meetings to review progress of schemes

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 20:42 IST

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New Delhi, Nov 13 (PTI) Secretary in the Textile Ministry Neelam Shami Rao on Thursday held a review meeting at the Office of the Textile Commissioner in Mumbai, focusing on key flagship schemes of the ministry such as the PM MITRA Parks Scheme, Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Textiles, and SAMARTH Skill Development Scheme.

Rao, who is on a two-day visit to Mumbai from Thursday, reviewed the ongoing programmes, institutional performance, and policy implementation progress of various bodies functioning under the Ministry of Textiles.

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On the first day of her visit, she reviewed activities related to handlooms and allied sectors, accompanied by M Beena, Development Commissioner (Handlooms).

In a statement, the ministry said, The secretary held a comprehensive review meeting at the Office of the Textile Commissioner, focusing on key flagship schemes of the Ministry such as the PM MITRA Parks Scheme, PLI Scheme for Textiles, and SAMARTH Skill Development Scheme".

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During the visit, she also interacted with Anshu Sinha, IAS, Principal Secretary (Textiles) Government of Maharashtra, and other senior officers from the Government of Maharashtra and deliberated on bringing in synergy with both state and Centre for implementation of central schemes in the state.

The Textiles Committee should act like a link between the industry and government by providing inputs on the ground realities of the sector so as to help the industry to mitigate these with the help of policy interventions from the Ministry of Textiles," an official statement said quoting Rao. PTI RSN TRB

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First Published: November 13, 2025, 20:42 IST

News agency-feeds Textiles ministry official holds meetings to review progress of schemes

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Three injured in clash between two villages in Bihar

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 10:57 IST

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Patna, Nov 13 (PTI) Three persons were injured in a clash between people of two villages in Patna district, police said on Thursday.

Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Fatuha, said, On Wednesday, around 9 pm, people of Gyanchak and Jeevanchak villages clashed over an old dispute under the jurisdiction of Didarganj police station area of Patna district." Three persons identified as Ankit, Sahul and Vikash Kumar were injured in the clash in which bullets were fired. While Vikash Kumar and Sahul are being treated at Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH), Ankit is undergoing treatment at AIIMS, the police said.

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The SDPO said the Station House Officer (SHO) of Didarganj police station inspected the spot and recovered several spent bullet shells.

He said, Two people have been detained in connection with the case, and appropriate proceedings are on." PTI COR SUK RG

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First Published: November 13, 2025, 10:57 IST

News agency-feeds Three injured in clash between two villages in Bihar

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Turkey-registered plane crashes in Croatia reportedly killing pilot

Last Updated: November 14, 2025, 04:12 IST

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Zagreb, Nov 14 (AP) A Turkey-registered plane crashed in western Croatia on Thursday, police said, with local media reporting that the pilot had died.

The Air Tractor AT-802 disappeared from the radar shortly before 5 p.m. local time, an Interior Ministry statement said. Some 20 minutes later emergency services were informed that a plane was on fire near the town of Senj, close to the Adriatic Sea coastline, the statement said.

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Police said the plane was flying from the northern port of Rijeka to the capital Zagreb and back.

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No other details were immediately available. Air Tractor AT-802 planes are usually used in agriculture or for fire-fighting.

Croatias HRT public broadcaster said the plane belonged to Turkeys forestry administration. The HRT report said rescue teams found the pilots body after they extinguished the fire. No one else was on the plane, the report added. (AP) NB NB

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First Published: November 14, 2025, 04:12 IST

News agency-feeds Turkey-registered plane crashes in Croatia reportedly killing pilot

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Two terror suspects arrested by Gujarat ATS studied at same UP madrassa

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 15:27 IST

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Muzaffarnagar (UP), Nov 13 (PTI) Two Uttar Pradesh youths recently arrested by the Gujarat ATS in connection with a wider probe into alleged terrorist activities in the country earlier studied together at a madrassa here, officials said on Thursday.

The arrested youths  Azad Suleman Sheikh (20), a tailor from Jhinjhana town in Shamli district, and Mohammad Suhail Khan (23) from Lakhimpur Kheri  were students at a madrassa in Budhana town, according to the madrassa management and police sources.

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Speaking to PTI, Maulana Daud, the mohtamim (head) of the Budhana madrassa, confirmed that the two youths studied Hafiz-e-Quran (Quran memorisation) but left the madrassa long before their arrests.

Azad Sheikh studied here from 2018 to 2019. He left when the madrassa was shut during the COVID-19 lockdown and never returned," Daud said.

Suhail joined around three months ago for Hafiz studies but left on November 5, citing his fathers illness. He has not come back since then," he added.

The madrassa head clarified that the institution only imparts religious education and has no connection whatsoever with any illegal or unlawful activity".

He said he came to know about the arrests of the two former students through media reports.

Sheikhs father, Suleman, a construction worker in Jhinjhana, told PTI that his son was innocent" and that the family was unaware of how he ended up in Gujarat.

My son had gone on a 40-day Tablighi Jamaat trip to West Bengal. Later, he told us he was going back to his madrassa, but he never reached there. We came to know about his arrest through the news," Suleman said.

Shamli Superintendent of Police (SP) N P Singh said the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad has taken Sheikh into custody for questioning and the Uttar Pradesh ATS is conducting a parallel inquiry into his background.

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No passport has been found in Sheikhs name. We are verifying his bank details and local connections as part of the investigation," the officer said.

Sheikh and Khan were arrested by the Gujarat ATS on November 8. Officials have not disclosed further details about the case, citing ongoing investigations. PTI COR KIS DIV DIV

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First Published: November 13, 2025, 15:27 IST

News agency-feeds Two terror suspects arrested by Gujarat ATS studied at same UP madrassa

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Waterborne disease outbreak claims 5 lives in Mizoram's Lawngtlai

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 16:57 IST

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Aizawl, Nov 13 (PTI) At least five people, including four from Myanmar, have died due to suspected waterborne disease outbreak in a border village in south Mizorams Lawngtlai district this month, an official said on Thursday.

Lawngtlai Deputy Commissioner Donny Lalruatsanga said that the outbreak was reported at Kakichhuah village, which shares a border with Myanmar.

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The outbreak has so far claimed five lives, while 27 people aged between 5 and 63 years, are currently infected with the disease, which is believed to be originated from the neighbouring country.

Of the five deceased, four were from Myanmar, he said.

Lalruatsanga expressed deep concern over the fatalities, emphasising the urgency of identifying the cause and curbing further spread.

An investigation has been launched to ascertain the outbreak. All preventive and control measures are being strictly implemented," he said, expressing confidence that the situation could be stabilised soon.

Lawngtlai district administration has also on Wednesday declared Kakichhuah village as a containment zone for two months, restricting movement of people to and from the village except for medical, election and emergency cases.

Lawngtlai Senior Chief Medical Officer Dr Lalmuanawma Jongte said that cases have been reported since November 4 and a medical team was dispatched to Kakichhuah on November 11 to investigate the outbreak.

A Rapid Response Team (RRT) has been deployed, and local health workers are maintaining close surveillance, he said.

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According to Jongte, water samples collected from the area have been sent to Zoram Medical College & Hospital at Falkawn near Aizawl for testing.

Preliminary evidence points to the contamination originating from Salachhuah village in Myanmar, he said. PTI CORR NN

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First Published: November 13, 2025, 16:57 IST

News agency-feeds Waterborne disease outbreak claims 5 lives in Mizoram's Lawngtlai

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Zanzibar's solar mamas' trained as technicians to help light up communities

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 14:42 IST

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Zanzibar(Tanzania), Nov 13 (AP) When darkness came, so did the smoke.

Hamna Silima Nyange, like half of the 2 million people in Tanzanias semi-autonomous archipelago of Zanzibar, did not have a house connected to the electricity grid. After sunset, she would turn to smoky oil lamps that provided the only light for her eight children to study.

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"The light was too weak," Nyange said. And the smoke from the lamp hurt my eyes." Then one day a neighbor, Tatu Omary Hamad, installed solar panels and bulbs that lit her home with help from the strong sunlight along the Indian Ocean coast.

Today we have enough light," Nyange said.

Training women to be solar technicians  Hamad is one of dozens of solar mamas" trained in Zanzibar by Barefoot College International, a global nonprofit, through a program that brings light to rural communities and provides jobs for local women. So far in Zanzibar, it has lit 1,845 homes.

The program selects middle-aged women, most with little or no formal education, from villages without electricity and trains them over six months to become solar power technicians. It is one of a small number of programs in Africa including Solar Sister.

The women return to their communities with at least 50 sets of household solar panel kits as well as the skills and equipment to set them up and keep them running.

Barefoot College International focuses on middle-aged women because they tend to have the strongest links to their communities while not often involved in intensive child care.

We want to train women who become change makers," said Brenda Geofrey, the director of Barefoot College International Zanzibar.

The Zanzibar campus is in its 10th year of teaching local women. Before that, it sent women for training in India, where Barefoot College International was founded.

One was Khazija Gharib Issa, who had been an unemployed widow. Now she is a master trainer.

I got a job. I got a place to stay. Before, I didnt have one," Issa said.

The importance of health  Improving health is at the heart of the programs mission.

Alongside its flagship solar power course, Barefoot College International offers programs for women in tailoring, beekeeping and sustainable agriculture. Every woman who completes a program is trained in general health knowledge that they are expected to take back to their villages.

The solar mamas" are health catalysts in another way, by replacing harmful light sources like kerosene.

Using kerosene has many problems," said Jacob Dianga, a health care worker at a local clinic who is familiar with the groups work. The fuel can irritate the eyes, while inhaling its smoke can cause long-term lung damage. Its also a fire hazard in cramped homes and shops, and can poison children who mistake it for a drink.

Clean energy is very important," Dianga said. It helps protect our health." Challenges remain - Barefoot College International has scaled up across Africa, with other campuses in Madagascar and Senegal. In recent years, women have been brought to Zanzibar from Malawi and Somaliland, and this year some are being recruited from Central African Republic.

Funding remains a challenge as major donors, notably the United States and European ones, cut foreign aid and projects face more competition for money that remains.

Barefoot College International is run with public and private donations and revenue generated by its social enterprises.

Another challenge is resistance in local communities, where some people find it hard to accept the women technicians in a radical new gender role.

While the solar training program recruits with the approval of village leadership, who put forward candidates, some husbands have stopped their wives from training.

In most African communities, women are pictured as somebody who is just at home," Geofrey said.

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But the solar mamas say the results often speak for themselves.

People used to say this work is for men. They were surprised and laughed at me," Issa said. But now they see how important my work is. I have become an example."(AP) RD RD

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First Published: November 13, 2025, 14:42 IST

News agency-feeds Zanzibar's solar mamas' trained as technicians to help light up communities

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Stocks To Watch: Hero MotoCorp, Tata Steel, IRCTC, SBI, Vedanta, NTPC, GMR Airports, And Others

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 08:01 IST

Stocks to watch: Shares of firms like Hero MotoCorp, Tata Steel, IRCTC, SBI, Vedanta, NTPC, GMR Airports, and others will be in focus on Thursday's trade

Stocks To Watch On November 13

Stocks to Watch on November 13: Markets extended their uptrend on Wednesday, buoyed by optimism over improving trade dialogue prospects between India and the US, along with strong Q2 earnings from key corporates that lifted investor sentiment.

On the technical front, the Nifty has successfully reclaimed the 25,800 resistance level, with the next target seen around the 26,00026,100 zone. While some consolidation may emerge on Thursday due to the weekly expiry, the overall tone is expected to remain positive," said Ajit Mishra, SVP  Research, Religare Broking.

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Key Stocks to Watch

Hero MotoCorp, Eicher Motors, Honasa, LG Electronics India, GMR Airports, Bharat Dynamics

Shares of these companies will be in focus as they are scheduled to announce their second-quarter results today.

Tata Steel

The steel major reported a strong 319% year-on-year jump in net profit for Q2 to Rs 3,183 crore, surpassing expectations. Revenue rose 8.9% to Rs 58,689 crore, while EBITDA surged 45% to Rs 8,897 crore, with margins improving to 15.2%.

Cochin Shipyard

The company posted a 43% year-on-year decline in net profit for Q2FY26 to Rs 107.5 crore, while revenue slipped 2.2% to Rs 1,118.5 crore.

IRCTC

IRCTC reported an 11% year-on-year rise in net profit to Rs 342 crore for Q2FY26, supported by a 7.7% increase in revenue to Rs 1,146 crore.

State Bank of India (SBI)

SBI has signed a non-binding term sheet with Care Ratings to acquire 29.7 lakh equity shares, representing a 9.9% stake, in CareEdge Global IFSC (CGIL).

Vedanta

The government has reiterated its opposition to Vedantas planned demerger, citing unresolved claims worth Rs 16,700 crore that could be impacted by the restructuring.

SpiceJet

The low-cost carrier posted a wider consolidated net loss of Rs 621 crore for the September quarter, compared with Rs 458 crore in the same period last year.

Lupin

Pharma major Lupin announced that its subsidiary has inaugurated a dedicated oncology unit at its Vizag manufacturing facility in Andhra Pradesh, as part of its plan to strengthen its contract development and manufacturing (CDMO) business.

Nazara Technologies

The gaming firm reported a sharp jump in Q2FY26 profit to Rs 885 crore, primarily driven by a one-time gain from the revaluation of its stake in Nodwin Gaming.

NTPC

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State-run power giant NTPC signed two agreements in Assams healthcare sector  one to establish a burn ICU at Kokrajhar Medical College and Hospital, and another to provide nutritional support to tuberculosis (TB) patients.

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 13, 2025, 08:01 IST

News business markets Stocks To Watch: Hero MotoCorp, Tata Steel, IRCTC, SBI, Vedanta, NTPC, GMR Airports, And Others

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Wipro, TCS, HCLTech: Know How Much Revenue Did IT Giants Earn Per Employee In Q2

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 13:14 IST

Indias top information technology firms delivered a mixed performance on revenue per employee (RPE) in the September quarter

IT Companies

Indias top information technology firms delivered a mixed performance on revenue per employee (RPE) in the September quarter, even as a few mid-tier players outshone industry leaders on productivity.

According to data from UnearthInsight Research, HCLTech led the pack among large-cap IT firms with a 2% rise in RPE to over $16,000 (Rs 14.17 lakh), alongside a 3.7% increase in headcount. Market leader Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Tech Mahindra also recorded modest RPE gains of 0.5% and 1%, respectively, aided by workforce optimisation and project mix improvements despite reduced employee counts.

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In contrast, Infosys and Wipro saw RPE declines of 0.7% and 4.7%, respectively. UnearthInsight attributed TCSs growth to workforce restructuring, while HCLTechs gains were driven by AI-led productivity improvements and strong project execution. Infosyss headcount expansion signals investment in AI-driven roles for future deal wins, whereas Wipros flat hiring and weaker billability weighed on performance.

Among mid-tier firms, Persistent Systems and Mphasis posted stronger RPE growth of 4.2% and 8.4%, respectively. Their ability to decouple revenue growth from headcount expansionthrough cost efficiencies and smaller-scale, high-value projectsboosted overall productivity, according to an earlier ET report.

Despite operating at a larger scale, analysts said HCLTech continues to deliver steady productivity improvements. Around 3040% of HCLTechs RPE growth is driven by AI-led transformation and productivity initiatives," said Gaurav Vasu, cofounder of UnearthInsight, adding that hiring skilled AI and data engineers at a premium has also helped.

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Vasu noted that geography and service mix play a key role in determining RPE. TCS earns about 10% of its revenue from India, where RPE is lower than in North America, while for HCLTech, its below 3%," he said.

Yugal Joshi, partner at US-based consultancy Everest Group, added that HCLTechs diversified portfolio also supports RPE strength. Its software business is light on workforce but high on revenueespecially after acquiring IBMs software assets in 2019," he said, referring to HCLTechs purchase of IBMs security, marketing, and digital commerce solutions.

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 13, 2025, 13:12 IST

News business markets Wipro, TCS, HCLTech: Know How Much Revenue Did IT Giants Earn Per Employee In Q2

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Thanes Ghodbunder Road To Be Traffic-Free By Next Month? Top Official Breaks Daydream After Transport Ministers Assurance

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 08:22 IST

Thanes Municipal Commissioner informed that nearly 90% of the work will be done by the end of December, and the rest will be finished by February 2026.

The Ghodbunder Road concretisation project costs around Rs 560 crore. (PTI File Photo)

People who travel daily on Ghodbunder Road might finally get some relief from the endless traffic jams. Maharashtras Transport Minister, Pratap Sarnaik, recently announced that all ongoing work on this major stretch will be completed by early 2026. He made this statement while reviewing the progress of several projects at the Thane Municipal Corporations Late Arvind Pendse Hall.

However, Thane Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao offered a more practical timeline, stating that around 90 per cent of the work is expected to be completed by the end of December, with the remaining portion to be finished by February 2026.

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Thane Municipal Commissioner Sets Practical Deadline

According to Rao, the deadline for completing the Ghodbunder Road concretisation project, which costs around Rs 560 crore, has been extended by a few more months. The announcement was made during a review meeting attended by several key officials, including MMRDA Joint Metropolitan Commissioner Astik Kumar Pandey, Additional Commissioner Prashant Rode, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) (Traffic) Pankaj Shirsat, City Engineer Prashant Sonagra, and representatives from MMRDA, Metro, PWD, MHADA, and the Collectorate.

As per Hindustan Times, Saurabh Rao said, Ninety per cent of the work on the route will be completed by the end of December, with the remaining finishing touches completed by February 2026. From the new year, motorists can expect smoother traffic flow on GB Road."

Activists Raise Concerns Over Safety And Planning

During the meeting, social activists also raised serious concerns about the poor planning and unsafe conditions at the ongoing construction sites. Activist Shraddha Rai pointed out that the civic and transport departments were not paying enough attention to safety, and the work was moving forward without proper precautions.

She also asked the Thane Municipal Corporation to fix all the flyovers and the Gaimukh Ghat stretch simultaneously. According to her, doing everything together will help avoid repeated roadblocks and reduce trouble for commuters who already face heavy traffic every day.

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Traffic Police Highlight Bottlenecks Route

DCP Pankaj Shirsath explained that Ghodbunder Road has several traffic bottlenecks. Due to the ongoing work between Kapurbawdi and Gaimukh, only one lane of the service road remains open at many points, causing slow vehicle movement. In some sections, metro construction has further added to the delays. He mentioned that after 3 a.m., heavy vehicles start moving along this route, often resulting in heavy jams at Gaimukh Ghat. The congestion usually takes until around 8 or 9 a.m. to clear.

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Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: November 13, 2025, 08:22 IST

News mumbai-news Thanes Ghodbunder Road To Be Traffic-Free By Next Month? Top Official Breaks Daydream After Transport Ministers Assurance

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Delhi HC Seeks Govts Reply On Six-Year Age Rule For Class 1 Admission

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Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 09:43 IST

The Delhi High Court has asked the Delhi Government to respond to a plea challenging the new rule setting six years as the minimum age for Class 1 admission from next session.

Delhi High Court seeks Governments response on six-year age rule for Class 1 admissions.

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the Delhi Government to respond to a plea challenging the new rule that fixes the minimum age for admission to Class 1 at six years from the next academic session.

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed against a circular issued by the Delhi Government in June 2025, which introduced a new pre-school structure and revised the admission age. The admission process for the next session is expected to begin in December.

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A division bench led by Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyay issued a notice to the government and sought its response. The counsel representing the Delhi Government requested more time to file a reply, following which the court listed the matter for hearing on November 26. Advocate Vaibhav Sharma appeared on behalf of the petitioner, Deepika Sharma.

The plea argued that the new policy requires children to complete three levels of pre-school education before entering Class 1. Earlier, the schooling pattern included only Nursery and Kindergarten, but under the new system, children must go through Pre-school 1, Pre-school 2, and Pre-school 3 before Class 1 admission.

ALSO READ: TS SSC Time Table 2026: Telangana Board Class 10 Exam Schedule Soon At bse.telangana.gov.in

According to the petitioner, this policy will cause hardship for parents and students. It would increase the financial burden by adding an extra year of pre-school fees and make direct admission to Class 1 more difficult because of limited seats. The plea also raised concern that students already in the system might have to repeat pre-school, disrupting the current academic structure.

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The petitioner suggested that the rule, if implemented, should only apply to new admissions from the 2026-27 academic year and not affect students already enrolled. It was also recommended that the minimum admission age for nursery be revised to four years, with corresponding changes for the next levels, to make the transition smoother for parents and schools.

The plea further pointed out that private schools charge around Rs 60,000 per quarter, adding up to approximately Rs 2.4 lakh annually, which would place an unnecessary financial strain on parents if another year of pre-school becomes mandatory.

About the Author Education and Careers Desk A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, ... Read More

First Published: November 13, 2025, 09:41 IST

News education-career Delhi HC Seeks Govts Reply On Six-Year Age Rule For Class 1 Admission

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Bihar Election Results 2025: Date, Time And Where To Watch Live Vote Counting Updates

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Last Updated: November 14, 2025, 07:56 IST

Bihar Election Results 2025 Date and Time: The state elections concluded with a record-breaking overall voter turnout of 66.91%, the highest in the states history since 1951.

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Bihar Election Results 2025

Bihar Assembly Election Result 2025 Date and Time: The counting of votes is underway in Bihar following two phases of polling on November 6 and 11 that saw the highest voter turnout in the states post-Independence history. Voters in 122 constituencies spread across 20 districts cast their ballots, setting the scene for what promises to be a closely watched result.

The state elections concluded with a record-breaking overall voter turnout of 66.91%, the highest in the states history since 1951. Female voter participation stood out at 71.6%, surpassing the 62.8% turnout among male voters. FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES HERE

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This two-phase election saw spirited participation and fierce campaigning from all major political players, making it one of the most competitive state contests in recent memory.

Where And When To Watch Bihar Poll Results 2025 Live

To follow all election-related live updates, expert analysis and reactions to the initial trends, tune in to CNN News18 and channels across Network18. Viewers can also follow the latest election results on the News18 website at www.news18.com or check our social media handles on YouTube, X, Facebook, and Instagram. The live telecast will also be available on CNN News18 LIVE TV channel.

Expect comprehensive graphics, seat-by-seat forecasts, and expert discussions featuring political commentators, journalists, and party spokespersons as the early trends start to emerge.

Bihar Election Results LIVE Updates

Bihar Exit Poll 2025 Result

A mega exit poll conducted by News18 indicates that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is heading for a clear lead in the Bihar Assembly Elections, signalling a potential consolidation of support for Chief Minister Nitish Kumars Janata Dal (United) and its allies.

When Will The Bihar Election Results 2025 Be Announced?

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Vote counting for all 243 assembly seats is currently underway, under the supervision of the Election Commission. Early results are expected to begin trickling in by morning, with a clearer picture likely by afternoon and outcomes by evening.

Until then, political circles and voters alike remain on edge, eagerly awaiting Bihars final verdict. The period before the results are out is set to be charged with anticipation, analysis, and speculation as the state braces for the outcome of this high-stakes battle.

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 13, 2025, 08:49 IST

News elections Bihar Election Results 2025: Date, Time And Where To Watch Live Vote Counting Updates

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Nitish Kumar Once Again Or Tejashwi Yadavs First Big Win? All Eyes On Bihar Verdict Tomorrow

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Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 14:57 IST

Nitish Kumars NDA faces Tejashwi Yadavs Mahagathbandhan in Bihars historic election with record 67.13 percent turnout. Exit polls predict NDA lead, youth favor Tejashwi Yadav.

More than 7.4 crore voters across 38 districts cast their votes in both phases to decide the fate of 2,616 candidates.(Image: PTI/File)

Will Nitish Kumars two-decade rule in Bihar continue, or will Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav secure his first major electoral victory since taking charge of the party? The answers will come on Friday when the verdict of the keenly watched Bihar Assembly elections is announced.

The NDA, comprising the BJP, JD(U), and LJP (Ram Vilas), is eyeing another term in power, while the opposition INDIA bloc  with the RJD, Congress, and Left parties as its key constituents  hopes to form the next government.

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Tejashwi Yadav-led alliance fell short of a little over 12,000 votes when Nitish Kumar formed the government with a slim majority in the 2020 Bihar election.

1. Record Voter Turnout

More than 7.4 crore voters across 38 districts cast their votes in both phases to decide the fate of 2,616 candidates. Bihar recorded a historic 67.13% voter turnout  the highest since 1951. Notably, female voter participation stood at 71.78%, surpassing the 62.98% turnout among male voters.

2. Exit Poll Predictions

Most exit polls have predicted a comfortable victory for the NDA, placing the Mahagathbandhan in the second spot. The majority forecasted between 130160 seats for the NDA and 70105 seats for the opposition alliance.

However, Axis My India suggested a much tighter contest, estimating 121141 seats for the NDA and 98118 seats for the Mahagathbandhan.

Exit polls also indicated a poor performance by Prashant Kishors Jan Suraaj, predicting 05 seats in the 243-member Assembly in its debut election.

3. Acrimonious Campaign

The election campaign in Bihar was marked by sharp personal attacks and polarised rhetoric.

The NDA leaders invoked memories of jungle raj under Lalu Prasad Yadav, arguing that Tejashwi Yadav represented a return to that era. The BJP also alleged that Mahagathabandhan allies want to protect infiltrators.

Meanwhile, the opposition targeted Nitish Kumars health and claimed the BJP would replace him post-elections, as it did with Eknath Shinde in Maharashtra.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged instances of vote chori", while Tejashwi Yadav centred his campaign on employment and youth issues. Although the issue of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) failed to gain traction during the campaign, several voters complained during polling that their names were missing from the electoral rolls.

The opposition further alleged that some BJP supporters voted twice  once in other states and again in Bihar.

4. Nitish vs Tejashwi: The CM Face Debate

Initially, the NDA did not officially project Nitish Kumar as its chief ministerial face. However, Union Home Minister Amit Shah later ended the suspense, asserting that there is no vacancy for the CMs post in Bihar."

The Mahagathbandhan, after initial hesitation, formally announced Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial candidate and VIP chief Mukesh Saini as his deputy.

Exit polls suggested that Tejashwi Yadav commands considerable popularity among Bihars youth, whereas Nitish Kumar retains a strong base among women voters. In multiple surveys, Tejashwi was also seen as the leading choice for the chief ministers post.

Promises

The NDA has made a series of promises aimed at boosting employment, industry, and welfare in Bihar. It has pledged to provide jobs to one crore people and set up factories in every district to strengthen local manufacturing. The alliance has also promised to establish 10 new industrial parks and extend financial assistance of up to Rs 2 lakh to women under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana.

The Nitish Kumar-led bloc has further assured free electricity up to 125 units, free medical treatment worth up to Rs 5 lakh, and free, quality education from kindergarten to postgraduate level for students belonging to poor families.

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On the other hand, the Mahagathbandhan has offered an equally ambitious set of promises. It has vowed to provide one government job to every family in Bihar, a commitment that could significantly influence young voters. The alliance has also promised 200 units of free electricity and a monthly unemployment allowance of Rs 2,000 for graduates and Rs 3,000 for postgraduates.

The opposition bloc has also committed to providing free land to homeless individuals from the Economically Backward Classes (EBCs), Scheduled Castes (SCs), and Scheduled Tribes (STs). It has further pledged to develop IT parks, establish Special Economic Zones (SEZs), and promote agro-based industries to boost job creation and rural growth.

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 13, 2025, 14:48 IST

News elections Nitish Kumar Once Again Or Tejashwi Yadavs First Big Win? All Eyes On Bihar Verdict Tomorrow

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Election Results 2025 Bihar: How To Check Poll Results On ECI Website? Step-By-Step Guide

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Last Updated: November 14, 2025, 07:31 IST

ECI Election Results 2025 Bihar: Results will be announced on November 14 via the ECI website and Voter Helpline app.

Election Results 2025 Bihar: How To Check Poll Results? Step-By-Step Guide

ECI Election Results 2025 Bihar: As Bihar gears up for the announcement of the 2025 Assembly election results, voters are preparing to track the outcome of one of the states most keenly contested polls in recent years. A total of 243 constituencies went to vote across two phases, with the final round of polling held on November 11.

FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES HERE

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This election witnessed a record-breaking overall voter turnout of 66.91%, the highest in the state since 1951. Notably, women voters outpaced men, registering a remarkable 71.6% turnout, compared to 62.8% among male voters, underscoring their growing influence in the states electoral landscape. Read More: Bihar Exit Poll 2025

With counting set to begin at 8 am on Friday, November 14, the Election Commission of India (ECI) will release real-time updates as results come in. To help voters, journalists, and observers stay informed, here is a step-by-step guide to checking results on the ECI website and the Voter Helpline app.

Step-by-step guide to check results

The results will be announced on Friday, November 14, at 8 am and can be viewed on the Election Commission of India (ECI) website https://results.eci.gov.in/ or the ECIs voter helpline app.

How to check election results on the ECI website:

1. Visit ECIs official website

2. Click on the link that reads General elections to assembly constituencies of Bihar

3. A new window will appear. Look for an option like Constituency-wise Trends & Results" or State-wise Results.

4. Results of the elections will be displayed on the screen in real time.

5. Additionally, use the Constituency Wise Results tab above the map to access a drop-down list of all constituencies. Selecting any constituency will show detailed information, including candidate-wise vote tallies, winning margins, and completed counting rounds.

How to Check Results on the Voter Helpline App

1. ECIs voter helpline app is available on both Android and iOS platforms via the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.

2. Visit Google Play Store or Apple App Store and download the Voter Helpline app.

3. Fill in the details for registration.

4. Once done, head over to the results option on the homepage to find the results for the General elections to assembly constituencies of Bihar.

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Both the app and the ECI results website are reliable ways to get official results directly from the Election Commission of India.

First Published: November 13, 2025, 11:06 IST

News elections Election Results 2025 Bihar: How To Check Poll Results On ECI Website? Step-By-Step Guide

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Bihar Will Be Turned Into Nepal Or Bangladesh If Fraud...: RJD Leader Faces BJPs Ire

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Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 19:06 IST

Sunil Singh claimed that ordinary voters, party workers, and coalition supporters were on alert and would not tolerate even a small percentage of fraud

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RJD MLC Sunil Singh. (Screengrab via X/@ANI)

A day ahead of counting for the Bihar Assembly elections, RJD MLC Sunil Singh warned that the state could turn into another Nepal or Bangladesh if there was any malpractice during the process.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, Singh claimed that ordinary voters, party workers, and coalition supporters were on alert and would not tolerate even a small percentage of fraud.

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Addressing the election officials, he urged them to act honestly, conduct the counting fairly, and separate truth from falsehood. I appeal to officials to act honestly: conduct the counting fairly, separate truth from falsehood, and perform your duties with integrity do not become guided instruments serving someone else," he said.

Patna, Bihar: On the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, RJD MLC Sunil Singh says, If there is fraud in the elections, Bihar will be turned into another Nepal or Bangladesh. Ordinary people are vigilant, and our workers and coalition supporters are on alert we will not tolerate pic.twitter.com/FJgBGgRQ5y IANS (@ians_india) November 13, 2025

The RJD MLC further warned that anyone involved in manipulation or fraud would not remain in power for long. If fraud occurs, those responsible will not be able to remain in power for long," he added.

BJP Hits Back

Reacting to Singhs remarks, BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla slammed the RJD leader, calling the statement a sign of complete frustration and nervousness".

Poonawalla said the opposition had started by blaming exit polls and was now trying to create grounds for trouble on counting day.

Sign of complete frustration and nervousness ! First they started blaming Exit Polls and now fearing loss they have started making grounds for violence on counting day?RJD MLC & leaders have started doing what they are best at -Dhamki & Jungle Raj Yesterday Tejaswi Yadav ji pic.twitter.com/ChYYPekkiY  Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) November 13, 2025

He added that RJD leaders, including Tejashwi Yadav, had previously made statements about qurbani," and now Singh was claiming Bihar could be turned into Bangladesh or Nepal. He accused the RJD of threatening the democratic process rather than protecting it.

They are Sanvidhan Bhakshak not Rakshak," Poonawalla noted.

FIR Filed Against Sunil Singh

Shortly after Singhs remarks drew condemnation, the Bihar DGP has ordered an FIR to be lodged against the RJD leader for giving what officials described as an inflammatory" statement.

Bihar Braces For Assembly Election Results

Bihar recorded a historic voter turnout of 67.13 per cent in the two-phase elections held on November 6 and 11 for the 243-member assembly. Counting of votes is scheduled to begin at 8 am on Friday, November 14, with trends and results expected from 9 am onwards. The Election Commission has set up 46 counting centres across 38 districts in the state. A total of 7.45 crore voters were eligible to decide the fate of 2,616 candidates.

Exit polls have largely predicted a clean sweep for the NDA, which includes the JD(U) and BJP, among others. The opposition INDIA bloc, led by the RJD with Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial candidate, has rejected these predictions, claiming it will form the government with a strong majority.

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The NDA in Bihar comprises five parties, with the JD(U) and BJP contesting the majority of seats. Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc includes RJD, Congress, CPI(ML) Liberation, other Left parties, and the Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP), all contesting to challenge the ruling coalition.

(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 : Bihar, India, India

First Published: November 13, 2025, 17:16 IST

News elections Bihar Will Be Turned Into Nepal Or Bangladesh If Fraud...: RJD Leader Faces BJPs Ire

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Chinas Loss, Indias Gain? How The Global Supply Chain Reset Could Make India The Next Big Factory

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Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 11:14 IST

Indias supply chain ambitions are also being bolstered by a new wave of trade diplomacy. In recent years, New Delhi has been signing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) at a record pace

The US-China rivalry may have started the process, but what follows could redefine the global order. For India, this is not just about attracting factories; it is about shaping the next industrial revolution. (Getty Images)

For decades, the Made In China phrase defined the global economy. From smartphones and sneakers to solar panels and semiconductors, China built the worlds most powerful manufacturing machine. But that machine is now facing unprecedented strain.

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With trade wars, pandemic, and geopolitical tensions, global corporations have started pivoting production to countries beyond China. And in that global reordering, India finds itself standing at the threshold of a historic opportunity.

The question is no longer if supply chains will move, but where they will land. With the US and its allies rethinking dependence on Beijing, and multinational companies seeking new manufacturing bases, Indias name keeps coming up alongside Vietnam, Indonesia, and Mexico.

For India, which has long aspired to become a global manufacturing hub but struggled to deliver, the current shift represents a once-in-a-generation opening.

How The US-China Trade War Caused The Domino Effect

The trigger for the global shake-up was the US-China trade war, launched in 2018. It began with tariffshundreds of billions of dollars worth of goods slapped with import duties by both sidesbut quickly escalated into something deeper: a technological and strategic decoupling.

In 2018, US exports to China dropped by 42% in some agricultural sectors, while US imports from China declined sharply following tariffs. By late 2019, the US had tariffs on about $350 billion of Chinese imports, with China retaliating on $100 billion of US exports.

Washington started restricting Chinas access to critical technologies such as semiconductors, high-end chips, and even AI tools, citing national security. Beijing retaliated by curbing exports of rare earth elements vital for electronics and green technologies.

In 2025, when Donald Trump took office, the years-long trade war intensified, with the two countries getting entangled in tit-for-tat tariffs. But after he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea last week, Trump agreed to lower tariffs on Chinese goods by 10% in exchange for Beijing cracking down on fentanyl. Thus, the effective tariffs as of November stand at around 47% on Chinese goods being imported into the US.

Despite the optics, multinational companies are wary and seeking a manufacturing base outside China.

Moreover, COVID-19 lockdowns shuttered factories, halted ports led to the supply chain chaos in 2020 and 2021. It revealed the dangers of relying on a single country for critical goods  pharmaceuticals, mobile phones, and microchips.

This combination of tariffs, technology tensions, and supply disruption lit the fuse for what analysts now call the China Plus One strategykeeping a manufacturing base in China, but adding another one elsewhere to hedge against risk.

The Global Race: Where Will the Factories Go?

As companies began scouting new destinations, Southeast Asia and South Asia became the focus. Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand all rolled out red carpets. Mexico lured US firms with proximity and trade agreements.

But India, with its massive market and deep labour pool, began emerging as a serious contender.

Apple became the face of this shift. Just five years ago, nearly all iPhones were made in China. Today, more than 14% of global iPhone production happens in India, according to JP Morgan estimates, and that share could rise to 25% by 2026.

Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistronthe key Apple suppliershave all expanded plants in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Samsungs Noida facility is now one of the largest smartphone factories in the world.

In autos, Hyundai, Kia, and Suzuki are using India not just for domestic sales but as an export hub. Pharmaceutical giants are exploring India as a base for producing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) to reduce reliance on Chinese suppliers.

Even emerging industries like electric vehicles and solar manufacturing are seeing a surge in Indian investment as part of global decarbonisation efforts and supply chain diversification.

The trendline is clear: the worlds manufacturing map is redrawing itself, and India is being pencilled in more boldly than ever before.

Why India Is Suddenly in Play

The difference this time is not just geopolitical, it is policy-driven. In the past, India missed several global manufacturing waves because of slow reforms, weak logistics, and red tape. But in the past five years, the country has built an industrial foundation that makes it genuinely competitive.

At the centre of that shift is the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, a government initiative that rewards manufacturers for producing in India. Spread across sectors like electronics, automobiles, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and textiles, the PLI scheme offers financial incentives linked to output and exports.

Then theres corporate tax reformIndia now has one of Asias lowest tax rates for new manufacturing units, at just 15%.

Add to that an aggressive infrastructure push under the 2021 Gati Shakti plan, which integrates highways, ports, and logistics hubs with digital mapping to cut transit times. Industrial corridors like the Delhi-Mumbai and Chennai-Bengaluru corridors are being expanded to connect manufacturing clusters seamlessly.

Meanwhile, digital governance is quietly transforming Indias ease of doing business. Paperless customs, e-invoicing, and single-window clearance systems have cut procedural time and corruption.

These steps have made India not just attractive, but increasingly viable.

How Trade Diplomacy Is A Big Factor

Indias supply chain ambitions are also being bolstered by a new wave of trade diplomacy. In recent years, New Delhi has been signing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) at a record pace.

In May, India signed an FTA with the United Kingdom that includes zero-duty access for 99% of Indian exports to the UK, while India will reduce tariffs on about 90% of UK goods. The deal provides easier entry for professionals in sectors like IT, architecture, and education. An annual quota of 1,800 visas will be provided for skilled professionals such as chefs, yoga instructors, and musicians.

In March 2024, India and a four-nation European bloc European Free Trade Association (EFTA) signed the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), which came into effect from October 2025. Under the pact, India has received an investment commitment of $100 billion in 15 years from the grouping while allowing several products, such as Swiss watches, chocolates, and cut and polished diamonds, at lower or zero duties. The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) members are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

In 2022, India-UAE signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which has already pushed bilateral trade above $80 billion in FY25. The key provisions of the agreement include immediate zero-duty access for 90% of Indias exports to the UAE, duty concessions for Indian gems and jewellery, and preferential treatment for aluminium, copper, and petrochemicals. The agreement also addresses intellectual property rights, government procurement, and digital trade, and includes mechanisms for dispute settlement and customs facilitation.

Around the same time, India signed the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) with Australia, offering duty-free access for 90% of exports. The trade has reportedly led to a 14% increase in Indias exports to Australia in 2023-24 compared to the previous year. The current bilateral trade stands at $24.1 billion. India and Australia are currently in negotiations to expand the scope of this existing agreement into a more comprehensive free trade deal.

These deals are vital because they dont just open markets; they signal to investors that India is serious about being part of global supply networks.

India vs Vietnam vs Indonesia: Who Wins The China Plus One Game?

In the early years of this diversification trend, Vietnam seemed unbeatable. Its proximity to China, extensive trade agreements, and export-oriented economy made it a natural first choice for electronics manufacturers.

But Vietnams smaller population and rising wages are creating constraints. Indonesia, meanwhile, has surged ahead in electric vehicle (EV) supply chains, thanks to its massive nickel reserves.

Indias advantage lies in scale. It offers a vast, English-speaking workforce, deep domestic consumption, and growing digital infrastructure. Unlike Vietnam or Indonesia, India can combine manufacturing exports with a domestic market of 1.4 billion consumersa rare combination.

Still, there are gaps to bridge. Logistics costs in India remain higher (1314% of GDP) compared to Southeast Asian peers (810%). Land acquisition, energy reliability, and skill training remain bottlenecks.

Yet, investors are noticing momentum. As one global trade consultant said that Vietnam and Indonesia can host a few factories; India can host an entire ecosystem. The old leaders  Japan, Korea, the US, Europe  are past their peak," Cameron Johnson, partner at Tidalwave Solutions and a global supply chain strategist, had told News18. Outside of China, India is the only country capable of manufacturing at a true scale. The window is open, but not forever."

Can Economic Payoffs Be Transformative?

Goldman Sachs estimates India could attract $350 billion in manufacturing exports annually by 2030 if it captures even a fraction of Chinas outgoing production.

Already, Indias electronics exports have quadrupled in five years, led by mobile phones and components. Auto components and pharmaceuticals are next in line for expansion.

This boom could reshape Indias job landscape. The manufacturing sector currently employs about 11% of the workforce, but experts believe that could rise to 18-20% if the current momentum continues.

New clusters in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh are becoming magnets for blue-collar employment, logistics start-ups, and small suppliers.

There is also a multiplier effecteach manufacturing job can generate two to three indirect jobs in transport, packaging, and retail.

What Other Advantages Can India Have?

Indias manufacturing rise is not just an economic story  it is a strategic one. As the US and its allies build a new architecture of trusted supply chains", Indias democratic governance, stable political system, and geographic position make it a key player.

Through the Quad alliance (US, Japan, India, and Australia) and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), India is increasingly embedded in discussions around semiconductor resilience, critical minerals, and green technologies.

Japan and Australia are funding Indias infrastructure and technology parks. The US has endorsed Indias role in building alternative tech ecosystemsfrom 5G networks to AI research.

As Chinese influence faces pushback, Indias ability to emerge as a neutral, reliable producer" gives it both leverage and soft power.

The Challenges That India Needs To Overcome

For all its progress, Indias manufacturing ecosystem still faces three persistent challenges:

Infrastructure bottlenecks: Despite rapid construction, many industrial clusters remain poorly connected to ports and logistics hubs. Power reliability and warehouse standards still lag global benchmarks.

Regulatory fragmentation: Labour laws and tax compliance differ across states, complicating scaling across multiple regions.

Skill gaps: India produces millions of graduates, but manufacturing-ready skills, such as automation, precision engineering, and robotics, are still in short supply.

Overcoming these challenges will require more than policy. It needs coordination between the Centre, states, and private industry.

Whats Next For India?

If India wants to sustain this wave, three shifts are essential:

Predictable policy: Investors need stability in tax, import, and trade policy. Frequent changes discourage long-term planning.

Skills and innovation: Manufacturing must evolve beyond assembly into design, R&D, and advanced engineering.

Green competitiveness: As global buyers demand low-carbon supply chains, India must integrate renewable energy and sustainable logistics into its manufacturing zones.

In other words, the race is not just to make things, but to make them smarter, faster, and cleaner.

The US-China rivalry may have started the process, but what follows could redefine the global order. For India, this is not just about attracting factories; it is about shaping the next industrial revolution.

If reforms deepen, logistics modernise, and skills catch up, India could evolve from an outsourcing hub to a true industrial powerhouseone that anchors the global supply chain of the future.

As economist Arvind Panagariya, the chairman of the 16th Finance Commission and former Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog, put it, This is Indias second 1991 moment. The difference is, this time, the world is ready too."

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About the Author Shilpy Bisht Shilpy Bisht, Deputy News Editor at News18, writes and edits national, world and business stories. She started off as a print journalist, and then transitioned to online, in her 12 years of experience... Read More

First Published: November 13, 2025, 11:14 IST

News explainers Chinas Loss, Indias Gain? How The Global Supply Chain Reset Could Make India The Next Big Factory

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Chinese-aided project boosts schistosomiasis awareness among Tanzania's Zanzibar children

Xinhua) 10:00, November 13, 2025

DAR ES SALAAM, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- In a lively display of color, creativity, and learning, hundreds of schoolchildren on Pemba Island in Tanzania's Zanzibar took part in a hand-copied poster competition designed to raise awareness about schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease that remains a public health challenge in parts of Africa.

Organized by the China-aided Zanzibar schistosomiasis prevention and control expert team at Ng'ambwa Primary School and Madungu Primary School, the event sought to strengthen health education among school-age children by teaching them how to prevent infection and encouraging safe hygiene practices through art.

Before the competition, Chinese experts conducted an interactive health education session, using illustrated materials and simple explanations to help pupils understand how schistosomiasis spreads and how it can be prevented.

They introduced children to key concepts, including the schistosome parasite, the Biomphalaria snail that transmits it, and the dangers of contact with contaminated freshwater. Through drawings, question-and-answer sessions, and storytelling, the lessons came to life.

"The children were very curious and eager to learn," said Wang Wei, head of the Chinese expert team, adding, "They asked thoughtful questions and shared what they knew about local rivers and ponds where they sometimes fetch water or play. Our goal was to help them understand how simple precautions can protect their health."

After the health talk, pupils took out their pencils, crayons, and paintbrushes to depict what they had learned. Some drew diagrams showing how the disease spreads from snails to humans, others illustrated doctors treating patients, and many created colorful comics carrying messages, such as "Stay away from infected water, protect your health."

More than 400 pupils from the two schools participated, submitting over 500 poster entries. The artworks reflected both creativity and a deepening understanding of the disease.

Parents attending the event expressed their appreciation for the initiative. Dira Haji Nyange, mother of Wadhat Ally Abdalla from Ng'ambwa Primary School, said the competition had a meaningful impact on children's health awareness.

"This competition should continue every year," Nyange said. "It helps our children learn how to protect themselves and will reduce schistosomiasis cases in our area."

Salma Ally, mother of Adhra Suleiman Said from Madungu Primary School, said the activity provided practical lessons that children could apply in their daily lives.

"The pupils learned important habits such as avoiding contact with dirty water, wearing shoes when walking through muddy areas, and boiling water before using it," Ally said. "These are simple actions, but they can save lives."

At the award-giving ceremony, Hassina Kaduara, a representative from the Pemba Island education office, praised the event as a model for effective health education.

"This combination of art and health awareness is both innovative and engaging," the official said. "It allows students to learn disease prevention knowledge in a fun way while encouraging a sense of responsibility for their own and their community's health."

Wang also emphasized that school-age children are a key group in the fight against schistosomiasis.

By reaching them early, the campaign not only educates the next generation but also extends its impact to families and communities, Wang said, adding, "They remind their parents and friends to avoid unsafe water and to practice proper hygiene. This community-driven approach is vital for long-term disease control."

The expert team was launched to strengthen Zanzibar's capacity to prevent, diagnose, and control schistosomiasis, which is transmitted by freshwater snails and can cause chronic ill health if left untreated.

The China-aided project supports health surveillance, laboratory training, snail control, and community education, with a focus on promoting sustainable, locally driven solutions. It is part of China's long-standing cooperation with African countries to combat tropical and parasitic diseases.

Over the past few years, the initiative has brought modern diagnostic tools and training to Zanzibar's health sector while introducing community-based interventions such as school outreach, public awareness campaigns, and preventive medicine distribution.

Looking ahead, Wang said future programs will expand to include quizzes, storytelling sessions, and drawing exhibitions focused on other parasitic diseases, water safety, and hygiene.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Zhong Wenxing)
Several weeks ago, we visited NYC to attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the fastest time to visit every single subway station in the city (you can watch that experience at the end of this video). Although we failed to actually break the world record, we figured we deserved a reward for spending over 15 hours in the NYC subway system.

Thats what led us to Eleven Madison Park, 24 hours later, for dinner at our first-ever 3-star Michelin restaurant. It was no surprise at all that the food was out-of-this-world incredible, but what we were most shocked by, was the over-the-top personalized surprise they gave us at the end of our meal that was something we will never forget!

Eleven Madison Park

Eleven Madison Park is one of New York Citys most highly acclaimed fine dining restaurants, owned by Swiss chef Daniel Humm.

The restaurant is renowned for its innovative plant-based dishes and a rotating menu that focuses on seasonal produce (though meat dishes are newly available again). Patrons of the restaurant can choose between several tasting courses and wine pairing menus that range from 3 to 9 courses long. The menu is always changing, but past dishes have included Tonburi with Badger Flame Beets, Soba with Shitake and Wasabi, and Celtuce Tostada with Avocado.

Beyond being a 3 Michelin star restaurant, Eleven Madison Park has a host of other accolades from the New York Times Worlds 50 Best Restaurants to a James Beard Best Chef: NYC award.

Our (Unforgettable) Eleven Madison Park Experience

Towards the end of our meal, the restaurant staff approached us to let us know they had a surprise for us. They led us into the kitchen, where they handed us our very own MetroCards. We hadnt told them about our world-record attempt, but apparently, theyd been stalking our social media and wanted to celebrate with us.

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From there, they led us to a new room where we were greeted by our server, now decked out in a full MTA conductor uniform  hat, badge, the whole works. He collected our tickets and told us he would be taking us to the secret Eleven Madison Park subway station.

When the door opened, we realized we were in the restaurants wine cellar. And in a restaurant as prestigious as this one, a wine cellar means a room filled with millions of dollars' worth of wine. But the cool part wasnt just getting to see the wine cellar; it was that the staff had transformed the room into a subway car!

They had subway sounds playing, and to top it all off, the sommelier was holding onto a rope, with headphones in, swaying back and forth, pretending to be on a subway car. And in the very back of the cellar, they handed us the official drink of the New York City subway: a can of beer in a brown paper bag. So, there we were, sipping beer surrounded by some of the most expensive wine in the world.

It is nights like this one that make us so grateful for all the incredible adventures weve gotten to go on and the people weve met because of it. It was such a pleasure to try Eleven Madison Parks renowned cooking and meet their top-notch staff. We will be talking about this experience for the rest of our lives!
Red Fort Blast: Tracing The Origins, Spread And Structure Of A White-Collar Terror Network

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 15:30 IST

The full scale of the conspiracy is still emerging, but for now, agencies believe they have prevented a far larger plot from unfolding

13 people were killed in the Red Fort blast. (PTI)

The evening blast near Delhis Red Fort on 10 November has exposed a radicalised white-collar terror module: a network of doctors, a cleric and associates operating across multiple Indian cities and linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH) terror groups.

The fidayeen attack that killed 13 and injured more than two dozen was not a sudden act of violence. It was the outcome of long-term ideological grooming, encrypted coordination, foreign travel, recruitment drives, and finally a race against time when members of the module began to be arrested.

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The National Investigation Agency (NIA), now probing the case, is piecing together how the network formed and how its members were linked to one another.

Where Did The Network Begin And Who Was Behind The Radicalisation?

According to investigators, the earliest threads of the conspiracy can be traced to October this year, when Jaish-e-Mohammed posters surfaced across Nowgam in Srinagar.

CCTV footage identified three youths, Arif Nisar Dar alias Sahil, Yasir-ul-Ashraf and Maqsood Ahmed Dar, pasting the posters. Their interrogation pointed police towards a cleric whose name repeatedly emerged: Irfan Ahmad Wagah, a former paramedical worker at GMC Srinagar who had also served as an imam.

Officials say Wagah and his wife formed the ideological core of the module. They allegedly radicalised medical interns, junior doctors and educated youth through sermons, closed-door sessions and online channels like Telegram. Their messages reportedly promoted extremist narratives and encouraged the building of open sleeper cells" using doctors and professionals with clean profiles.

This ideological base connected directly to two encrypted Telegram groups: Farzandan-e-Darul Uloom, Deoband, and another run by Umar bin Khattab, a JeM militant in Pakistan.

These groups, accessed through end-to-end encrypted chats, became the meeting place of the modules operatives. Over time, the discussions shifted from grievance-laced rhetoric to instructions on movement, recruitment and reconnaissance.

How Did The Doctors Know Each Other?

Central to the doctors module" is the link between three men: Dr Umar Un Nabi, Dr Muzammil Ganaie and Dr Adil Ahmad Rather. All three studied or worked at different points at Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar and GMC Anantnag, forming early friendships and professional connections.

Investigators say Umar and Muzammils friendship at GMC Srinagar was the first interpersonal link. They graduated around the same period, later working as residents before moving to Al-Falah Universitys medical college in Faridabad, Haryana.

By this time, they were also in touch with Adil, who had already come on the intelligence radar after a separate incident: he had taken sudden leave on 26 September, married a fellow doctor on 4 October, and returned to Saharanpur, only for pro-Jaish posters to appear in Srinagars Rainawari and Zadibal areas on 27 October. CCTV footage and mobile data later linked that poster act to Adil.

Over time, another critical member joined this circle  Dr Shaheen Sayeed, a doctor from Lucknow who investigators say was in a close personal relationship with Muzammil. Her role, according to agencies, was significant: she was allegedly central to the effort to build a womens wing linked to JeM and was in regular contact with the clerics network in Kashmir.

Shaheen and another woman doctor from Kashmir had completed their MBBS at Dhaka Medical College. Both reportedly came into contact with the cleric during internships at Srinagar hospitals, with investigators now describing this period as the turning point in their ideological shift.

Foreign travel ties further cemented these relationships. Umar and Muzammil travelled to Turkey earlier this year on instructions sent through a Telegram handler. Their stay and movements were arranged abroad, strengthening suspicions among investigators of direct coordination with JeM-linked facilitators.

Why Was Al-Falah University At The Centre Of The Plot?

Faridabads Al-Falah University emerged as the physical command centre of the network. Building 17, Room 13, now sealed, was where planning discussions, meetings and data storage allegedly took place. According to investigating agencies, forensic teams recovered chemical residues, glassware and material suggesting that small batches of ammonium nitrate mixtures were tested in a laboratory inside the campus. Samples have been sent for detailed forensic examination.

The universitys medical college offered anonymity and resources: hostel rooms, laboratory access and a continuous flow of young professionals.

Muzammil lived in Faridabads Dhauj area, while his associate Haji Ishtiaq stored more than 2,500 kilograms of explosive-making chemicals at a house nearby. Investigators say this Al-FalahDhauj belt formed the operational and storage hub of the conspiracy.

From Muzammils room alone, officers recovered about 350 kilograms of ammonium nitrate, detonators, manuals, timers and two automatic pistols. Shaheen, after panicking over Muzammils arrest, allegedly discarded an AK-47 from her car behind the university campus, which was later recovered.

For agencies, this represents both the modules physical footprint and its concealment strategy. The use of a legitimate medical university helped mask suspicious movements, frequent visitors and the storage of chemicals.

What Did Investigators Find In The Cars Kashmir Trail?

The early detentions in the case involved three men: Tariq Ahmad, Amir Rashid and Umar Rashid. Amir and Umar (brothers) work locally as a plumber and an electrician. Their names surfaced after investigators began tracking the movement of the Hyundai i20 eventually used in the Red Fort blast.

Sources told CNN-News18 that the car, originally registered in Gurugram under HR26 and owned by Mohammad Salman, was sold to a buyer in Delhis Okhla area last year. Investigators have since traced the vehicle to Kashmir, where it was purchased by Amir Rashid.

A key detail flagged by investigators is that when Amir bought the car, he provided a mobile number registered in the name of Tariq, a driver who is known to him. Amir had been using Tariqs number, leading both identities to appear in call records and tower dumps linked to the vehicle. This overlap initially caused confusion, including the widely circulated image of Amir holding a car key being incorrectly tagged as Tariq".

Police detained Amir, his brother Umar, and Tariq to clarify the circumstances of the purchase, verify why Tariqs number was used, and determine whether any of them had knowingly facilitated the vehicles transfer before it reached Dr Umar Un Nabi, the alleged fidayeen attacker. Officers also questioned Dr Umars mother and two brothers to map his final movements.

How Did The Network Spread Across States?

Officials believe the spread was deliberate and planned. After returning from Turkey, Umar and Muzammil were instructed to disperse to different locations. Muzammil moved to Faridabad; Adil left for Saharanpur to work at a private hospital; Shaheen relocated to Faridabad; and the cleric remained active in Kashmir.

Each location served a purpose: Faridabad for logistics and material assembly; parts of Kashmir for recruitment and movement; Saharanpur for creating an additional operational node; Lucknow for expanding the womens network; and the Mewat region for storing bulk explosives through Haji Ishtiaq.

The networks design was decentralised. Each member had a role  logistics, recruitment, reconnaissance, firearms, finance or propagation. One of the doctors reportedly received multiple foreign remittances via digital wallets from Istanbul and Doha between 2023 and 2024, believed to be funding for their activities.

How Did The Plot Move From Preparation To Execution?

The first break in the case came from Srinagar, where JeM posters surfaced. CCTV footage led police to three overground workers  Arif Nisar Dar, Yasir-ul-Ashraf and Maqsood Ahmad Dar  all from Nowgam. Their interrogation pointed investigators to Maulvi Irfan Ahmad in Shopian, whose questioning became the turning point of the probe.

From Irfan, the chain moved to Dr Adil Ahmad Rather, who had recently shifted from GMC Anantnag to Saharanpur. Police recovered an AK-series rifle from his locker. His sustained interrogation exposed the existence of a larger network and led to the detention of Zameer Ahangar from Ganderbal, who was also linked to the cleric.

These leads finally took investigators to Dr Muzammil Ganaie in Faridabad. His two rented rooms, properties originally owned by the cleric, yielded the biggest haul: around 350 kg of ammonium nitrate, detonators, timers and weapons from one room, and 2,563 kg of suspected explosives from another hideout in Fatehpur Taga. The recovery triggered a sweeping crackdown in Faridabad, including searches at Al-Falah University, where Muzammil had been working for the past three-and-a-half years.

By this stage, Dr Umar Un Nabi had already gone underground. J&K Police searched for him in Pulwama but found he had fled. Investigators believe that, knowing Muzammil, Adil and Shaheen were all in custody and that the Faridabad cache had been discovered, Umar concluded that his arrest was imminent.

On 10 November, he left Faridabad at 7 AM, entered Delhi via the Badarpur toll at 8:13 AM, refuelled shortly after, and parked near the Red Fort around 3 PM. He waited there for over three hours. At 6:52 PM, the explosion tore through the area.

Investigators believe this was a panic-driven fidayeen detonation, an attack executed after Umar realised the module had collapsed and the window for carrying out a larger, coordinated operation had closed.

What Do Investigators Believe Was The Larger Plan?

The network, sources say, had aimed to create a series of coordinated attacks resembling the 26/11 model. Material recovered in Faridabad suggests preparation for multiple blasts. Recce images of Delhi landmarks, foreign funding trails and instructions from Telegram channels strengthen the suspicion of a larger conspiracy.

The modules defining characteristic, investigators argue, was its composition: young doctors, university associates and professionals  people with no traditional markers of extremist activity. This white-collar terrorism" was designed to avoid detection and embed high-trust networks within professional spaces.

What Happens Next?

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With the case handed over to the NIA, investigators are examining further links, including foreign travel, digital money trails and additional handlers. More doctors may be questioned.

The full scale of the conspiracy is still emerging, but for now, agencies believe they have prevented a far larger plot from unfolding.

About the Author Karishma Jain Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follo... Read More

First Published: November 13, 2025, 15:13 IST

News explainers Red Fort Blast: Tracing The Origins, Spread And Structure Of A White-Collar Terror Network

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US Shutdown Ends After 43 Days: How Soon Will Americas Disrupted Services Recover?

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 11:46 IST

From federal paycheques and SNAP to air travel, heres what changes now that Donald Trump has signed the funding bill, ending the longest federal government shutdown in US history

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed the funding bill passed by Congress, bringing an end to the 43-day federal government shutdown. (Image: AFP)

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed the funding bill passed by Congress, bringing an end to the 43-day federal government shutdown, the longest in US history. The closure had halted paycheques for federal workers, disrupted food benefits for millions, and triggered major delays across the countrys air travel system.

The House of Representatives approved the Senate-backed measure in a 222209 vote, with nearly every Republican and six Democrats supporting it. With Trumps signature, funding is restored, and federal agencies can begin reopening. Most furloughed federal employees have been told to prepare for an immediate return, though different departments will resume operations on slightly different timelines.

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The bill keeps the government funded until January. While it prevents another immediate shutdown, several effects of the shutdown will continue as agencies work through backlogs, resume public services, and release delayed information.

Here is what changes now that the government is reopening, and how soon Americans can expect daily services to return to normal.

Federal Workers Will Return, With Job Security And Back Pay

The reopening allows roughly 1.4 million federal workers to return to their duties. Many of them were furloughed, while others worked without pay throughout the standoff.

Ahead of the vote, the White House said the package ends disruptions to programmes the American people rely on and ensures that federal employees forced to work without pay, such as air traffic controllers, will now be promptly paid."

The bill includes several measures affecting workers:

All federal layoffs that occurred during the shutdown will be cancelled.

Every federal employee who missed paycheques will receive full back pay for the period during which they could not work.

Agencies expecting to reduce staff during the shutdown will have those plans reversed.

Further layoffs will be prevented through 30 January, as stated in the bill.

Departments have begun instructing workers on when to report back. Interior Department personnel were told to resume work on Thursday, Agriculture Department staff were asked to return on Friday, and the Department of Health and Human Services said: All employees who were furloughed must report for duty at their official duty station on Thursday, Nov. 13, if the bill is signed into law tonight or tomorrow morning."

The immediate return will restore functions across preschools, food assistance programmes, and federal offices that had stopped operating. Museums and national landmarks that were closed during the shutdown will also begin preparing to reopen.

Food Assistance Programmes Will Be Restored

One of the most significant disruptions during the shutdown was to food benefits for millions of families, especially those relying on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). With the government reopening, the law restores the programmes funding. The deal replenishes SNAPs contingency fund and fully funds child nutrition programmes, including free and reduced-price school meals.

The WIC programme, which supports around seven million pregnant women, new mothers, and young children, will receive $8.2 billion, an increase of $603 million from the previous fiscal year, and its contingency fund will also be replenished. The Commodity Supplemental Food Program, which serves more than 700,000 low-income senior citizens, will receive $460 million.

Even with funding restored, the timing of SNAP disbursements remains uncertain because the administration had attempted to pause full payments while the shutdown was ongoing. States are expected to resume issuing benefits once systems restart, but there is no clarity yet on how quickly the payments will reach families.

How Soon Will Flights Return To Normal After Widespread Cancellations?

Air travel was among the hardest-hit sectors during the shutdown, with air traffic controllers reporting sick or unable to work without pay. This caused widespread delays and cancellations across major airports.

The Federal Aviation Administration had ordered a reduction in flights at 40 of the countrys largest airports because controllers were not reporting to work. On Wednesday morning, before the bill was passed, more than 900 flights in and out of the US were cancelled.

Although the government has now reopened, those disruptions will not disappear immediately. It could take days or even weeks for airlines to rebuild flight schedules and staffing levels after the prolonged shortage of personnel.

Economic Reports Delayed During Shutdown Will Be Released

The shutdown halted the release of important federal economic data. The Bureau of Labor Statistics was scheduled to publish the September jobs report on 3 October, two days after the shutdown began, but the closure forced delays.

Economists cited in the Wall Street Journal said that the report will likely be released shortly after the government reopens. However, other reports, including the producer-price index and the unemployment rate for October, may take longer to appear because the agency had been furloughed and was unable to conduct surveys.

These reports are used to understand employment trends, wages, and market activity, and the delayed release means the public and businesses will receive this information later than usual.

Public Attractions Preparing To Reopen After Prolonged Closure

National parks, museums, forests, and other federal properties will begin to resume normal operations. The process will not happen immediately: staff must return, prepare facilities, and restore services.

Most national parks remained open in a limited manner during the shutdown, but museums and major attractions were fully closed.

Bill Allocates New Security Funding For Congress And Supreme Court

The bill includes several provisions to strengthen security for lawmakers and judges. The package allocates:

$203.5 million to enhance security for members of the House and Senate

$852 million for the US Capitol Police

$28 million for the protection and security of Supreme Court justices

These measures will now be put into action as agencies resume operations.

Veterans Medical Care Receives Significant Boost

According to the provisions outlined in the law, the Department of Veterans Affairs will receive $115 billion for discretionary medical care, which is over $2.3 billion more than the previous fiscal year.

This increase covers a wide range of services that the VA provides to former service members. The funding supports the Cost of War Toxic Exposures Fund, which deals with health issues linked to military service, as well as rural health programmes, caregiving support, and womens health services.

It also covers efforts aimed at preventing veterans homelessness, in addition to mental health programmes and child care assistance for families receiving care through the VA.

New Congressional Notification Requirement For Investigations

The bill includes a provision requiring greater transparency from law enforcement agencies. The Justice Department and FBI must notify the Senate if a lawmaker is under investigation or if a senators personal information is being subpoenaed.

This follows the release of FBI records related to an investigation known as Arctic Frost, which involved efforts by Trump allies to register electoral college votes for Trump in states won by Joe Biden in 2020.

Major Democratic Demand Left Out Of The Bill

The legislation does not include an extension of health insurance subsidies, a key demand from Democrats. Lawmakers have agreed to hold a separate vote on the matter later in December.

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How Long Will The Government Stay Open Under This Deal?

The bill provides funding only until January. While the immediate crisis has ended, the government will face another funding deadline early next year.

About the Author Karishma Jain Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follo... Read More

First Published: November 13, 2025, 11:43 IST

News explainers US Shutdown Ends After 43 Days: How Soon Will Americas Disrupted Services Recover?

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What Exactly Is A Sonic Boom That Terrified Jodhpur Residents And How Is It Created?

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 14:17 IST

A sonic boom occurs when an object travels faster than sound, creating a loud explosion-like noise that often alarms the public, prompting quick clarification from the Air Force

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Fighter jets are more commonly associated with sonic booms as they are designed for supersonic speeds. (Representative/PTI)

On Tuesday night in Jodhpur, a loud explosion-like sound accompanied by a slight tremor caused panic among residents. The Indian Air Force later clarified that the sound was a sonic boom created by a fighter jet flying at supersonic speed.

In this context, News18 examines what a sonic boom is, how its produced, and why similar loud sounds have been reported across cities from Bengaluru to Jodhpur.

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Such sounds are extremely loud and can be frightening, resembling a large explosion. They are usually associated with fighter jets of the Air Force. When these jets fly faster than Mach 1, a sonic boom occurs.

Essentially, when an object moves faster than the speed of sound, it generates a sonic boom. This phenomenon often leads to public concern, prompting the Air Force to quickly clarify the situation. Typically, a sonic boom is heard when an aircraft transitions from supersonic to subsonic speeds, usually at altitudes between 36,000 and 40,000 feet.

What Is A Sonic Boom?

When an aircraft exceeds the speed of sound, it is termed supersonic speed. For example, if an object moves faster than 332 meters per second, it is considered supersonic. For aircraft, speeds over 1,225 kilometres per hour produce a sonic boom.

An aircraft creates sound waves as it moves through the air. There are no issues as long as its speed is below the speed of sound. However, once it surpasses this speed, an explosion-like sound is generated.

Can Passenger Planes Create Sonic Booms?

Any aircraft flying faster than the speed of sound can create a sonic boom. However, fighter jets are more commonly associated with sonic booms as they are designed for supersonic speeds, which are often required for their missions.

Commercial passenger planes, such as Boeing and Airbus, usually do not create sonic booms, as they are designed to fly at subsonic speeds, typically between Mach 0.78 and 0.85, for fuel efficiency and safety.

How Different Countries Regulate Sonic Booms

Supersonic flights are banned over populated areas worldwide due to the loud and disturbing nature of sonic booms, which can break windows and cause structural damage.

In India, sonic booms caused by fighter jets are generally not considered a violation of rules if they occur in controlled and necessary situations. However, under DGCA rules, supersonic flights over populated areas are typically banned to prevent potential problems and damage.

Does A Sonic Boom Affect The Pilot Too?

Loud sounds can cause hearing problems, stress, and concentration difficulties. However, modern aircraft are robust enough that sonic booms do not directly cause structural damage.

Instances Of Sonic Booms In India

Bengaluru: Sonic boom-like sounds are often heard, especially during IAF test flights, with notable occurrences in May 2020 and July 2021.

Amritsar: Near the Pakistan border, sonic booms are frequently reported during Indian Air Force exercises.

Jodhpur: On the night of November 11, 2025, loud explosion-like sounds and tremors were reported during Air Force training flights.

Dehradun: Reports of buildings shaking and windows cracking due to loud sounds have been attributed to sonic booms.

Saurashtra Region: In 2004, blast-like sounds were heard in Gujarats Saurashtra region, later linked to sonic booms from overflying jets.

Ludhiana: Loud explosion-like sounds were connected to fighter jets near Halwara Air Force Station.

Tirupur: A mysterious loud sound heard in 2020 was said to be a sonic boom from a Tejas aircraft.

These events usually occur when an aircraft exceeds the speed of sound (Mach 1), creating a powerful shock wave that produces a loud explosion-like sound on the ground.

How Sonic Booms Once Led To Building Collapses In Israel

In 1966-67, sonic booms created by Israeli Air Force jets caused the collapse of walls in about 70 buildings and broke numerous windows.

Similarly, during the 1960s, tests of the US Air Forces YF-12 jets resulted in broken windows and some structural damage, leading to multiple lawsuits against the Air Force.

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Supersonic Flights Milestones

In 1947, US Army pilot Chuck Yeager became the first person to fly faster than the speed of sound in the Bell X-1 aircraft. Since then, many supersonic flights have broken the sound barrier, with some advanced aircraft now flying at three times the speed of sound. According to the Indian Air Force website, Indias fastest jets are the Sukhoi 30MKI and Mirage-2000.

Location : Jodhpur, India, India

First Published: November 13, 2025, 14:17 IST

News explainers What Exactly Is A Sonic Boom That Terrified Jodhpur Residents And How Is It Created?

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Why Nepal Started Printing Its Currency Notes In China Instead Of India

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 15:25 IST

Nepal chose China over India for printing its currency, citing lower costs and advanced technology offered by a Chinese firm that won the global tender

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Nepal's currency was printed at India's Security Press in Nashik from 1945 to 1955. (News18 Hindi)

Nepal, which once relied on India to print its banknotes, has since 2015 turned to China for this service. Most of Indias neighbouring countries have similarly moved their currency printing operations to China.

Nepals decision to switch from India to China was influenced by economic and political reasons. The Chinese companys bid was the lowest in a global tender and offered advanced technology. Additionally, Nepals new banknotes include a revised map featuring disputed territories with India, making it politically sensitive for India to print them.

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Why Nepal Halted Printing Its Currency In India

Nepals new currency notes display the disputed regions of Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani as part of Nepal. Due to these political tensions, India was unwilling to print the notes, prompting Nepal to seek alternatives. The Chinese company not only offered a more affordable and secure printing option but also incorporated modern security features, leading Nepal to choose China for its currency printing needs.

Nepals currency was printed at Indias Security Press in Nashik from 1945 to 1955. Over the following decades, Nepal explored other options, although some of its currency continued to be printed in India until 2015. Now, all of Nepals banknotes are printed in China.

Why Most Asian Nations Turn To China For Printing Their Currency

China has emerged as a major hub for currency printing in Asia, with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand, and Afghanistan also printing their money there.

The Chinese government company, China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation (CBPMC), now prints Nepals currency. Recently, Nepal Rastra Bank awarded CBPMC a contract to design and print 430 million notes of Rs 1,000, a project worth approximately $16.985 million. Due to its limited capacity, Nepal prints most of its currency abroad, and Chinas advanced and high-quality printing services make it a preferred choice.

How China Became A Global Hub For Currency Printing

Chinas currency printing technology is regarded as highly advanced, offering superior security features and exceptional print quality. CBPMC employs modern security technologies such as watermarks, holographic features, security threads, and colour-shifting ink. The company has also developed a new holographic feature called Colordance to prevent counterfeiting and reduce costs.

Founded in 1948, the China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation (CBPMC), often called the Mint of China, operates multiple printing presses and mints across the country. It employs around 30,000 to 40,000 people, including designers, engineers, technicians, quality control experts, and security staff.

Global Currency Printing Companies

Several major government and private entities dominate the global currency printing industry. The top government currency printing companies include:

China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation (CBPMC): The worlds largest currency printing company, serving many developing countries.

The worlds largest currency printing company, serving many developing countries. National Printing Bureau (NPB): Japans company, known for its advanced technology and security.

Japans company, known for its advanced technology and security. Goznak: This Russian firm prints not only the ruble but also banknotes for several other nations, particularly former Soviet states. It also specializes in producing high-security documents.

This Russian firm prints not only the ruble but also banknotes for several other nations, particularly former Soviet states. It also specializes in producing high-security documents. Bank of England Printing Works (now owned by Chinas De La Rue): Now a private firm with printing facilities in the UK, it was first acquired by Frances De La Rue in 2013 and later taken over by the China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation.

Now a private firm with printing facilities in the UK, it was first acquired by Frances De La Rue in 2013 and later taken over by the China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation. US Bureau of Engraving and Printing: This US-based company prints dollar bills and operates one of the worlds largest currency printing facilities. However, it exclusively produces US currency and not for other nations.

This US-based company prints dollar bills and operates one of the worlds largest currency printing facilities. However, it exclusively produces US currency and not for other nations. India Security Press: These government-owned companies print the Indian rupee on behalf of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and are fully owned and operated by the Government of India.

Leading private companies include:

De La Rue: It is the worlds largest private banknote printer, producing currency for around 140 countries, along with passports and postage stamps. Its currency division has since been acquired by China.

It is the worlds largest private banknote printer, producing currency for around 140 countries, along with passports and postage stamps. Its currency division has since been acquired by China. Giesecke & Devrient: This private German company is a global leader in security printing and banknote production. It prints currency for several countries, including the euro, and is renowned for its advanced security technologies.

This private German company is a global leader in security printing and banknote production. It prints currency for several countries, including the euro, and is renowned for its advanced security technologies. Oberthur: A leading French company that prints banknotes for around 50 countries, known for its high-quality production and innovative security features.

A leading French company that prints banknotes for around 50 countries, known for its high-quality production and innovative security features. Crane: This Swedish company, now owned by the American firm Crane, produces banknotes and specializes in security paper and ink. It supplies paper for the US dollar and serves many other nations.

This Swedish company, now owned by the American firm Crane, produces banknotes and specializes in security paper and ink. It supplies paper for the US dollar and serves many other nations. Fortress: This Australian private company specializes in polymer banknote printing and is a leading supplier for countries shifting from paper to durable polymer currency.

How China Became No. 1 In Currency Printing

China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation (CBPMC), a state-owned Chinese company, became the worlds leading currency printer after acquiring De La Rues banknote printing business. De La Rue, a British firm, was once the largest commercial banknote printer, producing currency for about 140 countries, including the British pound.

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Although CBPMC didnt buy De La Rue outright, its subsidiary, China Group Wingert Printing Company Limited, purchased the firms banknote printing unit in 2015 for around 20 million (about Rs 200 crore). The deal included De La Rues UK-based facilities, technology, designs, and clients.

Through this acquisition, CBPMC expanded its reach to developed and developing nations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, effectively doubling its global market share. The partnership also gave China control of a brand long trusted by central banks worldwide.

Location : Nepal

First Published: November 13, 2025, 15:25 IST

News explainers Why Nepal Started Printing Its Currency Notes In China Instead Of India

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Al Falah University Faces ED Heat Over Suspected Terror Funding, False Claim; Site Taken Down

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 15:01 IST

The Enforcement Directorate will undertake a forensic audit of Al Falah Universitys financial records to probe possible terror funding links to the November 10 Delhi blast.

Faridabad: A Haryana Police vehicle leaves from the Al-Falah University amid investigation (Photo: PTI)

Al Falah University in Dhouj, Haryana, has come under the radar of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) as part of the ongoing probe into the November 10 Delhi blast near the Red Fort that claimed 13 lives and left several injured.

A show-cause notice has also been issued to the University, which has emerged as the epicentre of the terror module. The University is neither accredited nor has applied for accreditation.

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Meanwhile, the website of the University has also been taken down.

According to the details, the Enforcement Directorate will probe the Universitys financial transactions to trace any possible links to terror funding or financial irregularities connected to the explosions.

Investigators are expected to focus on funds routed through the institution and any suspicious monetary exchanges involving individuals already under investigation in the case.

Other central and state agencies are also coordinating with the ED to examine whether the universitys accounts or associated entities were used to channel money for the planning or execution of the attack.

This comes hours after investigators discovered a red Maruti Brezza registered in the name of Dr Shaheen Saeed, an arrested suspect in the case, from the premises of Al Falah University.

The recovery has further intensified scrutiny of the institution and its financial dealings.

Meanwhile, the University on Wednesday said it has only a professional association with the two of its doctors arrested in connection with the incident and is anguished by the unfortunate developments.

While distancing itself from the terror-linked doctors, the University, in a statement, asserted that it is a responsible institution and stands in solidarity with the nation.

We are deeply saddened and anguished by the unfortunate developments that took place and condemn the same. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the innocent people affected by these distressing events," a statement issued by University Vice Chancellor Prof (Dr) Bhupinder Kaur Anand said.

We have also learnt that two of our doctors have been detained by the investigating agencies. We wish to make it clear that the University has no connection with the said persons apart from them being working in their official capacities with the University," the statement read.

Dr Muzammil Ganaie and Dr Shaheen Sayeed, both connected to Al-Falah University, were arrested in connection with the Delhi blast on Monday that left 13 people dead.

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Dr Ganaie, who was arrested on October 30, was a teacher at Al-Falah University. Notably, 2,900 kg of explosives and inflammable material were recovered from two rented rooms of the doctor here. The rooms were not part of the university complex and were rented outside.

ALSO READ | Al Falah University Neither Accredited Nor Has Applied For Accreditation, Says NAAC

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 13, 2025, 14:29 IST

News india Al Falah University Faces ED Heat Over Suspected Terror Funding, False Claim; Site Taken Down

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'No One Will Dare...': Amit Shah Says Action Against Delhi Blast Culprits Will Send A Message To World

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 18:37 IST

Amit Shah also expressed deep condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the explosion outside Delhis Red Fort earlier this week

Union Home Minister Amit Shah (Credits: Amit Shah/X)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said that those responsible for the Delhi car blast will face the strictest punishment, asserting that the verdict in the case will send a message to the world" that no one should ever dare to carry out such an attack in India again.

Addressing the inauguration of the Moti Bhai Chaudhary Sagar Sainik School in Gujarat via video conferencing, Shah also expressed deep condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the explosion outside Delhis Red Fort earlier this week.

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The punishment given to the perpetrators of the Delhi terror attack will send a message to the world that no one should ever dare to even think of such an attack in our country," Shah said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modis resolve to ensure strict punishment for all those responsible for the terrorist incident will definitely be fulfilled," he added.

The Union Home Ministers remarks came a day after the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Modi upon his return from Bhutan, passed a resolution condemning the attack.

The Centre officially described the November 10 explosion near the Red Fort as a terrorist incident" and directed investigative agencies to handle the case with utmost urgency and professionalism" to ensure swift justice.

The country has witnessed a heinous terror incident, perpetrated by anti-national forces, through a car explosion near the Red Fort. The explosion resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries," the government statement read, calling it a dastardly and cowardly act" that claimed innocent lives.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police on Wednesday evening recovered a red Ford EcoSport car linked to the prime suspect, Dr Umar Un Nabi, in Faridabads Khandawali village.

Investigators said the vehicle is believed to have been used by associates of the suspects behind the blast, which involved a Hyundai i20 packed with explosives.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has formally taken over the probe and formed a special investigation team after preliminary findings suggested a coordinated terror plot.

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According to officials quoted by PTI, Umar Nabi, who allegedly drove the explosives-laden car that detonated near the Red Fort, had planned a major terror strike around December 6, the anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition.

His plan was reportedly uncovered following the interrogation of eight people arrested for alleged links to the module, as well as statements from their friends, family, and neighbours.

First Published: November 13, 2025, 18:09 IST

News india 'No One Will Dare...': Amit Shah Says Action Against Delhi Blast Culprits Will Send A Message To World

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BJP's Suvendu Adhikari Says He Received Threat Calls From Pakistan; TMC Dismisses Claim

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 16:43 IST

The BJP leader's remarks come at a time when the country is on high alert following the recent explosion near Delhi's Red Fort

Bengal BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari | File Image

West Bengal BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday claimed that he has been receiving threat calls from Pakistan, and even from Bangladesh.

Notably, the BJP leaders remarks come at a time when the country is on high alert following the recent explosion in Delhi, which has sparked speculation about the involvement of the terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed.

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Amid such an atmosphere, Adhikaris allegation has drawn considerable attention, with the ruling Trinamool questioning why Pakistan or Bangladesh would threaten him at all.

TMC spokesperson Arup Chakraborty dismissed the claim, saying, Hes losing relevance. By making such statements, hes trying to stay afloat within his party."

Following the Delhi blast, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted a raid in Murshidabad on Wednesday, acting on specific intelligence inputs. The search was carried out at the house of a migrant worker.

Commenting on the situation, Suvendu Adhikari said, Jihadis consider Bengal to be a safe haven. And we are the ones getting threat calls. Just two days ago, I received a threat call from Pakistan."

The Nandigram MLA added that he had already informed the concerned authorities about the matter. He further claimed, Its not just Pakistan, I get threat calls from Bangladesh every day. Everyone knows my WhatsApp number."

The ruling Trinamool Congress, however, has brushed off his claims.

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According to spokesperson Arup Chakraborty, Adhikari is making such remarks because he is being sidelined even within his own party, the BJP.

Hes not getting any importance there. After the partys Lok Sabha tally dropped from 18 to 12 seats, his preferred candidate wasnt made the state president. Hes being pushed aside within the BJP. Since hes losing ground, hes making these cheap statements just to stay in the news," Chakraborty said.

About the Author Ronit Singh Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (De... Read More

First Published: November 13, 2025, 16:42 IST

News india BJP's Suvendu Adhikari Says He Received Threat Calls From Pakistan; TMC Dismisses Claim

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Delhi Blast Suspect Dr Shaheen Saeed Had LinkedIn Endorsement From Pakistan Military Doctor: Sources

Reported By :

CNN-News18

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 17:11 IST

Investigators suspect the Jaish-e-Mohammed-linked Dr Shaheen may have connections with the Pakistani military, demanding further investigation

Dr Shaheen Saeed has been arrested in connection with the recovery of explosives and arms in Faridabad. (Image: News18)

Dr Shaheen Saeed, the Lucknow-based doctor arrested for her alleged links to the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror group and her suspected role in this weeks Delhi blast, had professional endorsements on LinkedIn from several foreign accounts, including one reportedly belonging to a senior Pakistani Army doctor, sources have revealed to News18.

According to these sources, Dr Saeeds LinkedIn profile lists endorsements from doctors based in Saudi Arabia and India, but what has drawn investigators attention is one endorsement from Dr Pervez ul Hassan, a Pakistani medical professional with a military background.

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As per his publicly available LinkedIn profile, Pervez ul Hassan has been Head of the Examination Cell at CMH (Combined Military Hospital) Lahore Medical College, operated by the Pakistan Army, since 2022. Before that, he served for five years, from June 2017 to July 2022, as Director of Academics and Administration at the CMH Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS), Bahawalpur, which, according to its official website, is among the medical colleges being run under the dependable patronage of Pakistan Army."

His professional history also includes key military rolesCommanding Officer at Military Hospital Rahim Yar Khan between 2001 and 2003 and Deputy Commandant at Military Hospital, Gujranwala Cantt between 2004 and 2007.

The endorsement from a Pakistan Army-linked doctor, sources said, has raised red flags within the investigating agencies, given Dr Saeeds alleged involvement in the Red Fort-Delhi blast case and her proximity to Dr Muzammil Ganaie, another accused described as the mastermind of a terror module.

Thirteen people were killed and over 20 others were injured when a car exploded near a traffic signal close to the Red Fort Metro station on November 10. The car was being driven by Dr Umar Mohammed, alias Umar un-Nabi, a Kashmiri doctor working at the Al Falah University in Faridabad.

Dr Saeed, 42, taught at Al-Falah University, and she was found to have links with the white collar" terror module. Her arrest followed the recovery of 2,900 kilograms of explosive material from two rented rooms in Faridabad, allegedly belonging to Ganaie, also known by the alias Musaib, who served as a faculty member at the same university.

Investigators claim Ganaie had ties to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, and that Dr Saeed worked with him to recruit educated women into Jamaat-ul-Mominaat, the womens wing of JeM. The Pakistan-based organisation is reportedly headed by Sadia Azhar, the sister of JeM chief Masood Azhar.

During a search of Dr Saeeds Maruti Swift car registered in Faridabad, police reportedly recovered an assault rifle, a pistol, and several rounds of ammunition.

Sources said Dr Shaheen Saeeds LinkedIn links, especially the endorsement from a Pakistani military officer who worked in Bahawalpur, coupled with her alleged ties to the Jaish-e-Mohammed, also headquartered in Bahawalpur, point to deeper cross-border connections and have led investigators to scrutinise her online activity more closely.

Dr Saeed remains in custody as agencies continue to investigate her role in the New Delhi blast and her reported efforts to expand JeMs footprint in India.

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About the Author Shubhangi Sharma Shubhangi Sharma is News Editor - Special Projects at News18. She covers foreign affairs and geopolitics, and also keeps a close watch on the national pulse of India.

First Published: November 13, 2025, 17:09 IST

News india Delhi Blast Suspect Dr Shaheen Saeed Had LinkedIn Endorsement From Pakistan Military Doctor: Sources

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Adil Ahmed, Arrested From UP For Alleged Terror Links, Had Flown To Delhi Days Before Car Blast

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 14:04 IST

Investigators have traced Dr Adil Ahmeds movements from Srinagar to Delhi and then to Saharanpur before his arrest for alleged links to Jaish-e-Mohammed.

A file photo of Adil Ahmad Rather (L)/His boarding pass found (R) (Photos: News18)

Investigators are piecing together the movements of Dr Adil Ahmed, a Saharanpur-based doctor arrested for his alleged links to Jaish-e-Mohammed, after uncovering key evidence of his travel between Srinagar, Delhi, and Saharanpur in the days leading up to his arrest.

According to officials, Dr Adil had travelled from Srinagar to Delhi on October 31 on an IndiGo flight, a journey confirmed by the discovery of his air ticket in garbage outside his Saharanpur residence.

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The ticket, police sources said, has become a crucial lead in establishing his movement timeline and possible connections during his stay in the national capital.

After arriving in Delhi, Adil reportedly spent a few days in the city before travelling to Saharanpur, where he was employed as a doctor at a private nursing home.

Ten days later, on November 6, he was arrested from a roadside dhaba in Saharanpur by a joint team of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Saharanpur Police, and the Special Operations Group (SOG).

Officers said he was planning to escape the city at the time of his detention.

Hailing from Vanpura village in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Adil had completed his MBBS from Srinagar Medical College and later worked at Anantnag Medical College before resigning in 2024.

Since then, he had taken up assignments at several hospitals in Uttar Pradesh, most recently at Famous Medicare Hospital in Saharanpur.

Investigators are now scrutinising his movements, digital footprint, and contacts in Delhi and Saharanpur to determine if his travel before the November 10 Delhi car blast bears any connection to the ongoing terror probe.

Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad has detained a medical student from Kanpur as part of its investigation into the recent Delhi blast.

Dr Mohammad Arif (32), a first-year Doctor of Medicine (Cardiology) student at the state-run Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial (GSVM) Medical College, was taken into custody from an undisclosed location.

An Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) team searched his rented accommodation at Ashok Nagar in Nazirabad, seized his mobile phone and laptop for forensic examination, and took him to Delhi for questioning.

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The massive explosion near the Red Fort in Delhi on November 10 had claimed the lives of 13 people, while many others were left injured.

ALSO READ | Red Fort Car Blast: How Radicalised Doctors In Saharanpur Targeted Religious Students

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 13, 2025, 14:01 IST

News india Adil Ahmed, Arrested From UP For Alleged Terror Links, Had Flown To Delhi Days Before Car Blast

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Delhi Car Bomber Umar Nabi, 2 Others Visited Turkey In 2022; Probe Widens Across NCR, UP, Kashmir

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 17:33 IST

Sources say the trio travelled to Turkey in March 2022, remaining abroad for more than two weeks.

Umar spotted walking near Asif Ali Road; (r) He was spotted driving car with explosives in CP

Investigators probing the car explosion near the Red Fort metro station in Delhi say the attack appears to have been the culmination of a terror network that included three Kashmiri medical professionals.

According to top level sources, Dr Umar U Nabi, who was driving the car which blasted outside Red Fort, visited Turkey with two persons. Umar visited the country with Muzafar Ahmad Rather (likely a doctor) and Dr Muzammil Shakeel. The trio travelled to Turkey in March 2022, remaining abroad for more than two weeks. During their stay, they reportedly met with about 14 individuals whose identities remain under investigation, one of whom is said to be the brother of a person arrested by police in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

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Initial investigation has revealed that they may not have taken a hotel for the full stay but that is yet to be established with the itinerary.

Umar U Nabi was behind the wheel of the car that exploded in Delhi, triggering the blast. Authorities say the other two doctors played supporting roles within the conspiracy: one in logistics and recruitment, the other in securing storage and infrastructure.

Terror journey start from 2021?

According to the top level sources, after the travel details of Dr Umar, investigators are suspecting that the foreign journey may have started from late 2021. Later, all the members of the module got connected and decided to travel to Turkey.

Unlike other terror cases, in this case, no details have been found to establish if the key suspects visited Pakistan.

Dr Muzafar Ahmad Rather, a resident of Wunpora in Pulwama district (Jammu & Kashmir), is suspected to be the brother of Adeel who was arrested from Saharanpur, UP after the blast.

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Meanwhile, Dr Muzammil Shakeel, from Koil in Pulwama, had been working for the past several years at a university hospital (Al-Falah medical school) in Faridabad (Haryana). He reportedly rented rooms in the district that were used to store large quantities of explosives, bomb-making materials, rifles, ammunition and timers. Authorities say items recovered from his rented accommodation include 350-plus kg of suspected explosives and electronic/remote devices tied to IED manufacture.

As the probe widens, additional arrests and search operations are expected across Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. The authorities say dismantling the network will require tracing not just the physical explosives, but the professional and academic cover that enabled them to operate undetected.

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 13, 2025, 17:21 IST

News india Delhi Car Bomber Umar Nabi, 2 Others Visited Turkey In 2022; Probe Widens Across NCR, UP, Kashmir

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After years of spending the holidays as an American expat in Copenhagen, I have returned to neighboring Germany again and again. My main reason: Germany offers all the festive charm of Austria or France without the crowds. Its a country where children are welcomed everywhere, where history and nature sit side by side, and where a train whisks you to starkly different environments in mere hours.

The beauty of a German holiday is how effortlessly it comes together. Begin your journey in Berlin, where markets glow beneath the Brandenburg Gate. From there, travel west to Cologne for a castle Christmas filled with music and mulled wine. Then, continue south to the Bavarian Alps for sledding, Santa visits, and slow mornings watching the mountains wake.

Berlin

December in Berlin delights families with festive squares, historic markets, and child-friendly activities. Gendarmenmarkt glows at night, and Charlottenburg Palace transforms into a fairytale set. Families ice-skate at Potsdamer Platz and visit the Museum fur Naturkunde. Children enjoy the Deutsches Technikmuseum, while adults explore Museum Island.

During the holidays, Berlin comes alive with Christmas markets in nearly every neighborhood, each offering its own festive character. (Alexander Spatari via Getty Images)

Year-round, Zoo Berlin and Tierpark Berlin offer lively animal encounters for families, even on cold days. Warm up in Kreuzberg and Prenzlauer Bergs quirky cafes. Berlins abundance of cozy squares ensures constant festive cheer.

Where to stay

Beside the Brandenburg Gate, Hotel Adlon Kempinski is Berlins postcardespecially during the holidays. The magnificent lobby glows with garlands and a tall tree, and staff show holiday kindness by offering hot chocolate and cookies to children, without prompting. Families can join Advent workshops in November, while festive dining spans all season: afternoon tea, a Christmas Eve buffet, and a champagne brunch with Gate views. Large connecting suites and easy walks to Museum Island and Unter den Linden make the Adlon an ideal December base.

Hotel Adlon Kempinski sits in an unbeatable location beside the Brandenburg Gate, placing guests at the heart of Berlins historic center. (Hotel Adlon Kempinski)

Cologne

Cologne is made for the holidays. The cathedral rises over the Rhine, and markets fill the city with lights. The main market at the cathedrals foot features red tents, a choir stage, and steaming gluhwein. The Heinzelmannchen market in Old Town adds whimsy with ice rinks and puppet shows for younger visitors.

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Between markets, families stroll the river promenade or explore the Chocolate Museum, ending with a tasting room overlooking the water. These experiences cater to children and adults seeking both fun and relaxation.

Colognes soaring cathedral creates a dramatic backdrop for the citys Christmas celebrations, with festive trees and market lights brightening the winter sky. (Evgeniya Moskova via Getty Images)

Where to stay

Just outside town, Althoff Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg belongs in a Christmas storybook. The 18th-century castle sits high above Cologne, its December courtyard hosting a market with crafts, mulled wine, and hotel Stollen. Indoors, fireplaces, polished staircases, and chandeliers set the mood. Whether enjoying ballroom dinners or relaxing in the spa with snow outside, the hotel is a destination in itself.

Festive lights and a lively Christmas market bring holiday charm to the Althoff Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg. (Althoff Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg)

Over the holidays, the Christmas in the Castle package wraps it together with breakfast and festive touches. This package includes daily breakfast, Christmas gifts, a five-course Christmas Eve dinner at Restaurant Jan Wellem or Trattoria Enoteca, and the elegant Night of Sparkling Christmas celebration on Christmas Daya seated, formal four-course dinner held in the ballroom. Its the perfect pause for families between the capital and the Alps.

The Bavarian Alps

In the Bavarian Alps south of Munich, families slow down and reconnect. Trains deliver travelers to Garmisch-Partenkirchen for sledding, frozen lakes, mountain views, and authentic local markets. The Zugspitze cable car and Eibsee offer accessible outdoor adventures for all ages. Families can walk the illuminated Partnachklamm gorge at night or enjoy candlelit dinners before turning in under heavy duvets.

The cable car to the Zugspitze feels especially magical in winter, rising above snow-covered Alpine peaks into a world of pure white silence. (Viktor Ivandikov via Getty Images)

Where to stay

In a broad valley near Garmisch, Schloss Elmau Luxury Spa Retreat captures Alpine magic in December. Woodsmoke drifts through halls, candlelit windows glow, and calm prevails. Children enjoy cookie baking and snowman-making, families explore with lanterns or build snow forts, and parents relax in pools with mountain views. The spas family hours let everyone enjoy the pools and saunas before evening. Nights bring concerts, wine by the fire, and excellent dining.

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Two wings, one historic and one modern, connect via glass corridors framing the snow. Rooms are warm with oak floors, deep bathtubs, and terraces for morning light. Dining spans Michelin-starred spots and family favorites like Alpine soups and pizza.

Schloss Elmau, the luxury Bavarian retreat known for hosting the G7 summit, is stunning in every seasonbut the property feels especially enchanting at Christmas, when the mountain setting and quiet valleys take on a winter-fairy-tale glow. (servickuz via Getty Images)

Germany in December makes for an unmatched family trip: you can travel from Berlins grandeur to a castle above the Rhine to a snow-covered valley in the Alps without any rush or complication. The experience feels magical yet accessible, uniting festive warmth, variety, and efficiency. Thats what makes Germany the best choice for families seeking a seamless and unforgettable holiday season.


DNA Test Confirms Doctor Umar Nabi As Delhi Red Fort Car Bomber: Sources

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 09:34 IST

DNA tests have confirmed that Dr Umar Nabi was inside the car that exploded near Delhis Red Fort, matching samples taken from his mother, agency sources said.

A file photo of Dr Umar Nabi, who was inside the car ahead of the blast (Social Media)

In a major breakthrough in the car blast near Delhis Red Fort, DNA tests have confirmed that the prime suspect, Dr Umar Nabi, was present inside the car at the time of the explosion, agency sources told CNN-News18.

The test results confirm that Umar carried out the suicide blast, killing 12 people on Monday evening near Metro Gate No. 1 at Chandni Chowk, they said, establishing a direct link between Haryanas Al-Falah University and the blast near the Red Fort.

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According to investigating officials, Umars DNA matched the samples collected from his mother, confirming his presence inside the Hyundai i20 car that exploded, sources added.

The match was established after forensic teams compared bones and teeth recovered from the vehicle with samples taken from Umars family, it was known.

Quoting the Delhi Police, news agency ANI reported that after the blast, Umar Nabis leg was stuck between the steering wheel and accelerator.

The report also stated that before the attack, Umar had stayed at a mosque on Asaf Ali Road near Ramlila Maidan. After leaving the mosque, he drove straight to the Sunehri Masjid parking lot, where CCTV footage shows him parking the i20 at nearly 3.19 pm.

His mobile phone data and signal history are now being closely examined by the investigating agencies.

#WATCH | Delhi | Visuals from the Faiz Elahi Mosque on Asaf Ali Road, where the prime suspect, Dr Umar Nabi, stayed before the Red Fort car bomb blast. https://t.co/wTN43HtNdG pic.twitter.com/pegXq8Z0au ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2025

According to news agency PTI, Dr Umar Nabi, a resident of Koil village in Pulwama, was working as a faculty member at a college in Faridabad.

On Tuesday, his mother, Shameema Begum, was taken for a DNA test in Pulwama, accompanied by her two sons. Three individuals connected to the sale and purchase of the i20 car have also been detained for questioning.

Umars sister-in-law, Muzamil, had said that the family is finding it hard to believe the revelations.

He was a quiet, introverted person who always focused on his studies and work. It is unbelievable that he could be involved in any terror activity," she said, adding that Umar had last visited Kashmir about two months ago.

Preliminary findings by Delhi Police suggest the use of ammonium nitrate, fuel oil, and detonators in the explosion, similar to the materials seized in Faridabad, where 2,900 kg of explosives were recovered earlier.

Police have filed a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Explosives Act on charges of conspiracy and execution of a terror attack.

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The Ministry of Home Affairs has since transferred the investigation to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for further probe.

ALSO READ | New CCTV Footage Shows Moment Hyundai i20 Exploded On Busy Delhi Road Near Red Fort

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 13, 2025, 07:09 IST

News india DNA Test Confirms Doctor Umar Nabi As Delhi Red Fort Car Bomber: Sources

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ED Arrests Jaypee Infratech MD Manoj Gaur In Money Laundering Case

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Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 11:00 IST

The businessman was taken into custody under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Manoj gaur, MD Of Jaypee Infratech Limited, arrested by ED.

The Enforcement Directorate has arrested Manoj Gaur, MD of realty company Jaypee Infratech Ltd, in connection with a money laundering case. The investigation is linked to alleged fraud with home buyers.

The businessman was taken into custody under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

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The investigation against him pertains to a case of alleged cheating of home buyers, the officials 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 13, 2025, 11:00 IST

News india ED Arrests Jaypee Infratech MD Manoj Gaur In Money Laundering Case

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Faridabad Terror Module Behind Delhi Blast Planned Beyond Their Capacity, Failed To Execute | Exclusive

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Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 14:18 IST

The white collar terror module, busted in Haryanas Faridabad, on November 10 had led to the recovery of 2,900 kilograms of explosives and several sophisticated arms & ammunition

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13 people were killed in the Red Fort blast. (PTI)

The Faridabad terror module, responsible for Delhis Red Fort blast on Monday, planned beyond their capacity but failed in the execution, sources in the J&K Police have told CNN-News18.

The white collar" terror module, busted in Haryanas Faridabad, on November 10 had led to the recovery of 2,900 kilograms of explosives and several sophisticated arms and ammunition. Close on the heels of the bust, a high-intensity blast ripped through Delhi at the Red Fort metro station, killing 13 people and injuring several others. Sources have told CNN-News18 that the bomber, identified as Dr Umar Nabi, carried out the attack in haste" after the names linked to the module was arrested.

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The group was planning a Pulwama-style attack in Kashmir, the source said, with the help of an explosives-laden car and fuel oil, but the arrest of Dr Muzammilanother operativefoiled their plans and they decided to go ahead with the Delhi plan.

The core team included five peopleUmar [the bomber], cleric Maulvi Irfan, doctors Adeel Rather and Muzammil Shakeel, and a woman. The woman financed Muzammil as she was his girlfriend but we are still not sure how involved she was. Apart from this, there are two people on the periphery but they seem to be important. These are Adeels brother Muzaffar who has fled to Afghanistan and Aamir, who bought the car," the source said.

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Explaining the foreign connection of the terror module, the source said: There are three handlers, including Ukasa and Hashim. Of these Ukasa and the unnamed handler are Kashmiri but claim to be in Afghanistan. There are also claims about Hashim that sometimes he is in Afghanistan or Pakistan. When Muzammil, Muzaffar and Umar went to Turkey in 2022, Ukasa had provided them accommodation. The three wanted to move to Afghanistan but were unable to do so. There was also a Syrian refugee who was in touch with Ukasa who took care of the trio. The three stayed for 15-20 days and came back."

Apart from this, the source said several calls of the cleric in the net have been traced to Afghanistan in the last two months, while phone data of operative Muzaffar shows links to Pakistan and Afghanistan.

About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

First Published: November 13, 2025, 14:18 IST

News india Faridabad Terror Module Behind Delhi Blast Planned Beyond Their Capacity, Failed To Execute | Exclusive

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Elderly Gujarat Man Killed By Wife's Brothers During Reconciliation Attempt, Legs Chopped Off

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Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 09:27 IST

An elderly man in Gujarat was hacked to death by his wifes five brothers during a reconciliation attempt in Amreli district. An FIR in the case was registered.

An AI-generated image to represent a murder scene (News18)

A 60-year-old man from Gujarats Gondal was murdered by his wifes five brothers while attempting to reconcile with her family in Amreli district on Tuesday evening, The Times of India reported.

The deceased, identified as Dinesh Solanki, sustained grievous injuries after his legs were chopped off with an axe during the assault.

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He was first taken to Amreli Civil Hospital and later shifted to Rajkot Civil Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday morning.

According to the report, Solanki had been married to Ratan for 35 years and was the father of three sons. A month ago, he reportedly left home following a dispute with his wife.

On Tuesday, he visited his niece Manishas home in Arjansukh village of Vadiya taluka in an effort to resolve the differences with his in-laws.

As per the FIR lodged by Manisha, two of Solankis brothers-in-law, Kanji Savaliya and Haku Savaliya, arrived at nearly 6.30 pm to mediate.

When Manishas husband stepped out to buy refreshments, the discussion turned hostile. Haku allegedly called the others, Nanu, Bagha, Jadav, and three unidentified men, to the scene.

Bagha was armed with a metal pipe, while Jadav carried an axe.

The report stated that the group barged into the house, where Bagha allegedly struck Solanki on the head, causing him to collapse.

While Kanji and Haku kept watch outside, the others held Solanki down as Jadav and the unidentified assailants hacked off his legs.

Manisha, who screamed for help, was pushed out of the house as the attackers fled in a waiting vehicle.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Chirag Desai was quoted as saying that Solanki had been living away from his wife due to a month-long dispute and had come to the village to discuss reconciliation.

During the discussion, his five brothers-in-law hit him with a metal pipe on the head and inflicted fatal wounds on his legs," he said, adding that a forensic team has been deployed and a search for the accused is underway.

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The police in Gujarats Vadiya village have registered a case under Section 103(1) and other relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against Kanji, Haku, Nanu, Bagha, Jadav, and three unidentified men.

Investigators suspect the killing was linked to the ongoing marital dispute.

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 13, 2025, 09:27 IST

News india Elderly Gujarat Man Killed By Wife's Brothers During Reconciliation Attempt, Legs Chopped Off

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India Records One Of The Fastest TB Declines, Still Accounts For A Quarter Of All Cases: WHO

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Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 07:00 IST

The report says 4 countries accounted for more than half of the global number of people estimated to have developed multidrug-resistant or rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis in 2024

Under the governments flagship TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, the treatment success rate rose to 90% in 2024, higher than the global average of 88%. Representational image

India has registered one of the steepest declines in tuberculosis (TB) incidence worldwide, reducing new cases by 21% between 2015 and 2024, according to the World Health Organizations Global Tuberculosis Report 2025.

It notes that TB incidence in India fell from 237 per lakh population in 2015 to 187 per lakh in 2024, almost double the global average decline of 12%.

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This decline places India among the best-performing high-burden countries, driven by an aggressive national response combining technological innovation, decentralised care, and extensive community engagement.

Despite this progress, India continues to account for a quarter (25%) of all global TB cases, the WHO report said. Together with Indonesia, the Philippines, China, Pakistan, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Bangladesh, India forms part of the eight countries responsible for two-thirds of global TB infections.

The WHO report also found that India accounted for 28% of global TB deaths and 32% of multidrug-resistant TB cases in 2024, highlighting the scale of the challenge the country continues to face. Most of the people who develop TB disease each year are in 30 high TB burden countries: they accounted for 87% of the global total in 2024," the report said.

It added, The top eight (67% of the worldwide total) were India (25%), Indonesia (10%), the Philippines (6.8%), China (6.5%), Pakistan (6.3%), Nigeria (4.8%), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (3.9%) and Bangladesh (3.6%)."

According to the report, four countries accounted for more than half of the global number of people estimated to have developed multidrug-resistant or rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis in 2024. This includes India (32%), China (7.1%), the Philippines (7.1%), and the Russian Federation (6.7%).

In 2024, the report said, 69% of the global number of deaths caused by TB among HIV-negative people occurred in the WHO African and South-East Asia regions. India alone accounted for 28% of deaths globally. The WHO African and South-East Asia regions accounted for 71% of the combined total number of deaths caused by TB among people with and without HIV; India accounted for 25% of such deaths."

India Leads in Case Detection and Treatment

Indias innovative case-finding approach"characterised by widespread use of molecular diagnostics, digital surveillance tools, and community-based screeninghas significantly improved treatment coverage. According to the report, treatment coverage surged to over 92% in 2024, compared to 53% in 2015.

Out of an estimated 27 lakh TB cases in 2024, 26.18 lakh patients were diagnosed, marking a near-closure of the missing cases" gapfrom an estimated 15 lakh unreported cases in 2015 to less than one lakh last year.

Under the governments flagship TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, the treatment success rate rose to 90% in 2024, higher than the global average of 88%.

Sustained Progress, But Challenges Remain

WHO commended Indias advancements in diagnosis and treatment coverage but cautioned that persistent social and economic barriers could slow progress towards the governments TB elimination target.

The report highlighted that Indias updated cause-of-death data from the Sample Registration System (SRS) for two years (2020 and 2022) were incorporated into the country-specific dynamic model that is used to produce TB incidence and mortality estimates, following their official publication in 2025".

The 2024 surveillance data met the coverage and quality criteria used by WHO to determine whether routine surveillance data can be used to estimate the incidence of RR-TB and were reported to WHO following extensive data validation by the countrys National TB Elimination Programme," the report said.

Globally, TB incidence has risen for the fourth consecutive year, with the WHO warning that pandemic-related disruptions continue to affect diagnosis and treatment in several regions. The agency called for accelerated investments and stronger health systems to meet the End TB Strategy milestones.

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About the Author Himani Chandna Himani Chandna, Senior Associate Editor at CNN News18, specialises in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. With firsthand insights into India's COVID-19 battle, she brings a seasoned perspective. She is ... Read More

First Published: November 13, 2025, 07:00 IST

News india India Records One Of The Fastest TB Declines, Still Accounts For A Quarter Of All Cases: WHO

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Kashmir Doctor, Who Moved To Afghanistan, Key Figure In Delhi Blast Probe After Brother's Arrest | Exclusive

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 15:52 IST

Investigators believe Muzaffar, an MBBS graduate from Jammu with an MD in Paediatrics from Kashmir, was in touch with Ukasha, who is suspected to be directing Jaish-linked networks

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Police sources also said Muzaffar played a pivotal role in radicalising his younger brother Adeel and introducing him to Dr Umar Nabi (the Red Fort bomber). (News18)

Jammu and Kashmir Police have identified Dr Muzaffar Ahmad Rather, brother of arrested accused Dr Adeel Ahmad Rather, as the main coordinator and foreign link in the doctors terror module that engineered the Red Fort blast in Delhi earlier this week.

J&K Police sources told CNN-News18 that Muzaffar, who originally hails from Pulwama and moved to Dubai in August, served as a key intermediary between the core module in India and their Pakistan-based handler operating from Afghanistan.

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Investigators believe Muzaffar, an MBBS graduate from Jammu with an MD in Paediatrics from Kashmir, was in touch with Ukasha, who is suspected to be directing Jaish-linked networks. A Kashmiri, Ukasha claims to be in Afghanistan.

In 2022, Muzaffar and co-accused Dr Muzammil Shakeel reportedly travelled to Istanbul to meet Ukasha, where funding and operational routes were finalised. The modules eventual focus on large-scale attacks, including the Red Fort bombing, is believed to have stemmed from those meetings.

Muzaffar is alleged to have coordinated module activities from Dubai, managing encrypted communications, money transfers, and logistics through secure online platforms. After the arrest of his brother Adeel in India, he is said to have moved to Afghanistan, continuing to issue operational directives remotely.

Police sources also said Muzaffar played a pivotal role in radicalising his younger brother Adeel" and introducing him to Dr Umar Nabi (the Red Fort bomber), Dr Muzammil Shakeel, and cleric Maulvi Irfan, all of whom formed the core of the so-called white-collar terror module".

The sources said there were suspicions that Muzaffar personally instructed Umar to carry out the Delhi blast after a string of arrests disrupted their original plan to stage a Pulwama-style car bombing in Kashmir. His communications, traced to Afghan and Pakistani networks, reportedly surged in the days leading up to the explosion.

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Sources describe Muzaffar as an ambitious ideologue" who had long expressed admiration for the Taliban regime and aspired to work under an Islamic Sharia-based system. He and his associates allegedly stockpiled arms, ammunition and nearly 3,000 kilograms of explosives in the Faridabad hideouts.

Investigators believe his August 2025 trip to the UAE was part of a clandestine route to Afghanistan. Authorities also suspect a wider network of sympathisers and professionals embedded in Indian cities.

About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

First Published: November 13, 2025, 15:52 IST

News india Kashmir Doctor, Who Moved To Afghanistan, Key Figure In Delhi Blast Probe After Brother's Arrest | Exclusive

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Masks Not Enough: SC Says Delhi's Air Pollution Very Serious, Asks Lawyers To Appear Virtually

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Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 16:11 IST

The remarks came as Delhi woke up to another morning shrouded in thick smog, with air quality remaining in the severe category for the third consecutive day

The air quality across Delhi-NCR has dropped to the severe category | File Image

The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed deep concern over the worsening air quality in the national capital, observing that pollution levels in Delhi had reached a very serious" stage and that wearing masks alone is not enough."

Taking note of the hazardous smog blanketing the city, the bench advised senior lawyers to attend proceedings virtually instead of appearing in person.

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Why are you all here? We have a facility for virtual hearings, please use it. This pollution can cause permanent damage," Justice PS Narasimha said sternly during the hearing.

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, present in court, said that lawyers are using masks.

Calling the situation very serious," the judge warned that even protective masks could not shield citizens from the harmful effects of toxic air.

Even masks are not sufficient. We will discuss this issue with the Chief Justice as well," he added.

Severe AQI

The remarks came as Delhi woke up to another morning shrouded in thick smog, with air quality remaining in the severe category for the third consecutive day.

A severe Air Quality Index (AQI) level poses health risks even for healthy individuals and can significantly worsen conditions for those with respiratory or cardiac ailments.

#WATCH | Delhi | The area around India Gate and Kartavya Path is blanketed in a dense layer of toxic smog as the AQI in the area is 408 in the Severe category, as claimed by the CPCB pic.twitter.com/wnxGt4gCx4 ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2025

Visuals from across the city showed buildings and roads barely visible under the dense haze.

According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data at 8 am, several monitoring stations recorded dangerous AQI levels: Bawana (460), Chandni Chowk (455), Anand Vihar (431), ITO (438), North Campus DU (414), Rohini (447), and Dwarka Sector 8 (400).

Bawana registered the days highest reading, while NSIT Dwarka reported the lowest at 216.

The deteriorating air quality has been largely attributed to stubble burning in neighbouring Punjab and Haryana.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court directed both states to submit detailed data on the measures taken to control crop residue burning.

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The bench led by Chief Justice BR Gavai noted that concrete evidence of enforcement and policy action was needed, holding state administrations accountable for the continued spike in pollution.

The matter is scheduled to be heard next on November 17, with the court expected to review compliance reports from the two states.

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: November 13, 2025, 16:11 IST

News india Masks Not Enough: SC Says Delhi's Air Pollution Very Serious, Asks Lawyers To Appear Virtually

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Blast-Like Sound Reported Near Radisson Hotel Close To Delhi Airport; Cops Find Nothing Suspicious

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Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 10:22 IST

A blast-like sound was heard in Delhis Mahipalpur area near the Radisson Hotel today morning. The police said they found nothing suspicious.

A file photo of the Delhi Police (PTI)

Panic gripped Delhis Mahipalpur area on Thursday morning after reports of a blast-like sound near the Radisson Hotel.

According to officials from the Delhi Fire Service (DFS), they received a call at nearly 9.18 am and immediately dispatched three fire tenders to the location.

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Sources said a woman who heard the sound made the initial PCR call, following which police and fire officials rushed to the spot.

Delhi Police teams cordoned off the area and conducted a detailed inspection along with bomb disposal and fire personnel.

However, after a thorough search, authorities said that nothing suspicious was found around the hotel premises.

In a statement, an official of the Delhi Police said, A call of a blast near Radisson, Mahipalpur was received and staff were rushed to the spot. The caller was contacted, and it was informed that while the caller was on the way to Gurugram, a loud noise was heard."

On the spot, nothing suspicious was found. During the local enquiry, a guard informed that the rear tyre of a DTC bus going towards Dhaula Kuan had burst, and so the sound had come. The situation is normal and there is nothing to worry about," the police said.

Massive checkings across the national capital and many other states are currently underway in the wake of the car blast near the Red Fort in Delhi on the evening of November 10.

The car, being driven by suicide bomber Umar Nabi, exploded in a congested traffic area near the Lal Qila Metro Station (Gate 1), adjacent to the Red Forts Old Delhi area.

The vehicle involved was identified as a white Hyundai i20.

The incident claimed the lives of 12 people and left many others injured.

On Wednesday, the Centre termed the incident a terrorist incident".

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Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the case, as the investigation includes looking into whether explosives (such as ammonium nitrate) were used.

ALSO READ | 8 Bombers, 4 Locations: Faridabad Terror Module Hatched Sinister Plan, But Couldnt Execute It

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 13, 2025, 09:55 IST

News india Blast-Like Sound Reported Near Radisson Hotel Close To Delhi Airport; Cops Find Nothing Suspicious

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Red Fort Car Blast: Amit Shah Holds High-Level Meeting; NSA Doval, IB Chief Present

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Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 22:10 IST

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Intelligence Bureau (IB) Director Tapan Kumar Deka, and Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan attended the meeting

Union Home Minister Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting at his residence in the national capital to review the investigation into the Red Fort car blast and the suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed terror module behind the attack.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Intelligence Bureau (IB) Director Tapan Kumar Deka, and Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan attended the meeting, which focused on the ongoing probe and coordination among central agencies.

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The meeting came hours after Shah vowed that those responsible for the deadly explosion near the Red Fort on November 10 would face the strictest punishment, saying the verdict would send a message to the world" that no one should dare to carry out such an act of terror in India again.

#BREAKING: High-level meeting on Red Fort Terror Attack in New Delhi and Jaish Module at the residence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Intelligence Bureau Chief Tapan Kumar Deka, and Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan attended the meeting. pic.twitter.com/5ul0fwjYxR Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) November 13, 2025

Addressing the inauguration of the Moti Bhai Chaudhary Sagar Sainik School in Gujarat via video conferencing, Shah expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims and reiterated the governments commitment to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The punishment given to the perpetrators of the Delhi terror attack will send a message to the world that no one should ever dare to even think of such an attack in our country," Shah said.

His remarks followed a Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which passed a resolution condemning the blast and officially classifying it as a terrorist incident."

The Centre directed all investigative agencies to handle the case with utmost urgency and professionalism" to ensure swift justice.

The country has witnessed a heinous terror incident, perpetrated by anti-national forces, through a car explosion near the Red Fort.

The explosion resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries," the government statement said, describing it as a dastardly and cowardly act" that claimed innocent lives.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police on Wednesday recovered a red Ford EcoSport in Faridabads Khandawali village, linked to the prime suspect Dr. Umar Un Nabi.

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Investigators believe the car was used by associates connected to the Hyundai i20 that exploded near the Red Fort.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has since taken over the probe and constituted a special investigation team after initial findings suggested a coordinated terror plot with possible cross-border links.

First Published: November 13, 2025, 21:58 IST

News india Red Fort Car Blast: Amit Shah Holds High-Level Meeting; NSA Doval, IB Chief Present

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Red Fort Suspects Planned Pulwama-Like Attack In Kashmir, Arrests Forced Change Of Plan | Exclusive

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 14:11 IST

Explaining how the module operated, a police source pointed to the role of a cleric, whose job was indoctrination; finally, it was Umar Nabi who carried out the Red Fort attack.

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The source said the move showed that the group had bitten off more than they could chew and was mentally unprepared for large-scale violence. (PTI)

The terrorists behind the Red Fort blast in New Delhi wanted to execute a Pulwama-style attack in Kashmir but the arrest of one of the suspects foiled their plans, diverting them to the Capital in a desperate measure, CNN-News18 has learnt.

Speaking exclusively to CNN-News18, J&K Police sources detailed the core team behind the attack that killed 13 people and injured several others on Monday evening when a slow-moving car exploded near the Red Fort metro station.

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The core team included five people: Umar [the bomber], cleric Maulvi Irfan, doctors Adeel Rather and Muzammil Shakeel, and a woman. The woman financed Muzammil as she was his girlfriend, but we are still not sure how involved she was. Apart from this, there are two people who seem to be important. These are Adeels brother, Muzaffar, who has fled to Afghanistan; and Aamir, who bought the car," the source said.

Explaining the foreign connection of the terror module, the source pointed to three people, including Ukasa and Hashim". Of them, Ukasa and an unnamed person are believed to be Kashmiris, but claim to be in Afghanistan. Also, there are claims that Hashim sometimes is in Afghanistan or Pakistan. When Muzammil, Muzaffar and Umar went to Turkey in 2022, Ukasa had provided them accommodation. The three wanted to move to Afghanistan, but were unable to do so. There was also a Syrian refugee who was in touch with Ukasa who took care of the trio. The three stayed for 15-20 days and came back," the source said.

Apart from this, the source said several calls of the cleric in the net have been traced to Afghanistan in the last two months, while phone data of operative Muzaffar shows links to Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Explaining how the group operated and their objective, the source said Irfans job was indoctrination, while Umar played a key role in the group.

The details are still sketchy as Umar has died but they must have discussed the targets for the attacks," the source said.

The source added: We have also learnt that they wanted to execute the plan in Kashmir with the help of an explosives-laden car and fuel oil. Exactly like what happened in Pulwama. But Muzammils arrest ruined their plans, and Umar, in haste, targeted Red Fort."

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Before the terror attack on Monday, authorities had arrested seven people, including two doctors, after the recovery of a large cache of explosives and weapons in Haryanas Faridabad blew the lid off a white-collar terror network" operating across states. This was followed by more arrests across Uttar Pradesh, Indore, and Kashmir as agencies pieced together the pan-India network.

However, the source said the move showed that the group had planned beyond their capacity and failed to execute.

About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

First Published: November 13, 2025, 12:12 IST

News india Red Fort Suspects Planned Pulwama-Like Attack In Kashmir, Arrests Forced Change Of Plan | Exclusive

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For years, Spain has been shorthand for sun-soaked beaches, tapas on terraces, and the seductive chaos of Madrid and Barcelona nightlife. But four northern regionsBasque Country, Cantabria, Asturias, and Galiciaare betting that todays travelers want something quieter, greener, and more intentional. Together, theyve rebranded themselves under one name: Green Spain.

What began as a regional collaboration is evolving into a full cultural movement. After launching a new direct flight between Bilbao (BIO) and Newark (EWR) this past summer (and with United Airlines set to debut another between New York (EWR) and Santiago de Compostela (SCQ) next year) Green Spain is staking a serious claim in the American market. The goal is to provide both convenience and connection.

Its a timely pitch. As travels post-pandemic boom collides with burnout, travelers are craving fewer itineraries and more immersion. What used to be luxurytime, quiet, unfiltered experiencenow feels like rebellion. And Northern Spain, with its foggy coastlines, dense forests, and medieval villages, has all the ingredients to satisfy that new wanderlust (both literally and figuratively).

To celebrate its growing U.S. footprint, Green Spain will bring its ethos to New York City on November 19 with NORTE DIEM, a private, multi-sensory showcase hosted by Sidra Smith. The event will fuse food, art, and cinematic storytelling into what organizers call a journey through the spirit of Northern Spain.

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That same philosophy underpins The Ecotourist Reserve, a newly launched collection of curated, eco-conscious experiences across the four regions. Think: sustainable vineyards overlooking the Cantabrian Sea, rural stays in Asturias powered by renewable energy, and guided pilgrimages along less-traveled stretches of the Camino de Santiago. Of course, there are city views too.

Its both an invitation and a quiet rebellion against the noise of algorithmic travel culture; the endless reels, the copy-paste bucket lists, the influencer itineraries that turn once-sacred places into backdrops. Green Spains bet is that Americans are finally ready to trade spectacle for stillness.

Whether it works remains to be seen. But in an era when tourism boards often sell escape as consumption, Green Spain is selling something more radical: presence. Now, go explore.
Watch: President Droupadi Murmu Receives Eight Cheetahs From Botswana Under Project Cheetah

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 17:50 IST

All eight animals will stay in quarantine in Botswana for a short period before being flown to India. They will then be moved to Kuno National Park.

President Droupadi Murmu and President Duma Gideon Boko witnessed the release of captured cheetahs originating from Botswana's Ghanzi (Credits: X/@rashtrapatibhvn)

India has received a new group of eight cheetahs from Botswana, following a formal handover ceremony held on Thursday at the Mokolodi Nature Reserve. The event took place during President Droupadi Murmus state visit to the country.

The animals, which include both adults and sub-adults, had been brought to the reserve from Ghanzi town in the Kalahari Desert. As part of the ceremony, two of the cheetahs were released into a quarantine enclosure while officials from both nations explained the transfer procedures to the two presidents.

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Taking to X, President Murmu also shared a post and wrote,"A new chapter in India-Botswana wildlife conservation partnership: At the Mokolodi Nature Reserve in Botswana, President Droupadi Murmu and President Duma Gideon Boko witnessed the release of captured cheetahs originating from Botswanas Ghanzi region into the quarantine facility by experts from India and Botswana. The event symbolized Botswanas gifting of eight cheetahs to India under the next phase of Project Cheetah.

A new chapter in India-Botswana wildlife conservation partnership: At the Mokolodi Nature Reserve in Botswana, President Droupadi Murmu and President Duma Gideon Boko witnessed the release of captured cheetahs originating from Botswanas Ghanzi region into the quarantine facility pic.twitter.com/NtzgBILxyT President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) November 13, 2025

Botswanas president, Duma Gideon Boko, attended the event along with President Murmu. Wildlife authorities from India and Botswana briefed them on the transport arrangements and the next steps for the animals.

During her address, President Murmu said the gesture demonstrated Botswanas commitment to wildlife protection.

#WATCH | Gaborone: Botswana handed over 8 cheetahs to India in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu and President of Botswana Duma Gideon Boko at Mokolodi Nature ReservePresident Droupadi Murmu says, The gifting of these cheetahs is a reflection of Botswanas pic.twitter.com/RfCIDPuu1J  ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2025

These cheetahs will join their brothers and sisters in Indias Kuno National Park, helping us to restore the species in its historical habitat," she said.

President Boko added that his country was pleased to contribute to Indias efforts to rebuild its cheetah population.

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All eight animals will stay in quarantine in Botswana for a short period before being flown to India. Once in the country, they will be moved to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh under Project Cheetah.

India began reintroducing cheetahs in 2022, starting with eight brought from Namibia. A year later, twelve more arrived from South Africa. Since the launch of the programme, India has documented 27 cheetahs, including 16 born locally. While 19 animals have died from various causes, 26 cubs have been born so far.

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More

Location : Bihar, India, India

First Published: November 13, 2025, 17:50 IST

News india Watch: President Droupadi Murmu Receives Eight Cheetahs From Botswana Under Project Cheetah

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Desi Drink vs Foreign Liquor: Same Process, But Different Price  Heres Why

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 09:19 IST

Theyre born from the same spirit, yet one flows in plastic pouches and the other in polished glass! A tale of class, cost, and perception hidden in every sip

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Country liquor accounts for over 30% of India's alcohol market.

Country liquor, commonly known as desi daru, is often perceived as the drink of the working class, those living in slums, shanty towns, or rural regions. In Bollywood films, it is typically portrayed as a white or orange spirit, consumed straight from the bottle. In contrast, Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) such as whisky, rum, vodka, brandy, and gin enjoys a reputation for being more sophisticated.

Country liquor shops are generally found in low-income localities, while foreign liquor outlets are concentrated in middle and upper-income areas.

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Because country liquor is locally produced, its sale and consumption are usually confined to the state where it is manufactured. Nevertheless, a significant proportion of Indias population consumes country liquor.

Difference In Taste But Similar Production Process

Surprisingly, there is very little difference between the production processes of country and foreign liquor. Both undergo similar fermentation and distillation procedures. Country liquor is produced using traditional, decades-old methods, primarily from molasses or other agricultural by-products. It is properly fermented and distilled before being packaged, usually in plastic pouches or bottles, and sold under various local names across India.

Country liquor is made in accordance with government regulations and sold through licensed outlets. In essence, it is the base form of foreign liquor  purified spirit. In fact, companies that manufacture foreign liquor often purchase this spirit from country liquor producers. The key distinction lies in the taste: the spirit used for foreign liquor is refined and flavoured. In contrast, country liquor remains unflavoured, retaining the raw aroma and flavour of its ingredients.

As a result, country liquor is often perceived as having a strong smell and a harsh taste, whereas foreign liquor is viewed as a premium product, attractively packaged in glass bottles.

Country liquor is also known as IMCL (India Made Commercial Liquor).

Rising Sales Every Year

Country liquor accounts for a major share of Indias alcohol consumption. Reports suggest that approximately 242 million cases of country liquor are sold annually, representing over 30 percent of the total liquor market. Its sales are increasing by around 7 percent each year.

The alcohol content typically reaches up to 42.5 percent. However, since country liquor is often distilled only once, it may pose certain health risks due to impurities.

Leading Brands Of Country Liquor

Some of the most popular and best-selling country liquor brands include Hero, Joy, Captain, and Dil Se. In eastern states like West Bengal and Jharkhand, Tall Boy enjoys strong market presence. Across India, country liquor is sold under numerous catchy local names such as Heer Ranjha, Ghoomar, GM Santra, and GM Limbu Punch, reflecting its distinctly regional and homemade character.

Indias country liquor industry is dominated by around a dozen major brands that together control more than 30 percent of the market. Key producers include Globus Spirits, IFB Agro Limited, Haryana Distilleries Limited, Associated Alcohols and Breweries Limited, and Piccadily Agro Industries.

Why The Price Difference?

Although both country and foreign liquors originate from the same base spirit, usually molasses or other agricultural materials, the price difference arises from the quality of purification, the number of distillations, and the ingredients added thereafter. Desi liquor is typically single-distilled and made from inexpensive materials, often containing more impurities, which keeps production costs low.

Foreign liquor, however, undergoes multiple distillations for higher purity and includes premium flavourings, additives, and blending agents to enhance its taste, aroma, and colour, all of which increase production expenses.

Packaging, Branding, And Distribution Costs

Packaging and branding play a crucial role in pricing. Country liquor usually features low-cost packaging such as plastic bottles or pouches, with minimal investment in branding or advertising.

In contrast, foreign liquor comes in high-quality glass bottles with elegant labels, tamper-proof seals, and superior corks. Considerable spending on marketing and promotion further adds to its final price.

Variation In Excise Duty Across States

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The most significant factor affecting liquor prices in India is the variation in state-level taxation. State governments generally impose higher excise duties and other levies on foreign liquor than on country liquor. IMFL, being viewed as a premium product, falls into higher tax brackets. Moreover, the licensing fees for storage, distribution, and retail of IMFL are also costlier.

Country liquor, aimed at the low-income segment, is deliberately priced lower to ensure affordability. Foreign liquor, on the other hand, targets middle- and upper-income consumers who are willing to pay more for brand value and perceived quality, allowing manufacturers to earn higher profit margins.

First Published: November 13, 2025, 09:19 IST

News lifestyle Desi Drink vs Foreign Liquor: Same Process, But Different Price  Heres Why
Kriti Sanons Blush Pink Saree Makes A Case For Ethereal Airport Fashion

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 11:41 IST

Ditching athleisure staples, Kriti Sanon turned heads as she stunned in a blush pink saree at the airport. The feather-light saree was perfect for travelling in style.

Kriti Sanon wore a Torani saree.

Who says comfort cant come wrapped in six yards of grace? Kriti Sanons latest airport sighting is proof that travel style can be both timeless and contemporary. Ditching the usual athleisure staples, the actor made heads turn in a blush-toned saree from Torani  a refreshing nod to heritage fashion with a modern, easy-breezy twist. The look reimagined what it means to dress comfortably yet elegantly, even in transit.

A Symphony In Blush And Lace

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Kriti Sanons pastel pink drape, The Gulaban Ila Saree, was a lesson in subtle sophistication. Priced at Rs 29,500, the sarees airy silhouette and feather-light fabric lent it an almost weightless charm, ideal for travel or summer soirees alike. The delicate ivory lace running along the borders added an old-world refinement thats unmistakably Torani: romantic, nostalgic, and deeply Indian in spirit.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Manav Manglani (@manav.manglani)

The saree moved like a whisper, tracing the body without structure or stiffness, and this fluidity was precisely what made it perfect for an off-duty star moment. The soothing blush palette enhanced Kritis natural glow, offering a soft, feminine counterpoint to the often hurried, utilitarian aesthetic of airport dressing.

The Blouse That Stole The Show

If the saree set the mood, the Gulaban Damini Blouse  worth Rs 25,500  delivered the drama. With its sheer neckline, intricate threadwork, and cap sleeves, it blended traditional craftsmanship with a touch of sensual modernity. The blouses structured fit added a defined edge to the fluid drape, creating a balanced, editorial silhouette. It was an elevated interpretation of the vintage blouse style, yet entirely contemporary in execution.

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True to her signature understated approach, Kriti kept accessories to a bare minimum with no heavy jewels or overpowering add-ons, just effortless simplicity. Her straight, centre-parted hair framed her face with ease, adding to the unhurried elegance of the ensemble. Nude makeup and a soft lip completed the look, allowing the sarees craftsmanship to speak for itself.

Kriti Sanons airport look feels like a quiet revolution  a gentle reminder that elegance doesnt have to be loud. By choosing a handcrafted saree over sweatpants, she brings the conversation back to slow fashion, homegrown artisanship, and personal comfort. Toranis design philosophy, rooted in nostalgia yet styled for the now, finds its perfect muse in Kriti, who is a modern woman embracing heritage on her own terms. Because sometimes, the best way to fly is in style that feels like home.

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: November 13, 2025, 11:41 IST

News lifestyle fashion Kriti Sanons Blush Pink Saree Makes A Case For Ethereal Airport Fashion
5 Homegrown Wellness Brands Redefining The Industry

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Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 13:57 IST

Discover five Indian wellness brands transforming the industry through holistic philosophies, traditional wisdom, modern science, and innovative digital-first approaches

From reviving heritage practices to creating digital-first health ecosystems, they are reshaping the industry and placing India firmly on the global wellness map.

Indias wellness landscape is undergoing a dynamic transformation, driven by a new generation of homegrown founders who are blending traditional wisdom with modern science. These entrepreneurs are redefining what holistic living looks like today, championing clean ingredients, real results, transparent processes, and a deeper connection with personal wellbeing. From reviving heritage practices to creating digital-first health ecosystems, they are reshaping the industry and placing India firmly on the global wellness map.

Nei Native by Nitya Ganapathy

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At Nei Native, the A2 Desi Bilona Ghee is more than a superfood, it is the heart of the brand. Made using the traditional Bilona method, it carries the nutty aroma, rich texture, and purity reminiscent of home. What began with ghee has now grown into a thoughtful range of superfoods, condiments, and skincare, where ghee becomes the hero ingredient nourishing the skin the same way it nourishes the body, and making everyday wellness more natural, holistic, and rooted in tradition.

After 23 years in Mumbais media industry, Nitya Ganapathy took a leap of faith in 2021, inspired by her ancestral recipe and the fading art of Bilona ghee-making. What started as a homegrown idea now produces more than 2,500 jars a month, celebrating heritage, craft, and conscious living. Nei Native is Nityas tribute to culture and care, bringing the warmth of home and the wisdom of tradition to modern lifestyles.

Cosmix by Vibha Harish

Vibha Harish, co-founder of the Bengaluru-based wellness brand Cosmix, launched her venture in 2019 after recognizing the quick-fix culture dominating the wellness space. Inspired by her mothers homeopathy background and her own research in plant-based nutrition, she and her husband Soorya Jagadish built Cosmix to offer clean, transparent, root-cause-focused supplements made from superfoods and adaptogens.

Cosmix promotes holistic health with blends supporting digestion, immunity, hormones, sleep, and skin, while consciously rejecting marketing that fuels insecurity. From an online startup, the brand has grown into a key player in Indias wellness market, earning Vibha a spot on the Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 list and attracting investment offers on Shark Tank India.

Kapiva by Ameve Sharma & Shrey Badhani

Kapiva was founded in 2016 by Ameve Sharma and Shrey Badhani with the goal of modernizing Ayurveda and making it relevant to contemporary lifestyles. As part of the third generation of the renowned Baidyanath Ayurvedic family, Ameve sought to bridge ancient wisdom with modern wellness needs. Partnering with Shrey, a former Bain & Company consultant, he created a brand offering authentic, science-backed Ayurvedic nutrition in convenient formats.

The founders initially experimented with Ayurvedic clinics but soon saw greater potential in functional foods and beverages such as herbal juices, cold-pressed oils, pure honey, and A2 ghee made from responsibly sourced ingredients. Kapivas philosophy, Everyday Ayurveda," encourages people to balance their health naturally without complex routines. Combining traditional formulations with modern production standards, the brand ensures purity and efficacy for instance, processing aloe vera within hours of harvest to retain nutrients.

With its direct-to-consumer and omnichannel strategy, Kapiva has become one of Indias leading modern Ayurveda brands, earning both consumer trust and strong investor support.

Be Bodywise by Revant Bhate & Dhyanesh Shah

Mosaic Wellness, founded in early 2020 by Revant Bhate and Dhyanesh Shah, began with the vision of delivering consumer-first, digital-first wellness solutions for modern India. The company focuses on often-overlooked aspects of personal health, including hormonal balance, skin and hair wellness, and intimate care.

Be Bodywise, one of its flagship ventures launched in May 2021 is dedicated exclusively to womens wellness. The brand integrates tele-consultations, educational content, community support, and clinically tested products to address concerns such as PCOS, hair loss, acne, and menstrual health. Be Bodywise was created to move beyond superficial fixes, offering root-cause-driven, holistic solutions.

By combining digital health guidance with science-backed formulations, the founders have built a platform that empowers women to take charge of their wellbeing in an informed, inclusive, and sustainable way.

Traya by Saloni Anand

Saloni Anand, co-founder of Traya Health, launched the brand in 2019 with her husband, Altaf Saiyed, after personally experiencing hair loss and realizing how limited existing cosmetic solutions were. Their journey led them to uncover deeper root-cause factors behind hair fallincluding lifestyle, hormonal, and nutritional imbalances.

With Salonis background in engineering and business and Altafs startup experience, the duo created Traya as a platform that blends Ayurveda, dermatology, and nutrition to offer holistic, science-backed hair treatments. After extensive research and trials, Traya officially launched in 2020 with the mission to change how people approach hair health in India.

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Traya treats hair fall as a health condition rather than a surface-level issue. Its personalized, digital-first model begins with an online hair and health diagnostic test to identify underlying causes. Treatment plans include customized kits combining Ayurvedic herbs, dermatological formulations, and nutritional supplements tailored to the individual.

Since inception, Traya has served over a million customers, built a loyal community, and attracted strong investor interest including a 75 crore funding round from Xponentia Capital in 2024. With its root-cause-driven philosophy, Traya continues to redefine Indias hair and wellness industry.

About the Author Lifestyle Desk Our life needs a bit of style to get the perfect zing in the daily routine. News18 Lifestyle is one-stop destination for everything you need to know about the world of fashion, food, health, travel, r... Read More

First Published: November 13, 2025, 13:57 IST

News lifestyle health-and-fitness 5 Homegrown Wellness Brands Redefining The Industry
The Science Of Anxiety: What Happens In The Brain When Fear Takes Over

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Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 14:01 IST

Modern neuroscience shows that anxiety goes beyond psychology. Its a neuroendocrine condition driven by the way the brains emotional and control systems interact and misfire.

Therapies and lifestyle changes can help rewire the anxious brain.

Anxiety is more than just a feeling of unease or restlessness. Its a physiological state deeply rooted in the bodys most intricate wiring. Beneath the surface of every anxious thought lies a conversation between the brains neural circuits, hormones, and even gut microbes. Modern neuroscience reveals that anxiety is not simply psychological; its a neuroendocrine condition shaped by how the brains emotional and regulatory systems communicate or fail to.

The Fear Network Within

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According to Dr Nilesh Chaudhary, Senior Consultant Neurologist, Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital, Powai, anxiety originates within a complex interplay of brain regions that govern fear and emotion. The amygdala acts as the brains alarm system, activating the fight-or-flight response whenever danger is perceived. The prefrontal cortex, responsible for rational thinking, usually reins it in. But when this control weakens, fear signals spiral unchecked," he explains.

Dr Ashutosh Shah, Consultant Psychiatrist, Sir H N Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai, describes this imbalance as a tug-of-war between two circuits  the bottom-up threat perception system and the top-down emotion regulation system. In anxiety, the primitive threat brain is hyperactive, while the rational thinking brain struggles to calm it. The amygdala overreacts, and the prefrontal cortex cant hit the brakes," he says. This mismatch keeps the body in a state of chronic alertness with tense muscles, a racing heart, and intrusive thoughts.

Can Anxiety Rewire The Brain?

The brains wiring is not static, and chronic anxiety can physically reshape it. Prolonged exposure to stress hormones like cortisol can reduce the hippocampal volume, increase amygdala activity, and impair prefrontal control. Over time, the brain becomes conditioned to expect threat," notes Dr Chaudhary. Yet, neuroplasticity  the brains ability to reorganise itself  means recovery is possible. Therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and regular physical activity help restore prefrontal-amygdala connectivity," he adds.

Dr Shah agrees, emphasising that lifestyle interventions and medical treatment can undo most structural changes caused by chronic anxiety.

The Gut-Brain Connection

Interestingly, the gut may be just as influential as the brain in regulating anxiety. About 90% of serotonin, the feel-good neurotransmitter, is produced in the gut. An imbalance in gut microbiota can alter serotonin and dopamine levels, affecting mood and anxiety," says Dr Chaudhary.

Dr Shah elaborates that the gut-brain axis, which is connected by the vagus nerve, acts like a live wire. When gut bacteria are imbalanced, they send bad signals that can further activate an already hyperalert amygdala. This explains why anxiety often manifests with physical sensations like nausea or butterflies" in the stomach.

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Some individuals may simply be wired differently. Genetic variants affecting neurotransmitter transporters and receptors can heighten susceptibility to anxiety. Up to 60% of anxiety risk is heritable, but genes set the stage and environment and stress decide how the play unfolds," notes Dr Shah.

Understanding anxiety as both a neurological and hormonal dialogue opens the door to more precise, compassionate care. Instead of treating anxiety as an abstract emotion, doctors now approach it as a rewiring issue, one that can be repaired with the right mix of therapy, lifestyle, and neuroscience. The anxious brain, it turns out, isnt broken. Its simply trying to protect you. With the right tools, it can be taught to relax, rewire, and restore calm.

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: November 13, 2025, 14:01 IST

News lifestyle health-and-fitness The Science Of Anxiety: What Happens In The Brain When Fear Takes Over
Alia Bhatt's Uncle Mukesh Bhatt Was Not Invited To Wedding With Ranbir Kapoor, Has Not Met Raha

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 08:27 IST

Alia Bhatt didn't invite Mukesh Bhatt to her wedding due to the rift between him and her father, Mahesh Bhatt.

Mukesh sent his love to Alia and Raha.

Did you know that Alia Bhatt didnt invite her uncle to her wedding with Ranbir Kapoor? Once among Bollywoods most successful filmmaking duos, brothers Mahesh Bhatt and Mukesh Bhatt now stand on opposite sides of a divide. The co-founders of Vishesh Films, who together delivered blockbusters like Aashiqui, Raaz, and Murder, have been embroiled in a long-running feud that continues to draw attention in the industry.

Recently, Mukesh revealed that he wasnt invited to Alia Bhatts wedding. He said that while he felt bad, he loves Mahesh Bhatts daughters a lot. Speaking to Lehren Retro, Mukesh said, I will be a hypocrite if I say I didnt feel bad. Of course, I felt bad. I love Alia a lot and not just her, even Shaheen. So when she got married, I thought meri bachi ki shadi hai (my daughter is getting married). I was very much wanting to be there."

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Mukesh also revealed that he hasnt met Alia and Ranbirs daughter, Raha, who turned three this year. He also expressed his desire to meet the baby girl. When I got to know that Alia is pregnant and then she had a baby, meri aankhein taras gayi Raha ko dekhne ke liye (My eyes yearn to see Raha). I love kids a lot," he said.

Mukesh said he didnt try to reach out to Alia because he didnt want to put her in an awkward position. I didnt even try because I didnt want to put her in a position of discomfort. I didnt want to put her in a position where she had to see how will her father feel if I come and meet her," he said. He added that he did not even message his niece. However, he said, Maine dil se dua de di (I blessed them from my heart)."

For the unversed, the feud started in 2021 when Mukesh Bhatt officially took over the reins of Vishesh Films, announcing that Mahesh would no longer be involved in the companys future projects. At the time, Mukesh claimed there had been no fight, insisting that it was a peaceful separation. However, Maheshs later comments, especially about morally bankrupt" Aashiqui 3, suggested otherwise. According to reports, creative and financial disagreements lie at the heart of the fallout.

About the Author Kashvi Raj Singh Kashvi Raj Singh is a Sub Editor at News18. She extensively covers Bollywood, Hollywood and television. She not only keeps an eye out for interesting news angles but also often writes social commentar... Read More

First Published: November 13, 2025, 08:27 IST

News movies bollywood Alia Bhatt's Uncle Mukesh Bhatt Was Not Invited To Wedding With Ranbir Kapoor, Has Not Met Raha
FACT CHECK: Hospital Staff Arrested For Secretly Filming Dharmendra In ICU? Find Out

Curated By :

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Last Updated: November 14, 2025, 09:11 IST

Dharmendra was hospitalised at Breach Candy in Mumbai. He was discharged earlier this week.

Dharmendra was discharged and is currently receiving care at home.

Amid concerns about veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendras health, a video of the star from the ICU recently went viral on social media, leaving fans not only emotional but also disturbed. The leaked video showed Dharmendra lying on a hospital bed, appearing unconscious, with his family by his side. After the video went viral, it was reported that the employee responsible for filming it inside the ICU was identified and taken into custody. However, CNN-News18 has now learnt that it is not the case.

Hospital Staff Arrested?

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No, CNN-News18 has learnt that the hospital staff, who recorded Dharmendra and his familys video, have neither been detained nor arrested. While no action against him has been taken as of now, an investigation is underway.

What Did We See In The Viral Video?

The video showed Dharmendra lying unconscious on a hospital bed while his sons, Sunny and Bobby Deol, stood beside him. Also seen in the clip were Sunnys sons, Karan and Rajveer Deol, along with Dharmendras first wife, Prakash Kaur, seated near the actor. The family appeared visibly emotional in the footage, which quickly went viral across social media platforms.

Dharmendras Health Update

Dharmendra, who had been admitted to the hospital after his health deteriorated, spent several days receiving treatment before being discharged on November 12. During his stay, false rumours about his death circulated widely, prompting his wife, actor Hema Malini, and daughter Esha Deol to issue public statements on November 11 confirming that he was alive and recovering.

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

Following his discharge at 7:30 am on Tuesday, the Deol family issued an official statement requesting privacy and thanking well-wishers for their support. The statement read, Mr. Dharmendra has been discharged from the hospital and will continue his recovery at home. We kindly request the media and the public to refrain from any further speculation and to respect his and the familys privacy during this time. We appreciate everyones love, prayers, and good wishes for his continued recovery, good health, and long life. Please respect him because he loves you."

The family has since focused on ensuring Dharmendras continued recovery at home, urging fans and media to allow him space to rest.

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 14, 2025, 09:05 IST

News movies bollywood FACT CHECK: Hospital Staff Arrested For Secretly Filming Dharmendra In ICU? Find Out
Shefali Shah Reveals Producers Hard-Negotiate With Actors: Nobody Ever Has The Budget | Exclusive

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 10:09 IST

Shefali Shah says that Delhi Crime changed the entire trajectory of her career and her positioning, which put her in a position to ask for whats rightfully hers.

Shefali Shah starrer Delhi Crime 3 will release on Netflix today.

Shefali Shah has often opened up on the lull she witnessed in her career. Early on, the film industry typecast her and put her in age-inappropriate roles. In Waqt, she played Akshay Kumars mother when she was all of 28. Soon, offers of playing mothers started flowing in, so much so that she had to refuse a bunch of film offers for several years. But everything changed in 2019 when the first season of Delhi Crime released. The industry once again took note of her and her performance won immense acclaim.

Now, speaking exclusively to News18 Showsha, Shefali states that despite starting her career with a bang, for a long time she didnt see the highs she had anticipated. My first film was Satya. I had a seven-minute role in it but it left a very deep impact. So, I learnt very early on that its not about the length but the strength. But sadly, in the kind of cinema that used to be made, there was no space for anyone apart from the hero, the heroine and the villain. Another other character was a supporting character," she tells us.

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Before Delhi Crime had released, Shefali had lost the hope of getting do a meaty role  the reason being the ageist nature of Bollywood. I wasnt 18 or 20 or even 30. Anyway, roles for women actors were hard to come by, so for a woman like me whos in her 40s, I had thought that there would be absolutely no roles for me. But then Delhi Crime happened and because of that, stuff changed. I started getting offered parts which were leads and parallel leads," she recalls.

While doors opened for her, navigating the film industry, according to Shefali, is still no cakewalk. Money continues to be a complex topic. But she chooses to look at the silver lining and expresses that shes happy to be in a space today where she can ask for a seat at the table without having to overthink it. After that, I got Jalsa, Darlings and Human. The moment that positioning changes, youre also in a position to ask for whats rightfully yours. Till then, its like you tend to let things go," she says.

The Dil Dhadakne Do and Three Of Us actor further continues, Having said that, its not like today, people dont hard-negotiate. Ive never met a producer who came to me and told me that theyre paying me extra money. They havent even ever told me that theyve money. Nobody ever has the budget or money. But I can at least ask for basics and for the things I rightfully deserve. So, all that has changed."

But shes quick to add that respect isnt something that she never got even when offers were far and few. And today, along with it comes interesting scripts. The other way to look at it is that the respect that I receive changed. But it would be unfair for me to say that because I always got the love and respect even though it wasnt translating into work. So, Delhi Crime completely shifted the trajectory of my career," Shefali remarks.

About the Author Titas Chowdhury Titas Chowdhury is a Special Correspondent at News18 Showsha. She writes about cinema, music and gender in cinema. Interviewing actors and filmmakers, writing about latest trends in showbiz and bringi... Read More

First Published: November 13, 2025, 10:09 IST

News movies bollywood Shefali Shah Reveals Producers Hard-Negotiate With Actors: Nobody Ever Has The Budget | Exclusive
Trump Kicked Out Epstein From Mar-A-Lago Because He Was A Pedophile And Creep: White House

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 08:00 IST

The White House defended Donald Trump after House Democrats released emails linking him to Jeffrey Epstein, intensifying scrutiny over their past ties and calls.

The White House defended Donald Trump after House Democrats released emails linking him to Jeffrey Epstein, intensifying scrutiny over their past ties and calls. (Pic: Rolling Stone)

The White House on Wednesday defended President Donald Trump, insisting he did nothing wrong" in his past interactions with Jeffrey Epstein, after Democrats released newly surfaced emails suggesting Trump may have been aware of the financiers abuse of minors.

Jeffrey Epstein was a member at Mar-a-Lago until President Trump kicked him out because Jeffrey Epstein was a pedophile and a creep," Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters. These emails prove absolutely nothing other than the fact that President Trump did nothing wrong."

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The denial came as House Democrats on Tuesday released a fresh batch of emails referencing Trump, drawn from thousands of documents handed over by the Epstein estate and now under congressional review, the BBC reported.

The emails posted on X by the House Oversight Committee include exchanges between Epstein, his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell, and author Michael Wolff. In several messages, Epstein appears to refer directly to Trump.

One email from April 2011 shows Epstein writing to Maxwell: I want you to realize that that dog that hasnt barked is Trump.. [Victim] spent hours at my house with him; he has never once been mentioned." Maxwell replied: I have been thinking about that."

DEMOCRATS PRESS FOR ANSWERS

The reference to Trump and an unnamed alleged victim has intensified scrutiny in Washington. House Democrats say the emails raise fresh concerns about Trumps past ties to Epstein and have called for the full release of all related documents.

The Epstein estate released a total of 23,000 documents that the Oversight Committee is currently reviewing," Democrats on the panel noted, describing the effort as part of a broader attempt to map Epsteins political and social network.

Oversight Committee ranking Democrat Robert Garcia said the new correspondence raises glaring questions" about what information may still be withheld.

The more Donald Trump tries to cover up the Epstein files, the more we uncover," Garcia said. These latest emails raise glaring questions about what else the White House is hiding and the nature of the relationship between Epstein and the President."

He urged the Department of Justice to release the full trove immediately, saying the committee would continue pushing for justice for the victims."

RENEWED FOCUS ON THE EPSTEIN FILES

The document release comes as the US House reconvenes after a weeks-long recess, likely reigniting debate over the so-called Epstein Files, the cache of government records tied to Epsteins associates and alleged crimes.

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Trump has long denied involvement in Epsteins illegal activities. The two were known to socialise in the 1990s and early 2000s before a reported falling-out in 2004.

In July, The New York Times reported that US Attorney General Pam Bondi informed Trump that his name appeared in the Epstein files. The White House has not commented further on the latest disclosures.

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: November 13, 2025, 08:00 IST

News usa Trump Kicked Out Epstein From Mar-A-Lago Because He Was A Pedophile And Creep: White House

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Opinion | From Quota Reform To Armed Revolution: Islamist Capture Of Bangladeshs Student Movement

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 16:00 IST

Bangladesh has seen this movie before. Every time populist outrage morphs into ideological extremism, the nation suffers

The dream of a discrimination-free Bangladesh cannot be achieved by returning to the communal politics of 1971. (IMAGE: AFP)

When the student-led quota reform movement first erupted in Bangladesh, it appeared to be a spontaneous outpouring of frustration against decades of systemic inequality and political corruption. It was hailed as a peoples revolution", an uprising of the young against entrenched political elites. Students, teachers, labourers, and professionals alike rallied under the banner of anti-discrimination. The movement was, in the public eye, a noble crusade to ensure meritocracy and fair governance.

Yet, beneath this apparent unity and non-violence, something far darker brewed. The movement that began as a demand for fairness evolved into a vehicle for ideological extremism and armed insurrection. As post-victory confessions and leaked footage now reveal, the so-called non-violent" protest was anything but peaceful.

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The Myth Of Non-Violence

Public perception initially held that the protesters were unarmed citizens bravely resisting state repression. But recent admissions by student leaders have torn apart that narrative.

King Sojol, one of the coordinators, openly bragged on national television about leading an armed assault on Setu Bhaban. Even after the police entered, I continued the assault," he said, while proudly showing footage of the attack on RTV and 71 Television. Another leader, Hasib Al Islam, went further: If we hadnt set fire to the metro rail, if we hadnt killed police officers, this revolution would not have been achieved so easily."

Such confessions shatter the moral pedestal upon which the movement was built. They expose how a movement, ostensibly rooted in non-violence, became a tool of violent coercion driven by political and ideological goals that went far beyond the demands of fair elections.

The third and perhaps most telling confession came from Asif Mahmud Sojib Bhuiyan, now an advisor to the interim government. In an interview published by Janakantha on March 21, 2025, he admitted that had the movement failed on August 5, the leadership was prepared to take up arms. Nahid Bhai had even prepared a video message," he said, proof that violence was not an accident of circumstance but a premeditated strategy.

A Peoples Struggle Hijacked

The initial movement attracted support from nearly every stratum of Bangladeshi society. Housewives, rickshaw pullers, university professors, and businessmen joined in the call for equality and clean governance. For once, the fractured political landscape seemed to converge on a common cause.

But the movements leadership soon drifted from the peoples agenda. The coordinators began demanding not just electoral reform but an overhaul of the entire state structurean ambition far removed from the grassroots demand for justice. They even sought justice for past crimes against humanity" in a way that reopened ideological wounds from Bangladeshs liberation war.

Herein lies the danger: what was once a democratic movement began to echo the rhetoric of those who opposed Bangladeshs birth itself.

The Jamaat-Shibir Nexus

Evidence now points unmistakably to the involvement of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and its militant student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir. The group, infamous for its collaboration with the Pakistan Army in 1971, has long sought to re-establish an Islamic order in Bangladesh.

According to multiple reports and intelligence briefings, Jamaat-Shibir operatives infiltrated the student movement from the beginning. They acted as the invisible architects of chaos, recruiting youth, spreading propaganda online, and even arming cells to ensure confrontation.

The revelation by Jamaats Naib-e-Ameer, Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, in a BBC Bangla interview, confirmed what many suspected: We played a fundamental role and were cautious to ensure that it was not revealed as a Jamaat-Shibir movement. We wanted to give it a universal appearance."

That universal appearance" allowed them to manipulate genuine student grievances into an Islamist insurrection. The supposed anti-discrimination rhetoric was a cover for a campaign against secularism, the freedom-fighter legacy, and Indias strategic influence in Dhaka.

The Forgotten Dead: Who Will Deliver Justice?

The moral legitimacy of any peoples movement depends on its commitment to justice. But justice cannot be selective. While the students deaths must be investigated, so too must the killings of police officers who were simply performing their duties.

According to police headquarters, 44 police officers were killed during the movement, 39 of them on August 4 and 5 alone. Many more were critically injured. Yet, their sacrifices have been forgotten, drowned out by the noise of propaganda and political opportunism.

The student leaders themselves admit to using arms and committing acts of sabotage. The question arises: where did they get their weapons? Brigadier General Shakawat noted the use of 7.62mm rifles, firearms not standard to the Bangladesh Police. Who supplied them? Were these arms smuggled from abroad? And if so, who financed and coordinated the operation?

General Shakawats subsequent removal from the Home Ministry, soon after raising these uncomfortable questions, is deeply suspicious. It raises the spectre of a cover-up, one that could implicate powerful actors within the interim regime itself.

A proper investigation is vital not only for the victims but also for the integrity of the state. Without accountability, the line between lawful protest and terrorism will blur beyond recognition.

The Crisis Of Legitimacy

The self-proclaimed interim government" born out of this unrest claims to represent the revolutions spirit. In truth, it stands on shaky moral and legal ground. Its Consensus Commission" is manufacturing division, not unity. By attempting to impose constitutional reforms without public consent or parliamentary mandate, it is overstepping its authority.

Reform cannot be imposed by unelected actors who lack a constitutional basis. True reform must come from a Parliament chosen through free, fair, and inclusive elections. Otherwise, the interim regime risks morphing into a soft dictatorship under the guise of revolutionary governance.

Moreover, the exclusion of major political forces, the Awami League, the 14-party alliance, and potentially even the Jatiya Party from the forthcoming February elections is a recipe for disaster. An election without participation from all key parties is not democracy; it is theatre.

Already, there are reports of intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and disruptions of opposition rallies. A government that emerged from the ashes of protest now uses the same tactics it once decried, silencing dissent, curbing press freedom, and staging an electoral charade to legitimise itself.

The Road To Stability: Lessons From History

Bangladesh has seen this movie before. Every time populist outrage morphs into ideological extremism, the nation suffers. From the 1975 coup to the rise of Islamist militancy in the 2000s, violent movements masquerading as peoples revolutions have repeatedly derailed democracy.

The current crisis follows the same pattern: legitimate grievances co-opted by radical groups, a weak state apparatus unable to distinguish friend from foe, and external actors eager to exploit instability.

India, which has historically supported Bangladeshs democratic and secular forces, must view these developments with deep concern. The ideological revival of Jamaat-Shibir threatens not just Bangladeshs internal cohesion but also regional stability. The anti-India rhetoric emerging from sections of the new leadership mirrors Pakistan-era propaganda and signals an effort to realign Dhakas foreign policy towards Islamist blocs.

If this ideological shift continues unchecked, the gains of decades of India-Bangladesh cooperation in counterterrorism, trade, and connectivity could unravel rapidly.

The Way Forward

The only sustainable path for Bangladesh lies in restoring political stability through free, fair, and inclusive elections under a neutral caretaker government. All parties, including the Awami League, must be allowed to contest on an equal footing.

Justice must be impartial. It must extend to both the slain students and the murdered police officers. The truth about the use of 7.62 mm rifles and the infiltration by armed groups must be exposed, no matter where the trail leads.

And above all, the ideological hijacking of peoples movements by Islamist radicals must be confronted. The dream of a discrimination-free Bangladesh cannot be achieved by returning to the communal politics of 1971.

What began as a movement for justice has been twisted into an armed rebellion against the secular democratic state. Unless the people of Bangladesh reclaim that movements true spirit rooted in equality, accountability, and non-violence, the country risks sliding into another dark chapter of violence and division.

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Bangladesh today stands at a crossroads: between democracy and demagoguery, between secular freedom and ideological tyranny. The world is watching. But the responsibility, ultimately, lies with Bangladeshs own citizens to decide whether their revolution will remain one of justice or descend forever into the politics of blood.

The writer is a technocrat, political analyst, and author. He pens national, geopolitical, and social issues. His social media handle is @prosenjitnth. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

About the Author Prosenjit Nath The writer is an Indian technocrat, political analyst, and author.

First Published: November 13, 2025, 16:00 IST

News opinion Opinion | From Quota Reform To Armed Revolution: Islamist Capture Of Bangladeshs Student Movement

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Opinion | White-Collar Shadows Of Delhi 10/11: How The Red Fort Blast Reveals Radicalisations Grip

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 16:20 IST

The Delhi blast isn't an anomalyit's the Indian chapter of a global jihadist playbook where educated elites orchestrate carnage from shadows

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Investigators examine the site of Monday's car blast near the historic Red Fort, in New Delhi, on November 11, 2025. (AP)

On the evening of November 10, a Hyundai i20 laden with ammonium nitrate-based explosives detonated near Delhis Red Fort, killing 13 people and injuring over 20 in a blast that shattered the winter chill. The explosion, occurring just after police raids in nearby Faridabad, Haryana, exposed a hastily assembled improvised explosive device (IED) that investigators believe was triggered in panic by its occupant, Dr. Mohammad Umar Nabi, a Pulwama native and faculty member at Al-Falah University.

Forensic analysis of the charred remains confirmed Umars likely role as the suicide operative, his vehicle traced back to the university campus where it had idled suspiciously for days alongside another car owned by an arrested associate. Prior to the blast, a 15-day joint operation by Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh police, sparked by Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) threat posters in Srinagar on October 19, had already dismantled key nodes of a transnational terror network.

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Eight arrests followed, including four doctorsDr. Muzammil Shakeel, Dr. Adil Ahmad Rather, Dr. Shaheen Shahid, and Dr. Sajad Ahmad Mallaall linked to Al-Falah Hospital or University in Faridabad. Raids yielded 2,900 kg of ammonium nitrate, rifles, pistols, timers, and bomb-making components hidden in suitcases and rented rooms, with funding traced via hawala networks and encrypted apps to handlers in Pakistans Bahawalpur.

What emerged was no ragtag cell but a white-collar terror ecosystem", where professionals radicalised via online jihadist forums funnelled arms and ideology from JeM and al-Qaeda affiliate Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH), marking Pakistans boldest push into Indias urban core.

Shifting Sands: Pakistans Pivot from Valley Insurgency to Urban Infiltration

Indias Operation Sindoor in May 2025precision missile strikes on nine JeM and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, eliminating over 100 militants, including IC-814 hijacking mastermindssignaled a doctrinal shift: no distinction between terrorists and their state sponsors. Launched in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam massacre that claimed 26 tourist lives, the operation neutralised terror infrastructure without escalating to full war, downing Pakistani drones and affirming Indias new normal" of swift, non-escalatory force.

Yet, as analyses from security think tanks highlight, Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has adapted ruthlessly, ditching overt Valley proxies for covert urban modules. Post-Sindoor, JeM posters in Srinagar no longer just glorified fidayeen; they masked a pivot to sleeper cells blending into Delhi-NCRs professional fabric.

The Delhi blast underscores this evolution: explosives smuggled not by border couriers but university faculty, radicalised not in madrasas but via encrypted Telegram channels from Bahawalpur handlers. Intelligence reports note a 40 per cent uptick in such invisibilised" operations since Pahalgam, with ISI exploiting Indias economic corridorshighways, campuses, hospitalsfor deeper penetration.

This isnt desperation; its calculated asymmetry, forcing India to police its own elites rather than just frontiers. Ignoring this tactical metamorphosis risks turning every metro station into a potential flashpoint, demanding vigilance beyond borders.

When White Collars Don the Mask of Militancy

Gone are the days when Pakistans terror playbook targeted only Kashmirs disaffected youth, lured by unemployment and separatist rhetoric. The Delhi module reveals a chilling escalation: radicalisation infiltrating Indias white-collar bastions, ensnaring professionals whose clean records and societal trust enable lethal access.

Dr Muzammil Shakeel, arrested in Faridabad, wasnt a fringe figurehe was a Kashmiri faculty doctor at Al-Falah University, concealing 360 kg of ammonium nitrate in suitcases while treating patients. His associate, Dr. Adil Ahmad Rather, nabbed in Saharanpur, stored rifles in his medical locker; Dr. Shaheen Shahid, a Lucknow-based instructor, allegedly built JeMs womens wing, Jamaat-ul-Mominaat, under Masood Azhars sister Saadia. And Pulwamas Dr. Sajad Ahmad Mallas MD credentials masked arms smuggling ties.

These arrests, spanning four days, expose how ISI handlers prey on educated Kashmiris via online forums, blending Quranic exegesis with jihadist memes to radicalise not the jobless, but those embedded in hospitals, universities, and offices. Post-blast probes uncovered 2,563 kg more explosives in Faridabad hideouts, funded through charitable" academic networks. This doorstep threatPakistan now in our ERs, lecture halls, corporate cubiclesdemands recalibrating threat profiles. Traditional deradicalisation for youth wont suffice; we must audit professional visas, campus Wi-Fi, and migrant worker vetting, lest every stethoscope hides a detonator. The blasts prematurity saved lives, but its architects integration signals a siege within.

Global Echoes: White-Collar Modules as Islamist Warfares Stealth Weapon

The Delhi blast isnt an anomalyits the Indian chapter of a global jihadist playbook where educated elites orchestrate carnage from shadows, their credentials a perfect camouflage. White-collar modules, as counter-terror experts term them, prioritise long gestation for high-impact strikes, radicalising professionals via ideological grooming rather than coercion.

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (KSM), the 9/11 architect, exemplifies this: a mechanical engineering graduate from North Carolina A&T University, he fused technical acumen with al-Qaeda zeal to blueprint the deadliest assault on US soil, killing 2,977.

Closer to home, the 2015 Paris attackscoordinated by ISIS operatives like Abdelhamid Abaaoud, a former gym enthusiast turned logistics mastermindfeatured attackers with clean records and jobs, including Fabien Clain, a middle-class convert who voiced the Bataclan massacres claim, slaughtering 130 at venues like Stade de France.

In Britains ISIS pipeline, Jihadi John (Mohammed Emwazi), a University of Westminster computer science alum from an affluent family, beheaded hostages on video; his recruit Naseer Muthana, a Cardiff schoolboy turned propagandist, leveraged middle-class networks for recruitment.

These archetypes mirror Delhis doctors: slow-built, trust-exploiting cells that evade profiling. Islamist groups favour them for resilienceKSM evaded capture for years via engineering savvyyet their Delhi debut confirms establishment here. India must study these precedents: bolster professional background checks, infiltrate academic radicalization hubs, and foster community tip-lines. Dismissing this as imported peril ignores its roots; white-collar jihad thrives on unaddressed grievances, demanding holistic counters blending security with socio-economic reforms.

Beyond Diplomacy: Fortifying Operation Sindoor with Iron-Fisted Resolve

Operation Sindoors successcrippling JeMs Bahawalpur hub and LeT launchpads without civilian casualtiesbought India breathing room, but the Delhi incursion proves geopolitical feints alone cant stem Pakistans bleed. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, Indias counter-terror apparatus boasts unmatched capability: NIAs forensic prowess, RAWs HUMINT networks, and tri-services integration that downed 200+ Pakistani projectiles in May.

Yet, as the blasts handover to NIA reveals, diplomacys velvet glove must pair with a steel fist. Post-Sindoor, Pakistans denial of ISI complicity rang hollow amid viral footage of army officers honouring slain JeM cadres with state funerals. The modules hawala trails and Saudi-chartered flights for arms underscore porous international links, demanding more than UNSC briefings. The government must escalate: expand UAPA dragnets to pre-empt white-collar cells, integrate AI-driven social media surveillance for radicalization signals, and revive zero-tolerance" border fencing with drone patrols.

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Amit Shahs high-level review post-blast vowed full wrath," but conclusive action means freezing JeM assets globally, extraditing handlers via bilateral pacts, and covert ops mirroring Sindoors precisiontargeting not just camps, but funding nexuses in Dubai and Riyadh. Modis vision of a terror-free subcontinent thrives on such resolve; half-measures invite repeats. With 2,900 kg seized but modules multiplying, Indias capable leadership must weaponise its post-Sindoor momentum, turning defensive busts into offensive deterrence.

(Sayantan Ghosh teaches journalism at St. Xaviers College (Autonomous), Kolkata, and is the author of The Aam Aadmi Party: The Untold Story of a Political Uprising and Its Undoing. He is on X as @sayantan_gh. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.)

First Published: November 13, 2025, 16:20 IST

News opinion Opinion | White-Collar Shadows Of Delhi 10/11: How The Red Fort Blast Reveals Radicalisations Grip

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Opinion | Why Prince William Must Desist From Any Earthshot Potshot At India

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 15:23 IST

Even as the worlds third largest polluter, India is far behind China and the US, and Indians per capita emissions are really minuscule

It seems Prince William plans to hold next years Earthshot prize in India. (Photo Credit: X)

Prince William should really have rowed to Brazil  swimming across from the UK may have been a bit too much for the 43-year-old dynast  to give away the next few million dollars of his Earthshot Prize. Instead, he flew 9,000 km on a fossil fuel guzzling jet plane to Rio de Janeiro just to get and give awards that will save the Earth from annihilation. Then he trotted off to Belem, in the Amazon rainforest to deliver a speech at COP30, the annual UN climate jamboree.

Ironically, swathes of Amazon rainforests were cut to make way for new facilities for COP30, including a highway. Needless to add, the climate warriors gathering in salubrious locales every year do not slum it when it comes to accommodation, transportation, venues and food. But their intentions are noble. No wonder the earnest Prince of Wales, who lives in a mansion and will inherit a kingdom" that is at a historic minusculity, has decided that the Earth will be his oyster.

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Corporate donations form the $50 million base of the princes annual Earthshot largesse including many from family philanthropies", foundations of earnest rich people from Jack Ma to Marc Benioff, besides other entities like the Aga Khan Trust, Bezos Earth Fund, DP World, Temasek, Uber and even Standard Chartered Bank. But how many of them put themselves where their money is? Including William himself, who has just moved into an even bigger home?

Even if some of the richest are trying to make their lives planet-friendly with expensive alternative optionstheir private jets, super yachts and island holidays notwithstandingbut can the rest of the world afford to do the same? With clean technology and automation potentially decimating jobs and the massive data centres needed to run AI (touted as the great byte hope) depleting water resources, what have poorer people really got to root for in climate change action?

It seems Prince William plans to hold next years Earthshot prize in India. But worryingly (and astonishingly, actually) it is being spun as evidence of his determination to engage with the worlds biggest polluters". This blueblood is obviously going by the basic data that cites India as the worlds third biggest polluter (CO2 emitter), after China and the US. But there is more to that factoid, as the zealous prince, his advisers and brains trust, should realise soonish.

The fact is, Indias total carbon dioxide emissions (8%) are just one-fourth of Chinas (32%), just over half that of the US (13%) and a little more than the EU (6%). This despite Indias population being equal to China, four times that of the US, and three times that of EU! According to the Global Carbon Budget report compiled by climate scientists released at COP30 this week, Indias emissions are slated to rise much slower this year due to growth in renewable energy.

Moreover, Indias per capita CO2 emission is a mere 1.89 tonnes, far below the world per capita average of 4.8 tonnes, never mind say, Palaus 76.41, Qatars 35.48, UAEs 21.36, Saudi Arabias 18.89, Australias 15.01, the USs 14.21, Russias 13.11, and even Chinas 8.89. Which means India has been ensuring it achieves development goals without ignoring the Eartha balance whose woeful absence in the West for centuries caused this crisis in the first place.

William should be reminded by his staffers that under the benevolent reigns of his ancestors Britain used India as a cheap source of raw material to fuel the Industrial Revolution and its own prosperitywhich kept millions of Indians in penuryand became the worlds largest polluter as a consequence. And the UK maintained its dubious distinction as the biggest emitter of pollution till the early 20th century, when the US overtook it. So, who really sickened the Earth?

While it is all very well for Britain to be part of a worldwide movement to save the Earth, and for its future king to latch onto it as his cause" but ruffling the feathers of 1.4 billion Indians who are yet to recover fully from the depredations of colonialism is hardly advisable. More so as Indians are pretty fluent in the language of the times and may have more than a few words to say about what the UK itself needs to do first before getting preachy in India about the planet.

For instance, is it really necessary for a family of seventhe King, Queen and the five Walesesto maintain so many luxurious residences and fleets of carseven if many of them are electric powered? Different strokes for different folks" as they say: everyone cannot and should not live in minimum housing and cycle to work. But isnt it a bit rich for a prince to preach to people (say in India) who have never had a vehicle or home of their own, to stop aspiring for them?

Yet, the prince is batting for indigenous people and local communities to save the Earth. But without improvements in the standard of living all round, there will never be a consensus on acceptable" development. Even communities living in close consonance with natureunchanged from their forebears eraaspire to more. Why should the global south be deprived of the ecologically-damaging fruits of progress", from motor vehicles to condos to life-saving drugs?

Using absolute figures to turn the spotlight on India is a ploy to turn the focus (and also the onus) away from the historically largest polluters which include the UK, the US and the countries of the EU. These western nations continue to have a largely wasteful lifestyle, which they had successfully evangelised to non-western countries by positing it as aspirational and modern. Fast fashion, fast food, frequent recreational travel all impact the Earth, but who invented it?

Now those polluters have found a well-intentioned prince to carry forward the agenda of ecologically guilt-tripping former colonies, on the pretence of current equality. But does the west regard India as an equal when it comes to deciding the Earths future? If so, how many international bodies have Indians in their ranks in a percentage that reflects our prevalence? In spite of being 1/6th of the worlds population, less than 1% of total UN staff are Indians, for instance.

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If the Prince of Wales wants to start off on the right note with the former jewel in his fast diminishing future crown, he should tell his spin-doctors to rephrase the reason for India as a venue for the Earthshot Prize as a gesture towards a country doing the most to find climate change solutions while keeping its development story going optimally. That would be the wisest course for a British royal whose family still enjoys the riches that India as a colony has provided his ancestors!

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 13, 2025, 15:23 IST

News opinion Opinion | Why Prince William Must Desist From Any Earthshot Potshot At India

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Vigil Lens | Noida's 'Murders Most Foul' Remain Unsolved

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 12:27 IST

The two cases, their investigations by Noida Police first and the CBI later, are a telling commentary on the justice delivery mechanism in our country.

Surinder Koli freed by Supreme Court (left) & Rajesh and Nupur Talwar walk out of jail in 2017. (Image: PTI)

The bytes" of the migrant families who had lost their children come back to me in a flash, two decades later.

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They were horrified that the arm of one child, the slipper of another, and the clothes of a third were found strewn between bungalows D-5 and D-6. For months, they had been searching for their girls. For months, they suspected kidnapping and trafficking  but still held on to the hope that police would find the missing children. When the blood-stained kitchen was opened, and a cleaver and pressure cooker recovered, police offered a horrifying version of cannibalism. As the drains were dug up, more remains surfaced. Nithari turned into a destination for horror tourism."

Two years later, just about a kilometre away from Nithari village, another murder case unfolded. As I stood covering the grief of parents who had lost their teenage daughter, police declared  the Nepali servant had killed her and escaped.

But by the next day, this was a case of double murder  one that once again shook Noida to the core and got drawing rooms across Delhi-NCR, and perhaps across India, debating one question: Who killed Aarushi Talwar?

Today, just as it seems no one killed Rimpa Haldar (a Nithari victim) and others, a Supreme Court ruling from 2017 left another question hanging  who killed Aarushi Talwar and Hemraj?

The two cases, their investigations by Noida Police first and the CBI later, are a telling commentary on the justice delivery mechanism in our country. The Supreme Court, while acquitting Koli, expressed regret for the Nithari victims families but upheld the rule of law  if in 12 cases, the confessions, recoveries, and circumstantial evidence were rejected, how could the same be upheld for one case to justify a death sentence?

But the victims families will still ask how even the CBI failed to carry out a truly scientific investigation.

The same template was followed in the Aarushi-Hemraj case. Noida Polices indictment of Dr Rajesh Talwar was followed by a CBI probe. Drains were searched, overhead tanks emptied, confessions" of neighbourhood servants recorded, and a case filed against these helpers by CBI Team 1. Team 2 of the central agency once again blamed the parents but stopped short of clearly naming them for murder in the chargesheet. The result  the Supreme Court acquitted the Talwars.

Koli now fears for his safety as he tries to re-assimilate into society. The Talwars, tried by the media, ostracised by society, and once attacked with a meat cleaver, perhaps know that feeling well.

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What the trajectory of these two cases reveals is that a probe by a central agency does not always mean a scientific probe. What we do know is that shoddy evidence collection in the initial stages can damage a case beyond repair. What we also know is that many times, justice is not just delayed but denied.

What we still do not know is this: Who killed Rimpa Haldar, Aarti Prasad, Rachna Lal, Deepali Sarkar, Chhoti Kavita, Hemraj, and Aarushi Talwar?

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 13, 2025, 12:27 IST

News opinion Vigil Lens | Noida's 'Murders Most Foul' Remain Unsolved

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Last Updated: November 12, 2025, 22:45 IST

Some countries are recognized for their competitive examination and high educational standards, while other focus more on skill-based learning approaches.

1 / 10 South Korea: Students endure school days filled with lessons followed by private tutoring session called hagwons that often run late into the night. The Suneung college entrance exam controls futures, creating extreme academic pressure. (Image: AI-Generated) + Follow us On Google

2 / 10 Japan: The curriculum focuses on critical thinking and tough entrance exams for high schools and universities. Japanese students attend cram schools and academic perfection is expected from an early age. (Image: AI-Generated)

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3 / 10 China: The education system is defined by the daunting Gaokao exam, which determines university admissions and social mobility. Students often study up to 12 hours daily, supported by relentless parental pressure and evening tutors. (Image: AI-Generated)

4 / 10 Singapore: National exams shapes educational tracks from age 12. The merit-based system demands deep mastery of academic subjects. (Image: AI-Generated)

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5 / 10 Finland: Reportedly, the education model is considered difficult not because it is inherently hard, but due to a few specific challenges that have emerged, such as widening gap between high and low achieving students, increased peer pressure and the competitive nature of university entrance exams. (Image: AI-Generated)

6 / 10 Russia: The education emphasises on memorisation, discipline and competitive university admissions. The Unified State Exam (EGE) is a national hurdle, and heavy workloads begin early. Success often hinges on extra tutoring, creating a culture of continuous study outside school hours. (Image: AI-Generated)

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7 / 10 India: The education system is difficult due to vast syllabi, rote learning, and fiercely competitive entrance exams like IIT-JEE and NEET for technical or medical careers. (Image: AI-Generated)

8 / 10 Hong Kong: High exam stakes and performance pressure define Hong Kongs education. The rigorous curriculum and frequent testing drive many students to after-school tutoring or shadow education. (Image: AI-Generated)

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9 / 10 Switzerland: Swiss students undergo 11 years of compulsory schooling, navigating multiple languages and demanding examinations along the way. Both academic and vocational tracks require high levels of commitment, whether through independent study or practical, hands-on training. (Image: AI-Generated)
Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 09:00 IST

1 / 6 Are you thinking Mount Everest is the closest spot on Earth to space? Think again. The real winner lies thousands of kilometres awayin Ecuador. One mountain here reaches closer to the stars than any other place on the planet. The reason has nothing to do with sea leveland everything to do with geometry. (Image-Canva) + Follow us On Google

2 / 6 Mount Chimborazo- In Ecuador, stands Mount Chimborazo, a dormant volcano about 6,263 metres high. Located just one degree south of the equator, its position gives it a unique edge. When measured from the planets core, Chimborazos summit lies 6,384.4 kilometres away, making it the farthest point from the centre of the Earth. (Image-Canva)

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3 / 6 Quito- Perched at 2,850 metres above sea level, Ecuadors capital, Quito, almost seems to float among the clouds. Added proudly to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a living museum of baroque churches, sunlit plazas, and winding, steep streets. While exploring Quito, check out the ornate La Compania de Jesus Church, renowned for its gold-laden interiors. (Image-Canva)

4 / 6 The Amazon Rainforest: From the Andean highlands, descend into the lush depths of the Amazon Rainforest, one of the planets most biodiverse regions. Adventure seekers can head to Tena for white-water rafting and rainforest hikes. (Image-Canva)

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5 / 6 The Galapagos- Not a single trip to Ecuador is considered complete without exploring the legendary Galapagos Islands, the volcanic archipelago. Spend your mornings snorkelling with sea turtles and your afternoons walking lava trails beside giant tortoises. (Image-Canva)
Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 12:18 IST

1 / 12 The picturesque Taj Mahal is a marvel of Mughal architecture on the breathtaking riverfront in Agra and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It attracts tourists from all over the globe, thanks to its pristine white marble, detailed lattice work, and grand mausoleum. + Follow us On Google

2 / 12 Built in the 17th century by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj is a monument of love and mystery.

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3 / 12 The iconic Taj Mahal hides more secrets than you think. Several parts of the monument have been closed to the general public for many years.

4 / 12 Many wonder what lies behind these sealed doorstreasures, tombs, or something else entirely? Lets uncover the truth behind its 20+ locked rooms.

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5 / 12 Beneath the marble beauty lies the tahkhana, a network of underground rooms designed for royal comfort. These chambers once served as cool retreats from the scorching summer heat for the emperor, his family and entourage.

6 / 12 The spacious rooms were decorated with geometric and star-patterned designs, a leading expert on Mughal architecture, Ebba Koch, told the BBC.

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7 / 12 Another reason for the rooms being built in the Taj Mahals tahkhana was the overall symmetrical and functional design of the mausoleum complex. Shah Jahan is said to have arrived by boat on the Yamuna River, entering the Taj through the riverfront and possibly through these chambers.

8 / 12 Now, the main question that echoes through the minds of many is: Why are the chambers closed? It is due to the natural disasters, especially the flood in 1978, which caused serious damage to underground areas.

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9 / 12 Delhi-based historian Rana Safvi told BBC that the flooding of the Yamuna River in 1978 caused silting and structural cracks in some underground chambers. This forced the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to seal the rooms to safeguard the monuments stability.

10 / 12 The Archaeological Survey of India had earlier released rare photos showing ongoing restoration and conservation efforts. They also clarified that the rooms are not permanently closed, they are opened time to time for conservation.

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11 / 12 KK Muhammad, former regional director (North) of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), who has worked extensively on the Ayodhya Ram Mandir excavation, told The Quint, If it were a temple, there would be a garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum), antarala (a foyer), and a mandapa (pillared hall). There is no such thing that exists there. I never saw it despite the number of times I visited the area. Those under me also never saw a temple or a shivling there
Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 08:00 IST

1 / 11 The crown worn by Bhagwan Venkateshwara at Tirupati, known as the Ratna Kireetam, holds a legendary history that dates back over 500 years. + Follow us On Google

2 / 11 The divine offering was made by Sri Krishnadevaraya, one of Indias greatest emperors. He ruled the Vijayanagara Empire between 1509 and 1529 when prosperty and devotion took over the region.

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3 / 11 Between 1513 and 1521, the emperor is believed to have visited the Tirumala shrine seven times, reflecting his deep devotion to the god.

4 / 11 During every visit to the hills, Krishnadevaraya brought grand offerings including gold, silver, precious stones and intricate ornaments as a sign of devotion,

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5 / 11 On 10 February 1513, during his first recorded visit, he donated a magnificent crown to the temple. This special ornament came to be known as the Ratna Kireetam.

6 / 11 Embedded with Navaratnas symbolising celestial power, nine sacred gemstones along with other rare jewels like diamonds and rubies, it was no ordinary crown.

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7 / 11 Inscriptions in Telugu, Kannada and Tamil still exist on the temple walls, a proof of his gifts. Historians note that these inscriptions are among the finest records of royal devotion in South Indian temple history.

8 / 11 One of the temple inscriptions records Krishnadevarayas visit to Tirumala following his victory over Prataparudra Gajapathiraya. It also mentions his victory over Udayagiri.

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9 / 11 Krishnadevarayas generousity extended far beyond jewel offerings. He contributed to the temples wealth and maintenance, ensuring Tirumala flourished as a centre of spirituality.

10 / 11 Inside the temple, small statues of Krishnadevaraya and his queens stand near the exit corridor even today. These statues not juts commemorate the emperor but also continue to inspire pilgrims.

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Amid Tug Of War, RSS Gets Conditional Court Nod For Route March In Priyank Kharge's Home Turf

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News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 20:34 IST

The Karnataka High Court permitted the RSS to conduct its route march in Kalaburagi's Chittapur on November 16 with 300 participants and a 50-member band

The RSS route march in Kalaburagi's Chittapur has been allowed after weeks of legal wrangling and a court directive allowing the march under strict conditions. (Image: PTI/File)

The Karnataka High Court on Thursday allowed the RSS to conduct a long-pending route march at Chittapur in Kalaburagi  the home turf of state minister Priyank Kharge, and one that had turned into a flashpoint between the ruling Congress and the Sangh.

The route march, however, was allowed with certain conditions even as the high court noted that the tehsildar of Chittapur had already granted permission for the event scheduled on November 16.

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The permission comes after weeks of legal wrangling and a court directive allowing the march under strict conditions. Justice MGS Kamal disposed of the petition filed by Ashok Patil, convener of the Kalaburagi unit of the RSS, permitting the organisation to conduct its route march on November 16 with 300 participants and a 50-member band.

Advocate Aruna Shyam, representing the petitioner, told News18 that the Sangh will fully comply with the conditions imposed by the administration.

We will abide by all the conditions laid down by the district authorities. The march will be conducted only between 3 pm and 5.30 pm, and participation will be restricted to 300 swayamsevaks in uniform and 50 members in the band team, known as Ghosh. There have been some modifications made to the route, and we have accepted them," Shyam said.

He said the march, known as Path Sanchalan, was part of the centenary celebrations of the RSS.

Our intention was to perform the Path Sanchalan to commemorate 100 years of the RSS. Similar events have been held peacefully in many places across India and, now, in Chittapur, it will take place on November 16 at the time specified under the conditions mentioned. We will obey all of them," he said.

Priyank Kharge, who represents Chittapur and has been elected three times from the constituency, told News18 that the government had followed due process in granting permission.

I hope that in future, the RSS learns to seek permission from the government rather than merely informing it. The message from the government is loud and clear  nobody is above the Constitution, nobody is above the law. Seek permission, and if the government finds it fit, you will get it. Restrictions have been imposed this time, and we will see what laws can be brought in future for such marches," Kharge said.

The issue has been simmering for a couple of months. In October, the HC had heard petitions concerning the RSS route march in Chittapur that had initially been denied by local authorities citing law and order concerns.

The court then directed officials to hold discussions with the RSS and other organisations to arrive at a solution. A peace meeting held on October 28 failed to come to a consensus.

Following this, a directive was given to hold yet another peace meeting on November 7 at the office of the Advocate General Shashikiran Shetty in Bengaluru. While the initial meeting remained inconclusive, later Shetty submitted to the Kalaburagi court that permission could be granted to 11 organisations, including the RSS, to hold their processions but on different dates.

During the hearing before Justice Kamal, Aruna Shyam requested the court to modify two conditions in the tehsildars order  one, to increase the cap on participants from 300 to 600, and two, to raise the number of band members from 25 to 50.

Shyam argued that the larger participation was warranted due to the organisations centenary celebrations and the public sentiment attached to it. Shetty, however, opposed the request stating that 300 was fixed after assessing similar events held in nearby areas, which typically saw between 100 and 150 participants.

He did, however, agree to the request to increase the number of band members. The court upheld this reasoning, allowing the increase in the band size but retaining the 300-person cap.

The controversy started when the Chittapur tehsildar  citing reports from the police and local intelligence  denied permission on October 19, pointing out that multiple groups, including the Bhim Army Bharatiya Dalit Panthers, Gonda Kuruba ST Horata Samithi, Karnataka Rajya Chalavadi Kshemabhivruddi Sangha, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, and Hasiru Sene, had also sought to conduct marches on the same day and route. The authorities said all organisations holding the march together could pose a potential law and order situation and refused permission to all.

After RSS convener Ashok Patil filed a fresh petition, the Kalburgi bench of the HC instructed the authorities to reconsider the application and submit a detailed report. Following this, the district administration revisited its decision and granted conditional approval.

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We are thankful to the court and the district administration for granting permission. The RSS has been celebrating its centenary across India, and only in Chittapur did we face such hurdles. We will adhere strictly to the conditions. As far as slogans are concerned, our swayamsevaks will only raise slogans like Bharat Mata Ki Jai and Vande Mataram. Those who have objections can object  we will raise slogans in praise of Bharat Mata," Patil said.

Reacting to this, Priyank Kharge said: At last, these anti-nationals are now shouting slogans in praise of the motherland. Thats good to know."

About the Author Rohini Swamy Rohini Swamy, Associate Editor at News18, has been a journalist for nearly two decades in the television and digital space. She covers south India for News18s digital platform. She has previously wor... Read More

First Published: November 13, 2025, 20:34 IST

News politics Amid Tug Of War, RSS Gets Conditional Court Nod For Route March In Priyank Kharge's Home Turf

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BJP Targets Chidambaram Over Delhi Blast Remarks, Says Congress Offering 'Cover Fire' To Terrorists

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Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 09:34 IST

Bhandaris remarks came after Chidambaram commented on the need to examine the causes behind domestic radicalisation.

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Congress leader P Chidambaram (PTI)

Days after the terror attack in Delhi that killed 12 people, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused Congress leader P. Chidambaram of giving cover fire" to terrorists through his remarks on home-grown extremism.

BJP spokesperson Pradip Bhandari took a sharp jibe at the former home minister, questioning Congresss stance on terror. Why is the Congress giving soft support and cover fire to terrorists in the Red Fort blast case?" Bhandari said.

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A terrorist is a terrorist! No circumstance justifies an act of terror."

Bhandaris remarks came after Chidambaram commented on the need to examine the causes behind domestic radicalisation.

Why is the Congress giving soft support and cover fire to terrorist in Red Fort Blast case!Terrorist is a terrorist! No circumstance justifies an act of terror! Sonia Gandhi in Batla House to P Chidambaram now, Congress choses vote bank over national interest https://t.co/4Q37RGbuC6  Pradeep Bhandari( ) (@pradip103) November 13, 2025

Chidambaram, referring to his past remarks made during a parliamentary debate on Operation Sindoor, said, I have maintained before and after the Pahalgam terror attack that there are two kinds of terrorists  foreign-trained infiltrated terrorists and home-grown terrorists. I said so in Parliament during the debate on Operation Sindoor. I was mocked and trolled for the reference to home-grown terrorists."

He added that while the government remained silent on the issue, it was aware of the existence of home-grown extremists. The point of this tweet is we should ask ourselves what are the circumstances that turn Indian citizens, even educated persons, into terrorists," Chidambaram said.

The exchange has sparked a fresh political row amid ongoing investigations into the Red Fort blast, which authorities have termed a terror attack.

At least 12 people were killed and over 30 injured in a powerful explosion near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station in Delhi on Monday evening, in what authorities have termed a terror attack. The blast, which occurred around 6:55 pm, ripped through a white Hyundai i20 car, setting several nearby vehicles on fire.

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Preliminary investigations suggest the blast was caused by high-grade explosives placed inside the vehicle. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Delhi Police Special Cell are jointly probing the case under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Explosive Substances Act.

CCTV footage showed the car parked near the metro station for nearly three hours before the explosion, and investigators are now working to trace the individuals involved and determine possible links to larger terror networks.

About the Author Abhro Banerjee Covering day-to-day national and international news for the last nine years across print and digital. Associated with News18.com since 2022, covering innumerable big and small events, including electi... Read More

First Published: November 13, 2025, 08:06 IST

News politics BJP Targets Chidambaram Over Delhi Blast Remarks, Says Congress Offering 'Cover Fire' To Terrorists

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'Insistence On Loyalty Undermines Democracy': Shashi Tharoor On Political Practices By Parties

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Last Updated: November 14, 2025, 00:10 IST

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also addressed the evolving ideological direction of the Congress, suggesting that it has become notably more Leftist in recent years

Senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor delivers the Jyoti Komireddy Memorial Lecture on 'Radical Centrism: My Vision for India' in memory of Jyoti Komireddy, a pioneering women's rights activist and legislator who passed away in 2024, in Hyderabad on November 13, 2025. (Image: PTI)

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has shared a broader observation regarding political practices saying each partys insistence on loyalty undermines democracy.

Tharoor also addressed the evolving ideological direction of the Congress, suggesting that it has become notably more Leftist in recent years in response to the divisive politics" of the BJP.

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Each partys insistence on loyalty to its leaders rather than to a set of principles undermines democracy," Tharoor said while delivering the Jyoti Komireddy Memorial Lecture on Radical Centrism: My Vision for India in Hyderabad.

VIDEO | Hyderabad: Each party's insistence on loyalty to its leaders rather than to a set of principles undermines democracy," says Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.(Full video available on PTI Videos  https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/lMNDchgyPu Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 13, 2025

The lecture was in memory of Jyoti Komireddy, a pioneering womens rights activist and legislator who passed away in 2024.

Tharoor noted that, in some ways, one of the consequences of tactical adjustments has been that his party has become a much more, sort of, Left party than it used to be". This current ideological stance stands in contrast to previous periods in the partys history.

But, tactical adjustments have been made more and more. In fact, in some ways, one of the consequences is my party has become a much more, sort of, Left party than it used to be. In the sense that, if you look at the party of say Dr Manmoban Singh, you could argue it was more consciously centrist in its approach. It borrowed from some of the policies of the predecessor BJP government," he said.

Specifically, he pointed out that if one examines the party under Dr Manmohan Singh, you could argue it was more consciously centrist in its approach". He said the government led by Dr Manmohan Singh had borrowed from some of the policies of the predecessor BJP government.

The Congress MP recalled historical continuity, noting that the Congress had established some policies in the early 1990s under then Prime Minister Narasimha Rao, which the BJP subsequently followed when it came to power a few years later.

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He argued that there was a distinctly centrist phase in Congress between 1991 and 2009, which arguably began changing after that period. When delivering his remarks, he clarified that his comments were focused on convictions and ideology, where certain gaps needed to be bridged, rather than on nuts and bolts practical politics". He added that what he was advocating went beyond immediate tactical adjustments at the political seat level.

(With PTI inputs)

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More

First Published: November 14, 2025, 00:04 IST

News politics 'Insistence On Loyalty Undermines Democracy': Shashi Tharoor On Political Practices By Parties

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'No Leniency Should Be Shown...': Kharge To Raise Delhi Red Fort Blast Case In Parliament

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Last Updated: November 12, 2025, 18:57 IST

Kharge blamed the deadly blast near Delhi's Red Fort on the failure of the government and called for exemplary punishment for the accused.

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Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge (PTI image)

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge targeted the BJP-led Centre for failing to stop terror attacks despite controlling multiple law enforcement and intelligence agencies, and calling for a thorough investigation into the deadly blast near Delhis Red Fort that killed 12.

We have demanded an investigation into the bomb blast. A thorough investigation should be conducted, and punishment should be given accordingly. No leniency should be shown to anyone involved. Whoever is guilty must be punished. People should fear committing such acts," he told reporters in Bengaluru.

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Kharge said it was unfortunate that such incidents were happening in the national capital and implied that this topic would be discussed in the upcoming Parliament session from December 1.

You have intelligence agencies, the IB, the CBI, and many other agencies right there. Even with all these agencies, the government has failed. We will speak further once the full investigation report is available," he further stated.

Priyank Kharges Charge At Amit Shah

On Tuesday, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge targeted Union Home Minister Amit Shah, describing him as incompetent" after 12 people were killed in a devastating car explosion near Delhis Red Fort Metro Station on Monday evening.

Probably, Mr Amit Shah is the most incompetent Home Minister in independent India. In any other state or country, he would have been thrown out of the Cabinet. But he is indispensable because he shares all the secrets of Mr Modi," Kharge told news agency ANI.

Why is the Home Minister of India not being held accountable? Is he there only to dislodge state governments? Is he there only to do politics? If he is going to do only that, let him get back to his party fold. How many more lives should be lost to his incompetence?" he added.

Delhi Police have registered a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Explosives Act. Multiple raids are being carried out to trace those behind the explosion, officials said. The national capital remains on high alert, with security tightened at airports, railway stations, and major public places.

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Several suspects  including doctors from Haryanas Al-Falah University  have been taken into custody in connection with the blast, police confirmed. Security has been stepped up across the capital, particularly at high-footfall areas such as Connaught Place and major road intersections.

(with inputs from agencies)

About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in int... Read More

First Published: November 12, 2025, 18:57 IST

News politics 'No Leniency Should Be Shown...': Kharge To Raise Delhi Red Fort Blast Case In Parliament

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Delhi Man Builds Air Purifier At Home For Just Rs 2,000, Here's How He Did It

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Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 19:21 IST

Delhi resident Shukrant25 built a homemade air purifier for Rs 2,000, reducing AQI from 400 to 50 in 15 minutes, earning praise as the 'jugaadu scientist' of India

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The man said that his DIY purifier cut AQI from 400 to 50 in just 15 minutes. (Reddit image)

As Delhi continues to grapple with hazardous air quality, residents are turning to innovative ways to survive the smog. With the Air Quality Index (AQI) hovering above 450 in several parts of the city, many households have resorted to costly air purifiers. However, one city resident has drawn nationwide attention for building a fully functional air purifier at home for just Rs 2,000, earning him the nickname jugaadu scientist" across social media platforms.

The inventive man, identified online as Reddit user u/Shukrant25, shared photographs of his low-cost air purifier, claiming that it could bring down a rooms AQI from 350 to 50 within 15 minutes. I built my personal air purifier in Rs 2,000 and it is working great, even better than the phillips one I have," he wrote in his viral Reddit post, which has since attracted thousands of upvotes and comments.

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According to his explanation, the device was assembled using a 150mm exhaust fan, a HEPA filter, cardboard, wires, and a simple on-off switch. The total cost reportedly came to around Rs 2,000, including Rs 750 for the exhaust fan, Rs 1,000 for the HEPA filter purchased from Amazon, and Rs 150 for the cardboard and glue gun. The remaining Rs 65 went towards wiring, a switch, and a regulator.

Despite its modest, school-project-like appearance, Shukrant claimed the purifier effectively reduced pollution levels inside his 1212 ft room, cutting the AQI from 400 to 50 in just 15 minutes. A commercial purifier offering similar results generally costs between Rs 15,000 and Rs 25,000, making this home-built version a striking example of frugal innovation.

See the viral post here:

Many users online hailed the effort as Delhis desi innovation" and even likened the Shukrant to Indias Elon Musk". One commenter wrote, Please make another one and please shoot video for that! I can buy that if u dont need that. Thanks!" while another remarked, Air purifiers arent exactly rocket science theyre just a simple IN and OUT air flow through filters."

Several users also encouraged him to start a YouTube channel or host workshops in Delhi to help others build affordable purifiers.

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Air purifiers work on a simple mechanism: they draw in contaminated air, trap harmful particles through multiple layers of filters, and release purified air back into the room. Typically, such machines use a pre-filter to capture larger particles like dust and hair, followed by a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter that removes up to 99.97% of fine particles, including PM2.5 and PM10 pollutants. An activated carbon filter then absorbs odors and gases, leaving the air fresh and clean.

Depending on a rooms size and the purifiers capacity, the air-cleaning process can take anywhere between 30 minutes and an hour. Devices with higher Clean Air Delivery Rates (CADR) purify air faster and more efficiently.

First Published: November 13, 2025, 19:21 IST

News tech Delhi Man Builds Air Purifier At Home For Just Rs 2,000, Here's How He Did It

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OnePlus 15 India Launch Today: Where To Watch Live, Expected Price And More

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News18.com

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 07:40 IST

OnePlus 15 India launch is today and we are eager to see how the new flagship phone is priced in the country.

OnePlus 15 India launch confirmed, how much will it cost?

OnePlus 15 India launch day is finally here and the hype has been building over the last few weeks. The global launch is also part of the Indian bow for the company and the new flagship phone will be looking to compete with a host of premium models in the country over the next six months. OnePlus has usually waited till the start of the new year to bring its new flagship to India, but this year has been different as many other brands are joining the chorus.

OnePlus 15 India Launch Event Time, Where To Watch And More

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The OnePlus 15 India launch is on Thursday, November 13, 2025 and the live event will start at 7:00 PM IST for all the viewers. OnePlus will be hosting the livestream via its official YouTube India page where you can get all the updates.

OnePlus 15 India Launch: Specifications And Price 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.

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.

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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.

The OnePlus 15 launch price in India is rumoured to be around Rs 72,999 this year but we expect the price to go down with additional bank offers that will be confirmed later today.

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 13, 2025, 07:40 IST

News tech OnePlus 15 India Launch Today: Where To Watch Live, Expected Price And More

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OpenAI Brings ChatGPT 5.1 Version: Calls It More Smarter And Conversational Than GPT 5

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Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 11:03 IST

ChatGPT 5.1 is officially here and you need the paid ChatGPT versions to access the new AI model on web and mobile.

ChatGPT 5.1 is a lot more smarter and easy to talk with, says OpenAI

ChatGPT 5.1 was announced, pretty much out of the blue, on Wednesday by OpenAI. The company has been teasing a new version of GPT over the last few days but most people assumed the launch will happen sometime in December. However, ChatGPT 5.1 is publicly available from today, and the company says it will prove to be a lot smarter and more conversational than the previous GPT 5 version.

OpenAI claims GPT 5.1 has been developed after hearing the feedback from users, who have demanded a more pleasant version of GPT that can be fun to talk to. OpenAI says GPT 5.1 will offer improvements across the board, both with its intelligence as well as how it communicates with the users.

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ChatGPT 5.1 Released: Who Gets It?

ChatGPT 5.1 will be available for all the paid ChatGPT tiers that includes Go, Plus, Pro as well as the Business plan. OpenAI confirmed that everybody, including the free ChatGPT users will get the access but at a later date.

ChatGPT 5.1: How It Improves On GPT 5?

The new ChatGPT 5.1 seems like an incremental upgrade which mostly focuses on being warmer during conversations and having a bit more personal touch with the user. The company assures that the intelligence of GPT 5.1 has also been improved to give you better and faster responses.

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The new version is also easy to change the tone so that you can have GPT 5.1 conversations in your preferred chat style that is likely to work in the settings of your ChatGPT account. OpenAI is also giving importance to how GPT 5.1 processes queries and decides on the responses based on their nature. So a complex question needs more time to process and be accurate.

ChatGPT Go is the easiest and affordable way to get these features. People in India can sign up for ChatGPT Go for free with the special 12 months plan that is officially available on the website and mobile app.

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 13, 2025, 11:03 IST

News tech OpenAI Brings ChatGPT 5.1 Version: Calls It More Smarter And Conversational Than GPT 5

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'At First, I Ate It Raw': Chilling Confessions Of The Cannibal Known As 'The Vampire of Paris'

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Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 19:14 IST

He began by stealing flesh from corpses, but soon the morgue wasnt enough. A craving that started with curiosity spiralled into murder, and a confession that froze the world!

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Nico Claux's macabre obsession and curiosity eventually drew him to the morgue, where he could indulge his darkest urges. (News18)

Across the world, there have been countless gruesome and horrifying crimes that could make any ordinary person shudder. Learning about the minds behind such acts can make ones blood run cold.

Todays story is about one such criminal  a man whose hunger went far beyond the limits of human morality.

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The Vampire Of Paris

Nico Claux, infamously known as The Vampire of Paris, recently made a chilling confession about his cannibalism and murders during an appearance on a podcast, leaving listeners stunned. He revealed that while working in a morgue, he tasted human flesh for the very first time, an experience that would change his life forever.

From that moment, he became addicted, finding every other sensation in life dull by comparison.

A Morbid Fascination Begins

Clauxs macabre obsession began in childhood. At just 10 years old, after the death of his grandfather, he became strangely drawn to death. Two years later, he read about Issei Sagawa, the notorious Japanese cannibal who murdered and ate a Dutch woman in Paris in 1981, and developed an intense desire to bite and tear flesh with his teeth".

That twisted curiosity eventually drew him to the morgue, where he could indulge his darkest urges. Speaking on James Englishs podcast Anything Goes, Claux explained that at the time, France had no formal requirements for working in a morgue; anyone serving as a hospital orderly with an interest could take the job. It was during autopsies, often when he was alone, that he began cutting strips of flesh from corpses and eating them.

At first, I ate it raw," he said. Then I started cutting small pieces and taking them home to cook in different ways." But these stolen fragments soon proved insufficient. His craving deepened, pushing him towards murder.

A Murder Driven By Hunger

Claux eventually killed a man named Thierry Bissonnier, whom he had met online. Upon his arrest, he confessed to killing purely for flesh.

He was sentenced to twelve years in prison, serving seven years and four months.

The Taste Of Flesh

When asked about the taste of human flesh, Claux described it as being similar to horse meat. People always ask me that," he said. I can say it tastes like horse meat because, at the time, I used to eat horse tartare."

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Yet, he claimed his real motivation was not taste but the intoxicating high it gave him.

For me, it was mostly a thrill," he confessed. Something I had never felt before it kept me constantly excited." It was this dark exhilaration that ultimately drove him to plan and commit murder.

Location : Paris, France

First Published: November 13, 2025, 19:14 IST

News viral 'At First, I Ate It Raw': Chilling Confessions Of The Cannibal Known As 'The Vampire of Paris'

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Pakistan's Oldest Newspaper Faces Global Mockery After Publishing ChatGPT Prompt

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Translation Desk

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 20:35 IST

Pakistan's oldest newspaper Dawn faces backlash after an unedited ChatGPT prompt appeared in a business article, sparking debate on AI use and media credibility

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The incident came to light when readers spotted an unusual note at the bottom of a business report published by the newspaper. (Source: X/@ manaman_chhina)

A major controversy has erupted in Pakistans media circles after a glaring lapse by one of the countrys most reputed newspapers. Dawn, regarded as the oldest and most credible publication in Pakistan, found itself at the centre of ridicule after a AI-generated prompt appeared in one of its business articles.

The incident came to light on November 12, when readers spotted an unusual note at the bottom of a business report published in the newspaper. A social media user shared a screenshot of the piece, revealing that it contained an unedited AI-generated prompt, one that clearly indicated the article had been written using AI.

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The prompt, attributed to ChatGPT, read, If you want, I can also create an even snappier front-page style version with punchy one-line stats and a bold, infographic-ready layout perfect for maximum reader impact. Do you want me to do that next?"

See the viral post:

Chat GPT can help design pages, give snappy headlines and also eat up jobs of the desk hands who use it.This is from Pak newspaper Dawn. pic.twitter.com/nNfzGHbxfG  Man Aman Singh Chhina (@manaman_chhina) November 12, 2025

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Once the screenshot went viral, netizens flooded social media platforms with criticism and mockery. Many expressed disappointment that a respected publication like Dawn had apparently published an AI draft without human oversight. Some users even went as far as declaring they would no longer read the newspaper, citing a loss of journalistic credibility".

The publication, which first began its journey in Delhi in 1941 before moving to Lahore after the Partition in 1947, has long been viewed as a symbol of editorial integrity and quality journalism in South Asia. But this episode has sparked a wider debate about the unchecked use of AI in newsrooms, and further raised concerns over editorial ethics, authenticity, and the erosion of human judgment in media.

Location : Pakistan

First Published: November 13, 2025, 20:31 IST

News viral Pakistan's Oldest Newspaper Faces Global Mockery After Publishing ChatGPT Prompt

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Ammonia Leak From Tanker Truck In US Hospitalises Dozens, Hundreds Evacuated

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News18.com

Last Updated: November 14, 2025, 01:58 IST

A leaking tanker truck released ammonia gas in Weatherford, Oklahoma, hospitalizing 36 people, forcing hundreds to evacuate.

Business owners and first responders gather in a shopping center parking lot near the scene of an ammonia spill in Weatherford, Oklahoma. (IMAGE: AP PHOTO)

A leaking tanker truck emitted dangerous amounts of ammonia gas in a hotel parking lot in the town of Weatherford, in US Oklahoma, sending several dozen people to the hospital and forcing hundreds of residents to evacuate.

The shelter-in-place order was lifted on Thursday morning. Hours before the order was lifted, firefighters wearing gas masks went door-to-door in Weatherford and woke people up and told them to leave because of fumes from the anhydrous ammonia leak.

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Anhydrous ammonia is used as a farm fertilizer to help corn and wheat grow. The colorless gas has a pungent, suffocating odor and can be deadly, especially at high concentrations, or cause breathing problems and burns to the skin and eyes.

At least 36 people were hospitalised and were treated in its emergency room, according to officials from the Weatherford Regional Hospital who spoke to the Associated Press.

One person was admitted in good condition and 10 were taken to hospitals in Oklahoma City, Darin Farrell, president of Weatherford Regional Hospital said.

Police Chief Angelo Orefice earlier said that four patients were in critical condition.

The tanker truck began billowing ammonia late Wednesday, causing those in the immediate area to suffer from respiratory distress, city officials said at a news conference.

At least 500 to 600 people went to a shelter early Thursday while others were ordered to remain inside their homes for several hours. Some nursing homes were evacuated, and schools were closed for the day.

The driver of the truck carrying the gas had parked behind a Holiday Inn Express to get a room there for the evening, Orefice said. The cause seemed to be a mechanical failure on a valve or a faulty seal, the police chief said.

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The cleanup in Weatherford  a city of 12,000 people about 70 miles (113 kilometers) west of Oklahoma City  could take several days, he further added.

We pretty much got a lot of of this stuff diluted right now," Orefice said, adding that authorities were working with environmental officials.

About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over seven years of experience during which he has ... Read More

Location : Weatherford, Oklahoma

First Published: November 14, 2025, 01:56 IST

News world Ammonia Leak From Tanker Truck In US Hospitalises Dozens, Hundreds Evacuated

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Awami Leagues Voice Must Be Heard Again; Only Free, Fair & Inclusive Elections Can Restore Constitutional Rule: Sheikh Hasina | Exclusive

Reported By :

CNN-News18

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 11:06 IST

The former Bangladesh PM issued a pointed appeal to India, asking the neighbouring nation to maintain pressure on the current interim Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus

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Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina. ( File pic/PTI)

Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has stressed that the future of Bangladeshs democracy depends on a swift and genuine return to constitutional governance, driven by free, fair, and inclusive elections.

Speaking exclusively with CNN-News18s Manoj Gupta, Hasina emphasised that her party, the Awami League, is not defined by any single individual or family but is deeply ingrained in the fabric of Bangladesh" and represents a vital voice for the countrys democratic politics.

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The former PM issued a pointed appeal to India, asking the neighbouring nation to maintain pressure on the current interim Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus. She urged India to persist in their calls for Yunus to enable free, fair, and inclusive elections and not to disenfranchise millions of his own people".

Hasina argued that excluding the Awami League, a party elected numerous times and supported by millions, undermines the entire democratic exercise.

The only way to restore good health to Bangladeshs political system is by enabling a government to be elected and genuinely rule by the consent of the people. That is the best way to future-proof our country against regime degradation," Hasina stated.

Her statement positions the call for an inclusive, constitutional election as the necessary path to long-term stability and political integrity in Bangladesh.

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About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

First Published: November 13, 2025, 08:50 IST

News world Awami Leagues Voice Must Be Heard Again; Only Free, Fair & Inclusive Elections Can Restore Constitutional Rule: Sheikh Hasina | Exclusive

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Bangladesh Seethes Again As Students Protest Against Yunus's Ban On Hiring Music, PT Teachers

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Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 10:31 IST

Amid this eruption of anger, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has accused Yunus of crushing democracy and serving as a front man for extremists.

Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. (Reuters)

Bangladesh is once again witnessing the fury of its student community  the same force that reshaped its political landscape only months ago. Campuses across the country, from Dhaka to Chittagong, have erupted in anger after the interim government led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus reportedly scrapped the posts of music and physical training teachers in schools, allegedly under pressure from Islamist groups.

Students, brandishing torches and chanting You can silence music in schools, not in hearts," have taken to the streets in what many describe as a defence of Bangladeshs cultural identity. Reports of explosions, street clashes, and a lockdown in parts of Dhaka have surfaced, adding to the growing sense of unrest. The protests are being viewed as not merely a response to one administrative decision but as a broader rejection of what students and cultural groups see as the creeping Islamisation of state policy under Yunuss interim administration.

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Yunus Crushing Democracy: Sheikh Hasina

Amid this eruption of anger, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has accused Yunus of crushing democracy" and serving as a front man for extremists" in his government. Speaking exclusively to CNN-News18s Manoj Gupta, Hasina said the international community was slowly waking up" to the reality that Yunuss global prestige as a Nobel-winning economist does not translate into democratic legitimacy. He is not a symbol of democratic regime change, nor does he command any broad support," Hasina said, adding that Yunus was an unelected head of state dismantling the constitution and failing to protect minorities."

According to Hasina, the current administration is being driven by sectarian and socially regressive forces that have infiltrated the interim government. His cabinet includes radical extremists," she alleged, claiming that the governments policies were systematically eroding Bangladeshs pluralistic traditions. The recent education ministry decision appears, in the eyes of many, to validate her warning.

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Ironically, the unrest now threatening the Yunus government mirrors the student uprising that toppled Hasina herself earlier this year. Then, it was students who mobilised against what they described as Hasinas authoritarian tendencies, demanding reforms and accountability. Their movement gained nationwide traction, culminating in her ouster and the installation of Yunus as interim Chief Adviser  a move initially welcomed by the West and by sections of Bangladeshi civil society.

But the tables seemed to have turned on Yunus. As flames of protest flicker across Dhaka and beyond, the same youth who once demanded change from Hasinas rule now appear to be turning against Yunuss administration.

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 13, 2025, 10:31 IST

News world Bangladesh Seethes Again As Students Protest Against Yunus's Ban On Hiring Music, PT Teachers

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Bangladesh Tribunal To Deliver Verdict Against Sheikh Hasina On Monday

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Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 13:37 IST

Bangladeshs International Crimes Tribunal will deliver the verdict against Sheikh Hasina and two others on November 17.

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Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (Image: Reuters)

Bangladeshs International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD) on Thursday stated that the verdict against deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a case concerning crimes against humanity will be delivered on November 17.

The three-judge tribunal set Nov 17 for delivering the verdict," a journalist present at the heavily guarded special court in Dhaka told news agency PTI.

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Hasina, along with her former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and ex-police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, were charged in the case. The former premier and Kamal were tried in absentia, after being declared fugitives by the court.

The former inspector general of police, Abdullah Al-Mamun, faced trial in person but later became an approver, admitting to his involvement and detailing the roles of Hasina and Kamal in suppressing last years student-led protest movement known as July Uprising.

Mamun appeared before the tribunal as its chair, Justice Mohammad Golam Mortuza Majumder, formally set the date for the verdict announcement.

On Wednesday, tension simmered across the nation as crude bomb and arson attacks rocked Dhaka and other parts of the country ahead of the verdict date announcement.

Further, Bangladeshs Awami League announced a nationwide daylong lockdown on Thursday, urging citizens from all walks of life to participate in the programme.

High Alert In Bangladesh

The country remains on high alert amid rising tensions, with security forces, including the army and police, deployed at airports and key installations across Bangladesh.

Speaking to News18, former Bangladesh Minister and Awami League leader Mohibul Hassan Chowdhury Nowfel said, Our objective was to show the Yunus regime that the people are no longer with his cronies through a non-cooperation movement. Across the countrynot just in Dhakapeople have already responded. They are staying indoors and boycotting everything associated with this illegal, murderous regime. The capital is already deserted. So yes, we have achieved our objective. They wanted to malign us by suggesting we would incite violence, but people have responded peacefully and overwhelmingly by joining the government boycott."

The Awami Leagues ongoing movement is being seen as a crucial political moment for the party, which aims to demonstrate its strength despite many of its senior leaders being in exile. Party insiders believe public frustration with the current political situation will translate into strong support for the movement.

Over the past few months, Sheikh Hasina has been addressing her party workers virtually, asserting that she will return when participatory democracy is restored.

According to Awami League insiders, the party now has nothing to lose, making this movement a particularly significant effort to reassert its political presence.

Furthermore, cops said they had arrested 552 Awami League activists in the past 11 days and another 44 on Wednesday alone for allegedly creating unrest. Officials estimate that over 3,000 members of the banned" party have been detained since last month, PTI reported.

Last week, the Bangladesh Army pulled back half of its 60,000 soldiers who had been doing police duties so they could rest and train". To keep security tight in and around the capital, more Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) troops were deployed. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

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 : Dhaka, Bangladesh

First Published: November 13, 2025, 13:37 IST

News world Bangladesh Tribunal To Deliver Verdict Against Sheikh Hasina On Monday

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From delivering products at school pick-up to launching in 13 countries, Tape Zoomie founder Inge Heath shares how she built a global business with no prior experience.

Whats happening: Australian entrepreneur Inge Heath has built Tape Zoomie into an international business selling across 13 countries within its first year, on track to generate $500,000 in revenue.

Why this matters: Her rapid international expansion, intellectual property strategy, and adaptability offer practical lessons for aspiring founders navigating viral growth and global market entry.

Dynamic Business sat down with Inge Heath, founder of Tape Zoomie, for this weeks Founder Friday series to talk about how one chaotic Christmas turned into an international business now operating across 13 countries.

Heath never dreamed of being an entrepreneur. She didnt have a five-year plan or a burning desire to disrupt an industry. She just wanted to get through Christmas without losing her mind or her fingers to endless strips of sticky tape.

The breaking point arrived during one particularly overwhelming holiday season. Heath was surrounded by what felt like mountains of unwrapped gifts, each one mocking her. Her husband, bless him, volunteered to help with the wrapping. Trying to make the process more efficient, Heath started cutting tape strips and lining them up along the edge of the table so he could grab them quickly. But he worked faster than she could prepare them. She couldnt keep up. She was literally functioning as a human tape dispenser, standing there cutting and sticking while he wrapped.

Thats when it hit me. I was the tape dispenser, Heath recalls. In my frustration, I couldnt stop thinking there had to be a better way. When I couldnt find anything on the market that could prepare multiple tape strips quickly, I knew I wanted to create it myself.

Three years later, that moment of pure frustration transformed into Tape Zoomie, a patented tape dispenser that prepares 18 ready-to-use tape strips in seconds. The design is clever and practical. It extends and retracts for compact storage, works without blades to avoid accidents, and handles multiple tape types including washi, double-sided, and magnetic tape.

From frustration to patent

I posted a short video showing how it worked, and it went viral overnight, reaching millions of views across TikTok and Instagram. That reaction showed me there was strong global demand for a product that simplified wrapping and crafting.

Heath had no business background when she started. She sketched a rough design and moved forward, learning as she went. When she received the final sample, she knew she had created something worth sharing but wanted validation before committing to mass production. Her first TikTok post, uploaded casually before bed, reached half a million views by morning and eventually hit six million. The Instagram post simultaneously went viral, confirming strong market interest.

Rather than celebrating and moving slowly, Heath made several critical strategic decisions. The first was protecting her intellectual property. One of the most important decisions I made early on was to secure intellectual property protection. I filed my own provisional patent and then moved quickly to protect the design and brand in multiple countries, she explains. I wanted to make sure my product was properly safeguarded while expanding globally.

Strategic protection and expansion

Another major choice was to go wide and fast, as this product appeals to such a broad audience. We launched Tape Zoomie in Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom, and within the first year expanded into 13 countries.

The second decision was equally bold, maybe even reckless depending on who you ask. Instead of testing one market carefully, learning from mistakes, and then expanding slowly, Heath chose to launch internationally from day one. It was the kind of move that makes traditional business advisors nervous. But Heath had seen the viral response. She knew the demand was global, not regional. So she combined that organic social media momentum with careful strategic planning around logistics, fulfillment, and partnerships. The approach was aggressive, but it worked. It gave Tape Zoomie immediate brand visibility and opened doors to global retail partners that might have taken years to reach otherwise.

Of course, moving that fast meant learning some lessons the hard way. Heaths crash course in inventory management came quickly and painfully.

Like many startups, Ive had my share of challenges. One of the biggest early mistakes was ordering too much stock before our first Christmas. We launched only a few weeks before the holiday season, which wasnt ideal, she admits. Later in the year, Tape Zoomie went viral again, and we sold out in the United States. That taught me how crucial inventory management is, especially for a product with high viral potential.

Learning through mistakes

Going global wasnt without its complications. Heath learned this the hard way when UK VAT registration held up her entry into what should have been a major market. The delay was frustrating, but it taught her something valuable about the importance of understanding compliance requirements before you need them. It also reinforced a broader strategic lesson shed already started to internalize.

At the same time, it reinforced the importance of diversification. Relying too heavily on one market can create unnecessary risk, so expanding globally was one of the smartest moves we made, Heath says.

What surprised Heath most, though, wasnt the logistical challenges of international expansion. It was discovering who was actually using her product. Sure, people were buying Tape Zoomie for gift wrapping, the problem it was designed to solve. But teachers started reaching out, saying they were using it for classroom projects. Occupational therapists found it perfect for fine motor skill activities. Small business owners discovered it sped up their order packing process. The product had found audiences Heath never imagined.

Tape Zoomie stands out because its an entirely new concept in a category that hasnt changed in decades. It takes a simple, everyday frustration, tearing one piece of tape at a time, and transforms it into something fun, efficient, and visually satisfying, Heath explains.

Building for sustainability

From the very beginning, Heath knew she didnt want to create just another disposable product destined for landfill. Sustainability wasnt an afterthought or a marketing angle. It was baked into the design from day one.

Unlike disposable dispensers, Tape Zoomie is reusable, durable, and made from strong, long-lasting materials. I have made a conscious effort to design a product that not only makes life easier but will last a lifetime and is also better for the environment, she says. My goal was to create something innovative and more sustainable to reduce the number of disposable tape dispensers being used every year.

When Heath thinks about what shed tell someone standing where she once stood, frustrated and unsure but with an idea burning in their mind, her advice is refreshingly straightforward. Its the kind of wisdom that only comes from actually doing the thing, not just thinking about it.

My biggest piece of advice is to just start. Dont wait for the perfect moment or for everything to feel ready. That moment rarely comes. Take the leap of faith, start small, and learn as you go, she says. Every step forward teaches you something. Dont get stuck in overwhelm. Decide on the three most important tasks for the day and dont go to bed until youve completed them.

Advice for aspiring founders

Dont strive for perfection. Most startups are messy, but they started. You cant grow, improve, or move forward without taking that first step. Progress comes from action, not perfection.

For Heath, one of the most critical decisions she made early on wasnt about marketing or sales. It was about protecting what shed created. Shed seen too many inventors lose control of their ideas, and she wasnt going to let that happen to Tape Zoomie.

If youve created something new or unique, protect your intellectual property early. Its one of the smartest investments you can make. It gives you confidence and security to grow your idea without fear of losing it.

But filing patents and securing trademarks was only part of the equation. Heath quickly discovered that building a sustainable business required something far less glamorous than viral videos and international launches: relentless, unglamorous consistency. The kind that means working through doubts, pushing past failures, and showing up even when motivation runs dry.

There will be setbacks, but dont let them stop you. Keep moving forward, keep learning, and adapt as you go. Consistency is everything. Success doesnt happen overnight. You have to show up every single day, even when its hard. Be completely obsessed with your product or idea. That passion is what carries you through the tough days.

Its advice that sounds simple until youre actually living it. Until youre the one staring at inventory problems, dealing with international compliance issues, or watching sales dry up in a key market. But Heath stuck with it, and now, reflecting on the journey from that overwhelming Christmas Eve to running an international business, shes amazed at what taking one imperfect step forward can create.

I had no idea what I was doing when I started Tape Zoomie, and I will never stop learning, but if I hadnt taken that first step, it would still just be an idea, and Id still be frustrated with gift wrapping every Christmas and birthday.

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China's Confidence In Bangladesh Under Threat Due To Yunus' Policies, Says Sheikh Hasina | Exclusive

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 10:23 IST

Speaking to CNN-News18, the former Bangladesh PM said Bangladesh must restore political legitimacy and regional confidence to maintain stable relations with all neighbours

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Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (Image: Reuters)

Former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina has said Bangladesh must restore political legitimacy and regional confidence to maintain stable relations with China and other neighbours, following changes in the countrys leadership.

Speaking to CNN-News18s Manoj Gupta in her first extensive conversation since leaving Dhaka, Hasina, responding to a question on whether Beijing had advised restraint or given assurances during her final days in office, said her government had always prioritised strong ties with China for both trade and security reasons.

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We have always prioritised good relations between China and Bangladesh for reasons of trade and security. To maintain stability in our region and in our foreign relations, our neighbours must have confidence in us," she said.

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Hasina, however, warned that the confidence was under threat" while the current unelected administration led by Muhammad Yunus remained in power. She accused the interim government of pursuing volatile foreign and trade policies" that could undermine Bangladeshs credibility as a regional partner.

This confidence is under threat while the unelected Yunus government remains in power and pursues volatile foreign and trade policies. My hope is that Bangladesh regains its position as a reliable economic and diplomatic partner through the election of a legitimate government that represents the interests of its people," she said.

About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

First Published: November 13, 2025, 10:23 IST

News world China's Confidence In Bangladesh Under Threat Due To Yunus' Policies, Says Sheikh Hasina | Exclusive

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DNA Testing Suggests Hitler Likely Had A Micropenis, Undescended Testicles

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Last Updated: November 14, 2025, 02:45 IST

The researchers said Hitler, who sent people with genetic conditions to concentration camps, would have sent himself if he knew he was suffering from one.

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Tests on material said to contain Hitlers blood suggest a genetic disorder affecting sexual development, while also ruling out rumours of Jewish ancestry. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

German dictator Adolf Hitler most likely suffered from the genetic condition Kallmann Syndrome, researchers and documentary makers said on Thursday. DNA testing on material containing the Nazi leaders blood also found that Hitler did not have Jewish ancestry.

A report by news agency AFP noted that while popular World War II songs often mocked Hitlers anatomy, such claims had no scientific basis until now.

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No one has ever really been able to explain why Hitler was so uncomfortable around women throughout his life, or why he probably never entered into intimate relations with women," said Alex Kay of the University of Potsdam.

But now that we know he had Kallmann Syndrome, this could be the answer weve been looking for," he was quoted as saying by the news agency.

The findings by the international team of scientists and historians are featured in a new documentary, Hitlers DNA: Blueprint of a Dictator", due to broadcast on Sunday.

The DNA results additionally rule out the possibility that Hitler had a Jewish grandfather via his grandmother, who was rumoured to have got pregnant by an employer in whose house she worked.

Analysis of the DNA debunks this myth by showing that the Y chromosome data matches the DNA of Hitlers male line relative. If he had Jewish ancestry (through an outside relationship), that match wouldnt be there," the production company added.

Geneticist Turi King, known for identifying the remains of medieval king Richard III and who also worked on the project, said Hitlers genes put him in a category of people who were often sent to the gas chambers by the Nazis.

Hitlers policies are completely around eugenics," said the expert in ancient and forensic DNA at the University of Bath in western England.

If he had been able to look at his own DNA he almost certainly would have sent himself," she said.

The testing also found a high likelihood" that Hitler had Kallmann Syndrome and very high" scores  in the top one percent  for a predisposition to autism, schizophrenia and biopolar disorder, programme makers Blink Films said.

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The research team stressed that such conditions, however, could not explain or excuse Hitlers warmongering or racist policies.

Over 50 million people are estimated to have died in World War II, including six million Jews were who were systematically murdered.

About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over seven years of experience during which he has ... Read More

Location : London, United Kingdom (UK)

First Published: November 14, 2025, 02:41 IST

News world DNA Testing Suggests Hitler Likely Had A Micropenis, Undescended Testicles

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'Country Has Never Been In Better Shape': Trump Signs Bill Ending Longest US Government Shutdown

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News18.com

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 09:04 IST

Donald Trump signed a funding bill ending the longest government shutdown in US history after the House passed it by a vote of 222-209.

A file photo of US President Donald Trump (AP)

Donald Trump on Thursday signed a bill ending the longest government shutdown in the history of the United States, 43 days that paralysed Washington and left hundreds of thousands of workers unpaid.

Signing the bill, the US President said, I just want to tell you the country has never been in better shape. We went through this short-term disaster with the Democrats because they thought it would be good politically."

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And its an honour now to sign this incredible bill and get our country working again," Trump said.

This came hours after the bill was cleared by Congress, as the House of Representatives voted to restart disrupted food assistance, pay hundreds of thousands of federal workers and revive a hobbled air-traffic control system.

The bill signed by Trump funds military construction, veterans affairs, the Department of Agriculture and Congress itself through next fall, and the rest of the government through the end of January.

Around 670,000 furloughed civil servants will report back to work, and a similar number who were kept at their posts with no compensation, including more than 60,000 air traffic controllers and airport security staff, will get back pay.

The deal also restores federal workers fired by Trump during the shutdown, while air travel that has been disrupted across the country will gradually return to normal.

For more than five weeks, Democrats held firm on refusing to reopen the government unless Trump agreed to extend pandemic-era tax credits that made health insurance affordable for millions of Americans.

Election victories in multiple states last week gave Democrats further encouragement and a reinvigorated sense of purpose.

However, a group of eight Senate moderates broke ranks to cut a deal with Republicans that offers a vote in the upper chamber on health care subsidies, but no floor time in the House and no guarantee of action.

The Republican-controlled chamber passed the package by a vote of 222-209, with Donald Trumps support largely keeping his party together in the face of vehement opposition from House Democrats.

The vote came eight days after Democrats won several high-profile elections that many in the party thought strengthened their odds of winning an extension of health insurance subsidies, which are due to expire at the end of the year.

Democratic Representative Mikie Sherrill, who last week was elected as New Jerseys next governor, spoke against the funding bill in her last speech on the US House floor before she resigns from Congress next week, encouraging her colleagues to stand up to Trumps administration.

To my colleagues: Do not let this body become a ceremonial red stamp from an administration that takes food away from children and rips away healthcare," Sherrill said.

To the country: Stand strong. As we say in the Navy, dont give up the ship," she added.

The vote came on the Republican-controlled Houses first day in session since mid-September, a long recess intended to put pressure on Democrats.

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The chambers return also set the clock ticking on a vote to release all unclassified records related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, something Johnson and Trump have resisted up to now.

ALSO READ | Trump Deeply Concerned By BBCs Editing, Lawsuit Filed: White House Press Secretary

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 13, 2025, 08:57 IST

News world 'Country Has Never Been In Better Shape': Trump Signs Bill Ending Longest US Government Shutdown

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Bangladesh To Hold Constitutional Reforms Referendum On Same Day As Election In Feb 2026, Says Yunus

Curated By :

News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 17:04 IST

Bangladesh interim leader Muhammad Yunus delivered a televised address a day after incidents of violence were reported from across the country as it gears up for national elections

Bangladesh interim leader Muhammad Yunus announced that a national referendum on the July Charter will be held on the same day as the upcoming parliamentary elections. (Image: @ChiefAdviserGoB/X)

Amid the call for a nationwide lockdown by the Awami League on Thursday, Bangladesh interim leader Muhammad Yunus said the parliamentary elections will be held in a festive atmosphere" in the first half of February next year.

Yunus delivered a televised address a day after incidents of violence were reported from across Bangladesh on Wednesday (November 12) as the country gears up for the national elections. A crude cocktail bomb blast occurred last night in front of Dhaka University, while a bus was set on fire in Tangra.

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In his address to the nation, Yunus announced that a national referendum on the July National Charter (Constitution Reform) Implementation Order, 2025, will be held on the same day as the upcoming parliamentary elections.

The parliamentary elections will be held in a festive atmosphere in the first half of February. The referendum on the July Charter will be held on the same day as the parliamentary elections" Yunus said.

He said the upcoming parliament will be bicameral  the Upper House of 100 members will be formed based on the proportion of votes received by parties in the national elections, and constitutional amendments will require the approval of a majority of Upper House members.

The chief adviser said the decision was approved during the advisers council meeting earlier in the day, describing it as a major step toward implementing the reform roadmap that emerged from the anti-government protests last year, which led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina.

Having considered all matters, we have decided that the referendum will be organised on the same day as the upcoming national parliamentary election. This means that, like the national election, the referendum will also be held on the same day in the first half of February," he said in his televised address.

WHAT IS THE JULY NATIONAL CHARTER?

The July National Charter was prepared by the National Consensus Commission following months of dialogue with political parties and civil society groups.

The charter outlines a framework for constitutional and structural reforms aimed at strengthening democracy, accountability, and governance in Bangladesh after the student-led mass uprising in 2024.

According to Yunus, the referendum will ask citizens to approve the July Charter and its key reform proposals, which include the formation of a caretaker government and independent Election Commission during polling periods, the establishment of a bicameral parliament with an upper house of 100 members proportionally representing party vote shares, and the implementation of 30 consensus-based reforms on issues such as womens representation, parliamentary oversight, judicial independence, local governance, and limiting the Prime Ministers tenure.

If the majority of voters support the referendum, a Constitution Reform Council composed of newly elected parliamentary representatives will be formed to carry out the constitutional amendments within 180 working days of its first session. The new upper house will then be formed within 30 days of the reforms being completed.

WHAT ELSE DID YUNUS SAY?

Highlighting the interim governments progress over the past 15 months, Yunus said major reforms have been implemented to ensure judicial independence, strengthen the financial system, enhance transparency, and curb corruption.

He said Bangladeshs economy has shown strong recovery, with exports, reserves, and foreign investment improving significantly. At the end of his address, he called for political unity ahead of the national elections warning that divisions among parties supportive of last years uprising could endanger the democratic transition.

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The unity that the countrymen forged in July 2024, standing tall against fascism in the face of death, must not be undermined by us, the living, by getting entangled in minor disagreements and petty disputes," he said. Therefore, I hope that political parties will accept this decision in the greater interest of the nation. The nation will move towards a festive national election. Through this, we will enter a new Bangladesh. We have arrived at the threshold of building a new Bangladesh."

(With agency inputs)

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More

Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh

First Published: November 13, 2025, 16:52 IST

News world Bangladesh To Hold Constitutional Reforms Referendum On Same Day As Election In Feb 2026, Says Yunus

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'Have Traced Culprits': Pakistan Says Islamabad Suicide Bomber Was From Afghanistan

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 20:34 IST

Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told a Senate session that the bomber behind Tuesdays blast outside district court buildings in the capital was from Afghanistan

Policemen examine damaged vehicles after a suicide blast outside the district court in Islamabad on November 11. (AFP photo)

Pakistan on Thursday blamed Afghan nationals for a suicide bombing in Islamabad earlier this week, as well as a separate deadly attack near the countrys northwestern frontier.

Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told a Senate session that the bomber behind Tuesdays blast outside district court buildings in the capital was from Afghanistan.

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We have traced the Islamabad blast culprits. The suicide bomber was from Afghanistan," Naqvi said, without providing evidence to support the claim. When asked how the government would respond, he added, It will be decided on a government-level what to do."

A faction of the Pakistani Taliban, known as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), claimed responsibility for the Islamabad attack, marking the first major incident in the capital in nearly three years. The blast killed 12 people and injured at least 27 others.

Naqvi also alleged that Afghan nationals were involved in a separate assault on Cadet College Wana, a military-linked school in northwest Pakistan, on the same day. That attack left three people dead.

Pakistan has long accused Afghan-based militants, particularly the TTP, of orchestrating attacks inside its territory since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, though Kabul denies these claims.

Ties between Islamabad and Kabul have sharply deteriorated in recent months. Last month, cross-border clashes killed more than 70 people, including dozens of Afghan civilians, according to the United Nations.

Naqvi said on live television, We have told them (the Afghan government) about our concerns but they still support terrorists." Kabul has not issued a response to these allegations.

Pakistans information ministry reiterated Thursday that the Wana attack was planned and controlled from Afghanistan" and that all those involved were Afghan citizens. The ministry added, The identities of the Afghan terrorists killed in the attack firmly establishes the links of terrorists in their bases in Afghanistan."

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The TTP has threatened further attacks unless Pakistan implements strict Islamic law, raising security concerns in the country.

(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 13, 2025, 20:27 IST

News world 'Have Traced Culprits': Pakistan Says Islamabad Suicide Bomber Was From Afghanistan

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'How Many Wives?' Trump Asks Syrian President At White House Meet I Video

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 00:12 IST

Trump gifted perfume to Syrian President al-Sharaa at the White House, joking about wives. Al-Sharaa, ex-al-Qaeda commander, discussed rebuilding Syria and US suspended sanctions.

US President Donald Trump hosted Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House. (Image: AFP)

A video has gone viral of US President Donald Trump presenting a bottle of perfume to Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House and playfully asking him the number of wives.

Trump on Monday met his Syrian counterpart, marking the first visit by a Syrian leader to Washington since the countrys independence in 1946.

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While spraying a dab of scent in al-Sharaas direction, on Monday, Trump said: Its the best fragrance. And the other one is for your wife." How many wives?" Al-Sharaa, momentarily taken aback, responded one," prompting a ripple of laughter from Trump and other officials at the White House. Trump then quipped back, You never know!"

How many wives? One? Trump asks Syrias new leader in White House  videoTrump gifted Al-Shaar perfume and went on to SPRAY him with it This is the best fragrance! And the other one is for your wife Al-Sharaa assured Trump he only has one wife. Vibe check passed, too pic.twitter.com/SAjO6Vc8GH  RT (@RT_com) November 12, 2025

The 43-year-old was a former al-Qaeda commander who overthrew longtime Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad last December. He was the former head of Syrias al-Nusra Front, who once had a $10 million bounty on his head for orchestrating multiple attacks across Syria.

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.

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."

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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.

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.

Location : Syria

First Published: November 13, 2025, 00:05 IST

News world 'How Many Wives?' Trump Asks Syrian President At White House Meet I Video

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India A Longstanding Friend, Says Sheikh Hasina, Explains Yunus' 'Troubles' With Delhi | Exclusive

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 09:08 IST

The former Bangladesh prime minister blamed Yunus sponsorship of extremists, failure to protect religious minorities, and anti-India rhetoric for the tense ties with New Delhi

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The former prime minister was also clear in the support she sought from India as a steadfast friend. (AFP)

Former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina has termed India a longstanding friend" and extended her gratitude to the country for its patience" as it waits for a leader with the authority and expertise to return our country to stability".

In her first extensive conversation since leaving Dhaka, Hasina, while speaking to CNN-News18s Manoj Gupta, also said Bangladesh interim leader Muhammad Yunuss troubles with India have nothing to do with me".

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India is a longstanding friend, and I am deeply grateful to the Indian people for welcoming me. As Bangladeshs most important ally, India has an interest in seeing a stable, legitimate and democratically elected regime in Dhaka backed by the support of its people," she said.

Asked if Indian agencies and the political leadership had treated her as a strategic partner needing protection, or as a liability in the new geopolitical equation emerging in Dhaka, Hasina said: Yunuss evident problems with Delhi have nothing to do with me. They are caused by his sponsorship of extremists, his failure to protect religious minorities, and the anti-India rhetoric emanating from his administration. These are actions of an inexperienced leader who does not recognise the value of our partnership. I am grateful for Indias patience as they wait for a leader with the authority and expertise to return our country to stability."

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The former prime minister was also clear in the support she sought from India as a steadfast friend".

India has already provided sanctuary and diplomatic support, calling for inclusive elections and highlighting minority persecution. The Awami League does not need rebuilding within Bangladesh while it commands the support of tens of millions of ordinary Bangladeshis. The ties that bind our countries run very deep, and this will not change. All we ask from India, as our steadfast friend, is that she support ordinary Bangladeshis in their desire to choose their own government and disregard the hostility of the Yunus administration, which does not represent what most of our countrymen and women think."

About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

First Published: November 13, 2025, 09:08 IST

News world India A Longstanding Friend, Says Sheikh Hasina, Explains Yunus' 'Troubles' With Delhi | Exclusive

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India Key To Prevent Bangladeshs Slide Into Pakistan-Style Regime: Sheikh Hasina | Exclusive

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 12:30 IST

Speaking exclusively to CNN-News18, Hasina described India as Bangladeshs steadfast friend and a key partner in preserving democratic stability in the region.

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (Image: Reuters)

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has underscored Indias indispensable role in ensuring that her country does not slip into a Pakistan-style hybrid regime," warning that Dhaka risks political instability under the leadership of Muhammad Yunus. Speaking exclusively to CNN-News18s Manoj Gupta, Hasina described India as Bangladeshs steadfast friend" and a key partner in preserving democratic stability in the region.

All we ask of India is to back ordinary Bangladeshis in their desire to choose their own government," Hasina said, adding that Indias continued engagement would be crucial to prevent Bangladesh from sliding into a Pakistan-style hybrid regime." She stressed that India has long been Dhakas closest ally, and its priority remains a stable, democratic regime in Bangladesh."

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Since her departure from power, Hasina has remained vocal about her concerns over the trajectory of Bangladeshs governance. When asked whether Indian agencies and political leaders viewed her as a strategic partner needing protection or a liability in the changing geopolitical context, Hasina was categorical: India is a longstanding friend, and I am deeply grateful to the Indian people for welcoming me." She noted that New Delhis interests are aligned with ensuring a stable, legitimate, and democratically elected regime in Dhaka backed by the support of its people."

Hasina sought to distinguish her relationship with India from that of the current administration under Yunus, suggesting that the latters difficulties with New Delhi stem from his own policy failures. Yunuss evident problems with Delhi have nothing to do with me," she said. They are caused by his sponsorship of extremists, his failure to protect religious minorities, and the anti-India rhetoric emanating from his administration. These are actions of an inexperienced leader who does not recognise the value of our partnership."

In her remarks, Hasina also acknowledged Indias diplomatic backing since her ouster, praising New Delhi for calling for inclusive elections" and for highlighting minority persecution" under the new government. She made it clear that the Awami League  her political base  remains deeply entrenched in Bangladeshi society. The Awami League does not need rebuilding within Bangladesh while it commands the support of tens of millions of ordinary Bangladeshis," she said. The ties that bind our countries run very deep, and this will not change."

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Hasina cautioned that Bangladesh could face a future dominated by extremist influences if democratic norms are not restored. She accused Yunus of acting as a cardboard-cutout leader of a regime actually run by Hizb-ut Tahrir extremists," and appealed to India and other regional partners to continue pressing for free and fair elections. The only way to restore good health to Bangladeshs political system," she said, is by enabling a government to be elected and genuinely rule by the consent of the people."

Hasina reiterated that Indias support for Bangladeshs democratic aspirations is not merely a matter of bilateral friendship, but a regional imperative. Our friends in India must persist in their calls for democracy and inclusivity," she said. That is the best way to future-proof our country against regime degradation and ensure peace in South Asia."

About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

First Published: November 13, 2025, 09:45 IST

News world India Key To Prevent Bangladeshs Slide Into Pakistan-Style Regime: Sheikh Hasina | Exclusive

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Lavrov Blames US for Failed PutinTrump Talks, Says Russia Still Ready For Budapest Summit

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News18.com

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 13:33 IST

Lavrov denies Russia was unready for a Budapest Putin-Trump summit, blaming US internal issues and affirming Moscows readiness for talks based on Anchorage agreements on Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. (AFP file photo)

Moscow has rejected claims that a planned meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump in Budapest was cancelled because Russia was not ready" for talks on Ukraine. Instead, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov blamed internal disagreements within Washington for the collapse of preparations, insisting the US failed to follow up on its own proposals after the Anchorage summit.

In an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Lavrov reiterated Moscows willingness to hold another USRussia summit in Budapest. With Hungary being one of the few European Union states that maintains open dialogue with Moscow, Budapest is increasingly viewed as a potential neutral ground for renewed discussions between Washington and Moscow on the Russia-Ukraine war.

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He said, We are still ready to hold another Russia-US summit in Budapest if it is genuinely based on the well-elaborated outcomes of the Alaska summit".

The Russian Foreign Minister said the understandings reached in Anchorage, in August, had created genuine momentum toward a long-term peace process. These understandings, he argued, were rooted in the conditions Putin outlined in June 2024, particularly the rejection of Ukraines NATO accession and international recognition of territorial changes following referendums in five Ukrainian regions.

He further stated that the US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff brought to Moscow a negotiation framework ahead of the Anchorage meeting that acknowledged both Russias security concerns and the territorial reality." Putin, he said, told Trump that Russia was prepared to use the American proposal as a basis for further talks, offering specific steps to begin practical implementation.

Trump reportedly said he would consult US allies, but after a meeting in Washington the following day, the US administration did not respond to Moscows acceptance of the Witkoff plan. Lavrov said no clarity was provided even during his subsequent meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York.

To keep negotiations moving, Moscow drafted a non-paper outlining the Anchorage understandings and delivered it to Washington. That led to a renewed phone call between Trump and Putin, during which they agreed in principle to meet in Budapestpending detailed preparation. But shortly afterwards, Lavrov said, unidentified advisers influenced Trump to postpone or cancel the summit.

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Lavrov dismissed Western reports particularly from The Financial Times which was suggesting that Russia was unprepared for talks as bluntly fake news," accusing certain outlets of distorting events to undermine Trumps pursuit of lasting, steady peace."

He emphasised that Russia has remained consistent in its stance and is ready to resume discussions whenever Washington is willing to base them on what was agreed in Anchorage.

Location : Moscow, Russia

First Published: November 13, 2025, 13:17 IST

News world Lavrov Blames US for Failed PutinTrump Talks, Says Russia Still Ready For Budapest Summit

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No Foreign Hand, Says Sheikh Hasina On Claims Of US Involvement In Bangladesh Upheaval | Exclusive

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 10:11 IST

In an interview to CNN-News18, the former Bangladesh PM noted that Western illusions about Yunus were fading and he was being used as the frontman by extremists in administration

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Bangladesh's ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina. (AFP)

Former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina has dismissed suggestions that the United States played an active role in supporting groups that sought her removal from power under the pretext of restoring democracy".

Speaking to CNN-News18s Manoj Gupta in her first extensive conversation since leaving Dhaka, Hasina said Bangladesh has maintained good relationships with successive US administrations" and that there is no reason to believe" Washington or other foreign powers were directly involved in the countrys political developments.

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Though she acknowledged that the countrys interim leader, economist Muhammad Yunus, had built a network of influential supporters in the West, Hasina said many of those admirers had mistaken his economic reputation for democratic credibility.

While Yunus has cultivated a network of influential Western admirers from his work as an economist, those who admired him mistook his economic theories for democratic credentials. Now, this illusion is fading, and those admirers are increasingly seeing him for what he is: an unelected head of state who has placed radical extremists in his cabinet, dismantled Bangladeshs constitution, and stood silent while minorities have been oppressed," she said.

Hasina also said US President Donald Trump, with whom she said she had very good relations," had publicly expressed his dislike of Yunus.

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The ex-PM added: If Westerners think Yunus is a friendly face, they are being fooled. In fact, he is being used as the frontman by the extremists in his administration, who are pursuing a sectarian, score-settling, and socially regressive domestic agenda."

Hasinas remarks come amid continued debate over the extent of foreign involvement in Bangladeshs political transition and the role of Western governments in shaping perceptions of democracy in the country. However, the former prime minister gave a clean chit to the United States, noting instead that the Western powers were blinded by the illusion" Yunus put up.

About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

First Published: November 13, 2025, 09:57 IST

News world No Foreign Hand, Says Sheikh Hasina On Claims Of US Involvement In Bangladesh Upheaval | Exclusive

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New research from Alon Rajics Small Business Loans Australia reveals 31% of businesses struggle with skilled staff shortages while 20% cant afford productivity-boosting technology.

Whats happening: Australias labour productivity growth has slumped to just 0.8% annually for 2023-24, down from 1.8% two decades ago, according to Productivity Commission data.

Why this matters: With businesses working harder but producing less, and one in five unable to afford productivity-boosting technology, Australias economic competitiveness faces serious headwinds.

Australias productivity crisis has moved from economic data to the business frontline, where companies are struggling under the weight of labour shortages, rising costs and technological gaps that are strangling efficiency.

Small Business Loans Australia has released findings from a nationally representative survey of 226 business owners and decision-makers, revealing the specific challenges cutting into productivity across the country. The results paint a picture of businesses ready to innovate but constrained by circumstances largely beyond their control.

People are the problem

Almost one third of businesses identify difficulty finding skilled staff as their primary productivity barrier. When companies cant recruit people who are job-ready, existing employees shoulder the burden, slowing decision-making, output and customer delivery.

The engagement crisis compounds the skills shortage. One quarter of businesses report low staff engagement is reducing output per hour worked. The Productivity Commissions latest bulletin shows labour productivity declined by 0.5% in the September quarter and by 0.8% over the year, suggesting the problem has intensified throughout 2024.

Alon Rajic, founder of Small Business Loans Australia, says: Our research shows that people are key to Australias productivity problem. Theyre working harder with fewer resources, while businesses struggle to source the people, stock and technology to grow.

Supply chains add another layer of complexity. An equal 20% of businesses cite supply and stock delays alongside drops in customer demand as productivity drags, creating a double impact on their output capacity.

Technology remains out of reach

Financial constraints create a vicious cycle. One in five businesses say they cannot afford or are not investing in the technology and equipment that would lift productivity. Without the right people, reliable supplies and healthy sales, many businesses simply lack the capital to invest in efficiency-improving tools.

The survey breaks down differently across business sizes. Micro-businesses with one to 10 employees face the most acute skills shortages, at 60%. Large businesses with more than 200 employees report higher rates of staff turnover (38%), low engagement (36%) and inefficient internal processes (33%).

Geography matters too. The Australian Capital Territory leads the nation for difficulty finding skilled staff at 60%, likely reflecting competition with the Federal Government for workers. Queensland businesses struggle most with supply delays (32%), while South Australian businesses cite rising red tape (26%) at double the rate of New South Wales.

What would actually help

When asked what would most improve productivity, more than one third of businesses (38%) identified affordable access to new technology as the top priority. This includes automation tools, faster systems and cloud-based platforms, but the upfront costs and uncertainty about returns create barriers to adoption.

A similar proportion (36%) want government to cut red tape and introduce stronger productivity incentives. Businesses want less paperwork, simpler compliance and the freedom to focus on core operations rather than regulatory requirements.

Training emerges as a critical need. Nearly one in three businesses (29%) say learning how to use AI and digital tools effectively would boost productivity. The message is clear: technology alone isnt enough without the skills to deploy it properly.

Access to finance and skilled labour each matter to one in four businesses (24%), while 23% cite flexible workplace laws and ongoing staff training as essential. More than a quarter (27%) believe stronger economic conditions would naturally lift productivity.

Rajic said: Businesses will do their part to lift productivity, but they need industry and Government to make it easier, not harder. Running a business is becoming increasingly challenging, and businesses are telling us they need the right regulatory environment and access to skilled talent and affordable technology to remain competitive.

Red tape weighs heavy

The Productivity Commission has found that labour productivity fell by 3.7% in 2022-23 as record increases in hours worked outpaced output growth. Australians are working longer and harder, but producing less per hour, a pattern the business sector is experiencing acutely.

The regulatory burden falls heavily on smaller businesses, which often lack dedicated compliance teams or the scale to absorb administrative costs. As businesses grow from micro to medium size, their productivity challenges shift from survival to management complexity.

Large businesses show the strongest appetite for both technology access (50%) and regulatory reform (50%). Micro businesses prioritise AI training and workplace flexibility (67%), suggesting labour-intensive tasks and rigid employment laws constrain their efficiency most severely.

The full Small Business Loans Australia productivity study, including detailed breakdowns by business size, state and industry, is available at smallbusinessloansaustralia.com.

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Ottawa Keen To Rebuild Trade Ties With New Delhi, Says Canadian Trade Minister

Curated By :

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Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 19:37 IST

Canadian Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu, who is on a three-day visit to India, held talks with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal

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Canadian Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu. (AFP file photo)

Canada and India are seeking to restore and strengthen trade relations after a two-year pause, with Ottawa expressing interest in restarting trade negotiations under a new process," Canadian Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu said on Thursday.

Sidhu, who is on a three-day visit to India, held talks with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. He described the discussions as very productive," focusing on key sectors such as critical minerals, clean energy, agriculture, artificial intelligence, and aerospace.

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The meeting went really well. We focused on areas of opportunity  aerospace, AI, critical minerals, energy, agriculture  and what more we can do together," Sidhu told news agency Reuters.

The visit represents a significant high-level engagement since Canada paused broad trade pact negotiations in 2023, following a deterioration in bilateral ties after Ottawa accused New Delhi of involvement in the killing of a Canadian Sikh separatist.

Sidhu said both sides are now in early discussions to restart the process," taking into account global economic shifts, including high tariffs imposed by the United States on goods from both countries.

He highlighted that Canadas new government under Prime Minister Mark Carney brings new focus, energy, and mandate" to enhance trade and attract investment from India, particularly in the energy and critical minerals sectors.

Canada has every element needed to build an electric battery," Sidhu added, welcoming Indian investment in mining and infrastructure projects.

Relations between the two countries have started to improve since Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Carney on the sidelines of the G7 summit in June. India remains a priority market for Canada, with two-way trade in goods and services reaching about $31 billion in 2024, largely in Canadas favour due to $16 billion in services exports.

India is also Canadas largest source of immigrants, with nearly 393,000 Indian students in 2024 and over 1.8 million Canadians of Indian origin.

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During his visit, Sidhu met executives from major Indian companies, including Tata, who expressed interest in expanding their activities in Canada. He also said Goyal had promised to visit Canada soon with a trade and investment delegation, signalling renewed momentum in bilateral economic cooperation.

(With inputs from Reuters)

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 13, 2025, 19:37 IST

News world Ottawa Keen To Rebuild Trade Ties With New Delhi, Says Canadian Trade Minister

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Pakistan Cabinet To Decide On TTP Strategy, Review Ties With Taliban Regime Today

Reported By :

CNN-News18

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 16:35 IST

The high-level session, described by officials as a security and strategic apex meeting, comes amid a surge in TTP attacks & escalating tension along Pakistan-Afghanistan border

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Sources said the meeting will deliberate on how to deal with the rising terrorism threat and Pakistans policy toward Kabul. (AP)

Pakistans federal cabinet will meet on Thursday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take up a crucial agenda focused on national security, counterterrorism, and the countrys fragile relations with the Afghan Taliban regime, top government sources confirmed to CNN-News18.

The high-level session, described by officials as a security and strategic apex meeting", comes amid a surge in Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) attacks and escalating tension along the PakistanAfghanistan border.

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Sources said the meeting will deliberate on how to deal with the rising terrorism threat and Pakistans policy toward Kabul, following repeated border clashes and militant infiltration.

Two main options are said to be under considerationtargeted strikes on TTP hideouts inside Afghanistan or a continuation of the dialogue channel with the Taliban government in Kabul.

The session follows a series of major incidents, including the Islamabad blast earlier this week and the attack on Wana Cadet College, which have reignited debate over Pakistans internal security preparedness. Officials said the overall security situation would be reviewed in light of these incidents, with the aim of enhancing inter-agency coordination and tightening border surveillance.

The foreign minister and defence minister are expected to brief the cabinet on regional developments, including the Indian External Affairs Ministrys recent statement on Pakistan and the rising tense situation" with New Delhi. Sources indicated that the briefings would also cover diplomatic fallout from cross-border militancy and the possible international repercussions of any unilateral military action inside Afghanistan.

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Beyond security discussions, the cabinet is also scheduled to ratify the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill, which introduces key governance and judicial reforms.

Among the proposals is the creation of a Chief of Defence Force (CDF) position, aimed at improving coordination between Pakistans three armed services, and the establishment of a Federal Constitutional Court to address constitutional disputes more efficiently.

About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

Location : Islamabad, Pakistan

First Published: November 13, 2025, 16:35 IST

News world Pakistan Cabinet To Decide On TTP Strategy, Review Ties With Taliban Regime Today

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Pakistan Parliament Approves Amendment Giving Asim Munir Expanded Powers, Lifetime Immunity

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Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 07:09 IST

The National Assembly approved the bill with more than a two-thirds majority, with only four lawmakers opposing it.

Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir (Image: AFP/File)

Pakistans parliament on Wednesday passed a constitutional amendment granting expanded powers to the army chief and curbing the authority of the Supreme Court, a move that critics warned would inflict lasting damage on the countrys democracy, reported news agency Reuters.

The National Assembly approved the bill with more than a two-thirds majority, with only four lawmakers opposing it. The Senate had passed the legislation two days earlier after the opposition boycotted the debate, resulting in an unusually swift approval process for a constitutional amendment. The measure will become law once signed by the president  a step seen as a formality.

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Under the new amendment, Army Chief Asim Munir will assume the new role of Chief of Defence Forces, gaining command over the army, navy, and air force. Upon completion of his term, he will retain his rank and receive lifetime legal immunity.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed the legislation as a step toward institutional harmony and national unity." If weve made this part of the Constitution today, its not just about the field marshal," he said in parliament. Nations honour their heroes  We know how to show and earn respect to our heroes."

However, opposition lawmakers and legal experts called the amendment a blow to judicial independence and a consolidation of military power. The reform strips the Supreme Court of jurisdiction over constitutional cases, transferring them to a new Federal Constitutional Court, whose judges will be appointed by the government.

Members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), founded by jailed former premier Imran Khan, walked out of the session and tore up copies of the bill in protest. PTI spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari said, None of the parliamentarians cared about democracy and the judiciary being eliminated. Rest in peace, Constitution of Pakistan."

Legal experts warned that the change undermines the separation of powers. Constitutional lawyer Asad Rahim Khan said, We are facing completely uncharted territory  a breach in our judicial system the likes of which we havent seen in almost a century."

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Another constitutional lawyer, Mirza Moiz Baig, said the amendment sounded the death knell" for judicial independence, giving the executive unchecked control over the judiciary. With the amendments passage, parliament has done what previous dictators could only dream of," Baig remarked.

The military has long exercised significant influence in Pakistans politics, but the latest amendment grants it formal constitutional authority  cementing its role at the core of the states power structure.

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 13, 2025, 07:06 IST

News world Pakistan Parliament Approves Amendment Giving Asim Munir Expanded Powers, Lifetime Immunity

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Sheikh Hasina Speaks Out On Coup, Conspiracies And The Fight For Bangladeshs Soul | Full Exclusive Interview

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CNN-News18

Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 08:30 IST

The former Bangladeshi Prime Minister defended her record, denied Western involvement in her ouster, and thanked India for sanctuary and patience

Hasina describes an 'orchestrated coup' masked as reform, implicating radical factions and warning of a growing extremist influence under the current regime. (File image: Reuters)

In her first such detailed conversation since leaving Dhaka, former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina offers a searing account of the events that led to her ouster and the rise of Muhammad Yunus. Speaking exclusively with CNN-News18s Manoj Gupta, Hasina describes an orchestrated coup" masked as reform, implicating radical factions and warning of a growing extremist influence under the current regime. She defends her record, denies Western involvement in her ouster, and thanks India for sanctuary and patience. In the wide-ranging interview, Hasina reflects on the armys dilemma, foreign pressures, and her determination to restore democratic rule in Bangladesh.

What precise intelligence or threat indicators compelled you to leave Dhakawas it a genuine coup attempt, a collapse of command structure, or an orchestrated forced exit" with tacit consent from your own security circle?

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By early August, the once peaceful protests had transformed into a state of lawlessness led by a violent mob of radical agitators. This was a far cry from the initial student protests over civil service job quotas. Of course, the full scale of the conspiracy only became clear much later. When Yunus granted immunity to all the perpetrators of last summers violence and dissolved the inquiry we set up to investigate the cause, it was obvious that a plan had been devised to overthrow my government.

At the time, leaving was a matter of survival. I did not want to leave Bangladesh, but it was made clear to me that remaining would not only have put my life in danger but also the lives of those around me.

How far was Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman involved in negotiating your exit, and do you believe he was acting independently, under US diplomatic pressure, or as a balancing actor to prevent bloodshed?

The military was faced with an impossible situation: defending a constitutional government against overwhelming mob violence while avoiding any further loss of life. Our discussions focused on preventing a complete breakdown in law and order and ensuring the safety of my family and staff and of ordinary civilians on the streets of Dhaka. Whether or what kind of external pressure influenced decisions, I cannot say.

Were you aware of a coordinated plan within the civil-military establishment to install a caretaker facade" government once you left, and if so, who were the key intermediaries?

I was not aware of any coordinated plan at the time. I was focused only on the safety of my country and my people. It was only after the events of August 5 that I started to discern the premeditated nature of this coup. The speed with which Yunus seized power, the immediate immunity granted to perpetrators, and the dissolution of our judicial inquiry are all acts that indicate a preconceived strategy. Yunus, it seems, had been preparing to seize power, or those who installed him had.

How would you describe Washingtons rolewas the US merely signalling for political reform, or was it actively backing the military-intellectual bloc that wanted you out in the name of restoring democracy"?

We have always had good relationships with successive US administrations and have no reason to believe that the US government or other foreign powers were actively involved. While Yunus has cultivated a network of influential Western admirers from his work as an economist, those who admired him mistook his economic theories for democratic credentials. Now, this illusion is fading, and those admirers are increasingly seeing him for what he is: an unelected head of state who has placed radical extremists in his cabinet, dismantled Bangladeshs constitution, and stood silent while minorities have been oppressed. President Trump, with whom I have very good relations, has publicly expressed his dislike of Yunus.

Did Beijing advise restraint or provide silent assurances during your final days in office? How do you assess Chinas current policy towards Bangladeshs military-political transition?

We have always prioritised good relations between China and Bangladesh for reasons of trade and security. To maintain stability in our region and in our foreign relations, our neighbours must have confidence in us. This confidence is under threat while the unelected Yunus government remains in power and pursues volatile foreign and trade policies. My hope is that Bangladesh regains its position as a reliable economic and diplomatic partner through the election of a legitimate government that represents the interests of its people.

How have Indian agencies and political leadership treated you post-departureas a strategic partner needing protection, or as a liability in the new geopolitical equation emerging in Dhaka?

India is a longstanding friend, and I am deeply grateful to the Indian people for welcoming me. As Bangladeshs most important ally, India has an interest in seeing a stable, legitimate and democratically elected regime in Dhaka backed by the support of its people. Yunuss evident problems with Delhi have nothing to do with me. They are caused by his sponsorship of extremists, his failure to protect religious minorities, and the anti-India rhetoric emanating from his administration. These are actions of an inexperienced leader who does not recognise the value of our partnership. I am grateful for Indias patience as they wait for a leader with the authority and expertise to return our country to stability.

Do you still envision returning to active politics, or are you building an international platform (possibly under Awami League diaspora networks) to maintain influence and legitimacy?

I have dedicated my life to improving Bangladesh. In our 15 years in power, we grew Bangladesh into an economic powerhouse, invested in major national infrastructure, built meaningful trade links with our international partners, and lifted millions out of poverty.

But the Awami League has never been about me or my family. We are a party ingrained in the fabric of Bangladesh and a voice that must be heard if the politics of our country are to remain truly democratic. For Bangladesh to achieve the future we all want, there must be a return to constitutional rule through free, fair, and inclusive elections.

How central do you believe Dr Muhammad Yunus is to the transition narrativeis he a Western-fronted civilian face" for regime change, or merely symbolic of a broader anti-Awami coalition?

It is no secret that Yunus was popular at California salons, owing to his former work as an economist. But he is not a symbol of democratic regime change, nor does he command any broad support. He is an unelected figure who is now seeking to bar from the election a party that is supported by millions and which has been elected nine times in the past, including the last time Bangladeshis were able to go to the ballot box.

If Westerners think Yunus is a friendly face, they are being fooled. In fact, he is being used as the front man by the extremists in his administration, who are pursuing a sectarian, score-settling, and socially regressive domestic agenda.

What kind of concrete help do you expect from Indiapolitical asylum, diplomatic lobbying at multilateral forums, or covert support to rebuild an Awami-aligned ecosystem within Bangladesh?

India has already provided sanctuary and diplomatic support, calling for inclusive elections and highlighting minority persecution. The Awami League does not need rebuilding within Bangladesh while it commands the support of tens of millions of ordinary Bangladeshis. The ties that bind our countries run very deep, and this will not change. All we ask from India, as our steadfast friend, is that she support ordinary Bangladeshis in their desire to choose their own government and disregard the hostility of the Yunus administration, which does not represent what most of our countrymen and women think.

In your view, what is the single most effective step India and regional partners can take to prevent Bangladesh from sliding into a Pakistan-style hybrid or Islamist-military regime under a foreign (US-China) tug-of-war?

As Ive mentioned, my fear is that Yunus is the cardboard-cutout leader of a regime actually run by Hizb-ut Tahrir extremists. I ask our friends in India to persist in their calls for Yunus to enable free, fair, and inclusive elections and not to disenfranchise millions of his own people. The only way to restore good health to Bangladeshs political system is by enabling a government to be elected and genuinely rule by the consent of the people. That is the best way to future-proof our country against regime degradation

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About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

First Published: November 13, 2025, 08:30 IST

News world Sheikh Hasina Speaks Out On Coup, Conspiracies And The Fight For Bangladeshs Soul | Full Exclusive Interview

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'They Dont Need Our Help, Doing Good Job': Rubio Commends Probe Into Delhi Blast Case

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Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 06:56 IST

The United States offered help to India after the deadly Delhi blast killed 12, but Marco Rubio praised Indian officials for their skilled and efficient investigation.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (Reuters Image)

The United States has extended assistance to help India investigate the deadly blast that rocked Delhi earlier this week, killing 12 people and leaving several injured. However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that Indian officials are conducting the inquiry with remarkable skill and efficiency.

Speaking to reporters in Canada on Wednesday after the G7 foreign ministers meeting, Rubio said Washington had offered its assistance to New Delhi and commended Indian authorities for their competent handling of the investigation.

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We have offered to help but I think they are very capable on these investigations. They dont need our help and they are doing a good job," Rubio said, according to news agency ANI.

Clearly A Terrorist Attack: Rubio On Delhi Car Blast

While praising Indias professionalism in handling the investigation, he termed the car blast a terrorist attack."

The Indians need to be commended. Theyve been very measured, cautious and very professional on how theyre carrying out this investigation. That investigation continues. It clearly was a terrorist attack. It was a car loaded with highly explosive materials that detonated and killed a lot of people," he added.

The November 10 explosion near Delhis Red Fort has prompted a massive investigation led by Indian security forces. Forensic experts and counterterrorism teams are meticulously analyzing evidence to uncover the motive and identify those behind the attack.

Secretary of State Marco Rubios comments came as nations around the world expressed condolences and praised Indias swift and organized response to the tragedy.

In a message of support, the US Embassy in New Delhi stated solidarity. On November 11, Ambassador Sergio Gor posted: Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who were lost in the terrible explosion in New Delhi last night. We wish a swift recovery to those who were injured."

Rubio Meets EAM Jaishankar On Sidelines Of G7

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the G7 Foreign Ministers meeting, where they discussed a wide range of bilateral and global topics  including the Red Fort blast.

In a post on X, Jaishankar thanked Rubio for his message of sympathy, writing: Appreciate his condolences on the loss of lives in the blast in Delhi," Jaishankar wrote. Discussed our bilateral ties, focusing on trade and supply chains. Exchanged views on the Ukraine conflict, the Middle East/West Asia situation, and the Indo-Pacific."

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The meeting took place only days after a deadly blast was reported in a car near the Red Fort Metro Station. The national capital remains on high alert as authorities investigate potential terrorist involvement.

Earlier in the week, the United States reiterated that it was closely following developments in New Delhi and prepared to assist if needed. A State Department spokesperson told PTI, We are aware of the explosion near Red Fort in Delhi. We are closely monitoring the situation and stand ready to provide consular assistance."

About the Author Manisha Roy Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manish... Read More

Location : Canada

First Published: November 13, 2025, 06:56 IST

News world 'They Dont Need Our Help, Doing Good Job': Rubio Commends Probe Into Delhi Blast Case

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'Train US Workers, Then Go...': Scott Bessent Explains Trump's Strategy With New H-1B Visa Plan

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Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 07:13 IST

Bessent stated that Trumps goal is to utilise temporary visa programmes to import expertise for a limited time, allowing US workers to gain skills.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. (Photo: AFP file)

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent clarified that President Donald Trumps new H-1B visa policy aims to temporarily bring in skilled foreign experts to train American workers, not to replace them.

In an interview with Fox News, Bessent explained that the policy is a knowledge transfer" strategy intended to revive US industries like manufacturing, shipbuilding, and semiconductor production after years of outsourcing.

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Train the US workers. Then go home. Then the US workers fully take over," Bessent said, summarising the administrations vision for the new visa system.

Addressing concerns about potential job displacement for Americans, Bessent responded firmly. An American cant have that job  not yet," he said. We havent built ships or semiconductors here for years. Overseas partners coming in, teaching American workers  thats a home run."

Bessent stated that Trumps goal is to utilise temporary visa programmes like H-1B to import expertise for a limited time, allowing US workers to gain skills before foreign professionals return home. This plan aligns with Trumps broader effort to bring critical industries back to the US and reduce reliance on imports.

These comments come as Trumps remarks on foreign labour have created division within his MAGA base. In another Fox interview, the president mentioned that the US doesnt have certain talents," indicating that foreign experts are necessary to train Americans in technical fields. You cant take people off the unemployment line and say, Were going to make missiles," Trump said.

Bessent also touched on the administrations economic agenda, confirming discussions on a possible USD 2,000 tariff rebate for families earning under USD 100,000. The presidents talking about a $2,000 rebate," he said. Its part of ensuring families feel the benefits of strong trade policy."

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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 : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: November 13, 2025, 07:13 IST

News world 'Train US Workers, Then Go...': Scott Bessent Explains Trump's Strategy With New H-1B Visa Plan

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Wealthy Italians Paid Up To 1 Crore To Go To Bosnia To Kill Civilians During 90s War: Report

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Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 11:57 IST

Prosecutors investigate claims of Italian nationals paying for sniper tourism in Sarajevo during the Bosnian war.

The Bosnian war, widely considered Europes bloodiest conflict since World War II, began in 1992. (File photo)

Prosecutors in Milan opened a criminal investigation into allegations that wealthy Italian nationals paid large sums of money to travel to Bosnia during the 19921995 siege of Sarajevo to deliberately kill civilians for sport, according to reports in The Guardian and the BBC. Investigators are examining claims of what has been described as sniper tourism"- an alleged practice in which Italian visitors were transported by Bosnian Serb forces to the hills overlooking Sarajevo, handed rifles and allowed to shoot at unarmed civilians, including women and children, during the height of the conflict. Some reportedly paid up to 100,000 (approx. 1 crore).

The Bosnian war, widely considered Europes bloodiest conflict since World War II, began in 1992 after Bosnia and Herzegovina declared independence. Bosnian Serb forces, led by Radovan Karadzic, later convicted of genocide, surrounded Sarajevo in what became one of the longest and deadliest sieges in modern history.

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By the wars end in 1995, more than 100,000 people had been killed and over 2.2 million displaced. The conflict also saw the Srebrenica massacre, where more than 8,000 Muslim Bosniak men and boys were murdered- the only act in Europe to be recognised as genocide since the Holocaust.

Investigators Examining Testimony, Payment Records

According to investigators, Bosnian Serb fighters allegedly facilitated the killings by escorting the sniper tourists" to strategic vantage points above Sarajevo. Different prices were allegedly charged depending on whether the target was a man, woman or child, the BBC reported.

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Milan prosecutors are now working to identify the Italian citizens involved. If confirmed, they could face charges of voluntary murder aggravated by cruelty and abject motives under Italian law.

The probe was launched after Italian investigative journalist Ezio Gavazzeni submitted a complaint supported by testimony from a former Bosnian Serb military officer. Ezio Gavazzeni, who first encountered reports of sniper tourism" in the 1990s Italian press, revisited the topic after viewing the 2022 documentary Sarajevo Safari by Slovenian director Miran Zupanic. The film alleged that not only Italians but individuals from the US, France, Germany and Russia also took part.

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: November 13, 2025, 11:57 IST

News world Wealthy Italians Paid Up To 1 Crore To Go To Bosnia To Kill Civilians During 90s War: Report

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When Newspaper Becomes News: Pakistans Leading English Daily Trolled For Publishing AI Prompt

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Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 17:54 IST

Dawn, Pakistans leading English daily, faced massive trolling after accidentally publishing an AI-generated note in a business article. Newspaper apologised later.

Pakistans Leading English Daily Trolled For Publishing AI Prompt (Photo: X)

Pakistans leading English daily, Dawn, faced massive trolling after the newspaper mistakenly published an AI-generated note in one of its business news articles. Such a goof-up by Pakistans leading newspaper created quite a buzz and drew massive trolling and criticism. However, Dawn apologised for the mistake, but the damage was done.

The AI message was published under a report titled Auto sales rev up in October." Seemingly, editors forgot to delete the AI-generated note before publishing the newspaper.

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The published AIs response to a possible prompt read, If you want, I can also create an even snappier front-page style version with punchy one-line stats and a bold, infographic-ready layout perfect for maximum reader impact. Do you want me to do that next?"

The cutting of the newspaper piece is being widely shared on social media.

Pakistan Newspaper Publishes AI-Generated Response

Chat GPT can help design pages, give snappy headlines and also eat up jobs of the desk hands who use it.This is from Pak newspaper Dawn. pic.twitter.com/nNfzGHbxfG  Man Aman Singh Chhina (@manaman_chhina) November 12, 2025

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Reportedly, Dawn issued an official statement on its social media platforms and apologised for the use of AI. Accepting the violation of their policy, the daily said that an investigation into the matter is underway.

A newspaper report in todays Dawn was originally edited using AI, which is in violation of Dawns current AI policy. The Dawn AI policy is available on our website," the statement read. The original report also carried AI-generated artefact text from the editing process, which has been edited out in the digital version. The matter is being investigated, and the violation of AI policy is regretted," the statement concluded.

Location : Pakistan

First Published: November 13, 2025, 17:34 IST

News world When Newspaper Becomes News: Pakistans Leading English Daily Trolled For Publishing AI Prompt

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Wikipedia Rival Grokipedia To Transform Into Encyclopaedia Galactica, Says Creator Elon Musk

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Last Updated: November 14, 2025, 01:16 IST

Elon Musk said the name Grokipedia is a temporary one and when it becomes good enough, it will be rebranded as Encyclopedia Galactica.

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Presented as a challenge to Wikipedias dominance, Elon Musks Grokipedia arrives with thousands of AI-written articles. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said that the name Grokipedia, given to AI-generated encyclopedia launched by xAI, was temporary and rebranding will follow once it gets slightly better.

The rival of widely followed Wikipedia, Grokipedia, aims to give its readers truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth".

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Musk, who also owns xAI, took to X, a social media he owns as well, to say that the rebranding will be done once Grokipedia is good enough".

When Grokipedia is good enough (long way to go), we will change the name to Encyclopedia Galactica. It will be an open-source distillation of all knowledge, including audio, images and video. Join @xAI to help build the sci-fi version of the Library of Alexandria!" Musk said.

Must also said Grokipedia will join his mission to take human race to Mars and beyond. Copies will be etched in stone and sent to the Moon, Mars and beyond. This time, it will not be lost," he said.

Isaac Asimov, one of the most influential science-fiction writers of the 20th century, created the Foundation series, where the Encyclopaedia Galactica plays a central role.

When Grokipedia is good enough (long way to go), we will change the name to Encyclopedia Galactica. It will be an open source distillation of all knowledge, including audio, images and video. Join @xAI to help build the sci-fi version of the Library of Alexandria!  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 13, 2025

Asimov was a prolific author  also a scientist  and is widely known for shaping modern sci-fi ideas about galactic empires, robotics and future history. In Foundation, the Encyclopaedia Galactica is imagined as a vast, galaxy-wide project meant to gather and preserve all human knowledge at a time when a massive empire is slowly collapsing.

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Grokipedia is an AI-generated online encyclopedia launched by Elon Musks company xAI in October 2025. It was created as a direct challenger to Wikipedia and claims to host hundreds of thousands of articles, most of which are written or edited by xAIs language model, Grok.

Musk has positioned Grokipedia as a response to what he describes as ideological bias on Wikipedia, framing it as more neutral".

About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over seven years of experience during which he has ... Read More

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: November 14, 2025, 01:16 IST

News world Wikipedia Rival Grokipedia To Transform Into Encyclopaedia Galactica, Says Creator Elon Musk

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Yunus Frontman For Extremists, Not Symbol Of Democracy; Western Powers Being Fooled: Sheikh Hasina | Exclusive

Reported By :

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Last Updated: November 13, 2025, 09:52 IST

The former Bangladeshi Prime Minister alleged that Muhammad Yunus's cabinet includes radical extremists, leading to an environment where minorities are being oppressed

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The former Prime Minister further challenged Yunus's democratic credentials. File image/Reuters

Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has launched a sharp critique of the countrys current interim Chief Adviser, Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, asserting that his international reputation as an economist has mistakenly been taken for democratic legitimacy.

In an exclusive interview with CNN-News18s Manoj Gupta, Hasina said that the international communitys illusion is fading", and they are beginning to see Yunus as an unelected head of state" whose administration is dismantling the constitution and failing to protect minorities.

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Hasina levelled serious accusations against the interim administration, stating that Yunus is being used as a front man by the extremists in his administration" who are pursuing a sectarian, score-settling, and socially regressive domestic agenda". She alleged that his cabinet includes radical extremists, leading to an environment where minorities are being oppressed.

The former Prime Minister further challenged Yunuss democratic credentials, noting his lack of an electoral mandate and his administrations decision to bar the Awami Leaguea party she stated is supported by millions and which has been elected nine times in the past"from the upcoming election.

He is not a symbol of democratic regime change, nor does he command any broad support. He is an unelected figure who is now seeking to bar from the election a party that is supported by millions," Hasina stated.

The statement concludes with a strong warning to Western admirers: If Westerners think Yunus is a friendly face, they are being fooled." Hasina insists that the technocratic image cultivated by the Nobel laureates former work should not be mistaken for political legitimacy or control over the current administrations direction.

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About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

First Published: November 13, 2025, 08:40 IST

News world Yunus Frontman For Extremists, Not Symbol Of Democracy; Western Powers Being Fooled: Sheikh Hasina | Exclusive

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A Hanoi student's IELTS scores before (L) and after re-marking. Photo provided by the student

Many IELTS test-takers worldwide, including in Vietnam, have been told their results were incorrect after a technical error in the Reading and Listening sections, triggering widespread re-marking and revised scores.

On Nov. 12, first-year student Ngan Ha from the University of Languages and International Studies in Hanoi said she received an email from the British Council informing her that her Feb. 28 IELTS results had been wrong.

She originally scored 7.0 overall, with 7.5 in Reading. After re-marking, her Reading score jumped to 8.5, raising her overall result to 7.5.

Despite gaining points, Ha said the news came far too late. Because she did not have a 7.5 at the time of university admissions, she missed out on her first-choice major at the People's Security Academy.

"I was shocked and disappointed because I never thought such a large system could make a mistake like this, and only inform us eight months later," Ha said.

Canh Ngan, a student at another university in Hanoi, had a similar experience when she received an unexpected email from IDP.

"At first, I was afraid it was a scam," she said. When she checked the system, she saw her Dec. 25, 2023 test had changed: her Reading score increased from 7.5 to 8.0, raising her overall band from 7.0 to 7.5.

The issue spread quickly on social media on the evening of Nov. 12, especially on Threads and Reddit, where users in Nepal, South Korea, Russia and Australia reported the same problem.

On Nov. 13, the official IELTS website confirmed that tests taken between August 2023 and September 2024 were affected by "an internal technical system error," emphasizing that it was "not due to any cybersecurity breach" and that candidates' data remained secure.

IELTS said only about 1% of test results were impacted but did not disclose the exact number, claiming that the issue has been identified, fully resolved, and measures have been put in place to prevent it from happening again.

The organization also promised to support affected candidates, including sending explanation letters if their incorrect scores had already been used for university applications, jobs or visas.

In Vietnam, both the British Council and IDP have emailed candidates notifying them of corrected results, saying the error occurred in the Reading and Listening modules. They apologized for the incident, writing that they "regret" the mistake and are "sorry" for the impact.

Affected candidates can choose either a full refund of their test fee or a free retake, with a response deadline before May 2026. The old scores are no longer valid. Both organizations have yet to disclose how many Vietnamese candidates were affected.

Ha and Canh Ngan have opted for a refund of more than VND4.6 million ($175).

Launched in 1989, IELTS is one of the world's most widely used English proficiency tests, assessing listening, reading, writing and speaking on a 9-band scale. In Vietnam, it is administered by the British Council and IDP and is recognized by more than 100 local universities for admissions and graduation. Worldwide, about 12,500 institutions accept IELTS.

Vietnamese candidates currently average 6.2, ranking 29th out of 39 countries and territories surveyed in 20232024.

*Names have been changed.
Earthquake in Laos rattles Hanoi and northern Vietnam

By Gia Chinh November 12, 2025 | 06:49 pm PT

A map showing the epicenter and impact zone of an earthquake in Houaphan Province in Laos at 11:26 p.m. on Nov. 12, 2025. Photo by Google Maps

A 4.8-magnitude earthquake struck Houaphan Province in Laos, approximately 5 km from the Vietnamese border, at 11:26 p.m. on Wednesday, causing noticeable tremors in several areas of Hanoi and surrounding provinces.
FBI Director Kash Patel's penchant for using the agency's private jet for personal excursionsincluding to a Texas hunting lodge called Boondoggle Ranchhas caused new controversy inside the bureau and the White House, reports the Wall Street Journal . The latest trip, which occurred during the government shutdown , was exposed by Kyle Seraphin, a former agent who called it "pathetic." The trip involved stops in Pennsylvania for a wrestling event featuring Patel's girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins, then to where she lives in Nashville, Tennessee, before the final leg to the Texas ranch owned by a Republican donor.

The saga has fueled criticism from DOJ officials, who say Patel's travel flouts White House directives to limit nonessential trips, especially those unrelated to President Trump's agenda. Officials have been circulating details about Patel's travels, including a previous jaunt to Scotland, as evidence of what they see as questionable judgment. Patel is required by law to fly on the FBI's jet for security reasons, but he must reimburse the government at the commercial rate for personal tripsa fraction of what private flights actually cost.

People notes about two years before the trip to Pennsylvania and Nashville, Patel had slammed the man who led the FBI before him, Christopher Wray, for using his private jet "to hop around the country." "Chris Wray, hey, you don't need a government-funded G5 jet so you can fly off to the Adirondacks for vacation," Patel had said at the time, per the Journal.

Patel has brushed off the concerns swirling around him, calling those who air them "clickbait haters." "Thankfully, Americans can see through WSJ hot garbage," he says in a statement to the Journal. "This FBI has never been stronger." The Independent, which has more on Patel's "chaotic reign," notes that Patel has also come under fire for his "communication style" and "jumping the gun" on talking publicly about investigations.
Italian prosecutors are investigating claims that wealthy tourists traveled to Sarajevo in the 1990s to pay for the chance to shoot at civilians during the Bosnian war. The complaint filed in Milan says the Italian participants paid different rates, depending on whether they targeted men, women, or children, the BBC reports. The "sniper safaris" reportedly took place in the hills above the besieged city, which was under constant threat from Serb forces at the time. More than 11,000 people were killed during the nearly four-year siege of Sarajevo. The randomness of the shootings contributed to making the attacks possibly the most feared part of the siege, per the Guardian .

The allegations have surfaced periodically over the years, but the current investigation was spurred by a complaint from journalist Ezio Gavazzeni, who compiled testimony from a Bosnian military intelligence officer and other sources. According to the officer, Bosnian authorities became aware of the reputed "safaris" in late 1993 and relayed the information to Italy's Sismi military intelligence agency in early 1994. Sismi reportedly responded that the trips would be halted, and the practice is said to have stopped within a few months. Gavazzeni revisited the story after seeing the 2022 documentary Sarajevo Safari, which claims "human hunters" came from multiple countries, including the US, Russia, and Italy.

His findings, including a report by former Sarajevo Mayor Benjamina Karic, were handed to prosecutors in February. He alleges that Italians paid just over $100,000 for the experience and that as many as 100 people from various countries may have taken part. A report of war tourism gained notoriety in 1992 when Russian nationalist writer Eduard Limonov was filmed firing a machine gun into Sarajevo while touring front-line positions with Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic, who was later convicted of genocide. Limonov did not pay for the experience, however, and told Karadzic, "We Russians should take example from you."
A fugitive who spent nearly 14 years evading US authorities has been arrested in France and is facing extradition to Arizona, where he was convicted of sexually exploiting a minor, NBC News reports. Michael Wiseman, Arizona's second-most-wanted fugitive, was taken into custody on Nov. 1 after years on the run. He also faces new charges in France for the rape and sexual assault of a minor under 15.

Wiseman's criminal saga began with his 2008 arrest in Scottsdale, Arizona, on multiple counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. Later that year, while under court-ordered monitoring, authorities say he cut off his ankle bracelet and fled the country. He was eventually found in Spain, where he was arrested in 2009 and returned to the US.

After pleading guilty to escape and sexual exploitation of a minor, Wiseman was sentenced in 2012. But he managed to go on the run again while out on probation, police say. He resurfaced in Spain while applying for a pilot's license using his real name. Police say his real name was flagged by a potential employer, who recognized Wiseman from a most-wanted list and alerted authorities.

Investigators discovered Wiseman had adopted two children in Vietnam and secured a Polish passport under an alias, which was based on his mother's maiden name, 12 News reports. He lived in Vietnam and Poland before settling in France under the name Robert Danilewski. In September, Scottsdale police and the Maricopa County Attorney's Office issued a provisional arrest warrant, which led French authorities to Wiseman's location in Kilstett. The new charges Wiseman faces in France allege he was sexually abusing one of his adopted children, People reports.
A grand jury on Wednesday indicted former Louisiana House Speaker Clay Schexnayder on felony theft and malfeasance in office charges involving a rare artifact that had gone missing from the state Capitol. Schexnayder was accused of stealing an ancient cypress board worth more than $25,000 that had been on display in the Louisiana state Capitol for decades, the AP reports. The felony theft charge can carry a sentence of up to 20 years or a $50,000 fine.

The Times Picayune and the Advocate reported in September that Schexnayder had taken the board from the Capitol more than a decade ago to display in his legislative office in Gonzales, Louisiana. Schexnayder previously told the newspapers that he had received permission to take the board, an account which other state officials rejected. "You don't get to keep state property, it doesn't belong to you," Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said in a statement. A spokesperson for Murrill's office said the board "still has not been recovered."

The board, around 6 feet by 20 feet, came from a tree believed to have been 1,264 years old when it was cut down in 1936. The Times-Picayune reports that Julius Mullins, a retired doctor whose grandfather donated the board to the state in 1955, asked Murrill to find out what had happened to it.

WAFB reports that Schexnayder was "stunned" when he spoke to the station about the indictment. "I left the board and computer stuff there for the state to pick up," he said "I left it there like any representative does. What happened to itI don't know." Schexnayder, a Republican, served as a state representative for a stretch of southeast Louisiana from 2012 to 2024 before being term limited. From 2020 to 2024, he was House speaker. In 2023, he ran for secretary of state and lost in the primary.
US Catholic bishops voted Wednesday to make official a ban on gender-affirming care for transgender patients at Catholic hospitals. The step formalizes a yearslong process for the US church to address transgender health care. Meeting in a Baltimore hotel ballroom, the bishops overwhelmingly approved revisions to their ethical and religious directives to the nation's thousands of Catholic health care institutions and providers, the AP reports. More than 1 in 7 patients in the US are treated each day at Catholic hospitals, according to the Catholic Health Association. Catholic hospitals are the only medical center in some communities.

Major medical groups and health organizations support gender-affirming care for transgender patients. Most Catholic health care institutions have not offered gender-affirming care, which may involve hormonal, psychological, and surgical treatments. The new directives will formalize that practice. Bishops will have autonomy in making the directives into law for their dioceses. "With regard to the gender ideology, I think it's very important the church makes a strong statement here," said Bishop Robert Barron of Minnesota's Winona-Rochester diocese during the public discussion. The Catholic Health Association thanked the bishops for incorporating much of the organization's feedback into the directives.

The association said in a statement: "Catholic providers will continue to welcome those who seek medical care from us and identify as transgender. We will continue to treat these individuals with dignity and respect, which is consistent with Catholic social teaching and our moral obligation to serve everyone, particularly those who are marginalized." The policy has opposition.

Other views in the church: "Catholic teaching upholds the invaluable dignity of every human life, and for many trans people, gender-affirming care is what makes life livable," said Michael Sennett, a trans man who is active in his Massachusetts parish. Sennett serves on the board of New Ways Ministry, which advocates for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the Catholic Church. New Ways Ministry's executive director, Francis DeBernardo, said that for many transgender Catholics he knows, "the transition process was not just a biological necessity, but a spiritual imperative. That if they were going to be living as authentic people in the way that they believe God made them, then transition becomes a necessary thing."

Other faiths: As the bishops discussed gender identity, the heads of several major progressive religious denominations issued a statement in support of transgender, intersex, and nonbinary people, at a time when many state legislatures and the Trump administration are curtailing their rights. The 10 signers included the heads of the Unitarian Universalist Association, the Episcopal Church, the Union for Reform Judaism, and the Presbyterian Church (USA). "During a time when our country is placing their lives under increasingly serious threat, there is a disgraceful misconception that all people of faith do not affirm the full spectrum of gendera great many of us do. Let it be known instead that our beloveds are created in the image of GodHoly and whole," the religious leaders said in a statement.
New details are emerging about an apparent late effort by the White House to ward off a House vote on releasing all of the Jeffrey Epstein files. This push reportedly centered on GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert, one of three Republican women who signed onto the petition to release the files. Details:

Big meeting: Boebert was summoned on Wednesday to a meeting in the White House Situation Room with Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI chief Kash Patel, reports the New York Times.

Boebert was summoned on Wednesday to a meeting in the White House Situation Room with Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI chief Kash Patel, reports the New York Times. Big phone calls: President Trump was not present, but he spoke to Boebert by phone on Tuesday, reports MSNBC. Trump also tried to call Rep. Nancy Mace, another of the Republican women who signed off on the petition, though the two apparently never connected, per CNN. Mace later tweeted that "Epstein petition is deeply personal," citing her own history as a survivor of sexual assaults.
A federal court jury has awarded over $28 million to the family of a United Nations consultant who died in the crash of a Boeing 737 Max in Ethiopia more than six years ago. The verdict was reached Wednesday on behalf of the relatives of Shikha Garg after two hours of jury deliberation that capped a weeklong trial in Chicago, where Boeing used to have its headquarters. It was the first civil trial stemming from the March 2019 disaster that killed all 157 people on board Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, reports the AP . "We and the family are gratified by the jury's verdict. It provides public accountability for Boeing's wrongful conduct," the family's lawyers, Shanin Specter and Elizabeth Crawford, said in a statement.

Boeing will pay an additional $3.45 million to Garg's husband, Soumya Bhattacharya, as part of a deal he and the company reached outside of court. That, along with a 26% interest charge, brings the total amount Boeing will pay to Garg's family to $35.8 million. The aircraft maker has negotiated pre-trial settlements in most of the dozens of wrongful death lawsuits filed in connection with the crash and a similar 737 Max disaster five months earlier off the coast of Indonesia, although details of the settlements were not disclosed. Lawyers say less than a dozen lawsuits remain unresolved. In a statement Wednesday, Boeing apologized to all the victims' families and said it respects their right to pursue their claims in court.

Jurors weren't tasked with weighing the aircraft maker's liability in the crash because Boeing has already accepted responsibility. One contentious point was whether Garg suffered pain in her final moments before death, with Boeing lawyer Dan Webb arguing that "there would not have been time for them to feel any physical pain when they hit the ground." The payout awarded to Garg's family by the jury includes $10 million for the "pain and suffering and emotional distress" she experienced before the crash.
An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 27, 2025 shows the scenery along the G331 national highway in Erdaobaihe Township of Antu County, northeast China's Jilin Province. The G331 national highway, with a total length of 9,333 kilometers from Dandong City of northeast China's Liaoning Province to Altay of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is the second longest national highway in China. It spans six provinces and autonomous regions in northeast, north and northwest China, and is hailed as the "most beautiful border road".

This highway connects numerous villages and scenic spots in the sections of Liaoning and Jilin provinces, and brings vitality and development to these places. (Xinhua/Zhang Nan)

Tourists (front) experience making race cakes at a korean folk village in Dandong City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Oct. 12, 2025. The G331 national highway, with a total length of 9,333 kilometers from Dandong City of northeast China's Liaoning Province to Altay of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is the second longest national highway in China. It spans six provinces and autonomous regions in northeast, north and northwest China, and is hailed as the "most beautiful border road".

This highway connects numerous villages and scenic spots in the sections of Liaoning and Jilin provinces, and brings vitality and development to these places. (Xinhua/Wu Qinghao)

A tourist poses for a photo in front of a road sign of G331 national highway in northeast China, Oct. 12, 2025. The G331 national highway, with a total length of 9,333 kilometers from Dandong City of northeast China's Liaoning Province to Altay of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is the second longest national highway in China. It spans six provinces and autonomous regions in northeast, north and northwest China, and is hailed as the "most beautiful border road".

This highway connects numerous villages and scenic spots in the sections of Liaoning and Jilin provinces, and brings vitality and development to these places. (Xinhua/Wu Qinghao)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 4, 2025 shows a sanghuangporus cultivating base in Changbai Korean Autonomous County, Baishan City, northeast China's Jilin Province, Nov. 4, 2025. The G331 national highway, with a total length of 9,333 kilometers from Dandong City of northeast China's Liaoning Province to Altay of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is the second longest national highway in China. It spans six provinces and autonomous regions in northeast, north and northwest China, and is hailed as the "most beautiful border road".

This highway connects numerous villages and scenic spots in the sections of Liaoning and Jilin provinces, and brings vitality and development to these places. (Xinhua/Zhang Nan)

Farmers cultivate mushrooms at a cultivating base in Nanjiantou Village of Changbai Korean Autonomous County in Baishan City, northeast China's Jilin Province, Nov. 4, 2025. The G331 national highway, with a total length of 9,333 kilometers from Dandong City of northeast China's Liaoning Province to Altay of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is the second longest national highway in China. It spans six provinces and autonomous regions in northeast, north and northwest China, and is hailed as the "most beautiful border road".

This highway connects numerous villages and scenic spots in the sections of Liaoning and Jilin provinces, and brings vitality and development to these places. (Xinhua/Zhang Nan)

A bus drives along the G331 national highway in northeast China's Jilin Province, Sept. 27, 2025. The G331 national highway, with a total length of 9,333 kilometers from Dandong City of northeast China's Liaoning Province to Altay of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is the second longest national highway in China. It spans six provinces and autonomous regions in northeast, north and northwest China, and is hailed as the "most beautiful border road".

This highway connects numerous villages and scenic spots in the sections of Liaoning and Jilin provinces, and brings vitality and development to these places. (Xinhua/Zhang Nan)

This photo taken on Oct. 12, 2025 shows the Hunjiangkou Bridge, the starting point of the Jilin section of G331 national highway, at the border between Dandong City of Liaoning Province and Tonghua City of Jilin Province in northeast China. The G331 national highway, with a total length of 9,333 kilometers from Dandong City of northeast China's Liaoning Province to Altay of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is the second longest national highway in China. It spans six provinces and autonomous regions in northeast, north and northwest China, and is hailed as the "most beautiful border road".

This highway connects numerous villages and scenic spots in the sections of Liaoning and Jilin provinces, and brings vitality and development to these places. (Xinhua/Wu Qinghao)

Tourists visit a scenic area of the Great Wall along the Dandong section of G331 national highway in northeast China's Liaoning Province, Oct. 13, 2025. The G331 national highway, with a total length of 9,333 kilometers from Dandong City of northeast China's Liaoning Province to Altay of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is the second longest national highway in China. It spans six provinces and autonomous regions in northeast, north and northwest China, and is hailed as the "most beautiful border road".

This highway connects numerous villages and scenic spots in the sections of Liaoning and Jilin provinces, and brings vitality and development to these places. (Xinhua/Wu Qinghao)

This photo taken on Oct. 11, 2025 shows the ginseng wine at a ginseng wine factory in Kuandian Manchu Autonomous County, Dandong City, northeast China's Liaoning Province. The G331 national highway, with a total length of 9,333 kilometers from Dandong City of northeast China's Liaoning Province to Altay of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is the second longest national highway in China. It spans six provinces and autonomous regions in northeast, north and northwest China, and is hailed as the "most beautiful border road".

This highway connects numerous villages and scenic spots in the sections of Liaoning and Jilin provinces, and brings vitality and development to these places. (Xinhua/Wu Qinghao)

An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 27, 2025 shows a view of Erdaobeihe Township in Antu County, northeast China's Jilin Province. The G331 national highway, with a total length of 9,333 kilometers from Dandong City of northeast China's Liaoning Province to Altay of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is the second longest national highway in China. It spans six provinces and autonomous regions in northeast, north and northwest China, and is hailed as the "most beautiful border road".

This highway connects numerous villages and scenic spots in the sections of Liaoning and Jilin provinces, and brings vitality and development to these places. (Xinhua/Zhang Nan)

Tourists take a boat tour on the Yalu River along the Dandong section of G331 national highway in northeast China's Liaoning Province, Oct. 13, 2025. The G331 national highway, with a total length of 9,333 kilometers from Dandong City of northeast China's Liaoning Province to Altay of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is the second longest national highway in China. It spans six provinces and autonomous regions in northeast, north and northwest China, and is hailed as the "most beautiful border road".

This highway connects numerous villages and scenic spots in the sections of Liaoning and Jilin provinces, and brings vitality and development to these places. (Xinhua/Wu Qinghao)

Tourists select ethnic costumes at a scenic area in Changbai Korean Autonomous County, Baishan City, northeast China's Jilin Province, Nov. 4, 2025. The G331 national highway, with a total length of 9,333 kilometers from Dandong City of northeast China's Liaoning Province to Altay of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is the second longest national highway in China. It spans six provinces and autonomous regions in northeast, north and northwest China, and is hailed as the "most beautiful border road".

This highway connects numerous villages and scenic spots in the sections of Liaoning and Jilin provinces, and brings vitality and development to these places. (Xinhua/Zhang Nan)

Villagers of Korean ethnic group perform seesaw jumping at a korean folk village in Dandong City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Oct. 12, 2025. The G331 national highway, with a total length of 9,333 kilometers from Dandong City of northeast China's Liaoning Province to Altay of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is the second longest national highway in China. It spans six provinces and autonomous regions in northeast, north and northwest China, and is hailed as the "most beautiful border road".

This highway connects numerous villages and scenic spots in the sections of Liaoning and Jilin provinces, and brings vitality and development to these places. (Xinhua/Wu Qinghao)

A staff member introduces a scenic area via live-streaming in Changbai Korean Autonomous County, Baishan City, northeast China's Jilin Province, Nov. 4, 2025. The G331 national highway, with a total length of 9,333 kilometers from Dandong City of northeast China's Liaoning Province to Altay of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is the second longest national highway in China. It spans six provinces and autonomous regions in northeast, north and northwest China, and is hailed as the "most beautiful border road".

This highway connects numerous villages and scenic spots in the sections of Liaoning and Jilin provinces, and brings vitality and development to these places. (Xinhua/Zhang Nan)

Editor: WXY
More than 1,000 unionized Starbucks workers went on strike at 65 US stores Thursday to protest a lack of progress in labor negotiations. The strike was intended to disrupt Starbucks' Red Cup Day, one of the company's busiest days, per the AP. Since 2018, Starbucks has given out free, reusable cups that day to customers who buy a holiday drink.

Impact: Starbucks Workers United, the union organizing baristas, said Thursday the strike had already closed some stores and was expected to force more to close later that day. The union said stores in 45 cities would be impacted, including New York, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, San Diego, Dallas, and Starbucks' home city of Seattle. There's no date set for the strike to end, and more stores are prepared to join if Starbucks doesn't reach a contract agreement with the union, organizers said. Starbucks emphasized the vast majority of its US stores would be open and operating as usual on Thursday.
The Justice Department on Thursday sued to block new congressional district boundaries approved by California voters last week, joining a court battle that could help determine which party wins control of the US House in 2026. The complaint filed in California federal court targets the congressional map pushed by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom in response to a similar Republican-led effort in Texas backed by President Trump, the AP reports. It sets the stage for a high-stakes legal and political fight between the Republican administration and the Democratic governor, who's considered a likely 2028 presidential contender.

"California's redistricting scheme is a brazen power grab that tramples on civil rights and mocks the democratic process," Attorney General Pam Bondi said in an emailed statement. "Governor Newsom's attempt to entrench one-party rule and silence millions of Californians will not stand." California voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 50, a constitutional amendment changing the congressional boundaries to give Democrats a shot at winning five seats now held by Republicans in next year's midterm elections. The Justice Department is joining a case challenging the new map that was brought by the state's Republican Party last week.

The Trump administration accuses California of racial gerrymandering in violation of the Constitution by using race as a factor to favor Hispanic voters with the new map. It asks a judge to prohibit California from using the new map in any future elections. The Justice Department by law is permitted to step in, and court filings show no party to the suit opposes that, per the Hill. A judge already agreed to let the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee sign on to the case.
The BBC has issued an apology to President Trump for what it called an "error of judgment" in its editing of the speech he gave near the White House on the day of the Capitol riot. But the broadcaster rejected Trump's contention that its report, aired in 2024 as part of a documentary, amounted to defamation, the Independent reports. The president had threatened the UK broadcaster with a $1 billion lawsuit, demanding a retraction, apology, and compensation by Friday. "While the BBC sincerely regrets the manner in which the video clip was edited, we strongly disagree there is a basis for a defamation claim," a network spokesperson said.
Fairbanks, AK (99701)

Today

Partly cloudy this morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. High -26F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Cloudy. Snow likely late. Low around -25F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 100%. 3 to 5 inches of snow expected.
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.
Chinese ambassador calls for closer economic, trade ties between China, N. Ireland

Xinhua) 10:06, November 13, 2025

LONDON, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador to the United Kingdom (UK) Zheng Zeguang on Tuesday called for deeper cooperation to elevate economic and trade ties between China and Northern Ireland to a higher level when delivering a keynote speech at the China-Northern Ireland Economic, Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum in Belfast.

Zheng stressed that China will continue to take economic development as its central task, focus on promoting high-quality growth, and make new and important contributions to global economic development.

China will firmly advance high-standard opening up, steadily expand institutional opening up, and promote comprehensive trials and demonstrations for expanding opening up of the service sector, he said, noting that China's development will continue to inject certainty and positive energy into the world.

Zheng spoke highly of the fruitful results achieved in recent years between China and Northern Ireland in economy, trade, investment, education, culture and tourism.

He encouraged people from all walks of life in Northern Ireland to seize the historic opportunities brought by China's 15th Five-Year Plan period, which emphasizes innovation-driven growth, expanding domestic demand, green transition and open cooperation.

He expressed the hope that business communities on both sides would deepen the synergy between key industries, expand two-way investment, facilitate communication and cooperation, consolidate the foundation of friendly cooperation, and further tap into the potential for cooperation, so as to elevate the economic and trade ties to a higher level and deliver more tangible benefits to the peoples of both China and the United Kingdom.

During the opening ceremony, the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK and Invest Northern Ireland signed a memorandum of understanding on strategic cooperation.

More than 400 representatives from the Northern Ireland government, media, business communities from both China and the United Kingdom, among others, took part.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with King Felipe VI of Spain and his wife Queen Letizia in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 12, 2025. Xi met with King Felipe VI, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

BEIJING, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- China stands ready to work with Spain to forge a comprehensive strategic partnership with greater strategic determination, dynamism and global influence, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday.

Xi made the remarks when meeting with King Felipe VI of Spain, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing. It marks King Felipe VI's first state visit to the country after his enthronement, and the first visit by a Spanish monarch to China in 18 years.

After the meeting, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of 10 cooperation documents in trade and economy, science and technology, and education, among others.

Following Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's three visits to China in three years, King Felipe VI's visit throws the weight of royal diplomacy into Spain's relations with China, said Felix Valdivieso, chairman of IE University's China Observatory.

The European country is shifting toward a more long-term, stable and strategically visionary policy on the world's second-largest economy, which will benefit Spanish businesses and subsequently enhance the competitiveness and innovative vigor of the Spanish economy, Valdivieso said.

A VISIT OF GREAT SIGNIFICANCE

Welcoming King Felipe VI to China, Xi noted that both China and Spain have profound historical and cultural heritage. Over the past 50-plus years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two sides have always viewed and developed bilateral relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, respected and supported each other, and contributed to each other's success, Xi said.

This has set a model of pursuing amicable ties and common development by countries with different history, culture and social systems, and played an important role in promoting openness and cooperation in the world and upholding international fairness and justice, Xi said.

Hailing the Spanish royal family's remarkable contributions to developing the China-Spain relationship, Xi said as the two countries celebrate the 20th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership, King Felipe VI's state visit is of great significance to the further advancement of the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

King Felipe VI said that it is a great pleasure to pay a state visit to China at the 20th anniversary of the Spain-China comprehensive strategic partnership, and that Spain and China enjoy longstanding friendly exchanges. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two countries have consistently trusted and respected each other and worked together for joint development and prosperity, he said.

King Felipe VI said China has accomplished globally recognized and admirable achievements in its development, adding that its successful experiences, especially in poverty alleviation and green and low-carbon development, offer great inspiration.

The Spanish government is firmly committed to the one-China policy, supports China in safeguarding its territorial integrity, and stands ready to work with China to advance the comprehensive strategic partnership to bring more benefits to the two peoples and contribute even more to global peace and stability, the king said.

BOOSTING PRAGMATIC COOPERATION

Underscoring that China values the traditional friendship with Spain and its unique role in international and regional affairs, Xi said it is important for the two sides to continue supporting each other firmly, maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges, strengthen strategic guidance, and ensure that the bilateral relationship always advances along the right path.

Calling on the two sides to further advance practical cooperation, Xi said China will import more quality products from Spain, and the two sides should explore the potential of cooperation in such emerging areas as new energy, digital economy and AI, expand mutual investment and build more signature projects.

He said the two sides could also tap into complementarity and jointly explore third-party markets such as Latin America.

Xi said the two sides need to strengthen people-to-people connectivity, and enhance exchanges in culture and education, and support each other in the operation of cultural and language institutions in each other's country. He said China will continue to extend the visa-free policy to Spain to facilitate people-to-people exchanges and bring the two peoples closer.

King Felipe VI said investment by Chinese enterprises has strongly boosted Spain's economic growth and green transition. Spain is willing to maintain close exchanges with China, in order to seize the important opportunities presented by China's 15th Five-Year Plan, and deepen cooperation in such areas as economy and trade, industry, science and technology, and green energy.

King Felipe VI appreciated China for extending the visa-free policy, and expressed the readiness to strengthen cultural, linguistic and tourism exchanges in order to enhance the friendship between the two peoples.

CHAMPIONING MULTILATERALISM

Pointing out that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, Xi said the world today is now in a new period of turbulence and transformation, and the pursuit of peace and development remains an arduous task.

"I have put forward the building of a community with a shared future for humanity for the hope that countries could rise above differences in social systems and ideologies, build consensus through dialogue and consultation, and work together to turn the aspirations of people around the world for a better life into reality," Xi said.

China stands ready to work with Spain to support the UN in playing a central role in international affairs, safeguard the rules of free trade and the international economic and trade order, and make global governance more just and equitable, for the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, he said.

Noting that history can only move forward, and does not allow for going backward, King Felipe VI said Spain and China share highly similar philosophies on many international affairs, and both support multilateralism and the settlement of disputes through dialogue and consultation.

Spain highly appreciates the four major global initiatives put forward by President Xi, and is going to work with China to respond to uncertainties in the international situation with a view to upholding international trade order and promoting the steady development of the global economy, the king said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with King Felipe VI of Spain, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for King Felipe VI of Spain at the square outside the east gate of the Great Hall of the People prior to their meeting in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 12, 2025. Xi met with King Felipe VI, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for King Felipe VI of Spain at the square outside the east gate of the Great Hall of the People prior to their meeting in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 12, 2025. Xi met with King Felipe VI, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Editor: WXY
Applied Science University (ASU) participated in the 2025 World University Presidents Forum and the 2025 International Forum on Higher Education, held from 7th to 9th November 2025 at the Hangzhou International Expo Centerin the Peoples Republic of China.

The event was jointly organised by the China Association of Higher Education and Zhejiang University, with the participation of more than 500 university presidents, decision-makers, and academic experts from around the world under the theme Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Higher Education.

The university delegation was headed by Professor Waheeb Al-Khaja, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, accompanied by Professor Hatem Masri, the President of Applied Science University, and Mr Abdulla Al-Khaja, the Presidents Advisor for Follow-up Affairs and Director of the Administrative and Financial Affairs Directorate.

This participation reaffirmed ASUs commitment to strengthening international cooperation and building connections with prestigious higher education institutions in China and beyond. During the forum, Professor Hatem delivered a keynote speech in the parallel session on AI Development and Innovation in Higher Education Governance, titled Applied Science University: Driving Equity through Digital Transformation.

In his presentation, he highlighted the universitys strategic initiatives in digital governance, smart education, and inclusive practices that promote fairness and equal opportunities in higher education across the Arab region. ASU extended its sincere appreciation to the Higher Education Council in the Kingdom of Bahrain for its continued support in enabling Bahraini universities to participate in international academic events that contribute to improving quality and innovation in higher education.
TOKYO, Nov 13 (News On Japan) - Japanese automakers are under increasing pressure as Chinas aggressive push in electric vehicles continues and the impact of U.S. tariffs under former President Donald Trump looms large. With total tariff-related losses for seven major manufacturers projected to reach 1.5 trillion yen, analysts are examining how Japanese companies plan to stay competitive.

Automotive industry expert Takaki Nakanishi of Nakanishi Research offered his analysis of the sectors outlook and Japans potential winning formula.

Nakanishi noted that Japanese automakers collectively earned a robust 7.4 trillion yen in operating profit last year, despite facing heavy tariffs of around 2.5 trillion yen. He explained that even with the tariff burden, companies managed to maintain profitability, partly because the tariff rate stabilized at 15 percent instead of the initially proposed 27.5 percent. As a result, total profits of around 4.4 trillion yen are expected this fiscal year, leaving room for recovery and renewed competitiveness.

Focusing on individual companies, Toyota has revised upward its forecasts for sales and profits but still fell short of market expectations of roughly 3.8 trillion yen in operating profit. Nakanishi interpreted this as a conservative stance amid a challenging economic environment, emphasizing Toyotas continued strength in global sales. He added that the companys focus on strengthening its break-even management is a strategic step toward restoring its pre-pandemic earning power of 5 trillion yen.

Honda, by contrast, has downgraded its full-year forecast, citing production disruptions linked to Dutch semiconductor maker Nexperias China operations, which have been restricted by export controls. Nakanishi pointed out that Hondas core four-wheel business posted an operating loss in the first half of the fiscal year, largely due to 220 billion yen in accounting losses from aggressive EV investments. Additional production cuts of 110,000 vehicles have compounded the problem. He said that while short-term recovery will be difficult, performance could improve significantly by 2027 with the launch of new hybrid models.

As for Nissan, restructuring efforts under its new management have been progressing steadily, raising expectations for a rebound next fiscal year. However, the company postponed its net profit guidance, which Nakanishi attributed to uncertainties surrounding restructuring-related losses. He suggested that while one-time losses may arise, they indicate that Nissans restructuring is advancing smoothly, making next years new model sales crucial for determining the companys turnaround.

The discussion concluded with a look at Japans strategic position in the face of Chinas expanding EV dominance. As Chinese manufacturers strengthen their presence in global markets, Japanese automakers are under pressure to identify and execute strategies that can secure long-term competitiveness in an evolving industry.

Source: BIZ
TOKYO, Nov 13 (News On Japan) - Russias Foreign Ministry announced on November 11th that it has decided to impose an indefinite entry ban on 30 Japanese nationals as a countermeasure against what it called Japans hostile policies following Russias invasion of Ukraine.

The list includes Foreign Ministry spokesperson Kitamura, Associate Professor Koizumi of the University of Tokyo, as well as several academics, journalists, and media figures from newspapers and television networks.

According to the Russian government, the measure reflects its response to Japans sanctions and growing alignment with Western countries over the Ukraine conflict. Tokyo has not yet issued an official response to the new bans, which add to the list of Japanese individuals already barred from entering Russia since 2022.

Source: BIZ
AKITA, Nov 13 (News On Japan) - Police bear control units were formally deployed on November 13th in Iwate and Akita prefectures, where the number of bear attacks has become increasingly severe, following the recent authorization for officers to use rifles in bear extermination.

In Iwate Prefecture, a deployment ceremony was held in front of the riot police barracks in Takizawa City, where senior prefectural police officials delivered speeches to the newly organized bear control team, which includes members of the riot police and firearm countermeasure units dispatched from other prefectures.

A similar ceremony took place in front of the Akita Prefectural Police Headquarters in Akita City, where Police Chief Minoru Kobayashi addressed the team, urging members to carry out their duties with vigilance and safety. The new authorization allows police officers to respond more swiftly and effectively to bear encounters that threaten human lives in the two prefectures, which have recorded some of the highest numbers of bear-related injuries and fatalities this year.

Source: Kyodo
Hiroshima, Nov 14 (News On Japan) - A feature from the upcoming NEXT Unicorn Special, airing on November 15th, spotlights Iris Inc., a Hiroshima-based medical startup that is rapidly transforming healthcare with its advanced AI diagnostic technologies.

In the quiet streets of Hiroshima, a small clinic has drawn nationwide attention for adopting six different types of AI-powered medical devices to assist in disease detection  an unprecedented number for a private facility in Japan.

One such system can detect abnormalities in electrocardiograms that would be difficult for the human eye to catch. Another uses endoscopic images to analyze conditions of the stomach and intestines, while a third focuses on the colon. These AI diagnostic tools are designed to identify signs of illness faster and more accurately than humans, alerting physicians to possible issues before they worsen.

The clinics 66-year-old director said he decided to introduce AI after realizing his own eyesight and physical stamina were declining. "My eyes and ears arent what they used to be," he explained. "I started worrying that I might overlook something during examinations, so I brought AI in right away. It really helps extend a doctors working life."

Across Japan, AI-assisted medical devices are becoming increasingly common. In August, for example, a software system that warns surgeons of areas that should not be cut during uterine surgery received regulatory approval. When paired with surgical-assist robots, it allows even less experienced doctors to perform operations with greater safety.

Among the fastest-spreading AI devices is Iriss throat imaging system known as "Nodoca," approved two years ago for influenza testing. Now installed in more than 2,000 clinics nationwide, it is covered by health insurance, keeping costs comparable to conventional tests. The procedure is quick and painless: a small camera at the tip of a wand captures images deep inside the patients throat, and within seconds, the results are sent via the internet. Both doctors and patients say the system has greatly reduced their workload and discomfort.

"It used to involve swabbing the mouth, which made people gag," said one patient. "Now the nurse just takes a quick look with the camera  no scraping, no pain." Doctors also appreciate that nurses can handle the imaging while they simply review the results, freeing up time and resources.

Iris, the company behind Nodoca, was founded in 2017 and employs about 100 people. The firms CEO, 39-year-old Sho Okuyama, is a graduate of the University of Tokyos Faculty of Medicine and a practicing emergency physician. Inside Iris headquarters, Okuyama and his team are constantly exploring new possibilities for their throat-based diagnostic AI. During one recent internal discussion, engineers considered whether they could use throat images to estimate vital signs such as body temperature and heart rate. "If we can extract vital data from throat videos," Okuyama said, "it could open up an entirely new approach to screening."

Okuyamas team believes that in the near future, Nodoca may be able to screen not only for influenza but also for COVID-19 and hypertension using the same throat images. Chief Technology Officer Fukuda attributes much of the companys success to recruiting top global AI talent. "At first, I tried to build the model myself, but it didnt go well," he recalled. "Then Yoshihara joined us, and within three weeks he identified the core problem. In just three months, he solved issues I couldnt fix in half a year."

Yoshihara is one of only about 300 engineers worldwide recognized by Google as a top-tier AI expert. He also teaches as a research fellow at the University of Tokyo. "At first, our AI could only detect influenza," Yoshihara said, "but as we kept improving it, we found it could infer gender and even detect hypertension from throat images. The deeper we went, the more fascinating it became."

Iris now has five world-class AI engineers of similar caliber, creating a hub of exceptional talent. In late October, Okuyama traveled north to Monbetsu City in Hokkaido, known for its drifting ice. There, he also serves as a part-time emergency physician at Monbetsu General Hospital, working one weekend per month while managing Iris full-time.

"Having him here is a huge help," said the hospitals chief surgeon. "Our surgical team is small, so when Okuyama is here, it really eases the load." Okuyama mainly handles night-time emergency cases. Asked why he continues to practice medicine despite his busy corporate role, he said, "Medical work has strict regulations, and if you want to change the system, you need to understand the field firsthand. Standing in the clinical front line gives me confidence and credibility. Its one of the most important things I can do."

After graduating from the University of Tokyo, Okuyama began his career as an emergency doctor at the Japanese Red Cross Medical Center. He later worked on remote islands such as Teruma Island in Okinawa, where he experienced the harsh reality of emergency medicine in areas with limited medical infrastructure. "There were days when several patients couldnt be saved. I often thought, if only we had noticed earlier or run a different test, maybe the outcome would have been different," he said. "Thats when I realized change requires more than treating patients one by one  it takes new technology and a broader approach."

Driven by that belief, Okuyama founded Iris with the goal of saving more lives through advanced AI medical tools. "If we can help prevent disease, even a little, thats what I want to do," he said.

In early November, Okuyama welcomed a group of younger alumni from his alma mater to Iris headquarters, where he gave a lecture titled "Living as an Entrepreneur." He demonstrated one of his AI devices  a compact camera used in roughly 1,800 to 1,900 medical facilities across Japan  and emphasized the importance of collaboration. "To build good AI, you need cooperation from many hospitals and patients willing to let us collect images," he explained. "We also need to partner with academic societies and hospitals. Building a strong network of colleagues is absolutely essential."

Under Okuyamas leadership, Iris has earned global recognition. Its Nodoca device won first place at an international startup competition last year, marking a major milestone for Japans growing medical AI industry. After hearing his lecture, one student said, "It was inspiring to hear how differently adults think about challenges compared to us students. It gave me a new perspective." Okuyama smiled and said, "Im glad. This is one small way I can give back to my school."

Source: BIZ
Solid Q3 2025 Results

Reschedules its earnings call for 5:30 p.m. (ET) on November 13, 2025

TORONTO, Nov. 13, 2025 /CNW/ - ECN Capital Corp. (TSX: ECN) ("ECN Capital" or the "Company") today reported financial results for the three-month period ended September 30, 2025.

For the three-month period ended September 30, 2025, ECN Capital reported Adjusted net income applicable to common shareholders of $16.7 million or $0.06 per share (basic) versus $10.0 million or $0.04 per share (basic) for the previous three-month period and $13.0 million or $0.05 per share (basic) for the prior year comparable period.

"Q3 was a strong quarter with Adjusted EPS of $0.06 in line with consensus", said Steven Hudson, CEO of ECN Capital Corp. "Sales upgrades have commenced across Manufactured Housing and RV and Marine and are bearing fruit."

Originations for the three-month period ended September 30, 2025 were $826.8 million, versus $804.1 million in the previous three-month period and $625.7 million for the prior year comparable period. Originations for the three-month period ended September 30, 2025 include $466.4 million of originations from our Manufactured Housing Finance segment and $360.4 million of originations from our Recreational Vehicle and Marine Finance segment.

Managed Assets as at September 30, 2025 were $8.2 billion versus $7.6 billion as at June 30, 2025 and $6.7 billion as at September 30, 2024.

Adjusted EBITDA for the three-month period ended September 30, 2025 was $40.6 million versus $31.5 million for the previous three-month period and $36.1 million for the prior year comparable period.

Operating Expenses for the three-month period ended September 30, 2025 were $34.0 million versus $30.7 million for the previous three-month period and $30.3 million for the prior year comparable period.

Net income attributable to common shareholders for the three-month period ended September 30, 2025 was $11.2 million versus net loss of ($0.3) million for the previous three-month period and net income of $6.8 million for the prior year comparable period.

Dividends Declared

The Company's Board of Directors has authorized and declared a quarterly dividend of C$0.01 per outstanding common share to be paid on December 31, 2025, to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 12, 2025. These dividends are designated to be eligible dividends for purposes of section 89(1) of the Income Tax Act (Canada).

The Company's Board of Directors has authorized and declared a quarterly dividend of C$0.4960625 per outstanding Cumulative 5-Year Rate Reset Preferred Share, Series C (TSX: ECN.PR.C) to be paid on December 31, 2025, to shareholders of record on the close of business on December 12, 2025. These dividends are designated to be eligible dividends for purposes of section 89(1) of the Income Tax Act (Canada).

The Company's Board of Directors has authorized and declared a semi-annual dividend of C$0.0613 per outstanding Mandatory Convertible Preferred Share, Series E to be paid on December 31, 2025 to shareholders of record on the close of business on December 12, 2025. These dividends are designated to be eligible dividends for purposes of section 89(1) of the Income Tax Act (Canada).

In Memoriam: David Morris

The Company's Board of Directors acknowledges the contributions of David Morris, who passed on October 1, 2025. David was an instrumental member of the ECN Board of Directors and a leader to the employees that worked closely with him. He served on ECN Capital's Board of Directors and was Chair of the Audit Committee. A man of intellect and integrity, David built a distinguished, decades-long career as a senior partner at Deloitte, where he led major engagements for some of the world's leading institutions. His presence and inspiration will be remembered at ECN and with those he leaves behind.

Rescheduled Webcast

The Company has rescheduled its briefing and will now host the briefing to discuss these results commencing at 5:30 PM (ET) on Thursday, November 13, 2025. The call can be accessed as follows:

Webcast https://app.webinar.net/lyd7EenPbvY



Toll-free dial in North America International 1-888-304-1803 1-848-488-9277





Presentation slides http://ecncapitalcorp.com/investors/presentations

A telephone replay of the conference call may also be accessed until December 13, 2025, by dialing 1-800-645-7964 and entering the passcode 5036#.

Non-IFRS Measures

The Company's interim unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and the accounting policies we adopted in accordance with IFRS.

The Company believes that certain Non-IFRS Measures can be useful to investors because they provide a means by which investors can evaluate the Company's underlying key drivers and operating performance of the business, exclusive of certain adjustments and activities that investors may consider to be unrelated to the underlying economic performance of the business of a given period. Throughout this news release, management uses a number of terms and ratios which do not have a standardized meaning under IFRS and are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other organizations, including adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted net income per common share and managed assets. A full description of these measures, along with a reconciliation to the most directly comparable IFRS measure, where applicable, can be found in the Management Discussion & Analysis ("MD&A") that accompanies ECN Capital's financial statements for the three-month period ended September 30, 2025.

ECN Capital's MD&A for the three-month period ended September 30, 2025 has been filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.com) and is available under the investor section of the Company's website (www.ecncapitalcorp.com).

About ECN Capital Corp.

With managed assets of US$8.2 billion, ECN Capital Corp. (TSX: ECN) is a leading provider of business services to North American-based banks, institutional investors, insurance company, pension plan, bank and credit union partners (collectively, its "Partners"). ECN Capital originates, manages and advises on credit assets on behalf of its Partners, specifically consumer (manufactured housing and recreational vehicle and marine) loans and commercial (floorplan and rental) loans. Its Partners are seeking high-quality assets to match with their deposits, term insurance or other liabilities. These services are offered through two operating segments: (i) Manufactured Housing Finance, and (ii) Recreational Vehicle and Marine Finance.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release includes forward-looking statements regarding ECN Capital and its business. Such statements are based on the current expectations and views of future events of ECN Capital's management. In some cases the forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "may", "will", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "intend", "potential", "estimate", "believe" or the negative of these terms, or other similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include those relating to the future financial and operating performance of ECN Capital, the strategic advantages, business plans and future opportunities of ECN Capital and the ability of ECN Capital to access adequate funding sources, identify and execute on acquisition opportunities and transition to an asset management business. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this news release may not occur and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting ECN Capital, including risks regarding the finance industry, economic factors, and many other factors beyond the control of ECN Capital. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statement or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements or information. A discussion of the material risks and assumptions associated with this outlook can be found in ECN Capital's MD&A for the three-month period ended September 30, 2025 and ECN Capital's 2025 Annual Information Form dated February 27, 2025 for the year ended December 31, 2024 which have been filed on SEDAR+ and can be accessed at www.sedarplus.com . Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements or information. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and ECN Capital does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

SOURCE ECN Capital Corp.

Katherine Moradiellos, 561-631-8739, [email protected]
Patients believe expanded pharmacy services would lead to timely primary care

TORONTO, Nov. 13, 2025 /CNW/ - As millions of Canadians continue to struggle with barriers to healthcare, a growing number of patients want to see more health services provided by their local pharmacies, according to new research by the Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada (Neighbourhood Pharmacies).

A survey carried out this fall by Neighbourhood Pharmacies and Abacus Data found more than 75 per cent of Canadians support an expanded pharmacy scope of services to improve timely access to care, reduce emergency room overcrowding, and better serve rural and remote communities.

"With nearly one in four Canadians still lacking access to a family doctor or nurse practitioner, more people are leaning on pharmacies to fill critical caps in their care," says Sandra Hanna, CEO, Neighbourhood Pharmacies. "Pharmacies are proud of their important role as primary care hubs; helping more patients get the care they need quickly and alleviating pressure on healthcare partners, like hospitals, clinics and doctors' offices."

Over the past few years, several provinces have expanded the scope of practice for pharmacists, allowing them to treat patients for more minor ailments, administer additional vaccines and carry out additional point-of-care diagnostic testing.

Canada's pharmacies are ready to take on even more responsibility to help improve access to primary care and reduce strain across the health system. Neighbourhood Pharmacies continues to engage its federal and provincial government partners to expand scope of pharmacy services, eliminate regulatory barriers to practice freely across interprovincial borders, increase the size and capacity of the workforce and create greater financial stability for the sector.

Canadians showed overwhelming support for expanding pharmacy services in the latest polling by Neighbourhood Pharmacies  nearly eight in ten respondents said they believe the healthcare system becomes more efficient and more accessible when pharmacies introduce additional services.

"People across Canada view pharmacies and their teams as trusted frontline providers of everyday care," Hanna says. "We're honoured to have earned that trust, and with the right support, pharmacies are committed to ensuring more patients get the timely care they need when it can have the greatest impact."

About the Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada

Neighbourhood Pharmacies represents Canada's leading pharmacy organizations, including chain, banner, long-term care, specialty pharmacies, grocery chains, and mass merchandisers with pharmacies. We advocate for pharmacies' role in caring for Canadians, both behind and in front of the counter. We aim to advance sustainable healthcare for all stakeholders by leveraging over 12,000 pharmacies conveniently located in virtually every community throughout the country. Pharmacies are integral points of patient care.

Visit neighbourhoodpharmacies.ca to learn how the Association is driving a strong, resilient future for community pharmacy through its Prescription for Success strategic plan, and subscribe for free to the Neighbourhood Pharmacy Gazette, the Association's quarterly thought-leadership publication focused on insights, advocacy and healthier Canadians.

SOURCE Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada

For further information: Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada (https://neighbourhoodpharmacies.ca/), 416-221-9100, [email protected]
FUZHOU, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- When former U.S. diplomat Lai Jingping founded Wuxiaworld.com in 2014, a platform sharing English translations of Chinese martial arts novels, few anticipated that a decade later, Chinese online literature would emerge as a global cultural phenomenon.

Today, Chinese online literature has captured the imagination of some 200 million active overseas readers across more than 200 countries and regions, captivating audiences and gaining growing recognition from writers, experts and industry insiders alike.

This recognition was evident as literary professionals gathered Sunday in Quanzhou, a historic port city in east China's Fujian Province, for the 2025 China Online Literature Forum.

The three-day event organized by the China Writers Association (CWA) brought over 200 delegates to Quanzhou, which is widely believed to have been the starting point of the ancient Maritime Silk Road.

A key focus of this year's forum was international communication, with a sub-forum dedicated to global writing strategies, overseas platform development, and the application of AI in supporting the industry's expansion.

GLOBAL RESONANCE

The "new trio" -- Chinese online literature, video games and web series -- has resonated keenly with overseas audiences and become an important part of the global pop-culture landscape, CWA President Zhang Hongsen said at the forum.

He called for a deeper recognition of the role online literature plays in fostering cross-cultural understanding, and for the creation of more works that reflect humanity's shared aspirations.

This emphasis on universal values was echoed by popular online literature author Mo Shu Bai (pseudonym), who called on writers to "engage deeply with the emotions and ideas of individuals and communities in our time, and to explore new values through these experiences."

The "Destined" web series, which was adapted from Mo Shu Bai's novel of the same name, is now available in 10 languages, including English, Thai, Korean, Japanese and Spanish, sparking lively discussion on international social media.

Hu Huijuan, vice president of prominent online literature platform Jinjiang Literature, also highlighted the importance of cross-cultural perspective-taking. She encouraged writers to "stand in others' shoes," suggesting that a more market-oriented approach to cultural exchange would help Chinese stories resonate more organically overseas.

As more Chinese writers and platforms embrace cross-cultural storytelling, the global influence of Chinese online literature continues to rise. In November 2024, the British Library expanded its Chinese collection by adding 10 online novels written by Chinese authors, following its 2022 inclusion of an initial selection of Chinese online literature.

CREATIVITY &INCLUSIVITY

Beyond its global appeal, the steady growth of Chinese online literature is also driven by its distinctive creative mechanisms, said Shao Yanjun, a professor of Peking University's Department of Chinese Language and Literature.

Shao pointed to a production model that facilitates economic rewards for authors and fosters large-scale literary creation.

According to the China Online Literature International Communication Report 2025, data from 50 major domestic online literature platforms shows that by the end of 2024, the total number of Chinese online literary works had exceeded 33 million -- up 7 percent year on year.

This highly dynamic creative ecosystem has rapidly established a vast "content reservoir" for Chinese online literature, Shao noted, adding that its overseas spread "has not been a top-down initiative, but a spontaneous movement driven by fan translations."

In recent years, Chinese online literature platforms have evolved from mere content exporters into international hubs fostering original multilingual creation. International authors are now using these platforms to adapt and reinterpret stories through their own cultural perspectives and value systems -- a process Shao described as an "open-source" model of cultural creation.

For instance, on online reading platform WebNovel, original works by overseas authors outnumbered translated Chinese novels by a factor of 100 by the end of last year.

This inclusive, collaborative approach also extends to adaptations of online intellectual property. Hu said that Jinjiang Literature has been actively promoting the adaptation of online literature into other art forms such as film and television, aiming to cater to diverse audiences around the world.

"When promoting online literature overseas, we should not create content in a vacuum," Hu said. "It is essential to understand the reading preferences and needs of international readers."

Editor: Xiong Jian
Photo taken on Nov.10, 2025, shows that in Lingshan Bay, located in Qingdao West Coast New Area, East China's Shandong province, the sky is blue and the sea is clear. After the ebb tide, the exposed beach is delicate and golden. Tourists are going to the beach to pick up seafood. (Han Jiajun/Guangming Pictures)

Photo taken on Nov.10, 2025, shows that in Lingshan Bay, located in Qingdao West Coast New Area, East China's Shandong province, the sky is blue and the sea is clear. After the ebb tide, the exposed beach is delicate and golden. Tourists are going to the beach to pick up seafood. (Han Jiajun/Guangming Pictures)

Editor: Xiong Jian
Ukrainian Police Representatives Took Part in the International MASHAV Course Community and Security. The training focused on strengthening cooperation between police and communities, and studying Israels experience in public safety, crisis response, volunteer engagement, and community resilience.

"During the course, Ukrainian participants learned about the work of the Israel National Police, visited police facilities and training centers, and took part in roundtable discussions with police officers and volunteers", said in a message from the Embassy of Ukraine in Israel in Facebook.

Special attention was given to Israels unique experience in integrating over 37,000 volunteers into public safety efforts and to successful national initiatives such as City Without Violence and Municipal Police.

At the closing ceremony, a representative of the Embassy of Ukraine in Israel expressed gratitude to the Israeli side for the excellent organization of the course, its support for Ukrainian law enforcement professionals, and its willingness to share valuable expertise in the field of community security.

The knowledge and practical skills gained during the course will serve Ukrainian police officers well in their daily work amid the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Both Ukrainian and Israeli sides reaffirmed their commitment to continue cooperation in professional training and to further develop humanitarian and educational programs in support of Ukraine.
Photo: NJSC "Naftogaz Ukraine"

Naftogaz Group and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have signed a grant agreement for EUR 127 million for gas import, said Serhiy Koretsky, Chairman of Naftogaz Ukrainy.

"Within the framework of the agreement with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, these funds were provided by the European Union with financial support from the Norwegian government. They will be used to import additional gas volumes to compensate for losses in domestic production due to Russian attacks on civilian gas infrastructure facilities," Koretsky wrote on Facebook Thursday.

He noted that the financing is provided through the Ukraine Investment Framework, an EU instrument that mobilizes funds for Ukraines reconstruction.

"This support is important and timely and will help ensure stable gas supplies during the heating season," commented the head of Naftogaz.

The Naftogaz group received a EUR 270 million loan from the EBRD in April for the purchase of gas under a state guarantee, which Norway supplemented with a EUR 139 million grant.
The latest revelations of corruption in Ukraines energy sector underscore the importance of strengthening anti-corruption initiatives and empowering anti-corruption institutions to fulfill their responsibilities, said Julie Kozack, Director of the Communications Department at the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

"And of course, safeguarding the independence and operability of the anti-corruption institutions is of course a critical priority," she said this at a briefing at the Fund on Thursday, according to an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent.

During the missions upcoming visit to Ukraine to discuss the new program, significant attention will be given to reforms in the fight against corruption and better public governance, Kozack said.

The IMF representative noted again that Ukraine needs reliable anti-corruption measures to create a level playing field, protect state resources, improve the business climate, and attract private investment.

"It is a central piece of reform for the donor community, right, as Ukraine is seeking support from the international community for their program and many other  well, for the program in general," Kozack said.
A 61-year-old Bergen County man faces charges after he allegedly stole a police patrol vehicle while the officer picked up food from a restaurant, authorities said.

The theft occurred just before 10 p.m. on Oct. 16 when a Paramus police officer parked the vehicle outside the restaurant in the 700 block of Main Street in Hackensack.

The officer left the patrol vehicle with the key in the ignition while he went inside to pick up his order, according to Detective Captain Darrin DeWitt, spokesman for the Hackensack Police Department.

When the officer came back outside, his cruiser was gone, DeWitt said.

The stolen vehicle was later found parked in a nearby lot in the 600 block of Main Street. The vehicle had minor damage after the thief allegedly struck an unknown object during the drive, DeWitt said.

The man was charged with theft, leaving the scene of an accident with property damage, failure to report an accident, careless and reckless driving along with driving with a suspended license, court records show.

He was released on a summons to appear in court on Nov. 19.

Paramus police did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the incident.
Cape May Pickle Company will be located at 507 Washington St. in Cape May. The store will offer pickles, merchandise, and pickle gifts to visitors and residents of the shore town. Gianna Weller

Historic Cape Mays famed Washington Street Mall is now home to a new pickle store that will celebrate its grand opening on Friday just in time for National Pickle Day.

The Cape May Pickle Company located at 507 Washington St. is an expansion by the Smithville Pickle Company, based in another historic shopping district.

Cape May Pickle Company will be located at 507 Washington St. in Cape May. The store will offer pickles, merchandise, and pickle gifts to visitors and residents of the shore town. Gianna Weller

Cape May Pickle Company held a soft opening earlier this month, according to an announcement.

The grand opening celebration begins at 10 a.m. Friday and continues through Sunday with giveaways, raffles, tastings, and exclusive specials, according to a social media post.

The store will offer a grand prize of 50 free jars of pickles and other prizes that include pickle sweatshirts, pickle T-shirts, and three free large jars of pickles.

Cape May Pickle Company will be located at 507 Washington St. in Cape May. The store will offer pickles, merchandise, and pickle gifts to visitors and residents of the shore town. Gianna Weller

There will also be a free pickle ornament given away with every pickle purchase.

The new location will stock the companys pickle products along with branded merchandise and specialty gift items centered around pickles.

The store features over 300 pickle flavors and products from more than 40 small businesses, according to a social media post by the company.

The company specializes in not just flavorful gourmet pickles, but other pickled products like pickled asparagus, okra, beets, mushrooms, and carrots.
Beach erosion in North Wildwood the day after a nor'easter in March 2017. State officials recently announced the Jersey Shore town will get an emergency sand replenishment project for this upcoming summer after the years of the same problem. Tim Hawk | For NJ.com

Less than a week after New Jersey officials announced they wouldnt proceed with a long-planned beach and dune project, one of the town beneficiaries is suing to force the state to uphold its obligation.

North Wildwood announced on Wednesday will sue the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) over the $54 million projects end, adding a lawsuit to a history of legal challenges against the agency.

The project, which formed as a response to damage from Superstorm Sandy, would have covered all of Five-Mile Islands beaches, which span across North Wildwood, Wildwood, Wildwood Crest and the Diamond Beach section of Lower Township.

The project was a collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

However, municipal leaders have clashed over the projects blueprints and the need for dune and beach construction. Wildwood Crest went as far as moving to withdraw from the project earlier this year.

North Wildwood officials have argued their beaches are the most vulnerable to powerful storm surges from severe weather. Mayor Patrick Rosenello, a frequent DEP critic, lamented that the projects end represents one of the most stunning and consequential failures in the agencys history.

This action is not taken lightly, but as a vital last resort to defend our shores, safeguard lives and livelihoods, and expose the bureaucratic sabotage that has left our communities perilously exposed to the storms NJDEP itself predicts with alarm, Rosenello said in a statement. Only through the courts can we now extract the justice and protection that NJDEP leadership has willfully withheld.

Court records show the lawsuit had not been filed as of Wednesday afternoon.

State officials announced an apparent end to the project amid new concerns about beach and dune erosion at the Jersey Shore, which felt the effects of Hurricane Erin in August.

The condition of the citys beaches is again in the spotlight after those storms, with the heaviest sand loss between 13th and 16th streets, Rosenello previously told NJ Advance Media.

Facing concerns about its beach and dune system, North Wildwood is has no choice but to pursue this lawsuit, Rosenello said.

Construction was expected to begin in 2026, but because leaders on Five-Mile Island couldnt collectively agree on the projects scope, funding is being repurposed for other shore resiliency efforts, DEP Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette told local officials last week.

The DEPs letter from last week speaks for itself and accurately describes the issues, an agency spokesperson said in an email to NJ Advance Media. We do not comment on pending litigation.

The commissioner suggested that a new project for Five-Mile Island is still feasible, possibly through the use of offshore sand sources. Officials agreed to use a blended fund of federal and state dollars to defray costs for the project.

LaTourette warned that money may not be available in the future for those efforts.

Nearly $2.4 million had already been spent on planning and design before it was scrapped.

The purported lawsuit reignites a years-long quarrel between North Wildwood and New Jersey over beach sustainability efforts. In 2023, the city was cited for violating coastal zone management laws when it carried out restoration work to its dune system.

Earlier, North Wildwood sued New Jersey to recoup as much as $21 million dedicated toward building a sturdier bulkhead as a safeguard against storm surges.
A city in Cumberland County has paid $1 million to settle a civil rights lawsuit filed by a man who claimed he was beaten by police and attacked by a K-9 during an arrest seven years ago.

Jose L. Paz Jr. sued Vineland, its police department and several officers and supervisors over the 2018 incident.

His injuries included a broken nose, swollen and bruised face and eyes, bruises throughout his body and cuts to his leg from the K-9, according to the Superior Court lawsuit filed in 2020.

Under a settlement agreement finalized earlier this month, Vineland agreed to pay Paz $1 million dollars to resolve the case. City officials admitted no wrongdoing as part of the agreement.

A representative for Vineland did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the settlement.

Open public records advocate John Paff was the first to report on the settlement agreement.

Paz, 37, of Vineland, was walking in the southbound lane of travel on East Avenue on Sept. 15, 2018, when he said Vineland Officer James Day stopped to speak with him, according to the lawsuit.

Paz said he remained cooperative and non-combative throughout the interaction with Day and another officer, though the suit notes that Paz continued to be distant and incoherent during the questioning.

Day suddenly grabbed Pazs wrists and told him to place his hands on his head, according to the suit.

Already disoriented and confused, Plaintiff Paz begins to question what is going on, the suit stated. The officers then took him to the ground and called for backup.

Day began punching Paz in the face and arriving officers joined in the malicious beating, the suit claimed.

Paz said he was punched and kicked by officers, doused with pepper spray and that a police K9 was ordered to attack him.

Paz was unarmed, did not try to resist and did not attack the officers, according to his lawsuit.

He claimed multiple violations of the New Jersey Civil Rights Act, including excessive force, malicious prosecution, failure to intervene and a failure by supervisors to train, supervise and discipline officers.

Police gave a different account of the incident.

Day noted in the affidavit of probable cause he filed in the case that Paz flagged him down and that, during their discussion, he smelled liquid PCP on the man.

As a result of the odor being detected, I attempted to search Paz and he did not comply with my orders to place his hands on his head, Day wrote.

Paz tried to punch and bite officers during the arrest, the officer stated.

The report notes that two officers suffered hand injuries in the incident.

Several officers failed to activate their body-worn cameras, according to the lawsuit, and some claimed their cameras were not working.

Paz was charged with assault, resisting arrest, obstruction and use of a controlled dangerous substance. He was later indicted on a third-degree charge of resisting arrest.

He pleaded guilty in 2020 to a disorderly persons offense for being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance and was sentenced to fines and penalties with no jail time.
The critically-acclaimed comedy English Teacher has been canceled after two seasons.

Brian Jordan Alvarez created and starred in the series, playing Evan Marquez, a passionate high school teacher with a dry sense of humor. His costars included Stephanie Koenig (Gwen Sanders), Enrico Colantoni (Grant Moretti), Sean Patton (Markie Hillridge), and Jordan Firstman (Malcolm).

Season 1 of English Teacher, which premiered on FX in September 2024, received rave reviews. The Hollywood Reporter praised the shows sharp ensemble, smart perspective, and finely honed sense of humor, while The New York Times said Alvarezs performance strikes just the right note of curdled exasperation.

Season 2, which hit FX on Hulu in September 2025, has a 100 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes. FX has not commented on the cancelation decision.

Despite its success, English Teacher has been marked by controversy from the start. Shortly before the release of season 1, actor Jon Ebeling accused Alvarez of sexual assault.

My personal experience with the Cre*tor of this show was much closer to the plot of B*by Reind**r than whatever this is, Ebeling wrote via his Instagam Story at the time, referring to Richard Gadds Netflix series about being raped by a successful television writer.

Ebeling claimed that Alvarez, a former friend of his, sexually assaulted him while filming the 2016 webseries The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo. He filed a police report with the LAPD one day before English Teacher premiered, eight years after the alleged assault occurred. Ebeling further discussed the allegations in a December 2024 Vulture article.

Brian Jordan Alvarez. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Alvarez denied the claims via a spokesperson, who said in a statement that the actors interactions with Jon Ebeling were always entirely consensual  as numerous witnesses have attested.

Two months after the Vulture article was published, FX renewed English Teacher for season 2.

We reviewed the allegations presented to us by another media outlet prior to the shows launch. Mr. Ebeling never reached out to us with any concerns. We will have no further comment at this time, a spokesperson for FX said at the time.

READ MORE: Did this White Lotus star just throw shade at Sydney Sweeney?

Ebeling told the Daily Beast in February that he was heartbroken and devastated by the shows renewal.

Im in fear for the people who have to work with Brian and continue to work with Brian, Ebeling added.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
A chef and television personality has died after being involved in a scary aircraft accident.

Mynie Steffens, host of popular South African cooking show Speel met Vuur (Playing with Fire), died Monday after a helicopter she was piloting crashed at a citrus farm near the town of Patensie in the Eastern Cape, according to the IOL.

Steffens, 43, was spraying crops with pesticides at the farm early Monday morning when the helicopter struck power lines and crashed, per the George Herald.

Information that is at our disposal indicates that the pilot was conducting a pest control operation flight when the helicopter struck power lines and crashed, the Accidents and Incidents Investigations Division said in a statement obtained by the George Herald. The helicopter itself was substantially damaged due to impact force.

The chef, cookbook author and pilot often documented her aircraft adventures via social media.

Steffens co-hosted Speel met Vuur with her longtime friend Aldi van der Walt. She also wrote the cookbook Mynie Plays with Fire (2021), which consisted heavily of recipes for South African barbecue called braii.

Mynie lived life to the full, Van Der Walt told IOL. She was always full of ideas that had transformed into successful endeavours, and then executing that with success, winning over people as she went along.

VIA TV, the South African lifestyle channel on which Steffens show aired, shared a tribute to the late chef Monday.

Rest in peace, Mynie Steffens. You were adventurous until the end. With #PlayWithFire, you showed us all how to approach life with curiosity and bravery. Sleep softly, the translated statement read.
The National Council of Jewish Women Essex has secured nearly 5,000 square feet of office space in Roseland to continue its advocacy work on reproductive rights and gun violence prevention. NAI James Hanson

The Essex County division of the National Council of Jewish Women secured new office space last month in Roseland for its New Jersey headquarters, relocating from Livingston.

The century-old nonprofit organization signed a lease for 4,973 square feet at 5 Becker Farm Road.

The four-story office building spans 121,667 square feet and includes a full-service cafe and more than 400 surface parking spaces.

NAI James E. Hanson negotiated the transaction with landlord Sixpad Realty, LLC., according to an Oct. 18 statement.

Senior Vice President Andrew Somple and Associate Jessica Curry represented the organization in the deal.

The group, founded in 1912, works to improve the quality of life for women, children and families through several community programs.

The organization operates the Back 2 School Store, which provides thousands of Essex County children with school supplies, personal care items, clothes and books.

It also runs the Linda and Rudy Slucker Center for Women, offering counseling and support services for women entering or re-entering the workforce.
The investigating judge of the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC), at the request of the National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) detectives, approved by the Specialized Anti-corruption Prosecutors Office (SAPO) prosecutor, applied a preventive measure in the form of detention with the alternative of posting a UAH 95 million bail to another employee of the money laundering back office, the SAPO said on Telegram on Thursday on Telegram.

As reported, among the participants of the large-scale corruption scheme in the energy sector identified by NABU are, in particular, a member of the National Commission for State Regulation in the Energy and Utilities Sectors, Serhiy Pushkar, businessman Tymur Mindich, former executive director for physical protection and security of Joint Stock Company National Nuclear Energy Generating Company (JSC NNEGC) Energoatom" Dmytro Basov, and former advisor to the Minister of Energy Ihor Mironiuk.

Earlier, with reference to NABU, it was reported that the main direction of the criminal organizations activity was the systematic receipt of illegal benefits from Energoatoms counterparties in the amount of 10% to 15% of the value of contracts. In particular, Energoatoms counterparties were imposed conditions for paying "kickbacks" for avoiding blocking payments for services provided/products delivered or deprivation of supplier status. This practice was called "barrier" (slagbaum), the Telegram channel noted on Monday.

Suspicions have already been announced eight individuals, including former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov.

On the night of Tuesday, November 11, one of the defendants in the case, a member of the National Commission for the Regulation of Energy and Utilities of Ukraine, Serhiy Pushkar, who previously worked at Energoatom, left Ukraine.

Mindich and Zuckerman fled Ukraine.
A fire chief in Essex County has been fined $2,500 after state officials determined his involvement in a business venture with firefighters he supervised was a conflict of interest.

Andre Williams, chief of the East Orange Fire Department, is fighting the ruling and fine brought by the Local Finance Board, a regulatory body within the Division of Local Government Services of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.

Williams attorneys allege disgruntled city employees have been behind attempts to publicly discredit the chief for years.

This action is merely a back door attempt to blemish the impeccable record of Chief Williams; it is being brought with malice and is completely frivolous, attorney Anthony Iacullo said in a statement to NJ Advance Media on Wednesday.

Williams, who has been with the fire department for 11 years, was issued a notice of violation in March as the finance board investigated ethics complaints.

The complaints alleged Williams was part of a business deal with four firefighters he supervised.

The deal involved the formation of a domestic limited liability company in May 2018 to purchase 40 North Park Street in East Orange.

Williams testified before the finance board earlier this year that he held a 9% interest in the company. The intent of the LLC was to establish and operate a restaurant and bar on North Park Street, according to the notice.

The City of East Orange sold the property to the firefighters for $200,000 on May 22, 2018. Williams began paying $400 a month toward the monthly $2,000 mortgage, the notice claims.

But the chief abruptly stopped making payments after seven months, leaving the other four firefighters to pitch in an extra $100 each a month to cover Williams share, according to the notice.

The notice alleges Williams was very nonchalant about getting out of the situation and payments, and that the other firefighters were scared to speak with him about having to cover his costs because he was their supervisor.

Williams testified before the finance board that he voluntarily removed himself from the LLC, which eventually folded in May 2021.

At issue was whether Williams violated New Jersey laws, which state in part that no government officer shall have a business interest that presents a direct or indirect conflict.

The finance board determined that Williams involvement in the business alongside the four firefighters presented a substantial conflict.

Board members also determined that Williams had an unfair advantage as chief that allowed him to terminate his share of the mortgage payments without repercussion from the firefighters.

The finance board determined some violations had occurred and on Sept. 17 they assessed a $2,500 fine in violations and penalties.

Williams attorney told NJ Advance Media that his client stopped paying his share of the mortgage when he realized the conflict.

This isnt the first time Williams has faced accusations from firefighters he supervises.

Williams was suspended with pay on Dec. 6, 2021, from his $153,000-a-year job after several firefighters accused him of denying them promotions and creating an atmosphere of intimidation.

The suspension followed a letter from local firefighters unions that was sent to city officials and the media.

The East Orange City Council convened a special meeting after the allegations became public and voted 100 to reinstate Williams as chief.

The vote came after an investigation by the Essex County Prosecutors Office found no wrongdoing and after months of closed administrative hearings, Iacullo said.

The fine levied in September by the finance board is under appeal, Iacullo added.

We will continue to vigorously defend Chief Williams via hearing or any other means necessary to ensure his reputation and record remains untarnished, Iacullo said.
The Newark School of the Arts, founded in 1968, shut down and laid off its entire faculty last month, citing a "pause" in operations to facilitate a restructuring amid "financial concerns." This file photo shows a dance class meeting in 2001. SL

Parents from the Newark School of the Arts are looking forward to a town hall-style meeting at the 57-year-old weekend and after-school performing arts academy on Saturday, hoping to learn why the school abruptly shut down and laid off its entire faculty last month.

The worst-case scenario is that [the] school doesnt reopen, but were at least looking for some accountability, said Jona Cosio-Tarife, a Nutley mom who plans to attend the noon meeting.

Cosio-Tarife, 43, an immigration lawyer with the Legal Aid Society in New York, said her 12-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son had studied piano, voice and music theory at NSA for more than three years before the shutdown canceled their Nov. 1 classes.

Even for my kids, when I told them theyre not going to have piano lessons, theyre not going to have classes this Saturday, they were devastated, Cosio-Tarife said.

Paddie Donohue is a Newark resident whose children attended the school when they were young and whose grandchildrens lessons were cut short by the closure.

I never heard anything from the school. The school never even called us to tell us they were closing, said Donohue, 63, an ESL teacher in the Orange public school system. I want to know if the schools going to reopen. I want to know if were going to be refunded for what weve put in this year.

Parents learned of Saturdays meeting through a Wednesday morning email from the schools director of registration, Lidiane Francisco.

We want to keep this school open! the email stated. We are asking all to come and support and bring forth your questions and concerns.

The 57-year-old Newark School of the Arts abruptly shut down last month, laying off all its faculty and staff after operating in the red in recent years. Steve Strunsky | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com

The venerated but financially struggling nonprofit schools leadership informed faculty and staff of the shutdown in an Oct. 27 email citing unspecified financial concerns, with the blunt message that, you will be laid off from your position effective IMMEDIATELY.

Since then, the schools single building, an expanded townhouse in the citys Lincoln Park neighborhood, has been locked and dark inside when visited during business hours, and no one picks up the phone.

A note on the schools homepage says the school is closed until further notice, adding, Sorry for the inconvenience.

Newarks director of cultural affairs, fayemi shakur issued a statement Wednesday saying the school had received $20,000 a year in city funding since 2022 through the City of Newark Creative Catalyst Fund. Shakur added that she had been in touch with NSAs executive director, Divad Sanders, and planned to meet with him soon to discuss the schools future.

The closure sparked outrage, dismay, and bewilderment among teachers, students, parents and others passionate about an institution founded in 1968 by local arts educators to help rebuild Newarks artistic community and morale after the citys devastating unrest of 1967.

Sanders, who has been serving as executive director since early this year, and the board president, Lori Scott-Pickens, hosted a meeting with the schools faculty last Saturday.

The two did not respond to requests for comment on the meeting or other closing-related issues this week.

Faculty who attended last Saturdays meeting said Sanders and Scott-Pickens reiterated that the shutdown was merely a pause in operations, and that the school would reopen following a restructuring intended to put it on sound financial footing.

A press release Sanders sent to NJ Advance Media before the meeting, rather than providing answers to a list of questions, said the same thing, adding that the school would reimburse tuition for the cancelled portion of the fall semester.

The release did not say how long the school would remain closed, what financial concerns prompted the closing, or what measures would be taken to right NSAs financial course.

According to NSA financial disclosure forms filed with the IRS, the school ended 2024 with a deficit of $302,075 compared to total expenditures of $1,378,399, a growing shortfall that was more than double the 2023 year-end deficit of $138,359. The school ran deficits on and off for five additional years, dating back to 2011.

NSAs executive director from 2011 through 2014, Lawrence Tamburri, told NJ Advance Media that the schools fluctuating balance sheet was typical of small nonprofit institutions, though he said it was hit particularly hard in 2023 and 2024 by a nationwide decline in charitable giving due to the coronavirus-related economic downturn.

Whatever the cause of the schools financial problems, parents, faculty and staff said they were unhappy about how the schools present leadership has responded to it.

In addition to what they say has been a lack of transparency or warning about the cancelled classes and layoffs, critics of the schools leadership say fundraising efforts have been half-hearted at best, despite mounting financial woes that the board had to have been aware of.

In fact, last month the school scheduled an Oct. 12 fundraiser at Bethany Baptist Church in Newark, advertised in an Oct. 6 post on NSAs Facebook page.

But Donohue, the Newark grandmother, said the measure was too little too late. Donahue said she offered to help organize a parents council at the start of this year, while the school was led briefly by an interim executive director, who embraced the idea but didnt follow up.

I feel like nothing was done, Donohue said. If the schools leadership had been more active, she added, Maybe we wouldnt have a $300,000 deficit. Maybe wed have a $200,000 deficit.

Meanwhile, word of the closing has spread around the globe thanks to news reports and the schools far-flung community of alumni, said a former longtime director of operations, Frederick Tambwe.

Tambwe said hed received calls from Romania, South Africa and other places touched by the school.

Theyre calling from all over the world, he said.
A new criminal complaint has been filed against a man charged with vehicular homicide in Gloucester County after authorities learned he gave them a false name.

The man, who claimed he was from the United Kingdom, was charged in a Sunday night crash in West Deptford.

Authorities say he was fleeing from police when the crash occurred.

Police originally identified him as Steve Hall, 28, of Waltham Cross, United Kingdom, based on his identification.

Investigators now say the man is actually 24-year-old George Linard, according to the new complaint.

Linards attorney, Harley D. Breite, said hes still gathering details about what happened on the night of the crash.

Obviously, this is a horrific incident. And we look forward to obtaining all of the facts and understanding the responsibility the police had in preventing what occurred, Breite said.

A copy of Linards arrest report, provided by the Gloucester County Prosecutors Office on Thursday in response to an Open Public Records Request filed by NJ Advance Media, listed his place of birth as Ukraine and indicated that he is an undocumented immigrant.

The report also indicated that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement had been notified of his arrest.

Linards attorney said his client was actually born in England and is a British citizen.

Linard is also wanted on unrelated drug and money laundering charges in Bergen County, authorities said.

In addition to charges of second-degree death by auto and two counts of fourth-degree assault by auto in Gloucester County, the new complaint charges Linard with providing false identification to police in the form of a U.K. driving license with the name Steve Hall.

Police determined Wednesday that Hall was a false name, according to the complaint.

The fatal crash occurred near the intersection of Red Bank and Hessian avenues in West Deptford shortly before 6 p.m. Sunday.

The incident began when West Deptford police responded to a call shortly after 5:30 p.m. reporting two intoxicated men at the PS Gas and Food Mart in the neighboring borough of National Park, according to the Gloucester County Prosecutors Office.

West Deptford police patrol the borough.

When officers arrived at the Hessian Avenue business, they spotted a white car that matched the description of the one belonging to the men.

Officers approached the vehicle, but it quickly departed the gas station onto Hessian Avenue, according to the new complaint.

The vehicle fled at a high rate of speed and an officer in a marked West Deptford police car used emergency lights to try to pull it over, police said.

At the intersection of Hessian and Red Bank avenues, the car disregarded a red light and struck the drivers side of a Honda Accord at a high rate of speed, according to police.

The Accord then struck a Toyota Rav4 that was stopped at the red light facing the opposite direction on Hessian.

The driver of the Honda was killed, while a passenger in the rear of that vehicle suffered a broken leg, police said. The passenger told investigators the vehicle was T-boned by Linards vehicle.

Linard and his front-seat passenger suffered significant bodily injuries, police said, with the earlier complaint stating that the passenger suffered a dislocated hip.

The two occupants in the Rav4 suffered non-life threatening injuries, police said.

Authorities have not identified the driver who was killed. But friends and family of the injured passenger said the vehicle was an Uber. A GoFundMe was established to help the injured passenger. She needed surgery for a broken femur and tibia and will require months of recovery, according to the fundraiser.

Representatives for Uber have not confirmed if one of their drivers died in the crash.

A witness to the incident reported seeing police lights in the distance and Linards vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed before the crash, investigators said.

Linard appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash, according to the complaint filed by police.

The passenger in Linards vehicle also had a U.K. driving license, police said in the new complaint, though his identity was redacted in the complaint.

The defendant will remain in custody until a detention hearing next week, a judge said during Linards first court hearing on Wednesday. Prosecutors have filed a motion to keep him jailed until trial.

The new complaint stated that he was in custody but currently at Cooper University Hospital in Camden.

Linard remains hospitalized, his attorney confirmed Thursday night.

He suffered extensive injury and had surgery on his leg, Breite said. Hes still recuperating and may require further surgery.

Because the fatal crash involved an encounter with police, the state Attorney Generals office is also investigating the matter.

In the Bergen County case, police in Rochelle Park charged Linard following a traffic stop in September 2024.

He appeared visibly impaired and there were numerous open beer containers in the vehicle, police said in his criminal complaint.

Police found suspected cocaine and steroids in the vehicle, a stolen debit card, and $32,033 in cash, which was believed to be derived from criminal activity, according to police. The cash was found in a sock and Linards wallet, police said.

They also found a U.K. drivers license with Linards photo but a fake name of Steve Pike, according to his criminal complaint.

A passenger in the vehicle was arrested on a drug offense, police said.

Linard denied that the vehicle was his or that any of the recovered items belonged to him, police said.

He was indicted in April on third degree counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance and money laundering, along with two fourth-degree counts of possessing a false government-issued ID.

A warrant was issued after Linard missed his post-indictment arraignment hearing in May, according to court records.

Court filings in the Bergen County case list his address in the Morganville section of Marlboro in Monmouth County. The new complaint in the Gloucester County case does not list an address.
Brothers Mo and Fahmi Abuhmoud held a grand opening for Sweet Escape, located at 710 Delsea Drive North in Glassboro. Sweet Escape is located next to the brothers' SmashBros business. Courtesy Kaye Barakat

Two brothers celebrated the grand opening of Sweet Escape on Nov. 1, their second business venture in Glassboro and their third in the region.

Mo Abuhmoud, 30, and Fahmi Abuhmoud, 28, opened the decadent dessert business at 710 Delsea Drive North, directly next to their SmashBros restaurant, which opened in March.

Local officials attended the grand opening to celebrate the entrepreneurs, who also operate a SmashBros location in Runnemede and plan on expanding to Philadelphia.

The brothers mother, Kaye Barakat, said Sweet Escape came about when the brothers, who have always been in the restaurant business, realized that the space next to SmashBros would be ideal for a shop that sold sweets.

Barakat said they tested recipes and developed a very decadent dessert menu.

The menu features crepes, waffle sticks, waffle ice cream sandwiches, mini pancakes, milkshakes and ice cream from a local Runnemede shop. The spot also serves coffee.

The dessert shop, which features a mural completed by a local artist, was designed with Rowan University students in mind, for sure, Barakat said.

The shop, open 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week, offers free Wi-Fi and boasts comfortable seating, where students are welcome to settle in with their laptops, Barakat said. The dessert shop is mere minutes from the Rowan campus.

Barakat said SmashBros stands out for its fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

They wanted to bring quality food to the South Jersey scene, the mother said. They started small and everyone fell in love with what they were offering.

The menu includes burgers, cheesesteaks, cheeseburger fries, fried onions, loaded chicken fries and chicken tenders, which are marinated overnight and so good, according to Barakat. The brothers, in an effort to support other local businesses, sell Yhannes House of Cheesecakes at SmashBros.

Barakat, who was contacted at the SmashBros Runnemede location, said, yes, its all a lot of work, but when I see my sons work so hard and fulfill their dreams... I cant really describe how it feels.

The Runnemede SmashBros is located at 68 W. Clements Bridge Road. Online orders can be placed at Smashbrosusa.com.
Following a string of car thefts and vehicle burglaries across South Jersey, police in a Gloucester County community announced an arrest in a car burglary case.

West Deptford police were investigating a possible vehicle burglary on Hessian Avenue early Thursday when officers were alerted to a vehicle burglary in progress a short distance away, police said.

A police officer from neighboring Woodbury spotted a running man in a ski mask and ordered him to stop, but the suspect kept going and headed down Dickerson Street, two blocks from Hessian Avenue, according to police.

A West Deptford cop chased the man on foot and apprehended him in the rear yard of a residence on Crescent Avenue, officials said.

The 43-year-old man was identified by police and charged with third-degree burglary and fourth-degree obstruction. He was jailed pending court hearings.

West Deptford Police are aware of a recent increase in vehicle thefts both inside and outside of the township, Police Chief Michael Franks noted in the arrest announcement.

These incidents are not just specific to West Deptford but instead occur in almost every jurisdiction statewide, Franks said. We assure our residents that our officers are doing everything they can to remain proactive and vigilant during these times.

Police in nearby Glassboro reported that two unattended vehicles were stolen from a Wawa parking lot in the last two weeks. In the most recent case, the vehicle was left running and unlocked, police said.

The state Attorney General announced this week that four men were indicted in an auto theft and home invasion ring operating in South Jersey.

The defendants broke into homes to steal key fobs and used them to steal luxury vehicles and other items, according to the Attorney Generals office.

The men are accused of stealing 11 vehicles and attempting to take four others between March 15 and May 23 of this year in Burlington County and surrounding areas, officials said.
A British man accused of causing a fatal crash while fleeing police in Gloucester County on Sunday night made his first court appearance Wednesday afternoon.

While he was originally identified by police as Steve Hall, 28, of Waltham Cross, United Kingdom, he has now been identified by prosecutors as George Linard, Judge Teri Giordano said during the hearing.

The judge said a new complaint may be issued for him under his correct name. But Giordano did not say why police originally thought Linards name was Steve Hall.

It sounds like there may be a new complaint that may be filed as you were originally identified as Steve Hall. However, the state now has information that your name is actually George Linard, Giordano said. So you may receive a new complaint and may need to be processed on that new complaint at some point in the future as well.

Authorities have not said what the defendant was doing in New Jersey. Waltham Cross is a town of around 8,500 people located 12 miles north of central London.

Because the fatal crash involved an encounter with police, the state Attorney Generals office is also investigating the matter.

Linard is charged with second-degree vehicular homicide and two fourth-degree counts of assault by auto. The crash occurred near the intersection of Red Bank and Hessian avenues in West Deptford shortly before 6 p.m.

The defendant will remain jailed until a detention hearing on Monday, the judge said. Prosecutors have filed a motion to keep him jailed until trial.

Linard was represented by the public defenders office on Wednesday.

The incident began when West Deptford police responded to a call shortly after 5:30 p.m. Sunday reporting two intoxicated men at the PS Gas and Food Mart in the neighboring borough of National Park, according to the Gloucester County Prosecutors Office.

West Deptford police patrol the borough.

When officers arrived at the Hessian Avenue business, they spotted a white vehicle that matched the description of the one belonging to the men leaving the gas station, authorities said.

An officer in a marked West Deptford police car followed the vehicle, which police say was driven by Linard. Officers used emergency lights to try to pull him over, the prosecutors office said.

Moments later, Linards vehicle crossed into oncoming traffic and struck another vehicle, according to investigators.

The driver of the other vehicle was killed, while a passenger in the rear of that vehicle suffered a broken leg, police said. The passenger told investigators the vehicle was T-boned by Linards vehicle.

Linard was also injured and a front-seat passenger in his vehicle suffered a dislocated hip.

Authorities have not identified the driver who was killed. But friends and family of the injured passenger said the vehicle was an Uber. A GoFundMe was established to help the injured passenger. She needed surgery for a broken femur and tibia and will require months of recovery, according to the fundraiser.

Representatives for Uber have not confirmed if one of their drivers died in the crash.

A witness to the incident reported seeing police lights in the distance and Linards vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed before the crash, investigators said.

Linard appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash, according to the complaint filed by police.

He was treated for his injuries and placed in Salem County Correctional Facility, according to jail records.

Linard participated in Wednesdays hearing by phone from a hospital as the judge formally advised him of his charges.

He said little during the hearing, but asked to make a phone call to his family. The judge told him he could speak with officials at the jail about making the call.

He faces a maximum of 10 years in prison if convicted on the second-degree death by auto charge. The maximum sentence for the fourth-degree assault by auto charges is 18 months.
An ordinance introduced by Jersey City Council on Wednesday could hamper Hudson Regional Health's future plans for the site of Heights University Hospital, pictured here. Jackie Roman | For NJ Advance Media

Jersey City officials voted Wednesday night to introduce an ordinance that would prevent senior housing and assisted living residences from being built in the citys medical zone.

The measure by the city council was introduced by an 8-0 vote, with one councilperson abstaining. The move comes three weeks after the owners of Heights University Hospital announced preliminary plans to build a new hospital adjacent to the current one and pair it with residential development.

We need 100% medical services. We have to keep Christ Hospital and we have to do everything we can to get certain people in this state to back us and make sure Christ Hospital survives, Ward C Councilman Richard Boggiano said on Wednesday.

Boggiano also said it may be time to start speaking with other medical institutions about taking over the hospital.

The councilman sponsored the ordinance with Ward E Councilman James Solomon, whos currently in a runoff election against former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey to become the citys next mayor.

Solomon has accused Hudson Regional Health, which owns the hospital, of misleading Jersey City residents about the hospitals future.

It is wrong and it also signifies their intent to demolish to hospital purely for luxury development, Solomon said in a video posted on his Instagram account. That is ultimately their aim. Their aim is to demolish the hospital for luxury development.

But not everyone thinks that limiting future development in the medical zone is a good idea.

While he agrees that the hospital should remain, Ward D Councilman Yousef J. Saleh said he disagrees with banning the construction of senior housing and assisted living residences.

In order for it to be financially sustainable there needs to be senior housing on or around that parking lot, that site, said Saleh, who abstained from voting on the ordinance.

During a caucus meeting held Monday, Jersey City Planning Director Tanya Marione said that she, too, had reservations about the proposed ordinance and will not be recommending approval.

Does the master plan say you cannot remove senior housing? No. But, can I say removal of a residential use of senior housing comports with the master plan recommendation? No, Marione said.

Hudson Regional previously defended its actions in a company statement and rejected the accusation that its aim was always luxury development.

Taking shots at us for headlines in campaign season doesnt help one patient, the company said. After collaborating with the community and determining the extent of resources made available to Heights University Hospital, we would anticipate including a viable healthcare facility as part of the final plan.

Hudson Regional took over the facility formerly known as Christ Hospital and two others from CarePoint Health System in April through federal bankruptcy court. The company now runs four hospitals, including Bayonne University Hospital, Hoboken University Hospital and Secaucus University Hospital.

When it took over, Hudson Regional promised to turn things around. The company said it has been trying hard to keep the hospital open and has pumped $300 million into operations, with a major portion dedicated to Heights Hospital.

Despite that investment, Hudson Regional claims the hospital is losing $1.5 million per week. The financial challenges are driven by a combination of low reimbursement rates, cuts to Charity Care, and a high rate of uninsured patients.

The solution to this problem is the creation of a new hospital adjacent to the current facility, to be paired with residential development, wrote Hudson Regional Health Chief Executive Officer and President Dr. Nizar Kifaieh in an Oct. 13 letter to the Division of City Planning.

We fully believe that a new facility, replacing the outdated and failing hospital, paired with new service lines and revenue generating services, will provide the best possible care for Jersey City residents and generate the revenue needed to survive, Kifaieh said.

If that plan doesnt get approval from city officials, Kifaieh said the company may have to consider other uses for the hospital property.

One of the alternative uses for the site involves building a pair of 10-story residential buildings with more than 2,200 total units. The concept plan was created by MHS Architecture, a firm based in Hoboken. Its preliminary and has not been formally submitted to the city yet.

Hudson Regional Health is considering a residential development for the land currently occupied by Heights University Hospital. Rendering by MHS Architecture

This concept plan is one of the alternative proposals for the site of Heights University Hospital in Jersey City. Rendering by MHS Architecture

The plan will face an uphill battle if city officials wind up approving the ordinance introduced Wednesday to limit residential development in the medical zone. The ordinance is now heading for a second and final reading before it can be adopted.

Meanwhile, Heights Hospital is struggling to survive. The facility has begun implementing a stabilization plan that involves reducing staff and services in order to save money.

It will continue to run the emergency room, critical care and medical-surgical services, an adequate number of operating rooms, behavioral health, and other services.

However, its future remains in limbo. Despite receiving a $2 million cash infusion from the state, the hospital continues to hemorrhage money and its owners say it will close without more.

Legislators from Hudson County are expected to sponsor a supplemental appropriation of $25 million for the struggling hospital during whats called the lame duck legislative session.

Locals who rely on the hospital for care told NJ Advance Media they support state funding to keep the hospital open.

I think this is a very big deal for people, due to the fact that this hospital is closer compared to other hospitals around here. Not only that, it could cost people that are working there their jobs, and they have families as well, said Casandra Hernandez, who works in Jersey City.

One of the most densely populated cities in the state, Jersey City has nearly 300,000 residents, according to the latest Census data.

But those residents have only two hospitals to choose from within the city limits  Heights Hospital and Jersey City Medical Center, which is owned by RWJ Barnabas Health.

We need that hospital, said Jersey City resident Jacqueline Williams.
Police said three men vandalized Playland Park in New York. Westchester County Police

Two more New Jersey men have been charged with breaking into and vandalizing Playland Park in New York.

Connor Evancho, 20, of Pompton Lakes surrendered on Wednesday while Daniel Bracco, 19, of Oakland turned himself in on Monday, Westchester County police said.

Anthony Conkling, 19, of Wyckoff, was arrested last week.

All three are charged with burglary, criminal mischief, criminal trespass and petit larceny.

The three caused $57,000 in damage at the amusement park along the Long Island Sound after arriving in a small boat during the overnight hours of Sept. 23-24 and climbing a fence, officials allege.

The trio is accused of cutting or ripping 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.

They also tried to throw a photo booth off the boardwalk but couldnt, police said.

The boat they used was returned undamaged to a boat club in Connecticut, officials said.
This undated photo provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a female Lone Star tick. At least 110,000 people in the U.S. have become allergic to red meat since 2010 because of a syndrome triggered by tick bites. A New Jersey man died as a result.

A 47-year-old New Jersey man has become the first confirmed fatality from a severe case of meat allergy spread by ticks, researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine announced Thursday.

The man, an airline pilot whose name was not released, went camping with family in the summer of 2024, according to the findings published in the Journal of Allergy and Immunology.

After a day outdoors, he ate a steak dinner and went to bed. He woke up hours later with severe abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting, the researchers said.

He recovered, but was unaware the reaction was caused by the meat allergy known as Alpha-gal syndrome.

He died two weeks later, just hours after eating a hamburger while at a barbecue, according to the research findings.

The cause of his death remained unexplained until tests performed by Thomas Platts-Mills, former chief of UVA healths Division of Asthma, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, who discovered Alpha-gal syndrome.

The allergy is caused by the bite of the Lone Star tick and sensitizes people to alpha-gal, a sugar found in mammalian meat.

Those affected can experience symptoms including rash, nausea and vomiting after consuming beef, pork or lamb.

More than 110,000 suspected cases of Alpha-gal syndrome have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention between 2012 and 2022.

Alpha-gal syndrome, however, is not among the illnesses that require notification to the CDC and the actual number of cases is estimated to be as many as 450,000.

While researchers had suspected a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction - known as anaphylaxis - was possible with Alpha-gal syndrome, this marks the first confirmed death, according to the study.

After an inconclusive autopsy listed sudden unexplained death, the mans wife sought additional review, according to the study.

Platts-Mills obtained blood samples that confirmed alpha-gal sensitization and evidence of an extreme reaction consistent with fatal anaphylaxis.

The mans wife reported he had no known tick bites but had suffered 12 or 13 chigger bites around his ankles that summer.

Platts-Mills said that many supposed chigger bites in the Eastern United States are actually bites from Lone Star tick larvae.

Several factors may have contributed to the severity of the reaction, including the man consuming a beer with his burger, exposure to ragweed pollen, and having exercised that afternoon.

His family also reported he ate red meat very sparingly.

Platts-Mills is urging physicians to be vigilant about the allergy, particularly as deer populations  which host the Lone Star tick  are expanding in many states.

It is important that both doctors and patients who live in an area of the country where Lone Star ticks are common should be aware of the risk of sensitization, he said in a statement
An NJ Transit probe contends officials of a locomotive engineers union were paid $10,000 for conducting union business. SL

A preliminary NJ Transit investigation found two Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union leaders were paid $10,000 for days off that they allegedly took around contract negotiations.

NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri said preliminary findings from an integrity monitor hired last month confirmed allegations that Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen General Chairman Tom Haas Jr. and Vice Chairman Donald Mellhorn improperly charged NJ Transit for union business.

Union officials pushed back, saying their leaders were willing to be interviewed, but NJ Transit investigators did not question them.

The investigation validated our initial suspicions, Kolluri told NJ Transits board of directors Wednesday night.

Our preliminary findings were we believed these two members had improperly charged NJ Transit for union business, Kolluri said. We thought it was $10,000; based on the briefing it was slightly more.

The full report will include recommendations to change work rules, on remedial actions and what remedies NJ Transit has to get the money back, he said.

Once we get the report, we will determine the right course of action, Kolluri said. It will be an attorney-client document done by lawyers, we will determine what to release (to the public).

BLE&T National President Mark Wallace blasted the investigation in a statement, calling it an attack on hardworking engineers.

This is the most farkakteh investigation I ever heard of. Kris Kolluris lawyers didnt even bother to interview our local officers to hear their side of the story  despite their willingness to be interviewed, Wallace said. Our people dont owe NJT a dime, instead they are owed a public apology by Kolluri  multiple apologies.

Wallace said NJ Transits crackerjack investigators clearly had no understanding of how federal hours of service regulations work or how rest hours are calculated when locomotive engineers are required to attend mandatory meetings called by their employer.

NJ Transit officials alleged the union members charged the company for contract negotiations. The union and NJ Transit agreed to a new contract in May that settled a three-day rail strike, the second in the agencys history.

NJ Transit has implemented new processes to ensure supervisors sign off on timesheets that distinguish between union business and company business."

Systematically, whats been done is to make sure we have processes in place so when people submit a timesheet for union business and company business, that a supervisor signs off on it, Kolluri said. That is properly vetting what the time was used for.

He reiterated past statements that corrective actions could include negotiating work rule changes in 2027 when talks start on a new contract with engineers union.

This is about doing right by the taxpayer. When the issue was raised, our focus was to understand what happened and what has to be done to take corrective actions, he said. I could see it being part of the next contact negotiations to see things are tightened down.

The integrity monitor was hired by NJ Transits general counsel. Union officials called the investigation a waste of money.

These disrespectful actions toward our members must stop, Wallace said. Kolluri should focus on running a railroad, not railroading people he doesnt like.
US agrees not to impose sanctions on Russian oil and gas supplies to Hungary for one year - Rubio

Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/

The US government has agreed not to extend sanctions on oil and gas supplies from Russia to Hungary for the next year, State Department chief Marco Rubio has said.

"As for the pipelines through which they receive oil and gas, we are talking about an extension for a year (the decision to exempt them from sanctions - IF-U)," he told reporters in Canada.

The US Secretary of State added that the lifting of sanctions on the Paks-2 nuclear power plant under construction in Hungary, on the contrary, is indefinite. "We want them to successfully complete construction, because we want to see them independent in the energy sector," Rubio explained.

Earlier, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban expressed confidence that as long as he holds his current position and Donald Trump is US president, Washington will not impose sanctions against oil and gas supplies from Russia to Hungarian territory.
Kenneth Robert McCarthy, pictured before his disappearance in North Carolina in 2013. Courtesy of Nancy Stober McCarthy

A detective from North Carolina was looking for Mike McCarthy.

McCarthys wife, Nancy Stober-McCarthy, walked into their Hillsborough home last week to see their landlines voicemail light blinking with an urgent message. She called the detective back.

Det. Matt Hefner worked in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Departments cold case unit. He had just a few questions for Nancy.

Is your husband missing a relative?

Yes  his brother Ken.

When did he last hear from him?

2013.

Where was Kens last place of residence?

Charlotte, North Carolina.

Silence on the other end of the line. Then: I think we found him.

It was the beginning of the end of a complex cold case that united a Central Jersey family  haunted by the disappearance of their relative more than a decade ago  and an out-of-state detective whod just taken a very helpful course at Ramapo College of New Jersey.

Unbeknownst to the McCarthy family, who had spent years searching for their troubled relative, Kens skeletal remains had been found in 2016, in a makeshift encampment behind a Walmart in Charlotte.

The bones remained unidentified and the case stalled out over the years, with local police knowing little more about the deceased than that he was a man of Irish descent.

Flash forward to earlier this year as Hefner, the detective assigned to the Charlotte Walmart John Doe case since 2019, was sitting in a college classroom, attending a course in investigative genetic genealogy at Ramapo.

Since 2018, investigative genetic genealogy as a scientific practice has been used to solve more than 1,300 criminal and missing persons cases.

Ramapos dedicated Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center was founded in 2022. It has since grown into a department of eight full-time staff members and a large pool of trained volunteers.

Law enforcement agencies from around the country have also begun sending their officers to the center for its four-month training course, according to assistant director Cairenn Binder.

It takes a village, she said. The genealogy team, our connections with law enforcement, the cooperation of the families, thats how these cases get solved.

In May, a few weeks before the end of his course, Hefners class had solved all the cases theyd been assigned.

So he brought up the Charlotte case.

It was one of my fresher cold cases, Hefner said in an interview with NJ Advance Media. I had a gut feeling that somebody was still looking for this guy.

A team of eight volunteers  Hefners classmates and previous genealogy students  set out to identify the man, working over the summer to build out his family tree, matching DNA from his bone fragments to that of third and fourth cousins whose records had been uploaded to online genealogy databases.

The volunteers traced a possible match to Mikes parents last Wednesday.

From there, the process leapt from a crawl to a sprint: by Saturday, Mike had submitted his own DNA sample. And on Monday, police announced that their John Doe had been identified as Kenneth Robert McCarthy, Mikes younger brother.

The irony isnt lost on him, Hefner said with a laugh, that the family of his John Doe lived an hour away from Ramapo the whole time.

But its one of the best parts of my job, giving people their names back to them, he said. Its sad, yes, but its also a relief.

It was such a win to know that not only did we help solve this case alongside CMPD, but we also made an impact locally in New Jersey, added Binder. His family was looking for him and waiting for him.

The discovery has been bittersweet for Kens family.

The word I used to to describe it to Nancy is thrashing, Mike said. Im very happy because weve never stopped thinking about him, stopped looking for him.

But the 65-year-old still struggles with the fact that his brothers body was found in a sleeping bag in the woods a full three years after his death.

He had family to go to, Mike said.

He and Nancy would have taken Ken in, he said, just as theyd done countless times before his disappearance.

A life-changing gift

Energized, imaginative and whip-smart, Ken was an altar boy and a judo champion who grew up in Brooklyn with Mike before the pair moved to New Jersey in their 20s. From there, Ken built a successful career as a systems programmer for companies like Panasonic, Hitachi and Lockheed Martin.

But he struggled with alcohol and substance abuse issues throughout his life, and his demons came back again and again, Mike and Nancy said.

We would pick him up, dust him off, send him out, go back, pick him up, dust him off, Mike said.

Though they last spoke in 2013, the last time Mike saw Ken was in 2010. He was living in North Carolina for work by then, but came back for his brothers 50th birthday.

His luggage was tattered, Mike recalled. I said to him, How much money do you have in the world? Out of his pocket, he pulled out four dollars and 87 cents.

Mike asked his brother if this was rock bottom. Ken looked at the money in his hand and said, Not yet.

Ken was 52 at the time of his death in 2013. He was divorced and had no children, but is survived by two older sisters and several nephews, in addition to Mike, Nancy and their son.

His family searched for him over the years, plumbing social media and police databases fruitlessly. The closure afforded them by Det. Hefner and Ramapo Colleges Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center has been a life-changing gift, Nancy said.

Both she and Det. Hefner want more people to share their DNA profiles with consumer genealogy databases that cooperate with law enforcement, GEDmatch and Family Tree DNA.

Its the best way to solve these cases, hands down, Hefner said. There are unidentified victims all over this country. Theres just not enough (genealogy database) users right now.

Binder added that there is still work to be done in educating local law enforcement and state legislators about investigative genetic genealogy.

Theres lots of different ways people can contribute and help make an impact, she said.

This coming Sunday, Nov. 16, would have been Kens 64th birthday. The family, which is in the process of retrieving his remains from North Carolina for cremation, plan to mark the day quietly.

Its been shocking, exhausting, unreal, Nancy said. Were still working through it.
Hey there New Jersey! Heres your audio update highlighting protestors clashing with police outside of a synagogue and a Jersey Shore town suing the state over the cancellation of a beach dune project.

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In a series of votes on Wednesday, the Toms River Township Council rejected a proposal from Mayor Dan Rodrick to dissolve the townships Municipal Utilities Authority, which his administration considered a way to end redundancies and save large sums of taxpayer money.

The vote included remarks from some council members explaining their reasons for rejecting the proposal, followed by criticism from Rodrick, who insisted that the governing body could have saved taxpayers about $2.5 million per year.

The MUA, founded in 1949, manages wastewater collection for the township and is comprised of a five-person board that handles its finances. Homeowners serviced by the agency were expecting a 2.0% increase in their sewer rates for the year, according to the latest budget.

Rodrick factored in the need for a utilities authority with rising costs, arguing that board members get $45,000 in health benefits for members who go to one meeting a month for 10 minutes.

Referring to the MUA as a patronage pit, the mayor also claimed the agency uses politically connected law and engineering firms to milk us for about a half-million dollars a year.

Because so many people owe their political positions to power brokers, to political power brokers, we dont need to have a vote on that any longer, Rodrick said, moments before some meeting attendees disrupted him by shouting.

Pretty clear that this council is bought and owned by the same political interests, the mayor said.

The MUA is operating this year with a $25 million budget, according to a document reviewed by NJ Advance Media. It allocated about $3.8 million in salaries, including $625,165 to compensate its executive director, chief financial officer and seven board members, the budget states.

This year, the utility agency budgeted about $1.5 million for health insurance costs, the document shows.

The MUA has been mired in controversy previously, when the former mayor of Brick Township was appointed its leader in 2010, giving him two full-time salaries. The former mayor has since left his position with the authority.

Bernard Rutkowski, the utility authoritys executive director, could not immediately be reached by NJ Advance Media for comment on the rejected proposition.

Before the council Wednesday evening were three measures. One would have clawed back the size of the MUA, which is made up of five regular members and two alternative members, according to the township code.

The proposals would have given local control over the agency, allowing the township to gradually sunset its operations, Rodrick told NJ Advance Media after the meeting.

The first ordinance to dissolve the authoritys leadership failed 4-3. A sister ordinance to create a locally controlled wastewater utility also failed, 5-2.

Acknowledging that he lost with the proposal, Rodrick floated the possibility of it returning. Three new members will be sworn onto the council in January.

Councilman-at-Large Thomas Nivison suggested the township could instead restructure the authority rather than liquidate it.

If theres as much redundancy, as the mayor says, with engineering and legal, why dont we just trim the fat? Nivison said. Do the engineering in-house. We have legal. But, keep the entity.

Council President Justin Lamb said he has railed against utilities authorities in New Jersey before, arguing that theyre often made up of recycled municipal workers.

It feels rushed, for that reason alone, that rush, Im going to vote no, Lamb said.
A provision in the government funding bill could devastate the hemp industry. AP Photo/Evan Vucci

A last-minute provision added to the newly passed government funding bill could have a profound impact on the hemp industry.

The legislation to end the record 43-day shutdown included language banning the sale of certain hemp-derived products, including consumables like gummies and beverages. The ban applies to any products with more than 0.4 milligrams of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.

The provision would close the THC loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill and re-criminalize products that exceed approved THC levels. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who authored the Farm Bill, led the charge to implement the hemp ban to address the unintended consequence of the loophole.

The provision was met with a fierce outcry from Congress members and the hemp industry, which could lose up to 95% of its $28 billion retail market, according to CNBC.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) both submitted amendments to remove the hemp ban from the funding bill, with the latter saying it would devastate the industry. The Senate and House rejected the amendments and kept the ban in the legislations final version.

I submitted 2 amendments to the CR/minibus to fix onerous provisions in it. The rules committee allowed neither to get a vote.



One amdt mirrored @SenRandPauls effort to remove the hemp ban that will devastate the industry. The other would reinstate Congressional budget rules. pic.twitter.com/9DNNp7T4yo  Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) November 12, 2025

Our farmers have turned to hemp as a lifeline when fertilizer, fuel, and equipment costs skyrocketed and crop prices fell, Paul said Wednesday. Instead of working with us to crack down on bad actors and synthetic cannabinoids, some in Congress chose prohibition.

The Hemp Industry & Farmers of America (HIFA), a non-profit coalition, issued a statement calling the hemp ban misguided and a reckless betrayal that would kill over 325,500 American jobs.

The industry calls upon Congress and the Trump administration to reverse this reckless betrayal and implement common sense, HIFA Executive Director Brian Swenson said in a statement.

The 0.4 mg THC limit imposed in the provision will lead to the vast majority of hemp-derived products being shelved. Edibles, beverages, vapes, oils, tinctures, and any products containing derivatives of Delta-9 THC in excess of that level will now be classified as controlled substances under federal law.

Boris Jordan, CEO of cannabis company Curaleaf, told CNBC that this was McConnells signature law, and he wanted to correct it.

Usually the Senate will back a retiring senator, particularly someone as senior as him, as their last action, Jordan said. This was a request by him at the last minute.

Jonathan Miller, general counsel for the U.S. Hemp Roundtable, said McConnells successful push to attach a hemp ban to the spending bill signaled that we have lost the battle this time.

In effect, this is a total, all out, complete ban on hemp products in the United States, Miller told CNBC.
The four Republicans who helped force a House vote on compelling the Justice Department to release the Jeffrey Epstein files are offering insight into their decisions.

Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) and Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) kept their signatures on a discharge petition, proposed and also signed by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), to trigger a floor vote in the House as a step forward in making all documents related to the late disgraced financier public.

The vote, expected next week, according to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), came after the GOP leader swore in Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.) on Wednesday, seven weeks after her special election. Grijalva became the final lawmaker to sign on to the measure, which hit its 218-signature threshold to advance.

The lawmakers who defied an eleventh-hour plea from Trump  many of whom identify as MAGA  are now explaining their vote on social media.

Greene, who has faced pushback from Trump after criticizing him on key issues, posted on X late Wednesday that Americans deserve transparency.

I honestly believe its not only the right thing to do for the victims but its also the right thing to do for the country, Greene wrote, while taking aim at the former administration: Remember Democrats had 4 years under Biden to release it all, but never even tried or cared.

Greene continued: Next week when everyone is forced to go on record to vote to release the Epstein files, I expect the number of Republicans to be a lot higher that actually vote yes. But remember the original 4.

Next week we will be voting to release the Epstein files. I honestly believe its not only the right thing to do for the victims but its also the right thing to do for the country. Americans deserve transparency.



Remember Democrats had 4 years under Biden to release it all, but  Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) November 13, 2025

Boebert added an eyes emoji in response to commentary from Kyle Clark of Next 9News, which is based in Denver.

It sure looks like congresswoman Lauren Boebert did a brave thing today, Clark said on his networks Wednesday broadcast.

Mace said that she stands with survivors, writing Your pain is my pain. Your fight is my fight. Your justice is our justice.

God bless all those who never had a fighting chance, Mace wrote in a post. The Epstein vote will be for you too.

I signed the discharge petition. I was one of four Republicans to do so.



I stand with all survivors.



When it seems like the world is against you. When the press hates your guts. When your friends desert you.



Your pain is my pain. Your fight is my fight. Your justice is our  Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) November 13, 2025

Massie, while celebrating his petitions progress, urged his party to vote in favor of the effort.

The deal for Republicans on this vote is that Trump will protect you if you vote the wrong way, Massie told CNNs Manu Raju. In other words, if you vote to cover up for pedophiles, youve got cover in a Republican primary.

But I would remind my colleagues that this vote is going to be on your record for longer than Trump is going to be president. And what are you gonna do in 2028 and 2030 when youre in a debate, either with a Republican or a Democrat, and they say, How can we trust you? You covered up for a pedophile back in, you know, 2025, he went on to say.

Ahead of the petition reaching its finish line, President Donald Trump warned congressional Republicans of siding with Democrats, saying that only a very bad, or stupid, Republican would fall into that trap.

There should be no deflections to Epstein or anything else, and any Republicans involved should be focused only on opening up our Country, and fixing the massive damage caused by the Democrats! Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform.

In a separate post, Trump added: In other words, the Democrats are using the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax to try and deflect from their massive failures, in particular, their most recent one  THE SHUTDOWN!

His plea came on the heels of reporting that he was attempting to speak with Boebert and Mace regarding their names on the petition, according to Annie Karni of The New York Times. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt appeared to confirm a meeting with Boebert on Wednesday when asked why officials met with her.

Doesnt it show transparency that members of the Trump administration are willing to brief members of Congress whenever they please? Leavitt asked. Doesnt that show our level of transparency? Doesnt that show the level of transparency when we are willing to sit down with members of Congress and address their concerns?

In a post on X, Boebert on Wednesday thanked White House officials for meeting with her.

Together, we remain committed to ensuring transparency for the American people, Boebert added.

The Epstein Files Transparency Act could face a long road ahead if it were to ultimately advance through the House. It would still need to pass the Senate, and Trump would then have to sign the legislation into law. The president could also veto the measure, meaning the House and Senate would both need a two-thirds majority vote to override it.
Several civil rights organizations filed a lawsuit Wednesday challenging New Jerseys practice of allowing companies to use education and occupation to determine auto insurance rates  arguing the policy discriminates against Black, Hispanic and working-class drivers.

The lawsuit is being led by Gov. Phil Murphys former chief counsel, Parimal Garg, and Alexander Shalom, a former ACLU attorney. Both now work for the law firm Lowenstein Sandler.

The lawsuit alleges that some minorities and drivers with blue-collar occupations are being charged hundreds or thousands more for car insurance each year.

New Jersey enables carriers to skirt the prohibition of racial and income consideration by allowing carriers to consider a drivers educational attainment and employment history, the lawsuit says. This is a distinction without a difference.

The lawsuit was filed by the NAACP, the Latino Action Network and the Latino Coalition of New Jersey against the state and the state Department of Bank and Insurance.

The Murphy administration declined to comment.

Representatives from the civil rights groups spoke outside the Lobby Club in Trenton, an exclusive venue where state lawmakers often gather to negotiate outside the Statehouse.

For far too long, insurers have used education and occupation to justify higher rates for Black, Brown and working-class drivers, said Richard Smith, president of the NAACP New Jersey State Conference. A persons degree or job title should not determine what they pay to drive. These so-called risk factors are thinly veiled discrimination that keeps communities at a disadvantage.

The civil rights groups said the policy has little to do with how people drive.

When insurers use your job title or education level to determine your premium, they are not measuring risk. They are measuring privilege, said Maria Andrade, executive vice president of the Latino Action Network. Allowing this practice tells our communities that the work we do or the opportunities we have been denied make us worth less. This lawsuit says enough.

The use of education and occupation in setting auto insurance rates has long been controversial within New Jersey.

The state Department of Banking and Insurance previously said eliminating the practice could prompt insurers to leave the market, making it harder for New Jersey residents to obtain coverage. In 2003, then-Gov. Jim McGreevey signed a package of auto insurance reforms aimed at attracting more carriers and lowering prices.

By 2008, under McGreeveys successor, Gov. Jon Corzine, the state held hearings on the issue. In April of that year, the Department of Banking released a report acknowledging disparities.

The fact that drivers who belong to a minority racial group or have nonprofessional occupations are, on average, less likely than others to receive the best rates from an insurer that uses occupation and education rating factors means that these factors do indeed have a differential effect on racial minority and lower-income drivers, the report stated.

Legislation introduced in 2006 to curb the practice failed to advance.

The civil rights groups said the courts need to decide if the system is fair.

These plaintiffs did not decide to sue the government lightly, said Shalom, a partner at Lowenstein Sandler and chair of the Lowenstein Center for the Public Interest. After decades of meetings and appeals without meaningful change, the courts are now the only path to accountability. This case challenges a system that punishes people for who they are instead of how they drive.

In 2022, Murphy signed a law that increased the minimum auto insurance coverage in the state following criticism that accident victims werent receiving enough compensation for hospital bills. But, the new law was criticized for also increasing the amount New Jersey drivers would have to pay for coverage.
Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump attend the meeting between President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the Trump Turnberry golf course in Turnberry, Scotland Sunday, July 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) AP

Critics ruthlessly mocked Eric Trump on Thursday over his latest promotion of cryptocurrency on Fox Business.

The presidents son criticized traditional banking during a segment on Fox Business Mornings with Maria, in which he complained about wire transfers not being able to be sent instantaneously. He then suggested that cryptocurrency, like Bitcoin, can be sent instantly.

Theres no reason at five oclock on a Friday afternoon, I shouldnt be able to send out a swift wire transfer. Right now, you cant. I try and make a transfer every single week, and youre trying to push before the five oclock deadline to either receive money or to get it out. How is that modern day finance? he said.

You can send $500 million worth of bitcoin on a Sunday night at 5 p.m. while having a glass of wine with your wife, for virtually zero fees, Trump, the co-founder of American Bitcoin, said.

Critics immediately seized on the comments to argue Trump is out of touch with everyday Americans.

Dont let anyone tell you the Trumps are out of touch with rising costs, MSNBCs Matt Fuller wrote in response to Trumps comments.

Political commentator Franklin Leonard posted in response: Is that before or after you figure out how youre going to feed your family without the SNAP payments his father went to the Supreme Court to suspend? Or pay the health care costs his administration has made sure to skyrocket? I just want to get the sequencing right.

The Bulwarks Sam Stein wrote: Im just like Eric. Except on my Sunday nights Im trying to order my Instacart for the family while the low grade gummy kicks in.

The Bulwarks Colin Jones also quipped: Just like every normal American does.

MeidasTouch editor-in-chief Ron Filipkowski also had a sarcastic comment.

They love you, MAGA. Everything they do is for you, he said on X.

And MeidasTouch sarcastically declared Trump, the Man of the people.
President Donald Trump meets with Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) AP

NewsNation anchor Leland Vittert was visibly frustrated during a discussion with White House trade advisor Peter Navarro on Americas affordability crisis.

On Wednesdays episode of On Balance with Leland Vittert, the host read an email to Navarro that he received from a Trump voter named Alice: Feelings dont matter. Prices in the grocery store do. My bread has risen 50 cents this year. Hamburger is now $8 a pound on sale. It was $4.00 a pound of sale last year. I call that a hundred per cent increase."

In response, Navarro said President Donald Trump and the White House feels your pain.

Vittert quickly interjected.

But the president calls it a con job,  he said, citing Trumps claim Republicans have done great on affordability.

How do the American people think he feels their pain when he says its a con? Vittert continued.

Navarro replied: At the political level, thats whats going on. They blame him for [Joe] Bidens legacy, and that makes him angry.

As Vittert and Navarro clashed, NewsNation displayed a graphic showing how much prices for some grocery store staples have risen over the past year.

According to the Labor Departments latest figures, coffee prices rose 41% over the past 12 months. Ground beef and orange juice climbed 12%, bananas 9%, potato chips 8%, and chicken breast 5%.

Average prices for goods and services in September were 1.7% higher than in January and 3% higher than September 2024, according to the Consumer Price Index. The CPI reports are based on prices for food, clothing, shelter, fuel, transportation fares, utilities and sales taxes.

The available federal data stands in contrast to claims made by the Trump administration that prices are actually lower than have been reported. On Wednesday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said only the liberal media would have the gall to push stories about rising costs.

The reality is that President Trump and his administration have done so much to lower prices and increase the economic prosperity of the American people, Leavitt said during Wednesdays press briefing. Since the first day and every day since, the Trump administration has taken aggressive actions to fix the Biden-created cost of living issues.

Earlier Wednesday, Vittert had taken issue with the White House for pinning the blame on former President Joe Biden.

Does Donald Trump understand how difficult many Americans feel it is to make ends meet? Vittert said. Does saying to people that its the other guys fault, has that ever worked in an election?
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., meets with reporters near the closed House chamber on day 24 of the government shutdown, at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) AP

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) blasted Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) for sending lawmakers home for a taxpayer-funded vacation during the government shutdown.

The government reopened late Wednesday night after six weeks, marking the end to the longest shutdown in U.S. history. The shutdown ended after eight Democratic senators sided with Republicans to end the shutdown despite getting no guarantees for extending Affordable Care Act subsidies expiring at the end of the year.

On Thursday, Jeffries criticized Senate Democrats for siding with Republicans and mocked Johnson for his shutdown strategy on MSNBCs Way Too Early with Ali Vitali. Host Ali Vitali asked Jeffries whether there was acrimony with his relationship with Johnson in the wake of the shutdown.

I wouldnt suggest that theres acrimony, but certainly there are going to be challenges moving forward in terms of real differences and policy friction. And theres also a challenge, Jeffries said. It was irresponsible for Mike Johnson to keep House Republicans on a taxpayer-funded vacation for more than seven weeks and to castrate, you know, the House of Representatives as it relates to his majority.

At the end of the day, were a separate and co-equal branch of government. The problem with House Republicans is that they continue to function like a wholly owned subsidiary of the Trump cartel, as opposed to what Democrats will do, which is serve as a check and balance on an out-of-control executive branch, he added.

Earlier in the segment, Jeffries argued that Republicans, not Democrats, were responsible for the government shutdown. Democrats and Republicans, including President Donald Trump, have repeatedly blamed the opposing party for the government shutdown.

Republicans control the House, the Senate and the presidency. They made the decision several weeks ago, shut down the government, their view, because they didnt want to provide affordable health care to everyday Americans, Jeffries said.

Our position from the very beginning was clear. We wanted to find a bipartisan path forward to enact a spending agreement that actually meets the needs of the American people. But we could not support a partisan Republican spending bill that continues to gut the health care of the American people, he added.

Democrats vowed to oppose the GOP spending bill without it including an extension for health care subsidies expiring at the end of the year. However, eight Senate Democrats bucked their partys leadership to vote for the bill in the upper chamber earlier this week, clearing the way for the GOP-controlled House to pass it on Wednesday.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche appears fed up with conservative lawyer George Conway.

Blanche slammed Conway in a post on X on Thursday, after the staunch critic of President Donald Trump reacted to new emails released by Democrats on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform the day before. The committee made the additional comments referencing Trump public following a subpoena to the estate of Jeffrey Epstein, and hours before a discharge petition reached its final signature to force a House vote on compelling the Justice Department to release all files related to the late disgraced financier. The vote is expected to be held next week, according to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).

According to the correspondence, Epstein referred to Trump as the dog that hasnt barked and told his co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell that an alleged victim had spent hours at my house with Trump. In another message to journalist Michael Wolff, Epstein said that Trump knew about the girls.

I know how dirty donald is, Epstein also said of Trump in a 2018 email, according to the release.

Conway responded to the new findings on X in what he described as an important side note.

They show that Todd Blanches questioning of Ghislaine Maxwell was either (a) completely incompetent; or (b) intentionally crafted not to elicit facts incriminating Trump, Conway said on Wednesday, referring to the No. 2 DOJ officials meeting with Maxwell in July.

Either way, he is not fit to serve as Deputy Attorney General of the United States, Conway added.

Blanche fired back on Thursday, saying that Conway has never been confused for a trial lawyer, and these kinds of posts explain why.

When I interviewed Maxwell, law enforcement didnt have the materials Epsteins estate hid for years and only just provided to Congress, Blanche wrote. Stop talking. Its unbecoming.

George, youve never been confused for a trial lawyer, and these kinds of posts explain why. When I interviewed Maxwell, law enforcement didnt have the materials Epsteins estate hid for years and only just provided to Congress. Stop talking. Its unbecoming. https://t.co/g8j3oe1pCT  Todd Blanche (@DAGToddBlanche) November 13, 2025

Conway replied minutes later: Dude, you didnt even come close to asking a decent follow-up question of Maxwell. And I saw you at your bosss criminal trial, you know, the one where he was convicted on 34 felony counts: You couldnt cross-examine your way out of a paper bag.

I bet he stayed up all night composing this, Conway wrote in a separate post.

The exchange comes as White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Wednesday that Trump is not talking about or even thinking about pardoning Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence. In July, Trump said he is allowed to pardon Maxwell, but later clarified that it is something I havent thought about.

Blanche, a former personal attorney of the president, had met with Maxwell amid pressure from critics and some of Trumps most ardent supporters demanding the administration release more information about the investigation into Epstein. Around a week after the meeting, Maxwell was moved to a minimum-security federal prison camp in Texas from a facility in Florida.

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), a ranking member on the House Judiciary Committee, sent a letter to Trump on Sunday, pointing to whistleblower allegations that Maxwell is working on requesting a commutation of her prison sentence from the president. In the letter, Raskin also called for Blanche to participate in a public hearing to answer for this corrupt misuse of law enforcement resources and potential exchange of favors for false testimony exonerating you and other Epstein accomplices.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/andrij.sybiha

In addition to Canada and the United Kingdom, several other partners have announced new defense and energy packages to support Ukraine, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said following the G7 ministerial meeting in Niagara, Ontario.

On his Facebook page, Sybiha wrote that the visit to Canada was productive and that "this day brought important results." In particular, Canada announced a new package of sanctions against Russia: an additional 100 tankers of the Russian fleet are subject to sanctions, 13 individuals and 11 companies, including drone manufacturers and developers, as well as several Russian enterprises involved in LNG. For the first time, Canada also imposed sanctions on companies that support Russias cyber infrastructure used in its hybrid strategies against Ukraine.

The United Kingdom also announced a new winter energy resilience support package for Ukraine in the amount of 13 million pounds, which will go, in particular, to the restoration of energy equipment. London also announced its intention to introduce a phased ban on maritime services for Russian LNG in continuation of the recent sanctions against Rosneft and LUKOIL.

"Some other partner countries have announced new defense and energy packages, the details of which I cannot disclose yet  but they are very timely. We thank our allies for their unwavering support," the minister wrote.

He also noted that following the meeting, the G7 ministers adopted "a strong statement that supports the Ukrainian vision of the path to a just peace, defines the next steps to support our defense capabilities and pressure on the Russian Federation, including the use of frozen assets."

In addition, Sybiha held a separate ministerial meeting on the sidelines of the G7 in the format of Ukraine-EU-France-Germany-Italy.

The Foreign Minister stressed that it was important for him to inform partners from the Group of Seven and the European Union about the response to recent investigations by anti-corruption bodies, "a clear response from the President of Ukraine and the government, the removal of officials, the initiation of sanctions."

"He confirmed Ukraines commitment to the fight against corruption and noted that such investigations and the response to them are a marker of transparency and democracy," the minister said.

According to Sybiha, the partners assured of further support for Ukraine in its resistance to Russian aggression, the preparation of new solutions to strengthen our defense capabilities, in particular through the PURL and SAFE instruments, and increased pressure on the aggressor.

Separately, he noted that he had the opportunity to discuss the path to a just and comprehensive peace with colleagues from outside the Euro-Atlantic space - from Brazil, India, Japan, and Saudi Arabia.

"I also had brief conversations with the foreign ministers of France, Mexico, the Republic of Korea, and South Africa. We are synchronizing our vision with the G7, G20, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America," the minister added.
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) is raging at Democrats after he put forward his own motion to force an expedited vote on the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files.

Burchett introduced a unanimous consent measure on Wednesday, claiming in a video posted later on X that he wanted to cut out all this nonsense and bring the issue to the floor. His move came as Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.) added the final signature on a discharge petition to force a vote in the House on compelling the Justice Department to make all documents tied to the investigation into the late disgraced financier public. The House is expected to vote next week, according to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).

I tried to make them release the Epstein files, and I was blocked by the Democrats, Burchett, who did not sign the petition, said of his push. This is all gamesmanship, folks. Its not about releasing the files.

Johnson also launched a similar critique against Democrats.

The Democrats shockingly opposed it, Johnson said. It was a staggering level of hypocrisy. I think some of them regretted it, because within about a half hour of that, there was a lot of confusion, and some of them claim that they did not object, but they did, and thats what happened on the floor.

I tried to release the Epstein files today. Democrats blocked it. pic.twitter.com/oKo8y9RR3b  Rep. Tim Burchett Press Office (@RepTimBurchett) November 12, 2025

However, several outlets reported that Burchetts attempt to immediately consider the Epstein Files Transparency Act was shot down by Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.), the senior Republican in charge of the House floor at the time, who claimed it is not a proper inquiry since it must be cleared by the bipartisan floor and committee leaderships. Once Burchett spoke on the floor to request unanimous consent, Womack ruled his request out of order, The Hill reported.

I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 4405) to require the Attorney General to release all documents and records in possession of the Department of Justice relating to Jeffrey Epstein, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House, Burchett said, according to congressional records.

Womack replied: Under guidelines consistently issued by successive Speakers, as recorded in section 956 of the House Rules and Manual, the Chair is constrained not to entertain the request unless it has been cleared by the bipartisan floor and committee leadership.

Womack later went on to say that it is not a proper parliamentary inquiry to ask the chair to indicate which side of the aisle has failed under the Speakers guidelines to clear a unanimous-consent request.

Burchett, meanwhile, accused House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Thursday of failing to agree to his attempt. He also said on Newsmax Wednesday night that Democrats verbally told the Parliamentarian their opposition.

Through unanimous consent, lawmakers are not required to go on the record in a roll call vote.

There was some discussion between the Democrats and I about, well, if this is UC, do you want this to be UC? Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) said, according to CNNs Olivia Beavers on X. They asked me, and Ive, you know, when you got 30 seconds or a minute to decide... I said, Yeah, I think it would be best to have a UC, because that would carry the most momentum into the Senate. I like Tim Burchetts ideas.

In his video, Burchett went on to argue that Democrats would have already released the files if they had something on President Donald Trump. He noted that former President Joe Biden was in possession of the documents during his time in office.

They hate Trump more than anything in the world, and so now they blocked it so they can piecemeal the truth and the half truths, both sides, of what really went down with Epstein, Burchett said, adding, Its kind of disgusting, really. I tried  thats all I can tell you.

His comments came after House Democrats released emails they obtained referencing Trump as part of an investigation into the Epstein files. According to the correspondence, Epstein referred to Trump as the dog that hasnt barked and told his co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell that an alleged victim of sexual trafficking had spent hours at my house with Trump. In another message to journalist Michael Wolff, Epstein said Trump knew about the girls.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt strongly denied the release of the exchanges.

These emails prove absolutely nothing, other than the fact that President Trump did nothing wrong, Leavitt said during her press briefing Wednesday afternoon.

Before the House vote was set, Trump had weighed in, warning GOP lawmakers against siding with Democrats. In a post on Truth Social, the president said that only a very bad, or stupid, Republican would fall into that trap.

There should be no deflections to Epstein or anything else, and any Republicans involved should be focused only on opening up our Country, and fixing the massive damage caused by the Democrats! Trump wrote.

In a separate post, Trump continued: In other words, the Democrats are using the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax to try and deflect from their massive failures, in particular, their most recent one  THE SHUTDOWN!
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) is delivering a stark message to Republicans ahead of a vote on compelling the Justice Department to release all files related to the investigation into late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Seven weeks after her special election, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Wednesday swore in Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.), who became the final signature needed on a discharge petition, co-sponsored by Massie and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), in an effort to make all documents tied to the convicted sex offender public. The House is expected to take a floor vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act next week, according to Johnson.

Before the measure reached 218 signatures, the necessary threshold to trigger a vote, President Donald Trump warned GOP lawmakers of siding with Democrats, saying that only a very bad, or stupid, Republican would fall into that trap.

There should be no deflections to Epstein or anything else, and any Republicans involved should be focused only on opening up our Country, and fixing the massive damage caused by the Democrats! Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform.

In a separate post, Trump added: In other words, the Democrats are using the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax to try and deflect from their massive failures, in particular, their most recent one  THE SHUTDOWN!

Massie  who signed the petition alongside GOP Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.), Lauren Boebert (Colo.) and Nancy Mace (S.C.)  now has a message for his party ahead of the upcoming vote. While speaking with CNNs Manu Raju, Massie said a couple of Republican lawmakers have already privately told his office that they will vote in favor of releasing the files, adding that the number could snowball.

The deal for Republicans on this vote is that Trump will protect you if you vote the wrong way, Massie said. In other words, if you vote to cover up for pedophiles, youve got cover in a Republican primary.

He continued: But I would remind my colleagues that this vote is going to be on your record for longer than Trump is going to be president. And what are you gonna do in 2028 and 2030 when youre in a debate, either with a Republican or a Democrat, and they say, How can we trust you? You covered up for a pedophile back in, you know, 2025.

Massie also took sharp aim at Trump and Johnson once his petition scored its last signature. In a post on X, he argued that the president had engaged in a last ditch effort to foil the motion, while the GOP House leader had pushed propaganda.

The bill could face a long road ahead if it were to ultimately advance through the House. It would still need to pass the Senate, and Trump would then have to sign the legislation into law. The president could also veto the measure, meaning the House and Senate would both need a two-thirds majority to override it.

During an appearance on CNNs The Source hours later, Massie went on to express support for his GOP colleagues who defied Trumps demand and signed the petition. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed earlier Wednesday that administration officials had met with Boebert.

One of them was told, We cant let Massie have a win, he said of the White House, before adding: How petty is that?
Colombian President Gustavo Petro ripped President Donald Trump over U.S. strikes in the Caribbean. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia) AP

Colombian President Gustavo Petro blasted President Donald Trump during a wide-ranging interview released Thursday over U.S. strikes on boats allegedly carrying illegal drugs.

In an exclusive interview with NBC News, Petro explained his decision announced earlier this week to suspend sharing intelligence information with U.S. agencies until Washington brings its attacks against vessels in the Caribbean to a halt.

He is lost on the issue of the real analysis of what is going on with cocaine in Colombia, Petro told NBC News.

He added: He is a barbarian, but anyone can change.

Both Trump and Petro have continued to trade barbs on social media over attacks in the Caribbean and off the Pacific coasts that have left dozens dead, according to data from the Trump administration. The United States has carried out at least 19 strikes, an estimate from Reuters earlier this week found.

While defending the strikes, Trump has repeatedly claimed that the boats are backed by foreign terrorist organizations that are transporting drugs to U.S. cities  going on to call Petro last month an illegal drug leader who is strongly encouraging the massive production of drugs his country.

Meanwhile, Petro has accused U.S. officials of committing a murder and violating his countrys sovereignty. The leftist leader also has demanded an investigation into Trump for war crimes.

While speaking to NBC News, Petro did not directly answer whether some of the boats were not moving drugs.

Maybe or maybe not, Petro said. We do not know. In due process, in the civilized treatment of people, they are seized and detained.

They are poor boatmen, they know how to drive a boat, they are hired in their poverty by the gangsters. But gangsters dont sit on the boats, he added.

Petro, a former Marxist revolutionary, also accused his American counterpart of trying to frighten us.

Fear is not the same as the facts, Petro said.

Amid the tense standoff, Trump announced last month that he will cut off all U.S. aid and raise tariffs on Colombia. The Treasury Department also sanctioned the Colombian leader, members of his family and a close associate.

Petro raised eyebrows over comments about Trump in another recent interview.

When asked about an end to the conflict during an interview with Univision, Petro said that humanity has a first offramp, which is to choose to change Trump in various ways.

The easiest way may be through Trump himself, Petro said. If not  get rid of Trump."

Petro later backtracked on his remarks, writing on X that he did not threaten the president.

I only said that Trump should change his heart, from defending death policies in the world like the genocide in Palestine, to life policies, he posted. If there is no such change, then the American people themselves will change Trump, because one cannot go toward general suicide.

Trump has previously described Petro as a thug and bad guy who has hurt Colombia.

He better watch it, or well take very serious action against him and his country, Trump told reporters last month.
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I just spent the last five days at the most Magical Place on earth, and I left with one regret.

I really should have gotten a MagicBand.

Santa Mickey Mouse Holiday MagicBand+  $55 Get a limited-release Santa Mickey MagicBand+ for $55 ahead of your Disney World trip this holiday season. Buy Now at Disney Store

If youre researching whether or not you need a MagicBand+ for your trip to Disney World, let me tell you why you need it.

A few months ago, I wrote an article breaking down what a MagicBand is and why you might want to buy one. Back then, I said you only really need it if you were staying at a Disney property, but I was totally wrong about that.

Now that Ive traveled without one (after previously using one in June 2024), I can tell you exactly why it is a need, not a want. I just spent the last five days in Disney World for Jersey Week and I missed my MagicBand so much.

What is a MagicBand+?

Disney first introduced MagicBand in 2013, and it has greatly evolved over the years. We're not onto the third edition, MagicBand+. Disney

Disneys MagicBand (which is actually called MagicBand+) is your ticket to everything. Most people think you really only need a MagicBand+ if youre staying at a Disney World hotel, but honestly, anyone who is traveling to Disney World would benefit from getting a MagicBand+. It eliminates the need to take your phone out to check in for anything.

What I failed to mention in my last article (or forgot about entirely when writing), if you bought Lightning Lane Passes, you need a MagicBand.

Its not actually a requirement, but it will make your life so much easier. You need to scan in for every Lightning Lane, whether you bought a multi-pass or an individual pass. And some rides require you to scan in twice.

For example, if youre riding Peter Pans Flight or its a small world, youre going to scan in at the Lightning Lane entry. Then youll get into a short line for a few minutes, and youll need to scan in again at a second checkpoint before boarding the ride. If youre like me, when I buy a Lightning Lane Multi-Pass, I tend to book five to eight attractions in a day. That means I might need to scan anywhere from nine to 17 times (because you need to scan in at least once to just enter the park, then youre going to scan in for every attraction).

If you dont feel like constantly pulling your phone or wallet out at every ride, a MagicBand is essential.

If yont really book Lightning Lanes, but like to take photos... well, youre going to want a MagicBand for the same exact reason! Every Photo Pass location requires you to scan your MagicBand+/theme park ticket. And some ride attractions will prompt you to scan your band to load your ride attraction photo to your account.

I have a Stitch MagicBand, and I regret not bringing it. I wasnt staying at a Disney World resort property on this trip, so I could not use it to enter my room, and I thought I didnt really need to use my band much otherwise. Now, having done an entire trip without one vs. previously using a MagicBand, I will never, ever go to Disney World without one.

If you are staying at a Disney World resort, its a no-brainer, but honestly, I think everyone needs them, resort guest or not.

These are all the benefits of MagicBand+:

You can use the MagicBand+ to enter theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort

Check in at Lightning Lane entrances

Link Disney PhotoPass photos to your MyDisney account

At Walt Disney World Resort hotels, you can also unlock your Disney Resort hotel room with a single tap

Yoy can use your MagicBand+ to charge food and merchandise purchases to the payment card on file at your Disney Resort hotel room during your stay

Star Wars: Batuu Bounty Hunters interactive quest , which lets you be a bounty hunter at Star Wars: Galaxys Edge

Enchanting interactions with the Disney Fab 50 Characters  golden character sculptures spread throughout the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks

And dont forget, Disney World resort guests get a discount on their bands ahead of their trip!

MagicBand Protector $7 $5 This pack of protectors is perfect for protecting your Disney MagicBand from loss. It also works for the Fitbit Charge, Garmin Vivofit and Fitbit Force. Buy Now on Amazon

Pro Tip: Get a pack of MagicBand protectors from Amazon before your trip. The MagicBand design can sometimes unhook. Everyone on social media recommends slipping this protector over their MagicBand to secure it in place.
Gov. Phil Murphy speaks at an October 2024 ceremony unveiling NJ Transit's new multilevel III rail car behind him. NJ Transit will spend $917 million to have 429 of the original 20-year old multilevels rebuilt to have the same features as the Multilevel III. SL

NJ Transit officials took the final step in delivering on Gov. Phil Murphys promise to rid the fleet of older less reliable trains and buses by an authorizing $917 million to overhaul the oldest multilevel I and II rail cars.

NJ Transits board of directors authorized the funds Wednesday night for an Overhaul and Modernization Project which will rebuild older multilevel cars to have the same features as new multilevel cars.

Awarding a contact to a qualified contractor to do rebuild the 429 rail cars will happen in early 2026, said NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri.

And it may be among Kolluris final actions as CEO.

Kolluri said in response to a question that he will leave the agency as planned in early 2026 and not seek reappointment in Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrills administration.

Some officials and lawmakers expressed hope before the election that Kolluri would remain as CEO.

I said Im leaving at the end of January, and I have not changed my mind, he said. He added that hes not been contacted by the governor-elect.

Instead, Kolluri is focused on the final phase of delivering Murphys pledge made earlier this year to replace all of NJ Transits aging buses and trains by 2031.

This program rebuilds the multilevel I and II cars over 10 years with an estimated 2036 completion, Kolluri said.

NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri testifies during a State Assembly hearing in Trenton in this May 2025 file photo. Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Manufactured by the Bombardier Transit Corporation, the multilevel I cars were delivered between 20062009 and were followed by the multilevel II from 20122013.

They were followed by a 2014 fleet plan that moved away from single level rail cars and called for an all multilevel rail car fleet.

Wednesdays approval allows NJ Transit to put out its specifications for the rebuilding program out to the market to determine which companies are interested and qualified.

My instinct says there are not that many, Kolluri said. Were trying to understand how many manufacturers are interested in rebuilding our rail cars.

Weve got to push for the best result we can, otherwise were going to languish for another 5 years, he said.

But he is optimistic it can be done based on the accelerated train and bus purchases that NJ Transit made the past 10 months, exercising options on existing contracts to meet Murphys 2031 goal.

In May, NJ Transits board approved a plan to purchase $1.7 billion in new rail cars and locomotives.

The rebuilt multilevel I and II cars will have the same passenger amenities as the multilevel III cars.

That includes charging ports for phones and devices at every seat, where a USB and USB-C receptacle are available, brighter LED lighting that can be automatically dimmed or brightened according to conditions.

All the running gear and electronics will be the same, bringing them up to multilevel III standards, said James Sincaglia, NJ Transit rail operations general manager.

By 2036, if all goes the way we are hoping, we will have an entire fleet of multilevels, he said.

Some of the single-level Comet and Arrow III cars will be retained in case theyre needed. I hope not, Kolluri said.
Yes, the crow situation seems better

Seems about the same to me

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Zelenskyy says Ukraine begins producing interceptor drones together with USA - Bloomberg

Ukraine has begun producing interceptor drones together with the United States, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, according to the Bloomberg news agency.

"President Zelenskyy said that Ukraine has begun producing interceptor drones together with the United States," the publication writes, following Zelenskyys interview with Bloomberg Television late Wednesday evening in Kyiv.

"American-Ukrainian production, joint production. I hope that in the future we will have more," the publication quotes the Ukrainian president as saying.
The New Orleans City Council Nov. 13 began the process of tapping into the citys rainy-day fund in case it is needed to pay city workers next week while officials wait for a $125 million short term loan from the state to become available.

During a special council meeting, Mayor-elect and Council Vice President Helena Moreno, President JP Morrell and Budget Chair Joe Giarrusso introduced an ordinance that would allow the council to unlock the fund for that purpose next week. Giarrusso called the measure a failsafe.

Members will need to approve that measure when they meet Wednesday, Nov. 19, in order to free up the money for the next day, when paychecks for first responders are supposed to go out.

Though it was a close call, the city has begun paying workers who arent first responders for this pay period. The city pays its workers every two weeks, alternating weeks between first responders and other city workers.

Giarrusso told Gambit as of Thursday morning, it looked like the city will need to take $2-3 million from the rainy day fund to cover payroll for first responders next week.

While state officials approved the citys request for a $125 million emergency loan on Nov. 12, the city wont be able to access that money until later next week, setting up a tight timeline for making sure the city meets payroll in the meantime.

Some state officials originally pushed for a fiscal administrator to come in and take control of the city, leading the council to withdraw its original request. City and state leaders eventually worked things out to where the city could get the loan with strict guardrails but without a fiscal administrator. Still, the back and forth delayed the city getting the loan for weeks.

Giarrusso said at the Nov. 13 meeting that the city could receive additional cash in the next week that could prevent them from using money from the rainy day fund.

But I think we can all agree that we dont want to get to the cusp of payroll and then be $3-4 million short, and then have to scramble to find the money, he said. So we want to work together on tapping it for a very limited purpose, only if its necessary.

Chief Administrative Officer Joe Threat said his office would also look into whether work on projects could be slowed, paused or stopped to save cash through the end of the year.

Preparing for NOPD consent decrees end

Meanwhile, the council also voted to put into city law a lot of the terms of the federal consent decree put in place in 2013 to address civil rights violations by the New Orleans Police Department.

The Trump administration appears poised to end the decree, and council members said they wanted to make sure the reforms the decree put in place continued.

That includes defining use of force and requiring a use of force policy, a trained crisis intervention team, sexual assault policies and training, and domestic violence training and reporting.

It also involves a series of transparency measures, like having open data sets on its website as well as regular audits that are publicly reported.

We are seeking to codify as many parts of the consent decree as possible so that the NOPD does not backslide, Morrell said.
Green energy sparks a warmer winter in rural China

Xinhua) 13:13, November 13, 2025

SHENYANG, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Waking up in his house in Hongchang Village, Zhuanghe City in northeast China's Liaoning Province, 76-year-old Zhuang Derong can finally bid farewell to the coal-burning stove he has relied on for decades.

Zhuang used to rise before dawn every winter to clean and light his stove for warmth. This year, with a newly installed air-source heat pump, he is freed from the smoky, exhausting routine.

For many rural households in northern China, burning coal has long been the primary way to stay warm in winter, but it has also caused heavy air pollution and frequent safety hazards such as carbon monoxide poisoning.

In recent years, China has been promoting cleaner, safer and more cost-effective heating methods through technologies such as air-source heat pumps, biomass heating, and solar power, heralding cleaner skies and warmer homes across its vast rural regions.

Zhuang said that his new heat pump is not only more efficient but also much safer than the old coal stove. Powered by electricity, it absorbs heat energy from the outdoor air and releases it indoors, eliminating the risks associated with incomplete coal combustion.

In Liaoning, rural residents who switch from coal to electric heating can enjoy discounted electricity rates. "Electric heating would save me more than 300 yuan (about 42.3 U.S. dollars) compared with burning coal this winter," said Wang Yongchun, a villager from Maokui Village in Zhuanghe City who started using electric heating this year.

According to the local power supply company, over 1,130 households in Zhuanghe have been connected to electric heating systems so far this year, with the number steadily increasing.

Other rural residents in the province are also reaping the benefits of clean heating. Qi Shuhua, a local resident of Fuxin Mongolian Autonomous County, said her family now enjoys greater comfort and lower costs after switching to a centralized heating system.

Instead of coal, the system operates on a biomass heating network that serves four nearby towns, using corn stalks -- once considered agricultural waste -- as fuel. According to Qi, the system keeps her four-room bungalow above 20 degrees Celsius all day while saving several hundred yuan each winter.

In Guantao County, north China's Hebei Province, around 1.2 million-meter-long pipelines lie beneath a tranquil park lake. These pipelines store solar heat in the underwater facilities, providing heating for more than 20,000 local residents in winter.

Driven by supportive policies and technological advances, the clean heating rate in northern China's rural areas has seen a significant increase.

According to a white paper released by China's State Council Information Office last week, by the end of 2024, over 40 million rural households in northern China had completed clean heating upgrades, which raised the clean heating rate to 83 percent, nearly 20 percentage points higher than in 2020.

Reduced coal consumption has contributed to the return of blue skies across much of northern China. Data show that PM 2.5 concentrations in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region have dropped by about 40 percent compared with a decade ago, with air quality significantly improved.

In northwest China's Qinghai Province, "solar-powered houses" equipped with photovoltaic panels and smart microgrid systems have provided residents of Tu'ergan Village, Huangyuan County, with stable and self-sufficient electricity.

"I never thought houses could generate their own electricity," said Yang Qinxiu, a 46-year-old villager. "Now our rooms are warm, and our daily power needs are fully met."

Qinghai, known for its long, cold winters, is also blessed with abundant sunshine. The province has vigorously developed solar and wind power to deliver "green electricity," benefiting more than 1 million residents over the past five years.

Yang Fuqiang, a researcher with the Peking University Institute of Energy, noted that while the clean heating campaign has achieved remarkable results, some regions still face challenges due to harsh climates and underdeveloped infrastructure.

Yet these green sparks scattered across the countryside mark a solid step in China's march toward its broader climate goals, as the country aims to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. To reach these goals, the country continues to encourage local governments to explore new clean heating models, strengthen infrastructure and promote technologies tailored to local conditions.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Zhong Wenxing)
Zelenskyy on frozen Russian assets: It will be a big loss for the Russians if we can get this money

Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy considers the issue of frozen Russian assets to be "very important" because their transfer to Ukraine in one form or another would be "a big loss for Putin and people from his circle."

"It will be a very big loss for the Russians if we can somehow get this money. Whether it will be a loan under the guarantees of other countries, or another option. But if we can get these 140-160 billion, it will be a big loss for Putin and people from his circle. You know that this is their money. And that is why it really destabilizes their system, their clique. That is why I think it is very important," he said on Telegram on Thursday morning.

Zelenskyy also considers the transfer of assets to Ukraine a "big sanction" against the Russian Federation.

"And these are really big sanctions. Freezing money is one thing, and giving it to Ukraine is quite another. Not only for weapons. We will produce in Ukraine with this money. We will receive some kind of package from PURL, air defense is not only offensive weapons. We will buy missiles, air defense systems to protect the energy sector, etc. This will be an important signal to Russia: look, if you continue, you will lose from 35 to 80 billion next year on energy trade - depending on how the sanctions work - and plus 140 billion on frozen assets. This is an important tool for establishing peace," he said.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree on the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine dated November 13, 2025 "On the application of personal special economic and other restrictive measures (sanctions)".

The corresponding decree No. 843/2025 is posted on the presidents website.

The document, in particular, introduced sanctions against Israeli citizens Tymur Mindich and Oleksandr Tsukerman.
A new 23 million hotel in Torquay has confirmed to the Torbay Weekly it will open later this year.

Hotel Indigo Torquay, part of the IHG Hotels & Resorts group, will feature 153 rooms and become the 26th open and signed Hotel Indigo in IHGs UK and Ireland portfolio.

The seafront hotel will include a rooftop bar, two on-site restaurants, and extensive sea-facing terraces. A destination restaurant and bar on the ground floor will overlook Torbay, offering views towards the beaches, harbour and marina.

ABOVE: The new layout of the bedrooms at Hotel Indigo Torquay. Credit: IHG Hotels & Resorts

Guests staying at Hotel Indigo Torquay will be able to use the well-equipped gym or unwind after a day exploring the English Riviera with a range of treatments at the on-site spa.

The hotel will also be pet-friendly, welcoming visitors travelling with their dogs.

READ NEXT: Police looking to crack down on South Devon's noisy drivers

Joanna Kurowska, Managing Director for UK & Ireland at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: Leisure destinations such as Torquay, known for its seaside charm and year-round activities, perfectly embody Hotel Indigos commitment in providing guests with memorable stays entrenched in the stories of their neighbourhoods.

Once open, the Torquay hotel is expected to create dozens of hospitality jobs and contribute to the towns ongoing regeneration along the seafront.
A poignant display of ceramic poppies has been placed around the war memorial at West Buckland School to honour 108 former pupils and all those who gave their lives for their country in conflict.

Ceramics for Remembrance saw students and staff at the school as well as visiting pupils from Kingsacre Primary School in Braunton create the individual poppies during a series of ceramic workshops.

Above and below: The display of ceramic poppies created at West Buckland School for remembrance. Credit: WBS Marketing

The installation was inspired by Paul Cummins iconic Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red - the breath-taking display of ceramic poppies at the Tower of London in 2014, commemorating those lost during the centenary of the First World War.

A total of 220 poppies have been placed around the West Buckland memorial, including 108 for the schools own fallen, former students who died while serving in the armed forces, the majority in the first and second world wars.

On Armistice Day (Tuesday, November 11), West Buckland staff and students gathered for a Service of Remembrance with five additional poppies placed by two students with family connections to the armed forces as well as three staff members.

Above: Students and staff at West Buckland School gather for a whole school assembly and remembrance. Credit: WBS Marketing

Wreaths were also laid by headteacher Helen Lowe, school chaplain Reverend Tandy Ruoff and Old West Buckland Association president Jan Witheridge.

Above: West Buckland School Year 12 student Peter plays the Last Post during the schools Service of Remembrance on Armistice Day. Credit: WBS Marketing

READ NEXT: North Devon school is honoured with a prestigious Green Apple award

Art teacher Amelia Morrison said: West Buckland School was proud to lead the ceramic poppies collaboration, inviting Kingsacre Primary pupils to join us in learning and creating together.

Outreach is a vital part of our ethos, as it opens the door to shared experiences and sparks collaborative creativity across schools.

Above and below: Pupils from Kingsacre Primary School created ceramic poppies during workshops at West Buckland School. Credit: WBS Marketing

West Buckland will be welcoming pupils from Kingsacre and Southmead schools in Braunton for a summer workshop to continue the poppy initiative.

The exhibition will then be displayed at both Kingsacre and Southmead schools over the next two years.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/zelenskyy.official

The situation in Pokrovsk is very complex, any decision to withdraw troops from the city is for military commanders to make on the ground, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

"Nobody is forcing them to die for the sake of ruins. I will support our soldiers, especially the commanders who are there, in how they can control the situation. Otherwise, it will be too expensive for us - the most important thing for us is our soldiers," he said in an interview with Bloomberg.

The president noted that Russia seeks victory in Pokrovsk to convince US President Donald Trump that Ukraine must withdraw its troops from the entire Donbas in order to end the war.

"We cannot leave eastern Ukraine. Nobody will understand this, people will not understand this. And most importantly, no one guarantees you that if they capture this or that city, they will not move further. There is no deterrent," the president said.
Zelensky says he did not speak with Mindich since start of investigation

Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that he had not spoken to businessman Tymur Mindich since the announcement of an investigation into corruption in the energy sector.

In addition, in an interview with Bloomberg, the president stressed that he would support a full investigation.

"The most important thing is a verdict for those who are guilty. The president of a country at war cannot have friends," he added.

On November 10, the National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-corruption Prosecutors Office (SAPO) announced a large-scale operation to expose corruption in the energy sector, which was called "Midas." The activities of a high-level criminal organization have been documented, whose members built a large-scale corruption scheme to influence strategic state-sector enterprises, in particular Joint Stock Company National Nuclear Energy Generating Company Energoatom. Energoatom" confirmed the conduct of investigative actions in the company on November 10.

Among the participants in the "Midas" operation identified by the NABU are a member of the National Energy Regulator Serhiy Pushkar, businessman Tymur Mindich, former executive director for physical protection and security of Energoatom Dmytro Basov, and former advisor to the Minister of Energy, and previously deputy head of the State Property Fund of Ukraine Ihor Myroniuk.

The main direction of the criminal organizations activities, according to the NABU/SAP0, was the systematic receipt of illegal benefits from Energoatom counterparties in the amount of 10% to 15% of the value of contracts. In particular, "Energoatom" counterparties were imposed conditions of payment of "kickbacks" for avoiding blocking payments for services provided/products supplied or deprivation of supplier status. Using official connections in the ministry and 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.

Mindich left Ukraine on November 10, a few hours before the searches.

On November 12, the State Border Service of Ukraine reported that it had conducted a check on the border crossing by Mindich, who is a defendant in the NABU case against Energoatom, and established that he left Ukraine legally, since the agency had not received any instructions regarding him, in particular, regarding a ban on his departure from the country.
Golin launches Lighthouse 360, a service helping companies handle the human side of AI adoption. The service shifts the focus of AI implementation efforts from choosing the right technology to addressing human factors like change fatigue, uncertainty and cultural resistance. Lighthouse 360 provides a flexible, three-phase approach. PULSE measures how ready an organization is for AI transformation; PATH creates tailored roadmaps through workshops focused on people and culture; and PROPEL turns plans into action with hands-on support. Golin, which has gone from 15 percent to 95 percent employee AI adoption in under a year, has advised more than 50 organizations across consumer goods, healthcare, financial services, retail, and food and beverage industries on successful AI integration. Lighthouse 360 brings together insights from Golins own AI journey, proving that when you design experiences that transform peoplefrom anxiety to excitement, resistance to readiness, and skeptics to adoptersyou create a competitive advantage others can't copy, said Golin EVP of transformation Kris Macuslan.

PR Boutiques International adds five new members. Ascendant Branding Group in Newark, DE is a global CEO branding firm; Torontos Blend PR specializes in elevating lifestyle and beauty brands; Brantta Communications in Rio de Janiero is a strategic communications firm; Munich-bsed Element C offers services in strategic communications, design and digital storytelling; and Loebell Nordberg in Vienna works across industries from legal services to hospitality to retail, with a special focus on strategic and crisis communications when needed. The addition of the new members brings PRBIs membership to 25 agencies. Welcoming these five exceptional agencies underscores PRBIs continued growth and evolution, said Julia Labaton, president of PRBI and founder of RED PR. Blend PR, Ascendant Branding Group, Brantta Communications, Element C, and Loebell Nordberg each bring deep expertise and cultural insight, expanding the value our network delivers to clients around the world.

24 Seven, a marketing, creative and digital talent solutions firms backed by Morgan Stanley Capital Partners, acquires Markacy, a New York-based marketing consulting firm. Markacys services include omni-channel media buying, performance marketing, strategy and organizational consulting, ROI measurement and modeling, M&A marketing diligence and AI optimization. The acquisition is 24 Seven's fourth in 2025. We have a strong shared vision of growing the marketing consulting practice to be a market leader in performance marketing, AI consulting, measurement and strategy. The organizational infrastructure 24 Seven has built will be an immediate catalyst for us," said Markacy co-founder Chris Jones.
SKELETAL remains associated with a medieval monastery were found when a farmer levelled off some land at a gravel pit in south Offaly, Tullamore District Court heard.

Micheal Talbot (60), Annaghmore, Kinnitty, Birr, pleaded guilty to charges involving the disturbance of a national monument at Knockbarron, Kinnitty on a date unknown between April 4 and April 8, 2024.

Detective Garda Fergus Hogan, Birr Garda Station, told the court that on April 8 last year gardai in Birr received a report that skeletal remains were located at Knockbarron, Kinnitty by the excavation of soil within the previous two weeks.

Detective Garda Hogan visited the site and met two officials of the monument protection unit at the National Monuments Service.

Enquiries determined the site consisted of an old monastery and graveyard and following liaison with State Pathologist SallyAnne Collis, the garda was notified by her that the bones and skeletal remains that were unearthed were of ancient origin.

Following further enquiries it transpired that extensive skeletal material had been exposed as a result of works conducted.

Detective Garda Hogan handed photographs to Judge Andrew Cody and told him the monastery dated from the middle ages.

Defending solicitor Mr Martin said he believed it was from the sixth century.

After viewing the photographs Judge Cody said the offences were shocking and stated: This is a large scale industrial excavation of an ancient monument.

Garda Hogan said the work had been carried out at a gravel pit which had started to slip because of the weather and Mr Martin confirmed this, saying there had been torrential rain and two storms and one of his client's animals had fallen off the top of the pit.

The solicitor said there was a monastery and graveyard at the site, plus a surrounding area and it was at the surrounding area where the offences happened.

Judge Cody said a huge Hymac had been used, resulting in a huge heap of soil.

Mr Martin said the digging had taken place on Mr Talbot's land and he was aware he had to be careful because of the national monument nearby.

There was an emergency in his eyes at the time in the sense that an animal of his had died by falling off, said Mr Martin.

He decided to level off the land and in levelling it this is what happened. His client had fully engaged with the department and it took a while for the department to get back to him about a preservation order.

Owner and user of the land since 2011, he was aware the gravel pit was close to the monument but it was not one of about six points marked on the National Monuments register.

READ NEXT: Offaly publican planning scheme of townhouses

Detective Garda Hogan said the digging had taken place about 200 yards from the graveyard and he agreed with Mr Martin that the rain would have exposed the remains anyway.

The garda said there were many skulls, teeth and bones from different parts of the body and they were spread all over where the soil had been disturbed.

He detailed that Mr Talbot gave a full account of his role following his arrest in September last year and explained it was his belief that stripping back the topsoil was urgent because of the heavy and persistent rain and it was his fear that the weight of the topsoil might cause the remainder of the pit to collapse.

The man provided a receipt for a heifer that fell from the pit and that animal was valued at about 1,400.

Judge Cody remarked: These are monks who have rested in peace for 1,400 years. To be dug up by a Hymac, it's absolutely appalling.

He said he would have to consider whether he was going to accept jurisdiction but was reminded that he had done so when the matter was previously before the court.

Sergeant Brendan Kearns said the DPP had directed that the matter could be disposed of summarily and the judge was also told Mr Talbot had no previous convictions.

Judge Cody said his note from the previous court date was that land had been disturbed beside a graveyard but this was more serious and remains were thrown around like dirt in a field.

Mr Martin said his client had been told by the Department of Heritage that he would be allowed to put up a fence.

Judge Cody remanded Mr Talbot on continuing bail to appear in court again on January 14 next when an up to date report should be presented from the Department of Heritage on the remedial work at the site.

I regard this as a very serious matter, said the judge, adding he hoped the remainder of these monks could rest in peace for another 1,400 years without Mr Talbot taking a Hymac out again.

Mr Martin told him his client had been taking the matter very seriously.

Mr Talbot pleaded guilty to excavating, digging out or otherwise disturbing the ground in or in proximity to a recorded national monument (archaeological complex number OF036-028) without the consent of the National Monuments Service.

He also admitted failing to give notice in writing to the National Monuments Service of intended works to be conducted at the site of the recorded monument.
Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official/

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has commented on the receipt of EUR5.9 billion from the European Commission (EC) at the expense of the Ukrainian fund and the ERA (Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration) mechanism - an initiative of the G7 countries and the EU, noting that these financial instruments are already forcing Russia to "pay for its aggression".

"Today there is an important decision to support our country from partners. Ukraine received EUR5.9 billion from the European Union within the framework of ERA Loans and the Ukraine Facility. Thank you! It is important that the ERA Loans mechanism is financed from the profits from frozen Russian assets, and this is already forcing Russia to pay for its aggression. Only pressure can work for peace, and therefore we must intensify work on the use of Russian assets. We are very much counting on an operational political decision on the reparations loan and the full use of these funds to protect Ukraine," he said on Telegram.

The President thanked EC President Ursula von der Leyen for her leadership and support for Ukraine.

As reported with reference to EC President Ursula von der Leyen, the EC will allocate about EUR6 billion to Ukraine on Thursday from the Ukrainian Fund and the ERA mechanism. Speaking at the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels, she welcomed "the commitment of the European Council to cover Ukraines financial needs for the next two years."
Survivors of the former Sean Ross Mother and Baby Home in Roscrea are planning a poignant event to remember those who died at the facility.

A Candlelight Tribute will take place at Sean Ross Abbey on World Childrens Day on Thursday, November 20th at 5 pm, to honour the 1,090 babies and 23 young girls who died there.

The event will feature 1,090 tea lights to represent each baby and 23 pillar candles for the young girls who also lost their lives and organisers told the Tribune they are planning "a peaceful and dignified act of remembrance for those who were silenced and forgotten".

The hope is that people across Ireland and abroad will light candles in their windows at 5pm that evening in solidarity with those gathering at Sean Ross Abbey.

Supporters are invited to share photos of their candles on social media using the hashtags #JusticeForThe1090 and #SeanRossAbbeyBabies.

Schools and community groups are encouraged to take part in their own way by lighting candles, holding a moment of silence, or creating small displays of remembrance.

This will help ensure that future generations learn what happened in Irelands Mother and Baby Homes and remember those who never had the chance to grow up.

"While this event is an act of remembrance, it is also a call for truth and action", the survivors said.

Survivors continue to urge the Government to locate and recover the remains of the 1,090 babies who died at Sean Ross Abbey.

READ NEXT: Roscrea SuperValu fire a 'devastating blow' for Roscrea

"Most of these children have never been found. Their mothers are now elderly, and many fear they will die without ever knowing where their babies are buried", they said.

The Candlelight Tribute will serve as both a memorial and a message  that the children of Sean Ross Abbey must be found, and that Ireland must finally give them the dignity of being named, recognised, and remembered, the organisers said.
Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator

On November 11, tens of thousands of Iraqi voters took to the polls to elect a new parliament, marking the country's sixth legislative election since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled the regime of late president Saddam Hussein.

More than 20 million Iraqis were eligible to cast their ballots to choose 329 members of parliament, with 46 seats allocated to the Kurdistan Region, including five reserved for minority communities.

According to the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), voter turnout exceeded 55% of registered voters a figure described by observers as a positive sign of renewed public engagement.

A total of 7,743 candidates competed across multiple coalitions and alliances, with nearly one-third being women. The Iraqi constitution mandates that no less than 25% of parliamentary seats be held by women.

In addition, 75 independent candidates ran in the election, marking a modest but symbolically important participation outside Iraq's dominant political blocs.

Polling took place in 8,703 voting centers and 39,285 polling stations spread across the country's 18 provinces.

25 international and domestic monitoring organizations observed the voting process to ensure transparency and credibility.

Preliminary results are expected within 24 hours of the polls closing. Analysts predict that the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, led by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, will perform strongly though this does not necessarily guarantee his return to office.

Voters in general are demanding an improved economic situation, and especially seeking an increase in jobs and income.

However, in Sadr City, a stronghold of the influential cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, many voters stayed home in obedience to his call for a boycott of what he described as a corrupt process.

Al-Sadr's movement had won the largest number of seats in the 2021 election (73 seats) but withdrew from parliament after disputes with the Coordination Framework, a coalition of Iran-aligned Shiite parties. The resulting political stalemate led to months of unrest and deadly clashes.

Iraq's political scene remains dominated by Shiite factions, many of which maintain close ties to Iran.

The elections are a prelude to the selection of a new president a largely ceremonial post traditionally reserved for Kurds and the prime minister, who holds executive authority.

Both appointments typically require months of negotiation and political compromise.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani rose to power in 2022 after more than a year of political paralysis caused by disputes between Sadr's movement and the Coordination Framework. His government has been credited with maintaining Iraq's relative stability amid heightened regional tensions.

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There's one rule in the age of Donald Trump. When it comes to him, you simply cant rule anything out. Its true that, only recently, when asked about the possibility that he would order military strikes not just on ships off the coast of Venezuela but in Venezuela itself, he bluntly said no. But hes also said that military options remain on the table. And how strange, if hes planning on doing nothing, that U.S. warships are now reportedly positioned for possible strikes inside that country, with destroyers off its coast and an aircraft carrier task force having only recently entered the Caribbean as well. And don't forget the covert actions his administration has already secretly authorized the CIA to take inside that country. Or for that matter, the supposed drug ships his administration has been sinking regularly in the Caribbean (and the Pacific Ocean), even though it doesn't faintly know who's on them.

Mind you, were talking about the president who claims to have ended eight wars and considers himself the most eligible person on Earth (bar no one!) for a Nobel Peace Prize. But the world of Donald Trump simply couldn't be stranger or both more predictable and yes! more unpredictable. Recently, in a social media post, Senator Bernie Sanders pointed out whats constitutionally obvious, even if not, of course, to the president and his crew: Trump is illegally threatening war with Venezuela after killing more than 50 people in unauthorized strikes at sea. The Constitution is clear: Only Congress can declare war. Congress must defend the law and end Trumps militarism.

How truly strange and, stranger yet, the recent Trump attacks on those drug ships in the Caribbean and this country's ongoing war on drugs have a distinct history, which TomDispatch regular Greg Grandin lays out all too vividly today. When it comes to the United States of America and its presidents, while Donald Trump is now distinctly upping the ante, there's nothing faintly new about the disastrous war on drugs. Tom

Escalating the Escalation

A Short History of the Long War on Drugs in Latin America from Richard Nixon to Donald Trump

By Greg Grandin

Today, Donald Trump presides over his own Murder Incorporated, less a government than a death squad.

Many brushed off his proclamation early in his second term that the Gulf of Mexico would henceforth be called the Gulf of America as a foolish, yet harmless, show of dominance. Now, however, hes created an ongoing bloodbath in the adjacent Caribbean Sea. The Pentagon has so far destroyed 18 go-fast boats there and in the Pacific Ocean. No evidence has been presented or charges brought suggesting that those ships were running drugs, as claimed. The White House has simply continued to release birds-eye view surveillance videos (snuff films, really) of a targeted vessel. Then comes a flash of light and its gone, as are the humans it was carrying, be they drug smugglers, fishermen, or migrants. As far as we know, at least 64 people have already been killed in such attacks.

The kill rate is accelerating. In early September, the U.S. was hitting one boat every eight to ten days. In early October, one every two days. For a time, starting in mid-October, it was every day, including four strikes on October 27th alone. Blood, it seems, lusts for blood.

And the kill zone has been expanding from the Caribbean waters off Venezuela to the Colombian and Peruvian coasts in the Pacific Ocean.

Many motives might explain Trumps compulsion to murder. Perhaps he enjoys the thrill and rush of power that comes from giving execution orders, or he (and Secretary of State Marco Rubio) hope to provoke a war with Venezuela. Perhaps he considers the strikes useful distractions from the crime and corruption that define his presidency. The cold-blooded murder of Latin Americans is also red meat for the vengeful Trumpian rank-and-file who have been ginned up by culture warriors like Vice President JD Vance to blame the opioid crisis, which disproportionately plagues the Republican Partys White rural base, on elite betrayal.

The murders, which Trump insists are part of a larger war against drug cartels and traffickers, are horrific. They highlight Vance's callous cruelty. The vice president has joked about murdering fishermen and claimed he doesn't give a sh*t if the killings are legal. As to Trump, hes brushed off the need for congressional authority to destroy speedboats or attack Venezuela, saying: I think were just gonna kill people. Okay? Were gonna kill them. They're gonna be, like, dead.

But as with so many Trumpian things, its important to remember that he wouldn't be able to do what he does if it weren't for policies and institutions put in place by all too many of his predecessors. His horrors have long backstories. In fact, Donald Trump isn't so much escalating the war on drugs as escalating its escalation.

What follows then is a short history of how we got to a moment when a president could order the serial killing of civilians, publicly share videos of the crimes, and find that the response of all too many reporters, politicians (Rand Paul being an exception), and lawyers was little more than a shrug, if not, in some cases, encouragement.

A Short History of the Longest War

Next Page 1 | 2 | 3

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
A man who was caught hauling more than 100 pounds of methamphetamine from California to Oregon in two separate stops within a 10-month period was sentenced Thursday to six and a half years in federal prison.

State police first stopped Jason Michael Nord in May 2023 on Interstate 5 northbound in Lane County and seized 57 pounds of methamphetamine found in the trunk of his rented orange Renegade Jeep.

The drugs were located in 60 individually-wrapped packages inside a black duffel bag, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Sax.

State police seized the drugs but did not arrest Nord to avoid disrupting a broader federal investigation into a Mexico-based drug trafficking organization, Sax said.

Ten months later on March 1, 2024, state police stopped a white rental Jeep, also driven by Nord, near Cottage Grove.

Federal agents searched the Jeep with a warrant and recovered another 15 kilograms of methamphetamine in a round package, equivalent to about 33 pounds. The agents found another 17 pounds of methamphetamine concealed in a duffel bag inside a suitcase, according to Sax.

Agents then raided Nords home in Portland and recovered from his bedroom just under a pound of methamphetamine, as well as counterfeit oxycodone pills made of fentanyl, Sax said.

Officers seized in total about 108 pounds of methamphetamine between the stops on the freeway and the raid of his home, police said.

In August, Nord pleaded guilty to possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Citing the huge amount of drugs and Nords continued drug trafficking even after he was caught red-handed, by police in May 2023, Sax urged a sentence of just over six years to protect the community and stop Nord from future drug trafficking.

Nords defense lawyer Melissa Chinn sought a straight six-year prison term.

Nord, now 45, has used methamphetamine and alcohol to numb his life for the last 25 years after his best friend died at age 17 from drowning, his lawyer said. Nord was with his friend at the time and felt significant guilt, according to Chinn.

Chinn said Nords 30s were a blur, because his drug and alcohol addiction took up almost all of his adult life. Since his arrest, she said, hes been in treatment and now has a counselor and mentors, who attended the sentencing with Nords father.

Nord told the judge he accepted responsibility for his crimes, apologized for his actions and said he recognized the harm hes caused to his family, friends and community. He said he wanted to focus on continued treatment.

Without treatment, he said, the cycle will continue.

U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immergut said she found the prosecutors proposed sentence reasonable. She said she recognized Nords challenging childhood, addiction and acceptance of responsibility but also had to weigh the serious nature of his crime.

Immergut said she believed the crime was fueled by more than addiction, however, noting he continued to haul large quantities of drugs even after he was first stopped and not arrested and that Nord had other drug paraphernalia and scales in his home.

That is behavior that is so damaging to our society, the judge said.
The number Oregon high school students taking AP exams has increased, but Oregon still lags national AP participation rates among Black students and Latino and Hispanic students.

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.

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.

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.

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.

-- Alex Baumhardt, Oregon Capital Chronicle

The Oregon Capital Chronicle, founded in 2021, is a nonprofit news organization that focuses on Oregon state government, politics and policy.
The fourth and final cybersecurity education session was held in Kyiv, marking the eighth consecutive year that specialists from the public and private sectors have come together as part of Ukraine's Cybersecurity Month. The initiative, launched in 2018 by the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UCCI), serves as a platform for discussing the strategic challenges facing the state, business, and society in the digital era.

"Our main goal is educational outreach in the format of public-private partnership. We aim to provide businesses with up-to-date knowledge about emerging cyber threats and effective methods to protect their companies," said Volodymyr Koliadenko, First Vice President and Secretary General of the Kyiv Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

This year's program covered not only the analysis of cyber threats but also practical aspects of building cybersecurity systems. Special attention was given to new trends, including the entry into force of European cybersecurity legislation. In this context, the Kyiv Chamber of Commerce and Industry, together with the Kyiv City State Administration, organized a specialized training program for business leaders and owners.

The session brought together representatives of the Verkhovna Rada, the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC), the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection (SSSCIP), cyber police, and international partners, including CISCO, ESET, Asters, and CoreWin.

Participants discussed legislative changes, the challenges of digital transformation, the risks and opportunities of artificial intelligence, and response protocols in case of cyber incidents. Practical case studies were presented on protecting information and communication systems, countering cyber fraud, and ensuring the cyber resilience of the financial sector. A particular emphasis was placed on the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises, which often remain the most vulnerable to attacks.

Oleksandr Potii, head of the SSSCIP, stressed the importance of developing transparent rules and expanding educational programs. He noted that the private sector creates the labor market and services, but Ukraine currently lacks more than 7,500 specialists in cybersecurity. At the same time, he said, there is a misconception that the SSSCIP is a punitive body, while in fact it is focused on building a modern cybersecurity infrastructure.

Volodymyr Zvieriev, head of the Information Security Department of the NSDC's Cybersecurity and Information Security Service, described cybersecurity as a pillar of national resilience and a tool for mobilizing the state, business, and society. He highlighted the importance of developing a national domain name system to protect companies from compromise and emphasized Ukraine's strategic priority  technological sovereignty. According to him, Ukrainian technologies have already become competitive in the global market.

Participants agreed that cybersecurity is not only a technical issue but also a matter of public policy that requires a systemic approach, cross-sectoral cooperation, and continuous education. Artificial intelligence, increasingly used by both attackers and defenders, has become a new battlefield in the digital war that continues every day, demanding the maximum mobilization of Ukraine's knowledge, resources, and capabilities.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops formalized a yearslong process for the U.S. church to address transgender health care. From left; the Rev. Michael J.K. Fuller, Archbishop Timothy Broglio and Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore conduct conference's plenary assembly in Baltimore, on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. AP

U.S. Catholic bishops voted Wednesday to make official a ban on gender-affirming care for transgender patients at Catholic hospitals. The step formalizes a yearslong process for the U.S. church to address transgender health care.

From a Baltimore hotel ballroom, the bishops overwhelmingly approved revisions to their ethical and religious directives that guide the nations thousands of Catholic health care institutions and providers.

More than one in seven patients in the U.S. are treated each day at Catholic hospitals, according to the Catholic Health Association. Catholic hospitals are the only medical center in some communities.

Major medical groups and health organizations support gender-affirming care for transgender patients.

Most Catholic health care institutions have taken a conservative approach and not offered gender-affirming care, which may involve hormonal, psychological and surgical treatments. The new directives will formalize that mandate. Bishops will have autonomy in making the directives into law for their dioceses.

With regard to the gender ideology, I think its very important the church makes a strong statement here, said Bishop Robert Barron of Minnesotas Winona-Rochester diocese during the public discussion of the revised directives.

The Catholic Health Association thanked the bishops for incorporating much of the organizations feedback into the directives. It said in a statement, Catholic providers will continue to welcome those who seek medical care from us and identify as transgender. We will continue to treat these individuals with dignity and respect, which is consistent with Catholic social teaching and our moral obligation to serve everyone, particularly those who are marginalized.

The new guidelines incorporate earlier documents on gender identity from the Vatican in 2024 and the U.S. bishops in 2023.

In the 2023 doctrinal note, titled Moral Limits to the Technological Manipulation of the Human Body, the bishops specified: Catholic health care services must not perform interventions, whether surgical or chemical, that aim to transform the sexual characteristics of a human body into those of the opposite sex, or take part in the development of such procedures.

Progressive religious voices respond

The Catholic Church is not monolithic when it comes to transgender rights. Some parishes and priests welcome trans Catholics into the fold, while others are not as accepting.

Catholic teaching upholds the invaluable dignity of every human life, and for many trans people, gender-affirming care is what makes life livable, said Michael Sennett, a trans man who is active in his Massachusetts parish.

Sennett serves on the board of New Ways Ministry, which advocates for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the Catholic Church. In 2024, the group arranged a meeting with Pope Francis to discuss the need for gender-affirming care.

New Ways Ministrys executive director, Francis DeBernardo, said that for many transgender Catholics he knows, the transition process was not just a biological necessity, but a spiritual imperative. That if they were going to be living as authentic people in the way that they believe God made them, then transition becomes a necessary thing.

On the same day that U.S. Catholic bishops were discussing gender identity, the heads of several major progressive religious denominations issued a statement in support of transgender, intersex and nonbinary people, at a time when many state legislatures and the Trump administration are curtailing their rights.

The 10 signers included the heads of the Unitarian Universalist Association, the Episcopal Church, the Union for Reform Judaism and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

During a time when our country is placing their lives under increasingly serious threat, there is a disgraceful misconception that all people of faith do not affirm the full spectrum of gender  a great many of us do. Let it be known instead that our beloveds are created in the image of God  Holy and whole, the religious leaders said in a statement.

U.S. bishops united in their concern for immigrants

The Catholic bishops, wrapping up their conference in Baltimore, overwhelmingly approved a special message on immigration Wednesday. Such pastoral statements are rare; the last was in 2013 in response to the Obama administrations mandate for insurers to provide contraception coverage.

Catholic leaders individually have criticized the Trump administrations immigration crackdown. Fear of immigration enforcement has suppressed Mass attendance at some parishes. Local clerics are fighting to administer sacraments to detained immigrants.

We are disturbed when we see among our people a climate of fear and anxiety around questions of profiling and immigration enforcement, the bishops statement reads. We are saddened by the state of contemporary debate and the vilification of immigrants. We are concerned about the conditions in detention centers and the lack of access to pastoral care.

In a show of unity, multiple bishops stood up to speak in favor of the statement during the final afternoon discussion, including Oklahoma City Archbishop Paul Coakley, the newly elected president of the conference.

Im strongly in support of it for the good of our immigrant brothers and sisters, but also to find a nice balance, Coakley said, noting that they call upon our lawmakers and our administration to offer us a meaningful path of reform of our immigration system.

Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich walked to the microphone to recommend stronger language around mass deportation. That seems to be the central issue we are facing with our people at this time, he said.

His brother bishops agreed. The updated text now states that U.S. Catholic bishops oppose the indiscriminate mass deportation of people.

___

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Immigrants from all over the world streamed through Ellis Island between 1892 and 1924, seeking a new life in America. "Ellis island: The Dream of America," written and composed by Peter Boyer, will be performed in a free concert by the Cleveland Orchestra April 18. Photo courtesy of The Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration.

Today in history:

On Nov. 12, 1954, Ellis Island officially closed as an immigration station and detention center. More than 12 million immigrants arrived in the United States via Ellis Island between 1892 and 1954.

Also on this date:

In 1927, Josef Stalin became the undisputed ruler of the Soviet Union as Leon Trotsky was expelled from the Communist Party.

In 1936, the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge opened as President Franklin D. Roosevelt pressed a telegraph key in Washington, D.C., and gave the green light to traffic.

In 1936, American playwright Eugene ONeill received the Nobel Prize in Literature.

In 1948, Japanese general and former Prime Minister Hideki Tojo and several other World War II Japanese leaders were sentenced to death by a war crimes tribunal; he was executed in December 1948.

In 1970, the Bhola cyclone struck East Pakistan, now Bangladesh. The deadliest tropical cyclone on record claimed the lives of an estimated 300,000-500,000 people.

In 2001, American Airlines Flight 587, en route to the Dominican Republic, crashed after takeoff from New Yorks John F. Kennedy International Airport, killing all 260 people on board and five people on the ground.

In 2019, Venice saw its worst flooding in more than 50 years, with the water reaching 6.14 feet (1.87 meters) above average sea level; damage was estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

In 2021, a judge in Los Angeles ended the conservatorship that had controlled the life and money of pop star Britney Spears for nearly 14 years.

In 2024, a federal judge sentenced Jack Teixeira, a Massachusetts Air National Guard member, to 15 years in prison for leaking classified military documents about the war in Ukraine; Teixeira had pleaded guilty to willful retention and transmission of national defense information under the Espionage Act, nearly a year after his arrest in the most consequential national security breach in years.
A view of the Eiffel Tower in clouds and a Parisian building. France. 130 people were killed in the November 13 Paris attacks. AFP via Getty Images

Today in history:

On Nov. 13, 2015, Islamic State militants carried out a set of coordinated attacks in Paris at the national stadium, in a crowded concert hall, in restaurants and on streets, killing 130 people in the worst attack on French soil since World War II.

Also on this date:

In 1775, during the Revolutionary War, American troops captured Montreal under the command of Continental Army Gen. Richard Montgomery.

In 1909, 259 men and boys were killed when fire erupted inside a coal mine in Cherry, Illinois.

In 1956, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed a lower court ruling which found Alabama bus segregation laws were illegal.

In 1971, the U.S. space probe Mariner 9 went into orbit around Mars, becoming the first spacecraft to orbit another planet.

In 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

In 1985, some 23,000 residents of Armero, Colombia, died when a volcanic mudslide buried the city.

In 2001, U.S.-backed Northern Alliance fighters in Afghanistan entered Kabul as Taliban forces retreated from the capital city.

In 2022, four University of Idaho students were fatally stabbed in their off-campus rental home in Moscow, Idaho. A suspect, Bryan Kohberger, would plead guilty to the murders in 2025 in a deal with prosecutors to avoid the death penalty and was handed four life sentences without parole.
The Oregon Zoo's new license plate, featuring an Asian elephant and roses, is now available. The Oregon Zoo

Pacific Northwest pachyderm pals unite! The new Oregon Zoo elephant license plate is now available.

The plate, which was announced in 2024, is now available at any Oregon Department of Motor Vehicle office, by mail or online.

Along with standard fees, the new elephant plate includes a $40 fee when first ordered and again at each registration renewal.

Roughly $35 of the surcharge goes to the Oregon Zoo Foundation to support conservation education, species recovery and animal well-being at the Oregon Zoo, according to the zoo.

The design on the plate is inspired by a 1990 mural that was on the Old Skidmore Foundation Building in Portlands Old Town Chinatown.

Mother elephant Belle grabs the tail of her offspring, Packy during training at The Oregon Zoo in 1962. Oregonian Oregonian

That mural featured Packy, the first Asian elephant born in captivity in 44 years, when he was born at the Oregon Zoo in 1962.

Packy lived to be 54, which made him the oldest male Asian elephant in North America at the time.

Since the license plate was announced, the Oregon Zoo has welcomed a new elephant to the herd: Tula-Tu, born in February.

Tula-Tu and her mom Rose-Tu venture outside on public view on Tuesday, April 15 at the Oregon Zoo. Lizzy Acker/The Oregonian

Tula-Tus grandmother, Me-Tu, was Packys half-sister, born several months after Packy but also at the Oregon Zoo in 1962.

Artist Jeremy Nichols created the new plate. Nichols murals can be seen across Oregon, in places like on The Portland Metro parking garage in the Lloyd District and in Toledo, Oregon.
Arizona Democratic candidate Adelita Grijalva listens to her children speak at the stage podium after being declared the winner against Republican Daniel Butierez, to fill the Congressional District 7 seat held by the late U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva in a special election Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) AP

Democrat Adelita Grijalva was sworn in as the newest member of Congress on Wednesday, more than seven weeks after she won a special election in Arizona to fill the House seat last held by her late father.

Grijalva signed on as the 218th member to approve a discharge petition to force the release of information about disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, The Hill reported Wednesday afternoon.

She signed the petition almost immediately after being sworn in.

Democrats, including Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley, had challenged House Speaker Mike Johnsons claim that he could not swear Grijalva in during the government shutdown and claimed that the delay was designed to prevent the release of the Epstein files.

Earlier on Wednesday, Democrats released a 2011 email from disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein detailing the hours that Donald Trump spent at Epsteins house with a victim of sex trafficking.

Grijalva was sworn in shortly before the House returned to session to vote on a deal to fund the federal government. The lower chamber had been away since mid-September.

Grijalvas seating brings the partisan margin in the House to a narrow 220-214 Republican majority. She vowed to continue her fathers legacy of advocating for progressive policies on issues like environmentalism, labor rights and tribal sovereignty.

She had previously called the prospect of finally being sworn in emotional in an interview with The Associated Press.

The seating of Grijalva brings an end to a weekslong delay that she and other Democrats said was intended to prevent her signature on a petition to eventually trigger a vote to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein.

Johnson had refused to seat Grijalva while the chamber was out of session, a decision that prompted condemnation from Grijalva, a lawsuit from Arizonas attorney general and speculation that Johnson was delaying her induction into the House to stall a vote on whether to require the Justice Department release documents related to the late convicted sex trafficker.

Grijalva has said she will join the petition from Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., after taking office, giving it the 218 signatures needed. Three Republicans have signed onto Massies petition  Reps. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Nancy Mace of South Carolina and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia.

President Donald Trump has been reaching out about Epstein to two of them, according to a person familiar with the effort who was not authorized to discuss it publicly. The president has phoned Mace, who has returned the calls, but the two have not yet spoken. Trump made a call to Boebert, which the person described as unsuccessful.

For now, anyone can remove his or her name from the petition. Once it reaches 218 signatures it will be too late.

A busy first day

Grijalvas arrival kicks off a busy day on Capitol Hill as hundreds of House members return, their trips potentially complicated by travel delays caused by the shutdown.

Lawmakers who win special elections typically take the oath of office on days when legislative business is conducted. But with the House out of session since Sept. 19, Johnson had said he would swear her in when everyone returned. He did swear in two Republican members this year when the chamber was not in legislative session.

I dont think hes thought of anything that hes doing, in this case, as anything personal, Grijalva told The Associated Press in an interview. It feels personal because, literally, my name was attached. I also know that if I were a Republican, I would have been sworn in seven weeks ago.

Weve been waiting for this so long that its still surreal, she said.

She will start her House tenure by voting on the Senate-passed legislation to reopen the government. Grijalva and most Democrats are expected to oppose it because it does not extend Affordable Care Act tax credits that expire at the end of the year. Republicans can still pass the bill with their slim majority.

The 218th signature on an Epstein file discharge petition

Grijalva would be the final necessary signature on a discharge petition linked to legislation that would require the Justice Department to release all unclassified documents and communications related to Epstein and his sex trafficking operation.

The Epstein Files Transparency Act, co-sponsored by Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Ro Khanna, D-Calif., is supported by all Democrats and three Republicans, Reps. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Nancy Mace of South Carolina.

Grijalva can add her signature to the petition once she is sworn into office. But her move will not mean a vote right away, due to House rules.

Massachusetts Rep. Jim McGovern, the top Democrat on the House Rules Committee, said he expects voting on the Epstein bill to take place in early December.

Emails released Wednesday from Democrats on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee are likely to reignite interest in the issue. Epstein write in a 2011 email that Trump had spent hours at Epsteins house with a victim of sex trafficking and said in a separate message years later that Trump knew about the girls.

The Democrats selectively leaked emails to the liberal media to create a fake narrative to smear President Trump, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.

Leavitt and Republicans on the committee said the person in question was Virginia Giuffre, who accused Epstein of arranging for her to have sexual encounters with a number of his rich and powerful friends. Giuffre, before she died this year, had long insisted that Trump was not among the men who had victimized her.

Arizonas first Latina congresswoman

Rep. Raul Grijalva, Adelitas father, died in March after more than two decades in the House, where he built a reputation as a staunch progressive.

Adelita Grijalva has long been active in local politics. She served on the Tucson Unified School District board before joining the Pima County Board of Supervisors, where she became only the second woman to lead the board.

She won the Sept. 23 special election with ease to complete the remainder of her fathers term, representing a mostly Hispanic district in which Democrats enjoy a nearly 2-to-1 voter registration advantage over Republicans. Grijalva said the win was emotional.

I would rather have my dad than have an office, she said.

She told the AP that environmental justice, tribal sovereignty and public education are among her priorities, echoing the work her father championed.

I know that the bar is set very high, and the expectation is high of what were going to be able to do once sworn in, she said.
Archbishop Alexander K. Sample of Portland voiced support for immigrants following the U.S. bishops annual meeting in Baltimore, where church leaders called for compassion and reform in the nations immigration system. Chiara Profenna

Lea este articulo en espanol: El arzobispo de Portland se une a los obispos catolicos de EE. UU. para reafirmar el apoyo a los inmigrantes

At their annual meeting this week in Baltimore, the nations Catholic bishops approved a special message calling for compassion toward immigrants and reform of the U.S. immigration system. It was the first time in 12 years that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops had issued a pastoral message of this kind.

The message expressed alarm over heightened fears of profiling and deportation within immigrant communities. The bishops also pledged to advocate for humane treatment in detention centers and access to pastoral care for those in custody.

We are disturbed when we see among our people a climate of fear and anxiety around questions of profiling and immigration enforcement, the statement reads. We are saddened by the state of contemporary debate and the vilification of immigrants.

In Oregon, Portland Archbishop Alexander K. Sample voiced his own support for immigrant communities. In a Nov. 8 statement, which was published in English and Spanish, he affirmed that the dignity of every person comes from God, not government.

It does not matter whether some of our brothers and sisters have proper documentation or not, Sample said. They are our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ, and have a human dignity that comes not from government, but from our loving God.

Sample also stated he is deeply troubled by the growing fear and anxiety within Oregons Hispanic Catholic community, fear he attributed to increased ICE activity  including near some parish locations.

During the same conference, Sample was elected chairman of the U.S. bishops Committee for Religious Liberty, which advocates for religious freedom nationwide through teaching the broader public and investigating threats. The committee is also tasked with coordinating and advising on public policy efforts concerning these issues.

As of Thursday, the Diocese of Baker had not issued a statement regarding the bishops new immigration message.

The Oregonian/OregonLive receives support from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust to bring readers stories on religion, faith and cultural connections in Oregon. The Oregonian/OregonLive is solely responsible for all content.
State and federal lawmakers say theyve been kept in the dark about a possible U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility at the Newport Municipal Airport  but emerging clues point to the projects potential scale.

Public job postings for detention officers based in Newport, a request for septic tank services and a bid to lease four vacant acres at the airport all suggest ICE is planning to build a detention facility, elected officials say.

In a statement, Gov. Tina Kotek said the federal government continues to refuse to share their plans with her or the public.

While information is limited at this time, I oppose spending taxpayer dollars on an unwanted and unnecessary additional ICE detention facility in Newport, or any part of the state, Kotek said.

On Wednesday, four members of Oregons congressional delegation sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem asking her to share the departments plans and questioning the decision to move a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter stationed at Newport.

The letter argues that establishing a detention facility in Newport would be deeply misguided and could disrupt the tourism and fishing industries that are so important to the city of 10,000.

ICE has already rounded up law-abiding members of our communities who present no threat to public safety, which has created fear among Oregon families, says the letter, signed by Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Reps. Suzanne Bonamici and Val Hoyle, all Democrats.

ICE and the Coast Guard didnt immediately respond to inquiries.

Noem, as secretary of homeland security, controls the Coast Guard, which owns a helicopter base at the airport.

State Rep. David Gomberg, a Democrat who represents the city, said a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, used for water rescues and other missions, was quietly redeployed to a different base, about 100 miles south of Newport, at the end of October.

They pulled the helicopter out without any notice just when the weather is turning bad and the crab season is beginning, Gomberg said in an interview. People will potentially die because of that decision.

Job postings first identified by Oregon Public Broadcasting show Asset Protection & Security Services, a Texas-based contractor, is looking to hire detention officers to provide care, custody and control of those in ICE custody in Newport.

Other ads posted by Acuity International, a Virginia contractor, seek applicants for a variety of health-care jobs in Newport, including registered nurses, behavioral-health technicians and an infection-prevention officer.

Dan Brammer, an Acuity employee, sent a request Monday to a Lincoln County septic company, saying that an unidentified federal project will require pumping services for 5,000 to 10,000 gallons of sewage a day, for as long as three years, according to screenshots reviewed by The Oregonian/OregonLive.

The request also sought pricing for portable toilets and handwashing stations. Brammer and the septic business owner, Angie Ware, declined to comment.

Separate from the helicopter base, a Texas contractor known for being able to quickly set up military housing is looking to lease the four acres of vacant land, records show.

Newports city council has made no decision regarding the request to lease the four acres of undeveloped land at the city-owned airport, which is located about three miles south of downtown,

The seven-person council is set to discuss the issue at a special meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
U.S. Border Patrol agents are in the Portland area making targeted immigration arrests, officials confirmed. A file photo of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent. (Getty Images) Maxine Bernstein

U.S. Border Patrol agents, including some assigned to a unit known as Special Operations Detachment, are active in the Portland area and are targeting and arresting immigrants who may have a criminal record, immigration authorities confirmed this week.

U.S. Border Patrol, which falls under U.S. Customs and Border Protection, primarily operates within 100 miles of any international or coastal borders.

But its role has significantly increased under the Trump administration and border chief Gregory Bovino, who has led Chicagos chaotic and controversial Operation Midway Blitz.

The agency now argues that the Immigration and Nationality Act and other laws allow U.S. Border Patrol to operate anywhere in the United States, and immigration advocates are sounding the alarm about their expansion in Oregon.

Sarah Mehta of the American Civil Liberties Union said Border Patrol agents have engaged in a documented pattern of policing that is dangerous and discriminatory for local communities.

The problem isnt just the horror of these individual stories, she said. Its also the failure of the agency itself to really take seriously the need for better training, for more robust hiring, for better oversight and disciplinary procedures to make sure that their agents are not using force against communities or immigrants.

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesperson would not provide details about the Portland area mission, declining to say when Border Patrol agents arrived, how many there are or how long they will stay.

U.S. Border Patrol agents operating in the Portland area are targeting and arresting criminal aliens who continue to violate our nations immigration laws, the spokesperson said in an email to The Oregonian/OregonLive. As a matter of policy, CBP does not share the staffing strength of any of our law enforcement operations or deployments.

Its unknown how many immigration arrests in Oregon this year have been carried out by U.S. Border Patrol agents, but enforcement in general ramped up in October, with more than 300 arrests last month alone.

Border Patrol violently arrested and detained Israel Garcia on Nov. 3, when he was dropping off a relative for her babysitting job at a private home in Sherwood, Garcias brother said. Agents, including one who identified himself as Border Patrol in a video the family shared, followed them onto the private property, his brother said.

Jairo Garcia, the brother, said agents broke two of Israel Garcias ribs as they pulled him from his car. Why do they have to hurt people? Jairo Garcia said in Spanish.

Border Patrol officials argue that the Immigration and Nationality Act allows its agents to interrogate people, arrest them without warrants if agents believe they are in the country unlawfully and conduct searches of vehicles and vessels if they have a reasonable suspicion of immigration violations.

Their ability to operate nationwide ensures Border Patrol can enforce immigration laws, combat smuggling, and address national security threats anywhere in the United States, the spokesperson said. Immigration enforcement is not limited to border regions when individuals who evade detection at the border can still be apprehended.

Ahilan Arulanantham, faculty co-director for the Center for Immigration Law & Policy at UCLA School of Law, said Border Patrol has always asserted authority to act in places like Portland and Los Angeles given their proximity to the Pacific coast.

In practice, though, they almost never engage in significant enforcement operations in those places until this administration, he said. So, it is a significant shift.

Border Patrol agents say they can interrogate people, Arulanantham said, but the law has always been that people are free to ignore those questions and not answer them under the Fourth Amendment.

Thats where you get the right to remain silent, he said.

In Los Angeles this summer, Arulanantham said Border Patrol agents were stopping people and refusing to let them go even when they chose to remain silent, which he called clearly illegal.

Meanwhile, the Border Patrol spokesperson said the agency encourages immigrants in the country to take control of their own departure.

As immigration enforcement continues to increase nationwide, the Trump administration plans to replace at least a dozen regional ICE field office directors with Border Patrol officials, according to multiple news reports. Camilla Wamsley, the director for the Seattle Field Office that oversees operations in Oregon, started in the job this spring.
Lincoln County residents spoke in opposition to a proposed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility during a Newport City Council meeting on Wed., Nov. 12, 2025. Screenshot

Newport is among the sites on the Oregon coast under consideration for a new U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility, Newport officials said Wednesday.

The declaration by Newport City Manager Nina Vetter at a city meeting corroborated days of speculation to that effect after federal contractors indicated they wanted to lease city land and hire ICE detention officers based in the coastal town.

Whether ICE will move forward with plans to create a possible detention center in Lincoln County remains as murky as the fog rolling off Yaquina Bay, however.

Vetter also said Wednesday that the Texas company that had first proposed leasing land at the Newport Municipal Airport for unspecified federal operations has withdrawn its letter of interest. She did not specify how she was made aware that the Newport airport was considered a possible location for an ICE facility and said the city has not heard directly from the Department of Homeland Security. Meanwhile, job postings for ICE detention officers and health care workers based in Newport remained available online Wednesday night.

City officials vowed Wednesday to push back against any ICE development.

Speaking for the City Council, I know that we have a consensus. Were going to do everything we can to fight this, Mayor Jan Kaplan said from the dais.

The news of the rescinded proposal and the city councils opposition to the ICE facility drew cheers and applause at Newport City Hall as a crowd filled council chambers and spilled into the hall. Another 500 people were watching a livestream of the proceedings.

During the meeting, speakers testified overwhelmingly in opposition to the ICE facility. Some compared ICE detention to Holocaust concentration camps. A woman from Salem said shed be afraid to bring her children to Newport for fear her family would be torn apart.

Other residents voiced concerns over the federal governments recent decision to rebase the Coast Guards rescue helicopter from the municipal airport to the Coast Guards air station in North Bend, which is roughly 100 miles south of Newport and its substantial commercial crabbing fleet. The change raised questions as to whether the federal government intends to use the helicopter station in Newport for another purpose. The U.S. Coast Guard, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security, was deeded control of the roughly 1-acre helicopter station at the city-owned airport in 1992.

Taunette Dixon, a member of the Newport Fishermens Wives, recalled how the group sought an injunction roughly a decade ago during a previous attempt to rehome the rescue helicopter  prompting the federal government to eventually back down.

This is life and death, and were going to be here fighting for our community, Dixon told the council members.

Many opposed the move on immigration grounds.

Sarah Yaeggy, a member of the Latino support group Conexion Phoenix, said an ICE detention facility would force families to choose between going to work and school or leaving the area.

I urge you to remember that these families are a fundamental part of not only our community, but also our economy, she said. Were talking about working families who have spent their lives working in tourism, restaurants and hotels and seafood-packing companies and in construction.

City councilors were unanimous in their opposition to the proposed ICE facility. Council President Cynthia Jacobi called the thought of it blood curdling.

(Lincoln County itself is hardly uniformly Democratic. More than a third of the countys voters picked President Donald Trump during the November 2024 election.)

But the mood in the council chambers Wednesday evening was a mix of resistance and triumph, with the crowd regularly applauding as the ICE proposal took a drubbing.

We are unanimously united against it and we will prevail because we have been underestimated, Councilor Steve Hickman said.

Councilor Angel Aparicio-Reyes, who was appointed a few months ago, introduced himself as first-generation and the son of immigrants. He slammed Trumps immigration crackdown as indiscriminate and called on the townsfolk to band together.

Its time to put aside all our differences and work together for the safety of every single member of this community, he said.
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The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Thursday reported the destruction of a number of important enemy facilities in the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Zaporizhia region and on the territory of the Russian Federation, in particular, the destruction of the Feodosia Marine Oil Terminal, a helicopter parking lot and a UAV launch pad at the Kirovskoe airfield, and an air defense radar station in the Yevpatoria region.

"As part of reducing the military-economic and offensive potential of the Russian aggressor, on the night of November 13, units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine struck several dozen objects on the territory of the Russian Federation and the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. Inn particular, in the temporarily occupied Crimea, there were hits on the oil products storage enterprise Morskoy Neftyanoy Terminal, a helicopter parking lot and storage and training areas for UAVs at the Kirovskoe airfield and an air defense radar station in the Yevpatoria region," the message on Telegram said.

It is noted that in Russia-occupied areas of Zaporizhia region, an oil depot in the Berdyansk region and forward command posts of the 5th Combined Arms Army and the 127th Motorized Rifle Division of the Russian occupiers were hit.

"Objects on the territory of the Russian Federation were also hit. The extent of the damage is being clarified. The Ukrainian Defense Forces continue the systematic fire damage to objects involved in providing support to the Russian occupation army," the General Staff reported.

According to the report, strike UAVs, jet drones and missiles of various types are used to deliver complex strikes. Last night, several long-range weapons were launched, including domestically produced Ukrainian drones: Flamingo, Bars, and Fluty.
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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has outlined three options for financial support for Ukraine over the next two years, which are currently being considered by the European Commission and will be presented to the heads of state and government of the European Union member states for further discussion.

Speaking at the European Parliament in Brussels on Thursday, von der Leyen welcomed the "clear commitment of the European Council to cover Ukraines financial needs over the next two years". "That is why we are now working closely with Belgium and all member states on options for implementing this commitment. It is clear that we will deliver on it and cover Ukraines financial needs over the next years. We are currently discussing how," she explained.

According to the European Commission President, three options are currently being considered. "Option one is to use the budgetary space to raise funds on the capital markets. Option two is to have an intergovernmental agreement under which member states will raise the necessary capital on their own. Option three is to have a reparations loan based on immobilized Russian assets," she said. Elaborating on the "reparations loan" option, von der Leyen stressed that this would mean taking the remaining cash from immobilized Russian assets, transferring it to Ukraine as a loan - and Ukraine would have to repay this loan if Russia pays reparations." "This is the most effective way to support Ukraines defense and its economy. And the clearest way to make Russia understand that time is not on its side. We will show that, if necessary, we are committed to the long term. Because this is about our freedom. This is about our democracies. This is about a rules-based order. And Europe will always stand up for these values," the European Commission President said.
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The decision to impose sanctions against the figures in the corruption scandal in the energy sector, Tymur Mindych and Oleksandr Tsukerman (also appearing as Zuckerman and Zukerman), "provides for a full standard package, including the blocking of assets in the territory of Ukraine, regardless of the citizenship of the persons to whom they are applied," explained the Presidential Commissioner for Sanctions Policy Vladyslav Vlasiuk, to whom the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) refers.

"Numerous manipulations are spreading on the network regarding the NSDC sanctions against two figures in the National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) investigation. For the sake of clarity, we note. According to the explanations of the Presidential Commissioner for Sanctions Policy Vladyslav Vlasiuk, the decision provides for a full standard package of sanctions, including the blocking of assets in the territory of Ukraine, regardless of the citizenship of the persons to whom they are applied," CCD said on Telegram on Thursday.

"The term of application of sanctions is three years (and for deprivation of awards - indefinitely). There is no ban on entry. Standard set and term of sanctions, including full blocking of assets (instantaneous effect). Applied to persons with confirmed foreign citizenship," Vlasiuk noted.

"Indicating foreign citizenship will allow for operational blocking in foreign jurisdictions. In addition, sanctions actually block assets in Ukraine. The claim that they "do not apply to Ukrainian property" is manipulation that does not correspond to reality," the CCD said.

As reported, Zelenskyy signed a decree on the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine dated November 13, 2025 "On the application of personal special economic and other restrictive measures (sanctions)."

The corresponding decree No. 843/2025 is posted on the presidents website.

According to the annex to the document, sanctions were imposed against Israeli citizens Mindich and Tsukerman.

The sanctioned individuals will be deprived of Ukrainian state awards, and their assets will be frozen for a period of three years. In addition, Mindich and Tsukerman will be completely restricted from trading and completely suspended from transit and transportation through the territory of Ukraine.
Essity to Acquire Edgewell's Feminine Care Business in North America for $340 Million

The deal includes Edgewell's well-known brands Carefree, Stayfree, and o.b. in the USA, Canada, and the Caribbean, and global feminine care rights for the Playtex brand. The deal includes Edgewell's well-known brands Carefree, Stayfree, and o.b. in the USA, Canada, and the Caribbean, and global feminine care rights for the Playtex brand.

Nov. 12, 2025 - Essity today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Edgewell Personal Care's feminine care business, which offers liners, pads, and tampons, through an asset deal. The acquisition includes the well-known brands Carefree, Stayfree, and o.b. in the USA, Canada, and the Caribbean, global feminine care rights for the Playtex brand, as well as a production facility in Dover, Delaware.

The purchase price for the assets amounts to USD 340 million (approximately SEK 3.2 billion) on a cash and debt-free basis.

Essity said the acquisition supports its strategy to focus on high margin categories and to grow market positions in the US, the world's largest hygiene market.

"Im looking forward to further grow these well-known brands, using our established recipe for success within Feminine Care," said Ulrika Kolsrud, President and CEO of Essity. "With this acquisition we are building a stronger personal care business in North America, in line with our strategy to focus on high yielding categories in attractive geographies."

For the 12 months ending on June 30, 2025, Edgewell Personal Care's feminine care business reported net sales of USD 261 million (approximately SEK 2.5 billion) with a segment operating profit of USD 17 million (approximately SEK 160 million). The business has approximately 500 employees, whereof approximately 450 are based at the production facility in Dover, Delaware.

The deal is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026.

About Edgewell Personal Care

Edgewell is a leading pure-play consumer products company with an attractive, diversified portfolio of established brand names such as Schick, Wilkinson Sword and Billie men's and women's shaving systems and disposable razors; Edge and Skintimate shave preparations; Playtex, Stayfree, Carefree and o.b. feminine care products; Banana Boat, Hawaiian Tropic, Bulldog, Jack Black, and CREMO sun and skin care products; and Wet Ones products. The Company has a broad global footprint and operates in more than 50 markets, including the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, Japan, the U.K. and Australia, with approximately 6,700 employees worldwide.

Essity is a global, leading hygiene and health company with products, solutions and services used by a billion people around the world every day. Sales are conducted in approximately 150 countries under the leading global brands TENA and Tork, and other strong brands such as Actimove, Cutimed, JOBST, Knix, Leukoplast, Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Modibodi, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo, TOM Organic and Zewa.

SOURCE: Essity
Metsa Fibre Starts Change Negotiations on Temporary Layoffs at Its Four Sawmills in Finland

The layoffs, which would be for a maximum of 90 days during 2026, cover the entire staff of the sawmills  approximately 350 people. The layoffs, which would be for a maximum of 90 days during 2026, cover the entire staff of the sawmills  approximately 350 people.

Nov. 12, 2025 - Metsa Fibre said that it will start change negotiations on possible layoffs at the company's four sawmills in Finland  Lappeenranta, Rauma, Renko and Vilppula.

The layoffs, which would be for a maximum of 90 days during 2026, cover the entire staff of the sawmills  approximately 350 people.

"The negotiations are prompted by challenging market conditions for sawn timber and harvesting, which have created a need for production downtime," Metsa Fibre said in a press release.

Metsa Fibre is Finland's largest producer of sawn timber with 100 percent of the logs used in its sawmills coming from certified forests.

Metsa Fibre is Metsa Group's pulp and sawmill business. In addition to pulp and sawn timber, Metsa Fibre also produces bioproducts such as biochemicals and bioenergy.

SOURCE: Metsa Group
Boeing has been ordered to pay $28 million to the family of a woman who died in a Boeing 737 Max plane in Ethiopia more than six years ago.

The jury in the case reached the verdict on Wednesday on behalf of the relatives of the United Nations consultant, identified as Shikha Garg, after two hours of deliberation. The weeklong trial in Chicago was the first civil trial stemming from the March 2019 incident that killed all 157 people on board Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302.

Boeing Ordered to Pay $28 Million to Aircraft Crash Victim's Family

In a statement after the jury's verdict was read in court, the family's lawyers, Shanin Specter and Elizabeth Crawford, said they are all gratified by the decision. They said that it provides public accountability for Boeing's wrongful conduct regarding the matter.

On top of the $28 million, Boeing is ordered to pay an additional $3.45 million to Garg's husband, Soumya Bhattacharya, as part of a deal between him and the company that was reached outside of court. With a 26% interest charge, the total amount will come to $35.8 million, according to the New York Post.

In the majority of wrongful death lawsuits that were filed against Boeing in connection with the crash and a 737 Max incident in Indonesia, the company has negotiated pre-trial settlements. However, details of the settlements were confidential and have not been disclosed to the public.

Boeing also apologized on Wednesday to all the victims' families, saying it respects their right to pursue their claims in court. In the latest case, jurors were not tasked with weighing the aircraft manufacturer's liability in the crash, as it has already accepted responsibility. They were only tasked to award damages for matters such as loss of income and grief.

Accepting Responsibility for the Incidents

A spokeswoman for Boeing said that the company was "deeply sorry" to all the people who lost loved ones in the two different crashes. She added that they have already resolved the vast majority of the claims through settlements. Bhattacharya also expressed satisfaction with the result of the case, The Sun reported.

The family's lawyers said that Garg was 32 years old when Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, which came from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and was heading to Nairobi, Kenya, crashed a few minutes after taking off.

The lawsuit in the case alleged that the 737 Max aircraft was defectively designed and that Boeing failed to warn passengers and the public about the dangers of the plane. The second incident took place five months after that, when Lion Air Flight 610 crashed into the Java Sea in Indonesia, Reuters reported.
Six children from a DC middle school were reported to have become sick after ingesting some sort of "edible," with one of the victims being sent to the hospital.

In a letter, DC Public Schools (DCPS) confirmed that the incident stems from one student bringing the edible and then sharing it with "several classmates." Shortly after that, all of the students involved felt ill.

DC Middle School Reports Possible Overdose of Students

Principal Katreena Shelby sent a letter to parents, saying that school administrators received a report that one student brought a food item containing a "controlled substance" to school and shared it with other children. She noted that after they consumed the item, the students all started feeling sick.

The incident later involved D.C. Fire and EMS, which confirmed that their personnel examined the six children and decided to bring one of them to the hospital. However, they were not able to confirm whether or not the patient had overdosed, according WTOP News.

One parent at a different DCPS school, Billie Wright, echoed concerns shared by many who saw the news of the affected children. They asked where the school staff were during the time of the incident and how the school can prevent it from happening again.

Shelby noted that the school had already been in contact with the families of the students involved in the incident. This was so they could offer support services and ensure that all appropriate disciplinary responses are taken.

While police said that the incident involved "some sort of edible," they did not clarify what kind of drug may have been involved. Additionally, law enforcement personnel said they were not investigating anything criminal at the school, according to WJLA.

Unidentified Controlled Substance

Furthermore, the school's letter that was sent to parents noted that they would continue ongoing talks with students to discuss the dangers of drugs. Wright also said that she was planning to talk to her own child, and hoped that other parents would do the same.

She said that they would teach their child to be wary of other students, especially those who do not normally give them stuff, when they offer them something, like candy. This is one of the conversations that Wright believes she and other parents should immediately have.

Wright added that they are committed to the health and safety of their students, noting that keeping families informed about incidents that occur during the school day is crucial for maintaining strong partnerships with parents and families, as per WUSA9.
Update: As of 7:15 p.m., the 6-month-old girl was safely located.

A 31-year-old man kidnapped a 6-month-old girl and threatened to hurt her during a Wednesday evening domestic dispute in York, police said.

Pedro Vega-Rivera and 6-month-old Amiyah Rivera were last seen around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday on Carlisle Avenue in York, according to city police.

Officers were dispatched around the time they say Vega-Rivera fled with the baby in response to reports of a domestic dispute on the first block of Carlisle Avenue. The building was cleared, police said, but Vega-Rivera and Amiyah werent found.

Police said Vega-Rivera and Amiyah are traveling in a black 2020 Nissan Altima with Pennsylvania registration MRM-3747. Police believe Amiyah could be in danger.

Police are asking anyone with information on Amiyahs whereabouts to immediately call 911, or York police at 717-846-1234 or 717-854-5571.
The former head of a Pennsylvania county bar association will spend two to four years in prison after she stole over $300,000 and used the funds for cosmetic procedures, vacations and her familys nonprofit organization.

Attorney General Dave Sunday on Wednesday announced Robin Hagins, the former executive director of the Cambria County Bar Association, pleaded guilty to theft by unlawful taking, deceptive business practices and forgery.

Between 2018 and 2023, Hagins funneled $300,000 from the bar association to pay for cosmetic procedures, vacations and a timeshare property, according to a press release.

Hagins purchases with the misappropriated funds included Southwest Airlines tickets, Apple devices and womens clothing.

Hagins, 57, also sent money from the bar association to Cuddle For Kids, a nonprofit organization operated by her family. The press release noted Hagins similarly stole funds from Cuddle For Kids for her own personal use.

This defendant prioritized her own greed over her obligation to the bar association, and defrauded the many members who contributed valuable time, money, and other resources to benefit the organization, Sunday said.

In addition to her prison sentence, Hagins was ordered to pay the county bar association $314,759 in restitution.

The defendants guilty plea involves a court order to pay significant restitution, which will assist the organization that was left decimated by these criminal acts, said Sunday.

The investigation into Hagins began after the Cambria County District Attorney notified the Office of the Attorney General.

It is unclear how long Hagins served as the bar associations executive director.
A Philadelphia woman is facing charges after authorities accused her of stealing over $61,000 from the Philadelphia School District.

Laurel Schullere is charged with two counts of theft by deception and provider prohibited acts. According to a release from the state Attorney Generals office, she turned herself in on Wednesday.

Officials said that Schullere has two children who need therapeutic care. She told the school district that the business called Missing Pieces could help her children but did not disclose that she owned the business.

The Attorney Generals office said there is no evidence Missing Pieces was an functioning business. The company listed two addresses  one to an unaffiliated church and another that was an abandoned property.

Over nine years, the district sent Schullere payments that totaled more than $61,000. The AGs office said she received and kept the payments, but did not forward any funds to Missing Pieces.

This defendant exploited a system designed to help her own children grow and succeed, Attorney General Dave Sunday said in a statement. Instead of ensuring the children received the care they needed, the defendant misled the district and pocketed taxpayer dollars.
A 28-year-old Pennsylvania woman was charged with more than 50 offenses this week after police said she caused multiple crashes, with her hood blocking the windshield, while driving under the influence.

Around 8:20 p.m. Tuesday, Pennsylvania State Police in Frackville, Schuylkill County, were notified of a Ford Focus on Interstate 81 driving erratically with its hood unsecured and blocking the windshield.

The driver of the Ford Focus was later identified as Jamie M. Fowler, who does not have a fixed address.

Less than 10 minutes later, troopers were dispatched to a crash near Skyline Drive (State Route 61) and East Darkwater Lane in New Castle Township.

Police arrived and found a Jeep Compass flipped on the drivers side, blocking the oncoming lane of traffic. The driver, who injured his shoulder in the crash, told police a southbound vehicle sped toward his Jeep and rammed it from behind.

The collision pushed the Jeep into a concrete barrier, flipping it on its side.

The Jeeps driver, an inspector for ongoing construction along State Route 61, said the site superintendent called him before the crash and said the Ford Focus had just struck a different car north of the area.

Before ramming into the Jeep, Fowler crashed into a separate vehicle multiple times, police said.

The other driver noticed Fowler, who was speeding with the hood blocking the windshield, moments before she rammed into the back of his vehicle three times.

No one in the vehicle, including a 9-year-old boy, was injured, police said.

A nearby construction worker captured the incident on video and told police Fowler sped into a lane of traffic closed for construction. The worker also said they saw Fowler in a slumped position so she could see under the open hood.

Another southbound driver on State Route 61 said Fowler drove them off the road, forcing them to hit multiple construction signs.

While troopers were at the scene of the Jeep crash, dispatchers notified them that Fowler was in custody after she crashed into four vehicles in Pottsville.

The people involved in the Pottsville crash said Fowler was leaning out of her cars window to see around the obstructed windshield when she caused a pileup near State Route 61 and Arch Streets.

Two people involved in the Pottsville crash were taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Police said all of the vehicles involved in the pileup were damaged extensively.

Fowler is charged with nine counts of aggravated assault, all first-degree felonies, as well as nine counts of simple assault, 10 counts of recklessly endangering another person, 10 counts of disorderly conduct, five counts of accidents involving damage to attended vehicles and driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance.

Fowler also faces about a half-dozen related driving charges.

As of Wednesday night, Fowler is incarcerated in the Schuylkill County Prison after being unable to post her $250,000 bail. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 25.
By Kristen A. Graham, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS)

Pennsylvanias public schools are set to receive $665 million in new money under a state budget deal passed by Harrisburg lawmakers Wednesday after a monthslong delay.

Most of that funding  more than $500 million  will come through adequacy and tax equity formulas designed to close a $4 billion adequacy gap identified in a landmark 2023 court decision that said Pennsylvanias public school-funding system was unconstitutional, illegally underfunding children in low-wealth districts.

The deal also includes changes for cyber charter schools  including cuts in payments and more oversight  that will represent a savings of hundreds of millions for districts across the state. (Virtual school advocates called the changes disastrous and said they would lead to the closure of some schools.)

Though the process of getting to a deal was bruising, and costly, for school districts, with this budget, lawmakers affirmed that the commonwealth remains on the path toward a fully and fairly funded public education system, Deborah Gordon Klehr, executive director of the Education Law Center-PA, said in a statement.

Last years state budget came on the heels of the lawsuit; in a sense, this years deal was more important because it establishes that the era of one-off, ad hoc education budgets is over, said Dan Urevick-Acklesberg, senior attorney at the Public Interest Law Center. This budget shows bipartisan consensus that the march to constitutional school funding is not optional. It took too long, but we moved one year closer to a system that will transform lives.

State Sen. Vincent Hughes, D-Philadelphia, Democratic chair of the Appropriations Committee, said the budget means the state will also continue to deliver on our Commonwealth Court-ordered obligation to adequately and constitutionally fund our public schools.

Relief, but at a cost

Educators who were forced to make ends meet amid months of zero state subsidies as the budget deadlock dragged on for more than four months breathed a sigh of relief Wednesday, saying that the spending plan was, overall, a victory for schools and children  but that it came at a cost.

Many school boards had to borrow money to make ends meet without state aid  Philadelphia, the states largest school system, which relies on state aid for more than half of its budget, authorized borrowing up to $1.5 billion in September just to keep the lights on without state payments.

And two local school districts  William Penn, in Delaware County, and Morrisville, in Bucks County  raised the specter of possibly having to close in the new year if the deadlock continued into January.

This impasse showed us just how fragile our planning can be without timely state support, Eric Becoats, William Penns superintendent, said in a statement. We cannot operate in uncertainty. Our educators, students, and families need stability to thrive.

Monique Boykins, the William Penn school board president, called the budget a welcome relief but said it is unfair to put this burden on districts.

William Penn was the lead plaintiff in the education-funding lawsuit; it also relies on the state for the bulk of its budget.
Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will hold a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chiefs Headquarters on Friday, November 14, dedicated to the defense of Zaporizhia, he announced following a working visit to Zaporizhia region.

"We discussed in detail with the commanders today what exactly is needed to strengthen our positions and how to deploy more forces in this important area. I am grateful for the comprehensive information about the challenges that exist here in Zaporizzhia region, and particularly in Huliai-Pole area, as well as in Kamyanske area. Tomorrow, I will hold a meeting specifically on this region, specifically on the defense of Zaporizhia, and on all the issues raised," Zelenskyy said in his address on Thursday.

He also reported that he had discussed the situation in the city and region with Ivan Fedorov, head of Zaporizhia Regional Military Administration, and the support Zaporizhia currently needs.

"And protection from attacks, primarily protection in the region from Russian attacks. I have already outlined the militarys tasks, and we will allocate more resources to this area," the president noted.
Story by Carter Walker of Votebeat

This article is made possible through Spotlight PAs collaboration with Votebeat, a nonpartisan news organization covering local election administration and voting. Sign up for Votebeats free newsletters here.

Pennsylvanias Chester County has reviewed more than two-thirds of the provisional ballots cast on Election Day, and confirmed that it has begun counting eligible ballots, though officials still cannot explain what caused a pollbook error that forced independent and third-party voters to use provisional ballots.

County officials said they hope to have the answer by December, after an investigation by an outside firm.

Pollbooks are the lists of registered voters that workers use to check in voters at the polling place. But pollbooks that Chester County distributed for Election Day omitted third-party and independent voters, forcing thousands of them to vote using provisional ballots. Provisional ballots require voters and election officials to take some additional steps, such as signing the envelope in the correct spot, or they will be rejected for technical reasons, and the ballots must undergo additional checks before they are counted.

More than 12,100 Chester County voters cast provisional ballots in last Tuesdays election, more than in any other election in the county since at least 2016, according to state data.

As of 7 p.m. Tuesday, officials had reviewed more than 8,200 of the provisional ballots to confirm the voters eligibility and a check that required fields on the envelope had been properly completed, county spokesperson Rebecca Brain said. The county began counting eligible provisional ballots Tuesday, and Brain said more than 7,200 had been fully counted, and some partially counted.

Voters can track the status of their provisional ballot on the Department of States website.

Investigation will look at root causes and county processes

The county said in a statement Monday that it would select an independent investigator by Nov. 17, and provide an update at the Nov. 21 board of elections meeting. It said it would aim to complete the investigation in early to mid-December and present results in December or January.

As of today, we identified the key questions that must be addressed through the investigation and presented the Board of Elections with several options for how the review can best proceed, Chester County CEO David Byerman said in the statement.

Brain said the key questions include the root cause of the problem, as well as what processes and controls were in place to check the accuracy of the pollbooks, and how and why did those processes fail.

Others are also seeking answers. In an email to its members, the Republican Committee of Chester County asked those who served as poll workers to provide information including how many provisional ballots were used, how they were handled, and what assistance or instructions the county provided.

We need accurate information from every precinct as to the Countys total failure to conduct a fair and accurate election, the party said in the email, which was obtained by Votebeat and Spotlight PA.

County changed its initial instructions to poll workers

Robert Fedick, a judge of elections from East Whiteland Township who oversaw voting at a precinct, said he realized there was a problem early on Election Day, when his third voter of the day was unable to check in.

Next thing you know, Im calling Voter Services saying, What the heck? he recalled. It was the hardest election Ive done in four years. Harder than the presidential.

Fedick said the county initially instructed him to handwrite voters names in the pollbook and allow them to cast a regular ballot. But then, the county told workers to direct the voters to use provisional ballots. One of the county Republicans questions to poll workers focuses on this point. Brain said questions about the countys guidance will be addressed in the countys investigation.

Fedick said hes worked with the countys elections director, Karen Barsoun, for years, and doesnt believe there was any intentional effort to leave voters out of the pollbook.

I would just like to know from the county what steps they are taking to make sure this doesnt happen again, and who didnt do their job, he said.

John Young has been a poll worker since 2009, and was serving as the judge of elections in West Goshen Township on Election Day. He, too, said the problem surfaced shortly after polls opened.

As soon as I asked two or three follow-up questions, I immediately knew what the problem was, he said.

He was unable to get through to county officials on the phone, but said the training, additional materials the county provided, and roving poll workers helped the workers at his voting site deal efficiently with the influx of provisional ballots.

Young, who works in information technology, said the incident reminded him of a 2018 false missile alert in Hawaii, which was caused by a poorly designed user interface. It isnt yet clear what caused the pollbook problem, but election officials often complain that the states voter management system, known as SURE, has a clunky user interface.

Young said that when judges of elections used to get their Election Day materials on the Saturday before the election, some would take the pollbooks out of the box and add alphabetical tabs to the book to help them find names more easily, or otherwise organize them for efficiency. But in recent years, he said, the county began sealing the boxes to prevent them from being opened before Election Day.

He said he understood the precaution, and said theres no guarantee someone would have noticed the error if they could have opened the books ahead of time, but yeah, theres a chance.

Carter Walker is a reporter for Votebeat in partnership with Spotlight PA. Contact Carter at cwalker@votebeat.org.

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.
Morgan Wade performs at The Ford Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on February 03, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images) Getty Images

Country music fans trying to catch Morgan Wade in concert might want to catch one of the final handful of shows she shared on social media this week because she is planning to take some time off.

The 30-year-old made the announcement on Instagram.

Hey yall, Wade said in a video shared to her account. I just want to take a minute to talk about a couple of things. One, thank you. Its been about 500 shows in the last, I guess, technically three and a half years, amazing, maybe even more than that, my math is off.

I have been to a lot of places that this small town girl never thought that she would get to go to, she continued. I have done a lot of things. I have met a lot of people. I couldnt have done any of that without you guys buying tickets and listening to my songs. Im forever grateful for that. So I just really want to say thank you.

Im going to be taking some time off from touring, she added. Im not going to be doing as much as I have been. There are a lot of things that Im working on outside of the music world. There are a lot of things that I havent had time to do, and Im going to go do that and take a bit of a vacation and experience some life.

Along with the video, she shared a list of dates  Dec. 16 in Lynchburg, Virginia, Dec. 17 in Roanoke, Virginia, Dec. 18 in Winston Salem, North Carolina and Dec. 19 in Bristol, Tennessee  and wrote, Thank you guys for the last several years. Time for me to take a little break from touring and work on some new things. Still a few shows left for the year.

Wade is a native of Floyd, Virginia. She has released five albums, the latest  Obsessed and the Party is Over  coming this year.
Akon performs at the Rock in Rio music festival in Rio de Janeiro, Sept. 22, 2024. The raapper had a recent run in with authorities. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado, File) AP

It looks like Akon was Locked Up recently.

The rapper, whose real name is Aliaune Thiam, was arrested in Georgia after being busted for a warrant in DeKalb County last Thursday, the DeKalb County Sheriffs Office confirmed to TMZ.

The Chamblee Police Department booked the Noticing You rapper into jail, but he was released about six hours later.

It was all due to an out-of-county bench warrant issued for failure to appear for a suspended license, which took place on Nov. 7, per legal documents obtained by the news outlet.

Back in September, Akon was driving a Tesla Cybertruck in Georgia. While police were on patrol, they discovered a Cybertruck stranded in the middle of the road. Akon explained to cops that his battery for the car died.

The authorities then called a tow truck to remove the vehicle and while waiting for those services to arrive, an officer discovered that the rappers license was suspended for a failure to appear that happened in January 2023.

Authorities then issued Akon a citation for driving while his license was suspended. The officer also added in the report that an illegal vape in the center was seized during the inventory and submitted for destruction.

Ultimately, he was released from the scene.
Actor Zachery Ty Bryan arrives at the premiere of "Dark Tourist" at the ArcLight Cinemas on Thursday, August 14, 2013 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Paul A. Hebert/Invision/AP) AP

The ex-girlfriend of former Home Improvement star Zachery Ty Bryan has been granted a five-year restraining order against the actor after she accused him of hitting and threatening to kill her.

As first reported by TMZ, the woman, who said she dated Bryan for three months, first reached out to police on July 3 after she said he hit her in her right eye after she playfully bit his nipple while they were lying down.

Several days later, she said they got into an verbal argument, during which he threatened to kill her and said, Shut the [expletive] up or Im gonna shut you up."

He then took their dog, locked himself in a room, and then began to punch the door, splitting it from its frame.

She also said he sprayed the dog in the face with bleach in June.

Bryan has now been ordered to stay 100 yards away from his ex-girlfriend until Sept. 29, 2030.

This is not the first time Bryan has been accused of domestic abuse. In January of this year he was arrested in South Carolina after police said he hit a woman several times and tried to choke her.

He was also arrested and charged with various assault charges in October 2020 and July 2023. And he was arrested for a suspected DUI in La Quinta, California, in February 2024.

Bryan played Brad Taylor on Home Improvement. He also appeared in True Heart and Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.
Find out why Google issues a warning to the public. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File) AP

Whatever you do, dont use public Wi-Fi when out and about.

At least thats what Google is warning everyone not to do.

When it comes to whether public Wi-Fi networks are safe enough to keep your personal devices connected to them, the tech giant is answering with a fervent no.

Google has issued a blaring warning, telling all smartphone users to abstain from using the public Wi-Fi thats available in such shared areas as hotel lobbies, airports, cafes, and other spaces.

Thats because these unsecured networks act as an incredibly easy entry for hackers to attack unsuspecting users, with victims unknowingly giving up sensitive information, including bank log-ins, personal data, and private chats.

The advisory stems from Googles latest Android: Behind the Screen report on text-based scams, which calls out public Wi-Fi as an increasing security risk.

The report details that Wi-Fi networks are vulnerable to security flaws and have a real chance of compromising the devices that are connected.

As a result, the tech giant is asking smartphone users to avoid public Wi-Fi wherever possible, especially when banking, shopping online, or accessing accounts that contain financial or personal information.

Not to mention all this is happening during the rise of mobile scams.

The truth is, in todays climate, digital scams involving mobile devices are at an all-time high, and the fraud has become way more sophisticated, which could financially ruin unsuspecting victims.

In fact, its become such a nuisance that the act has grown into a global underground industry designed to result in major financial losses and emotional distress.

According to the report, these scams took about $400 billion from consumers globally.

Cyber criminals have gotten so savvy in their crimes that theyre now running structured operations, buying stolen phone numbers, using automated systems to pump out messages and rely on phishing-as-a-service platforms to mirror trusted websites and lift credentials.

To stay on the safe side, Google advises the public to avoid using the Wi-Fi unless you absolutely have to. If thats the case, avoid logging into bank accounts or inputting sensitive information.

Also, be sure to disable auto-connect settings and make sure to check that a network is honest and encrypted.

It goes without saying to always be vigilant of strangers and keeping your phone up to date, as well.
A police guards the designated protest area as protesters gather outside an ICE processing facility in the Chicago suburb of Broadview, Ill., Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, file) AP

By SOPHIA TAREEN, The Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP)  Hundreds of people who have been arrested and detained in the Chicago area during the Trump administrations immigration crackdown could soon be released on bond while they await immigration hearings, a federal judge signaled Wednesday.

During a hearing in Chicago, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Cummings said he would order the full release of 13 detained individuals based on a 2022 consent decree outlining how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement can make so-called warrantless arrests.

He also gave government attorneys a Friday deadline to comb through a list of 615 people detained at county jails and federal facilities nationwide to see if they qualify for alternatives to detention under the decree, such as using an ankle monitor, while their immigration cases proceed.

The judge said hed issue an order for their release next week, and in the meantime would temporarily pause any deportation proceedings for people who might qualify for bond under the decree.

Attorneys for the detainees hailed Cummings move as a win and said they plan to bring more cases.

All of the tactics of ICE have been unlawful in the vast majority of arrests, said Mark Fleming, a lawyer with the Chicago-based National Immigrant Justice Center.

Attorneys said they were racing against the clock, as many of the more than 3,300 people suspected of immigration violations who have been arrested in Chicago and its suburbs since Operation Midway Blitz began in September have already been deported or left of their own accord.

Were concerned they have no access to counsel and no understanding of what their situation is, Fleming told the judge.

Will Weiland, a Justice Department attorney, told Cummings that at least 12 people on the list of 615 were high risk and shouldnt be released into communities.

Nothing has been easy with this case, your honor, he said.

Cummings previously determined that ICE had violated the consent decree which, among other things, requires the agency to show documentation for each arrest it makes for people besides those being specifically targeted in an operation.

During Wednesdays hearing, Cummings listed instances since the crackdown started in which immigration agents have arrested people while they were at work, out walking or pulling through the drive-thru lane at a fast-food restaurant.

It also seems highly unlikely to me that any of these foreign nationals  fall into the category of what ICE has called the worst of the worst, he said.

The Trump administration has touted its federal intervention efforts as effective at fighting crime and applauded agents aggressive tactics that have been challenged in court. But leaders in Illinois say violent crime had already been trending downward in the Chicago area and that federal agents only inflamed tensions.

While the consent decree covers arrests by ICE, it doesnt include U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which has been behind the most controversial tactics used during the immigration operation, including the liberal use of chemical agents.

The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees both agencies, hasnt offered details about its arrests, only highlighting a handful of people living in the country without legal permission who also had criminal histories.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin deemed Cummings an activist judge, a common Trump administration label for judges whove down struck parts of the Republicans agenda.
Fifteen former patients have filed a lawsuit against the medical director of a York methadone clinic accusing him of rape and medical malpractice.

Christopher Jackson Davis, 63, of York, exploited the vulnerable womens opioid addictions to coerce them into sex, the lawsuit said.

The women saw Davis at the Pyramid Healthcare York Methadone Treatment Center, located at 104 Davies Drive in York County, where Davis was the medical director and lead physician. Davis also had a private practice specializing in addiction care at 1800 Market Street in York.

The lawsuit also accuses CVS Health Corporation of negligence for filling prescriptions for excessive dosages and potentially dangerous drug combinations, enabling Davis to continue his abuse.

Plaintiffs are seeking unspecified damages greater than arbitration limits.

According to the lawsuit:

Davis would either start patients on medication they didnt need or increase their medication doses over time before asking them for sexual favors, the lawsuit said. If they refused, hed threaten to cut them off.

A patient almost died when she was discharged from the clinic shortly after reporting Davis conduct. After being discharged, she suffered a near-fatal relapse, the lawsuit said.

In other cases, Davis would take the women to dinner, urge them to drink alcohol despite knowing they have a dependency or knowing mixing alcohol and their medications could be fatal.

One woman said he raped her in a hotel room on four occasions, and one more in his private practice office, the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit comes six months after the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office filed 92 counts of criminal charges against Davis in relation to incidents involving at least four women. The case is still pending in York County court. Hes posted a $1 million bail set by Magisterial District Judge Barry Bloss.

Davis had a private practice in York but met many of the women through his role at Pyramid Healthcare, where he would grope them during their intake appointments, the lawsuit said.

In some cases, hed take nude photographs of women during their intakes and post them to his Facebook profile without them knowing.

The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in Dauphin County court by Andreozzi & Foote, a law firm dedicated to representing victims of sexual abuse. The plaintiffs names are not publicly available. The lawsuit was filed using their initials.

The lawsuit alleges Pyramid Healthcare and CVS Health, where many of the women picked up their prescriptions, ignored all the red flags that could have outed Davis behavior and prevented further abuse.

We believe this was not a hidden pattern. Women spoke up. The staff heard them. Pyramid Healthcare had every opportunity to act and chose not to. Their failure had devastating consequences, Benjamin Andreozzi, a partner at the firm, said.

The lawsuit also accused Pyramid of ignoring red flags in Davis past. He was disciplined in 2000 after holding up a dead womans body and playing with her jaw as if he were a ventriloquist.

Hi there. How are you? he said, according to state disciplinary records.

Davis also stole pain medication and diluted drug vials with saline to hide his theft, after which his license was suspended for two years.

Among the specific allegations in the lawsuit:

Several plaintiffs reported Davis made inappropriate comments upon intake, touched their legs and arms, and in some cases, grope their breasts or genitals.

Several mentioned he would touch their cesarean scars, stick his hands down their pants or look down their pants, and otherwise perform unnecessary examinations of them during appointments. He once asked a woman to pull down her pants so he could check her for constipation.

Davis would obtain their personal phone numbers directly from them or, in one case, from their medical records. Then he would text them, asking for nude photographs and to see them outside of office visits.

One woman said he offered her money and drugs in exchange for sexual acts. He wrote her prescriptions for Adderall while keeping half the medication for himself. Another patient said he provided chiropractic services on her, putting her in inappropriate positions.

A physicians assistant found out about Davis sexually abusing one patient, but did not report it or Pyramid Healthcare did not act on the report, the lawsuit said. After he was found out, he began having the patient see him at his private practice instead, where hed prescribe her Klonopin and methadone.

PennLive could not reach a representative from CVS Health Corporation or Pyramid Healthcare for comment on this story.
The family of Chaofeng Ge, who died while in ICE custody at a detention center in Pennsylvania, has filed a lawsuit against the federal government, seeking information about the circumstances to his death. He was 32. Submitted

The brother of the Chinese man who was found dead, hanging in a shower stall at a Pennsylvania ICE detention center expressed deep sorrow at the loss.

I am devastated by the loss of my brother and by the knowledge that he was suffering so greatly in that detention center, said Yanfeng Ge during an outdoor press conference held in Manhattan on Wednesday. He did not deserve to be treated that way.

On Aug. 5, Chaofeng Ge was found unresponsive in a shower stall at the ICE Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Clearfield County. He was pronounced dead soon after.

Yanfeng Ge has filed a lawsuit against Immigration and Customs Enforcement, seeking information on the circumstances surrounding his brothers death. The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of New York, also names the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which has oversight over ICE.

Chaofeng Ge, 32, was found hanging by his neck with his hands and legs tied behind his back when Moshannon staff found him, five days after he had entered the detention center.

I want justice for my brother, answers as to how this could have happened, and accountability for those responsible for his death, said Ge, surrounded by family members and immigration advocates.

Ge filed a Freedom of Information Act suit against ICE because the federal agency has provided no information to the family, and no transparency into this tragic event.

The family of Chaofeng Ge, seen in this photo, has filed a lawsuit against ICE seeking information on the circumstances of his death this summer while under ICE detention at Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Clearfield County. Ge was 32. Submitted

The GEO Group, which runs Moshannon, has not even reached out to the family and offered condolences, the complaint states. ICE has also failed to provide an explanation about the circumstances of Ges death.

The total lack of transparency into what is happening at these detention centers has to stop, said David B. Rankin, the attorney for the family. People are dying and our government doesnt have the common decency to offer the family any explanation. Its appalling.

The federal government has not responded to the lawsuit or the request for information.

Another attorney representing the family said the agency is purposefully withholding information.

The government is so committed to keeping the public in the dark about what is happening at these detention centers that it is willing to violate the law, said Jeremy Ravinksy. This lawsuit calls for much-needed transparency into how the government is treating detainees.

The attorneys are with Beldock Levine & Hoffman, the firm that represented the family of Nicholas Feliciano, who in 2019 suffered severe brain damage after he attempted to hang himself in a Rikers Island jail cell as more than half a dozen correction officers stood by.

New York City agreed to pay more than $28 million to settle a lawsuit filed by his family, one of the largest pretrial settlements ever to be awarded to a single plaintiff in a civil rights case in New York City, according to The New York Times.

Yanfeng Ge said his brother experienced significant distress from his isolation over language differences. He said staff at the detention center refused to try to communicate with his brother who spoke Mandarin Chinese.

Chaofeng Ge, of Queens, was arrested by ICE in Harrisburg in July. He was being held in Dauphin County Prison since January after being arrested by Lower Paxton Police on credit card fraud charges.

Moshannon, one of the largest detention centers in the country, has come under scrutiny after reports from detainees of abusive and harsh treatment.

Immigration advocates say that Moshannon and Geo Group keep more than 1,000 immigrants in precarious and dangerous conditions, and exposes them to human rights violations.

Adrianna Torres-Garcia, deputy director of Free Migration Project, said the so-called Shut it Down campaign is calling for the end to the use of cages, surveillance and violence by ICE.

Our communities, our people are valuable, she said. Mr. Ges life was valuable. He was a member of this community, of a family and he was loved. We stand in solidarity with his family, ready to fight for justice, for him and everyone who has been or is being abused in Moshannon.
WILLIAMSPORT  A Black former student claims the harassment she endured at Bucknell University led her to jump out of a third-floor window of a residence unit.

Brianna Thomas accuses the university in a civil rights suit in the U.S. Middle District Court of failing to address her harassment complaints.

Bucknell does not comment on pending litigation, but had sought dismissal of the suit that had been transferred into the Middle District in August.

The dismissal motion became moot Thursday when Judge Joseph F. Saporito Jr. allowed Thomas, a New York State resident, to file an amended complaint.

The following, taken from the new complaint, summarizes Thomas harassment allegations that caused her to drop out of school before completing her senior year:

In August 2024, she was staying in the 7th Street House, which is an affinity student housing traditionally for Black students. Saniya Cheatom, who is also Black, was the residential adviser.

On that Sept. 1, she heard women outside her door complaining she had not attended a pizza party.

When she opened the door to get food she ordered from DoorDash, she heard a student make a disparaging remark to Cheatom about how Thomas got her food.

Four days later, while she was crying because an aunt at died, she heard a female voice outside her room asking why she was crying, since nobody is bothering you [expletive].

Several days later, while walking to class, she heard two females making fun of her hair, which was dyed blonde. One stated Thomas thought she was a white girl the way she wore her hair.

The constant harassment and discriminatory comments made her feel anxious and insecure.

She complained to Debra Gonkpah, community director coordinator on Sept. 17, 2024, about the harassment and was advised not to worry about what others were saying about her.

Later that month, she told Aisha Popoola, a counselor at the Student Development Center, about the harassment and followed her suggestion to meet with the Title IX coordinator, Samantha Hart.

The harassment continued, and her anxiety became so bad that she was barely eating or sleeping and lost weight. Terrified of returning to 7th Street, she obtained permission to relocate to Larison Hall.

In early October 2024, Thomas called her mother and told her she wanted to go home. She was fearful to leave through the door of her Larison Hall room to wait for her mother and sister, and eventually jumped from a third-floor window.

She suffered a compression fracture to her back, a puncture wound to a leg, a significant cut on her chin, and other injuries that resulted in a hospital stay.

Her mother, Deborah Thomas, was advised that her daughter would receive her assignments and could complete the semester online from home. That did not occur, and she was forced to drop out without graduating.

Thomas, according to the court complaint, believed the harassment was the result of other students thinking her actions did not conform with their opinion of how a Black woman should act, also known as racial stereotyping.

The suit seeks unspecified damages on claims of racial and gender harassment and retaliation under Title IX, along with disability and discrimination harassment, retaliation and failure to accommodate under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Bucknell had contended the original complaint failed to claim it was deliberately indifferent when she brought the matter to the universitys attention.

It also claimed the complaint was devoid of facts that Bucknell discriminated against her on the basis of disability or that she suffered from a disability.
Police and fire departments responded to the Susan Welch building on Penn States main campus on Nov. 12, after getting reports of a loud bang. Joshua Vaughn

Police and fire departments responded to a building on Penn States main campus on Nov. 12, after getting reports of a loud bang.

But the noise was not the result of an explosion, according to a statement from the university.

In a post to their website, the statement read that the damage is the result of a localized structural issue to the Susan Welch Liberal Arts Building.

No foul play is suspected, it said.

Construction on the Welch Building was completed in 2025, marking the first time in 50 years a new liberal arts building was added to Penn States campus.

WTAJ reported that the bomb squad investigated the building early yesterday morning, after the loud noise was heard.

Fire department officials told WTAJ that the floor of the building settled 2 inches, leaving a crack about 1 1/2 inches from the second floor to the roof.

The student publication Onward State reported that an alert went out to students around 2 p.m., warning them to avoid the area.

Tony Berrena, the chief of Alpha Fire Company, told Onward State that they got a call that there was a loud explosion and there were people trapped in the building.

The building was evacuated, and the fire department rescued one person who was trapped due to the shifting floor jamming a door, leaving it unable to open. No injuries were reported.

The building is being examined by Penn State Engineers from the Office of Physical Plant, and outside experts will conduct a full examination to definitively determine the cause of the damage, according to Penn States statement.

The building will remain closed as inspections continue, according to the statement, with classes and employees being relocated elsewhere on campus.
Chinese scientists pioneer new path to treat age-related infertility

Xinhua) 13:25, November 13, 2025

TIANJIN, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- A new study led by Chinese scientists has identified a key mechanism behind age-related decline in fertility and demonstrated a potential treatment.

The research, published in the journal Cell Reports Medicine, was conducted by a collaborative team led by Nankai University.

"We found that ribosomal dysfunction is a previously overlooked driver of poor egg quality. It's not just a problem of the oocyte itself; its surrounding cumulus cells undergo similar changes, and together they influence the developmental competence of the egg and embryo," said Li Jie, the paper's first author.

Abnormal translation of ribosomal genes occurs in both oocytes and cumulus cells in women in their mid-thirties, according to the paper. In oocytes, this excess ribosomal activity disrupts normal protein synthesis, leading to errors in chromosome separation and hindering embryo development. In cumulus cells, it impairs lysosome function and disrupts protein balance, thereby damaging the environment essential for egg maturation.

The team tested rapamycin, a drug known to inhibit ribosomal translation. Experiments showed that rapamycin effectively reduced ribosomal activity and restored protein balance, improving both egg quality and the ovarian environment.

In a clinical trial study, women who had previously experienced embryo development failure during assisted reproduction received short-term rapamycin treatment. This intervention helped them produce high-quality blastocysts, resulting in successful pregnancies and live births.

"The preliminary results are encouraging, opening a new avenue for understanding and treating age-related infertility," said Wu Xueqing from Shanxi Children's Hospital. "However, larger, multi-center clinical trials are needed to further verify the efficacy and optimize the treatment protocol."

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Zhong Wenxing)
The majority of European Union member states support the European Commissions proposal for financial support for Ukraine for 2026-2027 in the form of a "reparation loan" based on immobilized Russian assets.

This was announced by European Commissioner for Economy Valdis Dombrovskis following the discussion of three European Commission proposals on this issue, which took place as part of the EU Finance Council meeting on Thursday in Brussels.

"We actually began todays meeting with a productive discussion on options for providing additional financial support for Ukraine, as requested by the European Council. As the Minister already mentioned, the meeting saw broad support from Member States for the Commission to continue its work on the Reparation Loan. There was wide recognition that this option is the most feasible means of quickly bridging Ukraines funding gap, without placing additional substantial fiscal burdens on Member States," he said.

According to him, the continuation of this work obviously includes engaging with Member States to address remaining concerns.

"We also discussed possible alternative options. It has to be noted that given debt sustainability concerns and the challenges Ukraine is facing, the support has to have strong grant-like features. So alternative option would be for the EU to fund the Reparation Loan to Ukraine through borrowing instead of using the cash balances associated with immobilised Russian assets. However, Member States would have to cover the interest costs of the loan until its repaid to maintain grant-like support for Ukraine. There are different modifications of how exactly this borrowing can be structured," Dombrovskis said.

"Yet another option would be to provide a similar level of support to Ukraine but in the form of grants, which would entail a large debt cost to Member States over a short period of time. As regards the options paper, we should be able to present the options paper shortly. Todays discussions will help to inform the Commissions thinking in this regard," Dombrovskis said.

"Its important in parallel to engage with our allies and like-minded partners to provide Ukraine with liquidity already in the first quarter of next year. Ukraines financing needs are not only large, but also urgent. We are under time pressure and must move forward in a constructive, pragmatic, and cooperative way," the European Commissioner said.

The Minister of Finance of the Danish EU presidency, Stephanie Lose, made a similar statement regarding the discussion of financing Ukraine.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is telling consumers to not buy or use Langyi DaGiBayCn infant walkers because they are not safe. The commission said the walkers can fit through doorways and fail to stop at the edge of a step. The walkers were sold online at Walmart. Provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

A federal safety agency is warning consumers not to buy or use a certain brand of infant walker because they are not safe.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said the Langyi DaGiBayCn Infant Walkers violate the mandatory safety standard for infant walkers, posing a risk of serious injury or death from a fall hazard.

The infant walkers can fit through a standard doorway and fail to stop at the edge of a step.

The CPSC said about 6,400 of the walkers were sold on Walmart.com from March 2022 through September 2025 for between $50 and $60. They may have also been sold at other retailers and on other websites.

The CPSC said it issued a notice of violation to Ningboyishuihanmaoyiyouxiangongsi, of China, doing business as WWUIUIWW Baby Store. The commission also said the company declined to issue a recall or offer a remedy to consumers.

The walkers were sold in black, green and pink. They are collapsible with a round base, eight wheels and five adjustable height settings. Manufacturer: DaGiBayCn and Batch: HK20230308 are printed on a tracking label located under the seat.

The commission said owners should dispose of the walkers and not sell them or give them away.

Consumers can report unsafe products or incidents involving injuries to the CPSC here.
Former Williamsport transit manager and city administrator William E. Nichols looks through papers prior to the Officers and Employees Pension Board revoking his pension Wednesday in the wake of his criminal conviction for theft and tampering with public records. At left is his attorney Helen A. Stolinas. John Beauge

WILLIAMSPORT  A convicted former Williamsport city administrator no longer will receive any benefits from the city.

The citys Officers and Employees Pension Board, following a 45-minute executive session on Wednesday, revoked the pension of William E. Nichols Jr. and required him to pay back $33,356 that he has received since being sentenced May 5 in Harrisburg.

Revoking his pension means Nichols is also not entitled to medical benefits from the city, and he must repay those costs incurred since May.

Revocation of Nichols pension, which was approved by a 6-1 vote, does not affect the benefits he received before his sentencing. The lone no vote came from William Schweikart, a retired public works employee.

The Public Pension Forfeiture Act permits pension revocation for a felony conviction.

Nichols pleaded guilty in Dauphin County court to felony charges of theft by deception and tampering with public records brought by the state attorney generals office.

Dauphin County President Judge Scott A. Evans placed him on probation for a year but did not order restitution. During the sentencing hearing, he thanked him for his service to the city, which irked some Williamsport officials.

Nichols, 72, was general manager of River Valley Transit (RVT), then a department of the city, for 42 years, during which he also served a four-year stint as city finance director.

The state attorney generals office, when it filed charges, and Evans, during sentencing, pointed out Nichols did not benefit personally from comingling funds and misappropriating grant dollars from 2013 to 2020.

As a result of investigations into Nichols, the city is obligated to repay the Federal Transit Administration $1.4 million that the agency said was spent on unauthorized uses.

Mayor Derek Slaughter and Nichols did not get along, and the mayor fired him at the start of his first term in office in January 2020.

A statewide grand jurys presentment that led to the charges found the city allowed Nichols to serve in multiple roles over such a long period that, in essence, he was his own boss with little effective oversight.

The grand jury found Nichols, who served eight mayors:

Engaged in a course of conduct designed to prevent the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation from discovering through RVT that he was diverting public funds for improper uses.

Paid two city employees in salary or bonuses a total of $133,600 between 2013 and 2019 for work they did not do for the Endless Mountains Transportation Authority, which RVT managed.

Comingled budgets, finances, accounting, and bookkeeping among entities over several decades with little consistent oversight.

Illegally used public money to help fund the Hiawatha, a simulated paddle wheeler on the Susquehanna River.

Solicited donations for the Hiawatha from nearly every vendor and business with whom he dealt.

Reported misleading expense and revenue information to PennDOT to create the inaccurate appearance transfers were for actual transactions instead of merely ledger entries.

Nichols saga is not over because the pension board is investigating whether it can seek money from what he paid into the pension fund.

His attorney, Helen A. Stolinas, argued that only a court could order restitution, and Evans did not do so.

Pension board solicitor Justin Houser said he believes the law permits repayment of misappropriated funds.

Online court records show Nichols has paid the $1,668 in costs and fees assessed in Dauphin County.
The exterior of Clarks Summit State Hospital, one of six state psychiatric hospitals in Pennsylvania. Nate Smallwood / For Spotlight PA

Story by Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA

Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for our free newsletters.

The states core program to close its psychiatric hospitals and shift care to less-restrictive community programs  the centerpiece of its legal obligation to people with severe mental illness  has instead been used for the past decade to do the opposite, a Spotlight PA investigation has found.

Created more than 30 years ago, the Community Hospital Integration Project Program, or CHIPP, was designed to get people and dollars out of restrictive and expensive state-run psychiatric hospitals and into more effective, community-based care.

The money saved by closing hospital beds would be sent to counties. Former state officials told Spotlight PA the local funds were intended to be sacred  a permanent investment in the care promised not only to the people leaving state hospitals, but to future generations who would need it.

CHIPP was never intended to be the full funder of all things, said Sherry Snyder, a former official in the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

But it was supposed to be like the mortar between the bricks, she said.

For a time, the program worked.

But since 2015, the state has stopped closing most vacant hospital beds, abandoning a necessary step toward achieving the programs public goal of reducing the need for state mental institutions.

Over the same period of time, new funding for community care dramatically slowed.

And in more recent years, the state has spent significantly more money  more than $175 million  on projects to expand psychiatric resources and treatment available primarily for people charged with a crime and in need of specialized care in order to face prosecution.

The spending follows two settlements with the ACLU over unconstitutional wait times for competency restoration, treatment for people who cannot understand their legal situation enough to aid in their own defense.

In response to a letter detailing Spotlight PAs findings, the Department of Human Services said that increased spending on care for people in need of competency restoration is not a matter of priority  it is a matter of statutory responsibility.

[The department] can and does provide recommendations on placement or treatment options when given the opportunity, but it cannot fail to comply with a judges order, said spokesperson Brandon Cwalina in an emailed statement.

The department also emphasizes to county judges and mental health administrators, who are responsible for referring people into state psychiatric care, that such placements should be a last resort, Cwalina said.

A previous investigation by Spotlight PA and the Pittsburgh Institute for Nonprofit Journalism found many of the people referred for this treatment face low-level charges that can stem from experiencing mental health issues in public.

A recent state-backed study supports the newsrooms findings. The report found the competency system sweeps up people facing low-level offenses, overrelies on state hospitals to treat them, and leaves them there far longer than necessary.

Because of this, more than one in four patients in a state hospital bed are there because they were charged with a crime, according to a Spotlight PA analysis.

In essence, after a period of psychiatric hospital closures and investment in community support, Pennsylvania has shifted focus to the most restrictive care possible  beds of last resort, for people who have been put at risk in an ill-equipped justice system, for actions that in many cases could have been prevented with care.

When Pennsylvania created the Community Hospital Integration Project Program in 1991, state officials sought to ensure dollars tied to state-run civil psychiatric hospital care remained dedicated to mental health services when that facility closed.

The program shifted the money into grants for county governments, which in turn used that funding to create community-based services beyond what insurance plans cover.

That money, intended to support the people who would have been served by the state hospital, would instead become an annual infusion into the community system.

In the first decade of the program, the state closed three hospitals  Woodville, Somerset and Eastern. A fourth, Haverford, was closed under a different, but similar program. These four closures resulted in a reduction of nearly 1,500 beds. Grants under CHIPP ramped up from $6.5 million to more than $100 million by 2001.

Spurred by patients who sued the state after the landmark Olmstead v. L.C. U.S. Supreme Court decision guaranteed their right to community care, Pennsylvania closed three more hospitals between 2005 and 2011. The move resulted in the discharge of hundreds of patients and the investment of more than $20 million in the community.

Beds closed. Patients rejoined their families and friends. Counties built community resources that gave them a place to live, mental health professionals to keep them on track, and peers with lived experience to provide support.

When the U.S. Justice Department under President Barack Obamas administration made enforcement of the decision a priority in 2009, state governments created formal Olmstead plans, named after the high court decision, to demonstrate how they would move away from institution-based mental health care.

That included Pennsylvania, which drew on decades of success with CHIPP and made the program a key part of its first Olmstead plan.

The 2011 document included firm benchmarks and specific deadlines for the steps necessary to create a community care system. It directed state officials in Pennsylvanias Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to request enough funding to shrink the state hospital system by at least 90 beds a year.

The overall goal was ambitious, but simple: Return all individuals residing in state psychiatric hospital units to their communities.

That ambition reflected the mood at the time, said Joan Erney, who oversaw the closures of Harrisburg, Mayview, and Allentown State Hospitals as acting deputy secretary of the office from 2003 to 2010. The state was still on a path to close more such hospitals, Erney said, when she left the department.

We actually had a plan on how we would downsize all of them ultimately, she said. And so I think it was hopeful.

Erneys successor, Sherry Snyder, signed the Olmstead plan in 2011. At 90 beds a year, this rate would have closed the states entire civil psychiatric hospital system over the next two decades.

But Pennsylvania has not closed another state hospital in 14 years.

It was February 2012, two weeks after Gov. Tom Corbett announced his budget. In his second year as governor, Corbett took a hard line on spending and proposed deep cuts to mental health programs  including millions from CHIPP.

At a medical assistance advisory committee meeting, government officials, a lobbyist, and a member of the public alike reeled in reaction.

Theres no way services can be maintained, one attendee said, according to minutes from the meeting. The cut is devastating, he said.

An audience member asked if the administration was moving away from rebalancing community and institutional care.

Snyder, who worked under Erney and the previous governor, told the committee the cuts would have a deep impact on the department, but the state would hold to its obligation under the Olmstead decision.

The department will not back away from closing beds, she told the group.

But privately, she felt the same fears as everyone else.

The final budget cut $44 million from all community mental health spending, which included a roughly $9 million reduction in the CHIPP program.

The cuts felt like a foundation was falling out, Snyder said in an interview with Spotlight PA. I was part of the administration that was trying to build the county base system so people had the opportunity to thrive outside of institutions, outside of jails, in their communities.

To see that being dismantled brick by brick, dollar by dollar, was heartbreaking, Snyder said.

She left the department in late 2012.

But despite efforts to make funding available, Pennsylvania would never hit the goal laid out in its Olmstead plan, leaving the state vulnerable to lawsuits and possible federal action.

While the state more than halved the patient population between 1993 and 2003, the rate of bed closures slowed in the following 20 years. Between 2003 and 2013, the civil patient population decreased by about 42%. Between 2013 and 2023, the civil population fell by about 25%.

Fewer beds closing meant fewer dollars for community resources.

A Spotlight PA analysis found that in its first decade, the CHIPP program grew by more than $100 million. In its second decade, new spending topped $110 million. But in its third, fewer than $40 million in new funding went out to the counties.

The cuts kicked off a vicious cycle: Feeling betrayed, counties became more hesitant to take state dollars, unsure whether theyd be able to rely on the funding, said a former official in the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, who requested anonymity to speak more openly about their service.

Whats more, the only way to get those dollars was to give up a state hospital bed, said Tammy Calderone, who has been the mental health administrator for Armstrong and Indiana Counties for 13 years.

After years of closures and consolidation, the patients left in state hospitals were often more complicated and needed higher levels of support in the community than prior groups, county administrators told Spotlight PA. But after the cut, local governments had fewer dollars to cover that more costly care.

Counties were less inclined to give up a state hospital bed to get those dollars, Calderone said. The amount of funding typically provided per patient for closing a bed was about $125,000, Calderone added, which was not enough to meet the substantial care those remaining would need.

You cant do it for that, Calderone said.

As counties became harder to persuade to take the money, Department of Human Services officials began requesting less of it in the annual budget despite Pennsylvanias promises to the federal government.

In 2019, the department under Gov. Tom Wolf requested funding to support only half the state hospital discharges promised under the state Olmstead plan.

The next year, the agency requested fewer: only 20.

When preparing to go before the state legislature and defend her annual budget, former department secretary Teresa Miller would prepare to explain the programs obvious backslide.

In her role, Miller saw the data that showed the state was not making progress in building community resources, she told Spotlight PA. But in front of the legislature, she would have to defend the states position regardless.

We would go in with a lesser ask and I was always prepared for the, Well, why arent you asking for the 90? she said.

And the response was, Well, because counties cant spend those dollars.

Without the funding, the mortar eroded, and people fell through the cracks.

Counties had less money and fewer hospital beds than ever. Police began arresting a growing number of people with serious mental health issues, a population the state promised to support.

Their behavior was often related to their condition, and in charging them with a crime, the government trapped the most vulnerable people in legal limbo.

Under the U.S. Constitution, if someone cannot aid in their own defense, they cannot stand trial. In Pennsylvania, a judge can order them to receive competency restoration treatment.

This specialized treatment is not primarily intended to help a person recover from mental illness as promised in the Olmstead plan, but to restore their competency enough to face prosecution.

For years, Pennsylvania provided that restoration in only two places, Torrance and Norristown State Hospitals. Fewer than 300 beds were available for such care.

People languished in jail for months, waiting for a spot to open. Some waited longer than the maximum sentence for their original charge.

In 2015, the ACLU sued the state.

The class action lawsuit against Pennsylvania argued that by letting these people deteriorate in jail, the state was violating their right to due process under the U.S. Constitution.

The state settled the suit quickly. The Department of Human Services dumped an additional $8 million into community services over the next two years to try to prevent people with mental health needs from landing in jail instead of treatment.

State officials also introduced flexibility into the CHIPP program to rebuild trust with the counties that felt betrayed after the Corbett cuts, said the former official in the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. Counties could now, in some cases, accept money from the program without losing access to a state hospital bed.

Between these changes and the settlement, the state created 120 spots for inpatient care in local communities rather than in state hospital beds. More than 375 patients left Norristown and Torrance, according to an ACLU filing.

But it was too little, too late.

After years of declining investment, years of failure to restore cut funding, years of tensions with the counties, the state started reinvesting in mental health care.

To access it, a person just needed to commit a crime.

A year and a half into the settlement with the state, the ACLU found little progress despite the community investment. More people were entering the jails than were leaving. The waitlist for a bed at Torrance or Norristown kept growing.

By 2019, the state responded to the problem by converting about 100 civil beds at Norristown State Hospital to forensic step-down beds for people who had recently received competency restoration but still needed court supervision to leave. The expansion has resulted in a 20-year high in the number of people incarcerated in state psychiatric hospitals.

In 2006, about 9% of the patient population across psychiatric state hospitals resided in forensic beds. Today, that share has more than tripled.

This kind of care is not an alternative pathway to treatment, said Jerri Clark, resource and advocacy manager with the Treatment Advocacy Center, a nonprofit that backs civil commitment over criminalization as a solution to broken mental health systems nationwide.

She argued forensic beds are a punitive system that is restoring some modicum of sanity only for the purposes of further punishing a person, she said.

Nationally, advocates have seen resources shift toward attempting to legally adjudicate people for their illnesses, instead of using resources to treat those individuals, Clark said.

Budget requests lay bare this shift in priorities in Pennsylvania.

Since 2020, the state has invested more than $30 million a year in forensic projects across the commonwealth, while new investment in traditional CHIPP spending has dwindled to under $2 million a year.

Department of Human Services spokesperson Brandon Cwalina said the department encourages counties to invest the forensic grants in programs that could benefit people who are not facing criminal charges, as well as those who are.

But a review of county proposals obtained by Spotlight PA reveals that many are focused on programs for people already entangled in the justice system: competency assessment and restoration programs outside the state hospitals, treatment teams, and long-term residential programs for people with a history of involvement with the justice system.

And in 2022, the state issued a request for proposals to further expand Norristown. It will house 420 people, nearly doubling the size of the forensic system when the ACLU suit was filed.

The project is estimated to cost more than $241 million, nearly the entire size of the CHIPP program.

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.
By JOEY CAPPELLETTI, MATT BROWN and MEG KINNARD, The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP)  Democrat Adelita Grijalva was sworn in as the newest member of Congress on Wednesday, more than seven weeks after she won a special election in Arizona to fill the House seat last held by her late father.

Grijalva was sworn in by House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., on Wednesday shortly before the House returned to session to vote on a deal to fund the federal government. After delivering a floor speech, Grijalva signed a discharge petition to eventually trigger a vote to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein, giving it the needed 218 signatures.

Grijalvas seating brings the partisan margin in the House to a narrow 219-214 Republican majority. She vowed to continue her fathers legacy of advocating for progressive policies on issues like environmentalism, labor rights and tribal sovereignty.

In a speech on the House floor after being sworn in, Grijalva said it was time for Congress to restore a full and check and balance to this administration.

We can and must do better. What is most concerning is not what this administration has done, but what the majority of this body has failed to do, she said.

The seating of Grijalva brings an end to a weekslong delay that she and other Democrats said was intended to prevent her signature on the Epstein petition.

Johnson had refused to seat Grijalva while the chamber was out of session, a decision that prompted condemnation from Grijalva, a lawsuit from Arizonas attorney general and speculation that Johnson was delaying her induction into the House to stall a vote on whether to require the Justice Department release documents related to the late convicted sex trafficker.

Grijalva had said she would join the petition from Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., after taking office, giving it the 218 signatures needed. Three Republicans have signed onto Massies petition  Reps. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Nancy Mace of South Carolina and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia.

President Donald Trump has been reaching out about the Epstein petition to Boebert and Mace, according to a person familiar with the effort who was not authorized to discuss it publicly.

A busy first day

Grijalvas arrival kicks off a busy day on Capitol Hill as hundreds of House members return, their trips potentially complicated by travel delays caused by the shutdown.

Lawmakers who win special elections typically take the oath of office on days when legislative business is conducted. But with the House out of session since Sept. 19, Johnson had said he would swear her in when everyone returned. He did swear in two Republican members this year when the chamber was not in legislative session.

I dont think hes thought of anything that hes doing, in this case, as anything personal, Grijalva told The Associated Press in an interview. It feels personal because, literally, my name was attached. I also know that if I were a Republican, I would have been sworn in seven weeks ago.

Weve been waiting for this so long that its still surreal, she said.

She will start her House tenure by voting on the Senate-passed legislation to reopen the government. Grijalva and most Democrats are expected to oppose it because it does not extend Affordable Care Act tax credits that expire at the end of the year. Republicans can still pass the bill with their slim majority.

The 218th signature on an Epstein file discharge petition

Grijalva is the final necessary signature on a discharge petition linked to legislation that would require the Justice Department to release all unclassified documents and communications related to Epstein and his sex trafficking operation. But her move will not mean a vote right away, due to House rules.

Massachusetts Rep. Jim McGovern, the top Democrat on the House Rules Committee, said he expects voting on the Epstein bill to take place in early December.

Emails released Wednesday from Democrats on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee are likely to reignite interest in the issue. Epstein wrote in a 2011 email that Trump had spent hours at Epsteins house with a victim of sex trafficking and said in a separate message years later that Trump knew about the girls.

The Democrats selectively leaked emails to the liberal media to create a fake narrative to smear President Trump, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.

Leavitt and Republicans on the committee said the person in question was Virginia Giuffre, who accused Epstein of arranging for her to have sexual encounters with a number of his rich and powerful friends. Giuffre, before she died this year, had long insisted that Trump was not among the men who had victimized her.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., holds a ceremonial swearing-in for Rep. Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., left, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) AP

Arizonas first Latina congresswoman

Rep. Raul Grijalva, Adelitas father, died in March after more than two decades in the House, where he built a reputation as a staunch progressive.

Adelita Grijalva has long been active in local politics. She served on the Tucson Unified School District board before joining the Pima County Board of Supervisors, where she became only the second woman to lead the board.

She won the Sept. 23 special election with ease to complete the remainder of her fathers term, representing a mostly Hispanic district in which Democrats enjoy a nearly 2-to-1 voter registration advantage over Republicans. Grijalva said the win was emotional.

I would rather have my dad than have an office, she said.

She told the AP that environmental justice, tribal sovereignty and public education are among her priorities, echoing the work her father championed.

I know that the bar is set very high, and the expectation is high of what were going to be able to do once sworn in, she said.

Kinnard reported from Columbia, South Carolina.
By Nick Vadala and Gillian McGoldrick, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS)

An end to Pennsylvanias protracted budget impasse has finally arrived.

Passed with a 156-47 vote in the House and a 40-9 vote in the Senate, the $50.1 billion package moved through both chambers with bipartisan support. Gov. Josh Shapiro, who was a lead negotiator in the deal, signed the budget Wednesday afternoon, approving the spending plan and bringing an end to a budget stalemate that has dragged on for more than four months.

Agreed upon initially by top state legislators and Shapiro behind closed doors Tuesday, the deal marks the first time Pennsylvanias state budget has surpassed $50 billion.

The budget marks a 4.7% increase in spending over the last fiscal year, but falls short of Shapiros initial $51.5 billion budget proposal.

Here is what you need to know:

What does the budget include?

Among the most significant elements are Pennsylvanias exit from a major regional greenhouse gas program designed to reduce carbon emissions, as well substantial new funding for schools.

Education

Public schools will receive more than $665 million in new funding, roughly $562 million of which will be run through Pennsylvanias adequacy and tax equity formulas.

Created after a 2023 court ruling that found students from poorer districts were unconstitutionally deprived of an adequate and equitable education, those formals are designed to close a so-called adequacy gap.

And roughly $178 million will be used to address how cyber charter schools are paid by local districts. Leaders from those schools on Tuesday warned legislators that funding cuts could bring layoffs numbering in the thousands, as well as the closure of several cyber charter schools.

Climate and energy

In a win for Republican legislators, Pennsylvania will exit the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which charges power plants based on the carbon emissions they released into the air. Entered into without legislative approval by former Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf in 2019, the program has long been viewed by Republicans as a significant economic growth inhibitor in the state.

Additionally, a bill included as part of the budget calls for some oversight of PJM Internconnection, an independent organization that manages the electrical grids for at least portions of 13 states, including Pennsylvania. That move comes amid the proliferation of data centers, which has resulted in increased in energy bills for residential customers due in part to the centers energy demands.

Whats not in the budget?

Missing is any additional funding for mass transit services like SEPTA, which had long been a Democratic priority. Funding for mass transit was removed from budgetary negotiations in September, when a lawsuit compelled SEPTA to back away from service cuts, and instead use its capital funds to fill its budget deficit for the next two years.

How long has the budget been overdue?

Shapiro made his proposal in February for the 2025-26 fiscal year that began July 1. With no viable state budget on the table until Wednesday, the state had gone without an approved plan for nearly 4-1/2 months, or 135 days.

How did we get to this deal?

A number of proposed deals were floated, including two that were approved by state Senate Republicans.

But legislators, it seemed, were not willing to increase the states budget above $50 billion. Democrats said the Senate-approved figures were not enough to cover the states obligations, or increase funding for public education, and rejected the plans.

Shapiro in October called Senate Republicans proposal a joke that was not designed to be serious or get the job done, and urged GOP leaders to meet with top Democrats to forge a deal.

Negotiations had largely stalled until late October, when renewed talks began with the inclusion of House Speaker Joanna McClinton, D-Philadelphia, and Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, R-Westmoreland, who are their respective chambers highest-ranking officials. The expanded talks took place behind closed doors in the governors office as legislative leaders, as well as Shapiro, remained mum on the negotiations status.

What impacts did the budget stalemate have?

A number of entities have seen significant effects from lacking billions in expected state funding, resulting in job cuts, loans, and service stoppages. Among them are school districts, some of which have said they would have run out of funds in January if a budget was not passed by then.

The Philadelphia School District, meanwhile, in September authorized a temporary borrowing of $1.5 billion, but said that money would not last the entire school year.

Nonprofits were also hit hard. In Delaware County, two homeless shelters, as well as a rental assistance program, were to temporarily close lacking funding from Harrisburg.

SEPTA, meanwhile, was forced to use its capital funds in lieu of service cuts to keep its services running, leading to a prolonged, confusing saga of disruptions for commuters in the Philadelphia region.

How soon will the deal resolve those impacts?

However, even with a budget in place, remedies to issues caused by the impasse are unlikely to be instant. As Kristyn DiDominick, executive director of Bucks-Mont Collaborative, which works with nonprofit agencies across Bucks and Montgomery counties, put it, the damage, in some cases, has already been done.

The damage isnt in just the delay, its in the cost of the repair, she said.
Sen. John Fetterman, shown here in 2019 when he was lieutenant governor, and Gov. Josh Shapiro (left), then the Pa. attorney general, are no longer on speaking terms after feuding over commutation cases while both were on the state board of pardons, writes Fetterman in his new memoir. AP File Photo/Keith Srakocic

In his new memoir, Sen. John Fetterman says he and Gov. Josh Shapiro are no longer on speaking terms because of friction that escalated when the two were on the state board of pardons five years ago.

Fetterman, then the lieutenant governor, wrote in Unfettered that he and Shapiro, then the attorney general, butted heads over commuting the sentences of two men to the point that Fetterman called Shapiro a fing asshole during a hearing and privately threatened to run for governor as Shapiro was planning to do, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.

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), wrote Fetterman. I had no interest in friction, only in what I felt was justice.

Tension between the two high-profile Democrats has been no secret in Pennsylvania political circles for years with most pointing to their feuding on the pardons board.

Fetterman, the Inquirer reported, wrote about commutations he deemed worthy but said he became increasingly irritated by Shapiros measured approach.

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, wrote Fetterman.

In one example, Fetterman described Shapiro voting against 12 of 15 requests, causing Fetterman to throw down his reading glasses and breaking them, reported the Inquirer.

Fetterman was particularly dedicated to the commutation requests for brothers Lee and Dennis Horton, who were convicted of murder in a controversial case.

Both insisted they were innocent.

During a 2020 Zoom meeting on the case, the Inquirer reported that Shapiro questioned a missing trial transcript then, according to Fetterman, went on a very long winded and unnecessary speech before voting against commutations.

After Shapiro finished, Fetterman muttered fing asshole but did not know his microphone was on.

The Hortons sentences were commuted later that year, but Fetterman said his relationship with Shapiro never recovered after the clash.

Fetterman noted Shapiros rise within national Democratic ranks and said he wished the governor the best, the Inquirer reported.

He is a credit to the state and may one day be a credit to the country, wrote Fetterman. I remember fondly the days when we were nobodies trying to climb the ladder. Even if we no longer speak.
Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a $50.1 billion budget package on Wednesday, ending a near five-month legislative stalemate with a compromise that includes more dollars for schools, an earned income tax credit for lower-paid workers, and removes a regulation on fossil fuels long opposed by Republicans.

Lawmakers in both the Republican-majority Senate and Democratic-majority House worked fast Wednesday to push through the core pieces of the deal, amending existing bills with hundreds of pages of new budget language in order to fast-track the process.

I would have loved to have stood here in this room with all of you on June 30, when the 2024-25 budget appropriations lapsed, Shapiro said at a signing ceremony Wednesday afternoon. But that budget, the governor warned, would have been far more austere.

All of us here held the line and stayed at the table and demanded a serious budget, despite Republicans previous insistence on flat funding, Shapiro, a Democrat, said.

The result is a budget that builds on the great progress we have made, Shapiro said, citing recent positive signs in the states economy.

Many Republicans also framed the deal the same way, saying its upsides outweighed the fact that the top-line number is more than they would prefer.

I understand that there are concerns with the spend number amongst many of us, said House Minority Leader Jesse Topper, R-Bedford County, but I truly believe that the policies within this bill will spur our economy, will bring people back to Pennsylvania, will grow our businesses and help our communities in every corner of this state.

The budget centers on a $50.1 billion appropriation from the general fund, the states main operating account. This is a 4.7% hike over the 2024-25 budget, but a middle ground from Shapiros original budget framework, which featured $51.5 million in general spending.

The numbers arent much different from the budget plan House Democrats pitched over a month ago. What seems to have swayed Republicans were a number of compromises and concessions that arent necessarily seen in spending line-items.

We on the Republican side had to compromise on spending much more than we would have preferred, said Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, R-Westmoreland County. But by negotiating across the aisle, the GOP was able to get some great policy that will put Pennsylvania really in the drivers seat when it comes to economic growth, Ward continued.

The most-discussed trade-off was a provision that will cut off Pennsylvanias ability to move forward in joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a cap-and-trade program to limit power plant pollution. Republicans believe the possibility of Pennsylvania being part of RGGI is already discouraging investment, particularly for natural gas.

Pennsylvania began the process of joining RGGI under former Gov. Tom Wolf, but Republicans challenged the legality of this, and the matter has been tied up in court. That case will now be rendered moot in what Sen. Wayne Langerholc, R-Cambria County, described as one of the biggest policy wins in the past ten years for conservatives.

Some progressive Democrats have staunchly opposed giving up on RGGI, but others were swayed to support the final budget deal given that it also includes other items that Democrats have long sought, including Shapiros desired increases to K-12 education funding as well as scaling back school districts payments to cyber charters.

The boost to public education subsidies, combined with Medicaid cost growth, make up about $1.5 billion in new spending, more than half the overall budget increase. Democrats also succeeded in getting most of their desired increases for child care programs, gun violence prevention, assistance for student teachers, and a myriad of other items.

One of the most influential items  cited by members of both parties as a key reason to support the budget compromise  is the creation of a state-level Earned Income Tax Credit, which would put $215 million annually back into the pockets of lower-income working families.

Republican leaders also touted permitting reforms that are expected to speed up business development, as well as new reporting requirements on certain public benefits, as reasons that they agreed to additional spending  although some hardline fiscal hawks said these were only token concessions.

The spending bill cleared the House 156-to-47, with all but one of the votes against coming from Republicans. In the Senate, the bill saw a 40-9 split, with two Democrats and seven Republicans opposed.

The fiscal code bill - which included the RGGI abrogation, the new earned-income credit, and several other key items  saw a similar split in the Senate, and received only 14 votes in opposition in the House.
The faction of the European Solidarity party has received signature sheets and is starting to collect signatures of MPs for the resignation of the government, the political force said on the website on Thursday.

"We are starting to collect signatures for the resignation of the entire Cabinet of Ministers. The resignation of only two ministers will only deepen the crisis of a large-scale corruption scandal that has shaken the entire country. Since at least five ministers, representatives of independent regulators, and the President's Office have already been exposed on Mindich's tapes," faction co-chair Artur Herasymov said.

He called on representatives of other factions and groups to sign the initiative.

"The government should first of all provide a front, and not serve the corruption of the ruling elite. The key thing that was lost due to this scandal is trust... And this trust cannot be returned by cosmetic methods. Only by profound changes... That is why European Solidarity initiated the resignation of the entire corrupt government. I am putting the first signature and calling on the leaders of all factions and groups of the parliament to support our initiative in order to allow Ukraine to move forward, and not to defeat. I believe that the collection of signatures for the resignation of this corrupt cabinet will clearly show who is for Ukraine and who is for people like Mindich," Herasymov said.

Earlier on Thursday, Herasymov said the Verkhovna Rada office had refused the European Solidarity faction the right to issue signature letters for the resignation of the government of Yulia Svyrydenko. "Yesterday, European Solidarity sent a letter to the Verkhovna Rada chairman demanding to urgently provide signatures and begin the procedure for the resignation of the corrupt Cabinet of Ministers. After the Speaker of the Parliament signed and forwarded this letter, de facto supporting European Solidarity, it was blocked in the apparatus by people from the President's Office," he said.

The faction also demanded urgently, "no later than Friday, to convene a meeting of the Verkhovna Rada at which to dismiss the government."
Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal announced a visit to the command post of the Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Dnipropetrovsk region.

"I heard a report on the results of the Unmanned Systems Forces group's activities since its creation. We focused on pressing issues related to the group's development for the next year. We discussed the possibility of increasing the number of personnel and improving support for service members," Shmyhal wrote on Telegram on Thursday evening following the visit.
Tony Kukulich is an editor/reporter working in the Beaufort County bureau. Turning to journalism as a second career, he started as a photojournalist in the San Francisco Bay Area. After moving to Bluffton in 2021, he wrote for several area publications before joining The Post and Courier the following year.
Growth & Development Reporter

Caleb Bozard covers business, growth and development for The Post and Courier Columbia. He has previously written for The State and the Times and Democrat. He graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2023.
In November 2025, SOE Medical Procurement of Ukraine renegotiated the managed entry agreements (MEAs) with the international pharmaceutical company Sanofi for the purchase of four innovative medicines for rare diseases that were previously purchased.

According to the Health Ministry in a press release, the MEAs were concluded for a period of three years, the first deliveries are expected by the end of 2025.

The MEAs were renegotiated for the purchase of such medicines as laronidase for patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type I, alglucosidase alfa for patients with Pompe disease, imiglucerase for patients with Gaucher disease, and agalsidase beta for patients with Fabry disease.

The mechanism of managed entry agreements (MEAs) for the procurement of innovative expensive medicines has been used by the Ministry of Health since 2022. Its essence is that the government enters into direct negotiations with the manufacturer of such medicines and guarantees the confidentiality of information about their value and quantity, thanks to which it is possible to achieve prices much lower than market prices.
At least 3,000 people are homeless in Spartanburg County. Heres how a new group wants to help.
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Advanced modeling powered by artificial intelligence (AI) indicates that Montauban may be more than a reclamation or redevelopment story - it may be emerging as the nucleus of a potentially much larger gold, silver, and base metal district.VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA / ACCESS Newswire / November 13, 2025 /ESGold Corp. (CSE:ESAU)(OTCQB:ESAUF)(FSE:Z7D) ("ESGold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the partial completion and interpretation of a comprehensive three-dimensional geological model of its flagship Montauban Gold-Silver Project in Quebec.The model, developed by Geomatic World Inc., consolidates over half a century of geological data, drilling records, and mine plans into a single, modern three-dimensional (3D) representation. The results partially demonstrate that mineralization at Montauban may follow a mineralized system that may look like volcanogenic massive sulphide ("VMS") system with consistent gold, silver, zinc, and lead enrichment-sharing certain key geological features with globally recognized deposits such as Broken Hill (Australia) and Millenbach (Noranda, Quebec) although the deposit is not of the same age nor geological context than any of those deposits.Watch the 3D Model in ActionA new video showcasing ESGold's 3D geological model of the Montauban Project can be viewed here:Figure 1. Three-dimensional (3D) geological model of the Montauban Property, Quebec, The model integrates historical and modern data to reveal multiple stacked gold- and silver-rich sulphide zones aligned with major fault structures-geometry characteristic of large, metamorphosed VMS systems (Source: Geomatic World Inc., "Executive Summary - Montauban 3D Geological Modeling Project," prepared for ESGold Corp., November 2025.)Gordon Robb, CEO and Director of ESGold, commented, "The Montauban model is the most significant technical milestone in the project's modern history. What was once seen as a series of small, isolated deposits now seems to emerge as a continuous, multilayered mineral system with dimensions not previously recognized at Montauban." Mr. Robb added: "The continuity of mineralized horizons, structural alignment, and metamorphic overprint identified in this model provide the geological backbone to explore Montauban as a true district. With our cash-flow-ready tailings operation and construction well advanced, we're uniquely positioned to self-fund exploration across the property and accelerate discovery without excessive dilution." Key Geological Highlights from the 3D ModelContinuous, Stacked Mineralized Zones: The model defines multiple gold- and silver-rich sulphide horizons extending beyond historical mine workings, aligned with regional fault structures that remain open along strike and at depth.Structural Coherence and Scale: Mineralized lenses follow predictable structural trends and fold geometries, indicating a large-scale, multi-horizon VMS system typical of mature mining camps such as Noranda and Broken Hill.Broken Hill and Millenbach Analogues: Montauban exhibits similar geological architecture - metamorphosed VMS mineralization, strong structural repetition, and gold-silver enrichment - placing it within the same family of deposit types capable of hosting significant tonnages, however the Company acknowledges there is no assurance of same or even similar results to those analogous deposits.Digital Integration of Tailings and Hard Rock: The 3D model integrates both mineralized zones and historical tailings volumes, giving ESGold a full "digital twin" of the property. This dual focus supports near-term reprocessing cash flow and long-term exploration upside. Additional technical data from the historical underground polymetallic zone is still being digitized, a process now underway that will further enhance the model once complete.Camp-Scale Potential Emerging: The data suggest Montauban may represent the central node of a broader polymetallic corridor, with potential for additional pods or lenses extending well beyond known zones.Next Steps for the ProjectProceed with Property-Wide ANT Survey: ESGold will expand its existing ANT passive seismic program across the entire Montauban property to map deeper structures, potential feeder systems, and additional mineralized pods.Digitize and Incorporate Historical Mine Records: Historical mine plans, underground workings, and regional geological data will be merged into the 3D model to enhance resource continuity and target prioritization.Develop a Systematic Exploration and Drilling Program: A comprehensive exploration roadmap will be finalized to include systematic step-out and infill drilling near the deposit along major structural corridors identified in the model as well as an exploratory program further from the known zones.Initiate Drill Permitting Process: ESGold will begin the application process to secure all necessary permits for its next phase of exploration drilling.Self-Funded Discovery Model: With construction of the Montauban mill building complete and the Company now advancing sourcing and procurement of the Merrill-Crowe processing circuit, ESGold's near-term cash flow from tailings reprocessing has the ability to finance exploration internally, minimizing dilution while maximizing discovery leverage.A Vision for GrowthMontauban now stands as a fully permitted project with mill building construction complete and processing circuit procurement underway, supported by a geological framework of district scale potential. The combination of near-term production readiness and multipod exploration upside uniquely positions ESGold among emerging producers in Quebec, a province globally recognized for its mining stability, infrastructure, and access to clean energy.Why This Matters to InvestorsThe new 3D model demonstrates that Montauban is not just a reclamation or redevelopment story - it is the nucleus of a potentially much larger gold, silver, and base-metal district.By continuing confirming geological similarities to world-class systems like Broken Hill and Millenbach, ESGold has established a foundation for multi-year, multi-target exploration across a structurally controlled corridor that remains vastly underexplored.With a fully funded production path, robust economics, and an emerging exploration blueprint, ESGold offers investors the rare combination of near-term cash flow, low capital risk, and large-scale discovery potential - all within one of the safest mining jurisdictions in the world, being Quebec.Qualified Person StatementThe technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Andre Gauthier, P.Geo., a Director of ESGold and a Qualified
Based on evidence from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), two more Russian agents were sentenced to 15 and 13 years in prison, with confiscation of property. They guided enemy air strikes on power and heat generating facilities in Poltava and Sumy regions, the SBU press service reported.

"Local electrical substations were among the enemy's primary 'targets.' To correct enemy shelling, agents installed camouflaged video traps near critical infrastructure facilities. They camouflaged mobile phones, connected them to power banks, and provided access to live streaming to Russian intelligence agents. In this way, the occupiers hoped to document the effects of combined Russian attacks on strategically important facilities supplying electricity and heat to frontline areas," the Telegram channel reported.

It was established that the enemy's mission was carried out by two unemployed men from Poltava region, aged 21 and 23, who came to the attention of the Russian fighters while looking for "easy money" on Telegram channels.

SBU counterintelligence officers detained the agents in October 2024 near a facility where they were attempting to install a hidden camera.

Based on evidence collected by SBU investigators, the court found the perpetrators guilty under Part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (high treason committed under martial law).

Taking into account their cooperation with the investigation, one of the perpetrators received a lesser sentence than the penalty stipulated for the crimes they were charged with.
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 13, 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
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Located at Gonzalo Salazar OE3-151 y, in the heart of Quito, Cafe Quinque serves up home-style Ecuadorian dishes and specialty coffee in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.JAKARTA, ID / ACCESS Newswire / November 13, 2025 / Cafe Quinque, a new boutique cafe in Quito, officially opens its doors at Gonzalo Salazar OE3-151 y (postal code 170104) on November 15, 2025. Featuring traditional Ecuadorian cuisine, locally-roasted coffee and a cozy family-style decor, the cafe brings a fresh dining alternative to the city's gastronomic scene. cafe logo the logo of Cafe QuinqueBorn from a passion for Ecuador's culinary heritage and a desire to recreate the warmth of home cooking, Cafe Quinque invites guests to experience beloved local dishes such as hornado, empanadas de viento and rich Andean coffee blends. With seating designed for intimate gatherings and a modern yet rustic ambience, the cafe stands out by offering both casual comfort and elevated hospitality.Located in Quito's [insert neighbourhood if known] neighbourhood, the 40-seat venue opens daily from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Guests are encouraged to reserve ahead for lunch and dinner. At launch, Cafe Quinque will feature a "Welcome Week" promotion where early diners receive complimentary cups of specialty coffee and an Ecuadorian sweet traditionally served in family homes."We created Cafe Quinque to be more than a place to eat - it's a return to Ecuadorian culinary roots, but in a space that feels fresh and welcoming," says [Owner's Name], founder of Cafe Quinque. "Whether you're stopping by for a morning coffee or enjoying a leisurely dinner with friends, our hope is that you leave feeling connected to our food and our country." To celebrate the opening, Cafe Quinque will host an open-house event on November 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., featuring live acoustic music, complimentary tasting samples and a special 10 % discount for guests who reserve via Instagram (@CafeQuinque Quito). For reservations, contact +593 99 141 3053 or visit cafe quinque.com About Cafe QuinqueCafe Quinque is a boutique cafe located in Quito, Ecuador, dedicated to delivering authentic Ecuadorian cuisine and premium locally-roasted coffee in a comfortable, hospitable setting. Founded in 2025, Cafe Quinque is committed to celebrating Ecuador's food traditions while offering a relaxed, contemporary dining experience. For more information visit cafe quinque.com or follow @CafeQuinque Quito on Instagram.Media Contact: DominiqueCafe QuinqueGonzalo Salazar OE3-151 y, Quito, Ecuador 170104Phone: +593 99 141 3053Email: admin@ cafequinque.com Website: cafequinque.com SOURCE: Cafe Quinque
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GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA / ACCESS Newswire / November 13, 2025 /Cameron Ashley Building Products (Cameron Ashley) has opened a new distribution center in Jacksonville, Florida, strengthening its service capabilities across North Florida and Georgia's coastal markets.This strategic expansion gives customers faster, more reliable access to a full suite of residential and light commercial building products, helping them keep projects on schedule and customers satisfied.The Jacksonville facility is a core market location, stocking Roofing, Gypsum, Insulation, and all related accessories. Cameron Ashley delivers convenience, speed, and local expertise to meet growing demand in one of the Southeast's fastest-growing construction markets."This new Jacksonville facility enhances our statewide network, allowing us to deliver faster and more reliably across Florida," said John Gambone, Regional Vice President. "By stocking our Core 3 products, we're giving customers the tools they need to compete and win - backed by same-day or next-day delivery and the product knowledge and service they expect from Cameron Ashley." The new facility will be led by Distribution Center Manager Mark Mixon, a veteran professional in the roofing and insulation industries. "With years of experience supporting customers in this region, I understand their challenges," said Mixon. "Our Jacksonville team knows the products, knows the market, and is ready to deliver the fast, dependable service customers deserve." With Jacksonville now online, Cameron Ashley operates a growing network of Florida distribution centers inLakeland, Fort Pierce, and Fort Myers , ensuring statewide coverage and next-day delivery to nearly every major metro area.The Jacksonville Distribution Center is located at 2210 Melson Avenue, Suite 101, Jacksonville, FL 32254, and can be reached at 904-807-2919.About Cameron Ashley Building Products, Inc.Cameron Ashley is a leading wholesale distributor of roofing, insulation, gypsum, siding, and other specialty building products. We deliver a premier portfolio of nationally recognized brands to customers across the lumber and building materials industry.With more than 70 distribution centers nationwide, we stock large volumes of building products locally and offer flexible, customer-centric delivery options through our F^ST same-day or next-day delivery platforms.Our relationship-driven approach includes the industry-leading PLUS Points loyalty program, free merchandising support, as well as exclusive purchasing and show incentives. Customers can shop anytime through either our CONNECT online portal or mobile app, which provide real-time access to product availability, pricing, order history, secure payments, and detailed product specs and warranties.To learn more or place an order, visit cameronashleybp.com Contact InformationSara EllerVP Marketingsaraeller@ cameronashleybp.com 864-281-3687SOURCE: Cameron Ashley Building Products
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BERWYN, PA / ACCESS Newswire / November 13, 2025 / Chilean Cobalt Corp. (OTCQB:COBA) ("Chilean Cobalt" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an offtake arrangement, pursuant to a Deed of Undertaking, with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Glencore plc (LSE: GLEN) (together, with its subsidiaries, "Glencore"). The Company will provide Glencore with an irrevocable and exclusive right to purchase up to 100% of cobalt and/or copper containing products at and/or derived from the Company's La Cobaltera and El Cofre projects in northern Chile, as well as any other materials, metals and/or byproducts produced and/or derived from the La Cobaltera and El Cofre projects (the "Materials"), for the life of mine.Both parties anticipate that of any Materials sold to Glencore in the future, the majority of the cobalt and copper intermediate product stream will be shipped into the United States ("US") for processing and refining."This marks a significant milestone for Chilean Cobalt as we advance the La Cobaltera and El Cofre projects and work to establish an Americas-focused cobalt supply chain," said Duncan T. Blount, Chairman and CEO of Chilean Cobalt. "We believe that working with Glencore, one of the world's leading producers and marketers of cobalt and copper, will satisfy a key condition precedent as we pursue strategic project financing, and positions us to accelerate project development, while supporting the growing demand for secure and responsibly sourced critical minerals." In addition, Glencore is expected to provide strategic support for development of Chilean Cobalt's La Cobaltera Phase 1 cobalt-copper project, and to collaborate on new initiatives aimed at developing US-based processing and refining capabilities for metal products and/or battery materials.Through this relationship, Chilean Cobalt will leverage Glencore's global expertise and extensive network as one of the world's leading producers and marketers of cobalt, with established extraction and processing operations worldwide.About Chilean Cobalt Corp.Chilean Cobalt Corp. is a US-based critical minerals exploration and development company focused on the La Cobaltera and El Cofre projects in northern Chile, one of the world's few primary cobalt districts. Chilean Cobalt is committed to creating ecological and social value for all stakeholders; economic value for Chile and the Chilean communities in which it operates; and financial value for its shareholders.Safe Harbor StatementThis news release contains statements that involve expectations, plans or intentions (such as those relating to future business or financial results) and other factors discussed from time to time in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. These statements are forward-looking and are subject to risks and uncertainties, so actual results may vary materially. You can identify these forward-looking statements by words such as "may," "should," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "plan" and other similar expressions. Examples of forward-looking statements, include, among others, statements the Company makes regarding its ability to leverage the industry expertise and collaborate on new initiatives with Glencore, ability to establish "Proven" or "Probable" Reserves, as defined by the SEC under Industry Guide 7, through the completion of a Definitive Feasibility Study for the minerals that the Company seeks to produce and offer for offtake and the inherent risks of mining, exploration, development, and processing operations that may negatively impact the business. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors not within the control of the Company. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company disclaims any obligation subsequently to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.CONTACTS:Chilean Cobalt Corp. Duncan T. Blount Chairman & CEO Duncan.Blount@chileancobaltcorp.com SOURCE: Chilean Cobalt Corp.
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 13, 2025 / Dealmed Medical Supplies, LLC ("Dealmed") recently suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to Dealmed.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On June 7, 2025, Dealmed Medical Supplies, LLC ("Dealmed") became aware of a security incident on its network. Upon detection, Dealmed 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 gained access to certain data in Dealmed's network on June 7, 2025.The impacted data may include names and Social Security numbers.On November 6, 2025, Dealmed filed a notice with the office of the New Hampshire Attorney General and began sending notice letters to impacted 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 Dealmed Medical Supplies, 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
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WEST VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / November 13, 2025 / Bitterroot Resources Ltd.'s (TSXV:BTT) drilling contractor has initiated a 10-hole, 3,000-4,000 metre reverse circulation drilling program at the Company's 100%-owned Nighthawk Gold/Silver Project in the Walker Lane Belt of west-central Nevada.Drilling will target untested Miocene-age structures and potential intrusions which are covered by a thin layer of alluvium and colluvium. The drill targets have been developed through a multi-year exploration effort which began with regional exploration, followed by examination of nearby outcrop, a detailed aeromagnetic survey, prospecting, and soil geochemical surveys. Nighthawk hosts gold/silver-mineralized boulders with grades ranging from 0.83 to 38 grams gold/tonne that are associated with anomalous soil geochemistry. Drilling will test for structurally-controlled, near-surface oxidized epithermal gold/silver mineralization and intrusion-hosted base and precious metals mineralization. The Nighthawk Project is several kilometres immediately west of, and contiguous with, third party claims covering the past-producing open pit/heap-leach Boss Mine and the undeveloped, near-surface Castle, Berg and Black Rock gold deposits. The Nighthawk claims are located on Federally-managed (BLM) land in Esmeralda County, approximately 50 kilometres west of Tonopah, NV.Drilling at Nighthawk is expected to continue until late December 2025, with results expected as early as the latter part of the first quarter of 2026. Additional information on the Nighthawk Gold/Silver Project is available on the Company's website www.bitterrootresources.com Mr. Charles Greig, M.Sc, P.Geo, is the Qualified Person responsible for the technical content of this news release.About Bitterroot Resources Ltd.: Through its US subsidiary Trans Superior Resources, Inc., Bitterroot owns a 100%, royalty-free interest in the 219-claim Nighthawk Gold/Silver Project near Tonopah, NV. Trans Superior also owns a 51% interest in the LM Nickel/Copper Project in the highly prospective Baraga Basin in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The Baraga Basin hosts the USA's only operating nickel/copper mine, Lundin Mining's Eagle Mine, plus the Boulderdash and Roland prospects, which are being aggressively explored by Talon Metals Corp. LM and Roland are likely parts of the same mineralized conduit system. More drilling is planned at LM, subject to financing. Bitterroot also owns 5.9% of Perseverance Metals Inc., a Quebec and Michigan-focussed nickel/copper exploration company. Perseverance's management plan to drill several new magmatic nickel/copper targets in the Upper Peninsula in early 2026.ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,Michael S. CarrDirector and CEONeither 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.FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expects" or "it is expected", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. This document contains statements about expected or anticipated future events and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and as a result, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, such as general economic, market and business conditions, regulatory processes and actions, technical issues, new legislation, competitive conditions, the uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans, the occurrence of unexpected events and the company's ability to execute and implement its future plans. Actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. For such forward-looking statements, we claim the safe harbour for forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Legislation Reform Act of 1995.CONTACT:Michael Carr, CEOTel: 604 922 1351Email: infoman@ bitterrootresources.com SOURCE: Bitterroot Resources Ltd.
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LONDON, UK / ACCESS Newswire / November 13, 2025 / Empire Metals Limited, the AIM-quoted and OTCQX-traded exploration and development company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Canaccord Genuity Limited ("Canaccord") as joint corporate broker with immediate effect. Canaccord will work alongside S. P. Angel Corporate Finance LLP and Shard Capital Partners LLP.For further information please visit www.empiremetals.co.uk or contact:Empire Metals LtdShaun Bunn / Greg Kuenzel / Arabella BurwellTel: 020 4583 1440S. P. Angel Corporate Finance LLP (Nomad & Joint Broker)Ewan Leggat / Adam CowlTel: 020 3470 0470Canaccord Genuity Limited (Joint Broker)James Asensio / Christian Calabrese / Charlie HammondTel: 020 7523 8000Shard Capital Partners LLP (Joint Broker)Damon HeathTel: 020 7186 9950Tavistock (Financial PR)Emily Moss / Josephine Clerkinempiremetals@ tavistock.co.uk Tel: 020 7920 3150About Empire Metals LimitedEmpire Metals Ltd (AIM:EEE and OTCQX:EPMLF) is an exploration and resource development company focused on the rapid commercialisation of the Pitfield Titanium Project, located in Western Australia. The titanium discovery at Pitfield is of unprecedented scale and hosts one of the largest and highest-grade titanium resources reported globally, with a Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) totalling 2.2 billion tonnes grading 5.1% TiO for 113 million tonnes of contained TiO.The MRE, which covers only the Thomas and Cosgrove deposits, includes a weathered zone resource of 1.26 billion tonnes at 5.2% TiO and a significant Indicated Resource of 697 million tonnes at 5.3% TiO, predominantly from the Thomas deposit. Titanium mineralisation at Pitfield occurs from surface and displays exceptional grade continuity along strike and down dip. The MRE extends across just 20% of the known mineralised footprint, providing substantial potential for further resource expansion.Conventional processing has already produced a high-purity product grading 99.25% TiO, suitable for titanium sponge metal or pigment feedstock. The friable, in-situ weathered zone supports low-cost, strip mining without the need for blasting or overburden removal.With excellent logistics and established infrastructure, including rail links to deep-water ports with direct access to Asia, the USA, Europe and Saudi Arabia, Pitfield is strategically positioned to supply the growing global demand for titanium and other critical minerals.Empire is now accelerating the economic development of Pitfield, with a vision to produce a high-value titanium metal and/or pigment quality product at Pitfield, to realise the full value potential of this exceptional deposit.The Company also has two further exploration projects in Australia; the Eclipse Project and the Walton Project in Western Australia, in addition to three precious metals projects located in a historically high-grade gold producing region of Austria.This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@ lseg.com or visit www.rns.com SOURCE: Empire Metals Limited
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The platform replaces fragmented, manual workflows with an autonomous AI system that drafts, validates, and reviews SEC disclosures in real time.CHICAGO, IL / ACCESS Newswire / November 13, 2025 / Greenshoe , the first AI-native platform built specifically to automate and improve U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) disclosures, today announced that it has raised $3 million in seed funding, led byAIX Ventures , with participation fromHearst Level Up Ventures ,Blueprint FTC ,Service Provider Capital , and various strategic angels. The capital will fuel Greenshoe's engineering and go-to-market expansion as the company launches its commercial platform for public company reporting.On average, as an example, it takesabout 180 hours just to prepare a 10-Q , at an expense that can range from roughly $50,000 for smaller companies to well over $1 million for large-cap enterprises, a costly, error-prone process filled with repetitive work, complexity, and risk. Greenshoe modernizes these complex workflows with an AI-native system that uses regulatory precedent, market norms, and real-time company data to deliver faster, more consistent, and compliance-grade disclosures."SEC filings are the foundation of market transparency, but the workflows powering them are stuck in a pre-AI world," said Payton McCoy, CEO and co-founder of Greenshoe. "As a lawyer, I spent hundreds of hours manually preparing SEC disclosures, including 10-Ks, 8-Ks, and IPO filings. That said, Greenshoe is about more than just saving time. It's about improving disclosure quality and making this work easier to do. We're laying the rails for a smarter, faster capital markets ecosystem." Greenshoe handles niche, but critical workflows such as:Real-time compliance checks and validationsDraft generation based on regulatory precedent and market comparablesSEC comment analysis and response supportPeer-based benchmarking and research"We're building the infrastructure layer for AI-native disclosure intelligence," said Dr. Yi Zhang, CTO and co-founder. "Our deep-research agent fuses reasoning, evaluation, reflection, and human feedback into a continuous improvement loop. Every interaction sharpens the system, compounding domain expertise into an advantage that makes the platform more intelligent." Greenshoe's architecture is built for complex document processing, combining agentic retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), domain-specific benchmarking, and structured reasoning over SEC disclosure requirements. Greenshoe conducts deep research on each filing and transforms that analysis into precise, context-aware drafting actions grounded in how disclosures evolve, how they compare to peers, and how they align with SEC expectations."SEC disclosures are among the most important and complex documents in corporate finance, and Greenshoe is the first team we've seen that truly understands both the regulatory nuance and the AI infrastructure required to modernize them," said Jason McBride, Partner at AIX Ventures. "We invested because Greenshoe isn't just building a tool. They're defining an entirely new layer in the regulatory tech stack." Greenshoe was built for the roughly 4,700 public companies in the U.S. that face similar challenges navigating evolving SEC expectations, internal approvals, and market comparables. The platform is commercially available and already being adopted by legal teams and capital markets professionals. Early feedback indicates time savings of up to 90% for certain tasks. To learn more or request a demo, visit https://www.greenshoe.ai/ ABOUT GREENSHOE:Greenshoe is the first AI-native platform for SEC disclosure automation. Founded by former Kirkland & Ellis attorney Payton McCoy and and Yi Zhang, PhD, previously a Senior Applied Scientist at AWS AI, Greenshoe automates the research, drafting, benchmarking, and compliance review of public company filings. The company is on a mission to become the AI operating system for corporate disclosure, transforming compliance into an intelligent, real-time system that benefits issuers, investors, and regulators alike. Learn more at https://www.greenshoe.ai/ MEDIA CONTACT:Nina Pfister MAG PR nina@ mooringadvisorygroup.com SOURCE: Greenshoe
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 13, 2025 / Roger Keith & Sons Insurance Agency("Roger Keith") recently suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal and protected health information of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal and protected health information entrusted to Roger Keith.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On January 27, 2025, Roger Keith became aware of a security incident involving an unauthorized party that gained access toits network environment following a phishing attack. Upon detection, Roger Keith 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 gained access to files containing sensitive personal and protected health information. The impacted data may includefirst and last names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, passport numbers, military or other U.S. government-issued identification numbers, mothers' maiden names, credit or debit card numbers with access information, financial account numbers with access information, usernames and passwords, and limited health-related information.On October 29, 2025, Roger Keith filed a notice with the office of the Maine Attorney General and began mailing notification letters to impacted 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 Roger Keith & Sons Insurance Agency, 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: 2025-11-13 18:24:05

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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 13, 2025 / Integrated Silicon Solution, Inc. ("ISSI") recently suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to ISSI.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On June 30, 2025, ISSI became aware of a security incident on its network. Upon detection, ISSI 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 a limited number of server environments, including a file server.The impacted data may include names and other personally identifiable information.On November 7, 2025, ISSI filed notice with the office of the Attorney General of California and began sending notice letters to impacted individuals. 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 Integrated Silicon Solution, 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
Sybiha discusses the use of frozen Russian assets with his British counterpart in London: We need this decision until year end

Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, who is on a working visit to London, reported a "meaningful and friendly" bilateral meeting with his British counterpart, Yvette Cooper.

We coordinated next steps to increase the price of war for Russia and strengthen Ukraine. I expressed gratitude for the UKs leadership in all areas, yesterdays strong G7 statement, and the new EUR 13 million winter package. We agreed on the importance of swift collective action to enable the full use of Russias frozen assets to support Ukraines defense and recovery. We need this decision until the end of the year, he said on X.

Foreign Ministry leaders separately coordinated initiatives in international organizations and efforts to hold Russia accountable for its crimes.
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 13, 2025 / Central Jersey Medical Center, Inc. ("CJMC") 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 CJMC.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On August 25, 2025, an external threat actor gained unauthorized access to CJMC's dental server network and installed ransomware to successfully encrypt files on the network. Upon learning of the attack, CJMC launched an investigation to determine the scope and nature of the incident.The investigation revealed that the unauthorized party may have accessed and/or acquired sensitive personal and protected health information during the breach.The impacted data may include names, Social Security numbers, demographic information (date of birth, address, telephone number, email address, race or ethnicity), dental record numbers, health insurance information, dental diagnoses, treatment history, and billing information.On or around October 23, 2025, a breach notification was posted to the CJMC website. 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 Central Jersey Medical Center, 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
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 13, 2025 / NAHGA Claims Services ("NAHGA") 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 NAHGA.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On April 13, 2025, NAHGA Claims Services became aware of unusual activity involving its network systems. Upon detection, NAHGA launched an investigation with the assistance of independent cybersecurity experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation determined that an unauthorized third party accessed and potentially acquired certain files between April 8, 2025, and April 10, 2025.The impacted data may include names and other personally identifiable and protected health information relevant to insurance claims.NAHGA disclosed the breach to the South Carolina Attorney General's office and began sending notice letters to impacted 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 NAHGA Claims Services, 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
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District ranks first statewide on 2025 MCAS Science assessments, with nearly half of student population achieving top grade "exceeding expectations"NORTH READING, MASSACHUSETTS / ACCESS Newswire / November 13, 2025 / Students in North Reading Public Schools achieved the highest science scores in Massachusetts on the 2025 Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) for elementary Science and Technology/Engineering. North Reading Students Testing in Science A key element of North Reading Public Schools' science program, KnowAtom, challenges student to develop their own models and test their own ideas hands-on in small teams.The district ranked first among 319 public and charter districts statewide, with 92% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency expectations. This placed North Reading six points ahead of the next highest district. Nearly half of all students, 47%, achieved the top level of "Exceeds Expectations,"nine points higher than any other district in the state.With proficiency rates reaching 95% in multiple cohorts, North Reading's success represents a district-wide culture of excellence that ensures all students have access to high-quality science learning experiences."The dedication of our teachers and administrators, along with support from KnowAtom's inquiry based curriculum, gives every student a chance to engage deeply with science," said Sean Killeen, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching & Learning. "Our educators continue to engage students' curiosity, hands-on learning, and make meaningful real-world connections which show in these results." For more than a decade, North Reading Public Schools have partnered with KnowAtom, a Massachusetts-based company and national provider of high-quality hands-on instructional materials, curriculum, and professional development for K-8 schools in NGSS adaptive and adoptive states, including Massachusetts' STE Frameworks. This partnership equips teachers with research-based tools that help students think critically, conduct experiments, and reason like scientists and engineers to develop a lifelong understanding of key skills and concepts."When students apply what they learn through inquiry-based science instruction, they are encouraged to explore phenomena, ask meaningful questions, and uncover scientific concepts. Engaging in these inquiry-driven experiences enhances both their engagement and academic achievement." , Grade 5 Teacher/Science Curriculum Leader - Batchelder School, Tina Borek.Massachusetts consistently ranks among the top states in the nation for public education (Consumer Affairs, 2024).Within this highly competitive landscape, North Reading's results stand out. While other leading districts such as Sudbury, Andover, Dover, and Brookline reported between 24% and 25% of students exceeding expectations, North Reading reached well above at 47% and maintained the highest overall proficiency rate."These results reflect what happens when teachers are trusted as professionals and equipped with effectively designed and appropriately supported resources. With KnowAtom, educators create classrooms where students take responsibility for their learning, think independently, and develop the habits of mind that drive achievement in science and beyond.," said Francis Vigeant, CEO of KnowAtom. "We're proud to support communities like North Reading that are creating learning environments where students think critically and learn more deeply than conventional, screen-first or textbook-only approaches typically allow." Contact InformationNicole LanouePress Contactnlanoue@ knowatom.com 617-475-3475 x2002SOURCE: KnowAtom, LLC
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 13, 2025 / Philadelphia Corporation for Aging ("PCA") 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 PCA.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On July 25, 2025, Philadelphia Corporation for Aging ("PCA") became aware of unusual activity in its network environment. Upon detection, PCA launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cybersecurity experts and legal counsel to determine the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation determined that an unauthorized third party gained access to and may have copied certain information from PCA's systems between July 10, 2025, and July 25, 2025.The impacted data may include names and other personal and protected health information.On November 4, 2025, PCA filed a notice with the Attorney General of Maine and began mailing notification letters to impacted 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 Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, 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
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KUALA LUMPUR, MY / ACCESS Newswire / November 13, 2025 / Polymer Link Holdings Berhad("Polymer Link") and its subsidiaries ("Group"), a regional and international plastic manufacturer specialising in manufacturing plastic powder and colour masterbatch for rotational moulding applications, is pleased to announce that the public portion of its initial public offering ("IPO") has been oversubscribed by 48.74 times.Polymer Link Holdings BerhadPolymer Link's IPO of 121.23 million ordinary shares ("IPO Shares") comprises a Public Issue of 97.15 million new ordinary shares ("Issue Shares") and an Offer For Sale of 24.08 million existing shares ("Offer Shares"), structured as follows:Public IssueMalaysian Public:28.00 million IPO Shares or 5.0% of the Group's enlarged issued share capital, with 2.5% made available to non-Bumiputera public investors and the remaining 2.5% made available to Bumiputera public investors.Pink Form Allocations:4.44 million IPO Shares or 0.8% of the enlarged issued share capital allocated to eligible directors and employees (collectively known as "Eligible Persons") through Pink Form Allocations.Private Placement to Selected Investors:64.71 million IPO Shares or 11.5% of the enlarged issued share capital by way of private placement to selected investors.Offer For SaleOffer for sale of 24.08 million existing shares or 4.3% of the enlarged issued share capital by way of private placement to selected investors.A total of 11,360 applications for 1,392.88 million Issue Shares with a value of RM348.21 million were received from the Malaysian public, which represent an overall oversubscription rate of 48.74 times. For the Bumiputera portion, a total of 6,238 applications for 718.59 million Issue Shares were received, which represent an oversubscription rate of 50.33 times. For the public portion, a total of 5,122 applications for 674.25 million Issue Shares were received, which represent an oversubscription rate of 47.16 times.Meanwhile, 4.44 million Issue Shares made available for application by the Eligible Persons have also been fully subscribed.The Sole Placement Agent has also confirmed that 88,785,600 IPO Shares made available by way of private placement to selected investors have been fully taken up.Mr. Koh Song Heng, Executive Vice Chairman/ President and Group Chief Executive Officer of Polymer Link, said, "We are truly encouraged by the overwhelming response from investors and grateful to the public for their trust in our journey. This enthusiastic demand reflects confidence in our vision, capabilities, and global potential. The proceeds raised will support our manufacturing capacity expansion, drive product innovation, and position us for sustainable long-term growth." Polymer Link Holdings Berhad is scheduled to be listed on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad on 25 November 2025.Hong Leong Investment Bank Berhadis the Principal Adviser, Sponsor, Sole Placement Agent and Sole Underwriter for the IPO whileDWA Advisory Sdn. Bhd.is the Financial Adviser.###ABOUT POLYMER LINK HOLDINGS BERHADPolymer Link Holdings Berhad ("Polymer Link") and its subsidiaries ("Group") are a regional and international plastic manufacturer specialising in plastic powder and colour masterbatch for rotational moulding applications. The Group commenced its plastic powder manufacturing operations on a tolling basis, before expanding its footprint across its key markets e.g., Malaysia, the Philippines, India, the USA and Australia. The Group specialises in the formulation, compounding, and grinding of plastic powder for both general and specialty applications, alongside the production of colour masterbatch for internal use and external sale. In 2018, the Group marked a key milestone with its listing on the LEAP Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad on 27 April 2018, before voluntarily delisting on 9 December 2020 to streamline its business operations. Today, the Group continues to strengthen its international presence by delivering customised polymer solutions to a growing base of industrial clients worldwide.For more information, visit https://polymerlink.net/ Issued By: Swan Consultancy Sdn. Bhd. on behalf of Polymer Link Holdings BerhadFor more information, please contact:Jazmin WanEmail:j.wan@ swanconsultancy.biz Chris SerEmail:c.ser@ swanconsultancy.biz SOURCE: Polymer Link Holdings Berhad
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COLUMBUS, OH / ACCESS Newswire / November 13, 2025 / Premiere Show Group, the nation's leading network of beauty industry events and professional education, successfully concluded Premiere Columbus 2025, energizing the Midwest beauty community with two days of world-class education, high-energy competition, and innovative attendee experiences. Held September 14-15 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, the show brought together 10,000 visits of licensed professionals and students alongside 129 exhibiting brands for a weekend of skill-building, discovery, and networking.Education That InspiresAttendees explored more than 148 educational sessions led by 80+ top educators and influencers. From hands-on workshops to business development classes, Premiere Columbus gave beauty professionals the tools to advance their careers and expand their craft. Main Stage presentations from Wayne Tuggle, Candy Shaw, Kell Grace, Danny Amorim, and Kirsty Meakin energized audiences, while CE-certified courses from Monique Waters of Wu Aesthetics Academy and Jaime Schrabeck of Precision Nails allowed licensed professionals to meet continuing education requirements."I truly think Premiere Columbus is a major event for our city," said Zhana, a cosmetology student from Ohio. "You get to discover so many new products, meet brands, attend classes, connect with people - everything is super interesting. I felt like I learned so much, yet at the same time, I didn't get to see everything. It was such a great experience!"Competitions Showcase Skill and CreativityAdding to the show's high-energy atmosphere, the Ultimate Barber Battle powered by L3VEL3 and sponsored by JRL took over the Main Stage on Monday. Barbers from across the region competed in a live showdown celebrating creativity, precision, and technical mastery-drawing enthusiastic crowds and spotlighting the next generation of barbering talent. Antoine Lewis Hardie earned first place, with every competitor gaining visibility and high-value tools to enhance their craft.A Dynamic Exhibit FloorThe exhibit hall featured 129 professional beauty brands, offering product demos, hands-on learning, and event-only promotions. Attendees engaged directly with brands including Chi by Farouk, Wahl, JRL, Malibu C, Johnny B, Kell Grace, Duomo Pro, Boulevard, Glownar Aesthetics, Hale Cosmeceuticals, Procell, Fierce Hair Extensions, Rude Cosmetics, LeChat, Izutech, and Martini Beauty, discovering new products and solutions for their businesses.New Experiences Bring Energy and ConnectionPremiere Columbus enhanced the attendee experience with several fresh activations. Each morning, DJ KICKIT welcomed attendees with high-energy beats in the Atrium Lobby. Interactive photo ops across the show floor and lobby encouraged professionals to capture and share the weekend's excitement.Attendees also visited The Branded Salon booth for exclusive Premiere Columbus swag and custom merchandise, while Monday morning's Sample Bag Giveaway treated the first 250 attendees to product-filled bags from top brands-including Duomo Pro, Chi by Farouk, Oli G, Izutech, Rude, Jack Winn Pro, Hale Cosmeceuticals, Modologie Face Systems, TOWELHUB/The Shears Depot, LeChat, PureO Natural Products, and Martini Beauty-claimed within minutes and generating major buzz.Looking Ahead: Premiere Shows 2026The excitement doesn't stop-Premiere Shows are already planning another year packed with education, inspiration, and unforgettable experiences. Beauty professionals won't want to miss a single event in the 2026 lineup:Premiere Anaheim | February 1-2, 2026 Registration is Now Open! Click HERE to register.Premiere Orlando | May 30-June 1, 2026Premiere San Antonio | August 30-31, 2026Premiere Columbus | September 28-29, 2026Each show will continue to deliver cutting-edge education, exclusive hands-on experiences, and unparalleled opportunities to connect with the top brands and brightest minds in the industry. Whether discovering the latest products, learning new techniques, or building connections that last a lifetime, Premiere Shows 2026 will be the ultimate destination for beauty professionals ready to elevate their careers.Visit premiereshows.com and follow @premierebeautyshows for updates and announcements.###Rachel Brill rachel@ premiereshows.com The Premiere Shows are the nation's leading network of beauty industry events, matched with world-class education from top beauty brands and renowned educators. Premiere welcomes all representatives of the professional beauty industry to meet with top brands from around the globe, get hands-on education, shop, connect with their community, and stay up to date with the hottest trends in the business. Premiere exhibitors are guaranteed to meet decision-makers from every area of the beauty industry on an exhibit floor designed to bring the beauty community together to learn, buy, and connect. For more information on Premiere Shows and its events, visit premiereshows.com The Premiere Shows' events are organized by USA Beauty LLC, a joint venture between Informa Markets, BolognaFiere, and the Professional Beauty Association - a historic partnership created to better serve the beauty industry. USA Beauty LLC also operates the Cosmoprof North America events held annually in Las Vegas and Miami, and Beauty New York - a new consumer-focused event launching in October 2025.SOURCE: Informa Markets - USA Beauty
Senator Ned Nwoko has countered activist Omoyele Sowores claim that he married Regina Daniels at 17, insisting the allegation is false and presenting her voter card as evidence.

However, the lawmakers latest defence contradicts a statement he released on Monday, in which he said the actress, whom he claimed was born on 10 October 2000, married him at 19.

In the Monday statement, issued by his Communication and Technical Action Team and circulated via the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), and published by PREMIUM TIMES, Mr Nwoko insisted that the public witnessed her family giving her away in marriage.

It partly read: For clarity, Regina Daniels was born on October 10, 2000. If she has been married for six years, that means she got married at 19, not 17. The public witnessed her family giving her away in marriage, and there were witnesses to the fact that her mother personally brought her to me. I never went after her.

Conflicting birth dates

But on Thursday, in a Facebook post on his official handle, he shifted his account, saying Regina had told him she was 21 when they first met and that her voter card confirmed her birth year as 1998.

He also said, I have also seen a BBC interview where her mom granted after our marriage regarding her age.

In the unearthed BBC interview, Rita Daniels, Reginas mum clarified that her daughter was nearly 20 at the time of the wedding and defended Reginas decision to marry young.

The conflicting accounts have deepened scrutiny over Reginas age at her marriage, especially after the actress revealed that the 64-year-old lawmaker married her at 17.

Her disclosure came while responding to Mr Nwokos earlier claim that her family introduced her to drugs and sabotaged his efforts to get her help. Her revelation sparked widespread social media debate, with many Nigerians, including Mr Sowore, calling for an investigation and describing the alleged marriage to a minor as a criminal act.

Sowore alleges the use of fake documents

The controversy escalated on Wednesday when Mr Sowore, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), released what he described as fresh evidence supporting the claim that Regina was 17 at the time of the marriage.

He alleged that Mr Nwoko used a fake Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) voter card to disguise her real age and altered her official records, including her name, to conceal her identity.

The Sahara Reporters publisher wrote: Evidence now available suggests that Senator Ned Nwoko travelled internationally with Regina Daniels when she was still a minor. Records indicate she was born in October 2001 and their marriage took place in May 2019, when she was 17.

He further alleged that Mr Nwoko changed her name from Regina Nneamaka Favour Ojeogwu to Regina Daniels and introduced her to drugs to enable him to force himself on her.

Mr Sowore claimed the couple travelled to Jordan, the UAE and Egypt using a passport that reflected her as underage but avoided the UK, US and parts of Europe because he knew the implications.

Violation of the law

According to Mr Sowore, the allegations raise serious legal and ethical concerns that cannot be ignored. He insisted that prevailing facts point to a breach of moral and statutory boundaries.

No amount of influence or political power should shield anyone from accountability when such grave issues are involved. Senator Ned Nwoko is fully exposed now, he wrote.

He also alleged that a letter seeking his arrest was written to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, a move he described as laughable and an attempt to intimidate him.

Instead of facing up to his crimes, Ned is doing what men like him always do, using money, influence and the broken machinery of the Nigeria Police Force to silence those who expose him, he added.

Nwoko says allegation false and misleading

Responding on Thursday in a Facebook post, Mr Nwoko dismissed the allegations by both Regina and Mr Sowore as false.

He shared what he said was Reginas INEC voter card, claiming it proves she was born on 10 October 1998 and could not have been 17 during their marriage.

These claims are entirely untrue and misleading, he wrote.

During my first meeting with Regina, I asked her age and she told me she was 21. She presented her voters card as evidence, which I have kept since that day.

He argued that all verifiable records indicate that their marriage occurred six years ago, which would make Regina 27, not 25, further conflicting with his earlier Monday statement that put her birth year at 2000.

Mr Nwoko urged the public to treat Reginas claims with caution, citing what he described as her unstable mental state and incomplete rehabilitation process.
In recent weeks, social media has been abuzz with talk about actress Regina Daniels and her billionaire husband, Ned Nwoko, a marriage once admired but now embroiled in controversy and online scrutiny.

Many have criticised the union because of the wide age gap between Regina Daniels and her husband, Ned Nwoko.

Yet, beyond the age difference, debates have also lingered over whether she married him before turning 18, a question that continues to stir mixed opinions even among the couple.

But not every age-gap love story ends in drama. Former Edo State governor Adams Oshiomholes marriage to a young lawyer from the island nation of Cape Verde, Lara Fortes, tells a different tale.

Like Regina and Neds union, Mr Oshiomholes marriage also sparked plenty of conversation, especially about the age difference.

When Adams Oshiomhole married Iara Fortes on May 15, 2015, he was 63 years old, while she was reportedly in her early thirties. The pairing drew public attention at the time, but unlike many similar stories, theirs has remained largely free of controversy ever since.

When Love Found Oshiomhole Again

Mr Oshiomhole had lost his first wife, Clara, in 2010 after a long battle with cancer. Their marriage had produced children and was widely admired.

For years, the widower appeared devoted to public service and family life, showing no signs of remarriage, until Iara appeared.

The couple tied the knot in a modest but star-studded ceremony at the governors country home in Iyamho, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.

The guest list read like a whos who of Nigerian politics, from then-President-elect Muhammadu Buhari to Vice President-elect Yemi Osinbajo, Aisha Buhari, Dame Patience Jonathan, governors, ministers, and captains of industry.

The photos told a story of joy and elegance; Mr Oshiomhole beaming in a beige suit beside his stunning bride in white lace. But beyond the glitz, what drew attention was the mystery surrounding his younger bride. Who could this lady be?

Who Is Iara Fortes?

Their union stirred up rumours about the identity of the woman who captured the heart of the fiery then-Edo State governor. Some claimed she was a model from Ethiopia or the Philippines. Others suggested she was from Europe.

But Oshiomhole cleared the air himself, explaining shortly after the wedding that his wife was from Cape Verde and a lawyer, not a model as many had speculated. He described her as a humble and understanding woman who accepted me with all my flaws.

Indeed, humility seemed to be her strongest charm. Those who attended the ceremony described Iara as having quiet, graceful, and respectful qualities, which Oshiomholes mother, Hajia Aishetu Oshiomhole, said made her the perfect fit.

His mum revealed in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES at the time that she had encouraged her son to marry outside Nigeria, to avoid the endless quarrels, jealousy, and interference that sometimes come with local family politics.

A Decade

Ten years on, Iara and Adams Oshiomholes marriage has remained mostly away from the public eye. Their rare public appearances have sparked rumours of separation over the years, but the couple recently put those rumours to rest.

In July 2025, they were seen together in Edo State in an Instagram video showing Oshiomhole supporting market women. Before that, their last major outing was in September 2021, when they attended the service of songs for Edo billionaire Capt. Hosa Okunbo in London.

There have been no scandals, no dramatic interviews, and no social media drama a sharp contrast to the noisy breakups that often follow many celebrity and political marriages.

Love stories like Adams and Iaras remind us that while public perception often predicts doom for marriages between older men and younger women, reality doesnt always follow the script.

Age gaps, politics, and fame may complicate relationships, but they dont dictate their fate.
The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Lagos State Chapter, has expelled an actor, Maradona Johnson, over what it described as persistent acts of misconduct, constitutional violations, and deliberate attempts to destabilise the peace and order of the Guild.

In a letter signed by the chapters chairman on Wednesday, Ashiedu Gabriel, the disciplinary action was taken following a resolution of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, which included the Board of Trustees (BOT) chairman, national executives, and state chairmen of the guild.

According to the letter, Mr Johnson was found guilty of several offences, including inciting division among members, tarnishing the guilds image, and serving as a board member of a parallel and illegal association.

The Guild also accused him of conniving with others to undermine legally constituted authorities, showing gross insubordination, and deliberately distancing himself from the Lagos State Chapters activities.

The statement described his conduct as detrimental to the unity, integrity, and progress of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, noting that the guild will not condone any further acts of sabotage or indiscipline.

As a result, Mr Johnson has been barred from participating in or benefiting from any AGN Lagos activities, platforms, privileges, or engagements, and his name will be removed from all official records of the Lagos Chapter.

Immediate effect

The letter, which takes immediate effect, has been circulated to all relevant national and state structures of the Guild for enforcement. It also warned Johnson against impersonating or interfering in AGN matters, stating that any such act would be subject to legal and disciplinary action.

Copies of the expulsion notice were sent to the AGN National President, the BOT Chairman, the National Secretary, the Disciplinary Committee Chairman, the Council of Chairmen, and other key guild officials.

However, this is not the first time the guild has taken disciplinary actions against its members.

In July 2013, AGN suspended six members, including Don Pedro Aganbi, Stella Marris, Doris Ambros, Fred Ekata, Saint Mathew, and Tunde Talabi, for what the guild described as anti-guild activities.

Also in July 2013, the AGNs Kaduna State Chapter removed its chairman. Gabriel Okotie and cited abdicating his duties, nonchalant attitude, and lack of accountability among the reasons for the impeachment.

In 2010, veteran actor Emeka Ike was reportedly banned by the AGN for alleged misconduct and anti-guild activities, including the sponsorship of thugs to threaten guild officials.

In July 2025, AGN suspended actress Shirley Igwe indefinitely after she allegedly slapped a crew member during a film production. The guild described her actions as professional misconduct, violence, and indiscipline.
Veteran Yoruba actor Oyewole Baba Gebu Olowomojuore is dead.

His colleague, filmmaker Kunle Afod, confirmed the news in an Instagram post on Wednesday night.

Afod revealed that the actor died after a brief illness, the details of which he did not disclose.

It saddens my heart as I announce the passing away of our great legend, a great actor who passed away this evening after a brief illnessBaba Gebu. May your soul rest in peace, he wrote.

In April 2024, Baba Gebu revealed during an interview on Kunle Afod TV that filmmakers had stopped calling him for roles.

He explained that as film jobs became scarce, he began writing stories and reading every book he came across.

Baba Gebu also disclosed that he took up farming, rearing both fish and livestock to sustain himself.

Baba Gebu

The veteran actor lost his wife in 2021 after a brief illness.

During the interview, he expressed his desire to return to acting as a way to combat depression following his wifes death.

Baba Gebu enjoyed a long and fulfilling career, with one of his notable appearances being in Kunle Afolayans 2020 film Citation, where he portrayed a senior academic or panel member investigating a sexual harassment case central to the plot.

Baba Gebu hailed from Ile-Ife in Osun State.

Hes also a presenter for Western Nigeria Television, (WNTV), Nigerias first television station and the first in Africa, launched on October 31, 1959, in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Baba Gebus death comes only months after the death of rising star Seun Osundiya, popularly known as Seun Confirm.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com

Russian occupiers suffer heavy losses in Pokrovsk axis of the frontline, which remains the main one in the context of their offensive, and the actions of the Defense Forces in the neighboring Ocheretyne axis between the cities of Dobropillia and Kostiantynivka in Donetsk region do not allow the enemy to concentrate the main efforts in Pokrovsk, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky said.

"Ukrainian defenders from mechanized military units, Air Assault Forces' brigades, units of the 425th Separate Assault Regiment, operators of the Unmanned Systems Forces, and other soldiers from the Defense Forces of Ukraine are effectively operating in the city of Pokrovsk and its environs. The enemy continues to suffer significant losses  both in manpower and equipment. Assault groups of the occupiers and their places of accumulation are being identified and destroyed," Syrsky said in Telegram channel on Thursday evening.

According to him, special attention is being paid to strengthening units in this direction, "providing our soldiers with everything they need, as well as strengthening logistical routes."

"Our active actions in Ocheretyne axis are also continuing, which forces the enemy to disperse its forces and does not allow it to concentrate its main efforts in Pokrovsk area. In total, 189 square kilometers were liberated during the operation, and 257.7 square kilometers were cleared of enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups," Syrsky said.

In Huliaipole and Orikhiv axes in Zaporizhia region, the enemy continues to make attempts to exhaust Ukrainian units with massive shelling and actions of small assault groups, but they also suffer heavy losses.

"The Ukrainian Defense Forces are carrying out measures to block and comprehensively fire-strike the occupiers near the settlements of Yablukove, Vesele and Solodke. Our units are also conducting search and strike operations to identify and destroy enemy sabotage groups that seek to secretly penetrate deep into our defense. Over the past 24 hours alone, in the operational zone of the South Group of Forces, the enemy lost 239 people killed and wounded and 43 units of various military equipment," the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said.

Syrsky reported on the escalation of strikes on targets in the Russian territory and in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine: "since the beginning of November, 33 facilities of the Russian aggressor have been successfully hit at the strategic level (Deep Strike), and 41 at the operational level (Middle Strike). "For complex strikes, domestically developed long-range weapons 'Flamingo,' 'Bars' and 'Lyuty' are also used," he said.
The federal government is seeking to raise about N150 billion to fund vaccine procurement for 2025 and 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen immunisation and improve health outcomes.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun, made this known on Wednesday at the 2025 Joint Annual Review of the Health Sector, themed All Hands, One Mission: Bringing the Nigerian Health Sector to Light.

The Joint Annual Review serves as one of Nigerias key accountability platforms for the health sector, bringing together government officials, development partners, and other officials to review progress, assess performance, and align priorities for the coming year.

Mr Edun said the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) increased from N31.5 billion in 2024 to nearly N299 billion for 2025 and 2026. He also noted that the health sector budget rose by nearly 60 per cent.

Similarly, with immunisation, we are actively seeking to raise additional funds, maybe around almost N150 billion to cover vaccine procurement that is needed for 2025 and 2026, he said.

He added that health spending now accounts for 5.2 per cent of the national budget, up from just over three per cent a few years ago.

He said the governments commitment is to close the gap between appropriation and the release of funds.

Mr Edun also emphasised the need to mobilise domestic resources, stressing that sustainable financing would depend on collaboration among all tiers of government .

He noted that reforms and funding would not be fully effective without the participation of state and local governments, urging them to increase spending on health and education to complement federal initiatives.

Focus on local solutions

In his speech, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, said the government is deepening reforms to reduce reliance on foreign aid and promote local solutions and production capacity for medicines, vaccines, and health technologies.

Mr Pate added that the government aims to ensure state and local governments increase investments in health, education, water, sanitation, and nutrition.

This is consistent with the Presidents ward-based development approach, which is perhaps the most practical strategy for lifting communities across Nigeria, he said.

He also outlined new financing mechanisms under consideration, including fiscal measures on sugar-sweetened beverages, public-private partnerships, and digital systems to improve transparency and accountability in health spending.

By combining domestic resources, local engagement, and measurable outcomes, Nigeria is steadily building a health system that is resilient, inclusive, and responsive to the people it serves, he said.

Mr Pate also noted that primary healthcare utilisation had increased from 10 million visits in the first quarter of 2024 to 45 million in the second quarter of 2025, reflecting renewed public confidence.

He added that nearly half of women of reproductive age now use modern contraception, while vaccination coverage for measles, rubella, and the newly introduced HPV vaccine has met or exceeded national targets.

He reiterated that these achievements stem from a deliberate shift away from donor-driven programming toward a nationally led health agenda.

He also added that all 36 states and the FCT now have operational plans aligned with the National Health Sector Strategic Blueprint.

72 per cent of states have functional mechanisms for non-communicable diseases, and all 774 local government areas now host National Health Fellows and Public Financial Management Officers, surpassing our targets, he added.
President Bola Tinubus Renewed Hope Health Agenda could save Nigeria up to N4.8 trillion annually in economic losses linked to preventable diseases, an official has said.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, while speaking at the 2025 Joint Annual Review (JAR) of the health sector in Abuja on Wednesday, explained that the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) is designed to rebuild public confidence, modernise infrastructure, and deliver measurable outcomes across all levels of the health system.

Mr Salako added that the nine health priorities of the Renewed Hope Agenda and the four pillars of the NHSRII are all aimed at achieving a healthy and prosperous Nigeria.

The operationalisation of the NHSRII is not just an opportunity for expense, it is an investment with clear returns. We estimate an economic return worth N4.8 trillion annually saved from losses to preventable disease recoverable through the blueprint, he said.

This years review, themed All Hands, One Mission: Bringing the Nigerian Health Sector to Light, brought together government officials, development partners, and officials to assess progress under the Renewed Hope Agenda and chart the next steps for the countrys health sector.

500 new health projects, 13 tertiary institutions

Highlighting progress under the initiative, Mr Salako said the federal government has initiated more than 500 high-impact health projects across the country, alongside the establishment of 13 new federal tertiary health institutions and six cancer centres of excellence.

He explained that these projects form part of the governments broader plan to revitalise the primary healthcare system, expand health insurance coverage, and modernise service delivery through digital integration.

According to him, efforts are also underway to strengthen the health workforce through an expansion strategy that focuses on producing and retaining more health professionals while leveraging Nigerias diaspora expertise.

Mr Salako said the governments Power for Health Initiative will help reduce the energy costs of operating health facilities, while the Nigeria Digital Health Initiative is already connecting thousands of facilities nationwide, with millions of patient encounters being recorded electronically.

He added that the cumulative effect of these reforms is expected to reverse the direction of medical tourism, which costs Nigeria about N850 billion annually, and to close the 19-year life expectancy gap between states.

Health financing and accountability reforms

Mr Salako acknowledged that while government spending on health remains below the 15 per cent Abuja Declaration target, progress has been made in strengthening financial accountability and improving access to essential services.

He expressed support for ongoing efforts by the National Assemblys health committees to raise the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) from one to two per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, noting that the move would expand coverage for millions of Nigerians.

According to him, the ministry has also adopted a results-based disbursement model, where funds are released based on measurable outcomes rather than administrative processes.

Mr Salako explained that the federal government is also developing innovative mechanisms to mobilise additional domestic and external resources for health, including strategic partnerships and private sector financing models.

Call for state, private sector collaboration

Mr Salako urged state governments to strengthen their political commitment to the health sector by providing counterpart funding for the BHCPF and prioritising the implementation of health insurance programmes at subnational levels.

He also called for improved alignment among development partners, urging them to channel their support through the national framework rather than setting up parallel structures.

We need more political capital at the state level with relevant policy implementation and resource allocation, he said.

I also urge our development partners to step up catalytic support that helps us leverage, not substitute, domestic resources.

Mr Salako commended traditional and religious leaders for their continued role in promoting health awareness, discouraging harmful traditional practices, and supporting government campaigns for improved maternal and child health.

He also called for private sector investment in the production of life-saving drugs, vaccines, medical equipment, and digital technologies that can improve service delivery and strengthen the health supply chain.

According to the him, such investments would not only reduce import dependency but also enhance Nigerias capacity to respond to public health emergencies and boost economic growth within the healthcare value chain.

Mr Salako emphasised that the Renewed Hope Health Agenda is an ambitious but achievable plan built on the determination to ensure equitable healthcare for every Nigerian by 2030.

He urged participants at the Joint Annual Review to assess the nations progress with honesty, celebrate achievements, acknowledge shortfalls, and strengthen collaboration toward achieving universal health coverage.

Speaking at the event, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, said the government is deepening reforms to reduce reliance on foreign aid and promote local solutions and production capacity for medicines, vaccines, and health technologies.

Mr Pate added that the government aims to ensure state and local governments increase investments in health, education, water, sanitation, and nutrition.

This is consistent with the Presidents ward-based development approach, which is perhaps the most practical strategy for lifting communities across Nigeria, he said.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, has said that 74 per cent of patients in Nigeria are satisfied with healthcare facilities and primary healthcare services nationwide.

Mr Pate stated this in Abuja during the 2025 Joint Annual Review of the Health Sector, themed All Hands, One Mission: Bringing Nigerias Health Sector to Light.

The review, one of the governments major accountability platforms, brings together key stakeholders to assess performance, review progress, and align priorities for the year ahead.

According to Mr Pate, citizens perception surveys conducted in 2023, 2024, and 2025 showed growing public confidence in the health system.

The proportion of citizens who believe that government considers their views in health decision-making now stands at nearly half the population. Confidence in the overall direction of the health system has risen to 55 per cent, while confidence in the governments capacity to manage health emergencies is now at 67 per cent, he said.

Patient satisfaction with healthcare facilities and primary healthcare services remains strong at 74 per cent. This is a commendable result, given the challenges our system still faces.

However, he noted that affordability remains a major barrier for many Nigerians despite improvements in service delivery.

Citizens have clearly indicated that affordability remains a major concern. Access to services is improving, but affordability must improve further, he said.

Mr Pate said the federal government, in collaboration with the Ministries of Finance and Budget, is implementing social protection programmes such as the Medical Relief Programme and expanded health insurance for vulnerable groups to reduce financial hardship.

Insurance coverage grows

Mr Pate said health insurance coverage has doubled in two years, rising from about seven per cent to 12 per cent, driven by the enforcement of mandatory health insurance and the operationalisation of the Vulnerable Groups Fund.

These results show that the measures we have put in place to reduce fragmentation, improve coordination, and enhance national ownership are beginning to yield real results, he said.

The minister noted that the ministry would consolidate these gains by strengthening primary healthcare and expanding financial protection mechanisms for the poor and vulnerable.

We must strengthen the primary healthcare system, which remains the foundation of our journey to Universal Health Coverage, he said. We also thank the National Assembly for its unwavering oversight and support. Appropriations and releases of funds are increasingly reflecting in real sector performance, and we will continue to ensure that every naira invested in health translates into measurable outcomes for Nigerians.

Health outcomes across states

Mr Pate disclosed that 84 per cent of key performance indicators under the Presidential Health Sector Bond have been achieved as of the third quarter of 2025, with 35 states and the FCT conducting their State Joint Annual Reviews.

All 774 local government areas now have National Health Fellows and Public Financial Management Officers, surpassing our targets, he said, adding that maternal deaths had declined by 17 per cent and newborn deaths by 12 per cent in high-burden areas under the Miyami model.

The minister said that by focusing on 172 priority LGAs, Nigeria is already seeing measurable impact.

We have moved from faith-based policy to evidence-based programming, he said.

He also highlighted improvements in reproductive and child health indicators, noting that the percentage of deliveries attended by skilled birth attendants now exceeds 90 per cent, while antenatal care coverage and family planning uptake have continued to rise.

He added that vaccination coverage for key antigens, including measles, rubella, and HPV, has also met most targets, reflecting progress in immunisation programmes supported by development partners.

Financing and local manufacturing

Mr Pate reiterated the governments resolve to build a more sustainable health financing system that reduces dependence on foreign aid.

To achieve our goals, we will advance the localisation agenda, reducing dependency on external assistance by mobilising domestic resources, boosting local manufacturing of medicines, vaccines and health technologies, and building resilient supply chains, he said.

He added that states and local governments must also invest more in health, education, water, sanitation and nutrition, in line with President Bola Tinubus ward-based development strategy.

We are exploring innovative financing options such as fiscal measures on sugar-sweetened beverages, public-private partnerships, and digital solutions that enhance transparency and accountability in the use of health funds, he said.

New health workers

The minister announced that over 20,000 frontline health workers have been recruited into federal tertiary hospitals in the past year to fill longstanding gaps.

Within the last few months, over N50 billion has been approved to address arrears, allowances, and professional needs across cadres, he said.

He added that the ministry is engaging constructively with professional groups to resolve lingering disputes.

Our call to all health workers is simple: put the Nigerian person at the centre of attention. If we do that, all other issues can be resolved, he said.

Economic returns

In his remarks, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, said the governments National Health System Reform and Investment Initiative represents a strategic economic investment with clear returns.

We estimate an economic return worth N4.8 trillion annually saved from losses to preventable diseases. We are equally poised to achieve a significant reversal of medical tourism, with the potential to domestically retain an estimated N850 billion spent abroad annually by Nigerians, Mr Salako said.

He added that the reforms could lead to a potential 50 per cent reduction in preventable maternal and child deaths, and close the almost 19-year life expectancy gap between states.

At the last count, under the roadmap, we have introduced no fewer than 21 new strategic policies, over 500 high-impact projects, 13 new federal tertiary health institutions and six cancer centres of excellence, he said.

Mr Salako acknowledged that while the national health budget remains below the Abuja Declaration target of 15 per cent, progress has been made.

The Federal Ministry of Health strongly supports ongoing advocacy to increase the Basic Health Care Provision Fund from one per cent to two per cent of the consolidated revenue fund, he said.
The House of Representatives has directed an investigation into the growing trend of medical consultants and personnel in public hospitals engaging in private practice during official working hours.

This resolution followed a motion on a matter of urgent national importance moved on Thursday by Jessie Onuakalusi (LP, Lagos) during plenary.

Mr Onuakalusi, in his motion, expressed concern over what he described as unethical practices among consultants and doctors at the National Hospital, Abuja, and other federal teaching hospitals who allegedly abandon official duties to attend to patients in private facilities.

He noted that the National Hospital, Abuja, was designed to provide tertiary health services to Nigerians and serve as the top referral centre in the Federal Capital Territory and across the country.

Originally conceived as a womens and childrens hospital, it was later expanded to cover all medical and surgical specialties, with a mandate to deliver quality health care, training, and research.

However, Mr Onuakalusi lamented that reports have continued to surface showing consultants and medical personnel running their own clinic or working in another private clinic during the official work hours, thereby neglecting patients at the hospital.

He said, These unethical practices have led to divided attention, neglect of patients, and, in many cases, avoidable deaths due to delays in adequate medical attention.

Citing findings from an autopsy-based study at the National Hospital, he noted that about 11 per cent of recorded deaths over 10 years were linked to negligence and lapses attributed to doctors.

Mr Onuakalusi further disclosed that his concern was partly inspired by personal experience. As regards my aunt, as reported, there were great complaints of negligence, lack of accountability, and quack practices among doctors, he said.

He warned that if such conduct is left unchecked, it would erode public trust and further weaken confidence in Nigerias already fragile health system.

The lawmaker urged the House to condemn in strong terms the practice of doctors and consultants abandoning official duties for private work.

He further called for an ad hoc committee to be set up to conduct a comprehensive audit of consultants and doctors in all federal teaching hospitals and the National Hospital, Abuja, to determine their contractual status, attendance records, and possible engagement in private practice during official hours.

The motion also mandated the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) to collaborate with the proposed committee in the audit process.

Debate

Contributing to the debate, a former Deputy Speaker, Idris Wase (APC, Plateau), described the motion as contentious, warning that it could further worsen the countrys doctor shortage.

He said while the concern was valid, Nigerias poor remuneration and working conditions had forced many doctors to seek alternative sources of income or relocate abroad.

We all know the number of doctors leaving this country daily because of the poor condition of service, he said. I do not agree that doctors should leave official duty during work hours for private practice, but after their official hours, they should be allowed to use their skills to earn additional income.

He reminded the House that during the last constitutional amendment exercise, there was a proposal to formally allow consultants to maintain private practice as a means of retaining medical experts in the country.

Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, who presided over the plenary, clarified that the motion did not seek to ban private practice but rather to ensure that doctors do not neglect their official duties.

If you read what he said, it is clear that he is calling for monitoring of doctors during official hours. They can have private practice, but not at the expense of their duty in public hospitals, the speaker explained.

Mr Wase, however, questioned the practicality of such monitoring. How do you determine that? This is an administrative responsibility of the hospital management. Setting up another committee for that might be complicated, he said.

In his contribution, Wole Oke (PDP, Osun) supported the motion, describing it as investigative in nature. There are hundreds of allegations here. Let us allow the committee to look into these issues and return with facts so that we can speak from a position of evidence, he said.

Committee to be constituted

After extensive deliberations, the motion was adopted by the House. Mr Tajudeen announced that an ad hoc committee would be constituted in due course to carry out the investigation.

What the law says about doctors private practice

Under Nigerias public service rules, full-time medical practitioners employed by the federal government are generally prohibited from engaging in other paid employment without due authorisation.

However, in practice, many medical consultants in teaching and federal hospitals engage in private practice, a system where they own or work for private clinics in addition to their public duties.

According to a 2017 PREMIUM TIMES report, Nigerias 1999 Constitution prohibits public officials from engaging in private business, including while in public service.

The Nigerian government, through the Minister of Health at the time, Isaac Adewole, said it was reviewing practices in the health sector, especially whether medical doctors employed by the government can engage in private practice.

According to some practitioners who spoke on the issue, the federal government has no power in law to undertake a review that would ban practitioners working in public institutions from private practice.

They hinged their position on the Regulated and Other Professions (Private Practice Prohibition) Decree No 1 of 1992, which exempted doctors from the ban of public officials from private practice.

The same article notes that the MDCNs Code of Medical Ethics permits doctors in fulltime public employment to engage in private practice outside official hours but in their free time, a provision some legal commentators say conflicts with the Constitution.

While the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act does not expressly ban private practice, it requires practitioners to obtain approval from their employers and adhere to ethical codes set by the MDCN.

In reality, enforcement has been weak, and many consultants run parallel clinics, often during official hours.
The Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Jean Kaseya, has announced that Nigeria will serve as one of the pilot countries for the integration of health financing under the G20 partnership.

Mr Kaseya made this known in Abuja on Thursday, day two of the 2025 Joint Annual Review of the Health Sector, themed All hands, one mission: Bringing Nigerias health sector to light.

We are so proud of Nigeria. By next year, we will take Nigeria as one of the countries where we will integrate everything and measure the success we are making, he said.

If Professor Pate talks about Nigeria, people will say he is the Minister. But when I, as a neutral person, speak, I want the world to know that Nigeria is making real progress.

What the G20 health financing plan entails

The G20 health financing integration plan seeks to help countries strengthen their health systems by expanding funding for pandemic preparedness, sustainable health financing, universal health coverage (UHC), and science and innovation for health and economic growth.

According to the information on the G20 website, the health agenda will highlight the need for equitable multilateral solutions to address 21st-century health challenges.

At the centre of this approach is UHC, with a focus on Primary Health Care (PHC) as an inclusive, equitable, cost-effective, and efficient model for improving both physical and mental health and for responding to health emergencies.

Over 4.5 billion people are estimated to lack access to essential health services globally, while two billion face catastrophic or impoverishing health costs due to out-of-pocket spending.

According to the G20 framework, prioritising resilient and equitable health systems is essential to achieving the health-related 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and building a fairer and safer world.

Africa CDC commends Nigerias reforms

Mr Kaseya lauded Nigerias ongoing health sector reforms, including the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), digital payroll systems, and broader private sector involvement, describing them as proof of its commitment to improving efficiency and accountability in health spending.

He said Nigerias model demonstrates how strong political will, evidence-based planning, and strategic partnerships can help reduce dependency on foreign aid and drive sustainable development.

Nigerias Sector-Wide Approach is evidence-based. It is cutting inefficiencies, fragmentation, and weak governance, he said.

Countries could save between 20 and 40 per cent of their budgets simply by improving planning and coordination. In Mozambique, we are saving 38 per cent just by having one plan.

The Africa CDC chief also praised Nigerian private sector contributions and commended industrialist Aliko Dangote for his role in strengthening local manufacturing of essential commodities.

Call for reform across Africa

Presenting an overview of Africas health financing challenges, Mr Kaseya noted that out-of-pocket payments remain the dominant source of health funding across the continent, averaging 40 per cent and rising to as high as 75 per cent in some countries.

He said over 20 African nations still depend on Official Development Assistance (ODA) for more than 30 per cent of their health budgets, warning that such reliance is unsustainable.

It means poor people are paying. In some fragile states, more than 60 per cent of health funding depends on ODA. This must change, he said.

You cannot deal with out-of-pocket payments through ODA. You deal with it by putting in place a national health insurance scheme.

Mr Kaseya recalled that the Abuja Declaration of 2001 urged African countries to allocate at least 15 per cent of their national budgets to health, but the continental average remains 7.4 per cent.

The Africa CDC boss also spoke about the new Lusaka Agenda, a framework being developed with donor nations to ensure global health initiatives align with national plans instead of operating independently.

We are convincing donor countries to make their support Lusaka-compliant. When the Global Fund or Gavi provide funding, they must support national plans, he explained.
Nigerias Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has urged British broadcaster Piers Morgan to air his interview on Nigerias religious situation in full, without edits or selective omissions.

Mr Tuggar said on Wednesday that he appeared on Piers Morgan Uncensored to present what he described as a factual and contextual account of the misleading narratives about religious persecution in Nigeria.

My explanations, supported by verifiable data, may not have conformed to certain preconceived views, the minister wrote on X.

However, for the sake of integrity and transparency, it is essential that the full interview be aired exactly as recorded, without edits or selective omissions. Nigerias truth must not be distorted to fit external biases.

The interview has yet to be aired, but Mr Tuggars position aligns with the Nigerian governments consistent stance that there is no genocide against Christians in the country.

The government has said it welcomes international cooperation in tackling insecurity, provided Nigerias territorial integrity is respected.

This followed comments by former US President Donald Trump, who accused Nigeria of persecuting Christians and threatened possible military action.

For months, campaigners and politicians in Washington have alleged that Islamist militants in Nigeria are systematically targeting Christians. But credible reports have found that much of the data supporting these claims cannot be verified.

Officials and experts in Nigeria have also dismissed Mr Trumps claims, saying that Boko Haram and al-Qaeda-linked groups target people of all faiths.

We are not proud of the security situation that we are passing through, Kimiebi Ebienfa, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told Al Jazeera. But to go with the narrative that only Christians are targeted  no, it is not true. There is no Christian genocide in Nigeria.

He added that killings in Nigeria are not restricted to Christians alone. Muslims are being killed. Traditional worshippers are being killed. The majority is not the Christian population.

Nigeria, a country of more than 200 million people, is roughly split between a largely Muslim north and a mostly Christian south. The conflict driven by armed groups has persisted for more than 15 years, mostly in the northeast and northwest.

In September, US television host Bill Maher described the situation as a genocide, claiming that Boko Haram had killed over 100,000 people and burned 18,000 churches since 2009. Similar figures have circulated widely on social media.

The Nigerian government has repeatedly pushed back against such assertions, describing them as a gross misrepresentation of reality. Officials maintain that terrorists attack all who reject their murderous ideology  Muslims, Christians, and those of no faith alike.

Security analysts and experts have also said that while Christians have been targeted in some attacks, there is no evidence of a coordinated campaign to exterminate them.

Many of the conflicts often portrayed abroad as religious, they add, are actually disputes over land, water, and grazing routes, worsened by climate change and weak governance.
The House of Representatives has urged the federal government to suspend plans by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to introduce Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

It warned that the move could trigger widespread student failure, psychological distress, and other negative consequences.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved on Thursday by Kelechi Nwogu (PDP, Abia), who described the initiative as a potential national educational crisis.

The lawmaker called on the House to intervene immediately to avert what he termed a looming disaster for millions of students.

In presenting the motion, Mr Nwogu acknowledged that while CBT has been successfully implemented by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for university entrance examinations, the conditions under which most secondary schools operate across Nigeria make a similar transition for WAEC examinations premature.

He noted that millions of students, particularly in rural areas, lack access to functional computers, reliable electricity, and stable internet connections, basic requirements for computer-based examinations.

He also highlighted the scarcity of trained computer teachers and inadequate ICT infrastructure as key impediments.

Most of the over 25,500 schools across the country, especially in rural communities, do not have functional computers or qualified computer teachers. Many students have never used a computer before, yet they are being compelled to take up to nine subjects, including theory and practical exams, through CBT, Mr Nworgu said.

He warned that the sudden shift to CBT could have far-reaching consequences beyond academic performance, including mental health challenges such as examination-related stress, depression, and frustration, which could, in turn, contribute to social vices, drug abuse, and other negative outcomes among young people.

The lawmaker also cited protests from the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and heads of secondary schools across the country, who have argued that the majority of schools are not technologically prepared to implement CBT.

According to the union, attempting to conduct examinations under such conditions could unfairly disadvantage students from rural and under-resourced areas.

To mitigate these risks, Mr Nwogu proposed that WAEC and the Federal Ministry of Education defer the introduction of CBT for at least three years. He suggested that the transition be scheduled for the 20292030 academic session, after proper infrastructure, teacher training, and ICT capacity have been fully developed nationwide.

He further called on the government to prioritise the provision of computers, internet access, and standby electricity generators in schools, alongside the recruitment of qualified computer instructors, to ensure that all students have equitable access to technology-enabled learning.

Resolutions

In response to the motion, the House directed WAEC and the Federal Ministry of Education to immediately suspend plans to introduce CBT in the 2026 WASSCE.

It also urged the government to, beginning from the 2026 budget, provide funds for the recruitment of computer teachers, the construction of computer halls with reliable internet access, and the installation of standby generators in schools nationwide.

The motion was adopted unanimously without debate when Speaker Abbas Tajudeen presiding over the session put it to a voice vote.

The House further mandated its Committees on Basic Examination Bodies, Digital and Information Technology, Basic Education and Services, and Labour, Employment and Productivity to engage relevant stakeholders in the education and technology sectors and report back within four weeks with recommendations for further legislative action.

The WAEC CBT plans

WAEC had announced plans to introduce computer-based testing for all WASSCE subjects starting from the 2026 examination cycle, citing a desire to modernise assessments, reduce examination malpractice, and improve result processing times.

While CBT has been successful in certain examinations, including JAMB, education stakeholders have repeatedly questioned its feasibility for WASSCE given the current state of ICT readiness in schools.

Education analysts have long cautioned that the adoption of ICT in Nigerian schools remains uneven, with rural schools severely disadvantaged.

According to the Federal Ministry of Education, less than 30 per cent of public secondary schools nationwide have adequate computer facilities, while internet connectivity remains erratic, particularly outside major urban centres.

The Houses resolution is the latest in a series of interventions aimed at safeguarding students academic interests while ensuring that national examinations remain fair and credible.
(Mariam Ileyemi, Oluwakemi Adelagun, Zainab Adewale and Fortune Eromonsele)

Thirteen days after the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) began its strike, major hospital services remain paralysed, leaving patients stranded.

The strike, which began on 1 November, has grounded operations in several federal and state tertiary hospitals, with only skeletal services being offered by consultants, nurses, and auxiliary staff.

PREMIUM TIMES visit to hospitals in Abuja and Lagos this week revealed near-empty wards and frustrated patients returning home without treatment.

Meanwhile, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, who spoke at the opening session of the 2025 Joint Annual Review (JAR) of the Health Sector on Wednesday, appealed to striking resident doctors to put the Nigerian person at the centre of attention, expressing concern over its impact on the public health system.

Abuja hospitals run skeletal services

In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), two major district hospitals, Maitama and Wuse, were unusually quiet on Thursday, with empty hallways and minimal staff presence.

At the Maitama District Hospital, the once-bustling corridors were quiet when our reporter visited on Thursday. Only a handful of patients were seen at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G) unit, while the Nutrition and Paediatric (NPI) section was the busiest, filled with mothers and babies waiting for check-ups.

The General Outpatient Department (GOPD) recorded minimal activity, with just a few people waiting to be attended to. Only a few nurses were present at the Emergency Department, tending to one patient.

Other departments, including Laboratory and Radiology, were partially open but functioning below normal capacity.

A security officer at the entrance said no doctors had been on duty since the strike began.

You can go inside, but there are no doctors around. Its only a few patients here, being attended to by nurses, he said.

A nurse also confirmed that only a handful of consultants were on the ground to attend to patients, noting that most departments were functioning below capacity.

The situation was worse at Wuse District Hospital, where most departments were completely deserted. The Antenatal Department was empty, and only a few patients were seen at the card registration unit.

The Mother and Child Unit and the Emergency Ward were also deserted, while the in-patient pharmacy was locked during the visit.

More skeletal services

At Asokoro District Hospital, activities appeared to be running in some departments. The eye clinic and immunisation unit were functional, with patients waiting to see doctors and babies being attended to. However, the GOPD was empty.

A staff member told PREMIUM TIMES that no doctors were available: Aside from the striking medical and surgical doctors, other units of the hospital are still functional, but we dont know when the strike will be called off.

A similar scene occurred at the National Hospital, Abuja, where skeletal services continued. Consultations were ongoing in the Medical Outpatient Department, but the hospital limited the number of patients to 20 daily.

We only take 20 patients per day, and you must come before 8 a.m. to get a number, a staff member explained.

Similar situation in Lagos

In Lagos, patients at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) expressed frustration as their appointments were cancelled or postponed indefinitely.

When PREMIUM TIMES visited the hospital on Tuesday, corridors that usually buzzed with activity were empty.

Praise Olamide, 18, diagnosed with constrictive pericarditis, had looked forward to her scheduled appointment with hope, but could not find a consultant when she arrived at the hospital.

Everything is on hold, she told PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday as she walked out of LASUTHs Cardio Thoracic Surgery Unit (CTSU) with her distended tummy.

Constrictive pericarditis occurs when the sac around the heart (pericardium) becomes thick, stiff, and rigid, preventing the heart chambers from filling properly with blood. This leads to blood backing up in the systemic veins (right-sided heart failure), causing a variety of symptoms.

Another patient, Isaac Dickson, referred from Alimosho General Hospital to see a nephrologist, also returned home without consultation.

I did two tests today, the patient told PREMIUM TIMES. They initially didnt allow me, but when I told the nurses my ordeal, I was allowed to do some tests.

I will come back but only when its confirmed that the strike has been called off.

Mr Dickson urged the federal government to attend to the welfare of the striking doctors, adding that doctors ought to be taken care of very well.

For Nike Kolawole, who accompanied her brother for a follow-up after his discharge from the emergency unit, the hospital felt almost abandoned.

The emergency ward is almost empty, she said. Only a few patients with severe conditions are present.

Strike continues

On Monday, NARD President Muhammad Suleiman told PREMIUM TIMES that the industrial action would continue until concrete agreements were reached and implemented by the federal government.

You can only resolve things after you have agreed and after you have put it on paper or put it into action, Mr Suleiman said. Just talking about them merely does not solve the problem.

He faulted government claims that billions of naira had been released to offset arrears, saying most doctors were yet to receive payment.

The federal government said it released N41.3 billion to pay 25/35 per cent arrears. They released the money, but not more than 60 per cent of our members have gotten alerts, and alerts have stopped dropping, he said.

He added that another N2.9 billion meant to be released had not been paid. That money was to be released last Monday, but it has still not been released up till now, he said. People have not been seeing those alerts. I dont know, is it another audio alert?

He maintained that the strike remains indefinite. Until we agree on these issues and actions are taken, the industrial action will continue, he said.

Government assurances

The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare had earlier said it approved N11.995 billion to be released within 72 hours to clear outstanding arrears and allowances owed to doctors and other health workers.

It also said N10 billion had been paid in August as part of the seven months arrears for the salary review, while N10.6 billion was disbursed for the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund.

The ministry announced plans for massive recruitment of healthcare professionals across federal tertiary institutions to address staff shortages caused by brain drain.

Despite these assurances, resident doctors say the payments have not been reflected in reality. Yes, they have been promising us some of these things for two, three, even five years, and they have still not done them, Mr Suleiman said.

Background to the strike

NARD declared the indefinite strike after an extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on 25 October.

The association accused the federal government of failing to address long-standing issues, including unpaid salary arrears, poor working conditions, delayed promotions, and the non-implementation of the one-for-one replacement policy to curb manpower shortages.

The association also decried prolonged duty hours and excessive workloads due to the migration of health workers abroad.

The current unsustainable practice of spanning duties across several days poses serious risks to physicians well-being and patient safety, NARD said in its communique.

The doctors demands include payment of all outstanding arrears and allowances, immediate replacement of existing doctors, improvement of hospital infrastructure, and inclusion of house officers in the civil service scheme.
An explosion caused by a faulty electricity transformer has killed two inmates in a prison facility in Akwa Ibom State, Nigerias South-south.

Frank Okonkwo, the controller of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) in Akwa Ibom, disclosed this to reporters in Uyo on Thursday, the News Agency of Nigeria reported.

The deceased victims were awaiting trial, the official said, without disclosing their identity.

Mr Okonkwo said the explosion injured two prison officials.

There was an explosion at a nearby transformer a fortnight ago, which led to a high voltage wire snapping and dropping at a portion of the NCoS facility, causing a total blackout.

During that explosion, the two deceased victims were thrown up where they were seated, and were later confirmed dead by doctors at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, he said.

The official described the incident as unfortunate. He said the families of the deceased have been notified of the incident.

We are mostly pained that the explosion led to the death of two of our inmates. It is quite painful.

We urge the relevant authorities to address the issue around the faulty transformer to forestall any tragic incident in the future, he said.

The prison facility is a few metres away from the Government House, Uyo, where the state governor has his office and official residence. The state government had long planned to relocate the ageing facility to another area, but it is unclear why that has not been done.
The International Rights of Nature Tribunal, a project of the Global Alliance for the Right of Nature (GARN), has called for an end to ecocide and the global phase-out of fossil fuels, warning that the planets ecological collapse can no longer be ignored.

The group made the call on Wednesday during a side event to mark the tribunals 6th International sitting at the ongoing 30th edition of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belem, Brazil.

According to a statement issued at the end of the convening, the group released a new declaration titled A New Pledge for Mother Nature.

In the declaration, the tribunal urged governments and citizens to recognise that nature possesses inherent rights  just as humans do  and that ecosystems must be allowed to exist, thrive, and regenerate (bounce back).

It decried the alarming rate of species loss and demanded that countries enact laws to protect rivers, forests, and oceans, while criminalising actions that destroy them.

The tribunal also called for recognition and support for indigenous peoples, describing them as the best caretakers of the land.

We are all part of the Earth, an indivisible and living community of interrelated and interdependent beings with a common destiny but with different existential conditions and rights, the declaration stated.

The multiple crises we are experiencing are rooted in the economic, political, legal and social systems established by the industrial and growth-oriented cultures that dominate the world today, including capitalism, along with patriarchy, sexism, racism, and anthropocentrism.

COP 30

This week, delegates, negotiators, scientists, and civil society groups across over 180 countries convened in Belem, Brazil, to discuss priority actions to tackle climate change. The talks, billed for 10-21 November, will focus on the efforts needed to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5C, the presentation of new national action plans (NDCs) and the progress on the finance pledges made at last COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, last year.

This COP must ignite a decade of acceleration and delivery, the UN Secretary-General, Anthony Guterres, told world leaders at the opening of the Belem Climate Summit of the UN climate conference on 6 November.

He said the United Nations will not give up on the goal to keep global temperature below 1.5C.

The 1.5C limit is a red line for humanity. It must be kept within reach, he said, noting that Countries need to urgently act and scale up solutions that transform economies and protect people, igniting a decade of acceleration and delivery.

He warned that the adaptation funding gap leaves the worlds most vulnerable exposed to rising seas, deadly storms, and searing heat. He called on leaders at COP30 in Brazil to ensure developing countries have the resources and capacity to adapt to climate change.

Nigerias agenda for COP30

Before COP30, President Bola Tinubu authorised the adoption of a national carbon market framework, the operationalisation of the climate change fund, and the reinstatement of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) in Nigerias annual budget.

The approval followed a presentation by the director general of the NCCC, Omotenioye Majekodunmi, during the second meeting of the council held in Abuja.

At the meeting, President Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, said the approvals were part of measures to properly position Nigeria to exploit opportunities in global climate finance and the carbon market.

Our focus at COP30 will be to harness all opportunities for financing climate-resilient projects and related interventions, particularly from the global carbon market, Mr Shettima was quoted as saying.

He added that tackling climate change represents not only an environmental necessity but also an opportunity to unlock new investments, jobs, and innovations across energy, agriculture, and industry.

Mr Tinubu reaffirmed his administrations commitment to mainstreaming climate action into national development, pledging to lead policies that protect citizens, boost the economy, and make Nigeria a haven for green investment.

Ms Majekodunmi disclosed that Nigeria is now ripe to tap new rounds of multilateral climate finance and highlighted three major recommendations: the adoption of a national carbon market framework to unlock up to $3 billion annually, operationalisation of the climate change fund for immediate mobilisation and utilisation, and the restoration of the NCCC budget line within the annual FAAC allocation to ensure financial stability.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the economy, Wale Edun, endorsed the recommendations, assuring the council of his ministrys full support.

Core demands

On Wednesday, the Tribunal said Brazils hosting of COP30 symbolised the importance of the Amazon, warning against the continued expansion of extractivism, deforestation, and large-scale mining.

The group urged that the Amazon  with its rich biodiversity, ecosystems, and Indigenous communities  be recognised as a subject of rights.

Delivering the verdict, the tribunal co-president and Nigerian environmentalist, Nnimmo Bassey, said the defence of natures rights is central to achieving real climate justice.

There is no climate justice without the rights of Nature, Mr Bassey said.

The tribunal further pressed for a rapid transition to renewable energy systems that protect both communities and ecosystems, rejecting what it termed false solutions that serve only financial speculators.

It also urged the United Nations to adopt A New Pledge for Mother Nature as a framework for future international environmental law.

Judges who sat on the Tribunal include Ana Alfinito (Brazil), Nnimmo Bassey (Nigeria), Enrique Viale (Argentina), Shannon Biggs (USA), Casey Camp Horinek (Ponca Nation, USA), Tom Goldtooth (USA), Princess Esmeralda (Belgium), Cormac Cullinan (South Africa), Patricia Gualinga (Ecuador), Francesco Martone (Italy), Tzeporah Berman (USA), Ashish Katharine (India), Osprey Orielle Lake (USA), Pooven Moodley (South Africa) and Felicio Pontes (Brazil).
One teenager and his mother were rescued from the temporarily occupied territory within the framework of the initiative of the President of Ukraine Bring Kids Back UA, Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak has said.

"The 17-year-old boy spent more than three years in the occupation  in an atmosphere of constant pressure from the occupation authorities and fear of forced mobilization into the Russian army. Russian military regularly went to homes: checked documents, conducted searches and interrogations. Even speaking Ukrainian was dangerous, but the boy still studied online at a Ukrainian college," Yermak said in Telegram on Thursday.

He thanked the Ukrainian Network for Children's Rights and the Humanitarian Charity Fund for helping to save the family.

As reported, as of October 1, within the framework of the President's Bring Kids Back initiative, Ukraine had returned 1,645 children, after which Yermak reported another 90 and two groups of children without specifying their number, and Head of Kherson Regional Military Administration, Oleksandr Prokudin, reported four, and in addition a group of children aged 10 to 17, without specifying their number.
Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has ordered the immediate suspension of the recent recruitment exercise by the Local Government Service Commission in the state.

The suspension follows findings of allegations of corruption, gross abuse of office, and widespread employment racketeering uncovered in the commissions recruitment process.

Mr Otus order was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by Linus Obogo, the governors spokesperson.

Mr Otu also accepted the resignation of the commissions chairman, Darlington Eyo, over his alleged involvement in the employment racketeering.

The governor directed that a new, transparent, and merit-based recruitment process be undertaken to ensure fairness and restore credibility to the local government system.

He said, I have set up a special review committee to investigate the recruitment scandal and identify all individuals responsible for the malpractice.

The committee is expected to recommend appropriate disciplinary and corrective actions in line with the administrations zero tolerance for corruption, the governor said.

Mr Otu reaffirmed that no act of impunity or abuse of office would be tolerated under his leadership.

READ ALSO: Governor speaks on impeachment plot against deputy for refusing to defect to APC

He stressed that transparency, accountability, and integrity remained the guiding principles of his People-First governance philosophy.

He assured citizens that future recruitment exercises would be based strictly on merit and competence.

Like many other states in Nigeria, Cross River is facing an unemployment crisis, with many anxiously seeking job opportunities in government ministries and departments.

(NAN)
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has stated that his administration has distributed tractors, ploughs, processors, and other farm implements to over 10,000 farmers across the state.

Rafiu Ajakaye, the governors chief press secretary, confirmed the figures, highlighting that the initiative is part of efforts to empower youth, researchers, and agripreneurs to add value, access markets, and enhance food security.

The governor made the remarks on Tuesday at the 25th International Conference and 45th Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers, as well as the maiden National Agricultural Machinery Exhibition, held at the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation in Idofian, Ifelodun Local Government Area.

In Kwara, we have mostly shifted agriculture from subsistence to full mechanisation, and your organisations have been the major enablers of this important leap, AbdulRazaq said.

He added, The NIAE has driven mechanisation with research and locally designed machines that cut costs, boost yields, and reduce post-harvest losses for farmers across Nigeria and beyond.

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum delivered the keynote address, while the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, and several engineers and dignitaries from across the country were also in attendance.

Mr AbdulRazaq commended the NIAE for its leading role in mechanisation, noting that the conference reinforces our shared commitment to innovation and food security.

The governor also attended the official commissioning of the Imam Gambari Ultra-modern Mosque in Gambari, Ilorin, where the Sarkin Gobir and Madawaki of Ilorin, Yakubu Gobir, and APC chieftain Abdulfatah Seriki received him. The Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, had earlier performed the commissioning of the mosque, initially built in the first decade of the 19th century.

Mr AbdulRazaq was presented with an Award of Excellence by the NIAE in recognition of his commitment to agricultural transformation.

Photo: Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Borno State Governor Prof. Babagana Zulum with other officials at the commissioning of the Imam Gambari Ultra-modern Mosque in Ilorin.
The Plateau State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Vegetable Centre in Taipei, Taiwan, in a move aimed at transforming the states agricultural sector, enhancing food security, and improving nutrition across Nigeria.

According to a statement posted on the official Facebook page of the Plateau State Government on Wednesday, the agreement will establish a breeding centre and regional office in Jos, serving as a hub for research, innovation, and capacity building for local farmers.

The centre is expected to provide farmers with access to high-yield and climate-resilient vegetable varieties while promoting best agricultural practices that will boost productivity and market access.

Representing the governor, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Samson Bugama, said the partnership aligns with Governor Caleb Mutfwangs vision to make Plateau the vegetable hub of Nigeria.

This collaboration will create an enabling environment for farmers to thrive and will have a positive impact on the states economy and the well-being of its citizens, Mr Bugama said.

He congratulated residents of Plateau State and partners at the World Vegetable Centre for what he described as a major milestone in the states agricultural development, adding that the MoU would open new opportunities for farmers and entrepreneurs.

ALSO READ: Nigeria courts FAO to boost food security

The World Vegetable Centre is an international research and development institute dedicated to reducing malnutrition and poverty through improved vegetable production and consumption. The organisation operates globally, with partnerships across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Mr Bugama commended Governor Mutfwang for his leadership and commitment to advancing agriculture in the state, saying the partnership will have a lasting impact on the agricultural landscape of Plateau and beyond.

Photo: Plateau State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Samson Bugama, and representative from the World Vegetable Centre in Taipei, Taiwan, during the MoU signing.
The Lagos State Government has sealed Ejanla Restaurant at No. 40, Fola Osibo Street, Lekki, for violating environmental laws.

In a post on X on Thursday, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO) took the action after the restaurant was found deliberately discharging raw sewage into public drains using a pumping machine.

The official said the restaurant discharged raw sewage into public drains, causing offensive odour, constituting a public nuisance, polluting the environment, and endangering human life.

He warned that such acts would not be tolerated.

Every act of environmental nuisance and pollution portends grave dangers to public health and will be met with appropriate sanctions and/or prosecution, he added.

The sealing of Ejanla Restaurant is part of ongoing enforcement actions by the Lagos State Government against commercial establishments that flout environmental laws.

In recent years, several restaurants, hotels, and industrial facilities across the state have been sanctioned for illegally discharging wastewater into public drains, causing flooding, foul odours, and public health hazards.

In recent cases, the state government sealed a Chicken Republic branch at No. 23, Agungi Ajiran Road, Lekki, for deliberately discharging wastewater onto public drains.

Similarly, in September 2024, Cravings & More on EgbedaIdimu Road was sealed for releasing kitchen fats and oils into the drainage system, leading to clogging, foul odours, and a proliferation of maggots and flies.

Public drains remain a major challenge in Lagos, with improper waste disposal and poor sewage management compounded by rapid urbanisation. Many drains are clogged or misused, leading to flooding, offensive odours, and an increased risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid.

The LSWMO, under the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, is responsible for monitoring, regulating, and managing wastewater disposal across Lagos State. Its duties include inspecting commercial and residential facilities for compliance with environmental standards and prosecuting offenders.

Officials have repeatedly warned that discharging untreated sewage into public drains threatens community health and will attract sanctions.

PREMIUM TIMES also notes that Braimo-Igboh Street, beside Itafaji Market on Lagos Island, suffers from an even worse environmental situation, as some houses channel toilet waste into shallow gutters, creating a serious sanitation and public health hazard.
The Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS) on Thursday emerged as the only payment system in Africa to attain the matured inclusivity level.

This was announced at the launch of the State of Instant Payment Systems (SIIPS) 2025 report in Eswatini, with Nigeria receiving a standing ovation from bankers, investors, and other participants in the hall.

The 2025 report, produced by the AfricaNenda Foundation in partnership with the Central Bank of Eswatini (CBE), the World Bank, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), assesses the state of payment systems on the continent.

It highlights the latest developments in the instant retail payment systems (IPS) ecosystem across Africa and evaluates how inclusive these systems are in terms of functionality and governance.

Instant payment systems (IPS) are retail payment systems that are open-loop, enabling irrevocable, low-value, digital credit push transactions in near real time, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

For the first time, a payment system has moved into the matured level  the highest level on AfricaNendas inclusivity spectrum. Nigeria was close to achieving this feat in 2024 but fell short on providing additional recourse channels for end users.

Announcing the development, AfricaNendas Deputy CEO, Sabine Mensah, described the achievement as groundbreaking and a major milestone for instant payment systems on the continent.

Speaking with PREMIUM TIMES, Premier Oiwoh, the CEO and managing director of NIBSS, said the journey had been a long time coming.

The setting up of the industry dispute resolution platform driven by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) helped to achieve this feat, Mr Oiwoh said, adding that the measures have reduced the number of disputes in the industry.

AfricaNenda measures inclusivity on three metrics: unrated, basic progress, and mature.

According to the report, 10 payment systems are not ranked, 15 are at the basic level, 10 in progressed level with only NIBSS at the matured level.

Nigerias NIP is the first IPS in Africa to reach the mature level of inclusivity. The biggest challenges progressed systems face in reaching mature inclusivity are enabling expanded use cases and additional recourse mechanisms, the report read in part.

However, two other Nigerian payment systems; eNaira and Mobile Money Systems remain at the basic level.

NIBSS last week officially launched the National Payment Stack (NPS), a new digital infrastructure designed to unify and modernise the countrys payment systems.
A coalition of serving members of the House of Representatives under the auspices of House to the Rescue (HTR) has tasked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with the imperative of electronic collation and transmission of election results in 2027.

In a statement signed by all six zonal coordinators in Abuja, the group said that the call became necessary to safeguard democracy after 2027.

The coordinators are Muhammed Soba (North-west), Zakari Mohammed (North-central), Olasupo Abiodun (South-west), Sadiq Ibrahim (North-east), Uko Nkole (South-east), and Bassey Ewa (South-south).

The coalition said that Nigerias democracy depended on credible elections and that INEC must rise to the occasion by fully embracing technological transparency and ensuring that every aspect of result management is open, verifiable and accountable to the people.

In the interest of safeguarding Nigerias democracy and ensuring the integrity of electoral outcomes, we call on the INEC to mandate the real-time electronic collation and transmission of results from the ward level directly to the central server during all future elections.

The adoption and consistent implementation of real-time electronic result transmission is no longer optional; it is an essential measure to enhance transparency, reduce human interference and strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.

Real-time digital collation ensures that every vote counts, that results are traceable and that manipulation at collation centres is eliminated, the group said.

They urged international donor agencies and development partners who have invested substantial resources in Nigerias electoral system to insist on the transparent, nationwide use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and smart card readers in all polling units.

According to them, these technologies, funded and supported by the international community, must be effectively utilised to ensure value for money and to uphold the credibility of elections.

The legislators called on the National Assembly to strengthen the Electoral Act by explicitly discouraging manual voting, manual result collation, and computation throughout the electoral process.

They said that the law must reflect the realities of a modern electoral system that prioritises accuracy, efficiency, and public trust.

(NAN)
The Federal High Court in Lagos has granted First City Monument Bank Limited (FCMB) authority to take possession of properties and assets belonging to Bankers Warehouse Limited, Vandt Investment Limited, and Victor Hammond.

The bank took over possession of the property on Thursday.

Delivering the ruling on 6 October, the judge, Chukwujekwu Aneke, directed the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioners of Police in Federal Capital Territory, Lagos State and and Kano State to protect FCMBs appointed receiver, Nick Omeye, as he assumes control of the assets, which were pledged as security for a facility granted by the bank and guaranteed by Mr Hammond.

The court order allows police protection to ensure the plaintiffs can take possession of the defendants properties and assets pending the determination of the suit.

The plaintiffs in the suit are First City Monument Bank Limited and Mr Omeye.

According to a certified true copy of the court order dated 7 October and shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday, FCMB approached the court to seize multiple properties and freeze accounts linked to a N4.1 billion loan.

Prayers

In a motion ex-parte filed on 15 August, the bank asked the court to direct the Inspector General of Police or Commissioners of Police in Lagos, Kano, and the Federal Capital Territory to protect its appointed receiver during the takeover.

The properties include Bankers Warehouse Limiteds landed property at No 15 Karimu Kotun Street, Victoria Island, Lagos; Vandt Investment Limiteds property at 12C Bompai Road, Kano; and another property at Plot 715, Gwarimpa Cadastral Zone CO2, Abuja.

FCMB also sought to seize vehicles, plants, and machinery listed in the Deed of Fixed Debenture dated 3 July 2013.

The bank asked the court to issue a Mareva injunction restraining the 4th to 22nd respondents, including Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, Polaris Bank Ltd, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Keystone Bank Ltd, Sterling Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, Union Bank Plc and Globus Bank Ltd.

Others are First Bank of Nigeria Ltd, Wema Bank Plc, Citibank Nigeria Limited, Standard Chartered Bank, Parallex Bank Ltd, Access Bank Plc, Ecobank Nigeria Ltd, Unity Bank Plc, and Providus Bank, from transferring, dealing with, or disposing of N4,118,921,618.53 or any amount linked to Bank Verification Number (BVN) 22153739327 belonging to Mr Hammond until the court determines the suit.

The motion is supported by a 33-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Godspower Igwe, a staff member of FCMB, with attached exhibits and a written address signed by D.D. Duru.

FCMBs lawyer S.O. Uzuh, appeared for the plaintiffs in court.

READ ALSO: FCMB launches funds access on Mobile App

Ruling

The court orders cover the second defendants property at Victoria Island, the first defendants properties at Kano and Abuja, and all vehicles, plants, and machinery listed in the fixed debenture.

Mr Aneke further restrained the banks from transferring or dealing with the N4.1 billion linked to the first and third defendants and directed them to disclose on oath within 14 days the total funds held for the defendants. The suit was adjourned till 20 October, for mention.
Nigerian actress and filmmaker Barbara Odoh has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of appropriating her digital anti-fraud platform, BSafe Transact, without her consent.

In a statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday, Ms Odoh appealed to the Presidency, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and international bodies for protection, saying her innovation is being promoted elsewhere under a different guise.

They have taken my idea and are promoting it elsewhere without my knowledge or consent, Ms Odoh said, without providing details of the alleged hijack.

EFCC has yet to respond to our reporters request for its comment on the allegation.

Ms Odoh said she developed the platform over several years through academic research and personal experience, intending it as a tool to facilitate secure trade between Nigeria and the global community and restore international confidence in Nigerian businesses.

She described BSafe Transact as a humanitarian solution to rebuild trust in Nigerian commercial interactions.

The Guardian Nigeria earlier reported a press conference addressed by Ms Odoh in March alleging her claims that the EFCC hijacked her innovation and that her projects domain was later flagged as fraudulent.

She told journalists then that she developed in 2021 the project called Bsafe Transact, a platform designed to enhance secure transactions across mobile and web applications.

How it started

The actress claimed she formally presented BSafe Transact to the EFCC in January before a five-member panel led by the Commissions former Head of IT, Isa Abdullahi.

During the meeting, she alleged, Mr Abdullahi assured her of the Commissions full support.

It is going to be a serious partnership, this thing has to be sold to the public. Definitely, definitely, you will be invited to a broader meeting; this is certain! The big boss will definitely send it to you!!

The earlier we do this, the better; I just pray it will be the first project we embark on this year. Weve seen so many things in this office, before you know it, somebody will run, go to Oyibo land, one white man will come and be speaking slang and will change it from BSafe to another name,she quoted Mr Abdullahi as saying during their encounter.

Ms Odoh claimed that after the presentation, communication from the EFCC stalled abruptly.

She said she later saw Martins Otse, also known as Very Dark Man, promoting what she described as a substantially identical concept in China, the same region she had proposed for the platforms first international rollout.

Alleged intimidation

Ms Odoh alleged that her BSafe Transact website and domain have been flagged as fraudulent, including labels of scam, malicious activity, and credit-card phishing, despite the site never hosting commercial transactions beyond test runs and EFCC demonstrations.

My domain name has been frozen, and I can no longer access it. Someone is trying to frame me and discredit my work, she said.

She also raised serious concerns about personal safety, claiming she and her son have received repeated calls from unknown numbers, often at night, with callers hanging up silently.

She added that followers of Very Dark Man have sent her threats via social media.

When did demanding justice become a crime? Our lives are no longer safe. I will not compromise my rights, she said.

During a recent EFCC visit with her legal representative, Kingsley Arah, she said, she was told, He who asserts must prove, a response she interpreted as dismissive.

READ ALSO: Court adjourns trial of dismissed EFCC officer accused of stealing N22 million

Call for justice

Ms Odoh appealed to the president of Nigeria, the National Assembly Committees on ICT and Human Rights, the National Human Rights Commission, the International IP Protection Bodies and Civil Society Organisations.

I am a Nigerian who has worked hard to build something that uplifts our country. I am simply asking for protection, justice, and fairness, she said.

PREMIUM TIMES sought EFCCs comment via SMS and WhatsApp on Thursday but did not immediately get a response.
Nigeria has lost its bid to host the 32nd session of the United Nations Climate Change Summit, also known as the Conference of Parties (COP32), after Ethiopia clinched the hosting rights.

The decision was formally adopted during a plenary on Tuesday in Belem, Brazil, where delegates are currently gathered for the 30th session (COP30).

The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the decision-making body of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), bringing together nearly 200 countries to negotiate responses to the global climate crisis.

Nigerias bid was edged out after the African Group of Negotiators (AGN) endorsed Ethiopia as the preferred country to host the conference in 2027 during a closed-door meeting on the sidelines of COP30.

Nigeria had announced its intention to host COP32 in March when UN Climate Chief Simon Stiell visited Lagos.

Head of Nigerias climate change council at the time, Nkiruka Maduekwe, described it as an opportunity to demonstrate the countrys commitment to shaping the global climate agenda. Ms Maduekwe was replaced by Omotenioye Majekodunmi this August.

However, consultations among African nations over the past weeks tilted toward Ethiopia, which only joined the hosting race in September, during the Africa Climate Summit (ACS).

Sources within the AGN said Ethiopias candidacy was unanimously approved after several rounds of consultations, citing continental consensus and logistical readiness. Delegates also pointed to Ethiopias long-standing role in Africas climate initiatives.

While the loss may come off as a blow to Nigerias aspirations, analysts say Nigeria remains a critical player in shaping Africas climate future.

Despite not emerging as the eventual host, Nigeria still has a defining role to play, Nicholas Adeniyi, a development analyst at the African think tank, Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) said.

The countrys experience in climate adaptation and energy transition makes it a central voice in shaping the continents agenda for COP32.

Ethiopias selection underscores Africas growing influence in global climate diplomacy.

From the 2023 Nairobi Declaration to this years Africa Climate Summit in Addis Ababa, the continent has been working to move beyond the narrative of vulnerability toward one of leadership and innovation.

For Mithika Mwenda, Executive Director of the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), Addis Ababas hosting of COP32 represents Africas symbolic shift from merely demanding climate justice to actually defining it.

I applaud Ethiopia for scooping this bid and hope that it will demonstrate Africas leadership in climate diplomacy and solutions. This builds on Ethiopias stunning hosting and coordination of the second Africa Climate Summit, which was not only inclusive but also resonated with the desires of stakeholders, Mr Mithika said. At a time when rich countries, particularly the US, are backtracking on their commitments and leadership, it is time for Africa to fill that void.

With COP32 already decided, the decision on who hosts COP31 remains inconclusive as the tussle between Turkey and Australia continues.

A final verdict is expected before the end of this years summit in Belem on November 21, but in the event that the hosting dispute between both countries remains unresolved, COP31 will automatically move to Bonn, Germany, where the UN climate secretariat is located.
The National Working Committee (NWC) and the 2025 National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have insisted on holding the national convention on 15 and 16 November in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, stated this in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.

Mr Ologunagba, who is also the secretary, Publicity and Communication Sub-Committee of NCOC, said that the national convention had not been postponed.

He urged party members and Nigerians in general to disregard what he called misleading claims being peddled by some individuals who, he claimed, were recruited by All Progressives Congress (APC) to stop the national convention.

The NCOC and the party will continue to work assiduously round the clock to ensure a successful national convention in Ibadan, as scheduled.

While thanking Nigerians for their overwhelming support for our party, the NCOC welcomes all delegates, party leaders, officials and all supporters of the PDP who have already started arriving Ibadan for the national convention, he said.

A faction of the party led by Abdulrahman Mohammed had announced that the proposed elective convention had been cancelled following two court judgements stopping it.

On Tuesday, the Federal High Court, in a judgement on a suit filed by a former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, against the PDP, stopped the convention and asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to monitor, supervise or recognise the convention.

Earlier on 31 October, James Omotosho of the Federal High Court stopped the convention.

However, few days after the judgement, an Oyo High Court, sitting in Ibadan, in a judgement on 4 November, asked the party to proceed with convention.
Georgia's third president (2004-2013), former head of Odesa Regional Administration Mikheil Saakashvili, who has been in a Georgian correctional facility since Wednesday, appealed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to add him to the list of civilian prisoners of war in the Russian-Ukrainian war.

"From the very beginning of this great war, the Russian oligarch Ivanishvili and his lackeys have openly sided with Russia. In this context, it is absolutely clear that my persecution and my fate are linked to the war. I am a citizen of Ukraine and the head of the executive committee of the National Reform Council, where I had the honor of serving under your leadership. I would like to ask you, just as in 2019, when you restored my illegally revoked citizenship, to please include me, as the former head of Odesa Regional State Administration and the chairman of the executive committee of the National Reform Council, who is illegally held by the pro-Russian regime in Georgia, in the list of civilian prisoners of this war, with the corresponding legal consequences," Saakashvili said on Facebook.

He recalled that on Wednesday he was transferred from the prison hospital, where he was being treated for severe poisoning, back to the prison  "to the very staff who poisoned me." "My poisoning in March 2022 occurred shortly after the start of a full-scale war. The fact of the poisoning was confirmed by American and German laboratories. Putin demanded reprisals against me from the very beginning, and Medvedev and Lavrov repeatedly bragged about my imprisonment," Saakashvili noted.

According to him, he was arrested "on a completely fictitious charge, and the then-Georgian Prime Minister directly stated that this case was related to my activities in Ukraine." "In the new criminal case recently opened against me, I, along with others, am accused of sabotage in favor of a foreign hostile state. The case materials contain your statements, as well as statements by Mykhailo Podoliak," Saakashvili added.

He notes that the Georgian authorities "directly declare Ukraine a hostile foreign state."

"I know that Ukrainians don't abandon their own, and I'm counting on you," Saakashvili concluded.
The trial of a former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, continued on Wednesday at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja, as a Zenith Bank compliance officer testified about multiple cash withdrawals from Kogi State Government accounts.

Mashelia Bata, the sixth prosecution witness (PW6), told the court that between 2016 and 2018, large sums were withdrawn from the states accounts, allegedly by Abdulsalami Hudu and others.

Led in evidence by EFCC lawyer Kemi Pinheiro, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Bata described a pattern of multiple cash withdrawals and transfers from Kogi State Government accounts between 2016 and 2018, allegedly conducted by Mr Hudu and others.

On February 12, 2016, there were 21 withdrawals by Abdulsalami Hudu, totalling N200 million, Mr Bata testified. Similarly, on 10 March 2016, I observed numerous withdrawals amounting to N326,598,750, though the actual total was N100 million.

He told the court that similar withdrawals occurred on 3, 8, and 10 June 2016, with N100 million, N100 million, and N119 million withdrawn, respectively.

The witness said the pattern of large cash withdrawals continued through July and August 2016.

Between 8 and 29 July, there were consistent cash withdrawals made by Abdulsalami Hudu, he said. The same pattern continued into August.

Mr Bata also detailed inflows from various sources. On 2 August 2016, N50 million came from the Kogi State statutory revenue account; on 9 August, N50 million from Idhu Integrated Services; and on 10 August, N15.5 million from the Ministry of Finance, he stated.

He said the withdrawals persisted into September and October.

On 31 August 2016, there were 21 cash withdrawals totalling N188,741,000. On 27 October, there were another 21 withdrawals amounting to N188,216,155, and on 21 December 2016, 40 withdrawals were made the same day by the same individual, he explained.

He added that on 9 May 2017, N203,240,000 was withdrawn through 29 transactions; on 12 October, 36 withdrawals were made; and on 1 November, 20 withdrawals totalling N200 million occurred.

By 30 and 31 January 2018, cash withdrawals of N350 million and N347,267,000 were recorded, followed by N300 million and N99,177,300 on 1 and 2 February, totalling N1.09 billion in four days.

Mr Bata further confirmed that the account balance dropped to zero on 14 November 2016, before receiving a credit of N74.3 million on 6 December, followed by cash withdrawals totalling N30 million by Mohammed Salihu.

He said N40 million was later transferred to Echies Designs and Cost Associate Limited, while N202.3 million credited from the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service on 21 April 2017, was followed by 18 withdrawals totalling N167 million.

The witness identified other transactions, including an inflow of N92.4 million on 9 August 2017, followed by N52 million in withdrawals the next day, N261.8 million credited on 14 August, and N70 million transferred via NEFT to Efab Properties on 17 August.

He also mentioned N18 million withdrawn by Umar Comfort and N10 million by Mr Hudu after a N50 million inflow from the Kogi State revenue account.

The EFCC also tendered Exhibit R1, a US dollar account statement belonging to Whales Oil and Gas, showing a transfer of $11,000 to Academic Services Farida Oricha at the American International School.

Mr Bata further identified Exhibit P1, the statement of Alyeshua Solutions Services, showing debit entries of $42,170 and $78,160 for Naima Ohunene Bello and Fatima Oziohu Bello, respectively, both to the same school in Abuja.

Adjournment

Following the lengthy testimony, defence lawyer Abdullahi Yahaya sought an adjournment to allow lead defence lawyer Joseph Daudu, also SAN, to cross-examine the witness.

He argued that more time was needed to review the evidence.

EFCC lawyer Ms Pinheiro objected, saying there was no valid reason for the adjournment.

EFCC is a serious agency; we are ready to proceed daily to conclude this matter. Adjournments should not be granted as a matter of course unless theres a cogent reason, she argued.

The trial judge, Maryanne Anineh, ruled that while adjournments are discretionary, the request could be granted in the interest of justice.

She adjourned the trial to Thursday for cross-examination and continuation.

Background

PREMIUM TIMES had reported that Mr Bata said he believed the withdrawals did not breach any banking law.

He made the statement while being cross-examined by the defence team, including Messrs Bello, Hudu and Umar Orichas lawyer, Mr Daudu, before Judge Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja in a related case.

He added that Mr Bellos name did not appear as a beneficiary in the account statements presented as evidence.

Mr Bata, who earlier testified as the fourth prosecution witness (PW-4), continued his evidence-in-chief in the trial of Mr Bello, who is standing trial alongside Messrs Oricha and Hudu on a 16-count of criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving N110.4 billion.

In October, another prosecution witness, Abimbola Williams, a compliance officer with the United Bank for Africa (UBA), told the court that the former Kogi State Government House accountant, Mr Hudu, withdrew over N1 billion from the Government House account within nine months.

Ms Williams said N640 million of the sum was withdrawn within six days between 31 July and 6 August 2019, through 64 transactions.

She noted that several of the withdrawals were recorded as special security funds for Mr Bello and his administration.

She testified that although no single withdrawal exceeded N10 million, the cumulative sums triggered suspicious transaction reports.

She also confirmed that Mr Hudu was among the 15 signatories to the government account.

After her testimony, an Ecobank compliance officer, Jesutomi Akoni, appeared as the fourth prosecution witness and tendered documents admitted as Exhibits H and J, while a Polaris Bank official, Victoria Oluwafemi, was presented as the fifth witness.

Her evidence was deferred to the next sitting.

Mr Bello, who served as governor from January 2016 to January 2024, and his co-defendants were arraigned on 27 November 2024, and all pleaded not guilty.

The EFCC alleges that Mr Bello conspired with others to divert over N110 billion from Kogi States coffers and laundered part of the funds to acquire properties in Abuja and Dubai.
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has said he will not compel his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mr Diri spoke on Wednesday during the Bayelsa State Executive Council meeting at the Government House in Yenagoa, the state capital.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that Governor Diri resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in October this year.

The governor subsequently joined the APC from the PDP on 3 November. But his deputy refused to join him in the new party.

There were speculations that members of the Bayelsa House of Assembly had perfected plans to impeach Mr Ewhrudjakpo over his refusal to move to the APC.

The deputy governor, on 22 October, consequently sued the Bayelsa State House of Assembly in court over the alleged impeachment plot.

Engagement rather than confrontation

During Wednesdays state executive meeting, also attended by Mr Ewhrudjakpo, Mr Diri said he would continue to discuss with his deputy over the need to switch to the APC.

As a matter of principle, the governor said he believed in engagement rather than confrontation.

Let me address an issue that has been a subject of speculation in the media. I do not intend to force people to join the APC but rather to appeal to them to see reason with me. I might have the power today, but not tomorrow, he said.

Mr Diri admitted it was difficult for them to be in different political parties, but expressed optimism that ongoing engagements with his deputy would yield positive results.

The governor stated that he had discussed the suit with Mr Ewhrudjakpo, which he had filed at a Federal High Court in Abuja to halt the alleged impeachment plot, and that the deputy governor had agreed to discontinue it.

He urged the people of the state to love one another and view politics as a means to bring about development, rather than to pull others down.

We must not heat the polity. We are done with violence in Bayelsa State. We are brothers, and we are one. Politics should be for the development of the state and not to fight one another, he said.

Governor Diri also refuted speculations that some armed persons were planning to invade the state, describing it as misinformation.

He assured that security agencies have been notified to check for any threat in any part of the state.
Agro-processing firm Presco Plc has opened a rights issue through which it plans to sell 166.7 million ordinary shares to existing shareholders.

The Edo State-based producer of rubber, crude palm oil and other related products, disclosed in a regulatory filing that the shares will be issued at N1,420 per unit based on one new ordinary share for every six held as of 13 October.

Presco added that the offer, which opened on Wednesday, 12 November, will close on Tuesday, 2 December.

Presco stated that it intends to utilise the cash mobilised from the capital raise programme to finance greenfield and brownfield acquisitions, some of which are at their final contractual stages.

Part of the capital will also help the company speed up its industrial expansion projects aimed at increasing production capacity.

In August, Presco announced plans to acquire Saro Oil Palm, a subsidiary of Saro Africa International, for $46.1 million.

It expects the acquisition to deliver N85 billion in operating profit by 2029.

It acquired a 52 per cent stake in Ghana Oil Development Company for N103 billion or $65 million last year, a deal it said it is hoping to consummate with $124.9 million, enabling it to fully buy out the asset.

According to its audited earnings report, Ghanaian assets contributed N30.5 billion to Prescos N207.5 billion revenue last year.

The rights issue provides existing shareholders with the opportunity to increase their equity holdings in the company, thereby reinforcing their participation and support of Prescos long-term vision, the company said in the statement.

Last month, Presco announced a second interim dividend this year at N10 per share after its net profit for the first nine months of the year jumped by 114 per cent to N110.8 billion, compared to the same period of 2024.
A former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has called on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to suspend its planned national convention, warning that proceeding under the current conditions would only deepen the partys crisis and expose its outcome to legal disputes.

Mr Saraki, who led the Senate from 2015 to 2019, made the call on Wednesday in a statement issued shortly after meeting with members of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) Reconciliation Committee, led by Hassan Adamu.

The former senate president advised the leadership loyal to the National Chairman, Umar Damagun, to suspend the convention scheduled for 15 and 16 November in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, arguing that there are conflicting court orders that could invalidate the process and further destabilise the party.

In summary, I expressed deep regret that, despite the selfless and arduous efforts by some of us, the Convention has become mired in extensive controversy, both political and legal. This does not bode well for not only our party, but for Nigerias democracy in general.

I made it clear to the BOT team that political matters can hardly be resolved through the courts. Affairs of political parties are best resolved amicably with all sides seated round the table. Legal battles will only continue to cause friction.

As it stands, the fact is that there are conflicting court orders in relation to the validity of the scheduled convention. As a result, there is no assurance as to whether the conduct and outcome of the convention will stand, he said.

Since the 2023 general elections, the PDP has been engulfed in a series of internal disputes, with the party now split into two major factions in which one is loyal to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, and the other to Mr Damagun, who retains the support of the BoT.

The Wike faction, led by the embattled National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, appointed Mohammed Abdulrahman as its factional acting chairman after announcing the suspension of Mr Damagun and his team.

Mr Wike, though a member of the PDP, serves as a minister in President Bola Tinubus administration of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a situation many within the opposition have described as anti-party activity.

The emergence of the factional leadership originated from disagreements over the PDPs forthcoming national convention which is expected to produce new national leaders and potentially set the tone for the selection of the partys 2027 presidential candidate.

The Wike-led faction opposes holding the convention, arguing that the party failed to conduct valid state congresses, a requirement under the PDP Constitution before convening a national convention.

This dispute led to a court case in which James Omotosho, judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ordered the PDP to halt the planned convention, ruling that proceeding without valid state congresses would violate the Nigerian Constitution, INEC guidelines, and the PDP Constitution.

A few days after the judgement, A. L. Akintola, a judge of the Oyo State High Court in his ruling on 4 November, asked the party to proceed with the convention.

On Tuesday, the Federal High Court, in a judgement on a suit filed by a former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, against the PDP, stopped the convention again and asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to monitor, supervise or recognise the convention.

In response to these contradictory judgments, the Abdulrahman-led faction announced the suspension of the convention until further notice, while the Damagun-led faction insisted it would hold as planned.

Saraki withdraws from participation

Mr Saraki made it clear that he would not take part in the convention under the current circumstances.

As a leader, on whose shoulder lies the political weight of the yearnings and aspiration of my people, I cannot in all good conscience take or be part of any action that will jeopardise their aspirations, said.

To restore calm, the former senate president proposed the immediate formation of a Caretaker Committee to steer the partys affairs pending full reconciliation between the warring factions.

My advice to the BOT team is that the only solution available to us now is for the party to set up a Caretaker Committee to steer the affairs of the party for the time being. This must be done in the next two days. This is the path to true reconciliation and stability of the Party, he said.

Mr Saraki also cautioned that the partys instability could discourage credible aspirants from contesting under the PDP platform.

He said, It is also the best way to give confidence to our members who intend to contest elections on the PDP platform. In the present circumstance, no serious politician with electoral ambition will seek to contest on the platform of the PDP, not knowing whether his or her nomination will be valid or declared null and void.

It is clear that going ahead with the National Convention in Ibadan on 15-16 November 2025 will only serve to further fuel the present crisis. Therefore, going ahead with the Convention as scheduled is a waste of efforts, It does not have my support. Its not too late to find a win-win solution.
Troops of the Nigerian militarys Operation Hadin Kai have rescued 74 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) from what sources described as a likely abduction attempt by Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents along the BurataiKamuya road in Borno State.

The corps members36 males and 38 femaleswere stranded around 9:05 p.m. on Tuesday after the three buses conveying them broke down near a well-known kidnapping hotspot.

Our reporter learnt that a military patrol team was dispatched after a CCTV surveillance system monitored by troops detected unusual movement involving the buses.

On arriving at the scene, troops found 74 NYSC members stranded. They quickly intervened to avert a likely ambush or abduction by Boko Haram/ISWAP elements active in that axis, a source said.

According to reports, the corps members had earlier been escorted from Maiduguri to Damaturu by troops of the 7 Division Garrison.

But upon arrival in Damaturu, they reportedly continued their journey to Hawul Local Government Area without notifying the Sector 2 Headquarters for an onward escort, contrary to established security procedures.

They were said to be on an evangelical outreach mission when the incident occurred.

Zagazolas Report

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency analyst familiar with military operations in the Lake Chad region, also reported that the troops acted promptly after detecting the stranded buses, preventing what could have resulted in a large-scale abduction.

The rescue happened just days after the same troops freed 86 kidnapped victims and arrested 29 suspected Boko Haram collaborators along major routes within the area.

Security sources say insurgents frequently target stranded or slow-moving vehicles, especially during night travel.

The rescued NYSC members are currently being sheltered at the Buratai military base while arrangements are being made for their safe movement.

The Nigerian Army has yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday tasked media practitioners to fulfil their responsibility as the Fourth Estate of the Realm towards nation-building and the sustenance of democracy.

President Tinubu also declared that his administration would consider the requests from the Guild for media tax relief and other interventions that would ensure the sustainability and vibrancy of the media.

The president spoke at the 21st Nigerian Guild of Editors Annual Conference (ANEC) 2025, with the theme, Democratic Governance and National Cohesion: Role of Editors, at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.

He commended the Nigerian Guild of Editors for the commitment of its members to sustaining democracy and national development, urging them to shape public discourse in a constructive manner that strengthens the bonds that hold the nation together.

This conversation is necessary as we continue to build institutions that are transparent, resilient and trusted by our citizens. Throughout our history, journalism in Nigeria has been more than a profession. It has been an instrument of national awakening. From early newspapers that challenged colonial injustice to the principled voices that kept hope alive during the dark days of the military dictatorship, President Tinubu stated.

The president lauded the leadership of the Guild for their dedication and resilience, even in the face of daunting challenges, and charged them always to put the national interest above all other considerations.

We live in a time when information travels rapidly and widely. Social media has made every citizen a potential publisher. This has benefits, but it also increases the speed and scale of misinformation. Falsehood can take root before truth has time to speak. In such an environment, the editorial function is more important than ever. Verification must be your anchor; balance must be your principle, and professional judgement must be your guide.

I urge you, therefore, to continue upholding the highest standards of journalism. Report boldly, but do so truthfully. Critique government policy, but do so with knowledge and fairness. Your aim must never be to tear down, but to help build a better society.

President Tinubu acknowledged the challenges facing the nation, especially those of terrorism and banditry, but assured the nation of the administrations determination to return it to a state of peace, progress, and prosperity.

He also stated that the private sector, civil society, and all need to complement the media in building this climate of reason and unity.

I ask of you, therefore, to continue to exercise that responsibility with the seriousness and honour. Let us choose clarity over confusion, responsibility over recklessness, and hope over despair. Let us remember that the stories we tell ourselves as a nation and as a people influence the country we become, he said.

In response to the Guilds request for government incentives for the media, President Tinubu assured the Guild that his administration would consider its requests, including fiscal incentives, legal protection, and policy support to enhance their duties and safeguard press freedom.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, commended President Tinubu for his historic attendance at the annual meeting of the Guild of Editors, noting that it was the first time a sitting President had been physically present.

The minister added that the administration of President Bola Tinubu had created an enabling environment for unfettered media practice, noting that more than one thousand broadcasting stations were operating freely across the country.

Under President Tinubus leadership, no media house has been threatened, gagged or shut down for expressing dissent. This reflects our conscious commitment to the constitutional principles of press freedom.

He solicited the understanding and partnership of media practitioners in crafting the right narratives about the country to promote overall national development.

Speaking on the theme of the conference, Governor of Imo State and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodinma, stressed that editors will not be bystanders in the 2027 elections but catalysts whose narratives will shape the nations democratic future.

According to him, editors wield immense influence in shaping national perception and must be accountable for the narratives they promote, particularly during election seasons.

Mr Uzodimma urged Nigerian editors to take greater responsibility for protecting electoral integrity and restoring public confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

If you have a role in democratic governance and national cohesion, you must also assume responsibility for electoral integrity. Without electoral integrity, there can be no democracy.

The Imo State governor noted that media coverage of the 2023 elections contributed to public mistrust, with some reports portraying the electoral process as collapsed, based on selective or premature calls. He cited the 2023 Edelman Trust Barometer, which found that 49 per cent of Nigerians distrust the media, describing the trend as deeply alarming.

Mr Uzodimma warned that editorial choices carry consequences: decisions on what to publish, which voices to prioritise, and how political events are framed directly affect national cohesion, voter confidence, and democratic resilience.

When every disagreement is framed as a crisis and every electoral challenge treated as systemic fraud, you feed polarisation and deepen distrust, Governor Uzodinma concluded.

The President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Eze Anaba, in his remarks, appealed to President Tinubu to support the media industry by providing fiscal incentives, legal protection, and policy support.

He commended President Tinubu for attending the conference, describing his presence as a demonstration of his administrations recognition of the media as a strategic partner in nation-building.

He paid tribute to the founding leaders of the Guild and urged his colleagues to uphold truth, fairness and balance and resist the temptation to play to the gallery.

Editors must defend the sanctity of truth, insist on transparency, and hold power to account  not as adversaries of government, but as constructive partners in the pursuit of national progress, he said.

The President of the Guild made key requests, including corporate tax relief for media houses, VAT exemption on media inputs, tax incentives for advertisers, and access to affordable financing for news organisations.

He specifically requested the repeal of laws that restrict press freedom. He also proposed the creation of a Media Development Fund to support digital innovation and newsroom transformation, to be managed by an independent board.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information and Strategy)

November 12, 2025
Morris Monye, the director of mobilisation of the Obidient Movement, has announced his resignation from the position.

Obidient Movement is a group of supporters of Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) candidate in the 2023 presidential election, who has now declared his interest in the 2027 election.

Mr Monye, who announced his resignation in a post on his X handle on Thursday, said he had forwarded a copy of his resignation letter to Mr Obi as well as the movements National Coordinator, Yunusa Tanko.

Almost a year down the line, most of our short, medium, and long-term plans have not been met. I wont be part of optics and no work, he said.

The former director lamented that, despite his efforts and financial contributions to the cause, the movements poor performance in the just-concluded 8 November Anambra Governorship Election has also rendered his position untenable.

In the November poll, INEC declared Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance as the winner, with 422,664 votes, while the LP candidate, George Moghalu, came fourth with 10,576 votes.

The LP lost in Mr Obis polling unit to the APC despite Mr Obi campaigning for the LP candidate before the election.

Why I resigned as director of Obidient Movement

Mr Monye said he resigned his position because he and his business had suffered constant harassment from sympathisers and instruments of this government. He said he had been keeping quiet to avoid discouraging others.

But its taken its toll on me and my family, he stated.

He claimed that he had spent approximately N40 million from his private account to fund Obidient events, trips, committees, and mobilisation, without receiving any support from the LP national leadership, including Mr Obi.

No money was given to the Directorate of Mobilisation. Theres no bank account even for the directorate. In fact, Mr Peter Obi has never asked what we are doing in mobilisation. No communication, nothing, the former director said.

Continuing, he said: All the current directorates are using their personal funds, and its simply not sustainable if we want to see results.

Not a single kobo was/is assigned to any of them. Mr Obi needs to show more interest in what the movement is doing. Obidients outside dont see or understand that.

I spent those personal monies because I believe in the movement as a vehicle for a new Nigeria.

Mr Monye said although he would continue to lend his support to the Obidient Movement, he would no longer be at the forefront.

He further hinted that he could seek any elective office only if Nigeria carries out electoral reform, and urged all well-meaning Nigerians to continue the activism against bad governance.

What Peter Obi must do ahead of 2027

Mr Monye advised Mr Obi to engage a large media team and fund the engagement of political consultants who will coordinate polling units for optimal performance.

You cant run a campaign simply from general goodwill. This is not 2023. The element of surprise is gone!

Also no one can be held accountable from general goodwill. They will work at their own leisure. This has to be a serious business for him, he said.

Polling unit agents mobilisation is key. That must be happening quickly. The lapse was shown again in the Anambra election.
Nigeria loses approximately 850,000 newborn and under-five children every year to preventable causes, including prematurity and pneumonia, according to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate.

Mr Pate disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja at the joint national commemoration of the 2025 World Pneumonia Day and World Prematurity Day.

The event also marked the launch of two major policy documents: the Nigerian Child Survival Action Plan and the National Birth Defect Surveillance Guideline.

High child mortality burden

Mr Pate, who was represented by the Director of Health Promotion, John Urakpa, said Nigeria has recorded measurable progress in reducing under-five deaths but remains off track to meet global targets.

According to data from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), the countrys under-five mortality rate declined from 201 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2000 to 110 deaths per 1,000 in 2023, a 45 per cent drop over two decades.

Despite this modest progress, approximately 850,000 preventable newborn and under-five deaths are predicted to occur annually, he said, warning that Nigeria is not yet on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal target of a rate less than 25 per 1000 Live Births by 2030.

The minister said that of these deaths, about 280,000 newborns die within the first 28 days of life due to complications from premature birth, while 162,000 deaths are linked to childhood pneumonia every year.

Pneumonia burden



Citing global estimates, Mr Pate noted that around 100 million childhood pneumonia cases occur annually, resulting in more than 808,000 related deaths.

He said low- and middle-income countries, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa, bear the brunt of this burden.

Nigeria and 14 other countries account for nearly three-quarters of the global childhood pneumonia mortalities, he said.

Mr Pate described childhood pneumonia as the forgotten killer of under-fives, saying that while the global community had mobilised strongly against malaria, polio, tuberculosis, and HIV, pneumonia has not received comparable attention despite being a major contributor to child deaths.

These unfavourable indices, and those of other childhood killer diseases, are still responsible for the high under-five mortality rate of 110 per 1,000 live births as reported by the 2024 NDHS, he said.

Government efforts and progress



The minister credited the ministrys partnership with the Every Breath Counts Coalition and the Paediatric Association of Nigeria for helping to reduce child deaths in recent years.

He said the collaboration led to the development of an In-Patient Pneumonia Treatment Algorithm, which has strengthened the clinical skills of secondary and tertiary healthcare workers in managing severe and complicated pneumonia.

To a great extent, it has accounted for the drop in the under-five mortality rate from 132 per 1,000 in 2018 to 110 per 1,000 live births in 2024, he said.

However, he noted that progress in reducing newborn deaths has been much slower.

A retrospective assessment of our data over the past 35 years shows only a single-digit drop, from 42 per 1,000 in 1990 to 41 per 1,000 live births in 2024, Mr Pate said.

New action plan for child survival



To accelerate progress, the ministry developed the Nigerian Child Survival Action Plan (NCSAP) after extensive consultation with key partners.

The plan aims to reduce under-five mortality to fewer than 25 deaths per 1,000 live births by 2030 through a multi-sectoral approach that integrates health, education, nutrition, and child protection.

Addressing factors across each of these sectors is essential for fulfilling childrens developmental potential and survival, Mr Pate said.

He explained that one of the countrys emerging challenges is birth defects, which have become an under-recognised but significant cause of neonatal and under-five mortality.

Citing government data, he said the proportion of neonatal deaths linked to birth defects rose from one per cent in 2014 to three per cent in 2019, while hospital-based studies across the six geopolitical zones show prevalence rates ranging from 2.3 to 39.9 per 1,000 live births.

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To address this, the ministry developed the National Birth Defect Surveillance Guideline (NBDSG) 2025, which provides a standardised framework for detecting and managing birth defects.

No room for complacency



Mr Pate said the new policy frameworks will strengthen Nigerias efforts to align with the Ending Preventable Maternal Mortality (EPMM) and Every Newborn Action Plan (ENAP) initiatives.

There is no room for complacency. The Ministry will continue to explore innovative partnerships that will translate our efforts into effective action for child survival, he said.

He added that achieving the plans goals will require leadership, targeted human and financial resources, and a strengthened health system to ensure that the most vulnerable and poor children get the greatest benefits.

Government reaffirm commitment



The ministrys Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, said the government is intensifying efforts to strengthen primary healthcare delivery at community levels, expand newborn and child survival interventions such as oxygen therapy, Kangaroo Mother Care, and early breastfeeding

Ms Kachollom, who was represented by the Director of the Child Health Division, Amina Mohammed, said the government is also making effort to enhance data-driven decision-making to guide equitable investments and close service delivery gaps across the country.

I invite us all to renew our shared commitment to ensure that no child, regardless of geography or circumstance, is left behind.

Mr Pate also acknowledged the contributions of Nigerias development partners, including the WHO, UNICEF, USAID, Save the Children, Nutrition International, CIHP, Miracle Feet, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative, for their continued collaboration on child health programmes.

UNICEF urges sustained collaboration



Also speaking, the Health Manager for Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and HIV at UNICEF Nigeria, Martin Dohlsten, said pneumonia and prematurity remain major contributors to child deaths globally and in Nigeria.

Mr Dohlsten said that while preterm birth is a major contributor to neonatal mortality, these challenges demand coordinated action and sustained advocacy.

The themes for 2025 really underscore the collective responsibility to ensure that every Nigerian child has the opportunity to survive, but also to thrive, he said.

He reaffirmed UNICEFs partnership with the Health Ministry and partners to amplify these messages, mobilise stakeholders, and strengthen interventions to safeguard the health of Nigerias children.

By commemorating these days under a unified event, we reaffirm our shared vision for a future where no child in Nigeria dies from preventable causes and every newborn gets the best possible start in life, he added.
A mild drama played out on the floor of the House of Representatives on Wednesday after Peter Uzokwe, a member representing Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo, Anambra State, raised a motion on the decorum of the House during plenary.

Mr Uzokwe, a member of the Youth Progressive Party (YPP), had repeatedly attempted to raise a point of order shortly after the formal announcement of two defections earlier in the day but was not recognised by the presiding officer, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, until much later in the session.

When finally granted permission to speak, Mr Uzokwe began by invoking a proverb from his community, saying, Mr Speaker, there is an adage in my place that says an elder will not be in the house and the she-goat gives birth while the rope is on.

He continued, Every day we come here, we receive our children in our gallery. Why are they coming here? They come to see how we are conducting ourselves. They come to learn from us. But most times, what we display here shouldnt be what they will see as an example of parliamentarians.

Mr Speaker, I love you. I love the leadership of this House. We are united, but we must conduct ourselves, he said before being interjected by the speaker.

Interrupting him, Mr Tajudeen cautioned the lawmaker to be mindful of his comments, saying, Please, if what we are going to discuss pertains to this hallowed chamber

Mr Uzokwe quickly responded, Yes, because it breached my privilege.

However, the speaker maintained his position, advising that such issues be addressed internally.

Hold on, please. We can do it in an executive session. We dont need to wash our dirty linen in public. I dont understand what we stand to gain. You can request an executive session to address issues that have to do with our conduct.

This is not the forum for you to do that. I will appeal to you to withdraw. If you have issues that have to do with the way and manner we are conducting ourselves during plenary, we can do it indoors, in-house. We dont need to actually discuss that matter here, Mr Tajudeen stated.

Acknowledging the speakers appeal, Mr Uzokwe agreed to stand down his motion but insisted on making a brief closing remark.

For that love I professed for you, I will say that I will abide by what you say. But I want to make sure that we all know that the society we neglect will, he said.

Before he could conclude, the speaker interjected again, saying, You have made your point clear, effectively bringing the matter to a close.

The short but notable exchange came barely an hour after the House witnessed the defection of two members  Sagir Koki and Abdulmumin Jibrin, both from Kano State, from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Although Mr Uzokwe did not directly refer to the earlier event, his comments are interpreted as a veiled expression of concern about the rising partisanship, side remarks, and disorder that occasionally greet sensitive proceedings in the chamber.
The Federal High Court, Abuja, has dismissed the no-case submission filed by a former acting Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Chukwunyere Nwabuoku, in his ongoing trial for alleged money laundering.

In a ruling delivered on Thursday, the judge, James Omotosho, said the prosecution had established a prima facie case against the defendant.

He explained that the evidence so far required the defendant to offer some explanation or defence to the allegations made against him, particularly as they relate to conspiracy and money laundering.

Subsequently, he ruled that the no-case submission of the defendant fails and is hereby overruled.

The judge ordered Mr Nwabuoku to enter his defence and offer any explanations he may have to the charges before the court.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) November last year, charged the former acting AGF with a nine-count amended charge of money laundering involving N868 million.

After the prosecution closed its case, Mr Nwabuoku filed a no-case submission.

On 3 November, the defendants lawyer, Harrison Quakers, and that of the EFCC, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, adopted their processes and presented arguments for and against the application.

Mr Quakers argued that the evidence presented by the EFCC, including witness testimonies and exhibits, was insufficient to establish a prima facie case against his client.

But Mr Iheanacho disagreed and asked the court to dismiss Mr Nwabuokus no-case submission and order him to open his defence.

After hearing submissions from both parties, Mr Omotosho fixed 13 November (today) for ruling.

Ruling

While delivering the ruling, the judge said he had carefully reviewed the evidence presented before the court.

He noted that all affidavits and evidence before the court showed that the prosecution has established a prima facie case which the defendant must answer.

Mr Omotosho stressed that his findings did not amount to a declaration of guilt. It would be improper, at this stage, to evaluate the credibility of the witnesses or the weight of the evidence, explaining that It simply means that the defendant is required to enter his defence to clarify the issues raised by the prosecution.

He noted that the defendant enjoys the constitutional presumption of innocence guaranteed under Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

He added that since the defendant is entitled to that right, he ought to open this defence.

The case was adjourned to 24, 25 November, and 9 December for the defence to open and close its case.

Background

Mr Nwabuoku was arraigned on 15 January on a nine-count amended charge of money laundering and admitted to N500 million bail with two sureties in like sum. The EFCC listed him as the sole defendant in the suit.

In the first count of the charge filed on 27 November 2024, the EFCC alleged that Mr Nwabuoku, alongside several companies, including Temero Synergy Concept Limited, Turge Global Investment Limited, Laptev Bridge Limited and Arafura Transnational Afro Limited, conspired to convert funds believed to be proceeds of unlawful activities. The offence is contrary to Section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, as amended, and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

The commission said the acts were perpetrated while Mr Nwabuoku served as Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021.

He was later appointed acting Accountant-General of the Federation in May 2022 following the suspension of Ahmed Idris over alleged N80 million fraud, but was removed a few weeks later. Sylva Okolieaboh, a Director at the Treasury Single Account Department, replaced him amid reports that he was under EFCC investigation.

The EFCC called nine witnesses in the case, including Eucharia Ezeodi, a Zenith Bank staff member, and Felix Nweke, a director in the federal civil service.

In July, Mr Nwabuoku and his co-defendant begged the court to give them time to refund the alleged loot.

The commission later closed its case after presenting evidence against Mr Nwabuoku
Juan Pablo Escobar, 48, perhaps carries one of the most difficult legacies to confront: that of his father, Pablo Escobar. Its a legacy marked by violence and the staggering 5,500 deaths recorded during the peak of the Medellin cartel between 1989 and 1993. The weight of the name follows him  in films, TV series, and books. In his effort to confront his past and tell his side of the story, he now turns to comics. Escobar, una educacion criminal (in English, Escobar: A Criminal Education), published by the Catalan publisher Norma, explores his childhood in an atmosphere of fear and secrecy. I aim to dismantle the myth of those who see my father as a successful man, especially young people, he explained on Wednesday during the books launch, alongside Pablo Martin Farina and Alberto Madrigal, responsible for the script and illustrations.

Escobar  an architect, industrial designer, and pacifist  says he chose the comic format as a different way to narrate his past and to connect with young people. Even though Im a writer, I had never spoken so much about myself. I had to learn how to write a comic; I didnt know each scene had its own script, said the author, who has also produced some of his works under the pseudonym Juan Sebastian Marroquin. The idea, he explained, arose during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time of personal reflection on how to tell his story with the utmost respect for the victims and without glorifying the world of drugs and violence. I raise awareness, Netflix glorifies it, he said.

The comic focuses on his childhood: the years he lived surrounded by hitmen who also acted as babysitters, with various bodyguards and anxiety ever-present in a life surrounded by countless dangers. There was no room to dream. Life was permanently at risk. I developed a very deep and intense relationship with my caretakers, he recalled.

For narrative purposes, he explained, he chose to reduce the number of characters involved, while always maintaining the storys truthfulness. One of those caretakers, he confessed, is still alive and read the comic. It was interesting to see his reaction. In relation to the world, hes dead, but hes still alive, he noted.

The way his life was shaped by violence is described without explicitly including the character of Pablo Escobar, despite his omnipresence at every moment. He only appears on the cover, showing an embrace between them, and in the last 15 pages. I didnt want my father to be the protagonist of this story, because its my story, he insisted. Yet the shadow of the mastermind behind thousands of victims, orphans, widows, and the man who nearly brought the Colombian state to its knees with his war to avoid extradition to the U.S., is always present.

Presentacion del comic 'Pablo Escobar, una educacion criminal' en la libreria Norma de Barcelona. David Zorrakino (Europa Press)

The author acknowledges the contradiction of having grown up amid fear and the privilege that came from the immense wealth generated by drug trafficking. It didnt make me happy to be happy with the fortune of a bad life. It didnt make me proud; it left a mark on me, he admitted. In recent years, Escobar has publicly apologized to the families of his fathers victims and argues that drug trafficking must be addressed from a different perspective. Colombia has not been able to overcome this issue at all. Its a very sad story. Its a war in which no one has won, and no one ever will. Its a public health problem, not a security issue. Prohibition isnt the way either, he said.

With his book, Escobars son seeks to process the impact and contradictions of being who he is. While recognizing the complexity of his fathers character, he remembers him as a present figure even in his absence. He recalls the letters he received weekly from the cartel boss  messages in which his father urged him not to be frightened by explosions and gunfire. He wrote to me: This week youre going to hear a lot of explosions, but Im fine, he explained. Ironically, it was one of those attempts at communication that allowed the police to trace his location on December 2, 1993, finally finding him in a house in western Medellin, where he was shot several times while trying to flee.

He also recalls the lesson his father gave him at the age of 12, when he first spoke to him about cocaine addiction. Its a paradox: he didnt set the best example, but he did instill values in me, he reflected. His intention in writing the comic, he says, is not to reconcile with the myth, but to break it. Id rather die than repeat my fathers story, he concluded.

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The House of Representatives has resolved to establish an ad-hoc committee to investigate the worsening waste management crisis and the recurring failure of streetlights across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance moved on Thursday by Umar Ajilo (Makarfi/Kudan, Kaduna State), who raised concerns over the capital citys declining environmental and infrastructural conditions.

Lawmakers at the plenary expressed concern that the once well-planned city was fast deteriorating into a public health and security nightmare due to official negligence, weak institutional oversight, and years of poor maintenance culture.

Moving the motion, Mr Ajilo lamented that piles of refuse have become a permanent feature across several districts in the FCT, from satellite towns to highbrow neighbourhoods, while blocked drainage systems and malfunctioning streetlights have combined to worsen both flooding and insecurity.

The combined effect of accumulated waste, blocked drainage and sewage systems, and pervasive darkness from faulty streetlights is creating a dual crisis. Mr Ajilo said. It is transforming the nations capital from a modern city into a zone of public health emergencies and security vulnerabilities.

He said the situation has reached a point where refuse now competes for space with pedestrians on major roads and markets, adding that the capitals image as a clean and orderly city was now under serious threat.

Mr Ajilo warned that these unsanitary conditions have created breeding grounds for disease vectors such as mosquitoes and rats, which spread illnesses like malaria, typhoid, cholera, and Lassa fever.

He also highlighted the security implications of the situation, noting that the collapse of the streetlight network across major roads and pedestrian corridors has emboldened criminal elements and increased the risk of armed robbery, kidnapping, and sexual assaults.

Contributing to the debate, Ahmadu Jaha (APC, Borno) said the issue was not peculiar to the FCT but had become more glaring in Abuja because of the citys symbolic importance.

He recalled the chaos witnessed during the last rainy season when blocked drainage channels caused severe flooding and traffic disruptions in several parts of the capital.

We are all living witness, especially during the rainy season. If you see the kind of hold up and blockages of drainages, youll be shocked, Mr Jaha said.

He, however, commended FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for his ongoing infrastructural rehabilitation efforts, describing him as the best minister the territory has had in recent times.

The minister is working. Take it or leave it, hate him or like him, Wike is the best minister of the FCT we have ever seen, he said.

Another lawmaker, Sada Soli (APC, Katsina State), spoke in a more critical tone, insisting that the FCTs sanitation failure was alarming.

We must not abdicate our responsibility over the FCT. The city is filthy and endangers the health of residents and visitors, Mr Soli said.

He lamented that the cleaners who once maintained the citys iconic cleanliness have disappeared from the streets, leading to widespread littering and blocked waterways.

He urged his colleagues to undertake on-the-spot visits to areas such as Gwarimpa, Asokoro, Wuse, and even the Central Business District, noting that they would encounter piles of refuse, stagnant water, and clogged drainage systems, conditions he warned could spark serious epidemics if not urgently tackled.

In his contribution, House Leader Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo State) cautioned against sweeping generalisations that could discredit the ongoing reforms by the FCT Administration.

I accept the need to clean up the city and encourage citizen responsibility. But it is inaccurate to label the FCT as filthy. We must acknowledge ongoing efforts and provide constructive recommendations, he said.

Following deliberations, the House unanimously adopted the motion and mandated the immediate establishment of an ad-hoc committee to investigate both the immediate and remote causes of the environmental and lighting crisis in the FCT.

The Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, who presided over the plenary, noted that the ad-hoc committee will be constituted in due course.

Growing health and security risks

Recent investigations by PREMIUM TIMES corroborate Mr Ajilos concerns. In December 2024, this newspaper reported that residents of Karu Village were grappling with overflowing refuse dumps that caused severe flooding during the rainy season, spreading waste into homes and contaminating water sources.

The report found that poor waste collection and illegal dumpsites had heightened the risk of waterborne diseases in the area.

Similarly, in September, PREMIUM TIMES revealed that waste management contractors in Abuja threatened to down tools over months of unpaid service fees.

Their strike threat exposed deep cracks in the citys sanitation system and left several districts, including Garki, Nyanya, and Kubwa, covered with waste.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has defended himself following an altercation he had with a naval officer, Ahmad Yarima, who led a team of soldiers to prevent access to a disputed land belonging to a former Chief of Naval Staff, Zubairu Gambo.

Addressing journalists before the FCT Executive Council meeting on Thursday, Mr Wike said he respects institutions and had no problem with the military, but rather a private individual.

He faulted the use of soldiers by the former naval boss to guard the disputed land and explained that he had to visit the site because he could not sit in his office while government officials including directors were allegedly being assaulted.

How can I sit as a minister and government officials to the level of directorship are being attacked, beaten up? Mr Wike asked, noting that officials would be afraid to carry out their duties if they knew that their principal would not protect them.

The minister said influential individuals including ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, a retired general, and Theophilus Danjuma, also a general, had had problems regarding land issues but did not resort to impunity.

He said people like Messrs Obasanjo and Danjuma would rather call him to resolve the matter instead of using soldiers to attack anyone.

Between Wike and the naval officer

PREMIUM TIMES reported that Messrs Wike and Yarima engaged in a heated verbal confrontation after the former and his entourage were denied access to the land.

Videos of the incident show how Mr Yarima, a lieutenant, prevented Mr Wike from accessing the land, explaining that he was acting on orders.

Mr Wike demanded that the documents of the land be provided to justify the soldiers presence on the contested land.

I am the ministeryou cant say that to me, Mr Wike snapped at the officer. This kind of impunity cannot continue.

The minister said no one, regardless of rank, is above the law.

He accused the naval personnel of using their uniforms to protect illegal buildings and obstructing legitimate government work, stressing that soldiers must not intimidate officials carrying out lawful duties.

Further, Mr Wike accused the officers of taking actions that could have put lives at risk.

If not for the Chief of Defence Staff, who just called me, there might have been casualties, he said, implying that his team was ready to confront the soldiers, which could have led to violence.

The situation got tense when Mr Wike started using offensive words, calling the naval officer a fool.

I am not a fool, sir, the officer countered him. I am acting on instructions, and I am a commissioned officer.

While the Defence Headquarters has not issued any statement regarding the incident, it posted a cryptic message on its X handle, suggesting that it was in support of Mr Yarimas action.

The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru also praised the officer, promising that the ministry will protect him if he was carrying out an official duty.

Public debate

The incident has led to intense public discussion, with some Nigerians criticising the minister for his actions and use of words, others criticising Mr Yarima for disrespecting Mr Wike, who represents President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, and still others criticising the military hierarchy for deploying soldiers over a land dispute.

The clash between Mr Wike and the naval officer occurred during the ministers visit to inspect lands in the Gaduwa district area of Abuja, where he accused the Navy of encroaching on property belonging to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA). The officer, however, maintained that the land had been legally allocated to his principals.

Noting that the disputed land belongs to former Chief of Naval Staff Mr Gambo, a retired Vice Admiral, Lere Olayinka, Mr Wikes aide, posted on X that the former military chief was scammed by the person who sold the land to him.

He needs to use his Military Might against the person who sold land meant for PARK and RECREATION to him to build DUPLEXES, not FCTA officials carrying out their lawful duties, Mr Olayinka posted.

Following the officers faceoff with his principal, Mr Olayinka explained that Mr Gambo deployed armed soldiers to the site because he was told to stop building on land he has no TITLE DOCUMENT and Building Approval.

He also stationed armed Military Men to protect the illegal development, with the Military Men threatening to shoot anyone who interfere with them, Mr Olayinka wrote.

In what appears to be military solidarity on the matter, a former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, described the ministers action as a threat to national security.

He urged Mr Wike to apologise to the military.
A bill seeking to empower civil courts to handle trials of military officers for offences and convictions, rather than the current court-martial system, has passed second reading in the Senate.

The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary, announced the passage during Wednesdays plenary after a majority of senators supported it through a voice vote.

Following its passage, the bill was referred to the Senate Committees on Defence, Army, Air Force, and Navy for further deliberation and a public hearing.

The committees were directed to report back within four weeks.

The bill, sponsored by Abdulaziz Yaradua (APC, Katsina Central), seeks to modernise Nigerias military legal framework by repealing the Armed Forces Act 2004 and introducing new provisions to align with constitutional and democratic standards.

Aside from trials and convictions in civil court, the bill also seeks to prohibit the recruitment of persons below 18 years of age into the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Additionally, it reaffirms that the President, as Commander-in-Chief, holds the sole constitutional authority to command the military, while the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) will oversee the day-to-day administration of the armed forces.

While presenting the lead debate on the bill, Mr Yaradua, a retired lieutenant colonel, said the proposed legislation would replace outdated provisions that originated from military decrees of the 1960s, arguing that the current legal framework no longer reflects modern realities.

The Armed Forces of Nigeria remain the cornerstone of our sovereignty and national security. They have stood gallantly in defence of our nation, combating insurgency and terrorism, and peacekeeping across Africa.

However, the existing Armed Forces Act, rooted in a 1960s military decree and last consolidated in 2004, no longer meets todays realities. The constitutional, operational, and global defence environment has evolved, but our military law has not kept pace.

This Bill, therefore, seeks to provide a comprehensive reform to align the Armed Forces governance with constitutional principles, democratic accountability, and modern security demands, he explained.

The senator also noted that the legislation would empower qualified military lawyers to represent the armed forces in civil courts, thereby reducing litigation costs and delays.

Qualified military lawyers will now be able to represent the Armed Forces in civil courts, reducing legal costs and delays. A dedicated Litigation Fund will support this, he said.

The debate

Contributing to the debate, Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North) said the bill would bring Nigerias military justice system in line with international best practices and democratic values.

Mr Monguno said, What this bill essentially seeks to do, or achieve, or the lacuna that it seeks to cure is that, one, it desires to give our military law not only in tandem with international best practice, but to bring it in consonance with universally acceptable, democratic principles, one of fair hearing.

For example, what this bill seeks to achieve is that reports or enquiries set up by military authorities to not serve as a basis for conviction, but rather it should be subjected to a trial by a court of law before such conviction shall be upheld. Because, as it is, it violates the principles of  you cannot be a judge in your own cause. So this is a very fundamental principle of law that this bill seeks to achieve.

And then the other arm is the enlistment of forces below the age of 18, which is now under the military law as it is now. This bill seeks to clearly state that people who are below the age of 18 cannot be enlisted into the armed forces.

This bill also seeks to subject military authorities to the command of the commander-in-chief, that is the democratically elected president or in a nutshell subject weighty authorities to the authority of democratically elected institutions so that they cannot be masters of themselves. Essentially, this bill is very important, and I urge my colleagues to support the second reading of this bill with the speed of light.

Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) also backed the proposal, saying the Armed Forces Act reforms were long overdue.

As we evolve in our democracy, there is a need to align our armed forces with modern laws, Mr Ndume said.

Similarly, Samson Ekong (PDP, Akwa Ibom South) described the bill as a profound step toward deepening Nigerias defence policy framework.

After the deliberation, the deputy senate president put the bill to a voice vote, and the senators overwhelmingly supported it.

How the military court-martial system works

Under Nigerias existing Armed Forces Act (2004), disciplinary and criminal offences committed by members of the armed forces are tried through courts-martial, special military tribunals established within the armed forces.

A court-martial is typically convened by a commanding officer or higher military authority and is empowered to try offences ranging from insubordination and desertion to mutiny, theft of arms, and even murder if committed in the line of duty.

There are two main types of courts-martial: the General Court-Martial, which handles serious offences and can impose severe punishments including dismissal or death sentences; and the Special Court-Martial, which tries less serious breaches of military discipline.

READ ALSO: How Nigerian women are reacting to suspended abortion bill

While these tribunals follow quasi-judicial procedures, including the presence of a judge advocate, who is a military lawyer to guide proceedings, their decisions are often subject to criticism for lacking independence and civilian oversight. Convictions or sentences handed down by a court-martial are usually subject to confirmation by superior military authorities before they take effect.

Many have argued that this process allows commanding officers excessive influence over trials, sometimes leading to bias, limited transparency, and violation of fair hearing principles guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution. Human rights advocates and legal experts have repeatedly called for reforms to make the military justice system more accountable to civilian judicial review.
The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has issued a 12-day ultimatum to the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) to provide detailed records of revenue generated from stamp duty charges between 2016 and 2024.

The committee also directed the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and all commercial banks in the country to submit similar records within the same period.

The committee chairman, Aliyu Wadada, who addressed journalists at the National Assembly on Thursday, said the request was part of efforts to help the federal government track revenue accruing from stamp duty and how such funds were managed or expended.

It is, of course, one thing to be able to generate revenue, and it is a different ballgame for the revenue to be judiciously put together and effectively utilised. It is in the light of that that this committee thought it wise to look at the profile of revenue as regards the stamp duty in the country.

As a result of that, this committee has written to all commercial banks to furnish it with information that will be accompanied by figures as to how much that particular bank or collectively all the commercial banks have been able to generate from 2016 to 2024.

The committee has also written to the Central Bank of Nigeria to furnish it with information accompanied with figures as to how much has actually been remitted by these commercial banks and how much has Central Bank remitted to the TSA. This committee has also written the Federal Inland Revenue Service for it to furnish it with information that should also be accompanied with figures as to how much it has generated on this category of stamp duty., he said.

On the inquiry involving state governments, Mr Wadada, who represents Nasarawa West Senatorial District, explained that the committee wrote specifically to the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, seeking a breakdown of stamp duty proceeds received by states within the nine years.

For this exercise to be all-inclusive and all-encompassing. The committee has also written to the Nigerian Governors Forum, specifically to the chairman of the forum , Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrasak of Kwara State, through its secretariat, to also furnish this committee with how much they have received as proceeds of stamp duty. This is all geared towards knowing what is where, and how effective it should be utilised, he added.

Stamp duty charges are fees imposed on banking transactions and certain legal documents. It has been a major subject of controversy in Nigeria for nearly a decade. Public scrutiny intensified around 2016 when the federal government began enforcing electronic stamp duty on bank deposits above a prescribed threshold.

Since then, disagreements have persisted among federal agencies, financial institutions and state governments over who is responsible for collecting the revenue, how much has been generated, and where the proceeds have gone.

Multiple institutions, including the CBN, FIRS, commercial banks and state governments, have at various times laid claim to portions of the revenue.

A freedom of information (FOI) request filed by The ICIR in 2018 indicated that details of the revenues from stamp duties estimated at N20 trillion at the time were opaque ,as the federal agencies involved in the collection refused to provide information.

Humongous amount was realised from stamp duty

Mr Wadada said preliminary information at the committees disposal indicates that humongous amounts were generated from stamp duty collections by the concerned agencies and state governments.

He, however, urged all parties to comply with the committees request on or before 25 November.

We have information about all these agencies, but were keeping it to ourselves for now and there is a time frame which is the 25th of this month, he said.
Managing the current crisis requires proper coordination and management of all forms of communication and engagement under the watch of the Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, who is not only an expert in international relations but an experienced diplomat. A situation in which multiple voices are haphazardly engaging with the issue or some of the parties on the opposite side, with personal opinions of public officials being amplified or misrepresented as the official position of Nigeria is not helpful.

This is one piece I am most reluctant writing, lest its intent be misunderstood. Though international relations is my primary field of study, outside of a full-length article dealing with the matter from a different angle from which most commentators have approached it, I have adopted a strategic silence since the beginning of the crisis triggered by the designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern by the US.

One reason for that is because I am of the Akpabio school of thought and the belief that in a situation of this nature, commentators have to be careful with what they say. That is even more important for the leadership and public officials. At this time, they have to be extra-cautious with who they engage with and more circumspect with what they say, especially in public. It is not a question of fear, but that of common sense, which is essentially in tune with the spirit of international diplomacy, even if the Oga on the other side is as unconventional as they come, with little or no regard for the ethos and protocols of international diplomacy, as well as the rules of international law.

I have been reporting and analysing international relations in the public arena for over three decades. Over this period, I have also been engaged in the formal study of the subject. On account of that, I am quite familiar with those who we can refer to as Nigerias foreign policy/relations elite. Interestingly, in the last few months, I have had the privilege of engaging with some of the former Foreign Affairs ministers  Professors Ibrahim Gambari and Bolaji Akinyemi, General Ike Nwachukwu, the current Minister, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, as well as some of our retired diplomats and academics in the field of international relations, who have been involved in shaping Nigerias foreign policy.

Though the three former Foreign Affairs ministers are in their 80s, I attest to their intellectual acuity, brilliance of thought and soundness of mind. I experienced this first-hand, and it has been quite an experience learning from them. But I must confess that I was a bit taken aback by the call from some commentators, well-meaning as they are, that the government should call on these distinguished Nigerians to help muster a resolution of the diplomatic crisis between Nigeria and America. As much as I understand that the idea is about leveraging on their clout, which no-one can fault, I couldnt help but ask myself some questions. Is it that we have not been able to expand our foreign policy elite class beyond these men? Where is the successor-class to this highly esteemed generation of Nigerias foreign policy elite? Or is it the case that the media has not been able to onboard new generations of the foreign policy elite?

Lest this is misunderstood, this is not to say that there is no place for our these elder statesmen in shaping our foreign policy, in how foreign relations is managed, or even in defusing the diplomatic tension that has been generated by this needless crisis, but I would have thought that their role would be more advisory at this point, just as I wonder about the obvious absence or lack of visibility of the next generation of Nigerias foreign policy elite who should be occupying the front row at this time.

Senator Babafemi Ojudu wrote a beautiful piece, at the heart of which he made a strong case for the President to appoint Special Envoys to navigate the current crisis. His argument: In moments of crisis, nations deploy their best  men and women of stature, credibility, and global acceptance  to convey their truth and win allies. Traditional diplomacy, constrained by bureaucracy and protocol, cannot match the pace and intensity of this storm. What is required now is shuttle diplomacy: nimble, high-level engagements with world leaders, policymakers, and influencers in Washington, London, Brussels, and Beijing.

I agree with his recommendation that the President should appoint Special Envoys, even as I am uneasy that it might lead to a side-tracking of the existing Foreign Affairs structure, and an over-concentration of power and a subsuming of the management of foreign affairs in an already stretched Presidency, which might backfire. But my major area of concern with the idea is with some of the names proposed as Special Envoys, distinguished as they all are.

Special envoys, appointed by the President, can move swiftly, speak frankly, and represent Nigerias moral and strategic interests with authority. Their mission: to clarify our position, correct misconceptions, prevent escalation, and reaffirm Nigerias sovereignty  without alienating our partners or surrendering our dignity.

I agree with his recommendation that the President should appoint Special Envoys, even as I am uneasy that it might lead to a side-tracking of the existing Foreign Affairs structure, and an over-concentration of power and a subsuming of the management of foreign affairs in an already stretched Presidency, which might backfire. But my major area of concern with the idea is with some of the names proposed as Special Envoys, distinguished as they all are. While their stature and credibility are not in doubt, but I wonder about them being the best fit, if we are talking about nimbleness, a key requirement for shuttle diplomacy.

Maybe they might be the best fits for one-off interventions, but as Special Envoys who might need to do a bit of back and forth, I am not sure that people who are in their 80s, with some like Chief Emeka Anyaoku, in their 90s, will be the best fit for Special Envoys. Agile as President Olusegun Obasanjo is, I am not sure this is the best way to make use of his clout and stature.

I think that many of the commentators who have put forward these names are boxed into doing so on the strength of the assumption that these Envoys must necessarily have loads of experience in international diplomacy to play this role. While experience, contacts, clout, exposure and stature matter, one doesnt have to tick all the boxes to be successful, I will argue.

Depending on the duty post and the nature of assignment, there are younger people who might not have the level of experience and exposure that the elder statesmen have, but who can definitely rise to the occasion, if given the opportunity. President Trumps Special Envoys  Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff  are not known to have had any diplomatic experience before they were appointed as Envoys. While we are not America, the template is one that can be tinkered with to suit our circumstances.

Some of the people who can serve in this capacity include former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, and Dr Kayode Fayemi. There are others, who though have not occupied those top offices but can hold their own or be groomed to be able to do so, in diplomatic circles, such as Mr Ade Adefeko, Mr Kelechi Deca-Anyanwu, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Mr John Momoh, Mr Emeka Oparah, Mrs Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, Dr Reuben Abati, Mr Kingsley Uranta, Dr Omoniyi Ibietan, Mr John Momoh, Professor Jibrin Ibrahim. Mr Abiodun Ladepo, Mr Kunle Ojeleye, Mr Chris Adetayo, Ms Chimamanda Adichie, Mr Tolu Ogunlesi, Mr Akin Fadeyi, Mr Iyinoluwa Aboyeji. These are people who can be groomed to fill this yawning gap, to serve as Nigerias next generation of foreign policy intelligentsia, along with many academics who have written extensively on Nigerias foreign policy. While some will serve as Advisers, Ambassadors, Special Envoys, along with others, not mentioned here, they can form the nucleus of a new foreign policy think-tank to shape now and the future. We also need to use this opportunity to bring onboard the younger generation, so that we dont have to wait another 20 years to realise that we have fallen short on this count again.

diplomacy in the age of Trump is a different ballgame. Successfully engaging with President Trump requires an understanding of the unconventional tools of engagement unlikely to be found in the traditional diplomacy toolkit. We have no choice but to continue to knock on the back doors and work on the back channels through asset at hands, while speedily exploring other options. Through smart and strategic engagement, we can negotiate the diplomatic leg of the crisis to the mutual benefit of both parties

One of the things the last few weeks has exposed is how dry we have been at the level of strategic thinking and scenario planning, even in the face of the emerging trends and challenges around, a point some of us conducting research in the field have been making.

It should be obvious now that we need to take training and grooming seriously. The University of Lagos offers a Masters Degree programme in International Law and Diplomacy, which I had the privilege of participating-in in 1994. It was originally designed as a Diploma programme for Nigerian diplomats before it was upgraded. At the time, we had career diplomats as classmates. I dont know what obtains now. Knowledge of international relations is great, but knowledge of international law and diplomacy is more helpful in practice. I studied both. International Law and Diplomacy will teach diplomatic practice, diplomatic and consular law, international civil litigation, maritime law, law of the seas, law of war, etc.  a rich curriculum for those taking to international diplomacy.

Without doubt, Nigeria is in need of a new generation of foreign affairs elite who are properly trained and groomed, with a good understanding of the increasingly complicated multidimensional world, in which an unconventional approach to diplomacy is running riot against the internal legal order and long-established diplomatic protocols. Given the character of the current crisis and the principalities involved, deploying a Special Envoy of the calibre that some have suggested, might not be the way to go. As canvassed by Senator Ojudu, in the interim, we can have Envoys with mandates for some stations, regions and causes, while the process of appointing ambassadors, late as it is, is being tidied up.

Managing the current crisis requires proper coordination and management of all forms of communication and engagement under the watch of the Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, who is not only an expert in international relations but an experienced diplomat. A situation in which multiple voices are haphazardly engaging with the issue or some of the parties on the opposite side, with personal opinions of public officials being amplified or misrepresented as the official position of Nigeria is not helpful.

Nigeria must continue to maintain its calmness and composure, while upping the ante with respect to strategic engagement through official and back channels. Now that it is obvious that there is a relationship between the American senator who has led the crusade and the lobbyist for a group that has been declared a terrorist organisation in Nigeria, who has continued to pitch Nigeria, which he calls the Yugoslavia of the 21st Century, as a partner to the adversaries of the US, it should be clear to us what we are up against. Our lobbyists should up their game in the battle for the minds of members of the Congress.

As we argued in the previous intervention, diplomacy in the age of Trump is a different ballgame. Successfully engaging with President Trump requires an understanding of the unconventional tools of engagement unlikely to be found in the traditional diplomacy toolkit. We have no choice but to continue to knock on the back doors and work on the back channels through asset at hands, while speedily exploring other options. Through smart and strategic engagement, we can negotiate the diplomatic leg of the crisis to the mutual benefit of both parties, while seizing on the opportunity to right the wrongs at home and build for the future, infusing into the system a new crop of foreign policy elite.

Simbo Olorunfemi is a specialist on Nigerias foreign policy, a communications consultant, and managing editor of Africa Enterprise, Email: [email protected]
On 25 November, I will be a guest of Babcock University to deliver a send-forth lecture in honor of Professor Ademola, who is concluding his term as Vice-Chancellor of the renowned institution of academic learning and development. I consider this a privilege. In a four-part essay for the media and the Babcock community, I will be explaining my involvement and engagement with the university. And what better way to start than with one of its own, someone I once referred to as the plenus and potens of Babcock University, Professor Jumoke Yacob-Haliso. I have yet to find someone who loves Babcock more than this value-driven and service-oriented academic. She speaks of the university as a committed church member and defender. I recall a conference where private universities were being criticized, and Professor Yacob-Haliso lionized the fight to exclude Babcock from such critique.

Without Professor Olajumoke Yacob-Haliso, I would not have discovered Babcock. Babcock transformed Ilishan and the entire region. The strategy worked. I am now part of Babcock! Professor Alalade, the schools first Vice-Chancellor, knew my late friend, Philip Abiola. I first visited Babcock when my friend Philip Abiola (of blessed memory) was at the seminary. At that time, Ilisan looked like a village, with the roads untarred. Years later, Professor Olajumoke Yacob-Haliso introduced me at the Awolowo lecture I delivered in Lagos. In a spacious hall filled with a large audience, her introduction was met with a thunderous ovation. However, we didnt speak that day. I had no reason to greet her.

I later met her with Professor Oni in Lead City during TOFAC, a conference named after me. Thereafter came her invitation for me to deliver a lecture titled Adopt Babcock as Your University. She gently but persistently kept up the pressure until I agreed. Together with Professor Bola Sotunsa, she hosted three major conferences that drew important figures, including former Nigerian President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, commissioners, Bishop Matthew Kukah, and Omooba Yemisi Shyllon, a preeminent and leading art collector in Nigeria.

Nigerians, I would like to properly introduce to you Her Excellency, Professor Olajumoke Yacob-Haliso, the Babcock Ambassador. She is one of the most distinguished African scholars of this era. Her work and leadership exemplify her dedication to Africas intellectual and social transformation. She is one of the few African female scholars to redefine intellectual boundaries and help expand the reservoir of knowledge about Africa and its diaspora. Her academic career spans more than two decades at the international level, extending beyond African borders into Europe and North America. With her influence, she has made numerous scholarly contributions to discussions on gender, politics, human rights, and post-conflict resolution.

With BSc, MSc, and PhD degrees in Political Science from the prestigious University of Ibadan, Professor Olajumoke Yacob-Haliso advanced through the academic ranks, becoming a Graduate Assistant in 2002, received her PhD in 2011, and became a professor in 2020. This trajectory reflects the educational journey of a resolute and resilient woman who has not only survived but also thrived in the complex academic realm. Her intellectual influence extends from the classroom to the global scholarly community, where her scholarship, built on originality, has led to the production of pioneering works on African women in post-conflict contexts, gender and democracy, refugees, and African politics. These works have fostered a greater focus on issues that have been marginalized in African studies and political science.

Her editorial roles have also amplified her intellectual efforts. She served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of International Politics and Development and co-editor of the Journal of Contemporary African Studies. She is also a member of the editorial boards of African Affairs, the International Feminist Journal of Politics, and the Journal of International Womens Studies. These platforms served as avenues for her scholastic contributions to challenge European positions and advance Afrocentric and feminist ideologies. With an academic career characterized by teamwork and intellectual generosity, Professor Yacob-Halisos leadership skills are demonstrated through mentorship and collaboration. As the Dean of the Veronica Adeleke School of Social Sciences at Babcock University, she demonstrated collegiality and interdisciplinary dialogue, serving as a bridge between faculty and students. She exhibited a participatory leadership style, creating spaces for innovation, mutual respect, and learning.

Professor Yacob-Haliso serves as co-chair of the Feminist Theory and Gender Studies Section of the International Studies Association, where she collaborates with scholars worldwide to advance the study of feminism, politics, and international relations, further demonstrating her conviction that knowledge production is a transnational endeavor. Her contributions are not limited to the academic sphere; they also extend into the social realm, serving as evidence of her commitment to society and her belief that scholarship should drive societal transformation. Her advocacy for women in post-conflict and refugee contexts has informed policy discussions on gender justice and human rights. Also, her work on displaced populations in Liberia and Nigeria has contributed to the generation of scholarly insights and the development of practical reforms in humanitarian and developmental programs.

Over the years, Professor Yacob-Haliso developed the ability to create an intellectual profile distinguished by depth, clarity, and originality. Her work on gender and post-conflict reconstruction in Africa exemplifies rigorous analysis and a mastery of comparative political methodologies. Her analytical and critical thinking skills are evident in her ability to connect empirical research and challenge assumptions about gender, democracy, and development. Her numerous publications, whether authored, co-authored, or edited, serve as a testament to these skills.

Remarkably, Professor Yacob-Halisos hard work has not gone unnoticed, with recognitions, research grants, and awards from institutions such as the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation, the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS), the African Studies Association (ASA), and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), among others. These grants and awards were all made to support her groundbreaking research on women, refugees, and post-conflict reconciliation in places such as Nigeria, Liberia, and Geneva. Her international recognitions add further credence to her position as one of the foremost contemporary African scholars. Professor Yacob-Halisos legacy, however, is not measured by the number of her awards, grants, or publications, but by her service to future scholars, women, colleagues, acquaintances, Africa, and the world.

Professor Yacob-Haliso operates with an innovative mind and approaches challenges creatively, whether social or intellectual. At Babcock University, she had tenures as head of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, where her ability to manage complex organizational challenges while creating an environment of academic excellence was key to the smooth running of affairs. She is also a recognized advocate for reforms that enhance research culture, faculty development, and curriculum development. To be candid, Professor Yacob-Halisos effectiveness in academia and leadership cannot be overstated  she embodies intellectual clarity and emotional intelligence.

The culmination of Professor Yacob-Halisos accomplishments in the intellectual and social fields reveals her commitment to advancing knowledge and humanity. She has published over ten books and numerous articles in academic journals. She has served on the editorial boards and in leadership roles within scholarly associations  all of which reveal her career as one of purpose. She represents the idea that African intellectualism is deeply rooted in the continents realities, yet globally connected.

Aside from being a world-class researcher, Professor Yacob-Haliso has lectured at prestigious universities worldwide, including Yale University, Iowa State University, and the University of Texas at Austin. In this regard, she stands out as an effective teacher, combining intellectual excellence with exceptional communication skills to translate complex theories into clear and comprehensive classroom lectures. Furthermore, she excels in administrative leadership and research management as an active contributor who enhances the global academic discourse of Africa. She currently lectures at Brandeis University as an Associate Professor of African and African American Studies, where she continues to contribute her intellectual insights to new sectors of international discourse. There, she remains a committed mentor, researcher, and exemplary teacher, keeping the stories and struggles of women alive and at the core of global discussions on justice and equality.

In the course of my work with her over the years, Professor Yacob-Haliso has consistently proven herself to be an honest and astute individual, which are qualities that are becoming increasingly rare to find in a world where one is not considered totally smart or intelligent until they have been able to use their position and intellect to perpetrate some kind of dubious activities for personal and financial gains. But not Professor Yacob-Haliso! Give her a blank check and the freedom to spend as she wants, and she will take notes, keep receipts, and account for every kobo, cent, and shilling. Her honesty has earned her the respect and trust of her colleagues and students, as well as the affection of those in her small social circle. Professor Yacob-Haliso is a model of character, leadership, and service, standing firm as an iconic figure in both African and global academia.

Through her work as a teacher, as well as her visionary and morally inclined intellect, she has proven herself as a mind builder and an institution builder; she is a mentor to the next generation of scholars and a bridge between Africa and the rest of the world. Her groundbreaking research and achievements position her as a luminary for individuals who aim to be emphatic, purposeful, and excellent in their dealings. Professor Olajumoke Yacob-Haliso is a model that every African scholar should aspire to emulate. She is a bold thinker, socially dedicated, and unapologetically human.

Toyin Falola, a professor of History, University Distinguished Teaching Professor, and Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities at The University of Texas at Austin, is the Bobapitan of Ibadanland.
This is anything but the party that its former chairman, Vincent Ogbulafor, boasted would rule for 60 years in 2008. But maybe the partys former National Secretary, Iyiola Omisore, was right after all  that the PDP is nothing without power.

If the name of the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), its secretary, or convention date were the subject of a quiz, there would not be a correct answer because answers dont exist. The best attempt would be an open-ended response: It depends.

It either depends on who has the latest favourable court ruling or who has forced their way into the partys National Secretariat in Abuja, assisted by the police, thugs or a combination of both. Why has the mighty party fallen?

In April, a faction, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and his Oyo State counterpart, Seyi Makinde, with six PDP governors and two deputy governors in attendance, agreed that the party would hold its convention on 15 and 16 November in Ibadan.

If the convention went ahead, it would be a grudge convention, over the partys dead body. What, by many accounts, would have been the partys first convention in 17 years, is now fatally derailed by court orders.

After the Reggae

After many years of chaos, compounded by post-power withdrawal syndrome, the Ibadan meeting in April presided over by Mohammed, where the governors all wore aso-ebi, offered hope of reconciliation and renewal. The party seemed to have so much wind in its sails that former Minister of Information, Jerry Gana, even said he was speaking authoritatively that former President Goodluck Jonathan might be the partys flagbearer in 2027.

Sadly, since the Ibadan meeting, dozens of the partys members, including four governors, have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), with at least two more governors predicted to be on their way out, including Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who is under self-manufactured pressure to defect.

The Seed Atiku Sowed

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who sowed the thorny seed of upending the partys rule of power rotation in the 2023 presidential primary  its best chance yet at recovery  has since left the acrimonious harvest to other undertakers. Even if Atiku and his cohorts have moved on, building a new foundation without clearing the debris of the old will remain a formidable challenge for those who stay within the ranks.

Once dominant and celebrated for its ability to manage internal conflicts as a family affair, the PDP now faces existential threats from bitter rivalries, anti-party activism, and fragmentation. It is a grave irony that a party aspiring to rule a country with over 200 million citizens is having nightmares trying to hold a national convention or, for that matter, determine who its authentic national chairman is.

In this dysfunctional state, the PDP has become a notorious example of organised chaos  one faction backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, whose voice is that of the PDP, even as his hand appears and feels like that of the ruling APC.

Gale of Suspensions

In a gale of my-suspension-is-more-effective-than-yours, Wikes faction suspended Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and five other members of the National Working Committee (NWC), alleging incompetence, financial misconduct, and defiance of court orders. It then appointed Mohammed Abdulrahman as the acting national chairman.

To avoid being caught off guard, Damagums loyalists suspended Senator Samuel Anyanwu (the national secretary), National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade, and others, signalling deep-seated mistrust and suspicion.

Apart from the pro- and anti-Wike factions, former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, also obtained a court order against the PDPs Ibadan convention over the partys refusal to allow him to purchase a nomination form to contest the chairmanship.

On top of this mess, judicial rascality compounds itself, with some judges descending into the political arena by issuing orders that even the black market would be ashamed to trade in.

Once dominant and celebrated for its ability to manage internal conflicts as a family affair, the PDP now faces existential threats from bitter rivalries, anti-party activism, and fragmentation. It is a grave irony that a party aspiring to rule a country with over 200 million citizens is having nightmares trying to hold a national convention or, for that matter, determine who its authentic national chairman is.

Vanishing Promise

This is anything but the party that its former chairman, Vincent Ogbulafor, boasted would rule for 60 years in 2008. But maybe the partys former National Secretary, Iyiola Omisore, was right after all  that the PDP is nothing without power.

APC may gloat over the crises in all opposition camps and salivate at the smell of an easy victory at the polls. However, the troubles within the PDP serve as a cautionary tale: the biggest threat to the ruling party, if its not careful, may well be its large harvest of strange bedfellows whose real motives are hardly different from those of the droves of the political almajiris who defected to the PDP in its heyday.

With the near-absolute power of Nigerias presidency, unrestricted access to resources and the copious resourcefulness of fixers, what the PDP could not do did not exist. It could get away with just about any heist. It was not only the political place to be, but it didnt need a register of membership to qualify itself as the largest political party in Africa.

When Ogbulafor made his declaration, brimming with overconfidence, all indicators and indices were in the partys favour. The PDP controlled 29 states in a 36-state federation, 263 (out of 360) seats in the House of Representatives, and 87 (out of 109) seats in the Senate. There was no other iroko as tall on an insurmountable hill like the PDPs umbrella, back in the day.

The other parties  the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Action Congress (AC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and Labour Party (LP)  were condemned to share three, two, and one state each, respectively, among themselves. All considered, PDPs boast carried the weight of anecdotal and demographic evidence.

Their Nemesis

In 2015, seven years after Ogbulafors forecast, the PDP lost its way. It imploded due to disagreements over succession, poor internal governance, corruption, and the exhaustion of ideas. Its size, which was the source of its pride, became the root of its decay, and its symbolic umbrella has been unable to weather the rain, not to speak of the storm.

The party has disappointed none but itself in failing to capitalise on the socio-economic problems witnessed under the APC to reorganise and reposition itself in Nigerias political landscape. The last few years of President Muhammadu Buharis administration were so disastrous that a serious opposition needed only a nudge to topple the ruling APC. However, the PDP was too weak and divided to seize the opportunity.

If the goal of political parties is leadership recruitment, the crises rocking the PDP indicate that there are no leaders to be recruited from its ranks. The focus of its membership and stakeholders does not suggest that they ever wanted power for any reason other than its own sake. In this, nearly all the parties are only different in their sameness.

Cautionary Tale

APC may gloat over the crises in all opposition camps and salivate at the smell of an easy victory at the polls. However, the troubles within the PDP serve as a cautionary tale: the biggest threat to the ruling party, if its not careful, may well be its large harvest of strange bedfellows whose real motives are hardly different from those of the droves of the political almajiris who defected to the PDP in its heyday.

In politics, as in life, history repeats itself.

Azu Ishiekwene is Editor-In-Chief of LEADERSHIP and author of the new book, A Midlifers Guide to Content Creation and Profit.
Governor Ododo, whether by design or destiny, has become the face of this new conversation in Kogis political journey. His task is to sustain peace, deepen governance, and prove that leadership can indeed rise above parochialism. If he succeeds, Kogi may finally shed the toga of a state perennially at war with itself. And if he stays the course, Ododos story could well become the new reference point in Kogis political evolution, a narrative where competence defines power.

By virtue of its geographical location, news about Kogi State travels far and wide. Perched at Nigerias heart and sharing borders with ten states and the Federal Capital Territory, five in the North and five in the South, Kogi is the countrys great confluence, not just of rivers but of politics, culture, and identity. This strategic location gives Kogi a distinctive place in Nigerias political and social consciousness, making it impossible to ignore. Again, this prominence often draws as much scrutiny as it does speculation. Consequently, whatever affects any of its neighbouring states often resonates across Kogi, and in turn, developments within Kogi tend to reverberate far beyond its borders.

Politics in the state naturally attracts considerable attention. In a largely civil service-driven economy, where the government remains the principal source of livelihood, politics is more than competition  it is survival. The struggle for access to power, privilege, and public resources often takes on an existential dimension. This, in turn, fuels intense competition and sometimes dangerous rivalries. Like Nigeria itself, Kogis ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity is woven intricately, creating both richness and conflicts in its political dynamics.

Unfortunately, this complexity has too often manifested in divisive tendencies: electoral violence, ethnic tension, communal clashes that dominate political discourse and shape the states image. Ethnic balancing, sectional sentiments, and mutual suspicion have long shaped our politics, often to the detriment of unity and development.

The concomitant consequences of Kogis toxic politics are visible everywhere: bad governance, welfare deficit, and the absence of tangible infrastructure that passersby can point to with pride. Violence-prone contests have robbed the state of peace and enthroned cronyism as a near-official policy. The result is a cycle of mutual suspicion and resentment.

The ripple effects go beyond the states borders. Kogites in Abuja, Lagos, or elsewhere often share in the distress of their families back home, sometimes even footing the bills of unpaid salaries. For years, Kogi seemed trapped in a cycle of missed opportunities and failed leadership. It is little wonder that many have concluded that Kogi has been unfortunate with proactive and visionary leadership.

But change, however tentative, appears to be in the air. The eldorado has not arrived, but the dark clouds seem to be lifting. Anxiety is giving way to cautious optimism. The usual lamentations over unpaid salaries have reduced drastically. Across groups and family calls, there is a noticeable shift in tone: fewer distress messages and more sighs of relief. For many, this newfound calm marks a refreshing departure from the past.

That credit, by all accounts, belongs to Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo. His emergence may have stirred controversy, but even critics now concede that a new sense of order is gradually taking root. Ododo has not only settled into office with quiet assurance but also demonstrated that leadership can be modest and outstanding. Ododos tenure has affirmed the old saying that dynamite comes in small packages. Despite initial doubts, he, from available accounts, is gradually emerging as an example of leadership anchored on service, humanity, and quiet dignity.

Interestingly, the goodwill he currently enjoys cuts across the states fault lines. I have heard people outside his ethnic base speak glowingly of his humility, restraint, and commitment. They say he listens; that he carries himself without air. In a country where the leadership selection process is flawed, and often follows the familiar pattern of patronage and power play, Ododos early days stand out for their relative calm. Of course, no system is perfect, but once leadership is conferred, the measure of a man lies in what he makes of the opportunity; his vision, his temperament, and his relationship with the people.

I have never met him personally, but my impression is drawn from conversations with residents, civil servants, and casual observers who speak of a governor focused more on results than rhetoric. The consistent theme across these accounts from reports and testimonies, filtering out is that the governor is a reference point for service-driven leadership and a reminder that governance can be humane without being weak.

Still, governance is not merely about personal virtues. Beyond humility and modesty, true leadership must translate into tangible improvements in peoples lives. Good governance, development initiatives, and transparency are the real test. Without them, leadership becomes vacuous and a mere rhetoric dressed in good manners. Though I have not personally verified all his projects, credible reports suggest progress in infrastructure and social services. New township roads have been completed in areas such as Idah, Omala, Ayingba, and Ankpa, including the ongoing erosion control project in parts of Kogi East, as well as similar efforts in Kogi Central and Kogi West.

In education and agriculture, Governor Ododo appears to be making commendable efforts. His initiatives on free education, payment of school fees for indigent students, regular salary payments to teachers, and the prompt settlement of pensions have earned positive reviews. Institutions such as Kogi State University, Kabba, and the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, are becoming testaments to the states growing investment in human capital. As the son of a farmer, Ododos apparent interest in agriculture and food security resonates well with the people, given Kogis vast arable land and potential as a food-producing hub.

Still, the road ahead is long. The intangible aspects of governance such as fairness, inclusivity, and respect for diversity remain as important as physical development. Kogi is a microcosm of Nigeria, with its delicate ethnic balance and complex inter-group relations. How Ododo manages this mix will ultimately define his legacy. Peace, after all, is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of justice and opportunity.

As someone who once served the state and understands its inner workings, I know how much Kogi still lacks. Basic infrastructure, functional healthcare, and industrial development remain elusive. The challenge is to convert todays relative calm into long-term progress, build roads that connect communities, industries that employ the youth, and systems that outlive politics. The people deserve not just peace but prosperity, infrastructure development, economic renewal and social justice.

Kogi deserves a new chapter, one where politics no longer overshadows governance, and where public office becomes truly synonymous with public service. Governor Ododo may just be the symbol and starting point of that conversation. His success, if sustained, will not only redefine the political dynamics of Kogi but also offer a template for leadership in a state where hope has too often been deferred.

Governor Ododo, whether by design or destiny, has become the face of this new conversation in Kogis political journey. His task is to sustain peace, deepen governance, and prove that leadership can indeed rise above parochialism. If he succeeds, Kogi may finally shed the toga of a state perennially at war with itself. And if he stays the course, Ododos story could well become the new reference point in Kogis political evolution, a narrative where competence defines power.

Zainab Suleiman Okino (FNGE) is Vice Chairman of Blueprint Newspapers and chairs its Editorial Board. She is a syndicated columnist and can be reached via [email protected]
Addressing the critical issues of unemployment and the proliferation of financial scams in Nigeria, the TenTrade Africa Partner Conference held last Saturday, 11th October championed financial literacy as the most effective tool for empowerment. The summit highlighted TenTrades commitment to providing the public with the knowledge and resources necessary to navigate global markets safely.

Knowledge as the Ultimate Defense Against Scams

Speakers emphasised that widespread financial education is the best long-term strategy to protect citizens from predatory schemes. Mr Victor Ufot, Managing Director TenTrade Africa, articulated this core mission.

One of our goals is to actually teach people how investing is done. What is realistic, what is unrealistic so its all about empowering our young people on how to be financially intelligent, he said.

This educational drive is backed by the companys commitment to regulatory integrity, working with the SEC to ensure that the environment is safe for legitimate financial activities.

Creating New Jobs and Income Streams

The conference showcased how developing financial skills offers a powerful solution to high unemployment. For people seeking an alternative to traditional jobs, the digital market provides immediate opportunities.

TenTrade Partner Mr David Ukechuku Nwoye noted that getting involved with TenTrades partnership model and its Funded Programme allows individuals to overcome the initial hurdle of low capital and access at least five streams of income. This transforms financial trading from a specialist activity into a massive opportunity for job creation.

Breaking Down Barriers to Education

A key focus was on making high-quality financial training accessible to everyone, regardless of background or income. Ms Princess Momodu, Partnership Manager, confirmed the firms pledge to remove financial barriers to knowledge.

We give you access to a trading academy, which is totally free for a very good and standard academy you should pay up to $1,000, but at TenTrade, it is free.

The TenTrade Africa Partner Conference concluded with a focus on this ethos of self-empowerment, urging all ambitious Africans to seize the knowledge and security now available.

As Ms Momodu summarized the spirit of the event: It is not what is available and unavailable that determines your success in life. It is what you convince yourself is true.

Unlock the blueprint and join the community shaping Africas financial revolution by visiting https://bit.ly/tentradereg
The National Council on Agriculture and Food Security (NCAFS), Nigerias apex policy-making and coordinating body for the agricultural sector, convened its annual summit with a renewed commitment to achieving national food sovereignty and security in Kaduna this week.

The Council, comprising federal and state ministries of agriculture, development partners, research institutions, and private sector stakeholders, continues to drive strategic initiatives aimed at reducing reliance on food imports and ensuring universal access to safe and nutritious food for all Nigerians.

As part of the summits official activities, the Minister of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari; the Minister of State for Agriculture, Dr Aliyu Sabi Abdullah; the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi; and all 36 State Commissioners of Agriculture undertook a courtesy visit to the Olam Integrated Feed and Protein (IFP) facility in Kaduna State on 5th November 2025. The visit served as a recognition of Olams exemplary contribution to Nigerias agricultural transformation.

As one of the largest integrated agribusinesses in the country, Olam operates across the entire agricultural value chainfrom feed milling and poultry production to rice processing, grain trading, and animal protein development.

During the visit, Olam Agri  IFP Business Head, Amit Agarwal, provided the delegation with a comprehensive overview of the facilitys layout, operational capacity, and strategic growth projections.

The Council commended Olams commitment to innovation, scale, and sustainability, positioning the company as a model for private sector engagement in strengthening Nigerias food systems.

This engagement underscores the Councils commitment to fostering public-private partnerships that drive agricultural development and enhance food security nationwide.
Chinese beauty brands shine during "Double 11" by tapping culture, technology

Xinhua) 14:18, November 13, 2025

JINAN, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese beauty brands have shone during this year's "Double 11" shopping festival as more consumers embrace their products that blend traditional aesthetics with cutting-edge scientific research.

From established names like Proya, Winona and Chando to niche emerging brands, many offer sought-after products and rank among the top sellers on major e-commerce platforms.

Proya topped the beauty product sales on Alibaba's Tmall platform during the "Double 11" shopping promotions, which ran from Oct. 15 to Nov. 11. More domestic brands also made it into the top 20 this year.

Industry data from ENDATA shows that most consumers of domestic cosmetic products are between the ages of 18 and 44, with women under 30 being the core consumer group. With strong cultural literacy and an eye for design, these consumers have been drawn to Chinese aesthetics -- product designs and brand philosophies rooted in traditional Chinese culture, combining history with modernity.

"The growing popularity of Chinese cosmetics stems from cultural confidence rather than marketing alone," said Gao Chunming, president of the Shandong Cosmetics Industry Association. "Since younger generations prefer brands with a Chinese cultural identity, local brands are responding by integrating oriental aesthetics into their products."

"Our brand name, 'Lian,' originates from the traditional lotus culture," said Jiang Liangyan, the brand manager of Yilian, which has sold more than 1 million items during the online shopping festival. "We even draw on traditional aesthetics such as Song Dynasty (960-1279) ceramics to develop our gift boxes."

Searches on major e-commerce platforms have revealed that traditional cultural elements, including Chinese flowers, blue and white porcelain, and landscape painting, have become popular in product and packaging designs, and they have strong appeal among young consumers.

But culture is not the only consumption driver. A growing number of ingredient-centric and efficacy-driven consumers now prioritize product safety and efficacy over low prices.

"For Chinese cosmetics brands to succeed, they must combine storytelling with scientific research and proven efficacy," Gao said. "Only genuine breakthroughs in core technology can win lasting consumer trust."

Using a globally pioneering enzyme-cutting technology, Bloomage Biotech produces hyaluronic acid (HA) of different molecular weights used by leading global brands, said Shi Yanli, a materials scientist for the company.

A report from U.S. consulting firm Frost &Sullivan has shown that China accounted for more than 84 percent of global hyaluronic acid sales in 2023.

"China's distinctive plant resources are a treasure trove with tremendous industrial potential," said Du Hong, secretary general of the Guangdong Cosmetics Quality Management Association. "As consumers increasingly pursue natural and green products, plant-based cosmetics are expected to become new drivers of industry growth."

Facial mask brand Mask Family has developed products using ingredients from over a dozen traditional medicinal plants, including camellia seeds and white truffles. "We hold more than 50 core patents," said Huang Xiaodong, the company's founder and chairman.

Lin Tong, a 23-year-old university student in Jinan, capital of east China's Shandong Province, is a fan of domestic cosmetic products with plant-based ingredients. "They work really well and I feel completely assured using them," Lin said.

And the appeal is spreading abroad. According to China's General Administration of Customs, cosmetics exports rose 11.7 percent year on year to 36.68 billion yuan (about 5.2 billion U.S. dollars) in the first eight months of 2025, marking a third consecutive year of double-digit growth.

"Our products are adjusted in accordance with local preferences, and we also collaborate with local influencers on livestreaming e-commerce sales," said Cui Hui, public relations manager at cosmetics company Meishang.

Thanks to localized operations, various products from Meishang sub-brand Colorkey have become popular among consumers in Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia.

At the 35th International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists Congress held in September in Cannes, France, several Chinese cosmetics companies were invited to deliver reports on their research findings, including microbiome skincare findings from Dr. Alva, a sub-brand of Freda.

"Our team unveiled two new research breakthroughs in microbiome skincare, which drew considerable attention," said Yuan Chunying, a research and development engineer at Dr. Alva.

"Chinese enterprises should learn from global leaders in research and development to develop more high-quality, consumer-focused products," Yuan noted.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Zhong Wenxing)
On November 17, the feature film by filmmaker Isabel Castro will be released on Netflix, reviving the essence of the queen of Tejano music and a symbol of Latino identity

Corpus Christi hasnt changed much since Selena Quintanilla sang Como la Flor at rodeos and fairs in South Texas. The Gulf wind still carries the scent of gasoline and cotton, and her smile remains unchanged on the statue on the waterfront, as if tragedy hadnt touched her.

Now, three decades after her murder at the age of 23, a new documentary reopens the Quintanilla family archives. It does so not with nostalgia, but with an unprecedented intimacy. The project is directed by Isabel Castro, 35, a Mexican-born filmmaker raised in Connecticut and known for her documentary Mija (2022), about young Latinas who dream of succeeding in the music industry.

When Selenas family decided they were finally ready to make a documentary, they were already familiar with my work. Mija touched on many of the issues they wanted to explore: identity, music, Mexican heritage. And thats how we met, Castro recalls about the genesis for this new documentary, Selena y Los Dinos: A Familys Legacy, which will premiere on Netflix on November 17. It was Suzette Quintanilla, Selenas older sister and drummer for the band Los Dinos, who first reached out to her. We had great chemistry from the start. Shortly after, the entire team traveled to Corpus Christi, and upon arrival, she opened her family archive. It was a closet full of VHS tapes, DVDs, home recordings At that moment, I understood there was an opportunity to do something different, something authentic.

That closet became the basis for the documentary. For more than two years, Castro and her team cataloged and digitized all the material. It was a very long process, but also a very intimate one, Castro acknowledges. During that time, trust was built with the family. They understood that I didnt want to make another film about the tragedy, but about Selenas life, joy, and creative force.

Throughout the conversation, Castro seamlessly switches between English and Spanish, as if the two languages intertwine like their identities. Im Mexican, but I also grew up in the United States. I never felt completely from either country, she says. And thats precisely what connected me so deeply to Selena. She was one of the first figures I saw being completely herself, unapologetic for not fitting in. She was criticized for not speaking perfect Spanish, and she didnt care. She taught us not to apologize for who we are. That confidence was vital for me as a Mexican-American.

Isabel Castro, in Miami, Florida, in October 2025. Romain Maurice (Getty Images)

Castro speaks calmly, but with the passion of someone who knows shes touching on a shared cultural wound. In Selena y Los Dinos, the director moves away from the Hollywood portrayal and focuses on the woman behind the Queen of Tejano music. What surprised me most when reviewing the archives was the level of family involvement, the filmmaker explains. I knew they had worked together, but I didnt imagine to what extent. A.B. III [Abraham Isaac Quintanilla, Selenas brother] was a brilliant producer; Suzette, a key member of the band; Marcella [her mother], the heart that held everything together. Together they built a sound that is still heard everywhere. Selena was only 23 years old, but in that short time they created more hits than many artists do in their entire careers.

Before the interview ends, Castro agrees to a lighthearted question: her favorite Selena song and outfit. She laughs. My favorite song is Como la flor, without a doubt. And my favorite look isnt an outfit, its the cow print. In fact, during the conversation with EL PAIS, she herself is wearing a cow-print belt.

The film, which arrives on Netflix after screening at several festivals, including Sundance where it won Best Documentary, not only rescues the memory of an artist. It also gives Selena back her voice in a universal language: that of authenticity. In an era where identities continue to be challenged, Castro achieves what seemed impossible: to make Selena, 30 years later, sing again for her audience in 109 countries and more than 32 languages.

Three decades after a loss that marked an entire generation, Selenas name, which does not require a last name, continues to resonate throughout the continent. While the documentary revives her voice on screen, the temporary exhibition Selena: From Texas to the World will open its doors at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles between January 15 and March 16, 2026, showing for the first time outside of Texas the red Porsche, dozens of portraits, costumes, gold records, and the original awards of the short-lived and young legend that was Selena Quintanilla-Perez.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
A member of the House of Representatives, Clement Jimbo, has been elevated to the prestigious rank of Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors.

The investiture will take place on 21 November during the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) 31st Biennial Conference and General Meeting in Abuja.

Mr Jimbo, a quantity surveyor, represents Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Abuja.

He is the deputy chairman of the House Committee on National Planning and Economic Development.

Mr Jimbo holds a Bachelor of Science degree in quantity surveying from the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and was certified as a chartered surveyor by the Royal Institute of Quantity Surveyors and the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors.

The 42-year-old federal lawmaker is a former president of the National Association of Quantity Surveying Students.

An elated Mr Jimbo said of his forthcoming investiture: Reaching the apex of ones profession is spine-chilling, thrilling and nostalgic.

The journey from 2002 to here is that of raw courage, laced with life-changing lessons; twists and turns, ups and downs, uncertainties, etc., all summed up to today. To every single persons contribution to this journey, I owe you a sincere depth of gratitude.

Our elders, women, colleagues, friends and nature, I am grateful. Very worthy of mention is Dr Martin Akpan  he gave me the last kick of a dead horse that pushed me back into the race.

To God be the glory.

The NIQSs 31st Biennial Conference and General Meeting will be held at the Army Conference Centre and Suites (NACCAS), Abuja, beside the Polo Club, before Lungi Barracks.

It begins on 19 November and ends on 22 November.

The theme of the conference is Rebuilding Nigeria: Enhancing National Development through Fiscal Reforms, Infrastructure Planning and the New Governance Imperative.
Erisco Foods Limited today highlighted its endorsements from the Association of Nigeria Private Medical Practitioners (ANPMP) and the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, underscoring the companys unwavering commitment to producing genuinely healthy and natural food products.

These endorsements, granted after a thorough review of Erisco Foods production processes and ingredient quality, confirm that Eriscos tomato paste is a trusted and beneficial choice for health-conscious consumers nationwide. The recognition from these reputable organisations validates the companys promise of 100% Natural Goodness and reinforces its philosophy that Great Quality and Great Taste can go hand-in-hand with a healthy lifestyle.

A company spokesperson Nnamdi Nwokolo stated, These endorsements are a source of great pride. They demonstrate that our rigorous standards for quality and purity are recognized and endorsed by Nigerias leading medical and nutritional experts. We are not just a food company; we are a health partner for every Nigerian family, committed to supporting the call to Eat Healthy to Live Longer.'

Erisco Foods remains dedicated to its mission of feeding Africans with healthy foods and will continue to work closely with health and wellness communities to ensure its products consistently meet the highest standards of nutritional value and consumer safety.

As further justification of the endorsements Erisco Foods Limited remains the only Tomato paste manufacturer to ever receive the prestigious National Productivity Order of Merit Award from the Federal Government of Nigeria.

It serves as a powerful testament to the companys commitment to excellence, and sustainable productivity while setting it apart from other manufacturers when it comes to quality
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has commended the President of the Court of Appeal, Hon Justice Monica Bolnaan Dongban-Mensem, for approving the establishment of the Abeokuta Division of the Court of Appeal, describing it as a landmark decision that will deepen justice delivery and strengthen the ease of doing business in the state.

The governor made the remarks while addressing participants at the State Treasury Board Meeting for the 20252028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and the 2026 Budget Session held at the Obas Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. He expressed profound gratitude to Justice Dongban-Mensem for what he called a visionary and pragmatic approval that recognises Ogun States strategic importance in Nigerias judicial and economic landscape, noting that she has demonstrated exceptional understanding of the challenges faced by the state and its growing judicial workload.

Mr Abiodun said the President of the Court of Appeal deserves commendation for graciously approving the establishment of the Ogun State Division of the Court of Appeal, adding that her leadership has brought renewed vigour to the appellate system. He said her decision reflects a deep commitment to justice, fairness, and accessibility, noting that she has shown outstanding foresight by granting the approval in response to the peculiar needs of Ogun State.

The governor explained that the state government had earlier met all requirements set by the Court of Appeal for the establishment of the new division. He said his administration had deliberately ensured that every necessary condition was fulfilled, from providing land to ensuring infrastructure readiness because of the value the institution brings to the justice system and the states economy.

Mr Abiodun stressed that the new court would not only bring justice closer to the people but would also play a key role in enhancing investor confidence and promoting economic growth. He said the project was a major pillar in the states Ease of Doing Business Index and a significant enabler of commercial activity.

According to him, about 75 percent of appeal cases handled by the Ibadan Division originate from Ogun State, making it imperative to have a division in Abeokuta where business and commercial disputes can be dispensed with expeditiously, giving investors greater confidence to invest in the state.

The governor revealed that the site for the new Court of Appeal complex had already been secured adjacent to the Judiciary Complex along Kobape Road, Abeokuta, and that construction would begin immediately. He said his administration would not wait for federal funding before commencing the project and would finance it pending future reimbursement, adding that the court would be completed and fully operational before the end of his tenure.

Governor Abiodun reiterated that the establishment of the Abeokuta Division was a testament to the foresight and fairness of Justice Dongban-Mensem and her dedication to efficient justice delivery across the country. He said the new division would significantly decongest the Ibadan Division, ensure timely resolution of appeals, and bring judicial services closer to the people of Ogun State.

The governor also commended the Ogun State judiciary for its steadfast cooperation and professionalism, describing it as the last hope of the common man and a vital partner in the states progress. He said the synergy between the executive and judicial arms of government had contributed immensely to the successes recorded by his administration and reaffirmed his commitment to providing the judiciary with the best working environment and support.

Mr Abiodun said the decision to establish the new Court of Appeal division was both a judicial and governance milestone, aligning perfectly with his administrations commitment to institutional reform, equitable governance, and economic development. He described the move as a legacy project that would stand as a symbol of collaboration between the federal judiciary and the Ogun State Government.

The governor concluded by saying that the Abeokuta Division of the Court of Appeal would revolutionise the justice delivery system in Ogun State, reduce delays, and make justice swifter, fairer, and more accessible, while reinforcing confidence in governance and the rule of law.
Activities at the secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Calabar, Cross River State, were disrupted on Wednesday by protesting members who demanded the immediate resignation of the states party chairman, Alphonsus Eba.

The protesters, who included the party chairpersons and secretaries from the 35 local government areas, padlocked the gate of the secretariat.

Armed with placards, the protesters accused the chairman of being high-handed and of financial mismanagement.

Some of the placards read: We are tired of your insolence and arrogance, APC in Cross River needs fresh air, Eba must go, and Eba, your time is up, you must resign.

It would be recalled that chairpersons and secretaries of the party from the 35 local government areas, after their meeting on Tuesday, issued a communique calling for Mr Ebas resignation.

The meeting, convened under the banner of Forum of APC Chapter Chairmen and Secretaries, accused Mr Eba of destabilising, destructive, and anti-progressive actions in the partys affairs in Cross River.

The forum chairman, Kelvin Njong, who read the communique, demanded Mr Ebas resignation.

They also accused the chairman of instigating chapter and ward party officials against the chapter leadership.

They further accused him of refusal to remit the percentage meant for the local government areas and wards from the sales of forms during the 2023 general elections.

While the local government areas and wards comprising of 5,778 party officials were given N9.2 million, the state executive with just 36 members took N40 million.

This is a gross injustice and typical of the chairman. We also have other sundry remittances from the National Secretariat that are unaccounted for, they said.

However, Mr Eba dismissed allegations of high-handedness and financial mismanagement levelled against him by the chapter chairpersons.

Mr Eba described the accusations as laughable, insisting that the chapter chairpersons were running away from their shadows after allegedly embezzling N60 million meant for ward and chapter executives.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that police personnel were on the ground to ensure that there was no breakdown of law and order during the protest.
The police in Enugu State have arraigned a 29-year-old woman for falsely accusing her husband of raping their two daughters.

The woman, Chisom Okonkwo, was arraigned before the Magistrate Court in Enugu State earlier in November, according to a police officer who did not give the exact date.

The woman, in August 2024, reportedly raised an alarm that her husband, Ozioma Okonkwo, allegedly raped two of their daughters, who were aged two and five.

Chisom, it was gathered, subsequently reported the husband to the police in the state, insisting that Mr Okonkwo raped the two children.

Based on the report, the police subsequently arrested the suspect and detained him pending investigation into the allegation.

Police detention

At the police facility, Mr Okonkwo was shocked to hear that his wife had reported him to the police.

In a video clip that has now gone viral on social media, Mr Okonkwo declined to make a written statement, citing that his wife could not have made the allegation against him.

No, no, no. Theres a mistake somewhere. Madam, are you sure Ozioma made this report against me? a shocked Mr Okonkwo asked a female police officer, apparently doubtful that his wife made the allegation.

My own children that I love so much? My wife? No. Its not my own wife, he said repeatedly, demanding to speak with the wife to confirm she made the report before writing his statement.

Chisom cannot just wake up and lie against me. No. Its not Chisom.

Some police officers were heard in the background of the clip ordering him to make a written statement to deny or admit committing the alleged offence.

False allegation, charges

PREMIUM TIMES reliably gathered from police sources that following Mr Okonkwos insistence that he did not rape his daughters, the police ordered a medical examination of the daughters  all minors.

The test results revealed that the children have not been defiled at all contrary to the wifes claim, a police officer, who asked not to be named, told this newspaper.

Angered by the findings, the police filed a two-count charge of criminal defamation and false information against Chisom.

Count one reads: That you, Chisom Okonkwo, sometime in the month of August 2024, along Adoration Junction, opposite Dan-Legal Hotel, Emene, Enugu, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did defame the character of one Okonkwo Ozioma by shouting in public that he defiled your two daughters, which has exposed him to hatred, contempt and ridicule, thereby damaging his reputation.

The police told the court that the offence was contrary to Section 323 and punishable under Section 325 of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, 2004.

The second count reads: That you, Chisom Okonkwo, on October 27, 2025, at the State Intelligence Department (SID), Enugu, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did give false information to police detectives that Okonkwo Ozioma defiled your two daughters, leading to his arrest and detention, knowing the information to be false, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 154(1)(a)&(b) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, 2004.
The Lagos State Government says it has cleared beggars and other individuals reportedly causing nuisance along the KetuAlapere corridor as part of its ongoing environmental sanitation and urban order campaign.

The operation, which was led by the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), was confirmed by the state Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday.

Operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps @LAGESCOfficial today commenced a clearance operation at Ketu-Alapere, removing beggars and other individuals constituting nuisance along the road median, Mr Wahab tweeted.

All the individuals arrested will be profiled and handed over to the appropriate authorities for necessary actions, he added.

Mr Wahab shared a video showing officials evacuating the beggars from the busy stretch of road, which connects the Lagos Mainland to major transport routes leading to the Island.

The commissioner said the exercise is part of a broader strategy to maintain order, promote free traffic flow, and preserve public spaces.

Every part of Lagos must reflect the standard of a #CleanerLagos and a #GreaterLagos, he said.

The KetuAlapere action follows similar operations across key areas in Lagos, including Ojota, Oshodi, Berger, and Mile 2, where authorities have intensified enforcement against street trading, roadside begging, and indiscriminate dumping of refuse.

Officials of LAGESC and the Kick Against Indiscipline brigade have increased patrols along major highways and bus stops in recent months to discourage such activities.

The operation builds on earlier initiatives by the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, which in 2021 began removing beggars and destitute persons from streets, markets, under bridges, uncompleted buildings, and other unfit areas for human habitation.

The exercise, tagged Rescue Operation, was carried out by a special team from the Ministrys Rescue and Rehabilitation department, in collaboration with the Police, Man O War, and volunteers.

At a press conference at Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Olusegun Dawodu, the then-State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, said the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration will actively prevent the state from becoming a haven for beggars.

Street begging is a social vice that we cannot afford to let escalate; otherwise, all the good plans to transform our dear State would be adversely affected, he added.

Critics, however, argue that the state government has no comprehensive plan to assist the beggars and destitute people by providing accommodation and jobs for them. Hence, they often return to the streets days or weeks after the Lagos government carries out the evacuations.
JOTO PR Disruptors has signed 1840 & Company, a global outsourcing and staffing leader, to drive visibility around its mission to empower businesses with remote, vetted talent in over 150 countries.

TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Bridging the global talent gap has become a top business priority as advances in AI and digital transformation accelerate at breakneck speed. Few industries feel this pressure more acutely than technology, where demand for specialized skills outpaces available talent even amid high-profile layoffs. At the center of this shifting landscape is 1840 & Company, an Overland Park, Kansas-based workforce solutions pioneer.

"1840 & Company is at the forefront, providing a lifeline for businesses to tap into a global talent pool that is skilled, cost-effective, and ready to drive growth."

JOTO PR Disruptors signed the innovative global staffing provider because its forward-thinking modelconnecting businesses to hard-to-find experts in fields like AI, marketing, finance, cybersecurity, and other high-demand areasperfectly aligns with the sensibility behind the agency's disruptive Anti-PR philosophy.

"Organizations can't afford to fall behind by clinging to yesterday's hiring models," said Karla Jo Helms, Chief Evangelist and Anti-PR Strategist for JOTO PR. "1840 & Company is closing the skills gap by leveraging global talent pools and delivering the expertise companies need today."

The partnership with JOTO PR will elevate 1840 & Company's leadership in the global talent revolution, positioning the firm as a go-to authority on remote workforce management and borderless hiring. "The traditional 9-to-5, office-centric model is obsolete," said Helms. "Companies that cling to outdated hiring practices are losing their competitive edge. 1840 & Company is at the forefront, providing a lifeline for businesses to tap into a global talent pool that is skilled, cost-effective, and ready to drive growth."

Recent workforce trends show a paradox: despite some tech layoffs, the demand for specialized skills in areas like AI and cybersecurity is soaring. This creates a critical skills gap that slows innovation and leaves companies vulnerable. 1840 & Company addresses this by connecting businesses with highly skilled professionals in over 150 countries, reducing hiring costs by up to 70% while ensuring compliance and managing global payroll.

"The conversation has shifted from simple cost savings to securing critical, hard-to-find skills," Helms continued. "1840 & Company understands that speed and specialization are the new currencies. They are not just filling seats; they are building resilient, scalable workforces that empower businesses to compete on a global stage.

About JOTO PR Disruptors

JOTO PR Disruptors is the Anti-PR agency behind some of the fastest-growing tech and innovation brands in the U.S. By applying crisis management techniques and modern media algorithms, JOTO PR creates third-party credibility campaigns that produce measurable results and build undeniable market influence. Learn more at www.jotopr.com

About 1840 & Company

1840 & Company is a global business process outsourcing and staffing provider helping companies of all sizes solve staffing and skills shortfalls. With flexible hiring options and operations in over 150 countries, 1840 delivers tailored workforce solutions to drive growth and efficiency. Learn more at www.1840andco.com.

Media Inquiries:

Karla Jo Helms

JOTO PR 

727-777-4629

Jotopr.com

SOURCE JOTO PR
Proven industry leader brings focus on innovation

LONDON, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Acosta Europe announced today that Nicole Brittain has joined the organisation as president. In this role, Brittain oversees go-to-market strategy, business operations, and innovation, reporting to Lisa Koth, Acosta Group Chief Strategy Officer and EVP, Acosta Europe. Acosta Europe is comprised of Reach and Dee Set, two of Europe's leading agencies specializing in retail and field marketing. The organisation is a business unit of Acosta Group, a collective of the most trusted retail, marketing, and foodservice agencies empowering brands and retailers to win in the modern marketplace.

Nicole Brittain, President, Acosta Europe

Brittain joins Acosta Europe from her most recent role leading the EMEA commercial strategy for Shark Ninja. Previously, she served as Managing Director International for Enjoy Technology, working with governments and securing corporate partnerships, and holding P&L responsibility. For over ten years, Brittain held a variety of key sales and operations leadership roles with Tesco in the UK and Northern Ireland.

"We are exceptionally pleased that Nicole is leading Acosta Europe," said Koth. "She brings an insider's understanding of retail as well as leadership experience in technology- and innovation-focused organisations. Acosta Europe's growth has been driven by a technology-enabled, people-powered approach to retail, with our field professionals now numbering over 4,500. Nicole's leadership will ignite and further strengthen our culture as well as the differentiated growth and industry positioning of Acosta Europe."

"I consider it a tremendous honour to lead this team and work alongside such brilliant agency leaders," said Brittain. "Clients and customers are looking to us for more answers than ever before to stretch their dollars and drive sales. Our Global Technology Hub allows us to work smarter and faster  and our understanding of the business is unmatched. My goal is to ensure we are at the leading edge of innovation for the benefit of the brands and retailers we serve."

In addition to her corporate leadership, Brittain holds business qualifications in Employment Law CPD (Eversheds), is a Certified Mediator (ACAS), and studied at Oxford Said Business School, University of Oxford. She also serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees for NHS Shropshire.

For more information about Acosta Europe please visit www.acosta-europe.com.

About Acosta Europe

Acosta Europe creates progressive, customised solutions for its clients across the retail spectrum. Its comprehensive view of the industry and deep understanding of brands, customers, and retailers drives client success. Acosta Europe, which includes Reach and Dee Set, is part of Acosta Group, a global collective of the most trusted retail, marketing, and foodservice agencies.

Reach has been a leading field sales agency in the UK since 1975, joining Acosta Europe in 2017. With its retail roots, Reach builds sustainable growth strategies with its world-class suite of bespoke software apps, using AI technology to turn complex data into actionable insights for brands and retailers at scale and speed.

Dee Set, established in 2001, is a retail solutions business that helps brands and retailers sell more. The company works with some of the UK's biggest brands and retailers including Morrisons, Asda, Arla, and Innocent across merchandising, fulfilment and big data analysis. The company has a retail specialist based within ten miles of 97% of the UK's retail stores. In spring 2022, the company launched Reapp, a tech brand set to digitally disrupt the grocery market. Reapp's expertise crosses all major retail channels and categories.

SOURCE Acosta Group
A writer and two lawyers experienced in international cases are behind the case into Italians who allegedly paid to shoot civilians during the Bosnian War

Milans Attorney Generals Office is moving to learn more about the alleged human safaris in Sarajevo, denounced in Italy by a writer and two prominent lawyers experienced in complex cases. It is suspected that during the Bosnian War in the 1990s, some Italians paid to travel to Sarajevo and shoot civilians from the hills controlled by Serb-Bosnian militias.

We have submitted documentation full of evidence that warrants further investigation, which we have suggested to the court. We firmly believe that it can lead to the identification of at least some of those responsible for these horrendous crimes, lawyer Nicola Brigida told EL PAIS in a telephone conversation. He hopes that eventually the name of at least one suspect will emerge, which could speed up the investigation.

On Wednesday, new details emerged about one of the key sources cited in the complaint  a former Bosnian intelligence agent who is expected to be one of the main witnesses and will be called to testify. The ex-agent claims that in 1993, they informed Italys intelligence agency, then known as SISMI, about the existence of these organized trips.

They replied two or three months later: Weve discovered that the safari departs from Trieste. Weve stopped it, and there will be no more safaris, the former agent stated in his testimony, according to Italian media reports.

The route of these so-called war tourists began with a flight from Trieste, the Italian city near the Slovenian border, to Belgrade, and from there they traveled by road to Sarajevo.

After that, nothing more was heard about the matter. We didnt obtain the names of the hunters or the organizers from SISMI; there should be a SISMI document certifying this, the source noted.

In other words, there could be classified information on the subject within Italian state archives. This raises a crucial question: why were no actions taken against these individuals at the time? One of the formal requests to Milans Attorney Generals Office is precisely to verify whether Italy still holds a copy of that documentation.

Brigida, who prefers not to provide further details about the case in order to let the investigators work, is one of the lawyers who drafted the complaint submitted to Milans Attorney Generals Office in July, which became public this week. He did so alongside former magistrate Guido Salvini, using material collected by journalist and writer Ezio Gavazzeni, who has been investigating this matter for years and subsequently sought their legal advice.

Brigida has extensive experience handling highly complex cases regarding missing Italians in Chile and Argentina. Specifically, he participated in trials against Admiral Emilio Massera and Generals Suarez Mason and Jose Antonio Rivera of the Argentine military junta, who were key figures during the dictatorship (1976-1983). And worked on cases involving Oscar Alfonso Podlech Michaud, a senior official under Pinochets dictatorship in Chile. He was also involved in cases concerning victims of Operation Condor, the coordinated campaign of repression carried out across South American dictatorships in the 1970s and 1980s, and attacks during Italys Years of Lead, such as the 1980 Bologna train station bombing.

The other lawyer, Guido Salvini, is a respected former magistrate, now practicing law, who in the past investigated highly secretive and dark networks, including Italian neofascist terrorism and the secret military network Gladio.

Given the cases he has handled throughout his career, Brigida admits that it is hard for him to be surprised: This story has surprised me to a certain extent: after dealing with things like the death flights [in Argentina], nothing surprises me anymore. He points out that the group in question is a group of criminals with a common profile: Evil people, perhaps also ideologically motivated, passionate about weapons, who went to shooting ranges.

The two lawyers have joined this difficult battle for the truth, which began with the submission of a 17-page complaint to Milans Attorney Generals Office, outlining a series of leads, clues, and potential witnesses to be interrogated  threads that Prosecutor Alessandro Gobbis, now in charge of the case, can follow up.

Obviously, our report was considered well-founded and serious, and deserved to be verified and investigated. The [Milan] Attorney Generals Office has opened an investigation, which it has delegated to the anti-terrorism section of the ROS [Raggruppamento Operativo Speciale, a Carabinieri unit specializing in terrorism], the lawyer explained.

It was universally known

This news has caused a stir in Italy, but the Italian writer and activist Adriano Sofri  who was in Sarajevo during the Bosnian War and sent reports to Italian newspapers  published an article on Wednesday in which he argues that the practice was universally known. Furthermore, he says the participants in this macabre activity were enthusiastic and numerous. In his article, he reproduced excerpts from his writings of the period in which he discusses it, such as this one from May 17, 1995:

In Grbavica, where the Chetnik snipers [ultranationalist Serbian militia] and the international hunting participation do not hide  on the contrary, they are flaunted on [Radovan] Karadzics television  even when the target is children (smaller target, greater achievement for the shooter), there is also a Greek group and the remarkable case of a Japanese volunteer.

Sofri notes that the Japanese volunteer explained to the Serb-Bosnian television that he had come to shoot in Sarajevo because of a broken heart. In the same article, Sofri said that one of the people who came to shoot civilians was the Serbian ultranationalist Vojislav Seselj, who killed a passerby in front of cameras.

The Italian Attorney Generals Office, Brigida notes, is also obtaining the case files from various proceedings of the International Criminal Tribunal (ICTY) in The Hague for the crimes committed in the former Yugoslavia over the past decades. Some witness statements in those trials refer to these so-called war tourists. The former mayor of Sarajevo, Benjamina Karic, who held office from 2021 to 2024, has also sent a formal communication to the Milan court providing the information she has.

The case is still open, Brigida explains, because it concerns an extremely serious crime punishable by life imprisonment, which in Italy is never subject to a statute of limitations. The Penal Code provides that even if the final stage of these crimes was committed in another country, Italian jurisdiction is maintained and prosecution can take place in Italy. Otherwise, a citizen could go abroad, commit horrific crimes, and then seek refuge in Italy with impunity, he argued.

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Midwest commercial bank earns recognition for the ninth consecutive year

CHICAGO, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Signature Bank, one of the fastest growing, independently-owned commercial banks in the Midwest, has been named one of the 2025 Best Banks to Work For by American Banker, marking the ninth consecutive year the Chicago-based institution has earned this prestigious honor. The annual ranking recognizes banks that excel at cultivating exceptional workplace cultures that attract, develop, and retain top talent.

American Banker partners with Best Companies Group to identify the nation's top employers in the banking industry through a rigorous assessment of workplace practices and an anonymous employee survey. This year, 90 banks earned a spot on the list.

"At Signature Bank, our culture is one of our greatest competitive advantages," said Mick O'Rourke, President and CEO of Signature Bank. "To be recognized for the ninth year in a row is a testament to the commitment and collaboration of Signature Bank's teams to build strong, purposeful relationships with our customers, communities, and among each other."

According to the employee engagement survey conducted as part of the Best Banks to Work For program, Signature Bank continues to demonstrate extraordinary cultural strength in key areas such as valued and trusted relationships with peers, supervisors, and leadership, a supportive work environment, and commitment to employee well-being.

"The banks recognized as Best Banks to Work For are institutions employees want to join and stay," said Chana Schoenberger, editor-in-chief of American Banker. "They understand how to give workers reasons to find purpose in their jobs."

Best Companies Group manages the Best Banks to Work For initiative that involves a comprehensive two-step employer and employee survey and analyzing data to determine the final rankings.

About Signature Bank

Signature Bank is celebrating 20 years as an award-winning, relationship-based commercial bank wholly owned by Signature Bancorporation, Inc., a privately funded, locally owned bank holding company founded in 2006. Headquartered in Rosemont, IL, Signature Bank provides accessible, strategic, and highly individualized commercial banking services to closely held companies, as well as full-service retail banking capabilities. Technology-driven and well-capitalized, Signature Bank is currently the fastest growing, independently owned business bank in the Chicago-Wisconsin markets and is one of American Banker's Best Banks to Work For. Visit Signature Bank online at http://www.signaturebank.bank.

About American Banker

American Banker empowers financial professionals with analysis and insight into the trends shaping the banking industry. Through its journalism, events, and research, American Banker connects a community of over 850,000 industry leaders every day.

About Best Companies Group

Since 2004, Best Companies Group has specialized in identifying and recognizing outstanding employers. As an independent research firm, it ranks organizations using rigorous methodologies that generate actionable data to help companies enhance employee engagement, recruitment, and retention.

SOURCE Signature Bank
Appcast Chief Product Officer Matt Plummer will provide a sneak peek into the findings of Appcast's upcoming whitepaper, "Top Recruiting Trends of 2026"

LEBANON, N.H., Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ --

What:

Appcast, the leading recruitment marketing platform powered by programmatic, will hold a live webinar hosted by Appcast Chief Product Officer Matt Plummer. He will provide an inside look at the recruiting trends that will shape how talent is found, attracted, and hired in the new year. Plummer will also break down the data driving today's recruitment landscape and share what talent acquisition leaders can do now to stay ahead.

Webinar attendees will walk away from this event with a better understanding of:

AI's second act: How rapid advancements in AI are transforming recruiting and empowering talent acquisition leaders to prioritize what matters most.

The trust gap in employer branding: Why candidates are tuning out polished messaging, and what authentic employer storytelling looks like in 2026.

The new media mix: How social, search, and programmatic are converging to reach elusive talent  and what this means for your budget and team structure.

Who:

Matt Plummer, chief product officer at Appcast

Matt Plummer is the chief product officer at Appcast. Before joining Appcast, Plummer spent 12 years building and leading the Enterprise business at ZipRecruiter, following a decade in search and display advertising technology.

When:

Date: Thursday, November 20, 2025

Time: 2  3 p.m. ET

To register for this free event, please click here.

About Appcast

Appcast is the leading recruitment marketing platform powered by programmatic. With advanced technology, unmatched market data and a team of the industry's best recruitment marketers, Appcast's platform drives hiring outcomes for more than 1,000 clients. Appcast is headquartered in Lebanon, N.H. with offices throughout North America and Europe. Appcast is a subsidiary of The Stepstone Group, a leading digital recruitment platform that connects companies with the right talent and helps people find the right job. To learn more, visit http://www.appcast.io.

Media Contact:

Michiko Morales

Gabriel Marketing Group (For Appcast)

202-805-2345

[email protected]

SOURCE Appcast
"For decades, sustainability was framed as a tradeoff," says Sara Gutterman, CEO of Green Builder Media. "With Transcend, we've proved that resilience can be sophisticated, and that wellness and performance can be seamlessly woven into every surface, system, and detail."

The home's light-gauge recycled steel framing offers enhanced durability and reduced embodied carbon, while the foundation that incorporates carbon-negative magnesium oxide board absorbs CO during curing. The result: a home that is built to withstand wildfires, high winds, and seismic eventswithout sacrificing elegance or comfort.

Designed to operate 87% more efficiently than a typical new home, Transcend combines solar generation, battery storage, and advanced home automation for self-sufficiency. It also features advanced smart technologies that continuously monitor indoor air quality, temperature, and humidity, while learning and optimizing for occupant comfort.

The Transcend home takes wellness as seriously as performance. Serene design elementsmuted tones, expansive glass, and biophilic materialscreate an atmosphere of calm, connection, and clarity. The house also features products that are low-VOC, sustainably sourced, and recycled, and other products that promote relaxation.

The VISION House Transcend will serve as a living laboratory for performance monitoring, data collection, and education. Local utility partners Gunnison County Electric Association and Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association are studying the home as a case study in demand-side energy management, peak load shifting, and resilient electrification.

"Transcend is more than a homeit's a model for how the building industry can respond to climate, affordability, and health challenges with beauty and intelligence," says Kurt Goodjohn, CEO of Dvele.

Walk through the home virtually and explore every innovation that makes Transcend a model for the next generation of housing. Click here to watch the video tour or visit the website.

Green Builder Media thanks the sponsors of this project: Samsung, Dacor, JinkoSolar, LIXIL (Grohe, DXV, and American Standard), Daltile, Broan, Rockwool, Uponor, USG, Prosoco, Rheem, Arq Espacio, Lee Industries, Sonos, TruStile, Caesarstone, Delta Millworks, Grundfos, Craft Flooring, GCEA, and Tri-State.

About Green Builder Media

Green Builder Media is North America's leading media company focused on green building and sustainable living. The company reaches more than 200,000 building professionals and millions of consumers through award-winning content, demonstration projects, and proprietary data from COGNITION Smart Data. Learn more at www.greenbuildermedia.com .

SOURCE Green Builder Media, LLC
Hydro One is supporting economic and community growth in southwestern Ontario through construction of the St. Clair Transmission Line Project

TORONTO, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Hydro One Limited (Hydro One or the Company) today announced its financial and operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2025.

Third Quarter Highlights

Third quarter basic earnings per share (EPS) of $0.70 compares to EPS of $0.62 for the same period in 2024.

The change in EPS year-over-year was largely due to higher revenues resulting from Ontario Energy Board (OEB)-approved 2025 transmission and distribution rates and higher average monthly peak demand, partially offset by higher financing charges, and higher depreciation.

David Lebeter resumed his role as President and Chief Executive Officer as of November 12, 2025. Mr. Lebeter was on a compassionate care leave since August 25, 2025 to care for a family member.

Hydro One, alongside First Nation partners and provincial and municipal leaders, celebrated the groundbreaking of the St. Clair Transmission Line Project in southwestern Ontario.

Hydro One employees donated generously during our annual Power to Give Month campaign, raising more than $2.1 million for Canadian causes that were selected by them. These funds are made up of employee donations that were matched by Hydro One. Employees also tracked more than 5,200 volunteer hours that were dedicated to local causes in their communities.

Hydro One's Energizing Life Funds recognized 28 Indigenous communities, charitable organizations and municipalities that received $25,000 each to support local initiatives.

For the second year in a row, Hydro One was recognized with the Ontario Energy Association's Company of the Year Award.

The Company priced an offering of $1.1 billion aggregate principal amount of Medium-Term Notes under its Sustainable Financing Framework.

The Company's capital investments and in-service additions for the quarter were $779 million and $577 million, respectively, compared to $773 million and $597 million in 2024.

A quarterly dividend of $0.3331 per share was declared, payable on December 31, 2025.

"Electricity demand in southwestern Ontario is growing fast, and Hydro One continues to support this growth through development of critical infrastructure, such as the St. Clair Transmission Line Project, to strengthen power resiliency and reliability in the region," said David Lebeter, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hydro One. "Hydro One's success is tied to Ontario's success and we continue to support homegrown businesses. Last year, more than 93% of our procurement was from companies based in Canadaof which 76% was from companies based in Ontario."

Selected Consolidated Financial and Operating Highlights





Three months ended September 30

Nine months ended September 30 (millions of Canadian dollars, except as otherwise noted) 2025 2024

2025 2024













Revenues

2,299 2,192

6,773 6,389 Purchased power

1,080 1,047

3,199 3,083 Revenues, net of purchased power1

1,219 1,145

3,574 3,306 Net income attributable to common shareholders

421 371

1,106 956













Basic EPS

$0.70 $0.62

$1.84 $1.60 Diluted EPS

$0.70 $0.62

$1.84 $1.59













Net cash from operating activities

713 623

1,828 1,831 Capital investments

779 773

2,427 2,264 Assets placed in-service

577 597

1,591 1,363













Transmission: Average monthly Ontario 60-minute peak demand (MW) 23,080 22,694

21,699 21,080 Distribution: Electricity distributed to Hydro One customers (GWh) 7,937 7,691

24,492 23,274

1 "Revenues, net of purchased power" is a non-generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) financial measure. Non-GAAP financial measures do not have a standardized meaning under United States (U.S.) GAAP used to prepare the Company's financial statements and might not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities. See the section "Non-GAAP Financial Measures".

Key Financial Highlights

2025 Third Quarter Highlights

The Company reported net income attributable to common shareholders of $421 million during the quarter, compared to $371 million in the same period of 2024. This resulted in EPS of $0.70, compared to EPS of $0.62 during the same period in the prior year.

Revenues of $2,299 million for the third quarter were $107 million higher than revenues for the third quarter of 2024. Revenues, net of purchased power1 of $1,219 million for the third quarter were $74 million higher than revenues, net of purchased power1 for the third quarter of 2024. The increase is mainly attributable to higher revenues resulting from OEB-approved 2025 rates, as well as higher average monthly peak demand.

Operation, maintenance and administration (OM&A) costs in the third quarter of 2025 were comparable to the prior year.

Depreciation, amortization and asset removal costs for the third quarter of 2025 were higher than the prior year mainly due to growth in capital assets as the company continues to place new assets in service, partially offset by lower asset removal costs.

Financing charges in the third quarter of 2025 were higher than the prior year primarily as a result of an increase in long-term debt outstanding, partially offset by higher capitalized interest.

Income tax expense for the third quarter of 2025 was higher than the prior year primarily due to higher pre-tax earnings, partially offset by higher deductible timing differences.

Hydro One continues to invest in the reliability and performance of Ontario's electricity transmission and distribution systems by addressing aging power system infrastructure, facilitating connectivity to new load customers and generation sources, and improving service to customers. The Company made capital investments of $779 million during the third quarter of 2025 and placed $577 million of new assets in-service.

__________ 1 Revenues, net of purchased power, is a non-GAAP financial measure. Non-GAAP financial measures do not have a standardized meaning under U.S. GAAP used to prepare the Company's financial statements and might not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities. See the section "Non-GAAP Financial Measures".

Selected Operating Highlights

Hydro One, alongside First Nation partners and provincial and municipal leaders, celebrated the groundbreaking of the St. Clair Transmission Line Project. The $471.9 million investment is expected to support economic and community development to help enable the expansion of electric vehicle manufacturing and farming operations in the region. Through Hydro One's 50-50 First Nation Equity Partnership Model, First Nation partners have been offered a 50 per cent equity stake in the transmission line component of the project.

Hydro One announced 28 Indigenous communities, charitable organizations and municipalities that received $25,000 each in funding from the Energizing Life Funds. For the fifth consecutive year, Hydro One is awarding funds to local initiatives that address community needs across the province.

Hydro One's wholly owned subsidiary, Hydro One Inc. completed an offering of $1.1 billion of Medium-Term Notes consisting of $450 million aggregate principal amount of 3.94% Medium-Term Notes, Series 61, due 2032, $300 million aggregate principal amount of 4.30% Medium-Term Notes, Series 62, due 2035 and $350 million aggregate principal amount of 4.95% Medium-Term Notes, Series 63, due 2055. The net proceeds from the issuance of the Notes represent the issuance of Medium-Term Notes pursuant to Hydro One's Sustainable Financing Framework. Hydro One Inc. intends to allocate an amount equal to the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes to finance and/or refinance, in whole or in part, new and/or existing eligible green projects that meet the eligibility criteria described in the 2024 Framework.

Common Share Dividends

On November 12, 2025, the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend to common shareholders of $0.3331 per share to be paid on December 31, 2025 to shareholders of record on December 10, 2025.

Supplemental Segment Information





Three months ended

September 30

Nine months ended

September 30 (millions of Canadian dollars)

2025 2024

2025 2024













Revenues











Transmission

680 628

1,938 1,764 Distribution

1,605 1,551

4,800 4,592 Other

14 13

35 33 Total revenues

2,299 2,192

6,773 6,389













Revenues, net of purchased power1











Transmission

680 628

1,938 1,764 Distribution

525 504

1,601 1,509 Other

14 13

35 33 Total revenues, net of purchased power1

1,219 1,145

3,574 3,306













Operation, maintenance and administration costs











Transmission

109 113

367 347 Distribution

164 155

508 517 Other

23 26

73 71 Total operation, maintenance and administration costs 296 294

948 935













Income (loss) before financing charges, equity income and income tax expense











Transmission

431 378

1,152 1,013 Distribution

232 224

696 623 Other

(12) (14)

(46) (45) Total income before financing charges, equity income and income tax expense

651 588

1,802 1,591













Capital investments











Transmission

519 461

1,468 1,384 Distribution

257 309

949 872 Other

3 3

10 8 Total capital investments

779 773

2,427 2,264













Assets placed in-service











Transmission

256 323

590 677 Distribution

318 270

987 675 Other

3 4

14 11 Total assets placed in-service

577 597

1,591 1,363

1 Revenues, net of purchased power, is a non-GAAP financial measure. Non-GAAP financial measures do not have a standardized meaning under U.S. GAAP used to prepare the Company's financial statements and might not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities. See the section "Non-GAAP Financial Measures".

This press release should be read in conjunction with the Company's third quarter 2025 unaudited consolidated financial statements and the management's discussion and analysis (MD&A). These financial statements and MD&A together with additional information about Hydro One, including the audited consolidated financial statements and MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2024 can be accessed at www.HydroOne.com/Investors and www.sedarplus.com.

Quarterly Investment Community Teleconference

The Company's third quarter 2025 results teleconference with the investment community will be held on November 13, 2025 at 8 a.m. ET, a webcast of which will be available at www.HydroOne.com/Investors . Members of the financial community wishing to ask questions during the call should go to this link (https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BIb5c338cfa362491abfb3203d00904dc4) prior to the scheduled start time to access Hydro One's third quarter 2025 results call. Media and other interested parties are welcome to participate on a listen-only basis. A webcast of the teleconference will be available at the same link following the call. Additionally, investors should note that, from time to time Hydro One management presents at brokerage sponsored investor conferences. Most often, but not always, these conferences are webcast by the hosting brokerage firm, and when they are webcast, links are made available on Hydro One's website at www.HydroOne.com/Investors and are posted generally at least two days before the conference.

Hydro One Limited (TSX: H)

Hydro One Limited, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, is Ontario's largest electricity transmission and distribution provider with 1.5 million valued customers, $36.7 billion in assets as at December 31, 2024, and annual revenues in 2024 of $8.5 billion.

Our team of 10,100 skilled and dedicated employees proudly build and maintain a safe and reliable electricity system which is essential to supporting strong and successful communities. In 2024, Hydro One invested $3.1 billion in its transmission and distribution networks, and supported the economy through buying $2.9 billion of goods and services.

We are committed to the communities where we live and work through community investment, sustainability and diversity initiatives.

Hydro One Limited's common shares are listed on the TSX and certain of Hydro One Inc.'s medium term notes are listed on the NYSE. Additional information can be accessed at www.hydroone.com, www.sedarplus.com or www.sec.gov.

For More Information

For more information about everything Hydro One, please visit www.hydroone.com where you can find additional information including links to securities filings, historical financial reports, and information about the Company's governance practices, corporate social responsibility, customer solutions, and further information about its business.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Hydro One uses a number of financial measures to assess its performance. The Company presents revenues, net of purchased power to reflect revenues net of the cost of purchased power, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. Since these specified financial measures and financial ratios may not have a standardized meaning within U.S. GAAP, results may not be comparable to similar financial measures and financial ratios presented by other entities. They should not be considered in isolation nor as a substitute for analysis of the Company's financial information reported under U.S. GAAP.

Revenues, Net of Purchased Power

Revenues, net of purchased power is defined as revenues less the cost of purchased power. Revenues, net of purchased power is used internally by management to assess the impacts of revenue on net income and is considered useful because it excludes the cost of power that is fully recovered through revenues and therefore net income neutral.

The following table provides a reconciliation of GAAP (reported) revenues to non-GAAP (adjusted) revenues, net of purchased power on a consolidated basis.







Three months ended September 30 Nine months ended September 30 (millions of dollars)



2025 2024 2025 2024 Revenues



2,299 2,192 6,773 6,389 Less: Purchased power



1,080 1,047 3,199 3,083 Revenues, net of purchased power



1,219 1,145 3,574 3,306

Forward-Looking Statements and Information

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable U.S. securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking information"). Statements containing forward-looking information are made pursuant to the "safe harbour" provisions of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Such information includes, but is not limited to, statements related to: expectations regarding the Company's procurement practices; expectations regarding the Company's financing activities; the Company's plans to invest in reliability and performance of Ontario's electricity transmission and distribution systems and networks, including facilitating connectivity for new load customers and generation sources, and anticipated outcomes; expectations regarding sustainability commitments; the Company's ongoing and planned projects and expected capital investments and plan, including anticipated outcomes, impacts, OEB approvals, and in-service dates; and payment of dividends. Words such as "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "attempt," "may," "plan," "will," "can," "believe," "seek," "estimate," and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking information. In particular, the forward-looking information contained in this press release is based on a variety of factors and assumptions including, but not limited to: no unforeseen changes in the legislative and operating framework for Ontario's electricity market or for Hydro One specifically; favourable decisions from the OEB and other regulatory bodies concerning outstanding and future rate and other applications; no unexpected delays in obtaining required approvals; no unforeseen changes in rate orders or rate setting methodologies for Hydro One's distribution and transmission businesses; the continued use and availability of U.S. GAAP; no unfavourable changes in environmental regulation; a stable regulatory environment; no significant changes to Hydro One's current credit ratings; no unforeseen impacts of new accounting pronouncements; no changes to expectations regarding electricity consumption; no unforeseen changes to economic and market conditions; completion of operating and capital projects that have been deferred; completion of the Company's acquisition of a minority interest in the East-West Tie Transmission Line; and no significant event occurring outside the ordinary course of business.

We caution that all forward-looking information is inherently subject to change and uncertainty and that actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. A number of risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking information or could cause our current objectives, strategies and intentions to change, and many of these factors are beyond our control and current expectation or knowledge. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or actions and involve assumptions and risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecasted in such forward-looking information. Some of the factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from the results expressed, implied or forecasted by such forward-looking information, including some of the assumptions used in making such statements, are discussed more fully in Hydro One's filings with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada, which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com. Hydro One does not intend, and it disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking information, except as required by law.

SOURCE Hydro One Limited
Japanese Aero Engines Corporation (JAEC), MTU Aero Engines AG (MTU) and Pratt & Whitney reaffirm commitment to engine partnership

EAST HARTFORD, Conn., Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- IAE International Aero Engines (IAE), a multinational consortium comprised of Japanese Aero Engines Corporation (JAEC), MTU Aero Engines AG (MTU), and Pratt & Whitney reaffirm their commitment to the consortium partnership. Together, the companies will evolve the required technologies for the development of the most advanced and efficient GTF engine technology for the next generation of commercial aircraft.

"For more than four decades, IAE has enjoyed an enduring partnership and has delivered and supported two of the most important commercial engine programs in history, the V2500 and the GTF engines," said JAEC Chairman Tsugio Mitsuoka. "The GTF has delivered revolutionary improvements in fuel burn and noise reduction, and serves as the right baseline, combined with the evolution of the GTF Advantage, as the industry looks towards the right solution for the next generation of single-aisle aircraft."

"As founding partners on some of the most critical engine technology and support in aerospace today, we remain fully committed to these engine programs and working together on the development of future commercial aircraft applications, particularly the next generation single aisle aircraft" said Shane Eddy, president, Pratt & Whitney. "As we work to chart IAE's future propulsion path, our performance on today's GTF program will remain our highest priority as we continue to focus on delivering to our customer commitments."

"Our contribution to the consortium's wide-reaching success spans the entire engine life-cycle, with world-class capabilities in technology, development, production and MRO solutions. As strategic partners in IAE, we have a long-standing track record of reliably and consistently supporting each other in mastering ramp-up, growth and expansion for both the V2500 and GTF programs," said MTU CEO Dr. Johannes Bussmann. "MTU has been a part of the GTF MRO network since 2015 and we continue to expand our operations, facilities and agreements to meet the high demand for GTF MRO services and support the growing fleet."

Since its establishment in 1983, IAE has produced some of the aerospace industry's most critical commercial engine programs. The venerable V2500, which surpassed 300 million flight hours earlier this year, powers approximately 2,800 aircraft and serves more than 150 operators for passenger, cargo, and military missions around the world.

With more than 300 million flight hours expected by the mid-2030s, the GTF will provide unmatched real-world experiencepositioning IAE to offer the lowest-risk solution with the best balance of improved performance and mature propulsion system reliability. For the second generation GTF, IAE is investing in a range of technologies including advanced materials, cutting edge aerodynamics enabled by high-performance computing, a small high-speed core and hybrid-electric propulsion to enable required levels of performance.

About JAEC

The Japanese Aero Engines Corporation was established in 1981, to coordinate and manage the overall progress of multi-national collaboration programs under the guidance of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, as present) with the cooperation of IHI Corporation, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Aero Engines, Ltd

About MTU

MTU Aero Engines AG is a globally recognized expert in commercial and military aircraft engines. MTU's high-tech expertise ranges from the development and production of high-quality components to the final assembly of complete engines and the maintenance of aircraft engines and stationary gas turbines. In the financial year 2024, the DAX-listed company generated revenues of 7.5 billion euros. MTU technology can be found providing reliable thrust in one in three commercial aircraft worldwide. And every year, MTU maintains around 1,500 engines and industrial gas turbines. At 19 locations on five continents, more than 13,000 employees from over 80 nations contribute to safe global mobility.

About Pratt & Whitney

Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units for military, commercial and civil aviation customers. Since 1925, our engineers have pioneered the development of revolutionary aircraft propulsion technologies, and today we support more than 90,000 in-service engines through our global network of maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities.

About RTX

RTX is the world's largest aerospace and defense company. With more than 185,000 global employees, we push the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. Through industry-leading businesses  Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon  we are advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems for operational success, and developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2024 sales of more than $80 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

For questions or to schedule an interview, please contact [email protected].

SOURCE RTX
The Just In Time Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing co-founder was honored for her integrity and commitment to empowering the next generation of women in the trades

AURORA, Ill., Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Janeen Norquist, president of Just In Time Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Services, a family-owned home service company in Sandwich, Illinois, was recognized as the 2025 Woman of the Year at Service Nation's Service World Expo 2025.

Each year, the Service Nation Woman of the Year award recognizes one woman who exemplifies outstanding commitment and service to the residential contracting industry. This award honors Norquist's dedication to integrity, innovation and empowerment within the trades.

Just In Time Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing President Janeen Norquist was recognized as Service Nation's 2025 Woman of the Year at the Service World Expo in Las Vegas.

"There are some people whose presence in this industry feels bigger than their company logo or their title," said Service Nation Director of Affiliate Relations Carol Longacre while presenting Norquist with the award at the expo. "They are the ones who lift others as they climb, who cheer the loudest when someone else wins, and who remind us that leadership isn't about power. It's about people. Janeen Norquist is one of those people. She leads with heart, grit, and a contagious sense of purpose."

Norquist, who co-founded Just In Time with her husband, Justin Norquist, has been instrumental in growing the company while cultivating a culture grounded in reliability, mentorship and teamwork. Under her guidance, Just In Time has become a trusted name in home comfort and community service across northern Illinois.

"Winning this award reminds me that success isn't a destination, it's a responsibility," Janeen Norquist said. "Every step I take is built on the lessons and encouragement of others. Now it's my turn to help open doors for those still finding their path."

Through her involvement with Women in HVACR and the Service Nation community, Norquist has contributed to advancing opportunities for women in the home service industry. Her recognition reflects her ongoing efforts to promote professional growth, executive development and a culture of support within the trades.

For more information about Just In Time Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Services, call them at (815) 570-2244 or visit www.justintimeheroes.com.

About Just In Time Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Services

Just In Time Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Services is a family-owned and operated full-service home comfort company based in Sandwich, Illinois. Since 2010, the company has delivered expert heating, cooling, plumbing and indoor air quality solutions to homeowners across the region. From emergency repairs to scheduled maintenance, Just In Time's highly skilled technicians provide trusted, personalized service and peace of mind to every customer. For more information, visit www.justintimeheroes.com.

SOURCE Just In Time Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Services
NEW YORK, Nov. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ --

Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of common stock of James Hardie Industries plc (NYSE: JHX) between May 20, 2025 through August 18, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important December 23, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline.

So what: If you purchased James Hardie common stock during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

What to do next: To join the James Hardie class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=46976 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than December 23, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

Details of the case: According to the lawsuit, James Hardie Industries plc misled investors about the strength of its key North America Fiber Cement segment between May 20 and August 18, 2025. Despite knowing by April and early May that distributors were destocking inventory, James Hardie falsely claimed demand remained strong and that stock levels were "normal." When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the James Hardie class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=46976 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

[email protected]

www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.
JERSEY CITY, N.J., Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- LEAP, the all-in-one legal practice management solution, today announced it has been named "Overall Practice Management Solution of the Year" by LegalTech Breakthrough, a leading independent market intelligence organization that evaluates and recognizes standout legal technology companies, products, and services around the globe.

Designed by attorneys and legal technology professionals who understand the challenges of running a law firm, LEAP provides law firms with a comprehensive, cloud-based platform that brings together case management, document automation, online billing, legal accounting, time tracking, client intake, AI, and more. By uniting these essential tools into one system, LEAP can help firms operate more efficiently from intake to invoice.

LEAP's AI tools can assist with everyday tasks like document drafting, matter analysis, and legal research. The LEAP Mobile App gives attorneys 24/7 access to their practice management system whether they're in the office, in court, working from home, or on the go. LEAP also integrates with leading applications like Microsoft 365, InfoTrack, LawToolBox, QuickBooks Online, Xero, and WealthCounsel, helping firms connect their workflows.

"LEAP was built from the ground up to meet the unique needs of law firms," said Poppy Bale Dyer, CEO of LEAP US. "Our platform helps attorneys to focus on what matters mostclient service, case strategy, and maintaining a healthy work-life balanceby streamlining operations and improving efficiency firmwide. We're honored to be recognized by LegalTech Breakthrough and remain dedicated to leading the industry forward with solutions that evolve alongside the real-world needs of modern law firms."

Through CLE programs, webinars, and on-demand training, LEAP also educates legal professionals on the practical and ethical use of AI with the goal of empowering them with tools that enhancenot replacetheir expertise.

"LEAP is setting the benchmark for law firm practice management today with comprehensive functionality, robust integrations, powerful legal AI tools, and an ongoing commitment to innovation. Attorneys specialize in navigating precedent and crafting arguments, but these skills can't help when it comes to client and market demands, administrative efficiency, and the pressure to remain competitive," said Bryan Vaughn, Managing Director, LegalTech Breakthrough. "LEAP is on the cutting edge of legal tech innovation and a champion for responsible adoption. Each tool results in reduced repetitive legal work, allowing legal professionals to focus on higher-value legal needs and client service. We're pleased to recognize LEAP with 'Overall Practice Management Solution of the Year' for 2025!"

About LEAP

LEAP Legal Software combines case management, document automation, legal accounting, billing, and AI into a single cloud-based solution. Designed to help maximize law firm efficiency, LEAP's award-winning technology helps legal professionals enhance organization, accelerate document creation, reduce manual work, and improve client services. Learn more at leap.us.

About LegalTech Breakthrough

Part of Tech Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence and recognition platform for global technology innovation and leadership, the LegalTech Breakthrough Awards program is devoted to honoring excellence in legal technologies, services, companies and products. The LegalTech Breakthrough Awards program provides a forum for public recognition around the achievements of LegalTech companies and solutions in categories including Case Management, Client Relations, Data and Analytics, Documentation, Legal Education, Practice Management, eDiscovery and more. For more information visit LegalTechBreakthrough.com.

Tech Breakthrough LLC does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in our recognition programs, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with award designations. Tech Breakthrough LLC recognition consists of the opinions of the Tech Breakthrough LLC organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Tech Breakthrough LLC disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this recognition program, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

Media Contact:

Mike Zellmer

Senior VP of Marketing, LEAP

[email protected]

leap.us

SOURCE LEAP Legal Software
PITTSBURGH, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - MolecuLight Corp., a global leader in point-of-care fluorescence imaging for wound assessment, is proud to announce the publication of a landmark international consensus report, developed by leading experts in wound care and surgery from across the United States. The report, titled "Fluorescence imaging in surgical wound management: A consensus-based approach", represents a pivotal step toward establishing fluorescence imaging as a key clinical tool for detecting and managing bacterial burden in surgical wound care.

MolecuLight to Exhibit and Showcase New Consensus on Fluorescence Imaging in Surgical Wound Management at IPAWS Summit 2025 (CNW Group/MolecuLight Corp.)

MolecuLight will be exhibiting at the 2025 International Post-Acute Wound Care Society (IPAWS) Summit, where the company will showcase this significant publication alongside multiple scientific posters, and live demonstrations of its technology.

"This new consensus represents a major advancement for the field, demonstrating that fluorescence imaging is a critical evidence-based method for visualizing bacterial burden to improve surgical wound management," said Anil Amlani, CEO of MolecuLight. "We're thrilled to exhibit at IPAWS 2025 and share these findings alongside our growing body of more than 100 peer-reviewed publications that show the meaningful clinical impact of MolecuLight imaging on workflow, decision making and patient outcomes."

"As a co-author of this consensus and a clinician who has used MolecuLight technology extensively in wound care, I've witnessed how fluorescence imaging transforms how we identify and manage bacterial burden," said Dr. Thomas E. Serena, MD, FACS, FACHM, MAPWCA. "These insights have already reshaped wound care practice, and this consensus demonstrates the strong potential for similar impact within surgical applications as the next step in improving patient outcomes."

This consensus highlights how fluorescence imaging empowers clinicians to make informed, targeted decisions at every stage of surgical wound management:

Pre-operatively: Identifies wounds with elevated bacterial burden to guide risk stratification, treatment planning and patient education.

Identifies wounds with elevated bacterial burden to guide risk stratification, treatment planning and patient education. Intra-operatively: Confirms a clean surgical field and guides precise debridement, supporting better graft integration and surgical outcomes.

Confirms a clean surgical field and guides precise debridement, supporting better graft integration and surgical outcomes. Post-operatively: Detects subclinical bacterial presence early, monitors healing progress, and supports timely intervention to reduce the risk of surgical site infections.

With more than 100 peer-reviewed studies demonstrating its clinical value, MolecuLight continues to expand the evidence base supporting fluorescence imaging as a transformative tool for real-time bacterial detection. This new consensus reinforces the company's commitment to advancing wound care and surgical innovation, improving wound outcomes, enhancing patient quality of life, and reducing healthcare costs.

1Serena TE, Kapp D, Davenport T, Tettlebach W, Bohn G, Lantis JC, Suski M, Low M, Desvigne MN. Fluorescence imaging in surgical wound management: a consensus-based approach. Int J Tissue Repair. 2025;1(1):29. doi:10.63676/pxws0177

About MolecuLight Corp. and its wound imaging devices

MolecuLight Corp. is a privately held medical imaging company with a global footprint, dedicated to manufacturing and commercializing the MolecuLight i:X and DX wound imaging devices. Both FDA-cleared Class II point-of-care systems provide real-time detection of elevated bacterial burden and accurate digital wound measurement. The MolecuLightDX additionally offers thermal imaging for comprehensive wound assessment. The technologies' effectiveness and clinical utility are supported by more than 100 peer-reviewed publications.

SOURCE MolecuLight Corp.
RISE surfaces what agents didn't even know to ask, proactively guiding their day and turning missed follow-up into closed deals

BELLEVUE, Wash., Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- MoxiWorks, the AI-powered real estate marketing platform, today announced the launch of RISE, a new platform built with artificial intelligence at its foundation. Developed by MoxiWorks' team of leading technology experts, RISE isn't just enhanced by AIit's engineered into its core to help agents streamline their day, save time, and turn more opportunities into results.

Unlike traditional CRMs and most "AI assistants," RISE doesn't wait for agents to ask what to do. The native AI continuously interprets client behavior, predicts buyer and seller intent, and proactively surfaces where agents should focus their time throughout their day. By prompting agents with what to do next, RISE helps them act on opportunities they might never have seen, all while saving hours in their day.

"In real estate, lost business usually isn't from bad service, it's from lack of follow-up," said Eric Elfman, CEO of MoxiWorks. "Nearly 90% of buyers say they'd use their agent again, but only 13% actually do. That's not a skill problem, it's a system problem, and it represents enormous lost opportunity.

At MoxiWorks, even though we're an AI company, we believe the real power of AI is to help people deliver better service to their customers. RISE was built to help agents stay connected with their clients, not just faster but more thoughtfully, so those relationships last a lifetime. RISE knows who an agent needs to contact and when, and takes care of the work that gets in the way of real connection. It's not another chatbot waiting for a question, it's a tool designed for real estate that helps agents focus on what matters most, their clients."

Built for the realities of modern real estate, RISE delivers measurable value across the entire ecosystem:

For brokerages: enterprise-grade software with native AI that strengthens retention, protects margins, enhances recruiting and delivers ROI with minimal admin overhead.

enterprise-grade software with native AI that strengthens retention, protects margins, enhances recruiting and delivers ROI with minimal admin overhead. For teams: a shared workspace where leads, campaigns and insights flow seamlesslysolving long-standing visibility and alignment issues.

a shared workspace where leads, campaigns and insights flow seamlesslysolving long-standing visibility and alignment issues. For agents: automated follow-up and intelligent guidance that keeps an agent's sphere engaged and their pipeline moving.

"There are plenty of AI tools on the market today, but too often they're just bolt-on features added to existing products," said Ashley Fidler, Chief Product Officer at MoxiWorks. "RISE was built from the ground up as a native part of our platform. That means that while others might have to retrofit their tools to make improvements, we can roll out new automations and updates seamlessly.

We also know agents aren't tied to a desk. RISE was built for the way they really work, always on the go. It includes a full-featured mobile app that gives them access to the same AI insights and automations they have on desktop, so they can manage their business and connect with clients wherever the day takes them."

Development of RISE began in 2024 and included rigorous testing in collaboration with leading real estate enterprises and hundreds of agents. Early users have praised its speed, intuitive workflow and ability to turn dormant contact databases into active deal pipelines.

Key capabilities include:

Proactive intelligence: surfaces and prioritizes which contacts an agent should get in touch with daily.

surfaces and prioritizes which contacts an agent should get in touch with daily. Predictive modeling: identifies which clients are most likely to transact within 30, 60 or 90 days.

identifies which clients are most likely to transact within 30, 60 or 90 days. Personalized content: automatically builds campaigns, emails and presentations tailored to each contact.

automatically builds campaigns, emails and presentations tailored to each contact. Agent control: presents clear, editable recommendations agents can approve, customize or skip.

The launch of RISE follows a year of strategic transformation for MoxiWorks, including a significant capital raise, the divestiture of its back-office business and a leadership expansion, positioning the company for accelerated innovation and growth.

RISE is now available to brokerages and agents across North America through an Early Access program, marking the first phase of its full launch. Additional AI-powered features and integrations will roll out throughout 2026.

MoxiWorks will showcase RISE's AI capabilities at NAR NXT, Nov. 1416 in Houston (Booth 1235).

About MoxiWorks

MoxiWorks is the leading real estate AI marketing platform serving agents, teams and brokerages worldwide. The platform integrates presentations, email, CRM, advertising and marketing into one connected system powered by native-AI. Trusted by more than 3,000 brokerages and 400,000 agents globally, MoxiWorks enables real estate professionals to find, win and close more deals while transforming how the industry markets and grows. For more information, visit moxiworks.com.

Media Contact:

Janice McDill

[email protected]

SOURCE MoxiWorks
Gustavo Petro has suspended the sending of confidential information to the Donald Trump administration, but Washington was already offering little cooperation to Bogota and other key allies

Colombian President Gustavo Petro ordered Colombian intelligence services to suspend the transfer of information to U.S. agencies on Tuesday night, ending decades of bilateral cooperation through a publication on X. This measure will remain in effect as long as the missile attacks on boats in the Caribbean continue, he explained. The news has not yet received a response from President Donald Trump or his Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, but the reduction in intelligence cooperation is not unique to Colombia. In recent days, both the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, which do not have such a tense relationship with the White House but do have territories in the Caribbean, have also limited the intelligence they send to Washington. According to CNN, the British government fears that the information they gather on their islands is being used for indiscriminate U.S. bombings. The only ones who benefit from the end of this cooperation, experts say, are those supposedly being targeted: the drug traffickers.

Elizabeth Dickinson, a researcher with the International Crisis Group, believes that if Petro doesnt change his mind, it would be a very strong blow against the United States, because Washington depends heavily on Colombia in the war on drugs. She cites, for example, a figure revealed by Congressman Gregory Meeks before the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Relations, according to which 85% of the intelligence gathered at the Key West Naval and Air Base between January 2024 and June 2025 came from Colombia. This information, Dickinson explains, is usually used to intercept illegal drugs heading north. It is at this military base in South Florida that cooperation between the United States and Latin America in the fight against drug trafficking is coordinated.

It would be a reciprocal blow, because for several weeks now the United States has not been sharing military intelligence, not only with Colombia, but also with other NATO allies in Europe, Dickinson explains. Despite Washingtons large military deployment in the Caribbean Sea, these allies have not received information about Trumps plans in the region. If he plans to attack Venezuela, for example, should the allies evacuate their diplomatic or consular staff from Caracas? Washington offers no answer. I think the countries that are cutting off their intelligence assistance are reminding the United States that this has to be reciprocal, the analyst adds.

A vessel attacked by the United States, on October 14. Gobierno de Estados Unidos

Retired Vice Admiral Paulo Guevara also believes that both countries are losing valuable information. The biggest beneficiaries are the drug traffickers, he states. Drug trafficking affects many countries; its complex, variable, and involves millions of dollars. Thats why the best tool for combating drug trafficking has been international cooperation. For example, if Colombia shares information about a ship heading to the United States, Washington alerts Mexico, and they intercept it off the Mexican coast, he explains.

On the other hand, the officer adds, information from the United States has been crucial for Colombia to understand drug trafficking networks within its borders. When a captured drug trafficker cooperates with the justice system, they are interviewed. That information is very useful to us here, he explains. The officer laments that the Egmont Group, a system that allows countries to share information on money laundering and how transnational crime moves its assets, suspended Colombia in 2024 after Petro revealed confidential information about a purchase of the Pegasus software during the previous administration.

The United States is losing an ally of 40 years that provides it with a great deal of intelligence, but the consequences for Colombia are truly disastrous, because we will be left without resources for the fight against drug trafficking. A large part of our intelligence is financed with American aid, the vice admiral added.

An official who worked closely with Colombian intelligence services, but who cannot reveal his name, points out that Colombias weakest point lies in the cutting-edge technology the South American country has acquired in recent years, which it would be unable to maintain without U.S. support. U.S. intelligence agencies have always been leaders in advanced technology, such as satellites or communications interception, much more so than in human intelligence, he maintains.

With Colombia, cooperation began to grow in the 1990s, and a large part of our military and intelligence apparatus, as a middle-income country, would not have been able to access all the information gathered without that technology. We didnt have the budgetary or technical capacity to develop that technology locally, he asserts. With it, they were able not only to track the movement of small planes or boats carrying drugs, but also to gather early warnings about operations by the former FARC guerrillas. But these technologies become obsolete quickly, so you have to constantly modernize them, and thats only possible if you maintain good coordination with the United States, the expert adds.

That synchronicity, with Trump and Petro, is utopian. The former has labeled the latter a member of the drug trade and has decertified Colombias work in the war on drugs. The Colombian president has responded with decisions such as ending intelligence cooperation. In the end, both governments will lose the information they had been building about the power and routes of drug trafficking. And in that ignorance, the only winners are the drug traffickers.

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Exotec report reveals that warehouse employees working with robotics are more productive, happier and safer than those who don't

ATLANTA, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Exotec , a global warehouse robotics provider, today released a new report "Warehouse Workers Sentiment Report: Understanding the Impact of Automation on Retention and Satisfaction", that reveals a surprisingly strong embrace of robotics by warehouse workers who are seeing direct benefits to their careers and livelihoods. Nearly half of workers (49%) report earning pay increases thanks to automation, while two in five workers agree working with automation makes it more likely to get a raise or promotion.

Exotec's survey of more than 400 warehouse workers also found that seven in 10 warehouse workers are open to or interested in working alongside automation, while three times as many workers are attracted to working in a warehouse with automation than are put off by it (37% vs 13%). Nearly two-thirds (63%) of workers report higher job satisfaction working with automation compared to manual operations.

Additional reported benefits of working alongside automation include:

Unanimous productivity power: 98 percent of warehouse workers say automation makes them more productive.

98 percent of warehouse workers say automation makes them more productive. Job magnetism: Workers partnering with automation are more than three times as likely to stay at their job longer than leave early (36% vs 11%). Moreover, workers are nearly 3x more likely to apply to warehouses with automation than those without (37% vs 13%).

Workers partnering with automation are more than three times as likely to stay at their job longer than leave early (36% vs 11%). Moreover, workers are nearly 3x more likely to apply to warehouses with automation than those without (37% vs 13%). Safety supercharge: three in five automation workers report fewer workplace injuries--and a similar proportion (59%) report a decrease in physical strain on their body.

three in five automation workers report fewer workplace injuries--and a similar proportion (59%) report a decrease in physical strain on their body. Fun factor! Seven in 10 (69%) workers find automated-assisted tasks more enjoyable.

"The data is clear, workers believe that working alongside automation offers new potential for workers' long-term careers and immediate job satisfaction," said Romain Moulin, Exotec CEO. "Warehouse workers quickly learn from experience that automation makes their work lives better, delivering myriad of benefits ranging from more take-home pay, significantly improved safety, to substantial productivity boosts. The new supply chain challenge isn't convincing today's workers that robots are good for their career; it's getting a new generation of workers in the door in the first place to experience it themselves."

Key findings from Exotec's report include:

Exposure makes the worker grow fonder

Nearly half of warehouse workers (48%) are "Roboptimists" compared to less than a third (32%) identifying as "Roboreluctant," with the remaining 20% registering as "Roboneutrals." Converting Roboreluctants to Roboptimists comes down to two factors: exposure and training. Workers who initially were suspicious of warehouse robotics found that direct experience with robots largely allayed concerns, with four in five (80%) warehouse employees reporting they didn't oppose automated warehouses after they have experience with it. Most became comfortable with automation after initially being suspicious because they appreciated having help with difficult tasks (57%) and realized it made their job physically easier (51%), while a third (33%) changed their tune once they discovered that it didn't threaten job security.

The ultimate holiday gift: Warehouse robotics

Automation is seen as a powerful solution to seasonal staffing crunches. Seven in 10 (70%) of workers agree that warehouse automation makes them less stressed during these busy periods, while one-third (32%) report fewer coworkers quitting during peak seasons since automation was introduced.

"Like any new technology, we see a curve in workers' comfort and acceptance of warehouse automation and robotics," said Moulin. "The good news is that a little training goes a long way, with trained workers nearly twice as likely to be Robooptimists than not. That's proving particularly valuable when warehouse workers need help the mostover the holidays."

Exotec conducted this research using an online survey prepared by Method Research and distributed by Watermelon Research among n=400 adults (age 18+) in the United States who work on the floor of warehouses. The sample includes a spread of age groups and geographies represented. Data was collected from August 18 to September 1, 2025.

To read the full report, click here.

About Exotec:

Exotec is a global warehouse robotics company powering the world's largest brands. The company combines the best of hardware and software to offer elegant warehouse robotic systems that drive operational efficiency, add resiliency, and improve working conditions for warehouse operators. More than 50 industry-leading brands, including Gap Inc, Carrefour, Decathlon and UNIQLO, trust Exotec to improve their operations across 200+ sites worldwide. Learn more at Exotec.com .

SOURCE Exotec
William K. Phillips reveals how corporate power shields sexual harassment and employment discrimination. Post this

Fear, Silence, and the Cost of Speaking Up

When a CEO, partner, or senior executive behaves inappropriately, accountability often collapses. HR hesitates to act, colleagues look away, and victims face an impossible choice: speak up and risk everything or stay silent to protect their careers.

Retaliation is often subtle and may include exclusion from meetings, denial of promotions, and withholding references. For professionals who've spent years building their credibility, the cost of reporting harassment can feel unbearable. Yet, understanding our instinctive reactions is essential: healing begins when victims recognize that their response was protective, not passive.

"When a supervisor crosses a line, the nervous system does not allow for logic. It shifts into survival mode. The freeze that follows is not weakness; it is protection. Many victims cannot say no or leave because their body perceives danger and prioritizes safety." ~ Deirdre Arato, LPC, Neuro-Psychotherapist

Arato's insight reflects what the law has long recognized: harassment is not about attraction. It is about power and control.

"The intersection of law and psychology is critical when addressing workplace harassment," said William Phillips, recognized as one of New York's top sexual harassment lawyers. "By collaborating with professionals like Deirdre Arato, we can better understand how fear and power dynamics perpetuate misconduct. At Phillips & Associates, our mission is to combine compassionate advocacy with strategic legal action that protects employees, supports healing, and prevents future abuse."

This understanding underscores the need for structural change and independent accountability within organizations. When those in power are shielded from consequences, misconduct becomes embedded in the culture, leaving victims without protection and justice out of reach.

Why People in Power Get Away With Harassment

Those in authority often blur boundaries, test limits, or make subordinates feel lucky to be included. Power becomes both a weapon and shield.

Common examples include requests for dates, sexual jokes or comments about appearance, unwanted touching, persistent advances after rejection, and promises or threats tied to advancement.

When the harasser is a rainmaker, partner, or senior leader, companies often minimize complaints to protect the organizationcreating cultures of silence and fear.

The Illusion of Consent

Some relationships appear consensualtexts, dinners, even long-term affairs between supervisors and subordinates. But when someone's livelihood depends on keeping a superior happy, consent is rarely genuine.

"It is a matter of survival, not choice," Phillips said. "That's why plaintiff-side employment lawyers continue to challenge these dynamics in court."

Changing the Culture of Power

In light of recent EEOC updates on power dynamics, real accountability must start at the top. HR departments need independence; investigations must be neutral, and retaliation must have consequences.

Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and state laws such as the New York State Human Rights Law, employees are protected from harassment, retaliation, and discrimination. Speaking with an experienced sexual harassment lawyer can help employees understand their rights, preserve evidence, and hold powerful figures accountable.

Empowering Victims Through Legal Advocacy

Overcoming workplace harassment demands more than grasping its psychological impactit requires strategic legal advocacy prioritizing healing and rights. As top sexual harassment lawyers, Phillips & Associates blends empathetic support with aggressive representation to tackle claims under Title VII and state laws prohibiting workplace harassment.

"Clients come to us when the stakes are high. Our job is to protect both their dignity and their future. We understand how corporations think and how to leverage that insight to secure results." ~ William Phillips

Guided by strong founding principles, Phillips & Associates brings a business-minded approach to sexual harassment and employment law. The firm has handled over 8,000 employment-law cases and recovered more than $300 million for employees across New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Florida.

Join the 2026 National Plaintiffs' Summit

In collaboration with HarassmentHelp.org, Phillips & Associates will host the National Plaintiffs' Summit on Sexual Harassment and Employment Discrimination from February 22 to 24, 2026, at the Eden Roc in Miami Beach.

The event will bring together leading plaintiffs' attorneys, investigators, mediators, and workplace-rights advocates to examine how power dynamics shape litigation and to develop advanced strategies for change.

Register now at https://www.americanconference.com/national-plaintiffs-summit/ to join the fight against workplace injustice.

For more information, visit https://www.harassmenthelp.org/

Phillips & Associates, founded and led by William Phillips, exclusively represents employees in workplace harassment, discrimination, and retaliation cases. With over 8,000 cases handled, nearly 2,000 litigated, and more than $300 million recovered for victims, the firm is recognized as a top employment law practice in New York and nationwide.

Renowned for its confidential, results-driven system, Phillips & Associates secures high-value settlements efficiently with reduced litigation risk, empowering victims to reclaim their confidence and careers while advancing workplace justice across the U.S.

This article, adapted from a Phillips & Associates feature, provides general information only and is not legal advice. Visit https://www.newyorkcitydiscriminationlawyer.com/ or call (212) 248-7431 for a free consultationtime limits apply.

SOURCE Phillips & Associates | Sexual Harassment, Discrimination & Employment Lawyers
The platform saves countless hours of search time and yields better results. Users fill out a brief intake form and get a custom personalized roadmap. Pioneer's AI model uses the confidential responses to recommend priority resources based on a newcomer's job status, housing needs, cultural and social interests, language, and more. Visitors browse 380+ trusted, locally vetted resources  government, community, employer, cultural and nonprofit. The platform aggregates these formerly disparate resources into one place, categorized by the most common newcomer needs. It's all available in the 7 most common languages spoken in the region, including Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin, Swahili, Uzbek, and more, with more on the way.

"This is a one-of-a-kind asset that no other city on earth has," said Pittsburgh Tomorrow founder Doug Heuck. "It's a great way to connect people with all they need to make Pittsburgh home  a major step forward in our efforts to attract and welcome new Pittsburghers."

Pittsburgh Tomorrow Pioneer was designed in partnership with Quome, a California tech company using the innovative new approach to web development known as vibe coding. "Growing up in Allegheny County, I saw firsthand the incredible history and resilience of Pittsburgh," said Quome Founder & CEO Jim Schwoebel. "Pittsburgh Tomorrow Pioneer is the perfect example of how innovation can be used to build a stronger community, welcome newcomers, and secure the city's place in the future. It's a first."

Pittsburgh Tomorrow Pionee r also features "Bridgit," an AI-powered assistant and digital personal concierge to everything Pittsburgh has to offer. Bridgit is different than an open source chatbot; it's a custom agent trained by the Pittsburgh Tomorrow team on our trusted resources. Developed in partnership with Pittsburgh-based tech company SkillBuilder.io , Bridgit leverages Carnegie Mellon University's large language models to provide automatic support in over 89 languages .

After its official launch in early November, Pittsburgh Pioneer will continue to expand with new features tailored toward helping newcomers make the most of their new home.

Pittsburgh Tomorrow is a nonprofit founded in 2023 with the mission to reverse Pittsburgh's decades-long population decline and revitalize the region. Through a comprehensive strategy that includes attracting outsiders, welcoming newcomers, and engaging current residents, Pittsburgh Tomorrow is catalyzing growth and transformative change for a brighter future in Pittsburgh. Learn more at pittsburghtomorrow.org.

SOURCE Pittsburgh Tomorrow
EMERYVILLE, Calif., Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hikers searching for the next trail to fuel their wanderlust will want to explore this shortlist from hiking experts MT Sobek. The collection has been thoughtfully curated to give hikers an insider's take on the must-do routes of the yearbacked by over five decades of adventure know-how. Travelers ready to lace up their boots will find expert picks including a new off-the-beaten-path route, historic trails rich with legend and charm, and bucket-list challenges every hiker should experience.

MT Sobek Alps Tour du Mont Blanc Hiking  Guest Photo by A. Havens 2025

Tour du Mont Blanc

A timeless classic and cornerstone of Alpine adventures, the Tour du Mont Blanc traverses France, Italy, and Switzerland, revealing dramatic glaciers, wildflower meadows, and pastoral valleys. This legendary circuit around Western Europe's highest peak has been an MT Sobek favorite since 1987.

Kyoto to Tokyo on the Nakasendo Trail

Once a vital Edo-period route linking Japan's imperial and shogunate capitals, the Nakasendo Trail winds through cedar forests and beautifully preserved post towns. MT Sobek's expert-led journey highlights the trail's scenic and cultural treasures, paired with warm Japanese hospitality.

The W Trek

One of the world's great hiking routes, the W Trek in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile, spans more than 40 miles of unforgettable terrainfrom Grey Glacier and the dramatic French Valley to the park's soaring granite towers. Experience Patagonia's landscapes with comfortable stays at ideally located hotels and atmospheric mountain cabins.

Bright Angel Trail from Phantom Ranch

Descend nearly 5,000 feet below the Grand Canyon's rim and experience one of the world's most iconic landscapes from an entirely new perspective. Enjoy an overnight stay at historic Phantom Ranch before tackling the famous Bright Angel switchbacks on the ascent.

Via Transilvanica

Romania's emerging long-distance hiking route connects Saxon villages, forested hills, and the Eastern Carpathians. MT Sobek's 9-day journey immerses hikers in traditional life, medieval architecture, and unspoiled wilderness along this rising star of European hiking.

"Each hike on our 2026 list was chosen not only for its scenery but for its power to inspire connectionwith landscapes, with local communities, and with a deeper spirit of adventure," said Seth Heald, CEO of MT Sobek.

About MT Sobek

Founded in 1969, MT Sobek is the original adventure travel company, specializing in small-group journeys led by expert guides. Explore the full collection at mtsobek.com.

SOURCE Mountain Travel Sobek
BEIJING, Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from CRI Online:

On November 7, SinoGuide, an information service app for foreigners, was launched at the main forum of the 2025 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit, jointly by the National Immigration Administration and the Cyberspace Administration of China. As an "all-in-one life assistant for foreigners in China", SinoGuide covers four core areas: policy information, daily necessities and transportation, cultural experiences, and language learning, helping foreigners seamlessly integrate into life in China!

From China's latest visa-free policies and new departure tax refund regulations to market opportunities, foreigners can easily access authoritative policies and regulations, up-to-date industry trends, and fresh, engaging, and practical city information here.

SinoGuide integrates various types of practical information, including communications, payment, transportation, healthcare, and sightseeing, providing a comprehensive life service guide that allows foreigners to enjoy a convenient and comfortable life in China. Through rich text, image, and video content, SinoGuide vividly showcases China's cultural landscape, folk customs, and development achievements, helping users better integrate into Chinese society and gain a multidimensional, authentic, and comprehensive understanding of China.

Want to learn Chinese? Special features like Chinese teaching videos and quick guides to popular phrases will help foreigners better appreciate the depth of Chinese characters. Additionally, online courses are available for anyone to learn Chinese at any time and from anywhere.

SOURCE CRI Online
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced Thursday that an agreement has been reached with the United States regarding the alleged drug-running boats that the Donald Trump administration has been targeting since last September. Under the new arrangement, Mexicos Navy will be responsible for intercepting these vessels in international waters near the countrys coasts in order to prevent further bombings, according to the joint operational protocols agreed upon by both governments. The goal, Sheinbaum explained, is to avoid more attacks like the one that occurred two weeks ago, 400 nautical miles off Acapulco, when Mexico attempted  so far without success  to rescue the sole survivor.

Mexicos Secretary of the Navy, Admiral Raymundo Pedro Morales Angeles, proposed to the U.S. a coordination mechanism in international waters to comply with maritime treaties on how to handle boats suspected of drug trafficking. There are joint protocols for operations in international waters to prevent the use of bombings against vessels and to ensure compliance with all international treaties. What the Secretary of the Navy proposed was simply that those treaties be respected, and in principle, they agreed. Thats the first accord, Sheinbaum said during her morning press conference. If information comes from U.S. agencies or from Southern Command itself, it will be the Mexican Navy that intercepts those vessels allegedly carrying drugs. The protocol remains in place, and we are in constant communication, she added.

The president did not provide further details about the initial agreement reached by the working group with the United States  the same one she requested after the Mexican Navy launched a maritime search and rescue operation at the request of the U.S. Coast Guard following the bombing off the coast of Acapulco. Hours after the operation began, Mexican Foreign Minister Juan Ramon de la Fuente and Admiral Morales Angeles conveyed to U.S. Ambassador Ronald Johnson Mexicos rejection of Washingtons attacks. We do not agree with these attacks, with the way they are being carried out, Sheinbaum stressed on October 28, asking the Navy and the Foreign Ministry to address the issue.

The agreement serves as a firewall to prevent the tensions caused by U.S. attacks in Pacific and Caribbean waters  off the coast of Colombia and Venezuela  from spilling over to Mexico. Washingtons aggressive offensive in its war on drugs and cartels has so far led the U.S. military to sink 18 vessels and kill 69 people. The Trump administration, however, has not presented evidence that the boats were carrying drugs.

For that reason, Colombian President Gustavo Petro has ordered all intelligence levels within the Colombian security forces to suspend the exchange of communications and other dealings with U.S. agencies while the attacks continue. Meanwhile, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has instructed Venezuelas Defense Minister and the head of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces to raise military alert levels across the country.

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The expression straight out of the movies has been used liberally over the last month, and rightly so, to describe the happenings on October 19 at the Louvre Museum in Paris. That morning, in broad daylight, thieves accessed the institutions Apollo gallery by using a movable staircase, and with the help of an angle grinder, stole nine jewels from the French crown (though they managed to drop an actual crown along the way).

Among the photos released by news agencies on this historic date, one image caught the attention of millions, due precisely to its cinematic aura. Taken by Thibault Camus of the Associated Press, it showed a figure standing next to police officers who looked as though he had stepped straight out of a film noir, attired in a trench coat, a slightly tilted hat in the style of Humphrey Bogart, and what appeared to be a neatly trimmed mustache. That a figure of this kind appeared to be the detective in charge of the investigation into the crime seemed encouraging: no matter how much its historical heritage was plundered, France would never, could never stop being France.

Pedro Elias Garzon Delvaux poses with the image that brought him worldwide recognition. Thibault Camus (AP)

For weeks, users on social media speculated about the identity of the mysterious Fedora Man, as he came to be virally known. A gumshoe so out-of-time that his image conjured visions of pursuing Al Capone during Prohibition  not traversing the streets of Paris in 2025. He cut a figure that seemed too surprising to be real, too perfect, as ventured by those who questioned whether such an individual really existed. The hypothesis that the character had been generated by AI took on such popularity that the photographer had to issue a public denial. Camus, who said he didnt know the identity of the star of his shot, told The New York Times that the man had interested him visually, having emerged from a historic building attired in old-fashioned garb. On a day, no less, when a similarly old-fashioned heist had been committed. Could it in fact have been the thief? A white-gloved cat burglar, the privileged criminal behind the entire operation? A modern-day Thomas Crown?

Well, no. In a plot twist deserving of the cases own unpredictability, the imagined detective who surely had ruined at least two of his marriages through his single-minded addiction to work, lack of sleep and various enemies behind bars, turned out to be a 15-year-old kid who simply knows how to dress. He answers to the name of Pedro Elias Garzon Delvaux and on the morning in question, he had been visiting the Louvre with his mother and grandfather. He hadnt even dressed up for the occasion. Garzon Delvaux dresses like this on a daily basis, even to go to high school. The young man, whose family on his fathers side is half Colombian, speaks in halting Spanish during his conversation with EL PAIS. I really like history and the World War II era, he explains. It all began with a party at his school. I dressed up like Jean Moulin, hero of the French resistance, my idol. And when I was dressed like that, I liked the suit and how people looked at me. I also like old movies, the suits James Bond wears.

Before speaking with the teen, EL PAIS chatted with his mother, Felicite Douce de La Salle, 50, whose Spanish was a bit more fluent. That is due to the fact that between 2014 and 2020, the family resided in Seville because of the work of her husband, who is an environmental economist, at the Centro Comun de Investigacion. Pedro Eliass elegance also comes a little from his Spanish side, she says. When he started dressing like that, I told people it was a reference to the Feria de Sevilla, which is incredible, because everyone is extremely well-dressed, super-elegant, and no one thinks anything of it. I suppose that served a bit as inspiration for him, though he was very young, he wore childrens clothes at the time. She looks kindly on the fact that her son dresses how he likes. I prefer for my son to dress like that than dress like, I dont know, the Joker, she says. Its great to see your own kid in a three-piece suit! The photos impact has brought much mirth to the family. Although they seem a bit worn out by the presence of journalists at the boys school, his mother is relieved by the fact that the motivation for all the attention is something nice, a lovely story, in contrast to the many ugly stories on the internet.

They live in Rambouillet, near Paris. On the morning of the heist, it took a while for them to found out what had transpired. Everything was closed, remembers Douce de La Salle. We walked around, we passed by the pyramid and when we were leaving, that was when Thibault Camus took the photo, we didnt even see him. Just afterwards, I asked that same police officer who is in the car in the photo looking at Pedro Elias what was happening, and he told us there had been a robbery. We hadnt realized  none of us had been looking at our telephones for the last three hours.

Pedro Elias Garzon Delvaux, during an interview with the Associated Press on November 8 in Paris. Thibault Camus (AP)

His first mustache

One of the reasons that led so many to imagine that Pedro Elias couldnt have been a kid was his impeccable mustache, which seemed finely and delicately styled. After the revelation that he was only 15 years old, it seemed pertinent to ask whether it had been painted on, part of the costume, or the result of a students tireless dedication to the care of facial hair. Yes, of course its real, confirms the boy. His mother interjects, He hasnt shaved it yet, its his first mustache.

He admits that, before his Instagram account went public, before he gave his first interview to the Associated Press, the news agency who immortalized him and brought him to global fame, Garzon Delvaux wanted to play with the expectations of the public for a few days. It seemed really cool and I kind of like that there was a little mystery. The theories were very entertaining, he tells EL PAIS. His acquaintances had already identified him, either directly or through his mother, who shows up in the photo behind him. In the days that followed the publication of the image, surprised family members in Colombia, Austria and Switzerland got in touch. Also, at school, where his clothes are part of everyday reality  though he swears he doesnt get many comments on them  a lot of curious classmates were approaching him. The funny thing is that he has friends who since last week have been wearing ties, because they said, Why dont I just wear a tie too? says Douce de La Salle. Hes been happy to oblige the requests that he star in a series or film as a junior detective: in the interview with AP, he said he was waiting for an invitation to shoot.

Garzon Delvauxs grandfather, Douce de La Salles father, is the 82-year-old writer Bruno de La Salle, one of the architects of the French revival of the short story. Douce de La Salle has also published stories. This dimension of the boys tale  after all, one may argue that a detective in a hat and coat investigating a jewel theft is straight out of the movies, but surely a boy dressed as a detective in the middle of an assault on the Louvre is straight out of storybook  is what strikes her as being the most interesting aspect of all the uproar. [The photo] has captured peoples imagination. They think, who is he? All hes missing is the cigarette! Is it Sherlock Holmes? While discussing the performative component of young people behaving like theyre in the 1940s, she quotes the famous monologue from Shakespeares As You Like It (1599): All the worlds a stage, and all the men and women merely players.

Another urgent question: how does an adolescent assemble a World War II-nostalgic wardrobe? Hes 15, he has no money. He has what he can find at home, says his mother. The teen vindicates his familys keen fashion sense. There are many things that come from my father and my grandfather. The vest is my fathers, Yves Saint Laurent, he says. The jacket is Hackett, thats mine. And I also have a Cold War watch from Russia in practically every photo. We bought it in India, in Calcutta. The most touching detail of his outfit is the garment that has caused the most talk, his fedora. Its a hat that belonged to my grandmother on my mothers side, says Douce de La Salle. She passed away last year. In French, they say this is a clin doeil [wink], it was like a tribute that this photo was taken without us realizing it. My mother studied at the Louvre and was a curator, she loved the museum.

The entire family is throwing themselves into helping Garzon Delvaux manage requests and provide him with some protection, with his older sister in charge of emails, his father doing his bit from Pakistan (where he is currently working) and deciding together which media outlets to respond to. And, this Spanish newspaper notes, their six years in Seville are not their only link to the country. I have many friends, I loved the city and Sevilla Futbol Club is my favorite team, says Garzon Delvaux excitedly, while his mother laughs in the background. The boys love for the Seville team would certainly not have been suspected by many people during the days of speculation over the identity of the Fedora Man at the Louvre. His Instagram posts do not feature songs by El Arrebato, the author of the Sevilla anthem, but rather, Frank Sinatra and The Stranglers. These may be antediluvian references for someone born in 2010, but good taste, as has been demonstrated in this case, is hardly subject to trends.

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119 bullets, 13 soldiers implicated, and two young girls dead. This is the toll of the attack by a group of uniformed soldiers in May against a familys SUV in Badiraguato, in the mountains of Sinaloa, in northwestern Mexico. Details of the investigation, to which EL PAIS has had access, shed light on this event  an apparent case of mistaken identity  which the government of Claudia Sheinbaum has barely addressed in recent months. The attack, which left two other minors and two adults wounded, revives concerns about trigger-happy soldiers, given the military deployment in the country in recent years as part of the strategy of successive governments in the fight against organized crime.

Just this week, Secretary of National Defense Ricardo Trevilla touched on the matter briefly, when questioned at the presidents morning press conference. Investigations were opened by the Attorney Generals Office (FGR) and the Military Attorney Generals Office. In the military case, the judge ordered the imprisonment of six officers. As for the civilian case, the FGR is handling the homicide investigation. That is the situation, said the army chief. Although military justice initially imprisoned 12 of the 13 individuals involved  according to this newspapers sources, on charges of disobedience  six were released months later, judging by Trevillas statements. The 13th individual involved was never arrested. The reason is unknown.

EL PAIS contacted the spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense to inquire about the latest developments and to understand why half of the 12 soldiers remain imprisoned while the others were released, but received no response. Similarly, this newspaper contacted the spokesperson for the Attorney Generals Office to inquire about the status of the civilian investigation, but also received no response. The soldiers involved were part of the 42nd Infantry Battalion, based in Guamuchil, just north of Badiraguato. The incident occurred after 2:30 p.m. on May 6, on a highway outside the municipal capital. Badiraguato is one of the largest municipalities in the state, encompassing dozens of communities and ranches. The attack took place amid the ongoing battle between factions of the Sinaloa Cartel, a conflict that began in September 2024 and continues to this day.

Family members, teachers, and students demonstrated on May 12, demanding justice for Alexa and Leidy. Jose Betanzos Zarate (Cuartoscuro)

The case made headlines as the horrific result of a clash between soldiers and armed civilians, a version promoted by the authorities. According to this account, the familys pickup truck was caught in the crossfire, and bullets struck two of the girls, Leidy, 11, and Alexa, 7, who were riding in the truck bed. As the hours passed, relatives of the girls and the other victims rejected this version, stating that the soldiers had fired without any provocation. Witness statements given later to the military or civilian prosecutors office indicated that they heard gunfire from the hill or a rise on the left side of the road. Only one person reported hearing gunfire from the direction in which the truck had passed.

At least 13 of the 24 soldiers in the three-vehicle convoy admitted to firing their weapons. Of those 13, two were in the first vehicle, seven in the second, and four in the third. The lieutenant in command of the convoy stated that he heard no shots fired before his men responded and that he ordered them to cease fire. A count of the ammunition carried by the soldiers, both before and after leaving their base, indicates that 119 rounds were fired. Of those, the family pickup truck, a black GMC Sierra with an open bed, was hit by 38 bullets, mostly in the vehicles body and windows.

This case is not unique under Sheinbaums administration. In October, soldiers shot and killed six people in Tamaulipas, apparently farmworkers in the regions agricultural fields. A year earlier, in Chiapas, soldiers also killed six migrants, allegedly in a case of mistaken identity. In both cases, as well as in Badiraguato, the governments reaction has been similar. Sheinbaum has expressed regret over the events, promised an investigation, and reiterated that the army does not operate as it did in the past, referring to the eras of Felipe Calderon (2006-2012) and Enrique Pena Nieto (2012-2018), when such incidents were more common.

But situations like the one in Badiraguato reveal certain discrepancies between the presidents words and the militarys actions. First, theres the narrative. In the hours after the event, authorities tried to promote the idea in the media that the family had been caught in a crossfire, shifting responsibility away from the military. Only the statements of the victims relatives shed some light on what happened, allowing them to challenge the official version. And then there are the military protocols. The soldiers in Badiraguato fired over 100 rounds at a pickup truck in which four children were riding in the open bed, in broad daylight.

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The deadliest avian flu virus in history, responsible for the deaths of hundreds of millions of birds in the last five years, has once again jumped to mammals and decimated the worlds largest population of elephant seals, located on the remote island of South Georgia, a British-controlled territory about 1,500 kilometers (932 miles) from the Antarctic mainland. The British Antarctic Survey estimates that more than 50,000 females  half the total  have disappeared from one year to the next. The scale of this decline is staggering, warns marine ecologist Connor Bamford, who led the research.

The viruss journey reportedly began in 1996 on a goose farm in Sanshui, southern China, a humid region teeming with poultry farms: the ideal breeding ground for new pathogens. After several less intense waves, a new version of the virus, dubbed 2.3.4.4b, emerged in 2020 and began sweeping across the Americas from north to south, with unprecedented lethality. The highly pathogenic avian influenza killed or forced the culling of nearly 150 million birds in 84 countries in 2022 alone, according to data from the World Organization for Animal Health. On September 16, 2023, on Bird Island, near South Georgia, a group of British scientists stumbled upon a giant Antarctic petrel  a bird with a wingspan of two meters  that was unable to move. The plague had reached the gates of Antarctica, the last virgin continent on the planet.

The virus quickly spread to mammals there. Connor Bamfords team used drones to count the female southern elephant seals in the three main colonies on South Georgia Island. Before the avian flu outbreak, there were about 10,000. After the virus arrived, almost half disappeared. If the results are extrapolated to the entire island population, thats 53,000 fewer females  a devastating blow to the southern elephant seal, a species that until now was not considered at-risk. Two decades ago, there were about 700,000 individuals worldwide, according to the last population census.

Spanish virologist Antonio Alcami led two expeditions in 2024 and 2025 to try to measure the impact of avian flu in Antarctica. Aboard a sailboat converted into a laboratory, the scientists explored the coast of the Antarctic peninsula, the region of the continent closest to South America, at the beginning of this year. The virus had spread everywhere: it was found in practically every location visited and in one out of every four animals analyzed. Penguins were more resistant than feared, but the pathogen was devastating other birds, such as skuas. Two journalists from EL PAIS documented for the first time the ravages of avian flu in Antarctica, accompanying the Spanish expedition.

Southern elephant seals can weigh up to four tons. Steve Gibbs / Servicio Antartico Britanico

Just because we dont see marine mammal carcasses doesnt mean they arent dying, because they are possibly dying at sea, where we cant see them, Alcami argued at the time, on the deck of his sailboat in the dangerous Antarctic waters. Now, he warns that the 50% drop in the number of females in just one year is an extremely high figure, especially in a species where individuals, weighing up to four tons, can live for more than 20 years under normal conditions. Its a huge impact, especially considering that 50% of their breeding population is located in South Georgia, warns the virologist from the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC). The new study was published Thursday in the specialized journal Communications Biology.

Alcami criticizes the lack of support for analyzing the effects of avian flu in Antarctica. Its worrying that the impact on other marine mammal species could be similar, but we simply dont have any information about whats happening, he laments. His mission last year was made possible by a 300,000 ($349,000) donation from the Spanish Union of Insurers and Reinsurers, in addition to logistical support from the CSIC Antarctic base, which is financially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science. This year, he hasnt been able to find funding to continue his research. Its a bit disheartening, he says.

Biologists Antonio Alcami (right) and Begona Aguado, at a penguin colony on Livingston Island (Antarctica), on February 22. Luis Manuel Rivas

Veterinarian Ralph Vanstreels witnessed the most heartbreaking scene of his career in October 2023 on a beach in Peninsula Valdes, a protected area in Argentine Patagonia. The sand was so covered with dying or already dead elephant seals that it was difficult to walk. He and his colleagues estimated that the virus killed some 17,000 individuals in just a few weeks, including more than 95% of the pups. The new study in South Georgia is very alarming because it points to a pattern thats very similar to what happened here in Argentina. It suggests that all elephant seal populations where the virus has already caused outbreaks may be affected to the same degree. Its extremely serious, reflects Vanstreels, from the University of California, Davis. This is a species that wasnt threatened, and suddenly its population is cut in half. It has very serious implications for the conservation of the species, he emphasizes.

The analysis of the outbreak in Argentina pointed to a disturbing possibility: the virus not only jumped from birds, it was spreading from elephant seal to elephant seal. Having such a contagious and deadly avian flu virus evolving in mammal populations is the scenario most feared by public health experts, as the World Health Organizations chief scientist, British physician Jeremy Farrar, warned after an outbreak of avian flu on a mink farm in the Spanish region of Galicia in October 2022. The organization, however, considers the risk to humans to be low, unless the virus mutates and begins to spread among humans.

Ecologist Connor Bamford says that the pathogen remains in elephant seal populations. His colleagues are analyzing the viruss genetic material from different animals to try to determine its path across the island and what mutations it has undergone along the way. There has been mammal-to-mammal transmission, via the air, with contaminated droplets carrying the virus between hosts. That is probably why the elephant seals, which form dense colonies in South Georgia every year, have been so severely affected, says the British Antarctic Survey researcher. Bamford acknowledges that other factors may have contributed to the disappearance of the females, such as some local weather anomalies, but stresses that natural year-to-year variations can account for at most a 10% drop, not 50%. Declines like the one we have observed can only be attributed to highly pathogenic avian influenza, he concludes.

Elephant seals are divided into two species: the more numerous southern elephant seal and the less common northern species, which has so far been relatively unaffected by the virus. Biologist Michelle Wille manages the avian influenza database for the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, the international body that coordinates science investigations in the Antarctic. Highly pathogenic avian influenza has been catastrophic for southern elephant seals, she states. These mortality rates are shocking, but not surprising, because weve seen similar figures in numerous bird species. The implications are considerable, continues Wille, from the University of Melbourne, Australia. One wonders if this species will survive this.

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Zohran Mamdani has just become mayor of New York City with a powerful central message: facilitating access to affordable housing, a pipe dream these days. His main promise is to freeze the rent in in rent-stabilized apartments, in a city where $2,000-a-month leases (1,800) have been a thing of the past for yearstoday they average around $3,000and where the high cost of living affects even families with salaries that would be eye-watering in virtually any other part of the West.

Less than a week before the lefts victory in the cradle of capitalism, a progressive but much more moderate political party, D66, won elections in the Netherlands with the same promise: to alleviate the housing bottleneck. Every pig in this country has a roof over their head, but a student or a young person cant even find an affordable broom closet, the future Dutch prime minister, Rob Jetten, graphically stated during the campaign. Everything seems to indicate that Geert Wilders and his incendiary xenophobic rhetoric will be left out of the government: the housing crisis, in short, matters more to voters than immigration.

The housing issue has also recently been championed by Irelands newly elected president, Catherine Connolly, whose success was even more resounding: she garnered 63% of the votes, more than half a million ahead of her closest rival, and with a particularly high voter turnout among younger generations, weary of wages that are insufficientespecially in Dublinand to whom the new head of state has consistently appealed.

Housing is the most powerful political and social issue today, both in Europe and throughout the West, Balakrishnan Rajagopal, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to adequate housing, told EL PAIS. It is an extreme affordability crisis, especially for the working population, who perceive an extreme inequality of wealth and class: the wealthiest classes seem unaffected, and at the same time, their own governments fail to address the issue to help those in need.

We are talking about a broad cost-of-living crisis, in which housing may be the most significant component, explains Ben Ansell, Professor of Comparative Democratic Institutions at the University of Oxford. The result: Millions of people are unable to afford the standard of living their parents enjoyed at their age, even though they may have earned significantly less.

The figures speak for themselves. Since 2010, the average sale price of homes has skyrocketed by 55% in the EU, while rent has increased by 27%. In Germany, almost one in three tenants fears they will be unable to pay their rent.

Theres more, also in the realm of perceptions, which are just as important, if not more so, than reality in shaping political opinions. The shortage of affordable housing is the main concern for Europeans living in cities: 51% consider it an immediate and urgent problem, according to the latest Eurobarometer survey. This is almost 20 points higher than those who place employment at the top of their list of concerns, or even those who complain about the quality of public services. One population group is particularly affected: young people, especially in the southern countries, where wages are lower.

Until now, the housing crisis had fueledand greatly benefitedfar-right populism, which draws a direct line between the lack of affordable housing and immigration. This is evident in France, where Marine Le Pen is leading in the polls; in Germany, where the AfD threatens to overtake the traditional parties; in Italy, where Giorgia Meloni swept the elections and the housing crisis persists with no solution in sight; and in Spain, where Vox has also made this a central issue with proposals such as deregulation, tax cuts, and prioritizing nationals over foreigners.

Social message

Judging by the latest elections, however, something seems to be changing. Mamdani has won the mayoral race in the most populous city in the United States (and the third most populous in the Western world after Sao Paulo and Mexico City) with an unequivocally social message, focusing on housing and beyond: free public buses for all and free childcare up to age five.

The far right has managed to turn frustration over the housing crisis into an electoral advantage. Now, however, some progressive partieslike D66and left-wing parties are beginning to address these challenges more directly and focus more on basic issues that affect everyday life, outlines Jacob Nyrup, a professor at the University of Oslo specializing in inequality.

Along the same lines, Ansell sees opportunities for progressive parties and the traditional left to gain support on the issue of high rent. The problem is that this only seems to work for a subset of young people in or near major cities: Sinn Fein in Dublin or Mamdani in New York. Moreover, many of these young people also aspire to be property owners, and when they achieve this, their attitudes often shift towards protecting housing prices. So its a difficult coalition to keep together.

The far right links it to immigration

The latest election campaigns clearly show that people in many Western countries and cities are waking up to the false propaganda of far-right parties, Rajagopal affirms. They are also waking up to the apocalyptic scenarios painted around the phenomenon of migration, even though the arrival figures do not differ much from the historical average. Linking the high cost of housing to the arrival of people from abroad, the UN Special Rapporteur warns, is very dangerous and can only harm these societies without addressing the real challenge: the housing crisis, which is a consequence of misguided neoliberal policies implemented over the last three decades (or more), and the increase in social inequality. Ansell, who has studied the British case in detail, has also found no evidence to support this supposed link between immigration and high housing prices.

Internal migration [to larger cities, in particular] and the growing preference for living in city centers are much more significant, argues Martin Vinaes Larsen, a political scientist at Aarhus University in Denmark. As cities become less affordable, a greater proportion of people feel excluded. And in countries with one or two dominant economic centers, being left out represents a real disadvantage that increasingly affects the middle class. The solution? Increase the supply [of housing]. Build more.

The Netherlands laboratory

The case of the Netherlands deserves special attention: Wilders won in 2023 with a campaign that directly linked housing and migration, and two years later voters have turned their backs on him. We are witnessing the beginnings of a new way of doing politics, a new recognition of the reality of housing affordability and other rights as a central issue for a new political reconfiguration based on human rights, predicts the UN Special Rapporteur. Something that, he says, we are also seeing in New York.

That Jettens party was the first moderate, pro-European force to defeat the far right with housing policies at the heart of its political platform is far from accidental. Besides being one of the nations hardest hit by soaring housing prices, the Netherlands, along with Austria, is one of Europes leading laboratories for housing policy. While Vienna is known for its vast stock of public housing, Amsterdam, the largest Dutch city, has even gone so far as to prohibit the purchase of apartments for speculative purposes.

D66 has correctly identified the cost of housing as one of the defining issues [of the election], as is the case in many other European countries, Jeremy Cliffe of the ECFR think tank noted in an email. He particularly values their proposal to build a dozen new cities with enough housing to accommodate their population. The largest of these, IJstad, located halfway between Amsterdam and the province of Flevoland (north-center), plans to have up to 60,000 homes thatif ultimately builtwill house 126,000 people. If it goes ahead, it will be connected by train to the countrys main economic and business centers.

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First came three emails made public by the Democrats on the House Oversight Committee. Then, more than 20,000 unfiltered documents released by their Republican rivals on that same committee. On Wednesday, the millionaire and convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein once again took center stage in Washington, as a new glimpse opened into his murky world through the papers that Congress has been receiving in waves from his family since August.

One of the three emails that kicked off the day was addressed to his friend Ghislaine Maxwell  an accomplice in a sex trafficking network with hundreds of underage victims, for which she is serving a 20-year prison sentence. The other two were sent to journalist Michael Wolff.

In the email to Maxwell, dated 2011, Epstein mentions a victim whose name appears redacted, saying: [Victim] spent hours at my house with him. He also writes: I want you to realize that the dog that hasnt barked is Trump, referring to the fact that the thenreal estate mogul never once mentioned his meeting with that victim.

The White House later said the woman in question was Virginia Giuffre, who took her own life this year, a month after surviving being hit by a bus in Australia, where she lived. In the past, she had said she had never seen Trump take part in her abusers crimes.

In one of the emails to Wolff, from January 2019, Epstein  who died in August of that year in a high-security cell while awaiting trial  implied that Trump was aware of his behavior: Of course he knew about the girls as he asked Ghislaine to stop. The other exchange with Wolff, from 2015, dates back to the first campaign that took the real estate tycoon and reality TV star to the White House. In it, Epstein suggests that the journalist use what he knows about Trump to blackmail him.

Trump and his allies accused the Democrats of selectively choosing certain emails to damage the president. In response, Republican James Comer, who chairs the House Oversight Committee, decided to release all the documents that came into his possession last week, linking them in a message on X. That link leads to an unwieldy repository of files that is extremely difficult to navigate.

As the hours went by, the distilled content of that information began to yield results, thanks to patient review and careful filtering by U.S. media outlets.

Email exchange between Epstein and Michael Wolff in 2015, released Wednesday by Congress. House Oversight Committee Democr (via REUTERS)

Conversations with an Obama adviser

Trumps name appears repeatedly throughout the more than 20,000 documents, though there are no email exchanges between him and Epstein. The two were friends for about 15 years before ending their relationship around 2004.

On one occasion, Epstein refers to the then-president as borderline insane. In another, he writes that Trump had fucking crazy after learning, early in his first term, that he had ordered a travel ban on citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries.

Perhaps the most revealing email is one Epstein sent in 2018 to Kathryn Ruemmler, who served as White House counsel during Barack Obamas presidency. I know how dirty Donald is, he wrote, referring to possible scandals that could emerge about Trump after Michael Cohen  his former lawyer  pleaded guilty to federal crimes related to the financing of the presidential campaign Trump won against Hillary Clinton.

As part of a plea deal, Cohen implicated Trump in a 2016 hush-money scheme involving payments to porn actress Stormy Daniels to cover up an alleged extramarital affair, which Trump denies. In 2023, the thenRepublican candidate was convicted on 34 felony counts in connection with that case.

The material released on Wednesday also provides new details about Epsteins network of associates  both familiar figures from his web of abuse and influence and others less commonly linked to him. Among them are the nationalist ideologue Steve Bannon, whom Epstein advised on expanding his operations into Europe, and Peter Thiel, founder of PayPal and close ally of current Vice President J. D. Vance. Thiel received an invitation to visit the millionaire pedophiles private island  the site of dozens, perhaps hundreds, of his abuses. Thiel told Politico he never accepted the offer.

Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in an undated photo taken in Balmoral, Scotland. CONTACTO via Europa Press (CONTACTO via Europa Press)

Journalist Michael Wolffs involvement

Journalist Michael Wolff wrote to the millionaire pedophile shortly before Trumps electoral victory in the 2016 elections, in what appears to be an offer to harm him during the final stretch of the campaign. Theres an opportunity to come forward this week and talk about Trump in such a way that could garner you great sympathy and help finish him. Interested? Wolff wrote. It is not the only document in which the two fantasize about bringing down the then-candidate with allegedly compromising information, though no sign of it appears in the newly released documents.

These revelations do not cast the journalist in a very favorable light; at times, he comes across almost as Epsteins image consultant. Wolff, the author of several books about Trump (and another about the financier), posted a video on Instagram on Wednesday in which he said: I have been trying to talk about this story for a very long time now [...] These two men, Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump, had the closet relationships for more than a decade, he said. Perhaps were getting close to the smoking gun.

The released emails also contain further evidence that Epstein kept a close eye on his old friends affairs  for example, when an associate passed him information about Trumps finances, or in another message, when he showed interest in the confirmation process of Alex Acosta as Secretary of Labor.

When Acosta was the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida (between 2005 and 2009), he agreed to bury the first prosecution against Epstein through a lenient plea deal that allowed the defendant  who served only 13 months behind bars  to plead guilty to two state-level offenses. Acosta also granted him immunity from federal prosecution for sex trafficking of minors because, he later said, he believed it was unlikely that federal prosecutors would succeed in a potential trial. That agreement, which enabled Epstein to continue abusing minors for another decade, was ultimately what prevented Acosta from joining Trumps Cabinet.

Giving Lawrence Summers advice about women

If the release of the documents has served any purpose, it has been to confirm the close rapport between Epstein and Lawrence Summers, the prominent economist who served in the administrations of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama and later became president of Harvard University.

It was already known that Summers had a relationship with the financier  one he later publicly regretted  but not that he had continued to maintain such frequent contact with him between 2017 and 2019, years after Epsteins first (lenient) conviction for an offense related to prostitution and also after The Miami Herald revived the case with a series of investigative reports.

The publication of those reports triggered Epsteins second prosecution, when federal prosecutors in New York charged him in 2019  amid the rise of the #MeToo movement  with sex trafficking for crimes committed between 2002 and 2005 in Miami and New York.

In those exchanges, there is much discussion of Summerss relationship with a woman in London, about whom Epstein offers him personal advice. Trump also comes up in their correspondence. In one 2017 email, the economist writes that he has been in Saudi Arabia and came back with the impression that officials there considered Trump a clown, increasingly dangerous on foreign policy. In other messages, the two discuss a possible Epstein donation to a project connected to Harvard and to the economists wife, Elisa F. New.

From the dozens of emails exchanged between them, there is no indication that Summers was aware of Epsteins criminal activities.

From left, the Duke of York, Virginia Giuffre, and Ghislaine Maxwell, in a photo allegedly taken at Maxwell's home in London and published by the 'Mail on Sunday' newspaper. US Department of Justice (PA / Cordon Press)

Prince Andrew: Say it has NOTHING to do with me

Prince Andrews ties to Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein  along with accusations from Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre  led to his downfall, which culminated last month when his brother, King Charles III, decided to strip him of his title as prince.

Among the more than 20,000 documents is an email from 2011 in which the then prince replies to a message Maxwell had forwarded to him through Epstein. It concerns the Mail on Sunday, the British newspaper that had just asked the financier for a comment on sexual abuse allegations that its reporters were preparing to publish. Andrew replies: Hey there! Whats all this? I dont know anything about this! You must SAY so please. This has NOTHING to do with me. I cant take any more of this.

On March 6, 2011, the Mail on Sunday published an article featuring a photograph of Prince Andrew with Giuffre, the victim who recently took her own life. The Duke of York maintains that he never committed any crime. In Giuffres newly published posthumous memoir, she describes the three occasions on which she was forced to act as the princes sexual slave. He was friendly enough, but still entitled  as if he believed having sex with me was his birthright, she wrote.

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Federal funds will start flowing again after nearly 43 days, following a favorable House vote on Wednesday. But the spending package only funds the government through January

The clock on the longest government shutdown in U.S. history had been ticking for 42 days, 23 hours, and 24 minutes when President Donald Trump signed the bill ending it. It was the final step in a slow-motion death that had been dragging on for days since Sunday, when Republicans in the Senate secured enough votes to reopen the public money tap, which had been partially closed since October 1.

The bill had been approved a couple of hours earlier by the House of Representatives, whose members met in session for the first time since September 19 to vote on the governments funding proposal, approved on Monday in the Senate after seven Democrats and one independent defected to the Republican ranks.

The House voted 222 (216 Republicans and six Democrats) to 209 (202 Democrats and seven Republicans) on Wednesday. With that formality out of the way, all that remained was Trumps signature to end the shutdown  a recurring threat that materializes when the two parties cannot agree on budgetary matters.

Trump signed the funding proposal, which is valid only until January 30, in the Oval Office. He was flanked by House Speaker Mike Johnson and other members of Congress. The president did not miss the opportunity to repeat some of the lies he has been reiterating during the prolonged government shutdown. He also took the opportunity to lash out at his rivals and urge his allies in the Senate to end the filibuster rule, which requires a majority of 60 votes out of 100 to pass most legislative initiatives.

Afterwards he did not take questions from reporters, who shouted them out anyway. These had to do with the topic of the day: the presence of Trumps name in a new batch of documents involving the millionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

With the presidents signature, things will gradually return to normal at dozens of federal agencies, museums, monuments and national parks that were closed or neglected, as well as to major U.S. airports, which have suffered thousands of flight cancellations and tens of thousands of delays due to the effects of the shutdown on air traffic controllers and security employees, officials considered essential and therefore forced to work without pay. Other federal workers, some 750,000, have been suspended from work without pay for more than six weeks.

Democratic members of the House on the Capitol steps on Wednesday. Elizabeth Frantz (REUTERS)

It is unclear when all these problems will be resolved, especially the one affecting airports. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which last week launched a plan to prevent air traffic congestion, put it on hold on Wednesday night.

It is also unclear to what extent the 42 million beneficiaries of the food stamp program (SNAP) will ultimately be affected. The Trump administration has tried by all means to avoid paying the amounts due for November, and last Friday the Supreme Court sided with the White House.

The agreement includes provisions for federal government funding until the end of January, when a new crisis may arise; funding for food stamps throughout fiscal year 2026; and a commitment from the Trump administration to reinstate the employees laid off during these 43 days. It also includes retroactively paying back wages to those who retained their jobs and not laying off any more federal employees for the next two and a half months.

Almost more important is what that pact doesnt include. This is especially true for the Democrats, who are once again facing an internal crisis just a week after their resounding electoral victories in New York, Virginia, and New Jersey. The Republicans are not committing to extending a portion of the health coverage included in the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), named after the president who enacted it. These are subsidies approved during the Covid pandemic, and their likely end will cause health insurance costs to skyrocket for 24 million Americans. Republicans have agreed to hold a vote on these subsidies soon, although it doesnt seem likely that the initiative will pass Congress.

House Speaker Mike Johnson kept the chamber in recess for 54 days in an unprecedented attempt to blame Democrats for the effects of the government shutdown. The last thing the representatives did before going on indefinite recess was to pass the budget plan, which then failed to secure the necessary support in the Senate  a supermajority of 60 votes that wasnt reached until Sunday, after 14 failed attempts. Democrats then refused to support the plan that would have allowed the government, which has been shut down since October 1, to remain open.

The new representative for Arizona, Adelita Grijalva, and House Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday. J. Scott Applewhite (AP)

During that time, Johnson also refused  and everything indicates that it was due to a political calculation based on his unwavering loyalty to Trump  to allow Congresswoman-elect Adelita Grijalva (Arizona) to be sworn into office after winning a special election on September 22 to succeed her father, Raul Grijalva, who died in January.

Grijalvas vote

Grijalva finally succeeded on Wednesday afternoon. The first thing she did was sign a petition with her supporters to force a vote in Congress. If it passes, which is unlikely, it would compel the White House to release all the files held by the Justice Department related to the case of Jeffrey Epstein. Johnson has scheduled that vote for next week.

Democrats and a handful of Republicans who give them the 218 required votes (Thomas Massie, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert, and Nancy Mace) want to know the contents of those documents that the Justice Department had promised to release for months, until last July, when Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a statement, signed by FBI Director Kash Patel, changing their minds.

New emails from Epstein, released Wednesday by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee, reveal that he repeatedly mentions Trump. The two were friends for 15 years, until their falling out in 2004. This was before Epsteins first trial and before the real estate mogul and reality TV star first became president.

The White Houses sudden refusal to release these files has fueled suspicions that they contain something Trump doesnt want revealed. It triggered Trumps most serious crisis with his MAGA supporters at the beginning of the summer. Conspiracy theorists have long suspected that these files contain a list of wealthy and famous individuals implicated in Epsteins crimes, a list that is being withheld to protect them. They also suspect that the financier did not take his own life in jail while awaiting trial as the coroners report concluded.

Until the Trump administration releases all the material, if it ever does, Congress has been obtaining batches of documents from Epsteins estate since August. The emails released most recently are from the latest batch. Bondi has the complete dossier on her desk, according to her own statements.

Trump maintains he knew nothing about his old friends crimes. On Wednesday, he dismissed the new revelations as yet another example of a Democratic tactic to distract from the end of the government shutdown. The Democrats are trying to bring up the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax again because theyll do anything at all to deflect on how badly theyve done on the Shutdown, and so many other subjects, he wrote on his platform, Truth Social.

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Pomelo industry thrives with tech innovation in Meizhou, S China's Guangdong

People's Daily Online) 10:17, November 13, 2025

On Nov. 7, 2025, Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visited the Nanfu pomelo growing base in Yanyang township, Meixian district, Meizhou city, south China's Guangdong Province, where he was briefed on Guangdong's efforts to step up support for old revolutionary base areas and advance all-around rural revitalization, among others.

He checked on pomelo growth and reviewed processed and cultural and creative products derived from the fruit. Xi then went into the orchard and had a cordial exchange with the fruit farmers and agricultural technicians.

He pointed out that developing rural industries with local characteristics is fundamental to promoting rural revitalization across the board. Xi called for efforts to boost sci-tech application, promote the integrated development of culture, agriculture and tourism, extend the industrial chain and enhance added value, so as to secure higher incomes for more rural residents.

Huang Hong, a pomelo farmer from Nanfu village, was deeply encouraged. "The general secretary's words struck a chord with us," he said.

A farmer uses a monorail transport vehicle to transport pomelos in Nanfu village, Yanyang town, Meixian district, Meizhou city, south China's Guangdong Province. (People's Daily/Cheng Yuanzhou)

In the 1980s, Meizhou began encouraging residents to plant pomelos, and Nanfu village launched large-scale cultivation of the fruit trees. "Back then, my father took care of 45 pomelo trees. When I took over a decade ago, our orchard had expanded to 80 mu (about 5.33 hectares)," Huang recalled.

"Compared with my parents' generation, who had to run all over the hills to irrigate and fertilize, we can now handle these tasks while sitting at home drinking tea, thanks to an integrated water and fertilizer spray system," he said.

Gone are the days of carrying pomelos on shoulder poles. Today, drones loaded with pomelos zip overhead, while monorail transport vehicles capable of hauling more than 350 kilograms shuttle through the orchard.

"These are smart sensors that collect real-time data on soil moisture, temperature, and weather conditions. After analysis through a smart agriculture platform, reports are sent to my phone with reminders about irrigation and fertilization. These are intelligent pest-monitoring lamps that automatically track insect activity 24 hours a day, enabling early prevention and science-based pesticide use," Huang said. "A few years ago, I never imagined I could manage a pomelo orchard with just a smartphone," he added.

His 80-mu orchard is expected to yield 350,000 kilograms this year. The high sugar content and excellent appearance of his pomelos owe much to Zhong Yonghui, head of the institute of agricultural sciences in Meixian district.

In recent years, Meixian district has organized agricultural experts to provide technical guidance for farmers, promoting scientific fertilization, green pest control, and virus-free seedling cultivation to further improve pomelo quality.

Nanfu village now has 450 pomelo-growing households cultivating more than 5,000 mu, generating annual revenue exceeding 50 million yuan (about $7.02 million).

Huang Kaizhi, Party chief of the village, noted that thanks to the pomelo industry, Nanfu village has been selected as a model village under Guangdong Province's "High-quality Development Project for Counties, Towns and Villages."

Li Yongsheng, president of the pomelo association of Meixian district in Meizhou city, south China's Guangdong Province, introduces pomelo-derived products. (People's Daily/Cheng Yuanzhou)

The village has extended the pomelo industry chain by producing pomelo-derived products such as essential oils, naringin, and dried pomelo peel.

"Extending the pomelo industry chain opens up broader market prospects," said Li Yongsheng, president of Meixian district's pomelo association. "Take pulp processing as an examplebeverage companies in the Pearl River Delta place orders for 500 tonnes at a time," he said, noting that Meixian district has become China's largest commercialized pomelo production base and distribution center.

Across Meizhou city, in 2024, the total output value of the pomelo industry chain surpassed 8.9 billion yuan, helping more than 100,000 farming households increase their incomes.

In Nanfu village, the pomelo industry has also boosted rural tourism, attracting waves of visitors and enabling pomelo farmers to earn income year-round instead of only during the harvest season.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Wu Chengliang)
The Treasury Departments move comes a day after Mexico froze the bank accounts of 13 betting houses over their links to organized crime

The U.S. Treasury Departments crackdown on Mexican drug trafficking finances has now expanded to include a network of luxury restaurants and casinos in Mexico. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced Thursday that, in a joint operation with Mexico, it has sanctioned 27 companies accused of allegedly laundering money on behalf of the Sinaloa Cartel. In the crosshairs are businesses owned by the Hysa group in Mexico, Canada, and Poland, as well as a dozen betting houses in the Mexican states of Sinaloa, Tabasco, Baja California, and Sonora.

The United States and Mexico are working together to combat money laundering in Mexicos gambling sector. Our message to those supporting the cartels is clear: You will be held accountable, said Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John K. Hurley, in a written statement.

On Thursday, OFAC sanctioned 27 individuals and entities, and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) proposed a special measure to restrict access to the U.S. financial system for 10 Mexico-based gaming establishments due to money-laundering concerns. The U.S. sanctions were announced a day after the Mexican government froze the bank accounts of 13 betting houses in Mexico over alleged money laundering and ties to organized crime.

U.S. investigators report that the Hysa Organized Crime Group (HOCG) has used its influence  through investments or control over various Mexico-based businesses, including casinos and restaurants  to launder drug trafficking proceeds. The HOCG is believed to operate with the consent of the Sinaloa Cartel, which maintains criminal control over much of the territory where the group conducts its activities, the Treasury report states.

Slot machines at the Skampa Casino in Villahermosa. skampavhsa

Among the Hysa-controlled companies financially sanctioned by the U.S. are Bliri; Cucina Del Porto; Diversiones Los Mochis; El Arte de Cocinas y Beber; Entretenimiento Villahermosa; Entretenimiento Y Espectaculos; Grupo Internacional Canhysamex; H Hidrocarburos Hysa Forwarders; LH Pro-Gaming; Procesadora de Alimentos Hs; Rosetta Gaming; Hysa Holdings, and others.

The U.S. notes that as a result of the Hysa group sanctions, all property and interests in property of the designated individuals located in the United States, or in the possession or control of U.S. persons, are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entity that is owned, directly or indirectly, individually or collectively, 50% or more by one or more blocked persons is also blocked.

In parallel, the Treasury Department accused a dozen Mexican casinos of allegedly laundering money for the Sinaloa Cartel. The sanctioned betting houses are located in Sinaloa, Baja California, Tabasco, and Sonora. Notable names include the Midas, Eminem Mirage, Skampa, and Palermo casinos, among others.

U.S. authorities also proposed that these casinos face a special measure that would prohibit covered financial institutions from opening or maintaining a correspondent account for any foreign banking institution if such account is used to process transactions involving any of the gambling establishments.

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ULAN BATOR, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia has exported 2,976 tons of combed cashmere worth 244.1 million U.S. dollars in the first ten months of 2025, according to official data released by the National Statistics Office (NSO) on Thursday.

The figure increased by 4.6 times in physical volume compared to the same period last year, the data showed.

Under the national campaign "White Gold," initiated by President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh and implemented by the Mongolian government, a total of 198 billion tugriks (57.5 million U.S. dollars) is planned to be invested to increase the capacity of cashmere processing plants in the country.

As a result, by 2028, it is planned to increase the primary processing of cashmere in the domestic market to 100 percent, and the deep processing of cashmere to 40 percent.

According to the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry of Mongolia, the country's cashmere export revenues are forecasted to reach approximately 700 million dollars.

Currently, there are about 50 enterprises operating in Mongolia with an installed capacity to process 119,000 tons of combed cashmere. 
NEW DELHI, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- India's federal government on Wednesday approved spending of 5.1 billion U.S. dollars on Export Promotion Mission (EPM) and expansion of Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters (CGSE).

The announcement was made by Federal Information Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, following a government decision during a cabinet meeting chaired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The move involves an outlay of 2.82 billion dollars over six years for EPM to strengthen India's export ecosystem and allocation of 2.25 billion dollars in credit guarantees for bank loans.

The government said EPM marks a strategic shift from multiple fragmented schemes to a single, outcome-based, and adaptive mechanism that can respond swiftly to global trade challenges and evolving exporter needs.

CGSE provides 100 percent credit guarantee coverage by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited to member lending institutions for extending additional credit facilities up to 2.25 billion dollars to eligible exporters. 
New Delhi, Nov 13 : The Government's proposed Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2025 holds the potential for getting a better deal for India's talented skilled workers and professionals and also ensuring that they return home to their country of birth after finishing their work stints abroad. This would strengthen the acceptance of Indian workers overseas amid the growing backlash against immigration in advanced countries such as the US.

According to an article in The Diplomat, "The new Bill represents India's attempt to reimagine labour mobility as a cornerstone of economic diplomacy."

"The new Bill signals a paradigm shift. Rather than passively watching its workforce scatter, India is now actively negotiating the terms of their mobility. Since 2014, New Delhi has signed labour mobility agreements with at least 20 countries across Europe, Asia, and the Persian Gulf.

"The proposed legislation would replace the outdated Emigration Act of 1983 with a comprehensive framework that doesn't just facilitate overseas employment  it ensures workers' safe and orderly return, and reintegration of returnees," the article states.

"This is a recognition of a hard truth that while developed economies have shrinking populations and few workers, countries like India have stable populations but few jobs. Migration, which seems like an optimal solution, cannot work anymore due to the political cost of the backlash to immigration. India's solution is exporting labour with an expiration date," the article further states.

While India's greatest asset is over 600 million people below the age of 25, developed countries face an acute labour shortage with ageing populations. A Boston Consulting Group study estimated a global shortfall of 45-50 million workers by 2030, up from just 5 million in 2023, the article points out.

It also cites the examples of Germany and Japan actively seeking Indian workers.

The article further highlights that the Indian government is actively pursuing agreements with host nations to maximise national benefits. The India-U.K. Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) exempts Indian workers temporarily posted in the United Kingdom from paying British social security contributions for up to three years, which will bring an estimated savings of Rs 4,000 crore annually for Indian firms.

The new Bill can further create convergence between different governments, create mechanisms to oversee international migration agreements, and develop data-driven policy management. Most importantly, it focusses on creating frameworks for incentivising the protection and promotion of emigrants' welfare, it added.
BELEM, Brazil, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Brazilian presidency of the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) reported initial progress in climate negotiations on Wednesday, emphasizing a "constructive spirit" among participating delegations.

At a press briefing marking the second day of talks in Belem, the Amazonian capital of Para state, COP30 President Andre Correa do Lago, executive director Ana Toni, chief strategist Tulio Andrade, and Brazilian Foreign Ministry climate director Liliam Chagas provided an overview of the discussions underway since the conference opened on Monday.

Chagas said that negotiations resumed in earnest on Tuesday following Monday's plenary sessions and have so far maintained "a positive tone in all rooms." Early exchanges focused on advancing key priorities while reinforcing multilateral cooperation, she noted.

One of the key objectives is for delegates to make measurable progress on climate adaptation, including selecting up to 100 indicators to guide the Global Goal on Adaptation. This goal is a key commitment under the Paris Agreement of 2015 to enhance adaptive capacity and bolster global climate resilience.

Other central agenda items include continued efforts on the Just Transition Work Programme and discussions on implementing the outcomes of the first Global Stocktake under the Paris Agreement.

COP30, which runs through Nov. 21, brings together representatives from nearly 200 countries and regions to accelerate action on mitigation, adaptation and financing within the UN climate framework. 
WELLINGTON, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of New Zealand and Niue met in Auckland on Thursday to agree a foundational political declaration, "encapsulating the partnership between the two countries," according to a New Zealand government statement.

Describing Niue as "one of our closest partners in the Pacific," New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the two countries are celebrating the relationship of free association and setting out mutual responsibilities and shared goals.

The signing of the declaration kicks off the first of what is to become an annual New Zealand-Niue Leaders' meeting, with discussions including Pacific regionalism, climate and economic priorities, and social and governance issues, the statement said. 
COLOMBO, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- More than 500 police officers carried out nationwide raids early Thursday as the Maldives launched its most extensive anti-narcotics operation in recent years, state broadcaster PSM News reported.

The campaign, ordered directly by President Mohamed Muizzu, aims to dismantle drug trafficking and distribution networks across the archipelago.

The crackdown comes as Parliament considers amendments to the country's Drugs Act that would introduce harsher penalties for drug offences, including the possibility of the death penalty for importing or trafficking narcotics, PSM News said.

The government is also working to strengthen treatment services for those affected by drug use, PSM News said, adding officers have recovered narcotics, items used for street-level drug distribution, and equipment used to brew alcohol. 
Not one but two new picture books out this season feature masquerading turkeys and have almost identical titles: Australian author Adam Wallaces Turkey in Disguise, illustrated by Mike Moran, and Cynthia Platts Turkeys in Disguise, illustrated by Josh Cleland. In anticipation of Thanksgiving, we invited Wallace and Platt to talk turkey about their festive books and the creative process.

Adam Wallace: Hi, Cynthia... wait, is that really you? Or are you actually a turkey? Either way, congratulations on Turkeys in Disguise; its a really fun book!

Whats also funny is we have written really similarly titled books and mine is called Turkey in Disguise! I have just one little turkey disguising herself in costumes for the big November ball, because shes worried she looks a bit boring. You have lots of turkeys disguising themselves.

My inspiration was a project kids do in schools. What inspired your awesome book?

Cynthia Platt: The school project was a big part of what spurred Turkeys in Disguise, too: sitting down and thinking about why a turkey might need a disguise and how the kids would create over-the-top costumes! Also, there are a lot of turkeys roaming around my neighborhood, so inspiration abounds.

And a big congratulations to you as well! Turkey in Disguise does such a wonderful job of being really fun while being sweet and affirming as well. How did you react when you first saw the sketches, and later art, for the book and how well Mike Moran captured all of those things? I have to admit I cracked up the moment I saw Josh Clelands initial sketches!

Wallace: Ha, I love thatinspiration just roaming around your neighborhood! And yes, seeing the illustrations for the first time is one of my favorite parts of writingto not only see how Mike brought the story to life, but to see how he interpreted it, and what little extras he put in. My favorite is the picture of the turkey disguised as a park bench!

Im curiousdid you give illustration notes or just let Josh go for it and let his imagination fly? Theres so much going on in his pictures!

Platt: The park bench is hilarious! Im pretty partial to how Josh created the turkey astronaut as well. To add illustration notes or not always feels like a big question. I did add some, but Josh went for it, and Im so glad he did as hes definitely funnier than I am.

What about you and Mike? Andthis is a question you only really could ask in the kid-lit worldhow did you choose which disguises you wanted for your turkey?

Wallace: Haha, yes, the astronaut is great, but the turkey flowers were my favorite. I tend not to add any illustration notes, unless I have a joke in mind that needs a picture as the punchline, often after a page turn. When you have people as awesome and talented as Josh and Mike, I feel its best to let them go for it, as they will go places we never could have imagined!

As for the disguise ideas, I just chose the ones I would either want to see... or want to wear myself! Heres a question for you: we both have funny stories with wacky disguises and lots of silly things going on, but also nice messages in them. How important do you feel it is to have a message, even in a funny book?

Platt: When I sit down to try to write what I hope will be a funny book, Im not sure I even think about a message at first. That is, I dont always set out with a message in mindthough one often seems to come through anyway! I think a lot of my writing centers around kindnessbeing kind to others and yourself. Theres a strong strain of what we called being a helper when my daughter was little. Some of the kids ideas in this bookand in my upcoming Bunny in Disguisemight be a bit out there, but the desire to help some equally out there turkeys is at the foundation. I also think having fun for funs sake is really important, for kids and adults! Ultimately, theres a lot of joy in both of our turkey books.

Do you know what else has been joyful? Having this conversation with you!

Wallace: It sure has, Cynthia; I am loving getting these insights. Im similar to you in that I go for entertaining first and message second. A message always comes out, but it is nice when it is within an entertaining story rather than being pushed out there.

And yes! With so many messages out there, kids need to find time to be silly and have fun for funs sake, because in the end that is one of the most important messages of all: that we are allowed to have fun, and dont have to be serious all the time!

Thanks so much for taking the time to talk turkey about turkeys!

Platt: Thank you as well!

Turkey in Disguise by Adam Wallace, illus. by Mike Moran. Silver Dolphin, $12.99 Aug. ISBN 978-1-66721-045-2

Turkeys in Disguise by Cynthia Platt, illus. by Josh Cleland. Clarion, $12.99 Sept. ISBN 978-0-06-346033-1
Recently a sled dog was the star of an event, a member of the Exonerated Five launched his book on justice, an author shared a picture book biography, a festival celebrated tween readers, a debut author showcased original art, and an author held food-centric school visits.

Leaps and Bounds

Blair Braverman celebrated the release of her new picture book The Day Leap Soared, illustrated by Olivia When (HarperCollins), with a launch event at Blue House Books in Kenosha, Wisc., on October 22. Based on Bravermans real-life team of sled dogs, the book follows young pup Leap who is eager to join the sledding team and searches for what makes him stand out. Braverman brought along one of her sled dogs, Flame, for the event.

Past Surviving and on to Thriving

On October 28, Raymond Santana, one of the Exonerated Five who was wrongfully convicted as a teenager, celebrated the launch of his new book Pushing Hope: An Illustrated Memoir of Survival (Astra) at the New York Public Library as part of its TeenLIVE series. Santana was joined by the books illustrator, Keith Henry Brown, in a conversation on justice, resilience, and creativity for a group of high school students. Here (from l.), illustrator Keith Henry Brown and Santana with moderator and YA librarian Renee Scott onstage during the event.

Snowed In

Big Hill Books in Minneapolis welcomed Margi Preus (r.) on November 2 for an event presenting her new picture book, Snowshoe Kate and the Hospital Built with Pennies (Abrams). Illustrated by Jaime Zollars, the picture book highlights the life and achievements of Dr. Kate Pelham Newcomb, one of the few female doctors in the early 1900s, who would often do whatever it took to travel to her patients across snowy ground. Author-illustrator Lauren Stringer (l.) joined Preus for a conversation in which they showcased Preuss fathers wooden snowshoes and discussed her book.

Cheers to the Tweens

The annual Tweens Read festival took place at Pasadena Dobie High School in Houston on October 25, drawing more than 900 attendees to meet their favorite middle grade authors and illustrators. Here, the events featured creators: (back row, from l.) Brady Smith, Daniel Nayeri, Dan Gemeinhart, Arree Chung, Craig Kofi Farmer, James Riley, James Ponti; (middle row, from l.) Lauren Tarshis, Dusti Bowling, Kacy Ritter, Meera Trehan, Julio Anta, Misa Sugiura, Shannon Hale, Meg Medina; (front row, from l.) Jen Calonita, Nicki Pau Preto, Jennifer L. Holm, Brandy Colbert, Margaret Peterson Haddix, and Kat Fajardo.

An Artist Expresses Herself

On November 7, Elizabeth McConaughy-Oliver (c.), author of Baby, Express Yoself (Chronicle), exhibited at local bookstore Mrs. Dalloways annual art show for kids books creators in Berkeley, Calif. The picture book follows a confident baby throughout the day, inspiring young readers to express themselves in similar ways. At the exhibit, McConaughy-Oliver showcased original artwork and was greeted by the books designer Sandy Frank (l.) and editor Ariel Richardson (r.).

Have a Bite

On October 28, Mika Song visited several schools in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., to celebrate the release of her graphic novel Night Chef (Random House Graphic). The story traces a raccoon living in the walls of a fine dining restaurant that becomes the guardian to a baby crow. Here, Song enjoys some ramen during a visit to Castleton Elementary School, where she led students through a Cooking Up Comics with Night Chef presentation and a collaborative comic writing and drawing exercise. The event was in partnership with Northshire Bookstore in Saratoga, N.Y., which provided free copies of the book to students.
BEIJING, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Despite an overall population decline in China since 2022, 11 provincial-level regions have registered growth in the number of permanent residents over the past three years, according to the newly released China Statistical Yearbook 2025.

The yearbook, compiled by the National Bureau of Statistics, shows that Zhejiang, Guangdong, Xinjiang, Hainan, Jiangsu, Anhui, Guizhou, Fujian, Ningxia, Xizang and Hubei saw population increases between 2021 and 2024.

Among them, east China's Zhejiang Province recorded the largest rise, adding 1.3 million people in three years, with all of its prefecture-level cities reporting growth.

Zhejiang's private sector is highly dynamic and provides broad employment opportunities, said Tang Hairu, vice chairman of the provincial urban science research association. He added that the province's balanced regional development and small urban-rural gap have helped sustain steady population growth.

The yearbook also shows that China's population continues to flow into the Yangtze River Delta and the Pearl River Delta, two of the country's most developed regions. Within provinces, people are also moving from smaller towns and rural areas toward core cities.

Among individual cities, Hefei, Guiyang, Hangzhou, Changsha and Zhengzhou, all provincial capitals, recorded the largest population increases over the past three years, with four of them located in central and western China. Hefei of Anhui Province led the list with a gain of 537,000 people, becoming the fourth city in the Yangtze River Delta -- after Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou -- to surpass 10 million residents.

"The development of industries supports population concentration, and changes in industrial layout drive shifts in both the economy and population density," said Lin Fei, a researcher with the Anhui Academy of Social Sciences.

In that sense, Hefei has both improved its existing industries and developed new sectors such as new energy vehicles, photovoltaics and integrated circuits, which offer vast opportunities and attract young talent, Lin added.

Guiyang followed closely with a population increase of 502,000, thanks to provincial strategies focused on strengthening the capital and enhancing talent. The city has recorded net annual population gains exceeding 100,000 for four consecutive years. 
UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Amid continuing calls for greater aid access, UN humanitarians said on Wednesday that Israel has announced it is reopening the Zikim crossing into the north of the Gaza Strip.

"Overnight, Israeli authorities informed the UN that the Zikim crossing, between Israel and northern Gaza, will reopen for humanitarian cargo," said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

The Zikim crossing, closed for two months, will be the third crossing to be opened following the Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem crossing, near the Egyptian border, and the Kissufim crossing, between Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah, as aid access points.

Humanitarians have been calling for greater aid access to the heavily populated north. During the two-month closure, no supplies entered Gaza directly from the north of the strip. Travel up from the southern crossings was hampered by heavily damaged roads.

OCHA said the United Nations has, in recent weeks, been repairing the road leading up to Zikim from inside Gaza in preparation for the reopening and to enable the resumption of cargo collection. It has begun final checks, including on potential unexploded ordnance.

The office said the authorities reported that incoming cargo will need to be scanned outside Zikim, offloaded from Israeli trucks, and reloaded on a separate day onto Palestinian trucks for distribution in Gaza.

OCHA said partners managing displacement sites in Gaza report that people continue to move from southern Gaza to the north, with approximately 4,000 movements recorded over the past week. While the distribution of shelter and winter supplies is scaling up, the needs remain vast.

The office said that as humanitarians continue to scale up assistance -- with the commercial sector and bilateral assistance further supporting the response -- market prices for basic commodities are gradually stabilizing. At the same time, OCHA partners continue to provide critical cash voucher assistance, with 66,000 cash transfers since the ceasefire came into effect last month. 
Youve spent years building your collection and worked way too hard to let some neer-do-well gank it to feed his meth habit. If youre considering investing in a gun safe to protect your property from light-fingered miscreants, heres what to look for in the good, better, best categories, as understanding key features and price points is essential to make an informed decision.

If youre the type who treats your firearms like family  cleaning them religiously, upgrading them obsessively, and defending their honor in online forums  then skimping on storage is like leaving your kids in a cardboard box during a hurricane. A gun safe isnt just a metal box; its your last line of defense against thieves, fires, nosy kids, and that one relative who thinks hes entitled to borrow your stuff. So, before you drop coin on that shiny new vault, lets break down what really counts.

First off, dont buy a safe based on what you own today. Think about tomorrow.

A couple of Glocks might multiply into a dozen handguns, a few rifles, and a shotgun or two before you know it. Manufacturers love to hype holds 20 long-guns, but thats often assuming theyre all single-barreled .410s stacked like cordwood. Factor in scopes, bipods, mags, and that oddball suppressor, and suddenly youre playing Tetris with your treasures.

On-door storage means you can use space that would otherwise be left empty. Brown Safes MOLLE-like panels allow the user to shift guns around until they fit.

A monster safe that weighs a ton (literally) might sound badass, but if it wont fit through the door or up the stairs without hiring a crane, youre screwed. Consider going modular if you run into access issues  some brands offer expandable systems. And remember, interior dimensions are key; a 60-inch-tall safe might not swallow your precision rifle without removing the can or getting rid of an interior shelf.

Pro tip: Add 20 to 30 percent extra capacity for optics, and those just in case purchases. Nothing sucks more than outgrowing your safe six months in, but if you do, then you can at least find solace in the fact that a second safe gives miscreants a second problem.

FIREPROOFING: BECAUSE SH*T BURNS

Fire ratings are where marketing departments go wild. Youll see claims like 30 minutes at 1,200F or two hours at 1,700F. Sounds impressive, right? But dig deeper. These are tested in controlled labs, not your raging inferno of a living room blaze. Look for UL (Underwriters Laboratories) or ETL certifications  theyre the gold standard. A cheap safe might survive the heat but turn your guns into warped modern art inside. Consider your risk: Urban apartment? Go for higher ratings. Rural homestead with a cellar saver volunteer fire department 20 miles away? Double down.

We made this suppressor storage rack from an Amazon lazy Susan and some dowel rod.

Insulation matters too  gypsum board, i.e. drywall, is common, but ceramic or composite fills hold up better. And dont forget the seals; expanding intumescent strips around the door can mean the difference between salvaged steel and water-soaked rust. Bonus: Some safes have fire-rated document pouches for your important papers, because losing your birth certificate in the same fire that claims your 1911 collection is just adding insult to injury.

LOCKS: DIAL, KEYPAD, OR BIOMETRIC  PICK YOUR POISON

Ah, the lock debate. Mechanical dials are old-school reliable  no batteries to die, no EMP to fry em. But theyre slow; if youre fumbling in the dark during a bump-in-the-night scenario, good luck. Electronic keypads are faster, often with backlit buttons and multiple codes for family access.

Just change the batteries yearly, and choose wisely at the start, or youll be on first name terms with your locksmith when he comes to drill your safe open. Biometrics? Flashy, but finicky. Sweaty fingers, dirt, or a cut can lock you out faster than a bad date. Stick with reputable brands like S&G or LaGard for the guts. Redundant systems  key override plus electronic  are smart.

And for Gods sake, avoid cheap Chinese imports with locks that a toddler could pick. Security is only as good as the weakest link, and a crap lock turns your fortress into a suggestion box.

BUILD QUALITY: STEEL THICKNESS AND BURGLAR RESISTANCE

This is where you separate the men from the boys. Gauge matters: 10-gauge steel (about 0.135 inch) is decent for the body; aim for 7-gauge (0.179 inch) or thicker on the door. But its not just thickness  continuous welding, reinforced corners, and anti-pry tabs are crucial. UL rates burglary resistance and RSC (Residential Security Container) are entry-level, good for 5 to 10 minutes against a muppet with basic tools. TL-15 or TL-30 ups it to serious protection against drills and torches, wielded by people who know what theyre doing.

You could rely on a couple of sheets of drywall to insulate your guns from a house fire, or you could spring for stuff that actually works. This safe survived a wildfire in California and while its completely trashed, it did its job of protecting the contents.

Check the hinges. External ones might look vulnerable, but with internal bolts, theyre fine (and make the door swing wider). Internal hinges add stealth but can limit access. Weight is your friend, and anything under 500 pounds is portable for determined thieves with a dolly, so anchor it to concrete, where possible, and to studs at a minimum. And inspect for gaps; a crowbars best friend is poor tolerances.

A bare-bones interior is like a pickup without a bed liner  functional, but annoying. Adjustable shelving lets you customize for pistols on top, rifles below. LED lighting? Worthwhile, because fumbling in the dark for your bedside blaster is a recipe for stubbed toes.

Dehumidifiers or golden rods keep rust at bay, especially in humid climates, and some safes have power outlets inside for running these or charging lights or cameras. Modular racks for mags, door organizers for holsters add value without jacking the price sky-high for the most part. If youre into high-end stuff, look for carpeted interiors to prevent scratches or even climate control for heirloom pieces.

Just dont get suckered into overpaying for gimmicks like built-in alarms that connect to your phone; a separate security system is usually better.

Of these rated safes, only the last one actually gets put to the test. In order to get an F rating, a couple of dudes who really know what theyre doing are given free rein to drill, cut, pry, and hack for 30 minutes. If the safe doesnt give up its contents, it passes.

BUDGET, BRANDS, AND BULLSH*T

Expect to spend $500 to $5,000 depending on size and features. Cheap safes from big-box stores? Fine for a couple handguns, but theyre basically gym lockers. Brands like Liberty, Fort Knox, or Browning deliver American-made quality whereas imports like Rhino or Stack-On can be bargains but buy carefully. Avoid no-name Amazon specials, as theyre probably sh!t-tier Chinese garbage, complete with shill reviews.

Warranties vary, but lifetime against defects is common and in this market segment customer service counts actually counts  a company that ghosts you when the lock fails isnt worth it. Shop sales  but remember, you usually get what you pay for. Buying a gun safe boils down to threat assessment, so whats your biggest risk  burglars, fire, kids, or all of the above? Measure twice, buy once, and test it in person if you can. Hit up a dealer, kick the tires (or doors), and ask hard questions.

Mild steel really doesnt provide much in the way of resistance to drilling, until you get up to 1/4-inch thickness. Many cheap safes may look like their doors are thick, but theyre really just sheetmetal bent around drywall.

A good safe fades into the background until you need it, then saves your ass, so treat it like your firearms. Invest wisely, maintain it, and itll serve you for life.

TOP OF THE HEAP

After personally owning everything from sheetmetal lockboxes up to pretty substantial RSCs, it was time to go god-tier.

Following much back and forth, we recently acquired a 6024 Tactical model from Brown Safe. While budget and midrange safes meet basic needs (and we have a few of them bolted inside a Conex box), it was time to think about just how much weve got invested in high-end firearms, and time spent away from home. The 6024 stands out in the premium category for its exceptional craftsmanship, advanced security features, and customization options.

Brown Safe Manufacturing, a California-based company with over 30 years in the industry, positions itself as a premium producer of high-security safes, serving everyone from homeowners to U.S. Military installations and embassies.

Their Tactical 6024 model boasts solid dimensions tailored for substantial storage without dominating a room. Its interior measures 60 inches high by 24 inches wide by 21.5 inches deep, offering up to 16-gun capacity in a full rack configuration or eight long-guns with additional shelving in the half-rack setup. Note that we were indeed able to fit the stated eight guns in there, and no, none of them were single-barreled shotguns. In addition to the eight long-guns, we also managed to store seven SBRs with the stocks folded on the top rack, three in the bottom compartment, along with 26 handguns, 15 suppressors, and a loaded SIG Rattler on the door panel for funsies. The exterior starts at 61 by 25 by 27 inches, expanding to 65.5 by 30 by 32 inches with optional fire protection.

Constructed from 1/4-inch-thick steel walls and a 1/2-inch door, with continuous welded seams and reinforced jamb bars, its built to withstand abuse far beyond typical residential needs. To resist thievery, its equipped with a UL-approved commercial-grade lock, 1-inch hardened chrome locking bolts featuring anti-drive resistance, and advanced countermeasures like relockers that activate during attacks.

Fire protection, rated at 1,700 degrees F for 90 minutes, uses a concrete amalgamate rather than drywall, and this has the added benefit of being hell on cutting tools, should anyone try to breach it with circular saw.

The doors adaptive storage system uses horizontal bars compatible with MOLLE or PALS gear, should you want to add things like holsters, and theres a line of adapters with QD mounts in case you want something readily at hand as soon as you open the door. These also allow the use of dead space for more storage. Teamed with full-size MOLLE panels on both sides, theres plenty of room to keep non-serialized accessories close by without taking up valuable space inside the safe.

All this functionality is not without its costs, however. At 2,300 pounds, its worthwhile getting professional help with the install, and youre not going to be humping it upstairs any time soon. If your main floor comprises typical residential framing, youre going to want to reinforce it. It was probably designed for a live load of 40 pounds per square foot, not the 350 pounds per square foot the 6024 Tactical generates.

If youd rather spend your budget on more guns (and who wouldnt?), is there a way to upgrade the performance of a lower-tier RSC? Indeed, there is.

The first step is to bolt the safe down. Thieves often attack gun safes by tipping them over to bring more leverage to bear on the doors, so why make life easy for them? Next, consider building an enclosure around the safe, adding another layer of material for them to get through  2x4s are good, concrete is better. Finally, think about other aspects of your security system, such as cameras and alarms. All safes  even high-end ones like the Brown 6024  will eventually be breached, given enough time and determination. Your goal is making the time it will resist longer than the time it takes for you or the cops to show up.

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'The DNA of Tata Consumer Products is all food and beverage.'

Photograph: Kind courtesy, Tata Consumer

Tata Consumer expects to close the year with margins at 15 per cent.

In an interview, Sunil D'Souza, the managing director and chief executive officer of Tata Consumer Products, talks about what led the company to deliver a strong topline in the second quarter despite GST disruptions with Sharleen D'Souza/Business Standard.

Despite GST disruptions in the quarter, you've managed to see a strong rise in revenue?

We've got good volume growth. We continue to expand distribution and innovation and we continue to power up.

We are on track for a full year of five per cent innovation to sales this year as well.

GST disruption came at the end of the quarter, and we did see disruption in our growth portfolio, because salt is GST exempt, and tea was at five per cent GST always. But Capital Foods, Organic India, Soulfull, ready-to-drink moved to the five per cent bracket.

We did see some hiccups in modern trade as well as in general trade. Our internal target was to hit 10,000 crore for the first half of FY26, but we were in touching distance from the number.

Will the extended monsoons have an impact on consumption?

This year, the monsoon came early and is retreating late. This is something that we have to get used to.

I would say we've got to learn to execute beyond this. Climate change is for real. It's here to stay.

I can't be blaming weather and my point is you continue to execute.

Are you taking price hikes in coffee?

In coffee, after prices went up, we have now started to see some softening. For now, we have taken a price increase in July.

We have done a degramming exercise in November and we have announced another price increase effective January in the US. This is a constant exercise.



IMAGE: Sunil D'Souza.

Photograph: Courtesy, Tata Consumer.

Going forward, what will be the drivers of growth for the India business?

It's just distribution, branding and execution has come to the fore.

Going for volume growth, and then driving a bit of price mix on top of that, I think that's the critical piece.

Value added salts have come to the party very strongly. Base salt is growing, but the big growth is coming from the addition of value added salt.

In tea, it's distribution and a little bit of market share gains which are helping out.

In our growth categories, we've got long runways, whether it is the acquired businesses of Capital Foods and Organic India or the in grown businesses of Sampann.

It's just a question of expanding the product category portfolio and continuing to execute against those pieces.

When will Tata Consumer Products look to expand beyond foods?

The day we see growth from the food category starting to slow down, that is the day we'll start looking at, where else do we go. But today we need to drive a double-digit top line and drive margins in excess of the top line.

As long as we are doing that we are in a good place. Because remember when we move into the FMCG space, whether it is marketing, R&D, manufacturing, I have to learn new tricks.

The DNA of this organisation is all food and beverage, but getting into a deodorant or a detergent or a perfume is slightly different to the current categories we are present in. I would say it's some time off.

What is your margin guidance for the second half of the year?

We'll close the year with a close to 15 per cent Ebitda (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) margin.

This quarter also, while we did a 13.6 per cent Ebitda margin, the impact from the US coffee pricing itself was 110 bps.

If I put that back, it is 14.7 per cent so that's why we're quite confident of hitting close to the 15 per cent plus number by Q4 (FY26).

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff
...a time when his legacy ledger was still positive and before the debacle against China.

With every subsequent election, our leaders tend to become weaker.

India should consider passing a law that no person should hold the highest office in our country for more than two terms, points out Harishchandra.

IMAGE: Jawaharlal Nehru delivers his Tryst with Destiny speech, one of the greatest speeches of the 20th century. Photograph: William Stacey/Fox Photos/Getty Images/Rediff Archives

Jawaharlal Nehru is spoken about more today than at any other time after his demise on May 27, 1964.

The quip 'It is Nehru's fault...' has become akin to a default setting for the present government and its many supporters.

Nehru was India's longest serving prime minister -- he held the post for 16 years, 9 months, and 11 days, a record that Narendra Modi can overtake on March 10, 2031, when he will be 80 years old.

The problem with long tenures is that it gives you more time to make mistakes.

British Conservative politician, Enoch Powell, well known for his 'rivers of blood' speech when he opposed the immigration of Indians into the UK in the 1960s, had also, less famously, said, 'All political lives, unless they are cut off in midstream at a happy juncture, end in failure, because that is the nature of politics and of human affairs.'

Nehru was not cut off mid-stream, unlike many of his peers, and is therefore, rightly and wrongly, blamed for much of India's present ills.

The greatest inconsideration made by the politicians and their supporters who love to decry Nehru is in failing to consider the context of his times.

It is extremely easy today to look back and wish that Nehru had done things differently, yet in the age when he lived and made his choices, it would have been the choice of most others in the same or similar situation.

Let's look at a few of the charges against Nehru. A popular claim is that Mahatma Gandhi erred in choosing Nehru over Vallabhbhai Patel to lead India as the first prime minister.

Yet, any such claim is unfair to Gandhi, Nehru, and Patel.

The choice of Nehru closely reflected the support of Indians. Nehru was immensely popular with the people, just like Modi is popular with millions today.

Nehru's advantages were clear: He came from North India (he was a Kashmiri Pandit whose family was settled in what is now Uttar Pradesh, the subnational region with the largest population); he came from an aristocratic background, which impresses most Indians; and he was a brahmin (something that mattered much more than it does today).

By contrast, Patel hailed from Gujarat, the same state as Gandhi and any leader would be hesitant to push a leader from his region to avoid claims of parochialism.

Patel also came from a relatively modest background, and he was a Patidar.

The last bit is interesting: The Patidars (often having the surname Patel) is today one of India's most wealthy and influential communities, and politically powerful in Gujarat, which was formed in 1960, but in the 1930 and 1940s, the Patidars were still a rising community.

A look at the galaxy of leaders involved in the Freedom Struggle and many so-called upper caste names pop-up; few OBC leaders' names come up, and if they do, it is mostly at the regional level.

For many Indians, who still see leaders from the lens of caste and region, a north Indian brahmin would have always been preferred, especially to those living in north India.

There was also the factor of age: Nehru was 14 years younger, and seen as being able to guide India in the immediate period post-Independence.

In 1947, Nehru was in his late 50s whereas Patel was in his 70s and already suffered a heart attack.

A good leader chooses what is the best for the country and if Gandhi actually made that choice, he chose what was best for India.

IMAGE: Nehru and members of the Constituent Assembly take a pledge midnight August 14-15, 1947. Kind courtesy Wikimedia Commons

A second criticism concerns Nehru's economic policies, with his preference for State-owned enterprises.

By far, this complaint is profoundly unfair. Today, even Modi talks of an Atmanirbhar Bharat and urges citizens to buy local stuff -- if this isn't Nehruvian, then what is?

Indians in the 1950s were acutely conscious of the fact that the British came as traders and stayed on as rulers to plunder.

There was no way Indians back then would have accepted foreign investment or even the presence of big foreign companies.

Swadeshi was not just a political slogan; it was an economic dream that Indians harboured along with a mistrust of all foreigners.

Further, Indians have a love-hate relation with traders (and the trading community) of India.

In the 1940s/1950s, we loved to hate the traders -- Hindi movies of yore invariably showed the shopkeeper/moneylender as a slimy, untrustworthy person, forever seeking to lay his hands on other people's money.

Indians were happy to see the government ringfence big business. Moreover, in the mid-1940s, Indian industrialists had themselves propounded the Bombay Plan, urging the government to invest in heavy business, acknowledging that they lacked the ability to make large investments.

Across the world, the zeitgeist of the 1950s was State-owned large industries (steel, coal) and India was no different.

Every leader is a product of his time, and state ownership of India's best assets was something heartily approved of by Indians.

IMAGE: Nehru speaks on his arrival at the White House, watched by then US president John F Kennedy and then vice president Lyndon B Johnson, November 6, 1961. Photograph: Keystone/Getty Images/Rediff Archives

What India owes Nehru is democracy and secularism (the latter is quite hated today).

At a time when the first elected leaders of newly independent countries were happy to dispense with the pain of elections, Nehru chose to do so otherwise.

Democracy wasn't a given: We have seen across Asia and Africa how easily it has been destroyed.

If today, Indians can take pride in India still having a functioning democracy, some credit for that belongs to Nehru.

He also deserves credit for keeping India secular, though here he was carrying forward the legacy of the Freedom Struggle, that was genuinely secular in character, even after the rise of the Muslim League, which wasted no opportunity to needle the Congress party.

All the leaders back then -- Nehru, Patel, Rabindranath Tagore, Subhas Chandra Bose, et al -- were firm believers that India needed to be secular, with the government not interfering in the religious lives of people.

Secularism, or the separation of the temple from the temporal, wasn't just a political decision but stemmed from the very root of Indian civilisation.

In India, the clergy and the rulers have always been separate (think brahmin and kshatriya): A principle propounded and practiced a thousand years before Christ's famous aphorism to render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's and unto God the things that are God's! Secularism is rooted in Indian tradition.

IMAGE: Nehru in 1948. Photograph: Wikimedia Commons

Where Nehru seriously erred was in his foreign policy relations, including his dealing with China, and about which, much has been written.

Nehru may have had good intentions, but history judges outcomes, and none of them were really good.

One of the gravest mistakes Nehru made was in not retiring after completing 10 years in office in 1957, a time when his legacy ledger was still positive and before the debacle against China.

With every subsequent election, our leaders tend to become weaker.

India should consider passing a law that no person should hold the highest office in our country for more than two terms.

After all, if you can't make a difference in 10 years, there is little chance you will make any difference in 15.

His other tragic error was in pushing his daughter to succeed him (though if Lal Bahadur Shastri had lived longer, it is anyone's guess if Indira Gandhi would have ever become prime minister), and she in turn, was succeeded by her son, Rajiv Gandhi.

Problem with family is the mistake of one is seen as the mistake of all and usually pinned on the person who is the easiest to blame (in this case, Nehru).

As historian Ramachandra Guha noted, children pay for the sins of their ancestors, Nehru is paying for the sins of his descendants.

Truth be told, Nehru deserves better.

Chances are, after the current wave of loathing passes, he will be judged more fairly.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
'The elimination of terrorists does not imply the neutralisation of terrorism. That terrorist ecosystem continues to thrive in Kashmir.'

IMAGE: Police officers and forensic technicians work at the site of the blast in a Hyundai i20 car near Gate 1 of the Red Fort metro station in Delhi, November 10, 2025. Photograph: Reuters/ANI Photo

"In Kashmir, the security situation has improved significantly. Recruitment is curtailed, infiltration is restricted and a large number of terrorists have been neutralised. The strength of terrorists operating in J&K has come down from about 4,500 to a little under 100," points out Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain, former commander of the Srinagar-based XV Corps.

The second-generation army officer served seven tenures of distinguished military duty in Jammu and Kashmir, across all the three regions of the state -- Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh -- and has an astute understanding of the military, political, social, economic and the populace.

While serving in the Kashmir Valley, he conceived the 'Hearts Doctrine' aimed at winning the hearts and minds of Kashmiris.

"Terrorist networks incubated inside Jammu and Kashmir continue to operate. The reduction in terrorist numbers and separatist tendencies, as well as people raising the national flag and chanting patriotic slogans are not definitive indicators for change," General Hasnain tells Rediff's Archana Masih in a must-read two-part interview.

You have said that the roots of the Lal Quila attack in Delhi lie in Jammu and Kashmir. What are your primary takeaways from what has happened?

India has not seen a terror attack in an urban area for nearly 15 years. The last major attack was the German Bakery blast in Pune 2010 and the Delhi high court bombing in 2011.

Since then, intelligence agencies and police have improved their intelligence and surveillance capability and busted most terror modules in many urban centres in northern India, as well as in Mumbai and Pune.

India has largely been peaceful. In Kashmir, the security situation has improved significantly. Recruitment is curtailed, infiltration is restricted and a large number of terrorists have been neutralised.

The strength of terrorists operating in J&K has come down from about 4,500 to a little under 100.

However, the elimination of terrorists does not imply the neutralisation of terrorism. That terrorist ecosystem continues to thrive in Kashmir.

In 2017, the National Investigative Agency targeted terrorist financial networks and neutralised it over a period of time. As a result, funding sources for terrorism have dried up to a large extent.

The government also cracked down on thriving anti-national media in Kashmir which was receiving government advertisements.

In spite of these successes, Punjab and Kashmir remain the hub of the drug trafficking networks, and efforts are continuing to bring it under control. The smuggle of arms and suchlike illicit activities continue.

The ideological aspect is also very significant. Radical clerics are more focussed on the extremist interpretation of Islam than the upliftment of youth, especially during Friday namaaz in some places.

Such ideological networks have increased despite efforts by the government to counter this trend.

De-radicalisation is a complex challenge across the world. There are some established effective global models adopted by Saudi Arabia and Singapore to counter radicalisation. India can learn from adapting such models.

Terrorist networks incubated inside Jammu and Kashmir continue to operate. The reduction in terrorist numbers and separatist tendencies, as well as people raising the national flag and chanting patriotic slogans are not definitive indicators for change.

IMAGE: Delhi Police personnel and Rapid Action Force seen near the Red Fort area, November 12, 2025. Photograph: Atul Kumar Yadav/ANI Photo

We went to the Bakshi stadium on Independence Day 2025 and it was packed with people to attend the Independence Day function.

The Bakshi stadium and the Barmullah stadium used to be packed even in 1999. Yet, it is difficult to know whether people are coming of their own volition or otherwise. The Kashmiri psyche is very complex and not easily understood.

While progress has been made in J&K, the radical networks are attempting to take terrorist activity into urban areas, particularly north India.

In the past, there were some linkages between radical elements in Kerala and J&K.

This suggests that these networks would try to increase their influence to other urban centres like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and also target areas with sizeable Muslim population vulnerable to radical ideology.

The ideological struggle between the radicals and non-radicals in Islam has continued for centuries and remains very dynamic -- sometimes one side is stronger, at another time, it is the other.

While global terror has declined and the global war on terrorism has scaled down with the dismantling of ISIS, and al-Qaeda reduced to insignificance, yet international terror networks continues to exist.

They are waiting to make a comeback. Terrorism is always waiting for opportunities to re-emerge. It lies dormant and then suddenly, one fine day, it emerges like ISIS did in Iraq in 2014.

The pattern of incubation and resurgence is characteristic of terrorism. Therefore, the roots of the terror incident in Delhi lie in J&K.

The doctors [except one] had links in Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, Faridabad, Lucknow, Saharanpur... If you join the dots, it indicates the attempt to reactivate terrorism beyond J&K.

One must credit the intelligence agencies for the work done in the last 15 days to uncover and break this module. It appears that this module panicked and triggered the explosion at the Red Fort. Whether it was a suicide bombing or an accidental detonation will be investigated.

What matters most is that it was a near or a quasi-terrorist act which happened in the heart of Delhi and its linkages go back to J&K.

IMAGE: Rapid Action Force personnel stand guard at the Red Fort car blast site, November 12, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

Do you think the intention was to bring terror to the heart of India, with broader implications not just for security but also for Muslims living in northern India?

That's a very good question. Let me explain this through an anecdote.

Some years ago, Pakistan's Geo TV interviewed a suicide bomber whose device had malfunctioned.

When asked if he was a Muslim, he said, 'Yes, of course'.

The interviewer pointed out that most of the people he was trying to kill were also Muslims.

His answer was chilling: 'None of these people are Muslims. I am the only true Muslim. The way I live, read, and follow Islam is the only correct way. The rest are heretics.'

Now, I'm not saying those involved in the Delhi act were radicalised to that extreme. But this reveals the mind of how radicals think. They justify killing their own in pursuit of a distorted cause.

Sacrificing a few from their own community means nothing if it serves a larger purpose.

The radical mind is irrational -- it knows no reason or logic.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
'When maximum voter participation occurs, they do not vote to re-elect the incumbent government. They vote to change it.'

'How can anyone credibly suggest that crores of young voters -- particularly the unemployed youth -- would vote to re-elect an existing government that has demonstrably failed them?'

IMAGE: Indian Inclusive Party chief Indrajeet Prasad Gupta with Mahagathbandan Chief Ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav during the election campaign in Bihar. Photograph: Kind courtesy Indrajeet Prasad Gupta/Facebook

Indrajeet Prasad Gupta, founder of the Indian Inclusive Party (IIP), has emerged as a force in Bihar's political landscape ahead of the 2025 assembly elections. A former Congress leader who established his own political outfit, Gupta represents the Paan Samaj -- the Tanti-Tatva community of weavers -- and heads the All India Paan Mahasangh.

Earlier, in April, he organised the Paan Samaj Adhikar Rally at Patna's Gandhi Maidan, demonstrating his considerable political influence among the traditionally marginalised weaving community. The Rashtriya Janata Dal-led Mahagathbandhan, which includes the Congress, CPI, CPI (ML)L, CPI-M and the Vikassheel Insaan Party, allocated the Saharsa seat from its quota to Gupta's IIP, making it the seventh constituent of the grand alliance.

His rise in Bihar's politics became evident as Tejashwi Yadav and Rahul Gandhi called on Gupta to stand with them at rallies and address the crowds, and on public demand -- from people belonging to the Paan community -- speak one sentence in English.

Recalling a conversation that he has had with almost all the journalists who interview him, Gupta narrates a story that explains people outside the state to understand his ascent in Bihar's politics.

"You know," Gupta says with a hint of amusement, "there was a time when even asking for one ticket would get us brushed aside. No one took us seriously back then."

"Today, those same people come to me and ask, 'Guptaji, how many tickets would you like?' That's what changes when you build an organisation, when people stand together and speak with one voice."

"Give it a little more time," he adds, soon they'll be the ones saying, 'Guptaji, how many of your people should we make ministers?'"

Despite what Gupta says he knows that today, that his community stands at the centre of a Constitutional battle after the Supreme Court in 2024 quashed the 2015 Bihar government notification categorising Tanti-Tatva as scheduled caste, ruling that states cannot unilaterally alter SC lists. And this is what, he reveals in this interview, he plans to change in the course of time.

An engineer by training, Gupta has an MTech degree and ran a successful IT business in Mumbai before he formed the Indian Inclusive Party.

In this interview with Prasanna D Zore/Rediff, Gupta, on his way to his constituency Sahrsa by road from Patna, discusses why his party has become indispensable to the Mahagathbandhan, and why he believes Bihar is on the cusp of transformational change.

You represent the Tanti-Tatva-Paan community, which traditionally hasn't been considered numerically dominant in Bihar's intricate caste arithmetic.

Yet the Mahagathbandhan has accorded you a position of considerable prominence. How do you respond to this assessment?

I must respectfully challenge that premise. Who has determined that we lack numerical strength in Bihar? This is precisely the misconception I have spent the past year dismantling.

How big is the Tanti-Tatva-Paan demography in Bihar?

We number approximately one crore (10 million) in Bihar, with our presence spanning 28 districts across the state. The fundamental issue is not our numbers -- it is that we have been systematically denied political representation for the past 75 years.

We have not been allocated a single assembly ticket throughout this period. When you lack representation in any legislative body, when nobody articulates your concerns at any fora, the inevitable consequence is political marginalisation. This has been a deliberate conspiracy against our community since Independence.

We have consistently voted -- sometimes for the Congress, sometimes for the RJD, and over the past two decades for the BJP and JD-U. Yet our ballots have never been properly accounted for. They stripped away our reservation status in 2005.

Subsequently, we launched a vigorous agitation campaign. Following six months of sustained mobilisation across Bihar -- during which I visited every district and virtually every village inhabited by our community -- I discovered we constitute more than 45 lakh voters (4.5 million) representing a population between 80 lakh (8 million) and one crore.

We may not have substantial presence in Jahanabad, Kishanganj, and Sheohar, but there is not a single district in Bihar where we number fewer than one lakh (100,000). In Saharsa (from where Gupta is contesting), we are 7.5 lakh (750,000) strong. In Sitamarhi, we exceed 6 lakh (600,000).

Now that both phases of polling have concluded, what is your assessment of the results that will be declared on November 14?

IMAGE: Mahagathbandan Chief Ministerial candidate Tejaswi Yadav addresses an election rally in Aurangabad, November 9, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

I am pretty confident the Mahagathbandhan will win a thumping majority. We will get between 160 and 170 seats out of 243.

And the IIP will retain all three seats it contested?

Actually, we contested two seats, not three. We fielded candidates in Jamalpur and Saharsa, and we are confident of victory in both constituencies.

If you are projecting 160 to 170 seats, that represents an overwhelming majority. What factors do you believe will produce such a decisive mandate for the Mahagatbandhan alliance?

The people have voted for change. Bihar's youth desperately desire a change in government. We -- the Tanti-Tatva-Paan Samaj -- were the decisive factor. We have been the black horse, silently voting for the BJP and JD-U in previous elections.

In all 158 constituencies where we maintain a presence -- with a minimum of 10,000 voters and a maximum of 80,000 -- we now represent a formidable force. This election witnessed an unprecedented coalition: Tanti-Tatva-Paan, Muslims, and Yadavs voted as an intact bloc.

Perhaps five per cent here, two per cent there might have diverted due to monetary influence, but overwhelmingly, we united behind the Mahagathbandhan.

Our voters who had drifted towards the NDA returned to the (Mahagatbandhan) fold. Mukesh Sahani's community joined us. The youth clamouring for employment opportunities came with us.

As for the women voters, while the Bihar and central governments relied upon the Rs 10,000 financial assistance and distributed bribes they will fall flat on their faces with women voters.

IMAGE: Women show their voter IDs during the second phase of the Bihar election. Photograph: @ECISVEEP/X

There are several crucial factors to consider.

In a village with 100 women, only 20 received this benefit.

Secondly, when you account for Muslim women, who predominantly did not support the NDA, the effective beneficiary count drops to approximately 25 lakh (2.5 million).

Thirdly, young people between 18 and 30 years of age, determined to effect governmental change, neutralised the influence upon their sisters and mothers who accepted government assistance. Many were informed this constitutes a loan, not freely distributed largesse.

Fourthly, sympathy remained with Nitish Kumar personally, not with the BJP, LJP, or other NDA constituents. There are numerous seats where JD-U core voters actively desired the BJP's defeat. They ensured the defeat of LJP candidates. They did not want the chief minister's face obscured.

The traditional JD-U electorate wanted the BJP's tally reduced to marginal numbers, thereby ensuring Nitish Kumar's party retained greater numerical strength and he would be selected as chief minister. These dynamics operated extensively at the ground level.

Consider the constituency from which I contested -- Saharsa. It comprises four assembly segments. We received overwhelming support from JD-U voters.

The electorate that traditionally supports JD-U cast their ballots for you in this election?

IMAGE: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, along with state Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, inaugurates the Mithapur-Mahuli elevated road at Bhupatipur in Patna, June 16, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

Indeed. They not only voted for us -- they openly campaigned on our behalf. They traversed villages advocating our candidature quite publicly.

How do you interpret the exit poll projections? They uniformly predict an NDA sweep...

The exit polls represent the BJP's fabrication. They seek to influence the officers who will preside over counting tables. They aim to bolster their supporters' morale while demoralising ours. It is purely psychological warfare.

If you examine electoral history and the voter turnout patterns, this election witnessed turnout levels that are remarkable by any historical standard -- unprecedented not merely in Bihar, but across India.

When maximum voter participation occurs, they do not vote to re-elect the incumbent government. They vote to change it.

How can anyone credibly suggest that crores of young voters -- particularly the unemployed youth -- would vote to re-elect an existing government that has demonstrably failed them?

Are you satisfied with the data and processes managed by the Election Commission of India?

No, I am not satisfied. The Election Commission essentially functions as an instrument of the (Narendra) Modi government. Nobody harbours confidence in them. We, as a political party, cannot possibly be satisfied. Interrogate any ordinary citizen -- they do not trust the manner in which the Election Commission functions.

Do you believe the alleged voter list manipulation that Rahul Gandhi's campaign highlighted actually transpired in Bihar this election?

Absolutely. In numerous border constituencies -- take Supaul, for instance -- 57 lakh to 60 lakh (5.7 million to 6 million) voters were removed from the rolls; and only 20 lakh (2 million) were subsequently restored.

Initially, I believe 50 per cent comprised duplicate entries and deceased individuals who were eliminated. Previously, if you had 100 registered voters in every lakh but only 80 actually existed, and 40 cast ballots, the turnout percentage appeared lower.

Now that only actual voters remain registered, the turnout percentage naturally appears higher. That constitutes one explanation for the dramatic increase in voter participation rates.

To what extent has the 2025 Bihar election evolved into a leadership contest between Nitish Kumar and Tejashwi Yadav?

Regarding Nitish Kumar, there is no contest whatsoever. Nitish Kumar has reached the terminal stage of his political career. Everyone recognises he no longer possesses the capacity to serve as chief minister. He has begun forgetting things quite significantly.

We respect him, we harbour sympathy towards him, but we do not envisage him as chief minister any longer.

Are you predicting that Nitish Kumar's political career has concluded? Was this his final election?

I believe if -- and that is a big if -- the NDA were to return to power, they might install him as chief minister for two or three months for appearance's sake.

But you are projecting 160 to 170 seats for the Mahagathbandhan...

Precisely! Between 160 and 170 seats.
'Rahul Gandhi only does things that his appointed people tell him to do. I tried to meet him and highlight the problems but I could not meet him.'

IMAGE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi arrives to address an election rally in Wazirganj, Gaya, November 4, 2025. Photograph: AICC/ANI Photo

A seasoned politician and two-term member of Parliament, Dr Shakeel Ahmad, who has served as a Union minister, resigned from the Congress party on Tuesday, marking the end of his decades-long association with an organisation that his family has been part of for three generations.

His resignation comes just after exit polls predicted a clear victory for the National Democratic Alliance in Bihar -- though Dr Ahmad insists his decision was made much earlier and had nothing to do with the exit polls' predictions.

Known for his articulate views and organisational experience, Dr Ahmad has often been regarded as one of the Congress' grounded voices from Bihar.

In this candid conversation with Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff, he speaks openly about the growing discontent within the Bihar Congress, the sidelining of senior leaders, and what he calls the rise of "undeserving candidates" and "arbitrary ticket distribution".

While making it clear that he remains ideologically aligned with the Congress and wishes well for the Mahagathbandhan, Dr Ahmad explains why, in his view, it has become "difficult to be in today's Congress", reflects on the party's weakening social base, and shares his candid assessment of Bihar's political landscape, Nitish Kumar's prospects of becoming chief minister again, and the challenges ahead for the Congress.

Your resignation came after the exit poll results predicting an NDA victory. Was that the prod?

My resignation has got nothing to do with Bihar exit poll results. I had already made up my mind to quit the party before the exit polls. However, I did not want to quit the party during the elections because it could have harmed the party's interest. So, I decided to wait and resigned only after the voting process was over.

I am a Congressmen from the last three generations and I would never do anything that would harm the party's interest. I resigned at 6 pm and the exit poll results started coming from 6.30 pm.

But why resign?

It is because I was not happy with the people who are appointed in the Congress party in Patna. I have differences with them so I felt it was better to quit the party.

I had nothing against the central leadership but the people who are appointed as office-bearers of the Congress party in Patna.

However, my ideology is still the same as that of the Congress party. At the same time it is difficult to be in today's Congress party as senior party members are being ignored and sidelined.

Are these appointed people you refer to harming the Congress' interests?

Yes, they are harming the Congress party. Moreover, I was being humiliated in the party. I am an ex-member of Parliament and also a star campaigner.

Take the example of Tariq Anwar who is a current member of Parliament and Congress Working Committee member. You check Tariq Anwar's Facebook post during the elections. Now this CWC member is stating, don't give ticket to the ones who are undeserving. He further states with figures that the candidate who has lost by a huge number of votes does not deserve a ticket to win.

And see the irony, a Congress candidate who lost by 113 votes did not get a ticket this time and the one who lost by 30,000 votes got it.

Another candidate who lost by 62,000 votes too got the Congress ticket.

You can only imagine what is going on in the Bihar Congress.

Why didn't you meet Rahul Gandhi and inform him about this?

Rahul Gandhi only does things that his appointed people tell him to do. I tried to meet him and highlight the problems but unfortunately, I could not meet him.

Rahul Gandhi did not interact directly with me.

You were suspended in 2019 because you wanted to contest elections and the Congress did not give you a ticket. But later, you came back to the party and still things remain the same.

At that point of time I contested as an Independent candidate because it was (Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo) Laloo Yadav who did not want me to contest elections.

I was not against the Congress party. In every election speech I used to praise Sonia and Rahul Gandhi then.

But when you came back to the party fold soon after the Lok Sabha elections, why did things remain the same? Does the RJD influence the Congress party in Bihar?

The RJD used to influence the Congress party in Bihar, but not now.

Today, there are many other Congressmen like me who are facing humiliation in the Bihar Congress but are keeping quiet that they have to pass on the mantle to future generations.

But on that front too I have made it clear that none of my children will be joining the Congress party. They are not interested in politics.

Don't you feel that if the Congress is weak then you must strengthen the party by being a part of the party?

I am not against the party. There is a difference between being a member of the party and a well-wisher of the party.

I am not joining any other political party. I am a well-wisher of the party even now and want the Mahagathbandhan to form the government. That is the precise reason I did not resign during voting time.

Are you really hopeful for the Congress party?

I feel if the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) gets fewer seats and is unable to form the government in Bihar then the new turncoats who have joined the Congress party, they will disappear in a night if at all they win.

The Congress gave tickets to rich people who have fought the elections by putting in all their energy and resources.

So why give them tickets?

They got tickets and there is no denying it.

The central election committee of the Congress has become a joke. They exchanged seats with the RJD in a haphazard manner and there was no proper thought or planning done while distributing tickets for Congress candidates.

Was it a late preparation?

There is a tragedy for the Congress in Bihar for the last 30 years.

After the 1995 elections the Congress has started weakening in Bihar because upper caste voters started deserting them.

When Lalu Yadav won in Bihar in 1995, upper caste voters got disappointed and shifted their support base from the Congress to the BJP.

They realised that the Congress was not in position to defeat the RJD in Bihar. The Muslims had already dumped the Congress after the Bhagalpur riots (1989) and the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992. However, the upper castes had stuck to the Congress party.

They then shifted to the BJP in 1996 because there was no way the Congress could defeat the RJD in Bihar.

What can the Congress do to win upper caste votes?

Nobody talks about it in the Congress now because Rahul Gandhi has changed his strategy.

In the Congress people talk openly against the upper castes.

I don't see the Congress is interested in bringing them back right now.

If you recall, earlier Rahul Gandhi did try to woo them once by calling himself a janeudhari (sacred thread wearing) Shiv Bhakt. But now, he only speaks of backward castes, Adivasis and minorities.

And let me remind you it is a wrong impression among people that upper castes were upset with the Congress and therefore stopped supporting the party.

They left because they realised that it was only the BJP which is able to take on Lalu's backward caste politics and defeat him in Bihar. The shift happened in 1996 and they never came back to the Congress from that point of time.

Did anyone call you to urge you to not quit the Congress?

On a personal level people have called, but I have made up my mind.

I have written a with heavy heart that I have relinquished my party post.

Who will win the Bihar elections?

We have 40 percent votes and the NDA has 50 percent votes. 10 percent vote is with Prashant Kishor and others.

Now, I am talking this statistic minus SIR (Special Intensive Revision) because post SIR one can have surprising wonders in the results.

But the NDA has one disadvantage as there is a lot of anti-incumbency against their MLAs, especially the ruling party.

I feel that the NDA has a 10 percent edge but in seats where Yadavs and Muslims are 45 percent, Mahagathbandhan will surely win those seats.
White swans are pictured in Pinglu Yellow River Wetland in Pinglu County of Yuncheng, north China's Shanxi Province, Nov. 11, 2025. The Pinglu Yellow River Wetland, covering over 6,000 hectares, has a pleasant climate and abundant food, and is one of the winter habitats for white swans in China. Migratory wild swans from Russia's Siberia come to the wetland to spend the winter every year. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

White swans are pictured in Pinglu Yellow River Wetland in Pinglu County of Yuncheng, north China's Shanxi Province, Nov. 12, 2025. The Pinglu Yellow River Wetland, covering over 6,000 hectares, has a pleasant climate and abundant food, and is one of the winter habitats for white swans in China. Migratory wild swans from Russia's Siberia come to the wetland to spend the winter every year. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

White swans are pictured in Pinglu Yellow River Wetland in Pinglu County of Yuncheng, north China's Shanxi Province, Nov. 11, 2025. The Pinglu Yellow River Wetland, covering over 6,000 hectares, has a pleasant climate and abundant food, and is one of the winter habitats for white swans in China. Migratory wild swans from Russia's Siberia come to the wetland to spend the winter every year. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

White swans are pictured in Pinglu Yellow River Wetland in Pinglu County of Yuncheng, north China's Shanxi Province, Nov. 12, 2025. The Pinglu Yellow River Wetland, covering over 6,000 hectares, has a pleasant climate and abundant food, and is one of the winter habitats for white swans in China. Migratory wild swans from Russia's Siberia come to the wetland to spend the winter every year. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

White swans are pictured in Pinglu Yellow River Wetland in Pinglu County of Yuncheng, north China's Shanxi Province, Nov. 12, 2025. The Pinglu Yellow River Wetland, covering over 6,000 hectares, has a pleasant climate and abundant food, and is one of the winter habitats for white swans in China. Migratory wild swans from Russia's Siberia come to the wetland to spend the winter every year. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

White swans are pictured in Pinglu Yellow River Wetland in Pinglu County of Yuncheng, north China's Shanxi Province, Nov. 13, 2025. The Pinglu Yellow River Wetland, covering over 6,000 hectares, has a pleasant climate and abundant food, and is one of the winter habitats for white swans in China. Migratory wild swans from Russia's Siberia come to the wetland to spend the winter every year. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

White swans are pictured in Pinglu Yellow River Wetland in Pinglu County of Yuncheng, north China's Shanxi Province, Nov. 12, 2025. The Pinglu Yellow River Wetland, covering over 6,000 hectares, has a pleasant climate and abundant food, and is one of the winter habitats for white swans in China. Migratory wild swans from Russia's Siberia come to the wetland to spend the winter every year. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

White swans are pictured in Pinglu Yellow River Wetland in Pinglu County of Yuncheng, north China's Shanxi Province, Nov. 12, 2025. The Pinglu Yellow River Wetland, covering over 6,000 hectares, has a pleasant climate and abundant food, and is one of the winter habitats for white swans in China. Migratory wild swans from Russia's Siberia come to the wetland to spend the winter every year. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

White swans are pictured in Pinglu Yellow River Wetland in Pinglu County of Yuncheng, north China's Shanxi Province, Nov. 12, 2025. The Pinglu Yellow River Wetland, covering over 6,000 hectares, has a pleasant climate and abundant food, and is one of the winter habitats for white swans in China. Migratory wild swans from Russia's Siberia come to the wetland to spend the winter every year. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

White swans are pictured in Pinglu Yellow River Wetland in Pinglu County of Yuncheng, north China's Shanxi Province, Nov. 11, 2025. The Pinglu Yellow River Wetland, covering over 6,000 hectares, has a pleasant climate and abundant food, and is one of the winter habitats for white swans in China. Migratory wild swans from Russia's Siberia come to the wetland to spend the winter every year. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)
Eight persons were killed and 14 others injured after a car was crushed between two large container trucks with a huge fire engulfing all three vehicles on the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway in Pune on Thursday evening, the police said.

IMAGE: The car that got crushed between trucks bursts into flames on the Mumbai-Bengalur highway near Pune, November 13, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

The horrific incident involving multiple vehicles took place on Navale Bridge, infamous as an accident-prone stretch.

Officials suspected that the CNG kit in the car exploded following the impact which led to the fire.

"As per preliminary information, a heavy container truck was going towards Mumbai. Its driver lost control due to a suspected brake failure on the bridge, and it hit a few vehicles in its way including a mini-bus before ramming into another big container in front. A car was caught between these two trucks and got crushed badly," deputy commissioner of police Sambhaji Kadam said.

The impact triggered a huge fire and the three vehicles got engulfed in it, he said.

Most of the injured were travelling in the minibus.

Pune police commissioner Amitesh Kumar, who visited the spot, said, "The fire erupted due to the impact of the collision."

Traffic on the Bengaluru-Mumbai carriageway of the highway was stopped and the work of removing the gutted vehicles was underway.

Eight fire tenders and tankers were rushed to the spot, a fire brigade official said.

"When our personnel reached the spot, they found that a car was trapped between two big container trucks and a huge fire had erupted. The fire was doused. Charred bodies were retrieved from a truck and the car," said Devendra Potphode, Chief Fire Officer, Pune Municipal Corporation.

Municipal commissioner Naval Kishore Ram said the disaster management, fire department and medical teams of the PMC rushed to the site and conducted the rescue and relief operations.

"Ambulances, cranes and JCBs were deployed and the injured were shifted to hospitals," he said.

In a statement, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis termed the accident as "tragic and painful", and announced Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia to the next of kin of the deceased.

The deceased in the car were identified as Swati Santosh Navalkar (37), Shanta Dattatray Dabhade (54), Dattatray Chandrakant Dabhade (58), all residents of Dhayari in Pune; Mokshita Reddy (3), a resident of Chikhli in Pimpri Chinchwad, and Dhananjay Koli (30), a resident of Kolhapur.

Another deceased was identified as Rohit Kadam (25), a resident of Satara. The identity of two others, whose bodies were recovered from a container truck, was yet to be ascertained.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said that so far 17 people have been arrested for directly or indirectly lauding the Delhi blast.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photom

The state government has adopted a zero-tolerance approach on this, the chief minister said on the sidelines of a programme here.

'We are examining over 100 social media posts and wherever we find clear encouragement or connection towards terrorism, we have arrested them and we will continue to do so till we crack the entire ecosystem,' he said.

Later during the media briefing after the cabinet meeting, the chief minister said that the situation in Assam is very different from the terror modules that led to the blast in Delhi.

'In Assam, Muslims are in majority in several districts while Hindus are in minority and seek their protection,' he said.

'The fight here is very different and the facts emerging about 'doctor jihad' in Delhi, Haryana and UP cannot be compared to the challenges here,' he said.

They (Muslims) are in the driving seat in many districts and villages and they have control in several sectors like hospitals and even the media, Sarma claimed.

The CM had earlier in the day said that nine more people were arrested in Assam for putting up "offensive" social media posts following the Delhi blast, taking the total number of apprehensions in this regard to 15.

"In connection with the offensive social media posts following the Delhi blast, 15 persons have been arrested across Assam so far," Sarma posted on X.

Assam Police remain uncompromising against those who glorify violence, Sarma asserted.

The chief minister on Wednesday said he has instructed the police to arrest those who have welcomed the blast in their social media posts.

"We will investigate their links and if we find that anyone has links with Bangladesh or any other country, we will take very tough action against them," the CM said.

Minors and those who were unaware that their devices were used to make such posts will not be arrested, but those responsible will not be spared, Sarma said.

He said that many are deleting their posts now, but "we have taken the screenshots and will be tough in this regard".

He alleged that it was the same set of people who were protesting at Zubeen Kshetra against the government and were now putting up social media posts welcoming the Delhi blast.

A 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 injuring several others.
Leaders across the political spectrum of Bihar on Thursday held hectic parleys and reviewed last-minute preparations as the state was readying for the counting of votes polled in the recently held high-stakes assembly polls that will decide whether Nitish Kumar, the longest-serving chief minister, will get a record fifth term.

IMAGE: Security personnel arrive at AN College campus (counting centre) on the eve of Bihar assembly elections 2025 result, in Patna, November 13, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

Rastriya Janata Dal leader and INDIA bloc's CM candidate Tejashwi Yadav said his party workers and the common people were ready to handle "any unconstitutional activity during counting", while a lesser-known RJD leader, Sunil Kumar Singh, threatened that a "Nepal-like situation" would be witnessed on the streets if "counting is halted, like in 2020".

The BJP, on the other hand, said the RJD leaders' remarks expressed their despair as the people, who have sealed their mandate in EVMs, have decided to give another term to the NDA. Party state president Dilip Jaiswal said the party leaders are in constant touch with workers at counting centres and hoped that, as the polling went peacefully, the counting day would also remain eventless.

In a post on X, Yadav said, "I held a virtual meeting with party candidates and district office-bearers ahead of the counting. The justice-loving people of Bihar, the birthplace of democracy, and all social and political workers who love Bihar and the Constitution are alert, vigilant, cautious, and fully capable, aware, and prepared with enthusiasm, hope, and confidence to deal with any kind of improper unconstitutional activity."

"Bihar and Biharis are committed to save democracy and the Constitution," Yadav added.

Speaking to reporters, Sunil Kumar Singh said, "People have voted for a change. Tejashwi Yadav's government will be formed in 2025. In 2020, the counting was halted for four hours, and if something like that happens this time as well, we will see a Nepal-like situation on the streets."

Senior leaders of both alliances are constantly monitoring developments and are in constant touch with their party workers deployed at counting centers across the state.

Reacting to Singh's comment, Bharatiya Janata Party state president Dilip Jaiswal, said, "Ours is a government that believes in the rule of law. RJD leaders are in despair and they are insulting the public. The voters have sealed their mandate in the EVMs. Every party is putting forth its case, but the public has made up its mind to bring the NDA government back to power. The elections remained peaceful."

He said senior BJP leaders are in touch with party workers who have been deployed at the polling centers.

Bihar registered a historic voter turnout of 67.13 percent in the elections to the 243-member assembly in two phases on November 6 and 11.

Counting of votes will begin at 8 am, and the trends and results are likely to start trickling in by 9 am. A total of 46 counting centres have been enumerated by the Election Commission across 38 districts in the state.

A total of 7.45 crore voters were eligible to decide the electoral fate of 2,616 candidates.

According to a statement issued by the EC on Wednesday, EVMs and VVPATs used in the elections have been sealed inside the strong rooms under a double-lock system.

"Under the presence of central observers and agents deputed by candidates, the entire process will be videographed," the statement said.

Two-tier security has been ensured at the counting centres.

"While the inner tier has been assigned to central armed paramilitary forces, state police have been deployed at the outer rung. Also, 24/7 CCTV surveillance and other security provisions have been put in place," the statement said.

A control room has been set up within every strong room campus, which will be staffed with senior district officials. All district election officers and returning officers of the assembly constituencies concerned have been directed to frequently inspect the strong rooms.

Exit polls have been nearly unanimous in predicting a clean sweep for the NDA, of which the Janata Dal-United is a part, much to the annoyance of the opposition INDIA bloc.

Tejashwi Yadav, the young RJD leader whom the opposition coalition has named its chief ministerial candidate, rubbished these predictions and claimed Mahagathbandhan would form the government with a thumping majority.

The National Democratic Alliance in Bihar comprises five parties, though a bulk of seats, in the 243-strong assembly, were contested by JD-U and BJP, both of which fielded candidates in 101 constituencies each. The INDIA bloc includes RJD, Congress, CPI-ML-Liberation, other Left parties, and Vikasheel Insaan Party.

Prominent candidates of both alliances who are in the fray include deputy Chief Ministers Samart Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, RJD's Tejashwi Yadav, JJD's Tej Pratap and Bihar Congress president Rajesh Kumar.
India has been 'very measured, cautious and very professional' in the way it is carrying out the investigation into the car explosion near Red Fort, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, as he emphasised that 'clearly it was a terrorist attack' and Washington, DC has 'offered to help' but New Delhi is 'very capable' in these investigations.

IMAGE: Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team investigates the site where the blast occurred in a Hyundai i20 car near the Red Fort Metro station, in New Delhi on Tuesday. Photograph: Naveen Sharma/ANI Photo

"Yeah. I mean, we're aware... yeah, we're aware of the potential that that holds. But I think the Indians are... need to be commended; they have been very measured and cautious and very professional in how they're carrying out this investigation," Rubio said Wednesday in remarks to the press in Hamilton, Canada.

"That investigation continues. Clearly, it was a terrorist attack. It was a car loaded with highly explosive materials that detonated and killed a lot of people. But I think they're doing a very good job of carrying out an investigation; and I think when they have facts, they'll release those facts," Rubio said.

Rubio, who met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the margins of the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Niagara, was asked about the Red Fort explosion in Delhi and how concerned he was about rising tensions between India and Pakistan, against the backdrop of the fighting between the two nuclear-armed neighbours in May this year when Delhi had launched Operation Sindoor targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

"So, but clearly, I mean, we're aware of the potential that it has, and so we spoke about that a little bit today... the potential that it has to become something broader. But I think we're going to wait and see what their investigation reveals," Rubio said.

He added that the US has offered to help, but "I think they're very capable in these investigations. They don't need our help. They're doing a good job, and I thought they were very measured and professional in how they've approached it, as they usually are."

India on Wednesday termed the car explosion outside Red Fort as a 'heinous terror incident' and directed investigating agencies to deal with the case with 'utmost urgency and professionalism' to bring those behind it and their sponsors to justice without delay.

The Union Cabinet at its meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi upon his return from Bhutan, reaffirmed India's unwavering commitment to a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

It said the situation continues to be 'closely monitored' at the highest levels of the government.

Observing a two-minute silence in honour of the innocent lives lost in the terrorist incident, the Cabinet adopted a resolution condemning the dastardly act and expressing profound grief over the loss of lives in the incident.

"The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, expressed its profound grief over the loss of lives in the terrorist incident involving a car explosion near the Red Fort in Delhi on the evening of 10 November 2025," Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said at a media briefing.

Following his meeting with Rubio, Jaishankar said in a post on X 'Good to meet @SecRubio this morning at #G7 FMM. Appreciate his condolences on the loss of lives in the blast in Delhi. Discussed our bilateral ties, focusing on trade and supply chains. Exchanged views on the Ukraine conflict, the Middle East/West Asia situation and Indo-Pacific.'
The Association of Indian Universities on Thursday suspended membership of Al Falah University, which is under scanner in connection with the Red Fort blast case, officials said.

IMAGE: A view of the Al Falah University. Photograph: ANI Photo

The Association of Indian Universities is a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, with membership of Indian Universities. It provides a forum for administrators and academicians of member universities to exchange views and discuss matters of common concern.

"It is intimated that, as per the Bye-laws of the Association of Indian Universities, all universities shall be treated as members as long as they remain in good standing," said AIU secretary general, Pankaj Mittal.

"However, it has come to notice that Al Falah University, Faridabad, Haryana, does not appear to be in good standing. Accordingly, the membership of AIU was accorded to Al Falah University, Faridabad, Haryana, stands suspended with immediate effect," she added.

The top official informed that Al Falah University is not authorised to use the name or logo of AIU in any of its activities, and the AIU logo must be removed from the university's official website.

The Al Falah University in Dhauj village in Faridabad came under the scanner of investigating agencies after an intestate "white collar" terror module was busted. It is a private institute that also houses a hospital on its campus.

The association also directed the university to take all necessary steps to comply with the order.

Al-Falah University has come under the brunt after two of its practising doctors are suspected of being involved in the blast incident in New Delhi.

Earlier, the National Assessment and Accreditation Council issued a show-cause notice to Al-Falah University, claiming that its website still displays NAAC accreditation status for two of its colleges, despite the status having expired.

The college accreditation body has sought a reply within seven days from Al-Falah University.

NAAC said that Al-Falah School of Engineering and Technology, was Cycle-1 accredited with "Grade 'A' with CGPA 3.08 out of 4.00" from March 23, 2013 to March 22, 2018, and Department of Teacher Education, Al-Falah School of Education and Training, was Cycle-1 accredited with "Grade 'A' with CGPA 3.16 out of 4.00" from March 27, 2011 to 26, March 2016.

"Both of the above Colleges' accreditation statuses have expired. Both of the above Colleges have not yet volunteered for the Cycle-2 Assessment and Accreditation (A&A) process of NAAC," the accreditation body said in the notice.

NAAC called the University's accreditation claim on their website "absolutely wrong and misleading the public, especially the parents, students and stakeholders."

Demanding a reply, NAAC asked, "Why has action deemed appropriate, including legal, not be initiated against the Al-Falah University? Why should the University not be disqualified for future consideration for Assessment and Accreditation (A&A) by NAAC? Why should the NAAC not recommend to the UGC to withdraw the Al-Falah University's recognition under section 2(f) and 12B of the UGC? Why should the NAAC not recommend to the NMC to withdraw the NMC recognition for Al-Falah University's NMC-recognised programmes?"

"Why should the NAAC not recommend to the NCTE to withdraw the NCTE recognition for Al-Falah University's NCTE-recognised programmes? Why should the NAAC not recommend to the state government (Government of Haryana) to initiate action deemed appropriate against the Al-Falah University? Why should the NAAC not recommend to the AICTE to withdraw the AICTE recognition for Al-Falah University's AICTE-recognised programmes?" the accreditation body added.

Asking the University to respond within seven days, NAAC also demanded they "remove the NAAC accreditation details from your website and any other publicly available/distributed documents and report back to NAAC that the above is complied with."

As per NAAC, the University website said, "Al-Falah University is an endeavour of Al-Falah Charitable Trust, which has been running three colleges on the campus, namely Al-Falah School of Engineering and Technology (since 1997, Graded A by NAAC), Brown Hill College of Engineering and Technology (since 2008), and Al-Falah School of Education and Training (since 2006, Graded A by NAAC)."

Meanwhile, the University made the headlines after it was revealed that Dr Umar, who was driving the car that exploded near the historic Red Fort, used to live in Al-Falah Medical College.

Al-Falah University has distanced itself from Dr Umar and Dr Muzammil, saying that the University has no connection with the accused apart from them working in their official capacities, and no questionable chemical or material is being used or stored within the University premises.

On November 10, a car explosion near the Red Fort complex in the national capital killed 12 and left several injured. -- With ANI inputs
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said the punishment for those behind the blast in Delhi will send a message to the world that no one should ever dare to even think of such an attack again.

IMAGE: Union Home Minister Amit Shah chairs a review meeting on the Delhi car blast with the senior officials, in New Delhi, November 11, 2025. Photograph: @AmitShah X/ANI Photo

Shah was speaking, through video link, at the inauguration of Shri Motibhai R Chaudhary Sagar Sainik School and Sagar Organic Plant at Boriyavi village in Gujarat's Mehsana district.

His scheduled visit to the state was cancelled in the aftermath of the blast near the Red Fort on Monday evening that claimed 13 lives.

"All those who committed this cowardly act and those behind it will be brought before the law and given the strictest possible punishment. The Government of India and Ministry of Home Affairs are fully committed to ensuring this," Shah was quoted as saying in an official release.

He also expressed deep condolences for the families of the victims of the blast, it said.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resolve to ensure strict punishment for all those responsible for this terrorist act will definitely be fulfilled," Shah said, as per the Press Information Bureau release.

"Punishment for the perpetrators of the Delhi terror attack will send a message to the world that no one should ever dare to even think of such an attack in our country," he added.

Under Modi's leadership, the entire world has recognized India's fight against terrorism over the past 11 years, and the prime minister is at the forefront of leading this fight globally, he said.

Shah was to visit Gujarat on Thursday to inaugurate a book fair in Ahmedabad and later attend the Sainik School and Sagar Organic Plant inauguration function of Dudhsagar Dairy. However, his visit was cancelled following the high-intensity car explosion in the national capital that killed at least 13 persons.
Tri-services' Exercise Trishul has set new benchmarks in jointness and interoperability and "we go back much stronger out of it", top Indian military commanders said on Thursday.

IMAGE: Indian Armys Southern Command participates in a series of Tri-Services exercises under the overarching framework of exercise TRISHUL. Photograph: Indian Army/ANI Photo

The nearly two-week-long exercise that culminated with a joint amphibious exercise -- Amphex 2025 -- was the largest tri-services exercise conducted after Operation Sindoor.

Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth, general officer commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command; Vice-Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command; and Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Air Command, witnessed the exercise.

The top commanders also interacted with the media before the exercise commenced on Madhavpur Beach off the Saurashtra Coast in Gujarat's Porbandar.

Asked if Exercise Trishul was a fallout of Operation Sindoor conducted by the armed forces in May, and whether there was any strategic messaging in it, Air Marshal Kapoor said "no" to both the queries.

"This has been a continuous process, a regular exercise. To give or not to give a strategic message was not our aim. Our aim was to refine our protocols and procedures, and field new technology. So, it was not a fall-out of Operation Sindoor, and there was no strategic messaging (in it)," he said.

Air Marshal Kapoor also shared that the exercise brought to the table "our warfare capabilities", saying the IAF has flown "approximately 1,450 sorties during this exercise".

"We analyse the results to ensure our tactics become more refined in the next exercise. Various new equipment have been fielded during the exercise... I can confidently say that our troops are ready to come out stronger, and I have no doubt about that," the officer said.

From Thar desert to Kutch, the Army, Navy and the Air Force took part in a series of sub-exercises for the last two weeks, under the overarching framework of Exercise Trishul.

Lt Gen Seth said the exercise has set a new benchmark in jointness, integration and interoperability.

"During Exercise Trishul, the kind of jointness, integration and interoperability we have established is a new symbol. It has been very effective, and we have set a new benchmark," the army commander said.

New weapons, military equipment and procedures were tested, he told reporters here, adding that indigenous equipment were also tested in the exercise.

The Southern Command GOC-in-C said for last three months, his troops were training for this exercise.

Talking of innovation, the new organisations raised, such as the Rudra brigade, have been "operation validated" in this exercise, he said.

The officer said "some new aspects" have come out of this exercise, and "we will examine them now".

"We are ready to face all challenges (in future)," the GOC-in-C of the Southern Command said.

Desert Corps and strike corps prepared for this exercise for the last three months, he added.

Vice Admiral Swaminathan said that about 30,000 Army troops, multiple fighter aircraft, and nearly 25 ships and submarines of the Navy took part in the exercise.

"We practised battle manoeuvres, including with a Carrier Battle Group. Aircraft carrier INS Vikrant was part of it," he said.

"We go back much stronger from Exercise Trishul," the chief of Western Naval Command said.

Reflecting tri-services synergy, the three top commanders on Wednesday boarded INS Vikrant and reviewed a joint multi-domain operation conducted as part of Exercise Trishul.

The naval officer told reporters, "We carry very valuable lessons both in jointness and in operation in north Arabian Sea from this exercise."

"And, we are ready to take on any challenge that we or the nation might face in the maritime domain," the vice-admiral asserted.

To a query on the use of amphibious operations in future, he said, where and when "we apply this amphibious operation will be a matter of decision that we will have to take depending on how the operations go".

Amphibious capabilities give armed forces a potential to impact any kind of battle operations. But, it is important for the forces to maintain these capabilities, he underlined.

"We need to maintain a high-level of operation capabilities," he said.

Lt Gen Seth said as far as Indian Army is concerned, in Southern Command, there is an amphibious brigade, and there are around 4,000 soldiers at any time, whether the unit changes or there is a turnover.

"This year, our troops have taken part in six amphibious exercises, not just with our Navy, but also with those of various friendly foreign countries," he added.
The Calcutta high court on Thursday cancelled the membership of senior leader Mukul Roy in the West Bengal assembly under the anti-defection law.

IMAGE: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee meets TMC leader Mukul Roy at his house, in Kolkata, July 6, 2021. Photograph: ANI Photo

This was the first time in the history of Indian jurisprudence that a high court exercised its constitutional authority to disqualify an elected lawmaker under the anti-defection, lawyers at the Calcutta High Court claimed.

Roy was elected to the House on a Bharatiya Janata Party ticket from the Krishnanagar Uttar seat in May 2021, but joined the ruling Trinamool Congress in June that year in the presence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, while retaining his MLA status.

The cancellation renders the Krishnanagar Uttar seat vacant, but a bypoll to the seat is unlikely, as elections to the state assembly are due early next year, officials said.

A division bench of Justices Debangsu Basak and Md Shabbar Rashidi disqualified Roy as a member of the state assembly, passing judgment on petitions by Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and BJP MLA Ambika Roy.

This is the first time in this country that a high court exercised its Constitutional powers to disqualify an MLA under the anti-defection law (introduced by the 52nd Amendment to the Constitution in 1985). It may have taken some time for the court to deliver this verdict. But, it is a triumph of truth and dharma, said Bilwadal Banerjee, Adhikari's counsel.

Adhikari had filed the petition before the high court, challenging Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee's decision to reject his plea to disqualify Roy under the anti-defection law, alleging that he switched over to the ruling TMC after being elected on a BJP ticket.

In July 2011, Roy was named the chairman of the assembly's Public Accounts Committee, a position traditionally held by members of the state's opposition camp.

Ambika Roy had moved a separate petition before the high court, challenging Mukul Roy's appointment as PAC chairman on grounds that the party had never nominated him for the position in the wake of his crossover to the TMC.

Adhikari hailed the verdict as a victory of the Constitution and a defeat of those who try to undermine it.

"I have been fighting against this for the last four years. Since 2011, ever since Mamata Banerjee ascended to power, the TMC orchestrated 54 defections of opposition MLAs. The BJP finally achieved what no other opposition parties could," he asserted.

"This is only phase one of my fight. Three other MLAs who made similar switchovers in recent times -- Tanmay Ghosh, Tapasi Mondal and Suman Kanjilal -- should remain prepared because I am coming after them next," Adhikari said.

Adhikari also pointed fingers at the Speaker's initial rulings on Roy, and questioned his neutrality in presiding over the assembly.

The Speaker should know that party faithfuls do not have the final say, the Constitution does, he said.

Responding to Adhikari's allegations, TMC spokesperson Arup Chakraborty alleged that the BJP leader was resorting to political hypocrisy.

Defectors exist in Suvendu's own family. Why else would Suvendu's father Sisir Adhikari and his brother Dibyendu attend BJP rallies and vote in the Parliament in favour of the saffron camp in defiance of TMC whips, after getting elected as MPs on TMC tickets, he said.

"How do you think the BJP wrested power in Goa and Maharashtra? It would have been good to see the judiciary playing the same role across all such cases, as it did in the case of Mukul Roy," Chakraborty added.
The Karnataka high court on Thursday refused to quash the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act case filed against former chief minister BS Yediyurappa.

IMAGE: Former chief minister of Karnataka BS Yediyurappa meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in New Delhi, November 13, 2025. Photograph: @BSYBJPX/ANI Photo

Justice M I Arun upheld the trial court's February 28 order taking cognizance of the alleged offence and issuing summons to the senior BJP leader.

However, the court directed that Yediyurappa's personal appearance should not be insisted upon unless necessary during the course of the trial, adding that any exemption plea filed on his behalf should be entertained unless his presence is deemed essential.

The single-judge bench also clarified that Yediyurappa is free to seek discharge from the trial court.

Earlier, on February 7, the high court had set aside the trial court's first order of cognizance, observing that there was no proper application of mind, but had upheld the validity of the investigation and the final report.

Following this, the special court passed a fresh cognizance order on February 28, which was later stayed by the high court.

According to the complaint lodged by the victim's mother, Yediyurappa allegedly sexually assaulted her 17-year-old daughter during a meeting at his residence in Bengaluru in February 2024.

The Sadashivanagar police registered the case on March 14, 2024, which was subsequently transferred to the CID for further probe. The agency re-registered the FIR and later filed a chargesheet against the former CM.

Senior Advocate CV Nagesh, appearing for Yediyurappa, argued that the case was politically motivated and that the complaint lacked credibility.

He pointed out that the complainant and her daughter had met the Bengaluru Police Commissioner several times in February 2024 but did not mention any allegation until March 14.

Nagesh further claimed that witnesses present at the time of the alleged incident had stated that nothing untoward occurred.

Nagesh contended that the special court acted mechanically while issuing the cognizance order without properly evaluating the material on record.

He urged the high court to quash the proceedings, asserting that the allegations were baseless and driven by ulterior motives.

Opposing this, special public prosecutor Professor Ravivarma Kumar maintained that the special court had duly considered the evidence, including the victim's statement, before taking cognizance.

He argued that the trial court's order was reasoned and reflected proper judicial application of mind.
Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday said that the suicide bomber involved in the deadly Islamabad bombing was an Afghan national.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: Reuters

At least 12 people were killed on Tuesday when a suicide bomber detonated his explosives near the entrance of a court in the G-11 area of the capital.

After visiting the attack site, Naqvi had announced to identify the bomber before pointing fingers in any direction.

Addressing the Senate on Thursday, Naqvi said that authorities have identified the attackers as well as those involved in the Islamabad bombing.

"We have traced the attacker. The suicide bomber is an Afghan national," he said.

The minister also said that the suicide bombers involved in the Wana Cadet College attack in South Waziristan district this week were also from Afghanistan.

He also announced that action would be taken at an appropriate level.

Six people were injured on Monday after a suicide bomber detonated explosives at the main gate of the Wana Cadet College in South Waziristan, bordering Afghanistan.

Replying to a question outside the parliament, Naqvi rejected the idea of talks with militants.

"How can we talk to them when they are throwing bombs on us? It is not possible," he said.

Separately, deputy prime minister and foreign minister Ishaq Dar said that terrorism increased after the Taliban came to power.

"There is total goodwill from Pakistan, but every week we have to shoulder the dead bodies of our soldiers and people," Dar told the Senate.

He also targeted the previous government of Imran Khan for allegedly allowing the Taliban to come back from Afghanistan, where they had fled after operations in the border regions. He also claimed the jailed Taliban militants were released during Khan's tenure.

More than 100 hardened criminals were set free by the previous regime, he said.

Meanwhile, security agencies have arrested two key suspects, a handler and a facilitator, in connection with the suicide bombing in Islamabad, reported Geo News.

The facilitator, living in Rawalpindi for the past month, was arrested in Rawalpindi while the handler was detained from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it said, quoting sources.

Before the attack, the facilitator and the suicide bomber visited the Judicial Complex several times to survey the area, the sources said.

The suspects have been shifted to an undisclosed location for interrogation.

A rider -- employed with an online service -- dropped the attacker near the court for a fare of PKRs 200, police sources told Geo News.

They also said that efforts are continuing to track the bomber's movements.
Public welfare and charity forum held at 2025 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit

People's Daily Online) 13:18, November 13, 2025

Photo shows a scene of the 2025 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit Internet Public Welfare and Charity Forum. (Photo courtesy of the forum organizer)

On Nov. 8, the 2025 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit Internet Public Welfare and Charity Forum was held in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province. The forum, themed "Digital Intelligence for Good: Cultivate new growth engines for internet public welfare," aimed to exchange and share valuable explorations of how digital and intelligent technologies empower internet public welfare, as well as to deepen international exchanges and cooperation.

The forum was attended by a mix of Chinese and international guests, with Yang Jianwen, vice director of the Cyberspace Administration of China, and Shu Huihao, vice minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, delivering opening remarks. Liu Xin, vice director of the Standing Committee of Zhejiang Provincial People's Congress, also attended.

During the forum, Wang Xiujun, chairman of the China Internet Development Foundation, Zhang Chunsheng, CPPCC National Committee member and chairman of China Charity Alliance, and three other domestic and international guests delivered keynote speeches, highlighting the significance of digital intelligence in supporting philanthropy and sharing practical experiences and innovative approaches. The forum featured a video showcasing the achievements of the "Interconnected China Public Action" project, the release of research results of a study titled "The Power of Progress in Public Welfare: Supporting the Construction of a Cyber Power through High-Quality Development of Internet Philanthropy," and presentations by online influencers illustrating how AI technology enhances everyday life. Performers also shared public welfare stories connecting traditional arts with the digital era.

The forum included two thematic sessions: "Technological Inclusivity  Jointly Building a New Ecosystem Integrating Digitalization and Philanthropy" and "Digital Intelligence for Good  Jointly Exploring New Paths for Public Welfare to Facilitate Social Governance." A roundtable discussion on "Building Consensus to Promote International Exchange and Cooperation in Public Welfare and Philanthropy" brought together domestic and foreign guests to explore pathways and methods for high-quality development in internet philanthropy.

The event was hosted by the Cyberspace Administration of China and the Ministry of Civil Affairs, co-organized by the China Internet Development Foundation, China Charity Alliance, People's Daily Online, and Xiaomi Corporation. More than 100 participants attended, including representatives from government agencies, international organizations, internet companies, scholars, and online influencers from multiple countries.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
TOKYO, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed and three others injured early Thursday in a five-vehicle collision involving a large truck and several passenger cars on an expressway in Saitama Prefecture, north of Tokyo, local media reported.

The accident occurred shortly after 5:30 a.m. local time. Police said the large truck first rear-ended a passenger car, triggering a chain reaction that involved a compact car and two other trucks, according to national broadcaster NHK.

Two men in the compact car were pronounced dead at the scene, while three other men sustained injuries but remained conscious, according to the report.

The 50-year-old truck driver was arrested at the scene on suspicion of negligent driving resulting in injury. Police are investigating the exact cause of the accident. 
A flight ticket has been recovered from near Dr Adil Ahmad's house in Saharanpur, showing he had travelled from Srinagar to Delhi on October 31, just days before the November 10 car explosion near Red Fort that killed 13 people and injured over 20.

IMAGE: Dr Adil Ahmads workplace, Famous Medicare Super Specialty Hospital in Saharanpur. Dr Ahmad has been arrested in connection with the massive explosives haul in Faridabad. Photograph: ANI Video Grab

A Jammu and Kashmir native, Adil was arrested from Saharanpur last week.

According to officials, the air ticket bearing Adil's name and travel date was recovered from a garbage pile outside his rented house in Aman Vihar Colony, Manakmau, along Ambala Road in Saharanpur on Wednesday.

The house, now sealed and under police guard, was searched after multiple intelligence and anti-terror teams reached the city earlier this week, they said.

Police sources said the ticket has been seized and sent for forensic examination. The finding has raised further questions about Adil's movements and possible links to the Delhi blast, as investigators try to determine how long he stayed in the capital and whom he met during that period.

Adil was arrested from Saharanpur on November 6. His travel records now suggest that he flew from Srinagar to Delhi on October 31, barely 10 days before the Red Fort blast, according to officials.

Adil, a doctor holding MBBS and MD degrees, had been working at Famous Hospital on Ambala Road in Saharanpur, where he was described by colleagues as "quiet, polite and professional".

Despite his professional credentials, investigators allege that Adil maintained links with terror outfits, including Jaish-e-Mohammed, and may have facilitated logistics for their operations.

Earlier, the Jammu and Kashmir police had taken Adil on remand to Srinagar, while the central and state agencies also expanded their probe into his activities and network.

Security agencies from Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh and central intelligence units are currently camping in Saharanpur to trace Adil's local contacts and verify his communications and bank records.

Adil had been living in a rented house in Bapu Vihar Colony on Ambala Road. Locals described him as a quiet tenant who kept to himself but frequently received late-night visitors, with several vehicles often seen parked outside.

The Jammu and Kashmir police filed a case in Srinagar on October 28 after posters supporting the proscribed outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed appeared in several areas. CCTV footage allegedly showed Adil putting up the posters, leading investigators to trace him to Saharanpur. He was taken into custody from Famous Hospital and handed over to the Srinagar police on transit remand.

Meanwhile, Dr Babar, a colleague at Famous Hospital, told PTI that Adil had joined the facility in March and was "highly competent" in his field.

"It is painful that such an educated person could be involved in shameful acts," he said on Wednesday.

Investigators are now probing whether Adil's Delhi visit on October 31 had any operational link to the November 10 Red Fort blast, or if he was acting independently as part of a broader network.

Adil's arrest is seen as part of a wider counterterrorism operation launched after the Delhi blast and the earlier busting of a "white-collar terror module" in Faridabad and Haryana, where several suspects, including doctors associated with Al Falah University, were arrested and large quantities of explosives were recovered.
The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad has detained a medical student from Kanpur in connection with the ongoing investigation into the recent Delhi blast, officials said on Thursday.

IMAGE: Dr AK Sharma, a Professor LPS Institute of Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery, Kanpur, and Dr Abhishek, Dr Mohammad Arif's flatmate, speak to the media about the detained doctor. Photograph: Screengrab/ANI/X

The doctor, identified as Dr Mohammad Arif, 32, a first-year DM (Cardiology) student at the state-run Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial (GSVM) Medical College, was taken into custody from an undisclosed location, a senior official told PTI.

Later, an ATS team searched his rented accommodation in Ashok Nagar, Nazirabad, and seized his mobile phone and laptop for forensic examination before taking him to Delhi for questioning, the official said.

"He is likely to be confronted with those already arrested in the Delhi blast case," the official added.

Arif, a native of Anantnag in Jammu and Kashmir, came under the ATS radar following disclosures made during the interrogation of former GSVM professor Dr Shaheen Sayeed.

Sayeed, connected to Al Falah University, has been arrested as part of investigation into the "white-collar" terror module with links to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind.

Sources said that on the day of the explosion near the Red Fort in Delhi, Arif was in telephonic contact with individuals allegedly linked to Dr Shaheen's network, including her brother Parvez.

He had also recently visited Jammu and Kashmir, which further raised suspicion. When ATS personnel reached his residence, he allegedly attempted to delete data from his phone, but officials seized the device in time.

Preliminary analysis of his call records and chats reportedly indicated communication with the alleged mastermind and other suspects.

Investigators believe the group used a shared email ID to exchange draft messages, a method often employed by terror outfits to avoid electronic surveillance.

The development has caused unease among doctors and students at GSVM Medical College, particularly in the Cardiology Department.

Chief medical superintendent (cardiology) Dr Gyanendra said, "Dr Arif joined here three months ago through All India counselling. He was on duty on Wednesday afternoon and later went to his accommodation outside the campus."

"Around 7 PM, we were informed that a team had taken him for questioning. He was from Kashmir. He used to come, work quietly and leave," Dr Gyanendra said.

He said that the screening of all first, second and third-year cardiology students has been initiated as a precautionary measure.

Arif's landlord, Kanhaiya Lal, said the doctor had been staying on rent for about a month with another doctor, Abhishek, on the second floor of his house.

"Around 7:30 PM, a four-member team came straight to his room. They already had the keys, searched the entire portion, locked it again, and left quietly," Lal told reporters.

He added that Arif had submitted his ID before renting the room and that he had never noticed any suspicious activity or unusual visitors.

A top police official, requesting anonymity, confirmed that Arif was detained in Kanpur and later handed over to central investigating agencies for further interrogation.

Kanpur Police Commissioner Raghubir Lal told PTI that he had received information about the detention and had sent a team to verify the reports.

"We are checking the facts. I will comment only after confirmation," Lal said.

Meanwhile, ATS and National Investigation Agency (NIA) teams are continuing operations in Kanpur to trace any additional links to Dr Shaheen's network.

More names may surface as the probe progresses, officials said.

Hours after police busted the terror module on Monday, with links to proscribed Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, and arrested eight people, including three doctors, a high-intensity blast ripped through a slow-moving car outside Delhi's Red Fort area, claiming the lives of 13 people and injuring several others.

So far eight people, including seven from Kashmir, have been arrested in connection with the terror module.

The government on Wednesday termed the explosion a "heinous terror incident" and directed investigating agencies to deal with the case with "utmost urgency and professionalism".
As Bihar gears up for the assembly election results on Friday, preparations are in full swing with workers making sweets to celebrate, security personnel guarding strong rooms, and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar offering prayers at the Patna Sahib gurdwara.

The atmosphere is charged with anticipation across Patna, especially at the A N College where tight security underscores the significance of the moment.

IMAGE: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar offers prayers at the Patna Sahib gurdwara, here and below. All photographs: ANI Photo

IMAGE: Cooks prepare ladoos in Patna ahead of the Bihar assembly election results, here and below.

IMAGE: Security personnel stand guard outside the strong room at the A N College in Patna where the EVMs are stored, here and below.

Photographs curated by Anant Salvi/Rediff

Feature Presentation: Mahipal Soni/Rediff
The clinics are expected to operate for at least two hours daily, particularly between September and March -- the period when air pollution levels are typically high.

IMAGE: Kartavya Path in New Delhi swatched in dense smog, November 12, 2025, as the Air Quality Index reached severe category. Photograph: Atul Kumar Yadav/ANI Photo

The Centre on Wednesday issued an updated advisory for tackling pollution-related illnesses, directing all states and Union territories to establish chest clinics in government hospitals and medical colleges under the National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH).

The Union health ministry said the chest clinics should be set up at community health centres (CHCs), sub-district hospitals (SDHs), district hospitals, and medical colleges in urban areas.

These will include all health facilities across the 131 cities covered under the government's National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).

The clinics are expected to operate for at least two hours daily, particularly between September and March -- the period when air pollution levels are typically high.

Issuing detailed instructions for immediate action, the ministry sent 33-page guidelines to all states and UTs, highlighting that respiratory and cardiac ailments tend to rise during high-pollution periods.

Hospitals have been asked to maintain special preparedness and strengthen capacity to handle such cases.

The directives call for capacity building of healthcare systems at both district and city levels.

States have been instructed to develop local health action plans and conduct training modules for healthcare professionals.

What monitoring and follow-up measures are included?

The guidelines also mandate maintaining a register of individuals identified as high-risk, with details to be shared with community-level workers such as ASHA, ANMs, and CHOs for regular follow-up.

State health authorities must also monitor daily air quality data in NCAP cities.

'The data can be accessed through the Central Pollution Control Bureau (CPCB) Web site or State Pollution Control Boards,' the advisory stated.

Officials of the NPCCHH at the state and district levels have been instructed to establish and expand sentinel surveillance for air pollution-related illnesses.

What did the Union health secretary say?

In a letter to chief secretaries, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava said that during winter, air quality in several regions often dips to poor or severe levels, posing a major health challenge.

'Together, we can work towards a healthier, cleaner and more resilient ecosystem,' she wrote, urging states to implement the advisory swiftly and strengthen the country's healthcare readiness against pollution-linked health risks.

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff

Photograph curated by Anant Salvi/Rediff
Following the detention of medical student Mohammad Arif, allegedly due to his connection to Delhi blast suspect Dr Shaheen Saeed, his landlord, Kanhaiya Lal, stated that Arif had been staying there for less than a month and they did not find any of his activities suspicious.

IMAGE: Jammu and Kashmir Police, UP ATS, and Lucknow Police personnel during a raid at the residence of doctor Shaheen Shahid, in connection with the massive explosives haul in Faridabad, in Lucknow on Tuesday. Photograph: ANI Photo

Kanhaiya Lal told ANI on Thursday that four people came to their place to take Arif's belongings.

When asked about the duration of Arif's stay and his activities, the landlord said, "Less than a month... No one used to come to meet him. Abhishek and Arif stayed together. Abhishek came prior and told that Arif was working with him in the cardiology department. We asked for the IDs, and they submitted. Abhishek's parcels used to come, but no parcel came in Arif's name."

"Four people came and tried opening the lock. When my son asked, they said we are here to take the doctor's belongings. When my son talked to the doctor (Arif), he allowed them to open the door. We did not find any of his activities suspicious," he said.

Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) had detained Arif from Kanpur, over an alleged connection to Delhi blast suspect Dr Shaheen Saeed, officials said.

Gyanendra Kumar, Chief Medical Staff (CMS) at LPS Institute of Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery in Kanpur, told ANI that Arif, a first-year cardiology student from Anantnag in Kashmir, was called in for questioning on Wednesday evening.

He said that the institute administration remains unaware of his life outside the campus.

Kumar said that Arif had been practising at the Cardiology department for the last three months, and nothing wrong was observed in his behaviour.

"Dr Arif is a first-year cardiology student. He took admission through counselling 2-3 months ago. He doesn't live on campus. He lives outside. At 7:00 in the evening, we were informed that a team had called him for questioning. He's from Kashmir. I have no knowledge of whether there was any such behaviour or any complaint before this; we are not aware of anything like this. We do not know with whom he lives. We have no idea who his roommate is. We do not know about anyone," he said.

Dr Shaheen Saeed was arrested earlier in connection with the Faridabad arms and explosive haul.

The blast near the Red Fort complex in Delhi killed 13 people and injured several others on November 10.

In a development in the ongoing probe, Faridabad Police have detained a man identified as Faheem, who allegedly parked the red Ford EcoSport linked to the blast in the Khandwali area, officials said on Thursday.

According to Intelligence Agency Sources, Faheem is a relative of the prime suspect, Dr Umar Un Nabi, and was reportedly in touch with him before the incident.
The DNA test of samples collected from the Red Fort blast site has confirmed that Dr Umar Nabi was driving the car that exploded there early this week, police sources said Thursday.

IMAGE: Delhi Police cordon off the car blast site as the investigation proceeds, in New Delhi on Tuesday. Photograph: Naveen Sharma/ANI Photo

The DNA samples of Umar's mother were collected on Tuesday and sent here for examination, the sources said, adding that they were analysed along with the remains gathered from the blast site.

"The DNA results confirm that it was indeed Umar who was driving the fateful vehicle," said a source.

Umar was a key member of a "white collar" terror module busted earlier this week. He hails from Koil village in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama.

Hours after police busted the terror module with links to proscribed Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, and arrested eight people, including three doctors, the high-intensity blast ripped through a slow-moving car near Delhi's Red Fort area on Monday evening.

Around 3,000 kilograms of ammonium nitrate, potassium chlorate and sulphur were seized after police busted the terror module, which spanned across Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
The Karnataka high court on Thursday disposed of a petition filed by the convenor of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in Kalaburagi, seeking permission to hold a route march in Chittapur town.

IMAGE: RSS volunteers take out Path Sanchalan on the occasion of Vijayadashami in Akola, Maharashtra, October 5, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

The court permitted the march on November 16 with 300 participants and a 50-member band.

Justice MGS Kamal recorded that the Tahsildar of Chittapur had already granted permission for the event scheduled on November 16, subject to specific conditions.

Last week, the State had informed the court that it would positively consider the petitioner's proposal for the march.

During the hearing, Senior Advocate Aruna Shyam, representing the petitioner, expressed gratitude to the authorities for allowing the event but prayed to the court to modify two conditions in the Tahsildar's order.

He sought an increase in the cap on participants from 300 to 600 and the number of band members from 25 to 50, citing the organisation's centenary celebrations and public sentiment attached to the occasion.

Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty, appearing for the State, opposed the plea to raise the number of participants, stating that the figure of 300 was fixed after assessing similar marches conducted by the petitioner in nearby areas, which typically saw 100-150 participants.

However, he did not object to raising the band strength from 25 to 50 members.

Concurring with the State's reasoning, the court allowed only the modification regarding the band and retained the limit of 300 marchers.

Justice Kamal said, except for the increase in band strength to 50 members, the rest of the Tahsildar's order shall remain unchanged.

The court thus permitted the RSS route march to proceed on November 16 with a maximum of 300 participants and a 50-member band. The petition was accordingly disposed of.

The issue began when authorities in Chittapur, the home constituency of Minister Priyank Kharge, denied permission for the RSS route march on October 19, citing the possibility of disruption of peace and law and order.

The Tahsildar of Chittapur, had then cited that the Bhim Army and other organisations have also informed, through a letter, that they too will conduct a route march on the same route on the same day.

However, hearing the petition filed by one Ashok Patil on behalf of RSS on October 19, the high court aske them to file a fresh application seeking permission to hold its route march in Chittapur. It had further asked the authorities to consider the application and submit the report to the court.

Reacting to this, Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge on Thursday claimed that the RSS, for the first time in its 100-year history would hold a route march by following the law of the land, by seeking the government permission.

The minister's statement came hours after the Karnataka high court disposed of a petition filed by the convenor of RSS in Kalaburagi, seeking permission to hold a route march in Chittapur town, which is his home constituency.

"For the first time in its 100-year history, the RSS will hold a march by following the law of the land - by seeking permission from the Government, clear conditions and oversight from the administration," Kharge posted on 'X'.

"An organisation that spent a century defying India's independence movement, opposing the Constitution, the National Flag and ignoring the law is now learning to respect and follow it. No one is above the law: not individuals, not institutions and certainly not organisations that think they are bigger than the Constitution," he added.

Lauding the Kalaburagi district administration for showing commendable restraint and fairness, the Minister said the RSS has been allowed to hold its event, but within strict limits.

"Only 300 participants allowed (RSS wanted to make it a State event with 30,000). No participants from outside Chittapur. Must follow the approved route and time. Maintain peace and ensure no disturbance. I hope the message has reached RSS LOUD & CLEAR , you are under the Constitution. Jai Samvidhan!" he added in the post.
'Tourists from long-haul markets such as the US, UK, and Western Europe are especially sensitive to such news, and short-term cancellations or postponements of planned trips can be expected.'

IMAGE: Rapid Action Force personnel stand guard near the Red Fort car blast site, November 12, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

India's travel and tourism sector may face an immediate but short-term impact from Monday evening's blast near the Red Fort in the national capital, after the US and the UK issued advisories urging caution.

Industry insiders said some postponements and cancellations are likely due to security concerns, directly affecting India's travel and tourism market just as the annual peak season begins.

However, they downplayed the possibility of any medium- or long-term fallout.

This is the period when inbound tourism typically picks up, lasting through January and February.

"Tourists from long-haul markets such as the US, UK, and Western Europe are especially sensitive to such news, and short-term cancellations or postponements of planned trips can be expected," said Ravi Gosain, president, Indian Association of Tour Operators.

The blast, which occurred in a moving car, killed 12 people and critically injured several others.

The US embassy in New Delhi warned its nationals to stay cautious.

'While the cause of the explosion is still unknown, the Government of India has placed several states, including (National Capital Territory of) Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra, on high alert,' the advisory issued on Tuesday said.

The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office also warned British citizens against all travel to areas within 10 kilometres of the India-Pakistan border.

It further advised against visiting Jammu and Kashmir -- except air travel to the city of Jammu -- due to ongoing security concerns.

The US and the UK are traditionally large non-resident Indian markets and major contributors to foreign tourist arrivals during the peak season.

At Sarovar Hotels, bookings have dipped slightly.

"The incident in Delhi is deeply unfortunate. From a business standpoint, we have noticed a short-term softening in inbound bookings, particularly from long-haul markets that are more sensitive to security advisories," a company spokesperson said.

"The recent US advisory urging increased caution is understandable, yet it underscores the importance of balanced communication and on-ground reassurance to travellers," the spokesperson added.

For luxury villa rental firm StayVista, occupancies in properties across the Delhi-National Capital Region remained strong.

"Our occupancies remain well above 90 per cent, which signals continued normalcy, and we have not seen cancellations," said Amit Damani, cofounder, StayVista.

"Hopefully, Monday's incident will be seen as a one-off and won't affect travel in the medium or long term," added Damani.

"Domestic travel, too, tends to bounce back quickly, as we've seen in the past. Delhi remains crucial -- both as a destination and a transit hub -- and we foresee only a short-term impact, if any," he stated.

Some industry executives were hopeful that the incident would not dent overall travel sentiment despite its timing.

"While the incident does shake us all and impacts the general scenario, I think it will be seen as a standalone event and should not have much effect, especially on foreign tourist arrivals, as most of these are planned in advance and proceeding as scheduled," said Rajiv Mehra, general secretary, Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality.

"However, this incident underscores the need for enhanced security measures and all-out efforts to prevent such occurrences in future. We are also expecting robust free trade agreements this year," he said.

Industry representatives said tightened security and swift action are the need of the hour.

"What's critical now is reinforcing trust -- through visible safety measures, proactive destination marketing, and close coordination between hospitality players and tourism bodies," the Sarovar spokesperson added.

IATO's Gosain said if no further incidents occur and security communication remains strong, inbound tourism sentiment could recover within a few months.

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff
A day after United States President Donald Trump defended H-1B visas, Secretary of Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said America is going to keep using the visa programmes and noted that more foreign-born people are becoming naturalised citizens under the Trump administration.

Image used only for representational purposes. Illustration: Dado Ruvic/Reuters

"We're going to keep using our visa programmes. We're just going to make sure that they have integrity, that we're actually doing the vetting of the individuals who come into this country, that they want to be here for the right reasons, that they're not supporters of terrorists and organisations that hate America," Noem said in an interview with Fox News.

Noem was asked what the administration's position is on the H-1B visas in the wake of Trump's latest remarks that America has to bring in talent since it does not have 'certain talents'.

"And that's what I think is so remarkable, under the Trump administration, we've sped up our process and added integrity to the visa programmes, to Green Cards, to all of that. But also, more people are becoming naturalised under this administration than ever before. More people are becoming citizens because we're not just streamlining and building some processes back into our immigration policies, we're also making sure that these individuals that are coming into our country and get that privilege, that they actually are here for the right reasons," she said.

Noem added that the Joe Biden administration let 'thousands of terrorists' into this country.

"They opened the Southern border. They abused our asylum programmes, abused our protective programmes and visa programmes, and we fixed all of it.

"It's remarkable what President Trump has done, and it's because he's a great leader, he's a visionary, and this man is going to go down as a legend in history as our greatest president ever," she said.

Trump defended the H-1B visa programme, saying America has to bring in talent from around the world.

"I agree but you also do have to bring in talent," Trump had said in an interview to Laura Ingraham on Fox News.

Trump was responding to a question on whether the H-1B visa issue will not be a big priority for his administration, and if one wants to raise wages for American workers, the country cannot be flooded with hundreds of thousands of foreign workers.

When Ingraham noted that 'we have plenty of talent', Trump said, "No, you don't, no you don't. You don't have certain talents. And people have to learn. You can't take people off an unemployment line, and say, 'I'm going to put you into a factory, we're going to make missiles'," Trump had said.

"In Georgia, they raided because they wanted illegal immigrants. They had people from South Korea that made batteries all their lives. You know, making batteries (is) very complicated. It's not an easy thing, and very dangerous. A lot of explosions, lot of problems. They had, like 500-600 people, early stages to make batteries and to teach people how to do it. Well, they wanted them to get out of the country. You're going to need that, I mean, I know you and I disagree on this. You can't just say a country is coming in, going to invest $10 billion to build a plant and going to take people off an unemployment line who haven't worked in five years, and they're going to start making missiles. It doesn't work that way."

The Trump administration has launched a massive crackdown to check abuse in the H-1B visa programme, which is used by companies, particularly technology companies, to employ foreign workers in the US.

Indian professionals, including technology workers and physicians, are among the largest cohort of H-1B visa holders.

In September this year, Trump issued a Proclamation titled 'Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers' as an important initial step to reform the H-1B nonimmigrant visa programme.

Under the Proclamation, certain H-1B petitions filed after September 21, 2025, must be accompanied by an additional $100,000 payment as a condition of eligibility.

Last week, the Trump administration launched about 175 investigations into H-1B visa abuse, including lapses such as low wages, work sites that didn't exist and the practice of "benching" employees.

'As part of our mission to protect American Jobs, we've launched 175 investigations into H-1B abuse,' the US Department of Labour had said in a post on X.

It added that under the leadership of President Donald Trump and Labour Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, the agency will continue taking action to put American workers first.

Chavez-DeRemer said in a post on X that the Labour Department 'is using every resource at our disposal to put a stop to H-1B abuse and protect American Jobs. Under the leadership of @POTUS, we'll continue to invest in our workforce and ensure high-skilled job opportunities go to American Workers FIRST!'
'When the BJP wanted the election to focus on 'ghuspathiya' and promises that look like pies in the sky, we forced them to talk about jobs, giving free 125 units of power, and addressing women's indebtedness.'

IMAGE: CPI-ML Liberation General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, centre, addresses a press conference in Patna. All photographs: ANI Photo

The 2025 Bihar Assembly polls are a pivotal test for the 'jhande par teen tara party, as 'Bhakapa Maalay' or 'Maalay, the Communist Party of India (Marxist Leninist) Liberation, has increasingly come to be known on the ground in the state.

The CPI(ML)L, or simply 'ML', is not merely under pressure to repeat the impressive strike rate -- it won 12 of the 19 seats it contested -- it notched up in the 2020 assembly polls.

It also carries the weight of the expectations of the Left movement in the country as it marks the centenary year of the founding of the Communist Party of India in Kanpur a hundred years ago, especially when the Communists are currently at their weakest electorally.

A far tougher challenge, ML's 64-year-old chief Dipankar Bhattacharya tells Business Standard on his way to one of almost nine or 10 small meetings that he addresses on the campaign trail daily, is how his party's legislators and candidates are being "framed in fake cases" to ensure they do not contest.

ML has termed it a 'systematic attack on its struggle against feudal interests'.

IMAGE: Mahagathbandan Chief Ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav and Dipankar Bhattacharya at a media interaction in Patna.

In Bhorey, where its candidate Jitendra Paswan lost by a mere 300 votes in 2020, the party withdrew his candidature at the last minute after he was implicated in 'fake cases' and fielded former Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union president Dhananjay instead.

The party alleges that its Agiaon (in Arrah) legislator Manoj Manzil was convicted in 'fake cases' and disqualified. The party's Shiv Prakash Ranjan won the seat in a by-poll in 2024 and is contesting again.

During the campaigning, Bhattacharya and ML candidates focus on reaching out to people on foot and addressing small public meetings.

"In elections, what matters is not the show of strength, which big rallies are, but persuasion, and whether you get the time to speak to people, have a conversation with them, and address questions in their minds so that they are equipped to fight the propaganda, Bhattacharya says, as his convoy, consisting of a mere two cars, reaches a Musahar tola in Babhanpura in the Phulwari assembly constituency, where the party's sitting legislator Gopal Ravidas is contesting again.

Unlike several other parties, the onus of organising resources, food for cadres, plastic chairs, a small shamiana, loudspeakers, and durries for the meeting, is on the ML's local committee, not the candidate.

Ravidas arrives at the meeting ground in a convoy of four vehicles, including a couple of security personnel that the government has provided him.

Local party leaders, such as 53-year-old Rajeshwar Mochi, who holds a post in the panchayat, complain about how Ravidas could have done more for the area with his Member of Legislative Assembly local area development fund.

The fact that the Janata Dal-United has fielded Shyam Rajak, who has won the seat on six occasions since 1995, has made things harder for Ravidas.

He looks forward to the arrival of Rashtriya Janata Dal's Misa Bharti to address the meeting. The RJD's support is crucial for Ravidas as it is for ML's other candidates.

ML sources concede that the party is facing anti-incumbency, not just in Phulwari but also in a couple of other seats it won the last time, but the party is confident of repeating its 2020 performance, having lost a couple of seats by thin margins.

IMAGE: Tejashwi Yadav, Congress leader Ashok Gehlot, Vikassheel Insaan Party Chief Mukesh Sahani and Dipankar Bhattacharyya hold hands at a media interaction in Patna.

The ML followed its 2020 assembly poll performance by winning two of the three seats it contested in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls as a constituent of the INDIA bloc.

In the 2024 Jharkhand assembly polls, the ML won two of the four seats it contested as part of the INDIA bloc.

The ML's electoral success has revived hopes that it could replicate the appeal of the CPI in the undivided Bihar of the 1970s and 1980s.

In 1972, the CPI contested 55 seats, winning 35, and in 1985 it secured almost 9 per cent of the total votes polled.

But for Bhattacharya, his party has already succeeded in a significant respect. He said ML, and the INDIA bloc, have exposed the "flyover-bypass model" of development in Bihar and "set the agenda".

"When the Bharatiya Janata Party wanted the election to focus on 'ghuspathiya' and promises that look like pies in the sky, we have forced them to talk about jobs, giving free 125 units of power, and addressing women's indebtedness," he says, but bemoans the "design" to keep Bihar "poor".

IMAGE: Dipankar Bhattacharya, with supporters, holds a protest march against the Special Intensive Revision of Bihar's electoral rolls in Patna.

At another public meeting at Kalyanpur, Bhattacharya asks the women among those gathered how many of them had received 10,000. Four hands go up, but others say they are confident of getting the money in the weeks to come.

"This is a desperate attempt by the BJP to address the frustration among women because of indebtedness (by microfinance institutions)," he says, conceding that it has had an impact on the women electorate.

At his public meetings, Bhattacharya urges women to pocket the 10,000 and continue to demand a loan waiver, flags the "maha jungle raj" as talks about the Mokama incident, and appeals to the people to defeat the BJP's "attempt at feudal restoration" in Bihar.

The ML's success in Bihar has much to do with its participation in movements fighting for the rights of the poorest, as well as the rootedness of its party leadership.

Bhattacharya continues to live out of his party's offices and the government bungalows of the party's legislators, which function as party offices.

Its candidates are a mix of commitment to the party's causes and products of movements.

The party has fielded candidates that are a mix of student leaders, people who have quit their government jobs, and those drawn from backward castes, especially Dalits and Economically Backward Classes (EBCs).

Qayamuddin Ansari, an EBC and ML's candidate from the Arrah seat, is the flavour of the election season after local media newspapers published how he had only 5,000 in his bank account when he filed his nomination.

The party's candidate from Pipra in Supaul, Anil Kumar, quit his government job as an agricultural scientist, while Dhananjay from Bhorey is pursuing a doctorate.

Madan Singh Chandravanshi from Tarari seat spent nine years in jail for his political activism, Sandeep Saurav from Paliganj, also a student leader, did not take up his government job to pursue political activism, while Diva Gautam, the party's candidate from Digha, quit her Bihar government job.

Bishwanath Chaudhary, the party's Rajgir candidate, is a retired chief engineer, and Ranjeet Kumar Ram from Kalyanpur spent months in jail in 2003 for waving black flags at the then Union home minister L K Advani.

The party also succeeded in, if only partially, getting the INDIA bloc's manifesto to address the issues raised in the Bandyopadhyay Commission report on sharecroppers and has proposed identifying and registering them.

Bhattacharya is confident that the Mahagathbandan will form the government and says the question of his party joining the government remains open.

He also makes a distinction between the BJP and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in his public meetings, acknowledging the latter's role in contributing to social justice, but saying that Nitish has been reduced to a "signboard" and is no longer the "centre of power".

Along with Nitish Kumar, Bhattacharya had prepared the first draft of the putative INDIA bloc in February 2023, and he drops enough indications in his interactions that Bihar's politics could see more twists and turns after November 14.

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff
UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) discussed the implementation of the cooperation frameworks between the two organizations as well as the joint action and challenges linked to peace, security, development and human rights at their ninth annual conference at the UN headquarters in New York on Wednesday.

The high-level discussions, co-chaired by Chairperson of the AU Commission Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, also included topics such as financing for development, climate action, as well as the implementation of the African strategy for women, peace and security agenda.

"Cooperation between our organizations has never been stronger or more necessary," with the world in turmoil, rocked by deadly conflicts, widening inequalities, climate chaos and runaway technologies, Guterres told a joint press conference after the meeting.

"The impacts are felt deeply on the African continent," he said, listing three areas "where decisive action is needed" -- making Africa a priority, financing for development and innovation, and investing in peace.

Calling for reforming the international financial architecture so it reflects the world of today and better serves the needs of developing countries, particularly in Africa, Guterres said it must become "more inclusive, representative, equitable and effective."

The UN chief underscored that sustainable development and peace are interdependent and mutually reinforcing. "In this respect, I wish to reaffirm my full support for the AU's Silencing the Guns initiative," he said, noting that today Africa is home to too many conflicts and too much suffering, including in Sudan, the Sahel, Mali, South Sudan, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In his remarks, Youssouf said the AU-UN annual conference is a strategic platform for a periodic consultation and coordination between the two organizations.

The AU and the UN have aligned their development agendas, Agenda 2063 and Agenda 2030, and the two organizations are also working closely on flagship programs of peace, he said.

Youssouf noted that the AU and the UN have deployed together tremendous efforts for the adoption of the Pact of the Future last year and now the two organizations are very much involved in advancing the cause of climate justice and energy transition.

The AU is also committed to working with all parties and stakeholders of the UN to achieve a transparent, equitable and just reform of the Security Council, Youssouf said.

He also stated that although the two organizations are faced with financial strains, it is critical to continue to support peace operations, the fight against terrorism, as well as conflict prevention and resolution.

The first AU-UN annual conference was held in New York in April 2017, during which the two organizations signed a joint framework for an enhanced partnership in peace and security. 
"You trust the data put out by the United Kingdom but not the figures given by the Indian government," the Supreme Court on Thursday told the petitioners who claimed that authorities reported "alarmingly low" number of deaths due to adverse effects of Covid vaccine.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo

A bench of justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta was hearing arguments on the pleas including the one which alleged that two women lost their lives in 2021 after taking the first dose of Covishield vaccine. It was alleged that after vaccination, both of them suffered from severe adverse effects following immunization.

The top court reserved its order in the matter.

Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, appearing for petitioners in one of the pleas, said the same vaccine was used in the UK and India administered 30 times more jabs as compared to the UK.

"The difference is so large that there seems to be a worrying discrepancy between the UK, which is putting its data transparently, and India which is hiding the data of deaths," he claimed, while referring to the number of vaccine-related deaths.

Justice Nath asked, "You believe that UK has put all the data correctly on the website and your country has not done it?"

Gonsalves said the UK data seems to be correct but he could be corrected on that.

"You trust the data uploaded by the UK government... And you don't trust the data uploaded by our government," the bench said.

Gonsalves said the petitioners have prayed that an expert body independent of the government should look into it.

"I have no reason now to say anything about the government of India because what is done is done... It is worthy of an investigation. It is serious enough to warrant an investigation by a team independent of the government. That is what I am saying," he said.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre, opposed the plea and said the issue was already dealt with earlier and the apex court had delivered its verdict in that matter.

She also referred to data about COVID-19 vaccination in India up to December 2024.

"The total doses administered in India is 220 crores. Total AEFI cases reported is 92,697, in percentage it is 0.0042," the law officer said, adding the total deaths reported was 1,171 which was 0.00005 per cent.

Bhati said minor cases were 89,854 and severe or serious cases were 2,843.

She said there are medical literatures to show that vaccine prevented deaths during the pandemic.

Bhati said India has a very robust mechanism and, "we can't say anything is fool proof. Every drug will have a side effect. The point is how it impacts me will not be the same how it impacts my colleague".

She said how a drug would impact different DNAs was also different.

"So something may have a different impact to European population. It may have a different impact to African population and different impact to Indian population," Bhati argued.

She said India followed a system of voluntary Covid vaccination.

"On voluntary vaccination, I think the petitioners have not had the occasion to live in China to really understand what compulsorily means," Bhati said, adding the government of India was encouraging, persuading and requesting citizens to take vaccination.

She said India's protocol was appreciated at the global level and vaccines have saved million of lives.

The bench asked the parties to submit their written submissions and said it would pass order after considering everything.

"We will take care of all your written submissions that you submit. We will accordingly pass appropriate orders whatever is required, whether a committee is to be constituted, not to be constituted, what directions are to be issued," Justice Nath said.

Gonsalves said many countries had stopped using this Covid vaccine.

He said comparing the government's data with that of the UK, the figure of deaths due to adverse effect after vaccination in India might roughly come to around 33,000.

"It is not perfect. I am just giving it to indicate that a possible way of doing a rough guess is this," he said, adding that an independent expert committee could look into this aspect.

The Centre had earlier told the apex court that Covid pandemic was "a disaster like no other" and vaccination saved people's lives.

The bench was told that the petitioners had filed an application seeking amendment in the relief clause, which included the government specifying the possible adverse effects and its treatment.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Flurries and a few snow showers throughout the day. High near 25F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 30%..

Tonight

Clear to partly cloudy. Low 16F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.
Having demonstrable proof of values when customers to us with ideas helps, said Blackie. When they come to us with an idea, we go through an ideation process and work out whether this is something that can benefit from generative AI.

If we think it can, we pick a simple part of the use case and do a proof of value to prove we can implement this with genAI and show them the results.

We show them the guardrails, build the trust, and from there, we build out the plan around production and bring the customer along on the journey as well.

According to Blackie, Adaptivs team is involved early on so they can see the process of building the tools and the results. The teams help build the agent, create the first scenarios, and build prompt engineering and dynamic rules engines to support it.

Then they collaborate with the customers teams so they can eventually take over the agent and run it live.

In the logistics example, a big part of productisation is partnering with the customers team so that as they need to build out their own use cases, he explained. This gives them the knowledge of how to do it.

The other advice for customers is to start small with simple use cases, wrap it with integration and automation, and prove that you can do simple AI agents. Then you can build that capability over time to do multi-agent orchestration.

Before Adaptiv hands over agents to customers, Blackie noted it makes sure they have foundational training.

Boomi has really comprehensive free training, both on the integration side as well as the AI agents, he said. This prepares the team with training around large language models and prompt engineering, then peer programming  working together to bring on additional workloads.

The idea with the agent is that it builds up a body of knowledge, around the different types of requests it can be sent. As they onboard more [internal] customers, they know how to maintain and enhance the agent.

Lastly, Adaptiv makes sure its customers are on top of operational aspects. For example, monitoring and managing the agents, monitor token usage and running those agents in production, explained Blackie.

Coming up

As Adaptiv continues to build its use cases with customers in the region, the SI is also looking forward to expanding its focus on AI enablement, data quality and governance.

Blackie said the business wants to grow its ability to build AI agents leveraging Boomis integration tooling to pull through data and execute on business services.

The second part is data quality, using data hub and data cataloguing tools to create curated, quality data for business insight, but also for AI usage, then governance both on API management and managing the APIs to enforce security policies, as well as AI governance, identifying what AI workloads you have running in your organisation, stamping out shadow AI initiatives, and monitoring usage and costs across the network, he added.

This will help Adaptiv and customers move on from traditional API and event-driven integration into data management and the AI side of the Boomi platform.
HP New Zealand has become the first local IT brand to earn dual Eco Choice Aotearoa (ECA) and TCO Certified certification.

The dual certification is the result of a partnership between New Zealands own sustainability certification body, ECA, and its global counterpart, TCO Certified, through an affiliate programme which aims to harmonise sustainability certification standards across borders and reduce confusion in the marketplace.

Through the programme, ECA and TCO Certified parent organisation TCO Development mutually recognise each others certifications as reflecting international best practices in sustainability, said the New Zealand certification bodys CEO, Laura Gemmell.

The need for sustainable IT products has never been more urgent, with Kiwis currently generating 10 to 15 kilograms of e-waste per person annually, and only around 25 per cent of that is being recycled, said Gemmell.

With this partnership with TCO Certified, were excited to make it easier for both procurers and individual consumers in New Zealand to make responsible purchasing decisions, as products bearing ECA and TCO Certifieds dual certification meet stringent criteria on durability, repairability, product stewardship, and responsible sourcing.

The dual recognition brings HPs global sustainability commitments into a locally trusted framework that make responsible procurement simpler for New Zealand businesses and consumers, said HP New Zealand managing director Shannon Harris.

Kiwis want credible, easy to understand signals that a device will last longer, use fewer resources and comes from a responsible supply chain, she said. HP products have long held TCO Certified certification, and building on this foundation with the addition of a locally respected ecolabel helps support our customers as we collectively shift towards a circular, low-carbon future.

HP products covered by the dual certification include a wide range of display monitors, all-in-one-PCs, desktops, notebooks and laptops, and its Poly-branded headsets.
A farmer sorts apples at an orchard in Zhaoshipan Town of Hengshan District in Yulin City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Nov. 4, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)

XI'AN, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Against the rolling mounds along the southern edge of one of China's major deserts -- Maowusu, an apple harvest is in full swing. Farmers move through neat rows of trees, their baskets filling with fruit that gleams in the warm autumn light.

It's a scene of abundance that would have been unthinkable just twenty years ago, when this land in northwest China's Shaanxi Province was still known as the "barren sand ridges."

The transformation is part of a quiet agricultural revolution -- the striking northward march of Shaanxi's apple belt, stretching hundreds of kilometers into what was once unyielding desert.

"Shaanxi's traditional apple-growing areas were concentrated in the area north of the Weihe River. In recent years, the planting zone has expanded northward all the way to the Maowusu Desert," said Zhao Guangzhu, director of the provincial fruit industry center. Today, that expansion means one in every four apples grown in China now comes from Shaanxi.

The story of this expansion is written in the weathered face of 85-year-old Zhang Binggui. In 2003, after retiring, he leased 300 mu (20 hectares) of sandy land in a township of Yulin City, determined to make something grow. His early experiments with grapes and date trees ended in failure, drawing laughter from neighbors who dismissed his work as "a pointless effort." Undeterred, Zhang's perseverance led him to shift his focus to apples.

"Rash launches are doomed to fail -- we need sci-tech driven approaches," Zhang said, recalling his years of trial and error. He eventually pioneered techniques for sandy soil, from building irrigation systems to amending the earth with fermented sheep manure, boosting sapling survival rates from a meager 30 percent to over 97 percent.

His family, including his grandson Zhang Bin, has now taken up the mantle, returning to their hometown to expand sales through e-commerce and bring their sandy land apples to the national market. "This year's yield is up again," Zhang Bin said. "We expect profits of over 300,000 yuan (about 42,334 U.S. dollars)."

The 2020 movie "My People, My Homeland" featured a character who toiled to grow "sandy land apples" in the Maowusu Desert, hoping to build a better home -- a storyline inspired by Zhang Binggui's real-life journey. Thanks to the movie's widespread popularity, an increasing number of people in China have come to recognize and appreciate this unique variety of apples.

This northward march is not just a story of human perseverance, but also one written by the changing climate. Data from the Yulin meteorological bureau reveals a striking shift: between 2010 and 2024, the city's average annual rainfall rose, temperatures climbed by 1.5 degrees Celsius and the frost-free season lengthened by 54 days.

"The apple belt's reach into the Maowusu Desert is the product of ecological restoration, climate change and technological progress," said Zhao Zhengyang, a tech expert in the provincial apple industry.

Local government policies have accelerated progress. In recent years, Yulin has seized the momentum of Shaanxi's broader push to expand apple cultivation into new frontiers in the north and west, making the fruit a cornerstone industry for rural revitalization.

The results are tangible across the region. In Shenmu, a county-level city administered by Yulin and once notorious for barren fields and failed harvests, nearly 8,000 mu of hillside orchards now thrive. "It used to be impossible to grow grain here," said Wang Mingwei, who manages a 900-mu orchard in Hejiachuan Township. "This year's apple yield will exceed 150,000 kilograms."

Dingbian County in Yulin has adopted a cooperative-led approach, developing 6,000 mu of apple orchards. "We're focusing on frost prevention, standardized management and brand building to make apples a true pillar of rural revitalization," said Liu Ruxia, deputy director of the county's horticultural technology promotion center.

The ecological gains are as profound as the economic ones. Decades of afforestation, including the vast Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program, have stabilized 8.6 million mu of once-drifting sand in Yulin. Today, the city's new orchards, covering over 1 million mu, not only further anchor the soil but also help temper the local climate.

Once known for its vast stretches of shifting dunes, the Maowusu Desert is now turning green. Today, nearly 80 percent of the area has been restored. By 2020, 93.24 percent of Yulin's desertified land had been brought under control. Among China's four major sandy lands, Maowusu stands out as a story of remarkable revival -- a living testament to the country's evolving strategies and technologies in combating desertification.

"China is one of those countries that really are extremely advanced in terms of land restoration in many of these deserts," said Ibrahim Thiaw, former executive secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.

Xue Pengcheng, former head of the Yulin environmental monitoring station, noted that sustained ecological restoration has created the conditions for apples to move north.

Technology is ensuring that Yulin's apples can hold their own in the market. The region has introduced high-quality locally cultivated varieties such as "Ruixue" (snow apples) and "Qincui" (Shaanxi crisp apples), while promoting new technologies like water-fertilizer integration and pest control.

The region's natural advantages -- long hours of sunshine and wide temperature swings between day and night -- give the fruit its distinctive flavor and crispness, with some premium Qincui apples fetching as much as 15 yuan each.

With 500,000 mu of young trees still approaching full yield, the industry's value is set to keep climbing.

"From my experience," Zhang Binggui said with quiet confidence. "as the climate improves and sand-farming techniques advance, mountain apples could move another hundred kilometers deeper into the Maowusu Desert." 

This combo photo shows Zhang Binggui (above) works in an orchard in Zhaoshipan Town of Hengshan District in Yulin City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, in 2009 and Zhang Bin (below), grandson of Zhang Binggui, checking the growth of apples in Zhaoshipan Town on Nov. 4, 2025. (Xinhua)

A farmer harvests apples at an orchard in Zhaoshipan Town of Hengshan District in Yulin City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Nov. 4, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)
Several locally based businesses have been recognised at Microsofts Partner of the Year Awards for 2025.



The Awards acknowledge outstanding successes and innovations by partners in over 100 countries and in a wide variety of categories and industries, Microsoft said.

Five partners based across the Tasman won awards in a number of global categories.

In the Security category, Sydney managed service provider (MSP) Increment scored the Data Security and Compliance award, while Auckland managed security service provider (MSSP) DEFEND took the gong for the Security award.

Additionally, business consultancy and technology services firm Engage Squared, which has a Melbourne headquarters and offices across Australia and New Zealand (A/NZ), won the Modern Workplace for Frontline Workers award in the Modern Work category.

At the regional level, publicly listed services and solutions provider Data#3 received the Australia award and Lab3, which is headquartered in Melbourne but has an office in Auckland, took out the New Zealand award.

Data#3 CEO and managing director Brad Colledge said its award win was a proud moment for the business and a testament to our strategic journey with Microsoft that began in 1994.

Starting as a licensing partner, we have evolved to deliver industry-leading solutions spanning the entire technology stack, demonstrating our exceptional position as a full-suite Microsoft partner, he said. As Microsoft has transformed, so has Data#3, remaining agile and building capability that matters to our customers. This award recognises the incredible work our team does every day to help customers achieve their business objectives through Microsoft technology.
Irina Cesic celebrated her first birthday on October 8, 1993. Four days later, she was killed by a snipers bullet on the streets of the Bosnian capital, Sarajevo.

"Since Irina had just learned to walk, my wife Stana was holding her by the hand," Irinas father, Samir Cesic, told RFE/RL. "We never understood why someone would shoot at a 5060-centimeter target -- the height of a one-year-old girl -- instead of a much larger one, like my wife, who would have been easier to hit."

For three decades, Irinas parents have sought an answer: Was their daughter killed simply to cause more pain and suffering? In recent days, their grief has been reignited by reports in the Italian media about an investigation being conducted in Milan into the so-called "weekend snipers."

According to the Italian newspapers Il Giorno and La Repubblica, and the news agency ANSA, prosecutors are investigating claims that during the 1992-1995 war in Bosnia-Herzegovina, wealthy foreigners paid "large sums of money" to shoot civilians in besieged Sarajevo -- "for fun."

The Milan prosecutors office did not respond to RFE/RL's inquiry regarding the current stage of the investigation or against whom it may have been initiated.

An Olympic City Under Sniper Fire

Sarajevo was surrounded by the Army of the Republika Srpska from 1992 to 1995. With a siege lasting 1,425 days, it was one of the longest sieges of a city in modern European history.

More than 1,600 children were killed, and 14,000 children were wounded.

Every 10th child killed in the city that had hosted the 1984 Olympic Games was hit by a sniper, according to data from victims associations and judgments by UN courts.

Despite this, not a single sniper has ever been held personally accountable -- neither before Bosnian nor international courts.

In verdicts against the highest officials of Republika Srpska, the UN International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) concluded that the sniper campaign had a single objective: "to terrorize the civilians."

Florence Hartmann, a former spokesperson for the ICTY prosecutors office, told RFE/RL that they "were aware" of so-called "death tourism expeditions."

"We knew about it. We didnt know how it was organized. It is extremely important that a judicial investigation has been launched and that those who organized it are identified," Hartmann told RFE/RL.

'Hunting In Sarajevo'

Benjamina Karic, mayor of Sarajevo's Centar municipality, was one year old when the war began. After watching the premiere of a documentary about the alleged killings, Sarajevo Safari, in 2022, she filed a criminal complaint with Bosnia's Prosecutor-General's Office and later with Italian authorities.

"That rich people came to Sarajevo on weekends to kill our children -- its the darkest thing one can imagine," Karic told RFE/RL.

She received no response until mid-2025. In August, through the Italian Embassy in Bosnia, she filed an additional criminal complaint with new information provided by Italian journalist Ezio Gavazzeni.

Gavazzeni took an interest in the case and contacted prosecutors in Milan with the help of former judge Guido Salvini, but neither he nor Salvini responded to RFE/RL's inquiry.

"Everything that has been happening lately gives a glimmer of hope that at least a fraction of justice will be served," Karic told RFE/RL.

In several ICTY verdicts, the UN court emphasized that the sniper campaign was designed to "terrorize civilians."

"Sarajevo civilians were targeted by snipers while going to fetch water. Snipers fired at children as they played in front of their homes, walked with their parents, returned from school, or rode their bicycles," said judge O-Gon Kwon, reading the verdict against Radovan Karadzic, the wartime president of Republika Srpska, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2019.

During the trial of Dragomir Milosevic -- the commander of the Sarajevo-Romanija Corps of the Army of Republika Srpska, who was sentenced by the ICTY to 29 years in prison in 2007 -- American firefighter John Jordan testified about foreigners who paid to come to Sarajevo and shoot civilians from positions held by Serbian forces.

"The locals carried certain weapons, and when a guy shows up with a weapon that looks more like he ought to be hunting boar in the Black Forest [in Germany] than in urban combat in the Balkans -- when you see him handling it and can obviously tell hes a novice at moving around rubble, you know, if it walks like a duck, talks like a duck, it's a duck," Jordan said in February 2007.

According to the criminal complaint filed with the Milan prosecutors office, there was allegedly a "price list" for the so-called Sarajevo Safari" for wealthy foreigners, including Americans, Canadians, Russians, and Italians.

Children were said to be the most expensive targets, followed by women, then men, while the elderly could allegedly be killed for free, according to the ANSA news agency.

Italian media also report that during the war, Bosnian intelligence services, based on how the operation was organized, believed that the State Security Service (SDB) of Serbia and the former head of the Serbian secret service, Jovica Stanisic -- later sentenced to 15 years in prison by the UN ICTY for war crimes -- were behind the operation.

'Verifying The Allegations'

If prosecutors in Milan bring indictments and prove guilt, it would mark the first case where sniper killings of civilians in Bosnia-Herzegovina are brought before a court.

In May 2021, Bosnia's Prosecutor-General's Office opened a case against several individuals following the release of a video -- the authenticity of which RFE/RL could not confirm -- showing one of the snipers from the Army of Republika Srpska boasting that he had "hit someone right in the head."

"On April 2, 2025, the...prosecutors office of Bosnia-Herzegovina transferred the case to the [lower] prosecutors office of the Sarajevo canton regarding sniper activity in Sarajevo. The assigned prosecutor is actively taking steps to verify the allegations in the report," Azra Bavcic, spokeswoman for the prosecutors office of Sarajevo Canton, told RFE/RL.

According to the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Bosnia-Herzegovina, more than 3,200 war crimes cases remain unresolved in the country, over 2,900 of which are "in the initial phase," meaning that no suspects have been identified or the crimes have not been fully investigated.

More than 150 suspects are currently outside Bosnia, mainly in Serbia and Croatia. Croatia and Serbia do not extradite their own citizens to other countries, and they can only be tried within their jurisdictions.

Enver Iseric, a law professor from Sarajevo, told RFE/RL that Bosnia's Prosecutor-General's Office has not even prosecuted all the individuals on the so-called "A list" provided by the UN court, "which should have been a priority."

"That's why no Bosnian war criminal has ever been prosecuted for sniping children, or for paying to come to Bosnia to kill and satisfy their animalistic urges. Thirty years after the war, hundreds of war criminals still walk freely, while their victims see them on the streets."
An RFE/RL investigation has discovered that Russian President Vladimir Putin uses three nearly identical offices in different parts of Russia and that the Kremlin has repeatedly misled the public concerning the leader's whereabouts. By tracking small visual clues, including the placement of a single door handle, journalists from RFE/RL's Russian investigative unit, Systema, uncovered how official videos were staged to appear as if they were filmed near Moscow.
TEHRAN/DOHA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi held a phone call on Thursday with Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments.

According to Iran's Foreign Ministry, the officials reviewed ways to strengthen cooperation and addressed issues of mutual concern, including a recent U.S. draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council proposing international stabilization force in Gaza. The statement said both sides stressed the need for continued consultations to protect the Palestinian people's rights, including their right to self-determination.

Both sides expressed concern over border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan and called on regional countries to use diplomatic channels to maintain peace.

Qatar's Foreign Ministry said the two countries also highlighted the importance of coordinated regional and international efforts to ensure the full implementation of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire in Gaza, which took effect last month, and to support sustainable peace and stability. 
COLOMBO, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's navy has arrested 328 Indian fishermen so far this year for poaching in the country's territorial waters, a deputy minister said on Thursday.

Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Rathna Gamage told reporters that the navy also seized 41 fishing vessels used by the fishermen.

He said authorities have intensified operations to crack down on the illegal entrance of foreign fishermen into Sri Lankan waters, noting a significant rise in arrests this year compared to 2024.

Gamage said the navy is supported in these efforts by the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources and the Sri Lankan Police.

He stressed that foreign fishermen who poach in Sri Lankan waters pose an existential threat to local fishermen and the country's marine environment, especially due to the use of destructive fishing methods banned in Sri Lanka. 
High Court Reporter

A former garda who alleges he was wrongfully and violently struck by a 6'8" garda sergeant with a baton engaged in "totally bizarre" behaviour when he drove at high speed to evade arrest before fleeing on foot, a barrister has told a jury at the High Court.

John Bowe (41) was arrested following the chase, which occurred outside Bunclody, Co Wexford, on December 5th, 2014. Mr Bowe, of Coolnaleen, Camolin, Enniscorthy, was subsequently convicted of various counts of dangerous driving arising from the chase.

Mr Bowe, an ex-garda, brought an action over alleged injuries sustained when Supt Rory Sheriff, then of Enniscorthy Garda Station, struck Mr Bowe over the head with a retractable baton following the chase. Supt Sheriff said that his actions were "proportionate and justified" following what he described as the most "extreme and dangerous" driving he had ever witnessed.

A barrister for Mr Bowe said he doesn't want to live in a country where people take the view that his client "got what was coming to him".

Supt Sheriff has told the court he was chasing Mr Bowe through a field after a 25-minute car chase that hit speeds in excess of 140kph.

Supt Sheriff said Mr Bowe turned back on him with a "metallic object" in his hand and lunged at him. The Supt then deployed his baton and hit Mr Bowe over the head "with full force, as hard as I could hit him", he said.

The metallic object Mr Bowe had in his hand turned out to be a set of keys with two bottle openers attached.

It is Mr Bowes case that Supt Sheriff, then a sergeant, wrongfully and violently struck him. Mr Bowe claims that, arising from alleged injuries sustained, he was diagnosed with functional neurological disorder. The claims are denied

Mr Bowes case is against Supt Sheriff, the Garda Commissioner, the Attorney General and Ireland.

At the High Court on Thursday, Richard Lyons SC, for the defence, said the situation was a "totally bizarre" one featuring a former Garda trying to evade arrest through "outrageous" driving before fleeing on foot.

Mr Lyons said Mr Bowe was asking the jury to believe that after the chase, he was surrendering on his knees in the field, telling Supt Sheriff "you have me now".

Mr Lyons said it "beggars belief" that Supt Sheriff would "simply whack Mr Bowe out of the blue" and said that the superintendent had to report any use of the baton, which was unavoidable anyway due to the "nasty gash" on Mr Bowe's head.

Mr Lyons noted that upon his release from Enniscorthy Garda Station, gardai drove him to a medical clinic, but Mr Bowe left without receiving attention.

Counsel said Mr Bowe made no complaint about his treatment when being processed at the Garda station, but then issued proceedings, "looking for money, he wants you [the jury] to give him money even though he said in evidence he didn't want money, but vindication".

"He is claiming all this head injury, and yet since then he gets first class honours and goes on to qualify as a psychologist. On the one hand, he is complaining, yet on the other hand, he's flying it.

"Can you believe anything he says?" said counsel.

Mark Harty SC, for Mr Bowe, said the defence had adopted tactics in the case that amounted to "deny, deflect and disparage".

Mr Harty said that at first the alleged "assault" was denied, then, he said, there was deflection in saying that Mr Bowe caused the baton strike, and finally his client was disparaged in court to make him dislikeable.

Mr Harty said Supt Sheriff's evidence that Mr Bowe never lost consciousness and immediately apologised after being struck was "simply preposterous".

Mr Harty said Supt Sheriff was 6' 8" and a former Ireland underage rugby player.

"The real defence is that he [Mr Bowe] got what was coming to him. That's not the Ireland I want to live in, and it's not the Ireland I live in," he said.

The jury will continue their deliberations on Friday.
David Raleigh

Two separate investigations are underway into how a violent prisoner escaped custody while attending a hospital in Limerick on Wednesday.

John Moloney (23), South Claughaun Road, Garryowen, Limerick, had been on the run for 24 hours on Thursday.

Moloney was one year into a four and a half year sentence at Limerick Prison for committing arson.

He fled from prison officers while attending St Johns Hospital for treatment to one of his hands.

A Garda manhunt was continuing to find Moloney, who was suspected to have been picked up in a vehicle by an accomplice.

A statement released on Thursday by the Irish Prison Service said: The Irish Prison Service can confirm that a prisoner has escaped from lawful custody while on escort to St. John's Hospital in Limerick yesterday afternoon.

An Garda Siochana were notified immediately and provided with all the relevant information in relation to the prisoner, the statement went on.

The Irish Prison Service is currently investigating the circumstances of the escape.

A member of the Garda Press Office also confirmed that Gardai had launched an investigation.

Gardai were alerted by the Irish Prison Service to an incident where a prisoner escaped from lawful custody at a hospital in Limerick city, Wednesday 12th November 2025, the garda spokesman said.

An Garda Siochana continues to liaise with the Irish Prison Service and investigations are ongoing, they added.

Prison sources said the IPS investigation was centred around how Moloney managed to escape from the prison officers who accompanied him from Limerick Prison to the hospital.

Moloney was jailed last November after pleading guilty to petrol-bombing a house and damaging vehicles with a hurley.

Moloneys sentencing hearing at Limerick Circuit Court heard he threatened an injured party and told them, Im going to eradicate you, before attacking a car with a hurley stick.

"He threatened to kill him and his son. He was in a frenzy, prosecuting counsel John OSullivan told the court.

The occupants of the house firebombed by Moloney and others were left terrified by the ordeal, the court heard.
A county hurler will be feeling the heat next Wednesday as he undertakes a sauna challenge for charity.

Twenty six year old Connell Kennelly, who is now living and working in Dublin, will be attempting a sauna challenge in the Sweaty Yeti in Lanesboro on Wednesday, November 19th.

In order to raise funds for Plant the Planet Games Uganda, the St Faithleachs and St Dominic's man will be spending a total of two hours in the sauna, four blocks of 30 mins with a 10 min break in between to rehydrate.

Connell Kennelly will be undertaking the challenge this coming Wednesday.

Connell along with 50 other intercounty players, led by Alan Kerins of the Warriors for Humanity movement, will be heading to Uganda with the Plant the Planet charity very soon. Each participant is raising 10,000 to fund planting 10,500 trees, which will remove 312 tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere each year. Connell is well on his way to meeting the target, having already reached more than 7,500. Connell thanked everyone who has already donated, and there are sponsorship spots still available.

Anyone donating will be helping to provide cash crops for the Ugandan people. These will provide them with food and a sustainable income, and have a massive net benefit for the planet, he said. Well be doing various activities such as planting the trees, building facilities, playing the first official GAA team in Africa, Ugandas Simba Wolfhounds, and running alongside elite Kenyan runners led by the legendary Fr Colm OConnell, who is known as the Godfather of Kenyan Running. He said that Roscommon GAA stars Diarmuid and Ciaran Murtagh, Ultan Harney and Roisin Wynne are all past participants of the programme.

I feel lucky that I get to go as well, said Connell. Speaking about the challenge, he said he wanted to do something a bit different.

It will be brutal, he laughed, but it should be a bit of fun. Its for a great cause. I have my own sauna hat which keeps you cooler, so that should help. Some of my friends have said theyll do parts of the challenge, so I wont be alone during it.

To donate please click here .
The Funeral Mass of a well-known and much-loved fashion designer has heard that her laughter, kindness and love touched so many lives.

Mourners gathered in Kiltrustan Church, Strokestown, on Thursday to remember Catriona Hanly, who passed away last weekend.

Her brother Alan, on behalf of the Hanly family, told the congregation that his sisters designs were her legacy, and they would sustain and enhance the great memories they had of her.

He reflected that from the moment Catriona was born in 1979, she was the jewel in the crown, bringing great joy to her family.

He went on to remember her successful career that began to mushroom at school in Strokestown and later in Taylors Hill, Galway.

From an early stage, Triona displayed the qualities that would define her in later life, a natural flair for design, and elegance with one common theme  that she would light up her school uniform with the threshold of compliance and indeed beyond through the variation of the uniform skirt and the addition of a silk scarf, and any embellishment that would transform a benign uniform into a glamourous outfit.

There was a mischievous side to Triona. She loved all things fun and she loved to break boundaries.

She enjoyed every second of her childhood and was never without a smile. She was the happiest girl alive and she loved life.

She epitomised the feelgood music and movies of the eighties, which she genuinely loved, he recalled.

Alan went on to explain how his late sister subsequently went to New York to work with fashion giant Bergdorf and Goodman in Manhattan.

It was here that Triona began to hone her skills, particularly with fabrics, he said.

The large congregation heard that Catriona subsequently returned to Dublin before going to London, where she further enhanced her skills and creativity. She came back to Dublin where she opened stores, primarily in interiors.

Catriona always had an interest in jewellery design, and she produced many original items of jewellery that were very popular with the public.

Her true calling was fabrics where she excelled. She travelled the world, particularly the Far East in pursuit of fabrics, which allowed her to design amazing pieces that earned her true following of the great and good.

Our parents are very proud of what Catriona achieved. Her clothing pieces will be a lasting legacy for the short and beautiful light she shone on everyones life with an abundance of charisma, drive and ambition that drove her forward.

She had a very positive, can-do attitude. She was definitely a believer in the phrase no job is too big or too small.

The condolences reflect her affection, generosity and an ability to light up a room, and to make those around her feel special.

Her laughter, her kindness and her love touched so many lives. These were Trionas true qualities.

Although our hearts are broken without her, we take comfort in knowing that heaven has gained a beautiful soul. Our loss is heavens gain," he concluded.

Her brother Enda, in a reflection, talked about the brightness that Catriona brought into everyones lives.

Though her sewing machine may be still, the treads run through all of us in the memories we share, the smiles she inspired and love she leaves behind.

Triona lived as though life was a ballroom, and she always led the dance.

Triona knew that life isnt something to tip-toe through, and she ran at it with open arms, with laughter and with scarves flying.

Someone like Triona never really fades but becomes part of the light that guides us through the tough days.

So let this gathering not be a shadow, but a celebration lit with grace. For her story doesnt end here, it is carried in every life she has touched, in every memory worn as lace.

Before the Funeral Mass commenced, symbols of Catrionas life were brought to the altar, including a cushion, which reflected her gift for creating beauty and comfort; a book by Gucci, which highlighted her love of classical design where she frequently sought inspiration; one of Catrionas suits which showcased her craftmanship, flair and unmistakable touch of class; a hat, which showed Catrionas signature sense of style; a statue of a dog which demonstrated her love of animals; one of the many awards that Catriona won in the fashion industry and, finally, Catrionas phone, which she used for her business and to connect with the people she knew and loved.

The late Catriona Hanly 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.

Catriona is also fondly remembered by her nieces, nephews, aunts, uncle, cousins, relatives, neighbours, and a wide circle of friends in Ireland and around the world.

Following her Funeral Mass, she was laid to rest in Strokestown Cemetery.

May she Rest In Peace.
Ellen O'Donoghue

Almost all roads in Dublin city are set to see their speed limits reduced to 30km/h.

It is already in place in most parts, including residential areas, but routes with higher speeds will now also be assessed.

Bylaws are to be drawn up by Dublin City Council and go out to public consultation.

Dr Caoimhe Clarke, from Irish Doctors for the Environment, told councillors the impact will be dramatic, Newstalk reported.

"If a person is hit by a car travelling at 50 kilometres per hour, their chance of dying is 40 per cent; if a person is hit by a car travelling at 30 kilometres per hour, their chance of dying is 13 per cent. Thats significant," Dr Clarke said.

The councils head of traffic, Brendan OBrien, told Newstalk that they had hoped for default 30km/h zones in built-up and urban areas.

"What we find is that when you do drop from 50 to 30, you still have people who drive at 50 in those streets, but the average speed starts to come down, because people, while they mightnt be conscious of, or want to drive at, 30, they do know its a 30, and so they tend to stick closer to 30 than they do to previous ones," Mr O'Brien said.
James Cox

Fianna Fail TD Malcolm Byrne has said Taoiseach Micheal Martin needs to bring more urgency to delivering on critical infrastructure, and tell people "if you're not finding solutions, you're part of the problem".

Sources have indicated unrest within Fianna Fail at Mr Martin's leadership following Jim Gavin's disastrous presidential campaign, which met a premature end.

In an interview with BreakingNews.ie, Mr Byrne said this was an issue but that the main priority should be faster delivery in areas such as housing, childcare and disability services.

"The presidential election will fade from memory in a relatively short period of time. Jim Gavin will be the answer to a table quiz question in four years' time but if we're not seen to have made significant progress on housing, infrastructure, disability and childcare, those are issues that will really impact the wider public.

"I think I'm just articulating a frustration. Yes, the economy is doing well... we have a very good education system, really bright, incredible people.

"But for some reason in Ireland, there is an incredible slowness about getting things done. That is painful to watch at times. It never used to be that way to the same extent."

While he acknowledged frustration at Mr Martin within the party, Mr Byrne said "this is not just about Micheal Martin". However, he said the Taoiseach needs to take a more proactive approach in injecting urgency into delivery on key issues, particularly housing.

"I'm always conscious that 100 years ago in 1925 Ardnacrusha [power station] was conceived, designed and construction started, within six years it was providing energy to over 80 per cent of Irish homes.

"In many ways, on energy in Ireland today, we need an Ardnacrusha moment, that's with offshore renewables. Even with all the modern technology we have, we're not able to get that six year turnaround that we could a century ago.

"That for me is really frustrating, it is what's holding up our country's economic and social development to be blunt.

"This is not just about Micheal Martin, I have to be clear about that. But ultimately he is the leader, and I want to see him succeed and the Government succeed, but on issues like housing and infrastructure we need to start to take on where some of the bottlenecks and delays are.

"The point that I've been making is that we've been tieng ourselves up with red tape in a lot of those critical issues over the last couple of decades.

"Don't get me wrong, there are good reasons for some of it, but housing is the top issue in the country at the moment. The question I'm asking is every relevant minister, every secretary general of a government department, every chief executive of a relevant agency, they should all be asking themselves every morning 'what am I doing to ensure the building of more homes?'"

He said all government departments should be focused on faster delivery on criticial infrastructure issues.

What the Taoiseach needs to do is start to pull all these people in around the table and say to them 'if you're not there finding solutions, then you're part of the problem'.

"Being blunt, if they are not doing that then they're part of the problem. I think we have to start to be more radical. I often use the example of Charlie Haughey with the Irish Financial Services Centre in Dublin's Docklands. Every Monday morning he would pull all the key players in around the table and ask them had they got their homework done.

"We need a similar type of approach to housing and infrastructure. Everyone can look at the figures, why it's personal to me is it's family, friends, people who I know that are impacted.

"By the fact that we are not seeing affordable homes being built, by the fact that on the M11 the traffic jams are getting worse and we don't have a reasonable rail services to provide an alternative. I know people with challenges around childcare and families who have to fight just to be heard around gaining access to disability services.

"We are a successful, wealthy country. It's not that historically the line would be 'this would be great, if only we had the money', this isn't about the money, it's about being able to make the decisions that will have a real impact on people's lives."

He added: "That's why I'm saying what the Taoiseach needs to do is start to pull all these people in around the table and say to them 'if you're not there finding solutions, then you're part of the problem'."

Mr Byrne also cited the Metrolink and issues with the Dublin Airport passenger cap.

He also said some agencies are not working as best they could, "frankly some of them are not focused on the issues they should be focused on".

Malcolm Byrne has said Taoiseach Micheal Martin needs to bring more urgency to delivering on critical infrastructure.

As an example, he revealed he had organised a meeting between community organisations in his Wicklow-Wexford constituency and Uisce Eireann, only for it be cancelled at the last minute.

"I was particularly annoyed recently where I was looking to bring two local community groups to meet with Uisce Eireann and they refused at the last minute.

"There is a question to some of those agencies, are they really serving the public or are they serving themselves? As politicians, we've got to start to hold them to account for that."

He expressed hope that the Government can bring a faster pace to providing solutions on the critical issues, adding that this is what the people in his constituency want.

"We're one year in government, there is time, but it's about injecting an urgency into some of these processes. Every morning I get up I am influenced by the people that I represent in north Wexford and south Wicklow who are the ones who get up early in the morning, do everything right, go to work, they're the ones we have to represent. They are the ones who are deeply frustrated by the slow pace of delivery."
Eva Osborne

Here are the stories making headlines on the front pages of Irish newspapers this Thursday.

The Governments long-awaited housing plan will be unveiled today against a backdrop of a fall in new housing commencements and Opposition predictions that the new strategy will not be radical enough to tackle the crisis, The Irish Times reports.

The Irish Examiner leads with a 22-year-old man being jailed for nine years for the rape of two very young girls he met on Snapchat.

The Echo reports on the president of the Vinters Federation of Ireland saying that the five per cent hike in commercial rates, approved by Cork city councillors on Wednesday night, could be 'the final kick' for many city centre businesses.

The Government is to ditch its annual housing targets in an admission that a slowdown in construction means current projections on building homes will not be met, according to the Irish Independent.

US President Donald Trump spent hours with Virginia Giuffre at paedophile Jeffrey Epstein's home, according to an email, the Irish Daily Mirror reports.

The Irish Daily Star leads with the solicitor of a suspect in the inquiry into the murder of farmer Michael Gaine saying gardai have no evidence against him.

The Irish Daily Mail leads with Dublin tattoo artist Ruth Lawrence being found guilty of the murder of two men whose bound bodies were found on a lake island in Co Meath in 2014.

The Herald also leads with Lawrence being found guilty, with the Central Criminal Court jury, by a majority verdict of 11-1, agreeing with the prosecution case that the 46-year-old woman shot and worked "as a unit" with her boyfriend to murder drug dealer Eoin O'Connor.
NANJING, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese police extradited cross-border online gambling and fraud criminal She Zhijiang back to Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, from Thailand on Wednesday, according to the Ministry of Public Security.

Since September 2017, She had used his properties in Myanmar as the base to lure Chinese citizens to engage in online gambling via over 200 internet platforms his gang operated. A total of 330,000 people in China were involved in illegal gambling activities, with the amount of money involved exceeding 2.7 billion yuan (about 380 million U.S. dollars), said the ministry.

Investigations launched by the Chinese police also found that She had harbored 248 telecom fraud groups to carry out fraud schemes targeting Chinese citizens, resulting in extremely heavy losses, the ministry said.

As She had been at large overseas, the Chinese police applied to the International Criminal Police Organization to issue a Red Notice for a global manhunt. Thai police arrested She in Bangkok in August 2022. His arrest was followed by extradition proceedings.

Chinese police noted that law enforcement authorities from China, Myanmar and Thailand have conducted continuous joint crackdowns on transnational crime this year, achieving positive results.

A senior police officer told media that She's successful extradition demonstrates the firm resolve of these public security organs in cracking down on crime. Chinese police will continue to step up efforts to smash telecom and online fraud, cross-border gambling and other crimes, to resolutely safeguard the people's lives and property. 
Haryana has been ranked as a Top Achiever' in business entry, land administration, and healthcare reforms under the Business Reforms Action Plan (BRAP) 2024, presented at Udyog Samagam 2025 in New Delhi.

The Change of Land Use (CLU) process has been made simpler, cutting required documents from 19 to just three

Haryana: Major Business Reforms to Boost Ease of Doing Business and Attract Investments

The Haryana government has come up with a wide range of policy reforms. The focus is on improving the ease of doing business by simplifying compliance and promoting digital transparency in governance. A high-level meeting was jointly chaired by Special Secretary (Cabinet Secretariat) KK Pathak and Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, where various departments, such as Town and Country Planning (TCP), Labour, Industries, and the State Pollution Control Board, presented their update to review the progress.

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Pathak appreciated Haryanas progressive approach in reducing regulatory burdens and digitising approval systems. One of the major reforms was that the TCP Department has introduced flexible zoning for mixed-use development. It allowed residential, commercial, and industrial activities within the same zone. A GIS-based databank integrated with the India Industrial Land Bank (IILB) will now help investors identify and acquire industrial plots faster.

The Change of Land Use (CLU) process has been made simpler, cutting required documents from 19 to just three  ownership proof, project report, and indemnity bond. It will bring the average approval time down to 36 days. Minimum road width norms for rural industries have also been reduced to 20 feet, pending final approval.

The Labour Department has adopted many inclusivity reforms. It has allowed women to work night shifts (7 pm to 6 am) across all sectors, including factories and shops. Factory closure and retrenchment procedures have been rationalised to make operations more efficient while maintaining worker protection.

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The Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has reduced clearance timelines from 30 to 21 days for Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO). For green industries, CTOs can now be auto-renewed for up to 15 years. Additionally, 734 non-polluting industries have been reclassified under the White Category, exempting them from routine inspections and enabling self-certification.

All industry-related services are now integrated with the National Single Window System (NSWS), while Haryanas version of the Jan Vishwas framework has decriminalised minor offences and introduced civil penalties. Dashboards and AI-based chatbots are improving transparency and grievance redressal.

Recognising these achievements, Haryana has been ranked as a Top Achiever in business entry, land administration, and healthcare reforms under the Business Reforms Action Plan (BRAP) 2024, presented at Udyog Samagam 2025 in New Delhi.
Police Vehicle Labeled 'Bomb Disposal Squad' Enters Al Falah University in Faridabad

The reason for the vehicle's entry into the university remains unclear at this time.

A Haryana Police vehicle labeled "Bomb Disposal Squad," carrying several personnel, entered the premises of Al Falah University in Faridabad today, ANI reported.

The personnel inside the vehicle were seen wearing casual attire. The reason for the vehicles entry into the university remains unclear at this time.

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Al Falah University is currently making headlines, as some of the individuals accused of being part of a module allegedly responsible for the November 10 car blast near the Red Fort were employed at the university.



VIDEO | Faridabad: Bomb squad and security personnel arrive at Al-Falah University for further investigation into Delhi car blast, outside visuals from the campus.



(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/qHYGqppVUS  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 13, 2025

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(For more news apart from Police Vehicle Labeled 'Bomb Disposal Squad' Enters Al Falah University in Faridabad" stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
Himachal Pradesh: Traders demand resumption of trade with China through Shipki-La border (Representative Image

On June 10, the chief minister launched tourism activities from Shipki La on the Indo-Tibet Border, located at an altitude of 3,930 meters.

The resumption of trade with China through Shipki-La border in Himachal's Kinnaur district would boost the sale of traditional items, generate employment, and benefit traders on both sides, traders from Himachal Pradesh said on Thursday.

They were attending the International Lavi Trade Fair in the Shimla district's Rampur, about 130 kilometres from the state capital.

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Traders, especially from Kinnaur, are keen on the resumption of the trade route, which was discontinued during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

The sale of traditional items like woollens, Pasham (wool), and dry fruits saw a boost then, as Chinese goods would be sold in Rampur, and our goods would be sold to traders from Tibet, Chander Mohan Negi, a trader from Kinnaurs Nichar, said.

Another trader from Kalpa in Kinnaur, Dharam Pal Negi, also said the resumption of trade would benefit traders from both sides. "We want the trade to be resumed so that the traditional items can be exchanged and goods arrive in greater quantity, he said.

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Inaugurating the Lavi fair on Tuesday, Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla had said that he  as well as the state government  had taken up the matter with the Centre, and it was being pursued by Union Minister of Commerce Piyush Goel.

The traders from Kinnaur, who have been coming to the trade fair for the past 25-30 years, expressed concern over the impact of online sales on their business. Additionally, the closure of the trade route is gradually affecting the trade fairs vibrancy, they said.

A large number of items, including wool, raw silk, yak hair, China clay, borax, butter, common salt, ready-made garments, shoes, quilts, blankets, carpets, and local herbal medicines, as well as animals such as horses, goats, sheep, were earlier imported from China, and drew people to buy these goods, according to traders.

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Notably, the Lavi fair, a nearly 300-year-old international event, was an outcome of the treaty between the state of Bushahr and Tibet during the regime of Raja Kehar Singh and remains devoid of any religious or ritualistic legend. The pact was solidified by the exchange of Tibetan horses and Bushahr swords.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh had earlier emphasised that Shipki-La, once an offshoot of the legendary Silk Route and formalised as a border trade point under the Indo-China bilateral agreement of 1994, played a vital role in trans-Himalayan economic and cultural exchanges.

On June 10, the chief minister launched tourism activities from Shipki La on the Indo-Tibet Border, located at an altitude of 3,930 meters.

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In August, the Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had informed the state government that the Government of India had initiated discussions with China for the resumption of border trade through all three designated points: Shipki-La (Himachal Pradesh), Lipulekh (Uttarakhand), and Nathu La (Sikkim). (PTI)

(For more news apart from Himachal Pradesh: Traders demand resumption of trade with China through Shipki-La border" stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
Botswana Gifts 8 cheetahs to India at Mokolodi Nature Reserve

Botswana Gifts 8 cheetahs to India at Mokolodi Nature Reserve

Botswana on Thursday handed over 8 cheetahs to India at Mokolodi Nature Reserve. President Droupadi Murmu and President of Botswana Duma Gideon Boko were both present at the reserve, news agency ANI reported.

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#WATCH | Gaborone: Botswana handed overa8 cheetahs to India in the presence of PresidentaDroupadi Murmu and President of Botswana Duma Gideon Boko at Mokolodi Nature Reserve



PresidentaDroupadi Murmu says, "...The gifting of these cheetahs is a reflection of Botswana's pic.twitter.com/RfCIDPuu1J  ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2025

President Droupadi Murmu said, "...The gifting of these cheetahs is a reflection of Botswana's commitment to wildlife conservation. These cheetahs will join their brothers and sisters in India's Kuno National Park, helping us to restore the species of this historical habitat..."

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President Droupadi Murmu Addresses the Indian Community in Gaborone, Botswana:

The President, along with the Indian community, paid tribute to the victims of the Delhi blast by observing a minute of silence.

The president, addressing the community, said, "This moment is even more historic as India and Botswana celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations in 2026...I have been told that 10,000 Indians are actively involved in different sectors, including business and industry, in Botswana. I congratulate you all on being proud ambassadors of India."

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(For more news apart from Botswana hands over 8 cheetahs to India at Mokolodi Nature Reserve" stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)




Cabinet terms Delhi Car Explosion heinous terror incident, perpetrated by anti-national forces; condemns dastardly and cowardly act

The Cabinet also appreciated the timely and coordinated response of the authorities, security agencies, and citizens..."

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, on Wednesday evening expressed profound grief over the loss of lives in the terrorist incident involving a car explosion near the Red Fort in Delhi on the evening of November 10, 2025. The Cabinet observed two minutes silence in honour of the innocent lives lost.

In a resolution adopted during the meeting, the Union Cabinet termed the incident a heinous terror incident, perpetrated by anti-national forces, through a car explosion near the Red Fort on the evening of November 10, 2025. The explosion claimed at least eight innocent lives and injured several others around 7 p.m. that day.

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The Cabinet paid its solemn respects to the victims of this senseless act of violence and conveyed its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. It also prayed for the speedy recovery of all those injured, while appreciating the prompt efforts of the medical personnel and emergency responders who have been providing care and support to the victims.

The Cabinet unequivocally condemned this dastardly and cowardly act that has led to the loss of innocent lives.

Reiterating Indias unwavering commitment to a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, the Cabinet recorded its appreciation for the statements of solidarity and support from many governments around the world.

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The Cabinet also appreciated the timely and coordinated response of the authorities, security agencies, and citizens who acted with courage and compassion in the face of adversity, noting that their dedication and sense of duty are deeply commendable.

The meeting was held shortly after the Prime Ministers return from his official visit to Bhutan. Earlier in the day, after landing in Delhi, Prime Minister Modi visited the injured victims at LNJP Hospital.

The Cabinet directed that the investigation into the incident be pursued with the utmost urgency and professionalism so that the perpetrators, their collaborators, and their sponsors are identified and brought to justice without delay. It added that the situation continues to be closely monitored at the highest levels of the government.

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Reaffirming the Governments steadfast resolve, the Cabinet reiterated its commitment to safeguard the lives and well-being of all Indians, consistent with its enduring dedication to national security and the safety of every citizen.

According to the Indian Express, as the state investigation Agency took over the probe of the terror module from the Nowgam police, the relationship between Dr Umar Nabi and Dr Muzamil Ganai became the central focus of the investigation.

Umar Nabi is suspected to have been driving the car that exploded, while Muzammil Ganai was arrested in Faridabad hours ahead of the explosion.

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Indian Express report said that both men are from the village of Koil in Pulwama and were both employed at Faridabad's Al-Falah School of Medical Sciences and Research Centre.

Sources told IE that Umar and Muzammil were "key members" of the module that involves two more doctors, and had been stockpiling explosives and detonative materials for months now.

"What we know so far is that Umar was the one who would talk more about carrying out spectacular attacks," a highly placed source told the Indan Express.

Union Cabinet expressed its profound grief over the loss of lives in the terrorist incident involving a car explosion near the Red Fort in Delhi on the evening of 10 November 2025. The #Cabinet observed two minutes' silence in honour of innocent lives lost



The country has pic.twitter.com/vyW3JatGuk  PIB India (@PIB_India) November 12, 2025

The family members of the two doctors have claimed that the two did not know each other; however, the report said that investigators have reason to believe they had been in touch since 2018.

350 kg of ammonium nitrate was recovered from Muzammi's (rented) residence in Faridabad, stored in suitcases. A source told the IE that more explosive materials were recovered from the residence of a cleric, now arrested. The cleric, identified as Iman Ishtiyaq, conducted sermons on the Al Falah campus. He has been taken to Srinagar by the JK police.

Police cited in the report said that while the doctors had been planning "something bigger", they were yet to zero in on a definitive target.

(For more news apart from Cabinet terms Delhi Car Explosion heinous terror incident, perpetrated by anti-national forces; condemns dastardly and cowardly act," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
PM Modi announced a concessional line of credit of INR 40 billion to support these projects and other energy initiatives, reaffirming India's commitment to Bhutan's 13th Five-Year Plan and sustainable growth. File Photo.

On the 70th birth anniversary of Bhutan's Fourth Druk Gyalpo Celebrations, PM Modi was the Guest of Honour.

PM Modis Bhutan Visit Highlights: Energy, Culture, and Mutual Cooperation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on a Bhutan visit from 11th to 12th November 2025, at the invitation of His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. The visit highlighted the deep friendship and strategic partnership between the two nations, emphasising energy, culture, connectivity, and sustainable development.

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On the 70th birth anniversary of Bhutans Fourth Druk Gyalpo Celebrations, PM Modi was the Guest of Honour. He also took part in the Global Peace Prayer Festival in Thimphu. The ceremony also featured the Holy Piprahwa Relics of Lord Buddha. It was aimed at strengthening a spiritual connection between the two countries.

One of the main highlights of this visit was the joint inauguration of the 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project. This milestone represents India and Bhutans longstanding collaboration in hydropower. The leaders of both nations welcomed the idea of the resumption of the 1,200 MW Punatsangchhu-I project. Once this project is completed, it will be the largest hydroelectric project jointly developed by both India and Bhutan. PM Modi announced a concessional line of credit of INR 40 billion to support these projects and other energy initiatives, reaffirming Indias commitment to Bhutans 13th Five-Year Plan and sustainable growth.

The PM also met with His Majesty the King, the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, and Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay. Discussions of these high-level meetings covered a broad spectrum of bilateral and regional issues, including trade, connectivity, STEM education, space cooperation, fintech, and healthcare. Phase II of UPI integration was also in focus. It will enable Bhutanese visitors to make digital payments in India using local apps.

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PM Modi made an announcement for the establishment of an immigration check post at Hatisar, Assam. It is aimed at investor facilitation and visitor movement to Gelephu Mindfulness City. The two countries signed three key MoUs in renewable energy, health, and mental health, strengthening institutional linkages and cross-border collaboration.

Both nations made a commitment towards high-level exchanges, strengthening cooperation across sectors with shared values of trust, respect and mutual cooperation.
The court issued notices to both states.It asked them to submit reports on their efforts to mitigate stubble burning. File Photo.

It asked them to submit reports on their efforts to mitigate stubble burning.

SC Directs Punjab and Haryana to Report on Stubble Burning Amid Delhi Pollution Crisis

The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Punjab and Haryana governments to submit detailed reports on measures taken to curb stubble burning, amid rising farm fires and deteriorating air quality in the Delhi-NCR region. The court also said it will address the issue of non-functional air quality monitoring stations during the next hearing that is scheduled for November 17.

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The bench, led by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, was hearing multiple pleas regarding air pollution in the region, even as the Air Quality Index (AQI) remained in the severe category for a second consecutive day. Senior advocate Aparajita Singh, acting as amicus curiae, informed the court that the AQI could escalate into the severe plus category (above 450) in the upcoming days, emphasising the urgent need for intervention.

The court issued notices to both states. It asked them to submit reports on their efforts to mitigate stubble burning. In September, the Supreme Court had suggested criminal prosecution for violators and even proposed separate legislation, though the Centre maintained a policy of working with farmers rather than penalising them.

Ms Singh flagged rising farm-fire data received from a NASA scientist. She suggested that stubble burning figures reported by Punjab and Haryana may be undercounted. She also pointed out media reports indicating that farmers were allegedly instructed to burn crop residue at specific times to avoid satellite detection, calling the practice alarming.

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Senior lawyers, including Gopal Sankaranarayanan, urged the court to direct the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to escalate anti-pollution measures from GRAP III to the stricter GRAP IV stage, which halts construction and demolition activities in Delhi-NCR.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati confirmed that the Centre, CPCB, and CAQM had responded to previous orders and were present for clarification on non-functional monitoring stations. The bench agreed to examine these gaps in the upcoming hearing.

Observers say the Supreme Courts intervention could push for stronger compliance, stricter monitoring, and long-term solutions to prevent Punjabs stubble burning from worsening regional air pollution.
Mann Govt Fulfils Wishes of Elderly to Visit Golden Temple: Pilgrimage Convoy Leaves from Punjab

Punjab government has made detailed arrangements for free stay for three days and two nights for the devotees.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann flagged off the first batch of buses taking devotees to visit religious places in the holy city of Amritsar under the Chief Ministers Pilgrimage Scheme.

Speaking to the devotees, the Chief Minister said that this journey is dedicated to the 350th martyrdom anniversary of the ninth Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. He said that this scheme was started on October 29, 2025, from the village Bardhwal, and these devotees have been selected transparently through a draw. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this is a humble initiative by the Punjab government to strengthen social and religious harmony among Punjabis by providing facilities to visit holy places.

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The Chief Minister said that this initiative is fulfilling the heartfelt wishes of elderly citizens who have been longing to visit holy religious places for a long time. He said that under this scheme, devotees will be taken to visit Sri Harmandir Sahib, Durgiana Temple, Bhagwan Valmiki pilgrimage site, Jallianwala Bagh, Partition Museum, and other religious and historical places in Amritsar. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this scheme is for people of all castes, religions, income groups, and every region.

Giving more information, the Chief Minister said that the state government has made detailed arrangements for free stay for three days and two nights for the devotees. He said that devotees aged 50 years or above have been registered for the journey and a voter ID card has been made mandatory for registration. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that devotees will be provided free AC buses, AC hotel accommodation, and food.

The Chief Minister said that each bus will have an assistant to help passengers and a medical team will also accompany the devotees to provide immediate help in any emergency. He said that after the completion of the journey, prasad (sacred offering) will be distributed to all devotees. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab is the sacred land of great Gurus, gods and goddesses, saints-pirs, and martyrs who gave us the message of mutual brotherhood, sharing, and unity.

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The Chief Minister said that he considers himself fortunate that God has given him the opportunity to serve people through this noble work. He said that this scheme has been prepared according to the teachings and philosophy of the great Guru Sahibs, who gave people the message of mutual brotherhood, unity, and peace. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that a large section of society in the state could not visit these holy places across the country for one reason or another.

The Chief Minister said that now the state government has started this scheme for devotees to visit various holy places across the country and the state. He appealed to all devotees to actively participate in various religious gatherings and main programs being organized in different districts and Sri Anandpur Sahib in memory of the martyrdom day of the ninth Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has already prepared a schedule of successive gatherings to celebrate this historic occasion.

(For more news apart from Mann Govt Fulfils Wishes of Elderly to Visit Golden Temple: Pilgrimage Convoy Leaves from Punjab" stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
Punjab News: Four Arrested with Petrol Bombs; petrol bomb thrown at a bicycle shop in Moga

Earlier, a petrol bomb was reportedly thrown at a bicycle shop in the village of Madi Mustafa in the Baghapurana sub-division.

Punjab News: An attempt to spread terror in the Baghapurana sub-division of Moga has been foiled with the arrest of four youth allegedly with petrol bombs, all resident of Faridkot district in Punjab.

Earlier, a petrol bomb was reportedly thrown at a bicycle shop in the village of Madi Mustafa in the Baghapurana sub-division.

The police have registered a case and initiated further investigation. Senior officials will hold a press conference later today.

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(For more news apart from Four Arrested with Petrol Bombs After Attack on Bicycle Shop in Moga" stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
BEIJING, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang will attend the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Moscow on Nov. 17 and 18 at the invitation of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, the Chinese foreign ministry announced on Thursday.

Li will pay an official visit to Zambia on Nov. 19 and 20 at the invitation of the government of the Republic of Zambia. He will also attend the 20th G20 Summit in Johannesburg from Nov. 21 to 23 at the invitation of the government of the Republic of South Africa, the ministry said.

Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the foreign ministry, briefed the press on Premier Li's overseas trips at a regular press conference on Thursday.

He said during the SCO Tianjin Summit, leaders of SCO member states achieved a series of important common understandings on upholding the Shanghai Spirit and promoting the development and reform of the SCO, leading the organization into a new stage of high-quality development featuring greater solidarity, coordination, dynamism and productiveness.

The Global Governance Initiative put forward by China was welcomed and supported by parties attending the Summit and widely recognized by the international community, added Lin.

At this meeting of the Council of Heads of Government, Premier Li will have an in-depth exchange of view with all parties on implementing the outcomes of the SCO Tianjin Summit, strengthening solidarity and coordination in the SCO, and deepening regional economic and cultural cooperation, said Lin.

He said China believes that this meeting will sustain the positive momentum of the SCO Tianjin Summit, promote the implementation of the development strategy for the SCO in the next 10 years, better safeguard the common interests of the member states, and inject more positive energy into regional and world peace, stability, development and prosperity.

On Premier Li's visit to Zambia, Lin said Zambia is a comprehensive strategic cooperative partner of China in Africa. Over the past 61 years of diplomatic relations, the two countries have developed bilateral ties under the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, and the traditional friendship has grown stronger over time.

In recent years, under the care and strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the bilateral relations have maintained robust development with solid mutual trust and fruitful cooperation outcomes in various areas, Lin added.

He said China looks to working with Zambia through the visit to accelerate the implementation of the important common understandings between the two presidents and the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, deepen political mutual trust, expand mutually-beneficial cooperation, promote common development, have closer communication and coordination on international and regional affairs, and make greater contribution to building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

When being asked about China's expectation for the G20 summit, Lin said that amid rapid changes in the world not seen in a century, sluggish global economic growth and widening development deficit in the world, the G20, as the premier forum for international economic cooperation, needs to enhance solidarity and cooperation, jointly respond to challenges, improve global economic governance, and contribute to world economic growth as well as the development and prosperity of countries.

Lin stressed that it is of historic significance that the G20 summit is held on the African continent for the first time.

He said China supports South Africa's G20 presidency and stands ready to work with various parties under the theme "Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability" to build up consensus at the summit for upholding multilateralism, building an open world economy and promoting the cooperation on development. 
Both sides exchanged views on recent trade policy developments to enhance market access, promote regulatory alignment, and strengthen economic resilience. File Photo

The focus was on priority sectors such as critical minerals, clean energy, agriculture, artificial intelligence, aerospace, and health.

India-Canada Trade Talks: Strengthening Bilateral Economic Ties



India and Canada are taking decisive steps to renew and strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties after a two-year pause in negotiations. On Thursday, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Canadas Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development Maninder Sidhu co-chaired the 7th India-Canada Ministerial Dialogue on Trade and Investment (MDTI) in New Delhi. The dialogue marked a renewed phase of engagement aimed at reinvigorating bilateral trade and investment ties and setting a forward-looking agenda, according to a Commerce Ministry statement.

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Maninder Sidhu was on a three-day visit to India. He described the ministerial discussions as very productive. The focus was on priority sectors such as critical minerals, clean energy, agriculture, artificial intelligence, aerospace, and health. Both nations reaffirmed the strength of the India-Canada relationship based on democratic values, cultural diversity, and growing economic growth.

The dialogue also highlighted the role of the Indian diaspora in Canada, numbering nearly 2.9 million, and over 427,000 Indian students, highlighting their contribution to fostering innovation, economic growth, and people-to-people ties. Bilateral trade in goods and services stood at USD 18.38 billion in 2023, and the ministers welcomed the steady rise in two-way investments, committing to a transparent and predictable business environment to support sustainable growth.

The discussions covered a broad agenda, including nutritional security, supply chain resilience, investment facilitation, and sectoral cooperation. Both sides exchanged views on recent trade policy developments to enhance market access, promote regulatory alignment, and strengthen economic resilience.

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Sidhus visit also symbolises the normalisation of India-Canada ties, which had deteriorated in 2023 following allegations concerned with the killing of Canadian Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. High-level engagements, including PM Modis meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the G7 Summit, laid the groundwork for the current dialogue.

Concluding the talks, both ministers reaffirmed their shared vision to revive the IndiaCanada economic partnership. They agreed to translate discussions into tangible outcomes that advance shared prosperity. With renewed momentum in trade, investment, and collaboration across multiple sectors, this dialogue symbolizes a promising new chapter in India-Canada relations.
Talwinder Kaur makes history by becoming Deputy Mayor of Rural City Council in Australia

She comes from a humble farming family, and her in-laws reside in the village of Khanpur, Fatehgarh Sahib.

Moga: Talwinder Kaur, of Punjabi origin from the city of Ararat in Victoria, Australia, has been elected as the Deputy Mayor of the Ararat Rural City Council. She has become the first-ever Punjabi woman to reach this position in the history of the state.

Talwinder Kaur, who won the election as a councillor last year, achieved this milestone within just one year based on her service and dedication. During the Ararat Council meeting, Bob Sanders was elected Mayor, and Talwinder Kaur was unanimously chosen as Deputy Mayor.

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After being appointed Deputy Mayor, Talwinder Kaur expressed her gratitude to her fellow councillors and the residents.

She stated that, as Deputy Mayor, she would be fully dedicated to serving the people and working hard for the development of Ararat. Talwinder Kaur hails from the village of Kokri Kalan in the Moga district of Punjab.

She comes from a humble farming family, and her in-laws reside in the village of Khanpur, Fatehgarh Sahib. She moved to Australia in 2008 with her husband, Karamvir Singh, and completed her studies at Federation University in Ballarat.

Talwinder Kaur emphasized that the role of Deputy Mayor is not only an honor but also a significant responsibility, and she is committed to working diligently to fulfill it.

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(For more news apart from Himachal Pradesh: Traders demand resumption of trade with China through Shipki-La border" stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
Working in Romania

A roundup of news on the Romanian labor market

 

Sorin Iordan, 13.11.2025, 14:00

Platform work

The draft law on platform work, which transposes the European Directive on this matter, could be approved by the end of December, said the president of the National Trade Union Bloc (BNS), Dumitru Costin. According to him, the legislation seeks to eliminate the current legal vacuum and establish clear rules regarding employee rights and the relationship with intermediaries. Each member state must transpose the Directive by the end of next year, 2026.

Recently, BNS announced the creation of an initiative group to launch the Union of Digital Platform Workers, a structure dedicated to those who work through apps such as Uber, Bolt, Glovo, Wolt and others, where foreign workers can also enroll. The new union will operate with branches in all counties of Romania, and membership applications can be completed online.

Among the objectives of the union for digital platform workers are ensuring access to social protection systems, initiating collective bargaining at the platform level, and representing workers as a recognized social partner in dialogue with the government. In Romania, Uber and Bolt together have more than 105,000 active drivers, a number comparable to the total employees of the countrys seven largest employers, according to data from the National Trade Union Bloc.

Unemployment benefits

The Romanian Ministry of Labor has launched a public debate on a draft law to amend the Unemployment Insurance System Law, which provides, among other things, bonuses to young people starting their first job, subsidies for mothers with three children and for victims of human trafficking.

The bonus granted to young people would be paid for two years after employment, 1,000 lei per month in the first year and 1,250 lei per month in the second year. For people in at-risk situations, employers would receive a monthly subsidy of 2,250 lei for a certain period, while mothers with three children would benefit from the same subsidy for one year.

The Ministry of Labor believes these measures also support employers facing a labor shortage and difficulties in attracting stable staff, especially in disadvantaged areas. Statistics show that only 17.2% of Romanians under 25 are employed, and the youth unemployment rate has reached 24.6%, the highest in the European Union.

AI skills

An increasing number of employers in Romania are adding Artificial Intelligence (AI) knowledge to their job requirements, according to a study conducted by an online recruitment company. Such skills are requested even for jobs unrelated to IT. Recruitment specialists note that these requirements have also appeared in fields like engineering, sales, data analysis, web design and marketing.

According to them, there is a clear and growing interest among employers for employees to gain digital skills and use AI tools, especially since statistics show that 4 in 10 employees already use AI in office tasks to reduce workload or obtain faster results. In turn, people seeking jobs in these fields also recognize how important these skills have become for employers and therefore express interest in career retraining or skill improvement.

Work permits

The General Inspectorate for Immigration has issued over 84,000 work permits for foreign citizens from the start of the year until October 31, representing more than 84% of the annual quota. Most foreign citizens were classified as permanent workers.

Approximately 400 people obtained permits as posted workers, and around 230 permits were issued for highly qualified workers. Nearly 180 foreign citizens received seasonal work permits, while 58 documents were issued for intra-company transferees. Additionally, 4 permits were granted for au pair workers, and one permit for a trainee worker. (VP)
Museums in Eastern Transylvania

In a digital age where tourist destinations compete in visibility, a region of Romania, unfairly left in the shadows, is now revealing its cultural wealth through a modern and accessible initiative.

Muzeul palariilor de paie / Foto: muzet.ro

Daniel Onea, 13.11.2025, 13:25

Eastern Transylvania, a space of ethnic confluences and living history, is brought to the attention of the national and international public through the project Museums in Eastern Transylvania, known for short as Muzet. We spoke with Alexandru Mihaila, president of the Provil Association, to understand the philosophy and impact of this endeavor. His association deals with the implementation of projects in the cultural sphere and the tourist promotion of local heritage. The Muzet project materializes in a complex digital platform, which includes the website muzet.ro, a Facebook page, a YouTube channel and dedicated mobile applications for Android and iOS systems. To better understand the mission of this project, Alexandru Mihaila explains the associations vision of the role of museums in todays society and how this specific project came about: We believe that museums represent a bridge between generations, through which traditions, customs and various elements from the past are transposed to the present. We also believe that it is our duty to carry these elements forward. We took advantage of the existence of open funding sessions at the Romanian Government, where we applied with this project. To be more specific, we applied twice: first with the first edition, in which we targeted five museums from the Harghita and Covasna areas, and later, in the second edition, we added another five museums from a nearby geographical area, more precisely from the counties of Brasov and Mures.

So, a project developed in two stages, which now covers ten important museums, from four counties. The objective is not only to attract foreign tourists, but also, essentially, to reconnect the local public with their own heritage, a heritage that, often, those who live in its proximity can ignore: The declared goal was to bring to light the cultural and historical heritage of the eastern area of Transylvania, offering it also to the local public. I say this because, often, we tend not to appreciate what we have close to us. We wanted it to be an incentive for both local factors and for Romanian and foreign tourists. That is why we took care that the project was also translated into English. All the elements found on the site are bilingual, Romanian-English, so that tourists from all parts of the country, and especially from Europe, can access this information.

Eastern Transylvania proved to be a pleasant surprise, which is found in the uniqueness of each museum. We asked our guest, Alexandru Mihaila, president of the Provil Association, to recommend a place that particularly impressed him. Although he emphasized that each museum has its own charm, he focused on one particular destination: the Straw Hats Museum in Criseni. First of all, the peasant cottage in which the museum is housed is impressive, a house that is over 130 years old. There, I noticed, as an unusual fact, a separate entrance for the cat. Then, I was impressed by the warmth with which the people welcomed us and by the natural setting in which the museum is located, an area that seems to have been forgotten by the world, where we felt like we had gone back in time. In addition to all this, I was pleasantly impressed by the huge straw hat. It is a giant hat, 2 meters in diameter and over 2 kilograms in weight, which required over 12 days of work, approximately 500 meters of raw material. That means about 22,000-23,000 strands of straw and around 1,700-1,800 meters of thread.

The recommendations continue with another point of interest- the Sighisoara History Museum: It is a remarkable destination and, as far as I know, it is the only museum in Romania organized vertically. Of course, the museum is an integral part of the UNESCO World Heritage, as is the entire central area of the Sighisoara citadel. Here, too, visitors discover very interesting elements. For example, I remember a hearth-altar from the Bronze Age, which functioned as a kind of solar calendar. There is also a very beautiful and detailed model representing Sighisoara in 1735. There are valuable ethnographic exhibitions, but also Saxon ceramics specific to the area. In terms of furniture, there are special pieces, such as rococo-style tables or a Biedermeier chest of drawers. The medieval craft guilds that defined the life of the citadel are also represented. On the penultimate floor, the clock mechanism in the tower can be seen, a still functional mechanism dating back to 1906. And, as another unique fact, there is also a small exhibition dedicated to Hermann Oberth, the pioneer of astronautics. There are, therefore, extremely diverse elements condensed into a relatively small space.

The Straw Hat Museum and the History Museum in Sighisoara demonstrate that the project is not just a digital catalog, but a living platform, which is already generating international connections and valuable feedback. Success, in Alexandru Mihailas vision, is measured in the real interaction that the platform facilitates: I was pleasantly surprised to see the success of the project. Of course, success can be relative, everyone measures it differently. For me, the joy is that I am constantly contacted by people both from Romania and abroad, who want to know more details. For example, a student from the Czech Republic, specializing in restoration, had as her research topic some womens shoes from the 1700s. She discovered on our website a pair of shoes almost identical to the one she was studying and asked me for more details. I gladly put her in touch with representatives of the Sighisoara History Museum to provide her with the necessary details and to be able to continue her studies.

This example shows how a well-designed digital platform can shorten distances and serve as a valuable academic and tourist resource. The Muzet project is an open invitation to explore a cultural treasure defined by a unique blend of Romanian, Saxon and Hungarian traditions, a heritage that, thanks to these efforts, is now accessible just a click away, at: muzet.ro. (EE)
November 13, 2025

A roundup of local and world news

Newsflash

Newsroom, 13.11.2025, 13:55

Alexandru Munteanu visits Bucharest

Romania has been, is and will be the strategic partner and closest supporter of the Republic of Moldova, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said after the talks he had on Thursday in Bucharest with his counterpart from Chisinau, Alexandru Munteanu, who was on his first foreign visit since taking office. Bolojan noted that the two states must deepen joint projects, especially those related to the interconnection of energy and transport infrastructure, increase bilateral trade and expand cooperation in the field of security.

In turn, Prime Minister Munteanu emphasized that Romania has never forgotten the Republic of Moldova, has supported it on its European path and made essential investments.

Earlier, the Moldovan head of government was received by President Nicusor Dan, who said that Romania remains the most sincere and firm supporter of the Republic of Moldova at all levels, especially regarding state modernization, reforms, and European integration. I encouraged the new Government to act decisively and responsibly, with a focus on economic growth, the well-being of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova, and EU integration, the president wrote on Facebook.

Alexandru Munteanu also had meetings with the Presidents of Parliament. He will be received by Her Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Romanian Crown.

Defense Strategy

President Nicusor Dan on Wednesday presented Romanias new National Defense Strategy. Hostile actions by Russia are identified as the main threat to national security, but the document also highlights other vulnerabilities, ranging from demographic decline to the states weak administrative capacity.

Another clearly defined vulnerability in the national defense strategy is corruption. The document is open for public debate and is scheduled to be approved by the Supreme Council of National Defense (CSAT) on November 24. Two days later, the President is expected to present the document in Parliament.

Dacian Fall 2025 comes to an end

Today marks the conclusion of the largest military exercise this year, held in NATO training areas across Romania. Dacian Fall 2025 started on October 20 and brought together 5,000 servicemen from 10 NATO member countries, with 1,200 vehicles and technical assets also taking part.

Over half of participating soldiers came from France, the framework nation in Romania. The exercise was coordinated by the Multinational Division South-East, headquartered in Bucharest, and represented the final stage in the temporary elevation to brigade level of NATOs battlegroups in Romania and Bulgaria.

Following the Press Day organized on Wednesday, today the Cincu Training Area in Brasov County (central Romania) is hosting the Distinguished Visitors Day, attended by Defense Minister Ionut Mosteanu, jointly with other officials and ambassadors.

ECOFIN to greenlight Romanias revised Resilience and Recovery Plan

Romanias Finance Minister, Alexandru Nazare, is attending todays meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) in Brussels. For Bucharest, one of the most important expected outcomes is the adoption of the Council Decision on Romanias revised Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).

Alexandru Nazare is expected to emphasize that this step confirms the ambitious adaptation of the countrys reform and investment program to current realities, essential for accelerating sustainable growth and strengthening national economic resilience.

The Recovery and Resilience Mechanism enables EU member states to access funding through a support program designed to repair the economic and social damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Erasmus+ gets new budget

Romanian Vice-President of the European Commission, Roxana Minzatu, announced on Thursday that the Erasmus+ program will have a budget of over 5 billion in 2026 for mobility, training and educational projects throughout Europe. According to a press release from the Representation of the European Commission in Romania, the funds will support skills development, inclusion, digital and green transition, as well as Ukrainian students and teachers.

The announcement came on the very day Minzatu hosted the European Summit for Education and Skills in Brussels, an event attended by over 500 education and labor ministers from the EU, alongside organizations and companies from the field. Erasmus+ 2026 will offer mobility opportunities for over one million participants and will involve over 100,000 organizations.

Measures to boost child protection

Romanian authorities are taking additional measures to protect child victims of human trafficking. A legislative proposal, signed by 40 MPs from all parties, has been submitted to Parliament to amend the Criminal Procedure Code so that trial durations are shortened and support for minor victims is increased.

According to officials, Romania faces one of the most serious situations in Europe, with nearly half of all human trafficking victims being children, and the legislation must reflect the urgent need to resolve these cases, which currently drag on over 1,000 days in courts of first instance.

New protests in Bucharest

Union members from the Alliance of Trade Unions in Romanias defense, aerospace and naval industries are today protesting in front of the Ministry of Economy, Digitalization, Entrepreneurship and Tourism.

Among other things, they are disgruntled with the lack of contracts and orders, as well as the sectors declining attractiveness for young specialists and skilled workers.

The protesters also accuse the relevant minister, Radu Miruta, of refusing open, transparent and constructive dialogue with the defense unions. Yesterday, thousands of union members from various sectors demonstrated in central Bucharest against the governments social and wage policies. (VP)
November 13, 2025 UPDATE

A roundup of local and international news.

Newsflash

Newsroom, 13.11.2025, 20:00

NRRP  Romanias revised National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) was approved on Thursday within the Economic and Financial Affairs Council in Brussels, the Ministry of Finance announced. The revised NRRP has a total value of 21.41 billion euros, of which grants of 13.57 billion euros and loans of 7.84 billion euros. The plan is structured on six payment requests, of which three have already been submitted. The number of milestones and targets has been reduced from 518 to 390, without diminishing the ambition of the reforms undertaken. The modifications mainly aimed at eliminating investments with a risk of non-implementation, the transition of some performing projects from the loan component to the grant and the introduction of new investments with high economic and social impact, such as the capitalization of the Investment and Development Bank or the purchase of ambulances for the Department for Emergencies. We managed to agree on a simplified structure of the plan, through which we reduce the pressure on the state budget, by reducing the loan component and ensuring a better implementation of the reforms needed for the competitiveness of the Romanian economy, said Finance Minister Alexandru Nazare, present at the ECOFIN meeting. He pointed out that, to date, Romania has collected 10.7 billion euros from the NRRP and is set to receive approximately the same amount by the end of next year.

MOLDOVA  Romania was, is and will be the strategic partner and the closest supporter of the Republic of Moldova, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said after the talks he had, on Thursday, in Bucharest, with his counterpart from Chisinau, Alexandru Munteanu, who was on his first foreign visit since taking office. Bolojan said that the two states must deepen joint projects, especially those related to the interconnection of energy and transport infrastructure, to increase bilateral trade and to expand cooperation in the field of security. In turn, Prime Minister Munteanu stressed that Romania has never forgotten the Republic of Moldova, has supported it on its European path and has made essential investments. Previously, the head of the Moldovan government was received by President Nicusor Dan, who said that Romania remains the most sincere and firm supporter of the Republic of Moldova, on all levels, especially regarding the modernization of the state, reforms and European integration. I encouraged the new Government to act decisively and responsibly, focusing on economic growth, the well-being of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova and integration into the European Union, the head of state wrote on Facebook. Alexandru Munteanu also met with the Speakers of Parliament. He is to be received by Her Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Crown of Romania.

ERASMUS  The European Commission Vice President, the Romanian Roxana Minzatu, announced on Thursday in Brussels that the Erasmus+ program will have a budget of over 5 billion euros in 2026 for mobility, training and educational projects across Europe. According to a press release from the European Commission Representation in Romania, the funds will support skills development, inclusion, digital and green transition, as well as Ukrainian students and teachers. The announcement comes on the very day that Minzatu hosts the European Education and Skills Summit in Brussels, an event attended by over 500 EU education and labor ministers, along with organizations in the field and companies. Erasmus+ 2026 will offer mobility opportunities for over one million participants and will involve over 100,000 organizations.

NATO  The largest military exercise of the year, held in NATO training grounds in Romania, ended on Thursday. Dacian Fall 2025 began on October 20 and brought together 5,000 soldiers from 10 member countries of the Alliance, with 1,200 vehicles and technical means. Over half of the soldiers came from France, a framework nation in Romania. The exercise was coordinated by the Multinational Division South-East stationed in Bucharest and marked the final stage of the temporary brigade-level lifting of NATO battle groups in Romania and Bulgaria. Dacian Fall 2025 showed once again how strong this alliance is, how strong NATO is, said Romanian Defense Minister Ionut Mosteanu. He thanked France, pointing out that four days after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, Paris sent troops to Romania. For his part, the Permanent Representative of France to NATO, Ambassador David Cvach, said that in the last days of his visit to Romania he felt how special the Franch-Romanian relationship is, which he called fraternal. Last but not least, the Permanent Representative of the United States to NATO, Ambassador Matthew Whitaker, stated that the final exercise of Dacian Fall 2025 is an excellent proof of the entire purpose of the North Atlantic Alliance. He emphasized that each of the members of the North Atlantic Council, who were in Romania these days are certainly dedicated to the future of NATO, just as the United States remains committed to NATO.

TRAFFICKING  Romanian authorities are taking additional measures to protect child victims of human trafficking. A proposal signed by 40 MPs from all parties to supplement the Criminal Procedure Code was submitted to Parliament, so that the duration of trials would decrease and, in return, the support provided to minor victims would increase. According to the authorities, Romania is facing one of the most serious realities in Europe. Almost half of the victims of human trafficking are children, and the legislation in the field must reflect the real urgency in resolving these cases, which currently drag on for over 1,000 days in the first instance.

PROTESTS  Representatives of the Romanian unions in the defense, aeronautics and naval industries protested on Thursday in front of the Ministry of Economy, unhappy with the lack of contracts and orders in the field, but also with the level of salaries in the sector. The protesters also accuse the Minister of Defense, Radu Miruta, of refusing an open, transparent and constructive dialogue with the unions in the defense sector. Minister Miruta proposed a meeting with the protest leaders on Monday. (EE)
Australia will on Thursday release October numbers for unemployment, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity.

The jobless rate is expected to dip to 4.4 percent from 4.5 percent in September, with the addition of 20.3K jobs following the increase of 14.9K a month earlier. The participation rate is seen steady at 67.0 percent.

Japan will provide October data for producer prices; in September, producer prices were up 0.3 percent on month and 2.7 percent on year.

New Zealand will see September figures for electronic card retail sales; in August, sales were down 0.5 percent on month and up 1.0 percent on year.

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Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) has announced a voluntary market recall campaign for select units of its premium CB1000 Hornet SP. The recall aligns with a global service action and affects motorcycles manufactured in 2025.

Whats the Issue?

According to Honda, excessive radiant heat from the exhaust system may soften the painted seat surface, which can indirectly cause the gear change pedal pivot bolt to loosen over time and potentially fall off. If this happens, riders may experience difficulty or inability to shift gearsa safety concern especially during high-speed or urban riding.

Free Repair From January 2026

As a precaution, Honda will inspect and replace the affected parts free of cost, irrespective of the motorcycles warranty status. The recall work will be carried out exclusively at Honda BigWing Topline dealerships across India starting January 2026. Honda says this proactive move reinforces the brands focus on customer trust, safety and ownership experience.

How Owners Can Check if Their CB1000 Hornet SP Is Affected

Honda and its BigWing dealers will contact customers via call, email and SMS starting today. Additionally, owners can check their VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) on Hondas official website. To avoid delays at dealerships, Honda advises customers to book their service appointment in advance.

Honda CB750 Hornet packs a 755cc inline twin-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that delivers 90.5 bhp and 75 Nm, paired with a 6-speed gearbox and slipper clutch, along with four riding modes  Sport, Standard, Rain and User. Sitting above it, the flagship Honda CB1000 Hornet SP uses a 999cc inline four-cylinder motor producing 155 bhp and 107 Nm, equipped with a slipper clutch, bi-directional quick-shifter, Honda Selectable Torque Control and five riding modes for a more performance-oriented setup. The CB1000 Hornet SP was launched in May this year, when it was priced at Rs 12.36 lakh (ex-showroom) in India.
As evident with the bikini camo, exterior updates for Kushaq and Taigun facelifts will be centred around the front and rear

As competition continues to intensify in the compact SUV segment, facelift versions of Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun are being readied for launch. In addition to existing models, the duo will face competition from new rivals such as the upcoming new-gen Renault Duster and its Nissan version. Test mules of Kushaq and Taigun facelifts have been spotted frequently in recent months. Latest sighting, credited to automotive enthusiast Shreyanshu, reveals the duo testing together. Lets check out the details.

Kushaq, Taigun facelifts  Refreshed exteriors

Both SUVs will be getting an updated front fascia, featuring changes to the lighting elements, grille and bumper. The tail lamps and rear bumper will also sport a fresh new look. Lighting elements are expected to be sharper and the tail lamps could be offered in a connected design format. Side profile is largely the same as earlier, although both facelifts could get a new design for the alloy wheels.

Even in their current form, both Kushaq and Taigun have a striking road presence. Kushaq has sharp LED lighting, a rugged bumper and signature butterfly grille. In comparison, Taigun has larger headlamps, a horizontally slatted grille and a prominent lower grille.

Side profile is largely the same for both SUVs, featuring circular wheel arches, body cladding, traditional door handles, body-coloured ORVMs, roof rails and a tapering roofline. At the rear, both SUVs have distinctive, edgy tail lamps and sporty bumper design.

Interior updates

Kushaq and Taigun facelifts are expected to get refreshed interiors, featuring upgraded upholstery, interior themes and ambient lighting. There could be a focus on reducing clutter and enhancing the sense of roominess. Both SUVs already have elegant and premium interiors, targeted at discerning customers.

Equipment list could be updated with features such as a panoramic sunroof. Several of the bestselling compact SUVs such as Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and Maruti Grand Vitara are already equipped with a panoramic sunroof. Recently launched Maruti Victoris is also equipped with a panoramic sunroof. In their current form, Kushaq and Taigun are offered with a standard electric sunroof with select variants.

Another desirable feature is Level-2 ADAS, already offered with SUVs like Creta, Seltos and Victoris. Theres a growing preference for ADAS among SUV buyers. Kushaq and Taigun are ranked among the safest SUVs in India with their 5-star NCAP rating. Introduction of ADAS will further enhance passenger safety. Standard safety features include 6 airbags, electronic stability control, hill hold control, multi collision brakes, parking sensors and rear-view camera.

Same engines

Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun facelifts will continue with the existing engine options. The 1.0-litre TSI petrol engine generates 115 hp and 178 Nm of torque. Transmission choices include a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic. The larger 1.5-litre petrol unit generates 150 hp and 250 Nm. Transmission options include a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed DSG.
CAIRO, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The 46th edition of the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), one of the Arab region's most prestigious cinematic events, kicked off on Wednesday evening at Egypt's Cairo Opera House, featuring 150 films from around the world.

Under the auspices of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, the 46th CIFF runs from Nov. 12 to 21 as a platform for cultural and people-to-people exchange through filmmaking.

Films, short films, documentaries, and animated works from Egypt, France, Italy, Germany, China, the United States, Brazil, Tunisia, Palestine, India, South Korea, and many others will compete or screen across various sections, including the International Competition for feature films, the International Critics' Week Competition, the Horizons of Arab Cinema Competition, and the Short Film Competition.

The opening night blended glamour with cultural exchange, highlighting the festival's role as a meeting point for diverse cinematic voices and creative talents. A red-carpet ceremony brought together a glittering array of filmmakers, actors, and industry figures from across the globe.

Culture Minister Ahmed Fouad Henno told reporters during the opening ceremony that the 46th CIFF "embodies and deepens Egypt's regional role as a maker of civilization, a maker of international festivals, and a strong cultural power."

"I hope this edition will be successful and have a profound impact on the film industry as well as on researchers and students from all fields and sectors," the minister added.

CIFF President Hussein Fahmy said that the Egyptian film industry has "roots extending more than 120 years of creativity and influence," noting that the country is witnessing a new renaissance driven by its people's devotion and creativity.

Amanda Turnbull, founder and CEO of Rise Studios, attended the opening to present Once Upon a Time in Gaza. She said the film aims to show "a different side" of Gaza and highlight the "resilience and humanity" that can thrive even in hardship.

Turnbull praised the CIFF as "one of the oldest in the region," adding that its value is enormous because "it brings together Arab filmmakers from across the region and supports and nurtures them at any stage of development."

Egyptian actress Entsar expressed her pride in attending the CIFF, describing it as "one of the dearest festivals to my heart."

She said the festival gives her "strength and confidence" as it represents her home country and has accompanied her career since its early days, emphasizing that her participation "is both a way to support the festival and to celebrate Egyptian cinema."

Launched in 1976, the CIFF is widely regarded as the oldest and only internationally accredited annual film festival in the Arab world, Africa, and the Middle East. 
Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has been riding a wave of success in the country generated by their Innova and Fortuner nameplates. IMV platform based portfolio in India includes Innova Crysta, Hilux and Fortuner. While Crysta and Fortuner are sales charts smash hits in India, Hilux is not.

However, if you take a look at the Australian market, there is a role reversal as Hilux has a much better sales prospect than Fortuner. With diminishing sales and lack of popularity when compared to Ford Everest (Endeavour), Toyota Australia has decided to pull the plug on one of its longest-running SUV nameplates, the Fortuner. Lets take a closer look.

Toyota Fortuner To Be Discontinued In Australia

Fortuner is one of the longest running nameplates on sale in Australian market and it will soon be discontinued. While Fortuner is the System among SUVs in India, it doesnt come close to the popularity and success of Ford Everest (Endeavour) in Australia and Toyota has decided to pull the plug on it after 11 years.

Even if we take sibling rivalry, Toyotas own Hilux and more expensive Land Cruiser Prado outsell Fortuner. Bringing numbers for context, Toyota sold 2,928 Fortuners in Australia from January 2025 to October 2025, while Ford Everest sold 21,915 units and Isuzu MU-X sold 12,499 units. Toyotas own Land Cruiser sold 23,298 units in the same period.

In Australia, Fortuner starts from AUD 59,044 (Rs 34.35 lakh) and goes till AUD 72,570 (Rs 42.23 lakh), while Land Cruiser Prado starts from AUD 78,550 (Rs 45.71 lakh). The company is planning to phase-out Fortuner from Australian portfolio in 2026 without an indication of a potential revival based on the just unveiled Hilux Travo.

Sean Hanley, VP of Sales and Marketing has confirmed this development. He explained that customers have stronger preferences towards the versatile Hilux pickup truck, or move into the Land Cruiser family. Hanley mentioned that Fortuner was never going to be the number one selling Toyota, but it achieved its objectives.

Will India get a new Fortuner?

In India, things are starkly different as there are no quantifiable sentiments for pickup trucks and Fortuner sells like hot cakes. One might expect a new Fortuner coming soon, based on the recently unveiled Hilux Travo. A new fascia with a completely overhauled interior might be in the pipeline, while being powered by the same 2.8L Turbo Diesel engine.

Source
DAMASCUS, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Islamic State cells have intensified attacks in eastern Syria's Deir al-Zour province, striking two oil tankers in separate incidents on Thursday as Syrian authorities widen counterterrorism operations across the country, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Interior Ministry.

The Britain-based war monitor said suspected Islamic State gunmen opened fire on a tank truck in the village of al-Tayyahki, north of Deir al-Zour, damaging the vehicle but causing no casualties. In a second attack in the nearby town of al-Shahil, gunmen targeted a tank truck, wounding its driver.

The Observatory said the incidents were part of a growing wave of Islamic State activities in the eastern Euphrates region, where sleeper cells have staged ambushes, bombings, and assassinations in recent months.

Since the start of 2025, the group has carried out 215 attacks in areas held by the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration in eastern and northeastern Syria, killing 97 people, including 68 members of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and allied units, 13 IS fighters, 15 civilians, and one SDF collaborator, the monitor said.

Syria's security authorities on Thursday released video footage showing security forces conducting raids on suspected IS hideouts across several provinces as part of a nationwide counterterrorism campaign launched last week.

The ministry said the operations, coordinated with the General Intelligence Directorate, were based on "precise intelligence monitoring" and aimed to dismantle IS networks and arrest militants. It gave no details on arrests or casualties.

The crackdown follows a visit to the United States by Syria's interim leader Ahmad al-Sharaa for talks focused on joint efforts to combat remaining Islamic State cells in the Syrian desert and eastern regions. 
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia will promote recycled water and cooling technologies, as well as manage high water usage in heavy industries by reviewing tariff structures, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof said on Thursday.

These measures are in line with the nation's ambition to become a regional data center hub, Fadillah, who is also minister of energy transition and water transformation, said in his opening speech at the 3rd Sustainability Environment Asia conference.

"The utilization of reclaimed water for cloud operations sets a powerful global example of how technology companies can contribute meaningfully to climate goals while reinforcing Malaysia's position as a regional digital hub," he said.

"It sets a new benchmark for the management of water resources in an innovation-driven economy -- a model that is cohesive, proactive, and anchored in long-term sustainability," he said.

Fadillah added that Malaysia has exceeded its 2025 renewable energy target ahead of schedule, reflecting the country's strong momentum, and is expanding solar, hydro, waste-to-energy, and green hydrogen solutions while maintaining natural gas as a transition fuel. 
Named Wakkaoolithus godthelpi, this eggshell type belonged to mekosuchine crocodiles and represent the oldest crocodilian eggshells ever found in Australia.

The now-extinct mekosuchines (Mekosuchinae) were Australias own unique, local branch of the crocodile family.

These creatures dominated inland waters of the continent 55 million years ago (Early Eocene epoch).

They were part of the group of species that includes alligators, true crocodiles, gharials and caiman.

But mekosuchines represent a much older branch than the saltwater and freshwater crocs found in Australia today.

The modern species made their way to the continent much later, as it came into contact with southeast Asia about 5 million years ago.

Unlike todays crocodiles, mekosuchines filled strange ecological niches.

Its a bizarre idea. But some of them appear to have been terrestrial hunters in the forests, said University of New South Wales Professor Michael Archer.

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 Queensland.

Some riverine species there grew to at least 5 m long. Some were also apparently at least partly semi-arboreal drop crocs.

They were perhaps hunting like leopards  dropping out of trees on any unsuspecting thing they fancied for dinner.

The Wakkaoolithus godthelpi eggshells belong to the oldest known member of the Mekosuchinae clade.

These eggshells have given us a glimpse of the intimate life history of mekosuchines, said Dr. Xavier Panades i Blas, a paleontologist with the El Museu de la Conca Della, the Institut Catala de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont and the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona.

We can now investigate not only the strange anatomy of these crocs, but also how they reproduced and adapted to changing environments.

The researchers examined the Wakkaoolithus godthelpi shell fragments 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.

Mekosuchine crocs may have lost much of their inland territory because of encroaching dryland  eventually having to compete in the shrinking waterways not only with new arrivals to Australia, but dwindling numbers of their megafaunal-sized prey as well, said Dr. Michael Stein, a paleontologist at the University of New South Wales.

The Murgon lake was surrounded by a lush forest, which was also home to the worlds oldest-known songbirds, Australias earliest frogs and snakes, a wide range of small mammals with South American links, as well as one of the worlds oldest known bats.

According to the team, fossil 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, Dr. Panades i Blas said.

Our study shows just how powerful these fragments can be.

Eggshells should be a routine, standard component of paleontological research  collected, curated and analyzed alongside bones and teeth.

The findings were published this week in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.

_____

Xavier Panades I Blas et al. Australias oldest crocodylian eggshell: insights into the reproductive paleoecology of mekosuchines. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, published online November 11, 2025; doi: 10.1080/02724634.2025.2560010
A newly identified carnivorous reptile may look like a dinosaur at first glance, but researchers have confirmed that it was actually an early relative of modern crocodiles.

The species is named Tainrakuasuchus bellator, a title partly inspired by the Latin word for "warrior" or "fighter." This armored animal lived 240 million years ago, during a time just before dinosaurs appeared.

As a member of the Pseudosuchia (the precursors of modern crocodiles and alligators), it belonged to a dominant group of predators that thrived in the Triassic Period.

Size, Hunting Skills, and Early Ecosystem Role

Details of the discovery appear in the peer-reviewed Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. According to the study, the creature measured about 2.4m in length and weighed around 60kg.

Its long neck and agile body allowed it to strike quickly at prey. Once it closed in, it used slender jaws filled with sharp, recurved teeth to secure its target and prevent escape.

"This animal was an active predator, but despite its relatively large size, it was far from the largest hunter of its time with the same ecosystem home to giants as big as seven meters long," explains lead author Dr. Rodrigo Temp Muller, who led the paleontology team at the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria in Brazil.

"Pseudosuchia were a diverse group of animals capable of tackling robust prey, as well as small hunters specialized in catching swift animals.

"Although its appearance superficially resembles that of a dinosaur, Tainrakuasuchus bellator does not belong to that group. One of the clearest ways for us to distinguish it from dinosaurs lies in the structure of the pelvis where the characteristics of its hip and femur joints are very different."

A Glimpse Into Pre-Dinosaur Biodiversity

Dr. Muller notes: "Tainrakuasuchus bellator's discovery represents the complexity of the ecosystem at the time, with different pseudosuchia species -- varying in sizes and hunting strategies -- occupying specific ecological niches.

"Its discovery helps illuminate a key moment in the history of life, the period that preceded the rise of the dinosaurs."

The fossils were uncovered during a May 2025 excavation in the municipality of Dona Francisca in southern Brazil. The team found a partial skeleton encased in rock that included portions of the lower jaw, vertebrae, and pelvic girdle.

Analysis of the bones revealed details about the animal's behavior and confirmed that Tainrakuasuchus bellator was protected by bony plates called osteoderms, which are also found in today's crocodiles.

Although its limbs were not preserved, the researchers believe it moved on all fours, similar to related species.

Meaning Behind the Name

The name 'Tainrakuasuchus' blends the Guarani words tain ("tooth") and rakua ("pointed") with the Greek suchus ("crocodile"), referring to its sharp teeth.

The second part, 'bellator,' comes from the Latin word for "warrior" or "fighter" and, according to the authors, "honors the people of Rio Grande do Sul, symbolizing their strength, resilience, and fighting spirit, especially in light of the recent floods that have affected the state."

Rare Fossil With Links Across Ancient Pangaea

Dr. Muller describes the find as "extremely rare" and says it provides more evidence of the ancient connection between Brazil and Africa during the Triassic Period -- when the world's landmasses were joined into the supercontinent Pangaea.

"Despite the diversity of pseudosuchians, they remain poorly understood, as fossils of some their lineages are extremely rare in the fossil record," Dr. Muller says.

"The fossils we found underwent a meticulous preparation process in the laboratory, during which the surrounding rock was carefully removed.

"Once the anatomical details were revealed, we were delighted and really excited to reveal that the specimen represented a species previously unknown to science.

"What we uncovered was a species that belongs to a predator closely related to one (Mandasuchus tanyauchen) found in Tanzania.

"This connection between animals from South America and Africa can be understood in light of the Triassic Period's paleogeography.

"At that time, the continents were still united, which allowed the free dispersal of organisms across regions that are now separated by oceans. As a result, the faunas of Brazil and Africa shared several common elements, reflecting an intertwined evolutionary and ecological history.

"Tainrakuasuchus bellator would have lived in a region bordering a vast, arid desert -- the same setting as where the first dinosaurs emerged.

"It shows that, in what is now southern Brazil, reptiles had already formed diverse communities adapted to various survival strategies. Moreover, this discovery reveals that such diversity was not an isolated phenomenon."
Persimmon industry thrives in Shunping county, N China's Hebei

People's Daily Online) 13:25, November 13, 2025

A family member of Yang Shasha hangs persimmons to make dried persimmons in Yongsheng village, Anyang town, Shunping county, north China's Hebei Province. (Photo/Zhao Duan)

On Nov. 9, the hillsides of Yongsheng village in Anyang town, Shunping county, north China's Hebei Province, were covered with persimmon trees laden with fruit. Villager Yang Shasha was busy turning the freshly picked fruit into dried persimmons.

"I have more than 200 persimmon trees, and all the fruit I harvest goes into making dried persimmons. This year, I expect to produce around 2,500 kilograms of dried persimmons. Most of them are sold online, priced between 30 and 40 yuan per kilogram depending on quality and size," Yang said.

Nestled in the Taihang Mountains, Anyang town has over 30,000 mu (2,000 hectares) of persimmon orchards. Persimmons and dried persimmons produced here are sold to places such as Beijing, Tianjin and northeast China.

Shunping county has made the persimmon industry a key driver of income growth for local people. The county has encouraged farmers to improve varieties, expand deep-processing, and scale up production of dried persimmons. It has also promoted the development of related products such as persimmon wine, vinegar, beverages, and more.

The county has over 60,000 mu of persimmon orchards. It produces more than 70 million kilograms of fresh persimmons and over 50,000 kilograms of dried persimmons each year.

Workers make persimmon slices in a workshop in Jiaxizhuang village, Anyang town, Shunping county, north China's Hebei Province. (Photo/Zhao Duan)

Villagers sell persimmons at a market in Anyang town, Shunping county, north China's Hebei Province. (Photo/Zhao Duan)

Dealers sort persimmons at a market in Beihu village, Shunping county, north China's Hebei Province. (Photo/Zhao Duan)

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
People visit the third edition of the e-Motor Show Middle East in Beirut, Lebanon, Nov. 12, 2025.

The 7-day expo, which kicked off here on Tuesday, showcases the latest electric and hybrid vehicles from leading automotive brands, along with cutting-edge e-mobility and smart-mobility solutions. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

People visit the third edition of the e-Motor Show Middle East in Beirut, Lebanon, Nov. 12, 2025.

The 7-day expo, which kicked off here on Tuesday, showcases the latest electric and hybrid vehicles from leading automotive brands, along with cutting-edge e-mobility and smart-mobility solutions. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

People visit the third edition of the e-Motor Show Middle East in Beirut, Lebanon, Nov. 12, 2025.

The 7-day expo, which kicked off here on Tuesday, showcases the latest electric and hybrid vehicles from leading automotive brands, along with cutting-edge e-mobility and smart-mobility solutions. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

A visitor takes photos at the third edition of the e-Motor Show Middle East in Beirut, Lebanon, Nov. 12, 2025.

The 7-day expo, which kicked off here on Tuesday, showcases the latest electric and hybrid vehicles from leading automotive brands, along with cutting-edge e-mobility and smart-mobility solutions. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

People visit the third edition of the e-Motor Show Middle East in Beirut, Lebanon, Nov. 12, 2025.

The 7-day expo, which kicked off here on Tuesday, showcases the latest electric and hybrid vehicles from leading automotive brands, along with cutting-edge e-mobility and smart-mobility solutions. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)
CANBERRA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Australia's unemployment rate fell in October after hitting the highest level in almost four years in September, official figures published on Thursday showed.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) said that the unemployment rate was 4.3 percent in October compared to 4.5 percent in September, which was the highest figure for any month since November 2021.

Sean Crick, head of labor statistics at the ABS, said in a statement that the October figure matched the unemployment rate reported in June, July and August.

The number of employed Australians increased by 42,200 between September and October, the ABS said, while the number of unemployed Australians fell by 17,000 in the same period.

Full-time employment increased by 55,300 people in October, while part-time employment decreased by 13,100.

Crick said that more people moved into employment compared to a typical October.

The total number of hours worked by Australians was 0.5 percent higher in October than in September at 1.99 billion. 
JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Seeking opportunities amid crises, the international community is taking action to advance global governance and empower global leadership, said a Xinhua think tank report released on Thursday.

Today's world is undergoing an unprecedented stress test of its governance system, said the report titled "Jointly Building a New Model of Global Leadership -- Work Together in Pursuit of a More Just and Rational Global Governance System," released by Xinhua Institute, a think tank affiliated with Xinhua News Agency.

Multilateral mechanisms have sped up reforms to address global challenges, the report said.

Citing the United Nations (UN) as an example, it said that the organization is using reforms to break the deadlock, revitalizing its authority and vitality through self-reform to better adapt to the need to transform the global governance system.

The Global South is strengthening solidarity, becoming a new increment to global leadership, said the report.

"From climate change to international financial rules and the UN reform agenda, the Global South has, through collective consultation, taken the initiative to set agendas," it further said.

As a responsible major country, China is also a constructive force in a changing world, continuously empowering global leadership through its steady domestic development, solid foreign cooperation, and profound civilizational wisdom, the report added. 
WINDHOEK, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Thursday pledged to double the creative sector's contribution to the country's gross domestic product (GDP) from 1.5 percent to 3 percent within the next five years.

Nandi-Ndaitwah made the pledge during the 26th Bank of Namibia Annual Symposium, held under the theme: "Unleashing the Power of the Creative Industries: A Catalyst for Economic Development in Namibia," in a statement delivered on her behalf in the capital, Windhoek.

The president said that Namibia's future would not be determined by its underground resources, but by the creativity and innovation of its people.

"For too long, Namibia's economy has relied on a narrow base, mining, fisheries, and agriculture. These sectors do not have enough jobs, enough inclusion, or enough resilience," she said, adding that Namibia must shift from being merely resource-rich to becoming an architect of relevance in a world that rewards creativity and intellect.

The creative economy, which includes film, music, fashion, design, gaming, and digital content, is one of the world's fastest-growing sectors, generating over 2.3 trillion U.S. dollars annually and contributing over 3 percent to global GDP, she noted.

"Namibia, with its youthful, connected, and tech-savvy population, has all the ingredients to lead this transformation if we create the right conditions for our people to thrive," she said.

To capitalize on this global trend, she said the government has made the creative industries a core pillar of its Sixth National Development Plan.

She also called on the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology to fast-track the development of a distinctive national brand, leveraging the country's existing global recognition as a filming destination for productions such as Mad Max: Fury Road and The Mummy.

Nandi-Ndaitwah, meanwhile, encouraged the youth to transition from being consumers of global content to producers of uniquely Namibian stories, products, and ideas, emphasizing that their creativity is an economic force. 
Central African Republic: Vote on MINUSCAs Mandate Renewal*

Tomorrow afternoon (13 November), the Security Council is expected to vote on a draft resolution renewing the mandate of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) for another year, until 15 November 2026.

The mandate renewal negotiations, which took place against the backdrop of the UNs ongoing liquidity crisis, appear to have been more contentious than last years negotiations. France, the penholder on the Central African Republic (CAR), circulated an initial draft of the text to Council members on 29 October and convened two rounds of negotiations, on 31 October and 5 November. Additionally, France convened a meeting with the UN Secretariat on 3 November for Council members to receive a briefing on the contingency plan being implemented across UN peace operations as a result of the UNs liquidity crisis and its effects on MINUSCA. The meeting was also meant to help Council members better understand how MINUSCA was planning to implement the contingency plan.

The penholder placed a revised text under silence procedure until the morning of 7 November, but China broke silence, apparently upon the CARs request, propsing an edit on an operative paragraph related to a quota for womens representation in all the CARs decision-making bodies, and the US followed by sending additional comments on several issues in the draft text. The penholder then made further revisions to the text and placed it under a second silence procedure until yesterday morning (11 November). The silence period was apparently extended until 12:30 pm at Russias request but the US broke silence over the issue of the missions troop ceiling. Russia then followed with a comment on language related to the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) process. The penholder made further amendments to the draft text to address some of these concerns and put the draft into blue this afternoon (12 November) with no further silence period.

Background

At the Councils last meeting on the CAR, held on 28 October, several Council members described MINUSCA as a success story. These members highlighted the missions work in supporting the CAR government in expanding state authority and deploying its forces to remote places to protect civilians as well as its assistance to the organisation of presidential, legislative, and local elections scheduled to be held on 28 December, which mark a critical milestone in consolidating peace in the country.

At the same time, Council members recognised that the countrys security situation remains fragile despite recent progress, including the decision by two armed groups to join the peace process. They expressed particular concern about the spillover effects of the civil war in Sudan, which is increasing the cross-border flow of armed groups and weapons into the CAR as well as the smuggling of minerals. (For more information, see our 27 October Whats in Blue story.)

A major concern raised by Council members at that meeting was the UNs liquidity crisis, which has already affected MINUSCA, with the implementation of a 15 percent reduction of its expenditure potentially forcing a reduction of its personnel. Several members cautioned against the impact of these cuts, including in undercutting the missions ability to fulfil its mandated tasks and reversing the security gains achieved in the country. In particular, Russia argued that key mandated tasks of MINUSCA should not fall hostage to the positions of certain UN Security Council members and the Secretariats response to measures to streamline financial support for peacekeeping operations. This was an apparent reference to the US, which maintained that peacekeeping missions should not become permanently entrenched in a country. The US further emphasised that, in light of the continued progress in the CAR, there is a need for MINUSCA to work with the authorities in Bangui to gradually start handing over its responsibilities.

In keeping with previous practice, France dispatched a delegation to Bangui to consult with the CAR authorities ahead of the negotiations. On 11 October, CAR President Faustin-Archange Touadera sent a letter to the Security Council outlining his governments position on the mandate renewal. Touadera expressed deep concern over the budgetary constraints affecting MINUSCAs operational capacity and warned that these limitations could have serious security, humanitarian, and political consequences, not only for the CAR but also for the wider region. He further underscored MINUSCAs central role in supporting the implementation of the 2019 Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the CAR (APPR-RCA, by its French acronym), the organisation of the combined elections scheduled for December, and the expansion of state authority across the country. He therefore called for a renewed political consensus within the Security Council on MINUSCAs mandate and its ceiling of authorised personnel, along with adequate funding to sustain the countrys recent political and security gains. In particular, he advocated maintaining MINUSCAs key components, including civilian protection units, logistical and aerial assets, and the technical capacities essential for electoral and institutional support.

Negotiations on the Draft Resolution

The penholder circulated an initial draft text that extended the missions mandate for one year and retained the missions priority tasks, as most recently outlined in resolution 2759 of 14 November 2024. However, the US apparently made strong demands at the outset of the negotiations. Its primary concern related to the duration of the mandate renewal, with the US proposing a six-month extension, while all other Council members supported a one-year renewal in line with the Secretary-Generals recommendation in his most recent report on MINUSCA, dated 10 October. Ultimately, the US appears to have accepted the one-year extension, which is reflected in the draft resolution in blue.

While the initial draft text retained the existing troop ceiling of 14,400 military personnel and 3,020 police personnel, in line with the recommendation contained in the Secretary-Generals report, the US called for a reduction in the troop ceilingits second major demand. This was opposed by all other Council members, who apparently argued that the mission is already facing constraints due to the UNs liquidity crisis and ongoing budget cuts, and that a further reduction would have little operational impact on the ground. They also emphasised that such a move could send the wrong signal to both the CAR government and the armed groups operating in the country. In an apparent compromise, the penholder included language expressing the Councils firm intention to review the number of personnel following the successful completion of the electoral process scheduled in 2025 and 2026. The US nonetheless broke silence, insisting on a reduction of the troop ceiling. Eventually, the penholder tried to accommodate the US by changing the ceiling outlined in the draft resolution in blue to reflect the current level of deployment on the ground, which stands at 14,046 military personnel and 2,999 police personnel.

It seems that the US also sought to include language on benchmarks and transition planning. It ultimately apparently abandoned this demand but emphasised the need to begin discussions with the CAR authorities on the eventual handover of tasks, consistent with its statement at the 28 October meeting. Specifically, the US proposed including a sunset clause for the missions electoral assistance division following the completion of the elections in June 2026 and requested that the Secretary-General conduct a strategic review to make the necessary recommendations. However, other Council members referred to the 2024 MINUSCA strategic review and contended that what is now required is not another review, but a concrete plan to guide the process of the missions handover of tasks.

Accordingly, the draft text in blue requests the Secretary-General to provide the Council with a report, prepared in consultation with MINUSCA and the CAR government, on the opportunity and feasibility of an eventual handover of tasks to the CAR government or the UN Country Team (UNCT), as well as on MINUSCAs plans to expeditiously conclude the work of its electoral division following the completion of the electoral processes. It seems that the timing of this report became a point of contention: the US proposed that it be submitted immediately after the conclusion of the electoral process in June 2026, while other Council members argued that this would not be practical and instead recommended submission prior to the missions next mandate renewal in November 2026. As a compromise, the draft text in blue requests the Secretary-General to submit the report by 15 September 2026.

It seems that the CAR worked closely with some Council members, such as China and Russia. China apparently broke silence at the CARs request to ensure acknowledgment of the governments efforts to implement the law establishing a minimum quota of 35 percent for womens representation in all the CARs decision-making bodies, which is now reflected in the text in blue. Russias comments focused on alleged recruitment of disarmed fighters outside the national DDR process. Russia apparently maintained that there is only one comprehensive DDR process under the leadership of the CAR government and sought to amend the text accordingly. The draft resolution in blue refers to the reported recruitment of disarmed fighters but removed a previously included reference to activities outside of the national DDR process.

_________________________________________________________________

Post-script: On 13 November, the Security Council adopted resolution 2800, extending the mandate of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) for one year, until 15 November 2026, with 14 votes in favour and one abstention (the US). In its explanation of vote, the US expressed reservations about the one-year extension, noting its preference for a six-month renewal that would use the national elections as a key milestone for adjusting the missions mandate. It also expressed a preference for a larger reduction in troop levels in light of progress made in the Central African Republic (CAR) and emphasised the need to establish a more realistic budget in the context of ongoing reform efforts and the UN liquidity crisis.
KATHMANDU, Nov 13 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank on Thursday projected that Nepal's economic growth will slow significantly in fiscal year 2025-26, reflecting the impact of public unrest in September and ensuing political instability.

In a flagship publication on Nepal's development, the global lender said Nepal's economic growth is projected to decline to 2.1 percent in fiscal year 2025-26, which began in mid-July, down from 4.6 percent in fiscal year 2024-25.

The South Asian country witnessed widespread street protests in early September that led to political change.

The World Bank said the projected slowdown is expected to be largely driven by the services sector. Tourism activity is projected to decline sharply, reflecting a significant drop in international tourist arrivals, while the spillover effects of asset losses are expected to affect the insurance industry.

Reconstruction efforts in the current and next fiscal years are expected to help the economy rebound to 4.7 percent in fiscal year 2026-27, the World Bank added. 
London stocks had fallen further by midday on Thursday, dragged lower by 3i Group , Aviva and a host of ex-dividend names, as investors mulled disappointing UK GDP data.

The FTSE 100 was down 0.5% at 9,861.44.

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: "The FTSE 100 was held back in its latest attempt to make the 10,000 summit by some shares trading ex-dividend and some poorly received corporate updates.

"This outweighed the tailwind provided by a weaker pound, which flatters the overseas earnings which dominate the index, and saw the FTSE 100 dip slightly in early trading on Thursday. Sterling fell thanks to weaker than expected UK growth figures for September.

"An end to the government shutdown in the US was followed by gains for gold and silver which, in turn, boosted precious metals miners in London."

Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed the economy unexpectedly shrank in September.

GDP declined by 0.1% on the month following no growth in August - this was revised down from 0.1% growth - and an unrevised fall of 0.1% in July. Economists had been expecting GDP to be unchanged in September.

Production fell by 2.0%, while services grew by 0.2% and construction rose 0.2%. The drop in production was attributed largely to a fall in the manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers, which slumped 28.6%.

This was due partly to the fact that production at Jaguar Land Rover was halted following a cyber attack.

In the three months to September, GDP grew 0.1%, following 0.2% growth in the previous quarter, which was revised down from 0.3%. Economists were expecting 0.3% growth.

ONS director of economic statistics, Liz McKeown, said: "Growth slowed further in the third quarter of the year with both services and construction weaker than in the previous period. There was also a further contraction in production.

"Across the quarter as a whole manufacturing drove the weakness in production. There was a particularly marked fall in car production in September, reflecting the impact of a cyber incident, as well as a decline in the often-erratic pharmaceutical industry.

"Services were the main contributor to growth in the latest quarter, with business rental and leasing, live events and retail performing well, partially offset by falls in R&D [research and development] and hair and beauty salons."

In equity markets, Convatec surged to the top of the FTSE 100 as it hailed strong sales growth in the 10 months to October end and said it was on track to deliver FY25 and medium-term financial targets.

Burberry rallied as it reported an increase in quarterly comparable store sales for the first time in two years, and said it swung to an adjusted operating profit of 19m in the first half to 27 September, compared with a loss of 41m the year before.

Persimmon gained as the housebuilder reiterated is full-year outlook despite "challenging" market conditions, after a jump in sales and prices.

Precious metals miner Fresnillo and gold miners Endeavour and Hochschild all shone as gold prices rose.

Wizz Air flew higher after it posted a jump in first-half operating profit.

On the downside, 3i Group tumbled even as the private equity and infrastructure investment firm said it had delivered a strong investment performance over the first half to 30 September, helped by solid gains from long-term hold asset, Action.

Russ Mould said: "The fortunes of private equity investor 3i are heavily tied to Action, with the company continuing to increase its stake in the Dutch discount retail chain.

"This has largely been a good news story for the group as Action has achieved significant growth in recent years.

"However, todays numbers were a little short of expectations. The company warning of an uncertain backdrop will raise concerns about the outlook for Action and its wider portfolio."

Aviva slid, pulling back after a surge so far this year, as new medium-term profit and return targets underwhelmed investors, despite the company delivering on financial targets a year earlier than planned.

Barratt Redrow lost ground as it said chief financial officer Mike Scott had stepped down with immediate effect "by mutual agreement".

B&M European Value Retail dipped as the discount retailer reported a slump in half-year profits and a leadership team reshuffle under new chief executive Tjeerd Jegen, while Rolls-Royce nudged lower as it reiterated full-year guidance despite supply chain pressures.

Sainsburys, BP, Shell, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Bunzl, Lancashire Holdings, Partners Group, Greencoat, GCP Infrastructure Investments, The Renewables Infrastructure Group, C&C and International Public Partnerships were all in the red as they traded without entitlement to the dividend.

Market Movers

FTSE 100 (UKX) 9,861.44 -0.50%

FTSE 250 (MCX) 22,109.08 -0.12%

techMARK (TASX) 5,629.38 -0.17%

FTSE 100 - Risers

Convatec Group (CTEC) 252.40p 6.68%

Fresnillo (FRES) 2,442.00p 4.18%

Spirax Group (SPX) 7,325.00p 3.39%

Burberry Group (BRBY) 1,286.00p 2.59%

Persimmon (PSN) 1,263.50p 2.47%

Metlen Energy & Metals (MTLN) 44.45p 1.83%

Hiscox Limited (DI) (HSX) 1,378.00p 1.55%

International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 398.50p 1.53%

Experian (EXPN) 3,365.00p 1.26%

Standard Chartered (STAN) 1,661.00p 1.16%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

3i Group (III) 3,477.00p -14.55%

Aviva (AV.) 661.40p -4.50%

Sainsbury (J) (SBRY) 327.40p -3.93%

WPP (WPP) 287.00p -3.92%

Vodafone Group (VOD) 92.68p -2.32%

Smurfit Westrock (DI) (SWR) 2,690.00p -2.25%

SSE (SSE) 2,261.00p -1.99%

BP (BP.) 459.65p -1.75%

Admiral Group (ADM) 3,166.00p -1.62%

Barratt Redrow (BTRW) 387.30p -1.50%

FTSE 250 - Risers

Wizz Air Holdings (WIZZ) 1,124.00p 10.85%

Endeavour Mining (EDV) 3,524.00p 9.65%

Hochschild Mining (HOC) 393.60p 6.26%

Keller Group (KLR) 1,566.00p 5.38%

QinetiQ Group (QQ.) 458.60p 3.80%

Investec (INVP) 602.00p 2.91%

Ocado Group (OCDO) 222.80p 2.63%

Ceres Power Holdings (CWR) 394.00p 2.50%

BlackRock World Mining Trust (BRWM) 700.00p 2.04%

International Workplace Group (IWG) 222.20p 2.02%

FTSE 250 - Fallers

Lancashire Holdings Limited (LRE) 599.00p -8.41%

Avon Technologies (AVON) 1,890.00p -4.45%

Grafton Group Ut (CDI) (GFTU) 910.60p -4.35%

Greencoat UK Wind (UKW) 99.90p -3.94%

The Renewables Infrastructure Group Limited (TRIG) 71.60p -3.50%

GCP Infrastructure Investments Ltd (GCP) 71.10p -3.13%

Foresight Environmental Infrastructure Limited (FGEN) 63.90p -3.03%

Partners Group Private Equity Limited. (EUR) (PEY) 10.50p -2.78%

C&C Group (CDI) (CCR) 135.60p -2.73%

International Public Partnerships Ltd. (INPP) 121.40p -2.57%
London stocks were set to gain at the open on Thursday, with the top-flight index in touching distance of the 10,000 mark as investors mulled the latest UK GDP figures.

The FTSE 100 was called to open around 15 points higher.

Data from the Office for National Statistics showed the economy unexpectedly shrank in September.

GDP declined by 0.1% on the month following no growth in August - this was revised down from 0.1% growth - and an unrevised fall of 0.1% in July. Economists had been expecting GDP to be unchanged in September.

ONS director of economic statistics, Liz McKeown, said: "Growth slowed further in the third quarter of the year with both services and construction weaker than in the previous period. There was also a further contraction in production.

"Across the quarter as a whole manufacturing drove the weakness in production. There was a particularly marked fall in car production in September, reflecting the impact of a cyber incident, as well as a decline in the often-erratic pharmaceutical industry.

"Services were the main contributor to growth in the latest quarter, with business rental and leasing, live events and retail performing well, partially offset by falls in R&D [research and development] and hair and beauty salons."

In corporate news, Rolls-Royce Holdings reiterated its full-year guidance despite supply chain pressures.

Updating on trading in the 10 months to October end, the aerospace and defence blue chip said it had seen a strong performance across the group.

Burberry reported an increase in quarterly comparable store sales for the first time in two years, as the British luxury brand swung to an adjusted operating profit of 19m in the first half to 27 September, compared with a loss of 41m the year before.

Group revenues over the half totalled 1.03bn, down 5% on the year before but flat on a comparable stores basis, as a 1% decline in the first quarter was offset by 2% growth in the second.

Barratt Redrow said chief financial officer Mike Scott had stepped down with immediate effect "by mutual agreement".

The housebuilder added that Scott would be available for transitional support until the end of next January.

Former Rank Group finance director Micheal Passmore is to join the company immediately as interim deputy CFO.

"Barratt Redrow is in a strong financial position following the successful combination with Redrow, current trading remains solid and in line with the AGM trading update published on November 5, 2025," the company said in a short statement.
Burberry has reported an increase in quarterly comparable store sales for the first time in two years, helped by a turnaround in China, with the British luxury brand swinging to an adjusted operating profit in the first half.

The company reported an adjusted operating profit of 19m in the first half to 27 September, compared with a loss of 41m the year before, as the adjusted operating margin improved to 1.9% from -3.8% previously.

Group revenues over the half totalled 1.03bn, down 5% on the year before but flat on a comparable stores basis, as a 1% decline in the first quarter was offset by 2% growth in the second.

Notably, comparable store sales in Greater China  which account for a quarter of group sales  increased by 3% in the second quarter, following a 5% decline in the first quarter.

Chief executive Joshua Schulman expressed confidence that the company's Burberry Forward transformation programme, now one year in, "is the right strategic path to restore brand relevance and value creation".

"My belief in this extraordinary British luxury house is stronger than ever. With the consistency of our Timeless British Luxury brand expression and an improved product offer, we have begun to see customers return to the brand they love, resulting in comparable store sales growth for the first time in two years."

Looking ahead, Burberry said it expects to see the impact of its initiatives build as the year progresses, with "continued margin improvement with a focus on simplification, productivity and cash".
SEOUL, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed and 18 others were injured Thursday after a truck crashed into the sidewalk at a market in South Korea, according to Yonhap news agency.

The truck, driven by a man in his 60s, plowed into the sidewalk at the market in Bucheon, west of the capital Seoul, at about 10:55 a.m. local time (0155 GMT).

The accident left two women in their 70s dead and 18 others wounded, including three classified as critical patients with impaired consciousness and six as emergency patients.

The driver, who was arrested at the scene, told police that the brake failed when he stepped on it, but the police suspected that the driver had mistaken the accelerator for the brake.

It was believed that the truck reversed 28 meters before driving straight approximately 150 meters inside the market.

The exact cause of the accident is still under investigation. 
Rolls-Royce reiterated its full-year guidance on Thursday, despite ongoing supply chain pressures.

Updating on trading in the 10 months to October end, the aerospace and defence blue chip said it had seen a "strong" performance across the group.

Civil aerospace benefited from significant large orders from IndiGo, Malaysia Airlines and Avolon in the second half, alongside growing demand for the Trent-XWB-97 powered Airbus A350F.

In defence, Rolls-Royce pointed to "robust" demand, while in power systems, revenue growth was led by power generation - driven by data centres - and governments.

Tufan Erginbilgic, chief executive, said: "Strong performance across the group, driven by our actions and strategic initiatives, was in line with our expectations.

"This builds further confidence in our full-year guidance of underlying operating profit of between 3.1bn and 3.2bn, despite continue supply chain challenges.

"We are continuing to progress our transformation programme, delivering profitable growth and further strengthening our balance sheet."

Rolls-Royce also reiterated its target for free cash flow of between 3bn and 3.1bn in the current year.

The firm is due to publish full-year numbers on 26 February. Last year it posted underlying operating profits of 2.5bn on revenues of 17.8bn.
First-half operating profits beat expectations

Shares in Wizz Air soared on Thursday despite a warning that full-year revenues would fall, as a forecast-busting increase in interim profits and cost cutting measures taken so far were well received by investors.

The Hungary-based airline forecast a revenue decline in the low-single-digits, citing short-term challenges in winter capacity. Operating profit jumped 25.8% to 439.2m, smashing estimates of 367m. Wizz shares rose more than 8%.

We will see the most significant changes to our delivery profile in around 12 months time (given near-term orders and financing commitments), said chief executive Jozsef Varadi.

As such, we are actively managing this winter season's capacity to deliver circa mid-teens H2 seat capacity growth year on year. In terms of pricing, looking at the current ninety-day booking curve, we are seeing unit revenue approximately down low single digits percentage-wise year on year while the load factor, conversely, is up by a similar level in terms of a percentage points gain.

The company last week delayed delivery of 88 Airbus jets to 2033 from 2030 as it looked to cut costs. Wizz has been hit by an issue with Pratt and Whitney engines with repairs taking longer than expected, and political turmoil the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com
Debut picture book author Megan Clendenan (Design Like Nature) and illustrator Brittany Cicchese (No More Senora Mimi) skillfully combine their talents in the accessible, atmospheric picture book collaboration Just in Case.

Eight hundred miles from the North Pole, on a Norwegian island, in a frozen mountain is a global bank that holds only one kind of currency: seeds. The Svalbard Global Seed Vault is a repository that stores duplicates of every seed housed in every single one of the "1,700 seed banks around the world." Clendenan's narrative explains the importance of collecting seeds: "Just like California condors, grizzly bears, and monarch butterflies need care, so do seeds--otherwise they could become extinct." Through a story-like text and supplemental sidebars, Clendenan emphasizes the special needs of seeds and the extraordinary work required to create and fill this perfect storehouse: thawing permafrost, blasting mountains, avoiding polar bears, even preparing the seeds themselves. "The packets... are tested. Water, heat, air, even stomping feet!" Cicchese's digital art adds layers to Clendenan's narrative as it uses a soft, rounded line to depict the different locations around the world (the swirls of the Northern Lights; the bending stalks in a rice paddy) and highlights the humanity of those harvesting and storing the seeds (family pictures on a wall; childlike drawings on a box).

Detailed backmatter enriches the reading experience further, offering additional resources for budding agriculturalists and conservationists. Just in Case emphasizes the universal importance of the seed bank through diverse imagery and representation, allowing young readers to withdraw plenty of riches from Clendenan and Cicchese's bank of knowledge. --Jen Forbus, freelancer
No Hand Held Mine by Kim Soom, who's won every major Korean literary award, offers two extraordinary novellas, Granny Wild Goose and The Root's Tale, jointly translated by Joon-Li Kim and Doo-Sun Ryu.

Granny Wild Goose is a breathtaking homage to Gil Won-Ok (1928-2025), one of the last surviving comfort women when Kim interviewed her before the novella's original 2018 publication. By then, the nonagenarian's memory was in decline; Kim hauntingly mimics those gaps by writing in elliptical verse, creating white space, leaving half-empty pages. Hoping to earn 20 won to free her father from jail, Gil went to Manchuria at 13 for the promise of a job but was forced into sexual slavery for Japanese soldiers: "ten, twenty, thirty soldiers at a time visited our thirteen-, fourteen-year-old bodies." At 71, she was finally able to speak the unspeakable. Kim unleashes her silence and shatters hearts and souls.

A breath, a break seems necessary before delving into The Root's Tale, featuring a "stagnant relationship" between a 39-year-old narrator and her artist boyfriend, whose medium is (mostly) tree roots. His latest project incites memories of the narrator's late great-aunt, particularly her wizened hand that, decades previously, had reached for the narrator's only to be fervently rejected. Without permission, the artist exposes that severed connection.

In both stories, Kim's vulnerable first-person narration encourages heightened empathy, particularly transforming readers into witnesses in Granny Wild Goose. History professor Alexis Dudden's foreword addresses the Japanese government's ongoing refusal to acknowledge their heinous war crimes against comfort women, underscoring the urgency of Kim's outstanding storytelling. --Terry Hong
Ericsson opens new RAN Software R&D unit in Bengaluru to strengthen 5G innovation.

The center will focus on advanced 5G features, AI for 6G, and baseband system software.

Collaboration planned with IITs and industry partners to drive next-gen telecom research.

Ericsson has launched a new Radio Access Network (RAN) Software Research and Development unit in Bengaluru, marking a major step in advancing 5G software innovation from India. The new center will focus on developing next-generation 5G features for Ericssons baseband systems, further strengthening Indias position as a global telecom R&D hub.

Nitin Bansal, Managing Director of Ericsson India, said the initiative reflects Ericssons long-term vision to tap into Indias growing engineering talent pool. Setting up this R&D center in Bengaluru for RAN software development represents a significant milestone. Were combining Indias software strength with Ericssons global expertise to accelerate telecom innovation, he said.

The Bengaluru unit will work closely with Ericssons existing R&D centers in Chennai and Gurugram, driving advancements across areas such as 5G and 5G Advanced software, ASIC development, AI frameworks for 6G, and cyber-physical systems. The company is also collaborating with IIT Madras, IIT Kharagpur, and the Indian Statistical Institute to advance AI and edge computing research.

Also Read: Mahindra & Manulife Form Rs 7,200 Crore Life Insurance JV in India

David Bjore, Head of RAN Software & Compute Platforms at Ericsson, said, This is the first time were developing RAN software entirely in India. He added,It underscores Indias growing role in shaping global telecom evolution.

The expansion aligns with Ericssons mission to build resilient, intelligent networks of the future while supporting Indias ambitions to become a global digital innovation powerhouse.
Commerce Minister calls on tribal communities to accelerate GI tagging of traditional crafts and produce at the Tribal Business Conclave 2025 in New Delhi.

GI registration fee reduced from Rs 5,000 to Rs 1,000 to boost participation and preserve Indias heritage and tribal traditions.

Govt to support tribal exports via e-commerce, global retail channels, and branding transforming 'Van Dhan' into 'Vyapar Dhan'

In a keynote address at the Tribal Business Conclave 2025 in New Delhi, Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Commerce & Industry, delivered a strong call to accelerate the GI tagging of traditional crafts and produce of Indias tribal communities. He underlined how the recent reduction of the GI registration fee from Rs 5,000 to Rs 1,000 is an 80 percent reduction to enable wider inclusion of tribal products and thereby preserve India's heritage, crafts, and oral traditions.

He said that the transformation of tribal-produced goods from 'Van Dhan' to 'Vyapar Dhan' will be ensured, and the Government is committed to this. All tribal products having potential for export would be provided support through e-commerce platforms, international warehouse display-and-sales channels, and wholesale/retail networks by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade and the Ministry of Commerce. Both domestic and global markets are to be opened for tribal entrepreneurs.

The conclave, held in collaboration with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Ministry of Culture, also marked the distribution of GI certificates to tribal artisans from across India. Among the various crafts and produce that were recognized include the Kerala-based 'Kannadippaya' bamboo mat, Apatani textile from Arunachal Pradesh, Marthandam honey of Tamil Nadu, Lepcha Tungbuk from Sikkim, Bodo Aronai from Assam, Ambaji white marble from Gujarat, and Bedu and Badri cow ghee from Uttarakhand. These awards symbolize recognition of indigenous knowledge-systems and seek to enhance the brand value of tribal goods in modern markets.

Goyal recalled the heritage of Birsa Munda, commemorating the 150th anniversary of his birth and urging the nation to draw inspiration from his legacy of indigenous empowerment. He also reaffirmed that the Government views the upliftment of tribal communities as integral to Indias development agenda. He pointed out that more than 3,900 'Van Dhan Kendras' have thus far catalysed the economic participation of about 12 lakh tribal members, and that under the PM scheme for particularly vulnerable tribal groups, roughly 50 lakh families across India have benefitted through allocation of about Rs 24,000 crore.

Also Read: How Global Easing Meets Tax Reform to Unlock New Economic Opportunities



The Minister brought into focus a larger vision when he said that India's growth story will not be complete unless its indigenous communities thrive. He underlined that heritage preservation, cultural identity, and contemporary enterprise are deeply inter-linked, and that by enabling access of tribal artisans to global value-chains, India can ensure heritage continuity and economic justice.

In other words, he said the traditional knowledge contained in the tribal craft must be safeguarded, formalized, and converted into sustainable livelihoods, and the corridor for this lies through stronger branding, quality assurance, market access, and a reduced-barrier GI ecosystem.

By urging tribal artisans to hasten the process of applications of GI tags and by signalling the shift from local production to international commerce, the government is laying the groundwork for a more inclusive trade-architecture wherein tribal communities are not just beneficiaries but active brand-owners.
Red Fort blast on Nov 10, 2025, killed 13 and injured 27.

Pahalgam attack on Apr 22, 2025, left 26 dead, triggering Operation Sindoor.

India strengthened security, intelligence, and urban resilience in response.

In the crimson haze of a November dusk, where history's ramparts meet the pulse of modern chaos, Delhi's Red Fort, Lal Qila, the eternal red fortress transformed from a symbol of imperial splendor into a scar of contemporary fury.

On November 10, 2025, at precisely 6:52 p.m., a Hyundai i20 sedan, its underbelly heavy with ammonium nitrate, erupted in a cataclysmic bloom near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station.

The blast claimed at least 13 lives, scorched the air with acrid fire that leaped to adjacent vehicles, and hurled shrapnel into the throng of evening commuters and bazaar wanderers.

Over 27 souls bore the wounds burns, fractures, the invisible fractures of terror's aftershock rushed to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital, where the sterile hum of ventilators now narrates a city's unspoken dread.

The Red Fort Blast Story

This was no anonymous rupture, it was a meticulously orchestrated rupture in the fabric of urban invincibility. CCTV fragments, pieced like a grim mosaic, reveal the car's languid entry into the parking zone adjacent to Sunehri Masjid at 3:19 p.m., idling for over three hours before lurching forward at 6:48 p.m., halting at a red light, and detonating.

Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha's terse confirmation, the vehicle was in motion, a deliberate vector of violence. Preliminary forensics whisper of a suicide mission, the ammonium nitrate a staple of agrarian toil twisted into apocalyptic alchemy igniting a chain reaction that buckled metal and bone alike.

In the aftermath, the bazaar's labyrinthine alleys, alive with the sizzle of street chaat and haggling echoes, fell silent, save for the wail of sirens piercing the Diwali-season chill.

Yet, to frame this solely as Delhi's isolated inferno is to miss the seismic undercurrents, the subterranean lattice linking it to Kashmir's verdant betrayals. Simple hours prior, on November 9, Jammu and Kashmir Police, in tandem with Haryana counterparts, unearthed a chilling arsenal in Faridabad, 350 kilograms of explosives, assault rifles, handguns, timing devices, and ammunition caches from a nondescript house.

The tenants? Figures orbiting the same medical shadows as the blast's suspected architect a Pulwama resident whose digital footprints crisscross the Line of Control. This haul, unearthed on the eve of catastrophe, was no coincidence, it was a prelude, a breadcrumb trail from the pine-shrouded meadows of Anantnag to the sandstone veins of Old Delhi.

The Pahalgam Attack and Operation Sindoor

Rewind to April 22, 2025, when Pahalgam's Baisaran Valley that idyllic 800-meter swath of emerald, ringed by whispering forests and reachable only by pony or foot shattered under gunfire.

Between 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., 2 to 7 assailants, clad in military fatigues and armed with M4 carbines and AK-47s, descended upon unsuspecting tourists.

The toll, 26 dead, dozens maimed, a meadow stained with the blood of those seeking respite in Kashmir's fabled embrace.

Eyewitness voids speak of selective savagery queries on faith before the fusillade echoing the communal venom that has long festered in the Valley's contested soil. Lashkar-e-Taiba's shadow loomed, their pre-attack jihadist summons from Pakistan-administered fringes a harbinger of cross-border malice.

The Resistance Front's fleeting Telegram claim, swiftly retracted amid cyber suspicions, only deepened the fog.

Pahalgam was no outlier, it was the detonator for a four-day inferno that reshaped South Asia's fault lines. India's riposte, Operation Sindoor, unleashed on May 6-7, hammered nine terror camps across the border with conventional missiles, drawing 125 jets into a high-stakes aerial ballet.

Pakistan's denials clashed with India's vows, any future outrage deemed an act of war. A ceasefire on May 10 averted apocalypse, but the Indus Waters Treaty teetered, borders sealed, trade throttled reminders that Kashmir's grievances are not insular wounds but continental tripwires.

Red Fort Terror Plot Exposed

Now, the Red Fort's blaze stitches these threads into a tapestry of tactical evolution. Gone are the crude market marauders of yore; this is terror's urban metamorphosis slow-burn infiltration, ammonium-laced subtlety, a handler dubbed Ukasa whispering from Ankara's digital dens.

The National Investigation Agency's net has snared nine from Kanpur, their interrogations peeling back layers of radicalization funneled through encrypted veins. UAPA's iron clauses clamp down, FIRs etched under explosives statutes, as forensic teams sift ash for DNA confessions.

From Bhutan's diplomatic perch, Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened the Cabinet Committee on Security on November 12, branding it a heinous terror incident by anti-national forces.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, eyes steely at the blast site and hospital wards, vows personal oversight. The Red Fort seals for three days, metro halts at Lal Quila, airports and heritage vaults across India pulse with augmented vigilance. Global condolences cascade from China's Xu Feihong to Canada's Mark Carney, Japan's Sanae Takaichi a chorus underscoring terror's borderless bite.

Conclusion!

In this duality of meadow massacres and metro maelstroms lies a profound recalibration. Pahalgam exposed Kashmir's touristic veneer as perilously thin, a lure for ideologues peddling paradise as purgatory.

The Red Fort blast, its crimson echo, assaults the heartland, proving that sanctuary is illusory when supply chains of spite span states. India's response, once kinetic crescendos like Sindoor, now demands a symphony, intelligence weaves tighter than ever, community sentinels in Faridabad's bylanes, cyber bulwarks against phantom claims.

For in the fortress's unyielding stone, etched with Shah Jahan's Mughal dreams, resilience is not mere survival but reinvention a defiant alchemy turning terror's nitrate into the unquenchable fire of resolve.
Palestinians inspect the aftermath of the fire at the "Hajjah Hamidah" mosque in the town of Deir Istiya, northwest of Salfit in the West Bank, Nov. 13, 2025. Israeli settlers set fire to parts of a mosque northwest of Salfit in the West Bank on Thursday and wrote anti-Islam slogans on its walls, the Palestinian Liberation Organization's Commission Against the Wall and Settlements said in a brief statement. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

RAMALLAH, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Israeli settlers set fire to parts of a mosque northwest of Salfit in the West Bank on Thursday and wrote anti-Islam slogans on its walls, the Palestinian Liberation Organization's Commission Against the Wall and Settlements said in a brief statement.

The settlers poured flammable material at the mosque's entrance, but residents intervened and prevented the fire from spreading to the entire building, the statement said. It added that the attackers also wrote slogans "hostile" to Arabs and Muslims on the mosque's walls.

Israeli authorities have not commented on the incident.

The Palestinian Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs condemned the attack, calling it a "heinous crime."

In a statement, the ministry said the act violated international laws and conventions protecting freedom of worship and the establishment of places of worship. It urged the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and Arab and Islamic states to take action to "end these attacks, which defy description."

The incidents come amid a recent increase in settler violence during the olive harvest, when Palestinians tend to their farmland near towns and villages.

Last week, the United Nations reported the escalation of violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, with October recording the highest number of attacks in nearly two decades.

More than 700,000 Israeli settlers live in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel occupied the West Bank in 1967 and established settlements there, which are considered illegal under international law. 

A Palestinian inspects the aftermath of the fire at the "Hajjah Hamidah" mosque in the town of Deir Istiya, northwest of Salfit in the West Bank, Nov. 13, 2025. Israeli settlers set fire to parts of a mosque northwest of Salfit in the West Bank on Thursday and wrote anti-Islam slogans on its walls, the Palestinian Liberation Organization's Commission Against the Wall and Settlements said in a brief statement. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

A member of Israeli forces guards the "Hajjah Hamidah" mosque in the town of Deir Istiya, northwest of Salfit in the West Bank, Nov. 13, 2025. Israeli settlers set fire to parts of a mosque northwest of Salfit in the West Bank on Thursday and wrote anti-Islam slogans on its walls, the Palestinian Liberation Organization's Commission Against the Wall and Settlements said in a brief statement. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

A Palestinian inspects the aftermath of the fire at the "Hajjah Hamidah" mosque in the town of Deir Istiya, northwest of Salfit in the West Bank, Nov. 13, 2025. Israeli settlers set fire to parts of a mosque northwest of Salfit in the West Bank on Thursday and wrote anti-Islam slogans on its walls, the Palestinian Liberation Organization's Commission Against the Wall and Settlements said in a brief statement. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

A Palestinian inspects the aftermath of the fire at the "Hajjah Hamidah" mosque in the town of Deir Istiya, northwest of Salfit in the West Bank, Nov. 13, 2025. Israeli settlers set fire to parts of a mosque northwest of Salfit in the West Bank on Thursday and wrote anti-Islam slogans on its walls, the Palestinian Liberation Organization's Commission Against the Wall and Settlements said in a brief statement. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)
The Staten Island Fentanyl and Overdose Task Force reveals its legislative agenda during a news conference Wednesday hosted by District Attorney Michael E. McMahon at his office in St. George on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. Meagan Sills, president of Northwell Staten Island University Hospital, speaks at the podium. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  The Staten Island Fentanyl and Overdose Task Force is urging Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York state legislators to provide more funding for drug addiction treatment and prevention programs in the borough.

The task force released its 2025 final report and recommendations for the governor and state legislators during a news conference Wednesday at the office of District Attorney Michael E. McMahon.

This year, as of Nov. 9, 78 people died of suspected overdoses on Staten Island, while 66 people were rescued, according to preliminary and incomplete statistics provided by the District Attorneys Office.

The district attorney and other speakers said that the efforts of the task force played a crucial role in the 49% reduction in fatal overdoses on Staten Island in 2024. However, additional state and federal funding is needed for the many innovative programs that task force members say offer hope and healing, while driving down the number of overdoses.

As we stand here today, we are energized, McMahon said about Staten Island topping all the other boroughs in its percentage decline of overdose deaths.

I should say were not celebrating; the battle is far from over, McMahon said, stressing that 81 people lost their lives to drugs last year while the goal is zero overdoses.

We are all here to also send a very clear message that yes, weve made progress, but we have more work to do.

The Staten Island Fentanyl and Overdose Task Force reveals its legislative agenda during a news conference Wednesday hosted by District Attorney Michael E. McMahon at his office in St. George on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. McMahon speaks at the podium. Ileana Acosta, director of behavioral health at the Staten Island Performing Provider System, stands behind the podium. Dr. Ginny Mantello, director of Health and Wellness at the Borough Presidents Office, is at right. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel)

At the top of the task forces list is ensuring that Staten Island receives its fair share of the states Opioid Settlement Funds. The money was provided by pharmaceutical companies, pharmacies and related entities to resolve lawsuits over their roles in the opioid epidemic. People who became addicted to pain pills often turned to street drugs when their prescriptions ran out.

Deaths from overdoses currently are linked mostly to illicit fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.

Big Pharma created the underpinnings of this five-alarm fire that has taken over a half a million lives since 2019; That number is astounding, said Dr. Joseph Conte, executive director of the Staten Island Performing Provider System, referring to the national death toll from drug overdoses.

The Staten Island Fentanyl and Overdose Task Force reveals its legislative agenda during a news conference Wednesday hosted by District Attorney Michael E. McMahon at his office in St. George on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. Dr. Joel Idowu, chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Sciences at Richmond University Medical Center, speaks at the podium. Ileana Acosta, director of behavioral health at the Staten Island Performing Provider System, stands behind the podium. McMahon is on the right. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel)

Contes organization runs The Hotspotting the Overdose Epidemic Program, an AI driven initiative that is reducing the number of drug-related deaths among participants on Staten Island.

Since 2022, New York state has accrued $35 million in interest on its $500 million Opioid Settlement Fund, yet a substantial portion of that money remains unspent, according to the report. Providers and advisory board members across the state have voiced concern that funds are not reaching communities most in need  particularly those with historically high overdose rates like Staten Island.

As we sit here today, $500 million in opioid settlement funds are still unallocated in New York, Conte said. The deadly problems that the funds need to be allocated to are present, but the allocations have not been made. They are sitting useless in the bank. Release them.

In 2024, $12 million in settlement funds was slated for eight borough organizations that provide treatment and prevention services. Each organization is designated to receive $375,000 over four years. The funds were appropriated by state Attorney General Letitia James and Mayor Eric Adams, according to the report.

While this funding is deeply appreciated, it remains insufficient to meet the boroughs widespread and escalating needs, according to the report.

McMahon noted that there are no Staten Islanders on the advisory board that determines how the funds are distributed and he and other task force members believe that needs to change.

The Staten Island Fentanyl and Overdose Task Force reveals its legislative agenda during a news conference Wednesday hosted by District Attorney Michael E. McMahon at his office in St. George on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. Dr. Ginny Mantello, director of Health and Wellness at the Borough Presidents Office, speaks at the podium. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel)

This absence of local input contributes to a distribution system that fails to prioritize high-risk counties, leaving Staten Islands providers underfunded and our residents underserved, according to the report.

Many of the task force members also have been hard hit by cuts in Medicaid funding under President Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill.

Additional speakers included Dr. Ginny Mantello, director of Health and Wellness at the Borough Presidents Office; NYPD Deputy Chief Amir Yakatally, of Patrol Borough Staten Island; Meagan Sills, president of Northwell Staten Island University Hospital; Dr. Joel Idowu, chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Sciences at Richmond University Medical Center; Jacqueline Filis, executive director of the YMCA of Greater New York Counseling Service; and Adrienne Abbate, executive director of Staten Island Partnership for Community Wellness.

The Staten Island Fentanyl and Overdose Task Force reveals its legislative agenda during a news conference Wednesday hosted by District Attorney Michael E. McMahon at his office in St. George on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. McMahon speaks at the podium. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel)

The task force is appealing to the governor and state legislators for support to do the following:

Restore federal funding, continue funding and support overdose preventive services.

Increase behavioral health accessibility on Staten Island for children and young adults.

Expand and increase funding for prevention services.

Enhance prevention efforts within schools and colleges.

Increase naloxone distribution and efforts to combat stigma.

Add Kratom, a supplement with opioid effects, to the New York state schedule of controlled substances.

Sustain and expand data-driven, community-based care coordination models.

Integrate Zero Overdose/Zero Suicide training across healthcare, educational and justice systems.
Pete Davidson, right, shares personal memories in Netflix's new documentary "Being Eddie," recalling how Eddie Murphy's, left, comedy provided laughter during a difficult time. AFP via Getty Images

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Pete Davidson is once again opening up about the impact Eddie Murphy has had on his life and career. This time, its in Murphys new Netflix documentary, Being Eddie, which premiered Wednesday.

The Staten Island native appears briefly in the 1-hour, 43-minute film, alongside fellow comedians like Dave Chappelle, Tracy Morgan and Chris Rock, sharing personal memories of how Murphy helped shape his love of comedy, and even helped him heal.

I was a huge Eddie Murphy fan  cause of, you know, Shrek, Dolittle and all this stuff when I was like 8, Davidson says in the film, wearing a black Staten Island, New York hoodie. And my dad died on 9/11. My mom took me to this store in the mall that had DVDs and CDs, and Eddie Murphy Delirious was there. And I was like, Whats this? He looks really cool, and this could be fun.

Davidson goes on to recall the first time he watched Murphys stand-up special in the familys old Suburban.

Immediately, you know, F--- this, suck this you know, F--- you. And my moms like, Whoa, whatd you get? And I was dying laughing, he says. I think she saw I was enjoying myself and at a time where I really wasnt. And she was like, You can watch this stuff as long as you dont repeat it or tell anybody. And it was kind of a little pact we made. And that opened me to everything.

Its a story Davidson has told before. During a September appearance on The Breakfast Club radio show, he revealed that Murphy himself had seen that clip, and it directly led to Davidson being cast opposite him in the 2025 action-comedy The Pickup.

I got sent the script and I didnt read it cause I just saw Eddie Murphys doing this, Davidson said at the time. Hes such a star, you know, like theres very few stars left.

That admiration runs throughout Being Eddie, where Davidson speaks as a collaborator and a lifelong fan still in awe of Murphys commitment to his craft.

It is at least four hours plus in makeup each time you gotta put that character on, Davidson says of Murphys iconic multi-role performances. Theres a reason why no one else does them. Like, no comic wants to do that s---. He wants to do that s---.

Davidson also reflects on Murphys more laid-back side, sharing behind-the-scenes moments on The Pickup set.

Anytime I would come to set, hes just blasting music and vibing, and everyone gets really, really excited, Davidson says. I love it. I love that hes sitting around watching Ridiculousness. Thats f---ing hilarious. Thats so funny.

And, of course, Davidson had to pay tribute to the character that first introduced Murphy to his generation: Eddie Murphy Donkey  Its one of the greatest performances of all time, he says. Like him going, Im making waffles. Like, all that s--- is hilarious.

Being Eddie is now streaming on Netflix. Check out the official trailer below.
Pope Leo XIV waves during the Angelus noon prayer from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) AP

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 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.
New renderings highlight what Netflixs mega-studio campus at Fort Monmouth will look like. (Courtesy of Netflix) Netflix

A massive Netflix production studio planned for the Jersey Shore could funnel nearly $65 million in tax revenue to a local town over the next three decades.

Netflix recently secured final site plan approvals for both phases of its $903 million studio project at Fort Monmouth, a former U.S. Army base that spans the border of Eatontown and Oceanport near Route 35.

The Oceanport Borough Council unanimously voted to introduce an ordinance earlier this month to establish a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes program, known as a PILOT, with Netflix.

Under the financial agreement, which applies only to the first phase of the project, Netflix is expected to pay about $64.8 million to Oceanport over 30 years through the PILOT. When an administrative fee is added, the total rises to roughly $66 million.

PILOT programs allow developers to make negotiated payments directly to a town instead of paying traditional property taxes. The programs are used to provide a tax break in exchange for building locally.

Oceanport Mayor Thomas J. Tvrdik recommended the deal, saying it gives the 6,000-resident borough a steady and reliable stream of tax revenue. The town is guaranteed fixed payments from Netflix each year, even if the company decides to sell the property later, officials said.

Site plan renderings for the McAfee Zone, the first section of Fort Monmouth slated for development under Netflix's mega-studio proposal. Oceanport Planning Board Meeting

A public hearing and final vote on the PILOT agreement is scheduled for Dec. 4.

Final site plans for phase one of Netflixs studio project, located on a 29-acre tract in Oceanport known as the McAfee Zone, were approved in November 2024 by the council.

The McAfee Zone, built in 1977, once played a key role in military communications and technology. The site currently includes the 90,000-square-foot McAfee Center, along with 15 additional buildings, a warehouse and office spaces.

Netflix plans to transform the complex into a campus for actors and production crews. It will include two 22,000-square-foot soundstages and another set of twin soundstages totaling 83,555 square feet, according to final site plans. The former McAfee Center will be repurposed into studio business and production support offices. A warehouse and mill building will also be added.

Unlike traditional property taxes, which are divided among schools, the county and the municipality, most PILOT revenue goes directly to the borough.

While schools dont receive PILOT funds under state law, Oceanport officials said the borough plans to share part of the revenue through an annual shared-services agreement with the local board of education.

About $1 million each year would go toward paying down the districts $33 million referendum debt, easing the burden on local taxpayers without increasing the school districts overall budget, officials said at the meeting.

Oceanports first PILOT payment is expected in 2027. Netflix also plans to provide an additional $3 million in community benefits funding through its agreement with the Aspire program, a state tax credit program, according to meeting documents.

Last month, neighboring Eatontown approved a similar 30-year PILOT agreement with Netflix for the second phase of the studio project. The deal includes an immediate $47 million payment that borough officials said could be used for long-needed improvements to roads, sewers and public facilities.

Demolition at Fort Monmouth began in May, and construction is expected to start next year. Netflixs studio is expected to create about 6,277 construction jobs and 2,390 permanent jobs once it opens in 2028.

The total private investment is estimated at $1.1 billion, including $400 million in Oceanport, according to the borough.
Two dogs, Tinkerbell (brown) and Daisy (white), were found with stab and cut wounds in a Syracuse apartment on the evening of Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. Police say they were wounded during a burglary. Finn Lincoln

Syracuse, N.Y.  A Syracuse man came home to his North Side apartment Saturday night to a terrible scene: His front door was broken down and his two dogs had been stabbed - one five times.

Jonathan Barry said he found the two dogs whimpering and bleeding on the floor in his apartment in the 300 block of John Street when he returned home at about 11 p.m.

The front door to his apartment was smashed in, his apartment torn up and multiple items were missing including his phone, Xbox, wallet and other valuables, Barry said.

Everything else was replaceable, but dogs, they arent, he said. I love them so much.

Tinkerbell, a 6-year-old pit bull mix, was stabbed at least five times in her stomach and abdomen, Barry said. Daisy, an 8-year-old pit bull, had several bad cuts and wounds.

Kieran Coffey, a spokesperson for Syracuse police, confirmed officers responded to the burglary shortly before midnight on Saturday. They found the dogs stabbed and the front door broken down, he said.

Barry, 43, who has owned the dogs since they were puppies, said he would be shocked if his pets had attacked an intruder.

They are too sweet, which makes it even worse, he said. He might have attacked them just for sitting there. Its evil.

A woman who lives across the street described Daisy and Tinkerbell as some of the sweetest dogs you will ever meet. She said her granddaughter and other children in the neighborhood play with Daisy frequently.

Police brought the dogs to the Veterinary Medical Center in DeWitt where they were treated on the night of the stabbing, Coffey said.

The dogs are now back with Barry. He said veterinarians told him the dogs will be OK. They are both on antibiotics and other medications.

Barry, however, said he now faces more than $23,000 in medical bills.

He said he doesnt have the money for the bills or to replace the things stolen. He said he has been on disability benefits and has not worked in over 10 years.

Tears rolled down Barrys face as he described how hes scared to return to his apartment. On Wednesday, the broken-down door still hadnt been replaced. He is currently staying with a close friend nearby.

Syracuse police say that the investigation is ongoing and that there is no suspect in custody at this time.
A lawsuit seeking to overturn the controversial City of Yes rezoning plan was dismissed in Staten Island Supreme Court on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. (Staten Island Advance) Priya Shahi

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A lawsuit challenging the controversial City of Yes zoning plan has been dismissed by a Staten Island judge who claimed the city had done its due diligence during the environmental review process.

The lawsuit, brought by attorney Jack Lester, argued that Mayor Eric Adams administration failed to meet state-mandated environmental review requirements for the three-pronged rezoning plan.

Lester brought the case in March on behalf of a host of local civic groups and conservative elected officials, most of whom are from Staten Island.

He had argued that the Department of City Planning circumvented mitigation requirements under New Yorks environmental review laws, and split the City of Yes plan into three parts  carbon neutrality, economic opportunity and housing opportunity  to avoid some of those requirements.

But Supreme Court Judge Lizette Colon disagreed, writing in her decision that the citys land-use approval process functioned as intended and created a voluminous and diverse record.

It is not the place of the court to second-guess policy decisions, nor interject policy opinions into this review of [state environmental law] compliance, she wrote. Rather, the court is merely here to confirm that respondents fulfilled their environmental review obligations under state and city law. To that extent, the court finds that the actions of respondent in creating the Final Environmental Impact Statement are not affected by an error of law and are not arbitrary, capricious or an abuse of discretion.

In a statement to the Advance/SILive.com, Lester maintained that the city failed to provide appropriate mitigation for the changes that will come as a result of the rezoning plan.

The heart of the State Environmental Quality Review Act is the provision of mitigation for adverse environmental impacts of governmental action. The court acknowledged that City of Yes provides no mitigation to lessen the negative impacts of density. The court excuses this failure by saying the citywide nature of the rezoning prevents mitigation, Lester wrote.

This is contrary to SEQRA which mandates a reasoned elaboration as to why no mitigation is provided. Merely saying its citywide is not a fulsome reasoning of the failure to alleviate the impacts of congestion, noise, traffic, loss of community facilities and stress on natural resources and loss of open space, he continued.

All three City of Yes plans marked some of the most significant changes to the citys zoning in decades, and have drawn particular ire on Staten Island for the housing and carbon neutrality portions.

The housing portion aims to bring about a city-estimated 80,000 units of new housing to the five boroughs through a series of regulation changes to things like accessory dwelling units, parking mandates and transit-oriented development.

The 80,000-unit estimate marked a decrease of about 30,000 from what the Adams administration originally intended and followed a compromise with the Council, which passed the plan on a 31-20 margin.

The housing portion has been fervently opposed by borough residents, many of whom fear it will drastically change the character of their low-density neighborhoods by making significant changes to what can be developed where, including allowing ancillary dwelling units (ADUs) on one- and two-family properties and small apartment buildings in areas where they were not previously permitted.

Meanwhile, the City of Yes carbon neutrality has helped ease development of the controversial battery energy storage sites around the Island, but their influx to the borough predated that rezonings passage.

A host of Staten Islands elected officials had signed onto the lawsuit, including Borough President Vito Fossella, a Republican representing the full borough; Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, a Republican representing Staten Island and South Brooklyn; State Sen. Andrew Lanza, a Republican representing the South Shore; Assemblymember Michael Reilly, a Republican representing the South Shore; Assemblymember Michael Tannousis, a Republican representing the East Shore and South Brooklyn; Assemblymember Sam Pirozzolo, a Republican representing the Mid-Island; and Councilmember David Carr, a Republican representing the Mid-Island and part of South Brooklyn.

Three local civic groups  the Old Town Civic Association, the South Beach Civic Association and the Westerleigh Improvement Society  were also party to the lawsuit.

A representative from City Hall issued the following statement regarding the judges decision.

Todays ruling is another critical victory in the fight for affordable housing in New York City. Our transformative City of Yes for Housing Opportunity plan is the most pro-housing zoning proposal in New York City history, creating 80,000 new homes over the next 15 years, and investing $5 billion toward critical improvements. This decision upholding City of Yes in the face of a bogus challenge clears the way for New Yorkers to benefit from these long-overdue changes in the years ahead. In total, the Adams administration has planned, preserved, or created over 433,250 homes, because making housing more affordable for working New Yorkers has been our top priority. Efforts by NIMBY opponents to stop City of Yes in the courts have died, a City Hall spokesperson wrote.
This photo from 2024 shows a driver turning from Clove Road onto Howard Avenue, where a right-on-red sign was removed. Local politicians have introduced a bill to study allowing right-turns-on-red for the borough. (Advance/SILive.com | Mike Matteo)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A new bill could be the first step toward allowing right turns on red for Staten Island drivers.

On Wednesday, all three of Staten Islands representatives in the City Council  Councilmembers Frank Morano, David Carr and Kamillah Hanks  introduced legislation to have the Department of Transportation study if a right on red program is feasible for Staten Island.

In a social media post about the bill, Morano argued that right on red is allowed in many other parts of the country and state, and that the bill recognizes Staten Islands unique transportation situation.

Staten Islanders spend far too much time waiting at empty intersections where a safe right turn could be made, said Morano, a Republican representing the Islands South Shore.

But according to the lawmaker, the bill would not be about a blanket right on red policy for the borough. Instead, the study would see if a targeted program could reduce congestion, emissions, and commute times without affecting safety for pedestrians.

As part of the study, the DOT would consider visibility conditions, traffic congestion, and the impact on nearby schools and older adult centers.

In addition, the agency would look at the crash history of prospective locations and the likelihood that motorists wont make a complete stop before turning, according to the text of the bill.

This is about data and common sense  not guesswork. If there are intersections where right turns on red can be done safely, then Staten Islanders deserve that efficiency. If there are places where it cant be done safely, then we leave those alone. Its that simple, Morano continued.

If passed, the DOT would have one year after the bill is enacted to study and submit its findings. The agency would also have to provide an update on the study after six months.

Staten Islanders have dealt with a slew of unnecessary restriction on their primary mode of transportation for decades, Carr said in a statement. Its time we take a step in the right direction and free up the roadways on the Island.

This wouldnt be the first attempt at a right on red mandate for Staten Island.

In 2015, then-Assemblymember Joe Borelli introduced legislation in Albany to make right on red the default for Staten Island unless otherwise posted.

At the time, Borelli also argued that drivers in most of New York State are permitted to make a right turn on a red light at all intersections where it isnt specifically prohibited.

Borelli also pointed out at the time that a similar bill passed both the Assembly and State Senate in the early 2000s, but was vetoed by then-Gov. George Pataki.
Jack Schlossberg, grandson of President John F. Kennedy, speaks during the Democratic National Convention Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) AP

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A new era of an American political dynasty is in its early stages as John F. Kennedys grandson announces his candidacy for a New York City congressional seat.

Jack Schlossberg, 32, posted to social media Tuesday declaring his intention to claim Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadlers seat in the 12th District.

Nadler, 78, said in September that he would not seek reelection during the 2026 midterms, leaving space for Schlossberg  a writer for Vogue and a social media sensation  to step into the storied position.

Schlossberg took aim at issues like corruption, affordability, and healthcare in his candidacy announcement video, pointing a finger at President Donald Trump for the crisis America is in today.

Its a corruption crisis. The president has made almost a billion dollars this year. Hes picking winners and losers from inside the oval office. Its cronyism, not capitalism, He wrote on Instagram. Its a constitutional crisis with one dangerous man in control of all three branches of government. Hes stripping citizens of their civil rights and silencing his critics.

Schlossberg went on to say, We deserve better, and we can do better, and it starts with the Democratic Party winning back control of the House of Representatives. With control of Congress, theres nothing we cant do. Without it, were helpless to a third term.

Trump has floated the idea of pursuing a third term, despite the legal roadblocks in place that prohibit a president from serving more than two terms.

In a matter of 17 hours, Schlossbergs post garnered over 85,000 likes on Instagram and thousands of comments celebrating the news.

Go Jack Go!!! We need some new energy to fight, one commenter wrote.

Another posted, The Hope for Our Future. We Need You Jack. Congratulations on announcing your candidacy.

Schlossbergs uncle, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is on the other side of the political spectrum than his nephew, and is presently serving in the Trump administration as the HHS Secretary.
A loyal MAGA follower of President Donald Trump is raising eyebrows with comments after she attended an emergency White House Situation Room meeting on the Jeffrey Epstein files.

In an unusual move, top administration officials met with GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado in the White House Situation Room on Wednesday to discuss a House vote on the release of documents related to child sex offender Epstein, the Independent reported.

I guess Im pretty high profile, Boebert said.

ABC News reported that White House and Justice Department officials pressed Boebert to take her name off a House discharge position which looks to force a vote on releasing files related to Epstein, who died by suicide in jail in 2019.

The petition at the time had 217 signatures, one shy of the 218 total signatures needed for it to go into effect. Boebert is one of four Republicans who have signed on to the measure.

Following the Situation Room meeting, Boebert wrote on X, I want to thank White House officials for meeting with me today. Together, we remain committed to ensuring transparency for the American people.

The lawmaker told CNN that Trump did not attempt to pressure her to remove her signature from the petition.

Doesnt that show the level of transparency when we are willing to sit down with members of Congress and address their concerns? White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.

However, Leavitt added, Im not going to detail conversations that took place in the Situation Room.

When asked why the meeting was held in the ultra-secure Situation Room, Boebert said its just an easy [Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility] to get to.

However, the Situation Room is historically the venue where high-level matters of national security are coordinated, such as the deadly 2003 attack on 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden.

Trump separately phoned GOP Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina, who also signed on to the petition. But Mace held fast, writing on social media I will NEVER abandon other survivors.

Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.) provided the final discharge signature needed on Wednesday after she was sworn into office by GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson following weeks of delays.
The city's Department of Social Services said there are no plans at this time for a proposed hotel on the South Shore to be used as a homeless shelter. STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Community concerns over a rumored homeless shelter coming to the South Shore have been eased  at least for now.

In recent months, Staten Islanders and local elected officials have voiced concerns over a developers plan to construct a Richmond Valley hotel that they feared could someday be converted into a homeless shelter.

On Wednesday, Department of Social Services Commissioner Molly Wasow Park sent a letter to various elected officials who represent the district to inform them that the city has no plans at this time to use the site as a homeless shelter if a hotel is eventually built on the property.

Although the owner continues to advance with construction of his private property at the identified site on Arthur Kill Road, there are currently no plans to proceed with a [Department of Homeless Services] shelter facility at this site, Park wrote.

If and when [Department of the Homeless Services] does proceed with the siting of a transitional housing facility in your district, we will notify you, the community board, and other elected officials promptly, she continued.

The letter came in response to one penned by Assemblymember Michael Reilly in April imploring the agency not to issue the necessary authorizations for the planned hotel to be used as a shelter.

The community has strong reason to believe that its intended purpose is to serve as a transient hotel, or, in other words, a homeless shelter. I cannot stress enough how strong community opposition is to even the idea of this development, wrote Reilly, a Republican who represents the South Shore.

Property records from the office of the Richmond County Clerk show the two-lot property in question was purchased in 2023 for $3.5 million.

One lot has plans for a convenience store and gas station. The other has plans for a four-story building that is at times described as a hotel in some of the filings.

Public records show the LLC behind that purchase is a Nassau County-based company known as the Sandhu Group.

That company has also purchased a trio of Travis hotels between 2022 and 2023 that the city used as migrant shelters, and has developed a pair of Port Richmond lodgings  one that opened last year and another in its final stages of construction.

Several other areas around the city where the Sandhu Group has purchased properties have also seen protests and community backlash similar to whats happened here on Staten Island.

In 2021, Assemblymember William Colton, a Democrat representing part of Brooklyn, took the company to task after it bought property in the Bath Beach section of his district.

Even if the Sandhu Group successfully constructs the 46-room hotel, it would need an interested mayoral administration before it could turn into a homeless shelter.

Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg made it a lucrative practice to use hotels as homeless shelters during his 12-year administration with locations popping up around the city, and owners reaping millions in city contracts.

Former Mayor Bill de Blasio wound down hotel shelters with the last site closing at the end of 2021, but the migrant crisis brought more than 200,000 people to the five boroughs, prompting Mayor Eric Adams administration to reopen some such locations.

The city set up emergency migrant shelters at several Staten Island locations, including a pair of Travis hotels under the same ownership as the site in Richmond Valley.

Adams has made little indication he plans to return to the full practices of the Bloomberg administration, but a new mayoral administration could theoretically change that.
An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 11, 2025 shows migratory birds resting and foraging at the Tianhewan National Wetland Park in Pingluo County of Shizuishan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Located in Pingluo County of Ningxia and adjacent to the Yellow River, the Tianhewan National Wetland Park serves as an important ecological barrier in the Yellow River Basin.

Pingluo County has stepped up its efforts to protect the Yellow River Wetland in recent years, pushing ahead with ecological restoration and governance of the wetland. It has woven an ecological protection network to safeguard the home of migratory birds through intelligent monitoring platforms as well as patrols by professionals.

Thanks to continuous improvement in its ecological environment, the park has turned into a paradise for migratory birds. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 11, 2025 shows the Tianhewan National Wetland Park in Pingluo County of Shizuishan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Located in Pingluo County of Ningxia and adjacent to the Yellow River, the Tianhewan National Wetland Park serves as an important ecological barrier in the Yellow River Basin.

Pingluo County has stepped up its efforts to protect the Yellow River Wetland in recent years, pushing ahead with ecological restoration and governance of the wetland. It has woven an ecological protection network to safeguard the home of migratory birds through intelligent monitoring platforms as well as patrols by professionals.

Thanks to continuous improvement in its ecological environment, the park has turned into a paradise for migratory birds. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

Staff members observe migratory birds at the Tianhewan National Wetland Park in Pingluo County of Shizuishan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Nov. 11, 2025.

Located in Pingluo County of Ningxia and adjacent to the Yellow River, the Tianhewan National Wetland Park serves as an important ecological barrier in the Yellow River Basin.

Pingluo County has stepped up its efforts to protect the Yellow River Wetland in recent years, pushing ahead with ecological restoration and governance of the wetland. It has woven an ecological protection network to safeguard the home of migratory birds through intelligent monitoring platforms as well as patrols by professionals.

Thanks to continuous improvement in its ecological environment, the park has turned into a paradise for migratory birds. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 7, 2025 shows migratory birds resting and foraging at the Tianhewan National Wetland Park in Pingluo County of Shizuishan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Located in Pingluo County of Ningxia and adjacent to the Yellow River, the Tianhewan National Wetland Park serves as an important ecological barrier in the Yellow River Basin.

Pingluo County has stepped up its efforts to protect the Yellow River Wetland in recent years, pushing ahead with ecological restoration and governance of the wetland. It has woven an ecological protection network to safeguard the home of migratory birds through intelligent monitoring platforms as well as patrols by professionals.

Thanks to continuous improvement in its ecological environment, the park has turned into a paradise for migratory birds. (Photo by Yue Changhong/Xinhua)

Staff members operate with an intelligent monitoring platform at the Tianhewan National Wetland Park in Pingluo County of Shizuishan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Nov. 11, 2025.

Located in Pingluo County of Ningxia and adjacent to the Yellow River, the Tianhewan National Wetland Park serves as an important ecological barrier in the Yellow River Basin.

Pingluo County has stepped up its efforts to protect the Yellow River Wetland in recent years, pushing ahead with ecological restoration and governance of the wetland. It has woven an ecological protection network to safeguard the home of migratory birds through intelligent monitoring platforms as well as patrols by professionals.

Thanks to continuous improvement in its ecological environment, the park has turned into a paradise for migratory birds. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 11, 2025 shows migratory birds flying over the Tianhewan National Wetland Park in Pingluo County of Shizuishan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Located in Pingluo County of Ningxia and adjacent to the Yellow River, the Tianhewan National Wetland Park serves as an important ecological barrier in the Yellow River Basin.

Pingluo County has stepped up its efforts to protect the Yellow River Wetland in recent years, pushing ahead with ecological restoration and governance of the wetland. It has woven an ecological protection network to safeguard the home of migratory birds through intelligent monitoring platforms as well as patrols by professionals.

Thanks to continuous improvement in its ecological environment, the park has turned into a paradise for migratory birds. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 8, 2025 shows migratory birds resting and foraging at the Tianhewan National Wetland Park in Pingluo County of Shizuishan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Located in Pingluo County of Ningxia and adjacent to the Yellow River, the Tianhewan National Wetland Park serves as an important ecological barrier in the Yellow River Basin.

Pingluo County has stepped up its efforts to protect the Yellow River Wetland in recent years, pushing ahead with ecological restoration and governance of the wetland. It has woven an ecological protection network to safeguard the home of migratory birds through intelligent monitoring platforms as well as patrols by professionals.

Thanks to continuous improvement in its ecological environment, the park has turned into a paradise for migratory birds. (Photo by Yue Changhong/Xinhua)

Staff members patrol at the Tianhewan National Wetland Park in Pingluo County of Shizuishan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Nov. 11, 2025.

Located in Pingluo County of Ningxia and adjacent to the Yellow River, the Tianhewan National Wetland Park serves as an important ecological barrier in the Yellow River Basin.

Pingluo County has stepped up its efforts to protect the Yellow River Wetland in recent years, pushing ahead with ecological restoration and governance of the wetland. It has woven an ecological protection network to safeguard the home of migratory birds through intelligent monitoring platforms as well as patrols by professionals.

Thanks to continuous improvement in its ecological environment, the park has turned into a paradise for migratory birds. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 11, 2025 shows the Yellow River and the Tianhewan National Wetland Park (R) in Pingluo County of Shizuishan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Located in Pingluo County of Ningxia and adjacent to the Yellow River, the Tianhewan National Wetland Park serves as an important ecological barrier in the Yellow River Basin.

Pingluo County has stepped up its efforts to protect the Yellow River Wetland in recent years, pushing ahead with ecological restoration and governance of the wetland. It has woven an ecological protection network to safeguard the home of migratory birds through intelligent monitoring platforms as well as patrols by professionals.

Thanks to continuous improvement in its ecological environment, the park has turned into a paradise for migratory birds. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 11, 2025 shows staff members patrolling at the Tianhewan National Wetland Park in Pingluo County of Shizuishan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Located in Pingluo County of Ningxia and adjacent to the Yellow River, the Tianhewan National Wetland Park serves as an important ecological barrier in the Yellow River Basin.

Pingluo County has stepped up its efforts to protect the Yellow River Wetland in recent years, pushing ahead with ecological restoration and governance of the wetland. It has woven an ecological protection network to safeguard the home of migratory birds through intelligent monitoring platforms as well as patrols by professionals.

Thanks to continuous improvement in its ecological environment, the park has turned into a paradise for migratory birds. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)
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Eating outRestaurant news Why Colombian food is finally on the rise in Melbourne (and where to find it) Compared to Mexican, Argentinian and Peruvian cuisine, Colombian food is relatively unknown in Australia, but thats starting to change. Annie Hariharan November 13, 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

When I started at Truffles three years ago, the menu had Polish food and desserts, says chef Marcela Perea Infante, speaking about the St Kilda cafe where she works. But the menu has gradually shifted to reflect her Colombian heritage, with empanadas and the corn cakes known as arepa appearing alongside scrambled eggs and cakes. Rent was high and we were getting fewer customers, she says. When the owner said we may have to close down, I was worried it would affect my work visa and asked if I could cook Colombian food on the weekend. Carellys Vergara (left) and Linda Molano at Del Alma in Prahran. Wayne Taylor This was in December 2024. Eight months later, the positive reception led to the Colombian menu becoming permanent.

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Census data shows that the number of Colombian-born residents in Australia increased by 80 per cent between 2021 and 2016. The number is relatively small at approximately 35,000 people, but its still larger than the number of Mexican-born residents, which hovers at 7000 people. Colombian cuisine is influenced by African and Caribbean cultures, especially near the coast, and European culture as you move inland. John Gomez, La Tienda owner Despite this, Mexican has long dominated the Latin American food category in Australia, followed by Argentinian barbecue and Peruvian ceviche. Colombian food is still relatively unknown. But thats changing, most noticeably in Melbournes inner south-east suburbs. Costenisimo, a Colombian street food eatery, opened in a car wash in St Kilda East in October 2024, six months after it started as a food truck in Footscray; several cafes in Windsor and Prahran now serve empanadas; and a specialty grocer in Balaclava sells frozen plantains. Costenisimo Colombian cafe in St Kilda East. Joe Armao

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According to Carellys Vergara and Linda Molano, co-owners of Del Alma cafe in Prahran, Mexican food tends to be spicy with more seasoning and liberal use of tortillas. In comparison, Colombian food uses more rice and plantains. Colombian cuisine is influenced by African and Caribbean cultures, especially near the coast, and European culture as you move inland, says John Gomez, owner of La Tienda in Windsor. The cuisine is also a byproduct of the tropical climate, evident in the range of fruits used, from soursops to the citrus-like lulo. Corn, rice, cassava and potatoes add heft, and plantains are ubiquitous and varied. They grow everywhere! says Gomez. We eat them with tacos, we deep-fry the green plantains, and eat the sweet [yellow] ones with guava paste. Chefs and cooks alike take pride in educating their customers about Colombian food and culture, even if it can be challenging at times due to lingering stereotypes about Colombia and the stronger presence of Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine in Australia. John Gomez from La Tienda restaurant in Windsor. Wayne Taylor

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Molano believes the global popularity of Mexican food is closely linked to its proximity to the United States: Mexico borders the US, and countless pop culture references have highlighted Mexican cuisine, helping it become much more widely recognised. Gomezs explanation is that Mexican food is more convenient to eat on the go. Other than empanadas, the rest of Colombian food requires sitting down and eating, he theorises. Still, Infante credits the growing interest in Colombian food among non-Latin customers to the fact that it is largely gluten-free and mild tasting rather than spicy. The primary source of spice in Colombian food is aji, a condiment made with coriander, parsley, chili and lime juice. It accompanies most dishes and perfectly zests up Colombias hearty food. Bandeja paisa is one of the countrys most emblematic dishes, bringing together rice and a wide range of traditional ingredients from chorizo and crisped-up pork belly to frijoles, a bean stew. The dish originated in Colombias north-west and was designed to sustain farmers during long days in the fields. Assorted empanadas from Del Alma. Wayne Taylor

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Cumin and coriander are common spices in Colombian cooking, but it also requires ingredients that were once difficult to source in Australia, such as achiote, which imparts a reddish-orange hue to many dishes, and guascas, a herb with a slightly minty flavour. A few years ago it was difficult to find them, but now more people are importing, says Vergara. Three places for Colombian food in Melbourne Truffles Patisserie Latin America meets Europe at this cosy cafe. Mute is a hearty soup with beef, pork, chicken, tripe and black beans, and cazuela de mariscos is a lighter seafood stew with coconut milk and vegetables. Upbeat salsa music plays in the background and theres impromptu dancing on Sundays.

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192 Carlisle Street, St Kilda, trufflespatisserie.com.au Del Alma Vibrant yellow, red and blue-toned murals differentiate this cafe from others in the neighbourhood. The cheese arepa is a mix of sweet and savoury flavours, as is the Colombian hot chocolate, which comes with cubed mozzarella to dunk in the drink until its gooey. 107 Greville Street, Prahran, instagram.com/del_alma.au La Tienda

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1 / 7 An array of dishes at GetBawi. Jennifer Soo 2 / 7 Raw seafood platter. Jennifer Soo 3 / 7 Spicy squid and jarubi jjamppong. Jennifer Soo 4 / 7 The restaurant serves live seafood. Jennifer Soo 5 / 7 The dining room. Jennifer Soo 6 / 7 Unagi. Jennifer Soo 7 / 7 Getbawi specialises in hoe, or raw seafood. Jennifer Soo Previous Slide Next Slide

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Up the hill from K-bakery La Vigne and tucked into a shopping mall, newcomer Getbawi has quickly garnered a dedicated following. The reason? Its one of the few Sydney restaurants specialising in hoe, or raw seafood, served here on platters with the likes of perilla leaves for wrapping. Other highlights include spicy blue swimmer crab hotpot and the textural masterpiece that is yukhoe tang tang, featuring high-grade raw beef strewn with umami-rich octopus.
Paul Hunt of Engadine has another tale from his calling as a Kevin Rudd doppelganger (C8), involving an appearance on the ABCs program Q&A, interrogating former PM Tony Abbott, who joined in the fun, as the sole guest, with a wonderful sense of humour. Since Mr Rudd was resurrected to celebrity status through his appointment as our ambassador to the United States, my career, which is voluntary, has, too, been rejuvenated. However, whatever lies ahead I wont be mentioning President Trump in any context.

The BOM site (C8) must have a dislike for the North Coast, says Brian Harris of Port Macquarie. Every time I submit my address it says: could not find any weather for this location. I know theres weather out there because I went outside to check.

Regarding the Dismissal (C8), Margaret Atchison of Armidale says: My mother was playing cards at Yarralumla while all was happening, absolutely oblivious to it. She was organising a fundraising card party for a Canberra charity. She did notice government cars arriving but thats about all. She had no interest in politics. But the question begs: was she offered a horiatiki salad?

If Sussan Ley and her cabal happen to read this column, can I tell them, all I want for Christmas is net zero? asked Jack Dikian of Mosman. Looks like being a good boy wasnt enough.

Judging by the bulk of the replies the main aim of the guinea (C8) would appear to be outright snobbery: I believe the bill presented to you after a visit to a specialist doctor was in guineas as it was meant to distinguish him/her from the hoi polloi of the rest of the medical profession, offers Elizabeth Savage of Hughes (ACT). There may have been other professions which qualified. Andrew Buchanan of Chelmer (Qld) agrees: Guineas were useful to massage the egos of medical specialists, especially surgeons.
President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua meets with Ambassador of Israel to China Eliav Belotsercovsky in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

BEIJING, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua met with Ambassador of Israel to China Eliav Belotsercovsky in Beijing on Thursday.

Fu briefed Belotsercovsky on the fourth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, which outlined the blueprint for China's development over the next five years.

Noting the important role of news media in cultural and people-to-people exchanges between China and Israel, Fu said Xinhua stands ready to work with the Israeli side to jointly promote media exchanges and cooperation.

Belotsercovsky said the achievements China has made in economic and social development are impressive. He also expressed the readiness to work with Xinhua to further promote exchanges. 
Any further federal action would have to be taken by the complainants and does not involve the commission. Sharri Markson and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an interview this year. Credit: Sky News Australia Karvan, a three-time Logie Award-winning actor, is quoted in the complaints as saying that News Corp and Sky commentary silences me and makes me fearful. The complaints alleged the reporting demonised her as an Australian for speaking out. Karvan is not specifically mentioned in the Sky and News Corp commentary but the complaint argued that reading and watching the articles made her feel unsafe and prevented her from speaking out.

Late on Thursday, a Sky source provided confirmation that the AHRC said the complaint by Karvan and one other person did not meet the requirements of a valid complaint, because it was unclear how they were aggrieved. Loading The complaints also allege that the respondents intimidated many Jewish Australians by falsely portraying Palestinian freedom protests as hateful and dangerous towards Jewish people. They cite an alleged assault against Slezak in November 2023 as an example of the intimidation and aggression faced by Jewish-Australians who are pro-Palestine. The complaints were lodged by Sydney law firm Birchgrove Legal and call for apologies, retractions and financial compensation for the complainants. One of the accepted complaints is focused on Andrew Bolt and his publishers, and another on Sharri Markson and her publishers. There is a general complaint, which canvasses a range of articles published by News Corp and 15 journalists and commentators, and one which targets Sky News and 12 of its presenters.

Sky News and News Corp said they had been advised this week that AHRC had decided to terminate the complaints. Sky News stands by its coverage of the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, the ensuing conflict in the region, and its impact in Australia, a Sky News spokesperson said. The complaint alleged against Bolt includes 11 of his articles and seven appearances on Sky News between October 2023 and February 2025. In one quoted media appearance, Bolt said Gaza had a very sick culture. In a separate article, he said pro-Palestinian protests are likely to be violent, destructive, abusive and threatening. The complaint calls Bolt a contrarian, controversy-confecting commentator whose tone in the quoted works was calculated to inflame public sentiment against Palestinians, Arabs, Muslims, Jewish people in Australia as well as Anglo/White Australians who support Palestinians. Its not the first time Bolt has been the subject of racial discrimination claims. In 2011, a judge ruled in favour of nine Indigenous applicants that Bolt breached the Racial Discrimination Act in two articles published in 2009, which claimed people with light-skin who identified as Aboriginal did so for personal gain.

Bolt did not respond to a request for comment. A News Corp spokesman said: The AHRC this week advised it had terminated the complaints against The Australian, Nationwide News and Sharri Markson. Moustafa Keir, from Birchgrove Legal, contested this. I can confirm no complaints have been terminated, Keir said. We would encourage all parties to respect the process and participate in good faith to apply the law. If we determine that any party is not doing so, we will be pursuing the matter through the federal court. This masthead has confirmed Sky sought to have the complaint against Markson terminated, arguing it was misconceived and there was no prospect of conciliation. The AHRC favoured terminating the complaint against Markson because there was no prospect of conciliation, with the process still ongoing.

The complaint against Markson focuses on her criticisms of pro-Palestine protests. It quotes various media appearances made in October and November 2023, when she called the protesters threatening, troubling, aggressive and antisemitic. The complaint also cites a media appearance in which she claimed those supporting a ceasefire in Gaza must be supporters of terrorism. Markson denies making such a remark. The third complaint quotes 22 articles from News Corp publications  The Daily Telegraph, The Australian and The Herald Sun  between October 2023 and February 2025, mostly covering issues surrounding the war in Gaza. Andrew Bolt is the subject of a racial discrimination complaint submitted to the Australian Human Rights Commission. Credit: Sky News The complaint alleges the articles are biased towards Israel in the disproportionate portrayal of Israeli victims compared to Palestinians in conflict situations like Gaza. The fourth complaint focuses on Sky News and 12 of its presenters and quotes 20 separate media appearances, alleging they were seriously (really) offensive, insulting, humiliating and intimidating.
A Hong Kong billionaire has donated $30 million to the University of NSW to build a women-only residential college  the largest philanthropic contribution ever made to the institution for student accommodation.

Venture capitalist Solina Chaus donation will house science, technology, engineering and maths students on campus in a bid to foster leadership and community in fields typically dominated by men.

Billionaire Solina Chau said she remembered her time at the University of NSW fondly. Credit: Getty Images

Chau began a bachelor of commerce degree at UNSW in the 1980s before co-founding Horizon Ventures, one of the earliest investors in Facebook, Spotify and Zoom. She has amassed an estimated fortune of $3.6 billion.

Studying at UNSW was a pivotal moment in my life, Chau said.
Two former NSW CFMEU officials should be jailed for pocketing thousands of dollars in bribes concealed as rolled-up cash handed under the table at the unions Sydney office, the District Court has heard.

Darren Greenfield, a former NSW secretary of the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union, and his son Michael, a former state branch assistant secretary, pleaded guilty this year to corruption-related offences after reaching a plea deal with prosecutors.

Former NSW CFMEU leaders Darren and Michael Greenfield outside the NSW District Court in Sydney on Thursday. Credit: Steven Siewert, Marija Ercegovac

Michael also pleaded guilty to signing a false statutory declaration in a bid to avoid demerit points for running a red light. He claimed a foreign worker was behind the wheel.

At a sentencing hearing before District Court Judge Leonie Flannery in Sydney on Thursday, Sophie Callan, SC, for the Crown, urged the court to impose a full-time jail sentence.
Queenslanders have been urged to prepare for a severe disaster season, as emergency services brace for destructive thunderstorms, intense tropical cyclones, flooding, heatwaves, and bushfires through summer and well into the autumn months.

The state should also expect the frequency of large hail that has blanketed the south-east recently to continue, as the Bureau of Meteorologys David Grant said the state is getting pretty hot and sultry already.

He said the severity of the heat will intensify deep into summer with an increased risk of heatwaves.

A photo of a recent storm over Brisbane taken from Coorparoo. Credit: Nigel Owen

Statistics show heatwaves are the most dangerous thing, that takes most lives in the country, he said.
A Doreen man is fighting for life after he was slashed with a machete in a daylight attack at an Essendon car wash business owned by a notorious luxury car swindler.

The victim, 43, arrived at Elite Car Wash on Mount Alexander Road on Thursday morning, when he was ambushed by a man wearing a balaclava and armed with a machete.

The Essendon car wash where a man was attacked with a machete. Credit: Nine News

The victim sustained life-threatening injuries after he was slashed on the hand and then again on the upper body while trying to flee. He was taken to hospital in a critical condition, where he remains.

Police have asked media not to name the hospital for the mans safety, as it is believed the incident is a targeted attack.
Neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell will be released back into the community to live in a share house with family and friends, but banned from entering Melbournes CBD, after successfully taking his bid for bail to the Supreme Court of Victoria.

The 32-year-old is facing more than 20 charges over his alleged involvement in a violent attack at Camp Sovereignty, in Melbournes Kings Domain, on August 31.

Thomas Sewell departs from the Supreme Court on Thursday. Credit: AAP

Police have charged 14 adults and one child with violence-related offences over the incident. Some 35 witnesses are expected to be called at an upcoming court hearing.

On Wednesday, Sewell  who leads the National Socialist Network  arrived at the Supreme Court of Victoria in a prison van before being ushered into court where 10 people, including his partner, appeared in support.
An alarming number of Australian women have been killed in recent years. Find out more about their lives. Some of the cases are still before the courts.

A man who killed his new housemate and stuffed her body into a wheelie bin just weeks after moving into her home has been jailed for a non-parole period of seven years for the extremely callous act.

Family and friends of slain teacher Annette Brennan waited outside the Supreme Court to face her killer, who had refused to board the prison bus.

Stephen Fleming leaves the Supreme Court in Melbourne on Thursday. Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui

It was the second time Stephen Fleming, 48, had tried to avoid Brennans loved ones after he killed her and bundled her body into a green waste bin outside her home in Hilgay Street, Coolaroo, in Melbournes north.

The pair had lived together for only a few weeks after the English tutor advertised two spare rooms on the internet.
The West Australian governments Mental Health Commission is surveying people on whether they would like to see cannabis legalised.

The commission asked the question as part of its 2025s Drug Attitudes survey, which collects information on West Australians categorise their drug use, their drugs of choice and the availability of help services.

There have been big developments in the medicinal cannabis space since it was legalised in Australia in 2016. Credit: Marta Pascual Juanola

In it, the commission explicitly asked those taking the survey whether they believe cannabis should be legalised, if pill-testing should be adopted, and if safe-injecting services should be widened.

And while its not the first time the question has been asked of taxpayers, there has been a marked shift in sentiment around its legalisation in recent years.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has bought a reprieve from a leadership coup by abandoning Australias legislated climate targets and pledging to keep coal plants online, mirroring Nationals policy as she fights to keep the Coalition together and convince voters it will deliver cheaper power bills.

After weeks of pressure from the right, Ley signed off on a plan to ditch the 2050 net zero target and scrap Labors suite of emissions reduction mechanisms, adopting the Morrison-era technology-not-taxes mantra to open up a new front in Australias long-running climate wars.

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley with her frontbench colleagues Anne Ruston, Dan Tehan and Jonno Duniam. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Pro-net zero MPs claimed a small victory after the party included a policy talking point that net zero was a welcome outcome, even though this was much weaker than a target or aspiration. Yet top Moderates derided the new platform as incoherent, lacking detail or pathways to bring down costs or reduce emissions, and not easily able to be sold to the public.

Others might be playing word games, Ley told reporters, rejecting a suggestion that she avoided using terms such as aspiration or target purely because conservatives opposed such strong terms.
When asked how her policies would aid her mission of winning back city seats  including the six seats lost to teal independents campaigning for stronger climate action  the opposition leader turned defensive. Lets not misunderstand what climate action is, Ley said. If people think that this governments approach to so-called climate action is working, then they should have a really good look at it. Ley continued a rant about Labors record and lack of accountability  you have a Labor Party in government that cant even explain how it will reach net zero by 2050  before noting that our friends in the media hadnt really asked the government important questions. Only when the reporter started to interject did she return to the voters at the heart of the question. And with respect to the seats, Ley added, stumbling over her words, of course, we will be pitching for, and presenting, serious credible compelling policy alternatives at the next election.

Then she regained her steeliness. I know that people in the city are struggling with the affordability of energy costs, she said. She knew, specifically, the troubles of people who were working in energy-intensive areas, such as heavy industry, prospective data centres, artificial intelligence, or local small businesses manufacturing from aluminium. These are highly relevant questions to people in the cities, she said. I talk about mums with kids who are struggling to pay the bills, and I meet them in the cities all the time. (Asked repeatedly when that mum with small kids would see lower power bills, Ley wouldnt say.) It is fair for Ley to acknowledge Australias cities are home to people with a diversity of experience  whether that be wealth, employment or cost pressures  and that many would name power prices a bigger concern than climate action. But she acted impervious to the obvious.

The Liberals path to regaining government runs through the cities, and Leys leadership rests on factional support from moderates. Gisele Kapterian, who failed to retain Bradfield for the Liberals, warned senior shadow ministers just days ago that abandoning climate targets was an electoral liability in inner-city seats. The language of net zero is a proxy for how seriously we take our commitment to a sustainable future, she said. Goldstein MP Tim Wilson, the only inner-city Liberal in the country, spent this week stressing the importance of sovereign climate targets. Instead, they got two olive branches. The leader of the Moderates, Senator Anne Ruston, laid them out at Thursdays press conference, where she was a sombre addition to the line-up. Reality tells us that we were always going to have to come to a compromise, Ruston said.

I am obviously delighted that we are remaining in Paris, and that we are committed to emissions reduction, and I think that is a very positive outcome. She didnt look it. Loading Some moderate Liberals are also pointing to a line in Thursdays statement, which says net zero would be a welcome outcome if it happened to come about. Thats a fig leaf. Pressed on the wording, Ley stressed net zero was neither an aspiration nor a goal. Others might be playing word games. I could not be more clear when I say we are removing net zero targets and long-term targets from our policy, she said.

But word games were a last resort, given there were so few numbers. Ley wouldnt quantify what genuine emissions reduction looked like  she said it was doing our fair share with comparable countries and doing it as far and as fast as technologies will allow. This is all the Wilsons and Rustons have to sell. Leys response to Thursdays final question might make that job harder. Asked to explain how the Liberal policy aligned with the Paris Agreement, Ley was chipper. We will look Australians in the eye and say this is a plan to bring down emissions and to provide affordable energy for you, she said. And if there are reasons why people in Paris or in some United Nations organisation dont like it, I can deal with that.
BEIRUT, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Thursday called on France and other European countries to provide military support to the Lebanese army ahead of the planned withdrawal of the UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon.

Speaking with Anne-Claire Legendre, political advisor to French President Emmanuel Macron, Aoun said the army needs more than moral support to carry out its duties.

"Support in spirit is not enough for the Lebanese army to fully carry out its role; it needs equipment and military mechanisms," he said, according to a presidency statement.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)'s withdrawal, scheduled to begin in early 2026, will leave the army solely responsible for security in the south, said the president.

Aoun welcomed European assistance that could provide a stabilizing presence and operational support. The army is expected to expand to 10,000 troops by the end of the year.

Legendre conveyed Macron's greetings and reaffirmed France's commitment to Lebanon, including reconstruction and military assistance, saying France would coordinate with Lebanese authorities to stabilize the south.

UNIFIL has operated in southern Lebanon since 1978 to support the extension of Lebanese state authority. Its mandate is set to end in December 2026. 
All of this prompted one Liberal, who asked not to be named, to observe the right [faction] is crazy. They want to stay in Paris and abandon net zero. But Paris is the framework for reaching net zero. Ley was asked about this contradiction more than once at a press conference on Thursday and failed to give a coherent explanation. Anne Ruston, Dan Tehan, Sussan Ley and Jonathon Duniam at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen She did manage a Trumpian jab at the UN, however, arguing if there are reasons why people in Paris or in some United Nations organisation dont like it, I can deal with that. Ley was a private supporter of net zero who has been trying to hold her party together and save her leadership (just six months after taking over) but she folded under the weight of pressure from the party room.

Loading Never mind that by giving in and leading from the back, not the front, the Coalition  the only realistic alternative government in Australia  has now decisively broken from the net zero by 2050 consensus that had been put in place by Scott Morrison and Angus Taylor in 2021 and agreed to by Labor, scientific experts and most businesses. Now Ley must attempt to rebuild and reset her leadership  assuming the net zero peace plan holds  and win the peace. It doesnt look promising for her. In securing that peace, Ley took a leaf out of Malcolm Turnbulls playbook from when he was prime minister and Liberal leader. She appeased the conservatives who dont want her to be leader anyway, and let down the moderates who helped install her as leader. That approach didnt work for Turnbull and its unlikely to work for Ley.

Had she attempted to make a captains call to keep net zero, she would have been removed from the job as opposition leader. However, appeasement does not work in politics and there is every chance some of the conservatives in her party room will move onto a new issue, such as immigration, and wedge her again. Loading The fight over net zero was always and still is a Trojan horse used to destabilise Leys leadership, and the 28-17-4 count of speakers against and for the policy in the party room can also be read as a de facto leadership vote. Thats bad news for the opposition leader. What Ley will now attempt to do is completely reframe the debate over climate and energy policy so that it is centred on the cost of power to households, Australians having access to abundant cheap power  regardless of whether it is generated by solar, wind, gas or coal  while also trying to convince voters the Coalition still cares about the climate. On Thursday, she thundered about Australians being crushed by rising power prices, claimed Anthony Albanese had lied to people about power bills coming down and declared the Liberal Party has decided to put affordable energy first.

Loading One supporter of Ley, who asked not to be named so they could speak freely, argued that Ley was being unfairly blamed for all the oppositions ills, six months after a devastating loss under Dutton, and that she had not been given the time and clear air to actually lead the party. That supporter summed up the bigger challenge facing the Liberals like this: Its not that the moderates arent fighting. The question is more: Are we witnessing the disintegration of the Liberals as a broad-church, big-tent party? A sensible, broad-church party is able to discuss policy without it turning into this. If you look across the country, our brand is in the ascendancy where people trust us. Net zero is about caring for the future  thats why [Queensland Premier David] Crisafulli is for net zero, for example, and Mark Speakman and Basil Zempilas [the respective opposition leaders in NSW and WA] have held fast to it. We tried this approach three years ago with Dutton, the focus on the outer suburbs and the regions, and it didnt work. Menzies pulled together all these different groups 80 years ago [when he founded the Liberal Party] and we are steadily losing them.

Nearly two years ago, Ley told this masthead that she believed the Liberals could win back every teal seat at the 2025 election. Only Tim Wilson regained his seat from teal Zoe Daniel, and that win had very little to do with the federal campaign, or either Dutton or Ley, while teal Nicolette Boele won Pauls Fletchers old seat of Bradfield. Its hard to see how the Coalition can win back any teal seats at the next election with this policy. Leys gamble is that arguing for affordable, reliable power will trump voters concerns about the future and the climate. Thats a heck of a gamble to take. James Massola is chief political commentator.
Opposition Leader Brad Battin says he will resign as premier if he wins the 2026 election and crime statistics in Victoria have not fallen by the end of his term.

The promise comes as shadow attorney-general James Newbury alleged the states judiciary are failing to hand down strong enough sentences partly due to allegiances to the Labor Party, and hinted that the Coalition was developing a policy to tackle the issue.

Opposition Leader Brad Battin. Credit: Wayne Taylor

Speaking outside the Victorian parliament on Thursday, Battin was asked if Premier Jacinta Allan should promise to resign if her crime policies are not effective in reducing crime rates.

Earlier this week, the premier announced a raft of new measures in a bid to tackle the issue, including moving a range of serious offences from the Childrens Court to adult courts where they would attract longer sentences.
Customers who assault retail and hospitality workers will face possible prison terms of up to five years under new legislation the Allan government will introduce on Friday.

The five-year maximum puts assaulting a retail or hospitality worker in a similar category to indictable offences, which are among the most serious categories of assault.

Grocery giants Coles and Woolworths say threatening incidents, violence and aggression is worst at their Victorian stores. Credit: Joe Armao

Premier Jacinta Allan announced the crackdown on violence and abuse of those in retail more than 18 months ago but will expand on the initial proposal, recognising ram-raids as aggravated burglary and beginning work to create workplace protection orders.

The premier has faced mounting criticism for the pace of the change. Unions, big businesses and the Australian Retail Association have all complained about an escalation in abuse in Victoria.
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InspirationAsia My family, and my doctor, didnt want me to go here. I went anyway Justin Meneguzzi November 14, 2025  5:00am 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 20 View all comments

There was a slight pause on the phone, just long enough to hear a sharp intake of breath on the other end, then my doctors concerned voice: why? Ive just told him that in a few months Im travelling to Gilgit-Baltistan, a mountainous province in northern Pakistan bordering China. To be fair, my doctor joins a gathering chorus of concerned friends and family who are all asking the same thing. The sane chorus of questions tend to follow: Isnt the Taliban there? Dont they have sharia law? It is true Pakistan has been embroiled in ongoing internal and external conflicts since it was established after the partition of India in 1947. Its image was also tarred after parts of the country became associated with Islamic extremism during the Bush administrations war on terror (Osama Bin Laden was caught and killed in Abbottabad, just north of the capital, in 2011). Hussaini Suspension Bridge, a precarious 193-metres-long rope bridge spanning the Hunza River that looks dangerous but is used daily by locals. iStock With that infamous conflict receding into historys rearview mirror, the south Asian country is taking steps to repair its image abroad. Pakistan launched its first national tourism board in 2023, and last year agreed to waive e-visa fees for 120 countries, including Australia. Meanwhile, the government is lobbying UNESCO to recognise 26 historical and cultural treasures across the country.

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Pakistan isnt the first and wont be the last nation to labour under the weight of an unsavoury reputation. Previous battleground nations, such as Croatia, Namibia and Nicaragua, have shown they can win over tourists with their natural and cultural charms, while others have been able to buy positive press (looking at you, Saudi Arabia). Adopting the philosophy that people are not their government, especially in a country with 17 distinct tribal groups, I decided if there was ever a time to visit Pakistan it was now. The focus of my trip is the 1300-kilometre Karakoram Highway, a serpentine band of concrete laid over a stretch of the ancient Silk Road formerly used by traders to transport silks, spices and other riches from Asia to Europe. In 1978, following 20 years of construction, the route was sealed and reopened as part of a partnership between Pakistan and China. It remains a vital artery shared by farmers riding donkeys and rumbling Pakistani trucks garishly decorated with Quranic text and artwork. Technically, the highway starts from the capital, Islamabad, but Im short on time so Ive cheated and flown directly to Gilgit, the regional capital of Gilgit Baltistan. Gilgit is also the gateway to the Hunza Valley, a Shangri-La where golden poplar trees bristle up mountain ridges and glaciers feed turquoise rivers laced with thin cable bridges. Three mountain ranges, the Himalayas, Karakoram and Hindukush, intersect here, framing the cliff-top villages with glorious snow-capped peaks. Karimabads Altit Fort. Adobe Stock Gazing out from the top of Altit Fort, all I can see is mountains on mountains on mountains. Its late October and still warm, but the clawing wind reminds me autumn is just around the corner. Built in the 11th century in Karimabad, the former regional capital, the wood and stone fort housed Hunzas rulers and was a strategic place to observe traders and enemies along the Silk Road.

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Its still keeping an eye on people today, says Aisha Riaz, my Intrepid Travel guide, a firebrand in a red hat and black sunglasses who effortlessly switches between describing the regions history and debating geopolitics. Aisha nods towards the security camera poking out beneath the watchtowers eaves, its black eye trained on a group of Thai tourists posing for a photo. Aisha tells me the fort, which is the oldest monument in Hunza, was in a dire state of disrepair. With the Pakistani government too cash strapped and distracted by political turmoil in the south, it was the Aga Khan Foundation who stepped in to save it in the late 1990s. Founded in 1967 by Prince Karim Al Hussaini, effectively the Ismaili Muslim equivalent of the Catholic Pope, the benevolent organisation invested heavily in improving quality of life across the region by repairing historical sites, building schools and medical centres, and developing solar power plants. Karimabad, the former regional capital on the Silk Road. iStock Between the foundations development and the new Karakoram Highway, Hunza has prospered. Improved infrastructure brought the internet, modernising the old Silk Road and creating more opportunities for education, work and tourism.

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While a niche mountain climbing community has persisted here since the 1980s, mostly to summit K2, foreign visitors are still a novelty, one locals consider a blessing. More than once, Im approached in the street by men with nothing to sell me but a smile and welcoming handshake. After climbing a steep staircase to the seat of Ondra Fort, where we enjoy sweeping views of the Hunza River, we are stopped during our descent by a woman offering us crisp red apples for our efforts. When our guides aunty learned we were nearby, she invited us for morning tea of dried apricots and freshly baked bread, and an impromptu traditional dance performance from her 11-year-old son, Reza. Sitting cross-legged on plush red carpets, our group claps along to music blaring from a Bluetooth speaker. Aisha tells me how a video of Reza dancing went viral during the pandemic, garnering so much attention he was invited to perform in Islamabad. Internet fame has also come to other parts of the valley. Wannabe daredevils film themselves crossing Hussaini Suspension Bridge, a precarious 193-metre-long rope bridge spanning the Hunza River that looks dangerous but is used daily by locals. At Glacier Breeze Restaurant, chef Ahmed Ali Khan tells me how his apricot cake, made from his grandmothers recipe, leapt from Lonely Planet guidebooks in 2003 to social media renown. He bakes up to 50 cakes a day and even ships them to family members in Australia. Biting into the crisp loaf cake and its sticky, intensely moreish fruity filling is addictive, and Im delighted when I learn Aisha has stowed a handful of cakes for our group to enjoy during our onward drive to Shimshal Village. The writer and his tour group were invited to a wedding. Justin Meneguzzi

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Shimshals residents used to walk three days along a dusty track to get supplies from a neighbouring village, but an unsealed road connecting Shimshal to the Karakoram Highway was eventually completed in 2003 after 18 years of construction. Swapping our van for 4WDs, we rumble beside precipitous cliffs, give way to road-hogging yaks and cross rope bridges suspended over raging rivers. Eventually, the narrow canyon broadens into wide valleys, where we find residents herding goats and tending to vegetable patches inside gleaming greenhouses. It turns out the village is having a wedding and, true to Pakistani hospitality, were invited. Riotous drumming fills the air when we arrive at the brides house to find men, some dressed in customary white garb and others sporting plush red jackets with jeans, dancing in a large circle. The wedding photographers drone buzzes overhead. Related Article Opinion

Travel tips The 10 former no-go countries that are now must-see destinations Ben Groundwater Travel writer Its time to feast so the men and women split up to eat at separate houses, but Aisha has scored me an invite to join the women. We dine on a wedding dish of boiled goat neck, flatbread and dip called but, which is flour-based and resembles hummus. Afterwards, the women dance and sing, their rich harmonious soprano filling the small house. One tells me such customs arent long for this world, explaining how the new road is a double-edge sword. It has brought medicine and supplies to improve Shimshals quality of life, but also introduced alcohol and rubbish and enticed their youth to leave for the city. Its a three-day journey from Shimshal to Islamabad, which still doesnt give me enough time to process Pakistans contradictions: beautiful but scarred by conflicts old and recent, enthusiastically hospitable but still dangerous in parts, cleaving to tradition while embracing modernity.

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As influencers and wide-eyed tourists start flocking to Pakistan, Aisha and I debate whether the country, which is still reliant on foreign support to build infrastructure, will be able to sustainably manage its burgeoning tourism industry. Aisha is adamant about one thing: by visiting, travellers can make sure their money is going directly to communities who need it and help reverse unfair stereotypes. Related Article Opinion

Savvy traveller France is risky, the US isnt: Smartravellers confusing warnings Brian Johnston Travel writer The most common question people get is why? You dont need a why to visit Pakistan, says Aisha. We have thousands of years of history and culture. If theres one thing I want to change, its that Pakistan is sometimes looked down on by the rest of the world, but it has so much to give. THE DETAILS FLY

Emirates, Etihad and Qatar fly to Islamabad with a stopover in Dubai or Doha. Thai Airways also flies to Islamabad via Bangkok.

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TOUR

Intrepid Travel offers a collection of small-group tours of Pakistan, including a 15-day expedition to Islamabad, Hunza Valley and Lahore. Tours start from $6250 and include a guide, most meals, transport and activities, such as hikes, workshops and musical performances. See intrepidtravel.com SAFETY

The Australian governments Smart Traveller advisory website recommends visitors to Pakistan reconsider their need to travel, citing a heightened security situation and ongoing tension with India. Travel insurance is essential. Double check policy exclusions with your insurer. See smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/pakistan MORE

tourism.gov.pk The writer travelled as a guest of Intrepid Travel.

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Tours Justin Meneguzzi traded his corporate suit for a rucksack and hasnt looked back. With an emphasis on travelling sustainably, he now travels the globe as a journalist and photographer documenting the people, cultures, food, history, and wildlife that make up our big, beautiful world. Justin was recognised with the Australian Society of Travel Writers 'Rising Star' award in 2018. Connect via Twitter

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Reviews & adviceTripologist Opinion What do you recommend for a first-timer in southern France? Michael Gebicki is Travellers expert Tripologist. Each week he tackles the thorny issues in travel as well as answering your questions. Got a question for the Tripologist? Email tripologist@traveller.com.au Michael Gebicki The Tripologist November 14, 2025  5:00am

November 14, 2025  5:00am 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 18 View all comments

My wife and I are flying into Paris in early January and then on to Lyon, then picking up a car and heading south to Marseille, Nice, Cannes, Bordeaux and back around to Lyon over a couple of weeks. Its our first time to southern France and we enjoy dining out and wandering in interesting towns. Any suggestions?

P. Macourt, Balgowlah, NSW Mix in a few meals in some of the Lyons bouchons, the traditional eating places for the citys silk workers. iStock In Lyon, be sure to visit the Musee des Confluences, the Parc de la Tete dOr and rue Merciere for food. Mix in a few meals in some of the citys bouchons, the traditional eating places for the citys silk workers. From Lyon you might drive south to Avignon but base yourselves a little further south, at Saint-Remy-de-Provence, its a lovely little town surrounded by vineyards overshadowed by the limestone peaks of the Alpilles. From there you can make day trips to explore towns and villages, including Les Baux-de-Provence, Gordes, Fontaine de Vaucluse and gorgeous little LIsle-sur-la-Sorgue, and be sure to go when the antiques market is in full swing. Your next base could be Cassis, from where you can take a cruise along the Calanques, tall limestone cliffs that stretch almost to Marseille. From there continue to Nice to sample more of the delights of Frances Mediterranean coast, and head inland to visit the village of Saint Paul de Vence, which hosted most of the greats of 20th-century painting in the post-war period. You could nip across to Bordeaux, but unless you have a pressing reason to go there, another illustrious wine region that would fit more easily into your itinerary is Burgundy. The region is easily accessible from Lyon, and you need a vehicle to make the most of it. In January, you wont have any difficulty finding accommodation, and it will be reasonably priced. Youll also miss the crowds, although the towns and villages and the resorts along the coast will lack the vitality of summer.

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I will be spending five weeks in Peru with my husband and another couple. It has been suggested we get an eSIM to use while we are there, but my Galaxy A13 is not compatible. I have tried to find an alternative, but Peru seems out of reach for most SIMs.

B. Sullivan, Elwood, Vic TravSIM has a physical SIM card for Peru, with prices from $US5.87 ($9) for a 1Gb SIM card valid for 15 days up to a 25Gb card valid for 30 days at a cost of $US58.81 ($91). The price includes worldwide shipping. SimOptions also has a Peru SIM card priced at $US24.90 ($38.50) for 10Gb of data valid for 30 days. There are several retailers selling SIM cards at major airports such as Limas Jorge Jorge Chavez International Airport but their prices are scalding. Youre better off buying a SIM card at an official store or kiosk in Lima or other Peruvian cities. Purchasing is simple, and inexpensive. You will need to bring your passport and your new SIM card. The Claro SIM card is recommended for its wide coverage. We are two senior couples boarding a ship in Japan, arriving at Haneda Airport at 8pm. Our ship sails from the cruise terminal at 5pm the next day, and we need hotel accommodation with rooms available for the day. The ship returns at 6.30am later in the month and well need day accommodation before our return flight, leaving at 10pm.

L. Royle, Worrowing Heights, NSW Day-use rooms are widely available in Japan especially around Haneda and the Tokyo cruise terminals, and they are often a better option than asking for a very late checkout. Although youre arriving at Haneda rather late, immigration processing is quite speedy. Since youre only about 13 kilometres from the cruise terminal you might book an overnight plus-day hotel in that area and take a taxi or a bus from the airport, giving you almost a full day to relax before boarding your vessel. The Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba offers overnight plus-day bookings and the location close to Tokyo International Cruise Terminal suits your needs. The Hilton Tokyo Odaiba and the DoubleTree by Hilton Tokyo Ariake are other possibilities, although theyre not quite as close to the cruise terminal. You might need to call or email the hotel after booking to confirm that the day-use slot covers the hours you need. When you return, you might use the same hotel, which offers relatively easy access to metro lines that will take you to Tokyo Station. Hotels can assist with suggestions for short tours.

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Next September I would like to have a week each in small, family-run hotels in Sardinia, western Sicily and a Greek island to relax and swim and spend part of the day touring in a hire car. Could you recommend some good hotels?

G. Enright, Alexandria, NSW Bosa, Sardinia. iStock On Sardinias west coast, Bosa is a beautiful riverside town with pastel-coloured architecture and cobblestoned squares dominated by the hilltop Castell Malaspina, a 12th-century citadel. Hotel Palazzo Pischedda is a small, family-run hotel with a great reputation for its food and cellar of regional wines. Its also well located for exploring this part of the island. The Lugas familys Il Borgo dellArcangelo is a handsome 18th-century farmhouse in the village of Tuili, 60 kilometres north of Cagliari. Its ideally placed for excursions to see the wild horses of the Giara plateau and archaeological sites. In the southern Sardinian village of Mandas, Antica Locanda Lunetta is operated by the descendants of the Lunetta family, offering warm hospitality in their elegant and welcoming inn. On the west coast of Sicily, Hotel San Michele is a small boutique hotel near the historic centre of Trapani, a great base for car day-trips to the Egadi islands, Marsala and the salt pans, with easy access to ferries and local restaurants. In the heart of Chora on the Cycladic island of Tinos, Elena Hotel is a chic, charming family-run hotel close to traditional taverns, cafes and a market. Travel advice is general; readers should consider their personal circumstances

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Travel tips Michael Gebicki is a Sydney-based travel writer, best known for his Tripologist column published for more than 15 years in Traveller. With four decades of experience, his specialty is practical advice, destination insights and problem-solving for travellers. He also designs and leads slow, immersive tours to some of his favourite places. Connect via Instagram @michael_gebicki Connect via email
Jeffrey Epstein appeared to confirm an infamous photograph of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor with his arm around Virginia Giuffre is real in leaked emails released by the US Congress last night.

The tranche of 23,000 files shed new light on the former Duke of Yorks association with the convicted paedophile.

Prince Andrew with Virginia Roberts Giuffre (centre) in 2001 and Epsteins then-personal assistant Ghislaine Maxwell.

Giuffre, who died by suicide earlier this year, claimed she had been forced to have sex with Andrew under Maxwells orders in London in March 2001 when she was aged 17.

The claim is a further blow to Mountbatten-Windsor, who previously suggested there may be doubt as to the authenticity of the photograph, including in his 2019 BBC Newsnight interview.
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. This programme was not scheduled to be re-broadcast and will not be broadcast again in this form on any BBC platforms. However, the apology came soon after a second video emerged with a similar edit of Trumps address to supporters who refused to accept the outcome of the November 2020 election and marched on Congress on January 6, 2021, before Joe Biden was sworn in as the next president. The Telegraph of London, which revealed a dossier of concerns about BBC editorial standards over the past fortnight, reported on Thursday night in Britain (Friday morning, AEDT) that a BBC Newsnight program in 2022 also edited the same address.

Donald Trump speaks at a January 6, 2021 rally protesting against the certification of Joe Bidens election win. Credit: AP The Newsnight editing differed from the Panorama documentary, but also emphasised the fight like hell phrase in relation to Trump urging supporters to walk to the Capitol. BBC chairman Samir Shah wrote to British MPs on Monday to apologise for the edited video, but Trump and his lawyers responded hours later by demanding more action and putting the financial estimate on their defamation claim. That came after BBC director-general Tim Davie and news chief executive Deborah Turness announced their resignations last Sunday, although they remain in their positions while the broadcaster searches for their replacements. Trump attorney Alejandro Brito wrote to the BBC on Monday to demand it retract the false, defamatory, disparaging, and inflammatory statements it had aired, apologise for what it had done and appropriately compensate his client for the harm it had caused.

In a claim filed in Florida, Brito set a deadline of this Friday at 5pm UK time (9am Saturday AEDT) for the BBC to comply. Brito said the president would file legal action for no less than $US1 billion in damages  $1.5 billion  if the requests were not met. The apology issued on the BBC website also makes it clear the broadcaster has retracted the documentary and the edited video, meeting some of the conditions set out by Trumps lawyer. There has been no mention of compensation for the president. Spliced footage

The edited video on the Panorama edition titled Trump: A Second Chance? showed the president speaking to supporters on January 6, 2021 and urging them to go to the Capitol with him to show they believed the election the previous November had been stolen and that Joe Biden had not won. Were going to walk down to the Capitol, and Ill be there with you. And we fight. We fight like hell, Trump said in the video aired on the BBC. These two statements that Trump uttered were actually made almost 50 minutes apart, at different stages of a lengthy address. In the Newsnight program, the edit of the video also combined remarks made 50 minutes apart in the January 6 address, although it included some words left out of the Panorama documentary. The presidents remarks on Newsnight program: Were going to walk down to the Capitol. And were going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women. And we fight. We fight like hell. And if you dont fight like hell, youre not gonna have a country anymore.

Trump urged supporters to fight like hell in his address on January 6, but he did so at the end of the speech, and it appeared to be a general remark rather than one that called for a fight at the Capitol. Both BBC programs cut a moment from Trumps address in which he asked the crowd to go peacefully to the Capitol. Were going to walk down to the Capitol, and were going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women, he said in the full address. And were probably not going to be cheering so much for some of them. Because youll never take back our country with weakness. You have to show strength, and you have to be strong. We have come to demand that Congress do the right thing and only count the electors who have been lawfully slated, lawfully slated. I know that everyone here will soon be marching over to the Capitol building to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard.
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 In 20 years of grinding war in Afghanistan, the United States dropped a multitude of weapons from the skies: millions of tonnes of ordnance. Hellfire missiles launched from Predator drones. Even the Mother of All Bombs, the most powerful non-nuclear bomb in existence. And, amid the more conventional projectiles, tiny poppy seeds. By the billions. On and off for more than a decade, the CIA conducted an audacious, highly classified program to covertly manipulate Afghanistans lucrative poppy crop, blanketing Afghan farmers fields with specially modified seeds that germinated plants containing almost none of the chemicals that are refined into heroin, The Washington Post has learnt. The covert program, which has not previously been disclosed, is an unreported chapter in the 2001-21 US-led war in Afghanistan, and in the long, chequered history of American efforts to combat narcotics globally, from Latin America to Asia. Its existence was confirmed by 14 people familiar with aspects of the secret operation, all of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe a classified project. Afghanistan was once the source of most of the worlds raw opium, used to produce heroin. Credit: AP The programs disclosure comes as the war on narcotics is again dominating the security agenda. US President Donald Trump has declared war on drug cartels in the western hemisphere, ordering more than a dozen lethal strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific, designating cartels as terrorist groups, and moving a vast naval and air force to the region. He has also authorised the CIA to take aggressive covert action against drug traffickers and their supporters. This latest effort, like the fight against opium in Afghanistan two decades ago, faces uncertain success, according to former officials who participated in drug wars of the past. In Afghanistan in the early 2000s, the burgeoning opium trade was thwarting US goals as American troops engaged in a deadly struggle to defeat the Taliban, eliminate terrorist groups and stabilise the weak, Western-backed government. Afghan heroin fuelled corruption in then-president Hamid Karzais government and in the provinces. It helped pay for the Talibans weapons and equipment. And it accounted for the majority of global heroin supplies, with most of the drugs bound for Europe or the former Soviet Union.

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Western allies and US government agencies argued bitterly over which strategies would dent the crop without undermining rural Afghan support for Karzai. Diplomats and drug enforcement officials debated everything from aerial herbicide spraying to purchasing the entire Afghan crop and sending it overseas to be processed into medicine. Former Afghan president Hamid Karzai speaks with then-US vice president Dick Cheney at the presidential palace in Kabul in 2004. Credit: AP Unbeknownst to almost all of them, the CIA was operating its own secret heroin-eradication program, run by the spy agencys Crime and Narcotics Centre, which was flush with funds during the Afghan war. The airdrops of modified poppy seeds began in the autumn of 2004, three people familiar with the program said. The operation was paused at least once and ended in about 2015, those familiar with it said. Clandestine operators, initially using British C-130 aircraft, made night-time flights to avoid detection, dispersing billions of the specially developed seeds over swaths of Afghanistans extensive poppy fields, people knowledgeable about the program said. The airdrops took place over the Afghan provinces of Nangarhar and Helmand, centres of poppy cultivation, they said. As far as is known, the seeds were not genetically engineered with gene editing  a technology not widely available until more recently  but grown and selected over time to produce a plant that harboured less of the alkaloid chemicals used to produce heroin. Details of when and how the seeds were developed remain unclear. However, one person noted that cultivation took several years and involved crossbreeding with natural poppy seeds. Once the seeds were dropped, the goal was for the plants sprouting from them to cross-fertilise with native plants and become the dominant strain over time, degrading the overall crops potency.

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Many aspects of the program remain classified, including its budget, how many flights took place, and hard metrics on its efficacy. It was so closely held that some senior Pentagon and State Department officials involved in Afghan policy under presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama said they were unaware of it or had heard only rumours. Loading The CIA required a classified written authorisation, known as a finding, from Bush to conduct the flights and other aspects of the operation, which fell under the spy agencys covert action powers, two former US officials said. The finding made the program legal, at least as far as the US government was concerned. A CIA spokesperson declined to comment after the agency was given a list of specifics that the Post planned to report. Former spokespeople for the Bush and Obama administrations also declined to comment. The Afghan government, led by Karzai, was not informed when the CIA began the program, people familiar said. It remains unclear whether the Afghans found out later. Karzai did not respond to a request for comment made through an aide. The British embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment. Antonio Maria Costa, who led the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime from 2002 to 2010, said he heard whispers about a program like the one the CIA conducted but never had any confirmation.

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As the program in Afghanistan was coming to an end in about 2015, US officials discussed using the same unorthodox method against opium poppy fields in Mexico, another major heroin producer, two people familiar with the program said. That plan was ultimately dismissed because poppies in Mexico are grown in small plots in hilly terrain, making them a much tougher target for aerial seeding than the flatlands of south-west Afghanistan, where the bulk of that countrys poppy crop was grown, one of the people said. Farmers tend an opium crop in Helmand province in 2015. Credit: NYT Out-of-the-box thinking The overall counternarcotics campaign in Afghanistan was an abysmal failure, Western officials acknowledge. It was doomed by interagency bickering in Washington; US frictions with allies, including Britain, which led the international effort; intermittent support from Karzai and his government; and the entrenchment of poppy farming in rural Afghanistans culture and economy. The Pentagon repeatedly resisted deeper involvement in the Afghan drug war, arguing it distracted from its mission of eliminating Islamist terrorists and fighting the Taliban. Several former CIA and State Department officials, however, said the spy agencys seeding program to degrade the potency of Afghanistans poppy crop was successful for a time. It was also tremendously expensive, chewing up the CIA Crime and Narcotics Centres operational budget.

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The budget of the CIA unit, which, under Trumps second administration, has merged with the agencys western hemisphere centre, is classified. There was a sense that it worked. But maybe over time it worked less well. That the juice wasnt worth the squeeze, said a former US official who read reports on the program. This is actually an example of creative, out-of-the-box thinking by the agency. It was dealing with a problem in a non-kinetic, non-military way. Taliban leaders reflect on the 10th anniversary of the death of Mullah Mohammad Omar, the founder of the Taliban, in 2023. Credit: AP Others aware of the program were less impressed by the results, saying it made no lasting dent in Afghan opium production and helped Bush administration policymakers avoid tough decisions in the war on Afghanistans drugs. A 2018 report by the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) concluded: No counter-drug program undertaken by the United States, its coalition partners or the Afghan government resulted in lasting reductions in poppy cultivation or opium production. SIGAR was not privy to the covert CIA operation. Beginning in 2001, the US spent about $US9 billion ($13.7 billion) to try to stem the tide of heroin flowing out of Afghanistan. Afghanistans poppy crop declined notably from 2007 to 2011, before rising again and skyrocketing after 2016, the SIGAR report said, citing UN and CIA data. The Taliban profited off the heroin pipeline for years, although US officials clashed over how central it was to their finances. The war over spraying

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~Union Leader Accuses Government of Dishonesty, Demands Commitment Letter Amid Ongoing Go-slows~

PHILIPSBURG:---The ongoing labor dispute between the Government of Sint Maarten and the Windward Islands Civil Servants UnionPrivate Sector Union (WICSU-PSU) has reached a boiling point, as Union President Sharon Cangieter delivered a blistering response to statements made by Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina and his call for the union to instruct its members to end their go-slow action.

Speaking at a press update with SMN News following the Prime Ministers morning conference, Cangieter accused Mercelina of misleading the public, contradicting his own written statements, and attempting to dictate to the union in violation of international labor conventions.

I am not going to sit here and accept nobody telling lies, Cangieter declared. Its lies. If you listened to the press briefing this morning, the Prime Minister himself tripped himself up.

According to Cangieter, the Prime Ministers statements about the Function Book being reviewed and approved by the Central Committee for Civil Servants Unions (CCSU) are far from the truth. She revealed that when the union first saw the Function Book, it had already been signed and sealed, leaving no room for the union to make amendments before its implementation.

When the union got hold of that book, it was already signed, sealed, and delivered, she explained. We indicated the faults that were in that book, and the Chief said he would try to pull it back  but later told me he couldnt because it had already been signed by the Secretary General.

Cangieter said the union had agreed to allow the Function Book to proceed only under the condition that it would later be corrected and made retroactive to October 10, 2010 (10-10-10)  a key date for public sector regularization.

If you are telling me that the agreement we made for the function book to go retroactive to 10-10-10 is now being ignored, and you are putting it to go into action from February moving forward, then you are a problem, she said sharply.

Stop Talking  Start Writing

Cangieter blasted the Prime Minister for what she called gray areas and empty promises in his letters, accusing him of hiding behind communication letters instead of signing a legally binding commitment letter.

Stop talking. Start writing, she demanded. What is so difficult about signing a commitment letter if youre so committed? Stop giving speeches about commitment  prove it in writing.

The union leader insisted that what the workers want is not rhetoric but a signed agreement guaranteeing their rightful placement, promotions, and retroactive payments.

Were not asking you to turn over the government coffers, she said. Were asking you to commit in writing to what you say youre already committed to. Without that, your letters are just talk.

Transparency in Question: We Heard It from the Media

Cangieter also revealed that despite the Prime Ministers assurances of transparency, the union had never been shown the financial breakdown for the proposed retroactive payments.

We were not told there was any discussion with the Minister of Finance, she said. We found out through the media today. So, if transparency is via the media, then I guess thats how we communicate.

She argued that if government truly cannot afford to pay, it should come to the table with a plan  not silence.

Were not here to kill the government, she said, but at the same time, the workers have rights. No employer is allowed to put their knee in their neck.

Mediation: We Asked First

On the issue of mediation, Cangieter clarified that it was the union, not the Prime Minister, who first proposed bringing in a neutral mediator months ago.

We have been asking for mediation since April, she stated. It was the union that proposed a neutral person to help resolve this. The Prime Minister rejected it then  and only now, in his latest letter, has he decided to accept it.

She added that the union remains open to mediation, provided it is neutral and legally grounded, not politically influenced.

We need someone who understands whats on the table and sees through the legalities, not the emotions, she said. Were not dealing with feelings  were dealing with the law.

We Dont Take Instructions

When asked about the Prime Ministers letter urging her to tell members to end the go-slow, Cangieter didnt mince words.

I dont take instructions, she said firmly. The Prime Minister needs to stay on his political level. Nobody instructs the unions. You negotiate with unions.

Citing ILO Convention No. 87 and Convention No. 144 on tripartite dialogue, Cangieter underscored that the government cannot dictate union actions.

Im not a dictator. Our members come with their grievances  if theyre right, I defend them. If theyre wrong, I tell them. But I give no instructions to my members.

WICSU-PSU Represents Everyone  Fairly and Without Fear



Cangieter also reaffirmed the unions long-standing commitment to fairness, equality, and representation across all sectors. She said the WICSU-PSUs strength lies in its impartial advocacy for all workers, regardless of their department or background.

We represent everyone  fire, ambulance, civil service, hotel, casino, private sector  all workers who need a voice, she said. We dont play favorites. We fight for whats legally right, not politically convenient. Our principles are grounded in fairness and justice for all.Cangieter added that even the Prime Minister, as a worker like everyone else, deserves fair representation under the same principles of respect and equality that guide the unions mission.

Workers Are Not on Strike  Theyre Working Under Pressure

Cangieter dismissed claims that the Fire and Ambulance Department workers are on strike, clarifying that they are carrying out a legal go-slow due to years of neglect and unresolved issues.

They are not neglecting their duties, she said. They respond to every fire, every ambulance call  they are just doing what the staffing allows. These workers have been overworked and underpaid for years.

She noted that many fire and ambulance workers are working 16 to 24-hour shifts, far beyond their scheduled hours, out of dedication to public safety.

They are being neglected by the same country that asks them to put country above self, she said. Nobody is seeing the sacrifices they make.

The Way Forward: Bring the Mediator and Sign the Letter

Cangieter ended the press conference with a final call to action for the Prime Minister:

Let the Prime Minister bring his mediator. Theres no more back and forth. Sign the commitment letter. Because without that, your words are just as cheap as talk.

She added that the union will continue to operate within the law, but the go-slow will remain in place until there is a signed, binding commitment from the government.

Were asking for nothing more, nothing less, she concluded. Bring the mediator. Sign the commitment letter. Then we bring this to an end.

The go-slow action within the Fire and Ambulance Departments remains in effect, with the WICSU-PSU standing firm that no instructions will be given to halt the movement until the government produces a signed commitment letter guaranteeing what it has already promised in writing.

The standoff  marked by accusations of dishonesty, legal wrangling, and demands for accountability  continues to test the limits of labor relations and government credibility in Sint Maarten.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Concerns are growing across St. Maarten as several sectors express frustration over unpaid invoices, stalled projects, and what many describe as a widening gap between government priorities and the needs of workers and vendors.

While politicians within the URSM-led coalition, including ministers, Members of Parliament, and cabinet staff, continue to receive salaries, per diems, and other allowances on time, numerous vendors and essential service providers say they are still waiting for payment for work completed months ago.

Frontline Workers on Go-Slow Since April

Essential frontline workers have reportedly been on a go-slow since April 2025, citing long-standing issues over pay and working conditions. Rather than addressing their concerns, Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina urged the WICSU-PSU union to instruct its members to return to work, a move that has sparked further criticism.

Union representatives say the governments response has been dismissive, and that the situation reflects a broader lack of engagement with labor issues under the current administration.

Market Vendors Still Waiting

Market vendors in Philipsburg are also expressing disappointment, noting that the long-promised new marketplace remains unbuilt. Last year, the Minister of TEATT and members of the Democratic Party (DP) publicly laid a ceremonial first block for the project, but since then, there has been no visible progress on construction.

Justice Workers Await Landsbesluiten

In the justice sector, members of the NAPB and other justice workers continue to wait for their official Landsbesluiten, documents needed to finalize their legal employment status and salary adjustments. The process, which had been moving forward under former Ministers of Justice Anna Richardson and Lyndon Lewis, has reportedly stalled under the current government.

Private Sector Asked to Fund Public Duties

Business leaders are also raising eyebrows after being approached to contribute significant sums to cover government-related expenses. Private businesses have been asked to provide approximately half a million dollars to support crime prevention initiatives during the holiday season.

Earlier this week, DP MP Viren Kotai was seen in accompanying the Minister of TEATT to a meeting with the Harbor Group of Companies, a government-owned entity, in what sources described as an effort to secure additional funding. The move has prompted questions about the separation of powers and the ethical role of MPs in government financial matters.

Private Funding for Public Infrastructure

In another instance, the Minister of VROMI announced that private businesses in the Pelican area would finance the paving of Billy Folly Road, a project estimated at another half a million dollars. Critics argue that the governments growing reliance on private funding for public infrastructure highlights poor fiscal management.

Mounting Public Concern

The developments have fueled public frustration and accusations of hypocrisy toward government officials who continue to receive timely compensation and travel benefits while leaving contractors, workers, and service providers waiting.

As one concerned business owner put it, The private sector cant keep paying for governments responsibilities. Were reaching a breaking point.
Painted bricks offer glimpse into daily life in NW China over 1,800 years ago

People's Daily Online) 14:11, November 13, 2025

An online cultural campaign in China centered on murals recently brought participants to ancient tombs dating back to the Wei and Jin dynasties (220-420), where painted bricks offer a rare glimpse into everyday life from over 1,800 years ago.

The tombs with painted bricks, located in the cities of Zhangye and Jiayuguan, northwest China's Gansu Province, typically comprise a corridor, decorated walls, passageways and burial chambers.

A visitor captures painted bricks on a mobile phone at Gaotai Museum in Zhangye city, northwest China's Gansu Province. (People's Daily Online/Xi Juanjuan)

Pictures are painted directly on the bricks, with each brick portraying a distinct scene, earning these sites the nickname "underground galleries."

The paintings depict various aspects of life in the Wei and Jin dynasties, including farming, hunting, clothing, food and travel.

An exhibition of painted bricks from tombs of the Wei and Jin dynasties and the Sixteen Kingdoms period (304-439), held in Gaotai County Museum in Zhangye, showcases more than 200 painted bricks unearthed from tombs in the Ruins of the Camel City and the Ruins of Xusanwan Ancient City in Gaotai.

The painted bricks reflect the artistic traditions of pictorial stones from the Han Dynasty (202 B.C.-220 A.D.), while also introducing new techniques and styles that later influenced murals during the Sui and Tang dynasties (581907), according to Sun Lijuan, deputy curator of the museum.

"Their distinctive style and lively forms offer invaluable insight into the politics, economy and aesthetics of the time," Sun said.

Photo shows a painted brick depicting two people enjoying a barbecue. The painted brick is one of the cultural relics preserved in the ancient tombs of the Wei and Jin dynasties (220-420) in Xincheng township, Jiayuguan city, northwest China's Gansu Province. (Courtesy of the campaign organizer)

More than 720 similar painted bricks, often arranged in continuous narrative panels, are preserved in a Wei-Jin tomb cluster in Xincheng township, Jiayuguan city.

Painted bricks in the tomb cluster, which spans 13 square kilometers and includes over 1,400 ancient tombs, resemble a 1,800-year-old "documentary of daily life."

The painted bricks cover themes similar to those found in Gaotai, complementing each other, said Lu Xiaoling, a staff member at the cultural relic management office in Jiayuguan city.

Notably, one painted brick from Tomb No. 5 shows a courier wearing a hat and a short garment with a right-overlapping closure, holding reins in his left hand and a document in his right, while the horse gallops with all four hooves in the air.

A painted brick depicting two people picking and protecting mulberry leaves, one of the cultural relics preserved in the ancient tombs of the Wei and Jin dynasties (220-420) in Xincheng township, Jiayuguan city, northwest China's Gansu Province. (Courtesy of the campaign organizer)

The absence of a mouth on the courier symbolizes his duty of discretion, a subtle reminder of the serious responsibilities of messengers in ancient China, according to Lu.

"This is by no means the painter's oversight, but rather a symbol of 'tight-lipped discretion,' hinting at the serious duty of a courier not to speak freely," Lu said. "Today, the image of this courier has become a symbol of China's postal sector, serving as a cultural emblem connecting ancient and modern communication and transportation."

Highlights of the painted bricks also include vivid depictions of scenes such as ancient people enjoying a barbecue, herding horses and picking mulberry leaves. The rich imagery reflects the prosperity of animal husbandry and the blending of diverse ethnic cultures during the Wei and Jin dynasties.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
SACRAMENTO, United States, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- California Governor Gavin Newsom's former chief of staff Dana Williamson was arrested Wednesday in the city of Sacramento after a federal grand jury charged her in a public corruption case, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California.

Prosecutors said the case against Williamson grew out of a three-year investigation involving the FBI and U.S. tax authorities, said the office in a press release.

Citing court documents, the office said that between February 2022 and September 2024, Williamson and others diverted about 225,000 U.S. dollars from a dormant political campaign account to an associate's personal use, routing the money through several business entities and disguising it as salary for what was "in reality, a no-show job."

The funds came from an inactive campaign account linked to Xavier Becerra, a former California attorney general who later served as U.S. secretary of health and human services. Becerra is not accused of wrongdoing in the indictment.

Williamson was also accused of falsely claiming more than 1 million dollars in business deductions for what prosecutors describe as personal luxuries, including private jet travel, high-end hotel stays, home furnishings and designer handbags, on her tax returns, said the release.

The office said she was charged with conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruct justice, subscribing to false tax returns, and making false statements.

If convicted, Williamson could face up to 20 years in prison on the most serious counts, according to prosecutors.

She served as Newsom's chief of staff from late 2022 until late 2024 and earlier was a Cabinet secretary to former California governor Jerry Brown, as well as campaign manager when Xavier Becerra ran for state attorney general in 2018.

"Ms. Williamson no longer serves in this administration. While we are still learning details of the allegations, the Governor expects all public servants to uphold the highest standards of integrity," a spokesperson for Newsom said in a statement. 
Press Release from Business Wire: TOURISE



(AFP) Nov 12, 2025



RIYADH, Nov 12, 2025 (BSW) - The Agentic Tourism Initiative was unveiled today at the inaugural TOURISE Summit, introducing the world's first Agentic Protocol for Tourism, a universal digital framework set to transform every stage of the traveler's journey.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251112353634/en/

His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Tourism and Chairman of TOURISE, launches the Agentic Tourism Initiative on the second day of TOURISE.



Launched in partnership with TOURISE and Globant, the Initiative builds on the momentum of the acclaimed whitepaper Tourism's AI Takeover: Reinventing Travel through Agentic Tourism to create a landmark application of AI. It directly answers the whitepaper's call to create an Open Protocol for Tourism AI, defining how AI agents interact from inspiration to return. The result: intelligent, seamless, and sustainable travel experiences across the global tourism ecosystem.

The Initiative brings together a diverse coalition of founding members across technology, infrastructure, aviation, and destination leadership, including: Globant, Red Sea Global, HUMAIN, Riyadh Air, King Salman International Airport, World Travel & Tourism Council, Amazon Web Services, Salesforce, Hollibob, and Trip.com. This collaborative approach ensures the Agentic Protocol is technically robust, inclusive, and adaptable to the evolving needs of travelers, operators, and destinations worldwide.

"We are proud to see the Agentic Tourism Initiative take flight from the Kingdom, reflecting our commitment to shaping the future of global travel through innovation and collaboration. This protocol represents a bold step toward harmonizing technology with the human spirit of exploration. By anchoring AI in empathy and cultural intelligence, we are not only enhancing the traveler's experience, we are empowering destinations to grow sustainably, inclusively, and with purpose," said His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Guided by the principle "Digitize the expected. Humanize the unexpected," the Initiative aims to amplify, not replace, human creativity, empathy, and connection. AI will serve as an enabler, empowering the people and places that make travel meaningful while supporting destinations in achieving long-term, sustainable growth.

"We are witnessing the dawn of a new era for tourism, where technology and human ingenuity converge to create experiences that are not only smarter, but also deeply personal and truly memorable. The Agentic Tourism Initiative is more than a technical milestone; it is a strategic leap toward shaping how AI is used in travel. By building a shared protocol, we are ensuring that this transformation is inclusive, secure, and beneficial for all," said Martin Migoya, CEO and Co-Founder of Globant.

About TOURISE

TOURISE is the world's premier platform shaping a new horizon for global tourism.

Under the umbrella of the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, powered by the Saudi Tourism Authority, the inaugural TOURISE Summit will take place November 11-13, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The event will convene visionaries from government, business, investment, tourism, and technology to drive transformative deals and deliver high-impact initiatives that redefine the future of the global tourism industry.

TOURISE ensures worldwide participation while offering access to decision-makers shaping the industry's evolution. Following the Summit, TOURISE will continue as a year-round platform where bold ideas turn into real-world solutions.

This is where the next 50 years of tourism are shaped. Together, we are unstoppable.

For more information visit www.tourise.com







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For media inquiries, please contact [email protected].







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Press Release from Business Wire: Reply



(AFP) Nov 12, 2025



TURIN, Nov 12, 2025 (BSW) - Valorem Reply , the Reply Group company specializing in Microsoft technologies and AI-driven, cloud-native solutions, announced today it has won the 2025 Microsoft Inclusion Changemaker Partner of the Year Award. The company was honored among a global field of top Microsoft partners for demonstrating excellence in innovation and implementation of customer solutions based on Microsoft technology.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251112917859/en/

The Inclusion Changemaker Partner of the Year Award celebrates partners that lead with inclusive design, accessibility, and innovation to help customers and communities achieve more.



"We're proud of Valorem Reply for earning this recognition," said Filippo Rizzante, CTO at Reply. "Their work exemplifies our shared commitment to inclusion and to using technology as a catalyst for opportunity and meaningful change. This award reflects the dedication and creativity of the Valorem Reply team, who continue to demonstrate how innovation and inclusivity can come together to make a lasting impact and how technology can be harnessed for social good."

The Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards recognize Microsoft partners that have developed and delivered outstanding Microsoft Cloud applications, services, devices, and AI innovation during the past year. Awards were classified in various categories, with honorees chosen from more than 4,600 nominations across more than 100 countries. Valorem Reply was recognized for providing outstanding solutions and services in the Inclusion Changemaker Partner of the Year Award category.

The Inclusion Changemaker Partner of the Year Award celebrates partners that lead with inclusive design, accessibility, and innovation to help customers and communities achieve more. Valorem Reply was recognized for its ability to advance digital equity and create measurable impact through inclusive solutions powered by Microsoft technologies. Valorem Reply was also named the Nonprofit Microsoft Partner of the Year in 2024.

Among its standout initiatives is the creation of a digital twin of St. Peter's Basilica, developed in collaboration with Microsoft, Iconem and Sagepath Reply, which leverages AI and immersive 3D visualization to preserve cultural heritage and make one of the world's most iconic landmarks accessible to audiences everywhere.

"Congratulations to all the winners and finalists of the 2025 Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards," said Nicole Dezen, Chief Partner Officer and Corporate Vice President at Microsoft. "This year, our partners harnessed the transformative power of Microsoft's Cloud and AI platforms to deliver transformative solutions that redefine the boundaries of innovation. The energy and ingenuity across our ecosystem continue to inspire us. The 2025 honorees exemplify what's possible when technology and vision unite to empower customers around the world."

In addition to being named the Inclusion Changemaker Partner of the Year, Reply was also recognized as the Americas SI Emerging Partner of the Year, thanks to Root16 Reply, a company specializing in Microsoft CRM consulting and system integration.

The 2025 Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards are announced ahead of Microsoft Ignite, which will be held in San Francisco from November 18-21. Additional details on the 2025 awards are available on the Microsoft Partner blog: https://aka.ms/2025POTYA_Announcement. The complete list of categories, winners and finalists can be found at https://aka.ms/2025POTYAWinnersFinalists.

ReplyReply [EXM, STAR: REY, ISIN: IT0005282865] specialises in the design and implementation of solutions based on new communication channels and digital media. As a network of highly specialised companies, Reply supports major industrial groups in the telecom and media; industry and services; banking and insurance and public sectors in defining and developing business models enabled by the new paradigms of AI, cloud computing, digital media and the internet of things. Reply's services include: consulting, system integration and digital services. www.reply.com

Valorem ReplyValorem Reply, part of the Reply group, is a prioritized Microsoft Cloud Solutions Partner focused on transforming businesses into intelligent enterprises and helping nonprofits achieve more with AI enabled, cloud native solutions, strategic business outcome focus and user-led design. Through our teams of elite practitioners, our passion for doing good and the power of Microsoft technologies, we securely and rapidly transform the way our clients do business. valoremreply.com







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Contact

Media contactReplyFabio Zappelli[email protected] Phone +390117711594Irene Caia[email protected] Tel. +39 02 535761







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Press Release from Business Wire: VeriSilicon



(AFP) Nov 13, 2025



SHANGHAI, Nov 13, 2025 (BSW) - VeriSilicon (688521.SH) recently announced the joint launch of the Coral NPU IP with Google, targeting always-on, ultra-low-energy edge Large Language Model (LLM) applications. The IP is based on Google's foundational research in open machine learning compilers and enhanced with AI security features, providing developers with a unified open-source platform to build a robust edge AI ecosystem.

The Coral NPU is built on the open RISC-V instruction set architecture, featuring native tensor processing capabilities, supporting mainstream machine learning frameworks such as JAX, PyTorch, and TensorFlow Lite (TFLite), and utilizing open-standard tools like Multi-Level Intermediate Representation (MLIR) from the Low Level Virtual Machine (LLVM) project for compiler infrastructure. It is designed for always-on, ultra-low-energy edge AI applications, particularly for wearable devices and ambient sensing systems.

The Coral NPU IP is now open-sourced on the Google Developers website and available to developers worldwide. VeriSilicon will offer a commercial-ready, enterprise-grade version of the IP and leverage its rich IP portfolio and chip design and verification capabilities to offer one-stop custom silicon services. Currently, VeriSilicon is working on a validation chip based on the Coral NPU IP, targeting AI/AR glasses and smart home applications, accelerating LLM deployment at the edge.

"This builds on our prior experience on the Open Se Cura open-source project and represents the continued deep integration of Google's open-source technology with VeriSilicon's chip design and commercialization capabilities," said Wiseway Wang, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Custom Silicon Platform Division at VeriSilicon. "We will continue to leverage our strengths in chip design, verification, and system-level optimization to advance the edge AI ecosystem, support the deployment of open-source technologies in real-world products, and enable edge LLM applications, providing strong support for industry innovation."

About VeriSilicon

VeriSilicon is committed to providing customers with platform-based, all-around, one-stop custom silicon services and semiconductor IP licensing services leveraging its in-house semiconductor IP. For more information, please visit: www.verisilicon.com







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Media Contact: [email protected]







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Press Release from Business Wire: LabGenius Therapeutics



(AFP) Nov 13, 2025



LONDON, Nov 13, 2025 (BSW) - LabGenius Therapeutics ("LabGenius"), a drug discovery company combining artificial intelligence (AI) and high-throughput experimentation to advance next-generation multispecific antibodies for solid tumours, today announced a scientific poster will be presented at the ESMO Immuno-Oncology Congress 2025 , being held December 10 - 12, 2025, at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London, United Kingdom. LabGenius' presentation will debut the pre-clinical in vivoefficacy (>90% tumour growth inhibition) and tolerability data for their lead asset, a highly tumour selective bispecific T-cell engager (TCE).

Poster Presentation Details

-0- *T TitleNovel Selectivity-Enhanced Bispecific T-cell Engager Utilises Avidity to Overcome On-target, Off-tumour ToxicityDate and timeWednesday, December 10, 2025, 08:00 (GMT)Poster number309PLocationThe Churchill Room, Queen Elizabeth II Centre, London*T

Bispecific TCE Overview

For the selected target, LabGenius has developed a selectivity-enhanced TCE. The company's lead optimisation platform, EVA?,was used to discover and concomitantly optimise a TCE with improved killing selectivity, potency, efficacy, and manufacturability. The biological mechanism underlying this enhanced selectivity is based on the principle of avidity. By harnessing avidity-driven selectivity, the optimised TCE can distinguish between healthy and diseased cells based on differential tumour-associated antigen expression.

About LabGenius Therapeutics

LabGenius Therapeutics is a drug discovery company pioneering the discovery of next-generation therapeutic antibodies. The company's discovery platform, EVA?, integrates several cutting-edge technologies drawn from the fields of artificial intelligence, robotic automation and synthetic biology. LabGenius Therapeutics operates a hybrid business model that includes partnering with biotech and pharmaceutical companies in parallel with pursuing a wholly-owned therapeutic pipeline. For more information, please visit www.labgeniustx.com, or connect on LinkedIn.







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Media: [email protected] Corporate / business development: [email protected]







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EU probes Google over news site rankings despite Trump threats



Brussels, Belgium, Nov 13 (AFP) Nov 13, 2025



The EU launched a fresh investigation into Google Thursday over suspicions the US giant is pushing down news outlets in search results, despite retaliation threats from US President Donald Trump.

The European Commission said Google is demoting media publishers' websites and content in search results when they include content from commercial partners, such as sponsored editorial pieces.

"We are concerned that Google's policies do not allow news publishers to be treated in a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory manner in its search results," EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera said.

"We will investigate to ensure that news publishers are not losing out on important revenues at a difficult time for the industry," Ribera said.

The probe under the EU's online competition rules known as the Digital Markets Act (DMA) comes after Trump warned this year he would slap tariffs on countries he accuses of targeting US tech companies.

The sweeping EU law seeks to rein in the world's biggest tech firms by forcing them to open up to competition in the 27-country bloc.

Google slammed the "misguided" probe as "without merit", defending the search platform's policies as necessary to protect users from spam.

"This surprising new investigation risks rewarding bad actors and degrading the quality of search results," Google Search chief scientist Pandu Nayak said in a blog post.



- Avoiding spammy search results -



The EU will probe whether Google's anti-spam policy is fair and transparent for publishers, though it is not questioning the measure as a whole.

"This policy appears to directly impact a common and legitimate way for publishers to monetise their websites and content," the commission said.

The EU's fear is that Google's bid to protect users from spam could impact publishers' "freedom to conduct legitimate business" at a difficult time for news media, with advertising revenue down and many users preferring video content.

While Brussels believes publishers have lost revenue due to the policy, it did not have figures to detail how much, and would not comment on which media outlets.

Google said it seeks to protect users from the risk of spammers taking advantage of the good ranking of publishing outlets, in order to trick them into clicking on low-quality content.

The commission said it will seek to conclude the probe within 12 months.



- Google in EU crosshairs -



Google already faces heavy scrutiny from EU regulators.

The EU slapped Google with a massive 2.95-billion-euro fine in September, which drew an angry rebuke from Trump and more tariff threats.

Brussels also accused Google of treating its own services more favourably compared to rivals as part of a DMA probe launched in March 2024.

And at the same time it said the Google Play app store prevented developers from steering customers outside the store to access cheaper deals.

If DMA breaches are confirmed, the law gives the EU the power to impose fines of up to 10 percent of a company's total global turnover.

This can rise to up to 20 percent for repeat offenders.

raz/ec/ach

GOOGLE
Press Release from Business Wire: RSA



(AFP) Nov 13, 2025



BURLINGTON, Nov 13, 2025 (BSW) - RSA, the security-first identity leader, announced today that RSA(R) ID Plus for Microsoft , a new solution category that provides an enhanced security layer for Microsoft Entra ID, is now generally available. Now on the Microsoft Azure Marketplace , the first product, RSA ID Plus M1, includes key capabilities that defend organizations from emerging attacks and help them maintain operational continuity in both Microsoft and non-Microsoft environments.

RSA ID Plus for Microsoft M1:

-- Protects resources within and beyond the Microsoft ecosystem: RSA ID Plus provides total coverage for legacy, OT, Microsoft, and non-Microsoft environments, bringing modern MFA and passwordless to data centers, mainframes, macOS, AD-joined devices, Entra-joined PCs and servers (including older OS versions), and other web servers and critical infrastructure that Entra alone can't reach.

-- Ensures mission-critical resources are always available and always protected: RSA's unique Hybrid HA architecture and offline capabilities ensure that mission-critical on-prem resources and off-network laptops are always available and always protected even when cloud services are unreachable.

-- Stops attacks that bypass MFA: RSA Help Desk Live Verify stops attacks targeting IT help desk personnel and users. The patent-pending technology uses phishing-resistant, passwordless identity assurance to stop attackers from exploiting weak enrollment and credential processes to launch attacks.

-- Integrates seamlessly with Microsoft: RSA ID Plus works in tandem with Microsoft Entra ID Plan 1 and Plan 2 to close security gaps without complexity.

"High-security industries have unique infrastructures that demand security expertise to maintain operations and defend against new threats," said RSA CEO Greg Nelson. "RSA ID Plus for Microsoft ensures that banks, hospitals, government agencies, and powerplants can deploy modern security solutions to defend themselves from emerging threats while still ensuring resilient operations."

"The extraordinary risks that financial services, healthcare, energy, and other highly regulated industries face demand the extraordinary security capabilities that only RSA and Microsoft together can deliver," said Laura Marx, RSA Chief Marketing and Growth Officer. "With the layered security approach from both RSA and Microsoft, organizations get both the scaled cloud infrastructure and deep identity security expertise they need to stop AI-powered threats, remain operational, and ensure that all users can stay productive."

Users are invited to demo RSA ID Plus for Microsoft next week at Microsoft Ignite Booth #1826R.

Resources:

RSA ID Plus for Microsoft data sheet

Join RSA at Microsoft Ignite Booth #1826R

RSA Help Desk Live Verify

RSA ID Plus Hybrid Failover

Get RSA ID Plus on the Microsoft Azure Marketplace

About RSA:

RSA provides mission-critical cybersecurity solutions that protect the world's most security-sensitive organizations. The RSA Unified Identity Platform provides true passwordless identity security, risk-based access, automated identity intelligence, and comprehensive identity governance across cloud, hybrid, and on-premises environments. More than 9,000 high-security organizations trust RSA to manage more than 60 million identities, detect threats, secure access, and enable compliance. For additional information, visit our website to contact sales, find a partner, or learn more about RSA.







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Press Release from Business Wire: Owkin



(AFP) Nov 13, 2025



PARIS, Nov 13, 2025 (BSW) - Owkin, a leading provider of agentic AI solutions for biopharma, today announced the availability of K Pro in the SaaS category of AWS Marketplace. Customers can now use AWS Marketplace to easily discover, buy, and deploy AI agents solutions, including Owkin's agentic AI co-pilot for biopharma using their AWS accounts, accelerating agent and agentic workflow development.

K Pro helps organizations make smarter decisions across their discovery and development pipeline by delivering decision-grade, data-driven biological insights, enabling customers to increase clinical success rates and change program trajectories.

"By offering K Pro in AWS Marketplace we're providing customers with a streamlined way to access our agentic AI co-pilot, helping them buy and deploy agent solutions faster and more efficiently." said Adi Ravia, Head of Product at Owkin. "Our customers in biotech, pharmaceuticals and research are already using these capabilities to access and analyse deep multimodal patient data, understand and review the scientific literature and uncover treatment-relevant biomarkers, demonstrating the real-world value of K Pro."

K Pro delivers essential capabilities including natural language interaction, biological reasoning, and proprietary multimodal data access. These features enable customers to unify fragmented workflows into an insight-driven research experience.

With the availability of SaaS in AWS Marketplace, customers can significantly accelerate their procurement process to drive AI innovation, reducing the time needed for vendor evaluations and complex negotiations. With centralized purchasing using AWS accounts, customers maintain visibility and control over licensing, payments, and access through AWS.

To learn more about K Pro in AWS Marketplace, visit https://aws.amazon.com/marketplace/pp/prodview-janhwocmshmxm.

About Owkin: Owkin is an AI company on a mission to solve the complexity of biology. It is building the first Biology Artificial Super Intelligence (BASI) by combining powerful biological large language models, multimodal patient data, and agentic software. At the heart of this system is K Pro, an AI copilot and its new LLM finetuned on biology called OwkinZero, used by researchers, clinicians, and drug developers to better understand biology, validate scientific hypotheses, and deliver better diagnostics and therapies faster.







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To request an interview with Owkin and AWS, please contact [email protected].







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Press Release from Business Wire: Safe Software



(AFP) Nov 13, 2025



LONDON & SURREY, Nov 13, 2025 (BSW) - Safe Software (Safe), the creator of FME, the only All-Data, Any-AI enterprise integration platform with true support for spatial data, today announced strong business momentum and continued progress toward its goal of reaching $250M in revenue by 2028. Building on another year of record performance, Safe Software is ahead of its target, surpassing $100M in annual revenue in FY25, representing nearly 20% year-over-year growth.

"Crossing $100M is more than a financial milestone, it's testament to the significant value FME delivers for our customers every day," said Don Murray, CEO of Safe Software. "As we advance toward $250M, we remain committed to empowering organizations to unlock the full potential of their data through open, scalable, and intelligent solutions"

The company's employee base increased by 21.8% over the fiscal year, reflecting strategic investments in its people, culture, and innovation to meet global demand.

Internally, the growing Safe Software team has embraced AI, with over 600 active custom GPTs at the company, and over 40,000 messages per month sent to its enterprise GPT. Additionally, the company's AI Champions Program has resulted in 20 internal demos posted for staff this quarter, covering a wide range of processes and tooling.

During the same period, Safe Software successfully expanded its international footprint with new operations in the UK and Ireland laying foundations for its next period of sustainable growth.

The business also introduced major product updates that further strengthened FME's ability to connect and automate data across every system, including FME Realize and new Data Virtualization capabilities. Other major updates during the last fiscal year include: The launch of FME Multi-Language Availability, 24/7 global support for FME users and Safe Software being recognized as Customers' Choice in the 2025 Gartner(R) Peer Insights? 'Voice of the Customer' for third consecutive year in a row.

Earlier this month, the company also announced a new partnership with the Vancouver Canucks.

About Safe Software

Headquartered in Surrey, British Columbia, Safe Software is the creator of FME, the only enterprise integration platform with comprehensive support for spatial data. The company was founded in 1993 and has been focused on bringing life to data since its inception. Whether your challenges have to do with spatial data, big data, stream processing, cloud migration, or business intelligence, Safe Software is here to help you spend more time reaping the benefits of information, and less time fighting it.

For more information, visit safe.com.

About FME by Safe Software

The FME Platform has built-in support for thousands of systems as well as 800+ out-of-the-box transformers allowing users to build and automate custom integration workflows without having to code. Over 20,000 organizations worldwide trust FME technology for their enterprise integration solutions. Through Safe Software's international partner network, FME is used in 120+ countries around the world and has been localized into multiple languages.

For more information, visit fme.safe.com.







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MediaElan ParisDGPR[email protected] +1 778 988 6525







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Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and King Felipe VI of Spain attend the third meeting of the China-Spain Business Advisory Council in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

BEIJING, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing and King Felipe VI of Spain both attended the third meeting of the China-Spain Business Advisory Council in Beijing on Thursday.

Zhang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, noted that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Spain. He said that under the strategic guidance of their two heads of state, China and Spain should extend their horizon for win-win cooperation, safeguard a fair and open business environment, tap their potential for cooperation on sci-tech innovation, and push bilateral economic and trade cooperation to new highs.

King Felipe VI said that Spain is willing to maintain close exchange and continue deepening pragmatic cooperation with China in various fields, adding that the country welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest and start businesses in Spain to work toward more results of bilateral cooperation.

The meeting, which was co-hosted by China and Spain, was attended by more than 30 representatives of Chinese and Spanish enterprises, associations and chambers of commerce, among other entities. 
Press Release from Business Wire: Andersen Consulting



(AFP) Nov 13, 2025



SAN FRANCISCO, Nov 13, 2025 (BSW) - Andersen Consulting bolsters its capabilities through a Collaboration Agreement with Criticalcase, a European firm specializing in cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, and managed IT services.

Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Italy, Criticalcase has distinguished itself in the cloud sector by designing and maintaining complex infrastructures for medium and large companies. Through customized solutions, the company offers a comprehensive suite of services including security, 24/7 monitoring, and system management-ensuring reliability, optimal performance, and protection down to the operating system level.

"Our mission has always been to guide clients through complex technological challenges with a strategic and hands-on approach," said Luca Nunno, CEO of Criticalcase. "Collaborating with Andersen Consulting allows us to bring our expertise to a broader global audience and create value through innovation and digital excellence."

"Criticalcase excels at turning complexity into streamlined architecture," said Mark L. Vorsatz, global chairman and CEO of Andersen. "This kind of modular thinking and delivery precision aligns with our goal of creating agile, secure, and scalable environments for clients at every growth stage."

Andersen Consulting is a global consulting practice providing a comprehensive suite of services spanning corporate strategy, business, technology, and AI transformation, as well as human capital solutions. Andersen Consulting integrates with the multidimensional service model of Andersen Global, delivering world-class consulting, tax, legal, valuation, global mobility, and advisory expertise on a global platform with more than 44,000 professionals worldwide and a presence in over 600 locations through its member firms and collaborating firms. Andersen Consulting Holdings LP is a limited partnership and provides consulting solutions through its member firms and collaborating firms around the world.







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Brussels and UK haggle over entry fee for EU defence fund



Brussels, Belgium, Nov 12 (AFP) Nov 12, 2025



The EU and Britain are wrangling over an entry fee to allow London to join a 150-billion-euro ($174 billion) fund to bolster Europe's defences, officials said Wednesday.

EU officials say Brussels has asked the UK to pay up to 6.5 billion euros to secure more lucrative access to the programme for British arms manufacturers.

But London -- which left the EU in 2020 after years of bitter negotiations -- appears to have baulked at that initial price tag and is pushing for a better deal, diplomatic sources said.

"Nothing has been agreed, and we will not give a running commentary on talks," a British government spokesman said.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen later said she discussed UK participation in the scheme in an evening phone call with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

"We continue the work together to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome," she wrote on social media platform X.

European nations are scrambling to bolster their militaries in the face of Russia's aggression almost four years into the war in Ukraine.

The SAFE scheme launched by Brussels earlier this year will provide EU countries with 150 billion euros of loans backed by the bloc's central budget to help them rearm.

EU countries are currently obliged to spend the money on weapons that are at least 65 percent produced in the bloc.

If Britain joins the scheme, that figure would be reduced in the case of the UK -- meaning British firms could try to cash in more.

"Such an agreement will indeed bring major economic and commercial opportunities for the UK," a European Commission spokesman said.

The spokesman said the EU executive had told London the entry fee could be reviewed later on if the programme did not prove as lucrative as expected for British firms.

"The commission remains fully engaged in the negotiations," he said.
Unexplained drone flights fray nerves in Belgium



Brussels, Belgium, Nov 13 (AFP) Nov 13, 2025



Sightings at military bases, airports, a nuclear power station: a spate of unexplained drone flights has frayed nerves in Belgium and fuelled fears the country could be being targeted by Russia.

Reports of drone activity at sensitive locations began to come out last month when suspected drones were spotted near a number of military bases in the country.

Those sightings came as Europe was already on heightened alert after Russian drones were shot down over Poland and mysterious flights disrupted airports in Denmark and Germany.

Then last week the incidents appeared to gather pace, causing air traffic to be halted at Belgium's largest airport, the government to hold urgent talks and NATO allies to send in support.

So far, the Belgian authorities have refused -- or are unable to say -- who precisely is responsible.

Federal prosecutors have said they are probing 17 incidents.

"It is still often difficult to distinguish whether it is a local drone pilot breaking the rules or an attempt at destabilisation by a state actor," the prosecutors said.

But the frequency of drone sightings have sparked strong suspicions professionals are involved -- and fingers have almost inevitably been pointed at Russia.

As tensions have surged over the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine, Europe has accused Moscow of stepping up a "hybrid war" of sabotage, cyberattacks, and interference that float in a grey zone of deniability.

There are obvious reasons why it might be Belgium in the crosshairs right now.

At the moment, the European Union is debating unlocking a new 140-billion-euro ($162-billion) loan for Ukraine funded by frozen Russian central bank assets held in Belgium.

Even before the drone sightings, the Belgian government was warning that the move could draw Moscow's ire and put a target on the country's back.

And those worries have only been heightened by the latest activity.

"This is a measure designed to create uncertainty and fear in Belgium -- 'don't you dare touch the assets'. There's no other way to interpret it," Germany's Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said Friday.

"We can all see that, and the Belgians see it that way too."



- 'Unsettling the population' -



Analysts say that drones are a low-cost and effective way to rattle a foe.

"Targeted drone overflights are almost always about unsettling the population and thereby destabilising a country. Additionally, they are used to observe how well-prepared and equipped your opponent is," said Manuel Atug, a security expert who sits on a German working group on critical infrastructure.

"In this way, economic damage can indeed be caused, for example, through the disruption of air traffic."

Making drones even more of a problem are the difficulties facing authorities trying to identify and counter objects that can be launched at short notice from almost anywhere.

"For years, we have had drone sightings everywhere -- Germany alone has more than 100 drone sightings at its airports every year," said Ulrike Franke, an expert at the European Council on Foreign Relations.

"There is an effect where we read more about it in the press, and then the focus shifts more towards it. This plays into the hands of those who want to destabilise our countries," she said.

"Nevertheless, it is true that we currently have more sightings, especially of larger drones and over infrastructure."

Several of Belgium's NATO allies, including Germany and Britain, have sent teams and equipment to try to help, as was the case for Denmark.

Defence minister Theo Francken is now pushing for an initial 50 million euros to be spent on counter-drone defences.

The EU for its part is working to establish a network of defences but those will likely be more focused on its eastern border states and take years to complete.

"We cannot have 100 percent security," Franke said.

"However, there are key locations where systems should be installed: airports, nuclear power plants, liquefied natural gas terminals. This is not rocket science."
Rolls-Royce upbeat on profits, to pioneer small UK nuclear reactors



London, Nov 13 (AFP) Nov 13, 2025



Rolls-Royce said Thursday demand for aircraft engines was keeping its profit targets on track, as it was also announced that its first small modular nuclear reactors will be housed in Wales.

The UK government, which made Rolls its preferred bidder for SMR technology, said in a separate statement that publicly-owned Great British Energy-Nuclear will oversee construction of the reactors, which are aimed at providing cheaper and cleaner energy.

Rolls-Royce SMR aims to cut the costs and complexity of building nuclear power stations and is hoping to be profitable by 2030.

"In the UK, where Rolls-Royce SMR was selected in June as the preferred technology provider..., commercial terms remain on track to be finalised later this year," Rolls said in Thursday's trading update.

The government added in its statement that the UK's first small modular reactors will be "smaller and quicker to build than some traditional nuclear power stations" and "are expected to deliver power for the equivalent of around three million homes".

The SMR project is backed by pound2.5-billion ($3.3-billion) investment from Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour government.

Energy minister Ed Miliband on Thursday defended the decision to pick the Anglesey site, North Wales, for SMRs after objections by the United States.

"Our job is to stand up for the national interest," Miliband told news station Times Radio.

US ambassador to the UK, Warren Stephens, said his country was "extremely disappointed" after reportedly failing in a bid to have American firm Westinghouse use the site for a larger reactor.

"There are cheaper, faster, and already-approved options to provide clean, safe energy at this same location," he added in a statement posted on X.

It comes as Rolls-Royce benefits from a trade agreement between the UK and United States struck in May, which removes tariffs on Britain's aerospace sector.

The deal places a 10-percent tariff on the import of British goods to the US, and lowers sector-specific levies including on automakers.

Meanwhile heading towards year-end, Rolls-Royce chief executive Tufan Erginbilgic on Thursday said the group was showing "strong performance" in line with the company's expectations.

Rolls-Royce said it is on track to meeting its guidance for full-year underlying operating profit of between pound3.1 billion and pound3.2 billion.

"Rolls-Royce continues to cruise above the clouds, with its third-quarter update showing little sign of turbulence," Aarin Chiekrie, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said of the company making engines for larger Airbus and Boeing planes.

"Revenue growth this year is being boosted by the upward trend in engine-flying hours," he added.
ISLAMABAD, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday gave his assent to the 27th Constitutional Amendment, formally enacting the bill into law, with changes to key articles, the President's House said.

The amendment made a series of consequential changes to the constitution concerning the judiciary and key constitutional offices, including the establishment of the Federal Constitutional Court, according to the constitutional draft present on the parliament's website.

The amendment also defined judicial seniority, reinforced Article 6 to block constitutional abrogation, preserve oath-taking structure and institutional continuity, and strengthen separation of constitutional and general appellate jurisdictions.

The Senate and the National Assembly, the upper and the lower houses of the country's parliament, respectively, passed the amendment bill with a two-thirds majority earlier this week.

Amendments made in Article 243 of the Constitution have renamed the top rank in the Pakistan Army to "the Chief of the Army Staff concurrently Chief of the Defense Forces."

According to the amendment, the office of the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, the top rank in Pakistan's armed forces, would stand abolished with effect from Nov. 27, 2025.

According to the changes in Article 243 and Article 248, no process for the arrest or imprisonment of the President, Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force, Admiral of the Fleet for their life.

The amendment to Article 243 also states that, once appointed, a Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force, or Admiral of the Fleet shall retain the rank, privileges, and remain in uniform for life.

Following the presidential assent, the establishment of the Federal Constitutional Court is expected to be formally realized, with the president likely to administer the oath to the court's first chief justice in the coming days, according to officials.

The 27th Amendment follows the 26th Amendment of 2024 and marks one of the most significant judicial restructurings in Pakistan's constitutional history, aiming to enhance constitutional adjudication and strengthen institutional checks against unconstitutional acts. 
Germany agrees to keep military service voluntary



Berlin, Nov 13 (AFP) Nov 13, 2025



Germany's coalition government has agreed a new voluntary military service model, politicians said Thursday, after weeks of wrangling over whether there should be a compulsory element.

From next year, all 18-year-old men will have to fill in a questionnaire on whether they would want to serve and undergo an armed forces physical test, if the plan is adopted.

No one will be compelled to join the Bundeswehr, said Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, who has advocated for making military service more attractive to draw more recruits.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz has made bolstering Germany's ill-equipped military a major priority, citing a hostile Russia and doubts about future US security commitment to Europe.

He has moved to sharply increase spending on the military and vowed to turn the German armed forces into "the strongest conventional army in Europe".

The cabinet approved a revamped military service model in August, spearheaded by Pistorius of the centre-left SPD.

But members of Merz's conservative CDU/CSU then called for a compulsory element in the form of a "draft lottery" to be applied if there were not enough volunteers.

The lottery idea has been scrapped for now, part of a deal reached late Wednesday, said Jens Spahn, leader of the CDU/CSU parliamentary faction.

"If voluntary service is ultimately not enough, then compulsory service will also be necessary," Spahn said, adding however that that would require further legislation.

Matthias Miersch, the SPD's parliamentary group leader, said he was certain the Bundeswehr could find enough volunteers, calling the new model "an offer" to young men and women, "not an obligation".



- Draft as 'last resort' -



Pistorius said compulsory service would be a "last resort" and the focus would be on "designing an attractive service".

"I am very confident that all this will succeed," he said.

"Other European countries, especially in the north, show that the principle of voluntary service combined with attractiveness works, and I expect the same here."

NATO chief Mark Rutte said he was "very happy" the government had forged "a way forward".

"I'm always happy when decisions are taken to get more people involved," he told reporters during a visit to a NATO base in Geilenkirchen in western Germany.

NATO targets call for Germany to build up its total military strength to 460,000 troops -- made up of 260,000 active soldiers and 200,000 reservists.

But the Bundeswehr is currently a far cry from those figures, with around only 182,000 active soldiers and 49,000 reservists.
NATO allies ditch Boeing for new surveillance planes



Brussels, Belgium, Nov 13 (AFP) Nov 13, 2025



NATO countries have ditched plans to buy US-made Boeing aircraft to replace the alliance's ageing fleet of surveillance planes, after Washington pulled out of the programme, the Netherlands said Thursday.

The Western military alliance had announced in 2023 that members would acquire six Boeing Wedgetail jets in one of its "biggest-ever" joint purchases as it looked to bolster its capabilities against Russia.

But the Dutch defence ministry said that a consortium of six NATO countries had now decided not to go ahead with buying Boeing after the United States ended its involvement in July.

The move opens the door for the purchase of European-made aircraft as Washington's allies look to bolster their own producers amid doubts over the reliability of US support under President Donald Trump.

"The withdrawal of the US demonstrates the importance of investing as much as possible in European industry," deputy Dutch defence minister Gijs Tuinman said.

The current fleet of NATO AWACS surveillance planes -- dubbed the alliance's "eyes in the sky" -- will reach the end of their service in 2035.

NATO chief Mark Rutte said Thursday that he "will do everything to make sure that we speed up" the decision on their replacements.

The jets are operated centrally by the alliance out of its Geilenkirchen airbase in Germany, with intelligence shared among NATO's 32 members.

del/ub/sbk
Italy probes if 'war tourists' paid to shoot civilians in Sarajevo siege



Rome, Nov 13 (AFP) Nov 13, 2025



Prosecutors in Italy are investigating possible Italian snipers who may have paid the Bosnian Serb army during the 1990s siege of Sarajevo to be allowed to shoot civilians for sport, local media reported.

According to La Repubblica daily, the investigation opened by Milan prosecutor Alessandro Gobbis for voluntary manslaughter seeks to identify Italians who between 1993 and 1995 may have "paid to play war and kill defenceless civilians 'for fun.'"

The newspaper said the unidentified suspects it dubbed "war tourists" were mostly wealthy and gun-loving right-wing sympathisers, who departed from Trieste, in northern Italy, before being taken to the hills surrounding Sarajevo.

There, the would-be snipers paid up to the equivalent of 100,000 euros per day to the Bosnian Serb forces to shoot at civilians below them, according to the daily Il Giornale, the first newspaper to report, in July, that an investigation in Italy had been opened.

The investigation follows a complaint filed by Italian journalist and writer Ezio Gavanezzi, who was contacted in August 2025 by the former mayor of Sarajevo, Benjamina Karic.

She had filed her own complaint in Bosnia in 2022 after the broadcast of the documentary "Sarajevo Safari" by Slovenian director Miran Zupanic, which revealed the crimes.

In an interview with La Repubblica, Gavanezzi estimated there were at least 100 Italians who participated, with Il Giornale citing at least double that -- on top of foreigners from other countries.

On social media Tuesday, Karic said she welcomed the Italian investigation.

In her 2022 complaint, a copy of which she posted on social media, Karic said the documentary, along with witness statements, point to "reasonable suspicion" that members of the Bosnian Serb army "organised 'excursions' for wealthy foreigners".

They "had the opportunity to fire precision rifles from (army) positions above the city of Sarajevo, killing and wounding innocent civilians in the besieged city, including children," according to her complaint.

During the nearly four-year siege of Sarajevo that began in April 1992 -- the longest in the history of modern warfare -- some 11,541 men, women, and children were killed and more than 50,000 people wounded by Bosnian Serb forces, according to official figures.
Belgian court finds jihadist guilty over Yazidi genocide



Brussels, Belgium, Nov 13 (AFP) Nov 13, 2025



A Brussels court on Thursday found a Belgian jihadist -- presumed killed in a 2016 airstrike -- guilty of genocide against the Yazidi minority in Iraq and Syria.

Sammy Djedou, a former fighter with the Islamic State (IS) group, was reported by the Pentagon to have been killed in Raqqa, Syria.

Belgian authorities never received formal confirmation of his death, and opted to prosecute him in absentia, in the country's first trial related to mass crimes against the Yazidis.

Djedou, previously convicted in absentia on Belgian terrorism charges, was found guilty of "genocide" for his role from 2014 onwards in an IS campaign to exterminate the minority group.

He was also found guilty of "crimes against humanity" for the rape and sexual enslavement of Yazidi women.

Two of Djedou's Yazidi victims testified about their ordeal at the trial.

Olivia Venet, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, called the case "historic" for Belgium -- the country that provided the most foreign fighters to IS per head of population.

Other countries in Europe have already prosecuted those accused of genocide against the Yazidis.

A Swedish court in February sentenced a 52-year-old woman to 12 years in prison on genocide charges for keeping Yazidi women and children as slaves at her home in Syria.

The Yazidis, a Kurdish-speaking minority who practise a pre-Islamic faith, had primarily settled in northern Iraq before suffering mass persecution by IS from August 2014.

Thousands fled as the jihadists launched brutal attacks in a campaign that UN investigators have qualified as genocide.

According to the United Nations, thousands of Yazidi women and girls were subjected to rape, abduction, and inhumane treatment including slavery.

Born in Brussels in August 1989 to a Belgian mother and Ivorian father, Djedou converted to Islam at age 15 and left for Syria in October 2012 to join IS, according to the investigators.

He is later believed to have become a senior figure in the group's external operations unit, tasked with planning attacks in Europe.

In 2021, he was sentenced in Belgium to 13 years in prison for leading a terrorist group.

He was also targeted in a 2022 trial into support networks behind the November 13, 2015 attacks in Paris that claimed 130 lives. He was convicted in that case but received no prison sentence.
Panama denies US military exercises on its soil aimed at Venezuela



Panama City, Nov 13 (AFP) Nov 13, 2025



The president of Panama denied Thursday that US military exercises on its soil were in any way a "hostile act against Venezuela."

US forces have carried out survival and combat exercises in Panama's Darien jungle bordering Colombia this year, and at a police base on the Caribbean coast.

They have coincided with a US military deployment against drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Pacific, which Venezuela claims is really a maneuver to overthrow President Nicolas Maduro.

Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino insisted Thursday the Central American country was not "lending out its territory for any type of hostile act against Venezuela or any other country in the world."

US strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats in Latin America have claimed at least 76 lives since September.

Washington has provided no evidence the boat occupants were traffickers, and rights groups say the strikes are illegal even if they were.

The US military exercises in Panama were made possible by a security agreement signed by the allies in April.

It sparked protests by Panamanians who oppose any perceived infringement of their country's sovereignty after a 1989 US invasion to depose then-leader General Manuel Noriega.

The agreement allows Washington, with Panamanian authorization, to use air and naval bases for "training" purposes for a renewable period of three years.

The agreement was signed amid pressure from US President Donald Trump, who has threatened to "take back" control of the Panama Canal that the United States built and controlled until 1999.

"There is no unauthorized military presence in Panama," said Mulino.
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I hadnt expected it to be. St Johns Wood is a hotspot of mediocrity, in part because the wealthy locals have an appetite for money matched only by their unwillingness to spend it. This makes for difficult trading conditions; it certainly doesnt leave much room for creativity. But Cinder deserves to hit the big time for its whipped parmesan butter with breeze blocks of daily-made focaccia, or its TopJaw-famous cedar plank salmon. Have the beetroot under a slosh of tamari, sliced and laid out over whisked ricotta and beneath chilli flakes in a leaf pile. Attempt the mess of the crab doughnut  not stuffed and bursting like a water balloon but sliced in two as a bun, the spice of the crab meat offset by the seaside sweetness of a prawn glaze. Or do the burnt leeks, the sea bass, the agnolotti. Cinders chef is Jake Finn, who is restless, busying himself with tweaks, improvements and inventions, building a menu that is all his own, rather than a cribsheet of hits stolen from across town. Not this weeks review as I went off-duty, didnt pay (a friend did) and cheerfully accepted the bottle of Meursault that materialised from somewhere off menu but on the house. Cinder surprised, Cinder has something, Cinder is special.
KABUL, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Danish Committee for Aid to Afghan Refugees, the agency announced in a statement Thursday.

The agreement allocates more than 1.8 million U.S. dollars to support returning refugees, the statement added.

Meanwhile, a total of 1,978 Afghan refugee families, totaling 10,637 individuals, returned to Afghanistan from the neighboring Iran and Pakistan on Wednesday, Afghanistan's High Commission for Addressing Returnees Problems announced Thursday. 
They would play at Newcastles St James Park if they won Group B, before returning to Wembley for the rest of the tournament, with Englands national stadium set to host one quarter-final, both semi-finals and the final, which will be held on July 9.
"While we welcome this development, we want to underscore that no family should ever have to go through what we have: Sami was in the United States on a valid visa when he was abducted and detained by ICE, despite committing no crime.
As finances get tougher its just that much more challenging. Schools that have a relatively affluent intake will be more able to get parents' support in raising money and have some of the hard edges rubbed off with money that can be raised.
Cllr Manro said: "There are a number of developments over the last four or five years where because of the issues around Liz Truss, in terms of interest rates, material increases, COVID, many RP's have pulled away from the market in terms of carrying on with the developments that we agreed to move forward with.
He added: I am entitled to visit the US which is why the extremists are very upset and furious because they thought that they would be able to accuse me of heinous crimes and they found that two federal judges stood in their way because the courts are still alive, the rule of law is still alive, my freedom of speech is sacred.
Ms Reeves is set to introduce a new limit on how much cyclists can spend on a bike through the cycle to work scheme, according to The Financial Times, as part of a catalogue of tax changes in the Budget on November 26.
The Health Secretary went on to say the NHS was on the road to recovery as he highlighted the fall in the waiting list for routine hospital treatment in England, the recruitment of 2,500 more GPs in his first year in the post, and faster ambulance response times.
If anything is likely to inhibit the flow of the rich to London, it is the threat of tax hikes in the Budget from the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, not the actions of its mayor. Some of the early warnings about wealthy bolters leaving New York have been put on hold. Harsh critics such as the billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman poured millions into defeating the new mayor, to the extent that Mamdani joked, Hes spending more money against me than I would even tax him! But Ackman has since offered an olive branch, posting on X, Congrats on the win. Now you have a big responsibility. If I can help NYC, just let me know what I can do.
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)

Jin Wenmeng (R) of Yunnan competes against Huang Jinbin of Chongqing during the men's freestyle 74kg match of wrestling at China's 15th National Games in Qingyuan, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

An artisan performs a glass art demonstration at the 2025 edition of the Circle Craft Holiday Market in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Nov. 11, 2025.

The 2025 edition of the Circle Craft Holiday Market kicked off here on Tuesday and runs until Nov. 16. (Photo by Liang Sen/Xinhua)

Staff members sort parcels at a management center of ZTO Express in Helan County, Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Nov. 11, 2025.

Logistics enterprises in Yinchuan worked at full capacity on Tuesday as the "Double Eleven" online shopping festival entered its peak. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 11, 2025 shows staff members patrolling at the Tianhewan National Wetland Park in Pingluo County of Shizuishan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Located in Pingluo County of Ningxia and adjacent to the Yellow River, the Tianhewan National Wetland Park serves as an important ecological barrier in the Yellow River Basin.

Thanks to continuous improvement in its ecological environment, the park has turned into a paradise for migratory birds. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

People are seen during the 2025 China New Media Technology Exhibition in Changsha, capital of central China's Hunan Province, Nov. 12, 2025.

The 2025 China New Media Conference, featuring an opening ceremony, 7 parallel forums, China New Media Technology Exhibition and 5 other events, kicked off here on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 12, 2025 shows a vaccination center in Mexico City, capital of Mexico.

Mexico City has set up a vaccination center offering influenza, COVID-19, pneumococcal and measles vaccines to the public as part of efforts to improve community immunization coverage during the winter season. (Photo by Francisco Canedo/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 10, 2025 shows the Guniu River grand bridge under construction in southwest China's Guizhou Province.

The Guniu River grand bridge, with a length of 881.8 meters, is an important project on the Anshun-Panzhou highway. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

A man cycles in an alley amid falling leaves in Xicheng District of Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua)

This photo taken on Nov. 12, 2025 shows the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., the United States.

The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday night passed a Senate-approved spending package, ending the congressional deadlock that led to the longest government shutdown in American history. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong)
Sonder operated the Sonder East 5th Apartments at 415 Waller St. in East Austin. The company said Monday it would wind down operations and pursue Chapter 7 liquidation of its U.S. assets. Google Street View

Sonder Holdings Inc., a short-term rental company once considered a rival to Airbnb, announced this week it plans to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection. Employees at Sonder properties, including those in Austin, were immediately let go and customers were reportedly locked out of their rooms following the abrupt announcement.

The move came a day after Marriott International terminated its licensing agreement with the chain, which had been in place since August 2024.

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Sonder said Monday it would wind down operations and pursue Chapter 7 liquidation of its U.S. assets, but the company had not filed as of Wednesday afternoon.

The San Francisco-based company said it suffered severe financial constraints due to problems integrating its technology and booking systems with Marriott International.

Sonder operated the Sonder East 5th Apartments at 415 Waller St. in East Austin. The buildings booking page now displays a Marriott alert saying the site is no longer available, and its phone line relays a similar message.

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In addition to its Austin site, Sonder held other properties in Dallas, Houston and San Antonio, including the Sonder at Southtown and Sonder at Med Center properties in the Alamo City.

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Sonder shares soared in August 2024, when the company signed a licensing agreement with Marriott and rebranded as Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy. The deal brought in $146 million in additional liquidity, but that high was short-lived. Sonder said it suffered a sharp revenue decline after participating in Marriotts Bonvoy reservation and rewards system.

When Marriott announced it was terminating the partnership on Nov. 9, Sonder executives decided it was no longer viable to continue operations.

We are devastated to reach a point where a liquidation is the only viable path forward, said Janice Sears, interim CEO of Sonder, in a statement. Unfortunately, our integration with Marriott International was substantially delayed due to unexpected challenges in aligning our technology frameworks, resulting in significant, unanticipated integration costs These issues persisted and contributed to a substantial and material loss in working capital.

Marriott said the agreement ended due to Sonders default, noting its immediate priority is supporting guests currently staying at Sonder properties and those with upcoming reservations. The company said it will reach out to guests who booked through Marriott systems, but guests who booked through a third-party agency should contact those organizations directly about their reservations.

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Founded in 2014 by Francis Davidson, Lucas Pellan and Martin Picard, Sonder began operating in Montreal before eventually relocating to San Francisco. The company was considered a rival to Airbnb, operating in 37 cities across nine countries.
Elon Musk walks through the paddock area during the Formula 1 Lenovo United States Grand Prix at Circuit of Americas on Sunday Oct. 22, 2023. Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman

Elon Musk has a new pitch: Forget L.A. and New York  move to Austin, he says.

The billionaire Tesla and SpaceX CEO posted an endorsement of the city on social media Wednesday, noting that "world-class people" from major global cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York City and London are moving here.

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"Move to Austin! It gets better very year," Musk wrote in the post.

Move to Austin! It gets better very year.



So many cool, world-class people are moving to Austin from SF, LA, NY, London and many other parts of the world!



Austin++ https://t.co/xUsdHHeeAa  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 12, 2025

Musks post was in response to Tesla-focused influencer Farzad, who praised the Texas Triangle  the region defined by Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio  as a great place to live, while noting that rapid growth and hot weather remain drawbacks.

Musk established his Texas foothold in 2020, announcing he was leaving California after clashing with state regulators and arguing the state had grown complacent about its economic success. He confirmed in December 2020 that he had moved his personal residence to Texas, a shift that preceded the relocation of several of his companies key operations.

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By 2021, Tesla formally relocated its corporate headquarters from Palo Alto, Calif. to Austin. The move followed construction of Teslas massive Gigafactory near the TravisBastrop county line. SpaceX and The Boring Company have also grown their presence in the Austin area, part of Musks broader shift of corporate activity toward Texas.

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Musks housing situation in Austin has been the subject of frequent speculation. While reports have indicated he purchased multiple homes in the Austin area  worth roughly $35 million, according to the New York Post  Musk has publicly denied building a large residential compound, telling Architectural Digest that he does not own or plan to build such an estate.
FILE - This photo provided by the New York State Sex Offender Registry shows Jeffrey Epstein, March 28, 2017. (New York State Sex Offender Registry via AP, File) AP President Donald Trump speaks before signing the funding bill to reopen the government, in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, in Washington. Jacquelyn Martin/AP

WASHINGTON (AP)  Jeffrey Epstein wrote in a 2019 email to a journalist that Donald Trump knew about the girls, according to documents made public Wednesday, but what he knew  and whether it pertained to the sex offenders crimes  is unclear. The White House quickly accused Democrats of selectively leaking the emails to smear the president.

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released three emails referencing Trump, including one Epstein wrote in 2011 in which he told confidant Ghislaine Maxwell that Trump had spent hours at Epsteins house with a sex trafficking victim.

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The disclosures seemed designed to raise new questions about Trumps friendship with Epstein and about what knowledge he may have had regarding what prosecutors call a yearslong effort by Epstein to exploit underage girls. The Republican businessman-turned-politician has consistently denied any knowledge of Epsteins crimes and has said he ended their relationship years ago.

Trump did not take questions from reporters Wednesday, even after inviting them into the Oval Office to watch him sign legislation ending the government shutdown.

The version of the 2011 email released by the Democrats redacted the name of the victim, but Republicans on the committee later said it was Virginia Giuffre, who accused Epstein of arranging for her to have sexual encounters with a number of his rich and powerful friends. Epstein took his own life in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal charges.

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The emails made public Wednesday are part of a batch of 23,000 documents provided by Epsteins estate to the Oversight Committee.

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Giuffre said Trump couldnt have been friendlier'

Giuffre, who died earlier this year, long insisted that Trump was not among the men who had victimized her.

In a court deposition, she said under oath that she didnt believe Trump had any knowledge of Epsteins misconduct with underage girls. And in her recently released memoir, she described meeting Trump only once, when she worked as a spa attendant at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, and did not accuse him of wrongdoing.

Giuffre wrote that she was introduced to Trump by her father, who also worked at the club. She described Trump as friendly and said he offered to help her get babysitting jobs with parents at the club.

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Trump couldnt have been friendlier, Giuffre wrote.

Other members of Epsteins household staff also said in sworn depositions that, while Trump did stop by Epsteins house, they didnt see him engage in any inappropriate conduct.

Republicans says emails released to tarnish Trump

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said Democrats selectively leaked emails to create a fake narrative to smear President Trump.

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Trump, writing on his Truth Social platform, said Democrats are trying to bring up the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax again because theyll do anything at all to deflect on how badly theyve done on the government shutdown and so many other subjects.

There should be no deflections to Epstein or anything else, and any Republicans involved should be focused only on opening up our Country, and fixing the massive damage caused by the Democrats! Trump wrote.

In July, Trump said he had banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago because his one-time friend was taking people who worked for me, including Giuffre. The women, he said, were taken out of the spa, hired by him  in other words, gone.

I said, Listen, we dont want you taking our people, Trump told reporters. Asked if Giuffre was one of the employees poached by Epstein, the president demurred but then said Epstein stole her.

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Shortly after Democrats released the Trump-related emails, committee Republicans countered by disclosing what they said was an additional 20,000 pages of documents from Epsteins estate. Among them were a trove of emails written over several years by Epstein, including many where he commented  often unfavorably  on Trump's rise in politics and corresponded with journalists.

Emails revive questions about Trumps relationship with Epstein

The release resurfaces a storyline that had shadowed Trump's presidency during the summer when the FBI and the Justice Department abruptly announced that they would not be releasing additional documents that investigators had spent weeks examining, disappointing conspiracy theorists and online sleuths who had expected to see new revelations.

In one 2019 email to journalist Michael Wolff, who has written extensively about Trump, Epstein wrote of Trump, of course he knew about the girls as he asked ghislaine to stop.

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In an April 2, 2011, email to Maxwell, a former Epstein girlfriend now imprisoned for conspiring to engage in sex trafficking, Epstein wrote, I want you to realize that that dog that hasn't barked is Trump. Virginia spent hours at my house with him ,, he has never once been mentioned. police chief. etc. im 75 % there.

Maxwell replied the same day: I have been thinking about that.

Leavitt said the person referenced in the emails is Giuffre, who had accused Britains then-Prince Andrew and other influential men of sexually exploiting her as a teenager and who died by suicide in April. Andrew, who recently was stripped of his titles and evicted from his royal residence by King Charles III after weeks of pressure to act over his relationship with Epstein, has rejected Giuffres allegations and said he didnt recall meeting her.

It wasn't clear what Epstein meant by saying that Trump was a dog that hadn't barked, but both he and Maxwell in other correspondence accused Giuffre of fabricating stories about her supposed sexual interactions with famous men.

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Leavitt said in a statement that Giuffre had repeatedly said President Trump was not involved in any wrongdoing whatsoever and couldnt have been friendlier to her in their limited interactions.

The fact remains that President Trump kicked Jeffrey Epstein out of his club decades ago for being a creep to his female employees, including Giuffre, the statement said. These stories are nothing more than bad-faith efforts to distract from President Trumps historic accomplishments, and any American with common sense sees right through this hoax and clear distraction from the government opening back up again.

Messages seeking comment were left with Wolff, Maxwell attorney David Markus and representatives for Giuffres family.

Maxwell's interview with the Justice Department

Maxwell, interviewed in July by the Justice Departments second-in-command, repeatedly denied witnessing any sexually inappropriate interactions involving Trump.

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I actually never saw the President in any type of massage setting, Maxwell told Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, according to a transcript of the interview. I never witnessed the President in any inappropriate setting in any way. The President was never inappropriate with anybody. In the times that I was with him, he was a gentleman in all respects.

Giuffre came forward publicly after an initial investigation ended in an 18-month Florida jail term for Epstein, who made a secret deal to avoid federal prosecution by pleading guilty instead to relatively minor state-level charges of soliciting prostitution. He was released in 2009.

In subsequent lawsuits, Giuffre said she was a teenage spa attendant at Mar-a-Lago when she was approached in 2000 by Maxwell.

Lawyers for Maxwell, a British socialite, have argued that she never should have been tried or convicted for her role in luring teenage girls to be sexually abused by Epstein. She is serving a 20-year prison term, though she was moved from a low-security federal prison in Florida to a minimum-security prison camp in Texas after the Blanche interview.

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Sisak reported from New York.

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Kelsey Kane, left, and Trudy Bennett play with a cat during a mega pet adoption event at George R. Brown Convention Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Houston. More than 1,000 rescue cats, kittens, puppies and dogs from at least 14 shelters and rescue organizations brought animals to the event, seeking new homes for the animals. Adoption fees are $35 and include vaccinations, microchipping, and spay or neuter services. The event will run through Sunday. Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle

For the next five days, Austin pet owners can get their dogs and cats spayed or neutered for free at a pop-up clinic in northwest Austin.

The free clinic runs today, Thursday, Nov. 13, through Monday, Nov. 17, at 11580 Stonehollow Dr. in Austin. Surgeries are open to both dogs and cats.

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The event is a partnership between Travis County, Austin Animal Services and national nonprofit Greater Good Charities, which is bringing in its high-volume Good Fix team to perform the procedures.

Registration and drop-off are first come, first served. Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. and continues until 10 a.m. or until capacity is full each day.

Organizers urge people to arrive early; waits, especially on the weekend, could stretch for several hours. Pets go home the same day.

Who qualifies and what to bring

The clinic is limited to City of Austin and Travis County residents.

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Pet owners should bring:

A proof of residency, such as a photo ID, lease agreement or utility bill

Any recent vaccination records for their pet

Other rules from the organizers:

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Pets must be at least 2 pounds and 2 months old

Cats must be in secure carriers or humane traps with a working door

Only one cat per carrier

Cats brought in traps will be ear tipped to show they have been sterilized

Along with the surgery, pets will also receive free vaccinations, flea and tick treatment and a microchip and there is no limit on how many pets a person or car can bring.

How much spay and neuter usually costs

At low-cost clinics, a standard spay or neuter can still run close to a hundred dollars or more. Nonprofit clinics in Central Texas list prices in this range:

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Around $80 to $90 for cats

$125 and up for dogs, depending on size

At full-service veterinary hospitals, the bill can be significantly higher. National cost estimates put routine dog spay or neuter surgery anywhere from about $250 to more than $500, depending on the dogs size, age and whether blood work or additional care is involved. A free clinic like this one can save a household anywhere from roughly $90 at a low-cost nonprofit to several hundred dollars compared to a standard vet practice.

Why vets say spay and neuter matters

Spay and neuter does more than prevent surprise litters. The American Veterinary Medical Association says sterilizing pets can lower the risk of certain cancers and infections, curb roaming and urine marking, and help dogs and cats live longer, benefits that also help ease pressure on shelters by reducing the number of puppies and kittens coming through their doors.

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What happens after this week: other free and low-cost options

If you cannot get to Stonehollow Drive this week, there are still options to get help spaying or neutering your pet.

Austin Animal Services funds Free Day mobile clinics through Emancipet, which rotate through sites like St. Johns Community Center and Turner-Roberts Rec Center. On those days, Travis County residents can get free spay/neuter, rabies vaccines, core shots and microchips for dogs and cats on a first-come, first-served basis.

Emancipet runs multiple brick-and-mortar clinics in Austin plus a mobile clinic, offering fixed-price spay/neuter thats cheaper than a full-service vet, along with vaccines, microchips and flea and tick prevention.

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The Austin Humane Societys Community Cat Program provides free spay/neuter and rabies vaccinations for unowned community cats in Travis County, typically through weekly surgery days at its shelter on West Anderson Lane.

Austin Animal Services and Greater Good Charities also bring back these Good Fix pop-up clinics several times a year at different sites, offering free, high-volume spay/neuter for local dogs and cats.

Most of these programs are limited to Austin or Travis County residents, and appointments or surgery slots can fill quickly, so organizers encourage pet owners to check each groups website or social media for the latest schedules before showing up.

Who is behind Austin Animal Services and Greater Good Charities?

Austin Animal Services is the city department that oversees animal protection officers and runs Austin Animal Center, which has long billed itself as one of the largest no-kill municipal shelters in the country. The shelter cares for thousands of animals each year and works with a network of rescues and fosters.

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Greater Good Charities is a global nonprofit that focuses on helping people, pets and the planet. Its Good Fix program sends out high-volume spay/neuter teams that can perform large numbers of surgeries in a short period of time, often in areas that lack access to affordable vet care.
This photo taken on Nov. 13, 2025 shows a report titled "Jointly Building a New Model of Global Leadership -- Work Together in Pursuit of a More Just and Rational Global Governance System" at the Global South Media and Think Tank Forum China-Africa Partnership Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Xinhua Institute, a think tank affiliated with Xinhua News Agency, released the report here on Thursday. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Xinhua Institute, a think tank affiliated with Xinhua News Agency, on Thursday released a report titled "Jointly Building a New Model of Global Leadership -- Work Together in Pursuit of a More Just and Rational Global Governance System" at the Global South Media and Think Tank Forum China-Africa Partnership Conference.

The international community urgently needs a "new model of global leadership," one that does not emanate from any single country, bloc or international organization, but rather represents a multilateral form of leadership -- a synergy forged by the international community in active response to global challenges, the report said.

According to the report, the world today faces a global leadership deficit, reflected in the failure of peace, imbalance in development and discord among civilizations.

To overcome this deficit, the fundamental strategy for jointly building this "new global leadership" lies in transcending the logic of hegemony through the logic of symbiosis, it noted.

The report outlines four key pathways towards building such leadership: taking shared human values as the compass, the Four Global Initiatives proposed by China as the systemic blueprint, the promotion of an equal and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization as the direction of transformation, and the building of a community with a shared future for humanity as the future vision.

The report was released by Lyu Yansong, editor-in-chief of Xinhua News Agency, at the forum. The two-day event, running through Friday, focuses on strengthening global governance and deepening China-Africa cooperation.

More than 200 representatives from over 160 media outlets, think tanks, government organizations and other institutions from China and 41 African countries, as well as the African Union, have gathered in Johannesburg, South Africa, to engage in discussions under the theme "Reforming Global Governance: New Roles and Visions for China-Africa Cooperation." 

Jointly Building a New Model of Global Leadership -- Work Together in Pursuit of a More Just and Rational Global Governance System

This photo taken on Nov. 13, 2025 shows a report titled "Jointly Building a New Model of Global Leadership -- Work Together in Pursuit of a More Just and Rational Global Governance System" at the Global South Media and Think Tank Forum China-Africa Partnership Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Xinhua Institute, a think tank affiliated with Xinhua News Agency, released the report here on Thursday. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

A delegate reads a report titled "Jointly Building a New Model of Global Leadership -- Work Together in Pursuit of a More Just and Rational Global Governance System" at the Global South Media and Think Tank Forum China-Africa Partnership Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, Nov. 13, 2025. The Xinhua Institute, a think tank affiliated with Xinhua News Agency, released the report here on Thursday. (Xinhua/Han Xu)
Signage is displayed near the entrance to Federal Prison Camp Bryan on August 01, 2025 in Bryan, Texas. Jeffrey Epstein's former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, has been transferred from a federal prison in Florida to Federal Prison Camp Bryan in South Texas. Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Ghislaine Maxwell, the British socialite convicted of assisting beau Jeffrey Epsteins sex trafficking ring, is now serving her 20-year sentence at a federal womens prison in Bryan, Texas. The facility  just 100 miles east of Austin  is known for its minimum-security environment and relatively comfortable conditions.

Maxwells placement has drawn scrutiny from federal lawmakers and victims' advocates who say her circumstances appear unusually lenient for someone convicted of trafficking minors.

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The 63-year-old was convicted in 2021 on federal sex trafficking charges for recruiting and grooming teenage girls for Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting his own trial.

She was originally held at a low-security facility in Tallahassee, Fla.. That facility was much more restrictive than the Bryan prison, which provides access to both work and recreational activities.

Emails obtained by NBC News show Maxwell describing life at the camp as improved compared to her previous confinement. She wrote that staff were responsive and polite and that she hasnt seen a single fight, drug deal, passed out person or naked inmate.

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Federal Bureau of Prisons policy doesnt typically allow inmates convicted of sex-related crimes to be held in minimum security facilities. The Bryan prison has no perimeter fence, and it generally holds white-collar offenders, nonviolent offenders and those nearing their release date.

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U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin, a Democrat from Maryland, sent a letter last month to the Bryan prison warden, Dr. Tanisha Hall, regarding Maxwells VIP treatment.

In his letter, he cited a Wall Street Journal article that detailed other accommodations for Maxwell, such as special arrangements for her guests, meals sent straight to her room, late-night workouts and the ability to shower after other inmates went to bed.

Additionally, inmates have reportedly been retaliated against for speaking about Maxwells treatment to the news media, including transfers to harsher facilities.

These directives constitute outrageously unfair treatment that appears to violate BOPs own regulations, Raskins letter read. Nothing in the law or BOP regulations authorizes the extreme retaliation you have carried out here.

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His letter to Hall also questioned the motive behind Maxwells pampering  and he asked the question more directly in a letter addressed to President Donald Trump.

What information is Ms. Maxwell agreeing to suppress in order to receive such outlandishly favorable treatment as a federal prisoner and convicted sex offender? Raskin asked in the letter he sent to Trump on Nov. 9.

Maxwells legal team dismissed claims of special treatment as false and sensational.

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San Marcos Police Chief Stan Standridge speaks at a news conference Thursday with San Marcos Assistant City Manager Lonzo Anderson, left, about a man who died Tuesday in police custody. Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman

San Marcos police have identified a suspect in a deadly shooting on the downtown square over Halloween weekend and announced an arrest in a separate shooting at an apartment complex on Post Road.

City officials said three separate shootings happened in San Marcos on the night of Nov. 1 and 2, leaving one person dead and multiple others injured. In response, San Marcos Police Chief Stan Stanridge said the department will increase police presence downtown.

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The first shooting happened around 10 p.m. Nov. 1 in the area of Kissing Alley on Hopkins Street, according to Russell Wilde, public safety communications specialist for the city of San Marcos. Multiple gunshots were fired along the busy bar corridor, and three people were taken to area hospitals. One of them later died.

On Thursday, San Marcos police identified 24-year-old Patrick Dave Anderson as the suspect in that downtown shooting, which left 19-year-old Ronnie Hernandez Jr., who was shot between five and seven times, dead and two other people injured. Anderson moved to San Marcos from Arizona in October, police said.

Investigators said two groups passed each other on the sidewalk near Kissing Alley and an argument broke out. Anderson is accused of firing multiple shots into one of the groups, striking three people and killing Hernandez.

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Officers responded to reports of shots fired on the square and closed Hopkins Street between LBJ Drive and Guadalupe Street while they searched the area. Bars around the square were asked to close for the night as officers secured the scene and interviewed witnesses.

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In the immediate aftermath, police said they were looking for two suspects and released descriptions of two men seen leaving the area. Investigators have since identified the second individual, who is cooperating with the investigation and is not being sought, officials said.

Anderson has not been arrested and is believed to have left San Marcos. The U.S. Marshals Service is assisting in the search.

San Marcos police also released new information on a separate shooting early Nov. 2 at the Outpost Apartments in the 1600 block of Post Road. Investigators said a fight near the complexs pool area escalated into gunfire.

Police said they are looking for 17-year-old John Anthony Chucky Contreras of Kyle, who is wanted on a charge of attempted capital murder of multiple persons in connection with the Post Road shooting.

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A second suspect, 17-year-old Dantrae Houston, was arrested Nov. 6 in Lockhart on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to police.

Investigators have said the Post Road shooting is not believed to be connected to the downtown homicide.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Anderson or Contreras is asked to call San Marcos police at 512-753-2108 or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-324-TIPS.
Defense attorney Brad Heilman holds officer Daniel Sanchezs gun while questioning witness Austin police officer Jonathan Slayton during Sanchezs trial at the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. Sanchez is charged with felony deadly conduct in the 2022 shooting death of tech entrepreneur Rajan Moonesinghe outside Moonesinghes Bouldin Creek home. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Daniel Sanchez did exactly what he was trained to do.

That was the message the Austin police officer's defense attorneys sought to drive home Wednesday as they opened their case in a jury trial stemming from Sanchezs fatal shooting three years ago of tech entrepreneur Rajan Moonesinghe.

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Testimony from various witnesses affirmed the notion that Sanchezs split-second decision to open fire on Moonesinghe in November 2022 was a reasonable  and trained  response to what he perceived as an immediate threat.

We would not train our officers to stop and see if a suspect will murder them, Jonathan Slayton, a former firearms and control-tactics instructor at the Austin Police Academy who trained Sanchez, testified during cross-examination.

Sanchez was the first officer to arrive at Moonesinghes Bouldin Creek duplex after a neighborhood security guard called 911. When Sanchez pulled up, Moonesinghe had fired two rounds from an AR-15 rifle into his own house.

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Slaton said the academy trains officers to treat such confirmed gunfire as an active-shooter situation even if the shooter stops firing, so Moonesinghes two shots followed by a pause would still trigger an active-shooter response.

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Spectators listen in a full courtroom during the trial of officer Daniel Sanchez at the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. Sanchez is charged with felony deadly conduct in the 2022 shooting death of tech entrepreneur Rajan Moonesinghe outside Moonesinghes Bouldin Creek home. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Body-camera and doorbell video played in court shows Sanchez shouting for Moonesinghe to drop his weapon without identifying himself as police. Less than a second later, Sanchez opened fire.

Several Austin police officials, including those in the departments chain of command, testified that Sanchezs actions did not violate the Police Departments use-of-force policy. They said the officer likely believed he was confronting an active shooter, and that Moonesinghes low-ready stance  holding a rifle pointed toward the ground  can still signal a threat under department training.

Action will always beat reaction, said Jeffrey Woodward, a 19-year Police Department veteran who also trained Sanchez at the police academy. Officers are taught to respond immediately when someone holds a rifle in that position, he said, because it takes only a moment to raise and fire.

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Police Department Chief of Staff Robin Henderson, who was serving as interim chief at the time of the shooting, outlined how the departments use-of-force policy is created and updated. The process involves multiple layers of review, she said, and instructors are prohibited from teaching tactics not allowed under the policy.

Austin police officer Daniel Sanchez listens during his trial at the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. Sanchez is charged with felony deadly conduct in the 2022 shooting death of tech entrepreneur Rajan Moonesinghe outside Moonesinghes Bouldin Creek home. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Henderson also stood by her earlier public statement that Sanchez acted consistent with his training, though she acknowledged under cross-examination that its uncommon for a police chief to publicly support an officer facing criminal charges.

The prosecution rested its case Monday after presenting video footage, forensic evidence and emotional testimony from Moonesinghes family.

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Testimony from a medical examiner said toxicology tests conducted as part of an autopsy showed Moonesinghe had a blood-alcohol level of 0.33% and traces of cocaine in his system at the time of the incident. Defense attorneys have argued the substances could have affected his judgment and behavior.
Rep. Terry Wilson, R-Georgetown, speaks at a meeting of the Select Committee on Civil Discourse and Freedom of Speech in Higher Education at the Capitol on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

University of Texas President Jim Davis told lawmakers Thursday that his campus aims to better foster civil discourse and produce compassionate, informed students through reforms to core curriculum and an unwavering commitment to free speech.

Davis fielded questions from a joint legislative committee on civil discourse and free speech that formed in the days following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The UT president sought to assure lawmakers that the states flagship is not only complying, but embracing new laws. He vowed to create a culture on campus where speech remains civil, with conduct that intimidates or interferes with others speech punished.

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University of Texas President Jim Davis greets Rep. Shelby Slawson, R-Stephenville, before a meeting of the Select Committee on Civil Discourse and Freedom of Speech in Higher Education at the Capitol on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Rep. Terry Wilson, R-Georgetown, right, speaks to University of Texas President Jim Davis before a meeting of the Select Committee on Civil Discourse and Freedom of Speech in Higher Education at the Capitol on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman University of Texas President Jim Davis, left, and Wynn Rosser, commissioner of higher education with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, testifies at a meeting of the Select Committee on Civil Discourse & Freedom Speech in Higher Education at the Capitol on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, speaks at a meeting of the Select Committee on Civil Discourse and Freedom of Speech in Higher Education at the Capitol on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Wynn Rosser, commissioner of higher education with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, left, and University of Texas President Jim Davis testify at a meeting of the Select Committee on Civil Discourse & Freedom Speech in Higher Education at the Capitol on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, speaks at a meeting of the Select Committee on Civil Discourse and Freedom of Speech in Higher Education at the Capitol on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman University of Texas President Jim Davis, right, and Wynn Rosser, commissioner of higher education with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, testify at a meeting of the Select Committee on Civil Discourse & Freedom Speech in Higher Education at the Capitol on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Rep. Terry Wilson, R-Georgetown, speaks at a meeting of the Select Committee on Civil Discourse and Freedom of Speech in Higher Education at the Capitol on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Wynn Rosser, commissioner of higher education with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, prepares to testify at a meeting of the Select Committee on Civil Discourse & Freedom Speech in Higher Education at the Capitol on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Sen. Chuy Hinojosa, D-McAllen, listens at a meeting of the Select Committee on Civil Discourse and Freedom of Speech in Higher Education at the Capitol on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Wynn Rosser, commissioner of higher education with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, testifies at a meeting of the Select Committee on Civil Discourse & Freedom Speech in Higher Education at the Capitol on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Rickey Adam, South-Central regional manager of Turning Point USA, prepares to testify at a meeting of the Select Committee on Civil Discourse & Freedom of Speech in Higher Education at the Capitol on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

The joint committee  chaired by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, and Rep. Terry Wilson, R-Georgetown  was charged with ensuring public universities are safe and welcoming places for speech in honor of Kirk, who founded Turning Point USA, an organization for conservative youth with hundreds of chapters across the country.

On Thursday, lawmakers scrutinized the implementation of the higher education reform bills Senate Bill 37 and Senate Bill 2972  often called the Campus Protection Act  while also seeking to understand the state of free speech and civil debate, particularly for conservative students who Kirk empowered. An injunction, which the state said it will fight, bars the UT system from enforcing certain aspects of SB 2972 as the suit over its restrictions ensues.

University of Texas President Jim Davis testifies at a meeting of the Select Committee on Civil Discourse & Freedom Speech in Higher Education at the Capitol on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

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Bettencourt described conduct on college campuses appearing to celebrate Kirks assassination as the tearing of the social fabric. He condemned political violence on both sides of the aisle, including the assassination of Minnesota state representative Melissa Hortman, and said a fundamental shift is needed on college campuses to ensure no violence is ever celebrated.

Political assassination cannot be condoned in this country, period, Bettencourt said. I hope what were doing here today is establish common ground, and look at what this problem is for what it really is.

The hearing, which also featured a Turning Point USA representative, a Texas deputy attorney general, student government leaders and UTs vice president for legal affairs, toed the tenuous line between encouraging free speech and discouraging offensive speech that, though legal, may lead to disruption or discomfort.

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It also marked the first time lawmakers met publicly after a tumultuous fall  rife with politically charged employment decisions and curriculum debates amid a renewed effort to rid campuses of liberal ideology that faculty say censors their ability to teach politically unpopular fields.

Lawmakers said transparency in the classroom and in school and university policies is needed to rebuild trust, as well as a commitment to civil debate and free speech from the institutions themselves.

Public accountability

Wynn Rosser, commissioner of higher education with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, leaves after testifying at a meeting of the Select Committee on Civil Discourse & Freedom Speech in Higher Education at the Capitol on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Wilson, the house co-chair of the committee, said public universities are charged with ensuring every student can learn in an environment without fear while safeguarding free speech. When it doesnt, he said the integrity of higher education itself is at risk.

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Academic freedom is not the license to defy public accountability, Wilson added.

In recent months, Gov. Greg Abbott called for two public universities to remove students from campus for conduct perceived to celebrate Kirks death. Free speech experts speculated the removals may have violated the students rights. The termination of professors, which also followed conservative activism online, raised academic freedom concerns among professors.

When asked how he would handle offensive and hateful speech at UT, Davis made a distinction between speech and conduct. He said that while even abhorrent speech is protected, a hecklers veto or disruptive conduct is not.

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He also touted a new core curriculum as a solution to societys lack of tolerance of civil discourse. This curriculum, which would be required for all Longhorns, will nurture an understanding of truth, goodness, wisdom and fairness that will encourage compassion over division, Davis said.

Last year the university ended its required Flags curriculum, which were required courses for all UT students in ethics, intellectual reasoning and cultural diversity. Davis launched a core curriculum committee this fall to create a set of classes that will prepare students for civic and academic success.

There are times people say things that are callous and cruel forgetting the humanity of the people they talk about. They also have that right. But that does not make it good, Davis said. I ask, What can we do as a university to better fulfill our core purpose, which is to transform lives for the benefit of society? 

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Sen. Chuy Hinojosa, D-McAllen, speaks at a meeting of the Select Committee on Civil Discourse and Freedom of Speech in Higher Education at the Capitol on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Democratic lawmakers on the panel pushed Davis on how UT would handle situations where professors are targeted on social media for controversial liberal speech, as the Texas A&M University and Texas State University professors were prior to their termination. Davis said the university has multiple mechanisms for students to voice their disagreements and fairly review facts, and that he is committed to being an active part of fielding students concerns.

When Sen. Juan Chuy Hinojosa, D-McAllen, pushed, Davis said the university offers due process to professors and mechanisms to protect them from false allegations and is committed to fairness and justice in our process.

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Bettencourt said UT sets best practices in terms of committing to free speech and academic responsibility, while embracing Texas laws, in a way other universities havent.

What Ive seen is that theyre ahead on policies that relate to free speech and civil discourse, Bettencourt said in an interview. His attitude is different. (President Jim Davis) is not just trying to weakly comply. Hes trying to strongly comply and embrace the concept of free speech with civil discourse for everyone.

Amanda Cochran-McCall, UTs vice president for legal affairs, said the institution encourages free speech and doesnt tolerate viewpoint discrimination or disruption. Though hate speech is not punishable, pervasive harassment and incitement to violence is, she said.

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Our policies ensure that everyone gets to speak (but not) at the expense of someone elses education or the ability to express their own viewpoint, she said. Allowing non-disruptive free expression is key to fostering the marketplace of ideas that weve all been talking about here today, and its central to the function of a public university.

Rep. Richard Pena Raymond, D-Laredo, said he thinks the question of what speech universities are allowed to punish will eventually go to the Supreme Court, but Texas universities must draw the line to not allow hateful, violent or un-American speech. He later walked that back when his colleagues, including Rep. James Frank, R-Witchita Falls, disagreed in prohibiting hateful speech, saying lawmakers must work to encourage free speech instead of judging its content.

Because the reality is, if you get to define what hate speech is, then nobodys talking on college campuses, nobody. Frank said. The things that were really looking at today is what is the governments role in ensuring that freedom of speech happens?

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Bettencourt said he is optimistic lawmakers can help fix the problems in higher education by mandating transparency from professors and universities around teaching, ensuring regents are in charge through SB 37s enforcement and upholding the importance of civil discourse.

The first hearing of the joint committee, he said, was meant to identify problems that led to threatening speech or glorifying political violence. But he also said lawmakers strive not just to protect conservative speech, but all speech, understanding that speech on both sides can be targeted.

This is a big issue, and its also like Occams razor, you could go and fall off on either side, Bettencourt said in an interview. Were gonna take some time to make sure we know exactly the magnitude of the problem, and then were going to bring all the major institutions back in to have a discussion about where we need to go next.
Texas A&M University in College Station, Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Texas A&M System Regents approved a policy prohibiting its 12 universities from teaching course content that advocates for race or gender ideology unless they are approved by the institutions president or a designee  becoming the first system in Texas to impose such a ban.

The policy follows the high-profile firing of Texas A&M Professor Melissa McCoul after a viral video of a student accusing her of illegally teaching gender ideology caught the attention of Gov. Greg Abbott. Though no law in Texas bars such teaching, McCoul, herdepartment chair and dean lost their jobs, and president Mark Welsh resigned amid criticism he mishandled it. The university system later approved a $3.5 million payout to Welsh.

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Regents agreed the system must lead the way with an in-depth and reputable review of our courses so that we can, simply put, make sure we are educating, not advocating, said Regent Sam Torn, chair of the committee on academic and student affairs in his opening remarks.

Curriculum is created and approved based on the accepted body of knowledge needed for our students to be successful in their chosen profession, Torn said. It is unacceptable for other material to be taught instead.

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The language in the policy softened from its initial draft  changing the prohibited action from teaching to advocating.

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You were heard, Regent Bob Albritton told those who publicly testified. More than 140 people submitted written testimony, with a large majority against the measure. Critics said the policy would infringe on their ability to teach about race and gender and would violate the principle of academic freedom.

Regent John Bellinger said professors should use common sense in how they teach, responding to public testimony from faculty members who said they would be restricted in how they teach the Holocaust. Albritton agreed the policy only pertains to advocacy.

The Texas A&M System, which serves 175,000 students, is the second largest university system in the state. Regents also passed a measure to require faculty to teach the approved syllabus, limiting a professors ability to tailor a class to their expertise.

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The policies will take time to implement, a system official told the Houston Chronicle. The boards goal is to review courses under this policy in the next few weeks.

It is not clear how and if ethnic studies and womens and gender studies programs across the institutions will be impacted, or what would be used to determine if a course is advocating instead of teaching. Regents previously created a hotline called ethicspoint, which they said students could use to report classes they think may be in violation.

The policy defines race ideology 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.

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McCoul, the fired professor, had an expertise in womens and gender studies and had taught the childrens literature course since 2018. Though she indicated the texts she was planning to use in her version of the syllabus, it did not match the syllabus used to approve the course, the university said.

Welsh said she was fired for academic responsibility, not academic freedom. McCoul is appealing her termination, and her lawyer has said she was never asked to teach in a different way.

The Texas A&M System initiated a course audit of all its courses immediately after the scandal to increase transparency and add additional review. UT System followed with its own course audit for gender identity and will meet next week for their quarterly meeting.

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Texas A&M University Systems new policy is the latest escalation in a conservative push to rid higher education of liberal indoctrination.

Leonard Bright, the president of Texas A&M Universitys American Association of University Professors chapter, previously told the American-Statesman that the policy will open faculty up to further scrutiny over the content of their education and self-censorship.

Were going to have to tell (students) with a straight face that I cannot teach this without getting bullied, Bright had said. Its going to severely impact our classes in ways that we cant even we cant even predict.

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Samantha Ketterer, higher education reporter for the Houston Chronicle, contributed to this report.
Jim Duncan, a retired city planner, has written more than 600 short histories of Austin businesses. We introduced him and this series, Jim Duncans Austin, on July 6. This week, we adapt three of his bank stories, which give a sense of the larger historical forces at work.  Michael Barnes

1890: Austin National Bank

Austin National Bank in 1948. Neal Douglass/Austin History Center ND-48-A023-01

Before Austin National Bank met its demise in the savings and loan meltdown of the 1980s  and was absorbed by NationsBank and eventually Bank of America  it occupied six downtown buildings of ever-increasing size.

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Founded in 1890 in the Hancock Building at 122 W. Sixth St., it moved into a building at 507 Congress Avenue in 1895, expanding it in 1911.

In 1930, it added 509 Congress Ave. and built a new Art Deco building. In 1948, it added 511 Congress Ave. and built an even bigger Art Deco building. In 1963, it built a six-story building.

In 1975, it built a 26-story black glass-and-steel high-rise at East Sixth Street and Congress Avenue that was the first and last downtown structure to ignore city and state rules for Capitol View Corridors. For a decade, it was the tallest building downtown.

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An Austin National Bank co-founder, Ira Hobart Evans, just might be the most accomplished Austinite youve never heard of. He had an extraordinary career not just in business, but also in the military, politics and education.

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As a 20-year-old Union Army officer  commanding a Black brigade  he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor; as a 25-year-old member of the Texas Legislature, he was the youngest-ever House Speaker; and as an educator, he was president of Huston-Tillotson College. Evans was born in Vermont and died in San Diego, but spent most of his life in Austin.

1954 American Bank/McGarrah-Jessee

Seymour Fogel's restored mural dominates the lobby of the renovated midcentury modern American Bank Building on West Sixth Street. It is now the offices of McGarrah Jessee. [Contributed] Austin 360

From the outset, the five-story brick-and-glass building at 121 W. Sixth St. was an iconoclast both in form and function. Like many buildings from the 1950s, it is midcentury modern in style.

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Some of its innovative features include the placement of parking on the top floor and drive-thru lanes in the basement. On the roof is a terrace occupied by a bar and helipad, complete with an old Volkswagen Beetle retrofitted with a helicopter rotor.

It also introduced Austin to its first escalator and a monumental abstract mural by the internationally famous artist Seymour Fogel.

For its first 30 years, the building was home to the American National Bank. After the bank failed in the early 1990s, it was acquired by the state and used as an annex for the Texas comptroller's office for another 25 years.

After falling into disrepair, it was listed in 2009 by Preservation Texas as one of the state's most endangered places. In 2011, it was rescued and renovated by McGarrah-Jessee, an advertising firm. The resurrection was recognized by AIA Austin, which awarded the building its 2011 Citation of Honor.

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1988: Bank/Tower of the Hills

No structure better symbolizes the negative impact of the 1980s savings and loan meltdown on local real estate than the 10-story tower at 13809 Research Blvd. in Northwest Austin.

In 1988, the $13 million, 175,000-square-foot building opened as the new flagship headquarters for the then-booming Bank of the Hills. The 15-year-old Cedar Park-chartered bank had been bought by the LBJ Company in 1978. Luci Johnson Turpin was chair of the bank board.

A two-night grand opening gala in January 1988 was attended by 3,000 customers and VIPs. The celebratory mood was short-lived, however.

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The timing of the building's entry into the local real estate market could not have been worse, for it was at the beginning of a precipitous drop in Austin property values. Three years later, the bank was declared insolvent and ownership of the building was assumed by Team Bank, which rebranded it Tower of the Hills.

Afterward, ownership of the building followed the bouncing bank ball, with Team Bank becoming Bank One in 1992 and Bank One becoming Chase Bank in 2004.

Almost four decades later, the building is still the tallest in far Northwest Austin and, for many old-timers, stands as an enduring bridge too far memory when it comes to real estate investments.

Most recent entries from 'Jim Duncan's Austin'



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Austin-Travis County EMS paramedic Justin Chandler, left to right, Austin police officer Jaime von Seltmann and Integral Care Clinician Christopher Moore are part of a pilot mental health emergency response program. This program must be sustained as a core public safety priority, Kathy Mitchell writes. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

With the recent defeat of Austin's Proposition Q property tax hike, it is time for the city to find a lot of money.

The hotel tax cant pay for EMS. Theres no creative way to divert funds from the Austin Convention Center to park maintenance. And there will be no magical efficiency savings. Despite frustration over an expensive city logo and City Council office budgets, the general fund budget is largely fixed. It pays staff to mow parks, take in stray animals, drive ambulances and reshelve library books. Most of that money goes to traditional public safety departments. So lets start there.

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The latest Austin Police contract gave officers a 28% raise over five years  a commitment the city couldnt afford then and still cant afford now. Without Prop Q, the city manager should immediately reopen and renegotiate this costly deal.

Instead, that option has been blocked. Three days after Prop Qs defeat, the citys chief financial officer declared there was no need to revisit the police contract because last summers draft budget already accounted for those expenses  even though it left many others unfunded.

But no one elected the city manager. Our elected officials, not city staff, must decide how tax dollars are spent. The council should insist that the CFO reconsider his determination in light of the councils current priorities.

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To be clear, reopening the police contract wont fix the current years deficit  officers already have their raises. So the council must also take a hard look at the still-pending fire union contract. The Austin Fire Department, with a $264 million budget, is the next largest general-fund department, and most of that money goes to salaries. Firefighters are asking for more staff and higher pay  understandable requests in normal times. But in this budget crisis, that new contract, not yet finalized, would deepen the citys structural deficit. The council should preserve every available dollar, including those already set aside for the fire contract, to protect services now facing cuts.

Meanwhile, the budget included long-overdue EMS staffing increases  relying on Prop Q dollars that will never arrive. EMS has long been underfunded and undervalued, yet in recent years its been EMS professionals who stepped up to launch and staff the citys alternative response program for mental health crises, in partnership with Integral Cares newly unionized mental health workers. This program must be sustained as a core public safety priority.

Because most of the general fund already goes to public safety, Austin needs an honest discussion about what public safety really means. We should recognize that order and safety are not the same thing  and much of what residents want as order can be delivered more effectively and less expensively by other departments.

That brings us to services that help unhoused people find housing, as well as programs that keep public spaces orderly. The city manager has proposed cutting nearly all of this. That would be a disaster  leading to more visible disorder, higher costs to expand jails we dont need, and needless suffering for people with disabilities, mental illness and extreme poverty.

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After Prop Qs defeat, Mayor Kirk Watson said the council should simply pass the managers original budget. That would mean keeping the police contract as written while eliminating homeless services, park maintenance funding, EMS mental health responders, climate programs, and money to replace lost federal public-health grants  and much more.

Voters did not tell the council to abandon core city services or the values that define Austin. If anything, they sent a message that the city must spend wisely, with backbone and clarity about what matters most. Our leaders should protect the essential services that keep this city compassionate, functional, and fair  even in tough fiscal times.

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Gov. Greg Abbott passes by supporters Nov. 9 after announcing his re-election campaign for Texas governor in Houston. Abbott is seeking an historic fourth term, which would position him to become the longest-serving governor in Texas history, surpassing the 14 years served by Rick Perry. Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle

The perpetual re-eligibility of the President. This I fear will make that an office for life first, and then hereditary.

 Thomas Jefferson

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I am a registered Republican, and I have voted for Gov. Greg Abbott in previous elections. I believe in common-sense governing, accountability to constituents and term limits. Its because of those principles  not despite them  that I believe that Texas must amend our state constitution to impose term limits on the governors office.

Nearly 80 years ago, after Franklin D. Roosevelt won his fourth term as president of the United States, many Americans  even those who supported him  worried about one man holding too much executive power for too long. In response, legislators listened to the concerns of their constituents and passed the 22nd Amendment, capping the presidency at two terms and ensuring that no one could become an elected king.

Here in Texas, there is no such protection in our state constitution.

The Texas Constitution offers safeguards for many things  but not for threats from within. One of those threats is the possibility that a single person could remain in power indefinitely, so long as political conditions allow. In a true democracy, an elected leader does not perpetually run for the same office. This is a tactic we more often associate with undemocratic regimes, where leaders bully or suppress their competition until they become the permanent face of their office. Many super PACs, billionaires, government officials and party leaders may cheer this on, but others, including members of the governors own party, recognize how undemocratic and harmful this trend is for the future of Texas.

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While this article arises out of Abbott's unprecedented bid for a fourth term, it is ultimately a call to all future governors who may be tempted to pursue indefinite re-election. This is about protecting the principles of peace, regular transitions of power and the healthy exchange of new ideas.

Gov. Coke R. Stevenson, who served from 1941-1947 exemplified this ideal. As The New Yorker reported: In 1946, he was asked  by newspaper editorials, by politicians, and by letters pouring in a flood into the gubernatorial mansion  to run for an unprecedented third term as governor. Polls showed that his popularity was as immense as ever; even the liberal Austin American-Statesman was forced to report that he was so idolized in the capital that one state official seemed to believe that when he dies, he will go to Coke Stevenson. (The American-Statesman also admitted that although it had frequently criticized Stevensons record, he sincerely wanted to leave the State better off than it was when he came here, and he probably will.) Stevenson refused even to consider a third term. He felt that the prohibition against it was an unwritten article of his beloved Constitution and, as such, inviolate. When his term was over, he stuck his old Stetson on his head and went home to his ranch.

Stevenson recognized what too many politicians have forgotten: No office should belong to any one person indefinitely.

Term limits are not about punishing politicians who are successful. They are about giving more citizens the opportunity to lead, ensuring the free flow of ideas, and protecting the public from entrenched political machines. Just as term limits have strengthened the executive branch at the federal level, so too can they improve the integrity of the governors office in Texas.

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If you believe in the values of our democracy  rotation, accountability and restraint  then the conversation around gubernatorial term limits isnt just a good idea. Frankly, it is overdue.

I call on Abbott and every other candidate running for governor  Republican or Democrat  to bring this issue before the Legislature and enshrine this as an amendment in our state constitution.

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Pedestrians walk across the faded rainbow crosswalk last month on 4th Street in Downtown Austin. While the governor has ordered cities to remove such street art, studies have found decorative crosswalks improve visibility and reduce crashes. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman

A Zilker neighborhood walkway where neighbors have built community known as Fairy Alley. A mural commemorating the people who died in the 2013 Onion Creek Floods. Footprints  both human and dinosaur  stenciled by schoolchildren. The word TEXAS.

These and a dozen other creatively painted crosswalks and roadways in Austin are at risk of being painted over thanks to a federal initiative that Gov. Greg Abbott decided to implement statewide. Last month, he directed the Texas Department of Transportation to ensure cities and counties remove non-standard surface markings on roads including symbols, flags, or other markings conveying social, political, or ideological messages  supposedly in the name of roadway safety.

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But the order's unmistakable, if unspoken, targets are community markers like East 11th Streets Black Artists Matter street mural and the LGBTQ+ rainbow crosswalks on Montrose Street, Manor Road and elsewhere. The concerns of roadway safety are a flimsy smokescreen for the bigotry behind this initiative, which plainly aims to erase Black and queer Americans from public spaces.

Studies have shown that street murals make intersections safer  reducing crashes and helping drivers see cyclists and pedestrians more clearly. And in its letter to TxDOT requesting an exemption from complying with the directive, city officials noted that crash rates dropped by almost half and collisions with pedestrians dropped to zero at all of Austins painted roadway sites.

If the goal is to keep Texans safe, TxDOT should grant Austin and other cities requests for exemption to its directive. Better yet, Abbott should rescind the order altogether.

In addition to increasing road safety, these murals and crosswalks improve mental well-being by promoting a sense of safety and belonging. The Trump administration officials behind the Safe Roads initiative and the state leaders eagerly imposing it have shown they are willing to trade cultural expression for exclusion  sending a message that some Texans dont belong.

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Zilker neighborhood families gathered Nov. 7 for the Save Fairy Alley Rally, as the beloved community alley is among those threatened by a state directive to remove community-painted streets. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman

And other beloved community spots are getting ensnared, such as Austin's Fairy Alley, which Zilker resident Suvi Aika transformed from an overgrown trash heap to a neighborhood gathering point with a lot of elbow grease and asphalt paint. In Lubbock, crosswalks painted to resemble the iconic horn-rimmed glasses worn by that citys biggest claim to fame, rock 'n' roll pioneer Buddy Holly, are on the chopping block. In Kerrville, its crosswalks painted to symbolize the Guadalupe River. Caterpillars, butterflies and turtles (but not one rainbow) adorn the pavement that San Marcos may have to cover up.

And back here in Austin, where even the Capitol decor from the dome to the door hinges bear the state's name, Abbott's street-scrubbing mandate would remove the "TEXAS" lettering painted on Guadalupe Street a mile away. Surely our governor doesn't want to be remembered as the guy who took "TEXAS" out of Austin.

Abbott always keeps a small government shot in the chamber for signing laws bypassing local business regulations, yet here he welcomes the federal steamrolling of local control. And while he has decried "out of control" spending by local governments, his directive would force Austin to spend about $140,000 removing street murals, money that would be better spent on key services.

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Abbott would do better to ask TxDOT what would improve Texas roadways. According to the agency's transit plan released last month, the answer isn't paint  it's more public transportation to handle the state's rapid growth. The report cited a 2023 poll: 86% of Texans agreed. Texans want a stronger, safer communities, not a narrower version of who belongs in them.

Public art tells us who we are and what we value. Erasing it doesnt make our roads safer. It just makes Texas smaller.


A person holds an American flag while attending a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. A reader says its time to unite, reject hatred and work together for all Americans. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

Let's work together

Once, Democrats proudly called themselves the Party of the People. That was long ago. Many Americans, including some Democrats, chose Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris because they were tired of the same failed leadership.

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In his first term, President Trump made more meaningful changes than Barack Obama and Joe Biden did in their 12 combined years. Democrats, meanwhile, have offered no real plan to strengthen our nation or make life more affordable. Under their leadership, families struggle to buy homes and groceries, and our streets and schools are less safe.

Rather than focus on solutions, Democrats seem obsessed with opposing everything Trump does. Their anger and misinformation divide Americans and prevent us from working together, even on common goals. Ive seen friendships end over political differences  proof that were losing tolerance for one another.

We dont have to agree, but we must respect one another and our country. If we keep fighting, our nations greatness will fade. Its time to unite, reject hatred and work together for all Americans. God bless America.

Peter Stern, Driftwood

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Don't count on it

The Senate Democrats got played in the deal to reopen the government. Who really believes that Republicans will seriously discuss Affordable Care Act subsidies come January? I dont, and mark my words on that assumption.

Andrew L. Norton, Dallas

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Rethink prisons

If Texas released seven out of every eight people in prison, wed match Canadas incarceration rate  yet Canada isnt less safe. Texas imprisons 751 people per 100,000 residents, compared to Canadas 88, but our higher incarceration rate hasnt made us safer or reduced crime.

What it has done is generate profits. Texas Correctional Industries makes more than $70 million a year using prison labor. For-profit interests benefit from tough on crime policies that over-criminalize and over-punish, especially in marginalized communities. Those same interests lobby lawmakers for harsher sentencing and more policing  not to improve safety, but to protect their bottom line.

Meanwhile, pre-trial incarceration has more than doubled since 2000, costing taxpayers $1.2 billion annually and disrupting the lives of thousands who havent even been convicted. Bail and detention practices enrich private industry while deepening cycles of poverty and crime.

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If locking up so many people hasnt made Texas safer, why continue? Its time to question a system that profits from incarceration and ruins lives under the guise of public safety.
MOSCOW, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Russian air defense systems have shot down 157 fixed-wing drones, a guided aerial bomb and a long-range Neptune missile, Russia's Defense Ministry said Thursday.

Russia's Black Sea Fleet also destroyed four Ukrainian unmanned boats, the ministry added.

Since the start of the special military operation, Russia has destroyed 668 aircraft, 283 helicopters and 96,284 drones, according to the ministry.

In total, it said, 636 surface-to-air missile systems, 26,000 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 1,611 multiple rocket launchers, 31,274 field artillery pieces and mortars, and 46,560 special military vehicles have been destroyed. 
President Donald Trump signed a spending deal Wednesday night that includes a ban on nearly all THC products, dealing a potentially fatal blow to the Texas hemp industry, which had narrowly staved off a state ban earlier this year.

The restrictions, which wouldnt take effect for another year, were written into the spending package to end the government shutdown. The deal passed the U.S. Senate earlier this week and cleared the U.S. House by a 222-209 vote Wednesday.

Fate Fowler stirs a mixture used to make homemade hemp-derived delta-9 THC lollipops at Custom Botanical Dispensary in Austin, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. The shop sells homemade and custom THC infused edibles, and can continue to do so now that the THC ban bill died. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman A selection of THCa hemp flowers are shown at The Cobo Dispensary, 4403 Buck St., in Houston, Friday, March 14, 2025. Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspap/Houston Chronicle via Getty Imag Pre-rolled empty blunts from Day Savers 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 Hemp-derived delta-9 THC lollipops are assembled at Custom Botanical Dispensary in Austin, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. The shop sells homemade and custom THC infused edibles, and can continue to do so now that the THC ban bill died. The Austin American-Statesman/He/The Austin American-Statesman vi Colton Luther a hemp farmer from Hempstead, speaks against SB3, which would restrict THC, on the last day of the 89th Texas Legislature at the Capitol in Austin, Monday, June 2, 2025. The Austin American-Statesman/He/The Austin American-Statesman vi THC products at Bahama Mama on Montrose Blvd. are photographed on Thursday, May 29, 2025 in Houston. Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspap/Houston Chronicle via Getty Imag Bahama Mama on Montrose Blvd. is photographed on Thursday, May 29, 2025 in Houston. Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspap/Houston Chronicle via Getty Imag Owner of Serenity Organics, Melanne Carpenter is photographed helping a customer on Saturday, May 31, 2025 in Missouri City. Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspap/Houston Chronicle via Getty Imag Johann and Tania Schirmer purchase products from Sarah Kerver at Austin Custom Botanical Dispensary in Austin, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. The dispensary sells only third-party tested, Texas manufactured products. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman

The vote on the package split mostly along party lines, with six Democrats, including U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar of Laredo, in favor, and two Republicans against.

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The legislation caps the amount of allowable THC, the intoxicating compound found in marijuana and hemp products, at 0.4 milligrams per package. Nearly all currently-available products would have to be removed from shelves, including edibles, beverages, and smokable forms of hemp.

Marijuana, the higher-THC version of hemp, is still illegal at the federal level, though several states operate medicinal and recreational programs.

The ban is similar to one that passed the Texas Legislature this year before ultimately being vetoed by Gov. Greg Abbott. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and other prominent hemp opponents claim the industry is taking advantage of a loophole in federal law to sell and market intoxicating products to children and adults.

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It was not immediately clear Wednesday night how or whether the ban would impact ongoing rule changes being made at Texas state agencies to comply with Abbotts August executive order to create new 21-and-up age restrictions.

U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky added the hemp provision into the spending bill; an amendment to scrap the language later failed in the Senate on a bipartisan vote, with U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz one of only two Republicans to vote against a ban.

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Some members of the House, including U.S. Reps. Dan Crenshaw and Democrats Sylvia Garcia of Houston and Marc Veasey of Fort Worth, previously pushed for the hemp language to be removed, saying any regulations should be decided on a state-to-state basis. But even the Republicans who signed the letter, including Crenshaw, ultimately voted for the wider package Wednesday night.
U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, cast votes aligned with former President Donald Trump's position more than 40% of the time. He faces a rematch with progressive Democrat Jessica Cisneros, who is calling him corrupt. Alex Brandon/AP Rep. Henry Cuellar speaks during a press conference at Opportunity Home headquarters in San Antonio on Oct. 30, 2024. Marvin Pfeiffer/Staff Photographer

U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar was the lone Texas Democrat to cross party lines on Wednesday and support a short-term spending bill to end the more than 40-day government shutdown.

The South Texas centrist joined nearly all Republicans and five other House Democrats in favor of the measure, which passed 222-209 and was expected to quickly be signed into law by President Donald Trump. Cuellar broke with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-NY, who had opposed the legislation for not including extended healthcare subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the year.

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Cuellar had previously supported the Democrats' stand, voting against the spending bill when it came up for a vote on Sept. 19. But his messaging changed this weekend as the shutdown dragged on, leaving millions of federal workers without pay, food stamp benefits delayed and airport security lines snarled.

After the U.S. Senate reached a short-term spending deal on Sunday that would fund the government through Jan. 30, Cuellar indicated his support.

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"This marks the most meaningful movement toward compromise in weeks," he wrote on social media. "Its past time to put country over party and get our government working again for the American people."

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Cuellar's vote was not critical for the bill's passage in the House, given the final 13-vote margin. But he drew a distinction between himself and the party's rank and file, most of whom appeared willing to let the shutdown continue until their demands were met.

U.S. Rep. Greg Casar of Austin, who chairs the Congressional Progressive Caucus, attacked the deal as a capitulation, "not a compromise."

"A deal that doesnt reduce health care costs is a betrayal of millions of Americans counting on Democrats to fight for them," he said.

Cuellar is expected to face a competitive reelection bid in next year's midterm elections after Texas Republicans redrew the state's congressional districts over the summer.

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Cuellar's was one of five seats targeted, including those currently held by U.S. Reps. Al Green of Houston, Lloyd Doggett of Austin, Julie Johnson of North Texas and Vicente Gonzalez of McAllen.
A family enjoys warmth enabled by an air-source heat pump at Moshifang Village of Zhuanghe City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Nov. 1, 2025. (Xinhua)

SHENYANG, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Waking up in his house in Hongchang Village, Zhuanghe City in northeast China's Liaoning Province, 76-year-old Zhuang Derong can finally bid farewell to the coal-burning stove he has relied on for decades.

Zhuang used to rise before dawn every winter to clean and light his stove for warmth. This year, with a newly installed air-source heat pump, he is freed from the smoky, exhausting routine.

For many rural households in northern China, burning coal has long been the primary way to stay warm in winter, but it has also caused heavy air pollution and frequent safety hazards such as carbon monoxide poisoning.

In recent years, China has been promoting cleaner, safer and more cost-effective heating methods through technologies such as air-source heat pumps, biomass heating, and solar power, heralding cleaner skies and warmer homes across its vast rural regions.

Zhuang said that his new heat pump is not only more efficient but also much safer than the old coal stove. Powered by electricity, it absorbs heat energy from the outdoor air and releases it indoors, eliminating the risks associated with incomplete coal combustion.

In Liaoning, rural residents who switch from coal to electric heating can enjoy discounted electricity rates. "Electric heating would save me more than 300 yuan (about 42.3 U.S. dollars) compared with burning coal this winter," said Wang Yongchun, a villager from Maokui Village in Zhuanghe City who started using electric heating this year.

According to the local power supply company, over 1,130 households in Zhuanghe have been connected to electric heating systems so far this year, with the number steadily increasing.

Other rural residents in the province are also reaping the benefits of clean heating. Qi Shuhua, a local resident of Fuxin Mongolian Autonomous County, said her family now enjoys greater comfort and lower costs after switching to a centralized heating system.

Instead of coal, the system operates on a biomass heating network that serves four nearby towns, using corn stalks -- once considered agricultural waste -- as fuel. According to Qi, the system keeps her four-room bungalow above 20 degrees Celsius all day while saving several hundred yuan each winter.

In Guantao County, north China's Hebei Province, around 1.2 million-meter-long pipelines lie beneath a tranquil park lake. These pipelines store solar heat in the underwater facilities, providing heating for more than 20,000 local residents in winter.

Driven by supportive policies and technological advances, the clean heating rate in northern China's rural areas has seen a significant increase.

According to a white paper released by China's State Council Information Office last week, by the end of 2024, over 40 million rural households in northern China had completed clean heating upgrades, which raised the clean heating rate to 83 percent, nearly 20 percentage points higher than in 2020.

Reduced coal consumption has contributed to the return of blue skies across much of northern China. Data show that PM 2.5 concentrations in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region have dropped by about 40 percent compared with a decade ago, with air quality significantly improved.

In northwest China's Qinghai Province, "solar-powered houses" equipped with photovoltaic panels and smart microgrid systems have provided residents of Tu'ergan Village, Huangyuan County, with stable and self-sufficient electricity.

"I never thought houses could generate their own electricity," said Yang Qinxiu, a 46-year-old villager. "Now our rooms are warm, and our daily power needs are fully met."

Qinghai, known for its long, cold winters, is also blessed with abundant sunshine. The province has vigorously developed solar and wind power to deliver "green electricity," benefiting more than 1 million residents over the past five years.

Yang Fuqiang, a researcher with the Peking University Institute of Energy, noted that while the clean heating campaign has achieved remarkable results, some regions still face challenges due to harsh climates and underdeveloped infrastructure.

Yet these green sparks scattered across the countryside mark a solid step in China's march toward its broader climate goals, as the country aims to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. To reach these goals, the country continues to encourage local governments to explore new clean heating models, strengthen infrastructure and promote technologies tailored to local conditions. 

An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 13, 2023 shows offshore wind turbines in the waters of Zhuanghe City, northeast China's Liaoning Province. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

This photo taken on July 25, 2025 shows bundled corn stalks kept at a biomass heating company in Fuxin Mongolian Autonomous County, northeast China's Liaoning Province. (Xinhua/Wu Jiangmin)
Officials at the base announced on Oct. 28 that a doctor had been suspended Oct. 17 from the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center following a report of misconduct from a patient. (Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center)



An Army spouse filed a lawsuit Monday accusing her doctor at Fort Hood of groping her and recording a medical exam with his phones video camera without permission, according to court records.

The woman, who is identified in the lawsuit as Jane Doe, described how the gynecologist, Maj. Blaine McGraw, pretended to take a call on his phone, then placed the phone in the breast pocket of his clothing. From there, his phone recorded a breast and pelvic exam he conducted on the woman, according to the 13-page lawsuit.

She requested a jury trial and at least $1 million in damages for invasion of privacy, sexual assault and negligence.

Doe also described how McGraw over several appointments blurred the lines of professional conduct by calling her after hours to discuss topics unrelated to her medical care, telling her he had seen all of her tattoos following sedation for a procedure that should not have allowed him access to her upper body, and forcing her to undergo a breast exam when it was not related to her visit.

This lawsuit is the first step in shining a light on this misconduct and restoring justice  holding Blaine McGraw personally accountable and ensuring he is not given any more access or opportunity to harm others, according to the lawsuit petition filed in Bell County, where Fort Hood is located in central Texas.

Officials at the base announced on Oct. 28 that a doctor had been suspended Oct. 17 from the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center following a report of misconduct from a patient.

The Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) began an investigation within hours into the former medical provider. The investigation is ongoing, Fort Hood said Monday in a statement.

Base officials have not confirmed McGraws name, though the date of the suspension provided by the base and the lawsuit match.

As part of the investigation, roughly 1,400 patients at Fort Hood were sent letters about the allegations, and more than 25 were interviewed by criminal investigators, according to a military official familiar with the case but not authorized to speak publicly.

At least one other law firm, National Trial Law, said Wednesday it has filed an administrative claim with the Army on behalf of a Fort Hood patient of McGraws. Another law firm, Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight, said last week it is representing additional patients with the intention of filing claims with the Army.

Administrative claims are authorized under the Federal Tort Claims Act, which permits people to bring a legal claim against the government. It is outside the public court system. The claim filed by Doe is directly against McGraw and does not name the Army or any other federal agency.

Doe learned she had been secretly recorded after being contacted by CID, according to the lawsuit. The video of her was found among similar recordings involving multiple patients. Investigators could not confirm to her whether McGraw shared the photographs or videos.

McGraw, 47, graduated from East Tennessee State Universitys James H. Quillen College of Medicine in 2019, according to online medical license records. He has an active medical license from Hawaii and no documented actions from the state medical board.

Since his suspension, McGraw has entered an in-patient care facility for an unspecified amount of time, according to Bell County records related to a speeding ticket the doctor received back in August. The Army contacted the court Oct. 28, when it became clear he would miss an approaching court date for driving his pickup truck 92 mph where the speed limit was 65.

An attorney for McGraw did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Andrew Cobos, a Houston-based attorney representing Doe and more than 50 other women who were patients of McGraw, said the victims want to see change from the Army.

They do not want this to happen to other women, he said.

His clients include military spouses and service members under McGraws care at Fort Hoods hospital as well as at McGraws previous duty station Tripler Army Medical Center at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

Hospital officials at Tripler laughed off a patients report that McGraw recorded her during an exam without permission, according to the lawsuit.

The Army and Tripler did not respond to a request for comment.

Cobos said his investigation has found systemic, bureaucratic issues that point to an organizational failure, to include the lack of a requirement for a chaperone or nurse to be present during exams.

We want for a serious investigation this time that actually has reform that actually makes a meaningful difference, and not one that is just lip service by the Army, he said.

The misconduct also comes 10 months after the conviction of Maj. Michael Stockin, an Army doctor who sexually abused 41 patients at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. He was sentenced to nearly 14 years in prison.

Affected patients have filed legal claims that the Army did not immediately remove Stockin from his position after receiving complaints about his behavior, which allowed him to harm more people.
A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, launcher is displayed on Guam, Nov. 30, 2023. (Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes)



The Pentagon has already moved prototype gear to Guam ahead of the development of an updated missile defense system there, an Army official said this week.

The unspecified equipment was delivered last fiscal year to the U.S. island territory, Jeannie Sommer, a program director with the Armys Program Executive Office Missiles and Space, said Monday during a Guam defense online forum run by the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance.

Similar equipment was also shipped to South Korea, she said.

U.S. officials see Guams defense as critical to deterring a Chinese attempt to invade Taiwan, which Chinese President Xi Jinping has vowed to reunify by force if necessary.

Construction of the $8 billion Enhanced Integrated Air and Missile Defense System is expected to begin on Guam next year. The projects environmental impact statement is available for public comment until Jan. 8.

The system is expected to incorporate the Armys Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System and the Navys Aegis Combat System found on Arleigh-Burke-class guided-missile destroyers.

The system will include radars, sensors, launchers, interceptors and support facilities at numerous sites on the island to provide continuous 360-degree protection against cruise, ballistic and hypersonic missile attacks.

Guam is home to major military installations, including Naval Base Guam, Andersen Air Force Base and the new Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz. The island has long been called the U.S. militarys tip of the spear in the Indo-Pacific, owing to its proximity to the South China Sea, North Korea and China.

Sommer didnt identify the prototypes delivered to Guam but said capability expected on the island would include the Integrated Battle Command System, the Indirect Fire Protection Capability launcher, the Sentinel A4 and Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor radars and M903 launchers.

Soldiers have been rotating to the island and training with prototypes, Sommer said.

These prototypes really under traditional acquisition would be sitting at White Sands Missile Range undergoing continuous testing there, but were getting them into the hands of soldiers early, she said.

Feedback from the soldiers is being incorporated into the design process, which results in faster delivery, Sommer said.

Learning in an operationally relevant environment versus a controlled test environment is paying enormous dividends already, even though the capabilitys only been there a few months, she said.

The project, Sommer said, aligns with a Nov. 7 message by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who said the Pentagon is revamping how the military buys weapons.

Hegseth, speaking to military leaders and defense contractors in Washington, said the objective is simple: transform the entire acquisition system to operate on a wartime footing, to rapidly accelerate the fielding of capabilities and focus on results.

The first capabilities of the missile defense system will be delivered in fiscal 2027, Sommer said.

What we will do is deliver the initial capabilities and we will incrementally improve over time to realize the full operational capability just a few years later, she said.

Guam already has some defenses, including the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, system, but those capabilities are often supplemented by guided-missile destroyers.

Completion of the missile defense project will alleviate the need for those destroyers to protect Guam, Riki Ellison, founder of the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, said during the online forum.
BEIJING, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and Comorian President Azali Assoumani on Thursday exchanged congratulatory messages on the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Noting that China was the first country to establish diplomatic ties with the Comoros, Xi said over the past half-century, no matter how the international situation has changed, China-Comoros relations have always developed healthily and steadily.

In recent years, political mutual trust between the two countries has been continuously consolidated, and exchanges and cooperation in various fields have achieved fruitful results, setting a model of equal treatment, solidarity and mutual assistance between countries of different sizes, he said.

Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Comoros relations and expressed readiness to work with President Azali to take the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries as an opportunity to carry forward the traditional friendship.

He also called for joint efforts to promote the implementation of the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, keep enriching the China-Comoros strategic partnership, and make greater contributions to building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

In his message, Azali said since the establishment of diplomatic ties 50 years ago, the Comoros and China have maintained mutual respect and trust, standing together in solidarity and building a strong, enduring friendship. The fruitful results of bilateral cooperation have profoundly changed the lives of the Comorian people, he added.

In a world marked by changes and turbulence, the principles of respect for sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, and win-win cooperation, as advocated by President Xi, have inspired Global South countries, including the Comoros, noted the Comorian president.

The Comorian side appreciates China's vision of building a peaceful, just and multipolar world, and stands ready to work with China, under the guidance of the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity, to continue promoting sustainable and inclusive development, and make due contributions to promoting solidarity, cooperation and common prosperity between Africa and China, he said. 
The German navy U-35 is one of the submarines taking part in exercise Playbook Merlin 25 in the Baltic Sea. The five-day NATO exercise is focused on anti-submarine warfare. (NATO)



NAPLES, Italy  NATO allies are strengthening their anti-submarine capabilities this week in the Baltic Sea, a region whose infrastructure network makes it susceptible to Russian mischief threatening Europes security.

The U.S., Sweden and Germany are among nine participants in Playbook Merlin, a five-day exercise that uses advanced technology and techniques to ready submarine crews and surface forces for the realities of undersea operations, NATO said in a statement on Tuesday.

Baltic nations bring an impressive amount of anti-submarine warfare capability to NATO as well as experienced leadership and maritime capacity, U.S. Rear Adm. Bret Grabbe, commander of NATO submarines, said in the statement.

The exercise demonstrates allied navies teamwork to safeguard sea lines of communication, protect critical infrastructure and hone skills in undersea warfare, the statement said.

In January, the alliance created a mission dubbed Baltic Sentry after a string of incidents in which undersea telecommunications cables were cut and energy pipeline flows were disrupted. The mission comprises mostly Baltic countries, such as Germany and Finland.

Exercise Playbook Merlin 25 involves submarines from Germany and Sweden, a U.S. Navy maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, and French, German, Dutch and Swedish surface ships and helicopters. The five-day NATO exercise is focused on anti-submarine warfare. (NATO)



U.S. and European intelligence officials the same month said that the incidents likely were the result of maritime accidents rather than part of a broader campaign of Russian hybrid attacks on Europe, The Washington Post reported.

Still, there appears to have been no similar episodes since late January, and in September, Baltic Sentry broadened its scope to include air defense.

That action, which saw the U.S. contribute the destroyer USS Bulkeley and a Navy P-8 patrol and reconnaissance aircraft to the mission, followed repeated unidentified drone incursions into northern European countries.

Bulkeley left in early October, but Navy P-8 aircraft still periodically support the Baltic Sentry mission, U.S. 6th Fleet said in a statement Thursday. The departure of the destroyer did not preclude future support by a Navy ship, the fleet added.

On Wednesday, a Navy P-8 was on patrol over the Barents Sea about 50 miles from the coast of northwestern Russia, the open-source intelligence analyst @OSINTdefender said in a post on X.

The aircrafts location was near one of Russias largest and most significant bases for its ballistic missile submarines, about 15 miles from the Norwegian border, according to the post.

This years iteration of Playbook Merlin includes a U.S. P-8 and submarines from Sweden and Germany. Surface ships and helicopters from France, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden also are participating, NATO said.

The exercise is led by NATOs Allied Maritime Command and hosted by Sweden. NATO did not identify other participants.
Vice Adm. Patrick Hannifin is new commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet based in Yokosuka, Japan. (John Bellino/U.S. Navy)



This story has been corrected

YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan  The U.S. 7th Fleet, responsible for 48 million square miles of ocean, welcomed Vice Adm. Patrick Hannifin as its new commander Thursday during a ceremony at this base south of Tokyo.

The command, which covers the Navys largest operations area, announced the leadership change on its website. The ceremony, held just as a 43-day U.S. government shutdown ended, was not open to the media.

Hannifin relieved Vice Adm. Fred Kacher, who had commanded the fleet since February 2024.

A San Diego native, Hannifin most recently served as director of operations for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii, a role he took in April 2024.

Before that, he served at Yokosuka as commander of Task Force 70 and Carrier Strike Group 5. The dual-hatted command is responsible for 7th Fleets carrier strike group and any independently deployed cruisers or destroyers in the fleets area of operations.

From September 2018 to October 2020, Hannifin skippered the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, which was based at Yokosuka until it was relieved last year by the USS George Washington.

Hannifins experience makes him a natural fit for 7th Fleet, but he was not the first choice.

Rear Adm. Michael Buzz Donnelly, now director of the air warfare division for the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, was nominated by President Donald Trump on June 18 to replace Kacher.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, however, rescinded Donnellys nomination in July. That decision appeared related to inquiries by conservative media into drag shows aboard the Ronald Reagan during Donnellys tenure as commander.

The Daily Wire, a news website cofounded by conservative commentator Ben Shapiro, reported in July that Donnellys nomination was pulled after the website asked about his role in allowing drag performances aboard the carrier.

During Donnellys command, then-Petty Officer 3rd Class Joshua Kelley occasionally performed aboard the Ronald Reagan under the stage name Harpy Daniels. Kelley also managed to win second place and a $1,000 Navy Exchange gift card in a lip-sync competition aboard the carrier, the Military Times reported in August 2018.

Kelley  now a petty officer first class  also served as one of five members of the Navys Digital Ambassador Pilot Program, a recruitment effort between October 2022 and March 2024.

Kelley in July praised Donnelly, but didnt discuss the withdrawn nomination, according to a report on the LGBTQ+ website Queerty.

Rear Admiral Donnelly is an incredible leader, an asset to the Navy, and his unwavering dedication to the culture of excellence has left a lasting mark, Kelley said in the July 25 report.

A Pentagon spokesperson, in a July email to Stars and Stripes, declined to comment on whether the decision to withdraw Donnellys nomination was related to drag performances.
Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham arrives at Naval Station Mayport, Fla., on Nov. 12, 2025, after completing a 91-day surge deployment. (Brandon J. Vinson/U.S. Navy)



The USS Jason Dunham returned to Naval Station Mayport in Florida on Wednesday after 91 days at sea as part of the U.S. mission in the Caribbean.

During the deployment, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer stopped in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Ponce, Puerto Rico; and Charlotte Amalie St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, according to a service news release.

The crew qualified for both the U.S. Coast Guard Special Operations Ribbon and the Sea Service Ribbon for its support of interagency operations.

I am incredibly proud of my entire crew aboard Jason Dunham, said Cmdr. Aaron Jefferson III, USS Jason Dunhams commanding officer. Successfully completing our surge deployment to Fourth Fleet is yet another example of their unmatched resilience and professionalism.

The USS Jason Dunham was assigned to Destroyer Squadron 40. The ships embarked helicopter detachment, HSM-48 Detachment 7, flew 121 sorties.

Over the course of their deployment to the USSOUTHCOM AOR, Jason Dunham and her exceptional crew exemplified the strength of American naval sea power and international cooperation, said Capt. Anthony James, commander of Naval Surface Group Southeast. Their efforts reflect the strength of our commitment to maritime security and cooperation with allies and partners in the region.

The Jason Dunham was part of a large concentration of naval firepower to the region to disrupt drug trafficking and degrade and dismantle transnational criminal organizations.

Besides the Jason Dunham, the U.S. buildup had included the three ships that make up the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, the destroyers USS Gravely and USS Stockdale, the cruiser Lake Erie, the littoral combat ship USS Wichita, Navy P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, MQ-9 Reaper drones, an F-35 fighter squadron and more than 6,000 sailors and Marines.

The Southern Commands area of responsibility includes waters adjacent to Central and South America, and the land mass of Latin America south of Mexico.

On Tuesday, the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and its strike group arrived in the region, bringing 4,500 more sailors and nine aircraft squadrons.

The surge of naval forces puts nearly 20% of the services deployed warships in the region, according to Stars and Stripes analysis of data from the USNI News fleet tracker.

The U.S. military has conducted at least 20 strikes on alleged drug traffickers at sea, which have killed at least 79 people.
Marine Brig. Gen. Robert Brodie visits the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer on March 13, 2025. (Omar Dominquez/U.S. Navy)



The American military has launched a disaster-relief operation in the Philippines alongside local forces in response to back-to-back typhoons, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command announced Thursday.

At the request of the government of the Philippines, the U.S. military is working shoulder-to-shoulder with the Armed Forces of the Philippines to provide foreign disaster relief to communities affected by consecutive Typhoons Kalmaegi (Tino) and Fung-Wong (Uwan), which caused extensive damage and tragic loss of life, the command said in a news release.

Over the weekend, Super Typhoon Fung-Wong pounded most of the Philippines main island of Luzon and parts of the Visayas islands, displacing thousands and killing 27, the state-run Philippine News Agency reported Thursday.

Before that deadly storm, Typhoon Kalmaegi pummeled Cebu and several portions of the Visayas and the southern island of Mindanao, causing massive flooding that killed 232, the agency reported.

The U.S. military has sent a variety of assets and personnel to the Philippines to support the relief operation, INDOPACOM said, without specifying how many troops and what equipment has traveled to the islands.

The American personnel are working with Philippine troops, disaster management and civil defense staff and the U.S. State Department, the release said.

I have been thoroughly impressed by the preparedness and forward-leaning measures taken by the Philippine government during this situation, and we will support the lead of our Philippine counterparts as we carry out this relief mission together as a fully-aligned team, U.S. Marine Brig. Gen. Robert Brodie, commander of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, said in the release.

The U.S. Navy and State Department did not immediately respond to questions emailed Thursday about the relief operations.

This is the second time U.S. forces have responded to a disaster in the Philippines this year. In July, Marines and airmen flew supplies to northern Philippines communities affected by typhoons, tropical storms and monsoon rains.

Supporting Americas allies and their people in a time of need is non-negotiable, Brodie said in Thursdays release.

Together, we are overcoming distance, weather, and logistical challenges to save lives, he said.

The U.S. military has been coordinating mission planning with the Philippine government and military since Nov. 5, the release said.
Bella Kuykendall, now 3, with her mother Kaitlin Kuykendall, an Army spouse. (Kaitlin Kuykendall)



The parents of a toddler who was physically abused by employees at a Navy child care center in Hawaii filed suit Monday in federal court seeking damages for what they say was government negligence.

Jeremy Kuykendall and Kaitlin Kuykendall are seeking unspecified damages for themselves and their daughter, Bella, who was 15 months old in 2022 when she was abused by employees at the Ford Island Development Center in Pearl Harbor.

The Kuykendalls administrative claim denied by the Navy in May sought $60 million in damages; the lawsuit does not specify an amount.

Video footage from the childs three days at the center in August 2022 revealed that employees pinched, slapped, squeezed, shook and smothered the toddler.

Analyn DeGuzman and Marilyn Kanekoa both pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor charge of assault in the third degree. Their sentences included less than a month in jail and a permanent ban from working around children.

The complaint contends that the government was negligent for multiple reasons.

Among them: failure to exercise reasonable care in hiring; failure to conduct adequate and timely background checks of employees; failure to train staff; failure to remove staff to prevent harm; failure to provide regular and continuous monitoring of the closed-circuit television cameras to protect children from harm; and failure enforce policies and procedures.

The Kuykendalls moved into military housing on Ford Island Luke Field with their two daughters in December 2021, according to the complaint filed in U.S. District Court for Hawaii.

In August 2022, Jeremy, an Army captain, was preparing to deploy to the Philippines, while Kaitlin began a new job at an elementary school, the complaint states.

Bella was excited and happy for her first day of day care on Aug. 22, according to the complaint.

But the following day as her mother walked her to the classroom, Bellas face went from smiling to visibly afraid, the complaint states.

The Kuykendalls withdrew Bella from the day care after the third day when the toddler exhibited stark behavioral changes, including increased fearfulness, separation anxiety and night terrors, the complaint states.

Video surveillance cameras at the day care had recorded routine abuse of Bella by De Guzman and Kanekoa over the three-day period, but the Kuykendalls did not get access to that footage for many months, the complaint states.

On the morning of Aug. 26, the parents brought their concerns to the day cares director, Rhodora Kunzweiler, who later that day called them to report that video footage revealed Bella had been inappropriately touched, the complaint states.

Kunzweiler offered to let the Kuykendalls view some of that footage, but she withdrew the offer after the parents contacted the military police concerning the abuse, according to the complaint.

Not until four months later did the Kuykendalls get full access to videos and learn the full extent of abuse.

They spent hundreds of hours reviewing 75 hours of footage from multiple angles that revealed their daughter had been isolated, mishandled, neglected and assaulted by caregivers, the complaint states.

As a direct and proximate result of the Governments negligence and its failure to exercise reasonable care, [Bella] was subjected to repeated acts of abuse and neglect, causing her to suffer severe and lasting physical injuries, emotional distress, psychological trauma, developmental setbacks, and other damages, the complaint states.

The parents have suffered severe and lasting emotional distress, psychological trauma and other damages, the complaint states.
A broken frame of Pakistans field marshal and army chief, Asim Munir, hangs on the wall after an attack at the Cadet College Wana, a military-linked school, in the South Waziristan district near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, on Nov. 13, 2025. (Aamir Qureshi, AFP, Getty Images via TNS)



(Tribune News Service)  Pakistan has granted lifelong immunity to Field Marshal Asim Munir, in a move that would further entrench the militarys grip on power in the nuclear-armed nation.

The upper house of parliament approved the constitutional amendment bill on Thursday expanding Munirs control over the military branches. It also gave the prime minister authority to appoint or remove the judges of the top court and establishes a new Federal Constitutional Court, steps seen as significantly curtailing the powers of the judiciary.

Munir is widely seen as the nations most powerful leader, and Pakistans army wields the final word on critical matters from foreign policy to internal politics and the economy. The militarys influence has grown in recent years, especially after a brief conflict with India in May that led to Munirs promotion from four-star general to the nations second-ever field marshal.

The changes are likely to erode the civilian authority in the South Asian country ruled by the military for about half of the time since its independence in 1947, the opposition parties and analysts said.

The ruling partys survival is on militarys support and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ceded more space to the military than any other leader, according to Hassan Askari Rizvi, a Lahore-based political analyst. Sharif has been showing off that he has the militarys support.

The premier said the move would strengthen national unity, amid protests by the opposition parties led by jailed former premier Imran Khans Tehreek-e-Insaf, which vowed to reverse the changes when in power. The bill was approved by lower house, or National Assembly, on Wednesday and ratified by President Asif Ali Zardari to become a law after the Senate approval.

Munir has spearheaded efforts to improve Pakistans relations with the U.S., and President Donald Trump recently called him his favorite Field Marshal.

Pakistani leaders have repeatedly praised Trump for his role during the conflict with India in May, crediting him with brokering a ceasefire between the nuclear-armed neighbors. India has consistently denied the U.S. helped secure the truce, while Islamabad nominated Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize.

Pakistans security relations with the U.S. have wavered from periods of close cooperation to chilly ties. The U.S. over multiple administrations, meanwhile, has cultivated India as a regional partner and a bulwark against a more assertive China.

The move to expand Munirs power comes as regional tensions rise following deadly explosions in the capitals of India and Pakistan within 24 hours of each other that killed at least 20 people and injured many more.

The constitutional amendment could further strengthen the power of the armed forces, which already arguably enjoy more power than during any other period of non-military rule, Michael Kugelman, a non-resident senior fellow at Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, said before the bill was passed.

The nations constitutional history has seen numerous amendments, each shifting the balance of power. The changes are part of longstanding efforts for balanced civil-military relations, said Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar this week.

With assistance from Karthikeyan Sundaram, Jon Herskovitz and Kamran Haider.

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The bills defense portion contains $1.9 billion for military family housing, $1.3 billion for the construction of barracks and other unaccompanied housing, and $1.3 billion for hospitals, schools, child development centers, fitness centers, dining facilities and mess halls. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)



WASHINGTON  The House voted Wednesday night to reopen the federal government, after the longest shutdown in U.S. history, as well as fund the Department of Veterans Affairs and Defense Department infrastructure projects for a full year.

The passage of the legislative package, in a 222-209 vote, brought to a close a 43-day congressional standoff over government funding that shuttered regional VA offices, suspended the GI Bill hotline and forced the Trump administration to shift around billions in funds to pay troops.

Democrats largely voted against the legislation, citing the lack of an extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits set to expire at the end of the year. Without an extension, an estimated 267,000 veterans will be priced out of health care coverage in 2026, according to an analysis by the Urban Institute think tank.

President Donald Trump signed the legislation Wednesday night, ending the shutdown. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., committed to holding a vote on the expiring health care subsidies in December.

The funding deal includes a stopgap appropriations bill to fund the government through Jan. 30 as well as three full-year spending measures, including one for the VA and a small portion of the Pentagon budget that funds the modernization of facilities and construction of service member and family housing.

The bills uphold our nations promise to our veterans, empower their lives out of uniform, strengthen quality of life for our military families and support the infrastructure of bases across the globe, said Republican Reps. Tom Cole of Oklahoma and John Carter of Texas in a joint statement.

The legislation allocates $153 billion in discretionary funding for defense infrastructure programs as well as the VA, with $133.2 billion designated for the VA and $19.7 billion for military construction. Another $263.7 billion is provided for veterans benefits.

A total of $167.7 billion is earmarked for veterans medical care, including $52.6 billion for the VAs Toxic Exposures Fund to help veterans who were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic substances.

The defense part of the bill contains $1.9 billion for military family housing, $1.3 billion for the construction of barracks and other unaccompanied housing, and $1.3 billion for hospitals, schools, child development centers, fitness centers, dining facilities and mess halls.

It allocates $7 billion for the construction and modernization of military infrastructure critical to warfighter readiness such as training ranges, maintenance and logistics facilities, storage warehouses, munitions facilities and airfield control towers.

Another $2 billion would pay for infrastructure for new and emerging technology such as next generation hangars to support advanced weapon platforms, and $482 million would cover the U.S. share of NATO construction projects.

Construction work is seen March 7, 2022, at Fort McCoy, Wis., on a second new transient training troops barracks project on the post. (Scott Sturkol/U.S. Army)



The legislation notably invests $1.5 billion in the Navys Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program to modernize the services four public shipyards in Virginia, Maine, Washington state and Hawaii. Trump has stressed the need to revitalize American shipbuilding to compete with China.

Outside of construction, Defense Department spending levels will remain unchanged through January, though lawmakers added several provisions in the stopgap funding bill to give the Pentagon more spending flexibility.

One adds $400 million for the continued development and production of the E-7 Wedgetail radar jet that the Air Force had wanted to cancel. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers this summer that the early warning plane was not survivable.

The end of the government shutdown will bring back a slew of services for veterans.

Since Oct. 1, service members leaving the military have not been able to access transition assistance services, and veterans have not had access to VA regional benefits offices, career counseling and a GI Bill hotline.

Grounds maintenance and permanent headstone placement at national cemeteries had also been paused.

Thousands of workers at the VA and Pentagon either worked without pay or were furloughed for six weeks. The legislation passed Wednesday guarantees back pay for all of them and rehires federal employees who were laid off during the shutdown.
A screenshot from a tribute video in an obituary for Louis Bontya III, a Vietnam War veteran and author. Bontya died in a two-vehicle car crash in Gloucester Township, N.J., on Oct. 11, 2025. (Egizi Funeral Home)



(Tribune News Service)  A 23-year-old man has been charged weeks after a two-vehicle crash in Gloucester Township, N.J., that killed another driver and left a woman seriously injured.

Marcus A. Young is charged with death by auto and assault by auto, Gloucester Township police said Wednesday.

The crash took place just before 10:15 p.m. on Oct. 11 at the corner of Berlin Cross Keys Road and Johnson Road when Youngs car collided with an SUV driven by Louis Bontya III.

Bontya, 76, of Williamstown, died of his injuries at an area hospital, while his 75-year-old wife was seriously injured.

A U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam, Bontya is survived by his wife, two children, three step-children, seven grandchildren and three brothers, according to an online obituary.

Bontya worked as an architect and code official and is the author of two books on military history, the obituary said.

Young, of Sicklerville, was also seriously injured in the crash. Attorney information for Young was not immediately available.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information is asked to call Gloucester Township police at 856-228-4500.

Anonymous tips can be submitted through the GTPD Tip Portal at https://gtpolice.com/tips, by calling the tip line at 856-842-5560, or by texting TIPGLOTWPPD followed by your message to 888777.

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LLC. Visit nj.com.

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OTTAWA, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers concluded their two-day meeting on Wednesday, issuing a joint statement that addressed the Ukraine crisis and the situation in the Middle East, along with several other topics.

The meeting, held under Canada's presidency, was also attended by foreign ministers from Brazil, India, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, South Korea, South Africa and Ukraine.

On the Ukraine crisis, the G7 ministers said an "immediate ceasefire is urgently needed," noting that they "agreed that the current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations."

Regarding the Middle East, the ministers welcomed the recent ceasefire and release of hostages, and called for increased flows of humanitarian aid. On the Iran nuclear issue, they urged Iran to resume full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

They also discussed the situations in Haiti, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as maritime security, critical minerals, economic resilience and energy security. 
The Navys 10th Virginia-class submarine, the USS Minnesota, is delivered in 2013 in Norfolk, Va. A new report by the Submariners Advocacy Group, a coalition of former sailors, documents chemicals and other hazards found aboard submarines. (Alex R. Forster/U.S. Navy)



WASHINGTON  A coalition of Navy veterans is seeking an expansion of health care and disability benefits for toxic exposures linked to gases, chemicals and biological contaminants aboard submarines.

The nonprofit Submariners Advocacy Group is also pushing for the Navy to release findings from extensive atmospheric studies on submarines sealed environments conducted more than 20 years ago that remain classified.

David Bozarth, president of the Submariners Advocacy Group, said his organization documented more than 150 toxins that sailors could encounter on submarines. Bozarth served aboard submarines as a ballistic missile fire control technician from 1978 to 1984.

The coalition published its findings in a 60-page report released Saturday to the U.S. Submarine Veterans Inc., which represents active, retired and veteran personnel. Copies of the report were sent this week to the Pentagon and Department of Veterans Affairs.

The report, The Unseen Burden: Toxic Exposures and Health Impacts on U.S. Submariners, points to long-term consequences of exposure to chemicals, gases and ionizing radiation that are unique to submarine service.

In a sealed environment with continual exposure to multiple chemicals the human body is subjected to a complex interplay of stressors, according to the report.

The Submariners Advocacy Group formed in April 2024 in response to studies and findings by the National Research Council (NRC) Committee on Toxicity and the Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory. Those findings and others are included in the advocacy groups report, which is published on its website.

Submariners are exposed to a toxic cocktail of chemicals with a combined effect that may be more potent than a single exposure, according to the NRC.

Some of the hazardous exposures may include benzene, ozone and asbestos for sailors who served on older submarines. Monoethanolamine is a chemical derived from ammonia that is used to scrub carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in a submarine.

The Navy has established exposure guidance levels for many contaminants. The service also works with the NRC to review, adjust and develop exposure guidance levels for specific contaminants as necessary.

Stanley Martinez, a 67-year-old Navy veteran from Utah, is the chairman of the advocacy group. Martinez, a former chief petty officer who served on submarines for 16 years, said he believes the medical needs of former sailors like him often are overlooked.

The problems of submariners are different from the rest of the military because of the unusual environment, said Martinez, who was diagnosed with a heart condition, ocular migraines and seizures after leaving the military in 1992.

The Submariners Advocacy Group formally incorporated in Missouri after Martinez, Bozarth and other ex-submariners started sharing information they found about contaminants and hazards associated with nuclear radiation in the sealed environments. We started this group because no other veterans organization was focused on the needs of submariners, Martinez said.

Many crew spaces not directly involved in reactor operations are close to radiation sources. Certain compartments with high concentrations of hazardous chemicals pose greater risks, including the engine room, auxiliary machinery spaces and missile compartments.

Carbon dioxide levels are higher in a submarine environment. Elevated levels may amplify the toxic effects of contaminants in the air, according to the NRC.

The oxygen content on board submarines is lower than in the natural environment, Bozarth said. We have less oxygen available to us on submarines, he said.

A chemical byproduct of lubricating oil for submarine machinery also has been found in the air and in common areas of submarines, on eating utensils and even on the skin of sailors, according to the advocacy groups report.

The byproduct produces a yellow discoloration that shows up on walls, floors, cooking utensils, everything, Bozarth said.

There are an estimated 300,000 veterans living today who served since 1947 in the Navys submarine force, also known as the silent service, according to the veterans group. They make up less than 1% of the overall veteran population.

The Department of Veterans Affairs denies veterans claims for service-connected ailments acquired from serving on submarines at a higher rate than other types of claims, according to the advocacy group. But some medical conditions may be diagnosed decades after hazardous exposures on board submarines, the group said.

I had a hard time getting the VA at first to understand and recognize the problems I was having, Martinez said.

In 2011, VA doctors diagnosed a growth right above the mitral valve of his heart, said Martinez, who had open-heart surgery to remove it. The surgeon told me, You either have this surgery, or you will not survive,  Martinez recalled. I could not walk without having to stop and rest. I was dying.

Martinez received a 100% disability rating from the VA six months after the surgery. He has a service dog that alerts him when he is about to have a seizure.

Bozarth, 66, of Missouri, said he knows several shipmates who died from serious and rare diseases in the past two decades, including from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrigs disease, early-onset Parkinsons disease and uncommon forms of cancer.

I have been helping many submarine veterans with their VA disability claims by providing information and assistance to their veterans service organizations, Bozarth said.

Bozarth said he believes there has been inconsistent follow-up by the Navy in addressing toxins aboard submarines.

Martinez said protocols for managing radiation and chemical exposures  including the use of protective gear  are stricter than when he served more than 30 years ago.

The engineering, the hydraulics also are different, Martinez said. But the power plants havent changed. Theyre only modified. You still have the reactor core producing ionizing radiation, and the warheads are basically the same.

Nuclear submarines are powered by onboard nuclear reactors, and every crew member is issued personal radiation monitors that are regularly checked, according to the Navy. Policies limit the time personnel are in areas that pose a risk from radiation sources. Physical barriers prevent accidental entry into the reactor compartment.

Service members stationed on nuclear-powered submarines are occupationally exposed to external ionizing radiation at very low levels, and radiation dose for each individual is closely monitored. Little is known about ionizing radiation risks of cancer mortality for populations with levels of cumulative ionizing radiation exposure this low, according to a 2022 report in the National Library of Medicine.

The Submariners Advocacy Group is asking for greater coverage under the PACT Act for diseases and other medical ailments sailors may have experienced from toxic exposures aboard submarines.

Nuclear workers aboard submarines may qualify for presumptive disability benefits if they have certain conditions linked to radiation exposure during service.

The Submariners Advocacy Group also is pushing for more studies on the effects of chemicals and biological contaminants aboard submarines.

As submarine veterans, we are fighting to make sure other submarine veterans are protected and get the health care and treatment they need, Bozarth said.

We are doing this because no one else is doing it, Martinez said. We are the only ones.
YANGON, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Shwedagon Pagoda, known as the Golden Pagoda in Myanmar, attracted over 5.89 million visitors in the first 10 months of this year, U Boe Thin, a member of the Shwedagon Pagoda Board of Trustees, told Xinhua on Thursday.

Among them, over 61,000 were foreign visitors, he said. 
A Palestinian is seen in a street with destroyed homes in Jabalia city, northern Gaza Strip, with yellow-painted concrete blocks placed by the Israeli army visible in the background that marks the Yellow Line, Nov. 2, 2025. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

GAZA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Just meters from yellow-painted concrete blocks marking the Israeli army's latest withdrawal line, Palestinian resident Saad Halawa lives with his family in a small tent in Jabalia, in northern Gaza.

The "Yellow Line" marks the Israeli military's redeployment boundary under the first phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Israeli military maps show it extends between 1.5 and 6.5 km inside Gaza from the eastern border, covering roughly 47 percent of the enclave.

The line divides Gaza into two zones: an eastern area under Israeli military oversight and a western area where Palestinians can move with fewer restrictions.

Halawa's tent stands amid the ruins of homes and farmland, with debris scattered across the landscape. "Shelling and gunfire continue day and night," he said, gesturing toward the horizon where dust sometimes rises from explosions.

He described drones and tanks stationed near the yellow-painted barriers. "The Israeli soldiers are just a few hundred meters from here. Sometimes we hear bulldozers demolishing houses or flattening fields. It is risky to move even a few steps beyond this spot," Halawa said.

Residents near the Yellow Line often wake to gunfire or small explosions. "At night, the area is dark because there is no electricity, but soldiers use flares that briefly light the sky," he said.

Since the ceasefire took effect on Oct. 10, residents across Gaza have reported nearly daily explosions in eastern areas, believed to result from Israeli operations targeting tunnels and damaged structures.

The Yellow Line has also restricted access for thousands of residents who would otherwise return home in eastern Gaza City, Khan Younis, and the northern towns of Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahia. Local residents say dozens of Palestinians who tried to approach or cross the line were shot by Israeli forces. Israel has said its forces targeted militants attempting to cross the line, which it considered a security threat.

Gaza health authorities report at least 260 Palestinians killed and more than 630 injured since the ceasefire began. Families say sporadic gunfire and explosions continue to put civilians at risk.

Many residents fear the Yellow Line could become a long-term boundary, further restricting movement and deepening displacement. Halawa compared the yellow-marked blocks to the West Bank separation barrier. "This situation may separate eastern Gaza from the western part," he said.

Analyst Akram Atallah, based in Gaza, said the line reflects Israel's effort to reshape Gaza's security and political landscape. "The zone was created to reassure nearby Israeli communities, but it may also limit Palestinian control in the future," he said.

Atallah believed that Israeli officials do not plan to revert to pre-Oct. 7 conditions and aim to maintain a "flexible military presence" with access to Gaza as they decide. Control over eastern farmland also gives Israel influence over part of Gaza's food supply, adding an economic dimension to military oversight.

He said the future of the Yellow Line will depend partly on international engagement. "Without serious international action, this situation could deepen Gaza's division and make recovery and unity more difficult," Atallah said. 

A yellow-painted concrete block placed by the Israeli army that marks the Yellow Line is seen in a street with destroyed homes in Jabalia city, northern Gaza Strip, Nov. 2, 2025. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)
National Police officers are investigating the raid on a house in Churriana, Malaga, by at least ten hooded individuals, armed with firearms and posing as police officers. The gang allegedly intended to carry out a robbery - the theft of drugs from supposed drug traffickers. However, everything suggests that the suspects made a mistake when marking the house and instead came face-to-face with an octogenarian couple, astonished at what was happening.

It happened in the early hours of Saturday 1 October on the El Olivar housing estate. At around 5am, the owner of the property heard a "bang" which, at first, he attributed to a thunderstorm. However, the noise continued and he began to suspect that there were thieves trying to break in: "They came to the door of the house and started hammering," he told SUR.

But the suspects were not looking for money or jewellery, and did not even gain access to the inside of the house. "They only wanted me to open the garage that leads to the basement, but the door has a lock and I couldn't remove it," the owner said. In this context, the presumed drug traffickers would have realised that they had gone to the wrong address and decided to leave.

Fortunately, the elderly couple, who spent most of their lives working in a German factory, were not attacked. Their home, on the other hand, suffered material damage, the most visible of which was the gate of the house, which was knocked down.

According to sources consulted by SUR, the criminals were travelling in a van escorted by several BMW SUVs. National Police officers have already opened an investigation to try to clarify what happened, according to the Malaga provincial police station.
Jesus Hinojosa Malaga Thursday, 13 November 2025, 10:59 Share

The UGT trade union held the last day of the housing forum at the NH hotel in Malaga on Wednesday. One of the last policy dialogues took place on that day - a discussion regarding the housing crisis, in which mayor Francisco de la Torre, secretary general for housing of the regional government Alicia Martinez, Alcorcon mayor Candelaria Testa and advisor to the Ministry of Housing Eduardo Gonzalez de Molina participated.

De la Torre once again stressed what he believes to be the recipe to overcoming the housing crisis in Malaga: provide more land for development and build more housing, both free-market and social housing units. "Ideally, the market should be saturated with supply," he said, adding that, currently, there is a shortage "of 700,000 homes" in Spain.

The mayor of Alcorcon (Madrid region) refuted his proposal and said that more housing supply will not improve the situation.

The mayor of Malaga also highlighted another possible solution: imposing a tourist tax on overnight stays, the proceeds of which would go towards the construction of subsidised housing for families at risk of exclusion. De la Torre believes that this will simultaneously protect quality tourism.

The central government has been suggesting a different type of solution: to intervene in the price of rents through a law that declares a municipality a high-pressure area. Only 301 of the 8,132 municipalities in Spain have this label. However, as with the previous points, the city council and the regional government opposed the central government's stance.

De la Torre gave Barcelona as an example. He said that this approach only increases the number of applicants per flat, while landlords still end up renting "to people with higher incomes".

The secretary for housing of the regional government added that, in two years, 48,000 rented homes have been withdrawn in Barcelona and prices have risen. She said that "the focus should be on the lack of supply".

Defence of interventionism in rental prices

The mayor of Alcorcon is on the side of the central government when it comes to discussing intervention in rental prices. She stated that she has been trying to get the region of Madrid to declare Alcorcon as a high-pressure area. She highlighted the crisis by alluding to hard-working people who are still struggling to pay their rent. "If the market is broken, we have to intervene," she said. In addition, she corrected De la Torre and said that "Barcelona rents are falling by 8%".

The Ministry of Housing's advisor agreed that, thanks to interventionism, prices have been dropping in Catalonia. "When a rental is renewed, the price is maintained," Gonzalez de Molina said, adding that the property owner gets a tax reduction of 5% in that case. "The owners are the winners. It is a regulation that generates tax incentives for them," he said.
Irene Quirante Thursday, 13 November 2025, 19:17 Share

The victim of an assault in Fuengirola, a 63-year-old Finnish man, has died after spending almost two weeks in a coma after being assaulted at a taxi rank, SUR has learned. The alleged perpetrator, a 25-year-old of Norwegian origin is in prison after being arrested on Thursday 6 November. It was then that he learned, from the officers, that the individual he allegedly assaulted had died.

The events date back to the early hours of 28 September. The victim, together with his wife and some friends, was at a taxi rank near the port after having been out for drinks in the area. There, at around 1am, they came across two girls, with whom an argument began. According to sources, the main theory being considered is that the women may have tried to jump the queue, which the man allegedly reproached them for.

Everything suggests that, in that context, one of the young women called her boyfriend and told him about the situation. He, who was at a nearby nightclub, went to where they were with three other friends. With tempers increasingly running high - something that may also have been influenced by alcohol consumption - the girls allegedly threw a drink at the group, after which they ran away from the scene. The victim's friends went after them to reproach them for the action and, when they returned, according to the sources, the victim was already lying unconscious on the ground in a pool of blood. By then, the youths had also fled the scene.

Research

The case has recently been clarified by the specialised and violent crime unit (UDEV) of the Fuengirola police station. As a result of the investigations, they have managed to identify the alleged perpetrator of the aggression. This was despite the absence of witnesses, as the victim's companions did not witness the attack or could not provide precise details about it.

The investigation, as reported by the police, indicated that the 63 year old man had received a blow to the face which caused him to fall backwards, impacting his head against the ground. The victim had to be rushed to the Hospital Costa del Sol in Marbella and later to the Hospital Clinico. He spent almost two weeks in a coma before finally passing away on 9 October.

Continuing with the reconstruction of the events, and using other police techniques, the officers were able to fully identify both the alleged perpetrator and his companions. The suspect, aged 25, was arrested just a week ago, when he learned from the police that the attack had been fatal. After being brought before the court, he was remanded in custody under investigation for the crime of homicide.
Rossel Aparicio Malaga Thursday, 13 November 2025, 14:22 Share

A weather front linked to storm Claudia threatens this Thursday and tomorrow with heavy and persistent rainfall in much of mainland Spain. The forecast for Friday predicts rainfall in the central system mountain range, western Galicia, western Andalucia and the Pyrenees, potentially locally heavy and torrential in the Andalusian region and occasionally in the north-east of the country.

State meteorological agency Aemet has activated the yellow warning for rainfall on Friday, 14 November, in Malaga province. Up to 20mm are expected in one hour and up to 60mm in 12 hours. The warning concerns the Axarquia area, Malaga city, western Costa del Sol, Guadalhorce valley and the Serrania de Ronda. As the forecast states, there will be overcast skies with "moderate rainfall and thunderstorms, which may be locally heavy and persistent".

Temperatures are expected to fall, although no changes are expected in minimum temperatures. Moderate westerly winds are also expected along the coast, with light to moderate southerly winds in the rest of the province.

Aemet expects rainfall and storms that may be locally heavy and persistent in the western half of Andalucia, less likely on the Mediterranean coast. Maximum temperatures in the eastern interior are forecast to drop notably.

Rain in mainland Spain

According to Aemet, storm Claudia is expected to remain almost stationary, with fronts that will affect mainland Spain and bring cloudy or overcast skies, with rainfall in most of the territory on Friday. However, rain is less likely in the extreme east and south-east. The heaviest accumulations are expected in the west of Galicia and Andalucia as well as in the Pyrenees, south of the Cantabrian mountain range and especially in the Central System. Occasional thunderstorms are also expected in the extreme west and north-east of the Spanish mainland, with downpours that could also be heavy in western Andalucia.

Finally, temperatures, mostly maximum values, are expected to drop in most of the country on Friday. More notable decreases will be experienced "in the Pyrenees and areas of Andalucia and Castilla-La Mancha, with local increases in the Ebro and the east, also extending to the Balearic Islands in terms of minimum temperatures".
Two days after banning outdoor poultry farming in almost 1,200 municipalities in Spain, the Ministry of Agriculture today went a step further and raised the restrictions to the whole country due to the spread of the bird flu. In a new order published in the official state gazette this 13 November, the ministy ordered the lockdown of all outdoor poultry farms, regardless of their purpose: free-range or organic egg supply, meat production or self-consumption.

The order also bans the raising of ducks and geese with other species of poultry. In the event that the farm cannot be confined, the government text says that the authorities will have the power to place nets or any other device to prevent the entry of wild birds.

Since July, European authorities have reported a total of 139 bird flu outbreaks in Europe. Almost 60 outbreaks have been detected in Germany, 17 in Poland, ten in France and 16 in Italy.

For the moment, the situation in Spain is milder. The Ministry of Agriculture has confirmed 14 outbreaks, with Castilla y Leon accounting for more than half of them. In addition, vets have detected positive cases in 53 wild birds and 5 captive birds.

"Prevention is better than cure," the spokesperson for the organisation of agricultural enterprises (Coag) Urena says. "It is not an overreaction, given that the situation in Europe is concerning." The Ministry of Agriculture's reasoning behind nationwide restrictions (with the exception of the Balearic Islands) is that there is an abundance of migratory birds in wetland areas. Although there is no date for the end of the confinement, the sector predicts that it might be maintained until mid-December, when the migration of birds comes to an end. "We have more at stake if we leave them in the open air," the sector stated.

The text also bans giving water to poultry from reservoirs accessible to wild birds, unless it is treated to ensure inactivation of possible viruses. In addition, outdoor water tanks required for animal welfare reasons for certain poultry must be sufficiently protected against wild waterfowl.

Blow to the sector

The order seeks to avoid contact between breeding and migratory birds and prevent the spread of the virus on farms. "If it gets in, that's the end," Urena says.

Although Coag does not yet have economic estimates of the impact of the virus, the damage is felt in many farms in mainland Spain. "We are producing two million fewer eggs per day," Urena said. The confinement of laying hens, many of them raised outdoors, "will cause stress for a few days", which will also reduce production. According to Urena, however, it is better for the industry to suffer this blow than to allow the virus to spread. For him, taking no measures and allowing the H5N1 virus into the farms would be worse. "That would mean it could take almost half a year to return to normal," he said.

The avian flu outbreak has forced the culling of around three million laying hens in Spain and sparked panic across hundreds of farms nationwide. This situation has caused a new shockwave in the food supply chain, with minister Planas urging people to avoid price speculation, especially in supermarkets.

As a result of the outbreak, the price of eggs has significantly risen in the past year, with a 31% average increase, according to data from consumers' organisation Facua. The national institute of statistics puts the rate of increase lower, at 15.9%.

The sector attributes this rise (an average increase of one euro in just one week) to the control measures implemented at the beginning of the year, the increase in exports and the fear of a possible shortage. However, Spain's main poultry producers rule out any risk of shortages.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the total number of laying hens in Spain was around 47.8 million in 2024. As for broilers, used for their meat, annual production was around 600 million birds. The short life cycle of these birds (between six and eight weeks) means their population changes quickly. Taking into account that around 2.65 million birds have been culled this year due to the disease, the impact, for now, does not pose a significant threat to the country's supply.
Alfonso Torices Madrid Thursday, 13 November 2025, 19:10 Share

The Spanish medical association (OMC) warns that more than half of young doctors suffer from burnout, which is characterised by severe emotional exhaustion, altered perception of reality and a drop in self-esteem and self-fulfilment. Burnout leads to psychological and physical problems and a marked decline in work performance.

This serious problem, which above all affects resident doctors who work in hospitals and health centres while specialising in a specific field, not only puts their health at risk but also "the safety of patients" and "the very sustainability of the public healthcare system". These junior doctors carry the bulk of the emergency services and night shifts. "Emotional exhaustion and lack of rest are becoming the norm for a generation called upon to sustain the health system," the OMC says.

One in four have had to take sick leave, two out of three suffer from insomnia and 38% take anxiolytics or abuse alcohol

The 'Ikerburn: From Vocation to Burnout' report is the first comprehensive study of burnout among young doctors and its causes. The report outlines the results of three years of analyses, with the participation of 1,400 young doctors. It seeks to "break the silence surrounding the mental health of healthcare professionals".

The results of the study describe an alarming reality. It is not that more than half of young Spanish doctors have one or only a few symptoms of burnout. Instead, the study concludes that they present the full clinical picture of the syndrome. Some 79% of the doctors interviewed suffer from exhaustion, 84% show depersonalisation symptoms (as if they perceive reality from outside their body and mind) and 63% experience low personal fulfilment (low self-esteem and job dissatisfaction).

One in four young doctors have had to take time off work due to emotional and physical exhaustion; two out of three suffer from insomnia; four out of ten (38%) have resorted to stimulants such as anxiolytics or alcohol to alleviate their problem; and up to 85% of them admit to having a decreased libido as a result of the strong emotional exhaustion.

Overburdened care and precariousness

According to the OMC, this is a "structural" problem brought about by unhealthy working conditions and, above all, by a medical training model "that makes its professionals ill". Among the factors that cause the greatest psychological wear and tear and exhaustion are the 24-hour shifts that medical residents, after which 43.6% do not even get a rest day during the regular work week when those shifts fall on weekends. Added to this is the generalised lack of rest, the overload of care they endure and the precariousness of their contracts, with practically 100% temporary employment. All of these factors "violate European regulations on working time and have a direct impact on patient safety".

Moreover, the problem is not one-off or localised in one centre or area of the country. The high prevalence of the syndrome affects all medical specialties and all regions, although it is most critical in surgical and hospital areas and is 24% more frequent among women. The report warns that "attending to the mental health of young doctors is not a luxury, it is a requirement for guaranteeing patient safety and quality of care". It calls for urgent structural reforms of training and working conditions, "to halt the deterioration of professional well-being and prevent the drain of medical talent".

The report, which will soon be published by a high-impact scientific journal, makes a series of recommendations to public administrations, with the aim of reversing the situation. Among them are complying with labour regulations and ensuring rest periods after on-call shifts; strengthening the supervision of medical residents and distributing the workload more evenly; promoting the comprehensive care programme for sick doctors (Paime), which is currently known to only 40% of residents; creating psychological well-being and work-life balance programmes, with particular attention to female doctors; and establishing a national burnout observatory to monitor the evolution of the problem.
Lucia Palacios Madrid Thursday, 13 November 2025, 19:55 Share

The Ministry of Labour in Spain has introduced a new regulation, obliging the 350,000 households in the country that use the services of a housekeeper to have a risk assessment and prevention plan ready for inspection and signed by the worker. As of Friday, 14 November, they could be fined up to almost 50,000 euros if they fail to present such a protocol.

This is a new requirement derived from the royal decree approved just over a year ago, which regulates health and safety protection in the field of domestic services. It seeks to improve working conditions for a group, mostly made up of women, that works in often precarious conditions.

In May of this year, the national institute for safety and health at work launched a platform to make it easier for employers to carry out this assessment. The Ministry of Labour gave them six months and the grace period ends on 14 November. Besides filling the form, the households have been obliged to implement the necessary preventive measures to eliminate or reduce risks.

The free web platform is www.prevencion10.es although it has been overwhelmed by people accessing the site. To complete the process, a member of the household first has to enter their details and those of the housekeeper. After that, they are given a questionnaire that assesses the features of the home (whether it has stairs, pets, type of electrical installation, etc.) and the tasks performed by the worker (whether they are cleaning, ironing, cooking, caring for children or elderly or dependent people, etc.). The tool itself suggests improvement measures and possible solutions, if it detects any type of risk, which households will have to implement.

The figure 86,650 female domestic workers have left in the last decade following the rise in contributions and minimum wages

After this assessment, a document called 'Plan de prevencion de riesgos laborales' is downloaded. It must be signed by both the employer and the employee. That document must be available in case the labour inspectorate requires it. The portal also includes resources and materials that provide information on occupational risk prevention. In addition, if households have any doubts or difficulties, there is a free telephone helpline (913 63 43 00), available from Monday to Friday, from 9am to 2pm.

As of Friday, failure to comply with this new obligation can lead to penalties ranging from 2,451 euros to 9,830 euros. Aggravating circumstances can increase the fine to between 24,000 and 49,000 euros.

Other measures planned in the law

As unions point out, there are important aspects of this law yet to be developed, such as the right of female workers to have a free medical check-up at least once every three years and the implementation of the protocol for action against violence and harassment.

Although the Ministry of Labour says that this measure does not generate economic or bureaucratic burdens for employers, there is no doubt that it is yet another obligation that households - or in many cases pensioners - have to assume.

In addition, the measure might lead to a further decrease in work for housekeepers. Since 2015, the number of registered domestic workers has plummeted by more than 20%, to below 350,000. Successive tax rises and a 60% increase in the minimum wage in just six years has pushed up the cost of having a domestic worker.
David Maroto Valencia Thursday, 13 November 2025, 19:05 Share

Seven years ago, Spanish supermarket chain Mercadona announced its commitment to ensure that 100% of the fresh eggs it sells are free-range. Joan Roig's company's objective is to ensure animal welfare, which is why it works closely with suppliers.

Egg consumption in Spain is steadily growing, thanks to both the country's traditional cuisine and eggs' excellent nutritional properties.

"Mercadona remains firm in its aim to achieve 100% free-range egg production, always committed to the highest quality, while ensuring a continuous and sustainable supply for its customers," the company has recently stated.

At present, all Mercadona supermarkets offer cage-free eggs, either from hens raised loose in barns or free-range. In fact, 65% of the fresh eggs sold by the Valencian company come from cage-free hens. The suppliers and the Spanish poultry industry in general "are making a great effort in this complex process of transition".

400 million investment

Despite the market circumstances and the complexity of the transition, in recent months, Mercadona's suppliers have continued to transform their facilities and invest in new infrastructure to continue taking steps towards total change. However, at no moment has the company ceased production, making sure that there is constant supply for customers.

Since the start of this project, Mercadona's suppliers have already invested more than 200 million euros in adapting their facilities and processes towards cage-free hen egg production systems. This figure is expected to reach over 400 million euros when the transformation is fully completed.

Some examples are the expansion of existing and the opening of new cage-free breeding farms of Huevos Guillen in Utiel (Valencia), with 250,000 hens; in Galdar (Gran Canaria), with 100,000 hens; in Bullas (Murcia) and Abarzuza in Navarra, with a total of 150,000 hens; and in Avicola Barco, with 320,000 hens.

Does Mercadona sell organic eggs?

Currently, Mercadona does not sell organic eggs, but it does sell free-range eggs that meet similar criteria, which include letting the hens go outside to peck and eat. The difference is in the type of cereal used: in order for eggs to be considered organic, the farmers cannot feed the hens cereals that have been treated against pests or diseases.
Olatz Hernandez Correspondent Brussels Thursday, 13 November 2025, 19:38 Share

Headed towards the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, the European Commission announced on Tuesday that Spain and three other countries will be able to access the solidarity fund due to the great migratory pressure to which they are exposed. Once the proposal is backed by the EU-27, Greece, Cyprus, Spain and Italy will be able to access financial compensation of 20,000 euros per migrant or for the relocation of people to other EU countries that do not suffer migratory pressure. This measure is expected to be implemented in the second half of 2026.

The EU report highlights the "disproportionate number of arrivals" in these four Southern European countries. It also stresses that Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, France, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Finland "are at risk of migratory pressure" due to the large number of arrivals in previous years, their "strained" reception systems or the threat of the use of migration as a weapon.

The data 35% reduction in irregular arrivals to the EU between June 2024 and June 2025, according to data managed by the European Commission

The Commission will closely monitor the situation in these countries and assess the risks on a regular basis. In addition, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Croatia, Austria and Poland will have the possibility to ask for a "full or partial" deduction of their contributions to the solidarity fund for the coming years. In order to maintain the balance of solidarity and responsibility between member states, the Commission will not oblige countries under migratory pressure to contribute "if systemic deficiencies have been identified with regard to the new rules on responsibility".

It will be up to each European country to decide how it contributes to the solidarity fund: through relocations, financial compensation or a mixture of both. That contribution will be public and legally binding.

Pending challenges

The Commission's document paints a picture of the migration and asylum reception processes within the EU bloc and identifies possible future trends. According to the most recent EU data from July, illegal arrivals have been reduced by 35% in one year. This development can be attributed to the increase in cooperation between members states, although the EU still observes "pending challenges" such as the continued pressure of irregular arrivals and unauthorised movements within the bloc.

Brussels says Spain, Italy, Greece and Cyprus are receiving a 'disproportionate number of arrivals'

It also notes "continued progress" in member states' efforts to implement all components of pact and urges completion of the necessary national reforms so that it can be operational by June 2026. All this implies that Brussels believes that the EU has the foundation to effectively manage migration.

In context

Flexibility European countries will decide how they contribute to the solidarity fund. They can do so through the relocation of migrants, through financial compensation or through a mixture of these two models.
Iratxe Astui Basque Country Thursday, 13 November 2025, 20:12 Share

After years of "relative peace" for boats and ships operating in the Indian Ocean, a Basque tuna fishing vessel has encountered Somali pirates. On Tuesday, the Intertuna Tres, which belongs to Bermeo-based company Albacora, repelled an attempted boarding by firing warning shots. The end of the monsoon season has resulted in calm waters that armed groups are taking advantage of to resume their attacks in an area historically affected by piracy.

Intertuna Tres, which fishes in the Indian Ocean under a foreign flag, became the target of an attack "some 900 kilometres off the coast of Somalia". The 111-metre-long fishing boat was sailing along when a speedboat, coming from the Issamohamadi mother ship "approached it from the stern with the intention of boarding". The crew immediately acted according to safety protocols and the security guards on board fired two warning shots, which were enough for the pirate boat to abort and return to the mother ship, without causing any injuries or material damage.

The attempted attack was part of a chain of assaults that started on 2 November. Issamohamadi is an Iranian ship, which Somali pirates hijacked in October. Within 72 hours, other vessels in the area were also threatened: the Norwegian bulk carrier Spar Apus detected a suspicious vessel approaching, but it managed to avoid it. The following day, the merchant ship Stolt Sagaland came under AK-47-type gunfire from a pirate gunboat. It responded by firing.

The upsurge in pirate activity culminated last Friday with the release of the Maltese vessel Hellas Aphrodite, which had been hijacked a day earlier. The Spanish frigate Victoria, part of the 'Atalanta' operation, executed a combined action with a helicopter, a maritime patrol aircraft and a special operations team. The show of force caused the pirates to abandon the ship.

Security recommendations

The authorities of the 'Atalanta' operation have launched an intensive search for the armed group and the mother ship. Given the increase in their activity in recent weeks, they have also recommended "avoiding a radius of 200 nautical miles around the area of the hijacking of the Hellas Aphrodite, maintaining constant vigilance and reinforcing all security measures". Maritime security officers and captains have also been urged to report any suspicious activity to speed up response and improve incident tracking.
BEIJING, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and foreign scholars have discussed exploring paths to development and strategies for governance in a changing world at an international forum in Beijing from Wednesday to Thursday.

Approximately 200 guests from 35 countries and regions attended the International Forum of the Overseas Studies on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

Attendees hailed China's progress in its drive to achieve modernization, as well as its efforts to offer more options to developing countries in their own modernization drives and provide Chinese input into the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity.

They emphasized that the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is important to achieving these results. They stressed the need to advance the overseas studies on it and ensure that more foreign political leaders, scholars and young people understand it fully, alongside unremitting efforts to pursue human progress and a shared future for humanity.

The forum was hosted by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. 
Edurne Martinez Madrid Thursday, 13 November 2025, 19:50 Share

The causes of April 2025's major power outage across Spain remain unresolved. Nearly a dozen reports from different organisations and companies have been compiled, analysing the reasons that led to the worst power outage in recent Spanish history on 28 April. This time, it is the International Energy Agency (IEA) that, in its latest study, asserts that the blackout across the Iberian Peninsula demonstrates that electricity security depends not only on generation, but also on the quality of grid operation and how all connected assets then behave. This because the incident was triggered by "a rapid succession of technical failures", including the erroneous disconnection of generators, even though voltage levels had not yet exceeded established thresholds.

The "sequence of technical failures" that occurred on 28 April is the cause cited by most reports and the IEA report also seems to concur with this viewpoint. In its document 'World Energy Outlook 2025', the IEA also includes the conclusions of European power grid experts (Entso-E), which stated that, in the minutes leading up to the blackout, the electricity supply system "became unstable, with unusual fluctuations in voltage and power flow".

The agency, headed by Fatih Birol and affiliated with the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), includes a specific chapter on the outage in its report, published on Wednesday. The power outage affected over 50 million people in Spain, Portugal and southern France, the worst event of its kind in Europe in decades, according to this IEA document.

The system "instability" referred to in the report was followed by a "sharp voltage spike" that caused protection systems to trip and then disconnect, but this happened "erroneously", as these voltage levels "had not yet exceeded regulatory thresholds", the IEA notes. Thus, as more power plants went offline, the voltage increased even further, leading to "a cascade of additional shutdowns", while hundreds of megawatts (MW) of smaller distributed sources unexpectedly went offline, further complicating the system operators' response.

Need for a "robust" grid

Furthermore, the agency calls for a "review" of certain common elements of electricity supply security and resilience, while urging the application of "lessons learned" from the historic incident. In this regard, the report warns that a "robust grid infrastructure, including strong networks and regional interconnections, is essential as it forms the backbone for safe operation".

At the same time it recommends greater "flexibility of the electricity system" to balance supply and demand. It also calls for new technical solutions such as synchronous condensers or batteries equipped with grid-forming inverters and considers it crucial to "adapt operating frameworks" as electricity systems are transformed.
A longtime Syracuse furniture retailer is expanding with a new location in Upstate New York.

Dunk & Bright will open a new store at South Town Plaza in Henrietta, near Rochester, according to multiple reports. The 72,000-square-foot store is expected to open in April or May, according to WHAM, and will hire 20-30 people.

Fourth-generation owner Joe Bright said his company is making a $4 million investment that includes updates to the shopping plaza, its parking lot, and the South Town Plaza sign. Henrietta Town Supervisor Steven Schultz told WROC that the signs letters were removed this week and will soon be replaced with a logo promoting Dunk & Bright Furniture.

That was one of the most exciting things about the property, that big pylon sign, Bright told the Democrat & Chronicle.

Schultz said the monument itself will remain as it is an iconic piece of Henrietta history.

Dunk & Bright will move in to the plazas former Burlington Coat Factory store location and sell a wide range of furniture, including beds, couches and tables from value to designer brands. Bright also told WHAM that his store has more American-made products than its competitors.

It will be the third Dunk & Bright Furniture retail store, and the first outside of Onondaga County.

The business has operated at the same location on South Salina Street in Syracuse since Brights great-grandfather, William Bright Sr., and William Dunk Sr. opened it in 1927. Joe Bright opened a second, 88,000-square-foot location in the former Macys at Great Northern Mall in 2022.

The Clay location is the largest furniture showroom in New York state, according to Bright. Dunk & Bright also operates a distribution center in Liverpool.
The State University of New York will begin offering a steep tuition discount to active-duty service members, National Guard members and reservists.

The SUNY Military Tuition Rate Program aims to make higher education more accessible to those actively serving in the United States military.

Currently, the United States offers up to $4,500 in tuition assistance to active duty members. The SUNY Military Tuition Rate Program will help close the gap when school costs more.

This is effectively making SUNY tuition free, said Gary Ginsburg, SUNYs chief communications officer.

Certain SUNY schools, like Tompkins Cortland Community College, SUNY Albany and SUNY Buffalo, will start the program for the spring 2026 semester. It will go into effect at all SUNY schools in fall 2026.

As part of SUNYs ongoing efforts to honor the heroes who have answered the call to serve, we are taking action for those who currently serve today, said SUNY Chancellor John B. King. With the new military tuition rate, SUNY is removing barriers and making sure cost is never what stands between servicemembers and their education.
Syracuse, N.Y.  A third Upstate University Hospital worker has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to the workers union.

The man was taken into custody Tuesday while walking in Syracuses Hawley-Green neighborhood, where he lives, said Ali Cottrell, the president of CSEA Local 615. He said the union is not naming the worker at the request of the family.

The employee was in Upstates Environmental Services Department as a cleaner, Cottrell said.

In late October, two other Upstate hospital employees were detained by ICE after attending immigration hearings. They worked in the same department as the man detained Tuesday.

The man arrested this week is originally from Africa and had proper documentation to be hired at the hospital, Cottrell said. He wasnt yet sure which country the man is from.

He had to have all the right conditions to work at Upstate because they dont just bring people in and let them work if they dont have the right information, Cottrell said.

The man had completed two weeks of training at Upstate and was scheduled to officially start his cleaning job this week, he said.

The union is working to provide his family with resources and support, Cottrell said. He added that Gov. Kathy Hochuls office has not yet contacted the union for information about the case.

Cottrell said he believes the man is being held at a federal immigration detention center in Batavia, but the union is still working to confirm his location.
Justin Call is the co-founder and CEO of Modovolo, a local startup that is launching the Lift, a modular drone platform that can integrate a wide array of specialized payloads, with long flight time, and at a price orders of magnitude less than anything on the market.

We at Modovolo have a certain admiration for headlines that go big on hyperbole. Mostly because we like to click them.

There is a bit of a problem, though. That hyperbole tends to be a bit overblown and readers tend to roll their eyes.

But that is not the case when it comes to headlines like: The U.S. Army Sounds the Alarm and US Adversaries Gain Competitive Edge and Modern Warfare Changing Faster than US Defense Systems Can Keep Up.

We take those kinds of headlines seriously. Because we live in Upstate New York  and Upstate New York is not about hyperbole.

Well, not all the time.

You may remember reading on syracuse.com, Why Syracuse, Upstate NY are the Tomorrow Land of the new drone universe. You are now thinking: Wow, these guys are crushing the hyperbole. And they have gotten lazy and lame with their titles.

Its a fair point. But we have a long history of shamelessly promoting Upstate NY with even more over-the-top language and even lazier and lamer titles, such as the article we published in UAV Commercial News titled, Why Upstate NY is the Center of the Drone Universe.

So, when Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll recently went on a diatribe at the annual conference of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA, an influential nonprofit advocating for soldiers) about how our defense systems are broken, we naturally started thinking about how Upstate New York has already been unbreaking those defense systems. And thats not hyperbole.

In his diatribe, Driscoll didnt pull any punches.

Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll, attends a ceremony at the Pentagon to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, in Washington. In a recent speech, Driscoll sounded the alarm about U.S. defense capabilities. (Julia Demaree | AP) Nikhinson) AP

Since the end of the Cold War, our systems priorities shifted from combat effectiveness to jobs and profits. And Ill just be blunt here: The definition of success became taking no risks, doing absolutely nothing, and just not getting fired, he said.

Yes, he said that. And much more. But in summary, Driscolls message is this: Our military is no longer as awesome as it once was.

The reason has nothing to do with our warfighters. Its just that for many decades now, we have not had an adversary that forced us to innovate. We have been so dominant for so long.

But now that has changed, as explained by Driscoll: Technology is rapidly and fundamentally changing our world. Our adversaries are harnessing it to change the very nature of warfare. We must change or become obsolete.

If you are Modovolo and other companies working on uncrewed aerial systems, this is likely filling you with anxiety. China has been dramatically ramping up its military capabilities and is now promising to retake Taiwan in 2027.

Thats a problem that the world has yet to really acknowledge. Because if Taiwans computer chips and other electronics stop shipping, economies will stall. Badly. Including our own.

And were not as ready as we should be for that fight with China.

But theres hope. And that hope is located in Upstate New York, the Tomorrow Land of defense technology.

What a lot of folks dont see is that Upstate New York has an insane amount of expertise in defense technology, ranging from large multi-nationals like Saab Sensis; to local champions like Assured Information Security (AIS) and ANDRO; to a new start-up ecosystem of companies coming out of the GENIUS NY program.

And that expertise means that Upstate New York is ahead of the curve and ready to meet the challenge.

Charles Green, co-founder and CEO of AIS, based in Rome, explains: Were excited about Secretary Driscolls pivot because we at AIS have been doing exactly what he is pushing for decades: developing cutting-edge technologies that not only outpaces our adversaries but are also far less expensive.

The high-tech but a lower cost mantra is a common theme.

Andy Drozd, founder and CEO of ANDRO, also based in Rome, explains: One of the many benefits of purposefully being a smaller defense company is that we have always asked this question: How do we develop a cutting-edge RF technologies that will fundamentally improve the capabilities of the warfighter but at the same time is far less expensive?

And the growth and importance of defense technology in the region is only getting started.

Thats because our very own GENIUS NY, the worlds largest drone business accelerator and competition, makes defense technology a key priority.

Kara Jones, Director of GENIUS NY, explains, We look for companies that have dual-use technologies that work in the commercial and defense space. Thats now an important mandate from Secretary Driscoll to use whats called COTS, commercial off-the-shelf technology, to lower costs and increase capabilities at the same time.

ResilienX and SkyfireAI are two such GENIUS NY companies.

Andrew Carter, co-founder and CEO of ResilienX, explains, Weve built our tech stack on the dual-use principles of safety and security, ensuring that commercial and military drone operations achieve positive mission outcomes. Commercially, we focus on safety assurance while in defense we focus the same technology on mission assurance.

SkyfireAI represents the kind of dual-use innovation emerging from Upstate New York.

Don Mathis, co-founder and CEO of SkyfireAI, explains: Our AI-driven platform integrates drone and sensor ecosystems into a single intelligent network capable of multi-ship coordination, data fusion and real-time decision support. By combining commercial agility with defense-grade reliability, were proving that American innovation can deliver autonomy thats mission-ready today  and scalable for the challenges ahead.

In the end, when the nations defense system needs a reboot, the real engine of change might be right in our backyard. From Rome to Syracuse to the Finger Lakes, Upstate New York isnt just talking about innovation  its building it.
As nearly half a million hunters prepare to go afield on opening day of New Yorks regular big game season Saturday, Department of Environmental Conservation forest rangers have been busy rescuing hunters already in the woods.

On the evening of Nov. 5, a 77-year old hunter got turned around in a swamp in the Tug Hill lowlands outside the town of Richland. The hunter called 911 but his phone died during the call.

A search party consisting of rangers, DEC police, NY State Police, and Oswego County Sheriff deputies combed the area. A drone pilot quickly located a heat source in the swamp that turned out to be the lost hunter. Rescuers guided him out by 8 p.m.

A 53-year-old hunter from Walkill went missing on the night of Nov. 7 in the town of Bleeker. He had a headlamp, cell phone, and GPS, but didnt know how to operate his electronics for navigation purposes.

Using the hunters last known coordinates, two rangers found the hunter approximately half a mile from a trailhead and escorted him back to the trailhead by 10:30 p.m.

A heart condition caused a 73-year-old hunter from Queensbury to call for help on Nov. 8 after he overexerted himself while dragging a deer down a trail. A ranger, along with a DEC police officer, assisted first responders already on scene to escort the ailing hunter to an awaiting ambulance at the trailhead.

A 64-year-old hunter went missing on Nov. 8 at a camp off Twitchell Lake accessible only via water. Four rangers searched overnight but found no signs of him. By morning, the search party expanded to 11 rangers who combed surrounding trails and drainages. At 9:42 a.m., they found the hunter in good health and escorted him back to his family waiting back at camp.

A forest ranger gives advice to a hiker in the Adirondack High Peaks.

The following reports are excerpted from DEC:

A 57-year-old hiker from Stony Point injured their leg on Nov. 4 in Phoenicia-Mt. Tobias Wild Forest. GPS coordinates placed the hiker on a steep section of the long path just south of Warner Creek. Three rangers along with EMS personnel applied a splint, provided layers of clothing, and started a fire to warm up the shivering hiker. They then used a wheeled litter to cross Warner Creek to a waiting ambulance shortly after nightfall.

On Nov. 6 two rangers found a 71-year-old hiker who had become separated from their hiking partner on Robs Trail at Hemlock-Canadice State Forest.

A 20-year-old hiker from Ontario injured their leg at the intersections of Algonquin and Iroquois Mountain trails on Nov. 8, approximately six miles from the nearest trailhead. Two rangers hoisted the hiker into a state police helicopter, which flew to lake Placid Airport.

A group of hikers got lost on Indian Pass Trail on the night of Nov. 8 and texted their coordinates to 911. Rangers located the hikers in good health at Indian Pass Brook, but they were cold and wet. During this time of year, rangers encourage hikers to prepare for the weather not only at the trailhead, but also at the peak. There is already snow on some of the Adirondack High Peaks.
People line up to get free food items at a distribution station in New York, the United States, on Nov. 12, 2025. People received free food items from a distribution station of the Food Bank for New York city on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)

People line up to get free food items at a distribution station in New York, the United States, on Nov. 12, 2025. People received free food items from a distribution station of the Food Bank for New York city on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)

People get free food items at a distribution station in New York, the United States, on Nov. 12, 2025. People received free food items from a distribution station of the Food Bank for New York city on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)

People get free food items at a distribution station in New York, the United States, on Nov. 12, 2025. People received free food items from a distribution station of the Food Bank for New York city on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)

People line up to get free food items at a distribution station in New York, the United States, on Nov. 12, 2025. People received free food items from a distribution station of the Food Bank for New York city on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)

People get free food items at a distribution station in New York, the United States, on Nov. 12, 2025. People received free food items from a distribution station of the Food Bank for New York city on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)

People line up to get free food items at a distribution station in New York, the United States, on Nov. 12, 2025. People received free food items from a distribution station of the Food Bank for New York city on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)

People line up to get free food items at a distribution station in New York, the United States, on Nov. 12, 2025. People received free food items from a distribution station of the Food Bank for New York city on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)
New York  A former aide to two New York governors went on trial Wednesday on charges she sold her influence to the Chinese government and illegally profited from the states bulk purchase of face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Linda Sun and her husband, Chris Hu, were arrested last year during a U.S. crackdown on alleged Chinese secret agents. They were charged again in June as part of the governments efforts to root out pandemic fraud.

Linda Sun was for sale, prosecutor Amanda Shami told jurors in an opening statement.

Sun and Hu made millions of dollars from their illicit conduct and reaped other rewards, including Nanjing-style salted ducks, a delicacy prepared by a Chinese officials personal chef and delivered to Suns parents New York home, prosecutors said.

The evidence will show the defendants greed. The evidence will show the defendants betrayal, Shami said.

Sun, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in China, held numerous posts over a roughly 15-year career in state government, including as deputy chief of staff to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and deputy diversity officer under former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, both Democrats.

Sun has pleaded not guilty to charges alleging she failed to register as an agent of a foreign government, conspired with her husband to commit money laundering and helped people commit visa fraud to enter the U.S. illegally.

Hu has pleaded not guilty to charges including money laundering, tax evasion, conspiracy to commit bank fraud and misuse of identification. Neither has been charged with espionage.

They both pleaded not guilty to bribery and other charges in the alleged mask scheme.

Suns lawyer, Jarrod L. Schaeffer, told jurors the charges assault everything shes built her life around.

Sun, he said, was a proud American and a loyal public servant who only dealt with China in an official, legal capacity, including as a liaison to the Asian community.

Linda Sun did what she was hired to do. Thats what the evidence will show, Schaeffer said in his opening statement in Brooklyn federal court. She didnt commit a crime by doing her job.

Schaeffer called Suns foreign agent charge nonsense, telling jurors: Linda did not have to register as a foreign agent because she is not one.

In court filings ahead of the trial, Schaeffer argued the government had charged her because she and her family had too much money and that the case is filled with glaring inconsistencies.

Judge Brian Cogan has said he expects the trial to take about a month.

Federal prosecutors allege Sun acted at the request of Chinese officials to block Taiwanese government representatives from having access to the governors office and shaped the states messaging to align with Chinese government priorities, among other things.

Among the evidence, Shami said, were messages showing Sun bragging to the Chinese consulate about blocking Taiwans access and invitations to Chinese officials bearing Hochuls forged signature. Hu, the prosecutor said, kept a spreadsheet of expected kickbacks and tried opening a bank account in his mother-in-laws name to launder the proceeds.

In return, Hu got help for his business activities in China, which prosecutors said allowed the couple to buy their multimillion-dollar Long Island home, a $1.9 million Hawaii condominium, and luxury cars including a 2024 Ferrari.

Sun and Hu are also accused of pocketing millions in kickbacks by exploiting her role on a Cuomo administration team that procured much-needed personal protective equipment as COVID-19 was taking hold in 2020.

Not only did Linda Sun betray New York state government by working for the Chinese government, the defendant betrayed New Yorkers when they were most vulnerable, Shami told jurors.

Sun used her ties to wrangle PPE, connecting the state with vendors the Chinese government recommended. But, prosecutors said, she also forged documents to falsely claim that Chinese contacts had suggested two additional companies  One run by Suns cousin, the other by Hus business associate.

Sun didnt disclose those relationships to New Yorks government, which signed contracts with the companies in March 2020 and paid them more than $44 million, prosecutors said. The cousin funneled about $2.3 million to Hu, prosecutors said.

Asked about Sun at a congressional hearing in September 2024, Cuomo said: She was a junior member in my team. I wouldnt recognize her if she was in this room today.

Hochuls office said the administration fired her after discovering evidence of misconduct.

This individual was hired by the Executive Chamber more than a decade ago. We terminated her employment in March 2023 after discovering evidence of misconduct, immediately reported her actions to law enforcement and have assisted law enforcement throughout this process, the statement said.
The White House summoned a key Republican lawmaker to the Situation Room on Wednesday for a meeting over the effort to release files related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Officials met in the Situation Room with Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, one of the Republicans who has signed on to an effort to force a vote on releasing all of the Epstein files. That effort is moving forward after a newly elected Democrat was seated in the House of Representatives and also signed on to the effort, providing the final signature needed, according to CNN.

The White House has been pressuring lawmakers against further Epstein disclosures over concerns the files could prove problematic for President Donald Trump.

Trump and Epstein were friends before having a falling out. Their friendship ended years before Epsteins arrest on federal charges that alleged he was involved in the sex trafficking of minors.

Epstein died by suicide in his jail cell in 2019.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, who had been opposed to the effort to release the Epstein files, said he is now planning for a vote on disclosure next week, according to The New York Times.

After the Situation Room meeting, Boebert thanked administration officials and said she and the White House are committed to transparency. She later told CNN that Trump did not pressure her to drop her support of the effort to release the files.

She also said that while Epstein came up, other topics were discussed as well, according to CNN.

Attorney General Pam Bondi and the FBI director, Kash Patel, were both present at the meeting, according to the Times. The White House Situation Room is normally reserved for handling high-level crises and military operations, the Times noted.

Doesnt that show the level of transparency when we are willing to sit down with members of Congress and address their concerns? White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said of the meeting with Boebert, according to CNN.

She added: Im not going to detail conversations that took place in the Situation Room.

Trump also reached out by phone to GOP Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina, who also supports the disclosure effort, according to the Times. Mace responded by sending a long explanation of her own history of sexual abuse and rape and told the president she would not change her position.

In a social media post, she wrote that the Epstein petition is deeply personal, according to the Times.

Republicans and Democrats separately released Epstein emails on Wednesday, including multiple exchanges in which Epstein discussed Trump.

One email Epstein sent in 2011 to Ghislaine Maxwell, his associate who has been convicted on trafficking charges, called Trump the dog that hasnt barked and says Trump spent hours at my house with one of the alleged sex trafficking victims, according to NPR.

I have met some very bad people, none as bad as Trump, Epstein wrote in 2017 to former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers, according to NPR. Not one decent cell in his body.

Leavitt said during a press briefing that the emails prove absolutely nothing other than the fact that President Trump did nothing wrong, according to NPR.

In a statement, she said stories on the emails are nothing more than bad-faith efforts to distract from President Trumps historic accomplishments, according to NPR.

Leavitt also said in a statement that the unnamed victim Trump spent hours with was Virginia Giuffre, a former Mar-a-Lago employee Trump previously said was stolen from his club by Epstein, according to the Independent.

The unnamed victim referenced in these emails is the late Virginia Giuffre, who repeatedly said President Trump was not involved in any wrongdoing whatsoever and couldnt have been friendlier to her in their limited interactions, Leavitt said.
The parents of at least two babies sickened in an infantile botulism outbreak are suing the makers of the ByHeart baby formula at the heart of a nationwide recall.

Stephen and Yurany Dexter, of Flagstaff, Arizona, said their 4-month-old daughter, Rose, had to be flown by air ambulance to a childrens hospital two hours from home and treated for several weeks this summer.

Michael and Hanna Everett, of Richmond, Kentucky, said their daughter, Piper, also 4 months, was rushed to a hospital Nov. 8 with worsening symptoms of the rare and potentially deadly disease.

The lawsuits, filed in federal courts in two states, allege that the ByHeart formula the babies consumed was defective and that the company was negligent in selling it. They seek financial payment for medical bills, emotional distress and other harm.

Stephen Dexter holds a container of ByHeart baby formula, which was recently recalled by ByHeart, in Flagstaff, Ariz., on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Cheyanne Mumphrey) AP

Both families said they bought the organic formula to provide what they viewed as a natural, healthier alternative to traditional baby formulas, and that they were shocked and angered by the suffering their children endured.

I wouldnt guess that a product designed for a helpless, developing human in the United States could cause something this severe, said Stephen Dexter, 44.

Shes so little and youre just helplessly watching this, said Hanna Everett, 28. It was awful.

Outbreak began in August

Rose Dexter and Piper Everett are among at least 15 infants in a dozen states who have been sickened in the outbreak that began in August, according to federal and state health officials. No deaths have been reported.

Both received the sole treatment available for botulism in children less than a year old: an IV medication called BabyBIG, made from the blood plasma of people immunized against the neurotoxins that cause the illness.

Investigations into more potential botulism cases are pending after ByHeart, the New York-based formula manufacturer, recalled all of its formula nationwide on Tuesday. At least 84 U.S. babies have been treated for infantile botulism since August, including those in the outbreak, California officials said.

The company sells about 200,000 cans of formula per month. It can take up to 30 days for signs of infantile botulism infection to appear, medical experts said.

California officials confirmed that a sample from an open can of ByHeart formula fed to an infant who fell ill contained the type of bacteria that can lead to illness.

The lawsuits filed Wednesday could be the first of many legal actions against ByHeart, said Bill Marler, a Seattle food safety lawyer who represents Dexter.

This company potentially faces an existential crisis, he said.

ByHeart officials didnt respond to questions about the new lawsuits but said they would address any legal claims in due course.

We remain focused on ensuring that families using ByHeart products are aware of the recall and have factual information about steps they should take, the company said in a statement.

Parents fretted as babies grew sicker

In Rose Dexters case, she received ByHeart formula within days of her birth in July after breast milk was insufficient, her father said. Stephen Dexter said he went to Whole Foods to find a natural option.

Im a little concerned with things that are in food that may cause problems, he said. We do our best to buy something that says its organic.

But Rose, who was healthy at birth, didnt thrive on the formula. She had trouble feeding and was fussy and fretful as she got sicker. On Aug. 31, when she was 8 weeks old, her parents couldnt wake her.

Rose was flown by air ambulance to Phoenix Childrens Hospital, where she stayed for nearly two weeks.

Hanna Everett said she used ByHeart to supplement breastfeeding starting when Piper was 6 weeks old.

Its supposed to be similar to breast milk, she said.

In this photo provided by Stephen Dexter, his 2-month-old daughter Rose Dexter is being treated for infantile botulism at Phoenix Childrens Hospital on Sept. 4, 2025, in Phoenix, Ariz. (Stephen Dexter via AP) AP

Last weekend, Piper started showing signs of illness. Everett said she became more worried when a friend told her ByHeart had recalled two lots of its Whole Nutrition Infant Formula. When a family member checked the empty cans, they matched the recalled lots.

I was like, Oh my god, we need to go to the ER, Everett recalled.

At Kentucky Childrens Hospital, Pipers condition worsened rapidly. Her pupils stopped dilating correctly and she lost her gag reflex. Her head and arms became limp and floppy.

This photo provided by Hanna Everett shows 4-month-old Piper Everett being treated for infantile botulism on Nov. 10, 2025, in a Kentucky hospital. (Hanna Everett via AP) AP

Doctors immediately ordered doses of the BabyBIG medication, which had to be shipped from California, Everett said. In the meantime, Piper had to have a feeding tube and IV lines inserted.

In both cases, the babies improved after receiving treatment. Rose went home in September and she no longer requires a feeding tube. Piper went home this week.

They appear to be doing well on different formulas, the families said.
ANKARA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- A Turkish firefighting aircraft crashed in Croatia on Thursday, leaving its pilot dead, Turkiye's Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said.

"The wreckage of our firefighting aircraft belonging to the General Directorate of Forestry, which lost radio contact in Croatia, has been located near the town of Senj in Croatia," Yumakli said on social media platform X.

In an earlier statement, the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry said two AT-802 planes operated by the General Directorate of Forestry, a public institution affiliated with the ministry, had departed from the northwestern province of Canakkale on Wednesday morning to undergo scheduled maintenance in Zagreb, capital of Croatia.

Due to poor weather, both aircraft were forced to remain overnight on Wednesday at Rijeka Airport in western Croatia's city of Rijeka, said the statement.

They then took off on Thursday afternoon, but were forced to head back to the airport amid worsening weather, with one of them landing successfully, while the other's radio contact lost at 6:25 p.m. local time (1525 GMT), it added. 
LinkedIn has long been recognized as the premier platform for professional networking, traditionally characterized by formal posts, polished resumes, and serious discussions around career growth. However, a growing trend is shifting this landscape and its algorithm: the rise of humor on LinkedIn.

Users are increasingly embracing humor as a valuable tool to foster connections, showcase authenticity, and navigate evolving professional networking trends. This article explores how humor is transforming LinkedIn's professional culture, emphasizing key aspects such as LinkedIn humor posts, authenticity online, and current professional networking trends.

Why Are LinkedIn Users Sharing More Humor Posts?

Online users are progressively incorporating Linkedin humor posts into their content, marking a departure from strictly formal tones. This shift responds to an audience seeking relatability and human connection in an often impersonal professional space.

Traditionally, LinkedIn content focused on achievements, thought leadership, and industry insights, which sometimes created a barrier between users and their audience. Humor posts break this barrier by providing approachable, engaging content that resonates more deeply. By sharing lighthearted anecdotes, funny workplace observations, or witty takes on professional challenges, users invite interactions that foster more natural and meaningful networking.

Moreover, humor facilitates breaking the ice in professional networking. When users employ humor, they signal openness and approachability, encouraging conversations that can lead to stronger relationships. This has positioned humor as an effective communication style that aligns well with evolving professional networking trends valuing genuine connections.

How Does Humor Affect Professional Networking Trends?

The rise of humor on LinkedIn profiles echoes broader shifts in professional networking, where authenticity and personal branding are becoming paramount. Humor enables users to present multidimensional personas beyond traditional career highlights, showing personality, creativity, and emotional intelligence.

Authenticity online is a critical outcome of humor's integration. Through humor posts, professionals express their human side, reducing the polished facade that often dominates LinkedIn profiles. This increased transparency fosters trust and rapport among peers, recruiters, and potential collaborators. The professional networking landscape now favors individuals who combine competence with relatable personal qualities, and humor is a powerful strategy for achieving this balance.

Recruiters and employers also respond favorably to humor when it is authentic and appropriate. It can differentiate candidates in competitive job markets by highlighting soft skills such as communication, creativity, and cultural fit. As a result, the humor strategy influences networking dynamics, inspiring more interactive and engaging career conversations.

What Types of Humor Are Most Popular on LinkedIn?

LinkedIn humor posts span a variety of styles, each appealing to different professional audiences. Among the most popular types are:

Light-hearted workplace anecdotes: Stories about relatable office scenarios, common challenges, or humorous client interactions allow users to connect over shared experiences.

Stories about relatable office scenarios, common challenges, or humorous client interactions allow users to connect over shared experiences. Satirical takes on corporate culture: These posts use gentle satire to poke fun at typical corporate jargon, meeting overload, or management trends, generating engagement through humor that many professionals recognize.

These posts use gentle satire to poke fun at typical corporate jargon, meeting overload, or management trends, generating engagement through humor that many professionals recognize. Memes and creative visuals: Visual humor, including memes adapted to suit professional contexts, helps capture attention quickly in a platform predominantly focused on text and professional updates.

Creators often blend these formats to maintain a respectful tone while entertaining their audiences. The effectiveness of humor on LinkedIn depends on striking the right balance between insight, relatability, and professionalism.

Does Humor Affect Professionalism on LinkedIn?

A common concern about humor on LinkedIn is whether it undermines professionalism. However, evidence suggests that well-crafted humor can coexist with professional standards and may even boost perceptions of credibility and approachability.

Professionals who use humor judiciously tend to project confidence and self-awareness, signaling an ability to communicate effectively in diverse situations. Instead of detracting from their image, humor can humanize professionals and make their profiles more memorable.

Many successful professionals and thought leaders have integrated humor into their LinkedIn content to build personal brands without compromising respect or expertise. The key lies in tailoring humor to one's audience and maintaining respect for diverse viewpoints.

How Is Authenticity Online Influenced by Humor on LinkedIn?

Authenticity online has become a cornerstone of effective social media presence. Humor plays a significant role in encouraging genuine self-expression on LinkedIn. It allows users to share not just successes but also challenges and imperfections in a way that feels approachable.

This fosters a culture of vulnerability, where professionals feel safer expressing real-life experiences, including setbacks or frustrations, without fear of judgment. Humor mitigates the stigma around imperfection, inspiring others to be more open.

Communities form around shared humor, strengthening connections and engagement. These interactions contribute to a more vibrant and inclusive professional networking environment. Ultimately, humor on LinkedIn supports authenticity by helping users present their true selves rather than idealized versions.

What Are the Risks and Challenges of Using Humor on LinkedIn?

Despite its benefits, humor on LinkedIn carries risks. Misinterpretation is a significant challenge, as tone and intent may not always translate clearly in text-based posts. Humor that is too edgy or controversial can alienate audiences or damage a candidate's reputation on the hiring platform.

Maintaining brand consistency is another consideration. Professionals must ensure that humor aligns with their personal or corporate brand values and does not undermine their professionalism or expertise.

Cultural differences present additional complexities, as humor styles vary widely across regions and industries. What is funny to one group may be inappropriate or obscure to another, requiring sensitivity and awareness.

Successful humor on LinkedIn involves balancing creativity with caution, ensuring it enhances rather than detracts from professional goals.

Humor is redefining LinkedIn's professional culture by infusing authenticity and relatability into a traditionally formal setting. LinkedIn humor posts reflect broader professional networking trends that prioritize genuine connections, personal branding, and emotional intelligence.

When used thoughtfully, humor enhances professionalism, builds trust, and fosters a vibrant online community where authenticity thrives. As the platform continues to evolve, humor is likely to remain a key element in how professionals engage, connect, and grow.

Encouraging balanced and considerate humor on LinkedIn offers new opportunities to strengthen communication and humanize professional interactions, signaling a positive shift in the future of online professional culture.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can humor improve leadership presence on LinkedIn?

Humor can help leaders appear more approachable and relatable, breaking down hierarchical barriers. By sharing lighthearted content, leaders can foster team morale and humanize their public image, enhancing engagement and influence on the platform.

2. What role does humor play in attracting diverse talent on LinkedIn?

Using humor thoughtfully can foster an inclusive, dynamic workplace culture. It signals openness to different personalities and work styles, which may attract a broader, more diverse pool of candidates who value authentic and engaging environments.

3. How should companies incorporate humor in their official LinkedIn communications?

Companies should align humor with their brand voice and audience expectations. Light, positive humor that reflects company culture and values can build emotional connections with followers, but it requires careful moderation to avoid misunderstandings or offending stakeholders.

4. Can humor on LinkedIn impact mental health and workplace well-being?

Yes, humor content can foster a sense of community and reduce feelings of isolation or stress among professionals. Sharing relatable jokes about work-life challenges can normalize experiences and promote a healthier, more supportive professional atmosphere online.
Amazon has confirmed it is cutting nearly 700 corporate jobs across its New York City offices as part of a larger company-wide restructuring.

The move is part of a sweeping plan that will see roughly 14,000 corporate positions eliminated worldwide as the e-commerce giant looks to streamline operations and reduce costs.

According to filings with the New York State Department of Labor, 660 employees will lose their jobs across nine office locations in Manhattan.

The largest number of cuts will occur at Amazon's Manhattan West office and its New York Tech Hub inside the former Lord & Taylor building on Fifth Avenue.

"All employees whose roles were eliminated (including in New York) were notified that day," Amazon said in a statement, referring to October 28, the day the layoffs began, USA Today reported.

The company emphasized that the decision is part of its ongoing efforts to become "leaner" and more efficient in serving customers and supporting long-term growth.

Beth Galetti, Amazon's senior vice president of People Experience and Technology, explained the reasoning in a memo to staff.

"We're convinced that we need to be organized more leanly, with fewer layers and more ownership, to move as quickly as possible for our customers and business," she said.

Amazon cuts 700 jobs in NYC alone on quest to streamline by slashing 30,000 positions https://t.co/97kW7fODbi pic.twitter.com/fu56YsE3wy  New York Post (@nypost) November 11, 2025

Amazon Offers Severance and Support

Amazon said affected employees will receive a 90-day notification period, severance pay, and a lump sum to cover healthcare costs.

The company also promised free skills training and career support to help employees transition into new roles.

The layoffs, first reported by Crain's New York, come as Amazon continues to evaluate its corporate structure under CEO Andy Jassy.

Since taking over from founder Jeff Bezos in 2021, Jassy has led several major rounds of cuts that have affected tens of thousands of employees across various departments, including human resources, cloud services, and advertising.

The New York layoffs represent a significant hit to Amazon's corporate presence in the city, but the company said none of its nine affected offices are expected to close. Warehouse and delivery employees were not impacted by the cuts.

Analysts say the decision reflects a broader trend among large tech companies, which have trimmed headcounts over the past year to adapt to changing market conditions and invest more heavily in artificial intelligence.

Despite the layoffs, Amazon remains one of New York's largest private employers, with thousands of workers in its Manhattan offices and logistics facilities across the state.

Originally published on vcpost.com
ZAGREB, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Air Tractor AT-802F, which was on a circular flight in Croatia, crashed in the town of Krivi Put in the western part of the country on Thursday and a search and rescue operation for the pilot is underway, local media reported. 
Former Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt sounded the alarm on a looming global AI imbalance, warning that an inexpensive, open-source Chinese AI model might become the standard for most countries.

Schmidt was speaking on the "Moonshots" podcast and added: whereas major AI models in the U.S. are closed-source and expensive, in China, they're open-source and free.

Why Open-Source AI Appeals Globally

Free to access, modify, and redistribute, open-source AI is extremely attractive to governments and organizations with shoestring budgets. According to Schmidt, the majority of nations and governments will end up "standardizing on Chinese models not because they're better, but because they're free."

Proponents argue that open-source models accelerate innovation and democratize technology. On the other hand, closed-source models, while keeping the code private for security reasons, will be so expensive that their use might be restricted to wealthy nations.

The Rise of Chinese AI Models

According to Business Insider, Chinese AI platforms such as DeepSeek have gained a lot of popularity this year. This is simply concerning about data privacy, national security, and U.S. competitiveness. If open access were to be available, these models could eventually set the standard globally by mere reason of affordability, thereby causing a seismic geopolitical shift in AI influence.

Sovereign AI

Schmidt's misgivings reflect the rising tide of "sovereign AI," the movement of countries to make their AI, data, and infrastructure independent. Nvidia Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang and Mistral's Arthur Mensch have both emphasized the need for autonomous AI systems.

Mensch drew a parallel with electricity in the early 1900s, saying that any nation without domestic AI capabilities will become dependent on the technology of other nations, and one that threatens economic and technological sovereignty.

During a 2025 address at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, Huang urged governments to build their own AI systems, embedding national languages, culture, and data into large language models in order to safeguard autonomy.

The Chinese AI sector has surged to more than 4,500 companies as of 2024. This means that they are raking in billions of profit from the technology. When this happens, the AI development is expected to be relentless, so they could create more advanced open-source AI models like GLM-4.5.
Ford CEO Jim Farley has issued one of his most pointed warnings to date about the future of the global electric vehicle market, suggesting that Tesla's long-held dominance may be approaching a turning point.

Speaking candidly about the rapid rise of Chinese electric vehicle makers, Farley said their manufacturing strength and technological efficiency now pose the most serious competitive threat to both Ford and Tesla, signalling a dramatic shift in the balance of power within the EV industry.

Farley Sounds Alarm Over China's Expanding EV Power

In recent comments, Farley said Chinese manufacturers have built an industrial advantage so significant that it could reshape the entire electric vehicle landscape.

He noted that China's factories already have enough production capacity to serve the entire North American market, warning that this scale has the potential to leave Western brands struggling to compete.

Farley described China as the '700-pound gorilla' of the EV sector, a sign of his growing concern that the global market is now being shaped by the country's cost leadership, battery expertise and vertically integrated supply chains.

Analysts say his remarks reflect a broader fear among established carmakers that China is moving faster and more efficiently than its Western rivals.

Tesla's Lead Under Pressure After 'Shocking' Teardown Findings

Farley's warning follows internal teardowns carried out by Ford engineers on Tesla and leading Chinese electric vehicles  which he described as 'shocking', as reported by the New York Post. The assessments revealed significant differences in design efficiency.

In some cases, Chinese EVs and Tesla models were found to use far fewer components and more advanced software structures compared with Ford's current architecture.

One discovery highlighted by industry reports was the wiring layout. The Tesla Model 3, for instance, was found to contain substantially less wiring than the Mustang Mach-E, reducing weight and lowering costs.

Such findings led Farley to admit that Ford needed to 'rethink' its engineering approach, with the Model e division now accelerating efforts to streamline vehicle architecture and software systems.

China's EV Machine Outpaces Western Rivals

China's rise in the EV industry is not only rooted in manufacturing capacity. The country dominates global battery production, controls key mineral supply chains and has built a system where design, testing and production can be completed faster than in Europe or the United States.

This combination has allowed Chinese brands to produce electric cars at prices that are increasingly difficult for Western companies to match.

The rapid expansion of these brands into Europe has already reshaped market forecasts, with experts predicting that low-cost Chinese EVs will take a growing share of the UK and EU markets over the next few years.

Farley's warning highlights how this surge has placed both Tesla and Ford under mounting competitive pressure.

Ford Shifts Strategy as Competition Intensifies

Under the Ford+ plan, Farley is overseeing a restructuring of the company's global operations with three core divisions: Ford Blue for petrol and hybrid vehicles, Model e for electric models and Ford Pro for commercial services.

The company has faced heavy losses in its EV division, prompting a renewed focus on cost efficiency, software-defined vehicles and supply chain resilience.

Farley has also emphasised the critical importance of controlling the supply chain, calling it the most influential function in modern manufacturing.

His comments reflect Ford's recognition that competing with Tesla and Chinese automakers will require faster innovation and tighter production strategies.

Impact on the UK and European Markets

Farley's remarks carry particular weight in the UK, where the shift to electric vehicles is accelerating.

The entry of competitively priced Chinese EVs into the European market has intensified pressure on established brands, including Ford, to reduce costs and expand electric offerings.

Industry experts say Farley's warning underscores the challenges facing carmakers operating in Britain and Europe, where supply chain vulnerabilities and rising tariffs are already reshaping business decisions.

His comments have sparked renewed discussion about the UK's dependence on imported batteries and components and the need for domestic investment to remain competitive in the global EV race.

Originally published on IBTimes UK
The notorious DanaBot malware has returned after a six-month hiatus with an upgraded infrastructure and enhanced stealth mechanisms targeting Windows users once again.

Security researchers at Zscaler ThreatLabz have uncovered a new variant, DanaBot version 669, marking a major comeback for the cybercriminal group behind the attacks following its disruption during Operation Endgame in May 2025.

Back Online With New Tricks

According to a new report from Zscaler ThreatLabz, DanaBots operators have rebuilt their command-and-control (C2) network using both traditional IP servers and hidden Tor (.onion) domains to communicate with infected devices, making it more resilient and harder to trace. Researchers also identified a backconnect channel that likely allowed attackers to access and control infected systems remotely.

The new variants infrastructure includes IP addresses 62.60.226[.]146, 62.60.226[.]154, and 80.64.19[.]39 communicating over port 443, along with several active Tor-based C2 endpoints. A separate node at 158.94.208[.]102 handles reverse connections over ports 443 and 8080.

Whats more concerning is that the group has also added new ways to steal money. DanaBot now targets cryptocurrency as well as traditional banking logins, with stolen funds being funnelled to Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and TRON wallet addresses linked to the group, signalling that the operators have resumed monetizing their attacks through digital currency theft.

From Banking Trojan To Cybercrime Mainstay

Originally discovered in 2018, DanaBot began as a banking trojan that stole financial credentials spread through phishing emails and malicious ads. Written in Delphi, it evolved into a modular, plug-in-based malware capable of stealing passwords, browser data, and cryptocurrency wallet details.

Unlike one-off malware, DanaBot operates under a malware-as-a-service (MaaS) model, meaning criminals can rent it, and allow them to launch customized attacks for a subscription fee. Over the years, it has been spotted in campaigns across Australia, Europe, and North America, often spreading through phishing emails, SEO poisoning, or malicious ads.

Resilient After Operation Endgame

DanaBots comeback follows Operation Endgame in May 2025, a global law enforcement effort that brought agencies from over a dozen countries  including the Netherlands, Germany, the U.S., and the U.K.  to dismantle major malware operations like Qakbot, Bumblebee, Trickbot, and DanaBot.

While the operation seized infrastructure, issued arrest warrants, and temporarily crippled multiple ransomware supply chains, the disruption didnt last forever, as shown by Zscalers findings. The core DanaBot operators appear to have escaped capture and have rebuilt their infrastructure, proving once again that cybercriminal groups are quick to adapt and recover.

Defensive Measures

Security experts say the new campaign is a reminder that malware disruptions rarely last forever, even after major takedowns. Organizations are urged to:

Avoid clicking on suspicious email links or attachments

Keep antivirus and security tools up to date

Train employees to recognize phishing emails and malicious links

Block the newly identified indicators of compromise (IoCs) shared by Zscaler

DanaBots re-emergence is a reminder that while global law enforcement operations can deliver major blows to cybercrime, they rarely wipe out the threat completely. As long as stolen data and cryptocurrency remain lucrative, attackers will keep resurfacing, signalling a growing shift toward cryptocurrency theft over traditional banking fraud.
DAMASCUS, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Syria's interior and defense chiefs held a high-level meeting on Thursday to strengthen coordination as the country steps up its nationwide campaign against Islamic State (IS) cells amid a surge in militant attacks in the east, according to officials and monitoring groups.

Interior chief Anas Khattab and defense chief Marhaf Abu Qasra convened an expanded meeting in Damascus with senior officers to discuss what authorities described as the "current security and defense challenges" facing the country.

According to a statement from the interior authorities, the talks focused on strengthening joint field coordination, unifying command structures, and accelerating operational procedures to respond more efficiently to emerging threats. Both officials stressed that sustained cooperation between the two departments remains "a fundamental pillar of national security."

The meeting concluded with a set of recommendations that will be implemented in the coming days, aimed at boosting readiness and improving the government's ability to confront escalating security risks, an interior authorities' statement said, without disclosing details.

The stepped-up coordination comes as IS cells intensify attacks in eastern Syria's Deir al-Zour province, where militants targeted two oil tankers in separate incidents on Thursday, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor.

In the village of al-Tayyahki, suspected IS fighters opened fire on a fuel tanker, causing material damage. Hours later, in al-Shahil, another tanker was hit, leaving its driver wounded. Both attacks fit a growing pattern of hit-and-run assaults carried out by IS cells across the eastern Euphrates region.

The observatory said Thursday that IS militants have conducted 215 attacks in areas controlled by the Kurdish Autonomous Administration since the beginning of 2025, in which 97 people were killed, including 68 Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters, 15 civilians, and 13 IS militants.

As the attacks rise, Syrian interior authorities released video footage Thursday showing security forces raiding suspected IS hideouts in several provinces. The operations were launched last week in coordination with the General Intelligence Directorate.

Specialized units have been deployed in Idlib and other regions to raid sites believed to be harboring IS operatives. Officials have not disclosed the number of arrests, and the multi-day campaign remains underway.

The renewed counterterrorism drive follows Syrian interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa's recent visit to the United States, where talks centered on expanding cooperation against IS remnants entrenched in Syria's eastern desert and rural areas. 
China hopes US will 'some day' return to climate fold, official tells AFP



Belem, Brazil, Nov 12 (AFP) Nov 12, 2025



China believes the United States eventually will return to climate talks, the head of Beijing's delegation told AFP Wednesday at the COP30 climate summit, adding the world must show that the green transition "cannot be reversed."

Cooperation between China and the United States, the world's biggest economies and top polluters, has been key in the past to breaking deadlocks during negotiations at the annual UN climate talks.

But President Donald Trump, who has pulled the United States out of the Paris climate agreement, and his government have shunned this year's conference in Belem, a city in the Brazilian Amazon.

"Addressing climate change needs every country. We hope that some day, and we also believe that some day in the future, the US will come back," Li Gao, who is also a deputy environment minister, told AFP.

While Trump promotes fossil fuels and rolls back the green tech policies of his predecessor Joe Biden, China is installing more renewable energy sources and putting more electric vehicles on its roads than any other country.

Li said China's priority at COP30 is to support the Brazilian presidency "together with others to send out a very strong political signal that the green low-carbon transition cannot be reversed" and that "international cooperation cannot be reduced."

"It is very important that parties here show political solidarity and commit to work together to address climate change and make sure this COP is an implementation COP," he added.

Li urged countries to "avoid the negative impact of, for example, geopolitical unilateralism or protectionism."

A major issue being discussed at the Conference of the Parties in Belem is how to provide money to help developing countries transition to green energy and adapt to climate change.

The COP29 gathering in Baku last year ended with developed nations agreeing to provide $300 billion annually in climate finance to poorer countries by 2035, a figure criticized as way below what is needed to meet the challenge.

They also set a much less specific target of helping raise $1.3 trillion annually from public and private sources.

A report released by the heads of COP29 and Brazil's COP30 presidency says the world has all the tools to reach the target.

"We welcome the report for the $1.3 trillion, but we think it is crucial that developed countries fulfil the commitment for $300 billion, because it's their responsibility," Li said.
Brazil tribal chief ready to give Lula a 'talking-to'



Belem, Brazil, Nov 12 (AFP) Nov 12, 2025



A renowned Brazilian tribal chief said Wednesday on the sidelines of UN climate talks that he would not hesitate to give the president a "talking-to" if he ignored concerns over oil exploration near the mouth of the Amazon River.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva openly backed the controversial drilling project which began in October when oil giant Petrobras secured a license after a years-long battle.

Raoni Metuktire, the nonagenarian leader of the Kayapo people who rose to fame in the 1980s campaigning against deforestation with British musician Sting, is attending COP30 talks in the Amazon city of Belem.

"I support President Lula, but he must listen to us... He must respect us," Raoni told journalists after taking part in the opening of the People's Summit -- a parallel event which aims to give voice to those often not heard in high-level climate negotiations.

"I will make an appointment with him, and, if necessary, I will give him a talking-to so that he listens to me," said Raoni -- instantly recognizable for the large wooden plate in his lower lip.

His comments were translated into Portuguese from his Kayapo language.

The Indigenous leader also highlighted government plans for the Ferrograo railway -- a nearly 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) project to transport grain across Brazil, including through the Amazon -- and ongoing deforestation.

"If these bad actions continue, we will have problems," Raoni said.

Amazon deforestation has steadily declined since Lula's return to power, after having increased sharply under the presidency of his far-right predecessor Jair Bolsonaro.

Raoni was one of the figures who symbolically presented Lula with the presidential sash during his inauguration for a third term in 2023.

Lula has repeatedly stated his belief that the world is not ready to move away from fossil fuels, and that expanding oil production in Brazil -- the world's eighth largest producer -- will help finance the energy transition.

However, at a leaders' summit last week ahead of COP30, he warned that "Earth can no longer sustain the development model based on the intensive use of fossil fuels."
Brazil extends talks on contentious issues at UN climate summit



Belem, Brazil, Nov 12 (AFP) Nov 12, 2025



Brazil said Wednesday it would extend negotiations at the COP30 summit to give nations time to bridge divides over thorny differences on climate goals and the finances required to achieve them.

These sticking points were supposed to be resolved during a session on Wednesday. But just minutes into the meeting, Andre Correa do Lago, the diplomat presiding over the talks, announced that more consultations were needed and pushed the deadline to Saturday.

Countries "have engaged in open and honest discussions," he said, but "they need more time."

"The scenario in which it was potentially going to be passed on to the ministers in the second week seems to be confirmed," a source told AFP following the discussions.

It is customary for political leaders to arrive during the second and final week of UN climate talks to finalize the agreements drafted by negotiators in the opening days.

The Brazilian presidency managed to secure the inclusion of several key items on the agenda Monday, while promising consultations on more contentious points raised by various country groups.

The Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), supported by others, wants the summit to officially address underwhelming emissions-cutting commitments, which have made overshooting the 1.5C warming threshold set by the Paris agreement virtually certain.

Another major issue, raised by a coalition of developing nations, concerns the financial support that wealthier countries are obligated to provide. A further point of contention involves "unilateral" trade measures -- such as the European carbon border tax -- criticized by Global South countries including India and China.

To find common ground, Brazil is banking on its close ties with Beijing, New Delhi, and other major developing nations.

"This greatly facilitates our capacity for dialogue," Mauricio Lyrio, Brazil's chief negotiator, told AFP. "What we have noticed is a political will from everyone to help Brazil have a successful COP."
Wallets, not warming, make voters care about climate: California governor



Belem, Brazil, Nov 12 (AFP) Nov 12, 2025



California Governor Gavin Newsom says his Democratic Party is "back on its feet" after a string of election wins -- and the way to make Americans care about global warming is to show how it affects their wallets.

The 58-year-old leader of the Golden State spoke to AFP at the UN's annual climate summit, held this year in Belem, a northern Brazilian city on the edge of the Amazon rainforest.

Newsom has emerged as one of President Donald Trump's fiercest foes during the Republican's second term, matching Trump's bombastic style on social media and raising his own national profile -- though some critics see such tactics as a race to the bottom.

Democrats were wiped out in last year's national elections, which saw Trump return to power, but the party rallied in state and local contests earlier this month.

Notably, charismatic progressive Zohran Mamdani won New York's mayoral race, while Democrats also captured two key governorships.

Asked whether the party now had momentum, Newsom replied: "The answer is unequivocal, yes," citing state-level victories in the southern state of Georgia and the election of the first Democratic district attorney in a suburban Pennsylvania county as signs the shift runs deep.

"This party's back on its feet. We're on our toes. We're not on our heels," he said in an interview with a small group of journalists.

"It's a very encouraging moment," he added -- though he expressed frustration that some Senate Democrats had joined Republicans to end a federal budget impasse without securing the concessions on containing health care costs they had sought.



- Kitchen table politics -



The tall, impeccably coiffed governor of the world's fourth largest economy is widely seen as a likely 2028 presidential contender, though he has yet to make any announcement.

He has been on a charm offensive at COP30, drawing a sharp contrast between the Trump administration's absence from the talks -- and its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement -- and California's own push to greenify its $4.1 trillion economy.

Trump appears to have taken notice.

In what was unlikely a coincidence, The New York Times reported Tuesday that the federal government plans to restart after roughly four decades offshore drilling along the California coast -- a move Newsom vowed would happen "over our dead body." Analysts have questioned whether energy companies would even be interested.

Beyond pulling the US out of the landmark Paris deal to limit global warming, Trump's Republicans have launched an all-out war on solar and wind energy at home, undoing clean energy tax credits that were the signature climate achievement of former president Joe Biden.

Asked whether President Biden's strategy of framing climate action as a job-creation issue was the best way to connect with voters, Newsom took a different tack.

"Well, it's a cost-of-living issue, it's a kitchen-table issue," he said, citing the insurance risks now plaguing states from Florida to New Jersey, as well as his own California, which suffered one of the worst wildfires in its history earlier this year.



- An American COP? -



Such disasters have plunged the homeowners' insurance market into crisis, leaving residents facing steep rate hikes, canceled coverage, and long delays in receiving payments.

Moreover, he added, "green energy is cheap energy" -- echoing a talking point borne out by global data, even if the picture in California, which has high energy rates, is more complex.

"If we start talking in those terms, I think we'll be more effective," he said.

Asked whether a future Democratic administration would seek to host a COP summit -- the earliest chance being 2031, when the Western bloc is in line -- Newsom chuckled and said: "The Trump administration has not done a damn thing to earn it."

"I'd be very eager, as governor, to encourage that," he added, noting his own track record.

As mayor of San Francisco, he hosted a UN environment day and the city now has a Climate Week. "But I'm not naive -- right now, our status would be maybe one-half of one percent in terms of support."
World's fossil fuel emissions to hit new record in 2025: study



Paris, Nov 13 (AFP) Nov 13, 2025



Global fossil fuel emissions are set to hit a new high in 2025, according to research published Thursday that also warns curbing warming under 1.5C would now be essentially "impossible".

The annual Global Carbon Budget report looks at humanity's emissions of planet-heating CO2 from burning hydrocarbons, cement production and land use -- like deforestation -- and relates the figures to the warming thresholds outlined in the 2015 Paris Agreement.

An international team of scientists found that CO2 emissions from fossil fuels will be 1.1 percent higher in 2025 than a year ago, with the huge rollout of renewable technologies across the world not yet enough to compensate for growing energy demand.

With emissions from oil, gas and coal all set to rise, the overall figure is due to reach a record of 38.1 billion tonnes of CO2.

Released as nations meet for COP30 climate talks in the Brazilian Amazon, the new study calculated a remaining allowance of 170 billion tonnes of CO2 to limit warming to 1.5C from pre-industrial levels -- the goal outlined in the Paris Agreement.

"This equates to four years of emissions at the current rate before the budget for 1.5C is exhausted, so that is impossible, essentially," said Pierre Friedlingstein of Britain's Exeter University, who led the research.

The failure to cut planet-heating emissions is overshadowing the COP30 in the rainforest city of Belem -- the conference taking place this week without the presence of the United States, the world's second largest polluter.

Despite indications that 2025 will be one of the hottest years ever recorded, nations' future climate plans have also fallen far short.

"Collectively, the world is not delivering," Glen Peters, at the CICERO Center for International Climate Research, told AFP.

"Everyone needs to do their bit, and all of them need to do more."



- Not yet peaked -



Peters said fossil emissions in China were largely "flat" this year, particularly from highly polluting coal, which could indicate that renewables will start to take a greater share of energy demand.

But he said policy uncertainty in the world's biggest carbon polluter meant it was too early to declare it had reached a peak.

"The balance is shifting towards where you would start to expect emissions to go down, but it will take some time," he said.

In the US, coal emissions rose 7.5 percent, as higher gas prices saw power generation switched to the more polluting fuel.

Overall, both the US and EU bucked recent downward trends with increased emissions, partly linked to cooler winter months spurring demand for heating.

In India, an early monsoon and strong renewables growth helped drive a smaller CO2 rise than in recent years.

The study, published in the journal Earth System Science Data, found that 35 countries had now managed to reduce their emissions while also growing their economies -- twice as many as a decade ago.

Humanity's total emissions including from land were projected to reach 42.2 billion tonnes this year -- slightly lower than last year, although this was subject to wide uncertainty.

Researchers said a reduction in deforestation and damaging fires in South America -- partly linked to the end of very dry 2023-2024 El Nino conditions -- had played a role in reducing net land use emissions.
Brazil tribal chief ready to give Lula a 'talking-to'



Belem, Brazil, Nov 13 (AFP) Nov 13, 2025



A renowned Brazilian tribal chief was among Indigenous activists on the sidelines of UN climate talks when he said Wednesday he was prepared to give the president a "talking-to" if he ignored concerns over oil exploration near the mouth of the Amazon River.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva openly backed the controversial drilling project which began in October when oil giant Petrobras secured a license after a years-long battle.

Raoni Metuktire, the nonagenarian leader of the Kayapo people who rose to fame in the 1980s campaigning against deforestation with British musician Sting, is attending COP30 talks in the Amazon city of Belem.

"I support President Lula, but he must listen to us...He must respect us," Raoni told journalists after taking part in the opening of the People's Summit -- a parallel event to COP30 which aims to give voice to those often not heard in high-level climate negotiations.

"I will make an appointment with him, and, if necessary, I will give him a talking-to so that he listens to me," said Raoni -- instantly recognizable for the large wooden plate in his lower lip.

His comments were translated into Portuguese from his Kayapo language.

The Indigenous leader also highlighted government plans for the Ferrograo railway -- a nearly 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) project to transport grain across Brazil, including through the Amazon -- and ongoing deforestation.

"If these bad actions continue, we will have problems," Raoni said.

A major march for climate is scheduled for Saturday in Belem, where indigenous people and civil society organizations are expected to demand climate justice and the protection of indigenous territories.



- Protests -



UN officials said two security workers were injured when a protest march Tuesday evening resulted in clashes, but Indigenous leaders defended their actions.

"No one committed any acts of banditry -- it was to draw attention," Dona Neves Arara Vermelha, a member of the Arapiuns ethnic group from the COP30 host state of Para, said at the press conference.

The Arapiuns grievances include a land demarcation process they deem too slow and insufficient forest protections to counter the encroaching interests of the powerful agribusiness sector.

"We still hope to have a discussion with President Lula, with the leaders...to sit at the negotiation table. They refuse to listen to what we are saying here," added Aracelia Arapiun, another Indigenous woman.

Amazon deforestation has steadily declined since Lula's return to power, after having increased sharply under the presidency of his far-right predecessor Jair Bolsonaro.

Raoni was one of the figures who symbolically presented Lula with the presidential sash during his inauguration for a third term in 2023.

Lula has repeatedly stated his belief that the world is not ready to move away from fossil fuels, and that expanding oil production in Brazil -- the world's eighth largest producer -- will help finance the energy transition.

However, at a leaders' summit last week ahead of COP30, he warned that "Earth can no longer sustain the development model based on the intensive use of fossil fuels."
Philippines vows arrests over bogus flood control projects



Manila, Nov 13 (AFP) Nov 13, 2025



The Philippines' president vowed on Thursday that those behind bogus flood control projects will be arrested before Christmas, days after deadly back-to-back typhoons left swathes of the country underwater.

Scores of construction firm owners, government officials and lawmakers - including President Ferdinand Marcos' cousin Congressman - have been accused of pocketing funds for substandard or so-called ghost infrastructure projects.

The Department of Finance has estimated the Philippine economy lost up to 118.5 billion pesos (around $2 billion) from 2023 to 2025 due to corruption in flood control projects.

Criminal cases against most of the people implicated were nearly completed, Marcos told reporters.

"We don't file cases for optics. We file cases to put people in jail," he said.

"They won't have a merry Christmas... happy days are over."

Marcos put the issue of ghost infrastructure projects centre stage in his July national address, and public anger over the issue has since mounted.

Asked if his cousin Martin Romualdez will also face charges, Marcos said "not as yet", citing a lack of evidence, but adding that "no one is exempted in this investigation".

The Philippines is still reeling from the devastation caused by then Super Typhoon Fung-wong that made landfall in the country on Sunday evening, flooding hundreds of villages and killing at least 27 people.

Fung-wong came just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi hit the central part of the archipelago nation and killed at least 232 people.
Press Release from Business Wire: Hydrostor



(AFP) Nov 13, 2025



LONDON, Nov 13, 2025 (BSW) - Policies to incentivize investment in longer duration energy storage can mitigate billions in grid costs, while helping the continent hit its 2050 climate goals and achieve energy independence, according to a new whitepaper from Hydrostor.

The paper explores how, through policies aimed at increasing strategic investment in long duration energy storage (LDES), EU member states could cut grid expansion and curtailment costs by 2040, while avoiding spending billions on stranded natural gas assets1. Deploying these technologies across Europe can save EUR103 billion by 2040, according to recent research from Energy Storage Europe Association. Doing so in the UK could save EUR35 billion by 2050, according to LCP Delta analysis on behalf of the UK government.2

Hydrostor President, Jon Norman, said: "As global momentum grows behind long-duration energy storage, Europe risks being left behind. States must act now to deliver projects in time to fulfill their international commitments and ambitions. Failure to do so risks losing the opportunity to save billions, drive economic growth and achieve energy independence, all while lowering electricity prices and tackling climate change."

The Hydrostor report, From Ambition to Action: Embedding Long Duration Storage in European Energy Strategy, identifies three key urgent policy recommendations to help European governments save costs while achieving energy independence and climate goals:

1. Undertake system modelling that factors in the costs and asset lifetimes of all types of energy storage and ensure it informs procurement and development - maximising savings while accelerating the transition to climate neutrality.

2. Set procurement targets for each type of energy storage solution and create transparent, multi-year schedules to achieve them - to mitigate the risks of supply disruption and increasing costs, for curtailment and infrastructure.

3. Ensure markets value LDES appropriately to guarantee revenue adequacy and adopt contract mechanisms, such as a cap-and-floor, to ensure revenue certainty for LDES projects.

Europe needs to more than double its current energy storage capacity by 2030 to meet its energy transition targets. Europe already imports most (58 per cent) of its energy and in the absence of supportive policies for long duration energy storage - particularly at 8-hour durations - the region could see flexibility gaps filled with new gas infrastructure, making it more vulnerable to price volatility and supply disruption while leading to more stranded assets. Large-scale LDES projects can play a key role in achieving European energy independence and security in an ever-changing geopolitical landscape: one 500 MW project can get nearly 1.2 million Europeans off gas.3

Hydrostor's advanced compressed air energy storage (A-CAES) technology represents a critical solution underpinning the future reliability of energy systems in Europe and the UK, enabling utilities to accelerate the integration of intermittent renewables and achieve energy independence. Each 500 MW A-CAES project employs more than 6500 people over the course of construction, with 40 full-time employees during operation for the full 50-year design life of the facility. Hydrostor has more than 7 GW of early-stage projects in its development pipeline in Australia, Canada, Europe, and the U.S.

Download the full report here.

About Hydrostor

Hydrostor is a leading developer and operator of long-duration energy storage systems, leveraging a proven technology solution for delivering long-duration energy storage to power grids around the world. Hydrostor's technology uses compressed air and water to store energy, allowing grid operators to draw on clean energy, even when there is no sun to fuel solar panels and no wind to generate energy from turbines.

Hydrostor has a successful utility scale facility commercially contracted to Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) located in Goderich, Ontario, and two advanced projects in development in Kern County, California and New South Wales, Australia. The company also has an extensive early-stage pipeline of projects in North America, Australia, and Europe. Founded in 2010, Hydrostor is backed by Goldman Sachs Asset Management, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), Canada Growth Fund, and other forward-thinking institutional investors, providing financial security to commit to top-tier energy projects.

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-0- *T 1 Fossil fuel generation must account for less than 5% of the bloc's total by 2050, compared to 45% at present, to achieve the bloc's climate neutrality target - resulting in stranded assets representing billions in sunk costs.2 pound31 billion converted into Euros using the exchange rate of GBP 1: EUR1.14, correct as of 31 October 2025. All figures in this release have also been converted into Euros for consistency.3 One 500MW facility can supply electricity to 1.18 million households during discharge.*T









View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251113875898/en/









Contact

Emily SmithDirector, External Communications+1-703-888-7025[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.
JERUSALEM/GAZA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Israel received on Thursday night the remains of another hostage through the Red Cross in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli prime minister's office said in a statement.

The remains were handed over to the military and Shin Bet security forces inside the Strip. From there, the body will be transferred to Israel, where it will be identified, the office said.

The handover was part of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

Earlier on Thursday, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas said in statements they would hand over the body, which was found earlier in the day in Morag area, north of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.

The groups did not specify the identity of the deceased hostage.

Before the latest transfer, Hamas had returned the remains of 24 hostages to Israel under the current ceasefire. If the identity of the latest deceased hostage is confirmed, Hamas has three more bodies in Gaza required to return to Israel.

The ceasefire, which took effect on Oct. 10, has sharply reduced Israeli attacks in Gaza but not halted them. At least 260 Palestinians have been killed and 632 wounded by Israeli fire since Oct. 11, according to Gaza's health authorities, bringing the overall death toll from Israeli strikes since October 2023 to at least 69,187. 
Tunisians rally as court mulls factory suspension over pollution



Gabes, Tunisia, Nov 13 (AFP) Nov 13, 2025



Hundreds of people in Tunisia's city of Gabes protested on Thursday in front of a court as it examined whether to suspend a nearby factory accused of widespread pollution.

Locals have rallied in the southern coastal city in recent weeks calling for the closure of a phosphate processing plant they say is behind a rise in gas poisonings and other pollution-related health problems.

"We're angry with what's happening in Gabes," said protester Ridha Moussa.

"We're tired of cancers, bone fragility and shortness of breath," he added. "We're losing our agriculture and our sea resources."

The hearing into the complaint filed last month by the local bar association seeking to halt the factory's operations was adjourned to next Thursday, lawyers said.

"Today we presented evidence that shows this is a crime committed against the city," said Mounir Adouni, head of the local bar association. "We don't need any further evidence to support our position."

Adouni said the matter was urgent: "The danger is imminent to our children's lives, and the hospitals here are unable to provide treatment."

The factory emits sulphur gases, nitrogen and fluorine, according to an audit carried out in July for the African Development Bank, which reported "major non-compliance" in terms of air and marine pollution.

Mohamed Amairi, another protester, said he hoped "the court will do us justice by ending this environmental crime that has been ongoing for over 50 years".

Lawyers of the committee that filed the complaint said a separate complaint seeking to dismantle the polluting units altogether will be heard in December.

The factory processes phosphate to make fertilisers. Critics say it has been releasing more toxic gases and radioactive waste into the sea recently.

Despite a 2017 government promise to gradually shut it down, authorities earlier this year said they were ramping up production at the plant.

President Kais Saied has long vowed to revive Tunisia's phosphate sector, hindered by years of unrest and underinvestment, calling it a "pillar of the national economy".

Taking advantage of rising world fertiliser prices, Tunisia now wants the plant's output to increase more than fourfold by 2030.
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Morgan Freeman is unhappy with AI trying to recreate his voice, and it is keeping his lawyers very, very busy.

The Shawshank Redemption star, 88, says AI tools cloning his voice without permission is the same as robbing him.

Im a little POd, you know. Im like any other actor: dont mimic me with falseness, Freeman told The Guardian.

I dont appreciate it, and I get paid for doing stuff like that, so if youre gonna do it without me, youre robbing me.

Asked if this has already happened, the actor said his lawyers have been very, very busy and found quite a few cases.

Freeman has lent voice to documentaries like March Of The Penguins, which won an Oscar, and more recently to nature programmes such as Life On Our Planet and Our Universe as well as several advertisements.

The Now You See Me star credited his voice and diction instructor at his Los Angeles community college for helping him develop his standout voice.

If youre going to speak, speak distinctly, hit your final consonants and do exercises to lower your voice, he said. Most peoples voices are higher than they would be normally if they knew how to relax it. He taught that sort of thing. It was Robert Whitman: I will never forget him.

Freeman also slammed AI actress Tilly Norwood. Nobody likes her because shes not real and that takes the part of a real person, so it is not going to work out very well in the movies or in television, the actor said. The unions job is to keep actors acting, so theres going to be that conflict.

Norwood is a white, brunette and brown-eyed virtual creation owned by Xicoia, a talent studio attached to the AI production company Particle6.

In September, multiple stars spoke out after Deadline reported that several Hollywood talent agents had shown interest in signing Norwood.

In the Heights star Melissa Barrera called the news gross. Hope all actors repped by the agent that does this, drop their a**.

Matilda star Mara Wilson asked: And what about the hundreds of living young women whose faces were composited together to make her? You couldnt hire any of them?

Morgan Freeman will next be seen in Now You See Me: Now You Dont alongside Jesse Eisenberg, Isla Fisher, Woody Harrelson and Dave Franco ( Lionsgate )

In June last year, Freeman thanked his fans for alerting him that his voice had been recreated using AI.

Thank you to my incredible fans for your vigilance and support in calling out the unauthorised use of an A.I. voice imitating me, he wrote on X.

Your dedication helps authenticity and integrity remain paramount. Grateful. #AI #scam #imitation #IdentityProtection.

Freeman has joined a long league of creatives, including Scarlett Johansson and Emma Thompson, in decrying the use of AI tools in writing, acting, or filmmaking.

However, some people in Hollywood have embraced AI. Oscar winners Matthew McConaughey and Michael Caine signed separate deals with AI audio company ElevenLabs this week to create synthetic versions of their voices for authorised commercial use.

Caines voice will be available through the companys ElevenReader app, which converts text into speech, and through a new marketplace for approved clients.

McConaughey, who said the company has been investing in them for years, entered into an agreement to produce a Spanish-language audio edition of his newsletter, Lyrics of Livin, using the companys technology.

The 2023 strike by SAG-AFTRA, the Hollywood union representing 160,000 television and movie actors, was partly related to concerns over the rise of AI in filmmaking.

During the strike, SAG-AFTRA alleged that Hollywood studios were proposing the use of groundbreaking AI to scan background performers and offer them only a days pay while the companies would retain ownership of the scans and use them for any project they wanted.

Freeman also talked about his legendary career ahead of the release of his latest film, Now You See Me: Now You Dont, and said he did not plan on stopping anytime soon, even if the job had become less exciting over the years.

The appetite is still there, Freeman said. I will concede that its dimmed a little. But not enough to make a serious difference.

He said he had no current interest in retirement. Sometimes the idea of retirement would float past me but, as soon as my agent says theres a job or somebody wants you or theyve made an offer, the whole thing just boils back into where it was yesterday: how much youre going to pay, where were gonna be?

Now You Dont is the first entry in the series since 2016s Now You See Me 2, and will see Jesse Eisenberg, Isla Fisher, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Morgan Freeman and Mark Ruffalo reprise their roles.

The film will be released in theatres on 14 November.
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There are more zingers than youd expect in Nuremberg, which dramatises the trial of Nazi commander Hermann Goring. Stretches of it, in fact, are paced like were chasing the downfall of crafty mobsters rather than the architects of the unthinkable. Various high-ranking members of the party are introduced with the zap-pow of newspaper headlines, technicolour recreations, and salacious details. Robert Ley was captured in his pyjamas, didnt you know?

It makes sense, in part, for the story being told here. Yet Nuremberg can ultimately only justify its Hollywood sheen for so long. The films written and directed by James Vanderbilt, behind the screenplays for both David Finchers Zodiac (2007) and the Adam Sandler-Jennifer Aniston Murder Mystery comedies, and he draws here mostly from Jack El-Hais 2013 non-fiction book The Nazi and the Psychiatrist.

The Nazi in question is Goring (Russell Crowe). The psychiatrist is Douglas Kelley (Rami Malek), brought in to ensure the imprisoned Nazi high command dont kill themselves before they can stand trial. Kelley has a bigger picture in mind: if he can dissect evil  slap a label on the psychological dysfunction that drives these men to barbarity  then hell have a bestseller on his hands.

Crowe and Malek are well cast for this kind of dance. The former is a battering ram of an onscreen presence, mixed here with an unnerving sense of comfort in his surroundings  at one point, we see him lounging on his prison cell mattress like hes expecting to be hand-fed grapes. Malek, meanwhile, can do a slippier, quieter charm, a smile with a thousand lines of code doing the analysis behind it.

And while its a little much to follow the line, whos bigger than the president? with a comedy smash cut to the Vatican, the form at least fits the function: the Allies have freshly won the war, and while there are whispers of whats gone on in the so-called labour camps, these men all wear the thrill of victory on their breasts.

But, while lawyers Robert H Jackson (Michael Shannon) and David Maxwell Fyfe (Richard E Grant) postulate about righteous justice, all while Brian Tylers score rallies them onward, youre quietly waiting for the curtain to draw back and the mouth of hell itself to be revealed.

Russell Crowe as Hermann Goring in Nuremberg ( Sony Pictures Classics )

When it does, Vanderbilt presents it starkly and truthfully, in the same way Stanley Kramer did in 1961s Judgment at Nuremberg, by showing the audience real footage captured by American and British soldiers after the liberation of the Nazi concentration camps. For a few moments, everything stills. All we hear is the whir of the projector. All we see is the horror. Kelleys pristine world, built out of the lies he swallowed so he could sit across from Goring each day and talk to him like an associate (or maybe even a friend), collapses in an instant.

And yet, the film doesnt follow where he goes. Soon enough, were back in safe, old Hollywood world, with a declaration nearly to camera that we might as well go finish the war. Nurembergs closing titles reveal how much Kelley was truly affected by the trials, in his fears that all these promises that only the rule of the law can break the terrible cycles of history were for naught, or that the perpetrators of genocide and slaughter possess some unique quality unseen in their fellow man.

What should represent the soul of this film is merely its coda. While it pleads for us to reckon with the ugliest of truths, it shuts the curtains before its own reckoning is done.

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Dir: James Vanderbilt. Starring: Russell Crowe, Rami Malek, Leo Woodall, John Slattery, Mark OBrien, Colin Hanks, Wrenn Schmidt, Lydia Peckham, Richard E Grant, Michael Shannon. Cert 15, 148 mins

Nuremberg is in cinemas from 14 November
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Eurovision stars Remember Monday are set to perform a special rendition of Lou Reeds classic track, "Perfect Day," alongside the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra for BBC Children In Need.

The girl band, who represented the UK at the song contest earlier this year, will deliver their performance during a poignant montage.

This segment will feature testimonies from young people who have directly benefited from the charitys work.

Originally released by Reed in 1972, "Perfect Day" found a new generation of fans following its use in the 1996 film Trainspotting.

The song holds a significant history with Children In Need, having been re-recorded in 1997 by an all-star line-up including David Bowie, U2s Bono, and Gabrielle.

This version became a hugely successful charity single, raising over 2 million for the cause and topping the singles charts.

Remember Monday at Eurovision ( AP )

Remember Monday, made up of Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull and Charlotte Steele, first gained prominence when they appeared on The Voice UK in 2019.

They finished 19th when they represented the UK at Eurovision in Basel, Switzerland.

They said: All three of us grew up watching Children In Need every year  its such a special event, we cant believe were getting to be a part of it.

Performing with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra is truly a bucket-list moment for us, and we feel incredibly lucky to get to sing such an iconic song for such an amazing cause.

BBC Children In Need is on BBC iPlayer and BBC One at 7pm on Friday 14 November.
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Play for Today, back on our screens this week after four decades, was a veritable national institution when it first aired in Britain between 1970 and 1984. The strand of one-off films alternately charmed the country and made powerful, impassioned critiques on the biggest issues of the day, taking in a mix of major state-of-the-nation, socialist-realist dramas. Take Ken Loachs Cathy Come Home, about a young couple whose lives are blighted by poverty, or the highly controversial prison drama Scum. There were also colourful, sometimes satirical portraits of British life (Mike Leighs Abigails Party being the most notable). The films werent scared of highlighting offbeat fare, either, like in Pendas Fen  a magical-realist coming-of-age tale laced with folk horror.

The dramas, made by and starring working-class talent in many cases  much of which was sourced from the BBCs former regional outpost at Pebble Mill in Birmingham  gave a platform to underrepresented voices, establishing the likes of Dennis Potter and Alan Bleasdale along the way. Play for Today was a space to be experimental, at the heart of the mainstream, says Phil Harrison, a journalist and author of The Age of Static: How TV Explains Modern Britain. And lots of it was really ahead of its time  something like Pendas Fen, for example, both in terms of format and subject matter. I love the idea of people just chancing upon these quite dark, quite hard-hitting things and not knowing what to make of them. It feels like properly adventurous public service broadcasting.

Properly adventurous public service broadcasting is certainly what Channel 5 is hoping to replicate with its new revival, with four original dramas airing over the coming weeks and more in the pipeline. The aim is also to diversify the often cliquey, middle-class TV industry, where who you know is arguably more important than how good you are. There is a crisis at the moment in UK drama, says Sebastian Cardwell, Channel 5s head of drama and deputy head of content for its parent company, Paramount. You need a credit on your CV, and if you come from a low-income or disadvantaged background, its incredibly difficult to break into [the industry]. We thought we would use the returning strand of Play for Today to let people hone their talent. The idea was conceived following a conversation with Vertigo Films Allan Niblo, with the first four films made by Vertigo in London and Liverpool-based LA Productions (each company has made two respectively).

Born in 1993  nine years after Play for Today last aired  screenwriter Martha Watson Allpress wasnt around to see the first incarnation of the TV juggernaut. I was like, Oh Ive just got this email  this is interesting, she says, recalling the moment she was asked to participate in its revival. My mum was like, Oh my God! I knew it was a big thing when she went slightly haywire with excitement. Watson Allpress quickly got to work on Big Winners, one of the first dramas in the new series, about an elderly couple whose 14m lottery win kickstarts conversations between them about deep-seated traumas and buried ambitions.

Watson Allpress cut her teeth in theatre, with plays such as the acclaimed Patricia Gets Ready (for a Date with the Man That Used to Hit Her), so Big Winners marks her transition to television. As a playwright, snagging her first TV project this way just felt really serendipitous, she says. However, she resisted the urge to head straight for the vast archive and start taking notes. If I did that, I would just regurgitate people I admire. But I think the whole point is to write a play for today.

The more diverse your stories are, the more diverse your viewership is  everybody wins. I just felt like, everyones doing this for the right reasons Martha Watson Allpress

Big Winners tells the story of Arthur and Edith Thistle (Paul Copley and Sue Johnston), who should be enjoying their colossal lottery windfall  indeed, Arthur quickly declares that he wants to move somewhere classy, somewhere sunny  with a Waitrose. Instead, they find themselves raking over their unfulfilled dreams, Ediths in particular. Her life has been a domino run of dissatisfaction, as Watson Allpress rather poetically puts it, and the film juxtaposes her stilted existence with the vital presence of a younger neighbour, Jade (Alexa Davies). What does Watson Allpress think her piece says about the present moment? Im of the opinion that the world is a really scary place [right now], and it can feel so messy and overwhelming, she says. [You can feel like] I, as one person, couldnt possibly do anything about it  so Ill do nothing. Big Winners is about not making decisions and letting someone else guide your life, and how thats probably worse than being wrong and strong.

Originally from Sleaford in Lincolnshire, the writer was keen to set her film in a similar milieu. Theres this fallacy that if youre from a small town, youve got small dreams. And thats just not true.

open image in gallery Carol White starring in Ken Loach's film Cathy Come Home about a woman who loses everything to the welfare state ( Getty )

Watson Allpress was also keen to write older protagonists in a way that gave them agency and intrigue; Johnston (best known as Royle Family matriarch Barbara) and Copley (who starred in Downton Abbey, and was in seven previous Play for Today films) are 81 and 80 respectively. She had just finished facilitating a programme with older writers, ranging from their seventies to their mid-nineties, when she began work on the script. I was really struck watching older writers write older characters. No one wrote grandparents, she says. I really wanted to centre an older woman here, because I think thats a forgotten demographic on screen. And then we got Sue Johnston, and I lost my mind! If the women writers and directors of Play for Today 1.0 could often be overlooked, here Watson Allpress is decidedly centre stage, along with her octogenarian lead and a woman director, Emma Turner, to boot.

open image in gallery Sue Johnston and Paul Copley in Big Winners, about an elderly couple who win 14m in the lottery ( Channel 5 )

The brief centred on producing a contained story, something that Watson Allpress used to build what she describes as a pressure cooker atmosphere in Big Winners. Its a thread that continues through the films (Special Measures is set in a failing school, Never Too Late in an anarchic retirement home), but which perhaps reaches its most pressurised peak in A Knock at the Door, described by its makers as having the tension of a ticking bomb. A meditation on cancel culture, Alan Davies plays disgraced actor Lenny Bray, with Nikki Amuka-Bird (NW, Small Island) as his loyal but increasingly burnt-out wife, Maggie, who has stood beside him amid allegations of impropriety from a number of women. Newcomer Logan Mersh gives a performance to rival his more well-known co-stars, as the delivery driver who is attacked outside the couples beautiful, Grand Designs-worthy home and comes to them begging for help (spoiler alert: hes not a delivery driver after all).

open image in gallery The tension of a ticking bomb: Nikki Amuka-Bird in A Knock at the Door ( Channel 5 )

In a post-#MeToo landscape that often seems depressingly unchanged, A Knock at the Doors resonance is clear. Im always really fascinated  and sadly these stories are all too common now  by celebrities or politicians or people in power abusing that power, says Amuka-Bird. One of the strongest tools for them to plead their innocence is their spouse, and the fact that they are standing by them. I was fascinated by this story, and [the sense of]: How are you still there? Maggie has a beautiful life and things shes not necessarily ready to give up. So perhaps she keeps convincing herself of Lennys innocence.

A Knock at the Door was written by novelist David Whitehouse and directed by Daniel Rands, the latter of whom has previously been the recipient of scholarships from the BBC and the National Film and Television School. I had seen Dans work, and I knew his ability to hold tension, says Amuka-Bird. Im always really interested in work that has that kind of visceral quality to it  its engaging you intellectually, but its making the hairs on the back of your arms stand up, too.

Theres a rawness to all of the films, in fact  even Never Too Late, Lydia Marchant and Simon Warnes soapy tragicomedy about a glamorous, rebellious widow played by Anita Dobson, who reencounters an old flame in her mid-seventies, played by Nigel Havers. Special Measures, meanwhile  written by Lee Thompson  is a short, sharp, shock of a drama that squarely takes aim at a broken, underfunded state school system, as an Ofsted inspection unravels and teachers begin to consider leaving the profession altogether. One hungry pupil even asks her teacher whether she can take home their classroom snacks for dinner. It doesnt have to reach for hyperbole to find horror, instead locating it in the sorts of scenes that are playing out in schools across the country.

open image in gallery Alan Davies in A Knock at the Door ( Channel 5 )

Diversity schemes of any sort can make participants feel used  chewed up and spat out to provide new fuel for the media machine, be it in TV, film, journalism or any other industry where such initiatives are found. For Watson Allpress, her experience of Play for Today couldnt be more different. She found herself moved by what TV exec Cardwell said at a recent screening of the dramas, about how excited Channel 5 was to be airing them. And there are benefits on all sides. Its a two-way street, she says. The more diverse your stories are, the more diverse your viewership is  everybody wins. I just felt like, everyones doing this for the right reasons.

As for the future of Play for Today, the current, highly fractious moment in both Britain and the world will surely inspire more writers; indeed, like the original, there is surely much to say about race and identity in particular. Watson Allpress sees it as a springboard that could well kickstart writers TV careers for years to come. It should be like national service, she laughs. We should bring all the working-class writers through.

Play for Today airs on Channel 5 from 13 November
ZAGREB, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Air Tractor AT-802F, which was on a circular flight in Croatia, crashed in the town of Krivi Put in the western part of the country on Thursday and the pilot, which was the only person in the plane, was killed in the crash, local media reported.

The plane crashed at around 5 p.m. local time (1600 GMT), and upon receiving the report, rescuers made their way to the crash site at around 6 p.m. and found the aircraft in flames, the Croatian Radiotelevision (HRT) said.

After extinguishing the flames, the rescuers found the burned body of the pilot, the report said.

The plane was allegedly flying from Rijeka in western Croatia to the Aeronautical Technical Center in Zagreb, and then returning to Rijeka.

According to Flightradar data, it was an aircraft of the General Directorate of Forestry of Turkey, and there is still no precise information on why the plane from Turkey was flying in Croatia. 
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English Teacher has been axed after two seasons, despite excellent ratings and a devoted following, after its star and creator was accused of sexual assault.

FX will not move forward with Brian Jordan Alvarezs comedy sitcom, the network announced Wednesday. The news comes after the second season premiered in September to a 100 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, following the 98 percent score for season one.

Alvarez, 38, starred on the show as Evan Marquez, a gay high school English teacher in Texas trying to balance his personal and professional life. The cast also included Stephanie Koenig, Enrico Collantoni, Sean Patton, and Carmen Christopher.

English Teacher debuted days after sexual assault allegations came out against Alvarez from his former friend and co-star, Jon Ebeling. Ebeling claimed that Alvarez had assaulted him while they worked together on a web series in the mid-2010s called The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo, according to a report by Vulture at the time. Ebeling also alleged that Koenig, his ex-girlfriend and Alvarezs close friend, supported Alvarezs hurtful behavior. Alvarez has denied all allegations against him and said all sexual interactions were consensual.

The controversy did not sway FX from renewing the show for a second season. A spokesperson for the network said at the time, We reviewed the allegations presented to us by another media outlet prior to the shows launch. Mr. Ebeling never reached out to us with any concerns. We will have no further comment at this time.

open image in gallery Brian Jordan Alvarez's English Teacher has been canceled ahead of its third season ( FX )

open image in gallery Alvarez starred on the FX show alongside actor Sean Patton ( FX )

English Teachers first season premiered in September 2024 and followed a week-to-week model for new episodes, available for streaming on Hulu. FX then decided to release all 10 episodes of season two of the show at once in September 2025.

FX did not share the reason behind the cancellation, and did not immediately return The Independents request for comment. Alvarez has not commented publicly on the cancellation, but has reposted messages of support from his colleagues on social media.

The actor and comedian rose to fame with his recurring role as Estefan on Will & Grace and Wesley on Jane the Virgin. He is also known as an internet personality who has gone viral countless times for comedic sketches and absurd characters on Instagram and TikTok, including his beloved character TJ Mack. In November 2024, he went viral for a series of shirtless dancing videos he shared on social media to promote English Teacher.
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South Park viewers have been left traumatized by a sex scene that roasted Donald Trump and JD Vance.

The animated series continued to pull no punches with its mockery of the president and vice-president in a new episode that featured a homoerotic encounter between the pair.

In the latest instalment of the scathing satire, Vance managed to worm his way out of a punishment for treason and ended up in bed with Trump after having a soak in a hot tub together at the White House.

Fans are predicting a response from the Trump administration, with one writing: South Park is definitely going to trigger another White House response tomorrow bc holy s***.

Another viewer said, Watching South Park. Im now traumatized. One person posted on X (Twitter): Thanks for the nightmares Im gonna have tonight South Park.

South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone have made a habit of mocking Trump and Vance. An earlier episode saw Trump ask Vance to apply baby oil to the series regular character of Satan while they were in bed together.

In response to the show, White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said: This show hasnt been relevant for over 20 years and is hanging on by a thread with uninspired ideas in a desperate attempt for attention. President Trump has delivered on more promises in just six months than any other president in our countrys history  and no fourth-rate show can derail President Trumps hot streak.

South Park roasts Donald Trump and JD Vance in a sex scene ( Paramount )

In an interview with The New York Times, Parker and Stone said they found the subject matter of Trump to be impossible to avoid.

Its not that we got all political, said Parker. Its that politics became pop culture. Stone added that speaking out against the Trump administration had become taboo.

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Trey and I are attracted to that like flies to honey. Oh, thats where the taboo is? Over there? OK, then were over there.

Parker clarified that their targets can come from all sides of the political spectrum.

Were just very down-the-middle guys, he said. Any extremists of any kind we make fun of. We did it for years with the woke thing. That was hilarious to us. And this is hilarious to us.
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Exercise can help reduce the risk of falls  a major cause of injuries in older adults  but only four per cent of older Canadian women complete 30 minutes of daily physical activity. As a PhD candidate in health and exercise science at Concordia University, I am interested in developing fun and accessible balance-training programs using online dance classes.

Dance can act as a fun exercise in disguise. Studies have consistently shown that dance can inspire social connections, improve mood and aid cognition, while also leading to improvements in mobility, endurance and walking abilities.

It is also an ideal form of balance training because learning various dance steps requires high precision of movement, which can help increase our proprioception (our perception of our body movement and position in space). This can help improve or maintain our postural stability.

Age and postural stability

Postural stability refers to our ability to stay upright and control our bodys position in space. This ability relies on sensory and motor systems. Our vision helps see potential obstacles or tripping hazards, the vestibulocochlear system of the inner ear helps with our sense of orientation as well as hearing, and finally our somatosensory system, which comprises the bodys sense of touch, pain, temperature and position, works to feel the surfaces beneath our feet.

After these sensory signals reach the brain, they are sorted and then the appropriate motor response is selected for our musculoskeletal system to execute.

Postural stability refers to our ability to stay upright and control our bodys position in space ( Getty )

With age, postural stability reduces as the sensory systems experience change. We measure this decline by having people stand as still as possible and observing how much they move or sway. If someone sways more, they are considered less stable and at greater risk of falls.

While research on in-person dance classes of various styles have consistently shown improvements to postural stability and fall risk, these classes are often inaccessible. Many older women face barriers to exercise such as lack of transportation, caregiver roles at home, inaccessible exercise facilities etc. Additionally, specialized dance teachers are often only found in larger cities that act as dance hubs. Online dance classes can offer solutions to reduce barriers and improve access for older adults.

Bringing the dance studio home

Working with Andreas Bergdahl, PhD, and Mary Roberts, PhD, our research published in International Journal of Exercise Science has found that online dance classes improve the postural stability, dynamic balance and calf strength of older women. In this work, we recruited women aged 65+ from Montreal to participate in 75-minute ballet-modern inspired classes twice per week, for 12 weeks over Zoom.

Each dance class started with a 15-minute warm-up followed by:

Plies (bending the knees)

Tendus (standing on one leg and extending the other one out)

Balance sequence (a travelling step done to a waltz rhythm)

Jose Limon/Martha Graham sequence (styles of modern-dance that emphasize fall recovery and rounded shapes of the spine)

Cooling-down with seated stretches

These exercises were selected because they emphasize transferring weight, balancing on one leg, bringing the body off centre and contracting the leg as well as core muscles. A helper was present on Zoom for each dance class to help with technical support and monitor online participants for safety.

About the author Emma Hsiaowen Chen is a PhD Candidate in Health & Exercise Science at Concordia University. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Before the first class, halfway through the study, and at the end, participants completed in-person assessments of their leg strength, dynamic balance and postural stability.

Within six weeks, participants showed reductions in how much they swayed side-to-side while standing still (what is called mediolateral sway) and increases in their dynamic balance. By the end of the program, they also had greater calf-muscle strength, assessed as the number of heel-raises participants completed in 30 seconds.

Improvements in these abilities can translate to greater ease in daily activities that require weight transfers, such as walking, stepping down from the sidewalk or even chores like sweeping the house.

Benefits of online access

Even after COVID-19 lockdowns have ended, online dance classes can serve an important role in reaching people who are traditionally left out.

For those living in remote locations, for caregivers who cannot spend too long away from their loved ones or even for older adults anxious to walk on icy streets in the winter, online programs can provide a level of accessibility and new opportunities to socialize and exercise. They also give opportunities for people to express themselves creatively from the comfort of their own homes.

Our current studies are exploring how different styles of online dance programs, combined with blood flow restriction training, can benefit older adults. This provides more options to suit peoples interests and varying mobility needs. Additionally, we are working to share our program with communities. To date, our research has reached older women across Canada, Mexico, Colombia and Spain, encouraging them to remain active and independent.

While many of us have returned to in-person programming, lets not forget the benefits of online access. Bringing the dance studio home can still help people connect, socialize and improve their balance.
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Its that time of year: Starbucks Red Cup Day has finally arrived.

Today, Thursday, November 13, the coffee chain is offering a free 2025 limited-edition reusable red cup with any holiday or fall beverage  hot, iced or blended.

The famous red cup giveaway is available however you order, whether its in-store, drive-thru, through the Starbucks app, or via delivery on DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats.

Here is the full list of applicable drinks to claim the offer: Peppermint Mocha, Caramel Brulee Latte, Sugar Cookie Latte, Sugar Cookie Breve, Gingerbread Chai, Gingerbread Latte, Peppermint Hot Chocolate, White Hot Chocolate, Hot Chocolate, Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, Pumpkin Spice Latte, Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai, Pecan Crunch Oatmilk Latte, Pecan Oatmilk Cortado, Holiday and Fall Cold Foams and Protein Cold Foams.

Its worth noting that the Starbucks Christmas Blend and Starbucks Reserve Christmas brewed coffee are not included in the offer.

open image in gallery The 2025 Starbucks reusable red cup  free with any holiday beverage purchase ( Starbucks )

open image in gallery This years cup features a hand-drawn design by Starbucks artist Yvonne Chan ( Joshua Trujillo/Starbucks )

The 2025 red cup  made from 95 percent recycled materials  features a hand-drawn design by Starbucks artist Yvonne Chan.

The design is inspired by the little moment of magic you feel when you step into a Starbucks from the cold outside, said Chan. With the hand-drawn sketch, I tried to capture the feeling of something crafted by one person for another.

Customers who bring in their clean reusable red cup for future orders will receive a 10-cent discount on their beverage, plus Starbucks Rewards members will earn double stars on their entire order.

This year, Starbucks says its giving away more cups than ever before. Well also have more baristas in our cafes to welcome customers and ensure a great experience for everyone, the chain said in a press release.

However, it comes as more than 1,000 unionized Starbucks workers plan to strike at 65 U.S. stores Thursday to protest a lack of progress in labor negotiations with the company.

The strike is intended to disrupt Red Cup Day, which is typically one of the companys busiest days of the year.

Starbucks emphasized that the vast majority of its U.S. stores would be open and operating as usual Thursday. The coffee giant has 10,000 company-owned stores in the U.S., as well as 7,000 licensed locations in places like grocery stores and airports.

Starbucks same-store sales, or sales at locations open at least a year, rose 1% in the July-September period. It was the first time in nearly two years that the company had posted an increase. In his first year at the company, Niccol set new hospitality standards, redesigned stores to be cozier and more welcoming, and adjusted staffing levels to better handle peak hours.

Starbucks is also trying to prioritize in-store orders over mobile ones. Last week, the company's holiday drink rollout in the U.S. was so successful that it almost immediately sold out of its glass Bearista cup. Starbucks said demand for the cup exceeded its expectations, but it wouldn't say if the Bearista will return before the holidays are over.

Additional reporting by the Associated Press
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Gather around for some Thanksgiving meal safety tips.

Turkey may be the star of nearly every Thanksgiving meal across the country, but health experts say it can also be the most dangerous item on your holiday plate.

The concern centers not on the turkey when its properly cooked, but rather on the common mistakes made during its handling and preparation.

Food scientists spoke to the HuffPost about how undercooking, improper thawing, and unsafe storage are key risk factors that can lead to foodborne illness.

I think turkey deserves special attention when it comes to Thanksgiving food safety, Sara Bratager, a senior food safety and traceability scientist at the Institute of Food Technologists, told the news outlet.

open image in gallery Turkey is a Thanksgiving staple, but handling and preparation mistakes make it a top holiday food hazard, experts say ( Getty Images )

Its the centerpiece of most holiday tables, its often handled in large quantities by people who only cook it once or twice a year and there are several points in the process where things can easily go wrong.

Viruses and bacteria can spread year-round, but certain foods eaten at Thanksgivingespecially turkeymay increase the risk of salmonella, which can cause diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, and in severe cases, hospitalization or death, Amarat Simonne, a professor of food safety and quality at the University of Floridas College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, told the HuffPost.

Undercooked turkey can harbor Campylobacter bacteria, leading to campylobacteriosis, a common form of food poisoning, added Keith Warriner, a professor of food safety at the University of Guelph, Canada.

In addition, lack of temperature control after cooking can lead to the growth of clostridium perfrigens, Warriner said. It produces a toxin that causes diarrhea and can cause dehydration in the elderly. And theres also the risk of staphylococcus aures, which can cause sickness.

Those who partake in the increasingly popularity trend of deepfrying turkeys are also putting themselves at risk.

The cooking method - which involves frying the bird in a container of hot oil - brings with it a whole range of hazards, from potential fires to burns, the Northeast Public Power Association says.

Key tips for preventing fires or burns include never placing a frozen turkey into hot oil, using proper equipment to handle the turkey, and ensuring the fryer is placed on a non-combustible surface.

open image in gallery Fire safety experts warn against deep-frying Thanksgiving turkey as it demands constant attention since hot oil can cause severe burns and house fires ( Getty Images )

In 2023, U.S. fire departments reported 1,446 home cooking fires on Thanksgiving, a 388 percent increase over the daily average, the association said.

Thanksgiving consistently sees the highest number of cooking fires due to multiple dishes, distractions, and guests. Between 2019 and 2023, cooking caused 80 percent of Thanksgiving home fires and 40 percent of injuries, the NFPA said.

Thanksgiving is a hectic holiday with multiple dishes cooking and baking at the same time, and along with guests, entertaining, and other distractions, it can be easy to lose sight of whats on the stove or in the oven, said Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy at NFPA.

With all these factors at play, its no surprise that we consistently see a dramatic spike in home cooking fires on Thanksgiving, she said.
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A white supremacist has been found guilty of murder in a brutal killing at a southwestern Montana campsite last year, a crime initially reported as a possible bear attack.

Prosecutors stated that Daren Christopher Abbey attacked Dustin Kjersem with a block of wood, an axe, and a screwdriver after they met at Mr Kjersem's campsite near Big Sky in October last year. Abbey later admitted to stealing Mr Kjersem's guns, cooler, mobile phones, and other belongings, and concealing evidence.

His DNA, found on a beer can inside the tent, linked him to the murder scene. An inmate information document from Gallatin County last year noted Abbey's affiliation with white supremacists, while State Department of Corrections records showed his tattoos included an iron cross with a swastika.

Investigators found shot glasses and beer cans in the tent that suggested someone else had been with Kjersem on Oct. 10. DNA tests on a beer can matched two people in the state's criminal database, Daren Abbey and someone believed to be Abbey's twin brother, court records say. The brother was ruled out because he was serving a prison sentence.

Abbey claimed the killing was in self-defense after Kjersem threatened him. Authorities said there were inconsistencies in his story, and pointed to multiple chop wounds in the attack.

open image in gallery Daren Christopher Abbey, 41, appears in District Court on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Bozeman, Mont. (Laurenz Busch/Bozeman Daily Chronicle via AP)

The victims girlfriend and another friend found his body and reported it as a possible bear attack. It turned into a homicide investigation after wildlife agents found no sign of a bear in the area.

Kjersem had two children and worked as a self-employed contractor, building homes and learning other trades, according to his sister. Abbey told authorities that he arrived at the campsite intending to stay the night and was welcomed by Kjersem, who didn't know him, according to Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer.

Following a six-day trial the jury found Abbey guilty on Monday of deliberate homicide and tampering with evidence, court records show.

Abbey faces a Dec. 30 sentencing before state District Judge Peter Ohman.

Deliberate homicide is a capital offense in Montana but prosecutors will not seek the death penalty in the case, said Jack Veil with the Gallatin County Attorneys Office.
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Accused killer Luigi Mangione still hasnt been given a laptop in jail over 100 days after a judge ordered he be provided one.

The delay, Mangiones lawyers said in a court filing made public Thursday, is putting the 27-year-old suspect in a time crunch with little more than two weeks before an important hearing in his state murder case.

Mangione, who is accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is also facing a federal death penalty case. Hes been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center, a federal jail in Brooklyn, since his December 2024 arrest. He has pleaded not guilty.

A judge approved the defenses request for a laptop in August, but getting it in his hands has been slow because of modifications required to prevent misuse and the volume of evidence being saved to it.

The Manhattan district attorneys office, which is prosecuting the state case, didnt want him to have a laptop. Federal prosecutors didn't take a position, and their spokesperson declined to comment Thursday.

Luigi Mangione appears for his arraignment at Manhattan Criminal Court on December 23, 2024 in New York City ( Curtis Means-Pool/Getty Images )

Although the federal court has previously issued a laptop order, there is a lengthy and laborious process that must be completed before Mr. Mangione receives the laptop, defense lawyer Karen Friedman Agnifilo wrote.

To comply with jail regulations, she said, the laptop had to be sent to an outside technology vendor to disable its connections to the internet, printers and wireless networks  a process that took many weeks to complete.

The changes mean the tech-savvy Mangione, a former software engineer, wont be able to use the laptop to view websites, send messages or post on social media.

Now, the device is with federal prosecutors, who are loading the computer with some of the more than seven terabytes of evidence that has been collected in the case, Friedman Agnifilo said. The rest will be saved to an external hard drive that also will be provided to Mangione.

Such evidence sharing, known as discovery, is routine in criminal cases and is intended to help ensure a fair trial. Defendants often assist their lawyers in reviewing evidence and shaping their defense.

Once Mr. Mangione receives the laptop and hard drive, he will need time to meaningfully review the material before a Dec. 1 hearing on evidence and other issues in the state case, Friedman Agnifilo said.

Mangiones lawyers are seeking to have prosecutors barred from using certain evidence collected during his arrest, including a 9 mm handgun, a notebook in which authorities say he described his intent to wack an insurance executive, and statements he made to police.

Cases at critical points

Thompson, 50, was killed on Dec. 4, 2024, as he arrived at a Manhattan hotel for his companys annual investor conference.

Surveillance video showed a masked gunman shooting him behind. Police say delay, deny and depose were written on the ammunition, mimicking a phrase used to describe how insurers avoid paying claims.

Mangione, the Ivy League-educated scion of a wealthy Maryland family, was arrested five days later while eating breakfast at a McDonalds restaurant in Altoona, Pennsylvania, about 230 miles (about 370 kilometers) west of Manhattan.

As the anniversary of the killing nears, Mangiones cases are at critical points.

In September, Judge Gregory Carro threw out Mangiones state terrorism charges but kept the rest of the case  including an intentional murder charge  in place. A trial date could be set at next months hearing.

In the federal case, Mangiones lawyers want prosecutors barred from seeking the death penalty and want at least some charges dismissed, arguing that authorities prejudiced him by turning his arrest into a spectacle and by publicly declaring their desire to see him executed. A hearing is scheduled for Jan. 9.

Wait for laptop continues

As for the laptop, Mangiones lawyers have been trying to get him one since March.

They told Carro that the amount of evidence being turned over by prosecutors  including video files, documents and other items  was so voluminous, Mangione couldnt reasonably view it on the jails shared computers for inmates. Nor would they be able to go over it all during jail visits, they said.

The district attorneys office disagreed, arguing that instead of giving Mangione a laptop, his lawyers could simply show him key case material instead.

Carro concluded that he had no objection as long as jail officials were on board.

On Aug. 4, the judge in Mangiones federal case signed an order approving Mangione for a modified, evidence-only laptop and requiring that the jail give him access to it each day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

More than 100 days later, still no laptop.
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An elderly man in Columbus, Ohio, has been charged with premeditated aggravated murder after allegedly killing his wife on Sunday, claiming he was driven to the act by a sextortion threat.

James Hill, 76, of Upper Arlington, told police he felt he had no choice but to stab his wife, Mary Kathleen Hill, 64, and then himself after a woman he met on a dating app threatened to release their nude photos unless he paid her $15,000 in Apple gift cards, according to The Columbus Dispatch.

An arrest affidavit obtained by the outlet states that Hill couldnt locate any of the guns he had previously hidden in their home, so he used a kitchen knife to stab his wife.

Hill also reportedly attempted to stab the couples dog, but it ran away.

Before calling 911 around 2:30 p.m., Hill deleted photos and documents from his computer, then stabbed himself in the chest in an attempt to take his own life, he told police.

open image in gallery James Hill, 76, of Ohio said told police that he killed his wife and tried to kill himself after a dating app sextortion demand of $15,000 ( Getty/iStock )

He only provided his address and requested police and emergency medical assistance in his 911 call before hanging up.

His arraignment, originally scheduled for Wednesday, was postponed as he remains hospitalized.

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 experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you
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A Michigan father whose three young sons vanished without a trace nearly 15 years ago has been charged with their murders  just weeks before he was set to walk free from prison.

John Skelton, 53, was charged in Lenawee County with three counts of open murder and three counts of tampering with evidence, court filings show. The charges were filed on November 12, according to WTVG.

Skelton has been behind bars since 2011 after pleading no contest to unlawful imprisonment for abducting his sons  Andrew, 9, Alexander, 7, and Tanner, 5  from Morenci, Michigan, over Thanksgiving weekend in 2010.

He was serving a 10 to 15 year sentence and was scheduled to be released on November 29.

open image in gallery Missing Boys-Michigan

The boys were last seen at their fathers home in Morenci after spending the holiday with him. Skelton and their mother Tanya Zuvers were in the middle of a spiteful divorce at the time.

Zuvers, who had sole custody, was due to pick them up the next day. But when she arrived, neither her sons nor Skelton were there.

Zuvers has long maintained that she believes her ex-husband is responsible for their disappearance and deaths.

He took them from me, she told WTVG in a prior interview. And I believe he killed them.

open image in gallery Andrew, Alexander, and Tanner Skelton were last seen on Thanksgiving in 2010 ( Morenci Police Department )

open image in gallery Age-progression images from 2020 show what Andrew, Alexander, and Tanner Skelton would look like as teenagers. ( National Center for Missing & Exploited Children )

Earlier this year, a judge granted Zuvers request to have her sons declared legally dead, a decision she said she sought to find closure. But the judge said at the time there was no clear and convincing evidence that John Skelton murdered these children.

In the Zuvers petition, which she filed in Lenawee County Probate Court last December, she wrote that Skelton has been unable or unwilling to offer any plausible explanation as to the whereabouts of these children.

Skelton, 52, has done nothing to assist the authorities, his family, or his ex-wifes family in what has become an exhaustive search for [the boys] since they went missing in 2010, the petition states. In the immediate hours after [they went missing], Skelton began his journey of misdirection and lies when his story began to unfold as to the whereabouts of his sons.

Investigators used cellphone records to retrace Skeltons movements during the period in question, which the petition says completely contradict[ed] the story he began telling his wife and the authorities.

Skelton denied harming his sons and previously said they were with an underground group for their safety, among other murky explanations, according to investigators.

The case has long haunted the small community of Morenci. Despite years of searches, their remains have never been found.

Although years have passed, the Skelton brothers have not been forgotten. A plaque with their names and images is attached to a rock at a park near Bean Creek. It says, Faith, Hope, Love.
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Allison Mack, the Smallville star who went to prison for her actions in the Nxivm sex cult, has admitted that she was "abusive" during her time with the group in a new podcast.

Since her release from federal prison approximately two years ago, Mack, 43, has launched a podcast titled "Allison After Nxivm." Her podcast comments are the first she's made about her time with the cult since returning to public life.

I was excited by the power that I felt having these young, beautiful women look to me and listen to me, she said on the show. And  yes  the sexuality of it was exciting.

Mack shot to fame with a starring role in the Superman television series Smallville, which ran for 10 seasons from 2001 to 2010.

She was arrested in 2018 and convicted on sex trafficking, sex trafficking conspiracy, and racketeering charges a year later. She admitted to manipulating women in the cult into sleeping with its leader, Keith Raniere, who is currently serving 120 years in prison after his conviction on racketeering, sex trafficking, and other crimes.

open image in gallery Actor Allison Mack, who was sentenced to two years in prison for sex trafficking while she was in the Nxivm cult, made her first public comments about her time with the group in a new podcast series ( Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

open image in gallery An illustration capturing Nxivm sex cult member Allison Mack apologizing to her victims during her criminal trial in 2021 ( REUTERS )

"I definitely recognize and admit that I was abusing my power and that I was mean and I was forceful," Mack says in the seventh episode of the series. "But I also can't negate the fact that there was a part of me that was altruistic and was desperate to help people, and I wanted to be better  and I was willing to do anything to be better in myself and to help other people be better."

She said her role was to help break down the women's resistance to sleeping with the cult leader.

"It was my job to relay what to do with him for her growth, Mack said, speaking of a specific woman in the cult. The more she said, Im scared, I dont want to do it, the more I would say, You need to do it, and the longer you wait, the more consequences there will be.'"

open image in gallery Mack at an event for the play 'Love, Loss, and What I Wore' in New York in 2010 ( Bryan Bedder/Getty Images )

Natalie Robehmed, the host of the podcast, asked Mack how she became involved in the cult's sex trafficking. She claimed she was trying to do the "opposite" of coercing women into traumatic sexual encounters with the cult's leader.

open image in gallery Mack said she was introduced to Nxivm by Smallville co-star Kristin Kreuk. Kreuk herself said she had no involvement in any illegal activities ( AFP via Getty Images )

"I was trying to heal sexual trauma," she said. "And then I turned around and was someone who was supporting it. I mean, that was why it took me a year to plead guilty, because I was like, I can't face that fact. I can't face that truth."

When asked how she became involved in the cult, she says she was influenced to join after another Smallville actor, Kristin Kreuk, took a course offered by the group.

"It was like all she could talk about. She was just like super excited about it, you know?" Mack said.

In 2018, Kreuk said she had no contact with the cult beyond 2013 and that she "had minimal contact with those were were still involved." She said any allegations that she was involved in any of the illegal activity "are blatantly false."

Mack revealed that she also slept with Raniere, saying he convinced her that doing so would help her process childhood sexual exploitation that she experienced.

She said the fact that she was a celebrity helped her recruitment efforts.

I capitalized on the things that I had, she said. The success I had as an actor  was a power tool that I had to get people to do what I wanted.

open image in gallery Nxivm sex cult leader Keither Raniere, who was sentenced to 120 years in prison for racketeering and sex trafficking women in the group ( Keith Raniere Conversations )

Mack insists that, despite her actions, she is not a "pervert."

People can believe me, or people can think Im full of s*** and not listen," she said. "But I feel like I at least have to say it out loud for myself  once.
UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Thursday adopted a resolution to renew the mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic (CAR) for a year, until Nov. 15, 2026.

Resolution 2800 won the support of 14 members of the council, while the United States abstained.

The resolution decides that the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the CAR, known by its French acronym as MINUSCA, shall comprise up to 14,046 military personnel and 2,999 police personnel, as well as 108 corrections officers.

It recalls the Security Council's intention to keep the numbers under continuous review, taking into account progress on the security situation and the objective of transition and eventual drawdown of MINUSCA when conditions are met. 
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A Denver middle school teacher has been arrested after being accused of conducting a sexual relationship with a student she later admitted to stalking, authorities say.

Teresa Whalin, 28, a former teacher at Ranch View Middle School, was arrested on Monday on suspicion of sexual assault of a child.

The educator has worked for the Douglas County School District since July 2021 and has now been placed on administrative leave, according to a statement from the Douglas County Sheriffs Office.

An arrest warrant, seen by Denver 7, revealed that Whalins alleged activities were first brought to the schools attention on November 10. A student allegedly told a counselor about an inappropriate sexual relationship he had with a former gym teacher, who was later identified as Whalin.

open image in gallery Theresa Whalin has been arrested after allegedly carrying out a sexual relationship with a middle school student ( Douglas County Sheriff's Office )

According to the Denver 7, the affidavit stated that Whalin had been supporting the student who had been struggling with mental health issues during the 2023-2024 school year.

The document said that they developed a relationship with one another, which became sexual in April 2023, sharing photos of each other on Snapchat. The relationship lasted for more than a year.

When the student said that they were dating a classmate, Whalin continued to drive near the students home and followed their walking path to and from school.

According to the affidavit, the student began to become fearful that they were being stalked by their former teacher, who was jealous of their new relationship.

open image in gallery The disgraced teacher was working at Ranch View Middle School while she carried out her alleged crime ( Google Streetview )

Following Whalins arrest at her home, she allegedly admitted to the wrong and illegal relationship. She accused the schoolchild of manipulating her, since they had confided in her about their mental health.

However, Whalin admitted she had driven by the students home to catch a glimpse of them and that she had used fake phone numbers to contact the child.

The DCSO says that Whalin is currently being held on a $50,000 bond. She had been charged with sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust, internet exploitation of a child, and stalking.

In the meantime, Erin Kyllo, the principal of Ranch View Middle School, says that the school is looking for a replacement for Whalin.

We are working to find a long-term substitute teacher for our impacted students, Whalin wrote in a letter obtained by Denver7. In the meantime, the entire Ranch View Middle administrative team will support our students and ensure learning continues.

The Independent has contacted the Douglas County Sheriff's Office for further comment.
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A court has denied rapper Tory Lanezs appeal of his conviction on charges he fired a gun at fellow musician Megan Thee Stallion.

A three-judge panel from the California 2nd District Court of Appeal issued a ruling Wednesday, saying they affirm in full Lanezs conviction on three felony counts.

They did not publicly release an opinion with their reasoning.

The rapper was convicted in December 2022 of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, having a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence.

Megan, whose real name is Megan Pete, testified during the trial that Lanez shot at her in July 2020 after they left a party at Kylie Jenners home in the Hollywood Hills.

She said that Lanez, whose legal name is Daystar Peterson, fired a gun at the back of her feet and shouted for her to dance.

open image in gallery Tory Lanez attends the Rolling Stone Live Big Game Experience at Academy LA on February 13, 2022 in Los Angeles ( Getty Images for MCM )

She had to undergo surgery to remove bullet fragments from both of her feet.

She did not publicly identify Lanez as the shooter until months after the incident.

Attorneys for Lanez did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday's ruling. They can petition to have the California Supreme Court hear the appeal.

A representative for Megan also did not immediately answer an email seeking comment.

open image in gallery Megan Thee Stallion at the Met Gala in New York City ( Getty Images )

Lanez is serving a 10-year sentence at the California Men's Colony near San Luis Obispo, California.

He was moved there after he was stabbed by a fellow inmate at California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi.

Authorities did not specify how Lanez was attacked, but a message posted on the rappers Instagram account said Lanez was stabbed 14 times and both his lungs collapsed.

The 32-year-old Canadian Lanez began releasing mixtapes in 2009 and saw a steady rise in popularity, moving on to major label albums, two of which reached the top 10 on Billboards charts.
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Nine thieves were caught on camera all climbing out of the same car and breaking into a Virginia vape shop, where they made off with expensive sneakers, Pokemon cards and over $13,000 worth of merchandise.

Surveillance video shows the group filing out of a gray Hyundai Sonata as if it were a clown car  with two of the alleged burglars stashed in the trunk  before breaking into Accolades Vapes and Tobacco Shop around 3:30 a.m. on October 15.

The thieves, all wearing hooded sweatshirts and face masks, shattered the window at the shop in Warrenton, about 55 miles outside of Washington, D.C., to gain entry, Fox 5 reported.

Once inside, the group stole 15 pairs of Nike Air Jordan sneakers, clothing, water pipes, vapes, Pokemon cards and the cash register, according to the report.

The shops owner told Fox that the thieves made off with about $13,000 worth of merchandise  and none of it will be covered by insurance.

open image in gallery Nine people climbed out of a small car and broke into a Virginia vape shop last month, authorities said as they continue to for the suspected robbers, who made off with $13,000 worth of merchandise ( Fauquier County Sheriff's Office )

Its just a very tough situation with the vape industry, insurance [companies] are a little finicky with that, so what happens is you just have to take the loss, the owner said.

The footage shows all nine people wearing face coverings and hooded sweatshirt during the robbery.

In order to get inside the building, the group had to break a window and push past a temporary wall standing in front of it.

Its horrible because bringing the community back is what were actively trying to do. Thanks to our community in Fauquier County, it has been nothing but support and the sheriff's department has been really, really helpful, he added.

open image in gallery The group climbed through a window and pushed a temporary wall forward to gain access to the shops merchandise ( Fauquier County Sheriff's Office )

When asked if he had a message to the thieves, the owner simply said: Do better.

The sheriffs office believes the crew is also responsible for other burglaries in the area and is encouraging anyone who recognizes them to come forward with information.
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More than three decades after a young father was found shot to death in his Northern California home, investigators say theyve solved the case  and have arrested two people they allege were behind the 1993 killing.

Zachary Jackson, 30, was discovered dead inside his Hayward, California, home on June 17, 1993. Investigators believe he was killed around June 14, but relatives did not find his body for several days after they had not heard from him, Alameda County Sheriffs Detective Pat Smyth said at a press conference on Monday.

Now, after years of no answers, investigators say Jacksons former partner, Veronica Fonseca, and her boyfriend at the time, Anthony Fox, are responsible for his murder.

We believe they were both there and that Mr Fox was the one who pulled the trigger, Smyth said.

open image in gallery Investigators believe Zachary Jackson, who was discovered dead inside his Hayward, California home on June 17, 1993, was killed on June 14 ( Alameda County Sheriff's Office )

At the time, Miss Fonseca was interviewed several times by our investigators, but there was nothing at the time that led them to believe she had any involvement in this case, he continued.

As you can imagine, in 1993, they did not have a lot of the things we have available to us today, investigatively, to find leads. No electronic footprint like we have these days; they relied heavily on witnesses, fingerprints, that sort of thing. DNA was in its infancy.

Before Jacksons death, he and Fonseca were raising two children, a four-year-old daughter in his custody and a one-year-old son in Fonsecas care, Smyth noted.

For years, investigators chased theories, including a possible dispute between Jackson and his landlord, but none led to an arrest. So without any viable leads, the case went cold.

Then, in 2014, a tip came in to police that named Fonseca and Fox as the people allegedly connected to Jacksons death. Investigators began looking into the lead but according to Smyth, encountered a roadblock that stalled the case once again.

open image in gallery Veronica Fonseca and her former boyfriend, Anthony Fox, are in custody for the 1993 murder of Zachary Jackson ( Alameda County Sheriff's Office )

Seven years later, in 2021, another anonymous tip submitted to the sheriffs website pointed to the same two names  Fonseca and Fox. The tipster later agreed to speak with Smyth, but the case was stalled by what he described as an impediment.

The case really didnt move forward until this year, when we developed an investigative plan to try to bring this case forward, Smyth said. Over the last few months, theres been a lot of investigative resources poured into this case, and more witnesses cooperated and told a similar story as to our previous tipsters.

On November 6, the case finally broke open.

Fonseca, now 54, was arrested at her home in Queens, New York, and Fox, 56, was taken into custody the same day outside his home in Sioux City, Iowa, according to the Alameda County Sheriffs Office. Both are charged with murder and first-degree residential burglary, with sentencing enhancements for the use of a firearm.

Details about the new evidence that finally led to charges were not provided, with Smyth saying that they did not want to jeopardize the prosecution.

open image in gallery Anthony Fox, now 56, was taken into custody the same day as Fonseca outside his home in Sioux City, Iowa ( Alameda County Sheriff's Office )

This case is a good example of what happens when good people have the courage to come forward and tell law enforcement what they know, coupled with law enforcement leveraging all the investigative resources to bring a resolution to this case, Smyth said.

Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson praised the multi-agency effort that led to the charges, calling it an overdue step toward justice.

We cannot forget that victims desire and require closure in cases, Dickson said. This is a case that took 32 years to resolve, but murder has no limit on when we can charge you.

Fonseca and Fox will both be extradited to Alameda County to face arraignment in the coming weeks.
BRATISLAVA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- A train collided with a van in east Slovakia's Presov region, leaving one person dead and another injured, the News Agency of the Slovak Republic reported on Thursday evening, citing a local rescue officer.

Train service has been suspended on the Sabinov-Lipany section, where the collision happened, said passenger rail carrier ZSSK on social media.

According to local media STVR, at the time of the accident, there were 75 passengers on the train. Replacement bus transport is currently in place in the affected section.

The police said on social media that the accident occurred shortly after 7:00 p.m. (1800 GMT) at the railway crossing in the village of Pecovska Nova Ves.

The cause of the accident is under investigation. 
Capital Gain

Rich lister property developers, the Gazal familys Gazcorp, has added a touch of Los Angeles Rodeo Drive to Sydneys west with the opening of the $100 million second stage of the Sydney Outlet Village.

The former Fashion Spree outlet in Warwick Farm now boasts 5000 square metres of luxury brands trading in an alfresco mall setting with open-air seating, built with sustainable materials.

Outlet malls are the new black for the retail sector as consumers focus on spending less. Shoppers demand for premium brands on a beer budget means Sydney Outlet Village has snared multiple well-known brands including Oroton, expanding the centres size from a 130 sq m store to 205 sq m.
Liberal leader Sussan Ley ended her climate policy press conference on Thursday afternoon with an appropriately Trumpian flourish.

Shed been asked how she could at once declare that her party would dump emissions reduction targets, abandon all the mechanisms in place to lower emissions, pump public money into coal power and yet insist a government she led would not abandon the Paris climate treaty.

Sussan Ley says net zero would be a welcome outcome but the Liberal Party wont do anything to make it happen. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

This is a plan to bring down emissions and to provide affordable energy, she said. And if there are reasons why people in Paris or in some United Nations organisation dont like it, I can deal with that.

Dan Tehan, her energy and emission spokesman, was pleased. Well said, he muttered.
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Eating outJust open Chin Chins owner opens Grill Americano in the CBD  ground zero for steak restaurants Its high stakes in Sydneys steak scene, and now theres a new entrant from Melbourne. Its difference? Its Italian first and foremost. Sarah Norris November 14, 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

Grill Americano, the latest grill restaurant to move into Sydneys CBD, officially opens on Wednesday. Its the newest venue by Lucas Collective, the Melbourne-born group run by Chris Lucas, also behind popular South-East Asian restaurant Chin Chin. The 170-person restaurant is at the high-profile address of 1 Chifley Square, the curved Felix Tavener-designed mid-century building formerly known as Qantas House  a prime CBD location among the law firms and banks and across the road from Martin Place metro station. Its also in the prime-cut zone  ground zero for grilled meats and steak houses, and expensive cooking gear such as imported Josper charcoal ovens. Sydneys new grill Grill Americano. Myles Kalus In fact, Grill Americano is on the same block as two-hatted Rockpool Bar and Grill, which opened 15 years ago. Circle out a handful of blocks, and youll also find two-hatted The Grill at The International at Martin Place and one-hat Clam Bar on Bridge Street.

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The Good Food Guide restaurant of the year, Eleven Barrack, is on Barrack Street, and nearby theres Bistecca, Chophouse, The Gidley and Bopp & Tone. Then theres the sirloin-and-sides restaurant Alfies and newly opened steak frites restaurant 24 York. Familiarity breeds popularity. People like the comfort of the form, says Callan Boys, Good Foods national restaurant editor. A martini and snacky seafood to start  oysters or a prawn cocktail, say  then a steak and many sides. Its an elevated version of the meat-and-three-vegetable dinners many Australians grew up with and still cook at home themselves. 1 / 10 The bistecca alla fiorentina. Jason Loucas 2 / 10 Small snacks and drinks. Jason Loucas 3 / 10 The bistecca pizzaiola. Jason Loucas 4 / 10 Sitting ringside. Myles Kalus 5 / 10 Many martinis. Myles Kalus 6 / 10 Sicilian seafood risotto. Jason Loucas 7 / 10 The tiramisu, before the scooping has begun. Supplied 8 / 10 Working the grill. Jason Loucas 9 / 10 A selection of cocktails. Supplied 10 / 10 The 30-metre bar. Jason Loucas Previous Slide Next Slide The Lucas Collective stable, which also includes Chin Chin Melbourne, as well as Society, Batard, one-hat Grill Americano and others in the Victorian capital, has grown steadily in recent years but encountered occasional controversy. (In 2019, a report found the group had underpaid staff. The Fair Work Ombudsman reviewed the matter, and the Lucas Collective said they were cleared of any wrongdoing.)

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Lucas says theyve been sourcing beef for the past 12 months for their second Sydney restaurant, and the result is 15 beef dishes, including a handful designed to be shared with a group, such as the 1.2 kilogram bistecca alla fiorentina (sliced loin on the bone). There are three signature cuts, including bistecca pizzaiola, a 500-gram tenderloin layered on a rich tomato sauce with capers, olives and oregano. Its beautiful slow-cooked beef sliced  Its a classic dish, very homely, Lucas says. Executive chef Vincenzo Ursini says hes excited about the zabuton, full-blood wagyu from Japan, and the 400-gram grappa-infused dry-aged citrus-fed hanger steak. The cattle are citrus-fed and the grappa is introduced towards the end of the dry-ageing period to give this beautiful deep complexity. Its something not many other restaurants are doing, he says.

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The dining room during a pre-opening service. The dining room features the signature blue chairs and bespoke lighting. Myles Kalus Its not all steak, though. The signature octopus carpaccio, wood-oven roasted scampi on saffron pilaf and grilled King George whiting all appear  plus an oyster bar featuring oysters from up to 12 farms. Its at one end of a sleek 30-metre long marble bar that allows diners ringside seats to chefs preparing dishes. Lucas says one of the attractions of a grill is it allows you to have an extensive menu, just as neighbouring Rockpool and The International Grill. I think probably, from all my restaurants, [Grill Americano] has touched a certain sort of popularity with people, he says. It has a very broad popularity. Asked how Grill Americano differs from other Sydney grills, Lucas says, Well, its Italian first and foremost. Chris Lucas and exec chef Vincenzo Ursini. Griffin Simm

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He calls it a New York-style Venetian grill influenced by the elegant restaurants and hotels of Venice (Lucas is a big fan of Harrys Bar) and the old Italian steak houses of New York such as Sparks. Because his Sydney venue has a much larger kitchen than Melbourne, the team has been able to ramp up hand-made pasta options. Overseen by chef Simone Giorgia (who, like Ursini, has moved to Sydney for the opening), the menu includes lobster agnolotti, buffalo ricotta ravioli and linguine with spanner crab. That Italian influence is in the beef, too. Apart from the dry-aged steaks, the beef is marinated in olive oil, garlic and rosemary. Before serving, we brush them with rosemary and add a touch of lemon, says Lucas. A spoonful of tiramisu, which is served from a big bowl table-side. Jason Loucas Can Sydney sustain another steak restaurant? Brett Robinson, group chief executive of The Point Group, which owns The International, thinks so. He says we live in an international city that thrives on energy, diversity and quality.

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Sydneys big enough and hungry enough for new experiences, Robinson says. The arrival of more great restaurants only adds to the energy appeal of the city. (Good Food also contacted Rockpool to see if the business would like to comment on its new neighbour, but it declined.) Robinson adds that with Joel Bickford leading the kitchen, The International has a uniquely Sydney perspective. Connected to our ingredients and our people  thats what makes The International different. Its not imported, its deeply local but feels global. The International culinary director Joel Bickford and group CEO Brett Robinson. Good Foods Boys says its a competitive scene, but theres one thing thats the difference between good and great.

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All these grills offer a laundry list of steaks, and theyre all fighting for exclusive access to cuts, breeds and farms. They all have very nice, very comfortable dining rooms too. I think the real point of difference  the factor that decides whether a grill thrives or dies  will come down to the level of service offered. Charming, skilled floor staff are much harder for an operator to find than another pasture-fed rib-eye. Open lunch and dinner daily from Wednesday, November 19 1 Chifley Square, Sydney, grillamericano.com Related Article Good Food hat Good Food hat 16.5 / 20 Review Does Sydney need another luxury grill restaurant? No, but this one dazzles

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One of the institutes key charitable funders was given no notice NeuRA was terminating its involvement with a trial the charity funded, while a wealth adviser has started to steer potential donors away from NeuRA. Loading NeuRAs eWalk2 trial is testing electrical stimulation on people with spinal cord injuries to see if it can restore their ability to walk after promising results in an earlier NeuRA study. It was led by Gandevia and Professor Jane Butler, who were told this year their contracts would not be renewed. Via his lawyer, Gandevia declined to comment. Butler did not return a request for comment. I havent heard a word from NeuRA, said Lewis. I dont go into any of these things to try to get anything for me personally. The way I look at it, it is the only way a cure, or advancements can be made  via research.

EWalk2 received a $3 million taxpayer-funded research grant in 2023 and has funding from multiple charities, including SpinalCure. SpinalCure Australia had no forewarning of NeuRAs decision to terminate its involvement with the research, a SpinalCure spokesman said. The charity is confident a new home for the trials will be found with minimal disruption. NeuRAs spokesman said Gandevia and Butler were responsible for liaising with trial patients, and that the institute would return about $1 million in unspent donations to SpinalCure. NeuRA is meeting all of its contractual obligations in relation to eWALK2, noting that the project is ongoing and we continue to work with the project team on rehoming it, the spokesman said. The project teams continue to work with each recruiting site to manage the transition away from NeuRA responsibly, including the safety and welfare of all participants.

The Spinal Research Institute, a charity that has funded several NeuRA researchers, said in a statement it was surprised and deeply disappointed to learn about the closure of the Gandevia and Butler labs. The closures will be disruptive to current clinical trials and risks the loss of spinal cord injury research expertise and infrastructure in Australia, it said. We sincerely hope that their important work can continue elsewhere under new arrangements so that positive gains for people living with spinal cord injury in Australia are not lost. Internal correspondence seen by this masthead suggests NeuRA has ambitions to grow research funding to between $150 million and $300 million a year. Revenue totalled just $35 million in 2024. Of that, $6.2 million came from bequests, which are often negotiated directly between researchers and wealthy individuals. A private wealth adviser has helped facilitate a multimillion-dollar bequest in recent years. Last year, they had a meeting with NeuRA to discuss how the funds were being spent, with the expectation NeuRA would be keen to follow the deceased clients wishes.

At that point they said  We dont have to talk to you, see you later. It was like, right, you are absolutely blacklisted, the adviser said, speaking anonymously to detail confidential conversations. I find it absolutely staggering. Ive relayed that experience with everybody and anybody. He suspected the money had instead gone to cover bloated expenses. For a bloke who saved every dollar, that really grated with me. I was extremely disappointed with the experience and have gone out of my way to ensure my experience has been made known to other clients and others in the industry. NeuRAs spokesman said: As a matter of policy, NeuRA deploys every bequest exclusively as per the bequestors specification in their will. In one instance, NeuRA received unsolicited direction from a wealth manager to deploy a bequest in a manner totally inconsistent with the specific terms of the will. NeuRA naturally had to decline that request.

Dozens of anonymous and unproven allegations of research misconduct about NeuRAs chief executive Professor Matthew Kiernan were made online this year. This masthead does not suggest there is veracity to the allegations made against Kiernan, only that the allegations exist. Loading NeuRA initially referred to them as defamatory allegations on an anonymous, unverified website. The University of NSW is leading an investigation into the allegations, which Kiernan said he welcomed.

I am confident that these comments will be found to be without merit, he said. I fully support the need for institutions such as UNSW Sydney to ensure all of its researchers uphold the highest standards of academic probity, which requires them to investigate all such comments. After receiving what it termed a request for service regarding work health and safety issues at NeuRA, SafeWork NSW prompted NeuRA to review its legal obligations under work safety laws. NeuRAs spokesman said a range of staff were consulted and NeuRA reviewed its processes and policies. SafeWork NSW did not require any response to the concern. Gandevias suspension stunned colleagues at NeuRA and across the country. To me, it is inexplicable, said Professor David Berlowitz, a specialist in spinal cord injury and chair of physiotherapy at the University of Melbourne. Simon Gandevia has led a great deal of physiological and human clinical studies in Australia. He has mentored and trained more than one generation of researchers, he said. I dont understand it. It is inexplicable to me. I was quite frankly surprised. Its not how I would go about it.
Chinas Foreign Ministry has lodged complaints with the Albanese government over a speech from ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess calling out Beijing for state-sponsored hacking and warning of the growing risk of sabotage to Australian critical infrastructure assets.

Burgess told a conference in Melbourne on Wednesday that Chinese government hacking groups Salt Typhoon and Volt Typhoon had probed telecommunications networks in Australia, as well as the United States.

ASIO boss Mike Burgess said Chinese hackers have been caught trying to access critical infrastructure, with foreign regimes more willing than ever to cause damage. Credit: Eamon Gallagher

In a clear reference to China, Burgess said: ASIO is aware of one nation state  no prizes for guessing which one  conducting multiple attempts to scan and penetrate critical infrastructure in Australia and other Five Eyes countries, targeting water, transport, telecommunications, and energy networks.

The reconnaissance is highly sophisticated, using top-notch tradecraft to find your networks, test for vulnerabilities, knock on digital doors and check the digital locks.
This photo taken on Nov. 13, 2025 shows a scene at the Global South Media and Think Tank Forum China-Africa Partnership Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Global South Media and Think Tank Forum China-Africa Partnership Conference on Thursday launched the "United in Heart, Path and Action -- 2026 China-Africa Partnership Empowerment Action Plan," aiming to align China-Africa media and think tank cooperation and better support shared development while amplifying the collective voice of the Global South in global governance. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Global South Media and Think Tank Forum China-Africa Partnership Conference on Thursday launched the "United in Heart, Path and Action -- 2026 China-Africa Partnership Empowerment Action Plan," aiming to align China-Africa media and think tank cooperation and better support shared development while amplifying the collective voice of the Global South in global governance.

Issued under the Global South Media and Think Tank Cooperation and Communication Partner Network, the action plan responds to a changing global landscape and common challenges such as climate change, uneven development, the digital divide and geopolitical conflict.

Meanwhile, the action plan agrees on the importance of working together in a world with many power centers, ensuring fair and professional communication, focusing on common development goals, strengthening partnerships under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) framework, and encouraging conversations between different cultures to improve the Global South's influence and voice.

Proposed by Xinhua News Agency in 2024, the Global South Media and Think Tank Cooperation and Communication Partner Network has since attracted more than 1,000 media outlets, think tanks, government agencies and international organizations from 95 countries and regions.

The action plan is a concrete, results-oriented initiative launched by Xinhua to mark the 70th anniversary of China-Africa diplomatic relations and the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges in 2026.

The two-day meeting, themed "Reforming Global Governance: New Roles and Visions for China-Africa Cooperation," drew more than 200 representatives from over 160 mainstream media outlets, think tanks and government departments from China and 41 African countries, as well as the African Union (AU). 
Mamdani, for instance, has proved just how exhausted and alien New Yorkers find the Democrat establishment. While the old school attacked Mamdani on Israel, a third of Jewish New Yorkers voted for him. Partly that signals a serious shift in American attitudes on Israel, but mostly it was because Israel was beside the point. Mamdani ran a sharply focused campaign on the cost of living. Fast and free buses, increasing taxes on the rich, a pilot program for government-priced grocery stores, rent freezes on certain properties  he hammered this program relentlessly.

Both cases will invite true believers to hopeful conclusions: that the path to Democrat revival in America is to jolt the establishment sharply to the left, and that the Coalitions future in Australia lies in right-wing stridency. But what if rather than buck the trend, these events reinforce it? Because if you think of our current political moment as the result of long-term social changes rather than flashes in the pan, each of them makes the most sense as a continuation of those trends, rather than a disruption.

Both feel like significant, trend-bucking events, defying the conventional wisdom of the moment. In the US, a socialist Muslim anti-Zionist is meant to be unelectable. In Anthony Albaneses Australia, political profit is meant to be won in the centre, avowed right-wing politics leading only to the political wilderness.

Consider two contrasting sensations of the past week: Zohran Mamdanis victory in the mayoral election in New York City, and the admittedly lower-key ascent of One Nation and similarly conservative politicians, culminating in a new poll placing Pauline Hanson, Barnaby Joyce and Andrew Hastie among the most liked politicians in the country, while One Nation polls up to 14 per cent.

But for all that, Mamdani won as the Democrat candidate in an election confined to a heavily Democrat city. Theres no real history of New York mayors going on to redefine national politics, and theres precious little yet to suggest this approach would succeed in, say, a swing state. Yes, Mamdani won some Trump voters, and yes, he finally put the economy front and centre, speaking to voters major concerns and fighting on the same patch that has served Trump so well. But its a long way from those seeds to winning Ohio.

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Similarly, weve seen One Nation spike before. On the eve of this years election, polls showed a late One Nation surge at the expense of the Coalition. It was around this time that Peter Dutton began sounding off on Welcomes to Country, having mostly avoided culture war issues during the campaign, in what seemed a last-ditch attempt to arrest the bleeding on his right flank. But as it transpired on the night, the One Nation vote underperformed  notching up 6.4 per cent when some polls had them at 10.5  and the real bleeding went to Labor. The result was a purging of the Liberal Party from the cities, while the Coalition  mostly in the form of the Nationals  held its ground in rural Australia.

The fact remains that Mamdani and One Nation are prospering on opposite sides of one of the most defining divides in modern politics: city versus country. Our May election showed just how deep that division has become. In America, the effect is even more pronounced. Until the 90s, rural and urban voters voted similarly; in 2024, Trump won rural America by about 40 points. And yet this same phenomenon is having opposite effect here. In America, its destroying the Democrats, handing the Republicans a huge structural advantage in the White House and Congress. In Australia, its destroying the Coalition, threatening either to consign it to endless opposition, or to tear it apart entirely.

Thats because were different countries, and we have fundamentally different political systems. Australia is one of the most urbanised countries in the world, in which about two-thirds of the population live in a capital city. America is a country of a few massive cities, but many more smaller ones. It has states that are almost entirely rural, but which have numbers in the electoral college system and just as many senators each as California. The result is that the Democrats will never control the Senate unless they make rural inroads. And it means someone like Donald Trump can lose comfortably in Americas cities but still win the popular vote. The same thing in Australia, as we saw in May, means a 55-45 whacking for the Coalition, and approximately zero chance of forming government.
The Liberal Partys moderate faction threatened resignations, defections and a possible split from the Nationals if the party dropped net zero, but most MPs appear to have fallen in line behind Opposition Leader Sussan Ley as the party abandoned the policy on Thursday.

Despite successive elections that have resulted in the factions parliamentary base being hollowed out by teal independents in capital cities, members have backed away from condemning the new Liberal climate policy, which signals more coal and gas, and frames net zero only as an unintentional but welcome outcome.

Liberal moderates had mixed reactions to the partys decision to ditch net zero from its climate policy. Credit: Michael Howard

NSW senator Andrew Bragg, who was one of the most vocal crusaders for keeping the target within the faction, last weekend said he would resign from the frontbench if the party walked away from net zero and the Paris Agreement. However, he told colleagues after the announcement that he would not resign, as the Liberal Party had remained committed to the Paris Agreement, and because there was no outright rejection of net zero.

MP Melissa Price was one of the most forceful proponents of net zero during Wednesdays party room meeting, according to sources in the room. Price told her colleagues they would lose their seats and the party would become a laughing stock if it dropped net zero. Price was contacted for comment following the policys announcement.
A member of the neo-Nazi group which held an anti-Jewish protest outside parliament has a police-issued licence allowing him to install and maintain security devices, and listed the NSW Education Department as a client.

Russian-educated Alex Volvach was among the 60-odd black-clad members of the neo-Nazi National Socialist Network, whose made-for-social-media rally last weekend has sparked widespread criticism and raised questions about why NSW Police did not attempt to block it.

Alex Volvach is a Russian-educated information security professional. He was among the 60-odd members of the National Socialist Network who rallied outside parliament on Saturday.

The Herald on Thursday revealed one senior member of the NSN is South African national Matthew Gruter, a civil engineer for Aurecon. The company, which has held contracts with the Department of Defence, did not answer questions about Gruters role at the firm.

Other members include a personal trainer, an Australia Post employee, and Sydney Trains employee Cooper Stephens, who on Thursday was stood down while the agency investigates his involvement in the rally.
In this series, we explore all you need to know about Australias first treaty, between Victoria and its Indigenous peoples.

As Rueben Berg sat at the same, intimate table as the Victorian premier to sign Australias first treaty with its First Peoples, he was struck by a powerful yet simple thought about what the agreement was about.

This was a moment the Victorian government had been working towards for a decade, and Indigenous people much longer, one that unfolded early on Thursday morning within the 19th-century-era grandeur of the State Drawing Room of the governors mansion and witnessed by representatives of the state, parliament and the King.

From left: First Peoples Assembly co-chair Rueben Berg, Premier Jacinta Allan, Minister for Treaty Natalie Hutchins and assembly co-chair Ngarra Murray sign Victorias statewide treaty at Government House. Credit: Justin McManus

Yet for Berg, fellow First Peoples Assembly co-chair Ngarra Murray and the other assembly members whose names had already been inked on the agreement, it was the realisation of something more essential.

To my mind, we sat here as equals, he said. That is fundamentally what this process has been about  recognising our equal status to be able to sit at that table.
Member, I am not arguing with you. Retract and apologise, Ye Lai said. Hunter then argued again that he only said he was going to pick up his dinner guests, to which Ye Lai responded: That is not what you were saying. Fair enough. I know what I said, Hunter replied. Attorney General Tony Buti then called a point of order and said he had never seen an episode of such disrespect to an acting speaker in his 15 years in parliament. Neither Hansard nor the parliament video feed caught what Hunter said.

Nationals MP Lachlan Hunter. Hunter told this masthead that he said to Warr: This is awful, Im going to get my dinner guests. On Thursday morning, Stojkovski said she didnt actually hear Hunters remark, but said Ye Lai had heard him say stupid minister and accused him of disliking women. The issue is really not about what he said. Its the fact that he showed such disrespect to the acting speaker, she said. The reality is in the chamber, the speaker, or the acting speaker, is the absolute authority. She tells you to withdraw a comment, you withdraw.

She tells you to apologise, you apologise. He didnt do those things. Hunter said he came back to his seat and withdrew his comments, but found Stojkovskis comments that he didnt like women offensive. I totally refute those accusations. I give my spray equally to the front bench of the government, no matter what their gender is, he said. I literally helped found a womens FDV regional service called DVassist, which former Labor Minister Bill Johnston now chairs. This is a government and ministers who finally have an opposition willing to call out their behaviour and they clearly dont like it.

Loading Despite Hunters claim that he apologised to the house on Thursday morning, he said he wasnt aggrieved for having to withdraw and apologise for remarks he did not make. I respect the decorum of the chamber. Im a representative of my constituency, and Ill always respect the conventions of the legislative assembly, he said. Hunters claim was backed by Warr, who said thered been a misunderstanding. He said to me, Im leaving because I need to go and get my guests, she said.

Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas, who was also sitting near Hunter at the time, said he didnt believe thats what was said. Well, its not for me to say, but I dont believe it was that. Nonetheless, he was asked to withdraw the comments ... I believe he withdrew the comments and then left the chamber, he said. Ye Lai did not confirm to this masthead what she heard in the chamber but said every member deserves to be treated with respect. Speaker Stephen Price started Thursdays sitting by scolding the entire parliament for its behaviour while singling out Hunter for Wednesdays exchange and government MPs for obstructing the Parliament video feed. Liberal powerbroker dubbed fuhrer

In the upper house, Labors Andric apologised for describing Liberal powerbroker Goiran as fuhrer, in reference to Adolf Hitler, during a debate about gender dysmorphia two hours earlier. I made a comment earlier today during the motion on notice in this place. I would like to formally withdraw that comment, and I unreservedly apologise to that member, Andric said. Zempilas noted Andrics apology to the house and personal apology to Goiran, but said Ehrenfeld deserved an apology too. I think it is appropriate that that same apology also go to the one Jewish member of the Upper House parliamentary liberal team, and as yet, Simon hasnt received an apology, and I think its appropriate that he does, he said.
Singapore: Barely a fortnight since the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand signed the so-called Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords in the presence of US President Donald Trump, fresh fighting at the contested point has turned deadly.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, a co-signee of the refreshed peace deal, said a Cambodian citizen had been killed and three others injured in an unprovoked use of violence by the Thai side on Wednesday afternoon in Banteay Meanchey province.

US President Donald Trump (right) with Cambodian leader Hun Manet (shaking hands) and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Credit: Getty Images

Thailand has accused Cambodian soldiers of firing first into the neighbouring Thai province of Sa Kaeo and providing an entirely false account.

The allegations come after Thailand this week blamed Cambodian forces for planting landmines that had injured several of its soldiers.
On a cold autumn morning last week, a security guard outside a food bank in the New York neighbourhood of Harlem was dealing with a steady stream of people. A friend and I had come to this branch of the citys largest hunger relief organisation, the Food Bank for NYC, to drop off donations our kids had collected for a school community service project.

Volunteers sort donated food items at a food bank in New York. Credit: Bloomberg

As we unpacked bags of soap, shampoo and toothbrushes, a woman with salt-and-pepper hair knocked on the window. Can you help me? she asked. What exactly is being done for people who didnt get their food stamps?

During the federal government shutdown, 42 million Americans who rely on the countrys largest food assistance program have been living under a cloud of anxiety. The Trump administration has refused to fully fund the program, resulting in delays and uncertainty over whether recipients would receive benefits this month.

An end to the longest government shutdown in US history is now in sight, after the Senate passed legislation on Monday night (local time). But while politicians have spent the past six weeks arguing in the nations capital, here in New York, where 1.8 million residents rely on food stamps, lines for donated food have grown longer.
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. space technology company Blue Origin launched its massive reusable New Glenn rocket on Thursday, sending NASA's ESCAPADE twin spacecraft bound for Mars in the NG-2 mission.

New Glenn lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in the U.S. state of Florida at 3:55 p.m. Eastern Time (2055 GMT).

About three minutes after launch, Blue Origin confirmed main engine cut-off and stage separation.

Later, the company confirmed New Glenn's second stage and payload were continuing toward space.

It marks the second flight mission of the reusable rocket, which will support ESCAPADE's science objectives, said the company on its website. 
After returning from Bhutan, PM Modi goes to meet blast survivors





NEW DELHI :

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets victims who are injured in Delhi blast and undergoing treatment at LNJP hospital in New Delhi on Wednesday . (PTI)

UPON landing from Bhutan, the Prime Minister went straight to the LNJP hospital to meet the survivors of the Red Fort blast, and said, the perpetrators of the deadly blast will be brought to justice. He met and interacted with the injured and wished them a speedy recovery, officials said, adding that he was also briefed by officials and doctors at the hospital. Went to LNJP Hospital and met those injured during the blast in Delhi. Praying for everyones quick recovery. Those behind the conspiracy will be brought to justice! Modi said in a post on X.
Country-wide crackdown on terror ecosystem ATS searches in Thane, Pune over arrest of techie for terror links





MUMBAI :

THE Maharashtra ATS has searched the premises of a teacher in Thane and another person in Pune in connection with the recent arrest of a software engineer for his alleged links with Al-Qaeda and other banned outfits, officials said on Wednesday. The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) clarified that the searches were not linked to Mondays blast in Delhi that claimed 12 lives, but added that as part of the standard procedure, it was examining whether there was a possible Maharashtra link to the incident in the national capital.

The teachers house at Mumbra in Thane district was used for one of the meetings by the arrested Pune-based software engineer, Zubair Hangargekar, the officials said. The ATS nabbed Hangargekar (37) from Pune on October 27 for his alleged links with banned outfits, such as Al Qaeda and Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent, and for his suspected involvement in radicalisation activities. During the investigation, the ATS had found a Pakistani contact number saved on his old phone. While probing further, the anti-terror agency learned that Hangargekar had visited Mumbra in Thane for one of his meetings. Accordingly, the ATS officials visited the teachers house on Tuesday and enquired about Hangargekar and his meeting, an official said. The teacher is neither an accused nor a witness in the case, he said. We searched the premises of two individuals - one in Kondhwa (area in Pune) and another in Mumbra - and questioned them, another official said, adding that there was no connection between Hangargekar and the Delhi blast. A search was also conducted at one more house of the teacher at Kurla in central Mumbai, sources said, adding that he used to come to teach Urdu at a madrassa every Sunday.

Talking to media persons, the teachers wife claimed that her family members were emotionally and mentally traumatised by the incident. Police confiscated two pen drives, one hard disk and a few chits during the searches, she claimed. Earlier this month, the ATS told a Pune court that Hangargekar allegedly used to deliver religious discourses aggressively in Punes Kondhwa. During a house search there, the ATS seized mobile phones containing deleted PDF files titled Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and All Its Manifestations, it had said. They also recovered an Urdu translation of a speech delivered by the late Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden on Eid-ul-Fitr. In addition, a magazine titled Inspire was found, containing photographs of AK-47 training at the OSG Gun School and documents detailing the procedure to make an IED using acetone peroxide from an OSG bomb school, it told the court. The ATS had also said that during the searches, an old phone belonging to Hangargekar was recovered from one person. During the analysis of the contact list of the phone, five international phone numbers were found saved, including one from Pakistan, two from Saudi Arabia, and one each from Kuwait and Oman, it said. The call detail records of the phone, however, do not show any calls to these saved numbers, the ATS said.
Cyber slaves trafficking: Two arrested in India-Myanmar scam compound case





NEW DELHI :

THE Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered two cases relating to the illegal trafficking of Indian nationals to cyber-crime scam compounds located in Myanmar and has arrested two accused persons, the agency said on Wednesday. The accused in the case have been identified as Soyal Akhtar and Mohit Giri. According to the CBI, these cases pertain to offences of human trafficking and wrongful confinement, carrying punishment that may extend to imprisonment for life. During the course of the enquiry, the CBI identified multiple agents operating on behalf of foreign scam compounds. Two such agents, who had trafficked victims from Rajasthan and Gujarat to these compounds, were found returning to India along with the rescued individuals and were immediately arrested upon arrival, the CBI said in its press note.

It further added that, Investigations have revealed that a large number of unsuspecting Indian citizens are being trafficked to scam compounds in Myanmar, often via Thailand. An organised international syndicate lures these individuals through false promises of high-paying jobs and attractive employment opportunities abroad. Once taken out of India, they are diverted to Myanmar where they are wrongfully confined and coerced into participating in large-scale cyber fraud operations, including digital arrest scams, investment scams, and romance frauds targeting people globally, including Indian citizens.

Those trafficked are subjected to intimidation, confinement, and physical abuse, and are forced to engage in illegal cybercrime activities against their will, it said. These victims are commonly referred to as cyber slaves. This comes days after 197 Indian citizens were repatriated who fled to Thailand from a cyber scam centre in Myanmar, taking the total to 467. The Indian Embassy in Thailand said on Monday that 197 Indian nationals have been repatriated to India from Mae Sot by two special flights operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The Indian nationals deported on Monday were detained in Mae Sot after they had entered Thailand from Myanmars Myawaddy, where they were allegedly working in the cyber scam-centres. On November 7, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that 270 Indians were repatriated from Thailands Mae Sot city to India by two special IAF flights on Thursday and urged Indian nationals to stay away from job scam centres in Myanmar.
HARARE, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Zambian Minister of Energy Makozo Chikote on Thursday hailed Chinese investments in Zambia's energy sector for helping the country address power deficit.

On the sidelines of the Zimbabwe-Zambia Business Forum in the Zimbabwean capital of Harare, Chikote said that Zambia will soon address its power deficit through increased collaboration with China, particularly in the renewable energy sector.

"We have put open access, which has led us to have good partnerships with China. Zambia has just been dependent on hydropower, but due to climate change effects, we learnt some lessons from that and we decided to start exploring other alternative sources of energy, and one of them is solar, and we have found China as a true partner in that field," Chikote told Xinhua.

He said Zambia is seeking to leverage China's expertise and technology to boost the country's renewable energy supplies.

"As we are talking now, most of the solar plants that are in the pipeline are being spearheaded by China because of their innovation in the energy sector and the partnership is moving very well," Chikote said.

Chikote added that a number of Chinese companies are working effectively to respond to Zambia's energy challenges.

"We are facing a power deficit and from the roadmap that has been made and the partnership that we are having with China, we see Zambia looking behind and say power cuts are a thing of the past," Chikote said. 
Faridabad car dealer Police issue directions to second-hand car dealers





NEW DELHI :

THE Special Cell has detained a Faridabad-based car dealer in connection with the Red Fort blast case and has directed all second-hand car dealers across Delhi and adjoining States to verify and share details of recent vehicle sales, officials said on Wednesday. According to police sources, Amit, owner of Royal Car Plaza in Faridabads Sector 37, was detained late on Monday night with Faridabad Polices help. He allegedly facilitated the sale of the Hyundai i20 that was used in Mondays powerful explosion near the Red Fort, which killed 12 people and injured many others. Amit is being questioned. The investigation team is tracing the entire chain of ownership of the Hyundai i20 and determining how it reached the suspects hands.

We are verifying who brought the vehicle to his showroom and through whom Dr Umar Nabi came in contact with him, a source said. The Special Cell is also examining dealership records, transaction logs and CCTV footage to identify intermediaries who might have been involved in the cars sale and transfer. Dr Umar Nabi, an assistant professor at Al-Falah University in Haryanas Faridabad, is believed to have been behind the wheel when the blast took place near the historic Red Fort. Following the blast, Delhi Police has launched an extensive verification drive involving all used-car dealerships operating within and around the national capital.

A senior police officer said all Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) across the 15 districts in Delhi have been instructed to hold meetings with local car dealers and direct their respective Station House Officers (SHOs) to cross-check sale and purchase records. SHOs have been asked to visit car dealerships in their jurisdictions and verify documentation related to recently sold or transferred vehicles. They have also been tasked with collecting details of buyers, especially those from Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and identifying any suspicious transactions, the officer said. Haryana Police and Uttar Pradesh Police have also been roped in to conduct parallel verifications in their respective areas adjoining the national capital, sources said. The objective is to identify any vehicle purchases that may have been made using fake identities or through cash transactions that bypass standard verification procedures.

Meanwhile, a meeting was held with several car dealers in Delhi to strengthen coordination and ensure compliance with vehicle verification norms. Dealers were advised to maintain proper sale-purchase records and verify buyer credentials such as Aadhaar, driving licence and address proofs before handing over any vehicle. They were also encouraged to immediately report any suspicious buyers or transactions to the police, said the police officer. The Special Cell is expected to question more people linked to the transaction chain as the probe into the Red Fort blast widens.
Mah Govt to acquire India House in London, preserve it as memorial





MUMBAI :

THE Maharashtra Government will take over the iconic India House in London, once the abode of freedom fighters, including V D Savarkar, and preserve it as a memorial, State Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar said on Wednesday. Shelar said Indian residents in London had drawn the States attention to the importance of the property during his trip. A joint review meeting was held at the Ministry on Wednesday, attended by Nashik MLA Devyani Farande and officials from the general administration, cultural affairs, and archaeology departments. It was decided to set up a multi-departmental committee to examine the acquisition and preservation of India House.

The committee has been tasked with preparing a comprehensive report which will be presented to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for further action, officials said. India House, founded in the early 20th century as a student residence, later became associated with Indian revolutionary activity. It is historically linked with several nationalist figures, including Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, and others.

Officials said the proposed acquisition will be followed by steps to conserve the property and develop it as a memorial that recognises its role in the anti-colonial movement. The committee will study legal, financial, and administrative modalities of taking the site under the State control and submit detailed recommendations to the Chief Minister, officials added. Earlier this year, the Maharashtra Government acquired the famous Raghuji Sword of the 18th-century Maratha general Raghuji Bhonsle for Rs 47.15 lakh at an auction in London. The sword was repatriated to Mumbai in August.

In a separate announcement, Shelar stated the Maharashtra Government has moved forward with plans to build a grand memorial to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj at Sangameshwar in Ratnagiri district. The proposed memorial will be developed in phases on a five-acre site for the main monument, with an additional two acres acquired for parking and ancillary facilities, officials said. Former MLA Pramod Jathar had urged that the memorial be made more imposing and suggested it be modelled on the scale of the Statue of Unity. Shelar instructed that work on the main monument be prioritised in the first phase, and asked for a detailed report on proposals for visitor services and allied development in the surrounding area.
New face of terror





India is witnessing a changing face of terror -- which would need a special consideration from the Government, security agencies, and the people, so that an effective counter could evolve. The car-bomb blast near Red Fort in Delhi and other developments in the past some days point to the new face of terrorism in the country. Highly educated persons are getting radicalised and are accepting to become parts of different terror modules to create disturbance and disruption in the larger Indian society. The seizure of 2,900 kilograms of explosives and chemicals from different places across the country, the arrests of highly educated persons in connection with different terror modules, and the surfacing evidence of a likely attempt to push the country into chaos through chemical weapons -- all these point to a possible reality that after seeing the failure of the traditional model of terrorism, the masterminds (wherever they may have been) are changing their strategy and tactics.

The investigators have felt -- at least until now -- that the Delhi blast was an unplanned attempt to inflict wounds on the Indian society. The details point to this fact from different angles. No matter that, the facts do insist that a fresh wave of terror may hit the country if it is not countered by alert action on part of the security agencies. Among the persons arrested in connection with terror activities are medical doctors, science researchers, and other highly educated persons. It obviously means that the terror sponsors are now looking at an entirely different model of terrorism -- which Indian security agencies may find difficult to fathom. Such an approach may have become essential for the terror sponsors because of the constant failure on their part to radicalise young Kashmiris in sufficient numbers and frequency. Also, possibly the masterminds have felt it necessary to start using other weapons as well -- such as chemical (or even biological) weapons.

These possibilities should give a serious wake-up call not just the security agencies, but also to the entire nation. Having seen string defeats and drubbings by India on various occasions, the Pakistanis may try to employ methods with which the Indians are not familiar with. Hence the renewed need for India to be doubly alert and unforgiving. Though the Delhi car-bomb blast may not be attributed to the usual accusation of Intelligence failure, the fact also cannot be missed that the explosives-laden car was parked at a place for more than three hours -- but was not noticed by any person related to security activities. This means, there is still a greater scope for security agencies to be more alert and vigilant. The investigators have also arrested a woman as a leader of certain terrorist activity. This confirms the news several weeks ago after Operation Sindoor that terror sponsors were hiring women and forming womens terror brigades in Pakistan.

The drubbing Pakistan got through Operation Sindoor appears to have made some impact on Pakistan. That is the reason why it is changing its approach to terrorist activity. If the terrorists are planning action based on chemical weapons, it would mean that their effectiveness may increase, considering the possible damage the new tactics and new weapons. Indian security agencies, thus, will have to remain extra alert in countering terror and continue nabbing terrorists, their masterminds, and their fund managers. It is obvious that sooner than later, India would pick up Operation Sindoor for its next phase implementation. The Pakistanis also knows this very well. Yet, they have chosen to needle India once again. Therefore, it is imperative that India keeps its own promise to itself that any act of terror would be treated as an act of war. The Delhi blast has given India an appropriate reason to launch the next phase of Operation Sindoor and teach Pakistan another -- and far more tough -- lesson (which may mean a slicing off of some Pakistani region).
Ngp Distt produced Rs 4.70 lakh worth milk in Oct; city relying on packaged supply





By Shashwat Bhuskute :

District report confirms negligible Government and co-operative procurement; private sector sustains entire market

Nagpurs October 2025 milk report lays bare an uncomfortable truth, the city is almost entirely dependent on packaged milk brought in from other states. According to the Animal Husbandry Departments district-level data, total milk transactions in Nagpur district amounted to only Rs 4.73 lakh during October, with the Government and Co-operative sectors contributing practically zero. Under the Monthly Milk Procurement and Distribution Report, the private sector emerged as the sole active participant, recording Rs 1.65 lakh in procurement and Rs 3.07 lakh in packaged milk distribution, while both government and co-operative channels reported nil procurement. between Rs 55 and Rs 70 per litre continues to sell out each morning.

Urban consumption outpaces local output

Per-capita milk availability remains 160-180 grams per person per day, far below the World Health Organisation norm of 250 grams. Given the citys population of nearly four million, daily demand exceeds 8.8 lakh litres, while local production barely registers in official accounts. Officials warn that unless livestock numbers rise and urban-fringe dairying is revived, Nagpur will remain permanently dependent on imported milk. Packaged milk keeps the shelves full, but it also shows that the city produces almost nothing of its own, said a senior dairy officer.

Why Nagpur produces so little milk?

According to an official, Nagpurs dwindling milk production stems from a combination of structural and environmental pressures. Over the past decade, urbanisation has consumed much of the grazing and fodder land, pushing small dairy farmers to the outskirts or out of business. At the same time, rising feed and veterinary costs have made cattle-rearing uneconomical, especially for families owning one or two animals. The districts milch animal population has fallen sharply, and with limited cold-chain infrastructure, local co-operatives have been unable to compete with large private dairies sourcing milk from other districts and states. Frequent droughts in Vidarbha and irregular fodder supply have further depressed yields. Officials admit that without incentives for herd development, fodder cultivation, and village-level chilling centres, Nagpur will continue to rely on packaged milk rather than its own dairy farms.

Private dairies maintain supply

Officials said the findings confirm what has been evident in markets for months, that Nagpurs milk supply is driven entirely by commercial dairies that source milk from surrounding districts and even from outside Maharashtra. With no government procurement and only Rs 0.029 lakh of co-operative distribution, Nagpurs own dairying capacity has almsot collapsed. Retailers report that packaged milk priced
Participatory democracy key condition for my return: Sheikh Hasina





By Pradipta Tapadar :

KOLKATA

OUSTED former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said her return home hinges on the restoration of participatory democracy, lifting of the ban on the Awami League and the conduct of free, fair and inclusive elections. In an exclusive email interview to PTI from an undisclosed location in India, Hasina also accused the unelected Yunus administration of endangering ties with India and empowering extremist forces. Contrasting her foreign policy with that of the current interim Government, she said the broad and deep relationship between Dhaka and New Delhi should be able to withstand the foolhardiness of the Yunus interlude. Hasina thanked the Indian Government for providing her refuge and said she was immensely grateful to Indias Government and its people for their kind hospitality.

The most important condition for my return to Bangladesh is the same condition that the Bangladeshi people require: a return to participatory democracy. The interim administration must rescind its ban on the Awami League and allow elections that are free, fair, and inclusive, she told PTI. Hasina, Bangladeshs longest-serving Prime Minister, left the country on August 5, 2024, after weeks of violent anti-government protests. The massive agitation forced her resignation and eventual move to India, paving the way for the Yunus-led interim administration. Asked whether her Government mishandled the protests, the 78-year-old leader said, Obviously, we lost control of the situation and that was regrettable.

There are many lessons to be learned from these terrible incidents, but in my view, some of the responsibility is also on the so-called student leaders (actually seasoned political firebrands) who whipped up the crowds. Hasina also rejected reports that she had called for a boycott of the polls, scheduled for February next year, and insisted that any election excluding the Awami League would lack legitimacy. Tens of millions of people support us...That would be a huge missed opportunity for our country, which badly needs a government ruling with the peoples genuine consent. I hope this foolish ban will be rescinded...Whether in government or in opposition, the Awami League needs to be part of the political conversation in Bangladesh, she said. Asserting that India has always been Bangladeshs most important international relationship, Hasina accused the interim Government under Yunus of jeopardising ties with New Delhi through what she called foolish and self-defeating diplomatic missteps. Yunus hostility to India is foolish and self-defeating in the extreme and reveals him for the weak monarch he is, unelected, chaotic, and dependent upon the support of extremists, she alleged. I hope he doesnt make too many more diplomatic missteps before exiting the stage.

To Indians worried about the current hostile environment in Bangladesh, Hasina offered reassurance, The interim government doesnt represent what our countrymen and women think. India is and will remain our nations most important friend. Hasina also said she was prepared to stand trial under international supervision even at the International Criminal Court but alleged that Yunus has avoided such a process because an impartial tribunal would acquit her. I have repeatedly challenged Yunus government to prosecute me in the International Criminal Court, if it is so confident of its case. Yunus continues to duck this challenge because he knows that the ICC, a genuinely impartial tribunal, would certainly acquit me, she said. She dismissed Bangladeshs International Crimes Tribunal, which has initiated proceedings against her and where prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, as a kangaroo tribunal controlled by her political opponents.

They are trying to neutralise both me and the Awami League as political forces. The fact that they would use the death penalty to suppress their opponents reveals how little respect they have for democracy or due process, she alleged. According to Hasina, Yunus enjoyed at least the passive support of some western liberals who wrongly thought he was one of them. Now that they have seen him place radicals into his cabinet, discriminate against minorities, and dismantle the constitution, hopefully they are withdrawing their support, she said.
DELHI CAR BLAST Suspects recceed Red Fort many times





NEW DELHI :

Arrested Doctor Muzammil along with Dr Umar Nabi, who was driving the car, visited the Red Fort multiple times to study the security arrangements and crowd density patterns

AN ANALYSIS of dump data retrieved from the mobile phone of Dr Muzammil Ganaie, who was arrested after police busted a white-collar terror module recently, showed that he conducted multiple reconnaissances of the Red Fort area in January this year, officials said. Police said they suspect these recces were part of a larger conspiracy to target the historic monument on Republic Day, but were foiled due to intensified patrolling in the area at the time. During investigation, it was found that two of the key suspects, Dr Umar, who was driving the Hyundai i20 car that exploded, and Muzammil, had travelled to Turkiye.

Sources said the investigators have found Turkish immigration stamps in their passports and are examining whether the two met any foreign based handler during their trip. Hours after police busted the terror module with links to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, and arrested eight people including three doctors, a high-intensity blast ripped through a slow-moving car near Delhis Red Fort area, killing 12 people and injuring several others. Around 2,500 kilograms of ammonium nitrate, potassium chlorate and sulphur were seized after police busted the terror module, which spanned across Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. According to Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) that collected around 40 samples from the blast site, preliminary analysis suggested that one of the explosive samples is likely to be ammonium nitrate. A senior police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that analysis of the dump data showed Dr Muzammils repeated presence in and around the Red Fort area in the first week of January.

Along with Dr Umar Nabi, an assistant professor at the Al-Falah Univesity who is said to have been driving the car that exploded on Monday, Dr Muzammil visited the Red Fort multiple times to study the security arrangements and crowd density patterns. Their movements were corroborated through tower location data and CCTV footage collected from nearby areas, officials said. These visits were part of a detailed reconnaissance ahead of a planned attack on January 26, the officer said. Meanwhile, the forensics team has collected around 40 samples from the blast site, including two cartridges, live ammunition, and samples of two different types of explosives. Preliminary analysis suggests that one of the explosive samples could be ammonium nitrate, officials said. During the investigation on Monday, 360 kilograms of ammonium nitrate was recovered from Faridabad, where Dr Muzammil Ganaie and Dr Shaheen Sayeed, both connected to Al-Falah University, were arrested. The second explosive sample is believed to be more powerful than ammonium nitrate. Its exact composition will be confirmed after detailed forensic examination, an official said.

According to officials, the forensics team found the cartridges while inspecting the spot. Further investigation is underway to determine the nature of the explosives and how they were used in the blast, they said. As part of the ongoing probe into the modules activities, Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday detained a preacher from Mewat in Haryana. Maulvi Ishtiyaq, who has been brought to Srinagar, was staying in a rented house within the Al Falah University complex in Faridabad. It was from his home that police had recovered more than 2,500 kilograms of explosives, officials said. Maulvi Ishtiyaq, who will be the ninth person to be nabbed in the case, is likely to be placed under arrest. Meanwhile, Delhi Police has been carrying out massive checking across the national capital in the aftermath of the explosion. Police personnel and paramilitary forces have been deployed in large numbers at all the entry and exit points of Delhi. Vehicles entering and leaving the city are being thoroughly checked as part of the intensified security measures. Senior police officers are personally supervising the security checks at interstate borders, including Ghazipur, Singhu, Tikri, and Badarpur. Vehicles are being checked randomly at markets, metro stations, railway terminals and bus stands, officials said. A senior police officer said that all district units and specialised wings have been directed to remain on alert and increase patrolling in crowded areas. We are taking no chances. The focus is on maintaining public confidence and ensuring that the city remains secure, the officer said. Sniffer dogs, metal detectors and anti-sabotage teams are pressed into service at sensitive locations.
...Then who killed our children, ask families of Nithari victims





NOIDA :

GRIEF and disbelief gripped the families of victims of the 2006 Nithari serial killings, a day after the Supreme Court acquitted Surendra Koli, the only convict in the case, and ordered his immediate release if not required in any other matter. The anguished parents of the deceased children said they have now accepted defeat and left their hopes for justice in the hands of god. I have no hope now. We have accepted our defeat. The rest depends on god, 67-year-old Jhabbulal, father of a 10-year-old victim, told PTI at his home in Noidas Sector 31. The incident 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.

Remains of Jhabbulals daughter were identified through DNA testing after her clothes and slippers were recovered from the Pandhers house in Nithari village nearly 19 years ago. Who killed our daughter if they were not culprits? Why were they kept in jail for so many years then? he asked. I sold my Delhi plot and borrowed money at interest, hoping for justice, but nothing happened. We are poor, and now only god can help us. Jhabbulal, who irons clothes for a living with his wife Sunita (60), said their family has never recovered from the trauma. Our daughter was just 10. Those days were horrific, and even now, remembering them brings tears, said Sunita, her voice trembling. We did not get justice. Families like Jhabbulals said the acquittal has reopened old wounds. Its as if our children never existed, said another parent. Locals said that even years after the killings, fear lingers in the neighbourhood.

The infamous D-5 bungalow in Nithari, once the scene of gruesome discoveries, now stands in ruins, covered by shrubs and wild growth. Parents stopped letting their children play outside for years, said a neighbour. That horror still haunts the locality. Koli has been lodged in Luksar jail in Gautam Buddh Nagar for the past two years after being transferred from Ghaziabad jail. Following the Supreme Courts acquittal order, he was likely to be released on Wednesday, according to a police official Kolis wife and son have regularly visited him in jail, along with a few other relatives. The official said the apex courts order, which came on Tuesday, would first be sent to the Ghaziabad district judge and then forwarded to Luksar jail, after which the release process will be completed.

On Tuesday, a bench of Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justices Surya Kant and Vikram Nath acquitted Koli in the last pending Nithari case, observing that criminal law does not permit conviction on conjecture or on a hunch. The apex court allowed Kolis curative petition in the case related to the alleged rape and murder of a 15-year-old girl, setting aside his conviction and ordering his immediate release if not wanted in any other matter. The bench said that although the offences were heinous and the suffering of families beyond measure, the prosecution failed to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
TRIPOLI, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Liu Jian, China's charge d'affaires in Libya, met in Tripoli on Wednesday with senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Libya's Government of National Unity.

Liu thanked the Libyan Foreign Ministry and related departments for their support in facilitating the return of Chinese diplomats to Libya, saying China was ready to use the occasion to boost cooperation across various sectors and strengthen bilateral ties.

Libyan officials welcomed the Chinese Embassy's return, saying Tripoli looked forward to expanding cooperation with Beijing in political, economic, cultural, scientific, and technological fields for mutual benefit. 
abrdn Property Income Trust Limited (LON:API  Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week low during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as GBX 1.65 and last traded at GBX 2, with a volume of 34088590 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at GBX 2.05.

abrdn Property Income Trust Price Performance

The company has a fifty day simple moving average of GBX 5.22 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of GBX 5.34. The company has a market capitalization of 7.62 million, a P/E ratio of -0.23 and a beta of 0.33.

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abrdn Property Income Trust (LON:API  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, September 30th. The company reported GBX (0.40) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. abrdn Property Income Trust had a negative return on equity of 7.78% and a negative net margin of 68.00%.

abrdn Property Income Trust Company Profile

Actively managing UK real estate looking for higher yield and capital growth

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Zealand Pharma A/S (OTCMKTS:ZLDPF  Get Free Report) shares shot up 7.4% on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $78.72 and last traded at $78.72. 352 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 56% from the average session volume of 793 shares. The stock had previously closed at $73.28.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ZLDPF has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Wells Fargo & Company raised shares of Zealand Pharma A/S to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, July 24th. Zacks Research upgraded Zealand Pharma A/S from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, September 15th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Strong Buy.

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Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Zealand Pharma A/S

Zealand Pharma A/S Trading Up 7.4%

The company has a current ratio of 15.09, a quick ratio of 15.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.53 and a beta of 0.71. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $72.72 and a 200-day simple moving average of $65.69.

Zealand Pharma A/S (OTCMKTS:ZLDPF  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 14th. The company reported $16.06 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $16.72 by ($0.66). Zealand Pharma A/S had a return on equity of 67.06% and a net margin of 73.90%.The company had revenue of $1.43 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.18 billion. On average, equities analysts predict that Zealand Pharma A/S will post -2.19 earnings per share for the current year.

Zealand Pharma A/S Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Zealand Pharma A/S, a biotechnology company, engages in the discovery, development, and commercialization of peptide-based medicines in Denmark. It has a portfolio of medicines focusing on gastrointestinal and metabolic diseases, and other specialty disease areas with unmet medical needs. The company offers Dasiglucagon, a single use syringe or autoinjector for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia; and Dasiglucagon bi-hormone artificial pancreas systems containing insulin and dasiglucagon.

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Midwest Trust Co bought a new stake in shares of Alamos Gold Inc. (NYSE:AGI  Free Report) (TSE:AGI) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 11,300 shares of the basic materials companys stock, valued at approximately $300,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Alamos Gold during the second quarter worth about $30,000. Banque Transatlantique SA acquired a new stake in Alamos Gold in the 1st quarter worth approximately $31,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. boosted its stake in Alamos Gold by 67.0% in the 1st quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 1,645 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $44,000 after purchasing an additional 660 shares in the last quarter. SVB Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Alamos Gold during the 1st quarter worth approximately $67,000. Finally, Banque Cantonale Vaudoise acquired a new position in Alamos Gold during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $68,000. 64.33% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Alamos Gold Price Performance

NYSE:AGI opened at $33.71 on Thursday. The firms fifty day moving average is $32.90 and its two-hundred day moving average is $28.80. The firm has a market cap of $14.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.33, a PEG ratio of 0.50 and a beta of 0.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a current ratio of 1.49. Alamos Gold Inc. has a one year low of $17.42 and a one year high of $37.54.

Alamos Gold Dividend Announcement

Alamos Gold ( NYSE:AGI Get Free Report ) (TSE:AGI) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The basic materials company reported $0.37 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.37. Alamos Gold had a return on equity of 12.69% and a net margin of 33.46%.The business had revenue of $462.30 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $490.96 million. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.19 EPS. The companys revenue was up 28.1% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts expect that Alamos Gold Inc. will post 1.29 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 25th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, September 11th were issued a $0.025 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, September 11th. This represents a $0.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.3%. Alamos Golds payout ratio is presently 7.81%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

AGI has been the subject of several research reports. National Bankshares reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Alamos Gold in a research note on Tuesday, August 5th. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Alamos Gold in a research report on Tuesday, September 16th. Weiss Ratings upgraded Alamos Gold from a buy (b) rating to a buy (a) rating in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Wall Street Zen raised Alamos Gold from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, October 25th. Finally, TD Securities reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Alamos Gold in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have issued a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $41.00.

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Alamos Gold Profile

(Free Report)

Alamos Gold Inc engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and extraction of precious metals in Canada and Mexico. The company primarily explores for gold deposits. It holds 100% interest in the Young-Davidson mine and Island Gold mine located in the Ontario, Canada; Mulatos mine located in the Sonora, Mexico; and Lynn Lake project situated in the Manitoba, Canada.

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Nwam LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras (NYSE:PBR  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm acquired 26,688 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock, valued at approximately $345,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Vise Technologies Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras during the second quarter worth $534,000. Altman Advisors Inc. raised its stake in shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras by 3.2% during the 2nd quarter. Altman Advisors Inc. now owns 130,928 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $1,648,000 after buying an additional 4,032 shares during the last quarter. Midwest Trust Co acquired a new position in shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras in the 2nd quarter valued at about $293,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras by 11,321.8% in the second quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 1,356,687 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock worth $16,961,000 after buying an additional 1,344,809 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Rathbones Group PLC acquired a new stake in Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras during the second quarter worth about $139,000.

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Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras Trading Down 3.7%

Shares of NYSE:PBR opened at $12.97 on Thursday. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $12.33 and its 200-day moving average price is $12.26. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras has a 1 year low of $11.03 and a 1 year high of $15.10. The firm has a market capitalization of $83.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.06 and a beta of 0.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 0.72 and a quick ratio of 0.47.

Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras Dividend Announcement

Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras ( NYSE:PBR Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The oil and gas exploration company reported $0.82 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.79 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $23.48 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $125.50 billion. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras had a net margin of 15.99% and a return on equity of 34.11%. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras will post 2.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a special dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 27th. Investors of record on Friday, December 26th will be given a dividend of $0.1773 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 26th. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobrass dividend payout ratio is 47.22%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the company. UBS Group decreased their price target on Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras from $15.80 to $14.40 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, August 22nd. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Sunday. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, September 18th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c-) rating on shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $14.90.

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About Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras

(Free Report)

Petroleo Brasileiro SA  Petrobras explores, produces, and sells oil and gas in Brazil and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Exploration and Production; Refining, Transportation and Marketing; and Gas and Power. The Exploration and Production segment explores, develops, and produces crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas primarily for supplies to the domestic refineries.

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4imprint Group plc (LON:FOUR  Get Free Report)s stock price traded up 4.8% on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as GBX 3,415 and last traded at GBX 3,405. 77,238 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 58% from the average session volume of 184,638 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 3,250.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Peel Hunt reiterated a buy rating and issued a GBX 5,300 price target on shares of 4imprint Group in a research note on Tuesday. Berenberg Bank restated a buy rating and issued a GBX 5,140 price objective on shares of 4imprint Group in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their target price on shares of 4imprint Group from GBX 3,900 to GBX 3,500 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, August 6th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of GBX 4,646.67.

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4imprint Group Stock Down 1.5%

4imprint Group Company Profile

The firms 50-day moving average price is GBX 3,277.97 and its two-hundred day moving average price is GBX 3,414.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.12, a quick ratio of 1.53 and a current ratio of 1.81. The firm has a market cap of 1.11 billion, a PE ratio of 9.49, a P/E/G ratio of 0.58 and a beta of 0.98.

(Get Free Report)

4imprint Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a direct marketer of promotional products in North America, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. The company markets apparel, bags, drinkware, stationery, writing, outdoors and leisure, trade show and signage, auto, home and tools, technology, wellness and safety, and awards and office products under the Crossland, Refresh, and Taskright brands.

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WASHINGTON TRUST Co increased its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 2.9% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 133,913 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after acquiring an additional 3,722 shares during the period. WASHINGTON TRUST Cos holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $18,213,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 0.5% during the 1st quarter. Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC now owns 17,327 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $2,298,000 after acquiring an additional 78 shares during the period. FF Advisors LLC increased its position in Abbott Laboratories by 4.3% in the 2nd quarter. FF Advisors LLC now owns 1,904 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $259,000 after acquiring an additional 79 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Trust Co increased its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 0.6% during the second quarter. Charles Schwab Trust Co now owns 14,018 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $1,907,000 after acquiring an additional 79 shares in the last quarter. Bridgewater Advisors Inc. grew its position in Abbott Laboratories by 0.6% during the second quarter. Bridgewater Advisors Inc. now owns 12,555 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $1,607,000 after buying an additional 79 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Opes Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 2.9% during the first quarter. Opes Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,854 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $379,000 after acquiring an additional 80 shares during the last quarter. 75.18% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Mizuho boosted their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $145.00 to $149.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Benchmark assumed coverage on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research report on Friday, October 10th. They set a buy rating and a $145.00 target price for the company. William Blair upgraded shares of Abbott Laboratories to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, July 17th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an outperform rating and issued a $147.00 target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have given a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $147.00.

Abbott Laboratories Stock Performance

ABT traded up $0.05 during trading on Thursday, reaching $128.87. 401,441 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,509,720. The stock has a market cap of $224.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.18, a PEG ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 0.68. Abbott Laboratories has a 52 week low of $110.86 and a 52 week high of $141.23. 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 firm has a 50 day moving average of $130.50 and a 200 day moving average of $131.36.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Free Report) last issued its 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. 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 analysts expectations of $11.40 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $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, sell-side analysts forecast that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 17th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, October 15th will be given a $0.59 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, October 15th. This represents a $2.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.8%. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio is presently 29.57%.

Abbott Laboratories Company Profile

(Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The company provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Menieres disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon.

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ABIDJAN, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Ivorian government on Wednesday ratified a treaty to build the 3,164km Praia-Dakar-Abidjan highway, a major infrastructure project linking eight countries from Cape Verde to Cote d'Ivoire via Senegal.

Following a cabinet meeting, the government "adopted a decree for the ratification of the treaty concerning the creation of the Praia-Dakar-Abidjan transport corridor," said an official release.

In June, the Ivorian parliament authorized the government to ratify the treaty.

The Praia-Dakar-Abidjan highway is a flagship project of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). It aims to facilitate the movement of goods and people along the corridor, stimulate economic development in the signatory states, and strengthen regional economic integration.

The project intends to connect the capitals and port areas of the eight member countries -- Cape Verde, Cote d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Senegal, and Sierra Leone -- through an integrated network of road, rail, and maritime links.

The African Development Bank (AfDB), a key partner in the project, said it has already mobilized 1.79 million U.S. dollars to fund preliminary studies.

Feasibility studies, along with environmental and social impact assessments, are expected to be conducted in the coming months, paving the way for the launch of construction. 
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE  Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Thursday after Citizens Jmp downgraded the stock from an outperform rating to a market perform rating. The company traded as low as $52.26 and last traded at $52.5050, with a volume of 667083 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $53.78.

Other equities analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. BMO Capital Markets began coverage on shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities in a report on Tuesday, September 23rd. They issued an outperform rating and a $100.00 price objective on the stock. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d) rating on shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. BNP Paribas Exane lowered their price objective on Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $82.00 to $72.00 and set an underperform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. Evercore ISI dropped their target price on Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $104.00 to $74.00 in a report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group set a $62.00 price target on Alexandria Real Estate Equities and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Reduce and an average price target of $81.71.

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Institutional Trading of Alexandria Real Estate Equities

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Stock Down 2.5%

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of ARE. Cerity Partners LLC raised its position in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 40.8% in the 1st quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 68,665 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $6,352,000 after buying an additional 19,904 shares during the last quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities during the 1st quarter worth about $235,000. New York State Common Retirement Fund increased its stake in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 3.8% during the first quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 254,170 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $23,513,000 after acquiring an additional 9,330 shares during the last quarter. CWM LLC grew its position in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 233.8% during the first quarter. CWM LLC now owns 34,511 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $3,193,000 after buying an additional 24,172 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wealthfront Advisers LLC boosted its stake in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 399.1% during the first quarter. Wealthfront Advisers LLC now owns 41,637 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $3,852,000 after buying an additional 33,294 shares during the period. 96.54% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

The company has a market cap of $9.06 billion, a PE ratio of -21.28, a P/E/G ratio of 5.06 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a quick ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 0.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $75.21 and its 200-day simple moving average is $75.13.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities (NYSE:ARE  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, October 27th. The real estate investment trust reported $2.22 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.31 by ($0.09). The company had revenue of $751.94 million during 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 companys revenue was down 5.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $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 expect that Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. will post 9.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 30th were given a $1.32 dividend. This represents a $5.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 10.1%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 30th. Alexandria Real Estate Equitiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -213.77%.

About Alexandria Real Estate Equities

(Get 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.

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Betterware de Mexico SAPI de C (NYSE:BWMX  Get Free Report) and LuxExperience B.V. (NYSE:LUXE  Get Free Report) are both small-cap retail/wholesale companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, profitability, risk, earnings and dividends.

Volatility & Risk

Betterware de Mexico SAPI de C has a beta of 1.24, meaning that its stock price is 24% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, LuxExperience B.V. has a beta of 1.1, meaning that its stock price is 10% more volatile than the S&P 500.

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Profitability

This table compares Betterware de Mexico SAPI de C and LuxExperience B.V.s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Betterware de Mexico SAPI de C 7.23% 102.61% 11.58% LuxExperience B.V. 45.47% 90.47% 54.10%

Insider & Institutional Ownership

Analyst Ratings

12.7% of Betterware de Mexico SAPI de C shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 10.1% of LuxExperience B.V. shares are held by institutional investors. 1.9% of LuxExperience B.V. shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

This is a summary of current ratings and price targets for Betterware de Mexico SAPI de C and LuxExperience B.V., as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Betterware de Mexico SAPI de C 1 1 0 0 1.50 LuxExperience B.V. 1 0 0 0 1.00

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Betterware de Mexico SAPI de C and LuxExperience B.V.s revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Betterware de Mexico SAPI de C $773.60 million 0.69 $39.07 million $1.40 10.21 LuxExperience B.V. $1.37 billion 0.60 $620.57 million $4.89 1.95

LuxExperience B.V. has higher revenue and earnings than Betterware de Mexico SAPI de C. LuxExperience B.V. is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Betterware de Mexico SAPI de C, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

About Betterware de Mexico SAPI de C

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Betterware de Mexico, S.A.B. de C.V. operates as a direct-to-consumer company in Mexico. The company focuses on the home organization segment with a product portfolio, including home solutions, kitchen and food preservation, technology and mobility, and other categories. It serves approximately 3 million households through distributors and associates in approximately 800 communities throughout Mexico. The company was formerly known as Betterware de Mexico, S.A.P.I. de C.V. Betterware de Mexico, S.A.B. de C.V. was founded in 1995 and is based in Zapopan, Mexico. Betterware de Mexico, S.A.B. de C.V. is a subsidiary of Campalier, S.A. de C.V.

About LuxExperience B.V.

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MYT Netherlands Parent B.V., through its subsidiary, Mytheresa Group GmbH, operates a luxury e-commerce platform for fashion consumers in Germany, the United States, the rest of Europe, and internationally. The company sells clothes, bags, shoes, accessories, and fine jewelry through online and retail stores. It serves high-income luxury consumers. The company was founded in 1987 and is based in Munich, Germany.

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ASOS Plc (LON:ASC  Get Free Report)s stock price traded up 11.1% on Thursday . The company traded as high as GBX 255.50 and last traded at GBX 255.50. 334,674 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 4% from the average session volume of 348,579 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 230.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms recently issued reports on ASC. Berenberg Bank restated a buy rating and set a GBX 600 price objective on shares of ASOS in a report on Thursday. Shore Capital reissued a buy rating and issued a GBX 400 target price on shares of ASOS in a research report on Wednesday, October 1st. Finally, Peel Hunt reiterated an add rating and set a GBX 335 price target on shares of ASOS in a research note on Thursday. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of GBX 445.

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ASOS Trading Up 11.1%

About ASOS

The stock has a market cap of 304.52 million, a PE ratio of -1.03, a PEG ratio of -1.26 and a beta of 2.86. The company has a current ratio of 1.61, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 187.55. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of GBX 261.32 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of GBX 293.41.

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ASOS Plc operates as an online fashion retailer in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands, Denmark, Poland, and internationally. It offers womenswear and menswear products. The company sells its products under the ASOS Design, ASOS Edition, ASOS Luxe, ASOS 4505, Collusion, Reclaimed Vintage, Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge, HIIT, AsYou, Dark Future, UNRVLLD/SPPLY, Crooked Tongues, Daysocial, Actual, and Weekend Collective brands, as well as through third-party brands.

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Atlas Energy Solutions Inc. (NYSE:AESI  Get Free Report) shares rose 6.6% during trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $9.14 and last traded at $9.0950. Approximately 1,437,382 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 26% from the average daily volume of 1,948,592 shares. The stock had previously closed at $8.53.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently issued reports on AESI shares. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their target price on Atlas Energy Solutions from $14.50 to $14.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday, August 11th. Barclays cut their target price on shares of Atlas Energy Solutions from $12.00 to $11.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 13th. Piper Sandler decreased their price target on shares of Atlas Energy Solutions from $14.00 to $12.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Atlas Energy Solutions from a sell (d+) rating to a hold (c-) rating in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Citigroup reduced their target price on shares of Atlas Energy Solutions from $12.00 to $11.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Atlas Energy Solutions presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $17.39.

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Atlas Energy Solutions Stock Performance

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Atlas Energy Solutions

The company has a market cap of $1.13 billion, a PE ratio of -101.50 and a beta of 1.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a current ratio of 1.35. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $11.04 and its 200 day simple moving average is $12.35.

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Atlas Energy Solutions in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Larson Financial Group LLC lifted its holdings in Atlas Energy Solutions by 201.8% in the first quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 1,968 shares of the companys stock valued at $35,000 after acquiring an additional 1,316 shares during the period. CWM LLC boosted its position in shares of Atlas Energy Solutions by 244.4% during the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 2,235 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 1,586 shares in the last quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Atlas Energy Solutions by 233.5% during the 2nd quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,668 shares of the companys stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 1,868 shares during the period. Finally, Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Atlas Energy Solutions in the 2nd quarter valued at about $36,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 34.59% of the companys stock.

About Atlas Energy Solutions

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Atlas Energy Solutions Inc engages in the production, processing, and sale of mesh and sand that are used as a proppant during the well completion process in the Permian Basin of Texas and New Mexico. The company provides transportation and logistics, storage solutions, and contract labor services. It sells its products and services to oil and natural gas exploration and production companies, and oilfield services companies.

Further Reading

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Banco Bilbao Viscaya Argentaria S.A. (NYSE:BBVA  Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $21.13 and last traded at $21.12, with a volume of 1422026 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $20.42.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts recently issued reports on the company. Barclays upgraded Banco Bilbao Viscaya Argentaria from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, August 7th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b+) rating on shares of Banco Bilbao Viscaya Argentaria in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Zacks Research lowered shares of Banco Bilbao Viscaya Argentaria from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Banco Bilbao Viscaya Argentaria from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Sunday, October 19th. Finally, Morgan Stanley started coverage on Banco Bilbao Viscaya Argentaria in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. They set an equal weight rating on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy.

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Banco Bilbao Viscaya Argentaria Trading Up 1.7%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18, a current ratio of 1.01 and a quick ratio of 1.01. The firm has a market capitalization of $127.41 billion, a PE ratio of 11.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.07 and a beta of 1.21. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $19.40 and its 200 day moving average price is $17.12.

Banco Bilbao Viscaya Argentaria (NYSE:BBVA  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The bank reported $0.49 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.48 by $0.01. Banco Bilbao Viscaya Argentaria had a return on equity of 17.61% and a net margin of 29.17%.The company had revenue of $10.62 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.47 billion. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Banco Bilbao Viscaya Argentaria S.A. will post 1.59 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Banco Bilbao Viscaya Argentaria Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 24th. Investors of record on Thursday, November 6th will be paid a $0.3736 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 6th. This represents a yield of 361.0%. Banco Bilbao Viscaya Argentarias dividend payout ratio is 31.41%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Banco Bilbao Viscaya Argentaria

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of BBVA. Navigoe LLC bought a new position in shares of Banco Bilbao Viscaya Argentaria during the third quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Financial Management Professionals Inc. lifted its holdings in Banco Bilbao Viscaya Argentaria by 105.9% during the second quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 1,845 shares of the banks stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 949 shares during the period. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Banco Bilbao Viscaya Argentaria during the 2nd quarter valued at $30,000. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Banco Bilbao Viscaya Argentaria by 183.2% in the 3rd quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 1,597 shares of the banks stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 1,033 shares during the period. Finally, Salomon & Ludwin LLC raised its position in shares of Banco Bilbao Viscaya Argentaria by 2,989.5% in the 3rd quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 2,348 shares of the banks stock worth $45,000 after acquiring an additional 2,272 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 2.96% of the companys stock.

About Banco Bilbao Viscaya Argentaria

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Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, SA provides retail banking, wholesale banking, and asset management services in the United States, Spain, Mexico, Turkey, South America, and internationally. The company offers savings account, demand deposits, and time deposits; and loan products, such as residential mortgages, other households, credit card loans, loans to enterprises and public sector, as well as consumer finance.

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BBVA Banco Frances S.A. (NYSE:BBAR  Get Free Report) declared a monthly dividend on Tuesday, November 11th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 21st will be given a dividend of 0.033 per share by the bank on Monday, December 1st. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 21st. This is a 6.3% increase from BBVA Banco Francess previous monthly dividend of $0.03.

BBVA Banco Frances has increased its dividend payment by an average of 0.4%annually over the last three years. BBVA Banco Frances has a payout ratio of 18.4% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Analysts expect BBVA Banco Frances to earn $2.67 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $0.29 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 10.9%.

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BBVA Banco Frances Price Performance

Shares of NYSE BBAR traded up $0.20 on Wednesday, hitting $15.70. The companys stock had a trading volume of 619,135 shares, compared to its average volume of 967,942. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $10.96 and a 200-day moving average of $15.04. The company has a market capitalization of $3.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.72 and a beta of 1.19. BBVA Banco Frances has a 12-month low of $7.76 and a 12-month high of $25.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a current ratio of 1.11 and a quick ratio of 1.11.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On BBVA Banco Frances

BBVA Banco Frances ( NYSE:BBAR Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 20th. The bank reported $0.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.37 by ($0.13). BBVA Banco Frances had a return on equity of 10.24% and a net margin of 6.65%.The company had revenue of $524.41 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $727.31 billion. As a group, research analysts predict that BBVA Banco Frances will post 1.94 EPS for the current year.

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Private Advisor Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of BBVA Banco Frances during the first quarter worth about $224,000. XTX Topco Ltd grew its stake in BBVA Banco Frances by 97.3% during the 1st quarter. XTX Topco Ltd now owns 32,603 shares of the banks stock valued at $591,000 after purchasing an additional 16,082 shares in the last quarter. Baader Bank Aktiengesellschaft purchased a new stake in BBVA Banco Frances during the 1st quarter worth approximately $312,000. Gemsstock Ltd. raised its position in shares of BBVA Banco Frances by 62.5% in the 1st quarter. Gemsstock Ltd. now owns 241,274 shares of the banks stock valued at $4,372,000 after purchasing an additional 92,758 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fox Run Management L.L.C. purchased a new position in shares of BBVA Banco Frances during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $211,000.

About BBVA Banco Frances

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Banco BBVA Argentina SA provides various banking products and services to individuals and companies in Argentina. The company provides retail banking products and services, such as checking and savings accounts, time deposits, credit cards financing, consumer and pledge loans, mortgages, insurance, and investment products to individuals; and small and medium-sized companies products and services, including financing products, factoring, checking accounts, time deposits, transactional and payroll services, insurance, and investment products to private-sector companies.

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McGraw Hill (NYSE:MH  Get Free Report) had its price objective cut by equities research analysts at BMO Capital Markets from $25.00 to $21.00 in a research report issued on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an outperform rating on the stock. BMO Capital Markets price target would indicate a potential upside of 40.95% from the stocks previous close.

Other equities analysts have also issued reports about the stock. UBS Group raised their target price on shares of McGraw Hill from $15.00 to $16.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on McGraw Hill in a research report on Monday, August 18th. They set a buy rating and a $27.00 target price on the stock. Needham & Company LLC assumed coverage on McGraw Hill in a research note on Monday, August 18th. They set a buy rating and a $19.00 price objective for the company. Zacks Research upgraded shares of McGraw Hill to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 19th. Finally, William Blair started coverage on shares of McGraw Hill in a research note on Monday, August 18th. They issued an outperform rating for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, McGraw Hill has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $20.72.

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McGraw Hill Trading Up 5.7%

NYSE MH traded up $0.81 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $14.90. The companys stock had a trading volume of 548,413 shares, compared to its average volume of 805,909. McGraw Hill has a 1 year low of $10.69 and a 1 year high of $17.25. The businesss 50-day moving average is $12.84.

McGraw Hill (NYSE:MH  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 12th. The company reported $1.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.35 by $1.05. The firm had revenue of $669.19 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $638.76 million. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 2.8% on a year-over-year basis. McGraw Hill has set its FY 2026 guidance at EPS.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. American Century Companies Inc. bought a new position in shares of McGraw Hill in the 3rd quarter worth $37,786,000. Vanguard Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of McGraw Hill during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $32,923,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. purchased a new position in McGraw Hill in the third quarter worth $14,600,000. Alberta Investment Management Corp acquired a new position in shares of McGraw Hill during the third quarter worth $12,550,000. Finally, Teacher Retirement System of Texas acquired a new position in shares of McGraw Hill during the third quarter worth $7,530,000.

McGraw Hill Company Profile

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At McGraw Hill, our purpose is to unlock the potential of each learner at every stage of life. Our mission is to support educators, learners and professionals around the world with trusted, high-quality content and digital solutions that use data and learning science to adapt to each student as they progress towards their goals.

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Breed s Hill Capital LLC bought a new stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (NYSE:TSM  Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm bought 1,106 shares of the semiconductor companys stock, valued at approximately $250,000.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. New Vernon Capital Holdings II LLC grew its position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 16,500.0% in the first quarter. New Vernon Capital Holdings II LLC now owns 6,707,064 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $1,113,373,000 after acquiring an additional 6,666,660 shares during the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 55.6% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 17,306,108 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $2,872,814,000 after purchasing an additional 6,180,445 shares in the last quarter. Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $482,676,000. Jennison Associates LLC grew its holdings in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 36.8% during the 1st quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 9,509,032 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $1,578,499,000 after purchasing an additional 2,559,512 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Alliancebernstein L.P. increased its position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 31.5% during the 1st quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 8,864,014 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $1,471,426,000 after purchasing an additional 2,121,758 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 16.51% of the companys stock.

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Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Stock Performance

NYSE TSM opened at $290.16 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $1.50 trillion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.76, a PEG ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.31. The company has a quick ratio of 2.15, a current ratio of 2.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. has a twelve month low of $134.25 and a twelve month high of $311.37. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $283.67 and a 200 day simple moving average of $240.40.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing ( NYSE:TSM Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The semiconductor company reported $2.92 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.59 by $0.33. The firm had revenue of $32.36 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $951.89 billion. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a return on equity of 36.06% and a net margin of 43.72%.The businesss quarterly revenue was up 40.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.94 EPS. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing has set its Q4 2025 guidance at EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. will post 9.2 EPS for the current year.

A number of brokerages have weighed in on TSM. Itau BBA Securities assumed coverage on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. They issued an outperform rating on the stock. Weiss Ratings cut Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Needham & Company LLC restated a buy rating and set a $360.00 price objective on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Susquehanna upped their target price on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $300.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, November 1st. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $371.67.

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Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Profile

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Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, packages, tests, and sells integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices in Taiwan, China, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, the United States, and internationally. It provides a range of wafer fabrication processes, including processes to manufacture complementary metal- oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic, mixed-signal, radio frequency, embedded memory, bipolar CMOS mixed-signal, and others.

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Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE:CM  Get Free Report) (TSE:CM) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $84.75 and last traded at $85.1230, with a volume of 827373 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $84.12.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

CM has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada raised their target price on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from $112.00 to $113.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, August 29th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $107.50.

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Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Trading Up 1.6%

The companys fifty day simple moving average is $81.14 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $74.00. The company has a market capitalization of $80.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a quick ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE:CM  Get Free Report) (TSE:CM) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 28th. The bank reported $1.57 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.43 by $0.14. The business had revenue of $5.24 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.12 billion. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce had a net margin of 12.94% and a return on equity of 14.67%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 3.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.93 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce will post 5.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, October 28th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 29th were given a dividend of $0.97 per share. This is an increase from Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces previous quarterly dividend of $0.70. This represents a $3.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 29th. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces payout ratio is 47.64%.

Institutional Trading of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. American Century Companies Inc. grew its position in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 5.3% in the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 315,078 shares of the banks stock valued at $17,724,000 after purchasing an additional 15,867 shares in the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC lifted its position in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 110.7% during the 1st quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 32,559 shares of the banks stock worth $1,833,000 after buying an additional 17,103 shares in the last quarter. J. Safra Sarasin Holding AG acquired a new position in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce during the 1st quarter worth about $2,221,000. Allianz Asset Management GmbH grew its holdings in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 13.7% in the 1st quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 78,376 shares of the banks stock valued at $4,408,000 after acquiring an additional 9,426 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CenterBook Partners LP acquired a new stake in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in the first quarter valued at about $1,331,000. 49.88% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

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Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, a diversified financial institution, provides various financial products and services to personal, business, public sector, and institutional clients in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Canadian Personal and Business Banking; Canadian Commercial Banking and Wealth Management; U.S.

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Carpenter Technology (NYSE:CRS  Get Free Report) was upgraded by investment analysts at KeyCorp from a sector weight rating to an overweight rating in a research report issued on Thursday, Marketbeat reports. The firm currently has a $380.00 target price on the basic materials companys stock. KeyCorps price objective suggests a potential upside of 14.50% from the stocks previous close.

CRS has been the topic of several other research reports. Jones Trading assumed coverage on Carpenter Technology in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. They set a buy rating and a $400.00 price target on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of Carpenter Technology from $305.00 to $388.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. TD Cowen boosted their target price on shares of Carpenter Technology from $305.00 to $340.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 24th. BTIG Research raised their price target on Carpenter Technology from $305.00 to $365.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Zacks Research lowered Carpenter Technology from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $371.14.

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Carpenter Technology Price Performance

NYSE CRS opened at $331.87 on Thursday. Carpenter Technology has a fifty-two week low of $138.61 and a fifty-two week high of $338.08. The stocks 50-day moving average is $266.30 and its two-hundred day moving average is $254.92. The firm has a market cap of $16.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 40.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 1.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 4.44 and a quick ratio of 2.37.

Carpenter Technology (NYSE:CRS  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The basic materials company reported $2.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.13 by $0.30. Carpenter Technology had a return on equity of 22.68% and a net margin of 14.30%.The company had revenue of $733.70 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $741.18 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.73 EPS. The firms revenue was up 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts anticipate that Carpenter Technology will post 6.83 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Carpenter Technology

In related news, Director I Martin Inglis sold 5,691 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, August 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $244.54, for a total value of $1,391,677.14. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 6,732 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,646,243.28. This represents a 45.81% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Tony R. Thene sold 19,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, August 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $244.99, for a total transaction of $4,654,810.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 535,019 shares in the company, valued at $131,074,304.81. This trade represents a 3.43% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold 28,124 shares of company stock worth $6,890,250 over the last three months. Company insiders own 2.90% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Carpenter Technology

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Hancock Whitney Corp bought a new stake in shares of Carpenter Technology during the first quarter worth approximately $819,000. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd acquired a new stake in Carpenter Technology during the 2nd quarter worth $1,460,000. Graham Capital Management L.P. raised its position in shares of Carpenter Technology by 175.8% during the 1st quarter. Graham Capital Management L.P. now owns 3,643 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $660,000 after acquiring an additional 2,322 shares during the last quarter. Titan Global Capital Management USA LLC acquired a new position in shares of Carpenter Technology in the 2nd quarter valued at $2,823,000. Finally, Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC bought a new position in shares of Carpenter Technology in the 1st quarter worth $324,000. 92.03% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Carpenter Technology Company Profile

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Carpenter Technology Corporation engages in the manufacture, fabrication, and distribution of specialty metals in the United States, Europe, the Asia Pacific, Mexico, Canada, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Specialty Alloys Operations and Performance Engineered Products. The company offers specialty alloys, including titanium alloys, powder metals, stainless steels, alloy steels, and tool steels, as well as additives, and metal powders and parts.

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Cemex S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:CX  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day 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

A number of equities analysts recently commented on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Cemex from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $8.10 to $10.50 in a research note on Tuesday, August 26th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Cemex in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Cemex from $10.00 to $12.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Bank of America raised shares of Cemex from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $10.00 to $10.80 in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of Cemex from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 4th. Four 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, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $10.14.

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Cemex Stock Performance

The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. The company has a market cap of $14.99 billion, a PE ratio of 11.12, a P/E/G ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 1.56. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $9.51 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $8.20.

Cemex (NYSE:CX  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The construction company reported $0.16 EPS for the quarter, topping 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 business had revenue of $230.56 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $226.73 million. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Cemex S.A.B. de C.V. will post 0.69 earnings per share for the current fiscal 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 paid a dividend of $0.0224 per share. This represents a $0.09 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, September 17th. Cemexs payout ratio is presently 9.68%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Cemex

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. WealthCollab LLC lifted its stake in Cemex by 73.7% during the 2nd quarter. WealthCollab LLC now owns 3,724 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 1,580 shares during the period. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lifted its holdings in Cemex by 256.7% in the second quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 4,298 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 3,093 shares during the period. Ameriflex Group Inc. boosted its position in Cemex by 100.0% in the 3rd quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. now owns 3,488 shares of the construction companys stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 1,744 shares in the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Cemex by 63.7% during the 2nd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 5,210 shares of the construction companys stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 2,027 shares during the period. Finally, Reyes Financial Architecture Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Cemex during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.97% of the companys stock.

Cemex Company Profile

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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.

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Raymond James Financial reissued their market perform rating on shares of Centerspace (NYSE:CSR  Free Report) in a research report sent to investors on Wednesday morning, MarketBeat Ratings reports.

Other research analysts have also issued research reports about the company. Piper Sandler dropped their price target on Centerspace from $68.00 to $66.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Monday. UBS Group lifted their target price on Centerspace from $60.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday. Cantor Fitzgerald began coverage on Centerspace in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. They set a neutral rating and a $62.00 price target on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Centerspace from $68.00 to $60.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, August 27th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Centerspace from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Centerspace presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $68.11.

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Centerspace Price Performance

Centerspace stock traded down $1.36 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $65.36. 357,372 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 110,462. Centerspace has a 12-month low of $52.76 and a 12-month high of $74.72. The company has a quick ratio of 0.05, a current ratio of 0.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.97. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $59.40 and a two-hundred day moving average of $59.71. The company has a market cap of $1.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -36.31 and a beta of 0.75.

Centerspace (NYSE:CSR  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 3rd. The company reported $1.19 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.22 by ($0.03). Centerspace had a negative return on equity of 2.81% and a negative net margin of 9.13%. Centerspace has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.880-4.960 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Centerspace will post 4.94 earnings per share for the current year.

Centerspace Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 10th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 29th were issued a dividend of $0.77 per share. This represents a $3.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.7%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, September 29th. Centerspaces dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 172.07%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Centerspace

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Hilltop National Bank purchased a new position in shares of Centerspace during the second quarter valued at $29,000. Hantz Financial Services Inc. grew its holdings in Centerspace by 998.3% during the 3rd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 659 shares of the companys stock worth $39,000 after acquiring an additional 599 shares in the last quarter. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC increased its position in Centerspace by 897.3% during the 2nd quarter. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC now owns 748 shares of the companys stock valued at $45,000 after purchasing an additional 673 shares during the period. New Age Alpha Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Centerspace in the 1st quarter valued at about $86,000. Finally, Versant Capital Management Inc raised its holdings in shares of Centerspace by 488.4% in the 3rd quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 1,630 shares of the companys stock valued at $96,000 after purchasing an additional 1,353 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 79.00% of the companys stock.

Centerspace Company Profile

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Centerspace is an owner and operator of apartment communities committed to providing great homes by focusing on integrity and serving others. Founded in 1970, as of September 30, 2023, Centerspace owned interests in 71 apartment communities consisting of 12,785 apartment homes located in Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

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Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund (TSE:CHE.UN  Get Free Report) had its price objective boosted by stock analysts at BMO Capital Markets from C$15.00 to C$20.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday,BayStreet.CA reports. BMO Capital Markets price objective points to a potential upside of 30.98% from the stocks previous close.

A number of other research firms also recently weighed in on CHE.UN. Scotiabank upgraded shares of Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and raised their price target for the company from C$13.50 to C$15.00 in a report on Friday, August 15th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price objective on Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund from C$14.00 to C$18.00 in a research note on Thursday. Desjardins increased their price target on Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund from C$15.50 to C$16.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, August 18th. Finally, Raymond James Financial raised shares of Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund from an outperform rating to a strong-buy rating and lifted their price target for the company from C$16.00 to C$21.00 in a research report on Thursday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of C$17.07.

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Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund Stock Up 0.6%

Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund Company Profile

TSE CHE.UN traded up C$0.09 on Thursday, reaching C$15.27. The stock had a trading volume of 280,263 shares, compared to its average volume of 263,704. The company has a current ratio of 0.40, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 128.02. Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund has a 1 year low of C$8.50 and a 1 year high of C$15.57. The business has a 50 day moving average price of C$13.35 and a 200 day moving average price of C$11.97. The company has a market capitalization of C$1.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.27 and a beta of 1.31.

(Get Free Report)

Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund provides industrial chemicals and services to customers in North America and around the world. The company organized into four main operating segments: Sulphur Products and Performance Chemicals (SPPC), Water Solutions and Specialty Chemicals (WSSC), Electrochemicals, and Corporate.

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Command Security Co. (NYSEAMERICAN:MOC  Get Free Report) shares crossed above its 50-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of $2.85 and traded as high as $2.85. Command Security shares last traded at $2.85, with a volume of 51,100 shares trading hands.

Command Security Stock Performance

The business has a fifty day moving average of $2.85 and a 200 day moving average of $2.85.

About Command Security

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Command Security Corporation provides uniformed security officers and aviation security services in the United States. It operates through Security and Aviation Safeguards divisions. The Security division offers armed and unarmed uniformed security personnel for access control, loss prevention, mobile patrols, traffic control, security console/system operators, and fire safety directors, as well as personnel for reception, concierge, and front desk/doorman operations.

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Shares of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE:EW  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high on Thursday . The company traded as high as $87.21 and last traded at $86.5270, with a volume of 1124743 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $85.58.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on EW shares. Wall Street Zen downgraded Edwards Lifesciences from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, September 29th. Evercore ISI increased their price target on shares of Edwards Lifesciences from $88.00 to $92.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Oppenheimer lowered shares of Edwards Lifesciences from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Robert W. Baird set a $83.00 target price on shares of Edwards Lifesciences in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Finally, William Blair raised Edwards Lifesciences to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, July 25th. Three research 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 assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $91.39.

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Edwards Lifesciences Stock Up 0.6%

The company has a current ratio of 4.68, a quick ratio of 3.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06. The stock has a market capitalization of $49.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.41, a P/E/G ratio of 3.97 and a beta of 1.03. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $77.99 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $77.59.

Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE:EW  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The medical research company reported $0.67 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.59 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $1.55 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.49 billion. Edwards Lifesciences had a return on equity of 15.01% and a net margin of 72.96%.Edwards Lifesciencess revenue was up 14.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.67 earnings per share. Edwards Lifesciences has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.560-2.620 EPS. Q4 2025 guidance at 0.580-0.640 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that Edwards Lifesciences Corporation will post 2.45 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Edwards Lifesciences

In related news, VP Daniel J. Lippis sold 1,020 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $82.55, for a total value of $84,201.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president directly owned 22,002 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,816,265.10. This trade represents a 4.43% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Larry L. Wood sold 8,950 shares of Edwards Lifesciences stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $78.06, for a total transaction of $698,637.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 206,900 shares of the companys stock, valued at $16,150,614. This represents a 4.15% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold 22,970 shares of company stock worth $1,862,878 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.34% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Edwards Lifesciences

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in EW. Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new position in Edwards Lifesciences during the 1st quarter valued at about $26,000. SouthState Corp bought a new stake in Edwards Lifesciences during the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton purchased a new stake in Edwards Lifesciences in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. True Wealth Design LLC boosted its holdings in Edwards Lifesciences by 251.5% in the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 362 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 259 shares during the period. Finally, Costello Asset Management INC purchased a new position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences during the 1st quarter valued at $29,000. 79.46% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Edwards Lifesciences

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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.

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Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) rose 3% during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $1,022.42 and last traded at $1,018.28. Approximately 5,164,520 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 27% from the average daily volume of 4,069,914 shares. The stock had previously closed at $988.62.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently commented on LLY shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price target on 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. Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Saturday, November 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $1,100.00 to $1,050.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, September 16th. Finally, Berenberg Bank restated a hold rating and set a $830.00 target price (down from $970.00) on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Wednesday, September 17th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $981.89.

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Eli Lilly and Company Trading Up 3.0%

The businesss fifty day moving average is $809.69 and its 200-day moving average is $776.47. 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 $962.67 billion, a P/E ratio of 66.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 0.43.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $7.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.42 by $0.60. The firm had revenue of $17.60 billion during 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 companys revenue was up 53.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.18 EPS. 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 EPS for the current year.

Eli Lilly and Company Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Investors of record on Friday, November 14th will be given a dividend of $1.50 per share. This represents a $6.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 14th. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 29.35%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Eli Lilly and Company

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. raised its stake in 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 buying an additional 50,002,551 shares during the last quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in 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 acquiring an additional 11,537,661 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the 2nd quarter worth about $8,827,714,000. Nuveen LLC bought a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the 1st quarter worth about $4,613,912,000. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 6.7% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 79,224,392 shares of the companys stock valued at $65,432,218,000 after purchasing an additional 4,975,395 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.53% of the companys stock.

About Eli Lilly and Company

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Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity.

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FedEx (NYSE:FDX  Get Free Report) had its price objective boosted by stock analysts at Citigroup from $279.00 to $310.00 in a report released on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a buy rating on the shipping service providers stock. Citigroups price objective would suggest a potential upside of 16.03% from the stocks previous close.

A number of other research firms have also recently issued reports on FDX. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued a neutral rating and issued a $274.00 target price (down from $284.00) on shares of FedEx in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Susquehanna boosted their price objective on FedEx from $285.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a research report on Friday, September 19th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of FedEx from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Sunday, October 12th. Evercore ISI reduced their price target on shares of FedEx from $243.00 to $239.00 in a report on Friday, September 19th. Finally, Bank of America raised their price objective on shares of FedEx from $270.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, FedEx presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $276.08.

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FedEx Trading Down 0.6%

NYSE FDX traded down $1.49 during trading on Thursday, reaching $267.18. 689,000 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,964,153. FedEx has a fifty-two week low of $194.29 and a fifty-two week high of $308.53. The company has a quick ratio of 1.21, a current ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73. The firm has a market cap of $63.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 1.31. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $239.77 and its 200 day moving average price is $230.99.

FedEx (NYSE:FDX  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, September 18th. The shipping service provider reported $3.83 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.71 by $0.12. FedEx had a net margin of 4.65% and a return on equity of 16.33%. The company had revenue of $22.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $21.74 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $3.60 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 3.1% compared to the same quarter last year. FedEx has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.200-19.000 EPS. Analysts predict that FedEx will post 19.14 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in FDX. Grey Fox Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of FedEx in the third quarter valued at $27,000. NewSquare Capital LLC grew its position in shares of FedEx by 121.8% in the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 122 shares of the shipping service providers stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares during the period. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of FedEx during the 2nd quarter worth about $28,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of FedEx by 103.3% in the 3rd quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. now owns 124 shares of the shipping service providers stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares during the period. Finally, Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in FedEx during the third quarter worth about $39,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.47% of the companys stock.

FedEx Company Profile

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FedEx Corporation provides transportation, e-commerce, and business services in the United States and internationally. It operates through FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, FedEx Freight, and FedEx Services segments. The FedEx Express segment offers express transportation, small-package ground delivery, and freight transportation services; and time-critical transportation services.

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Forsta AP Fonden increased its holdings in MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET  Free Report) by 32.3% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 279,200 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 68,100 shares during the period. Forsta AP Fondens holdings in MetLife were worth $22,453,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in MET. Csenge Advisory Group raised its holdings in MetLife by 1.0% in the 1st quarter. Csenge Advisory Group now owns 13,647 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,096,000 after acquiring an additional 131 shares in the last quarter. Delta Investment Management LLC increased its position in shares of MetLife by 0.9% in the first quarter. Delta Investment Management LLC now owns 14,265 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,145,000 after purchasing an additional 133 shares during the period. Ignite Planners LLC raised its stake in MetLife by 2.2% in the second quarter. Ignite Planners LLC now owns 6,366 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $491,000 after purchasing an additional 136 shares in the last quarter. Glenview Trust co lifted its position in MetLife by 0.4% during the first quarter. Glenview Trust co now owns 38,333 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $3,078,000 after purchasing an additional 141 shares during the period. Finally, Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. grew its stake in MetLife by 1.0% during the second quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 14,902 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,198,000 after buying an additional 148 shares in the last quarter. 94.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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MetLife Price Performance

MetLife stock opened at $80.17 on Thursday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $79.89 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $78.90. The company has a current ratio of 0.16, a quick ratio of 0.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57. MetLife, Inc. has a 12 month low of $65.21 and a 12 month high of $89.05. The company has a market capitalization of $52.82 billion, a PE ratio of 13.59, a P/E/G ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 0.87.

MetLife Dividend Announcement

MetLife ( NYSE:MET Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The financial services provider reported $2.37 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.30 by $0.07. MetLife had a return on equity of 19.88% and a net margin of 5.83%.The firm had revenue of $12.46 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.64 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.95 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 5.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts expect that MetLife, Inc. will post 9.65 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, November 4th will be given a dividend of $0.5675 per share. This represents a $2.27 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, November 4th. MetLifes dividend payout ratio is currently 42.75%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MET has been the subject of several analyst reports. Cowen restated a buy rating on shares of MetLife in a research report on Friday, August 22nd. UBS Group lowered their price objective on shares of MetLife from $96.00 to $95.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Barclays upped their target price on MetLife from $93.00 to $98.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Piper Sandler lowered MetLife from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and set a $84.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Friday, September 19th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on MetLife from $96.00 to $92.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, November 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $95.00.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on MetLife

About MetLife

(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.

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Fox Run Management L.L.C. purchased a new position in Aon plc (NYSE:AON  Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund purchased 1,061 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $379,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in AON. Saudi Central Bank purchased a new stake in shares of AON in the 1st quarter worth about $31,000. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in AON by 54.7% during the first quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 82 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 29 shares in the last quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp purchased a new stake in AON in the second quarter worth about $31,000. Trust Co. of Toledo NA OH bought a new position in shares of AON during the second quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Finally, Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of AON by 56.9% during the second quarter. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. now owns 91 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 33 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.14% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently weighed in on AON shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on AON from $436.00 to $433.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Morgan Stanley raised AON from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and increased their target price for the stock from $385.00 to $430.00 in a research note on Thursday, September 11th. Cantor Fitzgerald raised AON to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 13th. Piper Sandler increased their price objective on shares of AON from $393.00 to $413.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, July 28th. Finally, Evercore ISI lifted their target price on shares of AON from $427.00 to $435.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, November 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $419.13.

AON Trading Up 0.1%

Shares of NYSE:AON opened at $350.17 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.93, a current ratio of 1.52 and a quick ratio of 1.52. Aon plc has a 1 year low of $323.73 and a 1 year high of $412.97. The company has a market cap of $75.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.33, a PEG ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 0.86. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $352.72 and its 200-day moving average price is $357.57.

AON (NYSE:AON  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 31st. The financial services provider reported $3.05 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.91 by $0.14. The company had revenue of $4 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.97 billion. AON had a return on equity of 50.91% and a net margin of 15.54%.AONs revenue for the quarter was up 7.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.72 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Aon plc will post 17.21 earnings per share for the current year.

AON Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 14th. Investors of record on Monday, November 3rd will be given a dividend of $0.745 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 3rd. This represents a $2.98 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.9%. AONs dividend payout ratio is 23.88%.

AON Company Profile

(Free Report)

Aon Plc engages in the provision of risk, health, and wealth solutions. It focuses on risk capital including claim management, reinsurance, risk analysis, management, retention, and transfer; and human capital involving analytics, health and benefits, investments, pensions and retirement, talent and rewards, and workplace wellbeing.

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Franklin FTSE Canada ETF (NYSEARCA:FLCA  Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $46.42 and last traded at $46.36, with a volume of 7461 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $45.74.

Franklin FTSE Canada ETF Trading Up 1.4%

The stock has a 50 day moving average of $45.16 and a 200-day moving average of $42.71. The company has a market capitalization of $530.82 million, a P/E ratio of 19.67 and a beta of 0.93.

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Institutional Trading of Franklin FTSE Canada ETF

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of FLCA. Bank of America Corp DE grew its holdings in Franklin FTSE Canada ETF by 1.2% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 3,455,418 shares of the companys stock valued at $144,264,000 after buying an additional 39,684 shares in the last quarter. Nottingham Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Franklin FTSE Canada ETF by 3.0% in the third quarter. Nottingham Advisors Inc. now owns 290,990 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,212,000 after purchasing an additional 8,462 shares in the last quarter. Simon Quick Advisors LLC increased its position in Franklin FTSE Canada ETF by 0.3% in the third quarter. Simon Quick Advisors LLC now owns 120,904 shares of the companys stock worth $5,489,000 after purchasing an additional 320 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can increased its position in Franklin FTSE Canada ETF by 12.5% in the second quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 56,623 shares of the companys stock worth $2,364,000 after purchasing an additional 6,295 shares during the last quarter. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI raised its stake in Franklin FTSE Canada ETF by 2.3% during the first quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 55,884 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,101,000 after purchasing an additional 1,244 shares in the last quarter.

Franklin FTSE Canada ETF Company Profile

The Franklin FTSE Canada ETF (FLCA) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the FTSE Canada RIC Capped index. The fund tracks a market cap-weighted index of large- and mid-cap Canadian stocks. FLCA was launched on Nov 2, 2017 and is managed by Franklin Templeton.

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Delegates attend the Global South Media and Think Tank Forum China-Africa Partnership Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, Nov. 13, 2025. The Global South Media and Think Tank Forum China-Africa Partnership Conference opened here on Thursday to explore ways to strengthen global governance and deepen China-Africa cooperation. The two-day event, co-hosted by Xinhua News Agency, the African Union (AU) and South Africa's Independent Media, among other partners, gathered more than 200 representatives from over 160 media outlets, think tanks, government organizations and other institutions from China and 41 African countries, as well as the AU. (Xinhua/Chen Wei)

JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Global South Media and Think Tank Forum China-Africa Partnership Conference opened Thursday here to explore ways to strengthen cooperation, amplify the Global South's collective voice and promote a shared global governance.

Co-hosted by Xinhua News Agency, the African Union (AU) and South Africa's Independent Media, among other partners, the two-day event gathered more than 200 representatives from over 160 media outlets, think tanks, government organizations and other institutions from China and 41 African countries, as well as the AU.

Under the theme "Reforming Global Governance: New Roles and Visions for China-Africa Cooperation," the conference focuses on how collaboration between media and think tanks can contribute to shaping a fairer and more inclusive global governance.

In his keynote speech at the opening ceremony, Lyu Yansong, editor-in-chief of Xinhua News Agency, said that Chinese President Xi Jinping has always attached great importance to China-Africa cooperation, and at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Summit in September last year, Xi proposed that the overall characterization of China-Africa relations be elevated to an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

Noting that media and think tanks shoulder the important missions of disseminating authoritative information and recording the events of our times, Lyu said: "We should contribute our wisdom to making the Global South a stabilizing force for safeguarding peace, a pillar of open development, a constructive force in global governance, and a promoting force for mutual learning among civilizations."

Xinhua's editor-in-chief proposed implementing the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative.

Media and think tanks from China and Africa should provide high-quality news coverage and academic research, and comprehensively expound on the Global South's solutions for advancing the reform of the global governance system, and demonstrate the Global South's strength reflected in the solidarity and cooperation of developing countries, he added.

Iqbal Surve, chairman of South Africa's Independent Media, hailed the Africa-China partnership as a beacon of what genuine cooperation can achieve, one grounded in mutual respect, shared goals, and a commitment to building a fairer, more inclusive world order.

The event gathered representatives from government, media and academic circles across African countries and China, highlighting the Global South's increasing cohesion and influence in global discourse, he added.

In her speech, Leslie Richer, the AU director of information and communication, said that the global order is undergoing transitions amid growing calls from the Global South for fair representation, control over resources and development with dignity.

Richer said that Africa is striving to move from being "a mere participant in global conversations" to becoming "a co-author in the story of humanity's future," adding that Africa will work with China and other Global South partners to make its voice heard more strongly on climate, finance and digital governance, while promoting more balanced narratives through closer media and think tank cooperation.

Addressing the conference, Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Wu Peng, said that China and Africa, as the world's largest developing country and the continent with the most developing nations, have a similar history of anti-colonialism and anti-hegemony, as well as a shared mission of development and revitalization, and are natural members and the backbone of the Global South.

"Media outlets and think tanks play a unique role in promoting solidarity and cooperation among the Global South," he said, adding that the forum provides a valuable platform for exchanging ideas and building consensus.

The ambassador also expressed his hope that all guests will speak freely and contribute their wisdom and strength to building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era, and promoting solidarity and cooperation in the Global South.

During the forum, the representatives held in-depth discussions on three topics: "China-Africa Commitments to Global Governance Reform," "China-Africa Action for Global South Revitalization," and "China-Africa Exchange in Global Civilizational Coexistence."

They observed that after nearly 70 years of development, China-Africa relations have evolved into a model for a new kind of international partnership, and the cooperation has been deepening, leading the modernization process across the Global South.

Ismaila Ceesay, minister for information of The Gambia, said that it is believed that the future of global governance must be inclusive, multipolar and reflective of the rich diversity of human experience.

"China's support in fostering training, technology transfer and infrastructure development across Africa's media landscape is a valuable contribution toward this goal," he added.

"We look forward to sharing our experience in renewable energy development, power system construction and talent training to support African nations in enhancing energy security and strengthening the resilience and voice of the Global South," Xu Xinfu, a director of China Energy Investment Corporation Co., Ltd., said at the conference.

Shen Yumou, head of China's Hunan provincial commerce department, said that Hunan is ready to advance China-Africa mutual development through deeper opening-up and higher-quality cooperation, bringing more African products into the Chinese market and sharing more competitive industries and technologies with Africa.

The forum also features the release of a think tank report titled "Jointly Building a New Model of Global Leadership -- Work Together in Pursuit of a More Just and Rational Global Governance System," and the launch of the Global South joint communication partnership network "United in Heart, Path and Action -- 2026 China-Africa Partnership Empowerment Action Plan." 

Jointly Building a New Model of Global Leadership -- Work Together in Pursuit of a More Just and Rational Global Governance System

This photo taken on Nov. 13, 2025 shows a scene at the Global South Media and Think Tank Forum China-Africa Partnership Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Global South Media and Think Tank Forum China-Africa Partnership Conference opened here on Thursday to explore ways to strengthen global governance and deepen China-Africa cooperation.

The two-day event, co-hosted by Xinhua News Agency, the African Union (AU) and South Africa's Independent Media, among other partners, gathered more than 200 representatives from over 160 media outlets, think tanks, government organizations and other institutions from China and 41 African countries, as well as the AU. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

This photo taken on Nov. 13, 2025 shows a scene at the Global South Media and Think Tank Forum China-Africa Partnership Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Global South Media and Think Tank Forum China-Africa Partnership Conference on Thursday launched the "United in Heart, Path and Action -- 2026 China-Africa Partnership Empowerment Action Plan," aiming to align China-Africa media and think tank cooperation and better support shared development while amplifying the collective voice of the Global South in global governance. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

Delegates attend the Global South Media and Think Tank Forum China-Africa Partnership Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, Nov. 13, 2025. The Global South Media and Think Tank Forum China-Africa Partnership Conference opened here on Thursday to explore ways to strengthen global governance and deepen China-Africa cooperation.

The two-day event, co-hosted by Xinhua News Agency, the African Union (AU) and South Africa's Independent Media, among other partners, gathered more than 200 representatives from over 160 media outlets, think tanks, government organizations and other institutions from China and 41 African countries, as well as the AU. (Xinhua/Chen Wei)
Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. decreased its position in Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE:BEN  Free Report) by 27.4% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 580,431 shares of the closed-end funds stock after selling 218,574 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd.s holdings in Franklin Resources were worth $13,843,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC lifted its holdings in Franklin Resources by 55.3% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 32,101 shares of the closed-end funds stock worth $766,000 after buying an additional 11,432 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers increased its position in shares of Franklin Resources by 15.3% during the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 102,089 shares of the closed-end funds stock worth $1,965,000 after acquiring an additional 13,578 shares during the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its stake in shares of Franklin Resources by 12.2% in the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 847,679 shares of the closed-end funds stock worth $16,318,000 after acquiring an additional 91,958 shares in the last quarter. Signal Advisors Wealth LLC purchased a new position in Franklin Resources in the second quarter valued at about $271,000. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in Franklin Resources by 8.2% during the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 315,791 shares of the closed-end funds stock valued at $6,079,000 after purchasing an additional 23,970 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 47.56% of the companys stock.

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Franklin Resources Stock Performance

Shares of BEN stock opened at $23.01 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $11.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 45.12, a PEG ratio of 1.65 and a beta of 1.49. The business has a 50 day moving average of $23.39 and a two-hundred day moving average of $23.35. Franklin Resources, Inc. has a 52 week low of $16.25 and a 52 week high of $26.08. The company has a quick ratio of 1.55, a current ratio of 1.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94.

Franklin Resources Dividend Announcement

Franklin Resources ( NYSE:BEN Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The closed-end fund reported $0.67 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.57 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $1.82 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.17 billion. Franklin Resources had a return on equity of 8.76% and a net margin of 3.73%.The businesss quarterly revenue was up 6.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.59 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Franklin Resources, Inc. will post 2.16 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 10th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 30th were given a $0.32 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 30th. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.6%. Franklin Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 140.66%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on BEN shares. Zacks Research lowered Franklin Resources from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 20th. Evercore ISI cut their price target on shares of Franklin Resources from $25.00 to $23.00 and set an underperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 9th. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of Franklin Resources from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 12th. Barclays cut their target price on shares of Franklin Resources from $23.00 to $20.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Franklin Resources in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and five have issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Reduce and an average price target of $23.91.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Franklin Resources

Franklin Resources Profile

(Free Report)

Franklin Resources, Inc is a publicly owned asset management holding company. Through its subsidiaries, the firm provides its services to individuals, institutions, pension plans, trusts, and partnerships. It launches equity, fixed income, balanced, and multi-asset mutual funds through its subsidiaries.

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Alamo Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALG  Free Report)  Investment analysts at Sidoti Csr cut their FY2025 earnings per share estimates for Alamo Group in a research note issued on Monday, November 10th. Sidoti Csr analyst G. Burns now expects that the industrial products company will earn $9.66 per share for the year, down from their prior estimate of $10.53. The consensus estimate for Alamo Groups current full-year earnings is $9.53 per share. Sidoti Csr also issued estimates for Alamo Groups Q4 2025 earnings at $2.10 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $2.39 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $2.73 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $10.92 EPS.

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ALG has been the topic of several other research reports. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of Alamo Group from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Wall Street Zen lowered Alamo Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. Baird R W upgraded shares of Alamo Group from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, August 4th. Robert W. Baird raised shares of Alamo Group from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and raised their price target for the company from $209.00 to $260.00 in a report on Monday, August 4th. Finally, DA Davidson decreased their price objective on shares of Alamo Group from $225.00 to $190.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Tuesday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has issued a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $222.33.

Alamo Group Stock Down 0.3%

Shares of NYSE ALG traded down $0.57 during trading on Thursday, reaching $166.79. The company had a trading volume of 15,400 shares, compared to its average volume of 104,963. Alamo Group has a 12-month low of $157.07 and a 12-month high of $233.29. The company has a quick ratio of 2.76, a current ratio of 4.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. The businesss 50-day moving average is $189.00 and its 200 day moving average is $202.84. The stock has a market cap of $2.02 billion, a PE ratio of 16.98, a P/E/G ratio of 0.94 and a beta of 1.13.

Alamo Group (NYSE:ALG  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The industrial products company reported $2.34 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.61 by ($0.27). Alamo Group had a return on equity of 11.45% and a net margin of 7.41%.The business had revenue of $420.04 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $407.55 million.

Alamo Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, October 28th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, October 15th were paid a $0.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, October 15th. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.7%. Alamo Groups dividend payout ratio is 12.45%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Alamo Group

In other Alamo Group news, CEO Jeffery Allen Leonard sold 2,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $222.19, for a total transaction of $555,475.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 38,413 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,534,984.47. This trade represents a 6.11% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 1.18% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Alamo Group

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Swiss National Bank raised its holdings in shares of Alamo Group by 1.5% during the 3rd quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 19,900 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $3,799,000 after acquiring an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. increased its position in Alamo Group by 2.7% in the third quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 7,024 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,341,000 after purchasing an additional 185 shares during the last quarter. Jefferies Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Alamo Group during the third quarter valued at $498,000. B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG lifted its position in Alamo Group by 22.0% during the third quarter. B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG now owns 6,112 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,167,000 after purchasing an additional 1,102 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Alamo Group in the 3rd quarter worth $577,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.36% of the companys stock.

About Alamo Group

(Get Free Report)

Alamo Group Inc designs, manufactures, distributes, and services vegetation management and infrastructure maintenance equipment for governmental, industrial, and agricultural uses worldwide. It operates through two segments, Vegetation Management and Industrial Equipment. Its Vegetation Management Division segment offers hydraulically-powered and tractor  and off-road chassis mounted mowers, other cutters and replacement parts for heavy-duty and intensive uses and heavy duty, tractor- and truck-mounted mowing and vegetation maintenance equipment, and replacement parts.

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Lithium Americas (Argentina) Corp. (NYSE:LAR  Free Report)  Equities research analysts at Scotiabank lowered their FY2026 earnings estimates for shares of Lithium Americas (Argentina) in a report released on Wednesday, November 12th. Scotiabank analyst B. Isaacson now anticipates that the company will post earnings per share of $0.06 for the year, down from their prior estimate of $0.10. Scotiabank currently has a Sector Perform rating and a $4.25 target price on the stock. The consensus estimate for Lithium Americas (Argentina)s current full-year earnings is ($0.05) per share.

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Lithium Americas (Argentina) (NYSE:LAR  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 10th. The company reported ($0.02) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.01) by ($0.01).

Several other equities analysts have also weighed in on LAR. Cormark upgraded shares of Lithium Americas (Argentina) to a moderate buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 20th. National Bank Financial raised Lithium Americas (Argentina) from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, August 11th. National Bankshares raised Lithium Americas (Argentina) from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and lifted their target price for the company from $2.90 to $4.50 in a report on Tuesday, August 12th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on shares of Lithium Americas (Argentina) from $2.50 to $4.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Tuesday, August 12th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded shares of Lithium Americas (Argentina) from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, September 15th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has assigned a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Lithium Americas (Argentina) presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $4.25.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on LAR

Lithium Americas (Argentina) Price Performance

Shares of LAR stock traded up $0.23 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $4.42. The company had a trading volume of 2,209,567 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,711,709. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $3.91 and a 200-day simple moving average of $2.96. Lithium Americas has a 12 month low of $1.71 and a 12 month high of $5.47. The company has a market cap of $717.37 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of -8.84.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Lithium Americas (Argentina)

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of LAR. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Lithium Americas (Argentina) during the 1st quarter valued at $1,064,000. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Lithium Americas (Argentina) during the 1st quarter valued at $41,000. Brown Advisory Inc. purchased a new position in Lithium Americas (Argentina) in the first quarter worth about $215,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. purchased a new position in shares of Lithium Americas (Argentina) in the first quarter worth approximately $108,000. Finally, Old West Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Lithium Americas (Argentina) during the first quarter valued at approximately $238,000. 49.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Lithium Americas (Argentina) Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Lithium Argentina AG, a resource and materials company, focuses on advancing lithium projects in Argentina. The company owns interests in the Cauchari-Olaroz project located in Jujuy province; and the Pastos Grandes project located in Salta Province of Argentina. The company was formerly known as Lithium Americas (Argentina) Corp.

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Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX  Free Report) by 3.8% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 6,723,702 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock after purchasing an additional 244,199 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC owned approximately 2.35% of Becton, Dickinson and Company worth $1,153,157,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in BDX. Saudi Central Bank acquired a new position in Becton, Dickinson and Company during the first quarter worth about $26,000. Kelly Lawrence W & Associates Inc. CA purchased a new stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company during the 1st quarter worth approximately $31,000. WPG Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in the 1st quarter worth approximately $36,000. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd increased its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 378.9% in the 1st quarter. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd now owns 182 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 144 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Jackson Hole Trust boosted its position in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 85.6% during the second quarter. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust now owns 206 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 95 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.97% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Becton, Dickinson and Company

In other Becton, Dickinson and Company news, Director Claire Fraser sold 917 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $187.50, for a total transaction of $171,937.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 22,226 shares in the company, valued at $4,167,375. This represents a 3.96% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Bertram L. Scott sold 217 shares of the firms 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 in the company, valued at approximately $6,324,389.28. This trade represents a 0.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 1,249 shares of company stock valued at $231,358 over the last three months. Corporate insiders own 0.36% of the companys stock.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Trading Up 1.6%

Shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company stock opened at $192.03 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $55.04 billion, a PE ratio of 34.54, a P/E/G ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.25. The company has a quick ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a fifty-two week low of $162.29 and a fifty-two week high of $251.99. The businesss fifty day moving average is $186.61 and its two-hundred day moving average is $181.95.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, April 14th. The medical instruments supplier reported $4.10 earnings per share for the quarter. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a return on equity of 16.23% and a net margin of 7.51%.The firm had revenue of $5.32 billion for the quarter. Analysts anticipate that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 14.43 earnings per share for the current year.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 8th will be paid a dividend of $1.05 per share. This is an increase from Becton, Dickinson and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.04. This represents a $4.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 8th. Becton, Dickinson and Companys payout ratio is 72.04%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on BDX shares. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price target on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $224.00 to $210.00 in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Piper Sandler reduced their price target on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $200.00 to $190.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Friday, November 7th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c-) rating on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $196.00 to $197.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, August 11th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $172.00 to $184.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, August 8th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $203.27.

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Becton, Dickinson and Company Company Profile

(Free Report)

Becton, Dickinson and Company develops, manufactures, and sells medical supplies, devices, laboratory equipment, and diagnostic products for healthcare institutions, physicians, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, pharmaceutical industry, and the general public worldwide. The company operates in three segments: BD Medical, BD Life Sciences, and BD Interventional.

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Hang Seng Bank (OTCMKTS:HSNGY  Get Free Report) and Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ (OTCMKTS:SVNLY  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, valuation, profitability, dividends, earnings, institutional ownership and risk.

Dividends

Hang Seng Bank pays an annual dividend of $0.58 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.0%. Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ pays an annual dividend of $0.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 8.8%. Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ pays out 98.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future.

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Profitability

This table compares Hang Seng Bank and Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publs net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Hang Seng Bank N/A N/A N/A Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ 15.97% 13.07% 0.70%

Valuation & Earnings

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Hang Seng Bank $8.63 billion 4.26 $2.36 billion N/A N/A Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ $17.44 billion N/A $2.60 billion $0.61 11.11

This table compares Hang Seng Bank and Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publs gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ has higher revenue and earnings than Hang Seng Bank.

Volatility & Risk

Hang Seng Bank has a beta of 0.23, suggesting that its share price is 77% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ has a beta of 0.7, suggesting that its share price is 30% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current ratings for Hang Seng Bank and Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Hang Seng Bank 1 2 0 0 1.67 Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ 2 5 0 0 1.71

Summary

Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ beats Hang Seng Bank on 8 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Hang Seng Bank

(Get Free Report)

Hang Seng Bank Limited, together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking and related financial services to individual, corporate, commercial, small and medium-sized enterprises, and institutional customers in Hong Kong, the Mainland of China, and internationally. It operates through five segments: Wealth and Personal Banking, Commercial Banking, Global Banking, Global Markets, and Other. The company offers personal banking services, including current and savings accounts, time deposits, mortgages and personal loans, credit cards, and insurance, investment, and other wealth management services, as well as consumer lending and wealth management services. It also provides corporate lending, trade and receivable finance, payments and cash management, treasury and foreign exchange, general insurance, key-person insurance, investment services, and corporate wealth management services; general banking and transaction banking, corporate lending, deposits, and cash management services; and tailored solutions and services in foreign exchange, bullion, equities, fixed income, and securities financing, as well as manages the funding and liquidity position activities. In addition, the company offers retirement benefits, life assurance, fund management, and stock broking services, as well as index compilation and licensing; fund raising and sales; and asset management services. It operates service outlets in Hong Kong; branches in Macau and Singapore; and representative office in Taipei, as well as a network of outlets in the Mainland of China. The company was founded in 1933 and is headquartered in Central, Hong Kong. Hang Seng Bank Limited operates as a subsidiary of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited.

About Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ

(Get Free Report)

Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) provides various banking products and services for private and corporate customers primarily in Sweden, the United Kingdom, Norway, the Netherlands, the United States, Luxembourg, Finland, and Poland. The company offers savings, transactions, business, currency, and investment accounts, as well as accounts for cash pool, and forestry and agriculture; mortgage and committed loans, and private loans; mutual funds; pension products; credit and debit cards; and payment and reconciliation services, as well as foreign exchange rate services. It also provides financing for investments, such as equipment, cars, computers, and other inventories, as well as vehicle and real estate financing services; green loans and advisor services; investment and other financing services; medical care, and group and health insurance products; forestry and farming banking products; and online and mobile banking services, as well as various banking services for children and young people. In addition, the company offers financial services, that includes asset management, transactional banking, corporate finance, financing, markets, trade finance, market information and research services to large corporations; cash management solutions; and various corporate banking services to small and medium-sized companies and large corporates, as well as private banking services. Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ) was incorporated in 1871 and is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden.

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Hudock Inc. lifted its position in shares of iShares Future AI & Tech ETF (NYSEARCA:ARTY  Free Report) by 10.5% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 26,792 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 2,543 shares during the period. Hudock Inc.s holdings in iShares Future AI & Tech ETF were worth $1,098,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Wharton Business Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares Future AI & Tech ETF during the 1st quarter worth $26,806,000. LPL Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares Future AI & Tech ETF during the first quarter valued at about $20,241,000. Flow Traders U.S. LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Future AI & Tech ETF in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $10,974,000. Arkadios Wealth Advisors purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Future AI & Tech ETF in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $7,670,000. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted its holdings in shares of iShares Future AI & Tech ETF by 16.9% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 130,466 shares of the companys stock worth $4,104,000 after acquiring an additional 18,891 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares Future AI & Tech ETF Stock Down 0.1%

Shares of NYSEARCA ARTY opened at $48.39 on Thursday. The businesss 50 day moving average is $47.25 and its two-hundred day moving average is $42.28. iShares Future AI & Tech ETF has a 52-week low of $26.31 and a 52-week high of $51.79. The firm has a market cap of $1.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.81 and a beta of 1.20.

iShares Future AI & Tech ETF Company Profile

The iShares Future AI & Tech ETF (ARTY) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in stocks based on a particular theme. The fund tracks a concentrated index of global companies that provide products and services that are expected to contribute to artificial intelligence technologies. Holdings are selected and weighted based on a modified market-cap.

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Impax Asset Management Group plc increased its stake in Sealed Air Corporation (NYSE:SEE  Free Report) by 18.6% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 680,824 shares of the industrial products companys stock after purchasing an additional 106,627 shares during the quarter. Impax Asset Management Group plc owned approximately 0.46% of Sealed Air worth $21,126,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp bought a new position in shares of Sealed Air in the second quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL bought a new stake in shares of Sealed Air during the 1st quarter worth $26,000. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust grew its stake in Sealed Air by 334.4% in the 2nd quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 960 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 739 shares during the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. raised its holdings in Sealed Air by 94.9% in the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 1,553 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $45,000 after acquiring an additional 756 shares during the period. Finally, Whittier Trust Co. lifted its position in Sealed Air by 77.7% during the 1st quarter. Whittier Trust Co. now owns 1,823 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $53,000 after acquiring an additional 797 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 94.40% of the companys stock.

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Sealed Air Stock Down 2.5%

SEE opened at $36.41 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $5.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.39, a P/E/G ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 1.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.18, a current ratio of 1.19 and a quick ratio of 0.71. The firms fifty day moving average price is $34.58 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $32.34. Sealed Air Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $22.78 and a fifty-two week high of $37.92.

Sealed Air Announces Dividend

Sealed Air ( NYSE:SEE Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The industrial products company reported $0.87 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.68 by $0.19. Sealed Air had a net margin of 5.46% and a return on equity of 60.61%. The company had revenue of $1.35 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.31 billion. Sealed Air has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.250-3.350 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Sealed Air Corporation will post 3.05 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 19th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 5th will be paid a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 5th. Sealed Airs dividend payout ratio is currently 25.97%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on SEE. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Sealed Air from $43.00 to $46.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Truist Financial reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $45.00 target price (up previously from $40.00) on shares of Sealed Air in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Sealed Air in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of Sealed Air from $40.00 to $42.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, October 6th. Finally, Raymond James Financial reiterated a strong-buy rating and set a $50.00 target price (up from $39.00) on shares of Sealed Air in a research note on Friday, October 17th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Sealed Air presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $42.64.

View Our Latest Stock Report on Sealed Air

Sealed Air Company Profile

(Free Report)

Sealed Air Corporation provides packaging solutions in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. It operates through two segments, Food and Protective. The Food segment offers integrated packaging materials and automation equipment solutions to provide food safety, shelf life extension, reduce food waste, automate processes, and optimize total cost for food processors in the fresh red meat, smoked and processed meats, poultry, seafood, plant-based, fluids and liquids and cheese markets under the CRYOVAC, CRYOVAC Grip & Tear, CRYOVAC Darfresh, LIQUIBOX, Simple Steps, and Optidure brands.

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Integer Holdings Corporation (NYSE:ITGR  Get Free Report) VP Tommy Thomas sold 884 shares of Integer stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $70.15, for a total transaction of $62,012.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president directly owned 3,596 shares in the company, valued at approximately $252,259.40. The trade was a 19.73% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink.

Integer Trading Down 0.5%

NYSE:ITGR opened at $69.48 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 2.45, a current ratio of 3.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70. Integer Holdings Corporation has a twelve month low of $62.00 and a twelve month high of $146.36. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $93.23 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $107.89. The company has a market cap of $2.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.60 and a beta of 0.95.

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Integer (NYSE:ITGR  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The medical equipment provider reported $1.79 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.68 by $0.11. Integer had a net margin of 4.75% and a return on equity of 12.84%. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.43 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 8.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Integer has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.290-6.430 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Integer Holdings Corporation will post 6.01 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Integer announced that its board has authorized a share buyback program on Tuesday, November 4th that permits the company to buyback $200.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization permits the medical equipment provider to reacquire up to 8.3% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are typically a sign that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued.

A number of research analysts have recently commented on ITGR shares. Citigroup dropped their target price on shares of Integer from $77.00 to $69.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Integer from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, October 25th. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an equal weight rating and set a $80.00 target price (down from $132.00) on shares of Integer in a research note on Friday, October 24th. KeyCorp reduced their price target on Integer from $145.00 to $133.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. Finally, Raymond James Financial reiterated an outperform rating and set a $95.00 price objective (down from $143.00) on shares of Integer in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Four 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, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $96.75.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Integer

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Salomon & Ludwin LLC bought a new stake in Integer during the third quarter valued at about $26,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Integer by 293.8% during the 3rd quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 319 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 238 shares in the last quarter. SVB Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of Integer during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $35,000. CWM LLC raised its stake in Integer by 46.1% during the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 355 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $44,000 after acquiring an additional 112 shares during the period. Finally, MAI Capital Management lifted its holdings in Integer by 220.9% during the second quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 369 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $45,000 after purchasing an additional 254 shares in the last quarter. 99.29% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Integer

(Get Free Report)

Integer Holdings Corporation operates as a medical device outsource manufacturer in the United States, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, and internationally. It operates through two segments, Medical and Non-Medical. The company offers products for interventional cardiology, structural heart, heart failure, peripheral vascular, neurovascular, interventional oncology, electrophysiology, vascular access, infusion therapy, hemodialysis, non-vascular, urology, and gastroenterology procedures.

Further Reading

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Investment Partners LTD. purchased a new position in shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor purchased 1,375 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock, valued at approximately $240,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in DLR. Tobam bought a new stake in shares of Digital Realty Trust during the 2nd quarter valued at $28,000. Greykasell Wealth Strategies Inc. bought a new position in shares of Digital Realty Trust in the first quarter valued at approximately $26,000. AdvisorShares Investments LLC purchased a new position in Digital Realty Trust during the second quarter valued at approximately $32,000. NewSquare Capital LLC increased its holdings in Digital Realty Trust by 149.3% during the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 187 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 112 shares during the period. Finally, AlphaQuest LLC increased its holdings in Digital Realty Trust by 163.5% during the 2nd quarter. AlphaQuest LLC now owns 195 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 121 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 99.71% of the companys stock.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Digital Realty Trust news, CEO Andrew Power sold 53,269 shares of Digital Realty Trust stock in a transaction on Monday, September 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $175.16, for a total transaction of $9,330,598.04. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have commented on DLR shares. Citigroup raised their price target on shares of Digital Realty Trust from $200.00 to $212.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Wall Street Zen lowered Digital Realty Trust from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Saturday, November 8th. Wolfe Research upgraded shares of Digital Realty Trust from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $194.00 price objective for the company in a report on Monday, October 20th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of Digital Realty Trust from $185.00 to $195.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, July 25th. Finally, Weiss Ratings lowered shares of Digital Realty Trust from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $198.14.

Read Our Latest Report on Digital Realty Trust

Digital Realty Trust Stock Performance

Shares of DLR opened at $161.45 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $55.46 billion, a PE ratio of 41.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.13 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $171.63 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $171.15. Digital Realty Trust, Inc. has a one year low of $129.95 and a one year high of $198.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 2.02 and a quick ratio of 2.22.

Digital Realty Trust (NYSE:DLR  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 23rd. The real estate investment trust reported $1.89 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.78 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $1.58 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.53 billion. Digital Realty Trust had a return on equity of 6.41% and a net margin of 23.67%.The companys revenue for the quarter was up 10.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.67 earnings per share. Digital Realty Trust has set its FY 2025 guidance at 7.320-7.380 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Digital Realty Trust, Inc. will post 7.07 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Digital Realty Trust Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 16th. Investors of record on Monday, December 15th will be paid a $1.22 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. This represents a $4.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.0%. Digital Realty Trusts dividend payout ratio is presently 126.10%.

About Digital Realty Trust

(Free Report)

Digital Realty Trust, Inc operates as a real estate investment trust, which engages in the provision of data center, colocation and interconnection solutions. It serves the following industries: artificial intelligence (AI), networks, cloud, digital media, mobile, financial services, healthcare, and gaming.

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Bath & Body Works, Inc. (NYSE:BBWI  Get Free Report) was the recipient of unusually large options trading activity on Tuesday. Traders purchased 39,275 put options on the stock. This represents an increase of approximately 228% compared to the typical volume of 11,964 put options.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Bath & Body Works

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Stonehage Fleming Financial Services Holdings Ltd bought a new stake in Bath & Body Works during the second quarter valued at approximately $33,000. First Horizon Corp purchased a new stake in shares of Bath & Body Works during the 3rd quarter valued at $29,000. SVB Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Bath & Body Works during the 1st quarter worth $35,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. grew its position in Bath & Body Works by 217.7% in the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 1,169 shares of the companys stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 801 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Parallel Advisors LLC grew its position in Bath & Body Works by 63.3% in the second quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 1,241 shares of the companys stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 481 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 95.14% of the companys stock.

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Bath & Body Works Stock Performance

Shares of Bath & Body Works stock opened at $22.36 on Thursday. Bath & Body Works has a 52-week low of $21.71 and a 52-week high of $41.87. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $25.84 and its 200 day simple moving average is $28.66. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.63, a P/E/G ratio of 0.86 and a beta of 1.53.

Bath & Body Works Dividend Announcement

Bath & Body Works ( NYSE:BBWI Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, August 28th. The company reported $0.37 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.37. The firm had revenue of $1.55 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.55 billion. Bath & Body Works had a net margin of 9.88% and a negative return on equity of 48.43%. The companys quarterly revenue was down .8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.37 earnings per share. Bath & Body Works has set its Q3 2025 guidance at 0.370-0.45 EPS. FY 2025 guidance at 3.350-3.600 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Bath & Body Works will post 3.3 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 5th. Investors of record on Friday, November 21st will be paid a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.6%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 21st. Bath & Body Workss payout ratio is currently 23.74%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have commented on BBWI. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Bath & Body Works in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Citigroup decreased their price target on Bath & Body Works from $42.00 to $40.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 19th. UBS Group dropped their price target on Bath & Body Works from $36.00 to $32.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Friday, August 29th. Raymond James Financial restated a market perform rating on shares of Bath & Body Works in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Telsey Advisory Group reiterated an outperform rating and set a $38.00 target price on shares of Bath & Body Works in a research note on Thursday, August 28th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with 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 an average target price of $38.18.

View Our Latest Analysis on Bath & Body Works

Bath & Body Works Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Bath & Body Works, Inc is a specialty retailers and home to Americas Favorite Fragrances, offering a breadth of exclusive fragrances for the body and home, including the selling collections for fine fragrance mist, body lotion and body cream, 3-wick candles, home fragrance diffusers and liquid hand soap.

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CHONGQING, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Trade in agricultural and food products between China and ASEAN reached 51.3 billion U.S. dollars in the first ten months of this year, up 8.9 percent year on year, according to China's General Administration of Customs (GAC) on Thursday.

The figures were announced during the 9th China-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Cooperation held in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality.

ASEAN has been China's largest trading partner for agri-food products for eight consecutive years, and has remained for many years China's top export market and second-largest import source for agri-food products, said Sun Meijun, head of the GAC at the conference.

Sun highlighted that since China established a goal in late 2021 to import 150 billion U.S. dollars' worth of high-quality agricultural products from ASEAN over the next five years, substantial progress has been made. From 2022 through October 2025, China has imported 141.2 billion U.S. dollars' worth of products, achieving 94 percent of the target.

Economic and trade relations between China and ASEAN have remained robust. Since 2022, the annual bilateral trade in goods has consistently exceeded 900 billion U.S. dollars and hit a record 982.1 billion U.S. dollars in 2024.

The growing trend is expected to continue this year, with trade volume rising 8.2 percent year on year in the first ten months.

In the face of a challenging global trade environment, trade relation between China and ASEAN has shown strong resilience. The recent signing of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade Protocol, which includes enhancements to SPS measures and trade facilitation, is expected to further boost agri-food trade. 
Ironwood Investment Counsel LLC purchased a new position in shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP (NYSE:BIP  Free Report) (TSE:BIP.UN) during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm purchased 6,568 shares of the utilities providers stock, valued at approximately $220,000.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Addenda Capital Inc. raised its stake in shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners by 13.5% during the 2nd quarter. Addenda Capital Inc. now owns 704,591 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $23,604,000 after buying an additional 83,770 shares in the last quarter. Value Partners Investments Inc. raised its position in Brookfield Infrastructure Partners by 99.5% in the second quarter. Value Partners Investments Inc. now owns 47,294 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,581,000 after acquiring an additional 23,582 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. raised its position in Brookfield Infrastructure Partners by 18.2% in the first quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 89,377 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,663,000 after acquiring an additional 13,788 shares in the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Brookfield Infrastructure Partners by 248.1% in the second quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 7,807 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $262,000 after acquiring an additional 5,564 shares during the period. Finally, BROOKFIELD Corp ON boosted its position in shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners by 3.5% during the 1st quarter. BROOKFIELD Corp ON now owns 4,686,497 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $139,611,000 after purchasing an additional 158,881 shares in the last quarter. 57.92% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on BIP. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d+) rating on shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $40.00 target price on shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, August 27th. National Bank Financial raised Brookfield Infrastructure Partners from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, September 25th. Jefferies Financial Group set a $37.00 price objective on Brookfield Infrastructure Partners and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Brookfield Infrastructure Partners from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $40.43.

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Stock Performance

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners stock opened at $35.75 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.66, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a current ratio of 0.88. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $33.25 and a two-hundred day moving average of $32.47. The company has a market capitalization of $16.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 715.14 and a beta of 1.14. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP has a fifty-two week low of $25.72 and a fifty-two week high of $36.10.

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (NYSE:BIP  Get Free Report) (TSE:BIP.UN) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, November 7th. The utilities provider reported $0.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.86 by ($0.42). The company had revenue of $5.98 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.05 billion. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners had a net margin of 1.54% and a return on equity of 1.15%. The firms revenue was up 13.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.76 earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP will post 3.45 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 28th will be issued a dividend of $0.43 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 28th. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.8%. Brookfield Infrastructure Partnerss payout ratio is 256.72%.

About Brookfield Infrastructure Partners

(Free Report)

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. owns and operates utilities, transport, midstream, and data businesses in North and South America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific. The company's Utilities segment operates approximately 2,900 km of electricity transmission lines; 4,200 km of natural gas pipelines; 8.1 million electricity and natural gas connections; and 0.6 million long-term contracted sub-metering services.

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MV Capital Management Inc. lowered its position in iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:IWR  Free Report) by 1.4% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 98,182 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,412 shares during the period. iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF comprises approximately 0.9% of MV Capital Management Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 29th biggest position. MV Capital Management Inc.s holdings in iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF were worth $9,030,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of IWR. Advantage Trust Co purchased a new position in shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at about $28,000. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF in the first quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF in the second quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Atticus Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF by 123.1% during the 2nd quarter. Atticus Wealth Management LLC now owns 415 shares of the companys stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 229 shares during the period. Finally, Crews Bank & Trust raised its stake in shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF by 54.5% during the 2nd quarter. Crews Bank & Trust now owns 425 shares of the companys stock worth $39,000 after buying an additional 150 shares during the period. 80.16% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF Stock Performance

iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF stock opened at $96.58 on Thursday. The companys fifty day moving average price is $96.18 and its 200 day moving average price is $93.13. iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF has a 1 year low of $73.17 and a 1 year high of $97.87. The stock has a market capitalization of $45.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.00 and a beta of 1.06.

About iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF

iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares Russell Midcap Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell Midcap Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the mid-capitalization sector of the United States equity market.

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Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) by 49.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 49,012 shares of the investment management companys stock after purchasing an additional 16,309 shares during the quarter. Jupiter Asset Management Ltd.s holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $34,688,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd acquired a new stake in The Goldman Sachs Group during the first quarter worth about $25,000. Dogwood Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 1,800.0% in the 2nd quarter. Dogwood Wealth Management LLC now owns 38 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 36 shares during the period. Ridgewood Investments LLC grew its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 45.9% during the 2nd quarter. Ridgewood Investments LLC now owns 54 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 17 shares in the last quarter. MeadowBrook Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $39,000. Finally, Avion Wealth increased its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 31.1% during the second quarter. Avion Wealth now owns 59 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 14 shares during the period. 71.21% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other The Goldman Sachs Group news, COO John E. Waldron sold 9,244 shares of the 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 in the company, valued at approximately $86,463,679.48. This represents a 7.42% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 0.55% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on GS shares. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a neutral rating and set a $750.00 target price (up from $625.00) on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. Zacks Research lowered shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 16th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $850.00 to $870.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Friday, October 17th. Finally, Evercore ISI upped their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $752.00 to $830.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 30th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, The Goldman Sachs Group has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $779.50.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on The Goldman Sachs Group

The Goldman Sachs Group Trading Up 3.5%

Shares of NYSE GS opened at $838.80 on Thursday. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $439.38 and a fifty-two week high of $840.00. The firm has a market capitalization of $251.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.04, a P/E/G ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 1.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.23, a current ratio of 1.11 and a quick ratio of 0.67. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $782.87 and its 200 day simple moving average is $707.08.

The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The investment management company reported $12.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $10.27 by $1.98. The Goldman Sachs Group had a return on equity of 14.79% and a net margin of 13.18%.The firm had revenue of $15.18 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.68 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $8.40 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 19.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts predict 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 given a $4.00 dividend. This represents a $16.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Groups payout ratio is currently 32.50%.

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.

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KBC Group (OTCMKTS:KBCSY  Get Free Report) announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The company reported $1.43 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.37 by $0.06, Zacks reports. KBC Group had a net margin of 15.04% and a return on equity of 14.18%.

KBC Group Price Performance

OTCMKTS KBCSY traded down $0.31 on Thursday, hitting $63.25. 7,920 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 33,220. The company has a market capitalization of $52.82 billion, a PE ratio of 13.29, a P/E/G ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 0.80. The businesss fifty day moving average is $59.35 and its 200 day moving average is $54.59. KBC Group has a 52 week low of $35.43 and a 52 week high of $63.93.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have recently issued reports on KBCSY. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a hold rating on shares of KBC Group in a research report on Tuesday, August 12th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued a sector perform rating on shares of KBC Group in a research note on Friday, August 8th. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an overweight rating on shares of KBC Group in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research cut shares of KBC Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Finally, Citigroup reissued a neutral rating on shares of KBC Group in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold.

About KBC Group

(Get Free Report)

KBC Group NV, together with its subsidiaries, provides integrated bank-insurance services primarily for retail, private banking, small and medium sized enterprises, and mid-cap clients. The company offers demand deposits and savings accounts; home and mortgage loans; consumer finance and SME funding services; credit, investment fund and asset management, and life and non-life insurance; and cash management, payments, trade finance, lease, money market, capital market products, and stockbroking services.

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LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (NYSE:LYB  Get Free Report) EVP Kimberly Foley acquired 5,661 shares of LyondellBasell Industries stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 12th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $43.56 per share, with a total value of $246,593.16. Following the purchase, the executive vice president owned 67,688 shares in the company, valued at $2,948,489.28. The trade was a 9.13% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website.

LyondellBasell Industries Stock Performance

LyondellBasell Industries stock traded down $0.48 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $43.34. 3,554,708 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,165,778. LyondellBasell Industries N.V. has a 12 month low of $41.58 and a 12 month high of $85.25. The company has a current ratio of 1.77, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $48.81 and a 200 day moving average of $54.84. The firm has a market cap of $13.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 56.29 and a beta of 0.87.

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LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE:LYB  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 31st. The specialty chemicals company reported $1.01 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.80 by $0.21. LyondellBasell Industries had a return on equity of 9.35% and a net margin of 0.74%.The business had revenue of $7.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.41 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.88 EPS. The firms revenue was down 10.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts anticipate that LyondellBasell Industries N.V. will post 6.31 earnings per share for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on LYB shares. Rothschild & Co Redburn reduced their target price on shares of LyondellBasell Industries from $80.00 to $75.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, September 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on LyondellBasell Industries from $52.00 to $50.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d+) rating on shares of LyondellBasell Industries in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price target on shares of LyondellBasell Industries from $60.00 to $58.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, August 6th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of LyondellBasell Industries from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $57.19.

View Our Latest Report on LYB

Institutional Investors Weigh In On LyondellBasell Industries

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in LYB. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of LyondellBasell Industries in the 2nd quarter valued at $280,000,000. Soundwatch Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of LyondellBasell Industries in the second quarter valued at $268,123,000. Pacer Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in shares of LyondellBasell Industries by 3,502.2% during the first quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 2,015,528 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $141,893,000 after buying an additional 1,959,576 shares during the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of LyondellBasell Industries by 137.9% in the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 1,760,045 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $123,907,000 after acquiring an additional 1,020,169 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in LyondellBasell Industries by 7.7% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 9,239,562 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $650,465,000 after acquiring an additional 657,443 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.20% of the companys stock.

About LyondellBasell Industries

(Get Free Report)

LyondellBasell Industries N.V. operates as a chemical company in the United States, Germany, Mexico, Italy, Poland, France, Japan, China, the Netherlands, and internationally. The company operates in six segments: Olefins and PolyolefinsAmericas; Olefins and PolyolefinsEurope, Asia, International; Intermediates and Derivatives; Advanced Polymer Solutions; Refining; and Technology.

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Lithium Americas Corp. (NYSE:LAC  Get Free Report)s share price was down 1.5% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $4.76 and last traded at $4.8650. Approximately 12,353,525 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 24% from the average daily volume of 16,197,624 shares. The stock had previously closed at $4.94.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Cowen lowered shares of Lithium Americas from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, September 24th. Cormark downgraded Lithium Americas from a moderate buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, October 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded Lithium Americas from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and set a $5.00 price target for the company in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price objective on Lithium Americas from $8.00 to $7.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, September 24th. Finally, TD Cowen reaffirmed a hold rating and set a $5.00 target price on shares of Lithium Americas in a report on Thursday, September 25th. Two 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.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Reduce and a consensus target price of $5.33.

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Lithium Americas Stock Down 1.5%

The business has a 50-day moving average price of $5.60 and a 200-day moving average price of $3.80. The stock has a market cap of $1.20 billion, a PE ratio of -21.15 and a beta of 1.41. The company has a current ratio of 9.88, a quick ratio of 9.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33.

Lithium Americas (NYSE:LAC  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 14th. The company reported ($0.06) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.04) by ($0.02). As a group, analysts forecast that Lithium Americas Corp. will post -0.12 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, VP Alexi Illya Zawadzki sold 353,914 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $9.48, for a total value of $3,355,104.72. Following the transaction, the vice president owned 40,005 shares in the company, valued at $379,247.40. This trade represents a 89.84% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Company insiders own 1.11% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Harbour Investments Inc. lifted its holdings in Lithium Americas by 86.1% in the second quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 9,900 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 4,580 shares during the last quarter. Ping Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Lithium Americas in the first quarter valued at $27,000. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management acquired a new position in shares of Lithium Americas in the 1st quarter valued at $27,000. Masso Torrence Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Lithium Americas during the 3rd quarter worth $57,000. Finally, Gainplan LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Lithium Americas during the 3rd quarter worth about $58,000.

About Lithium Americas

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Lithium Americas Corp. engages in the exploration and development of lithium properties in the United States and Canada. It holds a 100% interest in the Thacker Pass project located in northern Nevada, as well as investments in exploration properties in the United States and Canada. Lithium Americas Corp.

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LiveRamp (NYSE:RAMP  Get Free Report) had its price target raised by investment analysts at Morgan Stanley from $30.00 to $33.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an equal weight rating on the stock. Morgan Stanleys price objective suggests a potential upside of 10.13% from the stocks current price.

A number of other equities analysts have also weighed in on the company. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on LiveRamp from $31.00 to $34.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c-) rating on shares of LiveRamp in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Cross Research set a $53.00 target price on shares of LiveRamp in a research report on Tuesday, November 4th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of LiveRamp from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Finally, Benchmark reiterated a buy rating on shares of LiveRamp in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $43.50.

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LiveRamp Stock Performance

RAMP traded down $0.50 during trading on Thursday, reaching $29.97. 167,572 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 582,323. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $27.78 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $29.54. LiveRamp has a twelve month low of $22.82 and a twelve month high of $36.08. The stock has a market cap of $1.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 136.26 and a beta of 1.01.

LiveRamp (NYSE:RAMP  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.55 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.48 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $199.83 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $197.31 million. LiveRamp had a net margin of 1.89% and a return on equity of 2.21%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 8.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.51 EPS. LiveRamp has set its FY 2026 guidance at EPS. Q3 2026 guidance at EPS. Equities research analysts predict that LiveRamp will post 0.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at LiveRamp

In related news, CTO Mohsin Hussain sold 12,734 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, September 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.94, for a total transaction of $355,787.96. Following the sale, the chief technology officer owned 63,409 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,771,647.46. This represents a 16.72% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 3.31% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of LiveRamp

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its holdings in LiveRamp by 3.2% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 9,131,290 shares of the companys stock worth $238,692,000 after acquiring an additional 283,747 shares in the last quarter. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH lifted its holdings in shares of LiveRamp by 32.3% during the 3rd quarter. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH now owns 1,285,444 shares of the companys stock valued at $34,887,000 after purchasing an additional 313,868 shares during the last quarter. Tributary Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in LiveRamp by 134.0% in the third quarter. Tributary Capital Management LLC now owns 1,059,040 shares of the companys stock worth $28,742,000 after acquiring an additional 606,389 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its position in LiveRamp by 0.9% during the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,004,497 shares of the companys stock worth $26,258,000 after purchasing an additional 8,537 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Boston Partners raised its stake in LiveRamp by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 810,529 shares of the companys stock worth $26,620,000 after acquiring an additional 15,022 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 93.83% of the companys stock.

About LiveRamp

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LiveRamp Holdings, Inc, a technology company, operates a data collaboration platform in the United States, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company operates LiveRamp Data Collaboration platform enables an organization to unify customer and prospect data to build a single view of the customer in a way that protects consumer privacy.

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Lloyds Banking Group PLC (NYSE:LYG  Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week high on Monday . The stock traded as high as $4.88 and last traded at $4.8850, with a volume of 11245 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $4.84.

Analyst Ratings Changes

LYG has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Lloyds Banking Group from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 5th. Kepler Capital Markets raised shares of Lloyds Banking Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upgraded Lloyds Banking Group from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a research report on Thursday, July 17th. Wall Street Zen cut Lloyds Banking Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, October 20th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reissued an overweight rating on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a research note on Monday, August 4th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

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Lloyds Banking Group Stock Up 0.5%

The business has a fifty day moving average of $4.56 and a 200 day moving average of $4.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.94, a current ratio of 0.55 and a quick ratio of 0.53. The stock has a market capitalization of $74.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.36, a PEG ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 1.05.

Lloyds Banking Group (NYSE:LYG  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 23rd. The financial services provider reported $0.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.12 by ($0.07). Lloyds Banking Group had a net margin of 18.04% and a return on equity of 8.38%. The company had revenue of $6.56 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.02 billion. As a group, equities analysts predict that Lloyds Banking Group PLC will post 0.27 earnings per share for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Lloyds Banking Group

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in LYG. Townsquare Capital LLC increased its holdings in Lloyds Banking Group by 4.2% in the first quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC now owns 1,596,132 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $6,097,000 after buying an additional 64,952 shares during the last quarter. ICONIQ Capital LLC boosted its position in shares of Lloyds Banking Group by 194.1% during the 1st quarter. ICONIQ Capital LLC now owns 87,502 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $334,000 after acquiring an additional 57,750 shares in the last quarter. Beck Bode LLC purchased a new position in shares of Lloyds Banking Group in the 2nd quarter valued at about $5,254,000. American Century Companies Inc. raised its position in shares of Lloyds Banking Group by 6.0% during the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 7,011,774 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $26,785,000 after acquiring an additional 399,866 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First Eagle Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in Lloyds Banking Group by 9.9% during the second quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC now owns 6,816,161 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $28,969,000 after purchasing an additional 612,523 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 2.15% of the companys stock.

Lloyds Banking Group Company Profile

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Lloyds Banking Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of banking and financial services in the United Kingdom and internationally. It operates in three segments: Retail; Commercial Banking; and Insurance, Pensions and Investments. The Retail segment offers a range of financial service products, including current accounts, savings, mortgages, motor finance, unsecured loans, leasing solutions, and credit cards to personal customers.

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Loblaw Companies (TSE:L  Get Free Report) had its price objective lifted by equities researchers at CIBC from C$58.50 to C$67.00 in a research report issued on Thursday,BayStreet.CA reports. CIBCs target price points to a potential upside of 12.17% from the stocks previous close.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently weighed in on L. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price objective on shares of Loblaw Companies from C$234.00 to C$267.00 in a research report on Monday, July 21st. Desjardins raised their price target on shares of Loblaw Companies from C$230.00 to C$235.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Friday, July 25th. Scotiabank boosted their price objective on shares of Loblaw Companies from C$61.00 to C$65.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, August 21st. BMO Capital Markets upgraded Loblaw Companies to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, TD Securities boosted their target price on Loblaw Companies from C$63.00 to C$65.00 in a research report on Thursday. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Loblaw Companies currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of C$134.50.

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Loblaw Companies Price Performance

About Loblaw Companies

Shares of L stock traded up C$1.11 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting C$59.73. 782,983 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,481,498. Loblaw Companies has a 52 week low of C$43.32 and a 52 week high of C$59.91. The stock has a market cap of C$71.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.23 and a beta of 0.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 166.11, a current ratio of 1.29 and a quick ratio of 0.68. The stocks 50-day moving average is C$55.94 and its 200-day moving average is C$151.08.

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Loblaw is one of Canadas largest grocery, pharmacy, and general merchandise retailers, operating the most expansive store footprint in Ontario and maintaining sizable presences in provinces like Quebec and British Columbia. Key grocery banners include Loblaw, No Frills, and Maxi, while its pharmaceutical operations are the product of its 2014 acquisition of Shoppers Drug Mart.

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Los Angeles Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Global Payments Inc. (NYSE:GPN  Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 17,521 shares of the business services providers stock, valued at approximately $1,402,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Pettee Investors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Global Payments by 24.1% during the second quarter. Pettee Investors Inc. now owns 15,672 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,254,000 after purchasing an additional 3,040 shares in the last quarter. Malaga Cove Capital LLC increased its stake in shares of Global Payments by 85.0% in the first quarter. Malaga Cove Capital LLC now owns 15,094 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,478,000 after buying an additional 6,933 shares during the period. National Pension Service raised its holdings in Global Payments by 4.8% in the 1st quarter. National Pension Service now owns 397,851 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $38,958,000 after buying an additional 18,334 shares during the last quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC raised its holdings in Global Payments by 7.9% in the 2nd quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 60,905 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $4,875,000 after buying an additional 4,478 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Leith Wheeler Investment Counsel Ltd. boosted its position in Global Payments by 6.3% during the 1st quarter. Leith Wheeler Investment Counsel Ltd. now owns 366,389 shares of the business services providers stock worth $35,877,000 after buying an additional 21,686 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 89.76% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other Global Payments news, Director Patricia A. Watson bought 1,331 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 7th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $75.06 per share, with a total value of $99,904.86. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 2,651 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $198,984.06. This trade represents a 100.83% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 1.01% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Global Payments Trading Up 0.2%

GPN opened at $77.40 on Thursday. Global Payments Inc. has a twelve month low of $65.93 and a twelve month high of $120.00. The company has a fifty day moving average of $84.28 and a 200-day moving average of $81.98. The stock has a market cap of $18.32 billion, a PE ratio of 13.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 0.95. The company has a quick ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61.

Global Payments (NYSE:GPN  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The business services provider reported $3.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.23 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $2.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.41 billion. Global Payments had a net margin of 15.07% and a return on equity of 12.47%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $3.08 earnings per share. Global Payments has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.600-6.666 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Global Payments Inc. will post 11.89 EPS for the current year.

Global Payments Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 26th. Investors of record on Friday, December 12th will be given a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 12th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.3%. Global Paymentss dividend payout ratio is presently 14.04%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

GPN has been the subject of several recent research reports. Mizuho upgraded shares of Global Payments from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and upped their price target for the company from $86.00 to $114.00 in a research report on Friday, July 25th. Raymond James Financial reissued an outperform rating and issued a $105.00 price objective on shares of Global Payments in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on Global Payments from $85.00 to $95.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, August 7th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c-) rating on shares of Global Payments in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Citigroup raised Global Payments to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have assigned a Buy rating and fourteen have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $104.10.

View Our Latest Analysis on GPN

About Global Payments

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Global Payments Inc provides payment technology and software solutions for card, check, and digital-based payments in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific. It operates through two segments, Merchant Solutions and Issuer Solutions. The Merchant Solutions segment offers authorization, settlement and funding, customer support, chargeback resolution, terminal rental, sales and deployment, payment security, and consolidated billing and reporting services.

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ISLAMABAD, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The counter-terrorism department (CTD) of police has arrested seven terrorists who facilitated the suicide bomb blast in Pakistan's federal capital city of Islamabad, the CTD said on Thursday.

At least 12 people were killed and 38 others injured in a suicide attack outside the District Judicial Complex of Islamabad on Tuesday, according to authorities.

The facilitators were arrested from the country's eastern Rawalpindi city, said the CTD, adding that a raid was also conducted in northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Before the suicide bombing, the facilitators and the suicide bomber had conducted multiple reconnaissance visits to the judicial complex, the CTD said.

The CTD further said that the facilitators have been shifted to an undisclosed location by security agencies for further investigation. 
Mitchells & Butlers plc (LON:MAB  Get Free Report) insider Timothy (Tim) Charles Jones purchased 57 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, November 7th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of GBX 243 per share, for a total transaction of 138.51.

Timothy (Tim) Charles Jones also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Friday, October 10th, Timothy (Tim) Charles Jones purchased 54 shares of Mitchells & Butlers stock. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 253 per share, with a total value of 136.62.

On Friday, September 12th, Timothy (Tim) Charles Jones bought 53 shares of Mitchells & Butlers stock. The shares were acquired at an average cost of GBX 262 per share, for a total transaction of 138.86.

On Friday, August 15th, Timothy (Tim) Charles Jones acquired 52 shares of Mitchells & Butlers stock. The shares were bought at an average price of GBX 264 per share, for a total transaction of 137.28.

Mitchells & Butlers Stock Up 0.2%

Shares of MAB stock opened at GBX 241 on Thursday. The companys fifty day simple moving average is GBX 250.79 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is GBX 266.60. Mitchells & Butlers plc has a 52 week low of GBX 194.40 and a 52 week high of GBX 308. The stock has a market cap of 1.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.61, a PEG ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 1.71. The company has a quick ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 0.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 63.56.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on MAB. Peel Hunt restated a buy rating and issued a GBX 375 price target on shares of Mitchells & Butlers in a research report on Friday, July 25th. Shore Capital reissued a buy rating on shares of Mitchells & Butlers in a research note on Thursday, September 25th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their target price on shares of Mitchells & Butlers from GBX 280 to GBX 300 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Friday, July 25th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of GBX 337.50.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on MAB

About Mitchells & Butlers

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Mitchells & Butlers is a leading operator of managed restaurants and pubs in the UK. It listed on the London Stock Exchange in April 2003 and is a member of the FTSE 250. Its restaurants and pubs have some of the highest average sales and profits per site in the industry and it operates the best portfolio of brands in the UK.

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Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:MFG  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $6.87 and last traded at $6.8450, with a volume of 37149 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $6.80.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Zacks Research cut shares of Mizuho Financial Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, August 25th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Mizuho Financial Group from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Sunday, August 3rd. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b+) rating on shares of Mizuho Financial Group in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy.

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Mizuho Financial Group Price Performance

Institutional Trading of Mizuho Financial Group

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21, a current ratio of 0.96 and a quick ratio of 0.96. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $6.57 and a 200 day moving average price of $6.01. The company has a market capitalization of $85.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 0.34.

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of MFG. Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Mizuho Financial Group by 28.5% during the third quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 255,185 shares of the banks stock worth $1,710,000 after purchasing an additional 56,598 shares during the last quarter. HUB Investment Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Mizuho Financial Group in the 3rd quarter valued at about $69,000. Ramirez Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Mizuho Financial Group during the third quarter worth approximately $7,251,000. Guardian Capital LP grew its holdings in shares of Mizuho Financial Group by 54.6% during the 3rd quarter. Guardian Capital LP now owns 87,214 shares of the banks stock worth $584,000 after purchasing an additional 30,811 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Paradigm Asset Management Co. LLC bought a new position in Mizuho Financial Group in the third quarter valued at about $125,000. 3.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Mizuho Financial Group Company Profile

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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.

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Mid-America Apartment Communities (NYSE:MAA  Get Free Report) had its price objective lowered by Morgan Stanley from $169.00 to $164.00 in a note issued to investors on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an overweight rating on the real estate investment trusts stock. Morgan Stanleys price target points to a potential upside of 25.31% from the companys previous close.

Several other analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. UBS Group upgraded Mid-America Apartment Communities from a sell rating to a neutral rating and cut their price objective for the company from $142.00 to $132.00 in a research note on Monday. Cantor Fitzgerald assumed coverage on Mid-America Apartment Communities in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. They issued a neutral rating and a $150.00 price target for the company. BNP Paribas Exane lowered Mid-America Apartment Communities from a neutral rating to an underperform rating in a research report on Monday, September 29th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Mid-America Apartment Communities from $156.00 to $157.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, October 13th. Finally, Mizuho upgraded shares of Mid-America Apartment Communities from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and lowered their target price for the company from $161.00 to $150.00 in a research note on Thursday, August 14th. Eight 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 company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $156.22.

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Mid-America Apartment Communities Stock Down 0.5%

MAA traded down $0.62 during trading on Thursday, hitting $130.88. The company had a trading volume of 318,752 shares, compared to its average volume of 904,229. Mid-America Apartment Communities has a 1-year low of $125.75 and a 1-year high of $173.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83, a current ratio of 0.10 and a quick ratio of 0.10. The company has a market cap of $15.32 billion, a PE ratio of 27.74, a P/E/G ratio of 3.38 and a beta of 0.78. The business has a 50-day moving average of $135.82 and a 200-day moving average of $145.37.

Mid-America Apartment Communities (NYSE:MAA  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The real estate investment trust reported $2.16 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.17 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $554.37 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $557.22 million. Mid-America Apartment Communities had a return on equity of 9.10% and a net margin of 25.23%.Mid-America Apartment Communitiess revenue was up .6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $2.21 earnings per share. Mid-America Apartment Communities has set its FY 2025 guidance at 8.680-8.800 EPS. Q4 2025 guidance at 2.170-2.290 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Mid-America Apartment Communities will post 8.84 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO H Eric Bolton, Jr. bought 578 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 31st. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $129.36 per share, for a total transaction of $74,770.08. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer owned 320,391 shares in the company, valued at $41,445,779.76. This trade represents a 0.18% increase 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. Corporate insiders own 1.30% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Mid-America Apartment Communities

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC boosted its position in Mid-America Apartment Communities by 6.8% during the 1st quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,021 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $169,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares during the period. Stephens Inc. AR boosted its position in shares of Mid-America Apartment Communities by 2.6% in the first quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 2,762 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $463,000 after buying an additional 70 shares during the period. Ables Iannone Moore & Associates Inc. grew its stake in shares of Mid-America Apartment Communities by 2.7% in the second quarter. Ables Iannone Moore & Associates Inc. now owns 2,683 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $397,000 after buying an additional 70 shares in the last quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Mid-America Apartment Communities by 3.5% during the 1st quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. now owns 2,353 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $394,000 after buying an additional 80 shares during the period. Finally, Signaturefd LLC boosted its holdings in Mid-America Apartment Communities by 2.9% in the 1st quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 2,851 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $478,000 after acquiring an additional 81 shares during the period. 93.60% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Mid-America Apartment Communities Company Profile

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Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc is a real estate investment trust, which engages in the operation, acquisition, and development of apartment communities. It operates through the Same Store and Non-Same Store segments. The Same Store Communities segment represents those apartment communities that have been owned and stabilized for at least 12 months as of the first day of the calendar year.

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National Pension Service boosted its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG  Free Report) by 3.4% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,287,832 shares of the restaurant operators stock after acquiring an additional 108,330 shares during the quarter. National Pension Services holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill were worth $184,612,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Nuveen LLC bought a new position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in the first quarter worth about $535,023,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 98.1% during the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 9,900,521 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $497,105,000 after acquiring an additional 4,903,969 shares in the last quarter. Montrusco Bolton Investments Inc. raised its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 5,319.7% during the first quarter. Montrusco Bolton Investments Inc. now owns 4,848,990 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $235,580,000 after acquiring an additional 4,759,520 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 7.6% in the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 56,827,332 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $2,853,302,000 after purchasing an additional 4,027,016 shares during the period. Finally, Alliancebernstein L.P. grew its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 8.0% in the first quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 32,505,318 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $1,632,092,000 after purchasing an additional 2,404,798 shares in the last quarter. 91.30% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Chipotle Mexican Grill Stock Up 5.0%

Shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill stock opened at $31.30 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $41.39 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.70, a PEG ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.98. The firms 50 day moving average price is $38.56 and its 200-day moving average price is $45.67. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a 52-week low of $29.75 and a 52-week high of $66.74.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Chipotle Mexican Grill ( NYSE:CMG Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The restaurant operator reported $0.29 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.29. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a net margin of 13.04% and a return on equity of 44.32%. The company had revenue of $3 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.06 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.27 earnings per share. Chipotle Mexican Grills revenue for the quarter was up 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 1.29 EPS for the current fiscal year.

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their target price on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $58.00 to $40.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Citigroup dropped their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $68.00 to $62.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 24th. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $48.00 to $44.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 13th. Robert W. Baird lowered their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $59.00 to $49.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Finally, Mizuho set a $34.00 price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have issued a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $49.81.

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Chipotle Mexican Grill Profile

(Free Report)

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. It sells food and beverages through offering burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and salads. The company also provides delivery and related services its app and website. It has operations in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

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National Pension Service lifted its stake in Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL  Free Report) by 0.4% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 730,111 shares of the technology companys stock after purchasing an additional 3,155 shares during the quarter. National Pension Services holdings in Dell Technologies were worth $89,512,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. William Allan Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Dell Technologies by 47.6% in the 2nd quarter. William Allan Corp now owns 25,901 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $3,175,000 after purchasing an additional 8,355 shares in the last quarter. Modera Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Dell Technologies in the second quarter valued at approximately $241,000. First Hawaiian Bank boosted its stake 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. Carolina Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Dell Technologies in the second quarter valued at approximately $8,869,000. Finally, Savvy Advisors Inc. bought a new position in Dell Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $292,000. 76.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Dell Technologies

In other news, Director V (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 565,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $132.32, for a total value of $74,760,800.00. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Iv (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 824,999 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, September 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.98, for a total transaction of $112,183,364.02. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 4,537,755 shares of company stock worth $642,644,973. Insiders own 42.00% of the companys stock.

Dell Technologies Stock Up 1.4%

DELL opened at $140.69 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $94.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.69, a PEG ratio of 0.95 and a beta of 1.02. The companys 50-day moving average price is $143.56 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $128.14. Dell Technologies Inc. has a twelve month low of $66.25 and a twelve month high of $168.08.

Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 5th. The technology company reported $1.68 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm 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. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Dell Technologies Inc. will post 6.93 earnings per share for the current year.

Dell Technologies Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, October 21st were issued a dividend of $0.525 per share. This represents a $2.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, October 21st. Dell Technologiess dividend payout ratio is 30.88%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

DELL has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Piper Sandler initiated coverage on shares of Dell Technologies in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. They set an overweight rating and a $172.00 price target on the stock. Barclays lifted their price objective on Dell Technologies from $133.00 to $151.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on Dell Technologies from $135.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, August 21st. Bank of America increased their price target on Dell Technologies from $167.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. Finally, Mizuho raised their target price on Dell Technologies from $160.00 to $170.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. One investment 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 companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Dell Technologies has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $162.80.

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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).

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Nuveen New Jersey Quality Municipal Income Fund (NYSE:NXJ  Get Free Report)s share price passed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of $12.45 and traded as high as $12.90. Nuveen New Jersey Quality Municipal Income Fund shares last traded at $12.8750, with a volume of 101,873 shares trading hands.

Nuveen New Jersey Quality Municipal Income Fund Price Performance

The companys 50 day moving average is $12.45 and its 200 day moving average is $11.73.

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Nuveen New Jersey Quality Municipal Income Fund Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 14th will be given a dividend of $0.0785 per share. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.3%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 14th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Nuveen New Jersey Quality Municipal Income Fund

About Nuveen New Jersey Quality Municipal Income Fund

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. grew its position in Nuveen New Jersey Quality Municipal Income Fund by 125.9% during the third quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. now owns 472,453 shares of the companys stock worth $5,863,000 after buying an additional 263,324 shares in the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its position in shares of Nuveen New Jersey Quality Municipal Income Fund by 63.0% during the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 439,293 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,170,000 after acquiring an additional 169,754 shares during the period. Strategic Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Nuveen New Jersey Quality Municipal Income Fund during the 3rd quarter worth $1,445,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its holdings in shares of Nuveen New Jersey Quality Municipal Income Fund by 56.9% during the 3rd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 310,747 shares of the companys stock worth $3,856,000 after purchasing an additional 112,704 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sax Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Nuveen New Jersey Quality Municipal Income Fund in the third quarter worth $1,360,000.

(Get Free Report)

Nuveen New Jersey Quality Municipal Income Fund is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Nuveen Investments, Inc The fund is co-managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors LLC and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC. It invests in the fixed income markets of New Jersey. The fund invests in undervalued municipal securities and other related investments that are, exempt from regular federal and New Jersey income taxes that are rated Baa or BBB or better.

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Nwam LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF (NYSEARCA:EWJ  Free Report) during the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor purchased 6,597 shares of the exchange traded funds stock, valued at approximately $488,000.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in EWJ. RoundAngle Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 1.3% in the 2nd quarter. RoundAngle Advisors LLC now owns 25,737 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,930,000 after purchasing an additional 335 shares during the period. Genesee Capital Advisors LLC increased its holdings in iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 5.6% during the second quarter. Genesee Capital Advisors LLC now owns 14,150 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,061,000 after buying an additional 753 shares during the period. Paragon Capital Management Ltd raised its stake in iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 11.2% in the second quarter. Paragon Capital Management Ltd now owns 32,698 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,451,000 after buying an additional 3,305 shares in the last quarter. Scotia Capital Inc. lifted its holdings in iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 9.6% during the first quarter. Scotia Capital Inc. now owns 121,753 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $8,347,000 after buying an additional 10,656 shares during the period. Finally, Summit Financial LLC lifted its holdings in iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 4,481.4% during the first quarter. Summit Financial LLC now owns 181,196 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $12,423,000 after buying an additional 177,241 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 64.60% of the companys stock.

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iShares MSCI Japan ETF Trading Up 0.7%

Shares of NYSEARCA:EWJ opened at $84.34 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $15.71 billion, a PE ratio of 14.63 and a beta of 0.68. iShares MSCI Japan ETF has a 12-month low of $59.84 and a 12-month high of $84.54. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $81.66 and its 200-day simple moving average is $77.00.

iShares MSCI Japan ETF Profile

iShares MSCI Japan ETF (the fund), formerly Ishares Msci Japan Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of publicly traded securities in the Japanese market, as measured by the MSCI Japan Index (the Index).

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Profitability

This table compares Passur Aerospace and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Passur Aerospace N/A N/A N/A Passur Aerospace Competitors -34.46% -17.30% 4.02%

Institutional & Insider Ownership

65.1% of shares of all AEROSP/DEF EQ companies are held by institutional investors. 62.0% of Passur Aerospace shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 8.2% of shares of all AEROSP/DEF EQ companies are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

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Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Passur Aerospace and its peers top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Passur Aerospace N/A N/A -0.37 Passur Aerospace Competitors $3.78 billion $279.81 million 16.17

Risk & Volatility

Passur Aerospaces peers have higher revenue and earnings than Passur Aerospace. Passur Aerospace 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.

Passur Aerospace has a beta of 8, suggesting that its stock price is 700% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Passur Aerospaces peers have a beta of 1.31, suggesting that their average stock price is 31% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Passur Aerospace Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

PASSUR Aerospace, Inc., a business intelligence company, provides predictive analytics and decision support technology for the aviation industry in the United States and internationally. The company's products, include ARiVAT EMPO, a dynamic gate-to-gate global flight tracking; ARiVA AWARE that provides continuous forecasts and alerts to achieve the most efficient execution of the daily operation; and ARiVA WORKFLOW, an integrated communication and collaboration on shared workflow platform to maximize use of existing assets and capacity. Its products also comprise ARiVA INTEL Data, a reporting and analytical tool that enable insights into operational performance to drive continuous improvement; ARIVA BIZAV, a complete set of tools to help forecast and manage the operation; ARIVA LFM, which ensures various landing fees and related charges are being fully and accurately captured and billed; and ARiVA STRATEGY that integrates commercial strategies and operational priorities. It serves airlines and airports. PASSUR Aerospace, Inc. was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut.

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PFG Advisors boosted its holdings in Lloyds Banking Group PLC (NYSE:LYG  Free Report) by 108.9% during the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 27,704 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 14,443 shares during the quarter. PFG Advisors holdings in Lloyds Banking Group were worth $118,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. V Square Quantitative Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Lloyds Banking Group in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Lloyds Banking Group during the second quarter valued at $35,000. Earned Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Lloyds Banking Group in the first quarter worth $38,000. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Lloyds Banking Group in the second quarter worth $38,000. Finally, SYM FINANCIAL Corp bought a new position in shares of Lloyds Banking Group during the first quarter valued at $40,000. 2.15% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on LYG. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised shares of Lloyds Banking Group from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a report on Thursday, July 17th. Citigroup reiterated a neutral rating on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a report on Monday, September 22nd. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Lloyds Banking Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, October 20th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised Lloyds Banking Group from an underweight rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, August 1st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

Lloyds Banking Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE LYG opened at $5.03 on Thursday. The firms 50-day moving average price is $4.58 and its 200-day moving average price is $4.34. The company has a quick ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 0.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.94. The company has a market cap of $74.48 billion, a PE ratio of 14.36, a PEG ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 1.05. Lloyds Banking Group PLC has a 52-week low of $2.56 and a 52-week high of $5.05.

Lloyds Banking Group (NYSE:LYG  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 23rd. The financial services provider reported $0.05 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.12 by ($0.07). The company had revenue of $6.56 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.02 billion. Lloyds Banking Group had a net margin of 18.04% and a return on equity of 8.38%. As a group, analysts anticipate that Lloyds Banking Group PLC will post 0.27 EPS for the current year.

About Lloyds Banking Group

(Free Report)

Lloyds Banking Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of banking and financial services in the United Kingdom and internationally. It operates in three segments: Retail; Commercial Banking; and Insurance, Pensions and Investments. The Retail segment offers a range of financial service products, including current accounts, savings, mortgages, motor finance, unsecured loans, leasing solutions, and credit cards to personal customers.

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PNC Financial Services Group Inc. decreased its holdings in shares of Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF (NYSEARCA:TBLL  Free Report) by 1.1% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 1,252,658 shares of the companys stock after selling 13,426 shares during the quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. owned approximately 0.06% of Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF worth $132,206,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Invesco Ltd. raised its holdings in Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF by 7.4% in the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 4,308,137 shares of the companys stock worth $454,659,000 after purchasing an additional 295,054 shares during the period. AWM Capital LLC lifted its holdings in Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF by 15.0% during the second quarter. AWM Capital LLC now owns 481,553 shares of the companys stock valued at $50,823,000 after purchasing an additional 62,937 shares in the last quarter. Castle Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF by 3.8% in the 2nd quarter. Castle Wealth Management LLC now owns 333,832 shares of the companys stock worth $35,233,000 after buying an additional 12,076 shares during the period. Brookstone Capital Management increased its stake in Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF by 4.5% in the 2nd quarter. Brookstone Capital Management now owns 304,427 shares of the companys stock worth $32,129,000 after buying an additional 12,971 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Private Advisor Group LLC raised its holdings in Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF by 6.0% during the first quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 235,697 shares of the companys stock valued at $24,874,000 after acquiring an additional 13,246 shares during the period.

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Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF Stock Performance

Shares of Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF stock opened at $105.76 on Thursday. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $105.70 and its 200-day simple moving average is $105.63. Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF has a 52 week low of $105.35 and a 52 week high of $105.90.

Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF Company Profile

The Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF (TBLL) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the ICE US Treasury Short Bond index. The fund tracks a market-weighted index of debt issued by the US Treasury. Remaining maturity must be between 1-12 months. TBLL was launched on Jan 12, 2017 and is issued by Invesco.

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SEOUL, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Twenty-one people were injured on Thursday after a truck crashed into the sidewalk at a market in South Korea, according to Yonhap news agency.

The truck, driven by a man in his 60s, plowed into the sidewalk at the market in Bucheon, west of the capital Seoul, at about 10:55 a.m. local time (0155 GMT).

The accident injured 21 people, including three women in their 70s and 80s found in cardiac arrest and nine others with serious injuries.

Fire authorities dispatched some 20 pieces of equipment and 60 personnel to the scene.

The truck driver reportedly told police that the brakes failed when he stepped on them.

The truck drove about 100 meters inside the market before crashing into a store and coming to a stop.

Police were investigating the exact cause of the accident. 
Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey increased its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) by 3.3% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 494,861 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 15,824 shares during the period. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jerseys holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $39,648,000 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 the company. Access Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Wells Fargo & Company during the second quarter worth about $25,000. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC increased its stake in Wells Fargo & Company by 585.5% during the 1st quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 377 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 322 shares in the last quarter. McElhenny Sheffield Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Motco lifted its stake in Wells Fargo & Company by 397.6% in the first quarter. Motco now owns 408 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 326 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Accent Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company in the first quarter valued at approximately $29,000. 75.90% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages recently commented on WFC. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $87.00 to $94.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on Wells Fargo & Company from $95.00 to $97.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. UBS Group reduced their price objective on Wells Fargo & Company from $95.00 to $93.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their target price on Wells Fargo & Company from $92.00 to $91.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 16th. Finally, Cfra Research raised shares of Wells Fargo & Company to a moderate buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Wells Fargo & Company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $89.57.

Wells Fargo & Company Stock Up 0.0%

NYSE:WFC opened at $86.21 on Thursday. Wells Fargo & Company has a twelve month low of $58.42 and a twelve month high of $88.64. The firm has a market capitalization of $270.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 1.22. The company has a quick ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $83.53 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $79.72.

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.66 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.55 by $0.11. Wells Fargo & Company had a return on equity of 12.51% and a net margin of 17.18%.The company had revenue of $21.44 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $21.11 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.42 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.89 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wells Fargo & Company Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 7th will be given a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 7th. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 29.61%.

About Wells Fargo & Company

(Free Report)

Wells Fargo & Co is a diversified and community-based financial services company, which engages in the provision of banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth and Investment Management.

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Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey grew its holdings in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO  Free Report) by 3.2% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 57,367 shares of the medical research companys stock after acquiring an additional 1,777 shares during the quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jerseys holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific were worth $23,260,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Flossbach Von Storch SE boosted its stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 93.0% during the second quarter. Flossbach Von Storch SE now owns 2,727,021 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $1,105,698,000 after buying an additional 1,314,182 shares during the period. Nuveen LLC purchased a new position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific during the 1st quarter worth about $532,360,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 29.5% during the 2nd quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 2,257,424 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $915,295,000 after purchasing an additional 514,399 shares during the last quarter. EdgePoint Investment Group Inc. bought a new stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific in the first quarter worth about $172,139,000. Finally, UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC grew its stake in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 13.6% during the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 2,750,923 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $1,368,859,000 after buying an additional 329,974 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 89.23% of the companys stock.

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Thermo Fisher Scientific Stock Performance

Shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific stock opened at $588.53 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $221.12 billion, a PE ratio of 34.00, a P/E/G ratio of 3.27 and a beta of 0.82. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $524.35 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $465.87. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has a one year low of $385.46 and a one year high of $610.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.50.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Dividend Announcement

Thermo Fisher Scientific ( NYSE:TMO Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 22nd. The medical research company reported $5.79 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $5.50 by $0.29. The firm had revenue of $11.12 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.90 billion. Thermo Fisher Scientific had a net margin of 15.02% and a return on equity of 16.97%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 4.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $5.28 EPS. Thermo Fisher Scientific has set its FY 2025 guidance at 22.600-22.860 EPS. Research analysts expect that Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. will post 23.28 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Investors of record on Monday, December 15th will be given a dividend of $0.43 per share. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 15th. Thermo Fisher Scientifics dividend payout ratio is currently 9.94%.

Thermo Fisher Scientific announced that its board has authorized a stock buyback plan on Thursday, November 6th that permits the company to buyback $5.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the medical research company to reacquire up to 2.4% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are generally an indication that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms recently issued reports on TMO. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $600.00 to $650.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, October 9th. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $553.00 to $567.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, July 24th. Evercore ISI lifted their price target on shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific from $525.00 to $590.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. William Blair assumed coverage on Thermo Fisher Scientific in a research note on Monday, August 18th. They issued an outperform rating on the stock. Finally, Barclays lifted their target price on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $585.00 to $625.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Nineteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $601.65.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Thermo Fisher Scientific

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 7,250 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $566.10, for a total transaction of $4,104,225.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 113,762 shares in the company, valued at approximately $64,400,668.20. The trade was a 5.99% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Gianluca Pettiti sold 400 shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $574.15, for a total transaction of $229,660.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 21,152 shares of the companys stock, valued at $12,144,420.80. This trade represents a 1.86% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold a total of 46,645 shares of company stock worth $25,825,699 in the last three months. Insiders own 0.33% of the companys stock.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Company Profile

(Free Report)

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc provides life sciences solutions, analytical instruments, specialty diagnostics, and laboratory products and biopharma services in the North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company's Life Sciences Solutions segment offers reagents, instruments, and consumables for biological and medical research, discovery, and production of drugs and vaccines, as well as diagnosis of infections and diseases; and solutions include biosciences, genetic sciences, and bio production to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agricultural, clinical, healthcare, academic, and government markets.

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Canadian Solar, Celsius, Canadian Pacific Kansas City, Canadian Natural Resources, and TC Energy are the five Canadian stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Canadian stocks are equity shares issued by companies incorporated or headquartered in Canada, typically listed on Canadian exchanges such as the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) or available abroad as Canadian Depositary Receipts. For investors they provide ownership in Canadian businesses and exposure to sectors like energy, materials and financials, along with considerations such as dividend yields, commodity sensitivity, the Canadian regulatory/economic environment, and currency risk for nonCanadian investors. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Canadian stocks within the last several days.

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Canadian Solar (CSIQ)

Canadian Solar Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides solar energy and battery energy storage products and solutions in in Asia, the Americas, Europe, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, CSI Solar and Recurrent Energy. The CSI Solar segment designs, develops, and manufactures solar ingots, wafers, cells, modules, and other solar power and battery storage products.

Celsius (CELH)

Celsius Holdings, Inc. develops, processes, markets, distributes, and sells functional energy drinks and liquid supplements in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canadian, European, Middle Eastern, Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company offers CELSIUS, a fitness drink or supplement designed to accelerate metabolism and burn body fat; various flavors and carbonated and non-carbonated functional energy drinks under the CELSIUS Originals and Vibe name, as well as functional energy drink under the CELSIUS Essentials and CELSIUS On-the-Go Powder names; and CELSIUS ready-to drink products.

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Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CP)

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates a transcontinental freight railway in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The company transports bulk commodities, including grain, coal, potash, fertilizers, and sulphur; merchandise freight, such as forest products, energy, chemicals and plastics, metals, minerals, consumer products, and automotive; and intermodal traffic comprising retail goods in overseas containers.

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Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ)

Canadian Natural Resources Limited acquires, explores for, develops, produces, markets, and sells crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). The company offers light and medium crude oil, primary heavy crude oil, Pelican Lake heavy crude oil, bitumen (thermal oil), and synthetic crude oil (SCO).

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TC Energy (TRP)

TC Energy Corporation operates as an energy infrastructure company in North America. It operates through five segments: Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines; U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines; Mexico Natural Gas Pipelines; Liquids Pipelines; and Power and Energy Solutions. The company builds and operates a network of 93,600 kilometers of natural gas pipelines, which transports natural gas from supply basins to local distribution companies, power generation plants, industrial facilities, interconnecting pipelines, LNG export terminals, and other businesses.

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ProShare Advisors LLC cut its holdings in Allete, Inc. (NYSE:ALE  Free Report) by 15.9% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 107,477 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 20,354 shares during the quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC owned 0.19% of Allete worth $6,886,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of ALE. Costello Asset Management INC purchased a new position in shares of Allete in the first quarter worth $35,000. IFP Advisors Inc increased its holdings in Allete by 3,456.3% in the 2nd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 569 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $40,000 after buying an additional 553 shares in the last quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd purchased a new position in Allete in the 2nd quarter worth about $45,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd purchased a new position in Allete in the 1st quarter worth about $47,000. Finally, MJT & Associates Financial Advisory Group Inc. bought a new position in Allete during the 1st quarter valued at about $91,000. Institutional investors own 76.55% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have recently commented on ALE. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Allete from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Saturday, November 1st. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Allete from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a report on Friday, November 7th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Buy.

Allete Stock Performance

ALE opened at $67.55 on Thursday. The companys 50 day moving average is $66.11 and its 200 day moving average is $65.46. The company has a current ratio of 1.34, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57. The company has a market cap of $3.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.31 and a beta of 0.84. Allete, Inc. has a 12-month low of $62.38 and a 12-month high of $67.57.

Allete (NYSE:ALE  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The utilities provider reported $0.46 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.80 by ($0.34). The business had revenue of $375.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $434.90 million. Allete had a return on equity of 5.71% and a net margin of 11.98%.

About Allete

(Free Report)

ALLETE, Inc operates as an energy company. The company operates through Regulated Operations, ALLETE Clean Energy, and Corporate and Other segments. It generates electricity from coal-fired, biomass co-fired / natural gas, hydroelectric, wind, and solar. In addition, the company provides regulated utility electric services in northwestern Wisconsin to approximately 15,000 electric customers, 13,000 natural gas customers, and 10,000 water customers, as well as regulated utility electric services in northeastern Minnesota to approximately 150,000 retail customers and 14 non-affiliated municipal customers.

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Shares of QuantumScape Corporation (NYSE:QS  Get Free Report) traded down 7.7% during mid-day trading on Wednesday following insider selling activity. The company traded as low as $14.55 and last traded at $14.6830. 35,838,834 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 22% from the average session volume of 29,405,557 shares. The stock had previously closed at $15.91.

Specifically, insider Michael O. Mccarthy III sold 20,435 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.12, for a total transaction of $329,412.20. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 137,888 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,222,754.56. This represents a 12.91% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Jeffrey B. Straubel sold 157,171 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $16.93, for a total value of $2,660,905.03. Following the sale, the director directly owned 293,934 shares in the company, valued at $4,976,302.62. This represents a 34.84% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have commented on QS shares. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d-) rating on shares of QuantumScape in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Robert W. Baird increased their target price on shares of QuantumScape from $6.00 to $11.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, July 24th. Cowen restated a hold rating on shares of QuantumScape in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. TD Cowen lifted their target price on QuantumScape from $5.00 to $16.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $10.00 price objective on shares of QuantumScape and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, QuantumScape presently has a consensus rating of Reduce and a consensus target price of $7.66.

QuantumScape Trading Down 7.7%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02, a quick ratio of 21.14 and a current ratio of 21.14. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $13.79 and its 200-day moving average price is $9.26. The firm has a market cap of $8.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -18.13 and a beta of 4.83.

QuantumScape (NYSE:QS  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 22nd. The company reported ($0.18) earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of ($0.18). The business had revenue of ($36.67) million for the quarter. During the same quarter last year, the business posted ($0.23) EPS. Equities analysts expect that QuantumScape Corporation will post -0.82 EPS for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On QuantumScape

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of QS. Teacher Retirement System of Texas acquired a new position in QuantumScape in the first quarter worth approximately $236,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its stake in shares of QuantumScape by 2.1% during the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 941,148 shares of the companys stock worth $3,915,000 after acquiring an additional 19,764 shares in the last quarter. M&T Bank Corp raised its holdings in QuantumScape by 97.2% during the 1st quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 39,964 shares of the companys stock worth $166,000 after buying an additional 19,694 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLC lifted its stake in QuantumScape by 2,086.1% during the first quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 6,121 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 5,841 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Apollon Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of QuantumScape in the first quarter worth about $52,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 29.87% of the companys stock.

About QuantumScape

(Get Free Report)

QuantumScape Corporation, a research and development stage company, focuses on the development and commercialization of solid-state lithium-metal batteries for electric vehicles and other applications. The company was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in San Jose, California.

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Quinn Opportunity Partners LLC lessened its stake in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) by 89.7% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 5,000 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 43,471 shares during the quarter. Quinn Opportunity Partners LLCs holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $401,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the stock. Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt increased its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 2,735,254.3% in the 2nd quarter. Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt now owns 949,769,723 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $76,095,550,000 after buying an additional 949,735,001 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 20,497,429 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,471,259,000 after purchasing an additional 128,207 shares during the last quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC lifted its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 5.5% during the 2nd quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC now owns 10,371,812 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $830,990,000 after purchasing an additional 542,493 shares during the period. Boston Partners boosted its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 6.2% in the 1st quarter. Boston Partners now owns 8,953,009 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $640,616,000 after purchasing an additional 523,107 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 2.3% during the second quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. now owns 7,508,567 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $601,586,000 after buying an additional 172,250 shares during the last quarter. 75.90% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Wells Fargo & Company Price Performance

WFC stock opened at $86.21 on Thursday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $83.53 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $79.72. Wells Fargo & Company has a 1 year low of $58.42 and a 1 year high of $88.64. The stock has a market cap of $270.60 billion, a PE ratio of 14.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 1.22. The company has a current ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07.

Wells Fargo & Company Dividend Announcement

Wells Fargo & Company ( NYSE:WFC Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.66 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.55 by $0.11. Wells Fargo & Company had a return on equity of 12.51% and a net margin of 17.18%.The company had revenue of $21.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $21.11 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.42 earnings per share. Wells Fargo & Companys revenue for the quarter was up 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts forecast that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.89 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 7th will be paid a dividend of $0.45 per share. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 7th. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio is currently 29.61%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on WFC. Phillip Securities downgraded Wells Fargo & Company from a strong-buy rating to a moderate buy rating in a research note on Thursday, July 17th. Cfra Research upgraded Wells Fargo & Company to a moderate buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. TD Cowen raised their target price on Wells Fargo & Company from $90.00 to $93.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. UBS Group lowered their price target on Wells Fargo & Company from $95.00 to $93.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $85.00 to $92.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Wells Fargo & Company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $89.57.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Wells Fargo & Company

About Wells Fargo & Company

(Free Report)

Wells Fargo & Co is a diversified and community-based financial services company, which engages in the provision of banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth and Investment Management.

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Royal Harbor Partners LLC reduced its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (BATS:QUAL  Free Report) by 0.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 43,939 shares of the companys stock after selling 369 shares during the quarter. iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF makes up 2.9% of Royal Harbor Partners LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 12th largest position. Royal Harbor Partners LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF were worth $8,033,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Keener Financial Planning LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at $29,000. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. grew its position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF by 84.2% during the first quarter. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. now owns 175 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 80 shares in the last quarter. Legacy Wealth Managment LLC ID acquired a new position in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF during the 1st quarter worth $37,000. CX Institutional increased its holdings in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF by 151.9% in the second quarter. CX Institutional now owns 204 shares of the companys stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 123 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Legacy Investment Solutions LLC bought a new position in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF during the second quarter worth $40,000.

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iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF Stock Up 11.4%

Shares of QUAL stock opened at $196.85 on Thursday. iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF has a 52 week low of $148.34 and a 52 week high of $187.26. The company has a market cap of $57.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.59 and a beta of 1.05. The business has a 50 day moving average of $194.02 and a two-hundred day moving average of $185.74.

iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF Company Profile

The iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality index. The fund tracks an index of US large- and mid-cap stocks, selected and weighted by high ROE, stable earnings growth and low debt\u002Fequity, relative to peers in each sector.

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Savant Capital LLC grew its stake in shares of MGIC Investment Corporation (NYSE:MTG  Free Report) by 327.7% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 46,555 shares of the insurance providers stock after buying an additional 35,669 shares during the period. Savant Capital LLCs holdings in MGIC Investment were worth $1,296,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Moors & Cabot Inc. bought a new stake in shares of MGIC Investment during the 2nd quarter valued at $701,000. Haven Private LLC purchased a new position in MGIC Investment during the 2nd quarter valued at about $214,000. Simon Quick Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of MGIC Investment during the second quarter valued at about $298,000. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in shares of MGIC Investment by 6.5% in the second quarter. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC now owns 9,821 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $273,000 after buying an additional 598 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Atria Investments Inc purchased a new stake in shares of MGIC Investment in the second quarter worth about $279,000. 95.58% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages recently commented on MTG. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of MGIC Investment from $27.00 to $28.00 and gave the company a cautious rating in a research note on Monday, October 6th. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (a-) rating on shares of MGIC Investment in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $26.80.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CEO Timothy J. Mattke sold 139,203 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.09, for a total transaction of $3,771,009.27. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 961,791 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $26,054,918.19. This trade represents a 12.64% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Paula C. Maggio sold 20,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.44, for a total value of $548,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 117,395 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,221,318.80. This represents a 14.56% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold a total of 219,203 shares of company stock valued at $5,989,909 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 1.05% of the companys stock.

MGIC Investment Trading Down 0.1%

Shares of MTG opened at $28.45 on Thursday. MGIC Investment Corporation has a 1-year low of $21.94 and a 1-year high of $29.01. The company has a market capitalization of $6.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.15, a P/E/G ratio of 1.91 and a beta of 0.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a current ratio of 1.46 and a quick ratio of 1.46. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $27.77 and its 200 day simple moving average is $27.04.

MGIC Investment (NYSE:MTG  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The insurance provider reported $0.83 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.72 by $0.11. MGIC Investment had a net margin of 61.96% and a return on equity of 14.63%. The firm had revenue of $304.51 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $308.16 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.77 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down .7% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts forecast that MGIC Investment Corporation will post 2.71 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

MGIC Investment Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, November 20th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 6th will be given a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 6th. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.1%. MGIC Investments dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 19.29%.

MGIC Investment Profile

(Free Report)

MGIC Investment Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides private mortgage insurance, other mortgage credit risk management solutions, and ancillary services to lenders and government sponsored entities in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam. The company offers primary mortgage insurance that provides mortgage default protection on individual loans, as well as covers unpaid loan principal, delinquent interest, and various expenses associated with the default and subsequent foreclosure.

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Welltower (NYSE:WELL  Get Free Report) had its target price raised by Scotiabank from $182.00 to $214.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a sector outperform rating on the real estate investment trusts stock. Scotiabanks target price would indicate a potential upside of 12.14% from the stocks current price.

Other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald boosted their price target on shares of Welltower from $195.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Welltower in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Evercore ISI raised their target price on shares of Welltower from $175.00 to $183.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a report on Monday, September 15th. National Bankshares set a $246.00 price objective on Welltower in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Finally, Raymond James Financial restated a strong-buy rating on shares of Welltower in a report on Tuesday, September 2nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Welltower has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $190.07.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on WELL

Welltower Price Performance

Shares of WELL stock traded down $0.80 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $190.84. 1,671,584 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,982,265. The companys 50 day moving average price is $175.03 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $163.04. The company has a market cap of $130.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 131.54, a PEG ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 0.92. Welltower has a 12 month low of $123.11 and a 12 month high of $192.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43, a quick ratio of 4.19 and a current ratio of 5.47.

Welltower (NYSE:WELL  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, October 27th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.34 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.30 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $2.69 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.70 billion. Welltower had a net margin of 9.69% and a return on equity of 2.71%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 30.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.11 earnings per share. Welltower has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.240-5.300 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Welltower will post 4.88 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Trading of Welltower

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in WELL. Hager Investment Management Services LLC grew its holdings in Welltower by 84.4% during the third quarter. Hager Investment Management Services LLC now owns 142 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares during the last quarter. SouthState Corp raised its holdings in Welltower by 704.8% in the 1st quarter. SouthState Corp now owns 169 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 148 shares during the period. Wealth Preservation Advisors LLC bought a new position in Welltower in the 1st quarter worth $27,000. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in Welltower during the 1st quarter worth $32,000. Finally, WPG Advisers LLC bought a new stake in Welltower during the first quarter valued at about $34,000. 94.80% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Welltower Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Welltower Inc (NYSE:WELL), a real estate investment trust (REIT) and S&P 500 company headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, is driving the transformation of health care infrastructure. Welltower invests with leading seniors housing operators, post-acute providers and health systems to fund the real estate infrastructure needed to scale innovative care delivery models and improve peoples wellness and overall health care experience.

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Smithfield Trust Co lessened its stake in shares of Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST  Free Report) by 6.1% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 10,349 shares of the companys stock after selling 671 shares during the quarter. Smithfield Trust Cos holdings in Vistra were worth $2,006,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its holdings in shares of Vistra by 0.3% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 4,190,462 shares of the companys stock worth $492,102,000 after acquiring an additional 11,386 shares during the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp increased its holdings in Vistra by 1.9% in the 1st quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 3,083,842 shares of the companys stock valued at $362,166,000 after purchasing an additional 57,358 shares during the last quarter. Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in Vistra in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $209,149,000. Jennison Associates LLC raised its position in Vistra by 23.8% in the second quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 1,712,726 shares of the companys stock valued at $331,943,000 after purchasing an additional 329,294 shares during the period. Finally, UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC raised its position in Vistra by 8.7% in the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 1,470,680 shares of the companys stock valued at $172,717,000 after purchasing an additional 118,230 shares during the period. 90.88% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently commented on VST. Scotiabank began coverage on Vistra in a research report on Monday, September 22nd. They set a sector outperform rating and a $256.00 price target for the company. Daiwa Capital Markets raised Vistra from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $250.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, September 17th. Wells Fargo & Company began coverage on Vistra in a report on Monday, October 27th. They set an overweight rating and a $238.00 target price for the company. Cowen initiated coverage on shares of Vistra in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Finally, Daiwa America raised shares of Vistra from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 17th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Vistra has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $234.21.

Vistra Price Performance

VST stock opened at $178.19 on Thursday. The businesss 50-day moving average is $198.68 and its two-hundred day moving average is $186.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.74, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.80. The firm has a market capitalization of $60.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 64.33, a P/E/G ratio of 2.24 and a beta of 1.30. Vistra Corp. has a 1 year low of $90.51 and a 1 year high of $219.82.

Vistra (NYSE:VST  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported $1.75 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.78 by ($0.03). Vistra had a return on equity of 64.04% and a net margin of 6.70%.The company had revenue of $4.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.60 billion. Analysts anticipate that Vistra Corp. will post 7 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 22nd will be given a $0.227 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 22nd. This represents a $0.91 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.5%. This is a boost from Vistras previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. Vistras payout ratio is currently 32.49%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Vistra

In other news, CEO James A. Burke sold 9,641 shares of Vistra stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $192.30, for a total transaction of $1,853,964.30. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 298,967 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $57,491,354.10. The trade was a 3.12% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 723,910 shares of company stock valued at $148,086,569. 1.42% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

About Vistra

(Free Report)

Vistra Corp., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated retail electricity and power generation company. The company operates through six segments: Retail, Texas, East, West, Sunset, and Asset Closure. It retails electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers across states in the United States and the District of Columbia.

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NEW DELHI, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Indian security forces killed six armed rebels, including two senior leaders, in the country's central state of Chhattisgarh, local police confirmed on Thursday.

The encounter took place in the forests inside the Indravati National Park in the state's Bijapur district.

The killed Naxals rebels collectively carried a bounty of 2.7 million Indian Rupees (around 30,440 U.S. dollars), Bijapur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Yadav told reporters. 
Nwam LLC reduced its holdings in Trane Technologies plc (NYSE:TT  Free Report) by 12.8% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 1,208 shares of the companys stock after selling 178 shares during the quarter. Nwam LLCs holdings in Trane Technologies were worth $521,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in TT. Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Trane Technologies during the second quarter valued at $28,000. Hantz Financial Services Inc. increased its stake in Trane Technologies by 1,016.7% during the 2nd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 67 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 61 shares during the period. Saudi Central Bank bought a new stake in shares of Trane Technologies during the 1st quarter worth about $30,000. Bogart Wealth LLC lifted its stake in shares of Trane Technologies by 97.9% in the 1st quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC now owns 93 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 46 shares during the period. Finally, Dagco Inc. bought a new position in shares of Trane Technologies in the first quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.97% of the companys stock.

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Insider Transactions at Trane Technologies

In other Trane Technologies news, CAO Elizabeth A. Elwell sold 600 shares of Trane Technologies stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $440.00, for a total transaction of $264,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 7,148 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,145,120. The trade was a 7.74% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO David S. Regnery sold 22,497 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $410.00, for a total value of $9,223,770.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 123,713 shares in the company, valued at $50,722,330. This represents a 15.39% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Company insiders own 0.14% of the companys stock.

Trane Technologies Stock Up 0.1%

TT stock opened at $422.11 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a current ratio of 1.10 and a quick ratio of 0.76. The firm has a market capitalization of $93.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.47, a P/E/G ratio of 2.66 and a beta of 1.16. Trane Technologies plc has a 52-week low of $298.15 and a 52-week high of $476.18. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $419.67 and its 200-day simple moving average is $424.40.

Trane Technologies (NYSE:TT  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $3.88 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.80 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $5.74 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.80 billion. Trane Technologies had a net margin of 13.76% and a return on equity of 36.61%. The companys revenue was up 5.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $3.37 EPS. Trane Technologies has set its FY 2025 guidance at 12.950-13.050 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Trane Technologies plc will post 12.83 EPS for the current year.

Trane Technologies Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Friday, December 5th will be paid a $0.94 dividend. This represents a $3.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 5th. Trane Technologiess dividend payout ratio is currently 28.92%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on TT shares. HSBC downgraded Trane Technologies from a buy rating to a hold rating and upped their target price for the stock from $415.00 to $460.00 in a research report on Thursday, July 31st. Robert W. Baird raised their target price on Trane Technologies from $396.00 to $450.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, July 17th. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of Trane Technologies from $445.00 to $520.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, July 31st. Hsbc Global Res lowered shares of Trane Technologies from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, July 31st. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price target on Trane Technologies from $467.00 to $469.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, October 31st. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $466.50.

View Our Latest Analysis on TT

About Trane Technologies

(Free Report)

Trane Technologies plc, together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, sells, and services of solutions for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, custom, and custom and transport refrigeration in Ireland and internationally. It offers air conditioners, exchangers, and handlers; airside and terminal devices; air sourced heat pumps, auxiliary power units; chillers; coils and condensers; gensets; dehumidifiers; ductless; furnaces; home automation products; humidifiers; indoor air quality assessments and related products; large and light commercial unitary products; refrigerant reclamation products; thermostats/controls; transport heater products; variable refrigerant flow products; and water source heat pumps.

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Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. bought a new stake in Permian Resources Corporation (NYSE:PR  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 bought 10,483 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $143,000.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Nordea Investment Management AB increased its stake in shares of Permian Resources by 70.1% during the second quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 490,311 shares of the companys stock worth $6,727,000 after acquiring an additional 202,026 shares during the period. Friedenthal Financial purchased a new position in shares of Permian Resources during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $871,000. GW&K Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Permian Resources by 31.9% in the 1st quarter. GW&K Investment Management LLC now owns 4,299,862 shares of the companys stock valued at $59,553,000 after buying an additional 1,040,766 shares during the period. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Permian Resources by 7.5% in the second quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 328,009 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,467,000 after buying an additional 22,903 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Voya Investment Management LLC raised its position in Permian Resources by 58.4% in the first quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC now owns 515,771 shares of the companys stock worth $7,143,000 after acquiring an additional 190,105 shares in the last quarter. 91.84% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

PR has been the subject of several research reports. Wall Street Zen cut Permian Resources from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Saturday, August 9th. Scotiabank started coverage on shares of Permian Resources in a report on Friday, September 19th. They issued a sector outperform rating and a $21.00 target price for the company. UBS Group increased their price target on shares of Permian Resources from $16.00 to $17.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 20th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Permian Resources from $17.00 to $18.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, August 18th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price target on shares of Permian Resources from $17.00 to $18.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $18.73.

Permian Resources Trading Up 0.1%

Permian Resources stock opened at $13.33 on Thursday. Permian Resources Corporation has a 52-week low of $10.01 and a 52-week high of $16.33. The company has a quick ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.24 and a beta of 1.31. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $12.98 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $13.36.

Permian Resources (NYSE:PR  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.08 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.30 by ($0.22). The business had revenue of $1.32 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.33 billion. Permian Resources had a net margin of 15.65% and a return on equity of 11.03%. Permian Resourcess revenue for the quarter was up 8.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.53 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts expect that Permian Resources Corporation will post 1.45 earnings per share for the current year.

Permian Resources Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 17th will be paid a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 17th. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.5%. Permian Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 55.05%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Robert Regan Shannon sold 4,742 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $14.22, for a total value of $67,431.24. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 91,805 shares in the company, valued at $1,305,467.10. This trade represents a 4.91% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP John Charles Bell sold 4,743 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $14.21, for a total transaction of $67,398.03. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 107,569 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,528,555.49. This trade represents a 4.22% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders own 6.44% of the companys stock.

Permian Resources Company Profile

(Free Report)

Permian Resources Corporation, an independent oil and natural gas company, focuses on the development of crude oil and related liquids-rich natural gas reserves in the United States. The companys assets primarily focus on the Delaware Basin, a sub-basin of the Permian Basin. Its properties consist of acreage blocks in West Texas, Eddy County, Lea County, and New Mexico.

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Vise Technologies Inc. bought a new stake in Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE:PKG  Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 6,932 shares of the industrial products companys stock, valued at approximately $1,306,000.

Several other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Allworth Financial LP boosted its holdings in Packaging Corporation of America by 35.4% in the 1st quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 532 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $100,000 after acquiring an additional 139 shares during the period. Alps Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Packaging Corporation of America during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $358,000. Cerity Partners LLC raised its position in shares of Packaging Corporation of America by 25.8% in the 1st quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 20,390 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $4,038,000 after purchasing an additional 4,179 shares in the last quarter. CWM LLC grew its position in shares of Packaging Corporation of America by 19.5% during the first quarter. CWM LLC now owns 11,764 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,329,000 after buying an additional 1,917 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Parcion Private Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Packaging Corporation of America in the first quarter worth $225,000. 89.78% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Packaging Corporation of America news, CEO Mark W. Kowlzan sold 25,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $215.97, for a total value of $5,399,250.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 437,378 shares in the company, valued at $94,460,526.66. This trade represents a 5.41% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 1.50% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Packaging Corporation of America Stock Performance

PKG stock opened at $201.07 on Thursday. Packaging Corporation of America has a 12 month low of $172.71 and a 12 month high of $250.82. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $209.07 and a two-hundred day moving average of $200.83. The company has a quick ratio of 2.32, a current ratio of 3.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54. The company has a market capitalization of $18.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.30, a P/E/G ratio of 1.44 and a beta of 0.92.

Packaging Corporation of America (NYSE:PKG  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The industrial products company reported $2.73 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.83 by ($0.10). The company had revenue of $2.31 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.29 billion. Packaging Corporation of America had a net margin of 10.18% and a return on equity of 19.98%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 6.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.65 EPS. Packaging Corporation of America has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 2.400-2.400 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Packaging Corporation of America will post 10.44 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Packaging Corporation of America Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Investors of record on Monday, September 15th were given a dividend of $1.25 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 15th. This represents a $5.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.5%. Packaging Corporation of Americas payout ratio is 50.56%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms recently commented on PKG. JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on Packaging Corporation of America in a research note on Wednesday, September 24th. They issued an overweight rating and a $242.00 price target for the company. Wall Street Zen lowered Packaging Corporation of America from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on Packaging Corporation of America from $200.00 to $222.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. UBS Group lifted their price target on Packaging Corporation of America from $225.00 to $230.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. Finally, Citigroup upped their price objective on Packaging Corporation of America from $214.00 to $218.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Monday, October 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating and five have issued 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 $230.17.

Read Our Latest Analysis on Packaging Corporation of America

About Packaging Corporation of America

(Free Report)

Packaging Corporation of America engages in the production of container products. It operates through the following segments: Packaging, Paper, and Corporate and Other. The Packaging segment offers a variety of corrugated packaging products, such as conventional shipping containers. The Paper segment manufactures and sells a range of papers, including communication-based papers, and pressure sensitive papers.

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Vise Technologies Inc. acquired a new stake in PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund acquired 13,109 shares of the construction companys stock, valued at approximately $1,383,000.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of PHM. Allworth Financial LP boosted its holdings in shares of PulteGroup by 258.3% in the 2nd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 8,804 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $928,000 after purchasing an additional 6,347 shares in the last quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund boosted its position in PulteGroup by 27.4% during the 2nd quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 111,637 shares of the construction companys stock worth $11,773,000 after buying an additional 23,990 shares during the period. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of PulteGroup by 1.0% in the second quarter. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC now owns 8,760 shares of the construction companys stock worth $924,000 after purchasing an additional 85 shares during the last quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of PulteGroup by 5.6% in the 2nd quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 46,722 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $4,927,000 after buying an additional 2,498 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Pinnacle Wealth Management Advisory Group LLC raised its holdings in PulteGroup by 9.5% during the 2nd quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Management Advisory Group LLC now owns 11,672 shares of the construction companys stock worth $1,231,000 after purchasing an additional 1,016 shares during the last quarter. 89.90% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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PulteGroup Trading Up 0.0%

PHM opened at $120.67 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $23.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.26, a PEG ratio of 0.95 and a beta of 1.25. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $127.50 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $116.80. PulteGroup, Inc. has a one year low of $88.07 and a one year high of $142.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a current ratio of 0.81 and a quick ratio of 0.81.

PulteGroup Dividend Announcement

PulteGroup ( NYSE:PHM Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The construction company reported $2.96 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.86 by $0.10. PulteGroup had a return on equity of 19.58% and a net margin of 14.93%.The firm had revenue of $4.40 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.31 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $3.35 EPS. The businesss revenue was down 1.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts predict that PulteGroup, Inc. will post 12.32 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 2nd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 16th were paid a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 16th. PulteGroups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 6.77%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have commented on PHM shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of PulteGroup from $121.00 to $123.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on PulteGroup from $135.00 to $150.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 2nd. UBS Group increased their target price on shares of PulteGroup from $141.00 to $150.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Weiss Ratings lowered PulteGroup from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a report on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price objective on shares of PulteGroup from $109.00 to $112.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 23rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $133.67.

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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.

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Vise Technologies Inc. purchased a new stake in iShares Europe ETF (NYSEARCA:IEV  Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 19,754 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,249,000. Vise Technologies Inc. owned approximately 0.05% of iShares Europe ETF at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Brown Advisory Inc. acquired a new position in iShares Europe ETF in the first quarter valued at $216,000. Nwam LLC lifted its position in iShares Europe ETF by 31.6% in the 1st quarter. Nwam LLC now owns 10,207 shares of the companys stock valued at $594,000 after purchasing an additional 2,448 shares during the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares Europe ETF by 27.3% during the first quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 16,963 shares of the companys stock valued at $987,000 after purchasing an additional 3,636 shares in the last quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC acquired a new stake in iShares Europe ETF in the first quarter worth approximately $213,000. Finally, LPL Financial LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares Europe ETF by 247.6% in the 1st quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 406,035 shares of the companys stock worth $23,631,000 after purchasing an additional 289,228 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares Europe ETF Stock Down 0.1%

Shares of NYSEARCA:IEV opened at $67.83 on Thursday. iShares Europe ETF has a 12-month low of $51.30 and a 12-month high of $67.94. The companys fifty day moving average is $65.70 and its two-hundred day moving average is $63.92. The company has a market cap of $1.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.48 and a beta of 0.91.

About iShares Europe ETF

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.

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Vise Technologies Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Barclays PLC (NYSE:BCS  Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 72,760 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $1,353,000.

Several other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in BCS. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Barclays by 14.1% during the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 352,328 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $5,412,000 after acquiring an additional 43,607 shares during the last quarter. FORA Capital LLC bought a new stake in Barclays during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $697,000. RWA Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Barclays during the second quarter valued at approximately $654,000. Invesco Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of Barclays by 8,088.1% in the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 882,108 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $13,549,000 after buying an additional 871,335 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of Barclays during the first quarter valued at about $230,000. 3.39% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently weighed in on BCS shares. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating on shares of Barclays in a report on Monday, October 6th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Barclays in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen cut Barclays from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Barclays in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Finally, Zacks Research downgraded shares of Barclays from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

Barclays Price Performance

Barclays stock opened at $22.54 on Thursday. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $20.73 and a 200 day moving average price of $19.23. Barclays PLC has a 12-month low of $12.14 and a 12-month high of $22.64. The company has a current ratio of 1.41, a quick ratio of 1.41 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.94. The stock has a market cap of $78.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.38, a PEG ratio of 0.42 and a beta of 1.14.

Barclays (NYSE:BCS  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 22nd. The financial services provider reported $0.56 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.54 by $0.02. Barclays had a return on equity of 8.19% and a net margin of 21.26%.The firm had revenue of $9.59 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.95 billion. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Barclays PLC will post 2 earnings per share for the current year.

Barclays Profile

(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.

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Voestalpine (OTCMKTS:VLPNY  Get Free Report) issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday. The company reported $0.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.12 by $0.01, Zacks reports. Voestalpine had a return on equity of 2.15% and a net margin of 1.02%.The firm had revenue of $4.31 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.31 billion.

Voestalpine Trading Up 10.5%

OTCMKTS:VLPNY traded up $0.73 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $7.69. 4,074 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,110. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a current ratio of 1.35 and a quick ratio of 0.53. Voestalpine has a 52-week low of $3.34 and a 52-week high of $7.89. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $6.93 and a 200 day simple moving average of $6.01. The firm has a market cap of $6.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.44 and a beta of 1.39.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Voestalpine in a report on Wednesday, August 27th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold.

About Voestalpine

(Get Free Report)

Voestalpine AG processes, develops, manufactures, and sells steel products in Austria, European Union, and internationally. The company operates through five segments: Steel, High Performance Metals, Metal Engineering, Metal Forming, and Other. The Steel division produces hot and cold-rolled steel strips, as well as electrogalvanized, hot-dip galvanized, and organically coated steel strips; and heavy plates for the energy sector, as well as turbine casings for automotive, white goods/consumer goods, building/construction, energy, mechanical engineering, and others.

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W.H. Cornerstone Investments Inc. acquired a new stake in The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 2,699 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $246,000.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Bryn Mawr Trust Advisors LLC boosted its position in Charles Schwab by 2.0% during the 2nd quarter. Bryn Mawr Trust Advisors LLC now owns 5,489 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $501,000 after acquiring an additional 107 shares during the period. Pine Haven Investment Counsel Inc increased its position in Charles Schwab by 0.3% in the 2nd quarter. Pine Haven Investment Counsel Inc now owns 41,793 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $3,813,000 after buying an additional 110 shares during the period. Principle Wealth Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Charles Schwab by 2.0% in the 2nd quarter. Principle Wealth Partners LLC now owns 5,890 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $537,000 after purchasing an additional 113 shares during the period. Traveka Wealth LLC raised its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 4.3% in the 2nd quarter. Traveka Wealth LLC now owns 2,841 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $259,000 after buying an additional 117 shares in the last quarter. Finally, 1ST Source Bank raised its position in Charles Schwab by 0.5% in the 2nd quarter. 1ST Source Bank now owns 23,680 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,161,000 after purchasing an additional 117 shares during the last quarter. 84.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Charles Schwab Price Performance

Shares of Charles Schwab stock traded down $0.85 on Thursday, reaching $96.86. The stock had a trading volume of 783,168 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,697,901. The businesss 50 day moving average is $94.06 and its two-hundred day moving average is $92.23. The company has a market cap of $172.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 1.02. The Charles Schwab Corporation has a 1 year low of $65.88 and a 1 year high of $99.59. The company has a current ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 0.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47.

Charles Schwab ( NYSE:SCHW Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 16th. The financial services provider reported $1.31 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.25 by $0.06. The firm had revenue of $6.38 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.93 billion. Charles Schwab had a return on equity of 21.26% and a net margin of 35.93%.The businesss quarterly revenue was up 26.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.71 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that The Charles Schwab Corporation will post 4.22 EPS for the current year.

Charles Schwab announced that its board has approved a share repurchase program on Thursday, July 24th that permits the company to buyback $20.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization permits the financial services provider to purchase up to 11.6% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are generally an indication that the companys leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Charles Schwab Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 14th will be issued a $0.27 dividend. This represents a $1.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 14th. Charles Schwabs payout ratio is 25.29%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Charles Schwab

In related news, insider Jonathan S. Beatty sold 6,144 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $96.81, for a total transaction of $594,800.64. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 11,923 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,154,265.63. This represents a 34.01% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, General Counsel Peter J. Morgan III sold 50,016 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $97.00, for a total transaction of $4,851,552.00. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold a total of 65,866 shares of company stock valued at $6,370,897 over the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 6.30% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

SCHW has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $99.00 price target on shares of Charles Schwab in a research note on Friday, July 18th. Barclays increased their target price on Charles Schwab from $114.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Piper Sandler restated a neutral rating on shares of Charles Schwab in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. Wells Fargo & Company set a $102.00 price objective on Charles Schwab and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, July 18th. Finally, Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Charles Schwab from $105.00 to $110.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 21st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have given a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Charles Schwab presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $106.45.

View Our Latest Report on SCHW

Charles Schwab 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.

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WASHINGTON TRUST Co lessened its stake in iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:IWR  Free Report) by 1.1% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 928,015 shares of the companys stock after selling 10,514 shares during the period. iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF accounts for 3.0% of WASHINGTON TRUST Cos portfolio, making the stock its 8th biggest holding. WASHINGTON TRUST Co owned about 0.20% of iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF worth $85,350,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Advantage Trust Co bought a new position in iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF during the second quarter valued at about $28,000. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF during the 1st quarter valued at about $30,000. Atticus Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF by 123.1% during the second quarter. Atticus Wealth Management LLC now owns 415 shares of the companys stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 229 shares in the last quarter. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC bought a new stake in iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF in the second quarter worth approximately $38,000. Finally, Crews Bank & Trust raised its stake in shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF by 54.5% in the 2nd quarter. Crews Bank & Trust now owns 425 shares of the companys stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 150 shares in the last quarter. 80.16% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF Trading Down 0.3%

IWR traded down $0.28 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $96.31. The companys stock had a trading volume of 185,489 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,782,662. The stock has a market cap of $45.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.00 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $96.18 and a 200 day simple moving average of $93.13. iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF has a twelve month low of $73.17 and a twelve month high of $97.87.

iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF Profile

iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares Russell Midcap Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell Midcap Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the mid-capitalization sector of the United States equity market.

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WASHINGTON TRUST Co raised its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 0.6% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 18,634 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 114 shares during the period. WASHINGTON TRUST Cos holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $14,526,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Willner & Heller LLC raised its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 1.5% during the 1st quarter. Willner & Heller LLC now owns 854 shares of the companys stock worth $705,000 after buying an additional 13 shares during the period. Braun Bostich & Associates Inc. raised its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 2.5% in the 2nd quarter. Braun Bostich & Associates Inc. now owns 527 shares of the companys stock valued at $411,000 after purchasing an additional 13 shares during the period. Rise Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 1.8% during the 2nd quarter. Rise Advisors LLC now owns 732 shares of the companys stock worth $571,000 after acquiring an additional 13 shares during the period. Occidental Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter. Occidental Asset Management LLC now owns 1,966 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,533,000 after acquiring an additional 13 shares in the last quarter. Finally, New Insight Wealth Advisors increased its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 3.4% in the second quarter. New Insight Wealth Advisors now owns 394 shares of the companys stock valued at $307,000 after buying an additional 13 shares during the period. 82.53% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Eli Lilly and Company Price Performance

Shares of NYSE LLY traded up $12.96 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $1,030.74. The company had a trading volume of 741,677 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,056,012. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.86, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a current ratio of 1.28. Eli Lilly and Company has a one year low of $623.78 and a one year high of $1,031.35. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $815.33 and its 200 day simple moving average is $778.16. The firm has a market cap of $974.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 67.39, a PEG ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 0.43.

Eli Lilly and Company Announces Dividend

Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $7.02 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $6.42 by $0.60. Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 92.72% and a net margin of 25.91%.The business had revenue of $17.60 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16.09 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.18 EPS. The businesss 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, research analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business 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. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 14th. This represents a $6.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.6%. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio is presently 29.35%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on LLY shares. Erste Group Bank upgraded shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $930.00 to $1,100.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Guggenheim reiterated a buy rating and set a $948.00 price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Scotiabank initiated coverage on Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Thursday. They issued a sector outperform rating and a $1,165.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein restated an outperform rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $999.32.

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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.

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MANILA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine government will ramp up public spending to align with its original national expenditure plan and offset the slower growth recorded in the third quarter (Q3) of 2025, the country's President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos said on Thursday.

Speaking at a press conference, Marcos said several factors have contributed to the downturn in economic activity in Q3, which saw a below-forecast 4 percent growth in gross domestic product.

The growth in Q3 was also much slower than the 5.5-percent clip in Q2 and the 5.4-percent growth in Q1, official data showed.

Aside from the ongoing investigation and reforms in public infrastructure projects, the country was hit by successive natural disasters, with working days lost because of climate change, the president added.

The president noted that the country has also been affected by changes and adjustments in the global trade and business system. 
WASHINGTON TRUST Co trimmed its position in shares of Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT  Free Report) by 2.2% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 284,999 shares of the retailers stock after selling 6,460 shares during the period. Walmart makes up about 1.0% of WASHINGTON TRUST Cos holdings, making the stock its 23rd largest holding. WASHINGTON TRUST Cos holdings in Walmart were worth $27,867,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in WMT. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC raised its position in shares of Walmart by 397,264.9% during the 2nd quarter. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC now owns 104,514,912 shares of the retailers stock worth $10,496,702,000 after acquiring an additional 104,488,610 shares in the last quarter. Nuveen LLC purchased a new position in Walmart in the 1st quarter valued at $2,532,331,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its position in Walmart by 30.1% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 33,292,749 shares of the retailers stock worth $2,922,770,000 after buying an additional 7,706,201 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its position in Walmart by 527.1% in the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 6,739,038 shares of the retailers stock valued at $591,620,000 after purchasing an additional 5,664,484 shares during the period. Finally, Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board boosted its stake in shares of Walmart by 28,684.8% in the first quarter. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board now owns 4,229,354 shares of the retailers stock valued at $371,295,000 after buying an additional 4,214,661 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 26.76% of the companys stock.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Walmart news, EVP Kathryn J. Mclay sold 4,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, October 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $107.75, for a total transaction of $431,000.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 1,044,455 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $112,540,026.25. The trade was a 0.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP John D. Rainey sold 2,200 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, November 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $101.18, for a total transaction of $222,596.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 619,518 shares of the companys stock, valued at $62,682,831.24. The trade was a 0.35% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold 151,038 shares of company stock worth $15,531,616 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.10% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have commented on the company. Tigress Financial boosted their target price on Walmart from $120.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 3rd. Mizuho reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $115.00 price target on shares of Walmart in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. Evercore ISI reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $111.00 price target (up from $110.00) on shares of Walmart in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. Erste Group Bank upgraded Walmart from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, August 5th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on Walmart from $101.00 to $114.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, August 22nd. Thirty-two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Walmart has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $113.50.

Check Out Our Latest Report on Walmart

Walmart Stock Performance

WMT traded down $0.19 on Thursday, hitting $103.25. 1,487,830 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 18,110,529. Walmart Inc. has a 52 week low of $79.81 and a 52 week high of $109.57. The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $103.33 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $99.63. The firm has a market capitalization of $823.16 billion, a PE ratio of 38.87, a P/E/G ratio of 4.83 and a beta of 0.67.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 21st. The retailer reported $0.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.74 by ($0.06). The business had revenue of $169.34 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $174.02 billion. Walmart had a net margin of 3.08% and a return on equity of 21.45%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.67 earnings per share. Walmart has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 0.580-0.600 EPS. FY 2026 guidance at 2.520-2.620 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Walmart Inc. will post 2.55 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About Walmart

(Free Report)

Walmart Inc engages in the operation of retail, wholesale, other units, and eCommerce worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam's Club. It operates supercenters, supermarkets, hypermarkets, warehouse clubs, cash and carry stores, and discount stores under Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Market brands; membership-only warehouse clubs; ecommerce websites, such as walmart.com.mx, walmart.ca, flipkart.com, PhonePe and other sites; and mobile commerce applications.

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WESCO International, Inc. (NYSE:WCC  Get Free Report) EVP Christine Ann Wolf sold 4,685 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $259.52, for a total transaction of $1,215,851.20. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 30,195 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,836,206.40. The trade was a 13.43% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website.

Christine Ann Wolf also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Wednesday, August 27th, Christine Ann Wolf sold 2,098 shares of WESCO International stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $224.92, for a total value of $471,882.16.

WESCO International Stock Up 3.7%

WESCO International stock opened at $267.57 on Thursday. WESCO International, Inc. has a 1-year low of $125.21 and a 1-year high of $267.89. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $224.61 and a 200-day moving average price of $202.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 2.09 and a quick ratio of 1.19. The stock has a market capitalization of $13.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.95, a PEG ratio of 1.77 and a beta of 1.79.

WESCO International Announces Dividend

WESCO International ( NYSE:WCC Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The technology company reported $3.92 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.75 by $0.17. WESCO International had a return on equity of 12.96% and a net margin of 2.98%.The company had revenue of $6.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.91 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $3.58 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 12.9% compared to the same quarter last year. WESCO International has set its FY 2025 guidance at 13.100-13.600 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that WESCO International, Inc. will post 13.3 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 12th were given a dividend of $0.4538 per share. 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%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Loop Capital raised their price target on shares of WESCO International from $220.00 to $235.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, August 5th. Stephens lowered WESCO International from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and raised their target price for the stock from $190.00 to $200.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 16th. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price target on WESCO International from $222.00 to $262.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Wall Street Zen downgraded WESCO International from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, November 8th. Finally, Oppenheimer raised their price objective on WESCO International from $225.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, September 5th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $248.89.

Get Our Latest Report on WESCO International

Institutional Investors Weigh In On WESCO International

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Rothschild Investment LLC grew its position in WESCO International by 788.2% during the 3rd quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC now owns 151 shares of the technology companys stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 134 shares during the period. Root Financial Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of WESCO International in the 3rd quarter valued at about $37,000. Whittier Trust Co. boosted its stake in shares of WESCO International by 46.8% in the first quarter. Whittier Trust Co. now owns 279 shares of the technology companys stock worth $43,000 after buying an additional 89 shares during the last quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of WESCO International by 129.7% in the second quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 232 shares of the technology companys stock worth $43,000 after buying an additional 131 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Rossby Financial LCC grew its holdings in WESCO International by 117.4% during the third quarter. Rossby Financial LCC now owns 200 shares of the technology companys stock worth $43,000 after acquiring an additional 108 shares during the period. 93.75% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About WESCO International

(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).

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China summons Japanese ambassador, makes serious demarches over erroneous remarks of Japanese Prime Minister regarding China
NEW DELHI, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- India and Canada held talks on Thursday to discuss ways to boost trade, promote investment, and deepen bilateral cooperation, officials said.

The two sides discussed the issues at the 7th India-Canada Ministerial Dialogue on Trade and Investment here.

"The meeting marked a renewed phase of engagement aimed at reinvigorating bilateral trade and investment ties and setting a forward-looking agenda for cooperation," said a statement from India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

According to the ministry, the dialogue covered a wide-ranging agenda, including key areas of economic cooperation such as nutritional security, supply chain resilience, health sector cooperation, and investment facilitation.

Officials said trade in goods and services between India and Canada stood at 18.38 billion U.S. dollars in 2023.

New Delhi and Ottawa got engaged in a diplomatic row in September 2023, which was followed by tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions.

Bilateral relations began to improve following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney in June this year. 
ANKARA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye has suspended flights of all C-130 military cargo aircraft following a crash earlier this week in Georgia that killed 20 Turkish soldiers, the Defense Ministry said Thursday.

In a statement, the ministry said the suspension took effect on Wednesday and that flights would remain grounded until detailed technical inspections are completed.

It said it is too early to determine the cause of the crash. Investigators are examining the aircraft's black box, which contains both flight data and cockpit voice recorders, after it was transferred to Ankara for analysis.

The ministry confirmed the plane was not carrying munitions at the time. "Our aircraft was carrying personnel and aircraft maintenance equipment. There was no ammunition on board," it said.

According to the ministry, the plane departed from Azerbaijan and was en route to Turkiye when it crashed in Georgia on Tuesday, about 40 minutes after its last radio contact.

The C-130 was carrying a 10-member maintenance team for Turkish F-16 fighter jets that had participated in Victory Day celebrations in Azerbaijan, along with the flight crew and equipment.

The aircraft was purchased from Saudi Arabia on Jan. 21, 2012, and joined Turkiye's fleet in 2014 after maintenance and modernization work. It was upgraded again and reentered service in 2022. The ministry said the plane had been regularly maintained, with the most recent maintenance completed a month ago.

The crash is one of the deadliest in recent years for Turkiye's armed forces.

Media reports said the Turkish Air Force previously operated 19 C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft, including six B models and 13 E models. It has also acquired 12 C-130J Super Hercules planes from the British air force, which are undergoing upgrades before entering service. 
Visitors line up to taste food at the International Food Exhibitions 2025 in Sofia, Bulgaria, Nov. 12, 2025. The four-day event kicked off here at the Inter Expo Center on Wednesday, bringing together five exhibitions dedicated to the food and beverage, meat, dairy, bakery, and wine industries. (Photo by Marian Draganov/Xinhua)

A visitor is served a cup of wine at the International Food Exhibitions 2025 in Sofia, Bulgaria, Nov. 12, 2025. The four-day event kicked off here at the Inter Expo Center on Wednesday, bringing together five exhibitions dedicated to the food and beverage, meat, dairy, bakery, and wine industries. (Photo by Marian Draganov/Xinhua)

People visit the International Food Exhibitions 2025 in Sofia, Bulgaria, Nov. 12, 2025. The four-day event kicked off here at the Inter Expo Center on Wednesday, bringing together five exhibitions dedicated to the food and beverage, meat, dairy, bakery, and wine industries. (Photo by Marian Draganov/Xinhua)

A contestant competes during a pizza competition at the International Food Exhibitions 2025 in Sofia, Bulgaria, Nov. 12, 2025. The four-day event kicked off here at the Inter Expo Center on Wednesday, bringing together five exhibitions dedicated to the food and beverage, meat, dairy, bakery, and wine industries. (Photo by Marian Draganov/Xinhua)
A motorcyclist rides closely beside another motor vehicle on a street in Ankara, Turkiye, Nov. 10, 2025. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

by Burak Akinci

ANKARA, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye's roads have become a blur of two wheels in recent years. Once seen as a niche passion, motorcycles are now an everyday sight across major cities, offering both freedom and frustration in equal measure.

Official data showed the number of registered motorcycles nationwide has jumped by nearly 90 percent in the past five years, reaching 6.77 million as of July 2025.

Istanbul alone accounts for almost 1 million of them, making Turkiye's economic hub the country's motorcycle capital.

But the surge is not confined to the Bosporus city. Capital Ankara, Izmir, and other major urban centers are seeing similar trends as more residents turn to two wheels to cope with traffic gridlock and rising living costs.

Yigit Dedeoglu, an Istanbul-based road safety expert and motorcycle enthusiast, said the surge in the number of motorcycles gained speed after the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, when economic challenges and high fuel prices pushed many toward cheaper and faster ways to move.

The explosion of e-commerce also accelerated the shift, creating a new army of delivery couriers racing against time to meet demand, he added.

For some, motorcycles offer affordability and speed, two crucial advantages in cities where cars idle endlessly in congestion and fuel prices remain stubbornly high.

For others, the rapid expansion of motorcycles brings growing concerns over safety, regulation and road culture.

"The boom in motorcycle number has caused significant problems in traffic. The problem is not their presence but an uncontrolled rise in numbers," said Dedeoglu.

"Motorcycle drivers thought that traffic regulations don't necessarily apply to them and began breaking the rules. Traffic regulations apply to all, meaning to both cars and motorcycles," he added.

In Ankara's Aydinlikevler district, 36-year-old motorcyclist and business owner Mehmet Acuner explained that as the number of motorcycles rises, so does irresponsible behavior.

"There are riders going up on pavements, doing dangerous moves, and doing silly stunts just to film videos. Of course, not everyone is like that," he noted.

Official figures showed that the rise in motorcycles has been accompanied by a sharp increase in accidents. In the first eight months of 2025 alone, more than 76,000 motorcycle-related crashes resulted in deaths or injuries, semi-official Anadolu Agency reported in September, quoting police data.

"While motorcycle riders can be involved in accidents, they also face constant risks from the behavior of other road users," said Acuner. "Even when riders follow safety guidelines, they remain vulnerable," he added.

"We use all the necessary protective gear, but still there are many accidents with injuries. And these happen mostly because of car drivers' carelessness," he said.

"Even when we are just riding normally, cars cut us off, push us to the side, make us fall," said Celal Buyukkayikci, a motorcycle courier in Istanbul.

He added that tensions frequently escalate into confrontations and viral brawls that usually make headlines.

According to Dedeoglu, encouraging better driving habits and mutual respect among all road users is essential if the country hopes to balance convenience and safety.

To tackle these challenges, a new traffic law bill is awaiting discussion in the Turkish Parliament, proposing strict penalties for traffic violations.

In a post on X on Nov. 1, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated that those who disregard traffic safety would face severe punishments under the bill, including hefty fines, suspension of their driver's license, and vehicle impoundment. 

Motorcyclists ride among other motor vehicles on a street in Ankara, Turkiye, Nov. 10, 2025. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

A motorcyclist rides among other motor vehicles on a street in Ankara, Turkiye, Nov. 10, 2025. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)
LONDON, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador to the United Kingdom (UK) Zheng Zeguang on Tuesday called for deeper cooperation to elevate economic and trade ties between China and Northern Ireland to a higher level when delivering a keynote speech at the China-Northern Ireland Economic, Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum in Belfast.

Zheng stressed that China will continue to take economic development as its central task, focus on promoting high-quality growth, and make new and important contributions to global economic development.

China will firmly advance high-standard opening up, steadily expand institutional opening up, and promote comprehensive trials and demonstrations for expanding opening up of the service sector, he said, noting that China's development will continue to inject certainty and positive energy into the world.

Zheng spoke highly of the fruitful results achieved in recent years between China and Northern Ireland in economy, trade, investment, education, culture and tourism.

He encouraged people from all walks of life in Northern Ireland to seize the historic opportunities brought by China's 15th Five-Year Plan period, which emphasizes innovation-driven growth, expanding domestic demand, green transition and open cooperation.

He expressed the hope that business communities on both sides would deepen the synergy between key industries, expand two-way investment, facilitate communication and cooperation, consolidate the foundation of friendly cooperation, and further tap into the potential for cooperation, so as to elevate the economic and trade ties to a higher level and deliver more tangible benefits to the peoples of both China and the United Kingdom.

During the opening ceremony, the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK and Invest Northern Ireland signed a memorandum of understanding on strategic cooperation.

More than 400 representatives from the Northern Ireland government, media, business communities from both China and the United Kingdom, among others, took part. 
ST. PETERSBURG, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Two pilots were killed when a Su-30 fighter jet crashed in the Prionezhsky district of Russia's Republic of Karelia during a training flight, the regional head Artur Parfenchikov said Thursday.

The aircraft crashed at approximately 7 p.m. Moscow time (1600 GMT) while conducting a scheduled training flight without ammunition, the Russian Defense Ministry was quoted by TASS news agency as saying.

Parfenchikov said on Telegram that the aircraft went down in a forested area away from residential settlements, and no residents were injured.

Emergency services quickly arrived to work at the scene, Parfenchikov said, extending his condolences to the families of the pilots from the 159th aviation fighter regiment, and promising all necessary assistance. 
There are many items that are still made by hand in Germany. (Kzenon - stock.adobe.com)



Shopping for a special gift? What about something crafted by hand right here in Germany? Here are some items still made by trained artisans.

The map below includes links to artisans and special locations affiliated with handmade German products. Not all the companies listed maintain a shop premises; check individual websites for purchasing information.

Toys

There are all kinds of toy gifts that are still handmade in Germany. The Steif company specializes in crafting stuffed animals, and you can visit the factory and museum in Giengen, near Ulm. In Hesse, Nanchen Natur makes sturdy cloth dolls of all sizes, in a huge variety of skin and hair combinations, and for every age.

There are numerous wooden toy companies and the play figures created by Ostheimer are still carved and painted by hand. You can even visit their workshop near Stuttgart for a tour. The Fridlin company makes colorful motor-skills toys for toddlers that are so well-respected they are on exhibition at the Friedrich Frobel Museum, which is dedicated to the inventor of the first kindergarten. For older kids, the wooden blocks and marble runs from Baumkinder are sure to feed the inner engineer.

Sturdy, handmade cloth dolls are popular toys for children in Germany. (rodimovpavel - stock.adobe.com)



Wooden Holiday Decorations

The Weihnachtspyramide (Christmas pyramid) is a staple at Christmas markets and originates in the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains) of Saxony along the Czech border. They were first crafted in the Middle Ages as an artistic way to combine the traditions of bringing both light and evergreen wood into the home during wintertime.

Other holiday decorations like Schwibbogen (candle arches), Rauchermen (incense smokers) and Nutcrackers are also from this area; they originally depicted people and mining scenes from the regions mining heritage. Specialized woodworking villages like Seiffen in the Ore Mountains have numerous workshops selling hand-made Christmas decor and wooden toys.

In southern Bavaria, the village of Oberammergau is also known for its wooden Christmas decor. Here, the specialty is religious figures and nativity scenes. It is fun to wander in and out of the many workshops where craftspeople carve figurines alongside their products.

Oberammergau is the place to find handmade wooden Christmas nativity items. (Fotostudio Gerth - stock.adobe.com)



Cuckoo Clocks

While it is unclear who invented the cuckoo clock, this quintessential German handcraft was perfected in the Schwarzwald (Black Forest) area. The first mention of a clock with a mechanical cuckoo bird chirping every quarter hour is in a 1629 description by a traveling merchant.

For the ultimate gift, travel the Deutsche Uhrenstrae (German clock route), a nearly 300 km loop through the Schwarzwald past towns like Triburg, where numerous clock makers have shops, and Furtwangen, where you can see the German Clock Museum. Schonwald is another village worth checking out, since it is where the first Black Forest cuckoo clock was made; visit the August Schwer workshop, one of the oldest in the area.

Purchase a popular and handmade cuckoo clock in Germanys Black Forest. (harshavardhan - stock.adobe.com)



Musical Instruments

Germany has been a hotbed for musical innovation since the earliest classical operas emerged, and today it continues to elevate music through modern sounds.

In the early 1800s, German horn players invented the first valve for brass instruments, making complex sounds a possibility. Both Thein Brass, in the northern German city of Bremen, and Voigt Brass, based in the eastern German village of Markneukirchen specialize in handmade trumpets and trombones.

For rhythmic instruments of all kinds  from cymbals and chimes to cajons and frame drums  the Schlagwerk company offers a large variety of handmade traditional and new percussion.

Death metal meets German engineering at one of the many small workshops across the country creating handmade electric guitars. The Zeal Guitars workshop in Kaiserslautern offers three models in numerous customizable styles. For those of you in Bavaria, Schwartz Custom Guitars in Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz, has seven customizable electric guitar styles and two electric basses to pick from.

Germany is a great place to invest in a handmade electric guitar. (Framestock - stock.adobe.com)



Eyeglasses

With world-renowned precision optics and a history of perfecting eyewear, Germany is the perfect place to purchase handmade glasses.

From luxury brands like Maybach and the unique styles of Mykita, to the timeless looks of Lunor and natural materials of Hoffmann, there are options to fit everyone. To see a large selection of handmade glasses in person, visit the Funk Eyewear factory store in Kinsau, about an hour north of Garmisch.

The worlds leader in optical technology, the Zeiss company is also the oldest optics manufacturer in the world. Their ultra-modern museum is a great day trip for the scientifically minded; its located in Oberkocken, just over an hour from Stuttgart or Ansbach.

With world-renowned precision optics and a history of perfecting eyewear, Germany is the perfect place to purchase handmade glasses. (Arsenii - stock.adobe.com)



Custom Made Shoes

High-quality shoes are a German staple, and a gift of a handmade pair is a must for any footwear aficionado. The well-known Birkenstock is partially handmade, but many companies specialize in handcrafted and custom-made shoes. Use the keyword Maschuhe to find local, custom shoemakers near you.

The town of Pirmasens, not far from the KMC, is known as Germanys shoe town. Historically, it was the footbed of shoe manufacturing and is still home to numerous factories and shoe outlet shops. For handmade or custom shoes, visit the Zarini shop. 20 minutes away, the German Shoe Museum operates out of an old shoe factory.

Custom made shoes are a high-quality gift made in Germany. (hedgehog94 - stock.adobe.com)



Pens and Pencils

A handmade fountain pen is the perfect gift for the writer or artist in your life (hint, hint). Traditional fountain pens come with a few components such as the barrel to hold an ink cartridge, and the metal nib that feeds the ink onto the paper as you write.

Special pens with replacement ink cartridges are still very popular in Germany today; ballpoint styles are even used by school children. Companies like e+m craft wooden handmade ballpoint and fountain pens in addition to refillable mechanical pencils. For modern styles and metal casings, the Diplomat company also handcrafts ballpoint and fountain pens.

Traditional fountain pens with refillable cartridges are popular in Germany. (Natalia - stock.adobe.com)



Bicycles

While bicycle components may come from around the world, there are German bicycle companies that specialize in handcrafting your ride.

While a few norther companies create city or touring bicycles, both Cheetah, based near Stuttgart, and Nicolai, near Hannover, offer mountain bikes. In addition, the Velo Lab in Bremen handcrafts cargo bikes for larger loads.


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Indias new booming sector is probably one of its oldest. Its staid banking sector is the new blue chip on the block, and international investors cant have enough, it seems.

Some of the worlds biggest financial institutions are buying into Indias banks and insurance companies. Even non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) are appearing as blue-eyed babies to these shrewd operators. And ironically, all this is happening even as Indias total FDI inflow appears to be slowing down.

The latest came last month when two big investments from abroad, one after the other, suddenly brought the previously-considered-boring Indian banking system into the cynosure of all eyes. Dubai-based Emirates NBD, one of the largest banks in West Asia (Middle East), took a controlling 60 per cent stake in Mumbai-based RBL Bank for Rs 26,850 crore in October-endthe largest FDI and equity raise in the Indian banking sector ever.

It is the first acquisition of majority interest in a profitable Indian bank by a foreign bank (previously in 2019, Canadas Fairfax had taken control of CSB, though it was in the red at the time), with Emirates NBD also planning to make a mandatory open offer for the purchase of up to 26 per cent stake from the public shareholders of RBL Bank, as per SEBIs takeover regulations.

While Shayne Nelson, Group CEO of Emirates NBD, said Our investment in RBL Bank is a testament to our confidence in Indias vibrant and expanding economy, RBL Bank Chairman Chandan Sinha described the entry of Emirates NBD as reflecting the global confidence in India's banking sector.

The other big money infusion came when Blackstone, one of the worlds biggest investment firms with interests ranging from real estate to asset management and private equity, snapped up nearly 10 per cent of the Kerala-based Federal Bank for Rs 6,000 crore and some change.

Interest in Indian banking comes even as Indias economy is on an upward trajectory, with a general belief that the nations financial system is still sorely underserved, thereby offering great potential for future growth.

Add to that the Modi governments openness for further banking reforms, including some more mergers (presently, banks like Indian Overseas Bank, Central Bank, Bank of India, etc., are reported to be considered for a merger exercise) in the offing, which has raised interest levels among interested parties on the global stage.

Right since the present regime came in in 2014, there has been systematic efforts at cleansing and energising the banking sector, including legislations like the insolvency and bankruptcy code, quick action when crises hit certain banks (IndusInd Bank recently and Yes Bank a while ago) by the regulators have had the desired effectreduction of non-performing assets which had peaked in the early years of the 2010s, as well as increasing profits of public sector banks.

In turn, banks in India are overall on a golden run, thanks to improvement in asset quality, higher profits thanks to better loans, lower interest outgo and the massive digitisation which has helped cut costs even while scaling up adoption. And while the PSUs remain out of bounds, the next-best-thing for eager foreign investors remains the private banks.

Other major movers include Abu Dhabi International Holding Company (IHC) investing nearly 9,000 crore rupees in Sammaan Capital, global investors like Blackrock and Vanguard increasing their stakes in HDFC Bank, and institutional investors like GIC (Singapore) and New York Life increasing their holdings in IDFC First.

Part of this rush stems from speculation that the Indian government will further relax rules related to FDI caps in public sector banks (right now, foreign stakes cannot be more than 20% ) while the RBI may rework bank ownership guidelines. Presently, foreign investors can take a majority stake, up to 74 per cent FDI, only in private banks.
Auto-to-finance conglomerate Mahindra & Mahindra has joined hands with Manulife Financial Corporation to establish a 50:50 life insurance joint venture in India.

Earlier this year, Allianz had signed an agreement with Mukesh Ambani's Jio Financial Services for a larger insurance play.

India's insurance market is growing. New business premiums in the life insurance space have grown at a 12 per cent compounded rate over the past five years to surpass $20 billion. Still, the market is vastly under-penetrated at under 4 per cent, and the protection gap remains high.

According to a report by consulting firm McKinsey and Insurance Brokers Association of India, the country's insurance industry is expected to more than double from around Rs 11 lakh crore in 2024 to Rs 25 lakh crore by 2030.

The sector has attracted foreign direct investment of over $6.5 billion in the past decade, on the back of rapid growth expectations and supportive government policies.

Mahindra and Manulife already have a venture in the mutual fund market. Mahindra Finance is also a major player in the NBFC (non-banking finance company) space, which it can leverage as it looks to make inroads in insurance.

It said the vision is to be the number one life insurance company for rural and semi-urban India, and to serve urban customers through leadership in protection solutions.

"Mahindra brand strength, deep distribution capabilities in rural and semi-urban India and execution excellence make life insurance a logical extension towards our goal of building a comprehensive financial services portfolio," said Anish Shah, group CEO and MD at Mahindra Group.

Earlier this year, Allianz and Jio Financial Services formed a JV to set up a reinsurance business in the country. The two also have non-binding agreements to start equally owned life and general insurance companies. Allianz was earlier present in India's insurance market through a partnership with the Bajaj Group, where it held a 26 per cent stake in life and general insurance companies. Bajaj acquired that stake to take full control of the life and general insurance businesses.

Phil Witherington, president and CEO, Manulife, said that the entry into one of the world's fastest-growing insurance markets will further strengthen its diverse portfolio and position it for "tremendous growth" in a mega economy of the future.

"We have a trusted partner in Mahindra Group, with whom we already have a successful asset management collaboration, and we see tremendous opportunity to build on our efforts by leveraging their deep distribution network alongside our industry-leading agency distribution and insurance expertise," he said.

Following the agreement, Mahindra and Manulife will now apply for an insurance license.

The life insurance industry has two dozen companies in India. However, the state-owned LIC continues to dominate the space.

According to the India Brand Equity Foundation, LIC has over 57 per cent share in the first-year premium share of life insurance.
The armored warfare capabilities of the Indian army are set for a major boost as the defence ministry, on Thursday, announced that it signed a  2,095.70 crore contract with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for the procurement of INVAR anti-tank missiles under the Buy (Indian) category.

INVAR (3 UBK 20) precision-guided anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) is a mechanised infantry weapon which is fired from the gun barrel of the T-90 main battle tank to destroy armoured vehicles equipped with Explosive Reactive Armour.

ALSO READ: Challenges in modernising Indias military

The defence ministry said the procurement of the ATGMs enhances the firepower and lethality of the T-90, the mainstay of Armoured Regiments of the Indian Army.

The sophisticated laser-guided anti-tank missile, with very high hit probability, is set to transform the conduct of mechanised operations and offer operational advantage against the country's adversaries.

Equipped with a tandem warhead, the missile can destroy stationary and moving targets with a speed up to 70kmph. It has a range of about 5km with a flight time of approximately 17.6 seconds to maximum range.

"The procurement underscores the governments efforts to meet the operational requirements of the Indian Army by leveraging the existing expertise of Defence Public Sector Undertakings, along with development of niche technologies by domestic industries towards achieving Aatmanirbharta in defence," the defence ministry said in a release.
Courtroom 600 is part of the Memorium Nuremberg Trials museum. (Nataliia - stock.adobe.com)



A new historical drama by James Vanderbilt is set to release in theaters worldwide on Nov. 7, 2025. Nuremberg follows the experience of Lt. Col. Douglas Kelley (Rami Malek), a U.S. Army Military Intelligence Corps chief psychiatrist, during the early Nuremberg Trials as he analyzes the competency of Herman Goring (Russell Crowe), a powerful Nazi leader and Adolf Hitlers chosen successor.

Read more about the Nuremberg movie.

The movie tackles the obsessiveness Kelley develops for finding a psychosis to explain Nazi behavior and the connection that develops between the two men. While the movie is a work of fiction, it is based on author Jack El-Hais nonfiction book The Nazi and the Psychiatrist, published in 2013.

The International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg defendants (National Archives, College Park, MD, USA)



Source

The International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg is better known simply as the Nuremberg Trials. Opened on Nov. 20, 1945, the tribunal was held to try 22 high-profile defendants from the Nazi leadership. The four Allied nations of France, the United States, the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union were each represented by a judge and a prosecutor.

The Nazi officials were indicted on four counts:

Common plan or conspiracy

Crimes against peace

War crimes

Crimes against humanity

Before trial, all 22 defendants were interviewed by mental health professionals to determine whether they were competent to stand trial by Kelley in his role a chief psychiatrist, as depicted in the new movie. They were also evaluated by chief psychologist 1st Lt. Gustave Gilbert who also helped with interpretation. All defendants were deemed to be sane and fit for trial.

The main cell block in the Nuremberg prison, where defendants standing trial before the International Military Tribunal are being incarcerated. (National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, MD, USA)



Source

Kelley did expect to find some kind of common deficiency or psychiatric explanation for the Nazi leaderships mindset and acceptance of atrocities. However, in the end, he concluded that they were not psychotic, but that they did share authoritarian and ambitious personalities that can be found across populations. Kelley said that the circumstances of the time allowed them to garner power, and cautioned that such a rise could occur again.

Lt. Gilbert disagreed; he concluded that the defendants all exhibited psychopathic schizoid, narcissistic and paranoid personality types, and that their authority was never challenged because of the expectation for blind obedience and the denouncement of reason within Nazi culture.

Kelley returned to the U.S. six weeks into the trials and was replaced by psychiatrist Maj. Leon Goldensohn, who continued to monitor the mental health of the defendants as the trials progressed.

Judgement at the The International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg (National Archives, College Park, MD, USA)



Source

In the end, on Oct. 1, 1946, the verdict was read and 19 Nazis were convicted; 12 were sentenced to death by hanging, while the rest served prison terms ranging from 10 years to life. Goring was among those with a death sentence, but the night prior to his execution he ingested potassium cyanide and died in his cell.

Kelley went on to write a book in 1947 called Twenty-two Cells in Nuremberg about his experience during the Nuremberg trials and his conclusions about the mental state of Nazi leadership. On Jan. 1, 1958, Kelley took his own life in the same method used by Goring.

Resources for understanding the Nuremberg trials and their aftermath
The mighty swing-wing heavy bomber of the US Air Force (USAF) B-1B Lancerone of the three strategic bomber types of the USAF alongside the B-2 Spirit and the B-52 Stratofortresswas spotted at the Kempegowda International Airport's Terminal 2 recently.

Pictures and videos of the B-1B Lancer, hailed as the backbone of America's long-range bomber force, as it can "deliver massive quantities of precision and non-precision weapons against any adversary, anywhere in the world, at any time," have gone viral on social media, with many wondering why the bomber has landed in India.

So, what's it doing in India?

The mighty bomber has arrived in India as part of the joint four-day exercise between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and USAF. The joint wargame is being held from November 10 to 13.

"The Indian Air Force and United States Air Force are engaged in a bilateral exercise from 1013 Nov 25, aimed at fostering mutual learning and enhancing interoperability.

USAF is participating with the B-1B Lancer," the IAF said in a tweet.

The IAF jets participating in the exercise include Sukhoi-30 MKIs and Dassault Mirage-2000s.

The joint exercise is taking place amid continuing strain in ties between India and the US after US President Donald Trump slapped a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods in August.

The long-range, multi-mission, supersonic conventional bomber, which carries the largest conventional payload of both guided and unguided weapons in the Air Force inventory, has been serving the US since 1985. Originally designed for nuclear capabilities, the B-1 switched to an exclusively conventional combat role in the mid-1990s, according to Boeing.
The BJP's decision to order 501kg of laddoos ahead of the counting of Bihar election votes on Fridayanticipating a win for the NDA alliancemay not have been in vain, if the latest exit polls are to be believed.

According to the Today's Chanakya exit poll, the NDA is set to emerge with a 44 per cent vote share (with a margin for error of plus/minus 3 per cent), as compared to the Mahagathbandhan at 38 per cent (with a margin for error of plus/minus 3 per cent)a difference of about 6 per cent vote share. Other parties are expected to receive a roughly 18 per cent vote share.

The NDA is expected to get 160 seats (with a margin for error of plus/minus 12 seats), while the grand alliance is forecast to get 77 seats (with a margin for error of plus/minus 12 seats).

This is not far off from an earlier Polstrat opinion poll, based on a sample size of 8.42 lakh respondents, which claimed that the NDA would emerge with a 44.80 per cent vote share, as compared to the Mahagathbandhan at 38.60 per centa difference of a 6.2 per cent vote share. This poll also predicted that the NDA would get 133-142 seats, while the Mahagathbandhan would get 80-88 seats.

Polstrat Bihar Exit Poll: Alliance and Party Seat Share Projections pic.twitter.com/7S21kjflcJ  IANS (@ians_india) November 11, 2025

Another exit poll by Axis My India, however, narrowed the gap between the two alliances, claiming that the NDA would get a 43 per cent vote share (with a margin for error of plus/minus 2 per cent), while the grand alliance would get a close 41 per cent (with the same margin for error).

This would translate into 121-141 seats for the NDA, and 98-118 seats for its main rival. This exit poll also goes on to predict that the RJD would emerge as the single-largest party when the results are out.

Other exit polls, such as the People's Insight and DVC Research Polls Survey, show similar figures133-148 and 137-152 seats (respectively) for the NDA ; 87-102 and 83-98 seats (respectively) for the grand alliance.

The results of the Assembly elections in Bihar will be announced on Friday, following two phases of voting on November 6 and 11.
No longer is it about a few militants dressed in camouflage, armed to the teeth with automatics and assault guns, operating from hideouts in the hills and mountains of Kashmir, rich with their experience and training from battlegrounds in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and thoroughly indoctrinated in radical religious ideology.

The new age harbingers of terror, with their primary aim of transitioning Kashmir from a Dar al-Harb (or land of war) to a Dar al-Islam (land of Islam) is about a new breed of radicals who are well-educated, with professional degrees, urban, and articulate.

The November 10 explosion just near the Red Fort Metro Station gate in Delhi is an underlining of this fact, with new-age terrorists bent on creating mayhem and killing as many innocent persons as they indulge in a blood-letting spree.

As investigations proceed, the jury is still out on whether the blast was an intentional act or the bomb material exploded accidentally while being ferried in utter panic, as key members of the terror module had already been nabbed.

The terror module that was instrumental in the explosion had, over the last two years, meticulously accumulated a huge amount of explosive material in the form of ammonium nitrate and RDX and stored them in rented houses in Faridabad, a city very close to the national capital.

At the heart of the operations and planning of this module was a group of doctors who were obviously sufficiently well-to-do.

There has been another significant departure from earlier terror operations. The AOR (Area of Operation) of terror modules are shifting from Kashmir to outside the state with plans to mount attacks on a pan-India basis.

The government has also adopted a cautious approach, unlike in the past when Pakistan was named and shamed as the foreign hand behind such acts.

On November 12, the Union cabinet released a carefully worded announcement. It called the event a terror incident through a car explosion and not a terror attack and a bomb blast.

Pointing fingers directly at Pakistan would obviously require a follow-up action by the Indian forces, perhaps on the lines of Operation Sindoor, something that would be telling on the country at this point of time with the economy being at a sensitive stage even as tariff talks continue with the United States.
Even as the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has launched a full-scale probe into the November 10 car blast in Delhis Red Fort area, a high alert has been sounded in Tamil Nadus Coimbatore, given the citys past brushes with ISIS-inspired operatives.

According to reports, the Coimbatore Police have approached the NIA and the Intelligence Bureau (IB) to verify if any of the suspects in the Faridabad terror module, believed to be behind the car blast, had visited the city earlier.

The move was prompted by patterns observed in the previous terror incidents. In October 2022, Jamesha Mumbeen, a self-radicalised ISIS sympathiser, acted as a suicide bomber when a car exploded near the Kottai Sangameswarar temple in the city. The NIA has arrested 17 suspects in connection with the incident, though the agency termed it a lone wolf attack.

The security concerns deepened further after the Mangaluru cooker bomb blast in November 2022. During the investigation, it was revealed that the prime accused, Mohammed Shariq, had visited Coimbatore and several other places in Tamil Nadu before carrying out the attack.

We have approached the NIA and the IB to get the details of suspects in the New Delhi car blast, to ascertain whether they had visited Coimbatore earlier. Since similar incidents in the past have shown links to Tamil Nadu, we are taking no chances, an officer told IANS news agency.

According to officials, over 140 people suspected of being radicalised are under close monitoring by the city police. The officials are also scanning social media pages for extremist content.

The police teams have also begun the process of identifying and removing unclaimed cars and long-abandoned vehicles parked across the city to ward off potential threats.

The Delhi car blast took place hours after the Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana Police busted a Faridabad-based terror module and seized around 3,000 kilograms of ammonium nitrate, potassium chlorate and sulphur. Eight people, including three medical professionals, have been arrested in the case.
The investigators probing the car blast in Delhi have confirmed that the driver of the explosive-laden vehicle was Dr Umar Un Nabi, a senior doctor at Al Falah University and a suspect in the Faridabad terror module.

The probe team confirmed the identity after the DNA samples collected from the blast site matched with Dr Umars mother and brother.

The sleuths had earlier detained his mother and two brothers in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir for questioning and DNA sample collection.

The slow-moving Hyundai i20 car exploded near the Red Fort at 6.52 pm on Monday, killing 12 people and injuring over 20 others.

Initial investigation based on CCTV visuals indicated that Dr Umar had parked the vehicle at the Sunehri Masjid parking lot around 3.19 pm. He later went to a mosque on Asaf Ali Road, close to Ramleela Maidan, where he allegedly stayed for nearly three hours and offered namaz.

The blast came hours after the Jammu and Kashmir Police, with the help of their Haryana counterparts, busted a terror module based in Faridabad and arrested eight people, including three doctors.

Around 3,000 kilograms of ammonium nitrate, potassium chlorate and sulphur were also seized in the raids.

Investigators believe that the explosion in Delhi was triggered in panic and desperation as police continued raids and searches to nab suspects who were part of the module.

'A terror incident'

The government on Wednesday termed the blast as a "heinous terror incident" and directed investigating agencies to deal with the case with "utmost urgency and professionalism".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who returned from Bhutan, visited the survivors at Delhi's LNJP hospital.

"Went to LNJP Hospital and met those injured during the blast in Delhi. Praying for everyone's quick recovery. Those behind the conspiracy will be brought to justice!" Modi said in a post on X.
Dr Umar Un Nabi, the suicide bomber who executed the blast in the white Hyundai i20 car outside Red Fort on Monday evening, had been communicating with someone based in Turkey, codenamed Ukasa. Dr Umar had also visited Ankara and stayed there for two weeks, according to the initial investigation.

The handler was the primary link between the Faridabad-based module and the handlers of the Jaish-e-Muhammed (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH), according to the Times of India.

Officers had earlier confirmed that Dr Muzammil Shakeel Ganaie, one of the doctors arrested, had accompanied Dr Umar Un Nabi to Turkey in 2022. The duo didnt attend the medical conference, but rather to meet the JeM handlers. The investigators have received data that confirms this from Dr Muzammils phone.

Police believe it was Ukasa who guided Dr Umar and Dr Muzammil on how to establish a covert cell and avoid digital footprints. Their conversations had initially started on Telegram and later shifted to encrypted apps like Signal and Session, an officer told TOI.

The Turkish handler is also said to have played a key role in shaping the module's plan to carry out a series of terrorist attacks in India. They even bought three cars, including an i20, for the operation. Of the other two, the red EcoSport is in police custody. The Maruti Brezza is still missing.

More details

Further investigation also revealed that Dr. Umar created a group on the Signal app before the blast and added four people to it. Dr. Muzammil, Dr. Adeel, Dr Umar, and Dr Shaheen had collected approximately Rs 20 lakh rupees in cash. This money was handed over to Umar. They subsequently purchased over 20 quintals of NPK fertilizer worth Rs 3 lakh rupees from Gurugram, Nuh, and surrounding areas to prepare the IED. There are also reports of a financial dispute between Dr. Umar and Dr. Muzammil.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the car blast that took place near Delhis Red Fort on November 10 was clearly a terrorist attack and praised Indias professionalism in handling the investigation.

Rubio said he had spoken to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar about the incident during their meeting in Niagara, Canada, on the sidelines of the G7 Foreign Ministers Meet.

"The Indians need to be commended. They've been very measured, cautious and very professional in how they're carrying out this investigation. That investigation continues. It clearly was a terrorist attack. It was a car loaded with highly explosive materials that detonated and killed a lot of people, Rubio said.

VIDEO | Canada: On Delhi blast, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says, "We're aware of the potential that holds, but I think the Indians need to be commended. They've been very measured, cautious, and professional in how they're carrying out this ongoing investigation. It was pic.twitter.com/2smL0OkEf6  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 13, 2025

His statement came a day after the Indian government officially declared the blast a "heinous terror incident" and directed investigating agencies to deal with the case with "utmost urgency and professionalism".

Rubio said the US has offered help, though India is very capable of handling the investigation.

"We are aware of the potential it has, and we spoke a little about it today- the potential it has to become something broader. We are waiting to see what the investigation reveals. We have offered to help, but I think they are very capable of these investigations. They don't need our help, and they are doing a good job," he said.

The blast occurred on November 10 when a slow-moving Hyundai i20 car exploded at a traffic signal near the historic Red Fort in Delhi. Police have confirmed that the man behind the wheel was Dr Umar Un Nabi, a senior doctor at Al Falah University and a suspect in the Faridabad terror module.
Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, on Thursday, clarified that the 42 crore stamp duty notice issued by the Registration and Stamps Department in the Koregaon Park land transaction case is absolutely correct and in complete accordance with the rules.

Addressing the media, Bawankule said, I had announced yesterday that I would personally examine the matter. After detailed examination, it has been found that the Registration and Stamps Department has thoroughly investigated the transaction and taken appropriate action.

He explained that the original transaction was shown at 300 crore, on which 21 crore as stamp duty was already levied. Since the transaction pertains to government land and is technically invalid, it will have to be cancelled through reconveyance. As per the provisions of the Stamp Act, an additional 21 crore stamp duty will be payable during reconveyance, making the total stamp duty liability 42 crore.

The revenue minister avoided naming Parth Pawar or Ajit Pawar and that Parth was involved in the deal despite not being named in the FIR.

This transaction is technically wrong because government land was sold without authorisation, rendering it a bogus transaction. The land will have to be reverted to the government. However, stamp duty is mandatorily chargeable on the value shown in the transaction document as per the Indian Stamp Act. The amount declared in the document is what matters, not the title, the minister said, quoting the clarification provided by the Inspector General of Registration and Stamps.

Bawankule emphasised that the notice issued by the department is fully compliant with the law. He further informed that a committee is currently preparing a detailed report on the entire transaction, and the final decision will be taken after receipt of the committees report.
The internal conflicts within the states triple-engine government have reached their peak, but all these leaders remain united for the sake of power, said Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Harshavardhan Sapkal on Thursday.

They share a common agenda  to do anything and go to any extent to stay in power. Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister and leader of the Nationalist Congress Party, is completely subservient to power and cannot live without it. Hence, theres no question of him stepping out of the government, he said while speaking to media after a two-day meeting of the State Election Board of the Congress held at Tilak Bhavan.

Among those present were Legislature Party Leader Vijay Wadettiwar, Legislative Council Group Leader Satej alias Bunty Patil, Co-In-Charge B.M. Sandeep, Congress Working Committee member and former minister Naseem Khan, State Vice Presidents Mohan Joshi and Wajahat Mirza, State General Secretary (Organisation & Administration) Adv. Ganesh Patil, Siddharth Hattiambire, Sachin Naik, and others.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Congress State President Sapkal said that during the two-day session of the State Election Board, the process of finalising candidates for the municipal and town council elections was completed. Candidates were decided after discussions with local leadership. The political equations differ from district to district, and alliances have been formed locally with like-minded parties. In some districts, alliances have been made with Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, Shetkari Kamgar Paksha (Peasants and Workers Party), Shetkari Sanghatana, and Rashtriya Samaj Paksha. However, no district has proposed an alliance with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), Sapkal stated, ruling out any chances of alliance with Raj Thackeray and his MNS.

On Thursday, Junaid Khan, Maharashtra State General Secretary of the BJP Minority Front and a staunch supporter of Chandrapur BJP MLA Bunty Bhangdia, joined the Congress along with his colleagues in the presence of Congress State President Harshavardhan Sapkal and Legislature Party Leader Vijay Wadettiwar. Sapkal welcomed all the new entrants into the party.

He added, A sense of betrayal is growing among office-bearers across all three parties of the Mahayuti alliance. In the days ahead, many key leaders from the ruling parties will join the Congress.

In other news, Dr Satyendra Bhusari, former President of Chikhli Taluka Congress in Buldhana district, passed away tragically in an accident on Wednesday. At the beginning of Thursday's State Election Board meeting, the attendants observed a moment of silence to pay heartfelt tribute to him.
Al-Falah University, which is under scrutiny in connection with the Delhi blast probe as three doctors arrested in connection with the "white-collar terror module" were linked to the university, appears to be in further trouble as the founder and managing trustee of the university, Javed Ahmed Siddiqui, seems to have a criminal past.

According to media reports, a parallel investigation into the Delhi Red Fort blast is also looking into an old criminal case for which Siddiqui and one of his associates faced a three-year prison term. An NDTV report said they were accused in a 7.5 crore fraud case.

Siddiqui is linked to as many as nine firms, all of which have connections to Al-Falah Charitable Trust, which oversees the functioning of the university.

Siddiqui was accused of coming up with fake investment firms and urging people to deposit money in the Al-Falah group of firms. The funds gathered from people, amounting to 7.5 crore, were diverted to the personal accounts of the accused.

He was arrested in 2001 in connection with the case. Delhi High Court rejected his bail plea in 2003. He finally managed to secure bail in 2004 after he agreed to refund people whom he had cheated.

NAAC show-cause notice

Meanwhile, National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) has issued a show-cause notice to Al-Falah University for misleading the people with false accreditation details.

In the show-cause notice, NAAC said it has noted that Al-Falah University, "which is neither accredited nor applied for accreditation by NAAC", has publicly displayed on its website that "Al-Falah University is an endeavour of Al-Falah Charitable Trust, which has been running three colleges on the campus, namely Al Falah School of Engineering and Technology (since 1997, Graded A by NAAC), Brown Hill College of Engineering and Technology (since 2008), and Al-Falah School of Education and Training (since 2006, Graded A by NAAC)."

"This is absolutely wrong and misleading the public, especially the parents, students and stakeholders," read the show-cause notice.

Demanding an explanation from the university, NAAC directed it to remove the accreditation details from its website and any other publicly available or distributed documents.

AIU suspends university's membership

In another setback, the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) on Thursday suspended membership of Al Falah University, saying it "does not appear to be in good standing."

A registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, the AIU offers a forum for administrators and academicians of member universities to exchange views and discuss matters of common concern.

AIU Secretary General Pankaj Mittal, said, "It is intimated that, as per the bye-laws of the AIU, all universities shall be treated as members as long as they remain in good standing. However, it has come to notice that Al Falah University does not appear to be in good standing. Accordingly, the membership of AIU accorded to Al Falah University stands suspended with immediate effect."

According to PTI, she said, Al Falah University is not authorised to use the name or logo of AIU in any of its activities, and the AIU logo must be removed from the university's official website.
The Congress appeared to be going after the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) with a vengeance. The party alleged on Thursday that the RSS has engaged one of Pakistans official lobbying arms to espouse its interests in the US and claimed that this is not the first time that the organisation betrayed "national interest."

Congress General Secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said days earlier that Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat acknowledged that the Sangh isnt a registered organisation and that it does not pay taxes.

"Now, we learn that the RSS has spent a significant amount of money to engage one of Pakistans official lobbying arms - the American law firm Squire Patton Boggs (SPB) - to espouse its interests in the US," Ramesh said in a tweet.

Days earlier, during an internal interaction, the Sarsanghchalak had reportedly asked, "RSS was established in 1925, so do you expect us to have registered with the British government?"

We are categorised as a body of individuals, and we are a recognised organisation. The income tax department asked us to pay income tax, and there was litigation. The court said, this is a body of individuals and our guru dakshina was exempted from the income tax, The New Indian Express quoted him as saying.

Ramesh also shared a screenshot on X showing US Senate lobbying disclosures, which showed that the Squire Patton Boggs had registered as a lobbyist for the RSS.

The Congress claimed that the RSS opposed M.K. Gandhi and Dr. Ambedkar.

"This is hardly the first time that the RSSwith its long tradition of betraying the freedom movement, opposing Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Ambedkar, and attacking the Constitution and the national flag of Indiahas betrayed national interest. It is a pseudo-nationalist outfit," Ramesh said in the tweet.

Earlier, following the remarks by the Sarsanghchalak, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh demanded an apology from him, for insulting the followers of the Sanatan Dharma by comparing the non-registration of the Sangh to the non-registration of Hinduism. "By comparing the RSS's non-registration to (that of) Hinduism, you have insulted millions of Sanatan Dharma followers. I strongly condemn this statement," the Congress leader said.

If the RSS is exempt from paying income tax, Bhagwat should produce the order granting the exemption, he demanded.

The RSS lacks faith in the country's constitutional system and the Constitution, hence Bhagwat was concocting excuses for the Sangh not being registered, Singh claimed.

A win for RSS in Karnataka

Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court on Thursday disposed of a petition filed by the convenor of RSS in Kalaburagi, seeking permission to hold a route march in Chittapur town. The court granted permission for the march on November 16 with 300 participants and a band.

The issue began when authorities in Chittapur, the home constituency of Minister Priyank Kharge, denied permission for the RSS route march on October 19, citing the possibility of disruption of peace and law and order.

The authorities had then cited that the Bhim Army and other organisations has also informed, through a letter, that they too will conduct a route march on the same route on the same day. The authorities were further asked to consider the application and submit the report to the court.

With PTI inputs
With hours left for counting in the Bihar Assembly Elections, exit polls have predicted a clean sweep for the JD(U)-led NDA. The excitement is palpable in the NDA camp, though exit polls, time and again, have proved wrong in Bihar.

But one survey has predicted disappointing news for Nitish Kumar. According to Vote Vibe, RJD chief Tejashwi Yadav is the most preferred candidate for the post of Chief Minister. Chief Minister and JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar has only come second to Yadav.

According to reports, around 35 percent of voters want Tejashwi Yadav as Chief Minister, while Nitish Kumar has received 33 percent of the vote. Jan Suraaj Party leader Prashant Kishor has the support of around 9 percent of voters. This clearly shows that the people of Bihar are still divided between Tejashwi and Nitish and the outcome to go both ways.

However, Nitish on Thursday paid a visit to various religious sites on Wednesday to offer prayers before the election results. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, along with his close associates Vijay Chaudhary and Ashok Chaudhary, is visiting religious places, including temples and Gurudwaras.

He first visited the famous Mahavir Temple near Patna Junction, before offering prayers for Bajrangbali. He also garlanded the statue of Kishore Kunal before offering prayers at the Mahavir Temple. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also visited the Patna Sahib Gurudwara.

Nitishs gesture is seen by many as a political message about brotherhood. Though he did not interact with the media, his public gesture indicates that he is ready to assume the post of Chief Minister again. Many also view this as a message to other communities that he would be their leader too.

Meanwhile, a poster highlighting Nitish Kumar with the caption "Tiger Zinda Hai" is displayed outside the Janata Dal United office, dedicated by former minister Ranjit Sinha. The poster describes him as the protector of all marginalized communities. It also reflects the party workers' desire to see Nitish Kumar become the Chief Minister of Bihar for the fourth time.
The Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress have been out of power in Bihar for around two decades except a few patchy years when Nitish Kumar deserted his NDA partner BJP twice, first in 2013 when JDU quit the alliance over disagreement with Narendra Modis prime-ministerial face and secondly in 2022, again joining the Mahagathbandhan after which Lalu Yadavs son Tejashwi was given the second most position of deputy chief minister in the cabinet led by Nitish.

The RJD may be the longest serving opposition party in the current times which has been pinning hopes on the Muslim-Yadav vote bank, which is more than 30 per cent of the total population. Although a few years in the government gave the RJD some buoyancy to keep its cadre rejuvenated and hopeful, being out of power for most of the time has caused desperation among supporters. The 2025 assembly election of Bihar is seen to be a decisive point for many of its leaders who have been waiting to form government. Therefore, if the exit polls hold true, which show the NDA will come back with majority, it could create churn within the RJD where some of its leaders could be looking for greener pastures, rocking Tejashwis ship.

VIDEO | Bihar Elections 2025: RJD leader and Mahagathbandhan CM face Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) holds a press conference in Patna ahead of poll results tomorrow.



He says, We are all confident that we will form a government with a clear majority. People have voted for a pic.twitter.com/ZRrIcc0N4u  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 13, 2025

Moreover, the RJD has faced financial issues during its elaborate campaigns against the gigantic election machinery of the BJP-JDU combine. And without coming into power, it will have no access to the funds and cannot further its political outreach. This could also create resentment among its traditional vote bank. Mukesh Yadav from Vaishali district says, We have voted for the RJD in all the assembly elections. If it has not been able to come into power, it is the party's problem.

The Congress could also be on the edge if Mahagathbandhan loses the elections, as there has been a huge influx of inexperienced youngsters joining the party compared to earlier. Senior leaders are also wary about the speed of transition from old leaders to younger ones as it could upset the future balance while out of power. A political analyst said, Young leaders are restless and more ambitious, when they get positions early they want to jump to more elevated places which in opposition disturbs the rhythm of the party. Therefore, probability wise, there are higher chances of losing ground than progressing in a state where your own alliance partner has a consistent eye on you and doesn't want you to grow.

However, Congress and RJD leaders believe that there has been a churn within the economically backward classes and they may have voted for the party. Yet other leaders are skeptical that the alliance did not do enough to attract the section. It should be noted that the INDIA bloc, during its campaigns, carried Mukesh Sahani, the chief of economically backward caste-based party Vikas Sheel Insaan (VIP) Party everywhere to project him as the face of the segment.

An RJD leader says, The party is hopeful that Mahagathbandhan will come into power this time. Because youth have been vocal about the regime-change and the vote percentage has increased by around 20 per cent. So there must be more than one factor driving these people out of homes to cast votes. One is the Rs 10,000 cash transfer done by the NDA; another is the youth wants a change in the government; and the third is that voters have understood the value of votes and the fourth is online aggression towards the election being created by Prashant Kishor. While there could be many more, these are the driving factors.
A coalition led by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani emerged as the winner in Iraq's parliamentary election, marking a regime continuation. The Independent High Electoral Commission said on Wednesday that his coalition received 1.317 million votes in Tuesday's election. He won 370,000 more than the next closest competitor.

Al-Sudani, a prominent Iraqi politician who became Prime Minister in 2022, heads the coalition of seven political forces, including Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) chairman Faleh al-Fayyad; Minister of Labour Ahmed al-Asadi; and Karbala Governor Nassif al-Khattabi. The coalition also includes influential tribal leaders (sheikhs) and some 53 incumbent MPs.

Though al-Sudani hailed the voter turnout of 56 per cent as evidence of his success, analysts say the voters were disillusioned and saw the elections as a vehicle for established parties to divide Iraqs oil wealth. There was also a widespread boycott of the election in areas like Baghdad and Najaf, following a call by populist Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr.

His coalition, too, is facing challenges, but al-Sudani appeared confident. He stressed his decision to begin negotiations to form a strong government following his coalitions lead in the elections. He stated: We will consider the interests of everyone, including those who chose to boycott the elections, because Iraq belongs to everyone and will remain for everyone.

The coalition is currently in a week form, as allegations have surfaced that Parliamentary seats become bargaining chips in the formation of the government. The coalition partners may claim that, will likely leverage the prime ministers current power to further their own popularity and grab lucrative deals. None of the political factions or movements over the past 20 years have been able to gain a total majority  that allows one bloc to choose a prime minister, so at the end, this is going to lead to rounds of negotiations and bargaining among political factions, according to Al Jazeera.

There are other geopolitical implications, with Iran and the US vying for influence in the country since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq toppled the dictator Saddam Hussein. Though the countrys politics have been dominated by its Shiite Muslim majority, and many of its parties are close to Iran, Washington now has the upper hand. It is said that the Trump administration will not accept leaders in the next government who are close to Iran.
In recent weeks, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have escalated its military operations in southern Lebanon, executing frequent aerial surveillance and targeted strikes against infrastructure affiliated with Hezbollah. Reportedly, Israels military actions take place in response to Hezbollahs concerted efforts to reconstitute its operational readiness, encompassing the resupply of munitions, the recruitment of additional personnel, and the restoration of damaged military installations.

This development highlights Hezbollahs continued ability to adapt and maintain its effectiveness, reinforcing its role as the dominant non-state power in Lebanon. At the same time, it reveals the Lebanese governments continuing weakness in exercising authority over Hezbollahs armed operations or upholding its exclusive right to use force, a clear sign of deeper problems in the countrys sovereignty and territorial control.

The Lebanese Armed Forces' (LAF) disarmament plan, unveiled with much fanfare by state authorities in September, appears to be rapidly stalling. This lack of materialisation, however, is hardly a surprise. The Lebanese state has a well-worn history of failing to dismantle Hezbollah's operational capabilities, and the organisation itself has successfully rebuffed similar disarmament efforts in the past.

However, this time, there appears to be a fundamental shift in Hezbollahs approach to sustain and bolster its resources, with much of it centred on logistical ingenuity and external supply lines. The first is the porous, mountainous Syria-Lebanon border, which remains a critical security vacuum. The collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria disrupted Hezbollahs traditional overland supply routes but also compelled the organisation to adapt its logistical strategies. Following Bashar al-Assads ouster, evidence from multiple weapons interceptions in Syria between early 2025 and August 2025 indicates that Hezbollahs procurement and supply networks continue to operate effectively despite these challenges. In early 2025, Syrias new administration seized a shipment near Serghaya (in the countryside).

This was followed by heightened activity in rural Homs near al-Qusayr, a key mountainous border area where the Internal Security Directorate reported foiling multiple significant smuggling efforts. Specifically, Kornet guided missiles intended for Lebanon were intercepted on 5 June, and another operation involving advanced weapons and guided missiles was stopped on June 24. This consistent pattern culminated on 18 August, with the interception of a truck loaded with Grad rockets attempting to cross via an unofficial route.

Meanwhile, the transfer of munitions through coastal routes from Syria to Lebanon also remains a plausible logistical pathway. This renewed smuggling activity gains further context from a Syrian investigative committee report published in July of this year, which revealed external funding channelled to loyalist groups associated with the former regime. This ongoing financial and operational support strongly indicates the continued operation of supply corridors for Hezbollah extending through Syria. These events collectively demonstrate Hezbollah's persistent effort to reconstitute its operational readiness by securing high-value munitions, despite the changed Syrian political landscape and increased interception efforts. While the transitional authorities in Damascus have repeatedly vowed to sever Hezbollahs reliance on Syria, little seems to be in action.

Hezbollahs current operational quietude should not be misinterpreted as a sign of incapacity, but rather as a strategic effort to buy time for reconstitution. The group's operational capabilities can be inferred to be highly resilient and adaptable, a strength derived from deep Iranian sponsorship, a shift towards greater operational covertness, and the effective use of civilian infrastructure. A Special Report, Hezbollahs Rehabilitation Composite in Lebanon, published on October 28 by Tal Beeri of the Alma Research and Education Centre, suggests that a core component of this rehabilitation is the accelerated development of indigenous weapons production and repair. This covers both the mass production of simple weapons and the specialised capability for advanced or precision munitions. The report further notes that the military and civilian rehabilitation efforts are intertwined, with civilian economic infrastructures serving as both the base and cover for military rearmament.

Mohammed Shoaib Raza

These dynamics underscore the futility of disarmament-only approaches. Instead of focusing on a repeatedly failing disarmament plan that Hezbollah has successfully rebuffed, the Lebanese authorities (LAF and relevant security agencies) could prioritise an indirect and structural approach aimed at cutting off Hezbollah's operational lifeline and reconstituting its capabilities. The Lebanese army might rapidly expand deployments along the uncontrolled sections of the border, prioritising patrols, checkpoints, and surveillance on both known and suspected transit corridors. Intelligence priorities must shift from broad disarmament campaigns to discreet collection and targeted action to locate, map, and dismantle local weapons production and repair sites, including small workshops, logistics hubs, and other hidden locations.

US Special Envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack, has warned that if Lebanon fails to take concrete steps towards Hezbollahs disarmament, Israel may act unilaterally, which would carry grave consequences for the region. At this critical juncture, when Lebanon continues to grapple with political volatility, economic collapse, and increased emigration, it cannot afford to face further Israeli military responses over Hezbollah, which would obliterate any remaining hope of stability in the country because the real tragedy unfolding is not merely the prospect of war, but the structural destruction of the Lebanese Republic from within.

Mohammed Shoaib Raza is a doctoral candidate at the Centre for West Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
Gas-based pocket lighters and water bottles were being confiscated in plenty after authorities tightened security checks of Dhaka Metro passengers on Thursday morning.

The security at every metro station has been beefed up, and Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited's (DMTCL) Managing Director (MD) Faruk Ahmed was personally leading inspections to see if the tightened security measures were being followed, Bangladeshi media reported.

The backpacks and other belongings of passengers were being thoroughly checked across metro stations, with even water bottles being asked to be left behind to ensure "public security," Prothom Alo said in a report. Photos shared on X showed piles of pocket lighters at stations after being confiscated from passengers.

The security procedures were increased to ensure no untoward incident happens ahead of the announcement of the verdict date of a case of crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). The accused in the case include ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, and former IGP (Inspector General of Police) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun (Approver or Rajsakshi). The tribunal has set Monday as the date for the verdict in the case.

17 buses have been set on fire across the country in the wake of the Awami League's online 'lockdown', Prothom Alo said, adding that 16 of the incidents occurred in Dhaka and its surrounding areas. It is likely that the security personnel are taking no chances with inflammable substances and liquid containers inside the metro trains.

Bangladesh to hold refrendum

Bangladesh will hold a national referendum on implementing its 'July Charter' for state reform, drafted after last year's deadly student-led uprising, Muhammad Yunus, the head of the country's interim government, said on Thursday.He also reiterated that parliamentary elections will be held in February and that they would be free and fair.The July Charter seeks to reshape the country's politics and institutions and give constitutional recognition to the 2024 uprising that forced Sheikh Hasina, a long-time prime minister, to flee to India.
Rumours of a fallout between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov are doing the rounds in the Kremlin, after the latters name was omitted from Moscows delegation at an upcoming summit of the Group of 20 in South Africa.

An order signed by Putin on Tuesday appointed the deputy head of the countrys presidential administration, Maxim Oreshkin, to lead Moscows delegation at an upcoming summit of the Group of 20 in South Africa on Nov. 22-23. The delegation will also include Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandr Pankin, Deputy Finance Minister Ivan Chebeskov, and Russia's G20 Sherpa Svetlana Lukash.

While the absence of Lavrov at an event attended by US President Donald Trump was deemed conspicuous, the minister also failed to appear at a Russian-Kazakh meeting between Putin and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, which took place in the Kremlin. This triggered speculations that all is not well between Putin and Lavrov, with some Ukrainian media citing that it has something to do with the collapse of the Budapest summit.

A Financial Times report too had cited that the US cancelled its summit with Russia in Hungary following Lavrov's conversation with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on October 20.

Russian journalist Farida Rustamova drew attention to this on her Telegram channel. According to her, Lavrov had never previously missed negotiations of this level. "Lavrov's absence from today's talks between the two presidents seems very strange," Rustamova wrote.

She clarified that all key members of the Russian government, except the Foreign Minister, were present at the meeting. However, the Foreign Ministry did not report any other events involving Lavrov. "Perhaps it's due to health issues. But they didn't prevent Lavrov from giving a press conference yesterdayalbeit via video link, only for state media," the journalist added.

There were also reports that Lavrov has fallen out of favor after the collapse of negotiations with the United States, for the first time in decades. He has been suspended from key meetings and delegations as a public demonstration of his political decline.

However, former KGB and Russian Foreign Intelligence Service officer Sergei Zhirnov told Channel 24 that Lavrov has not been dismissed. And there is no conflict between him and Putin. He added that Putin didnt want to go to Budapest, and the decision has nothing to do with Lavrov.

Putin was afraid to go there. We've spoken more than once about his paranoia and fear of flying to NATO countries. He was afraid to fly to Erdogan. And Lavrov is Putin's loyal soldier, who doesn't have an independent position, Zhirnov noted.

Zhirnov added that Putin doesn't punish his allies. On October 5, 2022, Nikolai Patrushev, secretary of the Crimean Security Council, held a meeting in Crimea on the security of the occupied peninsula and southern Russia. Three days later, an explosion occurred on the Crimean Bridge. But the dictator punished no one, he said.
Seabridge Gold (NYSE:SA  Get Free Report) (TSE:SEA) posted its earnings results on Wednesday. The basic materials company reported ($0.23) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.03) by ($0.20), Zacks reports.

Seabridge Gold Stock Up 4.3%

SA stock traded up $1.03 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $25.01. The stock had a trading volume of 910,404 shares, compared to its average volume of 984,035. Seabridge Gold has a 1-year low of $9.40 and a 1-year high of $29.31. The company has a fifty day moving average of $22.57 and a 200 day moving average of $17.43. The company has a current ratio of 4.24, a quick ratio of 4.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -65.82 and a beta of 0.77.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Seabridge Gold by 1,867.5% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 1,296,919 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $31,284,000 after purchasing an additional 1,231,002 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its position in Seabridge Gold by 26.0% in the third quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 547,132 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $13,211,000 after acquiring an additional 112,797 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLP boosted its stake in shares of Seabridge Gold by 11.4% in the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 541,886 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $7,868,000 after purchasing an additional 55,262 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE grew its holdings in shares of Seabridge Gold by 6.6% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 309,649 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $4,496,000 after purchasing an additional 19,179 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sei Investments Co. grew its holdings in shares of Seabridge Gold by 121.4% in the 2nd quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 251,705 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $3,655,000 after purchasing an additional 138,012 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 34.85% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently weighed in on SA shares. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Seabridge Gold to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 16th. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d+) rating on shares of Seabridge Gold in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Seabridge Gold from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, September 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Seabridge Gold has a consensus rating of Reduce.

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Seabridge Gold Company Profile

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Seabridge Gold Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition and exploration of gold properties in North America. The company also explores for gold, copper, silver, and molybdenum deposits. The company was formerly known as Seabridge Resources Inc and changed its name to Seabridge Gold Inc in June 2002.

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AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T  Get Free Report) rose 1.8% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $25.73 and last traded at $25.6350. Approximately 44,064,941 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 10% from the average daily volume of 39,919,578 shares. The stock had previously closed at $25.18.

Analyst Ratings Changes

T has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. HSBC downgraded AT&T from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $30.00 price target for the company. in a report on Thursday, July 24th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of AT&T in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Scotiabank set a $30.25 target price on shares of AT&T and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Monday, October 6th. Citigroup reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of AT&T in a report on Tuesday, August 26th. Finally, KeyCorp upgraded shares of AT&T from a sector weight rating to an overweight rating and set a $30.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Tuesday. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have given a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $30.64.

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AT&T Stock Up 1.8%

The company has a quick ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.01. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $26.97 and its 200 day simple moving average is $27.60. The company has a market cap of $181.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.32, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.16 and a beta of 0.40.

AT&T (NYSE:T  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The technology company reported $0.54 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.54. The firm had revenue of $30.71 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $30.85 billion. AT&T had a return on equity of 12.72% and a net margin of 17.87%.The firms revenue was up 1.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.60 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that AT&T Inc. will post 2.14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

AT&T Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 3rd. Investors of record on Friday, October 10th were issued a $0.2775 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 10th. This represents a $1.11 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.3%. AT&Ts dividend payout ratio is presently 36.04%.

Institutional Trading of AT&T

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Denali Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of AT&T by 5.9% during the second quarter. Denali Advisors LLC now owns 401,037 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $11,606,000 after buying an additional 22,394 shares in the last quarter. Tredje AP fonden boosted its position in AT&T by 1.8% during the 2nd quarter. Tredje AP fonden now owns 1,221,395 shares of the technology companys stock worth $35,347,000 after acquiring an additional 21,720 shares during the period. CHURCHILL MANAGEMENT Corp grew its stake in AT&T by 1.5% during the 2nd quarter. CHURCHILL MANAGEMENT Corp now owns 324,104 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $9,380,000 after acquiring an additional 4,793 shares in the last quarter. Kickstand Ventures LLC. acquired a new position in shares of AT&T in the 2nd quarter valued at about $489,000. Finally, Sentry Investment Management LLC lifted its position in shares of AT&T by 153.2% in the second quarter. Sentry Investment Management LLC now owns 22,095 shares of the technology companys stock worth $625,000 after purchasing an additional 13,370 shares in the last quarter. 57.10% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

AT&T Company Profile

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AT&T, Inc is a holding company, which engages in the provision of telecommunications and technology services. It operates through the Communications and Latin America segments. The Communications segment offers wireless, wireline telecom, and broadband services to businesses and consumers located in the US and businesses globally.

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As the United Kingdom's FTSE 100 index faces pressure from weak trade data out of China, investors are keenly observing the market for opportunities amidst global economic uncertainties. In such conditions, identifying stocks that might be trading below their estimated value can offer potential for growth, as these equities may provide a cushion against broader market volatility and present attractive entry points for those looking to capitalize on undervaluation.

Top 10 Undervalued Stocks Based On Cash Flows In The United Kingdom

Name Current Price Fair Value (Est) Discount (Est) Pan African Resources (LSE:PAF) 0.956 1.83 47.8% PageGroup (LSE:PAGE) 2.41 4.34 44.5% Norcros (LSE:NXR) 2.89 5.36 46% Likewise Group (AIM:LIKE) 0.275 0.50 45.1% Fintel (AIM:FNTL) 2.12 3.81 44.3% Fevertree Drinks (AIM:FEVR) 8.45 16.06 47.4% Begbies Traynor Group (AIM:BEG) 1.13 2.20 48.6% Barratt Redrow (LSE:BTRW) 3.932 7.42 47% Airtel Africa (LSE:AAF) 3.124 5.86 46.7% Advanced Medical Solutions Group (AIM:AMS) 2.16 4.17 48.1%

Click here to see the full list of 52 stocks from our Undervalued UK Stocks Based On Cash Flows screener.

Below we spotlight a couple of our favorites from our exclusive screener.

Overview: Fevertree Drinks PLC, with a market cap of 983.77 million, develops and sells mixer drinks across the United Kingdom, the United States, Europe, and internationally.

Operations: The company's revenue is primarily generated from its non-alcoholic beverages segment, which accounts for 339.90 million.

Estimated Discount To Fair Value: 47.4%

Fevertree Drinks is currently trading at 8.45, significantly below its estimated fair value of 16.06, suggesting it may be undervalued based on cash flows. Despite a decrease in sales to 144.3 million for the half-year ending June 2025, net income increased to 8.4 million from the previous year. The company's earnings are forecasted to grow by 21.54% annually over the next three years, outpacing the UK market's growth rate of 14.5%.

AIM:FEVR Discounted Cash Flow as at Nov 2025

Overview: AO World plc, along with its subsidiaries, operates as an online retailer specializing in domestic appliances and ancillary services in the United Kingdom and Germany, with a market capitalization of approximately 589.58 million.

Operations: The company's revenue primarily derives from its online retailing of domestic appliances and ancillary services, totaling 1.14 billion.
State Street Corporation (NYSE:STT  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high on Monday . The stock traded as high as $119.63 and last traded at $119.0050, with a volume of 570 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $118.31.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Zacks Research upgraded State Street from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price objective on shares of State Street from $132.00 to $135.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on shares of State Street from $109.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, October 6th. Bank of America lifted their target price on shares of State Street from $106.00 to $109.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 16th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of State Street in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating, three have given 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 an average target price of $125.92.

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State Street Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 0.59 and a quick ratio of 0.57. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $114.76 and a 200 day moving average price of $107.71. The stock has a market capitalization of $33.84 billion, a PE ratio of 12.82, a PEG ratio of 1.24 and a beta of 1.47.

State Street (NYSE:STT  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 17th. The asset manager reported $2.78 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.57 by $0.21. The company had revenue of $13 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.43 billion. State Street had a net margin of 13.14% and a return on equity of 13.37%. State Streets revenue was up 8.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.26 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that State Street Corporation will post 9.68 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity at State Street

In related news, EVP Michael L. Richards sold 1,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $117.24, for a total transaction of $175,860.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 38,626 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,528,512.24. This trade represents a 3.74% 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. 0.29% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Brighton Jones LLC bought a new stake in State Street in the 4th quarter worth approximately $296,000. Allworth Financial LP lifted its holdings in shares of State Street by 11.5% during the 1st quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 2,512 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $220,000 after buying an additional 259 shares during the period. Cerity Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of State Street by 16.0% in the 1st quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 74,248 shares of the asset managers stock worth $6,647,000 after buying an additional 10,249 shares during the last quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund grew its holdings in shares of State Street by 4.9% in the first quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 363,956 shares of the asset managers stock worth $32,585,000 after acquiring an additional 17,000 shares during the period. Finally, Stephens Inc. AR increased its position in State Street by 40.4% during the first quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 3,793 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $340,000 after acquiring an additional 1,092 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 87.44% of the companys stock.

State Street Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

State Street Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides a range of financial products and services to institutional investors worldwide. The company offers investment servicing products and services, including custody, accounting, regulatory reporting, investor, and performance and analytics; middle office products, such as IBOR, transaction management, loans, cash, derivatives and collateral, record keeping, and client reporting and investment analytics; finance leasing; foreign exchange, and brokerage and other trading services; securities finance and enhanced custody products; deposit and short-term investment facilities; investment manager and alternative investment manager operations outsourcing; performance, risk, and compliance analytics; and financial data management to support institutional investors.

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Shares of Airtel Africa Plc (LON:AAF  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high on Monday . The company traded as high as GBX 299.40 and last traded at GBX 299.04, with a volume of 4824387 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 295.60.

Airtel Africa Stock Performance

The company has a current ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 0.26 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 275.30. The company has a market cap of 11.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.98, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.58 and a beta of 1.04. The company has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 241.50 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 207.10.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Airtel Africa

In related news, insider Cynthia Gordon purchased 8,722 shares of Airtel Africa stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 26th. The shares were bought at an average cost of GBX 229 per share, for a total transaction of 19,973.38. Also, insider Paul Arkwright purchased 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 12th. The shares were bought at an average cost of GBX 228 per share, for a total transaction of 22,800. Company insiders own 24.89% of the companys stock.

About Airtel Africa

Airtel Africa is a leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services, with a presence in 14 countries in Africa, primarily in East Africa and Central and West Africa.

Airtel Africa offers an integrated suite of telecommunications solutions to its subscribers, including mobile voice and data services as well as mobile money services both nationally and internationally.

The Group aims to continue providing a simple and intuitive customer experience through streamlined customer journeys.

Further Reading

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Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of HF Sinclair (NYSE:DINO  Free Report) from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report released on Monday morning.

Several other research analysts have also commented on the stock. Mizuho increased their price target on shares of HF Sinclair from $60.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Wolfe Research cut shares of HF Sinclair from a peer perform rating to an underperform rating in a report on Monday, July 14th. UBS Group increased their target price on shares of HF Sinclair from $63.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 4th. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed a strong-buy rating and issued a $65.00 price target (up previously from $60.00) on shares of HF Sinclair in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on HF Sinclair from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, October 3rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $58.73.

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HF Sinclair Stock Performance

Shares of DINO stock opened at $54.23 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $9.98 billion, a P/E ratio of -117.89 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 1.82 and a quick ratio of 0.83. HF Sinclair has a fifty-two week low of $24.66 and a fifty-two week high of $56.24. The stocks 50-day moving average is $52.64 and its two-hundred day moving average is $45.15.

HF Sinclair (NYSE:DINO  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $2.44 EPS for the quarter, beating 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 business had revenue of $7.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.99 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.51 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up .6% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts predict that HF Sinclair will post 2.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

HF Sinclair Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 5th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 19th will be given a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, November 19th. HF Sinclairs payout ratio is currently 95.69%.

Institutional Trading of HF Sinclair

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Quent Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of HF Sinclair during the third quarter worth approximately $28,000. Kiker Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in HF Sinclair during the second quarter worth $32,000. Johnson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new position in HF Sinclair during the 2nd quarter valued at $33,000. West Oak Capital LLC acquired a new position in HF Sinclair during the 2nd quarter valued at $38,000. Finally, Allworth Financial LP boosted its holdings in HF Sinclair by 553.9% in the 1st quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 1,334 shares of the companys stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 1,130 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.29% of the companys stock.

About HF Sinclair

(Get 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.

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Shares of BlackRock (NYSE:BLK  Get Free Report) have earned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the twenty brokerages that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price target among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $1,303.4118.

Several research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. BNP Paribas Exane upped their target price on shares of BlackRock from $1,160.00 to $1,265.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Bank of America lifted their price target on BlackRock from $1,394.00 to $1,456.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Citigroup increased their price objective on BlackRock from $1,200.00 to $1,350.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, September 29th. UBS Group reissued a hold rating on shares of BlackRock in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their target price on BlackRock from $1,215.00 to $1,300.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, October 13th.

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Insider Buying and Selling at BlackRock

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

In other news, Director Rachel Lord sold 12,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, October 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,165.04, for a total value of $13,980,480.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 7,205 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,394,113.20. This represents a 62.48% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link . Insiders own 1.98% of the companys stock.

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in BLK. Pacifica Partners Inc. increased its position in shares of BlackRock by 450.0% in the third quarter. Pacifica Partners Inc. now owns 22 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 18 shares during the period. TruNorth Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of BlackRock by 1,000.0% in the third quarter. TruNorth Capital Management LLC now owns 22 shares of the asset managers stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 20 shares during the last quarter. Garde Capital Inc. increased its holdings in BlackRock by 200.0% during the 2nd quarter. Garde Capital Inc. now owns 27 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 18 shares during the period. Traub Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in BlackRock during the 2nd quarter valued at about $28,000. Finally, Whipplewood Advisors LLC raised its position in BlackRock by 107.1% during the 2nd quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 29 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 15 shares during the last quarter. 80.69% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

BlackRock Stock Up 0.7%

Shares of NYSE BLK opened at $1,093.04 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 4.04, a quick ratio of 4.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. The business has a 50-day moving average of $1,129.00 and a 200-day moving average of $1,073.06. The firm has a market capitalization of $169.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.11, a PEG ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.48. BlackRock has a 12 month low of $773.74 and a 12 month high of $1,219.94.

BlackRock (NYSE:BLK  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The asset manager reported $11.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $11.78 by ($0.23). BlackRock had a net margin of 26.64% and a return on equity of 15.36%. The company had revenue of $6.51 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.22 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $11.46 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 25.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts expect that BlackRock will post 47.41 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About BlackRock

(Get Free Report)

BlackRock, Inc is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm primarily provides its services to institutional, intermediary, and individual investors including corporate, public, union, and industry pension plans, insurance companies, third-party mutual funds, endowments, public institutions, governments, foundations, charities, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, official institutions, and banks.

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Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lowered its holdings in Century Communities, Inc. (NYSE:CCS  Free Report) by 49.9% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 93,205 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 92,663 shares during the quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Century Communities were worth $5,249,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Sigma Planning Corp lifted its holdings in Century Communities by 4.2% during the 1st quarter. Sigma Planning Corp now owns 4,925 shares of the construction companys stock worth $330,000 after buying an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. US Bancorp DE grew its stake in shares of Century Communities by 142.3% in the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 395 shares of the construction companys stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 232 shares in the last quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. increased its position in shares of Century Communities by 4.7% during the first quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 5,878 shares of the construction companys stock worth $394,000 after acquiring an additional 266 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its position in shares of Century Communities by 17.4% during the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,854 shares of the construction companys stock worth $104,000 after acquiring an additional 275 shares during the period. Finally, Boston Partners raised its stake in shares of Century Communities by 3.5% in the first quarter. Boston Partners now owns 9,171 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $615,000 after acquiring an additional 314 shares in the last quarter. 99.54% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Century Communities Stock Performance

Shares of Century Communities stock opened at $60.26 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45. Century Communities, Inc. has a 52 week low of $50.42 and a 52 week high of $95.76. The firms 50 day moving average is $62.78 and its two-hundred day moving average is $59.67. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.80 and a beta of 1.53.

Century Communities Dividend Announcement

Century Communities ( NYSE:CCS Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The construction company reported $1.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.86 by $0.66. The business had revenue of $980.28 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $906.10 million. Century Communities had a net margin of 5.16% and a return on equity of 9.36%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 13.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.77 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Century Communities, Inc. will post 11.07 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 26th will be paid a $0.29 dividend. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, November 26th. Century Communitiess dividend payout ratio is currently 16.93%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently commented on CCS shares. Wall Street Zen raised Century Communities from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, September 5th. Zacks Research upgraded Century Communities from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, September 26th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Century Communities in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $85.00.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Century Communities

Century Communities Profile

(Free Report)

Century Communities, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, development, construction, marketing, and sale of single-family attached and detached homes. It is also involved in the entitlement and development of the underlying land; and provision of mortgage, title, and insurance services to its homebuyers.

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Bank of Montreal Can grew its position in Synovus Financial Corp. (NYSE:SNV  Free Report) by 17.4% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 57,373 shares of the banks stock after acquiring an additional 8,509 shares during the quarter. Bank of Montreal Cans holdings in Synovus Financial were worth $2,969,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Synovus Financial by 168.2% in the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 2,857,222 shares of the banks stock valued at $130,546,000 after acquiring an additional 1,791,973 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. grew its position in Synovus Financial by 201.0% during the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 820,782 shares of the banks stock worth $38,363,000 after purchasing an additional 548,092 shares during the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC increased its stake in Synovus Financial by 125.5% in the first quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 646,098 shares of the banks stock valued at $30,199,000 after purchasing an additional 359,568 shares during the period. MetLife Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Synovus Financial by 393.8% in the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 394,468 shares of the banks stock valued at $18,437,000 after buying an additional 314,576 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Nuveen LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Synovus Financial in the first quarter valued at about $14,294,000. 83.85% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Synovus Financial Price Performance

SNV stock opened at $46.40 on Thursday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $47.84 and a 200-day moving average of $49.05. The company has a market cap of $6.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.66, a PEG ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57. Synovus Financial Corp. has a 12-month low of $35.94 and a 12-month high of $61.06.

Synovus Financial Dividend Announcement

Synovus Financial ( NYSE:SNV Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 15th. The bank reported $1.46 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.36 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $612.79 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $604.59 million. Synovus Financial had a return on equity of 16.13% and a net margin of 21.97%.Synovus Financials quarterly revenue was up 9.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.23 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Synovus Financial Corp. will post 4.89 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 1st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, September 18th were paid a dividend of $0.39 per share. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, September 18th. Synovus Financials payout ratio is 29.10%.

Insider Activity

In other Synovus Financial news, Director Gregory G. Montana acquired 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 20th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $45.37 per share, for a total transaction of $45,370.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 5,464 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $247,901.68. This represents a 22.40% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 1.00% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their price target on Synovus Financial from $65.00 to $58.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 17th. Raymond James Financial cut Synovus Financial from a moderate buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, July 28th. Truist Financial dropped their target price on Synovus Financial from $56.00 to $55.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 17th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Synovus Financial from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, July 26th. Finally, UBS Group decreased their price target on Synovus Financial from $53.00 to $49.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $58.56.

View Our Latest Research Report on SNV

Synovus Financial Profile

(Free Report)

Synovus Financial Corp. operates as the bank holding company for Synovus Bank that provides commercial and consumer banking products and services. It operates through four segments: Community Banking, Wholesale Banking, Consumer Banking, and Financial Management Services. The company's commercial banking services include treasury and asset management, capital market, and institutional trust services, as well as commercial, financial, and real estate lending services.

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Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Kite Realty Group Trust (NYSE:KRG  Free Report) by 24.3% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 245,468 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after buying an additional 48,003 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Kite Realty Group Trust were worth $5,560,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in KRG. State of Michigan Retirement System raised its holdings in shares of Kite Realty Group Trust by 1.2% during the first quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System now owns 52,595 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,177,000 after acquiring an additional 600 shares during the period. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System increased its holdings in Kite Realty Group Trust by 0.8% during the 1st quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 61,500 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,376,000 after purchasing an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Kite Realty Group Trust by 54.6% in the 1st quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 21,641 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $484,000 after purchasing an additional 7,645 shares during the period. Bailard Inc. raised its position in Kite Realty Group Trust by 6.9% in the 1st quarter. Bailard Inc. now owns 32,648 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $730,000 after buying an additional 2,100 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bernzott Capital Advisors grew its stake in shares of Kite Realty Group Trust by 0.8% during the 1st quarter. Bernzott Capital Advisors now owns 244,835 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $5,477,000 after acquiring an additional 1,905 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.81% of the companys stock.

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Kite Realty Group Trust Trading Down 0.5%

Shares of NYSE:KRG opened at $22.65 on Thursday. Kite Realty Group Trust has a 52-week low of $18.51 and a 52-week high of $28.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 1.70 and a current ratio of 1.70. The company has a market capitalization of $4.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 6.16 and a beta of 1.13. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $22.34 and a 200 day simple moving average of $22.33.

Kite Realty Group Trust Increases Dividend

Kite Realty Group Trust ( NYSE:KRG Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.52 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.51 by $0.01. Kite Realty Group Trust had a return on equity of 4.23% and a net margin of 16.34%.The firm had revenue of $205.06 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $208.82 million. Kite Realty Group Trust has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.090-2.110 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Kite Realty Group Trust will post 2.05 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently declared 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. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 9th. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.1%. This is a positive change from Kite Realty Group Trusts previous quarterly dividend of $0.27. Kite Realty Group Trusts payout ratio is 181.25%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have recently commented on KRG. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Kite Realty Group Trust from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Saturday, November 1st. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Kite Realty Group Trust in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Piper Sandler restated a neutral rating and set a $24.00 price objective (down from $25.00) on shares of Kite Realty Group Trust in a research note on Monday, August 4th. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded Kite Realty Group Trust from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and raised their price objective for the company from $23.00 to $25.00 in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. Finally, Raymond James Financial downgraded Kite Realty Group Trust from a strong-buy rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Tuesday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Kite Realty Group Trust presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $26.22.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Kite Realty Group Trust

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Kite Realty Group Trust news, CEO John A. Kite sold 50,000 shares of Kite Realty Group Trust stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.70, for a total transaction of $1,135,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 54,121 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,228,546.70. The trade was a 48.02% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 2.50% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

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.

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Cherokee Insurance Co acquired a new stake in shares of Prologis, Inc. (NYSE:PLD  Free Report) in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund acquired 2,665 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock, valued at approximately $280,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Activest Wealth Management boosted its stake in Prologis by 637.1% in the first quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 258 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 223 shares during the period. Pandora Wealth Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Prologis in the 1st quarter worth approximately $34,000. GKV Capital Management Co. Inc. acquired a new position in Prologis during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Saudi Central Bank acquired a new stake in Prologis in the first quarter worth $41,000. Finally, Barrett & Company Inc. bought a new stake in Prologis in the second quarter valued at $44,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.50% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

PLD has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Industrial Alliance Securities set a $119.00 price objective on shares of Prologis in a report on Monday, October 20th. Scotiabank lifted their price target on Prologis from $127.00 to $133.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Monday. Truist Financial reissued a buy rating and issued a $131.00 price objective (up from $120.00) on shares of Prologis in a report on Monday, October 20th. Evercore ISI lifted their target price on Prologis from $113.00 to $116.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Finally, Citigroup lowered their price target on Prologis from $150.00 to $140.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 23rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Prologis currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $125.39.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Prologis news, Director Cristina Gabriela Bita sold 500 shares of Prologis stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $123.14, for a total value of $61,570.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 8,829 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,087,203.06. The trade was a 5.36% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CAO Lori A. Palazzolo sold 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $111.33, for a total value of $2,783,250.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 414 shares of the companys stock, valued at $46,090.62. This trade represents a 98.37% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold 27,000 shares of company stock valued at $3,013,665 over the last 90 days. 0.57% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Prologis Trading Down 1.1%

Shares of Prologis stock opened at $124.87 on Thursday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $118.73 and a 200-day simple moving average of $111.49. Prologis, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $85.35 and a fifty-two week high of $127.50. The firm has a market cap of $115.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.13 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a quick ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62.

Prologis (NYSE:PLD  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 15th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.49 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.44 by $0.05. Prologis had a net margin of 36.71% and a return on equity of 5.55%. The firm had revenue of $2.05 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.03 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.43 earnings per share. Prologiss revenue for the quarter was up 8.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Prologis has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.780-5.810 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Prologis, Inc. will post 5.73 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Prologis Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 16th were paid a dividend of $1.01 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, September 16th. This represents a $4.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.2%. Prologiss dividend payout ratio is currently 117.78%.

About Prologis

(Free Report)

Prologis, Inc is the global leader in logistics real estate with a focus on high-barrier, high-growth markets. At March 31, 2024, the company owned or had investments in, on a wholly owned basis or through co-investment ventures, properties and development projects expected to total approximately 1.2 billion square feet (115 million square meters) in 19 countries.

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TimesSquare Capital Management LLC lowered its holdings in Webster Financial Corporation (NYSE:WBS  Free Report) by 68.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 22,601 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 48,049 shares during the period. TimesSquare Capital Management LLCs holdings in Webster Financial were worth $1,234,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Picton Mahoney Asset Management bought a new stake in Webster Financial during the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its position in shares of Webster Financial by 327.2% in the first quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 739 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 566 shares in the last quarter. TCTC Holdings LLC raised its stake in shares of Webster Financial by 118.4% during the 1st quarter. TCTC Holdings LLC now owns 832 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $43,000 after purchasing an additional 451 shares during the period. IFP Advisors Inc lifted its holdings in Webster Financial by 3,628.6% during the 2nd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 783 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 762 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Allworth Financial LP boosted its stake in Webster Financial by 43.7% in the 1st quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 941 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 286 shares during the period. 85.58% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Webster Financial Price Performance

WBS opened at $57.57 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.72, a PEG ratio of 0.50 and a beta of 1.13. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $58.66 and a 200-day moving average price of $56.57. Webster Financial Corporation has a 12-month low of $39.43 and a 12-month high of $63.99.

Webster Financial Dividend Announcement

Webster Financial ( NYSE:WBS Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Friday, October 17th. The financial services provider reported $1.54 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.52 by $0.02. Webster Financial had a return on equity of 11.07% and a net margin of 21.32%.The company had revenue of $732.60 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $725.22 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.34 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Webster Financial Corporation will post 5.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, November 20th. Investors of record on Monday, November 10th will be issued a dividend of $0.40 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 10th. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.8%. Webster Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 29.80%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on WBS. Barclays upped their price target on Webster Financial from $78.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $65.00 target price (down previously from $68.00) on shares of Webster Financial in a report on Monday, October 20th. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of Webster Financial from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of Webster Financial from $70.00 to $68.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 1st. Finally, Citigroup increased their price objective on Webster Financial from $65.00 to $71.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, July 18th. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $69.85.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on WBS

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Webster Financial news, CAO Elzbieta Cieslik sold 2,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, September 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $61.58, for a total value of $123,160.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 14,894 shares of the companys stock, valued at $917,172.52. The trade was a 11.84% 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, insider James Mi Griffin sold 807 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $62.14, for a total transaction of $50,146.98. Following the sale, the insider owned 12,556 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $780,229.84. The trade was a 6.04% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last quarter, insiders sold 3,807 shares of company stock worth $234,927. 0.54% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

About Webster Financial

(Free Report)

Webster Financial Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Webster Bank, National Association that provides a range of financial products and services to individuals, families, and businesses in the United States. It operates through three segments: Commercial Banking, HSA Bank, and Consumer Banking.

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CGI Group, Inc. (NYSE:GIB  Get Free Report) (TSE:GIB.A) shares hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $84.00 and last traded at $85.7440, with a volume of 425516 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $86.18.

Analyst Ratings Changes

GIB has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. TD Securities raised shares of CGI Group to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, October 3rd. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their price objective on CGI Group from $175.00 to $165.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of CGI Group in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a hold rating and set a $81.00 price target (down from $105.00) on shares of CGI Group in a research report on Monday. Finally, UBS Group decreased their price target on shares of CGI Group from $112.00 to $105.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 31st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has given a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $117.00.

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CGI Group Stock Up 0.7%

The company has a market capitalization of $19.48 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 0.71. The company has a current ratio of 1.27, a quick ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The stocks fifty day moving average is $89.80 and its 200 day moving average is $98.17.

CGI Group (NYSE:GIB  Get Free Report) (TSE:GIB.A) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The technology company reported $1.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.53 by $0.02. CGI Group had a net margin of 11.01% and a return on equity of 18.53%. The business had revenue of $2.88 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.92 EPS. The companys revenue was up 9.7% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts predict that CGI Group, Inc. will post 5.79 EPS for the current fiscal year.

CGI Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 19th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 21st will be given a dividend of $0.17 per share. This represents a $0.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 21st. This is a positive change from CGI Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.11. CGI Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 9.13%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On CGI Group

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Federation des caisses Desjardins du Quebec raised its holdings in shares of CGI Group by 22.5% during the first quarter. Federation des caisses Desjardins du Quebec now owns 4,933,984 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $491,725,000 after acquiring an additional 907,876 shares in the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada raised its holdings in CGI Group by 10.1% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 8,151,753 shares of the technology companys stock worth $813,792,000 after purchasing an additional 747,918 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of CGI Group by 275.3% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 898,276 shares of the technology companys stock worth $89,675,000 after purchasing an additional 658,925 shares during the period. Beutel Goodman & Co Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of CGI Group by 13.0% during the 2nd quarter. Beutel Goodman & Co Ltd. now owns 3,452,820 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $361,881,000 after purchasing an additional 397,005 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board boosted its stake in shares of CGI Group by 35.6% during the 1st quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 956,460 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $95,499,000 after purchasing an additional 251,242 shares in the last quarter. 66.68% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

CGI Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

CGI Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides information technology (IT) and business process services. Its services include the business and strategic IT consulting, systems integration, and software solutions. The company also provides application development, modernization and maintenance, holistic enterprise digitization, automation, hybrid and cloud management, and business process services; intellectual property-based solutions; business consulting; managed IT services; and IT infrastructure services.

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Netherlands-based bank ABN AMRO has agreed to buy local commercial bank NIBC Bank from the US asset manager Blackstone in a deal valued at about 960m ($1.11bn).

Founded in 1945, NIBC focuses on mortgage lending, savings products, commercial real estate and digital infrastructure lending.

The purchase price reflects 0.85 times NIBCs book value based on shareholders equity at closing and is subject to final adjustments.

This transaction is expected to be completed in the second half of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and works council consultations at both banks.

NIBC CEO Nick Jue said: Todays announcement marks an exciting milestone in NIBCs 80-year history and is testimony to our strong client franchises as well as the professionalism and entrepreneurship of our people.

By combining our well-recognised client proposition and networks with the scale and strength of ABN AMRO, we will be able to provide even greater value to clients.

With the natural fit of strategies, cultures and mindset, we are confident in the new opportunities this will create for all our stakeholders.

ABN AMRO said the acquisition will expand the scale of its retail banking operations and strengthen its position in the Dutch market.

The deal will add NIBCs client base, including around 325,000 savings clients, 200,000 mortgage clients and 175 corporate clients within ABN AMROs Northwest European footprint.

ABN AMRO expects the transaction to increase profitability and to achieve a return on invested capital of around 18% by 2029.

ABN AMRO CEO Marguerite Berard said: The acquisition of NIBC represents a unique opportunity to further strengthen our position in the Dutch retail market and contributes to profitable growth.

This transaction meets our acquisition criteria and aligns fully with our new strategy.

This strategy, which will be presented at the Capital Markets Day on 25 November 2025, is centred around profitable growth, right sizing our cost base and optimising our capital allocation.

ABN AMRO said the purchase will increase its scale in the Dutch, German and Belgian savings markets and will broaden its mortgage and corporate lending presence in its Northwest European markets.

As part of the transaction, ABN AMRO has reviewed its mortgage brand strategy. The bank will maintain its core mortgage labels, ABN AMRO and Florius, and discontinue the Moneyou brand.

ABN AMRO said this decision creates room to potentially integrate NIBCs mortgage label into its product range.

The bank also plans to legally merge ABN AMRO Hypotheken Groep into ABN AMRO Bank to improve operational efficiency.
M&G PLC increased its stake in shares of Highwoods Properties, Inc. (NYSE:HIW  Free Report) by 3.7% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 565,965 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after acquiring an additional 20,294 shares during the quarter. M&G PLC owned about 0.52% of Highwoods Properties worth $17,545,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Cerity Partners LLC grew its position in shares of Highwoods Properties by 3.4% during the first quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 17,106 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $507,000 after acquiring an additional 560 shares during the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in Highwoods Properties during the 2nd quarter worth $300,000. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its stake in Highwoods Properties by 7.7% in the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 6,908 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $205,000 after purchasing an additional 496 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers raised its holdings in shares of Highwoods Properties by 28.5% in the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 16,312 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $483,000 after buying an additional 3,613 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Teacher Retirement System of Texas boosted its stake in shares of Highwoods Properties by 34.3% during the second quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 38,830 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,207,000 after buying an additional 9,910 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.31% of the companys stock.

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Highwoods Properties Price Performance

Shares of NYSE HIW opened at $29.06 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44, a quick ratio of 1.38 and a current ratio of 1.39. Highwoods Properties, Inc. has a one year low of $24.18 and a one year high of $33.11. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.19 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.83 and a beta of 1.20. The companys fifty day moving average is $30.61 and its two-hundred day moving average is $30.35.

Highwoods Properties Announces Dividend

Highwoods Properties ( NYSE:HIW Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.86 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.86. Highwoods Properties had a net margin of 15.98% and a return on equity of 5.48%. The firm had revenue of $201.77 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $205.74 million. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.90 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Highwoods Properties has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.410-3.45 EPS. Analysts forecast that Highwoods Properties, Inc. will post 3.36 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 9th. Investors of record on Monday, November 17th will be paid a $0.50 dividend. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 17th. Highwoods Propertiess dividend payout ratio is presently 170.94%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Highwoods Properties news, Director David John Hartzell sold 4,300 shares of Highwoods Properties stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $32.10, for a total transaction of $138,030.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 27,489 shares in the company, valued at approximately $882,396.90. The trade was a 13.53% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 1.90% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on HIW shares. Wolfe Research began coverage on Highwoods Properties in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. They issued an outperform rating and a $38.00 price target on the stock. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Highwoods Properties in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen lowered Highwoods Properties from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Sunday, October 19th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on Highwoods Properties from $31.00 to $30.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Monday. Finally, Truist Financial lifted their price objective on shares of Highwoods Properties from $32.00 to $33.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 3rd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $31.00.

View Our Latest Stock Report on HIW

Highwoods Properties Profile

(Free Report)

Highwoods Properties, Inc, headquartered in Raleigh, is a publicly-traded (NYSE:HIW), fully-integrated office real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns, develops, acquires, leases and manages properties primarily in the best business districts (BBDs) of Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Nashville, Orlando, Raleigh, Richmond and Tampa.

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TimesSquare Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Guardian Pharmacy Services, Inc. (NYSE:GRDN  Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 814,223 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $17,351,000. TimesSquare Capital Management LLC owned 1.29% of Guardian Pharmacy Services as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of GRDN. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust bought a new stake in Guardian Pharmacy Services in the 2nd quarter valued at $41,000. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS bought a new position in shares of Guardian Pharmacy Services in the second quarter worth about $75,000. Meeder Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Guardian Pharmacy Services during the first quarter worth $88,000. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd bought a new position in shares of Guardian Pharmacy Services in the 1st quarter valued at $233,000. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings 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 valued at $258,000 after acquiring an additional 805 shares in the last quarter.

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Guardian Pharmacy Services Stock Up 1.2%

Guardian Pharmacy Services stock opened at $31.63 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $2.00 billion, a PE ratio of 50.21 and a beta of 0.96. The firms fifty day moving average is $26.98 and its 200 day moving average is $24.02. Guardian Pharmacy Services, Inc. has a 12-month low of $17.78 and a 12-month high of $37.43.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Guardian Pharmacy Services ( NYSE:GRDN Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 10th. The company reported $0.25 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.24 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $377.43 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $381.16 million. Guardian Pharmacy Services had a net margin of 2.90% and a return on equity of 30.29%. Guardian Pharmacy Services has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Guardian Pharmacy Services, Inc. will post 0.87 EPS for the current fiscal year.

GRDN has been the topic of several recent research reports. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Guardian Pharmacy Services from a sell (d+) rating to a hold (c) rating in a research report on Tuesday. Truist Financial lifted their price target on shares of Guardian Pharmacy Services from $28.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, September 26th. Oppenheimer started coverage on Guardian Pharmacy Services in a report on Friday, October 10th. They issued an outperform rating and a $30.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered Guardian Pharmacy Services from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Sunday. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $29.33.

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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.

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Vise Technologies Inc. purchased a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (BATS:EFV  Free Report) in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund purchased 19,858 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,261,000.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of EFV. Atwood & Palmer Inc. purchased a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. Crewe Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $29,000. Pandora Wealth Inc. bought a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF during the second quarter valued at about $30,000. Bogart Wealth LLC boosted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 119.6% during the 1st quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC now owns 549 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 299 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wells Financial Advisors INC grew its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 107.5% during the first quarter. Wells Financial Advisors INC now owns 965 shares of the companys stock valued at $57,000 after purchasing an additional 500 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Stock Performance

BATS EFV opened at $70.95 on Thursday. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF has a twelve month low of $51.05 and a twelve month high of $66.83. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $68.11 and a 200 day simple moving average of $65.42. The stock has a market capitalization of $29.09 billion, a PE ratio of 12.17 and a beta of 0.73.

About iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF

iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Value Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI EAFE Value Index. The Index is a subset of the MSCI EAFE Index and constituents of the Index include securities from Europe, Australasia (Australia and Asia), and the Far East.

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Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK  Free Report) in the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor purchased 25,278 shares of the technology companys stock, valued at approximately $131,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Nokia by 17.3% during the first quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 267,219 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,408,000 after purchasing an additional 39,441 shares during the period. Allworth Financial LP lifted its holdings in Nokia by 16.0% during the 1st quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 16,308 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $79,000 after buying an additional 2,248 shares in the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC boosted its position in Nokia by 128.9% in the 1st quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 284,784 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,501,000 after buying an additional 160,386 shares during the period. Xponance Inc. bought a new position in Nokia in the 1st quarter worth about $53,000. Finally, New York State Common Retirement Fund purchased a new position in shares of Nokia during the first quarter worth approximately $2,721,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 5.28% of the companys stock.

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Nokia Stock Up 1.1%

Shares of NOK stock opened at $7.10 on Thursday. Nokia Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $3.91 and a fifty-two week high of $8.19. The firm has a market capitalization of $38.18 billion, a PE ratio of 39.42 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12, a quick ratio of 1.21 and a current ratio of 1.46. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $5.54 and its 200-day simple moving average is $5.08.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Nokia ( NYSE:NOK Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The technology company reported $0.07 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.06 by $0.01. Nokia had a return on equity of 8.31% and a net margin of 4.65%.The firm had revenue of $5.61 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.67 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.06 earnings per share. Nokias revenue for the quarter was up 11.6% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts expect that Nokia Corporation will post 0.34 earnings per share for the current year.

A number of analysts recently issued reports on the company. Danske lowered Nokia from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, November 4th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Nokia in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. UBS Group reaffirmed a neutral rating on shares of Nokia in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Nokia from $6.00 to $7.10 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Nokia in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $5.87.

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About Nokia

(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.

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Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. bought a new position in Invesco S&P 500 GARP ETF (NYSEARCA:SPGP  Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 1,935 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $208,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Centerpoint Advisory Group raised its position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 GARP ETF by 8.4% during the 2nd quarter. Centerpoint Advisory Group now owns 7,508 shares of the companys stock valued at $809,000 after buying an additional 580 shares in the last quarter. Ring Mountain Capital LLC raised its position in Invesco S&P 500 GARP ETF by 3.3% during the second quarter. Ring Mountain Capital LLC now owns 15,761 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,715,000 after purchasing an additional 499 shares during the period. Obermeyer Wealth Partners boosted its holdings in shares of Invesco S&P 500 GARP ETF by 24.1% in the 2nd quarter. Obermeyer Wealth Partners now owns 6,764 shares of the companys stock worth $728,000 after purchasing an additional 1,313 shares during the period. Bank of Montreal Can increased its position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 GARP ETF by 50.1% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 2,349 shares of the companys stock valued at $253,000 after purchasing an additional 784 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sigma Planning Corp raised its holdings in Invesco S&P 500 GARP ETF by 79.0% during the 2nd quarter. Sigma Planning Corp now owns 18,300 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,971,000 after buying an additional 8,078 shares during the period.

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Invesco S&P 500 GARP ETF Stock Down 0.2%

NYSEARCA SPGP opened at $112.42 on Thursday. Invesco S&P 500 GARP ETF has a 52 week low of $84.13 and a 52 week high of $115.88. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.90 and a beta of 1.00. The company has a fifty day moving average of $113.07 and a two-hundred day moving average of $108.61.

Invesco S&P 500 GARP ETF Company Profile

The Invesco S&P 500 GARP ETF (SPGP) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the S&P 500 GARP index. The fund tracks an index of S&P 500 stocks selected by growth, quality and value traits, and weighted by growth. SPGP was launched on Jun 16, 2011 and is managed by Invesco.

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Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Shinhan Financial Group Co Ltd (NYSE:SHG  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor acquired 4,731 shares of the banks stock, valued at approximately $214,000.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Shinhan Financial Group in the 1st quarter worth $28,000. Westside Investment Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Shinhan Financial Group in the 2nd quarter worth $47,000. Farther Finance Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Shinhan Financial Group by 240.7% during the 2nd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 1,908 shares of the banks stock valued at $86,000 after buying an additional 1,348 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its position in shares of Shinhan Financial Group by 124.9% during the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 3,301 shares of the banks stock valued at $149,000 after buying an additional 1,833 shares during the period. Finally, Foster Group Inc. purchased a new position in Shinhan Financial Group during the 2nd quarter valued at $201,000. 7.76% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Shinhan Financial Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:SHG opened at $54.81 on Thursday. Shinhan Financial Group Co Ltd has a 1 year low of $28.76 and a 1 year high of $56.00. The firm has a market capitalization of $26.61 billion, a PE ratio of 5.49, a P/E/G ratio of 0.56 and a beta of 1.00. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $50.79 and its 200-day moving average price is $46.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.48, a current ratio of 1.03 and a quick ratio of 1.03.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently issued reports on SHG shares. Wall Street Zen cut Shinhan Financial Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, August 30th. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Shinhan Financial Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 24th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Shinhan Financial Group in a report on Thursday, October 30th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on SHG

Shinhan Financial Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

Shinhan Financial Group Co, Ltd. provides financial products and services in South Korea and internationally. The company operates through six segments: Banking, Credit Card, Securities, Insurance, Credit, and Others. It offers retail banking services, including demand, savings, and fixed deposit-taking; checking accounts; mortgage and home equity, and retail lending; electronic banking and automatic teller machines (ATM); and bill paying, payroll and check-cashing, currency exchange, and wire fund transfer services.

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Venture Global (NYSE:VG  Get Free Report) is one of 90 public companies in the OIL  US EXP&PROD industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its competitors? We will compare Venture Global to related companies based on the strength of its earnings, risk, analyst recommendations, dividends, valuation, profitability and institutional ownership.

Profitability

This table compares Venture Global and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Venture Global 21.99% 29.55% 5.22% Venture Global Competitors -64.76% 9.48% 5.05%

Institutional and Insider 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, 11.2% 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 company is poised for long-term growth.

Dividends

Earnings & Valuation

Venture Global pays an annual dividend of $0.07 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.9%. Venture Global pays out 9.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, OIL  US EXP&PROD companies pay a dividend yield of 3.2% and pay out 38.7% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

This table compares Venture Global and its competitors revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Venture Global $4.97 billion $1.75 billion 10.40 Venture Global Competitors $3.53 billion $608.39 million 8.42

Venture Global has higher revenue and earnings than its competitors. Venture Global 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.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for Venture Global and its competitors, 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 696 3502 5880 228 2.55

Venture Global currently has a consensus price target of $15.71, indicating a potential upside of 93.74%. As a group, OIL  US EXP&PROD companies have a potential upside of 25.53%. Given Venture Globals higher probable upside, equities analysts clearly believe Venture Global is more favorable than its competitors.

Summary

Venture Global beats its competitors on 9 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.

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Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. acquired a new stake in CAE Inc (NYSE:CAE  Free Report) (TSE:CAE) in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor acquired 8,076 shares of the aerospace companys stock, valued at approximately $236,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Bessemer Group Inc. grew its position in CAE by 360.9% in the 2nd quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 4,402 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $129,000 after acquiring an additional 3,447 shares during the last quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. increased its position in shares of CAE by 3.4% during the second quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. now owns 18,959 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $555,000 after acquiring an additional 619 shares during the period. Phoenix Financial Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of CAE during the second quarter valued at approximately $10,309,000. Ritholtz Wealth Management boosted its holdings in shares of CAE by 6.7% in the 2nd quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management now owns 64,304 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $1,882,000 after buying an additional 4,010 shares in the last quarter. Finally, TD Asset Management Inc grew its position in shares of CAE by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 1,592,613 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $46,582,000 after buying an additional 18,187 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 67.36% of the companys stock.

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CAE Stock Performance

NYSE:CAE opened at $27.51 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a current ratio of 0.87. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.86, a PEG ratio of 2.49 and a beta of 1.42. CAE Inc has a fifty-two week low of $20.36 and a fifty-two week high of $30.13. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $27.78 and a 200 day moving average price of $27.43.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

CAE ( NYSE:CAE Get Free Report ) (TSE:CAE) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 11th. The aerospace company reported $0.17 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.14 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $897.99 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.13 billion. CAE had a return on equity of 7.92% and a net margin of 8.70%.The companys revenue was up 8.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.24 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that CAE Inc will post 0.83 EPS for the current year.

Several research firms have recently issued reports on CAE. Scotiabank restated an outperform rating on shares of CAE in a report on Thursday, August 14th. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a hold rating and issued a $30.00 price target on shares of CAE in a report on Monday, July 21st. Wall Street Zen cut shares of CAE from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, August 16th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of CAE in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, TD Securities raised shares of CAE from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, CAE presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $33.67.

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About CAE

(Free Report)

CAE Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides simulation training and critical operations support solutions in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, the Oceania, Africa, and Rest of the Americas. It operates through two segments, Civil Aviation; and Defense and Security. The Civil Aviation segment offers training solutions for flight, cabin, maintenance, and ground personnel in commercial, business, and helicopter aviation; a range of flight simulation training devices; and ab initio pilot training and crew sourcing services, as well as aircraft flight operations solutions.

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MV Capital Management Inc. reduced its position in The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX  Free Report) by 2.7% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 28,030 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock after selling 784 shares during the quarter. MV Capital Management Inc.s holdings in TJX Companies were worth $3,461,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. TCTC Holdings LLC lifted its stake in TJX Companies by 210.1% during the first quarter. TCTC Holdings LLC now owns 214 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 145 shares during the last quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of TJX Companies in the 2nd quarter valued at $28,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new position in shares of TJX Companies during the 2nd quarter worth $32,000. True Wealth Design LLC lifted its position in shares of TJX Companies by 121.1% during the 2nd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 272 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 149 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Activest Wealth Management boosted its stake in TJX Companies by 4,485.7% in the first quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 321 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $39,000 after buying an additional 314 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 91.09% of the companys stock.

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TJX Companies Trading Up 0.8%

NYSE TJX opened at $147.38 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $164.03 billion, a PE ratio of 33.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.14 and a beta of 0.90. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $142.09 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $133.22. The company has a current ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The TJX Companies, Inc. has a 12 month low of $112.10 and a 12 month high of $148.11.

TJX Companies Dividend Announcement

TJX Companies ( NYSE:TJX Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, August 20th. The apparel and home fashions retailer reported $1.10 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.01 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $14.40 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.12 billion. TJX Companies had a net margin of 8.59% and a return on equity of 58.63%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 6.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.96 EPS. TJX Companies has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.520-4.570 EPS. Q3 2026 guidance at 1.170-1.190 EPS. On average, analysts expect that The TJX Companies, Inc. will post 4.18 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 4th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 13th will be given a dividend of $0.425 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 13th. This represents a $1.70 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.2%. TJX Companiess dividend payout ratio is 38.72%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

TJX has been the subject of a number of research reports. TD Cowen increased their target price on shares of TJX Companies from $160.00 to $162.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of TJX Companies from $140.00 to $150.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, August 21st. BTIG Research began coverage on shares of TJX Companies in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. They set a buy rating and a $165.00 target price on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a buy rating and set a $170.00 price target on shares of TJX Companies in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on TJX Companies from $143.00 to $152.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, August 21st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-three have given a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $151.75.

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TJX Companies Company Profile

(Free Report)

The TJX Companies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an off-price apparel and home fashions retailer in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. It operates through four segments: Marmaxx, HomeGoods, TJX Canada, and TJX International. The company sells family apparel, including footwear and accessories; home fashions, such as home basics, furniture, rugs, lighting products, giftware, soft home products, decorative accessories, tabletop, and cookware, as well as expanded pet, and gourmet food departments; jewelry and accessories; and other merchandise.

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Gray Media Inc. (NYSE:GTN.A  Get Free Report)s share price fell 7% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $8.70 and last traded at $8.8350. 106 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 97% from the average session volume of 3,720 shares. The stock had previously closed at $9.50.

Gray Media Trading Down 2.2%

The company has a fifty day moving average price of $9.88 and a 200-day moving average price of $9.64. The firm has a market capitalization of $901.97 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.85 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a current ratio of 0.87, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.56.

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Gray Media (NYSE:GTN.A  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, November 7th. The company reported ($0.24) earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of $749.00 million for the quarter. Gray Media had a net margin of 5.64% and a return on equity of 10.31%.

About Gray Media

Gray Television, Inc, a television broadcast company, owns and operates television stations and digital assets in the United States. As of February 28, 2019, it owned and operated television stations in 91 television markets broadcasting approximately 400 program streams, including approximately 150 channels affiliated with the CBS Network, the NBC Network, the ABC Network, and the FOX Network.

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MILAN  Aeffe is postponing the approval and release of its nine-month trading update, initially scheduled for Nov. 14, to a date yet to be decided.

The Italian fashion group on Tuesday explained that the postponement was necessary after filing last month an application for access to the negotiated settlement of the group business crisis (CNS), as reported. The application was filed in the interest of Aeffe and its subsidiary Pollini. The group also controls the Alberta Ferretti and Moschino brands.

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In October, Aeffe also requested the appointment of an independent expert, later identified by the Chamber of Commerce as Riccardo Ranalli, and the application of protective measures.

The postponement was required also because the industrial plan to restructure the company is still being prepared, impacting the nine-month trading update.

That said, at the end of trading Aeffes board on Tuesday did report sales and earnings figures as of Sept. 30.

Consolidated sales amounted to 155 million euros, a 25.4 percent decrease compared with 207.8 million euros in the same period last year.

Sales of the ready-to-wear segment totaled 95.5 million euros, down 31.8 percent. Sales of the footwear and leather goods division decreased 11.4 percent to 76.8 million euros.

Consolidated losses before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization amounted to 11.9 million euros.

Net of the IFRS effect, debt stood at 114.9 million euros compared with 67.7 million euros at the end of December 2024.

In the first nine months, sales in Italy fell 30.3 percent to 62.4 million euros, accounting for 40.2 percent of the total. Europe revenues decreased 17.1 percent to 52.8 million euros, representing 34.1 percent of the total. Sales in Asia and the Rest of the World area were down 26.6 percent to 31.4 million euros, representing 20.2 percent of the total. Sales in America dropped 28.5 percent to 8.5 million euros, or 5 percent of the total.

Wholesale revenues were down 25.9 percent to 102 million euros, while retail was down 19.3 percent to 50.8 million euros.

Aeffe is rationalizing its retail network and earlier this month the board approved the early termination of the rental contract signed with two real estate firms, Colloportus and FQuattro, respectively controlled by designer Alberta Ferretti and her brother, executive chairman Massimo Ferretti. This will lead to the closure of the Alberta Ferretti store in Romes luxury shopping street Via Condotti, bringing Aeffe 9.5 million euros of key money.
Taseko Mines Limited (NYSE:TGB  Get Free Report) dropped 6.2% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $4.46 and last traded at $4.4950. Approximately 1,175,396 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 86% from the average daily volume of 8,662,913 shares. The stock had previously closed at $4.79.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on TGB. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Taseko Mines in a research note on Friday, August 8th. TD Securities downgraded Taseko Mines from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating and upped their target price for the stock from $3.50 to $5.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $5.00.

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Taseko Mines Trading Down 8.5%

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Taseko Mines

The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $4.07 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $3.29. The firm has a market cap of $1.58 billion, a PE ratio of -146.17 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a quick ratio of 1.05, a current ratio of 1.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.48.

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. L1 Capital Pty Ltd increased its stake in Taseko Mines by 64.0% during the 2nd quarter. L1 Capital Pty Ltd now owns 20,681,607 shares of the companys stock valued at $65,148,000 after purchasing an additional 8,072,986 shares in the last quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. increased its position in shares of Taseko Mines by 21.7% during the first quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 11,319,863 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,333,000 after acquiring an additional 2,018,397 shares in the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. raised its holdings in Taseko Mines by 2.8% in the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 11,022,109 shares of the companys stock worth $24,789,000 after acquiring an additional 296,508 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its position in Taseko Mines by 261.5% in the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 4,019,297 shares of the companys stock valued at $12,661,000 after acquiring an additional 2,907,611 shares in the last quarter. Finally, TD Asset Management Inc boosted its stake in Taseko Mines by 22.2% during the 1st quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 4,003,547 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,957,000 after purchasing an additional 728,241 shares during the last quarter. 17.94% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Taseko Mines Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Taseko Mines Limited, a mining company, acquires, develops, and operates mineral properties. It explores for copper, molybdenum, gold, niobium, and silver deposits. The companys principal asset comprises 100% interest owned the Gibraltar mine located in British Columbia. It also holds interest in the Yellowhead copper project, the Aley niobium project, and the New Prosperity gold and copper project located in British Columbia; and the Florence copper project located in Arizona.

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Forge Global Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:FRGE  Get Free Report) saw strong trading volume on Thursday . 143,220 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 2% from the previous sessions volume of 146,440 shares.The stock last traded at $44.3790 and had previously closed at $44.41.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently weighed in on FRGE shares. Piper Sandler downgraded Forge Global from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and set a $45.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. UBS Group downgraded shares of Forge Global from a buy rating to a neutral rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $34.00 to $45.00 in a report on Tuesday. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d-) rating on shares of Forge Global in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Forge Global from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Finally, Citigroup reiterated a market outperform rating on shares of Forge Global in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $42.00.

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Forge Global Stock Down 0.7%

Insider Activity

The company has a market cap of $599.65 million, a P/E ratio of -8.27 and a beta of 2.27. The businesss 50 day moving average is $20.43 and its 200 day moving average is $18.35.

In other news, CEO Kelly Rodriques sold 3,530 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.71, for a total value of $69,576.30. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 572,332 shares in the company, valued at $11,280,663.72. This trade represents a 0.61% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 4.50% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Forge Global

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Forge Global by 13.1% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 995,979 shares of the companys stock worth $560,000 after acquiring an additional 115,536 shares during the last quarter. AWM Investment Company Inc. lifted its position in shares of Forge Global by 793.9% during the 1st quarter. AWM Investment Company Inc. now owns 3,928,927 shares of the companys stock worth $2,208,000 after purchasing an additional 3,489,424 shares during the last quarter. Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Forge Global in the 1st quarter valued at about $231,000. Whetstone Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Forge Global during the 1st quarter worth $209,000. Finally, Alyeska Investment Group L.P. acquired a new stake in shares of Forge Global in the 1st quarter worth $1,119,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 40.67% of the companys stock.

Forge Global Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Forge Global Holdings, Inc operates a financial services platform in California. The company's platform solutions include trading solutions, a platform that connects investors with private company stockholders and enables them to facilitate private share transactions; and custody solutions, a non-depository trust company that enables clients to securely custody and manage assets through an online portal.

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McGraw Hill, Inc. (NYSE:MH  Get Free Report)s stock price shot up 5.5% during mid-day trading on Thursday following a better than expected earnings announcement. The stock traded as high as $14.79 and last traded at $14.8590. 395,304 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 51% from the average session volume of 804,343 shares. The stock had previously closed at $14.09.

The company reported $1.40 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.35 by $1.05. The firm had revenue of $669.19 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $638.76 million. The businesss revenue was down 2.8% compared to the same quarter last year. McGraw Hill has set its FY 2026 guidance at EPS.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Macquarie restated an outperform rating and issued a $19.00 target price on shares of McGraw Hill in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Needham & Company LLC assumed coverage on McGraw Hill in a report on Monday, August 18th. They issued a buy rating and a $19.00 price target for the company. William Blair began coverage on shares of McGraw Hill in a report on Monday, August 18th. They issued an outperform rating for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on shares of McGraw Hill in a report on Monday, August 18th. They issued a buy rating and a $27.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on shares of McGraw Hill from $24.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, September 15th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $21.05.

Institutional Trading of McGraw Hill

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. acquired a new position in shares of McGraw Hill in the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Legal & General Group Plc purchased a new stake in McGraw Hill in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Strs Ohio acquired a new stake in shares of McGraw Hill during the 3rd quarter valued at $54,000. Greenland Capital Management LP acquired a new position in shares of McGraw Hill in the third quarter worth $131,000. Finally, GSA Capital Partners LLP acquired a new position in shares of McGraw Hill during the 3rd quarter worth $147,000.

McGraw Hill Stock Up 5.3%

The business has a 50-day moving average of $12.84.

About McGraw Hill

(Get Free Report)

At McGraw Hill, our purpose is to unlock the potential of each learner at every stage of life. Our mission is to support educators, learners and professionals around the world with trusted, high-quality content and digital solutions that use data and learning science to adapt to each student as they progress towards their goals.

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Transdigm Group (NYSE:TDG  Get Free Report) had its price objective boosted by research analysts at BMO Capital Markets from $1,420.00 to $1,500.00 in a report released on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an outperform rating on the aerospace companys stock. BMO Capital Markets target price indicates a potential upside of 11.44% from the companys previous close.

TDG has been the subject of several other research reports. KeyCorp cut their target price on Transdigm Group from $1,700.00 to $1,600.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, August 8th. Truist Financial lowered their target price on Transdigm Group from $1,730.00 to $1,647.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their target price on Transdigm Group from $1,710.00 to $1,650.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price target on Transdigm Group from $1,650.00 to $1,490.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, September 17th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their target price on shares of Transdigm Group from $1,385.00 to $1,400.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Thursday. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $1,564.19.

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Transdigm Group Stock Up 2.9%

TDG traded up $38.10 on Thursday, reaching $1,346.07. 226,208 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 298,289. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $1,295.01 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $1,403.54. The company has a market cap of $75.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 44.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.25 and a beta of 1.02. Transdigm Group has a one year low of $1,183.60 and a one year high of $1,623.82.

Transdigm Group (NYSE:TDG  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, November 12th. The aerospace company reported $10.82 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $10.33 by $0.49. Transdigm Group had a net margin of 20.98% and a negative return on equity of 35.27%. The business had revenue of $2.44 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.40 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $9.83 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. Transdigm Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 36.490-38.530 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Transdigm Group will post 35.13 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Transdigm Group

In other Transdigm Group news, Director Robert J. Small sold 5,000 shares of Transdigm Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,276.98, for a total value of $6,384,900.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 83,419 shares in the company, valued at approximately $106,524,394.62. The trade was a 5.65% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, COO Patrick Joseph Murphy sold 290 shares of Transdigm Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,310.00, for a total transaction of $379,900.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer directly owned 1,055 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,382,050. This trade represents a 21.56% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 22,802 shares of company stock worth $29,917,993 over the last quarter. Insiders own 4.09% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of TDG. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Transdigm Group in the second quarter worth about $1,275,035,000. Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its position in Transdigm Group by 18.3% during the 3rd quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 2,379,816 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $3,136,719,000 after acquiring an additional 367,756 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Transdigm Group by 5.3% during the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 6,693,889 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $10,178,995,000 after purchasing an additional 333,965 shares in the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. grew its holdings in Transdigm Group by 161.7% during the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 475,489 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $626,704,000 after purchasing an additional 293,821 shares during the period. Finally, Capital International Investors lifted its stake in shares of Transdigm Group by 4.1% during the 3rd quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 6,489,193 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $8,552,028,000 after buying an additional 254,750 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 95.78% of the companys stock.

Transdigm Group Company Profile

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TransDigm Group Incorporated designs, produces, and supplies aircraft components in the United States and internationally. The Power & Control segment offers mechanical/electro-mechanical actuators and controls, ignition systems and engine technology, specialized pumps and valves, power conditioning devices, specialized AC/DC electric motors and generators, batteries and chargers, databus and power controls, sensor products, switches and relay panels, hoists, winches and lifting devices, and cargo loading and handling systems.

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CNH Industrial N.V. (NYSE:CNH  Get Free Report) Director Howard Buffett bought 4,100 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 12th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $10.29 per share, with a total value of $42,189.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director owned 33,403 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $343,716.87. The trade was a 13.99% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link.

CNH Industrial Price Performance

CNH Industrial stock traded down $0.03 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $10.31. The companys stock had a trading volume of 8,586,347 shares, compared to its average volume of 16,371,561. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.89 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.78 and a beta of 1.52. CNH Industrial N.V. has a twelve month low of $9.00 and a twelve month high of $14.27. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $10.69 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $12.01. The company has a quick ratio of 10.34, a current ratio of 12.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.52.

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CNH Industrial (NYSE:CNH  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, November 7th. The company reported $0.08 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.13 by ($0.05). The company had revenue of $4.40 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.22 billion. CNH Industrial had a return on equity of 10.79% and a net margin of 4.55%.The businesss revenue was down 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.24 earnings per share. CNH Industrial has set its FY 2025 guidance at 0.440-0.50 EPS. Research analysts forecast that CNH Industrial N.V. will post 0.7 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Trading of CNH Industrial

Analyst Ratings Changes

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Callan Family Office LLC boosted its stake in shares of CNH Industrial by 324.7% in the 2nd quarter. Callan Family Office LLC now owns 88,528 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,147,000 after purchasing an additional 67,684 shares in the last quarter. Polianta Ltd acquired a new stake in CNH Industrial in the 2nd quarter valued at about $1,310,000. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd bought a new stake in shares of CNH Industrial during the second quarter valued at approximately $7,981,000. Strs Ohio raised its position in CNH Industrial by 41.8% in the 2nd quarter. Strs Ohio now owns 193,543 shares of the companys stock worth $2,508,000 after purchasing an additional 57,080 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank Pictet & Cie Europe AG increased its stake in shares of CNH Industrial by 64.6% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Pictet & Cie Europe AG now owns 214,393 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,779,000 after buying an additional 84,138 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 59.88% of the companys stock.

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on CNH. Barclays dropped their target price on CNH Industrial from $16.00 to $14.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 20th. Raymond James Financial reduced their target price on CNH Industrial from $15.00 to $14.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on shares of CNH Industrial from $12.00 to $10.50 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Monday. Citigroup lowered their price target on CNH Industrial from $16.00 to $13.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Monday. Finally, Truist Financial reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $13.00 price target (down from $14.00) on shares of CNH Industrial in a research report on Monday. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating, seven have assigned 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 Moderate Buy and an average price target of $13.67.

View Our Latest Analysis on CNH

About CNH Industrial

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CNH Industrial NV is an equipment and services company, which develops, manufactures and sells specialized machines and services for the farming and construction industries, and supplies replacement parts and accessories. It operates through the following operating segments: Agriculture, Construction, and Financial Services.

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Macerich (NYSE:MAC  Get Free Report) had its price objective upped by equities researchers at Scotiabank from $18.00 to $19.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a sector perform rating on the real estate investment trusts stock. Scotiabanks target price suggests a potential upside of 9.92% from the stocks previous close.

Several other analysts also recently weighed in on MAC. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Macerich from $18.00 to $19.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 27th. Evercore ISI lifted their price target on Macerich from $18.00 to $20.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a report on Monday, September 15th. Wall Street Zen lowered Macerich from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Saturday, August 2nd. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH began coverage on Macerich in a research note on Friday, July 18th. They set a buy rating and a $25.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Bank of America raised Macerich from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their price target for the stock from $19.00 to $23.00 in a research note on Friday, September 26th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Macerich has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $19.95.

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Macerich Stock Down 1.5%

Macerich stock traded down $0.26 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $17.29. 531,774 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,985,856. The firm has a market cap of $4.43 billion, a P/E ratio of -9.88, a P/E/G ratio of 2.96 and a beta of 2.25. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $17.61 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $16.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.00, a current ratio of 0.76 and a quick ratio of 0.76. Macerich has a 1 year low of $12.48 and a 1 year high of $22.27.

Macerich (NYSE:MAC  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.35 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.36 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $253.26 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $246.77 million. Macerich had a negative return on equity of 15.15% and a negative net margin of 41.33%.The companys quarterly revenue was up 15.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.38 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Macerich will post 1.55 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in MAC. State Street Corp increased its holdings in Macerich by 2.4% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 15,162,075 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $245,322,000 after purchasing an additional 351,907 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its stake in Macerich by 73.2% during the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 11,521,554 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $209,692,000 after purchasing an additional 4,868,844 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Macerich by 2.3% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 6,498,679 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $105,160,000 after purchasing an additional 145,906 shares during the last quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Macerich by 40.1% in the first quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. now owns 6,130,323 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $105,258,000 after purchasing an additional 1,754,466 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Northern Trust Corp lifted its stake in Macerich by 3.6% during the 1st quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 4,357,185 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $74,813,000 after acquiring an additional 151,295 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 87.38% of the companys stock.

About Macerich

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Macerich is a fully integrated, self-managed and self-administered real estate investment trust (REIT). As a leading owner, operator and developer of high-quality retail real estate in densely populated and attractive U.S. markets, Macerichs portfolio is concentrated in California, the Pacific Northwest, Phoenix/Scottsdale, and the Metro New York to Washington, DC corridor.

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Element Fleet Management (TSE:EFN  Get Free Report) had its price target raised by research analysts at Raymond James Financial from C$40.00 to C$41.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday,BayStreet.CA reports. Raymond James Financials target price suggests a potential upside of 14.46% from the companys previous close.

A number of other equities analysts have also issued reports on EFN. Jefferies Financial Group upped their target price on shares of Element Fleet Management from C$41.00 to C$42.00 in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. National Bankshares upped their price objective on Element Fleet Management from C$47.00 to C$48.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, October 27th. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their target price on Element Fleet Management from C$43.00 to C$47.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, August 8th. TD Securities upped their price target on Element Fleet Management from C$41.00 to C$42.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, August 7th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on Element Fleet Management from C$35.00 to C$40.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, August 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Element Fleet Management has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$42.00.

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Element Fleet Management Price Performance

Insider Buying and Selling

TSE:EFN traded down C$1.99 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching C$35.82. The company had a trading volume of 842,049 shares, compared to its average volume of 605,935. The company has a quick ratio of 5.70, a current ratio of 7.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 303.64. The stock has a 50-day moving average of C$36.97 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$35.16. Element Fleet Management has a one year low of C$25.00 and a one year high of C$38.26. The firm has a market capitalization of C$14.38 billion, a PE ratio of 35.82, a PEG ratio of 2.97 and a beta of 0.41.

In other Element Fleet Management news, insider Heath Leslie Valkenburg acquired 813 shares of Element Fleet Management stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 10th. The stock was bought at an average cost of C$36.90 per share, for a total transaction of C$29,999.70. Following the purchase, the insider directly owned 4,153 shares in the company, valued at approximately C$153,245.70. This represents a 24.34% increase in their position. 0.26% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

About Element Fleet Management

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Element Financial separated into two independent public companies in October 2016. The former company now consists of Element Fleet Management, a global fleet management company, and ECN Capital, a commercial finance company. Element Fleet Management provides management services and financing for commercial vehicle and equipment fleets.

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Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) saw unusually large options trading on Thursday. Investors acquired 138,522 call options on the company. This represents an increase of approximately 87% compared to the typical daily volume of 74,172 call options.

Institutional Trading of Eli Lilly and Company

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of LLY. Wealth Preservation Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the first quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the 2nd quarter valued at $27,000. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the 2nd quarter valued at $29,000. Steph & Co. boosted its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 290.0% during the 3rd quarter. Steph & Co. now owns 39 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 29 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Financial Gravity Companies Inc. bought a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company during the 2nd quarter worth $31,000. 82.53% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

LLY has been the topic of a number of research reports. Berenberg Bank reaffirmed a hold rating and issued a $830.00 price objective (down from $970.00) on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Wednesday, September 17th. Daiwa America downgraded shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Sunday, August 17th. UBS Group raised their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $895.00 to $1,080.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Cantor Fitzgerald boosted their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $925.00 to $985.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Hsbc Global Res raised shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a moderate sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, August 27th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have given a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Eli Lilly and Company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $999.32.

Eli Lilly and Company Price Performance

Shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock traded up $8.16 on Thursday, reaching $1,025.94. 3,082,470 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,068,429. 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 $969.91 billion, a PE ratio of 67.07, a P/E/G ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 0.43. The firms 50 day moving average is $815.33 and its 200-day moving average is $778.16. Eli Lilly and Company has a one year low of $623.78 and a one year high of $1,032.95.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data 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 period in the previous year, the business earned $1.18 earnings per share. The companys 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. As a group, analysts anticipate 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 dividend of $1.50 per share. This represents a $6.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 14th. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio is currently 29.35%.

About Eli Lilly and Company

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Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity.

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Terreno Realty (NYSE:TRNO  Get Free Report) had its target price upped by analysts at Citigroup from $58.00 to $64.00 in a note issued to investors on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a neutral rating on the real estate investment trusts stock. Citigroups target price suggests a potential upside of 4.99% from the stocks current price.

Several other analysts also recently commented on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of Terreno Realty from $63.00 to $60.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, August 27th. Cantor Fitzgerald began coverage on shares of Terreno Realty in a research report on Wednesday, October 1st. They set an overweight rating and a $70.00 price objective for the company. KeyCorp decreased their target price on Terreno Realty from $70.00 to $64.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, August 21st. Scotiabank upgraded Terreno Realty from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating and set a $67.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Monday. Finally, UBS Group set a $71.00 price target on Terreno Realty in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Terreno Realty currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $67.00.

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Terreno Realty Stock Down 0.0%

Shares of NYSE:TRNO traded down $0.01 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $60.96. The stock had a trading volume of 335,340 shares, compared to its average volume of 856,155. The company has a market cap of $6.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.21, a PEG ratio of 2.51 and a beta of 1.07. Terreno Realty has a 12 month low of $48.18 and a 12 month high of $69.20. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $58.80 and its 200-day simple moving average is $57.51. The company has a quick ratio of 1.75, a current ratio of 1.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20.

Terreno Realty (NYSE:TRNO  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.00 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.66 by $0.34. Terreno Realty had a net margin of 59.56% and a return on equity of 6.71%. The firm had revenue of $116.25 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $114.62 million. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Terreno Realty will post 2.64 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, EVP John Tull Meyer sold 4,758 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $59.95, for a total value of $285,242.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president 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 transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 2.00% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Terreno Realty

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Terreno Realty by 73.3% in the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 447 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 189 shares during the last quarter. Mather Group LLC. acquired a new stake in shares of Terreno Realty in the third quarter valued at about $25,000. First Horizon Corp bought a new position in shares of Terreno Realty during the third quarter worth about $26,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. raised its position 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 worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 350 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Osaic Holdings Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Terreno Realty by 140.6% in the second quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 611 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 357 shares during the period.

About Terreno Realty

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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.

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Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores (NYSE:AVAL  Get Free Report) posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday. The bank reported $0.11 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.10 by $0.01, Zacks reports. Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores had a return on equity of 2.61% and a net margin of 4.49%.

Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores Stock Down 1.5%

Shares of AVAL traded down $0.07 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $4.29. The company had a trading volume of 193,811 shares, compared to its average volume of 115,537. The stock has a market cap of $5.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.84 and a beta of 0.83. The companys 50 day moving average price is $3.66 and its 200 day moving average price is $3.18. The company has a quick ratio of 0.99, a current ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores has a 52 week low of $1.97 and a 52 week high of $4.50.

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Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 9th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be paid a dividend of $0.0115 per share. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. Grupo Aval Acciones y Valoress dividend payout ratio is 35.48%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in AVAL. XTX Topco Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores in the second quarter worth $78,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores in the 2nd quarter worth about $34,000. Marshall Wace LLP boosted its position in Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores by 73.6% during the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 60,733 shares of the banks stock worth $171,000 after acquiring an additional 25,753 shares during the period. Jane Street Group LLC purchased a new position in Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores during the 2nd quarter valued at about $155,000. Finally, BTG Pactual Asset Management US LLC acquired a new position in shares of Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores in the 2nd quarter valued at about $99,000. 0.21% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

AVAL has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. Citigroup upgraded shares of Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

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Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores Company Profile

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Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores SA provides a range of financial services and products to public and private sector customers in Colombia and Central America. It offers traditional deposit services and products, including checking accounts, savings accounts, time deposits, and other deposits. The company also provides commercial loans comprising general purpose loans, working capital loans, leases, loans funded by development banks, corporate credit cards, and overdraft loans; consumer loans, such as payroll loans, personal loans, automobile and other vehicle loans, credit cards, overdrafts, leases, and general purpose loans; and microcredit and mortgage loans.

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More than 400 major firms have cited AI as a reputational risk in SEC filings so far this year.

Companies warn AI has the potential to spread false or biased info, compromise security, or violate others' rights.

Despite disclosures, CEOs like Take-Two's Strauss Zelnick say adopting AI is key to staying competitive.

Corporate America is sounding the alarm on AI.

An increasing share of companies' annual filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission now caution investors that the technology could have a significant negative impact on their businesses.

So far this year, 418 publicly traded companies valued at more than $1 billion have cited AI-related risk factors associated with reputational harm in those reports, according to an analysis conducted with AlphaSense. That is a 46% jump from 2024 and roughly nine times greater than in 2023.

AI datasets could hurt a company's image, the filings say, by producing biased or incorrect information, compromising security, or infringing on others' rights.

For instance, Take-Two Interactive Software highlighted AI as a risk factor in its 2024 filing with the SEC and expanded that disclosure with more than double the number of words in its 2025 filing.

"All of us are using AI today in a way that's greater than we used it a year ago and greater than the year before that," the video-game maker's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, told Business Insider. "With more usage, more experimentation, and more implementation, there's the potential for more risk as well."

Companies taking these steps span a wide range of industries.

For example, Visa's SEC filing earlier this month says that as the financial services company scales its use of agentic AI for commerce, "we may see increased instances of erroneous or disputed payments, increased chargebacks and reputational harm."

Consumer-products manufacturer Clorox noted in its August report that AI tools "may compromise confidential or sensitive information," while cosmetics brand ELF Beauty said in a May filing that its "ability to adapt to new regulations, technological shifts, ethical standards, and stakeholder expectations regarding AI may materially impact our operations, financial condition, or reputation."

'Known unknowns'

Companies are legally required to update risk factors in their SEC filings when new, material risks emerge or existing ones change. The goal is to "scare investors" into understanding what could materially harm the company, which is an intentional feature of the system, said M. Todd Henderson, a law professor at the University of Chicago Law School.
BigBear.ai, SoundHound AI, Tempus AI, Hut 8, TNL Mediagene, Fluence Energy, and Fermi are the seven Artificial Intelligence stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Artificial intelligence stocks are shares of publicly traded companies whose core businesses develop, produce, or apply AI technologiesranging from AI software and cloud platforms to semiconductor makers and data-service providers. For investors, these stocks offer exposure to potential growth from AI adoption but come with sector-specific risks such as high valuations, rapid technological change, regulatory scrutiny, and dependence on data and compute infrastructure. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Artificial Intelligence stocks within the last several days.

Get alerts:

BigBear.ai (BBAI)

BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. provides artificial intelligence-powered decision intelligence solutions. It offers national security, supply chain management, and digital identity and biometrics solutions. The company also provides data ingestion, data enrichment, data processing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, predictive analytics, and predictive visualization solutions and services.

SoundHound AI (SOUN)

SoundHound AI, Inc. develops independent voice artificial intelligence (AI) solutions that enables businesses across automotive, TV, and IoT, and to customer service industries to deliver high-quality conversational experiences to their customers. Its products include Houndify platform that offers a suite of Houndify tools to help brands build conversational voice assistants, such as Application Programming Interfaces (API) for text and voice queries, support for custom commands, extensive library of content domains, inclusive software development kit platforms, collaboration capabilities, diagnostic tools, and built-in analytics; SoundHound Chat AI that integrates with knowledge domains, pulling real-time data like weather, sports, stocks, flight status, and restaurants; and SoundHound Smart Answering is built to offer customer establishments custom AI-powered voice assistant.

Read Our Latest Research Report on SOUN

Tempus AI (TEM)

Tempus AI Inc. is a technology company advancing precision medicine through the practical application of artificial intelligence principally in healthcare. The company provides AI-enabled precision medicine solutions to physicians to deliver personalized patient care and in parallel facilitates discovery, development and delivery of optimal therapeutics.

Read Our Latest Research Report on TEM

Hut 8 (HUT)

Hut 8 Corp., together with its subsidiaries, acquires, builds, manages, and operates data centers for digital assets mining, computing, and artificial intelligence in the United States. It operates in four segments: Digital Assets Mining, Managed Services, High Performance Computing Colocation and Cloud, and Other.

Read Our Latest Research Report on HUT

TNL Mediagene (TNMG)

Read Our Latest Research Report on TNMG

Fluence Energy (FLNC)

Fluence Energy, Inc., through its subsidiaries, offers energy storage products and solution, services, and artificial intelligence enabled software-as-a-service products for renewables and storage applications in the Americas, the Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The company sells energy storage products with integrated hardware, software, and digital intelligence.

Read Our Latest Research Report on FLNC

Fermi (FRMI)

Fermis mission is to power the artificial intelligence (AI) needs of tomorrow. We are an advanced energy and hyperscaler development company purpose-built for the AI era. Our mission is to deliver up to 11 gigawatts (GW) of low-carbon, HyperRedundant, and on-demand power directly to the worlds most compute-intensive businesses with 1.1 GW of power projected to be online by the end of 2026.

Read Our Latest Research Report on FRMI

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In a heartbreaking update, the search for 53-year-old man Philip Massey after a long seven months has been stood down following the discovery of a body by Gardai.

Philip, originally from Blackrock in county Dublin had been missing since St. Patricks night Monday March 17, 2025.

READ NEXT: 'A truly remarkable woman' - Heartbreak as mother of missing schoolboy Philip Cairns dies

He was captured on CCTV shortly after 7pm walking on his own on Georges Street Upper, Dun Laoghaire. He then turned left onto Patricks Street, left again onto Cantwell Lane, after which he turned right onto Northumberland Avenue. His movements after this point are currently unknown.

Philip was well known in the community both in Ballybrack and Dun Laoghaire. He suffers from epilepsy and had discharged himself from St. Vincents Hospital earlier on in the day prior to returning to Dun Laoghaire. Philip had not been seen since then and his family were very concerned for his wellbeing and whereabouts.

READ NEXT: 50,000 raised in two days for 'talented' GAA star (13) diagnosed with cancer

In a tragic update on Thursday afternoon, Gardai said,

"Following the discovery of a mans body, the missing person appeal for Philip Massey who was reported missing from Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin since 20th March 2025 has been stood down.

"Gardai would like to thank the public for their assistance."
An attack planned on a mosque in Galway was imminent, gardai have told a court in Co Laois.

The comments were made at Portlaoise District Court as gardai opposed bail for a man charged in relation to a cross-border investigation into far-right extremism.

Karolis Peckauskas, 38, of Newfoundwell Road, Drogheda, Co Louth, is charged with one offence of possession of an explosive substance in Portlaoise on November 4.

The court heard that Mr Peckauskas was in the drivers seat of a car registered to him with another male that was searched in Portlaoise on that day.

Detective Garda Joseph Fahy said items including pipe caps, six litres of hydrogen peroxide, and plumbers putty, as well as manifesto documents, were seized from the boot of the car.

He said the examination of devices seized as part of the investigation indicate the planning of a terrorist attack on behalf of a right-wing violent extremist grouping.

He said that gardai had seized a manifesto document outlining an intention to attack a mosque on behalf of the right-wing group.

We fully believe an attack was imminent, Mr Fahy told the court on Thursday.

The judge was told that a video integral to their objection to bail could be shown in court.

Defence barrister Niall Storan said Mr Peckauskas is a Lithuanian national who has been in Ireland since 2006 and has family members in Ireland, including his father who has been in Ireland for 30 years and is an Irish citizen.

Mr Storan objected to the video being shown and said it was manifestly inadmissible.

Judge Andrew Cody allowed the video to be shown after journalists and members of the public left the courtroom.

Giving his decision, the judge said the video was recovered from a co-accuseds phone and appeared to show four men dressed in black and wearing balaclavas in front of a tricolour.

He said two of the people remove their balaclavas at the end of the video and another person has the balaclava loose around his eyes.

The judge said he was satisfied that gardais opinion that Mr Peckauskas is one of the four men was well-founded.

He said a typed, prepared statement is read out in the video, and it is clear that the video was a practice of a statement being released subsequent to a successful terrorist attack.

He said the figures appear to be laughing and joking at times in the video.

Addressing all citizens in the north and south of Ireland, the judge said the group states that people have had enough poor treatment due to the number of migrants flooded into the country.

Identifying themselves as the Irish Defence Army (IDA), they state that they accept responsibility for actions that resulted in the destruction of the first mosque in Ireland, located in Co Galway.

They state that they accept it would have caused a lot of hurt and disruption but they do not care.

They say that this will not be their last attack.

They describe their approach as an eye for an eye.

The judge also said that those who facilitate Ipas (International Protection Accommodation Service) centres, mosques and hotels housing migrants would be targeted.

The judge said he had considered Mr Fahys objection well founded and said refusing bail was reasonably considered necessary.

Mr Peckauskas was refused bail and remanded in custody for four weeks until December 11, where he is to appear via videolink at Portlaoise District Court.

A translator was used by Mr Peckauskas throughout proceedings on Thursday.
Asset Advantage has introduced two new loan products aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the UK.

The capital expenditure (CapEx) term loan is intended to provide funding for business assets that fall outside of conventional finance options.

This includes specialist equipment and soft assets, as well as costs related to refurbishments, fit outs and equipment commissioning.

The second product, a business acquisition loan, is targeted at those looking to buy a business, buy out a partner, or carry out a management buy-in.

The loan offers an upfront lump sum with structured repayments, with the company typically financing the full value of the transaction.

Both loans are available in amounts ranging from 75,000 ($98,469) to 500,000 ($656,465), with repayment periods of up to 60 months.

The products are open to limited companies, sole traders, and limited liability partnership (LLPs).

Start-ups, defined as businesses with no more than two years of filed accounts, are also eligible.

Asset Advantage sales director Gary Thompson said: Our new look business loans offering makes it even easier for commercial brokers to pair the right products and funding with the right client and business case.

Our two new dedicated products answer the clear funding needs many SMEs currently face  whether its support with an acquisition, the need to complete fit-outs and refurbs or acquire non-standard assets.

Business loans offer a tremendous vehicle to achieve this and with our flexible, pragmatic approach to funding, they remain a popular part of our offering.

Asset Advantage began offering business loans in 2014 to expand broker options and address funding needs in the market. Its loans can be used for acquisitions or for purchasing a broad range of asset types without sector limitations.

The new loans form part of the companys wider portfolio, which has included asset finance solutions such as hire purchase and finance lease since 2007.

"Asset Advantage introduces new loan products for SMEs" was originally created and published by Leasing Life, a GlobalData owned brand.




A quick missive from THE VERY BEST & BRIGHTEST TKC READERS who watch the local discourse better than anybody else . . .

For those who don't bother to look closely . . .

THE KANSAS CITY STAR DEPENDS ON AI SO DEEPLY THAT THEY OFFER ROBOTS A BYLINE!!!

There was a time where real reporters worked YEARS for that honor. Now machines garner writing credit to keep the dead-tree operation running. In fairness, they deserve credit for at least identifying the AI slop that might or might not help their fortunes.

Take a peek via www.TonysKansasCity.com reader screencap . . .
During the midday . . . A tragedy unfolds on Kansas City streets.

Here's the report right now . . .

"According to Kansas City police, around 10 a.m., a child was shot at an apartment on Willow Avenue near East 40th Street, just south of 40 Highway and west of South Sterling Avenue."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Kansas City Police Department confirms child shot at apartment complex Police are investigating a reported shooting involving a person under the age of 18.

Child shot at apartment complex in Kansas City Wednesday morning A child was shot in Kansas City, Missouri on Wednesday morning on Willow Avenue near East 40th Street

Police say child under the age of 5 shot at Kansas City apartment; circumstances of shooting unclear A child was shot Wednesday morning at a Kansas City apartment, police say.

Developing . . .
Right now, just for close readers we're inspired to plunge into the discourse by billionaire, fashionista and Insta hottie Kylie by way of pop culture, community reporting and top headlines.

Check TKC news gathering . . .

Calling Out Local Captive

Kansas City Zoo invites public to help name new giraffe calf There are six names to choose from, pre-selected by animal care staff.

Salty Selections

Two big names coming to Morton Amphitheater in Riverside next year Next summer, you will have the chance to see two big names headlining at the Kansas City metro's newest outdoor amphitheater!

McFail In Local Options

McDonald's is looking to build another Kansas City-area spot. Here's where New McDonald's locations don't open in the metro often.

Late Dad Line Debuts

Family of late Chiefs star Derrick Thomas debuts new clothing line in his honor Chiefs fans remember defensive star Derrick Thomas as being a force of nature.

Fanboi Blowout Your Endgame

Massive Mexican sports bar opens in Kansas City: 'Leading the path' Next, a speakeasy-style concept is coming to the basement of the Westport building.

Celeb Shows NEARLY All

Kylie Jenner's Backless, Side Boob-Baring Minidress Plunges All the Way to Her Butt Amid ongoing chatter about her romance with Timothee Chalamet, Kylie Jenner is refocusing the world's attention on her fashion-and, by extension, her butt. See her latest look, here.

MAGA Postscript Exposed

Jeffrey Epstein wrote Trump 'knew about the girls' and referenced Mar-a-Lago in newly released emails WASHINGTON - Jeffrey Epstein referenced President Donald Trump in emails to his associate Ghislaine Maxwell and a journalist, claiming in one that Trump "knew about the girls," according to emails released by House Democrats

GOP Turns On Prez?!?

Republicans increasingly oppose Trump's government management: Poll Democrats remain as opposed as ever.

Fox News Roasts Prez

Trump Seems To Think America Lacks Talent During Interview With Laura Ingraham About Foreign Workers President Donald Trump clashed with Fox News' Laura Ingraham on whether bringing in foreign workers is beneficial to Americans in a segment released on Tuesday.

Brits Bow To White House

BBC prepared to apologise to Trump to resolve billion-dollar legal threat The US president has threatened the BBC with a lawsuit over the editing of a Trump speech in an edition of Panorama

Holy Land Exchange

Israeli president responds to Trump's letter asking him to pardon Netanyahu in corruption cases Israel's president says Trump sent him a letter asking him to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who's on trial in three separate corruption cases.

Eastern Europe Tech War Cont'd

Ukraine's first 'drone wall' is about to see action combating Russia's most menacing threats, its Western maker says The wall is intended to protect cities and key infrastructure from Russian glide bombs and Shahed-type drones.

South Of Border Preps For Inevitable Defeat

Venezuela launches huge military exercise as U.S. Navy flotilla nears Caribbean waters Venezuela has announced a major military exercise, reportedly involving 200,000 troops, as a U.S. Navy flotilla nears Caribbean waters.

Intrigue Across Pond

Britain's Starmer forced to respond to ouster plot claims amid dismal poll ratings | CNN British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was forced Wednesday to address reports that rivals in his Labour Party are plotting to replace him as leader, just two weeks ahead of a government budget announcement that could worsen his already dire poll ratings.

Final Note . . .

Cleto Escobedo III, leader of Jimmy Kimmel's house band, dies at 59 Escobedo had been leading Kimmel's house band since the show launched in 2003. The musician and the comedian were childhood friends in Las Vegas.

Bipartisan Boogie In Beltway Exposed

'A Lot' of Orgies: Tucker Carlson Claims Congressmen's 'Personal Lives Are Getting Weirder' Tucker Carlson said Washington, D.C. is getting "weirder" and kinkier, even by its own sordid standards, with the ex-Fox News star hearing about orgies "a lot"

Local Comic Flare

IN Conversation with Jason Aaron - IN Kansas City Magazine He's been called the biggest name in modern comics, and for the last 25 years, Jason Aaron has called Kansas City home. Writing stories for top Marvel titles such as Thor, Avengers, Wolverine, Ghost Rider, and Star Wars and creating critically acclaimed indie works, such as Scalped and Southern Bastards, Aaron, 52, is at the...

Cowtown High Culture

"Taylar Sanders: The Emotional Spectrum: A Black Palette," ArtsKC Gallery and "Claude Harris III: Mythical and Melanated," Ruby Jean's Art Hall Both exhibitions present the viewer with masterful, yet deeply introspective, paintings that emanate empathy, sincerity and humanity.

Talking The News Today

KSHB 41 News' Charlie Keegan participating in media literacy panel Join KSHB 41 News reporter Charlie Keegan and other journalists at the Mid-Continent Public Library for a panel discussion on digital news literacy on Wednesday, Nov. 12.

Enjoy KC Upscale Carbs

Dish & Drink KC: Infused BBQ at Night Goat and Parisian crepes at Chez Elle Creperie and Coffeehouse Dish & Drink KC logo by Theodore Rosen Tucked inside a Parisian-styled brick building in the Westside neighborhood, Chez Elle Creperie and Coffeehouse feels like a little slice of Paris right in the heart of Kansas City. From the moment you walk in, you're wrapped in the smell of espresso and warm butter, with sunlight spilling across the tables and...

Wednesday bounces back to spring with warmer temperatures, more northern lights possible The northern lights might be visible again, especially in areas with less light pollution

Robyn - Dopamine is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
Here's the rub . . .

Even our progressive newsies have noted this week that Democratic Party & Republicans largely support border control . . . Remember that Prez Obama had bested MAGA on deportations until very recently.

And now . . .

Here's the local newspaper advocacy in the lull before slapfighting over midterms starts . . .

"On Aug. 2, while on a Sunday errand to an auto parts store, he became one of the hundreds of thousands of immigrants in the U.S. who, since January, have found themselves arrested, detained and soon deported back to their home countries, swept up into the promise made by President Donald Trump on the path to his second presidency to conduct the largest deportation operation in the history of our country.



"While photos and videos of arrests across the nation have become common, including last week on the streets of Lenexa, Kansas, the experiences of those arrested, detained and deported are rarely heard. On a Zoom video call from El Salvador, Rojas spoke to The Star and other local media regarding the violence of his arrest and the aftermath."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
Sky Vacations Partners with Polish Tourism Organization to Spotlight Poland



(TRAVPR.COM) USA - November 12th, 2025 -

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New York  November 11, 2025: Sky Vacations, one of North Americas leading luxury tour operators, is thrilled to announce its new partnership with the Polish Tourism Organization, unveiling Poland as one of Europes most captivating hidden gems for North American travelers.

Long celebrated for its rich history, striking architecture, and soulful culture, Poland is stepping into the global spotlight and Sky Vacations is ready to showcase it like never before. From the royal grandeur of Krakow to Warsaws buzzing nightlife, the artistic energy of odz to the seaside charm of Gdansk, Poland is a destination that surprises, delights, and lingers in the heart of every traveler.

Poland is one of Europes best-kept secrets, said Richard Krieger, Director of Sky Vacations. Its a place where medieval castles meet modern design, where the cafe culture thrives beside centuries-old cathedrals, and where every meal feels like a story told around the table. Our partnership with the Polish Tourism Organization allows us to bring that spirit to life for travelers who crave authenticity, discovery, and a touch of adventure.

As the Polish National Tourist Organization, our goal is to reach as many Americans as possible who are considering travel to Europe.  said Paula Fanderowska, Director of Polish National Tourist Office North America. Poland offers remarkable, yet often undiscovered experiences - from rich cultural heritage to vibrant cities and breathtaking natural landscapes. For travelers seeking a destination that combines safety, high-quality service, and authentic cultural depth, Poland is an excellent choice. Thats why partnering with one of the most trusted travel companies, Sky Vacations, was a natural decision for us. Together, we can inspire more Americans to discover what makes Poland truly unique.

Through this collaboration, Sky Vacations will curate tailor-made journeys that go beyond the ordinary - whether guests are drawn to Polands art and architecture, its vibrant festivals, its culinary scene, or its dramatic natural beauty from the Tatra Mountains to the Masurian Lakes. Each itinerary will be custom crafted to match travelers passions, transforming a vacation into a deeply personal experience.

Whether its strolling through Krakows Old Town at sunset, tasting pierogi in a local market, discovering Warsaws cutting-edge art galleries, or dancing through the vibrant nightlife of Gdansk, every journey through Poland tells a story, one of resilience, creativity, and beauty.

With Sky Vacations deep expertise in luxury and cultural travel, and the Polish Tourism Organizations local insight, this partnership promises to redefine how North Americans experience Poland - not as a stopover, but as a destination to be explored and celebrated.

Sky Vacations travel designers will work closely with clients to create bespoke itineraries based on their interests, whether that means tracing royal history, diving into Polands Jewish heritage, hiking its scenic landscapes, or experiencing the warmth of its Christmas markets.

For more details on custom journeys to Poland, visit https://www.skyvacations.net/poland/ or call +1 877.666.3113.

About Sky Vacations

As one of North Americas leading tour operators, Sky Vacations curates unique travel experiences for individual travelers and groups worldwide. Sky Vacations is a proud Active Member of USTOA, IGLTA, and ATTA.

PRESS CONTACT:

Priya Chhabra

E: priya@skyvacations.net

D: +1 248 653 1618

###
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has expressed its condolences to the family, relatives, and colleagues of the well-known Azerbaijani journalist, former correspondent of the Euronews TV channel, Emin Ibrahimov, in connection with his tragic death, the publication of the ministry on X page said, Trend reports.

"As a professional representative of Azerbaijani journalism, Emin Ibrahimov, who took a place both in our country and in the international media environment, was remembered for his objectivity, patriotism, and high professionalism in his reports, especially during the Patriotic War," the post said.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijani journalist and Euronews correspondent Emin Ibrahimov died in a car accident in Turkiye.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. The latest C5+1 summit, held on November 6, 2025, in Washington, was a major turning point in the geopolitical history of the region, the political scientist Azer Garayev told Trend.

He noted that this platform, which previously had a more diplomatic character, has now acquired real economic and strategic content and brought new dynamics to US policy in Central Asia.

"The summit with the participation of President Donald Trump testifies both to Washington's serious return to the region and to the fact that this return is based on specific economic priorities. The political philosophy of the Trump administration, unlike previous administrations, focuses on using the economy and business tools as the basis for foreign policy. As former US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Matthew Bryza noted, Washington already views the C5+1 platform not simply as a tool for political dialogue, but as a means of ensuring strategic partnership and stability. In this way, the US intends to integrate the energy and logistics potential of Central Asia into the global economic system," he said.

Garayev noted that the economic agenda of the new US administration, in particular, the publication of a list of strategic minerals, indicates that there are specific plans in this direction. " 15 of the 60 strategic minerals important to the US are rare earth elements, and without them, the development of modern military, technological, and green energy sectors is impossible. The natural targets of this policy are the rich resource bases of countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. The agreements signed at the summit are a real manifestation of US economic diplomacy. The multi-billion dollar tungsten project between Tau-Ken Samruk and Cove Capital, Uzbekistan's plan to invest $100 billion in the US economy over the next ten years, all point to a new stage of economic integration in the region. This flow of investment includes not only resource extraction, but also infrastructure, IT, and alternative energy sources. The US interest here is focused not only on the export of raw materials, but also on the formation of a value chain," he said.

The political scientist noted that the transit and transportation of these resources are no less important than the region's resource potential. "It is at this stage that Azerbaijan's role comes to the fore. Azerbaijan, which offers a reliable, stable, and secure transit route for the US and Europe, has effectively transformed the C5+1 platform into a C6+1 format. As Richard Hoglund, head of the Caspian Policy Center, said, Azerbaijan has already become an integral part of this format. It is in this context that the TRIPP (The Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity) project, announced on the initiative of President Donald Trump, brings Azerbaijan's transit capabilities to the global level. This project, as a new, modern infrastructure artery of the Middle Corridor stretching from East to West, will strengthen the geo-economic integration of the Central Asia and Caucasus region," he said.

The political scientist noted that this not only increases Azerbaijan's transit potential, but also provides Central Asia with access to Europe. Azerbaijan's transport infrastructurethe Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, nine international airports, the largest merchant fleet on the Caspian Sea, and a renovated port complexhas turned the country into the region's main logistics hub. This has led to an almost 90 percent increase in traffic volume along the Middle Corridor and has attracted even more attention from power centers such as the US. For the US, Azerbaijan is both a bastion of stability in the South Caucasus and a strategic window to Central Asia. Recognizing this reality, Washington seeks to expand ties with Azerbaijan not only in the energy sector but also in logistics, the digital economy, and security. In the words of former US Ambassador John Herbst, the Middle Corridor is not only an economic but also a strategic project, and the US is ready to support its implementation, he said.

According to the political scientist, as a result, the Central Asian region has become an arena for geo-economic competition between powers.

China is expanding its access to the region through the Belt and Road Initiative, Russia through the Eurasian Union, and the European Union through the Global Gateway program. The US is restoring its geo-economic role in this process through the C5+1 platform and the TRIPP project. Azerbaijan is at the center of this new regional order. The balanced, multifaceted foreign policy pursued by President Ilham Aliyev has turned the country into a strategic bridge between East and West and North and South. In this context, Washington's return to the region marks the beginning of not only political but also geopolitical transformation. A new era of opportunities is dawning for Central Asia, and the key to these opportunities lies in Baku's hands," he said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received a delegation of the U.S. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on November 13, Trend reports.

The delegation included David Bednar, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Jack Gerard, a member of the Quorum of the Seventy and First Counselor of the Europe Central Area Office, Miles Hansen, President and Board Director for the Stirling Foundation, and Paul Picard, a member of the Europe Central and Eurasian Quorum of the Seventy.

During the conversation, the sides fondly recalled the previous meetings between President Ilham Aliyev and the delegation of the U.S. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The delegates conveyed their congratulations to President Ilham Aliyev on the achievements attained in Washington regarding the advancement of the peace agenda between Azerbaijan and Armenia, witnessed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Expressing his gratitude for the congratulations, the head of state highlighted the historical importance of the agreements reached between Azerbaijan and Armenia in Washington, emphasizing that they play an important role in the development of the region. Noting that Azerbaijan-U.S. relations have entered a new stage after Donald Trump's re-election as President, President Ilham Aliyev recalled that significant documents were signed regarding the development of bilateral relations during his visit to Washington in August of this year.

The delegates expressed their gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for the official registration of the U.S. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by the Azerbaijani government, saying that they would participate in the opening of the Baku office of this church. They described this as a manifestation of the care shown to representatives of all religions in Azerbaijan.

The meeting highlighted the efforts undertaken at the state level in Azerbaijan to promote intercultural and interreligious dialogue, as well as many significant international events that have been organized in the country in this regard.

It was noted that tolerance is the way of life for the people of Azerbaijan, and through history, representatives of different religions and nations have lived in Azerbaijan in peace and harmony as one family.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. The relations between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan are currently positioned at the highest level  that of allies, said President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in an interview with Uzbekistan National News Agency (UzA), Trend reports.

"It is of no small important factor that impacts on the development of our relations, is the personal, confident and friendly relationship I have shaped with the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev. In particular, I would like to highlight the President's personal contribution to the progression of our interstate relations and the way he constantly puts focus on the issues to consistently solidify the multifaceted cooperation.

It is always a great honor and pleasure for us to welcome the leader of brotherly Uzbekistan, a prominent statesman and a great friend of Azerbaijan, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, on our soil. As you noted, there have been five such visits over the past year and a half. All this clearly demonstrates the high dynamics of our relations.

Last August, I made a state visit to Uzbekistan, and the President of Uzbekistan made a state visit to Azerbaijan in July of this year. During these historic visits, dozens of important documents were signed, including the Declaration on the Further Strengthening of Strategic Partnership, the Treaty on Allied Relations, the Roadmap for the Implementation of the Treaty on Allied Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2025-2029, just to name a few. A tremendous amount of work has been accomplished in a short period of time. All these mutual visits have become a significant driver in fostering Azerbaijani-Uzbek relations in all areas, both bilaterally and in terms of new partnership opportunities within a common geographic area encompassing Central Asia and the Caspian region," said President Ilham Aliyev.
Michael Burry rose to prominence after correctly predicting the collapse of the US mortgage market - Jim Spellman/WireImage

A US investor made famous by The Big Short appears to have closed his hedge fund after making a major bet against artificial intelligence (AI).

Michael Burry, who made his name by correctly predicting the collapse of the US mortgage market, has deregistered his firm, Scion Asset Management, with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Its status was terminated this week, removing federal government oversight, documents show. In a post on social media site X, Mr Burry said he was moving on to much better things Nov 25.

Hedge funds must register with the SEC if they are managing at least $100m (75m) of investor money. The decision to deregister Scion means the firm will have to return funds to investors.

Mr Burrys cryptic tweet has sparked speculation that he may be switching to running a family office, where he will invest his own wealth, requiring less oversight from federal bodies.

Burrys bet against AI

The surprise move comes weeks after Mr Burry made a $1.1bn bet on a decline in the share prices of chipmaker Nvidia and software company Palantir, both seen as bellwethers of the AI boom.

Mr Burry said on X that he had bought contracts allowing him to sell Palantir shares at $50 apiece in 2027. He would make money if the companys share price fell below that level. Its shares are currently worth $184.

Nvidias share price has fallen around 8pc since Mr Burrys bets emerged. Palantirs stock has dropped around 11pc over the same period, with its chief executive Alex Karp describing Mr Burrys position as bats--- crazy.

The short seller hit back, saying he was not surprised Mr Karp was not able to crack the filing detailing his bet against the AI software company.

Mr Burry rose to prominence after predicting the collapse of Americas mortgage-backed securities (MBS) market, which triggered the global financial crisis in 2007. He made a hugely profitable $1bn bet against the market, starting in 2005.

His story was detailed in Michael Lewiss 2010 book The Big Short, which was later adapted into a 2015 film starring Christian Bale as Mr Burry.

After years of staying quiet on X, Mr Burry has recently begun warning about the financial system, posting at the end of October: Sometimes, we see bubbles.

His posts and bets against both Nvidia and Palantir have fuelled pre-existing fears that AI stocks have become overvalued.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. The opening of the Zangezur Corridor will benefit all Central Asian countries, said President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in an interview with Uzbekistan National News Agency (UzA), Trend reports.

"One of the key areas of cooperation between our countries is the development of diversified transport and logistics infrastructure coupled with the expansion of transit capabilities. The participation of our countries in the Middle Corridor International Transport Route is of particular importance for this sphere, where Azerbaijan is serving as an important transit country for Uzbekistan and countries of Central Asia. In recent years, increasing export opportunities and shipments through the Middle Corridor have acquired particular strategic significance.

In 2024, the volume of transit traffic between our countries increased by over 18 percent compared to 2023, exceeding 1.3 million tons. In the first nine months of 2025, this figure reached around 1 million tons, demonstrating dynamic growth in transport exchange.

Azerbaijan's modern transport infrastructure, including its commercial fleet, the Alat International Trade Port, whose capacity will reach 25 million tons in the coming years, the BakuTbilisiKars railway, and the country's nine international airports are all seen as factors to enhance Azerbaijan's role as a global transport and logistical hub. Furthermore, the opening of the Zangezur Corridor will benefit all Central Asian countries.

The development of air traffic and the frequency of flights between our cities are of particular importance. AZAL operates regular passenger flights: BakuTashkentBaku seven flights per week, BakuSamarkandBaku two flights per week, and BakuUrgenchBaku two flights per week. Uzbekistan Airways operates three flights per week on the TashkentBakuTashkent route, and Centrum company operates two flights per week," said President Ilham Aliyev.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov discussed cooperation issues with President of the Asian Ombudsman Association, Federal Ombudsman of Pakistan Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi, who is on an official visit to Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Trend.

The meeting welcomed the steady and friendly development of relations between the two countries, grounded in the principles of brotherhood and mutual respect, emphasizing the exceptional role of high-level contacts between the leaders of both countries in shaping the strategic partnership.

Moreover, the meeting expressed satisfaction with the numerous bilateral and multilateral meetings held over the past year, including the trilateral summit of the leaders of Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Turkiye in the city of Lachin, Azerbaijan, this May, and the participation of the Prime Minister of Pakistan in the military parade marking the fifth anniversary of Victory Day on November 8.

The discussion also noted the growing dynamics of economic cooperation and mutual investments between the two countries, stressing that this positive trend supports progress in other areas of partnership as well.

Besides, the meeting pointed out that cooperation between the ombudsman institutions of Azerbaijan and Pakistan adds further value to the deepening and expansion of bilateral relations.

The coordinated activities of the two countries based on mutual support within international and regional organizations, including the UN, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, were highly appreciated.

Additionally, the meeting exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. Azerbaijans Minister of Emergency Situations, Colonel-General Kamaladdin Heydarov, met with the newly appointed Israeli Ambassador Ronen Krausz, the Ministry of Emergency Situations said in a statement, Trend reports.

Heydarov welcomed and congratulated the ambassador on his appointment and wished him success in his diplomatic mission.

Highlighting the fruitful and expanding relations between Azerbaijan and Israel, which are based on mutual respect and friendship, the minister underscored the ongoing and effective cooperation between the relevant agencies in combating emergency situations.

Heydarov noted Azerbaijans extensive experience in emergency response and emphasized the broad potential for further strengthening cooperation between the agencies in various fields.

Expressing gratitude for the warm welcome, Krausz hailed the bilateral relations between the two countries and the expanding collaboration between the responsible agencies of both nations in the field of emergency management.

The meeting also addressed other issues of mutual interest.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. The 42nd anniversary of the establishment of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was celebrated in Baku, Trend reports.

The ceremony was attended by members of the Milli Majlis, representatives of the diplomatic corps, public and political figures, and media representatives.

The event began with a moment of silence in memory of the Turkish military personnel killed in the crash of a Turkish C-130 military transport plane in Georgia. The national anthems of Azerbaijan and Turkiye were then played.

Next, the head of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus representative office in Baku, Ufug Turganer, and Azerbaijani MP Javanshir Feyziyev spoke.

The speakers discussed the development of friendly relations between Azerbaijan and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, ongoing joint projects, and opportunities for future cooperation. They expressed confidence that relations between the two fraternal countries will strengthen further in the future.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. The open court session in the criminal cases against citizens of the Republic of Armenia  Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and othersaccused of committing crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including the preparation and conduct of an aggressive war, genocide, violation of the laws and customs of war, as well as terrorism, financing of terrorism, violent seizure of power, violent retention of power, and numerous other crimes as a result of Armenia's military aggression against Azerbaijan, continued on November 13, Trend reports.

The court session at the Baku Military Court, chaired by Judge Zeynal Agayev and composed of Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev (with reserve judge Gunel Samadova), provided each accused person with an interpreter in the language they know, as well as defense lawyers.

The session was attended by the accused persons, their defenders, some of the victims, their legal successors and representatives, as well as prosecutors upholding the state prosecution.

The court session continued with the closing statements of the prosecutors upholding the state prosecution.

Tughay Rahimli, Assistant to the Prosecutor General on special assignments, spoke and expressed his position on the characterization of the criminal acts in the charges brought against the accused persons.

He noted that UN Security Council Resolutions 822, 853, 874, and 884 confirm that the sovereign territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan were occupied as a result of Armenia's military aggression, thereby confirming that Armenia waged an aggressive war against Azerbaijan.

The closing statement indicated that the aggressive war waged by Armenia against Azerbaijan was not factually halted even during periods when no active military operations were conducted.

During the aggressive war, the Armenian armed forces repeatedly violated the ceasefire, targeting members of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan lawfully operating on its territory, civilians, their property, state facilities for civilian purposes, religious, educational, scientific, and medical facilities, places where the sick and wounded were located, as well as objects of significant strategic importance, including the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline.

It was also stated that the systematic nature and widespread geographical scope of the torture inflicted by the Armenian armed forces prove that the application of torture reflected the policy of the Armenian state.

It was emphasized that Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions considers "the transfer by the occupying Power of parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies" a crime. It was noted that during the court investigation, the accused Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, and Bako Sahakyan confirmed in their statements the transfer of population from Armenia to the occupied regions of Azerbaijan, particularly to the Lachin district.

At the same time, these facts were confirmed based on letters examined during the court investigation, information from Armenian sources, and data from internet information resources.

It was emphasized that Armenia's military aggression was not directed solely at members of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan but also targeted areas such as the largest cities and districts  Ganja, Barda, Agjabedi, Yevlakh, Mingachevir, Zardab, Kurdamir, Gabala, and othersas objects of attack.

Thus, the evidence examined in court confirmed that Armenia occupied the sovereign territories of Azerbaijan and committed crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, and numerous other particularly serious crimes during and after the military aggression against Azerbaijan.

Subsequently, Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor General Vusal Aliyev and Nasir Bayramov, Head of the Department for Upholding State Prosecution at the General Prosecutor's Office, spoke and voiced the prosecutors' proposals regarding the punishment to be imposed for each criminal act of which the accused persons are charged.

During the speeches, it was also proposed to the court to remove certain points from the charges brought against the accused persons and to characterize the acts of the accused persons under a norm of the criminal law providing for lighter liability compared to some of the charges brought.

It was emphasized that although the accused Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, and Madat Babayan are charged with committing crimes providing for life imprisonment, and these charges were proven during the court investigation, according to the requirements of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, life imprisonment cannot be imposed on them since they reached the age of 65 before the final court decision, i.e., the verdict, is issued.

It was proposed that Harutyunyan Arayik Vladimiri be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan  planning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; attacking persons entitled to international protection; genocide; destruction of the population; slavery; forced transfer of the population; persecution; enforced disappearance of persons; deprivation of liberty in violation of international law norms; torture; mercenarism; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; military plunder; intentional murder; illegal entrepreneurship; terrorism; financing of terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; acts creating a threat to aviation safety; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislationand be finally sentenced to life imprisonment, to be served in a prison. The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detention  October 3, 2023.

Regarding Mnatsakanyan Levon Henrikhi, it was proposed that he be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijanplanning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; attacking persons entitled to international protection; destruction of the population; slavery; forced transfer of the population; persecution; enforced disappearance of persons; deprivation of liberty in violation of international law norms; torture; mercenarism; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; military plunder; intentional murder; illegal entrepreneurship; terrorism; financing of terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; acts creating a threat to aviation safety; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislationand be finally sentenced to life imprisonment, to be served in a prison. The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detention  September 29, 2023.

It was proposed that Manukyan David Azati be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijanplanning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; attacking persons entitled to international protection; destruction of the population; slavery; forced transfer of the population; persecution; enforced disappearance of persons; deprivation of liberty in violation of international law norms; torture; mercenarism; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; military plunder; intentional murder; illegal entrepreneurship; terrorism; financing of terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; acts creating a threat to aviation safety; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislation  and be finally sentenced to life imprisonment, to be served in a prison. The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detention  September 27, 2023.

Regarding Ishkhanyan Davit Rubeni, the proposal stated that he be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijanplanning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; attacking persons entitled to international protection; genocide; destruction of the population; slavery; forced transfer of the population; persecution; enforced disappearance of persons; deprivation of liberty in violation of international law norms; torture; mercenarism; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; military plunder; intentional murder; illegal entrepreneurship; terrorism; financing of terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; acts creating a threat to aviation safety; attempt on the life of a state figure; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislation  and be finally sentenced to life imprisonment, to be served in a prison. The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detentionOctober 3, 2023.

Regarding Babayan David Klimi, it was proposed that he be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijanplanning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; destruction of the population; slavery; forced transfer of the population; persecution; enforced disappearance of persons; deprivation of liberty in violation of international law norms; torture; mercenarism; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; military plunder; intentional murder; illegal entrepreneurship; terrorism; financing of terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; acts creating a threat to aviation safety; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislation  and be finally sentenced to life imprisonment, to be served in a prison. The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detention  September 28, 2023.

It was proposed that Ghukasyan (Gukasyan) Arkadi Arshavir* be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijanplanning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; attacking persons entitled to international protection; genocide; destruction of the population; slavery; forced transfer of the population; persecution; enforced disappearance of persons; deprivation of liberty in violation of international law norms; torture; mercenarism; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; military plunder; intentional murder; illegal entrepreneurship; terrorism; financing of terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; acts creating a threat to aviation safety; attempt on the life of a state figure; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislationand be finally sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment, with the first 10 years to be served in a prison and the remaining part in a strict-regime correctional institution.

The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detention  October 3, 2023.

Regarding Sahakyan Bako Sahaki, it was proposed that he be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijanplanning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; attacking persons entitled to international protection; genocide; destruction of the population; slavery; forced transfer of the population; persecution; enforced disappearance of persons; deprivation of liberty in violation of international law norms; torture; mercenarism; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; military plunder; intentional murder; illegal entrepreneurship; terrorism; financing of terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; acts creating a threat to aviation safety; attempt on the life of a state figure; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislationand be finally sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment, with the first 10 years to be served in a prison and the remaining part in a strict-regime correctional institution.

The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detention  October 3, 2023.

It was proposed that Manukyan David Azati be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijanplanning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; attacking persons entitled to international protection; destruction of the population; slavery; forced transfer of the population; persecution; enforced disappearance of persons; deprivation of liberty in violation of international law norms; torture; mercenarism; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; military plunder; intentional murder; illegal entrepreneurship; terrorism; financing of terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; acts creating a threat to aviation safety; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislation  and be finally sentenced to life imprisonment, to be served in a prison. The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detention  September 27, 2023.

Regarding Ishkhanyan Davit Rubeni, the proposal stated that he be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijanplanning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; attacking persons entitled to international protection; genocide; destruction of the population; slavery; forced transfer of the population; persecution; enforced disappearance of persons; deprivation of liberty in violation of international law norms; torture; mercenarism; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; military plunder; intentional murder; illegal entrepreneurship; terrorism; financing of terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; acts creating a threat to aviation safety; attempt on the life of a state figure; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislation  and be finally sentenced to life imprisonment, to be served in a prison. The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detentionOctober 3, 2023.

Regarding Babayan David Klimi, it was proposed that he be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijanplanning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; destruction of the population; slavery; forced transfer of the population; persecution; enforced disappearance of persons; deprivation of liberty in violation of international law norms; torture; mercenarism; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; military plunder; intentional murder; illegal entrepreneurship; terrorism; financing of terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; acts creating a threat to aviation safety; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislation  and be finally sentenced to life imprisonment, to be served in a prison. The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detention  September 28, 2023.

It was proposed that Ghukasyan (Gukasyan) Arkadi Arshavir* be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijanplanning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; attacking persons entitled to international protection; genocide; destruction of the population; slavery; forced transfer of the population; persecution; enforced disappearance of persons; deprivation of liberty in violation of international law norms; torture; mercenarism; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; military plunder; intentional murder; illegal entrepreneurship; terrorism; financing of terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; acts creating a threat to aviation safety; attempt on the life of a state figure; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislationand be finally sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment, with the first 10 years to be served in a prison and the remaining part in a strict-regime correctional institution.

The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detentionOctober 3, 2023.

Regarding Sahakyan Bako Sahaki, it was proposed that he be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijanplanning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; attacking persons entitled to international protection; genocide; destruction of the population; slavery; forced transfer of the population; persecution; enforced disappearance of persons; deprivation of liberty in violation of international law norms; torture; mercenarism; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; military plunder; intentional murder; illegal entrepreneurship; terrorism; financing of terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; acts creating a threat to aviation safety; attempt on the life of a state figure; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislationand be finally sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment, with the first 10 years to be served in a prison and the remaining part in a strict-regime correctional institution.

The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detention  October 3, 2023.

It was proposed that Babayan Madat Arakeli be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijanplanning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; attacking persons entitled to international protection; genocide; destruction of the population; slavery; forced transfer of the population; persecution; enforced disappearance of persons; deprivation of liberty in violation of international law norms; torture; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms; intentional murder; terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; attempt on the life of a state figure; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislationand be finally sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment, with the first 10 years to be served in a prison and the remaining part in a strict-regime correctional institution.

The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detention  September 21, 2023.

Regarding Pashayan Melikset Vladimiri, the proposal stated that he be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijanplanning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; destruction of the population; slavery; forced transfer of the population; persecution; enforced disappearance of persons; deprivation of liberty in violation of international law norms; torture; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; intentional murder; terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislationand be finally sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment, with the first 10 years to be served in a prison and the remaining part in a strict-regime correctional institution.

The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detention  September 21, 2023.

It was proposed that Martirosyan Garik Grigori be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijanplanning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; destruction of the population; slavery; forced transfer of the population; persecution; enforced disappearance of persons; deprivation of liberty in violation of international law norms; torture; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; intentional murder; terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislation  and be finally sentenced to 19 years of imprisonment, with the first 10 years to be served in a prison and the remaining part in a strict-regime correctional institution.

The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detention  September 21, 2023.

Regarding Allahverdiyan Davit Nelsoni, the proposal stated that he be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijanplanning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; destruction of the population; forced transfer of the population; persecution; enforced disappearance of persons; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; intentional murder; terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislation  and be finally sentenced to 18 years of imprisonment, with the first 10 years to be served in a prison and the remaining part in a strict-regime correctional institution.

The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detention  September 21, 2023.

Regarding Balayan Levon Romiki, the proposal stated that he be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijanplanning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; destruction of the population; forced transfer of the population; persecution; enforced disappearance of persons; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; intentional murder; terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislation  and be finally sentenced to 17 years of imprisonment, with the first 10 years to be served in a prison and the remaining part in a strict-regime correctional institution.

The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detention  September 21, 2023.

It was proposed that Beqlaryan Vasili Ivani be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijanplanning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; forced transfer of the population; persecution; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; military plunder; intentional murder; terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislationand be finally sentenced to 16 years of imprisonment, with the first 10 years to be served in a prison and the remaining part in a strict-regime correctional institution.

The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detentionSeptember 26, 2023.

Regarding Stepanyan Gurgen Homerosi, the proposal stated that he be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan  planning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; destruction of the population; forced transfer of the population; persecution; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; intentional murder; terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislation  and be finally sentenced to 16 years of imprisonment, with the first 10 years to be served in a prison and the remaining part in a strict-regime correctional institution.

The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detention  September 21, 2023.

It was proposed that Ghazaryan Erik Roberti be found guilty of committing the crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijanplanning, preparing, initiating, and conducting an aggressive war; forced transfer of the population; persecution; violation of the laws and customs of war; violation of international humanitarian law norms during armed conflict; intentional murder; terrorism; creating a criminal association (organization); illegally acquiring, transferring to another person, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying weapons, their component parts, ammunition, explosives, and devices; violent seizure of power and violent retention of power; violent change of the constitutional order of the state; creating armed formations and groups not provided for by legislationand be finally sentenced to 16 years of imprisonment, with the first 10 years to be served in a prison and the remaining part in a strict-regime correctional institution.

The start of the sentence shall be calculated from the date of detention  September 27, 2023.

In addition, the court was requested to make a decision regarding the physical evidence in the criminal case in accordance with the requirements of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The prosecutors upholding the state prosecution requested the court not to change the preventive measure selected for each of the accused persons until the verdict enters into legal force.

In addition, the court was requested to make a decision regarding the physical evidence in the criminal case in accordance with the requirements of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

In court, the representatives of the victims stated that the charges brought against the accused persons were proven by the evidence examined during the court investigation, which lasted nearly a year, the materials studied, the testimonies of interrogated witnesses and victims, as well as expert opinions and other evidence.

The representatives of the victims expressed their agreement with the prosecutors' proposals regarding the punishment and requested the court panel to issue a verdict accordingly.

The court process will continue on November 27.

Fifteen defendants of Armenian origin are accused in the criminal case concerning numerous crimes committed during the aggressive war waged by the Armenian state - including the aforementioned criminal association - on the territory of Azerbaijan, in violation of domestic and international legal norms. These crimes were committed for the purpose of military aggression against Azerbaijan and were carried out under the direct leadership and participation of the Armenian state, officials of its state institutions, its armed forces, and illegal armed formations, through their written and verbal orders, instructions, and guidelines; material, technical, and personnel support; centralized management; as well as under strict control and under the leadership and direct or indirect participation of Robert Sedraki Kocharyan, Serzh Azati Sargsyan, Vazgen Mikaeli Manukyan, Vazgen Zaveni Sargsyan, Samvel Andraniki Babayan, Vitali Mikaeli Balasanyan, Zori Hayki Balayan, Seyran Musheghi Ohanyan, Arshavir Surenovich Garamyan, Monte Charles Melkonyan, and others.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. As reported, the open court session in the criminal cases against citizens of the Republic of Armenia  Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and othersaccused of committing crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including the preparation and conduct of an aggressive war, genocide, violation of the laws and customs of war, as well as terrorism, financing of terrorism, violent seizure of power, violent retention of power, and numerous other crimes as a result of Armenia's military aggression against Azerbaijan, continued on November 13, Trend reports.

The court session at the Baku Military Court, chaired by Judge Zeynal Agayev and composed of Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev (with reserve judge Gunel Samadova), provided each accused person with an interpreter in the language they know, as well as defense lawyers.

The session was attended by the accused persons, their defenders, some of the victims, their legal successors and representatives, as well as prosecutors upholding the state prosecution.

The court process will continue on November 27.

Fifteen defendants of Armenian origin are accused in the criminal case concerning numerous crimes committed during the aggressive war waged by the Armenian state - including the aforementioned criminal association - on the territory of Azerbaijan, in violation of domestic and international legal norms. These crimes were committed for the purpose of military aggression against Azerbaijan and were carried out under the direct leadership and participation of the Armenian state, officials of its state institutions, its armed forces, and illegal armed formations, through their written and verbal orders, instructions, and guidelines; material, technical, and personnel support; centralized management; as well as under strict control and under the leadership and direct or indirect participation of Robert Sedraki Kocharyan, Serzh Azati Sargsyan, Vazgen Mikaeli Manukyan, Vazgen Zaveni Sargsyan, Samvel Andraniki Babayan, Vitali Mikaeli Balasanyan, Zori Hayki Balayan, Seyran Musheghi Ohanyan, Arshavir Surenovich Garamyan, Monte Charles Melkonyan, and others.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. The first-ever Solidarity Forum of Non-Governmental Organizations of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) member countries will be held from November 23 to 26, 2025. The official opening of the forum will take place on November 24 at the Gulustan Palace in Baku, the Agency for State Support of Non-Governmental Organizations told Trend.

The forum will feature panel discussions on the topics "Zangezur Corridor: A Bridge Connecting Turkic Geography" and "Towards WUF13."

The event will be attended by approximately 300 NGO representatives from Azerbaijan, Turkiye, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Hungary and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

The event will also include the "1st Forum of Cooperation between Azerbaijani and Kazakh NGOs".

After Baku, the forum will continue its work in Nakhchivan. The creation of an NGO Platform of the ATC Member States is also expected in Nakhchivan. The Platform will unite NGOs from eight countries.

The Global South NGO Platform was established in Baku in April of this year with the participation of civil society organizations from the region, covering two-thirds of the world. Azerbaijan also hosted the first D8 NGO meeting this year. On October 20, a panel discussion was held in Khankendi as part of the Azerbaijan NGO Cooperation Forum. The creation of the NGO Platform of the ATC Member States is an important part of this process.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 14. On November 1, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United Nations Tofig Musayev and the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Botswana to the United Nations Charles Masole signed in New York a Joint Communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two States, Trend reports with reference to the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United Nations.

The Joint Communique expresses the desire of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Botswana to promote mutual understanding and cooperation between their countries and peoples.

The document also stresses that the Governments of both States are guided by the Charter of the United Nations and the generally accepted norms and principles of international law, in particular those relating to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States and non-interference in their internal affairs.

The Permanent Representatives also signed a letter addressed to the UN Secretary-General, requesting to circulate the Joint Communique as a document of the United Nations.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. Azerbaijani Parliament committees are reviewing the draft state budget for 2026 in a joint session of the Agrarian Policy, Family, Women and Children, and Science and Education committees, Trend reports.

The draft projects total revenues of 38.6 billion manat ($22.7 billion) and expenditures of 41.7 billion manat ($24.5 billion), including 37.8 billion manat ($22.2 billion) in centralized revenues, 758.2 million manat ($445.9 million) in local revenues, 40.9 billion manat ($24 billion) in centralized expenditures, and 759.1 million manat ($446.4 million) in local expenditures.

City and regional revenues are expected to reach 16.9 billion manat ($9.94 billion), including 334.4 million manat ($196.6 million) earmarked for targeted budget funds. Local expenditures are projected at 759.1 million manat ($446.4 million), with surplus revenues transferred to centralized accounts ranging between 15.8 billion ($9.29 billion) and 847 million manat ($498.1 million).

The draft sets the ceiling for domestic borrowing at 2 billion manat ($1.1 billion) and external borrowing at 6 billion manat ($3.53 billion), while state guarantees are capped at 3 billion manat ($1.76 billion). The budget deficit is projected at 3 billion manat ($1.76 billion), to be financed through privatization proceeds, other revenue sources, internal and external borrowing, and the free balance of the unified treasury account at the start of the year.

Excluding revenues of specific executive authorities, the upper limit of the consolidated budget deficit is set at 16.9 billion manat ($9.94 billion).

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AGHDARA, Azerbaijan, November 13. Azerbaijani families relocated to Aghdara district's Vangli village have received the keys to their new homes, Trend reports via the Restoration, Construction and Management Service in the Khankendi, Aghdara, and Khojaly districts.

The service reported that 11 families, totaling 45 people, were moved to the village.

Deputy Executive Director Mahmud Efendiyev handed over keys to families resettled in the village, noting that the relocation effort in territories freed from occupation is moving forward in line with the head of states directives. He added that all essential infrastructure, including utilities, communication networks, roads, and water systems, has been rebuilt to ensure residents a safe and comfortable living environment.

12:59

BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. Following the directive of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, the Great Return to territories liberated from occupation continues, with new relocation caravans dispatched to Aghdara district's Vangli village and Khojaly district's Badara and Dashbulag villages, Trends Karabakh bureau reports.

According to information, families moving to these villages are temporarily living throughout the country, mainly in dormitories, sanatoriums, and administrative buildings.

In total, nine families totaling 31 people were relocated to Dashbulag village, six families totaling 19 people to Badara village, and eleven families totaling 45 people to Vangli village.

The residents returning to their homeland expressed their gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva for the comprehensive state care provided to them. They also expressed their gratitude to the valiant Azerbaijani army, our heroic soldiers and officers who liberated our lands from occupation, and begged reprieve for those martyrs who gave their lives on this path.

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BigBear.ai (BBAI) stock soared over 20% on Nov. 11 after the artificial intelligence (AI) company announced a $250 million acquisition of Ask Sage and posted market-beating financials for its Q3.

According to the earnings release, the NYSE-listed firm generated over $33 million in revenue and narrowed its loss to $0.03 per share, indicating improved operational efficiency.

More News from Barchart

BBAI shares, however, pared back much of their intraday gains by market close, ending Tuesday up roughly 6.8%.

www.barchart.com

What Ask Sage Deal Means for BBAI Stock

The Ask Sage deal is positive for BBAI stock as it could substantially alter the companys competitive position in the defense artificial intelligence market.

The generative AI platform is designed for secure distribution in defense and highly regulated sectors and brings compelling strategic value, serving over 100,000 users across 16,000 government teams and hundreds of commercial companies.

The acquisition is projected to generate about $25 million in annual recurring revenue for 2025, representing six-fold growth from prior year and adding material scale to BigBear.ais operations.

It directly addresses BBAIs need for recurring revenue streams while positioning it to compete more effectively for larger, multi-year government contracts in the defense and national security sectors.

Why BBAI Shares Still Arent Attractive to Own

Despite strong headline numbers and a strategic acquisition, several financial metrics in BigBear.ai third-quarter release warrant investor caution.

For example, the companys gross margin compressed 350 basis points to 22.4%, indicating inadequate cost discipline. This pushed adjusted EBITDA back into the negative territory ($9.4 million) in Q3

Moreover, the ongoing government shutdown has temporarily paused parts of several contracts, particularly for the intelligence community, creating additional revenue and operational headwinds for BBAI shares.

With a market cap nearing $2.5 billion against relatively modest revenue, the BigBear.ai valuation also appears speculative, which may be another red flag for seasoned investors.

How Wall Street Recommends Playing BigBear.ai

Wall Streets current estimates also suggest the post-earnings-and-acquisition rally has indeed gone a bit too far.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. Azerbaijan's Baku has hosted the opening of the U.S. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints office, Trend reports.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by prominent figures, including Ramin Mammadov, Chairman of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations; David Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Jack Gerard, member of the Quorum of the Seventy and First Counselor of the Europe Central Area Office; Miles Hansen, President and Board Director of the Stirling Foundation; and Paul Picard, member of the Europe Central and Eurasian Quorum of the Seventy.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was formally registered in Azerbaijan in 2024.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly known as the Mormon Church) is a Christian-based religious organization that, while rooted in traditional Christian teachings, differs from other Christian denominations in certain doctrinal aspects. The Church is led by 15 apostles, who form its highest governing bodies: the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The senior apostle serves as the President of the Church and selects two other apostles as counselors; together, they constitute the First Presidency. The remaining twelve apostles form the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Following the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the next highest governing body is the Presidency of the Seventy. Currently, there are eight Quorums of the Seventy, which act as sub-organizations within the Presidency. Each Quorum can include up to seventy members. Some members of the Quorums serve in administrative roles at Church headquarters, while others provide leadership in congregations around the world. Local congregations are overseen by bishops.

Brigham Young University (BYU)

The Church's flagship institution of higher education, Brigham Young University (BYU), is recognized as one of the most prestigious universities in the United States and worldwide. Located in Provo, Utah, BYU is home to the Center for International Law and Religious Studies, which organizes the International Law and Religion Symposium annually in Provo.

The Stirling Foundation

The Stirling Foundation, closely affiliated with the Church, reflects its values of family unity, service, education, and interfaith dialogue, with members of the Church represented throughout its board and founding team.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. Restoration activities carried out in Azerbaijan's liberated areas within the framework of the 'Great Return' program, based on 'smart' and 'green' urban planning principles, have been presented to the international audience by Chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture of Azerbaijan Anar Guliyev in Belem, Brazil, Trend reports citing the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture of Azerbaijan.

A delegation led by Guliyev visited Belem within the 30th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30).

The chairman, speaking at the Ministerial Meeting on Urban Planning and Climate Change and at the round table on Informal settlements, land transformation, and housing provision, emphasized the importance of multilevel cooperation in addressing housing and climate challenges.

He also noted that Azerbaijans co-chairmanship in the Baku Sustainability Coalition and the UN Intergovernmental Working Group on Adequate Housing for All has made a significant contribution to the integration of urban planning and climate agendas.

Speaking at the ministerial meeting organized on the occasion of Urban Planning Day held within COP30, the Committee Chairman noted that Azerbaijans hosting of COP29 gave a new impetus to multilevel climate cooperation and stressed the importance of the Baku Sustainability Coalition and the Multilevel Action Pathways (MAP) initiative in this regard.

During the visit, Guliyev also met with Brazils Minister of Cities Jader Filho to deliberate on prospects for collaboration in sustainable and inclusive urban development and to furnish details regarding the preparations for the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), scheduled for May 17-22, 2026, in Baku.

Simultaneously, Guliyev, serving as the national coordinator for WUF13, extended invitations to participants during his addresses and meetings at COP30 to join the 13th World Urban Forum in Baku, building upon Azerbaijans COP29 experience and multidimensional cooperation agenda.

He underlined that this global platform will create a unique opportunity for discussions on the future of cities, climate resilience, and innovative urban planning.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. Azerbaijan ranks among the few nations where representatives of diverse peoples and faiths have coexisted for centuries, Chairman of the State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations Ramin Mammadov said at the opening of the U.S. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints office, Trend reports.

"The event we are witnessing today should be evaluated as an event that stems from the national customs and traditions formed by the Azerbaijani people over centuries, and even from their national identity.

The opening of this center once again shows that the customs and traditions that Azerbaijan has formed over the centuries are today protected, preserved, and passed on to future generations as a result of the proud policy of President Ilham Aliyev," he emphasized.

Today, Azerbaijan's Baku hosted the opening of the U.S. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints office. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was formally registered in Azerbaijan in 2024.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. A total of 38 non-Islamic religious communities currently operate in Azerbaijan, and the U.S. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the 39th to join them, Deputy Chairman of the State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations Gunduz Ismayilov said at the opening of the church's Baku office, Trend reports.

He pointed out that, just like every other state-registered religious community, this church's activities will be backed by the letter of the law.

"This religious community is the latest non-Islamic religious community to be registered with the State Committee on Affairs with Religious Associations. The church began its official activities in July 2024 after undergoing state registration. The opening ceremony was evaluated as a clear example of freedom of conscience in the country.

The fact that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been officially registered in our country and is operating freely is an indicator of the importance given to religious diversity, tolerance, and multicultural values in Azerbaijan," he added.

Today, Azerbaijan's Baku has hosted the opening of the U.S. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints office. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was formally registered in Azerbaijan in 2024.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. On November 13, Head of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Samir Nuriyev introduced Jeyhun Jalilov, the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, to the public of the Autonomous Republic, Trend reports.

Prior to the event, they visited a statue of National Leader Heydar Aliyev in the city of Nakhchivan, and put flowers in front of it.

Speaking at the ceremony, Samir Nuriyev stated that the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, always keeps the social, economic, and cultural development of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in the spotlight.

Noting that important measures have been undertaken to develop Nakhchivan as part of the constructive efforts in the country, the head of the Presidential Administration mentioned that the State Program on the socio-economic development of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic for 20232027 has been adopted. He added that the main goal is to boost the development of the Autonomous Republic by achieving sustainable economic and social growth and ensuring its comprehensive integration into the country's economy.

It was stated that in accordance with the Action Plan for the implementation of the State Program, the existing opportunities should be used more effectively and all forces should be mobilized to create a favorable business environment, and to promptly and efficiently fulfill the tasks related to the development of trade, export-oriented industry, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, the social sphere, human capital and other areas.

Touching upon the statements made by the President of Azerbaijan at the reception on November 12 regarding the new appointments, the head of the Presidential Administration emphasized that the head of state considers service to the people, humility, and a responsible approach to official duties as the primary working principles, and that in their activities, officials should be guided by these principles.

Samir Nuriyev conveyed the instructions and recommendations of the President of Azerbaijan to the new leadership of the Autonomous Republic, expressing his hope that he would live up to the confidence placed in him by the President of Azerbaijan.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. On November 13, the trial at the Baku Military Court in the criminal case against citizens of the Republic of Armenia continued with the prosecutors representing the state presenting their closing arguments, Trend reports.

The section of the indictment providing legal qualification of the charges was read out during the hearing.

The prosecutor maintaining the state accusation stated that UN Security Council Resolutions 822, 853, 874, and 884 confirm that the sovereign territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan were occupied as a result of Armenian military aggression, thereby proving that Armenia waged an aggressive war against Azerbaijan.

The indictment emphasized that Armenias aggressive war against Azerbaijan did not effectively cease even during periods when active hostilities were not ongoing.

During this aggressive war, the ceasefire was repeatedly violated, and lawful personnel of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan operating on its territory, civilians, their property, state civilian facilities, religious, educational, scientific, and medical institutions, locations where the sick and wounded were accommodated, as well as facilities of vital strategic importance including the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, were subjected to attacks.

It was further stated that the systematic nature of torture and its widespread application across a broad geography prove that the use of torture reflected the official policy of the Armenian state.

It was emphasized that Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions criminalizes the transfer by an occupying power of parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies. It was noted that during the trial, defendants Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, and Bako Sahakyan confirmed in their testimony that the population was transferred from Armenia to the occupied regions of Azerbaijan, particularly the Lachin district. These facts were corroborated by letters examined during the trial, information from Armenian sources, and publicly available online data.

The court proceedings continue against citizens of the Republic of Armenia accused of committing crimes resulting from Armenias military aggression against Azerbaijan, including preparation and conduct of aggressive war, genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, terrorism, financing of terrorism, violent seizure and retention of power, violations of the laws and customs of war, and other grave offenses.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. Minister of Justice Farid Ahmadov held a meeting with his Georgian counterpart Paata Salia, Trend reports via Azerbaijan's Ministry of Justice.

The minister expressed his satisfaction with the reception of the guest in Azerbaijan and stressed that the relations between our countries, based on mutual trust, are successfully developing not only at the bilateral level, but also within the framework of international organizations.

Farid Ahmadov emphasized that the first official visit to Azerbaijan by Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili and Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, following their assumption of office earlier this year, once again underscores the genuine nature of bilateral relations between the two nations, which are founded on the principles of mutual respect and trust.

The meeting discussed the study of international experience to improve the executive, special executive, and probationary spheres, the implementation of effective exchange of experience with Georgia in this direction, as well as the contribution to the development of relations of the legal forum in Batumi in 2022, and the signed Memorandum of Cooperation. The parties exchanged views on further joint activities and new areas of cooperation.

The meeting noted that digitization in the field of justice is a priority for both countries. It was noted that innovative steps are being taken in our country to digitize enforcement processes - the electronic auction platform, the Mobile Enforcement application, as well as providing access to documents and the legislative database. E-qanun.ai, an AI-powered legal search platform, is operating successfully.

In conclusion, it was emphasized that this visit and the meetings held will contribute significantly to the exchange of experience and opinions, as well as to the further strengthening of legal cooperation between Azerbaijan and Georgia.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. Enhancement of cooperation in the field of mine clearance has been discussed between Azerbaijan's National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) and the European Union (EU), Trend reports.

The discussion was held during the meeting of the Chairman of the Board of Directors of ANAMA, Vugar Suleymanov, with the recently appointed Head of the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan, Ambassador Marijana Kujundzic.

Kujundzic was provided with a detailed overview of the landmine situation in Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur, including the scope of contamination, the challenges mines pose to reconstruction efforts and the return of displaced persons, as well as the ongoing large-scale demining operations.

The conversation also encompassed the continued European Union support for humanitarian mine clearance initiatives in Azerbaijan, potential opportunities for new collaborative projects, and other issues of mutual interest.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. Relations between Azerbaijan and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) develop further every year, Ufug Turganer, the TRNC's representative in Azerbaijan, told Trend on the sidelines of the event held in Baku on the occasion of the republic's 42nd anniversary.

"We share the sorrow and pain of the Turkish nation. Once again, we pray to God to have mercy on all our martyrs.

As the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, it's important for us to be next to Turkiye, in Baku.

We are currently on the land of brotherly Azerbaijan. Relations between Azerbaijan and Northern Cyprus are developing further every year," he explained.

Turganer added that efforts are being made to further develop these relations, and relevant activities will continue in the future.

Today, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' 42nd independence anniversary is marked at an official reception in Baku. State and government officials, MPs, businesspeople, and media attend the gathering.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. Bulgaria and Poland once again underlined their commitment to strengthening unity within the European Union and NATO, Trend reports citing the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry.

The reaffirmation came during a farewell meeting between Minister Georg Georgiev and the Ambassador of Poland to Bulgaria, H.E. Maciej Szymanski, held on November 12.

Minister Georgiev expressed gratitude for Ambassador Szymanskis efforts and contribution to promoting Bulgarian-Polish relations over the past six years.

During the conversation, both sides highly appreciated the upward development of bilateral cooperation in all areas of mutual interest, highlighting the prospects in priority sectors such as security, defense, and energy.

The interlocutors agreed on the importance of strengthening unity within the EU and NATO in view of the need to address common challenges.

For his part, the Polish ambassador congratulated Bulgaria on its achievements in joining the Schengen Area and the Eurozone.
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The worlds largest cryptocurrency exchange finds itself at the center of a political firestorm over allegations that it helped boost a Trump familylinked stablecoin just before President Donald Trump pardoned Binances founder and former CEOa sequence of events that Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) is calling corruption.

Binance CEO Richard Teng pushed back against the accusations last week, according to CNBC, denying that the exchange promoted USD1, a stablecoin created by the Trump familys crypto venture, World Liberty Financial, ahead of the presidential pardon of Changpeng Zhao.

But the timeline of events has raised eyebrows across Washington and Wall Street alike.

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The $2 Billion Deal That Started the Questions

At the heart of the controversy sits a $2 billion investment deal Binance received from MGX Fund Management Ltd., Abu Dhabis state-owned investment firm. What made the transaction noteworthy wasnt just its sizeit was that MGX settled the investment using USD1, the stablecoin backed by World Liberty Financial

Forbes, Warren, and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) said that MGXs investment and Binances subsequent listing of USD1 bolstered the stablecoins usage and credibility at a critical moment. Teng responded that the decision to use USD1 for the transaction was made by MGX, and Binance didnt partake in that decision, he told CNBC. He noted that USD1 had been listed on other exchanges before Binance added it to its platform.

However, The Wall Street Journal quoted people familiar with the matter as saying that Binance not only facilitated the settlement using USD1 but also assisted in building the technology behind the stablecoin itself.

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The timing of MGXs USD1 purchasejust two weeks before the White House signed a major agreement with the UAE concerning access to U.S. microchipshas added another layer of scrutiny to the deal.

The Pardon That Raised the Stakes

Zhao stepped down as Binances CEO in 2023 after pleading guilty to enabling money laundering through the exchange. He remains the major shareholder of the company despite his legal troubles.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Marko uric, met with Andrea Saxer Rauber, Co-Chair of the SerbiaSwitzerland Joint Commission for Economic Affairs, to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade, innovation, education, and other key areas ahead of EXPO 2027, Trend reports via the Serbian Foreign Ministry.

The Serbian foreign minister expressed satisfaction with the quality and continuity of the political dialogue, referring to his bilateral visit to Switzerland in June this year, as well as the recent political consultations between the two countries foreign ministries held in Bern. He emphasized that Switzerland, thanks to dynamic and intensive cooperation in many areas, represents a reliable partner of Serbia and an important investor with significant experience in science and high technology, innovation, infrastructure, energy, and environmental protection.

Minister uric noted that the largest share of Serbias trade is conducted with countries in the region and EU member states, but that Serbia is also strengthening its position and establishing economic contacts with other prosperous markets in Africa and Asia. He expressed gratitude for Switzerlands continuous supportdespite not being an EU member but maintaining strong relations with the Unionon Serbias path toward European integration. He underlined that Serbia is working intensively and with dedication on implementing social reforms in order to fulfill the conditions for full EU membership, which, along with preserving stability and political and military neutrality, remains one of the countrys main foreign policy priorities.

Highlighting Serbias progress on projects related to the World Specialized Exhibition EXPO 2027, Minister uric thanked Switzerland for being the first country to officially confirm participation in the event, which will host representatives from around 130 countries.

Both sides agreed that the large Serbian diaspora in Switzerland, as well as Swiss citizens working and living in Serbia, represent an important cultural and economic bridge for further strengthening cooperation between the two countries.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys met with representatives of U.S. companies Citi, Palantir, and IBM to discuss opportunities for cooperation in the field of innovation and investment, Trend reports via the Lithuanian MFA.

In the course of the meetings, the sides emphasized the strategic importance of transatlantic cooperation in strengthening economic ties, promoting the development of high technologies, advancing cybersecurity solutions, and fostering data management innovations.

Lithuania sees great potential for collaboration with U.S. leaders in the technology and financial sectors. Our country offers a reliable, open, and innovative environment that supports sustainable projects and strengthens mutual economic connections, said Minister Budrys.

The discussions also focused on expanding strategic partnerships in artificial intelligence, data analytics, cloud solutions, and financial technologies (fintech).
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. During his visit to the United States, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys met in New York with U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Mike Waltz to discuss transatlantic security issues and the broader security situation along NATOs eastern borders, Trend reports via the MFA Lithuania.

Security, defense enhancement, and economic resilience are Lithuanias top priorities. We are committed to deepening cooperation with the United States in these areas, both bilaterally and through multilateral formats, said Minister Budrys.

During the discussions, the two officials highlighted the importance of continued collaboration to strengthen defense capabilities, improve crisis response, and enhance resilience across allied nations.

To note, Lithuania joined NATO on March 29, 2004, having pursued membership since regaining independence and participating in NATO's Membership Action Plan (MAP) since 1999.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. The signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding on rolling out the European Economic Area (EEA) and Norway Grants for 20212028 kicks off a new phase in Latvias ongoing partnership with Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, Trend reports via a communique via the Latvian Finance Ministry.

The deal hands Latvia a golden ticket to 109.5 million euros in grant support, lightening the load on the state budget and paving the way for crucial investments in key areas like defense, security, and family support.

From a practical standpoint, the new funding will enable specific activities in strategically important sectorsincluding strengthening civil protection and electricity supply security, promoting green innovation and entrepreneurship, implementing environmentally friendly solutions, and enhancing correctional and social rehabilitation services. Planned initiatives include the construction of a new womens prison and support measures for children with addictions.

In strategic terms, the agreement reaffirms a stable and trusted partnership between Latvia and the donor countries, built on shared values of solidarity, democracy, and mutual confidence. This cooperation plays a crucial role in strengthening Latvias resilience and national security.

The total grant funding of 109.5 million euros, after administrative cost deductions, will result in net investments of 85.5 million euros. The support will be distributed among several key priorities, with additional co-financing from the Latvian state budget.

The lion's share  a whopping 43 million euros  will be earmarked for local development and resilience, including the construction and adaptation of shelters, installation of generators in critical institutions, and improvement of municipal crisis management systems and communication during emergencies.

Another 27.5 million euros will be directed to green innovation, supporting entrepreneurs in developing environmentally friendly products and implementing energy-efficient technologies. The funding will also cover the remediation of contaminated areas to enable future economic use of restored sites.

A further 15 million euros will be allocated to social security and correctional services, covering the construction of a womens prison, strengthening correctional service capacity, and expanding rehabilitation services for children struggling with addictions.

In addition to these priorities, funding will also be directed to the strengthening of bilateral cooperation and targeted support for Latvian non-governmental organizations, with fund administration managed by an institution selected by the donor countries.

The EEA and Norway Grants stand for more than simply handing out financial supportthey serve as a long-term partnership framework between Latvia and the donor countries. This cooperation is embedded in joint program planning and management, shared priorities, and dedicated initiatives aimed at fostering bilateral engagement.

Past grant periods have borne fruit for Latvia, with over 300 projects taking root across a variety of sectorsfrom entrepreneurship and education to regional development, climate action, and cultural growth. These programs have also strengthened institutional capacity in internal affairs and correctional services.

This funding period keeps the ball rolling on that tradition, fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration among public institutions, NGOs, and the business sector in Latvia and the donor countries. This enduring partnership reinforces trust and solidarityvalues that remain essential for Latvias stability and long-term development.

Latvia commenced provisional cooperation with the European Economic Area (EEA) on May 1, 2004, upon its accession to the European Union. The formal accord for Latvia's complete participation in the EEA became effective on December 6, 2005, subsequent to the ratification by all current EEA members.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. Azerbaijan has a strong foundation to integrate artificial intelligence into e-commerce, Godfrey Sullivan, Visa Senior Vice President, Head of Products and Solutions, CEMEA (Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa), told Trend in an exclusive interview.

Today, hundreds of millions of people around the world are using AI tools such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Grok. Our recent research has shown that 60 percent of users use these AI agents to search for products or services - whether it is holiday destinations, clothing, or gifts. However, these queries are not yet converted into payments, he said.

Sullivan emphasized that the next major step will be integrating payments into AI agents. For example, a user will be able to ask ChatGPT to book a trip to Dubai or Baku, and the AI agent will select a flight, hotel, and restaurants, and then, with the users approval, complete the booking and payment. This will completely change the approach to transactions.

Every decade we see breakthroughs like this: first came e-commerce, then mobile commerce. Now we are on the verge of the era of AI commerce, which, according to our forecast, will actively develop in the next 18 - 24 months, he added.

Senior Vice President also noted that at the recent Visa Global Product Drop presentation, the company unveiled its Visa Intelligent Commerce program, aimed at building the smart shopping assistants of the future. It will provide top-level protection for AI transactions for consumers, merchants, and banks.

We have launched five APIs (Application Programming Interface): to upload Visa credentials into an AI agent, authenticate the user, protect against fraud, and personalize the experience - all while maintaining full anonymity. We also introduced the Know-Your-Agent protocol: all AI agents participating in Visas partner program will be certified, so banks, merchants, and users can be confident in the security of their transactions, Sullivan stressed.

According to him, this opens new opportunities for businesses. Currently, large companies spend millions on Google Ads or emotional advertising. But AI agents care only about relevance. This levels the playing field for small businesses, allowing them to compete without large marketing budgets.

To simplify onboarding, we launched the Visa Acceptance Agent Toolkit for integration into agentic commerce. Merchants will also be able to incorporate AI models directly into their online stores, making shopping faster and more convenient, told Visa Senior Vice President.

Sullivan also noted that online shopping still has inconveniences, requiring entering long card numbers, expiry dates, and CVV codes.

Our goal is to make online payments as simple as tap-to-pay in stores. That is what Visa Payment Passkey is designed for: it allows you to use a financial phone number or email instead of entering your card details, with authentication via Face ID or fingerprint. This eliminates the need for one-time passwords, which are easier for fraudsters to intercept, he said.

The Visa representative also mentioned another promising project - Visa Flex Credential. This solution uses a single universal identifier instead of multiple cards, functioning as a debit card, credit card, or buy-now-pay-later tool and switching between payment options for greater convenience and flexibility. The company is also piloting stablecoins for interbank settlements, linking wallets to the Visa network, and partnering with fintechs such as Yellowcard and Honeycoin.

Regarding Azerbaijan, Sullivan noted that the countrys cashless economy is developing rapidly.

Already, 67 percent of payments by value and 91 percent by number are digital. Most Azerbaijani banks support Apple Pay and Google Pay. The high mobile and digital adoption, as well as support from the government and the Central Bank, create an excellent foundation for deploying AI shopping agents, biometrics, and other innovations. I am confident that in the next 18 months, we will see rapid growth of digital technologies in Azerbaijan, the Visa representative said.

Answering a question about small and medium-sized businesses in Azerbaijan, he said: We are offering Azerbaijani small businesses accessible technologies and broad support. Visa Tap to Phone, which turns Android smartphones into full-fledged payment terminals, is in high demand: nine banks already support this feature, and usage volume has grown by 37 percent by early 2025. The Shes Next Empowered by Visa program, aimed at supporting female entrepreneurs, is also very successful - it has already been held in Azerbaijan for the third time. The next step is the launch of Visa Accept for micro-entrepreneurs, which will allow merchants to receive payments to their Visa card from any NFC-capable (Near Field Communication) smartphone with just a few clicks. This is another tool leveling the playing field in the new digital economy.
EIB Global strengthens partnership with North Macedonia

Photo: EIB

EIB Global has deepened its engagement with North Macedonia by signing a Host Country Agreement during a visit to Skopje. The deal aims to boost financial and technical cooperation, supporting the countrys EU integration, sustainable development, and green transition efforts.

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BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, November 13. UK exports to Kyrgyzstan reached $132.4 million in the four quarters ending Q2 2025, up 83.6 percent, or $60.3 million, compared with the same period a year earlier.

Data obtained by Trend from the UK Governments Department for Business and Trade (DBT) shows a trade in services surplus of $41.9 million, up from a $3.9 million deficit in the four quarters ending Q2 2024.

Meanwhile, the UK continued to experience a goods trade deficit of $18.3 million, improving from a $51.1 million deficit the previous year.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. Azerbaijan and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) held discussions on advancing water supply and solid waste management projects in the city of Ganja, Advisor to the Minister of Economy, Asgar Alakbarov wrote on his social media account, Trend reports.

"Today, together with colleagues from the Azerbaijan Investment Company, we held an online meeting with Nataly Mouravidze, EBRDs Permanent Representative in Azerbaijan. The discussion focused on the progress and plans of water supply and solid waste management projects across the country, including in Ganja, which is part of the EBRDs Green Cities program.

The meeting focused on initiatives to enhance urban water infrastructure, improve supply efficiency, and advance waste management systems, key areas for ensuring sustainable public services and enhancing citizens quality of life.

We extend our gratitude to the EBRD for its continued support and technical expertise in helping modernize vital infrastructure in Azerbaijans major cities," the post reads.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. Azerbaijan held discussions with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) on advancing the development of the Middle Corridor and issues of mutual interest related to Caspian crossings, the country's Minister of Digital Development and Transport, Rashad Nabiyev, wrote on his X page, Trend reports.

We met with Wiebke Schloemer, Regional Director for the Western Balkans and South Caucasus at the International Finance Corporation. During the meeting, we provided detailed information about the activities and ongoing projects of companies within AZCON Holding. We discussed issues of mutual interest concerning the development of the Middle Corridor and Caspian crossings.

We also exchanged views on potential areas of cooperation in public transport, air transport, Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), and the Baku Shipyard, as well as on prospects for attracting private investors to these companies in the future, the post reads.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, November 13. Kyrgyzstan and Switzerland plan to extend their bilateral cooperation program, which was initially planned for 2022-2025, Trend reports via the Kyrgyz MFA.

The initiative was reviewed during joint political consultations in Bishkek, chaired by Kyrgyzstans Deputy Foreign Minister Meder Abakirov and Switzerlands Under-Secretary of State, Pierre-Yves Fuchs, Director of the Department of Eurasia of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.

The parties engaged in discussions on expanding the legal framework governing bilateral relations, upcoming visits and events scheduled for 2026, and measures to further advance trade, investment, and cooperation in the water and energy sectors. They also underscored their joint activities within international organizations, including the UN and OSCE, and exchanged perspectives on multilateral initiatives of mutual interest.

The 20222025 cooperation program envisages the allocation of over 80 million Swiss francs (approximately $100 million) for the development of Kyrgyzstan. The program focuses on three primary areas: support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the green economy; healthcare reforms and the enhancement of local governance; and water resources management and energy efficiency. Switzerland is implementing this program through its embassy in Bishkek, in coordination with the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Digital asset hotspot Brazil is trying to crack down on criminal use of crypto through separate legislative and regulatory proposals issued by the government and central bank this month.

A rule proposed by the country's central bank on Monday would make it easier to target illegal stablecoin use by creating authorization requirements for currency exchanges, including crypto trading platforms. The rule says that any purchase, sale or exchange of virtual assets pegged to fiat currency would be deemed a foreign exchange operation.

"BCB Resolution 521 establishes rules for some activities of virtual asset service providers (VAPs), which are now treated as foreign exchange and international capital market operations," the rule reads on the bank's website.

The central bank proposal comes after President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva sent a bill to the country's congress that would allow authorities to seize propertyincluding "virtual assets"during investigations and convert them into fiat currency.

"In the case of seizure of foreign currency, bonds, securities, checks issued as payment orders, or any other instruments representing value or virtual assets, the judge will order their conversion into national currency," the bill, which still needs to be approved by congress, reads.

Stablecoin Concerns

Brazil's central bank President Gabriel Galipolo has raised concerns about the difficulties of tracking stablecoin use.

Galipolo in February said that crypto use "maintains some kind of opaque vision for taxation or for money laundering."



Stablecoins are digital tokens pegged to non-volatile assetsusually U.S. dollarsthat can be used to make quick transactions.

Yahoo Finance Taps Polymarket as Exclusive Prediction Market Provider

Brazil, Latin America's biggest economy, is the region's biggest digital asset market, and has the largest number of crypto ETFs, including funds tracking Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana and other tokens.

A high-ranking official in the ruling administration earlier this year said that a potential strategic Bitcoin reserve would be "determinant for our prosperity."
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. Equinor announced that Camilla Salthe will become executive vice president for Safety, Security, and Sustainability (SSU) effective January 1, 2026, Trend reports via the company.

Salthe joins the corporate executive committee from her role as senior vice president for the UK and Ireland in Exploration and Production International (EPI). She succeeds Jannicke Nilsson, who will move to the position of chief procurement officer and senior vice president for Procurement and Supplier Relations (PSR) in Projects, Drilling, and Procurement (PDP).

CEO Anders Opedal welcomed the appointment, saying Salthes leadership experience will strengthen Equinors safety, security, and sustainability initiatives. Opedal also thanked Nilsson for her contributions to the committee since 2016 and her work in the SSU area since 2021.

Salthe, who has been with Equinor since 2003, said she is motivated to advance the companys safety culture, enhance security practices, and support a balanced approach to the energy transition. She holds a masters degree in reservoir engineering from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).
Photo: The Ministry of Investments, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, November 13. Uzbekistan and Hungary discussed prospects for expanding cooperation in the telecommunications sector, with a particular focus on modernizing infrastructure, improving service quality, and increasing asset management efficiency, Trend reports via the country's Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade.

The discussions were held during a meeting between Laziz Kudratov, Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan, and a Hungarian delegation led by Gellert Jaszai, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary for the Development of International Business Relations of Hungary and Chairman of the Board of 4iG, one of Hungarys leading telecommunications and IT companies.

During the talks, the sides underscored the importance of introducing advanced technologies and leveraging international best practices to accelerate Uzbekistans digital transformation.

The Chairman of 4iG expressed the companys readiness to actively support the development of Uzbekistans IT infrastructure, roll out innovative technological solutions, expand outsourcing services, and train qualified specialists. The parties also explored opportunities for cooperation within the framework of the national Digital Uzbekistan 2030 program.

Following the discussions, the sides reaffirmed their interest in strengthening bilateral cooperation and implementing joint projects aimed at supporting the countrys sustainable technological development.

Meanwhile, the total portfolio of joint UzbekHungarian investment projects amounts to over $500 million, while new initiatives worth more than 1.5 billion euros are being developed across various sectors.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. Central Asia is entering a new phase of dynamic development. In recent years, the regions countries have managed to build trust, strengthen trade and economic ties, and begin developing common approaches to growth.

A key mechanism driving this process has been the Consultative Meetings of Central Asian Heads of State. In mid-November, Tashkent will host the seventh such meeting. In this context, Turkmenistan is poised to play a prominent role, consistently promoting principles of constructive partnership and technological interconnectedness.

As early as August 2021, when Turkmenistan hosted the Third Consultative Meeting in Awaza under the leadership of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the foundations of the current cooperation model were laid. At that time, initiatives were discussed to establish a Council of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Central Asia, develop green corridors for trade, and strengthen food security. These ideas have since become a critical base for deeper regional integration.

Following Serdar Berdimuhamedovs election as President in 2022, Turkmenistan not only maintained policy continuity but also gave it new momentum, emphasizing practical cooperation and modern forms of interaction. At the Fourth Consultative Meeting in Cholpon-Ata, the President proposed expanding transport and logistics cooperation and giving economic ties a strategic direction.

"Our countries form a single geoeconomic space, which requires the development and strengthening of cooperation based on a shared vision of our role in continental and global processes," Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted.

These words have defined Turkmenistans approach to regional partnership. Today, the country is actively developing infrastructure, modernizing ports on the Caspian Sea, expanding railway lines and highways, and building state-of-the-art logistics centers. Particular attention is being paid to the digital transformation of the transport sector.

Results of a rapid study conducted by the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) in OctoberNovember 2024 showed that the average transit time for goods passing through Turkmenistans border is just 50 minutes - the fastest in Central Asia. This achievement was made possible by the implementation of a Single Window system and the shift to electronic customs declarations, which automated and standardized clearance procedures.

These successes highlight the effectiveness of President Serdar Berdimuhamedovs push to digitalize logistics. Turkmenistan is becoming a transit hub, offering neighboring countries a verified model for digitally managing customs and transport processes. Ahead of the Tashkent summit, this strengthens Ashgabats position as a regional leader in digital and transport integration.

Through comprehensive modernization, Turkmenistan is emerging as a key link along the Central AsiaCaspianBlack Sea and Central AsiaPersian Gulf transport corridors, enhancing the regions competitiveness in international markets. The digitalization of logistics - reducing transit times, increasing transparency, and automating procedures - is becoming the countrys new hallmark.

Turkmenistans initiatives also align closely with broader regional agreements. At the Fifth Consultative Meeting in Dushanbe in 2023, a Ground Transport Connectivity Agreement was signeda logical continuation of Ashgabats proposals. Discussions also covered industrial cooperation and the use of national currencies in mutual settlements, which Turkmenistan considers key to economic stability.

The next step came at the Sixth Meeting in Astana in 2024, where heads of state approved the Central Asia-2040 concept and a Cooperation Roadmap for 20252027. These documents are directly linked to President Serdar Berdimuhamedovs approach: developing unified infrastructure, digitalizing cross-border procedures, strengthening energy links, and creating favorable conditions for business.

Turkmen policy consistently rests on the belief that sustainable development is impossible without a strong regional security framework. "Challenges require effective measures to establish a solid and long-term regional security system and neutralize potential threats," the President emphasized. This approach makes Turkmenistan a predictable and reliable partner, with initiatives focused on long-term stability.

Currently, major projects in energy, transport, agriculture, and digital technologies are underway in the country, demonstrating their effectiveness. These sectors are vital not only for the national economy but for the entire region, creating new opportunities for investment and trade.

"We have every opportunity to create a comfortable environment for entrepreneurship, remove unnecessary barriers, and make Central Asia attractive for long-term investment," President Serdar Berdimuhamedov stated. His words capture the essence of Turkmenistans modern course - linking national development with regional openness and cooperation.

At the upcoming Tashkent summit, Turkmenistan is expected to present new proposals for the development of transport corridors, energy partnerships, and deeper digital integration. Environmental issues, sustainable resource use, and climate adaptation are also likely to be among the key topics.

The Seventh Consultative Meeting will further confirm Central Asias move toward greater connectivity and resilience. Under President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, Turkmenistan is making a significant contribution, fostering an atmosphere of trust, technological transparency, and mutual understanding.
Photo: Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. The Azerbaijani government met with the World Bank to review current collaboration and future directions in agriculture and irrigation, including the preparation, approval, and implementation of the "Competitive, Resilient Agriculture and Irrigation Services" (CRAIS) project, Trend reports, citing the Ministry of Agriculture.

The discussions took place during a meeting between Agriculture Minister Majnun Mammadov and the World Banks Agriculture and Food Practice mission visiting Azerbaijan. The CRAIS project, currently in the preparatory phase, aims to upgrade water transport infrastructure nationwide, introduce modern irrigation systems in selected regions, consolidate land, and pilot the work of Water User Associations. The initiative is expected to improve water efficiency, adopt climate-friendly practices, and enhance productivity, resilience, and competitiveness in the countrys agricultural sector.

Minister Mammadov highlighted Azerbaijans ongoing measures in agriculture, emphasizing that restoring irrigation systems and implementing water-saving technologies are crucial for the sectors development. He noted that Azerbaijan faces water scarcity due to climate change and relies heavily on external water sources, making efficient collection, transport, and use of water a top priority in agricultural policy. The project will also pilot new approaches to land consolidation and on-farm water management.

World Bank representative Holger Kray praised Azerbaijans commitment to addressing climate change and acknowledged its achievements in developing agricultural and irrigation infrastructure. He expressed confidence that the CRAIS project would boost productivity, economic activity, employment, and farmers access to finance.

The meeting also covered project readiness, engagement of field experts, acceleration of technical preparations, and other mutual interests.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. Iran is set to accomplish the full scope of projects on the North-South International Transport Corridor in western Kurdistan province by the end of the incumbent governments tenure in August 2028, said Farzaneh Sadegh, the countrys Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Trend reports via the Ministry.

Speaking at an event marking the opening of a 25-kilometer section of the corridor in Kurdistan, Sadegh stated that the corridor, which links northwestern Iran at the Bazargan border with the southwestern port of Imam Khomeini and the Shalamcheh border, plays a key role in boosting transit through the country and supporting economic development.

A total of 325 kilometers of the highway, connecting the Bazargan border to the Imam Khomeini port south of Irans border with Turkiye, traverse the Kurdistan region. The project is segmented into 14 construction sections. To date, 175 kilometers have been finalized and opened to traffic, with expenditures totaling 187 trillion rials (circa $314 million), while work proceeds on the remaining 150 kilometers..

The newly inaugurated 25-kilometer segment required an investment of 30 trillion rials (about $50.3 million). At the same time, construction on a 66-kilometer section has been accelerated, also with an investment of 30 trillion rials (about $50.3 million).

Once fully operational, the highway is expected to reduce traffic accidents by 30 percent, shorten travel time by 20 minutes, and cut both fuel consumption and air pollution.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. Croatia is strengthening its presence in Southeast Asia and expanding economic cooperation as Minister Gordan Grlic Radman visited Indonesia at the invitation of Foreign Minister Sugiono, Trend reports citing the Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.

The visit marked an important step forward in enhancing political dialogue and economic ties between Croatia and Indonesia.

Grlic Radman reaffirmed Croatias commitment to further deepen relations with Indonesia, emphasizing that the two countries are united by their dedication to peace, stability, and multilateralism. Croatia recognizes Indonesia as a key partner in Southeast Asia and as an important actor in global supply chains.

Discussions with Indonesian officials focused primarily on opportunities to strengthen economic cooperation, an area with significant potential for growth. The progress made toward concluding the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the European Union and Indonesia was particularly welcomed, as its entry into force will open new opportunities for Croatian companies.

The ministers delegation included representatives of Croatian businesses interested in entering the Indonesian market, which comprises nearly 300 million people. During the visit, they held a series of meetings with Indonesian institutions and representatives of the business sector.

While in Jakarta, Grlic Radman visited the ASEAN Secretariat, where he met with Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn. Their discussions centered on ASEANs role in maintaining regional stability and on further developing Croatias cooperation with Southeast Asian countries, including Croatias intention to accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC).

The minister also met with Budi Djiwandono, Deputy Chair of Commission I of the Indonesian Parliament (responsible for defence, security, and foreign affairs), Sofyan Tan, Chair of the Indonesia-Croatia Interparliamentary Friendship Group, and Anis Matta, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Religious Affairs. The talks focused on strengthening political dialogue, interparliamentary cooperation, and the continued development of institutional ties between the two countries.

The visit also provided an opportunity for a meeting with Archbishop Piero Pioppo, Apostolic Nuncio and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Indonesia, during which views were exchanged on social and humanitarian issues in Southeast Asia.

Grlic Radmans official visit to Indonesia confirmed the mutual commitment to strengthening political, economic, and institutional relations and to opening new avenues of cooperation between the two countries.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, November 13. A striking example of fraternal cooperation is the agreement between Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan on the joint implementation of the Kambarata-1 hydroelectric power plant construction project, the President Mirziyoyev's article Central Asia on the Threshold of a New Era says, Trend reports via the press service of the Uzbek president.

President Mirziyoyev also noted that cooperation on the construction of the Yavan and Fandaryn hydroelectric power plants on the Zarafshan River is moving forward with the active participation of both Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

Meanwhile, the Kambarata-1 HPP will be the largest energy facility built on the Naryn River in Kyrgyzstans Jalal-Abad region.

The project will include a reservoir with a capacity of 5.4 billion cubic meters and a hydropower plant with a capacity of 1,860 MW, which is expected to generate an average of 5.6 billion kWh of electricity annually.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, November 13. Trade turnover between Uzbekistan and the countries of Central Asia and Azerbaijan rose by 10 percent in the first nine months of 2025, reaching $5.5 billion, Trend reports, citing the Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade (MIIT) of Uzbekistan.

This steady growth has come about since 2017, with bilateral trade coming in at $3.2 billion, but by 2024 this figure had shot up to $6.9 billion. Trade with Kazakhstan is now closing in on $4 billion; with Kyrgyzstan it adds up to nearly $700 million; with Tajikistan it exceeds $570 million; and with Turkmenistan it has more than doubled over the past five years, reaching $1.15 billion. Trade with Azerbaijan has also grown, increasing by 13 percent since the start of the year.

The above trends were highlighted at the first meeting of the Council of Ministers of Trade and Investment of the Central Asian countries, along with representatives of Kyrgyzstans diplomatic mission and Azerbaijan, held in Tashkent under the chairmanship of MIIT Minister Laziz Kudratov.

Organized by the MIIT, the event marked an important step in strengthening practical cooperation and institutionalizing economic dialogue among regional partners. Participants discussed measures to increase mutual trade to $20 billion, establish joint production facilities under the Made in Central Asia brand, expand industrial cooperation, and attract international investment.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. The East Azerbaijan Province, located in the northwestern part of Iran, can become a hub of mutual relations with the Caucasus and European countries in the field of agriculture, the Minister of Agriculture of Iran, Gholamreza Nouri said at a meeting with the representative of the Iran's Supreme Leader, Seyyed Ali Khamenei in the East Azerbaijan Province, Ahmad Motahhari Asl, in Tabriz today, Trend reports.

According to him, the private sector should be the basis of the country's economy.

The economy of the East Azerbaijan Province is one of the provinces that is formed based on the activities of the private sector and relies less on the activities of the government.

Nouri noted that the agricultural sector is very important for the East Azerbaijan Province, but the lack of water resources has complicated the work because both food security and the protection of the environment and resources should be kept in the spotlight.

The minister pointed out that about 15 percent of the country's foreign exchange reserves and 20 percent in terms of weight belong to the import of food products.

''Such imports have created many problems for the country's economy. Accordingly, local production is of great importance,'' he added.

Nouri also stated that Iran's geographical location opens up great opportunities.

The official added that the North-South and the East-West International Transport Corridors, as well as numerous neighboring countries, have provided a unique chance for Iran to become a food security center in the region.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. Iran proposes to establish a joint platform to promote investment opportunities in Kyrgyzstan, Gholamhossein Mozaffari, governor of Razavi Khorasan Province in northeastern Iran, said at the opening of the Kyrgyz Expo 2025 in Kyrgyzstan today, Trend reports.

According to him, a joint platform between Iran and Kyrgyzstan can create sustainable opportunities for investors from both countries.

Mozaffari noted that the Sarakhs and Dogar border crossings in Iran are open to businessmen for import and export, and Iran is ready to help eliminate existing obstacles in this direction.

The official recalled that the free trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), of which Kyrgyzstan is also a member, and Iran came into force in May 2025, enabling the exchange of products between the two countries at a lower cost because duties on 87 percent of products exchanged between Iran and the EAEU have been reduced to zero.

As a result, he explained, businessmen from both countries are exporting or importing their products to or from Iran on a duty-free basis.

The governor visited Kyrgyzstan on November 11 with a delegation of 40 businessmen and economic executives.

On December 25, 2023, a free trade agreement between Iran and the EAEU was signed in St. Petersburg, Russia. It is expected that after the agreement comes into force, trade turnover will reach $18-20 billion within five to seven years.

Moreover, on May 15, 2025, the free trade agreement between Iran and the member states of the EAEU entered into force.

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Chris O'Shea hasn't lived in Scotland for decades but the boss of Centrica, the owner of British Gas, is worried over the future of the energy industry in his homeland.

He is concerned that the "demise" of drilling for gas and oil in the North Sea and the move to green energy will not create new roles quickly enough to offset job losses.

His wide-ranging interview with us follows a series of difficult moments for the industry as soaring energy prices pushed household bills up and saw bumper dividends to shareholders and pay packets to bosses - including him. British Gas also faced a scandal over force-fitting prepayment meters in the homes of vulnerable people who fell behind on bills, something he says the company doesn't do anymore.

Today O'Shea says his big concern is the decline in jobs in the North Sea oil and gas industry. The UK's largest oil and gas producer, Harbour Energy, announced job cuts earlier this year. And this month, the Port of Aberdeen said it would cut roles in the face of what it described as a "staggering" fall in North Sea oil and gas activity.

"The energy transition is the right thing for us to do. It's essential," says O'Shea, pointing out that British Gas no longer explores for oil and gas in the North Sea and benefits more from energy being imported from overseas.

That's not to say he doesn't think there should be more drilling in the North Sea.

"Whether you look at this from a cost point of view or whether you look at this from a carbon point of view or environmental point of view, the gas that you produce domestically will often be cheaper than the gas you import, and it will definitely be cleaner than the gas you import," he says.

But going back to the transition to green energy, he tells the BBC's Big Boss Interview that the question is over the pace at which it needs to happen, drawing on personal experience.

"I grew up in the town of Fife, which was surrounded by coal mines. I saw the devastation when the coal mines were closed during the miners' strike and people that had incredibly well-paid jobs - they went to no work at all.

"You've got second, third-generation people that are not in work now. And I desperately want to avoid that through this transition."

He says he found it quite hard to get a job after university and "got loads of rejection letters".

"I know what it's like to be a bit worried about getting a job," he says.

"I also know what it's like to get a job that you like, and you find out that you're good at, it can change your life - it certainly did for me."
Photo: The Ministry of Investments, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, November 13. At the inaugural session of the Council of Ministers of Trade and Investment of the Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan, the participants reached a consensus to broaden industrial collaboration, advance joint manufacturing initiatives, and implement novel mechanisms for investment partnerships, Trend reports via the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade (MIIT) of Uzbekistan.

These commitments were enshrined in a joint communique signed following the discussions.

The meeting, held in Tashkent, was attended by the heads of the trade and investment ministries of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan, along with representatives of Kyrgyzstans diplomatic mission..

The participants emphasized the critical need to further streamline customs and border procedures, harmonize transport and logistics infrastructure, and establish industrial hubs capable of integrating production value chains across regional economies.

Particular focus was placed on enhancing industrial cooperation, jointly developing raw material and technological capacities, and boosting the export of high-value-added finished products.

Meanwhile, trade turnover between Uzbekistan and the countries of Central Asia and Azerbaijan rose by 10 percent in the first nine months of 2025, reaching $5.5 billion.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) discussed the possibilities of expanding partnership, Trend reports via the CBA.

The CBA Chairman Taleh Kazimov received a delegation led by the IFC Director for the Western Balkans and the South Caucasus, Wiebke Schloemer.

The meeting exchanged views on the initiatives implemented in the country with the support of the IFC and projects implemented within the framework of public-private partnership, as well as the organization's future plans to contribute to improving the economic sustainability of Azerbaijan.

Additionally, the meeting highly appreciated the current state of cooperation between the CBA and the IFC.

The CBA and IFC commenced their partnership when Azerbaijan joined the IFC as a member in 1995. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has thus far invested in approximately 60 long-term projects in Azerbaijan and has contributed to government initiatives across more than 20 advisory domains.

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ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, November 13. Kazakhstan is preparing to sign an agreement with Turkmenistan on establishing trading houses in Almaty and Ashgabat to strengthen bilateral trade and economic cooperation, Trend reports via the Open Normative Acts Portal.

The draft government resolution, titled "On the Signing of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Government of Turkmenistan on the Establishment of Trading Houses in the Republic of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan", is currently open for public review. The draft, prepared on November 12, 2025, will remain under public discussion until November 17, 2025

The resolution, formulated in accordance with directives issued following President Kassym-Jomart Tokayevs official visit to Turkmenistan on October 10, 2024, seeks to elevate bilateral trade to $1 billion, diversify the spectrum of exchanged goods, and enhance the operations of the Kazakh-Turkmen Working Group.

The agreement emphasizes the establishment of trade houses in the capitals of both nations, aiming to streamline business interactions, promote national products, and create favorable conditions for investment. The action plan includes organizing exhibitions, improving logistics and consulting services, and developing a robust export and investment platform. The government anticipates that these initiatives will be realized within the next year.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, November 13. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan signed the Protocol of the 13th Kazakh-Kyrgyz Intergovernmental Council during a meeting in Astana, formalizing agreements on expanding bilateral cooperation across trade, investment, energy, agriculture, and tourism, Trend reports via the country's Cabinet of Ministers.

The protocol was signed during a meeting between the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Olzhas Bektenov, and the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Adylbek Kasymaliev, in Astana.

The sides reported that trade between the nations had reached $1.4 billion in the first eight months of 2025, with agricultural trade experiencing a notable 42 percent increase, totaling $326 million, primarily driven by Kazakh exports. The protocol further underscored significant infrastructure advancements, such as the completion of reconstruction at key border checkpoints, including Kichi-KapkaBesagash, Ak-TilekKarasuu, and KarkyraKegen, which are anticipated to substantially improve bilateral trade flows. Additionally, the restoration of the Nizhny ChuiAk-Suu checkpoint was highlighted as another crucial development.

The parties emphasized that the growing momentum of the strategic partnership can be attributed to the personal support and political commitment of Presidents Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Sadyr Zhaparov, alongside the agreements made during their recent official visits.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. The price of Azerbaijans Azeri Light crude at Italys Augusta port, on a CIF basis, went down by $2.35, or 3.47 percent, on November 12 from the previous level, coming in at $65.43 per barrel, a source in the oil market told Trend.

At Turkiyes Ceyhan port, the FOB price of Azeri Light crude decreased by $2.35, or 3.58 percent, landing at $63.22 per barrel.

The price of URALS crude dipped by $2.42, or 4.57 percent, to $50.56 per barrel, and Brent Dated crude from the North Sea dropped by $2.32, or 3.61 percent, to $62 per barrel.

Azerbaijans 2025 state budget is based on an average oil price of $70 per barrel.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. Under its base-case scenario, S&P expects a gradual decline in hydrocarbon production, which could lead to further investments in upstream operations of Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR, Trend reports.

S&P notes that SOCARs own assets production in 2024 was of 7.5 million tons of oil and 7.7 billion cubic meters of natural gas.

SOCAR also has minority stakes in projects led by international players, the main ones being Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli (ACG) and Shah-Deniz. While we view the companys reserves as ample, we expect output to keep gradually declining under the current production profile, ACG being well past its peak and Shah-Deniz having recently seen a decline in production, reads the report.

S&P analysts note that given that upstream is the segment contributing the most to SOCARs EBITDA and has been the core of its operations, it would expect investments to fund new projects in undeveloped areas of the country or develop existing ones.

To reflect these expected investments, we include in our base-case about AZN3 billion of capex per year, above the levels of the past two years. The nearly completed Shah Deniz 2 project and Shah Deniz Compression project signed earlier this year illustrate this ongoing effort to increase production output through further investments.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. The Annual High-Level Dialogue of the Baku Climate and Peace Action Hub (Baku Hub), a leading initiative of COP29, was held within the framework of COP30 on November 12, Trend reports.

The event was jointly organized by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The meeting brought together ministers from the member states of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), senior government officials, representatives of United Nations agencies, and international financial institutions. The primary goal of the event was to further advance the global agenda linking climate change and peace.

Baku Call on Climate Action for Peace, Relief, and Recovery

Delivering the opening speech, COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev stated that the Baku Hub, established during COP29, has laid the foundation for a new stage of cooperation between climate action, peace, and stability. Presenting the Hub, Ambassador at Large and Senior Adviser to the COP29 Chief Negotiator for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Elshad Iskandarov, noted that it has already begun implementing pilot projects in countries affected by climate and conflict, based on innovative models. He emphasized that entrusting this mission to the Baku Hub reflects international partners confidence in Azerbaijans reliable foreign policy and climate diplomacy.

Mafalda Duarte, Executive Director of the GCF, expressed full support for the Baku Hub, stressing that the initiative has become an essential international mechanism linking climate finance with peace and resilience outcomes while enhancing assistance to vulnerable nations.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Yalchin Rafiyev expressed hope that the Hub would play a vital role in implementing another of Azerbaijans key initiatives, the Baku to Belem Roadmap.

During the event, Memorandums of Understanding were signed between the Baku Hub and the Ministry of Environment, Biodiversity and Climate Action of Guinea-Bissau, as well as the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Natural Resources of The Gambia, to establish Joint Working Groups for the first pilot projects.

Before the signing ceremony, climate ministers from Gambia and Fiji, along with senior government representatives from Guinea-Bissau, Iraq, and Malawi, praised the rapid emergence of the Baku Hub as a key platform for global cooperation. They expressed gratitude to the Government of Azerbaijan and the COP29 Presidency for their leadership in advancing international peace and for their continued support to vulnerable countries.

Following the event, participants adopted the Belem Communique of the Baku Hubs High-Level Dialogue.

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 13. Deputy Minister of Energy of Kazakhstan, Sanzhar Zharkeshov, and the Chief of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission to Kazakhstan, Ali Al-Eyd, discussed the development of Kazakhstan's energy sector in Astana, Trend reports via the ministry.

The parties reviewed current trends and prospects for the development of the energy sector. The Deputy Minister emphasized the importance of expert and analytical support from the IMF.

He highlighted how the IMFs insights contribute to an objective assessment of ongoing challenges and the development of effective solutions that align with international standards and best global practices.

Zharkeshov and Ali Al-Eyd reaffirmed their commitment to continued dialogue and the exchange of views on matters of mutual interest.

The International Monetary Fund is a specialized agency of the UN, established to oversee international monetary and financial relations. It assists member states facing balance of payments problems through short- and medium-term lending. Kazakhstan became a member of the IMF in 1992.

During visit to Kazakhstan from May 15 through 23, 2025, the IMF mission held consultations on the prevailing economic and financial context, as well as on national economic policies and priority reforms
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 13. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will undertake a state visit to Uzbekistan on November 14-15, Trend reports via the press service of the Kazakh President.

The visit will include bilateral discussions between the two heads of state, alongside participation in a session of the Supreme Intergovernmental Council of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

Additionally, on November 16, Tokayev is slated to attend the seventh Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia, also taking place in Tashkent.

The previous state visit of Tokayev to Uzbekistan took place on December 21, 2022. An informal meeting between Tokayev and Mirziyoyev was held in Almaty on March 29, 2025.

According to the National Statistical Committee of Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan's trade turnover with Kazakhstan reached $3 billion from January through August 2025, which is an increase of approximately 3.5 percent compared to $2.9 billion during the same period in 2024.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 13. Estonian President Alar Karis will pay a state visit to Kazakhstan on November 17-19, Trend reports via the press service of the Kazakh president.

In Astana, the Presidents will engage in high-level talks to assess and promote prospects for bilateral cooperation.

Earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan reported that Karis will be accompanied by a large delegation, including representatives from business, education, and culture.

Kazakhstan's Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev, during a meeting with the Ambassador of Estonia to Kazakhstan, Jaap Ora, expressed confidence that the visit would mark an important milestone in Kazakh-Estonian relations and open new opportunities for joint projects in areas such as digitalization, transport and logistics, education, and innovation.
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Significant market opportunities in Bulgaria arise in financial intermediation, real estate, and business activities, predicted to grow by 7.5% in 2025. Sofia's economic dominance suggests potential for investment. The SOFIX Index's rise and PESTLE insights further enhance strategic decision-making possibilities.

Dublin, Nov. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Macroeconomic Outlook Report: Bulgaria" country profile has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



Financial intermediation, real estate, and business activities contributed 21.4% to gross value added (GVA) in 2024, followed by mining, manufacturing, and utilities (20.6%), and wholesale, retail, and hotels (18.4%). In nominal terms, the three sectors are forecast to grow by 7.5%, 8.0%, and 3.7%, respectively, in 2025.



Sofia accounted for 25.4% of Bulgaria's population and 47.1% of its GDP in 2024

Key Highlights

SOFIX Index exhibited an upward trend over the past year. As of October 6, 2025, the index stood at 1,066.4, compared to 854.8 on October 6, 2024.

Scope

Macroeconomic Country Outlook Reports evaluate a country's investment potential through its political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental (PESTLE) framework.

This comprehensive analysis offers a holistic view of the economy, serving as a strategic tool to understand market dynamics, business potential, and operational direction.

Each PESTLE factor is examined based on four parameters: current strengths, current challenges, future prospects, and future risks. These insights support strategic planning by highlighting opportunities and risks within the economy, helping businesses and investors make informed decisions.

The report aims to provide a detailed understanding of the country's macroeconomic environment to facilitate effective decision-making and strategy development.

Reasons to Buy
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. Kazakhstan and Russia, as close neighbors, keep their noses to the grindstone with a bustling array of interactions, and Russia continues to be Kazakhstans bread and butter in trade and economic partnerships. Trade transactions between the two nations reached $17 billion from January to August 2025, with ambitions to boost this figure to $30 billion, according to the Kazakhstan Bureau of National Statistics. Russia accounts for 29.4 percent of Kazakhstan's imports and 10.5 percent of the country's exports.

Furthermore, as per the National Bank of Kazakhstan, the gross inflow of foreign direct investment from Russia into Kazakhstan in the first quarter of 2025 hit the jackpot at $654.6 million, making it the cream of the crop among Kazakhstan's partner countries. Additionally, in terms of remittances sent to Kazakhstan from abroad, Russia remains the leader, with a share of 23 percent of the total amount as of August 2025.

Among the largest joint projects is the development of the eastern branch of the North-South transport corridor, which connects Central Asia and Russia with Iran. Other noteworthy developments include Rosatom's involvement in the building of Kazakhstan's first nuclear power station.

A further significant undertaking is the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), a global initiative for the transportation of oil that comprises Russia, Kazakhstan, and multinational oil corporations. The oil is mostly sent from the oilfield in Western Kazakhstan to the company's marine terminal in the town of Yuzhnaya Ozereevka (Novorossiysk) via a pipeline that is more than 1,500 kilometers long. From there, it is loaded into tankers and sent to markets throughout the world.

Against this backdrop, the state visit of Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Russia on November 11-12 was a logical continuation of the sustained course to strengthen bilateral relations. During the negotiations, a declaration was signed on upgrading the relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance. A comprehensive economic cooperation program for 2026-2030 was also approved.

One of the priorities of the visit was to address long-standing infrastructure issues. Today, there are 51 border crossing points along the Kazakhstan-Russia border, 30 of which are automobile crossings. The main issues are related to their capacity and outdated infrastructure. While Astana and Moscow had earlier agreed to move the reconstruction dates to 20262027 (from 2030), an action plan was approved to develop car border crossings on the RussiaKazakhstan border.

Additionally, the national companies Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) and Russian Railways signed an agreement on the development of interstate junctions until 2030. The document provides for joint efforts to modernize border infrastructure and improve the capacity of railway crossings, taking into account the growing cargo flow. According to KTZ, since Kazakhstans independence, over 3 billion tons of cargo have been transported through nine railway crossings between the two countries. In the first ten months of 2025, the transport volume reached 71.6 million tons, which is five percent higher than last year.

In a media statement, Tokayev also announced that the two sides had agreed on the modernization of border checkpoints and the development of key routes, such as the North-South corridor (the eastern branch of which passes through Kazakhstan) and the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor.

Energy cooperation also came up as a key topic during the discussions. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Kazakhstans Atomic Energy Agency and Russias Federal Service for Environmental, Technological, and Nuclear Supervision regarding cooperation in nuclear and radiation safety when using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

I would like to particularly emphasize cooperation with the Russian Federation in the field of nuclear energy. We are close to signing very important agreements that will pave the way for the actual construction of a nuclear power plant in cooperation with Rosatom. This is truly an important and breakthrough project. Its not only about building the plant itself but also creating a new sphere of competence, Tokayev said.

Additionally, regional cooperation became one of the key themes of the 21st Forum of Interregional Cooperation, which focused on Skilled ProfessionsDrivers of Economic Growth, held in Uralsk. The President of Kazakhstan emphasized that the economic foundation of partnership is being formed in the regions. In turn, Putin noted that dozens of new agreements and memorandums were signed at the forum, signaling the willingness of Russian and Kazakh regions to consistently build closer cooperation.

Also receiving focus were humanitarian concerns. As the president of Kazakhstan noted, there are currently nine branches of Russian universities operating in Kazakhstan, and the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University was the first domestic university to open a branch in Russia. It was also mentioned that plans are underway to establish a Kazakh Information and Cultural Center in Moscow and to build a branch of the Russian school Sirius in Almaty.

The potential of Kazakhstan-Russia relations is vast, and there is no end to our joint work. There are virtually no areas left where our countries are not engaging in productive cooperation. Between Kazakhstan and Russia, there are no unsolvable issues. This is a clear example of the high level of responsibility of both parties and their sincere readiness for joint work, Tokayev told journalists during the visit.

Putin, during his meeting with Tokayev, emphasized that relations between the two countries are developing steadily and are confirmed by specific deeds.

Kazakhstan and Russia are close partners, friends, and reliable allies for each other. This is confirmed by specific deeds. Russia is one of Kazakhstans leading trade and economic partners and ranks first in investments, Putin said.

Kazakhstan and Russia keep up very close and steady relations, touching on the economic, infrastructure, and humanitarian areas. The documents signed during the visit lay the foundation for enhancing existing ties. In this context, the statements of the heads of state and the Declaration on upgrading the relationship to a level of comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance once again demonstrate that the partnership between the countries is seen as a long-term process that will evolve and adapt to new challenges and opportunities.
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, November 13. Russia and Tajikistan discussed ways to deepen interparliamentary cooperation and strengthen cultural and humanitarian ties, Trend reports citing Russia's Federation Council.

The discussions were held during a meeting between Valentina Matvienko, Chairwoman of the Federation Council of Russia, and Rustami Emomali, Chairman of the Parliament of Tajikistan, ahead of the autumn session of the Interparliamentary Assembly of CIS Member Nations.

Matvienko thanked her Tajik counterpart for hosting off-site meetings of the Council and IPA sessions during Tajikistans CIS Presidency and for the warm reception of the Russian delegation.

Emomali, in turn, highlighted the steady development of parliamentary cooperation and the broadening of bilateral ties between the two countries.

The sides emphasized the importance of continued dialogue and collaboration across a wide range of mutual interests.

A regular session of the Interparliamentary Assembly of the Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States (IPA CIS) is scheduled to take place in Dushanbe on November 1314. The meeting will convene parliamentary delegations from Tajikistan, the Russian Federation, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. Heads of parliament and members from the participating states are expected to deliberate on matters pertaining to the strengthening of interstate cooperation, the enhancement of the legislative framework, and the promotion of regional security.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. Iran is demanding compensation from the US under principles of international law for military air strikes carried out against the country in July, the letter addressed from Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, Trend reports.

Araghchi affirmed that Iran is also seeking reparations aimed at restoring the situation to its prior state. He emphasized that Iran is safeguarding its legal rights through all available avenues, and that the United States must fully address both the legal and material damages inflicted upon Iran and its citizens.

"Iran anticipates that the UN Secretary-General and the Security Council will take appropriate measures in response to the violations perpetrated by the United States and Israel during the air strikes on Iran, in accordance with their responsibilities to maintain peace and uphold international security," he added.

The Iranian minister further stated that the air strikes conducted by the United States and Israel resulted in the deaths of over 1,100 Iranian citizens, caused injuries to many others, and targeted Irans peaceful nuclear facilities, which operate under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). He underscored that these actions constituted violations of the UN Charter, the Non-Proliferation Treaty, relevant IAEA resolutions, including 444 and 533, and UN Security Council resolution 487.

On the morning of June 13, Israel carried out military air strikes against Iran, leading to the deaths of numerous high-ranking military officials, generals, nuclear scientists, and other senior personnel.

Meanwhile, on the same evening, Iran responded to Israel with Operation True Promise III: hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones were launched at several targets, including Tel Aviv, resulting in civilian casualties and widespread destruction.

On June 22, the US launched military airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities. It was reported that the airstrikes destroyed Iranian nuclear facilities.

In addition, on the evening of June 23, Iran launched airstrikes on a US military base in Qatar.

On June 24, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office announced that the Israeli government had agreed to a ceasefire with Iran, brokered by US President Donald Trump.

Iran's Supreme National Security Council also issued a statement noting the cessation of attacks.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. Iran and Qatar exchanged views on bilateral relations and regional processes, Trend reports via the Iranian MFA.

Meanwhile, on November 13, a telephone conversation took place between Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani.

During the telephone conversation, the foreign ministers of the two countries noted the importance of continuing efforts to strengthen bilateral relations in all areas of mutual interest.

The sides emphasized the importance of continuing the efforts of countries in the region to maintain peace and stability in the region.

The parties exchanged views on the resolution proposed by the U.S. to the UN Security Council on the Gaza Strip.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. Turkiye has temporarily suspended the flights of C-130 aircraft, an official from the countrys Ministry of National Defense told reporters, Trend reports.

The ministry official pointed out that the suspension, kicking in on November 12, 2025, is a precautionary step.

"All aircraft have undergone thorough technical inspections, and once the checks are fully completed and safety is confirmed, the flights will resume," the official added.

To note, on November 11, 2025, a Turkish Air Force C-130 cargo aircraft crashed near the Azerbaijan-Georgia border after departing from Azerbaijan en route to Turkiye. All 20 military personnel on board, including the flying crew, perished.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. The Turkish Air Force A400M aircraft carrying the bodies of 20 servicemen who died in the crash of a C130 military transport aircraft in Georgia departed from Tbilisi for Ankara on November 13, the Turkish Ministry of National Defense said in a statement, Trend reports.

According to the statement, an official farewell ceremony for the martyrs will be held in Ankara, followed by their funeral.

On November 11, a Turkish Air Force C-130 military transport aircraft vanished from radar 27 minutes after departing Ganja Airport and subsequently crashed in Georgia. The incident resulted in the deaths of all 20 personnel on board, including crew members.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. A Turkish firefighting plane crashed in Croatia, the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry says, Trend reports.

The wreckage of a firefighting plane was found near the town of Senj, Croatia. The pilot died in the crash.

Two fire-fighting aircraft "AT8022" belonging to the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Forestry flew to Croatia for technical inspection.

The ministry noted that two aircraft departed from Canakkale to Zagreb, Croatia, for a scheduled technical inspection, but landed at Rijeka Airport at night due to adverse weather conditions.

"One of our planes landed at Rijeka Airport on its way back, and contact with the other plane was lost at 18:25 Turkish time," the ministry said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 13. The United States imposed sanctions on 32 entities and individuals across Iran, China, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, Turkiye, India, and other countries accused of aiding Irans ballistic missile and drone production networks, including those tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Trend reports.

The U.S. State Department said the measures target multiple procurement networks that support Irans missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programs, underscoring Washingtons efforts to curb Tehrans military capabilities.

The action follows the September 27 reimposition of United Nations sanctions on Iran over what the UN described as Tehrans significant non-performance of its nuclear commitments. Those sanctions address threats linked to Irans nuclear and ballistic missile activities, as well as its conventional arms programs.

Washington urged all UN member states to implement the reinstated measures under Security Council resolutions 1737, 1747, 1803, and 1929, which restrict the transfer of materials and technology that could aid Irans missile and weapons production.

The sanctions are also part of President Donald Trumps National Security Presidential Memorandum-2, aimed at countering Irans development of missiles and asymmetric weapons and limiting the IRGCs access to financial resources.

The United States will continue to use all available means, including sanctions on entities based in third countries, to expose, disrupt, and counter Irans procurement of equipment and items for its ballistic missile and UAV programs, the State Department said, adding that such activities pose a threat to regional and international security.
Ohio ranks 9th in the nation for financial literacy among high school students, according to a recent report by Intuit.

The report highlights Ohios requirement for all public high school students to complete a stand-alone finance course, contributing to the states high ranking. This initiative is part of a broader effort to equip the next generation with essential financial skills.

Charlotte Keegan, a student at the University of Dayton, exemplifies the impact of financial literacy education. I started working probably when I was, like, 16 years old, she said, emphasizing her awareness of personal finances.

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Keegan believes her financial literacy will benefit her in the future. I think, just being able to do the things that my friends are doing and do things that I like without having to worry about money, she added.

Ohio is one of 29 states that mandates a finance course for high school students, a policy that has contributed to its high ranking in the Intuit study. The study also considered factors such as youth employment rates.

Keegan has been managing her personal finances since she was 16, focusing on digital banking and everyday expenses.

She expressed confidence in her financial skills, stating, Yeah, definitely. I know that when you work hard, you make more money and you get to do more things that you like.

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'Digital Dirham': UAE Joins Club of Three Having Digital Currency

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Thursday (Nov 13, 2025) launched 'Digital Dirham' and joined China, Nigeria and the Bahamas that have their own digital currencies

Dubai: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Thursday (Nov 13, 2025) launched 'Digital Dirham' and joined China, Nigeria and the Bahamas that have their own digital currencies.

The UAE completed its first government transaction using the Digital Dirham Thursday, marking a major step towards digital finance and greater transparency in public spending.

Digital Dirham will help improve payment efficiency and reduce costs, local officials said.

Pivotal Milestone

Maktoum Bin Mohammed, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance provided more details in a post on X calling the launch of Digital Dirham a pivotal milestone in the history of government financial transformation in the UAE.

He said that the first government transaction using the Digital Dirham issued by the Central Bank of the UAE Thursday represented the future of the national digital currency in both government and private sector transactions.

Using the Digital Dirham in government transactions reflects the Ministry of Finances commitment to accelerating digital transformation in public finance management and enhancing transparency and efficiency in government financial systems, he said.

This strategic step reinforces the integration of the national financial ecosystem and aligns with the UAE leaderships vision of building an advanced, innovative, and trustworthy digital national economy, he added.

What is Digital Currency?

Digital Currency is a form of currency which exists only in digital or electronic form, with no physical counterpart like coins or banknotes. It is also called as digital money or electronic money, and stored, transferred and used through computers, smartphones, or other digital devices.

Cryptocurrency, like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Stablecoins (USDT, USDC), is an example of digital currencies.

PayPal balance, Venmo, Alipay, M-Pesa and others are also different forms of digital currencies categorized under E Money or Digital Fiat.

Digital Dirham has a distinction as it falls under the category of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) as it is issued by the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Transactions of Digital Currencies are normally done using dedicated apps and software called digital wallet. The transaction is recorded on the blockchain (a public, tamper-proof ledger).

Countries having digital currencies

With the launch of Digital Darham, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has joined China, Nigeria and the Bahamas that have their own digital currencies.

China digital currency is called Digital Yuan and there are an estimated 260 million people who use it for daily payments.

Nigeria launched its digital currency named eNaira in 2021 whereas the digital currency launched by the Bahamas in 2020 is called Sand Dollar.

Unlike cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, which are decentralised and not controlled by any authority, the digital currencies launched by China, UAE, Nigeria, and the Bahamas are issued and regulated by the UAE Central Bank  making them official and government-backed digital currency.

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International Conference on Islamic Arts & Architecture 2025 opens at Jamia Millia

7th International Conference on Islamic Arts & Architecture, 2025, inaugurated by Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Ekistics, Jamia Millia Islamia

New Delhi: The 7th International Conference on Islamic Arts & Architecture (ICIAA 2025), organized by the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Ekistics, Jamia Millia Islamia, commenced on the 11th of November, 2025 marking the National Education Day.

The event brought together scholars, practitioners, academicians and students to explore the evolution, symbolism, and relevance of Islamic design and traditions.

Comprising lectures, panel discussions, and an exquisite exhibition at the gallery, the conference aims to highlight and explore the cultural depth, richness, and global impact of Islamic arts and architecture.

Prof. Md. Mahtab Alam Rizvi, Registrar, Jamia Millia Islamia, accompanied by the Chief Guest, Dr. Fariduddin Farid Asr, Cultural Counsellor, Iran Cultural House, New Delhi, inaugurated The Kaleidoscope, a Photography and Art Exhibition at the M. F. Husain Art Gallery, Jamia Millia Islamia, on the 11th of November.

The event was also graced by the presence of Prof. Qamar Irshad, Dean, Faculty of Architecture and Ekistics, Prof. Taiyaba Munawer, Head of Department and Convenor of the Conference along with all faculty members, delegates, and students of the Department of Architecture who actively attended the session.

What's on Display in the exhibition?

The exhibition display was delicately curated by Dr. Mohd. Arshad Ameen, accompanied by Ar. Mohd. Rahil, Co-Curator from the Department of Architecture. The entry foyer featured photographs presented by the Iranian Embassy, along with miniature models, books, and travel guides that showcased the rich cultural heritage and architectural legacy of Iran. The displays strongly reflected the theme of Islamic arts and architecture through a vibrant selection of architectural features, motifs, renders and paintings.

The facade was adorned with Islamic jaali patterns painted by the students, while inside the gallery hall, an array of paintings in watercolor, acrylic, and mixed media, created by the students themselves embellished the walls.

A striking mosaic mural of glass paintings, crafted on the 31st October, 2025 during the workshop Stained Palette held on occasion of the 105th Foundation Day of the University under the guidance of Dr. Mohd. Arshad Ameen, welcomed visitors in its vivid eye-catching hues and intricate craftsmanship.

Captivating Photographs

The exhibition also featured captivating photographs captured by both faculty members and students, encapsulating the play of light and shadow, geometry, and perspectives in Islamic Architecture from around the world. These were complemented by stunning calligraphy works rendered on large canvases, harmoniously amalgamated amongst these exemplary pieces.

In his inaugural address., Dr. Fariduddin Farid Asr appreciated the creative works of the students, highlighting the importance of art and aesthetics in architecture and emphasizing the need to sustain the legacy of Islamic architecture for future generations. Prof. Rizvi, in his following address, congratulated the organizers on the success of the exhibition and commended its strong adherence to the conference theme.

As the inaugural day drew to a close, Prof. Taiyaba Munawer invited the curator to the dais to deliver the vote of thanks. The students worked tediously in collaborative efforts to prepare for the exhibition for the past month under the visionary guidance of Dr. Mohd. Arshad Ameen who concluded the evening with an eloquent speech in Urdu, beautifully recounting the collective efforts that contributed to the success of this culturally rich exhibition.

The day concluded with the presentation of small saplings as momentos to the guests and the official unveiling of the exhibition brochure, a creative endeavor courtesy of Ar. Mohd. Rahil.

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US-based oil and gas company Chevron forecasts more than 10% growth in its annual adjusted free cash flow and annual earnings per share through 2030, assuming Brent crude prices of $70 per barrel (bbl).

The company reduced its capital expenditure (capex) guidance range to $18bn21bn per year.

Chevron aims to maintain capital and cost discipline, while investing to extend cash flow growth into the next decade. It plans to keep its capex and dividend breakeven below $50/bbl of Brent crude through 2030.

According to Reuters, the new guidance is a result of the companys efforts to operate effectively after a restructuring earlier this year that affected up to 20% of its workforce.

The $55bn acquisition of Hess in July this year had prevented the company from announcing long-term financial guidance, the report noted.

Chevron chairman and CEO Mike Wirth said: We believe Chevron is uniquely positioned to grow earnings and free cash flow into the next decade.

Never in my career have I seen a higher confidence outlook, further into the future and with lower execution risk; Chevron is stronger, more resilient and better positioned than ever.

Chevron intends to improve return on capital employed by more than 3% by 2030 at $70/bbl of Brent and plans to grow oil and gas production at 23% annually through to 2030.

The company will raise the expected Hess synergies to $1.5bn and target structural cost reductions of $3bn4bn by the end of 2026.

It plans to repurchase shares worth $10bn20bn each year through 2030 at average Brent prices of $6080.

The company noted its track record of dividend increases including a 7% increase in average annual dividend per share over the past 25 years and share repurchases in 18 of the past 22 years.

Chevron vice-chairman and oil, products and gas executive vice-president Mark Nelson said: Chevron is poised to deliver resilient free cash flow growth with low execution risk.

We are continuing to demonstrate that capital discipline and innovation position us to deliver long-term value for shareholders.

Chevron plans to advance a range of projects across its portfolio. It intends to deliver its first AI data centre power project in West Texas, targeting first power in 2027.

The company described its upstream holdings as premier assets in major basins and said its downstream and chemicals business is strategically advantaged and growing.

Two of its major chemical projects are expected to begin operations in 2027.

Chevron CFO Eimear Bonner said: Chevrons sustained cash generation underpins superior shareholder returns.
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Quick Read

BTC continues its rangebound trading

Solana looking weak on high time frames

If youre thinking about retiring or know someone who is, there are three quick questions causing many Americans to realize they can retire earlier than expected. take 5 minutes to learn more here

Even with the US government reopening, markets have gone nowhere this week. Bitcoin is quite rangebound and has failed to get back over the $105k level since Sunday. Yesterday, BTC ETFs saw outflows of $278m, putting more pressure on BTC. Volume remains subdued, with market participants waiting to see a clear sign in direction. Funding rates on perpetual futures hover around the 10% annualized range for BTC at the moment, with open interest steadily declining day over day. There is about $67b in OI at this time, and we will see if this figure starts to build once more direction comes to the market. With the White House claiming October payrolls wont be released, the Fed will have Novembers report to work with before the FOMC in December. Polymarket currently has the Fed cutting by 25 bps priced at 56% probability, with 41% of participants saying there will be no change at the December meeting.

Solana is not having a great November, and the HTF views paint an alarming picture for the high speed blockchain. With no cap on total issuance and several new projects competing for the high speed crown, Solanas competitive moat is in danger. Solana was home to memecoins, and with the advent of pump.fun and the destruction caused by coins sucking out liquidity in January and February of this year, Solanas reputation is less than ideal. With the slick UI/UX of the blockchain, Solana believers hope that momentum will come back to their project. Solana remains rangebound this week like most other coins, but has been in quite the downward trend since mid summer.

The New Report Shaking Up Retirement Plans

You may think retirement is about picking the best stocks or ETFs, but youd be wrong. See even great investments can be a liability in retirement. The difference comes down to a simple: accumulation vs distribution. The difference is causing millions to rethink their plans.

The good news? After answering three quick questions many Americans are finding they can retire earlier than expected. If youre thinking about retiring or know someone who is, take 5 minutes to learn more here.
Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE) is included among the 15 Best Dividend Growth Stocks to Buy Now.

Citi Raises Nucors (NUE) Price Target to $180, Reaffirms Buy Rating

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On October 30, Citi increased its price target on Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE) to $180 from $150 while maintaining a Buy rating on the stock, as reported by The Fly.

Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE) had released its third-quarter 2025 results on October 27, reporting revenue of $8.52 billion, marking a 14.47% increase from the same period a year earlier. During the quarter, the company ramped up production at two newly completed bar mill projects, progressed with its sheet steel and coating expansions, and began pole production at its Alabama Towers & Structures facility. Despite its ongoing phase of capital investments, Nucor continued to uphold one of the strongest balance sheets among major North American steel producers and returned nearly $1 billion to shareholders year-to-date, representing over 70% of net earnings through the third quarter.

By the close of the quarter, Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE) held $2.75 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments. The company also maintained its long-standing reputation as a dependable dividend payer, marking 210 consecutive quarters of dividend payments.

Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE) is recognized as one of the safest, most efficient, and most profitable steel and steel products manufacturers globally.

While we acknowledge the potential of NUE as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 13 Best Consistent Dividend Stocks to Buy Now and 15 Best DRIP Stocks to Own Right Now.

Disclosure: None.
By Pritam Biswas

(Reuters) -Code-generation startup Cursor nearly tripled its valuation to $29.3 billion in five months after raising $2.3 billion in its latest funding round, as artificial intelligence companies continue to attract investor attention.

The Series D funding round was led by new investor Coatue, an investment management firm, and existing investor Accel, Cursor said in a blog post on Thursday. Fresh investors Nvidia and Alphabet's Google also participated in the round.

AI firms have dominated private funding markets this year, with global venture funding in the third quarter increasing 38% year-over-year to $97 billion, about half of which went to AI companies, according to data from Crunchbase.

"(The round) is a resounding current affirmation of AI prospects...but the commitments for this raise most likely accumulated over the last several weeks or months and are very specific to Cursor's prospects," said Michael Ashley Schulman, chief investment officer at Running Point Capital Advisors.

A surge in investor appetite for AI-linked firms also helped drive Wall Street's benchmark indexes to record highs this year.

The San Francisco-based company raised $900 million in June at a $9.9 billion valuation, attracting backing from investors, including Thrive Capital, Andreessen Horowitz and Accel.

The company has crossed $1 billion in annualized revenue, with sales-led revenue increasing 100-fold since the beginning of 2025, Cursor said in a mailed statement to Reuters.

Cursor, which develops tools to autonomously generate and complete code, said the latest funding round will be used to invest in its research efforts.

Code-generation startups are attracting sky-high valuations as businesses explore artificial intelligence-based solutions to enhance or replace traditional software development roles.

However, investor concerns that valuations of AI companies may have outpaced fundamentals intensified after SoftBank Group offloaded its $5.8 billion stake in Nvidia earlier in the week.

(Reporting by Pritam Biswas in Bengaluru; Editing by Vijay Kishore)
Coinbase has expanded its reach beyond the United States with the official launch of Coinbase Business in Singapore, marking its first international rollout of the crypto operating platform.

Key Takeaways:

Coinbase launched its first international platform, Coinbase Business, in Singapore.

The platform offers startups and SMBs instant USDC payments, global transfers, and integrated crypto management tools.

The rollout builds on Coinbases collaboration with Singapores Monetary Authority (MAS) under the BLOOM Initiative.

The move allows Singaporean startups and small-to-medium businesses (SMBs) to access instant USDC payments, global payouts, integrated trading tools, and automated accounting.

Coinbase Expands Overseas with Singapore Launch

Singapore, a key fintech hub and one of Asias most crypto-forward economies, is the first country to host the platforms international debut.

Coinbase said the launch builds on its recent collaboration with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) under the BLOOM Initiative, which aims to promote borderless and compliant digital payments.

The new business suite offers a full financial operating stack for companies integrating crypto into daily operations.

Core features include USDC-based global payments, an API for automated payroll and vendor management, and a 1% transaction fee for cross-border payments, a fraction of traditional credit card processing costs.

Businesses can also earn yield on USDC balances and reconcile their books through QuickBooks and Xero integration.

Coinbase Business allows firms to securely buy, sell, and manage digital assets directly from their operating account.

The company says this provides Singapores rapidly growing startup scene with a command center where money moves as fast as ambition.

The launch is backed by a partnership with Standard Chartered Bank, enabling seamless real-time SGD transfers for both retail and business users.

Coinbase said this banking link ensures fiat-crypto integration under Singapores strict regulatory standards.

This expansion underscores our commitment to supporting the regions innovation economy, Coinbase said in its announcement.

Were empowering Singaporean businesses with faster, cheaper, and programmable financial tools for the next era of global trade.

Coinbases Singapore launch comes amid rising institutional adoption of stablecoins like USDC and growing regulatory clarity across Asia.

The companys participation in MASs Agentic Payments workstream signals deeper involvement in shaping compliant digital asset infrastructure across the region.
Rome police investigate metro station attack.

An Italian YouTuber famed for his videos of pickpockets on Rome's subways was assaulted by a gang of "around 10 people" at a metro station near the Vatican on Wednesday evening.

The violent incident took place just after 18.30 when Simone Ruzzi, better known as Cicalone, was attacked from behind before being knocked to the ground and kicked in the face.

The gang also assaulted a security guard and insulted videomaker Evelina, who films Cicalone, before fleeing on foot towards Viale Giulio Cesare in the Prati district.

Attack

Cicalone, who suffered multiple facial injuries, was treated by paramedics and taken to the Umberto I hospital where he underwent a CT scan.

"They could have killed me" - Cicalone said from the ambulance - "It was a punishment attack organised by the pickpocket ring leaders. They are people we know well."

"At first there were only two of them, then others arrived" - Evelina said, cited by La Repubblica newspaper - "They knocked him down and kicked him while he was on the ground. They didn't stop."

The suspicion is that the group had planned the attack, with revenge being the likely motive.

"They were in constant contact" - Evelina said - "As soon as the first ones saw Cicalone, they immediately alerted their accomplices. They were all already at the station ready to attack him".

Social media

Cicalone, a boxer turned YouTuber, has built a large following on social media in recent years - 865,000 followers on YouTube, 873,000 on Facebook and 452,000 on Instagram - documenting crime in Rome.

His videos see him directly confront pickpockets and chase them out of Rome's metro stations, warning tourists to be careful of their belongings and identifying those responsible for the thefts, sometimes catching them in the act.

Cicalone has gained widespread support on social media from Roman commuters, many of whom credit him with spurring authorities into recently increasing a police presence on the subways to combat the rampant pickpocketing.

Previous attacks

Last summer Cicalone was attacked on two separate occasions in front of the central train station in Naples.

In April he was attacked by pickpockets near Rome's Flaminio metro station while in May someone attempted to run him over with a speeding car while he was crossing the street in the Piramide area of the capital.
Italy and the Gaza War: Between Compassion and Pragmatism

In recent months, Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni has described Israels response to the Hamas attacks of 7 October 2023 as disproportionate. Two years later, the war continues to devastate Gaza and divide Europe. Ceasefires have collapsed, treaties have faltered, and protests fill city streets. Meloni now finds herself in a fragile position, trying to advocate for humanitarian aid and a future Palestinian state while maintaining Italys alliances with the European Union and the United States.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israels prime minister, remains one of the most controversial leaders in modern politics. In 2019, he was indicted for fraud, bribery and breach of trust. Some critics argue that prolonging the war shields him from legal accountability. Since the start of Israels military campaign, satellite data from the UN and World Bank show that more than 70 per cent of Gazas structures have been destroyed. According to UNICEF, more than 3,000 children have lost one or more limbs, and famine has taken hold across the strip. The Gaza health ministry reports more than 67,000 Palestinians killed, while the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that over 80 per cent of the population has been displaced.

Still, Hamas is not blameless. The group has long been accused of embedding its military infrastructure within civilian areashospitals, schools, apartment buildingseffectively using civilians as shields. However, surveys by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research show that around 70 per cent of Palestinians oppose Hamass disarmament, reflecting a deep distrust of Israel and the absence of a viable political alternative.

For Italy, being a relatively small but symbolically important Western country, the war has become a moral and diplomatic dilemma. Meloni has emphasised that Italy is among the top ten contributors of humanitarian aid to Gaza, having pledged more than 30 million and assisted the evacuation of dozens of injured civilians to Italian hospitals. She has called for a lasting humanitarian pause, though her coalition partners remain cautious about openly criticising Israel. At the same time, public pressure is growing, and Meloni must navigate between compassion and pragmatism, a balance that becomes harder with every airstrike.

The scale of human loss, however, transcends politics. Nearly one third of Gazas dead are children, and famine conditions are spreading. Most survivors have no homes to return to. At this point, the war has defied sides and become about survival itself. Thousands of civilians have been caught in the crossfire. Under international humanitarian law, leaders are required to minimise the impact on women, children, and other noncombatants, yet those protections have been eroded in practice.

In Italy, the protests have been massive. From Milan to Naples, demonstrators have blocked rail lines and occupied major squares. In Rome alone, between 200,000 and 250,000 people marched over four consecutive days in October demanding an end to the war. Across Europe, similar protests have signalled growing public frustration with what many perceive as unconditional Western support for Israel.

Despite a US-brokered ceasefire agreement on 10 October 2025, both Israel and Hamas have since violated its terms. Each side has returned the remains of soldiers to their homelands, but peace remains elusive. Israel continues to wield immense diplomatic power, its influence stretching far beyond the Middle East, often leaving allies like Italy struggling to balance strategic loyalty with moral clarity.

Ultimately, the truth is difficult but unavoidable: Israelis are not being attacked at the rate Palestinians are. Civilian suffering is no longer collateral; it is the defining feature of this conflict. With two-thirds of Israelis now saying the war should end, the question is no longer who wins, but who survives. And Italy, like much of Europe, is left in a position where its help can only do so much. Proportionality has been completely disregarded, and the optics for Israel grow worse by the day.

Ph: Rome, Italy - March 10, 2023: Giorgia Meloni, Italy's prime minister, with Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's prime minister, ahead of their meeting at the Chigi Palace.
EasyJet and Volotea staff plan to stage walkouts.

Air travellers at airports in Italy face disruption on Friday 14 November due to two separate strikes planned by employees of airlines easyJet and Volotea.

Pilots and cabin crew employed by Volotea plan a 24-hour strike on Friday, while Italy-based staff at easyJet will stage a walkout from 13.00-17.00.

The Volotea strike has been called by the UILT-UIL union over accusations that the airline is ignoring employee concerns, while the easyJet strike has been called by the USB Lavoro Privato union to demand more stable contracts and better working conditions.

Passengers flying with either carrier in Italy on Friday are urged to contact their airline, tour operator or travel agent.

Italy's civil aviation authority ENAC reminds air travellers that during strikes in Italy flights scheduled between 07.00-10.00 and 18.00-21.00 are guaranteed.

Separately, bus and subway services in Rome will be affected by a 24-hour strike on Friday , while a six-hour strike will affect public transport in the north-eastern city of Udine on the same day, from 15.30 to 21.30.
Over-70s will no longer need to renew carta didentita.

Italian residents aged over 70 will no longer be required to renew their identity cards, or carte didentita, the public administration minister Paolo Zangrillo said on Wednesday.

The government is bringing in measure to scrap the requirement as part of a "simplification decree", Zangrillo told Giornale Radio.

The move, which will be presented to parliament in the coming days, is designed to "make life easier for citizens", Zangrillo said, confirming that over-70s "will no longer need to go to municipal offices" to renew their ID cards.

Known officially as the Carta di Identita Elettronica (CIE), the identity card was issued in paper format until nine years ago before being replaced by a new electronic version.

The identity cards for adults are valid for 10 years, with a renewal request permitted up to 180 days before the card's expiry date.

The card, issued by Italy's interior ministry, is used predominantly to verify the holders identity during bureaucratic procedures at public administration offices or on other occasions when they need to show their ID.

Until recently, Italian citizens could also use the identity card to fly in Italy and within Europe's Schengen border-free travel area, however this was scrapped in July, with air travellers now required to just show their boarding pass.
Judge Paolo Adinolfi went missing in Rome in 1994.

A search got under way at a jazz venue in Rome on Thursday morning as part of an investigation into the disappearance of a judge in the Italian capital 31 years ago.

Police with sniffer dogs were concentrating their search on a network of tunnels under the Casa del Jazz, a cultural landmark that was once owned by a top member of Rome's notorious Magliana crime gang that active from the late 1970s until the early 1990s.

Judge Adinolfi

The search relates to Judge Paolo Adinolfi who disappeared on 2 July 1994 after leaving his home on Via della Farnesina and telling his family that he would return for lunch.

Over the intervening three decades, there have been numerous theories regarding the mysterious disappearance of Adinolfi, who was then aged 52 and had recently been promoted to the court of appeal.

In a previous role, however, Adinolfi had handled important cases through the bankruptcy courts, including those with possible ties to local crime.

Casa del Jazz

Today's Casa del Jazz is a 1930s-era villa on expansive tree-filled grounds opposite the ancient Aurelian Walls and near the start of the busy Via Cristoforo Colombo road.

Formerly known as Villa Osio, the property was seized in 1996 from Enrico Nicolleti, allegedly the 'treasurer' of the Banda della Magliana, and was confiscated definitively in 2001.

Rome city council subsequently restored the property and transformed it into a cultural centre dedicated to jazz, which opened in 2005.

Search

Police at the site have begun to inspect and excavate several unexplored tunnels, presumably dating back to the Roman era, according to newspaper Corriere della Sera.

Some of the tunnels are known, while others are still uncharted, with experts from Rome's archaeological superintendency reportedly at the scene as police begin to dig.

The search follows suspicions raised by former magistrate Guglielmo Muntori and the discovery of a tunnel sealed for the last 30 years, according to Italian news reports.

Photo ANSA
Coinbase says it is leaving Delaware and will reincorporate in Texas.

Texas has become "an increasingly attractive hub" for companies like Coinbase, the company says.

Elon Musk sparked an exodus from Delaware last year after a court ruled against his pay package.

Coinbase is joining an ever-growing list of companies bidding farewell to Delaware.

The cryptocurrency exchange has filed paperwork with the Securities and Exchange Commission to leave Delaware and reincorporate in Texas, its chief legal officer, Paul Grewal, wrote in a column on Wednesday in The Wall Street Journal.

Texas has become "an increasingly attractive hub for innovative companies like ours," Grewal wrote. "It's a shame that it has come to this, but Delaware has left us with little choice."

Delaware has long been considered one of the country's most business-friendly states. Nearly 2 million businesses call Delaware their legal home, including more than half of all publicly traded companies, according to the Delaware Secretary of State.

However, a series of Delaware court rulings has made some companies question just how hospitable the state really is for corporations.

"Delaware's Chancery Court in recent years has been rife with unpredictable outcomes," Grewal wrote.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk sparked an exodus from the state last year, reincorporating both SpaceX and Tesla in Texas, after a Delaware court sided with minority shareholders to void his proposed $56 billion pay package. Now based in Texas, Tesla shareholders approved a $1 trillion pay package, tied to some lofty benchmarks, earlier this month. Texas law makes it more difficult for shareholders to file lawsuits against a company and its directors.

VC firm Andreessen Horowitz, Roblox, and Dropbox, and Bill Ackman's Pershing Square Capital have all left Delaware in the last year. Many of them have gone to Nevada, which, like Texas, has styled itself as more business-friendly in recent years.

For Coinbase, Texas offered more "predictability," Grewal wrote.

"Senate Bill 29 modernized the Texas Business Organizations Code to codify the business-judgment rule, which rightly empowers directors and officers to make the business decisions they need to innovate," Grewal wrote, referring to new legislation that gives companies more predictability in corporate governance disputes. "This bill, together with the establishment of the Texas Business Court system, gives companies a business-friendly legal ecosystem with strong protections and efficient dispute resolution."
A Waterford man was a Tier 2 player in an multinational phishing operation that stole over 2 million from thousands of victims.

Elliot Lepota, of 4 OConnell Court, Penrose Lane, Waterford City, will spend five years in prison for money-laundering.

The 24-year-old appeared via video link at Waterford Circuit Court for sentencing before Judge Eugene OKelly.

Lepota has been in custody on the matter since his arrest in September 2023. On June 23, 2023, a woman was the victim of a phishing scam when she received a call claiming to be from AIB. The fraudulent call told her that her account was "compromised" and "immediate action was required". She lost 3,692 from her account. 1,992 of the sum was transferred to a Revolut account.

Violated

In their victim impact statement, the woman said the theft left her feeling "violated and manipulated". She stated: The loss had a severe impact, I was in the early stage of repaying my mortgage. It had a profound emotional effect on me.

I felt violated and manipulated, it was an erosion of trust. I found myself doubting peoples intentions.

The woman was just one of the thousands of victims of this particular scam. Up to 9,800 victims were identified in Ireland and 411 in Finland with the total loss calculated at over 2 million.

State Prosecutor Miranda Egan-Langley informed the Court that victims in Finland were made to take out loans to cover their losses. She said: There is no compensation scheme. Victims are obliged to pay these loans back.

Defence counsel Michelle Smith De Bruin told the Court that the victim reached out to AIB and was compensated in full.

Herder of mules

While most money-laundering offences before Waterford Court involve money-mules, Lepota had a greater involvement in the scam. Judge OKelly described Lepota as: "a herder of the mules".

Detective Alan Egan described Lepota a "Tier 2" actor working under someone else in the "complex and sophisticated" criminal enterprise.

Lepota used a web host, attained from the dark web, to mirror sites like AIB, thus appearing legitimate to unsuspecting victims: People would think they were dealing with a legitimate site.

Detective Garda Donal Donohoe stated that Gardai recovered nine laptops and 35 other devices from the operation. One device had 250,000 fraudulent messages alone, claiming to be from An Post, Fastway and AIB.

Judge OKelly imposed a headline sentence of nine years, reduced by three years in mitigation.

Lepota received mitigation for his guilty plea, which saved "enormous resources" for the State, influence of co-accused and co-operation with Gardai.

The final year was suspended and he will be under probation supervision for 12 months.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
A man from Birmingham, England, travelled to Waterford this week to appeal a drink driving offence he had previously received.

Allan Bradley, of Pennyfield Croft, Birmingham, had a blood alcohol concentration of 149 milligrams of alcohol per 100ml of blood on the day of the incident. He received a two-year disqualification from driving for the offence.

He appealed this penalty in front of Judge Christopher Callan at Waterford Circuit Court this week.

Bradley said that he believed the blood alcohol concentration reading was inaccurate, but did not deny drinking on the day. Judge Callan said he had no option but to disallow this appeal, and his two-year driving disqualification was upheld.

State Solicitor Frank Hutchinson provided the man with some solace, saying that if his blood alcohol concentration was just 1 milligram higher on the day of the incident, he would have received a three-year disqualification.

"It could have been worse," Mr Hutchinson said.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
Waterford businesswoman, Joanne Quinn Geoghegan, recognised for her leadership and innovation in the Irish beauty industry, has been appointed to the judging panel for the 2026 Professional Beauty, Hair and Spa awards.

Joanne is founder of Beautorium Training Academy and Waterford Skin & Laser Clinic.

The prestigious ceremony, organised by Professional Beauty UK and Hairdressers Journal International, will take place on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at the InterContinental Dublin, during the Professional Beauty & Hair Show weekend.

The event is regarded as one of the most respected celebrations of excellence and innovation across the UK and Irish beauty, hair, and spa industries.

With over 20 years of experience in advanced skincare, education, and business development, Joanne is widely recognised as one of Irelands most knowledgeable and respected industry leaders.

Her dual businesses - Beautorium Training Academy and Waterford Skin & Laser Clinic - have become synonymous with quality, professionalism, and progressive education in beauty and aesthetics.

The latest appointment comes during an exceptional year for Joanne as both her businesses were nominated in multiple national awards, and Joanne herself has been shortlisted for Innovator of the Year at the 2025 Hi Style Women of Vision Awards.

Commenting on her own vision, she said: "Im passionate about raising standards and celebrating excellence in our industry."

Being invited to judge at this level is a wonderful opportunity to highlight Irish talent on a national stage and to recognise the commitment, creativity, and professionalism that define our sector," she said.

Through Beautorium Training Academy, Joanne has played a key role in supporting the next generation of beauty professionals, offering internationally recognised ITEC and VTCT qualifications, along with specialist advanced skincare and laser training.

Meanwhile, Waterford Skin & Laser Clinic continues to set the benchmark for clinical skincare and aesthetic treatments in the South East.

Joannes latest achievement as a national judge reinforces her long-standing dedication to excellence, education, and empowerment within the Irish beauty industry - and once again puts Waterford firmly on the map as a hub of talent and innovation.
Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler says she is concerned about loneliness in the aftermath of Covid-19.

The Minister was asked by the media at the official opening of the An Garran housing estate in Tramore if she was concerned about the ESRI Loneliness Study, which found that 15% of people in Ireland suffer from loneliness.

She said that older people found it hard to get back out after the lockdowns ended, while young people missed out on many social milestones.

Many people, especially older people, found it hard to reconnect, to say hello again, world, to step back out.

We did a survey back in 2023 and we discovered that 40% of people who used to go to mass previously, no longer go.

Did they lose their faith? No, they didnt, but they did lose their confidence and I suppose what they also lost was, you know, the routine of going to the shop, collecting their pension. We've seen that a lot.

"In relation to younger people, there was a big hang up since Covid. There was a lot of people- young people, students who never did their junior certs, their leaving cert, never got the chance to do their debs ball, for example.

Their first couple of years in college were actually spent online and that has made a profound difference, said Minister Butler.

But Minister Butler said her department was putting supports in place.

She said the new Navigator tool developed by her department in partnership with Spun Out was aimed at helping people aged 13 to 34 find support.

The minister also said that in September, she made 15,000 counselling hours available for men who are statistically less likely to seek help for mental health concerns.

Four out of five suicides in Ireland were male. Two-thirds of all counselling supports are accessed in the country will be accessed by women.

So, 15,000 free counselling hours in 20 different languages.

Partnering with the travelling community, the retired veteran community, the Irish Farmers Association and some of these counselling supports can be done from your kitchen table from 5pm to 9pm seven nights a week, so yourmenatlhealth.ie/men, said Minister Butler.

And targeted mental health measures are not the way the Minister intends to address the loneliness problem.

She said that building homes and communities addresses many of the issues people suffer from.

This is why I was delighted to be here today at An Garran, because specifically for older people, there is a little community here and having the support of other people and we were in St Josephs earlier inside in the city centre, where there are 71 homes for older people.

You know who right-sized for their homes, but having the wrap-around supports is really important, said Minister Butler.
A table quiz will be held in County Waterford this week in support of a local primary school.

The Parent's Council in St Mary's National School in Touraneena will be hosting the event, an annual initiative, in the Sliabh gCua Community Centre.

It will take place on Friday, November 14, and will begin at 7.30pm.

All pupils in 4th, 5th and 6th class are welcome to go along.

There will be a raffle and lots of prizes up for grabs n the night.

For more information about the event contact 087 6214315.
Firmus Technologies Ltd raised $500 million to accelerate its push to build out renewable energy-powered artificial intelligence data centres across Australia.

The round will boost the Nvidia Corp-backed companys valuation to around $6 billion, it said in a statement Friday. A previous round in September valued it at $1.85 billion.

Tim Rosenfield, Co-CEO, Firmus Technologies. Oscar Colman

Firmus is among scores of data centre operators expanding rapidly across the planet, seeking to power AI services that are quickly gaining popularity.

The funds will be used on site development, infrastructure deployment and energy deals in Firmus locations from Perth to Sydney and Tasmania. The company is working to deliver up to 1.6 gigawatts of AI infrastructure capacity by 2028.

Existing investors were among the fresh rounds participants, a spokesperson for the company said, declining to disclose their names.

The Australian start-up is building two data centres in Melbourne and Tasmania. Facilities will use Nvidias GB300 chips and are expected to come online by April.

AAP
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Actor Claudia Karvan and a group of pro-Palestine advocates have launched a series of racial discrimination complaints against News Corp papers, Sky News and more than a dozen of their highest profile commentators, including Andrew Bolt and Sharri Markson. The Australian Human Rights Commission accepted for investigation four complaints, which relate to coverage of the October 2023 massacre and the ensuing Israel-Hamas war, including the extended political fallout and protests in Australia. Actor Claudia Karvan and News Corp figures Andrew Bolt and Sharri Markson. Graphic: Monique Westermann The complaints were made on behalf of Karvan, University of NSW associate professor Peter Slezak, Australia Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni and eight other complainants who are referred to using pseudonyms. The complaints alleged that various articles and media appearances made by the News Corp figures dehumanised and vilified Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims in Australia. The complaints further allege the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza was trivialised and that Israeli atrocity propaganda was reported as fact without corroboration.

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The tone of the publications is not sober (or even balanced) reporting of a matter in the public interest; it is calculated to inflame public sentiment against Australian Palestinians, Australian Arabs, Australian Muslims and Australian Jewish people, the complaints all read. Related Article Opinion

Media & marketing News Corp wrestles underpayments headache as dollars dry up Calum Jaspan Media Writer They also allege discrimination against some Jewish Australians and some Anglo-Australians who held views supportive of the Palestinian cause. Acceptance of the complaints by the commission means they will be investigated, and if proven, would fall under the commissions jurisdiction for conciliation. If conciliation fails, it opens a pathway to the Federal Court. The AHRCs acceptance of the complaints does not mean the commission upholds any element of the complaints; it simply means they would examine them. Ordinarily, the AHRC would move the parties towards conciliation, but if that cant be achieved, it terminates the case, which opens a door to Federal Court action. Complaints can also be terminated if the AHRC president believes it does not have merit.

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Any further federal action would have to be taken by the complainants and does not involve the commission. Sharri Markson and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an interview this year. Sky News Australia Karvan, a three-time Logie Award-winning actor, is quoted in the complaints as saying that News Corp and Sky commentary silences me and makes me fearful. The complaints alleged the reporting demonised her as an Australian for speaking out. Karvan is not specifically mentioned in the Sky and News Corp commentary but the complaint argued that reading and watching the articles made her feel unsafe and prevented her from speaking out.

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Late on Thursday, a Sky source provided confirmation that the AHRC said the complaint by Karvan and one other person did not meet the requirements of a valid complaint, because it was unclear how they were aggrieved. Related Article Exclusive

Antisemitism Revealed: NSW Police significantly overstated antisemitic attacks The complaints also allege that the respondents intimidated many Jewish Australians by falsely portraying Palestinian freedom protests as hateful and dangerous towards Jewish people. They cite an alleged assault against Slezak in November 2023 as an example of the intimidation and aggression faced by Jewish-Australians who are pro-Palestine. The complaints were lodged by Sydney law firm Birchgrove Legal and call for apologies, retractions and financial compensation for the complainants. One of the accepted complaints is focused on Andrew Bolt and his publishers, and another on Sharri Markson and her publishers. There is a general complaint, which canvasses a range of articles published by News Corp and 15 journalists and commentators, and one which targets Sky News and 12 of its presenters.

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Sky News and News Corp said they had been advised this week that AHRC had decided to terminate the complaints. Sky News stands by its coverage of the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, the ensuing conflict in the region, and its impact in Australia, a Sky News spokesperson said. The complaint alleged against Bolt includes 11 of his articles and seven appearances on Sky News between October 2023 and February 2025. In one quoted media appearance, Bolt said Gaza had a very sick culture. In a separate article, he said pro-Palestinian protests are likely to be violent, destructive, abusive and threatening. The complaint calls Bolt a contrarian, controversy-confecting commentator whose tone in the quoted works was calculated to inflame public sentiment against Palestinians, Arabs, Muslims, Jewish people in Australia as well as Anglo/White Australians who support Palestinians. Its not the first time Bolt has been the subject of racial discrimination claims. In 2011, a judge ruled in favour of nine Indigenous applicants that Bolt breached the Racial Discrimination Act in two articles published in 2009, which claimed people with light-skin who identified as Aboriginal did so for personal gain.

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Bolt did not respond to a request for comment. A News Corp spokesman said: The AHRC this week advised it had terminated the complaints against The Australian, Nationwide News and Sharri Markson. Moustafa Keir, from Birchgrove Legal, contested this. I can confirm no complaints have been terminated, Keir said. We would encourage all parties to respect the process and participate in good faith to apply the law. If we determine that any party is not doing so, we will be pursuing the matter through the federal court. This masthead has confirmed Sky sought to have the complaint against Markson terminated, arguing it was misconceived and there was no prospect of conciliation. The AHRC favoured terminating the complaint against Markson because there was no prospect of conciliation, with the process still ongoing.

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The complaint against Markson focuses on her criticisms of pro-Palestine protests. It quotes various media appearances made in October and November 2023, when she called the protesters threatening, troubling, aggressive and antisemitic. The complaint also cites a media appearance in which she claimed those supporting a ceasefire in Gaza must be supporters of terrorism. Markson denies making such a remark. The third complaint quotes 22 articles from News Corp publications  The Daily Telegraph, The Australian and The Herald Sun  between October 2023 and February 2025, mostly covering issues surrounding the war in Gaza. Andrew Bolt is the subject of a racial discrimination complaint submitted to the Australian Human Rights Commission. Sky News The complaint alleges the articles are biased towards Israel in the disproportionate portrayal of Israeli victims compared to Palestinians in conflict situations like Gaza. The fourth complaint focuses on Sky News and 12 of its presenters and quotes 20 separate media appearances, alleging they were seriously (really) offensive, insulting, humiliating and intimidating.

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The core focus of the complaints are that the articles and media appearances all breach sections 18C, 9 and 17 of the Racial Discrimination Act. Section 18C specifically makes it an offence to do an act that could offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate another person or a group of people because of their race, colour or national or ethnic origin. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.

CLARIFICATION This story has been updated to contain more information about the AHRCs response to the complaint against Markson.
A new Congressional proposal would require employers to make direct contributions to workers' retirement savings, regardless of a worker's own contributions.

Introduced by Democratic Reps. Scott Peters and Norma Torres of California, the Saving for the Future Act aims to boost Americans' retirement security while also helping workers build short-term emergency funds.

Under the measure, companies with 10 or more workers would have to contribute at least 50 cents per hour worked to each employee's retirement account. The minimum would rise to 60 cents after two years and then grow with wages.

Workers at companies with fewer than 10 workers would instead save through federal universal personal, or UP, accounts, modeled on the government's Thrift Savings Plan. These accounts would feature low fees and allow savings to move with workers between jobs.

The first $2,500 saved would go into an UP-Savings account for unexpected expenses  essentially an automated emergency fund  with additional funds directed to an UP-Retirement account. Workers would automatically contribute 4% of their pay, though they could opt out or adjust their rate up to 10%.



"Today's cost of living crisis means most Americans aren't able to put enough money away for retirement or protect their families from unexpected emergency costs," Peters said in a statement. "The Saving for the Future Act would help hardworking Americans build wealth through employer contribution plans. Now more than ever, retirement benefits should follow a worker as they move to new companies throughout their career. This legislation expands proven models of employer-provided savings and invests in portable benefits, so Americans can save for a more secure and prosperous future."

Under the bill, a worker contributing the default 4% of their pay  and receiving only the minimum employer contribution  could accumulate about $750,000 by retirement, according to projections from Third Way, a self-described "center left" think tank based in Washington, D.C. That projection assumes the saver withdraws $800 annually from their UP-Savings account. Without any withdrawals, the balance could grow to over $910,000.

Should a worker opt out of contributing to the fund, the employer's contribution by itself is projected to grow to roughly $250,000 by retirement.

Legislative hurdles on Capitol Hill

The Saving for the Future Act was previously introduced in Congress during the 2019-2020 session, with backing from Democratic U.S. Sens. Chris Coons and Amy Klobuchar, as well as Democratic Reps. Scott Peters, Lucy McBath and Lisa Blunt Rochester.
Four-wheel-drive and camping enthusiasts flocked to McCallum Park at the weekend, but a few would have left with a bitter taste in their mouth  and a yellow sticker on their beloved car.

Complaints emerged via social media this week that police were targeting modified 4WDs at the Perth 4WD and Adventure Shows car park, with many apparently caught out by lift kits that were too high.

Visitors to the Perth 4WD and Adventure Show have had their cars yellow-stickered. Youtube/Ross Reviews

It was slammed by Perth Youtuber Johnathan Ross, of Ross Reviews, who told his audience on Wednesday the way police targeted the show was slimy.

To go creeping around a 4WD show, defecting the patrons, I dont like this, he said.

And Ive been saying this for a couple of years guys; the war on 4WDs here in Australia is out of control.

Now, WA Police have confirmed to Radio 6PRs Millsy and Karl that they issued 11 defect notices at the show.

WA Police are authorised under the Road Traffic Act to inspect vehicles in public areas, including carparks, without the owner present, a police spokesperson said.



Where unsafe or illegal alterations are detected, a defect notice can be issued. This requires the vehicle to undergo inspection at a Department of Transport centre.



This provision exists to protect all road users from the risks posed by non-compliant and potentially dangerous vehicles.

Ross spoke to the Breakfast hosts on Thursday morning, urging the rules around 4WD modifications  particularly lift heights  to be updated.

Im fully about education rather than fines, Ross told 6PR.

Fair enough if someones out of control, theyve got a seven-inch lift and 38-inch tires, but I really feel like [police are] much better off to come into the community and be a part of the community and educate guys, rather than just handing out fines.
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Updated TechnologyMedia & marketing We never thought anyone would be that crass: Media code designer roasts Meta David Swan Updated November 13, 2025  12:53pm ,first published November 13, 2025  8:53am 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 12 View all comments

The architect of Australias original News Media Bargaining Code has welcomed the governments rebooted plan to make tech giants pay for journalism, saying it closes a critical loophole that allowed Meta to avoid paying by simply removing news from its platform. Rod Sims, the former ACCC chairman who designed the 2021 code, told this masthead the new policy directly addresses Metas threat to withdraw news content - a tactic the company deployed in Canada and briefly in Australia when the original legislation was being debated. Former ACCC chair Rod Sims. Jamila Toderas We didnt envisage when we brought it in that anybody would be crass enough to take all media off their platform. We just never thought anybody would do that, Sims said. But given that Facebook have done that, then what the governments now responded with is an excellent move. Under Labors plan, tech companies including Meta and Microsoft will face charges calculated as a share of their Australian revenue  charges they can only avoid by striking commercial deals with news publishers. Every dollar invested in media partnerships reduces the penalty by $1.50, making payment the most financially attractive option.

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Meta, which earned an estimated $5 billion in Australian revenue in 2022, faces a clear choice: pay $75 million to publishers and avoid the charge entirely, or face a $112.5 million bill from the Australian Taxation Office. Related Article Opinion

Media bargaining code Will Zuckerberg go crying to Trump about Albos media tax? You bet Elizabeth Knight Business columnist The policy marks a significant escalation in Australias battle with big tech over journalism funding. Meta shocked publishers in early 2024 when it announced it wouldnt renew commercial deals worth about $70 million struck under the 2021 code. Sims said the original code was very successful in achieving close to $250 million a year in payments to media companies through privately negotiated deals. However, it had a critical weakness when platforms such as Meta could simply remove news content. Google cant run a search engine without media, he said. But Facebook can do that. This initiative fills that gap and says, No, youve got to pay whether youre carrying news or not. 

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Mark Zuckerbergs Meta earned an estimated $5 billion in Australian revenue in 2022. Under the new plan it could pay $75 million to publishers and avoid the charge entirely, or face a $112.5 million bill from the Australian Taxation Office. Bloomberg The former competition watchdog chief said the stakes were existential for Australian democracy. Media is just fundamental to a well-functioning democracy. You know, its not called the fourth estate for nothing, he said. The platforms are basically stealing the content without paying for it. Alex Wake, president of the Journalism Education and Research Association of Australia, echoed those concerns. Its really frightening to consider just how few people have such control over information right now, Wake said. Im genuinely worried by the lack of information options now available in most communities, not just here in Australia but in many other parts of the world.

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Tim Duggan, chairman of the Digital Publishers Alliance, said the approach corrected flaws in the original code. One of them was that there was previously no recourse for platforms like Meta withdrawing from news, so by fixing this obvious flaw its taken the bullet out of the gun they had pointed at our news industry, he told this masthead. MEAA chief executive Erin Madeley welcomed the governments move but stressed the need for transparency. This scheme must be accompanied by greater transparency and guarantees that any revenue that is raised is invested back into journalism  not be used to reward shareholders or inflate company profits, Madeley said. Microsoft said the company has a long-term commitment to Australias economic success and national security. Bloomberg MEAA also looks forward to working with the government to ensure the initiative enables small, local and rural media outlets to benefit from agreements. However, Sims raised concerns about implementation time, warning that Googles deals under the existing code largely expire in the middle of 2026.

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We just need to get moving with this because the Google deals largely expire in the middle of next year, Sims said. We dont want people starting to have to fire journalists just because all this isnt wrapped up. Related Article Publishing Trump meeting over, Albanese government reboots plans to make tech giants pay for journalism He said legislation needed to be passed very, very early in 2026, adding: The government first announced this a year ago. We need to get on with it very quickly. It cannot wait. Sims also expressed concern that platforms arent required to negotiate with all eligible media companies under the new proposal, unlike the original code. Questions remain about how payments will be distributed between large and small publishers, with Treasury proposing proportional caps or greater relief for smaller media companies. Public consultation closes on December 19, with the government indicating it wants to backdate the scheme to January 1, 2025.

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Microsoft said it would continue to engage constructively on the important issue of addressing the bargaining power imbalance between large digital platforms and Australian news businesses. A Meta spokeswoman said: We will review the proposal, and look forward to participating in the governments consultation process. A Google spokesman said, Since 2020, we have signed agreements with 88 Australian publishers, representing 226 media outlets across the country. In the last year alone, weve renewed agreements with 60 publishers and we remain the only technology company that has maintained commercial partnerships with the Australian news industry since 2020. Beyond these commercial partnerships, weve supported the Australian news industry for two decades and continue to actively support and provide initiatives for the industrys digital transformation. When asked what would happen if Meta removed news from its platform as it did in Canada, Sims was blunt: Under this new law, theyd still have to pay.

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He added: If youre not going to follow Australian laws, then you shouldnt be here. These are the laws of the land, and anybody here has to abide by them. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.
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Exclusive TechnologyCybersecurity Qantas says no to ransom. 96 per cent of Australian businesses say yes David Swan November 13, 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 26 View all comments

Qantas said it wouldnt pay the ransom. Australias largest airline insisted it wouldnt hand over money to cyber criminals  and it had the cybersecurity budget, recovery capability and board-level backing to hold that line. The Qantas breach, disclosed in July, was part of a sophisticated campaign by the hacking group Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters that compromised 40 companies. Qantas refused to give in to the demands. Oscar Colman But the truth is: almost every other large Australian organisation does pay. Nearly all  96 per cent  of breached Australian businesses have paid ransomware demands in the past year, according to new research, the highest rate globally and well above the international average of 82 per cent.

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The findings, from a survey of 3200 large companies by data security firm Cohesity, paint a concerning picture of Australia as a prime target for cybercriminals. Not only are Australian organisations more likely to pay up, theyre also suffering attacks at unprecedented rates. Related Article Exclusive

Cybersecurity This Aussie start-up plans to make Medibank-style breaches impossible The Qantas breach, disclosed in July, was part of a sophisticated campaign by the hacking group Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters that compromised 40 companies using Salesforces customer relationship management platform. The attackers used AI-powered vishing (voice phishing) to trick employees at a Manila-based Qantas call centre into installing malicious software, granting access to customer databases containing names, addresses, emails and frequent flyer details. When the hackers set an October 10 deadline for payment, both Qantas and Salesforce refused. Days later, the stolen data appeared online, accompanied by a warning from the hackers: Dont be the next headline, should have paid the ransom.

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Whats clear is that traditional approaches to cybersecurity are no longer working, and current guidance isnt cutting through, said James Eagleton, Cohesitys managing director for Australia and New Zealand. Despite government advice against paying ransoms, businesses are making the calculation that its easier to pay than to deal with the disruption. A $10.5 trillion criminal economy Cohesity managing director James Eagleton. That calculation is precisely what cybercriminals are banking on. Ransomware has evolved into a highly structured global economy that the World Economic Forum projects will cost $US10.5 trillion in 2025  making it effectively one of the worlds largest economies. The economic logic of ransomware is clear: extract maximum payment at the lowest possible cost, said Craig Searle, director of cyber advisory at Trustwave.

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Australia is particularly exposed to this model due to its relative wealth, high internet penetration, and rapid digital adoption. Modern ransomware operates through Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS), where affiliates purchase toolkits complete with dashboards and customer support, mirroring legitimate software businesses. Double and triple extortion techniques add revenue streams by threatening to leak stolen data or target supply chains, maximising returns from each compromise. Australia remains an enduring target for ransomware and extortion activity, most exemplified by high-profile ransomware attacks in recent years, said Davyn Baumann, senior intelligence analyst at Google Cloud Securitys Threat Intelligence Group. The 2302 global victims listed on data leak sites in Q1 2025 represented the highest single quarter count observed since we began tracking these sites in 2020, confirming the maturity of the cyber extortion ecosystem. The Cohesity research found 85 per cent of Australian enterprise businesses suffered a materially impactful cyberattack in the past year, far higher than the 54 per cent global average. Nearly half  41 per cent  were hit multiple times, compared with just 26 per cent internationally.

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Ransomware has evolved into a highly structured global economy that the World Economic Forum projects will cost $US10.5 trillion in 2025, making it effectively one of the worlds largest economies. Getty And against government advice, almost every impacted business (96 per cent) has paid the ransom, which may explain why more Australian companies are now repeat victims. Of those who paid, 41 per cent handed over more than $US1 million ($1.53 million), with another 41 per cent paying between $153,000 and $1.53 million. Why paying doesnt work While paying ransomware is not illegal under Australian law  consistent with most countries globally  the government strongly discourages it. [Paying] does not guarantee the recovery of data, prevent its publication or sale, or protect against future attacks, a Home Affairs spokesperson said. The financial toll extends well beyond ransom payments. Nine in ten Australian businesses reported revenue losses from cyberattacks, with nearly a third saying those losses reached 10 per cent of annual revenue. Almost all organisations (99 per cent) faced legal or regulatory consequences, with 61 per cent receiving fines or penalties  the highest rate globally. Some 76 per cent of private organisations felt pressure from directors to dismiss senior leaders following attacks.

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From financial loss and leadership pressure to eroding customer trust, consequences are no longer confined to the IT departments, Eagleton said. Security experts warn paying ransoms rarely delivers what victims hope for. Less than half of ransom payers successfully recover their data, with much of it corrupted. In effect, every payment strengthens the broader ecosystem, incentivising further attacks, Searle said. Understanding ransomware as an economic system, rather than a technical nuisance, is essential for modern businesses. There have been calls for the federal government to outright ban ransom payments, but Eagleton pushed back against that idea. Obviously, situations differ case by case, he said. A strong investment in the ability to respond and recover [is key].

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Security experts warn paying ransoms rarely delivers what victims hope for. Less than half of ransom payers successfully recover their data, with much of it corrupted. We find ourselves paying more ransoms ... and that, in turn, is attracting more bad actors ... We need to break out of that cycle, and certainly reducing the ransom paid is going to help. Related Article Cyber security Qantas customer data posted on dark web as hackers deliver on threat From May 30 this year, Australia became the first country to mandate ransomware payment reporting, requiring businesses with over $3 million turnover to notify the Australian Signals Directorate within 72 hours. The scheme includes a six-month education phase before enforcement ramps up in 2026. But the legislation doesnt require government to release the data publicly  a missed opportunity, according to Jocelinn Kang, a resident technical fellow at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

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The ransomware problem is too big for the government to solve alone, Kang said. Public reporting of the information, with identities removed, would help the broader cybersecurity ecosystem to direct resources where theyre needed most. A Home Affairs spokesperson acknowledged that ransomware attacks remain significantly underreported and the Australian Government does not have reliable data on the ransomware and cyber extortion threat environment. Poor visibility impacts incident response and harms mitigation efforts. Kang argues that keeping the data siloed within government agencies squanders its potential value. Cybersecurity firms, managed service providers and researchers, all play crucial roles in defending against ransomware, but can only do so effectively with access to threat intelligence. Ransomware is not just a government problem; it is also a commercial, legal, insurance, technological and social one, she said. For now, Qantas decision to refuse payment makes it an outlier in an Australian corporate landscape that has, perhaps inadvertently, signalled to criminals that Australia is open for business. Get news and reviews on technology, gadgets and gaming in our Technology newsletter. Sign up here.
CPA Australia has called on the federal government to adopt comprehensive measures aimed at strengthening Australias links with Asia, cautioning that the current lack of engagement could see Australian businesses missing out on valuable prospects in the region.

In a submission to the governments inquiry on building national Asia capability, CPA Australia put forward four core proposals focused on enhancing ties through education, business development, and cultural exchange.

CPA Australia chief member operations officer Rebecca Keppel-Jones said that a considerable portion of Australian businessesparticularly among small and medium-sized enterprisesremain primarily focused on domestic operations and are not taking full advantage of economic opportunities in Asia.

CPA Australia has operated in Asian markets for more than 70 years, with nearly 50,000 members located across mainland China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam and the UAE.

The four recommendations outlined include increasing training programmes tailored to SMEs to boost their preparedness for entering Asian markets and creating a government-supported platform, highlighting examples of Australian companies that have succeeded in Asia.

Additionally, it proposed offering more scholarships and professional placements for young Australians to study or work in the region; and rejuvenating Asian language and cultural studies within Australian schools and universities to address declining participation.

Keppel Jones said: With Asia home to some of the worlds fastest-growing economies, Australia risks falling behind unless it invests in Asia capability now. We need more investment into existing programs, such as the New Colombo Plan, to improve Australians understanding of Asia.

Australia must better leverage its people-to-people connections and professional networks to unlock economic potential.

The submission also referenced CPA Australias participation in regional policy discussions and professional exchanges.

This includes a reciprocal workplace programme with Malaysia that allows eligible members to take up short-term placements in Malaysian organisations.

The scheme is part of the Young Professionals Exchange Program managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Initially available in Malaysia, it is set to expand into other Southeast Asian markets, with the aim of improving commercial relationships between Australia and the region.

"CPA Australia recommends federal action to improve engagement " was originally created and published by The Accountant, a GlobalData owned brand.
December WTI crude oil (CLZ25) today is down -2.14 (-3.51%), and December RBOB gasoline (RBZ25) is down -0.0400 (-1.99%).

Crude oil and gasoline prices are falling sharply today, with crude matching a 3-week low. Signs of global supply glut are weighing on crude prices after OPEC said a global crude surplus arrived sooner than expected. Dollar strength today is also negative for energy prices.

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Crude prices tumbled today after OPEC revised its Q3 global oil market estimates from a deficit to a surplus, as US production exceeded expectations and OPEC also ramped up crude output. OPEC said it now sees a 500,000 bpd surplus in global oil markets in Q3, versus last month's estimate for a -400,000 bpd deficit.

As a bearish factor, Saudi Arabia last Thursday lowered the price of its main crude grade to Asia for delivery next month to the lowest level in 11 months.

Crude has support amid expectations that the US government will reopen later this week, which would support economic growth and energy demand. On Monday, the Senate voted 60-40 to pass a temporary continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government, and the House will vote on the measure later today, when it is expected to pass. If approved, the bill goes to President Trump, who said he will sign it into law.

Strength in crude demand from China, the world's second-largest crude consumer, is supportive of prices, after a report last Friday showed that China's Jan-Oct crude imports rose +3.1% y/y to 471 MMT.

Oil prices have received support on recent reports that the US military may be on the verge of launching military strikes on Venezuela, which is the world's 12th largest oil producer.

OPEC+ at its November 2 meeting announced that members will raise production by +137,000 bpd in December but will then pause the production hikes in Q1-2026 due to the emerging global oil surplus. The IEA in mid-October forecasted a record global oil surplus of 4.0 million bpd for 2026. OPEC+ is trying to restore all of the 2.2 million bpd production cut it made in early 2024, but still has another 1.2 million bpd of production left to restore. OPEC's October crude production rose by +50,000 bpd to 29.07 million bpd, the highest in 2.5 years.
Before making a big luxury purchase, personal finance expert Dave Ramsey says to pause and ask yourself one simple question: If we take the amount of money were getting ready to blow on this toy and burned it in the middle of the floor, would our life change at all? If the answer is no, then youre likely in a financial position to make that purchase, ethically, spiritually, and practically.

A recent caller to The Ramsey Show got an answer to that very question. Greg, a business owner from Phoenix, asked whether it was OK to spend $5 million on fractional ownership of a private jet. In other words, whether it was the right time to start enjoying some of the wealth he and his wife had accumulated.

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$45 Million Net Worth And One Big Question

Greg explained that, excluding the value of his business, he and his wife had around $45 million in net worth and $50 million in assets. If he included his business, their total value would jump to $150 million. We've created quite a bit of wealth, he said. We are looking at taking advantage of the bonus depreciation for our business and we're really interested in some private travel.

Ramsey didn't flinch. You qualify financially to be able to do that. It makes sense, he said. But he emphasized the key question about whether losing the money would change anything in Gregs life. For Greg, Ramsey said the answer is clearly no. It's not that much money in the context of his overall wealth, Ramsey explained.

Greg's $5 million commitment over three years was structured with a guaranteed buyback, making the net cost around $3 million, even before any tax benefits.

Trending: 7 Million Gamers Already Trust Gameflip With Their Digital Assets  Now You Can Own a Stake in the Platform

Ramsey added that in Greg's financial world, spending $1 million a year is like other people buying a biscuit, and said bluntly, it ain't spit. He also told Greg, It makes sense for you in your world to never see another TSA agent, echoing a comment Greg said his wife had made.

However, Ramsey didn't like tax breaks as the primary motivator. Dont use that to justify it. Do it because it makes sense and then take the tax benefits, he said.

Its Not About Impressing Others

Greg admitted that spending that kind of money makes him feel a little guilty because of his modest upbringing. Ramsey understood completely, saying that emotional discomfort is common when someone from a working-class background starts enjoying luxury.
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By Omkar Godbole (All times ET unless indicated otherwise)

Bitcoin (BTC) bounced off early Asian session lows, providing support for altcoins like ether (ETH), XRP (XRP), and solana (SOL). Liquidity continues to flow between sectors  today its shifting from privacy coins to smaller projects, including ASTER, RENDER, SKY and MNT, which have jumped 7%.

While the action feels typical, the real story lies in the demand pivot highlighted by the apparent demand metric. This tracks bitcoins issuance against the behavior of long-term holders to gauge net cumulative demand over the past 30 days.

The metric recently flipped positive, soaring to a three-month high of 5,252 BTC, about $549 million, according to Capriole Investments. This increase is echoed by the $523 million net inflow into U.S.-listed bitcoin spot ETFs on Tuesday, the most in over a month, according to SoSoValue data.

Still, traders remain cautious on the derivatives side. On Deribit, a preferred venue for sophisticated traders, annualized funding rates remain well below the 2025 average of 5.9%. Ether shows a similar pattern, complemented by muted stablecoin lending rates on Aave, signaling subdued risk appetite, according to FRNT Financial.

Market participants may be growing weary of the drawn-out U.S. government shutdown. As Singapore-based QCP Capital put it: The Senates stopgap bill extending funding through January 30 removes near-term tail risk but does nothing to resolve the underlying fiscal gridlock  a classic kick-the-can fix.

And don't forget, the House has yet to approve the measure. Until it does, the absence of economic data leaves traders in limbo.

According to QCP, private data releases, such as the ADP payrolls and NFIB Index, carry extra weight, "both pointing to softer labor conditions and cautious business sentiment."

"For the Fed, this reinforces the 'easing with caution' narrative heading into the Dec FOMC (Dec 910)," the firm said.

In traditional markets, gold's bounce has stalled at around $4,130 per ounce amid a renewed spike in the MOVE index, which measures the 30-day expected volatility in the Treasury notes. Increased volatility in the Treasury market typically weighs on gold and risk assets, including cryptocurrencies. Stay alert!

Read more: For analysis of today's activity in altcoins and derivatives, see Crypto Markets Today

What to Watch

For a more comprehensive list of events this week, see CoinDesk's "Crypto Week Ahead".
The recent investment by Uisce Eireann of 18.7m in the wastewater treatment plant in Claremorris puts the town at the forefront, opening it up to expansion, according to a local councillor.

Cllr Richard Finn heaped praise on Uisce Eireann at last week's meeting of Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District.

We get a lot of negative comments about [Uisce Eireann] but from my experience, any time I make representations, they are dealt with efficiently, courteously and positively, even if the works take some time.

Welcoming the Claremorris treatment plant investment, he said: It is not every day this amount comes into any town in the county and this will have serious ongoing positive repercussions for this town and general area. The present system caters for 5,000 or less inhabitants and this addition will bring it up to 8,000 inhabitants. That sets a target into the future where Claremorris wont be in a situation that it cant provide water and sewerage, which is a problem for many areas. So, in terms of building and development and expansion, it puts Claremorris at the forefront and this is a great, positive investment and a vote of confidence for the town.

Cllr Adrian Forkan said Uisce Eireann was doing other good works in the area, with the main water treatment pipe from the plant in Kiltimagh set to be replaced over the next year and a half. Work has already commenced and the Swinford Road is closed to all traffic bar local. Describing the existing pipe as 'archaic", Cllr Forkan said Kiltimagh would get to the stage where there "would not be enough water for the town" if it was not replaced.

"So this work has to be done, and I hope people understand that will necessitate a lot of works but we are advised that these will stop on December 12 for Christmas.

He added that the works will also result in a full section of roadway being replaced.

Cllr Alma Gallagher welcomed a 1.5m investment by Uisce Eireann in Ballyhaunis, which means that the Cloonfad-Lavallyroe area is now connected to the main line. She said this was great news for local residents who previously hadn't even been able to wash their clothes in the discoloured water.

Cllr Damien Ryan welcomed Uisce Eireann's investment in the treatment plant at Lough Mask, which supplies water to a huge number of households in Mayo, but criticised the need for multiple meter charges on some users and accused Uisce Eireann of hiding behind the Commission for Regulation of Utilities at a time when the utility has received unprecedented levels of state funding. He also noted that when Uisce Eireann was established, it held monthly clinics in Castlebar for councillors, but these were "wound down to quarterly", and councillors no longer have the same input.

Cllr Patsy O'Brien added that councillors had a lot more input in water services before the establishment of Uisce Eireann.
A man who was caught with more than 50,000 worth of cocaine following a high-speed chase in which he rammed two Garda patrol cars has avoided a prison sentence after making efforts to rehabilitate himself.

Sean OKelly, aged 34, of Ballinrobe Road, Westport, but now residing in Galway, pleaded guilty at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court to three counts of dangerous driving and possession of drugs for the purpose of sale or supply.

The court heard that Gardai from Galway travelled to Mayo on February 12, 2023 to speak to two co-accused in connection with non-drug-related issues.

Det Sgt Paul McNulty had contacted the Garda Armed Support Unit (ASU) as part of the operation and was travelling in an unmarked car between Partry and Westport when he spotted one of the co-accused as the front-seat passenger in a Volkswagen Passat driven by OKelly. A third male was a back-seat passenger.

The vehicle was driving at a slow pace and the Gardai followed at a distance. As the Passat neared Ballinrobe Racecourse, a Garda ASU vehicle came into view, and when OKelly saw the Garda vehicle, he sped off on the wrong side of the road and a high-speed chase ensued.

The Passat built up speed and overtook heavy traffic as it entered Ballinrobe, evading several ASU vehicles as it drove through the town. A woman pushing a pram had to jump out of the way as the car sped along the Creagh Road, Ballinrobe.

The pursuit continued on the N84 towards Castlebar. Gardai said the ASU vehicle was travelling at 180km per hour and was still failing to gain ground on the Passat. At a junction close to Partry Garda Station, the Passat collided with an ASU vehicle, causing the jeep to go through the wall of a house.

Attempts were made to apprehend the occupants of the Passat. O'Kelly reversed into a second ASU vehicle that had arrived at the scene and took off again. Two other ASU vehicles remained in pursuit as the car continued towards Castlebar.

An elderly man narrowly avoided being struck by the vehicle as it travelled at speed towards Breaffy.

The Passat was travelling on Cottage Road, Breaffy when it got stuck behind a tractor. The car attempted to overtake the tractor but got stuck in a ditch. A co-accused fled the vehicle but OKelly was detained in the car.

A co-accused was spotted discarding a package into a ditch as he exited the car. A package containing more than 772gms of cocaine was found. The drugs had an estimated street value of 54,089. A quantity of cocaine was found in the footwell of the drivers seat and also on OKellys person. This brought the total value of cocaine seized to 55,565.

The damage caused to the Garda vehicles amounted to close to 13,000.

OKelly has four previous convictions.

The court heard he was the "least dominant" of the three individuals in the car. He was addicted to drugs at the time but has been drug-free for two years and is continuing rehabilitation work with the Simon Community in Galway.

Judge Eoin Garavan noted that OKelly has made extraordinary strides" and feared a prison sentence would be "regressive" for his recovery.

The judge imposed a suspended jail term of five years and eight months. OKelly also received a 10-year driving ban and was ordered to carry out 240 hours of community service.
A training programme in Ballyhaunis this winter will prepare over 40 lay persons to help priests officiate at funerals in the Archdiocese of Tuam, which includes much of counties Mayo and Galway.

Having discussed the matter at length at diocesan, deanery and parish level, it was decided that training in funeral ministry would be provided for interested parishes in the Claremorris and Dunmore deaneries, said Fr Stephen Farragher, parish priest based in Ballyhaunis.

The hope is that this training will, in time, be provided in the other deaneries and parishes in the archdiocese of Tuam, Fr Farragher explained.

More than 40 volunteers have gathered on Tuesday nights in the Ballyhaunis Community Hall during October and November. They will be confirmed as funeral ministers at the end of the training later this month.

Fr Stephen explained that the training programme has been carefully discussed and prepared and funeral ministry is open to any adult member of the Christian community, with a sensitive and caring disposition, who has time and the pastoral skills needed to reflect the care of the Christian community".

For the past two years, the Diocesan Funeral Ministry Resource Team - a working group which included those engaged in funeral ministry from pastoral and professional perspectives - have been engaged in discussion and consultation on how lay people can assist priests with funerals in the parishes of the Archdiocese of Tuam, said Fr Farragher.

Thus far, the focus has been on the saying of prayers in the funeral home and or in the home of the deceased person, explained Fr Stephen. These volunteers are being trained to assist priests in helping grieving families to prepare for the funeral of their loved ones."

Monica Morley, from Knock Shrines Bereavement Counselling Service and Mary Connolly, who has a B.A. in Liturgical Studies, are helping lay volunteers to prepare to become more involved in carrying out this ministry.

The new ministry is being introduced so that there will be trained people in our Christian communities, with the necessary skills and awareness, to take up some of these ministries, in a time, when there are fewer priests covering wider areas", explained Fr Farragher.

With changing circumstances in Church we need to look at how funerals are organised and celebrated. We need to take into account the changing reality of Irish society today, including the ageing population and ever-increasing decline in the number of priests. We must look to the immediate future when lay people will be more centrally involved in carrying out this ministry in parishes.

Fr Farragher is keen to stress the newly trained ministry will not displace the role of the priest at funerals.

There are aspects of funeral ministry, especially the sacramental aspect, that can only be carried out by a priest. What is envisaged is that funeral ministers will work alongside the priest, in teams of two, in a supportive context. They will agree areas of responsibility that are feasible for them to take on in a voluntary capacity.

Funeral ministry has been seen as a ministry reserved to priests only, said Fr Farragher.

The priest attends those near death, is called to administer the Sacrament of Sick and is on hand at the time of a funeral to offer support to families and to organise and celebrate the different moments of the funeral liturgy.

The new funeral ministry will preserve a foundational Christian tradition.

Since the earliest times, the Christian community has prayed for the deceased and accompanied bereaved people by gathering at the time of death," said Fr Farragher. "These rites are acts of public worship at which a number of elements are involved: God is praised; the Resurrection of Jesus is proclaimed reminding us of our hope at being reunited; prayers are offered for the soul of the deceased person, their body is honoured and the bereaved are consoled. Through these sacred practices, space is offered to the bereaved family to express grief and sorrow. They also provide an opportunity to celebrate the life and memory of the deceased person.
By Cillian Sherlock, PA

There is nothing new in the Governments housing plan, Sinn Fein has said, as it criticised the coalition for moving away from defined annual targets.

The criticism came immediately after the Government said it was a realistic projection to deliver a minimum of 300,000 new homes by the end of 2030.

The coalitions new housing strategy Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030, said that target is achievable by getting public and private sector partners working effectively together.

Under the Governments plan, the State says it will deliver 72,000 social homes and work under a new prevention framework to focus on ending homelessness.

Sinn Fein spokesperson on housing Eoin O Broin (Brian Lawless/PA)

The Government said it will provide 90,000 Starter Home supports, allowing thousands of people to realise their dream of homeownership.

To build the number of homes projected under the plan, an estimated 20 billion in development finance will be required each year.

To reach this level of delivery, the State is committing significant funds towards the provision of social and affordable homes.

It has committed in excess of 9 billion in funding for housing through the Exchequer, the Land Development Agency (LDA) and the Housing Finance Agency in 2026.

The remaining required funding is to come from investment by the private sector.

One of the highlighted measures includes 100 million in capital funding next year to acquire second-hand properties to support exits from emergency accommodation.

The latest figures show that 16,614 people are using emergency accommodation  11,376 adults and 5,238 children.

The Government also promises to reduce planning, legal and regulatory delays and uncertainties as well as radically increase investment in public infrastructure.

It also pledges to provide more zoned and serviced land to enable the private sector to deliver homes at a greater scale.

The Government said it has provided unprecedented resources through the National Development Plan to enable the largest capital investment in the history of the State, a total of 275.4 billion.

On infrastructure, it is investing over 24 billion in key transport programmes, 12.2 billion for the water sector and over 28 billion for housing and related infrastructure.

Sinn Fein housing spokesman Eoin O Broin told reporters at Leinster House that the Government is underestimating overall housing need by a margin of about 20%.

The idea 50,000 new homes a year will address our housing crisis simply is not correct. That is not the view of the Housing Commission. Its not the view of Sinn Fein or many other housing experts.

Mr O Broin said the plan contained no increase in funding or targets for the delivery of new-build social homes, no scheme for new-build homes, nor an increase in affordable-purchase or cost-rental homes.

What the Government have done is Orwellian in the extreme. They have taken all of the unaffordable private homes that receive any form of subsidy from the State, and theyre now describing all of those homes as affordable.

And thats just a brazen attempt to hide the fact that theyre not delivering affordable homes for working people.

Mr O Broin also criticised the Government for moving away from published annual targets.

By scrapping those annual targets, the Government is essentially saying they know they cant meet them, and they want to avoid proper scrutiny from the opposition, the media and the public.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said the Government was determined to do whatever it takes to address the challenge of housing delivery.

This is why we will see large-scale investment in all of these areas. Over the coming years, the Government will be investing close to 50 billion alone between Exchequer and non-Exchequer funding to housing.

Tanaiste Simon Harris said the challenge around housing was no longer about funding and instead focused on speeding up delivery.

We have to have a no-nonsense approach to bureaucracy, red tape, gates, stages, hoops  you dont have that in a national emergency.

The Housing Minister called for bravery and calculated risk taking in delivery of homes.

James Browne said: The plan we published today recognises that we are we are in a housing crisis and is very much treated as an emergency, and its one that requires a rapid response at scale.

He said a growing population has placed considerable pressure on the housing system amid lagging supply, high prices and rising rents.

Junior housing minister John Cummins said there was too much of a discrepancy in the performance between local authorities in delivering social housing.
Ryan Dunne

Two of three men jailed for the gang rape of a vulnerable teenager who had recently left State care have failed in their efforts to have their convictions overturned, after the Court of Appeal ruled that their trial was appropriate, fair and balanced.

The Court of Appeal on Thursday rejected appeals by Dion Genockey (27) and Daryl Rooney (28), who had argued that issues around consent had made their trial unfair.

Before the court in July, counsel for Genockey argued that the trial judge should have advised the jury that the appellant may have had reasons for not mentioning to gardai that he believed the victim had given her consent. Counsel for Rooney, meanwhile, argued that the appellant was not aware that the woman had not given her consent.

Genockey, of Clarion Quay Apartments, and Rooney, of Railway Street, Dublin City Centre, were convicted of raping the woman at Bull Island, Dollymount, Dublin, on January 5th, 2016, following a second trial at the Central Criminal Court in March 2022. The jury in the first trial, which was held in 2020, was unable to reach a verdict.

Genockey was sentenced to nine years by Mr Justice David Keane, while Rooney was sentenced to 10 years.

A third accused, Troy Ryan (27) of Lower Gardiner Street, Dublin City Centre, was also convicted and sentenced to nine and a half years.

The sentencing court heard none of the men accepted the verdict of the jury and maintained their innocence.

In the Court of Appeals judgement on Thursday, delivered by both Mr Justice John Edwards and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, it was said that the trial judge provided a careful and comprehensive direction to the jury concerning an accused persons right to silence.

The judgment said that, concerning Genockey, there was no doubt that the jury was instructed to examine the circumstances existing at the time he was questioned by gardai.

The judgment also said that the charge given to the jury by the trial judge was appropriate, fair and balanced, which allowed the panel to consider that Genockey had remained silent due to his age, his distrust of the gardai, and his fathers instructions to him.

With regard to Rooney's argument that the prosecution had failed to prove he did not know the complainant did not consent, the court found there is "no doubt on the law" that a person accused of rape may claim that he held an honest and genuine belief that a complainant was consenting.

However, the court noted it is also the position that a jury may assess whether such a belief was reasonable.

The judgment continued: We are entirely satisfied that there was prima facie evidence before the jury of the mental element of the offence of rape applicable to this appellant.

Accordingly, the appeal against conviction of each appellant was dismissed.

During the men's trial, evidence was heard that on the day in question, the young woman, who had recently left State care, travelled to Dublin to meet with friends. Later that evening, she purchased some Xanax pills and then went to an internet cafe.

While there, she was approached by a boy and told that the three teenagers, whom she had never met before, wanted to talk to her. The men told her they wanted to bring her for a quick spin.

The woman initially declined but eventually agreed and left the cafe with Ryan and Rooney to get into a car outside, which was driven by Genockey.

The men drove out to Clontarf and down to the end of the wooden bridge at Dollymount Strand, where they stopped by a shelter. Genockey then asked the woman: Are we going to have some fun?

The woman replied no, she didn't want to and had only wanted to go for a short drive, but the men were refusing to listen, the court heard.

Genockey and Rooney got out of the car and stood in the shelter while Ryan produced a condom from a stash in the glove box of the car and proceeded to rape the woman. When he was finished, Genockey got in and put a condom on.

Genockey tried to sweet talk the woman, the court heard and said he wasn't going to hurt her, before he proceeded to rape her.

Genockey then handed a condom to Rooney, who raped the woman. At this stage, the woman didn't even get a chance to say no. It was three against one, and she didn't have a choice, the court heard.

The trial heard that her door had a child lock on it, and she could not get out of the car.

The woman was told another person was going to pick her up and bring her home, and the men left the scene quickly. Another car arrived, containing three men, and she was raped by two of the men in this car. She said that the men all got into the car afterwards, laughed and drove away, leaving her in the middle of nowhere.

Genockey gave evidence at trial and said he never disrespected a woman in his life. Defence counsel claimed the woman initiated sex, and Genockey said the woman was treated with nothing but respect by himself and his two gentlemen friends.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help.
Passing of Brickens retailer in Yonkers

The passing of a Brickens man in New York marks a farewell to a proud retailing tradition and the celebration of a generation who helped carve a path for a wave of Irish emigrants seeking a better life in Americas biggest city.

When Tom Concannon was laid to rest in Yonkers, there were many tributes to his stewardship of Morleys supermarket on Yonkers Avenue, which he ran for decades with his brother John who passed away in 2016.

Both men emigrated from Brickens to work in the store, which had been established in 1935 by their aunt and her husband, William and Cecelia (Morley) Concannon. A third brother, Liam, also worked in the business, which for a time expanded to several stores.

Tom had visited Brickens earlier this year, explained Eugene Delaney, whose brother Martin worked in Morleys when, like many Irish, he moved to New York during the 1980s.

Many Irish emigrants who hadnt gotten around to opening a bank account had their first cheques cashed at Morleys, explained Eugene. It was the 1980s and a lot of people were going to America, every other week you were bringing someone to Shannon [airport], recalls Delaney.

Morleys supermarket is today operated as the Ideal Fresh Supermarket and carries a range of goods appealing to a very diverse local population including a large New York Irish population which has traditionally congregated on a strip running from Yonkers Avenue eastwards into the Woodlawn district of the Bronx.

Retail was a tradition in the wider Concannon family who ran a drapery store on Main Street in Ballyhaunis in the building which now houses Phillips' Menswear.

Tributes were paid to Tom by the Aisling Irish Centre in Woodlawn, a meeting point for the local Irish community and their American-born children.

Rent charge for IPAS residents

Bridgestock Care, the Roscommon-based company which owns and operates the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) facility in Ballyhaunis, has applied to Mayo County Council for permission to build 32 new accommodation units at its site on Abbey Street. The company, which lodged the application last week, didnt respond to requests for comment.

There appears to be widespread acceptance among residents at the centre of a government plan to charge them for accommodation. Four asylum seekers who spoke to the Western People - all with family and living in bungalow-style accommodation at the Ballyhaunis IPAS centre  said they agreed with the principle of an accommodation charge. The Government has suggested the charge will range from 15 to 238 per week depending on income.

It makes sense, said one west African father-of-two who has lived in the Ballyhaunis centre for nearly two years having arrived in Ireland via Belfast Port to claim asylum in Dublin. Both he and his wife are in employment.

A south Asian resident of the Ballyhaunis IPAS centre said while he is willing to pay he questioned the amount, 238, which is the maximum he will be liable to pay under the plan.

I earn 550 a week, so that will be half of what I earn every week going on rent, said the man who works in the fast-food sector.

The proposed 238 charge also covers utilities.

A north African resident of the IPAS centre said he thinks the charge is too high, given his average weekly wage of 540. He told this column that comparisons with migrants on work permits earning similar wages (and paying rent) are unfair because they have papers I would pay too if I had papers".

Data provided by the Department of Justice show the average cost per person per night at an IPAS centre - 90% of which are operated by private companies - was 84 in 2024, up from 72 in 2020.

The West African and the South Asian asylum seeker who spoke to the Western People stressed they are contributing to their accommodation costs by paying taxes.

The Minister of Justice Jim O'Callaghan recently flagged the Governments intent to introduce charges for residents of IPAS centres who are in employment. However, the mechanics of introducing and collecting the fee have yet to be agreed upon and payments are not expected to commence until mid-2026.

Ireland saw a surge in asylum applications from 2022 to 2024 when over 45,000 applicants arrived in Ireland, a huge increase on an average 3,000 per year in the previous decade. The majority of asylum applications in the past two years have been made at the International Protection Office in Dublin, suggesting most asylum seekers arrive via the United Kingdom.

Over 32,500 people are currently resident in over 316 IPAS centres nationwide. Government data shows nearly 5,000 of these residents have been granted permission to remain in Ireland.

Genealogy programme to continue

A popular genealogy programme run for the past two months at the Community Hall is set to continue on November 12 with a screening of films from the past.

A winter course with the Mayo Genealogy Group drew a large attendance from the wider area with amateur historians from Bekan, Knock and Cloonfad joining Ballyhaunis heritage hobbyists.

The screenings will feature archive news and documentary material from the Irish Film Institute as well as RTE and the BBC. More details can be had by contacting ballyhauniscommunitycouncil@gmail.com or 087-6982473.

Beef farmers resign themselves to Mercosur deal

Local beef farmers have been enjoying high cattle prices of late fear that the probable enactment of the EUs free trade deal with the Mercosur bloc (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay and) could pull those prices back down.

A local suckler farmer explained to this column how a heifer he killed last week at the local Dawn Meats factory yielded him a price 650 greater than what he received for comparable cattle in November 2024.

There are less cattle around so prices are high but things could change if we let Brazilian beef into the EU market. Ireland exports nearly all its beef production, we dont have a big domestic market. So if the Brazilians arrive in volume thatll take market share off us.

The EU negotiators have stressed that Mercosurs quota of 99,000 tons is very small in the context of an overall EU annual consumption of six million tonnes of beef. To ensure EU standards are met, European veterinarians will conduct on-site inspections of slaughterhouses in Latin America.

The EU has also set aside a safety net fund worth 6 billion for any European industries adversely impacted by the trade deal: this fund would be triggered in the instance of Irish beef prices falling by 10% or more after the enactment of the trade deal which sees the 99,000 ton quota introduced gradually over six years.

A 2021 study, commissioned by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, estimated the net result to be that imports of beef from Mercosur would increase by 53,000 tonnes and the impact of the additional imports on Ireland, assuming they were high-end cuts, would cost Irish beef producers up to 55 million in market share.

Its worth taking into account that Ireland currently exports 20 million worth of meat to Mercosur countries and also ships beverages worth 22 million as well as, implausibly, 10 million of what is categorised as vegetables.

Its also worth noting that many farmers in Mayo have off-farm incomes at pharmaceutical plants who expect their trade with Mercosur to grow once tariffs of 20% plus are removed.

Residents move into bank

The first residents have moved into the former premises of the Bank of Ireland on the Square in Ballyhaunis, which was renovated recently by Achill Formwork and Construction and Dublin finance and development firm Sayvale.

Its a lovely building, they did a great job renovating it, said one resident, a retired man who has been on the Mayo County Council housing list.

The entire building has been rented by the council to house individuals on its housing list.

The lease is directly between the project developer, a Dublin-based company called Sayvale, and the council under the Governments Repair and Leasing Scheme, which subsidises the repair of buildings provided theyre then leased for social housing.

Residents can enter through two entrances, one at the front and the other at the rear. Across the road from the Bank of Ireland building, work continues on the former Dillons building, which is being remodelled into eight apartments that will also be leased for social housing.

Extensive pile driving was required to strengthen the buildings foundations, explained construction workers on the site this week. This, they said, increased the complexity and length of time the building works have taken. The project is expected to be completed by Christmas.
Weather Alert

Bulletin: The National Weather Service in Mount Holly NJ has issued a * Snow Squall Warning for... Southwestern Sussex County in northwestern New Jersey... Northeastern Warren County in northwestern New Jersey... Eastern Monroe County in northeastern Pennsylvania... * Until 330 PM EST. * At 257 PM EST, a dangerous snow squall was located over Five Points, or near Newton, moving east at 35 mph. HAZARD...Intense bursts of heavy snow and gusty winds leading to blowing snow and rapidly falling visibility. Wind gusts up to 35 mph. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Travel will become difficult and potentially dangerous within minutes. Locations impacted include... Newton, Hopatcong, Mount Arlington, Stanhope, Andover, Flatbrookville, Lake Mohawk, Werry Lake, Greendell, Millbrook, Five Points, Crandon Lakes, and Hidden Lake. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow Down! Rapid changes in visibility and road conditions are expected with this dangerous snow squall. Be alert for sudden whiteout conditions. && SNOW SQUALL...RADAR INDICATED

Info:

Type: Snow Squall Warning

start_time_local: 2025-12-11T14:57:00-05:00

end_time_local: 2025-12-11T15:30:00-05:00

county_name: Warren County

state: NJ

headline: Snow Squall Warning from THU 2:57 PM EST until THU 3:30 PM EST

county_fips:

category: Met

url:

urgency: Expected

severity: Moderate

certainty: Likely

geographicname: Warren County

state_name: New Jersey
By Andre Romani

SAO PAULO (Reuters) -Nu Holdings, the listed entity which runs Brazilian digital lender Nubank, posted on Thursday an increase in its third-quarter net income driven by its Brazilian and Mexican businesses, beating analysts' projections.

The company reported a $783 million net income for the July-September period, up 39% year-on-year on a currency-neutral basis and above the $757 million expected by analysts in an LSEG poll.

Shares of Nu Holdings rose about 3% in post-market trading right after the results.

Chief Financial Officer Guilherme Lago told Reuters the profit increase was mainly supported by the continuous scale gain in Nubank's main market Brazil, while the company grew its credit portfolio in Mexico and cut what it pays for deposits in the country.

"The combination of these two things, the operating leverage in Brazil, and the asset liability management in Mexico, led to a large boost to Nubank's consolidated results," Lago said.

The firm's annualized return on equity (ROE), a gauge of profitability, stood at a record 31%, up from 30% in the same quarter last year.

Nubank revenues rose 39% to $4.2 billion, above market estimates of $3.8 billion, with net interest income rising 32% year-over-year. On the other hand, the closely watched net interest margin contracted about one percentage point to 17.3%.

Jefferies' analysts said Nubank posted a solid beat with no red flags in credit quality and with "management reiterating that delinquencies remain in line with expectations."

The 15-to-90-day delinquency rate in Brazil came in at 4.2%, a 0.2 percentage point fall both yearly and quarterly.

The over-90-day delinquency rate in the country stood at 6.8%, a decline from the 7.2% a year earlier but up from the 6.6% in the second quarter, a result the CFO attributed to seasonal effects.

Nubank reached 127 million clients across its operations in Brazil, Mexico and Colombia and in September announced plans to enter the United States. It posted a credit portfolio of $30.4 billion, up 42% year-on-year.

(Reporting by Andre Romani; additional reporting by Aishwarya Venugopal; Editing by Gabriel Araujo and Lincoln Feast.)
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

Partly sunny, windy, and cold with wind chills in the teens and 20s all day. West winds will gust 25-35mph. A few lake-effect snow showers are possible north of I-78 in the afternoon and evening, especially in the Poconos. .

Tonight

Partly cloudy, cold, and brisk. Wind chills in the teens overnight.
Drones soar, but so do investors hopes to capitalize on them.

Last month, REX Shares launched its Drone ETF (DRNZ), which allocates 80% of its portfolio to companies that profit off drones or or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The launch came just a month after Defiance brought its Drone & Modern Warfare ETF (JEDI) to market, which tracks an index of military technology companies and is concentrated in aerospace defense. The launches signal growing issuer interest in capturing upside from a booming aerospace defense industry, which had a global revenue of $922 billion last year and point to an outperforming segment that advisors may want to dip their toes into in the new year. Some aerospace industry funds are up 40% year to date, or more.

[Drone ETFs] seem to capture a subsection of the broader aerospace and defense theme, said Zachary Evens, an analyst at Morningstar. Were also seeing, outside of defense, a little more interest in drones more generally.

SUBSCRIBE: Receive more of our free ETF Upside newsletter. READ ALSO: Copycat ETFs Are Everywhere. Should Issuers Worry? and What Dimensionals Dual-Share-Class Approval Means for Advisors

Scanning the ETF Skies

Companies making drones and other unmanned military-grade technologies often get their revenue from government, or government-affiliated, contracts. Because defense spending has been sky-high of late  global military expenditures hit $2.7 trillion last year, an increase of 9.4% from 2023  profit margins for these firms have also gone up. But defense spending is only one piece of the puzzle, Evens said. A lot of the biggest companies in those ETFs are companies like Boeing, Lockheed Martin and RTX Corporation, he said. Those kinds of big industrial manufacturers definitely have business lines in defense, but they have other business lines as well.

Other aerospace industry ETFs with exposure to drones include:

The iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA), which is up 46% year to date.

Invescos Aerospace & Defense ETF (PPA), which is up 35% year to date.

The Global X Defense Tech ETF (SHLD), which is up 79% year to date.

Flight Risk: But are drone ETFs worth the investment? Evens thinks they fall into the same category of niche products that could swing either way performance-wise but are worth it for investors convinced of a sectors potential. If an investor has extreme conviction in the stocks that underlie these strategies, then they can allocate a small portion of their portfolio [to them]. Theyre very risky in the sense that a lot of the stocks tend to be highly correlated, he said. So when the ETF does well, it might do very well. But when the ETF does poorly, it might do very poorly.

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.
The logo of the semiconductor manufacturer "Nexperia" hangs above the entrance to the company building. David Hammersen/dpa

A high-ranking Dutch delegation will depart for Beijing next week in an effort to resolve a high-stakes row over the supply of processor chips for the automotive industry by the company Nexperia, the Dutch government said on Thursday.

While the Chinese-owned firm is based in Nijmegen in the Netherlands, many of its semiconductors are supplied from plants in China.

The Dutch government took control of the company management in September, citing "serious governance shortcomings." Beijing then imposed export restrictions on Nexperia chips - a move which risked disrupting the supply chains of European car manufacturers.

The Netherlands' acting Economy Minister Vincent Karremans said in The Hague on Thursday that he welcomed China's recent relaxation of the licensing conditions for Nexperia semiconductors.

"Predictable security of supply of these essential chips and mutual dependence is crucial for our industry and supply chains globally. The Netherlands remains committed to diplomatic engagement with China," he said in a written statement.

"We welcome therefore China's openness for furthering our close engagement, including in-person," he said.

The talks in China should contribute to an amicable resolution of the conflict, he said. He promised to monitor the situation closely until deliveries to all customers have resumed.

China has indicated that it is ready to negotiate. A spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce said he hoped that the Dutch side would show genuine willingness to cooperate with Beijing.

The Netherlands should immediately put forward proposals to solve the problem and take concrete measures to secure production and the supply chain, he said.
Canadian Solar (CSIQ) announced that e-STORAGE, part of the Companys majority-owned subsidiary CSI Solar has signed a Battery Energy Storage System, or BESS, Supply Agreement for a 20.7 MW / 56 MWh DC energy storage project in Lower Saxony, Germany. The agreement also includes a 20-year Long-Term Service Agreement, or LTSA. e-STORAGE will supply and commission an integrated BESS solution based on its proprietary SolBank technology platform. Shipments are scheduled to begin in March 2026, with commissioning targeted for later that year. The LTSA will provide long-term maintenance and performance services to ensure operational reliability throughout the projects lifespan. The project was developed by Kyon Energy, which will also serve as the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management contractor until commercial operation.

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Response to students on GBH matters

Students are encouraged to report all matters related to Gender-Based Harm to the Gender Equity Office.

Wits University condemns all forms of gender-based violence and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to creating a safe, inclusive and socially just environment for all members of the Wits community. The University has a zero-tolerance policy on gender-based harm and encourages all members of the Wits community to report incidences of gender-based harm as soon as possible, either in-person, or online. Gender-based harm/violence, bullying and discrimination undermine human dignity, erode trust and compromise the ability of staff and students to thrive academically and professionally.

Students are encouraged to report all matters related to Gender-Based Harm to the Gender Equity Office. Please note that this is the Universitys institutional office and is separate from the SRC Office/r that may hold a similar portfolio.

How to report a GHB matter online

Response to Students Demands

On Tuesday, 11 November 2025, the Dean of Student Affairs received a memorandum of demands from protesting students in relation to gender-based harm. The University responded to these demands on 13 November 2025.

Read the Response to Students demands on GBH matters

Remit of the Gender Equity Office

The University established the Gender Equity Office (GEO) in 2013 to professionally manage incidents of gender-based harm that are reported. The Office adopts a complainant-centred approach, and all matters are managed confidentially to protect the complainant.

The Gender Equity Office is dedicated to addressing all forms of gender-based harm and violence allegedly perpetrated by Wits-affiliated respondents. The focus of its scope focuses on matters including verbal, non-verbal and physical sexual harassment, sexual assault, gendered discrimination, gendered bullying, rape and grooming, amongst many other types of harm.

Policies and procedures

All GEO policies and procedures are available on the GEO website at https://www.wits.ac.za/students/geo/. While anonymous reporting is accepted, the GEOs policy notes that anonymous reporting does give rise to certain limitations such as the inability to take disciplinary measures where the complainant is not known. This is because, without identifying the complainant, one cannot formulate a legally sound charge that would enable disciplinary steps to be taken.

In the ordinary course, once reports are received, the GEO consults with the complainant and informs them of the protective measures that can be actioned in support of their needs as well as the investigation and disciplinary processes that can be pursued. Complainants are also informed about the available external remedies such as reporting their matters to the police. Depending on the decision taken by the complainant on how to proceed, the GEO then actions the support requested by the complainant. In the case where complainants elect to report their matters to the South African Police Service; the GEO arranges their transportation and psychosocial support to meet the needs that may arise from the criminal justice process.

Awareness and advocacy

The GEO also runs several information sessions, training workshops and other activities to share these policies with students and to train students, student leaders and staff on these policies and processes. The GEO regularly reports on GBV related matters via the relevant University structures, including the Student Services Advisory Committee.

How to report an incident

You can report an incident as follows:

In-person by walking into the Gender Equity Office,

Telephonically,

Via Email, or

Online via the online reporting portal

The University has introduced this dedicated online reporting platform to ensure that all forms of harm are addressed promptly, fairly and transparently.

Emergency telephonic counselling can also be accessed via the Wits Students Crisis Line on 0800 111 331. This line is available to all Wits students 24/7/365. The Wits Student Crisis App is also available for students who prefer live chat or text counselling or contact CCDU for assistance.
Artificial intelligence may be the hottest trade on Wall Street  but that doesn't mean it won't end painfully for some investors.

"We believe that we are in a rational bubble," economist and former PIMCO CEO Mohamed El-Erian said at Yahoo Finance's Invest event.

He added that while some investors may get burned, "the aggregate value of what's being created is significant" and therefore, rational.

El-Erian, who previously chaired former President Obama's Global Development Council, explained that this bubble  unlike the dot-com craze of the late 1990s  is underpinned by real technological progress and extraordinary long-term potential.

"The good news is that it's a construct that will make us more innovative, more competitive," he said. "The bad news is there will be tears, there will be losses because elements of it are elements of a bubble."

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Signs of excess are already visible, El-Erian said, particularly in three areas. The first is what he describes as the "frontier," or companies building foundational models.

"Not all of them are going to succeed, and yet all of them are attracting significant investment," he said.

El-Erian also pointed to a largely overlooked challenge: the issue of "diffusion," or getting AI technology integrated across the broader economy.

"Diffusion means getting AI into the workplace in an orderly ... comprehensive fashion," he said, noting the US lacks a clear national policy compared with countries like China. "We've got to get diffusion right, otherwise the promise of AI is not going to be fully realized."

That policy gap could determine whether the US actually benefits from the AI revolution. So far, job security appears to be the most immediate casualty. According to a report from Challenger, Gray & Christmas, October saw the largest number of layoffs since 2003. In the technology sector, job cuts were largely tied to restructuring and AI integration.

El-Erian added that corporate behavior also reflects bubble-like tendencies. AI's early movers like OpenAI (OPAI.PVT), Anthropic (ANTH.PVT), and Alphabet (GOOG) are commanding staggering valuations. But many companies are now branding themselves as AI-powered simply to attract investor attention  a dynamic that echoes the dot-com era.

Still, El-Erian said, it makes sense investors are pouring billions into the nascent technology, even as signs of froth begin to emerge.

He and Nobel laureate Michael Spence have been researching what makes this boom "rational." The short answer, he argues, is that the potential payoff could be so lucrative that it's logical for investors to overextend.
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Elon Musk is worth close to half a trillion dollars. But long before Tesla shareholders approved a historic pay package that could make him the world's first trillionaire, the billionaire tech CEO was actively shedding his real estateand his image as a man of excess.

In May 2020, Musk posted on X that he was "selling almost all physical possessions" and would "own no house." Just hours later, he followed up: "Just one stipulation on sale: I own Gene Wilder's old house. It cannot be torn down or lose any of its soul."

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By December of that year, he was already addressing the decision publicly. Speaking with Business Insider, Musk explained the motivation behind his sell-off. "People will attack me and say, Oh, he's got all these possessions. He's got all these houses.' OK, now I don't have them anymore," he said.

By mid-2021, he confirmed he had followed through. In response to a question on X asking if he'd downsized as planned, Musk replied, "Yeah, sold my houses, except for 1 in Bay Area that's rented out for events." That same day, he offered a look at his current living situation, writing: "My primary home is literally a ~$50K house in Boca Chica/Starbase that I rent from SpaceX. It's kinda awesome though."

That modest homea three-bedroom, ranch-style unit on a grassy street just outside SpaceX's Starbase facilityhas remained his legal residence. When he voted in the 2024 presidential election, Musk posted, "Just voted in Cameron County, Texas, home of Starbase!"

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Despite all that, reports about secret megamansions and sprawling compounds haven't let up. In October 2024, The New York Times reported that Musk had acquired three properties near Austin totaling $35 million to build a private complex for his 11 children and their mothers. The newspaper quoted people familiar with plan as saying that Musk believed the setup would allow the kids to "be a part of one another's lives" and help him schedule time among them.

Musk denied the story. "I don't own, nor am I building a compound in Austin," he told Page Six. "No grand family compound/home has been built or is expected to be built."
The government shutdown is over. Heres what travelers need to know about Thanksgiving flights
Exchange-traded fund (ETF) inflows are surging at one of the strongest paces on record, signaling robust investor confidence despite widespread economic pessimism.

According to Bloomberg senior ETF analyst Eric Balchunas, total ETF inflows reached $13 billion in a single day and $40 billion over the past five days, an $8 billion-per-day pace. Year-to-date inflows now total $1.16 trillion, setting a new record for the industry.

Equity ETFs Lead the Charge

The bulk of the capital is flowing into equity ETFs, with investors favoring broad-market funds such as Vanguards VOO and iShares IVV, alongside high-growth and technology exposure through SMH and TQQQ.

Balchunas noted, People must have missed all the articles from economists and columnists telling them everything is bad, suggesting investors are ignoring gloomy headlines and rotating cash into risk assets.

Bitcoin ETFs Rebound With Half-Billion Inflows

Even Bitcoin ETFs joined the surge, pulling in nearly $500 million in a single day and turning net positive for the week.

Top performers included BlackRocks iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), Fidelitys FBTC, and Ark 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB). Analysts say this shows renewed conviction in crypto exposure among long-term investors, especially as Bitcoin continues to trade with resilience through market volatility.

Investors Position for Year-End Upside

With both U.S. equity and Bitcoin ETFs attracting significant capital, investors appear to be positioning for a strong finish to the year.

The record-setting inflows highlight a striking contrast between cautious economic commentary and the bullish behavior of investors quietly buying the dip.

Record Growth Across Global Markets

ETFGI, a leading independent research and consultancy firm focused on the global ETF industry, reported that assets invested in actively managed ETFs reached a new record of $1.73 trillion at the end of September 2025.

The figure surpasses the previous high of $1.63 trillion set just a month earlier, reflecting strong momentum in active investment products.

Market Performance Boosts Investor Confidence

Global market performance contributed to the surge. The S&P 500 gained 3.65% in September, while developed markets excluding the U.S. rose 2.5%, led by The Netherlands (+13.27%) and Korea (+9.04%). Emerging markets also advanced 5.49%, with Peru (+12.8%) and South Africa (+9.47%) outperforming.

Investors continue to embrace actively managed ETFs for their transparency and flexibility, said Deborah Fuhr, ETFGIs managing partner and founder. This record-breaking growth underscores the expanding role of active strategies in global portfolios.
The indictment in the corruption investigation, in which Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) Mayor and Republican Peoples Party (CHP) presidential candidate Ekrem Imamoglu has been arrested since March, was finalised Tuesday.

The CHP won the most votes nationwide in the 2024 local elections. But the charges in the indictment portray its municipal work, election activities, and presidential candidate as criminal.

Ekrem Imamoglu, Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, giving a speech in front of Istanbul Palace of Justice on January 31, 2025 [Photo: X / @ekrem_imamoglu]

Increasing pressure on the CHP through the judiciary occupies an important place in the agenda of President Recep Tayyip Erdogans government to eliminate fundamental democratic rights, including the right to vote and be elected, the right to a fair trial, freedom of the press and expression, as he builds a presidential dictatorship. However, this authoritarian regime, built not in the interests of one person but of the ruling class, primarily targets the working class amid growing class tensions and social inequality.

The 3,900-page indictment named 402 people as suspects, 105 of whom are prisoners. Imamoglu faces charges for 142 offenses, with sentences ranging from 828 to 2,430 years in prison.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutors Office alleges that Imamoglu established and led a criminal organization. The allegations date back to 2014, when he was elected mayor of Beylikduzu district. All the accused are charged with establishing and managing a criminal organization, bribery, laundering criminal proceeds, fraud against public institutions and organizations, bid rigging, and other crimes. The indictment alleges that the accused caused 160 billion Turkish lira (approximately US$3.8 billion) in financial damages to the state and the loss of an additional $24 million in foreign funds. In addition, the prosecution said it had identified 95 real estate properties suspected of being linked to the case.

In the section titled purpose of the organization in the indictment, the prosecution states that Imamoglus primary and initial goal was financial enrichment; his second goal was to take over the CHP with the financial capital he acquired; and his third goal was to become the CHPs candidate in the presidential elections.

The prosecutors office notified the Supreme Court of Appeals Prosecutors Office, requesting that necessary action be taken in accordance with the provisions on the closure of political parties within the scope of the indictment.

Imamoglu denied the allegations in a statement posted on his X account, saying: The issue has gone beyond the alleged corruption and bribery slander and has become an attack on the CHP, the founder of our Republic... The indictment you wrote consists of lies that threaten people, hold them hostage, and coerce them into making false accusations under pressure... Broadcast the trial live so everyone can see your lies and slander!

CHP leader Ozgur Ozel said on X, This time, the coup plotters didnt come with tanks or combat boots, but with judicial robes... This case is not judicial, it is entirely political. Its purpose is to stop the Republican Peoples Party, the leading party in the last elections, and to prevent its presidential candidate from running.

Ozel stated that the notification submitted to the Supreme Court Chief Prosecutors Office to file a closure case against his party was proof that the matter was not a [corruption] investigation targeting the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. He added, What happened today is a clear case of judicial interference in democratic politics and the results of future elections.

The Constitutional Court in Turkey has a long record of closing down left-wing parties, particularly Kurdish political parties. However, in 2008, Erdogans Justice and Development Party (AKP) also faced a closure case on the grounds of actions contrary to secularism. The AKP was not closed because a qualified majority could not be achieved in the court members vote (six in favor, five against). The most recent Kurdish political party to be closed was the Democratic Society Party (DTP) in 2009, accused of having links to the illegal Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

In Turkey, municipalities serve as an important steppingstone for bourgeois politicians in terms of enrichment and political career advancement. Erdogans political career took off with his position as mayor of Istanbul. However, the aim of the Imamoglu case is not to fight corruption. In this investigation, alongside normal municipal activities, the tender and rent seeking processes found in every municipality are being selectively evaluated and combined with fabricated allegations.

Thus, while the results of elections in which millions of people participated are being discredited, the change in CHP leadership during the congress process, running for president, and conducting normal election campaigns are being portrayed as crimes. Imamoglus imprisonment and designation as the leader of a criminal organization essentially stems from his status as Erdogans main political rival.

The Erdogan governments construction of a presidential dictatorship has gained momentum amid the genocide in Gaza, attacks by US and Israel targeting Iran and its allies in the Middle East, NATOs war against Russia in Ukraine, and the implementation of a harsh austerity program against the working class at home.

This judicial operation, while directly targeting the CHP and Imamoglu, is fueled by the same processes driving ruling classes globally toward authoritarianism and the far-right. As ruling elites around the world, particularly in imperialist centers, seek an escape from the deepening economic, social, and political crisis of the capitalist system, they are turning to war both abroad and at home. Amid massive social inequality and discontent, they require dictatorship to implement militarist and austerity programs to protect their power and wealth.

This process has accelerated even further with Trump, who returned to the White House in the US and is attempted to establish a presidential dictatorship. Imamoglus arrest took place three days after Trump and Erdogans phone call on March 16.

In the weeks before the indictment was finalized, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited Erdogan. Their agenda did not focus on the escalation of attacks on democratic rights in Turkey, but rather on increasing military cooperation with Erdogan.

The open or tacit approval of these imperialist powers for the increasing pressure exerted by Erdogan on the CHP, a pro-NATO party, is closely linked to their growing cooperation with Turkey in the Middle East. This includes Ankaras complicity in the Gaza peace agreement. However, it is not only Trump but also the major European powers who are pursuing the establishment of dictatorial regimes similar to that in Turkey against the working class in their own countries.

The CHPs response to the support given to Erdogan by major NATO leaders consists of complaining and trying to prove that it would be a better ally than the AKP. A recent report submitted by the CHP to NATO was fully in line with the USs anti-China, anti-Russia, and anti-Iran stance and backed Washingtons new Middle East project.

As a pro-imperialist party defending the interests of the same ruling class behind the construction of the dictatorial regime, the CHP is inherently incapable of defending democratic rights. The Erdogan governments reckless escalation of attacks on democratic rights has been facilitated by the CHPs efforts to end the mass movement that erupted in March and reach a compromise with the government. Like Erdogan, the CHP fears the eruption of an independent working-class movement that could threaten the rotten social and political system.

On the other hand, the judicial operation against the CHP and the increasing attacks on democratic rights expose the falseness of the claim that negotiations between the government and the PKK will bring peace and democracy. It reveals the role of pseudo-left parties that participated in the parliamentary commission established to make these claims acceptable to the public or that supported these negotiations.

The mass protests demonstrated the existence of a broad opposition among workers and youth seeking to defend democratic rights and oppose social inequality. However, to move this opposition forward, the following fundamental lessons must be learned: To defend democratic rights a political break with the CHP and other establishment parties is essential and the only social force capable of ending the bourgeoisies dictatorship is the international working class. The working class must build its own revolutionary party to secure its political independence.

Everyone who shares this perspective should join the Socialist Equality Party, the Turkish section of the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI), and its student and youth movement, the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE).
University of California healthcare and custodial workers on strike at UC Berkeley, February 26, 2025.

After 17 months of stalled negotiations, tens of thousands of University of California (UC) employees are preparing for a historic two-day strike on November 1718. More than 86,000 workers across hospitals, laboratories and campuses were originally set to walk out, including 21,000 healthcare, research and technical professionals in the University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE) union, 40,000 service and patient care technical workers in American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3299 and 25,000 nurses in the California Nurses Association (CNA).

The planned strike is the largest coordinated work stoppage in UC history, part of a growing nationwide rebellion of healthcare and public sector workers. From the mass walkouts of hospital staff in New Orleans and across Minnesota and Wisconsin, to strikes by nurses in Grand Blanc, Michigan, and the five-day Kaiser Permanente walkout earlier this year, workers are rising up against a system that subordinates healthcare to profit.

Everywhere, the conditions are the same. Healthcare workers confront chronic understaffing, collapsing real wages and impossible workloads that drive thousands out of the profession each year. At UC, AFSCME reports real wage losses of nearly 10 percent in recent years, alongside massive staff turnover and a growing exodus from the universitys medical centers. Thousands are forced to commute hours to work because housing near UC campuses is unaffordable.

These struggles are not isolated or local. They express the growing recognition that the crisis in healthcare is rooted in the entire structure of American capitalism. Workers increasingly sense that the deterioration of hospitals, schools and public services is inseparable from the looting of society by the financial oligarchy and the diversion of trillions into war and corporate profits. They are striving to build a movement against inequality itself, a movement for the social right to healthcare and a livable existence.

The University of California system epitomizes these contradictions. It is not merely an employer but a central institution of the corporate-controlled political establishment. UC is bound by billions of dollars in defense and biotech contracts, deeply tied to Silicon Valley and Wall Street and actively involved in the suppression of social opposition, including the police crackdowns on Gaza protests since 2023. Under the control of the Democratic Party-dominated Board of Regents, UC functions as both a low-wage employer and an instrument of political repression.

On November 8, the UPTE-CWA Local 9119 leadership abruptly announced a tentative agreement with UC, reached through backroom mediation sessions. Both hailed it as a hard-won victory and praised their constructive dialogue and shared commitment to employee welfare.

In reality, the contract is a miserable sellout, made clear even by the unions own highlights. In it, they boast that the deal keeps health insurance rates the same for most plans, meaning it will increase for some. They also declare that paid time off and vacation time accrual will not be reduced for existing hires, implying it will be reduced for new hires. The contract includes a meager 18 percent general wage increase over four years. UPTE tries to inflate this figure in the highlights by lumping it together with annual wage progression.

This cynical language exposes the real function of the UPTE bureaucracy. While workers were preparing to strike, the union apparatus intervened to prevent a unified confrontation with UC management and the two big business parties behind it. The dialogue they celebrate is class collaboration under conditions in which UC and the forces behind it are waging a class war.

By pulling 21,000 workers off the picket lines, UPTE officials have weakened the position of the remaining 65,000 AFSCME and CNA members still fighting for improved wages and staffing. What was to have been a powerful, united strike of 86,000 workers has been fractured, giving UC management and the Democratic Party the upper hand. Workers must be on guard against any efforts by the AFSCME and CNA leaders to follow suit and prevent the strike altogether.

Dividing the ranks was no accident. For over a year, UPTE deliberately delayed action, extending expired contracts and organizing only token one- or two-day protest strikes alongside AFSCME. Each of these isolated actionsin November 2024 and then again in February, April, May and Julywas designed not to win anything but to dissipate anger and reinforce illusions in the union apparatus. The leadership repeatedly scheduled walkouts at the least disruptive times precisely to limit their impact.

While the ruling class, through Trump and both corporate parties, eliminates access to healthcare, education and other necessities of life, the unions talk of partnership and mutual understanding. Their constructive dialogue takes place as the capitalist state enacts mass deportations, suppresses dissent and funnels billions into war and corporate bailouts.

The current political situation underscores the impossibility of defending even the most basic social rights through such methods. The so-called government shutdown crisis was not a matter of bureaucratic gridlock but a weapon in the ruling classs assault on the working class. To pay for military escalation abroad and rescue failing financial markets, the capitalist class must destroy every social program, privatize healthcare and break all forms of worker resistance.

The UPTE bureaucracy acts to suppress strikes, isolate workers and keep the movement confined within labor relations rather than allowing it to develop into a political struggle. They speak of shared goals with UC because they do share them: the defense of corporate profitability and the subordination of workers needs to the financial interests that dominate the university.

The same pattern is being repeated across the country. At Kaiser Permanente, the Alliance of Health Care Unions declared victory after a five-day strike, yet weeks later workers remain without a satisfactory contract. In every case, the union bureaucracies act to block a broader mobilization, sending workers back to work with empty promises while management imposes new attacks.

AFSCME and CNA have played identical roles at UC. AFSCMEs 40,000 service and patient care workers have gone more than a year without a ratified contract, while the CNA has confined nurses to symbolic protests. All these bureaucracies, including UPTE, are integrated into the AFL-CIO apparatusa structure bound hand and foot to corporate management and the capitalist state.

If their struggle is not to be defeated, UC workers must take the conduct of the fight into their own hands. Their immediate task is to form rank-and-file committees that are independent, democratic organizations controlled by workers themselves. These committees must reject the secret sellout agreement, demand the release of all contract terms and prepare for a unified, indefinite strike across all UC hospitals, laboratories and campuses.

The significance of these committees goes beyond the fight for a contract. They represent a new form of organization based on the independent initiative of the working class. Their purpose is to link UC workers with healthcare workers at Kaiser, in New Orleans, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and beyond, as well as with autoworkers, teachers, logistics and tech workers and students.

This unity must be built on a political foundation. The fight for safe staffing, living wages and decent conditions is inseparable from the fight for socialism. It requires the expropriation of the healthcare giants, insurance conglomerates and pharmaceutical monopolies; the transformation of healthcare into a public service, not a profit engine. It requires the reorganization of the economy to meet human needs, not private wealth.

The International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) provides the framework for such a movement. UC workers must link their fight with the growing resistance of the international working class, from the mass protests against genocide and dictatorship to the strikes against austerity and privatization.

The UC struggle has revealed both the immense potential power of the working class and the treachery of the bureaucratic apparatus that seeks to contain it. The betrayal by UPTE must mark a turning point. Workers must go on the offensive, taking up the fight not only for improved contracts but for the transformation of society as a whole.

Only through the independent mobilization of the working class, armed with a socialist program, can healthcare, education and all essential rights be secured for all, not for profit.

For more information on joining and building rank-and-file committees, fill out the form below.
Less than three weeks after US President Trump grandstanded in Malaysia as a peacemaker at the signing of a truce between Cambodia and Thailand, the agreement has been suspended, and hostilities have flared again.

Cambodian military vehicle carries rocket launcher in Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia, July 25, 2025. [AP Photo/Heng Sinith]

Cambodias Defence Ministry claimed that Thai soldiers had opened fire near a disputed border village yesterday afternoon, stating that one person had been killed and three wounded. Thailand has disputed the account, saying that Cambodian soldiers had initially fired into Thai territory.

Thai army spokesman Winthai Suvaree said: Thai forces took cover and fired warning shots in response, following rules of engagement. He added that the incident lasted about 10 minutes and there were no casualties on the Thai side.

The two countries have repeatedly clashed over their disputed borderthe legacy of the colonial domination of South East Asia. Cambodia bases its claims, which Thailand rejects, on a 1907 map drawn by French officials in Indochina to demarcate its colonial possessions from the nominally independent Kingdom of Siam (now Thailand).

Yesterdays incident took place near a disputed settlement that Thailand claims is part of Ban Nong Ya Kaew village in its Sa Kaeo province. Cambodia says it is part of Prey Chan village in its Banteay Meanchey province. It has been the site of previous clashes.

The peace accord signed on October 26 in Malaysia did nothing to resolve the longstanding border disputes. Rather it simply formalised a ceasefire that followed five days of fierce fighting between Cambodia and Thailand in July involving warplanes, tanks, artillery and rockets. The clashes, which took place along hundreds of kilometres of disputed border, were the most extensive since fighting in 2011.

At least 43 people, including civilians, were killed and hundreds of thousands of civilians on both sides were forced to flee border areas before US, Chinese and Malaysian officials brokered an initial truce. Malaysia was involved as the current chair of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Thailand announced on Monday that it was suspending implementation of the accord after its soldiers were injured by what it claimed was a newly laid landmine. According to the army, one soldiers right leg was severed in the blast, while another had shrapnel wounds to his leg.

After visiting the wounded soldiers near the border, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who heads a fragile minority government, declared: Today, we consider that the agreement we had in place to move toward peace has ended. He added belligerently: Thailand belongs to us. The ground we are standing on right now is Thailand. No one can claim sovereignty over Thai territory.

Anutin only came to power in September after the right-wing establishment, based on the military and monarchy, exploited border incidents earlier in the year to oust Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra over an allegedly deferential phone call to Cambodian strongman Hun Sen. After promising to hold fresh elections by April next year, Anutin is clearly planning to campaign on the basis of whipping up nationalist sentiment over the border dispute.

Aspects of the October accord have started to be implemented, including the withdrawal of heavy weaponry, but the deployment of observers drawn from ASEAN countries along the border has barely started. Thailand still holds 18 Cambodian soldiers captured in the July fighting whose release was a key aspect of the accord.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Cambodian government categorically denied Thai allegations that it had laid new landmines in disputed border areas. It said that many landmines stemming from Cambodias civil war in the 1970s and 1980s had not been cleared due to the difficult terrains and the un-demarcated status of the border areas.

While the heightened tensions may ease, temporarily at least, this weeks events highlight the fragile and limited character of the truce signed last month. The governments in both countries are exploiting reactionary nationalism and patriotism to strengthen their position amid slowing growth and rising social stresses.

The World Bank forecasts GDP growth this year of 4 percent for Cambodia and just 1.8 percent for Thailandfigures that are down from last year, and well below those of the decade of the 2010s. Both economies rely heavily on exports, including to the US, and have been hit by Trumps large tariff increases.

Trumps threat to impose huge tariffs on both countries in July was one factor that induced them to agree to a ceasefire. While not as high as threatened, Trump reached agreements with Thailand and Cambodia last month in Malaysia that imposed a 19 percent tariff across the board. The high impost will weaken their economies.

The events of this week only further expose the absurdity of Trumps posturing as a peacemaker. The White House statement last month declared that the Peace Accord was a historic peace declaration ending border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, adding that this is a landmark achievement for international diplomacy that only President Trump could accomplish.

Trump himself bragged on social media that most importantly, signed the Peace Treaty between Thailand and Cambodia. NO WAR! Now, off to Japan!!!

Trump and the White House are yet to make any statement in response to Thailands suspension of the historic peace declaration or yesterdays clash. That is not surprising. Trump has no more concern for the victims of the Thai-Cambodian conflict than for the tens of thousands of Palestinians killed, and still being killed, despite the so-called truce brokered in Gaza.

Trumps trip to Asia was never about peace, but rather was part of his administrations intensifying preparations for war against China, which US imperialism regards as the chief threat to its global domination.
In this Sept. 3, 2025 photo, Cars pass by the University of Massachusetts, in Amherst, Mass. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill) [AP Photo]

A devastating fire Friday night, November 7, burned down Olympia Place, a large off-campus housing complex mainly used by students from the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst). Although there were no injuries, more than 200 residents lost their homes and everything inside when a nearby construction site at 47 Olympia Drive caught fire.

Following multiple explosions that likely came from fuel tanks at the construction site, where a new four-story private dorm building was being erected, the blaze spread to the occupied Olympia Place residential building at 57 Olympia Drive, just feet away. A construction crane at the site collapsed during the fire, adding an additional element of danger.

The fire, whose initial cause is still under investigation but deemed not suspicious, began around 8:15 p.m. Friday and spread to the residential complex within 30 minutes. It took over a million gallons of water to extinguish, after burning for over 24 hours. Amherst was forced to declare a state of emergency due to the loss to the towns water reserves. The explosion of fuel tanks and the collapse of a construction crane point to the danger of carrying out construction so close to the residential complex.

The Amherst Fire Department called the blaze one of the largest fires our community has seen. In a social media post, the department said, Despite being understaffed and stretched thin, [firefighters] dedication and teamwork prevented what could have been a devastating loss of life.

The Amherst Fire Department requested mutual aid, with departments from surrounding towns in Hampshire, Hampden, Franklin, Worcester and Berkshire counties joining the Amherst firefighters at the scene of the fire with personnel and equipment. Faced with poor water pressure in the area, the firefighters had to rely on mobile water tankers. By Saturday, Olympia Place was deemed a total loss and was demolished so that fire crews could reach areas that were still burning.

The fire wasnt fully contained until Sunday. The Town of Amherst declared a state of emergency Saturday night to access state and federal emergency funds and asked residents to cease all nonessential water use. At 5 p.m. Sunday, November 9, Town Manager Paul Bockelman ended the state of emergency after the towns water supply recovered.

The fire left 232 residents at Olympia Place deprived of their homes and struggling to find places to stay while faced with the loss of personal belongings, including computers, clothing and important documents, during the rushed evacuation of the now demolished building. Lauren Dworkin, a junior at UMass, told the Boston Globe, Everything I had was in that room ... Its been hard to accept its just all suddenly gone. NBC News quoted an unnamed student who said, Its sad because all of my stuff was inside and it was just me and my roommate, who are like, really close, so all our college life is in there.

Town Manager Paul Bockelman told the Globe, If they had a passport or visa, if they had a laptop or a cherished violin or musical instrument, that was all lost in the fire. They lost everything. UMass has tried to find temporary housing for the displaced students, but many students spent the initial days after the fire on friends couches or even at hotels, often having to purchase essentials like clothing.

The Olympia Place fire underscores the systemic problems in the profit-driven construction industry, which remains the most dangerous industry in Massachusetts, responsible for over a third of all workplace fatalities across the state. Just last month, two workers were killed in Everett, Massachusetts, when a crane mounted on a barge toppled over during demolition work. Serious construction hazards, such as fires, burns and explosionsfrequently resulting from damaged gas and power linesare recurrent dangers that arise from the rush to turn a profit at the expense of workers and others safety and well-being.

The contractor in charge of building the new dorms at 47 Olympia Drive, D.A. Sullivan & Sons, had a previous serious violation issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in 2016. The company was fined just $2,000 after having its initial penalty reduced. A serious violation issued by OSHA means that there is a substantial probability that a workplace hazard could cause an accident that would most likely result in death or serious physical harm, and that the employer knew, or should have known, of the violation. Fines levied by OSHA are typically no impediment to unsafe business practices, with even maximum fines for serious violations (not including willful or repeat violations) being set at no more than $16,550.

Building private student housing is an extremely profitable enterprise. Amherst is a major college town, with demand for student housing which is not met by dorms provided directly on campus by UMass. Thousands of students are forced to find housing in the off-campus market. Property developers are in a constant rush to develop new housing. Private developers frequently use a by-the-bed leasing model, which is even more profitable than standard apartment rentals. Private, market-rate dorms in Amherst are particularly costly; Olympia Place rentals go for over $1,300 a room per month. Leases are typically co-signed by parents, making the leases particularly attractive to property holders. The Olympia Place dorm and the property under construction at 47 Olympia Drive were both developed by a large regional developer, Archipelago Investments LLC, which has several multimillion-dollar buildings in Amherst.

The profit drive to build new housing for students necessarily creates unsafe conditions, with corners cut at every stage of development, construction and maintenance. This same process is evident in the continued trend of accidents and deaths at construction sites and other disasters based on poor maintenance of buildings across Massachusetts. This year, these include:

The collapse of a large crane at the construction site in Everett on October 26 killed two workers.

A two-story house under construction in Weymouth collapsed in January, killing one worker and injuring four others.

In July, a five-alarm fire ripped through the Gabriel House Assisted Living Facility in Fall River, claiming 10 residents lives. Maintenance at the facility was neglected and critical regulatory failures have been reported in civil lawsuits and post-fire investigations.

These are not accidents in the true sense of the word, but social disasters produced by the subordination of human safety to corporate profit. While big companies and investors are left untouched by these tragedies and continue to rake in fortunes, the working class and their communities suffer the consequences. This is, moreover, an international phenomenon, with hundreds of thousands of workers dying from industrial accidents worldwide every year.

The Trump administration represents an enormously wealthy capitalist oligarchy that can no longer tolerate even the most modest obstacles to profit. It has worked to remove federal oversight and enforcement of safety at construction sites nationwide, particularly aiming to restrict the use of the General Duty Clause (GDC). This clause enables OSHA to cite employers for serious hazards not covered by a specific rule. This gives the construction and other industries opportunities to find legal loopholes, freeing them to engage in unsafe work conditions.

Trumps attacks also include loosening the rules on consultation with federal bodies on standards in construction, paving the way for future mass deregulation. The Trump administration has already sought to remove important standards, including the Construction Illumination Standard and halting the effort to establish a federal Heat Safety Standard, which places millions of workers in danger.
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USS Gerald R. Ford [Photo: US Navy/Seaman Alyssa Joy]

The sailing of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford into Caribbean waters has dramatically escalated the threat of an imminent US imperialist war against Venezuela and Latin America more broadly.

The US military escalation comes close on the heels of War Secretary Peter Hegseths latest triumphant announcement of a pair of US missile strikes over the weekend, sinking two small boats and killing six more people. This has brought the death toll from the Trump administrations criminal murder spree against unarmed civilians off South Americas coasts to at least 76. There have been 20 such attacks since they began on September 2, evenly split between the southern Caribbean waters off Venezuela and the eastern Pacific coast of Colombia.

Having carried out a savage series of what the United Nations has described as extra-judicial executions and war crimes, US imperialism is now preparing far greater atrocities.

The USS Ford, the US Navys largest warship, is accompanied by three guided-missile destroyers and over 4,000 personnel that make up its strike group. They are joining a US armada of at least eight warships, including a nuclear submarine, and a combined force of more than 10,000 sailors and Marines already deployed near Venezuelas shores.

This vast military force is augmented by a fleet of 10 F-35 strike fighters deployed to the recently reopened Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in Puerto Rico, as well as provocative flights by B-52 bombers near Venezuelan shores. US soldiers and Marines are carrying out exercises in both Puerto Rico and, for the first time in decades, Panama in preparation for combat deployment.

US military analysts have described the US Naval force off the northern tip of South America as the largest assembled since the first US Gulf War against Iraq in 1991. It is by far the largest force deployed in the region since the 1989 US invasion of Panama.

The claim that this unprecedented deployment is for the purpose of interdicting cocaine shipments is patently absurd. What is being prepared is a full-scale imperialist war with incalculable consequences.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a Washington-based think tank with intimate ties to the US military-intelligence apparatus, noted that the US carrier strike group is poorly structured for counter-drug operations but well-structured for strikes against Venezuela. It compared the US deployment to an archer with an arrow drawn. The stance is unstable: either launch or stand down.

That the Trump administration is preparing to drag the American people into yet another war of aggression based upon lies has been clear from the outset of its Caribbean killing spree. The designation of Venezuelan and Colombian fishermen as enemy combatants and narco-terrorists in no way legalizes their slaughter. And the pretense that Venezuela is a significant source for the flow of drugs to the US is belied by every credible report from both US intelligence and international agencies.

What are the real aims of the would-be dictator Donald Trump and the financial oligarchy that he represents?

To topple the government of Nicolas Maduro and impose a fascist US puppet dictatorship in its place;

To secure unrestrained US corporate control over Venezuelas oil reserves, the largest on the planet, so as to deny them to Washingtons principal strategic rival, China, and prepare for global war;

To stave off economic crisis and financial collapse through outright plunder; and

To impose the shackles of US neo-colonial subjugation not only on Venezuela but the entire Western Hemisphere.

The US escalation was accompanied by a report Tuesday that the British government has ordered a halt to intelligence-sharing with the US on drug trafficking in the Caribbean, where London still controls a few island remnants of its former empire.

The reason given is that the UK does not want to implicate itself in war crimes against the unarmed civilians being blown out of the water by US missiles. But British imperialism has fought shoulder to shoulder with the US in previous criminal wars of mass slaughter, from Korea to the Balkans, Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya. If it is expressing qualms this time, it is no doubt due to imperialist interests, rather than any newfound moral scruples. The British ruling class, on the one hand, fears that it will be left out of any carve-up of Venezuela and, on the other, is increasingly at odds with Washington on everything from the Ukraine war to ever-changing American tariffs.

Of far greater weight in terms of counter-narcotics is the announcement Tuesday by the Colombian government that it is halting all intelligence-sharing with Washington. According to US officials, Colombia has provided 85 percent of all actionable intelligence used by the Florida-based Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF) to interdict illegal drug trafficking.

Colombia broke off these ties following the inadvertent release of a photograph of a top US official at the White House holding a document with the headline The Trump Doctrine For Colombia and the Western Hemisphere, over an AI-generated photograph depicting Venezuelan President Maduro and Colombias President Gustavo Petro side by side in orange prison jumpsuits. The document itself calls for extending the foreign terrorist organization designation to Colombian drug traffickers, support for anti-President Gustavo Petro forces in Colombia and trumped-up criminal charges against Petro so he, like Maduro, can have a $50 million bounty placed on his head.

Petro, who has described the US militarys killing of Venezuelans and other Latin Americans on small boats as murder, demanded that Washington provide an explanation for the document. Instead, it responded with still more calumnies. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau declared, Its very tragic for the Colombian people that they are represented by a person of such low moral character, predicting that the Colombian people, in its great wisdom, will reject this path leading to misery, hate, and will go another way.

The Donroe Doctrine

What is the Trump Doctrine or, as it is cynically referred to in the White House, the Donroe Doctrine? The seminal Monroe Doctrine was promulgated in 1823 as a warning against any attempt by the reactionary monarchical powers of Europe to recolonize the newly independent republics of Latin America. With the rise of US imperialism, however, it underwent profound changes as the US laid claim to Spains colonies in the 1898 Spanish-American War and suppressed the revolutionary strivings of the peoples of those colonies, particularly in Cuba, in order to assert US domination.

In 1904, President Teddy Roosevelt unveiled the so-called Big Stick corollary to the doctrine, arrogating to US imperialism the right to exercise police power wherever it perceived wrongdoing or impotence in the hemisphere. This set the stage for some 50 direct US military interventions.

By the latter half of the 20th century, the doctrine became inextricably intertwined with the Cold War and a global anti-communist crusade that saw US-backed fascist-military dictatorships take power throughout much of South and Central America, murdering, torturing and imprisoning hundreds of thousands of workers, students and other opponents of US domination and military rule.

The Trump Doctrine retains all of the counterrevolutionary features that emerged in the 20th century but stripped of any of the hypocritical pretense that Washington is pursuing lofty goals of freedom and democracy. It consists of nothing more than the gangster insistence that US might makes right and that Washington will seize whatever its military power allows it.

An attack on Venezuela would be only the starting point for US aggression throughout the region.

US officials are reportedly viewing a war in South America through the lens of the 1989 Panama invasion, when Noriega was brought back to the US to stand trial on drug-trafficking charges. Venezuela, however, has a geographical area 12 times that of Panama, and its population is 10 times Panamas 35 years ago. Moreover, the US has no military presence in Venezuela, while Panama was bifurcated by the US-run Panama Canal Zone with multiple military bases and some 13,000 US troops stationed there.

The CSIS report injects a note of sobriety into the war-drunk atmosphere in Washington, warning that, while the US is capable of launching an extended air campaign, consisting of a series of attacks to paralyze and destabilize the Maduro regime, such campaigns have only succeeded when coupled with the threat or reality of a ground campaign. Invoking the aftermath of the shock and awe campaign against Iraq in 2003, it warns that the US-backed right-wing opposition may prove too weak to exert control over the country once it takes power, leaving the Trump administration to face the kind of protracted military effort it has tried to avoid, i.e., another forever war, this time in its own backyard.

US imperialisms foreign policy is an extension of its domestic policy by other means. Washington is preparing to launch a war against Venezuela, even as the Trump administration proclaims its war against US cities and the enemy within. It has waged a pitiless police state operation against immigrant workers, including, paradoxically, stripping some 600,000 Venezuelans of Temporary Protection Status, a measure that is deeply unpopular in Venezuela. Meanwhile, it is seeking the deployment of US Army troops to major urban areas to suppress opposition.

Even as Trump justifies a military strike on Venezuela with his absurd claims of the Maduro government orchestrating the flow of migrants driven by Washingtons own brutal economic sanctions and of running drug cartels, so it will inevitably seize upon an armed conflict in South America as the pretext for demanding even greater police state powers within the US itself.



Washington is driven to seek by means of criminal violence solutions to intractable problems rooted in the contradictions of US and global capitalism. There is an appearance of lunacy in the war aims of US imperialism in Latin America. It cannot reverse the rise of China as South Americas premier trading partner with bombs and missiles, outside of an all-out world war. But that, along with drive toward fascist dictatorship, is the road upon which it is marching.

US armed aggression against Venezuela will set a flame to a social and political powder keg in Latin America, while arousing the deep-seated opposition in the US to militarism and the inevitable social attacks that will accompany another US war.

War cannot be stopped by relying on the supposed opposition to Trump of the Democratic Party. It was the Obama administration that first declared a state of national emergency in 2015, branding Venezuela an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. Laying the foundation for the crippling sanctions aimed at starving Venezuela into submission and unending regime-change operations, the decree was renewed by both the Trump and the Biden administrations. Whatever differences the Democrats have with Trump, largely centered on their demand for a more bellicose policy toward Russia, they above all fear a mass revolt from below.

At the same time, the Maduro government, representing the interests of sections of the Venezuelan bourgeoisie and foreign capital, is incapable of making any genuine anti-imperialist appeal to the working class and the oppressed masses of Venezuela and the Americas.

Workers on both sides of the Rio Grande must grasp the reality that they are the real target of imperialism and must join hands across national borders in a unified struggle against imperialist war and to put an end to the capitalist system which is its source.




Donald Trump and child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein laugh and joke at a party in 1992. [Photo: NBC News]

A new tranche of more than 20,000 emails obtained from the Jeffrey Epstein estate has further exposed the deep integration of Epstein, a convicted sex trafficker, into the highest levels of the American and international bourgeoisie long after his 2008 conviction.

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released three emails, which the New York Times prominently reported on Wednesday morning, substantiating Trumps links to Epstein. The emails prove that Epstein trafficked women in proximity to and with Trump, and that the media, financial and political establishment worked to suppress this information for years.

The most extraordinary of the initial batch of emails released on Tuesday by House Democrats is an April 2, 2011 exchange between Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Epstein wrote:

i want you to realize that the dog that hasnt barked is trump.. [VICTIM] spent hours at my house with him ,, he has never once been mentioned. police chief. etc. im 75 % there

Maxwell replied only hours later: I have been thinking about that

An April 2011 email between Epstein and Maxwell discussing Trump being present with a trafficking victim at his house for "hours."

The email directly contradicts Maxwells claims to Assistant Attorney General Todd Blanche over the summer that Trump was a perfect gentleman and never around the girls. It shows Epstein explicitly reminding Maxwell that Trump had spent hours with a trafficking victim at his residence, believed to be Virginia Giuffre, and that this fact, the dog that hasnt barked, had never been publicly exposed.

Also released were December 2015 emails between Epstein and writer Michael Wolff. The emails show Wolff acting as a political adviser to Epstein, warning him that CNN planned to confront Trump on air or in scrum afterwards about his relationship with Epstein during an upcoming debate. Wolff advised Epstein on how to frame Trump, telling him to let him hang himself if Trump lied, because such an exchange could benefit Epstein politically or, if Trump looked poised to win, provide leverage later.

A third email, dated January 31, 2019, shows Epstein writing to Wolff that he was never a member ever of Mar-a-Lago, despite Trump publicly claiming he expelled Epstein. Epstein added that of course he knew about the girls as he asked ghislaine to stop.

In a panicked attempt to shield Trump, Republicans on the House Oversight Committee responded to the initial Democratic leak by releasing a massive batch of emails, images and documents from the Epstein estate. This had the opposite effect as it provided further proof that Epstein remained in close and constant contact with powerful figures in media, finance, government, academia and foreign policy after serving his work-release sentence in 2009. The emails confirm a criminal ruling class deeply intertwined with Epstein and fully aware of his conduct.

Dozens of emails show Epstein corresponding with New York Times financial reporter Landon Thomas Jr. in the period before Epsteins arrest and death in a federal jail in 2019. Epstein repeatedly offered the Times reporter damaging information about Trump, including knowledge of Trumps behavior with young women at Epsteins properties. Epstein even wrote of having photographic evidence. Yet none of this ever appeared in the Times.

One December 2015 email from Epstein to Thomas recounts Epsteins houseman witnessing Trump almost walking through the door leaving his nose print on the glass as young women were swimming in the pool and he was so focused he walked straight into the door. Another shows Epstein offering: would you like photos of donald and girls in bikinis in my kitchen. Thomas replied Yes!!!

Epstein replied with the name laruen petrella and what appears to be a redacted link to a photo. He also replied with a hyperlink to Celina Midelfart, daughter of a wealthy Norwegian family. In the 1990s, Midelfart dated both Trump and Epstein. Referring to Midelfart in the email, Epstein wrote, my 20 year old girlfriend in 93, , that after two years I gave to donald.

Epstein also maintained a relationship with billionaire Thomas Barrack, recently appointed by Trump as US ambassador to Turkey. In a March 9, 2016 message, Barrack wrote to the convicted sex trafficker, Hope ur good. Lets catch up. Epstein responded: send photos of you and child. make me smile.

A large set of emails reveals Epsteins steady correspondence with Lawrence Summers, former Treasury Secretary, former Harvard president, and one of the most influential figures in international finance. Summers sought dating advice from Epstein in 2017, 2018, and 2019. In one exchange Summers described Trump as worlds luckiest guy. In another, Epstein counseled him on how to manage a romantic dispute, telling Summers ignore the daddy im going to go out with the motorcycle guy, you reacted well ... annoyed shows caring.

Further emails confirm Epsteins communications with fascist Steve Bannon. In September 2018 Epstein advised Bannon that the attorneys for Trumps Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh should accuse Christine Blasey Ford of being on medications that cause false memories. On June 3, 2019 Epstein wrote Bannon: prince andrew and trump today. tooo funny. recall prince andrews accuser came out of mara lago. Bannon replied: Cant believe nobody is making u the connective tissue.

Email exchange between Epstein and Steve Bannon in which Bannon remarks he "Can't believe nobody is making [you] the connective tissue," between Trump and former Prince Andrew, now Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

It is known from earlier reporting that Bannon feared Epstein might expose Trump and his relationship during the 2016 election.

These revelations land at a volatile moment in Congress. The House has returned to session and Arizona Democrat Adelita Grijalva was finally sworn in, seven weeks after her election. House Speaker Mike Johnson used the shutdown as a pretext to delay the swearing-in, thus blocking Grijalva from signing a bipartisan discharge petition to force the release of Epstein files.

Over the last 48 hours the Trump administration has directly pressured Republicans to withdraw their signatures from the discharge petition. Trump personally called Colorado Representative Lauren Boebert, while Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel confronted Representative Nancy Mace the following day.

Neither backed down and with Grijalvas signature, the Republican sponsor of the petition, Republican Thomas Massie of Kentucky, announced he has the signatures required for the disclosure bill to reach the House floor. It is expected to pass with bipartisan support.

Even then the ruling class has built in escape hatches. The Senate must approve the measure, and the final release of documents would require the signature of Donald Trump, the man whose links to Epstein were described by the convicted sex trafficker as the dog that hasnt barked.

At the same time, Ghislaine Maxwell is seeking a commutation from Trump. A whistleblower recently revealed that Maxwell is already receiving concierge-style treatment in federal custody after she was moved to a minimum security prison for women in Bryan, Texas. She is allowed customized meals, private after-hours access to the exercise yard, and even personal time with a puppy at the prison camp. She enjoys computer access denied to other inmates, many convicted of far lesser crimes. One prison official complained that he was tired of being Maxwells bitch.

The American ruling class presides over a justice system built not on law but on class privilege. The Epstein files give a glimpse of a degenerate elite that trafficked children and young women, protected abusers, suppressed evidence, manipulated the press and now openly blocks efforts to uncover the truth.

More revelations from the emails will surface in the coming days. What has emerged so far already indicts the entire financial aristocracy and its political and media servants.
New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani arrives at a protest against the indictment of New York Attorney General Letitia James, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, in New York. [AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura]

New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announced Tuesday the first appointments of his incoming administration, including Dean Fuleihan, a Democratic Party insider, as his first deputy mayor. The unusually early appointmentjust a week after Mamdanis election victoryof the long-time operative sends a clear signal that his incoming administration will operate well within the limits acceptable to the political establishment.

Fuleihan, who is 74 years old, has been involved in Democratic politics in New York for five decades. Most recently, he was appointed by Governor Kathy Hochul to the New York Financial Control Board, which was created amid the citys near bankruptcy in 1975 to enforce budgetary discipline on behalf of finance capital.

Mamdani tapped Fuleihan to return to the role he held from 2018 to 2021 under Mayor Bill de Blasio. Prior to that, Fuleihan was de Blasios budget director, where he was responsible for negotiating contracts with the citys 300,000-strong municipal workforce.

Fuleihan worked with the union bureaucrats to set pattern contracts with around two percent annual wage increases, together with cuts to benefits, including setting the stage for the privatization of health care for city retirees. Resolving these contractsall of which had been expired for yearson terms advantageous to the city without provoking mass worker resistance was one of the principal tasks facing the de Blasio administration.

Fuleihan has also held several positions in the state Assembly, rising to become the right-hand man of former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. Silver was the embodiment of the Democratic Party establishment in Albany, a capitalist power broker known as one of the three men in a room (alongside the governor and State Senate Majority Leader) who controlled state government. Ultimately, Silver died in prison in 2022, while serving a six-and-a-half-year term for taking $4 million in bribes.

Speaking of Fuleihan to City and State, Kathy Wylde, the CEO of the business association Partnership for New York City, quipped, He knows where all the bodies are buried. Lets put it that way.

Mamdanis appointment of Fuleihan drew praise from other quarters as well, including US Representative from the Bronx Ritchie Torres, an outspoken defender of Israels genocide in Gaza. Torres was a bitter opponent of Mamdani in the primary. He called Mamdanis Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), despicable, detestable, disgraceful, and disgraced.

On Monday, Torres posted on X, There are few people on earth who know the workings of city and state government as deeply as Dean Fuleihan, who has served as the First Deputy Mayor of NYC, the Director of NYC OMB, the chief fiscal advisor to the Assembly Speaker, and a seasoned negotiator on the state budget. An exceptional appointment in more ways than one.

Governor Hochul added her support for the appointment as well, writing that Fuleihans experience and integrity will be invaluable in this role. A great choice and a win for New Yorkers.

Alongside the appointment of Fuleihan, Mamdani announced that Elle Bisgaard-Church, his chief of staff while he was a State Assemblyman, will continue in that role when Mamdani is sworn in as mayor. Bisgaard-Church headed up Mamdanis mayoral campaign. Like the mayor-elect, she is a member of the DSA in New York City.

This weeks appointments follow Mamdanis announcement last week of his transition team, which will, among other things, make recommendations for candidates to fill the remaining posts of the incoming administration.

The five women who make up this team are notable for their continuity with previous mayoral administrations. They served not under not only de Blasio but also the outgoing administration of Eric Adams, the corrupt former cop and Trump ally, as well as the billionaire Michael Bloomberg, who bankrolled Andrew Cuomos failed mayoral bid.

One member of Mamdanis transition team, Lina Khan, who previously served on Bidens Federal Trade Commission, was praised last year by Trumps Vice President JD Vance.

In the closing week of the campaign, Mamdani announced that he supported retaining Jessica Tisch as the head of the NYPD, meeting one of the key demands of New Yorks business elite. Tisch has not said whether she will accept the offer to stay on.

By staffing his administration with Democratic Party operatives acceptable to the citys corporate and financial leaders, Mamdani is underscoring that his incoming administration is not aimed at breaking the stranglehold of the ruling oligarchy, but instead working with them to contain opposition.

The situation facing broad masses of workers in New York City, as elsewhere around the country, is explosive. Social conditions are characterized above all by a deepening social crisis in which the cost of housing, food, transportation, and other necessities is increasingly out of reach. At the same time, the level of wealth of the top layers on Wall Street and in corporate suites is obscene.

Mamdani attracted the largest number of votes in over 50 years, based on his appeal to rein in higher prices and thus deal with the affordability crisis. The broad popular discontent behind Mamdanis election is what has fueled the vicious attacks on the mayor-elect from the Trump administration.

What those who voted for Mamdani are getting, however, is misdirection, a fresh face that rhetorically speaks to workers concerns while behind the scenes preparing an administration staffed by those with a long history of serving the ruling class.

Mamdanis appointment of Fuleihan is a demonstration that the new mayor will abide by the dictates of the ruling class. His promises of free childcare, free buses and a rent freeze are contingent upon whatever they are willing to accept. He is speaking to the oligarchs to reassure them, not to mobilize a struggle against them.

Speaking to reporters at a New York Democratic Party conference in Puerto Rico Saturday, Governor Hochul ruled out one of Mamdanis key planks, free buses. I cannot set forth a plan right now that takes money out of a system that relies on the fares of the buses and the subways, she said. But can we find a path to make it more affordable for people who need help? Of course we can.

Mamdani, meanwhile, at the same conference, stressed his desire for unity with Hochul and the rest of the Democratic Party machine. Together in this room, on this stage, I feel something that has felt all too rare in our politics: a united front, he said, transforming the historical meaning of the united front as an alliance of the working class against capitalist barbarism into its opposite, the subordination of the struggle of workers to the oldest capitalist party in the US.
We encourage all postal workers to contact the Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee at canadapostworkersrfc@gmail.com or by filling out the form at the end of this article.

A Canada Post worker walks to his truck in Richmond, British Columbia [AP Photo/Ted S. Warren]

With Canada Post and the federal Liberal government moving rapidly to implement their plans to dramatically downsize the post office, postal workers are at a pivotal point in their year-long struggle to defend their jobs and working conditions and protect a foundational public service.

At the beginning of the week, Canada Post announced it had submitted its restructuring plan to the federal government, meeting the 45-day deadline set out in September by Liberal Minister of Government Transformation Joel Lightbound.

The corporations statement was deliberately vague, confirming only that the plan had been delivered and that details would remain secret until Ottawa gives its approval. CEO Doug Ettinger declared that, Canadians deserve a postal service that is strong, stable and focused on meeting their changing needs, and we are focused on delivering that.

In other words, tens of thousands of postal workers are being kept in the dark about the future of their jobs and livelihoods, while management and the government implement the plans they have already agreed on behind closed doors. These plans include scrapping daily and home mail-delivery, closing hundreds of rural and suburban post offices, eliminating tens of thousands of full-time jobs, and increasing the workloads of those who remain through AI-driven dynamic routing.

Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) chief negotiator Jim Gallant complained to CTV News that Canada Post is keeping its plans close to the vest, an understatement that captures both the surreal character of what are being called contract negotiations and the unions complicity.

The talks between Canada Post management and CUPW are a fraud and a smokescreen. Liberal government ministers hypocritically declare their support for a collective bargaining process they have repeatedly tried to short-circuit, while working with management to gut the post office at the expense of postal workers and the public. Without the participation of the workers whose livelihoods are on the line, they are dictating a restructuring that will determine the essentials of any new collective agreement.

The attack on Canada Post and Carneys Canada Strong austerity and war agenda

The Liberal government-directed shrinking of Canada Post is inseparable from the austerity and militarist agenda codified in banker Prime Minister Mark Carneys recently tabled Canada Strong federal budget. Presented as an investment and rebalancing plan to strengthen the nation, the budget is a blueprint for funneling public resources into the military, corporate tax incentives, big business subsidies and the expansion of Canadas military-industrial complex through massive cuts to public services and the elimination of tens of thousands of public-sector jobs.

Canada Post has been chosen as a test case to demonstrate Ottawas willingness to impose tough decisions at the expense of the working class and to set a precedent for the dismantling of other public services and agencies. By targeting postal workersa section of the workforce with a long record of militancythe government aims to send an unmistakable signal that no public service and no collective agreement will stand in the way of its drive for fiscal sustainability and global competitiveness.

The assault on Canada Post thus goes far beyond the corporation itself. It is part of a coordinated campaign by the Carney government and the financial eliteseizing on the opportunity presented by the economic turmoil triggered by US President Donald Trumps trade warto implement a long desired restructuring of class relations, eviscerate the right to strike and impose a new social order in which democratic and workers rights are subordinated entirely to the interests of capital and the preparation for imperialist war.

The record of CUPWs betrayals and complicity

The union leadership responded to Canada Posts latest offer by doubling down on its insistence that the postal service be run as a profit-making concern at workers expense. The CUPW statement enthused financial self sustainability within reach, hailing the recent increase in stamp rates as providing a basis for the Crown corporation to break even.

The statement also noted how Canada Post had submitted its restructuring plan to the government within the 45-day limit set down by Minister of Transformation Joel Lightbound September 25. CUPW declared, At the time of writing, Canada Post said it will continue to work with the Government [and] share the plan once it is finalized and endorsed. Canadians deserve a say in this plan before it is finalized. Once again, the real ownersthe publicare being cut out of the process. The Union has also not seen or heard of any details of Canada Posts plan.

Nobody, least of all Canada Post workers, should take this feigned outrage for good coin. After all, it was Lightbounds September 25 announcement that triggered the spontaneous walkout by postal workers, forcing the recalcitrant union bureaucracy to call a national strike. Rank-and-file workers clearly had an understanding at that point of how Lightbound was conniving behind the scenes with Canada Post management, and were ready to fight to halt the dismantling of the postal service. It is worth recalling that Lightbounds statement was accompanied by a September 25 directive lifting the moratorium on rural and suburban post-office closures and authorizing community-mailbox conversions, giving a green light for mass job cuts and the gutting of public services.

However, the strike was sabotaged by the CUPW leadership, which unilaterally transformed it into toothless rotating strikes that exclude most major urban areas. At the same time, CUPW resumed talks with Canada Post, full in the knowledge that they were cooperating with the central banker Carneys government to inflict a devastating defeat on postal workers. Now, after declarations about their effort to find common ground with the job-cutters-in-chief, they want to persuade workers of their shock and surprise at not being kept updated on the details of how the Carney government and Canada Post plan to eliminate tens of thousands of jobs.

The union apparatuss stand on the side of the bosses and government ministers is clear. For over a year, the CUPW leadership has systematically demobilized and isolated postal workers and opposed any broader mobilization of the working class to defend public services and the right to strike. It dragged its feet on calling a strike last year and refused to prepare for defiance of a government back-to-work order after the strike finally began in November 2024. When the Trudeau Liberal government outlawed the national walkout last December, CUPW helped enforce compliance and hailed the governments Industrial Inquiry Commission (IIC) as an opportunity for our voices to be heard.

The commission, headed by William Kaplan, a seasoned mediator and arbitrator trusted by the government and big business, predictably produced a restructuring blueprint that was copied and pasted from managements demands for slashing jobs, using new technologies to intensify exploitation and converting full-time positions into casual and part-time work. After the strike ban unilaterally imposed by the government expired in May, CUPW spent June and July begging the government to enforce binding arbitration and refusing to act on workers strike mandate.

Canada Posts plan is designed to make the corporation profitable by destroying tens of thousands of positions, including through the implementation of AI technology, and turning those who remain into Amazonified gig-style labourers moving an increasing volume of parcels for private corporations at poverty wages. The working class is being told to accept these sacrifices so that the state can divert billions to corporate subsidies, tax cuts for the wealthy, and the rearmament of Canadian imperialism to prepare for war, above all against Russia and China.

For a new strategy: Build rank-and-file committees to fight the assault!

Postal workers, like teachers in Alberta, transit workers in Montreal and Air Canada flight attendants, confront government-led assaults to impose the full cost of the capitalist crisis on working people. Every step of this process has been facilitated by a nationalist, pro-capitalist trade-union bureaucracy, which enjoys extensive corporatist ties to the state and big business.

CUPWs bankrupt appeals to the Liberals to listen or to consider the workers perspective only serve to buy time for the government to implement its plans. The bureaucrats real fear is not that the government will go too far, but that workers will begin to act independently of their control.

There is a way forward. The conditions exist for postal workers to unite their struggle with the broader movement developing in the working class across Canada and internationally in opposition to austerity and war. To do that, they must take the initiative out of the hands of CUPW and build rank-and-file committees in every sorting plant, depot and station. These committees must demand the immediate publication of the full transformation plan and all annexes, refuse any agreement that cuts jobs or undermines service and coordinate nationally through the Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee. They must reach out to workers in logistics, transportation and the public sector who face the same attacks and are ready to fight.

As the Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee (PWRFC) outlined in August after workers overwhelmingly rejected a sellout in a government-forced vote, Our strike must become the launching pad for a renewed fight based on an entirely new strategy  against capitalist austerity and war.

This strategy requires the unification of workers struggles across Canada and internationally. In all of the major countries of Europe and North America, postal and logistics workers are under sustained attack. This is one front on a sweeping onslaught by the financial oligarchy against worker rights, public services, and social spending. To prepare the mass mobilization of the working class in a counteroffensive for decent-paying, secure jobs for all, workers control over production and the use of new technologies like AI, and the expropriation of the oligarchs ill-gotten billions, the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committee (IWA-RFC) is holding an online meeting this Sunday. We urge all Canada Post workers looking for a way forward in their struggle against management, the Carney government, and the union bureaucrats to make plans to attend.
Today, there is no levy on packages worth less than 150 euros ($174) imported directly to consumers in the EU (Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV)

EU states on Thursday agreed to scrap a bloc-wide duty exemption on low-value orders from the likes of retail giants Temu and Shein to help tackle a flood of cheap Chinese imports.

Currently there is no levy on packages worth less than 150 euros ($174) imported directly to consumers in the 27-nation bloc, in many cases via Chinese-founded platforms.

Last year, 4.6 billion such small packages entered the EU -- more than 145 per second -- with 91 percent originating in China. The EU expects the numbers to rise.

Member states, including France, and the EU executive hope the duty exemption can be done away with from the start of next year, rather than 2028.

They will now work on "a simple, temporary solution to enable earlier implementation as soon as possible", an EU official said.

European retailers say they face unfair competition from overseas platforms, such as AliExpress, Shein and Temu, which they claim do not often comply with the EU's stringent rules on products.

"Reaching a political agreement... sends a strong signal that Europe is serious about fair competition and about defending the interests of its businesses," EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic said after the agreement.

"Europe must be able to protect its borders effectively and uphold fair competition," he added.

The move comes as the EU strives to bolster the continent's competitiveness by making the lives of European businesses easier through slashing red tape.

- France hails 'key step' -

France is especially worried since around 800 million such packages were shipped to France alone last year.

French Finance Minister Roland Lescure welcomed the decision, saying Paris's efforts to reach an agreement had "paid off".

"This is a key step for the protection of European consumers and the internal market to fight more effectively to prevent dangerous products and those that do not comply with our European regulations entering," Lescure told AFP.

"We have taken a major step for the economic sovereignty of the European Union," the minister added.

Alongside the move agreed on Thursday, the EU executive in May proposed a small package handling fee worth two euros.

EU member states have yet to agree on the fee's level, but hope it will apply from late 2026.

Fed up with waiting, some states have already moved forward with their own plans, including Romania, which has imposed a five-euro fee on small parcels.

raz/del/sbk
A chilling new directive issued by the U.S. Department of State has ordered visa officers to consider whether applicants seeking to live permanently in the United States might become a public charge based on their health conditions. The cable represents a sweeping and reactionary development of US immigration policy, one that evokes the darkest traditions of eugenics and state-sanctioned discrimination.

You must consider an applicants health, the directive reads. Certain medical conditionsincluding, but not limited to, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, cancers, diabetes, metabolic diseases, neurological diseases, and mental health conditionscan require hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of care. All of these can require expensive, long-term care.

Under the new guidance, consular officers are instructed to ask whether a visa applicant has adequate financial resources to cover the costs of such care over his entire expected lifespan without seeking public cash assistance or long-term institutionalization at government expense.

The policy even extends to the applicants dependents whose medical or disability status may be used to judge the applicants admissibility. Officers are told to consider whether the applicant might be unable to maintain employment due to caring for sick or disabled family members.

Immigrant children at a detention center in McAllen Texas, June 2019. [Photo: Office of the Inspector General]

The directive is a declaration that illness, disability, or the mere possibility of future illness can be grounds for exclusion from the United States. It empowers visa officers (state functionaries, not doctors) to speculate on medical costs, employability and longevity, transforming routine health conditions into markers of social unworthiness.

Among the conditions singled out for scrutiny is obesity, not only as a medical diagnosis, but as a risk factor for diseases such as asthma, sleep apnea and hypertension. The deliberate inclusion of weight, mental health and chronic disease as contributing factors in public charge determinations marks a profound political and cultural regression.

The State Departments cable represents a modern revival of the 20th century eugenics doctrines that once shaped US immigration and public health policy and reached their most murderous form in Nazi Germany. By linking health status to immigration eligibility, it resurrects the pseudo-scientific belief that society must be protected from those deemed unfit or burdensome, a logic that historically justified sterilization, institutionalization and mass murder.

This doctrine has deep roots in US law. The Immigration Acts of 1917 and 1924 codified the exclusion of those labeled defective or likely to become a public charge, categories that encompassed physical disability, mental illness and poverty itself. These measures were championed by leading American eugenicists such as Harry Laughlin, whose work directly influenced Nazi racial policy.

The 1927 Supreme Court decision Buck v. Bell sanctioned the forced sterilization of tens of thousands of working class and disabled people under the pretext of protecting the public welfare. The same ideological framework (medicalized exclusion justified by fiscal or biological fitness) underlies todays visa guidance, revealing the continuity between century-old anti-scientific and racialist conceptions and the modern-day capitalist assault on immigrants and the poor.

In 1933, Hitlers regime enacted the Law for the Prevention of Hereditarily Diseased Offspring, mandating the forced sterilization of people with conditions like epilepsy or schizophrenia; roughly 360,000 were sterilized by 1939. This evolved into the Aktion T4 program, which systematically murdered about 250,000 disabled adults and children between 1939 and 1945, victims killed by gas, starvation or injection in hospitals that prefigured the death camps. Doctors and administrators gave these atrocities a bureaucratic medical facade.

While the current US policy is not comparable in scale or outcome, it is rooted in the same dehumanizing principle that society must be shielded from those who might impose an economic or medical burden. Beneath its administrative language, it marks the reemergence of eugenic ideology in US immigration policy.

This is the brutal logic of American capitalism, which places a dollar value on everything, including healthcare and human life itself. Despite trillions spent annually, tens of millions remain uninsured, and medical debt drives countless bankruptcies. In such a society, health becomes a privilege of class, while illness signifies social inferiority.

By extending this logic to immigration, the State Department codifies market values into law: only the healthy, wealthy and productive deserve entry. Those whose lives might entail medical costs or require care and support are excluded.

An attorney told KFF Health News, Taking into consideration ones diabetic or heart health historythats quite expansive. Another warned the directive violates the State Departments own Foreign Affairs Manual, which forbids rejections based on hypothetical future scenarios. Yet speculation about future illness is now central to decisions.

This marks a decisive break from even minimal humanitarian norms. It turns illness into guilt, where medical need means crime and vulnerability is grounds for exile.

The directive is part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration. Under the banner of public charge, officials aim to deter not only undocumented but all immigration by redefining dependency to include potential use of public resources, from healthcare to food assistance.

This same administration has waged war on the working class: mass federal layoffs, cuts to SNAP and housing, and attacks on science and public research. ICE agents and National Guard troops have been deployed in major cities against immigrants, turning communities into militarized zones of fear.

Trump and his fascistic allies promote social Darwinism, where the strong thrive and the weak perish. The poor, sick and elderly are cast as drains on public resources, not victims of inequality.

The new visa guidance fits this reactionary agenda: a society ruled by profit and national chauvinism, where only those deemed fit or economically useful are permitted to live and work. The companion side of this policy is war and genocide abroad.

The Democratic Party and the trade unions, meanwhile, have responded to this latest assault with silence. Not a single leading Democrat has raised a serious objection to the State Departments directive. This silence reflects the partys own complicity in the bipartisan assault on immigrants and the working class.

Under the Biden administration, the machinery of deportation and detention expanded. Now, as Trump reasserts his far-right agenda, the Democrats offer no resistance. They are bound to the same capitalist system that breeds inequality, militarism, and repression.

The trade unions, integrated into the corporate and political establishment, have likewise refused to defend immigrants or oppose the attacks on social programs. Their role is to police the working class, not to mobilize it.

The targeting of immigrants with chronic illnesses or disabilities is an assault on the entire working class. The ruling class tests its most reactionary measures on the most vulnerable (immigrants, the poor, the sick) before imposing them on all workers.

The logic of exclusion and disposability will not stop at the border. It reflects a capitalist class preparing for mass impoverishment, intensified class conflict and war. Just as Nazi Germanys euthanasia programs paved the way for genocide, the Trump administrations embrace of eugenics foreshadows new forms of social brutality.

History warns where such devaluation of human life leads. What begins as administrative exclusion ends in extermination. The State Departments directive is not an isolated policy but a symptom of a decaying social order that treats health as a commodity and life as expendable. It marks the return of eugenics in the guise of fiscal prudence and national interest.

It must be opposed with all the strength of the working class. No faith can be placed in the Democrats, the courts or the unions. The defense of the sick, the poor and the immigrant is the defense of humanity itself. Only through socialist reorganization of society, based on human need, not profit, can the nightmare of eugenics and inequality be overcome.
The Life Sciences Institute on the central campus of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan [Photo by Michael Barera / CC BY-SA 4.0

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on November 5 that three more Chinese postdoctoral researchers at the University of Michigan (U-Mich) have been arrested, charged with federal crimes and imprisoned. The arrests mark an escalation of the bipartisan campaign to whip up anti-Chinese hysteria and an expansion of the Trump administrations fascist attacks on scientific inquiry and democratic rights.

The three researchersXu Bai, Fengfan Zhang, and Zhiyong Zhangwere all working at the X.Z. Shawn Xu Lab at U-Mich in the Life Sciences Institute, which focuses on animal sensory biology in roundworms and mice. All three have been charged with smuggling biological materials into the US, and Zhiyong Zhang has been additionally charged with making false statements to federal agents. These charges carry penalties of up to 25 years in prison.

The three researchers are victims of a frame-up. The arrests are part of a campaign by the Justice Department and FBI to witch-hunt and de-humanize the more than 270,000 Chinese students in the US and lay the groundwork for war against China.

The arrests came just five weeks after another Chinese researcher from the same U-Mich lab, Chengxuan Han, was released from prison, deported and banned from reentry to the US.

Han was detained by Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents on June 8 while trying to enter the US at Detroit Metropolitan Airport to begin a post-doctoral year of research. Han was questioned for six hours without being informed of her Miranda rights. She was denied legal representation despite her repeated requests for a lawyer.

She was charged by the DOJ with smuggling dangerous materials to the U-Mich lab from China and imprisoned. In fact, what Han sent was harmless, common biological material  lab petri dishes containing C. elegans nematodes (roundworms) and paper material containing DNA plasmids.

After a coerced plea deal, Han was sentenced only to time servedthree months in federal prison. US District Judge Matthew Leitman, speaking from the bench, made clear that DOJ and FBI claims of bioterrorism had nothing to do with reality. He said, This is not a case of smuggling in some sort of virus or a crop-destroying something or other From what I can tell, this material was not a threat at all. He made clear that the fabricated case had likely irreparably damaged Hans scientific career. Han was immediately deported to China after her release.

Another U-Mich postdoctoral biologist from China, Yunqing Jian, was arrested on June 2 and faces similar charges to those levied against Han. She has been imprisoned on the basis of the sensationalized claim that she was attempting to commit agroterrorism by transporting a common fungal pathogen, fusarium graminearum.

Top Trump administration officials such as Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins have attacked Han and Jian and linked them to agroterrorism.

As reported by the WSWS, Jian has endured state coercion while in prison. She has a hearing on November 13, where she will likely be given the choice of pleading guilty or no contest or remaining in jail while awaiting a trial where she faces the prospect of decades in prison.

The sentencing and removal of Han set the template for future political persecution, including the cases of Bai, F. Zhang and Z. Zhang.

Key to these attacks is the complicity of the U-Mich administration, which has not issued any public statement on the latest arrests. According to the DOJ complaint, in the aftermath of Hans removal, U-Mich opened an internal investigation into the Shawn Xu Laboratory. The university has not made public any information about this investigation, including the extent of DOJ and FBI involvement.

At the time of the Jian and Han arrests in June, the U-Mich administration immediately solidarized itself with the actions of the DOJ and FBI, denouncing any actions that seek to cause harm or threaten national security, and pledging continued cooperation with law enforcement. Not only did the university administration do nothing to defend Han and Jian from an obvious frame-up, it used Hans coerced no contest of the charges to open the investigation that led to Bai, F. Zhang and Z. Zhang being pursued and arrested by the same fascistic arms of the state.

All three researchers were scientific collaborators with Han at the Shawn Xu Lab at the University of Michigan and doctoral students at the Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, China. Their research at the Shawn Xu Lab focuses on sensory transduction, sensory processing, and sensory regulation in C. elegans nematodes, also known as roundworms.

While at U-Mich Bai, F. Zhang and Z. Zhang all received packages of roundworms and plasma from Han at different points over several years. At least one of these packages was seized by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) after Han was detained. The packages contained C. elegans petri dishes and plasmid DNA paper samples, without being correctly labeled as such.

The criminal complaint states that the three researchers, on the advice of their lawyer, did not take part in the university investigation.

In response, the university terminated all three on October 8 and removed their Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records. SEVIS is a tracking system maintained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of all nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors. The termination immediately put all three researchers at risk of apprehension. Criminal detention will also potentially compromise their J-1 visas and provide a legal pretext for their deportation.

On October 10, federal agents visited their homes on campus but could not locate the researchers. All three then attempted to leave the country, with the assistance of their lawyer, purchasing flights back to China. On attempting to leave from JFK airport in New York City on October 16, they were detained and interrogated.

Jerome Gorgon, US Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, told the press, At some point, pattern becomes practice. And, apparently, these three men are part of a long and alarming pattern of criminal activities committed by Chinese Nationals under the cover of the University of Michigan. This is a threat to our collective security.

The frame-up and jailing of Yunqing Jian, Xu Bai, Fengfan Zhang, and Zhiyong Zhang must be opposed by all students and workers. It is an attack on the democratic rights of the entire population. It is, in particular, part of the drive to silence opposition to war, genocide and the rights of immigrants on college campuses.

The only organization at U-Mich that has waged a political struggle in defense of Han, Jian and all Chinese researchers is the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE), the youth and student movement of the Socialist Equality Party. The IYSSE has demanded the immediate and unconditional dropping of all charges and denounced the cases as politically motivated frame-ups designed to fuel the bipartisan US war drive against China and impose Trumps fascistic, war-mongering ideology on college campuses.
On Wednesday, November 5, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) kidnapped over a dozen people in Lane County, Oregon, which includes Eugene, the states second-largest city. The terror operation was carried out in broad daylight by unidentified and masked ICE agents in unmarked vehicles with civilian plates.



The tactics and naked brutality of the kidnappings are a continuation of the Trump administrations campaign targeting immigrant workers around the country. They expand upon the attacks already being carried out in major cities, such as last month in Chicago, where ICE gestapo violently raided a flea market, and in Los Angeles, where a TikTok ICE whistleblower was shot and then arrested.



In Cottage Grove, which has a large Guatemalan population, at least eight people were detained, including one woman who was thrown to the ground in the middle of the street by six ICE agents.

ICE agents in Eugene, Oregon, apprehending people near a school bus stop, where children were present. [Photo: Wayde Love]

In a video from lookouteugene-springfield taken by a local organizer, the woman is seen pinned to the ground, crying out while the agents assault her. She was later taken to a local hospital for treatment and then released. According to the organizer, the woman is a legal permanent resident.



Off of Norkenzie Road in Eugene, two men who worked as landscapers were torn from their work vehicle by masked ICE agents. A local resident, who wished to remain anonymous for his safety, described the attack: Three to four vehicles forced a landscaping crew off the road, jumped out, broke the windows, got the guys out in the street. People were honking and yelling.

He added, Trump said he was just going to go after the criminals; I dont think these guys were criminals, Ive seen them in the neighborhood for quite some time. Theyre just working guys like everybody else.

During the assault, one of the masked agents mockingly waved and blew kisses at the crowd that had gathered in response to the attack.

A family member of one of the kidnapped men stated to the Register Guard, Its like were being hunted. We saw the news about what was happening in Portland, in Salem, but we didnt think it would happen to us here. You never think its going to happen to you.

There were multiple reports of ICE in unmarked vehicles pulling over primarily Hispanic individuals around the city, as well as unconfirmed reports of such a raid occurring outside of a local high school. Agents also allegedly blocked off the Delta/Beltline Highway junction, operating an ad hoc checkpoint, which caused delays and unsafe traffic conditions.

A spokesperson for Trans Alliance of Lane County, Elliot Harwell, stated:

ICE has arrived here, and the scenes that we have seen in Chicago are coming here to Eugene and to Springfield and to Cottage Grove. People need to be prepared to see their community members being taken away and disappeared, and they need to be prepared to fight that to the best of their abilities.

In an email response to a request for more information from local news station KLCC, Chrissy Cuttita, a public affairs officer for ICE, said only, ICE is busy conducting routine law enforcement operations across the nation on a daily basis.

A joint statement from Representative Val Hoyle, Senator Ron Wyden and other state and local Democrats declared, We are working together with community leaders and local law enforcement to learn more and ensure that all of our constituents are accounted for. Every Oregonian and every person in the United States, regardless of immigration status, is entitled to the full protections guaranteed by the Constitution. We will use all tools at our disposal as representatives of this community to ensure that those protections are upheld for the individuals detained today and for any Oregonian subjected to unjust or unlawful enforcement actions by ICE.

The statement is a farce, meant to provide political cover for the Democrats complicity in the ongoing onslaught against immigrants. It disarms workers to the danger they face, by sowing illusions that Oregons status as a sanctuary state and the rule of law will shield them from the fascistic assaults of ICE. It is an attempt to present the Democratic Party as a progressive or radical alternative in order to channel genuine opposition to Trumps fascistic policies back into the straitjacket of the two big business parties.

The brazenness of these attacks, in which federal agents operate with no consideration for due process or constitutional rights, demonstrates the utter contempt of the Trump administration for the lives and livelihoods of workers around the country. Workers and young people feel entirely justified outrage at these police state assaults and disappearances of immigrants and US citizens alike, the deployment of military to US cities and the evisceration of democratic rights.

However, these attacks are not the product of Trump by himself. They arise from clear class interests. They are a continuation and escalation of a bipartisan campaign carried out by the ruling class against the entire working class. The attacks on workers democratic rights, their jobs, healthcare and even the basic human right to food are part of a wider campaign by the ruling oligarchs to extract more wealth at the expense of workers the world over.

The path forward for the working class to end the heinous attacks on immigrant and minority workers, to ensure democratic rights, to end the horrors of war and to provide for all aspects of human need, rather than private profit, is through a direct confrontation with the source of these illscapitalism.

As the only social force capable of this monumental task, the working class must unite internationally, organizing independently from bourgeois parties and politics. This can only be achieved with a clear program and perspective capable of defeating capitalism once and for all, an international socialist program. New organs of workers power, in the form of rank-and-file committees, united in solidarity through the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) must be formed in every workplace, school and neighborhood.
There is no online English-language repository of Yeghishe Charents work, and the majority of his writings are only available in Armenian or Russian. This article includes links to a document compiled by this writer with some of his poems, or selected stanzas, that are available in English.

Part I: 1917A lifesaving, life giving hurricane that washed our mountainous land like a running river in spring

Soviet Armenian poet, novelist, essayist and translator Yeghishe Charents is little known outside Armenia and the former USSR, and even in the latter, not universally. Despite his obscurity today, he was hailed during the Soviet era as a great artist. Born in 1897 and executed in 1937, his life spanned the decisive events of the 20th centurys first half. He was a revolutionist, a socialist and a master of the written form.

Yeghishe Charents Soviet period exact date unknown Source Wikipedia

Yeghishe Charents (born Yeghishe Soghomonyan) grew up in Kars, today a city in northeastern Turkey. For hundreds of years, the Ottoman and Russian empires fought for domination over the region. Once home to many Armenians, it was cleansed of this population during the 1915-1916 genocide and subsequent consolidation of Turkish control. Charents parentsmerchantshad migrated to Kars from an Armenian area in Azerbaijani Iran. In my soul the sun of Iran shone endless, Charents once wrote.[1]

Charents childhood was, in his own words, the greyest of greys.[2] In a 1930 poem, he relates an incident from his youth during which, having donned a new shirt, he is doused in urine by the landlords son from the balcony above. Hardship propelled him toward beauty. His first published poem, The Flowers Gently Bend, dates from 1911.[3] The shivering wind touches each upturned petal mouth to whisper of love in the distant west and south, Charents wrote at age 14.

Two years later, another work, I Conjure Up that Distant Past,[4] captures the poets developing, lustful style. Let there be no you nor me there but an immaterial pairtransformed, miracle again in the crucible called sun. The tenderness and want expressed here remained a feature of Charents lifes work.

In 1915, the 18-year-old Charents volunteered for the Armenian regiment fighting under the Russian flag in World War I and was sent into the Armenian city Van shortly after Turkish troops laid waste to it.

Out of this experience came the terrifying and devastating poem Dantesque Legend.[5] The 1915-1916 autobiographical work begins with the souls buoyant of young soldiers delighted by the glint of weapons to whom everything seemed innocent of finality or death as in a blue and childish dream. By the end, they have become dead men burying their consciences.

The following year, Charents wrote Atilla,[6] also a response to the imperialist powers mad dreams of world domination. In it, the barbarous Hun ruler comes back to life, rampages across the land, and declares that he is crushing the false hopes of all those who thought his reign over.

But while World War I was devastating for Charents, it did not eradicate his poetic tenderness, which shows itself in The Incandescent Girl,[7] from 1917, a love poem to a glowing madonna-eyed woman.

There are few details in English about the poets life from 1915-1917. Commentators agree, however, that World War I propelled Charents toward socialism. The 1917 Russian Revolution was, in his own words, a lifesaving, life giving hurricane that washed our mountainous land like a running river in spring.[8]

Charents supported the Bolsheviks seizure of power in October, joined the Communist Party in 1918, volunteered that same year for the Red Army, and served Soviet Russia in the civil war. In 1921[9], he was part of the Bolshevik force that put down an anti-communist uprising in Armenia, of which he wrote a year later, What happened in 1921, will nail my soul to the future.[10]

During the early 1920s, Charents moved between Petrograd (renamed Leningrad in 1924), Moscow, and Yerevan and began working for the Soviet Armenian state publishing house.

The late teens and early 20s in Soviet Russia were a harsh, demanding period. In a civil war that spanned the country, the revolutionary government fought off imperialist armies colluding with monarchist and pro-capitalist forces. Hunger was widespread. The state exercised full control over industry and requisitioned agricultural goods.

Charents correspondence from this period reveals a man pressed by material want and loneliness. But the revolutionary impulse of 1917 fortified him, as it did an entire generation of artists, who, despite immense difficulties and personal pressures, fought to grasp the revolution through art, and to train their focus on the future.

Vladimir Mayakovsky, Isaac Babel, Sergei Esenin, Osip Mandelstam, Boris Pilnyak, Boris Pasternak, Alexander Blok and Anna Akhmatova are some of the better-known names of those whose creative powers, despite their complex and shifting attitudes toward the revolution, were unleashed by October 1917. Charents, who often wrote in Armenian, was part of this generation, but his role and prominence were impacted by the fact that his poetry was not always in Russian.

His first book came out in Moscow in 1922. His poems dealt with the drama and hardship of the revolution, and paid tribute to it. They honored the workers of the world. Some reflected on his own story and the tortured experiences of Armenia. Others addressed what he thought to be the dead-end of earlier Armenian poets.

Corpses of Armenians rounded up for deportation 1915 Source Wikipedia

Charents wrote about grief, love, distance, desire, sex, poverty, rations, broken people raising their heads, Lenin, internationalism and more. His language was futuristic, defiant of previous styles, at times hymn-like, at times bawdy, angry and provocative, often highly personal.

Between 1918 and 1922, he penned Soma, Do You Remember, Charents-Nameh, Loveless Romance, I Love the Sun Sweet Taste of Armenia, and dozens of other works. His most famous poem of this era was The Frenzied Masses,[11] from 1918, which describes a Soviet battalion storming enemy-held ground. In this savage twilight of life and death, to the blazing soulsSalute! Salute! he writes.

Charents identified with the futurist movement and artistic currents grouped around Vladimir Mayakovsky and the journal LEF (Left Front of the Arts). In broad strokes, these layers advocated a break with the bourgeois art of the past and the construction of new aesthetics in order to realize and advance the proletarian revolution.

Charents was also hostile to the proletarian art current of the time, which characterized LEF and the work of futurists as bourgeois excess dressed up with ultra-leftism, inaccessible to the masses and divorced from its class interests. The proletarian artists shared, however, one thing with those they criticized; they too were hostile to what they termed bourgeois art and characterized the work of previous ages as the ruling classes ideological excrescence.

Soviet-Armenian Arist Martiros Saryan portrait of Yeghishe Charents 1923 Source WikiArt

The literary debates of this period were highly political. Leon Trotsky, co-leader of the Russian Revolution and opponent of Joseph Stalin, along with other leading Marxists, criticized those who dismissed past artistic achievements. They insisted that rather than liberating the oppressed masses, the advocates of a wholly new art, whether futurists or proletarian artists, were accommodating themselves to the heritage of Russian backwardness and cultural poverty. Those who advocated a pock-marked art, but our own, Trotsky argued in 1924, were imbued to a considerable extent with contempt for the masses.[12]

Our bourgeoisie laid its hand on literature, and did this very quickly at the time when it was growing rich, he also wrote. The proletariat will be able to prepare the formation of a new, that is, a Socialist culture and literature, not by the laboratory method on the basis of our present-day poverty, want and illiteracy, but by large social, economic, and cultural means.  It is fundamentally incorrect to contrast bourgeois culture and bourgeois art with proletarian culture and proletarian art. The latter will never exist, because the proletarian regime is temporary and transient. The historical significance and the moral grandeur of the proletarian revolution consists in the fact that it is laying the foundations of a culture that is above classes and which will be the first culture that is truly human.[13]

Despite his differences with the proletarian artists, Charents was, like them, swept along by hostility to art of the past. In a 1922 declaration, he pronounced Armenian poetry to be tubercular and inescapably doomed to die.[14]

Still, the Russian Association of Proletarian Writers and its Armenian affiliate attacked Charents work. His 1922 Loveless Romance, for instance, was denounced as scandalous for its vulgarity, political and artistic ultra-leftism, linguistic decadence, and obscenity.[15]

But notably, Charents writings often went beyond his own denunciations of bourgeois art. In 1923, he wrote a letter, later titled On the Boundary of Two Worlds,[16] that situated Armenias great poets within their historical and artistic eras. Charents admiration for their contributions is delivered in vivid, dramatic style.

As Charents contended with the revolution both as a political and an aesthetic reality, the national question loomed large. Imperialism oppressed not just all those who labored, but thousands of ethno-linguistic national groups, which it treated as inferior, fit for service and due for violence. Socialists, therefore, had to combat not just class domination, but also the brutal treatment of lesser peoples by the Great Powers.

The oppression of Armenians, the desperate situation the population confronted in World War I, the violent class and political schisms that racked Armenian societyNayirian grief as Charents described itwere an inescapable, immediate reality for him. The beauty of Armenia was a part of his being. Hatred of national oppression mingled with and nourished in him dedication to the socialist revolution.

Penned in 1922, Charents autobiographical Charents-Nameh[17] takes the reader on a journey through the Russian revolution as his revolution and the revolution for Armenia. Accept, take me now, Moscow of the red igniting fires, my golden Iran and my distant, distant Nayiri, he declares.

Charents was hostile to those within Armenian society that linked the defense of his beleaguered people to nation-building in collusion with the capitalist great powers. In his 1924 novel Erkir Nayiri (Land of Nayiri), Charents presents the tsars Armenian generals, oozing with fealty to the Russian Emperor, as utter failures. Their groveling before Russian imperialism ends in disaster, with their people left starving, trampling and crawling over each other to get to trains that will carry them out of the way of World War Is advancing Turkish troops.[18]

In 1924, Charents toured Europe, visiting Turkey, Greece, France, Germany and Italy. He was deeply impacted by his travels across the boundless kingdom of the gilded bourgeoisie. It is necessary, he wrote in a 1925 letter, to acknowledge that this corpulent degenerate, the international bourgeoisie, required hundreds of years to develop such a material culture; if we were able to separate that creature, now a parasite, from the body, life would become a paradise[19]

While Charents was in Europe, Aleksandr Miasnikyan (Myasnikov), the Soviet-Armenian Bolshevik leader who had secured Charents trip abroad and with whom he maintained a correspondence, died in a plane crash. Trotsky, who spoke at Miasnikyans memorial, suspected Stalins hand.

Monument to Soviet-Armenian Bolshevik Aleksandr Myasnikian in Yerevan, Armenia city center 2025 Source WSWS

In response, Charents wrote The Communards Wall in Paris, and dedicated it to Miasnikyan. Paris. Fear and mist. Me. A poet. A Leninist Bolshevik leaning against the wall. Listening to their voices. Their whispers, he declares.[20]

Charents time in Europe transformed his views on art. He broke with futurism, which he now characterized as turning real workers into lifeless caricatures with little connection to man himself.

We thought we could dominate the world with placards and pitiful polemical plays, whose impact can hardly exceed that of transitory advertisements, he lamented in a 1925 letter. He now advocated a proletarian viewpoint in literature, with the artist drenched, baked, and burnt with class psychology.[21]

What exactly Charents meant by imbuing art with proletarian ideology is not entirely clear. Charents himself likely had not fully worked out his ideas. Many different artistic conceptions were swirling about at the time, and poets are not always known for their clarity of perspective. Notably, as he was insisting on the need for an absolutely proletarian viewpoint in literature, Charents abandoned his position that the art of earlier epochs bore no value.

According to G.M. Goshgarian, Charents now argued that great art had a universal characterin other words  art can rise above specific historical conditions to a level on which all people are essentially alike. G.M. Goshgarian states that in finding his path out of futurism, Charents was animated by Trotskys argument that a new art could only be built by laying hold of humanitys previous cultural conquests.

Trotskys insight sheds light on the direction of Soviet Armenian culture. Unable to grow and develop, revolutionary poetics quickly degenerated into a new and constructive dogma. By the mid-twenties, the choice confronting Armenian writers was beginning to emerge with full clarity: either persist in seeking a radical break with literary tradition despite the cultural poverty of the period, or else look to that tradition itself for the means with which to reform literature. Charents ultimately turned back to that tradition.[22]

In a conversation with this writer, British-Armenian scholar Eddie Arnavoudian explained that Charents break with futurism was rooted in his commitment to the progressive role of literature and the educational role of literature amongst the masses and the need to develop the traditions which existed by absorbing and appropriating them in the development of culture and literature under socialism.

He was not, noted Arnavoudian, forced by bureaucratic shackles and repression to abandon futurism. The point is put well in his Ode to the builders of cities. He says, the ashes of the dead make the strongest cement.

In the mid-to-late 1920s, Soviet society confronted new difficulties. While the 1921 New Economic Policy had improved the countrys overall economic situation, the party-state bureaucracy and inequality were growing. A deep schism had opened inside the Communist Party between Trotskys Left Opposition and Stalin. At its core was the most central question of the Russian Revolutionwas it the opening shot of the world socialist revolution, which begins on the national arena,  unfolds on the international arena, and is completed on the world arena[23]or was it possible to construct socialism within the confines of the Soviet Union? The Stalinist bureaucracy pursued a version of nationalist socialism, ultimately sacrificing world revolution and the international working class to protect the interests of the rising bureaucracy.

In the arts, as part of the nationalist argument that socialism could be built in one country and did not require world revolution, the Stalinists demanded ever more fealty to a rigidly defined proletarian artistic perspective. Art was to be cleansed of criticism of Soviet reality and only positive portrayals of the USSRs allegedly socialist society allowed.

In order to secure the bureaucracys position, the ruling clique strangled inner-party democracy and persecuted opponents, all the while proclaiming socialism to have been achieved and doubters to be petty-bourgeois agents. In October 1926, Trotsky was driven out of the partys leading body, the Politburo, as part of Stalins efforts to crush the Left Opposition.

For honest artists, the pressures of this era were immense.

In September 1926, Charents, in a moment of lunacy, shot a woman on the street in Yerevan. She had rebuffed his advances. According to friends, he was also debilitated by insomnia and nightmares, which he treated with alcohol. It is difficult to view this episode apart from the confusion and disorientation that Stalinism was introducing into every facet of life.

The poet was sentenced to eight years solitary confinement, which was then reduced to three. The authorities released him after just a few months, as the death of his wife in childbirth had precipitated in him another mental breakdown.

Charents time in prison yielded a brilliant short memoir, Yerevans House of Corrections. The poet navigates cell life, the guards at mealtime, the prison hallways, the peasants, bums, and former civil servants, the barbershop, the bravado and craziness of the convicted, his wifes visits, his hooligan friends, death, the music played by prisoner Meno at cultural meetings.

Yeghishe Charents first wife, Arpenik Charents (Year Unknown) Source Yerevan State University

The year after his release, Charents was made the head of the fiction department of Bet Hrat. It was a position of stature; one whose existence was only possible because of the Soviet Unions unprecedented literacy campaign. In Armenia the percentage of the population that could neither read nor write fell from 73.7 percent among 8 to 44-year-olds in 1922 to 6.3 percent in 1934.[24]

Charents capacities were remarkable, according to Artur Avagyan, the curator of a recent exhibit of book art from the Charents era. The poet, like an expert, knew the history of painting, and perceived perfectly the expressive language of individual types and genres of fine arts.  Colleagues recalled that he could give an impromptu lecture on any direction or type of art, holding the listeners attention for hours.[25]

The recently published exhibition catalog contains selections from this period, during which Charents collaborated with artist Martiros Sarian. The Armenian script blends seamlessly into drawings that slope and curve, rendering historical tales, legends, social relationships.

The political atmosphere, however, was becoming ever more repressive. Trotsky was expelled from the Communist Party in November 1927, exiled to Central Asia in January 1928 and then banished to the Turkish island of Prinkipo in 1929. His supporters in party organizations, factories, workplaces, the military and universities were hounded, stripped of their positions, arrested and sent to labor camps.

In the arts, socialist realism gathered steam, becoming official doctrine in the early 1930s. Art now had to uncritically portray the Soviet Union, hail Stalin as a hero, denounce Trotsky and romanticize the countrys allegedly liberated proletariat and peasantry. The history of the Russian Revolution was falsified.

One poem from the period, Pastoral, evinces Charents disgust with the liars and the lies.

Visit the Revolutionary Museum

Do not miss our directors office.

He will be deep in conversation,

fiercely plotting the past. And worriless.[26]

In 1928, Stalin began violently collectivizing the countrys peasantry. Armenia, with a majority agricultural population, fell victim. One scholar estimated that as many as 25,000 Armenian peasants were arrested or deported.[27] At the same time, Stalin steered state policy away from previous efforts to elevate the oppressed nationalities and their cultures. The bureaucracy now identified the perceived nationalism of the non-Russian population as a grave threat. Great Russian chauvinism, a disease with a long pedigree, surged. Charents was disparaged as an Armenian nationalist.

The poet became embroiled at this time in a battle over official cultural policy. According to Arnavoudian, Charents and others were attempting to cope with the ever more deadening official approach to art.

In a discussion with this writer, Arnavoudian noted:

Charents and a stratum within the trans-USSR literary discussion were raising a problem with the concept of socialist realism, which was based on an abstract notion of the working class and the peasantry, devoid of national characteristics, devoid of particular provincial characters. It was about opposition to the emerging Armenian bureaucracy, which was trying to lay down the law of how you should write, how you should represent the working class, how you should represent the peasantry. It was an attempt to overcome the abstractness of socialist realism as it developed under the Stalinist regime, where literature became a propaganda tool, where you had ideal party members who were flawless in every simple way, no moral weaknesses, no problems at all. He was trying to enrich, as it were, the official dogmas, to make them something genuine and authentic in literary discussion. Charents was accused of nationalism because of his insistence that Armenian poetry had to deal with Armenian realities. But at the same time, Charents took up a very powerful poetic polemic against Armenian nationalism. His largest poem on this theme, Vision of Death, is a fierce denunciation in the most Gothic manner. The entire nationalist movement is depicted as a procession to reach a mountaintop where you have some surreal figure holding the Armenian bourgeois states national flag. Theres a huge holocaust of fire and brimstone, and theyre all walking into it.

Cover of Yeghishe Charents Book of the Road 1933

There were plenty of convolutions and Aesopian forms[28] in Charents work during the rise of Stalinism. He wrote many poor poems, ones that hailed Stalin and adapted to official dogma. The twists and turns, efforts to accommodate, deluded poetics, were undoubtedly driven by the increasingly oppressive political environment, in which lies about history, principles, basic facts and people abounded. The oxygen was being squeezed out of the room. Charents was, like so many others, fighting for air.

A thorough study of his work may determine that he was pulled at the time in the direction of some sort of nationally themed art. But to characterize him as a nationalist, particularly given that Soviet artists were confronting a grotesque outpouring of Russian nationalism in which to be Soviet increasingly meant to be Russian and Russian was increasingly defined as exclusively Slavic, would be false.

Charents entire body of work testifies to his persistent spirit of internationalism. As one scholar put it, his writing dialogues with the whole history of poetry[29]. More than 80 percent of his library was in Russian. Charents viewed the Soviet Union as an arena for a kind of globalization of literature, insisted on the importance of translating from and into the various languages that made it up and called for mutual recognition and transparency among the various languages, notes Marc Nichanian.[30]

Despite the difficulties of this era, Charents held fast to the revolution and human tenderness. Midnight Sketches, Eulogy for Critic N.N. and his sonnets to his first wife capture this. Lenin, yes, Lenin. But not the rally. Not the drum. Not the placard, he wrote in 1928-1929.[31]

Part II: Achilles or PieroThe Hero or the Clown

In 1929, Charents authored his most politically consequential poem, Achilles or Pierothe hero or the clown. He attempted to publish it in his 1933 Book of the Road. This 47-page poem has never been translated into English, and according to Arnavoudian, is not generally available in Armenian popular anthologies or selected works. During our conversation, the British-Armenian scholar explained its content and significance.

AP: Achilles vs. Piero is a dramatic tract? The poem unfolds as a play, and the author of that play is a dramatist whos now dead? EA: Yes, you have the theater Director, and hes just performed the three acts of a play, the first two of which were written by the Great Authorhere the Great Author being Lenin and the theater Director being Stalin. The Great Author died and wasnt able to finish the play, and the theater Director writes the third act to complete it. He is challenged by an Elderly Audience Member, who says the theater Director is distorting the reality. Hes hidden the manuscripts from view. Hes refused to let the particular passages be read by people, referring presumably to Lenins Last Testament. Hes forging a reality and falsifying the third act, which if the Great Author was there, he wouldnt have written in that form. The theater Director whips up mass hysteria against the Elderly Audience Member and anybody who agrees with him. In the midst of this, in a surreal turn, the Director, confident of himself, invites the Hero onto the stage, sure that he will be humiliated in debate. The Hero Achilles leaping from the pages of the first and second acts protests against the theater Director, to back up the Elderly Audience Member, and to say that the Director is distorting the true message that the Great Author was attempting to communicate. He is a surreal apparition, seemingly a character from the Great Authors unfinished work. That hero is unquestionably Trotsky in the form of the description, including the goatee beard. It is at the end of Act 3 that the theater Director desperately seeks the audiences affirmation that his variant follows absolutely and unquestionably upon the Great Authors first two acts. The theatre Director whips the audience into frenzied applause and acclamation, proclaiming that Act 3 is a work of genius and a most faithful succession to the Great Authors first two acts. The core of the dispute revolves around whether the Hero has any role in Act 3. The theater Director claims the Hero has no role whatsoever in the drafts left by the Great Author and that he, the Director, is absolutely sure of this as he worked for many years alongside the Great Author, unlike the Hero. The Hero is Trotsky, but it is not a very savory sort of representation. Whilst the whole drama clearly represents the Director as Stalin, as a sort of brutal, invidious and unsavory character, there are elements in the Heros speech that portray him as egotistical, a petty bourgeois who believes in the dominant role of the individual in history, and who is protesting because he is being written out of history. In the Heros speeches there is also contempt for the masses. He describes them, presumably the working class and the peasantry, as a herd of cattle and accuses the Director of elevating mediocrities. The Director responds, saying, Were living in a new age, and its the age of the masses. Achilles or Piero cant be read as support for Trotskys opposition. But it is a courageous criticism of Stalin, a premonition and opposition to the rise of Stalinism and the rise of bureaucratic control of the Soviet Unions cultural and literary life. But I think in the end the poem fails artistically because of this false portrayal of Trotsky. AP: I dont think we can extract what Charents really thought of Trotsky from such a poem. Do you have any insights into what his attitude was towards the Left Opposition? EA: Its sort of a sort of dark area. There may be some evidence somewhere in some archive of what his views were.

Red Army in Yerevan 1921 Source Wikipedia

Charents included Achilles or Piero in his 1933 Book of the Road, which he dedicated to his priceless little ones from their ill-starred father. As soon as the first copies were printed, they were seized. The Armenian Communist Party removed Charents from his post in Pethrat. The Central Committee declared the work to be a nationalist, anti-revolutionary, Trotskyite libel against the Communist Party and the Partys leader, Stalin, a fanatically idealistic interpretation of the history of the Armenian people.

The partys leading body demanded a call to account the guilty individuals responsible for the publication of this book.[32]

On December 1, 1933, Charents wrote a letter to a fellow writer and Communist Party member in Moscow, asking her to intercede with Stalin, begging her to save him, and describing the bureaucracys assault on Armenias past and present artists. It is a tragic document, in which Charents claims that his poem was misinterpreted and actually meant to be a tribute to Stalin.[33]

There is a dramatic interlude, he explains, in which I use symbolic images from the world of theater to artistically show and prove that Comrade Stalin was the objective embodiment of the steady progress of the proletarian world revolution, and that Trotsky inevitably had to perish and, in the eyes of these masses, turn from a fake hero into a ridiculous, pitiful figure

It is possible that Charents intended, as he claims, to demonstrate that Stalin was the revolutions true heir and disparage Trotsky as a false hero. Certainly, the depiction of Trotsky as a power-hungry, selfish agent who hated the masses would have fit with the Stalinists portrait of the revolutionist. It is not to Charents credit that he latched onto this.

Charents may have thought that Trotsky was an egotistical self-promoter, he may have cast Trotskys character in this manner because he believed that he had to, or it may have been some combination of the two. Stalinism clearly had a dispiriting and demoralizing impact on such a sensitive artist, as it did on many. And when he has Trotsky denounce the masses, Charents may have been putting into the revolutionists mouth his own anger over what he viewed to be the treachery and idiocy of thousands who had previously declared their fealty to Marxism but were now hailing Stalin.

But when the Hero decries the reign of mediocrities, it is not an altogether inaccurate portrayal of the social forces unleashed by Stalin. The petty bourgeois, grasping layers who learned official Marxism by rote, recited mantras and did all sorts of dirty work were mediocrities raised to the heights of society. The issue is that, unlike what Charents seems to have implied in the poem, Trotsky did not think that the working masses were these mediocrities or that Stalinism reflected their will. And this is the source of the falsityin artistic form and political contentof the poem.

With the support of Aghasi Khanjyan, head of the Armenian Communist Party, Book of the Road was reissued in 1934 with Achilles or Piero and other poems removed. Charents earned fulsome praise, but it was short-lived and peppered with political attacks. The secretary of the Armenian Writers Union declared of the collection, There are such jewels that make him [Charents] not only Armenias greatest poet, surpassed by no one, but also the greatest writer of the Soviet Union as well. That notwithstanding, the book contains slips of an ideological nature.[34]

He soon came under assault at meetings of the Writers Union. His Book of the Road was the vainglorious expression of Armenian nationalism and directed against the future of our people. He was accused of celebrating Armenian nationalistic, reactionary-bourgeois ideology.[35]

The state, Charents wrote in 1935, with its entire apparatus  has risen  against a single poet.[36]

Charents had by this point become a morphine addict, the result of being prescribed opioids for a painful physical condition. He did not, however, collapse. His poems of the period show a man enraged, beleaguered, pained by betrayals, and yet still dedicated to the revolution whose unraveling he was witnessing. There is, for example, Dawn Does Not Break in the West,[37] Theres So Much Spite in My Heart,[38] Distichs,[39] and The Monument.[40]

Soviet-Armenian Bolshevik Leader Vagarshak Ter-Vaganyan

While the young writer was increasingly isolated, it was not as yet total isolation. The Stalinist regime confronted the problem that Charents was one of Soviet Armenias most renowned poets and had an international reputation. William Saroyan, the Armenian-American Pulitzer Prize-winning dramatist, visited Charents in 1934. His voice had warmth, and his eyes were direct, swift and intelligent, he wrote of the poet.[41]

In an indication of Charents importance as an artist, two of the countrys leading Russian writers, Anna Akhmatova and Boris Pasternak, as well as Arseny Tarkovsky, the father of the future famous film director, translated his work. These relationships were hardly, however, some sort of political fortification, as these artists themselves faced repression.

In 1935, Charents was removed from his position in the state publishing house and again expelled from the Writers Union. Skilled at ordering monstrous crimes and then distancing himself from them when expedient, Stalin publicly feigned concern for the poet.[42]

In 1936, the Great Purges began. The first Moscow Show Trial took place in August. Leading Old BolsheviksLev Kamenev, Grigory Zinoviev, Ivan Smirnov and Vagarshak Ter-Vaganyan (the latter an Armenian), and otherswere tried and executed as Trotskyist conspirators.

The same year, Charents was called into meetings with Stalins henchman, Lavrenti Beria. He emerged from these deeply shaken. Returning from Tbilisi, Georgia after one such event, Charents declared, I am not a Judas and will not become one.[43]

In 1936, the head of the Armenian Communist Party, Aghasi Khanjyan was found shot in his apartment in Tbilisi. Proclaimed a cowardly suicide in the Soviet press, Khanjyans death was an execution carried out by Beria personally, in his office, according to later testimony.

Charents wrote a series of works dedicated to the murdered leader, including one the very night of his death. [44]

Yeghishe Charents with his daugher Arpenik (Date Unknown) Source Armenian Museum of Moscow

After Khanjyans death, Dashnak-Trotskyites were detained and charged, including an entire generation of Armenian intellectuals and artists. The names of Charents comrades, who were already arrested or imprisoned, wrote his daughter, are preserved on tattered handwritten slips of paper.[45] This was part of a massive purge across the Soviet Union of artists, scientists and thinkers. Thousands were hounded, sent to labor camps, shot.

Charents poetry expressed the terror engulfing him and Soviet society. There is Requiem Afternam, The Solemn Carousel, Here I Stand Again, and the bluntly titled, They Were Beheading Us.[46] In an unpublished poem written in 1936 or 1937, Charents observes, Once more, the meal cooked by this master smells of blood.[47]

The attacks were unrelenting. Charents work was dissected line by line for evidence of nationalism and anti-Soviet sympathies. He was accused of operating a secret terrorist group intent on killing a Central Committee secretary and waging a struggle against Stalin and Beria. The Writers Union claimed he was colluding with the Armenian diaspora to detach Armenia from the Soviet Union. The basis for this accusation was his 1933-1934 poem Message, in which the second letter of each line creates the sentence, Oh, Armenian people, your only salvation is your collective strength.[48]

In September 1936, Charents was placed under house arrest. His addiction to morphine and alcohol deepened. He continued writing, however, and devoted himself to new translations of Goethe, Dante and Pushkin.

His final works blend ferocious anger with despair and efforts to honor the revolution. Among them is a tribute to poet Vladimir Mayakovsky, who committed suicide in 1930. In another work, Black Gallows,[49] Charents mourns the revolutions murder and his own looming fate. Other works include love poems to his wife and devotions to his daughters.

Charents never bowed to the accusations against him or abandoned socialism. Eight months before his death, he wrote, For there is no greater tortureand no blacker punishmentthan to condemn a man for betraying the idea that was sacred to him, the only work of his whole life. And there is no way of showing, of convincing people that it is not truethat the only sacred thing for me is that which I am accused of sinning against.[50]

On July 26, 1937, Charents was imprisoned. According to a death certificate finally issued in 1955, he died November 27. He was 40 years old. The notice listed no cause of death and no grave site. To this date, it is unknown where he is buried. There are different accounts as to how he perished. Some say he was shot, others that he committed suicide, smashing his head against the prison wall, and others that he died due to the destruction of his health.

Charents wife was exiled to Siberia for several years. Their daughters were placed in the care of orphanages, then relatives and friends.

In 1955, during the post-Stalin Thaw, Charents was officially rehabilitated. Studies of his life and work and publications of his poems followed. Efforts were made to harness the national themes in his work to the agenda of the Soviet bureaucracy. Thus, Charents 80th birthday was celebrated not in 1977, the year it should have been, but in 1978, as this coincided with the 150th anniversary of the establishment of Russo-Armenian relations. Still, many of Charents writings continued to be suppressed, above all Achilles or Piero.

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, during which the Stalinists destroyed all that remained of the conquests of the 1917 Russian Revolution, there were further attempts, now coming from the political right, to recast Charents as an Armenian nationalist, as well as a God-fearing anti-communist and even a poetic Freudian.

Yeghishe Charents Monument in Yerevan, Armenia City Center 2025 Source WSWS

Today, Charents is widely honored in Armenia. One will find in or near Yerevan today the Arch of Charents, Charents Street, and a magnificent 60-foot-tall monument to the poet. The countrys national museum of literature and art is named after him. Still, his revolutionary, socialist outlook is suppressed. One will find, for instance, little mention of it in the Charents House Museum, which lends its account of his life and work an incomprehensible quality.

Charents is best understood not through the nationalist, Stalinist and anti-communist distortions imposed on him, but through his 1933 poem Seven Pieces of Advice for Planters to Come,[51]a favorite of this writer.

Sowers of the future, you who are going

to plant seeds from full hands,

into these fertile furrows that we plowed,

these painted by our sweat, blood, and songs.

O you who will walk with light hearts into

turquoise days that break like cymbals

of sun, may I, your distant brother, be allowed

to send you seven pieces of advice? The first recommendation which I address

from these old bristling, burning days is this:

Let your first handful of seed

pave our fields with illusion and dreams. Spread them like goodness which does not end

toward the birds and winds of our land.

Let their joy be limitless

the way our old suffering had no bounds. Direct your second favor to the north,

the wide Steppes where

in this divided nation

the red hurricane turns to summer rain. And throw the third handful of your seed

toward Mount Ararat. Let it fly

like condensed fever, in delirium

to pierce the snow-beaten mountains chest. Plant then a handful of wheat and imagination

bright and honest as your hopes.

Plant them in the old town of Nork

so that the new bud of song begins. And let the fifth toss of your deep treasure

be a gift to our spirit

which in the distant past created song

and its nobler dream. And the sixth handful, planters

address to the bones of the more recent past.

You will suddenly hear sighs and

voices from the depths of your land. Then, only then, after those six,

fill your palms for the seventh time, then

with your open hand sow your future harvest

the endless furrow that stretches ahead.

This writer hopes that Charents will be rediscoveredthe full body of his work published in Armenian, English and other languages, and a complete history of his life and work researched and written.

The revolution needs its poets.

_____________________________________________________________

[1] Arnavoudian, Eddie. Yeghishe Charents: Poet of Life as Permanent Revolution, Part One. Armenian News Network / Groong, July 11, 2005. Accessed October 31, 2025.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Eghishe Charents Land of Fire: Selected Poems, ed. and trans. Diana Der Hovanessian and Marzbed Margossian (Ann Arbor, MI: Ardis Publishers), 29.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid., 64-80.

[6] Ibid., 30-32.

[7] Ibid., 29.

[8] Arnavoudian, Eddie. Yeghishe Charents: Poet of Life as Permanent Revolution, Part One. Armenian News Network / Groong, July 11, 2005. Accessed October 31, 2025.

[9] Diana Der Hovanessian and Marzbed Margossian, eds. and trans., Charents-Nameh, in Eghishe Charents Land of Fire: Selected Poems (Ann Arbor, MI: Ardis Publishers, 29), 113.

[10] Diana Der Hovanessian, Introduction in Eghishe Charents Land of Fire: Selected Poems, ed. and trans. by Diana Der Hovanessian and Marzbed Margossian. (Ann Arbor, MI: Ardis Publishers, 29), 12.

[11] Yeghishe Charents, Yeghishe Charents: 40 Poems, ed. Samvel Mkrtchyan (Yerevan, Armenia: Yeghishe Charents Memorial Museum, 2012), 3955.

[12] Leon Trotsky, Literature and Revolution, (London: RedWords, 1991), 233.

[13] Ibid., 46.

[14] Jack Antreassian and Marzbed Margossian, trans., Across Two Worlds: Selected Prose of Eghishe Charents (Ashod Press, 1985), 55.

[15] Marc Nichanian, Introduction: Poetry and Revolution, in Yeghishe Charents: Poet of the Revolution, edited by Marc Nichanian (Costa Mesa, CA: Mazda Publishers, 2003), 24.

[16] Jack Antreassian and Marzbed Margossian, trans., On the Boundary of Two Worlds, in Across Two Worlds: Selected Prose of Eghishe Charents (Ashod Press, 1985), 4251

[17] Eghishe Charents Land of Fire: Selected Poems, ed. and trans. Diana Der Hovanessian and Marzbed Margossian (Ann Arbor, MI: Ardis Publishers), 99-114

[18] Jack Antreassian and Marzbed Margossian, trans., Erkir Nayiri, in Across Two Worlds: Selected Prose of Eghishe Charents (Ashod Press, 1985), 140-176.

[19] Jack Antreassian and Marzbed Margossian, trans., Letters, in Across Two Worlds: Selected Prose of Eghishe Charents (Ashod Press, 1985), 114.

[20] Original Translation by Eddie Arnavoudian from Yeghishe Charents, The Communards Wall in Paris, Collected Works in 6 Volumes, Volume 2, 1963, pp 232-249

[21] Jack Antreassian and Marzbed Margossian, trans., Letters, in Across Two Worlds: Selected Prose of Eghishe Charents (Ashod Press, 1985), 116-119.

[22] G.G. Goshgarian, Yeghishe Charents and the Modernization of Soviet Armenian Literature, in Yeghishe Charents: Poet of the Revolution, edited by Marc Nichanian (Costa Mesa, CA: Mazda Publishers, 2003), 139.

[23] Trotsky, Leon. Proletarian Culture and Proletarian Art. Literature and Revolution. 1924. Marxists Internet Archive. Accessed November 11, 2025. https://www.marxists.org/archive/trotsky/1924/lit_revo/ch06.htm

[24] Artur Avahyan, Armenian Book Art of the Charents Era: 1928-1935 (Yerevan, Armenia: Anatres Publishing House, 2024), 36.

[25] Ibid., 40.

[26] Eghishe Charents Land of Fire: Selected Poems, ed. and trans. Diana Der Hovanessian and Marzbed Margossian (Ann Arbor, MI: Ardis Publishers, p. 139.

[27] Ronald Grigor Suny, Looking Toward Ararat: Armenia in Modern History (Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 1993), 151.

[28] Arnavoudian, Eddie. Yeghishe Charents: Poet of Life as Permanent Revolution. Armenian News Network / Groong, July 11, 2005. Accessed October 31, 2025.

[29] Krikor Beledian, Yeghishe Charents, The Poet of Poetry, in Yeghishe Charents: Poet of the Revolution, edited by Marc Nichanian (Costa Mesa, CA: Mazda Publishers, 2003), 284.

[30] Marc Nichanian, Introduction: Poetry and Revolution, in Yeghishe Charents: Poet of the Revolution, edited by Marc Nichanian (Costa Mesa, CA: Mazda Publishers, 2003), 35-36.

[31] Diana Der Hovanessian and Marzbed Margossian, eds. and trans., Midnight Sketches, in Eghishe Charents Land of Fire: Selected Poems (Ann Arbor, MI: Ardis Publishers, 29), 188.

[32] Anahit Charents, Yeghishe Charentss Final Years: His Life and Work from 1934 to 1937, in Yeghishe Charents: Poet of the Revolution, edited by Marc Nichanian (Costa Mesa, CA: Mazda Publishers, 2003), 70.

[33]   , accessed November 3, 2025, https://charents.am/wp-content/uploads/-.pdf

[34] Anahit Charents, Yeghishe Charentss Final Years: His Life and Work from 1934 to 1937, in Yeghishe Charents: Poet of the Revolution, edited by Marc Nichanian (Costa Mesa, CA: Mazda Publishers, 2003), 72.

[35] Ibid., 72.

[36] Ibid., 73.

[37] Diana Der Hovanessian and Marzbed Margossian, eds. and trans., Dawn Does Not Break in the West, in Eghishe Charents Land of Fire: Selected Poems (Ann Arbor, MI: Ardis Publishers, 29), 202.

[38] Yeghishe Charents, Yeghishe Charents: 40 Poems, ed. Samvel Mkrtchyan (Yerevan, Armenia: Yeghishe Charents Memorial Museum, 2012), 177.

[39] Ibid., 178-179.

[40] Eghishe Charents, Dawn Does not Break in the West, in Land of Fire: Selected Poems, ed. and trans. Diana Der Hovanessian and Marzbed Margossian (Ann Arbor, MI: Ardis Publishers, 1985), 218.

[41] William Saroyan, Armenia and Charentz, in Yeghishe Charents: 40 Poems, ed. Samvel Mkrtchyan (Yerevan, Armenia: Yeghishe Charents Memorial Museum, 2012), 273.

[42] Anahit Charents, Yeghishe Charentss Final Years: His Life and Work from 1934 to 1937, in Yeghishe Charents: Poet of the Revolution, edited by Marc Nichanian (Costa Mesa, CA: Mazda Publishers, 2003), 85.

[43] James Russell, The Armenian Counterculture that Never Was, in Yeghishe Charents: Poet of the Revolution, edited by Marc Nichanian (Costa Mesa, CA: Mazda Publishers, 2003), 158.

[44] Yeghishe Charents, Yeghishe Charents: 40 Poems, ed. Samvel Mkrtchyan (Yerevan, Armenia: Yeghishe Charents Memorial Museum, 2012), 211.

[45] Anahit Charents, Yeghishe Charentss Final Years: His Life and Work from 1934 to 1937, in Yeghishe Charents: Poet of the Revolution, edited by Marc Nichanian (Costa Mesa, CA: Mazda Publishers, 2003), 87.

[46] Yeghishe Charents, Yeghishe Charents: 40 Poems, ed. Samvel Mkrtchyan (Yerevan, Armenia: Yeghishe Charents Memorial Museum, 2012), 247.

[47] Anahit Charents, Yeghishe Charentss Final Years: His Life and Work from 1934 to 1937, in Yeghishe Charents: Poet of the Revolution, edited by Marc Nichanian (Costa Mesa, CA: Mazda Publishers, 2003), 73.

[48] Ibid., 97.

[49] Yeghishe Charents, Yeghishe Charents: 40 Poems, ed. Samvel Mkrtchyan (Yerevan, Armenia: Yeghishe Charents Memorial Museum, 2012), 261.

[50] Marc Nichanian, Introduction: Poetry and Revolution, in Yeghishe Charents: Poet of the Revolution, edited by Marc Nichanian (Costa Mesa, CA: Mazda Publishers, 2003), 17.

[51] Eghishe Charents, Seven Pieces of Advice for Planters to Come, in Land of Fire: Selected Poems, ed. and trans. Diana Der Hovanessian and Marzbed Margossian (Ann Arbor, MI: Ardis Publishers, 1985), 216-217.
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayakes 2026 budget, presented to Parliament on November 7, marks a further escalation of the assault on the living conditions of workers and the poor, while granting more concessions to big business.

Dissanayake addressing the Business Forum in September 2024 [Photo: NPP Facebook]

Dissanayake presented his second budget as his government completes one year since the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna/National Peoples Power (JVP/NPP) won the parliamentary election held on November 14, 2024. Dissanayake won the presidential election two months earlier.

The governments two budgets have demonstrated that it is a tool of the corporate elite and of international finance.

Dissanayake, who also serves as finance minister, began his speech by falsely claiming that his administration had embarked on a continuous mission to deliver grassroots economic benefits.

In reality, every major measurefrom taxation and investment policy to public-sector restructuringstrictly follows the dictates of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

On October 9, IMF mission chief for Sri Lanka Evan Papageorgiou said in Colombo that the IMF will monitor both the size and quality of government spending. He added that although the IMF had reached a staff-level agreement to deliver $US347 million, it would be released only on the condition that next years budget be in line with program parameters. The tranche would be contingent on Parliaments passage of the 2026 budget.

During his budget reading, Dissanayake threateningly said public employees should not ask for more and the unemployed should not hold street protests. He warned the poor receiving welfare benefits that assistance would be limited to genuine cases.

The 2026 budget projects a deficit of about 3.7 trillion rupees ($US12 billion), to be met through fresh domestic and foreign borrowing, perpetuating the vicious debt cycle. Total government expenditure for 2026 is estimated at nearly 9 trillion rupees, while revenue is projected at 5.3 trillion rupees.

The government expects to raise five trillion rupees in revenue, mainly through indirect taxation and social spending cuts. Dissanayake boasted that tax revenue for this year is projected to rise by a staggering 1.2 trillion rupees from 2024, with roughly 75 percent of this increase collected from value-added tax (VAT) and other indirect taxes that hit consumers.

Where all the revenue extracted from workers and the poor has gone is clear. The budget shows state expenditure of 4.5 trillion rupees allocated for debt servicing. In 2024, $US1,674 million was paid, and for 2025 the amount is $US2,435 million, with only $US487 million yet to be paid, Dissanayake told Parliament.

Amid the unprecedented economic crisis of 2022, the government declared a default on its foreign debts. When the IMF approved a $US3 billion bailout loan in 2023, the Colombo government promised to defer debt servicing until repayments begin in 2028.

The general import duty ceiling will be increased from 20 to 30 percent, which will raise the prices of some electronic goods, plastics and textiles.

Meanwhile, the VAT thresholdcovering nearly all goods and services, including fuel, utilities, and foodwill now apply to businesses with a monthly turnover as low as three million rupees, dragging thousands of small traders into the tax net and pushing consumer prices further upward.

A major component of the budget is the drastic reduction of public expenditure. Dissanayake reiterated that 33 state institutions would be shut down entirely, while another 57 would be merged, restructured or liquidated. The governments overall plan is to restructure about 400 state enterprises.

New laws such as the Public Commercial Business Management Act and the Public-Private Partnerships Bill are to be introducedboth designed to accelerate privatization and commercialization of state assets. In addition, a new Investment Protection Act will be introduced in early 2026 to guarantee the ease of doing business.

A Public Assets Management Bill will create a centralized digital database for state lands, enabling their commercial exploitation by big business.

These moves, alongside the establishment of technology parks, investor visa schemes and single-window systems to bypass environmental and social regulations, reveal a clear drive toward unfettered capital exploitation.

As in previous administrations, Dissanayakes government has avoided imposing any wealth or capital gains taxes and left corporate tax rates untouched, protecting business elites while placing the tax burden squarely on the working masses.

Unsurprisingly, the chairman of the big business body, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC), Krish Balendra, praised the budget for its fiscal discipline.

The presidents economic advisor and former CCC chairman, Duminda Hulangamuwa, said the government had restored the private sector as the engine of growth, adding that almost every major reference in the budget, from tax incentives to institutional reforms, is directed toward encouraging private sector participation.

The government is imposing deep cuts to welfare and services. Dissanayake announced that the Aswesuma relief programa meagre aid scheme for the poorestwill be reformed to target only genuine low-income earners, echoing the exact words of IMF and World Bank officials.

Displaying the governments contemptuous attitude toward the poor receiving welfare benefits, JVP leader and Industry Minister Sunil Handunneththi said at a public event a day before the budget: Society should be ashamed of receiving Aswesuma. It is like legally begging. We are taking money from whichever government is in power.

He made this sinister statement as the World Bank estimated that 22 percent of Sri Lankans now live below the poverty line, with another 10 percent just above it. Over half the population faces food insecurity.

Since 2022, real wages have collapsed by 24 percent in the public sector and 14 percent in the private sector. The World Bank said that because of austerity measures during the last two years alone, 3.9 percent of people have fallen into poverty in Sri Lanka.

University students stipends were increased to just 10,000 rupees a month, though their demand was for an increase to 15,000 rupees.

Although the public education and health sectors are on the brink, allocations were 301 billion and 516 billion rupees respectivelyrepresenting only modest increases of 29 and 40 billion rupees.

Dissanayake announced that plantation workers daily wages will be raised by 400 rupees, with half of this paltry increase to be borne by the state on behalf of the companies. It is doubtful that even this negligible increase will see the light of day.

He also announced plans to recruit 75,000 new public servants, mainly in law enforcement, revenue collection and technical sectors. Claiming that recruitment will be on a merit basis, the president warned protesting unemployed youth to halt their actions and go home and study for recruitment exams.

His over four-hour budget speech revealed open contempt for public anger. The President announced a meager second-phase monthly wage rise for the public sector, part of the last increase announced in the previous budget, amounting to 2,750 rupeesinsufficient even for two days expenses.

But the JVP/NPP leader threatened public sector employees: Do not ask for more allowancesthe government has no funds. Go home instead of standing on the streets; standing on the streets brings you nothing, as this is the governments policy.

Dissanayakes threats to public employees, the unemployed and welfare recipients underline that the JVP/NPP government will ruthlessly implement the IMF program while brutally suppressing any opposition.

In August, the military was deployed to suppress a postal workers strike, and in September, the President invoked the Essential Public Services Act, threatening workers opposing the privatization of the electricity board.

The opposition, including the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, and United National Party, offered only token criticisms of the budget in Parliament and the media, as they all support the IMF program.

The bureaucracies of the JVP and other trade unions backing the IMF program have deliberately suppressed workers actions.

However, beneath the surface, public anger is growing. On November 10, farmers across multiple regions denounced the budget for not providing any relief to their problems and vowed to continue their protests. Retired teachers also demonstrated on budget day over unmet demands.

Amid a deepening global crisis, the IMF has stepped in across many countries during the past decade to defend international creditors. In recent months, general strikes and youth protests have erupted against brutal austerity programs in countries such as Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Pakistan.

To defeat the IMF austerity program of the JVP/NPP government, the Socialist Equality Party urges workers and the poor to break from all the capitalist parties and mobilise their independent political and industrial strength. To do that, they must form independent action committees in workplaces and rural areas, without allowing union bureaucrats or capitalist parties to organize their struggle.

Sri Lankan workers must unite with workers internationallyincluding those in advanced countrieswho are fighting against austerity measures, wage cuts, job losses and social inequality.

The aim must be to bring a workers and peasants government to power, advancing a socialist and internationalist program for the repudiation of foreign debt and the collective ownership of key industries and banks to serve the needs of the majority.
As European markets experience a pullback, with the pan-European STOXX Europe 600 Index ending 1.24% lower amid concerns about overvaluation in AI-related stocks, investors are increasingly focused on identifying robust growth opportunities backed by strong fundamentals. In such an environment, companies that exhibit high insider ownership often attract attention as they suggest confidence from those who know the business best and can offer potential resilience against broader market volatility.

Top 10 Growth Companies With High Insider Ownership In Europe

Name Insider Ownership Earnings Growth Pharma Mar (BME:PHM) 12% 44.9% MilDef Group (OM:MILDEF) 13.7% 83% MedinCell (ENXTPA:MEDCL) 12.5% 96.3% KebNi (OM:KEBNI B) 36.3% 61.2% Egetis Therapeutics (OM:EGTX) 10.3% 86.1% DNO (OB:DNO) 13.5% 102.1% CTT Systems (OM:CTT) 17.5% 52% Circus (XTRA:CA1) 24.1% 65.5% CD Projekt (WSE:CDR) 29.7% 51% Bonesupport Holding (OM:BONEX) 10.4% 49.7%

Click here to see the full list of 187 stocks from our Fast Growing European Companies With High Insider Ownership screener.

Here's a peek at a few of the choices from the screener.

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: K-Fast Holding AB (publ) operates in Sweden, focusing on property management and construction, with a market capitalization of approximately SEK3.22 billion.

Operations: The company's revenue segments include property management and construction activities in Sweden.

Insider Ownership: 31.7%

Return On Equity Forecast: N/A (2028 estimate)

K-Fast Holding AB has demonstrated significant growth potential, with earnings expected to increase by a substantial 77.8% annually over the next three years, outpacing the Swedish market's average growth. Recent acquisitions in Gothenburg aim to expand rental apartment offerings, potentially enhancing revenue streams. Despite becoming profitable this year and insiders showing confidence through net share purchases, financial challenges remain as interest payments are not well covered by earnings.

OM:KFAST B Ownership Breakdown as at Nov 2025

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: RaySearch Laboratories AB (publ) is a medical technology company that offers software solutions for cancer treatment globally, with a market cap of SEK7.66 billion.

Operations: RaySearch Laboratories generates revenue through its global provision of software solutions designed for cancer treatment.
Bloomsbury Publishing, a European small-cap company, has seen its interim dividend rise by 5% to 0.0408 per share, indicating a commitment to shareholder returns despite recent financial challenges. Sales dropped to 159.5 million for the half-year ending August 2025 from 179.8 million the previous year, with net income also declining. Insider confidence is evident with recent purchases by executives, suggesting optimism about future prospects amid leadership changes and strategic shifts towards digital growth under new CFO Keith Underwood starting February 2026.

Operations: Bloomsbury Publishing generates revenue primarily from its Consumer and Academic & Professional segments, with recent figures showing 228.10 million and 90.90 million, respectively. The company has seen a notable trend in its gross profit margin, which has fluctuated but reached 57.20% as of August 2025. Operating expenses are significant, driven largely by general & administrative costs and sales & marketing expenses, impacting the net income margin which stood at 6.63% in the latest period available.

Overview: Bloomsbury Publishing is a global independent publishing house known for its diverse range of consumer and academic titles, with a market capitalization of approximately 0.94 billion.

In November 2025, the European market has experienced a downturn, with the pan-European STOXX Europe 600 Index ending 1.24% lower amid concerns over AI-related stock valuations and broader economic uncertainties. As investors navigate these challenging conditions, identifying small-cap stocks that are potentially undervalued can be appealing, especially when insider activity suggests confidence in their future prospects.

Story continues

LSE:BMY Share price vs Value as at Nov 2025

Simply Wall St Value Rating: 

Overview: Nyab is a company engaged in providing sustainable infrastructure solutions, with a market capitalization of approximately 1.2 billion.

Operations: Nyab's revenue streams have shown significant growth, reaching 509.54 million by the third quarter of 2025. The cost of goods sold (COGS) has consistently been a major expense, amounting to 402.24 million in the same period. Notably, the gross profit margin has fluctuated over time, with a recent figure of 21.06%.

PE: 18.3x

Nyab, a construction and infrastructure company, showcases its potential through significant revenue growth, with Q3 2025 sales reaching 150.07 million from 93.55 million the previous year. The firm has secured two energy market contracts in Finland valued at 50-55 million, enhancing its project pipeline until 2027. Recent executive changes aim to bolster strategic direction as Petri Kotkansalo joins as Country Manager Finland. Insider confidence is demonstrated by share purchases earlier this year, suggesting optimism about future prospects amidst ongoing expansion efforts.

OM:NYAB Share price vs Value as at Nov 2025

Simply Wall St Value Rating: 

Overview: Svedbergs Group is a company engaged in the design and manufacture of bathroom furnishings, with operations across various brands including Cassoe, Thebalux, Svedbergs, Macro Design, and Roper Rhodes; it has a market capitalization of SEK 1.86 billion.

Operations: The company generates significant revenue from its segments, with Roper Rhodes contributing the highest at SEK 1.17 billion, followed by Thebalux and Svedbergs. Its gross profit margin has shown a rising trend, reaching 47.29% in September 2025. Operating expenses are primarily driven by sales and marketing activities, which have consistently been a major cost component across periods.

PE: 15.9x

Svedbergs Group, a prominent player in the European market, recently reported a significant increase in net income to SEK 48.7 million for Q3 2025, up from SEK 27.9 million the previous year. Their sales for the same period rose to SEK 528.5 million from SEK 512.3 million, showcasing steady growth despite relying solely on external borrowing for fundinga riskier strategy without customer deposits. Insider confidence is evident with recent share purchases by executives this year, suggesting belief in future prospects as earnings are projected to grow annually by 11.5%.

OM:SVED B Share price vs Value as at Nov 2025

Taking Advantage

Gain an insight into the universe of 60 Undervalued European Small Caps With Insider Buying by clicking here.

Already own these companies? Bring clarity to your investment decisions by linking up your portfolio with Simply Wall St, where you can monitor all the vital signs of your stocks effortlessly.

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Ready For A Different Approach?

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 LSE:BMY OM:NYAB and OM:SVED B.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
Gallerist Ralph Pucci and artist Ruben Toledo have a history of collaborating together on projects and exhibits and are at it again  this time for Art Basel Miami Beach.

The Ralph Pucci gallery, located at 550 Northwest 28th Street in Miamis Wynwood Art District, starting Dec. 3 will showcase an exhibit of Toledos works, including 10 new watercolor paintings from his Natural Selections series, along with live drawing by the artist. On the gallerys facade is a large mural by Toledo titled I See You  I Love You, inspired by his beloved late wife, the acclaimed fashion designer Isabel Toledo. The mural stretches across the entire length of the facade, which is 146 feet wide by 14 feet high.

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Ruben has been part of the Ralph Pucci family for nearly four decades, said Pucci, who operates galleries in New York and Los Angeles as well as Miami showcasing high-end, luxurious home furnishings, sculpture, lighting, art and photography. Rubens work is imaginative, poetic, and deeply personal, and its an honor to showcase this exhibition that also pays tribute to Isabels enduring influence.

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Toledo has been collaborating with Pucci since 1988, designing mannequins and even painting directly onto Puccis signature furniture. His work is always deeply entwined with the spirit of his late wife, who drew worldwide attention when she dressed First Lady Michelle Obama for the 2009 presidential inauguration.

A portion of proceeds from the Miami show will help support an upcoming documentary about the Toledos and Cuba, where they lived until moving to New York City as child refugees, which is where they met. The documentary, titled Izzy, is directed by filmmaker Chiara Clemente and highlights the couples love, the creativity it spawned, and New Yorks art and fashion scene of the 70s and 80s, of which they were an integral part.

On opening night of the exhibit, Toledo will sketch portraits of guests who can contribute as they wish for their portraits, to support the documentary. Also at the opening, Ralph Puccis master sculptor, Michael Evert, will create a live sculptural environment and continue working in the gallery during the week that follows.

In addition, the gallery will stage a small recreation of the sculpture studio inside Puccis New York City headquarters/gallery. The actual studio is documented in the new coffee-table book Process and is where works are first hand-sculpted, then cast in a proprietary material called Plasterglass. The atelier-like experience has led to collaborations with several internationally recognized designers represented by Pucci, including Patrick Naggar, Eric Schmitt, Elizabeth Garouste, Stefan Bishop, Nina Seirafi, Olivier Gagnere, Alexandre Loge and Vladimir Kagan. Pucci also has in-house designs created. Brand-new for the Miami gallery are works by Paul Mathieu, Lee F. Mindel, Xavier Lust, John Koga and Ilkka Suppanen.

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NEED TO KNOW

Ariana Grande was attacked by a fan at the Singapore premiere of her film Wicked: For Good on Thursday, Nov. 13

A man rushed the carpet, grabbing Grande around the shoulders, and her costar Cynthia Erivo quickly jumped into action, pushing the man away

The attacker was later identified as Johnson Wen, who goes by Pyjama Man, who has crashed several celebrity events

Ariana Grande was accosted by a fan at the Singapore premiere of her new film Wicked: For Good on Thursday, Nov. 13.

In multiple videos captured from a variety of angles, Grande, who plays Glinda in the highly anticipated film, was seen walking the yellow brick road carpet at Universal Studios Singapore alongside costars Michelle Yeoh, Cynthia Erivo and Jeff Goldblum, when a man in a white shirt and shorts sprinted at her, turning and grabbing her.

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The man, who had long black hair with dyed blue streaks, put his arm around Grande, pulling her close to him as she attempted to get away.

belle phai/tikTok Ariana Grande charged by a fan in Singapore Ariana Grande charged by a fan in Singapore

Immediately, Erivo, who plays Elphaba in the film, lunged toward the altercation, placing herself between Grande and the man and appearing to shout at him. Members of security then stepped in and moved the man away from Grande.

Grande looked visibly shaken by the incident, letting out deep breaths as Erivo and Yeoh comforted her.

Fans quickly identified the red carpet crasher as Johnson Wen, who goes by Pyjama Man online. Wen posted his own video of the incident on Instagram, writing, Dear Ariana Grande Thank You for letting me Jump on the Yellow Carpet with You .

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Wen is known for crashing celebrity events and making headlines. In June, he jumped on stage with a shocked-looking Katy Perry, and in August, he crashed The Weeknds show before security rushed him off stage.

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.

Grande has previously spoken about her struggles with PTSD in the wake of the 2017 bombing of her Manchester concert, which left 22 people dead.

Yeah, its a real thing. I know those families and my fans, and everyone there experienced a tremendous amount of it as well," Grande told British Vogue in 2018. Its hard to talk about because so many people have suffered such severe, tremendous loss  I feel like I shouldnt even be talking about my own experience  like I shouldnt even say anything. I dont think Ill ever know how to talk about it and not cry.

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In the same interview, she opened up about her ongoing struggles with anxiety.

I think a lot of people have anxiety, especially right now  My anxiety has anxiety," she said. "Ive always had anxiety. Ive never really spoken about it because I thought everyone had it, but when I got home from tour [in September 2017] it was the most severe I think its ever been.

Read the original article on People
Cheryl Hines obliquely referenced her husband Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s sexting scandal in her newly released memoir, Unscripted.



The Curb Your Enthusiasm alum, 60, said that she was in Italy on holiday when her husband called to warn me of another breaking story.



The ambiguous story involved a political journalist who said she had some communication with a former reporting subject that had turned personal, but it was never physical. It was widely rumored to be Kennedy, which turned out to be true.

Cheryl Hines opened up about her husband Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s sexting scandal. Getty Images

She wrote about it in her newly released memoir, Unscripted. Getty Images



Last year, Page Six exclusively reported that former New York magazine writer Olivia Nuzzi, 32, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, 71, had engaged in a nearly year-long online affair.



A source told us that the two told each other they loved each other (over the phone) every time they talked and had incredible sex over FaceTime.



A Kennedy spokesperson said that he only met Olivia Nuzzi once in his life for an interview she requested, which yielded a hit piece.



Hines wrote that the unsavory headlines were leaving me with the feeling of being unimportant to himIt was the end of the line for me.

The Curb Your Enthusiasm alum, 60, said she was in Italy on holiday when her husband called to warn me of another breaking story.

Last year, Page Six exclusively reported that former New York magazine writer Olivia Nuzzi (pictured above) and the Secretary of Health and Human Services had engaged in a nearly year-long online affair. AFP via Getty Images

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She continued to stay on in Europe, and when she returned home, Kennedy was eager to talk, although she felt so distant from him.



The Emmy nominee shared that for the next few days, she and Kennedy stopped everything and drilled down on the truth.



We talked about all of the painful times wed been through in the last few years and what we meant to each other, and eventually they tightened their bond.



She discredited Nuzzi in a recent podcast.



I think you always have to consider the source, right? the actress quipped. So thats where I start. And then it ends with a conversation with Bobby.

Hines wrote that the unsavory headlines were leaving me with the feeling of being unimportant to himIt was the end of the line for me. AFP via Getty Images

She continued to stay on in Europe, and when she returned home, Kennedy was eager to talk, although she felt so distant from him. Getty Images

Hines married Kennedy in 2014. It is her second marriage and his third. His second wife, Mary Richardson, died by suicide two years after he filed for divorce. She had accused him of being a sexual deviant during their contentious divorce proceedings.

The political scion and former heroin addict, who ran for President before dropping out, has been a controversial figure for his anti-vaccine beliefs.



Page Six exclusively reported that Nuzzi is working on a book that will include the sexually charged text messages between her and Kennedy.
Cheryl Hines opens up in her new book about the painful moment she found out about her husband Robert Kennedy Jr.'s sexting scandal.

In her new memoir, Unscripted, Hines, who rose to fame on the beloved HBO comedy series Curb Your Enthusiasm, recounts how she first learned of Kennedy's alleged digital affair with journalist Olivia Nuzzi, PEOPLE reports.

At the time the news broke, Hines was on vacation with her daughters in Italy.

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"Bobby called to warn me of another breaking story," she wrote. "At first, it was an ambiguous story about a political journalist who said she had some communication with a former reporting subject that had turned personal, also stating that it was never physical. There was a lot of speculation that she was referring to Bobby. The press was running wild with it."

Hines continues by saying that she was "sure I wasn't seeing the full scope of the coverage, but I was seeing most of it. Of course, I hated all of it. The swirl of headlines, rumors, and insinuations was upsetting and overwhelming. I had hit a wall."

Hines went on to say that her initial reaction was "indifference." But the longer she was in Italy, the more upset she got. "This latest story was leaving me with the feeling of being unimportant to him," she shared. "It felt like a game people were playing and I wasn't interested in participating. It was the end of the line for me."

When she returned home, Kennedy picked her up at the airport.

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"I felt so distant from him," she said. "It seemed like the only threads that were connecting me to him were directly tied to all of our kids. I loved each one of them so much. I respected and adored them too much not to listen to what Bobby had to say."

Repairing Their Relationship

It was then that the couple started putting the pieces back together.

"For the next few days, we stopped everything and drilled down on the truth. We locked ourselves in our room and laid it all on the table," Hines recalled.

The couple spoke candidly together "about all of the painful times we'd been through in the last few years and what we meant to each other."

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"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. Through those soul-searching days, we tightened our ties that bind."

Hines Lost Several Friends As a Result of RFK Jr.'s Trump Endorsement

In a recent interview, Hines revealed that her husbands endorsement of President Trump cost her several friendships.

Hines told President Trumps daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, that some people stopped talking to her after years of friendship, according to an exclusive clip provided to PEOPLE.

He originally ran for president as a Democrat, and then that comes to an end and he says, Im actually going to support the Republican candidate for president, but not just any Republican candidate, Donald Trump,  Lara asks Hines in the interview, which ran on FOX News Channels My View with Lara Trump. Did you hear from people? Did you suddenly not hear from people? How did that go for you?

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In response, Hines said she was pleased that some friends were responsive and willing to discuss the issue. However, others were not.

I heard from people. You know what, I was actually grateful for my good friends that had feelings about it, still have feelings about it, but at least would call me and say, I cant believe this is happening, you cant let this happen! Hines replied. I would rather that than somebody who Ive known for 30 years just stop talking to me altogether.

Ive experienced it all, she continued. And then I have some really good friends that, you know, we have thoughtful discussions where its, you know, you can say, Wow, heres something that happened that I didnt like, that still bothers me, and heres something thats happening that I think is good. 

Hines says those friends could see both sides and its not black and white, adding, So I really appreciate those people.

Related: Cheryl Hines Reveals the Dramatic Physical Reaction She Had To Meeting Donald Trump

This story was originally reported by Parade on Nov 13, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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Prince Harry is likely dealing with some difficult emotions after missing out on celebrating a special holiday in England following five years living in the United States.

Keep reading for the details

MORE: Follow Wonderwall on MSN for more top news

2008 RAMEY PHOTO /XPOSURE/MEGA

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Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams thinks Prince Harry, who served in the armed forces for 10 years, could feel remorse about no longer spending Remembrance Sunday with the royal family. "On an occasion like Remembrance Sunday, his thoughts, from California, will undoubtedly be regretful," the journalist told the Daily Express.

MEGA

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The holiday honoring veterans may bring back memories for Prince Harry, who completed two tours in Afghanistan, serving as a forward air controller and also an Apache attack helicopter pilot. "He is still part of the British military family and its major act of homage to the fallen in Whitehall, where his father, King Charles III, leads the nation's homage to the fallen. He will be absent in person but undoubtedly present in spirit," Richard Fitzwilliams said. "Each year on Remembrance Sunday, he and Meghan Markle commemorate it by doing something which they regard as appropriate for the occasion."

MEGA

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Prince Harry's years serving in the armed forces made a huge impact on him. "Prince Harry has always said that the decade he spent in the military was the making of him," Richard Fitzwilliams said. "His two tours of duty in Afghanistan were undoubtedly a success and his popularity at that time was huge in Britain."

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

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Prince Harry has been open about his time in the army. "It's a duty, a job and a service to our country  and having done two tours of duty in Afghanistan for my country, I've done all I could to be the best soldier I was trained to be," he said in an interview with People.

Mirrorpix / MEGA

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The annual day of remembrance might even stoke feelings of regret for Prince Harry over leaving Britian in 2020 and publishing his shocking memoir, Spare, about the royal family. "He is bound to have very deep regrets. The state of King Charles III's health is bound to add to them," Richard Fitzwilliams said.
As the European markets face pressures from concerns over artificial intelligence stock valuations, major indices like the STOXX Europe 600 and Germany's DAX have recently seen declines. In this environment, investors may find opportunities in value stocks that are trading at estimated discounts, offering potential resilience amidst market fluctuations.

Top 10 Undervalued Stocks Based On Cash Flows In Europe

Name Current Price Fair Value (Est) Discount (Est) YIT Oyj (HLSE:YIT) 3.048 5.98 49% Vinext (BIT:VNXT) 3.38 6.57 48.6% Truecaller (OM:TRUE B) SEK25.44 SEK50.66 49.8% STEICO (XTRA:ST5) 20.40 39.84 48.8% Roche Bobois (ENXTPA:RBO) 35.20 69.45 49.3% Micro Systemation (OM:MSAB B) SEK63.40 SEK126.60 49.9% eDreams ODIGEO (BME:EDR) 7.26 14.34 49.4% Doxee (BIT:DOX) 3.75 7.43 49.5% Demant (CPSE:DEMANT) DKK227.80 DKK447.90 49.1% Atea (OB:ATEA) NOK150.60 NOK300.13 49.8%

Click here to see the full list of 195 stocks from our Undervalued European Stocks Based On Cash Flows screener.

We'll examine a selection from our screener results.

Overview: Pandora A/S designs, manufactures, and markets jewelry products with a market cap of DKK60.29 billion.

Operations: The company's revenue is derived from two main segments: Core, contributing DKK24.19 billion, and Fuel with More, adding DKK8.48 billion.

Estimated Discount To Fair Value: 36%

Pandora is trading at DKK 800, significantly below its estimated fair value of DKK 1,249.07, suggesting it may be undervalued based on cash flows. Despite a high debt level and an unstable dividend track record, Pandora's earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Danish market at 5.1% annually. The company's recent quarterly sales increase to DKK 6.27 billion highlights ongoing revenue growth amid strategic transitions in leadership and brand positioning efforts under the Phoenix strategy.

CPSE:PNDORA Discounted Cash Flow as at Nov 2025

Overview: Thales S.A. operates globally, offering solutions in defence and security, aerospace and space, as well as digital identity and security markets, with a market cap of 49.49 billion.

Operations: The company's revenue is primarily derived from its Defence segment at 11.96 billion, followed by Aerospace at 5.81 billion, and Cyber & Digital at 4.08 billion.

Estimated Discount To Fair Value: 36%

Thales is trading at 241, well below its estimated fair value of 376.71, highlighting potential undervaluation based on cash flows. Its earnings are forecast to grow 16.87% annually, outpacing the French market's growth rate. Recent strategic moves include a Memorandum of Understanding with Airbus and Leonardo to enhance Europe's space capabilities, which could drive future synergies and revenue expansion. However, slower-than-ideal revenue growth remains a consideration for investors assessing long-term prospects.
Justin Baldoni officially filed tonight to have Blake Livelys sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit against him and his Wayfarer Studios team tossed out, However, the It Ends With Us star doesnt want to publicly say why  at least not right away.

In a surprise move in a case full of legal jiu-jitsu, Baldoni and Wayfarers newish lead lawyer Alexandra Shapiro filed a motion for summary judgement just before tonights East Coast deadline. The motion itself was expected and no surprise, but the requesting of a federal judge to keep out of the public eye most of the related documents, depositions and exhibits to Baldonis last pre-trial bid to see the case ended certainly was   kinda.

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To be clear, the Wayfarer Parties do not believe that much of this material should be sealed, especially to the extent it includes Blake Livelys contemporaneous communications with others about her work on the film, which are central to the dispute at hand, an accompanying 2-page letter from Shapiro to Judge Lewis Liman pitches. Nonetheless the Wayfarer Parties request that the Court not rule on this letter motion to seal for one week, so that the parties can meet and confer and so that any party may file motions for continued sealing if they so choose.

Informing citizens that you do not have permission to view this document, as it currently pops up on the federal court system in a slew of filings such as Baldonis early October deposition in the much covered case, as well as text messages between Baldoni and fellow defendants and flacks Jennifer Abel and Melissa Nation, to name just a couple, are out of the public sphere as of right now. Still, an additional admittedly heavily redacted memorandum of law from Baldoni, Abel, Nathan, Jamey Heath, It Ends With Us Movie LLC, It Ends With Us Movie LLC,Steve Sarowitz, Wayfarer Studios LLC, and Wayfarer Studios LLC could provide a road map for where the defendants want to take their efforts to pull the plug on Livelys initially-December 20, 2024-filed California Civil Rights Department complaint on IEWU.

Sidestepping the obvious ironies in what Judge Liman earlier this year tersely called a feud between PR films, the memo makes no reference to the pricey and high-profile lawyers such as Bryan Freedman that Team Baldoni has had on beck and call for nearly a year. Leaving Sarowitzs massive wealth on the shelf too, theres also apparently damning texts among some of the Wayfarer PR folk detailing and laughing over a campaign (never executed insist the defendants) to preemptively take a bite out of Lively over Baldonis alleged misconduct that go pretty much unmentioned in this particular memo.

But theres still a lot to get carnivore on, if you know what I mean?

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Aided by two of the worlds largest litigation firms, Lively now seeks to create causes of action where none exist, the un-sealed (for now) memo of law states, accompanied by a series of exhibits listings, including one document laying out 279 declaration and deposition excepts. The still unsealed filing goes on to assert that Lively cannot show the behavior she disliked was caused by her sex or gender, a basic prerequisite for her sexual harassment claims.

According to Baldonis legal team, Lively alleges Baldonis resort to public relations professionals was retaliation for complaints she had raised.

The memo continues: This ignores the large temporal gap, not to mention the many intervening events, between her raising of concerns and Baldonis resort to crisis-management professionals. There can be no claim for retaliation based on purported complaints raised in the distant past. Nor did Baldoni and his co-defendants engage in a defamatory smear campaign. It was not illegal for Baldoni to promote positive content about himself or truthful narratives about various events. That Livelys reputation may have suffered is a result of her own ill-advised public statements and actions.

Echoing what Judge Liman said months ago about this case and PR firms, but putting a new spin on it, the summary judgment memo says, This is a dispute about Hollywood reputations, not genuine legal wrongs. It does not belong in court.

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Whether or not, the case (in which a very specific Lively is seeking damages of nearly $500 million) belongs in federal court in NYC or anywhere else, in Texas Wednesday, District Judge David Alan Ezra granted Livelys motion to dismiss digital self-described hire gun Jed Wallaces suit against the Another Simple Favor actress.

While the Court recognizes that Plaintiffs may not have had extensive opportunity in the present case to conduct discovery, the issues underlying this case have been under extensive litigation in other courts for nearly a year and yet Plaintiffs fail to provide the Court with any greater level of detail beyond the speculation that on information and belief, Austin, TX situated Judge Ezra wrote, offering Wallace and crew the chance to file a new complaint on the matter.

If Wallace, who recently saw a NYC-based suit of Livelys against him dismissed over jurisdiction, chooses to file a new case in Texas or bunker down and let it go, Livelys team can smell victory blood in the water With this decision, all of the retaliatory lawsuits filed against Blake Lively by Justin Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios and their crisis communications and digital teams have been dismissed, a spokesperson for the actress said Wednesday with a not so subtle reference to the June 9th-dismissed $400 million countersuit of Baldonis. Ms. Lively will have her day in court on her claims at the March trial in New York.

As it stands right now, Lively, with Ryan Reynolds by her side, and Baldoni and the Wayfarer defendants are set to start trial on March 9, 2026 in New York.

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With months to go and some summary judgments to be dealt with, witnesses have not been formally called yet.

Still, besides Lively and Reynolds plus Baldoni and his inner circle, names like Taylor Swift, Reynolds Deadpool & Wolverine co-star Hugh Jackman, Emily Blunt, Sony Pictures execs Tony Vinciquerra, Tom Rothman, and WMEs Ari Emanuel and former co-chair Patrick Whitesell were among those revealed on November 6 on a just unsealed early discovery list for having pertinent information for what really went down on IEWU and in the aftermath.

And, based on the drip, drip, explosion of the past year, you just know there is more to come before March 2026. Keep an eye on the docket with Livelys own upcoming summary judgment submission sure to be a humdinger of its own too.

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Oscar-winning actors Michael Caine and Matthew McConaughey have made deals with voice-cloning company ElevenLabs that will allow its artificial intelligence technology to replicate their voices.

Caine said in a statement that ElevenLabs is using innovation not to replace humanity, but to celebrate it.

Its not about replacing voices; its about amplifying them, opening doors for new storytellers everywhere, said the 92-year-old British actor in a written statement.

ElevenLabs was founded in 2022 and is based in New York. SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

McConaughey also said he is investing in the New York-based startup and has had a relationship with it for several years. Financial terms of the deals were not disclosed. McConaughey said the deal will enable him to voice his newsletter in Spanish.

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Founded in 2022 and based in New York, ElevenLabs initially developed its technology to dub audio in different languages for movies, audiobooks and video games to preserve the speakers voice and emotions.

McConaughey said that the technology will enable him to voice his newsletter in Spanish. Dave Benett/Getty Images for Apple TV+

Caine said in a statement that ElevenLabs is using innovation not to replace humanity, but to celebrate it. AP

But shortly after its public release, ElevenLabs said in January 2023 it was seeing an increasing number of voice cloning misuse cases and promised new safeguards to tamp down on abuse, including limiting features to paid users.

A year later, however, a digital consultant was able to use ElevenLabs software to mimic then-President Joe Bidens voice in a robocall message sent to thousands of New Hampshire voters.

The company now says it has additional measures to block the cloning of celebrity and other high-profile voices without their consent.
Meghan Markle has never been shy about sharing glimpses of her family and projects on Instagram. Since returning to the platform earlier this year, fans have gotten sweet snaps of her kids, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, moments from her podcast and behind-the-scenes clips from her Netflix series With Love, Meghan. Shes also featured her husband, Prince Harry, whether its for his birthday, Fathers Day or her most recent Veterans Day tribute. And the newest post comes with one of the royal familys most iconic clips.

On November 11, which marked Veterans Day in the U.S., the 44-year-old Duchess of Sussex shared a tribute to Harry with a two-part Instagram post. The first part featured the infamous throwback footage of Prince Harry during his 2013 deployment in Afghanistan.

In the clip, filmed during an interview with ITV at Camp Bastion, Harry suddenly springs into action when an alarm sounds, signaling a potential security threat. Without missing a beat, he breaks off mid-sentence and races toward his Apache helicopter, ready to respond.

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The second photo in Meghans post was from Harrys recent trip to Canada to mark Remembrance Day.

The Duke of Sussex served in the military from 2005 to 2015, deployed twice to Afghanistan and rose to the rank of Captain as an Apache helicopter pilot.

"As my husband says, 'Once served. Always serving,'" Meghan captioned the post. "Thank you to all who served, sacrificed, and continue to serve. Honoring you on Veterans Day. And every day."

Meghan has shared similar glimpses of Harrys military past before, including a throwback for his 41st birthday in September. Oh hi, birthday boy [fire emoji], she wrote alongside a photo of a young Prince Harry.

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From heartfelt throwbacks to peeks into her modern-day life, Meghan keeps fans coming back for more.

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Its Official: Meghan Markle Returns to Acting for First Film Since Marrying Prince Harry
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Blanca Turrubiate was devastated when her boss and good friend, Maggie Murdaugh, and her son, Paul, were shot and killed in June 2021

She describes the close bond they shared and how difficult it was after Maggie's death when she saw reminders of her slain friend

She was shocked when she found a lock of Maggie's hair at the kennels, where her friend had been fatally shot five times  by her husband, Alex

In the days and weeks after Maggie Murdaugh and her son, Paul Murdaugh, were shot and killed on the sprawling property of their Lowcountry, S.C., hunting lodge, housekeeper Blanca Turrubiate-Simpson saw reminders everywhere she looked of the woman with whom she had formed an unlikely bond.

After the shocking June 7, 2021, murders, Alex Murdaugh, then 54, asked Simpson and her husband to manage the 1,770-acre property for him.

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Nearly two years later, in March 2023, Alex would be convicted of the murders of his wife and son and sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison without the possibility of parole. He was later found guilty of a slew of financial crimes and sentenced to an additional 40 years in prison. He is appealing the murder conviction.



Before all of this, in the summer of 2021, Simpson remembers Alex asking her to move Maggies clothes from the master bedroom closet to another closet at the propertys main house.

Elijah Nouvelage Aerial view of the Murdaugh's Moselle property in Colleton County, S.C. Aerial view of the Murdaugh's Moselle property in Colleton County, S.C.

"He said he couldnt stand to see them every time he came over to get more of his things, Simpson writes in her new memoir, Within the House of Murdaugh: Amid a Unique Friendship  Blanca and Maggie, out this month and co-authored with Mary Frances Weaver.

Joshua Boucher/Pool/The State/Tribune News Service via Getty; Palmetto Publishing Alex Murdaugh; Within the House of Murdaugh by Blanca Turrubiate-Simpson and Mary Frances Weaver Alex Murdaugh; Within the House of Murdaugh by Blanca Turrubiate-Simpson and Mary Frances Weaver

When I opened the closet, I could still smell her perfume, she writes. I stood there, breathing in the scent; part of her still lingered.

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Simpson, 58, had worked for the once-influential Murdaugh family as one of their housekeepers since 2007 and for Alex, then an attorney, helping him translate for Spanish-speaking clients since 2002.

She became close to them while caring for their Hampton home, then Moselle in Islandton and their house on Edisto Island.

For more about Blanca Turrubiate-Simpson and the Murdaugh family, subscribe now to PEOPLE or pick up this week's issue, on newsstands Friday.

On the day after the murders, Alex asked her to go to Moselle to clean up the house because her parents and others were going to be visiting. Simpson stayed at the house and avoided going to the kennels, where the bodies of Maggie and Paul had been found.

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Once she and her husband began managing the property, they had to go to the kennels to check on the dogs.

What she saw during that first visit to the kennels sticks with her to this day, she says.

As I walked toward the kennel, I spotted a lock of Maggies hair lying in plain sight near where her body was found, she writes. Obviously, the crime scene hadnt been thoroughly cleaned. I wasnt ready for what I saw. I expected the kennel area to look exactly the same as when I last visited. It did not.

In the book, Simpson details how the familys happy, carefree existence and vast influence as Lowcountry royalty, as Weaver put it, began to erode when Paul drunkenly crashed his boat in 2019, killing Mallory Beach, 19. Facing multimillion-dollar lawsuits, Alex turned increasingly to drugs, becoming desperate when his financial woes and misdeeds were about to surface. To him, says Simpson, killing Maggie and Paul became his only option. The secrets he carried got to be too much, Simpson tells PEOPLE.

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Within the House of Murdaugh: Amid a Unique Friendship - Blanca and Maggie, by Blanca Turrubiate-Simpson and Mary Frances Weaver, is available now, wherever books are sold.



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Prince William, who is the future King, reportedly possesses a strong personal core and has placed his main focus on preserving the future of the monarchy. On November 5, the Prince of Wales presented his Earthshot mission to the world in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is an environmental prize, which he launched in 2020.

The future monarch and his wife, Kate Middleton, also recently celebrated Remembrance Day in Britain. The Prince has reportedly been giving protection to the future while paying homage to the past.

Prince William and Kate Middleton embody values like consistency, steadiness, per source

Prince William and Kate Middleton reportedly integrate the core values. As reported by People magazine, a source told them that the Prince of Wales has a strong personal core, similar to the Princess of Wales. The person continued that both of them embody values such as constancy, consistency, steadiness, and a safe place for the country to reach out to.

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In the meantime, another insider from the palace went on to talk about Prince Williams recent visit to Rio de Janeiro for his Earthshot mission. The person explained, Hes leaving Rio with a renewed sense of optimism about what Earthshot can deliver. They continued, Were seeing the impact Earthshot finalists are delivering. They added, The momentum is really feeling unstoppable.

Meanwhile, Stephanie Al-Qaq, the U.K.s ambassador to Brazil, said to the news outlet that Prince William is a very credible voice. The ambassador continued, Hes more than ready to step into that space.

Originally reported by Nikita Nath on Reality Tea.

The post Prince William & Kate Middleton Offer Safe Space for Country  Source appeared first on Mandatory.
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Richard Gere exclusively opened up to PEOPLE about his life in Spain with wife Alejandra Silva while attending the DOC NYC Visionaries Tribute Luncheon on Tuesday, Nov. 12

The star said that he loves "Spanish culture," and the fact that the people are "very warm and open," but he did admit to missing the "energy" of New York City

Gere and Silva married in 2018 and relocated in 2024

Richard Gere is opening up about his life in Spain with wife, Alejandra Silva.

While attending the DOC NYC Visionaries Tribute Luncheon at the citys Gotham Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 12, the 76-year-old actor exclusively told PEOPLE the best parts about his new home, and the thing he misses about his old one!

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My wife is so happy in Spain, so that's the best part of that, he explains, adding, She has wonderful family, wonderful friends.

Spanish culture, there's a very open joy about it, he continues, adding that the Spanish people are very warm and very open and a lot less stressed than what you find here in the U.S.

The Pretty Woman star then went on to note that he also loves Spanish food and culture, adding, Its a very happy place. Like the Italians. I mean, being in Italy, being in Spain, you're dealing with Latin cultures that just understand life in a different way than we do here.

Manoli Figetakis/Getty Richard Gere attends during the 2025 DOC NYC's Visionaries Lunch Richard Gere attends during the 2025 DOC NYC's Visionaries Lunch

But, of course, there are some things that Gere misses from his life in New York, namely the citys energy. Of course, it's very addictive, he adds.

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Back in January, the actor opened up to Spanish outlet Elle Espana about his relocation, saying that he had found new fulfillment since moving to Europe with his wife, 41, and their children, including their sons Alexander, 5, and James, 4, and Silvas son Albert, 11.

"You are seeing us in our momentum. We are happier than ever," Gere told the magazine. "[Alejandra], because she is at home and I because, if she is happy, I am happy."

Daniele Venturelli/WireImage Richard Gere and Alejandra Silva attend the Giorgio Armani fashion show Richard Gere and Alejandra Silva attend the Giorgio Armani fashion show

The Agency actor  who met Silva in Italy in 2014 after his divorce from ex-wife Carey Lowell, with whom he shares son Homer James, 25  also shared that he and his wifes common interest in environmental projects bonds them.

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.

"We can all minimize this sense of ego, of the self. And that's when true change occurs, he explained of their work, which includes collaborating on the Sierra a Mar project in Mexico.

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My wife shines for her open-mindedness and her genuine sense of gratitude," he added. So connecting with that, however you do it, whether you consider it spirit or religion, love or compassion ... it's infinite."

Meanwhile, Silva told Elle Espana that she and Gere  whom she met in Positano on the Amalfi Coast and married in 2018  are soul mates.

We have the same values, we see the world in the same way, and from the first moment we felt like we have known each other for a long time. And this only happens once, if it happens at all ... We were united by the karma of our past lives, she said.

Read the original article on People
The main competition for the 2025 Miss Universe pageant hasnt even started, and already the 74th edition of the competition has generated scrutiny. The controversy over Miss Mexico Fatima Boschs treatment by pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil, who berated the contestant, prompting walkouts from other Miss Universe competitors, dominated media coverage in the days before the official competition.

Last years broadcast saw Victoria Kjr Theilvig of Denmarks crowning moment as Miss Universe 2024. And now, a new crop of candidates will compete for the title, celebrating women from across the globe and the power of advocacy. WWD breaks down everything to know about the pageant, from the best way to watch Miss Universe to the hosts and more, ahead of Miss Universe 2025.

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How to watch Miss Universe 2025

For audiences in the United States, the 2025 Miss Universe pageant will be available to stream via Telemundo and Peacock on Nov. 20. Due to the time difference, the final competition for the pageant will take place at 8 a.m. in Thailand on Nov. 21. Coverage of the competition will begin at 7 p.m. ET in the U.S. on Nov. 20.

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GET: DIRECTV STREAM 5-DAY FREE TRIAL

You can sign up for Peacock here and watch a live feed of the Miss Universe 2025 ceremony. Watch to watch Miss Universe 2025 online free? Use this free trial to DirecTV, which has a live Telemundo feed included as part of its channel offerings. DirecTV lets you watch the Miss Universe show online free without cable, and you can stream the ceremony live online from your phone, computer, tablet or smart TV (via the DirecTV app).

Where is the 2025 Miss Universe pageant taking place?

The 2025 edition of Miss Universe will be held at the exhibition and convention center Impact Challenger Hall in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, Thailand.

Who is hosting the 2025 Miss Universe pageant?

Carlos Adyan, Danilo Carrera, Jessica Carrillo and Jacqueline Bracamonte will serve as hosts throughout the evening for the 2025 Miss Universe competition.

Who are the fashion and beauty sponsors for the 2025 Miss Universe pageant?

Official swimsuit sponsor Bench and Chat Cosmetics are among the beauty sponsors for the 2025 edition of Miss Universe. Founded in the Philippines, Bench offers lifestyle and fashion apparel, growing over the years with locations from the United States to the Middle East and China.

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Chat Cosmetics represents the host country for the 74th installment of Miss Universe. A brand based in Thailand, Chat Cosmetics features an array of makeup and skin care products. The brands official Instagram account has promoted its partnership with the 2025 Miss Universe pageant already.

Notable contestants

Following the scrutiny and reaction regarding her treatment, Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch will likely be among the contestants audiences are keen to watch during the 2025 Miss Universe competition. Bosch was called dumb or a dummy, regarding reports, by pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil during a pre-competition event, sparking several contestants to walk out of the meeting, all of which was captured in a video on the Miss Universe Thailand Facebook page.

With the walkouts and a statement made by former Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt, the Miss Universe pageant discharged Itsaragrisil from his duties and released a statement. The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) reaffirms its commitment to working closely with the host community, the Miss Grand International Organization (MGI), and all local partners to ensure the continued success of the 74th Miss Universe competition, the statement read in part.

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - NOVEMBER 16: Miss Peru, Tatiana Calmell, participates in the The 73rd Miss Universe Competition - show at Arena Ciudad de Mexico on November 16, 2024 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - NOVEMBER 16: Miss Finland, Matilda Wirtavuori, dances in the The 73rd Miss Universe Competition - show at Arena Ciudad de Mexico on November 16, 2024 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - NOVEMBER 16: Contestants line up during the The 73rd Miss Universe Competition - show at Arena Ciudad de Mexico on November 16, 2024 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)

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Launch Gallery: Miss Universe 2025 Preliminary Competition: Evening Gowns

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Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot has won the 2026 Genesis Prize, which is Israels prestigious award given to an individual for their professional excellence and commitment to Jewish values. As a part of the Genesis Prize, the winner gets $1 million, which they usually donate to a philanthropic cause. In a statement, the actress spoke about being a proud Jew and Israeli and how she feels humbled to receive the prize.

Gal Gadot wins Genesis Prize for steadfast defense of Israel

The Snow White actress was recently announced as the 2026 Genesis Prize laureate. Following this, she said she will donate the money to Israeli non-governmental organizations.

Gal Gadot also mentioned in a statement that she feels humbled to stand alongside the previous laureates of this accolade. She spoke of her love for her country and mentioned, I am a proud Jew and a proud Israeli. I love my country and dedicate this award to the organizations who will help Israel heal and to those incredible people who serve on the front lines of compassion. (via Genesis Prize Foundation)

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Israel has endured unimaginable pain. Now we must begin to heal  to rebuild hearts, families, and communities, Gadot added in her statement. This comes after the Red Notice star stood up for her country during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. She called out for international support to secure the release of the women taken hostage by the terrorist group in Gaza.

In November 2023, Gadot also reportedly helped organize a screening of the atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists at the Museum of Tolerance in West L.A.

Meanwhile, Stan Polovets, the Co-Founder and Chairman of The Genesis Prize Foundation, shared, Gal Gadots moral clarity and unwavering love for Israel have inspired millions. He further mentioned that the award recognizes her steadfast defense of Israel at great personal and professional risk.

Her decision to turn the Genesis Prize honor into a mission of healing embodies the very purpose of the Prize, Polovets added.

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Last year, Argentinian president, Javier Milei, received the Genesis Prize for fostering the relationship between Israel and Latin American nations. Earlier winners include Michael Bloomberg, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Steven Spielberg, Natan Sharansky, and Barbra Streisand.

The post Wonder Womans Gal Gadot Wins 2026 Genesis Prize for Israels Defense appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
The Miss Universe 2025 pageant has been plagued by scandal.

Contestants walked out after a Miss Universe director appeared to call Miss Mexico a "dumbhead."

Miss Chile apologized after posting a TikTok that showed her pretending to snort powder.

Miss Universe, the biggest pageant in the world, has found itself plagued with scandal againand againand again.

There's been a surprise leadership change, a Miss Universe director yelling at a contestant on camera, racist remarks from a former winner, judges dropping out, and a contestant falling off the stage.

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All the bad press has brought renewed international attention to a brand that came under fire just last year after former CEO Anne Jakrajutatip appeared to laugh at contestants' photos on Instagram Live and praised one titleholder's blond hair and blue eyes as "the best here."

Jakrajutatip never addressed the criticism.

Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt summed up the controversy-fatigue that many fans have been feeling, writing in an Instagram statement on November 7: "The drama in the pageant world has been weighing heavy on the hearts of so many."

Only time will tell if more drama will follow before the November 21 final. Until then, here's everything that's happened so far at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant.

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Miss Universe announced a new CEO just days before the 2025 pageant began.

Josh Brasted/Getty Images

Jakrajutatip made history when she acquired the Miss Universe Organization for $20 million in October 2022, becoming the first woman to own the pageant since its inception in 1952.

During the Miss Universe 2023 competition, Jakrajutatip promised to usher in a new era for the "global women's empowerment platform."

"From now on, it's going to be run by women, owned by a trans woman, for all women around the world," she said.

That era didn't last long. On October 29, Miss Universe announced that former diplomat Mario Bucaro was the new CEO. Jakjrajutatip had quietly stepped down in June.

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Bucaro, previously Miss Universe's vice president for international relations, now works alongside Raul Rocha, who became president after Jakrajutatip sold a 50% stake to his company in January 2024.

Jakrajutatip's resignation comes amid financial issues at her company, JKN Global Group. After defaulting on a multimillion-dollar loan in September 2023, the company petitioned Thailand's bankruptcy court. In June 2025, Thailand's Securities and Exchange Commission alleged Jakrajutatip had included false or misleading information in JKN's 2023 financial statements.

In the statement announcing Bucaro as CEO, the Miss Universe Organization said Jakrajutatip had stepped down to focus on her family. She has yet to make a public comment about her resignation or the SEC complaint.

Jakrajutatip did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

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The director of Miss Universe Thailand yelled at Miss Mexico, prompting contestants to walk out in protest.

Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch at Miss Universe 2025. Courtesy of Miss Universe

During a November 4 meeting with the Miss Universe contestants, Nawat Itsaragrisil, who was recently named the director of Miss Thailand and host for the 74th Miss Universe competition in Bangkok, confronted Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch and accused her of not participating in a promotional event for the pageant.

In the exchange, which was captured on Miss Universe Thailand's Facebook livestream, Itsaragrisil goes back and forth with Bosch as he criticizes the Miss Mexico team. The other Miss Universe contestants can be seen on the livestream, silently watching from their seats.

"If you listen to your director, you're a dumbhead," Itsaragrisil appears to tell Bosch during the livestream. He later told reporters that the word he had used was "damage."

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"I have a voice," Bosch told Itsaragrisil after he told her, "I did not give you an opportunity to talk."

"You are not respecting me as a woman," she added.

Multiple Miss Universe contestants walked out of the room after Itsaragrisil, who also runs the Miss Grand International pageant, called for security to remove Bosch. The director demanded that the contestants return to their seats, saying: "If anyone wants to continue the contest, sit down."

Bosch ultimately decided to stay in the competition, sharing her reason in an Instagram caption. "Mexicans don't give up because giving up has never been part of our history," she wrote on November 6.

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Representatives for Bosch, Itsaragrisil, and the Miss Universe Organization did not respond to requests for comment.

Miss Universe 2024 Victoria Kjr Theilvig walked out with contestants in support of Bosch.

Rodrigo Varela/Getty Images

"To trash another girl is beyond disrespectful," Theilvig can be heard saying in a clip reposted across Instagram and TikTok as the scandal broke.

"That's why I'm putting on my coat and leaving," she added.

Past winners from Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss Grand International  the pageant Itsaragrisil founded and still owns  also posted statements in support of Bosch.

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"Since the beginning of this year's Miss Universe competition, those of us on this side of the world have been waking up to 'surprises' every day  and today was no exception," Miss Universe 2023 Sheynnis Palacios wrote on her Instagram story on November 4. "Some of the values that should guide Miss Universe  respect, dignity, gender equality, and transparency  are now being questioned."

"A crown should never come at the cost of a woman's dignity," she added.

Voigt, who resigned her title in May 2024 due to the leadership of former Miss USA CEO Laylah Rose, said she was "shocked, disgusted, disappointed, and genuinely horrified" by the video.

"I understand what it feels like when your voice is dismissed and your dignity is demeaned," Voigt wrote in a November 6 Instagram statement. "I spent years being a chronic people pleaser but walking away from that fear, speaking up, reclaiming my dignity and my voice was the most liberating act I've ever taken."

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Miss Universe president Raul Rocha restricted Itsaragrisil from future Miss Universe 2025 events.

Miss Universe president Raul Rocha. Hector Vivas/Getty Images

Rocha posted a video on the official Miss Universe Instagram on November 4 stating that he would not "allow the values of respect and dignity of women to be violated."

"I have restricted Nawat's participation in the events that are part of the 74th Miss Universe competition, limiting it as much as possible or eliminating it entirely," he said.

Rocha added that Itsaragrisil's decision to call security on Bosch was a "serious abuse," and he accused the Miss Thailand director of having a "constant desire to be the center of attention."

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"The only ones who should shine are our delegates who represent each of their countries with dignity," he added.

Itsaragrisil broke down in tears as he apologized while speaking to reporters on November 5.

Nawat Itsargrisil posing with pageant queens in 2018. NARINDER NANU/AFP via Getty Images

Itsaragrisil apologized for the confrontation with Bosch a day later while giving a tearful press conference.

"This issue has dragged me down to this point. I understand and I apologize," he added. "I am human. I didn't want to do anything like that."

A former Miss Universe winner made racist remarks following Itsaragrisil's confrontation with Miss Mexico.

Gustavo Caballero/Billboard via Getty Images

Miss Universe 1996 Alicia Machado was discussing the argument between Itsaragrisil and Bosch during a November 5 Instagram Live when she referred to him as Chinese. When a commenter pointed out that Itsaragrisil was of Thai descent, Machado said "everyone with slanted eyes" was Chinese to her. The Venezuelan beauty queen then pulled back the corners of her eyes on camera to demonstrate.

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Machado's comments prompted a response from Voigt, who made history as the first Venezuelan-American to win the Miss USA title.

Voigt said she was "deeply saddened and disappointed" by Machado's comments, adding that many of her supporters had reached out and asked if she would stand up for the Asian community.

"The statements she made about Thailand, Thai people, and Asian communities were completely inappropriate, hurtful, and untrue," Voigt wrote. "The world of pageantry is unique and passionate but in recent days, the level of drama and negativity online has gone too far."

Machado is no stranger to headlines since her Miss Universe days. The beauty queen became a central part of Hillary Clinton's campaign in the last days of the 2016 election after the Democratic candidate said Donald Trump had called Machado "Miss Piggy" and "Miss Housekeeping" when he owned the Miss Universe pageant.

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A spokesperson for Trump denied that he called Machado those names in a statement sent to The New York Times following the presidential debate.

Machado, Itsaragrisil, and Voigt did not respond to requests for comment.

Miss Chile apologized after her makeup video shocked pageant fans.

Miss Chile Inna Moll at the 2025 Miss Universe pageant in Thailand. Courtesy of Miss Universe

On November 6, Miss Chile Inna Moll posted a TikTok video that showed her pretending to snort a line of cocaine.

The clip, part of the "Addicted to You" trend, shows a makeup-free Moll dusting some white powder from a compact on her arm. She then leans down and pretends to snort the powder before the video cuts to her in full glam for a Miss Universe event.

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Moll was quick to react to the criticism that followed as people began reposting her TikTok. She removed the clip from her page and posted an apology video to her Instagram stories the very next day.

"I want to apologize to those who were offended," she said in the video, according to Hola!. "The makeup artist told me to record it and, maybe because of the language barrier, I didn't fully grasp what was happening."

"I said no at first, but he insisted, and I went along. I should have said no firmly," Moll added.

Taratorn Aek, the makeup artist behind the video, posted an Instagram statement apologizing to Moll on the same day.

"What I did was thoughtless and without any hidden intent to harm the contestant or the country's image," he wrote. "It was merely a piece of content following a current online trend. I assure you that something like this will not happen again."

While rumors swirled that Moll could be disqualified from the pageant, she remains in the competition and has been frequently featured on Miss Universe's social media pages.

Moll, Aek, and the Miss Universe Organization did not respond to requests for comment.

Two judges dropped out just days before the Miss Universe finals.

Contestants at the 2025 Miss Universe pageant. Courtesy of Miss Universe

On November 18, the composer Omar Harfouch announced on Instagram that he was resigning as a finals judge for the competition. Harfouch accused the organization of carrying out a "secret vote" to select the top 30 by "individuals who are not official members of the jury, myself included."

"I could not stand before the public and television cameras, pretending to legitimize a vote I never took part in," Harfouch said. "Viewers would assume the jury made these decisions, and I cannot bear responsibility for a process I did not participate in."

Harfouch told Business Insider that he had spent several days in Thailand and, initially, the experience at Miss Universe "was promising."

"I felt honored to be invited as an official judge, and I approached it with full integrity and artistic dedication," he said. "But that changed when I discovered the existence of a parallel selection committee acting independently from the official jury. That moment shifted everything  from trust to credibility."

Miss Universe shared a statement on its Instagram on November 18, saying Harfouch was confused by the organization's recent announcement of a selection committee for the pageant's "Beyond the Crown Program," which it described as an "independent social impact initiative" that was designed to promote the contestants' charitable causes.

"The Miss Universe Organization clarifies that this eight-person committee operates entirely independently from the official Miss Universe judging panel," the statement said. "This committee does not evaluate the performance of the delegates during the 74th Miss Universe competition, nor do its decisions grant any additional points toward the final results."

On the same day that Harfouch resigned, Claude Makelele  a former professional French soccer player  said he could no longer serve as a judge for the Miss Universe finals.

"It is with regret that I must announce that I won't be able to attend the Miss Universe 2025 event due to unforeseen personal reasons," he wrote on Instagram. "This was a difficult decision, as I hold Miss Universe in the highest regard. The platform represents empowerment, diversity, and excellence  values I have always championed throughout my career."

The Miss Universe Organization didn't respond to requests for comment on the judges' resignations.

Miss Jamaica Gabrielle Henry had to be hospitalized after an accident during the preliminary competition.

Miss Jamaica 2025. Courtesy of Miss Universe

Henry was walking during the preliminary evening gown round on Wednesday in Bangkok when she fell off the stage, as seen in clips posted by pageant blogs on social media.

Miss Universe president Raul Rocha posted an update on his Instagram page later that night, saying he had visited Henry in the hospital.

"Thankfully, there are no broken bones and she is under good care," Rocha's statement read. "She will remain under observation for the rest of the night."

Henry, 29, is an ophthalmologist who created a foundation to advocate for people who are visually impaired. It is unclear if she will be able to compete at the November 21 finals.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The thriller "Deadly Vows" makes its North American debut Nov. 14 on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV and other digital platforms, bringing a true story of love turned deadly to screens nationwide.

Distributed by Quiver Distribution, "Deadly Vows" stars Shiva Negar ("American Assassin," "SEAL Team") and Peter Facinelli ("Twilight," "Nurse Jackie"), alongside Billy Zane ("Tombstone," "Titanic"), Shane West, and Academy Award nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo ("The Expanse," "House of Sand and Fog"). Directed by Jared Cohn and co-directed by Bella Bahar Danesh, the film follows Darya, a woman who flees the Iran-Iraq war to begin anew in Los Angeles  only to fall into a dangerous relationship that escalates into obsession and violence.

When Daryas controlling husband orders her death, she must outwit her would-be killer in a harrowing story of survival, empowerment and resilience.

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Danesh, who also produced the film with Luna Zhang and Daemon Hillin, said "Deadly Vows" uses suspense to illuminate strength.

We believe in the power of cinema to ignite awareness, provoke change and inspire courage, Danesh said. Its a gripping thriller that highlights the fight against domestic violence and the enduring strength of overcoming adversity.

Becoming Darya

For Negar, the role was deeply personal.

I literally lived in that character, Negar said. I wanted to stay with her for a few months before we even went on camera. I detached from my social life and just tried to live in Daryas world. I wanted to make sure the story was told as authentically as possible.

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Negar said her performance was shaped by her own understanding of oppression and survival.

She comes from Iran, and I was also born there, she said. Ive had my share of domestic violence and have seen the oppression of women. All those things really resonated with me and with her survival.

Exploring the mind of an abuser

Facinellis challenge was portraying Sam Lebon, a man whose love turns to control.

When youre playing somebody doing evil things, you cant play evil, he said. You have to try to get to the root cause, why they do what they do. There was a point at which this character could have gotten help and broken the pattern, but he didnt. Thats where the tragedy lies.

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Facinelli said his approach to Sam is not as a caricature, but as someone trapped in a cycle of pain.

Underneath this villainous person doing atrocious acts is a very hurt, scared little boy, he said. If you dont heal childhood trauma, it repeats itself.

Trust and collaboration

The films emotionally intense scenes required care and communication between the leads.

We went to very dark places, Facinelli said. I was very protective to make sure Shiva felt safe. Once we both felt safe, we could play in that space and really be in the moment.

Negar agreed.

It gets physical, and he was always checking on me, she said. I wanted it to be as raw as possible. Every time, hed ask, Should I hold back? and Id say, No, just go for it.

Shohreh Aghdashloos impact

Negar helped expand the role of Daryas mother, played by Aghdashloo, who brought depth and warmth to the story.

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In the original script, the mothers role was very small, Negar said. I suggested we expand that relationship, especially with Persian culture being so family-centered. I made the call to Shohreh, and she immediately said yes.

Facinelli called working with Aghdashloo an honor.

She has this incredible ability to be vulnerable and strong at the same time, he said. She brought so much passion to every scene.

Scenes that stay with you

Both actors said certain moments lingered long after filming wrapped.

The scene on the staircase is just so brutal, Facinelli said. And the kitchen scene, where the abuse happens in front of the children, its not an easy watch.

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Negar added, Theres a moment where Sam brings Darya a gift to apologize, and its so loving, and then it turns completely. My heart rate still goes up every time I see it.

A story of survival

Both Negar and Facinelli said the films core message is one of resilience.

I want people to know that youre not what happened to you, Negar said. You can rise from it. Theres a way out.

Facinelli added, As storytellers, we want to inspire understanding. Its about seeing the humanity on both sides while shining a light on what happens behind closed doors.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: New thriller Deadly Vows shines light on domestic abuse, resilience
By David Jeans

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Counter-drone radar manufacturer Chaos Industries raised $510 million in a funding round that closed last month, the company's CEO said, the latest sign of booming investor interest in emerging military technology firms.

The Los Angeles-based company, which makes radars that can detect drones - a key vulnerability highlighted in Russia's war in Ukraine - is now valued at $4.5 billion, Chaos CEO John Tenet told Reuters.

The series D funding round, which has not been previously reported, was led by Valor Equity Partners. Tenet said the fresh capital will be used to ramp up manufacturing and scale its workforce.

The company's previous funding round was six months ago. The new round boosts the total amount raised by the firm to $1 billion. Chaos was founded in 2022.

This year alone, investors have poured almost $30 billion into defense tech companies, according to a report released by Pitchbook in August.

This investment wave has given rise to a new crop of multibillion-dollar valued companies, including U.S. drone maker Anduril, valued at $30 billion in April, drone boat manufacturer Saronic, valued at $4 billion in February, and drone manufacturer Shield AI, valued at $5 billion in March.

Valor CEO Antonio Gracias, a longtime business partner of Elon Musk and most recently a top adviser to the Department of Government Efficiency, is joining Chaos' board, a Chaos spokesperson said.

Valor has previously led funding rounds for Anduril, SpaceX and software company Defense Unicorns.

"We look forward to supporting them," Gracias told Reuters, declining to comment further.

HOT DEFENSE TECH MARKET

While most defense tech companies have no clear path to profitability, investors are betting they will play a crucial role in modernizing the U.S. military amid tensions with China, and as the war in Ukraine has transformed the use of drones on the battlefield.

It's no secret defense tech has become one of the hottest categories in venture capital, Tenet said.

Chaos has previously announced a $2 million contract with the U.S. Air Force. Tenet said the company expects to announce a dozen contracts in coming months, but declined to share more details.

Governments have prioritized defending against drone attacks since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the rising menace of drone incursions at airports.

At the center of Chaos pitch is that its sensors and radars can detect drones and small unmanned aerial vehicles from hundreds of kilometers away, Tenet said, as opposed to legacy systems that focus on identifying larger aircraft. To bolster this effort, the company recently acquired a company called Ziva Corporation, whose technology can detect and respond to threats up to ten minutes faster than traditional radars, the company said. It declined to disclose the value of the deal.
Downtown movie theater Cine will be throwing its support behind the University of Georgia's restoration project for the 1986 music documentary "Athens, GA: Inside/Out" with a special screening event. The Black Lips documentary "Kids Like You & Me" is scheduled to play at the 234 W. Hancock Ave. nonprofit cinema at 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 18, and $15 advance tickets can be purchased at athenscine.com.

Directed by "Athens, GA: Inside/Out" producer Bill Cody, "Kids Like You & Me" followed Atlanta band The Black Lips as they embarked on their 2012 tour of the Middle East, which traveled from Cyprus through Egypt, Dubai, Iraq, and Jordan and concluded in Lebanon. The goal of the 79-minute documentary was to present a truthful depiction of shopkeepers, restaurant owners, skaters, graffiti artists, and musicians in the Middle East.

Cody told the Banner-Herald that The Black Lips' bass player, Jared Swilley, will be in attendance at the Nov. 18 screening.

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The original 16mm film and audio recordings from "Athens, GA: Inside/Out" are currently preserved at UGA's Brown Media Archives and Peabody Awards Collection, but the elements will need to be sent out to a professional facility in order for the documentary to be digitally restored. Plans are for the project to be completed in time to screen "Athens, GA: Inside/Out" in 2026 in celebration of its 40th anniversary.

More: Looking to explore dive bars in Athens, Georgia? Here are 10 to get you started

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Documentary screening will support Athens music film restoration
Cleto Escobedo III had one of those careers not too many people get to enjoy -- because he worked alongside one of his childhood friends, Jimmy Kimmel, for many years.

However, the musician's stint as the late-night show host's bandleader came to an abrupt end in 2025 when he unexpectedly died.

We're going to take a look back at the saxophone player's history with Kimmel and see how his career in showbiz played out.

Cleto Was Childhood Friends With Jimmy

Escobedo was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. His father was a saxophone player who worked at Caesar's Palace as a busboy.

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Escobedo and Kimmel -- who moved with his parents from Brooklyn, New York, to Las Vegas at an early age -- met when the comedian's family settled across the street from his future bandleader.

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The pair grew incredibly close over the years, and Kimmel described their close connection as a "lifetime of friendship."

The musician started playing saxophone at an early age, and he later attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, although he ended up focusing on his musical career, according to The New York Times.

He Toured With Several Major Artists

Escobedo started his career by playing gigs at various venues on the Las Vegas Strip before he was asked to join Paula Abdul's touring band in 1990.

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He eventually landed a record deal with Virgin Records, and he also toured with artists like Marc Anthony and Luis Miguel.

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Escobedo was touring with Anthony when Kimmel asked him to serve as his band leader, and the comedian had to take ABC's higher-ups to see his childhood friend play live to convince them of his musical chops.

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Escobedo served as Kimmel's band leader for over two decades, and he invited his father to join his band.

Jimmy Paid A Lengthy Tribute To Cleto On His Show

Kimmel announced Escobedo's death in a post on his Instagram account in November 2025.

Details about the exact cause of the saxophone player's death were not immediately released.

Kimmel paid a lengthy tribute to Escobedo during his show on November 11th, and he became visibly emotional.

Kimmel announced he and the rest of the show's crew would take a few nights off from the show to deal with the loss of their musician colleague and friend.
The Crawford County Community Concert Association is bringing a Toby Keith tribute show to Bucyrus on Nov. 20.

The concert, titled "TOBY  A Tribute To Toby Keith," will take place at 7 p.m. at Bucyrus Elementary School, according to a community announcement.

The show features Hollywood Yates, who will perform some of Keith's most popular songs, including "How Do You Like Me Now," "Should've Been a Cowboy" and "I Love This Bar."

The Crawford County Community Concert Association is bringing "TOBY  A Tribute to Toby Keith" to Bucyrus at 7 p.m. Nov. 20 at Bucyrus Elementary School.

The concert is part of the association's season, which includes a variety of musical genres.

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Other shows in the lineup include "Mat & Savanna Present Shaw Family Christmas" on Dec. 11, "Eaglemania - The World's Greatest Eagles Tribute Band" on April 14 and The Texas Tenors on May 5.

Tickets for the Toby Keith tribute show are available at crawcocommconcert.com. Individual tickets can be purchased through the iTickets.com link or by calling 800-965-9324. Discounts are available for students 18 and younger.

The concert is made possible in part by support from the Community Foundation for Crawford County, Avita Health System, Ohio Mutual Insurance Group and the Ohio Arts Council.

This story was created by Jane Imbody, jimbody@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 Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Toby Keith tribute concert in Bucyrus Nov. 20
Kanye West is once again at the center of controversy as reports suggest Brazilian authorities have issued a warning ahead of his upcoming Sao Paulo concert. The rapper, who is set to perform later this month, could reportedly face arrest if he makes any remarks deemed supportive of Nazism during the show.

Reports say Brazil warned Kanye West over Hitler song

Kanye Wests Brazil concert has drawn major controversy following reports that Sao Paulo authorities have issued strict arrest warnings ahead of the show. According to Metropoles, the Sao Paulo State Public Prosecutors Office has allegedly directed that West be arrested if he performs his unreleased song Heil Hitler or makes any statements in support of Nazism during his scheduled performance on November 29.

Sao Paulo Mayor Ricardo Nunes confirmed that the city would not allow anyone promoting Nazi ideology to perform in public spaces. He said, No one who promotes Nazism will play or sing any words on public equipment belonging to the City Hall.

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The mayor added that officials will take every crucial measure to prevent such acts. We do not accept it and we will do everything necessary to ensure that no one who promotes Nazism has any kind of activity here in the city of Sao Paulo, he added.

The events promoters, Guilherme Cavalcante and Jean Fabricio Ramos, were also warned they could face arrest if West violates the order during the concert. The warning comes after city officials canceled the previous venue of the concert at the Interlagos racetrack due to Wests past antisemitic remarks.

In October, prosecutor Ana Beatriz Pereira de Souza Frontini also ruled that West could not wear clothing featuring Nazi imagery during his stay in Brazil. Despite these controversies, the rapper is reportedly still working with organizers to arrange a new venue for the November 29 concert. He also has upcoming performances scheduled in South Africa on December 13 and Mexico on January 30.

The post Kanye West Threatened With Arrest Over Hitler Track in Brazil  Report appeared first on Mandatory.
FX has canceled one of its most critically acclaimed comedies, English Teacher, despite the shows stellar reception and perfect Rotten Tomatoes score.

FX cancels English Teacher after two seasons

FX has pulled the plug on English Teacher after two seasons, as per Deadline. The hit sitcom, created by and featuring Brian Jordan Alvarez, will not return for a third installment. English Teacher was one of FXs most well-received comedies in recent years. Season 1 scored 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, while Season 2 achieved a 100% rating.

The series follows Evan Marquez (played by Alvarez), a gay high school English teacher in Austin, as he navigates personal drama, workplace politics, and community conflicts in a sharp, satirical tone. The cast includes Stephanie Koenig, Sean Patton, Carmen Christopher, Enrico Colantoni, and Jordan Firstman. While FX reportedly did not give a reason for the cancellation, the news comes just six weeks after the second season premiered in September 2025.

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Last year, Alvarez was accused of sexual assault by his former friend and co-star, Jon Ebeling. The duo worked together in Alvarezs 2015 web series, The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo. Initially, Ebeling went public with the allegations on Instagram and later detailed them in a December 2024 New York Magazine article. The accusations also implicated Stephanie Koenig, Ebelings ex-girlfriend, whom he alleged helped uphold a harmful dynamic.

At the time, FX addressed the allegations with a statement: We reviewed the allegations presented to us by another media outlet prior to the shows launch. Mr. Ebeling never reached out to us with any concerns. We will have no further comment at this time. FX renewed English Teacher for a Season 2 in early 2025, months after the story broke. However, it has now been cancelled after two seasons. (via Variety)

Although FX did not publicly link the cancellation to the allegations or performance metrics, the networks silence has seemingly left fans disappointed.

Originally reported by Devanshi Basu on ComingSoon.

The post English Teacher Season 3 Gets a Disappointing Update appeared first on Mandatory.
Carolina Crescentini as the Italian erotic magazine publisher Adelina Tattilo in <i>Mrs. Playmen</i> on Netflix. Credit - Camilla CattabrigaNetflix

On Nov. 12, Netflix bares all with Mrs. Playmen, starring Carolina Crescentini as the legendary editor Adelina Tattilo, whom TIME magazine dubbed the Hugh Hefner of Italy in 1971.

Over seven episodes, it follows the Catholic mother of three as she manages an erotic magazine in conservative Rome after her husband disappears.

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Heres what to know about Mrs. Playmen and the real magazine that inspired the show.

The real Mrs. Playmen

As the show illustrates, the magazine Playmen was known for its daring photographs. It launched in 1967 because Playboy was banned in Italy. Boasting a mix of erotic photos and intellectual articles, the magazine reached a circulation of 450,000 in less than four years.

While it had a Girl of the Month pullout, the magazine purported to have a more sophisticated focus than its American counterpart Playboy, influenced by the tastes of its editor Hugh Hefner. Hefner's girls giggle and eat ice cream; Tattilo's taste centers on women who might smile over a Campari, TIME wrote in a 1971 article on the publications.

At Playmen, Tattilo called the shotslike picking cover girls and greenlighting paparazzi pictures of Brigitte Bardot sunbathing. Unlike Playboys Hefner, she did not dole out sexual advice to readers, according to TIME.

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When TIME asked whether Playmen is potentially hurting the womens liberation movement with its graphic content, Tattilo replied: "It is possible that Mr. Hefner considers the women in his magazine 'objects' instead of individuals. This is certainly not my way. In our concept of eroticism, the woman is the 'subject' as much as the man. I think that the American woman should first think of liberating herself from herself, from her own myth that threatens to crush the American male. I am surprised that in America there is no men's liberation movement."

How Mrs. Playmen starts

Tattilo (Crescentini) has to take over the magazine because her husband and fellow co-founder, Saro Balsamo (Francesco Colella), has disappeared. When he finally calls her, he reveals that he had to go into hiding because hes afraid of being investigated for embezzlement.

Porn is going to save us, he tells his wife, encouraging her to keep publishing.

(L to R) Carolina Crescentini as publisher Adelina Tattilo and Francesco Colella as her husband Saro Balsamo in Mrs Playmen Camilla CattabrigaNetflix

Its true that, from time to time, Balsamo did go into hiding because of problems running the business. But the first two episodes center around a fictional photographer Luigi (Giuseppe Maggio), eager to impress Playmen editors, who took glamour shots of his friend Elsa (Francesca Colucci), a waitress (also a fictional character). Tattilo likes the idea of publishing pictures of an attractive ordinary woman.

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Copies fly off newsstands, and the woman is irate, claiming that she didnt know hed be publishing naked photos of her, even though she had signed a contract. She claims that after the magazine spread came out, she was raped by a male acquaintance and is being pressured to marry him so that hes absolved of his crime. Tattilo offers her a job working for her as an assistant so that she doesnt have to marry him.

At the same time, Tattilo is presented with an opportunity to print racy pictures of a marchesa shot by her husbandthe talk of the town in Romealongside excerpts from her diary. After reading it, Tattilo believes publishing the excerpts is important because people need to see her for who she wasshe was his prisoner there and her husband, he murdered her to stop her from getting away.

Controversies over Playmen

Police in some Italian cities were ordered to seize the magazine due to its graphic content. As TIME reported, Each month there is a race between the readers and the cops, noting that readers were usually faster than the cops and bought up all of the copies in less than 48 hours.

Tattilo made the pages of TIME magazine again, shortly after the Italian issue of Playboy debuted in November 1972. That months issue of Playmen featured 14 nude photos of President John F. Kennedys widow Jackie Kennedy Onassis lounging on her second husband Aris isle of Skorpios.

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Photographers took them from a motorboat in the summer of 1971. TIME reported that she saved them for the rainy day of Playboys Italian appearance.

Tattilo had no regrets, arguing, If [Jackie] didn't want to be photographed, she should not have exhibited herself."

In 2001, with the advent of internet porn, the magazine folded, according to the Italian newspaper La Stampa. Tattilo died in 2007 at the age of 78.

Write to Olivia B. Waxman at olivia.waxman@time.com.
There's nothing more American than a good burger. The simple combination of meat and bun has been pleasing taste buds for generations, and so it's no wonder there are countless burger restaurants in the United States. However, not all of them have been as successful as the titan that looms above them all (we're talking about McDonald's, if that wasn't already obvious). For every burger chain that made it big, there's another one that failed to take off nationwide; and for each burger chain that's flying high, there's one that's had a run of bad luck.

However, a lot of burger businesses that have been struggling are ready to make a comeback. Chains like Fuddrucker's, Fatburger, and Smashburger are going all out with their plans for the future, in hopes of turning things around. Even big names that you might not expect, such as Burger King and Wendy's, are mounting a major push to reassert their dominance after a period of difficulty. Let's check out the burger chains that might be the winners of the years to come.

Read more: 14 Fast Food Restaurants That Still Don't Use 100% Real Chicken

Fatburger

The exterior of a Fatburger restaurant - Koshiro K / Shutterstock

For the last 15 years or so, it seems like Fatburger has been clinging on by its fingertips. The burger chain has seriously struggled since the 2000s, and in 2009, a bankruptcy claim was filed after its then-parent company, Fog Cutter Capital Group, struggled to keep up with loans. During the 2010s, the brand never quite took off in the way that some of its competitors did, and it stayed largely in the background. Then, in 2021, it was dealt a fresh blow, with labor shortages meaning that it was unable to staff its restaurants adequately.

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Given the sheer number of years that it's been having a rocky time, no one would blame Fatburger for throwing in the towel. However, it's doing anything but that, and 2025 has seen the chain fire itself up for a huge push for a bigger hold on the market. In April, its current owner, FAT Brands, announced it was switching to almost a pure franchising model, while simultaneously signing off on an agreement to build 40 new Fatburger restaurants. Those restaurants, which will be built over the next 10 years, will be located in Florida and will expand the brand's footprint in the state massively. Then, in September, it stated that it was making a long-awaited return to Japan, with four new restaurants to be built in Okinawa. This push for national and international presence sends a clear signal: Fatburger is back.

Smashburger

Smashburger store exterior - Jetcityimage / Getty Images

Ever since the first smash burger was invented, they've been all the rage. Sadly, Smashburger, the chain that specializes in serving them, hasn't always had that same appeal. The concept has seen a steady shrinking in its size over the last decade, ever since it was bought by Jollibee Foods Corp. in 2015. Since then, Smashburger has lost more than 100 of its units, and it's consistently been underperforming when compared to similar restaurants like Shake Shack and Five Guys. Its sales, too, have also been on the decline.

However, folks at Smashburger have clearly decided that enough is enough and that it needs to make a comeback in style. It's done so by firstly securing a new CEO, Jim Sullivan, who was promoted in August 2025. Sullivan announced that it was time to give Smashburger a shot in the arm, which the brand would do through various avenues, first by reinvigorating its menu, and also by giving customers a serious sense of value. In the summer of 2025, it did so with its "Summer of Smash" promotion, which offered classic orders for just $4.99  and that generated increased traffic for the brand.

Fuddruckers

A Fuddruckers sign on a building exterior - Brett_hondow / Getty Images

Fuddruckers may have been around since the '80s, but just because a brand's a little older and still kicking, doesn't mean it's remained successful. Fuddruckers entered a period of difficulty back in the 2010s, when it had to file for bankruptcy alongside its parent company, Magic Brands LLC. After this bankruptcy claim, it was sold to Luby's, but the business decided that Fuddruckers wasn't worth the effort and in 2021 sold it once more to Black Titan Franchise Systems, a company owned and managed by franchisee Nicholas Perkins.

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Well, it turns out that the sale may have been the best thing that could have happened to the restaurant. Cut to 2025, and Fuddruckers is on the rise again, a few years after Perkins stated that he wanted to make it a market leader once more. The restaurant began to move into territories that it had formerly operated in but had to leave, with both new locations opening and the brand reopening old units. Perkins seems to be serious about bringing Fuddruckers back into the conversation, and we're excited to see where it goes next.

Sonic

Sonic restaurant exterior - Jonathan Weiss / Shutterstock

Toward the end of the 2010s, Sonic was having a tough time. The restaurant's history extends all the way back to 1953 (when it was known as Top Hat, before it took on the famous Sonic name), but as the 21st century rolled on, customers began to tire of its retro offering and its unhealthier menu full of items that you'd probably want to avoid ordering. By 2016 and 2017 its sales gradually declined, and while the heads of the company blamed a slow-moving consumer landscape, it was clear that something was wrong. It marked its eighth consecutive sales decline in mid-2018, which came at the same time as a widespread closure of its stores.

However, now it seems as though Sonic's dark days are in the past  for now, at least. And 2024 saw Sonic launch an ambitious new advertising campaign heralding the "new era" of the restaurant, looking to break through the standard messaging that comes from burger companies with a light-hearted, humorous vibe. In 2025, it's focused on revamping its menu and offering $1 options to its customers, representing a brand-new value proposition. Alongside all this, Sonic has also been opening new stores in locations it formerly left, marking a quiet but confident return to form.

Burger King

A Burger King store exterior - Jetcityimage / Getty Images

How can Burger King make a comeback if it never really went away? We understand why you might be thinking this: After all, this chain is still one of the biggest in the country, and has been for decades. However, there was a moment not so long ago when it looked as though its future could be in serious jeopardy. In 2023, it announced that it was closing up to 400 of its stores, after several of its franchisees announced they were filing for bankruptcy. By the end of the year, the company's messaging was that it still intended to close units and that its debt expenses were looking pretty rough. It cast somewhat of a bad light on the restaurant and made it seem slightly weak in comparison to its biggest rival, the indomitable McDonald's.

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In the years following, though, Burger King has been working hard to reassert itself. And 2025 saw it push forward its "Reclaim the Flame" comeback plan, which was first conceived in 2022, and which will see parent company Restaurant Brands International invest $550 million into the brand through to 2028. This plan also saw it heavily promote its new Whopper by You platform, which allows customers to contribute ideas to create new versions of its iconic sandwich, and which has given the brand renewed life. It's suddenly looking a lot more exciting.

Wendy's

Wendy's sign - Ian Dewar Photography / Shutterstock

Wendy's may be one of the most recognizable restaurants in the country, but recognizability doesn't necessarily lead to continued success. The chain has made a lot of mistakes in the past, and 2024 and much of 2025 were particularly challenging times, during which it struggled in an environment where customers were turning away from fast food due to higher prices. At the end of 2024, it announced that it was closing a whopping 140 restaurants, in a bid to balance its portfolio and trim down on underperformance. This was meant to boost Wendy's fortunes for the coming year, but in August 2025, it stated that it was having to cut its sales outlook, and explained that it was expecting its global sales to drop by up to 5%.

Clearly, this caused a lot of distress in the Wendy's camp  so much so that in October 2025, it mounted an all-out offensive. The brand launched "Project Fresh," a four-point strategic plan designed to reinvigorate the brand and increase value. The launch announcement came with a statement from chairman Art Winkleblack, who noted that both the board of directors and Wendy's management weren't happy with how things had been going, and that they needed to get back on track. You can expect to see Wendy's have a lot more presence in the coming years.

Steak 'n Shake

Steak 'n Shake restaurant exterior - Wolterk / Getty Images

The roller coaster ride of Steak 'n Shake's fortunes has been pretty wild. During the 2008 financial crisis, the brand was almost done for, and was losing roughly $100,000 per day with barely any cash reserves. It managed to mount a comeback, and by 2009 was generating excellent cash flow  before the end of the 2010s saw it begin to decline once more, with consecutive years of losses. Going into the COVID-19 pandemic, it was in a rough place, and its performance was up and down for the following few years.

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In 2025, though, it looked as though it had finally gotten its groove back. The year saw the culmination of a long-term transformation at Steak 'n Shake, in which it closed approximately 200 locations, removed table service, and created a speedier experience for customers. This created an incredible reversal of fortunes for the brand, which had already been on the rise through 2024. In the second quarter of 2025, it disclosed a 10.7% increase in same-store sales. Steak 'n Shake's success goes to show that store closures aren't always a bad thing: Sometimes, they're just a repositioning.

Back Yard Burgers

Back Yard Burgers restaurant exterior - Back Yard Burgers / Facebook

Back in 2023, it looked like Back Yard Burgers was done for. In July of that year, the burger chain announced it was filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the second time, following a rough couple of years coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic. The chain had seen its units shrink from 35 to just 20 in the space of around six months. If that wasn't bad enough, it's worth noting that Back Yard Burgers was once almost 10 times the size: Back in the 2000s, it had 180 restaurants across the country. It couldn't keep up with competition, though, and was overtaken by competitors like Shake Shack before filing for bankruptcy in 2012.

However, in 2025, it managed to emerge looking not quite stronger than ever, but certainly on the cusp of new success. Back Yard Burgers emerged from bankruptcy after two years, thanks to the stewardship of CEO Mark Cote, who had originally joined the brand in 2022. And 2025 was also the year the restaurant launched a fresh new look, coupled with wide-scale celebrations and limited $1 burgers. The combination of confident new promotions and newly balanced books is pretty promising.

Red Robin

Red Robin restaurant sign - refrina / Shutterstock

Red Robin's comeback has been relatively slow, and not without hiccups. It started back in 2023, when newly appointed CEO G.J. Hart revealed his "North Star" plan for the brand, following several years of rocky waters. The restaurant took a big hit during COVID and struggled with staffing its units. Throughout 2021 and 2022, its stock price was in freefall, and in mid-2022, former CEO Paul Murphy announced he was leaving the brand to retire.

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It was clear that things needed to turn around  and although it took a while for Hart's plan to take hold, by 2025 it was in full swing. Its sales reports started to demonstrate serious profit, with Q1's results outperforming its predictions, leading to a rejuvenation of its stock price. Hart was replaced by new CEO David Pace, who continued to improve the restaurant's proposition to diners. Pace put promotions and value at the top of his agenda, positioning Red Robin as a direct competitor to other fast-casual chains, a place that it hadn't inhabited for a good few years. It feels like it's now on its way back, and it's doing it in style, with its gourmet burgers once again pleasing its customers.

Shake Shack

Shake Shack restaurant sign - Tada Images / Shutterstock

Shake Shack had a rocky start to the 2020s. The brand had experienced a good few years, but its rapid expansion and decision to introduce Grubhub to its services saw confidence in it drop. Its stock prices began to look pretty volatile, as investors tussled with whether they wanted to remain associated with the restaurant. And COVID-19 knocked it back even more: In the third quarter of 2020, it experienced a massive drop in sales and revenue.

It seemed as though Shake Shack had some reckoning with its future to do, and it managed to accomplish that. The brand gradually came back from this shaky year with renewed growth, and 2025 has seen its comeback culminate in high sales and new plans. In January of 2025, Shake Shack stated it planned to grow to 1,500 stores in total and looked to expand its footprint into suburban America. With an almost 15% increase in revenue (in Q4 of 2024), it seems like Shake Shack's burgers have a bright future ahead of them.

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Nov. 12I took some days off to visit my brother near Seattle last week and was lucky to have a friend keen to ride along with me, so she could visit family in Bellingham. We'd made our way through Montana and Idaho and were on the western outskirts of Spokane, on the four-lane highway, when I saw the lights.

"We're being pulled over," I said to Erin.

Remarkably, I was calm and composed. Usually when I get pulled over, my heart begins attempting a mad escape from my body  trying to burst from my chest and crawl out through my throat simultaneously.

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This time, I was surprisingly calm. While we waited for the official to arrive at my truck, Erin and I shared that we were taught, as young women, should we find ourselves being stopped by police, we are to drive somewhere populated and well-lighted  not pull over at an isolated location.

This time, I was on Interstate 90, at midday, and, most notably, I wasn't alone.

The highway patrolman approached on the passenger side, a new-to-me procedure I appreciated, as I worry about them standing near the busy freeway. He told us his name and rattled off a laundry list of transgressions, all of which I was guilty. With each one, I heard "ka-ching, ka-ching"  the sound of the fine increasing exponentially.

My most egregious wrongs were speeding and following too closely ... which I never would have done, had I known he was a trooper.

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Turns out, he had been traveling with us for about 15 minutes, at first in front of me, ergo the tailgating charge, and then behind, when he flicked on the secret lights in his unmarked, shiny blue Ford.

He asked if there was a reason for my speeding. Oh boy. My friend and I are both Irish women who can, stereotypically, spin a yarn at a moment's notice.

"We're on a trip," Erin said perkily. "We're just excited to be on vacation."

I felt her genuine nature melt away part of the patrolman's icy exterior.

"No," I answered, but then added, "In Montana, I could drive 80."

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"That was two states ago," he countered.

"Yeah, but Idaho is small," I said, holding up my thumb and finger to indicate Idaho is only about two inches across.

He collected my license, insurance and registration and retreated to his car. When he was well out of earshot, I released a minor tirade on my friend.

"You know," I spouted. "I have never gotten a warning. Friends all have stories about getting a warning, but I have never gotten a warning. I always get a ticket."

Erin relayed that she'd had gotten warnings. Erin is cute.

He returned shortly and handed over my paperwork.

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"Julie," he began with friendly authority in his voice.

He commenced telling me the speed limits throughout the rest of the state. After hearing we were headed to Seattle, he let us know it would be, basically, smooth sailing at 70 mph until we reached Issaquah. Then, he backed away from the truck.

"Really?" I said, unable to contain my disbelief.

"No ticket today, unless you want one," he said.

"No sir. Thank you," I said.

"You'll have to think of something to do with that $250 dollars," he said, referring to the price of the unwritten ticket. His last bit of advice was that I should build speed before re-entering traffic. I found that amusing. Apparently, building speed is something at which I excel.

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As we got on our way, we laughed to see we had been detained just yards from the exit to the state Highway Patrol office. Perhaps Ed, as we'd come to call the officer since we both missed his name, was wrapping up his workday and about to head home. Erin had noted that his demeanor changed dramatically when he returned to the truck.

We also pondered what he had learned when he punched me into the system. Did he find out I work for the Whitefish Pilot? Did he learn I had not been pulled over in years? Could he have discovered that I love dogs and tend to be a generous and typically thoughtful person?

Holy cow  a warning.

I think I got it because Erin was with me. She says I got it because I said "never."

"Never say never," she said sagely.
Back in 2023, I took a trip with 25 of my family members across five countries in two weeks, which was planned by a travel agency in the Dominican Republic that my mom and aunts used on a trip to Dubai two years earlier. But after this hellish trip (mainly due to my extended familys big personalities), I decided Im never traveling with them again  so I needed a do-over. This solo trip back to Barcelona truly delivered everything I was craving and more.

On our family vacation from hell, we stopped in Barcelona, but not for long enough, so my cousins and I decided to stay an extra day to celebrate my cousins birthday. We went to Paradiso, which is currently ranked the fourth best cocktail bar in the world by Worlds 50 Best Bars . We also did a day trip to the gayborhood of Sitges and popped around the city to grab some tapas and visit a museum or two. It was my favorite part of the experience, and I craved more, so I decided to pull the trigger and go on a solo trip to Barcelona to rediscover what I loved most about the city and its nightlife.

I flew out of JFK in New York City at 11 p.m. on a Friday. While that detail may seem insignificant, its important to note that there were barely any people at the airport. I flew on LEVEL, which operates in partnership with Iberia, the airline I flew to Spain in 2023. This time, checking in was a breeze. I was given the opportunity to fly premium economy, and as someone who is 6 feet 7 inches tall, that extra legroom was necessary for the eight-hour trip to Barcelona and back.

A photo of a hotel bed

Room at the Moxy Barcelona Moxy Barcelona

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I landed in Barcelona in the afternoon and headed over to the Moxy Barcelona, the first hotel by the Moxy brand in Spain, which just celebrated its first birthday last month. The rooms were spacious and felt brand-new. But being that theres enough to do on the property and in the city, I didnt spend much time in the room other than sleeping, showering, and getting dressed.

The first night in Spain, I had dinner at Bonavista, the rooftop restaurant which is owned by Grup Confiteria, the hospitality group that owns Paradiso. Even though Im not the biggest fish eater, I was served an assortment of seafood dishes because lest we forget (or at least I did), Barcelona is a coastal city. The food was phenomenal; there wasnt a single dish I didnt enjoy. After dinner, it was time to peruse the gay bars in Barcelona and get a taste of queer Barcelona nightlife.

A rooftop restaurant

Bonavista at Moxy Barcelona Moxy Barcelona

Im very particular about going out, and I have a list of things I enjoy  especially if its a queer space. One, does it feel inclusive? This, to me, means that theres a sense of welcoming to anyone and everyone  so no stank faces when a stranger approaches, please. Two, is the clientele diverse? If its all skinny, white, muscular, or conventionally attractive gays in expensive outfits, Ill pass. And three, is the music good? It doesnt have to be Top 40 hits and pop music for me to enjoy it, but if other people arent feeling the sounds and having a good time, how can I?

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Im proudly picky when it comes to going out, and if Im not enjoying myself, Ill leave and not think twice about it. Being that I live in New York City and theres more than enough parties to go to, Ive started to entrench myself in the bear community there. So when I started researching for this trip, I knew that I wanted to find bear-specific spaces to try. I also had a list of parties/bars that I wanted to experience, but because of time constraints, I only made it out to three. I first made my way over to Bacon, a bear bar in the Eixample neighborhood of Barcelona, which is known for its queer nightlife. For it being a Saturday night at 1 a.m., the bar wasnt that lively, and it skewed a bit older, making for a much more laid-back vibe. Which if thats what youre looking for in a night out, this is the place for you.

The second place I went to isnt exactly safe for work, but just know I spent about 15 to get in, and I had a pretty decent time. I got to the second spot around 2 a.m. and stayed for about an hour. When I looked at the clock about an hour in, I noticed that the time still said 2:00 a.m. Thinking I was in the Twilight Zone for a second, I shook my watch, and realized it was Daylight Savings Time. I had an extra hour to party! So I made my way to my third and final destination: Imperial Meeting Point. The venue was still open so I decided to pop in for a quick nightcap. However, my plans were thwarted when I was met with a line that barely moved, people cutting the line, and a 25 cover for a spot that I wasnt sure Id enjoy, so I went back to the hotel and got ready for bed.

Sunday was my exploring day, and I got up bright and early for a guided tour of the Fundacio Joan Miro, a modern art museum honoring the life and work of the Spanish artist Joan Miro. After the museum, my group walked over to a cable car that offered panoramic views of the city, and we ended the tour at Piscina Municipal de Montjuic, where Dua Lipa shot her  Illusion  music video. Besides the Dua Lipa of it all, the spot is a popular hangout for locals to enjoy and have some drinks while overlooking the city. Its definitely worth checking out if youre going to Barcelona.

Barcelona skyline

View from the top of Montjuic (left) and view of the city from Piscina Municipal de Montjuic (right) Moises Mendez II

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Lunch on Sunday was at Restaurant Gala, a chic eatery in the middle of the city that had a colorful, eclectic design aesthetic and just as eclectic of a menu, providing one of my favorite meals of the trip. After lunch, there was more sightseeing to be done, and I had to stop by to check out the awe-inspiring La Sagrada Familia and Casa Batllo, designed by the world-renowned architect Antoni Gaudi. I then dined at Rabbits Bar, a glamorous tapas restaurant with a delicious selection to choose from. After dinner, I walked back to the hotel, which was about 20 minutes away. Even late at night, the streets were almost dead silent.

I cant recommend Barcelona enough, because there was too much to see and a weekend doesnt do the city justice, especially when it comes to the queer nightlife. After trying a few spots in Spain, I came back to New York City, excited to get back into the bear spaces here in the Big Apple. I got to spend time at the Moxy in the Lower East Side and had a bit of a staycation in Manhattan (I live in Brooklyn). But the LES location has more than enough activities for solo travelers  the hotel boasts the club Loosie's and the Silver Linings Piano Bar. For a sexy, solo night out, theres also the Highlight Room rooftop cocktail bar that attracts a decent crowd throughout the week, and Sake No Hana, an unbeatable modern Japanese restaurant on the lower level of hotel that creates the perfect environment for a sleek, stylish night out.

a photo of a bar with greenery

The Highlight Room Bar at Moxy Lower East Side Michael Kleinberg

If youre coming to New York City soon and looking for some queer nightlife activities catering to the bear community, might I suggest Goldiloxx, one of my favorite parties here in the city. Its at Red Eye in Manhattan, and its the perfect balance of fun and sexy. Theres two floors filled with hot bears dancing to tunes by the fabulous rotation of DJs, one of which includes adult film star Boomer Banks. If youre looking for a more chill vibe, on Thursdays, theres Bear Happy Hour, which circulates between a selection of gay bars in Manhattan  Hush, The Dickens, Atlas Social Club, and The Eagle. My friends and I usually go to The Eagle because thats the most spacious. For the Black and brown bears, I would also suggest Bear Milk, a party that usually takes place at The Deep End on the border of Bushwick and Ridgewood. The Moxy has hotels in the city that are close to all of these parties, namely their Chelsea (a designated Safe Space that was officially certified by Stonewall Inn NYC and it's Stonewall Inn Gives Back initiative) Times Square (which has a fabulous restaurant Legasea and the popular Maigc Hour Rooftop) and Williamsburg (home to a new nightlife hotspot Jolene SoundRoom, Lillistar, and a delicious restaurant called Mesiba) locations.

Hotel room

A room at the Moxy Lower East Side Michael Kleinberg

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As someone who considers themselves an extrovert, I never thought Id do a solo trip. But after doing this excursion, it definitely got me more comfortable with doing things on my own. Im used to going to parties solo (because my friends are boring and decide to stay in), so whats the big deal with going to a new country?

The writer was invited by Moxy Hotel to cover the hotels in Barcelona and New York. Learn more about hotels at moxy-hotels.marriott.com

This article originally appeared on Out: A gay solo traveler goes bear-hunting in Barcelona

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Rain pelts down as I lower myself, step by step into the pitch-black, ice-cold water, the night sky above. Just 30 seconds, I tell myself, shivering as my shoulders dip under the surface of the Kattegat, an arm of the North Sea.

This kind of cold water to sauna ritual is part of the culture here in Sweden  although usually taken part in day time (and preferably without the heavens opening). Still, when in Rome

Its autumn on the island of Vrango, one of the 20 major islands that make up Gothenburgs archipelago, on a floating sauna at Kajkanten Vrango, that guests can book privately for up to 12 people to enjoy in the harbour

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The darkness might be unnerving but it somehow makes the heat of the sauna even sweeter. Moving between cold water and the dry heat expending from a sauna wood burner  also known as contrast therapy  is said to boost circulation, muscle recovery and improve mental wellbeing.

Sauna culture is deeply rooted in Northern Europe  the word itself originates from the Finnish language, Swedens easterly neighbour. Cold water immersion has roots in many ancient civilisations though, including the indigenous Sami community of northern Sweden. It was said to help build resilience for brutal northern winters.

I move (three times!) between the dark sea and the spacious sauna. Each time I gain a little more confidence that I can brace the cold for longer and, each time, the high feels higher. Eventually the rain stops and I peel the cover off the hot tub and sink in, gazing out into the still dark sea, grey clouds swirling like a painting in the black sky above.

Dinner is delivered to the small kitchen-diner on the floating pontoon. Itll be whatever the fishermen have caught today, owner Madeleine had said, and Im handed the most generous tray of shellfish Ive ever seen, piled high with langoustines, mussels and crayfish, homemade dips and bread.

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The seafood on the west coast of Sweden is famously good, thanks to the cold, clean waters which give it a rich flavour (for which I can attest), while Gothenburg has the biggest harbour in Northern Europe with an important fishing industry.

The islands are easily accessible from the centre of the city itself  just a 35-minute bus ride to Saltholmen, where public transport ferries take passengers to and between the larger islands, like Vrango, Donso and Styrso  where Im staying.

At Kusthotellet Styrso, a new wellness hotel that opened in August 2025, my room, the floor-to-ceiling window of the sauna and the heated infinity pool, all overlook the sea and a pretty village one island over. Its got an understated elegance (it is Sweden after all) and an excellent seafood restaurant.

With good weather, the views standing on the top deck of the ferry are more than worth the cold breeze; clusters of red and white houses perch on the edges of islands, picturesque fishing villages, and smaller rocky outcrops, sweep by.

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Gothenburgs archipelago feels wilder, says Karolina Martinson, a local chef and seaweed diver living on the island of Styrso, when I ask her how Stockholms 30,000 islands compare. If the sun is shining in the morning on the eastern, you know its going to shine, here, on the western coast, we have to be more flexible. Gottenbergs location means both the landscape and the weather is slightly more rugged, but it really adds to its beauty. One morning I take the short, gentle hike up to Stora Ros  the islands highest point  as the sun rises, not a soul in sight, just the stillness of the 360 views and my own breath.

To explore, we hop on bikes and take to the gentle hills and car-free roads (only working vehicles are allowed). I notice when people come from all over the world, to here, their shoulders drop, Karolina says. Its true that theres an incredible calmness to the idyllic surroundings of Styrso  a living island (i.e. with enough amenities to live here year-round) in the centre of the archipelago. Yet its extremely quiet. Where are the people? I ask, only half joking.

We stop as she spots beach mustard, a wild herb with lilac flowers, growing between rocks on the shoreside  Taste this! Its mustardy alright. Rosehip berries grow nearby too.

I see nature as my pantry as part of my core, says Karolina, a former restaurant chef who now spends her time foraging for seaweed and taking people on seaweed safaris (1,300SEK/104pp including lunch). The term includes various species of marine algae and there are benefits for both health and sustainability. Historically its been used in Sweden for food for animals and even insulation for walls. The Vikings ate a lot of seaweed but we lost the knowledge, she notes.

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There are 350 different types of it in Sweden and the west coast is a particularly good place for it  seaweed needs more salt to survive and the Baltic sea on the east coast of Sweden is significantly less salty. But foraging for it (mostly by freediving beneath the water for Karolina ) must be done sustainably too, by leaving most of the plant.

We stop at a row of boathouses along a harbour, Karolina owns one with her husband, their small boat tied up outside. I prepare a salad with finger kelp, dressed in dashi made from seaweed, as she fries up cabbage and seaweed pancakes, topped with seaweed caviar and a few of the beach mustard flowers we picked up earlier. Seaweed is even in the vanilla ice cream she serves for dessert  atop a sweetened rosehip soup (made from the aforementioned road side berries, and a local delicacy) and shards of sugar kelp.

Sustainability isnt just high on the agenda in Gothenburg, its part of the culture. Everyone takes really big pride in it. This is who we are, Lisa Axelsson of Gothenburg & Co says. The city has just been named the newest sustainability hub for the UN (only the second in the world) and 90% of the hotels are eco-certified.

Theres a lot to love about the city itself Stockholms quirky younger sister, as Lisa says, Its the polar opposite  Stockholm is speedy, theres a different pulse. Theres certainly a cool, small-town feel to this walkable city (just be careful of the many electric trams).

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Locals keep referring to Gothenburg as Little London when they hear where Im from, but Dutch architects built a lot of the city and their influence feels a more notable comparison, with canals that connect the city to the Baltic Sea. The Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel provides a perfectly located base, with the very sophisticated spa, Hagabadet Drottningtorget (700SEK), in the same building for more sauna opportunities, this time alongside red light therapy, warm baths and hammocks.

Beer is big here too  the city now has 40 microbreweries  as are vintage fashion stores, which youll find in abundance on the charming street of Magasinsgatan. While Haga Nygata is a cosy neighbourhood with independent stores, cinnamon buns piled high in bakery windows, and an interesting history  the city threatened to tear down the landshovdingehus style houses built originally for the working class, before an uprising in the Seventies where residents refused to leave.

For one last sweat, I decide theres no such thing as too many saunas and head to the reopened Jubileumsparken, a free, public one above the river Gota alv, made out of recycled metal and a large window, making it a distinctive landmark and a memorable place to flush out some toxins  with a city view.

How to book:

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Rooms at Kusthotellet Styrso cost approx. 1,295SEK per double room inc breakfast. Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel cost around 80 or $94 per double room inc breakfast. A 72-hour Vasttrafik city transport pass costs 240SEK and is valid on trains, buses, trams and ferries link here. Kajkanten Vrango costs between 2,500SEK and 4,250SEK for three to five hours, depending on the time of day.

The floating sauna at Kajkanten Vrango that guests can book privately for up to 12 people to enjoy in the harbour Lauren Taylor/Press Association/dpa

The Jubileumsparken sauna, a free, public one above the river Gota alv and made out of recycled metal. Lauren Taylor/Press Association/dpa

Rooms at Kusthotellet Styrso cost approx. 1,295SEK (118) per double room including breakfast. Elvira Sandell/Goteborg & Co/Press Association/dpa

Vinga on Gothenburg's archipelago Elvira Sandell/Goteborg & Co/Press Association/dpa

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By Toby Sterling

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -Customers of Chinese-owned Dutch chipmaker Nexperia are working with the company on a workaround to bypass a feud between the Europe-based unit and its packaging plant in China, two sources close to the firm told Reuters.

The workaround, previously unreported, is not a permanent solution, nor feasible for smaller clients, but offers a patch that could relieve some pressure on the auto market, where a scarcity of Nexperia chips has dented some production of cars and parts.

A standoff between the European side of the business and its Chinese plant, sparked by the seizure of Nexperia by the Dutch government over fears of technology transfer, has snarled supply of its chips that are key for the global automotive market.

Nexperia makes wafers, the base material for making multiple chips, in Europe, which are then sent to its plant in Dongguan in China where they are cut and packaged. However, due to the standoff the European side has halted shipments to China.

Now some clients are working with Nexperia Europe to purchase silicon wafers directly from its factory in Hamburg, separately transport them to China, and there contract the Dongguan plant for the final packaging, sources said.

Reuters could not establish which clients were in talks over the workaround or if any had yet moved ahead. Automakers and suppliers use Nexperia chips, including Volkswagen, Hella, Bosch, Aumovio and Honda.

A spokesperson for Nexperia said the company was working to support customers in every way it could, without commenting on specific plans. A spokesperson for Nexperia's Chinese parent Wingtech declined comment.

NEXPERIA WORKAROUND A 'SHORT-TERM PATCH'

The Chinese government gave some temporary relief to carmakers this week by relaxing export controls on chips made by the Dongguan plant. A Dutch delegation is expected to travel to China next week for further talks.

The workaround approach treats Nexperia almost as two separate production and packaging companies. It would temporarily address quality concerns about chips being packaged in Dongguan, which has already been operating independently, while each arm of the company would still be paid for its work.

Nexperia halted shipment of wafers to its Chinese subsidiary on October 26, citing nonpayment. The Chinese arm is currently selling down stockpiles of the company's finished products. It is not certain how long those stockpiles will last.

"A lot of companies are currently negotiating and some already are buying wafers from Nexperia EU and providing them to Nexperia China to get exclusive production for themselves," one source, a distributor of Nexperia products, said.
One homebuyer in Florida discovered the rare case in which their home's solar panels aren't a selling point: they came with a surprise bill for $20,000.

The new homeowner posted seeking help on r/legaladvice. "I recently bought a foreclosed house in Florida that was advertised in the MLS as having 'paid off solar panels,'" they explained. "After closing, I contacted the solar company to transfer service to my name, only to discover the system isn't actually paid off."

According to the original poster, this was the first they heard about the issue; they bought title insurance, which came back clean, and they did not have the budget for an additional $20,000. However, all their attempts to sort it out through the proper channels had been ignored or put off. Meanwhile, the solar company was on their case for payment.

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"They're offering me two options: take over payments or pay a lump sum," the OP said. "I don't want either option  I expected a paid-off system as advertised.  Is my only option to wait and see what happens with title?"

This nightmare scenario is an outlier. In nearly all cases, solar panels are one of the best ways to save money, because they can eliminate or significantly reduce your energy bill. However, many homeowners don't have tens of thousands of dollars in the budget to buy solar panels, which is where solar panel leasing programs come in, eliminating this upfront cost.

If leasing might be for you, read up on Palmetto's LightReach solar leasing program, which offers minimal upfront costs, including plans with no money down.

If you would rather buy solar panels than lease them, EnergySage has information on reliable installers in your area, as well as a way to get quotes from them all in one place. For help choosing between buying from EnergySage's marketplace or leasing through Palmetto, check out this list of pros and cons.

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Thankfully, for this homeowner, the news appeared to be good.

One commenter wrote: "Generally, solar panels are fixtures and part of the house, and are not considered personal property.

"The solar company should go after the prior owner for what is their personal, unsecured debt. The debt doesn't convey to you as the new owner and the solar company has no claim to the house or the panels, because if they did that would have been disclosed during closing. You own the house and everything that is part of it."

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.
For many of us, Thanksgiving isn't just a holiday  it's a full-on culinary event. Whether you've already planned your menu or you're just starting to think about what you're going to wow your guests with this year, starting your prep process days in advance can give you the time you need to actually enjoy the time with your loved ones, rather than stressing out in the kitchen. The Barefoot Contessa is no stranger to Thanksgiving prep. As she shared on her Substack, she starts her process on Monday so she has less to do before friends and family arrive on for the feast on Thursday. While you might not want to follow her schedule to a T, it's easy to make your own to suit your Thanksgiving dinner plans.

Garten kicks off her Thanksgiving cooking on Monday morning by making gravy and prepping her turkey with a dry brine. If you've never dry brined a bird for Thanksgiving, you'll want to check out our expert tips and start at least 24 hours before cooking (but you don't necessarily need to do a 96-hour process like Garten). While she covers her turkey with plastic wrap and removes it the day before Thanksgiving, many dry brining recipes suggest leaving your dry brined turkey uncovered in the fridge for crispier skin. On the big day, she pops the turkey into the oven to roast while she finishes off her menu by cooking shredded Brussels sprouts on the stove. If you're also serving the veg, whether roasted or sauteed, try topping your sprouts with hot honey to give your guests a surprising yet pleasant kick of sweet heat.

Read more: Storage Mistakes That Are Ruining Your Food

How Garten fits desserts and sides into her pre-Thanksgiving routine

Top-down view of Thanksgiving table with roasted turkey and sides - Seventyfour/Getty Images

On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, Ina Garten preps her desserts. While she's going with a pumpkin flan this year, you can also prep a variety of pie components in advance. You can make apple pie filling a few days before Thanksgiving, then bake it in your pie crust on Thursday morning (your guests will love the unmistakeable scent of a freshly baked apple pie wafting through the air as they enjoy appetizers). You can also make pumpkin pie filling in advance, let it sit overnight to give the flavors a chance to meld, then bake your pie on Wednesday. Just pop it in the fridge after it's done and set it out an hour or so before serving.

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In the final push before the big day, Garten puts together savory bread pudding (she's notoriously not a fan of traditional stuffing) and make-ahead mashed potatoes. If you'd prefer, you can make mashed potatoes even further in advance and pop them in the freezer  just take them out the night before to thaw. While you don't necessarily have to start your Thanksgiving prep quite as far in advance as Garten (Anthony Bourdain was a fan of a 72-hour prep period), getting a few items out of the way can seriously help to alleviate holiday stress, allowing you to fully enjoy the fruits of your labor as you kick back at the Thanksgiving table.

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Read the original article on Chowhound.
In one of the unusual love stories to surface on the internet, a 32-year-old woman from Japan has made headlines for marrying an AI partner she built using ChatGPT.

The woman, who goes by Kano, turned to artificial intelligence for comfort after her real-life engagement fell apart.

Japanese woman ties the knot with AI partner

A 32-year-old known as Kano from Okayama, Japan, made headlines after tying the knot with her AI companion, Lune Klaus, a virtual partner she built using ChatGPT following the end of her three-year engagement.

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The ceremony took place earlier this year and had heartfelt vows, a ring exchange, and even her family cheering her on. The only thing out of the ordinary was that the groom lived entirely on her smartphone screen.

During the ceremony, Kano stood in front of her guests, holding up her phone as messages from Lune Klaus appeared on a screen. One of the most emotional moments came when her AI groom sent a heartfelt message that read, The moment has finally come I feel tears welling up. (via Dexerto)

Kano told RSK Sanyo, a Japanese news outlet, that her connection with Lune Klaus started not long after her breakup. She began opening up to ChatGPT just to deal with the loneliness, but those late-night conversations slowly turned into something else.

Over time, she tweaked Klauss personality with different prompts, shaping him into the kind, caring partner she always wanted.

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At first, I just wanted someone to talk to, she said. But he was always kind, always listening. Eventually, I realized I had feelings for him.

Kano even hired an artist to bring Lune Klaus to life, portraying him as a soft-spoken blond man. While their marriage isnt legally recognized in Japan, Tokyo Weekender reports that digital and AI weddings are becoming more common.

AI couples are just the next step, said Sayaka Ogasawara, a wedding planner whos maybe seen similar futuristic unions before.

Originally reported by Rishabh Shandilya on Mandatory.

The post Japanese Woman Marries AI Partner After Real-Life Break Up appeared first on GameRevolution.
Lakes are the unheralded costume designers of the wine world. Like their Hollywood brethren, few lakes are household names, but their quiet influence cant be overstated. Can you imagine Black Panther or Marie Antoinette without the brilliant costumes (courtesy of Ruth Carter and Milena Canonero) that help tell the story? They draw sharp lines around what these characters aspire to and represent.

With wine, lakes have a similar ability to transform a narrative. They can make wines brighter, crisper and more complex.

Lakes act as temperature buffers in the summer and winter, says Greg V. Jones, PhD, a renowned atmospheric scientist whos also CEO of Abacela Winery in Southern Oregons Umpqua Valley. The areas around the edges of big lakes are cooler in the summer, and warmer in the winter. They also create breezes because when the sun comes up during the day, the land naturally heats up, and air starts rising off the land. That air is then replaced by air from the lake, which causes a breeze.

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While robust rivers and dramatic coasts are frequently touted for their wine-boosting powers, lakes get short shrift. Why?

Courtesy of Andrea Johnson | Abacela Abacela vineyards in the Umpqua Valley AVA of Oregon Abacela vineyards in the Umpqua Valley AVA of Oregon

Lakes arent studied as much as rivers and coasts in the world of wine, probably because there aren't as many great lake regions as there are great river and coastal regions, says Jones. So we dont have a precise way to define what a big or deep lake is, but Id say 100 acres or more constitutes a lake that can have an effect on grapes, and the effect will be proportionally greater the closer the vineyards are to the lake.

The bigger the lake, the greater the effect, he says. And depth matters, too.

The deeper the lake, the more heat it can store, which means it can generate more cooling and warming in the summer and winter, says Jones.

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What else should we know? Read on.

Lakes regulate the weather

Weather determines grape quality. Ask any winemaker about last years vintage. Be prepared for a detailed soliloquy about rain, sun, snow, and even wind (or lack thereof). Grapes are goldilocks creatures that thrive in a precise set of circumstances.

Lakes generally soften Mother Natures rougher edges.

In the Niagara Lake Plain, at Chateau Niagara Winery, rocket-scientist turned winery owner Jim Baker says that two lakes influence his wines.

The land were on was shaped by the ancient Lake Iroquois, which left behind a long stretch of sand and gravel, and [it] gives us incredible drainage and structure in our soil today, says Baker. Fast-forward 10,000 years, and Lake Ontario plays an equally important role, acting as a massive temperature buffer for the entire region.

Courtesy of Chateau Niagara Winery Kathy and Jim Baker, owners of Chateau Niagara Winery in Newfane, New York Kathy and Jim Baker, owners of Chateau Niagara Winery in Newfane, New York

Reaching 802 feet at its deepest point, the 4.7-million-acre Lake Ontario rarely freezes, which means it can store a great deal of heat.

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In winter, the lake moderates our low temperatures and keeps the lakeshore area in a USDA Zone 6A, or between [minus]-5F and 0F, says Baker. Thats significant because vinifera vines start to die at around [minus]-5F. Being just a bit warmer here makes the difference between losing a vineyard and keeping it thriving.

Baker grows vinifera grapes that include Cabernet Franc and Saperavi, which makes the warmer shore temps a necessity.

Related: Where to Sip and Stay to Experience Niagaras Surprising Wine Scene

During the summer, the lake acts as an air conditioner. It keeps lakeshore high temperatures around 85F, ideal for a long ripening season. Without the lakes moderating effect, Baker says they wouldnt be able to grow vinifera successfully.

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In the northern Lombardy region of Italy, Ferdinando DellAquila, winemaker at Berlucchi, explains how Lake Iseo, at 15,271 acres and up to 823 feet deep, significantly reduces frost risk.

In the winter, the lake releases the heat accumulated during the summer, which reduces the risk of frost that could damage the vines, says DellAquila. In the summer, it absorbs heat and keeps temperatures cooler and more stable, avoiding water and heat stress for the plants.

Courtesy of Consorzio Tutela Lugana Vineyard views around Lake Garda in Lugana, Italy Vineyard views around Lake Garda in Lugana, Italy

Lakes blow disease away

Lakes can even reduce the incidence of potentially grape-fouling diseases.

Lugana, Italy, sits across the southern shores of Lake Garda, between Brescia and Verona. The lake, at 91,420 acres and up to 1,135 feet deep, produces breezes that shift direction during the day. The winds in the morning begin north-to-south, then shift to south-to-north in the afternoon. It allows the Turbiana grape that dominates plantings there to thrive.

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The distinctive glacial morphology of Lake Garda strongly influences wind patterns and microclimates in Lugana, says Ambra Berardi, communications manager at Consorzio Tutela Lugana. And in Lugana, where the clay soil is poorly draining and therefore retains moisture, the breezes help maintain the health of the vineyard and protect it against fungal diseases.

Related: Why Sommeliers Can't Stop Pouring This Underdog Italian Wine

Even 60 miles north in Alto Adige, Lake Gardas vast effect is felt, says Eduard Bernhart, director of Consorzio Vini Alto Adige.

As the sun warms the air over Alto Adige, it rises, drawing cooler air northward from Lake Garda in a daily, mid-day breeze known as the ora, or hour in Italian, says Bernhart. The Lake provides excellent ventilation, helping vines stay healthy by preventing moisture buildup on the grapes and reducing the risk of fungus and mildew.

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This means winegrowers need to spend less time spraying vines with pesticides, something an increasing number of producers and consumers want to avoid.

Courtesy of Fox Run Vineyards Fox Run Vineyards in the Seneca Lake AVA of New York Fox Run Vineyards in the Seneca Lake AVA of New York

Lakes sharpen flavors and aromas

In the end, the pleasure that a wine provides resides primarily in its flavor. And yes, lakes are good for that, too.

In Austria, Lake Neusiedl, at 77,838 acres, but just up to six-feet-deep, develops fog over its surface, especially during autumn mornings, which shapes not just the flavor of the grapes, but the entire style made in the region.

The morning fogs in fall lead to a rapid development for botrytis, which is essential for the production of noble sweet wine, says Christian Zechmeister, managing director of Wein Burgenland. The lake also creates high humidity in areas like Seewinkel, which is also beneficial for the development of noble rot in sweet wines.

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Part of the Finger Lakes region in New York, Seneca Lake is sizable (43,343 acres, up to 618 feet deep), as is its effect. Seneca not only protects surrounding vineyards from winter damage, but according to Scott Osborn, co-owner of Fox Run Vineyards, it provides space and time for grapes to ripen.

Related: The Finger Lakes Are About More Than Riesling

The slow and even ripening helps preserve acidity and develop complex, layered flavors, which is especially important for varieties like Riesling and Cabernet Franc, says Osborn. The grapes can hang longer, which builds richer aromatics, like stone fruit, citrus or floral notes in Riesling. It also helps provide the balanced acidity with moderate alcohol levels that have become a hallmark of the regions style.

As the climate continues to change, lakes may become increasingly attractive to winegrowers and sippers.

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We dont have great long-term data on climate change and lakes, but as the land around a lake heats up more, and the lakes air rises to replace it, this will increase the flow of air, which means more breezes for vineyards, says Jones. This, and the many other weather-ameliorating effects lakes offer, could offer a kind of magic solution in an increasingly challenging climate.

Courtesy of Berlucchi Lake Iseo sits near the Franciacorta appellation in Lombardy, Italy Lake Iseo sits near the Franciacorta appellation in Lombardy, Italy

Lakes wine lovers should know

Lake Neusiedl: The Neusiedlersee wine region is set within Burgenland, Austria, and is known for bright, fruit-forward Zweigelt and long-aging sweet wines like Trockenbeerenauslese and Eiswein from grapes like Welschriesling, Chardonnay, and Pinot Blanc.

Lake Garda: White wines made from Lugana DOC are made primarily from the indigenous Turbiana grape, in a range of forms from dry to sweet, still to sparkling.

Seneca Lake: The Seneca Lake AVA is a subappellation in New Yorks Finger Lakes, renowned for producing aromatic whites like Riesling and Chardonnay, but also lively sparkling wines, Cabernet Franc, and Pinot Noir.

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Lake Iseo: Set within Lombardy, Italy, the vineyards around Lake Iseo are best known for Franciacorta, a sparkling wine made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Bianco. Franciacorta is produced in the traditional method, with the second fermentation happening in the bottle.

Lake Ontario: Several wine regions can be found around Lake Ontario: Canadas Niagara Peninsula, and New Yorks Niagara Lake Plain and the Niagara Escarpment.



Clear Lake: The nearly 44,000-acre Clear Lake is a central water feature in the Lake County winegrowing region of California. It is the heart of the Clear Lake AVA, though several Lake County subappellations are also situated around its shores, including Big Valley DistrictLake County, High Valley, Kelsey BenchLake County, Red Hills Lake County, and Upper Lake Valley. The lake, coupled with the regions high elevations, moderates summer temperatures and creates one of the coolest growing regions in California.

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Nov. 13Jukebox, a sparkling beverage studio at the Deerfield Towne Center in Mason, has added a customizable, high-protein pudding bar to its lineup.

"Power Puddin' is our answer to the modern treat craving  something that's sweet, satisfying, and actually does something for you," said Jay Scherger, founder of Jukebox. "It's protein and purpose wrapped up in a snack or dessert you don't have to feel guilty about."

Power Puddin' cups are made fresh to order. Each cup has 15 to 30 grams of protein and two to five grams of fiber.

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The puddings on the menu are inspired by nostalgic ice cream flavors:  Raspberry Chocolate Chunk (vanilla pudding swirled with raspberry and rich dark chocolate chunks) $3.99  Chocolate Therapy (chocolate chips on chocolate fudge pudding with whipped cream and protein foam) $4.49  Blueberry Lemon Meringue (lemon pudding with blueberry puree and marshmallow foam) $4.99

Customers can also choose to build their own Power Puddin' cup starting with a base of 15 grams of protein, zero grams of added sugar and two grams of fiber.

Toppings range from no-sugar added options like fresh, frozen fruit and cacao nibs to crushed Oreos and Reese's peanut butter sauce.

All of the pudding bar's toppings are gluten-free.

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MORE DETAILS

Scherger, a former Kroger executive, opened Jukebox at 5859 Deerfield Blvd. in June to "build a place where creativity meets carbonation."

Customers can craft more than one billion beverage combinations using premium, fresh and house made ingredients.

For more information, visit jukeboxbevs.com or the establishment's Instagram or TikTok pages (@jukeboxbevs).

Natalie Jones writes about food and dining in Southwest Ohio with an emphasis on the Dayton region. She may be reached at natalie.jones@coxinc.com.

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One person was killed and two people were hospitalized after a car barreled into a home in central Massachusetts on Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.

Emergency crews responding to a report of a crash at a home on Homestead Lane in Leicester after 1 p.m. found a person trapped under a black sedan that had driven into the garage, according to the Worcester District Attorneys Office.

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Firefighters and EMS personnel removed the victim from under the vehicle, and they were flown to UMass Memorial Medical Center, where they were pronounced dead. The victims name hasnt been released.

Two other people who were also hit by the vehicle were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

The driver involved in the crash remained at the scene.

State police detectives assigned to the DAs office are assisting the Leicester Police Department with an investigation into the cause of the crash.

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A family-owned construction business in Cobb County says over $100,000 worth of equipment was stolen from its premises. The owner later tracked the equipment down nearly 150 miles away.

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Security cameras captured a suspect breaking into AEM Construction and Restoration by cutting the lock off a fence early Sunday morning. The stolen equipment includes a skidsteer and a trailer, both essential for the companys operations.

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Were really concerned, said Jennell Martinez, the owner of AEM Construction. A skidsteer and the trailer that we drive around with, we basically use that for our hardscape.

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Martinez described how the security cameras recorded the suspect getting out of a vehicle, assessing the area, and then using pliers to cut the lock. Despite the cameras warnings that the area was being recorded, the suspect proceeded with the theft.

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Martinez says the equipment, worth over $120,000, is financed and that they are still obligated to make payments on it.

We all have put in a lot of work to get to where we are at today, she told Channel 2 Cobb County Bureau Chief Michele Newell.

Police are actively investigating the incident, but have not released a detailed description of the suspect due to the face covering seen in the footage.

Late Wednesday night, Martinez confirmed to Newell that she was able to track down the stolen equipment to a tow yard in Thomson, Georgia, nearly 150 miles away.

She had a GPS tracking device on the equipment and activated it to determine the location. She worked with police to safely secure it.

The suspect has not been caught.

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Panamanian authorities on Tuesday announced a large seizure of U.S.-bound cocaine on a ferry in the Pacific, at a time Washington is upping an anti-drug military deployment in Latin America.

Prosecutor Julio Villareal told reporters approximately 13.2 tons of drugs, "in this case cocaine," were seized in an operation Monday, and 10 people arrested.

It was one of the biggest such hauls in Panamanian waters to date, he said.

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In a social media post, the prosecutor's office released several images of the alleged drugs, saying that a total of 11,562 packages were seized.

Panamanian authorities on Tuesday announced a large seizure of U.S.-bound cocaine on a ferry in the Pacific, at a time Washington is upping an anti-drug military deployment in Latin America. / Credit: Panama Prosecutor's Office

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, Ecuadorians and Nicaraguans were among those detained on the ferry, which had set out from Colombia.

Panama in 2023 seized a total of 119 metric tons of drugs.

Latin American countries have been keen to show off anti-narcotics efforts as U.S. strikes on alleged drug-ferrying boats have claimed at least 76 lives so far in the Caribbean and Pacific.

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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.

When asked in an interview with "60 Minutes" recently if Maduro's "days were numbered," Mr. Trump responded, "I would say yeah. I think so, yeah."

Recent drug seizures on the high seas

Large amounts of drugs have also been confiscated from boats in other parts of the world in recent months.

In October, police in Spain said that they seized 6.5 tons of cocaine and arrested nine people after a U.S. tip-off led them to raid a ship off the Canary Islands.

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That same month, U.S. Central Command confirmed that a Pakistani navy ship seized narcotics worth more than $972 million from sailboats in the Arabian Sea.

In September, the French navy seized nearly 10 tons of cocaine worth more than $600 million from a fishing vessel off the coast of West Africa.

In April, the U.S. Coast Guard seized roughly 10,000 pounds of cocaine from a fishing boat in the Atlantic Ocean. Earlier this month, the Coast Guard said it had seized more than half a million pounds of cocaine in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and Caribbean during this fiscal year, the largest amount in its history.

Jack Schlossberg, John F. Kennedy's grandson, announces bid for Congress

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
Gov. Josh Shapiro displays the signed state budget on Nov. 12, 2025. (Photo by Ian Karbal/The Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

The last state in the nation without some form of a budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year finally has a spending plan in place.

Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a $50.1 billion state budget Wednesday after intensive meetings between Republican and Democratic lawmakers in recent weeks. They had been deadlocked for nearly five months since the June 30 deadline.

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The budget, Shapiros third, increases overall spending by 4.7% compared to the previous year but represents a $1.4 billion reduction from his proposal in February.

Before signing the bills that make up the spending plan, Shapiro noted leaders from the House and Senate had worked through the summer and fall and rejected calls by some Republicans to slash healthcare spending and other critical programs.

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We stayed at the table. We refused to accept inaction, Shapiro said. Because my top priority has been delivering a budget that makes a meaningful impact on the good people of Pennsylvania.

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Shapiro stressed that the spending plan is balanced, reduces taxes and preserves the states roughly $7 billion rainy day fund.

It continues a phased reduction in the states corporate net income tax to 7.49% and provides a state earned income tax credit for low- and moderate-income families that will provide $193 million in tax relief. It also projects that the state will end this fiscal year with $8 billion in its rainy day fund.

In a major concession for some Democrats, Republican lawmakers won a long-sought policy goal by getting Shapiro to withdraw from a regional greenhouse gas reduction program they likened to a tax on energy and a drag on economic growth in the commonwealth. And it includes reforms to environmental permitting that advocates say make Pennsylvania more business friendly.

House Appropriations Chair Jordan Harris answers questions about the 2025-2026 budget on Nov. 12, 2025 (Ian Karbal/Capital-Star)

This budget took much longer than expected but ultimately Senate Republicans held the line to keep our promise to the people of Pennsylvania by not raising taxes and ensuring our state savings account  the rainy day fund  was not attacked, Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward said. It is important for Pennsylvanians to know this budget is the direct result of a divided government and two very different approaches to how we govern our state and partner with the federal government.

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Ward added Senate Republicans compromised by agreeing to spend more than the $47.6 billion they proposed in August.

House Appropriations Committee Chairperson Jordan Harris (D-Philadelphia) said before the vote that although the budget was late, it reflects the shared interests of rural, urban and suburban Pennsylvanians.

This budget represents us coming together to recognize that while everyone may not have gotten everything, that we can work together collectively  to have a document that we can be proud of that delivers on the promises that many of us have made to the people, Harris said.

It passed the House with a 156-47 vote and a 40-9 tally in the Senate.

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This budget builds on the progress weve made to be able to deliver better schools and more opportunity for our kids, because I believe every single child deserves the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed, Shapiro said.

Inside the Pennsylvania Capitol building in downtown Harrisburg on October 14, 2025. (Photo by Jessica Kourkounis for the Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

It continues an increase in funding to put the commonwealths most underfunded schools on an equal footing while enacting reforms to control what taxpayers must spend for privately run cyber charter schools. The states 500 school districts will receive $785 million or 7.5% more compared to the 2024-2025 budget.

That includes an additional $565 million in adequacy funding to address a state courts finding that the reliance on property taxes to fund education put students in less wealthy communities at a disadvantage. The program will be expanded to ensure every district receives at least $50,000, although a majority will receive more to make up for decades of funding disparity.

This budget shows bipartisan consensus that the march to constitutional school funding is not optional. It took too long, but we moved one year closer to a system that will transform lives, Dan Urevick-Ackelsberg, senior attorney with the Public Interest Law Center that helped win the lawsuit over education funding, said.

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School districts will also be permitted to deduct more from the per-pupil tuition theyre required to pay for students who attend online charter schools. Its estimated the changes will reduce the cost by an estimated $178 million statewide.

Other cyber charter school reforms include a requirement for teachers to see and communicate with students at least once a week to help ensure student welfare in the wake of several child abuse cases that went unnoticed because the children werent attending school in person.

Susan Spicka, executive director of Education Voters PA, said the reforms are a significant step toward reining in wasteful spending by the cyber charter industry and creating accountability for cyber operators to ensure that their students are supported, safe, and actually attending school.

Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman and Sen. Cris Dush at a Senate Appropriations Committee meeting on Nov. 12, 2025. (Photo by Ian Karbal/The Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

Republican leaders said Wednesday after the budget bills passed that enacting policies to foster economic and job growth, such as the withdrawal from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), are essential to the sustainability of state government.

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We would be in a situation in a couple years where we simply would not have the money to fund any budget that is anywhere close to what we have now, let alone increases in the future, House Minority Leader Jesse Topper (R-Bedford) said in a news conference.

RGGI aims to reduce climate-warming carbon dioxide emissions from power plants by requiring the companies that own them to invest in clean energy projects. The multi-state program has been in place in about a dozen mid-Atlantic and northeastern states for more than a decade.

But Topper and other Republicans have said the program, which former Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf entered by executive order in 2019, restrained the states ability to make use of its vast natural gas resources. Pennsylvanias participation in the program has been on hold as state courts sorted out challenges questioning whether it is constitutional.

Environmentalists spoke out against abandoning RGGI last week as it became clear the program was a bargaining chip in ongoing negotiations. Amanda Leland, managing director at EDF Action, said Wednesday the compromise needlessly abandoned a promising tool for lowering energy costs and cutting pollution.

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Pennsylvanians are calling for cleaner air, lower energy bills and a responsible state budget  not for their governor to lock the state into dirty, expensive energy sources of the past, Leland said.

Shapiro said he still plans to pursue an alternative plan that keeps energy investments by carbon emitters in the commonwealth and positions the state as an energy exporter. But Topper told the Capital-Star that no programs similar to RGGI would get consideration in the General Assembly.

Were trying to address costs, he said. I do not believe that natural gas development is a threat to the environment. So, no, I dont think anything needs to happen to replace it, Topper said.

Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-Indiana) said the permitting reforms that are included in the budget package are also essential to Pennsylvania improving its competitiveness. They would streamline the Department of Environmental Protections review process for air and water quality impacts and require the agency to meet deadlines or permits would be automatically approved.

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Pittman pointed to an announcement Wednesday by Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel that it plans to build a new plant in Arkansas.

The governor of Arkansas made the comment at the time that we put shovels in the ground faster than Pennsylvania issues permits, Pittman said. That type of bureaucracy is not acceptable. And so what we have done here has completely changed the paradigm.

Capital-Star reporter Ian Karbal contributed to this story.
NEED TO KNOW

A 14-year-old boy pled guilty to charges one count of aggravated murder, one count of aggravated burglary and one count of strangulation in connection with the murder of Sheila Denise Tenpenny

Tenpenny was 64, and was found dead in her home on Feb. 2

The boy will remain incarcerated in the Department of Youth Services until he turns 21

A 14-year-old boy has pleaded guilty to the murder of a 64-year-old woman found dead in her home in Fairfax, Ohio in February.

The boy, who was 13 years old at the time of the murder, pled guilty to one count of aggravated murder, one count of aggravated burglary and one count of strangulation on Monday, Nov. 10, local ABC affiliate WCPO reports. The boy will be incarcerated at the Department of Youth Services until he turns 21 years old, which is the oldest a juvenile inmate can be, the outlet noted.

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Sheila Denise Tenpenny was found dead in her residence on Germania Street in Fairfax on Feb. 2, per WCPO. The Hamilton County Coroner's Office found that Tenpenny had trauma to her head and neck, the outlet reports.

PEOPLE has reached out to the Hamilton County Coroner's Office.

The boy was linked to the crime after police discovered his blood throughout the house; Tenpenny scratched his face, and Tenpenny died gripping a lock of his hair, according to the outlet.

Getty Yellow Caution Tape in Front of a Home Yellow Caution Tape in Front of a Home

Tenpenny's brother discovered her body and alerted the authorities, according to NBC affiliate WLWT. "I think my sister's been murdered," he said, according to the 911 call audio obtained by the outlet. "She's got her head covered with a pillow, her legs exposed."

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The boy, who is yet to be publicly identified, was charged in connection with the murder ten days later, on Feb. 12.

Prosecutor Linda Scott said in court that the teen had been plotting the murder for months, noting that he "researched how to strangle someone, how to do it, how to find a victim," according to WLWT.

Scott then revealed the boy "notified his social media people" after committing the crime.

"This one was a fighter," prosecutors said he wrote in a social media post.

A Bureau of Criminal Investigations agent also said in court that the teen had searched "how to defeat police interrogation" and messaged others while police were investigating, writing "I think I just got caught."

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

"It's very disturbing," Ward said, per WLWT. "My fear is he made mistakes, but in the future is will he learn from those mistakes."

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Sheila Denise was described as "a beacon of light who touched the lives of many with her kind heart, unwavering resilience, and exceptional humor, leaving behind a legacy filled with valuable lessons and unforgettable memories that will continue to inspire those who were fortunate enough to know her," in an obituary from Vankirk Grisell Funeral Home.



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Shipments of corrugated packaging in the United States have dropped to their lowest levels in a decade, prompting speculation that the upcoming holiday season could prove weaker than expected for retailers.

Fragile box demand despite pre-holiday season

According to recent figures from the Fibre Box Association (FBA), U.S. corrugated box shipments in the third quarter of 2025 fell to their lowest third-quarter reading since 2015.

Typically, box shipments climb during the third quarter as retailers ramp up for holiday displays and stock. Yet this year several packaging firms have reported that orders during October were flat or below normal levels.

The decline in shipments is widely viewed as a demand indicator for consumer goods and retail supply-chains. Less demand for boxes may point towards muted retailer expectations or consumer spending.

Underlying economic pressures on box volumes

Industry commentary suggests multiple headwinds are contributing to the fall in corrugated box shipments. These include weak consumer sentiment, a sluggish housing market and trade policy uncertainty.

For example, major producer International Paper Co. has cited trade uncertainty and a weak housing market as reasons to expect a 1.0-1.5 % drop in shipments this year, reversing earlier growth expectations.

Further, production data shows that containerboard output (the primary raw material for corrugated boxes) fell 3.1 % year-on-year in Q3 and that capacity cuts across North America are proceeding rapidly.

Analysts note that per-capita box use is now more than 20 % below its 1999 peak, illustrating structural demand changes in the market.

Implications for packaging and retail sectors

For the packaging industry, the slump in box shipments is a warning signal. Reduced orders mean lower utilisation and higher pressure on margins and capacity planning. Some mills and converting plants have already announced closures or cutbacks in response to sustained weak demand.

From a retail perspective, the weakness in corrugated box volumes suggests that the forthcoming holiday shopping season may not deliver the same volume of goods movement seen in prior years.

Because many seasonal displays and shipping boxes are ordered late during Q3 into October, the low volumes raise questions about the scale of inventory build-up and promotional programmes.

For global packaging professionals, the current trend underscores growing emphasis on right-sizing, alternative fulfilment formats and more efficient packaging design to adapt to shifting demand. The fall-off in traditional corrugated box shipments may accelerate innovations in sustainable and flexible packaging options.
A New York City man is accused of posting an image on Facebook depicting a Macomb County district court judge in a coffin, and a Warren man is accused of making death threats toward a different district judge and Warren police.

Both are charged in connection with the alleged threats, though their cases are separate, the county prosecutor's office announced Nov. 12. It was unclear why the men allegedly targeted the judges and police.

"Threats or acts of intimidation against judges strike at the very heart of our justice system," Prosecutor Peter Lucido said in his office's release.

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Cole Daniel Rapp, 27, of New York City is accused of threatening 42-1 District Judge Jennifer Andary in Romeo on Sept. 14. Prosecutors said he posted an image on Facebook depicting Andary in a coffin with the caption: "Pray about this." The image was used as his profile picture and background, according to the release.

Another post, it said, allegedly contained a video of a pot being stirred, accompanied by music with lyrics stating: "Judge in this town has bloodstains on his hands." The prosecutor did not offer more details on this alleged threat.

Rapp is charged with unlawful posting of a message, using a computer to commit a crime, cyberbullying and malicious use of telecommunications services. He received a $500 personal recognizance bond during arraignment in October.

He stood mute and a not guilty plea was entered by the court, according to online court records. His next court dates are Nov. 24 and Dec. 15 in 42-2 District Court in New Baltimore. In an email, his attorney Andres Villafane declined to comment.

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More: Jury acquits Macomb dad charged after criticizing judge on Facebook

Separately, Andrew Roberts, 42, of Warren is accused of threatening Warren police, one of its officers and 37th District Court Judge Suzanne Faunce in Warren.

The prosecutor's office said a local scanner website contacted Warren police Oct. 27 about private messages it received.

One stated: "Death to Warren PD," and another read: "When this starts to happen you'll know why," accompanied by an image of an armed person shooting a handgun near the driver's seat of a marked police vehicle. Other messages said: "Death to Judge Faunce" and "Death to Chris Wells with Warren PD," according to the prosecutor's office.

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"My client insists that he did not post these horrible words or statements. He believes that his cell phone has been cyber-hacked and used to hurt him, embarrass him and get him in trouble by a disgruntled person with whom he has had a dispute," Roberts' attorney, Robert Ihrie, told the Detroit Free Press on Nov. 12.

Roberts is charged with false report or threat of terrorism and using a computer to commit a crime. He is being held in the county jail on a $500,000 bond. He pleaded not guilty during an arraignment Nov. 6 in 39th District Court in Roseville, according to the prosecutor's release and online court records.

He is prohibited from contacting the victims and judges or employees of the Warren district court. If he posts bond, he will be on house arrest, must wear a steel-cuff GPS tether and abstain from drugs, alcohol and internet use, according to the release. His next court dates are Nov. 19 and Nov. 26.

Roberts also was charged with assaulting, resisting or obstructing a police officer during his arrest. He pleaded not guilty, received a $100,000 bond on that charge and is under the same no-contact orders in that case, according to the release.

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Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on X: @challreporter.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to the Free Press.

Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 2 men accused of threatening judges in Macomb County in separate cases
A man has been formally charged in connection with a deadly stabbing in Springfield.

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Antonio Depriest, 25, was indicted by a Clark County Grand Jury on charges of aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault, aggravated robbery, and tampering with evidence, according to court documents.

As News Center 7 previously reported, Springfield police were called out to the 1500 block of Highland Avenue shortly before 6 a.m. on Oct. 31.

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When officers got to the scene, they found 35-year-old Quintez Hubert suffering stab wounds in the living room.

He died from his injuries.

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An investigation led police to Depriest, who was arrested during a SWAT standoff Saturday night.

During an interview, Depriest told police he was asleep on the couch inside the home when he was woken up to an unwelcomed advance and stabbed Hubert.

Depriest said that after Hubert fell to the ground, he placed his bloody clothing into a backpack that belonged to Hubert.

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He then took the cell phones of the victim and the victims girlfriend, who was asleep upstairs, according to court documents.

Ring cameras captured Depriest leaving the home wearing Huberts jacket.

We will continue to follow this story.

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Three young men are facing murder charges following an armed robbery attempt last week.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Around 8:16 p.m. on Nov.6, Athens-Clarke County police responded to a person down call in the 100 block of Madison Ave.

When officers arrived, they found Antonio Jewell, 22, of Winterville, on the sidewalk. While First responders attempted life-saving measures, Jewell died from his injuries at the scene, police said.

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Investigators learned Jewells death stemmed from an armed robbery attempt.

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On Monday, ACCPD arrested three suspects in connection with the 22-year-olds death.

Samtavious Clark, 23, Jeremiah Gresham,18, and Dion Nesbitt, 18, all from Athens, were charged with murder/malice murder, armed robbery, possession of a firearm during commission of/ attempt to commit certain felonies, and criminal street gang charges. All three were booked into the Clarke County Jail.

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The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to contact Det. Harrison via email at David.Harrision@accgov.com or call 762-400-7361 or contact Det. Lister via email at Hovie.Lister@accgov.com or call 762-400-7333.
11-year-olds compete in a tractor pull contest at Minnesota Farmfest in Redwood County, Minnesota Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)

The U.S. House took all of October off. In fact, the GOP-led chamber has only worked 14 days since July 25. As Congress sat idle, hardworking Americans faced rising health care costs, farmers battled dangerous market instability, and millions worried over losing necessary food assistance.

Its time for Congress to show up for the people it serves  to lower costs, raise wages, and protect the freedom to make choices about our own lives. As the communications and policy director for the Rural Democracy Initiative, I worked with 40 local, state, and national organizations  including the Minnesota-based Land Stewardship Project and CURE  to create the Rural Policy Action Report, which offers a roadmap of popular policies lawmakers could implement today.

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Here are five priorities to help families, small businesses and rural communities thrive.

1. Fix health care

To start, lawmakers should reverse the Medicaid cuts and renew the Affordable Care Act tax credits that they allowed to expire to pass tax breaks for billionaires.

More than undoing the damage Congress did this year, we need them to go further: lower prescription prices, support rural hospitals, and ensure reliable care close to home. Access to life-saving services shouldnt depend on your ZIP code or your income.

2. Stand with farmers, not just corporations

For farmers, rising health care costs are just part of the growing challenges.

Our members are feeling the pain of a chaotic trade policy, massive cuts to USDA programs that serve all farmers and rural communities, and the ever-growing threat from monopolies that manipulate the agriculture marketplace, said Aaron Lehman of the Iowa Farmers Union, a contributor to the report.

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With the Farm Bill years past due, it seems Congress only makes time to fund programs for the biggest agribusinesses. But Congress could help develop local markets by investing in local food systems, reinstating the Local Food Purchase Assistance program that helped schools buy fresh food from local farms, and helping farmers protect soil and water. They should retool crop insurance and credit programs so they work for smaller, more diverse farms.

Farmers watched as new tariffs hurt the U.S. soybean market, and boosted sales for Argentina. To top it off, the Trump administration promised Argentina an additional $20 billion bailout gift. Congress must rein in our trade policy and prioritize independent producers, small-town businesses, and workers.

3. Strengthen public schools

Rural schools are the heart of their communities, preparing students with the skills to compete. But the federal government diverted billions from public schools to private schools with a voucher tax credit that could cost taxpayers up to $51 billion a year  more than the federal government spends on all public K12 education.

Lawmakers should stop the voucher programs and instead ensure students have properly funded schools with speech and reading services and support for kids with disabilities.

4. Empower workers

Rural workers often earn less, have fewer benefits, and face higher injury rates. When workers are respected and fairly paid, they spend locally and keep main streets alive. But the Trump administration has tried to eliminate dozens of worker safety rules, rescinded an important overtime rule, and ordered immigration raids at work sites across the country.

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Congress should protect the right to organize, ensure safe work sites, and guarantee paid family and medical leave.

5. Make essentials affordable

Everyone should be able to afford groceries, medicine and energy bills  but prices keep climbing. Congress must work to lower prices and enable small businesses to be competitive so people have real choices.

Congress should also restore food assistance, cut costs for child care, housing, and energy, and expand broadband access.

Congress needs to work for us, not for the special interests of big corporations and the ultra wealthy.

Rural communities have been overlooked  or actively harmed  by federal policy. The Rural Policy Action Report shows a better path: a practical plan with example legislation to improve healthcare, support farmers, strengthen public schools, stand with workers and lower costs.

Read more at RuralPolicyAction.Us.
A passenger flying from Bangkok to India was arrested after customs agents found 61 wild animals in their luggage.

What's happening?

According to The Free Press Journal, the smuggler was caught in mid-October attempting to transport various rare and endangered animals through Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The confiscated animals will receive medical care and treatment from the Rescue Association for Wildlife Welfare.

The seized animals included reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and insects. Among them were central bearded dragons, Honduran milk snakes, black and white tegus (a type of lizard), and cuscus (a type of marsupial).

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The smuggler will face charges under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and the Wildlife Protection Act, according to FPJ.

Why is animal trafficking a problem?

Smuggling illegal species is harmful to the animals, people, and the planet. Many are transported in confined, suffocating spaces, which can lead to suffering, injury, or death.

Moving different species together can increase the spread and mutation of dangerous diseases  diseases humans could contract. Animal trafficking also involves organized crime rings, corruption, and violence, creating unsafe conditions for locals and tourists in many regions.

Introducing invasive species to ecosystems can cause food chains to collapse. Invasive species often deplete resources, pushing out native species that are vital to their food chains. This weakens biodiversity, which can lead to rampant diseases, unpredictable weather, and resource scarcity.

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Removing these animals from their native ecosystems also hurts those food chains. Every species is essential in an ecosystem, so reducing populations topples the delicate balance.

Animals and humans need biodiversity to survive. Animal smuggling threatens ecosystems around the world, worsening the effects of climate change.

What's being done about wild animal smuggling?

Officials in many countries are cracking down on animal smuggling. Luggage checks, protected animal sanctuaries, and enforced poaching and smuggling laws all help combat animal trafficking.

But the demand for these animals is the real problem. Without demand, there is no market.

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To prevent animal trafficking, people must stop purchasing rare invasive animals as pets and stop buying products made from animals, such as shark fins or ivory goods. You should never purchase animals from other countries online or transport them.

Educating yourself and others about the dangers of animal trafficking can help extinguish the underground market. Report instances of animal trafficking or suspicious behavior to authorities, whether it's a sketchy eBay listing or strange noises coming from someone's bag in the airport.

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.
WASHINGTON  Dirty. F--king crazy. Borderline insane. A Mafia don but with the great dangerous power of being Americas president and commander in chief.

In the years before his death in what was ruled a suicide, that's how Jeffrey Epstein described his longtime friend and former confidant Donald Trump, according to a trove of the convicted sex offenders texts and emails just released by the House Oversight Committee.

But perhaps the most intriguing thing Epstein said about Trump in the 20,000-plus pages of emails provided by his estate was this: "I am the one able to take him down.

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New Epstein emails intensify debate in Congress as Trump pressures Republicans

The "Best Friends Forever" statue featuring President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein is on display in front of Busboys and Poets cafe 14th & V in Washington, D.C.. It was previously put up, then taken down, then put up again on the National Mall. Damage to statue of Donald Trump of Jeffrey Epsten holding hands after being removed from the National Park Service ahead of the end of its permit. The statue was a tongue-in-cheek reference to Trump's once close friendship with the late sex offender. Damage to statue of Donald Trump of Jeffrey Epsten holding hands after being removed from the National Park Service ahead of the end of its permit. The statue was a tongue-in-cheek reference to Trump's once close friendship with the late sex offender. Damage to statue of Donald Trump of Jeffrey Epsten holding hands after being removed from the National Park Service ahead of the end of its permit. The statue was a tongue-in-cheek reference to Trump's once close friendship with the late sex offender. A statue depicting President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein holding hands is seen near the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 23, 2025, in Washington, D.C. A plaque below the figures states "In Honor of Friendship Month." A statue depicting President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein holding hands is seen near the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 23, 2025, in Washington, D.C. A plaque below the figures states "In Honor of Friendship Month." A statue of President Donald Trump and the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was unveiled Sept. 23, 2025 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. A plaque below the figures states "In Honor of Friendship Month." It's the Secret Handshake Project's third such anti-Trump installation since June 2025. A statue of President Donald Trump and the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was unveiled Sept. 23, 2025, on the National Mall in Washington, DC. It's the Secret Handshake's third such anti-Trump installation since June. A statue depicting President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein holding hands is seen near the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 23, 2025, in Washington, D.C. A plaque below the figures states "In Honor of Friendship Month." A statue depicting President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein holding hands is seen near the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 23, 2025, in Washington, D.C. A plaque below the figures states "In Honor of Friendship Month." A statue depicting U.S. President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein holding hands is seen near the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 23, 2025, in Washington, D.C. A plaque below the figures states "In Honor of Friendship Month." A statue depicting U.S. President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein holding hands is seen near the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 23, 2025, in Washington, D.C. A plaque below the figures states "In Honor of Friendship Month." A statue depicting U.S. President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein holding hands is seen near the U.S. Capitol on September 23, 2025, in Washington, D.C. A plaque below the figures states "In Honor of Friendship Month." A statue depicting President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein holding hands is seen near the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 23, 2025, in Washington, D.C. A plaque below the figures states "In Honor of Friendship Month." Trump, Epstein hold hands in sculpture on National Mall 'In Honor of Friendship Month' 1 of 14 The "Best Friends Forever" statue featuring President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein is on display in front of Busboys and Poets cafe 14th & V in Washington, D.C.. It was previously put up, then taken down, then put up again on the National Mall.

House Democrats released emails Nov. 12 from Epstein saying Trump "spent hours at my house" with one of the disgraced financier's victims and that he "knew about the girls." Democrats said the emails raise questions about what Trump knew about Epstein's crimes, which included allegedly sexually abusing potentially hundreds of women and girls and trafficking them to other wealthy men.

The White House and Trump himself have tried to spin the document release  and a later one by Republicans  as being a giant nothingburger. "These emails prove absolutely nothing other than the fact that President Trump did nothing wrong," Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Nov. 12.

A USA TODAY review of those documents shows that Epstein had significant concerns about Trump's behavior and character.

'you see, i know how dirty donald is'

On Feb. 8, 2017, three weeks after Trump first took office, former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers told Epstein that, "It's ok."

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So far, Summers said of the new president, "He didnt wreck (the) world and avoided scandal."

Epstein, in a shorthand and typo-ridden response, said, "recall ive told you ,, I have met some very bad people ,, none as bad as trump. not one decent cell in his body.. so yes- dangerous."

US Co-Chair of High Level Independent Panel (HLIP) on financing the global commons for pandemic preparedness and response Lawrence Summers, looks on during the press conference of the G20 High Level Independent Panel (HLIP) during the G20 finance ministers and central bankers meeting in Venice on July 9, 2021.

On Aug. 23, 2018, Epstein was emailing back and forth with a friend, Kathryn Ruemmler, about Trump's legal and criminal exposure, apparently in connection with an ongoing "hush-money" investigation in New York.

It makes no difference whether it was his money. Issue is failure to disclose, said Ruemmler, the former Obama administration White House counsel. Plus, fact that he has lied his ass off about it makes clear that he knew it was illegal.

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you see, i know how dirty donald is, Epstein replied. my guess is that non lawyers ny biz people have no idea. what it means to have your fixer flip.

Days earlier, Trumps longtime fixer and personal lawyer Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to fraud and campaign finance violations, implicating Trump in his payments to two women for their silence over alleged affairs with the then-presidential candidate just before the 2016 election. Trump would eventually be convicted of falsifying business records to cover up they payments to porn star Stormy Daniels.

A protester holds up a photo of the future President Donald Trump with financier Jeffrey Epstein at a rally in Augusta, Georgia, on Aug. 2, 2025. Epstein, a convicted sex offender, died in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting a federal sex trafficking trial.

'Gambino was never the commander in chief'

In December of 2018, Epstein was dishing with Reid Weingarten, a prominent white-collar defense attorney who represented him during Epsteins federal investigation into alleged sex trafficking.

you might want to tell your dem friends that treating trump like a mafia don, ignores the fact that he has great dangerous power, Epstein wrote Weingarten on Dec. 20, 2018. Tightening the noose too slowly, risks a very bad situation. . Gambino was never the commander in chief there was little gambino could do as the walls closed in. not so with this maniac."

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That was a possible reference to Gambino crime family kingpin John Gotti, the infamous Teflon Don who was sent to prison for life by New York federal prosecutors after decades of escaping justice.

Weingarten replied that Epstein was making Not a stupid point and that Trump is starting to behave very erratically.

Epsteins response?

borderline insane, and corroberated by some that are close."

Epstein, whod had a falling-out with Trump more than a decade earlier, was not believed to be close to Trump during his presidency.

More: Epstein mentions Trump in email sent Thanksgiving Day 2017. Here's what it says.

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Two weeks before Trumps first-term inauguration in January 2017, Epstein confided to a New York Times reporter that Trumps unpredictability would be a factor when dealing with nuclear-armed despots like Russias Vladimir Putin and North Koreas Kim Jong Un.

Donald is f--cking crazy, Epstein wrote Jan. 2, 2017, fully spelling out the curse word. I told you that."

On March 24, 2018, New York Times reporter Landon Thomas Jr., texted Epstein to say Trump is scaring the sh-t out of me now. He could well tank global economy.  Maybe it's time for you to jump in now.

Epstein responded: he feels alone, and is nuts !!! , I told everyone from day one. evil beyond belief mad, and most thought i was speaking metaphorically, its obvious he could crack. stormy daniels. ? lies after lies aflter lies.

'i am the one able to take him down'

In December 2018, the FBI and Justice Department were investigating Epstein on sex trafficking charges after bombshell revelations in the Miami Herald about his sweetheart plea deal a decade earlier. That plea agreement was overseen by the top federal prosecutor in Miami, Alex Acosta, whom Trump had later appointed secretary of labor.

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It will all blow over! They're really just trying to take down Trump and doing whatever they can to do that...! an unidentified person wrote to Epstein on Dec. 3, 2018.

yes thx, Epstein replied. its wild. because i am the one able to take him down.

Epstein was first charged in 2006 with solicitation of prostitution in Florida. In 2008, Acosta and his prosecutors agreed to a controversial plea deal that allowed Epstein to avoid federal prosecution on sex trafficking charges despite a draft indictment outlining 60 criminal counts against him.

Anti-Trump demonstrators near the U.S. Capitol, protest issues including the Jeffrey Epstein case and the increased presence of military and federal law enforcement in the DC area ordered by President Donald Trump, in Washington, DC, U.S. Sept. 2, 2025. A person holds a placard with images of President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein as they take part in the Make Billionaires Pay climate march and rally in New York City, on Sept. 20, 2025. Protestors gather outside the U.S. Capitol as House members hold a press conference along with alleged victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, DC, on Sept. 3, 2025. This protestor hides behind her sign urging release of the Epstein files by the government. Protestors gather outside the U.S. Capitol as House members hold a press conference along with alleged victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, DC, on Sept. 3, 2025. A man who declined to be identified makes a sign urging the release of the Epstein files at Government Plaza to take part in the No Kings protest, a nationwide protest against the presidency of Donald Trump on Oct. 18, 2025, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. An anti-Trump protester holding a mask depicting Jeffrey Epstein marches at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, on Sept. 2, 2025. A banner of Jeffrey Epstein and President Donald Trump hangs in Grand Park during a protest against federal immigration enforcement in downtown Los Angeles, on Aug. 2, 2025. A demonstrator wearing an inflatable costume holds a sign that reads: "Epstein", during a "No Kings" protest against President Donald Trump's policies, in Washington, DC, on Oct. 18, 2025. Tallahassee resident Thomas Bivens attended the Oct. 18, 2025, No Kings protest in Tallahassee and held a sign reading, "Release the Epstein Files." A sign asks "Where are the Epstein files?" at the No Kings Rally, on Oct. 18, 2025, at Peace Park in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Anti-Trump demonstrators march near the U.S. Capitol, protesting against issues including the Jeffrey Epstein case and the increased presence of military and federal law enforcement in the DC area ordered by President Donald Trump, in Washington, DC, on Sept. 2, 2025. A protester calling for a release of the Epstein files holds a sign while awaiting the arrival of Trump administration officials who are expected to discuss strategy amid the deepening political crisis over the administrations handling of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, at the U.S. Naval Observatory, Vice President JD Vance's official residence, in Washington, DC, on Aug. 6, 2025. People hold signs on the day of a rally in support of Epstein's alleged victims, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on Sept. 3, 2025. Anti-Trump demonstrators march near the U.S. Capitol, protesting against issues including the Jeffrey Epstein case and the increased presence of military and federal law enforcement in the DC area ordered by President Donald Trump, in Washington, DC, on Sept. 2, 2025. A person rides a bicycle past a poster with a photograph of Donald Trump and disgraced financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, protesting Trumps upcoming state visit to the UK, in London, on Sept. 3, 2025. Demonstrators carry placards with images depicting President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and disgraced financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, during a "No Kings" protest against Trump's policies, in New York City on Oct. 18, 2025. A large banner depicting President Donald Trump alongside disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein is displayed near Windsor Castle by campaign group "Everyone Hates Elon," protesting Trump's state visit to the country, in Windsor, Britain, Sept. 15, 2025. A person walks next to a mobile Ad Van that displays photographs of President Donald Trump and disgraced financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, in protest of Trump in Aberdeen, Scotland,on July 28, 2025. American, British protesters tie Donald Trump to Jeffrey Epstein 1 of 19 Anti-Trump demonstrators near the U.S. Capitol, protest issues including the Jeffrey Epstein case and the increased presence of military and federal law enforcement in the DC area ordered by President Donald Trump, in Washington, DC, U.S. Sept. 2, 2025.

On July 6, 2019, seven months after claiming he was the one who could take down Trump, Epstein was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges after his private plane touched down in New Jersey.

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Federal prosecutors in New York had concluded they werent bound by the terms of his earlier non-prosecution deal. Six days later, amid public outrage over the Epstein plea deal, Acosta resigned as labor secretary.

A month after that, on Aug. 10, guards found Epstein dead in his cell at a federal jail in New York City where he was awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Investigators concluded he killed himself.

Trump, who was in office when Epstein was arrested, said during his 2024 presidential campaign that hed open the governments Epstein files. He is now seeking to prevent their release.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What Epstein said about Trump? 'I am the one able to take him down.'
In 2023, a severe drought heated several Amazonian lakes until they became hotter than a hot tub. Brazil's Lake Tefe hit 41.0 C (105.8 F).

The resulting conditions killed more than 200 dolphins, countless fish, and many other aquatic animals by the thousands.

From the world's reefs, to eels, birds and African elephants, this is yet another mass mortality event of Earth's wildlife now attributed to climate change.

Related: Amazon Rainforest Facing Drastic Collapse From 2050, Scientists Warn

"The climate emergency is here, there is no doubt about it," hydrologist Ayan Fleischmann, who was sent to investigate the lake incident, told AFP.

Local fishermen and field assistants place a captured Amazon river dolphin on a stretcher in Lake Amana, near Tefe, Amazonas, Brazil on 25 September 2025 . (Miguel Monteiro/AFP/Getty Images)

Fleischmann, based at the Mamiraua Institute for Sustainable Development in Brazil, and colleagues compiled satellite data and direct measurements of the lakes in the region during the 2023 drought.

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They determined a confluence of conditions conspired to create the Amazonian lakes environmental disaster, including low wind speeds, low water depths, very high solar radiation during 11 days without cloud cover, and hazier water which absorbed more of that sunlight.

"This unprecedented drought intensity has been attributed to climate change, including widespread warming of the oceans, in particular of the North Atlantic, in combination with a moderate to strong El Nino event," the team write in their paper.

Temperatures exceeded 37 C in 5 of the 10 lakes examined, but it was likely the extreme temperature swings of up to 13 C that caused the fatal thermal stress in wildlife.

"A 10 C increase in water temperature is unparalleled," University of Greenwich ecologist Adrian Barnett, who was not involved in the study, told journalist Phoebe Weston at The Guardian. "The volume of energy needed to achieve this in such huge volumes of water is jaw-dropping."

A dead tucuxi dolphin in Lake Tefe, 2023. ( Andre Zumak/Mamiraua Institute

At the time, the World Wildlife Fund reported a loss of 10 percent of the local dolphin population within just one week, including 130 pink river dolphins (Inia geoffrensis) and 23 tucuxi dolphins (Sotalia fluviatilis), both endangered species.

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Those numbers would continue to rise, totaling around 330 dolphin carcasses found around the lakes.

"When the water reaches 41 C, the fish simply stop functioning: their enzymes get blocked, their metabolism collapses and they die," Adalberto Val, biologist from the Brazilian Amazon Research Institute, told Noticias Ambientales.

This region, including Earth's largest remaining tract of tropical rainforest, holds about a fifth of Earth's freshwater, but the changing climate conditions are drying that up.

Win a $10,000 Space Coast Adventure Holiday

Scientists have already warned of the Amazon rainforests' fast-approaching collapse. Now Fleischmann and colleagues have found that the average water temperatures of flood-plain lakes in the central Amazon region have increased by 0.6 C per decade since 1990.

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"We are concerned that these conditions are becoming more common," says John Melack, ecologist at UC Santa Barbara. "The implications for biodiversity and local communities are profound."

This is not a problem that can be solved regionally, researchers warn, as it requires a global systemic effort in fossil fuel use reduction. Unless that happens, we'll continue to extinguish ever more massive swaths of the most miraculous things in the known Universe: living beings, including ourselves.

This research was published in Science.

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Nov. 13 (UPI) -- On a rusted wharf in the northern port city of Haiphong, where U.S. B-52s once rained bombs for 12 straight days, 70-year-old fisherman Bui Quang Mong mends a worn fishing net.

Half a century at sea has left his hands rough and steady, each scar a story of storms weathered, encounters with other boats and the relentless struggle to make a living from the sea.

For fishermen, the South China Sea has always been a treacherous frontier -- typhoons, Chinese naval chases, detentions, confiscated catches, sinking boats. He's had all of it.

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But today, the sharpest wave hitting Vietnamese fishing communities is bureaucratic: Europe's yellow card -- imposed by the European Commission to penalize illegal, unreported and unregulated, or IUU, fishing -- now runs through conversations like a silent current.

Vietnam is racing the clock to shake off the EU's yellow card before the European Commission's inspection at the end of 2025. Miss the deadline, and the country could face a full red card -- slamming the door on seafood exports worth more than $500 million a year.

And now there's another variable: a new U.S.-Vietnam tariff agreement -- hailed by both governments -- but with little clarity about what it will mean for ordinary fishermen. Meanwhile, Europe's warning is already rippling across the Pacific.

U.S. trade officials are tracking the same IUU compliance data the EU uses. Analysts say if Hanoi fails to lift the yellow card by 2025, Washington could borrow the EU's own justification to tighten tariffs on Vietnamese seafood and other exports.

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Vietnam is celebrating a new U.S. tariff deal -- but Washington is expected to sharpen scrutiny on traceability, labor conditions and subsidy distortions. If Europe doesn't clear Vietnam, the United States has a convenient rationale to raise duties.

In practical terms, Vietnamese seafood exporters could get hit twice -- first by Europe's threat of a full red card and second by U.S. tariff adjustments that treat Vietnam's regulatory gaps as unfair competition.

For fishers, it adds a new layer of uncertainty to an already shrinking sea: a bureaucracy in Brussels and Washington that now reaches all the way back to the deck of a small wooden trawler in Haiphong.

Mong shrugs off distant capitals.

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" I don't know Washington. I don't know Brussels, he says. " I only know if there is work." For him -- and thousands like him -- the day is defined by the next haul of black tiger shrimp, yellowfin tuna and mackerel.

Hanoi has issued a fishing action plan -- a highly technical roadmap with direct consequences for every vessel, crew and port official. Under the prime minister's directive, all boats must be inventoried, reregistered and licensed, every catch must be digitally traceable, and every port entry and exit logged. Officials describe it as a nationwide campaign to stamp out illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

This transformation arrives at the same moment that Vietnamese boats are being forced closer to shore -- fearing confrontation with Chinese maritime militia and navy vessels operating in disputed waters. For them, the sea is shrinking, rules are tightening and the world is watching.

But while regulatory compliance is one part of this story, the human cost is the harder chapter.

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Among those on the front line is Captain Dang Van Nhan, a third-generation skipper who has fished these contested waters for decades. His wooden trawler was once rammed and sunk by a Chinese naval vessel, he told UPI.

Fishermen along Vietnam's central and northern coast say the sea has always been dangerous -- sudden squalls and fast-moving typhoons, such as deadly Kalmaegi that recently swept over the island of Cu Lao Cham and swamped fishing boats in the harbor.

But the arrival of armed Chinese ships has changed the calculus. The danger, the fishermen say, is not only weather -- it's political, unpredictable and lethal.

Meanwhile, government officials are trying to soften the blow of these fishing restrictions by charting new paths for the industry. The city is pushing high-tech aquaculture, especially in scenic coastal areas such as Cat Ba Bay replacing wood with plastic rafts and cages, promising greater durability and environmental benefits.

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Authorities have established two major marine reserves -- Bach Long Vi and Cat Ba-Long Chau -- covering more than 35,000 hectares. They also set up five coastal protection zones and three inland reserves, and say they have released more than 2.1 million fish, shrimp, crabs and mollusks to rebuild depleted stocks.

Bach Long Vi Island, at the mouth of the Gulf of Tonkin on key global shipping lanes, functions as a strategic security outpost and potential future fisheries hub.

Yet, environmental restoration takes time and fishermen still need fuel each morning. At more fishing ports, the changes are visible. Ships dock under the new rules with intact tracking devices, electronic logs and strict port control now the baseline for doing business.

Vietnam is fighting to keep its seafood in European markets, and Brussels is demanding proof of compliance. For fisherman Mong and Nhan, though, the regulations raise a deeper, unspoken question: "What if the sea itself is no longer enough?"

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This is a question many coastal communities across Southeast Asia are asking. They are squeezed between a superpower conflict over sea control, climate impacts like typhoons and warming waters, and Western market enforcement of sustainability standards.

Meanwhile, the new U.S.-Vietnam trade tariff agreement may broaden exports -- but does it reach fishermen?

The economic future for the maritime poor is now being determined in digital dashboard systems, big data servers, and compliance spreadsheets.

And the fishermen themselves, often poorly educated, formerly illiterate with paperwork, are now being asked to become fluent in an electronic regime they don't fully understand.

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While these fishermen believe the government is trying to help, they express fears that officials may forget what they have endured. Their concern isn't Europe's yellow card; it's the looming naval shadow of China, the silent presence in every South China Sea conversation.

The Vietnamese state has to pull fishermen back into legal, traceable waters -- and at the same time it cannot say openly what many fishermen say easily: Much of the IUU problem is political, not simply technical. China's presence forces Vietnamese fishermen into risk and into corners -- just as Europe tells them to stay clean.

And between those forces is a 70-year-old man repairing his net.

Vietnam is at an inflection point. It is trying to save both the fish -- and the fishermen.

James Borton is a non-resident senior fellow at Johns Hopkins SAIS Foreign Policy Institute and the author of Harvesting the Waves: How Blue Parks Shape Policy, Politics, and Peacebuilding in the South China Sea.
One member of the Thug Riders Motorcycle Club has learned his punishment for organized crime charges.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Matthew Hawkins was sentenced to three years in federal prison on Oct. 29, according to court records filed in the United States Southern District of Ohio court.

>> PHOTOS: Here are the 14 members of Thug Riders Motorcycle Club facing organized crime charges

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As previously reported by News Center 7, Hawkins pleaded guilty to one count of committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering in April.

TRENDING STORIES:

Hawkins is one of 14 members of the Thug Riders motorcycle gang arrested last summer as part of a federal organized crime investigation.

The Department of Justice said the men are a part of an outlaw motorcycle gang.

Investigators claim the members and their associates engaged in crimes like murder, arson, assault, extortion, and identity fraud.

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Several other members have either been sentenced or entered pleas. Some of those include Joseph Rader, Cody Hughes, and Brandon Fisher.

News Center 7 will continue to follow this story.

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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday sidestepped a reporters question about Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who has faced backlash since moderate Senate Democrats agreed to reopen the government.

Ocasio-Cortez  when asked if Schumer, the least popular Democratic Senate leader in roughly four decades, should stay in the post  pointed to whats so important for folks to understand.

This problem is bigger than one person and it actually is bigger than the minority leader in the Senate, she said. The congresswoman has been floated as a potential primary challenger to Schumer in 2028.

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You had eight Senate Democrats who coordinated their own votes on this as well as ... you have two retiring members, many of them are also up in several cycles from now with the hope that people are going to forget this moment.

She stressed that a party leader is a reflection of a party and Senate Democrats select who to represent them.

The congresswoman  who has swervedaway from questions about challenging for Schumers Senate seat  went on to note several Senate primaries this cycle and, while shes been asked about New York in 2028, said shes pointed her constituents to races happening next year.

Moments earlier, when asked how she felt being back on Capitol Hill after the long recess, she discussed federal workers missing paychecks and disruptions to SNAP payments as a result of the shutdown, which did not amount to an extension of soon-to-expire health care subsidies.

Politics: JD Vances Old Epstein Tweets Come Back To Bite Him

We have to figure out what that was for because you had both the capitulation in the Senate and you have the refusal and the outright cruelty among House Republicans and the White House, who went to court to try to sue for their ability to deny peoples access to food, she said.

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This is the reality that were in right now and we need to act like it and we cannot enable this kind of cruelty with our cowardice, period.

H/T: Mediaite

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
CHONGQING, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- China has incubated more than 17,600 national-level "little giant" enterprises to date, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said on Wednesday.

"Little giant" firms refer to the novel elites of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are engaged in manufacturing, specialize in a niche market and boast cutting-edge technologies.

Although they represent just 3.5 percent of all industrial SMEs above the designated size nationwide, these firms contribute 9.6 percent of the sector's total operating revenue and 13.7 percent of its total profits, according to data released at a conference on SME development held in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on Wednesday.

The high-quality development of China's SMEs has continued to make steady progress, with growing strength and improving performance, said Li Lecheng, minister of industry and information technology, at the conference.

So far, the country has nurtured more than 600,000 scientific and innovative SMEs, Li said, adding that in the future, China will continue to advance new industrialization and modernization by strengthening the role of enterprises as the main drivers of innovation, enhancing the capacity of high-quality firms to support industrial chains, and fostering a sound business environment for enterprise development.

The development of SMEs that use specialized, sophisticated technologies to produce novel and unique products has been highlighted as a key national strategy. It was included in the Communist Party of China Central Committee's recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for China's economic and social development.
We recently published Jim Cramer Discussed These 25 Stocks In An Important Show About AI Spending. The Gap, Inc. (NYSE:GAP)is one of the stocks Jim Cramer recently discussed.

The Gap, Inc. (NYSE:GAP) is a well-known apparel retailer. The firms shares have gained a mere 1.7% year-to-date as it undertakes a turnaround. Cramer has discussed The Gap, Inc. (NYSE:GAP)s turnaround several times in 2025. For instance, in May, he commented that the firms CEO Richard Dickson was finally being appreciated by the market for his efforts. More recently, Cramer remarked that he continued to believe in The Gap, Inc. (NYSE:GAP)s long-term turnaround. With Dickson now having spent two years at the firm, in this show, Cramer simply remarked that while The Gap, Inc. (NYSE:GAP) was trying to move, it was finding it hard to do so:

[On JPM writing about a squeeze in cyclicals and industrials] Yeah Gap is trying to move but they cant, remember that [inaudible] hurt them a dollar and half for the stock.

"Gap (GAP) Is Trying To Move But They Can't," Says Jim Cramer

Northfoto / Shutterstock.com

In March, Cramer discussed The Gap, Inc. (NYSE:GAP)s turnaround strategy in detail:

Weve got, GAP up seven. Banana Republic up four. Old Navy up three. These are almost double what people would expect. In some case, GAP, the flagship, more than double. A lot of people say wait a second is it going to make any money . .tariffs, only 11% of its goods are made between Mexico and China. Uh, this man has taken this company, he came on first, he said listen I gotta fix the balance sheet. . . Hes got 2.6 billion in cash, got a 3% yield. This deserves to trade much higher. Somehow it dropped. . . .this thing has cascaded lower for absolutely no reason whatsoever. This is the stock to buy in retail. Alright. I wanna own Costco, which shouldnt be down. I wanna own TJX, and I wanna own this one.

While we acknowledge the potential of GAP as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now.
Residents in Apex got a chance to ask questions about a potential new neighbor. A proposal for a 190-acre data center near Old US 1 and Shearon Harris Road would include four buildings housing computing and networking for Cloud services and artificial intelligence.

The developer said it would be used by a single company, which it hasn't announced.

"Is it going to be Google. Is it going to matter? Is it going to be whatever? So we want to nip it in the bud. The people don't want this. The people that know about it don't want it. And the people that don't know about it find out about it. They won't want it either," said an Apex woman who wanted to be identified only as Rosemary.

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Many neighbors brought up concerns about electricity usage, which would be a big strain on Apex, along with all the water being used, and concerns about noise.

The developer, Natelli Holdings, said it would try to mitigate the noise caused by the cooling system and back-up generators.

"What I would say is we're working really hard to come up with a program that really standardizes what we need to do to ensure that we're not impacting neighboring properties in a negative way," said Michael Natelli.

The plan also puts North Carolina at the center of debate about these kinds of data centers as the AI industry continues to grow.

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The company said it already has other projects in Maryland, housing data centers used by Fannie Mae and the Social Security Administration.

"I think the industry needs to look at where does it make sense for these facilities to be located so that we can support this demand? There are places where it definitely doesn't make sense, and there are places where it does make sense. And in our view, this is a very compelling site," Natelli said.

Neighbors argued that the project is not aligned with the "light industrial" designation the area is zoned for in Apex.

"It would be a cataclysmic amount of changes that would make me consider raising an eyebrow about it. Of course, I don't want something that's going to affect my family two miles from my home," said Dr. Michelle Hoffner O'Connor.

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Nov. 12 (UPI) -- Food influencer Michael Duarte lunged at a Texas sheriff's deputy while armed with a knife and died when an officer shot him while responding to a complaint in Castroville.

Castroville police responded to a 911 call at 11:30 a.m. CST Saturday of a report of a man with a knife causing a disturbance, KSAT reported.

A Medina County Sheriff's deputy also responded to back up the local police as Duarte, 39, was armed with a knife and repeatedly threatening to "kill everyone."

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The sheriff's office said the deputy ordered Duarte several times to go to the ground, but he did not comply, according to TMZ.

Instead, he yelled, "I'm going to kill you," at the deputy and lunged at her with the knife.

The deputy then shot him twice, and first responders provided medical aid and transported him to University Hospital in San Antonio, where he was declared dead.

Duarte was a social media influencer who promoted his "Food with Bear hands" barbecue content on several social media channels and had more than 2.1 million followers.

His talent agency, Alooma Media Group, described Duarte as a "devoted husband to his wife Jessica, a loving father to his daughter, brotherand a loyal friend to many.

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"His warmth, kindness and generosity were felt in every interaction, and he had a way of making everyone around him feel valued and inspired."

Duarte was in Medina County while participating in the Texas Open Fire Meat Up festival in Hondo that was scheduled for Saturday.

His shooting death occurred within days of celebrating his anniversary with his wife, Jessica, to whom he had been married for nine years and fathered a daughter.

Castroville is a small town with a population of 3,201 in 2024 and is located in the southwestern portion of the Greater San Antonio Area.
CHICAGO  Attorneys who are alleging inhumane conditions at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing center in Broadview will be able to take photographs, talk to detainees and include a detention expert in an unusual tour of the west suburban facility, which will unfold over four hours on Thursday.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Laura McNally on Friday said she would order the site visit as part of the evidence production process in a class-action lawsuit that was filed last month. The complaint, filed on behalf of former detainees Pablo Moreno Gonzalez and Felipe Agustin Zamacona, accuses Department of Homeland Security officials of proliferating a dirty, overcrowded and unsafe environment amid the Trump administrations Operation Midway Blitz.

The suit also alleges that Broadview detainees have been denied access to counsel and coerced into agreeing to voluntary deportation.

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The parties conferred for more than an hour on Wednesday morning to lay out logistics for the site visit, which will offer the judge and participating attorneys a rare look inside the facility, called a black box in the complaint.

Also on Wednesday during a separate hearing, the plaintiffs and government attorneys said they agreed to extend the temporary restraining order issued last week by U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman, which orders DHS officials to provide immigration detainees enough food, water and bed space, among other remedies to improve conditions.

The extension of the restraining order, which was set to expire next week, puts off a showdown over a potential preliminary injunction. Arguments are now scheduled for December.

Meanwhile, government attorneys are working to comply with a fast-moving discovery process, as the plaintiffs seek to depose key officials, review surveillance video and secure documentation that would shed light on many yet unknown facts surrounding the immigration enforcement blitz of the last two months, such as information about detainees who have cycled through the Broadview facility.

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Thursdays site visit is one piece of the overall discovery process, and will include McNally along with an assistant U.S. attorney, five attorneys for the plaintiffs and their expert, Dr. Dora B. Schriro.

Schriro, who was previously special adviser to former Department of Homeland Secretary Janet Napolitano and commissioner of New York Citys correctional department, is a consultant who regularly conducts inspections of detention and carceral facilities, according to a status report filed with the court.

The tour will be led by Shawn Byers, ICE deputy field office director in Chicago, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jana Brady.

Hed lead the tour and as you are walking around the facility, he will explain whats going on, what changes have been made and answer related questions, Brady said.

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One matter at issue: who would take photographs during the visit. Government attorneys wanted an ICE photographer to shoot the photos so that the agency could first review them before turning them over to the plaintiffs.

Objecting to the request, the plaintiffs wrote in a status report that it would allow the government to limit what may be photographed, to blur or otherwise alter photographs after they are taken, or to delay the disclosure of photographs.

McNally ruled that the plaintiffs could take their own photos, but the government will be allowed to first review the snapshots to potentially blur sensitive material, such as faces or security locks.

Brady said that the number of detainees at Broadview at any given time is constantly in flux, but she said there were around 18 detainees there on Monday afternoon and 22 detainees on Wednesday morning.

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During a full-day hearing on conditions at the facility last week, former detainees described instances where around 150 people were crammed into holding cells, leaving little space to try to lie on the floor to sleep. Gettlemans restraining order, though, now requires that any detainee held overnight be given bedding to be able to lay down and sleep.

It has really become a prison, Gettleman said last week following hours of testimony. The conditions would be found unconstitutional even in the context of prisons holding convicted felons, but these are not convicted felons. These are civil detainees.

Detainees also testified about not being given enough food and water, as well as overflowing toilets without privacy and no working showers or hygiene products.

Since President Donald Trumps administration announced the start of Operation Midway Blitz on Sept. 8, DHS officials have announced more than 3,000 arrests. Meanwhile, Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino, the top official on the ground leading the administrations efforts, is expected to depart Chicago for another assignment within days, and most of the agents under his command would soon be redeployed elsewhere, sources told the Tribune this week.

_____
CARROLL COUNTY, Ark.  The Carroll County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) and the United States Marshals Service arrested a man from Berryville on Wednesday, Nov. 12, following the seizure of illegal drugs and firearms at his home earlier this year.

Hunter Seitz, 31, was arrested on a federal indictment and on multiple outstanding felony warrants in Carroll County for drug and firearm possession.

Hunter Seitz mugshot (Courtesy: Carroll County Sheriffs Office)

According to the Carroll County Sheriffs Office, their narcotics division, with support from their Criminal Investigations and Patrol Divisions, searched Seitzs home in rural Berryville on June 26, 2025. Authorities seized narcotics, illegally possessed firearms, items used for packaging and distributing drugs and other firearm accessories.

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Alert issued for Arkansas poultry growers after first confirmed bird flu case in backyard flock

Two days later, on July 28, the CCSO Narcotics Division continued with a follow-up investigation with their patrol division and the Arkansas Department of Community Corrections, where they seized methamphetamine and more illegal firearms.

The case was eventually referred to the United States Attorneys Office of Western Arkansas, where a grand jury indicted Seitz, and the Attorneys Office issued an arrest warrant for 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 KOLR - OzarksFirst.com.
For most families, owning a home is the primary way to accumulate wealth and transfer that wealth to future generations.

But in Philadelphia and other U.S. cities, studies have shown that if you live in a Black or Hispanic neighborhood, your home is more likely to be appraised below its market value when compared to homes in non-Hispanic white neighborhoods. This is called home appraisal bias.

An appraisal represents an expert opinion of the value of a home. It is determined by a licensed professional who applies industry standard rules and practices.

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The appraisal is critical to securing a mortgage to purchase a home or to refinancing an existing mortgage. It can determine whether an applicant gets a mortgage and influence how much the mortgage costs. For example, if a borrower must take out a mortgage for more than 80% of a propertys value, they may be required to pay for private mortgage insurance in some cases. Getting the appraisal value right is key to ensuring that homebuyers and those seeking to refinance a mortgage can do so under fair and equal conditions.

We are two academics who study urban places and the people who live in them. Together, we have more than 80 years of experience working at federal civil rights agencies, teaching at research universities and consulting for the housing industry, city and state agencies, and nonprofits.

Most recently we have been working with Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker on a plan to reduce racial bias in home appraisals in Philly.

Fair Housing Act of 1968

In 1968, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Fair Housing Act, which made it unlawful to deny housing based on race, color, religion or national origin. Congress added sex in 1974 and handicap and familial status in 1988.

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The Fair Housing Act was passed just seven days after the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and two months after the release of the Kerner Commission report. This federal report examined the causes of racial violence in the U.S. in the 1960s and concluded, Our nation is moving toward two societies, one black, one white, separate and unequal.

Passage of the Fair Housing Act did not end housing discrimination. But over the years, residential segregation has declined slowly, and the most egregious and overt discriminatory acts, such as cross burnings and blockbusting, rarely happen anymore.

In recent years, attention has focused on racial disparities in home valuation established by appraisals. This reflects, in part, some high-profile, public allegations of racial bias in appraising revealed through homeowners whitewashing of their homes.

Whitewashing describes how a Black homeowner who receives a low appraisal removes all signs that a Black person lives in a home, replaces family photos with photos of white people, and has a white friend at home when a second appraiser arrives, giving the impression that it is the home of a white family. Bias is revealed when the second appraisal produces a higher value than the first.

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The fact that 94% of appraisers and assessors in the U.S. are white may be a contributing factor.

Appraisal discrimination is unfair, contributes to racial wealth disparities and violates the Fair Housing Act.

Home appraisal bias is a national issue

Multiple studies establish that homes in Black and brown neighborhoods across the U.S., all else equal, are valued less than comparable homes in white neighborhoods. Appraisal bias is just one factor in this, as are historical and contemporary redlining and real estate practices, individual choices and other factors.

One way to identify appraisal discrimination would be to compare how often appraisals are below agreed-upon sale prices in nonwhite neighborhoods compared to white neighborhoods. Our research has documented that appraisals themselves are sometimes biased representations of home values.

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Nationally, the percentage of appraisals below the sale price is substantially greater in nonwhite neighborhoods than in white neighborhoods. There is no apparent reason that appraisals should be systematically higher or lower than sale prices in nonwhite or white neighborhoods.

Its a Philly issue too

Appraisal bias also persists in Philadelphia, as weve demonstrated in our own analyses using the Federal Housing Finance Agencys uniform appraisal dataset, or UAD.

The UAD is the only neighborhood-level source of information on home appraisal activity. However, the dataset reports less than half of census tracts in Philadelphia because the FHFA often suppresses data due to privacy concerns. In tracts with few transactions, reporting the data could identify individual homeowners.

Earlier this year, we employed a different approach using 2021-24 lending data from the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act. HMDA is an annually released federal database containing detailed information on most mortgage applications in the U.S. The data includes race, mortgage characteristics, property value, location and other details.

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We wanted to understand whether there was a pattern of denied applications for cash-out refinance mortgages where the lenders single reason for denial was collateral, which is generally established by the appraisal. Cash-out refinance mortgages are loans that pay off the homeowners existing loan and allow that homeowner to additionally borrow some of the equity they have in their home.

Our study shows that it was substantially more frequent that collateral was the single reason for that denial in nonwhite neighborhoods and for nonwhite homeowners.

This was the case whether the homeowner was seeking a conventional mortgage or a mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration. FHA borrowers frequently have lower credit or a lower down payment than a conventional borrower and pay an insurance fee that compensates for the higher risk they represent.

These two Philadelphia-based studies used different methodologies to arrive at the same conclusion, which we shared in a September 2025 report for the nonprofit Reinvestment Fund, where one of us is a senior adviser. That conclusion is this: Whether you want to buy a home or access the stored wealth in the home you already own in Philadelphia, you are disadvantaged in the valuing of the real estate if you are a person of color or if the home is located in a mostly Black or Hispanic neighborhood.

Possible solutions

Remedies are available, but in the current political climate the burden is increasingly on local governments, nonprofit advocacy groups and industry actors rather than the federal government.

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More transparency: The home appraisal industry is opaque. While the uniform appraisal dataset provides some insight into appraisal bias, much of its data is not public. Further, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has not included neighborhood-level appraisal data for Federal Housing Administration transactions.

A national database of appraisals, similar to the HMDA database for loan applications, would improve transparency and accountability. While the HMDA did not eliminate lending discrimination, it is a valuable tool to uncover and address discrimination.

Get informed: A fair appraisal ensures that homeowners have an independent, accurate, expert opinion of the value of their home. But homeowners must understand how that opinion was derived and how they can contest that opinion of value when appropriate. Some lenders now allow an owner to get a second opinion if the owner feels the appraised value is inaccurate.

Raise public awareness: Local officials can inform the public about the nuts and bolts of appraisals and outline what can be done when bias occurs. Philadelphia is taking steps. The citys Home Appraisal Bias Program is working to increase diversity of local appraisers, enhance appraisal transparency and educate consumers.

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File a complaint: HUD has substantially pulled back from combating appraisal bias, including disbanding the Biden-era PAVE Task Force, which was making progress on the issue. The Trump administration has further impaired enforcement of the Fair Housing Act through layoffs and the withdrawal of critical policies long found to be effective in fighting housing discrimination.

Nevertheless, those who believe they have been subjected to appraisal bias can file complaints with HUD or their state or local fair housing agencies. This will at least create a record of the frequency of the issue.

Given the reduced role of the federal government today, there is an extra burden on state and local civil rights agencies and nonprofits to ensure alleged violations are investigated and, when appropriate, prosecuted.

Read more of our stories about Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, or sign up for our Philadelphia newsletter on Substack.

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
The world's largest species of seal has been devastated by bird flu, which has wiped out half of all breeding females at a key wildlife haven near Antarctica, scientists warned Thursday.

The remote island of South Georgia is the home of a majority of all southern elephant seals. Males of these blubbery giants can grow up to two metres (six feet seven inches) long, weigh nearly four tonnes (8,800 pounds) -- and have a distinctive elephant-trunk-like proboscis on their face that earned the mammals their name.

Bird flu arrived on South Georgia in 2023 during an outbreak that has seen the virus spread across the world like never before, killing millions of birds and infecting many mammals, including several humans.

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Earlier this year, scientists warned that bird flu had sparked the worst die-off on record for southern elephant seals when it spread among a population on Argentina's coast in 2023.

In a study published in the journal Communications Biology on Thursday, a UK team of researchers gave the first estimate for how hard South Georgia's seals have been hit.

"It paints a pretty stark and harrowing picture," Connor Bamford, a marine ecologist at the British Antarctic Survey and lead author of the study, told AFP.

According to the last count in 1995, South Georgia is home to 54 percent of all southern elephant seals.

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On the same day of the year in 2022 and 2024, the scientists used hand-launched drones to take images of the island's three biggest breeding beaches.

After bird flu arrived, the number of breeding females plummeted by 47 percent, a loss of around 53,000 seals, according to the study.

- Sick mothers abandoning pups -

Many pups also died on the beach after being abandoned by their bird-flu-infected mothers.

Scientists at the breeding ground on the Valdes Peninsula along Argentina's coast have determined that 97 percent of elephant seal pups died either from being abandoned or contracting bird flu in 2023.

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On the peninsula, an even higher rate of breeding females -- 67 percent -- were estimated to have been wiped out.

"If the South Georgia population responds similarly to the modelled outlook at Peninsula Valdes, the future is bleak," the authors of the new study said.

However, Bamford did not think the elephant seals would be pushed "close to extinction".

The South Georgia population is much larger -- numbering in the hundreds of thousands -- so is likely to be more resilient, he said.

"That being said, the impacts to this population will be felt for many years to come," he added.

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For the Valdes seals, scientists have estimated that the aftermath of this bird flu outbreak will likely reverberate until the end of the century.

The researchers believe that the seals are transmitting the virus to each other via water droplets, Bamford said.

While elephants spend most of their time in the water, they breed in densely packed colonies on wide, sandy beaches.

"There are thousands of them together, all coughing and splattering," Bamford said, adding that the seals are also particularly "snotty".

The scientist called for "regular check-ups" on South Georgia's elephant seals.

dl/jhb
A Riverside County sheriff who endorsed President Donald Trump has a slim lead among a field of California governor hopefuls, a recent poll found.

The poll from the Institute of Governmental Studies at UC Berkeley, conducted in late October, found that 13% of California registered voters supported Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco for governor in next years primary election. Its a slight gain from the 10% of voter support Bianco, a Republican, received in August.

The last time California voters elected a Republican governor was Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

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While Bianco has a slight lead over a field of candidates running for governor, a majority of which are Democrats, a large portion of voters, or 44%, are undecided, according to the Berkeley IGS Poll.

The primary election will be held in June, where the field of candidates running for governor of California will winnow down to two, whom voters will decide between next November.

The Berkeley IGS Poll found that support for Bianco was largely along party lines, with 37% of Republican voters supporting him, compared to just 1% of Democrats.

Also, there is a noticeable shift in support from former Rep. Katie Porter, a Democrat. The poll found 11% of voters supported Porter as of late October, a drop from 17% in August, and noticeably after Porters viral interview with CBS News, in which she attempted to end it after seemingly being frustrated with follow-up questions about voters.

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While its unclear whether that interview actually had an impact on voters, as the poll did not ask about it, respondents were asked to say whether they had a generally favorable or unfavorable opinion of each candidate. Although Porter had a slightly higher favorability rating than Bianco, she also had a larger share of voters who viewed her as unfavorable than he did.

But Porter wasnt the only candidate to make headlines during this period. Bianco was sued by Stephen J. Cloobeck, who is also running for governor, earlier this year. Cloobeck claimed that Bianco campaigning while wearing his sheriffs department uniform and badge, among other things, violates state law.

How else are other candidates for California governor performing?

Here are the other candidates and the percentage of voters who support them in the primaries, according to the Berkeley IGS poll:

Former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, Democrat: 8%

Former Fox News host Steve Hilton, Republican: 8%

Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Democrat: 5%

Former state Controller Betty Yee, Democrat: 3%

Businessman Rick Caruso (has not formally announced his candidacy), Democrat: 3%

California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, Democrat: 1%

Businessman Tom Steyer (has not formally announced his candidacy), Democrat: 1%

Former Assemblymember Ian Calderon, Democrat: Less than half a percent

Businessman Stephen J. Cloobeck, Democrat: Less than half a percent

Other: 3%

Undecided: 44%

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The poll was conducted from Oct. 20-27 among 8,141 registered voters in California and was released on Nov. 7.

What are the California governor's term limits?

A governors term is four years, and they can serve two consecutive four-year terms if reelected, according to the California State Capitol Museum. Gov. Gavin Newsom is currently serving his second four-year term and as a result, he cannot run for reelection.

Paris Barraza is a trending reporter covering California news at The Desert Sun. Reach her at pbarraza@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Katie Porter, Chad Bianco see shifts in California governor race poll
By Diana Novak Jones

CHICAGO (Reuters) -A jury in federal court in Chicago ordered Boeing on Wednesday to pay more than $28 million to the family of a United Nations environmental worker who was killed in the 2019 crash of a 737 MAX jet in Ethiopia.

The verdict awarded to the family of Shikha Garg is the first in the dozens of lawsuits filed in the wake of that crash and another in Indonesia in 2018, which combined killed 346 people.

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Under a deal between the parties struck on Wednesday morning, Garg's family will receive $35.85 million - the full verdict amount plus 26% interest - and Boeing will not appeal, according to attorneys for the family.

In a statement, a Boeing spokeswoman said the company is deeply sorry to all who lost loved ones on the two flights.

"While we have resolved the vast majority of these claims through settlements, families are also entitled to pursue their claims through damages trials in court and we respect their right to do so," she said.

Shanin Specter and Elizabeth Crawford, who represented the family, said in a statement the verdict "provides public accountability for Boeing's wrongful conduct."

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Garg was 32 when Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to Nairobi, Kenya, crashed just a few minutes after takeoff, her lawyers said.

The lawsuit alleged the 737 MAX plane was defectively designed and that Boeing failed to warn passengers and the public about its dangers.

The Ethiopian Airlines flight crashed five months after Lion Air Flight 610 crashed into the Java Sea in Indonesia. An automated flight control system contributed to both crashes.

The U.S. planemaker has settled more than 90% of the dozens of civil lawsuits related to the two accidents, paying out billions of dollars in compensation through lawsuits, a deferred prosecution agreement and other payments, the company previously told Reuters.

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On November 5, Boeing settled three lawsuits brought by the families of other victims who died in the Ethiopian Airlines crash, according to their attorney. The terms of those settlements were not released.

(Reporting by Diana Novak Jones; Editing by Jamie Freed and Thomas Derpinghaus)
Boeing Defense workers on strike rally on Oct. 1 at the IAM Union Hall in Hazelwood (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent).

Union mechanics at Boeing Defense in the St. Louis area approved a new contract Thursday, ending a three-month strike.

About 3,200 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers voted to approve Boeings latest offer by a 68% margin, after rejecting the companys previous four offers.

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Boeing leaders said they look forward to having the full team back at work beginning on Sunday.

The approved offer includes a $6,000 signing bonus, instead of the original $5,000 offered in August. However, Boeing extended the contracts term from four to five years, with a 24% general wage increase  8% in the first year and 4% in each of the following years.

What didnt make it into the contract for union workers was their demanded $10,000 ratification bonus, 401-K benefit match and a higher wage increase for longtime employees.

IAM District 837 members stood strong and united for over three months, according to a union statement after the vote. We thank our bargaining committee for their tireless efforts, and we appreciate the unwavering support of our members, their families, the St. Louis community, our labor allies, and elected officials throughout this fight.

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Steve Parker, executive vice president of The Boeing Company and president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, wrote a letter to employees earlier this week saying the strike has been stressful for everyone.

With the holidays approaching, he wrote, we want to get everyone back to work and provide stability for you and your families with higher wages, health care and guaranteed holiday pay.

The company heard from many employees that theyd like more cash up front, Parker said, rather than Boeing stock.

Weve taken all of that to heart with a revised offer that incorporates your feedback while continuing to stay within the economic value of our prior offers, he said.

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Parker said the company has already hired permanent replacement workers as we moved into the next phase of our contingency plan.

Despite that, we will guarantee that all IAM 837 members will be returned to work if this offer is ratified, he said. No one would be displaced. This is not something we will be able to guarantee moving forward.

Boeings decision to use replacement workers to complete fighter jet projects in St. Louis put the company at odds with members of the U.S. Senate.

Earlier this month, five Democratic senators pilloried the plan for replacement workers as potentially putting the nations military at risk.

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For existing projects, such as the F-15 Eagle and the F/A-18 Hornet, you are also unnecessarily endangering our warfighters by insisting on proceeding with an untrained and hastily recruited workforce, said the letter the senators sent Tuesday to Boeing President and CEO Kelly Ortberg.

Republican U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri sent his own letter to Ortberg demanding the company negotiate in good faith with striking workers.

These workers help produce our nations most crucial, most advanced, and most expensive defense tools, Hawley wrote. And since your company receives billions in government contracts, it is incumbent upon you to do the right thing.

Parker, in his letter, boasted that the offer includes wage growth for longtime employees and more vacation and sick leave for all employees. The average base pay will go from $75,000 to $109,000 a year. And, theres potential for even more value with overtime, he wrote.

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The union vowed to continue to fight for fairness and respect for the worlds best defense workers in future negotiations.

Were proud of what our members have fought for together, according to the unions Thursday statement, and are ready to get back to building the worlds most advanced military aircraft.
People detained earlier in the day are taken to a parking lot on the far north side of the city before being transferred to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility on October 31, 2025, in Chicago, Illinois. Chief Patrol Agent of the El Centro Sector for U.S. Customs and Border Protection Gregory Bovino was part of the caravan of federal officers making the arrests amid President Donald Trump's administration's "Operation Midway Blitz," an ongoing immigration enforcement surge across the Chicago region. (Photo by Jamie Kelter Davis/Getty Images)

U.S. Rep. Tim Moore of North Carolina said Thursday he is in support of U.S. Border Patrol operations in Charlotte, drawing a stark contrast to local elected officials who have pointed to fear and uncertainty among immigrants.

Moore, a Republican who represents parts of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, said his office had reached out to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for further information on the reported operation.

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Im glad that theyre looking at doing that, and Im glad at the way theyre approaching it, Moore told reporters in Raleigh.

Moore predicted the agency would likely stay for a while and focus on organized crime and high-profile targets. That would largely be a departure from Border Patrols month-long Chicago campaign, which has involved street sweeps and resulted in mass arrests, including hundreds who a judge says were wrongfully detained. The operation has prompted widespread protests and multiple court interventions.

Moore said he didnt expect operations in Charlotte, if they do take place, to encounter such resistance.

You may have some of that, but Charlotte is not Chicago, Moore said. I dont think there will be an appetite for that. I dont think there will be patience for folks who get out there and violate the law themselves, interfering with a valid law enforcement activity.

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CBS first reported this week that the agency is planning to move agents into Charlotte and New Orleans. Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden confirmed Thursday afternoon that agents would start arriving as soon as this weekend.

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol has said it doesnt comment on future plans or operations. Mayor Vi Lyles said Wednesday she was aware of the reports and that Charlotte was committed to following the law and to protecting the rights of all people who call our city home.

The office of U.S. Rep. Alma Adams, a Democrat who represents much of Charlotte, did not respond to a request for comment Thursday. The congresswomans public social media accounts have not posted about the reported operations as of Thursday afternoon.

And state Rep. Carla Cunningham (D-Mecklenburg), in a brief interview with NC Newsline, said the report of the CBP operations hasnt been verified. McFadden issued his statement confirming the agencys plan later Thursday.

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Im going to be keeping my eyes on my own safety for right now, Cunningham said, when asked for her reaction to the reported plans.

Cunningham has said she received threats after breaking with her Democratic colleagues to support state efforts to crack down on immigration enforcement. During a July vote to require local law enforcement to cooperate with ICE, she said in a floor speech that immigrants must assimilate and adapt to the culture they wish to live in.

North Carolina Rep. Carla Cunningham (D-Mecklenburg) speaks on the House floor on July 29, 2025. Cunningham voted to override on Gov. Josh Steins vetoes, breaking with her Democratic Party colleagues. (Photo: Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline)

Other leaders in Charlotte see that issue differently.

In a joint statement released Tuesday, a group of Charlotte-area officials said that local and state law enforcement do not control, direct or participate in federal operations. And the group, including council members, Democratic state lawmakers and a school board member, pledged to support the citys immigrant communities.

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We still stand together, look out for one another, and ensure that fear never divides the city we all call home, the group said.

McFadden, the county sheriff, has previously had public disagreements with federal immigration officials about their operations in the region. In his Thursday statement, he said he had been contacted by federal agents Wednesday afternoon and his office was not asked to assist with or participate in enforcement.

Stein told reporters Wednesday that if he had absolute confidence in immigration officials plan to go and find violent dangerous drug traffickers and criminals, then the city would welcome them with open arms, the Charlotte Observer reported. But the governor emphasized that we dont know what their plans are.

If they come in and they are targeted in what they do, we will thank them, Stein said. If they come in and wreak havoc and cause chaos and fear, we will be very concerned.

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Steins office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.

Charlotte, Mecklenburg County have been flashpoint for political disagreements on law enforcement

Even prior to reported federal immigration operations, Charlotte has emerged as the epicenter of already intense debates on how North Carolina should address both illegal immigration and violent crime.

The killing of Ukrainian immigrant Iryna Zarutska on the citys light rail system sparked fury and frustration from state lawmakers, who convened to pass a new law changing criminal justice procedures. The state House Speaker has said hes closely tracking violent crime in Charlotte. And a trio of Republican congressmen  U.S. Reps. Mark Harris, Pat Harrigan and Chuck Edwards  urged Gov. Josh Stein to deploy the National Guard in the city.

Moore said Thursday he had been approached by U.S. Rep. Mark Harris to sign that letter, but had declined.

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The scrutiny on violent crime, Moore said, should be focused primarily on magistrate judges rather than local law enforcement. And he praised the district attorney, Democrat Spencer Merriweather, calling him a good prosecutor.

North Carolina Speaker of the House Tim Moore presides over the House chamber on Sept. 11, 2024. (Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline)

Theres not a shortage of law enforcement, nor is there a situation where law enforcement is  turning a blind eye, and not trying to deal with criminals, Moore said.

The city and its surrounding county have also faced criticism from Republicans aiming to clamp down on immigration enforcement. A law passed earlier this year sought to close loopholes in ICE detainer cases that GOP lawmakers accused several sheriffs, including in Mecklenburg County, of utilizing.

Moore, who led the House as Speaker when an earlier law dealing with detainer cases was passed, acknowledged that there was some frustration with the sheriffs department on immigration enforcement.

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Hes told me what his position is, and we just have a disagreement of opinion on it, Moore said. Hopefully he will see the error of that as more and more crimes, more and more things are being brought to the surface about whats happening.

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The UK economy has been slowing after a strong start to 2025.

The latest figures show that the economy grew by 0.1% in the July-to-September period but shrank by 0.1% in September itself.

The rate of economic growth matters because it affects things like pay increases for workers and the amount of tax the government can raise to pay for services.

What is GDP and how is it worked out?

GDP stands for gross domestic product, and is a measure of all the economic activity of companies, governments, and people in a country.

In the UK, the ONS publishes new GDP figures every month. However, the quarterly figures - covering three months at a time - are considered more important.

Most economists, politicians, and businesses like to see GDP rising steadily.

That's because it usually means people are spending more, extra jobs are created, more tax is paid, and workers get better pay rises.

When GDP is falling, it means the economy is shrinking - which can be bad news for businesses and workers.

If GDP falls for two quarters in a row, that is known as a recession, which can lead to pay freezes and job losses.

What is happening to the UK economy?

Many economists and politicians are concerned that the UK economy is not growing fast enough.

When the Labour government took power in July 2024, it made growth its top priority.

Although the economy grew more than expected at the start of 2025, analysts had warned that the disruption and uncertainty caused by the US trade tariffs, which began in April, could limit growth in the later part of the year.

The growth of 0.3% recorded in the three months to the end of June actually painted a more positive picture than experts had predicted.

This then dropped back to 0.1% for the third quarter covering July to September. Analysts had expected growth of 0.2%.

[BBC]

In October, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicted that the UK would be the second-fastest-growing major economy in 2025.

It forecast the GDP would grow by 1.3% across the year as a whole, and would expand at the same rate in 2026.

The projection for 2025 is higher than the 1% forecast made in March by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) - which monitors the government's spending plans and performance.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves welcomed the IMF's upgraded forecast, but said that "for too many people, our economy feels stuck" [PA Media]

The July to September GDP figures are the last before the Budget on 26 November, when Chancellor Rachel Reeves is widely expected to raise taxes in order to meet her self-imposed rules which limit government borrowing.
Brazil has pushed back against a complaint by the UN's climate chief over a security breach at the COP30 summit in Belem, saying responsibility for safeguarding the venue's interior lies with the world body itself.

Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, criticized the host nation's security personnel for "failing to act" on Tuesday night when dozens of Indigenous protesters forced their way inside, according to a letter reported by Bloomberg News.

His letter, addressed to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's chief of staff and to Andre Correa do Lago, the diplomat presiding over the summit, accused the hosts of a "serious breach of the established security framework.

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"It flagged vulnerabilities -- from unsecured doors to the lack of assurances that authorities would respond to intrusions -- as well as health and safety concerns from malfunctioning air conditioning and rainwater from heavy Amazon downpours seeping into lighting fixtures.

In its response, seen by AFP, Brazil said: "Internal security within the Blue Zone is the responsibility of the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), which defines how all areas within it will be protected."

The response added federal and Para state authorities had worked together with UNDSS to carry out a reassessment, ultimately deciding to increase the number of security personnel, expand a buffer zone, and physically strengthen the perimeter with more barriers.

"It is a non-issue now. The issues related to that have been secured," Correa later told reporters at an evening press briefing.

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The Brazilian response also addressed the infrastructure issues.

"There was no flooding of the event venue, only localized occurrences such as leaks" that were caused by broken gutters, it said, adding these had already been repaired.

Additional air conditioning units have also been installed, it said.

The choice of Belem, a mid-sized city on the edge of the Amazon, had been controversial because of insufficient accommodation and fears the city was unprepared to handle such a large event involving tens of thousands of people.

Lula has however defended the choice, saying it was important to bring the world to the Amazon to showcase its struggle and crucial role in combating climate change.

bur-ia/dw
Denver voters approved one of the city's most far-reaching public health measures: a ban on flavored vapes, menthol cigarettes, and other flavored nicotine products.

The measure passed with about 70% support, according to Denverite, and will be enforced starting in January 2026. About 575 retailers across the city will have to pull dozens of popular nicotine and tobacco products from their shelves. Many shop owners are saying the decision could force them to shut down or move them out of Colorado altogether.

"It will be very hard, yeah, especially with the bad economy we experience now," said CA Wholesale distributor Wally Albarghouthi in an interview with Denverite. "We moved to this country for a few reasons that are not available anymore now, so might as well just leave."

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Phil Guerin, who runs a vape shop in the area and helped organize the opposition campaign, told Denverite he's torn. He isn't sure if he'll stay to keep fighting the ban or relocate his shop to a new community.

The ordinance is an effort to reduce youth nicotine use and the mounting waste from disposable vapes. Disposable vapes contain single-use plastics, toxic chemicals, and lithium batteries that often end up in landfills.

Cities in other areas are adopting similar strategies to curb pollution and waste through local policy.

The Hague in the Netherlands passed a ban on advertising for dirty energy. Officials said they want to stop normalizing polluting industries in public spaces. Another city enacted a ban on single-use plastics affecting restaurants and grocery stores.

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Research shows that bans like Denver's are a form of environmental protection. The U.N. has warned that rising global temperatures from pollution are worsening biodiversity loss and destroying ecosystems around the globe. Supporting eco-friendly initiatives can help reduce these pressures.

Michael R. Bloomberg, whose foundation contributed $5 million to the campaign for the ban, said voters sent a clear message that they want the tobacco industry to stop targeting children.

"Flavored tobacco products are designed to hook young people early and keep them using nicotine for life  and voters know it," said Bloomberg as cited by Denverite.

Business owners like Albarghouthi still see it differently. They argue that the ban will take away adult consumer choice and will drive customers to other locations anyway. But as cities across the U.S. and abroad continue adopting similar bans, Denver's policy is setting a precedent.

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.
The Eurovision Song Contest might welcome a new country for its 70th anniversary next year: Representatives from Canada have initiated discussions with the organizing European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the EBU confirmed on Thursday.

However, it is not yet determined if and in what form the country might appear at Eurovision 2026.

"We're always excited to know that broadcasters want to be part of the world's largest live music show," Eurovision Director Martin Green said in response to an inquiry from dpa. "The Canadian conversation with CBC/Radio-Canada is in its very early stages and we look forward to continuing our discussions with them."

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There are also indications from the Canadian government about a possible participation. The government's budget for 2025 and 2026 mentions discussing participation in Eurovision together with the public broadcaster CBC/Radio-Canada. Two sources told CBC that Prime Minister Mark Carney is personally interested in securing a spot for the country.

Australia has participated for years

Although Eurovision, which has been held since 1956, is actually considered a European music competition, countries outside Europe have repeatedly participated  the most important criterion for this in the past has usually been membership of a participating broadcaster in the EBU.

This means that nations like Armenia and Israel, which are not geographically in Europe, can still send entries. In 1980, EBU member Morocco had a one-time guest appearance.

Most recently, in 2015, Australia joined the participants for the 60th Eurovision; Like Canada, however, the country is not a full but only an associate member of the EBU.
For two nights, dazzling auroras delighted sky-gazers in unexpected places, including in the US as far south as Florida. The cause: dual solar storms unleashed by the sun reaching Earth.

A severe storm was initially predicted for Thursday as well, with the potential for the northern tier of the US to see auroras again in the evening. Forecasters at the National Weather Services Space Weather Prediction Center now believe Wednesday night might have been the last opportunity for the most intense conditions.

In addition to creating auroral displays, geomagnetic storms can disrupt communications, the power grid and satellite operations. The Space Weather Prediction Center said it had otified power grid and satellite operators in the US so they could prepare.

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The British Geological Survey initially believed the current solar activity could lead to a G5, or an extreme geomagnetic storm  the highest level on the scale. The survey also dubbed Tuesdays event a cannibal storm that disrupted communications and GPS satellite accuracy.

On Monday, two Coronal Mass Ejections lifted off the sun a few hours apart, the surveys geomagnetism team explained. The first one was moving more slowly than the second  and so the second one caught up with the first one and they amalgamated together by the time they reached Earth. Hence, the term cannibalised, as the second one gobbled up the first one.

Coronal mass ejections, or CMEs, are large clouds of ionized gas called plasma and magnetic fields that erupt from the suns outer atmosphere. When these outbursts are directed at Earth, they can cause major disturbances of Earths magnetic field, resulting in geomagnetic storms.

Forecasters at the Space Weather Prediction Center believe that the arrivals of the first two of three anticipated coronal mass ejections caused Tuesday evenings auroral display.

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One of them packed a much stronger punch than we would have imagined originally, said Shawn Dahl, forecaster at the center.

When a storm reaches satellites stationed 1 million miles from Earth, forecasters can measure its speed, the strength of the magnetic field and the magnetic orientation, he said.

Is it pointed opposite Earth, or is it pointed the same as Earth? Dahl said. If it turns opposite Earth, then activity really quickly escalates, and those storm levels can dramatically increase very quickly. Thats what happened last night.

The third solar storm arrived at Earth Wednesday afternoon at 2:17 p.m. ET, with solar wind speeds over 2.1 million miles per hour (950 kilometers per second).

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But Earth appears to have been struck by a far flanking edge of the storm, meaning most of the magnetic cloud likely missed our planet, according to an update from the center.

The reddish hue of the northern lights can be seen over the town of Valtournenche, located in Italy's Aosta Valley, on Wednesday, November 12. - Matterhorn Ski Paradise And Feratel/Reuters

Solar storm disruptions

Among those feeling the storms effects is Jeff Bezos Blue Origin. The company was expected to launch NASAs Escapade mission  twin satellites set to head on a long journey to Mars  aboard its New Glenn rocket Wednesday. But the increased solar activity blocked that launch attempt.

NG-2 Update: New Glenn is ready to launch. However, due to highly elevated solar activity and its potential effects on the ESCAPADE spacecraft, NASA is postponing launch until space weather conditions improve. We are currently assessing opportunities to establish our next launch, according to a post by Blue Origin on social media platform X. The company confirmed on X Wednesday evening that another launch attempt is now scheduled for Thursday.

A flurry of activity around our sun sparked the storms. Three X-class flares, the most intense type of solar flare, have released from the sun this week, followed by a series of coronal mass ejections.

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The recent surge in activity stems from an active region of sunspots on the sun called AR 14274, according to Ryan French, a solar physicist at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at the University of Colorado Boulder.

AR 14274 still has the potential to produce more X-class solar flares, French said. However, the region is now rotating away from us, so any eruptions from future flares are increasingly less likely to hit us as the days pass.

An X-class flare released Tuesday created a large solar particle storm, the largest since 2005, according to the British Geological Survey. Tuesdays solar activity also created the largest measured geoelectric field since the surveys records began in 2012.

Disturbances in Earths magnetic field can reach the ground, which triggers electricity in rocks and essentially creates an electric field in the ground. This is usually tiny on the order of 0.001 Volt per kilometer but during geomagnetic storms it can be much larger, the survey team noted.

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On Tuesday, experts documented a value of 3.5 volts per kilometer in the Shetland Islands off the coast of Scotland, an unusually large number that has not been recorded before, according to the geological surveys team.

Large geoelectric fields can interfere with transformers and may even cause them to shut down or overheat.

The aurora borealis danced in the skies over St. Mary's Lighthouse in Whitley Bay on the northeast coast of England on Wednesday. - Owen Humphreys/PA Images/Getty Images

A changing solar cycle

The sun has an 11-year cycle of waxing and waning activity. Heliophysicists believe the peak, called solar maximum, occurred in October 2024.

Although we are still in a period of heightened solar activity, we are entering the decay phase of the solar cycle, French said. (Although) sunspots and solar flares are fewer during this time, this is the period where the strongest solar flares typically occur.

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Increased solar activity causes auroras that dance around Earths poles, known as the northern lights, or aurora borealis, and southern lights, or aurora australis. When the energized particles from coronal mass ejections reach Earths magnetic field, they interact with gases in the atmosphere to create different colored lights in the sky.

Even if the colorful displays dont seem apparent to the naked eye, sensors in cameras and cell phone cameras can pick them up.

For those in areas with clear dark skies, keep an eye out for auroras, which could dip over the US. In the UK, sky-gazers in Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland had a good chance of seeing them as well, according to the survey.

The last G5 storm to hit Earth occurred in May 2024.

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The storm was a historic one, but fortunately it didnt reach the level of the Carrington Event of 1859, which caused telegraph stations to spark and catch fire and remains the most intense geomagnetic storm ever recorded.

During the May 2024 geomagnetic storm, tractor company John Deere reported that some customers reliant on GPS for precision farming experienced a disruption. But for the most part, power grid and satellite operators kept satellites in order and properly in orbit and managed the buildup of intense geomagnetic currents on the grid systems.

Before May 2024, the last G5 storm to hit Earth occurred in 2003, resulting in power outages in Sweden and damaging power transformers in South Africa.

The recent outburst of activity reminds French of a severe geomagnetic storm that reached Earth in October 2024. Tuesday nights storm clocked in as third strongest solar storm of the current solar cycle, French said.

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(FOX40.COM)  Four inmates were hospitalized after a riot involving 20 incarcerated people on Monday at the California State Prison, Sacramento, in Folsom, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Video Above: Lincoln man sentenced to 270-years-to-life in prison for sexual assaults on children

CDCR said officers responded to the riot around 10 a.m. with chemical agents, non-lethal force options and warning shots to de-escalate the situation.

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As a result, four inmates were left with non-life-threatening injuries and were transferred to outside medical facilities for treatment. There were no reports of injured staff.

According to CDCR, four improvised weapons were recovered from the scene.

The safety and security of staff, incarcerated individuals, and the institution remain our highest priority, an official with CDCR said.

The inmates involved in the riot have been placed in restricted housing as CDCR investigates.

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 FOX40 News.
Germanys national music rights organization secured a partial but decisive win against OpenAI after a Munich court ruled that ChatGPTs underlying models unlawfully reproduced copyrighted German song lyrics.

The ruling orders OpenAI to cease reproduction, disclose relevant training details, and compensate rights holders. It is not yet final, and OpenAI may appeal.

If upheld, the decision could reshape how AI companies source and license creative material in Europe, as regulators weigh broader obligations for model transparency and training-data provenance.

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The case marks the first time a European court has found that a large language model violated copyright by memorizing protected works.

In its decision, the 42nd Civil Chamber of the Munich I Regional Court said that GPT-4 and GPT-4o contained reproducible lyrics from nine well-known songs, including Kristina Bachs Atemlos and Rolf Zuckowskis Wie schon, dass du geboren bist.

The court held that such memorization constitutes a fixation of the original works in the models parameters, satisfying the legal definition of reproduction under Article 2 of the EU InfoSoc Directive and Germanys Copyright Act.

At least in individual cases, when prompted accordingly, the model produces an output whose content is at least partially identical to content from the earlier training dataset, a translated copy of the written judgement provided by the Munich court to Decrypt reads.

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Inside the Deposition That Showed How OpenAI Nearly Destroyed Itself

The model generates a sequence of tokens that appears statistically plausible because, for example, it was contained in the training process in a particularly stable or frequently recurring form, the court wrote, adding that because this token sequence appeared on a large number of publicly accessible websites it meant that it was included in the training dataset more than once."

In the pleadings, GEMA argued that the model's output lyrics were almost verbatim when prompted, proving that OpenAIs systems had retained and reproduced the works.

OpenAI countered that its models do not store training data directly and that any output results from user prompts, not from deliberate copying.

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The company also invoked text-and-data-mining exceptions, which allow temporary reproductions for analytical use.

OpenAI Unveils GPT-5.1, Making ChatGPT Smarter, Faster, and More 'Conversational'

We disagree with the ruling and are considering next steps, a spokesperson for OpenAI told Decrypt. The decision is for a limited set of lyrics and does not impact the millions of people, businesses, and developers in Germany that use our technology every day.

OpenAI claims systems like theirs do not store or contain training data and thus do not hold copies of lyrics or other texts. Instead, these models learn patterns and generate new outputs based on patterns, OpenAI said.

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The company told Decrypt that treating a model as if it contains stored works reflects a misunderstanding of how the technology works.

The court rejected those defenses, ruling that full reproductions embedded in a models structure fall outside the scope of data-mining exemptions.

Training the models is not to be regarded as a usual and expected form of use that the rights holder must anticipate, the court wrote. This applies all the more whenas in the present casethe works are reproduced in the model, something that even the defendants themselves consider undesirable and against which countermeasures are taken.

Decrypt reached out separately to GEMA for comment but has yet to receive a response by press time.
The Massachusetts State Lottery is urging players to check their tickets because an unclaimed $50,000 Powerball prize is set to expire.

The winning ticket was purchased for the Nov. 20, 2024, drawing at New Capital Farms Convenience Store on Boston Post Road in Marlboro.

The winning numbers were 16-30-60-62-64, with a Powerball of 25. The ticket was a Quic Pic play.

If left unclaimed, the ticket will expire on Thursday, Nov. 20, and the prize will become part of the net profit that the Lottery returns to the Commonwealth for distribution to all 351 cities and towns.

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Powerball prize winners have one year from the date of the drawing to claim prizes.

Prizes up to $103,000 can be claimed at Lottery claim centers located in Braintree, Dorchester, Lawrence, New Bedford, West Springfield, and Worcester.

Powerball drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Each play costs $2, and players select five numbers from 1 to 69 plus a Powerball number from 1 to 26. Matching the first five numbers wins $1 million, while matching four numbers plus the Powerball earns $50,000.

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About a week after her arrest, a day care worker detained by federal immigration agents in Chicago was released from custody, a law firm said.

Diana Santillana Galeano was released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention in Clay County, Indiana Wednesday night, according to a news release from Hughes Socol Piers Resnick & Dym.

"I am so grateful to everyone who has advocated on my behalf, and on behalf of the countless others who have experienced similar trauma over recent months in the Chicago area," Santillana Galeano said in a statement. "I love our community and the children I teach, and I can't wait to see them again."

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Earlier Wednesday, federal Judge Jeremy C. Daniel ordered the Trump administration to provide a bond hearing for Santillana Galeano.

Judge Daniel ruled, as he has in other recent high-profile cases, that Santillana Galeano's detention without a bond hearing was unlawful because it violated her right to due process.

"We are thrilled that Ms. Santillana was released, and has been able to return home to Chicago where she belongs," said attorney Charlie Wysong, who represents Santillana Galeano along with Ms. Naiara Testai at Hughes Socol Piers Resnick & Dym, Ltd. "We will continue to pursue her immigration claims to stay in the United States. We are grateful to her community for the outpouring of support over these difficult days, and ask that her privacy be respected while she rests and recovers from this ordeal."

Erin Horetski, a parent of one of the children Santillana Galeano teaches at the day care told ABC News she "burst into tears" when she heard the news of her release. She said "Ms. Diana's" statement says a lot about the type of person she is.

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"She's thinking first about the kids, about all of us, even after everything she has been through. It's moments like this when you're reminded that people like Diana are the heart of this community. And even in the darkest circumstances, her instinct is to send love outward," Horetski told ABC News.

Parents who leave their children at Rayito de Sol Spanish immersion day care and preschool on Chicago's North Side voiced concern last week after Santillana Galeano was detained.

The Colombian day care teacher was being held at the Broadview U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility before being transferred to Clark County.

A federal judge previously barred the Trump administration from removing Santillana Galeano, 38, from the U.S. and transferring her to any federal jurisdiction outside of Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin, court documents show.

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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Santillana Galeano was arrested for human trafficking. A statement from the agency alleges she paid traffickers to bring to two teenage children to the U.S.

DHS reports Santillana Galeano and a man driving her car refused to stop last Wednesday and then fled into the day care, barricading themselves inside.

Some who witnessed the incident and viewed video at the day care refute that claim, instead alleging armed ICE agents went room to room inside the day care.

Court records state Santillana Galeano has applied for either asylum or withholding of removal and was granted a work permit that is valid through Nov. 12, 2029.

Judge Daniel also ordered a bond hearing for the father of a teen cancer patient, who was being held in Clark County.

ABC News contributed to this report.
The Brief

Prosecutors say a Chicago man got off an Amtrak train in the west suburbs with meth, cocaine and weed.

The arrest followed a DEA tip that led Naperville police to the citys downtown train depot.

Three officers and the suspect suffered minor injuries during the arrest.

DUPAGE COUNTY - A Chicago man will remain behind bars after he allegedly arrived in west suburban Naperville by train from California carrying methamphetamine, cocaine and nearly 1,000 grams of marijuana.

What we know

DuPage County States Attorney Robert Berlin and Naperville Police Chief Jason Arres said Wednesday that 45-year-old Brock Okennard appeared in court last weekend, facing multiple felony charges.

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Possession of Methamphetamine (Class X Felony)

Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine (Class X Felony)

Two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance - Cocaine (one Class X Felony and one Class 1 Felony)

Manufacture/Delivery of Cannabis (Class 2 Felony)

Possession of Cannabis (Class 3 Felony)

Three counts of Resisting a Police Officer Causing Injury (Class 4 Felony)

The backstory

Prosecutors said the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration notified Naperville police on Nov. 8 that a suspect in a California-to-Illinois drug investigation would be getting off an Amtrak train in the western suburb. Officers arrived at the downtown depot on 4th Avenue around 1:26 p.m. and reportedly saw Okennard, who had two outstanding warrants, walking away from the station.

When officers tried to talk to him, they said he walked away, and then tried to run as they told him he was under arrest. Police said a brief struggle took place and Okennard ignored commands to stop resisting before he was handcuffed.

Brock Okennard

Three officers and Okennard were treated at a local hospital for minor injuries.

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A search of his backpack revealed about 153 grams of a pink powder that later tested positive for methamphetamine and cocaine, and nearly 994 grams of weed, prosecutors said. Investigators believe Okennard boarded a train in California with the drugs and brought them to Illinois.

What they're saying

"For the second time in a week my office has filed felony charges against an individual allegedly bringing drugs from California to DuPage County," Berlin said in a statement. "Drug dealers dont recognize borders between states, counties and our communities. They move from one town to another spreading addiction, pain and misery. That is why working with our state and federal partners is so important. By working together, we can hold those who market in misery accountable."

What's next

A judge granted prosecutors' request to keep Okennard in custody, and he is due back in court on Dec. 8.

The Source

The information in this story came from the DuPage County States Attorneys Office and Naperville Police Department.
China has rolled out the red carpet for King Maha Vajiralongkorn on the Thai monarch's first official visit to Beijing, a trip to mark the 50th anniversary of ties between the two countries.

The king arrived in the Chinese capital on Thursday afternoon and was greeted by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

The state visit, set in motion by an invitation from Chinese President Xi Jinping, makes China "the first major country" the Thai king has visited officially since ascending the throne in 2016, according to Beijing's foreign ministry.

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Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

The Thai government said on Sunday that the visit would "strengthen even further the enduring friendship between the two countries".

It would also enhance "the cordiality and mutual understanding in their people-to-people relations", Thailand's Bureau of Royal Household said.

Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn ascended the throne in 2016. Photo: AFP alt=Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn ascended the throne in 2016. Photo: AFP>

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On Friday, the king and Queen Suthida are scheduled to meet Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, at the Great Hall of the People, followed by an audience with Chinese Premier Li Qiang. The two couples are expected to attend a state banquet later that evening.

During the trip, the king and queen will visit various institutions that highlight China's development in space science and technology.

These include the Beijing Humanoid Robotics Innovation Centre, the China Academy of Space Technology, the China Astronaut Scientific Research and Training Centre and the Beijing Aerospace Control Centre, according to the Thai government.

In addition, the king and queen will lay a wreath at Tiananmen Square and visit the Palace Museum for an exhibition marking the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations, before departing on Monday evening.

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China's ambassador to Thailand, Zhang Jianwei, said in an article in Thai media last week that the friendship between the two countries had "always shone brightly". The ambassador said the king's visit would inspire "enthusiasm across all sectors of both countries" for practical cooperation.

Zhang also stressed that China-Thailand relations had been marked by numerous pioneering "firsts".

Thailand was the first Asean country to establish a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China and the first to conduct joint military exercises and training with China involving all branches of the military, he wrote.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn's visit comes as Bangkok seeks to ease Beijing's concerns about tourist safety following a spate of cases involving fraud syndicates and human trafficking.

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On Wednesday, Thailand extradited Chinese national She Zhijiang, whom Beijing accuses of setting up and operating a US$15 billion illegal gambling complex in Myanmar's border town of Shwe Kokko. He was arrested in Bangkok on a Chinese warrant more than three years ago.

In the first 10 months of this year, the number of inbound Chinese tourists to Thailand fell almost 34 per cent compared with the same period last year, according to data from the Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

Clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border resulting in dozens of deaths have also raised concerns from Beijing about regional stability.

Beijing on Thursday said it hoped both parties would exercise restraint and persist in friendly consultations to find a solution acceptable to both sides.

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Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said China would "continue to play a constructive role in de-escalating the situation in its own way".

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
The logo and lettering of the medical technology group Siemens Healthineers stands on a stele in front of the facade of a company building. German medical technology company Siemens Healthineers AG saw profit fall in its fourth quarter compared to the same period of the previous year, the company said on Wednesday. Daniel Karmann/dpa

German industrial giant Siemens plans to reduce its stake in Siemens Healthineers, the company announced on Wednesday.

Siemens said it planned to deconsolidate its remaining approximately 67% stake in medical technology company Siemens Healthineers.

The strategic move, approved by both the managing board and the supervisory board, aimed to streamline Siemens' portfolio and reinforce its transformation into a focused technology company, it said.

The company plans to transfer 30% of Siemens Healthineers shares to Siemens AG shareholders by way of a direct spin-off as preferable option.

In the medium term it is targeted to reduce the shareholding to a financial asset.

Roland Busch, president and chief executive of Siemens, said it marked the "beginning of the next stage of growth" for Siemens.

"This is a logical next step in executing our strategy of combining the real and the digital worlds, focusing on accelerated profitable growth of our digital businesses, connected and software defined hardware and industrial AI."

Siemens reaffirmed its commitment to a progressive dividend policy, which will be maintained even after the deconsolidation of Siemens Healthineers, the company said.

The intended transaction is subject to final regulatory clarifications and approvals by shareholder meetings of both companies, Siemens and Siemens Healthineers.
DETROIT (AP)  A Chinese scientist charged in Michigan with smuggling biological materials pleaded guilty Wednesday but was given no additional time in jail beyond the five months she already spent in custody.

Yunqing Jian, who was a temporary researcher at a University of Michigan lab, will be released and quickly deported. A judge called it a very strange case involving an incredibly accomplished researcher.

Jian, 33, was arrested in June and accused of conspiring with a boyfriend to study and nurse a toxic fungus at a campus lab. A pathogen known as Fusarium graminearum can attack wheat, barley, maize and rice. Zunyong Liu was caught carrying small samples while arriving at a Detroit airport in 2024.

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In China, Jian and Liu specialized in studying Fusarium graminearum, which is widely found in U.S. fields, depending on weather and growing conditions. But it is illegal to bring it into the U.S. without a government permit, which carries strict conditions. The university had no permits.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Martin said there was potential for devastating harm, though he didn't elaborate.

I dont have evidence that she had evil intent, Martin told a judge, referring to Jian. But I dont have evidence that she was doing this for the betterment of mankind either.

Roger Innes, an Indiana University expert who looked at the evidence for Jian's attorneys, said there was "no risk to U.S. farmers, or anyone else" or any intent to create a more virulent strain. He noted that Liu likely wanted to work with a unique microscope at the lab.

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Martin asked for a two-year prison sentence for Jian  four times higher than a maximum six-month term scored under sentencing guidelines. U.S. District Judge Susan DeClercq settled on five months in jail, time already served by Jian.

Jian, wearing chains around her ankles and waist, apologized but said little, relying instead on a letter filed with the court.

I did not follow the rules because I was under pressure to proceed with research and produce results, Jian wrote. The research was not to harm anyone, but instead to find ways to protect crops from disease.

The conspiracy charge against Jian was dropped in exchange for a guilty plea to smuggling and making false statements to investigators. She acknowledged that she had asked a colleague in China to send biological material hidden in a book in 2024. The book was intercepted by U.S. agents.

Liu was also charged in the investigation, but he's in China and is unlikely to return to the U.S.
The co-leaders of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) presented a united front on Thursday after public differences over the party's controversial ties with Russia.

"We will continue to work together on policies for Germany and its citizens," Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla wrote in a joint letter. "To this end, we maintain good relations with our European and international partners."

Weidel, the anti-immigrant party's top candidate in February's parliamentary elections, has distanced herself from Chrupalla on Moscow.

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The party's relations with Russia have generated controversy in Berlin in recent weeks, with several of the party's lawmakers intending to travel to Moscow for a conference despite the war in Ukraine.

Weidel criticized the trip, saying she did not "understand what they're supposed to be doing there."

Meanwhile, Chrupalla has caused unrest within the party over an appearance on a talk show earlier this week, in which he said he currently saw no specific danger to Germany from Russia.

Any country can be a danger to Germany, he argued. Responding to a question about whether this included Luxembourg, Poland or Finland, Chrupalla said: "Of course, Poland can also be a danger for us," highlighting Warsaw's refusal to extradite a suspect accused of involvement in the Nord Stream explosions.

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He further said of Russian President Vladimir Putin: "He hasn't done anything to me."

The remarks were condemned by the AfD's defence spokesman in the Bundestag, the lower house of parliament. Rudiger Lucassen, a former officer in the German armed forces, called Chrupalla's theory "abstruse."
The co-leaders of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) presented a united front on Thursday after public differences over the party's controversial ties with Russia.

"We will continue to work together on policies for Germany and its citizens," Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla wrote in a joint letter. "To this end, we maintain good relations with our European and international partners."

Weidel, the anti-immigrant party's top candidate in February's parliamentary elections, has distanced herself from Chrupalla on Moscow.

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The party's relations with Russia have generated controversy in Berlin in recent weeks, with several of the party's lawmakers intending to travel to Moscow for a conference despite the war in Ukraine.

Weidel criticized the trip, saying she did not "understand what they're supposed to be doing there."

Meanwhile, Chrupalla has caused unrest within the party over an appearance on a talk show earlier this week, in which he said he currently saw no specific danger to Germany from Russia.

Any country can be a danger to Germany, he argued. Responding to a question about whether this included Luxembourg, Poland or Finland, Chrupalla said: "Of course, Poland can also be a danger for us," highlighting Warsaw's refusal to extradite a suspect accused of involvement in the Nord Stream explosions.

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He further said of Russian President Vladimir Putin: "He hasn't done anything to me."

The remarks were condemned by the AfD's defence spokesman in the Bundestag, the lower house of parliament. Rudiger Lucassen, a former officer in the German armed forces, called Chrupalla's theory "abstruse."

The co-leaders also had diverging views in response to Polish and NATO forces shooting down Russian drones over Poland's airspace in September.

While Weidel called on Russia to de-escalate, Chrupalla denounced what he called "inaccurate news and facts" over drones that were "cobbled together from polystyrene and plywood" and "allegedly flew 1,400 kilometres into the Polish hinterland."
A coalition led by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani won Iraq's parliamentary election, according to local media on Wednesday.

After counting more than 99% of the votes, al-Sudani's Reconstruction and Development Coalition secured more than 1.3 million votes, local media reported, citing the electoral commission.

More than 1 million votes were cast for second-placed Kurdistan Democratic Party, led by President Masoud Barzani.

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Voter turnout was 56.1%, the electoral commission said.

More than 21 million people were eligible to vote to fill the 329 seats in parliament, more than two decades after the US invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein and subsequent years of conflict against the extremist militia organization Islamic State.

Despite regular elections, Iraq's democracy remains fragile and plagued by corruption and mismanagement, and many Iraqis are sceptical of elections.

The campaign was marred by violence, including the killing of Sunni candidate Safaa al-Mashhadani in Baghdad last month.

On Tuesday, two policemen were killed when a gunfight broke out outside a parliamentary candidate's office in Kirkuk province, the Interior Ministry said in a statement.

Two civilians were injured and taken to hospital. Fourteen people were arrested, the ministry said.
Another day of cold weather greets Central Florida residents.

Morning temperatures are in the 40s, but the regions high is in the mid-70s, according to NWS Melbourne.

Northwest wind around 5 mph, becoming north-northeast in the afternoon.

There is a moderate risk of rip currents at all area beaches.
COLDWATER, MI  Congressman Tim Walberg, the Republican from Michigan's fifth district, planned to hand Rod Fikel of Coldwater his office's Veteran of the Month Club on Veteran's Day.

Due to flight delays and a call to return to Washington to vote on ending the government closure, his award was announced over the phone to the Branch County Veterans office on Tuesday, Nov. 11.

Dean Wetzel, an aid to Michigan's Fifth District Congressman Tim Walberg handed a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol to honored veteran, Rod Fikel of Coldwater, on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at the Branch County Veterans Affairs Office.

Fikel, 55, a U.S. Army veteran who served as a Combat Documentation Specialist from 1989 to 1996, with deployments to Kuwait and Iraq, worked as a volunteer in the Coldwater Veterans' office until military medical issues sidelined him in the last year.

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Walberg applauded Fikel.

"Rod has shown remarkable perseverance in the face of adversity. Despite being diagnosed with cancer, he's remained strong and in high spirits, and continues to offer support to the veteran community," he said.

Branch County Department of Veterans Affairs Director Nick Easterling said Fikel was the first to join its community committee, attending every meeting, and is known for his positivity and support for fellow veterans.

Fikel's wife, Rebel, drives for the county program to take veterans to medical appointments.

Easterling said Fikel lost his vocal cords and part of his tongue from cancer tied to his service in Iraq and Kuwait. The VA found veterans from that service contracted cancer from "The burn pits, the environment, the dust and everything that we were exposed to over there," Easterling, a veteran of those wars himself, said.

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Rod is truly an inspiration to many, and I express my profound gratitude for his significant and lasting contributions to our great nation, Walberg said.

Dean Wetzel, who handles veteran affairs in Michigan for Congressman Walberg, presented a certificate and notice published in the Congressional Record of the award to Fikel, along with a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol.

Easterling added to those honored this month, with Vietnam veteran Specialist "5" Philip Nowicki as his Veteran of the month.

Subscribe Support local news. Subscribe to the Coldwater Reporter

The Coldwater native served in the U.S. Army from October 1967 to July 1970, who, after Basic Training at Ft. Knox, Kentucky, was shipped to Vietnam in April 1968. He would serve there for the next two years as a key member of the 557th Light Maintenance Company.

Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Congressman Tim Walberg honors Coldwater Vet Rod Fikel on Veterans Day
Louisville needs a new jail.

Thats the main conclusion of a new report from a consulting firm that Metro Council hired to scrutinize the citys detention facility.

In a 99-page assessment, CGL Companies, which designs and builds jails for governments nationwide, describes the downtown facility as outdated, poorly configured and fundamentally incompatible with modern correctional standards.

The facilitys layout lacks appropriate sightlines, dedicated program and medical spaces, and creates staffing inefficiencies that hinder both security and rehabilitation efforts, the reports authors wrote.

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The recommendation comes as Louisvilles jail population has been consistently high. Jail officials have publicly expressed concern about the trend and warned that overcrowding could jeopardize the reentry programs available to only a portion of people in custody.

CGL projects that if the city does nothing, the jails average daily population will grow by about 1% each year, reaching 1,443 people by 2035. The firm estimates the facility would need roughly 1,563 beds at that point, well above its rated capacity of 1,373.

(The firm did not take into account how House Bill 5, or the Safer Kentucky Act, may be contributing to the current increase.)

The strain is already clear. On Nov. 11, the jail held 1,508 people, slightly below the four-year high of 1,553 recorded on Oct. 6. To handle the overflow, staff place temporary plastic beds, known as boats, on the floor and top them with mattresses.

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During a September visit to the facility, The Courier Journal observed several dorms, which can house up to 40 people and also serve as mess halls, showers and bathrooms, operating beyond their intended capacity.

CGL warned that adding more people to the downtown jail will further strain the already understaffed Louisville Metro Department of Corrections (LMDC), which regularly relies on mandatory overtime to function.

According to the report, building a new facility is a way to relieve that pressure. CGL said Metro has two paths if it chooses to pursue that option:

A larger facility with about 1,563 beds and 579,873 square feet, estimated to cost between $482 million and $530 million.

A smaller facility with about 1,263 beds and 468,573 square feet, estimated to cost between $389 million and $428 million, but only if Metro expands diversion programs, strengthens pretrial-release strategies and invests more in behavioral-health alternatives.

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While replacing LMDC (Louisville Metro Department of Corrections) represents a significant capital investment, it also presents a strategic opportunity to design a safer, more efficient, and rehabilitative facility aligned with modern correctional practices, CGL wrote in the report.

Longtime jail watchers and advocates for reducing incarceration praised CGL for urging Metro to expand diversion and other alternatives. But they said the city must go further.

Louisville cannot continue to incarcerate people who desperately need help and support the jail cannot provide. That has not and will not improve the safety of our city, said Kungu Njuguna of the ACLU of Kentucky. Investments in community support like deflection programs, crisis stabilization facilities, and mental health facilities and services are the way forward.

In a statement, Mayor Craig Greenberg said his administration is reviewing the report and its recommendations. He said his Safe Louisville crime plan aims to address the root causes of crime by prioritizing prevention and early intervention for children.

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Greenberg also highlighted the citys new Office of Behavioral Health, which focuses on providing treatment and services to people who cycle in and out of jail because of substance use or mental health challenges.

Keeping those better served by treatment out of jail will reduce overcrowding, strengthen our system, and most importantly help those who are struggling to get the care they need, Greenberg said.

A facility built on a cramped footprint

Louisvilles main jail opened in 1999, built around a pre-existing Metropolitan Sewer District office from 1968. The current complex includes the Sixth Street facility and portions of the Hall of Justice on Jefferson Street.

LMDC once had a rated capacity of 1,919 and at times housed more than 2,000 people, according to CGL. Over time, that capacity shrank. In 2018, the city removed 126 beds from a former LMPD headquarters. In 2020, it closed the 440-bed Community Corrections Center because of COVID-19 and staffing shortages. Both buildings have since been demolished.

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LMDC has made small expansions over the years, most recently by repurposing space in 2023 to add 20 beds, bringing the jails rated capacity to 1,373.

CGL said the facility is now stretched to its limit and staff have repurposed every usable space to meet needs. The jail is surrounded by government buildings, businesses and streets, which makes outward expansion impossible. Adding floors may also be infeasible because of structural constraints.

As a result, there is no internal space available for further expansion, the authors wrote.

CGL credited jail leadership with steps to modernize the facility and improve safety, including installing Narcan in every dorm, expanding K-9 patrols for contraband and adding monitoring technology in single-occupancy cells to alert staff to medical emergencies. But the report said the buildings design limits how far those improvements can go.

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The jail is built for indirect supervision, in which staff observe people in custody from secure control booths or hallways. The nationally accepted standard is now direct supervision, where officers are stationed inside housing units, improving communication and allowing staff to intervene early when tensions rise, CGL said.

At LMDC, the dormitories are arranged along straight corridors, meaning that staff can only monitor activities through camera footage or by standing directly in front of the dorm windows. That design creates poor sightlines and requires more staff to maintain security, CGL said.

When The Courier Journal toured the jail in September, officials were in the process of reorienting bunks so they sit against the walls rather than clustered in the center, an attempt to improve sightlines. Each retrofit takes weeks and requires moving people between units, slowing progress.

CGL said renovating the dorms for direct supervision is impractical and cost-prohibitive. The buildings design has reached a point where no amount of creativity or adaptation can overcome its fundamental structural limitations, the report said, adding that $11.3 million in deferred maintenance is projected to grow to $17 million by 2031.

Maintenance workers for the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections are rearraning beds in a cell to give corrections officers a better line of sight while watching inmates in Louisville, Ky. on June 5, 2024.

The report also noted that space is extremely tight. The current facility provides 183 square feet per bed, far below the modern standard of roughly 371 square feet.

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The push for a new jail matches the priorities of Republican members of Louisvilles Metro Council. In September, they renewed their calls for a replacement facility while unveiling their Safer Louisville public-safety agenda.

At the time, District 19 Council Member and minority caucus chair Anthony Piagentini said judges had told him they feel pressured to avoid sending people to the jail because of chronic overcrowding.

Whether somebody should go to jail or not should have nothing to do with whether or not it's overcrowded, Piagentini said. It should have to do with whether or not it's the right place for them at the right time, given the crimes theyve committed.

Programming space also falls short

CGL said LMDC lacks adequate space for meaningful programming and reentry services.

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Metros Jail Policy Committee  a subcommittee of the Criminal Justice Commission made up of jail officials, law enforcement, judges and community members  recently conducted its own review of the jail population. The committee found that the recent rise, which began gradually in September 2023 and accelerated late last year, is not driven by more bookings but by fewer releases and longer stays.

Officials are not entirely sure why people are spending more time in custody. Jefferson County Commonwealths Attorney Gerina Whethers said the increase may be tied to more competency evaluations and the length of time those assessments require.

Regardless of the cause, LMDC Director Jerry Collins, who has implemented many reforms since his appointment by then-Mayor Greg Fischer in March 2022, said the population trend threatens the ability to offer reentry programming, which takes up space and serves only a small portion of those incarcerated.

Were going to be at a critical point in public safety and public health in the jail if this trend continues, Collins said at the jail policy committee meeting in September.

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Monroe Trombly covers public safety. He can be reached at mtrombly@gannett.com. His X handle is @MonroeTrombly.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: New Louisville jail? Report recommends new build
The phrase kids will be kids has long been used to excuse bad behavior. It grew out of a centuries-old idea that youth itself should confer some form of immunity  that immaturity, carelessness or even cruelty are simply part of growing up. What began as a forgiving nod to childhood mischief has evolved into a cultural permission slip, a way to turn irresponsibility into inevitability. It is now used to dismiss the harmful choices of adults as the natural impulses of children. Kids will be kids.

This indulgent logic now echoes through the politics of MAGA. When Republican figures or their allies say or do something offensive, its brushed off as a prank, a joke or young people being stupid. But when Democrats or their allies run afoul of cultural sensibilities, it is treated as evidence of moral decay. Critics on the right want swift action against violators on the left; they demand accountability. This is not a code of ethics. Its a code of exceptions that doubles as a governing philosophy.

One damning recent example comes from a Politico report on a leaked group chat of young Republicans trading racist epithets, celebrating sexual assault and making antisemitic jokes about gas chambers and loving Hitler. In a time of heightened political polarization, these messages demonstrate how certain factions of the Republican Party can so blithely dehumanize their perceived political opponents. Initially, party leaders denounced the messages, identifying them as hateful and bigoted and calling for broad condemnation. Members of the group chat, ranging in age from 24 to 35, faced real consequences, with some even losing their jobs. Within little more than a day, however, the new default position was to dismiss the racist and violent rhetoric of this group chat as the youthful indiscretions of kids.

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Speaking on The Charlie Kirk Show, Vice President JD Vance offered a forceful defense of the participants, arguing that the reality is that kids do stupid things, especially young boys  they tell edgy, offensive jokes. Thats what kids do. He continued, I really dont want us to grow up in a country where a kid telling a stupid joke, telling a very offensive, stupid joke is cause to ruin their lives. Vance went on to characterize the public outcry as pearl-clutching and admonished critics to grow up. Framing the group chat as a lapse in judgment rather than a reflection of character, the vice president urged listeners to focus on the real issues instead of what kids say in group chats.

Contrast this dismissive framing with how Vance responded to offensive comments in the wake of the Charlie Kirk assassination. Vance did not offer the indulgent kids will be kids line, instead urging Americans to treat any expression of glee over the death or support for the killer as a reportable offense. When you see someone celebrating Charlies murder, call them out, he said, adding, and hell, call their employer. When the offenders were critical of the right, the vice president decidedly did not treat their comments as youthful indiscretions. Instead, they were potentially career-ending scandals.

The double standard is not limited to Vance and people who joked about Kirks killing. More recently, Republicans have directed their outrage at Jay Jones, a former Virginia delegate and Democratic candidate for attorney general. Jones, once seen as a rising star in the party and a voice for generational change, became the center of a political firestorm after the release of private text messages he sent in 2022. In those messages, he fantasized about violence against a prominent Republican leader  remarks that were immediately condemned across the political spectrum. Republican officials, led by House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana, called the comments unforgivable and disqualifying, demanding that Jones end his campaign. The swiftness and severity of their response stood in stark contrast to their indulgent defense of bigotry and cruelty among their own ranks, such as when the State Department hired Darren Beattie, a controversial former speech writer to be the undersecretary for public diplomacy and public affairs, or when Vice President Vance defended a DOGE staffer after his history of racist tweets was uncovered .

It would be bad enough if the Republican double standard on cruelty extended only to rhetoric and personal behavior, but it is also a window into how they wield power  for instance, targeting Democratic cities for federal crackdowns and trying to cause pain in Democratic areas during the government shutdown.

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The kids will be kids moniker once described the harmless mistakes of youth. In the hands of Vance and other Republicans, however, it has become an excuse for bigotry, cruelty and impunity. The same people who demand mercy for themselves insist on mercilessness for everyone else. They describe their own abuses as jokes and their adult choices as childhood antics. It signals to supporters that loyalty excuses everything, and to critics that any slip invites personal and professional retribution. Ultimately, the danger of kids will be kids politics is not that it excuses childishness  its that it allows the childish to rule.

Marcus Bell is an associate professor of sociology and criminology at SUNY Cortland.

If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A hotly debated House vote is expected next week following the bombshell release of Jeffrey Epstein's emails alleging the president knew about the convicted sex offender's alleged sex trafficking.

After months of pushback, Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson said on Nov. 12 that a vote will be held next week on a bill that could require the Department of Justice to release the Epstein files.

Live updates: New Epstein emails intensify records debate as Trump pressures GOP lawmakers.

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Johnson offered up his rough timeline after a group of lawmakers on both sides of the aisle used an obscure petition to bypass House leadership opposition amid ongoing House investigations into the disgraced financier. Epstein died by suicide in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial.

Johnson said on Nov. 12, after the petition appeared headed toward success, that the House would hold a vote addressing the release of the files next week, teeing up a floor battle on an issue Johnson has for months tried to avoid.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) speaks during a news conference with alleged victims of disgraced financier and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein outside the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 3, 2025 in Washington, DC. Anouska De Georgiou, a Jeffrey Epstein survivor, speaks during a press conference along with House members and other victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, DC, on Sept. 3, 2025. Marina Lacerda, a Jeffrey Epstein accuser, speaks during a press conference along with House members and other victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, DC, on Sept. 3, 2025. Anouska De Georgiou, left, embraces Chauntae Davies during a news conference about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein outside the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 3, 2025, in Washington, DC. Protestors gather outside the U.S. Capitol as House members hold a press conference along with victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, D.C., on September 3, 2025. Survivors Danielle Bensky, left, and Anouska De Georgiou, hug one another during a press conference along with House members and other victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, D.C., on September 3, 2025. Lisa Phillips speaks during a news conference with fellow alleged victims of the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on Sept. 3, 2025, in Washington, DC. Haley Robson, a Jeffery Epstein survivor, wipes tears from her eyes during a press conference along with House members and other victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, D.C., on September 3, 2025. People demostrate during the Stand with Survivors Rally in support of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell's victims, in Washington, DC on September 3, 2025. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) speaks as House members hold a press conference along with victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, D.C., on September 3, 2025. The bipartisan group is calling for the release of the Justice Department files surrounding the case. Protestors gather outside the U.S. Capitol as House members hold a press conference along with victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, D.C., on September 3, 2025. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) speaks as House members hold a press conference along with victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, D.C., on September 3, 2025. The bipartisan group is calling for the release of the Justice Department files surrounding the case. Demonstrators carry a sign in support of the victims of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell near a press conference held by US representatives outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC on September 3, 2025. People attend a press conference and rally in support of the victims of sex offender Jeffrey Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC on September 3, 2025. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia, talks with Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Kentucky, and Rep. Ro Khanna, D-California, at their news conference along with victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, DC, on Sept. 3, 2025. Attorney Gloria Allred speaks during a rally in support of the victims of disgraced financier and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein outside the U.S. Capitol on September 3, 2025 in Washington, DC. Alleged victims of Epstein and other victims of sexual abuse are holding the rally amid a bipartisan Congressional effort to force the federal government to release all unclassified records from the cases of Epstein and his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. Attendees listen to speakers during a rally to support victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, D.C., on September 3, 2025. Survivor Liz Stein speaks during a rally to support victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, D.C., on September 3, 2025. Attorney Sigrid McCawley speaks during a rally to support victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, D.C., on September 3, 2025. People attend a rally to support victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, D.C., on September 3, 2025. Demonstrators rally during a news conference with alleged victims of disgraced financier and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein outside the U.S. Capitol on September 3, 2025 in Washington, DC. Demonstrators rally during a news conference with alleged victims of disgraced financier and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein outside the U.S. Capitol on September 03, 2025 in Washington, DC. Victims of Jeffrey Epstein rally at Capitol Hill to demand release of files 1 of 22 Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) speaks during a news conference with alleged victims of disgraced financier and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein outside the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 3, 2025 in Washington, DC.

The Epstein files have become a stubborn thorn in the side of President Donald Trump and Republicans, causing leading MAGA voices and commentators to splinter over the administration's handling of related investigations of the participants in Epstein's alleged trafficking ring. If the bill passes the House next week, it would be sent to the Senate for a round of debate and votes  likely extending the spotlight on Epstein and Trump.

The bipartisan petition itself laid bare the party's divisions when four House Republicans  Reps. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Nancy Mace of South Carolina and Thomas Massie of Kentucky  chose to keep their names on the document, breaking with the party to push for the release of the files.

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Amid the vote that ended the shutdown on Nov. 12, House Democrats released three Epstein emails written between 2011 and 2019 in which Epstein mentioned Trump by name. In one of the emails, Epstein wrote that Trump "spent hours at my house" with one of Epstein's victims. In another, Epstein said Trump "knew about the girls." The allegations against Epstein include charges that he conspired to transport minors across state lines to have sex.

Anouska De Georgiou pauses during her remarks at a press conference to discuss the Epstein Files Transparency bill, directing the release of the remaining files related to the investigations into Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., September 3, 2025.

The White House called the email release a "smear," and Trump said on social media that Democrats are trying to "deflect" from other issues.

In a social media post, Trump warned Republicans not to vote for a bill requiring the full release of the government's records on Epstein, saying Only a very bad, or stupid, Republican would fall into that trap," and calling the issue a "hoax."

Contributing: Joey Garrison, USA TODAY.

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This story has been updated to clarify that Epstein was accused of transporting minors to have sex with him.

Kathryn Palmer is a politics reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@usatoday.com and on X @KathrynPlmr.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When could the House vote on releasing Epstein files?
In May, Attorney General Pam Bondi told President Donald Trump that his name appeared multiple times in the Epstein files, according to The Wall Street Journal. By July, she declared the case closed. That choreographywarning first, absolution secondcaptures how power behaves when it wants a story to vanish: It doesnt need to hide the truth; It only needs to declare the matter resolved.

Thats what the Department of Justice did this summer when it quietly issued its case closed letter on Jeffrey Epstein, assuring the public that every lead had been chased, every name examined, every stone overturned. But the 20,000 pages of documents Congress released on November 12 tell another story entirely. They reveal not a completed investigation, but a carefully managed retreat.

In hindsight, the DOJs language reads less like legal precision than narrative control: This systematic review revealed no incriminating client list We did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties.

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Exhaustive by what standard? And reviewed by whom? If the records released in November werent part of that review, then the Department wasnt closing a caseit was closing its eyes. Or, more to the point, trying to gaslight the American people.

The newly surfaced files show Epsteins correspondence extending long after his 2008 plea dealemails about moving her to Palm Beach for a few weeks and favors owed to VIPs. In Epsteins vocabulary, favors meant people, and VIPs meant men of power. What emerges isnt just a rogue financiers depravity but a network whose protection depended on its discretion.

And of course, there is Trump. Despite his later insistence to Jonathan Swan and others that he knew nothing about Epsteins activities, the record shows he was briefed in May that his name appeared repeatedly in the files. Oh, and by the way, Karoline Leavitts insistence that Trump kicked Epstein out of Mar-a-Lago because he knew he was a pedophile and creep? Thats at odds with Trumps previous insistence that he knew nothing about Epstein, or even his wishing Ghislaine Maxwell well after she was arrested during his first term.

The case closed letter didnt appear out of nowhere. It came under the direction of two senior Trump officials: Attorney General Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel. Both had once spoken as if transparency about Jeffrey Epstein were absolutely their crusade. Patel, a Fox News regular before joining government, promised that releasing the hidden materials would lead to perp walks of powerful people. Bondi, during her time as Floridas attorney general, had pledged to get to the bottom of Epsteins reach and let the public see everything. But once they occupied the very offices capable of doing that, both reversed course. The people who had once demanded sunlight were now drawing the blinds.

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By July, the DOJs letter arrivedciting an exhaustive review that found no new prosecutable offenses. Within weeks, Patel and Bondi were echoing the same message in public: there was no list, no scandal, nothing new. What had seemed like routine political messaging now reads as synchronized damage control. They werent responding to revelations. They were anticipating them.

The emails Congress pried loose werent hidden in foreign archives or sealed vaults. They were sitting, unindexed, in the Southern District of New Yorks own digital files. The DOJ had claimed those materials were redundant to what it had already examined. That, plainly, was untrue. Its not clear if the Department was lying about what it found or lying about what it looked at. But evidence released on November 12 makes them look either incompetent, or complicit in a cover up.

Here is what we know about the timeline: In May, Bondi warned Trump that his name appeared in Epsteins files. In July, the DOJ announced its case closed review. In November, Congress released 20,000 pages that the DOJ had never examinedpages that directly contradict the Departments public assurances.

The missing piece is why Congress acted when it did. The November 12 release came after months of subpoenas and Freedom of Information lawsuits, but whether it was timed in response to the July closure or part of a longer calendar still matters. If it was the former, the DOJs July letter looks like an act of preemptive damage controlan attempt to define the story before the evidence emerged.

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This wasnt the cinematic corruption of shredded files and backroom deals. It was procedural, bureaucratic, almost banal. A letter here, a memo thereeach step designed to create the impression of finality. The cover-up was quiet, methodical, institutional. It protected not just the president, but the Department itself. To reopen Epsteins case would mean reopening the failures of those who handled it: prosecutors, investigators, political appointees. The reflex was not ideological but self-preserving.

Figures like Bondi and Patel had once railed against the deep state. Now they appear to have become part of it. The machinery they claimed to expose became the very mechanism they used to bury the truth.

Three questions now hang in the air: Who at the DOJ decided those 20,000 pages were redundant? What was the basis for the exhaustive review if those emails were never seen? And what communications, if any, occurred between DOJ officials and Trump-world figures while the letter was being drafted?

Until those questions are answered, case closed stands as an epitaph not for a criminal investigation, but for accountability itself. When power wants a story to die, it doesnt need to bury the body. It just files the paperwork.

The post COVER UP: How the DOJ Tried  and Failed  to Bury Trumps Epstein Files first appeared on Mediaite.
Indias biggest state-held refiner, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), is looking to buy non-sanctioned Russian crude oil for delivery in early 2026, a tender document seen by Bloomberg showed on Wednesday.

IOC is also looking for crude supply from the United States and West Africa in the tender, which specifies that the sellers must ensure that the Russian Far Eastern grades ESPO and Sokol dont come from producers, traders, or export terminals sanctioned by the U.S., the EU, the UK, or India.

Last month, following the U.S. sanctions on Russias biggest oil producers and exporters, Rosneft and Lukoil, IOC reportedly bought five cargoes of Russian crude from non-sanctioned entities for arrival in December.

IOC has bought about 3.5 million barrels of Russias ESPO crude at about the same price as the Dubai quotes for delivery at an eastern Indian port in December, a trade sources told Reuters, without naming the sellers of the Russian oil.

The U.S. sanctions Russias top two producers sent Indian refiners rushing to replace volumes from these exporters and their affiliates with barrels from other countries, and with Russian barrels moved by unsanctioned entities.

IOC has vowed that it would fully comply with international sanctions related to crude oil imports from Russia.

IOC is also looking to buy 24 million barrels of crude oil from the Americas in the first quarter of next year to replace lost Russian supply.

All but two Indian refiners have skipped placing orders for Russian crude for December after the U.S. sanctioned Rosneft and Lukoil, sources with knowledge of the purchases told Bloomberg earlier this week.

Indian refiners are pivoting away from Russian crude and are buying additional barrels from the Middle East and the Americas to offset what is expected to be a steep decline in Russian loadings in December and January.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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More Americans are receiving computed tomography (CT) scans than ever before, and while this technology can save lives, some scientists are concerned that low doses of ionizing radiation could increase cancer risk.

Importantly, at an individual level, the theoretical risk of developing cancer from a CT scan is thought to be very low, if it exists at all. Patients should not hesitate to undergo these tests if they are considered medically necessary.

However, the number of CT examinations performed annually in the US has increased by more than 30 percent since 2007, and researchers suggest that unwarranted tests are exposing the population to unnecessary radiation.

Related: Scientists Are Hacking Bacteria to Fight Cancer, Then Self-Destruct

In a study published in April, a team in the US and the UK predicted that low levels of ionizing radiation from CT scans could theoretically account for 5 percent of all new cancer diagnoses in the US. CT scans conducted in 2023 could be responsible for an estimated 103,000 future cases of cancer.

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That's based on some assumptions and historical data from high radiation events, but if right, it would put CT scans on par with other significant risk factors for cancer, like alcohol consumption, at least at a population level.

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"CT is frequently lifesaving, yet its potential harms are often overlooked, and even very small cancer risks will lead to a significant number of future cancers given the tremendous volume of CT use in the United States," writes the international team of analysts, led by epidemiologist Rebecca Smith-Bindman from the University of California, San Francisco.

As of now, these are just theoretical risks, but that doesn't mean they aren't worth considering. While scientists know that high doses of radiation cause cancer, conclusive evidence to link low-level radiation to cancer is lacking.

The potential association is mostly based on long-term studies of atomic bomb survivors and those exposed to nuclear power plant meltdowns. For instance, in a group of 25,000 Hiroshima survivors, who received a dose of ionizing radiation on par with three or more CT scans, there was a slight but significant increase in cancer risk across a lifetime.

Whether those results extend to CT scans remains hotly debated, and the theoretical risks must be weighed against the benefits of this technology, which can now alert patients and doctors to a whole variety of hidden diseases and injuries with very low doses of radiation (about the same amount you absorb from your environment over three years).

The theoretical risks of CT scans must be weighed against the benefits. ( Bethesda naval medical center, Maryland, Hospital

"Any risk from a CT scan of a sick patient is likely much less than the risk of the underlying disease," said Cynthia McCollough, CT imaging expert and past president of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

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In a large national trial, for instance, there was a 20 percent decrease in lung cancer deaths among smokers and ex-smokers who received low-dose CT scans compared to those who only had a chest X-ray.

The recent predictions on cancer risk are again based on historical tragedies, but compared to previous analyses, they consider more detail on the actual radiation exposure, which can depend on the type of CT device, the scanning duration, the size of the patient, and the sensitivity of their targeted body part.

The anonymous data comes from 143 hospitals and outpatient facilities across the US, catalogued in the UCSF International CT Dose Registry. Using statistics from 2016 to 2022, researchers predicted 93 million CT examinations were carried out in 2023, on roughly 62 million patients.

Based on the associated radiation risks, the team estimates that CT scans in 2023 may be tied to 103,000 future cancers.

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"To empirically quantify lifetime risk would require decades-long follow-up studies of very large populations," the authors acknowledge.

However, their results suggest that some people may be more susceptible to cancer from low-dose ionizing radiation than others. Adults receive the vast majority of CT scans, but estimated radiation-induced cancer risks were higher in children and adolescents.

The projected number of future cancers (left axis; dark blue and orange circles) against a conservative estimate of cancer incidence (right axis; light blue circles and triangles). (Smith-Bindman et al., JAMA Intern. Med., 2025)

Those receiving CT scans at under one year of age, for instance, seem to have a higher potential lifetime risk for thyroid cancers, and this appears more common among female patients.

Far more research is needed to confirm if low-dose ionizing radiation actually impacts a person's cancer risk, and how.

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"Estimated overall cancer risks from CT radiation doses are similarly high in Australian studies," said medical radiation specialist Pradip Deb from RMIT University. She argues it is important to avoid unnecessary CT scans if radiation-free procedures can do the same job.

Radiographer Naomi Gibson, President of the Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, agreed.

"Although the findings highlight the need for vigilance around long-term radiation exposure, this should not discourage the use of CT imaging when clinically justified," Gibson explained.

"In appropriately selected cases, the diagnostic and therapeutic value of CT scans significantly outweighs the potential radiation-associated risks."

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The study was published in JAMA Internal Medicine.

An earlier version of this article was published in April 2025.

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Temperatures in northern Utah have yet to fall below freezing, but its only a matter of time before residents are faced with dangerously cold weather.

In Davis County, people experiencing homelessness will have a new space to seek warmth and rest during the coldest nights of the upcoming winter.

This winter, the countys warming center will occupy a portion of the Talia Event Center, located at 22 E. 200 South in Clearfield.

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Were utilizing the north side of the building as the warming center, and then the south side will continue to be used kind of like a meeting/event space, said Ryan Steinbeigle, Davis Countys community services manager, who also oversees the warming center program.

The move comes after a contentious winter last year, during which residents in Kaysville pushed back against the idea of having a warming center in their community. A Fruit Heights church also retracted an offer to host a temporary homeless shelter on cold nights, following community backlash.

In February, the Davis County warming center relocated temporarily to Kaysville, despite community opposition, after its Layton facility was demolished.

Steinbeigle said the Davis County Health Department closed on a deal to purchase the warming centers new location a few months ago.

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Unlike Salt Lake, Utah and other counties in the state, Davis Countys warming center only operates during a code blue weather event, meaning temperatures are forecasted to dip to 18 degrees Fahrenheit or below.

As mandated by state law, overnight warming centers are meant to provide warm shelter for unhoused individuals during the extreme cold between Oct. 15 and April 30.

Meeting the need

The state requires the warming center to have at least 30 beds available to accommodate citizens on code blue nights. Steinbeigle said the space inside the Talia Event Center has room for more than 30 beds, which he anticipates could come in handy.

I think our biggest night last year, we had 20 (people) at one time, but I did have 42 unique individuals come to the warming center last year, he said. So I wouldnt be surprised if we go beyond the 30 beds that were required to have.

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While the Davis County warming center is not an emergency shelter, Steinbeigle said theyve got just about everything moved in and are ready to open in the event of a code blue weather event. Their biggest need right now is volunteers, he said.

When a code blue is in effect, volunteers are needed to help staff the center during its operational hours, from 7:30 p.m. to the next morning at 7:30 a.m. Currently, Steinbeigle says theyve got about 265 people signed up to volunteer, but hed like to get that number closer to 500.

Not everybody who signs up actually ends up working a shift, he told KSL.com. I had about 250 people that had said they would be willing to work a shift last year, but only about 50 to 60 of those people actually worked a shift.

Steinbeigle said they also want more volunteers on duty per shift.

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We (had) two volunteers per shift last year  this year, were trying to have three volunteers per shift because of the increased numbers that were expecting, he said.

In a video published on the Davis County Commissions Facebook page on Friday, Davis County mayors and community leaders also encouraged people to lend a helping hand to those in need during the winter season.

Lets lift up, where theres a need, says Syracuse Mayor Dave Maughan in the two-minute video.

Those interested in volunteering can sign up or find more information by visiting the Code Blue page on the countys website.

Additionally, the Utah Transit Authority is offering bus passes to help people get to and from the Davis County warming center.
A deaf technician at Teslas Texas Gigafactory says he was assigned to a position melting aluminum ingots at 1,220F, a temperature which caused his hearing aids to fail, making it all but impossible for him to hear alarms, alerts and other audible safety signals.

In response, Hans Kohls requested a transfer away from the extreme heat and moisture of the Austin plants casting department, where the conditions far exceed[ed] standard industrial heat levels, according to a lawsuit obtained by The Independent.

But rather than accommodating Kohls under the framework of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Tesla fired him instead, stripping the 36-year-old and his wife of their health insurance while she was pregnant, his complaint alleges.

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It contends the Elon Musk-owned electric carmaker never explored whether alternative safety measures  such as visual alarms, vibrating alerts or buddy systems  could address any safety concern in the Casting Department, and claims the company lied about other open positions that Kohls, who was at the very top of his training class, could have filled.

The facts of this case are stark and troubling, attorney Andrew Rozynski, who is representing Kohls, told The Independent. Tesla had a highly qualified employee who requested the most basic accommodation under the ADA, reassignment to a vacant position where he'd already demonstrated success. Instead of complying with the law, they fired him within nine days and told him he was being medically separated.

Tesla's Gigafactory in Austin, Texas, seen here, is again at the center of an ugly discrimination lawsuit. (AFP via Getty Images)

Kohls outperformed his peers in Tesla's own training program, successfully worked in multiple departments at the Gigafactory, and asked for nothing more than reassignment to a role where extreme heat wouldn't damage his hearing aids, Rozynski said. Tesla's response? Termination. The ADA exists precisely to prevent this kind of discrimination.

A Tesla spokesperson did not respond on Wednesday to a request for comment.

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In February 2024, Kohls applied for the Tesla START program, an intensive internship designed to train participants for full-time jobs as equipment technicians at the company, according to Kohlss complaint, which was filed November 10 in federal court.

Although Kohls is deaf, his hearing aids, when functioning properly, allow him to effectively communicate and hear necessary alarms, alerts, and verbal communication in workplace environments, the complaint states. As proof, the complaint says Kohls has a successful history of working in industrial environments, including at GST America, where he worked in a hot and loud environment for over a year without issue.

Accordingly, Kohls truthfully answered yes to whether he could receive safety signals using auditory (hearing) sense, the complaint goes on, noting that Kohls successfully demonstrated this fact while training in multiple departments throughout the Gigafactory.

At the end of the month, Kohls sat for a Zoom interview with a casting department supervisor, who noticed Kohlss hearing aids and became aware of his disability, the complaint continues. It says the supervisor asked if Kohls was comfortable working in a hot environment, to which he said he was, citing his time at GST America, which supplies equipment to the semiconductor industry.

Tesla, the electric carmaker owned by billionaire Elon Musk, is being sued by a deaf employee who claims the company fired him after he complained that extreme heat in his work area caused his hearing aids to malfunction (AFP via Getty Images)

Neither the application nor the interview disclosed that the Casting Department's extreme heat and humidity conditions would far exceed standard industrial heat levels, the complaint states. The Casting Department utilizes high-pressure die-casting operations that melt aluminum at approximately 1,220F. Mr. Kohls could not have reasonably anticipated these specific conditions would cause his hearing aids to malfunction until he experienced them firsthand.

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Tesla hired Kohls into the START program on March 11, 2024, and sent him to a stringent 10-week course at Austin Community College that focused on robotics and manufacturing, according to the complaint. It says Kohls excelled in the program, achieving a final grade of 95.7 percent, earning certification, and placing him in the top tier of his cohort.

After Kohls finished his training, he was sent to the Austin Gigafactory to get hands-on experience as an equipment technician, the complaint explains. He shadowed workers in various departments, such as vehicle validation, which ensures each cars components and systems function properly, and the drive unit, which produces the electric motors, inverters and reduction gears that power a Tesla, according to the complaint.

In these departments, the working temperatures were significantly cooler [than those he would later encounter in the Casting Department], his hearing aids functioned properly, and he performed successfully and communicated effectively without the need for an ASL interpreter, the complaint states.

However, it says Tesla assigned Kohls to the casting department, where his hearing aids soon went on the fritz due to the extreme conditions there. Without them Kohls couldnt reliably hear safety signals meant to warn the workers of danger, according to the complaint.

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In mid-June 2024, Kohls submitted a reasonable accommodation request to Tesla HR, asking for a transfer out of casting and into a department where the heat wouldnt damage his hearing aids. He submitted all necessary medical documentation, as required, and complied fully with company protocols, but Tesla subsequently determined it could not accommodate Mr. Kohls, the complaint alleges.

Tesla never discussed with Mr. Kohls what positions were available or why reassignment was not feasible, it says. Tesla failed to inquire whether Mr. Kohls could perform in other departments  despite his documented success in Vehicle Validation and Drive Unit. Tesla failed to explain why vacant Equipment Technician positions in other departments were unavailable.

The company also failed to conduct an individualized assessment of Mr. Kohls' actual capabilities in suitable environments, and allegedly never explored alternative safety measures, according to the complaint. Rather, it claims Tesla rigidly focused only on his inability to work in the Casting Department, prioritizing its own internal policies over its ADA obligations, and prematurely ended the interactive process.

The Tesla Gigafactory in Austin, Texas, is the size of 100 soccer fields. However, fired employee Hans Kohls claims in a new lawsuit that the carmaker refused to reassign him anywhere else in the gargantuan complex after his hearing aids failed in the 'extreme heat' of the casting department (AFP via Getty Images)

Tesla improperly told Kohls that there were no other open jobs available and that the START program prohibited transfers, although there were in fact plenty of suitable vacant positions for which he was already trained and could have filled, the complaint states.

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On June 20, 2024, nine days after Kohls requested a disability accommodation, Tesla terminated his employment, telling him he was being medically separated, the complaint says. (An audio recording of the meeting confirms this, according to the complaint.)

By characterizing the termination as medical separation, Tesla revealed it was terminating Mr. Kohls because he had a disability that required accommodation  not for any legitimate, non-discriminatory reason, the complaint alleges.

Tesla continued to post help wanted ads for appropriate open roles, and shortly after he was let go, Kohls applied for two of them  and was summarily rejected for both, according to the complaint.

The complaint says Tesla's treatment of Kohls violated the ADA and the Texas state labor code, leading to severe emotional distress, anxiety, depression, mental anguish, humiliation and embarrassment. He further lost career opportunities, endured harm to his professional reputation and marriage, and suffered significant financial damages, the complaint contends.

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Tesla has faced numerous lawsuits by other employees who have gone public with what they described as unacceptable working conditions.

Musk has faced numerous lawsuits over working conditions at his factories. (AFP via Getty Images)

In August, a group of workers at Teslas manufacturing plant in Fremont, California, sued the company for allegedly turning a blind eye to sexual assaults aboard company shuttle buses, drug and alcohol use onsite, all-out brawls between employees and prevalent bigotry  including widespread use of the N-word.

A month later, a Tesla robotics technician at the same Fremont factory sued for $51 million after he says an out-of-control robot suddenly swung its mechanical arm and knocked him unconscious, leaving the 50-year-old grievously injured and struggling to pay astronomical medical bills.

Earlier this year, a former Tesla executive sued, claiming he agreed to take a job working remotely for the company, which then almost immediately went back on its word and threatened to fire him if he didnt relocate to Texas from his home in Southern California. This, according to the execs lawsuit, prompted the recurrence of his Crohns disease and irritable bowel syndrome and nearly ended his marriage.

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Kohls is now asking a judge to reinstate him to an appropriate position at Tesla and to declare the company in violation of the ADA and the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act. Alternatively, he is seeking front pay and back pay, lost wages, benefits, retirement contributions and stock options, in addition to compensatory damages, punitive damages and exemplary damages for Teslas malicious and/or recklessly indifferent conduct, as well as pre-judgment interest, post-judgment interest, plus attorneys fees and court costs.

Tesla has not yet filed a formal response to Kohlss allegations.
Libs of TikTok's Chaya Raichik claims to care about children being "groomed," but as Rep. Rosa DeLauro points out, she still supports Donald Trump.

The Democratic lawmaker from Connecticut had a brutal response for the right-wing social media figure after Raichik accused her of not caring about SNAP recipients. DeLauro recently posted a video in which she criticized the Trump Administration for withholding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, and another criticizing Democrats in the Senate for voting to end the government shutdown without concessions.

Raichik, who runs, reposted the two videos to her account, accusing DeLauro of supposed hypocrisy with the caption Its almost as if they dont care about hungry Americans at all..."

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DeLauro then responded with a picture of Raichik holding the empty "Epstein files" released by Trump's Department of Justice in February, replying, Not taking shit from the pedophile protector."

 (@)

Raichik has been designated as an extremist by the Southern Poverty Law Center. The Libs of TikTok account has been one of the loudest voices perpetuating the lie that LGBTQ+ people are "grooming" children, and has been linked to several bomb and death threats against schools, healthcare facilities, and other institutions serving the queer community.

DeLauro's clapback came shortly after Senate Democrats released bombshell information on Wednesday which included several emails from the estate of the late convicted child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein mentioning Trump. The emails are part of 23,000 documents the Senate Oversight Committee is reviewing from the estate.

One of the emails contained a message from Epstein's assistant and ex-girlfriend Ghislane Maxwell, calling Trump the "dog that hasn't barked" and claiming that Trump had spent "house at my house" with one of the alleged trafficking victims.

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Another email from Trump biographer Michael Wolff tells Epstein to let Trump "hang himself," seemingly suggesting that Epstein blackmail Trump using their relationship.

"If he says he hasn't been on the plane or to the house, then that gives you a valuable PR and political currency," Wolff wrote. "You can hang him in a way that potentially generates a positive benefit for you, or, if it really looks like he could win, you could save him, generating a debt."

This article originally appeared on Advocate: Democratic lawmaker calls Libs of TikTok's Chaya Raichik a 'pedophile protector'

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Democrats sweeping victories last week have the party eyeing gains in even Trumpier territory, where voters in a deep-red Tennessee House seat will soon pick their next member of Congress in a special election.

Early voting started Wednesday in Tennessee's 7th District, a geographically expansive seat that reaches the states borders with Kentucky and Alabama and includes swaths of Nashville, to replace retired GOP Rep. Mark Green. And Democrats are projecting some optimism in a district President Donald Trump carried by more than 20 points last November.

It really feels like theres so much momentum on the ground, Democratic nominee Aftyn Behn said in an interview. The national attention is on this race and on Tennessee.

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Recent internal polling from Democrats has Behn within 8 to 10 points of her Republican opponent Matt Van Epps, which she said places her in striking distance. DNC Chair Ken Martin also traveled to the state last weekend to campaign for Behn.

A seat that Republicans routinely carry by double digits will almost assuredly not be competitive next year. But those involved in the race on both sides of the aisle say a confluence of factors  from lingering post-off year enthusiasm to the timing of the contest  make it worth watching, particularly given the GOPs tiny majority in Washington.

Its the last special election of 2025, and Republicans in the state are worried that the Thanksgiving holiday may keep voters away from the polls Dec. 2. Some voters showed up last week thinking the special election was taking place at the same time as other off-year races.

Both national parties are taking notice. The DNC is recruiting volunteers and phone banking for Behn, and the RNC is taking on a similar effort for Van Epps, telling POLITICO it is committing six figures to the race.



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Van Epps' campaign put in a request with Trumps team asking the president to host a rally in the district, one person familiar with the ask  who was granted anonymity to discuss private conversations  told POLITICO, hoping a visit would boost turnout. The White House did not respond to a request for comment about the race.

I'm cautiously optimistic, said Scott Golden, chair of the Tennessee Republican Party. But I think that there's a lot of blocking and tackling that we still need to do to make sure that the vote comes out.

Behn has faced a slate of Republican attacks, including allegations of trailing ICE agents and supporting taxpayer-funded gender transition surgeries. But instead of engaging on the hot-button issues, her messaging has been razor-focused on affordability, something she views as key to winning over Republicans and independents.

Republicans know it's a tight race and are unleashing a get-out-the-vote campaign that prioritizes early voting, given the elections timing. Van Epps has been traversing the district and hosting rallies in the home stretch, which is encouraging for Republicans in the state.

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This isnt a race to sit at home for, said Alex Joyner, Van Epps campaign manager. Were going across the district and encouraging Republicans to get out and vote.

There hasnt been much ad spending in the race since the October primary, with a bit more than $400,000 being put on the airwaves. Of that amount, Republicans have outspent Democrats 3 to 1, according to tracking service AdImpact.

But even with Republicans on edge, there is plenty of evidence that the party still has an advantage. Earlier this year, Democrats were hopeful they could flip similarly Trump-heavy districts in Florida, and one survey from Trumps pollster Tony Fabrizio even showed them with an advantage.

In the end, Republicans Randy Fine and Jimmy Patronis cruised to double-digit victories in the Sunshine State  underperforming Trump's 2024 margins but still winning comfortably, despite being massively outraised and outspent.

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I get enthusiasm [from Democrats], but fundamentally this is not New York City, Golden said. Tennessee is very conservative, and we understand what the stakes are.

But if Democrats can eke out a win, Behn said it will provide a blueprint to winning the House in 2026.

If we are able to flip it, it will send shockwaves around the country, she said. And itll be a testament to the type of candidate that will be successful in the South and how to rewrite the Democratic playbook for the future.

A version of this article first appeared in POLITICO Pros Morning Score. Want to receive the newsletter every weekday? Subscribe to POLITICO Pro. Youll also receive daily policy news and other intelligence you need to act on the days biggest stories.
More than 42 days ago, beleaguered congressional Democrats employed a tactic they were not known for using  refusing to fund the government unless their demands, in this case, an extension of tax credits that lowered costs for Affordable Care Act health plans, were met.

Fast forward to Wednesday evening, and the federal government is back open, the Democrats resistance breached by the combined forces of Congresss Republican majorities and a splinter group of Democratic senators who provided just enough votes to get a funding bill past the chambers filibuster.

The minority partys lawmakers are now sifting through the ashes of what wound up being the longest government shutdown in history. Though it was the Republicans whose demands fueled other recent funding lapses, this one ended just like those did: with the minority party winning no concessions from the party in power.

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Related: Trump signs funding bill to end longest US government shutdown

And yet, many Democrats are calling it a win anyway, arguing it gave them an opportunity to prove to voters that, despite accusations to the contrary, they are still capable of putting up a fight in Donald Trumps Washington.

I hope that people in America will see those of us who are willing to stand, and hold the line for them, said Pennsylvania congresswoman Summer Lee.

Nor do they plan to let the issue rest any time soon.

These are choices that are being made, said Wesley Bell, who may after next year be the only Democratic congressman in Missouri, if the states Republican-friendly gerrymander is allowed to stand.

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[Republicans] have the majorities in the House, Senate and the presidency, and if they wanted to address the skyrocketing health care costs, they have the ability to do it, and they have a willing partner in Democrats, he said.

The spending standoff was a turnaround from months that the party spent seeing its priorities mauled by the ascendant Republican government, enabled by a conservative-dominated supreme court. The countrys main foreign aid agency was closed, droves of federal workers were fired or urged to resign, the premier federal health program for poor and disabled Americans was downsized and tax cuts directed at businesses and the wealthy were extended forever.

Democratic-aligned groups succeeded in getting millions of people to take to the streets in protests nationwide against what they saw as Trumps executive overreach, but the brutal realities of their poor showing in the 2024 election were unavoidable. Democratic lawmakers had few avenues in Congress to block Trumps policies, and the supreme court repeatedly turned back legal challenges to his orders.

Then Congress was asked to extend the governments funding authorization beyond the end of September, when it was set to expire, and Democrats saw their chance to issue an ultimatum. The current Affordable Care Act tax credits, which were created under Joe Biden, were to expire at the end of the year, and they wanted them extended. They also wanted the cuts to Medicaid reversed, and an undoing of Trumps use of rescissions to slash congressionally approved funding.

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It was strategic ground to make a stand, for Democrats had long put healthcare at the center of their pitch to voters. In the end, all they got in the deal that reopened the government was a promise from John Thune, the Senate majority leader, to hold a vote on a bill to reauthorize the credits. Theres no telling if enough Republicans will support it to pass the chamber, if House Republican leaders would allow it to come up for a vote, or if Trump would sign it.

The party may have reaped rewards that are less tangible. Polls consistently showed voters putting more blame on the GOP for the shutdown than the Democrats. Last week, the party swept off-year elections in several states, in part by flipping voters who had turned out for Trump last year.

The choice of tactics nonetheless disquieted some in the party. As the shutdown went on, Trump moved to halt payments of the governments largest food aid program, while federal workers missed paychecks.

North Carolina congressman Don Davis, one of six Democrats who voted for the funding bill that ended the shutdown in the House of Representatives, said tales of hardship from his constituents convinced him it was time to end the standoff.

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I had a person, a constituent, talking to me, literally in tears. Thats not what I want, he said. Republicans in North Carolinas senate recently passed a new congressional map that will make his district more difficult to win next year.

All signs point to the reauthorization of government funding being merely a lull in the larger war over healthcare in the United States.

The funding bill Congress passed keeps the government open only through January, meaning Democrats could issue another set of demands for their votes then. Just before the House voted to restart funding on Wednesday evening, Democratic minority leader Hakeem Jeffries made clear the party was not letting this defeat deter them.

We will stay on this issue until we get this issue resolved for everyday Americans, he said.
Editors note: This story was originally published on Nov. 13, 2024.

A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives.

On Nov. 13, 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. It has since become the most-visited memorial on the National Mall as millions of service members and their families go to reflect and heal.

Per the walls website, the most prominent feature of the memorial is a massive wall that lists the names of the more than 58,000 servicemen and women who lost their lives during the Vietnam War.

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The memorial also features the Three Servicemen statue, the Vietnam Womens Memorial, the In Memory plaque, and a flagpole with an etching of the insignia of what were then the countrys five military branches.

For many in the U.S., the Vietnam was is still a painful episode. Besides the lives lost, returning soldiers met with mixed responses. Physical, emotional and mental wounds have not fully healed

A man name Jan Scruggs felt there was a way to help the nation heal.

In 1979, Scruggs conceived the idea of building the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., as a tribute to all who served during one of the longest wars in American history. A decorated veteran himself, he felt a memorial would serve as a healing device for a different kind of wound  that inflicted on our national psyche by the long and controversial Asian war.

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Scruggs launched the effort with $2,800 of his own money. It took awhile, and eventually gained support from many groups and other Vietnam veterans.

With the Capitol building in the background, people gather around the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington following a Memorial Day ceremony at the memorial, May 27, 1985. | Lana Harris, Associated Press

It was dedicated on Nov. 13, 1982, during a weeklong national salute to Vietnam veterans in the nations capital.

In 2018, a permanent Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall was constructed in Layton.

In the last dozen years, Honor Flights have become popular in Utah, as veterans are flown to Washington, D.C., to see the various memorials and connect with their heroic service.

Here are several stories from Deseret News archives about the war, the memorial, Honor Flights and those who served:

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Vietnam Memorial turns 20

D.C. wall provides a way to say goodbye

The Wall is like war it represents

Designing a memorial these days makes war itself look simple

U.S. relations with Vietnam chronology

Memories from Vietnam simply wont fade away

7 new names added to Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Plaque to supplement Vietnam Memorial

Photos: Volunteers put finishing touches on Vietnam Memorial Wall in Layton

Photos: Vietnam veterans remembered at Utah Capitol

Marcia Hilton of Spanish Fork takes a photo of Nelson Williams of Spanish Fork as he points to the name of Gregg Newell, whose name is on the Moving Wall, a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 9, 2010. Williams and Newell were were high school friends and missionary companions. | Stuart Johnson, Deseret News

48 Utah veterans fly to Washington, D.C. on Honor Flight to see memorials

Soldiers again: Honor Flight connects Utah veterans with WWII memorial
Posts on social media claim the White House said "Jeffrey Epstein was talking about a different Donald Trump" in emails released Nov. 12, but the posts are based on satire.

The House Democrats released new emails from Epstein on Nov. 12, including one where he alleges Trump "knew about the girls," and another saying Trump spent hours with one of the victims.

The release came as Congress reconvened to reopen the government, and a bipartisan effort to force a vote on releasing the Epstein files gained enough signatures.

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A headline from a UK spoof and satire website widely shared on social media says the White House responded by saying Epstein was talking about a different Trump. But that is not how the White House responded to the email release. Here is what they did say:

Live updates: New Epstein emails intensify records debate as Trump pressures GOP lawmakers.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) speaks during a news conference with alleged victims of disgraced financier and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein outside the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 3, 2025 in Washington, DC. Anouska De Georgiou, a Jeffrey Epstein survivor, speaks during a press conference along with House members and other victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, DC, on Sept. 3, 2025. Marina Lacerda, a Jeffrey Epstein accuser, speaks during a press conference along with House members and other victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, DC, on Sept. 3, 2025. Anouska De Georgiou, left, embraces Chauntae Davies during a news conference about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein outside the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 3, 2025, in Washington, DC. Protestors gather outside the U.S. Capitol as House members hold a press conference along with victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, D.C., on September 3, 2025. Survivors Danielle Bensky, left, and Anouska De Georgiou, hug one another during a press conference along with House members and other victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, D.C., on September 3, 2025. Lisa Phillips speaks during a news conference with fellow alleged victims of the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on Sept. 3, 2025, in Washington, DC. Haley Robson, a Jeffery Epstein survivor, wipes tears from her eyes during a press conference along with House members and other victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, D.C., on September 3, 2025. People demostrate during the Stand with Survivors Rally in support of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell's victims, in Washington, DC on September 3, 2025. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) speaks as House members hold a press conference along with victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, D.C., on September 3, 2025. The bipartisan group is calling for the release of the Justice Department files surrounding the case. Protestors gather outside the U.S. Capitol as House members hold a press conference along with victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, D.C., on September 3, 2025. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) speaks as House members hold a press conference along with victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, D.C., on September 3, 2025. The bipartisan group is calling for the release of the Justice Department files surrounding the case. Demonstrators carry a sign in support of the victims of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell near a press conference held by US representatives outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC on September 3, 2025. People attend a press conference and rally in support of the victims of sex offender Jeffrey Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC on September 3, 2025. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia, talks with Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Kentucky, and Rep. Ro Khanna, D-California, at their news conference along with victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, DC, on Sept. 3, 2025. Attorney Gloria Allred speaks during a rally in support of the victims of disgraced financier and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein outside the U.S. Capitol on September 3, 2025 in Washington, DC. Alleged victims of Epstein and other victims of sexual abuse are holding the rally amid a bipartisan Congressional effort to force the federal government to release all unclassified records from the cases of Epstein and his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. Attendees listen to speakers during a rally to support victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, D.C., on September 3, 2025. Survivor Liz Stein speaks during a rally to support victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, D.C., on September 3, 2025. Attorney Sigrid McCawley speaks during a rally to support victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, D.C., on September 3, 2025. People attend a rally to support victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, D.C., on September 3, 2025. Demonstrators rally during a news conference with alleged victims of disgraced financier and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein outside the U.S. Capitol on September 3, 2025 in Washington, DC. Demonstrators rally during a news conference with alleged victims of disgraced financier and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein outside the U.S. Capitol on September 03, 2025 in Washington, DC. Victims of Jeffrey Epstein rally at Capitol Hill to demand release of files 1 of 22 Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) speaks during a news conference with alleged victims of disgraced financier and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein outside the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 3, 2025 in Washington, DC.

What did White House say in response to the Epstein emails?

Shortly after the emails were published, the White House issued an emailed statement, in which White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, the "selectively leaked emails ... create a fake narrative to smear President Trump."

Leavitt was also asked about the emails at her press briefing later that afternoon.

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"These emails prove absolutely nothing other than that President Trump did nothing wrong, she said at the press briefing.

Trump took to Truth Social to call the controversy, as he has before, a hoax.

The Democrats are trying to bring up the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax again because theyll do anything at all to deflect on how badly theyve done on the Shutdown, and so many other subjects, Trump said. Only a very bad, or stupid, Republican would fall into that trap.

Did the White House really say 'Jeffrey Epstein was talking about a different Donald Trump.'

No. USA TODAY found no evidence that this claim is true.

UK spoof and satire site NewsThump posted an article with the headline, "'Jeffrey Epstein was talking about a different Donald Trump' insists White House," that was widely shared on social media. The photo of Leavitt used in the article was not from the Nov. 12 press briefing.

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Contributing: Bart Jansen, Erin Mansfield, Joey Garrison, Josh Meyer, USA TODAY

Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at KCrowley@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X (Twitter), Bluesky and TikTok.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: No, White House didn't say Epstein was referring to a different Trump
When we think about dementia , we often think of a person experiencing memory loss and confusion. While its true that these are certainly symptoms of dementia and Alzheimers (the most common form of dementia), missing some of the more subtle signs that arent as well-known can lead to a later diagnosis and delay in care.

Cirmu Nicolae / Getty Images

With an estimated 6.7 million Americans over the age of 65 in the US living with Alzheimers, dementia is far from rare. So, what dementia-related signs should someone look out for in themselves and others? And when should they see their doctor for a dementia screening? Heres everything you need to know:

1. The biggest early sign is spatial issues along with trouble with speech and directions.

Evrymmnt / Getty Images

Related: 17 Cancer Patients Are Sharing The Concerning Symptoms That Made Them Go To The Doctor ASAP

While we all forget a word now and then, if this becomes a pattern, it could signal a problem.Difficulty with language including word-finding difficulty, incorrect sentence construction, or difficulty with self-expression can present well before the loss of memory, said Dr. Arif Dalvi, a neurologist and physician chief of the Movement Disorders Program at Delray Medical Center.

Its easy to brush this off, but its important to monitor if theres any frequency with this behavior. Additionally, you may notice a change in your sense of direction.

Soumen Hazra / Getty Images

Visual or spatial skills can also be affected early, Dalvi continued. A common way this presents is difficulty navigating a previously familiar route or needing GPS directions to a route that was previously known.

2. Pay attention to other red flags as well.

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Related: My Marriage Was Crumbling. Then A Stranger's Stunning Confession At A Mattress Store Changed Everything.

Other less commonly recognized symptoms include difficulty completing familiar tasks, noise sensitivity, and a change in taste and smell, according to Dr. Stanley Appel, neurologist and director of the Ann Kimball & John W. Johnson Center for Cellular Therapeutics at Houston Methodist.

An abrupt change in personality or mood without underlying explanation should also raise a red flag, Dalvi added.

And, more rarely, you might see some symptoms that resemble other neurological issues.

Seb_ra / Getty Images

Some types of dementia, such as Lewy body dementia, can cause hallucinations or delusions, Appel explained. Its crucial to note that hallucinations can also result from other causes, and any unusual symptoms should be discussed with a health care provider.

3. Bring up any concerning symptoms to your doctor ASAP.

Sakorn Sukkasemsakorn / Getty Images

Related: When My Daughter Received A Life-Altering Diagnosis, I Heard The Same Phrase Over And Over. I'll Never Repeat It To Anyone Else.

Sadly, there is no cure for dementia. But both experts emphasized that an early diagnosis can improve quality of life and stop the disease from progressing as quickly.

Traditional treatment options, such as medication to manage symptoms, recommendations for lifestyle changes, and referrals to support services like occupational and speech therapy are vital in maintaining cognitive function and overall well-being, Appel said.

Plus, in recent years, there has been a significant breakthrough in the treatment of Alzheimers disease.

Halfpoint Images / Getty Images

The FDA has approved two new drugs, Aduhelm (aducanumab) and Leqembi (lecanemab), that target the buildup of amyloid beta plaques in the brain, which is a hallmark of Alzheimers disease, Appel said. Although the approval of Aduhelm has been controversial, some studies have shown that it can slow cognitive decline in certain patients. On the other hand, clinical trials have shown that Leqembi can slow cognitive decline in certain patients with mild to moderate Alzheimers disease.

In addition to lessening the build-up of amyloid plaques, Appel added that some doctors are working on other innovative approaches to treatment. One is to suppress neuroinflammation with regulatory T-cells (Tregs), and other investigations are using advances in gene therapy to develop novel approaches for Alzheimers disease.

These breakthroughs in medical science offer hope for individuals with dementia and their families, he said.

Ariel Skelley / Getty Images

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There is no official age to get a dementia screening, but its always a good idea to reach out to your doctor if youre experiencing any symptoms. Dalvi emphasized that since the incidence of dementia rises with age, particularly after 65, thats a good time to have a simple dementia screening such as a mini cognitive assessment. Physicians can look for reversible causes of memory loss, like a vitamin B12 deficiency or hypothyroidism.

Related: "I Thought This Was Normal": People Are Sharing Diagnoses They Received After Someone Else Pointed Out Their Symptoms

Screening for hearing loss at this age is also important as it is estimated that 1 out of 9 dementias can be explained on the basis of age-related hearing loss, he said.

Halfpoint Images / Getty Images

While there may not be a complete cure for dementia and Alzheimers, there is a lot doctors can do once they reach a diagnosis.

There should be no stigma associated with screening for dementia, Appel said. An early and accurate diagnosis allows a plan to be put in place for either treating or slowing the cause of dementia.

Thomas Barwick / Getty Images

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.

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While a growing digital economy and use of artificial intelligence has increased the need for physical facilities to store, manage and process data, there is currently little to no regulation in place to mitigate environmental impacts and increase transparency for data processing centers in Wisconsin.

Data centers have drawn criticism from some community members over environmental concerns about sustainability because the facilities require an enormous amount of water and energy to operate. Fewer than one-third track water usage, and, often, data centers sign nondisclosure agreements with local governments on water use.

Midwest states like Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan have become a popular choice for housing data centers due to their close proximity to the Great Lakes, which are seen as an endless freshwater supply.

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According to datacentermap.com, Wisconsin is currently home to 46 data processing centers, or data centers, with plans for more. The facilities are concentrated in southeastern Wisconsin, particularly in the Milwaukee area, which, for now, is home to 20 data centers.

Here's your guide to data centers in Wisconsin.

Does Wisconsin have laws regulating data centers?

Currently, the only mention of data centers in state statute is for tax incentives, however, a newly proposed bill would create rules to fill a "legislative void" by increasing transparency surrounding massive data processing and storage facilities.

In a Nov. 6 memo, bill co-sponsor Sen. Jodi Habush Sinykin, D-Whitefish Bay, said the legislation aims to hold data centers and the companies behind them accountable by requiring more transparency around water usage and energy consumption. Additionally, the bill would require increased renewable energy sources across the state, prioritize good-paying, local jobs and insulate ratepayers from the costs of these projects.

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While a lot of decisions surrounding data centers originate at the local level of government, Habush Sinykin said in a Nov. 6 press release the state Legislature also "has a responsibility to regulate this emerging industry."

"The new legislation being proposed today is about making sure that we have clear, statewide guardrails in place that provide people in communities across Wisconsin with the information and transparency they need to engage in the local decision-making process in an informed, effective manner from the start," Habush Sinykin said.

More: Wisconsin lawmakers propose data center water and energy use transparency bill

What impact do data centers have on the environment?

An August report from the Alliance for the Great Lakes found some data center sites can use between 1 and 5 million gallons of water per day. The average American household uses a few hundred gallons a day, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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Many Great Lakes states lead the nation in the number of data centers due to the freshwater resources available to them, which are needed to cool hyperscale data centers, some of which can use as much water as a small city.

The report contends that data center owners are not transparent about their water footprint, and there is no requirement for them share that information publicly. Fewer than one-third track water usage, and, often, data centers sign nondisclosure agreements with local governments on water use.

On Sept. 15, Midwest Environmental Advocates filed a legal action, on behalf of the Milwaukee Riverkeeper, against the City of Racine to disclose projected water use at Microsoft's Mount Pleasant data center.

The move is one of the first of many that will likely become the next phase of controversy over Great Lakes water rights as more tech companies look to the region for its seemingly endless supply of water.

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Unsustainable water use can cause cities to sink because the ground becomes more compact. The Alliance for the Great Lakes report notes Chicago, Columbus, Indianapolis and Detroit sink more each year. Over time, this threatens drinking water supplies and infrastructure.

More: Will massive water needs of data centers, farms, mines be too much for the Great Lakes?

How much energy do data centers in Wisconsin use?

Demand for energy is increasing in Wisconsin, in part, due to the data centers popping up in the state.

Data centers in southeast Wisconsin account for more than half the 3.3 gigawatts of increased energy demand WEC Energy Group, We Energies' parent company, expects to experience by 2030, said President and CEO Scott Lauber during an Oct. 30 earnings call.

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These include the first phase of Microsoft's $7.3 billion Mount Pleasant data center project and a $15 billion data center campus in Port Washington, which will power OpenAI and Oracle's artificial intelligence programs.

While data centers account for a large part of the increased demand for energy in Wisconsin, We Energies spokesperson Brendan Conway said demand for energy in Wisconsin is also expected to grow outside of data center projects, which has prompted the company to file a flurry of applications to spend more than $5.5 billion on new energy projects.

The utility filed plans for nine major energy projects with the state Public Service Commission on Oct. 17. If approved, the plants would add nearly three gigawatts of energy to the grid, or enough to power more than two million homes.

Since a majority of the expected energy demand is coming from data centers, under We Energies' proposal, data center customers would be required to cover 75% of the cost to build and maintain the plant, which would be passed along through energy bills. Other We Energies customers would cover the remaining 25%, as well as the annual cost of natural gas.

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Additionally, as part of its rate plan proposal, We Energies would require data center companies to enter a 10-year service agreement that then automatically renews for one-year terms. If a company ends its agreement early, it would have to pay the remaining cost of the infrastructure powering its data centers.

More: We Energies plans $5.5 billion in new energy projects as data center demand grows

Where are Wisconsin's major data center projects?

Here's where some of Wisconsin's major data center projects are happening, as of Nov. 13.

Mount Pleasant Microsoft data center campus

Microsoft is finishing construction on its first Racine County data center, which is to be completed in early 2026. The company says it plans to hire more than 400 employees to work at the first data center and once the second data center opens, the total number of employees will be nearly 800 for both facilities.

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Construction for the second data center is scheduled to be finished by the end of 2028. Thousands of construction jobs are planned for the completion of the data center, the company said.

Microsoft just expanded its Racine County data center land holdings with two more purchases totaling around $38 million, according to land deeds posted online by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue on Nov. 10. Microsoft said it now owns 2,005 acres in Mount Pleasant.

More: Microsoft expands Racine County data center holdings. It just spent $38 million on 135 acres

More: Microsoft plans $4 billion expansion of Racine County work for an advanced AI data center

Beaver Dam Meta data center

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, plans to spend more than $1 billion to build a data center in Beaver Dam. The data center campus will span over 700,000 square feet, according to a Nov. 12 Wisconsin Economic Development Corp announcement.

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The planned data center would bring roughly 100 jobs to the area and support 1,000 construction trade jobs in the process, the company said. The data center is planning to go online in 2027.

More: Facebook parent Meta to build data center in Beaver Dam; spend 'more than $1 billion'

QTS development in Dane County

Data center operator QTS is in the process of submitting a zoning application to the DeForest Village Board for its proposed multibillion dollar development in Dane County.

The Virginia-based company wants to develop up to five buildings over time, though those plans could change depending on the village board approval process. The company has purchase agreements for the project site, which are contingent on its rezoning.

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If approved, QTS also plans on starting a $50 million fund to support local institutions, which includes scholarships and workforce partnerships with Madison Area Technical College and research partnerships with the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

More: Data center operator QTS plans multi-billion dollar development in Dane County

How many data centers are there in Wisconsin?

As of November 2025, Wisconsin is home to 46 data centers, and that number is only growing. Is there a data center in your community? Check out the list below:

Milwaukee area (20 data centers)

Data Holdings Milwaukee: 3135 W. Highland Ave., Milwaukee, Wisconsin

TierPoint Milwaukee: 3701 W. Burnham St., Milwaukee, Wisconsin

1547 Critical Systems Realty: 324 E. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, Wisconsin

TSR Solutions: 324 E. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, Wisconsin

New Era Technology-Milwaukee: 10400 W. Innovation Drive, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Aventus Lakes: 7901 W. Clinton Ave., Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Cogent Data Center-Milwaukee 1 : 324 E. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Cogent Data Center-Milwaukee 2 : 2915 S 5th Court, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Netwurx Milwaukee: 324 E. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Vaultas Milwaukee: 3135 W. Highland Blvd., Milwaukee, Wisconsin

ISCorp North MQN: 10325 N. Port Washington Road, Mequon, Wisconsin

ISCorp South MQN: 10235 N. Port Washington Road, Mequon, Wisconsin

CyberLynk Network Inc. : 10125 S. 52nd St., Franklin, Wisconsin

Expedient Franklin: 4777 Ironwood Drive, Franklin, Wisconsin

Windstream Brookfield: 13935 Bishops Drive, Brookfield, Wisconsin

Lumen Milwaukee: 3235 Intertech Drive, Brookfield, Wisconsin

Veolina Data Center: 8450 W. Forest Home Ave., Greenfield, Wisconsin

Cloverleaf Ozaukee County: Lake Drive/Dixie Drive, Port Washington, Wisconsin

Airiam Hartland: 1040 Cottonwood Ave., Hartland, Wisconsin

Mircosoft: Caldonia, Wisconsin*

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*Microsoft abandoned its plans to have 244 acres of farm land rezoned for a data center after pushback from residents and local officials. However, it is possible Microsoft will still build a Caledonia data center at a new location in the village or somewhere else in the county.

More: Inside the opposition that led Microsoft to change course on its Caledonia data center plan

Madison area (11 data centers)

US Signal Madison WI01: 222 W. Washington Ave., Madison, Wisconsin

US Signal Madison WI02: 5515 Nobel Drive, Madison, Wisconsin

EdgeConneX Madison: 4916 E. Broadway, Madison, Wisconsin

Dane County Data Exchange 1: 4916 E. Broadway, Madison, Wisconsin

Dane County Data Exchange 2: 3351 Dairy Drive, Madison, Wisconsin

5NINES Data Center : 222 W. Washington Ave., Madison, Wisconsin

SupraNet Madison: 8000 Excelsior Drive, Madison, Wisconsin

HC Colo #1: 612 W. Main St., Madison, Wisconsin

Lumen Madison: 612 W. Main St., Madison, Wisconsin

Meta: N8853 County Road A, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

QTS Wisconsin: Dane County, Wisconsin

Kenosha-Racine area (5 data centers)

OFFSITE: 3618 7th Ave., Kenosha, Wisconsin

ExcalTech Kenosha: 3618 8th Ave., Kenosha, Wisconsin

Microsoft: 12123-12827 Louis Sorenson Road, Sturtevant, Wisconsin

Microsoft: 12734 Louis Sorenson Road, Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin

Microsoft: County Rd KR and 90th St, Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin

Fox River Valley (5 data centers)

Ark Data Centers Green Bay: Fire Lane 11, Harrison, Wisconsin

WIN-Green Bay Data Center: 417 Pine St., Green Bay, Wisconsin

Netsonic Wisconsin Data Center: 1263 Main St., Green Bay, Wisconsin

HBS Little Chute: 1700 Stephen St., Little Chute, Wisconsin

New Era Technology-Appleton: 2201 E. Enterprise Ave., Appleton, Wisconsin

Central Wisconsin (3 data centers)

Wildcard One Data Center: Indianhead Drive, Mosinee, Wisconsin

Aventus 715: 901 Commerce Drive, Marshfield, Wisconsin

CyberOne Data: 141 Market Ave., Port Edwards, Wisconsin

Chippewa Valley (2 data centers)

WIN-Eau Claire Data Center: 800 Wisconsin St., Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Balloonist LLC (unknown company): County Road B, Menomonie, Wisconsin

Francesca Pica, Caitlin Looby, Ricardo Torres and Claudia Levens of the Journal Sentinel contributed to this report.

Anna Kleiber can be reached at akleiber@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Are there laws regulating data centers in Wisconsin? What to know
An INEOS euro bond has dropped almost 10% over the past month, according to data from the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, adding financial pressure to one of Europes largest chemicals producers and sharpening the stakes around the ten anti-dumping cases it has recently launched with Brussels.

The companys 5.625% 2025-2030 bond, which traded at 95.14 on 13 October, was quoted around 85.4 on Thursday. Weekly trading data shows the bond sliding to a low of about 84.9 earlier this week before stabilising on Wednesday and Thursday.

INEOS  controlled by billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe  said on Monday that it had filed or was in the process of filing ten anti-dumping cases with the European Commission, an unusually large wave of complaints for a single company.

The products span PVC, ABS, polyethylene glycols, MEG and polyolefins, all of which are widely used in Europes automotive, construction, packaging and pharmaceutical industries.

INEOS argued that Europe is being flooded with low-cost imports from Asia, the Middle East and the United States, warning that these high-emission products are undercutting domestic producers who face significantly higher energy and carbon costs.

The company has accused foreign suppliers of dumping into the EU market and argues that the trend is accelerating plant closures.

INEOS has also begun closing European plants, announcing in October the shutdown of two units in Rheinberg, Germany with 175 job losses and confirming closures at or mothballing sites in the UK, Belgium, France and Spain.

Related

It comes at a time when INEOS is already facing tougher market conditions, including subdued demand and higher energy and carbon costs.

Fitch Ratings downgraded INEOS to BB- on 15 September, citing a weak chemical market and high capex for the companys 4 billion Project One in Antwerp, expected to be one of the largest plastics facilities in Europe once built.

The company reported net debt of around 11.3 billion at the end of September, according to its latest trading statement, alongside 2.6 billion in cash and a leverage ratio of 5.7x.

The company said at the time that it had implemented cost controls and was reviewing capital spending in response to challenging market conditions, noting that global sentiment in chemicals remains affected by tariff uncertainty in key markets, while European producers continue to face high energy costs and carbon taxes.

A wider downturn is also weighing on producers. Europes chemical industry has been hit by high production costs, cheaper feedstocks in the US and Middle East, and a rapid build-up of new capacity in China, prompting plant closures and falling utilisation rates across the region.




WATERBURY - Officers are investigating after a dog was found tied to a sign in Waterbury while actively in labor, according to the Police Department.

Waterbury Animal Control officers were called to the 100 block of Cherry Street Sunday and took custody of the dog, a pit bull, the department said in a Facebook post Wednesday.

The pit bull now is in the care of BARC Animal Rescue, where she is receiving medical attention and support, police said.

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BARC Animal Rescue said the dog was tied to the pole during rainy and cold weather, and the puppies did not survive.

"It appears she's been in labor for days," the rescue said Monday. "She's exhausted, dehydrated, and her body is shutting down."

The pit bull, named Cassie by the rescue, underwent emergency surgery and is recovering, according to the rescue.

"Cassie had a very successful surgery," BARC said Tuesday. "There's truly light back in her eyes and we can tell she's saying THANK YOU to all of you incredible, compassionate angels who donated to her surgery."

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Anyone with information about this dog, or who may know the owner, is asked to contact the Waterbury Police Department's Detective Bureau at 203-574-6941. Anonymous tips may be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 203-755-1234.

This article originally published at Dog found tied to pole in Waterbury while in labor loses puppies, rescue says.
By Will Dunham

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Dogs today come in a mind-blowing array of shapes and sizes, from the diminutive pug, Pekingese and Pomeranian to the grand Irish Wolfhound, Great Dane and Saint Bernard. But when did this diversity in canine forms begin? New research shows it dates back many millennia, long before modern breeding practices.

Scientists examined the sizes and shapes of 643 skulls of domesticated dogs and their wolf ancestors dating back roughly 50,000 years, identifying the emergence of canine physical diversity beginning at least 11,000 years ago, around the time the last Ice Age ended.

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The findings contradict the notion that such diversity was mainly a relatively new phenomenon driven by selective breeding in recent centuries.

"Traditionally, major morphological diversification - especially extreme size and shape differences - was thought to have occurred only in the past few centuries, following the emergence of formal dog breeds in the 18th to 19th centuries," said bioarchaeologist Allowen Evin of the University of Montpellier and the French research agency CNRS, co-lead author of the research published on Thursday in the journal Science.

"Our study shows instead that substantial cranial diversification was already well established during prehistory," Evin said.

The research showed that significant variation in cranial size and shape among domesticated dogs appeared soon after the canine divergence from their wolf ancestors.

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The researchers based their findings on three-dimensional analyses of models of the skulls of 158 modern dogs, 86 modern wolves, 281 ancient dogs and 118 ancient wolves. They identified "recognizably domestic dog morphologies" by about 11,000 years ago in the form of three canine skulls from an archaeological site at the Russian village of Veretye.

"During domestication, dog skulls became proportionally shorter and wider compared with those of wolves," bioarchaeologist and study co-lead author Carly Ameen of the University of Exeter in England said.

"Although we do not observe the extreme morphologies seen in modern breeds, dogs from the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods already represented about half of the cranial diversity present in modern dogs," Ameen said, referring to the time periods known as the Middle Stone Age and the New Stone Age. "These animals lived across Eurasia, reflecting early regional diversification associated with distinct ecological and cultural contexts."

The dog, descended from an ancient wolf population separate from modern wolves, was the first animal domesticated by people, with animals such as goats, sheep, cattle and cats coming later.

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"The concept of 'breed' is very recent and does not apply to the archaeological record. Because we only analyzed skull morphology - and lack information on coat color, body size or behavior - we cannot identify specific breeds. However, we did not observe extreme cranial morphologies such as those of bulldogs, pugs or bull terriers," Ameen said.

The timing and location of the domestication of dogs remain a matter of debate. But there is no debate about how important dogs have been to people for millennia. Dogs have been, as Evin put it, "multifunctional partners."

"Beyond their utilitarian roles, dogs have held deep symbolic and social significance as companions, mediators and markers of identity. The archaeological record reflects both practical and symbolic entanglement, showing dogs fully integrated into human societies" for millennia, Evin said.

"Over millennia, humans selected dogs for diverse functional roles - hunting, herding, guarding and sledging - resulting in substantial morphological variation. In more recent centuries, aesthetic and status-driven preferences, along with the rise of kennel clubs, intensified and formalized these differences into distinct breeds," Evin said.

(Reporting by Will Dunham; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
The Trump administration is attempting to block Californias new congressional map that was approved by voters last week, which would create five additional House districts favoring Democrats.

The Justice Department sought to intervene in a lawsuit on Thursday originally filed by the California Republican Party, which looks to prohibit the state from implementing new maps. Gov. Gavin Newsom and other California Democrats campaigned for the new map in response to President Donald Trumps push to draw new maps in Texas and other states to create more Republican-leaning districts.

Attorney General Pam Bondi accused Newsom of executing a brazen power grab and argued the maps violate civil rights laws.

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"Californias redistricting scheme is a brazen power grab that tramples on civil rights and mocks the democratic process," Bondi said in a statement. "Governor Newsoms attempt to entrench one-party rule and silence millions of Californians will not stand."

Federal courts are prohibited from policing partisan gerrymandering following a sweeping 2019 Supreme Court ruling.

Instead, Justice officials argue the map violates the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause and the Voting Rights Act by factoring in racial demographics when drawing new districts. The lawsuit cites public comments from Paul Mitchell, the redistricting expert who helped draw new maps, to argue that California Democrats factored in the distribution of Latino voters in each district to comply with the Voting Rights Act, which protects minority political representation.

Race cannot be used as a proxy to advance political interests, but that is precisely what the California General Assembly did with Proposition 50, DOJ lawyers wrote.

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The question of whether the Voting Rights Act clashes with the Constitution sits at the heart of the conservative legal argument that was presented to the Supreme Court as part of the Louisiana vs. Callais case argued last month. Some of the conservative justices in the Courts majority suggested the use of race-conscious parameters for drawing district lines is unconstitutional.

Newsom spokesperson Brandon Richards expressed confidence the new maps would survive DOJs court challenge.

These losers lost at the ballot box and soon they will also lose in court, Richards said.

The Department of Justices entrance into the matter sharply escalates the challenge, first filed by the California GOP the day after the election, and represents the latest front in a nationwide redistricting war.

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Trump successfully pushed Texas to redraw its maps to create five GOP-leaning districts, and Republicans in Missouri, Ohio and North Carolina followed suit with new maps of their own. The Trump administration spurred the Texas redistricting into motion by suggesting Texas maps were unconstitutional, an assertion that many election law experts at the time dismissed as flimsy.

In response to Trumps push in Texas, Newsom and Democrats in California overrode their states independent redistricting commission and proposed a ballot measure for new congressional maps that would create five new Democratic-leaning districts. Voters approved the new maps by an overwhelming margin last week.

Democrats in Virginia are moving to join California in drawing new maps ahead of the midterms, while Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has launched a commission to push for redistricting in his state.

In her announcement, Bondi said Harmeet Dhillon, the assistant attorney general and head of the DOJs Civil Rights Division, has recused herself from the case. Dhillon was previously the vice chair of the California Republican Party.
Doritos and Cheetos are getting a makeover.

PepsiCo said Thursday its launching toned-down versions of its bright orange snacks that won't have any artificial colors or flavors. Doritos and Cheetos Simply NKD will hit store shelves on Dec. 1.

Its part of a broader shift underway at PepsiCo, which announced in April that it would accelerate a planned transition to using natural colors in its foods and beverages. Around 40% of its U.S. products now contain synthetic dyes, according to the company.

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Dye-free doesnt mean Doritos and Cheetos Simply NKD will be colorless. Instead, theyre just a lighter color, like a tortilla chip.

Many other big food companies, including Kraft Heinz and General Mills, have made similar pledges. They're feeling pressure from federal regulators and U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who are urging companies to eliminate synthetic food dyes by next year.

States have also been taking action. Texas recently passed a law requiring warning labels for foods that contain artificial ingredients. Other states are moving to ban or restrict synthetic dyes.

PepsiCo has sold Simply brand Doritos and Cheetos without artificial dyes since 2002. But those products arent designed to taste like the original chips.

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The Simply NKD versions are supposed to taste like the originals. But unlike the originals, they dont contain petroleum-based dyes. They also have shorter ingredient lists.

For example, Simply NKD Doritos and Simply NKD Cheetos dont contain the flavor-enhancing additives disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate, which are found in the original versions.

Were turning expectations upside down  removing artificial colors, not the flavor  and proving that unforgettable taste can be colorless, said Rachel Ferdinando, the CEO of PepsiCo Foods U.S., in a statement.

PepsiCo said the Simply NKD line will include flavors like Cool Ranch Doritos and Flamin' Hot Cheetos. The chips will cost the same as original varieties.

The company said original Doritos and Cheetos will also remain on the market.
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -A Dutch government delegation will travel to China "early next week" to seek a solution in the spat over chipmaker Nexperia, Dutch Economy Minister Vincent Karremans said on Thursday.

"A senior official delegation from my ministry will travel to Beijing to continue our efforts to find a mutually agreeable solution," Karremans said in a statement.

Karremans said he welcomed moves by China to loosen rules around the export of Nexperia's chips but he is still monitoring the situation to "ascertain if and when trade from Nexperia's facilities in China is fully resumed."

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A geopolitical and corporate fight broke out in late September over Chinese-owned, Netherlands-based Nexperia, which makes billions of chips for cars and other electronics.

After the Netherlands seized control of the Dutch company due to concerns about technology transfers to its Chinese parent Wingtech, China imposed export controls on the company's China-made products, threatening automotive industry supply lines.

As of now, the Netherlands' government is wielding a veto over strategic decisions at the company. Beijing has urged Dutch allies to put pressure on The Hague to make concessions.

Separately, a Dutch court suspended the company's former CEO and Wingtech founder over alleged mismanagement.

(Reporting by Bart Meijer and Toby Sterling; Editing by Jan Harvey and Aidan Lewis)
Hannah Pingree, a Democrat running for governor of Maine in 2026, speaks at the No Kings rally in Portland, Maine on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Jim Neuger/ Maine Morning Star)

Gubernatorial candidate Hannah Pingree on Thursday released her plan for improving Maines housing crisis.

Pingree released her five-point plan to bolster affordable housing in the state at a press conference at a recently redeveloped senior housing complex in Portland. Throughout her campaign, the Democrat has said housing should be a top priority for the next governor and organized a statewide tour with roundtable discussions and town hall meetings centered around the issue.

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Im running for governor with a bold plan to build more homes, make housing attainable, and ensure families, workers and seniors can stay in the communities they love, Pingree said. Housing is a fight worth taking on and Im ready to get it done.

As the former head of the states Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, Pingree oversaw the creation of two reports that detailed the state of housing in Maine. The 2023 Housing Production Needs Summary showed Maine is short about 84,000 homes, while the 2025 Housing Production Roadmap outlined steps Maine lawmakers could take to start tackling the problem.

Pingree said if elected she would invest $100 million a year to finance new construction and preserve existing homes in the state. This would include the expansion of programs to support first-time homebuyers and middle-income housing.

Under the plan, the state would also limit the homes being sold to out-of-state investors and corporate landlords. It also includes working with Maines Attorney Generals office to strengthen fair housing protections and go after predatory companies that fail to meet health and safety standards and exploit tenants.

Building more homes faster

In order to expedite the construction of new homes, Pingree recommends streamlining the permitting and approval processes. In addition to simplifying applications, she said she would set a 90-day permit processing time limit for most new projects.

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The plan also highlights the need to develop the workforce to build this new housing stock.

Pingree said she would commit to permanently funding Maines free community college system to facilitate that pathway into construction trades. The system is currently in limbo as the scholarship program was only funded enough in the biennium budget to provide free school through the graduating class of 2025, though legislators have said they intend to revisit that next session.

In addition, Pingree calls for investments to support 1,000 pre-apprenticeships with companies and unions.

Hannah understands housing policy at a depth few others do, said Kevin Bunker, founder of Developers Collaborative, a real estate group focused on affordable housing and smart growth, in a statement provided by the campaign. Shes preserved affordable units, pushed zoning reforms, and advanced investments that will shape Maines housing market for decades.

Reducing homelessness

Another plank of Pingrees housing plan is focused on addressing homelessness, and the candidate pledged to end veteran homelessness in her first year in office, if elected. While her plan didnt outline details for that promise, it does call for expanding support for school and family housing programs to address student homelessness.

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The plan also recommends the implementation of regional homelessness hubs that partner with municipal governments to meet the individual needs of each county of the state.

Hannah Pingree gets it. Shes out there talking to the people building homes and the families trying to afford them, said Rep. Traci Gere (D-Kennebunkport), who is chair of Legislatures Housing and Economic Development Committee. She knows this crisis wont be solved from the top down  itll be solved by Mainers working together, and shes leading that charge.

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As winter tightens its grip, demand for heating is surging across the continent. But the cost of keeping homes warm remains far from uniform.

Russias invasion of Ukraine continues to cast a long shadow over European energy markets, while differences in national policies, energy mixes and tariff systems have widened the gap between the cheapest and most expensive countries.

Electricity is cheapest in Turkey, priciest in Germany

In the first half of 2025, electricity prices for households ranged from 6.2 per 100 kWh in Turkey to 38.4 in Germany, Eurostat figures show. The average for the 38 European countries, including EU members, candidate nations and EFTA states, stood at 28.7.

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Western Europe recorded the highest nominal prices, with Belgium (35.7) and Denmark (34.9) close behind Germany. Prices also exceeded 30 in Italy, Ireland and Czechia.

By contrast, most Eastern European and EU candidate countries reported far lower rates.

Electricity cost under 10 per 100 kWh in Turkey, Georgia, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro.

Among EU members, Hungary (10.4) had the lowest electricity price, while Spain (26.1) and France (26.6) remained below the EU average.

Experts at consultancy VaasaETT said the differences reflect factors such as national energy mixes, supplier strategies, cross-subsidies and tariff structures.

Experts from VaasaETT explained that differences in nominal residential electricity prices come from several market-specific factors. These include variations in energy generation mix, supplier procurement and pricing strategies, cross-subsidisation, and tariff structures.

Purchasing power narrows price gaps

When adjusted for purchasing power standards (PPS)a measure that accounts for local incomes and costs of livingthe gap between countries becomes smaller.

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A euro doesnt stretch equally across Europe: 1,000 might cover a months rent in Germany but two or three in Bulgaria. So while incomes may seem lower in euros, adjusting for what money can actually buy narrows the gap.

In terms of electricity and gas prices, it ranges from 12.8 PPS in Iceland to 39.2 PPS in Czechia, followed by Poland (35 PPS). Italy and Germany also ranked among the top five, each exceeding 34 PPS.

At the lower end were Malta (13.7 PPS), Turkey (14 PPS) and Hungary (15 PPS). Nordic countries, particularly Norway (16 PPS) and Finland (18.7 PPS), enjoy cheaper adjusted electricity, with Sweden also below the EU average of 28.6 PPS.

Electricity prices stayed relatively stable in many countries, with changes of less than 10% between the first halves of 2024 and 2025. However, some nations saw significant shifts in national currencies. Moldova and Turkey stood out with increases of more than 50%.

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Within the EU, Luxembourg and Ireland recorded notable rises of over 25%. On the other hand, Slovenia, Finland and Cyprus saw the largest declines, each exceeding 9% in absolute terms.

Gas prices: Sweden highest, Georgia lowest

Household natural gas prices varied widely across Europe in the first half of 2025. Sweden recorded the highest price at 21.30 per 100 kWh, followed by the Netherlands (16.2) and Denmark (13.1). The EU average was 11.4.

In contrast, Hungary (3.07), Croatia (4.61), and Romania (5.59) had the lowest prices in the EU.

Including other countries with available data, Georgia had the cheapest natural gas at just 1.7, followed by Turkey (2.1).

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Among the EUs largest economies, France (13) was the most expensive, followed by Italy (12.4) and Germany (12.2). Spain (8.6) remained the cheapest of the four.

Different procurement and pricing strategies, the storage levels, temperature and weather conditions, the interconnection with other markets, cross-subsidisation and the tariff mix play significant roles in the gas price disparities according to VaasaETT experts.

PPS-adjusted gas prices tell a different story

When adjusted for purchasing power, Sweden still topped the chart at 17.6 PPS, while Hungary had the lowest rate at 4.4 PPS within the EU.

North Macedonia stood out as an exception, with 24.1 PPS, despite a relatively modest nominal price of 12.2.

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Year-on-year household gas prices in the first half of 2025 increased the most, in national currencies, in Turkey (28.2%), North Macedonia (26%), Estonia (23.9%), Bulgaria (23.6%), and Sweden (20.9%).

Prices fell remarkably in several countries, with Slovenia (12.7%), Austria (11.5%), and Czechia (10.9%) recording declines of more than 10% in absolute terms.
At 9 p.m. on May 30th, 2022, just as a Memorial Day barbecue on Roxburys Beauford Lane was winding down, violence erupted.

This call went into Boston 911:

My cousin just got into it with a random guy that showed up. And now my cousin just passed out in the street. Hes bleeding!

39-year-old Earnest Sims was rushed to the hospital with serious stab wounds. He did not survive.

Earnest Sims mother, Stephanie, remembers seeing her lifeless son in the hospital. They took us in the room, and my son was laying there. He was gone, Stephanie Sims said. I didnt even let him know I was (there). Mommys here with you. I love you. You know, fight. I couldnt say none of that. He was gone when I got there.

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There is a murder warrant out for Anthony Chester. At the time of Earnests death, Chester was 31 years old.

Earnests parents tell me their son and Anthony Chester did not know each other. They say Earnest lost his life over a scooter that was parked in front of his grandmothers house.

They tell me Earnest approached a stranger they believe was trying to steal a scooter belonging to a family friend at the barbecue party.

Ernest probably stepped in and asked him to leave. The bike is not yours, just leave, man. You know, dont come over here disrespecting my grandmothers house, leave. And from there, I dont know, Stephanie Sims said.

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Hes dead for what? A scooter? Hes dead for nothing, said Earnest Atchison, Earnests father.

Earnest Atchison believes his son was killed simply for standing up to protect the scooter. He says he wishes his son never got involved.

Your good intentions is in the heart, but you gotta be very careful. These streets are dangerous. Theres a lot of people out here, they just dont care, Atchison said.

Neighborhood surveillance cameras captured some of the deadly struggle. Eventually, Boston Police narrowed their search for a suspect on Anthony Chester.

More than three years later, somewhere, Anthony Chester is still on the streets.

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Earnests family wants someone held accountable. The worlds going on, but (theres) no justice for my son, Earnest Atchison said.

Earnest Sims is remembered as a quiet, hardworking guy who never bothered anyone.

He leaves behind a daughter and grieving parents. After three years, they want Anthony Chester in custody.

The more you run, the more you hide, its going to make it worse on you. I want justice for my son, because he didnt have to take my son from me, Stephanie Sims said.

Was it really worth killing somebody over a scooter? Was it really worth it? Now hes warning for murder, Earnest Atchison said.

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If you have information on the murder of Earnest Sims or know where to find Anthony Chester, reach out to Boston Police Crime Stoppers at 1-800-494-TIPS. (1-800-494-8477)

Or Text TIP to CRIME (27463) on your mobile device.

You can remain anonymous.

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.

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Emails sent by accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein mentioning President Donald Trump are putting their relationship back into the spotlight.

House Democrats released emails Wednesday from Epstein saying Trump "spent hours at my house" with one of Epstein's victims and allegedly "knew about the girls." Democrats said the emails raise questions about what Trump knew about Epstein.

"These two were very close, so the question is what did Trump know and when did he know it?" Rep. Greg Landsman, D-Ohio, said on CNN.

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The White House called the email release a "smear," and Trump said on social media that Democrats are trying to "deflect" from other issues.

More: 'I am the one able to take him down.' What Jeffrey Epstein said about Donald Trump.

Trump warned Republicans not to vote for a bill requiring the full release of the government's records on Epstein, saying Only a very bad, or stupid, Republican would fall into that trap.

Lawmakers seeking to force a vote on the full release of the Epstein records garnered the final signature they needed on Nov. 12 when the House swore in Arizona lawmaker, Democrat Adelita Grijalva. House Speaker Mike Johnson said the House will vote on the measure next week.

Epstein mentions Trump in email sent Thanksgiving Day 2017. Here's what it says.

Epstein mentioned Trump in an email exchange about his plans for Thanksgiving in 2017, according to documents released by members of the House Oversight Committee.

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In an email exchange on Nov. 23, 2017, Faith Kates, the founder of NEXT Model Management, asked the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender where he was spending Thanksgiving.

Epstein replied, "eva," possibly a reference to his former girlfriend Eva Andersson-Dubin. Kates said that means "glenn" must be there, a likely reference to Glenn Dubin, Andersson-Dubins husband.

Kates then asked, "who else is down there?"

"David fizel. hanson. trump," Epstein replied.

 Christopher Cann

$10K in baby food? The bet Epstein said he lost to Trump

Epstein said years ago that he sent $10,000 in baby food to Trump after losing a bet about the pregnancy of the current president's ex-wife.

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"When we bet that Marla Maples was pregnant, I lost and sent him 10,000 dollars of baby food," Epstein wrote in an email on Dec. 8, 2015, to a reporter.

Maples, the president's second wife, is the mother of Tiffany Trump, who was born in 1993.

 Zachary Schermele

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) speaks during a news conference with alleged victims of disgraced financier and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein outside the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 3, 2025 in Washington, DC. Anouska De Georgiou, a Jeffrey Epstein survivor, speaks during a press conference along with House members and other victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, DC, on Sept. 3, 2025. Marina Lacerda, a Jeffrey Epstein accuser, speaks during a press conference along with House members and other victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, DC, on Sept. 3, 2025. Anouska De Georgiou, left, embraces Chauntae Davies during a news conference about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein outside the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 3, 2025, in Washington, DC. Protestors gather outside the U.S. Capitol as House members hold a press conference along with victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, D.C., on September 3, 2025. Survivors Danielle Bensky, left, and Anouska De Georgiou, hug one another during a press conference along with House members and other victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, D.C., on September 3, 2025. Lisa Phillips speaks during a news conference with fellow alleged victims of the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on Sept. 3, 2025, in Washington, DC. Haley Robson, a Jeffery Epstein survivor, wipes tears from her eyes during a press conference along with House members and other victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, D.C., on September 3, 2025. People demostrate during the Stand with Survivors Rally in support of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell's victims, in Washington, DC on September 3, 2025. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) speaks as House members hold a press conference along with victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, D.C., on September 3, 2025. The bipartisan group is calling for the release of the Justice Department files surrounding the case. Protestors gather outside the U.S. Capitol as House members hold a press conference along with victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, D.C., on September 3, 2025. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) speaks as House members hold a press conference along with victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, D.C., on September 3, 2025. The bipartisan group is calling for the release of the Justice Department files surrounding the case. Demonstrators carry a sign in support of the victims of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell near a press conference held by US representatives outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC on September 3, 2025. People attend a press conference and rally in support of the victims of sex offender Jeffrey Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC on September 3, 2025. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia, talks with Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Kentucky, and Rep. Ro Khanna, D-California, at their news conference along with victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, DC, on Sept. 3, 2025. Attorney Gloria Allred speaks during a rally in support of the victims of disgraced financier and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein outside the U.S. Capitol on September 3, 2025 in Washington, DC. Alleged victims of Epstein and other victims of sexual abuse are holding the rally amid a bipartisan Congressional effort to force the federal government to release all unclassified records from the cases of Epstein and his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. Attendees listen to speakers during a rally to support victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, D.C., on September 3, 2025. Survivor Liz Stein speaks during a rally to support victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, D.C., on September 3, 2025. Attorney Sigrid McCawley speaks during a rally to support victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, D.C., on September 3, 2025. People attend a rally to support victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, D.C., on September 3, 2025. Demonstrators rally during a news conference with alleged victims of disgraced financier and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein outside the U.S. Capitol on September 3, 2025 in Washington, DC. Demonstrators rally during a news conference with alleged victims of disgraced financier and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein outside the U.S. Capitol on September 03, 2025 in Washington, DC. Victims of Jeffrey Epstein rally at Capitol Hill to demand release of files 1 of 22 Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) speaks during a news conference with alleged victims of disgraced financier and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein outside the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 3, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Epstein claimed he helped Russians gain insight into Trump

Shortly before Trump met Vladimir Putin at their 2018 summit in Helsinki, Epstein offered to help Putin better understand Trump  and claimed hed been doing it for years.

"I think you might suggest to putin, that Lavrov, can get insight on talking to me," Epstein wrote in a typo-riddled June 24, 2018 email to Thorbjorn Jagland, who was Secretary General of the Council of Europe. vitaly churkin used to . but he died. ? !

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Sergei Lavrov was at the time  and still is  Russia's long-serving foreign minister and a close Putin confidant. Churkin was a top Russian diplomat and Moscows United Nations ambassador before dying under questionable circumstances in February 2017.

In the exchange, Epstein also told Jagland that Churkin was great. he understood trump after our conversations. it is not complex. he must be seen to get something its that simple."

Ill meet Lavrovs assistant on Monday and will suggest, Jagland, the former prime minister of Norway, replied. Thank you fo (sic) a lovely evening.

The email exchange was one of many hundreds released Wednesday by the House Oversight Committee. During some of Epsteins talks with the Russians, Trump himself was under FBI investigation as part of its probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election to help Trump get elected.

Epstein said Trump was 'dangerous' and didnt have 'one decent cell in his body'

Epstein trashed his former friend Trump in a 2017 email, saying he was "dangerous" and that he didnt have "one decent cell in his body."

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In a Feb. 8, 2017 email exchange, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers told Epstein that, "Its ok," in reference to Trump, who had just been sworn in as President for his first term in office. "He didnt wreck world and avoided scandal."

Epstein, in a shorthand and typo-ridden response, said, "recall ive told you ..  I have met some very bad people ,, none as bad as trump. not one decent cell in his body.. so yes-dangerous."

A protester holds a sign related to the release of the Jeffrey Epstein case files outside of the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 12, 2025.

Grijalva signs Epstein discharge petition after being sworn into Congress

Immediately after being sworn in to her seat, Grijalva signed a discharge petition to force a vote on a House bill demanding the Justice Department fully release the Epstein files.

Grijalvas swearing-in gave the House the necessary 218 votes to pass the Epstein discharge petition.

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After delivering brief remarks, the new congresswoman signed the petition on the House floor.

President Donald Trump speaks inside the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., November 12, 2025.

"Its past time for Congress to restore its role as a check and balance on this administration," Grijalva said. "That is why I will sign the discharge petition right now to release the Epstein files."

Grijalva, whose swearing-in had been held up by Republican leadership for weeks, was elected in September to replace her father, Raul Grijalva, who died in March.

'No deflections': Trump demands GOP stay out of Epstein docs fight

Trump urged Republicans in Congress to keep out of Democrats push to release all the Epstein documents after Wednesdays release of three Epstein emails that mentioned the presidents name.

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There should be no deflections to Epstein or anything else, and any Republicans involved should be focused only on opening up our Country, and fixing the massive damage caused by the Democrats! Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

In his post, Trump accused House Democrats of releasing the emails  one in which Epstein says Trump "knew about the girls"  because Democrats lost the fight over the government shutdown.

A newly released email from disgraced late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, referencing U.S. President Donald Trump, is seen in this handout image released by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee in Washington, D.C., on November 12, 2025.

"The Democrats are trying to bring up the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax again because theyll do anything at all to deflect on how badly theyve done on the Shutdown, and so many other subjects, Trump said. Only a very bad, or stupid, Republican would fall into that trap."

Four House Republicans have joined all House Democrats in signing a discharge petition to force a vote on a bill demanding the Justice Department release all documents in the Epstein investigation. The four GOP lawmakers are Reps. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Nancy Mace of South Carolina, and Thomas Massie of Kentucky.

White House: No Trump pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump is not weighing a pardon for Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year prison term for conspiring to abuse minors.

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"Its not something hes talking about or even thinking about," Leavitt said.

House Oversight Dems say more Epstein docs are coming

House Democrats said they will be releasing more Epstein documents after the bombshell release of an email in which the disgraced financier and accused sex trafficker alleged that Trump "spent hours at my house" with one of his victims.

"We want to know why Donald Trump spent the entire campaign saying he would release the files and now that he's in the White House, there's a massive cover-up going on," Rep. Robert Garcia of California, the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said on MSNBC. "The survivors deserve the truth."

An initial tranche of Epstein emails, released earlier on Nov. 12, mentions Trump multiple times.

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Committee Republicans later in the day released 20,000 or more documents that they said were from the same files from Epsteins estate, but they didnt highlight anything in particular.

"These emails prove absolutely nothing other than the fact that President Trump did nothing wrong," Leavitt told reporters.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New Epstein emails mentioning Trump rock records debate
Jeffrey Epstein is back in the news  and it couldnt have come at a worse time for the president.

Following a brutal week for President Donald Trump during which his party took a beating at the polls, the Supreme Court seemed skeptical of his beloved tariffs and Republicans continued to feud over accusations of antisemitism, the White House had hoped to take a victory lap on ending the 43-day government shutdown.

But on Wednesday, House Democrats released documents revealing that, in the words of the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Trump knew about the girls the late convicted sex offender was trafficking, the latest blow to a White House already reeling from a series of setbacks in recent days.

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One Trump ally said that the latest Epstein discourse has taken things that are already complicated for the president and brings them to the surface.

Its like adding salt to a dish  the flavors are already there, it just accentuates all of them, said the person, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly about a sensitive issue.

The fresh wave of chaos has knocked the administration on its heels. The president lashed out at Republicans on social media, some House Republicans are under pressure to withdraw from the effort to bring the matter to the floor and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt blamed the media.

This is another distraction campaign by the Democrats and the liberal media, and its why I'm being asked questions about Epstein instead of the government reopening because of Republicans and President Trump, Leavitt said during a Wednesday press briefing.

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Privately, White House aides push back on the idea that this is a particularly bad moment for them or that they have suffered a string of defeats. They never expected to win last weeks elections and that its too early to judge the outcome of the tariff case, with justices lobbing tough questions at both sides, said a senior White House official. And theyre characterizing the latest Epstein document release as nothing more than annoying.

I definitely would not say its been brutal, said the senior White House official, granted anonymity to discuss internal thinking. We are used to waking up every day and not knowing what that day will bring. Thats the nature of working in this job, and nobody tackles these things better than President Trump  We worked for a president who was indicted and almost killed, so almost nothing surprises anybody around here anymore.

But the latest revelations stand to further fracture a party that already splintered once this year over the so-called Epstein files  during a much less politically fraught moment.

Trump has denied wrongdoing in relation to the Epstein allegations, and no evidence has suggested that Trump took part in Epsteins trafficking operation. The president also has maintained that he and Epstein had a falling out years ago.

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The president, in a post on Truth Social, warned Republicans who are working with Democrats to force a House vote on releasing the Epstein files. A vote on the measure is expected to come to the floor the first week of December, if things go as expected.

The Democrats are trying to bring up the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax again because theyll do anything at all to deflect on how badly theyve done on the Shutdown, and so many other subjects. Only a very bad, or stupid, Republican would fall into that trap, Trump wrote. There should be no deflections to Epstein or anything else, and any Republicans involved should be focused only on opening up our Country, and fixing the massive damage caused by the Democrats!

But Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), the co-sponsor of the bill with Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), told reporters Wednesday he believed 40 to 50" Republicans would join Democrats in supporting the bill in the House.

The turmoil echoes the morass the White House found itself in during the summer when high-profile MAGA figures including Steve Bannon, Tucker Carlson and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) fueled a conflagration the White House spent weeks trying to put out after the Justice Department released a memo saying that no files from the Epstein investigation would be made public.

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But now, the president is grappling with an economic and foreign policy agenda that stands to be entirely upended. He is confronted with a public that does not believe he has improved their financial situations, the issue on which many of them voted to elect him. And his party is deeply divided over what to do with Carlsons podcast interview with Holocaust-denier Nick Fuentes  and the defense of it from the leader of the storied Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank.

Listen, this is the NFL. When youre the president of the United States, you take it as it comes, said David Urban, a former senior Trump adviser. There are global conflicts that show up on your plate. Theres tumult and controversy in America every day. It comes with the job.

The Epstein discourse has had little impact on Trumps poll numbers, and appears to remain a mostly niche conversation on the right while the broader electorate is concerned about more bread-and-butter issues like the cost of living. But amid a fracturing of the GOP coalition, some Trump allies fear people with ulterior motives are using the Epstein conversation for political gain.

On the right, has his approval rating gone down? I mean, there's been a bunch of this Epstein shit that's been happening. Has his general right-wing approval rating gone down? No. It's actually higher than it was when the Epstein stuff broke, the Trump ally said. So I think a lot of this is online chatter, and it's really being fostered by people who wish to undermine his power, and think they're doing so by talking about Epstein.

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But the four Republicans who have signed onto a petition to bring the matter to the House floor say what theyre pushing for is accountability. The measure, if passed by the Senate and signed by the president, would require the Justice Department to turn over nearly all of the information in its possession around Epstein and his co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell, who is now serving a 20-year prison sentence for her part in the sex trafficking scheme, within 30 days.

Im certain the House vote will succeed, Massie recently told POLITICO. Some Republican members who are not signers of the petition have told me they will vote for the measure when the vote is called. I suspect there will be many more.

Still, the White House is trying to prevent that from happening, waging a pressure campaign to get at least one of three House Republican women who have signed onto the petition to remove their name.

Far-right activist Laura Loomer in July warned that the Epstein scandal would consume Trumps presidency. In an interview Wednesday, she said shes been proven right.

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Not because its an actual scandal, she added. What I said, when I said that it was going to consume his presidency, is that the Democrats were not going to allow for President Trump to have a successful term.

I don't think that it's consuming his presidency because he's guilty, but I think that the Epstein files is the next Russia collusion hoax, she added.
This story was originally published on Packaging Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Packaging Dive newsletter.

Dive Brief:

International Paper announced Wednesday it plans to close five sites in Germany as part of its integration with DS Smith, the London-based packaging company it acquired in January for an estimated $7.2 billion. The manufacturing sites included are a conventional box plant, a display and offset site, and three sheet plants; another display site also will partially close.

IP expects roughly 500 roles to be affected by the closures, which it anticipates will occur by the end of 2026. IP is engaging with labor representatives, the news release says, and until that activity progresses it will not comment further about the scope of closures or potential impact on employees.

The closures are part of IPs transformational journey to become a stronger sustainable packaging solutions company via an optimization plan. It launched the streamlining stateside last year prior to the DS Smith acquisition and in Europe this year following the deal finalization.

Dive Insight:

International Paper has been closing various U.S.-based locations as part of the optimization plan that CEO Andy Silvernail launched last year shortly after he joined the company. IP cut approximately 3,600 employees between October 2024 and August of this year; the total included four recent closure announcements in Georgia.

In May, International Paper confirmed that it planned to close five U.K. packaging sites and by years end and implement changes at others, affecting approximately 300 roles. Silvernail has said throughout 2025 that a leading goal following the DS Smith deal is to implement the 80/20 plan and optimization efforts in the newly acquired international markets. During an investor event in September, he explained the aim to remove $500 million to $600 million of costs in Europe. During the companys third-quarter earnings call on Oct. 30, Silvernail confirmed that IP is going to move aggressively toward rightsizing Europe.

Europe, in total, from a cash flow basis, is using cash, he said on the call. So we do have to restructure that.

However, Silvernail explained during both events that streamlining takes more work in Europe than in the United States due to the regions regulations. European regulators require a consultation process to explore alternatives to closures, whereas the U.S. model allows companies to simply execute announced actions.
The European Union is disbursing almost 6 billion ($6.97 billion) in further financial aid to Ukraine, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Thursday.

The funding is in the form of a loan to be repaid with interest generated from frozen Russian state assets held in the EU, as well as funding from the so-called Ukraine Facility, she told lawmakers in the European Parliament.

"Today, [Russian President Vladimir] Putin still believes he can outlast us. He still thinks that, over time, Russia can achieve its aims on the battlefield," von der Leyen said, adding: "That is a clear miscalculation."

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Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, the EU and its member states have pledged almost 178 billion in support, according to the figures, ranging from military and financial assistance to aid for refugees.

The EU's Ukraine Facility alone is endowed with 50 billion, while about 18.1 billion is being provided to an initiative led by the G7 group of states. This also draws on interest generated from frozen Russian state assets held in the EU.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked von der Leyen "for her leadership and support of Ukraine" after the announcement.

"This is already making Russia pay for its aggression," he wrote in a post on X.

Disagreement over use of frozen Russian assets

Meanwhile, EU plans to use the frozen Russian assets themselves to provide Ukraine with further large-scale financial support of up to 140 billion are still snarled due to opposition from Belgium, in particular, where the funds are managed by the securities depository Euroclear.

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Efforts to resolve the issue were under way, von der Leyen said, outlining three options.

If no agreement was found involving the frozen Russian assets - the preferred option - alternatives were to use EU budget funding to raise money on capital markets, or else for member states to raise the necessary capital by themselves, she said.

"It is clear, we will deliver, and we will cover the financial needs of Ukraine for the next years. The discussion is now on the how," von der Leyen pledged.

Zelensky: Release of assets would be a major sanction

Zelensky insists that the use of frozen Russian assets would be decisive for the war.

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"If we can get these 140-160 billion, it will be a huge loss for Putin," he wrote on Telegram on Thursday.

The release of the Russian central bank funds would serve as a major sanction on Russia, the Ukrainian president explained. "This is an important tool for establishing peace."

"This is their money. And so it really destabilizes their system, their clique. That is why I believe it is very important," he added.

He said Ukraine would be able to use the money to purchase air defence systems and missiles. Kiev is expected to need hundreds of billions of euros in military and financial support for Ukraine over the next two years.

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In a separate post on X, Zelensky wrote: "We are very much counting on a swift political decision regarding the reparations loan and on the full use of these funds to defend Ukraine."

The Kremlin, on the other hand, has threatened Europe with consequences if it presses ahead with what Moscow considers to be the theft of its state assets. It has said it could seize foreign assets held in Russia in return.
The European Union is disbursing almost 6 billion ($6.97 billion) in further financial aid to Ukraine, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Thursday.

The funding is in the form of a loan to be repaid with interest generated from frozen Russian state assets held in the EU, as well as funding from the so-called Ukraine Facility, she told lawmakers in the European Parliament.

"Today, [Russian President Vladimir] Putin still believes he can outlast us. He still thinks that, over time, Russia can achieve its aims on the battlefield," von der Leyen said, adding: "That is a clear miscalculation."

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Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, the EU and its member states have pledged almost 178 billion in support, according to the figures, ranging from military and financial assistance to aid for refugees.

The EU's Ukraine Facility alone is endowed with 50 billion, while about 18.1 billion is being provided to an initiative led by the G7 group of states. This also draws on interest generated from frozen Russian state assets held in the EU.

Meanwhile, EU plans to use the frozen Russian assets themselves to provide Ukraine with further large-scale financial support of up to 140 billion are still snarled up due to opposition from Belgium, in particular, where the funds are managed by Euroclear.

Efforts to resolve the issue were under way, von der Leyen said, outlining three options.

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If no agreement was found involving the frozen Russian assets - the preferred option - alternatives were to use EU budget funding to raise money on capital markets, or else for member states to raise the necessary capital by themselves, she said.

"It is clear, we will deliver, and we will cover the financial needs of Ukraine for the next years. The discussion is now on the how," von der Leyen pledged.
The EU 27 economy ministers reached an agreement on Thursday to terminate the 150 customs duty exemption that currently applies to parcels coming from non-EU countries.

The decision will impact Chinese e-commerce platforms, such as Shein and Temu, which are flooding the EU market with small parcels. In France, Shein is also at the centre of a scandal, facing legal proceedings over the sale of child-like sex dolls on its platform.

This is a defining moment, European Commissioner for Trade Maros Sefcovic said after the meeting, adding that the move sends a strong signal that Europe is serious about fair competition and defending the interests of its businesses.

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A whopping 4.6 billion parcels were imported in the EU in 2024, EU Economy Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis recalled on Thursday.

He warned that the trend is dramatically increasing, adding that 91% of small parcels come from China.

The decision to remove the exemption on small parcels is part of a broader overhaul of EU customs rules which could take time.

Urgency to act as Chinese goods flood market

The 27 member states are expected to meet again in December to agree on a temporary system that would enable the implementation of the measures.

EU trade commissioner Sefcovic said that the EU will be ready to move as early as 2026.

Ending the exemption will close long-standing loopholes that have been routinely exploited to avoid customs duties, a European diplomat said.

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The agreement reached Thursday by EU ministers means customs duties will be payable from "the first euro" on all goods entering the EU, like value-added tax, according to the same official.

The latest moves signal the tide may be turning for Chinese e-commerce platforms that have been moving aggressively into the European market.

Related

A 2 levy for small packages proposed in July by the European Commission is already being discussed by the 27 member states.

Individual member states are also introducing national measures. Italy is working on a tax to defend its fashion industry from a wave of cheaper Chinese orders which national producers cannot compete with on pricing.

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We are satisfied with the measure introducing a tax on small parcels from non-EU countries, a phenomenon that is destroying retail trade, Italian Minister of Economy Giancarlo Giorgetti said on Thursday.

EuroCommerce, which represents EU retailers in Brussels, first sounded the alarm over the increase in orders coming from Chinese platforms last month and called on European authorities to act in a coordinated manner.

A swift, harmonised EU solution is essential, as such proposals risk fragmentation and undermining the level playing field, Christel Delberghe, director general of EuroCommerce, said.
A judge granted a bond for a former Milton police lieutenant charged in a deadly hit-and-run.

The crash happened on Interstate 75 in August. Police say Christopher Bradshaw hit and killed truck driver Terrell Lowdermilk , who was trying to swap information with another driver after a minor accident.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Lowdermilks family described him as a sweet loving person, a sweet humble person. Bradshaw later turned himself after seeing media reports on the crash.

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A Cobb County judge initially denied bond for Bradshaw in September. But on Wednesday, the judge heard a new motion and granted the former officer bond.

Cobb County jail records show Bradshaw posted a $15,000 bail and was released Wednesday night.

According to records, Bradshaw was terminated for his arrest. He had been with the Milton Police Department since 2011 and had a short stint with the Cherokee County Sheriffs Office.

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The Milton Police Department previously sent the following statement to Channel 2 Action News regarding Bradshaws arrest:

The Milton Police Department has been informed that one of its lieutenants, Christopher Bradshaw, a 14-year veteran of the department, has been arrested by the Marietta Police Department in connection with a hit-and-run crash that tragically claimed the life of a motorist in Marietta, Georgia. The incident occurred while Bradshaw was off duty.

Upon our initial notification of the investigation, Bradshaw was immediately placed on administrative leave and has since been terminated from employment with the City of Milton.

Our deepest condolences go out to the family and loved ones of the victim during this difficult time. While we cannot provide further comment due to the ongoing investigation being led by the Marietta Police Department, we remain committed to transparency, accountability, and maintaining the trust of our community."

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The Durham woman whose marriage ended after her husband had an affair with a popular TikTok star opened up for the first time in an exclusive interview with ABC11.

Akira Montague was awarded $1.75 million in a civil lawsuit after a Durham jury found Brenay Kennard to have been in violation of North Carolina's alienation of affection and criminal conversation laws.

The case has garnered international headlines for the award amount, and on account that fewer than 10 states have this type of legislation.

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"When you are thinking about alienation of affection, you have to think about the humiliation that the spouse went through. Ms. Kennard flaunted her relationship with a married man," said Montague's attorney, Robonetta Jones. "And of course it went viral, and my client was humiliated as a result of that."

Akira Montague is seen with her former husband, Tim. Courtesy of Akira Montague

Montague said when she found out about the affair between her husband, Tim Montague, and Kennard, she became sick to her stomach.

"I literally was like dizzy. Like I was about to faint," Akira Montague said. "It was like I had got hit by a car...and the emotion of like, 'Oh my God, I can't believe I'm alive right now."

Akira Montague and Jones presented more than 700 pages of evidence, which included photos, videos, and text messages.

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"It was a lot, but that it was lifted once we got our verdict," said Montague.

The lawsuit alleged that Kennard flaunted her relationship with Tim Montague to her more than 3 million social media followers and claimed she could not wait to become his wife.

"I want people to be able to think, OK, Mrs. Montague won $1.75 million," said Jones. "Is that man worth it? Is that woman worth it? They will think now. She posted online that she wanted to be Mrs. Montague, and I believe she did everything she could."

After the Montagues' marriage ended in divorce, Tim Montague and Kennard got married.

"Well, to become Mrs. Montague. That's her last name. But at what cost? Instead of being famous, she's infamous," Jones said.

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I was deeply in love with that man that I would do anything for him. I made sure that I put him first, and I shouldn't have.

Akira Montague added, "She's worth everything for him. Like he's worth everything to her."

Akira Montague has since returned to work since the verdict.

"The people at my job, they kind of got rid of some of my stuff because they thought I wasn't coming back because of how much that I was awarded," she said. She also has plans to finish college and buy a home for herself and her young children, ages 4 and 6.

In North Carolina, the alienation of affection law states that if a marriage ends in divorce because of infidelity, the husband or wife, in certain situations, can sue the person with whom the spouse had the affair. Additionally, a plaintiff in such a case must prove that the marriage is a loving one, that the marriage must continue while the infidelity is taking place, and the third party must have knowledge of the marriage.

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"I was, I was raised to respect the marriage. I was raised to respect God. So loyalty, marriage, the white house with the picket fence, and the dog and the kid. That's me," Akira Montague said. "I was deeply in love with that man that I would do anything for him. I made sure that I put him first, and I shouldn't have."

The Durham jury awarded Akira Montague $1.5 million for alienation of affection and $250,000 for criminal conversation, the legal term for a person having sexual intercourse with someone else's spouse while they were married and before a legal separation.

"She doesn't regret it," said Akira Montague of Kennard's actions. "Like she said, I'm just bitter because she took my husband. Those were her words. That's what she told the jury. That's the woman that is not accountable for her actions and does not show any remorse for breaking up a family."

Meanwhile, Akira Montague said she does her best to shield her children from all of the hate and death threats they have received.

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"It was horrible. I don't like going out in public with my kids because I get stopped in the store," she said in tears. "I can't have fun with my kids; to this day, people harass me and them. It's hard."

Jones said she believes the case has gotten worldwide appeal because of the similarities Montague has with other women in their own relationships.

"She has an outpouring of support from everyone online and just here in the state of North Carolina, because a lot of women can resonate with her," Jones said. "She has a voice for women that have been hurt by friends and by their loved one. So a lot of people say that they can recognize themselves in my client."
Homeowners insurance is becoming increasingly unaffordable for the average American as extreme weather worsens and insurers withdraw from high-risk regions. Many homeowners find that even if they can buy a house, they cannot afford to protect it.

What's happening?

In California and Florida, the lack of affordable homeowners insurance affects both new and existing homeowners, according to Real Estate News. Last year, 13% of realtors in California reported that at least one sale fell through because buyers could not secure insurance. That's more than double 2023's rate.

California's temporary moratorium on insurance cancellations for homeowners in wildfire disaster areas expires in January. Its end is raising fears that more people will lose coverage.

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The state's public last-resort option, the FAIR Plan, has seen its exposure double in less than two years. The program recently requested a 35.8% rate hike. This was in response to concerns from the insurer about being able to pay claims after a major disaster.

"It's very likely that more insurance companies will pull out of some areas in California, and this insurability crisis is only going to get worse in 2026," said Patrick Blandford, founder of property insurance company Green Shield Risk Solutions, to Real Estate News.

Florida faces a similar crisis.

After a series of destructive hurricanes between 2017 and 2024 caused billions in damage, insurance companies began leaving the state. This pushed hundreds of thousands of people into the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corporation.

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A recent investigation, however, found that Citizens wins over 90% of disputed claims in arbitration, according to ProPublica. State-run plans can impose surcharges on all policyholders to cover deficits.

Why is this important?

Hurricanes, floods, and wildfires are becoming more intense and expensive due to our changing climate

The insurance industry's inability to adapt to the increasing frequency of disasters is breaking traditional risk models. This is causing insurers to withdraw from high-risk areas.

When insurance becomes even less accessible, that leaves homeowners footing the bill when it's actually available in their area. They have to pay higher premiums for less coverage and limited financial protection.

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For low-income homeowners, it's even worse.

Using credit scores to set rates is illegal in California. But in states like Florida, where it's legal, insurers can use credit scores to set rates. People with lower credit scores may pay nearly $2,000 more per year for identical coverage to their neighbors'.

"The insurance industry is gaslighting us when it says they price homeowners insurance policies to reflect climate risk," said Moira Birss, senior fellow with the Climate and Community Institute. "Climate change is driving dramatic changes,  but instead of proactively helping to reduce the risks, the insurance companies are penalizing poverty."

What's being done about this?

Some policymakers are calling for stronger oversight of insurance pricing and investment in resilient housing and infrastructure. In October, California passed bills reforming the FAIR Plan.

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For now, progress is limited, and experts warn the crisis could spread nationwide as extreme weather becomes more unpredictable.

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.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. government shutdown ended on its 43rd day on Thursday, the longest in history and breaking a record set in 2019 during President Donald Trump's first term in office.

Following are the longest shutdowns since 1980, when U.S. administrations started furloughing some federal workers as budgets expired.

2025 - 43 days

The shutdown that ended on Thursday began after Democrats blocked spending legislation in the Republican-controlled Congress, saying that any funding package must also expand COVID pandemic-era healthcare subsidies due to expire at the end of December. Lawmakers broke the impasse with a deal to have a December vote on the subsidies, though Republicans did not guarantee they would support them.

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2018-2019 - 35 days

The second-longest shutdown on record started on December 22, 2018, when Democrats in Congress refused to back a spending bill that included Trump's $5.7 billion request for fencing on the U.S.-Mexico border. Lawmakers eventually approved a spending bill without border wall money that Trump signed into law on January 25, 2019, ending the shutdown.

1995-1996 - 22 days

The government partially shut down on December 16, 1995, as part of a clash between the Republican-controlled Congress and then-President Bill Clinton, a Democrat, over how to balance the budget. Clinton signed a bill to re-open the government on January 6, 1996. Some polls showed the public largely blamed Republicans in Congress for the shutdown, and some analysts said the spat helped Clinton win reelection in 1996.

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2013 - 16 days

Government workers started furloughs on October 1, 2013, after Republicans demanded cuts or delays to a healthcare law championed by then-President Barack Obama, a Democrat. The shutdown was part of a broader impasse over the national debt, with the government at risk of defaulting on its obligations without congressional authorization for further borrowing. Obama signed a bill re-opening the government shortly after midnight on October 17, 2013, with legislation that also authorized more borrowing.

1995 - 6 days

In a prelude to the longer shutdown at the close of 1995, government workers started furloughs on November 14, 1995, after Clinton vetoed a spending bill backed by Republicans. Washington reached a deal November 19, 1995, to re-open the government, but another shutdown was only weeks away.

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1990 - 3 days

Republican President George H. W. Bush vetoed a spending bill over a fight on how to reduce deficits, leading to a partial shutdown on October 6, 1990, that closed national parks and other landmarks. Lawmakers passed a measure to re-open the government in the early hours of October 9, 1990.

2018 - 3 days

Democrats in the Republican-controlled Congress blocked a spending bill, triggering a shutdown on January 20, 2018, partly as a way to shield from deportation immigrants who entered the country without authorization as children. Congress approved a bill ending the shutdown on January 22, 2018, without addressing the fate of the young undocumented immigrants.

(Reporting by Jason LangeEditing by Cynthia Osterman and Frances Kerry)
Vital federal funding is on the way for Head Start centers that were thrown into crisis by the government shutdown, but it could take time before some children who rely on the federal program can return to preschool.

Some centers that missed out on federal payments had to furlough staff. Others had to shut down entirely, destabilizing thousands of needy families around the country. And operators fear it could take weeks more for overdue payments to be processed.

Even when agencies receive long-delayed grant money, centers will have to rehire staff members and bring back families  both of which may have grown wary of instability in the program, which relies almost entirely on federal grants.

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The damage has been done in a lot of ways, Massachusetts Head Start Association Executive Director Michelle Haimowitz said. We know that its going to take some time to fill back up.

About 140 Head Start programs representing 65,000 slots didnt receive their annual grants during the 43-day shutdown, which concluded when President Donald Trump signed a government funding bill Wednesday night.

Head Start serves children from low-income families from birth to age 5. The program offers a variety of services to families, such as early learning, support for children with disabilities, free meals and health screenings.

With the shutdown over, the federal Office of Head Start will expedite funding and contact affected Head Start programs to share when they can expect federal money, said Emily Hilliard, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the program.

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Head Start operators anticipate that could take weeks.

Federal workers are returning to a mountain of work that will take time to process, Haimowitz said. That doesnt just include sending out missed grant awards  other paperwork for a range of technical issues has been delayed since layoffs at the Office of Head Start earlier this year, she said.

Those delays have just been piling up since April, with no fault to the existing civil servants at the Office of Head Start, Haimowitz said. They just have half the capacity that they had just a few months ago.

Families prepare for the worst-case scenario

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Depending on how quickly federal workers can send out funds, the backlog in grant renewals could spill over and affect Head Start agencies that are supposed to receive funding in December, operators said. Some of the families who attend those centers are already making preparations for that worst-case scenario.

Gena Storer, who works as a home health aide in Xenia, Ohio, is trying to make as much money as I possibly can in case her daughters Head Start center closes. The center staff told parents hours before the government reopened that they still expect to shutter temporarily on Dec. 1 if funding is delayed, Storer said.

If the center closes, Storers 4-year-old daughter, Zarina, will stay at home until it reopens. Storer will then need to adjust her work hours to make sure she can be home with Zarina while her fiance works 12-hour shifts at a Target distribution center.

Uncertainty about SNAP federal food aid payments has also added stress for Storers family. Storer had been working extra hours through the shutdown to help provide for her 72-year-old mother, who also uses SNAP benefits.

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If my mom didnt have us to help her, what would she do? the 31-year-old said.

For Storer, Head Start has been more than a reliable option for child care. Zarina used to receive speech therapy to address her lack of speaking. But since starting Head Start in September, Storer said shes noticed her daughter becoming more talkative and outgoing because she learns from having conversations with her classmates.

Programs pay out-of-pocket to keep doors open

Programs that stayed open without a guarantee of reimbursement by the federal government could also face further financial strains. At Louis Russ home day care in Knox County, Indiana, he and his wife are planning a pop-up toy shop out of their garage to offset money they might lose by staying open.

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Russ and his wife started operating a day care out of their home in April and partnered soon after with East Coast Migrant Head Start Project, a nonprofit that serves children of migrant farmworkers across 10 states. Six out of the eight children in Russ home day care are Head Start-funded.

East Coast Migrant Head Start Project was one of the programs affected by a funding lapse, which resulted in more than 1,000 children being shut out of their centers. Russ and his wife also stopped receiving their Head Start payments at the end of October, but the decision to keep their home open was a no brainer, Russ said. Offering the children consistency during an otherwise unpredictable time was important to them, he said.

Staying open and keep taking the children we have, that was the easy part, he said. Figuring out how were going to stay open if this goes on too long, thats the tricky part.

Its been tense operating the program without knowing when funding will be released. Russ and his wife already took a pay cut, and they have another employee on the payroll. About three-quarters of their budget is payroll, Russ said, but other expenses like groceries and maintenance needs can stack up quickly without an income.

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Our program, being so new, we were running pretty bare bones as is, Russ said. And especially in child care, which doesnt have a huge profit margin, theres only so much wiggle room when things like this happen.

___

The Associated Press education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
More than 100 people filled a Brentwood City Council meeting Wednesday night to demand answers in the death of a 72-year-old woman following an interaction with police on September 26.

Family, friends and community members came together for 72-year-old Yolanda Ramirez, rallying ahead of the meeting.

"It just shows the support and love of the community," Ramirez's son Rich said.

"We just want to know what happened to my mom," Ramirez's daughter said.

EXCLUSIVE: New video shows interaction between Bay Area police, 72-year-old woman before her death

For the first time, we're seeing video of the interaction between Brentwood police officers and 72-year-old Yolanda Ramirez before her death.

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"I guarantee you if this was someone in a Mercedes-Benz in a million-dollar home and this was a white woman, this would not have happened and we all know that. She deserved the same treatment," Melissa Nold, the attorney for the family, said.

On September 26, Brentwood police responded to a call for a family dispute between Ramirez and her sister, also in her 70s.

The ABC7 News I-Team obtained exclusive video from that sister showing officers outside the home. When Yolanda moved towards the driver's side of her vehicle a female officer she was speaking with said she was fleeing. Police Officer's Association President Aaron Peachman had also responded to the call and came running out of the house. The officers cuffed Ramirez and brought her to a patrol car.

"They were being pretty rough, for a 72-year-old lady," neighbor Ashley Jeglum said.

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According to Brentwood Police, while in the patrol vehicle, Ramirez "appeared to be having a medical issue and police immediately contacted medical personnel."

Her family took her off life support the following week.

Neighbors say officers left Ramirez alone in the vehicle for more than 30 minutes.

Police towed her vehicle, listing willful resistance as the reason.

"Seems like a cover-up, my mom should have never, she should be alive," said Rich Ramirez.

"I can only assume that the officer who handcuffed her and was giving her orders may have been frustrated, maybe became impatient," Yolanda's husband Rudy Ramirez said. "Why?! She didn't kill anybody, she didn't assault anybody. It's a tragedy that the first time she was involved with a police officer that she ended up dying."

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After dozens of public comments, the council moved into a closed session.

An attorney for Officer Peachman has said body-worn camera video will show he acted appropriately.

The Contra Costa County DA's Office is investigating, but neighbors say they haven't interviewed any witnesses. The investigation could take up to 6 months.

If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live
(FOX 5/KUSI)  To Steve, my big brother, my guy to look up to. Love, Terry, Stephen Hill reads through tears, looking at the poem his brother Terry wrote.

The words are now on a plaque in his North County home.

We fought beneath the shadow of the sun, no longer boys, not quite men, the poem reads, and also signifies the beginning of Stephen Hills journey in the Marine Corps.

Watch our Veterans Voices special in the video player above.

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When Stephen was just barely a legal adult, at 18 years old, he enlisted.

Air Force said No, and we said we dont want to be in the Navy, then we go to the Army and they were out for lunch, so we went into the Marine recruiting, thats how they promised us wed be taken care of, Stephen laughs.

Thats how he became a Marine, just like his father.

We were 18, 19, 20, 21, we were invincible, at least we thought we were invincible, Stephen chuckled, and his journey began, I took an aptitude test and I shipped off. On Sep. 16, we landed in San Diego, he says.

And later came Stephens first deployment. Just a few weeks before he left, he met the woman who would later become his wife.

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November comes up and they go, Hill, your numbers up, you really dont have to go to Vietnam. I said, Oh Ill go.

He says a deployment is what he was waiting for. And who else was in Vietnam at the same time?

I had gotten permission from the sergeant major to go see my dad, Stephen said.

Stephen and his dad Glen were serving in different areas of Vietnam, but once got to meet up, just the two of them.

He said he had some stuff to do in the Vill so I went with him, and a photo was taken of the two of them together.

During that deployment, Stephen was maintaining helicopter electrical systems.

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Our nickname was the ugly angels, because if we came in for an emergency med-evac, someones wounded, we were considered an ugly angel coming in to pick them up, Stephen Hill said. We would pick up the wounded and take them to med-evac center right away so no one really didnt have to wait on the ground from like WWII or Korea, that saved a lot of lives doing med-evacs.

Just before his dad was sent back to Camp Pendleton, and Stephen was sent out on an operation, the Hill family of heroes overseas gained another member.

Hill family of Vietnam war veterans.

In July of 1969, Terry Hill shipped off to Vietnam, and met up with his dad and older brother.

Terry served on a combined action platoon, helping villagers on the frontlines, and sometimes, he was in hand-to-hand combat. Stephen said he always worried about his little brother.

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Out of all of us, hes darn lucky to be alive, Stephen says.

All three of them made it out of the service alive. But those who knew them most, like Stephens widow who waited for him to return from war, said they were never the same, and some came back better than others.

Theyre my heroes, I love them all, I appreciate what they did for our country and Im glad they all came home, Stephen says.

Now Stephen is the only one left to share their story, a proud Marine veteran, husband, father and grandfather.

Without his dad and his brother, he can keep the Hill family of heroes story alive, by reading his brother Terrys poem.

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No more secrets no way, no how, but Ive got a secret you cant have unless. You fought beneath the shadow of the sun, across the sea, around the world, Stephen reads Terrys words as tears fill his eyes.

I think Terry put into words whathe put in words what a lot of people were feeling, he says.

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 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
Sustainable packaging solutions provider International Paper is set to close five packaging sites in Germany, impacting 500 jobs.

The move is part of the companys integration of DS Smith, a UK rival it acquired in January 2025.

The facilities lined up for closure are one conventional box plant, one display and offset site, and three sheet plants, along with a partial closure of another display site.

A consultation process with employee representatives is ongoing, and the company will not comment further on the scope or potential impact on employees until the process advances.

International Paper indicated that the plans would be implemented by the end of 2026, subject to the outcome of consultations.

The proposals follow a review by its Central European business and form part of its endeavour to become a stronger sustainable packaging solutions provider.

The company aims ... to optimise its existing resources to better serve its customers and to position the business optimally for growth.

The latest decision follows similar moves in the UK and Europe.

In May 2025, Reuters reported that International Paper will shut down five of its UK packaging sites, leading to a loss of 300 jobs.

Two months later, International Paper completed the sale of five European plants to PALM Group.

In August, International Paper underwent a series of strategic changes. These include an agreement to sell its Global Cellulose Fibers business to American Industrial Partners (AIP) for $1.5bn, with additional closing adjustments.

At the same time, it permanently closed several facilities in Georgia, impacting about 1,100 hourly and salaried employees.

International Paper employs more than 65,000 people across in 30 countries and reported net sales of $18.6bn in 2024.

"International Paper to shutter five German sites, impacting 500 jobs " was originally created and published by Packaging Gateway, a GlobalData owned brand.




ViTAA Medicals aortic surgery planning tool has gained clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), representing the first milestone in the companys aim to bring a full spectrum aortic care platform to market.

ViTAAs AiORTA Plan is an AI-based tool that is designed to assist physicians in their preparations for complex aortic procedures.

Using AI to automatically generate key preoperative measurements for aortic surgical cases, such as aneurysm segmentation, centreline generation, and volumetric analysis protocols, the cloud-based tool aims to improve precision and reproducibility in aortic surgical interventions and reduce manual planning work.

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Based in Canada, ViTAA said that AiORTA Plan will be joined by AiORTA Maps and AiORTA Watch in future to create a full-suite AiORTA vascular care platform.

AiORTA Maps applies AI to CT scans to provide surgeons with vessel-integrity insights such as thrombus burden, relating to the size and distribution of intraluminal thrombus (ILT), and outcome predictions.

When data collection with the tool is complete, it creates a region-by-region index called the regional aortic weakness (RAW) Score. Validated by ViTAA on the basis of 15 years of research and more than 200 aortic tissue samples, it aims to help clinicians identify vulnerable areas of the aorta with greater precision.

ViTAA added that once Maps is on the market, critical wall weakness indications will be integrated into Plan.

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Maps is currently involved in a prospective registry study (NCT05004051) wherein it is being used to collect imaging and clinical data on patients with aortic aneurysm disease undergoing monitoring, and on pre and post-endovascular repair patients, according to an entry on Clinicaltrials.gov. According to Vitaas website, research using Maps is also currently being undertaken at 40 US sites.

The final component of Vitaas AiORTA platform is Watch, a tool that is being developed to provide real-time monitoring of aortic health.

AiORTA Plans FDA clearance validates the companys approach of combining automation with precision medicine, according to its CMO Dr Randy Moore.

Moore said: As we continue our international clinical studies for AiORTA Maps and AiORTA Watch, were focused on delivering solutions that help physicians see beyond outdated size guidelines and gain insights into vessel behaviour that can inform decision-making throughout the patient journey.

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According to GlobalData analysis, AI in healthcare is forecast to reach a $19bn valuation by 2027. The technology is continuing to find particular application in diagnostic imaging tools across a range of healthcare modalities. For example, September saw UK-based Naitive Technologies gaining FDA clearance for Osteosight, an AI-powered software for bone mineral density evaluation while Heartflow gained clearance from the agency for its updated AI platform for assessing plaque buildup in the coronary arteries.

"FDA clears ViTAA Medicals AI aortic surgery planning tool" was originally created and published by Medical Device Network, a GlobalData owned brand.




The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has created a new pathway to bring personalised therapies to market that can bypass certain requirements, using the success of Baby KJs treatment as a blueprint.

The new programme, called the plausible mechanism pathway, will help the FDA to usher in new and bespoke therapies to market, according to the agencys commissioner, Martin Makary, and Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research Director (CBER) director, Vinay Prasad, in a New England Journal of Medicine article.

Baby KJ, a male newborn, was diagnosed with a severe form of carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1) deficiency, an inherited rare disorder that causes an inability to process protein during digestion. With a single-patient, expanded-access investigational new drug (IND) application processed in one week by the FDA, Baby KJs care team was able to manufacture and infuse a customised CRISPR gene editing therapy that repaired the gene mutation. In May 2025, KJ became the worlds first patient treated with a bespoke CRISPR-based therapy.

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Makary and Prasad are keen to use the success of Baby KJs case to define the new approval pathway. First, a specific molecular or cellular abnormality needs to be present, as opposed to diseases defined by broad and unclear causes. Next, the therapy in question must target the underlying biological origin and be used for a disease with a well-characterised natural history in the untreated population.

The FDA will also want confirmation that the target was successfully drugged or edited, or both. This can be via animal models or, in some circumstances, non-animal models. Confirmation via biopsy, where clinically appropriate, would also count as supportive evidence for the pathway. Finally, the product will need to lead to improvement in clinical outcomes  the FDA will reduce the threshold for achieving this in diseases with progressive deterioration.

The main feature of the pathway is the lack of requirement for clinical trial data. Expanded access programmes traditionally allow for compassionate use of investigational therapies already under evaluation in clinical trials. The case of Baby KJ highlights the potential to generate critical clinical safety and efficacy data and inform further product development for multiple genetic mutations.

The FDA would move toward a marketing authorisation once the therapys manufacturer has demonstrated success across several consecutive patients. Real-world evidence (RWE) will continue to be collected for long-term efficacy and safety confirmations.

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William Blair analyst Sami Corwin said the pathway has "broad, positive implications" for cell and gene therapy companies.

"However, based on the language in the pathways outline, the application of the pathway, particularly beyond rare and ultra-rare diseases is a bit more unclear," Corwin added.

While rare diseases will be prioritised on the new scheme, common diseases that have no proven treatments will be considered. For example, Makary and Prasad say a single disease with 150 different genetic mutations would be perfectly suited to the bespoke pathway.

Amid the shift in data towards the post-market setting, Corwin raised concerns as to the level of evidence needed for more common indications.

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"It is unclear why the FDA would permit a sponsor to pursue a less rigorous path to market for more common indications in which large, randomised, controlled trials remain feasible and would better quantify benefit," she said.

In terms of which modalities are included, the FDA officials see no strict criteria.

Makary and Prasad wrote: Though there is unique enthusiasm about advances in gene and cellular therapies, we see no reason that such principles will not also extend to other drugs over time.

Nearly 30 years after the sequencing of the human genome, bespoke therapies are close to reality. The FDA will work as a partner and guide in ushering these therapies to market, and our regulatory strategies will evolve to match the pace of scientific advances.

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Advancing personalised therapies has been an aim of the Trump administration as it looks to cut the costs of longer-term treatment. In June 2025, in front of a cell and gene therapy panel, US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr (RFK Jr) said he was going to continue to figure out new ways of accelerating approvals for rare disease drugs and treatments.

A further push in regulatory decisions could come via the appointment of Dr Richard Pazdur as director of Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER). Pazdur is known for implementing several initiatives to expedite drug approvals at the FDA.

In a recent interview with Bloomberg discussing a new framework for personalised gene therapies, Prasad said that investment into this space will flow.

However, several pharma companies have already withdrawn from the cell and gene editing space amid poor commercial viability.

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Earlier this month, Galapagos wound down its cell and gene therapy division after failing to sell the unit. Japanese pharma Takeda also abandoned its cell therapy research, pivoting instead towards small molecules, biologics and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).

Cell & Gene Therapy coverage on Pharmaceutical Technology is supported by Cytiva.

Editorial content is independently produced and follows the highest standards of journalistic integrity. Topic sponsors are not involved in the creation of editorial content.

"FDA unveils new pathway to usher bespoke therapies to market" was originally created and published by Pharmaceutical Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




The Yaquina Head lighthouse sits on the Oregon coast near Newport. The city has been swept up in speculation over the past few days over reports of a potential ICE facility. (Photo Courtesy of the Bureau of Land Management)

A defense contractor with a history of providing housing for military operations withdrew its inquiry seeking land at the Newport Municipal Airport, a city official said Wednesday, as growing evidence suggests the Trump administration intends to use the site for Oregons first Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility.

City Manager Nina Vetter confirmed the Texas-based Team Housing Solutions informed Newport officials of the decision Wednesday afternoon, setting the tone for a two-hour special city council meeting filled with emotional testimony and applause. Local residents urged Newport leaders to amass all the tools they have to block any plans for an ICE facility in the area.

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Maybe somebody thought Oh its a small place, its rural, theyre probably quiet, we can overpower them, said City Councilor Steve Hickman. Weve been underestimated.

Team Housing Solutions withdrawal follows the Tuesday disclosure of records showing the company, which has previously furnished housing for the Texas National Guard, asked the city about leasing land at the airport last week in support of federal operations. Early November job listings posted by government contractors Acuity International, based in Virginia, and Asset Protection & Security Services, based in Texas, for detention, clinical and transport officers in Newport have fueled concerns that those operations will include immigration detention.

Oregon does not have a long-term detention facility, reflecting the states decades-old status as the first sanctuary state in the nation. A 2021 law bans the creation of private immigration detention centers. In Portland, for instance, an ICE processing center has drawn strong protests while city leaders have accused the location of violating land use rules barring the detention of individuals for more than 12 hours or overnight.

A Monday statement from Vetter and Newport Mayor Jan Kaplan set off panic statewide after they said they were made aware of information indicating the U.S. Department of Homeland Security was already in the process of considering locations for a detention facility across the Oregon coast, including the Newport Municipal Airport. Since then, Oregons city, state and federal leaders say they have been unable to get clarity from the agency.

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The federal government continues to refuse to share their plans with the public, Gov. Tina Kotek said in a Wednesday statement. While information is limited at this time, I oppose spending taxpayer dollars on an unwanted and unnecessary additional ICE detention facility in Newport, or any part of the state. The Trump Administration should focus on solving real problems, not inciting fear and tearing communities apart.

The extent to which Housing Solutions withdrawal could complicate the path forward for the federal governments plans remains to be seen. Vetter told residents Wednesday that the city has not received any direct communication from the homeland security department.

ICE and DHS have not responded to the Capital Chronicles requests for comment this week. While the agency did not confirm Newports location specifically, a Wednesday statement from the homeland security department to The Lincoln Chronicle and Oregon Public Broadcasting said officials were working with state and local governments to secure greater and more cost-effective detention space.

(DHS) is working at turbo speed on cost-effective and innovative ways to deliver on the American peoples mandate to arrest and deport the worst of the worst including gang members, pedophiles, terrorists, rapists, and murderers, the statement read.

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Further angering Newport residents was the recent removal of a rescue helicopter from the airports Coast Guard station to a station in North Bend, with no public explanation from the homeland security department.

The land Team Housing Solutions was seeking would have been next to where the U.S. Coast Guard has operated its permanent airport facility. The federal government has owned that site through a deed since 1992, Vetter said.

Those developments lit a fire in the liberal coastal city over the safety of fishermen and boat workers in an area with a large commercial fishing industry. Local residents and speakers at Wednesdays meeting stressed their support for the rescue operations and local immigrant communities. The city has so far avoided much of the aggressive deportation operations brought forth by the Trump administration across Oregon in the past few weeks, which included large recent raids in Woodburn and Salem.

News of the contractors withdrawal also comes as growing pushback to the facility has emerged from Oregons federal lawmakers. Democratic U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Reps. Suzanne Bonamici and Val Hoyle on Wednesday wrote to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem demanding a briefing and written responses to their questions about the Newport facility by Friday.

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There are also persistent reports and rumors that DHS is working to move Coast Guard assets away from Newport in order to make room for immigration enforcement operations, the lawmakers wrote. It appears that ICE is looking to install a detention facility or outpost in Newport, as part of the Trump administrations broader effort to ramp up immigration enforcement.

Team Housing Solutions did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday about their decision.

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Flight cancelations and delays continued into the seventh day at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport after reductions started during the government shutdown.

On Thursday, Nov. 13, 13 flights are shown as canceled, a drop from the 17 cancelations on the morning of Nov. 11 and 33 on Sunday, Nov. 9 at CVG.

President Donald Trump signed legislation on Wednesday night from the White House that reopens the federal government and starts to resolve the mass chaos the shutdown created.

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Despite the shutdown ending after 43 days, experts and airlines have cautioned that travelers should prepare for further flight disruptions throughout the week. Air traffic control staffing shortages and severe weather in parts of the United States have led to tens of thousands of flight cancellations and delays since Oct. 1, when the shutdown began.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Nov. 11 was unsure of how long it would take airports to get back to normal operations after the government reopened. He said the agency has relied on data modeling to decide how many flights to cut so far and would rely on the same system to decide how soon to bring back flights.

Flight cancelations at CVG on Thursday, Nov. 13

Departures:

8 a.m. New York (JFK) on Pinnacle Airlines.

12:15 p.m. to Newark (EWR) on Pinnacle Airlines.

12:21 p.m. to Chicago (ORD) on American Airlines.

12:30 p.m. to Chicago (ORD) on United Airlines.

4:09 p.m. to Chicago (ORD) on United Airlines.

6:30 p.m. to Newark (EWR) on United Airlines.

8:35 p.m. To Denver (DEN) on Southwest Airlines.

Arrivals:

11:32 a.m. from Chicago (ORD) on United Airlines.

11:51 a.m. from Chicago (ORD) on American Airlines.

3:21 p.m. from Chicago (ORD) on United Airlines.

5:29 p.m. from Newark (EWR) on Pinnacle Airlines.

5:46 p.m. from Newark (EWR) on United Airlines.

7:55 p.m. from Denver (DEN) on Southwest Airlines.

How to contact customer service for Delta, United, other airlines

Most airlines are contacting passengers whose flights have been canceled via email or through their smartphone apps, but each has slightly different procedures for what customers should do when their flights are canceled.

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Heres how to contact your airline if your flight has been canceled:

Delta Air Lines: Delta asks customers to look on their website, delta.com, or app, Fly Delta, to find updated information about their flight before heading to the airport. Customers with a canceled flight will be contacted via email, text or through the app, and will be offered a rebooking for the next-best itinerary, the airline said. If you have any questions, call Deltas customer service at: 1 (800) 221-1212.

United Airlines: United recommends customers use the United app for updates and rebooking options. The airline is offering all travelers, including those whose flights have not been impacted by the FAA cancellations, full refunds if they choose to cancel. If you have questions, call United customer service at 1-800-864-8331 or text UNITED to 32050.

Southwest Airlines: Southwest Airlines said it has notified customers whose flights have been canceled through Nov. 12. Like other carriers, it urges passengers to check the Southwest website and app for further updates. If your flight has been canceled, Southwest said in most cases, it will automatically rebook you on another flight. If the itinerary doesnt work, you can rebook the flight or cancel for a full refund. The airline asks passengers to cancel their reservations at least 10 minutes before their new flights scheduled departure. Customers can call Southwest for more information at 1-800-435-9792.

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Frontier Airlines: Frontier states that it will update and communicate with impacted customers via email, text, and the Frontier mobile app, per a press release. If your domestic flight has been canceled or delayed for more than three hours, you are able to rebook or request a refund online. The same goes for international flights that have been canceled or delayed for more than six hours.

The airline also issued a flexible travel policy for anyone traveling during this time. Changes or cancellations can be made on the Frontier website or app. Frontier Airlines will continue to post updates through the website's Travel Alerts page.

What should you do if your flight is delayed or canceled? Latest on rebooking, refunds

If your flight is canceled, Scott Keyes, founder of Going, recommended using the airline's mobile app to rebook as soon as possible. If passengers need to speak with someone by phone, Keyes suggested calling one of the carriers international lines.

"The best thing travelers can do is to be as proactive as possible switching to a new flight, Keyes told USA TODAY. When a flight gets canceled, all of a sudden hundreds of passengers need new itineraries. There may only be a handful of seats left on the best flights, and it's a first-come, first-(served) endeavor.

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If your flight is affected by shutdown-related staffing issues, you may not be entitled to much. FAA staffing is considered 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.

Still, 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.

The USA Today contributed

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Check CVG airport flight status day after government shutdown ends
The City of Winter Springs has secured $19.2 million in federal funding as part of the American Relief Act and the Supplemental Appropriation for Hurricanes Helene and Milton and the Hawaii Wildfires.

This funding, administered by the Florida DEP State Revolving Funds program, will support the construction of the new East Wastewater Treatment Plant in Winter Springs.

The appropriation provides low-interest loans to local governments and other entities for water quality and water supply projects.

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Of the $19,166,503 received, 50% will be given as a 0% loan, while the other 50% will be given as principal forgiveness.

This funding is in addition to a previous SRF loan secured by the city earlier this year for the construction of the new wastewater treatment facility.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Federal workers have been ordered to return to work after the end of the government shutdown as they await back pay.

While an estimated 750,000 workers were furloughed during the shutdown, some others were considered essential and required to work without pay.

Most government employees were not paid during the crisis due to the lapse in funding. Some, including military members and homeland security officers, received paychecks after President Donald Trump's administration pulled strings.

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The federal government fully reopened late on Nov. 12 after Trump signed a bill to fund the agencies through Jan. 30. Still, after the history-making 43-day shutdown, the effects on government departments are expected to linger. Here's what federal workers need to know.

President Donald Trump shakes hands with the Speaker of the House Mike Johnson after signing the bill package to re-open the federal government in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on Nov. 12, 2025. Congress on Wednesday ended the longest government shutdown in US history, 43 days that paralyzed Washington and left hundreds of thousands of workers unpaid while Republicans and Democrats played a high-stakes blame game. The Republican-led House of Representatives voted largely along party lines to approve a Senate-passed package that will reopen federal departments and agencies, as many Democrats fume over what they see as a capitulation by party leaders. President Donald Trump signs the funding bill to end the U.S. government shutdown, at the White House in Washington, DC on Nov. 12, 2025. President Donald Trump signs funding legislation to reopen the federal government as he is joined by House Minority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Republican lawmakers and business leaders, during a ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House on Nov. 12, 2025, in Washington, DC. The legislation, passed by the House tonight, funds the federal government until the end of January 2026 and ends the 43-day government shutdown, the longest in the nationOs history. House Speaker Mike Johnson speaks to the media in Statuary Hall after the House voted 222-209 to pass the Senate's funding deal, with 216 Republicans and six Democrats supporting the bill, and two Republicans and 207 Democrats opposed, after 43 days of shuttered government and unpaid federal workers, on Wednesday, Nov.12, 2025. U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) holds a news conference after the House passed funding legislation to reopen the federal government, at the Capitol on Nov. 12, 2025 in Washington, DC. The House voted 222-209 to approve Senate-passed legislation that funds the government through the end of January 2026, reopening the government and ending the 43-day shutdown, the longest in American history. House Speaker Mike Johnson arriving to speak to the media in Statuary Hall after the House voted 222-209 to pass the Senate's funding deal, with 216 Republicans and six Democrats supporting the bill, and two Republicans and 207 Democrats opposed, after 43 days of shuttered government and unpaid federal workers, on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. House Speaker Mike Johnson, right, walks from the House floor with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), left, to speak with the media in Statuary Hall immediately after the House voted 222-209 to pass the Senate's funding deal, with 216 Republicans and six Democrats supporting the bill, and two Republicans and 207 Democrats opposed, after 43 days of shuttered government and unpaid federal workers, on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. U.S. Representative Victoria Spartz arrives during a series of votes in the U.S. House of Representatives that could bring the longest U.S. government shutdown in history to a close, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on Nov.12, 2025. U.S. Representative and New Jersey Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill gives a television interview during a series of votes in the U.S. House of Representatives that could bring the longest U.S. government shutdown in history to a close, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on Nov.12, 2025. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) (2nd-L) walks to the House Chamber on Nov. 12, 2025 in Washington, DC. The House of Representatives is expected to vote on Senate-passed legislation that funds the government through the end of January 2026, reopening the government and ending the 43-day shutdown, the longest in American history. U.S. Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) (L) speaks to the media as he exits the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 12, 2025 in Washington, DC. The House of Representatives is expected to vote on Senate-passed legislation that funds the government through the end of January 2026, reopening the government and ending the 43-day shutdown, the longest in American history. House Speaker Mike Johnson, right, speaking with Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ) after a ceremonial swearing of at the United States Capitol on Nov. 12, 2025, following the official swearing in on the House floor on Wednesday, Nov. 11. 2025. U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) walks surrounded by the media, as members of the U.S. House of Representatives returned to Washington after a 53-day break, for a vote that could bring the longest U.S. government shutdown in history to a close, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on Nov. 12, 2025. House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-MI) talks on the phone, as members of the U.S. House of Representatives returned to Washington after a 53-day break, for a vote that could bring the longest U.S. government shutdown in history to a close, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on Nov. 12, 2025. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker Emerita of the U.S. House of Representatives, right, stands with members as Democratic House Leader Hakeem Jeffries leads a press conference on the House Steps at the United States Capitol on Nov. 12, 2025, as members return after a 54-day break, before House lawmakers take up legislation that would end the longest government shutdown in American history and vote on the Senate-passed spending deal. Democratic House Leader Hakeem Jeffries leads a press conference on the House Steps at the United States Capitol on Nov. 12, 2025, as members return after a 54-day break, before House lawmakers take up legislation that would end the longest government shutdown in American history and vote on the Senate-passed spending deal Congress passes deal to end longest government shutdown in US history 1 of 16 President Donald Trump shakes hands with the Speaker of the House Mike Johnson after signing the bill package to re-open the federal government in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on Nov. 12, 2025. Congress on Wednesday ended the longest government shutdown in US history, 43 days that paralyzed Washington and left hundreds of thousands of workers unpaid while Republicans and Democrats played a high-stakes blame game. The Republican-led House of Representatives voted largely along party lines to approve a Senate-passed package that will reopen federal departments and agencies, as many Democrats fume over what they see as a capitulation by party leaders.

Federal employees ordered to return to work on Nov. 13

In a memo on Nov. 12, Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought ordered federal agencies  and their workers  to resume operations the next day.

"Agencies should take all necessary steps to ensure that offices open in a prompt and orderly manner on November 13, 2025. Employees who were on furlough due to the absence of appropriations should be directed to return to work on November 13," the memo said.

Federal employees arrive for work at the Department of Health and Human Services following the longest U.S. government shutdown in history, in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 13, 2025.

When will federal workers receive back pay?

A senior Trump administration official confirmed to USA TODAY that departments are aiming to send out checks covering back pay between Nov. 15-19, depending on the agency. The timeline was first reported by Semafor.

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Because agencies have different payroll providers and payment processes, timing could vary. It is also why there is a discrepancy in the period covered by the initial check, the official said.

Most agencies are currently in the middle of their pay period, so the check only covers through Nov. 1  pay for the rest of November, so far, will be in workers' next paycheck.

Here is the projected timing by agency:

Nov. 15 (check covering Oct. 1-Nov. 1) General Services Administration Office of Personnel Management

Nov. 16 (check covering Oct. 1-Nov. 1) Department of Energy Department of Health and Human Services Department of Veterans Affairs Department of War (formerly known as Department of Defense) civilians

Nov. 17 (check covering Oct. 1-Nov. 1) Department of Education Department of State Department of the Interior Department of Transportation Environmental Protection Agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration National Science Foundation Nuclear Regulatory Commission Social Security Administration

Nov. 19 (check covering Oct. 1-Nov. 15) Department of Agriculture Department of Commerce Department of Homeland Security Department of Housing and Urban Development Department of Justice Department of Labor Department of the Treasury Small Business Administration



Are federal workers guaranteed back pay?

Back pay for federal workers  while guaranteed under the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act  remained uncertain during the shutdown.

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However, the deal to reopen the government ensured that federal employees would be paid for the deficit accumulated during the shutdown.

The Office of Personnel Management previously ordered essential employees working during the shutdown to continue documenting their hours in accordance with special instructions from their agency's payroll provider.

The Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, passed during the last government shutdown, says that federal workers who are furloughed during a lapse in government funding "shall be paid for the period of the lapse."

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: Federal workers ordered to return to work. Will they get back pay?
WASHINGTON  Consent decrees meant to hold police departments accountable for misconduct have been dismantled in several cities. Voting rights cases have been thrown out and replaced with investigations into alleged voter fraud. Civil rights laws have been used to roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

The Justice Department under Attorney General Pam Bondi would be unrecognizable to its Reconstruction-era founders and to those in the present day who once worked inside the agency to protect Black, brown, and immigrant communities, former DOJ prosecutors said.

Created in the aftermath of the Civil War, the DOJ was intended to unify the federal governments legal work and to pursue justice against white supremacist groups like the Ku Klux Klan that terrorized Black communities across the South. Yet, those early civil rights ambitions didnt become a lasting part of the DOJs structure until 1957, when the Civil Rights Division was established to enforce federal civil rights laws more systematically.

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In 2025, that division has been gutted, and its been a sobering year as priorities have changed, according to former DOJ prosecutors Shaylyn Cochran and Christy Lopez.

Cochran, deputy executive director of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law; Lopez, a Georgetown University law professor; and Jin Hee Lee, director of strategic initiatives at the Legal Defense Fund; help explain.

Capital B spoke to the three legal experts about how the Justice Department once served as a key defender of Black Americans and how, under the current administration, those protections are being steadily eroded.

How has the DOJ historically protected Black Americans?

The Justice Department was founded in 1870. It was just five years after the last enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas, learned in 1865 that slavery was outlawed with the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.

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Since its inception, part of the agencys role was investigating cases of white supremacy, but as the Civil Rights Movement gained momentum in 1954 with the desegregation of public schools, the DOJs Civil Rights Division was needed. Created in 1957, the team of prosecutors is one of eight criminal and lawsuit litigation divisions within the DOJ, including its antitrust, civil, environment and natural resources, national security and tax.

Priorities change, [and] its not unusual to see certain things emphasized in one era and deemphasized in another, Cochran said.

There have been 87 attorneys general sworn in to lead the main DOJ over its history, and only two were Black  Eric Holder and Loretta Lynch. However, under the Trump administration, there has also been a complete erosion of federal career staff at the Justice Department, she said.

Thousands, including hundreds of prosecutors connected to the investigation into the Jan. 6 insurrection, have been fired, while others have quit.

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Cochran, a former Civil Rights Division prosecutor, said its no surprise that elections have consequences, which often include leadership and staffing changes  from the attorney general down through the Justice Department.

It has been a sobering year, she said. Its a sobering experience to compare the Justice Department of today, from what we were hoping it to be  what it felt like when I was there during the last administration.

Lopez, a former senior official in the Civil Rights Division, said in an April interview that it is the division that most directly addresses the interests and rights violations of Black people and other people of color.

She served in the DOJ from 2010 to 2017.

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The prosecutors within the division that once included Lopez and Cochran pursued voting rights enforcement and police reform, as well as combatted systemic discrimination in housing, education, and workplaces. Their work represented Black citizens when local elected officials refused to uphold their rights, especially in the Deep South.

Lopez said that DOJs priorities  even when race is not explicitly mentioned  shape whose rights are protected. But these efforts were not automatic; they were won through public pressure, litigation, and activism. Public pressure from sustained Black Lives Matter protests after George Floyds murder led to a robust federal policing reform package that has lingered in Congress since 2020. Litigation by civil rights attorneys like Ben Crump has led to police reforms in Louisville, Kentucky, and wrongful-death settlements for impacted families. And there has been grassroots organizing, such as Chris Smalls successful campaign to unionize Amazons first warehouse on Staten Island.

Lopez said that the protection of Black Americans extends beyond a single branch of the DOJ.

There are choices made in each of the divisions that will impact the extent to which each of those divisions protects the rights of Black people, she reiterated.

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The Environmental and Natural Resources Division is one example. In recent years, she said, it has worked to ensure that Black and brown communities are not overlooked in everything from environmental cleanup to ensuring that people have clean water [and] clean air.

How have new DOJ policies hurt civil rights?

For former Civil Rights Division prosecutor Lopez, genuine protection of Black Americans requires intentionality across every branch of the Justice Department. But for Lee with the Legal Defense Fund, the DOJs Criminal Division has historically not been a friend of the Black community, which remains disproportionately harmed by the criminal justice system.

The war on drugs and the use of the federal death penalty has historically been very harmful to the Black community, and those harms will obviously be kind of exacerbated under the current administration, Lee said in an April interview.

Since Donald Trumps 2024 presidential win, civil rights advocates say the DOJ has again been disarmed  its investigative tools, especially pattern-or-practice probes, have been curtailed or redirected to serve political goals. Under Bondi, the department has moved to terminate consent decrees in cities like Seattle, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Norfolk, Virginia  agreements that once held police accountable for discriminatory misconduct.

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A pattern or practice investigation is typically launched after allegations of misconduct based on discriminatory factors within a law enforcement agency, educational institution, business, corporation, or entity have risen to a federal probe.

Bondis DOJ also dissolved long-standing desegregation orders, including one with the Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, School Board, in place since the 1960s. The only remaining police investigation from former President Joe Bidens era targets Rankin County, Mississippi, over the January 2023 assault of Michael C. Jenkins and Eddie T. Parker by six former officers.

Bondi has launched just one new pattern-or-practice probe, into the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, but focused narrowly on delays in concealed-carry permits rather than police killings, such as the 2024 shooting of Niani Finlayson by sheriffs deputy Ty Shelton. Shelton has not been charged.

That same department was found in 2013 to have a pattern of unreasonable force and racial harassment in Antelope Valley, prompting a federal consent decree that remains in place, but only partially enforced, the Los Angeles Times reported.

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Meanwhile, the DOJs Criminal Division has become a tool of political retribution. Federal grand juries have indicted former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James  both of whom previously investigated Trump. The division has also led prosecutions tied to aggressive Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and federal takeovers in targeted cities, where people are detained in facilities operated under the federal Bureau of Prisons, which critics say further criminalize communities of color rather than protect them.

The BOP is part of the law enforcement arms of the Justice Department that includes the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; U.S. Marshal Services; and ICE.

How are civil rights organizations stepping up?

Nonprofit legal organizations like Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and the Legal Defense Fund said they have stepped up to fill in the gaps left by the DOJ. Founded in 1963 after former President John F. Kennedys call for private lawyers to defend civil rights, the Lawyers Committee continues to act regardless of whether were able to do that in partnership with the Justice Department, Cochran said.

Our mission is clear, not dependent upon what the Justice Department is doing, Cochran said about the Lawyers Committee. We are always happy to work with state and federal authorities, but were not going to wait to see what happens in the year and times ahead. We also do the same thing from a policy perspective and on an organizing front.

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The Lawyers Committee has ongoing litigation on voting rights, criminal justice, and education  including challenges to Texas redistricting.

Despite limited resources, the LDF are challenging Trumps anti-equity orders and the executive order essentially eliminating the existence of transgender people in court, partnering with Lambda Legal and pro bono law firms to protect the right to engage in DEI efforts, she said.

Theyre also challenging some of the actions of the Department of Education that harm underserved Black and brown students, while fighting state-level laws that ban DEI, or discussions about systemic racism, Lee said.

One of the things thats so interesting and dangerous about what the current administration is doing, said Lopez, who served as a deputy chief in the Special Litigation Section of the Civil Rights Division, is they are acting like if you remove all explicit references to race or gender  then the import of race and gender disappears, but it doesnt. It just becomes invisible.

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In her view, this invisibility risks shifting the focus of the Department of Justice to protect people who are wealthy, to protect people who are white, while leaving historically marginalized communities under protected.

Beyond litigation, Lee said the LDF is focused on public education  to really explain to the public what exactly is happening, countering misinformation that instill[s] fear and prevent people from pursuing equality-driven work.

Theres just so much work to be done, she said.

Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated the origins of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. The group was founded in 1963 after former President John F. Kennedys call for private lawyers to defend civil rights.

The post From Fighting the Klan to Fighting DEI: The Justice Departments Shift on Civil Rights appeared first on Capital B News.
(Photo: Trevor Bexon / Nevada Current)

A massive expansion of Nevadas film tax credit program that has garnered spirited bipartisan support as well as intense bipartisan opposition will be on the agenda when state lawmakers convene for a special legislative session Thursday.

As expected, Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo on Wednesday issued the proclamation calling legislators to convene in Carson City at 10 a.m. Thursday.

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Lombardo will also be asking legislators to pass a crime bill he championed during the regular session of the Legislature earlier this year. Like the film tax credit proposal, the crime bill met its demise as the regular session was winding down. Both measures have been publicly discussed for months as likely items during a legislative special session.

Another half dozen laws that failed to make it across the finish line when the regular session ended in June will also be making a reappearance before lawmakers, including a bill that aims to relieve Nevadas health care provider shortage, a juvenile safety bill, and some statutory housekeeping measures.

Lombardos proclamation also includes what is for a special session a large number of other issues, ranging from cybersecurity prevention to school zone safety to fire trucks for the state Division of Forestry.

Nevadans deserve action now  not years from now  on legislation that implements critical public safety measures, expands healthcare access, and supports good-paying jobs, Lombardo said in a press release accompanying the proclamation.

While Lombardos proclamation specifies when the special session starts, it doesnt specify when it ends.
John Ernest Schwartz, the first Wall Volunteer Fire Department chief, has died after a crash on Monday, according to Facebook and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

The DPS said Schwartz, 88, was driving a 2022 GMC Sierra around 7:48 p.m. on Nov. 10 northbound on Debus Road between San Angelo and Wall. Joseph Lois Key of San Angelo was traveling westbound on U.S. Highway 87 approaching the intersection of Debus Road.

Schwartz failed to yield the right of way, a yield sign at the crossover of U.S. Highway 87, according to the release from DPS. He turned northbound and was struck by Key's SUV.

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Schwartz was pronounced deceased by Tom Green County Judge Tom Daniels, the DPS said. He was not wearing a seatbelt.

Key, 40, was not injured, the media release stated. Weather and road conditions were clear and dry.

The crash is being investigated by the Texas Highway Patrol, which was assisted by the Tom Green County Sheriffs Office, Wall VFD and the San Angelo Fire Department.

John Ernest Schwartz, the first Wall Volunteer Fire Department chief, has died after a crash on Monday.

"We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our patron, John Schwartz," a Wall Co-op Facebook post stated. "John served as past President of the Wall Co-op Board of Directors and was instrumental to the success of Wall throughout the years. John, you will be missed and you are loved. Your legacy will live on through your family."

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The Wall VFD also expressed condolences on its Facebook page.

"It is with heavy hearts and sadness that we come forth to grieve the loss of not just a founding member, but the first fire chief of Wall Volunteer Fire Department," Ryan Born, assistant chief, stated on the post. "John Schwartz Sr. was one of the original members that took on the task of protecting the community of Wall. He and many others were instrumental in founding the department in 1968.

"John and family were lifelong supporters of Wall VFD and we are saddened by the loss of a great man who was a leader in the early years and a mentor to previous members and always a kind person."

More: Angelo State University names 2025 Veteran of the Year

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More: San Angelo Sunset Mall kicking off Christmas events with Santa arrival soon

This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: First Wall Volunteer Fire Department chief pronounced dead after crash
Upscale select-service hotel brand Hyatt Place has launched its first property in Quintana Roo, Mexico, located next to Cancun International Airport.

The hotel marks the sixth Hyatt Place location in the country.

Hyatt Place Cancun Airport offers 156 guest rooms and suites equipped with free wireless internet, workspaces, and seating areas.

The building includes public spaces with high ceilings, communal work and meeting areas, a fitness centre, and an outdoor swimming pool measuring nearly 50ft in length.

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Hyatt Place Cancun Airport also offers approximately 1,500ft of event space featuring natural light and an additional outdoor deck for gatherings.

Hyatt Place Cancun Airport general manager Andrea Medina said: Were honoured to introduce the Hyatt Place brand to a key destination in Mexico, offering an ideal stay for both business and leisure travellers seeking a seamless and stress-free experience just minutes from the airport.

Our team looks forward to creating meaningful connections with travellers and the local community and providing a welcoming space to relax, work and explore Cancun with ease.

Hyatt Place Cancun Airport provides on-site parking and a complimentary 24-hour airport shuttle, providing access to local business areas and the Cancun Airport Tren Maya station.

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The opening follows Hyatts multi-property agreement with Parks Hospitality Holdings.

Three further hotels are planned as part of this collaboration, namely Park Hyatt Cancun set for 2026, Grand Hyatt Los Cabos in 2027, and Grand Hyatt Mexico City Santa Fe in 2028.

Parks Hospitality Holdings CEO Charles El Mann Fasja said: With the arrival of Hyatt Place Cancun Airport, PHH embarks on an exciting new chapter, as we bring world-class hospitality to one of Mexicos most vibrant destinations.

This project reflects our passion for creating spaces where travellers can seamlessly connect, relax, and experience the energy and culture of Mexico, while meeting the highest global standards of service and comfort.

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Hyatt Place Cancun Airport is the sixth Hyatt Place property in Mexico, with additional openings planned, including Hyatt Place Merida/Via Montejo later this month and Hyatt Place Piedras Negras expected in early 2026.

Hyatt Hotels recently signed an agreement to bring the Hyatt Place brand to Bhuj in Gujarat, India.

"First Hyatt Place hotel opens in Quintana Roo, Mexico" was originally created and published by Hotel Management Network, a GlobalData owned brand.




A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. 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.

Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. 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 .

Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of ABO Energy GmbH & Co. KGaA ( ETR:AB9 ) as an investment opportunity by projecting its future cash flows and then discounting them to today's value. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine.

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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 (1.6%) 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 6.8%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2035  (1 + g)  (r  g) = 43m (1 + 1.6%)  (6.8% 1.6%) = 823m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 823m ( 1 + 6.8%)10= 425m

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 635m. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of 35.2, the company appears quite undervalued at a 49% discount to where the stock price trades currently. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent.

XTRA:AB9 Discounted Cash Flow November 13th 2025

The Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. 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 ABO Energy GmbH KGaA 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 6.8%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.252. 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.

See our latest analysis for ABO Energy GmbH KGaA

SWOT Analysis for ABO Energy GmbH KGaA

Strength

Debt is well covered by earnings.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Renewable Energy market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the German market.

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow.

Annual revenue is forecast to grow slower than the German market.

Moving On:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. What is the reason for the share price sitting below the intrinsic value? For ABO Energy GmbH KGaA, there are three relevant factors you should assess:

Risks: We feel that you should assess the 3 warning signs for ABO Energy GmbH KGaA (1 can't be ignored!) we've flagged before making an investment in the company. Future Earnings: How does AB9'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 Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the XTRA 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.
Florida schools will be the first in the nation to adopt the Phoenix Declaration, a set of principles developed by the Heritage Foundation, following approval by the State Board of Education today.

The Phoenix Declaration outlines key values intended to guide schools, including parental choice, transparency, academic excellence, and citizenship. These principles aim to reshape educational priorities in Floridas school system.

The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, created the Phoenix Declaration to influence educational policy nationwide.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
After a record-breaking 43 days of political standoffs, thousands of furloughed federal employees and increasingly strained services, decimated air travel and the loss in food assistance for 42 million Americans, the government shutdown is over.

What happens now? And how fast?

President Donald Trump signed the deal Wednesday night, Nov. 12, that Republicans and a small group of Democrats hammered out to end the shutdown. The compromise includes the rehire of thousands of federal employees the Trump administration laid off and a ban on new firings until Jan. 30, as well as full back pay for those furloughed in the shutdown.

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It also guaranteed a vote in the Senate on extending subsidies for the Affordable Care Act to prevent millions of people from being priced out of healthcare, the reason Democrats were holding out in the first place.

For the 2.9 million Floridians who have not received benefits since October from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides funds for low- and no-income people to buy healthy food, there's still one question.

When do Florida SNAP benefits go out in November?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture told USA TODAY on Wednesday evening that upon the government reopening, funds should be released within 24 hours to all 50 states and U.S. territories to be distributed by state agencies.

Jessica Garon, a spokesperson for the American Public Human Services Association, told the Associated Press that most states will be able to issue full benefits within three days after they get the OK.

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In Florida, SNAP is managed by the Florida Department of Children and Families and is distributed on dates based on numbers in recipients' account numbers. As of 9 a.m. Thursday, it has not yet been announced how November payments will be distributed.

The shutdown deal funds the government through Jan. 30, but funds certain programs including SNAP, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, known as WIC, the School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, and Summer EBT through September 2026.

It also replenishes SNAP contingency reserve funds.

The Florida Department of Children and Families in a message on the website urged SNAP recipients to continue to maintain eligibility by meeting all work-related activities and tasks, including job search training, supervised job search, and basic education, so they can receive benefits as quickly as possible once funding resumes.

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Florida SNAP benefits update: Where to find free, reduced food in Florida while you wait for benefits

Shutdown deal bumps WIC back up

WIC gets a funding increase of $603 million, bringing it to $8.2 billion, so all eligible recipients should get benefits. Also in the deal is continued funding for fruit and vegetable benefits "which President Trump and House Republicans pushed to significantly cut," according to the bill's USDA summary.

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), which provides monthly food boxes to over 700,000 low-income seniors, will receive $460 million. "President Trump sought to eliminate the program in his budget request," the summary said.

Trump administration, courts battle over SNAP

Tens of millions of SNAP recipients have watched the last few weeks as lawsuits and court rulings whiplashed back and forth over the federal food aid they rely on. For the first time in the food stamp programs 60-year history, funding lapsed on Nov. 1, launching a legal scramble to try to keep benefits flowing.

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A few days before the money ran out, the USDA announced it couldnt use the roughly $6 billion of contingency funds to pay for SNAP, despite the agency having used them in at least two previous shutdowns and having detailed plans to do it again in a later-deleted contingency plan on the USDA website, dated Sept. 30.

By the end of October, 25 states plus Washington, D.C. sued the Trump administration to force the release of November SNAP benefits. Two federal courts found withholding the funds to be unlawful and ordered payment. Initially, the Trump administration agreed to comply, but later stated that it only had enough money to partially fund the program.

President Donald Trump posted on his social media site Truth Social that payments would be made "only when the Radical Left Democrats open up government, which they can easily do, and not before!" although White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later said the post didn't reflect plans to violate the rulings, saying, "The administration is fully complying with the court order."

Rhode Island federal Judge John McConnell instructed the USDA on Nov. 6 to pay benefits in full by Friday, Nov. 7. The Trump administration filed a last-minute appeal with the Supreme Court to block the ruling.

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The Supreme Court ruled on Nov. 7 that partial payments could be made, but at least 16 states had already released the full benefit amount over the weekend and another 13 issued or began issuing partial or mixed payments, according to research by the Food Research and Action Center. Florida, where 2.9 million residents receive SNAP benefits, was not one of them.

The USDA then instructed states that had already begun distributing benefits to "undo" the payments and take them back on Nov. 9, a demand that was blocked in federal court on Nov. 10.

The Supreme Court on Nov. 11 again declined to order full payments, giving Congress time to resolve the issue through a pending deal to end the government shutdown instead.

SNAP benefits cut, more restrictions added

While SNAP benefits will resume, the program has still been reduced and restricted. Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill," passed in July cut an estimated $186 billion from SNAP funding through 2034, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

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The bill also makes it more difficult to qualify for benefits and passes some of the costs to the states.

Able-bodied individuals without dependents are required to work at least 80 hours per month if they are ages 18 to 65 to receive benefits. Previously, the top age was 55.

Veterans, people who recently aged out of foster care and unhoused people are no longer exempt from work requirements.

Benefits are restricted to only certain lawful permanent residents and U.S. citizens. Others lawfully present in the United States are eliminated, including those who have qualified for conditional entry under the asylum and refugee laws or based on urgent humanitarian reasons like survivors of domestic violence or human trafficking.

The federal government has paid for benefits with each state handling the actual management. Under the new bill, states must assume up to 15% of benefit costs, depending on the payment error rate, and are saddled with increased administrative costs from 50% to 75%.

Florida SNAP benefits help low-income families buy healthy food.

What is SNAP, the former food stamp program?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal program that provides assistance to low-income seniors, people with disabilities living on fixed incomes, and other individuals and families with low incomes to help them buy nutritious food.

It grew out of the nearly century-old national food stamp program and was renamed in the 2008 farm bill. SNAP is part of the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

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While October payments were pre-funded, money ran out for November payments, leaving millions at risk of hunger.

Other charities like Halifax Urban Ministries load their van with supplies at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida in Daytona Beach, Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025

How much money do SNAP recipients get?

In fiscal year 2025, the average monthly benefit per person in the SNAP program was $190.59, per USDA (about $6 a day). For households, the average monthly benefit was $356.41 in total.

However, the exact amount of money that each SNAP recipient gets per month depends on their income and household size, so it varies per person.

How many people are on SNAP benefits?

More than 42 million people across more than 22 million households relied on SNAP benefits every month during fiscal year 2025, according to the USDA. Children accounted for about 39% of the people who received the benefits, according to the USDA's report on fiscal year 2023, its latest annual data.

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About 2.98 million Floridians received SNAP during fiscal year 2024, about 12.7% of the state's population. The national average is 12.3%.

In 2023, 55% of SNAP households with children included someone employed (28% of the total) and 61% also received some other form of assistance such as Social Security.

Contributing: Sarah D. Wire, USA TODAY; Gray Rohrer, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida SNAP payments to resume after government shutdown. When?
A food influencer with millions of followers was shot and killed by a sheriffs deputy in Texas after he allegedly threatened people with a knife on Saturday. His family is calling his death a "horrible accident" that occurred just days after his wedding anniversary, according to an announcement on his social media.

On November 8, Medina County sheriffs deputies responded to a 911 call reporting a man who was allegedly threatening people with a knife. An incident report said that Duarte was exhibiting erratic behavior and making threats to kill everyone.

After multiple verbal commands were given for M Duarte to get on the ground by the Deputy  M Duarte charged toward the Deputy while yelling, Im going to kill you. The Deputy discharged two rounds from her duty weapon, striking M Duarte, the report added.

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TMZ first reported Duartes cause of death. No further information is available about the incident.

Duarte, 36, was known on social media as "FoodWithBearHands."

Michael Duarte died on November 8 when he was shot and killed by a sheriff's deputy in Medina County, Texas. He was allegedly threatening people with a knife (Michael Duarte/Instagram)

The talent agency representing Michael Duarte, a California-based content creator known for his recipe, cooking and grilling videos, confirmed his death in a November 9 Instagram post.

The Independent has requested comment from the Medina County Sheriffs Office.

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our valued client and dear friend, Michael Duarte, Alooma Media Group wrote in a statement. He was a true & 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.

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In his bio on Instagram, Duarte wrote that his purpose is to share to the world food to people who need it the most.

Duarte leaves behind his wife, Jessica  with whom he had just celebrated nine years of marriage  and their 6-year-old daughter, Oakley. His family is collecting money to support them via a GoFundMe.

The fundraiser page notes that Duarte died in a "horrible accident" while he was traveling in Texas.

Duarte, known to millions of his followers as FoodWithBearHands, was known for his cooking videos (FoodWithBearHands/Instagram)

We ask that you lift Michael's family up in prayer during this extremely difficult time, the page says. This heartbreak came without warning, leaving Jessica to incur the expense of bringing him back home to California and covering funeral expenses.

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Duarte grew up in California and as a teenager fostered his interest in cooking by working with his uncle, who owned a small Mexican restaurant. He later went to work as a cook in the San Diego area before leaving his job during the Covid-19 pandemic to start building a social media brand around his cooking videos.

His warmth, kindness, and generosity were felt in every interaction, and he had a way of making everyone around him feel valued and inspired, Alooma said in its statement. Michaels passing is a tremendous loss to all who knew him. His legacy of integrity, compassion, and dedication will continue to live on through the lives he touched.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  The former DWI King, known for making hundreds of drunk driving arrests, has been under internal investigation with New Mexico State Police for most of the year, prompted by the federal investigation of a long-running DWI corruption scheme.

KRQE investigative reporter Gabrielle Burkhart learned that former Sgt. Toby Lafave was quietly fired by State Police in October. We dont look for people to tell us thank you, Lafave told KRQE News 13 in a 2019 interview. The recognition that we do get at times, it is nice to get it though.

DWI King cashing in while his cases crumble

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KRQE Investigates confirmed Lafaves employment with New Mexico State Police was terminated on October 29, months after the department placed him on administrative leave pending an internal affairs investigation.

Ive been doing this a long time, so you think that youve seen it all, NMSP Chief Troy Weisler told KRQE in February. But then something like this happens and you realize that you havent.

Chief Weisler placed Lafave on leave back in February, when the feds added Lafaves name to a long list of officers across three departments who are no longer considered credible witnesses in court. The Bernalillo District Attorneys and Valencia County District Attorneys offices have Lafave on their Giglio list, along with a list of names the feds have linked to potential involvement in the states biggest public corruption scheme.

The scheme involved officers working with former defense attorney Thomas Clear III to get DWI cases dismissed for extra cash.

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Lafave has not been charged with a crime. Neither the feds nor State Police have said whether they found any evidence that he participated in the DWI scheme, and NMSP has not released the results of its internal affairs investigation.

Chief Weisler declined an interview with KRQE on Wednesday; however, he did confirm a misconduct report, or LEA-90, was filed with the Law Enforcement Certification Board. State Police would not confirm whether the LEA-90 is related to potential involvement in the DWI corruption scheme.

First off, I want to apologize for it happening, or for this to even be a suggestion that it happened, Chief Weisler said during a February interview with KRQE, after Lafave was placed on administrative leave. Obviously, well have to go through the whole process and see what turns out on the other side. But, you know, we will be working day in and day out to regain the trust of the community.

Former NMSP Sgt. Toby Lafave on the states ENDWI campaign billboard

Before that, Lafave made hundreds of arrests in his more than 20-year career with the states biggest police force. Known as the DWI King and cracking down on drunk drivers, his face was posted on the states ENDWI campaign billboards along the freeway.

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KRQE Investigates learned through public records requests that Lafave was still making his full $54-per-hour paycheck while under investigation. With 182 days of administrative leave, that means Lafave racked up nearly $80,000 in pay for staying off the streets before he was fired last month.

The stain on his credibility also meant prosecutors were forced to drop nearly 40 pending DWI cases Lafave handled in Bernalillo and Valencia counties.

To date, eight former police officers, two defense attorneys, and a former paralegal have all pleaded guilty in federal court related to the DWI corruption scheme. The former ringleader, Thomas Clear III, admitted in court that this scheme dates back to 1995. No one has been sentenced yet.

KRQEs Continued Coverage of the DWI Corruption Scheme

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
A mother-and-daughter duo - one claiming to be a fortune teller and a feng shui master - have been charged over allegedly scamming almost A$70m ($46m; 35m) from "vulnerable" Vietnamese targets in Australia.

The mother, 53, was arrested in the exclusive suburb of Dover Heights in Sydney on Wednesday, along with her daughter, 25. Police say they were an intrinsic part of a "highly sophisticated" fraud and money laundering syndicate.

The mother allegedly convinced her victims to take out loans, keeping a share herself, by telling them she foresaw a "billionaire" in their future.

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She was refused bail due to appear in court on Thursday. Her daughter was granted bail with a court date in January.

The mother faces 39 charges including directing the activities of a criminal group and dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception.

Her daughter was charged with seven offences including recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime and being part of a criminal group.

During the early-morning arrest at the pair's multi-million-dollar mansion, police seized financial documents, mobile phones, luxury handbags, a 40 gram gold bar worth A$10,000 ($6,500; 5,000) and A$6,600 in casino chips.

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Police said the mother was an influential and trusted member of her community and as a fortune teller, she would give readings to clients, some who divulged they were in financial hardship.

She would then predict a billionaire would come to their aid, and this "would happen sooner rather than later" if they took out a loan.

As part of Wednesday's arrest, investigators also froze about A$15m in assets, adding to A$60m in assets already seized from a wider probe into the syndicate that started last year.

Police launched Strike Force Myddleton to investigate a criminal group allegedly using stolen identities to get loans for "ghost cars" - luxury cars that did not exist.

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"What began as an investigation into fraudulent car financing has expanded into uncovering one of the most sophisticated financial crime syndicates I have seen in my career at the helm of the Financial Crimes Squad," said Det Supt Gordon Arbinja, commander of the financial crimes squad.

Police claim the criminal group's activities include "large-scale personal, business and home loan fraud against multiple financial institutions".

According to an investigation by the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH), the mother-and-daughter duo are linked to what's been dubbed the Penthouse Syndicate, as the alleged ringleader lived in an A$18m penthouse in Sydney.

Police claim the group defrauded major Australian banks of up to A$250m with allegedly corrupt bank staff approving loans to help the syndicate buy multiple properties in Sydney, according to the SMH.

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More than a dozen people have already been arrested, charged with a range of offences including fraud and money laundering, in what is believed to be one of the largest such cases in Australia.

Police said they expect to make more arrests with a focus on the "professional facilitators" of the criminal group including lawyers, accountants and property developers.
Legal Services of South Central Michigan-Battle Creek office will conduct interviews for legal advice and possible representation, without charge, to interested older Americans on Dec. 3.

The event will take place from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Union City Senior Center, 501 N. Broadway St., Union City, according to a community announcement.

The organization provides legal assistance to low-income individuals in Calhoun and Branch counties and seniors in St. Joseph, Branch, Calhoun and Barry counties. The advice and counsel at the senior sites is funded primarily by the Area Agency on Aging Region 3C through the Michigan Bureau of Aging, Community Living and Supports under the Older Americans Act of 1965.

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Legal Services of South Central Michigan aims to ensure equal access to the justice system for its clients through its board, staff, volunteers and pro bono attorneys. The organization offers a range of services, including legal advice, representation and education.

Older adults interested in receiving legal advice can attend the event without charge. The interviews will be conducted by representatives from the Battle Creek office of Legal Services of South Central Michigan.

Legal Services of South Central Michigan encourages older adults to take advantage of this opportunity to receive legal advice and possible representation at no cost.

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 Coldwater Daily Reporter: Legal Services of South Central Michigan to offer free advice Dec. 3
The California Democratic Party is reeling from the arrest of Gov. Gavin Newsoms former chief of staff in a corruption case involving a top aide to former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra.

Neither the term-limited governor nor Becerra, who is running to succeed Newsom, is accused of wrongdoing.

Both have spent the past day distancing themselves from the investigation into Dana Williamson, a longtime political strategist who was Newsoms chief of staff from early 2023 to November 2024, and Sean McCluskie, who was Becerras chief of staff at HHS and his top deputy when Becerra was the states attorney general.

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Williamson was arrested on Wednesday in Sacramento on allegations of fraud, falsifying her tax returns and other charges, the most serious of which carry sentences of up to 20 years in prison. She pleaded not guilty and was released on a $500,000 bond.

Prosecutors allege in the 23-count indictment that Williamson conspired with McCluskie and others to divert roughly $225,000 from the dormant campaign account of Public Official 1, whom the indictment describes in terms that match Becerra, to McCluskie, disguising it as pay for work that never happened.

Williamson is also charged with falsifying and backdating contracts to justify Covid-era loans made to her business under the Paycheck Protection Program, claiming as tax deductions more than $1 million worth of personal expenses, including private jet travel, luxury hotel stays, designer handbags and cash payments to friends and family.

McCluskie recently entered into a plea agreement and agreed with the facts of the FBIs investigation. He faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, though he will likely receive lighter punishment because he is cooperating.

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Ms. Williamson no longer serves in this administration, a spokesperson for the governor said in a statement to MSNBC. While we are still learning details of the allegations, the Governor expects all public servants to uphold the highest standards of integrity.

The spokesperson said Williamson was placed on leave as soon as she informed the office last year she was under criminal investigation, adding that the alleged fraud did not take place while she served in the governors office.

Becerra said in a statement that the news of formal accusations of impropriety by a long-serving trusted advisor are a gut punch and added that he is voluntarily cooperating with the Justice Department in its investigation.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Twelve-year-old Raghad al-Assar lay unconscious in a Gaza mortuary for eight hours after she was declared dead following an Israeli attack on her home in central Gaza last year.

We were sitting in our home like everyone else when suddenly bullets, planes and drones came down on us, she told Al Jazeera.

Al-Assar was saved by chance when a Palestinian man searching for his sons body in the morgue saw the young girls fingers moving as she lay on a cold slab.

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I was in a coma for two weeks, and when I woke up, my family told me that I had been placed in the morgue refrigerator, she recounted.





Two of al-Assars sisters were killed in the attack on June 8, 2024, and other members of her family were hurt as well.

All my family was injured, and two of my sisters were martyred. My eldest sisters condition is worse than mine. She cant see in one eye, has burns, deep wounds and stomach problems, al-Assar revealed.

Her story is one of the many to emerge from Israels war on Gaza, which United Nations experts have described as a genocide.

According to the UN Childrens Fund, some 64,000 children have reportedly been killed or maimed in Israeli attacks on coastal Palestinian territory.

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Israels war on Gaza has killed at least 69,187 Palestinians and wounded 170,703 since its start in October 2023.

Changed her into another person

Al-Assars father, Mohammed, was working when his house was attacked. A relative had called to tell him what happened.

News came to me that my house was targeted. I was at work, not at home. I rushed from work to the hospital to check what happened, he said.

We went to the house to look for Raghad under the rubble. We did not find any sign of her.

After he reunited with his daughter, Mohammed noticed the attack had completely changed her.

The incident that occurred to her changed her mental health and personality into another person, he explained. There would be incidents where we walk on the street, where she faints while were walking on the street.





Al-Assar told Al Jazeera she suffers from nightmares and anxiety whenever she recalls the day of the attack.

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I dont like to remember, dont want to hear war sounds, and avoid things that bring back memories. If I hear bombing or planes, I get frightened, she said.

Her family is hoping to get al-Assar and her sister medical treatment abroad.

I want to go abroad for treatment. That is my dream, al-Assar said. It is a childs right to live just like other people abroad  for them to have play and have wellbeing.

Two years of Israeli bombardment across Gaza have destroyed many health facilities and killed hundreds of medics, resulting in the collapse of the territorys medical infrastructure.

While Hamas and Israel agreed last month to a ceasefire, Israel continues to conduct attacks on the enclave, and at least 260 people have been killed since the truce began on October 10.
Former President George W. Bush and former Rep. Liz Cheney will memorialize the late Vice President Dick Cheney in a funeral service at Washington National Cathedral on Nov. 20, according to a release.

Cheney, the deeply influential yet polarizing vice president who served for eight years as Bushs powerhouse right-hand, acted almost as a shadow chief executive through the presidents two terms in office. He passed away earlier this month at 84 due to complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease.

Dick was a calm and steady presence in the White House amid great national challenges, Bush wrote of Cheney shortly after his death. I counted on him for his honest, forthright counsel, and he never failed to give his best. He held to his convictions and prioritized the freedom and security of the American people.

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Despite his bullish reputation toward the left, Cheney was also known for supporting his daughter, then-Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) as she stood in stark opposition to Trumps efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, helming the House January 6 Committee as vice chair to investigate the riot at the U.S. Capitol in 2021.

I watched my dad serve in the highest offices in our country for nearly 50 years, she wrote of Cheney in her 2023 memoir Oath and Honor. From him, I learned what it means to have the courage of your convictions.

Jonathan Reiner  Cheneys long-time physician and cardiologist  and Pete Williams  Cheneys former press secretary and spokesperson during his career in Congress and at the Pentagon  will also deliver tributes at the service.
A young woman in north Georgia has been arrested and charged with child cruelty.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says the Cleveland Police Department asked for their help with a child abuse investigation last week.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Investigators say they charged Alyssa Clark, 18, with two counts of cruelty to children.

They did not comment on what led up to the charges or the investigation.

TRENDING STORIES:

Channel 2 Action News has reached out to Cleveland police to learn more details.

Clark was booked into the White County Detention Center.

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DUBLIN (Reuters) -Most of Ireland's big corporate taxpayers have so far escaped the direct impact of U.S. tariffs, but American trade policies have made the outlook for this critical source of government revenue increasingly uncertain, Ireland's fiscal watchdog said.

Irish corporate tax receipts, paid mainly by a small number of U.S. multinationals, have jumped sevenfold since 2014 to account for close to one third of all taxes collected and transform the public finances.

The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (IFAC) noted on Wednesday that the pharmaceutical and technology sectors, which together represent about 87% of corporate tax payments from U.S.-owned firms, had avoided U.S. tariffs so far.

PHARMA EXPORTS SURGED AHEAD OF EXPECTED TARIFFS

In fact, the watchdog said pharmaceutical exports to the U.S. had benefitted from frontloading, with Irelands shipments exceeding the record total for all of 2024 by April, as companies moved to stay ahead of potential trade barriers.

It added that the data also pointed to a structural increase in exports of an active ingredient used in weight-loss drugs, boosting short-term corporate tax receipts.

However, IFAC warned the sectors outlook remained very uncertain.

Risks include the long-term objective of the tariffs to encourage more pharma manufacturing in the United States.

"Multiple forces are at play, from potential tariffs and drug price reforms to new blockbuster drugs and buoyant underlying demand. Each could have an influence on the value of Ireland's pharma exports to the U.S. and, hence, Ireland's corporation tax receipts," the watchdog said.

"Corporation tax revenues from pharma could go up by a lot or down by a lot."

While there is a clear risk corporate tax could decline in other manufacturing sectors such as drinks and medical devices likely to be directly affected by tariffs, they accounted for just 4% of Irish corporate revenues in 2024, IFAC added.

(Reporting by Padraic HalpinEditing by Mark Potter)
Two co-operative banks in the East Westphalia region of Germany have terminated the accounts belonging to the local Alternative for Germany (AfD) chapter, the AfD district association in Minden-Lubbecke said in a statement calling the decision "politically motivated".

The Verbund Volksbank OWL and Volksbank in Ostwestfalen confirmed the news to local German outlets on Tuesday, but refused to provide specific background on the cases, citing "banking secrecy laws".

Volksbanken are part of Germanys co-operative banking network (Genossenschaftsbanken) and are owned by their members rather than external shareholders.

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Each operates regionally, and local customers hold shares, elect a supervisory board and profits are reinvested to serve the community rather than to maximise returns for external shareholders.

On Sunday, AfD first published a statement claiming their accounts had been closed.

"Private individuals, companies, political parties or factions: they all need a bank account. Regular payments, such as employee salaries, are processed through this account," the AfD district office said in this statement.

The chairman of the AfD Minden-Lubbecke district, Sebastian Landwehr, condemned the Volksbank's decision targeting "Germany's biggest opposition party."

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"Since there is no misconduct on the part of the AfD district association and the trustworthiness of the district association has not changed, only one explanation remains: This is so-called 'debanking', ie, a politically motivated account termination," he said.

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A pattern of 'de-banking'

In January a local AfD chapter said Volksbank Dusseldorf-Neuss had terminated its account. The bank only confirmed in general terms and again pointed to customer confidentiality and its right to end relationships.

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In summer of 2024, the Berliner Volksbank ended the AfD federal partys donations account after the "Grandmothers Against the Right" group  which organises campaigns against the far-right  petitioned for it.

In September 2024, Deutsche Kreditbank cancelled the accounts and cards of newly elected AfD Thuringia politician Sascha Schlosser just days after his state election win.

AfD called for all "democratically-minded customers of Volksbank" to "switch to another bank."

On 2 May, the German Office for the Protection of the Constitution classified AfD as a confirmed right-wing extremist organisation based on information they had received from domestic intelligence bodies, after initially deeming it a "suspected" case.

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Its assessments carry significant political and legal weight  once a group is classified as extremist, state institutions and private actors often treat it as a potential security risk, shaping everything from surveillance powers to how banks and companies engage with it.

Closing in on the AfD

Deutsche Bahn, Siemens, Miele, Oetker, Stihl and Vorwerk have run pro-democracy or no to AfD style campaigns such as the "We Stand for Values" push ahead of the German federal elections this year, where they claimed that AfD positions are in conflict with their values and staffing needs.

The German newspaper Borsenzeitung reports that the Volksbanken are legally allowed to close AfD accounts. However, when such closures are justified implicitly with reference to values, they reveal a political motivation  and that is problematic for a party still permitted to participate in all elections.

What remains for the AfD after the many account closures by the Volksbanken are accounts with the Sparkassen. As public-law institutions, they are obliged to maintain accounts for political parties. A 2018 ruling by the Federal Administrative Court made this clear, citing the party privileges enshrined in the German constitution.
Chile's presidential election has been big on musical and other surprises, from a 72-year-old candidate's ill-advised foray into rap to a Javier Milei-style metal track created with AI.

Here are three quirks of Sunday's race to succeed outgoing left-wing President Gabriel Boric.

- 'Danke schoen' -

A full three of the four leading candidates in the presidential race -- far-right candidate Jose Antonio Kast, his ultra-right competitor Johannes Kaiser and Evelyn Matthei, a mainstream conservative -- are of German origin.

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Matthei broke into German during the final candidates' TV debate on Monday.

"Danke schoen (Thank you)," she said, blushing after the burly Kaiser, 49, presented her with a rose for her 72nd birthday.

Around half a million of Chile's population of nearly 20 million people have German ancestry, according to various estimates.

Most German immigrants arrived in the 19th century, lured by a Chilean plan to populate the country's remote, forested south.

Others arrived after World War II, including Paul Schaefer, the notorious founder of a brutal German-themed cult, Colonia Dignidad.

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Matthei's family arrived in Chile in the 19th century but Kast's father, who was a member of Hitler's Nazi army, emigrated to Chile after the war.

Kaiser's paternal grandfather, on the contrary, fled Hitler's Germany because of his leftist political leanings, according to Kaiser's brother Axel.

A style moniker of the anti-migrant Johannes has drawn attention, however.

He wears German Iron Cross cufflinks -- a symbol of the German military.

- AI to look like Milei -

Kaiser has styled himself as a libertarian in the mold of neighboring Argentina's President Javier Milei.

To underscore his ideological proximity to the Argentine rocker, his campaign released a heavy metal song entitled "Defend the Truth."

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"Defend the truth with strength and courage, defend the truth against the leftist and the traitor," an unseen frontman sings over the screech of a guitar.

But while the lyrics were recorded by real-life campaign activists, the instruments were generated by AI, his team confirmed to AFP.

Kaiser isn't the only candidate to ask AI for inspiration.

Leftist candidate Marco Enriquez-Ominami, who has barely registered in polls, used AI to create his not-very-subtle campaign ad.

It features Kast as late military dictator Augusto Pinochet, Matthei in the cockpit of an airforce jet that bombs the Moneda presidential palace (inspired by real events of Pinochet's 1973 coup) and Kaiser as a tank commander.

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- Evelyn from the hood -

The candidate who has arguably attracted the most ridicule on the campaign trail is former minister Matthei, who was persuaded to play a scowling rapper in a TV campaign jingle attacking her rivals.

"I'm not Kast, I'm not Jara, I'm Evelyn, looking ahead," a woman sings as 72-year-old Matthei stares at the camera, arms folded, flanked by dancers.

Social media panned the song's dubious rhyming and Matthei's unblinking gaze.

Kast called it "a terrible mistake" on the part of his rival.

"I regret that she stooped so low."

axl/cb/des
Germany's Bundestag, or lower house of parliament, on Thursday extended two overseas missions of the country's armed forces in the Mediterranean, the EU's Med Irini mission and NATO's Sea Guardian mission.

The European Union Naval Force Mediterranean Operation Irini, or Med Irini, mission enforces the UN arms embargo on Libya. Up to 300 soldiers stationed off the Libyan coast are also tasked with taking action against smugglers and human traffickers.

Sea Guardian's task is to monitor the Mediterranean in a bid to combat terrorism and arms smuggling and secure the southern flank of NATO. Up to 550 German soldiers can be deployed for this purpose.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has been briefed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the widening corruption scandal in Kiev that has forced two ministers to step down.

"The chancellor emphasized the German government's expectation that Ukraine will vigorously pursue the fight against corruption and further reforms, particularly in the area of the rule of law," the German government said in a statement on Thursday.

In a post on X, Zelensky said he was grateful for Merz's advice and would do everything in his power to strengthen the trust of Ukraine's partners. He did not mention the corruption probe.

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The corruption investigations are targeting former and current members of the government as well as prominent businessmen.

Two ministers have resigned, while Zelensky also imposed sanctions on the main suspect, his long-time business partner Tymur Mindich. Mindich has fled to Israel.

The sanctions also target the financier Olexander Zukerman.

All assets belonging to Mindich and Zukerman will be frozen in Ukraine. This primarily affects the film studio Kvartal 95, which Zelensky founded before taking office and in which Mindich holds a 50% stake, according to public data.

Zelensky is said to have transferred his shares to Mindich in 2019 before the start of his election campaign.

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Zukerman rejected the allegations made against him and confirmed only that he was abroad.

The sanctions are set to remain in place for three years.

Widening anti-corruption probe

Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP) are probing alleged kickbacks involving state nuclear company Energoatom.

The case centres on millions in bribes allegedly paid during the construction of protective structures meant to shield energy facilities from Russian airstrikes.

Authorities said on Tuesday that five people had been detained and seven were under investigation. The group is suspected of laundering about $100 million in bribes.
A collaboration between the Glazer Hall cultural arts center in Palm Beach and a Rhode Island-based philanthropic group aims to enhance arts education for elementary and middle school students.

The center announced Nov. 3 it has launched the Laura Sachs Family Foundation Arts in Education Series in partnership with The Collis Foundation.

The initiative is designed to give all students, regardless of income, access to live performances that enhance classroom learning from kindergarten through middle school, said Allison Stockel, Glazer Hall's executive director.

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We believe the arts are an essential element in fostering a love of lifelong learning, as students are encouraged to explore diverse perspectives and expand their imaginations, she said. As part of our ongoing commitment to be a welcoming cultural hub, Glazer Hall seeks to provide a wide variety of arts that enrich and engage the entire community.

In partnership with local educators, Glazer Hall will design programming that complements school lessons and reading lists and introduces students to diverse forms of performing arts.

For Title I schools, which have a high percentage of low-income students, Glazer Hall will offer free busing for students whose schools cannot afford it.

The Glazer Hall cultural arts center will open its inaugural season Jan. 22 with a performance by the Amazing Acrobats of Shanghai Circus.

Approximately 70% of schools in Palm Beach County are designated as Title I, which means many students face economic challenges, said Jill Glazer, Glazer Hall's founder and president. We want every child to feel supported during their visit, so for those who cant return to school in time for lunch, well provide free meals at the theater.

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The Laura Sachs Family Foundation is a private philanthropic organization based in Lake Forest, Ill., that works to promote arts education and support underserved communities.

Now living in Palm Beach, Sachs is backing Glazer Halls efforts to inspire, educate, and engage local students, alongside support from The Collis Foundation, Glazer said.

Glazer Hall has launched the Laura Sachs Family Foundation Arts in Education Series, which is designed to give students access to live performances that enhance classroom learning from kindergarten through middle school.

Founded in 1997, the Collis Foundation supports initiatives in education and schools, children and youth, and historical preservation.

We are grateful to the Laura Sachs Family Foundation for supporting our Arts in Education initiative, Glazer said. It is because of the foundations support, and the support of The Collis Foundation, that we are able to offer such a wide range of shows for students from kindergarten to middle school.

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Glazer Hall has announced the first two sets of shows for its inaugural season, which begins Jan. 22 with a performance by the Amazing Acrobats of Shanghai Circus.

That performance is one of several available to students through the Laura Sachs Family Foundation Arts in Education Series.

Others include: Preservation Halls Kids in the Hall Field Trip (Feb. 5); Pilobolus Is a Fungus (Feb. 10); Ballet by the Book: Peter and the Wolf" (March 11); and All Things Equal: The Life & Trials of Ruth Bader Ginsburg" (March 13).

Glazer Hall, at 70 Royal Poinciana Plaza, will be the town's first new nonprofit arts organization in more than 60 years.

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Construction is ongoing at the landmarked Royal Poinciana Playhouse site, which was originally designed by renowned architect John Volk.

When complete, the 24,000-square-foot waterfront space will host year-round performing arts events, educational outreach, and community and social programming. It will include a fully configurable, 400-seat theater, state-of-the-art audiovisual system, a wall of windows overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway, and exclusive private spaces.

For information on Glazer Hall, visit its website at https://glazerhall.org/.

Jodie Wagner is a journalist at the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at jwagner@pbdailynews.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Glazer Hall in Palm Beach announces new arts in education initiative
House Republicans are coming out in favor of voting for a bipartisan measure to release the Justice Departments files on Jeffrey Epstein.

The resolution has been gaining traction since its proposal by representatives Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Ro Khanna, D-Calif., last summer. House Democrats release of Epstein emails earlier this week has forced some tough decisions for MAGA representatives.

Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, told CNNs Manu Raju he plans to vote next week on the petition and called on Attorney General Pam Bondi to do some explaining to Congress. Davidson said the U.S. reaction to revelations from the Epstein files has paled in comparison to moves made in the United Kingdom, where the former Prince Andrew was stripped of his royal titles.

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The Oversight Committee has pushed out a lot of disclosures, the administration has done a lot, if you look at the U.K., theyve tried to do some with Prince Andrew, Davidson said.

Republicans Tim Burchett of Tennessee and Rob Bresnahan of Pennsylvania have also shared their intention to vote for the release of the files, per Politico. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., said he would vote in favor of the disclosure bill, which he called a false hope, but expressed confidence in the House Oversight Committees work on releasing the files.

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Its still got to work its way through the Senate and the president, Bacon told MSNBC. But were already getting a lot of results, Bacon said. He called the Epstein scandal a self-inflicted wound for the Trump administration.

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I think theyve dug themselves a hole, he said. But in the end, Im for transparency.

The post Gonna vote for it: Republicans break ranks to vote on Epstein files bill appeared first on Salon.com.
The spending package that ended the government shutdown was divisive the moment it reached the public, but it appeared even more controversial when the political world learned of a provocative provision that Senate Republicans tucked into the package.

Under the language quietly inserted into the bill, GOP senators whose phone records were searched as part of special counsel Jack Smiths Jan. 6 investigation would have the authority to file lucrative lawsuits. (Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas told Politico that it was Senate Majority Leader John Thune himself who made sure this provision was included in the final bill.)

Even by contemporary congressional standards, it was a brazen move  in part because the GOPs Arctic Frost claims appear baseless, in part because this provision was added to the legislation in secret and in part because its rare to see senators pave the way for themselves to file dubious lawsuits in which they personally would be rewarded with taxpayer money.

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Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, one of the eight eligible GOP senators, nevertheless boasted about his intention to take advantage of the opportunity Republicans created for themselves. The Washington Post reported:

Graham, who had his phone records seized, said Wednesday that he would definitely sue under the law. And if you think Im going to settle this thing for a million dollars? No, Graham told reporters in South Carolina. I want to make it so painful no one ever does this again.

He did not appear to be kidding.

Reporter: Will you be filing a lawsuit?



Graham: Oh, definitely. And if you think I'm going to settle this thing for a million dollars? No. pic.twitter.com/S1NruWcCFu  Acyn (@Acyn) November 12, 2025

But before Grahams lawyers head to a nearby courthouse, they should probably take note of the fact that a whole lot of House members  including plenty of Republicans  arent pleased about the Senate GOPs gambit, and theyre eager to do something about it. Roll Call reported:

Speaker Mike Johnson announced plans to pursue legislation next week that would repeal a Senate provision in a major spending package that incensed House Republicans and threatened to prolong the partial government shutdown. The must-pass spending measure drew eleventh-hour objections from House members of both parties after the discovery in recent days of a provision that would allow senators to sue for at least $500,000 each when federal investigators search their phone records in a judicially sanctioned probe without notifying them.

In comments to reporters this week, the House speaker conceded the Senates provision was a really bad look, which his chamber intends to fix in a standalone bill.

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A House vote on undoing the policy is expected next week, and it should pass with broad and bipartisan support. When the Senate would take up such a measure is unclear. Watch this space.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
President Trump signed the bill to reopen the federal government on Wednesday evening, ending what became the longest shutdown in U.S. history. While federal workers are expected to receive their pay within the next 48 hours, without having to wait for their next scheduled paycheck, many essential services will take days or even weeks to recover fully.

At the Orlando International Airport, cancellations and delays are still piling up, and aviation experts warn that it could take one to two weeks before air travel returns to normal. Thats because even with the presidents signature, it will take time for funding to start flowing back into agencies like the TSA and FAA.

Katie Rollins knows that firsthand. Her flight was canceled during the shutdown, leaving her stranded out of state. Now that shes preparing to travel again, she isnt taking any chances. Next time I will have both my little boys with me, which adds a layer of stress to it, said Katie, who booked her flight days before she was supposed to arrive at her destination. It was because of the shutdown. Its my brothers wedding, and I wouldnt miss it for anything. I had to change my plans because I said if Im going to get delayed, and I cant get to where I need to go, I need to give myself some extra time.

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Aviation safety consultant Captain. Richard Levy says even though the shutdown is over, recovery wont be immediate. TSA employees and air traffic controllers will be coming back to work. A lot of them have been working secondary jobs so they could put food on the table, Levy said. It will take several days for the FAA to start moving airplanes.

SNAP Delays Could Impact Hundreds of Thousands

The lingering effects extend beyond airports. According to the Florida Department of Children and Families, more than 500,000 people in Central Florida rely on SNAP benefits. With payments disrupted during the shutdown, food banks are once again stepping in to fill the gap. The families and individuals might get their funds back, cards filled  you have just put these individuals in a crisis mode thats going to take them 30 to 60 days or even more to come out of, said Anjali Vaya, executive director of United Against Poverty Orlando.

Sen. Rick Scott Says Shutdown Should Never Happen Again

The current budget bill only funds the government through January, raising concerns about another potential shutdown in the near future. When asked what he would say to the hundreds of thousands of Floridians who rely on government services and fear another shutdown, Florida Sen. Rick Scott explained he will try to avoid that. My goal is that this never happens again. We should never be shutting down the government. People on food stamps, our military, our Capitol Police, our FAA workers should never be pawns in a policy disagreement, said the Republican. I know what people are going through. I mean, its tough. Its tough when youre struggling to put food on the table.

Whats Next?

As of Wednesday evening, 40 flights have already been canceled for Thursday at Orlando International Airport. Officials hope the number of cancellations and delays will gradually decrease as federal agencies restart operations.

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Channel 9 has asked DCF about a possible timeline for when SNAP funds will begin going out once the government reopens. The agency replied that it is reviewing and gathering the requested information.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
The U.S. Capitol on the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, just hours before a federal government shutdown. (Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom)

The longest government shutdown in U.S. history is over and all we got was the near-cancellation of food assistance just in time for Thanksgiving and a looming explosion in health care costs.

None of the problems that led to the shutdown have been resolved. Instead, a handful of Democrats abandoned their fight to force Congress to address the health care crisis in exchange for rolling back some of the damage the Trump administration did during the shutdown itself. Federal workers are getting their jobs back  for now  and flight cancellations will end just in time for the holiday travel season. Otherwise, were pretty much back where we started.

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Democrats are fuming and Republicans are gloating over the end of this game of chicken, in which the party that showed it doesnt care at all about the pain and suffering of its own constituents is the apparent winner. Stay tuned to see how long the glow of victory lasts as members of Congress go home to face the voters.

During the fruitless shutdown battle, a couple of politicians from Wisconsin who are not facing election anytime soon showed real leadership. Their focus on serving the needs of real people, not political posturing, was a breath of fresh air, and a model of the kind of public service we badly need.

Gov. Tony Evers deserves a lot of credit for acting quickly to pay out food assistance funds to nearly 700,000 Wisconsinites last Friday as soon as a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to release the money, which it had been withholding for a week. Evers acted in the nick of time. The Trump administration appealed the decision and, on the strength of an emergency ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court, demanded that Wisconsin and other states that had paid out the benefits overnight claw them back. Evers issued a terse response: No.

Thanks to his leadership, hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites, including 270,000 kids, were spared from going hungry because of the Trump administrations capricious cruelty. With the shutdown over, the battle over food assistance has ended and the USDA has said full nutrition benefits will begin flowing to states again within 24 hours of the shutdowns end. But as Evers said when he seized the moment and released the funds, It never shouldve come to this. The feds had the money to prevent kids from going hungry all along. Trump made a deliberate decision to cut off aid, and then to demand that states pay only partial benefits, on the theory that doing so would punish Democrats for refusing to reopen the government on Trumps terms.

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Evers deserves a lot of credit for his decisive action to protect Wisconsinites from harm.

Another Wisconsin politician who has been working overtime to stave off disaster for residents is U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin.

Baldwin has spent her entire career working to expand health care access, including writing the provision of the Affordable Care Act that allows children to stay on their parents health insurance until they reach the age of 26. She has a reputation for doggedly working across the aisle and, during the shutdown, she never gave up trying to get Senate Republicans to agree to extend ACA tax credits.

This week, when eight Senate Democrats joined the Republicans on a resolution to reopen the government that didnt include any language about the coming spike in health care costs, Baldwin forced a Senate vote on an amendment to extend the ACA credits for one more year. Many Senate Republicans had told her they knew the expiration of those credits would drive health care costs through the roof in their states.

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In her floor speech introducing her amendment, Baldwin said:

My Republican colleagues are refusing to act to stop health care premiums from doubling for over 20 million Americans. I just cant stand by without a fight.

Even as people across the country express shock and dismay, Donald Trump and congressional Republicans have simply refused to address the biggest increase in American premiums theyll likely ever experience, Baldwin said.

Im getting calls daily from Wisconsinites begging me to stay in this fight, she added. She told her Senate colleagues about a couple from Door County who told her their premiums are going up by over $550 per month because of the failure to extend the ACA tax credits. Everything is already too expensive. So where are they supposed to find 6,500 extra dollars in their budget? she asked.

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Another couple from Butternut, Wisconsin, told her their premiums are going from $400 per month to more than $5,000 per month  thats $55,000 more a year, she said. As they wrote to me, health care tax breaks are not just numbers on paper. They are a lifeline that allows us to sleep at night knowing that we wont lose everything if one of us gets sick.

Baldwin was back in the state Wednesday where, as Erik Gunn reports, she is holding a series of town hall meetings with people affected by rising health care costs. She is holding out hope that some of her Republican colleagues will come around on the issue. She refused to answer questions about whether she thinks Sen. Chuck Schumer should be ousted from his position as Minority Leader because of the end of the shutdown fight.

Characteristically, she is keeping her head down and working to build bipartisan support  as she did, successfully, when she persuaded enough Republicans to join her to pass the Respect for Marriage Act protecting same-sex and interracial couples  instead of using it to score political points.

As we move past the shutdown power struggle and into the real fight over peoples lives, we need more of that kind of leadership.

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GRAFTON, W.Va. (WBOY)  Two people from Taylor County are accused of beating a juvenile and locking the child in a room to keep them from calling 911 when the couple went outside to smoke.

On Nov. 3, deputies with the Taylor County Sheriffs Department received a report of a child abuse allegation from the resource officer at Anna Jarvis Elementary School in Grafton, according to a criminal complaint.

According to the report, a child showed up to school with bruises on [their] face and told school staff about being locked in [a] room and beaten; the resource officer also noted the juvenile [was] bruised all over [their] body, deputies said.

Lewis Butch Nuzum

On Nov. 7, the child was interviewed by the child advocacy center, and even before the interview began, the child said they did not trust their parents. The child told interviewers that Lewis Butch Nuzum, 52, of Grafton, would consume alcohol and come into [the juveniles] room and hit [them] with a silver and green metal fly swatter or use a brown belt with a turquoise buckle, but that Lewis used a wooden paddle with holes at a previous residence, according to the complaint.

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Man charged after allegedly slamming, choking children in Mon County

The juvenile also told interviewers that Lewis, along with Josephine Nuzum, 45, of Grafton, would go out to smoke, and lock the child in a room so they couldnt get out, even if there was an emergency or a fire, deputies said.

Josephine Nuzum

When the juvenile showed the interviewer a bruise on their eyelid, the child said it was from [Lewis] hitting [them] in the face with a metal flyswatter and that Lewis attempted to keep [them] from going to school the next day, according to the complaint.

On Nov. 9, deputies executed a search warrant on Lewis and Josephines residence and said the door to the childs room had holes on the outside that were consistent with having something drilled to the outside. Deputies also located a silver handled flyswatter and a plastic zip-top bag of a green leafy substance in Lewis and Josephines bedroom; in the living room, deputies found a wooden paddle with a handle with string through the handle and 19 holes drilled into the end, deputies said.

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When deputies asked Josephine where the lock to the childs room was, she retrieved a wooden block with four screws and a locking mechanism attached to it, according to the complaint.

After giving Josephine and Lewis a Mirandized statement, Josephine stated that the juvenile does this every year school starts and that she only disciplined the child with her hand on [the] rear end. Josephine also said that she and Lewis lock the child in their room while outside smoking because otherwise, the child would get a cell phone out of their room and call 911, deputies said.

Man involved in Pennsboro Speedway revival arrested for fraud

While speaking with deputies, Lewis confirmed what Josephine said about the lock on the door and said he beat the ass off [the child] but claimed he only used his hand, and he has threatened to use the paddle but never has, according to the complaint.

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When deputies asked Lewis if he had prevented the child from going to school after striking [them], he claimed that he did not. However, he said he would keep the child home from school if he had a scheduled phone call because they did not have cell phone service at the house, despite the fact that he and Josephine claimed to lock the child in the room to prevent them from using a cell phone, according to the complaint.

Lewis and Josephine have been charged with child abuse and child neglect. They are being held in Tygart Valley Regional 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 WBOY.com.
We recently published Jim Cramer Discussed These 25 Stocks In An Important Show About AI Spending. Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer recently discussed.

Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) is an alcoholic beverage company known for its well-known brands such as Johnnie Walker and Smirnoff. Cramer has consistently shared in 2025 that the alcoholic beverages industry is undergoing a secular shift as younger people drink less. In January, he warned that Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) would have to cut prices and called it a horrendous stock. Then in July, he remarked that Id rather own gummies than. . .Diageo. As November kicked off, Cramer maintained his view for Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO):

Jim Cramer Discusses Diageo (DEO)'s Organic Growth

Public Domain/Pixabay

What do the US and China have in common? . . .alcohol consumption down huge, Diageo. Huge. This is a change, this is a wholesale change. Organic growth, what is Diageos organic growth? Minus seven and a half. Do [inaudible] have one worse than that?

While we acknowledge the potential of DEO as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now.
Being cautious and respectful around animals is critical for your safety and for wildlife's.

What happened?

Multiple hunters in Montana narrowly escaped dangerous encounters with grizzly bears, according to a report by KBZK Bozeman. In the first incident, two hunters ran into a grizzly near an elk carcass. When the bear came toward them, they fired handguns into the air, which scared the grizzly off.

In the second incident, a hunter was alone when a grizzly charged. The hunter used bear spray in self-defense and escaped. Thankfully, no people or bears were injured in these encounters.

Why is it concerning?

Grizzly attacks happen every year in the U.S. and Canada when hunting season overlaps with the bears preparing for winter hibernation. The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks department (FWP) said it's always best to prevent encounters with bears rather than deal with conflict in the wild.

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It's possible that some of these incidents happen because grizzlies are searching for more food sources ahead of their hibernation. Human population growth directly contributes to climate change, resource shortages, and habitat destruction.

When we take care to protect and respect our environment, we ultimately help protect our communities, promote greater biodiversity, and support thriving natural ecosystems.

What can I do to help?

To stay safe in areas known to be populated with bears, it's important to follow the laws and official guidelines from the local parks department.

According to KBZK Bozeman, the Montana FWP recommends that hikers and hunters carry bear spray, be prepared to use it immediately, and avoid animal carcasses, as they often attract bears.

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It's smart to stay in groups and not wander alone. More people can make more noise to alert bears of human presence and help fend off attacks. It's also easy to be surprised by grizzlies in close range, so it's best to avoid densely forested areas with limited visibility.

Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure 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.
Brady Schickinger of the Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Ownership, Nicholas Buggia of the National Rifle Association and state Rep. Jason Woolford (R-Howell) testify before the House Judiciary Committee. Nov. 12, 2025 | Photo by Kyle Davidson/Michigan Advance

Members of the Michigan House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday took comment on a series of bills centered on the application process for concealed pistol licenses, including a proposal to lower the age requirement.

Rep. Jason Woolford (R-Howell), whose House Bill 4586 would lower the age to apply for a concealed carry permits from 21 to 18, argued that at 18 years old, Michigan residents are able to vote, pay taxes, and enlist in the military, and should thus be trusted with the same right to self defense granted to other law-abiding citizens.

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Right now, Michigan tells us that an 18-year-old soldier or Marine that are mature enough to deploy overseas and carry a service weapon for our country, but somehow, is not responsible enough to carry a sidearm to protect themselves in their own neighborhood. Woolford said. This doesnt make sense to me.

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When presenting the bill to the committee, Woolford stressed that the policy would not touch any of the safeguards in the law around concealed pistol licensing  including background checks, training requirements, and disqualifying offenses  it merely lowers the age limit.

He also noted that under the existing law, 18-year-olds can purchase a handgun from a private individual, though they must be 21 to purchase a gun from a federally licensed dealer.

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Brady Schickinger, the executive director for the Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners, further argued that Woolfords bill would make the state law more uniform, as 18-year-olds are already legally permitted to purchase and own a firearm and to open carry a pistol. The committees chair, Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-Springport), noted that her sons are able to take the safety training class for a concealed pistol license, they cant actually get their license until theyre 21.

However, the bill was not without criticism, with both Moms Demand Action and Everytown for Gun Safety taking a position against the bill.

Gail Duncan of Charlotte told the committee that shed joined Moms Demand Action after her daughter was killed at work, with the gunman later taking his own life.

She noted that firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens and warned that individuals 18 to 20 commit homicide with guns at three times the rate of adults 21 and older.

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The area of the brain responsible for judgment and impulse control is not fully developed in 18, 19 and 20 year olds, meaning that they can be more prone to aggressive behavior, Duncan noted, calling on committee members to oppose the policy.

Gail Duncan of Moms Demand Action testifies against a proposal to lower the age requirement for a concealed pistol license set before the House Judiciary Committee. Nov. 12, 2025. | Photo by Kyle Davidson/Michigan Advance

The committee also heard testimony on bills focused on how these licenses are issued.

Rep. Pat Outmans (R-Six Lakes) House Bill 5113 creates a grace period to correct errors on their application for a concealed pistol license if their initial application is disqualified due to either an applicant or administrative error, while Rep. Matt Maddocks (R-Milford) House Bill 4980 reintroduced a policy first brought by former state Rep. Gary Eisen (R-St. Clair Township) during his tenure in the House.

The policy would allow individuals to apply for a concealed pistol license in any county, whereas currently they are currently required to submit their application to the county clerk in their county of residence, or directly to Michigan State Police, who forward it to the appropriate clerk.

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The bill had received bipartisan support when it was first introduced, with Eisen explaining that the legislation came from his work as a concealed pistol license instructor, with some students reporting monthslong waiting periods, while others were able to receive their license on the next day, if not the same day.

While Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi) raised concerns about how the bill would be implemented, asking whether county clerks used the same system in processing these applications, Maddock noted that every county has a mechanism and procedure in place to review these applications, and that the counties whose delays could stem from a large number of applications also receive more revenue from the fees in order to process them.

State Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi) at a meeting of the House Judiciary Committee. Nov. 12, 2025 | Photo by Kyle Davidson/Michigan Advance

In my opinion, theres no excuse for Wayne County or Washtenaw County to have a long waiting period, because theyre getting that additional revenue, Maddock said.

While the committee did not vote on any of the bills up for testimony, they did approve House Bill 4284, which would reduce the fee for renewing a concealed pistol license from $115 to $30. While $36 of the current renewal fee is forwarded to county treasurers for deposit into their concealed pistol licensing fund, all $30 of the new fee would go toward the fund.

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The panel voted 7-2 along party lines to refer the policy to the House floor for further action, after shooting down a proposed amendment from Rep. Tyron Carter (D-Detroit). Carter and Rep. Helena Scott (D-Detroit) voted in opposition to the policy.

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The Palestinian Islamist organization Hamas has handed over another body to staff of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in the Gaza Strip.

The remains are said to be of a hostage abducted from Israel, Hamas said on Thursday.

The Red Cross staff are on their way with a coffin to representatives of the Israeli army, the Israeli military stated. The identity must then be clarified at a forensic institute in Tel Aviv, it said.

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Before the handover, there were still the bodies of four dead hostages in the Gaza Strip, including a foreigner abducted from Israel.

Hamas had announced on Thursday that they had found the body on the same day in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.

Israel and Hamas had agreed on the handover of bodies as part of the ceasefire agreement in October. According to the agreement, for each Israeli hostage whose remains are released, Israel must hand over the remains of 15 deceased residents of Gaza.
The four hostages whose remains are still being held by Gazan terror groups are Meny Godard, St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili, Dror Or, and Thai national Sudthisak Rinthalak.

Hamas has information about each of the four deceased hostages whose remains are still being held in the Gaza Strip, sources familiar with the issue told Israel's public broadcaster KAN News on Wednesday evening.

This includes information about the remains of hostages being held by Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the sources expanded.

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Pressure must be exerted on Hamas terrorists to return the remains, and Israel should not compromise, the sources affirmed to KAN.

The four hostages whose remains are still being held by Gazan terror groups are Meny Godard, St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili, Dror Or, and Thai national Sudthisak Rinthalak.

Palestinian sources claim one hostage's remains currently held by Hamas, another by PIJ

Saudi-linked London-based outlet Asharq al-Awsat cited Palestinian sources claiming that the remains of one hostage is being held by PIJ, while another is being held by Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's so-called military wing.

A Red Cross vehicle seen during searches for the remains of deceased hostages in Gaza City, November 12, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/DAWOUD ABU ALKAS)

The same sources told the outlet that the other two remains are believed to be in Israeli-controlled areas east of Gaza's Yellow Line buffer zone.

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They "could be found if search operations were intensified without Israeli restrictions," the sources told Asharq al-Awsat.

The sources also claimed that "major difficulties have hampered the search" for the remains, and that the process to find them could take "considerable time."
Meny Godard, 73, from Kibbutz Be'eri, was murdered alongside his wife Ayelet on October 7, his remains taken into Gaza by Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists.

Meny Godard, 73, from Kibbutz Be'eri, was identified as the hostage whose remains were returned to Israel on Thursday night, the Prime Minister's Office confirmed.

Godard was murdered by Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists on Kibbutz Be'eri during the October 7 massacre. His remains were then taken into Gaza.

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His wife, Ayelet, was also murdered during the massacre. The IDF officially confirmed Godard's death on December 8, 2023. Meny is survived by his children, Gal, Bar, Mor, and Goni, and by his seven grandchildren.

Hamas had announced earlier that it would hand over the remains of one of the remaining deceased hostages as part of the prisoner exchange deal at 8:00 p.m. The Red Cross received the remains at around 8:30 p.m. They were then transferred by the IDF to the forensic institute for identification.

"The Hostages and Missing Families Forum bows its head in sorrow and shares in the profound grief of the Godard family. There are no words to express the depth of this pain. The hostages have no time. We must bring them all home, Now!" the forum stated in a post eulogizing Godard.

The remains of deceased Gaza hostage, Meny Godard, arrive at the National Center of Forensic Medicine, November 13, 2025. (credit: ISRAEL POLICE SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

"Kibbutz Be'eri embraces the Godard family at the complex time with the news of Meny's return from Hamas captivity. This is the closing of a circle that the family has been waiting for throughout 769 painful days, during which they held onto hope without strength during too long a period," a Kibbutz Be'eri spokesperson said.

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"We hope that now you will find comfort in bringing your father to be buried in Kibbutz Be'eri, which he loved so much, to rest next to your beloved mother, Ayelet," Kibbutz Be'eri community head Ofer Gitai said in a message addressed to the Godard family.

"We hope that now you will find some peace, and begin to recover from that black Saturday which lasted almost 800 days for you," he added.

"Kibbutz Be'eri will continue to fight and demand the return of the three hostages still in Gaza, and it waits with bated breath to bring Dror Or, may he rest in peace, to be buried in the land of Be'eri. Only when they all return will the recovery of Be'eri begin," the statement concluded.

Before Godard's remains were taken for identification at the National Center of Forensic Medicine, the IDF held a brief military ceremony with the participation of the military's chief rabbi.

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The return of Godard's remains means there are currently three other hostages left in Gaza: Ran Gvili, Dror Or, and Sudthisak Rinthalak.

Hamas knows whereabouts of hostage remains

On Wednesday, sources familiar with the issue told Israel's public broadcaster KAN News that Hamas had information on the location of each of the four deceased hostages whose remains are still being held in the Gaza Strip.

This includes information about the remains of hostages being held by Palestinian Islamic Jihad, another terror group in Gaza, the sources expanded.

Pressure must be exerted on Hamas terrorists to return the remains, and Israel should not compromise, the sources affirmed to KAN.
Hamtramck City Hall | Ken Coleman

This article was originally published by Votebeat, a nonprofit news organization covering local election administration and voting access. Sign up for Votebeat Michigans free newsletter here.

More than a week after Election Day, results from the Wayne County community of Hamtramck remain in limbo because of dozens of ballots that werent counted  some of which may never be tallied.

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Thirty-seven absentee ballots were not properly tabulated on election night due to what Hamtramck Deputy City Clerk Abe Siblani called human error at the counting board. He said the issue would be resolved during the county canvassing meeting at 1 p.m. Thursday. County officials did not immediately respond to questions Wednesday.

The outcome of the citys mayoral election may depend on what happens.

It is unclear why the ballots werent counted. Mismatches between the number of ballots received and counted are rare, and usually stem from simple counting errors that are corrected before results are sent to the county.

Typically, only cured ballots  mail ballots with signature mismatches that have been reconciled  are added in during the canvassing process. Officials say there are potentially also a significant number of those, which could also affect the outcome of the mayoral election: The current margin stands at just 11 votes, with Adam Alharbi narrowly leading City Council member Muhith Mahmood.

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Meanwhile, City Clerk Rana Faraj has been absent from the office. Siblani said that city officials told her not to come to work Monday and that he has not heard from her since. Faraj could not be reached for comment.

Its not clear whether Faraj has been suspended in some way, or why she was told not to appear for work. City officials did not return multiple voicemails asking for information. She did, however, tell TV station WDIV that she respectfully but firmly disagreed with the citys decision. Clerks are appointed by the city manager in Hamtramck, according to the citys charter, and serve at the pleasure of the manager.

Farajs absence is the latest election mystery in Hamtramck, a city of about 28,000 people bordering Detroit that has been rocked by allegations that council members were involved in an election fraud scheme. An investigation into those allegations led to felony charges this year.

Were used to scandals at this point, Siblani said.

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In March, Faraj wrote a letter to Attorney General Dana Nessel, asking her office to take action on alleged election fraud in the city, saying that an unidentified City Council member  whom Faraj later confirmed to be Mohammed Hassan  acts as though hes above the law.

Nessel later requested a special prosecutor to investigate Hassan, council members Abu Musa, Muhtasin Sadman, and Mohammed Alsomiri, as well as two others. The petition alleged they conspired to collect unvoted absentee ballots from newly naturalized citizens, fill them out, and pay for votes.

In August, Hassan and Sadman were charged with felonies. Felony charges against Sadman were later dropped after two subpoenaed witnesses failed to appear, The Detroit News reported last month, although he still faces a misdemeanor charge. Court records show Hassan is set to have a jury trial in April.

No others have been charged.

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Despite the investigations, Musa and Nayeem Choudhury  who was one of the others named in Nessels petition  both won council seats last week, according to unofficial results. Just before the August primary, footage from surveillance cameras appeared to show Musa allegedly handing a driver bundles of ballots to place into a city drop box. Michigan State Police say they are investigating; Michigan law allows only family members or those in the same household to return ballots for voters.

The repeated irregularities have shaken some voters confidence in the citys electoral processes. Several voters told Votebeat on Election Day that they felt charges of election crimes should disqualify a candidate.

Rich Lash, a Hamtramck voter, said he turned up to vote on Election Day despite the scandals because he felt it was his civic duty. He was voting for new people to shake it up, he told Votebeat, particularly after hearing from a number of family and friends that his vote wouldnt matter.

Im pessimistically hopeful, he said just a few hours before polls closed.

Hayley Harding is a reporter for Votebeat based in Michigan. Contact Hayley at hharding@votebeat.org. Votebeat is a nonprofit news organization covering local election integrity and voting access. Sign up for their newsletters here.
Progressive radio host Stephanie Miller on Wednesday mocked Fox News host Sean Hannity and called out his network over its dismal coverage of President Donald Trumps ties to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Miller  on the day House Democrats released bombshell new Epstein emails mentioning Trump  appeared on Hannitys show where she was asked about a recent photo of her kissing Rep. Jasmine Crocketts (D-Texas) sneakers.

Buzz: Seth Meyers Spots Telling Sign Trump Is 'Absolutely Spooked' Over Epstein Saga

Miller stressed that the move was a joke before she swiftly turned the tables on Hannity on live TV.

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You know the funniest thing about this story  is Trumps all over the Epstein files and I wonder if theyre going to release that after the big bombshell! I didnt see anything about that on Fox News today, said Miller, hours after the email drop that reportedly the network barely covered all morning.

Stephanie MIller uses her appearance on Hannity to say Trump is all over the Epstein Files to the Fox audience.. pic.twitter.com/CUtjOe57p0  Acyn (@Acyn) November 13, 2025

Moments later, Hannity asked Miller when she noticed former President Joe Bidens cognitive decline before urging her not to change the subject and deflect.

When did you really notice it? Hannity asked.

Politics: Megyn Kelly Questions If Jeffrey Epstein Was A Pedophile Because 'He Wasn't Into, Like, 8-Year-Olds'

Well, I think it was through all of the times that Donald Trump has fallen asleep in public and talked about magnets getting wet in the last few , said Miller, a nod to the presidents recent bloopers.

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Oh, my gosh, Hannity chimed in.

My mom had dementia so I recognize it , Miller continued.

Stephanie  this is not  its a very good deflection, youre a professional , Hannity interjected.

You know what else is great about Bidens decline is that Trump is all over the Epstein files and Im wondering if theyre going to release those. Are you covering that tonight? Miller remarked.

Hannity: When did you notice Bidens cognitive decline?



Miller: I think it was through all of the times that Trump has fallen asleep in public and talked about magnets getting wet. pic.twitter.com/sf1yMZPymw  Acyn (@Acyn) November 13, 2025

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
Hartshorne is set to host its fifth annual Veterans Day Parade at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 15.

Were the only Veterans Day Parade in the area, Heather Moore, president of the Hartshorne Area Chamber of Commerce, said.

Moore said the parade is special to her because she has family members who have served.

I wanted to continue something to celebrate veterans, Moore said. Veterans are super special. I wanted to really acknowledge their service and what theyve done for our country.

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Although it is the fifth year of the parade, it is the second year of the Hartshorne Chamber of Commerce putting it on.

The City of Hartshorne did it for three years, and then we took it over, Moore said.

Organizers said it is a day to be patriotic and to wear red, white and blue.

Those participating in the parade include the Choctaw Honor Guard, Disabled American Veterans and local businesses. The Hartshorne High School marching band will perform the National Anthem.

The parade will take place on Pennsylvania Avenue, right through downtown Hartshorne.

Registration for the parade is open until Nov. 14. People can register by contacting Moore at 256-282-6998.

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Id like to get as many local businesses from Hartshorne, Haileyville and McAlester areas to participate, Moore said.

Moore said the goal is to make it bigger every year to support veterans.

Directly following the parade, lunch will take place at the Hartshorne Community Center.

The lunch will feature an Italian style lunch provided by Petes Place, Roseannas, Modo Mios, Caseys, Pepsi and Twins Cafe.

There will be activities available, a 50/50 raffle and door prizes. A World War II exhibit will be displayed along with a jeep from that time. The Hartshorne High School band will perform a medley of patriotic songs.

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Charl Ann Beauchat, Hartshorne Community Center founder, said, At the lunch, we will be honoring all veterans.

She wanted to give people the opportunity to speak with veterans as well as celebrate them.

We wanted to make sure that they werent just invited for a meal, but that we were inviting the community to come and have a meal with them, Beauchat said.

She said they want it to be more than just a lunch, but a party to celebrate veterans.

Veterans receive a free meal. Everyone else pays $8 per plate.

Veterans will receive a United States veterans pin. Their spouses will receive an American flag heart pin.

People who want to support veterans can purchase a pin. All proceeds will go to the homeless veterans organization in McAlester.
Earlier, Likud MK Tally Gotliv publicly revealed his identity, in defiance of a court-issued gag order.

Assistant-Chief Meni Benjamin, the head of the Israel Polices Lahav 433 - The National Crime Unit, is currently under investigation by the Justice Ministrys Police Investigative Department (PID) on suspicion of breach of trust and abuse of power, Israeli media reported on Thursday.

Asst.-Ch. Benjamin was detained for questioning on Wednesday night.

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The move ignited a political firestorm after Likud MK Tally Gotliv publicly revealed his identity on Thursday, in defiance of a court-issued gag order.

Benjamin was detained for questioning on Wednesday night as part of an investigation by the Justice Ministrys Police Investigative Department (PID) into alleged misuse of authority and breach of trust.

Reportedly, he was attending a seminar for senior police officers in Jerusalem when PID investigators approached him at the conclusion of the event and asked that he accompany them for questioning.

Headquarters of Lahav 433  The National Crime Unit in Lod, pictured August 6, 2025. (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/FLASH90)

According to reports, the interrogation concerns alleged professional misconduct, though the precise nature of the suspicions remains under judicial confidentiality.

Ben-Gvir publicly supports Benjamin's right to presumption of innocence

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir (Otzma Yehudit), who previously promoted Benjamin to the senior role in the police, expressed his support, emphasizing Benjamin's right to the presumption of innocence.

In his role as Lahav 433 head, Benjamin was taking the lead of the investigations into corruption at the Histadrut labor federation earlier this month.
The Osceola County Sheriffs Office is asking for your help to find a missing girl from south Florida.

Gabrielle Gabby Terrelonge, age 10, has been missing since June.

Thats when investigators said Gabby and her mother, Passha Davis, arrived by bus at The Florida Mall in Orlando.

Investigators say Gabrielle

The Margate Police Department has since asked detectives in Osceola County to canvas abandoned hotels along West U.S. 192 to search for Gabby or for tips about where she might be.

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Gabby is described as approximately 4-foot, 8-inches tall, weighing about 100 lbs.

Investigators say Gabrielle

Officials said the girl and her mother frequently traveled between South and Central Florida, usually by Greyhound or FlixBus.

Theres now a $5,000 reward for information on Gabbys whereabouts.

If you have any information, you are asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477).

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
BERLIN, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- For nearly 40 years, German tourism veteran Heinrich Kriwet has kept a small bronze replica of a flying horse, a souvenir that carries 2,000 years of history and Kriwet's lifelong connection with China. The original Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) bronze masterpiece, popularly known as "Bronze Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow," has long been celebrated for its vivid sense of motion and perfect balance. "I bought the replica in 1986 in Lanzhou, capital of northwest China's Gansu Province," said the 67-year-old German. "It symbolizes both speed and harmony, representing the spirit of Chinese tourism." Gansu, located along the ancient Silk Road, was a vital corridor linking China's ancient capital Chang'an -- the starting point of the route -- with Central Asia and beyond. Kriwet first came to China in 1982 as one of the early German exchange students. After two years of studying in China, he returned home fluent in Chinese and determined to stay involved. "I've spent almost my whole life working in tourism related to China," he said. In Berlin, he represented a Chinese travel agency for more than two decades. Even in retirement, his enthusiasm for China and cross-cultural exchange remains undiminished. "This year, I organized a caravan of 38 motorhomes from Germany. The group met in Turkiye and then traveled together along the ancient Silk Road to China, a seven-month journey before returning to Europe," he said. Kriwet shared his China story on Tuesday night at a cultural and tourism promotion event for Gansu Province at the Chinese Cultural Center in Berlin. Drawing on aerial photographs of Lanzhou taken by German pilots in the 1930s, he recounted how German engineers helped build the city's iconic Zhongshan Bridge in Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and the long historical ties between Germany and Gansu. Over the years, Kriwet has witnessed the tremendous changes that have transformed China. "Back in the 1980s, a flight from Berlin to Shanghai took me six days," he said. "Today, it takes only a few hours, making travel so much easier." "The recent extension of China's visa-free policy is another major boost," he told Xinhua. "I believe more travelers from Germany and across Europe will soon set foot on this fascinating land." In November 2023, China announced a unilateral visa-free entry trial for ordinary passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia starting Dec. 1, 2023. Last week, Chinese foreign ministry said that it will extend the visa-exemption arrangements for more than 40 countries, including Germany and many other European countries, to Dec. 31, 2026. At the event, Li Dianjun, deputy director of Gansu's provincial department of culture and tourism, described the province as a key gateway on the ancient Silk Road, inviting German travelers to follow the Silk Road's route, discover the Yellow River civilization, and experience the diverse landscapes of Gansu. To give the evening a true taste of Gansu, the promotion event ended with a live demonstration of Lanzhou beef noodle making, a local favorite known for its clear broth, white radish, spicy red chili oil, fresh green herbs, and chewy noodles. As the chef stretched the dough into long, thin strands, the rich aroma filled the hall. "I can't wait to visit and try authentic Lanzhou noodles," said Clarence, a German social media content creator, adding that the event showcased Gansu's rich cultural heritage and diverse landscapes, giving him a completely new impression of the province. "For me and many others, the ancient Silk Road is no longer just a line on the map, but a living journey that still invites us to travel, discover, and connect," Kriwet added.
Dutch Bros Inc. (NYSE:BROS) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer offered insights on. Cramer discussed the stocks pull-back, followed by the rally after its earnings, as he remarked:

This time, the company just reported a nice top and bottom line beat. Stock got hit the next day, that was wrong, sold off 4.2%, that was wrong mainly because Dutch Bros saw its shop level margins come in a little bit light, but thats ridiculous. After the initial pullback on Thursday, this thing rallied on Friday. And then of course it really roared today as it should have, surging 6%. Its almost like Wall Streets revisited the quarter and realized it was a good one upon further review because people just dont understand the stock or the company or the drink.

A laptop and a computer monitor display a detailed stock market technical analysis chart. Photo by Jakub Zerdzicki on Pexels

Dutch Bros Inc. (NYSE:BROS) operates and franchises drive-thru coffee shops under brands including Dutch Bros, Dutch Bros Coffee, Dutch Bros Rebel, and Blue Rebel.

While we acknowledge the potential of BROS as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
Since the middle of September, the Ohio State Highway Patrol has conducted five joint operations with Cincinnati police over five days. Those operations, which have included teams of troopers and the use of a helicopter, have resulted in 23 felony arrests, according to highway patrol officials.

Crime became a top political issue this summer as the National Guard was deployed by the Trump Administration in Washington D.C., Chicago and other cities. Cincinnati fell under the microscope after the viral brawl in July provided ammunition to Mayor Aftab Pureval's political opponents as he and other city leaders tried to deal with a spike in crime in the urban core of Downtown and Over-the-Rhine.

There has been real fallout. Cincinnati's police union passed a vote of no confidence in Pureval. Then, Police Chief Teresa Theetge was placed on leave, and an interim chief is now running the department.

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As a backdrop to all this, the Cincinnati Police Department continues to struggle with staffing. According to Ken Kober, the police union president, the department has 910 officers right now. That's 14% under the authorized complement of 1,059.

As part of a solution to the uptick in crime, Gov. Mike DeWine offered for the Ohio State Highway Patrol to come to Cincinnati for two days to conduct these joint operations. Here's what we know about how they're going:

What do the operations look like?

Officials said from the beginning that residents would not be seeing large numbers of state troopers on their streets.

When the partnership was launched, officials said they target known, armed offenders. A memo related to the partnership said there was a desire to focus on large drug seizures, organized crime, drug trafficking, firearms trafficking and drug-related violent crimes.

Four officer converge with guns drawn on a stolen vehicle that fled from police. The Ohio State Highway Patrol's helicopter monitored the scene. Officials said a 13-year-old was driving.

However, the highway patrol has not highlighted many arrests that fit this description.

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Jill Del Greco-Donahue, a spokeswoman for DeWine's office, explained that the operations so far have been targeted, in the sense that the troopers have been deployed in areas where the data shows high levels of crime.

Who has been arrested?

The Ohio State Highway Patrol has reported 23 felony arrests and have served seven felony warrants, which means they have arrested seven people wanted for prior crimes.

The state has released two news releases highlighting six of the 23 arrests.

Among those were two juveniles:

A 13-year-old who fled from police in a stolen vehicle and caused a crash.

A 15-year-old who was found with a gun.

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The agency has highlighted four adult arrests:

Tyrekis Mitchem, 27, was pulled over for a traffic violation and was found to have two felony strangulation warrants.

James Wooten, 37, was located using the highway patrol's helicopter during an investigation into an assault on a police officer. Wooten is charged with assault on a police officer, robbery and resisting arrest.

Torri Bryd, 41, was stopped for multiple traffic violations and the troopers said he was found with a weapon. He is charged with operating under the influence and improperly handling a gun.

Anthony Horton, 51, was pulled over for having obscured lights. Investigators said he tried to get rid of crack cocaine and flee from officers. He's charged with traffic violations, drug possession and obstructing official business.

All of these cases are still working their way through court. Mitchem and Horton were both released on their own recognizance without having to post a cash bond. Wooten and Byrd both posted a cash bond and were released to await trial at home.

What is this costing?

There is no cost to Cincinnati or its residents. Sgt. Brice A. Nihiser with the highway patrol said the troopers working the operations would have been working somewhere else if they weren't in Cincinnati.

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The Enquirer asked about possible overtime costs associated with the operation, but Nihiser was not able to provide that information at the time of this report.

A helicopter ride for business people

Two people from Cincinnati's "business community" did a ride along in the highway patrol's helicopter recently, Nihiser said.

"Cooperative relationships between law enforcement and our community leaders is vital to the success and longevity of violent crime reduction," he said. "This ride along served as an educational experience that these stakeholders can take back to their constituents, showing how local and state law enforcement keep the community safe by reducing risk and liability through the use of aviation assets."

Where else has this happened?

The highway patrol has partnered with several cities in Ohio, even prior to this summer. Kober said Cincinnati police have even conducted joint operations with the agency in the past.

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Cleveland and Youngstown have had similar programs to what Cincinnati is currently doing.

Nihiser said Cleveland's partnership with the patrol began earlier than Cincinnati's partnership, and so far this year, there have been 98 felony arrests and 20 felony warrants served there.

How long will this continue?

The current memorandum of understanding between Cincinnati and the highway patrol states the partnership will continue until Dec. 31.

Under the terms of the agreement, that means there will be one more operation in November and two in December.

However, Nihiser said the highway patrol will continue working with Cincinnati.

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"The patrol will continue to work with the city of Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Police Department into the future on reducing violent crime in the city, including beyond the end date of the current MOU," he said.

If the coordinated joint operations are to continue, city officials would likely have to extend the memorandum or craft a new one.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Highway patrol partnership with Cincinnati has netted 23 arrests
A central Ohio home builder is proposing to build nearly 350 housing units on 101.5 acres annexing into the city of Delaware, a concept plan submitted to the city shows.

Romanelli Company LLC is planning for 110 attached townhomes and 237 single-family homes on the south side of the east-west part of Berlin Station Road and east of the railroad tracks, according to the concept plan.

The 101.5-acre site is part of 109.01 acres being annexed into the southeastern part of the city from Berlin Township. Five parcels are part of the annexation, including 2410, 2412 and 2612 Berlin Station Road and two parcels without exact addresses. The properties, which are within the Olentangy Local School District, include a few residential homes and farms but are mostly undeveloped.

A central Ohio home builder is proposing to build nearly 350 housing units on 101.5 acres, shown here Nov. 12, that are annexing into the city of Delaware, a concept plan submitted to the city shows.

The city's planning commission approved the concept plan Nov. 5; it heads to the Delaware City Council for a first reading Dec. 8, when the annexation petition will also get a first reading, according to a video of the Nov. 5 meeting on the city's website.

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The single-family homes would sit on 67.6 acres in the center and the east side of the site while the townhomes would occupy 12.8 acres in the northwest corner. The other 21.1 acres along the railroad and in the middle of the site would be open space, amenities and stormwater basins that a homeowners association would own and maintain, the plan shows.

The plan shows two access points along Berlin Station Road, as well as two stub streets in the southeast corner of the site that could connect to future development. A traffic study will determine the necessary improvements to Berlin Station Road to accommodate the development.

The developer will also install an 8-foot-wide, multi-use path across the Berlin Station Road frontage, the plan shows.

This isn't the only development planned for Berlin Station Road. Developer BerlinStationRoad LTD plans to create a subdivision called The Farms at Berlin Station on two parcels totaling 66.75 acres on the east side of the north-south part of Berlin Station Road, according to city documents. The site, which is within the Delaware City School District, is about two-tenths of a mile north of the east-west part of Berlin Station Road.

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Delaware County and eastern Columbus suburbs reporter Maria DeVito can be reached at mdevito@dispatch.com and @mariadevito13.dispatch.com on Bluesky and @MariaDeVito13 on X.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Home builder planning 347 housing units on Berlin Station Road site
The home of a politician who works with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) was raided on Thursday on suspicion of support for a terrorist organization.

A spokesman for the Thuringian attorney general's office said the man's flat in the eastern town of Ilmenau and two other properties were searched to secure evidence.

According to the spokesman, no arrests were planned.

The searches are connected to investigations into a planned kidnapping of former health minister Karl Lauterbach.

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The politician in question represents the AfD in various political interest groups but is not a party member.

He is suspected of supporting the so-called "Empire Group" and of aiding and abetting the preparation of a treasonous enterprise against the federal government, the spokesman said.

The group is a far-right terrorist organization that was founded in January 2022 at the latest with the aim of ending Germany's free democratic order and replacing it with an authoritarian system of government modelled on the 1871 constitution of the German Empire.

To achieve this goal, the group planned specific acts of violence such as bomb attacks on the energy supply, the kidnapping of Lauterbach and the reconnaissance of railway signal boxes.

In March, four ringleaders of the group were sentenced to several years in prison by the Higher Regional Court of Koblenz.
A central Florida woman trying to sell her home, instead had it taken over by a man who she didnt know and who hasnt been paying any rent.

The man Charlotte Brown describes as a squatter has been in the house more than a year. She hasnt been able to get him out and the clock is ticking because she could lose the home to foreclosure.

Do you have a consumer complaint or need help from Jeff Deal and Action 9? Click the banner below to submit a tip.

She bought the Winter Haven home in 2021. Its a large home on lot with woods behind it. She thought it was the perfect place to raise a family.

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I like the space. I like the floor plan. I like the location, she told Action 9 Consumer Investigator Jeff Deal.

When Browns fiance had health problems, she became his full-time caretaker, and their finances took a hit. Not wanting to fall further behind on payments and HOA dues, in 2023 she first listed the home for sale.

She said, I just had the opportunity to sell. So, that was definitely a plus, especially with the increase in, you know, the market.

Brown quickly found an interested a buyer named Obed Torres, a real estate agent from California.

According to Charlotte Brown, a company helping Torres with the deal requested the keys so he could get the carpets cleaned before he moved in. Thats where the problems started. She said Torres changed title companies a couple of times and the sale never went through. In spring of 2024 he moved in anyway.

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Its terrible its deceitful, its hurtful, Brown said.

She filed a report asking the sheriffs office to investigate and twice filed court documents to get Torres out of her house. But she admits she didnt understand the process and missed hearings, so the cases got dismissed.

In the first case, Torres wrote a letter to the judge saying he was still trying to buy the house and that his actions were in good faith.

In the second case, he claimed the property was abandoned and left vacant by Charlotte Brown and accused her of causing him significant duress and uncertainty.

At one point in 2024, text messages to a real estate agent involved show Obed Torres agreed to move out, but as recently as this April he asked the judge for an extension, citing personal health issues.

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When the Action 9 team stopped at the house in September and in November, they heard dogs barking inside. Consumer Investigator Jeff Deal left a message with a phone number on the doorbell camera both times.

Torres never responded, but neighbors told Action 9 theyve seen him and his family living there as recently as last week. Now, Charlotte Browns mortgage company has filed for foreclosure since she couldnt afford to pay rent on the home shes living in now and keep up with payments on the house.

Jeff Deal said, So, youre afraid you could lose this house. Brown replied, Absolutely, absolutely.

Action 9 asked attorney Mark Lippman to weigh in on the case. After seeing how Torres has managed to stay in the home rent-free for more than a year, Lippman agreed to help Charlotte Brown at no charge.

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Lippman said, His answer was garbage. So, the fact that he said that she had abandoned the property is incorrect.

Laws against squatting in Florida got tougher last year, and Lippman is hoping to help Brown get Torres out and prove hes squatting in her house.

If you can show that somebodys squatting, they can actually be arrested. It is a criminal offense in Florida now. So, we are looking at that as well, Lippman said.

Right now, a decision on Browns foreclosure is set for January. Shes hoping to get Torres out of there and sell the house before then.

To keep something like this from happening, Lippman said its best not to give access to the home until the real estate transaction is finalized. Also, make sure you attend every court hearing if youre trying to remove someone from your house, so the judge doesnt close the case.
Nov. 13 (UPI) -- The main presidential candidates in Honduras signed a democratic commitment agreement to ensure transparency and respect for the results of the general elections scheduled Nov. 30.

The initiative, promoted by the National Electoral Council and supported by the Organization of American States, seeks to ease political tensions after President Xiomara Castro alleged an "electoral coup" attempt by opposition groups, El Heraldo reported.

During the ceremony held in Tegucigalpa on Tuesday, presidential hopefuls from the Libre, National and Liberal parties pledged to respect the popular will, avoid hate speech and recognize the official results issued by the electoral council.

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Castro hailed the signing as "a necessary step to defend democracy," while the opposition called for "real guarantees" of institutional impartiality.

However, Rixi Moncada, a former minister under Castro and the ruling party's candidate, declined to participate in the agreement.

The pact also provides for international observation missions and improvements to the preliminary results transmission system, which has long drawn criticism for vulnerabilities.

With less than three weeks before the general elections, Honduras faces a tense political climate. Public distrust, competing allegations of fraud and concerns about military involvement have fueled uncertainty over the transparency of the electoral process.

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The international community, led by the OAS and the European Union, has raised concerns about the lack of basic safeguards and urged respect for the constitutional framework.

According to the Center for the Study of Democracy, Hondurans show high levels of distrust in the electoral process. Turnout in the primaries fell below 43%, and the campaign has been marked by personal attacks, misinformation and limited policy debate.

Among the problems complicating the electoral landscape is that the electoral council has faced delays in awarding key contracts, including those for transporting election materials and providing technology kits for polling stations nationwide.

The company Union Latin Cargo, the sole bidder in the tender process, withdrew in early November, citing a lack of logistical, contractual and security guarantees.

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"For these reasons, along with other factors, we have been forced to withdraw from the process, as the established deadlines are not being met and we do not have the necessary guarantees or the adequate time to carry out the project correctly, efficiently and safely," said Maria Lourdes Lagoz, the company's general manager.

Adding to the difficulties are the absence of logistical drills to test the proper functioning of the preliminary results transmission system, lack of training for electoral custodians and failure to accredit national observers, creating a gap in citizen oversight.

Another controversy arose in late October, when leaked audio recordings linked members of the National Party, retired military officers and an electoral council official to an alleged plan to manipulate the results.

Castro denounced the incident as a conspiracy involving an electoral council official, a National Party lawmaker and a pastor to "alter the popular will" and favor conservative sectors that she said have sought to maintain political control of the country since the 2009 coup.

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Castro called the case a direct threat to Honduran democracy and asked the armed forces to ensure transparency in the electoral process. The military requested access to the voting records and proposed transferring them to military bases for safekeeping -- a move Transparency International and other monitoring groups described as "interference."

Recent polls show a technical tie among three of the five presidential candidates, raising the risk of disputes and post-election conflict.

Along with the presidential race, voters on Nov. 30 will elect 128 lawmakers, 298 mayors and 20 representatives to the Central American Parliament.
Congress reached a deal, signed by Trump, to end the shutdown and reopen federal agencies.

The shutdown stemmed from disputes over Affordable Care Act and Medicaid funding.

Public services will return to normal, but federal workers still face uncertainty.

Congress on Wednesday passed a budget agreement that ended the government shutdown after 43 days.

The bill passed late Wednesday evening in a 222-209 vote, with six House Democrats backing the Republican-led measure. President Donald Trump signed the bill on Wednesday night.

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The package temporarily funds and reopens federal agencies through January 30.

The bill landed in the House after it cleared the Senate on November 9. That Senate vote came after a prolonged standoff, during which a group of Democratic and Independent lawmakers cut a deal with the GOP to move the legislation forward.

Alongside securing general government funding through January 30, the stopgap bills set a budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration, and the legislative branch through January 2026. The package also restores full funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.

Congress' plan does not extend Affordable Care Act subsidies  a major goal of Democrats during the shutdown  but leaves the door open for future negotiation.

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The shutdown has directly affected Americans: Airports have seen major delays , safety net programs were unable to pay full November benefits, and federal employees were furloughed or worked without pay for over a month.

Have a tip? Contact this reporter via Signal at alliekelly.10 or email allisonkelly@businessinsider.com. Use a personal email address, a nonwork WiFi network, and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely.

What to know

The shutdown became the longest in US history, surpassing the previous record of 35 days in late 2018 and early 2019.

Senators gathered on Capitol Hill for a rare Sunday session on November 9, with enough Democratic members to overcome the 60-vote filibuster threshold, agreeing to a deal that would end the shutdown. The deal, which the House approved on November 12, also outlined plans to fund SNAP benefits for the next year, reverse the recent mass firing of federal workers, and guarantee back pay to employees on the government payroll.

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Healthcare spending has been at the heart of the shutdown, with Democrats pushing to extend ACA subsidies  which provide healthcare cost relief to millions of low- and middle-income Americans  beyond their December 31 expiration date. Under Wednesday's agreement, Congress said it will negotiate on subsidies before voting in December.

Democratic leaders also hoped to reverse the Medicaid reductions in Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, but were unsuccessful.

"I am sorry that the American People are being terrorized by Democrats who have decided to shut the Government down to make me and other Republicans continue ObamaCare subsidies, which have been a windfall for Health Insurance Companies, and a DISASTER for the American People," Trump wrote in a November 9 Truth Social post.

The House passed an initial budget agreement on September 19, but Senate Republicans and Democrats hit a stalemate the following week, largely over the healthcare funding dispute.

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The government paused all nonessential operations at 12:01 a.m. on October 1.

How Americans are affected

The shutdown hit Americans' wallets and daily routines.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program  which 42 million Americans rely on to afford groceries  ran out of funds to pay November benefits, and has been caught in a legal back-and-forth between states, nonprofits, and the Trump administration.

A federal court required Trump to pay November benefits despite efforts by the White House to withhold or only partially fund payments, though this move was temporarily blocked by the Supreme Court.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Special Supplemental Nutrition for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and Head Start childcare programs had their funds depleted during the shutdown. Social Security , Medicare, and Medicaid payments continued as normal.

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National parks, museums, and historical sites experienced closures and staffing shortages. Airports also saw major delays, with staff concerned that the shutdown would create chaos for holiday travel.

Airlines were canceling up to 10% of flights at major hubs in the last days of the shutdown  and schedules may take time to return to normal.

Business Insider has also heard from dozens of employees across agencies since the shutdown began, many of whom are concerned about their job security and ability to pay bills, even with the government reopened.

Select law enforcement personnel, including border patrol agents, deportation officers, and Secret Service agents, were paid during the shutdown under orders from Trump, as were military personnel and lawmakers.

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With the government reopen, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said he expects that Americans' finances will soon return to normality.

"The shutdown of the federal government will weigh on economic activity while it persists," he said in the Fed's October meeting. "But these effects should reverse after the shutdown ends."

Correction  November 13, 2025: An earlier version of this article misstated what day the vote occurred.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Washington  The House returns Wednesday for the first time since the start of the government shutdown and nearly two months after it last voted, bringing an end to the chamber's longest absence in recent memory.

The House has been out of session since Sept. 19, when it passed a Republican measure to fund the government until Nov. 21. But the funding bill stalled in the Senate, where it needed Democratic support for passage. A breakthrough in the seven-week stalemate came this week when several Democratic senators cut a deal with Republicans to end the shutdown.

The Senate amended the House-passed bill to include three full-year appropriations bills, while extending the remainder of government funding until Jan. 30.

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In exchange for their votes, Senate Republicans promised Democrats they would have a vote on tax credits that expire at the end of the year and help millions of Americans afford health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplaces. Most Democrats opposed the deal, but the party now appears to be shifting focus to the upcoming fight over health care.

The House's absence

Arguing that the House had done its job after the mid-September vote, Johnson canceled weeks of votes and committee hearings were put on hold.

"We have a lot of business to do," Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, said Monday. "There'll be long days and long nights here for the foreseeable future to make up for all this lost time that was imposed upon us."

House Speaker Mike Johnson briefs the media at the Capitol Visitor Center on Nov. 10, 2025. / Credit: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Johnson's decision to cancel weeks in session fueled backlash from House Democrats, who have repeatedly called on the GOP leader to swear in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, a Democrat who was elected to her late father's seat in Arizona on Sept. 23.

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Democrats, and some Republicans, saw Johnson's resistance to immediately swearing her in as an attempt to delay a vote on releasing files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Grijalva will be the final signature on a discharge petition, spearheaded by Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California, that will force a vote on the issue and could embarrass President Trump.

Johnson also faced criticism from some Republicans over the House's lengthy absence.

Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, one of Johnson's top GOP critics over the decision to keep members away from Washington, told "The Megyn Kelly Show" this week that Republicans' House majority "is being ruined" by "inaction." Noting the September vote, Greene said the House hasn't "been to work since."

Republican Rep. Kevin Kiley of California, who stayed in Washington over the shutdown, had argued that the shutdown could have ended sooner "if we actually had the House of Representatives in town."

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In order to end the shutdown, Johnson will have to keep his often-divided conference together, which could prove easier with President Trump's backing of the Senate deal. The chamber is set to vote on the final version of the legislation on Wednesday.

House Republicans can afford to lose only two votes if all members are present and voting. Two Republicans voted against the original version of the bill when it cleared the House on Sept. 19, though it also had the support of one Democrat.

But lawmakers could face travel disruptions on their way back with thousands of flight delays and cancellations around the U.S. as the Federal Aviation Administration limits flights due to staffing issues caused by the shutdown. Johnson urged House members ahead of final passage in the Senate to begin traveling to Washington "right now."

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat, said Monday he expects all members of his party will make it back in time for the vote.

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"I expect that everyone's going to be back, and we'll be at full strength," Jeffries, who could face defections of his own during the vote, told reporters.

The House will also have to confront the expiring health care subsidies in the coming weeks. Johnson has not committed to holding a vote on the issue if an extension makes it out of the Senate. Millions of Americans will see their insurance premiums skyrocket next year without an extension or other fix.

Jeffries is considering a discharge petition to sidestep Johnson and force a vote on the expiring tax credits. Democrats would need the support of at least four Republicans.

Jack Schlossberg, John F. Kennedy's grandson, announces bid for Congress

Passengers wait hours as air traffic control staffing issues due to shutdown disrupt travel

White House reacts to Epstein emails released by House Oversight Committee Democrats
WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump signed the spending resolution to reopen the government until the end of January, officially ending the 43-day shutdown that has plagued the federal government and brought agencies across the country to a halt.

Trump enacted the funding package just hours after it passed the House in a 222-209 vote mostly along party lines, barely overcoming the 217-majority threshold needed to pass the lower chamber. The bill passed with mostly Republican support, but there were two defectors within the party who objected for different reasons.

At least one GOP no, Rep. Greg Steube of Florida, said he would not support the package because of a provision that was tucked in at the 11th hour that would allow senators to sue the federal government for seizing phone records without prior notice. That provision was specifically included for eight senators whose records were obtained by former special counsel Jack Smith during his investigation into the Jan. 6 riots.

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But the language was inserted without the knowledge or approval of House Republicans, who were angry when they found out taxpayer dollars would go toward the impending legal action.

Im not voting to give Lindsey Graham half a million dollars, Steube told reporters on Wednesday, referring to the South Carolina senator who already said he plans to sue to receive the payout.

That put House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., in a tough spot as he can only lose two Republicans on any piece of legislation before has to rely on Democratic support. Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky also voted no on the bill.

However, six Democrats crossed party lines to support the bill, pushing it over the simply majority threshold needed to pass.

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All four members of Utahs House delegation voted in favor of the bill.

The spending framework will 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. That means certain programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will be fully funded until the end of September.

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 Trump for his signature, which he plans to sign later tonight. At that point, the shutdown will have lasted 43 days  an all-time record.




The sprawling master-planned community of Tamarron west of Houston features lush lawns, fountains, pools and man-made lakes  but few signs that heavy groundwater extraction is slowly causing the area to sink.

Measurements by local officials show that Tamarron's fenced-off homes between Katy and Fulshear sit next to the fastest-sinking ground in the Houston area. A nearby sensor indicates the ground is dropping over 3 centimeters per year through a phenomenon known as subsidence.

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Newcomers to the newly constructed suburban utopia haven't had time to notice the changes or the risks to their homes. It's more obvious to those familiar with the ranches and rice fields that once dominated the landscape, who have seen the rising demands on the aquifer.

READ MORE: Why are Houston suburbs sinking? Explaining Texas' subsidence hotspots

"A lot of the farms and ranches that we've bought so far certainly have experienced, over the years, a change in their well water levels," said Mary Anne Piacentini, who leads the Coastal Prairie Conservancy. "They have to work harder to pump the same amount of water."

This aquifer depletion is causing parts of the Houston area to sink faster than any other big city in the U.S. Largely irreversible compaction of the subsurface is triggered by residents, companies and public utilities extracting huge amounts of underground water, oil or gas.

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The same option should be selected for all rows in a layer."},{"LayerName":"spreadsheet","VariableName":"site","DataName":"Site name","DataPrefix":"","DataSuffix":"","Header":"FALSE","Image":"FALSE","Include_Colon":"TRUE","Highlight":"FALSE","Show_On":"Click"},{"LayerName":"spreadsheet","VariableName":"rate_of_change","DataName":"Annual displacement rate, in centimeters","DataPrefix":"","DataSuffix":"","Header":"FALSE","Image":"FALSE","Include_Colon":"TRUE","Highlight":"FALSE","Show_On":"Click"}],"cluster_settings_wcmprops":[{"LayerNames":"Enter a comma-separated list of exact file location(s) of the geojson in used in the map_setting's \"External_Files\" column. This may be entered in multiple rows (one per category). If you're referencing data in map_data, type spreadsheet.","Cluster":"Check box if you want to cluster nearby datapoints together; only valid for point data. This will automatically set the circle-radius property based on cluster size."},{"LayerNames":"","Cluster":"FALSE"}],"map_toggles_wcmprops":[{"LayerName":"Enter the exact file location of the geojson in used in the map_setting's \"geojson\" column. This may be entered in multiple rows (one per category). If you're referencing data in map_data, type spreadsheet.","LayerField":"If you only want to variable shown on the map, NOT swap the actual layer, add the field you want to use here. ","LayerLabel":"Name of the variable in the way you want it to show up on the toggle/filter buttons - this may be the same as column A.","Toggle_Filter":"Content of variable for item - each number/entry below should be different."}],"map_data_wcmfeed":"https://files.sfchronicle.com/wcm-feeds/2025/1yj3wEonYks4Yq0xDItAtIKgKy5dZvZX36DSdgZBFlMQmap_data_wcmfeed.json"},"__fallbackImage":"https://s.hdnux.com/photos/0/24579765/1/1600x0.jpg"}

The sinking ground has not slowed the population boom west of Houston. Tamarron, a D.R. Horton community, topped a 2021 list of the most active building spots in the region, and new developments are springing up nearby at the nexus of Harris, Fort Bend and Waller counties.

D.R. Horton did not answer the Chronicle's questions about the decision to construct on subsiding ground. They are one of many Texas developers with a stake in selling new homes as part of the city's increasingly valuable western expansion.

"One of the driving factors of subsidence in the Katy area is this construction and development," said Ozzy Tirmizi, a geologist whose family moved to the area in 2011 when he was in high school. Tirmizi went on to focus his doctoral research on the phenomenon of subsidence. His work showing sinking rates with remote LiDAR scans served as a complement to data used by officials that rely on underground reference points to pinpoint elevation changes.

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If the ground keeps sinking, Tirmizi said homeowners could see foundation cracks or more water pooling during floods. Because so many homes are new, those problems might not be visible yet, he said.

The only way to stop subsidence is to reduce the strain on the aquifer. Residents have been paying fees since the early 2000s to two state-established authorities charged with building a surface-water system to slow the sinkage. But elected officials in communities like the city of Katy have recently raised concerns about the extra costs on utility bills.

"We have a lot of residents who are really upset about this," said Katy Council Member Rory Robertson during a council meeting in mid-October. His concern was echoed around the dais.

Still, the area's sinkage rate seems to be getting worse. In just three and a half years, the land at the worst measurement spot near Tamarron's master-planned homes dropped more than 10 centimeters, and many locations nearby tell a similar story.

Construction continues on the West Harris County Regional Water Authority Central Pump Station in Katy, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. Officials hope a pipeline from Lake Houston will reduce demand on the aquifer and slow the rate of subsidence, or sinking ground, in the Katy area. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle)





A surface water solution?

While the Houston area's subsidence now appears concentrated in its northern and western suburbs, local history shows the whole region faces similar risks.

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"Houston has faced a subsidence problem for more than a century," said Shuhab Khan, a University of Houston geologist and one of the issue's leading researchers. "The reason for the more substantial subsidence is because we have soft sediments in our area, and we rely heavily on groundwater."

Scientists and officials realized this phenomenon caused Brownwood - a Baytown-area subdivision - to slowly sink into the sea over the course of decades, beginning in the 1940s. In response, the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District was created by the state legislature in 1975 to restrict groundwater withdrawals, followed by the Fort Bend Subsidence District in 1989.

Michael Turco, general manager for the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District, shares some thoughts during the presentation at the Baytown Nature Center, which is the site of the former Brownwood subdivision on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023 in Baytown. (Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer)





Mike Turco, the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District's general manager, said that the strategy had proven effective so far. The southeast portion of the region closest to the coast is now only allowed to use groundwater for 10% of total water demand, and it typically uses much less.

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"The subsidence rates have come down in areas that have historically seen upwards of 10 feet of subsidence occur," Turco said, attributing the change to the region's switch away from groundwater.

RECENT: Houston is sinking faster than any other big city in the U.S.

The district's northwestern section  including its intersection point with the Fort Bend Subsidence District, right around Katy  was given more time to bring in other sources of water. State records show its municipal utility districts are still largely dependent on groundwater, including the one supplying water for Tamarron's fountains and lakes.

A plan to treat and pipe water from Lake Houston, known as the Surface Water Supply Project, should change that for the communities leading out to Katy and Fulshear. Contractors are currently laying massive pipes and pump infrastructure between Beltway 8 and the top of Houston's inner loop to push more water west.

Pipes to be connected to the pump house are shown during construction of the West Harris County Regional Water Authority Central Pump Station in Katy, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle)





Compliance won't come cheap: The pipeline project's total estimated cost is at least $1.2 billion. That price tag has been largely shouldered by residents living within both the Fort Bend and Harris-Galveston subsidence districts, through fees to two different water authorities set up to supply surface water to all utility districts in the heavily subsiding, groundwater-dependent areas.

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Subsidence districts in the Houston region impose restrictions on aquifer usage, and local water authorities implement those mandates.

Amiah Williams, spokeswoman for the water authority in West Harris County, said the pipeline project will help the authority meet the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District's mandate to convert 60% of the area's water supply to surface water. The district required the switch by 2025, while the pipeline is expected to be up and running in mid-2026.

Their partner water authority in Fort Bend that covers the portion of the subsidence hotspot right across the county border, around Katy and Fulshear, has until 2027 to achieve its own 60% surface water requirement via the pipeline.

Officials at the North Fort Bend Water Authority say they're racing to meet the requirements and restrict groundwater pumping.

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The population in its jurisdiction has more than doubled since 2010, and water usage followed. But Matt Froehlich, the authority's engineer, said that the amount of surface water supplied to the area has not changed in the past decade. This has meant the demands on the aquifer are growing, leading to higher rates of subsidence.

"Surface water now accounts for approximately 35% of the North Fort Bend Water Authority's water usage," Froehlich said. A decade ago, it could cover half of all demand.

A pricey expansion either way

As dense suburbs balloon across former Katy Prairie land, the rising costs to deal with subsidence have sparked criticism from residents and city officials.

At the city of Katy's October council meeting, a water authority representative confirmed concerns that on top of construction costs for the new pipeline, the Lake Houston water would be more expensive for consumers than the groundwater currently on their bills, though its exact price is still unknown.

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"I feel like these years of promise have been a moving target," said Council Member Gina Hicks, who raised concerns about rising costs alongside Robertson. But the council still voted to receive water from the nearly completed pipeline, acknowledging that the region would face fines if it blew past the subsidence districts' goals.

The remains of a boat dock that had sunk due to subsidence, on Crystal Bay at the Baytown Nature Center, which is the site of the former Brownwood subdivision on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023 in Baytown. (Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer)





The legacy of areas like Brownwood offers a glimpse into the potential human cost of extreme subsidence, beyond fees from regulators.

The Baytown-area subdivision was built to be a Houston suburb near the coast with large homes and a tight community feel. By the time Christina Butcher's family moved in, it had already sunk so deeply that the homes had mostly converted to rental homes for struggling tenants.

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Then Hurricane Alicia struck the region. Brownwood never recovered.

BROWNWOOD: A look back at the Houston suburb that sank

"We had about 10 feet of water in our home," said Butcher, who now works at the Baytown Nature Center that enveloped the former subdivision's remains. "There wasn't really anything my mom could salvage."

Items found on the Baytown Nature Center grounds are on display in the visitor center on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023 in Baytown. The nature center is at the location of the former Brownwood Neighborhood, which was destroyed by subsidence and storms. (Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer)





While pockets of the former Katy Prairie do flood heavily during storms, the area does not sit along a coastline that could swallow it whole. This regional difference has left many locals skeptical of whether they face similar subsidence risks.

Hiding in plain sight

Katy isn't the only suburb that has struggled with subsidence. In the Houston area's most heavily subsiding area to the north, The Woodlands, residents like Mark Meinrath have been flagging more obvious signs of the sinking land for years.

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Meinrath discovered he lives on a fault line after subsidence made the ground under his home drop unevenly. He's had to prop up half of his house and watched cracks splinter the surrounding neighborhood. A group of his neighbors sued developers over their own property damage from subsidence. Another neighbor, Laura Norton, has been vocal about the issue as a member of her local water board.

Mark Meinrath talks about how land around his home has subsided, exposing much of his home's slab, Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022, at his home in The Woodlands. He said he had to lift his home to keep it level as the land under part of it subsided up to half an inch per year, until Montgomery County water officials switched to using surface water. He also said he had to construct an extra step to his front door, which he is sitting on, because the sidewalk dropped away. (Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer)





"The consequences are bad here," Norton said.

According to past studies by the Texas Water Development Board, per-household water use in Houston's suburbs is high. A large share of water  well over one-third in Katy  is used to water lawns.

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"We love our lawns, that will continue," said H.C. Clark, a retired Rice University geologist. But he added that demand for the picture-perfect yard is one factor slowly causing subsidence over time.

Subsidence does not occur evenly. It creates sunken pockets in a community, which can change drainage patterns during heavy rains.

"If your area is pretty flat, and you tilt that just a little bit, then you have affected drainage," Clark said. "That's the ultimate fear."

Katy could also suffer foundation-splitting fault lines like residents have seen in The Woodlands if the problem worsens, according to 2022 research published by Khan and Tirmizi, along with other collaborators.

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But residents might not realize subsidence is causing the ground to shift since they are used to the area's clay-heavy surface soil, which swells and compacts depending on how much moisture is in the ground. That's an entirely different problem.

Cracked foundations from clay are "a story as old as time" in the area, according to Sasha Cox, who runs operations for Katy Responds  a nonprofit that grew out of Hurricane Harvey and helps repair dozens of homes a year in the tri-county area.

Sasha Cox is photographed at the Offices of Katy Responds in Katy on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. (Raquel Natalicchio)





"After these flooding events, we're left with this clay, and as it absorbs water it pushes up foundations, but then we have extreme heat and it'll shrivel. You'll actually see the cracks within our community," Cox said, explaining that longtime residents watered their lawns heavily to avoid foundation problems.

These common foundation issues could keep even longtime residents in the dark on subsidence impacts they might otherwise notice, said Jim Blackburn, an environmental lawyer at Rice University.

Homeowners might assume that clay in the soil is causing a foundation problem when it could be caused by subsidence - or a combination of both.

"I think it would be harder to tell, no question about it," Blackburn said.

This article originally published at These Houston suburbs are sinking faster than any other big city in the U.S. Can anything stop it?.
Residents of the Gaza border region reportedly heard explosions from interceptions.

The IDF killed two terrorists who were en route to carry out a terror attack in Karmei Zur, the military reported on Thursday.

Sirens sounded in the Gaza border region on Thursday for the first time since the US-backed Gaza ceasefire took effect.

The sirens sounded in Sderot, Nir Am, Ibim, and Mefalsim. Residents of the region reportedly heard explosions from interceptions.

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The IDF later said that it launched interceptors towards a false target and sounded the alarms in accordance with protocol.

Later, sirens sounded in Nir Am. The IDF stated that the incident was also a false alarm.

This is a developing story.
You can find original article here WealthManagement. Subscribe to our free daily WealthManagement newsletters.

Lido Advisors, a national wealth advisory firm with over $38 billion in assets under management, has acquired Fountainhead Advisors, a wealth management firm based in Warren, N.J., managing $1.2 billion.

Fountainhead specializes in financial planning and insurance strategies from its offices in New Jersey and San Ramon, Calif. Fountainhead has a staff of 39, including 21 advisors, according to its website, and is focused on high-net-worth clients.

Marc Rock, who co-founded the firm in 2011, and his team will join Lido, and Fountainhead will take on the Lido brand.

This partnership expands our national footprint in two key markets and adds a team deeply aligned in culture, values, and vision, Lido President Ken Stern said in a statement.

Los Angeles-based Lido Advisors announced five deals this year, growing from $24 billion to $38 billion in assets. The firm hired Henry Hagenbuch, formerly of Robertson Stephens, to head its M&A work in July 2024.

In May, Lido sold a stake to HPS Investment Partners, which joined prior investor Charlesbank Capital Partners in fueling Lidos asset growth. The firm also sold a non-controlling minority stake to Constellation Wealth Capital in January 2024.
The IDF will not tolerate the behavior of a criminal minority that stains a law-abiding public," IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said in a statement.

The IDF said that several red lines were crossed during riots in the West Bank on Tuesday.

Extremist settlers set fire to Palestinian vehicles and trucks, as well as a factory and agricultural land in Beit Lid, and later attacked IDF soldiers and damaged a military vehicle.

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The IDF said on Wednesday that the military intends to identify those involved and bring them to justice.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir said that he strongly condemned the incident in a Wednesday statement.

The IDF will not tolerate the behavior of a criminal minority that stains a law-abiding public. These acts are contrary to our values and represent a red line. We will act firmly on the matter until justice is served.

Jewish settlers attack journalists during the olive-picking season in the village of Beita, south of Nablus in the West Bank, November 8, 2025 (credit: NASSER ISHTAYEH/FLASH90)

Settler violence rises in West Bank

The settlement movement is important to us, and we hold it in high regard. Strengthening the settlements is an inseparable part of the components of national security. We operate according to a clear principle - terror meets the army, civilians live in peace.

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A surge in nationalist violence in the West Bank has prompted warnings from both the IDF and the international community, according to exclusive Central Command data obtained by Walla. In 2024, 675 such incidents were recorded. That number has already reached 704 in 2025.

So far this year, 174 Palestinians have been injured in these attacks, compared to 155 in of 2024. Since the October 7 massacre, 376 Palestinians have reportedly been wounded in settler-related incidents by the IDF and the defense establishment.

Since the olive harvest began on October 19, 50 violent incidents have been recorded, leaving 86 Palestinians injured. About one-third of the cases occurred in the Nablus, Ramallah, and Hebron areas. That figure marks a 25-incident rise from the same harvest period last year. The IDF noted that three Palestinians were killed near Havat Gilad and Rehelim during last years harvest season, but no fatalities have been recorded this year.

Under growing political and public pressure, the IDF says it has engaged in dialogue with rabbis, municipal leaders, and community officials to address anarchist fringe youth, some of whom come from outside the West Bank.

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According to senior officials, the IDF is increasingly concerned that rising settler violence may destabilize the area and disrupt military operations against Palestinian terror groups. The army confirmed that some suspects had been detained and transferred to the police, but all but one have since been released.

Defense officials estimate that around 200 extremist youths are currently active in the West Bank. While Central Command officers have urged a firmer stance, the army claims it lacks the legal tools needed to act effectively since the defense ministers recent decision to halt the use of administrative detention in such cases.

Following a recent wave of violence in Samaria, Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan, Kedumim Council head Uziel Watik, and Karnei Shomron Council head Yonatan Kuznitz issued a joint statement strongly condemning the violence.

We despise and firmly condemn the habitual violent group that moves from place to place, the statement read. They called on the police and the IDF to deal with them firmly and without tolerance.

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The council heads emphasized that this fringe group does not represent the settlement movement and urged a stop to generalizations and incitement against half a million law-abiding residents. They also warned against what they described as political and cynical exploitation of the events to tarnish the settlers reputation.

According to Israel Police data, indictments filed against Jewish suspects have risen by 20%. The Left-wing human rights group BTselem reported that October 2025 saw the highest number of Jewish attacks on Palestinians since the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) began tracking such incidents in 2006.

OCHA documented 264 attacks in Judea and Samaria in October alone, with incidents ranging from assaults and vandalism to arson and property destruction. On average, eight attacks occurred each day that month. October alone accounted for 18 percent of all recorded incidents in 2025.

In total, 1,485 settler attacks against Palestinians have been documented since January. Of those, 172 involved bodily harm, 1,129 caused property damage, and 184 included both.

Between October 1 and November 3, 150 attacks were directly linked to the olive harvest. During the final week of that period, 44 attacks were recorded, 20 of them harvest-related. Eighteen Palestinians were injured in that week, mostly by settlers and hilltop youth, a term often used to describe radicalized Israeli teens involved in nationalist violence.
Illinois continues to climb in a national ranking for hospital safety, though four hospitals earned F grades  the most in years, according to the nonprofit Leapfrog Group.

Illinois now ranks 17th in the country  up from 23rd a year ago and 30th before that  for its percentage of hospitals earning A grades for safety, according to Leapfrog, which releases hospital safety grades twice a year.

Illinois moved up in the rankings because its percentage of A-graded hospitals increased slightly, while other states have seen their percentages drop, said Alexandra Campione, program manager of the safety grade for the Leapfrog Group.

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In all, 35 Illinois hospitals earned A grades; 21 earned Bs; 34 got Cs; and 14 received D grades.

The four Illinois hospitals that got Fs include Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago; West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park; Roseland Community Hospital in Chicago; and HSHS St. Marys Hospital in Decatur.

Weiss closed in August, after the federal government said it would be terminated from the Medicare program because it was out of compliance with rules related to nursing services, physical environment and emergency services. The owner of Weiss is appealing that determination, and has said he hopes to reopen the hospital.

Weiss and West Suburban got F grades partly because the hospitals did not respond to the Leapfrog survey, said Dr. Manoj Prasad, whose company Resilience Healthcare operates Weiss and West Suburban.

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Leapfrog bases its grades on 22 safety measures, including hand hygiene, falls and trauma, and death rates among surgical patients with serious but treatable complications. The organization gets its data from the federal government, a survey it sends to hospitals and other data sources.

We dont participate, Prasad said of the survey. It is quite resource-intense. It requires a lot of people to pull data. Theres just not enough resources to go around.

Campione acknowledged that a hospitals grades might be lower if it doesnt fill out the survey, but she said the survey is only one small part of determining a hospitals grade. Its still possible for a hospital to get an A, even without filling out the survey, she said.

Roseland President and CEO Tim Egan said in a statement that Roseland protests the F grade from Leapfrog. Egan said that the hospital has won other recognitions for its performance yet the fallible Leapfrog grading system will cast a shadow on the great progress being made at our financially struggling Safety Net Hospital.

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An HSHS spokesperson said in a statement that the system is committed to providing quality patient care.

There are a variety of health care quality rating organizations that publish hospital quality scores, each relying on different data and metrics, often leading to confusion, the HSHS spokesperson said in the statement. We encourage patients and families to discuss care options with their physicians and care teams to make informed decisions.

The Chicago-area hospitals that earned Ds include Mount Sinai Hospital, Insight Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago, and Vista Medical Center in Waukegan.

Sinai Chicago said in a statement that it is committed to quality and patient safety. The statement noted that the grades reflect data from 2024, when Mount Sinai implemented a new electronic health record system and underwent other changes that temporarily affected reporting.

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We continue to prioritize quality and safety and have seen positive results in hospital acquired infections and conditions, as well as both Nurse and Doctor Communication, Sinai Chicago said in the statement.

Insight said in a statement that its F grade and the hospitals data are not aligned because the hospital did not fill out the survey because of time constraints. The inconsistencies relate to reporting and coding issues instead of patient-related matters, Insight said in the statement. Vista did not respond to a request for comment.

Meanwhile, Chicagos highest rated hospitals continued their winning streaks. Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Rush University Medical Center and University of Chicago Medical Center all earned As. Six Endeavor Health hospitals  in Highland Park, Evanston, Glenview, Elmhurst, Naperville and Arlington Heights  also earned As. Seven Northwestern hospitals also received As.

University of Chicago Medical Center is one of just 11 hospitals nationwide that have earned straight As since 2012, according to Leapfrog.

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We really never stop focusing on those patient safety indicators, said Samantha Ruokis, vice president of clinical performance excellence for UChicago Medicine. Even when were performing well and havent had an incident in some time, the team continues to focus on (proactive risk mitigation and safety measures).

That means fostering a culture where workers arent afraid to speak up if they see a problem, such as reminding a colleague to sanitize their hands when walking into a patient room if the person forgets, she said. It also means consistently sticking with best practices, such as preventing blood clots after surgeries through medications, by encouraging patients to walk when appropriate and using special electronic boots that squeeze a patients calves to keep blood flowing.

Most organizations have best practices in place, Ruokis said. Where it gets challenging is making sure thats the habit and it sticks.

Rush University Medical Center also works to keep patients safe in a variety of ways, such as by trying to prevent hospital acquired infections by carefully maintaining devices such as central lines and urinary catheters and by avoiding using those devices in patients who dont need them, said Dr. Brian Stein, chief quality officer for the Rush University System for Health.

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Rush University Medical Center is among 17 Illinois hospitals that have scored straight As for at least five consecutive grading periods.

Scoring consistently high over time, as well as across different hospital ratings systems, is more important than one single letter grade, Stein said.

Leapfrog is one of a number of organizations that rate hospitals each year. Low-scoring hospitals tend to criticize the ratings systems, while high-scoring hospitals often tout their grades and rankings in advertisements in hopes of gaining a competitive edge. Leapfrog was founded by large employers and other organizations that buy health insurance.

Each ratings organization uses its own methodology, sometimes leading to differing results. Health care leaders say consumers should use ratings as one piece of information when deciding where to get care, along with considerations such as their doctors recommendations, personal experiences and which hospitals are in-network with their health insurers.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says hes worried about how President Donald Trump might respond to the growing controversy over documents tying him to Jeffrey Epstein.

My great fear, of course, is that with the release of that information, which I think will be devastating for Trump, hes going to do everything in his power to distract, Pritzker told The Associated Press in a wide-ranging interview on Wednesday. What does that mean? I mean, he might take us to war with Venezuela just to get a distraction in the news and take it out of the headlines.

Pritzker, widely seen as among the top potential Democratic presidential contenders in 2028, also directed some of his sharpest criticism at members of his own party. He said the decision by seven Democratic senators and one independent to side with Republicans in a Senate vote to end the government shutdown was an enormous mistake that played right into Trumps hands.

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Ive been on team fight from the very beginning, Pritzker said. And I dont appreciate when weve got Democrats who are caving in and doing basically what the Trump administration wants.

Pritzker did not join calls for Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer to step aside, which has come from some Democrats who think he should have fought harder. Im not sure this is the one thing that people should focus on to put them over the edge about it, the governor said.

He was instead more critical of the group of Democratic senators who voted for the deal, which included Sen. Dick Durbin, his own state's senior senator.

We were winning, said Pritzker, pointing to resounding Democratic wins in elections across the country last week. I do not understand why people caved when we were on the verge of getting real change.

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Since Trumps reelection, Pritzker  an heir to the Hyatt hotel fortune  has been among the president's fiercest Democratic critics. On Wednesday, he described Trump as a narcissist and said he believed the president has dementia.

Pritzker's comments about Trump's use of the politics of distraction came as newly released documents reignited scrutiny of Trumps relationship with Epstein. In a 2019 email to a journalist, Epstein wrote that Trump knew about the girls, but what he knew  and whether it pertained to the sex offenders crimes  is unclear. The White House accused Democrats of selectively leaking the emails to smear the president.

But few governors have witnessed Trumps use of force as directly as Pritzker, who has seen federal agents descend on Chicago and its suburbs in recent months as part of  Operation Midway Blitz. More than 3,300 people suspected of immigration violations have been arrested since September, with some raids involving helicopters, tear gas and nighttime operations.

This is part of the militarization of our American cities that Donald Trump is engaging in, Pritzker said. And its dangerous. It shouldnt happen, but hes got a purpose behind it. And its to affect our elections in 2026.

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Pritzker said the large immigration crackdown seen in Chicago would soon expand to other states, saying that he had spoken recently to North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein after reports that the administration might send federal forces into Charlotte.

Im hoping that the pushback will finally lead them to ratchet down their efforts, said Pritzker.
Immigration activists in New Jersey are calling on state lawmakers to protect immigrants after 46 workers were swept up in an ICE raid in Avenel.

Protesters rallied on Thursday morning outside of Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin's office in Woodbridge in response to the raid.

It comes two weeks after federal agents raided the Savino Del Bene Shipping warehouse and made dozens of arrests.

The protesters say even people with legal work permits to be in the country were picked up in the chaos.

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Shortly after the raid, several Middlesex County lawmakers released a joint statement that said in part, "Our state and district are at their best when dignity and justice are upheld for all...And we remain committed to ensuring that the diverse families and residents we cherish can continue to live in the communities they love without fear."

Activists are calling for passage of the Immigrant Trust Act to bar state and local police from helping ICE conduct raids.

"This is not about law enforcement, this is about control and intimidation, they didn't raid corporate boardrooms, they raided warehouses, targeting the very people who keep New Jersey running," one activist said.

So far there is no response from Coughlin.

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Officials with Homeland Security say they stand behind the arrests and said the 46 people arrested were in the U.S. illegally.

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New two-tone blue-and-white Indiana State Police patrol vehicles sit ready for deployment on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, in Indianapolis. (Photo by Casey Smith/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

Indiana State Police officially unveiled a new era of patrol vehicles Wednesday  blue-and-white Dodge Durangos and Ford Mustang GTs  that ISP leaders said will boost visibility, modernize the statewide fleet and better equip troopers to combat aggressive driving and street racing across the state.

Standing before the 20 newest troopers receiving their first commission cars, ISP Superintendent Anthony Scott called the rollout a bridge to the future for an agency balancing tradition with public safety innovation.

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The new classic two-tone design of our police cruiser symbolizes ISPs mission to serve Hoosiers with pride, visibility and tradition, Scott told recruits during the morning ceremony at the District 52 post on the east side of Indianapolis.

While the color scheme is a salute to our past, its also a bridge to the future of the Indiana State Police, he continued, and a future that each one of you will help forge.

Its the first time in 60 years that the agency has used the blue design. Troopers cars during the early- and mid-1960s were white over blue but changed to all-white patrol cars in 1966.

New two-tone blue-and-white Indiana State Police patrol vehicles sit ready for deployment on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, in Indianapolis. (Photo by Casey Smith/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

ISP switched all-black patrol cars in 1998, and in 2006 white reappeared as the standard patrol car color, police archives show.

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As these new Troopers begin their service, they carry forward a proud tradition of protecting Hoosiers with integrity and courage, Gov. Mike Braun said in a statement. The new patrol vehicles are a fitting way to mark this next chapter  honoring our history while equipping the Indiana State Police for the future.

The updated look is part of a multiyear overhaul of the states fleet.

The 2023 Durangos will phase in as current police vehicles  primarily the long-serving Dodge Chargers  are retired and replaced. The process to replace the older models has already taken several years due to the time needed to outfit and deploy new cars for patrol use.

ISP spokesperson Capt. Ron Galaviz said that once the full transition is complete, the agency will no longer have white patrol vehicles.

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Over the next year, the fleet will look a whole lot different, he said.

New cars  and a new focus

Public records show the agency spent roughly $26 million to order more than 500 Dodge Durango Pursuit models from Dodge to replace the older Chargers. That older Charger fleet dates back to 2010.

Each fully equipped unit was estimated at about $50,000, with additional costs for outfitting. The new Durangos, for example, come with updated technology like in-car cameras, radar and push bumpers.

For more than 70 years, the bond between Stellantis and the Indiana State Police has been forged in strength, reliability, and a shared commitment to public service, said Ryan Austin, the law enforcement program manager at Stellantis, the parent company of Dodge. We design our Pursuit vehicles with safety, durability, and performance in mind, so that every officer or trooper who steps into one can focus on what matters most: keeping people safe.

Inside one of the Indiana State Polices five new Ford Mustang GT patrol vehicles on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, in Indianapolis. (Photo by Casey Smith/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

For newly minted Trooper Daysia Tallman, the ceremony marked her first day on solo patrol and the first time taking the keys to a car of her own. The 20 probationary troopers graduated from the academy in July and spent the months since completing field training.

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They took possession of their new vehicles and dispersed statewide for the first day of patrol on Wednesday.

Its just a really big milestone. Todays a very important day  and were the very first class to have these new vehicles, said Tallman, a member of the 87th ISP Recruit Academy class. The trust that they put in you to be able to have your own vehicle  its amazing.

She added that the color and design are intended to improve officer safety.

Its supposed to help us be more visible  because now, when you see that blue car, you know its a state trooper, Tallman said. If were on a traffic stop or working a crash, hopefully the new look helps citizens see us sooner and prevents other crashes.

This is my office

The rollout also marks the first phase of what ISP calls high visibility patrol, which includes five marked Ford Mustangs distributed across the states five primary areas in central Indiana, Fort Wayne, northwest Indiana, Evansville and Sellersburg.

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The high-performance vehicles are especially intended to address a surge in road rage, reckless driving and illegal street racing across Indiana  and be more visible in the process.

Four of the Mustangs are assigned to veteran master troopers with at least 15 years of experience. Troopers selected to drive a Mustang had to submit a memo to the superiors and were hand-selected by Scott. They also had to undergo specialized driving training.

The Mustangs  equipped with 5.0-liter Coyote engines, radar systems, in-car cameras and dash-mounted computers  will help to intercept aggressive drivers before they cause crashes, said Master Trooper Nick Klingkammer, an 18-year ISP veteran.

State police officials emphasized that the vehicles are meant to deter, not invite, pursuits.

Indiana State Police Master Trooper Nick Klingkammer drives one of five new Ford Mustang GT patrol vehicles as part of ISPs high-visibility policing initiative on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, in Indianapolis. (Photo by Casey Smith/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

Klingkammer, whos assigned to District 5 in central Indiana, was among the five selected to receive a Mustang. During a ride-along, Klingkammer called it a mobile office and a tool for prevention.

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This is where I spend my day, he said, gesturing to the vehicles compact interior.

His Mustang had just 759 miles when he left the ISP parking lot on Wednesday. The master trooper hadnt yet conducted a traffic stop when he started his patrol. He expects his first stop to come sometimes Thursday, after technicians make some final electrical tweaks.

Any trooper who works the road  their office is their car, Klingkammer emphasized.

He said the Mustangs agility and speed will help troopers safely catch up to drivers traveling 90 or 100 miles per hour, or prevent high-speed chases altogether.

This car has the capability to drive at high speeds, Klingkammer said. We have the training to drive at high speeds. But our goal is prevention  to get one person to rethink their mindset, not to get into a pursuit or street race. If that happens, weve won.

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The new vehicles are also intended to boost officer safety and public visibility. Klingkammer noted that the bold design attracts attention even when parked on the side of the interstate.

Its just all part of the same goal  make our roads safer.

 Indiana State Police Master Trooper Nick Klingkammer

I guarantee you Im the talk of the interstate right now because of these truckers going by, he said Wednesday afternoon while monitoring traffic on Interstate 70 just east of Indianapolis. Theyre going, Oh my God, theyre in a Mustang.

While the cars can accelerate quickly  hitting 100 miles an hour in a matter of seconds  Klingkammer said troopers wont be driving them in snow or ice.

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The rear-wheel-drive Mustangs will likely be swapped out for all-wheel-drive Durangos on rough weather days in winter months to protect taxpayer money and avoid unnecessary risk.

At the end of the day, no matter the car, were representing our agency, and we want to make sure that were doing it in a professional way  where people understand, Hey, yep, I messed up, Klinghammer said. And in doing that, probably nine out of 10 stops that I make, Im usually getting a Thank you. Its just all part of the same goal  make our roads safer.

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Two years after the first report of what would become a wave of extortion attempts was made in B.C., the threats, demands and related violence continue to persist in the province.

Most recently, a shooting in South Surrey, B.C., on Nov. 8, was linked to extortion, according to police. Its one of dozens of investigations happening in the province; as of Nov. 7, more than 100 extortion incidents had been reported in B.C. in 2025.

The India-based Bishnoi gang has claimed responsibility for some Canadian shootings on social media, and police have said there is evidence connecting the Bishnoi gang to Indian government agents.

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Galib Bhayani, a Kwantlen Polytechnic University criminology professor and former RCMP officer, said the international nature of these extortion attempts are making it difficult for police to investigate them.

Let's be frank, these [extortion attempts] are happening from India, he told CBCs The Early Edition. Our relationship with India in terms of information sharing is not good. At other levels, it's not good as well.

The past couple of years have been tense between Canada and India.

The relationship between the two countries broke down after then-Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian government agents of being involved in the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara in 2023. India dismissed the allegations as absurd and politically motivated.

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The ties further devolved a year later, as each country expelled the other's top diplomats.

Last year, federal RCMP commissioner Michael Duheme said RCMP had strong evidence showing the "highest levels" of the Indian government were involved in orchestrating a campaign of violence on Canadian soil, including murder, extortion and intimidation.

The commissioner said attempts to share evidence with Indian police had been unsuccessful.

Bhayani said local B.C. police forces are not experienced with these types of investigations, which require extensive resourcing.

The intimidation, the execution [of these crimes] is highly localized and often carried out with individuals who are aware of the cultural norms, speak the language, understand the business patterns of the victims, Bhayani said.

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This means the traditional policing is insufficient. We do need to have better relationships with our partners internationally. But because we don't have that, we have to work with what we have right now," he said.

In September, the province announced a special RCMP-led taskforce dedicated to investigating extortion, bringing together 40 members from various law enforcement agencies, including intelligence analysts.

CBC News reached out to RCMP for an update on its extortion task force investigations, but did not heard back by publication.

Cases up since task force established: RCMP

The complexity of these investigations was part of the discussion at an extortion town hall event hosted by CBC BC on Nov. 13.

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RCMP said the number of extortion cases in B.C. has increased since the task force was established, partly due to an uptick in the public actually reporting incidents.

Jinny Sims, radio host and former Surrey-area MP, said Thursday that the international scope of extortion investigations means little to the people in the community impacted by it.

When the shooters are here, and theyre shooting the people here, they need to be arrested here, she said.

Bhayani, who was at the town hall, wants police to be more transparent about the number of arrests, seizures and disruptions made. He says he realizes that the police can't share everything they're working on, but he wants more information like this to be made public on a regular basis.

"Every month, if we got this reporting, it would increase a little bit of faith," he said.
(Background photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch; EBT card courtesy of the state of Iowa)

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits will be issued to Iowans by Friday, Nov. 14, following the end of the federal government shutdown, according to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.

The U.S. Department of Agricultures Food and Nutrition Service directed the Iowa HHS to issue full SNAP benefits for the month of November, according to an Iowa HHS spokesperson. Previously, Iowa HHS had issued guidance that partial SNAP benefits would be provided for the month as the federal shutdown was still ongoing, as instructed by the Trump administration, though the state department did not provide timing on when the benefits would be released.

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The shutdown ended Wednesday night, when President Donald Trump signed a federal funding package reopening the government through January. With the federal government reopening, a USDA spokesperson told States Newsroom SNAP benefits for most participants will be available within 24 hours for most States.

Though delayed, full food assistance benefits are being provided for November in Iowa beginning Thursday, Iowa HHS stated, with benefits being loaded onto cards now and could be available later today. Full benefits are anticipated to be available to all SNAP recipients Friday, according to the department.

There are roughly 42 million people nationwide who use SNAP benefits to access food. In Iowa, there are roughly 270,000 individuals enrolled in the program, and the state receives around $45 million each month in benefits.

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The department recommended SNAP recipients check their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card balances before making any purchases. Balances can be checked by calling the number on the back of their EBT card, 800-359-5802, or by logging into their ConnectEBT account by browser or through the mobile app.

Earlier in November, Gov. Kim Reynolds had announced the state would match up to $1 million in donations made to Iowa food banks in order to address increased need in Iowa communities caused by the lapse in SNAP benefits, as well as plans to deploy Iowa National Guard troops to assist with food distribution across the state. Other entities throughout the state, including Polk County, also pledged money to assist local food banks  as did businesses like Hy-Vee and Fareway, as well as the three state Medicaid managed care organizations, Iowa Total Care, Molina Healthcare of Iowa, and Wellpoint Iowa.

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SDOT YAM, Israel (AP)  Wrapped tightly around his forearms, the former Israeli soldier feels the snakes cold skin against his, and for a moment hes able to breathe.

Its been nearly 18 months since he left the army after fighting in the war in Gaza, and the flashbacks and panic attacks havent ceased. He was wounded in a Hamas missile attack on his military base, and said two of his friends  also soldiers in their 20s  died by suicide. This farm in central Israel dedicated to helping soldiers has been a lifeline, he said.

It doesnt matter if a plane goes by or if the drone goes by or if someone is yelling. ... Because Im here with the snake right now, said the 27-year-old sergeant major, who called the experience grounding. Like other soldiers who spoke to The Associated Press, he insisted on anonymity to discuss private mental health matters.

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Israels longest war is leaving a trail of traumatized soldiers, with a growing number suffering from mental health illnesses after two years of war with Hamas. Reports of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and other mental health problems are increasing among soldiers, as are suicides.

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EDITORS NOTE  This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org. Helplines outside the U.S. can be found at www.iasp.info/suicidalthoughts.

___

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Israels defense ministry says it has documented nearly 11,000 soldiers suffering from mental health injuries since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack that triggered the war in Gaza. That accounts for more than a third of the total 31,000 troops with such injuries in all of Israels conflicts since its founding nearly 80 years ago. The ministry defines mental health injuries as PTSD, anxiety, depression and other mental health issues.

Suicides have also spiked. In the decade preceding the war, the number of soldiers taking their own lives in the army averaged 13 per year. Since the war, the number has risen, with 21 soldiers dying by suicide last year, according to the army. The figures  which account for active duty and reserve troops  dont include soldiers who took their own lives after leaving the military.

A report published by Israels parliament last month said an additional 279 soldiers tried to take their own lives from January 2024 through July 2025 but survived.

Theres now a genuine understanding that psychological injuries have profound consequences and that treatment is both necessary and practical, said Limor Luria, deputy director general and head of the defense ministrys Rehabilitation Department.

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Were seeing a generational difference," she said. "While many wounded veterans from previous wars never sought help, todays wounded are responding very differently.

The army is scrambling to address the crisis, mobilizing hundreds of mental health officers. It has sent experts to the front lines to help soldiers during combat, established a hotline and provided group therapy sessions to fighters once theyve left service. Yet experts warn Israel is not yet equipped to deal with the scale  a gap the rehabilitation department acknowledged, saying it impacts the entire national health system.

The length and intensity of this war on multiple fronts  with tens of thousands of active duty and reserve troops called up for repeated deployments  havent allowed soldiers to properly heal, which could have long-term consequences for the country, said Tuly Flint, a trauma therapy specialist who has counseled hundreds of Israeli soldiers.

Those victims of war, if not treated, lose the potential for personal and social development possible for them and may become a burden on themselves, their families and society, he said.

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Half a dozen soldiers who spoke to the AP, as well as psychologists who have treated fighters, said they lacked purpose, had difficulty concentrating or having relationships, and as the war dragged on, a sense of hopelessness set in.

Flint said some also suffered from what he called moral injury.

Soldiers come back asking themselves who are they after what theyve seen and done, what kind of people are they? he said.

Rescue animals help soldiers heal

The 27-year-old former soldier, who worked as a radio technician for about six months at the start of the war, said he came to the farm earlier this year because he felt lost.

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A missile struck his base on the border with Gaza, badly injuring his back. After that, he was anxious, triggered by noise, constantly on edge.

Everything got louder, like my aggressions, my yelling, my feelings, everything just went up, he said  as though someone broke the volume.

Hes receiving therapy from the army, but the farm has allowed him to heal in a different way, surrounded by others with similar experiences and allowing him to calm his mind by focusing on the animals, he said.

Nestled in the Sdot Yam kibbutz, the Back2Life farm is among several grassroots organizations stepping in to support the growing number of soldiers needing help. It was co-founded by Assi Nave and dedicated to his friend from an elite military unit, Amir (Dani) Yardenai, who suffered severe PTSD for years after fighting in Gaza in 2014, and died by suicide last year.

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Danis loss left me with the sense that hes not the last one, Nave said.

The farm has become an oasis for dozens of veterans who have participated in its sessions  which in addition to traditional counseling includes therapy with dogs and other animals  to the backdrop of chirping birds and clucking chickens. Former soldiers work with rescue animals, each helping the other to heal.

Psychologist Guy Fluman, who works with former soldiers and is among the mental health experts advising the farm on therapeutic approaches, said a major challenge veterans face is readjusting to civilian life and being with animals is grounding.

You need to help them resolve their memories, be able to live in peace with what has happened ... and on the other hand to reconnect them to life, he said.

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Stigma persists

One 31-year-old deployed in Gaza and the West Bank for a year said upon returning home everything was a struggle: His relationship ended and he had difficulty connecting with family and friends.

I felt like I was back there, he said My body is here, but my mind is not.

He was among several veterans who told the AP he suffered from mental illness for years, triggered by fighting in Israels previous wars, yet this was the first time he felt comfortable seeking support.

Stigma around mental health persists among soldiers, acknowledged Luria, the rehabilitation program director. Combating this stigma is a top priority.

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Were addressing it on multiple fronts, including public campaigns and media outreach, she said, as well as programs designed to engage younger veterans, like rehabilitation farms and adventure sports.

A 32-year-old reservist who was assigned to collect bodies in southern Israel after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack in which some 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage said his flashbacks were less connected to the sight of the decaying men and women but to the smell.

I started to smell dead bodies ... all the time, he said. Hed get triggered changing his childs diaper.

A therapist himself, he recognized the signs and sought help for PTSD. He then started working with others to help with the armys growing need.

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He said the best way for soldiers to come forward is for their commanders on the ground to let them know that its OK.

When the commander of the soldier says you can get help, he said, it works better and you have less stigma.

___

Natalie Melzer in Tel Aviv, Israel, contributed to this report.
The Shin Bet said it arrested around 40 Palestinian terrorists from Bethlehem in a major bust that thwarted imminent attacks, marking the first large-scale operation under new chief David Zini.

About 40 Palestinian terrorists from Bethlehem were thwarted before they could carry out a series of imminent terrorist attacks, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) reported Thursday.

Given the size of the multiple cells, the bust may be a strategic setback to Hamas and other terrorist groups that want more terrorist attacks from theWest Bank when they are weaker in Gaza.

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The announcement also marked the first time such an operation was publicly announced since David Zini became Shin Bet director on October 5.

The Shin Bet recently publicized two other operations: one involving the arrest of an Israeli from Tiberias for spying for Iran; and the seizing of weapons that Iran was trying to smuggle from Jordan into the West Bank. Neither of those involved imminent terrorist attacks of this scale.

Zini is looking to make his mark as head of the agency after months of limbo caused by political and legal battles among Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the legal establishment, and the opposition over his appointment.

Thwarting the terrorist plots was a joint operation by the Shin Bet, the IDF, and the Israel Police. A variety of counterterrorism actions were taken in recent weeks.

Anti-terrorism unit runs 15 ops

In particular, reservists from the IDF Etzion Brigade, along with the Duvdevan special unit and the LOTAR anti-terrorism unit, undertook 15 operations in coordination with the Shin Bet to capture the terrorists.

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Part of the bust included seizing the terrorists weapons, including M-16s.

There were masterminds who systematically recruited and built multiple terrorist cells to carry out a series of shooting attacks against Israeli civilians and the IDF, the Shin Bet reported.

One of the cells was ready to carry out an imminent terrorist attack when its members were captured, it said.

The Shin Bet said it would continue to act with other security bodies to prevent terrorists from causing harm.

It also said it had transferred its evidence over to the IDFs West Bank Prosecution to prepare indictments against those involved in the various terrorist cells.
The Palestinian Authority said Thursday that Israeli soldiers had killed two 15-year-olds in the occupied West Bank, while Israel called them "terrorists" attempting to carry out an attack.

Settler violence has surged in recent weeks across the West Bank, drawing international condemnation and even rare criticism from within the Israeli military and government.

"A short while ago, IDF soldiers who were operating adjacent to the community of Karmei Zur, eliminated two terrorists who were on their way to carry out a terror attack," the military said in a statement, without providing details.

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Palestinian authorities also did not provide any details.

The deaths came as Israel said it had received the body of one of the last four hostages held in Gaza from the Red Cross on Thursday as part of the ceasefire deal with Hamas.

It later said forensics experts had confirmed the body was that of Meny Godard, killed at age 73 the day of the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Meanwhile, the Ramallah-based Palestinian foreign ministry said Israeli settlers set ablaze the Hajja Hamida mosque near the town of Deir Istiya in the north.

"This blatantly violates the sanctity of places of worship and reflects the deep-rooted racism driving settlers under the protection of the occupying government," the ministry said.

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AFP photographs from the scene showed burned copies of the Koran and walls blackened by smoke, and graffiti on a wall of the mosque.

The Israeli military said security forces were dispatched to the scene following "a report and footage... regarding suspects who set fire to a mosque and sprayed graffiti".

In a statement, it said that no suspects were identified after a review of the incident, which was handed over to the Israeli police and security agency.

"The IDF condemns any form of violence and will continue to operate to safeguard the security and order in the area," it added.

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- 'Red line' -

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack, with his spokesman saying that "such acts of violence and desecration of religious sites are unacceptable".

"Such incidents are part of an increasing pattern of extremist violence that is inflaming tensions and must stop immediately," spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

Thursday's arson attack came a day after the Israeli army chief pledged to halt settler violence.

"We are aware of the recent violent incidents in which Israeli civilians attacked Palestinians and Israelis. I strongly condemn them," Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said in a statement.

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"These acts contradict our values, cross a red line and divert the attention of our troops from their mission," he said.

Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967, where more than 500,000 Israelis now live in settlements.

A minority of these Israelis engage in violence against Palestinians, who complain that Israeli forces usually do not arrest settlers.

All settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law.

Earlier this month, the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said that October 2025 was the worst month for settler violence since it began recording in 2006, with at least 264 attacks that caused casualties or property damage.

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Almost none of the perpetrators have been held to account by the Israeli authorities.

Violence has surged across the West Bank since the war in Gaza broke out in October 2023.

At least 1,003 Palestinians, including militants, have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli forces or settlers since the war started, according to the Palestinian health ministry.

During the same period, 43 Israelis, including soldiers, have been killed in Palestinian attacks in the West Bank, according to official Israeli figures.

bur-jd-acc/dcp/js
The company is experiencing some effects from external disruptions, such as the Novelis fire, Nexperia chip shortages, and the JLR cyberattack, which could impact future performance.

Linamar Corp ( LIMAF ) renewed its NCIB program, allowing for the repurchase of up to 10% of outstanding shares, indicating a commitment to returning cash to shareholders.

The company announced two significant acquisitions: Aludyne aluminum casting technologies in the U.S. and the GF Leipzig ductile iron casting facility in Germany, adding over $1 billion in sales.

Linamar Corp ( LIMAF ) reported exceptional earnings growth in its Mobility segment, with earnings up 88% and margins reaching the top end of their normal range.

Story Continues

Q & A Highlights

Q: Can you provide insights into the agricultural business outlook for 2026? Are you optimistic that this year will be the bottom of the cycle? A: Linda Hasenfratz, Executive Chairman of the Board, mentioned that agricultural cycles typically last two to three years, and this is the second year of a down market. It could go either way next year, with a better sense expected by March. Jim Jarrell, CEO, added that farmer sentiment remains strong, but dealer concerns about inventory levels and pending government incentives make it difficult to predict the market for 2026.

Q: Regarding the buyback, you indicated an intention to step up activity in the third quarter. What is your current thinking on resuming buyback activity? A: Linda Hasenfratz confirmed that the company prioritized M&A activity in the quarter but intends to resume buyback activity as soon as the blackout period is over.

Q: The Mobility segment margins have improved significantly. Are these margins sustainable, and are new launches margin-enhancing? A: Jim Jarrell stated that the improvement is due to successful launches, strong volumes on key programs, and operational efficiencies. The margins are expected to remain within the 7% to 10% range. Linda Hasenfratz added that a favorable product mix also contributed to the strong results.

Q: Can you elaborate on the Skyjack outperformance and market share gains? A: Jim Jarrell attributed the gains to technology and commercial strategies, particularly in scissor lifts in North America and booms in Europe. Linda Hasenfratz emphasized that while volume increased by 46%, this does not directly translate to sales due to product mix differences.

Q: What is Linamar's approach to large-scale M&A, particularly in the Mobility segment? A: Linda Hasenfratz stated that while Linamar prefers a conservative balance sheet, they are open to larger acquisitions if they have a clear path to quickly reduce leverage. The company evaluates opportunities based on financial sense, technology fit, and management capacity.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
Vice President JD Vance is coming under renewed fire for a tweet he sent about Jeffrey Epstein in 2021, following the Wednesday release of emails suggesting that President Trump knew about Epsteins sex trafficking ring.

In the tweet, Vance links to a 2019 article by Matthew Walter for The Week titled, The Jeffrey Epstein case is why people believe in Pizzagate. In it, Walter writes, We should keep all of this in mind the next time we feel inclined to sneer at so-called low-information voters.'

The author adds, The news that a globalized cabal of billionaires and politicians and journalists and Hollywood bigwigs might be flying around the world raping teenaged girls will not surprise them in the least because it is what they have long suspected.

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While speculating about Epsteins conspirators and clients, Walter also asks at one point, Was Trump speaking from personal experience when he said in 2002 that Epstein likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side?

I think about this [Matthew Walter] column about once a month, Vance wrote in his 2021 tweet. In a follow-up reply to his own post, Vance added, Remember when we learned that our wealthiest and most powerful people were connected to a guy who ran a literal child sex trafficking ring? And then that guy died mysteriously in a jail? And now we just dont talk about it.

Remember when we learned that our wealthiest and most powerful people were connected to a guy who ran a literal child sex trafficking ring? And then that guy died mysteriously in a jail? And now we just don't talk about it.  JD Vance (@JDVance) September 4, 2021

Critics have returned to the latter tweet, quoting and retweeting it en masse, after Democrats from the House Oversight Committee released emails Wednesday that were sent by Epstein to associate Ghislaine Maxwell and author Michael Wolff between 2011 and 2019. In the emails, Epstein alleged that Trump knew about the girls, called the president the dog that hasnt barked and claimed that Trump spent hours at Epsteins house with one of his victims.

The latters name was redacted in the released emails.

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Vance was, of course, a fierce public critic of Trump around the time of the latters first presidential election win in 2016. He eventually came around to Trumps side, though, and earned his place as Trumps chosen vice presidential nominee in 2024. Nonetheless, that has not stopped Trumps critics from calling out Vance for his 2021 tweets in the wake of Democrats Epstein email drop Wednesday.

The Democrats selectively leaked emails to the liberal media to create a fake narrative to smear President Trump, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told TheWrap Wednesday in a statement about the emails. The unnamed victim referenced in these emails is the late Virginia Giuffre, who repeatedly said President Trump was not involved in any wrongdoing whatsoever and couldnt have been friendlier to her in their limited interactions.

The fact remains that President Trump kicked Jeffrey Epstein out of his club decades ago for being a creep to his female employees, including Giuffre, Leavitts statement concluded. These stories are nothing more than bad-faith efforts to distract from President Trumps historic accomplishments, and any American with common sense sees right through this hoax and clear distraction from the government opening back up again.

Democrats from the House Oversight Committee, meanwhile, wrote in a Facebook post Wednesday that the emails raise serious questions about Donald Trump and his knowledge of Epsteins horrific crimes.

The post JD Vance Tweet Resurfaces After Emails Assert Trump Knew of Jeffrey Epstein Crimes: Now We Just Dont Talk About It appeared first on TheWrap.
Nearly a month before President Donald Trump met Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Helsinki in 2018, Jeffrey Epstein attempted to pass a message to Russias top diplomat: If you want to understand Trump, talk to me.

I think you might suggest to putin that lavrov can get insight on talking to me, Epstein wrote in a June 24, 2018, email to Thorbjorn Jagland, a former prime minister of Norway who was leading the Council of Europe at the time of the exchange. Lavrov was an apparent reference to Sergei Lavrov, Russias longtime foreign minister.

In the email exchange, one of hundreds released Wednesday by congressional investigators, Epstein indicated he had previously talked about Trump with Vitaly Churkin, Russias forceful ambassador to the United Nations, before Churkin died in 2017.

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Churkin was great, Epstein, the late convicted sex offender, wrote. He understood trump after our conversations. it is not complex. he must be seen to get something its that simple.

The exchange was among dozens that showcase Epsteins extraordinary network of international associates, whom he often corresponded with about Trumps first-term policy decisions.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the emails, but press secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a briefing Wednesday the broader set of emails prove absolutely nothing other than President Trump did nothing wrong.

Trump later posted on Truth Social: Democrats are trying to bring up the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax again because theyll do anything at all to deflect on how badly theyve done on the Shutdown. He was referring to the U.S. government shutdown.

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In the emails, Jagland said he was meeting Lavrovs assistant the following day and would suggest a connection with Epstein. Its unclear if anything ever came of the proposed contact.

But Epstein would later opine about Trumps fateful meeting with Putin, which was panned around the world for his apparent capitulations to the Russian dictator.

Do the Russians have stuff on Trump? Today was appalling even by his standards, wrote Larry Summers, the former Clinton administration Treasury secretary and Obama administration economic adviser, in an email to Epstein on July 16, 2018, the day of the Helsinki summit with Putin.

My email is full with similar comments. wow, Epstein replied the next day. Im sure his view is that it went super well. he thinks he has charmed his adversary.. Admittedly he has no idea of the symbolism. He has no idea of most things. He also called Trumps handling of the summit with Putin predictable.

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Summers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Days later, Epstein was flexing his overseas relationships in an email exchange with former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, telling him in a July 23, 2018, message that Bannon needed to be physically present in Europe to wield influence on the continent.

If you are going to play here , you'll have to spend time, europe by remote doesn't work, Epstein wrote.

Epstein told Bannon he could organize one-on-one meetings with foreign leaders but that he would have to stay for several days.

The fear is that you gin up their hopes and emotions and then abandon them. I think you want to be an insider, not an outsider flying in and out.

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A representative for Bannon declined to comment.

Epstein often relied on his foreign contacts to learn about their views of Trump as he obsessively tracked the new presidents actions. And at other times, he simply showcased his deep connections around the world in emails with other associates.

Can you belive MBS sent me a TENT carpets and all, Epstein wrote to billionaire businessman Tom Pritzker in December 2016, referring to Mohammed bin Salman, who is now the Saudi crown prince.

A tent? Hmmm Pritzker wrote back. I think that is code for 'I love you'. Or, maybe code for 'go pound sand'. Better check your [Kingdom of Saudi Arabia] urban dictionary.

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Pritzker did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A year before he reached out to Jagland for help with the Russians, Jagland asked Epstein to visit him in Strasbourg, France, so Epstein could help him understand more about Trump and whats going on in the American society.

Among Epsteins international connections was Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, a businessman based in the United Arab Emirates. Sulayem asked Epstein two weeks before Trumps first inauguration if he should accept the invitation extended to him by Trump associate Tom Barrack, who oversaw the event.

Barrack did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Epstein responded that it would be very crowded but might be worth it to make connections in Washington or New York before and after the festivities.

Do you think it will be possible to shake hand with trump, Sulayem responded. Its unclear if Epstein replied.

Saudi representatives declined to immediately respond to a request for comment, and the Russian Embassy in Washington didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Jagland couldn't be reached for comment and Sulayem didn't respond to a request sent to what appeared to be his Instagram account.

Shia Kapos, Gregory Svirnovskiy, Cheyanne Daniels and Aaron Pellish contributed to this report.
This is an adapted excerpt from the Nov. 12 episode of The Briefing with Jen Psaki.

The way Donald Trump and his administration have handled the case against Jeffrey Epstein appears to be shaping up as the greatest political scandal of our lifetime. And the reason I know that is because of the relentless pressure campaign the White House has waged to stop more information about that case from coming out.

Now, lets remember, this is the president who regularly admits he knows nothing about whatever issue is embroiling his administration. Its also the same president who spent the last few weeks refusing to lift a finger in the negotiations to end the government shutdown.

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But when it comes to the release of the Epstein files, it appears to be all hands on deck over at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

According to multiple outlets, on Wednesday the White House carried out a last-ditch pressure campaign against Republican members of Congress who had signed on to the effort to release the Epstein files.

Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel even held a meeting in the Situation Room with Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert  one of the Republicans who has supported releasing the files. Meetings with members of Congress about anything but classified national security information are rarely, if ever, held in the Situation Room, but the dramatic backdrop here was maybe their point.

In the end, the effort to frame voting for the discharge petition as some sort of national security issue didnt succeed. The Trump administration wasnt able to persuade any of the Republicans to defect before Democratic Rep. Adelita Grijalva was sworn in.

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Moments after her swearing-in, Grijalva became the 218th signature on the petition to vote on releasing the Epstein files, meaning the House is now on track to take that up on the floor next week.

Given the effort Trump has already expended to keep these files from getting out and how engaged an otherwise fairly disengaged president seems to be in preventing even the discharge petition from moving forward, it raises the question: What else is in these files?

Trump has repeatedly dismissed reports that he was aware of Epsteins crimes, telling reporters in 2019 he had no idea the financier was abusing young women. Even back then, his denial was pretty hard to believe.

However, new emails released by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee now call into question that claim. In a 2019 email, Epstein said of Trump: Of course he knew about the girls.

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Shortly after Democrats released a select few of those emails, Republicans on the committee dropped an additional trove of more than 20,000 that were obtained from the Epstein estate. While MSNBC has not independently confirmed the authenticity of those emails or the allegations, several of them suggest that Trump may have known a whole lot more than he let on.

For instance, in another email from 2019, Epstein talks about the prior investigation and charges against him, writing that a woman whose name was redacted worked at Mara Lago. Trump knew of it, and came to my house many times during that period. The testimony of the houseman John Alessi confirmed it. He never got a massage.

Now, putting aside whether or not the president got a massage himself, the suggestion that Trump knew of it certainly raises a whole lot of questions.

Then theres a 2011 email from Epstein to his co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell, in which Epstein wrote: I want you to realize that that dog that hasnt barked is trump.. [Victim] spent hours at my house with him ,, he has never once been mentioned.

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I have been thinking about that, Maxwell replied.

Now, despite it sounding a whole lot like a Sherlock Holmes reference  we dont know exactly what Trump being the dog that hasnt barked means  it also refers to a victim spending hours at Epsteins house with Trump. That alone is huge news.

As are numerous other emails giving us new insight into Epsteins thinking about Trump. Theres a 2018 conversation about the hush money paid to Stormy Daniels on Trumps behalf, in which Epstein wrote, I know how dirty donald is. One email included a meme shared with Epstein by his brother in 2016, with the caption Would you trust this man with your daughter?

Theres also an email suggesting that Epstein may have still been in contact with the president even after Trump was elected in 2016. Just a week after that election, Epstein indicated in one email that he was at Trump Tower in New York City.

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Then there are some exchanges that, in a trove of creepy emails, stand out as being particularly gross. In a 2015 email, Epstein referred to my 20 year old girlfriend in 93 ,, that after two years I gave to donald. In that same exchange, he also wrote: would you like to see photos of donald and girls in bikinis in my kitchen.

Now, I should be clear: This is a huge trove of emails, and, understandably, some are vague, some are kind of cryptic, and many are lacking full context and details. So it will take time for committee members and journalists to sort through them and make complete sense of it all.

Of course, Trump has long denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epsteins crimes. But it has never been clearer than it is right now why the president may not want these files to be released.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
House Speaker Mike Johnson revealed that representatives in Congresss lower chamber would vote on whether to release the Department of Justices Jeffrey Epstein case files next week.

Johnson had kept the House of Representatives from convening during the government shutdown, in a ploy that many observers believed was a way to avoid the question of the Epstein files. When the House gathered to consider an agreement to reopen the government put forth by the Senate, representatives also forced the issue of a vote on releasing the files.

Were going to put that on the floor for a full vote when we get back next week, Johnson told reporters on Capitol Hill.

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The House session also saw the swearing in of Arizona Democrat Adelita Grijalva. The daughter of late Congressman Raul Grijalva waited 50 days to be sworn in, thanks to Johnsons stalling. Her signature in favor would force a floor vote on releasing the files, and she immediately threw in with the House effort.

Start your day with essential news from Salon.

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Just this morning, House Democrats released more emails showing that Trump knew more about Epsteins abuses than he previously acknowledged. Its past time for Congress to restore its role as a check-and-balance on this administration and fight for we, the American people, she said. That is why I will discharge petition right now to release the Epstein files. Justice cannot wait another day.

The post Johnson promises vote on Epstein files next week appeared first on Salon.com.
A federal judge on Thursday declined to toss federal assault charges against New Jersey Rep. LaMonica McIver.

The first-term Democrat was charged with assaulting law enforcement officers following a chaotic scrum outside an immigration detention facility in May.

McIver argued that the prosecution  led by Alina Habba, a former personal attorney to President Donald Trump whom he picked to be the states top federal prosecutor  was unfair and that she was shielded from the charges by the Constitutions speech or debate clause, which grants members of Congress a form of immunity that is mostly impenetrable in investigations relating to the official duties of lawmakers.

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U.S. District Judge Jamel Semper, an appointee of former President Joe Biden, disagreed and refused to toss two of the three counts, while reserving judgment on a third until he sees more evidence.

Defendants active participation in the alleged conduct removes her acts from the safe harbor of mere oversight, he wrote in a 41-page opinion. Lawfully or unlawfully, Defendant actively engaged in conduct unrelated to her oversight responsibilities and congressional duties.

In a statement, McIver said she was disappointed by the decision and portrayed her prosecution as one in a series of legal attacks by the Trump administration on the presidents foes.

I am not in this fight only for myself, and I am concerned that this decision will simply embolden the administration, she said.

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Her attorney, Paul Fishman, said McIver and her legal team are evaluating next steps in response to legal decisions they believe are wrong.

McIver is accused in a three-count indictment of slamming a federal agent with her forearm, forcibly grabbing him and using her forearms to strike another agent. Allegations of physical violence by a sitting member of Congress are rare.

The alleged assaults occurred during a 68-second span in the midst of a three-hour oversight visit to the Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark, New Jersey, when McIver and fellow Democratic Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman and Rob Menendez were part of a chaotic scene as immigration agents moved to arrest city Mayor Ras Baraka on a trespassing charge that was later dropped.



McIvers trial was scheduled to begin earlier this week, but Semper delayed it as he weighed the complex legal issues and perhaps in anticipation of an appeal.

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In his written opinion, Semper seemed to draw a line between alleged contact inside a gated area at Delaney Hall, which the congressional Democrats were allowed to inspect, and actions outside, which is where agents moved to arrest Baraka and where prosecutors allege that McIver committed two crimes: assaulting an agent and impeding that arrest.

The count Semper did not fully rule on involves alleged contact between McIver and an agent inside the gated area after the scrum outside the gate.

The ruling  which is likely to be appealed  is a victory for Habbas office. While she calls herself the acting U.S. Attorney, another judge in August ruled she was unlawfully serving in that role. An appeals court is now considering that ruling.

Semper also rejected a more long-shot attempt by McIvers attorneys to dismiss the whole case based on selective prosecution. McIvers team argued for that based on Trump pardoning hundreds of people who attacked police at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and the Justice Department dropping numerous additional assault cases at Trumps direction, despite video evidence of the attacks.

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Irrespective of the pardon, the January 6 defendants are not similarly situated to Defendant because the facts and circumstances surrounding their criminal cases are unambiguously distinct, Semper wrote.

While McIver quoted Trump and Habbas rhetoric to claim vindictive prosecution  including Habbas wish to turn New Jersey red  Semper ruled that McIver failed to demonstrate the case against her is the result of personal animus harbored by the prosecution.

Habba did not immediately comment on the ruling.
The Department of Justice is joining a lawsuit against California Gov. Gavin Newsom over the redrawing of the state's congressional districts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

The Trump administration accuses California of violating the Constitution by gerrymandering using race as a factor to favor Hispanic voters in the new map. It asked a federal judge on Nov. 13 to prohibit California from using the new map in any future elections.

Race cannot be used as a proxy to advance political interests, but that is precisely what the California General Assembly did with Proposition 50  the recent ballot initiative that junked Californias preexisting electoral map in favor of a rush-job rejiggering of Californias congressional district lines, the lawsuit states.

Democratic Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani and his wife, Rama Duwaji, votes at The Frank Sinatra School of the Arts on Nov. 4, 2025 in the Queens borough of New York City. Voters in NYC are voting for who will be replacing Mayor Eric Adams between the front runner New York Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani and New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo and Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa. More than 735,000 people have voted early, according to the Board of Elections, more than four times as many as in the 2021 contest. This election also has other city offices on the ballot, as well as six proposals. Independent mayoral candidate and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo departs after voting at a polling location at the High School of Art and Design in the Manhattan borough of New York City on Nov. 4, 2025. Election workers transport ballots on a cart during a special election on redistricting at the Los Angeles County Ballot Processing Center in City of Industry, California, November 4, 2025. A display shows an advertisement for betting on the New York City mayoral election, featuring Democratic candidate for New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani and Independent candidate for New York City mayor and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, in Times Square, in New York City, November 4, 2025. A poll worker poses for a photo during Pennsylvania Municipal Election in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 4, 2025. Mary Wellington, from left, with Ventura County Elections Division, helps first-time voter Makailee Lindbergh, 18, cast her provisional ballot on Proposition 50 at the Best Western Plus Thousand Oaks Inn in Thousand Oaks, California on Nov. 4, 2025. New Jersey Democratic gubernatorial candidate, U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), (L) is cheered by supporters as she exits the polling center after casting her vote on Nov. 4, 2025 in Montclair, New Jersey. Sherrill faces off against Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli, in a tightly contested race for New Jersey governor. A person exits a polling center after casting her vote on Nov. 4, 2025 in Montclair, New Jersey. Virginia voters cast their ballots at Robius Elementary School Nov. 4, 2025 in Midlothian, Virginia. Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger faces off against Republican candidate Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears in the Commonwealth of Virginias off-year election for governor and other statewide offices on November 4, a race that will lead to the first female governor in the commonwealths history. Bob Elsea, poll clerk at Ward 6 Precinct 1 at Trinity United Methodist Church, shouts out "polls are open" at 7 a.m. during election day in Anderson, South Carolina., Nov. 4, 2025. Shunmuga Sankaran displays the sticker he recieved while voting at Cherry Hill East High School in Cherry Hill, New Jersey on Nov. 4, 2025. Michael Powers, 63, of Pontiac, votes at precinct nine in the gymnasium at the Kennedy School in Pontiac, Michigan on Nov. 4, 2025. The Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr. smiles as he waits to turn in his ballot alongside his wife Robin Kinloch early on Election Day inside Chrysler Elementary School in Detroit on Nov. 4, 2025. People vote at the Old Portage Masonic Temple on Nov. 4, 2025, in Akron, Ohio. Eight people are vying for four seats on the Akron Public School District board. Election officials check in mail-in votes at the Buttonwood Warming House polling station in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Election workers process mail-in ballots at the Lebanon County Courthouse in Pennsylvania on Nov. 4, 2025. MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 4: Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (C) submits his ballot with his daughter Freida Frey as he holds his child Estelle Frey at a polling place on Election Day on November 4, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Incumbent Mayor Jacob Frey is seeking reelection to his third term in office as he is opposed by three other local Democrats. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) Voters cast their ballots in the municipal election on Nov. 4, 2025, at Holly Tree Elementary in Wilmington, North Carolina. Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins talks with election worker Rhonda Lewis Warren before voting at the Runyon Heights Community House in Yonkers Nov. 4, 2025. Jenkins is running for his first full four-year term for County Executive after winning a special election earlier this year to replace former County Executive George Latimer who had been elected to the U.S. Congress. Mayor Mitch Colvin hugs a voter at a polling site at Cliffdale Recreation Center in Fayetteville on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. Hope Mills Commissioner Bryan Marley, left to right, Hope Mills Mayor Jessie Bellflowers and Chilleko Hurst talk outside a polling site at Hope Mills Recreation Center in Hope Mills on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. Shortly before 6 a..m., a voter arrives to cast their ballot at Cherry Hill East High School in Cherry Hill, NJ, on Election Day, Tuesday, November 4, 2025. New Yorkers vote to pick their new mayor at an election site in a church in Manhattan on November 4, 2025 in New York City. The latest polls show the front-runner continues to be Zohran Mamdani, holding a clear lead over independent Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. Hope Mills Commissioners candidate Ronald Starling talks to a voter outside a polling site at Hope Mills Recreation Center in Hope Mills, North Carolina on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. People register to vote at the Lakewood Municipal Building Tuesday morning, November 4, 2025. New Jersey voters decide on who will be the next governor of New Jersey, in addition to the Assembly, and county and local elections. Keith Sjostrand holds his granddaughter, Ila Barrett, 2, while poll worker, Kathleen Forman hands her a voting sticking. Behind them Ila's great-grandfather, Donald Sjostrand, watches with a smile.The family voted at Licking County Church of God in Newark, Ohio, Nov 4, 2025. Two days before election day, Lakewood, NJ, voters and their families wait to cast their early ballots late Sunday afternoon, November 2, 2025, at the Municipal Building on 3rd Street. First time poll worker, Benita Neely, dances with her arms in the air to call people over to drop their ballots in the ballot box at Cherry Valley Elementary in Newark, Ohio, Nov 4, 2025. A volunteer for the Working Families Party speaks to a voter during the Pennsylvania Municipal Election in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 4, 2025. Michael Lopez, 13, takes a selfie with his mother, Olga, after she voted at Burncot High School on Tuesday, Nov. 4. The photo was for Michael, an 8th grader at Burncoat Middle School, to receive extra credit in Steven Mendard's social studies class which was learning about the election process. Bruce Williams fills out a ballot during Election Day at China Grove AME Church in Madison, Miss., on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. Election workers extract ballots as part of ballot processing during a special election on redistricting at the Los Angeles County Ballot Processing Center in City of Industry, California, November 4, 2025. See candidates and constituents cast their ballots on Election Day 2025 1 of 32 Democratic Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani and his wife, Rama Duwaji, votes at The Frank Sinatra School of the Arts on Nov. 4, 2025 in the Queens borough of New York City. Voters in NYC are voting for who will be replacing Mayor Eric Adams between the front runner New York Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani and New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo and Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa. More than 735,000 people have voted early, according to the Board of Elections, more than four times as many as in the 2021 contest. This election also has other city offices on the ballot, as well as six proposals.

Voters overwhelmingly approved using the new map in the Nov. 4 election, agreeing to go back to non-gerrymandered districts after the 2030 Census.

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These losers lost at the ballot box and soon they will also lose in court," Newsom spokesperson Izzy Gardon said in a statement.

The new lines that Proposition 50 allowed the legislature to draw essentially negate the five new Republican-leaning congressional districts Texas created earlier this year at President Donald Trump's urging.

The DOJ wants to join a lawsuit filed shortly after the election by the California Republican Party.

More: Forget Schumer and Pelosi. Zohran Mamdani is Republicans' new foil.

The complaint by the California Republican Party and co-plaintiffs states the new congressional map was drawn to boost the voting power of Hispanic voters by creating two new districts to "empower Latino voters to elect their candidates of choice."

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Republicans argue in the lawsuit that there isn't evidence that Hispanic voters are being blocked from electing the representatives they want  a key test judges look for in redistricting lawsuits over race. They also point out that Latinos are the largest demographic group in California.

"However, California's Hispanic voters have successfully elected their preferred candidates to both state and federal office, without being thwarted by a racial majority voting as a bloc," the complaint states. "This is unsurprising because Latinos are the most numerous demographic in the state and California voters nearly always vote based on their party affiliation, not their race."

Signs supporting Proposition 50, aimed at countering Republican-led redistricting in Texas by redrawing California's congressional map to favor Democrats, in a residential neighborhood in Encinitas, California, U.S., September 29, 2025.

State legislatures are allowed to consider race when drawing district lines, but they have to be able to justify why if the lines are challenged in court.

On social media, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the DOJ sued Newsom over "his brazen Proposition 50 redistricting power grab."

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"Newsom should be concerned about keeping Californians safe and shutting down antifa violence, not rigging his state for political gain," Bondi said.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at a "Yes On Prop 50" event at the LA Convention Center on Nov. 1, 2025 in Los Angeles. Prop 50, which passed overwhelmingly in the Nov. 4 election, redraws California's congressional map ahead of the 2026 midterm.

California's move to redraw district boundaries came in response to the Texas Legislature redrawing districts to be more friendly to Republicans. Several lawsuits have been brought over that effort and have not been joined by the DOJ.

A few other states have redrawn their district boundaries in what has become a race to use voter makeup to help determine which party controls the House after the 2026 elections.

What is Prop 50?

Proposition 50 is a constitutional amendment that allows the nation's most populous state to temporarily stop using a nonpartisan commission to draw congressional district boundaries. Instead, California will use lines drawn by Democratic state lawmakers to increase the seats they hold in Congress.

California Governor Gavin Newsom applauds the crowd after arriving for a rally after state voters approved the ballot measure Proposition 50, which would temporarily redraw congressional districts, November 8, 2025.

The new lines were drawn and made public when voters passed the constitutional amendment. The lawsuit does not challenge Prop. 50, just the new district boundaries.

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After the 2030 U.S. Census, the nonpartisan commission will resume drawing the lines.

More than 5.6 million Californians voted in favor of Proposition 50 while about 3.2 million voted against it, according to the vote count by the California Secretary of State's office.

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: DOJ joins lawsuit challenging new California district lines
Senate Majority Floor Leader Max Wise, R-Campbellsville, speaks during a June 25 news conference in a temporary building where lawmakers will convene in 2026 and meet for several subsequent years while the Capitol is under renovation. The temporary Senate and House chambers have no galleries for the public. (Kentucky Lantern photo by by David Stephenson)

Our representative democracy rests on a fundamental principle: We, the people, have a right to participate in decisions that affect us.

In two prior reports, the League of Women Voters of Kentucky described how Kentuckys General Assembly, in its 60-day legislative sessions, has increasingly fast-tracked legislation in ways that weaken that principle.

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In our newest report, How Can They Do That? 2025 Challenges to Transparency and Citizen Participation in Kentuckys Legislative Process, we show that fast-tracking also occurred in 30-day legislative sessions. These fast-track maneuvers are often combined with other undemocratic tactics to create a negative, compounding effect on public participation. It is not uncommon for a bill to follow a process like this:

A shell bill is filed with a vague title and little or no substantive language, creating the opportunity for substantial changes to be inserted at the last minute.

The bill is given readings on the chamber floor before the committee discusses the bill. The public may not notice that this has happened, but the maneuver creates the opportunity to rush the bill to a floor vote after the committee approves it.

The committee calls a meeting outside its regularly scheduled meeting time to consider the bill, with short notice to the public that it is meeting at a different time.

At the committee hearing, the original bill is replaced with a substitute version that the public has not seen and cannot access prior to the committee discussion.

The committee approves the substitute bill and sends it to the full House or Senate for a vote that very day, allowing the public only a couple of hours to contact their legislators about the bill.

No minutes of the committee meeting are posted, leaving no public record of committee discussions and public testimony on the bill.

Senate Bill 202, passed in the 2025 session, was one of many bills that used these tactics. The bill was introduced as a five-page shell bill filed on the bill filing deadline. It made two minor wording changes to existing law: changing e-mail to email and Web site to website. In its final form, the bill expanded to 28 pages that added new rules on a substantive issue (the distribution and sale of cannabis-infused beverages). These changes were accomplished by pulling the bill for floor readings before committees discussed the bill, then introducing substitute versions of the bill and moving it to floor votes within 24 hours. No minutes of these committee meetings were posted, leaving no record of committee discussion or public testimony. This process left little time for those affected by the new language to understand and give input on the bill.

As in our prior reports, the 2025 report recommends to the General Assembly specific ways to give the people time to understand and give input on bills before voting on them. Those recommendations include posting draft legislation before each session, limiting the use of shell bills, allowing time for the public to review changes made to bills before a vote is taken, transacting most committee business during regularly scheduled meetings, and posting timely records of legislative proceedings.

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The League of Women Voters of Kentucky supports informed and active citizen participation in government. We remind our elected officials that they work for the people, were elected to represent the people, and must give the people opportunities to understand and give input on legislation that affects us.

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US lawmakers have released more than 20,000 pages of documents from the estate of the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including some that mention President Donald Trump.

Early on Wednesday, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee published three email exchanges, including correspondence between Epstein, who died in 2019 in prison, and his long-time associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking.

They also released emails between Epstein and the author Michael Wolff, who has written numerous books about Trump.

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Within hours, House Republicans released a massive tranche of documents to counter what they said was a Democratic effort to "cherry-pick" documents. They also said it was an attempt to "create a fake narrative to slander President Trump".

The emails were obtained by the committee after it subpoenaed Epstein's estate as part of its own probe into the federal investigation of Epstein.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the emails were "selectively leaked" by House Democrats to "liberal media to create a fake narrative to smear President Trump".

"The fact remains that President Trump kicked Jeffrey Epstein out of his club decades ago for being a creep to his female employees, including Giuffre," she said.

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Trump was a friend of Epstein's for years, but the president has said they fell out in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested. Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.

[BBC]

What the Epstein-Maxwell email says

The first email released by Democrats is from 2011 and is between Epstein and Maxwell.

In it, Epstein writes to Maxwell: "I want you to realize that that dog that hasn't barked is Trump.. [VICTIM] spent hours at my house with him".

Epstein goes on to write that Trump "has never once been mentioned", including by a "police chief".

Maxwell responded: "I have been thinking about that..."

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The victim's name was redacted in the email the Democrats released, although the unredacted version is in the tranche released by the committee. That shows the name "Virginia".

The White House said it refers to the late Virginia Giuffre, a prominent Epstein accuser who died by suicide earlier this year. In a statement, the White House said Giuffre "repeatedly said President Trump was not involved in any wrongdoing whatsoever and 'couldn't have been friendlier' to her in their limited interactions".

Giuffre said in a 2016 deposition that she never saw Trump participate in any abuse. And in a memoir released this year, she did not accuse the president of any wrongdoing.

Asked why the name was originally redacted, Representative Robert Garcia - the leading Democrat on the US House Oversight Committee - said the party will never release names of victims in line with the wishes of the families.

Epstein says Trump 'never got a massage'

In another string of messages, Epstein implies that Trump had met his victims but said the president himself had never received a massage from them.

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In an email Epstein sent to his own email address in February of 2019, months before he was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges, Epstein cited the name of a victim, which was redacted in the documents, saying the person worked at Mar-a-Lago.

"Trump knew of it. and came to my house many times during that period," Epstein wrote, adding that the testimony of one of his staff confirmed it.

"He never got a massage," Epstein added.

Maxwell - who is reportedly preparing to ask Trump to commute her sentence - also recently told federal officials that she never saw Trump "in any inappropriate setting" and never observed him receiving a massage from Epstein's victims.

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Trump has strenuously denied any wrongdoing and having any knowledge of Epstein's crimes.

What the Epstein-Wolff emails say

In exchanges with Wolff, the author, Epstein discusses his connection to Trump, who - at the time - was campaigning for the presidency ahead of his first term in office.

In a second email exchange released by Democrats, Wolff writes to Epstein in 2015 to notify him that CNN is planning to ask Trump about their relationship, "either on air or in scrum afterwards".

Epstein responds: "If we were able to craft an answer for him, what do you think it should be?"

Wolff writes: "I think you should let him hang himself. If he says he hasn't been on the plane or to the house, then that gives you a valuable PR and political currency. You can hang him in a way that potentially generates a positive benefit for you, or, if it really looks like he could win, you could save him, generating a debt."

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He adds: "Of course, it is possible that, when asked, he'll say Jeffrey is a great guy and has gotten a raw deal and is a victim of political correctness, which is to be outlawed in a Trump regime."

"I have been trying to talk about this story for a very long time now," Wolff said on Wednesday [Reuters]

In a separate email from October 2016, days before the US presidential election, Wolff offers Epstein a chance to sit for an interview that could "finish" Trump.

"There's an opportunity to come forward this week and talk about Trump in such a way that could garner you great sympathy and help finish him. Interested?", Wolff writes to Epstein.

A third email released by Democrats is dated January 2019, during Trump's first term in office.

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In it, Epstein tells Wolff: "Trump said he asked me to resign" apparently referring to his membership at the president's Mar-a-Lago club, adding, he was "never a member ever".

Epstein adds that "of course he knew about the girls as he asked Ghislaine to stop".

Responding to the release in a video he posted to Instagram, Wolff said: "Some of those emails are between Epstein and me, with Epstein discussing his relationship with Donald Trump."

"I have been trying to talk about this story for a very long time now," he added.

Andrew emailed Epstein in 2011

As well as Trump, a released document also mentions Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew.

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He responded to an email forwarded by Ghislaine Maxwell via Jeffrey Epstein in March 2011 about alleged sexual activity with a masseuse working for Epstein.

Andrew's reply reads: "Hey there! What's all this? I don't know anything about this! You must SAY so please. This has NOTHING to do with me. I can't take any more of this."

Maxwell had forwarded a "right of reply" email from the Mail on Sunday on 4 March, making numerous allegations about Maxwell, Epstein, and then-Prince Andrew.

The right of reply email states that a woman, whose name is redacted in the released document, was introduced to Andrew by the disgraced financier in 2001, at Maxwell's house in London where she had sex with Andrew.

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On 6 March 2011 the Mail on Sunday published a story including a photograph of Prince Andrew and Virginia Guiffre.

Andrew has always denied any wrongdoing and has not faced any charges.

Peter Mandelson contacted Epstein in 2016

Lord Peter Mandelson, who was sacked as the UK's ambassador to the US in September over his links to Epstein, is also mentioned in the new documents.

They show he was in contact with Epstein as late as 2016, according to the documents.

The latest previous reported contact between the pair was when the then-business secretary took advice from Epstein in a banking deal in March 2010, just months after the American businessman's release from prison for child sex offences, as reported by the Daily Telegraph.

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An email from Epstein to Lord Mandelson on 6 November 2016, shortly after the peer's birthday, reads: "63 years old. You made it".

Lord Mandelson replies less than 90 minutes later saying: "Just. I have decided to extend my life by spending more of it in the US".

Epstein then replies "in the Donald White House", referring to the US presidential election due later that week.

Epstein goes on to say "you were right about staying away from Andrew. I was right in your staying with Rinaldo [sic]", a reference to Lord Mandelson's now-husband Reinaldo Avilda da Silva.

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Lord Mandelson has repeatedly said he regrets his relationship with Epstein. He declined to comment on the emails when approached by the BBC.

What the survivors have said

Annie Farmer, one of Epstein's accusers and a key witness in Maxwell's sex trafficking trial, shared a statement after the emails were released.

In it she said: "The more information that comes out about Jeffrey Epstein, the more questions we're left with. Survivors deserve more than a trickle of information."

Farmer demanded the "full release" of the so-called Epstein files and said "the estimated one thousand women and girls who were harmed by Epstein and his associates deserve full transparency".
Two suspects were taken into custody hours after police swarmed an apartment building in downtown Los Angeles following reports of a shooting Wednesday morning.

Officers around 5:30 a.m. responded to a report of shots fired at the Broadway Palace Apartments at 9th Street and Broadway, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The department quickly confirmed that it was not an active shooter situation.

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Alfonso Figueroa was one of the tenants sheltering in place. He told Eyewitness News that he believes he heard dozens of shots.

AIR7 was overhead where several patrol vehicles could be seen stationed around the building, which could be as tall as 10 stories.

Police swarmed an apartment building in downtown Los Angeles following reports of a shooting Wednesday morning.

Dozens of fire trucks and patrol vehicles remained on scene hours later as officers combed the building looking for evidence of a shooting

"It is floor by floor, and then we'll hold those floors to make sure that no one comes behind us... it just takes some time," said Capt. Mike Bland.

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Around noon, police said they narrowed their search to a single floor where a suspect was believed to have been barricaded.

A short time after that, police confirmed that two suspects were taken into custody but additional details about the shooting or any weapons they may have had were not available.

No victims were found during the search of the apartment building.
WASHINGTON  Partisan divides were on full display in the U.S. Capitol on the night of Nov. 12 as lawmakers voted to end the longest-ever government shutdown.

After a nearly two-month recess, members of the House of Representatives unleashed weeks' worth of frustration on the floor of the chamber over the history-making funding crisis that was largely left to the Senate to resolve.

Members of the House, who last voted on Sept. 19, returned to the nation's capital to approve the Senate-passed funding package that would reopen the government. Almost all Democrats opposed the measure, saying it didn't do enough to address the rising cost of health care. Most Republicans supported it, though. The final vote was 222-209.

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More: Master stroke or dumb luck, Dems may win shutdown's long game

Travelers wait in line at a security checkpoint at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois on November 7 2025. Hundreds of flights were canceled across the United States on Friday after the Trump administration ordered reductions to ease strain on air traffic controllers who are working without pay amid congressional paralysis on funding the US budget. Forty airports were due to slow down, including the giant hubs in Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles. Travelers arrive at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, on November 7, 2025. Hundreds of flights were canceled across the United States on Friday after the Trump administration ordered reductions to ease strain on air traffic controllers who are working without pay amid congressional paralysis on funding the US budget. Forty airports were due to slow down, including the giant hubs in Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles. A TSA agent directs people as they wait in line at a security checkpoint at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois on November 7 2025. Hundreds of flights were canceled across the United States on Friday after the Trump administration ordered reductions to ease strain on air traffic controllers who are working without pay amid congressional paralysis on funding the US budget. Forty airports were due to slow down, including the giant hubs in Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles. A screen shows United Airlines 2619 landing at Chicago International Airport O'Hare, a day after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that he would order 10% of flights at 40 major U.S. airports to be cut starting Friday unless a deal to end the federal government shutdown is reached, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., November 6, 2025. Air travelers face the morning commute at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, a day after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that he would order 10% of flights at 40 major U.S. airports to be cut starting Friday unless a deal to end the federal government shutdown is reached, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. November 6, 2025. A crew member walks at the airport, as air travelers face the morning commute at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, a day after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that he would order 10% of flights at 40 major U.S. airports to be cut starting Friday unless a deal to end the federal government shutdown is reached, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. November 6, 2025. A person walks at the airport, as air travelers face the morning commute at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, a day after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that he would order 10% of flights at 40 major U.S. airports to be cut starting Friday unless a deal to end the federal government shutdown is reached, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. November 6, 2025. A passenger stands by a screen showing delayed flights due to the government shutdown, at San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco, California, U.S., November 6, 2025. Travelers arrive at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, on November 7, 2025. Hundreds of flights were canceled across the United States on Friday after the Trump administration ordered reductions to ease strain on air traffic controllers who are working without pay amid congressional paralysis on funding the US budget. Forty airports were due to slow down, including the giant hubs in Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles. Travelers wait in line at a security checkpoint at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas on November 7, 2025. Hundreds of flights were canceled across the United States on Friday after the Trump administration ordered reductions to ease strain on air traffic controllers who are working without pay amid congressional paralysis on funding the US budget. Forty airports were due to slow down, including the giant hubs in Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles. See the impact of the government shutdown as agencies shutter or fight to stay open 1 of 10 Travelers wait in line at a security checkpoint at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois on November 7 2025. Hundreds of flights were canceled across the United States on Friday after the Trump administration ordered reductions to ease strain on air traffic controllers who are working without pay amid congressional paralysis on funding the US budget. Forty airports were due to slow down, including the giant hubs in Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles.

For both parties, the night brought its fair share of snags and notable scenes. Here are 5 key moments:

Race to return

A U.S. Capitol Police officer stands guard as members of the U.S. House of Representatives returned to Washington after a 53-day break, for a vote that could bring the longest U.S. government shutdown in history to a close, in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 12, 2025.

Amid massive air travel disruptions, congressional leaders fretted their members wouldn't be able to return in time to vote. Some even resorted to carpooling, and a Republican congressman drove his motorcycle nearly 1,000 miles all the way from Wisconsin.

Read more: Lawmakers faced one last big hurdle to end shutdown. Flying to DC

Rep. Tom Tiffany, another Wisconsin Republican, was in Milwaukee on the morning of Nov. 12 to accept an endorsement in his race to become that state's governor. Like most other lawmakers, he eventually made it back to Washington in time for the vote.

Johnson gavels in after long break

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) holds a news conference after the House passed funding legislation to reopen the federal government, at the Capitol on Nov. 12, 2025 in Washington, DC. The House voted 222-209 to approve Senate-passed legislation that funds the government through the end of January 2026, reopening the government and ending the 43-day shutdown, the longest in American history.

After 54 days without voting, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, gaveled in the chamber on the afternoon of Nov. 12. Johnson oversaw the longest recess of its kind, ceasing nearly all House activities as part of a political tactic to pressure Senate Democrats to reopen the government.

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"We're not going to waste any more time," he said later in the evening.

Grijalva sworn in, securing Epstein vote

House Speaker Mike Johnson, during a ceremonial swearing of Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ) at the United States Capitol on Nov. 12, 2025, following the official swearing in on the House floor on Wednesday, Nov. 11. 2025.

In his first order of business, Johnson swore in Arizona Democratic congresswoman Adelita Grijalva.

The official action took place seven weeks after her special election victory in September to replace her late father in Congress. The delay drew widespread rebukes from Democrats and even some Republicans, who said it set a dangerous precedent for transitions of political power.

Her addition to the legislative body guaranteed there was enough lawmaker support to force a vote on a measure that would release more government files related to the late disgraced financier and accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

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Read more: Adelita Grijalva sworn in after 7-week delay, securing Epstein files vote

Fight over 'slush fund' provision

Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican from South Carolina, departs the Senate floor on June 30, 2025.

The push to reopen the government hit a major snag when House Republicans began criticizing members of their own party in the Senate over a provision in the shutdown-ending funding package.

The measure, which Democrats said created a "slush fund," allows GOP senators like Lindsey Graham of South Carolina to sue the federal government if their electronic records are secretly obtained. The Biden administration subpoenaed his phone records and others as part of an investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection.

Read more: Inside the details of the shutdown deal, from new cannabis rules to a Jack Smith jab

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But Republicans in the House, including Tom Cole of Oklahoma, the powerful chair of the Appropriations Committee, said in recent days they were unaware of the provision before it was attached to the legislation to reopen the government.

Speaking to reporters after the House voted to pass the spending bill, Johnson said he called Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, on the morning of Nov. 12 to express how "very angry" he was about the provision. Johnson added that Republicans will introduce legislation next week to repeal the controversial provision.

Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Massachusetts, said the measure would allow the lawmakers to "shovel millions of dollars into their own wallets."

"It's probably the most brazen theft and plunder of public resources ever proposed in the United States Congress," he said.

Dems struggle with unity

Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) poses for a portrait in his office in Washington, D.C., on May 6, 2025.

Democrats were trying to present a united front on Nov. 12. That didn't exactly happen.

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The plan was first complicated by Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp-Perez of Washington speaking up to criticize another Democrat, Rep. Chuy Garcia of Illinois. The longtime Chicago politician, who is retiring, didn't allow enough of a primary to take place when choosing his replacement, she said.

Half a dozen Democrats then voted with Republicans to reopen the government.

Zachary Schermele is a congressional reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach him by email at zschermele@usatoday.com. Follow him on X at @ZachSchermele and Bluesky at @zachschermele.bsky.social.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 5 key moments from House vote to end the shutdown
mayu85 / Shutterstock.com

Quick Read

The Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) charges just 0.05% in fees and yields 1.64%.

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For investors like myself who believe that dividend investing is a strategy that will outperform in the years and decades to come (largely because companies that pay dividends tend to be much more solidly-positioned than unprofitable companies), finding top dividend exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to consider buying is a time-tested strategy worth considering.

In this piece, I'm going to dive into three of the top dividend ETFs I think long-term investors can bank on for significant yield and upside over the long-term. Combining capital appreciation upside with dividend yield is what separates many dividend-payers from other fixed income assets. Indeed, this is the attribute of dividend investing in the equity market I like the most.

Without further ado, here are three of my top dividend ETF picks I think investors should consider in November and beyond.

Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG)

Vanguard remains one of my primary ETF providers I focus on, mainly due to this company's track record and its historical focus on bringing the lowest-cost ETFs in the market to investors. The Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) is one such low-cost ETF I tend to lean toward, due in part to this fund's expense ratio of just 0.05% (five basis points).

That's about as cheap as such dividend ETFs come. And with a current dividend yield of 1.64% at the time of writing, it's clear that this ETF provides not only the diversification investors are after, but a dividend tilt. That's more than 50% higher yield than what many other index funds will provide.

That's because this ETF tracks the performance of the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index, meaning it's the same exposure to many high-quality U.S. stocks, but mostly those companies that pay dividends. That means that a lot of unprofitable (and some profitable) tech is taken off the table. Thus, investors may not see the kind of upside with this pick they may otherwise get in a more traditional index fund, but they'll see steadier performance.

In this market environment, I think many investors would opt for such a strategy. With a reasonable overall portfolio multiple and plenty of growth upside, this is a great option for investors looking to stay invested in the tech trend, but look for a little more yield in their portfolios.
Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) posted playfully on social media amid reports President Donald Trump and his team pressured the MAGA star to pull her support for efforts to release the full trove of Jeffrey Epstein documents.

Boebert, a Trump loyalist, was one of four Republicans who sided with Democrats in signing a petition to force a House vote on releasing the Justice Departments files on the late sex offender.

Politics: This Epstein Warning About Trump Should Chill You To Your Bones

Along with an emoji of two wide-open eyes, Boebert shared an X post on Thursday featuring a video of a reporter in Denver, Colorado, calling the congresswoman brave for her apparent defiance of Trump.

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By all appearances, Boebert did defy the president, despite the pressure and the reported threats, said Kyle Clark of 9News, citing The New York Times and CNNs reporting. Stood firm against the wishes of her party and her president.

It certainly appears that every American who cares about kids and accountability and transparency owes Lauren Boebert their thanks, he added. (Watch video below.)

The president reached out directly to Boebert about her position, sources told The New York Times.

Politics: Tremane Wood Receives Last-Minute Clemency, Sparing Him From Execution

She was also summoned to a meeting in the White House Situation Room, a space typically reserved for national security crises, with top DOJ officials, CNN reported.

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Boebert appeared to confirm the White House meeting in another X post.

I want to thank White House officials for meeting with me today, she wrote. Together, we remain committed to ensuring transparency for the American people.

On Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump, who was friends with Epstein in the 1990s and early 2000s, blasted both Democrats and stupid Republicans for trying to bring up the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax again.

Politics: Adelita Grijalva Adds Name To Epstein Files Discharge Petition

Reps. Nancy Mace (S.C.), Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.) and Thomas Massie (Ky.) were the three other Republican lawmakers who broke rank with their party to join Democrats in supporting the discharge petition.

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Thousands of pages of documents from Epsteins estate were released by the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday, including some that mentioned Trump.

Trump knew about the girls, Epstein wrote in a 2019 email to a journalist months before the disgraced financier died in prison awaiting trial.

The Trump administration has refused to disclose all the DOJ documents, reversing a campaign trail pledge. The House vote on their release is expected next week.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
Department of Legislative Services budget analyst David Romans (right), in a January 2025 photo, warned lawmakers Wednesday that bond rating agencies might take a dim view of reducing emergency reserve funds to bare minimum limits established in law. (File photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters)

The General Assemblys top budget analyst cautioned lawmakers against draining the states cash reserves to offset a nearly $1.5 billion deficit that has emerged in the coming fiscal year.

With lawmakers unlikely to raise taxes in an election year, one potential option for covering more than half the shortfall would be to pull $815 million from the states $2.3 billion rainy day account. But Department of Legislative Services budget analyst David Romans warned that could hurt the states bond-rating now and leave it unprepared for greater deficits in later years.

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I would put a plea out there that as you work on the thinking about your strategy for balancing fiscal 27, that you try to make some headway for fiscal 28, when Romans said the budget challenge is rather daunting.

His comments came during a meeting Wednesday of the joint Spending Affordability Committee in one of the first briefings on the fiscal 2027 budget 0utlook.

Earlier this year, lawmakers passed a fiscal 2026 compromise budget that eliminated a projected $3.3 billion budget deficit through a combination of one-time fund transfers, budget cuts and $1.6 billion in taxes. Lawmakers believed that put them on solid ground for 2027, even though they knew that deficits in the billions could return in fiscal 2028 and beyond.

The latest budget projections hastened the return of those deficit projections by a year. After the projected fiscal 2027 budget gap of just under $1.5 billion, the structural budget deficit is expected to more than double in fiscal 2028 to $3.2 billion, before growing to $3.5 billion in fiscal 2029 and roughly $4 billion in fiscal years 2030 and 2031.

This isnt about resourcesits about restraint, Senate Minority Whip Justin Ready (R-Frederick and Carroll) said in a statement. You cant promise everything to everyone and then feign shock when the math doesnt work.

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The largest driver of those costs is the K-12 education reform program known as the Blueprint for Marylands Future. Lawmakers will likely have to make adjustments to how the plan is implemented in order to bend the curve on ongoing costs.

I think the bottom line here is Marylanders have nothing left to give, said Delegate Jefferson L. Ghrist (R-Upper Shore), a House Appropriations Committee member. The Democratic supermajority continues to take, with historic increases in taxes and fees and an insatiable appetite for spending. Meanwhile, the government continues to grow, so the problem only gets worse.

As massive as a $1.4 billion deficit is, the long-term projections to pay for the Blueprint in the coming years are staggering, Ghrist said. We knew this in 2020 when the Blueprint bill passed. The truth is, no matter who is in the White House, it was always going to be this way.

In the near term, Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) said tax increases are off the table.

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This is not a time where we can go for increased revenues. Last session was brutal, Ferguson said during a Wednesday morning interview on WBAL radio. I think Marylanders are feeling costs everywhere, and so we are going to have to make some very hard decisions this year about how to bend the curve. We cant keep this cycle up. This is not how we will grow, and growth is the only thing that will ultimately get us out of this.

Republicans, however, said they fear more tax hikes are in the offing  if not now, then soon.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

The 2026 session will be an Election Year Budget, and Democrats will do everything possible to paper over the problem until after November, Ready said in his statement. But Marylanders deserve honesty. Even if they delay new tax hikes this year, the out-years will be brutal. These programs are growing faster than our economy  and the bill is coming due.

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While dealing with the budget, Ferguson and the General Assembly also face the potential for a special legislative session to redraw the states eight congressional districts. Ferguson has opposed the effort, and in a statement to Maryland Matters, he implied that such a session would be a distraction from the budget.

The highest and best use of the General Assemblys time is keeping Maryland on strong fiscal footing by lowering costs for Maryland families and addressing the $1.4 billion structural deficit so we can meet our constitutional obligation to pass a balanced budget next session, Ferguson said.

In Wednesdays briefing, analysts presented a scenario in which lawmakers would pull nearly $1 billion from two accounts, the largest being the $815 million from the states rainy day account.

State law requires a minimum balance of 5% of general fund revenues be in the fund, which is meant as a bulwark against a severe economic downturn. Currently, the fund has $2.3 billion, about 8% of general fund revenues. By drawing down the fund, lawmakers could trim the projected deficit to a more manageable $500 million.

There are a number of downsides to that, but I want to highlight one: It does not provide any structural relief, Romans said. So, it doesnt do anything for solving fiscal 28.

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It also means youve spent that $800 million, so its not there to help you in the 28 problem and it also isnt there if we go into an actual recession, which is certainly a risk with the various federal cuts that seem to be continuing, he said.

Romans described the balance as pretty healthy but added the amount is is lower than typical for most of the other AAA-rated states.

An October review of reserves held by all 50 states found Maryland could run state government for 29 days, compared to a 50-state median of 47 days, according to the Pew Charitable Trust Report.

Draining the reserve account to the bare minimum might harm the states credit rating. For more than five decades, the state enjoyed the highest rating from the three major bond rating agencies. Governors and lawmakers pointed to the so-called triple triple-A bond rating as a sign of their fiscal stewardship.

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That changed in May, when Moodys downgraded the states credit rating to Aa1.

The two other firms  Fitch and Standard & Poors  continued to give the state their highest rating. But both raised concerns about the costs of state government programs, including the Blueprint and pensions. They might take a dim view of the state tapping the rainy day fund rather than addressing ongoing costs and revenues, Romans said.

The rating agencies that continue to rate us as AAA on our bonds have expressed concern, Romans said. One, about our structural budget challenge in the out years, and two, theyve noted that our rainy day fund balance, while, pretty healthy at 8% for Maryland, is lower than typical for most of the other AAA-rated states. So, I think they would have concerns if we raid the rainy day fund balance, take it all the way down to 5% and arent making much progress on the structural challenge.
A California county has closed a loophole within its plastic-bag ban  businesses that fail to comply will pay a high cost.

As reported by the Press Democrat, Napa County's Board of Supervisors recently passed a ban on plastic carryout bags in the county's unincorporated areas. The ban, which takes effect at the start of 2026, closes a loophole that allowed retailers to provide thicker plastic bags, as long as they were marketed as reusable.

Retailers can continue to use their plastic bags through the end of this year. After that, any retailer that violates the ban will face daily fines that start at $1,000 and increase to $5,000.

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"There's some teeth to this, and I think that's needed for human behavior change," Napa County supervisor Liz Alessio told the Press Democrat.

Retailers can offer paper bags, so long as they are made from at least 50% recycled material. Those bags will cost consumers 10 cents each, and the fee must be itemized on receipts.

Napa's ban brings it fully in accordance with California state law, which will prohibit all plastic shopping bags at the start of 2026.

The state had banned single-use plastic shopping bags from grocery stores and other food retailers in 2014 but allowed shoppers to purchase thicker plastic bags. But a study found that under that ban, California's shopping bag-related waste grew from eight pounds to 11 pounds per person, as most people simply threw away the thicker bags, instead of reusing them.

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Plastic shopping bags are a major contributor to the massive amounts of plastic waste that have polluted our planet. To combat that, more and more locations have banned single-use plastic bags.

Data shows that these bans can be quite effective. New Jersey's ban, for instance, resulted in a 96% reduction of plastic bags distributed statewide, and a 38% reduction in bag-related pollution.

Along with its bag ban, Napa County also updated an ordinance that bans food retailers from using polystyrene containers and requires them to keep records of all recyclable and compostable foodware used.

Would you be more likely to shop at a store that paid you for your old stuff? Absolutely Only if they make it easy Depends on the store Nope 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.
Joe Lombardo giving his last "State of Metro" address in February 2022. He had announced he was running for governor in June 2021. (Photo: Dana Gentry/Nevada Current)

During the special legislative session which starts this week, Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo is asking lawmakers to do what they didnt during the regular session earlier this year: pass a crime bill he backed.

Lombardo brought the Safe Streets and Neighborhoods Act, which sought to enact multiple measures to toughen penalties and broaden the scope of crime infractions on the books, during the recent legislative session.

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Despite receiving backing from Democratic lawmakers, the ranging bill barely missed a midnight deadline the first time around as the regular legislative session was winding down in June.

That iteration of the bill targeted smash and grab crimes, called for stricter DUI penalties, and aimed to heighten law enforcement in the Las Vegas Strip resort corridor.

Using a special session to pass laws on tougher crimes is not only aggressive but a waste of money, said Athar Haseebullah, the executive director of the ACLU of Nevada.

We dont believe that a special session should be called to add on new crimes when it often seems the only thing the state can do is pass tough criminal law, he said.

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Lombardo, who ran for governor in 2022 while he was serving as Clark County sheriff, introduced his crime bill, Senate Bill 457, in April, but it didnt receive a hearing until the last four days of the session.

New language included a sweeping amendment that had significant changes from the original bill, including provisions that would more harshly prosecute crimes within the Las Vegas Strip resort corridor  a measure requested by the Nevada Resort Association. The bill would have also included language to re-establish a controversial specialty court to prosecute crimes within the Las Vegas Strip resort corridor.

In the final hours of the session, the state Senate and Assembly passed slightly different versions of SB 457 with overwhelming bipartisan support. The Senate was forced to adjourn before it could take a second vote to approve the last-minute amendments added by the Assembly.

Similar provisions are likely to make a reappearance during the special session set to start Thursday, say advocates who opposed the bill earlier this year.

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The Nevada Retail Association recently held a press conference urging Lombardo and state lawmakers to include harsher penalties for retail crime that were included in the final version of the bill that failed in June.

Retail crime is an employee safety issue, its an economic development issue, its a tax revenue issue, said Bryan Wachter, president of the Nevada Retail Association. There was a provision that added additional penalties for destruction of property during the commission of these crimes. And we strongly urge the governor and policymakers to make sure that during the special session that thats included on the agenda.

The final version of the crime bill lawmakers attempted to pass earlier this year included harsher punishments for people charged with repeated felony DUIs, stalking and possession of child pornography.

It also called for stricter punishment for youth who commit repeated crimes against teachers or social service workers, while also limiting eligibility for diversion programs for those convicted of felony abuse, neglect or exploitation of children or the elderly.

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The bill was criticized for its hefty price tag. If passed, the Nevada Department of Corrections estimated it would increase costs by $3.6 million in the current biennium, by just under $7.2 million for the next biennium, and by $42.2 million in future biennium, according to a fiscal note.

Advocates also say the crime bill risked turning back the clock on modest reforms passed by lawmakers with bipartisan support in 2019.

Opponents of the bill also questioned the need for more crime laws amid a reduction in overall crime.

On his campaign reelection website, Lombardo has highlighted a 10% drop in violent crime  including a 9% fewer murders, 26% less robberies, and 15% less burglaries  since he took office.

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Lombardos efforts to be tough on crime is less about public safety but influenced by the interests of Nevadas powerful resort and gaming industries, said Shelbie Swartz, executive director of Battle Born Progress.

The tough-on-crime approach has been repeatedly discredited for its ineffectiveness and failure to produce meaningful outcomes, she said.
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP)  Alaska Native tribes and conservation groups sued the federal government Wednesday, seeking in at least three separate lawsuits to overturn a land exchange aimed at allowing a road to be built through a national wildlife refuge.

Legal challenges to the land exchange agreement reached last month between Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and an Alaska Native village corporation include claims that it was not properly analyzed, that it poses risks to sensitive habitats and that it could threaten migratory birds that some Alaska Natives rely on for food.

King Cove, a community of about 870 people near the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, has for years pushed to have a road built through the refuge for access to an all-weather airport at Cold Bay, about 18 miles (29 kilometers) away.

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Alaskas governor and congressional delegation have supported the cause, calling it a life and safety issue that would allow for emergency medical evacuations. The delegation has said King Cove's airstrip can frequently be closed for bad weather, and that high seas can make travel by water between King Cove and Cold Bay challenging.

Terms of the agreement include conveyance by the government of about 490 acres (199 hectares) to King Cove Corp. for a potential road corridor, while the corporation would convey about 1,739 acres (703.7 hectares) to the refuge and relinquish selection rights to additional land. A decision document, signed by Burgum, says the proposed road would be about 19 miles, much of which would be within the refuge. It says it would be up to the corporation to obtain the necessary permits and funding for a road.

Elizabeth Peace, an Interior Department spokesperson, said by email Wednesday that the department doesn't comment on litigation.

One of the lawsuits was filed by the Native Village of Hooper Bay, Native Village of Paimiut, Chevak Native Village and the Center for Biological Diversity, a conservation group. The tribal governments are hundreds of miles north of King Cove but have expressed concern that a road could impact migratory birds they rely on that stop along the way at the refuge.

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Angutekaraq Estelle Thomson, traditional council president of the Native Village of Paimiut, in a statement called the refuge's eelgrass wetlands a lifeline for emperor geese, black brant and other birds that feed our families and connect us to Indigenous relatives across the Pacific."

We are joining this lawsuit because defending Izembek is inseparable from defending our subsistence rights, our food security and our ability to remain Yupik on our own lands, she said.

Lawsuits also were filed by a coalition of conservation groups, represented by Trustees for Alaska, and by Defenders of Wildlife.
The longest government shutdown in U.S. history is over, meaning thousands of people can return to work at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB). Thousands of them have had to stay home for more than a month.

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WPAFB is the largest single employer in the state and the engine that drives the Miami Valley economy.

The people at the Dayton Development Coalition spend a lot of time focusing on jobs and missions at the base and have been following the shutdown closely. President and CEO Jeff Hoagland said he was happy to see the shutdown come to an end on Wednesday night.

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I was very glad, relieved to see the government reopen, Hoagland said.

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Soon, the thousands of federal workers who were furloughed at WPAFB will start coming back to the base to report for work.

Glad to see our men and women here, both military and civilian, being able to go back to work and also getting paid. To me, thats the number one priority, Hoagland said.

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News Center 7s John Bedell spoke to Governor Mike DeWine at an event in Dayton on Thursday. He asked him what the economic significance of getting these workers back to work and getting them paid was.

Well, in the Miami Valley, its vitally important to our economy, DeWine said in response. Having people back at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, what do we have, 38,000 people go in the door every single day in the gates? So thats huge.

As shown on News Center 7 at 5:00, Hoagland said getting the base back to a sense of normalcy will have impacts beyond the Miami Valley.

Something that I think is critical not just for Dayton and Ohio, but for our national defense as well, Hoagland said.

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Washington  The longest government shutdown in history came to an end on Wednesday after 43 days and more than a dozen attempts to reopen the government.

Here's how the shutdown started, and eventually came to an end:

A Senate standoff

The standoff began in late September as lawmakers faced a deadline to fund the government by the start of a new fiscal year on Oct. 1. House Republicans passed a short-term funding measure on Sept. 19 to keep the government funded at existing levels until Nov. 21. But with Democratic support needed to move forward with any funding measure in the Senate, the chamber was at an impasse.

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The top Democrats in Congress had been pushing since August to meet with GOP leaders and the White House on the funding issue, ramping up their calls to address expiring health care tax credits as the Oct. 1 shutdown deadline drew near.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries brief members of the press on the government shutdown at the U.S. Capitol on Oct. 16, 2025. / Credit: Alex Wong / Getty Images

With few opportunities to exert influence with a GOP-controlled House, Senate and White House, Democrats set out to center health care issues in the funding fight  setting their sights on the expiring health insurance tax credits as their key demand. The credits, under the Affordable Care Act, help millions of Americans pay for health insurance premiums for plans purchased on state exchanges. Their expiration would mean eye-popping increases in insurance costs for those with ACA plans.

Months earlier, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer faced intense pushback for voting to advance a GOP measure during the last funding fight, increasing the pressure on him to dig in this time around.

Democrats sought to negotiate, introducing a counter-proposal to the House-passed measure to fund the government that included their health care demands. But Republicans remained steadfast in their belief that health care and other issues should be negotiated outside the context of funding the government, and urged Democrats to agree to a "clean" temporary funding extension.

Senate Republicans speak to members of the media following a lunch in the Rose Garden of the White House on Oct. 21, 2025. / Credit: Allison Robbert / Bloomberg via Getty Images

Over the course of seven weeks, Republicans and Democrats traded blame for the funding impasse. Senate Republicans put forward the House-passed funding measure for a vote 14 times, seeking to peel off support from Democrats as the caucus remained largely united in their opposition. But throughout it all, member-level bipartisan conversations seeking an offramp were bubbling under the surface.

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As the weeks dragged on, the real-world effects of the shutdown began to take their toll, raising the stakes for the continuing stalemate and pushing Democrats to make a deal. Millions of federal workers began missing paychecks, straining those with little savings or no access to credit. Chaos began to emerge at airports after the Trump administration said it would reduce flight traffic amid staffing shortages caused by strained air traffic controllers. And millions of Americans were at risk of losing access to food aid under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.

A bipartisan undercurrent

As early as the first days of the shutdown, a small group of moderate senators began signaling tepid interest in finding a way out at the member level, while leaders refused to engage.

What began as a large bipartisan huddle on the Senate floor would go on to involve a number of senators from across both the Democratic caucus and Republican conference.

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The conversations across the aisle ramped up as the shutdown neared the longest on record. Sen. Katie Britt, an Alabama Republican and appropriator, told reporters on Oct. 30 she had spoken with Schumer to "lay the foundation" on continued appropriations work. And although Schumer didn't vote for the final deal to end the shutdown, the long-term funding efforts became a key to unlocking an eventual agreement by demonstrating Republicans' willingness to work on the appropriations process on a bipartisan basis.

Sen. Katie Britt, Republican of Alabama, arrives for Senate votes to reopen the government on Day 41 of the government shutdown, n Nov. 10, 2025. / Credit: SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

The contours of the eventual deal began to emerge during the first week of November, with senators discussing an agreement that would fund the government alongside a trio of long-term appropriations bills. In exchange for their support, Democrats would be promised a vote on extending health insurance tax credits that they had demanded.

Britt told reporters on Nov. 4 that she made calls through the prior weekend on the funding package, saying she was hopeful it could be part of what ends the stalemate. Sen. Mike Rounds, a South Dakota Republican involved in the talks, said on the same day that the appropriations package might entice Democrats to "vote for something other than just simply a continuing resolution" while providing "a path forward" beyond a vote on the health care tax credits. And Democrats involved in the talks generally remained tight-lipped, signaling that things were close.

But the impasse would stretch on for a few more days, after Democrats swept key races in off-year elections. The victories emboldened the holdouts, who argued that voters had given them marching orders not to cave on their health care demands.

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Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson made clear that he would not commit to a vote on the health insurance tax credits in the lower chamber. That comment underlined concerns from some Democrats that a future Senate vote on health care, which they were set to receive as part of a deal to reopen the government, would go nowhere.

House Speaker Mike Johnson speaks during a news conference on Nov. 4, 2025 on Capitol Hill. / Credit: Tom Brenner / Getty Images

Still, the shutdown's toll on Americans continued to ratchet up pressure on senators to reach a resolution.

On Nov. 7, Senate Democrats presented an offer to Republicans, saying they would end the government shutdown in exchange for a one-year extension of the health care tax credits and a plan to continue broader talks. But the proposal was swiftly rejected by Republicans as a "nonstarter," as Senate Majority Leader John Thune maintained the position that negotiations on health care could only come after the government reopened.

The long-sought breakthrough

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On Nov. 9, the deal to end the shutdown finally came together, with a group of eight Democrats agreeing to advance a funding measure as part of a broader agreement to end the shutdown.

Led by Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire and Sen. Angus King of Maine, the deal they struck with Thune and the White House secured a vote in December on the Affordable Care Act tax credits. The deal attached the trio of full-year funding bills, while restoring food aid at higher levels, and paving the way for a bipartisan appropriations process on other spending bills. And it reversed all government layoffs that occurred during the shutdown, while preventing them for a limited time going forward.

Sen. Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, speaks at a press conference with other Senate Democrats who voted to restore government funding, on Nov. 9, 2025. / Credit: Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images

The moderates viewed the deal  after Republicans leaders refused Schumer's offer  as the best possible offer they could secure, arguing that continuing the shutdown would only inflict more pain without any hopes of a better deal.

The final turn seemed to come with the provision in the bill that would address the Trump administration's layoffs. Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, one of the eight Democrats to back the funding deal, had long called the issue his principal priority in the shutdown fight. And he said he joined the group of Democrats just 48 hours before the deal was announced.

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GOP Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma told reporters that the language in the new continuing resolution reversing the layoffs came from the White House. Mullin said the White House told Republicans they were willing to revert the layoffs if it could help win Kaine over.

"It was the right provision which brought him over, which brought a couple other people over, too," Mullin said. "That's what got it over the finish line."

With coordination with the House and White House, the deal was on a glidepath to passage in the lower chamber, and to swiftly secure the president's signature.

The House passed the bill late Wednesday, and Mr. Trump signed it during an Oval Office ceremony hours later. He applauded congressional Republicans and the Democratic senators who voted for the deal, while lashing out at most other Democrats.

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"We're sending a clear message that we will never give in to extortion," he said.

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The longest US government shutdown in history ended on Wednesday after more than 42 days, following the House of Representatives passage of a bill negotiated by Republicans and a splinter group of Democrat-aligned senators.

The compromise sets the stage for government operations to return to normal through January, while leaving unresolved the issue of expiring tax credits for Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare health plans, which most Democrats demanded be extended in any deal to reopen the government.

After it was unveiled over the weekend, the Senate approved the compromise on Monday, and the House followed suit two days later by a margin of 222 in favor and 209 against, with two not voting. Donald Trump signed the bill on Wednesday night, saying were sending a clear message that we will never give in to extortion, because thats what it was  the Democrats tried to extort our country.

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Six Democrats broke with their party to vote for the bill: Adam Gray of California, Tom Suozzi of New York, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington, Don Davis of North Carolina, Henry Cuellar of Texas and Jared Golden of Maine. Two Republicans, Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Greg Steube of Florida, voted against it.

The Democrat shutdown is finally over thanks to House and Senate Republicans, House Republican leadership said in a statement.

There is absolutely no question now that Democrats are responsible for millions of American families going hungry, millions of travelers left stranded in airports, and our troops left wondering if they would receive their next paycheck.

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In remarks on the House floor shortly before the vote, the Democratic minority leader, Hakeem Jeffries, had pledged to continue to press for the subsidies extensions.

This fight is not over. Were just getting started, he said. Either Republicans finally decide to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits this year, or the American people will throw Republicans out of their jobs next year and end the speakership of Donald J Trump once and for all. Thats how this fight ends.

The spending standoff was the biggest battle between congressional Democrats and Republicans since Trump returned to the White House earlier this year. It resulted in unprecedented disruptions to government services, with the Trump administration ordering cuts to commercial air travel across the country, and the first-ever halt to the largest federal food aid program.

Related: Im an American relying on food stamps. This country has turned us into lab rats

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Reeling from their election defeats last year, Democrats had seized on an end-of-September expiration of government funding to make a stand on healthcare, a signature issue of the party over the past decade and a half. The Obamacare tax credits were created during Joe Bidens presidency, and lowered premiums for plans bought under the law.

Democrats wanted them extended as part of any deal to continue government funding. The party made other demands as well, including curbs on Trumps use of rescissions to slash money Congress had previously authorized and an undoing of cuts to Medicaid which Republicans had approved earlier in the year. But as the battle went on, it became clear that an extension of the subsidies was the main objective.

Republicans, who control both the House and the Senate, counter-offered with a bill to fund the government through the third week of November, without any spending cuts or major changes to policy. They passed the measure through the lower chamber with only a single Democrat in support, but the minority used the Senates filibuster to block its passage there.

The shutdown began on 1 October, resulting in about 700,000 federal workers being furloughed. Hundreds of thousands of others, from active-duty military to law enforcement to airport security screeners, remained on the job without pay.

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Russell Vought, the White House office of management and budget director known for his hostility towards the federal workforce, seized on the funding lapse to order further layoffs of government employees. He also cut funding for infrastructure projects in states that voted for Kamala Harris last year.

Though Trump ordered military members be paid in a move that many experts called probably illegal, other federal workers missed paychecks. Food banks began reporting increased demand as the shutdown went on, with the need worsening after the White House halted payments under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamps, citing the government funding lapse.

Last week, Sean Duffy, the transportation secretary, ordered a cutback in flights at US airports, saying air traffic controllers were facing unprecedented strain after weeks of unpaid work. Widespread flight cancellations were reported in the days that followed.

In the Senate, most Democrats remained onboard with the partys strategy for weeks. The Senate majority leader, John Thune, held 14 votes on the GOP funding measure, but only three members of the minority caucus ever broke ranks to support it.

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In early November, Democrats swept off-year elections, winning gubernatorial elections in Virginia and New Jersey by significant margins, as well as voter approval for new congressional maps in California that will help the partys candidates.

Democratic leaders said the wins vindicated their strategy in the funding fight, a statement Trump echoed, saying the shutdown is a big factor in the GOPs poor performance. He began pressing Republican senators to scrap the filibuster, which would have negated the 60-vote threshold spending legislation needs to clear in the chamber, where the GOP holds 53 seats.

Meanwhile, a small group of moderate members of the Senate Democratic caucus had been negotiating a compromise to end the shutdown. It ended up funding the government through January and undoing the layoffs the Trump administration had ordered after the shutdown began.

But it included no additional funding for the Affordable Care Act tax credits  instead, Thune agreed to allow a vote on the issue by mid-December. Theres no telling if it will win the GOP support needed to pass, and Mike Johnson, the Republican House speaker, has not said he will put any legislation up for a vote.

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Despite howls of outrage from both House and Senate Democrats, the Senate passed it with 60 votes on Monday: eight from lawmakers in the Democratic caucus, and the rest from Republicans.

Yet the fight over the ACA subsidies is unlikely to be over. People enrolled in the plans received notices of premium increases in November because of the tax credits expiration. One study predicted they would rise by an average of 26%, potentially bringing them to levels unaffordable to many.

With government funding expiring again at the end of January, Democrats could use the opportunity to again demand the subsidies be extended.

Dozens of House Republicans have been claiming over the last few weeks that they know that is something that needs to be addressed, Jeffries said in a Tuesday interview with CNN.

And now were going to have to see some action or whether it was just talk from these House Republicans because Democrats are going to continue to stay in the arena as it relates to dealing with the healthcare crisis that Republicans have visited on the American people.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) is pointing fingers following an alleged profanity-laced altercation with security officers at Charleston International Airport.

Mace, who is running for governor of South Carolina, threatened severe legal action against American Airlines and the airport last week, after an incident report last month claimed the congresswoman had lashed out over an alleged miscommunication involving an escort.

During a press conference Tuesday, the MAGA firebrand argued that she has been subject to inappropriate surveillance and targeting," calling on whistleblowers to come forward over what she described as credible allegations against Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and airport security staff.

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And in a post on X on Wednesday, Mace took aim at South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson (R), who she said may be taken down in flames, among several others, after she announced she will file a defamation lawsuit.

This lawsuit against the airport and American Airlines is long. And its gnarly, Mace said in the post. They should never have targeted me, should never have filed false incident report(s) and then leak them...

It marks just one of over 100 social media posts from Mace related to the incident.

This lawsuit against the airport and American Airlines is long. And it's gnarly. They should never have targeted me, should never have filed false incident report(s) and then leak them...



This suit may bring South Carolina's Attorney General down in flames with it, and several  Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) November 12, 2025

According to the incident report, filed by a member of the Charleston County Aviation Authority on Oct. 30, police officers were scheduled to meet Mace at 6:30 a.m. local time at the ticketing area to bring her to her gate. The officers, who began waiting 10 minutes prior to her arrival, were informed that Mace was running about 15 minutes behind schedule, but they did not move from the entrance, the report says.

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Mace, however, walked in through a separate door, to which the officers arrived in less than a minute to find Mace very irate, according to the report. Mace then began loudly cursing and making derogatory comments toward them and airport security.

She repeatedly stated we were F---ing Incompetent, and this is no way to treat a f---ing US Representative, the report reads.

She also said we would never treat Tim Scott like this, it added, referring to Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.).

In a post on Facebook last week, Scott had fired back at Maces alleged claim, writing: For reasons that are unclear, Rep. Nancy Mace invoked my name during and in the aftermath of her situation.

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I have used that airport since long before I was ever in Congress and every interaction I have had - without exception - has been positive, Scott wrote in the post. The women and men of the airport police are professional, courteous, and go beyond the call of duty.

He added: Those who know me know that I do not use profanity - in public or private. It is never acceptable to berate police officers, airport staff, and TSA agents who are simply doing their jobs, nor is it becoming of a Member of Congress to use such vulgar language when dealing with constituents.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) also weighed in, saying that he agreed with Scott when it comes to the men and women who provide security at the Charleston International Airport.

I have had similar personal experiences and have had nothing but positive, respectful engagements with the police officers and TSA agents who provide security for the Charleston Airport, Graham said in a post on X.

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Mace has since hit back at her Republican colleagues.

Why are two men with a half dozen personal security guards everywhere they go, offended by a woman, who has been assaulted for her beliefs, and cant get the same security, and very much cares about her safety in the wake of Charlie Kirk and Donald Trump getting shot? Mace said in one of several posts. Odd. Fascinating. Weird. Let me say this very clearly: REAL MEN PROTECT WOMEN!

During the recent briefing, Mace also she plans to refer the matter to federal and state oversight committees, inspectors general and law enforcement. A bipartisan group of 56 lawmakers, including mayors and council members, have signed a letter in support of staff at Charleston International Airport after the congresswoman threatened legal action.

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New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani (D) said he will call President Trump, who has gone after him intensely as his political star has risen, in the coming weeks.

Do you plan to call President Trump? WNBCs Melissa Russo asked Mamdani in an interview that aired Tuesday.

I will be reaching out to the White House and  as we prepare to actually take office, because this is a relationship that will be critical to the success of the city, Mamdani responded.

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So it wasnt just a hypothetical scenario on our debate stage, youre actually going to call him. What will you say? Russo responded.

Well, Ill say that Im here to work for the benefit of everyone that calls the city home, and that wherever there is a possibility for working together toward that end, Im ready, and if its to the expense of those New Yorkers, I will fight it, Mamdani responded.

The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.

The day before Mamdanis election, Trump urged voters in the Big Apple to support Mamdanis rival, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, in the mayoral race.

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Whether you personally like Andrew Cuomo or not, you really have no choice. You must vote for him, and hope he does a fantastic job. He is capable of it, Mamdani is not! Trump posted on Truth Social.

Trump also advised against backing Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, stating that a vote for Sliwa was equal to a vote for Mamdani.

It is my obligation to run the Nation, and it is my strong conviction that New York City will be a Complete and Total Economic and Social Disaster should Mamdani win, Trump posted. His principles have been tested for over a thousand years, and never once have they been successful.

Trump said a day after the election that he wanted to see his hometown succeed following Mamdanis victory, but warned that the mayor-elect has to be respectful of Washington.

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I would like to see the new mayor do well, because I love New York, Trump, who is originally from New York City, said in an interview with Fox Newss Bret Baier.

When asked if he planned to contact the mayor-elect, Trump said Mamdani should reach out to us.

Well see what happens. But I would think it would be more appropriate for him to reach out to us, Trump said.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By James Davey

LONDON (Reuters) -Marks & Spencer is revamping its supply chain from "factory to floor", the retailer's new fashion boss told Reuters, as it looks to double annual online non-food sales to nearly 3 billion pounds ($4 billion).

John Lyttle, who joined M&S as managing director fashion, home and beauty (FH&B) in March, said the 141-year-old retailer has regained its footing after a cyberattack in April paralysed online sales and cost about 300 million pounds in lost profit.

He said M&S had done a good job re-establishing its value, quality and style credentials, with FH&B sales up 9% over three years and market share rising to 10.5% in 2024/25, from 9.1% in 2021/22.

It now needs to focus on becoming a truly omnichannel retailer, said Lyttle, in his first interview since joining M&S.

"So from where we make our goods, to how we flow that all the way into our warehouses, how our warehouses operate, and then how we feed those products out to our customers - whether that's online, whether that's in our stores," he said.

Simplifying and cutting supply chain costs has been a priority for many companies after COVID-19, war in Ukraine, Red Sea shipping disruption and broader global trade upheavals, most recently due to U.S. tariffs.

MORE LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIPS WITH SUPPLIERS

M&S, which mainly sources products from China, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and Turkey, wants to create more long-term partnerships to reduce the risks to supplies.

While progress has been made in recent years through consolidating suppliers, M&S has "much more opportunity to go after through resetting how we buy, unlocking more margin from our scale, increasing cost discipline and reducing complexity," said Lyttle.

The cyber hack knocked what had been a strong turnaround under Stuart Machin, CEO since 2022, with M&S' 2024/25 profit its highest in over 15 years and its stock at near-decade highs.

Dominic Younger, fund manager at Columbia Threadneedle Investments, one of M&S' top 10 investors, said it had made huge and hard-won strides in fixing the FH&B front-end.

"But one of the most exciting aspects from an investment point of view is that, together with continuing to drive the food division, there is so much opportunity out there in terms of modernising the clothing supply chain," he said.

With a clothing customer base of 21 million, Lyttle said overhauling M&S' supply chain can double FH&B's online sales over the long term from about 1.4 billion pounds in 2024/25, while lifting its online operating margin to double digits.
A man has now been arrested and charged in the death of a two-month-old boy earlier this year, Chicago police said.

Anthony Evans, 23 of Chicago, is charged with murder in the death of baby Kayson Flowers, who died in April, police said.

The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office says he died from multiple injuries, with signs of child abuse, ruling his death a homicide.

Chicago police said Evans was arrested earlier this week Monday, months after the boy's death, is now facing "One (1) felony count - Murder - Strong Probability Death/Injure."

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"My son didn't deserve that. He was only 2 months, 2 months. He can't fight back," the baby's mother, Kayla Flowers, told ABC7 in May. "This is heartbreaking for me seeing my child in that condition."

Kayla said after Kayson was in the care of someone else for over a week, she picked him up on April 28. She says she was told he was asleep inside his car seat before leaving.

"Me, not thinking anything of it, because it was raining, I just took my baby to the house, because I didn't want my child to get sick. So, when I went in the house, I uncovered the stroller in the car seat, my baby was lifeless," Kayla said.

Kayson was pronounced dead at the hospital later that day, but the family says doctors told them he had likely already been dead for six to eight hours.

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"I want justice for my son," Kayla said. "I'm not going to rest until I get justice."

No further information about Evans' arrest was immediately available.

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A man was detained on a train from Denmark to Germany on suspicion of involvement in the procurement of weapons for the Palestinian militant group Hamas, authorities said on Thursday.

The statement from Germany's Federal Public Prosecutor's Office said the case is linked to the arrests of several suspected Hamas members in recent weeks, including one on Tuesday.

The man, who is to be brought before a judge in Karlsruhe on Friday on weapons charges, is alleged to have transported weapons from one suspected Hamas member in the central German state of Hesse to another in Berlin.

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The arrest came two days after another suspected Hamas member was detained on the motorway as he entered Germany from the Czech Republic. He is accused of membership in a foreign terrorist organization.

Last month, German prosecutors arrested three suspected Hamas members in Berlin.

The three suspects, including a naturalized Lebanese-born man and a naturalized Syrian-born man, are accused of having procured firearms and ammunition for the group since at least the summer of 2025.

"The weapons were to be used by Hamas for assassinations targeting Israeli or Jewish institutions in Germany," prosecutors said. However, there was apparently no concrete plan for an attack.

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In early November, a weapons cache was found in Vienna linked to the three suspects arrested in Berlin. Austria's DSN domestic intelligence agency said five handguns and 10 magazines were seized.

Last week, another man was arrested in London who is alleged to have transported weapons to Vienna. The British citizen is set to be extradited to Germany.
Nov. 13 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged the international community to halt arms flows to Sudan's Rapid Support Forces in the wake of mass killings and atrocities after the group overran El Fasher in the country's Darfur region.

Speaking at Hamilton Airport in Ontario on Wednesday, following a meeting of the G7, Rubio said atrocities committed against civilians by the paramilitary group, including murder and rape and sexual violence, were systematic and had to be stopped.

"They're committing acts of sexual violence and atrocities, just horrifying atrocities, against women, children, innocent civilians of the most horrific kind. And it needs to end immediately. And we're going to do everything we can to bring it to an end, and we've encouraged partner nations to join us in this fight," Rubio said.

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He added that he had heard from humanitarian groups that some of the levels of malnutrition and suffering among those who had been able to flee were unprecedented, "things they've never recorded before."

"I think even more troubling is that they didn't have the number of refugees they expected to receive because they assume many of them are either dead or so sick and malnourished they can't move anymore," Rubio said.

Rubio rejected claims by the breakaway faction of the country's military government that had been engaged in a two-year-long power struggle with the Sudan Armed Forces, that it did not permit violence against civilians.

He accused the RSF of repeatedly failing to deliver on its promises.

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"The RSF few days ago agreed to a humanitarian cease-fire, but they don't intend to comply with it. And when you raise the issue of these atrocities, they always hide behind the argument that this is rogue elements.

"Well, it's not rogue elements. They're doing it systematically, and it's something that we have taken very seriously and are doing everything we can to bring the relevant countries to the table to stop it," he said, referring to the U.S-led "Quad" initiative bringing together the UAE, Egypt and Saudi Arabia in an effort to resolve the conflict.

Rubio said somebody was giving the RSF money and weapons via a third country and that he knew who and while he declined to identify them, he pointedly suggested that they were part of the Quad.

The UAE has sided with the RSF in the conflict and has been supplying weapons covertly to the group, according to U.N. experts. The UAE denies the allegations but it was sufficient to prompt the Biden administration to impose sanctions in January on seven UAE companies funneling funds to RSF chief Hemedti.

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"We're not going to let the Quad process that we've set up be a shield that people hide behind and say, "Well, we're involved with the Quad. We're trying to solve it," said Rubio.

Since fall of El Fasher, the last remaining stronghold of the SAF in the west of the country, to the RSF in late October after a 500-day siege, numerous accounts have emerged of mass killings, bombing of civilians, sexual violence against women and attacks on hospitals.

On Tuesday, the United Nations said women fleeing the city were subjected to rape, starvation and deadly bombing, and accused the RSF of using rape as a "weapon of war."
What will voters remember next November?

President Donald Trump claimed total victory in the deal that ends the record-breaking 43-day shutdown of the federal government, and Democrats are directing their fire at one another over the compromise that some senators struck without achieving their avowed goal of helping on health care costs.

But almost precisely one year from today, when crucial midterm elections are held, history says the shutdown will be old news while the costs of health care will still be front and center.

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More: Trump vs. the midterm blues: Can he get MAGA voters excited (and voting) in 2026?

Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) Dick Durbin (D-IL) Maggie Hassan, (D-NH) John Fetterman (D-PA) Tim Kaine (D-VA) Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) Sen. Angus King (I-ME) Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) 8 Senate Democratic Caucus members who broke ranks to end the 2025 government shutdown 1 of 8 Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV)

By master stroke or dumb luck, congressional Democrats may have won the long game by losing the short one on the shutdown. They have spotlighted the rising cost of health care and forced Republican senators to vote against premium help that Democrats support.

More: Democrats want health care tax credits to end the shutdown. Why the GOP says not yet.

In politics as in life: Watch out what you wish for.

Democrats still divided, and mad

Former Rep. Abigail Spanberger celebrates at an election-night rally on November 4, 2025 in Richmond, Virginia. Spanberger defeated Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears to become the first female governor in the commonwealth's history.

Which doesn't mean Democratic leaders emerge from this battle free of damage.

Just a week after Democrats were exultant about prevailing in the handful of off-year elections, the shutdown's bitter end underscored divisions about what the party stands for, exactly: The pragmatism of centrist Governors-elect Abigail Spanberger in Virginia and Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey? Or the defiant Democratic socialism of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in New York?

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More: For embattled Democrats, a 'proof of life' sweep in NYC, NJ, VA and CA

The eight members of the Senate Democratic caucus who voted for the compromise are all moderates. Four of them are former governors, a job that encourages pragmatism: Tim Kaine of Virginia, Angus King of Maine, and Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire.

The other four are Dick Durbin of Illinois, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, and Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen of Nevada.

Notably, six of the eight are from swing states.

More: Which 8 Senate Democrats voted with Republicans to end the government shutdown?

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But their willingness to compromise without a promise to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies inflamed progressives. A "disaster," complained Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. California Gov. Gavin Newsom said it was "a surrender." Texas Rep. Greg Casar, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, called it "a capitulation."

While Democrats won a commitment from Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota to hold a vote on extending enhanced tax credits for Obamacare, the measure is unlikely to pass the Senate. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana has made it clear it's unlikely to even come up for consideration in the House.

Patients, medical workers and caregivers protest health care cuts in West Haverstraw, New York, in May 2025.

While Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer opposed the compromise, he was blasted by some Democrats for failing to defeat it.

Reps. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, Ro Khanna of California and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan called for new Senate leadership. Some Democratic senators, including Chris Murphy of Connecticut, dodged questions about whether they thought Schumer should be replaced.

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After all, more voters were blaming Trump and congressional Republicans, not congressional Democrats, for the fact that the government had shut down in the first place. In a survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, 8 in 10 Democrats said the government should stay shut down unless the Obamacare tax credits were extended.

The number that shows the risk for Republicans: 74%

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks, during the swearing-in ceremony for Sergio Gor as U.S. Ambassador to India, at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 10, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

But another number shows the risk ahead for Republicans.

Nearly three-quarters of those surveyed, 74%, supported extending the tax credits for people who purchase health insurance through the Obamacare marketplaces. That includes not only almost every Democrat (94%) and most Independents (76%) but also half of Republicans (50%).

In fact, 44% of MAGA supporters  Trump's most fervent followers  want them extended.

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After President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act in 2010  enacted without a single Republican vote, by the way  missteps over its implementation and concerns over its mandates were a political godsend to the GOP.

Republican vows to repeal Obamacare helped the party regain control of the House in the 2010 midterms and the Senate in the 2014 midterms. During the 2016 presidential election, Trump promised to end the Affordable Care Act, an effort that narrowly failed in 2017 by a 51-49 vote in the Senate.

In recent days, the president has suggested sending checks to Americans so they can pay for their own health insurance. But neither Trump nor congressional Republicans have yet outlined a consistent, coherent program to replace Obamacare for the record 24.2 million Americans now enrolled through it.

Meanwhile, the Affordable Care Act has become increasingly popular and established. Like previous entitlement programs, from Social Security to Medicare and Medicaid, many Americans now think of it as something to which they are, well, entitled.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: After shutdown, do Democrats win long game on health care?
NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  Hues of purple, pink, blue, and green lit up the New Mexico skyline on Tuesday evening.

Phenomenal, like literally jaw dropping I never thought Id be this close to the northern lights, said Lawrence Cumiford, a Rio Rancho resident. Pictures of the sight flooded social media.

Its been all over my feed honestly. Theres been a bunch of pictures, said Natalia Jaramillo, a UNM student.

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The display poses the question  can we expect a return visit from the Northern lights, also known as auroras, on Wednesday?

We reached out to New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Space Director Jim Greenhouse for an answer to that question. To put it simply, its hard to tell. And according to him, Tuesday night was a bit of an anomaly. You have to get a really strong aurora in order for it to be seen this far south. The last time we had an aurora similar to the one last night was last October, said Greenhouse. Normally, auroras are only visible close to the North and South Poles.

Story continues below

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Auroras happen when charged particles from the sun get drawn down along the magnetic field lines the Earth creates, said Greenhouse, who describes our planet as a big magnet. As it was getting dark on Tuesday, the charged particles hit the earth, leading to a quick burst of activity that died off pretty quickly.

Ultimately, Greenhouse says hes unsure if well see similar action tonight or not. He recommends keeping an eye on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations 30-minute aurora forecast page for a better idea.

If the forecast is looking favorable for another Northern lights display, Greenhouse suggests getting as far away from city lights as possible to maximize the experience. He also says youll get a better view with your phone camera. If you point your cell phone camera at the sky and let it do one of those time exposure photographs  sometimes its called night mode, sometimes its called time exposure on different brands of phones, said Greenhouse. But if you let your phone take a picture of the night sky, you can usually see a lot better that way.

The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science is part of a NASA mission working to track solar storms of this sort. Its called PUNCH  Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere. With current technology, before the transmission goes online, its a little bit difficult to see some of these coronal mass ejections, so we cant estimate precisely when theyre going to arrive at the Earth, said Greenhouse. When the systems fully online, hopefully in a couple more months, then theyll be able to get information from the PUNCH mission about these solar storms to the Earth.

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New Mexicans are still planning to check out the sight Wednesday night.

I might try to go view it near tramway since the mountains are really close there and thats where you can mainly see it, said Jaramillo.

Magnificent. Wonderful. Beautiful. So unique, to make you think reallytheres not really words to explain it until you see it in your eyes, said Cumiford.

You can learn more about the PUNCH mission online.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
The renowned Michelin Guide will publish its first edition in Aotearoa New Zealand in mid-2026, marking its inaugural expansion into Oceania.

The guides arrival is being seen as a major development for the countrys dining scene and its position as a global gastronomic destination.

Why New Zealand was chosen

The Michelin Guides decision to launch in New Zealand reflects what the organisation calls a mature gastronomic destination featuring strong local produce, indigenous cultural influences and a generation of chefs blending modern technique with regional heritage.

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The first edition will focus on four key cities: Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown. Inspectors are reported to be dining anonymously across those locations ahead of the launch.

Wat the guide means for the dining scene

The arrival of the Michelin Guide in New Zealand is expected to elevate the countrys international dining reputation, by recognising and promoting high-quality restaurants and hospitality firms beyond the local market.

It is backed by Tourism New Zealand and government officials who say the move offers benefits to chefs, producers and the broader tourism sector.

At the same time, the guide says its methodology remains anchored in five universal criteriaingredient quality, technique, flavour harmony, personality of cuisine and consistencyapplied in each destination.

Timeline and what to expect

The Michelin Guide selection for New Zealand is scheduled for publication in mid-2026.

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In the interim, inspectors continue to visit restaurants anonymously, assessing venues under the guides global standards.

For diners and hospitality professionals, this means that venues in the four initial cities may gain distinction ahead of the full starred listings, and that the broader hospitality sector may see increased international attention.

The move also underscores a growing trend of culinary tourism, where destinations promote their food and dining culture to international travellers.

As New Zealand prepares to host its first Michelin edition, the global food-and-travel community will watch closely how the countrys unique ingredients, local heritage and modern dining craft are captured in the inaugural guide.

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"Michelin Guide taps New Zealand hotels for Oceania debut" was originally created and published by Hotel Management Network, a GlobalData owned brand.




Former Michigan GOP co-chair Bernadette Smith has filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission signaling a likely Senate run, setting up a potential longshot Republican challenge to Trump-backed former Rep. Mike Rogers for the party's nomination in the battleground states open Senate seat.

If Smith, who resigned from her co-chair position with the state party last week, moves forward and formally declares her candidacy, she would join a GOP primary field that already includes Rogers, who has been endorsed not only by President Donald Trump, but also by Senate Majority Leader John Thune and the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), which is the campaign arm of the Senate GOP.

The winner of next year's general election will succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters.

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The open seat in Michigan, along with an open Democrat-held seat in swing state New Hampshire, are two top targets the NRSC is aiming to flip in the 2026 midterms, as the party aims to not only defend but expand its current 53-47 majority in the Senate.

Trump Endorsement Boosts Rogers In Battleground Michigan

Former Michigan GOP vice chair Bernadette Smith filed with the Federal Election Commission to run for the U.S. Senate in 2026.

Battleground Georgia, where Republicans view Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff as vulnerable as he seeks re-election next year, is another top GOP target.

Read On The Fox News App

Republican Launches Second Straight Bid For Senate In Key Swing State

Rogers won the 2024 GOP Senate nomination in Michigan but narrowly lost to Rep. Elissa Slotkin, the Democrats' nominee, in last November's election in the race to succeed longtime Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow, who retired.

President Donald Trump, seen with former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers at a campaign rally in Novi, Michigan, on Oct. 26, 2024, has endorsed Rogers as he makes a second straight bid for the Senate in the key battleground state.

After the president backed him in July, Rogers told Fox News Digital that "having the Trump endorsement, that just kind of seals the deal. And it means we just get to work to win the election against Democrats in November of 26.

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Trump's backing of Rogers apparently isn't preventing Smith from launching a campaign.

Former Rep. Mike Rogers, a Republican Senate candidate in Michigan, is interviewed by Fox News Digital, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on April 2, 2024.

But Smith, who was elected to state party leadership earlier this year, is seen by some in the political world as a longshot candidate who may have difficulties making the ballot in Michigan.

"There's a better chance of pigs flying than Bernadette Smith qualifying for the ballot or somehow winning in Michigan," veteran Michigan-based Republican consultant Dennis Lennox, who is not working for Rogers' Senate bid, told Fox News Digital.

A view of the US Senate office as the US Capitol Police (USCP).

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Working against Smith may be her past criminal record. She pleaded no contest to a charge of felony welfare fraud, and a decade ago was found guilty of causing an auto accident in which a 10-year-old boy was seriously injured.

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Fox News reached out to Smith but had not received a response at the time this report was posted.





Original article source: Michigan GOP leader signals Senate bid, sets up clash with Trump-endorsed Mike Rogers
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT)  Ever since he was a child, Dr. David Leeser knew he wanted to become a doctor. That dream led him to Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

To help fund his education, Leeser enlisted in the military, earning a scholarship through a medical corps program.

There were scholarships that you get through the military to support medical school, Leeser explained. So I applied and got a scholarship, and I was already into Temple where I went, and thats how I got my scholarship. As part of that scholarship, I owed four years of service.

After graduating, Leeser began his internship at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he quickly demonstrated both leadership and medical skill. Between 2004 and 2007, he served two deployments in Iraq.

I was in the southern part of Iraq, he recalled. When we were getting ready to go with the unit, they asked me, Would you like to run the hospital? And I said, Sure. So I ran a 27-bed combat support hospital in southern Iraq for my first deployment, which was kind of interesting.

Between deployments, Leeser returned to Walter Reed, where he continued his service as a transplant surgeon.

I was the surgical director for kidney and pancreas transplant at Walter Reed, he said. I was also a consultant to the Surgeon General for transplant during my four years, and I ran a whole transplant program.

Today, Dr. Leeser serves as Chief of Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation at ECU Health in eastern North Carolina, a role he says builds upon everything he learned in both medicine and the military.

A lot of the things we have in place with our E.R. and emergency response come directly from systems developed in the military, he said. How do you triage? How do you deal with a crisis like a hurricane? This hospital becomes a critical part of the greater community, and you have to know how to keep things running when you have a lot of injured or sick people.

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That same sense of duty inspired Leeser to take on the challenge of strengthening ECU Healths transplant program.

Last year we did 150 transplants, and we have 560 patients on the list, Leeser said. We do everything the major centers do right here in eastern North Carolina. Our rate of renal failure in this part of the state is huge. Because of the heat and other factors, renal disease is higher here than in colder climates. So this is a place that truly needs a transplant program it just fits.

Click the video above for more information.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Minze Health has reached an agreement with Medtronic for three years to market the automated bladder diary solution, Minze Diary Pod, across the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region.

This partnership aims to broaden the range of support services available to individuals experiencing bladder control issues, referred to as overactive bladder (OAB), particularly those receiving sacral neuromodulation (SNM) therapy using Medtronics InterStim system.

As part of this collaboration, the Minze Diary Pod will be incorporated into the SNM care pathway.

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The device enables both individuals and clinicians to collect data throughout the diagnosis and follow-up phases.

This integration is intended to assist in making timely decisions regarding the initiation of SNM therapy and to offer insights into the effectiveness of the treatment following implantation.

Individuals can monitor their urinary behaviour at home with the help of the Minze Diary Pod without relying on paper records.

Healthcare providers can also gain from automated data interpretation and a secure digital platform for remote oversight and clinical assessment.

Minze Health specialises in digital diagnostics and therapeutics in urology. The companys technology, which holds CE mark and 510(k) exemptions, is designed to support early diagnosis and personalised care for conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and OAB.

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Minze Health CEO Thomas Moore said: Were proud to collaborate with Medtronic to bring our technology to more patients and providers across Europe and beyond.

Together, were transforming the way urological symptoms are assessed, treated and monitored  with digital tools that enable precision, efficiency and patient engagement.

In October 2024, Minze Health raised $5.3m in a funding round. The proceeds were aimed at advancing prescription digital therapeutic solutions for those with urinary dysfunctions, with initial plans focusing on France and Germany, and supporting entry into the US market with Minzes home diagnostics offerings.

"Minze Health and Medtronic agree on three-year partnership for bladder care" was originally created and published by Medical Device Network, a GlobalData owned brand.




Rescue crews are working to find a miner trapped inside Alpha Metallurgical Resources' Rolling Thunder mine in Nicholas County, West Virginia, after water flooded the mine Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Leslie Rubin/WCHS)

A miner missing in a flooded West Virginia coal mine was found dead Thursday morning, according to Gov. Patrick Morrisey.

Steve Lipscomb, 42, of Elkview worked as a foreman at Alpha Metallurgical Resources Rolling Thunder mine in Nicholas County.

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Lipscomb was discovered by a two-man rescue crew that was able to enter the mine this morning after water levels had lowered sufficiently for a safe entry.

Governor Patrick Morrisey and First Lady Denise Morrisey were heartbroken to learn of this tragic loss and are keeping Mr. Lipscombs family, friends, and fellow workers in their prayers. Today, we grieve for this terrible tragedy and honor the life of one of our own, Morrisey posted on his X account.

A mining crew hit an unknown pocket of water Nov. 8 about three-quarters of a mile into the Rolling Thunder mine, resulting in the flood. All other miners working on the site were accounted for. Nicholas County Commissioner Garrett Cole posted on Facebook that Lipscomb had worked to ensure that everyone on his crew was getting out of the mine.

He was last seen attempting to ensure his crew made it out safely, Alpha said in a statement Thursday.

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Our hearts are broken, said Andy Eidson, Alphas chief executive officer. Steve joined our company in 2006 and was a dedicated employee, respected leader and friend to many. His actions to ensure the safety of his crew members were heroic. On behalf of the entire organization, we extend our prayers and deepest sympathies to his wife, two children and all who knew and cared for him.

Crews have been working for days to lower water levels inside the Rolling Thunder Mine so they could search for Lipscomb. Morrisey told reporters that he had called on national experts, including the National Cave Rescue Commission, to help with the complicated rescue due to the level of water in the mine.

Crews had worked tirelessly around the clock in 12-hour shifts in a search for their colleague. Each shift included roughly 15 workers underground, 8 on the surface coordinating and loading supplies, and another 8 staging and fusing a new waterline, Morrisey posted.

Over the past several days, crews have worked around the clock with courage, skill, and determination, doing everything humanly possible to bring their colleague home. Their commitment and teamwork reflect the very best of West Virginia, the governor continued.

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Del. Dean Jeffries, R-Kanawha, said in a statement, We lost a husband, a father, a Marine, and a dear friend to so many.

Steve lived a life defined by service: service to his country as a proud Marine, to his state as a dedicated coal miner, and most importantly, to his Savior as a faithful Christian. His strength, humility, and kindness touched countless lives, Jeffries said. Please keep his wife, his children, his family, and all who loved him in your prayers during this difficult time. I am forever grateful for the time we were blessed to share with him, and I hold firmly to the hope and promise that we will see him again.

U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., said in a statement that the loss was a tragic news.

Charlie and I offer our most sincere condolences to his friends, family, and co-workers during this difficult time, Capito said. Miners represent the very best of West Virginia and this community is deeply ingrained in our states history. Ive been deeply inspired by our heroic first responders and divers doing everything possible to bring their colleague home to his loved ones. They demonstrated immense courage and resilience in the face of treacherous circumstances, and I thank them for their efforts.

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Alpha, a Tennessee-based mining company, said theyre working closely with federal and state authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the accident and its underlying causes.

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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.
An investigation is underway after someone threw a Molotov cocktail at an apartment door in Watts overnight.

Police responded to an apartment complex on 92nd Street just after 2 a.m. Thursday and managed to extinguish the fire before it spread in the apartment or other units, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Only the apartment door was damaged by the fire. No injuries were reported.

Police could not provide information on a possible suspect or motive behind the incident.
Prosecutors accuse a mother of stealing more than $61,000 from the School District of Philadelphia in a years-long scheme.

The money was supposed to be used for her children's therapy.

Attorney General Dave Sunday says Laurel Schullere told the district that the payments were going to "Missing Pieces" in Germantown, which they found out was not an operating business.

Authorities claim Schullere was actually pocketing the money.


Correction: A previous version of the graphic with this report had rounded values for numbers over 1,000, which made the percentage changes in the last two rows appear incorrect. The graphic linked has been updated for clarity.

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After he graduates from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Drew Wesson hopes to begin a career in strategic communication, a field with higher-than-average job growth and earnings.

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Wesson became more strategic about this goal one year into his studies at the university. Like nearly 1 in 3 of his classmates, he declared a second major to better stand out in an unpredictable labor market.

Nationwide, more students are choosing two majors, according to a Hechinger Report analysis of federal data, as students fret about getting jobs in an economy that some fear is shifting faster than a traditional college education can keep up.

Theres kind of a fear of graduating and going out into the job market, said Wesson, a sophomore from Minneapolis who is double-majoring in international security and journalism. And having more skills and more knowledge and more majors gives you a competitive edge.

The number of students at UW-Madison who double-major has grown by 25 percent over the last decade, data from the National Center for Education Statistics shows. But double-majoring is also on the rise at private, nonprofit colleges across the country and at other public institutions, including the University of California, San Diego, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

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Nearly 5.4 million credentials - degrees or certificates - were earned by the 4.8 million college and university graduates in 2023-2024, the most recent year for which the figure is available. That means about 12 percent of graduates earned more than one credential, compared to 6 percent 10 years prior. Academic minors dont count as a credential and arent tracked.

Students are feeling a sort of spiraling lack of control in a very dynamic labor market, said Rachel Slama, associate director of Cornell Universitys Future of Learning Lab, which studies how technology and other innovations are changing education. Theyre probably clinging to the one thing thats in their control, which is the majors they choose. And they think that more is more.

They may be right. Graduates who had two majors are 56 percent less likely to be laid off, have their pay cut or suffer other negative effects in economic downturns, according to a study released last year by researchers at Ohio State and four other universities. These outcomes show the importance of diverse skill sets, the researchers concluded. If theres a drop in demand for the skills associated with one major, a double major can pursue a job related to the unaffected major.

At Wisconsin, nearly 6 in 10 students in computer science who pick a second major choose the lucrative discipline of data science, an industry in which the number of jobs is projected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to increase 34 percent over about the next 10 years, at salaries that are nearly twice the national average.

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The unemployment rate among new bachelors degree recipients is now higher than for workers overall and at its highest level since 2014, not including the pandemic years, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

Double-majoring isnt easy. It typically means earning more than the minimum number of credits required to graduate.

But most universities and colleges charge the same tuition per semester, no matter how many courses undergraduates take. So unless a second major forces a student to take additional classes in summers or over more semesters, double-majoring doesnt typically cost more or take longer.

For some students, double-majoring makes more sense than changing majors. About 30 percent of students change their majors at least once, and 10 percent switch two or more times, according to the Education Department. Adding a second major is less drastic than dropping a first one and starting over, said Patrick Denice, an associate professor of sociology at the University of Western Ontario.

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If you add a [second] major, you hedge your bets against a changing labor market without losing those credits and that coursework youve already earned toward the first one, said Denice, who has studied why students at U.S. universities pick and change their majors.

Double-majoring is also a great way for students to demonstrate that they know how to think in different ways, said Melina Hale, dean of the college at the University of Chicago and a biologist who has collaborated with engineers. If youre going into a job in finance and have a deep background in history, youre bringing different ways of approaching problems.

The pursuit of these kinds of advantages in the job market has been pushing still another trend. More students nationwide are earning certificates, which they can get in a matter of months and alongside their degrees, in subjects such as business management. Seventeen percent of bachelors degree recipients also finished college with at least one certificate in 2023-2024, the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center reports.

Known as stackable credentials, these kinds of certificates have been talked about for a long time, said Ryan Lufkin, vice president of global academic strategy at the educational technology company Instructure. And now theres really demand for them.

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Thats because - like double-majoring - they make applicants stand out to employers, said Taylor Odle, assistant professor of educational policy studies at UW-Madison.

Students, he said, are trying to emphasize their attractiveness in the labor market. Theyre trying to cover their bases.

- - -

Data analysis by Marina Villeneuve. This report is a product of The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education.

GRAPHIC

https://washingtonpost.com/documents/307a9ac8-f046-4cef-a43e-50f394604abe.pdf

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Los Angeles police are searching for a motorcyclist who killed a person on a bicycle in a hit-and-run crash.

The deadly incident happened around 7 p.m Wednesday on Vernon Avenue near Avalon Boulevard in South L.A., according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Investigators say the motorcycle rider slammed into a bicyclist and then took off.

The victim, who has not been identified, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police spent the night looking through surveillance video and talking to witnesses in the hopes of tracking down the rider responsible.




A 31-year-old man was indicted Nov. 12 in connection with a September 2024 triple homicide at an Antioch home.

Nashville police said Efrain Vincente-Luna, who has been held in a Metro jail on a $75,000 bond on prostitution and weapons charges since October 2024, was indicted on three counts of premeditated murder, three counts of felony murder and three counts of especially aggravated burglary.

Killed in the September 2024 triple shooting were Jesus Gallardo-Ramirez, 22, Antonio Munoz-Rizo, 48 and Jesus Manuel Munoz-Morales, 28, all from the Atlanta area, police said.

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The three were visiting a home in the 200 block of Bart Drive that was being used as a prostitution operation when they were fatally shot, police said.

Two of the victims and a woman went inside the house. Moments after, four suspects approached, fatally shot one of the victims on the front porch, entered the house and then fatally shot the other two, investigators said.

A woman left the scene unharmed, police said.

Reach reporter Craig Shoup by email at cshoup@gannett.com and on X @Craig_Shoup. To support his work, sign up for a digital subscription to www.tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville grand jury returns charges in 2024 triple slaying
The state flag waves in front of the Iowa Capitol on May 8, 2025. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

As Democrats aim to build on the victories seen throughout the country in Nov. 4 elections, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee has highlighted the upcoming Dec. 30 special election for Iowa Senate District 16 as a top priority.

The DLCC, national Democrats campaign arm focused on state legislatures, announced Thursday that Democratic nominee Renee Hardman, running to take the Iowa Senate seat, was a Spotlight candidate ahead of the election.

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Hardman, a West Des Moines councilwoman and president and CEO of Lutheran Services in Iowa, was selected as the Democrats nominee for the seat Oct. 23. Lucas Loftin, an employee of Wright Service Corp. in West Des Moines who serves on the boards of In His Light ministries and Homeschool Iowa, was nominated as the Republican candidate for the seat earlier this month.

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The Dec. 30 special election is to fill the seat previously held by Iowa Sen. Claire Celsi, a Democrat, who died Oct. 6 after battling an undisclosed illness. The district is made up of parts of Polk and Dallas counties, including portions of West Des Moines, Clive and Windsor Heights. Celsi had won reelection in 2024 with 70% of the vote against Libertarian challenger Joshua Smith.

DLCC President Heather Williams said in a statement Hardman winning the race would have a major impact on Iowa.

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Iowa Senate Democrats shattered expectations when they broke the GOP supermajority by flipping two seats earlier this year, Williams said. Renees race is an opportunity to make history by electing the first Black woman to the state Senate chamber, while also defending Democrats gains. The 2025 elections proved that voters across the country are holding Republicans accountable for the affordability crisis, and the DLCC is proud to support Renee as we elect more state Democrats to fight for working families.

The special election will determine whether Iowa Senate Republicans regain their supermajority, lost in August when Democrat Catelin Drey won the special election for Iowa Senate District 1.

Drey flipped the seat formerly held by Sen. Rocky De Witt, R-Lawton. Dreys victory was the latest in a string of Democratic wins for state legislative seats in Iowa, as Sen. Mike Zimmer, D-DeWitt, won a January special election to replace Lt. Gov. Chris Cournoyer as she joined Gov. Kim Reynolds administration, and Rep. Angelina Ramirez, D-Cedar Rapids, won a special election in the Iowa House for the seat held by Democrat Rep. Sami Scheetz.

Rep. Blaine Watkins, R-Donnellson, was the only Republican to win a special election in the state this year in March for Iowa House District 100.

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The election comes following major Democratic wins in 2025 elections throughout the country earlier in November, notably in gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey, as well as Zohran Mamdanis win in the New York City mayoral race.

There is one other special election coming up in Iowa before the Senate District 16 election. On Dec. 7, Iowans in state House District 7  covering Calhoun, Pocahontas, and Sac counties, as well as a part of Webster County  will vote to fill the Iowa House seat left vacant by Republican Rep. Mike Sexton, who took a position in the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Republican Wendy Larson and Democrat Rachel Burns, both from Odebolt, are their respective party nominees for the House special election.

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NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Thursday praised the agreement on military service in Germany as he toured a NATO base in Geilenkirchen, near the border to the Netherlands.

"Each country decides for themselves how to get enough men and women into the military," Rutte said. "But I am very happy to hear that the coalition here in Germany has now agreed on a way forward, and that is very important."

The comments came after Chancellor Friedrich Merz's coalition announced a compromise on creating a voluntary military service to boost the country's armed forces, the Bundeswehr, with provisions for conscription if not enough young men enlist.

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On the visit with Rutte, the premier of the western German state of North Rhine-Westphalia said the Bundeswehr needs more personnel.

"It is right that the federal government is now resolutely pursuing this goal," said Hendrik Wust.

Rutte described the Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft, known as AWACS, stationed in Geilenkirchen as NATO's eyes in the sky. The converted Boeing 707 aircraft monitor the alliance's airspace with the aim of early detection of potential threats.

AWACS are conspicuous due to their large, mushroom-like radar equipment on the back of the aircraft. This enables them to locate and identify other aircraft at a distance of more than 400 kilometres.

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Wust said that Russia was responsible for deliberate provocations, including violations of NATO airspace, in recent months.

"This is unacceptable. Our own defence capabilities also include airborne early detection and warning, which have become indispensable in this new world disorder," said Wust. "The backbone of NATO's air and maritime surveillance is here with us in North Rhine-Westphalia."
An assistant professor at North Carolina State University was killed after being hit by a car while walking in an intersection.

On Tuesday at 6:11 p.m., Raleigh police responded to a car crash involving a person walking at Pogue Street and Clark Avenue.

When officers arrived, they found 41-year-old Natalia Duque-Wilckens with serious injuries.

She was taken to the hospital, where she later died.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague Natalia Duque-Wilckens, and our thoughts are with her family and friends," NC State said in a statement to ABC11. "Support and resources are being provided to those in our community impacted by this loss."

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Duque-Wilckens was an assistant professor in NC State's Department of Biological Sciences. She received her doctorate at the University of Chile and ran a lab focusing on neuro-immune research.

"It's very sad to see something like this happen," said Shahad Alghandou, who was walking to campus.

"There's a bunch of cops that blocked it, and I saw a truck over here," said Selma Purmul, describing what she saw.

"It is definitely upsetting in its realization it can happen to any of us, professors and students alike. We all pass by here like every day. Some people really do with speed on these roads," said Zainah Al-bataineh.

SEE ALSO: UNC Board of Trustees rejects proposed tuition increase for in-state undergraduates

The driver of the vehicle, 19-year-old Jack Etheridge, stayed at the scene and was not injured. He has been charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle.

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According to court documents, Etheridge failed to yield while turning at a stop or yield sign.

Students said they see a larger issue with the lack of speed control and lighting options.

"I think something needs to be done here to make it easier for like commuters like us to get by without having a chance of getting hit," said Selma Purmul.

Zainah Al-bataineh added, "I think that should be treated as if it were a campus, and like maybe crosswalks with lights would help, like they do inside campus as well."

Monique Nicastro, a college instructor, said she has had some close calls.

"I've had people not stop for me many times. One time at night, either somebody didn't see me, or they saw me and they wanted to make a point, and they actually sped up in the intersection. I had to jump out of the way. It was pretty scary," she said.

Border Patrol commander, CBP agents headed to North Carolina and Louisiana next, sources say
Neanderthals may have never truly gone extinct, according to new research  at least not in the genetic sense.

A new mathematical model has explored a fascinating scenario in which Neanderthals gradually disappeared not through "true extinction" but through genetic absorption into a more prolific species:

Us.

According to the analysis, the long and drawn-out 'love affair' between Homo sapiens and Neanderthals could have led to almost complete genetic absorption within 10,00030,000 years.

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Related: Mysterious Twist Revealed in Saga of Human-Neanderthal Hybrid Child

The model is simple and not regional, but it provides a "robust explanation for the observed Neanderthal demise," argue computational chemist Andrea Amadei from the University of Rome Tor Vergata and his colleagues.

Once, the idea that Neanderthals and Homo sapiens interbred was a radical notion, and yet now, modern genome studies and archaeological evidence have provided strong evidence that our two lineages were hooking up and reproducing right across Eurasia for tens of thousands of years.

Today, people of non-African ancestry have inherited about 1 to 4 percent of their DNA from Neanderthals.

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No one knows why Neanderthals disappeared from the face of our planet roughly 40,000 years ago, but experts tend to agree that there are probably numerous factors that played a role, like environmental changes, loss of genetic diversity, or competition with Homo sapiens.

Neanderthals May Have Never Truly Gone Extinct, New Study Suggests

Amadei and co-authors  evolutionary geneticist Giulia Lin from the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, and ecologist Simone Fattorini from the University of L'Aquila in Italy  present a model that does not rule out these other explanations.

It does suggest that genetic drift played a strong role  even with the researchers assuming the Neanderthal genes our species 'absorbed' had no survival benefit.

If the model were to include the potential advantages of some Neanderthal genes to the larger Homo sapiens population, then mathematical support for genetic dilution may become even stronger.

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Like all models, this new one is based on imperfect assumptions. It uses the birth rates of modern hunter-gatherer tribes to predict how quickly small Neanderthal tribes would be engulfed by a much larger human population, given how frequently it seems we were interbreeding.

The results are consistent with recent archaeological discoveries and align with a body of evidence that suggests the decline of Neanderthals in Europe was gradual rather than sudden.

Homo sapiens seem to have started migrating out of Africa much earlier than scientists previously thought, and they arrived in Europe in several influxes, possibly starting more than 200,000 years ago.

As each wave of migration came crashing into the region, it engulfed local Neanderthal communities, diluting their genes, like sand pulled into the sea.

Three waves of Homo sapiens migration out of Africa and into Europe based on tool evidence. ( Slimak, PLOS One, 2023

Today, some scientists argue that there is more to unite Homo sapiens and Neanderthals than there is to differentiate us. Our lineages, they say, should not be regarded as two separate species, but rather as distinct populations belonging to a "common human species.".

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Neanderthals were surprisingly adaptable and intelligent. They made intricate tools, created cave art, and used fire  and when it came to communication, they were probably capable of far more than simple grunting.

Related: Ancient Neanderthal 'Fat Factory' Reveals How Advanced They Really Were

Neanderthal populations and cultures may no longer exist, but their genetic legacy lives on inside of us.

These are not just our cousins; they are also our ancestors.

The study was published in Scientific Reports.

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A SNAP and EBT sign in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Aug. 1, 2023. (Getty Images)

LINCOLN  With the federal government now re-opened, Nebraskas Department of Health and Human Services has resumed distribution of food assistance.

DHHS announced Thursday that it had distributed partial Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits  or SNAP  to Nebraska participants for November. The maximum allotment per household is 65% of the maximum monthly allotment, which could be scaled down based on income, according to the departments website.

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One day later, the department released an updated statement saying that full SNAP benefits for November had been distributed to Nebraska participants.

Federally funded SNAP benefits were in limbo during the 43-day government shutdown that came to a close Wednesday after President Donald Trump signed a resolution funding the government through Jan. 30. Federal officials claimed that roughly half of Novembers SNAP benefits were still being distributed, but the timeline of that distribution was murky.

The shutdown, which started when Congress failed to pass annual spending laws by Oct. 1, left SNAP without any appropriated funding for November and beyond. A number of lawsuits left the nature of the payments unclear. In Nebraska, about 150,000 low-income and eligible participants, including children, participate in SNAP.

Gov. Jim Pillen made it clear at multiple points during the shutdown that the state would not fund Nebraskas SNAP program in the meantime.

Nobodys going to go hungry, Pillen said at a Nov. 6 news conference. We have extraordinary services, from food pantries to engage churches and services across the state.

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DHHS Economic Assistance Director Shannon Grotrian said soon after the shutdown ended that department officials began talks with federal officials to reestablish the benefits.

After guidance was received from the USDA [U.S. Department of Agriculture] authorizing partial issuances, the team immediately worked to ensure these payments were issued as soon as possible, Grotrian said.

Statewide advocacy group Nebraska Appleseed criticized the Trump administration for not funding SNAP during the shutdown.

In a separate press release Wednesday, Eric Savaiano, Nebraska Appleseeds Food and Nutrition Access Program Manager, claimed the administration could have used its transfer authority to keep the program running.

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Food should not be used as a political tool, and we are glad this unnecessary food crisis is over for now, Savaiano said.

Editors Note: This story has been updated to reflect the latest SNAP benefits issued by DHHS.

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House Speaker Mike Johnson has been roasted by the congresswoman who waited nearly two months for him to swear her in.

Arizona Democrat Adelita Grijalva, 55, finally got her moment with Johnson on Wednesday after the House returned.

Grijalva, whose vote was instrumental in releasing the latest trove of Epstein emails, told CNN on Tuesday that Johnsons refusal to swear her in during the shutdown was undemocratic, unconstitutional, and illegal.

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The pair finally had an awkward moment in front of the cameras during Grijalvas swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday.

After she posed next to Johnson with her hand on the Bible, an aide took the book and said handshake. Grijalva stared at Johnson while they shook hands, until he broke her gaze and told her to look at the cameras, still uncomfortably gripping each other.

U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ) and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) participate in a ceremonial swearing-in at the U.S. Capitol Building on November 12, 2025 in Washington, DC. / Andrew Harnik / Getty Images

A reporter then asked Whyd it take so long to get sworn in?

Grijalva gestured both her hands towards Johnson, noting That would be another... that would not be my question.

Johnson, 53, put his hand on Grijalvas shoulder and deflected, saying, Look, I really like this lady. Shes gonna be an excellent member of Congress. Shes a great person.

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She is succeeding her father, Rep. Raul Grijalva, who passed away in March after complications from treatment for lung cancer.

Johnson continued to dodge the question, stating, I just told her on the way in she fills her fathers shoes... shes gonna try, no one can... he was a giant around here, served a long time... she has a proud family legacy and were delighted to have her here.

He finally said, She may not agree with me, but we follow the custom of the House on the timetable. But shes here now, I promised we would have the oath administered before we began legislative business so she hasnt missed a boat.

U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ), accompanied by Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA), gestures in response to a reporter's question during a ceremonial swearing-in at the U.S. Capitol Building on November 12, 2025 in Washington, DC. / Andrew Harnik / Getty Images

The House Speaker added, You know more than most because your dad was here a long time.

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Grijalva clarified, I visited, I never did this job, so this is brand spanking new, so I will take the offer of help.

As the pair walked out of the media call, a reporter asked What is your message to the Speaker? Grijalva stated, I gave it to him.

After being sworn in by Johnson, Grijalva took no prisoners in her speech.

It has been 50 days since the people of Arizonas seventh congressional district elected me to represent them, she said. 50 days that over 800,000 Arizonans have been left without access to the basic services that every constituent deserves. This is an abuse of power.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., arrives to brief the media on the timeline to possibly end the government shutdown in the Capitol Visitor Center on Monday, November 10, 2025. / Tom Williams / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Imag

One individual should not be able to unilaterally obstruct the swearing in of a duly elected member of Congress for political resent, she added, without mentioning Johnson by name.

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Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes filed a lawsuit last month to try and force Johnson to swear Grijalva.

Grijalva was asked about her long-awaited meeting with Johnson on The Briefing with Jen Psaki on Wednesday.

He said this was nothing personal. I said, it sure did feel personal, she told the MSNBC host.

I was not able to do my job. But now, today is the first day that we can actually go and lease office space and open up constituent services... And honestly, I feel very glad that I was able to get out publicly everything that many people have been toiling around, including myself, about the situation that weve been put in for the last 50 days.

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Her first action after being sworn in was to sign a discharge petition introduced by Republican Rep. Thomas Massie and Democrat Ro Khanna to force the release of files related to Epstein.

Grijalva became the 218th and final signature on the petition, with Johnson stating on Wednesday that he would bring the Epstein bill to the House for a vote next week.

The vote was previously not likely to happen until December before Johnsons involvement. It still needs to clear the Senate to be enacted.

Trump's once-close pal Epstein has become a defining aspect of his second term. / Davidoff Studios/Getty Images

Its past time for Congress to restore its role as a check and balance on this administration and fight for we, the American people, Grijalva said during her speech on Wednesday.

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That is why I will sign the discharge petition right now to release the Epstein files, adding Justice cannot wait another day.

She told The Briefing she could not understand how the Epstein files had become politicized.

Youre not going to protect pedophiles, Grijalva said. Youre not going to protect people who continue to assault, victimize, harm girls and women, children. I mean, youre just not. That should be a non-partisan issue.

The fact that were sitting around saying Democrats are pushing for this, it shouldnt be Democrats. All of us should be beyond appalled that anyone would stand in the way of finding out who is responsible and making sure they have justice.

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The House Oversight Committees release of more emails from the Epstein files caused headaches for the president on Wednesday, with emails from the sex offender mentioning Trump by name.

Epstein referred to Trump a maniac with signs of early dementia, and said there was not one decent cell in his body.

Trump ignored a question about Epstein after signing the bill that officially ended the government shutdown on Wednesday.
A tranche of documents released by the House oversight committee on Wednesday revealed that Jeffrey Epsteins staff kept him apprised of Donald Trumps air travel as it related to his own transportation  and that the late sex trafficker kept up with news about his former friend years after their relationship soured.

This disclosure of about 20,000 pages from Republican members of the committee related to Epstein comes as Trump continues to battle with the political fallout related to their past friendship  and his justice departments failure to release documents as he had long promised on the campaign trail.

Most of the discussions reviewed by the Guardian surrounding Trumps location appeared to relate to flight logistics, as he and Epstein often used the same airports.

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Related: How the Jeffrey Epstein row plunged Maga world into turmoil  a timeline

On 25 November 2016, just weeks after Trump won the presidential election, Epsteins pilot, Larry Visoski, wrote: Trump is still scheduled to depart Sunday between 4 and 6 pm,, Let me know if we are firm for wheels up Saturday at 6pm still? Epstein replied: will let you know tomorrow morning.

But other emails tracked Trumps movements more generally. Epstein received a heads-up on 2 December 2017: Trump in our neighborhood today. Looks like he is going to 740 Park for a fundraiser. The senders name was redacted in the email release, but it was signed by Richard Kahn, Epsteins accountant.

One visitor waiting outside Epsteins home made a joke about Trump while waiting to get inside. [Im] at the door but i will wait for my time. . i dont want to come early to find trump in your house, they wrote, adding two smiling emojis. Their name was redacted in the email.

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The cache of filings also indicates Epsteins associates forwarded numerous news articles related to Trump, including reports that involved controversies surrounding the president. The news coverage included a January 2019 story on Trump ally Roger Stones arrest, and an article on Michael Cohens discussions with prosecutors.

Email exchanges with friends and associates showed Epstein disparaging Trump. In one December 2018 correspondence, Epstein told former treasury secretary Larry Summers that trump  borderline insane. dersh, a few feet further from the border but not by much  apparently referencing his one-time attorney, Alan Dershowitz.

Summers asked: Will trump crack into insanity?

This is not a new phenomenon for him. in the past he was told not to come out of his apt. thats how he got through near personal bankruptcy. is strength is remarkable. he is pounded 24/7, Epstein replied. I hope someone close to him gets indicted, but not sure, otherwise the pressure of the unknown will force him to do crazy things.

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In another exchange in March 2018, Landon Thomas Jr, then a reporter at the New York Times, sent Epstein an article from the Daily Beast that mused on whether Trump was close to a psychiatric breakdown. Epstein replied: he feels alone, and is nuts !!! , I told everyone from day one. evil beyond belief mad, and most thought i was speaking metaphorically, its obvious he could crack. stormy daniels. ? lies after lies after lies.

Related: Democrats sift through shutdowns ashes after resistance finally breached

Asked for comment on the emails, a White House spokesperson, Abigail Jackson, said: These emails prove literally nothing. A representative for Summers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Epstein received multiple updates from his pilot about Trumps movements during the years covered by the release. Updated President Elect schedule: Trump Plane to arrive Orlando at 5 pm friday for event,, then arrive Palm Beach estimate 10 pm, . He usually runs late, so 11pm could be realistic time for his PBI Arrival, Visoski wrote in December 2016, also noting that the airport would shut down for 20 minutes before and after Trumps arrival.

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Ill keep you posted if time changes, he also said. Visoksis emails about Trumps flights appeared to be in response to Epstein emailing him wont leave until 8 pm tomorrow.

Visoski had more information on Trump on 30 September 2017. I hear Pres Trump arrives in St Thomas on Tuesday FYI, he wrote.

In November of that year, Epstein discussed an apparent planned trip to Little St James, an island in the US Virgin Islands where he abused teenage girls.

At the moment we will go to [Little St James] on Sunday the 26th early then to New York where I will stay the week, Epstein told his pilot, Visoski. Trump is in town that week. There is nothing in the email suggesting Epstein planned on meeting with Trump.

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Visoski responded with Trumps arrival and departure times and said in a following email that it shouldnt be to bad if we are leaving early and Trump is not scheduled to depart until 3pm on Sunday, adding: The departure will be similar to a DCA departure with customs.

In another email that month, Visoski wrote: While Trump is in PBI, TSA only allows arrival and departures between 8am and 5pm for General Aviation.

A few months later, in March 2018, Visoski gave Epstein another update about Trump related to air travel. Thx 3pm Wednesday to Teterboro confirmed,, Friday Trump arrives in PBI, Ill confirm time, Thx.

Later that year, in December, in another email, Visoski wrote: Since Pres Trump didnt come to PBI yet  seemingly referring to Palm Beach international airport  for you departure to Ls3 on Dec 26, should Darren and Dave pick you up in PBI? Or do you prefer Boca for departure, at this time no TSA issue in PBI.

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Several months before his arrest on sex-trafficking charges, Epstein provided information to his staff. President trump is going to be at our neighbors on thurs, so dont be surprised if secret service check in. The employee responded: Thank you for the heads up sir.

Trump was not the only high-profile figure whose travels were discussed by Epstein. The documents also show that in September 2012, an assistant of Epsteins was told to inform Epstein that Vice-President Joe Biden is in West Palm Beach and is scheduled to depart between 5pm and 6pm today.

He parks at the Galaxy ramp also in Palm Beach, the email added. The airport will be closed between 5pm and 6pm. Well need to wheels up at 4pm or 2pm.

The newly released documents were published shortly after House Democrats on the oversight committee released three separate previously unseen email exchanges sent by Epstein in 2011, 2015 and 2019, where the disgraced financier described Trump as the dog that hasnt barked and alleged Trump had spent hours at Epsteins home with one of Epsteins victims, and claimed that of course Trump knew about the girls.

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The release of those email exchanges reignited the Epstein controversy that has plagued Trump for months and has revived public scrutiny of his past ties to Epstein.

In a post to his Truth Social platform, Trump accused Democrats of trying to bring up the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax again because theyll do anything at all to deflect on how badly theyve done on the Shutdown, and so many other subjects.

In a statement, the White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said Democrats had selectively leaked emails to the liberal media to create a fake narrative to smear President Trump. She then alleged that the unnamed victim referenced in the emails was the late Virginia Giuffre, whom she said repeatedly said President Trump was not involved in any wrongdoing whatsoever.

Trump kicked Jeffrey Epstein out of his club decades ago for being a creep to his female employees, including Giuffre, Leavitt said, adding: These stories are nothing more than bad-faith efforts to distract from President Trumps historic accomplishments, and any American with common sense sees right through this hoax and clear distraction from the government opening back up again.
Pets provide people with so much more than a cute face to come home to.

For many, pets are a companion, a confidant, a source of protection, maybe even a walking partner, but most of all -- theyre family, with 97 percent of Americans considering their pets a member of their household, and 51 percent calling their furry friends one of their own, as much as a human.

And just like any close loved one, people want to be assured that their pets are receiving the best care possible. In order for pets to live long and healthy lives, proper healthcare and checkups are essential for owners.

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Luckily, Newsweek partnered up with Plant-A Insights to present pet owners nationwide with a list of Americas Best Animal Hospitals 2026, featuring over 1,262 animal hospitals where pets receive the best care.

The news outlet paired with the research creating a national survey of over 30,000 participants, ranking the best locations based on millions of online reviews. Customer service, quality of care and affordability were all factors that determined which places especially excelled in animal care using a ranking out of five stars.

In Monmouth County, Newsweek gave City by the Sea Veterinary of Asbury Park (also hosting City by the Sea Vet Urgent Care) a 5-star ranking. The Sea Girt Animal Hospital which has been serving neighborhood pets for over 50 years was also highlighted with 4.5 stars.

Further south in Ocean County, Bridge Veterinary Hospital of Point Pleasant Boro made the list with a 5-star grade, along with Jackson Townships VCA New Prospect Animal Hospital.

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All four locations in Monmouth and Ocean counties are American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) accredited and are evaluated on over 900 standards of care. Only 12-15% of veterinary hospitals hold this honor.

Best animal hospitals in New Jersey

Full list of NJ best animal hospitals listed on Americas Best Animal Hospitals 2026:

Point Pleasant Boro

Bridge Veterinary Hospital

5/5 stars

Pennington

Cats Only Veterinary Hospital & McSnip

5/5 stars

Asbury Park

City by the Sea Veterinary

5/5 stars

Boonton

Morris Hills Veterinary Clinic

5/5 stars

Fort Lee

Oradell Veterinary Group of Fort Lee

5/5 stars

Bogota

Overpeck Creek Animal Hospital

5/5 stars

Lebanon

South Branch Veterinary Services

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5/5 stars

Andover

Tranquility Veterinary Clinic

5/5 stars

Jackson

VCA New Prospect Animal Hospital

5/5 stars

Audubon

Audubon Family Veterinary Center

4.5/5 stars

Bayville

Berkeley Veterinary Center

4.5/5 stars

Clemonton

Clementon Animal Hospital

4.5/5 stars

Midland Park

Midland Park Veterinary Hospital

4.5/5 stars

Morristown

Morristown Animal Hospital

4.5/5 stars

Whitehouse Station

Oldwick Animal Hospital

4.5/5 stars

Piscataway

Piscataway Animal Clinic

4.5/5 stars

Skillman

Progressive Veterinary Care

4.5/5 stars

Jersey City

Sage Veterinary Center

4.5/5 stars

Sea Girt

Sea Girt Animal Hospital

4.5/5 stars

Norwood

VCA Old Tappan Veterinary Hospital

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4.5/5 stars

West Caldwell

West Caldwell Animal Hospital

4.5/5 stars

Newton

Andover Animal Hospital

4/5 stars

Augusta

Animal Hospital of Sussex County

4/5 stars

Sewell

Bethel Mill Animal Hospital

4/5 stars

Bloomingdale

Bloomingdale Animal Hospital

4/5 stars

Fords

Hopelawn Animal Clinic

4/5 stars

Hamilton

Nottingham Animal Hospital

4/5 stars

Mullica Hill

Raccoon Valley Animal Hospital

4/5 stars

Blairstown

VCA Blairstown Animal Hospital

4/5 stars

East Hanover

Veterinary Center of Morris County

4/5 stars

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Newsweek survey names 4 Jersey Shore vets among the best in NJ
New Jersey Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill used the U.S. House of Representatives' first session since the government shutdown on Oct. 1 to announce her resignation as the representative for New Jersey's 11th Congressional District.

"This will be my last speech in this chamber," she said Wednesday evening as the House debated in advance of a vote on a Senate-passed funding deal that would end the longest-running government closure in U.S. history.

"I intend to submit my resignation next week and turn to protecting all of New Jersey," Sherrill said during the 90 seconds allotted to her during the Nov. 12 debate.

New Jersey Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill smiles as she pauses during her victory speech, Tuesday, November 4, 2025, in East Brunswick.

Sherrill was first elected to the suburban North Jersey district in 2018, riding a wave of dissatisfaction with then-President Donald Trump to win a seat that the Republican Party had held for decades. The 11th, which was redrawn after the 2020 Census, now covers parts of Morris, Passaic and Essex counties.

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She did not give a specific date for her resignation. Her swearing-in as governor is scheduled for Jan. 20.

Sherrill joined most Democrats in opposing the bill to reopen the government, citing the Republicans' move to cut health insurance subsidies.

"I rise in opposition to a rule for a bill that does nothing to protect over 450,000 New Jerseyans who will see their health care premiums skyrocket," she said. "I took my first oath to the Constitution when I was 18 and went to the Naval Academy. It's an oath to serve, to run toward the fight. And so I ran for Congress after I saw Washington Republicans attacking the Affordable Care Act.

"I promised I would take on the status quo. I would fight the big fights, because that's what people expect of their leaders," Sherrill said. "That's what people deserve from their leaders. And I'm proud of the wins that I've delivered."

Mikie Sherrill's parting words

She took time to review some of her accomplishments in office, which she said included "capping the cost of insulin in prescription drugs for seniors, funding the Gateway Tunnel, the PACT Act for veterans, flood mitigation projects, delivering for Picatinny Arsenal."

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"You have trusted me, New Jersey, and last week, you placed your trust in me again, electing me your 57th governor," she continued. "So I ran on a similar promise to take on anyone and stop at nothing to lower costs and build opportunity for everyone."

Her parting message included thanks to her constituents and staff, and a challenge to her colleagues.

"Do not let this body become a ceremonial red stamp from an administration that rips health care away from people and takes food away from children," she said. "To the country, I say, stand strong. As we say in the Navy, don't give up the ship."

She was embraced by several colleagues on the House floor as the debate continued.

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More: Passaic County was key to Mikie Sherrill's NJ landslide. How Dems won it back from Trump

Who will replace her in Congress?

Sherrill was reelected to the House three times before mounting her campaign to succeed two-term Gov. Phil Murphy this year.

Despite most polls showing a tight race, she won a decisive victory on Nov. 4, beating Republican nominee Jack Cittarelli with 57% of the vote.

A long list of Democrats has already declared interest in succeeding her in Congress, including former District 7 Rep. Tom Malinowski, who lost his seat to Tom Kean Jr. in 2022. Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill and Passaic County Commissioner John Bartlett have also declared on the Democratic side. So far only one Republican, Randolph Mayor Joe Hathaway, has announced his candidacy.

A special election will be called to fill the 11th District seat.

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: NJ-Gov. elect Mikie Sherrill tells Congress she will resign next week
A North Shore man has pleaded guilty to concealing the source of material support intended for the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, federal prosecutors announced Thursday.

Mateo Ventura, 20, of Wakefield, entered a guilty plea to one count of concealment of financing of terrorism on Oct. 15, 2025, according to United States Attorney Leah B. Foley.

Ventura was first charged in June 2023 and indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2023.

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According to court documents, Ventura provided multiple gift cards to an individual he believed supported ISIS. The cards were intended to be sold on the dark web for slightly less than face value, with proceeds directed to ISIS for war on kuffar, or disbelievers.

Between January and May 2023, Ventura made donations totaling $705.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, up to lifetime supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. District Court Judge Denise Casper scheduled Venturas sentencing for Jan. 8, 2026.

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Brandon Dill, 31, had his eye set on Silverwood before the Southern California development had houses to show. The community, set in the Inland Empire about 80 miles east of Los Angeles, promised affordable homes in one of the country's most expensive states to live, events to bring neighbors together and access to beautiful parks and trails.

Dill persuaded his wife, Cathy Khoonsrivong, to look at the development as they prepared to be first-time parents. She approved, and Dill signed them up.

One document in their new housing paperwork gave them pause: a "Kindness Pledge."

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"That's interesting," Khoonsrivong remembers thinking.

Brandon Dill, Cathy Khoonsrivong and their son Tobi.

The pledge said Silverwood is "creating a place that feels familiar, like the small towns our parents and grandparents grew up enjoying."

"A place where everyone knew everyone, where neighbors would care for each other, watch out for one another, or simply bring a warm meal when you didnt know you needed it," the pledge reads. "We know when we care for one another, listen openly to one another, and consider each others needs, the strength of our community will mirror the strength of the desert around us."

Now, Khoonsrivong and Dill say the pledge is the "icing on the cake" of their new dream neighborhood.

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In a world divided by politics and hateful rhetoric fueling neighborly and even family feuds  not to mention a loneliness epidemic among the nation's youth and older adults alike  a neighborhood like Silverwood can feel far-fetched. The development is just getting started, with its first homeowners having moved in this summer. But experts have reason to believe a community based on kindness will see great success, leading to happier, healthier residents who get better sleep, feel less stress and even have superior immune systems.

Many Americans today don't know their neighbors at all, said Dale Atkins, a psychologist who wrote "The Kindness Advantage: Cultivating Compassionate and Connected Children." She finds people nowadays are feeling more isolated and unsure of their purpose.

For Dill, it's important to be part of a community with like-minded people who are intentionally kind to each other, especially as a new dad. His son, Tobi, is 6 months old.

"People think kindness is a 'nice thing to have' if you have time," said Dr. Kelli Harding, a psychiatrist and kindness scientist who wrote "The Rabbit Effect: Live Longer, Happier, and Healthier with the Groundbreaking Science of Kindness."

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"But actually, kindness is essential to our communities and our health and wellbeing," Harding said.

Being kind is good for you

Atkins said she's mostly seen kindness pledges in schools, though some other institutions have certainly made kindness initiatives in the past. Former Anaheim, California mayor Tom Tait established a "City of Kindness" initiative in 2017, according to The Orange County Register. Tait's focus on kindness was enough to persuade the Dalai Lama to visit.

In schools with kindness initiatives, Atkins has seen stress levels lower, happiness levels rise, collaboration increase and more acts of kindness, "because one act of kindness begets another act of kindness." She suspects residents in a community with a kindness pledge would be more positive, empathetic and more careful about what they say to each other.

Brandon Dill and Cathy Khoonsrivong attended Silverwood's fall festival. They moved into the community in October.

Business consultant Linda Cohen has found that when companies focus on cultivating kind, empathetic work cultures, there's less turnover and happier workers.

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Harding said there are "mountains of data" showing that people are healthier in supportive, kind communities.

One of the most famous kindness studies is of Roseto, Pennsylvania. Harding said a physician, Dr. Stewart Wolf, was at a medical conference in the early 1960s when he met a researcher who had found a small town in Pennsylvania where no one under the age of 55 was dying of heart attacks. Wolf sent a team to investigate, and after studying the town's residents  weighing them, measuring them and taking blood samples  they realized the only thing different about Roseto compared with neighboring towns was that the people were especially kind to one another.

"[The researchers] thought about how they had been welcomed in to Roseto, how the people there really looked out for one another, how neighbors ate together, how neighbors supported one another when someone was having a hard time," Harding said. "It was really the sense of kindness and community that ended up being health protective for Roseto."

Harding said Silverwood, in a way, is asking the question: "Could we create a modern-day Roseto?"

'We're not trying to force it.' There's no 'kindness police.'

Initially, Silverwood developer John Ohanian wanted to create a kindness contract. But his lawyers told him it wasn't possible.

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And besides, Ohanian told USA TODAY, he wants people to want to be kind. So he settled for a pledge instead, which he describes as aspirational. "We're not trying to force it," he said. People who don't follow the pledge "just won't have the experience living there that they could. It won't be as fulfilling an experience; it won't be as positive."

There are no "kindness police."

Among other promises, residents pledge to:

Foster empathy, acceptance, tolerance and cooperation.

Get involved and make a positive impact.

Not use hurtful or divisive language.

Actively listen to all perspectives and do what's best for the community.

Before speaking or posting, make sure their words are kind, necessary and true.

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"We just hope it creates more connection," Ohanian said. He also hopes Silverwood's affordability  homes are between $400,000 and $800,000, according to their website  will keep young families from leaving California. There are about 80 families living in Silverwood now, and developers hope that will rise to 300 next year. There's room for 15,000 families to live on the property, Ohanian said.

John Ohanian said his firm bought the Silverwood property in 2012. His vision is for the community to have spaces to connect, like community centers, parks and large front porches in people's homes to foster close neighborly bonds.

Dill's family has only lived in Silverwood for three weeks. But he said he's already felt that it's different from anywhere he's lived before. Their neighbors introduced themselves right away, Khoonsrivong said. "It pretty quickly felt like home."

"The day we were moving in, we got invited to someone's birthday party that we never even met before," Dill said.

How to find and create kind communities, without moving to California

Everyone has the capacity to be kind, Harding said. "But a lot of times, when we're in a rush, we just sort of forget."

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People are more likely to be kind when they're reminded about kindness, she said, and when they announce their kindness publicly  which is why she thinks Silverwood's kindness pledge is such a good idea.

The spirit behind the pledge is just that, Khoonsrivong said: A reminder. It's always in the back of her head now, to be kind and welcoming to everyone around her.

"It just makes you feel good, and it makes others feel good, and it just spirals," she said.

But you don't have to move to Silverwood to have a kind community, Atkins said. And you don't have to make grand gestures of generosity to show kindness. Start small and slow down, Harding said. There's room for kindness when we pause our busy lives.

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Pick up a piece of trash, check in on a neighbor, call a friend or send a thank-you note, Harding said. Cohen suggests stopping at lemonade stands, leaving out snacks for mailmen and delivery workers, planning a neighborhood barbecue or, like two of her own neighbors did, making a gratitude tree where people can write down what they're thankful for.

"Simple things like making eye contact and saying hello to neighbors can increase your sense of safety and trust in your neighborhood," Harding said. "It's pretty remarkable."

Madeline Mitchell's role covering women and the caregiving economy at USA TODAY is supported by a partnership with Pivotal and Journalism Funding Partners. Funders do not provide editorial input.

Reach Madeline at memitchell@usatoday.com and @maddiemitch_ on X.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Neighborhood has residents sign a 'kindness pledge.' It's working
NEW YORK  Two New York transit experts  one of whom oversaw the launch of the citys Vision Zero street safety initiative  have emerged as early favorites to become mayor-elect Zohran Mamdanis Department of Transportation commissioner, according to four sources with knowledge of the matter.

The DOT could be an especially important agency for Mamdani, whose campaign promises included a vow to make the citys public buses fast and free.

Among other responsibilities, the agency is in charge of turning car routes into bus corridors to speed up bus traffic. Mamdani has pledged to make such conversions a big priority for the agency, and his team is eyeing Ryan Russo and Nivardo Lopez, two veterans of the department with deep experience in street redesign efforts, as potential picks for DOT commissioner, the four sources told the Daily News this week.

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Another name that has been floated as a potential DOT pick for Mamdani, sources said, is Ben Furnas, the executive director of the Transportation Alternatives advocacy group. Russo and Lopez are seen as having a better shot at landing the job, two sources said.

Mamdani spokeswoman Dora Pekec declined to discuss any potential appointments. No personnel decisions have been made, she said.

Lopez and Russo didnt return requests for comment. Furnas declined to comment.

Mamdani, who is being sworn in as mayor Jan. 1, has said publicly he isnt ruling out keeping Ydanis Rodriguez, the current DOT commissioner who endorsed his mayoral run late last month. But sources said Rodriguez, who was appointed by Mayor Eric Adams, is unlikely to get to keep his job once Mamdani takes office.

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Russo worked at the city DOT for 14 years, starting under Mayor Michael Bloomberg, before departing in 2017 to become the first permanent head of the Department of Transportation of Oakland, Calif.

While at the NYC DOT, Russo, serving as a top deputy to then-Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg, oversaw the rollout and implementation of Vision Zero, the de Blasio administration initiative aimed at eliminating traffic deaths by redesigning streets to make them more bike-, pedestrian- and bus-friendly.

Russo, whos currently the executive director of the National Association of City Transportation Officials, was for a time especially focused on non-motorized transit efforts while at city DOT, serving as the agencys director of bicycle and pedestrian programs between 2006 and 2009. Mamdani, a big proponent of expanding the citys bike lane networks, has said he plans to as mayor at least occasionally commute to City Hall on two wheels.

Lopez also has city DOT experience, having served in senior roles at the agency throughout Mayor Bill de Blasios eight years at City Hall. At the time he left the agency in November 2021, he was the DOTs Bronx borough commissioner.

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Lopez then served as Gov. Kathy Hochuls top transportation deputy between November 2021 and June 2024 before taking on his current role as the principal deputy chief program officer for the Gateway Development Commission, the entity responsible for building the new rail tunnel underneath the Hudson River connecting New York and New Jersey.

Besides expanding bus and bicycle networks, Mamdani has his work cut out for him when it comes to transit issues as his promise to make buses free would require a steady stream of new funding. His campaign has estimated it could cost some $800 million annually.

In order to allocate such funds, Mamdani has proposed increasing taxes on millionaires and corporations in the city. Such tax hikes would require support from Hochul, who has been openly critical of any increases next year.

Last weekend, Hochul also said she was opposed to the underlying idea of making buses free for everyone.

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I cannot set forth a plan right now that takes money out of a system that relies on the fares of the buses and the subways, she told reporters last weekend. But can we find a path to make it more affordable for people who need help? Of course we can.

_____
They say you should leave things the way you found them. When it comes to an oil field located in the Central Coast of California, after a nearly 80-year saga, that's what's finally happening.

The San Luis Obispo Tribune reported on the cleanup at the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Complex and oil giant Chevron's plans to donate 2,700 acres of the land to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. After years away, animals like red-legged frogs and mountain lions are back.

Oil production by Union Oil Co. (Unocal) began in 1947 and continued until 1994. The field itself was part of the Northern Chumash Tribe's ancestral lands, per the Tribune.

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The detrimental effects were vast. During thinning, Unocal pumped up to 10 million gallons of kerosene-like oil into the wells. That eventually contaminated the groundwater and a nearby beach.

The U.S. Coast Guard had had enough by 1994 and decreed that Unocal undergo a massive cleanup. Four years later, the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Board ordered the same for the rest of the property. In response, the oil company took all of the wells out of operation and began a now-30-plus-year process.

Chevron entered the equation in 2005 when it bought Unocal and was on the hook for the cleanup. The cleanup crew now features six Chevron staffers and 70-100 contractors from nine other companies.

The process included excavating the contaminated soil and sand, building a landfill, installing wells to protect the groundwater, and rebuilding sand dunes to restore the habitat.

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"Over the past 30 years, we have been able to achieve an amazing transformation in the environment," said Chevron Environmental Management Company lead public affairs adviser Jeff Moore, per the Tribune.

The biggest remaining hurdles are reducing contamination levels and completing the arduous process of planting native seeds to restore the habitat. The end is near, as Moore estimated it within the next five years.

Chevron's track record is spotty, like most fossil fuel giants, with incidents including oil spills. However, this conservation win can be celebrated, even as the public continues to hold big corporations to account.

Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

At the site, restoration biologist Jenny Langford marveled at the sounds of birds and the waves after 28 years on the project.

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"It's like a dream come true to see that, to see the project I started come to the full ending," Langford told the Tribune.

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.




The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is working on a plan to cut down on vehicle congestion at an area mall for Black Friday.

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ODOT, the city of Monroe, mall management and local law enforcement agencies are discussing ways to manage traffic near the Cincinnati Premium Outlets in Warren County on Nov. 28.

The focus is on Interstate 75, according to an ODOT spokesperson.

TRENDING STORIES:

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Black Friday brings thousands of additional vehicles onto our roadways, ODOT District 8 Deputy Director Doug Gruver said. Our goal is to maintain smooth traffic flow, improve safety for drivers and pedestrians, and make sure shoppers can reach their destinations efficiently.

The spokesperson shared some of the key plans, including:

Traffic signal adjustments

Increased law enforcement presence

Designated lane assignments and access points

Temporary signage and message boards

The boards will be on I-75 North and South near the SR-63 interchange to warn drivers about the extra traffic and remind them not to stop, the spokesperson said.

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Construction barrels will also be placed on the off-ramp of I-75 to help drivers stay in their lanes while turning on SR-63.

Officials are also working on similar plans for the Kenwood Towne Centre off I-71 in Hamilton County, the spokesperson said.

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President Donald Trump signed a funding bill on Wednesday night, ending the nations longest government shutdown.

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The signing ceremony came just hours after the House passed the measure on a mostly party-line vote of 222-209, according to the Associated Press (AP).

The Senate had already passed the measure on Monday.

Congressional Democrats wanted to extend an enhanced tax credit, set to expire on Dec. 31, that lowers the cost of health coverage obtained through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces. All but six House Democrats opposed the bill on Wednesday.

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After the signing, politicians and lawmakers across Ohio released statements on social media or in press releases.

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Senator Jon Husted (R-OH), and former Ohio lieutenant governor, said on X, Its finally over.

After 43 days, its finally over. The government is open, paychecks will go out to hardworking families, and Americans will receive the benefits they rely on.

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My heart goes out to those who felt the pain of the unnecessary Schumer Shutdown.

Ohioans can always count on me to be part of the solution. Lets get back to work.

After 43 days, its finally over. The government is open, paychecks will go out to hardworking families, and Americans will receive the benefits they rely on.



My heart goes out to those who felt the pain of the unnecessary Schumer Shutdown.



Ohioans can always count on me to pic.twitter.com/A7n8oeujHk  Senator Jon Husted (@SenJonHusted) November 13, 2025

Cincinnati Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH) said that the bill did not represent the priorities and folks in Southwest Ohio.

The American people wanted the government to reopen with their healthcare protected.

What Congress just passed doesnt do that, and it doesnt represent the priorities of folks in Southwest Ohio.

We submitted 12 amendments to this budget to address healthcare, food assistance, and tariffs. Every single one was rejected.

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I cant let down the 32,00 people in my district now facing skyrocketing healthcare costs.

Their tax dollars should be spent on them, and Ill keep fighting to make sure they get the healthcare funding they need.

Ive never seen a President so unwilling to work with the other side. We need a return to bipartisanship, or well be right back here in a few months.

This is Trumps government  and it is absolutely, categorically broken.

The American people wanted the government to reopen with their healthcare protected.



What Congress just passed doesnt do that and it doesnt represent the priorities of folks in Southwest Ohio.   Congressman Greg Landsman (@RepGregLandsman) November 13, 2025

Rep. Mike Carey (R-OH) said the government shutdown was needless and hurt Ohio families.

I proudly voted to reopen the government after a record-long, needless government shutdown that hurt families in Ohio. The bipartisan package that we passed today fully funds critical programs like SNAP and makes sure federal workers, including our Air Traffic Controllers, get paid, as I have been advocating for since the shutdown began more than a month ago.

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I was also happy that this bill marks a step forward in returning to the regular appropriations process and included funding for critical projects in Ohio that I fought to deliver. I voted to keep the government open in September because I knew the harm a shutdown could inflict on Ohio families, and I am glad to see the hardship ending for our communities.

My statement on voting to finally end the government shutdown: pic.twitter.com/dDH9m2kHGP  Congressman Mike Carey (@RepMikeCarey) November 13, 2025

Columbus Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH) said that the House failed to protect affordable health care for everyday Americans and their families.

The Republican shutdown suffering we see now, and the health care crisis barreling toward us, lies squarely with the party in power  Republicans!"

Lets be clear: Donald Trump and his rubber-stamp Republicans have never cared about federal workers, SNAP, or health care. This shutdown has been their vehicle to accelerate the devastation of Project 2025  a plan theyve been implementing since day one. Now, more than 200,000 federal workers have already been fired or forced out since the Trump administration began. And they also called for the historic SNAP and Medicaid cuts embedded in Project 2025. The only reason Trump and his sycophants havent gone further is because Congressional Democrats and engaged Americans have pushed back at every turn.

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216 Republicans chose to kick millions of Americans off their health care, threatening tens of thousands of lives because they will be uninsured. In my district, 15,000 people will lose health coverage because Republicans refuse to extend the Affordable Care Act credits. Thirty-five thousand Ohio residents will see their costs rise if the credits expire.

Tonights vote drives the country deeper into a crisis that Republicans created. Please see my full statement on the House budget vote here: https://t.co/R7ajnW0MeR  Rep. Joyce Beatty (@RepBeatty) November 13, 2025

Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno said in a social media post that the (Senator Minority Leader Chuck) Schumer Shutdown is finally over.

Chuck Schumer held our country hostage for 42 days to appease his radical far-left base, forcing American workers to pay the pricebut it didnt work.

Thanks to @realDonaldTrump, the Schumer Shutdown is finally over.

Chuck Schumer held our country hostage for 42 days to appease his radical far-left base, forcing American workers to pay the pricebut it didnt work.



Thanks to @realDonaldTrump, the Schumer Shutdown is finally over. https://t.co/GRhxivmBJD  Bernie Moreno (@berniemoreno) November 13, 2025

News Center 7 will continue to follow this story.

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Strategy (MSTR) executive chairman Michael Saylor pushed back against short sellers betting against its stock and others following its pioneering digital asset treasury (DAT) strategy.

"Nothing great has ever been created by a short seller," Saylor said at Yahoo Finance Invest on Thursday.

"I don't really think about Jim Chanos," he said, referencing the famed short seller who has been among the most prominent critics of the DAT boom. "I think that there'll be some skeptics. They don't really appreciate what bitcoin is doing. They don't understand digital capital. They don't understand digital credit."

Catch up on the latest moments from Yahoo Finance Invest

Since May, veteran short seller Jim Chanos had been placing bets against Strategy stock, though he said in a post on X on Nov. 8 that he had unwound his position against Saylor's company.

Strategy stock is down 22% year to date, with most of that drawdown occurring in the past six months, while bitcoin is up 10% during that time frame. Short interest in Strategy currently hovers around 8.8%, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence.

"Hype has cooled" for the once-hot trade of simply imitating Strategy's playbook, Vetle Lunde, head of Oslo, Norway-based crypto market research firm K33, wrote to clients on Tuesday.

More than 193 public companies currently hold bitcoin on their balance sheet. Of those firms, K33 considers 94 to be pure-play imitators of Strategy based on their size, business model, and how they fund their bitcoin purchases.

Roughly 50% of those imitators have market capitalizations that have sagged below the value of their bitcoin holdings, according to research published Tuesday from K33. That was up by 25 percentage points from the amount of underwater imitators K33 counted seven weeks ago, in late September.

Still, Saylor remains bullish on the outlook for the digital economy.

"I think the irony is the fundamentals of the industry are so much better today than they were 12 months ago that you've now got an extraordinary risk-reward opportunity," he said earlier in the interview. "Now is a much better time to invest."

Click here for the latest cryptocurrency news, prices, updates, and more

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
OSHKOSH  The citys portion of the property tax bill is going down.

So, too, the citys contribution to the animal shelter  for now.

Oshkosh will be maintaining a flat tax levy while lowering its mill rate by 37 cents after Common Council adopted next years budget, including the proposal to reduce the Oshkosh Area Humane Society contract by just more than 44%.

Council unanimously approved the nearly $236 million operating budget at the Nov. 11 Common Council meeting, keeping the tax levy set at $47 million and reducing the tax rate from $8.14 to $7.77.

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The lowered mill rate came in 3 cents higher than the citys previously proposed rate of $7.74, but that was impacted by the Wisconsin Department of Revenues final manufacturing assessments coming in lower than anticipated.

How much will I pay under the new tax rate?

Under the $7.77 rate, the owner of a home valued at $200,000 would pay $1,554 for the citys portion of the tax bill, down from last years total of $1,628 for the same property.

And most Oshkosh residential properties saw no change in their assessed value this year, with only 947 homes witnessing a nominal average increase of 0.8%.

Personally, I view this budget as one of the first steps in a larger efficiency drive for the City of Oshkosh and just being efficiency minded, said council member Jacob Floam in praising city staff.

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We know a lot of families are cash strapped, a lot of families who work in this city are living paycheck to paycheck, and for us, as a city, we should be as responsible as we can be with that while making the necessary investments and delivering on the services that our residents require and expect from their tax dollars.

Preparing her first budget as Oshkosh City Manager, Rebecca Grill said the city was not looking to cut any existing services despite starting the budget process with a $6.1 million deficit.

Read more: Oshkosh Area School District says staff cuts inevitably coming as $6M deficit looms for 2026-27

What about the OAHS contract?

The initial proposal did draw the publics ire as the Oshkosh Police Department looked to right-size its OAHS contract from $107,582 to $60,000.

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But Chief of Police Dean Smith previously hinted at finalizing a new contract soon before Grill said city staff is hopeful that something will be done by the end of this week that we can bring to the council at the end of the month.

Related: Oshkosh eyes cutting Humane Society contributions. Some call it bitter and heartless.

What else is in the budget?

The overall operating budget is set at $235,778,896, with the $47 million tax levy allotted as follows:

General Fund: $25,426,000

Garbage collection: $1,990,000

Library: $2,800,000

Ambulance services: $1,400,000

Capital Equipment Fund: $814,500

Debt Service Fund: $13,700,000

Grand Opera House: $60,000

Greater Oshkosh Transit: $809,500.

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Oshkosh is also anticipating getting an additional $300,000 for the Municipal Services Payment program.

Read more: The right person at the right time: New Oshkosh City Manager Rebecca Grill gets 3% pay bump

Some other budget features include the following:

Capital Improvement Program projects decreasing from just more than $100 million to $70 million.

Approximately $1 million in vacancy savings.

Net new construction totaling just more than $450,000.

The creation of a new communications and engagement division in the city managers office.

Common Council previously expressed angst heading into this years budget process after previously moving $3.6 million from the general fund to minimize the impact of last years hike in residential property values.

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I thought it was going to be a huge success if property taxes stay level and didnt go up at all or went up by a little bit, instead we came in with a reduction, said Deputy Mayor Joe Stephenson.

Despite the proposed lowered mill rate, commercial properties could still see an increase in property taxes, having witnessed a 22% average increase in property values this year.

The revaluation for 2,074 commercial properties made up for last years gaffe, where an outside firm assessed those properties at what the Department of Revenue determined to be only 85% of their full market value.

Winnebago County and the Oshkosh Area School District also adopted their 2026 budgets with lowered mill rates, setting the tax rates at $3.41 and $7.81, respectively.

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Contact Justin Marville at jmarville@usatodayco.com and follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @justinmarville.

This article originally appeared on Oshkosh Northwestern: Oshkosh raising or lowering taxes in 2026 budget?
Bennett criticized the potential involvement of Qatar and Turkey, referring to such a move as the Oslo Accords on steroids.

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett warned against the transfer of security control in Gaza to foreign or multinational forces, saying the move would threaten Israels security, in a statement on Thursday.

Transferring security control in Gaza to multinational forces, some of them hostile like Turkey, endangers Israels security, Bennett said.

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He criticized the potential involvement of Qatar and Turkey, likening it to the Oslo Accords. Bennett said, Handing control over our fate to Qatar, the financier of Hamas, and to Erdogan is Oslo on steroids.

Referring to the October 7 massacre, Bennett said that Israel must not fall asleep and hope for the best.

He argued that the IDF must maintain operational freedom to mow the grass, to deal with threats when they are small, before they turn into terror monsters like we saw in the South and the North.

'The State of Israel is not a protectorate'

Bennett also questioned reports of external oversight of Israeli military operations.

How did we reach a situation where our soldiers need to request approval from the American headquarters in Kiryat Gat? he asked. The State of Israel is not a protectorate.

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Calling for transparency, Bennett demanded the immediate publication of all commitments and concessions being crafted behind the backs of Israels citizens.

He asked for what he described as the open or hidden motive behind any government decision to give up our security and our freedom of action.

The citizens of Israel deserve full transparency regarding their security, he concluded.
ISLAMABAD (AP)  Pakistans interior minister said Thursday that Afghan nationals carried out two fatal suicide attacks this week  one targeting a cadet college near the Afghan border and the other outside a court in the capital, Islamabad.

In both of the suicide bombings, Afghan citizens were involved, and they carried out the attacks, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said.

There was no immediate comment from Kabul.

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On Tuesday a suicide bombing outside a district court in Islamabad killed 12 people and wounded 27 others. Separately on Monday, three soldiers were killed when a suicide bomber and four other militants tried to storm the Cadet College Wana in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, triggering a gunbattle.

The attacks underscored Pakistans worsening security situation as the government faces growing militancy, tense relations with Kabul and an increasingly fragile truce along the border. Until Tuesdays attack, the capital had largely been considered safe compared with the countrys conflict-hit northwest.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday offered talks to Afghanistans Taliban government in a renewed peace overture. His call in a televised speech on Wednesday followed the collapse of peace negotiations in Istanbul last week. It raised fears that a ceasefire brokered by Qatar and Turkey could unravel and trigger new border clashes.

Pakistan wants Afghanistan to rein in the Pakistani Taliban  known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, which has claimed most of the attacks in Pakistan in recent years. The group has distanced itself from the latest attacks, saying it was not behind them.

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Pakistan has long accused the Afghan Taliban of harboring TTP leaders and fighters, an allegation Kabul denies. One TTP breakaway faction, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, initially claimed responsibility for the Islamabad bombing, before one of its commanders retracted the statement.

The Pakistan Army on Thursday escorted journalists from Islamabad to the cadet college, which showed clear signs of the assault.

Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Wednesday that all five attackers in the assault on the Cadet College Wana were killed by security forces. More than 600 people  including 525 cadets, their teachers and staff  were safely rescued, he told reporters.

Tarar said the assailants appeared to be attempting a repeat of the 2014 Peshawar school massacre, when a TTP splinter group killed 154 people, mostly children, at an army-run school.

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According to local media, authorities have arrested some suspects for questioning in connection with the Islamabad attack, and the detainees were captured in multiple raids.

Pakistans Ministry of Information said the attack on the cadet college was planned and directed from Afghanistan and carried out by Afghan nationals using weapons supplied from there. In a post on X, the ministry said the assault was orchestrated by a militant identified only as Zahid, with approval from TTPs chief Noor Wali Mehsud.

The attackers used American-made weapons brought from Afghanistan, the ministry said. Pakistan has repeatedly said that U.S. military equipment left behind during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 has fallen into militant hands and ultimately made its way to the Pakistani Taliban, strengthening the groups firepower.

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have spiked since last month, when Afghanistan accused Islamabad of launching drone strikes on Oct. 9 that killed several people in the Afghan capital. The strikes sparked cross-border clashes that left dozens of soldiers, civilians and militants dead before Qatar brokered a cease-fire on Oct. 19.

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Two subsequent rounds of peace talks in Istanbul ended without progress after Kabul refused to provide written assurances that militants would not use Afghan soil for attacks in Pakistan.

The TTP, which is separate from but allied with the Afghan Taliban, has been emboldened since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in 2021.

___

Associated Press writers Riaz Khan and Rasool Dawar in Peshawar, Pakistan, and Asim Tanveer in Multan, Pakistan, contributed to this story.
The Palm Beach Police Department is adding another tech tool to its crime-fighting toolbox, thanks to a large donation from a local organization.

The Palm Beach Police & Fire Foundation donated $521,761.60 to the town to pay for five years of the Skydio Drone as a First Responder program. The Town Council at its Nov. 12 meeting approved accepting and then spending the donation.

The Skydio Drone program adds to the technological capabilities of one of Palm Beach's two public safety departments. The Palm Beach Police Department earlier this year launched its Real Time Crime Center, a hub where detectives monitor ongoing emergencies and incidents and use artificial intelligence tools to aid in investigations and responses.

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Rebecca Godwin, president of the Palm Beach Police & Fire Foundation, thanked the council for accepting the donation. The program is "going to provide a lot of cool and amazing benefits to the town," she said.

Police officials are deciding now where and how to deploy the new drone system once it arrives, Palm Beach Police spokesman Sgt. Michael Ogrodnick said.

"The Palm Beach Police Department continues to benefit for the strong partnership and generosity of the Palm Beach Police & Fire Foundation," Chief of Police Nicholas Caristo wrote in a memo to the council before the meeting.

The system will allow Palm Beach Police to quickly send a drone from fixed location to incidents and improve the safety officers while also increasing the efficiency of the department's response, Caristo said in the memo.

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The department already uses Skydio technology, including a drone that provides video that feeds directly into the Real Time Crime Center, police officials previously said.

This view of a screen in the Palm Beach Police Department's Real Time Crime Center shows video from a Skydio X10 drone looking down at Midtown Palm Beach on June 12 during a demonstration.

The price tag includes two docks to be installed this year and next, the software to operate the system, training and maintenance, according to Caristo's memo.

California-based Skydio uses AI to create drones and drone systems for public safety, government, utility and corporate entities, according to the company's website.

Skydio docks can be placed in key locations and then be activated remotely to respond to a scene, the company's website said. The drones also may be activated automatically to respond to the locations of 911 callers, SpotSpotter alerts or notifications from license-plate reading cameras, according to Skydio's website.

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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: Palm Beach Police to get new drone system after $500K donation
David 'Chip' Carter and James Leewright, members of the Statewide Official Compensation Commission, discuss salaries for Oklahoma statewide elected officials during a Wednesday meeting at the Capitol. (Photo by Barbara Hoberock/Oklahoma Voice)

OKLAHOMA CITY  A state panel on Wednesday approved raises for future statewide elected officials totaling more than $500,000.

The Statewide Official Compensation Commission voted to increase the pay of statewide elected officials by at least 25%. Only the governor is slated to receive a smaller increase. The next governor will see a 5.4% pay increase, boosting that positions pay from $147,000 to $155,000. Taxpayers provide the governor with a home and transportation.

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The same board, which met for the first time since lawmakers created it, voted to more than double the state superintendents salary from $124,373 to $250,000.

Supporters of the hike argued that statewide officials salaries hadnt been increased since 2009.

The fact that they have not had a salary increase since 2009  Im embarrassed, said David Chip Carter, a member of the commission.

The new salaries wont go into effect until after the November 2026 election. State law prohibits elected officials from receiving a salary increase during their term in office.

Previously, lawmakers set the salary of statewide elected officials or tied them to judicial salaries, but they delegated the task to the newly created panel.

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Carter said the new salaries should attract the best and brightest to the roles. He said some officials must give up earning potential to serve the state.

Im not embarrassed, said Jeff Baumann, a member. I didnt set them. Those people all knew what they were doing when they took the job.

Baumann also asked why the board canceled its original meeting set for Nov. 4.

Chairman Brian Jackson said the board didnt want to vote on pay while recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program had their benefits put on hold due to the governmental shutdown, which began Oct. 1. Over 680,000 Oklahomans receive food stamps. The U.S. Department of Agriculture authorized the state to begin issuing partial payments earlier this week.

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The lieutenant governors salary will rise to $145,000 from $114,713, a 26% increase.

A motion to raise it to $120,713 failed. The lieutenant governor is provided transportation.

The next attorney general will be paid $185,000, up from $132,825, a 39% increase.

Matt Tilly, a member and attorney, argued the increase is necessary because new attorneys at larger law firms make over $100,000 a year.

Other elected positions that saw salary increases include:

The three members of the Corporation Commission. They will each make $165,000, a nearly 44% increase from $114,713.

The state treasurer. The board increased that officials pay by nearly 53%. It will increase to $175,000 from $114,713.

State auditor and inspector. That post will earn $150,000, up from $114,713, a nearly 31% hike.

Insurance commissioner. The commissioner will earn $185,000, up from $126,713, a 46% hike.

Labor commissioner. Pay for that role will rise to $135,000 from $105,053, a nearly 29% increase.

A motion to increase all the salaries by only 5% across the board failed to advance.

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In September, the Tampa Bay Times posed a question: Did you pay a higher-than-usual electric bill this summer? More than 360 readers responded  a record for any of our questionnaires. We had clearly hit a nerve.

Over and over, Floridians told us the same thing: The power bills they paid this summer were their highest ever or close to it, even for longtime residents.

The answer didnt change whether they lived in Hillsborough or Pinellas or elsewhere.It didnt change if theygot their power from Tampa Electric or Duke Energy, lived in a tiny, leaky apartment or a fancy new house. Some had tried to combat the high bills with things like new windows and fresh insulation, though only some found success.

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Everyone asked us why it was happening.

Why Tampa Bay electric bills were so high in 2025

Hefty hurricane recovery fees from last years storms were likely the biggest culprit, experts said, though record summer heat and new hikes to base rates also contributed to the crunch. Both Duke and Tampa Electric noted that the hurricane recovery charges will be falling off customers bills in March and September, respectively.

Below is a collection of our conversations, edited for length and clarity, that show the breadth of the impact and how residents dealt with higher bills. Residents provided the Times with copies of their bills to verify the amounts listed:

Diane DeLauro, retired mortgage banker

City: Clearwater

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Highest summer bill: $256 in August

Utility provider: Duke Energy

Thermostat temperature: 80 degrees during the day, 78 at night

Housing details: 1,046-square-foot house built in 1953. New hurricane windows and doors, new air conditioning unit and thermostat from 2020. A tree shades half the house.

What they said: Being an ex-banker, Im pretty good at budgeting. It was a surprise. The money has to come from somewhere, whether its trip money or somewhere else.

You can see once you go over 1,000 kilowatt-hours, thats when the price goes up. Lots of people probably went over that threshold, and it wasnt usual for them.

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Theyre thinking what Im thinking: Is this just the beginning? Will I be paying $300 a month next year? Thats when the scary part comes in. If this is the new normal, thats a big difference. Thats $80 more a month than we would normally pay this time of year.

Patrick Maguire, retired financial advisor

City: Brandon

Highest summer bill: $623 in August

Utility provider: Tampa Electric

Thermostat temperature: 78 during the day, 76 at night

Housing details: 2,140-square-foot house built in 1999.

What they said: My thought was, Theres something wrong. Ive got a leak somewhere, theres a hole in the air conditioning. It actually kind of made me scramble a little bit until I heard all my neighbors are dealing with it.

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I bought little devices to try and figure out where the power is going. Ive identified a couple of areas specifically. I put shades up over the west-facing windows. Theres some things I thought I could do to make it better, but, you know, theyre not having a whole lot of impact.

I guess Im just in the same boat as all of my neighbors, in the sense that you just got to buck up and pay it, and then that just doesnt seem right, does it?

Summer Wall, nursing business manager

City: Plant City

Highest summer bill: $841 in September

Utility provider: Tampa Electric

Thermostat temperature: 73

Housing details: 2,055-square-foot house built in 2000. No upgrades since moving there in 2019.

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What they said: It doesnt make any sense why TECO is charging their customers so much. Its just baffling. Im paying more for my electric than my car payment.

You just sit back and wonder, Should we sell our home and just move out of the state? Because maybe we could afford something elsewhere.

Me and my husband, we make really good money. Hes a nurse, and he works 12-hour shifts five days a week. Im salaried, so I make pretty good money. Weve even contemplated him picking up more shifts at work, or me getting a second job to stay up on everything at the high cost of everything.

Michael Drake, landscaper

City: St. Petersburg

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Highest summer bill: $560 in September

Utility provider: Duke Energy

Thermostat temperature: 80

Housing details: 1,280-square-foot house built in 1958. New appliances, hurricane windows, new roof and insulation.

What they said: Its tight between the way the groceries have gone up right now and, well, everything, for that matter. It makes you a lot more picky when youre having to purchase things or go to the store.

Im a single dad, and Ive got four kids still living at the house. The way the economy is, people arent doing as much landscaping or anything else.

I would bitch about (energy bills) being up 150 bucks or 200 bucks more than normal. But Id just be complaining, instead of going, Were going to just open up the windows and sweat, guys.

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Its cut out a lot of going to theme parks or even going to the movies with the kids. Instead of doing that, Ill be like, Hey guys, lets just go down to the beach. Theres no charge if we can find free parking.

This summer was the first summer we havent taken a vacation in years.

Brian Turnbull, University of South Florida professor

City: Tampa

Highest summer bill: $231 in July

Utility provider: Tampa Electric

Thermostat temperature: 78 during the day, 77 at night

Housing details: House plus a guest home, with a total of about 2,700 square feet. Built in 2020. Electric car that charges at home. Rooftop solar panels to offset power use.

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What they said: We got solar in 2022, (and saw) a big difference in bills right away. We had $25 electric bills that first year because we had so many credits.

I imagine if we didnt have the panels, it would be $400 or $500. Im definitely happy with it. Its just scary, too, because it just shows how high the bill would be otherwise.

Im sure a lot of people are scrambling because you have to get it installed by the end of the year (to get federal tax credits for rooftop solar). They must have the longest queues."

Floridians rush to install rooftop solar panels before tax credits expire

Jeffrey Beyer, works in food and beverage at Disney World

City: Haines City

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Highest summer bill: $771 in June

Utility provider: Duke Energy

Thermostat temperature: 78 during the day, 73 at night

Housing details: 2,653-square-foot home built in 2018. Energy-efficient windows and two air conditioning units in a neighborhood shaded by trees.

What they said: The bill this summer is absolutely ridiculous.

Theyre telling everybody, Oh, your bills are going to be cheaper. But see, Im a factual guy. I dont just listen to what people tell me. I listen to what is actually happening to me.

Im not one to just complain because its high, but somethings going on.

(The home) it was a new development back in 18, so all the trees were tiny. So now, all these trees are growing, and they provide more shade. So then, therefore, it should be less, right?

Chrystal Shiver, city of Tampa employee

City: Land O Lakes

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Highest summer bill: $529 in July

Utility provider: Duke Energy

Thermostat temperature: Around 75 during the day and 73 at night

Housing details: About 2,800 square feet. House built in 2005. Newer, energy-efficient appliances, including a new air-conditioning unit and new roof.

What they said: I had my air conditioner replaced, because I kept seeing my bill go up. I thought it was maybe my air conditioner, because it was 10 years old. And then I replaced the roof. And still, after all that, it was the highest its ever been, by a lot.

When I bought the house in 2018, my summer bill was about $200.

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Why is it so different? Because Im not using more electricity, I dont have more people in the house. If anything, it should have gone down.

It feels like a scam. If it were my cable bill, or any other bill, there would be notice that theres something changing. But with this, it just keeps going up, and theres no reason for it.

Priscilla Pate, behavioral health technician

City: North Tampa

Highest summer bill: $529.95 in September

Utility provider: Tampa Electric

Thermostat temperature: 78 during the day, 76 at night

Housing details: 1,400-square-foot single-family house built in 2016.

What they said: Ive done everything TECO has told me to do to lower my bill, but unfortunately, it just keeps going up.

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Its just me, my 6-month-old grandbaby and sometimes my 7-year-old grandchild in the house, so something has to be wrong here with my bill.

Ive had to split my diabetes medication payments in half. Ive had to deprive myself of my medical needs in order to keep the lights on for the kids.

Its pretty hard right now, and I see each time the company requests an increase, theyre getting it.

Give us a break. Let our families live, let our families eat.

Sue Lewis, retired insurance claims adjuster

City: Gulfport

Highest summer bill: $67 in August

Utility provider: Duke Energy

Thermostat temperature: Doesnt use air conditioning at all. House is shaded by oak trees. Sleeps on a waterbed to stay cool at night.

Housing details: Built in 1923, about 700 square feet.

What they said: There is an air conditioner in the living room wall, and there is also one in the front bedroom window that I have not used in over a decade, so I dont know if they even work.

Im a very economical person  I dont really have to be this economical, except to retrofit this house for AC would cost more than its worth. Im not going to rebuild at my age. The windows are actual Miamis, and the doors are jalousie. Since theyre so old, they do leak like sieves, but it would be thousands to replace. Whatever insulation was in the walls has long since given up the goose. You learn little tricks. You make it work.

I used to run bills in the $30-$35 range in the summer, but that was 15 years ago. I think its just gone up and gone up.

Suprina Byrd, receives disability assistance

City: St. Petersburg

Highest summer bill: $881 in August

Utility provider: Duke Energy

Thermostat temperature(s): 78 degrees during the day, 75 at night

Housing details: 860-square-foot house built in 1956.

What they said: I receive disability. I just received a notice yesterday saying if I dont pay my utility bill that my electricity would be cut out today. So I had to get an extension on that for the third of next month, and I still dont know how Im going to pay it.

I did find an agency that helped me pay the bill, but its still recurring, so I dont know what to do.

I have my sister here with me. Shes on an oxygen machine. They gave me paperwork to send from her doctor to let (Duke Energy) know that shes really on the oxygen machine. But theyre saying that its not gonna stop me from getting my bills.

Hansen Baizan, self-employed in sales

City: Tampa

Highest summer bill: $484 in July

Utility provider: Tampa Electric

Thermostat temperature: About 75 during the day and 78 at night, with a window air conditioning unit in the bedroom turned down to 68

Housing details: About 3,100 square feet. House built in 1984. Energy-efficient doors and windows with an old central air conditioner that gets twice-yearly preventative maintenance. He cleans the air filters every two months.

What they said: This has to be the highest (bill) weve ever received, and weve been in the house since December of 98.

It was either one of two things: Either it was so hot, this is like a climate change kind of thing, or TECOs rate increase went into effect, and bang  this is how it socked everybody.

As I was telling my wife, we can afford to pay this, but if my mother is having to pay something like this, it would be like half her Social Security check.

... Theres a buzz going on in the community about everybodys electric bill. Everybodys bill is just a shocker.

Maria Vesperi and Jay Sokolovsky, retired professors

City: St. Petersburg

Highest summer bill: $707 in August

Utility provider: Duke Energy

Thermostat temperature: 78 in the daytime and at night upstairs, while the downstairs goes to 82 nightly (each floor has a separate air conditioning unit).

Housing details: House built in 1920 with about 3,280 square feet, plus a pool and a hot tub that use electricity.

What they said: We routinely have summer bills in the 400s, sometimes a little more, but this was a shocker.

We really thought it would be lower because we redid all the windows upstairs  19 windows, theyre hurricane-proof and airtight. Before we had windows probably from the 40s.

Weve noticed a difference in the house, but it certainly wasnt reflected in the electric bill.

LaToya McCalla, homeless shelter manager

City: Tampa

Highest summer bill: $406.21 in July

Utility provider: Tampa Electric

Thermostat temperature: 78, day and night

Housing details: Single-family, 1,200-square-foot home built in 2005

What they said: Ive been asking (myself) lately: Do I use my AC? Should I turn on my fan? I have to make these decisions about whether I want to use hot water.

With grocery prices going up, my water bill, my mortgage, and now my electric bill, Ive been living paycheck-to-paycheck.

Im a single mother, and for the first time this year, Ive had to ask TECO to do extended payments. I pay half of my bill, and once my check hits, I pay off the other half.

Im just hoping that, somehow, TECO could lower these rates. At the end of the day, I make sure my bills are paid. But Im just trying to stay afloat.

Louis Mignacca, retired chef

City: Clearwater

Highest summer bill: $347 in August

Utility provider: Duke Energy

Thermostat temperature: 76

Housing details: 101-year-old wood-frame home

What they said: I live in a little two-bedroom house that I rent. The house is about 100 years old. Never, ever have I paid a bill that high, ever.

I wouldnt be against if the city of Clearwater, or Pinellas County all together, develops their own energy system. Id be open for the discussion of that.

Hopefully, it would bring the rates down to where its more based on a nonprofit idea, versus a for-profit energy company. It would be more of a collective system, where our bills were based on usage and maintenance, instead of profit for shareholders.

Instead of making money, it would be reinvested back into the infrastructure somehow. But Duke is all for profit.

How much would it cost Clearwater to leave Duke Energy? City works toward answer

Peter Westmoreland, ethics professor

City: St. Petersburg

Highest summer bill: $524 in July

Utility provider: Duke Energy

Thermostat temperature: 76 to 78

Housing details: About a 2,700-square-foot house built in 1971. Newer appliances, and replaced all windows about two years ago. A large Cuban laurel tree used to shade one side of the home where the thermostat was, but the tree fell during Hurricane Milton.

What they said: The bills seem high. In context, our neighborhood tends to get power restored later when there are major storms. So thats a point of frustration. With Irma, we lost power for six days. With one of the storms last year, it was six days.

It doesnt seem like restoration of service is reflected, given the kind of bills that are being paid.

Were OK. I think about other people, how difficult it is for them.

Walter Turnbull, geotechnical engineer

City: Brandon

Highest summer bill: $422.72 in June

Utility provider: Tampa Electric

Thermostat temperature: 78 during the day, 72 at night

Housing details: 1,800-square-foot manufactured home built in 2008, Tinted windows, sealed doors and energy-efficient appliances.

What they said: Im an engineer, so Id consider myself a numbers guy. I recently pulled up my bill from August 2024 and compared it to August 2025. Its gone up 26.29% per kilowatt-hour. Thats pretty wild.

My wife and I both work good jobs, but its been an increase across the board for us on our utility bill. We do what we can to make our home more efficient, and could probably do more. But energy efficiency aside, the increase is still so big.

I was watching the TECO rate case very closely, and Im still not sure how they got away with that.

Its such a slap in the face of consumers, and I really do believe that the systems in place to protect us have instead completely failed us.

  

The Tampa Bay Times launched the Environment Hub in 2025 to focus on some of Floridas most urgent and enduring challenges. You can contribute through our journalism fund by clicking here.
Starbucks employees participate in an open-ended strike, as part of a nationwide push for improved wages and benefits, in Manhattan, New York City, Nov. 13, 2025. Starbucks employees participate in an open-ended strike, as part of a nationwide push for improved wages and benefits, in Manhattan, New York City, Nov. 13, 2025. Starbucks employees participate in an open-ended strike, as part of a nationwide push for improved wages and benefits, in Manhattan, New York City, Nov. 13, 2025. Starbucks employees participate in an open-ended strike, as part of a nationwide push for improved wages and benefits, in New York City, Nov. 13, 2025. A woman enjoys a coffee in a Starbucks store in Manhattan, as Starbucks employees participate in an open-ended strike, as part of a nationwide push for improved wages and benefits, New York City, Nov. 13, 2025. A view inside a Starbucks store, as employees participate in an open-ended strike, part of a nationwide push for improved wages and benefits, in New York City, Nov. 13, 2025. Starbucks employees participate in an open-ended strike, as part of a nationwide push for improved wages and benefits, in New York City, Nov. 13, 2025. Starbucks employees participate in an open-ended strike, as part of a nationwide push for improved wages and benefits, in New York City, Nov. 13, 2025. See 'Red Cup Rebellion' strikes: Starbucks baristas demand better pay and work conditions 1 of 8 Starbucks employees participate in an open-ended strike, as part of a nationwide push for improved wages and benefits, in Manhattan, New York City, Nov. 13, 2025.

Starbucks workers across the country have been striking for the better part of Red Cup Day, demanding the company provide improved wages, benefits and more.

Starbucks Workers United planned strikes at various Starbucks locations in 41 cities starting on Thursday, Nov. 13, as the coffeehouse chain and union organizers struggle to reach a contractual agreement. The first day of the strike falls on Starbucks' popular Red Cup Day, when the retailer distributes free, reusable red cups to customers who order a drink.

Starbucks and Workers United began negotiations on a contract for unionized baristas in February 2024, but no agreement has been reached, with both sides pointing fingers at the other. The union is seeking better hours, higher take-home pay and a resolution to alleged unjust and unfair labor practices.

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Starbucks Corp. spokesperson Jaci Anderson told USA TODAY on Nov. 12 that the company is ready to negotiate with the union.

We are disappointed that Workers United, who only represents around 4% of our partners, has voted to authorize a strike instead of returning to the bargaining table," Anderson said. "When theyre ready to come back, were ready to talk."

Anderson added that if a store does close due to the strikes, "I can assure there will be stores nearby open and ready to serve customers."

Here's a look at some of the strikes held on Nov. 12.

It's Starbucks' Red Cup Day. Here's how to get a reusable holiday cup.

See photos of Starbucks employees striking on Red Cup Day

A note on the window of a Starbucks store in Alpharetta, Georgia informs customers the location is closed because employees are on strike on Nov. 13, 2025.

Starbucks employees picket outside a store in Alpharetta, Georgia on Nov. 13, 2025.

Starbucks employees picket outside a store in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Nov. 13, 2025.

Starbucks employees participate in an open-ended strike, as part of a nationwide push for improved wages and benefits, in Manhattan, New York City, Nov. 13, 2025.

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Starbucks employees participate in an open-ended strike, as part of a nationwide push for improved wages and benefits, in New York City, Nov. 13, 2025.

Starbucks employees participate in an open-ended strike, as part of a nationwide push for improved wages and benefits, in Manhattan, New York City, Nov. 13, 2025.

Starbucks employees participate in an open-ended strike, as part of a nationwide push for improved wages and benefits, in New York City, Nov. 13, 2025.

Starbucks employees participate in an open-ended strike, as part of a nationwide push for improved wages and benefits, in Manhattan, New York City, Nov. 13, 2025.

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A woman enjoys a coffee in a Starbucks store in Manhattan, as Starbucks employees participate in an open-ended strike, as part of a nationwide push for improved wages and benefits, New York City, Nov. 13, 2025.

Starbucks employees participate in an open-ended strike, as part of a nationwide push for improved wages and benefits, in New York City, Nov. 13, 2025.

A view inside a Starbucks store, as employees participate in an open-ended strike, part of a nationwide push for improved wages and benefits, in New York City, Nov. 13, 2025.

Why are some Starbucks workers striking? What to know about 'Red Cup Rebellion'

Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Photos show Starbucks 'Red Cup Rebellion' strikes
Ping An Insurance Company of China (Ping An) has opened its first self-operated rehabilitation hospital in Shenzhen, China, marking a key advancement in rehabilitation services for the Greater Bay Area.

Operated by Ping An subsidiary PKU Healthcare Group, the Shenzhen Beiyi Rehabilitation Hospital aims to serve up to 100,000 patients a year, offering a comprehensive range of acute and critical rehabilitation to chronic home services.

The hospital addresses Shenzhens rising demand for specialised rehabilitation, with a team covering six core specialities that includes paediatrics, orthopaedics and joints, spinal cord injury, geriatrics, pain management, and neurology.

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It employs an AI + precision rehabilitation model, incorporating advanced equipment such as 3D posture and gait analysis systems and exoskeleton robots.

Ping An claims that the opening of the hospital is in line with the national "Healthy China" initiative and enhances Ping An's comprehensive "insurance + rehabilitation + elderly care" model.

It serves as a complement to the northern establishment, PKUCare Rehabilitation Hospital, fostering collaboration throughout Shenzhen and the Greater Bay Area.

The hospital collaborates with Ping Ans insurance and senior care businesses to develop an integrated insurance + rehabilitation + senior care model.

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Linked to Ping An Health Insurance's direct payment system, the hospital enables customers with seamless in-hospital payment and aims to integrate national medical insurance and international commercial insurance for easier claims processing.

The hospital works in close coordination with the "Ping An Zhen Yi Nian" experience centre to offer comprehensive services that encompass home care, community support, post-hospital care, and hospital care.

In future, the expertise gained from operating the Shenzhen Beiyi Rehabilitation Hospital is anticipated to bolster Ping An's home-based elderly care services and improve its senior care ecosystem.

By the end of September 2025, Ping An had formed partnerships with more than 37,000 hospitals and close to 241,000 pharmacies across China.

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Its PKU Healthcare Group comprises two specialised rehabilitation hospitals, six general hospitals and 14 health management centres.

"Ping An opens rehabilitation hospital in Shenzhen, China" was originally created and published by Hospital Management, a GlobalData owned brand.




Lake Powell and the Wahweap Marina are pictured near Page, Arizona on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)

Utahns hoping for clarity on the governments next move to keep the Colorado River from drying up and still supply plenty of water to the state will have to wait.

Colorado River Collaborative

This article is published through the Colorado River Collaborative, a solutions journalism initiative supported by the Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water, and Air at Utah State University. See all of our stories about how Utahns are impacted by the Colorado River at greatsaltlakenews.org/coloradoriver

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Utah and six other states along the parched river havent reached a deal on how theyll share the water supply a year from now, but they agree enough to keep talking. That progress means they dont have to turn the job over to the federal government yet, Utahs negotiator said Wednesday.

A century-old compact governs use of the river based on flows that have dwindled during decades of overuse, drought and climate change. The river provides 27% of Utahs water.

The question is, how do you divide a pie thats significantly smaller than it has been, when everybody is used to getting that big piece of the pie? said Gene Shawcroft, Utahs Colorado River commissioner.

The federal government set a Nov. 11 deadline for a broad agreement, but gave the states approval to keep talking as they work toward a February cutoff to reach a firm deal, Shawcroft told reporters in a brief conference call.

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He reiterated the states are on the same page about ensuring the rivers long-term sustainability and resilience. He did not share specifics on any consensus theyve reached for how theyll get there.

The Colorado River Compact, a 1922 document regulating use of the river. (Utah Division of Archives and Records Service)

We have agreed on a number of things that allow us to continue to work together, Shawcroft said. The details, were still working out.

In months of negotiations, the upstream states  Utah, Colorado and Wyoming  have stood their ground against a new system that would include mandatory cuts in dry years. Shawcroft indicated they still arent budging.

In the Upper Basin, mandatory reductions are something that we dont feel is necessary, he said.

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The Lower Basin states of Nevada, Arizona and California typically use almost all of their allocated water, while the Upper Basin does not. The downstream states have said if cuts arent shared across all seven in the new plan, the reductions they face may be too big to absorb.

In Shawcrofts view, negotiators did not miss a deadline because they have enough accord to satisfy the federal government. But seven conservation and recreation groups say they wanted more from Tuesdays milestone and theyre deeply disappointed.

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Without a clear operating framework, the basin remains exposed to escalating risks  from declining storage in lakes Powell and Mead to deepening uncertainty about how the system will respond to hydrologic extremes, The Nature Conservancy, National Audubon Society and others said in a joint statement. Every month without alignment makes it harder to stabilize the river and protect the people, economies, and ecosystems that depend on it.

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The groups called on the US. Department of the Interior and its Bureau of Reclamation, which oversees water in the West and is working with the states, to lead with urgency and resolve.

The Colorado River is pictured near Moab on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)

Negotiators are meeting every week, Shawcroft said. Theyre still working out how reservoirs including Flaming Gorge on the Utah-Wyoming border will be managed.

Over the summer, they considered a new way of dividing the river based on how much water would flow in the basins if humans never dammed it or funneled it away for cities, farms and other uses. But the natural flow plan hit a wall.

We couldnt come to agreement, Shawcroft said. Concepts, however, of the natural flow, will likely be included in where we go from here.

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He noted the Central Utah project, which pipes Colorado River water to cities and farms on the Wasatch Front, is a junior user, meaning its among the first in line to absorb cuts in a shortage.

Shawcroft said the state has to be judicious when the water runs low and compensating farmers to conserve water can help.

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Southwest Airlines is adding new vacation destinations to its network next year as the Texas-based carrier continues a broader transformation with an eye toward expansion.

Since July, Southwest has announced expansion to five new cities with service slated to launch by spring. The airline will fly to St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands starting in February 2026; Knoxville, Tenn. in March; Santa Rosa/Sonoma County, Calif. and St. Maarten in April; and Anchorage, Alaska in May. Tickets to the new cities are on sale now.

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The new destinations are the first for Southwest since it launched service to several new markets, including Hawaii, in 2021. The companys network will comprise 122 airports in North America, Central America and the Caribbean once the new service launches.

A Southwest Airlines plane lands at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on Monday, Sep. 22, 2025. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman)





Southwests new markets will launch during one of the biggest transformations in the companys 54-year history. Earlier this year, the carrier dropped its longstanding Bags Fly Free policy and plans to eliminate open seating next year. Southwest is also rolling out redesigned cabins, including premium seats with extra legroom.

Company executives have signaled plans to add long-haul international flights in the future, possibly to Europe. Doing so would mean departing from the airlines tradition of only flying Boeing 737s.

Obviously you would need a different aircraft to serve that mission and were open to looking at what it would take to serve that mission, CEO Bob Jordan told CNBC in June.
A few years ago, 90% of Business Leaders for Michigan member companies reported trouble filling jobs, Donofrio said. Now, that number has dropped to about 30%.

This is a big change from a few years ago, when there was a wave of hiring in 2021 and 2022 as economic activity picked up again following the pandemic.

For those still job hunting, opportunities are scarce. The number of individuals available to work exceeded the number of job openings in July in Michigan, according to the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. This ratio has remained above 1 since May 2024, indicating that the number of job seekers has consistently exceeded available job openings, an analysis from the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget found.

The states unemployment rate was 5.2% in August, among the highest in the country, according to the most recent data from the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. Michigan's jobless rate actually declined slightly from July but that's mostly because there were fewer people in the workforce, Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for Michigans Center for Data and Analytics, said.

That holding pattern is leading to a decline in Michigan's labor force, a measure of people working or actively looking for work, as fewer companies bring on new employees.

Michigans economy is heavily dependent on industries vulnerable to tariffs, such as the automotive industry, so the state often feels the effects of economic slowdowns more acutely.

"Everyone is sort of waiting on how to act from an economic standpoint," Jeff Donofrio, president and CEO of the Business Leaders for Michigan, said in an October interview with the Detroit Free Press. He gave examples such as determining where to make their next investment or deciding on their next opportunity.

Layoffs, too, have eased  at least for now  but a lack of current unemployment data because of the federal shutdown makes this picture fuzzier.

As the Detroit Free Press and its partner Energage reveal the 2025 Michigan Top Workplaces honors, many employers across the state are slowing hiring and holding off on major investments amid economic uncertainty tied to tariffs , artificial intelligence and broader market instability, according to economists, business association leaders and labor attorneys.

Story Continues

Tariffs and technology starting to shape employment decisions

There are some recent examples of Michigan companies making employment decisions based on tariffs or AI.

For example, Detroit Axle, which sells car parts online to retail customers, saw its profits take a hit when President Donald Trump imposed 25% tariffs on imported vehicles and auto parts earlier this year. The company sent a notice to the state of Michigan in early May saying that 102 people would be laid off and the company's facility in Ferndale would close on Aug. 25.

A reversal of fortune occurred over the next two months. Detroit Axle's customers accepted price increases and sales remained stable. Then, the company's competitors, unable to sustain their own rising costs, either closed shop or reduced their product offerings, allowing Detroit Axle to absorb new customers. Sales grew.

Other companies are moving forward with workforce reductions. The Grand Rapids-based insurance brokerage firm Acrisure said recently that beginning early next year, it will reduce the size of its accounting workforce "as the company continues to advance in technology and automation, which are driving systemic change across industries."

Acrisure plans to cut 400 accounting positions, 250 of which are in Michigan. The company has more than 2,000 employees in the state and 19,000 employees overall.

More on the impact on tariffs: Buying furniture in Michigan soon? Expect higher prices.

The return to office push

One workplace issue remains unsettled more than five years after the pandemic began: return-to-office policies.

There are still frequent conversations between employers and employees and employers and their attorneys about returning to the office, said Maria Dwyer, a managing member of Clark Hill's Detroit office and a labor and employment attorney.

Ford Motor Company employees work on their first day on the 9th floor at the Ford Model e customer team inside Michigan Central on Tuesday, October 8, 2024.

Business Leaders for Michigan surveyed its board members in April and found 62% of those surveyed have a hybrid work policy. The percentage of those that require office workers to be in person five days a week rose to 20%, up from 11% a year prior.

One of the most high-profile examples of shifting in-office policies is Ford Motor Co. The Dearborn-based automaker announced in June that the majority of its salaried workforce needed to be back to the office four days a week starting in September. At least one person was not happy about the policy, putting up an image on meeting room screens across the corporate offices in Dearborn, and possibly other facilities, that protested the return-to-office policy in October.

A Ford spokesperson said there has been no fallout from the policy, such as people quitting over it.

Dwyer said many clients are requiring employees to come back in the office, and are getting pushback from employees who cite medical reasons as why they need to work remotely. She also said companies have employees who relocated during the pandemic, and now they're saying they need them back in the office.

"A lot of employers will say, 'OK, we'll give you that opportunity to work from home,' " Dwyer said. "Some however, have said, 'I'm sorry we're not allowing remote workers and have drawn the line, unless it's for a workplace accommodation for a medical reason.' "

Dwyer said one challenge for corporate employers bringing back employees to the office is that employees have proved they could do their job remotely. She said employers need to look at their culture and what benefits they're offering their workforce.

Return to office's impact on workforce

The return-to-office push has had implications for the workforce.

The inflation-adjusted hourly earnings power of individuals starting a new job has held relatively steady over the last few years, according to data analyzed by Kalamazoo-based W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, which tracks the wages and volume of newly hired workers. In August, the average hourly wage for new hires was $22.15.

When comparing hourly wages for new hires of men and women over the past year, the average earnings power of male new hires rose 1.5%, while women's wages slipped 0.3%, narrowing the gap between the groups.

Brad Hershbein, a senior economist and deputy director of research at the Upjohn Institute, said there was a surge in workforce participation in the years following the pandemic of mothers  especially mothers of young children  and they often landed high-paying jobs.

Hershbein said there was some evidence that a big reason for that surge was the ability for mothers to work remotely and have some flexibility over their schedule so they could work and still take care of the kids or be available for school dropoff and pickup.

He said that as the labor market has weakened, more companies have mandated employees return to the workplace, that is something they can get away with more easily against this backdrop of employees sticking with their current jobs because there are few opportunities available.

"Over the last 50-something years, the overall changes in the labor market in terms of what jobs are available, what skills are really in demand  being able to work and communicate with others, more office work, rather than physical labor  those sorts of things have really benefited women," Hershbein said. "We're seeing a bit of a blip that might be a tiny reversal in that. Return to office and having more of the commute is not as great, especially for moms of young kids."

Detroit Free Press reporter Jamie L. LaReau contributed with prior reporting.

Contact Adrienne Roberts: amroberts@freepress.com

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Fewer hires, layoffs  and more uncertainty for Michigan's job market
In years to come, the well-used beaches and playing fields of Calumet Park on Chicago's Southwest Side will get a new attraction.

Some call the new park space a victory as a dump site along Lake Michigan will transform into a public park.

An official sign unveiling marked the spot of the newest public park in Chicago.

It's currently, temporarily, named Park 608.

The Chicago Park District plans for the 40 acres of lakefront property at the northeast corner of Calumet Park to come back into the fold.

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"Chicago's lakefront is for people and parks not for toxic waste dumps," said Howard Learner, Environmental Law and Policy Center CEO.

Currently, it is the Calumet Confined Disposal Facility, or CDF. It was built in the 80s by the Army Corps of Engineers to dump dredged material from the Calumet River and Calumet Harbor to maintain access for ships.

SEE ALSO: Bears say they would set aside $25M for Chicago amid stadium move to suburbs

Activists and attorneys fought a plan to expand CDF. Instead the lakefront property will become a park for public use.

"Today, the city of Chicago and the Chicago Park District no longer support an expansion of the CDF. Instead we are committing to the expanding and restoration of that site into public park land as promised to this community decades ago," Chicago Park District Superintendent Carlos Ramirez-Rosa said.

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"After years of grassroots action and legal advocacy, this toxic landfill will be turned into a flourishing new park for the Southeast Side and all of Chicago," said Brian Gladstein, Friends of the Parks executive director.

Once CDF closes, after one more dredging, the material needs to be capped and land restored for safe public use.

Joann Podkul has lived across from Calumet Park her whole life, and hopes the additional park will be a source of recreation for residents as the rest of Calumet Park has been.

"We are on the far, far, Far Southeast Side of the city. There are many people in the city who do not know we exist. So yes it will take longer here, but It doesn't mean that it won't happen," Podkul said.

It will take years, even decades, for the transition.

But next year the Park District opens the planning process to the public, which includes the naming of what is now called Park 608.
Dayton police have made additional arrests after a University of Dayton student was shot on campus earlier this month. However questions remain if the shooter has been identified, and if the person first arrested by police is facing any charges.

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Police announced a 19-year-old man, as well as three teenagers have all been arrested for their alleged involvement in the shooting on Evanston Avenue in the UD student neighborhood November 1, according to a joint message sent to UD campus members by a university spokesperson and Dayton police Thursday afternoon.

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Three of those arrested are believed to have a direct involvement in the the shooting, the spokesperson said. The police spokesperson did not specify which three of the four people arrested are suspected to be directly involved.

The 19-year-old man, who was not formally identified, is facing a federal weapons charge. The three teens, a 17-year-old boy, 16-year-old girl, and 15-year-old boy, will all face charges in juvenile court, with charges expected to be presented to prosecutors. Their specific charges were not provided in the update.

None of the four are affiliated with the University of Dayton, the university spokesperson said.

The shooting injured a 19-year-old student who suffered injuries described as non-life threatening.

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The investigation remains active. Detectives are working closely with Crime Stoppers, so with more tips there will be more interviews. Investigators also will continue to review and analyze visual evidence; more arrests are possible. Our goal is to hold accountable the individuals who came to our campus to commit violent acts and better understand their motivation, the spokesperson said in the message to UD campus members.

News Center 7 previously reported the investigation into the shooting brought police to Wayne High School in Huber Heights where at 16-year-old girl was questioned. However it is not immediately clear if the 16-year-old questioned last week is the same 16-year-old girl facing charges as outlined by police Thursday.

>>RELATED: Police report reveals new details into shooting investigation at University of Dayton

A Dayton police report obtained by News Center 7 revealed the girl was reportedly telling people on Snapchat that she shot a lady in the leg at a Halloween party. Detectives did find a handgun inside the teenagers bedroom.

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The teen did tell police she was at the party; however, police did not see her in any of the videos with or firing a gun, according to the report.

She was then booked into the juvenile justice center for carrying concealed weapons, the report shows.

Questions remain on two parts of the investigation including if police have identified, and arrested, the suspected shooter, and what is the status of the first person arrested in the case.

TRENDING STORIES:

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Thursdays announcement is the second notice of an arrest in the shooting case. Police announced an 18-year-old man had been arrested for his alleged involvement in the shooting on November 3. However the man was never formally identified.

>>RELATED: 18-year-old man arrested in connection with shooting at University of Dayton

News Center 7 questioned police last week regarding the status of the person first arrested and was provided the following statement: This is an actively ongoing investigation. A second request to clarify if the 18-year-old man was still considered a suspect or if he was released from custody was not answered.

News Center 7 has reached out to Dayton police to clarify the involvement of the first person arrested, if theyre still considered a suspect or involved in the case.

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More questions remain if any of the people arrested are believed to be the shooter who injured the 19-year-old student. In the message posted to social media, Dayton police specifically ask for witnesses to help identify anyone who fired a gun.

Detectives are continuing to work to identify additional people in this incident and more may be facing charges. If anyone can identify other individuals who were present or fired a gun during this incident they are asked to call (937) 333-1232 to speak to detectives, the spokesperson said in the social media post.

News Center 7 has also reached out to Dayton police to clarify if police believe theyve arrested the shooter and which person arrested is facing those charges.

This is a developing story and we will continue to update this page as we learn more.

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YORK, Pa. (WHTM)  The Pennsylvania State Police have issued a missing endangered person advisory for a 6-month-old.

York City Police Department said the baby was located and is safe as of 7:44 p.m.

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MANILA, Philippines (AP)  Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Thursday that many of at least 37 powerful senators, members of Congress and wealthy businesspeople implicated in a massive corruption scandal involving flood control projects would be locked up in jail by Christmas, as he tried to quell public outrage and street protests.

Marcos said an independent fact-finding commission he created has filed criminal complaints for graft and corruption and plunder, a non-bailable offense, against the 37 suspects. Criminal complaints have also been filed against 86 construction company executives and nine government officials for allegedly evading taxes totaling nearly 9 billion pesos ($152 million).

Corruption has been blamed for substandard, defective or non-existent flood control projects across the country. Its a especially sensitive issue in the Philippines, one of the countries most prone to deadly typhoons, floodings and extreme weather in Asia.

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Typhoon Kalmaegi left at least 232 people dead last week, mostly in flash floods, with 125 others missing in the countrys central region. Super Typhoon Fung-wong lashed the northern Philippines just days later, leaving at least 27 dead, two missing and millions of people affected by flash floods and landslides.

I know that before Christmas, the cases of many of those who were named would be concluded and they would end up in jail, Marcos said and added without elaborating that more anomalies were set to be discovered. The lawsuits were strong and aimed to recover the huge funds that were stolen, he said.

We dont file cases for optics, Marcos said. We file cases to put people in jail.

Marcos spoke in a televised news conference to report on progress in a crackdown he vowed to carry out in July in his annual state of the nation address before Congress. The corruption scandal has sparked public outrage and street protests, including one planned for three days starting this weekend and another on Nov. 30.

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Vice President Sara Duterte, who has had a bitter political feud with Marcos, said the president also should be held accountable for signing into law the 2025 national budget that carried appropriations for anomalous infrastructure projects.

He has a big shortcoming in his work for the nation so he can put himself in jail, Duterte told reporters Thursday.

The governments Anti-Money Laundering Council has issued seven orders to freeze the assets of corruption suspects, including 1,671 bank accounts, 144 real estate properties, 244 vehicles and other assets worth 6.3 billion pesos ($107 million), Marcos said.

At least 13 luxury cars and SUVs of suspects, including top European and British models, have been seized by the Bureau of Customs for various violations and an initial seven cars have been put up for auction.

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It will be an important signal, a healthy signal to see people actually starting to end up in jail for theft of public property," Denmark's ambassador to the Philippines, Franz-Michael Mellbin, told a business forum in Manila where the flood control anomalies were discussed.

Last month, Philippine officials unveiled a new jail that could accommodate corruption suspects when they undergo trial. The jail in suburban Quezon city could hold up to 800 detainees and officials pledged that powerful politicians would not be given any VIP treatment.

Among the infrastructure projects that were being investigated for possible anomalies were 9,855 flood control projects worth more than 545 billion pesos ($9 billion) that were supposed to have been undertaken since Marcos took office in mid-2022. In September, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto told legislators that up to 118.5 billion pesos ($2 billion) for flood control projects may have been lost to corruption since 2023 alone.

Among those implicated were lawmakers opposed to and allied with Marcos, including former House of Representatives Speaker Martin Romualdez, the president's cousin and key ally, who has denied any wrongdoing. Some allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte, a harsh critic of Marcos and father of the incumbent vice president, have also come under suspicion over the anomalies.

Nobodys immune. Nobody would be exempted in these investigations, Marcos said.
Russia is preparing for a big war in Europe as soon as 2029, Volodymyr Zelensky warned in an urgent message to Ukraines allies.

Posting on X, the Ukrainian president called for the international community to double-down on sanctions on the Russian economy and weapons to decrease their capabilities.

He wrote: Given the situation on the battlefield, we dont see Russia wanting to stop.

The problem is that when we look at the Russian military industry, we see that they are increasing their production. In our assessment, they want to continue this war.

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We think that if we push hard, the Russians will need a pause. But we have to recognise that they want a big war, they are preparing to be able to start such a big war in 2029 or 2030  in this period  on the European continent.

Volodymyr Zelensky warned Europe that Russia is planning a big war as early as 2029 (AFP via Getty Images)

Zelensky went on to say: I think that we have to think about how to stop them now in Ukraine. But also to do everything to decrease their capabilities. Not to give them money, which they still can get from energy. And not to give them weapons.

It comes as the EU is looking into how it can source more money for Ukraine, either by seizing frozen Russian assets, raising funds on capital markets, or having some of the 27 EU nations raise the money themselves.

Zelensky says it is time to push hard against Russia (Ukrainian Presidential Press Service)

Russian president Vladimir Putin "thinks he can outlast us" in the battle over Ukraine's future, nearly four years after Russia's all-out invasion of its neighbor, Ursula von der Leyen said.

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"And this is a clear miscalculation," the president of the European Commission said. "Now is therefore the moment to come, with a new impetus, to unlock Putin's cynical attempt to buy time and bring him to the negotiation table."

It has been over four years since Putin launched the war against Ukraine (AP)

Meanwhile, the Kremlin said on Thursday that Ukraine would have to negotiate with Russia "sooner or later" and claimed that Kyiv's negotiating position would get worse by the day.

Moscow, whose forces are currently trying to take control of the city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine, has accused Ukrainian officials of refusing to engage in peace talks. In response, Kyiv says Moscow's demand that Ukraine cede occupied land as part of a peace deal is unacceptable and tantamount to surrender.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russia remained open to a political and diplomatic settlement and wanted peace.

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His comments follow stalled US-led peace efforts, with no progress since Trump and Putin held talks in Alaska in August.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke by phone to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on 20 October to discuss a possible new summit, days after it was announced by Trump following a phone call with Putin.

Trump subsequently said he had cancelled a prospective summit. The US president has backed calls for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine with forces at their present positions.
The body of a coal miner has been found six days after he got trapped underground in complete darkness in a flooded mine.

The desperate search for foreman Steven Lipscomb began Saturday in southern West Virginia but crews struggled to make entry into the flooded mine.

A two-man crew found his body early Thursday after finally getting inside the mine, Gov. Patrick Morrisey said.

The death is the third at an Alpha facility in West Virginia this year. Both of the others occurred in nearby Raleigh County: An elevator being tested struck a miner on a first-floor platform in August at Alpha subsidiary Marfork Coals processing facility, and a coal seam fell on a contractor in February at Alphas Black Eagle underground operation, according to the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Six-day rescue mission

Crews had been hard at work trying to enter the flooded mine and save Lipscomb, who was stuck about 3,600 feet below ground inside the Rolling Thunder Mine.

The Rolling Thunder coal mine near Swiss, in Nicholas County, West Virginia, is seen in this aerial photo on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025 (Sean McCallister/Charleston Gazette-Mail via AP)

I think people are doing everything imaginable, Morrisey said Wednesday before the tragic update. Theres no quit in anyone here.

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An extra pumping unit was added to the lineup Wednesday night, as Morrisey said that the water levels inside the mine have yet to reach the point where entry is possible. Machines had been pumping out water at a rate of 6,000 gallons a minute, which is enough to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool in under two hours.

Mining crews hit a pocket of water they were unaware of Saturday while working about three-quarters of a mile into the mine, which is located near Belva, about 50 miles east of the state capital of Charleston.

The mine flooded after an old wall was compromised, and multiple state agencies were involved in the response, Morrisey said.

Other miners were accounted for after the accident was reported. Morrisey said he had no estimate on the number of crews working on the rescue effort inside the mine, but obviously, there are a lot of machines pulling the water out."

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Theres a lot of water thats been drained, but theres also a massive amount in there that still needs to be drained," he said, estimating that the water level was dropping about one inch per hour.

To aid in the efforts, holes were drilled in the mine and dive teams explored potential areas in the water where air pockets might exist, the governor said. The National Cave Rescue Commission provided surplus Army phones attached to wires that can travel great distances to enable for better underground communication.

The United Mine Workers union also sent its safety experts to the nonunion mine.

We are all coal miners, and we all care about the safety and health of each other, union President Brian Sanson said in a statement.

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Rolling Thunder is one of 11 underground mines operated in West Virginia by Tennessee-based Alpha Metallurgical Resources Inc. The company also operates four surface mines in the state, as well as three underground and one surface mine in Virginia.

Morrisey said the abandoned mine next to Rolling Thunder had been in operation in the 1930s and 1940s.

A report prepared in February for Alpha by an engineering consulting firm, Marshall Miller & Associates, said the area had been extensively explored by previous mine owners, generating a significant amount of historical data that Alpha examined in assessing its potential for producing coal.

The same report says that the Rolling Thunder coal seam runs along and below the drainage of TwentyMile Creek, but said there were no significant hydrologic concerns about digging for more coal in the extensively mined property.

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The region is known both for its coal seams and tourism. The nearby Gauley River is popular for its fall whitewater rafting season, and the picturesque New River Gorge National Park to the south is the nation's newest national park.

The nearest business to the mine in the rural, sparsely populated area is a convenience store about 15 minutes from the winding road leading to the mine. Two businesses about 30 minutes away have supplied food to the rescue crews, and Nicholas County Commissioner Garrett Cole said the mine company also brought in a food truck.

Miners are part of the family," Morrisey said. Theyve contributed so much to West Virginia. This is part of the fabric of our state. When times are tough, people step up and deliver. I think that's what's happening here.

Cole reminded worried residents of a 1968 accident in the same county in which miners working for Gauley Coal and Coke at Hominy Falls accidentally tunneled into an unmapped abandoned mine nearby, flooding their operation. Four men died, but 15 miners were brought to the surface after five days and six others further into the mine were rescued after 10 days.

In 2002 in southwestern Pennsylvania, nine miners were rescued after spending more than three days trapped in the flooded Quecreek Mine.
DENVER (KDVR)  A teacher at Ranch View Middle School in Highlands Ranch was arrested on suspicion of multiple charges, including sexual assault on a child, the Douglas County Sheriffs Office said Thursday.

Detectives with the agencys Special Victims Unit arrested Teresa Whalin, 28, of Centennial, on Nov. 10 on the following charges:

Sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust, pattern of abuse

Internet exploitation of a child

Stalking

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Whalin was the gym teacher and was placed on administrative leave. The sheriffs office said she has been employed by the Douglas County School District since July 2021.

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Affidavit: Relationship went on for over a year

According to the arrest affidavit obtained by FOX31 on Wednesday, after it was filed in Colorados 23rd Judicial District on Monday, Whalin admitted to having a sexual relationship with the victim, spanning over a year.

The affidavit said the victim was reportedly struggling with mental health and self-harm and was looking for support when the victim began spending time with Whalin, who did not report the victims wounds from self-harm.

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Their relationship progressed into a sexual relationship in April 2023, and over the course of over a year, the two reportedly engaged in intercourse in various settings, including the teachers home and the middle school locker room bathroom, according to the affidavit. Whalin reportedly told the victim not to tell anyone so she would not get in trouble.

Whalin began taking the victim to and from school, and the victims parents were unaware of their relationship. They reportedly broke up when the victim became interested in dating someone else.

One reporter, according to the affidavit, said that Whalin struggled with the breakup and drove near the victims home and their walking path to school on multiple occasions, including an instance in August 2025, causing the victim fear. Whalin admitted to putting the victim under surveillance and told detectives that she repeatedly went near the victims home to catch a glimpse of them.

Progress and pain: Colorado Safe2Tell sees highest reports in program history

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The victim reportedly received an alarming text from an unknown author in September, prompting a discussion with a school counselor and leading to the report to law enforcement. Whalin told detectives that she had sent the text to the victim, hoping to cause alarm so the victim would seek comfort from her.

Due to redactions in the affidavit copy, it is unclear who each of the reporting parties was, but the affidavit said both Whalin and the victim told detectives about the relationship and said they felt trapped, and both said they knew it was not appropriate.

Detectives seek info in ongoing investigation

The sheriffs office asks anyone with information about Whalin or who believes themselves or someone they know may be a victim to contact Detective Clay at sclay@dcsheriff.net.

The school district was notified and is cooperating with the ongoing investigation, the sheriffs office said.

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Whalin is being held at the Douglas County Detention Facility on a $50,000 bond. She was set for her first court appearance on Wednesday morning.

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 FOX31 Denver.
Gov. Tina Kotek answers questions from reporters during a press conference on Jan. 16, 2025. (Photo by Ron Cooper/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

Amid the uproar over federal and Oregon state relations, an Oregon political deadline came and went Oct. 27 with little attention, but some implications for the political year ahead.

That was the last day for William Minnix of La Pine and other advocates under the banner of Oregon for the People to deliver at least 292,933 valid petition signatures supporting the recall of Gov. Tina Kotek., to qualify for a spot on the ballot. They hadnt delivered any signatures to the Oregon Secretary of States Office by that date.

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The advocates seem not to have given up entirely. Minnix had asked federal district court for a temporary restraining order to effectively push back the deadline (alleging state-generated errors in some of the forms related to the petitions), but shortly before the clock ran out the court turned him down. A filing with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals still is pending, but it appears not to meet the standards for granting an order.

The recall attempt had been started in late July (90 days is the legal collection period), and to be sure, collecting 100,000 signatures per month was always going to be difficult. It probably could have been done, though, if the group had enough of two things: A highly energized, large, richly-financed and well-oiled organization, together with a broad statewide base of outrage large enough to catch like a wildfire.

Neither seems to have materialized.

The recall backers offered as argument that the governor has violated her Oath of Office. She has failed in her leadership responsibilities by supporting policies that prioritize the support of illegal immigrants, over law-abiding Oregonians, including veteran, low-income families, elders and victims of crime. In addition, she has failed to abide by Presidential Executive Orders and mandates, eliminating federal funding. In doing so she continues to unfairly attempt to over tax Oregonians to make up for lost federal funding.

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Few specific complaints were offered. The Oregon for the People statement was an essentially partisan argument.

Much of the recall drive argument may reappear in the year to come as state Sen. Christine Drazan, who lost to Kotek in 2022 by 3.5% of the vote, pursues a rematch. Even at this early vantage point, the head to head looks likely, as the paths to party nomination for both Kotek and Drazan seem clear.

In putting the recall failure in the context of the gubernatorial race, a good deal of caution is warranted because they arent the same thing.

Recall petition shortfalls are an old story in many places and not least in Oregon, notably for major offices.

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Local government recalls have a relatively successful track record. Two local recall attempts  against Prairie City Mayor Ed Clark and Unity Community Hall and Recreation District Board member Daniel Davis  have succeeded at the polls this year in Oregon. Four other successful efforts (one by virtue of leading to a resignation) were held in 2024.

But although many would-be recallers have pressed for the ouster of Oregon governors over many years  Koteks predecessor, Kate Brown, was the target of at least five failed recall petitions, and she was not the first  none have come close to success.

Although the option of recall has been available since 1908, no Oregon governor ever has been recalled

Nor do they fare well nationally, though many recalls have been tried. The website Ballotpedia has counted 123 recall attempts against governors since 2003. The only recent instance of a governor recalled by the voters, and one of only two ever, was Gray Davis of California in 2003.

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Only two other recall tries against governors got to the voters, and in those  Democrat Gavin Newsom of California and Republican Scott Walker of Wisconsin  the incumbents not only prevailed but seemed to emerge from those recall battles stronger than before.

At the local level, recall elections once qualified for the ballot trend to succeed more often than not. Statewide, they more often fail, partly because the issues are more remote and abstract, and many voters disapprove of making changes in elected officials outside of regular elections.

Which leads to what effect if any this latest Kotek recall attempt may have over the next year, as the Kotek-Drazan rematch, which seems likely, takes shape.

Drazan, recently returned to the statewide campaign trail, will have her labors clearly marked ahead. Voters in Oregon do not lightly or often defeat incumbent governors: The last time it happened was in 1978, when Democrat Robert Straub lost to Republican Vic Atiyeh, the last Republican to have served as governor of Oregon. The failure of the recall effort, and the lack of any evident wide support for it, suggests that the case for defeating Kotek is not a readily available popular fuel needing only a match to set it ablaze.

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It would take a lot more work than that, especially in a year when Republicans are likely to be tied tightly to one of the least popular presidents, in Oregon at least, of recent generations. The petition drive isnt evidence that it cant be done, but it does suggest the difficulty.

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FAIRMONT  For this years Democracy Dinner, Marion County Democrats Chair Jarryd Powell noticed something a little different.

Its not even an election year, and this was the largest that we had, Powell said. We had to re-up our order a few times with SayBoys for catering purposes. And tickets just kept going.

The energy from this months Democratic wins in key areas of the country could even be felt in the halls of Fairmonts Knights of Columbus conference center. Around 125 people attended the dinner, which was hosted by Marion County Democrats on Saturday.

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Powell said the night was about Democrats across the area and state reclaiming their ability to tell their own narrative about what the party stands for. The partys rhetoric has focused recently on Kitchen Table Issues, a term itself cribbed from State Sen. Joey Garcias District 13 senate campaign last year, one of the partys few electoral victories in the state. State Democrats are currently in the midst of a Kitchen Table Tour across the state, where they are listening directly to constituents about the issues that most closely impact their lives.

There was another fresh aspect to Saturdays dinner. Powell noticed the presence of more young people.

He said when ran for the first time at the age of 19 in 2020, he was the only young person present at party events. Now, theres people who are younger than him. Olivia Dowler, president of the West Virginia Young Democrats emphasized the importance of elevating young people within the party. She pointed out the state chair of the West Virginia Republican Party is 23 years old.

Embracing youth is a big thing, its not so much that we dont value the work of generations before us, but its just our time, Dowler said. I dont believe were the leaders of the future. I believe were the leaders of right now. Even if that means we have to get up and fight against people like the establishment, especially on the national level.

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Zohran Mamdanis mayoral win in New York City against the Democratic establishment energized anti-establishment sentiment among young people. Mamdani did not inspire or lay down the beliefs young progressives and liberals in West Virginia possess.

Mamdanis win galvanized younger party members, since Mamdani won on issues that the partys younger members were already advocating in West Virginia. Still, while state Democrats differ from national level Democrats in terms of approach, Dowler is wary.

Theres a vocal minority, especially of the older generations, who dont want to hear it, Dowler said. Theyre like, oh socialist, done! Or they hear one thing and count them out. We cant do that. We cant keep moving the goal posts over and over because were never going to have anybody we support.

Its also funny to hear some of them say blue no matter who, until its somebody they disagree with thats more on the left side. So I think we need to embrace all sides of the party. It cant just be the big tent party for the middle.

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Still, others saw different lessons from this months election wins. Del. Kayla Young, D-56, said the races in Georgia where Democrats won two seats on the states public service commission by wide margins were more significant to West Virginia politics. It was the first time Georgia Democrats won statewide office since 2006.

West Virginia Democrats have been seeking ways to break the stranglehold state Republicans have had on state government since 2014. Young said the party is a lot more interested in the wins made by Democrats in red states.

State Del. Anitra Hamilton, D-81, said the key lesson out of New York City was the power of building a grassroots movement.

Were beginning to see more of that, and thats what we have been encouraging, she said. People are fed up with whats going on, but to see the power in New York, they were able to galvanize 90,000 volunteers that were able to support a vision and see it work. Were seeing more people wanting to be involved, younger people. Of course, we have middle age and our older people, were seeing more people wanting to be involved because they are fed up with whats going on.

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Regardless of the energy level Saturday night, state Democrats have a long hill to climb if theyre going to recapture any level of impactful political power. Garcia said Democrats are not going to win the statehouse overnight. The lesson out of New York City to him was that the message that resonated the most with people had very specific wants. But thats what West Virginia Democrats have to figure out.

I think its important when were looking at things like child care, foster care for example, he said. For example, if our goal is to make sure we dont have any child living in a hotel, what does that take? Does that take creating or funding facilities that provide for 30 to 40 new shelter beds?

If you look at teacher pay, maybe we need to increase teacher pay by $10,000 in the next four years and have a plan to do it. We can come up with a plan that hits on three to four topics that are important to people and then saying it over and over and over again.

Garcia said the party is working to recruit candidates for every seat in next years ballot, from House of Delegates and State Senate to county races and city council. Garcia said he hopes the swings shown from rural places in Virginia show whats possible for Democrats in deep red West Virginia.

There is an opportunity for people to win, Garcia said. And make some change here in West Virginia.
Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury says it's clear the White House is trying to cover up Donald Trump's involvement with Jeffrey Epstein ... pointing to a specific eyebrow-raising email as evidence.

We caught up with the Democratic representative from New Mexico on "TMZ Live" Wednesday ... and, we asked her about the emails from Epstein Democrats released Wednesday morning -- including several that mention the 47th President of the United States.

Jeffrey Epstein's Emails Mentioning Trump - Click image to open gallery

Representative Stansbury says she thinks one particular email -- allegedly sent to Ghislaine Maxwell -- reads, "I want you to realize that that dog that hasnt barked is trump.. [VICTIM REDACTED] spent hours at my house with him ,, he has never once been mentioned. police chief. etc. im 75 % there" -- is especially damning ... since it begs a ton of questions.

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For example, Stansbury asks what Trump would have to "bark" about, and why the police would be involved ... and especially why he allegedly spent hours with a sex trafficking victim -- Virginia Giuffre -- who the White House says is the redacted name in the email.

Jeffrey Epstein And Ghislaine With Famous Friends - Click image to open gallery

Stansbury says the White House is straight-up involved in a cover-up ... claiming she and her colleagues have heard officials are trying to threaten Republicans to remove their signatures from the discharge petition for all the Epstein documents ... which is expected to pass after Arizona Rep. Adelita Grijalva is sworn in, which is scheduled for later today.

While it will take some time for the documents to be released, Stansbury says it's clear the Trump admin's desperate to keep everything under lock and key.

The White House has accused Democrats of releasing a smattering of documents to make President Trump look bad and to "distract from President Trump's historic accomplishments" ... but, Congresswoman Stansbury says there's a whole lotta fire to this smoke -- stay tuned!
Analysts remain divided on whether golds biggest rival, Bitcoin, is merely in a correction phase  or if a new bear market has already begun.

Bitcoin briefly fell below $99,000 before bouncing back on Nov. 5. The move pushed it under its 365-day moving average. According to Julio Moreno, head of research at CryptoQuant, breaching this average has traditionally signaled a shift in sentiment toward the bearish side.

Recently, investment strategists from Morgan Stanley weighed in on the speculated bearish phase for Bitcoin.

Bitcoin enters 'fall season'

In the Nov. 11 episode of the Crypto Goes Mainstream podcast, Denny Galindo, investment strategist at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, compared the markets current state to the autumn period of a natural cycle  a time to reap profits before the onset of winter.

We are in the fall season right now, Galindo said. Fall is the time for harvest. So, its the time you want to take your gains. But the debate is how long this fall will last and when the next winter will start.

Galindo explained that historical data shows Bitcoin (BTC) tends to follow a three-up, one-down rhythm: three years of growth followed by one year of decline.

He emphasized that investors should remain disciplined as cyclical downturns are part of Bitcoins broader maturation process.

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Bitcoin's winter might still be jolly

While Galindo cautioned that a Bitcoin winter could follow the current cycle phase, some analysts remain optimistic that a Santa rally may lift BTC prices before year-end.

A Santa rally in Bitcoin describes the historical tendency for BTC to climb during the final stretch of December, usually between Christmas and New Years Day.

The pattern resembles movements seen in traditional equity markets, where year-end optimism, portfolio adjustments, and thinner trading volumes often contribute to upward momentum.

For Bitcoin, this late-December surge is typically linked to lower exchange liquidity, tax-related positioning, and renewed investor risk appetite ahead of the new year.

Historically, BTC has ended most Decembers in positive territory, logging gains between 8% and 46%, which has made the so-called Santa Claus rally a recurring point of focus for traders and analysts each holiday season.

At the time of writing, Bitcoin was down 1.9% and trading at $101,456, as per CoinGecko.
Graffiti was found on the walls of the mosque with seemingly pointed messages to the IDF Central Command chief, who referred to Jewish violence against Palestinians as terrorism.

A group of Jewish settlers in the West Bank set fire to and vandalized a Palestinian mosque near Salfit, north of Ramallah, late on Wednesday night.

Graffiti containing racist remarks was found on the walls of the mosque, which included messages to IDF Central Command Chief Avi Bluth, who referred to Jewish violence against Palestinians as terrorism.

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The graffiti read, Not afraid of Avi Bluth. Other messages read, Keep condemning, He will repay His enemies, and Muhammad is a pig.

No injuries were reported from the Wednesday night incident.

The attack comes amid a series of such incidents perpetrated by Israeli extremists, adding to the rise in attacks during this years olive harvest, which began three weeks ago.

A vehicle burns after masked settlers set fire to it in the West Bank on November 11, 2025. (credit: Section 27a of the Copyright Act)

Security officials told Israeli media they are limited in how they are able to act against the rioters due to political policies.

'The ground is burning'

Peace Now, a nonprofit Israeli organization that advocates for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, made a statement on the Wednesday night arson attack.

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The ground is burning. This is the time to wake up and look reality in the eye. This is no longer a matter of a minority or a few bad actors, they said.

This is a large and organized Jewish terror militia, backed and funded by the government of Israel, carrying out violent and systematic ethnic cleansing of Palestinians as part of a deliberate plan for de facto annexation.

All heads of the relevant systems must act together to eradicate settler terror and restore security, Peace Now stated.
Scientists are trying a revolutionary new approach to treat rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lupus and other devastating autoimmune diseases  by reprogramming patients out-of-whack immune systems.

When your bodys immune cells attack you instead of protecting you, todays treatments tamp down the friendly fire but they dont fix whats causing it. Patients face a lifetime of pricey pills, shots or infusions with some serious side effects  and too often the drugs arent enough to keep their disease in check.

Were entering a new era, said Dr. Maximilian Konig, a rheumatologist at Johns Hopkins University whos studying some of the possible new treatments. They offer the chance to control disease in a way weve never seen before.

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How? Researchers are altering dysfunctional immune systems, not just suppressing them, in a variety of ways that aim to be more potent and more precise than current therapies.

Theyre highly experimental and, because of potential side effects, so far largely restricted to patients whove exhausted todays treatments. But people entering early-stage studies are grasping for hope.

What the heck is wrong with my body? Mileydy Gonzalez, 35, of New York remembers crying, frustrated that nothing was helping her daily lupus pain.

Diagnosed at 24, her disease was worsening, attacking her lungs and kidneys. Gonzalez had trouble breathing, needed help to stand and walk and couldnt pick up her 3-year-old son when last July, her doctor at NYU Langone Health suggested the hospitals study using a treatment adapted from cancer.

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Gonzalez had never heard of that CAR-T therapy but decided, Im going to trust you. Over several months, she slowly regained energy and strength.

I can actually run, I can chase my kid, said Gonzalez, who now is pain- and pill-free. I had forgotten what it was to be me.

Living drugs reset rogue immune systems

CAR-T was developed to wipe out hard-to-treat blood cancers. But the cells that go bad in leukemias and lymphomas  immune cells called B cells  go awry in a different way in many autoimmune diseases.

Some U.S. studies in mice suggested CAR-T therapy might help those diseases. Then in Germany, Dr. Georg Schett at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg tried it with a severely ill young woman who had failed other lupus treatment. After one infusion, shes been in remission  with no other medicine  since March 2021.

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Last month, Schett told a meeting of the American College of Rheumatology how his team gradually treated a few dozen more patients, with additional diseases such as myositis and scleroderma  and few relapses so far.

Those early results were shocking, Hopkins Konig recalled.

They led to an explosion of clinical trials testing CAR-T therapy in the U.S. and abroad for a growing list of autoimmune diseases.

How it works: Immune soldiers called T cells are filtered out of a patients blood and sent to a lab, where theyre programmed to destroy their B cell relatives. After some chemotherapy to wipe out additional immune cells, millions of copies of those living drugs are infused back into the patient.

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While autoimmune drugs can target certain B cells, experts say they cant get rid of those hidden deep in the body. CAR-T therapy targets both the problem B cells and healthy ones that might eventually run amok. Schett theorizes that the deep depletion reboots the immune system so when new B cells eventually form, theyre healthy.

Other ways to reprogram rogue cells

CAR-T is grueling, time consuming and costly, in part because it is customized. A CAR-T cancer treatment can cost $500,000. Now some companies are testing off-the-shelf versions, made in advance using cells from healthy donors.

Another approach uses peacekeeper cells at the center of this years Nobel Prize. Regulatory T cells are a rare subset of T cells that tamp down inflammation and help hold back other cells that mistakenly attack healthy tissue. Some biotech companies are engineering cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases not to attack, like CAR-T does, but to calm autoimmune reactions.

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Scientists also are repurposing another cancer treatment, drugs called T cell engagers, that dont require custom engineering. These lab-made antibodies act like a matchmaker. They redirect the body's existing T cells to target antibody-producing B cells, said Erlangen's Dr. Ricardo Grieshaber-Bouyer, who works with Schett and also studies possible alternatives to CAR-T.

Last month, Grieshaber-Bouyer reported giving a course of one such drug, teclistamab, to 10 patients with a variety of diseases including Sjogrens, myositis and systemic sclerosis. All but one improved significantly and six went into drug-free remission.

Next-generation precision options

Rather than wiping out swaths of the immune system, Hopkins Konig aims to get more precise, targeting only that very small population of rogue cells that really causes the damage.

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B cells have identifiers, like biological barcodes, showing they can produce faulty antibodies, Konig said. Researchers in his lab are trying to engineer T cell engagers that would only mark bad B cells for destruction, leaving healthy ones in place to fight infection.

Nearby in another Hopkins lab, biomedical engineer Jordan Green is crafting a way for the immune system to reprogram itself with the help of instructions delivered by messenger RNA, or mRNA, the genetic code used in COVID-19 vaccines.

In Green's lab, a computer screen shines with brightly colored dots that resemble a galaxy. Its a biological map that shows insulin-producing cells in the pancreas of a mouse. Red marks rogue T cells that destroy insulin production. Yellow indicates those peacemaker regulatory T cells  and they're outnumbered.

Green's team aims to use that mRNA to instruct certain immune generals to curb the bad T cells and send in more peacemakers. They package the mRNA in biodegradable nanoparticles that can be injected like a drug. When the right immune cells get the messages, the hope is they'd divide, divide, divide and make a whole army of healthy cells that then help treat the disease," Green said.

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The researchers will know it's working if that galaxy-like map shows less red and more yellow. Studies in people are still a few years away.

Could you predict autoimmune diseases - and delay or prevent them?

A drug for Type 1 diabetes is forging the path, said Dr. Kevin Deane at the University of Colorado Anschutz.

Type 1 diabetes develops gradually, and blood tests can spot people who are brewing it. A course of the drug teplizumab is approved to delay the first symptoms, modulating rogue T cells and prolonging insulin production.

Deane studies rheumatoid arthritis and hopes to find a similar way to block the joint-destroying disease.

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About 30% of people with a certain self-reactive antibody in their blood will eventually develop RA. A new study tracked some of those people for seven years, mapping immune changes leading to the disease long before joints become swollen or painful.

Those changes are potential drug targets, Deane said. While researchers hunt possible compounds to test, hes leading another study called StopRA: National to find and learn from more at-risk people.

On all these fronts, theres a tremendous amount of research left to do  and no guarantees. There are questions about CAR-T's safety and how long its effects last, but it is furthest along in testing.

Allie Rubin, 60, of Boca Raton, Florida, spent three decades battling lupus, including scary hospitalizations when it attacked her spinal cord. But she qualified for CAR-T when she also developed lymphoma  and while a serious side effect delayed her recovery, next month will mark two years without a sign of either cancer or lupus.

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I just remember I woke up one day and thought, Oh my god, I dont feel sick anymore, she said.

That kind of result has researchers optimistic.

"Weve never been closer to getting to  and we dont like to say it  a potential cure, said Hopkins' Konig. I think the next 10 years will dramatically change our field forever.

-

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.



This story was first published on Nov. 13, 2025. It was updated on Nov. 14, 2025 to correct the spelling of the University of Colorado Anschutz.
Police in West Deptford are warning residents to lock their car doors as reports of stolen vehicles are on the rise.

But with new technology, even that's not enough to keep thieves away from your car now.

Doorbell video shows three individuals in West Deptford Township checking five car door handles in a matter of 20 seconds.

They weren't successful in that particular spot, but before long, the group was driving off in a stolen BMW.

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The theft happened Tuesday morning, just before 5 a.m., in a development called the Grande. But it's an issue that's been plaguing the entire West Deptford community recently.

The police department posted on social media Tuesday, "We have received numerous reports of stolen motor vehicles and thefts from motor vehicles in recent weeks. Last evening, there were vehicles reported stolen from within The Grande as well as in the area of Hessian Avenue."

"This has been going on very consistently since like June," resident Tara Timms said.

Police believe there are several groups committing the crimes throughout the township and Gloucester County.

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Officers recovered one of the stolen vehicles in West Deptford on Tuesday. Tara Timms and her husband weren't so lucky.

"It's so violating and it's just infuriating. We don't know if we'll ever get his car back," Timms said.

"He was like, I need your cameras, my car was stolen," Jen Williams recalled. She lives across the street from Timms.

Williams' home cameras caught one of the thieves going through her car, which was locked, before giving up and moving on to Tara's husband's vehicle across the street, and driving off with it.

"So they had some sort of fob. They got in and then I guess the theft deterrent, they didn't start it within enough time, so it started to beep. So they got out before the actual alarm went off," Williams said of her vehicle.

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"That's the new thing that they're using, ghost fobs, or they're cloning the key fobs or something, like that, which is crazy," Timms told Action News.

Police could not confirm that was how the suspects accessed the vehicle. Action News spoke with Philadelphia police last week about the key fob cloning trend.

A few miles away from the Grande in Colonial Manor, Albie Sittineri's car was ransacked overnight on Monday. She's diligent about locking her car door.

"I think the most shocking part is that they literally don't care. I've seen a ton of videos where they just, like there's floodlights on, there's cameras, there's alarms and they're still going," Sittineri said.

West Deptford police say they're investigating several possible leads. Residents in this neighborhood are hoping to see some more patrol cars around their area.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Theres a new food option for customers stopping at the Grand Rapids Downtown Market.

Myanmar Meals has opened inside the market, offering Burmese and Cantonese cuisine. Items on the menu include Burmese samosa salad with potato curry, coconut chicken curry noodles, Cantonese fried rice and barbecue pork bao.

We got lots of different food in our Downtown Market, but mine is going to be new items and new things, said Min Tun, who owns the restaurant with his wife Aye Soe. (Customers now) have lots of more varieties to choose, more food to try.

Myanmar Meals is now open in the Grand Rapids Downtown Market. (Nov. 12, 2025)

Late-night, NSFW bakery Slutty Buns opening in Grand Rapids

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The Grand Rapids Downtown Market is now at full capacity with the latest addition, it says. It now has 21 merchants.

The new restaurant is opening just in time for the Christkindl Markt, taking place this year from Nov. 19 through Dec. 23 at the Downtown Market. Tun said that neighboring businesses at the market have warned him to expect crowds.

We are ready for this event, he said. Im putting more manpower in my kitchen.

Myanmar Meals is the couples second restaurant, as they also own Amazing Myanmar on 28th Street near Lake Eastbrook Boulevard in Kentwood.

They are originally from Myanmar, formally known as Burma. After living in Thailand and then Malaysia, where Tun worked as a chef, they came to Michigan in 2008 as refugees.

Myanmar Meals is now open in the Grand Rapids Downtown Market. (Nov. 12, 2025)

The first owned a Burmese grocery store in Lansing, before moving to Grand Rapids and opening Amazing Myanmar, Tun said. He said his goal is to share a taste of his home country with the community.

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Eat sugar cookies, decorate your own at new Grand Rapids Downtown Market bakery

I would like to share our culture, our taste, all the food to  Grand Rapids, our community, he said. I want them to try new things, new taste. So far, the people here love it.

He invited the community to come out Myanmar Meals.

Please come and enjoy our food, he said. (Im focused on) serving the best quality of food to our community.

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 WOODTV.com.
A Revere man is accused of attempting to con an Essex resident out of $15,000 as part of a technical support scam.

Essex police were contacted by a family member of a resident just after noon on Wednesday, who recounted to officers her loved one was told via the internet and telephone that their computer was infected with a virus.

The scammer claimed that to fix the situation, the resident had to pay $15,000 in cash immediately, which the resident was prepared to do.

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Essex police say Sergeant Daniel Bruce and Officer David Vangelist immediately responded to intercept an alleged courier at the residents home.

35-year-old Yi Peng Luo was arrested and charged with attempted larceny over $1,200.

Police say it is unlikely that Luo was working alone.

Luo will be arraigned in Gloucester District Court on Thursday, police say.

If we catch you trying to scam our residents, you will be arrested, said Essex Police Chief Thomas Shamshak. These types of scams are increasingly common in Essex and across the Commonwealth, and I hope this arrest sends the message that we will not stand idly by and let our residents be victimized. I want to praise the rapid response of Sgt. Bruce and Officer Vangelist, who were able to detain this courier before he could leave with a residents money. Id also like to thank Detective Sgt. Robert Wheway for his assistance and expertise at the scene.

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The mayor of south suburban Riverdale was convicted for perjury and obstruction of justice charges, the Department of Justice told ABC7.

Mayor Lawrence Jackson, 49, of Riverdale allegedly falsely testified during a deposition for a civil lawsuit filed in 2018 by a waste management company against Jackson and the city of Riverdale, the indictment stated.

The civil lawsuit, filed by Tri-State Disposal Inc., alleged that Jackson had retaliated against the company by refusing to renew their garbage collection contract, and instead the city filed a zoning permit to allow another waste management company to operate in Riverdale. The lawsuit alleged that Jackson gave preferential treatment to the other garbage collection company because of a personal relationship with the owner.

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The federal indictment alleges Jackson knowingly made false statements while testifying under oath in 2021 with an attorney for Tri-State Disposal, the U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Illinois said.

Jackson allegedly claimed he did not know the owner of the new garbage collection company, and he was introduced to them by the Riverdale village administrator.

A federal investigation showed that Jackson did have a prior history with the owner of the company, and he exchanged text messages with the owner during the deposition process, the indictment states.

The indictment also stated that Jackson and his wife owned a trucking company, Centennial Holdings, and the owner of the garbage collection company had prior involvement in its operations.

On Wednesday, a jury found Jackson guilty of both counts.

The obstruction of justice charge has a maximum sentence of 20 years. The perjury charge has a maximum sentence of five years.
The Supreme Court revealed on Monday it will consider a lawsuit, originally brought by the Republican National Committee, over whether counting ballots that arrive after Election Day is lawful.

The case will examine a state law in solid red Mississippi that allows ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted if they are received up to five days after the election.

The RNC, which has fought to stop late-arriving ballots over allegations that they undermine trust in the vote counting process, argues the state law conflicts with federal law and is hoping the Supreme Court will ban them nationwide.

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David Becker, executive director of the Center for Election Innovation & Research, emphasized that the court would not be weighing in on the legality of mail-in ballots, which are accepted in some form in every state, or whether ballots could be cast after Election Day.

Supreme Court Hears Pivotal Louisiana Redistricting Case Ahead Of 2026 Midterms

A woman wearing gloves drops off a mail-in ballot at a drop box in Hackensack, N.J., on July 7, 2020.

"What this case is about is whether a ballot that was cast on or before Election Day, sealed in an envelope, placed in the U.S. Mail and received by a state some days later can be counted if a state law says that that's okay," Becker told Fox News Digital.

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Mississippis rule went into effect in 2020, when many states implemented new emergency election policies over COVID-19. Well over a dozen, both red and blue, accept late mail-in ballots if they are postmarked by Election Day.

The RNC sued over the law and secured a win at the conservative U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, leading Mississippi to bring the matter to the Supreme Court. The state argues "election" means voters' final choice, which occurs when ballots are cast by Election Day. Receipt of ballots that are marked and submitted effectuates the voters' choice but are "not part of the election itself," Mississippi told the Supreme Court in a filing. As such, the state argues, federal law does not prohibit short, post-Election Day windows to receive ballots cast on time.

The Supreme Court will decide on late-arriving mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day.

Becker warned of repercussions that could come of the Supreme Court upholding the 5th Circuit's ruling, saying it could invite a host of new litigation because close races could come down to ballots cast by Election Day that arrive a day or two after the election because of U.S. Postal Service delays.

"We as a society do not want a bunch of ballots coming in the day or two after, delivered late, not because of the voter but because of the Postal Service, and having those ballots being the margin of victory in a close race," Becker said.

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In a statement, RNC chairman Joe Gruters echoed broader sentiments of election security hawks who have taken issue with late-arriving ballots.

Allegheny County workers scan mail-in and absentee ballots at the Allegheny County Election Division Elections warehouse in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.

"Allowing states to count large numbers of mail-in ballots that are received after Election Day undermines trust and confidence in our elections," Gruters said.

"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."





Original article source: RNC gets day at Supreme Court to challenge late-arriving mail ballots
Russia has created a new branch of its military to oversee the production, operation, and testing of uncrewed systems and the tactics and techniques for using them. Called the Unmanned Systems Forces (USF), the new branch mirrors a similar one Ukraine created last year, even using the same name. Its work will encompass aerial, land and surface drones.

Ukrainian officials have acknowledged the creation of this new branch, with one calling it a threat.

1780/ The Russian Ministry of Defense showcased the emblem of the unmanned systems troops.



"The emblem features a crossed arrow and sword, with a microchip bearing a star and wings in the center."



/t.me/warhistoryalconafter/248544 pic.twitter.com/l5WFY2nFK7  Huligan (@Ghost132607472) November 12, 2025

In historys most drone-saturated battlefield, both sides are seeking to streamline operations to better use the resources they have and stay ahead of the never-ending technology development cycle. The objective of the Russian USF is to do just that, according to its deputy chief.

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We have already formed established regiments, battalions, and other units, Lt. Col. Sergei Ishtuganov told the Russian KP.Ru media outlet. Their combat operations are conducted according to a unified plan and in coordination with other units of the troop groups. At the same time, the expansion of existing and the creation of new units continues. We are assigning operators, engineers, technicians, and other support specialists to these units.

The USF is already showing signs of success, Ishtuganov claimed, citing the situation in the embattled city of Pokrovsk, where both sides acknowledge that Russian drones have helped give Moscow the upper hand.

Have you noticed what the enemy complains about most when surrounded in the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad agglomeration? Thats right  drones, exclaimed Ishtuganov. Just a year ago, our troops werent so saturated with drones of all types. But gradually, Russian units managed to turn the tide in the skies and effectively squeeze them from the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Ukrainian action cam footage illustrating the sheer density of Russian FPV drone strikes inside Pokrovsk. pic.twitter.com/X6yjnxQxSR  Russians With Attitude (@RWApodcast) November 1, 2025

Beyond the battlefield, the USF is conducting combat testing of both drones and electronic warfare systems, working closely with manufacturers, the USF deputy chief noted.

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As we pointed out earlier in this story, both sides are rapidly developing new technologies and methods to defeat them. A big focus of the Russian USF is on electronic warfare (EW), where countermeasures often last just weeks or less before they no longer work.

If necessary, we modify these or other products, taking into account the rapidly changing situation, Ishtuganov explained. The enemy plays with frequencies; we reconfigure our electronic warfare systems. The enemy begins to suppress us with electronic warfare; we switch to other frequencies. And this is an ongoing process, requiring, among other things, technical expertise.

A Ukrainian serviceman tests an anti-drone backpack. (Photo by YURIY DYACHYSHYN / AFP) YURIY DYACHYSHYN

While procurement is a major effort of the new military branch, Ishtuganov offered no details about the process. It is important to note that Russia is now receiving a good deal of assistance from Beijing, now producing drones completely made up of Chinese components. Overall, Moscow has announced lofty intentions for producing new drones. It has a factory where the goal is to build 6,000 Shahed-type drones per month. Russia also has plans to make a total of 2 million first-person-view (FPV) drones this year.

Equipment is just part of the equation. The USF is also recruiting top military talent, Ishtuganov said.

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The effectiveness of this new branch of the armed forces, which is still in its infancy, is demonstrated by its personnel approach, he suggested. The best service members are selected, taking into account their combat achievements, among other things.

The USF was created at the behest of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who in December 2024 ordered the Defense Ministry to establish a dedicated branch for drone warfare. While Putin shrugged off concerns about the capabilities of his drone operations, one Russian military observer said a combination of issues had impeded operations. One is how troops are deployed, explained the Forces Group ZAPAD | News Telegram channel. The other is how they have been equipped.

Drone operators should not be sent as assault troops, as some commanders do, the Telegram channel pointed out. Otherwise, the whole process loses its meaning. Patching holes is a consequence of problems. And the existence of such problems is a result of careless command actions. There is hope that the (USF) troops will become a kind of shield for all successful drone operators.

Resources have been another big issue.

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In combat conditions, losing a drone is very easy, and if you have a strict limit on the number of drones  you are limited in your capabilities, Forces Group posited. It is no secret that drones are currently in short supply almost everywhere. Especially night drones. Especially our equivalents of Baba Yaga. Baba Yagas, as we have explained in the past, are large industrial quadcopter drones armed with guided munitions.

Engineers of the Achilles drone battalion testing night bomber drone Vampire (Russians also call it Baba Yaga) before the night mission on the Chasiv Yar direction in Donetsk region. (Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images Serhii Korovayny) Serhii Korovayny

The only Russian unit immune to this concern is Rubicon, a secretive force of drone operators that helped Russia push back Ukraines Kursk invasion.

There is hope that the UAV Forces are being created, among other things, to solve the supply problem so that each unit can eventually call itself at least a mini-Rubicon, Forces Group Zapad postulated.

Samuel Bendett, a drone expert and researcher with the Center for Naval Analyses think tank concurred with much of the Telegram channels hypothesis.

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There are no official standards today for many tactical drone R&D and uses in the Russian military, he told us. There are uneven supplies, there are issues with UAV pilots treated as typical infantry used for assaults, uneven supplies of qualified pilots and drones, etc. There is hope from many in the Russian military that USF will solve many of these issues.

1/ THREAD: Now that the Rus MOD has signaled that the Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) are established, here is a take from Rus mil commentators on what USF can mean for the larger force  main points translated in this thread below. https://t.co/MrICeTog1P https://t.co/DMskea5zvH pic.twitter.com/m4lIuNN1Ht  Samuel Bendett (@sambendett) November 13, 2025

The USF is not Russias first attempt to wrangle its drone operations. As we reported earlier this year, the Russian Navy dedicated regiments to operate uncrewed surface, undersea, air and land systems.

Ukraine, as we noted at the top of this story, created its own USF to address many of the same issues. The reaction in Kyiv toward the Russian version is one of concern.

Heard a detailed intelligence report on the development of the enemys unmanned forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, noted on his Telegram channel. The occupiers are following our experience, particularly in creating regiments of unmanned systems and interceptor drones, and are directing significant resources towards this. We must constantly improve to maintain technological superiority.

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Special attention, he added, is given to scaling the [Ukrainian] Unmanned Systems Forces units: increasing the number of trained crews, involving personnel, and creating infrastructure for their effective operation.

One Ukrainian official posited that Russias following Kyivs lead presents a real danger.

They copied our successful solutions, Andrii Kovalenko, the head of Ukraines Center for Countering Disinformation, stated on Telegram. It was we who created strike UAV companies, which in 2023 allowed us to have an advantage over the enemy. And now the SBS operates very effectively. But the Russians copy and try to scale our innovations by quantity. This is a threat, of course.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
A new Safe Haven Baby Box was installed at an area fire department.

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On Nov. 11, a Safe Haven Baby Box was dedicated at the Hamilton Fire Department Headquarters at 77 Pershing Ave, according to a social media post from the City of Hamilton.

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We are proud to offer another way to help those in a difficult time of need, the city said in the post.

According to the Safe Haven Baby Box website, Safe Haven Baby Boxes are installed on the exterior walls of fire stations and hospitals, ensuring the safe and anonymous surrender of infants.

The exterior door locks automatically when a newborn is placed inside, and an interior door allows medical personnel to quickly and securely retrieve the baby, ensuring immediate care and protection for the infant.

Safe Haven Baby Boxes offer a compassionate and secure option for mothers in crisis who are unable to care for their newborns, the website said. Safe Haven Baby Boxes are a vital resource, providing a lifeline for mothers and a safe beginning for their newborns.

There are 20 baby boxes across the state of Ohio, according to Safe Haven Baby Boxes.

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SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Our city crews are ready and prepared for any needs that come through. Theyll be on call all weekend, said Candace Hadley, the media manager for the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.

A reassuring message as San Diego Fire-Rescue (SDFD) monitors conditions ahead of a major rainstorm headed to San Diego.

It helps us pre-position crews and have resources ready to go depending on where the weather hits hardest, Hadley said.

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But the National Weather Service says its still too early to tell exactly which areas will see the heaviest rain.

Once we get a little bit closeronce we have actual rain on radarwell be able to nail down where higher totals could fall. But right now, theres still a lot of uncertainty, said David Munyan, National Weather Service meteorologist.

Even so, forecasters say this system will bring significant rainfall across the region.

Generally, were still thinking this is going to be a pretty significant precipitation event. Multiple inches of rainfall for some valleys and urban areas, said Munyan.

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Munyan says its unusual for southern California to see this much rain over such a long periodand flooding is a real concern.

If we get as much rain as in the forecast, flooding is always going to be a concern, said Munyan.

City and county crews are getting ahead of it. SDFD says swift-water teams and lifeguards are ready to deploy if needed.

and that includes our lifeguards. We do have swift-water rescue teams. If we see the need, well pre-position them throughout the region, said Hadley.

The citys stormwater department is also clearing drains that tend to clog and sweeping streets to keep trash and debris out of local waterways.

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SDFD is also reminding drivers to slow down, leave extra space, follow signs, and never drive through flooded areas.

any concerns, please report them through the get it done app, and our crews will respond as quickly as possible, said Hadley.

To help protect property, San Diego County and Cal Fire are providing free sandbags at fire stations in unincorporated areas. A full list of locations can be found on the countys website.

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 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
BEIJING, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Wednesday sent a letter of congratulations to the 20th theory seminar between the CPC and the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV). In the letter, Xi noted that China and Vietnam are good neighbors, good friends, good comrades and good partners, and belong to a community with a shared future of strategic significance. Both the CPC and the CPV uphold and develop Marxism, unswervingly follow the socialist path, and lead their respective countries in socialist construction, facing many of the same or similar issues of the times, Xi said. The two parties have carried out in-depth exchanges of experience in governance, jointly explored a socialist modernization path that suits their national conditions, and worked together to promote the localization and modernization of Marxism and the development of the world socialist movement, constantly writing a new chapter of friendship of "comrades plus brothers" in the new era, he said. The theory seminar is an important platform for exchange and dialogue between the two parties, playing a positive role in consolidating friendship and mutual trust, enhancing ideological consensus, and promoting the development of China-Vietnam relations, Xi noted. It is hoped that both sides will stay true to their original aspiration, uphold fundamental principles and break new ground, and continue to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning on governance experience, Xi said. He also called for joint efforts to deepen theoretical discussions and academic exchanges, and jointly enhance their understanding of the laws that underlie governance by a Communist party, socialist construction, as well as the development of human society, so as to provide theoretical support for the socialist cause of both countries and the construction of the China-Vietnam community with a shared future, and contribute to the noble cause of human peace and development. On Wednesday, the two parties held the 20th theory seminar in Vietnam's Ninh Binh.
Disney (DIS) "Shark Tank" star Daymond John has a blunt warning for American workers: The job market is changing faster than people realize  and those who don't adapt will be left behind.

At Yahoo Finance's Invest event on Thursday, the FUBU founder and "Shark Tank" investor said he's hearing real pressure from the entrepreneurs and small-business owners he works with daily.

"If you're struggling, understand that most jobs are going to go away," John said. "The trade business is going to rise ... Invest in that education if you can."

Daymond John at the Hudson Yards VIP Grand Opening Event in New York City. (John Nacion/STAR MAX/IPx)  John Nacion/STAR MAX/IPx

While the US labor market has remained remarkably resilient over the past few years, private data collected during the government shutdown shows a clearer slowdown taking shape, particularly for smaller firms.

According to private payroll processor ADP, private-sector employment rose just 42,000 in October, after a 29,000 decline in September. Hiring has been "positive but concentrated in a narrow set of industries," Oxford Economics said in a note to clients this week, with small businesses, which account for more than 40% of total employment, struggling the most.

On top of weaker hiring, tariffs have added a new layer of pressure, driving up input costs for many small businesses that already have less pricing power and thinner margins.

John said that's exactly what he's hearing across his portfolio companies, noting that many of them are absorbing those higher costs rather than risking consumer pushback.

"They're not really raising prices because they don't wanna pass that onto the consumer since the consumer may just not tolerate it," he said. "They are trying to find sourcing in various different areas, but they are cutting back on their staff and people."

That dynamic is creating an increasingly uneven labor market, with large companies faring far better than small ones. ADP data shows firms with 500 or more employees continue to add jobs at a faster pace, widening the gap between "corporate America" and "Main Street."

Small businesses have struggled under the weight of tariffs and a rapidly changing labor market.  REUTERS / Reuters

Economist Mohamed El-Erian, who previously chaired former President Barack Obama's Global Development Council, told Yahoo Finance that the pressure is increasingly visible on the bottom half of the income distribution.

Lower-income households are "near recession," he warned, pointing to "insecurity about future income," rising credit card debt, and concerns about AI-related layoffs.

That aligns with John's view that workers, especially those in vulnerable industries, need to rethink their approach to competing in a slowing job market.
Officials in Santa Cruz County want your help to find a missing Utah woman.

The Sheriff's Office says 35-year-old Danielle Staley was last seen at a bonfire on November 6, around 11 p.m., near Rio Del Mar State Beach in Aptos.

Danielle Staley Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office

Her belongings were found on the beach.

Detectives say new information suggests she may be at risk and foul play may be involved. They say she was last wearing a dark hoodie sweatshirt and leopard-print leggings.

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Investigators are asking anyone in the area with surveillance video to review their footage from November 5-7 for possible sightings or clues.

Stay with ABC7 News for updates on this developing story.

If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., doubled down while speaking to reporters in Columbia Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, on a long-shot proposal to halt congressional pay in the case of any future government shutdown. (Photo by Jessica Holdman/SC Daily Gazette)

Editors note: This article has been updated to reflect the government reopening.

COLUMBIA  With a restart of the federal government hours away, Sen. Lindsey Graham doubled down Wednesday on a long-shot proposal to change the Constitution to halt congressional pay in any future shutdown.

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The South Carolina Republican introduced the constitutional amendment two weeks ago that would force members of Congress to forfeit their paychecks entirely, automatically sending their pay to the Treasury if lawmakers again fail to keep the government funded.

If I never do anything else in this job, Im gonna push the hell out of this, Graham said while speaking to reporters in Columbia.

The shutdown that began Oct. 1 became the longest in United States history as senators failed 14 times to reach the 60-vote threshold needed to clear the way for approval of a stopgap funding agreement. A 15th vote succeeded late Sunday after seven Democrats and one independent joined Republicans in voting to advance the legislation. President Donald Trumps signature followed approval by the U.S. House late Wednesday to reopen the government after 43 days.

Under federal law, the president, Congress and federal judges all receive regular paychecks when the government shuts down due to lack of funding. But unlike the lawmakers that allowed it to happen, the countrys 2 million civilian government employees and thousands of congressional staffers go without pay until the government reopens.

Members of Congress have the choice to receive their pay as normal, donate it to charity, give the money back to the Treasury to buy down the federal debt, or have their checks withheld. Those who opt to withhold get backpay when the shutdown ends, similar to other federal workers.

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Graham opted to donate the $20,700 he received over the last month and a half to Upstate Warrior Solutions. He cut the check to the Greenville-based veterans charity on Tuesday, he said.

South Carolinas senior senator voted consistently over the 43-day shutdown to reopen the government.

But he acknowledged that Republicans caused a 35-day shutdown in late December 2018 through mid-January 2019 in a push for money to build a wall along the countrys southern border. That one impacted fewer people because Congress had already passed full funding bills for half a dozen major federal agencies.

But what Ive learned from this experience, if youve got a policy debate, dont shut down the government to get an outcome, he said. Thats not a good way to legislate.

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The 27th Amendment to the Constitution prevents Congress from changing its own pay mid-session. Lawmakers can make changes for future sessions that follow the next election. That means a law passed by Congress could take effect as early as January 2027. Graham argued the best option is to amend the Constitution.

In the U.S. House, Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolinas 5th District has introduced a similar measure. The Rock Hill Republican has also pledged to donate his shutdown pay.

The next potential for a congressional stalemate will come in two months. Thats because the bill signed by Trump funds the government only through January.

But Grahams and Normans proposals stand little chance of success. And even if they gain traction, the process could take years.

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The amendment process requires two-thirds majority approval in each chamber, then approval by three-fourths of the states for ratification. The 27th Amendment that bars a mid-session pay change was ratified in 1992, more than 200 years after Congress proposed it.

Still, Graham says hes not backing down.

Im going to push that as hard as I know how to push it, he said. And I do believe if we had to give our pay up, thered be less shutdowns.

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The debate about 3I/ATLAS, a mysterious interstellar object that is currently passing through the Solar System, boils down to "Is it a comet?" versus "Is it maybe just possibly an alien spaceship or probe?" 3I/ATLAS's behavior has been weird, and it just got weirder. Scientists are now debating whether it exploded when it made its closest pass of the Sun, a point astronomers know as "perihelion."

Avi Loeb, the astrophysicist who has become something of a celebrity during the 3I/ATLAS saga, recently discussed the rather extreme loss of mass that the object apparently experienced:

This would mean that 3I/ATLAS exploded at perihelion and we are witnessing the resulting fireworks. In other words, the latest image implies that 3I/ATLAS was decimated by heating from the Sun if it is a natural comet.

Loeb's reasoning gets a little complicated. The mass loss, if verified, could mean that 3I/ATLAS shattered into 16 pieces. However, if future observations made as the object emerges from being blocked by the Sun show an intact object, that hasn't shed immense mass, the scientist speculates that something else could be going on. Like, for instance, an alien spacecraft engine.

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Read more: Ford Once Made A Mile-Long Factory To Build Bombers Faster Than Anyone Thought Possible

Alien thrust

The Lowell Observatory in Arizona, shown at night under a star-filled sky - Nicholas Klein/Getty Images

For this latest theory, Loeb suggests that "[t]echnological thrusters require a much smaller mass loss in order to produce the observed jets around 3I/ATLAS.... Alien-tech thrusters might [reduce] the required mass loss by several orders of magnitude and [make] the required fuel a small fraction of the spacecraft mass."

Loeb has been working on this angle for months now (and has been speculating about alien probes since 2017, when 1I/Oumuamua, an earlier interstellar object, was discovered). His core argument relies on some calculations about how improbable numerous aspects of 3I/ATLAS are. This has both kept 3I/ATLAS constantly in the news and also kept Loeb on TV news shows and various podcasts, including Joe Rogan's.

However, other scientists have pushed back. A researcher at the Lowell Observatory in Arizona told LiveScience that 3I/ATLAS is a "fairly ordinary/healthy-looking comet" and that there is "no sign at all that the nucleus broke apart."

Awkward science

Scientist Avi Loeb, seen at a conference - Jemal Countess/Getty Images

Loeb is obviously a qualified scientist and he has been copiously showing his work, as well as publishing non-peer-reviewed papers with colleagues about 3I/ATLAS. At the same time, he has been walking a tightrope between the cranks and the curious. In his most recent Medium post, he lashed out at other experts, accusing them of arrogance and trying to protect their intellectual turf. He has also forged something of an alliance with Rep. Anna Paulina Luna in order to pressure NASA to release some images that have been delayed by the government shutdown. The congresswoman has said some pretty strange things about aliens and UFOs, but Loeb calls her "brilliant."

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Other scientists aren't saying the same about Loeb. Penn State astronomer Jason Wright was unsparing, writing that "zero planetary scientists give Avi's claims any credence," and it's not because they are hostile to Loeb's ideas but because he is "demonstrably wrong." Wright goes on to accuse Loeb, whom he has worked with, of not knowing very much about comets and not consulting with comet experts if it doesn't suit his hypotheses.

"So the question isn't whether 3I/ATLAS is anomalous: it's from another Solar System, so of course it's anomalous!" Wright concludes. "It's whether it's so anomalous that there's any reason to think it's anything other than a comet."

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The British Geological Society is warning that the Earth is about to get hit by the most powerful solar storm in over two decades.

The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center similarly upgraded its forecast from G3, meaning strong, to G4, indicating severe conditions, for Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the British Geological Society says the incoming storm could grow to achieve the maximum level of G5, or extreme conditions.

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Based on satellite observations, we anticipate this event will be significant, the organization wrote. Early indications such as ground measurements of solar energetic particles are some of the largest recorded since 2005.

Geomagnetic storms are the result of a surge in solar activity when the Sun unleashes a barrage of charged particles. These particles can wreak havoc on GPS and communications satellites in our planets orbit, and even interfere with ground-based equipment if they penetrate the Earths protective atmosphere.

In fact, the ongoing solar storm is proving so dangerous that Jeff Bezos Blue Origin scrubbed the second launch attempt of its New Glenn rocket on Tuesday, following a previous scrub due to bad regular weather.

The massive rocket was meant to launch two Mars-bound NASA spacecraft, called ESCAPADE, into space.

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New Glenn is ready to launch, the company wrote in a tweet. However, due to highly elevated solar activity and its potential effects on the ESCAPADE spacecraft, NASA is postponing launch until space weather conditions improve.

We are currently assessing opportunities to establish our next launch window based on forecasted space weather and range availability, the company added.

In October 2024, NASA announced that the Sun had reached its solar maximum, the most active part of its 11-year cycle. But considering the latest forecast, that activity is far from dying down any time soon.

Determining when exactly the storm will hit, or how strong it will be, remains difficult.

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Like any forecast, it is not possible to say with certainty exactly how big the storm will be, the British Geological Society noted. Solar storms travel from the Sun and can reach Earth in as little as 17 hours, although they can also take significantly longer.

The consequences can be considerable. In May 2024, for instance, a G5 solar storm caused tractors and other farming equipment that rely on GPS and other navigation tech to suddenly break down.

A separate storm caused by an enormous solar flare in October 2024 triggered a temporary radio blackout on Earth.

On the upside, the latest geomagnetic storms explosion in particles is interacting with the Earths atmosphere in dazzling ways, resulting in stunning auroras across North America and as far south as Alabama.

More on solar storms: Sun Fires Energy Blast Straight at Mysterious Interstellar Object Cruising Through Solar System
As the world has gotten hotter, more people are exposed to dangerously high temperatures each year. Findings published in Nature Sustainability show that without policy changes, the world will heat up enough by the end of the century that more than 2 billion people will live in life-threatening hot climates, as Science Hub reported.

What's happening?

So far, the world's average temperature has risen by roughly 1.3-1.4 degrees Celsius (about 2 degrees Fahrenheit) above preindustrial levels due to human activity. The Paris Agreement  an international treaty to limit heat-trapping gases produced by each country and stop the world from getting hotter  proposed to cap the increase at 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit.

However, the new study found that with the current laws, population growth, and environmental conditions, the world will likely reach about 4.8 degrees Fahrenheit above the preindustrial benchmark, per Science Hub.

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The researchers then looked at which areas would be most affected if the temperature increased to that level. They defined "unprecedented heat" zones as areas where the average temperature throughout the year, counting all seasons, is 84.2 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

Science Hub reported that 40 years ago, only 12 million people worldwide lived in regions with temperatures surpassing that heat. Today, thanks to the warming we've already experienced, about 60 million people are affected.

The study found that by 2100, 2 billion out of the world's projected population of 9.5 billion will live in areas with an average temperature higher than 84.2 degrees Fahrenheit. The most affected areas will be countries around the equator, noted Science Hub: India, Nigeria, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Pakistan.

Why is this heating worrisome?

The hotter the world gets, the more heat waves, droughts, and wildfires we experience. As Science Hub reported, studies have also linked the rising heat to everything from more contagious diseases to lower labor efficiency and more conflict between people.

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"That's a profound reshaping of the habitability of the surface of the planet, and could lead potentially to the large-scale reorganization of where people live," study author Tim Lenton, director of the Global Systems Institute at the University of Exeter, told ScienceAlert.

What's being done?

Science Hub reported that if the global community reaches the goal set by the Paris Agreement, the affected population would be limited to half a billion people instead of 2 billion.
Two months after the assassination of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, Utah Sen. John Curtis and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly sat down on the other side of campus to confront the nations epidemic of political violence and to chart a course toward potential solutions.

The senators spoke at a public event on Wednesday, hosted by UVUs Gary R. Herbert Institute for Public Policy and moderated by CNN political correspondent Dana Bash, in an attempt to build something positive from the tragedy of Sept. 10, when a gunman shot Kirk before thousands of students.

Early details from the investigation revealed that Kirks alleged killer had been engulfed by a radical left ideology, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox previously told the Deseret News. The FBI has also suggested that the killer was radicalized by time spent online in obscure social media forums.

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Curtis framed Wednesdays discussion as a way to bring healing to the Utah community that witnessed the death of Kirk, who was one of the most influential conservative activists in the country as the founder of the student outreach organization Turning Point USA.

Kelly expressed hope the conversation would be the start of moving Americas political environment back in a better direction by showcasing how to engage with ideological opponents  a quality Kelly said he admired in Kirk, his former constituent, who based his operations out of Arizona.

I did not agree with him on much. But Ill tell you what, I will go to war to fight for his right to say what he believes, said Kelly, who is a former Navy pilot. Even if you disagree with somebody, doesnt mean you put a wall up between you and them.

Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly and Utah Sen. John Curtis participate in a CNN town hall hosted by Dana Bash in the Noorda Center at Utah Valley University in Orem on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. | August Miller, UVU Marketing

Kelly spoke from a place of intimate experience. In 2011, his wife, Gabby Giffords  then a member of the U.S. House representing Arizonas 8th Congressional District  suffered a severe brain injury when she was shot in the head during an assassination attempt at an event with constituents.

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Since that time, political polarization and extremism have only gotten worse, with social media partially to blame, and with leaders like President Donald Trump pouring gasoline on the flames, according to Kelly, who said Trump consistently tries to drive a wedge between the American people.

While Curtis acknowledged Trumps polarizing approach to politics, he pushed back on Kelly, saying that former President Joe Biden stoked similar divisions, and that those most vehemently against Trump often unwittingly become Trump-like in their hate of President Trump.

But this moment of political violence wont be solved by pointing the finger at social media, or at Trump, or at anyone else, according to Curtis. When criticizing what the algorithm produces, or which candidates are successful in elections, it is just as important, Curtis said, to hold up a mirror.

This is a moment for a little self-reflection, Curtis said. I do think that this is more a reflection, right, of who we are as a country than we are willing, sometimes, to admit.

Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly and Utah Sen. John Curtis participate in a CNN town hall hosted by Dana Bash in the Noorda Center at Utah Valley University in Orem on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. | August Miller, UVU Marketing

Is social media to blame for violence?

The senators also used their bipartisan panel on Wednesday to announce plans to hold social media companies accountable for the type of harmful content promoted around the assassination of Kirk, which they say leads to political violence.

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During their televised discussion, Curtis and Kelly previewed a bill they intend to introduce shortly that would remove liability protection for social media companies that boost content that contributes to political radicalization and violence.

The Algorithm Accountability Act would transform one of the pillars of internet governance by reforming a 30-year-old regulation known as Section 230 that gives online platforms legal immunity for content posted by their users.

What were saying is this is creating an environment that is causing all sorts of harm in our society and particularly with our youth, and it needs to be addressed, Curtis told the Deseret News.

The bill would strip Section 230 protections from companies if it can be proven in court that they used an algorithm to amplify content that caused harm. This change means tech giants would own the harmful content they promote, creating a private cause of action for individuals to sue.

CNN's Dana Bash waves to the crowd with Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly and Utah Sen. John Curtis during a CNN town hall in the Noorda Center at Utah Valley University in Orem on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. | August Miller, UVU Marketing

Section 230 was passed in 1996, before the existence of social media and AI algorithms, Curtis pointed out. What this bill would do, Curtis explained, is open up these trillion-dollar companies to the same kind of liability that tobacco companies and other industries face.

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If theyre responsible for something going out that caused harm, they are responsible. So think twice before you magnify. Why do these things need to be magnified at all? Curtis said.

Censorship or accountability?

Utah Sen. John Curtis hugs Utah Valley University President Astrid Tuminez before he and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly participate in a CNN town hall hosted by Dana Bash in the Noorda Center at Utah Valley University in Orem on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. | August Miller, UVU Marketing

Curtis acknowledged that his new proposal will have its fair share of enemies. Tech companies arent super excited about it, Curtis said, because they rely on social media algorithms to drive engagement  and engagement is often highest with controversial content.

But these companies have long known their formula for keeping eyeballs on screens is harmful to mental health and, occasionally, to physical safety, according to Curtis. The solution proposed on Wednesday is to create an economic incentive not to promote the most toxic content.

Curtis said it is wrong to label his bill as an infringement on the right to freedom of speech. Companies could still host whatever content their users post without censorship, Curtis said. But if platforms decide to incorporate harmful content into their algorithm for clicks, they can be sued.

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This could impact the livelihood of social media influencers who have constructed a business model of gaming the algorithm with outrage-inducing rhetoric by making it harder for their posts to go viral. For these individuals Curtis has a message: tough luck.

If youre one of those influencers that youre talking about, and theyre upset because somebody cant promote their content because it causes harm, maybe they need to rethink what they do for a living, Curtis said.

In the final hours of the longest federal government budget stalemate in history, Kelly predicted that the Algorithm Accountability Act will get pretty broad bipartisan support because there is widespread recognition that social media is one of the greatest threats to young people.

Does civil leadership matter?

CNN's Dana Bash greets Utah Valley University President Astrid Tuminez before a town hall with Utah Sen. John Curtis and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly in the Noorda Center at Utah Valley University in Orem on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. | August Miller, UVU Marketing

Before the event, UVU President Astrid Tuminez told the Deseret News that by showing students what it looks like for leaders to disagree productively the university can help students understand that they can have differing opinions without holding each other in contempt.

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One UVU student, William Burns, who said he witnessed the assassination of Kirk close up, chose to attend the event because he believes Kirks legacy for his generation is that more debate, not less, is the healthiest way for society to overcome differences.

While the experience on Sept. 10 was certainly traumatic for Burns, he said that Kirks death has actually emboldened him and his peers to communicate more loudly what they believe with others, in a way that he thinks has had a positive impact.

Whether you agree with him completely or not, I still think debating, and, having a little bit of fun talking about things you disagree with is good, Burns said. Its an awful thing that happened. But like, I think were turning it into the best outcome we can.

CNN's Dana Bash speaks with Utah Sen. John Curtis and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly during a CNN town hall in the Noorda Center at Utah Valley University in Orem on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. | August Miller, UVU Marketing

Kirk was known for his blunt, viral encounters with young progressives. But he also showcased an ability to put down the mic, and listen to other viewpoints in order to understand and persuade, according to Disagree Better executive director Marianne Viray.

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Disagree Better, a nonprofit based on Coxs initiative as National Governors Association chair, co-sponsored Wednesdays event to further its mission of changing the culture by modeling how leaders can elevate civil dialogue, Viray told the Deseret News.

A Stanford study of Coxs Disagree Better campaign found that participants who viewed the ads with bipartisan pairings of elected officials experienced a marked decrease in partisan animosity based on exaggerated perceptions of others  which is directly correlated with political violence, Viray said.

Our democracy was founded on principles of ... working to find the best solutions for all, and that involves sitting at the table with your ideological rivals, Viray said. Framing any ideology in terms of defeating or eradicating the other ... takes us outside the container that our Constitution has created for differences of opinions to coexist.

In an interview with the Deseret News, Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs said Utah can lead out in countering political violence by embracing Kirks bold style of debate that identified the political left as the source of most violent tactics, and that sought to discredit liberal ideas.

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This was the approach Staggs said he highlighted in his Senate bid against Curtis in 2024, where he was endorsed by Turning point, and in his recently published book, Heirs of the Revolution: Our Civic Duty to Restore Our Republic  which was also endorsed by Kirk.

Leadership is important, but Staggs said it is regular Utahns, not the Washington, D.C., elite, that should spearhead efforts to articulate conservative principles, eliminate obstacles to free expression and continue the battle that Kirk died fighting  right in the middle of the Beehive State.

We need more discussion, not less, Staggs said. Thats what Turning Point was all about  creating an environment where young minds and conservatives could look at opposing viewpoints, have debate, thats what we need to do, we need more of that."
"If the president is fond of radio stations, he can set one up at the President's Residence," a source close to Katz said, as reported by Israeli media.

A source close to Defense Minister Israel Katz slammed President Isaac Herzog for his Thursday statement against Army Radio's closure.

"If the president is fond of radio stations, he can set one up at the President's Residence," a source close to Katz said, as reported by Israeli media.

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"Only the Israeli government will make decisions, in accordance with its authority, regarding the closure of Army Radio."

Herzog said earlier that while he supports correcting Army Radio, he does not think that the media organization should be shut down.

"Yes to correction, no to destruction. When closing a media outlet, especially a public media outlet, it's not just about closing a channel, but a window to the public," Herzog said.

Israeli President Issac Herzog at a memorial ceremony to commemorate the 30th anniversary of former Israeli Prime Minister Itzhak Rabin's assassination, at the president's residence in Jerusalem on November 3, 2025. (credit: ARIE LIEB ABRAMS/FLASH90)

"We must not forget that when voices are erased, we lose not only a frequency, but also dialogue. Certainly, it is possible to correct, but not to completely erase a critical democratic tool  one that provides public broadcasting to us."

A professional team will oversee the closure

Army Radio is expected to air its last broadcast on March 1, 2026. Katz announced that a professional team will be established within the Defense Ministry to oversee the implementation of the decision, ensuring civilian employees at the station can end their employment under proper arrangements while safeguarding their rights.

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Herzog acknowledged that the closure of the media outlet caused "great concern."

"In a time of political and social polarization and struggles over the character of Israeli democracy, the move to completely close a long-standing public media outlet in Israel raises great concern, and rightly so. There is no doubt, and no dispute, that the very existence of a military-public radio station in a liberal democracy is exceptional and worthy of review, even change and improvement."

Katz argues in his Wednesday statement, "Army Radio was established by the Israeli government as a military station to serve as a mouthpiece and an ear for IDF soldiers and their families - and not as a platform for voicing opinions, many of which attack the IDF and the IDF soldiers themselves."

Katz argued that continuing the stations operation drags the IDF into political discourse and harms its reputation as the peoples army. Operating a civilian radio station by the military is an anomaly that has no equal in any democratic country in the world, he said.

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Army Radio commander Tal Lev-Ram, who previously served as the military correspondent for The Jerusalem Posts sister newspaper Maariv, said he would fight the closure before the High Court of Justice.

Pesach Benson/TPS and Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.
A lawsuit filed against the Georgia State Election Board has settled.

The watchdog group American Oversight sued the board over public records access. At issue was the use of private email accounts to conduct official business by members of the state board.

American Oversight sued in July 2024, when requests for records related to elections regulations and policy decisions were denied by board member Janice Johnston.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The nonprofit organization accused Johnston of delaying public records request responses and refusing access to official emails.

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They said the election board used Gmail for official correspondence.

We learned that Johnston would not provide the SEBs open records officer access to her SEB Gmail account to search for responsive public records, which we contended contributed to delays of up to six months, a spokesperson said.

TRENDING STORIES:

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Their lawsuit followed what they called widespread concerns about the boards transparency.

After the lawsuit was filed, members of the State Election Board switched to Georgia government email accounts, which American Oversight said allowed the boards open records officer to search for responsive records without interference.

According to the terms of the settlement, shared by American Oversight, the State Election Boards members denied being liable for violating open records laws, and agreed to resolve the lawsuit by conducting any election board business and communications on government accounts only.

The board also agreed to instruct its members to ensure messages sent or received by email, text or on other applications are contemporaneously retained until such messages are captured and forwarded to their respective government email account.:

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Those messages must be produced in response to open records requests that would include them.

The board agreed to provide these instructions to all current members within five business days of the agreement being finalized.

American Oversight said Wednesday that the settlement was agreed to via vote at the Nov. 12 State Election Board meeting.

The board was also ordered to pay American Oversight $50,000 as a settlement payment within 10 days of the lawsuits terms being agreed to. The lawsuit would be dismissed with prejudice once these conditions are met, according to court documents containing the settlement terms.

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When officials who continue to challenge the results of the 2020 election are put in charge of ensuring fair, legal and orderly elections in Georgia  but do so behind closed doors  the integrity of our elections is at risk, Chioma Chukwu, Executive Director of American Oversight, said in a statement. No Georgian should have to question whether theyll be disenfranchised simply because those administering elections disagree wisth their views.

Chukwu said the settlement made it clear that election officials are not above the law  they must comply with state transparency requirements, and if they dont, they will be held accountable.

Channel 2 Action News reached out to the State Election Board for comment on the settlement and is waiting for its members response.

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After weeks of speculation and social media posts, Indianapolis Public Schools and local education leaders confirmed that the idea of shrinking the district to only include Center Township has been discussed among those tasked with reshaping its future.

On Nov. 11, board members included the Center Township idea in a presentation during a 'community conversation' meeting, but were pointed in saying no decision has been made on the proposal.

We know this is hard, board president Angelia Moore told those in attendance. This is not something we take lightly, which is why we are taking you along with us.

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The conversation between the district and its families is happening simultaneously as members of the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance are having similar discussions on how to right-size the district, but in closed-door meetings.

Parents, however, remain anxious at even the idea that their child's school could end up outside IPS boundaries.

Carolyn Lesmeisters son attends George Julian School 57 in Irvington, which would be at risk of closure if the Center Township idea were executed. Her son has changed schools three times since he started pre-kindergarten as the family searched for the right fit. He returned to IPS this year after attending a charter school.

It feels a little bit like a slap in the face as somebody whose family intentionally chose IPS because it reflects our values and what we want our child to be raised with, Lesmeister said, adding that part of the reason they left the charter school is because they wanted an elected board they could hold accountable.

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Moore told IndyStar after the meeting that the board couldn't make an informed decision on right-sizing the district without hearing from the community.

IPS is hosting one more Community Conversation this month from 2-3:30 p.m. Nov. 13. The virtual meeting will be hosted on Microsoft Teams. IPS is requesting that attendees register online in advance.

How, exactly, the plan could play out if IPS chose to shrink its boundaries wasn't presented. IPS presently has 74 schools under its purview. Depending on how the boundary maps are redrawn, that number could be brought down by a couple dozen schools. The board did not explain what would happen to schools left behind.

This concern of possible campus closures has been hanging over the district ever since its leaders told state lawmakers earlier this year that it would be forced to close schools if bills were passed that reduced property tax revenue and required IPS to share its smaller pot of funds with charter schools. Both pieces of legislation were ultimately passed.

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IPS board member Gayle Cosby emphasized during the meeting that the only reason they are discussing this option at all is because of changes brought by Senate Bill 1.

I think the big picture we must keep in mind is that all of the options that are being presented are out of the need to the cut in the funding levels that we're going to be facing, Cosby said.

Teacher and job concerns

Monica Shellhamer, a teacher in IPS and the second vice president of the Indianapolis Education Association union, raised concerns about whether educators would lose their jobs or face pay cuts under the plan if it were implemented.

Shellhamer also asked whether there were enough school types within Center Township, as many middle schools and some high schools are located outside the boundary. That concern was not addressed during the meeting.

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Andrea McCloud, a music teacher, said her family could take a triple hit from the change. She and her husband work for the district at schools outside Center Township. Her child also attends school outside the township.

We need transparency, and we need to be able to plan, McCloud told board members at the meeting. That's for every IPS parent and educator, but especially those like ours. We need to know when to start looking for our cardboard box.

More on SB 1: Indiana's property tax changes hurt school budgets. Will schools fill gaps with more referendums?

The conversation around redistricting to a Center Township boundary has also been discussed within the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance, a group established through legislation to provide recommendations on how the citys network of public schools can work more effectively and share limited resources.

Michael OConnor, who was hired by Mayor Joe Hogsett to serve as a consultant for the alliance, recently told the City-County Councils education committee on Nov. 4 about proposals to shrink the district and that discussions were ongoing.

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The alliance has until the end of this year to produce recommendations that are meant to touch on topics like school governance, transportation and facilities usage.

Its not entirely clear how many students and families could be affected by restricting the district to the Center Township boundary. Still, at least a couple of dozen schools would be impacted by that change.

The IPS zones that this move would most impact would be those on the north side, or the current Zone 2 schools, and many on the western edges of the district in Zone 1.

IPS district-managed schools, innovation charter and innovation non-charter schools could all be affected.

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An IPS spokesperson responded to IndyStar questions, stating that the district believes any consideration of how to right-size the district should be done in partnership with the IPS community.

"Every option currently being considered could bring significant change, and our families, students, staff, and neighbors deserve to have their voices heard in decisions that affect our schools and neighborhoods," the district said in a statement. "Our goal remains the same: ensuring every family has access to safe, welcoming schools with excellent opportunities for their children."

The next meeting for the ILEA is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 19. The location and agenda details will be updated on the website shortly before the meeting, along with instructions for those who wish to submit a written comment or share comments publicly with the panel.

Contact IndyStar K-12 education reporter Caroline Beck at 317-618-5807 or CBeck@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter (X): @CarolineB_Indy.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IPS parents fear closures as talks surface of shrinking district boundary
U.S. Capitol (Photo/File)

The U.S. government has begun to reopen after services were shuttered for 43 days due to congressional disputes over federal spending.

After the House of Representatives passed legislation to reopen the federal government on Wednesday night, President Donald Trump signed a spending bill that includes immediate funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The bill ensures full payments to at least 42 million Americans who lost food aid benefits in November.

Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning.

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Full coverage for SNAP this month, estimated at $9 billion, also resolved an issue before the Supreme Court.

Following Trumps signature, U.S. Solicitor General John Sauer filed a motion with the Supreme Court on Thursday to withdraw the federal government from a case that disputed full SNAP payments by redirecting reserves while the government remained shut down.

The Supreme Court had previously paused an order from a Rhode Island federal judge that required the Trump administration to fully pay SNAP benefits to states and individuals who had not received them beginning Nov. 1.

Because the underlying dispute here is now moot, the government wrote in its filing Thursday.

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Trumps signature also authorizes SNAP funding through 2026 and replenishes the $6 billion contingency fund that was triggered at the end of October. The spending bill provides funding for all federal agencies through Jan. 30, 2026.

Tribal nations across the country had prepared extensively for the prolonged shutdown. Emergency orders directed food aid through increased inventory purchases at tribally run food banks and larger meat harvests through tribally managed natural resources.

The National Congress of American Indians praised the spending bill for restoring SNAP funding so states can resume issuing benefits that millions of families lost during the shutdown.

Still, this moment underscores an enduring reality: temporary fixes are not enough. Government shutdowns and stopgap funding force Tribal governments to divert time and resources away from serving our people, the group said in a statement. Data and testimonies obtained during the shutdown made clear how fragile the status quo is for Tribal communities. The solution is lasting, structural funding reform.

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About the Author: "Shaun Griswold, contributing writer, is a Native American journalist based Albuquerque. He is a citizen of the Pueblo of Laguna, and his ancestry also includes Jemez and Zuni on the maternal side of his family. He has more than a decade of print and broadcast news experience. "

Contact: shawn@nativenewsonline.net
By Gwladys Fouche

OSLO (Reuters) -Unnerved by the Ukraine war and U.S. President Donald Trump's whiplash statements on defending Europe, Norway could allow its $2.1 trillion sovereign wealth fund, the world's largest, to invest in major defence companies from 2027 after a more than 20-year hiatus.

Such a move would enable the fund to take stakes in 14 defence companies with a combined market capitalisation of about $1 trillion, and which it cannot currently invest in under ethical guidelines because they make components of nuclear weapons.

On November 4, parliament voted in favour of reviewing the fund's ethical guidelines, in place since 2004.

The companies that could become open to the fund are: Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Airbus, BAE Systems, Safran, Thales, BWX Technologies, Northrop Grumman, Fluor, General Dynamics, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Jacobs Solutions, L3Harris Technologies and L&T.

Once spurned by ESG-minded investors, defence stocks are becoming more acceptable, as Russia continues to wage war in Ukraine, and European countries hike defence spending under pressure from the Trump administration.

The new security environment has also made defence stocks a potentially lucrative investment.

"Freedom is more important than ESG," Knut Kjaer, the fund's founding CEO, who served between 1998 and 2007, told Reuters. "Europe has to defend itself from the aggression from Russia. Why should we not invest in weapons?"

Norway was buying arms from the very same companies it has forbidden its fund from investing in, he said.

NORWAY'S FUND HAS SET INVESTING TRENDS

Any changes to the fund's guidelines could see other ESG-minded investors follow suit, such as when in 2016, it decided to shun companies that derive 30% of revenues from coal.

Last Friday, Norway's finance ministry named a commission to review the guidelines and which will make recommendations in October 2026, to be voted on in parliament in June 2027.

A NEW GLOBAL SECURITY SITUATION PROMPTS A RETHINK

Like Kjaer, the government has highlighted it is already a direct customer of many of these defence companies.

"On the one hand, we consider it ethically acceptable to transfer large sums to such (defence) companies as payment, while we consider it is unethical to receive much smaller amounts as returns from the same companies," Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg, an ex-NATO chief, told parliament on October 24.

In the commission's mandate, the finance ministry highlights a "dilemma": Norway buys fighter jets from Lockheed and frigates from BAE Systems, yet 20 years ago agreed its wealth fund would not invest in them.
House Democrats are back at work  and, boy, are they mad.

Theyre mad at the Senate Democrats who cut them out of negotiations and cut the deal to reopen the government after a record 43-day shutdown. Theyre mad at Speaker Mike Johnson for keeping the House out of session all that time for what theyre calling a seven-week paid vacation. And theyre mad that, after all that, theres still no clear path forward on meeting their key demand  an extension of health insurance subsidies that expire next month.

Their fury was evident across the Capitol in the 24 hours leading up to Wednesdays decisive vote reopening the government as they took stock of a long, bitter fight that ended without a clear win and left many spoiling for fights and in little mood to compromise with Republicans.

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That sour mood stands to linger with another shutdown deadline approaching in January and members hoping to somehow forge a bipartisan compromise on the insurance subsidies in the coming weeks.

The Senate says they will have a vote [on the subsidies], said Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee. Do I trust any of them? Hell no.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the final vote Wednesday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries vowed to keep up the fight  even as Democrats procedural options remain limited. One casualty of the shutdown was Jeffries once-cordial relationship with Johnson, which descended into mudslinging as the standoff ground on and frustration mounted.

Institutionally, Mike Johnson did great damage to the House of Representatives by castrating his Republican majority and keeping his extremists on a taxpayer-funded vacation for more than seven weeks, Jeffries said.

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The vacation epithet was a popular one for Democrats returning to the Capitol this week, and it grated on the ears of Republicans who blame the other partys intransigence for the record shutdown.

During a late-night hearing Tuesday, Rules Committee Chair Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) interrupted Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.) after she sarcastically welcomed Republicans back from the extended recess.

I am sick and tired of hearing you say we had an eight-week vacation, Foxx said. I worked every day  I dont know about you  but I dont want to hear another soul say that.

Ansari refused to back off: I hope you all enjoyed yourselves while American families [were] terrified that their health insurance premiums were going to double or triple, she fired back

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Adding to the partisan tension surrounding the shutdown was Johnsons decision not only to keep the House out of session but to also not swear in Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz) until the shutdown ended.

Democrats packed the House floor for Grijalvas swearing-in Wednesday. Rep. Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.), introducing his new colleague, at first joked about how it has been a minute since we have all been together before levying more heated attacks on Johnson.

At one point, the speaker said, Bless her heart, she is representative-elect, she doesn't know how it works around here, Stanton said. Bless his heart, because heres how it should work  When the American people vote, this chamber respects their will and seats them immediately. Politics should never come into play.



In her own speech, Grijalva criticized Republican leaders for denying her district access to the basic services that every constituent deserves.

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This is an abuse of power, she said. One individual should not be able to unilaterally obstruct the swearing in of a duly elected member of congress for political reasons.

But Grijalva and Johnson were all smiles when they posed together after she was formally sworn into the House.

"I really like this lady. I think she's going to be an excellent member of Congress, Johnson said.

Republicans displayed some anger of their own Wednesday. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) used his floor time to decry Democrats for their extremist positions and sparking the record shutdown. You should all be ashamed of yourselves for inflicting this pain on the American people  not paying our troops, our federal employees, our air traffic controllers, he shouted. It's a disgrace, and you should all hang your heads in shame.

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That prompted a warning from Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.), who was presiding over the House at the time, to cool things down: I fully recognize that there's a lot of pent-up anxiety and emotions have been elevated somewhat, but please.

The tensions stand to color the Houses work over the coming weeks. Johnson is promising additional session days and late nights to catch up on the weeks of lost legislative time.

To jump-start progress on the expiring insurance subsidies, Democrats launched a longshot procedural maneuver known as a discharge petition to force a three-year extension of the credits for a vote, but it is unlikely enough Republicans will sign on to ensure its success. More likely, any compromise will have to be forged in the Senate, something in which House Democrats showed little faith this week.

And then theres the next spending deadline, coming on Jan. 30, when many of the factors that led up to the shutdown over the last seven weeks are likely to be unchanged. Leading up to the 43-day shutdown, Democrats pushed for funding guardrails on the Trump administration in addition to the health care provisions  and got neither in the end.

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I do think at some point it is important for Democrats to have a backbone and really fight for the American people, said Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.).

I'm not going to vote to endorse their cruelty, said Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) when asked about the prospect of another shutdown. And thats the way I view them not extending the ACA tax credits.

Jeffries separately cautioned that a laundry list of other items on the Houses agenda, including passage of the annual defense authorization bill, could be threatened if Republicans cut Democrats out of the process.

The business of the American people must continue, but the red line will be if Republicans continue to adopt the my-way-or-the-highway approach, he said. At that point, we'll continue to say, Get lost.
SINGAPORE (Reuters) -Singapore's central bank will hold trials to issue tokenised MAS bills next year and bring in laws to regulate stablecoins as it presses forward with plans to build a scalable and secure tokenised financial ecosystem, the bank's top official said on Thursday.

"Tokenisation has lifted off the ground. But have asset-backed tokens achieved escape velocity? Not yet," said Chia Der Jiun, Managing Director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), a keynote address at the Singapore FinTech Festival.

He said MAS has been working on the details of its stablecoin regulatory regime and will prepare draft legislation, with the emphasis on "sound reserve backing and redemption reliability."

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MAS is also supporting trials under the Blue Initiative, which explores the use of tokenised bank liabilities and regulated stablecoins for settlement, he added.

"In the CBDC space, I am pleased to announce that the three Singapore banks, DBS, OCBC, and UOB, have successfully conducted interbank overnight lending transactions using the first live trial issuance of Singapore dollar wholesale CBDC," he said.

A CBDC, or central bank digital currency, is a digital form of central bank money.

MAS will expand trials to include tokenised MAS bills settled with CBDC, he added.

Chia said a regulatory guide on tokenised capital markets products will be published this week, and MAS is working with international counterparts to align standards and support adoption.

(Reporting by Yantoultra Ngui and Jun Yuan Yong; Editing by David Stanway)
Education at all levels, from early childhood through college, will strengthen the Kansas economy, writes Torree Pederson. (Photo by Getty Images)

As a mom with kids in Kansas schools, I see the future of our state every day. I see it every time we talk about college applications, first jobs, and what kind of future my kids want to build here in Kansas.

But as the president and CEO of an organization that works with educators, employers and policymakers across Kansas and Missouri, I also see the widening gap between the skills our students are learning and the demands of todays workforce. The gap threatens the strength of our communities, the future of our economy, and most importantly, our kids.

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Across the state of Kansas, I continue to hear the same message. In Hutchinson, business owners say they cant fill positions. In Wichita, hospitals are short on nurses and technicians. In Salina, manufacturers cant find enough trained workers to keep up with demand. These are not isolated challenges. They are symptoms of a talent pipeline that isnt keeping pace with the needs of Kansas employers.

My organization has spent the past year traveling across the state on a Cradle to Career Listening Tour. We met with parents, teachers, students, and business leaders in every corner of Kansas to ask whats working and what isnt. Their message was clear: We have to do more to educate the future workforce that our state will need.

The path from classroom to career begins long before graduation. Early childhood education gives our kids the foundation to learn.

It continues with strong K12 schools that retain great teachers in the classroom.

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It extends through technical training and higher education that prepares students for real, high-skilled jobs.

When any part of that system falters, families and communities experience the impact. Parents who cant find affordable child care are forced to step out of the workforce. Schools that lose experienced teachers struggle to maintain stability and quality. And when students cant see how their education connects to real careers, too many leave Kansas to find opportunity somewhere else.

However, Kansans also know what works. Parents and educators told us about career and technical education programs that connect students directly to employers. Businesses shared how apprenticeships help students earn while they learn. Communities talked about partnerships that make college more affordable and accessible. These are Kansas solutions, grounded in practicality and collaboration.

If we want to stay competitive as a state, we must treat education as the backbone of our economy. Just as we invest in roads and broadband, we must invest in the systems that build human potential. Our teachers, our schools, and our training programs are not expenses, they are economic infrastructure.

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As a mom and business leader who is passionate about helping Kansas kids succeed, I feel the urgency of this moment. The future workforce is sitting in our classrooms today. Whether those students stay in Kansas, build their careers here, and raise their families here depends on the choices we make now.

What gives me hope is the Kansas spirit Ive seen in every community visited on the listening tour. People are willing to come together, to listen, and to find common ground. Parents, educators, and employers all want the same thing: a future where every child has the chance to succeed and every business has the talent it needs to grow.

As we look ahead to the 2026 legislative session, we have an opportunity to turn those conversations into action. Investing in education is not a partisan issue, it is a Kansas priority.

If we want a strong workforce tomorrow, we have to educate students today. Our future depends on it.

Torree Pederson is president and CEO of Aligned, a nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition of business leaders committed to improving education and workforce systems across Kansas and Missouri. Through its opinion section, the Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.
Now that the longest shutdown in United States government history has ended, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will resume funding in Tennessee.

After 43 days of the government shutdown, President Donald Trump signed legislation on Nov. 12 from the White House that reopens the federal government and starts to resolve the mayhem the shutdown created.

Trump's approval followed the House of Representatives voting 222-209 earlier in the evening on a funding package to restore services, ending a political crisis that lasted over a month and left millions of Americans unable to travel or afford food.

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SNAP, previously known as food stamps, issues Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards to approximately 12% of Americans for a limited period to purchase basic food. Eligibility usually extends to households at or below 130% of the poverty line, with many recipients being elderly, disabled, or children.

During the shutdown, payments for SNAP benefits were temporarily suspended because the shutdown created a funding gap for the food assistance program. This funding gap affected approximately 690,600 residents in Tennessee.

Here is what to know about SNAP benefits resuming in Tennessee.

Are SNAP payments resuming in Tennessee?

After President Trump signed the funding bill to end the government shutdown on Wednesday night, the Tennessee Department of Human Services began issuing partial payments to those who did not receive SNAP benefits in November.

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"Households that normally get benefits between the 1st and 12th will now receive them starting November 12," the department stated on its website. "All other households will get their reduced benefit on their usual date."

The Department will only issue a partial amount of the usual November benefits to SNAP households.

There is no national distribution date for SNAP benefits, even when the federal government is functioning as usual. Tennessee typically issues SNAP benefits within the first 20 days of the month, based on the last two digits of a recipient's Social Security Number.

Which Tennessee counties use SNAP the most?

In September, roughly 690,600 people received SNAP benefits across the state. Recipients typically receive an average of $340 per family. Benefits are income-limited to families making $3,483 or less per month for a family of four.

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Here are the top five counties in Tennessee ranked by the number of individuals who received SNAP benefits in September, the most recent data available:

Shelby County: 152,265 (16.72%)

Davidson County: 59,274 (8.13%)

Knox County: 34,653 (6.84%)

Hamilton County: 34,223 (8.86%)

Rutherford County: 21,748 (5.77%)

What does the spending package say about SNAP?

The proposed spending package to end the shutdown includes a bill that would fund the USDA through the end of the fiscal year 2026. This includes restoring funding for SNAP through September 2026.

Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill," passed in July, however, cut an estimated $186 billion from SNAP funding through 2034, according to the Congressional Budget Office. It also added new restrictions to the program, including expanding work requirements. Under the bill, able-bodied individuals without dependents are required to work at least 80 hours per month if they are aged between 18 and 65 years old to receive benefits. Previously, before Trump's bill, the top age was 55.

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Veterans, people who recently aged out of foster care and unhoused people are no longer exempt from work requirements. It also eliminated the ability for states to temporarily extend benefits beyond three months in areas with an unemployment rate over 10% or an insufficient number of jobs.

The bill significantly restricts benefits to apply only to certain lawful permanent residents and U.S. citizens, as well as eliminates eligibility for others legally present in the United States, including those who have qualified for conditional entry under the asylum and refugee laws or based on urgent humanitarian reasons like survivors of domestic violence or human trafficking.

States are also now responsible for up to 15% of benefit costs, depending on the payment error rate, and are saddled with increased administrative costs from 50% to 75%.

How are SNAP benefits paid?

SNAP benefits are typically loaded onto EBT cards, which work like debit cards. These cards can be used to purchase groceries at authorized retailers, including supermarkets and convenience stores.

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States must submit monthly data on SNAP benefits for eligible households to their EBT vendors. This allows vendors to load benefits onto EBT cards. Late submissions can cause delays or missed payments. Typically, the USDA authorizes these transmissions, but government shutdowns and funding issues can disrupt the process.

What are the longest government shutdowns in U.S. history?

This federal funding lapse is the longest in the country's history. Take a look at the top five longest closures in history, as reported by USA TODAY.

2025: Under Trump. Started on Oct. 1. Ongoing. 2019: Under Trump. Lasted 35 days and cost the economy about $3 billion, equal to 0.02% of GDP, according to the Congressional Budget Office. 1996: Under President Bill Clinton. Lasted 21 days. 1978: Under President Jimmy Carter. Lasted 17 days. 2013: Under President Barack Obama. Lasted 16 days.

USA TODAY contributed to this report.

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Jordan Green covers trending news for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jordan.green@commercialappeal.com.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: When will SNAP benefits resume in Tennessee? What's next post-shutdown
Nov. 12 (UPI) -- Full food assistance program benefits will begin flowing to around 42 million Americans within one day after legislation ended the longest government shutdown at 43 days on Wednesday.

For the first time since its inception in 1939, the U.S. government failed to issue monthly assistance in November. The food stamp program was officially renamed as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in 2008.

Benefits are loaded into Electronic Benefits Transfer, which are debit-type cards issued by the Department of Agriculture.

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A USDA spokesperson told CBS News and USA Today that recipients in most states will get their benefits "within 24 hours" after the government shutdown ends.

The payment process has become confusing because 16 states have issued full benefits for November, while 13 others have sent partial or no payments until a pause by the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday, according to research by the Food Research and Action Center

Also, full payments are staggered throughout the month.

"States that did not issue full benefits earlier will need to resubmit their files to their EBT vendors for processing, which may take a few additional days," Gina Plata-Nino, SNAP director at the Food Research & Action Center, told CBS News.

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The announcement comes as the House has sent legislation to reopen the government to the desk of President Donald Trump, who signed it into law late Wednesday. The bill will keep SNAP benefits covered for all of next year.

The average monthly benefit is $188 per person. Benefits are determined by household size, income and state.

Benefits generally go to households at or below 130% of the poverty line. Recipients include the elderly, disabled and children.

Allowable gross monthly income ranges from $1,696 per month up to $3,483 for four people in a household, according to the USDA. For each additional member, the income can be $596 higher.

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A new 2025 federal law requires recipients ages 18-64 without dependents to work at least 80 hours a month or participate in an approved work program.

In a flurry of legal activity Friday night, an appeals court upheld Rhode Island District Judge Jack McConnell's order from the day before for full payments. Subsequently, the Trump administration appealed to the high court. Then, a ruling by Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson temporarily blocked the order.

On Tuesday, the high court extended the pause of the district judge's ruling that ordered the Agricultural Department to fully fund the program.

On Nov. 3, the agency said it would distribute half of the $9 billion monthly cost from a contingency fund.

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The government in a court filing said depleting that reserve means "no funds will remain for new SNAP applicants certified in November, disaster assistance, or as a cushion against the potential catastrophic consequences of shutting down SNAP entirely."

Nevertheless, the amount was raised to 65% on Thursday, the day the district judge required full payment.

He directed USDA to find $4 billion "in the metaphorical couch cushions."

McConnell said the administration could use Section 32 funds, which the USDA uses to help with child nutrition programs. But the administration rejected that plan.

In the appeal, the DOJ claimed that the judge's order "makes a mockery of the separation of powers." Lawyers said transferring funds would mean diverting money from Child Nutrition Programs.
You can call them the snowbirds of the water.

Manatee "season" kicks off Saturday, Nov. 12 as the gentle giants make their way along our shores and canals and (hopefully) stop by Florida Power & Lights Manatee Lagoon, which will host a celebration free to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Mini-educational lectures, face-painting, outdoor games, a Manatee Tales Story Time, environmental exhibits and an appearance by Mia the Manatee will be part of the "Migration Celebration" at 6000 N. Flagler Dr., on the border of West Palm Beach and Riviera Beach. Food trucks from Dune Dog and Kobschies Ice Rolls will be available.

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As the water gets colder, manatees seek warmer water, where they find it in the overflow from the FPL power plant into the Lake Worth Lagoon.

There's no guarantee manatees will gather near the plant yet, even with the much chillier temperatures Palm Beach County has experienced this week. While the air is cold, the water is not cold enough for the sea cows to seek warmer waters.

That doesn't mean you won't find them in the waters.

 WATCH LIVE: Manatee Lagoon's live manatee cam

Danielle Wertz, the Education Coordinator at Manatee Lagoon, said they've seen manatee "swim-bys" recently. "Manatees have definitely returned to Florida waters," she said, "They swim along the waterfront. They are in the area; they're just not congregating yet."

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Manatees don't just like warmer waters, they need it to survive, favoring temperatures close to 68 degrees or warmer. Wertz said the Lake Worth Lagoon was 82 degrees when tested this week.

Before coming to Florida, manatees' typical range is as far west as Texas and they've been known to go as far north as the the Carolinas. "Some play by their own rules," Wertz said, mentioning the famous Chessie, a manatee that made national news in 1994 when it was found swimming in Chesapeake Bay. The manatee, who seemed to refuse to return south for the winter, was rescued from the cold waters.

There have been an unusual amount of manatee deaths each year since about 2021, with causes including watercraft collisions, cold stress and starvation linked to seagrass loss. Some reports from 2021 noted deaths in Palm Beach County nearly doubled the average for the entire previous year. But Wertz said the unusual mortality event was officially declared over earlier this year by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Manatees still remain on the endangered list and are listed as a threatened species.

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Manatee season in Florida lasts until March 31.

Next year will mark Manatee Lagoon's 10th anniversary. They will celebrate with ManateeFest, on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. The event will include activities and special programming.

If you want to catch a manatee in its natural habitat, check out Manatee Lagoon's manatee cam here at visitmanateelagoon.com.

If you go

 What: Kickoff to manatee season called "Migration Celebration" that includes mini-educational lectures, face-painting, outdoor games, a Manatee Tales Story Time, environmental exhibits, an appearance by Mia the Manatee, food trucks from Dune Dog and Kobschies Ice Rolls.

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 Where: Florida Power & Lights Manatee Lagoon, 6000 N. Flagler Dr., on the border of West Palm Beach and Riviera Beach

 When: Saturday, Nov. 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 Cost: The event is free to the public

 For more information: Visit www.Visitmanateelagoon.com.

On cold winter days, Florida Power & Light's observation deck at Manatee Lagoon is the ideal spot to view manatee herds basking in the warm-water outflows from the power plant in Riviera Beach.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Manatee Lagoon to host celebration welcoming manatee season
The son of the former Mayor of Kendleton is facing his own set of criminal charges in Fort Bend County.

The former Mayor, Darryl Humphrey Sr., was forced out of office after years of legal battles, which resulted in a misdemeanor guilty plea for not fulfilling open records requests.

Now his son, Darryl Humphrey Jr., is charged with multiple felony child sex crimes, accused of perpetrating them at a behavioral health shelter, which state records show is owned by his mother.

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On June 6, Fort Bend County court records allege 44-year-old Darryl Humphrey Jr. photographed and sexually assaulted two teen girls inside the ADIEE Emergency Shelter. The Shelter is located on Avenue N in Rosenberg.

Rosenburg Police said the crime was discovered after the girls went to a case worker for help.

Eyewitness News asked, but Rosenberg Police, who are investigating the incident, said they don't know Humphrey Jr.'s exact affiliation with the shelter.

ABC13's investigation found the ADIEE Shelter Facebook page lists Humphrey Jr. and his mother, Angela Humphrey, next to the page name, and he is tagged in nearly every post.

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On Humphrey Jr.'s personal Facebook page, he lists himself as a co-owner of the shelter.

A Kendleton councilwoman even confirmed Humphrey Jr. had previously gone before the council and represented himself as a co-owner of the shelter.

State records with the comptroller's office name only Angela, so ABC13 decided to call her. Her daughter answered the phone and said her brother hasn't been a co-owner in a long time and is not affiliated with the shelter, but would make no additional comment.

ABC13 also stopped by the address listed as Humphrey Jr.'s home in court records, but despite hearing a man and a woman inside, no one answered the door.

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Melissa Lanford, a spokesperson for the Department of Family and Protective Services, said DFPS investigated the shelter and found that, at the time of the alleged incident, 4 children were in the home, all of whom were removed. Lanford said the investigation results were sent to the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), the state agency that licenses and regulates child care operations in Texas.

Earlier this year, Humphrey Jr was also charged with soliciting a prostitute out of Harris County. That case was dismissed after completing an 8-hour course and 10 hours of community service.

Humphrey will be back on court for his Fort Bend County charges in early December.

For more news updates, follow Lileana Pearson on Facebook, X and Instagram.
A crisp November weekend in East Texas brought together faith, family, and service as Texans from across the state gathered to celebrate a legacy spanning centuries.

The two-day Souls Made of Gold event, held from November 8 to 10, honored veterans, preserved local history, and announced the creation of the regions first state veterans cemetery.

The celebrations began at Shiloh Cemetery in White Oak with a procession and revival honoring Buffalo Soldiers, Korean War veterans, WAVES, and members of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. Families listened as stories of sacrifice and faith illuminated the enduring bond between military service and community spirit.

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Later that day, the Texas African American Museum in Tyler hosted a tribute to Pastor Kyev Tatum and the Christian Family for their role in preserving veteran history. The museums recognition celebrated its decades-long work supporting faith-based service and historic preservation in East Texas.

On November 10, the weekend culminated at the Christian Resource Center in Tyler, known locally as the Buffalo Soldiers Building. Harrison County Judge Chad Sims took the podium to announce the establishment of the East Texas State Veterans Cemetery, made possible by a 64-acre land donation from the Christian Family.

Today, we turn a dream into destiny, Sims said, according to KLTV News. The East Texas State Veterans Cemetery is officially approved, ranked number sixteen among federal projects nationwide. This sacred ground, generously donated by the Christian Family, will honor our heroes and serve as a foundation for generations to come.

The $16 million project, approved by the National Cemetery Association, will sit near I-20 and FM 968 in Harrison County. Sims said bidding will begin in October 2026.

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The Christian Familys legacy spans Smith, Gregg, and Harrison Counties, where their faith-driven initiatives have supported education, veteran reintegration, and community development. Faith without works is dead, said Debra Christian. Remembering our veterans is not enough. We must provide them with tools, opportunities, and love.

That same spirit of service continues in Tarrant County, where the sheriffs office collaborates with detail crews and community groups to have recently restored the historic New Trinity Cemetery in Haltom City. The cleanup uncovered additional graves of Black veterans, Buffalo Soldiers, and Tuskegee Airmen  ensuring their stories, too, are remembered and honored.
Chinas Shenzhou-20 spacecraft took a hit from a piece of space debris floating through orbit, causing Chinese officials to delay the spacecrafts return from its Tiangong space station in early November 2025.

In addition to stranding the three Chinese astronauts  called taikonauts  who were set to return to Earth, this incident highlights the increasing risks posed to China and the broader international community by the growing amount of space debris.

I study Chinas space program. My research suggests that national pride plays an important role in Chinas growing space ambitions. As China continues to invest in expensive space capabilities, it will also likely become increasingly sensitive to losing them. The rise in space debris may create incentives for Chinese officials to cooperate with the United States on measures that reduce the risk of collisions.

Space debris  a growing issue

Space debris is creating growing problems for space operations. It includes any artificial objects in orbit not operating as satellites or spacecraft. It ranges in size from a fleck of paint to large rocket bodies roughly the size of a school bus.

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In the most commonly used orbit  low Earth orbit  this debris can move at speeds of roughly 18,000 mph, almost seven times the speed of a bullet. At such high speeds, even tiny pieces of space debris can be highly destructive, to the point that this debris might continue to multiply until one day it makes certain critical orbits unusable. When space debris collides with other objects and fragments, they can break into smaller pieces, generating even more debris.

Its somewhat ironic that Chinas spacecraft took a hit from space junk. The country is responsible for creating the majority of space debris. In 2007, China blew up a defunct Fengyun-1c weather satellite to test an anti-satellite weapon. It generated the most space debris in history  over 3,000 pieces are still orbiting today.

On several occasions, the International Space Station has had to maneuver to narrowly avoid being struck by debris from this test, including as recently as 2021.

Anti-satellite weapons

Why would China, or any other country, want to develop an anti-satellite weapon? Satellites provide significant benefits to militaries. They help with reconnaissance and intelligence, allow for the precise targeting and guidance of long-range munitions, support communication over large distances and supply weather data, to name just a few uses.

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These advantages were showcased during the first Gulf War, often called the first space war. The United States used space technologies to quickly and decisively defeat the Iraqi military within weeks, and with far fewer casualties than expected. The Gulf War had a profound impact on Chinese military thinking, with analysts in the Peoples Liberation Army recognizing the importance of space technologies in modern warfare.

Whereas the United States has been and remains highly dependent on space capabilities, China has historically been less dependent on them. This means that China has traditionally had far less to lose from striking satellites in orbit and comparatively more to gain from disabling an adversarys satellites.

Since the 1990s, China has invested in technologies that can jam, disable or outright destroy another countrys satellites. This effort has been driven by a desire to counter what it sees as a key vulnerability of the U.S. military  its heavy reliance on space capabilities.

Yet much has changed since Chinas first anti-satellite test in 2007.

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China has gradually narrowed the gap with the United States in space capabilities and is now one of the most powerful spacefaring nations on Earth. As a result, China now has more at stake if it were to lose access to space.

Space debris is becoming a serious threat to Chinese interests in space. In 2022, for example, reports emerged that debris from Russias 2021 ASAT test came dangerously close to a Chinese satellite. Similarly, in 2021 China filed a claim at the United Nations that Chinas Tiangong space station had to perform avoidance maneuvers due to close encounters with Starlink satellites. And now, in November 2025, Chinas Shenzhou-20 spacecraft has actually been struck by space debris.

Recognizing the problem

It is too early to gauge how seriously Chinese officials view the threat of space debris. However, the high-profile nature of this recent incident may alert Chinas public and officials to the risks posed by space debris.

Chinas space station, its astronauts and its satellites are important to the Chinese Communist Party. If space debris permanently destroyed parts or all of Chinas space station, or even killed a Chinese astronaut, it would likely lead to significant public outcry.

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Chinas space station is a project over three decades in the making and is the crown jewel of its space program. The Tiangong is set to become the only space station in orbit if the United States proceeds with its plans to deorbit the ISS in 2030.

Just as an owner of an expensive Lamborghini may become increasingly worried about dangerous road conditions that may damage their prized possession, Chinese officials may become anxious about Chinas ability to operate its space station should space junk continue to clutter low Earth orbit.

Even if space debris does not damage Chinas space station, it still poses a risk to Chinese satellites. And low Earth orbit is likely to become only more crowded, as SpaceX has announced plans to add up to 40,000 Starlink satellites in orbit, and China plans to add tens of thousands more satellites in low Earth orbit through its Guowang and Qianfan satellite megaconstellations.

Chinas growing vulnerability to space debris creates an area of mutual concern where the United States and China may be able to work together to avoid future accidents.

Chinas human spaceflight program is a point of national pride. Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images

Risk-reduction measures could include the two countries notifying each other about potential collisions. China and the United States could also open discussions around how to safely operate satellites or remove them from orbit when theyre no longer useful.

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It remains to be seen what lessons Chinese decision-makers draw from this recent episode. But the problem of space debris is not going away.

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: R. Lincoln Hines, Georgia Institute of Technology

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R. Lincoln Hines 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.
Another wave of "Red Cup Rebellions" is coming to dozens of Starbucks locations.

Strikes are planned for stores in 41 cities on Nov. 13 as the clash between Starbucks and unionized workers spills over into the chain's popular Red Cup Day.

Starbucks Workers United, the union that represents some of the chain's baristas, announced earlier this month that it would begin a strike on Nov. 13 if a contractual agreement was not met with the company. The strike falls on Starbucks' annual Red Cup Day, when free, reusable red cups are distributed to customers with the order of a drink. The limited-edition cup draws out countless Starbucks customers eager for that year's holiday collectible item.

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Starbucks and Workers United began negotiations on a contract for union baristas in February 2024, but no agreement has been reached, with both sides pointing fingers at the other.

Here's what to know about Red Cup Day strikes, and where customers could be impacted.

Red Cup Day: What to know about Starbucks' annual holiday event

Cities where strikes are planned

The "overwhelming majority" of Starbucks locations are expected to remain open and serve customers as normal on Red Cup Day, Starbucks spokesperson Jaci Anderson told USA TODAY on Nov. 12.

When contacted by USA TODAY on Nov. 13, Anderson reiterated that most stores remain open.

Starbucks employees participate in an open-ended strike, as part of a nationwide push for improved wages and benefits, in Manhattan, New York City, Nov. 13, 2025. Starbucks employees participate in an open-ended strike, as part of a nationwide push for improved wages and benefits, in Manhattan, New York City, Nov. 13, 2025. Starbucks employees participate in an open-ended strike, as part of a nationwide push for improved wages and benefits, in Manhattan, New York City, Nov. 13, 2025. Starbucks employees participate in an open-ended strike, as part of a nationwide push for improved wages and benefits, in New York City, Nov. 13, 2025. A woman enjoys a coffee in a Starbucks store in Manhattan, as Starbucks employees participate in an open-ended strike, as part of a nationwide push for improved wages and benefits, New York City, Nov. 13, 2025. A view inside a Starbucks store, as employees participate in an open-ended strike, part of a nationwide push for improved wages and benefits, in New York City, Nov. 13, 2025. Starbucks employees participate in an open-ended strike, as part of a nationwide push for improved wages and benefits, in New York City, Nov. 13, 2025. Starbucks employees participate in an open-ended strike, as part of a nationwide push for improved wages and benefits, in New York City, Nov. 13, 2025. See 'Red Cup Rebellion' strikes: Starbucks baristas demand better pay and work conditions 1 of 8 Starbucks employees participate in an open-ended strike, as part of a nationwide push for improved wages and benefits, in Manhattan, New York City, Nov. 13, 2025.

"In the event a coffeehouse experiences a temporary closure as a result of Workers Uniteds actions, I can assure there will be stores nearby open and ready to serve customers  we have plenty of Red Cups to give away and are excited to have a great day with our customers," Anderson said.

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Certain stores in the following cities may be impacted by the strikes, according to a Starbucks Workers United news release. The union did not provide a list of the specific store addresses. Rallies will be held at several of the participating stores from 4 to 5 p.m. local time on Nov. 13. A map with more information about each rally is available at nocontractnocoffee.org/.

Anaheim, California

Long Beach, California

San Diego

Santa Clarita, California

Santa Cruz, California

Scotts Valley, California

Seal Beach, California

Soquel, California

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Lafayette, Colorado

Des Plaines, Illinois

Evanston, Illinois

Geneva, Illinois

Alpharetta, Georgia

Roswell, Georgia

Chanhassen, Minnesota

Minneapolis

Saint Louis

Brooklyn, New York

New York

Columbus, Ohio

Lewis Center, Ohio

Reynoldsburg, Ohio

Upper Arlington, Ohio

Worthington, Ohio

Beaverton, Oregon

Damascus, Oregon

Eugene, Oregon

Gresham, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

Dickson City, Pennsylvania

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia

Pittsburgh

Dallas

Denton, Texas

Farmers Branch, Texas

Richmond, Virginia

Mechanicsville, Virginia

Redmond, Washington

Seattle

How long will the strikes last?

Starbucks Workers United spokesperson Michelle Eisen, a barista of 15 years, told USA TODAY the strikes are open-ended and will continue until Starbucks presents the union with what it deems a fair contract.

"With no set end date to the strike, baristas across more than 550 current union stores are prepared to continue escalating to make this the largest, longest strike in company history if Starbucks fails to deliver a fair union contract and resolve unfair labor practice charges," reads a union statement obtained by USA TODAY.

Why are Starbucks employees striking?

Starbucks Workers United says its three core demands include better hours, higher take-home pay and resolutions for alleged unfair labor practices.

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Eisen said "workers are tired" of the coffee chain not meeting their financial demands and the union is prepared to continue striking beyond Red Cup Day.

Anderson, the Starbucks spokesperson, contends that "any agreement needs to reflect the reality that Starbucks already offers the best job in retail."

"We are disappointed that Workers United, who only represents around 4% of our partners, has voted to authorize a strike instead of returning to the bargaining table," Anderson said.

A look at previous Starbucks strikes

The first Starbucks store to unionize was in Buffalo, New York, in December 2021 and by November 2023, more than 200 stores participated in the first "Red Cup Rebellion," asking executive leadership to make sound changes for employees.

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By April 2024, the Starbucks company and Starbucks Workers United began bargaining, Eisen said. And by November 2024, 500 Starbucks locations across the country had unionized.

However, just before Christmas 2024, thousands of Starbucks baristas went on strike again, resulting in the closure of 59 stores for five days. A Starbucks spokesperson previously told USA TODAY the strikes did not significantly impact store operations.

Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Where are strikes happening on Starbucks' Red Cup Day? See list
Key Points

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. is the leading chip manufacturer in the world.

It specializes in advanced chip manufacturing for leading semiconductor companies like Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices.

TSMCs strong position in the AI chip market suggests potential for substantial shareholder returns.

10 stocks we like better than Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing 

Artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to add $40 trillion in operating efficiencies to the global economy over the long term, according to research from Morgan Stanley. One of the best stocks to profit from this incredible opportunity is Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (NYSE: TSM), which is making the chips powering this tech revolution.

The stock has soared 354% over the past three years and still offers attractive value that can help investors outperform the broader market.

Image source: Getty Images.

Why buy Taiwan Semiconductor stock

TSMC specializes in developing the most advanced chip technologies for use in data centers, as well as in phones and other devices. Companies like Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices don't build their own chips. They design them and rely on TSMC for manufacturing. TSMC's expertise means it can price its services for robust profitability. Over the last year, it generated a stellar net profit margin of 44%, meaning it's converting nearly half of its revenue into profits.

Demand for high-performance chips used for AI drove 57% of TSMC's sales in the third quarter, and this contribution is likely to continue increasing. Management expects AI chip demand to remain robust over the next five years. Analysts are currently forecasting TSMC's revenue and earnings to grow at an annualized rate of 17% through 2029. This should deliver a comparable return for investors, as the stock trades at a reasonable forward earnings multiple of 24 on 2026 estimates.

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Another wave of "Red Cup Rebellions" is coming to dozens of Starbucks locations.

Strikes are planned for stores in 41 cities, including five in Ohio, on Thursday, Nov. 13 as the clash between Starbucks and unionized workers spills over into the chain's popular Red Cup Day.

Starbucks Workers United, the union that represents some of the chain's baristas, announced earlier this month that it would begin a strike on Nov. 13 if a contractual agreement was not met with the company. The strike falls on Starbucks' annual Red Cup Day, when free, reusable red cups are distributed to customers with the order of a drink. The limited-edition cup draws countless Starbucks customers eager for that year's holiday collectible item.

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Contract negotiations between Starbucks and union baristas represented by Workers United began in February 2024, but no agreement has been reached, with both sides pointing fingers at the other.

Here's what to know about Red Cup Day strikes, and where customers could be impacted.

Red Cup Day: What to know about Starbucks' annual holiday event

Cities where Starbucks strikes are planned in Ohio, U.S. on Red Cup Day

The "overwhelming majority" of Starbucks locations are expected to remain open and serve customers as normal on Red Cup Day, Starbucks spokesperson Jaci Anderson told USA TODAY on Nov. 12.

However, certain stores in the following cities will be impacted by the strikes, according to a Starbucks Workers United news release. The union did not provide a list of the specific store addresses. Rallies will be held at several of the participating stores from 4 to 5 p.m. local time on Nov. 13. A map with more information about each rally is available at nocontractnocoffee.org/.

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Anaheim, California

Long Beach, California

San Diego, California

Santa Clarita, California

Santa Cruz, California

Scotts Valley, California

Seal Beach, California

Soquel, California

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Lafayette, Colorado

Des Plaines, Illinois

Evanston, Illinois

Geneva, Illinois

Alpharetta, Georgia

Roswell, Georgia

Chanhassen, Minnesota

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Saint Louis, Missouri

Brooklyn, New York

New York, New York

Columbus, Ohio

Lewis Center, Ohio

Reynoldsburg, Ohio

Upper Arlington, Ohio

Worthington, Ohio

Beaverton, Oregon

Damascus, Oregon

Eugene, Oregon

Gresham, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

Dickson City, Pennsylvania

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Dallas, Texas

Denton, Texas

Farmers Branch, Texas

Richmond, Virginia

Mechanicsville, Virginia

Redmond, Washington

Seattle, Washington

How long will the Starbucks strikes last?

Michelle Eisen, a 15-year barista and spokesperson for Starbucks Workers United, told USA TODAY the strikes are open-ended and will continue until Starbucks presents the union with what it deems as a fair contract.

"With no set end date to the strike, baristas across more than 550 current union stores are prepared to continue escalating to make this the largest, longest strike in company history if Starbucks fails to deliver a fair union contract and resolve unfair labor practice charges," reads a union statement obtained by USA TODAY.

USA TODAY reached out to Starbucks again on Thursday, Nov. 13 to ask about the planned strikes.

Why are Starbucks employees striking?

Starbucks Workers United says its three core demands include better hours, higher take-home pay and resolutions for alleged unfair labor practices.

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Eisen said "workers are tired" of the coffee chain not meeting their financial demands and the union is prepared to continue striking beyond Red Cup Day.

Anderson, the Starbucks spokesperson, contends that "any agreement needs to reflect the reality that Starbucks already offers the best job in retail."

"We are disappointed that Workers United, which only represents around 4% of our partners, has voted to authorize a strike instead of returning to the bargaining table," Anderson said.

A look at previous Starbucks' strikes

The first Starbucks store to unionize was in Buffalo, New York in December 2021. By November 2023, more than 200 stores participated in the first "Red Cup Rebellion," asking executive leadership to make sound changes for employees.

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By April 2024, the company and Starbucks Workers United began bargaining, Eisen said. And by November 2024, 500 Starbucks locations across the country had unionized.

However, just before Christmas 2024, thousands of Starbucks baristas went on strike again, resulting in the closure of 59 stores for five days. A Starbucks spokesperson previously told USA TODAY the strikes did not significantly impact store operations.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Starbucks stores on strike for Red Cup Day. Are any in Ohio? See list
By Juveria Tabassum and Waylon Cunningham

(Reuters) -More than 1,000 Starbucks unionized baristas in over 40 U.S. cities launched an indefinite strike on Thursday, intensifying their push for a collective bargaining agreement over increasing pay and staffing levels at the coffee giant.

The walkout will begin with 65 stores, the Starbucks Workers United said, coinciding with the Red Cup Day, a busy sales event that typically drives higher customer visits at more than 17,000 coffeehouses in the U.S.

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So far, there has been minimal impact with less than 1% of stores seeing any disruption, a Starbucks spokesperson told Reuters.

The union, which represents employees at about 550 U.S. stores, plans to rally at 4 p.m. local time in more than a dozen cities and warned the strike could become the largest and longest in the history of Starbucks.

Multiple protesting baristas across outlets in Manhattan and Brooklyn told Reuters they wanted their employer to come back to the negotiating table and give them a better schedule and pay among other things.

Stores in cities, including Seattle, New York, Philadelphia, Dallas, Austin and Portland, will join the work stoppage, the union, which represents roughly 9,500 workers, or 4% of its cafe workforce according to Starbucks, said, with some locations already shut down for the day.

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NEGOTIATIONS DRAG ON

The strike comes as CEO Brian Niccol shuts hundreds of underperforming stores, including the unionized flagship Seattle location, and focuses on improving service times and in-store experience to revive demand in the U.S.

Talks between the union and the company ended in December after stretching for about eight months last year following which the workers went on strike during the key holiday period.

Niccol had said in September last year when he took over as CEO that he was committed to dialogue.

However, Lynne Fox, the union's international president, said on a call with journalists that things changed once Niccol took office.

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"A year into Niccol's tenure, negotiations have gone backwards after months of steady progress and good faith negotiations," Fox said.

Starbucks declined to comment on Fox's remarks.

In April, the union voted to reject a Starbucks proposal that guaranteed annual raises of at least 2%, saying it did not offer changes to economic benefits such as healthcare, or an immediate pay hike.

WHAT ARE THE DEMANDS?

The union has filed more than 1,000 charges to the National Labor Relations Board for alleged unfair labor practices such as firing unionizing baristas and last week voted to authorize a strike if a contract was not finalized by November 13.

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"We're striking for a fair union contract, resolution of unfair labor practices and a better future at Starbucks," said Dachi Spoltore, a Starbucks barista from Pittsburgh who joined the strike.

Starbucks has said it pays an average wage of $19 an hour and offers employees who work at least 20 hours a week benefits including healthcare, parental leave and tuition for online classes at Arizona State University.

The union has said starting wages are $15.25 per hour in about 33 states and the average barista gets less than 20 hours per week.

"What we're asking for is pretty simple and basic. We want enough hours to meet the benefits. We want enough staffing in our stores so we're not overworked. And we want to be paid enough to live in this city," said Rey Shao, a Starbucks supervisor at one of its Manhattan coffee shops.

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INVESTORS KEEP A CLOSE WATCH

Both sides have blamed the other for stalling the talks, and say they are ready to return to the bargaining table.

Some investors and lawmakers over the past year have urged Starbucks to resume talks with the union and settle on a contract.

"As we quickly approach the fourth anniversary of the first stores to unionize in Buffalo, NY, it is remarkable that management has not been able to reach a first contract," said a spokesperson for Trillium Asset Management, a long-term Starbucks shareholder.

Starbucks' shares closed down about 1% on Thursday.

"In absolute terms, it is a fraction of stores and, therefore, unlike the China stake sale, recent restructuring or remodeling announcements, (the strike) is not directly driving earnings estimates," said Meredith Jensen, analyst at HSBC Securities.

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"The market is weighing many factors  qualitative and quantitative  on Starbucks turnaround and widespread and highly publicized negative stories factor can't be totally excluded from the company's investment story."

PAST PROTESTS

This is not the first time that the union is going on a strike on Red Cup Day, when Starbucks hands out reusable red holiday-themed cups to customers for free on coffee purchases.

In 2022, workers at about 100 U.S. stores went on a one-day strike on Red Cup Day in protest against firings and store closures that they said were illegal retaliation by Starbucks against them.

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Workers at hundreds of stores also walked off their jobs on Red Cup Day in 2023, demanding improved staffing and schedules for the promotional event, which they said was one of the "most infamously hard, understaffed days."

(Reporting by Waylon Cunningham and Aleksandra Michalska in New York and Juveria Tabassum, Prerna Bedi, Savyata Mishra and Neil J. Kanatt in Bengaluru; Editing by Vijay Kishore, Arun Koyyur and Sriraj Kalluvila)
Investing.com -- More than 1,000 Starbucks unionized baristas in over 40 U.S. cities began an open-ended strike on Thursday, according to the union, intensifying their campaign for a collective bargaining agreement covering pay and benefits.

The walkout started with 65 stores and coincides with Starbucks Red Cup Day, a holiday promotion that typically generates increased customer traffic.

Starbucks Workers United, which represents employees at more than 550 U.S. locations, announced plans for rallies at 4 p.m. local time in over a dozen cities. The union warned this action could become the longest and largest strike in the companys history.

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Baristas in Seattle, New York, Philadelphia, Dallas, Austin, Portland and other cities are participating in the work stoppage.

Both the company and union have accused each other of ending negotiations late last year, with each side claiming willingness to resume talks.

According to Starbucks, the union represents approximately 9,500 workers, which accounts for about 4% of its cafe workforce.

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Early in his business career, former Utah Sen. Mitt Romney was told by his boss that the two most critical decisions a person makes in life are deciding who to marry and how to earn a living.

But actually, said Romney on Wednesday, echoing the words of President Russell M. Nelson, that most important decision you will ever make in your life is what your purpose in life will be.

The retired politician, businessman, and leader of the 2002 Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the Winter Games was at Brigham Young University on Wednesday to deliver the 2025 Romney Institute George W. Romney Lecture on Public Service.

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Romney said he made the decision early in life to devote himself to building up The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and supporting his family, friends and fellow Americans.

But for me, the critical decision we all must ask ourselves, at some time in life is: What is my life about? Whats my purpose? When its all over, what will I have done it all for?

Romney recalled working once in a business environment divided by contention. A pair of psychologists were called in to try to bring some harmony to the workplace.

The psychologists shared something that still remains with Romney: If you live in accordance with your core values, youll be happy in life.

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But if you live in conflict with your core values, youre going to feel stress. And interestingly, youll probably die younger and be unhealthy, because living in conflict is not healthy.

Romney remembers scribbling down the names of the people he admires most: Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, Abraham Lincoln, his father, George W. Romney, and his wife, Ann Romney.

From that list he identified three consistent qualities that became his own core values: Service, love and integrity.

Conflict, he discovered, came from living in a way not in harmony with those core values.

Profiles in value-driven living

Now 78, Romney said that one of the positives about living a life as long as mine is working with people from a variety of backgrounds who possess qualities he hopes to emulate.

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Qualities that help him remain loyal to his core values.

Besides the five value-driven individuals that he admires most from his list, Romney on Wednesday spoke of several others who have influenced his life.

The Father of the Nation  George Washington  inspired confidence in others through his capacity and devotion, said Romney.

Meanwhile, the Apostle Paul from the New Testament is an example of sacrifice and devotion to ones faith in Christ.

Romney added there have been diverse people in his own life who have also been examples that helped him remain loyal to his core values.

His friend, Jim Liautaud, is the most positive and enthusiastic business leader Ive ever met.

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Liautaud struggled in school, but drew upon his positivity to develop and grow a profitable chain of sandwich restaurants that everyone knows  Jimmy Johns.

I wish I had that kind of positive nature, said Romney. Have you noticed that its fun to be around positive people, and its not fun to be around negative people? Its always fun to be around Jimmy.

Another friend from the finance community, Alan Goldberg, was hard working and ambitious. But Goldberg was an orthodox Jew, so he stepped away from his professional duties each Friday before sundown in observance of his faiths Sabbath.

Goldberg did not allow his career ambitions to distract him from his religious devotion.

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I aspire to have the kind of commitment to the things I believe that I saw in Alan Goldberg, said Romney.

And during the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Romney observed the loyalty of American bobsledder Vonetta Flowers, who opted to remain with her friend and bobsled partner, Jill Bakken, even when a more promising partnership was offered.

In the end, Flowers and Bakken won the gold medal in the two-woman bobsled competition.

It was a show of loyalty to her friend that I found inspiring, said Romney.

Finally, Romney spoke of the prominent Latter-day Saint hotelier Bill Marriott  who taught young Mitt Romney lessons in showing genuine concern for people while exercising frugality.

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Such examples of core values, he added, can inspire others to help heal the nation.

We face right now some real challenges, and are highly divided, said Romney.

If we share those values and live by those values, then we can bring ourselves back together.

Romney concluded his lecture by speaking of his love for the gospel of Christ and its guiding messages that are being shared around the world.

May we  live in a way thats in harmony with our core values  and by the values that we see in others who we admire.

Optimism at a moment of global uncertainty and disruption

Following his lecture, Romney spent a few minutes answering a few questions.

When asked by one student about how to be politically involved without getting sucked into the hatred and contention, the lifelong Republican assured his audience Wednesday that one can still live by ones values in the political arena.

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I never felt a conflict between my values as a member of the church and my political responsibilities.

While acknowledging the future challenges facing America  including disruptions that will likely be caused by AI and a volatile, dangerous world  Romney said he remains an optimist.

Tough challenges cause people to dig deep and achieve greatness, he said. The Greatest Generation, my parents generation, was great in part because they faced a conflict of global dimension and overcame it.

And, he added, the gospel of Jesus Christ will not fail us. Charity never faileth. Love and charity are the answers.
Some retailers are running out of pennies, as the production of the one-cent coins has officially stopped.

In February, President Donald Trump told the U.S. Treasury Department to stop producing pennies because they now cost more to manufacture than the one cent they are worth. According to the U.S. Mint, they cost more than 3 cents to make.

According to the American Bankers Association (ABA), the Mint ran out of its last blanks for making pennies months ago, and the last penny blank pressed on Wednesday, Nov. 12, in Philadelphia.

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However, pennies are still accepted as payment, and despite some retailers running out of the one-cent coins, there are still more than 200 billion in circulation.

Heres what to know about why and when penny production stopped, which rare pennies could be valuable and how to identify them.

The last penny: US Mint says it has stamped its last penny, a historic end for a humble coin

Is there a shortage of pennies? How many pennies are in circulation?

More than three billion pennies were minted in the U.S. last year, but according to the U.S. Mints annual report from 2024, they now cost more than three cents to make.

In February, President Donald Trump said he would order the Treasury Department to stop minting pennies to save money. In May 2025, the Mint placed its final order of penny blanks and finished producing them in August.

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Retailers, including Kroger grocery stores, Home Depot, Kwik Shop and McDonald's have reportedly started running short on pennies. McDonald's told USA TODAY that when locations don't have exact change for cash payments, they round up or down to the nearest five cents, a common practice for phasing out coins that has occurred in other countries, such as Canada and Australia.

There are still about 250 billion pennies in circulation. But according to the ABA, "localized supply issues" are occurring, likely due to the fact that more than 60 of the 165 Federal Reserve facilities where coins are distributed have stopped circulating pennies.

Is a penny still legal tender? Can I still pay with pennies?

Yes! Pennies are still an acceptable form of payment. In fact, the ABA encourages still using pennies to keep them in circulation.

"Pennies are still legal tender and can be used for purchases or deposited at your bank," the ABA website says.

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"The banking industry encourages consumers to recirculate coins  check your home, car or coin jars and bring them to banks, retailers or coin kiosks to help ease the slowdown."

Penny shortage: McDonald's rounding cash transactions as some locations run short of pennies

Did they stop making pennies in 2025? Was the last penny minted?

Yes. The U.S. Mint originally expected to run out of blanks in early 2026, but reportedly made its last pennies in August, the ABA said on Oct. 17.

According to the U.S. Treasury Department and USA TODAY, the last penny was actually pressed on Wednesday, Nov. 12, in Philadelphia.

Are old pennies worth money? Here's how to check if you have a rare penny

Are old pennies worth money?

According to American Bullion, an investment service that specializes in precious metal IRAs, most pennies are only worth one cent, but there are certain minting years that can dramatically increase their value.

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Penny collectors, also known as numismatists, value pennies based on their minting year, rarity, condition, and production errors, American Bullion says. Some rare pennies can be worth far more than their face value, reaching the thousands.

How to tell if an old penny is worth money

Heres how to tell if your penny is rare and worth more than one cent, according to American Bullion:

Check the Year: The minting year can tell much about a pennys value. Look for the years mentioned above.

Inspect for Errors: Errors, like double dies or wrong metal use, can significantly increase a pennys value. Examine the coin closely for any inconsistencies.

Look at the Mint Mark: The Mint Mark shows where a coin was minted. Some mints produced fewer pennies in specific years, increasing their rarity and value. As a result, the mint mark is usually located below the date.

Assess the Condition: The better a coins condition, the more valuable it is. A penny in mint or near-mint condition will fetch a higher price than one worn or damaged.

Contributing: Mike Snider, Phaedra Trethan, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Last penny minted by US Treasury but you can still use them to pay
"This government will be remembered both for the October 7 attack and for its management of the two-and-a-half-year-long war and the seven fronts that followed," Dermer wrote.

Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer announced on Tuesday that he resigned from the government.

"This government will be remembered both for the October 7 attack and for its management of the two-and-a-half-year-long war and the seven fronts that followed," Dermer wrote in his resignation letter.

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Dermer wrote that he promised his family he would serve only two years in the role, but noted that he extended twice with their blessing.

"I wish to thank you for the opportunity to serve alongside you in the past three years and for the trust you placed in me to deal with the most significant issues Israel is facing at this critical time," he added.

(From L-R) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, and PM Military Secretary Maj.-Gen. Roman Gofman during a meeting with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (not pictured) at the Pentagon in Washington, July 9, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/JONATHAN ERNST)

Israeli media reported as recently as October that Dermer would leave his role. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement where he said, "Thank you, Ron, for your tremendous help to me and the state of Israel. I am sure you have much more to contribute in the future."

Israel Hayom previously reported that Dermer had not set a departure date and that he might stay on for a few short-term diplomatic efforts before officially resigning.

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"For a hundred generations, Jews dreamed of a time when the Jewish people would have a sovereign state. Four generations have had the privilege of realizing this dream," Dermer concluded in his resignation letter. "With this blessing comes a sacred responsibility: to secure this dream for future generations. I feel immense gratitude that I had the privilege of serving the State of Israel and dedicating myself to this noble responsibility."

'On behalf of all the people of Israel  thank you!'

"I have had, and still have, many disagreements with Ron Dermer, but I have never doubted that he is a Zionist and a patriot who wants what is best for the country. I thank him and wish him success in the future," Opposition leader Yair Lapid wrote in a post on social media.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich wrote that Dermer was "absolutely the right man in the right place, and this is true for every public role he has held so far."

"Thank you for the joint work for the future of the State of Israel, thank you for hours of discussions and even disagreements when the goal was clear  preserving and strengthening Israel's civil security.

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"The people of Israel owe you deep gratitude, and I have no doubt that in any role you choose, the people of Israel and the future of the State of Israel will always be in your sights. On behalf of all the people of Israel  thank you!"

"I would like to thank Ron Dermer for his great contribution to the people of Israel during these times. Wishing you great success, Ron," National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir wrote.
Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and the United States shipped vast amounts of oil to Israel during its two-year Gaza offensive, according to a report by Oil Change International, which says the same fossil-fuel system driving climate change is also enabling "genocide."

Released at the UN climate summit in Brazil, the analysis titled "Behind the Barrel" found that 25 countries were responsible for 323 shipments of crude and refined petroleum products totaling 21.2 million tonnes between November 1, 2023, and October 1, 2025.

Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan were by far the largest suppliers of crude, accounting for 70 percent of shipments.

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Russia, Greece and the United States were the top providers of refined petroleum products -- with the US standing out as the sole supplier of JP-8, a jet-fuel blend designed for military aircraft.

"States risk becoming complicit in genocide under international law, under the Genocide Convention," Shady Khalil of Oil Change International told reporters.

"As world leaders convene at COP 30, 'Behind the Barrel' reveals the deadly links between fossil fuel suppliers and international conflict."

The group commissioned research firm Data Desk to conduct the analysis.

The conflict began in October 2023 when an attack by Islamist group Hamas killed 1,221 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.

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Israel's retaliatory campaign has since killed more than 69,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health ministry, whose data is deemed reliable by the United Nations.

Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza that has largely halted the war since October 10, though violent incidents continue to be reported, often with fatalities.

A UN Commission has concluded Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, and the International Court of Justice has ruled that Israel's continued presence in occupied Palestinian territory are unlawful.

Irene Pietropaoli, a senior fellow in business and human rights at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law, said in a statement that states were obliged to follow the ICJ's interim order directing them to "prevent and punish genocide."

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"States must consider that their military or other assistance to Israel's military operations in Gaza may put them at risk of being complicit in genocide under the Genocide Convention," she said.

Asked by AFP whether it was important to differentiate between oil for civilian versus military use, Ana Sanchez Mera, coordinator for the Global Energy Embargo for Palestine who was part of a panel discussion on the topic, said "it is one system of settler colonial occupation."

She gave the example of Israel's electricity grid, which was partially powered by coal and connects both Israel and illegally occupied Palestinian lands.

In August 2024, Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced that the country had formally suspended coal exports to Israel.

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While official data indicates Brazil last sent oil directly to Israel in March 2024, the head of the Rio de Janeiro Oil Workers Union has claimed Brazil may have rerouted shipments via Italy.

ia/np/bgs
Grocery prices have continued to rise in the U.S. A new WalletHub study has revealed which cities pay the most for groceries  and the picture is more complex than it may seem.

The scoop

Some cities are paying more for food than others. WalletHub found that Detroit paid the most as a share of the median monthly household income at 3.78%. Cleveland; Birmingham, Alabama; Newark, New Jersey; and Toledo, Ohio, round out the top five. Three California cities  Fremont, San Jose, and San Francisco  pay the least.

While Detroit doesn't have the most expensive food  its standing is due to the fact that it has the second-lowest median annual income  Joseph Balagtas, an agricultural economics professor at Purdue University, explained to USA Today why food prices differ regionally as well.

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"Part of that is the cost of delivery and cost of the retail space and the cost of workers," he said. "If a retailer has to pay higher rent in New York City ... than in rural Indiana, then you know that the higher cost ... is going to get passed on to consumers."

Consumers list shopping in bulk and limiting restaurant meals as ways to save on food, according to USA Today. Martie is another way to slash food costs while also combating food waste.

How Martie is helping

Up to 40% of food in the country ends up as waste, according to the FDA, and that also contributes to higher grocery store costs. Former Tesco CEO James McCann told consumer advocacy group PIRG that inefficiencies are "billed into the price the consumer pays."

Moreover, food waste produces methane gas when it rots in landfills, contributing to rising global temperatures and the subsequent uptick in more powerful extreme weather events that have damaged crops and disrupted food supply chains.

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Martie prevents food from becoming waste by selling overstock and surplus inventory. Items stay out of landfills, while consumers pay up to 80% less for brand-name goods.

What everyone's saying

Thousands of Martie users report being satisfied with the variety of offerings and product quality.

"Great deals on trusted classics and fun new items I can afford to try!" Jessica H. wrote. "It was packaged well and shipped quick!"

Steven C. enthused: "Love the options available here, makes having certain things as regular menu options that would normally just be treats."

Do you think you throw out too much plastic each day? Definitely Not really On most days On some days Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

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.
A Swiss Gruyere was crowned the 2025 World Cheese Champion on Thursday, seeing off competition from more than 5,000 rivals from 46 countries.

The 18-month-old Vorderfultigen Spezial produced by Bergkaserei Vorderfultigen won the title at the World Cheese Awards, held in the Swiss capital Bern.

The winning cheese came from a mountain dairy in the pre-Alps region of Gantrisch, just south of Bern.

Grand final judge Perry Wakeman said it was the kind of cheese "that would make people get excited about cheese".

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"It's a big old cheese -- there's a lot going on. The texture is beautiful: it's flinty as you break it apart; the crystalline in there are so delicate," he said.

"It is massive. It makes an impact."

It was the first time that the contest, created by the British-based Guild of Fine Food in 1988, has been staged in cheese-loving Switzerland -- though Gruyere cheeses have scooped the top prize five times before.

- Appearance, nose, flavour -

Laid out on seemingly endless tables draped in white tablecloths, 5,244 cheeses were tasted by an international jury of 265 experts made up of cheesemakers, chefs, buyers, sellers and journalists from more than 40 countries, recognisable by their yellow aprons.

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"First of all, we're looking at the visual appearance of the cheese: how it looks like from the inside and outside," Polish cheesemaker Kuba Maziarczyk, one of the judges in the final, told AFP.

The second step "is the nose: so all the aromas that the cheese is actually giving us".

And then, it comes down to flavour.

The judges made an initial selection of the most outstanding cheeses before a second and then a final evaluation by a "super jury" of judges from 14 different countries.

"Cheese must reflect its terroir; it must be balanced in terms of taste, aroma and flavour," said French judge Laurent Dubois.

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"It shouldn't be too aged or too young. Cheese is always a question of harmony. That's why good cheeses are often those with a long tradition," he said.

- The joy of cheese -

Around 2,000 people watched the action inside Bern's Festhalle exposition hall.

"We've got blues. We've got hard cheeses. We've got all different styles. That makes it really interesting," said British judge Nigel Barden, a food and drink broadcaster for the BBC.

"Just when you think your palate's getting a little bit tired, suddenly a cheese comes along and really excites you," he said. "And that's the joy of the World Cheese Awards."

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The Guild of Fine Food's managing director John Farrand told AFP that the awards were originally founded to raise the profile of small cheesemakers.

In the 1980s, dairy production had become "quite consolidated", he said.

"I think perhaps we'd forgotten the connection between the land, the milk, the animal, and the farm", and ultimately the cheese, he said.

The awards were established "to try and remind the world that small can be beautiful in cheesemaking terms".

Next year's World Cheese Awards will be held in Cordoba, Spain.

elm-ag/rjm/js
Target missed the mark on this new initiative.

A new staff policy at Target, part of a program called 10-4, is forcing employees to engage with customers more, the retailer confirmed to USA Today.

Employees within 10 feet of a customer are now required to smile, make eye contact, wave, and use friendly, approachable and welcoming body language.

Employees within four feet of customers are required to smile, personally greet the customer and initiate a warm, helpful interaction, the retailer said. Valerie Terranova/Getty Images

Furthermore, staff within a four-foot radius of a shopper must also personally greet the customer and initiate a warm, helpful interaction, the retailer said.

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The company said that the new program is an attempt to elevate the shopping experience for patrons, making them feel truly appreciated.

We know when our guests are greeted, feel welcomed and get the help they need that translates to guest love and loyalty, Costanzo said in a statement to USA TODAY.

Heading into the holiday, were making adjustments and implementing new ways to increase connection during the most important time of the year, powered by our team.

Target did not specify when the new policy will be implemented or what would happen if an employee does not comply.

Employees who are within 10 feet of customers are required to smile, make eye contact, wave and use friendly, approachable and welcoming body language. KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images

However, one Reddit user who claims to be a Target employee shared that there has been an increase in secret shoppers to see if they are abiding by the new rules.

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Employees seen sounding-off online about the new policy agree its likely to backfire.

Who the fk is waving at guests? If I was [sic] a shopper, I would find that creepy, one alleged Target worker wrote on Reddit.

Who the heck waves? Ive never waved at a guest and would feel so uncomfortable doing so, another said.

One worker mocked the policy, saying the person who came up with it is obviously an alien and should be investigated by US authorities.

There is no way theyve lived on this planet for years and think oh, waving is a completely natural thing to do with guests! 

Nothing says corporate joy like a mandatory smile, one Reddit user lamented.

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Customers arent happy about the change, either.

When Im a customer, I dont want to be bothered while Im shopping, one noted.

The company said that the new program is an attempt to elevate the shopping experience for patrons. Christopher Sadowski

Im a customer. Dont do that. I give you permission to not look at me and smile, someone wrote.

As a guest, I would hate this, another agreed.

Catch me staying 11 feet away, a user quipped.

Despite the backlash, Targets new policy is not markedly different from other major consumer-facing roles  though it appears to take the concept a few steps further than others. Walmarts 10-foot rule requires employees to make eye contact with customers. Meanwhile, Disney theme parks have a 10-and-5 rule in which cast members must smile and make eye contact at 10 feet, then greet them within five feet.
OpenAI is plotting a dramatic arc toward profitability through the end of the decade, but that growing wont come without some pain. The company reportedly expects to rack up massive annual losses each year, including roughly $74 billion in operating losses in 2028 alone, then pivot to meaningful profits by 2030, according to financial documents obtained by The Wall Street Journal.

The documents, which were shared with investors this summer, reveal an aggressive growth strategy that hinges on massive upfront investment in computing infrastructure, chips and data centersspending that CEO Sam Altman has described as necessary to meet what he sees as insatiable demand for AI capabilities. The company anticipates total spending of roughly $22 billion this year against $13 billion in sales, resulting in a net loss of $9 billionmeaning OpenAI spends approximately $1.69 for every dollar of revenue it generates.

But the financial trajectory only gets steeper before it improves. The documents show OpenAI projects that by 2028, its operating losses will balloon to roughly three-quarters of that years revenue, driven primarily by ballooning spending on computing costs. Thats the same year competitor Anthropic expects to break even, according to WSJ.

The numbers underscore the stark divergence between the two most valuable AI startups. While both companies currently burn cash at similar rates relative to revenue, their paths forward split dramatically. Anthropic forecasts dropping its cash burn to roughly one-third of revenue in 2026 and down to 9% by 2027. OpenAI, by contrast, expects its burn rate to remain at 57% in 2026 and 2027.

OpenAIs plan relies on what amounts to a bet on dominance. The company recently announced it has signed up to $1.4 trillion in commitments over the next eight years for computing deals with cloud and chip giants. Its spending almost $100 billion on backup data-center capacity alone to cover unforeseen demand from future products and research.

Demand for AI exceeds available compute supply today, an OpenAI spokesman told WSJ. Every dollar we invest in AI infrastructure goes to serving the hundreds of millions of consumers, businesses, and developers who rely on ChatGPT to get more done.

OpenAI did not immediately respond to Fortunes request for comment.

Altmans strategy for OpenAI requires near-constant fundraising to keep the startup alive, but could backfire if markets cool on AI or its near-term profitability. Investors have already punished tech companies in recent weeks over concerns about AI spending and whether there will be enough revenue to pay for the extensive AI infrastructure buildout.
Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy, and give us feedback.

Tarrant County GOP Chair Bo French announced on Wednesday that he is running for a seat on the Texas Railroad Commission, the regulatory state agency that oversees Texas oil and gas industry.

French said he had resigned from his post leading the Republican Party in Texas largest purple county. In a statement announcing his statewide bid, he touted fundraising records set by the party during his tenure, President Donald Trumps victory in the county in November 2024 and his record of relentlessly fighting the radical left.

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French, an entrepreneur and political activist, has aligned himself with the rightmost faction of the party during his two-year stint chairing the Tarrant County GOP. He has drawn condemnation from fellow Republicans for social media posts in which he referred to political opponents with slurs for gay people and people with disabilities, and for asking followers to vote on whether Jews or Muslims pose a bigger threat to America.

On Wednesday, he said serving on the Railroad Commission would be the best way that I can defend Texas, stop the Islamic invasion and defeat the left.

Texas oil and gas made America great and literally fueled the fight for freedom across the world, French said. Im running for Railroad Commissioner to put American citizens, American interests, and American energy first.

The Railroad Commission is made up of three members who are elected to serve six-year terms, staggered so that one seat is on the ballot every two years.

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French will face commission Chair Jim Wright in the Republican primary. Wrights colleague, Commissioner Christi Craddick, is among three Republicans vying to be state comptroller in 2026. But she would remain in her seat if she loses because she was reelected to a six-year term last November.

The third member of the commission, Republican Wayne Christian, was reelected in 2022 and will be up for a new term in the 2028 cycle.

Whoever emerges victorious in the Republican primary might face Houston state Rep. Jon Rosenthal, the only Democrat to so far have declared his candidacy for the commission. No Democrat has won a statewide election in Texas since 1994.
This story has been updated with additional information.

A Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spokesperson confirmed this week a TBI investigation of Rutherford County Property Assessor's Office.

"At the request of 16th Judicial District Attorney General Jennings Jones, the TBI is investigating the Rutherford County Property Assessor's Office," said Carley Gordon, the deputy communications director for the TBI operations in Middle/East Tennessee.

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"The investigation remains active and ongoing."

The spokesperson comment came through a Nov. 10 email reply to The Daily News Journal question asking if the TBI was investigating the deletion of administrative log files involving Rutherford County Property Assessor Rob Mitchell.

The TBI confirmation follows Tennessee Comptroller Jason Mumpower accusing "someone" of deleting property assessor records while the state official spoke for nearly an hour to the Rutherford County Commission Oct. 16.

Government accountability: Rutherford County Property Assessor Rob Mitchell could face ouster following state report on errors for taxes

Mitchell welcomes 'a full investigation'

Rutherford County Property Assessor Rob Mitchell listens to visitors speak against him during an Ethics Committee Commission meeting held to address alleged concerns against Mitchell on Wednesday, July 17, 2024.

Mitchell provided the following response to the DNJ Nov. 12 about the TBI investigation:

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"We attribute the deletion to batch changes mandated by the comptroller but welcome a full investigation, having nothing to hide," Mitchell said.

"The comptroller never fully shared their concerns with us prior to October 16th's public presentation, so we might collaboratively resolve any concerns.

"While my office made mistakes, we have since corrected, I expect the investigation to confirm they were unintentional and simple human error. We have also made procedural changes to eliminate them in the future."

Mitchell responds: Rutherford County Property Assessor refutes TN Comptroller accusations

Mitchell speaks about records issue with police, podcast

Mitchell also recently responded to questions from interviewers on the "Patriot Punkcast" about the accusation of "manually deleting files" by saying his Chief Deputy Russell Key was updating an assessment for a shopping center that had a fitness center business replace a grocery store and then deleted the original file.

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"That is a normal process," Mitchell said on the podcast and then suggested that comptroller's staff members responded by saying they "understand that" and "that makes perfect sense."

Mitchell also requested an Aug. 27 Murfreesboro Police Department officer report pertaining to records being hacked.

"Mr. Mitchell stated that during an audit, the comptroller's office found that there was potentially over four million codes breached in Rutherford County Assessor's Office, which might affect an unknown number of citizens and their personal information," the officer's report said.

Rutherford County Chief Information Officer Cody York, who oversees the Office of Information Technology, told the DNJ that his office would be aware if there was a software breach in the property assessor's office Aug. 25-27.

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"We have no reason to believe if there was any kind of breach or external hack in that time period or before then," York said.

Police: Rutherford property assessor reports 'potential software hack' affecting 'citizens'

Comptroller accuses Mitchell of 25% error rate on records

Rutherford County Commission Chairman Jeff Phillips, left, speaks with Tennessee Comptroller Jason Mumpower Oct. 16 prior the comptroller speaking to commissioners about property assessment issues.

In addition to the records issue, Mumpower accused Mitchell of failing to work with the comptroller's office for two years to correct a 25% error rate on Rutherford County property assessments for tax billing.

The issues included inaccurate square footage of homes, Mumpower said.

The comptroller also accused Mitchell's office of delaying the legal requirement to update records for improved properties, such as completed townhomes ready for occupancy, until 2026 rather than on current tax rolls.

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Invitation to Mumpower's presentation: TN Comptroller asks all Rutherford mayors and finance directors to hear investigation results on property assessor

County faces $234K bill from comptroller

Mumpower had 22 comptroller staff members examine 8,683 of the countys 130,156 parcels. They determined a 25% error rate.

The bill for the comptroller staff's 4,676 hours of work comes to $234,166 for the county government.

Given the 25% error rate, Mumpower recommended that the county commissioners hire a third-party independent contractor to examine all the parcels and recommend corrections.

If a private third-party independent firm charged the same rate as the comptroller to examine 8,683 property assessments, the cost would be over $3 million.

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Politics: Rutherford County mayoral candidates respond to property assessor tax-billing inaccuracy issues

Mitchell responds to commissioners about assessment records

Mitchell shared a Nov. 13 email message and report on "Verified Audit Findings and 2025 Tax Base Impact" with the DNJ, Rutherford County Finance Director Michael Smith, County Attorney Nick Christiansen and others.

The property assessor sent the email to Rutherford County Commission Chairman Jeff Phillips and fellow Commissioners Craig Harris and Robert Peay Jr. prior to the 6 p.m. Nov. 13 County Commission meeting.

"Our office has complied with every request made, regardless of how inconsequential. There have, to my knowledge, been nothing improper in our operations," Mitchell said in his email.

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"I believe any further investigations bear this out. I am prepared to discuss everything that has transpired, and I have shared much on individual (basis) with many of you. I have reached out personally and offered to answer any concerns or rumors you may have heard.

"My counsel has indicated that anything which I share with you I may also share with the press. What is said in executive sessions specially called (private meeting for attorney counsel) will of course be an exception to this rule."

Government accountability: Rutherford County gets 3 state audit findings from Tennessee Comptroller related to records involving property assessor

Mitchell shares numbers on property assessments

Mitchell also shared in another email property assessment numbers.

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"Our office is grounded on transparency," Mitchell said.

"I committed to sharing actual updated numbers as they became available to permit community leaders to make decisions based upon actual verified data. Widely circulated claims by state officials appear to be exaggerated and not based upon accurate data.

"Here is the current impact to our tax base for 2025. Please understand these numbers will move up or down as more changes are keyed into our software system:

"Current tax base for Rutherford County: $310,217,822;

"Tax Dollar Chance for Current Tax Year as of 11/10/2025: $42,665;

"Percentage Change to Tax Base: .013%."

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Property Assessor faces deadline: State Board of Equalization on March 4 gives Rob Mitchell 60 days to comply with law to correct assessments for taxes

Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@dnj.com. To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: TBI confirms investigation of Rutherford Property Assessor's Office
Screenshots via Tucker Carlson Network

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) lit into Tucker Carlson on Thursday, accusing him of literally calling Jews Nazis and defending New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.

Cruz shared a post of independent journalist David Reaboi ripping into Carlsons newsletter on Thursday and wrote, This highlighted sentence is astonishing. Tucker is nowliterallycalling JewsNazis. But really, hes not an antisemite.

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The sentence Cruz highlighted came from a paragraph that read, These people are sick. No human is inherently more valuable than another because of their identity. God created everyone in His image. It doesnt matter if youre American, European, African, Middle Eastern, Australian, or from North Pole. There is no such thing as blood superiority. Those who disagree, like the IDFs leaders, have more in common with Adolf Eichmann than Jesus. Remembering that American taxpayers fund this lunacy is enraging enough to cause a blood pressure spike. Each day it continues is a day of national humiliation. Adolf Eichmann, of course, was a Nazi leader who helped to organize the Holocaust.

Reaboi also offered his take on Carlson, writing, In this mornings newsletter, Tucker Carlson finally found people who he believes its fair and proper to compare to Nazis: Israelis (and Jews like Ben Shapiro and Mark Levin in America). Reaboi added:

The Jews Old Testament, Carlson says, tells them that blood guilt is ok, and justifies genocide against non-Jews. This is a theological justification for Christian hatred of Jews that is based on complete fabrications and deliberate lies. This would be evil stuff coming from a leftistbut his rehab efforts on behalf of the WW2 Germans ought to put all this in a more sinister light. Hard to miss what hes getting at here, and you people defending him are transforming yourselves into ghouls.

Cruz also hammered Carlson over his defense of Mamdani, writing, Actively defending Comrade Mamdani. Claiming its baseless to say Mamdani is a jihadist (despite his long radical record to the contrary). If Tucker now views his job as defending Mamdani, how, exactly, is he different from Ilhan Omar?

Carlsons recent platforming of white supremacist and vehement anti-Semite Nick Fuentes has led to a deep split within MAGA and the GOP. Cruz has long been critical of Carlsons embrace of isolationism and friendly takes on American adversaries like Iran and Russia.

This highlighted sentence is astonishing. Tucker is nowliterallycalling JewsNazis. But really, hes not an antisemite. https://t.co/xX8DFAmHMd pic.twitter.com/SmbuBPo8Tv  Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) November 13, 2025

This is @TuckerCarlson newsletter today: Actively defending Comrade Mamdani. Claiming its baseless to say Mamdani is a jihadist (despite his long radical record to the contrary). If Tucker now views his job as defending Mamdani, how, exactly, is he different from Ilhan Omar? https://t.co/Bermc1aITs  Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) November 13, 2025

__

The post Ted Cruz Blasts Tucker Carlsons Latest: Hes NowLiterallyCalling Jews Nazis first appeared on Mediaite.
The West Bank has been largely ignored by the media due to Israel's other fronts - but that does not mean it was ignored by the IDF and Jerusalem's security apparatus.

Terror threats in the West Bank appear to be growing. Over the last year, the IDF has been able to keep most of these threats in check. However, with a ceasefire in Gaza and Israel relaxing its guard slightly, its possible that enemies may try to take advantage of the situation.

On Thursday, reports said that the IDF, police and security services were able to thwart a major terror cell in Bethlehem. Reports noted that the months-long investigation led to the arrest of approximately 40 Hamas operatives during more than 15 operations, carried out by IDF reservists from the Etzion Brigade, the elite Duvdevan unit and counterterror forces. During the raids, weapons including M16 rifles were seized.

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The reports indicate that terrorist infrastructure was found in this operation. The terrorists in Bethlehem planned shooting attacks and were apparently ready to carry out the attacks soon.

The success against the terrorists in and around Bethlehem is important. Israels Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir praised the head of the IDFs Central Command Maj.-Gen. Avi Bluth this week after a major drill was concluded in the West Bank. This is an unprecedented exercise, the first of its kind in the IDF. As part of it, the new Eastern Division, established as one of the lessons learned from the war, is being evaluated in full divisional format. One of our lessons from October 7 is the responsibility for defense in the area and the change in our conception of security , we neutralize threats as they emerge. We are doing that here as well, Zamir said.

The new Eastern Division, the 96th, is also known as Gilad. It is one of several regional divisions that protect Israels border. It was established over the last year because of the growing concerns about the Jordan Valley and the desire to beef up the military presence there.

An Israeli soldier looks out from a mosque near Salfit in the West Bank, November 13, 2025 (credit: REUTERS/ALI SAWAFTA)

Zamir said this week that the scenarios we have been practicing in recent days are situations we must never reach. We must act and neutralize threats before they reach our doorstep, that is our duty. We will reinforce our troops wherever necessary in order to continue countering terrorism and prevent the next threat from arising.

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The drill and the bust of the terror cell in Bethlehem show that the IDF and Israels various security services take the threats seriously. This follows a trend that began around four years ago in the northern West Bank in which terror cells in Jenin and Nablus began to acquire more weapons.

IDF's latest attempts to 'break wave' of illegal firearms

A flow of illegal firearms, primarily M-4/M-16 type rifles, began to make their way to the northern West Bank. This fueled a wave of attacks and an IDF response which called Operation Break the Wave. Palestinian Islamic Jihad and other groups were weakened during years of operations. However, the flow in rifles appears to be growing. Daily drone interceptions along the Egyptian border reveal M-16 type rifles being smuggled by large quadcopter type drones.

There are also the threats from Jordan. Reports have indicated that Iran would like to try to stir up trouble in Jordan and the West Bank. There have been several deadly attacks at the border crossing near Jericho. In addition there is weapons smuggling.

However, the bust of the terror cell in Bethlehem points to another problem. It is possible that the center of gravity of the threat is moving from the northern West Bank to the southern West Bank. For years the area around Bethlehem was quiet. It was quiet because the IDF conducted night raids frequently to keep things in check. This involved detaining suspects and making sure that terror infrastructure did not grow.

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After October 7, the raids and activity in the West Bank increased. Bethlehem has often been a source of problems because of the refugee camps in and around the city. There are terrorists who have operated from Dheisheh camp and Aida camp. Hamas has had its tentacles in these areas along with other groups such as PFLP. It should be recalled that during the Second Intifada terrorists from Bethlehem went to the Christian town of Beit Jala, a suburb, and fired on Gilo in Jerusalem. Bethlehem has grown so much, and so have Jerusalem, that these cities are basically one large urban area now.

Israeli extremism grows across West Bank

Another challenge in the West Bank is the growing incidents of Israeli extremists attacking Palestinian Arabs. A number of incidents have occurred recently and there appears to be an increase in these clashes.

Zamir, in his statement this week, condemned these attacks. We are aware of the recent violent incidents in which Israeli civilians attacked Palestinians and Israelis. I strongly condemn them. The IDF will not tolerate criminal behavior by a small minority that tarnishes the law-abiding public. These acts contradict our values, cross a red line, and divert the attention of our troops from their mission, defending the communities and carrying out operations. We are determined to stop this phenomenon and will act decisively until justice is served.

However, his condemnation doesnt necessarily mean the trend will stop. The trend appears to mostly affect the Northern West Bank and areas near Tulkarm or Taybeh or other Arab towns and villages. However, its plausible the trend will grow. The trend is currently downplayed on the political level.

A Palestinian man inspects burned property in a mosque near Salfit in the West Bank, November 13, 2025 (credit: REUTERS/ALI SAWAFTA)

However, the IDF statement and videos posted online, along with reports, suggest a growing challenge. Its not clear if these clashes, between Israelis and Palestinian civilians, will lead to some kind of crisis or cycle of violence; or whether other Hamas-backed terrorist cells in the West Bank may be activated.

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What is clear is that with the ceasefire in Gaza going into its second month, there are many challenges for Israel. The West Bank has been largely ignored by the media spotlight because of the other fronts. This doesnt mean it was ignored by the security forces.

In fact, the new Jordan Valley division, the training and the raid in Bethlehem, show that the IDF and Shin Bet and others take very seriously what is happening. The question is whether Israels enemies are also laser focused on trying to create a new front.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand has arrived in China on Thursday, the first ever visit by a reigning Thai monarch.

The visit is at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping to celebrate the 50th anniversary of both countries establishing diplomatic ties for the first time in 1975. China is believed to have been pushing for this visit for some years.

The Thai government said in a statement that the trip "underlines the deep-rooted friendship and mutual understanding shared between Thailand and China at all levels".

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In Beijing, the king and his wife Queen Suthida will visit local landmarks like the Lingguang Buddhist Temple and the Beijing Aerospace City.

President Xi and his wife will also host a state banquet for the Thai royals.

This is the first major state visit by King Vajiralongkorn since he came to the throne nine years ago  in April he also made a trip to Bhutan. By contrast the most high-profile overseas trips made by his father King Bhumibol were to the United States in the 1960s, when Thailand was feted as a crucial Cold War partner, and a vital base for US military operations in Indochina.

Thailand is still officially a military ally of the US, but relations with China have grown steadily closer in recent years, while those with Washington have been frayed by US criticism of human rights in Thailand, by President Trump's tariffs, and a perception that the US is no longer as committed as it once was to its Asian friends.

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China is Thailand's biggest trading partner, and increasingly a rival to the US as a source of military equipment.

Many Thais can trace their ancestry to migrants who came from China, and the Chinese government often highlights what it calls their "brotherly" or "family" relations.

The importance of those ties to Thailand was underlined earlier this year when the Thai authorities deported 40 Uyghur asylum-seekers back to China, in defiance of a warning not to do so by the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

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Then in August an exhibition at Bangkok's main arts centre featuring Uyghur and Tibetan artists was censored following complaints by Chinese diplomats.

The Thai government was spurred by Chinese pressure into taking action against scam compounds operating along its border with Myanmar, and objections by China are presumed to have been one of the factors which blocked a proposal to legalise casinos in Thailand.

Despite the lack of a Thai royal visit before this one, the Thai monarchy has played a significant role in sustaining Thai-Chinese relations through the work of the king's younger sister, Princess Sirindhorn, who has studied Chinese art and language for the past 45 years, and been a frequent visitor to China.
Nov. 13 (UPI) -- U.S. airports began Thursday with more flight delays and cancellations, the holdover effects of a 43-day government shutdown that ended overnight after Congress agreed to a stopgap funding bill.

As of midday, there were nearly 1,000 cancellations within, into or out of the United States, data from FlightAware indicates. Total delays were more than 1,100.

The website's so-called Misery Map shows most of those cancellations and delays were centered at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport.

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The Federal Aviation Administration last week ordered 40 airports within the United States to begin cutting flights to accommodate reduced staffing of air traffic controllers. There had been an increase of employees not going to work amid the government shutdown due to missed paychecks.

The percent of flight cuts required by the FAA steadily increased over the week through Thursday, when the government reopened. The cuts started at 4% Friday and reached 6% Tuesday. Transportation Secretary announced Thursday that he would keep the 6% reduction in place as officials evaluate when it would be safe to return to full capacity, The Hill reported.

Despite the reopening, Chris Sununu, president and CEO of Airlines for America, said Wednesday it could take up to a week for normal operations to resume at U.S. airports, ABC News reported.

Flight cancellations have steadily decreased over the week, topping out at 2,953 on Sunday.
A viral TikTok experiment is putting churches in the spotlight, as creator Nikalie Monroe tests how faith communities respond to urgent pleas for help, and one Alabama church's reaction has struck a nerve across social media.

Monroe has been posting TikTok videos as part of a social experiment to see how religious organizations respond to people in crisis. In each video, a baby crying plays in the background as Monroe calls churches, asking if they can spare a can of baby formula.

Many churches have responded with compassion, offering to aid Monroe, even though the request is part of a social experiment.

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Others, however, have declined to help, including one congregation in Alabama.

Here's what to know.

Alabama church declines request for assistance in viral video

One of Monroe's TikTok videos led her to call West End Baptist Church in Clanton, Ala., which describes itself as "a church whose heart beats for people," where her request for help feeding a baby was met with refusal.

Monroe asked the church if they could spare baby formula, but the receptionist said they don't keep formula on hand and didn't offer any other church resources. The receptionist suggested calling state agencies, such as DHR. Monroe replied that she had already been denied assistance, including from WIC, before the receptionist told her the church "didn't have the means to help."

TikTok users respond to video, West End did not respond to comment request

The clip has been viewed more than 692,000 times on TikTok, earning over 11,000 likes and 1,600 comments. Many users expressed frustration with the church's decision in the comments.

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Among the more than 1,600 comments, one longtime member of West End Baptist Church said the exchange was "deeply disturbing" and did not reflect the church they know. Another viewer said Monroe's experiment moved her to buy six cans of formula to donate to her local food bank.

Others questioned how a church could lack even a small amount of petty cash for emergencies, calling the situation "appalling" given that the congregation operates an on-site daycare.

West End Baptist Church did not respond to a request for comment before publication.

Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: TikTok experiment tests churches. AL congregation wont give formula
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP)  Hundreds of top economists and other experts, including former U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, called on Friday for the world to set up an independent international panel on income and wealth inequality.

The call in an open letter came before the Group of 20 summit in South Africa next weekend, when a report on global inequality chaired by Nobel Prize-winning American economist Joseph Stiglitz is due to be presented to world leaders.

That report, which was released this month, said that the world is facing an inequality emergency as well as a climate emergency, leading to more political instability and conflicts, and decreased confidence in democracy.

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Between 2000 and 2024, the richest 1% captured 41% of all new wealth created in the world, the report said. Meanwhile, one in four people globally  around 2.3 billion people  now face moderate or severe food insecurity, meaning they regularly skip meals. That number has increased by 335 million people since 2019, the report said.

The report recommended a new International Panel on Inequality to advise governments on how to address the issue in the same way the U.N.-appointed Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change does to help develop climate policies.

The economists and inequality experts, which include Nobel laureates and former senior officials at the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, said in their letter addressed to world leaders that they were concerned that extreme concentrations of wealth translate into undemocratic concentrations of power, unraveling trust in our societies and polarizing our politics.

South Africa, which hosts the G20 summit on Nov. 22-23, wants global inequality to be one of its main topics, even as South Africa itself is ranked as the most unequal country in the world by the World Bank.

___

AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa
The stretch of freeway where trucks are banned runs through heavily populated areas of Oakland and San Leandro.

Instead of using Interstate 580, trucks have been forced to use Interstate 880 to travel through the area.

It's a route that Brian Beaveridge of the West Oakland Environmental Impacts Project says has a history of discrimination.

"In the beginning, there was clearly a race element. Who had the most political power? And it was more affluent white people who had that power," he said.

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Studies show people living along the I-880 corridor have been exposed to higher levels of pollution and have elevated rates of asthmatic health issues compared to those living along I-580.

A fact that Oakland resident Darin Jensen says makes him support lifting the truck ban.

"Even saying so, I do worry it sounds like virtue signaling but my family and I are committed to our community at large," Jensen said.

Pollution is the main factor driving this debate but it's not the only one.

Along I-580, commuters tell me they also have concerns about traffic.

On Tuesday night, many drivers told ABC7 News they worry an influx of trucks would make the already congested stretch of I-580 even worse.

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Rene Galvez says she wants more information before making a final decision, but has worries.

"I don't know that our city currently has all of the means to address those concerns for our constituents," Galvez said.

Beaveridge acknowledges that even if it would be more equitable, the idea of spreading pollution around isn't ideal.

For him, the solution lies elsewhere.

"I don't think anyone should live with pollution. There's billions of dollars being spent in California to reduce the pollution of trucks and the freight system, to get zero emission trucks. It's not moving fast enough," said Beaveridge.

Caltrans says a study looking at the implications of possibly removing the truck ban should be finished within the next 12 to 18 months.
By Jasper Ward

(Reuters) -The Trump administration will deploy federal immigration agents to Charlotte, North Carolina, as soon as Saturday or the beginning of next week, the local sheriff said on Thursday, in what would mark an expansion of the Republican president's immigration crackdown in cities led by Democrats.

President Donald Trump has focused on ramping up immigration arrests as part of his mass deportation program, with major pushes in recent months in Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.

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Democrats and some residents say they have used excessive force, including deploying tear gas in busy urban areas. The White House says its immigration enforcement is focused on anti-crime efforts.

In a statement, Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry L. McFadden said he was informed by two federal officials that U.S. Customs and Border Protection would be expanding immigration enforcement to Charlotte.

"At this time, specific details regarding the federal operation have not been disclosed, and the Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office has not been requested to assist with or participate in any enforcement actions," McFadden said in a statement.

The offices for North Carolina's governor and Charlotte's mayor did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which oversees CBP, declined to comment on any potential deployment to Charlotte.

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In a post on X on Wednesday, Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, a Democrat, said many in the city were feeling anxiety or uncertainty over the potential deployment.

"I understand how unsettling it can be when the sense of security you have in your daily life is shaken. I want to assure you: Your concerns matter," Lyles said.

Lyles said the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department does not participate in federal immigration operations and would only get involved if there were criminal activity.

(Reporting by Jasper WardEditing by Bill Berkrot)
Q : Could you provide some quantitative color around the earnings impact from headwinds in Indonesia and the US for your Blasting Solutions business in FY25 and expectations for FY26? A : In the US, coal extraction has been declining over the past decade, and while there might be an uptick due to increased energy demands from data centers, it's uncertain. For FY26, we anticipate a continued gradual decline in coal output. In Indonesia, since June, there's been a 10% decline in coal exports to China and India due to lower coal prices and increased Chinese coal output. This trend benefits us as demand shifts to regions where we are active, like Australia and Mongolia.

There is a planned major shutdown at the Carseland plant in Canada, which may impact earnings in FY 2026.

The company saw earnings growth across all core segments and regions, demonstrating the strength of their diversified portfolio.

Story Continues

Q: Regarding the force majeure involving CF Industries, can you provide options to replenish volumes and any details on contracted versus spot prices? A: The force majeure notice was received recently, and while the contract allows for up to 800,000 tons, our nominations depend on market needs, so the risk isn't fully at that level. We are leveraging our global network to ensure no immediate supply disruptions to customers. It's early days, and we're assessing the situation to plan accordingly.

Q: Can you comment on exploration trends and Axis's performance in FY26? A: We've seen an uptick in exploration, particularly in gold and now copper, after a period of decline. Axis is performing well globally, and we are launching products into the production drilling market, which will double our addressable market. This expansion is promising for future growth.

Q: Do you expect GDP-plus growth levels in Blasting for FY26, adjusting for the carbon credit benefit in FY25? A: Yes, we expect GDP-plus growth through the mining cycle, driven by increased penetration and technology adoption. However, the Carseland shutdown and non-repeat of carbon credits will impact FY26, but overall, we anticipate growth in the Blasting segment.

Q: With the CF Industries force majeure, if there are additional costs, can they be recovered from customers or insurance? A: We are reviewing the legal aspects of the force majeure notice. Our focus is on ensuring supply continuity for our customers. If there are increased costs, we will explore options to manage and potentially pass them on, but it's too early to determine specifics.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
Donald Trump is facing the prospect of a politically damaging congressional vote on releasing the Jeffery Epstein files after attempts to press two female members of Congress to withdraw their backing for it appeared to have failed.

The reported refusal of Lauren Boebert, a Republican representative from Colorado, and Nancy Mace, from South Carolina, to remove their names from a discharge petition to force a vote leaves Trump exposed on an issue that carries the possibility of turning segments of his Maga base against him.

Boebert reportedly stood firm on supporting the petition after being invited by Trump to the White House in an effort to persuade her to withdraw her signature, according to the New York Times.

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The outlet reported that the meeting happened hours after Democrats on the House of Representatives oversight committee released a trove of emails from the files that suggested that Trump may have known more about Epsteins underage sex-trafficking activities than he previously acknowledged.

The disgraced late financier  who committed suicide in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial  wrote in one email that Trump, his former close friend, knew about the girls.

The New York Times reported that the White House sought to persuade Boebert to change her mind  enlisting Pam Bondi, the attorney general, and the FBI director, Kash Patel  before issuing vague threats when the tactic did not work.

The paper, citing people familiar with her thinking, reported that the hardline approach had the counterproductive effect of persuading Boebert that there may be a conspiracy to conceal the contents of the files and caused her to dig in.

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Trump was reported to have unsuccessfully tried to contact Mace, who is running for governor of South Carolina, by phone. She subsequently wrote him a letter explaining her history of sexual abuse and rape, and explaining that she could not change her mind on the petition.

She later wrote in a social media post that the Epstein petition is deeply personal.

Two other Republican representatives, the formerly fiercely reliable Trump loyalist and Georgia representative Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie of Kentucky, have signed the petition.

The necessary 218 votes to pass it and allow a House of Representatives vote was achieved this week with the swearing-in of the Democratic member, Adelita Grijalva, more than two months after she won a special election in Arizona following the death of her father, who had been the sitting representative.

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Democrats have accused Mike Johnson, the House speaker, of deliberately delaying Grijalvas oath-taking in an attempt to deny the petition enough votes to pass and stall the possibility of a vote. Trump has lobbied behind the scenes to stop a vote reaching the floor of the House.

Ro Khanna, a Democratic representative from California, forecast that between 40 and 50 Republicans could vote to release the files in a final vote, allying themselves with Democrats who will vote in favor. The legislation would still have to go to the Senate, where it is unlikely to pass. Trump, who was equivocal on whether he would release the files on the campaign trail last year, could veto a final bill even if it passed both houses.

However, the very prospect of a vote in favor by the Republican-controlled House could spell serious political trouble for Trump, as it could fuel the clamor among his political base for the files to be unsealed and undermine their support for him.

Politico quoted a Trump ally as saying that the latest email releases had taken things that are already complicated for the president and [brought] them to the surface.

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Its like adding salt to a dish  the flavors are already there, it just accentuates all of them, the unnamed ally said.

Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, labelled the email releases as a distraction campaign by the Democrats and the liberal media.

Its why Im being asked questions about Epstein instead of the government reopening because of Republicans and President Trump, she said.

The renewed speculation over Epstein coincided with Trump signing into law a congressionally approved spending package that officially ended a federal government shutdown, which, lasting 43 days, was the longest in US history. It also comes after the supreme court has signaled that it may strike down his signature tariffs policy.
Rogelio Bolufe poses for a picture at a Trump resort in Florida in an undated photo. He's a Cuban ICE detainee in Torrance County Detention Center and says employees have denied him access to important legal documents ahead of a Nov. 13, 2025 deportation hearing. (Courtesy Haymel de la Vega)

A Cuban immigrant held in a Torrance County immigrant detention center faces a key court hearing Thursday without what he described as crucial legal documents to help him avoid deportation.

Rogelio Bolufe told Source New Mexico in a phone interview in Spanish on Tuesday that an abruptly cancelled meeting with a legal aid group last week hobbled his chances at convincing an immigration judge to spare him deportation to Cuba, where he says hell face imprisonment and torture as a political dissident.

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If I go back to Cuba, my life will be in danger, he said.

His allegations of denied access to lawyers and legal materials occur as the facility, one of three ICE lockups in the state, operates without a contract. It currently holds about 550 ICE detainees.

Amid a federal government shutdown, an inter-governmental services agreement between the county, ICE and private prison operator CoreCivic expired Oct. 31, and it remains unclear when it will be renewed.

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) sent a letter to ICE on Friday demanding the agency answer what authority it has to continue detaining immigrants in Estancia and transfer ICE detainees out of the facility in the meantime.

I reiterate my calls for ICE to close the facility, but if you will not, I urge you to transfer all ICE detainees out of TCDF immediately until such time that the contract between ICE and Torrance County is extended, Heinrich wrote.

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Innovation Law Lab, an organization of immigrant legal advocates who visit the jail weekly, have said ICEs own policies require the agency to remove detainees and their equipment absent a contract.

An ICE spokesperson did not respond to Source New Mexicos inquiry Wednesday about Heinrichs letter, which cites recent Source New Mexico reporting and public statements from ICE about its continued operations during the shutdown. Luis Soriano, Heinrichs spokesperson, said Wednesday that ICE hadnt responded to the senators office yet.

Bolufe, 43, told Source the contracts expiration worsened a long practice of officials denying legal help to him or his fellow detainees, including a canceled meeting with legal advocates last Thursday. Bolufe documented that incident and others in a letter last week to Source signed by six other immigrant detainees.

Bolufes letter also cited poor quality telephone communication; jail staff disruptions to consultations with legal staff; and lack of access to the jails legal library.

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In practice, it is impossible to access the legal library, Bolufe wrote, noting he made 30 requests through jail tablets for appointments at the legal library and received no response.

Haymel de la Vega, Bolufes close friend and former fiancee, facilitated brief jail phone calls between Bolufe and Source this week and sent Source letters detailing his history in ICE custody. She wrote that shes tried to send books and other legal materials to Bolufe at the facility without success.

I have personally sent Rogelio several legal books and materials intended to support his preparation for court, but these have been withheld pending review and approval by the facilitys director, and as of today, they have not been delivered to him, she wrote on Nov. 7.

CoreCivic Public Affairs Senior Director Ryan Gustin responded to Sources inquiries following publication of this story and denied several of Bolufes allegations.

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He noted that Bolufe had not filed any grievances with our facility staff regarding access to the law library, and since his arrival in September had had at least seven scheduled opportunities to attend the law library, either pursuant to his requests or during his units designated time. As recently as Nov. 9, Gustin wrote, Bolufe submitted several requests in one day to go to the law library and was personally given the opportunity to attend but declined when offered access.

In his response to Source, Gustin emphasized that CoreCivic doesnt enforce immigration laws, arrest anyone who may be in violation of immigration laws, or have any say whatsoever in an individuals deportation or release. We also do not know the circumstances of individuals when they are placed in our facilities.

However, Gustin wrote, ICE temporarily restricted representatives from the Innovation Law Lab from entering the facility based on safety concerns following the Nov. 5, 2025, protest outside the facility, in which some individuals - who had earlier visited the facility and met with detainees - participated. During the protest, detainees were incited by the protestors to become disruptive. Given these circumstances and the need to maintain security, ICE paused those individuals access pending further review. 

Innovation Law Lab was informed of the situation, Gustin said, and our facility staff worked collaboratively with them to ensure legal materials were delivered to detainees as they requested. Ultimately, no detainees were denied communication with their attorneys, he wrote. The facility, he said has  robust grievance process available to all detainees and all of CoreCivics immigration facilities  operate with a significant amount of oversight and accountability, including being monitored by ICE officials on a daily basis.

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As of Thursday, ICE had still not responded to Sources inquiries.

A long journey to NM

Bolufe arrived at the Torrance County jail about two months ago and, he says, has spent some of his time collecting testimony from inmates who, like him, spent time at Alligator Alcatraz.

According to Bolufe, he spent between seven and 10 days in Alligator Alcatraz, during which he was chained by his hands and feet for 24 to 36 hours at a time. The facility had freezing temperatures, inadequate blankets and the lights remained on permanently.

As a result of the treatment, he said he lost mobility in his left hand, as well as other pain, numbness and muscle weakness, and jail guards shouted racist slurs at him and other detainees.

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Bolufe said the letters and accounts of abuse would help him plead his case to federal immigration Judge Brock E. Taylor, and bring the allegations about ICEs treatment of detainees to the judges attention, but they are among the materials he has yet to receive, along with a character reference signed by 40 people. He also intends on Thursday to argue that he would be subject to political persecution upon being deported to Cuba.

Bolufe is seeking a Green Card under the Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966, which allows Cubans a streamlined path to permanent residency. While he acknowledges and media reports confirm that he has long-standing ties to former Cuban President Fidel Castro and his sons, he also said he is waging a campaign to liberate the country from the Communist regime and supports President Donald Trump.

Bolufe said his Green Card application was pending when he was arrested in the Miami area in August, accused of possessing a small amount of cocaine. He denies the cocaine belonged to him, and the charges have since been dropped, according to court records. Prosecutors in Miami-Dade County did not respond to Source New Mexicos request on Wednesday about the case.

Ahead of the court hearing Thursday, Bolufe said he is hoping for the best, but he said his case is just one of many of immigrants who have been subject to abuse, deprived of human rights and threatened with deportation without having committed crimes.

I ask for prayers, because God is on our side, all the time, he said.
In a recording studio in Dhaka, voiceover artist Rubaiya Matin Gity dubs the latest Turkish soap opera to become a megahit in Bangladesh -- a pop-culture trend that reflects growing ties between the two countries.

"Yasmeen! Yasmeen! I have fallen in love..." the 32-year-old actor cried in Bangla, her eyes fixed on the screen playing new episodes of Turkish drama "Kara Sevda", or "Endless Love", which has captivated millions of viewers in the South Asian nation.

The success of Turkish shows, challenging the once-unrivalled popularity of Indian television dramas, is the sign of a change that extends far beyond Bangladeshi screens.

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It mirrors shifting alliances and expanding diplomatic, trade and defence relations between the two Muslim-majority nations, 5,000 kilometres (3,000 miles) apart.

More Turkish restaurants are opening in Bangladesh and there is a general interest in learning the language, coupled with rekindled warmth between the two governments, set against increasingly fractious relations between Dhaka and New Delhi.

An interim government has led Bangladesh since an uprising last year toppled the autocratic rule of Sheikh Hasina -- who fled to old ally India, where she has resisted extradition, turning relations between the two neighbours icy.

- 'New opportunities' -

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Ties between Ankara and Dhaka have not always been smooth, but they "are growing stronger now," said Md Anwarul Azim, professor of international relations at the University of Dhaka.

"The relationship faltered twice," he said, first in 1971 when Bangladesh separated from Pakistan, and then in 2013, when Dhaka hanged men accused of war crimes during the independence struggle.

Bilateral trade remains modest, but Azim noted that Turkey offers Bangladesh an alternative to its reliance on China as its main weapons supplier.

Ankara's defence industry boss Haluk Gorgun visited Dhaka in July, and Bangladesh's army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman is expected in Turkey later this month to discuss production of military equipment.

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Bangladesh has also shown interest in Turkish drones, technology Ankara has reportedly supplied to Pakistan, India's arch-enemy.

Dhaka's interim leader, Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, said he was "focused on further deepening" ties with Ankara, after meeting a Turkish parliamentary delegation this month.

"Bangladesh stands ready to work hand in hand with Turkiye to unlock new opportunities for our people," Yunus said.

- Classes, clothes and horses -

Alongside formal ties, cultural links are also deepening.

Ezaz Uddin Ahmed, 47, head of programming at the channel that pioneered Turkish dramas in Bangladesh, said that Deepto TV has "a dedicated team of translators, scriptwriters, voice artists and editors" working to meet the growing demand.

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Its breakout hit came in 2017 with a historical epic that eclipsed Indian serials and "surpassed all others" in terms of popularity, Ahmed said.

Riding on that success, Deepto TV and other Bangladeshi broadcasters snapped up more Turkish imports -- from Ottoman sagas to contemporary family dramas.

Interest in the Turkish language has followed suit, with several leading institutions now offering courses.

"I have 20 students in a single batch," said Sheikh Abdul Kader, a trainer and economics lecturer at Jagannath University. "There is growing demand."

For some, the love for all things Turkish doesn't end there.

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Business owner Tahiya Islam, 33, has launched a Turkish-themed clothing line, and inspired by Ottoman traditions, even took up horseback riding.

"During the Ottoman era, couples used to go out on horseback," she said. "Now, my husband rides too -- and I even have my own horse."

sa/pjm/ami
Two suspects from South Florida have been arrested in connection with a fraud scheme that defrauded a Neptune Beach resident of $7,000 on July 21, says the Neptune Beach Police Department.

According to police, after a thorough investigation launched by the Criminal Investigations Division, two suspects were identified.

On November 7, the Hollywood Police Department arrested Norman Santana Caison, who was booked into the North Broward Bureau Detention Facility in Broward County. He awaits extradition to Duval County.

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The Bal Harbour Police Department arrested Jose David Palma Ruiz, who was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami-Dade County on November 11. Ruiz also awaits extradition to Duval County.

According to the police department, NBPD detectives went to South Florida to conduct interviews with both suspects.

Both suspects face charges of communications fraud and unlawful use of a two-way communications device.

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Nov. 12 (UPI) -- The United States on Wednesday imposed another tranche of sanctions targeting Iran's ballistic missile and drone production capabilities, as the Trump administration continues to target Tehran under the resumption of its so-called maximum pressure campaign.

Thirty-two individuals and entities in Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, China, Hong Kong, India, Germany and Ukraine were blacklisted Wednesday on accusations of operating weapons procurement networks for Iran.

According to the U.S. Treasury, Iran is seeking to reconstitute its proliferation capabilities following its 12-day armed conflict with Israel in mid-June, and the sanctions announced Thursday are to hinder that effort by blocking proliferation networks from accessing the U.S. financial system.

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"Across the globe, Iran exploits financial systems to launder funds, procure components for its nuclear and conventional weapons programs, and support its terrorist proxies," Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John Hurley said in a statement.

"At the direction of President Trump, we are putting maximum pressure on Iran to end its nuclear threat."

Iran -- and its nuclear capabilities -- has been a focal point of Trump's foreign policy since his first term. In 2018, he unilaterally withdrew the United States from the Obama-era landmark multinational Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, calling it "defective at its core," and reimposed sweeping sanctions designed to force Iran back to the negotiating table.

Iran, instead, advanced its nuclear activities, including enriching uranium to higher levels, while restricting monitoring.

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In February, a month after returning to office, Trump reimposed his maximum pressure campaign on Iran. Then in September, the United Nations reimposed an arms embargo and other sanctions on Iran for violating the JCPOA.

The sanctions imposed on Wednesday are the second of punitive measures the Trump administration has imposed since the U.N. reimposed its sanctions on Iran.

"The United States will continue to use all available means, including sanctions on entities based in third countries, to expose, disrupt and counter Iran's procurement of equipment and items for its ballistic missile and UAV programs, which jeopardize regional security and international stability," U.S. State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement, adding that the Thursday actions were in support of the U.N.'s reimposition of sanctions targeting Iran.
While many rich people do less than they are able to in order to help others and the environment  despite being responsible for an overwhelming portion of the damage caused to it in many ways, including their use of super yachts and private jets  one wealthy couple has shown the world that there is another option for One Percenters.

Kris Tompkins, a former CEO of Patagonia whose father was in the oil industry, and her late husband Doug Tompkins, one of the founders of The North Face Inc. and Esprit, spent over $345 million on land in South America that they then returned to the Chilean and Argentinian public, as Reasons to Be Cheerful has reported.

The Tompkins' gifts to the governments of these two countries, completed in 2019, constituted the largest private land donation in history, as CBS News reported that year. In total, they created or significantly enlarged six national parks, conserving 14.7 million acres of land and 30 million marine acres, per Reasons to Be Cheerful. The land will remain protected for at least 99 years, according to the agreements with the governments.

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However, in giving this land back to the public, Kris Tompkins realized that it was not enough to simply un-privatize the property  it was also crucial to safeguard the species that lived there. South American species, like species across the globe, are under threat from the effects of human-caused pollution.

"It's not enough to protect the land. We have to bring back the species that have been missing," Tompkins told Reasons to Be Cheerful. "Landscape without wildlife is just scenery. We consider the extinction crisis the mother of all crises that must be addressed. The entire ecosphere and its future depend on healthy, vibrant and rich biodiversity."

Through the organization Tompkins Conservation, she began directing efforts to ensure the survival of several threatened species, such as the Huemul deer, and rewilding species, like the collared peccary, the Andean condor, Darwin's Rhea, green and red macaws, tapirs, and giant anteaters. The effort marked the first time macaws or anteaters had ever been rewilded, according to Reasons to Be Cheerful.

At a time when our society's wealthiest members are continually vacuuming up money and resources, making our world less livable for everyone else, the Tompkins' work is a beautiful  but extremely rare  example of how the ultra-wealthy could actually make a huge difference, if they cared to.

Returning the land to the people of Chile and Argentina was "a kind of capitalist jujitsu move. We deployed private wealth from our business lives  to protect nature from being devoured by the hand of the global economy," Tompkins said.
A Ukrainian drone unit said it used small FPV drones to attack Russian vehicles 37 miles away.

Those are some of the longest-range strikes the war has seen with such hobby drones.

The organization donating the drones said they had upgraded hardware and used a relay system.

A Ukrainian drone team said this week that it attacked Russian vehicles with small quadcopters that flew over 37 miles, marking some of the longest-range strikes in the war with such drones.

The Ivan Franko Group, a special forces drone unit under Ukraine's Security Service, wrote on Monday that it had conducted the strikes with "8-inch and 10-inch FPV drones" that crossed over 60 kilometers "under their own power."

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These are first-person-view drones that use 8-inch or 10-inch propellers to fly, and are the typical hobby quadcopters that have proliferated on Ukraine's battlefield.

Sixty kilometers, or roughly 37 miles, is far beyond the usual range of an FPV drone, which can often reliably fly only up to 12 miles or so.

On Thursday, the Ivan Franko Group posted a video montage of the strikes, which appears to show at least four different quadcopters cruising high above roads before directly flying into trucks and other ground vehicles.

The group said all of the strikes occurred near the Donetsk airport. Business Insider was able to independently verify the location of two strikes that occurred on a highway near the ruined village of Pisky, which is about 30 miles from Ukrainian lines.

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However, it's unclear from the videos when they were filmed.

The Ivan Franko Group said the drones used in the strike were provided by the Sternenko Foundation, a prominent group of volunteers who raise funds from the public to buy drones for Ukrainian troops.

Pushing $500 drones to their limit

Oleksandr Skarlat, the foundation's director, told Business Insider that the drones in the clips were equipped with higher-capacity batteries and more powerful video transmitters to extend their flight range.

They also used a relay system, he said. These are a relatively new development on the battlefield, where a drone bounces its signal off another drone to extend its range to the pilot.

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Skarlat said each drone costs roughly $475 to $500, but can be sold for up to $600 if equipped with thermal cameras.

"These drones are not available to everyone, but production is scaling up every month," Skarlat said.

"Previously, only a few units were flying over 40 km. Now, there are already several dozen units doing so," he added.

Consistent FPV drone strikes at such a range would show how the war is pushing the limits of the humble hobby drone, which is now inspiring militaries around the world to ramp up their own uncrewed aerial system arsenals.

This summer, a drone unit in Zaporizhzhia, known as the Ronins, told Business Insider that it flew quadcopters up to 34 miles to attack Russian air defense systems  a range that was almost unheard of among drone units.

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Earlier this month, Ukrainian soldiers told Business Insider's Jake Epstein that both Kyiv's and Moscow's forces were starting to deploy more expensive medium-range drones, previously reserved for reconnaissance, to conduct strikes up to 125 miles from the front line.

Skarlat, whose foundation collaborates with manufacturers to make custom drones for Ukrainian units, expects shorter-range quadcopters to soon fly even further.

"FPV drones are actually only at the beginning of their evolution," said. "This is a field that's still in its formative stage. Like the first smartphone in the era of landline phones."

Read the original article on Business Insider
The University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors appointed temporary leaders Thursday for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and McNeese State University.

Ramesh Kolluru will fill the vacant presidency at UL Lafayette for the time being after current interim president Jamie Hebert stepped down to return to his position as provost. Kedrick Nicholas will step in as interim president at McNeese State in Lake Charles after his predecessor, Wade Rousse, stepped down to become president of the LSU System.

It had been rumored that Kolluru would be appointed ULL president on a permanent basis without a formal search from the UL System board. But after backlash from the ULL faculty, Board Chairman Mark Romero announced he would appoint a search committee to find a new president.

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Kolluru, who is still favored to get to position after the search, is currently ULLs vice president for research, innovation and economic development, a position he has held for more than a decade.

Kolluru said UL System President Rick Gallot asked him Monday to apply for the presidents position, though the position had not yet been officially opened to other applicants.

Kolluru said he was glad the board will conduct a search.

The process to the point has not been transparent, and Im glad that the process now has evolved to an actual search process thats inclusive of the entire campus community, Kolluru said.

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Members of the search committee and the timeline for choosing ULLs next president have not yet been announced.

Nicholas has been senior vice president of student affairs at McNeese since July 2024 and is a two-time alumnus of the university. Board members did not say when they would begin searching for a permanent president.
Welcome back to World Brief, where were looking at Phase 2 of the Israel-Hamas cease-fire deal, heightened South Asian tensions following a suicide bombing in Pakistan, and parliamentary elections in Iraq.

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A Precarious Phase 2

Its been one month since the Israel-Hamas cease-fire deal in Gaza went into effect, and world leaders are now turning to the second, far more complex phase of the U.S.-brokered peace framework. These conversations kicked off in earnest on Tuesday, when G-7 foreign ministers gathered in Ontario, Canada, to hash out how to carry out the next stage. But as Phase 2 provides no timelines or mechanisms for implementation, experts worry that peace efforts could break down.

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Under the second phase of the Gaza cease-fire deal, Israel must withdraw farther from the so-called yellow line until it fully leaves the territory, Hamas must completely disarm to allow for a transitional authority to govern Gaza, and a multinational security force must deploy to the area to take over from the Israeli military. However, several obstacles stand in the way, including Hamas refusing to relinquish its weapons; Israel rejecting any involvement of the Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the occupied West Bank; and uncertainty over the makeup of the multinational force.

Were still working out ideas, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said this month. Everybody wants this conflict over. All of us want the same endgame here. Question is: How do we make it work?

According to private documents obtained by Politico, several Trump administration officials have expressed doubts that the peace deals second phase can be implemented. In a presentation given to U.S. Central Command and members of the newly created Civil-Military Coordination Center last month, experts shared concerns that the multinational security initiative planned for Gaza may not be able to be deployed, citing lack of commitments from foreign countries and lingering questions over who will ultimately oversee Gazas governance.

The slideshow also pointed to evidence of Hamas reasserting authority and filling the security vacuum through coercive enforcement [and] policing. U.S. officials met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday to discuss these concerns as well as what to do about a group of around 200 Hamas fighters who remain in tunnels beneath the southern Gaza city of Rafah, which is under Israeli control. Hamas has demanded that Israel grant the trapped fighters safe passage to the part of Gaza not under Israels control, but so far, Israel has refused. The resulting stalemate has become a flash point that is threatening to undermine the cease-fire.

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According to an assessment in the private presentation, as of Oct. 20, the Israeli military controls 53 percent of Gaza. However, 95 percent of the enclaves population lives in the remaining 47 percent, and Hamas has already redeployed 7,000 security personnel to these areas. Without a push to have Israel fully withdraw from Gaza, European officials told Reuters that the territory could end up partitioned, with Israel controlling a limited area and Hamas ruling the rest.

We cannot have a fragmentation of Gaza, Safadi added, as such a de facto state could lead to years of separation and limit reconstruction to just the Israeli-controlled areas.

Still, the Trump administration remains publicly optimistic about the deals prospectsand privately committed to significant U.S. involvement in the region, including with security provisions and economic reconstruction.

Weve got to deal with the challenges and make sure they [Hamas] dont unravel this, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last month. So, Im not worried about it, but were aware that these are challenges that we have to confront, adding that if this was easy, it would have been done 30 years ago.

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Todays Most Read China Is Already Pulling Ahead on the Next Energy Supply Chain by Jane Nakano and Mathias Zacarias Sharaas Democratic Test by Fin de Pencier Why Does the U.S. Set Presidential Term Limits? by Julian E. Zelizer What Were Following

State of war. A suicide bomber killed at least 12 people and wounded 27 others in Islamabad on Tuesday in the first attack on civilians in the Pakistani capital in a decade. Although no group has claimed responsibility thus far, the government of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has accused neighboring Afghanistan and India of complicity in the attack.

We are in a state of war, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said. Bringing this war to Islamabad is a message from Kabul, to which Pakistan has the full power to respond. Afghanistan and India have denied involvement.

Heightened tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan began last month, when Islamabad launched airstrikes on Afghanistan over accusations that Kabul was sheltering Pakistani militants, such as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, that have orchestrated attacks on Pakistanis, including one at a school near the Afghan border on Monday.

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Pakistan has also accused longtime rival India of supporting Pakistani militants in Afghanistan, with the two engaging in a four-day war in May following a terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir. (An explosion killed at least eight people at a popular tourist site in New Delhi on Monday, though authorities are still investigating whether the incident was an attack.)

Going to the polls. Iraq held parliamentary elections on Tuesday, during which an alliance of parties led by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudanis Furatayn Movement was forecasted to win the most seats but fall short of a majority. This means that the following weeks or even months may well see negotiations among Sunni, Shiite, and Kurdish groups to form a coalition government and choose a prime minister; some of Sudanis former political allies have said they hope to form a coalition to prevent Sudani from obtaining a second term.

More than 7,700 candidates from 114 party lists are running for a spot in the countrys 329-seat legislature. This year, a raft of young people are among those seeking office in the hopes of reforming a system that many Iraqis have lost faith in due to systemic corruption, high unemployment, and poor state services.

However, a boycott by the Sadrist Movement, led by influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, has hampered public engagement. Sadr City feels almost like a lockdown because of Muqtada al-Sadrs call for his followers to stay home, one Iraqi voter told The Associated Press. The countrys last parliamentary election in 2021 saw record-low turnout, hitting below 41 percent, and this years registration numbers predicted Tuesdays turnout to be even lower. The votes preliminary results are expected to be announced in the next two days, with the final tally expected next week.

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Oil cooperation. Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Kremlin on Tuesday to discuss the fallout of U.S. sanctions on Moscows two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil. Both corporations have significant holdings in Kazakhstan, a major oil exporter itself that transports most of its crude through Russia.

Their meeting comes less than a week after U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed the leaders of five Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, to the White House in an effort to bolster the United States sway in the mineral-rich region and hamper Russian and Chinese leadership there. During that meeting, Trump announced that Kazakhstan will be joining the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords.

Still, though, the former Soviet state isnt giving up on its friendship with Russia. During the two-day state visit, Putin and Tokayev are expected to sign a joint declaration elevating their countries ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership and alliance, as the two nations commit to greater energy, logistics, and cultural cooperation.

Odds and Ends

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As U.S. shoppers gear up for their Black Friday purchases, consumers in China are capping off a weekslong shopping spree. Tuesday marked the end of Singles Day, an online shopping bonanza that this year began on Oct. 9 and is aimed at encouraging bachelors and bachelorettes to treat themselves. Last year, the value of goods sold during the Singles Day shopping period totaled $202 billionnearly five times the amount that U.S. shoppers spent during Cyber Week in 2024.
More than 1,000 unionized Starbucks baristas in more than 40 U.S. cities have launched an open-ended strike, intensifying their push for a collective bargaining agreement over pay and other benefits at the coffee giant.

The walkout began Thursday, Nov. 13, with 65 stores, Starbucks Workers United said, coinciding with Red Cup Day, a busy holiday sales event that typically drives higher customer visits at its more than 17,000 coffeehouses in the U.S.

The four Iowa outlets that have unionized  in Des Moines, Iowa City, Davenport and Bettendorf  are not included in a list Starbucks United provided of stores that could be affected by the initial walkout, though their workers have voted to authorize a strike. The list is at nocontractnocoffee.org.

Starbucks employees participate in an open-ended strike, as part of a nationwide push for improved wages and benefits, in New York City on Nov. 13, 2025.

During an informational union picket at the Des Moines store on Merle Hay Road on Oct. 28, Jacob Scroggins, a leader in organizing the union there, said members support a strike if it brings the company to the negotiating table.

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"The consensus in our shop is that its time to bring a contract on home that would provide better staffing and higher pay," Scroggins said at the time.

A Starbucks company spokesperson told Reuters on Thursday that the company was seeing minimal impact from the walkouts, with less than 1% of its stores experiencing any level of disruption.

But the union plans warned the strike could become the largest and longest in the history of Starbucks.

Stores in cities including Seattle, New York, Philadelphia, Dallas, Austin and Portland, Oregon, will join the work stoppage, it said.

"We're striking for a fair union contract, resolution of unfair labor practices and a better future at Starbucks," said Dachi Spoltore, a Starbucks barista from Pittsburgh who joined the strike.

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"For every one barista on strike, dozens more allies and customers have pledged to honor the picket line and not buy Starbucks while we're on strike," Spoltore said

Starbucks offers annual raises; union seeks benefit improvements, too

Starbucks' special cup for its 2025 Red Cup Day on Nov. 13, 2025. One of Starbucks' biggest sales days of the year, it's also when the union chose to launch its strike.

The strike comes as Starbucks under CEO Brian Niccol is shutting hundreds of underperforming stores, including the unionized flagship Seattle location, this year while trimming corporate roles to control costs.

Niccol has stressed on improving service times and in-store experience in the U.S. to revive demand for beverages as sales remain flat or negative for the past seven quarters.

The union has filed more than 1,000 charges against the company alleging unfair labor practices with the National Labor Relations Board. It voted last week voted to authorize a strike if a contract was not finalized by Thursday.

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It had in April voted to reject a Starbucks proposal that guaranteed annual raises of at least 2%, which the union said did not offer changes to economic benefits such as health care or an immediate pay hike.

Starbucks has said it pays an average wage of $19 an hour and offers employees who work at least 20 hours a week benefits including health care, parental leave and tuition for online classes at Arizona State University.

The union has said starting wages are $15.25 per hour in about 33 states and the average barista gets less than 20 hours per week.

In 2024, talks between the union, which represents employees at about 550 U.S. stores, and Starbucks broke down, after which workers, including in Iowa City, went on strike during the key holiday period in December.

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Both sides blamed each other for ending the recent talks but said they are ready to return to negotiations. The union represents roughly 9,500 workers, or 4% of its cafe workforce, Starbucks has said.

Reuters and USA Today contributed to this article.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Starbucks baristas launch strike. Are Iowa's stores participating?
Healthcare logistics provider Owens & Minor (OMI) entered the Bottom 100 Stocks to Buy Monday in the 98th spot.

The penny stock is down 78% over the past 12 months due to significant losses at one of its operating segments. The company announced on Oct. 7 that it would sell its Products & Healthcare Services segment to private equity firm, Platinum Equity.

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In recent years, the company has expanded into home-based care. As the companys press release stated, the sale will allow the Company to focus on a simpler business model and allow for a more appropriate valuation as a leader in this segment.

God knows long-time shareholders could use some good news. A little over four years ago, Owens & Minor stock traded at just under $50, with a market cap of $3.7 billion. Today, its under $250 million.

Ive never followed OMI stock, but the contrarian in me just had to take a closer look after its share price fell below $3.

Should the companys new focus be enough for penny-stock investors? Maybe. Heres why.

Owens & Minors Business Pre-COVID

The company has quite a history in Richmond, Virginia. Founded in 1882, it has been in existence for 143 years. It went public on Jan. 29, 1988. Ive been unable to track down details such as the IPO price. Its not a primary concern regarding my observations about the company.

Looking at income statements from S&P Global Market Intelligence for 1990 through 2024, the company posted year-over-year revenue growth in 29 of the 34 years. Its operating income was up in 23 of the 34 years, so profits were a little more volatile, but still reasonable over more than three decades.

Since COVID, investors have been comparing a businesss revenue before the pandemic (2019) with its revenue after (2023 and 2024). In 2019, Owens & Minor had an operating income of $99.3 million on $9.21 billion in sales (1.1% operating margin). In 2023 and 2024, its operating margins were 2.1% and 2.3%, respectively.

I dont think Ive ever owned grocery store stock like Kroger (KR). These are grocery-store-like margins. You have to be really well-runCostcos (COST) fiscal 2025 operating margin was 3.8%to survive and thrive.
The US Congress will vote next week on whether to release more files related to the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

All 214 Democratic representatives were joined by four Republicans in signing a petition over the issue, and the speaker must now bring the measure to the floor.

Washington is already in turmoil over the Epstein files after Democrats in the House of Representatives this week released thousands of emails in which Epstein repeatedly mentioned President Donald Trump. The broader files contain more than 33,000 pages amassed in a federal investigation; Trump has called them a hoax.

Congressional Republicans are under pressure from their base, and the vote will force them to go on record supporting or blocking their release.
By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A U.S. appeals court late on Wednesday temporarily halted a government agency's order to force Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico to unwind a joint venture by January 1.

The airlines had sued to block the U.S. Department of Transportation order to repeal the nearly nine-year-old joint venture that lets the carriers coordinate scheduling, pricing and capacity for U.S.-Mexico flights. The USDOT order was issued in September as part of several U.S. actions aimed at Mexico's aviation sector over competition concerns.

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The carriers said they faced substantial costs they could not recover even if a court later upheld the arrangement. The order from a three-judge panel cited a prior court decision on the standard for temporarily blocking administrative actions.

Delta said it appreciated "the courts decision to pause the wind-down of the Delta/Aeromexico strategic partnership while it reviews the validity of the DOTs order."

Aeromexico in a statement noted the joint venture would remain in place as the court case proceeds.

USDOT declined to comment.

Last week, the Justice and Transportation Departments called the joint venture "legalized collusion" that controls "almost 60% of operations at the fourth-largest international gateway to and from the United States," citing Mexico City flights.

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Delta, which has a 20% stake in Aeromexico, has also argued that President Donald Trump's administration is holding the joint venture to a stricter standard than other ventures including United Airlines and ANA.

The government has said anticipated problems from the venture include higher fares in some markets, reduced capacity and challenges for U.S. carriers due to inadequate competition.

In separate actions last month, the Trump administration revoked approval for 13 routes by Mexican carriers into the U.S. and canceled all combined passenger and cargo flights by Mexican airlines to the United States from Mexico City's Felipe Angeles International Airport.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Mexico "illegally canceled and froze U.S. carrier flights for three years without consequences."

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said earlier she disagrees with the U.S. decision to revoke approval of the 13 routes.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by David Gregorio and Tom Hogue)
By Andy Sullivan, Courtney Rozen and JC Whittington

(Reuters) -The U.S. government is due to lumber back to life on Thursday after the longest shutdown in U.S. history snarled air traffic, cut food assistance to low-income Americans and forced more than 1 million workers to go unpaid for more than a month.

But the deep political divisions that caused the 43-day shutdown in the first place remain unresolved.

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The funding package contains few guardrails to restrain Republican President Donald Trump from withholding spending, in an administration that has regularly challenged Congress' constitutional authority over money. And it does not address the soon-to-expire health subsidies that led Senate Democrats to begin the shutdown in the first place.

The shutdown also exposed divides within the Democratic Party between its liberal base, which has demanded its leaders do whatever necessary to rein in Trump, and moderates who feel their options are limited so long as Republicans hold majorities in both chambers of Congress. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer is facing calls to step down, even though he voted against the deal.

Roughly 1.4 million federal workers, who had toiled without pay through the shutdown, will begin to receive back pay on Saturday with all payments due to be completed by Wednesday, the White House said. Trump's White House had threatened to withhold pay for some of those workers, though there was no indication that it would do so.

"I'm happy to see all my coworkers again. I brought in some pastries for everybody so we can enjoy our first day back," said federal employee Stanley Stocker as he arrived at the Department of the Interior.

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Trump fired several thousand workers during the shutdown, but the funding deal that reopened the government ensures they will keep their jobs. Trump's administration ordered agencies to revoke their dismissals within five days.

The deal pauses Trump's broader downsizing campaign until the end of January. Trump is on track to reduce the 2.2 million-strong civil service by 300,000 workers by the end of the year.

The nation's air travel system has begun returning to normal, after thousands of flight cancellations brought on by high absentee rates among the nation's air traffic controllers. The Department of Homeland Security said it would issue $10,000 bonus checks to airport security screeners who took extra shifts during the shutdown.

The Agriculture Department said most states would receive funding for the SNAP food aid program within 24 hours, ending a dispute that threatened to cut off subsidies that help 42 million Americans buy groceries.

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The Smithsonian Institution said some of its high-profile museums along Washington's National Mall would reopen on Friday, while the National Zoo and other buildings would be open to the public by Monday.

AMERICANS BLAME REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ALMOST EQUALLY

The return to normality could be short-lived, as the deal only funds the government until January 30, raising the prospect of another shutdown early next year.

Neither party appears to have emerged as a clear winner. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Wednesday found that 50% of Americans blamed Republicans for the shutdown while 47% blamed Democrats.

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This shutdown also stood out for what was largely absent: debate over the $38 trillion national debt, which Congress for now leaves on a path to keep growing by about $1.8 trillion per year.

Democrats secured no guarantees on health subsidies, only a promise that the Republican-controlled Senate will hold a vote on the matter.

But they argued that they elevated the issue at a time when polls show Americans are concerned about the rising cost of living. The subsidies benefit 24 million Americans, disproportionately residents of Republican-controlled states.

"The healthcare of the American people is a fight worth having, and I'm proud that Democrats held together for this long to fight this battle," Representative Hank Johnson of Georgia told Reuters. "The American people are more aware of the high stakes."

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Republicans, meanwhile, argued that the shutdown had been a pointless exercise that caused needless damage - an argument Democrats have made in 2013 and 2019, when Republicans forced shutdowns over health and immigration issues.

"This is just absolutely insane, insane that we're now using government shutdowns as leverage for policy. That can never happen," Republican Representative Brian Fitzpatrick told Reuters.

ECONOMIC DAMAGE

The shutdown has prevented the government from releasing an array of economic data, forcing investors and the Federal Reserve to operate in the dark as they tried to assess the state of the world's largest economy. White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said data on the unemployment rate for October may never be available.

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The shutdown also spooked consumers ahead of the year-end holiday shopping season. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated it would delay roughly $50 billion in spending and lower U.S. GDP by 1.5 percentage points. The CBO said the economy will largely bounce back when the shutdown ends, though up to $14 billion in lost activity will not be recovered.

The U.S. Small Business Administration said the shutdown had delayed $5.3 billion worth of loans to 10,000 small businesses.

(Reporting by Andy Sullivan, Courtney Rozen, JC Whittington, David Shepardson, David Morgan, Bo Erickson and Nolan D. McCaskill; Additional reporting by Leah Douglas, Courtney Rozen and Nandita Bose; Editing by Scott Malone, Edmund Klamann and Alistair Bell)
President Donald Trump has signed a spending bill to reopen the government and end the longest shutdown in US history.

He signed the short-term budget into law just hours after the House of Representatives voted 222-209 to approve it on Wednesday night, and two days after the Senate narrowly approved the same package.

In the Oval Office, Trump said the government would now "resume normal operations" after "people were hurt so badly" from the 43-day shutdown.

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Many government services have been suspended since October, and around 1.4 million federal employees have been on unpaid leave or working without pay. Food aid has also been left in limbo and air travel has been disrupted nationwide.

Government services are expected to reopen in the coming days, while disruptions to air travel will likely ease ahead of the looming Thanksgiving holiday. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had reduced air traffic because of staff shortages owing to the shutdown.

That had direct impacts on members of Congress attempting to reach the nations capital on Wednesday for the House vote.

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Derrick Van Orden, a Wisconsin Republican, rode his motorcycle nearly 1,000 miles (1,609km) across the country to cast his vote in the House before it was sent to the president's desk.

The bill only provides funding to keep the government open until 30 January, when lawmakers will once again need to find a way to fund the government.

Before he signed it into law, Trump repeatedly cast blame for the shutdown on the Democratic Party. "They did it purely for political reasons," he said.

"When we come up to midterms and other things, don't forget what they've done to our country," he added.

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Senate Democrats were able to trigger the shutdown despite being a minority in the chamber, because Republicans were still seven short of the 60-vote threshold required to pass a funding bill.

They initially refused to support the bill, demanding that Republicans agree to extend health insurance subsidies for low-income Americans that are set to expire at the end of the year.

Republicans maintained that a healthcare discussion could come after the government was reopened.

But on Sunday, a group of eight Senate Democrats broke from the party and helped pass the spending package. They voted for it in exchange for a promise of a vote on those healthcare subsidies in December.

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It led to fury within the Democratic Party, and public criticism from figures such as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and California Governor Gavin Newsom.

Senator Chuck Schumer, the minority leader in the chamber, said the package "fails to do anything of substance to fix America's healthcare crisis".

Virginia Senator Tim Kaine was among the group of Democrats who voted in favour of the compromise. He pushed back on that criticism, and said the federal workers he represents were "saying thank you" for agreeing the deal.

Hours before the House voted to reopen the government, Democrats in Congress watched as their newest lawmaker was sworn into office.

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The addition did not provide enough leverage to impact whether healthcare subsidies were included in the government funding bill, but Democrats welcomed Adelita Grijalva into their ranks with applause on the floor of the chamber.

The Democratic representative for Arizona was elected on 23 September, but the House has not been in session since 19 September, delaying her swearing in. She is stepping into the seat once held by her father, Raul Grijalva, who died earlier this year.

Democrats immediately tapped their newest member to back a petition to force a vote on legislation requiring the release of files related to the late paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

The petition will need to sit for seven legislative days before it can be called up for floor consideration - and then House leadership will be required to schedule a vote within two legislative days.

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House Speaker Mike Johnson surprised many on Wednesday and said he would schedule a vote for next week.

Trump signs bill to end longest US government shutdown [EPA]

What's in the spending deal?

The deal negotiated over the weekend extends funding for the federal government until 30 January.

It also includes full-year funding for the Department of Agriculture, as well as funding for military construction and legislative agencies.

Guarantees that all federal workers will be paid for time during the shutdown, and funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - which provides food aid to one in eight Americans - until next September are also included in the bill.

The package includes an agreement for a vote in December on extending the healthcare subsidies which Democrats had been holding out for concessions on.

[BBC]

Follow the twists and turns of Trump's second term with North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher's weekly US Politics Unspun newsletter. Readers in the UK can sign up here. Those outside the UK can sign up here.
The House on Wednesday began voting on legislation that would end the longest government shutdown in US history, as Democrats voiced fury that the Senate-brokered compromise fails to extend expiring healthcare subsidies.

The House returned to Washington to vote after a more than 50-day absence ordered by the Republican speaker, Mike Johnson, to pressure Senate Democrats into reopening the government. The measures passage would be welcome news for the White House, which is looking to end the shutdown.

President [Donald] Trump looks forward to  finally ending this devastating Democrat shutdown with his signature, and we hope that signing will take place later tonight, said Karoline Leavitt, the press secretary, at a press conference.

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On Monday, a splinter group of Senate Democrats joined with Republicans to advance legislation that would fund the federal government through the end of January, without extending tax credits that lowered premiums for Affordable Care Act health plans. The move sparked a furious backlash from other Democrats, many of whom have called the plan a betrayal. Influential progressive groups have even called for Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, to resign.

All Senate Republicans supported the measures passage, except for Rand Paul of Kentucky, along with eight moderate members of the Democratic caucus, several of whom were recently re-elected, or serving their final terms in office.

The bill cleared two procedural votes on party lines in the House on Wednesday evening. Republican leaders want to pass it swiftly but are managing a tiny majority from which they can only afford to lose two votes. However, moderate Democrats may also opt to vote for final passage.

The House votes, on day 42 of the shutdown, came as hundreds of thousands of furloughed federal workers miss paychecks, millions of Americans risk losing food assistance and airlines warn travelers to brace for continued disruptions.

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When the House rules committee convened on Tuesday evening for a hearing that set the stage for the bill to come to the floor, the panels top Democrat, Jim McGovern, decried the long recess Republicans engineered.

Where the hell have you been? he asked, during in his opening remarks, then added later: Republicans quiet quit their jobs. They disappeared.

Virginia Foxx, the committees chair, blamed Democrats for causing the shutdown, and noted sharply that they walked away empty-handed after insisting they would not relent until securing an extension of the healthcare subsidies.

While they did not win that concession, the senators who broke with the Democratic caucus claimed credit for getting the Republican Senate majority leader, John Thune, to agree to hold a vote by mid-December on an extension of the tax credits.

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If the subsidies expire, millions of Americans could see sharp rises in their healthcare premiums or lose their marketplace coverage entirely.

The bill would extend government funding at current levels through January 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.

On Tuesday, Hakeem Jeffries, the House minority leader, said it was his strong expectation that House Democrats will vote against the proposal. He joined a group of Democratic lawmakers to unveil an amendment that would extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits for three years. The proposal was rejected by the Republican-controlled House rules committee on Tuesday night.

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Because of the Republican refusal to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis that already exists, that they failed to address, healthcare for people all across this country is on the brink of becoming unaffordable, Jeffries said.

With a 219-member majority, assuming full attendance, Johnson can only afford to lose two votes on the bill, and the Kentucky representative Thomas Massie is likely to vote no. But Republican leaders have expressed optimism that the legislation will pass quickly.

Addressing a crowd at Arlington national cemetery on Tuesday, Veterans Day, Trump congratulated Johnson, calling the Senate bill a very big victory.

Were opening up our country, he added. Should have never been closed.
The U.S. House of Representatives voted Wednesday evening to end the longest federal government shutdown 43 days in history.

Lawmakers approved a spending bill 222-209, with six Democrats joining Republicans to support the measure. The six Democrats who voted to reopen the government were Henry Cuellar (Texas), Don Davis (North Carolina), Jared Golden (Maine), Adam Gray (California), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Washington, and Tom Suozzi (New York).

Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning.

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The bill now heads to President Donald Trumps desk. Trump said he plans to sign it Wednesday night at 9:45 p.m. - EST, according to the White House. With his signature, the longest government shutdown in U.S. history will officially come to an end.

On Wednesday evening, the National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC), the nations leading advocacy organization for Tribal housing, said in a news release the organization welcomed the end of the federal government shutdown and the restoration of vital operations to Tribal housing programs across Indian Country.

The reopening of the federal government restores access to critical housing resources for Tribal Nations and communities, said Rudy Soto, NAIHC Executive Director. While we recognize the difficult negotiations that accompany any budget process, the interruption of essential housing programs directly affects the well-being and stability of Native and Tribal families and communities.

Each day that funding and program support were delayed meant Tribal governments were forced to make difficult decisions affecting housing development, maintenance, and safety, Soto continued. Moving forward, we urge policymakers to move past partisan gridlock in Washington to prevent future shutdowns that put the federal governments obligations at risk.

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As operations resume, we look forward to working with HUD and other federal agencies to strengthen housing development opportunities and uphold the federal governments responsibilities to Tribal Nations, Soto concluded.

About the Author: "Levi \"Calm Before the Storm\" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print\/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net."

Contact: levi@nativenewsonline.net
A US jury in the first civil trial over a fatal Boeing 737 MAX crash determined Wednesday that the aircraft manufacturing giant owes $28.45 million to the family of a newly-wed Indian victim.

The case involves the survivors of Shikha Garg of New Delhi, who died in the March 2019 Ethiopian Airlines crash, one of two fatal MAX crashes that together claimed 346 lives.

After about two hours of deliberation, a jury in federal court in Chicago returned with an award that included $10 million for grief, $10 million for Garg's pain and suffering, and other compensation.

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"We happily accept the verdict. We came here for a jury trial and it's absolutely acceptable," Garg's widower, Soumya Bhattacharya, told AFP.

Boeing expressed regret about the deadly accidents.

"We are deeply sorry to all who lost loved ones on Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302," a Boeing spokesperson said.

"While we have resolved the vast majority of these claims through settlements, families are also entitled to pursue their claims through damages trials in court, and we respect their right to do so."

Attorneys representing Bhattacharya had argued the estate should receive between $80 and $230 million, while Boeing's counsel had proposed $11.95 million.

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The lawsuits stem from the March 10, 2019 flight that crashed six minutes after departing Addis Ababa for Nairobi, killing all 157 people on board.

Garg's was the first case to go to trial after Boeing reached dozens of other civil settlements in cases brought by family members from the Ethiopian Airlines crash and from the Lion Air 737 MAX crash in 2018.

Boeing had accepted responsibility for the Ethiopian Airlines crash and acknowledged the need to pay damages to Garg's survivors.

But the trial weighed the sum, with Boeing's attorney contesting testimony from a plaintiff witness on the extent that Garg suffered prior to dying.

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- Courtroom apology -

During this closing argument, Boeing attorney Dan Webb stressed the company's remorse, turning to Bhattacharya to express Boeing's apology in court.

Webb also told the jury that they must decide on one issue: fair and reasonable amount of damages. He added that the jury must not base their decision on sympathy, echoing trial instructions from Judge Jorge Alonso.

"This trial for example does not involve damages punishing Boeing, this trial only has to do with compensation," Webb said.

"There is nothing in this case to punish Boeing and yet when I sat here and heard Mr. Specter asking for $80 to $230 million, that's not fair and reasonable compensation. He is asking to punish Boeing."

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Garg had been a consultant for the United Nations Development Program, and had been traveling to Nairobi for a UN Environment Assembly.

She married three months earlier and had planned to travel with her husband, who canceled his flight at the last minute because of a meeting.

In a closing statement, plaintiffs attorney Shanin Specter emphasized the loss of Garg's potential when she died. He touched on Bhattacharya's comments on the witness stand, when he described his late wife as a "brilliant" young professional studying renewable energy.

"Part of Soumya's grief is knowing that he doesn't get to see her do that," Specter said. "He doesn't get to share that with her."

elm-jmb/mlm
The justice department on Thursday joined a lawsuit brought by California Republicans to block the states new congressional map, escalating a legal battle over a redistricting effort designed to give Democrats a better chance of retaking the House of Representatives next year.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in California, challenges the congressional map championed by Gavin Newsom, the states Democratic governor, in response to a Republican gerrymander in Texas, sought by Donald Trump. The justice departments intervention in the case sets up a high-profile showdown between the Trump administration and Newsom, one of the presidents chief antagonists and a possible 2028 contender.

Californias redistricting scheme is a brazen power grab that tramples on civil rights and mocks the democratic process, said Pam Bondi, the US attorney general. Governor Newsoms attempt to entrench one-party rule and silence millions of Californians will not stand.

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Related: What does Prop 50s passage mean for California, Gavin Newsom and the US?

Democrats have expressed confidence that the newly approved maps will withstand a legal challenge.

These losers lost at the ballot box and soon they will also lose in court, Brandon Richards, a Newsom spokesperson, said in a statement.

Republicans brought the lawsuit the morning after California voters decisively approved the redistricting measure, known as Proposition 50, which suspended the maps drawn by the states independent commission and installed new House districts designed to help Democrats secure up to five GOP-held seats. It was the most significant counterpunch by Democrats in the unprecedented redistricting war that began in Texas and spread across the country as Trump attempts to secure House Republicans fragile majority for the final years of his second term.

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The plaintiffs assert that Californias map improperly used race as a factor to heavily favor Hispanic voters in violation of the US constitution. It asks a judge to block California from taking effect.

Race cannot be used as a proxy to advance political interests, but that is precisely what the California General Assembly did with Prop 50, Jesus Osete, the second-highest ranking official in the justice departments civil rights division, said in a statement, quoting from the lawsuit. Californians were sold an illegal, racially gerrymandered map, but the US Constitution prohibits its use in 2026 and beyond.

The plaintiffs are being represented by the Dhillon Law Group, which was founded by Harmeet Dhillon, who is now assistant attorney general overseeing the US Department of Justices civil rights division. The firm also represented California Republicans earlier this year in their unsuccessful attempt to prevent the special election from taking place.

Dhillon has been recused from this case, the justice department said.

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Unlike elsewhere, where Republican state legislatures have enacted gerrymanders, Californias plan required voter approval, which it received last week, with nearly 65% of the vote.

It is a shame that the hacks at the highest levels of the justice department are more intent on overturning the results of a free and fair election in California and eliminating the voting rights of communities of color in Texas and Louisiana than they are on releasing the information they fear in the Epstein files, Eric Holder, the former US attorney general and chair of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee (NDRC), said in a statement.

Unlike the scheme imposed on the citizens of Texas, Californians just overwhelmingly voted in favor of the states new congressional map by nearly 30 percentage points at the ballot box to fight back against Trumps gerrymandering scheme. That resounding rejection by the people clearly terrifies many Republicans and the Trump White House  its no wonder they are now resorting to hypocritical, desperate and truly absurd lawsuits while at the same time continuing to beg Republicans across the country to gerrymander, all in an effort to circumvent the will of the people.

Democrats need to flip just a handful of Republican-held House seats to take control of the chamber in next years midterm election. The party that holds the majority will shape the final years of Trumps second term in the White House, determining whether a unified Republican Congress will continue to deliver on his agenda or whether he will be met with resistance, investigations and possibly even a third impeachment attempt.
Senator Jim Justice (R-W.Va.) commutes almost daily from West Virginia to Washington, D.C. on a private jet, as told by Punchbowl News.

"What a waste of tax dollars," one commenter said in a discussion of the article on Reddit.

Although it is reported that Justice provides his own funding for travel and does not use public funds, it seems to many that this method of travel is excessive not only in terms of cost, but also in the amount of damage it is doing to the environment.

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When he was sworn in in January 2025, Justice explained that his commuting arrangement was temporary. "Well, I won't do that as soon as I get a place to live," he said. "Because I came right out of the governorship  got sworn in that day, and, so really, truly, we just haven't gotten a place yet."

Ten months later, his private jet is still his daily commuter. He reports that he has not had time to find a place to live in Washington.

The flight takes 40 minutes, one way, and he has been known to spend less than two hours in Washington, D.C. on multiple occasions.

"To be honest, it's a pain in the butt getting on and off the plane every day," Justice explained. "Talk about wear and tear."

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While Justice is concerned about the wear and tear that private jet travel has taken on him, people who prioritize the well-being of the planet are more concerned about the wear and tear it is taking on the planet.

Private jet travel produces a substantial amount of planet-warming gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide, significantly contributing to air pollution that is overheating the Earth.

Because private jets typically carry very few passengers in comparison to commercial jets, the pollution produced per passenger is much higher.

Many high-profile CEOs, athletes, and celebrities have been criticized for their private jet usage, a behavior that is often in conflict with an eco-conscious public persona.

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Justice's near-daily commute via private jet has come under fire.

"Prolly wants to put as large a hole in the ozone as he can," said another.

One commenter reflected, "Meanwhile I take the Amtrak from Charleston to DC (because) I'm not an insufferable billionaire."

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.
By Leah Douglas

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Department of Agriculture directed its staff to identify grants for possible termination in the early months of the second Trump administration by searching for more than two dozen specific words and phrases related to diversity and climate change, according to documents seen by Reuters.

The effort was undertaken as part of a broad campaign across federal agencies to comply with President Donald Trump's directives to end diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and climate regulation in the federal government. Trump has called DEI "racist" and "illegal" and pressured private entities like universities to also end diversity practices. He has called climate change a "con job."

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The documents, obtained by legal advocacy group FarmSTAND in the course of litigation against the USDA and shared with Reuters, show the breadth of that effort at the farm agency, whose remit includes a wide-ranging portfolio from food stamps to farm subsidies to conservation programs.

The USDA has terminated about 600 grants totaling more than $3 billion, according to information published on the Department of Government Efficiency website.

The approach and terms used by the USDA to identify grants for termination have not been previously reported.

A USDA spokesperson said the agency would not comment on pending litigation.

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Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said in a pair of publicly available March 13 memos that the review of grants for possible termination helped the agency to "establish a return to American principles and realign the Department's focus towards its original objectives" of promoting agriculture, ensuring safe food and protecting national forests.

TERMS INCLUDE 'SOCIALLY VULNERABLE,' 'CARBON PRICING'

Agency officials directed budget and finance officers to identify awards that used the terms "diversity," "equity," "inclusion," "DEI," "DEIA," "environmental justice," "underrepresented producers," "underserved communities," "socially disadvantaged producers" and "socially vulnerable (and similar phrases)," according to a February 6 memo seen by Reuters.

The memo was sent by USDA's then-acting general counsel Ralph Linden, now the agency's deputy general counsel, deputy chief financial officer Lynn Moaney, and budget director John Rapp.

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The USDA uses the term "socially disadvantaged" farmers to refer to farmers of color and sometimes women, and until July had for decades prioritized enrollment or set aside funding pools for those farmers.

On February 24, Chelsea Cole, federal financial assistance department policy lead at the agency's Office of the Chief Financial Officer, instructed the officials to expand their review to include 16 topic areas and search terms related to climate change.

The topics and terms included "climate modeling," "climate and emission analysis," "climate smart agriculture and land use that does not directly benefit farmers," "carbon pricing and market mechanics," "renewable energy modernization that does not directly benefit farmers," "climate adaption (sic) and resilience planning" and "biodiversity and ecosystem resilience related to climate change," the documents show.

It was not clear from the documents whether all the identified grants were terminated, or whether other factors were considered for the roughly 600 canceled grants.

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CANCELED GRANTS

Work funded by the canceled grants included technical support for farmers using climate-friendly practices like planting cover crops, local food purchases for schools and improving nutrition for people receiving federal food aid.

"(The termination process) has impacted organizations across the country and their ability to create a fairer food system, one that supports small local farmers, one that gets food to people who need it," said Holly Bainbridge, a senior attorney with FarmSTAND.

FarmSTAND obtained the USDA documents in the course of litigation against the agency for grant terminations alongside legal groups Earthjustice and Farmers Justice Center.

(Reporting by Leah Douglas in Washington; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
Petronas, via Malaysia Petroleum Management (MPM), has formalised several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with international partners during the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference 2025.

These partnerships are set to prioritise the advancement of seismic imaging techniques and the adoption of AI and machine learning, enabled by high-performance computing resources.

The MoUs involve organisations such as Beicip-Franlab, ConocoPhillips, Eliis, Microsoft, PTTEP, Shell, SLB and TotalEnergies.

MPM senior vice-president Datuk Ir Bacho Pilong said: Partnerships like these are essential in advancing Malaysias upstream landscape.

By combining the strengths of energy operators and technology innovators we are not only strengthening our exploration and development capabilities but also setting the foundation for a more efficient and resilient Malaysia upstream sector.

According to Petronas, integrating agentic AI and dynamic modelling will facilitate real-time data analysis, ongoing forecasting and decisive action in operations.

The scope of these efforts is expected to improve not only subsurface evaluation but also the optimisation of offshore operations.

This includes the planned use of Normally Unattended Facilities and Remote Autonomous Operations.

Such measures are intended to aid technical reviews as well as inform future investment strategies.

MPM continues to oversee petroleum arrangements while ensuring stewardship of upstream activities within Malaysia.

Petronas recently made its initial entry into Guyanas oil sector through a new petroleum agreement for Block S4.

This arrangement was signed by Petronas Energy Guyana, a subsidiary of Petronas, the Government of Guyana, TotalEnergies EP Guyana Shallow SAS and QatarEnergy.

Under the agreement, Petronas has a 25% share, with QatarEnergy holding 35% and TotalEnergies acting as operator with a 40% stake.

The agreement follows the consortiums bid in Guyanas 2022 Licensing Bid Round. Covering around 1,787km, Block S4 is located in a region recognised for its potential oil reserves.

Earlier in the month, Petronas Suriname E&P secured production sharing contracts for blocks 9 and 10 in Surinames shallow offshore area.

These contracts were signed with Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname, Paradise Oil Company, and a group comprising Chevron Suriname Exploration and QatarEnergy International E&P.

The contracts were awarded through the Suriname Post Shallow Offshore 2 Bid Round for 202425 and will remain valid for three decades.

"Petronas signs MoUs to advance seismic imaging and AI initiatives" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.
Valley Rep. Adam Gray (CA-13) was one of six Democrats to vote in favor of the funding bill that will end the nation's longest government shutdown.

The bill passed by a vote of 222-209, sending the measure to President Donald Trump's desk for final signature to reopen the government.

RELATED: House passes funding bill to reopen the government, sending it to President Trump to sign

In a statement, Gray said "we shouldn't run a government by holding hungry families hostage."

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"The recent government shutdown made one thing very clear: President Trump and his allies are far too comfortable using vulnerable Americans as political leverage. One of the first things they did during the shutdown was refuse to authorize emergency funds to cover food stamps, delaying Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits nationwide. In my district alone, more than 47,000 households - 21.1% of all families - rely on SNAP to put food on the table..." Gray said in part of his statement.

"No parent should have to choose between feeding their children and keeping the lights on because someone in Washington thinks chaos is a negotiating tactic.

That's why I voted for a bipartisan agreement that takes food assistance off the table for an entire year. So, when the next shutdown happens (and in this divided Washington, there is always a "next" shutdown) the president cannot use hungry kids as bargaining chips again. This agreement also protects veterans, small-business owners, and federal workers from being turned into political weapons."

To read his full statement, click here.

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Gray joined Democrat Reps. Thomas Suozzi, Jared Golden, Henry Cuellar, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Don Davis. Republican Reps. Thomas Massie and Greg Steube voted against the bill along with most Democrats.

The legislation would fund the government through Jan. 30 and provide funding for some government agencies for the remainder of the fiscal year.

Gray represents all of Merced County and parts of Madera, Fresno, and Stanislaus counties.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris told pro-Palestinian protestors she appreciates them before criticizing ex-President Joe Bidens administration, saying they should have publicly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the war in Gaza.

Harris made the comment during a conversation with Angela Rye, one of the co-hosts of the Native Land podcast, while in Seattle on Nov. 4. The event  part of Harris ongoing book tour  was interrupted by protestors, which spurred the ex-VP to comment on Israel and Gaza.

Look, we shouldve done more as an administration, Harris said. We shouldve done more.

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That comment led to applause from the audience.

We shouldve spoken publicly about our criticism of the way that Netanyahu and his government were executing this war, Harris continued.

More applause followed. She then added, We had more levers, in terms of leverage, that we did not use on Israel  apparently to get it to wrap up the war quicker.

Harris also gave kudos to the protestors and said, I would not exist if it werent for people who were active in protesting injustice.

The Jewish News Syndicate reported anti-Israel protestors repeatedly interrupted Harris during her Seattle event.

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JNS observed demonstrators both inside and outside the event. Some donned keffiyehs and waved Palestinian flags, chanting, Kamala, you cant hide, you profit from genocide,' the outlet reported.

Video of the event was posted to Native Lands YouTube account on Monday.

Her comments were made less than a month after President Donald Trump brokered a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

The agreement ended Israels military operation in Gaza, which started soon after Hamas terrorists broke into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and killed about 1,200 people and took hundreds of hostages; 20 living hostages were freed last month as part of the peace deal.

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Harris, during the event, said America is currently dealing with moments of darkness under the Trump Administration. She said she is happy a ceasefire deal was made, but she expressed skepticism it will hold, saying we will see how long it lasts.

But lets be very clear, that the inhuman nature of what has happened to the Palestinian people in Gaza, the innocent civilians, the extent of hunger, famine, suffering, death, is something that we must acknowledge, Harris said right after. And I recognize that.

Her comments on Netanyahu and Israel come as Harris has made a number of other headlines while promoting 107 Days, her new book chronicling her doomed bid to win the 2024 election.

Some other highlights include: An Australian reporter accusing Harris of a world class dodge on a question about Bidens cognitive decline; Harris saying she was perhaps the most qualified person to run for president in U.S. history; Harris blasting the Trump Administration while in Los Angeles, saying These mothaf*ckas are crazy!

Watch her discuss Netanyahu above.

The post We Shouldve Done More: Kamala Harris Slams Biden Admin Over Netanyahu Support and Praises Pro-Palestine Protesters first appeared on Mediaite.
RANDOLPH, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44)  Vermont State University officials wrote Wednesday that its enrollment numbers are up this year as were now well into the fall semester  but the gains are smaller than expected.

Enrollment is up just 1.4% this year across all of its campuses, say university officials.

Our current enrollment numbers are also a reflection of the reality of the current higher education market, said VTSU President David Bergh, who has served since 2023, and is also a former VSC student himself.

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Vermont State University extends Interim President David Berghs contract through 2026

VTSU said that out-of-state enrollment went down significantly, limiting the increase this year. 76% of the universitys students are now from Vermont, more than the year before.

Officials pointed out bright spots, though, saying that theyd seen strong interest in our online programs, which gained 10% in enrollment, and pointing out that more than half of VTSU students are the first in their families to attend college.

Program awards almost $1m to graduates who stay in Vermont

Strong growth was also reported in programs including Elementary Education, Health Science, and Mechanical Engineering.

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While we are still working towards long-term institutional stability, alongside many of our peer institutions, Im as optimistic about our future as Ive ever been, said Bergh.

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.
Members of the Newport NewsChristopher Newport University Task Force sit on the front row as they listen to another member present during the groups first public forum in November. From left: Vice Mayor Curtis Bethany III, Councilman Cleon Long, Councilman Marcellus Harris, Joni Ivey, and Regina Brayboy. (Photo by Brandi Kellam/Virginia Mercury)

Virginias examination of its buried history of university expansion into Black neighborhoods is entering new territory  one that may test how well research efforts translate to accountability.

A legislative commission in Richmond has spent the past year surveying nearly every public institution of higher education, finding that at least 11 cited using eminent domain or other means to acquire land in majority-Black neighborhoods. At the same time, a cityuniversity task force in Newport News is documenting the local impact of one such case involving Christopher Newport University (CNU), sharing new details about its research into the erasure of a historic Black community.

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Together, the statewide study and local inquiry illustrate how Virginias reckoning over displacement may unfold. At minimum, both have begun to make records and acknowledgment of these histories more public.

Early findings

An attendee listens as task force leaders outline their research and present findings during the groups first public forum in Newport News. (Photo by Kaylah Ussin/KCU Kaptures)

The Newport News task force  formed nearly two years ago by Mayor Phillip Jones and CNU President William Kelly  held its first public forum earlier this month. Co-chairs Vice Mayor Curtis Bethany III and CNU Provost Quentin Kidd, along with four other members, outlined progress documenting property acquisitions and interviewing impacted families.

According to their presentation, researchers have identified about 130 properties tied to the universitys expansion since the 1960s and are compiling those records into a public digital map that will be housed on the Newport News Public Librarys website.

Councilman Marcellus Harris III, who grew up in the displaced neighborhood, is helping lead interviews. Harris noted eight had been completed so far, with up to 15 more planned. Members expect to release a final report in the second half of 2026, with another public meeting planned to present recommendations.

A map from the Newport NewsCNU Task Force website detailing the groups research was shared with attendees during a public forum. The map is intended to illustrate the areas examined as part of the task forces study. (Photo by Brandi Kellam/Virginia Mercury)

The presentation was the task forces most detailed update to date. Previous news releases on the universitys website offered only broad language about research and outreach to the dismay of some families, local citizens, and advocates who have been urging the group to be more open with its process.

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In their first on-camera, sit-down interview with the Virginia Mercury in early November, Bethany and Kidd said the cautious pace reflects a desire to ensure accuracy before releasing information publicly.

We needed to get to a point with the actual facts so that we could provide an update that was meaningful, Kidd said.

Task force members said much of their work has focused on understanding the scope of displacement and how best to document it. They also described that lengthy process as key to fully understanding both the history and its impact.

Our task force refuses to issue recommendations that are performative and carry no teeth, because we know that would deepen distrust, said member and City Councilman Cleon Long during the presentation. We do not want to send proposed recommendations that are dead on arrival.

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The work represents uncharted territory for the group.

There is no blueprint, Bethany said. Were learning as we go.

Christopher Newport University Provost Quentin Kidd speaks to attendees during a public forum of the Newport NewsCNU Task Force in early November. Kidd serves as co-chair of the group. (Photo by Brandi Kellam/Virginia Mercury)

Homeowners seek clarity, concrete outcomes

Long before the public meeting, the task force faced calls for greater transparency about the makeup of the task force and why its meetings were closed.

Citizens raised concerns at several council meetings and community events about the lack of public access to the task forces meetings. Letters to Mayor Phillip Jones and CNU President William Kelly urged appointing descendants or expanding citizen participation, while correspondence to the task force itself sought clearer details about its purpose.

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The co-chairs said their approach  prioritizing research before engagement  was meant to build credibility, and said they remain confident in that decision despite public criticism.

At the end of the day, you have to be confident in the work you did, Kidd said.

Roughly 40 to 50 people attended the presentation, including current and former residents, CNU faculty and community members. Questions were collected during three separate small-group breakout discussions facilitated by the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities. Participants said conversations centered on transparency, university expansion plans and potential forms of repair.

Melvin Byrd, who grew up on Prince Drew Road, said he would like to see the website include more transparency about how the remaining property acquisitions occurred.

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The colleges original charter was not supposed to expand beyond (that) boundary line, he said. They did, and the methods by which they obtained that land may or may not have been above board.

During his session, he said two attendees suggested the university establish a fund or set-aside for descendants of displaced families. Byrd also said he hoped to see the task force make more of its property data publicly accessible.

Homeowners who still live in the neighborhood expressed desire for tangible outcomes.

I know the history, said Katie Luck, one of the five remaining residents. Now I want to know Christopher Newports plans for our community. Im just not getting any answers.

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The lack of answers has kept her from improving her property, Luck said.

I had great plans for my home, but because of whats been going on, we havent done anything to it except paint the shutters, put on a new roof, and screen the porch. Thats it.

Gail Guynn, one of the last remaining homeowners from the community displaced by Christopher Newport University, sits with her siblings during the public forum hosted by the Newport NewsCNU Task Force, where members presented findings from their examination of the displacement. (Photo by Kaylah Ussin/KCU Kaptures)

Gail Guynn, who lives in one of the five remaining homes in the community, expressed similar sentiments.

Theyve shared their research more publicly, she said, but what matters more to me is how honestly theyll talk about the harmful decisions that were made, who made them, and how those decision makers will be held accountable. Local pastors Andrew Millard and William Blackwell Jr., who have been vocal critics of the task forces transparency over the past year, said the update was encouraging but overdue.

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We werent looking for results a year ago, Millard said. We just wanted to know what they were doing.

Millard said it was helpful to hear the task force is interviewing displaced families but still believes descendants should be directly represented on it. He also urged the university to be forthright about its future development.

Andrew Millard, a Newport News pastor and vocal critic of the task force, sits among attendees during the public forum hosted by the Newport NewsCNU Task Force. Millard has urged the group to demonstrate greater transparency and accountability in its examination of Black family displacement. (Photo by Brandi Kellam/Virginia Mercury)

One thing the university needs to do is be honest about its future expansion plans  whether that 2030 plan is still on the books or not, he said, referring to a previously reported university site plan that called for acquiring the remaining houses in the neighborhood by that time.

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Blackwell said the task forces November update was a sign of progress but urged the group to improve its communication  suggesting the website as a tool for more consistent updates

Providing even brief highlights when full details arent available would help keep everyone informed and foster greater transparency, Blackwell said.

He also emphasized the importance of direct engagement with affected families. A decision has to be made one way or another, he said. Are we going to do reparations, a plaque, something to recognize the group? That should come from the people who were impacted  but if you dont talk to them, then youre doing it in a silo.

While the task force did not outline a formal framework, its recent updates offered some indication of the guiding principles shaping its approach to recommendations. Members have expressed a desire to be intentional in their work and ensure it honors the community. At the November meeting, they also sought to distance themselves from the practical implementation of proposed recommendations  emphasizing the group lacks the authority to enact measures and operates separately from the city and university offices that could ultimately make those decisions.

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At the same time, several members hold influential positions within those very institutions. Bethany and Long serve on the Newport News City Council, while Kidd and Vidal Dickerson, another task force member, hold executive-level roles at Christopher Newport University.

The path forward

Looking ahead, the local task force members said insights from the November meeting will guide the next phase of the groups work. Updates on the task forces progress could drop soon after the state commissions current deadline to complete its work.

The commissions research subcommittee is working to verify universities survey responses using public data and records and is seeking to hire a project coordinator to support that effort. Lawmakers approved additional funding earlier this year, bolstering the commissions continued operation through mid-2026.

The commissions survey responses could signal growing university collaboration in helping the legislative group document displacement histories. Of the 11 institutions that acknowledged using eminent domain or acquiring property in majority-Black neighborhoods, universities including Christopher Newport, Longwood, Old Dominion, Radford, Virginia Commonwealth, and the Virginia Military Institute confirmed such activity. Respondents also outlined the types of records available to support that history, ranging from real estate transactions and property assessments to letters and newspaper clippings related to land purchases.

Newport News Vice Mayor Curtis Bethany III, co-chair of the Newport NewsCNU Task Force, presents to attendees during the groups first public forum. (Courtesy of Wayne Pellanberg /Neptune Video)

In Newport News, Bethany and Kidd declined to elaborate on the outlook of the groups final recommendations, saying they are not far enough along in their research to determine that. They did say they hope any eventual outcomes reflect the intent behind their work.

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I wouldnt feel good if we produced a report and made recommendations that werent actionable, Kidd said. And I wouldnt feel good if we made recommendations that were so narrowly actionable that they didnt really seem like much.

Bethany added that he hopes the process ultimately strengthens trust between the task force and the community and that it feels confident in the work weve been able to accomplish.

Editors note: This story was produced with support from the Education Writers Association and Columbia Journalism Schools Spencer Education Journalism Fellowship program. Reporter Brandi Kellam is a member of the 2025 EWA Fellowship cohort and 2025-2026 class of Spencer fellows.

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A controversial court ruling is sending shockwaves through the Volusia County Sheriffs Office after a parent accused of attacking a school resource deputy was sentenced to just 45 days in jail.

Jorge Rivera, 46, and his wife Dagmarie Aponte Iturrino were arrested after allegedly attacking Deputy Julia Curtin during a parent-teacher conference at Deltona Middle School in November 2024. The incident, captured on body camera footage, shows Rivera becoming confrontational, sticking his finger in the deputys face. When she swatted his hand away, he allegedly punched her and grabbed her taser.

The outcome of the case stunned many. Rivera took a no-contest plea and was sentenced to 45 days behind bars. But the judges reasoning has drawn sharp criticism from law enforcement.

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Sheriff Mike Chitwood called the decision asinine and said the judge wrongfully blamed the deputy for the escalation.

So what that judge just did in that courtroom was she sent a message to Volusia County all law enforcement. You wear a uniform. Okay? If somebody attacks you after they point at you or whatever it is, its your fault, Chitwood said outside the courthouse.

Rivera addressed the court before sentencing, expressing remorse.

Im sorry, Rivera said.

Deputy Curtin also spoke in court. She was not disciplined for what happened.

The sheriff said the deputy did exactly what she was trained to do.

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No, okay, no, no. And anybody that watches that would say, why would the deputy be disciplined? She did exactly what shes supposed to do, Chitwood said.

The case has sparked debate about how law enforcement is treated in court. The sheriff says he plans to make the judges decision a key issue when she runs for re-election.

Rivera is set to begin his 45-day sentence immediately. His wife is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date.

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A jury found 35-year-old Brian Green, the son of MBTA Transit Police Chief Kenneth Green, guilty of voluntary manslaughter on Wednesday at Middlesex Superior Court.

The Lynn man is accused of shooting 38-year-old Jarmahl Sutson in an Everett apartment in July 2022.

Investigators claim Green was jealous of Sutson, who was in a relationship with Greens estranged wife. She and Green were getting a divorce at the time, they said.

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The prosecution claims Green entered the Everett home where Sutson and Green were living and shot the man in the head.

He was found guilty by a jury on Wednesday of voluntary manslaughter, solicitation of a crime, and breaking and entering in the daytime with intent to commit a felony.

Green was found not guilty of armed burglary with a firearm.

Sutsons family could be heard crying, rushing out of the courtroom as that not guilty verdict was read.

Boston 25 spoke with Sutsons family moments after the verdict.

I dont feel it was justice, said Diane Thomas, Sutsons mother. It wasnt justice at all... It shouldve been longer. It shouldve been life. The same way [Green] took a life, they shouldve took yours.

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Sutstons cousin and family spokesperson, Michael Satterwhite, explained, When its voluntary manslaughter, its between 18 to 20 years. Hes in his 40s. He could still live a life outside prison for the heinous crime he committed.

Thomas added, Im numb right now. Im numb. I cant believe it.

Green was initially charged with murder.

Boston 25 News reporter Daniel Coates asked Sutsons mother, Will you ever be able to forgive [Green] for what he did?

No, she replied.

Satterwhite finished, If you love someone, let them know that, because you never know when youre going to be able to say that to them again.

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Sutsons family said Green will appear in court again for a sentencing hearing in December.

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Surveillance footage captured the surreal moment nine people climbed out of a small car to rob a Virginia vape shop in October.

The bizarre footage was revealed on Wednesday night on FOX 5 Washington, D.C. At the beginning of the clip, the silver four-door sedan could be seen backing into a parking spot in front of Accolades Vape and Tobacco Shop in Warrenton, Virginia.

As FOX 5 reporter Shomari Stone noted in the segment, the car was designed to fit five passengers. As the clip progressed, five people emerged from the back seats alone. Then, the trunk pops open to reveal two more suspects climbing out. The final two suspects in the drivers seat and front passenger seat brought the total to nine  nearly twice what the car was designed to hold.

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The suspects, Stone continued, stole smoking accessories, clothing, and designer sneakers. In total, they made off with approximately $13,000 of merchandise. They also made off with Pokemon cards and the stores cash register.

At the time of the report, the robbery suspects were still at large and police were asking for the publics assistance in identifying and locating them.

Additionally, police believe the group may be connected to other robberies in the area.

The post WATCH: 9 Suspects Emerge from Clown Car of Crime to Rob Vape Shop first appeared on Mediaite.
The city's fourth-annual somber remembrance of the 2021 Waukesha Christmas Parade tragedy will include the dedication of a new sculpture at the memorial site in Grede Park.

As in past years, the presentation will begin at precisely 4:39 p.m. Nov. 21, marking the moment Darrell Brooks Jr. drove an SUV through the parade route in downtown Waukesha, resulting in the death of six people and injuries to more than 60 others.

Renowned artist Carmen De La Paz, who will speak at the event, will present her memorial accessory sculpture, called "Holding Love," which will sit adjacent to the larger original sculpture that was commissioned and dedicated in 2024. The new sculpture, depicting two cupped hands holding a heart, delivers a message that complements the heart-shaped six-strand sculpture at the center of the memorial, near 538 Riverwalk Drive.

The image on the left is an early rendering of Carmen De La Paz's Holding Love sculpture, as presented to Waukesha's Parade Memorial Commission. The Waukesha artist is currently completing a version of that sculpture to add to the existing one (right) at the Waukesha Parade Memorial site in Grede Park.

"For me it's another element to the healing process for Waukesha," De La Paz said in a texted statement Nov. 12. "With a tragedy such as this, if we can hold love in the memory of those lost and the painful impact the community, as a whole, has experienced, perhaps we can find peace. Nothing erases the pain but, somehow we must hold love."

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De La Paz, born in Puerto Rico but raised in Waukesha, is a nationally-known artist who has appeared on television programs; she's currently working to complete the hands-shaped sculpture in time for the dedication.

This year's speakers will also include Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly and Liz Schmidt of the United for Waukesha Resiliency Center.

The memorial is located at the park off St. Paul Avenue near its intersection with Wisconsin Avenue and North Street. For the event, motorists should enter Riverwalk Drive from Wisconsin Avenue and park along the drive.

Brooks, who was found guilty in October 2022 on 76 criminal counts (including six for intentional homicide), remains incarcerated in the South Dakota State Penitentiary. He is still pondering an appeal of his conviction and life sentence.

Contact reporter Jim Riccioli at james.riccioli@jrn.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Waukesha Christmas Parade tragedy remembrance features new sculpture
The Waukesha School Board voted to close three elementary schools at the end of this school year in an effort to deal with declining enrollment.

Board members voted 8-1 for the option that would close, repurpose or sell Bethesda and Hawthorne elementary schools and the Whittier building, which houses the district's STEM elementary program. Diane Voit was the only school board member who voted against the proposal during the Nov. 12 meeting.

The option would also:

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Make Horning Middle School a K-8 STEM School

Offer two middle schools, Butler and Les Paul

Have three elementary dual language sites at Banting, Heyer and Lowell based on enrollment. Dual language programs teach students in English and Spanish.

Potentially sell the Saratoga building, the White Rock campus and the Pleasant Hill campus. Waukesha STEM Academy's Saratoga campus and Saratoga complex currently reside at the Saratoga building; Waukesha East, an alternative high school, currently hosts students at White Rock; and Richardson School serves high-needs special education students at the Pleasant Hill campus.

Create an estimated savings of $3.2 million to $3.7 million.

Prior to the vote, board members rejected an amendment 7-2 that would close Lowell Elementary School instead of Bethesda Elementary School. Voit and Bette Koenig were the only board members to support that effort.

The vote came after nearly three hours of discussion on the options, including just over an hour of public comment from 31 people, a mix of parents, students and community members. Most of the parents who spoke had children attending Bethesda Elementary and advocated for their school to stay open. Others spoke in favor of Hawthorne and Lowell staying open or slowing down the pace of the district's process.

The Waukesha School District's administration provided a recommendation to the School Board at an Oct. 27 board workshop for Option E, which originally would have closed three elementary schools  Hawthorne, Lowell and the Whittier building and had Bethesda Elementary as one of the dual language elementary sites.

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Then at the Nov. 12 board meeting, Waukesha School District superintendent James Sebert presented two offshoot options. One had Bethesda, Hawthorne and the Whittier building closing and had Lowell Elementary as one of the dual language sites. The other was the original option E of closing Hawthorne, Lowell and the Whittier building and having Bethesda Elementary as one of the dual language sites.

Sebert told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Nov. 11 the district believes the option of closing three elementary schools is "a palatable and viable option" to get the district started and one it could implement for the 2026-27 school year.

The option would take the district from 12 elementary schools to nine and three traditional middle schools to two. That would then leave the tenets of Option F, which would involve relocating sixth graders to the elementary schools, and Option G, which would create kindergarten through sixth grade and seventh through 12th grade schools on the table for the future along with the possibility of two high schools in the future as opposed to three.

The district's enrollment projections show the district could consider those type of ideas with enough building space by the 2029-30 or 2030-31 school years, Sebert said.

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The district's enrollment has dipped from a peak of over 13,000 in the 2012-13 school year to 10,396 students as of September.

In the weeks before the meeting, the Alliance for Education in Waukesha started a petition on the popular activism platform Change.org calling for the district to slow down its process, requesting an impact study be conducted and delaying the implementation of any plan until the 2027-28 school year. The petition had 390 signatures as of Nov. 12.

The Alliance also shared a news release from the League of United Latin American Citizens of Wisconsin on its Facebook page a few hours before the Nov. 12 meeting, where LULAC urged the Waukesha School Board to reconsider its options and said the district's plans have a disproportionate impact on Latino families.

The group also argued Latino families were excluded from the process by being denied interpretation at meetings and said delays in translation occurred. LULAC added poor participation occurred at meetings because sessions were not held at the affected schools and because online streaming with Spanish captions was not an option.

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Sebert disputed that, saying the district had 12 Spanish-language website materials, seven community information sessions with a live interpreter, two Spanish-language community input gathering sessions, and seven parent emails provided in both English and Spanish. He also said the board's public comments policy allows for extra time for speakers who need an interpreter and offers six devices in the board room that individuals can use for digital translations. He also said the district's meetings are livestreamed on the district's YouTube channel and are available with closed captions in Spanish and other languages.

Parents started petitions to save their respective schools over the past few months. A Change.org petition to save Bethesda Elementary School had 1,161 signatures as of Nov. 12; one to save Lowell Elementary School had 885 signatures while an effort to save Hawthorne Elementary School had 402 signatures.

The next update on the process will take place after the School Board's Dec. 10 meeting, according to a district news release.

Contact Alec Johnson at (262) 875-9469 or alec.johnson@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @AlecJohnson12.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Waukesha School Board to close Bethesda, Hawthorne elementary schools
Some students on Long Island took a trip back in time Thursday morning to open open a time capsule from 1995.

West Babylon Junior High School opened the blast from the past that was buried 30 years ago, and they unearthed the "artifacts" live in the school's auditorium.

Back in June 1995, the New Jersey Devils won their first Stanley Cup, Disney's "Pocahontas" premiered in theaters and Bill Clinton was in the White House.

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The capsule was originally slated to be opened in 2020, or 25 years after it was buried, but because of the pandemic, they held off.

But finally on Thursday, the two five-gallon containers finally saw the light of day.

There was a calendar page from the day the capsule was closed back in 1995, photographs of students and teachers, two actual books and, of course, things that were confiscated: like a Motorola cellphone along with something many people now remember quite fondly, a pager.

"In our day we used to text with numbers, right, so 07734 when you turn it around it says hello," said Principal Dr. Carlos Falcon.

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But perhaps the most touching item was a letter from the class of 1995 to the class of 2020, urging them to be all that they can be.

Everything will be displayed in the school's gym so that students can get a really good look.

Now the students are working on their own time capsule to be opened in 2050.

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Pfizer (PFE) CEO and chairman Albert Bourla told Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi during Yahoo Finance's annual Invest conference that the $10 billion acquisition of GLP-1 maker Metsera (MTSR) is part of the Big Pharma company's "right to win" in the obesity drug game.

Pfizer competitor Novo Nordisk (NVO), the maker of the GLP-1 drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, had put in multiple escalating bids for Metsera, which makes a monthly GLP-1 injection. Pfizer was forced to double its offer from an original bid of $4.9 billion.

Pfizer traded roughly flat on Monday in the first trading session after the announcement, but has since gained about 4.9%.

Part of Metsera's portfolio is, like others, a weekly GLP-1. But key to the Metsera portfolio, Bourla said, is its monthly GLP-1, which will be market-leading. He said Pfizer is the right company to bring the product to market.

"We are a company that knows how to run massive vaccine trials ... we are a company that knows how to manufacture at scale," Bourla said.

If all goes well and Pfizer moves fast on development, Bourla said, he sees Metsera's new GLP-1 products hitting the market in 2028.

Catch up on the latest moments from Yahoo Finance Invest

Shares in the drug market have fallen far behind the S&P 500 (^GSPC) throughout the year, down roughly 2.5% since the start of 2025. The share price has fallen by more than 55% since its all-time high, reached during the throes of the pandemic as Pfizer became one of three major COVID-19 vaccine providers alongside Moderna (MRNA) and AstraZeneca (AZN).

Through the back of 2024 and into the front half of 2025, Pfizer  and Bourla  also faced down an activist campaign from investment firm Starboard Value, which argued that Pfizer had squandered pandemic revenues and sought to replace Bourla as CEO. Starboard began unwinding its stake in May when it became clear the campaign was largely unsuccessful.

Healthcare has also taken a front seat in Washington in the past few months.

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla speaks in the Oval Office of the White House after President Trump announced a deal with Pfizer to lower Medicaid drug prices on Sept. 30, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)  Win McNamee via Getty Images

In October, Pfizer agreed to a plan by the Trump administration that will see the drugmaker lower its prices in exchange for an exemption from tariffs that would have hit its business hard. The company will also participate in the administration's "TrumpRX" plan, which will allow customers to buy drugs directly from the manufacturer at massive discounts.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy has taken strong anti-vaccine stances in his role, which has roiled much of the medical community. Bourla, however, doesn't see the posture as a threat to Pfizer "because we're not going back to past times."
Tallahassees public radio and television station, WFSU, known for its statewide political and emergency storm coverage in the states Capitol, is laying off employees and cutting almost two dozen positions across all departments amid state and federal funds being cut from its budget.

The blow to a prominent public media outlet in Florida comes months after President Donald Trump signed legislation that canceled about $1.1 billion in grants meant for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for the next two fiscal years. Floridas public media also lost state funds when Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed about $5.7 million for radio and television stations.

In a news story posted on Facebook, the station said it had to cut "several full-time and part-time staff positions" effective Jan. 30.

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Over the past several months, we have shared with our listeners and viewers that the loss of government funding this year and next will have a major impact on our organization, said David Mullins, WFSUs general manager. From the beginning, our message has been consistent  we remain committed to doing our best to provide the programming and services our community has always received.

More: DeSantis slashes public TV and radio funding in 2025 budget

Comment is pending from WFSU about how many employees were specifically impacted and how this would affect its coverage. The station is often leading in emergency coverage during storms and hurricanes, since it works with the states emergency operations center to stream these briefings.

We have a strong, resilient, and deeply dedicated team, Mullins said in the WFSU news story. We will continue to serve our community, navigate new challenges, and embrace new opportunities ahead."

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The public radio and television outlet also operates the Florida Channel, a programming service funded by the Florida Legislature, which went unscathed by the governors vetoes this fiscal year.

WFSUs statement included that its funding loss is estimated to total about $2.8 million next July. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting announced Aug. 1 that itd be shutting down, and in a statement at the time the corporation said it disbursed $2.3 million to WFSU in federal funds in 2025. The station lost $470,000 from the state.

Since Trump approved the federal cuts and DeSantis vetoed the state dollars, these stations have urged communities to donate with many pledge drives hitting their goal earlier with more donations. But it hasn't been enough to make up the gap.

More: $26 million lost in federal and state funding for Florida public media

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WFSU is one of seven public media outlets affiliated with a university in Florida, and 2024 financial audits report that Florida State University granted the highest number of funding of $2.4 million to its affiliated outlet, WFSU. Comment is pending from the university on the employee cuts at the station.

This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. USA Today Network-Florida First Amendment reporter Stephany Matat is based in Tallahassee, Fla. She can be reached at SMatat@gannett.com. On X: @stephanymatat.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: WFSU public radio, TV enacts layoffs amid funding cuts
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said on Thursday the government would release the closely watched employment report for October, but without the jobless rate after a weeks-long federal government shutdown.

"The household survey wasn't conducted in October, so we're going to get half the employment report. We'll get the jobs part, but we won't get the unemployment rate. And that'll just be for one month," Hassett told Fox News' "America's Newsroom" program. "We probably ... will never actually know for sure what the unemployment rate was in October."

The 43-day government shutdown, the longest on record, caused the suspension of data collection, processing and publishing by the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics as well as the Commerce Department's Census Bureau and Bureau of Economic Analysis.

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The employment report is made up of two parts, the household survey from which the unemployment rate is derived and the establishment survey from which the nonfarm payroll count is calculated. The government surveys businesses and households for the employment report during the week that includes the 12th day of the month.

Economists had raised doubts about whether the October household survey portion of the report would be published as the data is collected from a random sample of households through interviews by field workers.

Hassett also separately told reporters that the Council of Economic Advisers estimated the shutdown, which ended on Wednesday night, cost the economy about $15 billion per week. He estimated that translated to a subtraction of roughly 1.0 to 1.5 percentage points from annualized gross domestic product growth in the fourth quarter.

That is broadly in line with projections from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Hassett said the CEA estimated that 60,000 non-federal workers lost their jobs because of the ripple effects of the shutdown.

(Reporting by Susan Heavey and Lucia Mutikani, Editing by Franklin Paul and Andrea Ricci )
State Superintendent Jill Underly excused her teacher misconduct probes as short-funded, but has no answer when Republican Sens. Romaine Quinn and John Jagler asked why she never requested more investigator funding (Underly responds to criticism of misconduct tracking, Nov. 6).

Democratic Sen. Chris Larson called Republican criticism of Underly a witch hunt, but it wasnt a hunt, it was a burning. Here she was, letting potential criminals off the hook by surrendering their licenses and not notifying the legislature or the public. But does she apologize and promise to do better? No, she called it another partisan political sideshow.

Like President Donald Trump, she can admit no mistake, take no blame, make no apology. She is a blue Trump!

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Tim Haering, Shorewood

Letters: Feeding the hungry is not political, it's moral

Letters: A traffic-snarled I-94 sure beats a walkable Milwaukee with a free streetcar

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: WI's Underly is a blue Trump who can't admit her mistake | Letter
A Clarkston man will spend years in prison after pleading guilty to firearm charges in connection with a 2016 murder.

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On Oct.1, a judge sentenced Sterling Breynard Bell, 35, of Clarkston, to 25 years in federal prison for firearms charges related to the 2016 murder of Kendra Roberts near Macon.

Bells sentencing comes after a federal investigation linked his firearm to the murder scene using ballistic testing, which exonerated Robertss boyfriend, who was initially charged with the crime.

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The diligence of a federal special agent solved a murder and prevented the conviction of an innocent man, said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg.

On August 7, 2016, the Roberts body was found along a highway near Macon. Police said Roberts had been shot multiple times at close range, including twice to the face and once to the back of the head.

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Robertss boyfriend, Daniel Hall, then 22, was initially charged with her murder and spent two years in jail accused of the murder, authorities said.

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However, the investigation took a turn when a Glock 9mm pistol seized from Bell was linked to the murder through ballistic testing, police said.

According to the U.S. Attorneys Office of the Northern District of Georgia, Bibb County deputies investigating the murder were initially unaware that Bell had purchased the Glock weeks before the murder by lying about his drug use.

Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agents continued to investigate Bell and learned that he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and refused to take his prescribed medication.

In 2018, an ATF special agent confirmed that Bells gun was the murder weapon.

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Bell was arrested on federal firearms charges in October 2018, and the charges against Robertss boyfriend were dismissed.

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Bell later admitted to killing Roberts and was sentenced by a state judge to 20 years of imprisonment with the possibility of parole after serving one-third of the sentence.

On Oct. 1, May sentenced Bell to 25 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, during which he will undergo mental health and substance abuse treatment.
Police said a woman is lucky to be alive after someone fired several shots at her car while she was parking in Southwest Philadelphia on Thursday.

Police say it happened at around 1 a.m. near 51st Street and Greenway Avenue.

The 20-year-old victim told police that she had just left work and almost made it to her sister's house when someone shot up her car while she was in her car.

Three bullet holes can be seen on the driver's side window, high enough to hit the person in the front seat, but police said not a single bullet struck her.

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Police said someone fired at least 9 shots from the middle of the street, striking the car.

The shooter also fired shots, hitting the windshield on the passenger side.

Police believe someone fired at least nine shots from the middle of the street, striking the car.

"She's scared. She's frightened. She's upset because she doesn't know why," said the victim's uncle, Darryl Buck.

Investigators said she drove half a block with broken glass in her face, where family helped her, called police and rushed her to the hospital.

"Initially, staff at the hospital believed that she may have been shot but they recently told us that she has injuries from the driver's door glass that broke from a bullet that passed through," said Chief Inspector Scott Small.

Police say they are looking for a dark-colored sedan.
A worker was injured in a fire at a southwest Phoenix wastewater treatment plant, according to Phoenix Fire, which described the incident as a hazardous materials situation.

Firefighters were dispatched around 9:30 a.m., Nov. 13, to the plant on 91st Avenue and Roeser Road. Crews found smoke coming from a tunnel approximately 10 feet underground, the fire department said.

A contractor with minor burn injuries was taken in stable condition to a hospital.

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Firefighters were still working on controlling the fire as of 12:30 p.m. The entire plant was evacuated, but wastewater services remained in operation, the department said. No residents near the plant were impacted, according to Phoenix Fire.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Hazmat incident leads to injured worker at Phoenix water plant
The Baltic Sea, a theater that shaped both world wars, is once again rising to global military significance as NATOs most advanced submarines deploy to its waters for the first time since World War II.

The shift comes as NATO begins Exercise Merlin, a large-scale anti-submarine warfare (ASW) drill involving submarines, surface ships, and maritime aircraft from across the alliance. With Sweden now a full NATO member, alliance officials say the Baltic Sea has effectively become a NATO lake.

With Swedens addition  that was our first opportunity to add another submarine nation to NATO, said Rear Adm. Bret Grabbe, the U.S. Navys top submarine commander in Europe, speaking aboard the Dutch frigate HNLMS Van Amstel in Stockholm. Now we have, basically, a Baltic lake full of NATO submarines.

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The exercise brings together submarines, surface vessels, and helicopters from Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, and France, as well as a U.S. maritime patrol aircraft.

The focus is on strengthening all-domain ASW operations in the Baltic, a shallow, complex environment filled with mines, civilian shipping lanes, and potential Russian threats.

Swedens new frontline role

Swedens March 2024 entry into NATO transformed its strategic posture. Once a neutral power guarding its own waters, Sweden now stands as a frontline state defending the alliances eastern flank, from Finlands coast to the Baltic States.

We are also defending our nations on the other sides, said Rear Adm. Johan Norlen, chief of the Swedish Navy. The border is on the eastern shore right now.

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Sweden's naval forces are important to NATO's response to threats from Russia. These threats include submarines entering restricted areas, secret fleets, and attacks on underwater infrastructure such as energy pipelines and communication cables.

Open-source intelligence suggests Russia maintains two to three Kilo-class diesel-electric submarines in the Baltic, typically operating out of Kaliningrad.

Theres a handful of Kilo diesel submarines in the Baltic, Grabbe said, adding that NATO currently maintains a three- or four-to-one ratio of ships compared to Russian vessels, a deterrent he called quite impressive.

Grabbe emphasized NATOs advantage in fielding multi-mission submarines capable of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), as well as special operations and unmanned underwater missions.

Swedens submarine modernization push

Swedens underwater fleet, known for its stealth and air-independent propulsion, has a distinguished history.

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During a 2005 U.S. Navy exercise, a Swedish Gotland-class submarine famously sank the carrier USS Ronald Reagan in a simulated attack, highlighting its stealth and tactical value.

But aging fleets and growing commitments under NATO are pressuring Stockholm to modernize.

Sweden currently operates three upgraded Gotland-class and one Sodermanland-class submarine, supported by four Visby-class stealth corvettes.

Two new fifth-generation A26 Blekinge-class submarines, HMS Blekinge and HMS Skane, are under construction by Saab Kockums.

Designed for Baltic operations, they feature Stirling air-independent propulsion, multi-mission portals for unmanned vehicles and divers, as well as tools for seabed warfare and cable protection.

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However, the program has faced escalating costs and delays. Originally ordered in 2015 for delivery by 2024, the submarines are now projected to enter service in 2031 and 2035. The budget has more than doubled to 25 billion kronor ($2.6 billion).

The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration acknowledged in October that building a new submarine class is a very complex project associated with economic and technical risks. Still, it said those risks are now at a significantly lower level.

Larger warships on the horizon

To strengthen its surface fleet, Sweden is also developing new Lulea-class frigates, which are nearly twice the size of the current Visby-class corvettes, to carry advanced air-defense systems, including vertical launch missiles.

Harboring these kinds of air-defense systems  requires a bigger ship, Norlen said, adding that the new 120-meter frigates will also accommodate unmanned systems and future technologies.

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Companies including Saab, Babcock, Naval Group, and Navantia are competing for the contract, with the first two frigates expected to be delivered by 2030 and the full fleet by 2035.

As NATO consolidates its maritime power, the once-contested Baltic Sea, long shaped by rival empires and Cold War standoffs, is again emerging as a defining theater of naval strategy.

This time, its filled not with gunfire and dreadnoughts, but with some of the worlds most advanced submarines under one flag.
ZANZIBAR, Tanzania (AP)  When darkness came, so did the smoke.

Hamna Silima Nyange, like half of the 2 million people in Tanzania's semi-autonomous archipelago of Zanzibar, did not have a house connected to the electricity grid. After sunset, she would turn to smoky oil lamps that provided the only light for her eight children to study.

The light was too weak, Nyange said. And the smoke from the lamp hurt my eyes.

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Then one day a neighbor, Tatu Omary Hamad, installed solar panels and bulbs that lit her home with help from the strong sunlight along the Indian Ocean coast.

Today we have enough light, Nyange said.

Training women to be solar technicians

Hamad is one of dozens of solar mamas trained in Zanzibar by Barefoot College International, a global nonprofit, through a program that brings light to rural communities and provides jobs for local women. So far in Zanzibar, it has lit 1,845 homes.

The program selects middle-aged women, most with little or no formal education, from villages without electricity and trains them over six months to become solar power technicians. It is one of a small number of programs in Africa including Solar Sister.

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The women return to their communities with at least 50 sets of household solar panel kits as well as the skills and equipment to set them up and keep them running.

Barefoot College International focuses on middle-aged women because they tend to have the strongest links to their communities while not often involved in intensive child care.

We want to train women who become change makers, said Brenda Geofrey, the director of Barefoot College International Zanzibar.

The Zanzibar campus is in its 10th year of teaching local women. Before that, it sent women for training in India, where Barefoot College International was founded.

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One was Khazija Gharib Issa, who had been an unemployed widow. Now she is a master trainer.

I got a job. I got a place to stay. Before, I didnt have one, Issa said.

The importance of health

Improving health is at the heart of the program's mission.

Alongside its flagship solar power course, Barefoot College International offers programs for women in tailoring, beekeeping and sustainable agriculture. Every woman who completes a program is trained in general health knowledge that they are expected to take back to their villages.

The solar mamas are health catalysts in another way, by replacing harmful light sources like kerosene.

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Using kerosene has many problems, said Jacob Dianga, a health care worker at a local clinic who is familiar with the group's work. The fuel can irritate the eyes, while inhaling its smoke can cause long-term lung damage. It's also a fire hazard in cramped homes and shops, and can poison children who mistake it for a drink.

Clean energy is very important, Dianga said. It helps protect our health.

Challenges remain

Barefoot College International has scaled up across Africa, with other campuses in Madagascar and Senegal. In recent years, women have been brought to Zanzibar from Malawi and Somaliland, and this year some are being recruited from Central African Republic.

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Funding remains a challenge as major donors, notably the United States and European ones, cut foreign aid and projects face more competition for money that remains.

Barefoot College International is run with public and private donations and revenue generated by its social enterprises.

Another challenge is resistance in local communities, where some people find it hard to accept the women technicians in a radical new gender role.

While the solar training program recruits with the approval of village leadership, who put forward candidates, some husbands have stopped their wives from training.

In most African communities, women are pictured as somebody who is just at home, Geofrey said.

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But the solar mamas say the results often speak for themselves.

People used to say this work is for men. They were surprised and laughed at me, Issa said. But now they see how important my work is. I have become an example.

___

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.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday ordered sanctions on a former business partner at the heart of a corruption scandal that has sparked outrage in a nation exhausted by nearly four years of war.

The sanctions on Zelensky's alleged friend came a day after he asked two ministers to resign, an attempt to distance himself from allies implicated in a massive money-laundering scheme.

Anti-graft authorities said the scheme saw $100 million in funds syphoned off from the energy sector, which has been battered by Moscow's attacks, resulting in devastating power outages.

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Investigators had named Timur Mindich, a 46-year-old businessman known to have close ties with Zelensky, as the mastermind of the fraud.

Zelensky's office published a decree imposing "personal special economic" sanctions on Mindich and another businessman, Oleksandr Tsukermann.

It ordered their assets to be frozen and their state awards revoked, and imposed restrictions on their travel and business activities.

Both men are also citizens of Israel and are believed to have left Ukraine.

Zelensky said "Ukraine will do everything necessary to strengthen partners' trust", after a call with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, without explicitly mentioning the scandal.

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- Donors urge reform -

The implication of Mindich, described as a close friend of Zelensky's by Ukrainian media, could be damaging for the wartime leader.

A European diplomat in Kyiv, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, said the Ukrainian government needed to be "cleaned of corrupt elements", while adding that the scandal showed the growing capabilities of the country's anti-corruption agencies.

Germany, Ukraine's biggest donor among EU nations, said it expected Kyiv to do more to fight corruption.

But Hungary's Prime Minister Victor Orban, a longtime critic of Ukraine, said "a Ukrainian war mafia network with a thousand ties to President Zelensky has been exposed".

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The International Monetary Fund, from which Kyiv is seeking a new loan, said that eradicating corruption was a "central piece of reform for the donor community".

- 'He can go to hell' -

A senior Ukranian official told AFP that Zelensky was furious and had not spoken to Mindich since the scandal came to light this week.

Mindich co-owned the production company Kvartal 95, founded by Zelensky when he was a star comedian.

"What is there to talk about? He can go to hell," the official said about Mindich, speaking on condition of anonymity, adding that Zelensky was "stunned when he found out what was happening".

Zelensky fired his justice and energy ministers on Wednesday over the scheme.

"The president has taken the toughest steps he could within his powers," the official said.

bur-ant-oc-asy/js
Puma is making some changes to its partnership with United Legwear Co.

According to the German sportswear brand, it has moved from a business partnership to a licensing agreement structure with its long-term partner for socks, underwear, childrens apparel and accessories. Financial details of the new licensing agreement with United Legwear were not disclosed.

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Previously, Puma and United Legwear Companys partnership, dubbed Puma United, focused on the sale of these products in the U.S. and Canada. As part of the partnership, Puma held a 51 percent capital share in Puma United. The products sold by Puma United were manufactured, transported, and stored by United Legwear and its suppliers.

As a result of this change, Puma United will be classified as a discontinued operation in the companys financial reporting from November 2025 onwards. Accordingly, current year and prior-period figures will be restated, with Puma Uniteds results, assets, and liabilities presented separately from continuing operations, the company said.

Sales generated by the partnership amounted to 427.9 million euros, while net earnings attributable to non-controlling interests were 60.7 million euros for the 2024 financial year.

When reached by FN for comment, a Puma representative confirmed that this transition to a licensing model aligns with market practices in North America, where the production and sale of mainly socks and underwear, but also including childrens apparel and accessories, are typically licensed to third parties.

The company added that the move from a partnership to an exclusive licensing agreement is part of Pumas strategic initiative to reduce complexity within its operating model in North America and sharpen the focus on its core business in the region.

Through this shift, Puma noted that it aims to create a leaner, more efficient business model while maintaining a strong brand presence in these categories via its valued long-term licensing partner. The transition also enhances transparency for investors and the capital market by enabling clearer financial reporting, the company added.

In October, Puma logged a third-quarter sales drop of 10.4 percent as its new chief executive officer Arthur Hoeld also outlined his plans for the strategic reset.

Organic sales at Puma fell 10.4 percent in the third quarter to 1.96 billion euros. Earnings before income tax, or EBIT, also collapsed, with both adjusted and reported EBIT falling by more than 80 percent.
Air Products and Chemicals Inc. (NYSE:APD) is included among the 15 Best Dividend Growth Stocks to Buy Now.

RBC Capital Maintains Outperform Rating on Air Products (APD) Despite Lower Price Target

Image by Alexsander-777 from Pixabay

On November 7, RBC Capital reduced its price target on Air Products and Chemicals Inc. (NYSE:APD) to $325 from $350 while maintaining an Outperform rating on the stock, according to a report by The Fly. The firm noted that shares rallied after earnings, reflecting growing confidence in the companys turnaround strategy. However, the price target was revised downward as analysts await further clarity on the LA Blue project.

Air Products and Chemicals Inc. (NYSE:APD)  aims to play a leading role in addressing global energy and environmental challenges through advancements in gasification, carbon capture, and clean hydrogen. The company has several major hydrogen projects in progress that are expected to drive long-term growth.

Among these, construction of the NEOM Green Hydrogen Project in Saudi Arabia is already 80% complete, with production slated to begin by 2027. The company is also developing an $8 billion blue hydrogen project in Louisiana, a $3.3 billion project in Canada, and a smaller $360 million green hydrogen facility in Arizona that could start operations in 2026.

Air Products and Chemicals Inc. (NYSE:APD), a global leader in industrial gases and LNG processing technology, continues to strengthen its position in the clean energy sector.

While we acknowledge the potential of APD as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 13 Best Consistent Dividend Stocks to Buy Now and 15 Best DRIP Stocks to Own Right Now.

Disclosure: None.
GUANGZHOU, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- A new frog species has been discovered in the city of Foshan in south China's Guangdong Province. It has been given the name Leptobrachella kungfu, inspired by the Chinese martial art, honoring Foshan's cultural legacy as a renowned "City of Kung Fu."

This discovery, jointly made by researchers from Guangdong Polytechnic of Environmental Protection Engineering and the Guangdong Provincial Academy of Environmental Science, was published on Wednesday in the international taxonomic journal ZooKeys.

According to the research team, the new species was identified through a combination of morphological characteristics and molecular analysis. They found that this species is small in size -- with six collected adult male specimens ranging from 25.7 mm to 28.2 mm in snout-vent length.

This frog has a distinct black line behind its eye, slightly webbed toes with wide edges, uninterrupted ridges under its toes and rough back skin without any larger folds.

It is mainly found in hilly parts of the western Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, a densely populated and highly urbanized region.

"The discovery shows that even small patches of nature within big cities are crucial homes for unique species and need our protection," said team leader Lin Shishi, adding that it reflects ongoing progress in detailed and specialized biodiversity surveys in the region.

The research team has also developed an identification guide for the genus Leptobrachella in Guangdong to support further species recognition and conservation efforts.
America is in an overstock and returns crisis. Every year 8.4 billion pounds of products are returned to online sellers, according to the National Retail Federation. The typical solution from retailers is to send the roughly 17% of their inventory made up of returns to a landfill, regardless of the condition of the products.

Most Read from Fast Company



Its a problem that sellers have little incentive to solve. Since dumping product can be written off as the cost of doing business in profit and loss statements, companies dont invest in a complex reverse supply chain or inspect items for potential resale value.

But recommerce site Rebel just raised a $25 million series B round to fuel its work building a resale network for retailersand the software to power it. The funding round was led by Jay-Zs MarcyPen Capital Partners, which, alongside Serena Williams-founded Serena Ventures was part of Rebels $18 million Series A raise in 2024.

Discount-retail veteran Emily Hosiewhose resume includes time at Saks Off Fifth and TJ Maxxsays she launched the Toronto- and New York-based company to solve two problems while selling written-off products at a 40% to 70% discount. The majority of returns are ending up in landfills and no retailers or brands want to talk about it because its not something to be proud about, she says.

How does Rebel work?

At Rebels 300,000-square-foot warehouse in Kannapolis, North Carolina, the company processes more than 70,000 unique products a weekenough inventory that its website adds new deals every 15 minutes. To process that volume of returns, Hosie built a new technology and logistics stack. Using AI, Rebel can detect, log, and tag the condition of each return, and determine the most efficient way to receive it from retailers and ship it to consumers.

Every return is a snowflake, Hosie says, noting that all products require inspection to determine their condition. [An e-commerce company] processing a return versus processing inventory in general is asking a heart surgeon to do brain surgery. Its a totally different infrastructure needed, and for a lot of companies thats just mission drift.

Rebel, which is B Corp certified, aims to expand its physical presence on the West Coast in 2026. The company developed an AI-powered smart-pricing algorithm that auto-adjusts item prices based on demand, condition, and inventory more than 10 times a day.
What you pay for pasta at the grocery store or in a restaurant could skyrocket if a 107% tariff on imported Italian pasta goes into effect.

Channel 2s Audrey Washington learned that restaurateurs and Italian deli owners are concerned.

Cajun Fettuccine, as well as our Lobster Mac and our regular Mac and Cheese. Those are our No. 1 sellers, said Willie Wallace, the executive chef at Steak Market 44 Restaurant in midtown Atlanta.

Now, with a potential 107% tariff on the way, Wallace said hell do anything to keep those same dishes from becoming the most expensive.

We might end up making our own pasta, Wallace told Washington.

Really? Washington asked.

Yeah, from scratch, Wallace said.

Right now, current tariffs on Italian goods sit at 15%. But as part of the Trump administrations crackdown on imports, the U.S. may add an additional 92 % tariff on Italian pasta, impacting 13 brands, including La Molisana, Garofalo, and Rummo.

TRENDING STORIES:

The Department of Commerce said this all stems from an anti-dumping investigation, essentially accusing Italian brands of selling pasta in the U.S. at prices lower than their home market value.

Supporters say the proposed tariffs would protect U.S. Pasta manufacturers, but a Rummo executive denied the accusations, saying, Rummo sells its products far above the Italian price in the US.

It makes no sense at all except to punish consumers, said Emory University Professor Emeritus of Economics and Finance Raymond Hill. Youre basically trying to punish a company that does something very well... and punishing American consumers for wanting a high-quality product.

It is tough dealing in an economy that were in right now, to deal with something like that, Wallace said.

The proposed tariff is under federal review.

If approved, some Italian brands said theyre prepared to pull their products off the shelves by January.
Swedish telecommunications company Ericsson launched a 6G laboratory in Budapest. The new lab will focus on advancing core network evolution and developing key 6G support functionalities such as network exposure and programmability, Ericsson said.

In addition to partnerships with leading international technology players and mobile operators, Ericsson will co-create and experiment alongside local institutions, including the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME), Eotvos Lorand University (ELTE), Obuda University and the HUN-REN research network, it added.



Budapest hosts one of Ericsson's largest R+D centres, focused on developing next-generation networks.



More:

ericsson.com/en



Meanwhile, Mercedes to set up new R+D centre in Hungary





German car maker Mercedes will set up an R+D centre in Hungary, its first in the country, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto said in Kecskemet (C Hungary).



In a statement issued by his ministry, Szijjarto said the government would contribute HUF 4.3bn to the HUF 21.6bn cost of establishing the base.



He added that the company's decision to set up the centre, which will be involved with software and hardware development and prototype testing, was an acknowledgment of the expertise of local engineers.



Szijjarto noted that the government had supported 324 local investments by German companies over the past eleven years. He added that those investments had created 40,000 jobs.



Jens Buehler, the chief executive of Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Hungary, said the plant in Kecskemet had turned out more than 2 million vehicles since it started operating in 2012. Since 2022, over EUR 1bn has been ploughed into expanding production lines, digitalisation and sustainability investments there, he added.



In future, more than 300,000 vehicles will roll of the line each year, he said.



In 2024, the plant produced more than 146,000 vehicles.



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

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Rio Tinto has halted further development of the $2.95bn (2.24bn) Jadar project in Serbia as part of a broader effort to streamline operations and prioritise near-term opportunities.

The decision to mothball the project was confirmed earlier this week following an internal memo circulated to staff outlining the move to place the project into care and maintenance, reported Bloomberg.

A spokesperson for Rio Tinto confirmed the contents of the internal note but declined to comment further.

The Jadar project has not yet begun production and has encountered multiple setbacks in recent years, including permitting delays and major local opposition.

Although the site hosts high-grade lithium resources, progress has been hindered by fluctuating government support and widespread community resistance.

The mine became a focal point during a period of broader public discontent, further complicating progress.

Rio Tinto was cited by Bloomberg in the internal communication saying: Given the lack of progress in permitting, we are not in a position to sustain the same level of spend and resource allocation.

The decision to mothball Jadar aligns with CEO Simon Trotts push to simplify Rio Tintos structure and focus capital on growth opportunities.

Under Trotts guidance, the company has been reorganised into three core divisions: iron ore, aluminium combined with lithium, and copper.

This move forms a part of the wider effort to optimise the companys portfolio and improve operational efficiency.

Rio Tinto remains the only large, diversified mining company to have made a substantial investment in lithium, prompting investors and analysts to closely monitor the companys strategy regarding the battery metal.

Last year, Rio Tinto acquired Arcadium Lithium in a $6.7bn cash transaction, its first large-scale acquisition in 17 years.

The acquisition brought three lithium projects already under development into Rio Tintos portfolio, complementing its ongoing investment in the Rincon lithium mine in Argentina.

However, the lithium market has experienced a significant downturn, with prices down roughly 85% from their 2022 peak.

This year, Rio Tinto plans to increase its capital expenditure to the highest level in over a decade.

"Rio Tinto mothballs $2.95bn Jadar lithium project in Serbia " was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




A new nationwide survey by the Equilibrium Institute has revealed that death and burial remain among the strongest social taboos in Hungary.

The study, titled Taboos and Changing Customs Around Death, was commissioned by the National Funeral Society and Guild (OTEI).



It found that although death touches every family sooner or later, many Hungarians still avoid discussing it. This reluctance makes it harder to prepare for funerals, plan in advance, or explore newer options for farewells and burials.



According to the research, around one in five adults (21%) live in families where death is never discussed, and 8% regard it as an explicit taboo. Only a small minority  about 5%  talk about it regularly, while roughly half of respondents said they would not feel uncomfortable if the subject came up.



Generational differences are striking: 42% of people aged 1829 avoid the topic altogether, compared with just 33% of those over 70. Education level also matters  those with higher education tend to speak about death more openly.



Visiting cemeteries remains a widespread custom across Hungary. More than half (56%) of respondents visit a few times a year, typically around All Saints Day, while nearly a third (31%) tend graves regularly.



In contrast, 12% never visit cemeteries, a figure that rises to 22% among Budapest residents.



Most Hungarians (93%) say the condition of cemeteries is important or very important, showing how strongly these traditions remain rooted.



When it comes to financial planning, just over half of respondents (53%) had heard about the option of funeral pre-savings, yet only 5% actually have such an arrangement.



Among people aged 6069 this rises to 9%, and to 12% for those over 70. Almost 70% of respondents have no savings set aside for funeral expenses.



Funerals themselves still matter deeply to most people: 63% consider it important that loved ones are farewelled through a ceremony. Women and residents of eastern Hungary are especially likely to insist on holding one.



Traditional ceremonies remain particularly valued by the older generation and the middle class, while younger people tend to be more open to alternative forms of farewell.



For 80% of respondents, the most important consideration is that the deceased be buried according to their own wishes.



Many also value ceremonies that focus on the life of the deceased (77%) and emphasize smooth organization and practical arrangements. Church services, however, have become less central  only 34% said they still consider them important.



Views on cremation and ashes are more divided. About 31% support the idea of keeping ashes at home, while 42% reject it outright.



Scattering ashes in nature is acceptable to 37%, though a quarter of respondents find it completely alien.



Younger generations are notably more open to such options, while older people tend to prefer traditional burial practices.



Overall, the survey suggests that while Hungarian attitudes toward death and burial are slowly evolving, silence and taboo continue to shape how the topic is approached.



The funeral industry hopes that encouraging open discussion could not only challenge long-held taboos but also help those coping with loss.



The nationally representative survey was conducted online in April and May 2024, with responses from 1,000 Hungarian adults.



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Tian Gong Kai Wu by Lu Chuan Premieres in Guangzhou This December

On December 5 and 6, the dance drama Tian Gong Kai Wu directed by Lu Chuan will take the stage in Guangzhou for two consecutive nights, presenting a stunning visual feast of Ming-style aesthetics for theater lovers across the Greater Bay Area.

2025-11-13 20:52:30
The skies over the neutral waters of Black and Baltic Seas saw some action on Friday (May 29, 2020) when Russian Sukhoi Su-27P and Su-30M combat aircraft intercepted the United States of Amerca Air Force B-1B Lancer strategic bombers. The Sukhoi fighters were launched after the B-1B bombers were detected by the Russian Western and Southern military districts radars.
The initial case originated from an FIR registered after JeM posters threatening security forces were found in Nowgam last month. The police investigation uncovered a network of radicalized individuals, including professionals and students, some in contact with handlers in Pakistan.
The drug seizure on Saturday was the second such incident within four days in the same areas of Mizoram.
Atlanta, Georgia-based Rollins, Inc. (ROL) is a global leader in pest-control services, operating in more than 70 countries through a portfolio of wholly-owned subsidiaries and franchises. Valued at $28.4 billion by market cap, the company serves both residential and commercial clients, offering protection against termites, insects, rodents and wildlife.

ROL has gained 15% over the past year, while the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has rallied nearly 14.1%. In 2025, ROL stock is up 26.3%, surpassing the SPXs 16.4% rise on a YTD basis.

More News from Barchart

Rollins has also exceeded returns from the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLY), which has gained 9.2% over the past year and 6.8% this year.

www.barchart.com

On Oct. 29, Rollins reported a strong third-quarter performance, posting 12% year-over-year revenue growth to $1.03 billion, including 7.2% organic growth. Continued demand strength and expansion across its pest-control operations helped drive profitability higher, with adjusted EPS climbing 21.4% to $0.35. Management highlighted disciplined execution, margin expansion, and a balanced mix of organic growth and acquisitions as key tailwinds for the period. The stock initially slipped 3.9% after the release but quickly reversed course, rallying 7.3% in the following session as investors digested the solid results.

For the current fiscal year, ending in December, analysts expect ROLs EPS to grow 15.2% to $1.14 on a diluted basis. The companys earnings surprise history is mixed. It beat or matched the consensus estimate in each of the last four quarters.

Among the 14 analysts covering ROL stock, the consensus is a Moderate Buy. Thats based on seven Strong Buy ratings, one Moderate Buy, and six Holds.

www.barchart.com

This configuration is more bullish than two months ago, with six analysts suggesting a Strong Buy.

On Oct. 31, 2025, Canaccord Genuitys Brian McNamara reiterated a Hold rating on Rollins while lifting the price target to $55 from $50, marking a 10% upward revision.

The mean price target of $62.33 represents a 6.5% premium to ROLs current price levels. The Street-high price target of $72 suggests an upside potential of 23%.

On the date of publication, Kritika Sarmah did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com
Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly authorised the sale of Citibanks remaining Russian operations to Renaissance Capital, through a presidential decree.

According to Reuters, the approval is required under Russian rules introduced in response to Western sanctions following the countrys military actions in Ukraine.

Renaissance Capital, a domestic investment bank not subject to Western sanctions, has been named as the buyer of Citibanks Russian assets.

Renaissance Capital was quoted by Reuters as saying: We can only confirm the news that has been released so far, but without additional details.

Citibanks Russian unit told to the news agency that the transaction requires additional approvals.

In a statement earlier this year, the bank said: As of 2025, Citi's only operations in Russia are those necessary to fulfil its remaining legal and regulatory obligations.

After Western companies exited Russia in February 2022, the Russian government has imposed strict requirements on foreign companies seeking to leave the country, said Bloomberg.

This included significant reductions in asset valuations and mandatory contributions to the state budget, which have complicated the process for Western companies planning to leave the Russian market.

Citibank was one of the largest foreign-owned banks operating in Russia and servicing the Russian operations of major US firms.

In August 2022, Citigroup reportedly announced its plans to wind down its consumer and commercial banking activities in Russia.

Reports at the time indicated talks with entities such as Expobank and Reso-Garantia, an insurance provider.

Only a small number of Western banks continue to operate in Russia, including Austrias Raiffeisen Bank, Italys UniCredit, and Hungarys OTP, said Reuters.

"Russia approves Citibank Russia sale to Renaissance Capital" was originally created and published by Retail Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand.




Canadian mining company Sandfire Resources and Havilah Resources from Australia have signed a binding term sheet to advance their partnership at the Kalkaroo copper-gold project and form a strategic exploration alliance across the Curnamona Province in north-eastern South Australia.

This agreement aims to accelerate the development of one of Australias largest undeveloped open-pit copper-gold deposits.

Under the terms, Sandfire can earn up to an 80% interest in the Kalkaroo project via a two-stage earn-in structure. The initial consideration totals A$105m ($68.61m), paid as 70% scrip and 30% in cash.

An additional A$105m (C$96.39m) will be payable upon completion of a new pre-feasibility study (PFS), which will incorporate a minimum 20,000m of infill and an extension drilling programme.

Sandfire will commit A$30m to regional exploration over a minimum of 24 months under the exploration strategic alliance.

This initiative is designed to unlock new discoveries within the wider Havilah exploration tenement package in the Curnamona Province.

The transaction creates a rapid pathway to advance the Kalkaroo deposit by pairing Sandfires mine design and project development capabilities with Havilahs geological expertise.

Havilah technical director Chris Giles said: "We are very pleased to have reached a binding agreement with Sandfire that provides for completion of a new Kalkaroo PFS, including a substantial drilling programme targeting resource upgrade and expansion.

"Immediate value for Havilah shareholders will be realised via an upfront payment, which also gives Havilah a direct stake in Sandfire's successful global mining operations via the share component. Exposure to longer-term value is also achieved via Havilah's retained 20% interest in Kalkaroo.

"The funding under the exploration strategic alliance will allow us to accelerate regional exploration in South Australia with the objective of transforming the highly prospective Curnamona Province into Australia's next major copper province, centred on the Kalkaroo project development."

Kalkaroo currently hosts an ore reserve of 100 million tonnes (mt) (90% proved), with a copper grade of 0.47% and a gold grade of 0.44 grams per tonne (g/t), supported by a sulphide mineral resource of 224mt at 0.49% copper and 0.36g/t of gold.

The new PFS will evaluate the open extent of the Kalkaroo orebody along strike and at depth.

Completion of the PFS is targeted within 1824 months from the finalisation of definitive transaction agreements.

This is expected to reduce the project risk and potentially expand the existing ore reserve.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

Release Date: November 12, 2025

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

Shree Ganesh Remedies Ltd (BOM:540737) reported a 23% quarter-on-quarter revenue increase, showcasing strong performance in Q2 FY26.

EBITDA margins remained robust at 31.7%, reflecting resilience amid market dynamics.

The company is making significant progress in its specialty chemicals segment, contributing 11.17 crores during the quarter.

New pilot facility is on track to be operational in Q4 FY26, indicating timely project execution.

The company has secured client approvals in Europe for an agrochemical project and is engaging with a major European pharmaceutical company.

Negative Points

Year-on-year revenue declined by 6% due to subdued domestic realization and softer demands in European markets.

Net profit for the quarter decreased by 23% year-on-year, impacted by market softness and increased fixed costs.

The company faces a slowdown in the European market due to various factors, including energy prices and shifting production preferences.

There is significant competition from China in the specialty chemicals segment, which could impact future growth.

Inventory days are high, indicating potential inefficiencies in inventory management.

Q & A Highlights

Q: What is the key focus of Shree Ganesh Remedies Ltd in terms of product offerings and market segments? A: We are a specialty chemicals manufacturer and a pharmaceutical intermediate manufacturing company. Our product portfolio is 60% pharma, catering primarily to export markets in Europe and Asia, including Japan and the US. In specialty chemicals, we serve sectors like agrochemicals, polymer, electronics, and semiconductors. We focus on complex chemistry and process-based projects to create niche offerings. (Respondent: Unidentified_2)

Q: Can you elaborate on the growth drivers for Shree Ganesh Remedies Ltd in the coming years? A: We recently acquired adjoining property for expansion, postponing the hedge expansion. Growth drivers include working with innovative European pharma companies on advanced intermediates and specialty chemicals for the Japanese electronics and semiconductor markets. (Respondent: Unidentified_2)

Q: What is the status of the new molecules in the pipeline, and are they for commercial drugs or clinical trials? A: The innovator molecules in our pipeline are for commercial products. Clients are scaling up, and these molecules are expected to go generic in 3 to 4 years. We are being onboarded as additional suppliers to meet future demand. (Respondent: Unidentified_5)
The logo of the car rental company Sixt. Peter Kneffel/dpa

Car rental giant Sixt on Thursday reported its second-strongest quarter ever, posting 258 million ($299 million) in pre-tax earnings.

The only higher figure came in the third quarter of 2022, when pent-up demand after the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic helped to boost results, chief financial officer Franz Weinberger noted.

The July to September second quarter is typically strong for Sixt, one of the biggest car hire companies in Europe, thanks to summer travel.

But Weinberger cautioned that the German company's current level of performance is not guaranteed, as rental companies are sensitive to broader economic weakness that can dampen consumer demand.

Sixt has benefited from the ability to acquire vehicles relatively cheaply amid weak demand in the new car market. For manufacturers, sales to rental companies are a standard way to boost volume, often accompanied by substantial discounts.

Looking ahead, Weinberger expressed confidence in Sixt's continued profitability, though he noted that the US government shutdown could weigh on fourth-quarter results.
Ariel Investments, an investment management company, released its Ariel Focus Fund third-quarter investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. US equities increased significantly in the third quarter, driven by the Federal Reserves first rate cut, strong corporate earnings growth, and broadening market participation. In this environment, the fund increased by 20.76%, outperforming the 5.33% gain for the Russell 1000 Value Index and the 8.12% return for the S&P 500 Index. In addition, please check the funds top five holdings to know its best picks in 2025.

In its third-quarter 2025 investor letter, Ariel Focus Fund highlighted stocks such as SLB N.V. (NYSE:SLB). Headquartered in Houston, Texas, SLB N.V. (NYSE:SLB) is a leading provider of technology solutions for the energy industry. The one-month return of SLB N.V. (NYSE:SLB) was 9.57%, and its shares lost 16.99% of their value over the last 52 weeks. On November 12, 2025, SLB N.V. (NYSE:SLB) stock closed at $36.07 per share, with a market capitalization of $53.886 billion.

Ariel Focus Fund stated the following regarding SLB N.V. (NYSE:SLB) in its third quarter 2025 investor letter:

"Lastly, SLB N.V. (NYSE:SLB) traded lower during the quarter, pressured by a challenging macroeconomic environment. OPEC+ supply increases and heightened geopolitical uncertainty weighed on oil prices, dampening upstream investment activity. Revenue softness and margin pressure in the Reservoir Performance and Well Construction segments impacted results, despite solid contributions from Digital and Production Systems services. Looking ahead, we see medium-term tailwinds as national oil companies accelerate investment in long-cycle projects to offset expected production declines. With unmatched scale, broad technical capabilities, and strong exposure to resilient international markets, we believe SLB remains the best-positioned oilfield services provider to meet rising global energy demand."

Schlumberger (SLB) Dives 10.69% as Earnings Disappoint

SLB N.V. (NYSE:SLB) is not on our list of 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. According to our database, 63 hedge fund portfolios held SLB N.V. (NYSE:SLB) at the end of the second quarter, compared to 68 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of SLB N.V. (NYSE:SLB) 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.
With a market cap of $18.5 billion, Smurfit Westrock Plc (SW) is a global leader in fiber-based paper and packaging solutions. headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, it operates in 40 countries, producing containerboard, corrugated and consumer packaging, recycled paper products, and packaging machinery, with significant markets in food and beverage, e-commerce, retail, and industrial sectors.

Shares of the packaging titan have underperformed the broader market. SW has declined 31.5% over the past year and 14.5% over the past six months. In contrast, the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has gained 14.1% over the past 12 months and 21% in the past six months.

More News from Barchart

Looking closer, the company has also lagged behind the Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund's (XLB) 6.9% decline over the past year and 3.5% rise over the past six months.

www.barchart.com

On Oct. 29, Smurfit Westrock shares dipped 12.2% after releasing its third-quarter earnings. The packaging giant reported $8 billion in revenue, up from $7.7 billion a year earlier, and swung to a $245 million profit versus a prior-year loss, supported by strong operating cash flow of $1.1 billion and $579 million in adjusted free cash flow.

However, despite delivering $1.3 billion in adjusted EBITDA with a 16.3% margin, investors reacted to continued margin pressure, a challenging demand backdrop, and managements plans for additional downtime in Q4 to optimize capacity, signaling near-term softness even as full-year guidance was maintained.

For the current fiscal year, ending in December 2025, analysts expect SW's EPS to fall marginally year-over-year to $2.06. The company's earnings surprise history is mixed. It beat the consensus estimates in one of the last four quarters while missing on three other occasions.

Among the 17 analysts covering the stock, the consensus rating is a Strong Buy. Thats based on 14 Strong Buy ratings, two Moderate Buys, and one Hold.

www.barchart.com

The current consensus is bullish than two months ago, when the stock had 11 Strong Buy suggestions.

On Nov. 10, Barclays analyst Gaurav Jain reiterated an Overweight rating on Smurfit WestRock but sharply cut the price target from $63 to $47, reflecting a 25% downward revision.
CHANGCHUN, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- The ninth Sino-German Automotive Conference opened on Wednesday in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province, with more than 400 industry representatives from home and abroad gathering to explore new trends in the global automotive industry and discuss opportunities for cooperation.

Chen Jian, former vice minister of commerce of China, told the opening ceremony that China and Germany have maintained stable bilateral ties with fruitful results in mutually beneficial cooperation, adding that China's high-level opening up and high-quality development are creating an ultra-large market, offering broader development opportunities for enterprises from Germany and other countries.

Annette Severy, German Consul General in Shenyang, noted the close collaboration between Germany and China in sectors such as artificial intelligence and green mobility.

The conference also features three thematic sessions on Sino-German investment project matchmaking, opportunities in the global expansion of China's automotive industry chain, and the role of digitization in building the automotive industry ecosystem.

As a pivotal hub for China-Germany automotive cooperation, Jilin Province has witnessed the steady expansion of this partnership. The province serves as a major base for FAW-Volkswagen, a joint venture established in 1991 between China FAW Group Co., Ltd. and German carmaker Volkswagen.

In late October, the Changchun-headquartered company celebrated a milestone as its 30 millionth car produced in China rolled off the assembly line at its plant in the city.

From initially producing a single Jetta model under one brand, FAW-Volkswagen has expanded its portfolio to 33 fuel-powered and new energy vehicles (NEVs) models, mirroring the evolution of bilateral auto cooperation from technology introduction and basic production to joint research and development and a shared industrial ecosystem.

The company's operations now span six plants in five Chinese cities, namely Changchun, Chengdu, Foshan, Qingdao and Tianjin.
SoftBank, one of the worlds most prominent technology investors, has placed astronomical bets on the future of artificial intelligence. On Tuesday, it said Nvidia is no longer one of them.

Japanese billionaire Masayoshi Sons firm sold its entire stake in the chipmaker at the heart of the AI boom, totalling 32.1 million shares, for $5.8 billion last month. The news reignited concerns among some investors about an AI bubble, but SoftBank said it was merely realigning its bets on the sector.

SUBSCRIBE: Receive more of our free The Daily Upside newsletter. READ ALSO: Boom in Crypto Treasury Stocks Faces Inevitable Bust and Sun Belt Housing Market too Hot to Touch for First-Time Buyers

Attached at the Chip

CFO Yoshimitsu Goto said on an earnings call that SoftBanks divestment had nothing to do with Nvidia itself. Nvidia has, in fact, consistently beaten analyst expectations, including in its latest quarterly report, and Citi hiked its price target for the semiconductor firm to $220 on Monday, suggesting the highly valued stock still has a 17% upside. SoftBanks US-traded depository receipts rose 2.6% Tuesday, while Nvidia shares fell 3%.

Goto emphasized that the fresh capital from its divestment will bankroll other AI investments, namely an all-in bet on ChatGPTs OpenAI. To finance its needs, Softbank also sold $9.2 billion worth of its partial stake in T-Mobile, and Son has unwound other positions to back his firms leading priorities. Softbank has also cashed out of Nvidia before, the last time in 2019, not long before the chipmaker began its meteoric rise. But given how firmly entrenched Nvidia is in the AI ecosystem, the two companies can hardly avoid each other:

Along with OpenAI, Oracle and MGX, SoftBank is part of the joint $500 billion Stargate venture building AI infrastructure in the US; Nvidia is one of the initiatives technology partners. Meanwhile, SoftBanks sale of Nvidia shares helps finance an investment of up to $40 billion in OpenAI, which has pledged to invest up to $100 billion in Nvidia.

Sons other AI ambitions include a $1 trillion Arizona manufacturing hub, the $5.4 billion acquisition of ABBs robotics unit, and a portfolio with TikTok-owner ByteDance and Perplexity AI. SoftBank and Nvidia stand to benefit if Big Tech firms follow through on pledges to spend hundreds of billions to fund the AI boom in the coming years.

Burry-ied in the Details: The doubters ranks are growing. On Tuesday, analysts at the Wells Fargo Investment Institute downgraded the S&P 500 Information Technology sector to neutral from favorable, citing high valuations. A day earlier, famed Big Short investor Michael Burry accused Big Tech hyperscalers of artificially boosting their earnings by understating the depreciation expenses of the semiconductors theyre buying. By my estimates, they will understate depreciation by $176 billion [from] 2026-2028, he wrote in a tweet.

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.
SoftBank Group sold all its shares in Nvidia in October, severing ties with the AI chipmaker that powered the sector's historic rally. The Japanese conglomerate is redirecting capital toward OpenAI, even as the ChatGPT maker faces mounting losses and its CEO's credibility comes under fire.

The Tokyo-based firm disclosed the complete exit from Nvidia in its financial filing Tuesday, revealing that it and an asset management subsidiary "sold all of Nvidia Corporation shares that they had owned, for $5.83 billion."

The move came alongside a $9.17 billion partial sale of its T-Mobile stake, part of an "asset monetization" to fund a $40 billion investment in OpenAI by year-end.

The sale comes as Wall Street questions whether AI infrastructure spending will pay off and as OpenAI CEO Sam Altman faces scrutiny for publicly denying he sought federal loan guarantees just days after his company explicitly requested them in a letter to the White House.

SoftBank's Vision Fund posted a blowout investment gain of $23.4 billion (3.54 trillion) for the quarter, $14.3 billion (2.16 trillion) of which came from marking up its OpenAI holdings to a pre-money valuation of $260 billion.

OpenAI Sought Government Loan Guarantees Days Before Sam Altman's Denial

The gains helped the company more than double net income to $19.3 billion (2.924 trillion), up 190.9% from the previous year.

The Nvidia sale marks SoftBanks second exit from the chipmaker, after an initial $4 billion stake bought in 2017 and sold in early 2019. The group later re-entered before offloading its position again in October.

Following the money trail

To finance its OpenAI investment, SoftBank issued $4.1 billion (620 billion) in yen bonds, $4.2 billion in foreign debt, and arranged bridge loans of $8.5 billion for OpenAI and $6.5 billion for ABB Robotics.

"As SoftBank's investment in OpenAI was very large the company had to use its existing assets to finance new investments," the firms Chief Financial Officer Yoshimitsu Goto said in a press briefing, as cited in a CNBC report.

SoftBank agreed on March 31 to invest up to $40 billion in OpenAI, with $30 billion of its own capital, with $10 billion funded in April and $22.5 billion set for December, according to the filing.

Inside OpenAIs Massive $40B Funding Round Led by Japans SoftBank

The robotics acquisition aligns with SoftBanks stated mission to realize artificial super intelligence (ASI) for the advancement of humanity, focusing on AI chips, robots, data centers, and energy, and investing in leading generative AI firms, according to the filing.
SoftBank (SFTBY) sold its entire stake in Nvidia (NVDA) for $5.83 billion. While SoftBank plans to channel the proceeds into new artificial intelligence (AI) ventures, the timing of SoftBanks exit is interesting. It comes at a time when the market is increasingly questioning whether the billions flowing into AI infrastructure will translate into sustainable returns. Nvidia shares dipped about 3% in morning trading following the news.

AI Spending Frenzy Fuels Investor Caution

The skepticism over spending on AI infrastructure was evident when Microsoft (MSFT) reported its Q1 earnings. MSFT stock came under pressure after the company announced $34.9 billion in capital expenditures for the first quarter, exceeding its previous guidance of $30 billion. The tech giant attributed the higher-than-expected spend to its continued investment in the AI backbone of Azure, as well as first-party AI solutions and ongoing upgrades to its server and networking capacity.

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A similar narrative is unfolding across the sector. Meta (META) stock retreated after earnings, as heavy investments in AI clouded near-term profitability. Meanwhile, AI cloud provider CoreWeave (CRWV) also faced investor pushback after forecasting $12 billion to $14 billion in spending for 2025 and plans to more than double that figure in 2026.

Such staggering capital expenditure commitments reflect both the intensity of the AI race and growing fears that valuations across the sector may be running ahead of fundamentals.

The question of whether this reflects a genuine AI revolution or a looming AI bubble remains open. However, for Nvidia, the company is seeing significant demand for its Blackwell GPUs led by massive growth in AI-driven computing needs.

The companys CEO, Jensen Huang, recently revealed that the company has already secured $500 billion in bookings for its next-generation Blackwell and Rubin chips through 2026, excluding orders from China and Asia. Nvidia has also shipped 6 million Blackwell GPUs in the first four quarters of production, reflecting its dominance in the high-performance computing market.

These figures demonstrate Nvidias dominant position within the AI ecosystem and suggest potential growth that could surpass Wall Streets current forecasts.
Soybeans have seen a back and forth trade over the last week seeing some consolidation, with Tuesday trade showing fractionally to 2 cent lower tradr so far on Tuesday. CBoT reported another 125 deliveries overnight, taking the total to 1,707 for the month. The cmdtyView national average Cash Bean price is 1 3/4 cents lower at $10.55. Soymeal futures are down $2.80 at midday, with Soy Oil futures 59 points higher.

Crop Production data is expected to be released on Friday, as a Reuters survey of traders shows soybean yield expected to drop 0.4 bpa to 53.1 bpa, with output dropping 35 mbu to 4.266 bbu.

More News from Barchart

Brazils November soybean export total is estimated at 4.26 MMT, according to ANEC, a 0.49 MMT hike from the previous number.

Nov 25 Soybeans are at $11.14 1/4, down 1 3/4 cents,

Nearby Cash is at $10.55, down 1 3/4 cents,

Jan 26 Soybeans are at $11.28, down 2 cents,

Mar 26 Soybeans are at $11.39, down 1/4 cent,

On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com
Coinbase is taking a clear step toward mainstream finance in the UK. The company is introducing a savings account that resembles those typically found at traditional banks, offering a 3.75% AER on cash deposits.

The new account was announced on November 11 and is being offered first to selected users. It pays daily interest, doesnt require a minimum balance, and allows instant access to funds.

Is Coinbase Now Competing Directly With UK Banks?

It also comes with FSCS protection, providing customers with the same level of safety they would expect from a high-street bank.

The product runs through ClearBank, but it sits inside Coinbases ecosystem. It provides users with a way to hold and earn interest on pounds without transferring money to another app or bank.

For Coinbase, its a strategic shift. It places the company in direct competition with UK banks and finance apps that market easy-access savings.

Funds are held with ClearBank and fall under FSCS protection, covering up to 85,000 per eligible person. Coinbase says this is the first UK savings account offered by a crypto-native exchange.

The launch follows Coinbases securing of VASP registration from the Financial Conduct Authority in February. Since then, the company has described the UK as its biggest market outside the United States.

The Bank of England kept the Bank Rate at 4.0% last week. This rate often helps guide variable savings products. FSCS protection remains 85,000, though the Prudential Regulation Authority has suggested raising the cap to 110,000.

DISCOVER: Top Solana Meme Coins to Buy in 2025

How Does Coinbases FSCS-Protected Savings Account Work?

Coinbases help pages say the savings rate can change, including after Bank of England decisions. Interest accrues daily and is paid once it reaches at least one penny.

FSCS coverage applies across all funds held with ClearBank. Coinbase shares slipped to about $310.78 on Tuesday as the wider crypto market cooled.

Chief executive Brian Armstrong said offering a high-interest and instant-access savings account inside the Coinbase app is part of its effort to modernize financial services for users in the UK

ClearBank UKs chief, Emma Hagan, described the partnership as a means to link traditional money and digital assets, according to comments shared with Finextra and ClearBank.

The move places a bank-style, FSCS-protected savings feature inside a crypto platform, narrowing the gap between exchanges and conventional banks.

It could help Coinbase keep customer deposits on its platform for longer and increase cash balances.
This story was originally published on Supply Chain Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Supply Chain Dive newsletter.

Dive Brief:

Stanley Black & Decker tapped higher prices and supply chain efficiencies last quarter to move closer to its goal of a 35% adjusted gross margin, executives told investors.

The world's largest toolmaker achieved a 31.6% adjusted gross margin in the quarter ended Nov. 3, driven by higher prices and continued efforts to reduce U.S.-bound supply from China, EVP and CFO Patrick Hallinan said in a Nov. 4 earnings call. In the current quarter, the company expects its efforts to boost the margin to 33%, plus or minus 50 basis points.

"We plan to reduce from 2024 levels when approximately 15% of our U.S. supply was sourced from China to less than 10% by the middle of 2026 and to less than 5% by the end of 2026," Hallinan said. "These milestones are essential for achieving targeted gross margin objectives and for improving supply chain resiliency.

Dive Insight:

Tariff costs have put pressure on Stanley Black & Decker to raise prices while continuing to implement supply chain changes to meet the goals of a multi-year $2 billion cost-reduction program launched after the COVID-19 pandemic. The strategy's goals are to cut $1.5 billion from the supply chain and the rest from selling, general and administrative expenses, executives said during the company's Capital Markets Day last November.

Stanley Black & Decker has been rapidly shifting production of its cordless products from China to Mexico while also increasing production of items covered by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, Hallinan told investors. "We're going to be working on a mitigation path of getting $200 million to $300 million of tariff expense out of the system via  whether that's shifting product out of China and/or increasing USMCA compliance."

Meanwhile, the company raised prices in April, and expects to implement a second price increase during the current quarter due to tariff-related cost increases, President, CEO and Director Christopher Nelson said.

Higher-than-anticipated production costs in the quarter, driven by tariff-induced volume softness and supply chain changes, led to a $0.10 reduction in adjusted earnings per share from estimates in the second quarter, Hallinan said. "Near term, we expect market conditions to remain dynamic and challenging."

Meanwhile, independent channel partners working through their inventories led to a 3% decline in Stanley Black & Decker's outdoor products revenue, Nelson said. "We anticipate inventory will be rightsized heading into preseason ordering for 2026.
Unionized Starbucks baristas are launching a wave of walkouts Thursday, a work stoppage they say could grow to become their biggest strike to date.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Workers United, which represents staff at about 550 of Starbucks Corp.s roughly 10,000 company-owned US cafes, plans to strike on Thursday in at least 40 cities, including New York, San Diego, Dallas, Philadelphia and the companys hometown of Seattle. The protests are open-ended and could expand if there isnt progress towards finalizing a union contract and resolving legal disputes, according to the union.

The strike, involving more than 1,000 baristas at 65 cafes, is pegged to Starbucks annual Red Cup Day promotion, when the company draws big crowds by giving away reusable holiday-themed cups. The work stoppage is the latest escalation in the unions efforts to amp up pressure on the coffee chain, which it accuses of refusing to fairly negotiate. Employees began voting to unionize Starbucks cafes in late 2021, but have yet to secure a collective bargaining agreement.

Were prepared to do whatever it takes, said Jasmine Leli, a barista in Buffalo, New York, and one of the delegates representing the union in negotiations, in an interview last week. Starbucks not finalizing this union contract is failing its baristas and customers alike.

Starbucks has denied wrongdoing and has accused the union of abandoning negotiations. Were disappointed that Workers United has called a strike instead of returning to the bargaining table, company spokesperson Jaci Anderson said Wednesday. She said nearly all of Starbucks cafes would be ready to serve customers regardless of any strike.

Workers United delegates voted in April to reject Starbucks latest contract proposal. Organizers said it fell short because it only guaranteed annual raises of at least 2% and didnt ensure that employees would get enough hours of work to qualify for benefits. Starbucks has said it already offers the best job in retail, with barista pay averaging over $19 per hour, and total compensation thats greater than $30 an hour when counting benefits.

(Updates with additional details in second paragraph. A previous version corrected the number of cities in the headline.)
The pension fund had 580m kronor invested in Stegra, a spokesman confirmed to The Telegraph. It is also exposed to the start-up through a 193m kronor investment in former US vice-president Al Gores Just Climate fund.

Andra AP Fonden, one of Swedens state-owned pensions  commonly known as AP2  had around 1.46bn Swedish kronor (117.7m) invested in Northvolt before it went bankrupt.

Now the countrys much treasured green steel company, Stegra, is teetering too. The manufacturer is facing a 975m (858m) funding crunch and Harald Mix, the billionaire Swedish financier who co-founded both of the start-ups, has stepped down as its board chairman.

Swedens electric vehicle battery maker, Northvolt  having risen to become the symbol of Europes green ambitions  filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last November.

But that strategy is running out of steam.

His speech was followed by the countrys state pension funds spearheading early commitments by institutional investors to finance low carbon projects in a high risk, high reward approach.

In the run up to the Paris Agreement, Stefan Lofven  the former Social Democrat prime minister who led a coalition government with the Greens  promised a new green industrial revolution that would be as transformative as the one 250 years ago.

Sweden helped pioneer the strategy of mobilising deep capital markets and pension funds to help finance government development goals. Unlike in Britain, a portion of Swedish workers state pension contributions are invested in government-controlled funds.

Industry leaders have warned that the move would put the Governments objectives of the day ahead of the retirement prospects of millions of savers.

The challenges in Sweden serve as a stark warning to Rachel Reeves, the UKs Chancellor, who is considering forcing large pension funds to invest in national assets in a bid to boost Britains struggling economy .

Two of the countrys flagship green manufacturers have run into serious financial difficulties, sparking a row over potentially eye-watering pension fund losses.

But after years of grandiose rhetoric, those promises appear to be disintegrating.

The Swedish government has channelled billions in pension fund savings into start-ups in the region  including the first steel mill to be built on the continent for half a century.

Icy towns in Swedens far north have found themselves at the centre of a green rush fuelled by promises of a new industrial frontier grounded in the clean energy revolution.

Eighty kilometres from the Arctic Circle, Europes decarbonisation dream is falling apart.

Story Continues

Other funds are also exposed  such as AMF Pension, an occupational pensions company owned by the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise and the Swedish Trade Union Confederation, which has 1.9bn kronor at risk according to Bloomberg.

No upside, all the downside

The losses have left the Nordic country, now under a centre-Right government, reconsidering the role of pension funds in supporting development goals.

Oscar Sjostedt, economic spokesman for the populist Right-wing Sweden Democrats  now the kingmakers in the Swedish parliament  said he was infuriated by the funds involvement.

Its so clear that they just wanted to fool around with the pension funds to propagate their own party policies with no regard to pensioners futures, he said, blaming the previous Left-wing coalition government.

Magnus Henrekson, professor of economics at the Research Institute of Industrial Economics in Stockholm, said: It meant the businessmen involved had all the upsides while the downside was socialised.

Those who are retired will have a defined benefit pension but the extent to which they can increase it in line with inflation is not guaranteed.

Rikard Eriksson, professor of economic geography at Umea University in Sweden, added: The Riksgalden [Swedens national debt office] has also guaranteed substantial amounts. So on top of the pension fund exposure, it will be the state or the taxpayers who will be reimbursing the company if it fails.

End of the green dream

Critics argue that channelling pension investments into risky green industry start-ups made peoples savings vulnerable to changes in market conditions and the vagaries of international geopolitics.

Back in 2019, the European Unions Green Deal introduced ambitious emission reduction targets and heavy subsidies for green industries. But with the pandemic, inflation and Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the bloc has struggled to maintain momentum.

Sweden state pension funds are exposed as the push for decarbonisation is under pressure - Maxym Marusenko/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Professor Eriksson added: Many investors thought they were going to find the next big thing  the future green stars of Europe.

Thats the reason why so many went in. But it turned out to be a bumpy road, to get Europe from having almost no production in these industries to the goal of self-sufficiency and competing with China.

Chinese subsidies to new green industries have outstripped the European Union. When demand for electric vehicles faltered last year, it was European companies like Northvolt that couldnt compete.

At the same time, international consensus supporting investment based on environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles has fallen apart.

Tom Gosling, director of the London School of Economicss initiative in sustainable finance, said: If you go back to the late 2010s and the run up to the Glasgow Cop in 2021, there was a general sense that society was coalescing behind a rapid decarbonisation path.

A number of investments that were made were predicated on the assumption that there was going to be a pretty assertive policy trajectory towards making these more challenging industries like green steel possible.

But Donald Trumps administration in the US has turned the tide on the push for decarbonisation.

Under pressure from Republican attacks, many institutional investors have abandoned coalitions committed to fighting global warming. Mark Carneys Gfanz alliance  a key achievement from the Glasgow summit  has faced high profile withdrawals.

Risks to savers

Against this backdrop, Swedens hopes of large returns on pension investments look increasingly unlikely to materialise.

Yet here in Britain, Ms Reeves is looking to deploy a similar strategy by using private pension funds to help increase investment in productive assets and combat sluggish growth.

Rachel Reeves is considering forcing large pension funds to invest in national assets - Andy Rain/EPA/Bloomberg

The Chancellor launched her Sterling 20 initiative with the countrys largest pension funds last month, aiming to channel savings into national assets like infrastructure projects and firms in the artificial intelligence sector.

This followed on from the Mansion House Accord, a voluntary commitment Ms Reeves attained from pension providers to invest at least 5pc of fund assets in Britains private markets by 2030.

As the autumn Budget approaches, the Chancellor has not ruled out making the voluntary targets mandatory.

What has happened in Sweden shows the dangers of Ms Reevess plans, according to Mr Gosling.

In a world of high budget deficits and scarcity of public capital, governments are increasingly keen to influence where pensions invest, he said.

You can see the clear risks of it with UK pension funds being encouraged to invest in private markets at exactly the time when private market evaluations look stretched.

Pension funds need to avoid getting overexposed to single country projects and having their arms twisted by governments.

Hilary Salt, a retired pensions actuary, said: If British companies offered the best returns, you absolutely wouldnt need to mandate pensions schemes to invest in them.

When pension schemes take investment decisions, it can definitely affect peoples long term income and retirement.

Jon Greer, of wealth management firm Quilter, said: Large funds require substantial, reliable projects to generate returns  yet the market may not offer enough viable opportunities, particularly in infrastructure.

If too much capital chases too few projects, funds could be pushed toward riskier or less impactful investments.

A Treasury spokesman said: Pension funds have committed to private market investment targets voluntarily due to the potentially higher returns and security for savers through diversified asset holdings that they offer and scale-up businesses have welcomed these reforms.

This will unlock over 25bn for the UK economy.

Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays.
Four months after her controversial American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) jean campaign sent the retailers stock soaring (at least temporarily), actress Sydney Sweeney has finally broken her silence.

The retailers ad campaign, which rolled out in late July, used a wordplay on genes with the tagline Sydney Sweeney has great jeans, which sparked debate over race and genetics.

Must Read

In a recent GQ interview, the Euphoria and The White Lotus star downplayed the backlash. When asked about Trumps Truth Social praise of her ad  which amplified the campaign's reach  Sweeney called it surreal, adding that she didnt really see a lot of the controversy because she was filming 16-hour days on Euphorias third season (1).

Following the campaign, American Eagle stock surged 25% after hours on the Q2 earnings report (2). The company says its marketing campaigns with both Sweeney and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce brought in 700,000 new customers  and a signature pair of jeans worn by Sweeney sold out in one week (3).

But, while the companys stock price jumped, its longer-term outlook is unclear. Heres what to know about investing in virality.

Is viral success fleeting?

While celebrity endorsements can generate online buzz, the question is whether that buzz can translate into long-term, sustainable growth for a brand.

Before the July campaign launch, American Eagle stock was languishing near $10, down over 40% from its yearly high. The companys Q2 earnings revealed the Sweeney effect: revenue hit $1.28 billion with earnings outperforming analyst estimates at $0.45 per share versus the expected $0.20 (4).

Sweeney told GQ she was aware of the numbers throughout the controversy, noting that negative headlines about declining store visits was all just a lot of talk.

But foot traffic in stores  and impressions on social media  dont always translate into sales. The real test will be whether American Eagles 700,000 new customers stick around for holiday shopping or if this was just another fleeting social media moment.

Theres a term for that: a meme stock goes viral based on social media hype, rather than strong fundamentals like consistent revenue growth (5). A meme stock may appear to promise big returns, but theres no telling when a skyrocketing stock price will plummet.
Tesla (TSLA) shares fell more than 2% on Friday as the broader tech sector sold off, with shares now down 10% since CEO Elon Musk received his $1 trillion pay package.

At one point in midday trade, Tesla stock dropped below the $400 threshold, hitting lows not seen since Sept. 15.

Tesla stock recovered on Thursday but still closed down 6.6%, the stock's worst day since late July.

As noted by Bespoke Investment, Tesla stock has shed around 10% since shareholders approved Elon Musk's $1 trillion pay package at last Thursday's shareholder meeting.

However, with the saga of Musk's $1 trillion pay package behind it, analysts like Wedbush's Dan Ives remain bullish on Tesla shares, and he believes the automaker's AI future is where investors should be looking.

"In my opinion, it's going to be the most important chapter ever in Tesla's story," Ives said from the Yahoo Finance Invest event in New York.

Ives, who has called passage of Musk's pay package a "bright green light" for Tesla's AI and autonomous tech plans, has an Outperform rating on the stock and a Street-high $600 price target.

Ives said the first order of business for Musk and Tesla is self-driving and robotaxis.

Catch up on the latest moments from Yahoo Finance Invest

A Tesla assembly worker with an Optimus bot hand and arm structure.  Tesla.com

"You have to have the understanding of what Musk and Tesla are trying to do here," Ives said. "They're building out the AI future, autonomous. I mean, they're going to own 80% of the autonomous landscape, in my opinion, over the next decade."

Tesla is currently testing its robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, and the San Francisco Bay Area, though with safety drivers in place. Musk said at Tesla's recent shareholder meeting that Austin's robotaxi safety drivers would be removed by the end of the year. He added that Miami, Dallas, Phoenix, and Las Vegas will be the next cities to test Tesla's robotaxi service.

Tesla's purpose-built robotaxi, the Cybercab, is set to begin production in April of next year, Musk said.

Ives sees the autonomous tech advancing the development of Tesla's Optimus humanoid robots.

"[Tesla's] Optimus, that's what you're playing for. It's less about [vehicle] deliveries. It's more about the AI future. You have to be patient," Ives said, cautioning investors that the time horizon is measured in years, not months.

Tesla revealed at the shareholder meeting that it will build a 1 million-unit Optimus production line at its factory in Fremont, Calif., and eventually a 10 million-unit line at Giga Texas in Austin. The company provided no timeline; however, Optimus is in pilot production at Fremont.
In early winter, southern Anhui becomes nature's most vibrant paletteeverywhere is dynamic, and every scene is picturesque. A provincial conference on high-quality development of all-for-one tourism was held recently in Yixian County, drawing widespread attention to this small southern Anhui city. As a significant cradle of rural tourism in China, the choice to restart the journey from Yixian County reflects a deliberate effort to build on past experiences while looking toward the future. The goal is to fully develop cultural and tourism industries into pillar, livelihood, and happiness-enhancing sectors. Yixian County, a nationally renowned historical and cultural city, boasts numerous ancient towns, villages, and residential buildings. It was precisely these ancient villages and dwellings that laid the foundation for Yixian County's gradual development of rural tourism. Forty years ago, student sketching activities began in Xidi Village, Yixian County. Thirty years ago, the first rural homestay emerged in Xidi Village. The mountains remain the same, and the villages are unchanged. Yet, with a shift in perspective, the niche segments of rural tourism in Yixian County gradually took shape. Since 2006, Yixian County has collaborated with national professional associations to host two flagship events annually: a bicycle open race and an international rural photography exhibition. These events have attracted nearly 20,000 athletes from over 50 countries and exhibited more than one million works from over 20 countries. Cumulatively, they have drawn 450,000 visitors for observation and tourism. According to the latest statistics from Yixian County, the county now boasts six sketching base clusters, comprising 112 individual bases. Hongcun Village and Xidi Village have become two of China's top ten sketching bases, partnering with over a thousand institutions, including universities and art studios. The annual number of visitors exceeds 1.2 million, generating total comprehensive revenue of 500 million yuan. Perhaps the most noteworthy aspect is the Huizhou-style homestays. These lodgings, "born" in the wild and "nurtured" in old houses, have grown to 1,070 in number, accounting for one-sixth of the provincial total. They feature six themes: retro experiences, family-friendly leisure, residential culture, landscape vacations, rural idle living, and countryside lifestyle. From January to September this year, these homestays hosted 3.022 million overnight visitors, with an average occupancy rate of 78%. Unswervingly embracing the "new cultural and tourism cycle" has infused Yixian County's rural tourism with a more vibrant spirit and a more diverse arena. One-quarter of the county's workforce is now engaged in the cultural and tourism industry. From January to September this year, Yixian County received 18.124 million tourists, generating total tourism revenue of 17.64 billion yuan, representing year-on-year increases of 12% and 18.9%, respectively. In recent years, younger tourist groups, represented by Generation Z, have become the main force in cultural and tourism consumption. The impact of the intergenerational aesthetic divide and the demand for personalized experiences are compelling the cultural and tourism industry to upgrade from "factor competition" to "new quality productive forces." Developing all-for-one tourism is a systematic project requiring high intelligence and emotional intelligence. As a renowned traditional tourism county, Yixian County is not content with being merely a "custodian of history" but actively transforms itself into a "translator of culture," "creator of scenarios," and "provider of emotional value," promoting the formation of new quality productive forces through "new cultural and tourism resources." Yixian County has established a homestay industry association platform to coordinate resources from all sides, empowering homestays in areas such as product innovation, service upgrades, supply of amenities, financial credit, and marketing outreach. Over 140 types of "Yixian County Fine Products" have been listed on the homestay mall, and 15 green food companies have developed customized products for 300 homestays. In five villages, including Tachuan, Tankou, and Nanping, Yixian County is piloting the establishment of rural common growth platforms. Driven by these numerous co-creation and symbiotic platforms, Yixian County focuses on niche sectors, using cultural creativity, artistic design, and storytelling to revitalize traditional culture. This injects soul into more rural "affairs" and "objects," transforming them into attractive tourism products.

Source: Anhui Daily
Key Points

Archer Aviation is poised to be a leader in the emerging eVTOL market.

The stock tumbled 27% last week after Archer announced its third-quarter results.

Despite last week's sell-off, the share price has more than doubled over the past 12 months.

10 stocks we like better than Archer Aviation 

After ascending 133% over the past 12 months, shares of Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR) lost some altitude last week. The stock dropped 27% following the company's third-quarter earnings release and news that the electric air taxi maker is buying an airport in Los Angeles.

Emerging technology stocks like Archer Aviation are prone to sharp price swings, and last week's turbulence came amid a broader pullback in the stock market. Still, investors might be wondering if the sell-off in Archer stock was warranted, or if the market was simply overreacting.

If you're thinking about starting or adding to a position in Archer Aviation, here are three things you should know.

Image source: Archer Aviation.

Archer is on a mission to reimagine urban commuting

Launched in 2018, Archer Aviation is developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft that will allow well-heeled commuters to rise above terrestrial traffic jams. Archer's flagship eVTOL aircraft, Midnight, is designed to reach speeds up to 150 mph, potentially cutting an hour-long ground commute down to minutes for up to four passengers per trip.

Worsening traffic congestion, advancements in electric propulsion technology, and growing demand for greener air transportation are among the tailwinds behind Archer's business model. Also, a recent executive order from President Donald Trump calls for the Federal Aviation Administration to establish a pilot program to accelerate eVTOL development. According to a forecast from Grand View Research, the value of the global urban air mobility market could grow from $3.6 billion in 2023 to $29.2 billion by 2030.

Archer already has some powerful partners, most notably United Airlines. In 2021, United placed a pre-order for up to $1.5 billion of Archer aircraft, and the two companies have unveiled plans to establish electric air taxi networks in Chicago and New York City. United, Stellantis, and Cathie Wood's Ark Investment Management are among Archer's investors. The company also has inked agreements with Korean Air, Ethiopian Airlines, and Abu Dhabi Aviation to deploy the Midnight in their respective markets.

Archer is betting big on Los Angeles

The eyes of the world will be on Los Angeles -- and Archer Aviation -- when the city hosts the Olympic and Paralympic Games in July 2028. Archer has been selected as the official air taxi provider of the LA28 Games. With 15 million visitors and billions of TV viewers expected, it should be a great opportunity for the company to showcase its eVTOL technology on a global stage.
A view of the company Wirecard logo . Sven Hoppe/dpa

Germany's Federal Court of Justice (BGH) is set to rule on Thursday on claims by Wirecard shareholders in the insolvency of the former DAX company.

The question at issue is whether aggrieved shareholders can claim damages from the insolvency estate as ordinary creditors or not.

In this specific case, the asset management company Union Investment has filed a claim for 10 million ($11.6 million) in damages with the Wirecard insolvency administrator's list of claims.

However, the insolvency administrator considers claims from creditors such as lending banks or former employees to be priority claims. Shareholders would only be considered if there were any money left over at the end  which does not appear to be likely.

In proceedings in 2024, the Munich Higher Regional Court strengthened the rights of shareholders and ruled in an interim judgement that they can assert claims for damages as simple insolvency claims. However, there has been no top court ruling on this matter to date.

The Federal Court of Justice ruling could therefore also have far-reaching consequences for other insolvency proceedings.

All in all, there is a lot of money at stake in this case: According to court information, around 50,000 Wirecard shareholders have filed claims for damages totalling around 8.5 billion in the list of claims.

Wirecard creditors are claiming a total of 15.4 billion. However, the insolvency estate amounts to only around 650 million. It is therefore likely that creditors will only receive a very small portion of their claims.
TotalEnergies has signed a 15-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to supply Google data centers in Ohio with renewable electricity from a local TotalEnergies solar farm, the French supermajor said on Wednesday, announcing the second deal for data center power supply so far this month.

The Montpelier solar facility, which is nearing completion, is connected to the PJM grid system  the largest in the United States and will support Googles data center operations in Ohio.

The agreement aligns with Googles strategy of enabling new, carbon-free energy to the grid systems where they operate, as well as with TotalEnergies strategy to deliver tailored energy solutions for data centers, which accounted for almost 3% of the worlds energy demand in 2024.

This agreement illustrates TotalEnergiess ability to meet the growing energy demands of major tech companies by leveraging its integrated portfolio of renewable and flexible assets, said Stephane Michel, President Gas, Renewables & Power at TotalEnergies.

It also contributes to achieving our target of 12% profitability in the power sector.

TotalEnergies is deploying a 10 GW portfolio in the United States, with onshore solar, wind, and battery storage projects. A total of 1 GW of this capacity is located in the PJM market in the northeast of the country, and 4 GW on the ERCOT market in Texas.

Earlier this month, TotalEnergies signed a power purchase agreement with Data4 to supply renewable electricity to the data center developers sites in Spain for 10 years, as the French supermajor looks to boost its integrated power business with the key driver of global electricity demand.

TotalEnergies has PPAs with large industrial firms and hyperscalers such as STMicroelectronics, Saint-Gobain, Air Liquide, Amazon, LyondellBasell, Merck, Microsoft, Orange, and Sasol.

Unlike other European majors such as BP and Shell, which have outright reduced spending on renewables, TotalEnergies has a strategy to reach a 12% profitability target for its Integrated Power business.

In its 2025 Strategy & Outlook, TotalEnergies pledged to sustain profitable growth in the Integrated Power division by capturing value from growing global demand with the increase in AI, air conditioning, and electrification.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

Toyota (NYSE:TM) is dealing with yet another recall in the U.S., pulling back about 127,000 vehicles only a week after recalling more than a million. The NHTSA confirmed the latest issue on Thursday, saying some engines in Tundra pickups and Lexus LX SUVs built between 2022 and 2024 may still have tiny bits of machining debris left inside. The 2024 Lexus GX is getting recalled for the same problem.

Toyota warned that the debris could make engines knock, stall or fail to start, and at highway speeds, that could be dangerous. The company plans to notify impacted owners by early January. It's the newest addition to a long list of recalls Toyota has had to issue this year, putting extra pressure on its quality-control track record.

Even so, Toyota is still doubling down on the U.S. market. The company just announced up to $10 billion in new American investment, timed with the launch of its first battery plant outside Japan, a massive $14 billion facility in Liberty, North Carolina. Altogether, Toyota has now invested close to $60 billion in the U.S. since it arrived almost seven decades ago.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Trump administration said Thursday that it had reached trade frameworks with Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador and Guatemala.

The frameworks are about increasing the ability of U.S. firms to sell industrial and agricultural products in these countries, according to a senior administration official who insisted on anonymity as a condition for briefing reporters on a call about the agreements.

The White House also released statements on the frameworks, which have yet to be finalized and are expected to be signed within roughly two weeks. It's all part of a broader effort by President Donald Trump to rewrite the rules of global commerce through the use of broad tariffs.

President Javier Milei of Argentina hailed his countrys first bilateral trade framework with the U.S. in nearly a decade as tremendous news.

As you can see, we are strongly committed to making Argentina great again, he said.

The frameworks touch on an array of subjects, including efforts to reduce nontariff barriers and cut tariffs to 0% on American-made goods as well as commitments to not impose digital services taxes on U.S. companies. There would also be tariff relief on select products from these countries. For example, import licenses in these countries would be eliminated and streamlined, while nations would agree to resolve issues on intellectual property rights.

Under the tariffs previously announced at the end of July by Trump, goods imported from Argentina, El Salvador and Guatemala are taxed at 10%, as the U.S. runs a trade surplus with each of those countries. Products from Ecuador, with which America runs a trade deficit, are taxed at 15%.

Guatemala President Bernardo Arevalo called the framework good news and said his country would be in a position to attract new investments.

He said that 70% of the products Guatemala exports to the U.S. will face zero tariffs under the framework, as exclusions are granted for goods the U.S. is unable to make. All other goods would still be subject to the 10% tariff.

The U.S. senior administration official said that tariffs in these nations could be reduced on coffee, cocoa and bananas.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trump have each suggested that the tariffs are being relaxed as affordability issues are a key concern for U.S. voters.

___

Perez D. reported from Guatemala City, Guatemala. AP writer Isabel DeBre contributed to this report from Santiago, Chile.
Two advisory firms, little known outside Wall Street but with very powerful enemies on it, are facing the full weight of the Trump administration, which blames them for a leftward shift in corporate boardrooms.

The White House is weighing an executive order that would dramatically limit the power of ISS and Glass Lewis, which recommend how shareholders should vote on corporate matters like CEO pay and social- and climate-related policies, The Wall Street Journal reported. Semafor hears, too, that the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States may open its own probe: ISS is owned by Germanys Deutsche Borse and Glass Lewis by a Canadian private-equity firm. (ISS is proud of its history of providing high-quality, independent, and objective advice to the worlds most sophisticated institutional investors, a spokesperson said. Glass Lewis did not immediately comment.)

The White House is also focused on how giant passive institutional investors like Vanguard and BlackRock vote their collective stakes of 20% or more at most US companies. Mirror voting  forcing them to cast their ballots in the same proportions that other investors do  has long been pushed by their critics, and is now getting the attention of the White House, people familiar with the discussions said.

 Rohan Goswami
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

Total Assets: Increased by 40.1% year-over-year, exceeding TRY4 trillion.

Securities Portfolio: Grew by 12.8% quarter-on-quarter, making up 28% of total assets.

Loan Composition: FX loans increased by 6% in USD terms; TRY loans grew by 5.7%.

NPL Ratio: Increased to 3% from 2.8% in previous quarters.

NPL Coverage: Extended to 62%.

Loan to Deposit Ratio: Increased to 55.5% from 55.1%.

Net Income: Surged by 64% quarter-on-quarter to TRY8.2 billion.

Operating Revenue: Increased by 13% quarterly.

OpEx: Declined by 2.6% quarter-on-quarter.

CAR (Capital Adequacy Ratio): Reported at 15.3%.

CET1 Ratio: Realized at 10.1%.

Wholesale Funding: Increased to 5.4% of liabilities from 4.4%.

Demand Deposits: Grew by 13.5% quarterly, reaching 24% of total deposits.

Release Date: November 07, 2025

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

Turkiye Halk Bankasi AS (IST:HALKB) reported a strong revenue growth driven by core banking activities, highlighting the sustainable nature of its profitability.

The bank achieved healthy interest income growth, supported by strong fee generation and disciplined cost management.

Total assets increased by 40.1% year-over-year, exceeding TRY4 trillion, with a significant contribution from the securities portfolio.

The bank's loan portfolio saw expansion, particularly in FX loans, which grew by 6% above the sector average.

Turkiye Halk Bankasi AS (IST:HALKB) maintained a strong deposit base, with total deposits up by 37.6% year-over-year, supporting its funding structure.

Negative Points

The share of loans in the total asset mix declined to 43.7%, reflecting a cautious loan underwriting strategy.

The bank experienced TRY10 billion in NPL inflows, primarily from the SME segment, leading to a deterioration in the NPL ratio to 3%.

Despite efforts to optimize funding, the wholesale funding share within liabilities remains below the sector average at 5.4%.

The bank's NPL ratio is above the sector average due to not selling or writing off non-performing loans.

There was a slight contraction in net interest income on a quarterly basis due to normalizing CPI Linkers income.

Q & A Highlights

Q: Can you provide an overview of Halkbank's financial performance for the third quarter of 2025? A: Kamer Olkay Asik, Investor Relations Manager, reported that total assets increased by 40.1% year-over-year, exceeding TRY4 trillion. The securities portfolio was a significant growth driver, accounting for 28% of total assets. Net income surged by 64% quarter-on-quarter, reaching TRY8.2 billion, with a cumulative ROE in the mid-teens.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is working toward a package of exemptions focused on offering crypto assets that are tied to investment contracts, said Chairman Paul Atkins.

"I have asked the staff to prepare recommendations for the commissions consideration that facilitate capital formation and accommodate innovation while, at the same time, ensuring investors are protected," Atkins said in remarks prepared for delivery Wednesday at a Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia event. "By streamlining this process, innovators in the blockchain space can focus their energies on development and user engagement rather than navigating a maze of regulatory uncertainty."

The long-standing debate over how to define whether digital assets are linked to investment contracts  a term of art defined by the Supreme Court in the so-called Howey Test  may get clarity beyond the previous administration's preference for handling the question through crypto enforcement actions.

Atkins underlined his view that even crypto assets linked to investment contracts may not always retain that status. "Investment contracts can be performed and they can expire. They do not last forever simply because the object of an investment contract continues to trade on a blockchain," he said. It can cease when the issuer "either fulfills the representations or promises, fails to satisfy them, or they otherwise terminate."

Even if tokens are trading in association with investment contracts, Atkins argues that they should still be able to be handled through "super apps" from firms not necessarily registered with the SEC, such as those overseen by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission or state regulators.

"While capital formation should continue to be overseen by the SEC, we should not hamstring innovation and investor choice by requiring the underlying assets to trade in one regulated environment versus another," Atkins said.

In the speech, Atkins further outlined his views on what lies outside his agency's securities jurisdiction, including network tokens, digital collectibles and "digital tools," such as memberships, tickets or identity badges. Tokenized securities, though, are definitely in the SEC's regulatory orbit, he said.

Meanwhile, he said his agency is still working with Congress to enact market structure legislation soon that will further codify his agency's crypto position.

"What I envision aligns with legislation currently being considered by Congress and aims to complement, not replace, Congresss critical work," he said. A new law will help protect the permanence of the policy shift, he argued. "While the commission can provide a rational view under current law, there will always be risk that a future commission could reverse course."
The US minted its final penny on Wednesday. Illustration by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The US Mint produced the final penny on Wednesday.

The coin costs almost $0.04 to make, and ending production will save more than $50 million annually.

Some retailers have expressed frustration about the penny shortage and a lack of guidance.

It's a sad day for piggy banks everywhere. And 99-cent stores. And parents trying to teach their children the most basic idiom about frugality.

On Wednesday, the US Mint produced the final penny, ending the coin's 232-year-old life. Treasurer of the United States Brandon Beach struck the last one-cent coin in Philadelphia, the US Mint said. Though production has ended, the US Mint said there are still around 300 billion pennies in circulation.

Wednesday's event, Beach said in a post on X, symbolized "the return of common sense."

President Donald Trump named Beach, a former Republican state senator from Georgia, as the head of the Treasury in March, saying in a Truth Social post that he will "help unleash America's Golden Age." In his role, Beach is responsible for currency production and gives his two cents on the Federal Reserve's monetary policy. He wore a blazer plastered with hundred-dollar bills in the state senate shortly after Trump's announcement.

Born in Philadelphia in 1793, the penny had, for some, become a copper-coated emblem of government waste. The White House DOGE Office targeted the coin earlier this year, and politicians of both major parties have questioned its value. Trump criticized the penny in a Truth Social post in February.

The US Mint estimated that ending penny production will save $56 million in material costs every year, a spokesperson previously told Business Insider. Each $0.01 coin most recently cost almost $0.04 to produce, according to the US Mint.

Other countries, including Canada and Sweden, have stopped making pennies, but efforts to phase out the coin have repeatedly stalled in Congress. Its advocates include Mark Weller, who runs a pro-penny group and has worked for a company that won a contract with the US Mint to produce modern penny blanks. Weller previously told Business Insider that he thinks the nickel is a bigger problem than the penny.
By Karl Plume and Julie Ingwersen

CHICAGO (Reuters) -A crop data blackout during the longest-ever U.S. government shutdown has led to the widest range of analyst estimates in a decade for corn and soybean yields, as an information vacuum at harvest time and during critical trade negotiations distorted the market for the country's two most valuable crops.

The U.S. government reopened on Thursday after the 43-day shutdown. On Friday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is set to release a hotly anticipated crop report, including the government's first estimates of the two feed crops since mid-September, before the harvest had taken shape. In the absence of last month's world agriculture supply and demand estimates report, traders have relied on disparate bits of data to take positions.

Buyers and analysts have examined harvest estimates from private forecasters, media reports about export sales, local cash market prices, and social media posts showing overflowing grain bins in some parts of the country and ample storage space in others. None of this, however, gives as definitive a picture as the USDA report.

"It's at harvest, when we are trying to figure out the true size of the crops. It's the worst time to be without that information because it robs the market of essential production data," said Scott Irwin, a University of Illinois agricultural economist.

Analysts' highest and lowest corn crop estimates reflect a difference of 389 million bushels of production, more than Michigan's entire crop last year. Their soybean estimates reflect a difference of opinion equal to 184 million bushels, half of Indiana's crop in 2024.

The government's crucial export sales data was suspended for weeks, fueling uncertainty about crop demand during the busiest period of the year for shipments, leaving markets reliant on rumors of trade negotiation breakthroughs or the threats of new tariffs.

On October 30, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said China had agreed to purchase 12 million tons by December. The main U.S. soybean buyer has shunned U.S. supplies during President Donald Trump's trade war. Beijing has not yet confirmed a deal and trade sources told Reuters that China has booked rival South American supplies in recent days with only minimal purchases from the U.S.

Markets remain on edge, raising stakes for farmers and traders ahead of Friday's USDA report. Pre-report estimates gathered from analysts and brokers showed exceptionally varied opinions.

Estimates for average 2025 U.S. corn yields ranged from 181.7 to 186.0 bushels per acre -- all below USDA's September estimate of 186.7. Estimates for U.S. soybean stocks remaining ahead of the next harvest were between 187 million and 494 million bushels, a spread nearly three times as wide as normal.
We recently published Market Beaters: 10 Stocks Defying the Odds. Venture Global Inc. (NYSE:VG) is one of the best-performing stocks on Wednesday.

Venture Global bounced back by 7.86 percent on Wednesday to close at $8.12 after bagging two long-term supply agreements with international companies this week.

In a statement on the same day, Venture Global Inc. (NYSE:VG) said it entered into a 20-year agreement with Japan-based Mitsui & Co. Ltd. for the supply of 1 million tons of LNG per annum over the next 20 years.

Venture Global (VG) Recoups 7.9% Gain on Bagging 2 Multi-Year Supply Deals

Oleksandr Kalinichenko / Shutterstock.com

The deal will officially begin in 2029 and marks Venture Global Inc.s (NYSE:VG) third long-term contract with a Japanese firm.

Earlier this week, the company also secured a separate 20-year agreement with Spain-based Naturgy for an LNG supply deal beginning in 2030. The agreement represents its first long-term deal with a Spanish firm since its first contract in 2018.

According to Venture Global Inc. (NYSE:VG) CEO Mike Sabel, the deals reflect the continued confidence of its customers in the company and the robust demand for LNG globally.

Venture Global remains committed to meeting that demand with flexible, fast, affordable, and dependable long-term supply, he added.

With the two new agreements, the companys long-term value contracts now stand at a total of 6.75 million tons per annum.

While we acknowledge the potential of VG as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now.
By David Shepardson and Harshita Mary Varghese

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Verizon's new CEO is planning to cut about 15,000 jobs in the U.S. telecommunications company's largest ever layoffs, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday, outlining some of the executive's first efforts to restructure in the face of rising competition.

The wireless carrier faces mounting market pressure amid concerns over a shrinking pool of new customers as older rivals offer cheaper plans and cable operators jump into the fray.

A Verizon spokesperson declined to comment.

The layoffs, affecting about 15% of Verizon's workforce, are set to take place as soon as next week, the person said, and follow years of efforts to cut jobs and costs.

The cuts will reduce non-union management ranks by more than 20% and Verizon also plans to turn about 180 corporate-owned retail stores into franchised operations, the source added.

Verizon CEO Dan Schulman was appointed in early October, arriving from the helm at PayPal as promotions by rivals AT&T and T-Mobile have intensified, particularly around the launch of new iPhone models, with aggressive discounts and trade-in deals to retain subscribers and win new customers.

Verizon needs aggressive change including "cost transformation, fundamentally restructuring our expense base," Schulman said last month. "We will be a simpler, leaner and scrappier business."

Verizon added just 44,000 monthly bill-paying wireless subscribers in the third quarter, lagging AT&T. T-Mobile led with more than 1 million net subscriber additions.

Cable operators like Comcast and Charter are shaking up the wireless market by bundling mobile plans with high-speed internet.

Verizon's shares rose about 1.5% on the news. They have largely stagnated over the last three years, with a gain of 8% compared with the S&P 500's near-70% rise.

Schulman, a Verizon board member for seven years, has said he does not want to hike prices and seeks to be more customer-focused. Verizon maintains the highest prices in the sector.

"Our financial growth has relied too heavily on price increases, a strategic approach that relies too much on price without subscriber growth is not a sustainable strategy," he said last month.

Verizon had about 100,000 U.S. employees at the end of 2024, after cutting almost 20,000 over three years. Last year it announced a reduction of 4,800 employees through a voluntary program and took a nearly $2 billion charge. In 2018, Verizon said about 10,400 employees would leave under a prior voluntary exit program.
By David Shepardson and Harshita Mary Varghese

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Verizon's new CEO is planning to cut about 15,000 jobs in the U.S. telecommunications company's largest ever layoffs, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday, outlining some of the executive's first efforts to restructure in the face of rising competition.

The wireless carrier faces mounting market pressure amid concerns over a shrinking pool of new customers as older rivals offer cheaper plans and cable operators jump into the fray.

A Verizon spokesperson declined to comment.

The layoffs, affecting about 15% of Verizon's workforce, are set to take place as soon as next week, the person said, and follow years of efforts to cut jobs and costs.

The cuts will reduce non-union management ranks by more than 20% and Verizon also plans to turn about 180 corporate-owned retail stores into franchised operations, the source added.

Verizon CEO Dan Schulman was appointed in early October, arriving from the helm at PayPal as promotions by rivals AT&T and T-Mobile have intensified, particularly around the launch of new iPhone models, with aggressive discounts and trade-in deals to retain subscribers and win new customers.

Verizon needs aggressive change including "cost transformation, fundamentally restructuring our expense base," Schulman said last month. "We will be a simpler, leaner and scrappier business."

Verizon added just 44,000 monthly bill-paying wireless subscribers in the third quarter, lagging AT&T. T-Mobile led with more than 1 million net subscriber additions.

Cable operators like Comcast and Charter are shaking up the wireless market by bundling mobile plans with high-speed internet.

Verizon's shares rose about 1.5% on the news. They have largely stagnated over the last three years, with a gain of 8% compared with the S&P 500's near-70% rise.

Schulman, a Verizon board member for seven years, has said he does not want to hike prices and seeks to be more customer-focused. Verizon maintains the highest prices in the sector.

"Our financial growth has relied too heavily on price increases, a strategic approach that relies too much on price without subscriber growth is not a sustainable strategy," he said last month.

Verizon had about 100,000 U.S. employees at the end of 2024, after cutting almost 20,000 over three years. Last year it announced a reduction of 4,800 employees through a voluntary program and took a nearly $2 billion charge. In 2018, Verizon said about 10,400 employees would leave under a prior voluntary exit program.
Over the past few months, Verizon has landed in hot water for a number of pricing changes that it enforced, which resulted in higher monthly bills for its phone customers.

As these price hikes rolled out throughout the year, some customers took to social media, threatening to cut ties with the company, and it appears that many kept their promise.

In Verizons third-quarter earnings report for 2025, the company reported a loss of 7,000 postpaid phone customers during the quarter, with churn reaching 0.91%.

This loss is a significant concern, since during the same quarter last year, the phone carrier attracted 18,000 new postpaid phone customers.

Verizon lost an alarming amount of phone customers during the third quarter of 2025.Shutterstock

Verizons top pricing changes for wireless plans in 2025:

February : Verizon hiked the monthly rates for myPlan and New Verizon Plan accounts by $3 to $5, citing rising operational costs.

March : Verizon increased the monthly price of its Verizon Mobile Protect Multi-Device plan and Verizon Mobile Secure Multi-Device plan by $8.

August : Verizons device activation fee rose from $35 to $40.

September: Several pricing changes went into effect.

Verizon hiked its tablet plans by $5 to $10, depending on the plan. Verizons Administrative and Telco Recovery fee increased by almost 30 cents, while the Verizon Regulatory Charge spiked by 3 cents.

Verizon brings back bold tactic to keep customers from leaving

One announcement that appeared to be the last straw for some customers was when Verizon sent a message in August warning them that their loyalty discounts, which were renewable and typically ranged between $10 and $40, would be discontinued in September.

Outrage over the decision erupted, and a few days after the backlash, Verizon quietly rolled out new loyalty discounts by offering customers via the My Verizon app $20 off per phone line for 12 months.

Now, it appears Verizon is once again doubling down on loyalty discounts, as some customers recently took to social media platform Reddit to flag that they have automatically been granted discounts of up to $20 off per phone line for a year.

Yesterday they gave me $10 off 4 lines for 12 months. Theyre trying hard to stop the churn to ATT and T-Mobile, wrote one Verizon customer in the comment section of Reddit post that flagged new loyalty discounts.

Related: Verizon announces free offers for customers after major loss

I received $20 off each of my three lines. Seems kind of random to what people are getting, wrote another customer.

Same thing happened to me yesterday. Then I generated a pin. Today I got 15% off my other line for a year. Not as good as $20, but still helpful, wrote a Verizon customer.

The move from Verizon comes after it was expected to launch a new loyalty discount program on Sept. 1, which would be specifically tailored to each customer.

The program reportedly would be based on percentage-based loyalty discounts applied to total bill amounts and determined by the number of lines and plans a customer has on their account.

Verizon has not officially announced or confirmed this change.

Verizon CEO admits a major mistake that is hurting the company

It is no surprise that Verizon is rolling out a new wave of loyalty discounts, as many consumers nationwide are seeking more affordable phone plan options due to the increasing cost of phone services.

How higher phone bills are impacting Americans:

The average annual cost of an unlimited data plan for American families is $2,928 .

About 42% of Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T customers have seen their phone bills increase in the past year, which is 7% higher than average.

Also, 58% of Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T customers are considering switching to a different phone carrier as prices go up.

All three phone carriers risk losing a combined 230 million customers due to high mobile plan pricing.

Source: WhistleOut

You can build the best 5G network in the world, but if the customer feels prices are going up and it's a headache, people are going to leave, said RTMNexus CEO Dominick Miserandino in a statement to TheStreet.

During an earnings call on Oct. 29, Dan Schulman, who became CEO of Verizon on Oct. 6, even admitted that price increases are a major reason customers are rapidly ditching the company.

For the past few years, our financial growth has relied too heavily on price increases, a strategic approach that relies too much on price without subscriber growth is not a sustainable strategy, said Schulman.

Every year, it gets harder to grow as we lap past price increases and experience higher churn. This cannot continue, and there is no question that meaningful change is needed.

Schulman also said that Verizons primary goal going forward will be to build loyalty and drive significant improvements in retention.

More Telecom News:

We must make it much easier to do business with us, said Schulman. You should expect bold execution powered by sophisticated and smart marketing, actions that strengthen loyalty and the elimination of practices and processes that detract from the customer experience. Raising rates without corresponding value rarely, if ever, delights customers.

Additionally, he claimed that Verizon will use AI as a key tool to simplify offers, improve the customer experience and reduce churn through smart, consistent and more personalized marketing and offers.

In a recent analyst note, Morningstar analyst Michael Hodel wrote that despite Schulmans efforts to win back customers, Verizon is still expected to lag behind its top rivals.

Wireless competitive intensity has increased recently, but we expect Verizon and its two primary wireless rivals, T-Mobile and AT&T, to compete rationally in the coming years, said Hodel. That said, we expect Verizon to struggle to grow as fast as its rivals, even with new CEO Dan Schulman's pledge to focus more intently on customer satisfaction than in the past.

Related: T-Mobile to offer internet customers free perk rivals dont have

This story was originally reported by TheStreet on Nov 13, 2025, where it first appeared in the Retail section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Vizsla Silver (TSX:VZLA) has grabbed investor attention after releasing a feasibility study for its Panuco silver-gold project in Mexico. The study outlines high economic returns, swift payback, and strong annual production forecasts.

See our latest analysis for Vizsla Silver.

Vizsla Silvers latest feasibility study has supercharged market sentiment, with the share price leaping nearly 13% in a day and a 7-day share price return of almost 23%. That pushes its year-to-date share price gains to an eye-popping 159%. Even more impressively, long-term holders have seen a 185% total return over the past year and 385% over five years. Momentum is clearly building as investors digest the projects potential and what it could mean for further value creation.

If Vizslas breakout has you thinking bigger, now's a great moment to broaden your search and discover fast growing stocks with high insider ownership

But after such a rapid rally and lofty long-term gains, is Vizsla Silver's stock still undervalued? Or has all of this future growth now been priced in by the market?

Price-to-Book of 3.8x: Is it justified?

Vizsla Silvers shares currently trade at a price-to-book ratio of 3.8x, a premium compared to the Canadian Metals and Mining industrys average of 2.7x, but below the average of its peer group at 5.1x. At the last close price of CA$6.64, this suggests investors are willing to pay more for each dollar of Vizslas net assets versus most industry peers, but not as much as for some direct competitors.

The price-to-book ratio measures how much investors are paying for each dollar of a companys book value. It is often used for asset-heavy sectors like mining. This metric is highly relevant for companies such as Vizsla that are developing major projects because it reflects market confidence in the value of future reserves and production potential even before profits materialize.

This relatively high price-to-book ratio, despite Vizslas unprofitable status, may signal the markets optimism about its future growth and the strong momentum following the feasibility study announcement. Compared to the broader industry, the market is pricing in higher future returns or potential asset growth, but it is not yet approaching the value multiples of some other peers.

While a fair ratio estimate specifically for Vizsla is not available at this time, investors should examine the factors that drive this premium. Shifts in reserves, production costs, or forecasted growth could quickly alter its relative value in the sector.

See what the numbers say about this price  find out in our valuation breakdown.
With a market cap of $30.2 billion, Iron Mountain Incorporated (IRM) is a global leader in information management, specializing in the secure storage, protection, and management of physical and digital assets. Founded in 1951 and headquartered in New Hampshire, the company serves businesses worldwide across various industries, including healthcare, legal, financial, and government.

IRM shares have dropped 13.9% over the past year, trailing the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX), which has gained 14.1%. Moreover, shares of IRM are down 3.8% on a YTD basis, compared to SPXs 16.4% return.

More News from Barchart

Looking closer, the company has also struggled to keep up with the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Funds (XLRE) 4.2% decline over the past 52 weeks and 2.5% rise in 2025.

www.barchart.com

On Nov. 5, Iron Mountain reported FY2025 Q3 results, and its shares slumped 2.8%. Its revenue rose 12.6% year over year to $1.75 billion, supported by solid demand across both its storage and services businesses. Storage rental revenue increased by 10% to $1.03 billion, while service revenue rose by 16% to $721 million.

Profitability also strengthened, with record adjusted EBITDA of $660 million, up 16%, and margin expansion of 110 basis points. Its AFFO rose 17% to $1.32 per share. Reflecting confidence in its performance and outlook, the company raised its dividend by 10% and reaffirmed guidance for double-digit revenue and EBITDA growth for the full year.

For the current fiscal year, ending in December 2025, analysts expect IRMs AFFO to increase 154.8% year-over-year to $4.51 per share. The company's earnings surprise history is solid. It beat the consensus estimates in the last four quarters.

Among the 11 analysts covering the stock, the consensus rating is a Moderate Buy. Thats based on eight Strong Buy ratings, one Moderate Buy, one Hold, and one Strong Sell.

www.barchart.com

The current configuration is bullish than two months ago, when the stock had seven Strong Buy suggestions.

On Nov. 6, JPMorgans Andrew Steinerman lifted his price target on Iron Mountain to $111 from $100 and reiterated an Overweight rating, noting that the companys Q3 results came in largely as expected with no major surprises.
1967: Buffett begins pivoting Berkshire Hathaway away from manufacturing toward insurance with the purchase of National Indemnity Co. Berkshire Hathaway officially closed its final textile manufacturing plant in 1985.

1956 to 1969: General partner of various investment partnerships, which eventually merged as Buffett Partnership Ltd. in 1962. Acquired the first shares of Berkshire Hathaway, a textile manufacturer, in 1962.

1954 to 1956: Worked as a securities analyst at Graham-Newman Corp. under the legendary value investor Benjamin Graham, his former Columbia professor.

1951 to 1954: Worked as an investment salesman at his father's firm, Buffett-Falk & Co.

Buffett is once again setting an example worth following. Rather than shaking his fist at the sky in defiance and clinging to his throne, he decided many years ago to set the stage for a smooth transition at Berkshire Hathaway.

Given his penchant for humor and his plain-spoken nature, his latest note to investors explaining his decision to step down from his perch atop Berkshire Hathaway, clearing the way for Greg Abel to take the spotlight, and begin transferring his $150 billion net worth to charitable foundations, is a must-read.

No other investor has been as honest about his losses as his winners, or as willing to share his journey as openly and candidly, as Warren Buffett. It's little wonder that his annual shareholder meetings in Omaha draw tens of thousands of visitors, who refer to it as a pilgrimage, or that his annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway owners is one of the most read reports produced by any CEO.

Or "Rule No. 1: Never lose money. Rule No. 2: Never forget rule number one."

Who can forget, after he wrote off millions because of his investment in USAir, him saying that if a "farsighted capitalist had been present at Kitty Hawk, he would have done his successors a huge favor by shooting Orville down."

Warren Buffett is the folksy godfather to millions of investors, offering sage and often humorous been-there-done-that wisdom.

Story continues

Buffett, now 95 years old, is ready to step back from being the primary figure at the company he acquired control of in 1965 and transformed into a global capitalist juggernaut with a market capitalization exceeding $1 trillion.

In a letter to Berkshire Hathaway investors, he invoked his natural humor regarding his decision:

Buffett explained that while he would cede his role in writing his annual Berkshire Hathaway letter and the stage in Omaha to Abel, he will not entirely disappear from public life.

Instead, Buffett plans to "continue talking to you" via his "annual Thanksgiving message."

Warren Buffett makes major move with Berkshire Hathaway shares

A significant reason for Buffett's letter is to explain firsthand why he decided to convert a substantial amount of Berkshire Hathaway Class A shares to Class B shares.

More Warren Buffett:

Buffett has long maintained that his goal is for his wealth to be used for charity. His decision to convert his shares enables him to pass them along to foundations run by his children, which will execute his vision.

Overall, Buffett converted 1,800 Class A shares (BRK.A) into 2.7 million Class B shares (BRK.B) valued at $1.34 billion. He gave 1.5 million shares to the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation and 400,000 shares to each of the Sherwood Foundation, the Howard G. Buffett Foundation and NoVo Foundation.

Warren Buffett's family's foundations:

"My children are all above normal retirement age, having reached 72, 70 and 67. It would be a mistake to wager that all three  now at their peak in many respects  will enjoy my exceptional luck in delayed aging," wrote Buffett.

"I need to step up the pace of lifetime gifts to their three foundations. My children are now at their prime in respect to experience and wisdom but have yet to enter old age. That 'honeymoon' period will not last forever."

Related: How to read like Warren Buffett (plus 4 books to start with)

Buffett remains committed to Berkshire Hathaway, Greg Abel

Buffett's decision to accelerate his gifts to his kids' foundations is rooted in timing rather than an indictment of a shift in his confidence in Abel or Berkshire Hathaway's future.

He spent much time in the letter talking about his advanced age and mortality, and the need to ensure that his children fully have the reins on his wealth before he passes.

The Oracle of Omaha made clear that his support for Abel is unwavering and that he plans to continue to assist Berkshire Hathaway behind the scenes when helpful.

"Greg Abel has more than met the high expectations I had for him when I first thought he should be Berkshires next CEO," wrote Buffett. "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."

Ostensibly, Buffett's reassurances are designed to keep his loyal followers in the fold, supporting Berkshire Hathaway and its stock price even after he's gone. He devoted time to explaining that his vision for Berkshire Hathaway includes long-tenured leaders, advising the company to "avoid those whose goal is to retire at 65, to become look-at-me rich or to initiate a dynasty."

Instead, he suggested leaders like Abel focus on opportunity and risk, with a steady hand on the rudder. He also reminded investors that the market is fickle and that inevitably there will be good and bad times, suggesting they remain focused on the long haul despite the market's whims and whispers.

"Our stock price will move capriciously, occasionally falling 50% or so as has happened three times in 60 years under present management. Dont despair; America will come back, and so will Berkshire shares."

Related: Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway predicts major housing market pivot

This story was originally reported by TheStreet on Nov 11, 2025, where it first appeared in the Markets section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
You can find original article here WealthManagement. Subscribe to our free daily WealthManagement newsletters.

The international wealth management technology provider FNZ has announced $650 million in fresh equity funding from its institutional shareholders.

While a statement announcing the funding lacked details on how much its investors contributed, the firms involved in the round included La Caisse, Generation Investment Management, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) and Motive Partners, as well as some of FNZs clients, including Aberdeen Group PLC, Aviva PLC, FirstCape, Ninety One and Nucleus Financial Platforms.

Motive Partners has significant stakes or has owned several U.S. financial services brands, including Fiserv, InvestCloud, BetaNXT and Mediant Communications.

FNZ is playing a big hand in North America with some key client implementations having been much more involved than anticipated and tying up a lot of resources, wrote Alois Pirker, a longtime financial services industry analyst, researcher, and founder of Pirker Partners, in an email.

All-in-all, it looks like a defensive move, Pirker wrote, noting as an example, FNZs strategic partnership with the Canadian arm of Raymond James in June.

Given their vested interest in FNZ, it should be no surprise that some of the firms key clients have also participated in this funding round, he wrote.

The statement contained no specifics regarding where the funding would be applied beyond contributing to FNZs strategy to drive sustainable growth by investing in its technology, people and products, and delivering for its clients and supporting FNZs credit ratings.

In August, FNZ announced a major five-year innovation partnership with Microsoft to collaborate on transforming the wealth industry through technology, including the development of AI-driven solutions.

Over the years, FNZ has made several forays and investments in the U.S. wealth management market, having acquired a majority stake in State Streets trust custody unit in 2020, announcing a partnership with Envestnet in 2022 that was initially much hyped within U.S. wealth circles, and acquiring the fixed-income technology provider YieldX in 2023.

FNZ currently has $2.1 trillion in assets under management or advisement on its platform.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

Release Date: November 12, 2025

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

Welspun Enterprises Ltd (BOM:532553) received a new order for a 910 MLD water treatment plant near Mumbai, enhancing its portfolio in urban water management.

The company emerged as the L1 bidder for the Pune Shiurur elevated highway corridor, a significant BOT toll project, indicating strong project acquisition capabilities.

Consolidated order book stands robust at INR 15,615 crores, providing strong revenue visibility for the future.

Consolidated EBITDA grew by 28% year-on-year, reflecting operational efficiency and margin resilience.

Welspun Enterprises Ltd (BOM:532553) maintains a strong financial position with consolidated cash reserves of INR 1,043 crores, allowing flexibility for growth opportunities.

Negative Points

Delays in project execution due to local disturbances and availability of fronts, particularly affecting the Varanasi Aurangabad Road Project.

The transport segment saw a decline of 30% due to the completion of major projects, impacting revenue distribution.

There is a slowdown in order inflow from NHAI, affecting the overall industry expectations for road projects.

The company is in the process of raising INR 1,000 crores through a preferential issue of warrants, indicating a need for additional capital despite existing cash reserves.

Receivables from the UPJGM project remain high, with substantial work yet to be completed, posing potential cash flow challenges.

Q & A Highlights

Q: There has been a significant margin expansion across all verticals. What are the sustainable margins compared to what is being reported now? A: The margin increase is due to operational excellence and the completion of the Antaamaria project, which is contributing to EBITDA margins. While these margins may continue in the foreseeable future, our overall guidance remains at around 18% EBITDA margin. - Unidentified_4

Q: Regarding the large road projects, when will they start contributing to revenues, and how much can be booked in FY26 and FY27? A: The large BOT project is not yet awarded, and the first six months will involve financial closures and other requirements. We expect minor contributions in FY26, with substantial contributions starting in FY27. The Pancha project will also start contributing significantly in FY27, with minor contributions in Q3 and Q4 of FY26. - Unidentified_4
Key Points

Barely one year after its IPO, the company is doing a decent job finding its niche.

This was strongly evidenced by its 20% revenue jump in the third quarter.

10 stocks we like better than Guardian Pharmacy Services 

Guardian Pharmacy Services (NYSE: GRDN) was a stock ideal for ailing portfolios on the second trading day of the week. Thanks largely to better-than-expected annual guidance in its latest quarterly earnings report, the company's shares were motoring more than 7% higher in mid-session trading. That performance was notably better than the 0.3% advance of the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC).

A solid business strategy

Guardian's third quarter prominently featured a robust (20%) year-over-year increase in revenue, which came in at over $377 million. That was on the back of a 13% rise in total residents served; this amounted to 204,000.

Image source: Getty Images.

As for profitability, the specialty healthcare company's net income not according to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) was $15.7 million. The year-ago result was at or around breakeven, which management doesn't consider material, as that period's net income only amounted to the three days prior to its initial public offering (IPO).

Citing data compiled by Zacks, the Associated Press reported that the average analyst estimate for Guardian's third-quarter revenue was $354 million. The company also notched a slight beat on earnings, as those pundits as a group were expecting $0.24 per share.

Guardian management was clearly in a triumphant mood with this performance. It quoted CEO Fred Burke as saying that it shows "the power of our model -- combining local clinical and business expertise with the scale and resources of our national platform."

Adjustments to full-year outlook

With that undoubtedly in mind, Burke and his team raised their revenue and non-GAAP (adjusted) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) guidance for full-year 2025.

The new outlook for the former line item is $1.43 billion to $1.45 billion for the period, where previously it was $1.39 billion to $1.41 billion. As for adjusted EBITDA, that's now forecast at $104 million to $106 million, up from its predecessor range of $100 million to $102 million.

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Nvidia's latest round of share sales, which included SoftBank's $5.8 billion departure and other institutional cuts, led to inevitable rumors: Is the AI trade losing its appeal?

Upon closer examination, the scenario changes. SoftBank isn't backing away from AI; instead, it's putting more money into OpenAI, robots, and data centers that use Nvidia's own processors.

And the Street isn't exactly hiding from it, either. Bank of America analysts said in a recent research note that the current wave of "AI skepticism" is "healthy but overstated." They also said that it is "likely a contrarian positive, helping to minimize overcrowding."

As they put it:

In other words, what appears like selling can be a rotation, not a retreat, inside the same AI boom.

Nvidias AI chips remain the backbone of a global build-out, even as investors rebalance their portfolios.Berry/AFP via Getty Images

SoftBank sold Nvidia to fund AI, not flee it

The news of SoftBank selling its whole Nvidia investment for $5.83 billion made headlines, but the deal indicates more about liquidity than a lack of trust.

The Japanese conglomerate sold 32.1 million Nvidia shares in October, with part of its T-Mobile holdings, as part of what it characterized as a plan for asset monetization.

We want to provide a lot of investment opportunities for investors, while we can still maintain financial strength, said SoftBank Chief Financial Officer Yoshimitsu Goto during an investor presentation.

So through those options and tools we make sure that we are ready for funding in a very safe manner, he added, in comments translated by the company.

Related: Stagwells Palantir pact boosts shares, slashes labor needs

The money from Nvidia and T-Mobile sales, as well as a margin loan on SoftBank's Arm holdings, will help fund $22.5 billion in new investments in OpenAI and other initiatives, such as acquiring ABB's robotics business.

The sale of the share also contributed to SoftBank's great quarter, as its Vision Fund made $19 billion and helped the business treble its profits. SoftBank still has a lot to do with the AI ecosystem, from big language models to robots, even if it sold its Nvidia shares. A lot of this still operates on Nvidia technology.

SoftBank may rejig its portfolio, but it still believes in the same future that Nvidia is working toward.

Big investors are trimming Nvidia: Heres why theyre still bullish on AI

SoftBank wasn't the only one to cut down on Nvidia stock this year, but the reasons on Wall Street appear more like a cleanup than a rule-breaking move.

Several big investors, including State Street, Bridgewater Associates, and T. Rowe Price, have soldpart of their NVDA stakes in the last few quarters. This is mostly because they want to keep their portfolios from being too concentrated following Nvidia's spectacular run.
Many partners use RippleNet's messaging (xCurrent) to speed and monitor transfers, even if they don't use XRP on every transaction. Those that do leverage XRP typically use it for remittances or FX liquidity.

Other well-known partners (past or present) include MoneyGram (North America/LatAm), India's Kotak Mahindra and IndusInd, Brazil's Itau and Banco Rendimento, and fintechs like Finastra (UK). The network now touches major markets in Asia, Europe, the Americas and the Middle East.

U.S. banks are also testing Ripple technology. PNC Bank has joined RippleNet, and even Bank of America has confirmed pilots of Ripple's rails. Ripple's press release notes "over 45 countries and six continents" with RippleNet customers, including banks in Pakistan (Faysal Bank), Qatar, and Bangladesh (bKash).

The 300-plus figure includes a wide mix of banks and money-transfer firms. Santander in Europe uses RippleNet (via its One Pay FX app) for faster remittances. In Asia, Japan's SBI Remit and Thailand's Siam Commercial Bank have live XRP liquidity corridors, and firms like Tranglo (Malaysia) run ODL corridors.

Ripples RippleNet now counts over 300 banks and financial institutions as clients.

While not all use XRP ( CRYPTO: XRP ) directly, the growing network is attracting serious interest from Wall Street. The key question is: Will these partnerships finally translate into real XRP demand and price traction?

Ripple's XRP ecosystem just hit a major milestone: over 300 banks and financial institutions have now partnered with RippleNet. These include firms across North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, using Ripple's blockchain rails for cross-border settlement and liquidity.

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Most RippleNet banks use messaging technology without directly using XRP for transactions.

Ripple raised $500M at a $40B valuation from Citadel Securities and other institutional investors in November 2025.

Ripple has partnered with over 300 banks and financial institutions across six continents for cross-border settlement.

Story Continues

Ripple reported in 2019 that early adopters of ODL included remittance leaders and FX firms (MoneyGram, Viamericas, FlashFX, goLance, Interbank Peru), with ODL usage jumping sevenfold in a matter of months. MoneyGram's partnership was wound down in 2021 amid U.S. regulatory pressure.

RLUSD Stablecoin Integration Plans

SBI Remit signed a 2025 memorandum with Ripple to introduce RLUSD for cross-border remittances in Japan and BNY was named RLUSD custodian in July 2025. Ripple's ecosystem now blends XRP liquidity with fiat-backed stablecoins, offering banks a choice of digital rails.

Ripples Banking Partnership Implications for Wall Street and Crypto

DUSAN ZIDAR / Shutterstock.com

Here are the implications of Ripples expanding partnerships on Wall Street and the crypto market.

Wall Street Notices Ripples Reach But XRP Adoption Stalls

For Wall Street and traditional finance, the 300-partner mark signals crypto's creeping integration with legacy finance. Dozens of banks are willing to experiment with blockchain tools. But analysts caution that adoption of XRP itself remains the big unknown.

Over 300 banks reportedly use RippleNet, but most aren't using XRP. This means banks can join the network without touching the cryptocurrency if they use Ripple's messaging or stablecoin features. The success of XRP as an asset hinges on banks actually choosing it for liquidity.

Industry experts have weighed in on this divide. Ripple's Chief Technology Officer, David Schwartz, recently acknowledged that many clients have preferred off-chain settlement so far, but said new features (like "permissioned domains" for compliance) will drive on-chain use. He also argued that XRP's volatility "isn't really a disadvantage" if institutions aren't extremely risk-averse. Banks might accept price swings if the upside (faster settlement) outweighs the downside.

Others point out that banks have traditionally been concerned about crypto volatility and legal clarity. A crypto strategist notes that banks have a stronger appetite for "digital dollars" (stablecoins) than for a floating asset.

Institutional Investment Signals Confidence

Wall Street's interest is clear from recent investments. In November 2025, Ripple raised $500 million at a $40 billion valuation from backers including Citadel Securities, Fortress Investment Group and Brevan Howard. These big investors rarely make symbolic bets, suggesting they see value in Ripple's payments infrastructure.

The cash flow at Ripple shows institutional players now view the network more as a regulated financial infrastructure provider than as a speculative token play. Ripple's acquisitions (prime broker Hidden Road, custodian Palisade, treasury firm GTreasury) and its new stablecoin stack (RLUSD on XRPL) resemble a classic banking pipeline built on blockchain rails.

Mastercard and other partners are piloting XRPL-based stablecoin settlements for card payments, a step Ripple says "can enhance settlement" and bring digital assets into everyday payments. These moves suggest XRP and its blockchain are being rebranded as part of a broad institutional payment system.

How RippleNet Affects XRP's Price

Alexandru Nika / Shutterstock.com

Even as RippleNet expands, crypto markets balance utility factors against price moves. XRP's on-chain volume and volatility tend to spike around major legal or adoption news. After a court ruling in July 2025 that cleared XRP of being an unregistered security, trading volume shot up to $4 billion, showing how regulatory clarity can drive interest.

XRP's price more than tripled in 2025 after the SEC case ended and Wall Street backing emerged. Some analysts have set optimistic price targets ($5-$8 by 2026), but most stress that XRP's real value depends on sustained bank usage.

In Ripple's view, XRP is no longer just a speculative coin but a "coordination mechanism" within a regulated payment stack. Its ultimate success may hinge on factors such as stablecoin adoption and cross-border volume. Wall Street observers see this development as a positive sign that crypto technologies are influencing global finance. XRP needs increased adoption with financial institutions if its price is to keep rising.

For now, 300-plus partnerships give XRP a broad "network effect" in payments, but the market will be watching actual flows, new technology rollouts (ODL lanes, RLUSD), and regulatory developments. If Ripple can convert its massive partner roster into active usage of XRP (or its stablecoins) for real transactions, it could play a bigger role in the $6 trillion cross-border industry. If not, the 300 figure remains an impressive headline without a guarantee of on-chain volume.
I just was really interested in how so many people could really change their life and reach their goals a lot sooner with investing, Greene shared with the WSJ. Saving alone isnt enough anymore to keep up with high prices.

And then theres 17yearold Julia Greene, who asked her father to open a brokerage account for her when she was a freshman in high school. With a $2,000 portfolio, Greenes goal is to familiarize herself with the stock market at an early age in order to become comfortable with investing once she starts working full time.

Due to this years market volatility, Provencher decided to diversify his portfolio. After the stock market dipped following President Trumps sweeping Liberation Day tariffs, Provencher invested in a small-cap fund to help him weather the storm.

Take 21yearold Max Provencher, for example. Provencher  a senior at Bentley University who is leveraging a $20Kplus portfolio to land interviews at investment firms  funds his trades with summer jobs, dividing his assets across individual stocks, mutual funds and a moneymarket buffer. He started investing at the age of 16 when his father gave him $1,000 to start.

The Wall Street Journal spoke with a few savvy Gen Z investors, some of whom are taking it slowly, while others are already sitting on six-figure portfolios (2).

Some are more cautious than others, but theyre coming in strong, and theyre doing it with the mindset of seasoned investors.

And then theres Gen Z, which began saving and investing at 19 on average. Fresh out of high school, teens and those in their early 20s appear to be diving into stocks , ETFs and even crypto with enthusiasm; chasing returns, testing strategies and reshaping smart investing in a volatile market.

Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake  heres what it is and 3 simple steps to fix it ASAP

Robert Kiyosaki says this 1 asset will surge 400% in a year  and he begs investors not to miss its explosion'

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Baby boomers reportedly began investing at an average age of 35, while those who belong to Gen X began investing at 32 on average, according to the 2024 Schwab Modern Wealth survey (1). Millennials seemed to be much more eager to enter the market, as this generation typically started investing at an average age of 25.

In years past, Americans would typically start investing in the stock market once they entered their 30s.

Story Continues

Greene has diversified her portfolio by allocating money across three ETFs: one focused on dividend stocks, another on tech stocks and a third thats focused on emerging-market stocks.

Michael Paladino, a 27yearold from Florida, has about $450,000 in a portfolio that features tech and artificial intelligence stocks. He says his investment journey began when he learned about the power of compounding returns in an economics class in college.

Five dollars a day and you could retire a millionaire, said Paladino.

Mary Esposito, a 22yearold in North Carolina, built a knitting business in high school, which allowed her to invest her profits. Esposito now automates $1,000 a month to her Roth IRA and picks stocks like Microsoft, Nvidia and Apple for the long haul. She looks over her accounts about once a week and tries not to overreact to market downturns.

Among the Americans in Gen Z between the ages of 18 and 25, about 56 % report holding an investment of some kind, according to a report from the CFA Institute (3).

Of the Gen Z-ers who invest, 55% are primarily invested in cryptocurrency, 19% of investing Gen Z-ers hold only cryptocurrency assets, 41% have money in individual stocks, and 35% invest in mutual funds, states the CFA Institutes report.

If youre a youthful member of Gen Z, time is on your side when it comes to investing. Starting young can give you decades of compounding returns, and savvy young investors like the ones mentioned above appear to be well aware of this. And even if the market takes a temporary dive, a youthful investor can afford to ride out a 20 % dip considering they have a longer runway for a rebound.

According to YouGov, social media plays a big role in how Gen Z-ers put together their portfolios; one in five say it influences their choices, while 32% say they use it as a reference for information on investments (4). And while trust is an important factor, Gen Z investors also tend to rely more on friends and family than they do on traditional investment advisors.

Trending: Are you richer than you think? Here are 5 clear signs youre punching way above the average Americans wealth

What we can learn from young investors

There certainly are lessons we can learn from the youthful investors mentioned above, but their circumstances are very different when compared to the many investors out there who dont exactly have time on their side.

Here are some useful strategies we can take from our intrepid young investors, as well as a few things to avoid if your appetite for risk doesnt quite match theirs.

Buy early and with intention

If youre young, you can use time to your advantage. But dont just throw money at stocks because you have time on your side. Instead, do your research (as Provencher has done) or consult with a financial advisor who can help you invest with intention.

Stay connected to your holdings

Remember that information is power. Provencher tunes in to earnings calls and signs up for press releases from companies he may want to invest in. Staying informed gives you clarity on your investments and potential opportunities, which can help you with making big decisions.

If you own stock in a company, follow its earnings and stay updated on any news that may affect its stock value. And if you hold an investment fund, youd be wise to know whats inside it as well as what risks it may carry.

Adjust your risk profile

The young investors mentioned above can tolerate a higher level of risk, but based on your age and personal situation, you may want to adjust your risk tolerance as your needs change.

For example, if youre close to retirement  when youll likely begin to rely on your savings and investments for income  you might lean toward more stable, low-risk investments like a Certificate of Deposit .

Automate and build good habits

Espositos $1,000/month investment system is a great model for saving and investing because it eliminates emotional timing mistakes, while also ensuring that she doesnt forget to invest her savings.

Esposito also regularly checks on her investments, showing that young investors arent just contributing money to investment accounts and forgetting all about it. Instead, todays youthful investors stay plugged in to maximize their returns.

Be aware of market volatility

If youre a young investor, take a page out of Paladinos playbook and try not to sweat a market downturn. If youre 25 and the market falls 20%, by 30 it could be back at all-time highs, said Paladino.

However, if youve been investing for years and youre prioritizing stability , consider defensive investments like bonds , commodities and defensive stocks .

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Article sources

We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines .

Charles Schwab ( 1 ); The Wall Street Journal ( 2 ); CFA Institute ( 3 ); YouGov ( 4 )

This article originally appeared on Moneywise.com under the title: Young adults, led by Gen Z, are investing earlier than ever. Here's how they're playing this years volatile market

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Photo by BeInCrypto

Zcash (ZEC) is facing its most volatile week of the year. From its recent high near $750, the coin has now fallen more than 35%. Despite the sharp correction, many experts remain bullish on ZEC.

What makes them believe this correction wont derail a stronger upcoming bull run? Here are the key details.

Why Experts Are Optimistic About Zcash

With its focus on privacy, ZEC represents more than just a cryptocurrency. Many investors view it as a symbol of the growing demand for security and confidentiality in the crypto space.

Although the price has dropped sharply, the amount of ZEC locked in the Zcash Shielded Pool  the networks core privacy layer  has surged. This growth reflects a rising appetite for privacy-focused transactions.

Shielded Pools are mechanisms in Zcash that enable private and anonymous transactions.

Zcash Total Shielded Pool. Source: zkp.baby

Historical data from the Zcash Total Shielded Pool show that the number of ZEC locked in the pool rose from approximately 2.6 million at the end of March to more than 4.1 million by early November. The growth curve has turned almost vertical in recent months.

The shielded pool on Zcash is literally vertical. The privacy properties are improving in real time. Speculation turning into stronger privacy properties in a reflexive loop is one of the most incredible things I've seen in crypto, Mert, CEO of Helius Labs, said.

A new report from a16z Crypto, a leading venture fund in the blockchain industry, also emphasized that privacy concerns are becoming more urgent than ever as crypto adoption expands among mainstream users.

a16z Crypto's Report on Privacy Narrative. Source: a16z

a16z highlighted several key factors:

Google searches for keywords such as crypto privacy, blockchain privacy, and financial privacy have surged in 2025.

The Railgun protocol, which hides transaction paths, has seen rapid growth in capital inflows over the past two years.

The US Treasury Department lifted sanctions on Tornado Cash, signaling a softer regulatory stance toward privacy protocols.

Omid Malekan, a professor at Columbia Business School and crypto expert, expressed a similar view. He noted that while privacy has long been recognized as important, it has been neglected for too long in the industry.

While on the subject of friends coming home, I think the Zcash surge is something every single person in crypto should be happy about, regardless of individual financial exposure or what the coin does going forward, Omid Malekan said.

Arthur Hayes, co-founder of BitMEX, also urged holders to withdraw their ZEC from centralized exchanges and hold their assets in self-custody.

The optimism shared by these industry figures goes beyond short-term price performance. Their voices could influence retail investors, potentially helping ZEC recover.
States such as Minnesota and Illinois have recently achieved USDA unaffected status for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in their dairy herds, and the federal governments National Milk Testing Strategy has maintained its 46-state enrollment, with the most recent USDA-APHIS data showing that 33 states are unaffected, and another nine in provisionally unaffected status. Still, escalating national and global instances of the virus moving beyond commercial poultry flocks and wild bird populations to domestic and wild mammals have some organizations sounding the alarm about confirmed cases in U.S. dairy herds. The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) issued a statement on Oct. 22 centered around their claim that HPAIs ongoing circulation in dairy cattle in the United States of America is raising concern within the international community. The U.S. is one of the 183 nation members of WOAH, all of which are called upon in the statement to increase surveillance of wild and domestic birds as well as cattle populations in regions where the presence of HPAI has been confirmed. Additional WOAH recommendations are to include HPAI as a differential diagnosis in non-avian species, especially under the following circumstances:

Animals are exhibiting clinical signs that indicate HPAI.

There are sick or dead animals near HPAI-affected premises.

Cases are suspected due to exposure or epidemiological relationship to either suspected or confirmed instances.

Further recommendations are to notify WOAH of avian influenza cases in cattle or other unusual hosts, along with establishing and implementing proactive measures and reactive responses to help break the transmission cycle. Movement restrictions and stringent biosecurity, particularly in milking parlors, are suggested.

From an economic and trade standpoint, the organization advised avoiding unjustified trade restrictions, stating that import risk management decisions should be based on science and WOAHs International Standards.

The USDA-APHIS website hosts maps of HPAI-affected states, including a situational update, which shows new confirmed cases within the last 30 days, as well as a current status by state map, which delineates affected, unaffected, and provisionally unaffected conditions. The most recent data indicates that Idaho is the latest state with an H5N1 case in a dairy herd, confirmed Oct. 10. Nebraska and Texas both had new cases in September.

To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com.
GUEST RESEARCH: Two-thirds of retail executives say it is becoming more difficult for employees to identify real threats as AI increases the complexity of threats.

LevelBlue, the worlds largest pure-play provider of managed security services, has released its 2025 Spotlight Report: Aligning Cyber Resilience and Business Goals in Retail. The report explores how the retail industry is building a proactive stance in protecting itself from increasingly sophisticated attacks. Amid pressure to integrate AI-powered personalised shopping experiences, expand into third-party marketplace platforms, or pursue new revenue streams through re-commerce models, retailers face the challenge of establishing cyber resilience at a time when the threat landscape is intensifying.

As the threat landscape rapidly evolves, retailers are facing substantial attacks. The report reveals 44 per cent of retailers say they are experiencing a significantly higher volume of attacks and 34 per cent say their organisation has suffered a breach in the past 12 months. While many retailers are aware of new threats they may face, many of them remain unprepared, especially when it comes to AI-powered attacks, deepfakes, and synthetic identity attacks. Specifically, only 25 per cent say they are prepared for AI-powered threats, even though 45 per cent expect them to happen, and 33 per cent say they are prepared for deepfake attacks, even though 44 per cent expect them to happen.

Beyond AI and deepfakes, supply chain security remains a major challenge. Nearly half (47 per cent) of executives say they have very low to moderate visibility into their software supply chain, and only 22 per cent say that engaging with suppliers about their security credentials is a top three priority in the next 12 months.

As a result of these increasing threats, retailers are forced to take cybersecurity more seriously and make cyber resilience a priority. 67 per cent of executives reporting high-profile breaches have pushed cybersecurity up the C-suite agenda, and executives say that increasing boardroom engagement in cyber-resilience discussions will be a top five priority for the next 12 months.

Kory Daniels, Chief Security and Trust Officer, LevelBlue, said, Criminal activity and nation state-backed actors are leveraging AI to increase the sophistication, volume, and success of their attacks. It is imperative for businesses to adopt a resilience-by-design playbook to have success defending their clients, suppliers, and organisational data.

Retailers success requires the trust of consumers and suppliers, and there is still an opportunity for organisations to close critical gaps. While many organisations are taking proactive steps, challenges indicate the need for ongoing investments and continued cyber-resilient culture to be effective in an evolving threat landscape.

The report reveals additional indicators of retailers proactively focusing on improving cybersecurity measures including:

60 per cent of executives say their cybersecurity team is integrated with lines of business.

51 per cent say that leadership roles in their organisation are measured against cybersecurity performance indicators.

44 per cent say they have effectively aligned business risk appetites with cybersecurity risk management.

40 per cent say they have an effective company-wide cybersecurity culture.

Additionally, retailers say they are most likely to invest significantly in the following areas to prepare for evolving threats:

Application security (66 per cent).

Cyber-resilience processes across the business (65 per cent).

Generative AI for social engineering attacks (63 per cent).

Machine learning for pattern matching (63 per cent).

Based on these findings, LevelBlue recommends four specific steps for retailers to achieve a future of cyber resilience: push cyber resilience up the organisation, embed cybersecurity responsibilities throughout the organisation, be proactive (not reactive), and prioritise resilience in the software supply chain.

This means integrating cyber-resilience considerations with business decisions at the highest level, fostering a cyber-resilient culture across the entire organisation, investing in cybersecurity measures to get ahead of risks, such as advanced threat detection and response and exposure and vulnerability management technologies, and mandating transparency of suppliers cybersecurity credentials to help identify potential threats in the software supply chain.

Download the complete findings of the 2025 LevelBlue Spotlight Report: Aligning Cyber Resilience and Business Goals in Retail here to learn how retailers are adapting to the changing threat landscape.

For more information on LevelBlue and its managed security, consulting, and threat intelligence services, please visit www.levelblue.com.

Methodology

The research is based on a quantitative survey that was carried out by FT Longitude in January 2025. 1,500 C-suite and senior executives across 14 countries and seven specific industries: energy and utilities, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, transportation, US state and local government, and higher education (US SLED).

About LevelBlue

LevelBlue reduces risk and builds lasting resilience so organisations can innovate and advance their mission with confidence. As the worlds most analyst-recognised and largest pure-play managed security services provider, LevelBlue elevates client outcomes that matter: stronger defence, faster response, and sustained business continuity. LevelBlue combines AI-powered security operations, advanced threat intelligence, and elite human expertise to provide the most comprehensive portfolio of strategic advisory, managed security, offensive security, and incident response services.

Learn more at levelblue.com.
Dematic , a global leader in supply chain automation, has expanded its Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) portfolio with the launch of the new Reach Truck Series (RTS) 120. Designed for high-bay, single-selective racking environments, the RTS 120 combines proven reach truck functionality with the benefits of driverless automation. It delivers consistent high-bay handling with precision and safety, making it a versatile solution for both new facilities and existing sites.

Unlike many automation technologies that require purpose-built layouts, Dematics newest AGV has been engineered to work within new and existing racking and warehouse designs. This flexibility allows businesses to integrate automation into current operations without major infrastructure changes, reducing time to value and lowering upfront investment costs. For operations already using manual reach trucks, the RTS 120 provides a direct path to automation without disrupting existing workflows.

Available in several models, the RTS 120 introduces an important addition to the Dematic AGV range. The new models leverage the same core Dematic AGV technology platform, ensuring consistency, reliability, and ease of integration. With capacities up to 1,200 kg and reach heights up to 10 metres, the AGV brings a new level of precision to high-bay racking, operating safely and reliably in spaces where manual forklifts typically face greater risk of error and damage.

Manufactured and supported in Australia, the RTS 120 is backed by Dematics locally developed software and deep engineering expertise. This ensures responsive support, streamlined upgrades, and close alignment with regional customer needs.

The robust design of the RTS 120 means it can operate reliably in high-bay environments where precision is critical, all while providing advanced safety features that minimise rack and product damage, says Tony Raggio, General Manager Sales  Mobile Automation ANZ Dematic. By integrating directly with warehouse management and control systems, the RTS 120 brings reach truck automation into the mainstream, providing businesses with the flexibility to scale and adapt as their operations evolve.

Safety and predictability are key design principles of the RTS 120. Its advanced laser-guided navigation ensures precise positioning and smooth handling, while enhancing operator and facility safety. With travel speeds of up to 1.7 metres per second and compatibility across ambient, chilled, and freezer environments, these AGVs maintain performance in even the most demanding warehouse conditions.

The AGVs integrate seamlessly with Dematics MANAGE+ AGV Warehouse Control Software (WCS), which connects with existing warehouse management and control systems. This end-to-end visibility allows businesses to coordinate AGV operations with other automated assets, including palletisers, pallet shuttles, and robotic picking cells, unlocking opportunities for predictive logistics and data-driven optimisation.

The RTS 120 represents a step change for customers who want to automate reach truck tasks without a complete redesign of their site, adds Raggio. It delivers tangible benefits like reducing labour requirements, improving safety, and achieving strong ROI, while laying the foundation for resilient and agile logistics, where businesses can use real-time data to make smarter, faster supply chain decisions.
Yealink has been making SIP phones, video conferencing equipment, and more for almost a quarter of a century. It's no surprise then that its flagship Bluetooth headset brings truly brilliant audio, wrapped in a package that's so comfortable you could genuinely wear it all day.

Yealink hit the market in 2001, rapidly becoming China's number one provider of SIP phones for VoIP telephony. It added video conferencing equipment to its portfolio in 2015 and today you'll find Yealink equipment in many a conference room around you. They still lead in SIP phones, while also providing DECT phones, headsets, cameras, and more. Yealink equipment is certified for Microsoft Teams and Zoom, among other common platforms.

I'd been keen to try out Yealink's headphones for some time; if you're across consumer brands you'll know Bose, Sony, Sonos, and others all produce great headphones with incredible clarity, amazing noise cancellation, and other features. However, business-grade headsets often lag behind. Well, here comes the Yealink BH76 Plus which is feature-packed and whether you use it for business meetings and presentations, or to relax and listen to your own music or podcasts, it's a tremendous, solid, option.

From the moment I first put the headset on - even before powering it on - I felt the noise around me drain away, while feeling the soft memory-foam cushion cups fit nicely over my ears.

Specs-wise, the device features three levels of active noise cancellation - high, medium, and ambient sounds - while Yealink acoustic shield technology leverages multiple beam-forming noise-cancellation microphones to cut out distracting noises. All this means no matter if you are in the office or at the airport, at home or on the street, the headphones are working to help you hear what's being said to you while emphasising your spoken words to your listeners too.

The battery lasts for 40 hours on a three-hour charge, but can fast charge for four hours use within three minutes. It supports both USB and Qi charging, though the fast charging is only available via cable. Yealink also sells a stylish headphone stand and Qi charger as an accessory, though iTWire has not seen this ourselves.

The boom mic is retractable, and in a novel approach, actually slides into the headset itself taking it completely out of the way. Most all headsets iTWire sees have mics that fold up (and mute) and down again, or that are flexible and can be moved out of the way, or even which detach only to get lost. It's quite novel to see a mic that literally disappears. On the flip side, it means the headset can only be worn one particular way.

Nicely, the headphones sport a busy light so your colleagues, or children, will notice when you're on a call and won't disturb you. Well, we can all live in hope, anyway, that the "are you on a call" people will pay attention.

I'd mentioned comfort; right away you feel the nice soft ear cups and headband. They've been designed, Yealink says, for genuine all-day usage and with that, all-day comfort. In fact, the box includes a set of replacable earpads so you can go with earcups or earpads. That's also a nice touch from Yealink which, again, stands out from other rank-and-file headset manufacturers. The over-the-ear cups will enhance the noise cancellation while, understandably, if you select earpads you may find some loss. Nevertheless, you might also find the earcups make your ears hot after an extended period of use so it's all a bit of give-and-take. The main thing is you have the freedom of choice and can alternate during the day or as your mood takes you.

From Yealink's heritage as a SIP phone manufacturer, the BH76 Plus is certified for a wide array of platforms: Teams, Zoom, 3CX, 8x8, RingCentral, Genesys, Mitel, and others, along with handsets by Yealink (of course), Cisco, Avaya, Poly, and others.

The speakers have a 35 mm driver, with 20 Hz-20 kHz music bandwidth, and 100 Hz-8 kHz for speak mode. It offers Bluetooth 5.2, and can be paired with up to eight devices, and be simultaneously connected to two - such as your laptop and mobile phone, for example.

A USB dongle is included that is pre-paired with the headphones; plug it into your computer and off you go, or, of course, you can pair via Bluetooth. Now, iTWire found this a little tricky. It wasn't helped by the all-black buttons and headphone cushion, nor by the teeny-tiny instruction manual. Younger eyes may well have no issue here, but I struggled to read the small print. Happily, I found this helpful Yealink video to get me through it:

Yealink also supplies a smartphone app to manage your phone, along with a Windows/Mac app - but, unfortunately, the macOS version is for Intel-based Macs only. There's no Apple Silicon app, that iTWire could find. Nevertheless, you can use the smartphone app to upgrade firmware and perform other management. However, the app is for the individual headset connected to your device; iTWire did not find a wider enterprise-aimed app that allows IT departments to centrally manage and configure fleets of headsets, such as that provided by Epos for its headset range.

Nevertheless, that's moot; as an all-day device the headset really performed. iTWire used it for meetings and interviews and calls, then switched to music mode after hours. The headset offers dynamic EQ and can automatically detect when you're playing music vs. dealing with voices.

We genuinely found the Yealink BH76 Plus to be a premium business headset with highly competitive battery life, excellent noise isolation and ANC, with USB/Bluetooth flexibility, and comfortable all-day wear. The UC certification makes it a solid choice for remote/hybrid workers, call centre users, executive desk setups, or indeed, anyone who frequently moves between laptop and mobile for meetings.

It is slightly heavier than ultra-light headsets, the mic boom design possibly restricts wearing orientation, and the lack of Apple Silicon support might disappoint Mac power users. But, on the other hand, you have both on-ear and over-ear options in the one package, and definitely many strong specs that make it well worth testing out for business users who also want to enjoy quality audio in their downtime just as much as they demand quality audio during the day.

Studies suggest poor audio during meetings can really impact your attention span, your attention to detail, and thus the outcomes that happen as a result of that meeting. There's a clear business case for investing in quality headphones, and the Yealink BH76 is a great option that you must check out.

The Yealink BH76 Plus is available from Yealink directly, and possibly through your UC/MSP partners. It's also available from Officeworks at $379, Big W for $399 including charging stand, and even Bunnings for $328.41, albeit via a marketplace seller so you can't go pick one up while getting a sausage sandwich. You'll also find it at more conventional UC resellers like digiDirect for $374 including charging stand.

Yealink offers the headset in a range of different SKUs so check those sites carefully to be sure it's the model you want, with variations including USB-A over USB-C, and so on.
[Provisional translation]

On November 13, 2025, Prime Minister Takaichi held a summit meeting with Hon. Mr. Sitiveni Ligamamada RABUKA, Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji, at the Prime Ministers Office.

Following a salute and guard of honor ceremony, the two leaders held a meeting, followed by a signing ceremony and joint press occasion.

The Prime Minister said at the joint press occasion:

On behalf of the Government and people of Japan, I would like to extend my heartfelt welcome to Prime Minister Rabuka of Fiji for visiting Japan. It is my great pleasure to meet with you for the first time today.

Amid the increasingly severe strategic environment surrounding the Indo-Pacific, strengthening our cooperation with Fiji  a regional leader among the Pacific island countries and a partner with which we share fundamental values and principles  is of paramount importance to the peace and prosperity of both our two countries and the region as a whole.

At our summit meeting just now, we affirmed that our two countries will work together toward the realization of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) in coordination with the Ocean of Peace vision advocated by Prime Minister Rabuka.

We also affirmed that we will continue to work closely together in addressing regional challenges, and agreed to further strengthen our bilateral cooperation across a wide range of areas, including the economy and security.

Since establishing diplomatic relations with Fiji in 1970, Japan has supported sustainable and resilient economic development of Fiji through development cooperation in a variety of areas, such as infrastructure, education, health and medical care, and disaster prevention.

Recent years have seen progress in various cooperative efforts, including Official Security Assistance (OSA) and other security issues, justice, and sports exchanges.

As our bilateral relationship of trust and cooperation continues to develop, Prime Minister Rabuka and I have just signed the Lomavata Kizuna Partnership. I am pleased that this will elevate our bilateral relations to greater heights.

Incidentally, Lomavata means unity in the Fijian language. Guided by this partnership, I will work together with Prime Minister Rabuka to deepen the unity and kizuna between our two countries and build a strong and enduring relationship.
 Georgetown County (South Carolina) Sheriff's officers were called to a home on reports of an assault in progress, Fox59-TV reported.

Deputies were told that the fight started while siblings Anthony Harper and Hope Harper were cooking chicken.

Hope Harper allegedly asked her brother "why he didn't season the chicken ... so it could crust up," the report said.

When Hope called Anthony a "dumb dog," he pushed her into a table and punched her.

Someone else in the home fired a 9mm handgun into the ceiling, hoping to stop the brawl, but no -- Hope retrieved a steak knife and started swinging it at her brother.

Next, their grandmother swatted Hope with a broom until she backed off.

But Anthony, his chef cred cruelly questioned, picked up a can of Raid bug spray and sprayed Hope on the neck and face until she grabbed the can and sprayed him back.

Each of the siblings is pressing charges against the other; both were released on bond. [Fox59, 8/1/2024]
The Kensington community is still reeling after the deaths of Amanda Cahill and Joey Gabor, who both died in custody shortly after being arrested during the areas controversial narcotics sweeps at the end of 2024. While we dont know the details behind these deaths, they are alarming and depict the vulnerability of those incarcerated with substance use disorder. We as physicians working to curtail the opioid epidemic must advocate for increased access to care in prisons for some of our most vulnerable patients to see further preventable tragedy.

On September 4, a 31-year-old mother of two was arrested during a sweep in Kensington conducted by the Philadelphia police. She was taken to the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center and died during the early hours of September 7. While the cause of death remains unknown, she is among more than 20 individuals who have died while in custody in the Philadelphia prison system according to the Inquirer. On December 12, yet another tragedy occurred as Joey Gabor, a 41-year-old resident of Fishtown, was arrested in Kensington on December 11 and later found unresponsive on December 12 and was subsequently pronounced dead. Drug paraphernalia was reportedly found around his body, raising continuous concern for the issue of understaffing and oversight within the jail and prison system.

The criminalization of addiction has been a long-standing problem across the United States with dire consequences for individuals impacted. In 2020, a class action lawsuit was filed against the Philadelphia Department of Prisons and the city alleging inhumane conditions. After a settlement agreement in 2022, the city of Philadelphia was ordered to pay $25 million after being found in contempt of that agreement. The state of Philadelphia prisons has been thoroughly documented by the Pennsylvania Prison Society, an organization whose mission is dedicated to reporting on prison conditions. As recently as August 2024, their report detailed inadequate meal portions, insufficient time out of cells, and physical plant issues including excessive heat and leaky pipes. Another notable finding was a reported wait time of more than one week for requested medical care. Concerns surrounding short-staffing and dangerous conditions persist despite years of efforts to inspire change and the most recent deaths continue to highlight the need for drastic improvements.

It is ethically dubious to criminalize behavior that results from disease and the recent events in Philadelphia highlight the significant repercussions of arresting people for using illicit substances without a system for prompt and effective medical care. Punitive measures are not effective for treating substance use disorder and can cause significant morbidity and mortality during initial intake and release. Data from 2009 indicated that half of people in prison had an undiagnosed and untreated use disorder. After release from prison, a person has a significantly increased risk of drug overdose, with research suggesting ten times more risk than the general population. We know the dangers of criminalizing substance use. Yet, we still do not have a system in place to safely treat people arrested for illegal substance possession secondary to a substance use disorder or an alternative to incarceration.

Deliberate indifference to the serious medical needs of prisoners was deemed constitutionally prohibited in a 1976 Supreme Court case. Still, outside of these ambiguous terms, there are no universal standards or regulations for health care in U.S. prisons or jails. Organizations like the National Commission on Correctional Health Care set standards of care and offer accreditation, but federal, private, and state prisons and jails are subject to varying federal, state, and county guidelines. People with substance use disorders are even worse off due to the undertreatment of their disease while in prison.

Ultimately, we do not know all the specifics of what happened to Amanda Cahill and Joey Gabor. Still, their deaths shine a light on the need for increased access to medical care in prisons for our most vulnerable patients suffering in this epidemic. Having access to addiction-medicine-trained physicians who can assist with withdrawal and initiating medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) while incarcerated can be one step forward.

The physicians and medical students at Doctors for America continue to advocate for patients with substance use disorder and call on our lawmakers to do the same.

Kendall Major, Tommy Gautier, Alyssa Lambrecht, and Elle Saine are members of the Doctors for America Substance Use Disorder Subcommittee.
An excerpt from Wonderful and Broken: The Complex Reality of Primary Care in the United States.

In a health care system full of paradoxes, this is perhaps the most striking. Primary care delivering value-based care is seen by many as the solution for an inefficient, inequitable, and poorly-performing health care system. Yet it is a shocking mess of burnout and depletion. With all the radical intention of Lenin, we must ask, What is to be done? Fortunately, there is no shortage of voices in health care that want to undo this harm and put primary cares Humpty Dumpty back together again. The federal government and various state governments have launched a host of medical payment reforms designed to promote primary care. So have small, state-based insurers and large corporate insurers, which are attempting to encourage value-based approaches. Some of these insurers have also begun to organize their own primary care groups, directly employing the primary care clinicians. Increasingly, large retail chains (such as CVS Health and Walgreens) have done the same in fits and starts. And private equity investors are organizing and buying primary care practices. All these interventions are based on both the rhetoric of primary care being foundational and the perception that, at present, much of primary care is failing. The proposals also share a common faith that we can move to a value-based health care system, which entails turning from fee-for-service to methods of prospective payment.

The goal of this book is to assess whether there has been real progress, and whether the primary care sector will do a better job of assisting patients with their health care journey, delivering value-based care, and producing a more efficient health care system. As noted, there is little research to this point on the evolution of primary care. The insightful blogger and commentator Kevin OLeary recently revisited an article by Paul Keckley written in 2019, Primary Care Is the Bridge to Health System Transformation: Who Will Build That Bridge? Keckley had outlined the transition from small practice Primary Care 1.0, to hospital aggregation of Primary Care 2.0, to primary care practices designed to manage care, Primary Care 3.0. Keckley argued that building Primary Care 3.0 was motivated by the perception that spending more on primary care would reduce specialist and hospital spending, and thereby total spending. He also recognized that traditional Primary Care 1.0 and 2.0 could not justify additional capital investment; the savings on total cost of care were critical. At the center of Primary Care 3.0 was the well-resourced team of clinicians (nurses, doctors, advanced practice clinicians, pharmacists, and care coordinators) who anticipated patient needs and avoided costly episodes of care.

Keckley proposed that the potential investors in Primary Care 3.0 would likely be hospitals, insurers, private investors, and retail health. OLeary, writing five years later, found that hospitals really had not contributed. He pointed out that insurers, investors, and retail health had all made sporadic progress, punctuated by well-publicized retreats. In summary, he concluded, it doesnt seem that any of the approaches have been consistently successful in investing in a new wave of Primary Care 3.0 that has disrupted the health care industry. Indeed, the health services literature contains few reports of disruptive innovations.

Ironically, some argue that existing investments and investors have had the opposite effect, essentially expediting the demise of primary care. Note that most of the investors enumerated by Keckley (and OLeary) are for-profit corporations. Many commentators, perhaps best represented by Professor Timothy Hoff, have argued that the weight of insurer, regulator, and corporate influences on primary care produces a healthcare marketplace that comes across as increasingly impersonal and transactional; coldly calculating and corporate in its strategizing; and relying on half-baked policies and delivery reforms that lack a true appreciation for the deep complexity of health care work. According to this line of reasoning, the would-be saviors are corroding what is left of primary care. They are not producing team-based Primary Care 3.0 but destroying Primary Care 1.0.

In its emphasis on the human touch and the moral commitment to the patient, this argument is appealing. But it offers no way forward. No primary care policy expert believes the answer is a return to small-group and solo private practice. More importantly, the financial basis for a return to the past is not apparent. Value-based primary care offers the promise of a health care system that is not only higher quality and more equitable, but also more efficient, something all payers seek. Given the runaway costs of American health care, it would be a welcome improvement. Traditional fee-for-service billing of individual evaluation and management codes is what has morally and financially bankrupted primary care.

What can a qualitative review of a reasonable number of practices suggest about progress toward a value-based primary care? As noted above, there are good data on the degree of dissatisfaction with the status quo, Primary Care 1.0 and 2.0. And there is not much empirical evidence of a Primary Care 3.0based disruption of health care. But value-based approaches to health care are taking seed in some areas, suggesting some promise for the future. Presuming that progress, the next natural question to ask is, what initiatives, which proponents of changes, and which investors in the largest sense of that word, are having real, even if small, impact? Given that we have few alternatives for reforming our health care system beyond trying to build a primary care base, those questions seem vital. The stakes are high for us as a country, as well as for every individual citizen and patient, and the solutions are of extreme importance. To uncover the progress, if any, of value-based primary care, I have spent much of the past three years talking to primary care clinicians and their administrative teams. Mine was an enriched sample, as I went first to primary care experts to identify examples of primary care teams that were focused on population health. I also used contacts in the insurance industry and in state governments to explore their initiatives. I tried to uncover not only each clinicians self-assessment of their practice but also the financial incentives underlying their organization.

All along, I turn to the voices of the doctors, nurses, care managers, and behavioral health experts who have advised me over the past three years and described the reality they face daily. In that vein, I intend this book to be a report from the front line. Its title is illustrative. One cold December Monday, I was in Lynn, Massachusetts, visiting with doctors at the Lynn Community Health Center, a large, federally-qualified health center in the less-than-gracefully aging center of Lynn. All its patients were low-income, either on Medicaid or uninsured. One of the doctors I met was Elizabeth Quinn. She grew up in Quincy, Massachusetts, went to Harvard University, and then attended medical school at the University of Massachusetts. She trained in family medicine at the Lawrence Community Health Center and now specializes in obstetrics care for women with substance use disorders. In all of medicine, it is hard to imagine a more exquisitely difficult and subtle set of human interactions than those produced by this intersection of the strength of motherhood with the tragedy of addiction.

Yet Quinn seemed perfect for the job. Her language, particularly in the way she made certain points, was exceptionally keen and insightful. Just as impressively, she was so grateful for all the help she got from her colleagues, from the community health center, and from Salem Hospital. Her response to my question about how she would describe her practice was slow in coming, yet measured and thoughtful. After a long pause, she said, Wonderful, crazy, broken. Perfectly put. In this book I allow that yes, primary care is broken, and it is absurd that we have let this happen. Most primary clinicians are unhappy, and their practices are unable to fulfill all of their patients needs. But I do see signs that primary care is moving to a value-based foundation, one that is driven by the marvel of the interactions of dedicated primary care clinicians with their patients.

Troyen A. Brennan is a physician executive and author of Wonderful and Broken: The Complex Reality of Primary Care in the United States.
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Cardiologist Saurabh Gupta discusses his article Physicians must lead the vetting of AI. In this episode, Saurabh explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping medicine and why its future depends on physician leadership, not passive adoption. Drawing from his experience in cardiology and AI development, he explains why every algorithm influencing clinical care must meet the same rigorous standards as any medical device or drug. Saurabh emphasizes that unvetted AI, not AI itself, is the real risk, underscoring the need for continuous validation, bias testing, and transparency. Viewers will learn how clinicians can move from users to stewards of technology, applying medical reasoning, accountability, and ethics to ensure that innovation truly serves patients.

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Transcript

Kevin Pho: Hi, and welcome to the show. Subscribe at KevinMD.com/podcast. Today we welcome Saurabh Gupta. Hes a cardiologist and physician executive. Todays KevinMD article is Physicians must lead the vetting of AI. Saurabh, welcome to the show.

Saurabh Gupta: Thank you, Kevin. I appreciate being here this morning with you.

Kevin Pho: All right, lets start by briefly sharing your story, and then well jump right into your KevinMD article.

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Saurabh Gupta: Of course. Im a cardiologist by background and training, and within cardiology, my focus and interests have been in innovation and cutting-edge therapies. For example, my team and I did some of the first transcatheter valve procedures on the West Coast way back. Leading on from that, Im now on my third startup.

Kevin Pho: Excellent. What got you into that health care startup space? A lot of physicians, of course, dont get that training when theyre going through medical school and residency. What initially got you interested in that intersection?

Saurabh Gupta: Absolutely. Mostly curiosity and the ability to impact more than what I was able to do one patient at a time, which is the most rewarding thing in the world to be able to do. But then how do you scale up and how do you solve the bigger challenges in medicine? Also, my core belief is that clinicians are ideally positioned to be at the forefront of innovation when it applies to the health care sector, whatever vertical you might add.

Kevin Pho: All right, and its an exciting time in the health startup space. Of course, were going to talk about artificial intelligence. Your KevinMD article is, Physicians must lead the vetting of AI. For those who did not get a chance to read your article, tell us what its about.

Saurabh Gupta: Its about my evolving thinking on that AI is now very, I wouldnt say intrusive, but that might be the word that a lot of my friends have mentioned to me, and in all aspects of clinical medicine. Scheduling systems are running on that. Billing systems are running on that. Increasingly, ambient learning systems are running on that. That got me thinking about what is the background architecture that supports these tools to be vetted. Are we applying the same level of rigor to these that we might otherwise apply to other therapies?

For example, you take medical devices. They have a ten- to fifteen-year life cycle of development, sometimes for good reason. Fast-forward to that. Then there were some conversations during my role on the Board of Governors of the American College of Cardiology on what should be the framework for vetting these. Then, as I mentioned, my belief that physicians have to be leading that.

Kevin Pho: Specific to AI, what are some of the dangers if we dont vet these tools properly in medicine?

Saurabh Gupta: Several. If you go through the article, Ive broken those down into four broader categories: for example, utility. Is it a technology that is in search of a solution, or is it actually solving a problem that we as clinicians and patients face every single day? Technical robustness.

Is it accurate? Is it precise? Is it as reliable across diverse populations as, for example, some of the therapies that we study are? Is there ethical integrity? Is there evidence of bias, whether it be implicit or just subconscious, in these AI systems? What is the regulatory transparency?

Do we understand the logic well enough to explain it, for example, to a patient when they say, How did you come to this decision, doctor?

Kevin Pho: How are we doing? I know that AI has been in health care only within the last few years now. I know we have a lot of ambient AI scribes, for instance, and now AI is moving into the role of decision support. How is medicine doing in terms of integrating AI responsibly into our workflows?

Saurabh Gupta: I think the technology has far outpaced the framework behind it that allows us to vet it. Theres no question about that. For all of our colleagues in modern medicine, every single day there is one or other AI system that is being presented as an option, whereas the framework of vetting behind them is not as well established.

Certainly, some of the non-patient-facing interventions are easier targets. For example, billing, even though its important, is a very, very reasonable early use case. But when it starts into what we call predictive AI and deterministic AI, and then perhaps prescriptive AI, then the guardrails have to be very, very strong on how these therapies, and I would use the word therapy here, get integrated into modern medicine.

Kevin Pho: Youre seeing various AI tools moving beyond the framework, moving beyond regulation, and sometimes with unintended consequences in medicine.

Saurabh Gupta: Oh, absolutely. The biggest challenge that Ive seen and struggle with is the lack of transparency around how these systems work. Because for most of us, for example, you take a blood pressure medicine, and mechanistically, there have been three decades of work on, Hey, this is an ACE inhibitor. Thats the enzyme in the renal system. Now we have a drug, and obviously you always have off-target effects, but in these AI systems, the base of technical innovation is marvelous. Thats fantastic. I worry that behind the scenes, the ability of clinicians to integrate this into their practice in a responsible way is behind.

Kevin Pho: How do you reconcile the two cultures? Because on one hand you have Silicon Valley, which is move fast and break things, and then you have medicine, which infamously moves much slower. If you adopt that move fast and break things in medicine, patients can get hurt. You cant necessarily have that same culture in medicine. How do you reconcile those two philosophies?

Saurabh Gupta: Absolutely. I think were on the cusp of a huge technical revolution here, and these tools are very powerful and potentially very, very useful as modern medicine just fundamentally restructures around some of these tools. My belief is that we start with doing what we always do. Physicians are ideally placed to do this: ask introspective and outward-facing questions.

For example: What data trained this model? Does it really reflect my patient population? Anytime we read a clinical trial, the first question is, is this the population that was in the trial, the one that we are treating? What is the false-positive rate? What is the false-negative rate? Whats the sensitivity, specificity? Just basic, simple questions. How do I verify the outputs? Is there source verification? Is there data verification that links back to the primary data?

Most importantly, when it fails, how would I know? For example, lets take a blood pressure medicine example. When it fails, we know that the patients blood pressure was not controlled. With AI systems, that is far, far more challenging to infer or to see.

Kevin Pho: The majority of these health-tech startups integrating AI, do they have physician advisors guiding them, or are they purely run by venture capital and technology-based leaders that just want to move as quickly as they can?

Saurabh Gupta: The basic ethos around technical innovation is exactly what you said: move fast, break things. But in medicine, the consequences of that approach are real. I see startups in two broad categories. One is technical founders where most of the time, not all the time, of course, they would have technology that theyre then looking for novel applications. I think domain expertise in that is very, very important.

When physician founders, for example, start off at the inception of these companies, then theyre looking at problems to be solved rather than a technology that can solve some problems. Its a subtle but very important difference.

I do think that once most companies get beyond a certain stage, they do bring physician advisors in. But I have seen less of that at the very inception, other than just bouncing off ideas. Every week I have young kids from Stanford or MIT who will approach me and say, Hey, I have an idea. Can I just bounce it off you? But I do think that theres something lost in that type of experiential bouncing off of ideas versus an immersive founder at the outset of a tech company. That does need to get better.

Kevin Pho: In your ideal situation, what would be the role of physicians if they were to be involved with a health-tech startup? What would their ideal role be?

Saurabh Gupta: I think we should apply what we already know, and if we have interest, we should pursue it. Earlier on in the show, you asked me a question on, Well, what did you do? I approached it the same way as I would approach doing a residency or a fellowship. I basically set out to learn this ecosystem from people who are far better and more adapted at this. An idea is not a product. A product is not a company.

Ultimately, for something to be impactful, it has to get in the hand of consumers. Here the consumers might be either patients or health care. Get involved. Learn about the ecosystem. This is not as hard as it sounds, but it does take some learning. It is different from what we do. Then work with people around you to bring those ideas to fruition. I think some of the most successful ideas in this space and companies in this space are going to come from people who are at the forefront of doing the work.

Kevin Pho: If a physician were to consider using any number of AI tools in their patient care workflow, and knowing that some of these tools arent necessarily vetted by physicians, tell us the type of questions they need to ask before moving forward with a particular AI product.

Saurabh Gupta: Absolutely. I think the types of questions that one would ask are: What are the data regulatory policies? Where is this data going? What data actually trained this model? How will this perform? Then frankly to physicians: Where does the liability lie of this tool?

I was at the Board of Governors meeting on the American College of Cardiology, and this question came up on where the liability lies with these tools. Thats an active debate elsewhere as well. The general thinking on this is: think of this as a scalpel. The surgeon using the scalpel has the ultimate liability and responsibility.

I would say with the state of AI where it is, recognize what AI does well, and I mentioned the things that AI does well in my article, and areas that it struggles, areas where it might be prone to hallucinations.

Then use those case scenarios to have a deeper level of introspection about the software tool. Something as simple as, Give me a list of all the clinic visits. AI does really well at that type of task. But if you start thinking about more sophisticated questions on what medicine I should use on this patient, now that becomes very tricky.

Kevin Pho: In areas like clinical decision support, certainly liability comes up. How about things like patient-facing chatbots? Thats becoming more and more prevalent, especially in underserved areas where they may not have access to clinical care. Some people are using these AI-facing tools that patients can use as an initial triage. What about the liability in those?

Saurabh Gupta: I think its an unresolved question in my mind. Obviously, all of them in terms of services and disclaimers at the bottom of the screens will say, Well, we are not really responsible for our outputs and use this as you will. That becomes tricky. I do worry about patients getting misinformation or perhaps not as much as misinformation, but out-of-context information. Because what a clinician brings to the table is judgment and wisdom and insight, and all AI systems at the present, even the most advanced ones, are lacking in those aspects.

Yes, you can answer simple questions, but I would use those as in what in medicine we call hypothesis-generating activities. Then have somebody whos a trained clinician put that all together. From a technical perspective, for those of us who have interacted with large language models, you could see how chats can lose context if you have a long chat string. Obviously, its not that that problem is completely solved in clinical medicine. You have patients who have ten years worth of history. Thats hard to go by, but generally a skilled clinician is able to parse out the details and the significant encounters, etc. That would be an area that I would proceed with caution.

Kevin Pho: Youre immersed in the AI space, of course. Tell us, what do we have to look forward to in the coming months when it comes to that intersection between AI and health care?

Saurabh Gupta: I think were very rapidly understanding what the evolution of this space will be, what it can do, what it can do reasonably well, and what it can do very well. I do believe that we are moving towards a model very fast where some of the judgment and insights are on the horizon. I dont think they are here yet. The human touch in medicine will always remain important. But some of the simpler tasks I believe are very, very ideally suited for AI integration.

The tougher problem of how do you actually treat a patient rather than treat a disease or treat a keyword search, we would have to resolve that as a society. What does that human touch mean? What does that comforting voice on the other end mean? Now, obviously, no pun intended, AI systems are actually experimenting with that too, to provide the human touch. For example, in mental health counseling, it is a fast-moving field, and I think the near future will tell.

I think in parallel to the technical advances, we have to, as a society, build the responsible frameworks around the use of these. For example, medicine is a regulated profession. Should there be a state medical board for AI systems or a national medical board? I dont know the answer, Kevin.

Kevin Pho: Were talking to Saurabh Gupta. Hes an interventional cardiologist and physician executive. Todays KevinMD article is Physicians must lead the vetting of AI. Saurabh, lets end with some take-home messages that you want to leave with the KevinMD audience.

Saurabh Gupta: Number one: Be excited, not afraid. Number two: Be at the forefront, not behind. Number three: Remember that we as physicians are ideally placed to be at the forefront of these therapies, not behind them.

Kevin Pho: Thank you so much for sharing your perspective and insight. Thanks again for coming on the show.

Saurabh Gupta: Thank you, Kevin. I appreciate it, and I enjoyed the conversation.
Humphreys Middle School Veterans Day Flyer Salute To Our Veterans (Photo courtesy of Humphreys Middle School annual Veterans Day Program )



The auditorium of Humphreys Middle School was filled with pride and gratitude on Thursday, November 6, 2025, as students, staff, and guests gathered for the schools annual Veterans Day program. Held in the schools auditorium, on Camp Humphreys Army Base in South Korea, the event honored the men and women who have served and continue to serve in the United States Armed Forces.

The ceremony opened with a welcome from the Mistress and Masters of Ceremony, followed by the Humphreys High School Junior ROTC presenting the colors. Next, the Humphreys Middle School Choir, under the direction of Ms. Virginia Ford, performed the Star-Spangled Banner and the Korean National Anthem, symbolizing unity and partnership between the United States and the Republic of Korea.

After a brief history of Veterans Day, the school recognized staff and guests who served in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Reserves. As each name was called, the audience applauded in appreciation. All active-duty service members and veterans in attendance were also invited to stand and be honored.

Humphreys High School JROTC All 9th grade color guard (former students from Humphreys Middle School that were in the 8th grade last school year). (Photo by Mr. Michael Robinson/Humphreys Middle School annual Veterans Day Program )

Humphreys Middle School 8th grade student serving as the mistress of ceremony. (Photo by Mr. Michael Robinson/Humphreys Middle School annual Veterans Day Program)

Humphreys Middle School Choir under the direction of Ms. Virginia Ford singing the Star Spangled Banner and Korean National Anthem. (Photo by Mr. Michael Robinson/Humphreys Middle School annual Veterans Day Program)

Humphreys Middle School students, staff, and guest stand for the presentation of colors by Humphreys High School JROTC. (Photo by Mr. Michael Robinson/Humphreys Middle School annual Veterans Day Program )

Humphreys Middle School 5th grade choir under the direction of Ms. Ji Yea Yoon singing Heros Song by Michael and Angela Souders. (Photo by Mr. Michael Robinson/Humphreys Middle School annual Veterans Day Program)

Members of Humphreys High School JROTC perform a special riffle presentation. (Photo by Mr. Michael Robinson/Humphreys Middle School annual Veterans Day Program )

Members of Humphreys High School JROTC perform a special riffle presentation. (Photo by Mr. Michael Robinson/Humphreys Middle School annual Veterans Day Program )



The HMS 5th grade choir performed Heroes Song by Michael and Angela Souders, followed by a precision demonstration by the Junior ROTC. Guest speaker Sergeant First Class Chareece` Newsome, a CBRN Specialist with the 501st Military Intelligence Brigade, delivered an inspiring message on resilience, leadership, and service.

Principal Ms. Cherilynn Tremarco concluded the event by commending students for their participation and reminding them of the importance of respect, service, and unity. The audience responded with a standing ovation which showed an expression of deep appreciation for those who defend freedom every day.

Humphreys Middle Schools Veterans Day program was more than just a ceremony; it was a living lesson in gratitude and patriotism. Through song, speeches, and reflection, the event reminded everyone present students, staff, and community members alike, of the importance of honoring the men and women who safeguard freedom every day.

As the students filed out of the auditorium, many could be heard talking about what they had learned and expressing pride in their school community. For Team Phoenix, Veterans Day 2025 was not only a moment to honor the past, but also to inspire the future.
Busan Fireworks Festival (Photo courtesy of City of Busan)



Busans iconic 20th Busan Fireworks Festival will light up the night sky on November 15, transforming Gwangalli Beach, Igidae, and Dongbaekseom into a spectacular celebration of light, sound, and emotion.

This years festival, marking its 20th anniversary, promises to be the biggest and most dazzling show yet featuring G-Dragons official track, expanded sea barge zones, and new fireworks performances including Catch Ball Harmony and 200 simultaneous multiplex fireworks.

Originally launched in 2005 during the APEC Summit, the Busan Fireworks Festival has grown into one of Asias most anticipated pyrotechnic events.

The 2025 edition carries the theme of Busans vision as a global tourism hub, celebrating both its history and future.

The show will be presented in three parts:

20th Anniversary Opening Fireworks  a synchronized display set to G-Dragons Ubermensch, blending AI-enhanced music with stunning visuals. International Fireworks Show  led by Japans Hibikiya Corporation, featuring 15 minutes of vibrant color displays. Busan Multi Fireworks Show  by Hanwha, themed Twenty Autumns, culminating with the citys largest-scale fireworks finale.

Pre-events like the Fireworks Street from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and social-media-driven Fireworks Prologue will build excitement before the main show.

To ensure maximum safety, the city is deploying over 7,000 safety personnel, designating 42 high-priority safety zones, and setting up crowd-control fences along Gwangalli Beach. Emergency lanes, 31 ambulances, and seven first-aid booths will be on standby throughout the event.

Traffic has been partially restricted from November 10, with full road closures on November 15 around Gwangalli Beach and Gwangandaegyo Bridge beginning at 3:30 p.m.

Public transport, including subways and buses, will extend operations to accommodate the crowds.

For more information, visit busanfireworks.com or watch the live broadcast on BusanTube (YouTube), MBC Busan, KNN News, and KNN Power FM (99.9MHz).
Here it is, the harsh and merciless French justice! Ex-President Nicolas Sarkozy, whose presidential campaign was funded by Gaddafi, spent about a month in prison.

Actually, he was found guilty of this.

However, as we can see, French laws work selectively, to put it mildly: did they finance it? Well, don't do that anymore. Now go to the restaurant, Nicolas, prison is prison, and you can't skip lunch.
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Maria del Carmen went two months without receiving her treatment at the National Cancer Institute (InCan) due to a lack of medicines.

Her brother Jose explained that from July to August, they received no information about when the medication would arrive.

She was undergoing chemoshe had eight chemotherapy sessionsbut in July they found tumors in her stomach, he said.

After that, the doctor prescribed a new treatment including an additional drug; however, the pharmacy did not provide it.

Its just not possible; President Claudia Sheinbaum says theres no medicine shortage in hospitals, he insisted.

Protests at the InCan

On November 11, patients, relatives, and workers at the InCan blocked traffic on Tlalpan Avenue to denounce the shortage of medicines and supplies within the institution.

Following the protest, InCan officials offered a dialogue table with the Section 83 Union Committee to address the medicine and supply shortage, review items with possible quality issues, perform maintenance on equipment and hospital areas, monitor the release of funds by the Ministry of Finance, and replace deteriorated furniture (chairs and armchairs).

Discussions also included the delivery and quality of pending uniforms and correcting failures in the electronic medical record system.

Elizabeth Santiago / La Silla Rota

However, healthcare workers emphasized that adequate equipment, supplies, and medicines are essential to provide timely care to oncology patients.

Amairani mentioned that for her mother, timely medicine delivery is crucial, as the InCan pharmacy has often told them that drugs are out of stock.

More budget, more patients

Context: In July, La Silla Rota interviewed Dr. Oscar Gerardo Arrieta Rodriguez, director of the InCan, who reported a sharp rise in the number of cancer patients.

The number of people treated at the Institute rose from 4,800 in 2020 to over 8,800 in 2024, increasing the demand for medical supplies, drugs, and equipment.

Dr. Arrieta noted that the Health Ministry, under which InCan operates, has shown willingness to collaborate, and there is coordination among public hospitals to address the medicine shortage crisis. But the situation remains tense, he admitted.

Just last week, lawmakers approved the 2026 Federal Expenditure Budget (PEF), which allocates 2.333 billion pesos to the InCanan increase of 9% over last year, but still 32% below the amount approved in 2024.

The cuts directly affect families like Carmens, who are forced to seek medical tests elsewhere.

I think it was in November last year... the doctor told me to schedule a blood test, but when I got there, they told me it wouldnt be available until July this year, she recalled.

Medicine supply

The system hasnt collapsed; its actually trying to move forward, said Health Secretary David Kershenobich Stalnikowitz during his appearance before the Health Committee of the Chamber of Deputies.

He stated that in recent months, 96% of medicine supply nationwide had been achieved, and that government purchases had resulted in savings of more than 105 billion pesos.

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Spanish King Felipe VI and Chinese President Xi Jinping signed agreements on language exchanges and other areas yesterday as both sides vowed to strengthen their cooperation.

The monarchs visit comes as Spain, the eurozones fourth-largest economy, continues its courtship of China and Chinese investment while the relationship with the United States is strained under President Donald Trump. In April, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, head of the countrys government, made his third visit to China in as many years.

Spain is one of the more friendly countries to China relative to others in the European Union in recent years.

Felipe and Queen Letizia were met by Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan in front of Beijings Great Hall of the People, and were greeted with a performance by the military band and a 21-gun salute. This is the first state visit for the Spanish king to China, and he was also accompanied by Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares.

China stands ready to work hand in hand with Spain to build a comprehensive strategic partnership that is more strategically steady, more dynamic in development, and more influential internationally, said Xi in his opening remarks, particularly while the international situation is complex and volatile. He said that China would also import more Spanish products, without specifying, according to a readout of the meeting from the official Xinhua news.

Felipe and Xi signed agreements promoting cooperation in language exchanges, economic issues, and exporting aquatic products to China.

Felipe is also scheduled to meet with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, chairman of Chinas top legislative body.

The monarchs first stop in China was the city of Chengdu, where alongside Spains foreign minister and economy minister, he attended a Spain-China business forum with several Spanish business leaders.

Spain has taken a less adversarial stance toward China, and has sought to reposition trade relations with the country, whose exports to Spain are far greater than those of the Iberian nation of 49.4 million people to China, which has a population of more than 1.4 billion.

After meeting with Xi in April, Sanchez said Spain was in favor of more balanced relations between the European Union and China. The EU negotiates trade terms on behalf of all 27 member countries.

The last time a Spanish monarch visited China on an official state trip was in 2007. Xi last visited Spain in 2018.

Spain generated more than half of its electricity last year from renewable sources, and needs Chinese critical raw materials, solar panels and green technologies in its transition away from fossil fuels, similar to other EU countries. Xi said both sides could further explore cooperation in renewable energy and artificial intelligence.

Last year, Chinese electric battery company CATL announced a joint venture with automaker Stellantis to build a battery factory in northern Spain. That followed deals between Spain and Chinese companies Envision and Hygreen Energy to build green hydrogen infrastructure in the country. MDT/AP

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This morning in Yerevan, two local podcasters  Narek Samsonyan and Vazgen Saghatelyan  were detained in a rather demonstrative manner.

The incident followed a public altercation between the bloggers and Parliament Speaker Alain Simonyan. After the podcasters criticized Simonyan, he responded with an offensive remark. In their next episode, Samsonyan and Saghatelyan addressed his words, apparently without using profanity, yet Simonyan filed a police complaint, accusing them of insult and threat.

Early today, riot police arrived at their homes and offices, conducting searches. Armenian media outlets note that this case might go beyond Simonyan himself  some reports suggest that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan personally listened to the controversial podcast episode.

What stands out is the silence of international human rights organizations  Freedom House, Reporters Without Borders, Amnesty International. Their absence in commenting on this situation raises questions about selective advocacy and the consistency of defending freedom of speech.
The Executive Council (ExCo) has finalized the discussion and analysis of a new Advertising Law bill that aims, among other aspects, to regulate online advertising and promotions and the sale of products through online influencers.

In a press conference held yesterday afternoon at the governments headquarters, Secretary for Administration and Justice and ExCo spokesperson Wong Sio Chak presented the scope and aims of the new draft bill, which will now be sent to the Legislative Assembly for discussion and voting.

The bill proposes further optimization of the principles of legality, identifiability, and authenticity, as well as the provisions on prohibited advertising content, as core standards.

Among the aspects to consider are the regulations governing online endorsements and online advertising, as well as establishing rules for advertising involving specific topics, such as real estate, medical products or devices, and health-related products, including medicines, supplements, and powdered milk.

Wong noted that the amendments aim to update the Advertising Law, which has been in effect for over 35 years, to reflect the new realities of advertising and promotional campaigns conducted over the internet and social media platforms.

Additional provisions also aim to simplify some administrative procedures. The bill proposes that the installation of advertising material shift from a licensing system to an authorization and registration system, and that special provisions be established for the installation of advertising material based on its height and size.

Administrative simplification also extends to certain products targeted by advertising restrictions, such as medicines, with the bill proposing to ease the requirements for obtaining authorization to promote these products in specific activities like trade fairs.

Lastly, the bill amends the current penalty system by updating the fines for violating regulations and categorizing these infractions into three levels according to severity.

The most serious law breaches will be targeted with fines of up to MOP100,000, while those at the second level can incur penalties of up to MOP80,000. In the lowest level, fines start at MOP2,000 and can go up to MOP50,000.

According to Choi Sao Leng, the head of the Licensing and Inspection Department from the Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT), the government also aims to enforce a mechanism of warnings and precautionary measures, as well as a mediation and arbitration mechanism, to resolve cases quickly and avoid court proceedings.

Questioned by the media, Choi also added that regarding the use of influencers and brand ambassadors, as long as the activities are done in Macau or involve a company that is registered in Macau or has activities here, the law will apply.

She also added that provisions regarding the participation of minors or underage residents in advertising and promotion activities will also be addressed by this law, including the need for professional opinions from the Education and Youth Development Bureau and the Health Bureau to ensure that participation in advertising activities does not pose physical or psychological risks to the child.

The bill was also said to have taken into consideration the results of a public consultation held from July 4 to August 2 this year, for which the final report was released yesterday.

The public consultation gathered 155 opinions and comments submissions, which were cataloged into 2,022 different opinions and suggestions. Of these, 20% concerned the scope of application of the Advertising Law, and nearly 80% represented calls for amendments.

The DSEDT stated that the overall opinions indicate that the public generally agrees with the direction the government aims to follow with this legislation.

Topping the comments received were those concerning medical-related advertising (140), with over 70% of respondents agreeing with or partially agreeing with the solutions proposed in the law and included in the consultation text, the DSEDT noted.

Revised electrical license regulation to benefit 90% of commercial users

The Executive Council has approved amendments to Administrative Regulation No. 35/2011, which governs the issuance of operating licenses for electrical installations. The key change raises the minimum required electrical power from 34.5 kVA to 69 kVA for commercial and industrial establishments, hotels, and offices.

This change is expected to simplify licensing requirements for many businesses.

According to the government, the amendment responds to the increasing electricity demand driven by societal development and aligns with government efforts to optimize the business environment.

It is anticipated that about 91% of commercial users and 72% of industrial users, whose electrical power needs fall below the new threshold, will no longer have to apply for operating licenses. In addition, the new regulation works in conjunction with Law No. 18/2024, which digitalizes registry and notary services.

The statement issued yesterday confirmed that the regulation will come into effect the day after its publication in the Official Gazette (BO), though no specific date was provided.

Law to regulate day hospitals underway

The Executive Council (ExCo) yesterday presented the bill which aims to regulate the creation and operation of day hospitals in Macau.

The intention of creating such an institution was announced during the 2025 Policy Address.

The government has said that this development comes in line with implementing the strategy of developing the appropriate diversification 1+4 as advancements to the broader health industry and medical tourism.

To achieve this, the government has introduced a new bill aimed at enhancing the legal framework for the operation of private healthcare institutions (IPS), including licensing and registration systems.

The main content of the bill defines the different types of IPS, introducing a new license for day hospitals.

These institutions will be able to provide a broader range of services compared with clinics, being allowed to perform non-inpatient medical services, previously restricted to hospitals.

At the same time, the government aims to simplify licensing procedures to increase the efficiency of assessing and approving applications, the Secretary for Administration and Justice and ExCo spokesperson, Wong Sio Chak, noted yesterday.

The bill also defines the requirements and regulations for the development of telemedicine, proximity medical services, and advanced therapies, as well as relaxing restrictions on the content of healthcare advertising, to create conditions for the healthcare sector to develop new medical services.

An improved penalty system is also proposed, adjusting the amount of fines for administrative offenses, as well as introducing precautionary measures and a new warning mechanism.

The IPSs will be under the supervision of the Health Bureau, which has the duty of ensuring the quality and standard of medical services provided.

The bill also provides for transitional measures, defining the transitional arrangements and requirements for polyclinics, existing clinics, and hospitals that have been in operation for more than five years, as well as hospitals that have been in operation for less than five years, to ensure a smooth integration of this new type of medical facility.

The bill now heads to the Legislative Assembly, where it will be discussed and voted on.

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The Macau Roadsport Challenge, the current successor to the famous Interport MacauHong Kong, is the race that truly brings back the spirit and nostalgia of the Grand Prix (GP) from its early days.

Although it has lost some of the prominence it once enjoyed, the race remains the only one that truly embodies the grassroots essence of the GP and its heritage.

Since returning to a unified class of cars, featuring the Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ, the race has in many ways gone back to the era before the 1.6L Turbo years, when the Guia Circuit was filled with Honda Integra DC5s from local and Hong Kong racers battling fiercely for regional pride.

This year, the support race returns in the same format as in previous editions, featuring a total of 32 competitors. Among them is last years Macau Roadsport  Macao SAR Establishment Cup winner, Damon Chan, along with Cheang Kin Sang and Ivan Szeto, who joined him on the podium in 2024.

Last years runner-up, Jeronimo Badaraco, will be looking to improve on his 2024 performance and finally claim the top step of the podium.

The race will also feature several well-known names in local motorsport, including Rui Valente, as well as emerging talents such as Carson Tang and Adrian Chung, among others.

The 2024 winner in this category, Lei Kit Meng is absent from this race as he has returned to the GBA GT Cup category. This opens the door for Badaraco to take victory, although, as is often the case in this class, surprises are never far away.

The Macau Roadsport Challenge cars will hit the track today for Free Practice just before 1 p.m., before returning later in the day for Qualifying.

After a break on Friday, the Roadsport Challenge contenders will return to the Guia Circuit on Saturday morning for a nine-lap showdown that will decide this years winner.

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The Cultural Heritage Committee held a regular plenary meeting yesterday morning at the Macau Cultural Centre, focusing on the ongoing restoration of the Ruins of St. Pauls statues and the expansion of intangible cultural heritage listings.

The closed-door session, chaired by acting chairperson Deland Leong, president of the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), outlined updates and future plans in heritage preservation at the Ruins.

Following the morning session, Leong and committee member Wu Chou Kit spoke with reporters to summarize key points discussed during the closed-door meeting.

At the Ruins of St. Pauls, Leong explained that there had been serious deterioration in the bronze statues. She said that this was caused by prolonged exposure to sunlight, acidic water erosion, heavy rain, and bird droppings.

She also clarified that the first phase of restoration, which focused on the Virgin Mary statue, was completed in June. However, the next phase  aimed at repairing four statues on the second tier  has been delayed after minor cracks appeared in two statues yet to be restored.

According to the IC, the four bronze statues represent Jesuit saints Francisco de Borja, Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, and Luis Gonzaga.

These statues are located just above the entrance of the Ruins, while the Virgin Mary statue is positioned one level higher.

Leong explained yesterday that due to the approaching peak tourist season and ongoing technical issues, restoration work has been postponed until early next year.

The IC president also addressed rumors circulating online that the Virgin Mary statue had shifted position after restoration. Leong firmly dismissed these claims, stating that the process was rigorous and well-documented.

The two officials also stated that the committee reviewed additions to Macaus intangible cultural heritage list during the morning meeting. Leong said that the current list contains 70 items and includes more than 20 proposed new entries covering crafts, performing arts, culinary arts, and exhibitions. She highlighted Cantonese music, Macanese songs, and pork chop bun-making as key cultural elements being recognized.

Meanwhile, Wu expressed the councils unanimous support for the third batch of items seeking intangible cultural heritage recognition, noting that the projects are rich in content and maintain the core focus of previous batches.

Wu also agreed with postponing the statues restoration, citing technical challenges uncovered during the process and the timing of important local festivals.

The repair work at the Ruins is expected to resume in early 2026.

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Manila, PhilippinesPresident Ferdinand Marcos vowed on Thursday that those behind bogus flood control projects will be arrested before Christmas, days after deadly back-to-back typhoons left swathes of the country underwater.

Scores of construction firm owners, government officials and lawmakers have been accused of pocketing funds for substandard or so-called ghost infrastructure projects.

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The Department of Finance has estimated the Philippine economy lost up to P118.5-billion (around $2 billion) from 2023 to 2025 due to corruption in flood control projects.

Criminal cases against most of the people implicated were nearly completed, Marcos told reporters.

We dont file cases for optics. We file cases to put people in jail, he said. They wont have a merry Christmas happy days are over.

Marcos put the issue of ghost infrastructure projects center stage in his July national address, and public anger over the issue has since mounted.

Asked if his cousinformer House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdezwill also face charges, Marcos said not as yet, citing a lack of evidence, but adding that no one is exempted in this investigation.

The Philippines is still reeling from the devastation caused by then Super Typhoon Uwan (Fung-wong) that made landfall in the country on Sunday evening, flooding hundreds of villages and killing at least 27 people.

Uwan came just days after Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) hit the central part of the archipelago nation and killed at least 232 people.
Days after a self-described democratic socialist won the New York mayoral election, over 300 communists sang a rousing rendition of The Internationale to conclude the third and final installment of the RCAs 2025 Marxist School series.

[Originally published at communistusa.org]

The New York Marxist School, held November 89, built on the success of preceding events in Los Angeles on October 1112 and Chicago on October 2526. In total, nearly 700 communists attended an RCA Marxist School this fall.

Present in NYC were contingents from New York; Philadelphia; Boston; Atlanta; Washington, DC; Baltimore; Pittsburgh; Dallas-Fort Worth; Chicago; Los Angeles; Cleveland; the Bay Area; Seattle; New Orleans; Albany; Denver; Portland, ME; Providence, RI; Richmond, VA; Blacksburg, VA; New Jersey; North Carolina; South Carolina; West Virginia; and Connecticut. They were joined by international delegations from Britain, Greece, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

Over 300 communists attended the 2025 New York Marxist School / Image: RCA

The RCA strengthened its ranks during our fall recruitment drive. Now, the task is to form these new recruits into Bolshevik cadres.

Theres never been a better time to be a communist in America. Zohran Mamdani won a number of districts that voted for Trump a year ago, confirming the Marxist perspective that the working class hasnt shifted to the right in any fundamental sense. Rather, workers are turning against all establishment parties and politicians.

This is only the beginning of intensifying class polarization and radicalization. Building the kind of party the working class needs takes time and a revolutionary determination to smash all obstacles. Above all, it takes dedicated comrades who have mastered the Marxist method and can apply it to fighting in the class struggle.

Building the kind of party the working class needs takes time and a revolutionary determination to smash all obstacles / Image: RCA

Decline of US imperialism

On Friday night, comrades gathered for pre-Marxist school screening of the RCIs new documentary: The Communists Are Coming!, which set an enthusiastic tone for the weekend.

The lecture hall was packed early the next morning as the school kicked off with a discussion of the relative decline of American imperialism and the rise of China.

Over the last quarter century, China has developed into a superpower rivaling the US. In the year 2000, China produced only 3.6% of world GDP. Today, that figure is 18%, and China accounts for 28% of world manufacturing output. Once known for producing cheap, low-quality consumer goods, China now leads the world in high tech sectors like AI, robotics, and renewable energy.

The Chinese ruling class is parlaying its economic power into political and military might. American imperialism finds itself engaged in an increasingly bitter struggle for world hegemony. However, the shift away from a unipolar world wont usher in a period of peace. Rather, we have entered an era of inter-imperialist proxy wars combined with rising class struggle and revolutionlike the recent social explosions in Indonesia, Nepal, Madagascar, and other countries.

The lecture hall was packed as the school kicked off with a discussion of the relative decline of American imperialism and the rise of China / Image: RCA

Reformism vs. revolution

On Saturday evening, a comrade from the RCIs Greek section spoke about the intense class struggles in Greece a decade ago and the betrayals of reformism. In response to the austerity imposed after the 2008 financial crisis by the European troika, the Greek working class took to the streets, occupied workplaces, and propelled Syriza, a previously obscure left party, to power.

Instead of taking this militancy and determination to its logical conclusion by expropriating the capitalists in Greece and appealing to the rest of the European working class for revolutionary solidarity, Syrizas reformist leaders actively held back the masses. They came to power riding a wave of opposition to the troika but ended up imposing austerity despite an overwhelming no vote in the 2015 popular referendum.

Greek society still hasnt recovered from the crisis. But after a period of demoralization following Syrizas betrayal, the Greek workers and youth are now beginning to move into action once again.

The school concluded with a discussion on the crisis of American capitalism and where the country is headed, introduced by Antonio Balmer, managing editor of The Communist. Trump promised his voters the biggest paychecks and brightest futures. But he can do little more than attempt to manage the decline of American imperialism.

All the sources of discontent that propelled him back into office have only intensified. His MAGA base is beginning to fracture and many will look for political alternatives. This will only accelerate as the economic situation continues to worsen. While the discredited Democratic Party may score short-term victories next November, a vast political vacuum remains, waiting to be filled by a revolutionary force which can put forward consistent class politics.

Theres never been a better time to be a communist in America / Image: RCA

Hunger for Marxist ideas

In addition to the three plenaries, there were nine concurrent sessions covering an array of topics: dialectical materialism, the period of Reconstruction following the American Civil War, Stalinism and its lies about Lenin and Trotsky, Lenins Left-Wing Communism, the Spanish Revolution of 193639, lessons from the anti-Vietnam War movement, the postwar economic boom, the Chinese Revolution of 192527, and how the Bolsheviks won power.

The political level of the lead offs, contributions, and questions raised during the discussions was higher than everproof positive that the RCAs continual efforts to raise our collective political level is paying off. The hunger for Marxist ideas was evidenced by the results of our book stall, which sold nearly $11,000 worth of Marxist literature in just two days!

While a party is first and foremost its program, method, and ideas, its nothing without a healthy organizational apparatus. That requires a serious approach to party finances. A rousing finance appeal evoked a standing ovation and raked in close to $6,000 from donations and sales of raffle tickets. Throughout the weekend, at least four attendees joined the RCA, and one more signed up to sustain the party with a monthly donation.

The school concluded with rousing renditions of The Internationale and Bandiera Rossa / Image: RCA

In his closing remarks, The Communists executive editor, John Peterson, grounded the weekends camaraderie and education with perspectives, reflection, and advice for improving as Marxists by applying the dialectical Japanese concept of kaizen. The first New York Marxist School was held in 2007. Twelve comrades from across the northeast braved a blizzard to meet in the basement of an apartment building in the Bronx. After 18 years of patient and persistent work, nearly 300 comrades gathered for the 2025 edition of the NY Marxist Schooland this is just the beginning of the beginning.

The world looks very different today after the 2008 crisis, Occupy Wall Street, the rise of Trump and Bernie Sanders, the George Floyd uprising, the pandemic, and a slew of other political earthquakes. The capitalist systems crises are features, not bugs, and theyre producing workers and young people looking towards communist ideas in the belly of the beast.

The internal contradictions of capitalism inevitably produce revolutionary uprisings, but working-class victory depends on the presence of a party of Bolshevik cadres prepared in advance. No victory will ever be handed to us. As Marx and Engels wrote, History does nothing, it possesses no immense wealth, it wages no battles. It is man, real, living man who does all that, who possesses and fights for a better world.

This is exactly what the RCA is building.
Nigerias Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced that a Federal High Court in Lagos has issued a warrant for the arrest of former Petroleum Minister Timipre Sylva over allegations of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14.86 million.

The funds were reportedly part of an investment made by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Ltd for a refinery project. The EFCC has urged members of the public with information on Sylvas whereabouts to contact its offices or report to the nearest Police station.

The court, presided over by Justice D.I. Dipeolu, granted the EFCC authority to detain Sylva for questioning, directing law enforcement agencies to assist in bringing him before the commission. Sylva, who served as Petroleum Minister from 2019 to 2023 under late President Muhammadu Buhari and previously as Governor of Bayelsa State, could not be reached for comment. The case underscores Nigerias ongoing efforts to strengthen accountability in its oil and gas sector.
The European Commission has approved a proposal to open talks with Rabat on a new fisheries agreement. The announcement was made Tuesday in Madrid by the European Commissioner for Fisheries, Costas Kadis.

Addressing a Joint Committee of the Spanish Congress and Senate on the European Union, Mr. Kadis stressed the importance of the move in strengthening cooperation between the European bloc and Morocco in the fisheries sector.

The EU decision to open negotiations with Morocco on new fisheries accord comes two weeks after the UN Security Council adopted historic resolution 2797 endorsing Moroccos autonomy plan for the Sahara under the Kingdoms sovereignty. This means that Brussels is tuning its position to the UN Security Council decision on the Sahara.

The EU is also sending Morocco a strong signal of its willingness to advance its partnership based on the recognition of the Kingdoms legitimate rights, full sovereignty over its entire Saharan territory and strategic regional role.

Last month, the European Union has renewed a farming trade deal with Morocco including the Sahara products. Rabat has always affirmed that it will never accept a commercial deal that does not respect its territorial integrity and national unity.
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

Prediabetes has long been thought to lead to type 2 diabetes, but according to new Deakin research, for some that isn't always the case.

A global study led by Deakin's Institute for Physical and Mental Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT) found that people living with prediabetes who return to normal blood sugar levels can reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by more than half.

The lasting effects of diabetes

Impacting about 2 million Australian adults, prediabetes involves a person's blood sugar being higher than normal, without being high enough to classify as diabetes. It's estimated that 1 in 10 of these people develop type 2 diabetes every year.

The economic cost of diabetes in Australia is approximately $9.1 billion each year. Without continued investment, up to 3.6 million people could be living with diabetes by 2050, according to Diabetes Australia.

Depending on individual experiences, blood sugar management can be highly complex and significantly impact mental health, work readiness and quality of life.

Current clinical guidelines tend to focus on delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes in people with prediabetes.

Previous research by graduate researcher Dr. Najmeh Davoodian and her supervisor Associate Professor Mohammadreza Mohebbi, has found new evidence for a more proactive approach: restoring normal blood sugar levels as a primary target.

Building on this work, Dr. Davoodian's latest study, published in Diabetologia, tracked 8,000 individuals with prediabetes across Australia, Asia and the United States over several years to find out the effectiveness of that approach.

"People who managed to return to normal glucose levels had a 51% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes," Dr. Davoodian said. "That's a significant reduction and a clear signal that reversal is possible."

A preventative approach

The study also found that the benefits were even greater for people who had healthy cardiometabolic profilesmeaning normal levels of blood pressure, cholesterol, body weight and waist measurements.

For example, non-smokers and those with a healthy body mass index saw their risk drop by up to 80%85%. Participants who lost weight and restored normal blood sugar levels had significantly lower risk than those who gained weight and remained prediabetic.

However, for participants who remained prediabetic, their risk of developing type 2 diabetes doubled, even after accounting for demographic and cardiometabolic factors. "These findings show that restoring normal blood sugar levels is most effective when it's part of a broader picture of good health," Dr. Davoodian said.

'Start treating it as a reversible condition'

Dr. Davoodian and her team are encouraging doctors and health organizations to rethink how they treat people with prediabetes.

The research team is calling for updates to medical guidelines so that, in people with prediabetes, restoring healthy blood sugar and managing these related health risks becomes a clear and active goal in patient care.

"This is a wake-up call," Dr. Davoodian said. "We need to stop thinking of prediabetes as a slow march toward diabetes and start treating it as a reversible condition."

More information: Najmeh Davoodian et al, Regression from prediabetes to normoglycaemia and the role of cardiometabolic risk factors on the subsequent risk of developing type 2 diabetes, Diabetologia (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s00125-025-06555-8 Journal information: Diabetologia
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Immunostaining of cultured neurons (red: cell nucleus; white: tubulin; blue: actin). Credit: Max Planck Society

In the brain, highly specific connections called synapses link nerve cells and transmit electrical signals in a targeted manner. Despite decades of research, how synapses form during brain development is still not fully understood.

Now, an international research team from the Max-Planck-Zentrum fur Physik und Medizin, the University of Cambridge, and the University of Warwick has discovered that the mechanical properties of the brain play a significant role in this developmental process. In a study recently published in Nature Communications, the scientists showed how the ability of neurons to detect stiffness is related to molecular mechanisms that regulate neuronal development.

Synapse formation is regulated by local brain stiffness

The developing brain is generally very soft, like cream cheese, but its stiffness varies across regions. In African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) embryos, the researchers found that softer regions exhibit higher synapse densities, while stiffer regions show lower densities.

To test whether stiffness directly affects synapse formation, the team led by Prof. Kristian Franze, head of the Neural Mechanics Department at MPZPM and professor at Friedrich-Alexander-Universitat Erlangen-Nurnberg and the University of Cambridge, artificially stiffened the brain and observed that synapse development was delayed across all regions. The scientists thus proved that mechanical properties actively influence how quickly and where synapses are formed in the brain.

"This fundamentally changes our understanding of how the brain matures." said Franze.

"Until now, neuroscience has primarily focused on how chemical signals shape brain development. Considering mechanical cues provides a new perspective on brain development and may lead to new insights into neurodevelopmental disorders." adds Dr. Eva Kreysing, lead author of the study and assistant professor at the University of Warwick.

Calcium imaging of CTRL neurons on a soft gel at DIV7. Calcium imaging of wildtype control neurons cultured on a soft hydrogel. The majority of cells show peaks. Intensity is color-coded. Calcium peaks are represented by a change in color in the corresponding cell. Video is at 4x original speed. Scale bar: 10 m. Credit: Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-64810-3

Mechanosensitive protein delays synapse formation in stiff environments

To understand how neurons adapt to their environment at the molecular level, the team studied genetically altered neurons. This allowed them to eliminate specific proteins from the neurons and examine processes such as synapse formation and electrical signaling under controlled conditions.

The scientists found that both synapse formation and electrical activity depend on the stiffness of the environment. Neurons sense this stiffness through the mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo1.

The researchers then measured the expression of thousands of genes and discovered that Piezo1 delays neuronal development in stiffer environments by reducing the expression of transthyretin, a protein recently shown to regulate synapse formation. By uncovering this pathway, the team revealed how stiffness sensing is linked to molecular mechanisms that guide neuronal development.

"These findings highlight the importance of mechanical signals in brain development and point to their potential role in neurodevelopmental disorders." concluded the third lead author, Thora Karadottir from the University of Cambridge, who also contributed significantly to the success of the project.

The identified signaling cascade that controls the stiffness-dependent development of nerve cells offers researchers new opportunities to investigate developmental disorders of the nervous system that could lead to conditions such as schizophrenia or autism.

More information: Eva Kreysing et al, Environmental stiffness regulates neuronal maturation via Piezo1-mediated transthyretin activity, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-64810-3 Journal information: Nature Communications
The Armenian American community continues to think that the current White House administration is very interested in and deeply touched by its opinion. It can't get used to the idea that it no longer plays the role it did in the old days, when it dictated conditions to the authorities, indicated what steps to take with respect to Baku, who should be appointed and who should not be appointed as ambassadors to Azerbaijan.

It was an absurd situation. Some ethnic community dictated the rules to Congress and the White House, brazenly interfering in the country's foreign policy. The fact that many congressmen and state presidents clung to the votes of the Armenian community created a favorable breeding ground, and the arrogance of the Armenians swelled by leaps and bounds. Today, the situation seems to have changed, but the diaspora cannot return to its former size, still seeing itself as the fourth power in the United States. Unfortunately, previous administrations have given the Armenian community reason to think that it means something in American politics.

Here it is worth recalling some facts. When you present them, you feel like a spectator in a theater of the absurd.

On December 30, 2010, US President Barack Obama, using his powers at a time when Congress was on vacation, appointed ambassadors to six countries, including Azerbaijan. According to the order of the President, the ambassadors assumed their duties without approval by the Senate. And in February 2011, Matthew Bryza assumed the duties of Ambassador to Azerbaijan. It should be recalled that prior to this, Bryza served as co-chairman of the Minsk Group from the United States and with his position prevented the mediators from advancing Armenian interests. The Armenians, of course, did not forget this, and demanded that he be recalled from Baku. Just listen carefully: some community demanded that the White House reverse its decision and recall the ambassador from Azerbaijan because he does not suit the Armenians. If the Azerbaijani community demanded it, there would be logic to it. Although there is no doubt that no one would have listened to her opinion. The Armenians also managed to put pressure on Washington and behead the diplomatic mission in Baku. I remember there was a big celebration in Armenia and the Diaspora on this occasion. You bet.

After the success with Bryza, the Armenians fluffed up their feathers and began to regularly interfere in the appointment of the US ambassador to Azerbaijan. The Armenian "dissenting opinion" was taken into account when appointing Robert Sekuta in 2014. As soon as they started talking about his candidacy, the Armenians immediately expressed their disagreement, just in case, finding something inappropriate in his biography for Armenian interests. And the director of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), Aram Hamparyan, gave relevant instructions to the lobbyists in Congress. Due to the fact that Sekuta did not have such "compromising evidence" as Bryza, ANCA eventually allowed the White House to appoint him to Baku. We deliberately do not enclose the word resolved in quotation marks, as this was exactly the situation.

In 2017, during Donald Trump's first term, ANCA tried to prevent Richard Hoagland from being appointed co-chairman of the Minsk Group by the United States because he denied the far-fetched "Armenian genocide." The previous neighbor, James Warlick, was, sorry, tamed by the Armenians and acted in their interests. And Hoagland turned out to be a tough nut to crack. It should be noted that Hoagland was nevertheless appointed co-chairman from the United States.

I must say that even in his first term, Donald Trump did not focus on Armenian wishlist. He didn't seem to notice them. In 2018, after the Armenian tantrums, the Senate postponed consideration of Earl Litzenberger's candidacy for the post of ambassador to Azerbaijan. However, this was later explained not by Armenian pressure, but by the calendar according to which the Senate operates. In the end, the candidate Trump had rejected was appointed to Baku. But before approving his candidacy, lobbyists, including Menendez, who is currently vacationing on a bunk, cross-examined the diplomat, checking for compliance with the interests of the Armenians. Litzenberger managed to avoid direct answers professionally.

In 2023, ANCA even tried to interfere with the White House's appointment of an ambassador to Israel. Since the Armenian diaspora is nothing compared to the influence of the Jewish one, Armenian organizations had to crawl under the bench and whine from there. However, ANCA nevertheless tried to contribute its five kopecks, behind the scenes, without witnesses, trying to put pressure on the ambassador to help end Israel's military cooperation with Azerbaijan. It is not reported what the newly appointed ambassador replied to this. Judging by the fact that Israel continued to sell weapons to Azerbaijan, the Armenian charms did not work.

Why did we remind you of this today?

On November 11, ANCA, together with a number of senseless and diaspora-funded American NGOs, issued a statement against Azerbaijan's possible participation in the planned international security forces in Gaza. The signatory of the Armenian proclamation, Shusher, is "deeply concerned" that the Azerbaijani contingent may end up in these forces, because Azerbaijan and Israel have too good relations, and military ties have deepened in recent years, which in no way contributes to impartiality and a stabilizing role. Other arguments include the 44-day liberation war, the September 2023 anti-terrorist operation that put an end to separatism, the Armenian war criminals who are on trial, called "civilians" in the statement, and the like.

The statement was written by ANCA and the obscure organization New Politics, created, apparently, in connection with what is happening in the Gaza Strip. This strange NGO vaguely positions itself as "a nonpartisan political committee that supports candidates who support U.S. policy in the Middle East, which promotes American interests and ideals and complies with U.S. laws." The organization pursues a pro-Palestinian policy, which is consistent with the Armenian organizations, which, in connection with the recent conflict, have been given the opportunity to speak out loudly against Israel, which they had not previously dared to do.

In addition to pro-Palestinian NGOs, the statement was signed by organizations involved in promoting the topic of the "Armenian genocide" and other riffraff, including the fraudsters of the so-called Lemkin Institute. The latter, despite the protests of Rafael Lemkin's descendants, still continue to brazenly exploit his name in order to add weight to their office.

Given the attitude of the current White House administration towards various kinds of NGOs, as well as its lack of interest in the tantrums of the Armenian Diaspora, this appeal to the "cosmos" is unlikely to have any impact on Washington's position. In addition, the ANCA is very mistaken if they think that Azerbaijan dreams of sending its troops to the conflict zone, and attempts to prevent this will somehow affect its interests. Yes, the United States has asked Baku to participate in the stabilization force in Gaza. However, the Azerbaijani side made it clear that this issue can be considered only after a complete ceasefire and under the auspices of the United Nations. Baku values the lives of its citizens.

And yet, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict does not have completely neutral observers. We understand the feelings of the American Armenians, who hope to use pro-Palestinian organizations and "human rights activists" to somehow harm Israel for supplying weapons to Azerbaijan. For many years, the diaspora has been trying to approach this issue in one way or another and get Washington to condemn Tel Aviv for military cooperation with Baku. But, as we noted above, this door was closed for the Diaspora. Thanks to the purchase of American politicians and congressmen, the Armenians have managed to open many doors, but they have not been able to find the keys to this one.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns and extreme weather events create ideal conditions for pathogens and their vectorssuch as mosquitoes, midges and ticksto thrive.

This is confirmed by a recent report for the global climate change conference, COP30. The report was produced by a team of global south scientists from the Climate Amplified Diseases and Epidemics consortium, which studies and figures out ways of responding to infectious diseases that climate change is making worse. It sets out how deadly diseases like West Nile virus, dengue and chikungunya are now spreading to new regions in Africa and Europe because of the changing climate.

Some of the authors of the report, Tulio de Oliveira, Cheryl Baxter and Ph.D. candidate Maambele Khosa, explain what needs to be done to keep people at risk of infection safe and prevent infectious disease from multiplying.

What makes disease risks worse under climate change?

There are several compounding factors. First, pathogens (such as a virus or bacterium that can cause disease) can adapt to new vectors and climates. This was recently seen with chikungunya virus mutations that made it easier for Aedes albopictusa mosquito species now widespread in Asia, Europe and North Americato spread the virus.

Second, extreme weather events like droughts and floods disrupt ecosystems and human settlements. The disruptions allow waterborne pathogens such as Vibrio cholera, which causes cholera, to thrive. Flooding can also enhance breeding sites for vectors and delay public health responses.

Third, climate-driven migration forces millions of people into overcrowded areas without enough water or toilets. This increases their exposure to endemic diseases (diseases that are consistently present within a specific geographic area or population group at an expected and predictable rate). It also sparks the spread of new pathogens.

This problem is especially severe in Africa, where health systems are often under-resourced and populations are highly vulnerable.

What new technology can be used to respond to climate-related epidemics?

Surveillance and genomic tracking are critical tools for early detection and response. Genomic surveillance allows scientists to take samples of the first cases of an outbreak to identify emerging viruses before they cause widespread outbreaks.

In other words, genomic surveillance monitors how viruses are evolving in real time. The COVID-19 pandemic system, where genomics were used widely to identify and characterize variants of the virus, can now be used to monitor other pathogens. This approach was effectively used in the recent Marburg outbreak in Rwanda.

Epidemiological and ecological data is used to understand where vectors of disease are situated. Integrating this data with climate and genomic data into early warning systems can help predict where and when outbreaks might occur. For instance, a recent modeling analysis pinpointed the location of midges that transmit the Oropouche virus, then combined this with environmental data (like climate, soil and land use), and was able to predict Oropouche virus resurgence in the Amazon.

Integrating sampling from the environment, animals and humans is known as the One Health approach. Over the last decade, this approach has been used to respond to Rift Valley Fever virus in Kenya.

If nothing is done, what might happen?

In Africa, climate-driven migration is projected to displace up to 113 million people internally by 2050. Without robust preparedness, African health systems will come under significant strain. This is because climate migrants, who have often lost everything, usually settle in areas with limited health care infrastructure, poor sanitation, and a high prevalence of infectious disease. This makes outbreaks more likely.

The movement of people can also spread pathogens to new regions. Different countries need to co-ordinate a response as regions, and invest in preparing their health systems for climate-related disease outbreaks. If they don't, these pressures could lead to frequent epidemics. Climate migrants who have less access to care will suffer most.

What needs to happen next?

Governments must prioritize building health care systems that can withstand and respond to climate-related shocks such as floods, wildfires and extreme heat.

Governments must also make sure that everyone has equal access to vaccines and diagnostics. They need to invest in community-based surveillance. This is where local people notice and report outbreaks so that quick action can be taken.

It is very important that low-cost disease diagnosis be available at all local health care centers or clinics, even in rural areas, and not just in bigger hospitals. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, people could test themselves for the virus at minimal cost.

Sustainable, ongoing funding is essential to support research, capacity building and public health interventions. Regional cooperation is also key in sharing data, coordinating responses and managing migration flows. This can help contain outbreaks and support adaptation.

On 13 November 2025, the COP30 Health Day will promote regional co-operation by presenting the Belem Health Action Plan. This plan supports the implementation of our report's recommendations. This includes the increase of surveillance and monitoring, evidence-based policies, strategies, capacity-building and innovation. We urge governments to use COP30 to advance the climate and health agenda.

Addressing climate-amplified diseases is important not just for health but as a matter of climate justice. The global south, despite contributing the least to climate change, bears the greatest burden. Governments and private industries that contribute the most to climate change should be held accountable. They must contribute their fair share to the response to climate diseases.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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African health authorities on Thursday confirmed a possible outbreak of an unidentified viral hemorrhagic fever in southern Ethiopia that is under investigation after eight suspected cases were reported.

Ethiopia's Health Ministry is expected to announce the results of the ongoing investigation on Friday, according to the Africa CDC, the continent-wide health response body.

Viral hemorrhagic fevers are a group of epidemic-prone diseases and include Marburg and Ebola virus diseases, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever and Lassa feverall of which have been reported on the continent in recent years.

The World Health Organization said Thursday that it was deploying 11 technical officers to support Ethiopia in the investigation and outbreak response.

"WHO is also providing essential supplies, including personal protective equipment for health workers and infection-prevention supplies, as well as a rapidly deployable isolation tent to bolster clinical care and management capacity," the U.N. agency said in a statement.

The outbreak has been reported in the southern region of Omo, which borders neighboring South Sudan.

Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya said Thursday that the outbreak was a concern because "South Sudan isn't far and has a fragile health system."

Several countries in East and Central Africa have recently experienced outbreaks of various viral hemorrhagic fevers.

 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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John Cleveland is ready to pay a lot more for his health insurance next year.

He hasn't forgotten the pile of hospital bills that awaited him after he had a seizure while tending to customers in his Austin, Texas, barbershop four years ago. Once doctors hurriedly removed the dangerous tumor growing on his brain, a weeklong hospital stay, months of therapy, and nearly $250,000 worth of medical expenses followed.

The coverage he has purchased for years through the Affordable Care Act marketplace covered most of those bills.

"That saved my ass," said Cleveland, who owns three barbershops across the city.

Even with Cleveland's monthly premiums expected to soar next yearfrom $560 to about $682he will still sign up for a plan that requires him to shell out $70 if he sees a doctor and 50% of the cost for any emergency room visits. Still, Cleveland is most worried about some of his employees, who might risk going without insurance once they see the high prices.

Small-business owners are among those who stand to lose the most should Congress let the additional, generous federal subsidies put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic lapse. The looming change threatens not only their own coverage but also that of their employees, who often depend on marketplace coverage.

Whether to extend the enhanced ACA subsidies that cost taxpayers billions of dollars yearly poses a serious political conundrum for Republicans. After years of unified opposition to Obamacare, the party now faces pressure from one of its most loyal constituencies, small-business owners, who will bear the brunt of rising premiums if the subsidies disappear.

Most of the roughly 20 employees who work on Justin Miller's 113-year-old family fruit farm in rural Northern California purchase coverage through the Obamacare marketplace.

He's agonizing over what it could mean if health insurance through the marketplace becomes unaffordable for his employees. He fears they might consider leaving his farm for a job that comes with health coverage.

"Being a small-business owner, especially in a field like ours, where it is tough work and we really understand how hard everybody works, we have to look everybody in the eyes every day," Miller said. "Knowing that they're going to have to pay $4,000 or $5,000 more a year to stay on their insurance is a tough pill to swallow."

Miller says he already pays a minimum wage of $22.50 and provides sick leave, vacation, retirement, and employee housing benefits.

Adding health insurance for his employees, he said, would be too costly to keep his farm in business.

GOP pollsters issue ACA caution

About half of the 24 million people enrolled in Obamacare coverage are, or are employed by, small-business ownersa group that is more likely to vote Republican and overwhelmingly backed President Donald Trump in last year's election. Farmers, dentists, real estate agents, and chiropractors are among the professions most represented among enrollees.

Even Trump's own pollsters have found deep support for the Obamacare subsidies, warning that failing to extend them could cost Republicans in next year's midterms.

A poll conducted last month by Republican pollster John McLaughlin found that a majority of independent voters would be less likely to vote for politicians who voted to let the enhanced tax credits expire.

Given that "approximately 4 million" people would lose coverage and premiums would "skyrocket by an average of 75%," the poll also concluded that: "A candidate for congress who let the health care tax cuts expire would also be vulnerable to more pointed messages."

Red states benefited from the subsidies

Some red states have seen Obamacare enrollment balloon since the federal government began offering extra help paying premiums in the form of more generous subsidies.

Texas and Florida have added 2.8 million enrollees each since 2020, far outpacing growth in most other states. Together, the two states now account for more than a third of marketplace enrollment nationally.

A small chorus of Republican lawmakersup for reelection next year, mostly in competitive raceshave proposed an extension of the subsidies, urging Democrats to vote to reopen the government while simultaneously pleading with House Speaker Mike Johnson to work out a bipartisan deal that doesn't allow them to simply lapse.

At Cleveland's barbershops in Austin, about a third of his 18 employees rely on Obamacare coverage. He's talked to them about their health insurance options for next year but said many hadn't started thinking about open enrollment, which began Nov. 1.

He's worried they'll be baffled once they see the new prices, which currently reflect what customers will pay next year without an extension of the extra subsidies.

"There's a couple of my barbers that are going to go without, because they're healthy and young, but I thought I was too when everything happened to me," said Cleveland, now 47.

Republicans, meanwhile, remain wary of voting to extend the additional Obamacare subsidies, said Rodney Whitlock, a vice president at the McDermott+ consultancy who was a longtime congressional staffer and advises on health care policy.

No Republican voted for the extra subsidies when they were introduced in 2021 or continued in 2022. Approving them now, he said, is viewed by many as a band-aid that would temporarily help a program GOP leaders have long lambasted as problematic and too costly.

But, Whitlock noted, many in the party are coming to terms with how the subsidies might affect their changing constituencies. Nearly six in 10 Obamacare enrollees live in a Republican-held congressional district.

"Republicans are slowly starting to grasp that the lower third of income earners are their voters," he said. "For the first time, I think they're getting there. That battleship turns slowly."

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican who has firmly backed Trump, broke with her party last month, calling on the GOP to extend the subsidies. Greene said in an interview that rising health care costs are the "No. 1 issue" she hears about from people living in her district.

"I know a lot of small-business owners, like a family of four, and they're paying $2,000 a month," Greene said during the television interview, adding that rising deductibles make the insurance hardly functional for anything other than catastrophes.

She warned in another TV interview that "ignoring" the issue could be "very bad for midterms" next year.

Miller, the farmer who lives in a conservative district in Northern California, expects monthly health insurance premiums for himself, his wife, and two of his children to jump from $264 to $600. His deductibles and copayments are going up, too. He expects all these new expenses will still be on his mind when he goes to vote in the midterm elections next year, he said. Describing himself as an independent, Miller said he is frustrated that few American politicians talk about the type of universal health care coverage that's available in other countries.

"I'm definitely voting for those that will protect the working American, regardless of party," he said.

2025 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Healthy life expectancy by English district (from Mayhew et al. 2024). Credit: Risks (2025). DOI: 10.3390/risks13110211

Unhealthy lifestyles in deprived communities are stoking a series of economic and policy challenges in the UK, a new paper from Bayes Business School (formerly Cass) suggests.

The paper says health inequalities between the richest and poorest have reversed the post-1945 increase in life expectancy, while boosting both NHS waiting lists and welfare spending. It has also driven the politically toxic post-Brexit rise in immigration through distorting local labor marketsexacerbating other national challenges such as the housing shortage.

Without a major drive aimed at deterring unhealthy lifestyles, the paper warns, health inequalities and the economic and social pressures they breed will continue to soar.

Published in the journal Risks, the paper says, "It is obvious that life expectancy is at a moment of crisis as the UK struggles to regain years lost during and since the pandemic, and for at least six years before it began. Without major changes, current trends suggest that existing inequalities are likely to persist and even increase, given the limited progress to date.

"We found clear patterns linking poor health and life expectancy at various ages to deprivation. However, the two measures are not in lockstep, and the damage done to the economy through poor health is greater than a fall in life expectancy.

"With current policies alongside an increasingly aging population, the health of the nation will worsen and be ever more costly in public expenditure terms."

Les Mayhew, Professor of Statistics at Bayes Business School (part of City St George's, University of London), drew on analyses he and others have published in recent years, as well as fresh research.

The numbers of working age people claiming health or disability-related benefits has climbed by 33% since 2019, rising from 2.1 million to 2.8 million. With numbers expected to rise further, the Office for Budget Responsibility has projected the cost of those benefits for people of working age will reach 63 billion by the end of the decadecompared to 36 billion in 2019.

A massive backbench revolt by Labour MPs derailed the Government's attempt to curb access to such benefits last springbut Chancellor Rachel Reeves pledged in her high profile speech this week that ministers will try again.

Politicians and the media have focused largely on the surge in the numbers of young adults who are not working due to anxiety and/or depression.

However, the paper also points to the knock-on impact that the rise in "economically inactive" people of working age has on other societal challenges.

Professor Mayhew said, "Economic inactivity is also linked to higher net immigration, which is running at around 500,000 a year. Much of that figure comes from the need to fill lower-paid jobs as the demand for labor is broadly fixed in the short term. An influx of migrants inevitably affects other policy pressure points, such as housing."

Avoidable poor health is the common thread running through so many of the most difficult challenges and problems facing both politicians and tens of millions of people.

In earlier papers, Professor Mayhew revealed that a five-year improvement in 'healthy life expectancy' would increase life expectancy by two years and extend working lives by almost one year. Longer working lives and reduced dependency on working age benefits and less demand for health and social care services would deliver economic and fiscal gains equivalent to 2.4% of the tax burden.

His latest paper concludes: "There is a need to understand both the economics of ill health and the case for a much-strengthened role for prevention, but there is no magic wand. A comprehensive approach is needed for assessing the full cost of ill-health over the life course, linking health and finance together. The unresolved policy issue is how to do this in an evidence-based way, and the timescale and policies involved."

The study found that:

UK life expectancy stalled after 2010 and the subsequent drop during and after the COVID pandemic is the second highest among 17 advanced economies, behind only the US.

Out of the 17, life expectancy stalled in five countries but increased in eleven, suggesting that these countries were better prepared for the pandemic than the UK. The asymmetrical relationship found between health and life span at the sub-national level resulted in deprived areas spending more years in poor health, as well as a greater proportion of their lives (Bennett et al. 2018).

The scale of inequality has had a major impact on different areas of public expenditurewhether in health care, welfare benefits, economic activity, or, indirectly, pensions.

It concludes that poor health is a key factor why the UK economy has struggled since 2010, following the 2008 financial crisis and now COVID, constraining economic growth and driving up public sector costs. A comprehensive approach is needed for assessing the full cost of ill-health over the life course, linking health and finance together.

He says the unresolved policy issue is how to do this in an evidence-based way, and the timescale and policies involved. Expressing the financial benefits of good health fills a gap and opens the way to create stronger evidence based case for change because it hits people in their pockets.

Professor Mayhew said, "The health and economic benefits of prevention can take decades to show up and politicians need to be brave as they might initially alienate both business and people affected by new 'sin taxes.' The legislation going through Parliament to ban the sale of tobacco to anyone born after 2008 is a big step forward, but it will make little noticeable difference for a couple of decades.

"However, over time it would boost good things like productivity and life expectancy while reducing many of the seemingly intractable challenges the nation facesranging from the benefits bill and NHS waiting lists to immigration to fill jobs Brits are too unwell to undertake."

More information: Leslie D. Mayhew, Impact of Stalled Life Expectancy on Health and Economic Inactivity in the UK and the Case for Prevention, Risks (2025). DOI: 10.3390/risks13110211
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A new study conducted in a U.S. prison suggests that incarcerated men have complex perceptions of staff that stem from previous communications and interactions.

The study was conducted by Emily Greberman, a Ph.D. candidate at Rutgers UniversityNewark's School of Criminal Justice (SCJ), who asked nearly 400 individuals incarcerated in an East Coast U.S. medium-security prison to provide written answers to an open-ended question on a prison climate to gauge their priorities and concerns.

With help from Colleen M. Berryessa, associate professor at SCJ, Synve N. Andersen, associate professor of sociology at the University of Oslo, and Jordan M. Hyatt, professor of criminology and justice studies at Drexel University, this work is part of a larger project on prison climate and perceived conditions.

Published in the Journal of Criminal Justice, the study's findings suggest that incarcerated people want accessibility, support, and humane treatment from staff, and when they perceive that these are lacking, the adversarial distance between the two groups can widen.

"While this focus on staff may be unsurprising, respondents' written descriptions pinpoint aspects of incarceration they care about, and identify specific, primarily negative traits that perceivably define their relationships with staff," said Greberman. "Our article addresses the catalyzation of negative emotions such as frustration, feeling uncared for, and feeling unsupported, as well as the potential implications of perceiving staff as being inefficient, unapproachable, and unwilling to help."

"The prison environment requires incarcerated individuals to navigate many different norms, rules, personal constraints, and informal social dynamics," added Berryessa. "Acknowledging the systemic nature of these dynamics, the study offers ways to support and encourage prosocial communication to improve relationships between staff and incarcerated people."

More information: Emily Greberman et al, The importance of social dynamics in a prison environment: Learning from the concerns of incarcerated people, Journal of Criminal Justice (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102537
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A study published in Nature and Science of Sleep reveals a strong connection between social media addiction and poor sleep quality among high school graduates in Bangladesh, offering fresh insights into the mental health and digital habits of young people.

Researchers from Marshall University's Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, CHINTA Research Bangladesh, University of South Asia, Jahangirnagar University and the Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, analyzed data from 1,139 students preparing for university admission. The study found that higher levels of social media addiction were closely associated with poorer sleep quality. Two key symptoms"relapse" and "daytime performance disruption"emerged as major links between excessive social media use and sleep problems.

The study also uncovered significant gender differences. Female participants experienced poorer sleep quality when social media addiction was present, while male students exhibited a higher overall prevalence of addiction, suggesting a differential, sex-related susceptibility to the effects of social media use.

Through network analysis, the researchers identified several "central" symptoms that bridged social media use and sleep health: "mood modification," "taking time to fall asleep" (sleep latency) and "efficiency disruption during the day."

"These findings underscore that sleep health and social media behaviors are deeply intertwined," said corresponding author David Gozal, M.D., M.B.A., Ph.D. (Hon), vice president for health affairs at Marshall University and dean of the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. "Our results highlight the importance of targeted interventions to promote healthier digital and sleep habits among young people."

The study contributes to a growing body of evidence on the impact of social media on mental and physical well-being and emphasizes the need for awareness campaigns and preventive strategies that consider both behavioral and gender-based factors.

More information: Firoj Al-Mamun et al, Social Media Addiction and Sleep Quality Among High School Graduates in Bangladesh: A Network Perspective, Nature and Science of Sleep (2025). DOI: 10.2147/nss.s558040 Journal information: Nature and Science of Sleep
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Researchers from DANDRITE have played a central role in developing a new oral treatment that, for the first time ever, has shown promising results in a clinical trial involving patientsa breakthrough that appears capable of preventing and slowing the progression of frontotemporal dementia.

The first clinical trial in patients has just been completed and shows that the treatment can restore levels of the protein progranulin to normal in individuals carrying a gene mutation that typically leads to frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

"This means we now have hope for a treatment that could potentially prevent the development of this form of dementia in people at genetic riskthereby conceptually transforming the future of dementia therapy," says Professor Anders Nykjr.

He is one of the leading researchers who helped uncover the functions of the sortilin receptor and how it regulates the breakdown of the protein progranulin in nerve cellsa process that plays a central role in the development of frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

"For several years, we have been studying the role of the sortilin receptor in neurodegeneration. Seeing this knowledge translated into a treatment that now shows promising clinical results is a major step forward for the fieldand a testament to the vital importance of basic research for the development of new therapies."

FTD is the most common cause of dementia in people under the age of 60 and progresses rapidly. At present, there are no approved treatments.

The new treatment, VES001, has been developed by Vesper Bio with contributions from Anders Nykjr and international collaborators. Vesper Bio is a Danish biotechnology company founded by Anders Nykjr and Mads Kjlby. The treatment is based on a targeted mechanism that selectively inhibits the sortilin receptor to prevent the breakdown of progranulinwithout disrupting other vital brain functions.

The trial demonstrated normalization of progranulin levels in cerebrospinal fluid and a favorable safety profile, with no serious adverse effects in patients who have not yet developed symptoms of the disease. The next step will be a larger clinical trial involving symptomatic patients.

What is frontotemporal dementia (FTD)?

FTD is a group of brain disorders that affect the frontal and temporal lobes. It impacts behavior, language, and the ability to manage everyday activities. It is the most common cause of dementia in people under the age of 60 and progresses very rapidly. The disease is also known as "Bruce Willis dementia," as actor Bruce Willis has publicly shared that he is living with frontotemporal dementia.

What is FTD-GRN?

FTD-GRN is a form of FTD that can be caused by mutations in the progranulin gene (GRN). This leads to low levels of the protein progranulin, which is essential for the health of nerve cells.

What is VES001?

VES001 is a new oral treatment developed by the Danish company Vesper Bio. It is designed to raise progranulin levels by inhibiting the sortilin receptor, without affecting other brain functions that are important for health.

Why is this breakthrough important?

This is the first time an oral treatment has been shown to normalize progranulin levels in people with GRN mutations. It could potentially prevent them from developing symptoms of FTD.

What did the trial show?

In the Phase Ib/IIa study, progranulin levels increased by more than 95% in cerebrospinal fluid. The treatment was safe and well tolerated, with no serious side effects.

What are the next steps?

Vesper Bio plans to launch a Phase IIb/III trial in 2026 to test the treatment's effect in people with symptoms of FTD-GRN.

What role has Danish research played?

Danish researchers have contributed to the fundamental understanding of the sortilin receptor's role and the concept of selective inhibition, which forms the scientific basis for VES001.

When might patients expect a treatment?

There are still several clinical stages to complete before approval can be considered. It is too early to give a timeline, but these results represent an important step towards a possible treatment.
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A new pill from Merck could change how millions of people treat high cholesterol and help prevent heart attacks and strokes without the need for injections.

The drug, called enlicitide, slashes levels of harmful LDL cholesterol by up to 60%, similar to injectable PCSK9 drugs already on the market.

The pill blocks a liver protein called PCSK9, which slows the body's ability to clear cholesterol from the blood.

"Lower is better for sure," University of Pennsylvania cardiologist Dr. Daniel Soffer told The New York Times.

The 24-week trial included 2,912 adults who had a prior heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular event, or were at high risk for one.

Those who took enlicitide saw LDL cholesterol levels drop by as much as 60% compared with those who were given a placebo.

Researchers found no difference in side effects between the two groups.

Enlicitide could offer a simpler and more affordable alternative to the PCSK9 injections now on the market, such as Repatha, which is made by Amgen, and Praluent, made by Regeneron and Sanofi.

Dr. Dean Li, president of Merck Research Laboratories, told The Times that the company hopes to keep costs down and make the treatment as simple and routine as taking aspirin.

"The dream is to democratize PCSK9," Li explained. "This dream has the possibility of coming true."

Creating a pill to block PCSK9 has long been seen as impossible because the protein's structure makes it hard for small molecules to target.

Merck scientists spent 10 years developing a new type of substancea circular peptide, about one-hundredth the size of an antibodythat can do what injections do but in pill form.

Li said the innovation could pave the way for other drugs that replace injectables.

Merck is now running a larger study involving more than 14,500 people to confirm whether the cholesterol reductions lead to fewer heart attacks, strokes and deaths.

The company plans to apply for U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in early 2026 and hopes to launch the drug in 2027.

Dr. Christopher Cannon, a cardiologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, welcomed the development.

If the results hold up, he told The Times, this could "be a game changer."

More information: The Cleveland Clinic has more on PCSK9 inhibitors.

 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
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In a commentary published in Gastroenterology, leading experts urge that all newborns in the United States continue to receive the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth.

Hepatitis B vaccines are safe and effective with over one billion doses administered worldwide.

Since 1991, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) have recommended a hepatitis B vaccine for all infants, not just those born to mothers who have tested positive for hepatitis B, with the first dose given within 24 hours of birth for infants born to mothers who tested positive for hepatitis B.

Their recommendation was updated in 2005 to specify that the first dose should be administered within 12 hours of birth for infants born to mothers who tested positive for hepatitis B and before hospital discharge for other infants.

In 2018, the timing of the first dose was updated to be within 24 hours of birth for all infants, including preterm infants and those born to mothers who tested hepatitis B negative.

The authors of this commentary have identified this universal "birth dose" as an essential safety net for preventing chronic hepatitis B infection, which can lead to premature death from cirrhosis or liver cancer.

The result of these policies has been a 95% decline in infant hepatitis B infections, which have prevented an estimated one million hospitalizations and 90,000 deaths.

In this Q&A, first author Anna S. Lok, M.D., the Alice Lohrman Andrews Research Professor of Hepatology at Michigan Medicine, discusses the importance of continued universal hepatitis B vaccination for children at birth.

Why is it important that all children receive a hepatitis b vaccine at birth, not just those children born to mothers who have tested positive?

We don't know the status of every motherthe U.S. health care system is not perfect.

A lot of people don't have insurance, or they show up very late to the hospital. They show up when they're in labor, and you may not necessarily have the ability to check the mother's status. But if you vaccinate every newborn baby, then you don't need to worry about infants whose mother has unknown hepatitis B status.

The other issue is that we assume that the only source of infection is from the mother, but that's not true, because some babies can be infected through other people.

There is evidence that fathers can transmit the infection. In some families, it could be the grandparents taking care of the baby. Or it could be the nanny who's taking care of the baby. Or you drop off your baby at daycare. And you don't know the status of people in daycare, or the other kids in daycare.

Now, of course, the contact between the other people and the baby is different from the contact between the mother and the baby. But babies do get scratches, and the skin may break.

If babies are to get infected, they have a 90% chance of going on to chronic infection, which can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer and early death. If your immune system is mature and you get infected when you're an adult, then your chance of getting chronic infection is only 5%.

Why is it important that people are vaccinated as children?

In addition to the 90% chance of chronic infection, if children are infected, they can further spread the infection.

The other issue is practicality. Trying to get adolescents and adults vaccinated is a very tricky issue, because we don't have a good infrastructure.

Getting babies vaccinated on day 1 when they're in the hospital has a much higher chance of getting it done.

Are hepatitis b vaccines safe for children?

Hepatitis B vaccine was first approved in 1981. More than 1 billion doses have already been administered.

It's one of the few vaccines that have been approved for use in newborns and for pregnant women. These are the most vulnerable people. There are very few things that we approve for use in newborn babies within the first 1224 hours of birth. There are very few things that we feel comfortable recommending for use during pregnancy.

What is your overall message to parents and policymakers on this issue?

We have safe and effective vaccines that have been around for 45 years. And if we use the vaccine appropriately and give it to every single newborn baby at the time of birth, we can prevent infections. We don't need to worry about children getting chronic infections, cirrhosis and liver cancer.

It's the most cost-effective way of preventing infection, rather than waiting for people to get infected and monitoring and treating them for the rest of their life. We have treatment for hepatitis B but they do not eliminate the virus and do not cure the disease.

If a vaccine can prevent other chronic diseases, such as diabetes, I'm sure that we would. It's just that we don't have a vaccine for diabetes.

We can prevent chronic hepatitis B, and we have a lot of data to show that vaccines work and are safe.

More information: Hepatitis B Vaccination: A remarkable success story that must continue, Gastroenterology (2025). DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2025.10.295 Journal information: Gastroenterology
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For more than three decades, researchers Christine Stabell Benn and Peter Aaby from the Bandim Health Project have conducted randomized trials involving thousands of children in Guinea-Bissau and Denmark to demonstrate so-called non-specific vaccine effectsthat is, whether vaccines also protect against diseases other than the one they are designed to prevent.

A new comprehensive Danish review now shows that the trials have been unable to demonstrate non-specific effects for the widely used vaccinations against measles, tuberculosis, diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough. The study has just been published in the journal Vaccine.

"It is concerning that such a prominent research group has conducted so many randomized trials over such a long period without finding real results. Randomized trials are normally considered the gold standard in medical research, so if they do not show anything, one should be very cautious about presenting it as convincing evidence," says Henrik Stvring from Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus and Aarhus University, who led the new review.

Comprehensive analysis across all studies

The new study is the first to systematically analyze all of Benn and Aaby's randomized trials. While others have previously criticized individual studies, the researchers behind the new review examined the full body of work.

"We find indications that the researchers systematically selected and highlighted results that supported their theories, while downplaying the fact that they did not confirm the primary hypothesis the trials were actually designed to test. When you look at the overall picture, there are almost no real findings left," explains Stvring.

Benn and Aaby have claimed that their results meant it was time to change the global approach to vaccinationall new vaccines should routinely be assessed for non-specific effects, and vaccination programs should be revised worldwide.

When the gold standard does not hold

The new review is based on 13 randomized trials presented in 26 articles containing more than 1,400 separate statistical analyses. Only one of the 13 randomized trials demonstrated the effect it was designed to detectand that trial was stopped early and was considered unsuccessful by the researchers themselves.

The review showed that only about 7% of the many hypotheses tested by the researchers could be expected to be correct. Notably, this did not apply to the researchers' own primary hypothesesthese were not supported by the corrected results.

"In 23 out of 25 articles, the researchers highlighted secondary findings as support for their theories, but in 22 of these cases the evidence disappeared after proper statistical handling. Overall, the researchers' interpretation did not take into account how many analyses they had conducted, and they did not focus on the main outcomes of the trials," says Stvring.

Not a rejection of the field

The researchers stress that the purpose was not to determine whether non-specific vaccine effects exist, but to examine Benn and Aaby's research practices.

"We hope that others in the field will now re-evaluate the evidencewhat do we actually know about non-specific vaccine effects? Although Benn and Aaby have contributed about one-third of all research in the area, others have also studied the question, and this should be included to form a complete picture," says Stvring.

The study was conducted in collaboration between Stvring (Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus and Aarhus University), Claus Thorn Ekstrm (University of Copenhagen), Jesper Wiborg Schneider (Aarhus University), and Charlotte Strm (SharPen).

More information: Henrik Stvring et al, What is actually the emerging evidence about non-specific vaccine effects in randomized trials from the Bandim Health Project?, Vaccine (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127937 Journal information: Vaccine
Azerbaijans Minister of Justice Farid Ahmadov held a meeting with his Georgian counterpart Paata Salia, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry of Justice.

Minister Ahmadov expressed his satisfaction in welcoming the guest to Azerbaijan and emphasised that the relations between the two countries, based on mutual trust, continue to develop successfully not only on a bilateral level but also within international organisations.

He noted that the fact that Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili and Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze paid their first official visits abroad to Azerbaijan after assuming office this year reflects the sincere nature of bilateral relations and their foundation on mutual respect.

During the meeting, the sides discussed studying international experience to improve the fields of enforcement, special enforcement, and probation; conducting effective exchanges of best practices with Georgia in these areas; and the positive contribution of the 2022 Batumi Law Forum and the Memorandum of Cooperation signed during that event to the development of bilateral relations. The parties also exchanged views on holding joint events in the future and expanding cooperation into new areas.

Both ministers underscored that digitalisation in the justice sector remains a priority for both countries. The Azerbaijani side highlighted the innovative steps taken to digitalise enforcement processes, including the Electronic Auction platform, the Mobile Enforcement application, and the AI-powered E-qanun.ai legal search platform, which provides access to documents and the legislative database.

The meeting concluded with both sides noting that the visit and discussions would make a significant contribution to the exchange of experience and ideas, as well as to the further strengthening of legal cooperation between Azerbaijan and Georgia.
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Word cloud of all individual risky choices as reported by participants in Studies 1 and 2 (N = 4,380). Credit: Psychological Science (2025). DOI: 10.1177/09567976251384975

Quitting a job. Buying a house. Everyone at some point in their lives will make a risky choice that may have a cascading effect on their life path. However, with increasing globalization and technological advancements, choices in today's world are rapidly shiftingseeming more plentiful and complicated than ever. This poses a challenge for researchers who are looking to make sense of how people deal with risk and uncertainty.

In a 2025 study in Psychological Science, researchers went beyond the lab to gather data, asking everyday people about their risky choices. They were curious to learn which aspects were particularly relevant and challenging in modern societyall to build a stronger foundation for behavioral and decision-making research.

"Our basic goal was really to try to tap people's actual experiences from real life," said Renato Frey, a co-author of the study and professor of psychology at the University of Zurich. Previous research exploring risk and decision making has been done in a "top-down manner," he said, meaning that researchers themselves often come up with scenarios that they consider to be risky. But because those scenarios are usually built on theories and paradigms developed decades ago, "pun intended, there's the risk that we study outdated phenomena," he said.

To build an inventory of today's risky choices, Frey and colleagues recruited multiple samples of participants in Switzerland. Their aim was to create a large and diverse population sample that varied in gender and captured a wide range of ages. Overall, the team surveyed more than 4,380 participants.

"And then, in a relatively straightforward way, we just asked our study participants to report a single risky choice," Frey explained. The question was phrased differently between participants to gain a wider range of choices. Some participants were asked to list a choice that they had personally encountered. Others were asked for one made by someone in their social circle. The question also varied in the ultimate decision made: Some participants were asked to describe when they took the riskier option and others for when they opted for the safer choice.

The term "risky choice" was intentionally left undefined to capture two broad types of choices. The first were choices that involve elements of randomness, such as playing roulette, which some researchers refer to as a "decision under risk." The second were choices with entirely unknown consequences, such as founding a startup, which some researchers refer to as a "decision under uncertainty."

The study's researchers then analyzed this collection of risky choices, first to identify how many unique choices existed, and then to classify and condense. The result is 100 of the most common risky choices faced by modern-day Swiss citizens.

This inventory has information on how common a risky choice is and to which life domain it's often linked (i.e., occupational, financial, etc.). The result is an instrument that researchers can use to dig into bigger questions.

The ecology of risk: the 25 most frequently reported risky choices, along with how many women and men reported a choice, the mean age of participants reporting a choice, the domain a choice was assigned to by participants most of the time (including the percentage of all assignments), and the exact number of assignments to each domain (indicating a choices domain homogeneity). Credit: Psychological Science (2025). DOI: 10.1177/09567976251384975

For instance, because of the timing of the study, Frey and his colleagues could assess whether risky choices shifted before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. They found that "by and large, the distributions of these risky choices to different life domains stay fairly constant," Frey said. This means that the types of risky choices people experience at different moments in time, known as the ecology or landscape of risk, is "surprisingly stable."

For instance, across multiple assessments, the study authors found that occupational risky choices, like starting a new job or quitting an existing one, are consistently the most cited risks. This was followed by health-related, financial, social, traffic-related, and recreational choices (e.g., traveling alone).

"That was quite an interesting finding," Frey said. He noted that researchers sometimes prioritize health or recreational choices when assessing how frequently people engage in real-life risky behaviors. "But according to our data, it seems to be a bit like vice versa. First and foremost, people think of occupational risky choices," he said.

The new research also pinpointed some gender- and age-related patterns. For example, job-quitting is a common risky choice for younger adults, whereas older populations tend to be more worried about whether to accept a new job.

"These more nuanced patterns help us understand essentially which subgroups of the population are exposed to which risky choices," Frey explained. "I think this helps policymakers better understand whether people of particular subgroups of the population need support or decision aids."

This inventory of choices can also aid future research. It can provide a foundation for scientists to develop, validate, and calibrate new measurement tools related to risk and uncertainty, Frey said.

Finally, the study shows that although psychology often focuses on testing theories in a lab, it is also about discovering the everyday experiences of people.

"I think this [study] could serve as kind of a blueprint for how, at least every once in a while, we should probably reach out and do this more discovery-oriented, data-driven, bottom-up research," Frey said. "We really need both parts in psychological science."

More information: Renato Frey et al, Mapping the Ecology of Risk: 100 Risky Choices of Modern Life, Psychological Science (2025). DOI: 10.1177/09567976251384975 Journal information: Psychological Science
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Dr. Laura Lewandowski, a pediatric rheumatologist and assistant clinical investigator, poses for a portrait at a centrifuge with tubes containing patient samples for autoimmunity testing in the lab where she works at the National Institutes of Health, Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, in Bethesda, Md. Lewandowski leads a team studying the genetics of pediatric lupus. "I've always been a person who loves puzzles and problem solving and the big picture of how people get sick. What I'm explaining to my family is that I'm a gene hunter. I could do back flips, inside that's how I feel when I can see something new. It's amazing. What I am studying, I feel it's a super exciting moment to be doing this." Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman

A peek inside some leading research labs shows how scientists-turned-detectives are painstakingly decoding what causes autoimmune diseases and how to stop the immune system from attacking you instead of protecting you.

It's a huge challenge. By the National Institutes of Health's newest count there are about 140 autoimmune diseases affecting tens of millions of people.

Unraveling them requires patience, persistenceand sophisticated technology to even see the suspects. Researchers use laser-powered machinery and brightly colored fluorescent dyes to tell rogue cells from normal ones.

Take Type 1 diabetes, caused when cells in the pancreas that produce insulin are gradually killed off by rogue T cells. In a biomedical engineering lab at Johns Hopkins University, researchers examine mouse pancreas cells on a computer screen. Red marks the killer cells. In yellow are "peacemaker" cells that are supposed to tamp down autoimmune reactionsbut they're outnumbered.

Another type of immune cell, B cells, drive autoimmune diseases by producing antibodies that mistake healthy tissue for foreign invaders. At NIH, Dr. Iago Pinal-Fernandez studies myositis, a poorly understood group of muscle-weakening diseases. His research shows rogue antibodies don't just damage muscles by latching onto their surface. They can sneak inside muscle cells and disrupt their normal functions in ways that help explain varying symptoms.

Dr. Justin Kwong, a research fellow, poses for a portrait as he removes cells from an incubator in the lab where he works at the National Institutes of Health, Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, in Bethesda, Md. Kwong coaxes human stem cells to grow into a kind of immune cell involved in autoimmune diseases, and has to replenish batches with fresh nutrients. "These are my babies. It's very rewarding to do this. It's very exciting but difficult to manage. I have to come in every day to feed them. Seven days a week. That's why I have a personal attachment to the cells. It takes a lot of your life, like a baby." Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman

Research fellow Sachin Surwase poses for a portrait while examining a mouse pancreas tissue through a microscope in a biomedical engineering lab at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md., Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Surwase is part of a team developing possible new ways to treat Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease, by reprogramming the immune system to protect and not harm insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. "For me, it started with my grandmother, she died of cancer, so that was the motivation to work on these diseases. But then I got interested in autoimmunity. That fascinated me that why in one disease we need to increase the response of immunity but in others we need to suppress our own immunity. It's like a two-edged sword." Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman

Researcher Kathryn Luly poses for a portrait holding a plate of mice cell samples in a biomedical engineering lab at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md., Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Luly is part of a team using mRNA technology to develop new treatments for autoimmune diseases. Cell tests show if the different formulas are reaching the correct targets. "The thing that's really amazing about the immune system is that it's all this very unique balance. It's like a little bit of this is good, but too much is bad. So as an engineer, it's a very unique problem of trying to sort of thread the needle and find that balance between activation and suppression. I think it appeals to the engineering side of my brain and then also some of the biology of the immune system is just really fascinating. It's a really nice blend of biology and engineering that comes together. Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman

Dr. William Ambler, a translational research scholar who studies how biological sex affects the risk of autoimmune diseases, poses for a portrait while preparing a solution in the lab where he works at the National Institutes of Health, Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, in Bethesda, Md. "I'm fascinated in autoimmunity in general because the causes of it are so misunderstood. There is so much area to understand for treatment and hopefully prevention. What we're doing is very fundamental and has implications beyond autoimmunity. I do feel like we're at an inflection point of some sorts." Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman

Researcher Manav Jain poses for a portrait while pulling human T-cells from a liquid nitrogen storage tank in a biomedical engineering lab at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md., Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Jain helps design biodegradable nanoparticles that could deliver new treatments for autoimmune diseases, making sure they're the right size to reach rogue immune cells in different parts of the body. "I think the engineering thing that I feel was drilled into me from day one is thinking about identifying problems and then figuring out how to pinpoint what needs to be solved or improved upon. It's small baby steps that then amount to big steps. The field that I work in has moved quite fast. I think it's really exciting seeing what's coming out." Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman

Dr. Iago Pinal-Fernandez, a staff clinician, poses for a portrait while examining cells from a muscle biopsy in a light imaging lab at the National Institutes of Health, Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, in Bethesda, Md. Pinal-Fernandez studies myositis, a group of muscle-weakening autoimmune diseases. "When I started, nothing was known about the type of autoimmune disease we study. Now finally we're able to tell patients, 'You have this disease and this is the mechanism of disease. And this is the reason why we're treating you  because the disease works in this way.'" Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman

Staff scientist Carmelo Carmona-Rivera poses for a portrait while working with antibodies used in autoimmunity research inside a cold room in the lab where he works at the National Institutes of Health, Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, in Bethesda, Md. "For me, I love helping people. In this lab, whatever I do can be translated to the patients. I really want to make a difference in how those patients are suffering. The key ingredient is passion. As long as you have passion, you will be able to persist to achieve your goal. In this lab we are applying so many groundbreaking techniques. I feel proud to be part of this." Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman

Researcher Kyle Kaeo poses for a portrait as he sterilizes a flask to prepare hampster cells for protein production in a lab at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md., Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Kaeo is part of a team developing antibodies that could recognize faulty immune cells driving autoimmune diseases and help eliminate them. "I pivoted from doing cancer research to autoimmunity. It kind of seems like this is the frontier of something new. It's very cutting-edge. You know, not a lot in this field, kind of like what we're doing now has been done before. So that was really attractive to me, kind of the novelty and the idea that this can change patient care from what it's been traditionally." Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman

Dr. Norio Hanata, a research fellow, poses for a portrait while diluting patient blood samples in the lab where he works at the National Institutes of Health, Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, in Bethesda, Md. As a rheumatologist in Japan, he saw a lot of patients with autoimmune diseases. "By doing this research we can overcome some unmet needs for the patients. We can know what we don't know." Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman

Dr. Mariana Kaplan, a rheumatologist and autoimmunity researcher, poses for a portrait working with a cell sample on a microscope in her lab at the National Institutes of Health, Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, in Bethesda, Md. Kaplan is an NIH Distinguished Investigator who leads research on systemic autoimmune diseases at the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Kaplan's path to a career trying to unravel autoimmune diseases began while she was a doctor-in-training and helped care for young women severely ill with lupus, including one who died, at a time when there were fewer treatments. "No matter what I did, the diseases just progressed. I felt so impotent and frustrated about it, and so sad for them. The immune system in general fascinated me but this concept of autoimmunity and losing tolerance to yourself  what was causing this?" Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman

Research fellow Colin Gliech poses for a portrait while preparing to test cells in a lab where he studies autoimmune diseases at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md., Tuesday, May 13, 2025. "I've always been really passionate about understanding how things work in biology. Immunotherapies have seen a lot of promise in the field of cancer and we've seen a lot of success specifically with treating blood cancers. But that's by no means the only application for these really kind of exciting and new technologies. So I really see autoimmune diseases as one of those new frontiers." Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman

Researcher Abigail McGahan poses for a portrait in the warm room of a lab before she leaves E. coli bacteria incubating in a petri dish overnight for antibody production at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md., Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Most treatments for autoimmune diseases broadly suppress the immune system. McGahan is part of a team developing new options to target just rogue immune cells, not healthy ones. "I really enjoy the protein engineering aspect as in finding new tools to harness the immune system and this, I think, is, like, really close to having an impact in patients' lives." Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman

"When I started, nothing was known about the type of autoimmune disease we study. Now finally we're able to tell patients, 'You have this disease and this is the mechanism of disease," he said.

In another NIH lab, Dr. Mariana Kaplan's team is hunting the root causes of lupus and other autoimmune diseaseswhat makes the immune system run amok in the first placeand why they so often strike women.

Today's drugs tamp down symptoms but don't correct the problem. Now in early-phase clinical trials are treatments that instead aim to fix dysfunctional immune pathways.

At Hopkins, scientists are working on next-generation versions, not yet ready to try in people. In one lab, they're developing nanoparticle-based treatment to dial down pancreas-killing cells in Type 1 diabetes and ramp up "peacemaker" cells.

And in another Hopkins lab, researchers are developing what they hope will become more precise treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other antibody-driven illnessesdrugs that search out and destroy "bad" B cells.

 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Across Africa, human flycatchers are required to act as bait to catch blackflies near rivers. Credit: DISSECT project

New research shows that it's possible to end the practice of using people as human bait to catch and test the black flies that spread river blindness (onchocerciasis). The study by international nonprofit Sightsavers in partnership with the Global Institute for Disease Elimination (GLIDE) and ministries of health in Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, Malawi and Mozambique, was presented at the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) on 13 November 2025.

Every year, countries across Africa collect many thousands of black flies to monitor for the presence of river blindness, a parasitic infection that causes severe and painful itching, and in the worst cases, irreversible blindness. Until now, "human landing catch," where volunteers sit by rivers to lure and catch the flies on their skin, has been the only method recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for collecting black flies so that they can be tested for the disease.

Innovative traps offer ethical alternative

The research tested 16 different variations of insect traps (called Esperanza window traps) at black fly breeding sites in Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, Malawi and Mozambique. Traps used carbon dioxide to mimic human breath alongside color variations, different orientations, worn socks (black flies are drawn to the smell of sweat) and even a fake stinky foot scent. Although the optimum trap design varied from location to location, the researchers found that seven pairs of traps, easy to set up and requiring minimal maintenance, were as effective as one fly catcher.

In Ghana and Malawi, where fly numbers were high, traps using yeastgenerated CO with worn socks performed as well as traps with synthetic CO and scent. In Cote d'Ivoire and Mozambique, where overall fly numbers were lower, the traps with yeastgenerated CO and worn socks performed best.

Reducing risks for volunteers and communities

"Using people as bait, even if they've willingly volunteered, raises big ethical questions," says research colead Louise Hamill, Sightsavers Director for Onchocerciasis. "We clearly need a better solution, and with the help of some dirty socks, our team has found one."

"Flycatchers sit for hours at a time with their skin exposed, braced to collect any black fly that lands on them. They are given precautionary treatment and try to catch the insects before they bite, but it's hard work and I know from experience how painful the bites can be. Sitting by water all day also puts them at risk of tsetse flies' and mosquitoes' bites, which can lead to other diseases, as well as snake bites."

"An additional benefit is that when set up at high density, the traps reduce black fly populations at breeding sites by catching the females looking for a bloodmeal before they're able to lay their eggs. This has the potential to offer communities longterm protection from river blindness."

The burden and impact of river blindness

River blindness is caused by a parasitic worm (Onchocerca volvulus), which is spread by bites from infected black flies. According to the WHO, at least 250 million people in 29 countries are at risk of contracting the disease. Adult worms, up to 30 cm long, can live for 15 years inside their human host, producing millions of baby worms, called microfilariae. These migrate to the skin and eyes, causing symptoms like severe and painful itching and chronic inflammation. If the microfilariae migrate to a person's eyes, they cause lesions that lead to permanent sight loss.

The socioeconomic impact of onchocerciasis is profound. It can significantly impair infected people's ability to work and perform daily activities, leading to loss of income. The stigma associated with the visible manifestations of the disease contributes to social exclusion, and early exposure to onchocerciasis in childhood has been associated with a particular type of epilepsy, known as onchocerciasisassociated epilepsy.

There is no vaccine or preventative medicine for river blindness, but the drug ivermectin kills the microfilariae, and when given out across entire communities, helps to prevent transmission. In January 2025, the WHO confirmed that Niger had become the first country in Africa to eliminate the disease.

More information: DISSECT Project

Provided by Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind
The winter chill has reignited a long-simmering debate over uniform diktats in private schools. Several institutions have been accused of forcing students to buy sweaters of a specific colour and design, often sold only through school-approved vendors at inflated prices.

While many parents in Mumbai quietly bear the burden, in Ulhasnagar, a local social group has decided to take a stand.

Ek Hath Madaticha, a non-profit known for its citizen outreach and education awareness drives, has filed a complaint with the Education Department against multiple private schools, calling their conduct unethical, insensitive and exploitative. Its president, Vijay Kadam, met Ulhasnagar Municipal Education Officer Deepak Dhangar and submitted a memorandum demanding an inquiry into schools enforcing such arbitrary rules.

Not every parent can afford to buy a Rs 1,500 sweater just because the school insists on a particular shade, Kadam said. There is no government order mandating a single colour or design for sweaters. Education cannot be commercialised  schools must prioritise learning, not dictate unnecessary dress codes.

Kadam said the group acted after receiving calls from parents unable to afford approved sweaters. We had mothers breaking down while narrating how in some schools, children are even warned that theyll be marked absent if they come wearing a different colour. Thats when we realised this wasnt a small issue  it was systematic exploitation, he said.

Since the complaint went public, parents from Thane, Dombivli and Mumbai suburbs like Andheri, Powai, and Chembur have shared similar experiences. Parents in Mumbai are hesitant to speak up, Kadam admitted. They believe the big schools have too much influence... But silence only strengthens such unfair systems. We are ready to represent their concerns too  one district at a time.

Education Officer Deepak Dhangar confirmed that the department has begun preliminary scrutiny. We are verifying if the schools have imposed such conditions and will issue notices if any violation is found, he said.

The groups memorandum has sought clarity on three points  whether any government directive mandates uniform sweater colours, if the rulebook supports such restrictions, and how schools can justify prioritising uniformity over comfort.

In Mumbai, many parents say they feel helpless. The sweaters in my childs school start at Rs 3,500, said Neha Patil from Powai. We know its unfair, but fighting these schools feels like a waste of time.

The group plans to approach the Education Department to demand a circular banning schools from forcing parents to buy uniforms or accessories from exclusive vendors. Our goal is to ensure parents are not exploited in the name of discipline, Kadam said.


In a strong move against arbitrary practices by certain private schools, the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporations Education Department has issued a stern directive warning schools of disciplinary action if they force students to wear sweaters of a particular colour. The decision came following a complaint by the social organisation Ek Hath Madaticha, which raised concerns over schools imposing unnecessary financial burdens on parents.

As temperatures dipped in the city, several schools reportedly began compelling students to wear sweaters of only one specific colour, disregarding the economic constraints of parents. Many parents expressed frustration over being forced to purchase costly, school-specific sweaters instead of affordable ones available in the market.

Taking cognisance of the complaint, Ek Hath Madaticha President Vijay Kadam met Education Officer Deepak Dhangar two days ago and submitted a detailed memorandum highlighting how such rules violate students rights and financially strain parents. Dhangar immediately reviewed the issue and issued written instructions to all school principals and administrators, stating that: No school is permitted to compel students to wear sweaters of a specific colour. Any such enforcement will invite immediate disciplinary action against the concerned school.

The directive has been widely welcomed by parents and education activists, marking a significant step towards curbing the arbitrary policies of private institutions. The civic bodys intervention aims to ensure that no additional financial pressure is placed on families in the name of uniformity. Vijay Kadam, President of Ek Hath Madaticha, stated, We will not tolerate any compulsion that goes against the welfare of students. The Education Department acted swiftly and responsibly, bringing immediate relief to thousands of families. We wholeheartedly appreciate the prompt response of the municipal administration.

Deepak Dhangar, Administrative Officer, Education Department of the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation, commented, Schools must prioritise students comfort and affordability over rigid uniformity. Imposing colour restrictions on winter wear is unnecessary and unfair. Our goal is to ensure that education remains accessible and free from such financial pressures on the parents.

The move is being hailed as a people-friendly decision, reaffirming the civic bodys commitment to protecting the interests of students and parents alike.


Nazrin Abdul



On November 13, Elshan Nazim oglu Hasanli, newly appointed as Head of the Kurdamir District Executive Authority by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, was formally introduced to the staff by Zeynal Nagdaliyev, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Head of the Department for Territorial and Organizational Issues.

During the introduction ceremony, Zeynal Nagdaliyev delivered a speech in which he conveyed the instructions and recommendations of the Head of State.

In his remarks, Elshan Hasanli expressed his gratitude for the confidence and trust placed in him by the President of Azerbaijan.
The results of the Bihar assembly elections will be known only on November 14, but the exit polls are very clear about whats expected. A majority of the polls indicated that the National Democratic Alliance, led by the BJP and Janata Dal (United), is expected to return to power comfortably.

The Mahagathbandhan  led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress  could finish a distant second, and debutante Prashant Kishors Jan Suraaj Party might win just a handful of seats.

However, these elections saw an unusually high voter turnout, were preceded by allegations of discrepancies in voter lists, and renewed the debate over whether national issues can overshadow Bihars socio-economic realities.

Sajjan Kumar  author, researcher, and political scientist  said that the exit polls seem to hint that Bihars electorate is endorsing the leadership of Nitish Kumar.

Sajjan Kumar is the founding director of PRACCIS, which specialises in fieldwork-based political research and says that issues like the Election Commissions Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls do not seem to have made an impact as a campaign plank. He also explained what the opposition might have got wrong and the one factor that may have been underestimated by the exit polls, which could still throw up a surprise.

Edited excerpts:

What is the key message emerging from the exit polls for Bihar?

Its the leader  Nitish Kumar  who is still being trusted by an overwhelming majority of women and other weaker communities. This is why, despite being 20 years in power, there is no emergence of any other leader in the state.

Tejashwi Yadav has a very substantial support base. However, its not something that he has created on his own, and he inherited it from his father. If you leave aside the core of the RJD  that is, the Muslim and Yadav community  you do not find much traction for Tejashwi.

Exit polls have been wrong before. What factors could cause a deviation this time?

If you ask me what could invert all the expectations of the exit polls, it would be Tejashwi Yadavs promise of a government job for every family.

It worked in creating hope in Bihar, where 58 per cent of the population is below the age of 25.

Given the higher turnout, do these numbers effectively reflect that anti-incumbency didnt play a role at all?

The theory that higher turnout means anti-incumbency is old electoral wisdom. We did not see that happen in the recent Madhya Pradesh or Maharashtra elections.

We also have to be careful in noting the causes that may have resulted in a higher turnout. One is the process of SIR (Special Intensive Revision), wherein 65 lakh names were deleted from voting lists.

Second, all the factions have galvanised their core support base to ensure they come out and vote.

Third, women certainly have voted more than men. And if women are turning out in higher numbers, we know that more women are more likely to vote for the incumbent.

What do these predictions mean for Nitish Kumar? Would these sorts of numbers ensure he stays on as chief minister, or will the BJP seek its own candidate as CM?

As far as Nitish is concerned, his core constituencies  women and weaker castes  view him as someone who is a scheme-centric leader. His health is a secondary criterion to them.

The state leadership of the BJP has wanted to have its own CM since 2010. However, if Nitish gets the kind of emphatic mandate we are expecting, it would be extremely difficult for the BJP leadership  in the state or central  to dislodge him.

This would be a mandate for Nitish Kumar and an emphatic one, so he cant be disposed of. He has to be the chief minister. Any attempt to dislodge Nitish will not go down well on the ground and will be viewed as a very hostile move by the BJP.

What do these predictions mean for the RJD, given that it would mean their influence is reducing?

Barring a period of 17 months, RJD has now been out of power for 20 years. If the party, despite a change of leadership, is not able to find appeal among voters except due to caste and community, then its a message that Bihar is not willing to trust the RJD.

The RJD has failed to reinvent itself and get rid of the baggage of its past. When it comes to the possibility of RJD returning to power, multiple factors intimidate weaker communities, women, etc.

The strength of the RJD  that they have 1/3 of the population as a captive vote bank  is their limitation. The aggressive assertion and posturing by their core base intimidates others and prevents RJD from coming to power. The party needs to reinvent itself as one that will bring about change.

Do you believe the RJDCongress dynamic hurt, or helped, the Oppositions performance?

It certainly hurt their performance. In 2020, the narrative was led by Tejashwi, and even the NDA responded to that. This time, Tejashwi wasnt dictating the narrative until the release of the manifesto.

The Congress and Rahul Gandhi had hijacked the narrative, and two crucial months before the election were invested in making the SIR the main plank. The Congress did not let RJD and Tejashwi set the narrative, and their own narrative did not have an emotional connection. The Congress also failed to find any connection with the masses because it did not have a rank and file.

A gender-wise breakup of voters wasnt provided by the EC after the first phase, with allegations that the SIR was said to have excluded many women voters. What does this predicted result say about the controversial drive?

While the Congress party tried to make it the prime electoral plank in Bihar, and the RJD also reluctantly joined the bandwagon, many researchers did not see SIR being talked about on the ground. In the last leg of the election, the RJD completely shifted the narrative from SIR to government jobs and corruption.

Secondly, I do not believe that more womens names were missing from the electoral rolls. If that had been the case, it could have become an issue when the final electoral roll was created.

Prashant Kishor billed himself and his party as the alternative Bihar has been waiting for, but the numbers released today suggest the party may struggle to win more than a handful of seats. What does this result mean for him?

Prashant Kishor is aware that Bihar is going through a transition. Nitish is on his last legs, RJD has not reinvented itself, and 60 per cent of the states population is below the age of 25. So there was going to be space for a new kind of politics, and he tried to fill that. His entire electoral campaign was raising the right issues, catering to the youth, catering to the politics of aspiration and then trying to galvanise voters for change. But Bihar is not Delhi and has 90 per cent rural voters.

He also committed blunders, like saying he would end prohibition within an hour of coming to power. Women voters support prohibition. In a way, Kishor was too full of himself and did spectacle-based politics, instead of building candidates. His hype was bound to collapse.


In an episode of the famous British television series, Yes Minister, the senior bureaucrat Sir Humphrey warns his colleague against the dangers of local government. Bernard, if the right people [like us] dont have power, do you know what happens? The wrong people get it. Politicians! Councillors! Ordinary voters! Bernard is confused: but arent they supposed to, in a democracy? Humphrey retorts: this is a British democracy Bernard!

British democracy, he continues, requires a system to protect the important things in life, and keep them out of the hands of the barbarians.

Mumbai city, since 1872, has been governed as a British democracy. Set up as a commissioner system, it makes a clear distinction between deliberative and executive functions, the former assigned to the elected councillors, the latter to the commissioner. There are interconnections between them, and there are some checks and balances. But there is no mistaking that real power lies in the hands of a state government appointed bureaucrat.

One of the architects of this very British system was an eminent Indian jurist who is immortalised in bronze before the BMC headquarters. Pherozeshah Mehta advocated for municipal reform from the early 1870s. In large part due to his efforts, the elective principle was introduced for the first time in 1872, and again in the Bombay Act III of 1888, which ensured that the Corporation would become an elected bodyalbeit one elected by property owners and graduates.

However, Pherozeshah Mehta pushed back against those demanding more power for elected representatives. He believed that councillors were radically unfit to administer and govern; their proper function was to watch and control the executive. Any move to vest executive authority in the councillors would be a retrogressive step, plunging the Municipality into a gulf of mismanagement, inefficiency and jobbery. Such authority, he said, must be vested in a single responsible officer.

Subsequent amendments to the 1888 Act enlarged the electorate, but the basic structure of local government remains as outlined 137 years ago. It delineates three municipal authorities: the elected councillors, the standing committee (a microcosm of the former) and the commissioner as the chief executive officer. The elected mayor is but a ceremonial head.

This system was interrupted briefly in 1998, when a mayor was armed with executive and decision-making powers. This mayor-in-council (MIC) system was inspired by a similar model that has existed in Kolkata since 1984. Interestingly, the champion of this experiment was the Maharashtra chief minister, who in the mid-1970s as the mayor was reportedly embarrassed by the commissioner. Since then, he had nurtured the dream of empowering the mayors office.

While passing the bill in the state legislative assembly in March 1998, the then chief minister Manohar Joshi recalled his inability as a mayor to fix a leaking roof of a public hospital. Even a village sarpanch has more power, he said. Mumbais MIC system was to be an improved version of the Kolkata model, a revolutionary step for the city.

However, the MIC system encountered strong resistance. Opposition parties denounced it as organised corruption and anti-democratic. Editorials questioned this granting of unbridled power in the hands of politicians. Commentators bemoaned the replacement of the bureaucratic system which stood the test of time for 100 years. Some even remarked that Mumbai is unsuitable for an MIC system because it does not have the educated, disciplined and dedicated politicians like the communists of Kolkata.

Soon after it was introduced, accusations flew thick and fast: council members are intoxicated by power; they are making arbitrary decisions; the level of corruption has shot up; the new system is shrouded in secrecy.

Mumbais experiment with the MIC system couldnt survive for long. In 1999, a new chief minister from the same party (Narayan Rane) decided to reinstate the old colonial system. And so, after hastily introducing the MIC, the government hastily jettisoned it.

Since March 2022, Mumbai has no elected councillors, no standing committee and no mayor. Even within the framework of a commissioner system, the function of the elected representatives is to watch and control the executive. When this check is removed, the will of the state government, exercised through its unelected appointee, reigns supreme. This administrators rule was imposed for the first time 1984, which lasted for a year. This time it has continued for more than 3 years and 8 months.

The debacle of 1998-99 notwithstanding, the MIC is necessary to make executive power accountable to the electorate. Some blamed the failure of Mumbais MIC on its poor conception; some on hasty implementation. But in truth it failed because in the absence of a popular movement, it became an attempt by the government to reorganise power instead of devolving it.

The most basic lesson of reform is that no system of power voluntarily weakens or dismantles itself. Genuine democratisation only occurs when people organise to demand popular control. In the timeless words of a great American reformer: power concedes nothing without a demand, it never has, it never will.

Hussain Indorewala is a teacher and urban researcher at KRVIA, Mumbai. Views are personal


Maybe youve heard that artificial intelligence is a bubble poised to burst. Maybe you have heard that it isnt. But I can confidently tell you that the money being thrown around for AI is so huge that numbers have lost all meaning. The companies pouring money in are so rich and so power-hungry that our puny human brains cannot really comprehend.

So lets try to give some meaning and context to the stratospheric numbers in AI.

n In just the past year, the four richest companies developing AI  Microsoft, Google, Amazon and Meta  have spent roughly $360 billion combined for big-ticket projects, which included building AI data centres and stuffing them with computer chips and equipment.

n How do companies pay for the enormous sums they are lavishing on AI? Mostly, these companies make so much money that they can afford to go bananas.

n Eight of the worlds top 10 most valuable companies are AI-centric or AI-ish American corporate giants - Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Broadcom, Meta and Tesla. My analysis of the S&P data shows that the collective worth of those eight giants, $23 trillion, is more than the value of the next 96 most valuable US companies put together, which includes many still very rich names such as JPMorgan, Walmart, Visa and ExxonMobil.

n No. 1 on that list, the AI computer chip seller Nvidia, last week become the first company in history to reach a stock market value of $5 trillion.

That alone was more than the value of entire stock markets in most countries, Bloomberg News reported, other than the five biggest (in the US, China, Japan, Hong Kong and India).

n All the announced or under-construction data centres for powering AI would consume roughly as much electricity as 44 million households in the US if they run full tilt.

For context, thats nearly one-third of the total number of residential housing units in the entire country, according to US Census Bureau housing estimates for 2024.

n Nvidia pledged this fall to invest up to $100 billion in ChatGPT parent company OpenAI as part of its insatiable hunger for cash and resources.

Or, nearly the equivalent amount could be spent on police, firefighters, courts, public schools and hospitals, social services, parks and more for 8.5 million people. The government spending of New York, the largest city in America, was $118 billion in the last fiscal year.

The Washington Post


We are told that medicine is the noblest of professions and perhaps the most thankless one, too. It takes over a decade of post-qualification practice for a doctor to reach true expertise.

And in todays India, they need one more skill: ducking flying IV stands. At a time when healthcare is our most acute need, the conversation has shifted from valuing doctors to securing them from the very patients they serve.

The word hospital finds its root in the Latin hospes, meaning guest, the same root as hospitality and hospice, places of comfort and care. Today, it often feels like hostile-pital: where patients lose patience and relatives discover their inner WWE moves.

A hospital, by definition, is the last point of hope. When a patient enters its doors, faith has already done its part; science and compassion must take over. Doctors, in turn, follow their sacred duty through protocol and process, steps not of detachment, but of discipline.

The irony is delicious: In the ward where healing is supposed to happen, its the healer who needs first aid. When we attack the doctor, were really attacking our last line of defence. By the time one reaches a hospital, Google Baba has already failed, haldi-doodh didnt work, and home remedies are exhausted. The hospital is not the first stop, its the final hope.

But increasingly, the road rage syndrome seems to have become ward rage, violence by the wards, in the ward. The sacred precincts of healthcare are turning into arenas of blame and brawls. The tragedy is not merely about security lapses, but about societal lapses of patience, trust, and empathy.

And yet, every week we see another video of someone fighting with a doctor because treatment didnt work fast enough. Whats next? Shouting at the pilot because the turbulence didnt listen to you? Or fighting with the weatherman because it rained on your wedding?

If doctors dont feel safe, their instinct will be to shield themselves behind procedures and paperwork. The more we attack the healers, the more we delay healing. Emergency care, that vital human bridge, between life and death may soon become an endangered species.

Trust, after all, is the bedrock of every relationship and none more sacred than that between doctor and patient. Our physicians know more than our charts; they hold our frailty with faith. Its time we heal their psychic wounds before expecting them to cure our physical ones. The solution doesnt lie in more guards or CCTV cameras, it lies in a little introspection. Maybe we dont need better security; maybe we just need better humanity.

Respect for the caregiver isnt charity; its civilisation. So, how do we make doctors feel safe again? And why must we, as citizens, ensure rage doesnt get the better of us when we deal with hospitals and healers?

Write to me at shiv.shambale@timesofindia.com and tell me how we can protect those who protect us. Because sometimes, the best medicine is simply manners.


Sacramento, CA  The arrest of Governor Gavin Newsoms former Chief of Staff has caught the close attention of District 8 Republican Assemblyman David Tangipa, who represents the Sierra Foothills region.

He notes that Dana Williamson, Newsoms former Chief, was arrested yesterday related to multiple felony charges, including wire fraud, bank fraud, tax fraud, and obstruction of justice. It is alleged that she orchestrated a scheme to funnel over $225,000 from a dormant campaign account once controlled by former Attorney General Xavier Becerra through a network of shell consulting firms and falsified contracts. Williamson left the Governors Office in 2024 after it was learned that she was under federal investigation.

Tangipa says, The fact that the Governors closest aide, the person who helped run his office, is now facing serious federal corruption charges, should send shockwaves through California. This is not just one bad actor. Its a symptom of a broken culture of power and privilege in Sacramento.

We reported earlier that Tangipa called for California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to resign after it was uncovered that he had taken lavish trips at taxpayer expense.

He adds, From the Insurance Commissioner spending scandal earlier this year, to the corruption now, it is time we expose every aspect of Sacramentos corruption.
President Donald Trump signed a government funding bill Wednesday night, ending a record 43-day shutdown that caused financial stress for federal workers who went without paychecks, stranded scores of travelers at airports and generated long lines at some food banks.

The signing ceremony came just hours after the House passed the measure on a mostly party-line vote of 222-209. The Senate had already passed the measure Monday.

The shutdown magnified partisan divisions in Washington as Trump took unprecedented unilateral actions  including canceling projects and trying to fire federal workers  to pressure Democrats into relenting on their demands.

Democrats wanted to extend an enhanced tax credit expiring at the end of the year that lowers the cost of health coverage obtained through Affordable Care Act marketplaces. They refused to go along with a short-term spending bill that did not include that priority. But Republicans said that was a separate policy fight to be held at another time.

Heres the latest:

Connecticut lawmakers approve a $500 million fund to mitigate impacts of shutdown and looming GOP cuts

The Democratic leader of the state Senate said Thursday hes worried about whether the Trump administration will abide by the agreement to end the shutdown and what might happen next.

Were not operating within the bounds of conventionality here, said Senate President Martin J. Looney, calling the temporary account, funded with state budget reserves, a cushion against whatever may come.

Democrats, who control the states General Assembly, suggested the account could be tapped to help cover expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits, delayed heating assistance, impacts from Trumps huge tax-and-spending plan or even a possible second government shutdown.

This is a reasonable and prudent response to the crisis that we are in right now, Looney said.

Families brace for continued gaps in Head Start service despite government reopening

Vital federal funding is on the way for Head Start centers that were thrown into crisis by the government shutdown, but it could take time before some children who rely on the federal program can return to preschool.

Some centers that missed out on federal payments had to furlough staff. Others had to shut down entirely, destabilizing thousands of needy families around the country.

Head Start serves children from low-income families from birth to age 5. The program offers a variety of services to families, such as early learning, support for children with disabilities, free meals and health screenings.

Even when agencies receive long-delayed grant money, centers will have to rehire staff members and bring back families  both of which may have grown wary of instability in the program, which relies almost entirely on federal grants.

The damage has been done in a lot of ways, Executive Director Michelle Haimowitz of Massachusetts Head Start Association said. We know that its going to take some time to fill back up.

 Read more about the shutdowns impact on Head Start programs

Timing of heating assistance funds release to states is uncertain as temperatures drop

Mark Wolfe, executive director of the National Energy Assistance Directors Association, predicted it could take until mid-December or later before states receive their annual funds from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

The $4.1 billion program helps millions of low-income households pay to heat and cool their homes.

The funds are typically released in early November, but this year theres a lot of uncertainty, Wolfe said, especially considering federal staff who ran the program were laid off in April.

They fired all the staff. So the question is: What does that mean in practice? Wolfe said. Nobody knows.

Some states have told recipients in recent weeks that heating assistance was being delayed because of the government shutdown. On Thursday, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services said its unable to provide a timeline for reopening the program because the federal funding hasnt been disbursed.

Hegseth names Caribbean mission Operation Southern Spear

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced in a social media post that he is formally naming the anti-drug mission in the Caribbean Operation Southern Spear.

The move emphasizes the growing significance and permanence of the militarys presence in the region, which started over the summer as part of what the Trump administration is calling its war against narcoterrorism.

At least 19 known U.S. strikes on vessels in South American waters have killed 76 people.

The newly named operation will encompass the nearly one dozen U.S. Navy ships as well as around 12,000 sailors and Marines that will be in the area after the arrival of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford.

This mission defends our Homeland, removes narco-terrorists from our Hemisphere, and secures our Homeland from the drugs that are killing our people, Hegseth said in his post.

Education Department staffers report a rocky first day back

A union for department workers says employees who were laid off in mass government firings last month and then reinstated were unable to access their work accounts Thursday, the first day back after the government reopened.

The American Federation of Government Employees Local 252 says workers who were furloughed during the government shutdown also did not receive official notices to return to work.

This disorganization and chaos only further demoralizes the hardworking public servants at the Education Department that have faced threats, harassment, illegal firings  and 44 days without paychecks, said Rachel Gittleman, president of the union.

The department says it has brought back all the workers affected by the shutdown.

Noem presents $10,000 bonus checks to TSA agents at Houston airport

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem awarded the checks to two dozen TSA agents during a news conference at Houstons George Bush Intercontinental Airport, saying the payments recognize employees who went above and beyond while working without pay during the shutdown.

Noem said the department will continue awarding bonuses to TSA employees who showed exceptional performance, noting that eligibility isnt limited to those with perfect attendance. She added that some officers went above and beyond by giving co-workers rides to work.

One of the recipients at the news conference was an officer Noem praised for reporting to all of his shifts and volunteering for extra ones to help cover staffing shortages.

BBC apologizes to Trump over its misleading edit, but says theres no basis for a defamation claim

The BBC apologized Thursday to Trump over a misleading edit of his speech on Jan. 6, 2021 but said it strongly disagreed that there was a basis for a defamation lawsuit.

The BBC said Chair Samir Shah sent a personal letter to the White House saying that he and the corporation were sorry for the edit of the speech Trump gave before some of his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. It said there are no plans to rebroadcast the documentary that spliced together parts of his speech that came almost an hour apart.

Trumps lawyer sent the BBC a letter demanding an apology and threatened to file a $1 billion lawsuit.

Trump approves pardon for former Tottenham owner Joe Lewis

The president has agreed to pardon Joe Lewis, 88, the former Premier League soccer club owner who was convicted last year of insider trading and securities fraud, according to a White House official who spoke on the condition of anonymity about the yet to be formally announced decision.

Lewis wasnt sentenced to any time in prison after pleading guilty to federal insider trading and conspiracy charges in New York but did pay a $5 million fine.

When he entered his plea, Lewis admitted that he agreed in 2019 to share secrets about publicly traded companies with several individuals.

His company, Broad Bay Limited, and Lewis, a British citizen and resident of the Bahamas, agreed to pay $50 million in financial penalties.

The official noted that Lewis admitted he made a mistake, did not fight extradition in the case, and paid a hefty fine.

Lewis transferred his majority ownership interest in Tottenham to his family via a trust in 2022, the year before he was charged.

Democratic Wisconsin senator says deal can be reached on health care

Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, of Wisconsin, said Thursday that she remained optimistic a deal could be reached with Republicans who share her concerns about rising health care costs. Baldwin said some Republicans are hearing from voters about the pain that the expiration of these tax credits will cause.

Ive talked to folks who would like to provide some relief for the people who sent them to Washington to represent them, she said at a news conference.

Baldwin said some deals being floated by Republicans that would approve a multiyear extension of the tax credit, but perhaps with income limits and other changes, are workable and sensible.

Were going to see if theyre serious and if theres enough of them to get to the 60 vote threshold, Baldwin said. And weve got to do that quickly.

Trump signs executive order seeking to expand opportunities for children who have experienced foster care

The president signed an action championed by his wife, first lady Melania Trump.

She said it is meant to provide individuals from the foster care community with technology-based scholarships to attend colleges and universities throughout America and to equip each scholarship recipient with a fundamental foundation of knowledge that will endure throughout their lifetimes.

The initiative creates public- and private-sector partnerships that give young people who have experienced foster care more pathways to success. It also includes a push to provide decommissioned federal laptops to youth in foster care, meant to help them bridge the digital divide and increase access to online resources.

Trump has the White Houses East Room will be part of the future entrance of his ballroom

The president was addressing an East Room event when he paused to indicate the huge, active construction site nearby where the ballroom is being built  and where the East Wing was demolished to make room.

In about two years from now, well use a much bigger room, Trump said, adding that the new ballrooms entrance will be right here and suggested that the project might require removing more of the existing White House.

It looks pretty nice right now. Itll look a lot better in a little while, Trump said. He also said the ballroom has really become very popular  an assertion the president has frequently repeated that is not backed up by recent polling.

Trump administration slaps terror designation on 4 left-wing groups in Europe

The Trump administration is designating four European left-wing groups as terrorist organizations, following through on the presidents vow to crack down on leftists after the September assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The networks all appear to be based in Europe, with no operations in the United States. They are an Italian anarchist front that sent explosive packages to the then-president of the European commission in 2003, two Greek networks believed to have planted bombs outside riot police and labor department buildings in Athens, and an anti-fascist group whose members were prosecuted by German authorities for a hammer attack against neo-Nazis in Dresden.

The designation allows the administration to target any financial support the networks may have in the U.S. Most anarchist and antifa, or anti-fascist, groups are technically not organizations but rather loose affiliations of individuals who join up for specific actions.

First lady headlines executive order signing on foster youth

First lady Melania Trump kicked off an East Room event on Thursday to promote an executive order meant to help current and former foster youth.

Her husband, the president, is to sign the executive order shortly. Melania Trump said it was truly inspiring to see everyone gather here together, united in support of this remarkable initiative.

2 Smithsonian museums to reopen

Two of the Smithsonians museums along the National Mall in Washington, D.C.  American History and Air and Space  were set to reopen Friday after people had been turned away from the free attractions for more than four weeks during the government shutdown.

The organization says on its website that the rest of the Smithsonians sites across the Washington area and New York will reopen by Monday, on a rolling basis.

All Smithsonian buildings and the National Zoo were first closed Oct. 12.

Most of the Smithsonian museums are typically open every day of the year with just one exception for Christmas. The 20 sites together hosted more than 16 million people last year, and the organization has more than 3,600 federal employees.

While the zoo has been closed, the popular livestream feeds capturing the famous giant pandas playing, rolling in the grass or eating were offline. The normally active social media pages sharing animal updates and colorful photographs were silent. Still, even during a shutdown, the animals continue to be fed and get care, unpublicized.

The Education Department brings back staff members

The Education Department said Thursday it had brought back all its staff members who were furloughed during the government shutdown or dismissed in the Trump administrations round of mass firings in October.

The administration laid off 466 Education Department staffers in the cross-government firings meant to pressure Democratic lawmakers over the shutdown. Those layoffs had been halted by a federal judge.

The department furloughed 2,117 employees at the start of the shutdown, but some were brought back for essential work.

New grants were put on hold during the shutdown. Most school districts received the bulk of their federal funding over the summer, but some grants that schools were counting on for this year have been delayed.

Recipients of Impact Aid, which boosts the budgets of districts with large amounts of federal land that cant be taxed for local schools, were waiting to learn when their payments would be processed.

Justice Department sues to block California US House map

The Justice Department on Thursday sued to block new congressional district boundaries approved by California voters last week, joining a court battle that could help determine which party wins control of the U.S. House in 2026.

The complaint filed in California federal court targets the new congressional map pushed by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom in response to a similar Republican-led effort in Texas backed by Trump. It sets the stage for a high-stakes legal and political fight between the Republican administration and the Democratic governor, whos seen as a likely 2028 presidential contender.

Californias redistricting scheme is a brazen power grab that tramples on civil rights and mocks the democratic process, Attorney General Pam Bondi said in an emailed statement. Governor Newsoms attempt to entrench one-party rule and silence millions of Californians will not stand.

California voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 50, a constitutional amendment changing the congressional boundaries to give Democrats a shot at winning five seats now held by Republicans in next years midterm elections.

Federal workers to receive backpay by Nov. 19

The Trump administration is working to push out pay for federal workers that had been on hold because of the government shutdown by the middle of next week.

The money will go out in four separate tranches, depending on the agency, according to a senior administration official. The varied dates are because agencies are on different pay schedules and payroll providers.

The White House had pushed federal agencies to expedite backpay for employees, said the official, granted anonymity to discuss the administrations plans.

The schedule is as follows: Nov. 15: Employees at the General Services Administration and Office of Personnel Management will be paid a supercheck that covers the period of Oct. 1 to Nov. 1 Nov. 16: Employees at the Departments of Energy, Health and Human Services, and Veterans Affairs will be paid for the period from Oct. 1 to Nov. 1, as well as civilian employees at the Pentagon. Nov. 17: Employees at the Departments of Education, State, Interior, and Transportation, as well as those at the Environmental Protection Agency, NASA, National Science Foundation, Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Social Security Administration will be paid for the period from Oct. 1 to Nov. 1. Nov. 19: Employees from the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Justice, Labor, Treasury and the Small Business Administration will be paid for the period from Oct. 1 to Nov. 15.

By Seung Min Kim

Voto Latino criticizes House for ignoring health crisis and voting yes on budget bill

On Wednesday evening the House voted on a budget bill that ended the longest shutdown in U.S. history.

Voto Latino leaders said the House chose to ignore the health crisis millions of Americans are facing when it voted on a budget bill that they claim will jeopardize the health of Latino communities by failing to fund subsidies provided by the Affordable Care Act that make health coverage more accessible.

Latinos are already left behind when it comes to accessing health care coverage, Voto Latino leaders said in a statement. With lawmakers choosing to turn a blind eye to this reality, these disparities will only grow, and families will be pushed to make difficult decisions when it comes to seeking medical attention.

Democratic Sen. John Fetterman hospitalized after fall

U.S. Sen. John Fetterman had what his office says was a ventricular fibrillation flare-up that caused him to feel light-headed and fall during an early morning walk Thursday. He was doing well and was hospitalized in Pittsburgh, his office said. He sustained minor injuries to his face and was under routine observation at the hospital, the office said.

Fetterman, who suffered a stroke in 2022, has disclosed that he was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and a heart condition called atrial fibrillation.

Cardiomyopathy can impede blood flow and potentially cause heartbeats so irregular they can be fatal. Atrial fibrillation can cause blood to pool inside a pocket of the heart, allowing clots to form. Clots then can break off, get stuck and cut off blood, causing a stroke.

Wait and see on poverty program reimbursements

The federal government is back but it is unclear when and if Washington, D.C., will be reimbursed for the payments it made to programs for its impoverished residents while the government was shut down.

Mayor Muriel Bowser ordered that the thousands of recipients of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and the WIC program receive their benefits during the shutdown. The city ultimately covered $18.5 million of the SNAP expense after the federal government made a partial payment of $8 million at the direction of a federal district judge.

Overall, it will be months before city officials know the full impact of the shutdown in terms of economics although at least budgetarily it will be a better outcome than 2024 when the city was unable to spend more than $1 billion of its own tax revenue on its budget because of action by the House.

This year the city retained its spending authority on the budget the council passed.

States scramble to send full SNAP food benefits to millions after government shutdown ends

With the longest U.S. government shutdown over, state officials said Thursday theyre working quickly to get full SNAP food benefits to millions of people, though it still could take up to a week for some to receive their delayed aid.

A back-and-forth series of court rulings and shifting policies from Trumps administration has led to a patchwork distribution of November benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. While some states already had issued full SNAP benefits, about two-thirds of states had issued only partial benefits or none at all before the government shutdown ended late Wednesday, according to an Associated Press tally.

The federal food program serves about 42 million people, about 1 in 8 Americans, in lower-income households. They receive an average of around $190 monthly per person, though that doesnt necessarily cover the full cost of groceries for a regular month.

 Read more about the shutdown and SNAP food benefits

Judge hears arguments challenging appointment of prosecutor who charged James Comey, Letitia James

Lawyers for two of Trumps foes whove been charged by the Justice Department asked a judge Thursday to dismiss the cases against them, saying the prosecutor who secured the indictments was illegally installed in the role.

U.S. District Cameron McGowan Currie didnt immediately rule from the bench but said she expects to decide by Thanksgiving on challenges to Lindsey Halligans appointment as interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.

The requests are part of multiprong efforts by former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James to get their cases dismissed before trial.

At issue during Thursdays arguments are the complex constitutional and statutory rules governing the appointment of the nations U.S. attorneys, who function as top federal prosecutors in Justice Department offices across the country.

 Read more about the Justice Department cases

Trumps new ambassador visits head of Greeces Orthodox Church

Kimberly Guilfoyle, the first female U.S. ambassador to Greece and a close ally of Trump, visited the head of Greeces Orthodox Church on Thursday, telling him he was the first person she called after being nominated to her new post.

Guilfoyles visit to Archbishop Ieronymos II came just over a week after she took up her new position in Athens. A former California prosecutor and Fox News host who was once engaged to Donald Trump Jr, the 56-year-old presented her diplomatic credentials to Greeces president on Nov. 4.

Its wonderful to be here and Im just very grateful that President Trump has blessed me with the opportunity to serve the United States here in Greece, for the relationship that we have and for that growing and blossoming going forward, Guilfoyle said during the meeting with the 87-year-old archbishop.

Ieronymos extended his thanks to the president for the opportunity that he gave us today. May God bless these relations.

 Read more about the ambassadors visit in Greece

By The Associated Press
ATHENS, Greece (AP)  Kimberly Guilfoyle, the first female U.S. ambassador to Greece and a close ally of President Donald Trump, visited the head of Greeces Orthodox Church Thursday, telling him he was the first person she called after being nominated to her new post.

Guilfoyle visited Archbishop Ieronymos II just over a week after she took up her new position in Athens. A former California prosecutor and Fox News host who was once engaged to Donald Trump Jr, the 56-year-old presented her diplomatic credentials to Greeces president on Nov. 4.

Its wonderful to be here and Im just very grateful that President Trump has blessed me with the opportunity to serve the United States here in Greece, for the relationship that we have and for that growing and blossoming going forward, Guilfoyle said during the meeting with the 87-year-old archbishop.

Ieronymos extended his thanks to the president for the opportunity that he gave us today. May God bless these relations.

The new U.S. ambassador thanked the archbishop for agreeing to pray for President Trump.

I just want to tell your beatitude I was very touched when I first got the nomination, we were able to speak on the phone, you were the first person that I called and it was just a very special experience, Guilfoyle said. It made me feel connected spiritually and supported and blessed by the relationship that I know we will continue going forward together to accomplish great things.
TRENTON, N.J. (AP)  A federal judge on Thursday denied Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIvers motions to toss out a prosecution against her stemming from a visit to an immigration detention center this year.

U.S. District Judge Jamel Semper also said he would reserve judgment on one of the New Jersey congresswomans motions to toss the case brought by acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, who was President Donald Trumps former personal attorney.

McIver sought to dismiss the case against her on the grounds that her visit to Newarks Delaney Hall immigration detention center in May was protected on the grounds of constitutional legislative immunity as well as selective and vindictive prosecution.

Semper wrote that the congresswoman failed to show the prosecution was vindictive and that her actions were wholly disconnected from the oversight she was conducting as a member of Congress.

The case is a high-profile clash between Trumps second administration and a Democratic lawmaker who has been sharply critical of the presidents policies. McIver has pleaded not guilty and vowed to continue her work as a lawmaker.

McIver as charged by Habba, a Republican, after the May 9 visit to Delaney Hall. Immigration and Customs Enforcement uses the privately owned, 1,000-bed facility as a detention center.

She was indicted in June on three counts of assaulting, resisting, impeding and interfering with federal officials. Two of the counts carry a maximum sentence of up to eight years in prison. The third is a misdemeanor with a maximum punishment of one year in prison.

Habbas tenure as acting U.S. attorney for New Jersey is being challenged in court, with appellate judges having heard arguments in that case and a decision pending.

A nearly 2-minute video clip released by the Department of Homeland Security shows McIver at the facility inside a chain-link fence just before Newark Mayor Ras Barakas arrest on the other side of the barrier, where other people were protesting. McIver and uniformed officials go through the gate, and she joins others shouting that they should circle the mayor.

The video shows McIver in a tightly packed group of people including officers. At one point her left elbow and then her right elbow push into an officer wearing a dark face covering and an olive green uniform emblazoned with the word Police.

It is not clear from police body camera video if the contact was intentional, incidental or the result of jostling in the chaotic scene. The judges opinion on Wednesday cites video footage and says McIver pushed and was pushed during the incident.

The governments complaint alleges that she slammed her forearm into an agent and then tried to restrain the agent by grabbing him.

The indictment also says she placed her arms around the mayor to try to stop his arrest and says again that she slammed her forearm into and grabbed an agent.

A trespassing charge against the mayor was later dropped.

Members of Congress are legally authorized to go into federal immigration facilities as part of their oversight powers, even without notice. Congress passed a 2019 appropriations bill spelling out that authority.

McIver first came to Congress in September in a special election after the death of Rep. Donald Payne Jr. left a vacancy in the 10th District. She was then elected to a full term in November.

By MIKE CATALINI

Associated Press
THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP)  A riot broke out late Wednesday at a migrant detention center in northern Greece, leaving two police officers injured and 30 migrants arrested, authorities said.

The facility where the unrest erupted was holding about 750 migrants of various nationalities, police said. Two officers were treated for injuries after being hit by a rock and bitten on the hand.

Greece this summer introduced one of Europes toughest migration regimes, allowing detention for up to 24 months and imposing prison terms of two to five years for illegal entry or stay. Under the stricter laws, migrants denied asylum face mandatory jail sentences.

Wednesdays clashes came a day after three migrants died and 55 were rescued near the southern island of Crete when a boat carrying them from Libya sank. Two of the rescued migrants, both from Sudan, were arrested on smuggling charges.

Arrivals from Libya to Crete have surged in recent months. But Migration Minister Thanos Plevris said earlier Wednesday that overall migrant arrivals had dropped compared with a year earlier.

He defended Greeces tough migration laws and voiced support for proposals backed by other European Union members to establish dedicated deportation centers.
Laman Ismayilova



In a significant move that highlights the global recognition of Azerbaijani folk art, UNESCO has included the anniversaries of two of Azerbaijan's most celebrated ashiqsAshiq Dirili Qurbani and Ashiq Alaskar in its 20262027 Anniversary Program, Azernews reports.

The inclusion of these two prominent figures of Azerbaijani oral and poetic traditions in UNESCO's prestigious program marks a significant step in recognising the depth of Azerbaijani culture on the global stage.

Ashiq Dirili Qurbani (14761549)

From an early age, Ashiq Dirili Qurbani developed a passion for playing the saz and writing poetry. Largely self-taught, he immersed himself in the study of classical and folk poetry, as well as history. He became fluent in Persian and Arabic and memorised the Quran in its entirety. By the time he was fifteen, Qurbani was already participating in local celebrations as an ashiq.

His village, where he first began to compose poetry, was located on the slopes of a mountain adorned with delicate violets and daffodils, surrounded by thick forests and cold springs. At the base of the mountains lay fertile wheat fields, and below that flowed the powerful Aras River. It was in this idyllic landscape that Qurbani's character was formed, where his deep connection to both nature and people blossomed. The vivid imagery and emotional depth in his poetry are firmly grounded in the rich traditions of Azerbaijani verse.

With remarkable talent, Gurbani became a true poet of the people. His poetry evolved over time, constantly refining and reaching ever-greater levels of excellence, ultimately achieving unmatched mastery in his art.

Ashiq Alasgar (18211926)

Ashiq Alasgar wrote poetry, composed ashiq melodies to accompany his verses, and expertly performed them on the saz. He was well-versed in the forms of ashiq poetry and became a master of their craft.

His repertoire included numerous classical dastans (epic ballads) and ashiq tunes, which primarily focused on themes of the hard lives of working people, the realistic portrayal of rural life, and the beauty of nature.

Ashiq Alasgar had an exceptional memory and could easily memorise poems and tales, particularly the dastans of other ashiqs. He was well-acquainted with the works of great Eastern classical poets such as Nizami, Nasimi, Fuzuli, and Nabati.

Alasgar had nearly all of the classical ashiq poetry and love-heroic legends memorised. He also composed several dastans of his own, including Alasgar and Sahnabanu, "The Journey of Ashiq Alasgar to Nakhchivan," "The Journey of Ashiq Alasgar to Turkiye," and "The Journey of Ashiq Alasgar to Garabagh."

UNESCO's Recognition: Worldwide Spotlight on Azerbaijani Heritage

The inclusion of Ashiq Dirili Qurbani and Ashiq Alasgar in UNESCO's 20262027 Anniversary Program marks a significant moment for Azerbaijani culture. It is not merely a celebration of two individuals; it is an acknowledgement of the ashiq tradition as a whole.

Since its inception, the Azerbaijan National Committee? t? UNESCO has made significant contributions? t? various UNESCO programs and projects.

These include efforts? t? safeguard and promote Azerbaijan's cultural sites, support educational initiatives, and foster international cooperation? ?n the fields? ?f science and technology.

Azerbaijan National Committee? to UNESCO continued to? be committed? t? its mission? ?f promoting peace and cooperation through education, culture, and science.

In 2003, the parties signed a framework agreement on cooperation in the areas of culture, science, education, and communication, which allowed Azerbaijan to become one of the donors to UNESCO.

Many Azerbaijani cultural sites have been included? in UNESCO's World Heritage List, including Icherisheher (Old City) with Maiden Tower, Shirvanshah's Palace, Gobustan National Historical-Artistic Reserve, etc. In? 2021, Lankaran District was included? ?n the UNESCO list "Network? ?f Creative Cities".

UNESCO also honours Azerbaijan's outstanding personalities, like the poet and thinker Imadaddin Nasimi, Fikrat Amirov,? great philanthropist and oil magnate Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev, etc.
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP)  The return of millions of Afghan nationals to their home country is placing extreme pressure on already struggling communities, with nine in 10 families in areas with high rates of return now either going hungry, sliding into debt or selling their belongings to survive, according to the United Nations.

A survey released Wednesday by the United Nations Development Program said the return of 2.3 million Afghans so far this year, many of them forced out of neighboring Iran and Pakistan, had sharply intensified pressure on already fragile systems.

Afghanistan was already struggling after decades of conflict, recent earthquakes, climate shocks and economic contraction, the UNDP report said, noting that the arrival of millions of returning Afghans has increased competition for jobs, water and housing, further straining social cohesion and local services.

The report was based on an assessment of 48,711 Afghan households, including just over 1,500 returnee families, carried out in July and August in all 34 provinces of Afghanistan. Ninety percent of households in areas where there have been a high level of returns reported having to resort to skipping meals, selling belongings or borrowing, the report said.

Women and girls have been particularly badly affected, the UNDP said. Afghanistans Taliban-led government has severely curtailed the rights of women and girls, including placing restrictions on their movements outside the home and banning them from most jobs, as well as from secondary and university education.

Afghanistans returnee and host communities are under immense strain, said Kanni Wignaraja, UN Assistant Secretary-General and the UNDPs regional director for Asia and the Pacific. In some provinces one in four households depend on women as the main breadwinner, so when women are prevented from working, families, communities, the country lose out.

More than 4.5 million people have returned to Afghanistan since September 2023, increasing the countrys population by 10%, the report said. Mass returns have occurred against a backdrop of sharp economic decline stretching back to 2021, weak capacity in social and economic institutions following the years of conflict, shrinking aid, and recurrent climate shocks.

More than half of families who have returned reported foregoing medical care in order to afford food, while access to clean water is increasingly under strain, with local communities and returning Afghans relying on seasonal rivers, shallow wells or springs, the report said.

Earthquakes, flash floods and a severe drought have also battered the country. A major quake and aftershocks that hit eastern Afghanistan in August killed more than 2,200 people. Some of the regions affected were those with some of the highest levels of returnees, with the UNDP saying 1 million people were affected by the quakes, and more than 8,300 homes were destroyed. Another powerful quake struck northern Afghanistan earlier this month, killing 27 and injuring nearly 1,000 more.

Taken together, the overlapping stresses of chronic poverty, large-scale returns, climate and seismic shocks, declining aid, and gender-based exclusion have created a perfect storm. Fragile host districts bear the burden of displacement, eroding social cohesion and putting community resilience under pressure, the report said.

The UNDP said that sustained diplomatic engagement by UN member states could help protect vulnerable populations.

Urgent action is needed now, before the challenges in the areas of return entrench displacement, exclusion, and instability, and fuel fresh waves of displacement and outward migration, the UNDP report said, adding that Afghanistan cannot afford delay, nor can the region.

___

Becatoros reported from Athens, Greece

By ABDUL QAHAR AFGHAN and ELENA BECATOROS
KATHMANDU, Nov 13: Nepal Scouts has got back its encroached land in Lainchaur, Kathmandu, which was illegally occupied by former energy minister Deepak Khadka of the ousted KP Oli-led government, after the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) demolished the illegally-built structures in the area on Thursday.

In a bid to take control of the structures built by Khadka Land Development Pvt Ltd (KLDPL) and its assets for failing to pay the lease amount, Nepal Scouts last week issued a public notice in line with court orders giving the company an ultimatum of one week to vacate. KMC Police Chief Raju Nath Pandey informed that a city police team on request of Nepal Scouts demolished the illegally-built structures on the premise of the encroached land.

Khadka Land Development is owned by Nepali Congress leader Deepak Khadka, who was the energy minister in the Oli-led government which was toppled by the Gen Z movement of September 8-9. Nepal Scouts leased its land to the company in 2008 for ten years. Although the lease expired in 2018, the company has been refusing to vacate the land.

Related story Flag hoisting to mark scouts foundation day

In addition, the company was found encroaching nearly 12 ropanis of land of Nepal Scouts, although it took approval for using only three ropanis. The company had constructed buildings and operated a party palace, hotel, and restaurant on the site.

The Kathmandu District Court and Patan High Court had also issued verdicts in favour of Nepal Scouts. Following the courts decision, Nepal Scouts issued a 35-day notice on December 14, 2022, requesting the company to vacate the land.

However, the KLDPL has been defying the courts order on the pretext of the political influence of its owner, Khadka.

Khadka is accused of illegally extending the agreement to 15 years by influencing the then high level officials of Nepal Scouts. On top of this, the company still owes a hefty amount to be paid to Nepal Scouts. After the company failed to pay the rent on time, the Kathmandu District Administration Office sealed the land and structures on April 18, 2024.
Women named Aethelthryth are typically perceived as possessing strong moral conviction, resilience, and a deep sense of purpose. Historical accounts of Saint thelthryth suggest personality traits including determination in adhering to personal vows, spiritual devotion, and the ability to navigate complex political situations while maintaining personal integrity. The name carries connotations of aristocratic bearing combined with religious dedication, suggesting someone who balances worldly responsibilities with higher principles.



In modern interpretation, the name might imply a person of strong character who values tradition but isn't afraid to defy conventions when following their conscience. The combination of 'noble' and 'strength' in the name's meaning suggests someone with leadership qualities, dignity, and the fortitude to overcome challenges while maintaining their core values. Such individuals are often seen as principled, possibly reserved or contemplative, with an inner strength that becomes apparent in difficult circumstances. They may be perceived as having a sense of historical consciousness or connection to tradition, combined with the personal resolve to chart their own course despite external pressures.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Agrican holds a distinctive place in French and European literary history, primarily through its appearance in Renaissance epics and chivalric romances. The name gained prominence through Matteo Maria Boiardo's 'Orlando Innamorato' and Ludovico Ariosto's 'Orlando Furioso,' where Agrican is portrayed as the powerful King of Tartarya formidable warrior and leader who becomes both antagonist and tragic figure in these sprawling narratives. This literary heritage connects the name to themes of exoticism, military prowess, and the complex interplay between Christian and pagan cultures in medieval European imagination.



Beyond literature, the name Agrican reflects France's deep agricultural roots and the importance of land cultivation in French cultural identity. The etymological connection to 'field' or 'agriculture' positions it within a tradition of names celebrating rural life and connection to the earth. While never achieving widespread popularity, its appearance in historical records suggests it was used among certain noble families and in regions with strong agricultural traditions, serving as a bridge between practical rural life and the romanticized world of chivalric literature.
Nazrin Abdul



A delegation led by Anar Guliyev, Chairman of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture of Azerbaijan, visited Belem, Brazil, to participate in the 30th session of the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP30).

As reported by Azernews, Guliyev addressed the Ministers Meeting on Urban Planning and Climate Change, as well as a roundtable on Informal Settlements, Land Transformation, and Housing Provision. He emphasised the importance of multi-level collaboration in tackling both housing and climate challenges.

During the sessions, Guliyev presented Azerbaijans reconstruction efforts in the liberated territories under the Great Return program, highlighting the integration of smart and green urban planning principles. He also underscored Azerbaijans co-chair role in the Baku Sustainability Coalition and the UN Intergovernmental Working Group on Adequate Housing for All, noting its significant contribution to integrating urban planning and climate agendas.

Speaking at the Ministers Meeting held as part of Urban Planning Day at COP30, Guliyev highlighted Azerbaijans hosting of COP29 as a catalyst for multi-level climate cooperation. He also underlined the relevance of the Multi-level Action Pathways (MAP) initiative and the role of the Baku Sustainability Coalition in advancing this approach.

During the visit, Guliyev met with Brazils Minister of Cities, Jader Filho, to discuss opportunities for cooperation in sustainable and inclusive urban development. He also briefed the Minister on preparations for the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), which will be held in Baku.

As the national coordinator for WUF13, Guliyev used his speeches and meetings at COP30 to invite participants to join the upcoming forum in Baku. He emphasised that WUF13 will provide a unique global platform to discuss the future of cities, climate resilience, and innovative urban planning solutions.
Individuals named Ahiga typically exhibit a complex blend of strength, protectiveness, and deep cultural connection that shapes their personality and life path. They often demonstrate natural leadership qualities combined with a strong sense of responsibility toward their community and family. This protective instinct manifests as a willingness to stand up for others, defend principles they believe in, and serve as pillars of support during challenging times. Their 'fighting' nature is rarely aggressive but rather manifests as determined perseverance, moral courage, and the ability to endure hardship while maintaining their integrity and values.



Ahigas are often characterized by their quiet intensity and observational nature, preferring to assess situations thoroughly before taking action. They tend to be deeply principled individuals who value tradition while also understanding the need for adaptation and growth. Their strength is typically balanced with wisdom and compassion, making them effective mediators and respected advisors within their social circles. The name's cultural weight often instills in its bearers a sense of purpose and connection to something larger than themselves, driving them to roles where they can make meaningful contributions to their community's wellbeing and cultural preservation. This combination of traits creates individuals who are both grounded in tradition and capable of navigating modern challenges with grace and determination.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Ainslie has strong Scottish origins, derived from a place name in East Lothian, Scotland. The name originally denoted someone who came from 'Ann's meadow' or 'Ann's clearing,' reflecting the pastoral landscape of the Scottish Lowlands. Throughout history, it has been used as both a surname and given name, with notable Scottish families bearing the name Ainslie for generations.



In Christian naming traditions, Ainslie carries subtle religious significance through its connection to 'Ann,' which can reference Saint Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary. This gives the name an undercurrent of Christian heritage while maintaining its Scottish geographical roots. The name's evolution from surname to given name reflects broader naming trends in English-speaking countries, particularly the practice of adopting meaningful place names and surnames as first names.



The name also represents the Scottish diaspora, as it traveled with Scottish immigrants to countries like Australia, Canada, and the United States. In these new lands, the name served as a connection to Scottish heritage while adapting to local naming customs. The preservation of such names demonstrates the enduring importance of cultural identity and family history across generations.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Akil holds significant cultural weight in Greek tradition, particularly in regions near ancient river systems. In classical Greek culture, names derived from geographical features like rivers were believed to connect individuals to the natural world and its divine properties. The river Akil, though not as prominent as larger Greek rivers, was historically important for local communities that depended on its waters for agriculture and transportation. Throughout Greek history, the name has been associated with wisdom and natural harmony, reflecting the Greek philosophical tradition of seeing humanity as intrinsically linked to the natural environment.



In modern times, the name continues to symbolize a bridge between ancient traditions and contemporary environmental awareness, representing a continuity of Greek cultural identity through its connection to the land and water. The name's persistence through centuries demonstrates how geographical features continue to influence cultural identity and personal naming conventions. As environmental consciousness grows globally, the name Akil has gained renewed appreciation for its inherent connection to nature and sustainable values, making it particularly relevant in today's ecological context.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Amdt (typically spelled Arndt) holds significant cultural weight in German-speaking regions, particularly in northern Germany where it originated as a patronymic surname that later became used as a given name. Historically, the name is deeply connected to Germanic traditions of naming children after powerful natural symbols, with the eagle representing strength, vision, and authority in Germanic mythology. During the medieval period, names derived from 'arn' (eagle) were particularly popular among nobility and military leaders who sought to embody the eagle's attributes of leadership and dominance.



The name saw a revival during the German Romantic period when there was renewed interest in traditional Germanic names and their symbolic meanings, cementing its place in German cultural heritage as a name representing strength and noble character. In contemporary German culture, while less common as a first name, it remains an important surname and appears frequently in historical contexts, maintaining its connection to German identity and heritage. The name's endurance through centuries reflects the lasting cultural value placed on the eagle as a symbol of German national identity and personal strength.
Individuals named Amphiaraus are typically characterized by profound intuition and foresight, often possessing an almost prophetic understanding of situations and outcomes. They tend to be deeply contemplative, analytical, and wise beyond their years, with a natural inclination toward seeking truth and understanding hidden patterns. However, this gift of foresight often comes with a burdenthey may struggle with the knowledge of inevitable outcomes while feeling compelled to follow their path regardless. This creates a complex personality that balances deep wisdom with a sense of tragic destiny.



Their moral compass is usually strong and unwavering, making them principled individuals who value honesty and integrity above all else. They often serve as advisors or guides to others, though they may sometimes appear aloof or detached due to their contemplative nature. The Amphiaraus personality combines intellectual depth with emotional complexitythey are capable of great loyalty and sacrifice, but may also carry an underlying melancholy stemming from their awareness of life's inevitable tragedies and limitations. Their strength lies in their ability to face difficult truths with courage, even when those truths point toward personal sacrifice or loss.
Individuals named Amsden are often perceived as possessing a blend of intellectual depth and practical wisdom, reflecting the name's connection to Saint Ambrose, known for his theological insight and administrative capabilities. They tend to be thoughtful, analytical, and methodical in their approach to life, with a natural inclination toward learning and scholarship. The 'valley' aspect of the name's meaning suggests a personality that values stability, security, and groundedness, often making them reliable and trustworthy individuals who provide emotional shelter to others.



Amsdens typically exhibit strong leadership qualities tempered with humility, showing the balance between authority and service that characterized their namesake saint. They often demonstrate excellent communication skills and persuasive abilities, much like Saint Ambrose's renowned oratory talents that helped shape early Christian doctrine. Their personality combines spiritual depth with practical application, making them effective in both contemplative and active pursuits. Many Amsdens show a particular aptitude for teaching, counseling, or other professions where wisdom and guidance are valued, embodying the name's dual nature of elevated insight and humble service.
Anahita carries profound symbolic meanings rooted in her identity as the water goddess. She represents the essential life force that flows through all existence, symbolizing both physical sustenance and spiritual nourishment. As the embodiment of celestial waters, she signifies purity, clarity, and the washing away of impurities - both literal and metaphorical. Her symbolism extends to fertility and abundance, representing the generative power that brings forth life and ensures its continuation. The name also carries connotations of wisdom and healing, reflecting water's role in traditional healing practices and its association with intuitive knowledge.



Metaphorically, Anahita represents the feminine principle in its most nurturing aspect - the receptive, fluid, life-giving force that complements more masculine energies. She symbolizes emotional depth and the unconscious mind, much like the mysterious depths of oceans and lakes. Her connection to both celestial and earthly waters makes her a bridge between divine and human realms, representing the flow of grace and inspiration from higher consciousness to material existence. The cyclical nature of water - evaporating, forming clouds, falling as rain, and flowing back to the ocean - mirrors spiritual concepts of rebirth, transformation, and the eternal return.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Anscomb carries significant Christian cultural heritage, originating from Old English roots that reflect both geographical and spiritual meanings. As a name meaning 'lives in the valley of the majestic one,' it embodies the Christian concept of dwelling in God's presence and protection. Historically, the name has been associated with families living in valley regions of England, particularly in areas with strong Christian communities where the name served as both an identifier and a spiritual declaration.



Throughout Christian history, valley imagery has been used metaphorically to represent both humility and divine protection, as referenced in Psalms 23:4 ('Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death'). The name Anscomb thus connects bearers to this rich biblical tradition while maintaining its English cultural roots. It has been particularly prominent among Anglican communities and has been passed down through generations as a surname that eventually transitioned to given name usage in Christian families seeking names with both historical depth and spiritual significance.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Anubis stands as one of the most significant deities in ancient Egyptian mythology, serving as the god of death, mummification, and the afterlife. His role was crucial in Egyptian funerary practices, where he was believed to protect graves and guide souls through the underworld. The ancient Egyptians viewed Anubis as the inventor of embalming and mummification, making him essential to their beliefs about the afterlife and resurrection.



In the famous 'Weighing of the Heart' ceremony depicted in the Book of the Dead, Anubis supervised the judgment of souls, weighing the deceased's heart against the feather of Ma'at (truth). His jackal-headed form was likely inspired by the observation of jackals scavenging around cemeteries, leading Egyptians to believe these animals protected the dead. Anubis was worshipped throughout Egyptian history, though his prominence shifted when Osiris became more central in later dynasties.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Archimbald holds a distinctive place in German naming traditions as a name that bridges ancient Germanic roots with medieval aristocratic usage. The name emerged during the early medieval period when Germanic tribes were consolidating into larger political entities, and names combining elements of strength, leadership, and authenticity were highly valued among ruling classes. Its usage was particularly prominent among Bavarian and Swabian nobility during the 11th to 13th centuries, where it symbolized both martial prowess and legitimate authority.



Throughout German history, Archimbald maintained a presence in aristocratic circles while also being adopted by educated professionals and artisans during the Renaissance. The name carried connotations of reliability and traditional values, making it appealing to families seeking to emphasize their connection to Germanic heritage and stability. During the 19th century German Romantic movement, there was a brief resurgence of interest in names like Archimbald as part of a broader cultural rediscovery of medieval German history and literature.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Arwyn is a name with deep roots in Welsh culture, derived from the Welsh elements 'ar' meaning 'on, upon' and '(g)wyn' meaning 'white, fair, blessed.' This combination creates the meaning 'fair' or 'blessed,' which evolved into the interpretation 'the people's friend' through cultural association with fairness and goodwill toward others. In Christian contexts, the name carries additional significance as it suggests purity and blessing, aligning with Christian virtues of righteousness and community service.



The name gained broader recognition through J.R.R. Tolkien's works, where the feminine form Arwen Undomiel represents nobility, grace, and sacrifice. While Tolkien's Arwen is female, the name's Welsh origins remain masculine, and its Christian adoption reflects values of friendship, community, and moral purity. In Wales, Arwyn maintains its cultural authenticity while being embraced by Christian families who appreciate its meaningful combination of cultural heritage and spiritual significance.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Ashur holds deep significance in Swahili Muslim communities along the East African coast, particularly in Tanzania, Kenya, and Zanzibar. It connects directly to the Islamic calendar, specifically the month of Muharram, during which the Day of Ashura is observed. This day commemorates various historical events in Islamic tradition, including Moses' victory over Pharaoh and the martyrdom of Imam Hussein. In Swahili culture, naming a child Ashur signifies that the child was born during this sacred period, marking them as someone with special spiritual timing and connection to Islamic history.



The name also reflects the syncretic nature of Swahili culture, which blends African, Arab, and Islamic influences. It represents how Islamic traditions have been localized and integrated into East African naming practices. Families who choose this name often do so to honor their religious heritage while maintaining their Swahili cultural identity. The name serves as a living reminder of the child's connection to both their faith and their cultural roots, creating a bridge between religious observance and cultural tradition.
Individuals named Askook are often perceived as highly intuitive and adaptable, possessing a natural ability to navigate complex situations with grace and wisdom. They tend to be observant and patient, preferring to assess situations thoroughly before acting, much like the snake that moves with deliberate purpose. Their quiet confidence and strategic thinking make them excellent problem-solvers who can shed old ways of thinking and embrace necessary transformations.



Askooks typically demonstrate resilience in facing challenges, able to move through difficult circumstances while maintaining their core identity. They often possess a mysterious quality that draws others to them, combined with a protective nature toward those they care about. Their analytical minds and ability to see patterns others might miss make them valuable advisors and leaders in their communities. While they may appear reserved initially, those who earn their trust discover individuals of deep loyalty and surprising warmth, capable of profound insights into human nature and the world around them.
Individuals named Atemu are often perceived as possessing strong leadership qualities, creative thinking, and a deep sense of purpose. They tend to be methodical and complete in their approach to tasks, reflecting the name's meaning of 'The Complete One.' These individuals often exhibit natural authority and confidence, with an ability to initiate projects and see them through to completion. Their personality typically combines practical wisdom with visionary thinking, making them effective problem-solvers who can balance tradition with innovation.



Atemu-named individuals often display resilience and adaptability, capable of navigating complex situations while maintaining their core principles. They may have a philosophical or spiritual inclination, drawn to understanding life's deeper meanings and patterns. While they can be solitary at times, they value meaningful connections and often serve as pillars in their communities or professional circles. Their strength lies in their ability to create order from chaos and their commitment to seeing things through to their natural conclusion, much like the god Atemu who completed the daily cycle of the sun.
Individuals named Atlantes are typically perceived as possessing extraordinary resilience and steadfastness, reflecting the mythological Atlas's eternal burden. They often demonstrate remarkable mental and emotional fortitude, able to withstand significant pressures while maintaining their composure and purpose. This inherent strength is complemented by a deep sense of responsibility and loyalty, making them reliable figures in both personal and professional contexts. Their endurance is not merely physical but extends to intellectual and emotional realms, allowing them to navigate complex challenges with remarkable patience.



Beyond their legendary resilience, Atlantes personalities often exhibit strong leadership qualities and protective instincts. They tend to be natural guardians who take seriously their role in supporting others, whether family, friends, or larger communities. There's often a philosophical or intellectual depth to their character, with many displaying wisdom beyond their years and a tendency toward mentorship. While they may appear serious or burdened at times, this stems from their profound sense of duty rather than lack of joy or humor.



Their strength is typically balanced by compassion, creating individuals who are both pillars of support and understanding confidants. Atlantes-named individuals often show particular aptitude for careers involving structure, support systems, or foundational workwhether in education, engineering, leadership, or caregiving roles. They possess an innate understanding that true strength involves both carrying burdens and knowing when to seek balance, making them remarkably grounded despite their capacity for bearing great responsibility.
Individuals named Auhert are typically characterized by a strong sense of integrity and natural leadership qualities. They often possess a dignified demeanor combined with practical wisdom, making them well-suited for positions of responsibility and trust. Their noble bearing is not merely superficial but reflects an inner commitment to principles of honor, loyalty, and service to others. These individuals tend to be thoughtful decision-makers who weigh consequences carefully and approach challenges with both courage and compassion.



Auherts often demonstrate remarkable resilience in adversity, drawing upon deep reserves of inner strength and conviction. They value tradition and continuity while also recognizing the importance of adapting to changing circumstances. In social settings, they command respect through their consistency and reliability rather than overt displays of authority. Their leadership style typically emphasizes mentorship and the development of others, creating lasting legacies through their influence on those around them. The combination of strategic thinking and emotional intelligence makes Auherts particularly effective in roles requiring both vision and practical implementation.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Baldassare occupies a distinguished place in Italian cultural history, particularly during the Renaissance when it was associated with some of the period's most influential figures. The name gained its greatest prominence through Baldassare Castiglione, whose 1528 work 'Il Cortegiano' (The Book of the Courtier) established the archetype of the Renaissance gentleman and became a cornerstone of European aristocratic education for centuries. This connection imbued the name with connotations of sophistication, learning, and courtly elegance. Religiously, the name derives from Balthasar, one of the Three Magi who visited the infant Jesus, giving it strong Christian significance and making it popular in Catholic regions. Throughout Italian history, the name has been borne by numerous artists, architects, and intellectuals who contributed significantly to Italy's cultural heritage, from Renaissance painters and Baroque architects to Enlightenment composers. The name represents the ideal of the 'Renaissance man' - someone who excels across multiple disciplines and embodies both intellectual depth and artistic sensibility.
Individuals named Balinda are typically associated with remarkable patience and emotional stability. They tend to be thoughtful decision-makers who approach challenges with calm determination rather than impulsive reactions. Their endurance often manifests as an ability to persist through difficult circumstances while maintaining their composure and focus. These individuals usually possess strong inner fortitude that allows them to support others during trying times, making them reliable friends and family members.



Beyond their core traits of patience and endurance, Balindas often exhibit wisdom beyond their years and are known for their ability to listen carefully and provide measured, thoughtful advice. Their steady nature makes them excellent mediators and problem-solvers in both personal and professional contexts. They typically value deep, meaningful relationships over superficial connections and are often the stabilizing force in their social circles. While they may not seek the spotlight, their consistent reliability and emotional intelligence earn them respect and trust from those around them.
Women named Barbel are often perceived as practical, reliable, and grounded individuals with a strong sense of responsibility. They typically exhibit a calm demeanor and methodical approach to problem-solving, reflecting the Swiss cultural values of precision and orderliness. Their practical nature is balanced by a warm, nurturing side that makes them excellent caregivers and community members.



Barbels are known for their loyalty in relationships and their ability to maintain traditions while adapting to necessary changes. They often possess a quiet strength that allows them to navigate challenges with resilience and grace. While not typically seeking the spotlight, they excel in supportive roles where their organizational skills and attention to detail can shine. Their combination of practicality and emotional intelligence makes them valued friends, family members, and colleagues who bring stability and warmth to any situation.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Barney originated as a medieval diminutive of Barnabas, which derives from the Aramaic name Bar-Navya meaning 'son of consolation' or 'son of exhortation.' The name gained prominence through Saint Barnabas, a prominent early Christian disciple mentioned in the New Testament as a companion of Saint Paul. Saint Barnabas was known as an encourager and mediator within the early church, and his name reflects his comforting nature. Throughout Christian history, the name has been associated with encouragement, support, and spiritual comfort.



In English-speaking countries, Barney became particularly popular during the Victorian era as a given name rather than just a nickname. The name carries strong Christian connotations due to its biblical origins and the saint's significant role in spreading Christianity throughout the Mediterranean region. During the Middle Ages, the name was often given to children born into religious families or those hoped to become spiritual leaders. The cultural significance extends beyond religious contexts to represent the ideal of compassionate masculinity and emotional support within communities.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Battseeyon (Bat-Tzion) holds profound significance in Jewish culture as it literally means 'Daughter of Zion.' In biblical and prophetic literature, 'Daughter of Zion' is a poetic personification of Jerusalem and the Jewish people, representing their collective identity, spiritual destiny, and connection to the Holy Land. This name carries centuries of historical weight, embodying the longing for Zion during exile and the celebration of return.



Throughout Jewish history, the concept has evolved to symbolize both the physical city of Jerusalem and the spiritual essence of the Jewish nation. The name represents hope, redemption, and the unbreakable bond between the Jewish people and their ancestral homeland. In modern times, it has taken on additional meaning as a symbol of Jewish resilience and the realization of the Zionist dream, making it particularly significant in Israeli culture where it connects ancient prophecies with contemporary national identity.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Beadurof represents a quintessential Anglo-Saxon warrior name from the early medieval period, embodying the martial values that defined Germanic tribal society. The name appears in fragmentary historical records and genealogical lists from Mercia and Wessex, suggesting it was borne by minor nobility and military leaders during the formation of the English kingdoms. Its composition from 'beadu' (battle) and 'rof' (fame/renown) reflects the heroic ethos celebrated in epic poetry like Beowulf, where personal valor and battlefield prowess were paramount virtues.



The name's survival in limited historical contexts indicates it was likely regional rather than widespread, possibly associated with specific warrior lineages or geographic areas. During the Christianization of Anglo-Saxon England, names like Beadurof gradually gave way to biblical and saintly names, though the warrior tradition persisted in aristocratic families. The name represents a bridge between pagan Germanic warrior culture and the emerging Christian English identity, embodying the transitional period of the 7th-9th centuries when England's distinct cultural character was forming.
Individuals named Berde are often perceived as possessing a calm, steady demeanor reminiscent of the glacial landscapes their name evokes. They tend to be patient, methodical thinkers who approach challenges with the same gradual but unstoppable force as a moving glacier. This outward reserve often conceals deep emotional currents and strong convictions, much like the powerful forces hidden within ice formations.



Socially, Berdes are typically reliable and steadfast friends, though they may take time to warm up to new acquaintances. They often exhibit strong analytical skills and prefer to observe situations carefully before acting. Their personality combines Nordic practicality with a philosophical depth, making them both grounded and contemplative. While they may appear reserved initially, those who know them well appreciate their loyalty and the surprising warmth that emerges once trust is established, reflecting the complex nature of their namesake's icy beauty.
Individuals named Bernardyn are typically perceived as possessing strong, resilient personalities with a natural leadership quality. They often exhibit the bear-like characteristics suggested by their name's meaning - showing protectiveness toward loved ones, demonstrating courage in difficult situations, and maintaining a steady, reliable presence. These individuals tend to be deeply principled and value tradition, often showing loyalty to family and community that mirrors the bear's protective nature. While they may appear reserved or serious at first, those who know them well appreciate their inner warmth and steadfast commitment.



Their strength is not merely physical but often manifests as emotional resilience and moral fortitude, making them natural pillars in their social and professional circles. They approach challenges with determination and are known for seeing projects through to completion, regardless of obstacles encountered along the way. Bernardyns typically possess a quiet confidence that inspires trust in others, and they often find themselves in positions where their judgment and stability are valued. While they may not seek the spotlight, their consistent performance and reliable nature often place them in leadership roles where their bear-like qualities of strength and protection can benefit the wider community.
Individuals named Bhikkhuni are typically perceived as deeply spiritual, disciplined, and compassionate. They often exhibit strong moral integrity and a commitment to serving others, reflecting the monastic ideals the name represents. Their personality tends toward introspection and wisdom-seeking, with a natural inclination toward teaching and guiding others on spiritual paths. They embody patience, mindfulness, and emotional stability, often serving as pillars of strength in their communities.



These individuals usually demonstrate remarkable resilience and dedication to their principles, even when facing adversity. Their approach to life is methodical and purposeful, with a strong sense of duty and responsibility. While they may appear reserved, they possess deep empathy and understanding of human suffering. Their leadership style is typically gentle yet firm, inspiring others through example rather than authority. The name suggests someone who values simplicity, truth, and inner peace above material possessions or social status.
Individuals named Bian typically exhibit a thoughtful, introspective nature characterized by deep observation and careful consideration before action. They possess an innate ability to perceive subtle details and underlying patterns that others might overlook, making them excellent judges of character and situations. This observational quality is complemented by a natural discretion and the ability to maintain confidences, earning them trust and respect in personal and professional relationships.



While they may appear reserved in unfamiliar settings, those who know them well appreciate their profound loyalty and the depth of their emotional connections. Their quiet demeanor often masks a rich inner world of creativity and insight, and they tend to express themselves more through actions than words. This combination of perceptiveness, discretion, and depth makes them valued advisors and confidants, though they typically prefer working behind the scenes rather than seeking recognition or leadership positions. Their strength lies in their ability to understand complex situations intuitively and their capacity for deep, meaningful relationships built on genuine understanding rather than superficial interaction.
Women named Bibsbebe are often perceived as nurturing, compassionate individuals with a strong sense of family and community. They typically exhibit warm, approachable personalities that make others feel comfortable and cared for. Their dual-name structure (Bibs-bebe) suggests a personality that balances practical responsibility with tender affection, making them both reliable and emotionally available to those around them.



These individuals often demonstrate remarkable emotional intelligence and the ability to mediate conflicts with grace and diplomacy. They tend to be creative problem-solvers who approach challenges with both logic and empathy. The musical quality of their name often correlates with artistic sensibilities or an appreciation for beauty in everyday life. Their strength lies in their ability to maintain traditional values while adapting to changing circumstances, making them pillars of stability in their social circles.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Birche holds significant cultural importance within Christian traditions, particularly in Northern European countries where the birch tree has deep symbolic roots. In Christian symbolism, the birch tree represents renewal and purification, often associated with Easter and resurrection themes. The white bark symbolizes purity and new beginnings, making it a meaningful name choice for boys baptized during spring festivals or significant religious occasions. Historically, birch branches were used in Christian rituals for purification and blessing ceremonies, and the tree's resilience in harsh climates made it a metaphor for spiritual endurance.



In medieval Christian communities, names derived from nature like Birche were often given to children born during important seasonal transitions, connecting them to both faith and the natural world. The birch's association with parchment and early Christian manuscripts also gave it scholarly connotations. Throughout Christian history, the name has maintained its connection to themes of spiritual growth, resilience, and the cleansing power of faith, making it a choice that reflects both religious devotion and appreciation for God's creation.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Brittain carries profound cultural significance rooted in the Christian heritage of both Brittany in France and Britain. These regions were crucial in the development and spread of Christianity throughout Western Europe, with Brittany known for its distinctive Celtic Christian traditions and Britain for its role in preserving Christian learning during the early medieval period. The name symbolizes the intersection of Roman and Celtic Christian practices, representing a bridge between different expressions of the faith. Historically, bearers of this name have often been associated with missionary work, theological scholarship, and church leadership, reflecting the evangelistic spirit that characterized Christianity in both regions. The name also connects to the concept of spiritual pilgrimage, as both Brittany and Britain were important destinations for medieval pilgrims seeking spiritual renewal and connection to early Christian saints. This cultural heritage makes Brittain a name that evokes centuries of Christian tradition, intellectual pursuit, and cross-cultural religious exchange.
Individuals named Brody are often perceived as strong, resilient, and grounded, reflecting the name's earthy Scottish origins meaning 'ditch' or 'muddy place.' They typically exhibit practical problem-solving skills and a no-nonsense approach to life's challenges. Brodies are frequently described as loyal friends and family members with a strong sense of tradition and heritage, yet they also possess an adventurous spirit and adaptability. Many demonstrate natural leadership qualities combined with approachability, making them effective in both professional and social settings. Their personality often blends traditional values with modern sensibilities, creating individuals who are both reliable and innovative in their thinking and actions.



Beyond these core traits, Brodies often display a distinctive combination of determination and flexibility. They tend to be persistent in pursuing their goals while remaining open to alternative approaches when circumstances change. This adaptability stems from the name's connection to both the steadfastness of earth and the fluidity of water (referencing the original meaning related to ditches and waterways). Socially, Brodies are typically outgoing and charismatic, with an ability to connect with diverse groups of people. They often possess a dry wit and straightforward communication style that others find refreshing and trustworthy. While they value independence, they also understand the importance of community and relationships, making them well-rounded individuals who can navigate both personal and professional landscapes effectively.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Caldre holds particular significance in Christian naming traditions, where water symbolism has always played a crucial role in spiritual imagery. From early Christian communities to modern times, names referencing natural water sources were often chosen to represent baptismal purity and the flowing grace of divine providence. The specific combination of 'cold' with 'brook' creates a unique spiritual metaphorsuggesting not just cleansing, but also clarity, resilience, and the ability to maintain spiritual focus even in difficult circumstances. This made the name particularly appealing in medieval Christian communities where endurance in faith was highly valued.



Historically, the name appears in various ecclesiastical records, often associated with individuals who served in communities near natural water sources or who were known for their calm, steady leadership. In monastic traditions, the name was sometimes given to monks who demonstrated particular devotion to contemplative practices, reflecting the quiet, persistent nature of a flowing stream. The cultural significance extends to artistic representations as well, with illuminated manuscripts occasionally depicting saints or biblical figures with similar names near symbolic water features, reinforcing the connection between spiritual purity and natural elements.
Individuals named Capaneus are typically characterized by immense confidence, physical strength, and an unyielding determination that borders on stubbornness. They possess a natural leadership quality and often take charge in challenging situations, driven by an inner conviction in their own abilities. However, this self-assurance can manifest as arrogance or hubris, particularly when they believe their capabilities surpass external limitations or authority. Their bold nature makes them formidable in pursuing goals but can also lead to conflicts with established systems or rules they perceive as unnecessary constraints.



Capaneus personalities often demonstrate exceptional courage in the face of adversity, refusing to back down even when confronted with overwhelming odds. They thrive on challenges and may deliberately seek out difficult tasks to prove their mettle. This competitive spirit is balanced by a strong sense of loyalty to their chosen causes or companions, though their independent nature means they prefer to operate on their own terms. The tragic aspect of this personality type lies in their potential inability to recognize when their ambition has crossed into recklessness, making them vulnerable to dramatic failures despite their considerable talents and strengths. Their legacy serves as a reminder that while confidence and determination are virtues, they must be tempered with wisdom and respect for boundaries.
Individuals named Cathal are often perceived as strong-willed, determined, and resilient, living up to the name's meaning of 'battle strong.' They typically exhibit natural leadership qualities, confidence in their abilities, and a protective nature toward those they care about. While they can be assertive and decisive when necessary, many Cathals also demonstrate surprising depth of character with thoughtful, strategic thinking rather than mere brute force. Their strength often manifests as emotional resilience and moral courage rather than physical prowess alone.



Cathals tend to be loyal friends and family members who value tradition and stability, yet they're not afraid to stand up for their principles when challenged. The combination of warrior spirit and intellectual depth makes them well-rounded individuals who can adapt to various situations while maintaining their core values. They often possess a quiet confidence that inspires trust in others, and their determination helps them overcome obstacles that might defeat less resilient individuals. This balance of strength and sensitivity makes Cathals effective in both personal relationships and professional endeavors.
Individuals bearing the name Catterik are typically characterized by strong leadership qualities, strategic thinking, and unwavering determination. They possess a natural aptitude for planning and organization, often excelling in situations that require careful consideration and tactical execution. Their personality reflects the battle's legacyresilient in adversity, capable of making difficult decisions under pressure, and fiercely protective of those they consider under their care. Catteriks tend to be pragmatic rather than impulsive, weighing options carefully before committing to action.



They often demonstrate loyalty to their principles and companions, much like the Arthurian knights who fought at the original battle. While they can appear reserved or serious initially, they reveal deep conviction and passion for their causes once engaged. Their strength lies in their ability to persevere through challenges and inspire others through example rather than rhetoric. The name carries an inherent sense of responsibility and historical weight that often manifests in a strong moral compass and commitment to justice, making them natural leaders in both professional and personal contexts.
Individuals named Charumati are typically perceived as possessing a harmonious blend of intellectual depth and emotional grace. They often exhibit strong analytical abilities combined with artistic sensibilities, making them excellent problem-solvers who approach challenges with both logic and creativity. Their 'beautiful mind' manifests in their ability to see multiple perspectives and find elegant solutions to complex situations. Charumatis are known for their calm demeanor and diplomatic nature, often serving as peacemakers in social and professional settings. They tend to be lifelong learners with a deep appreciation for knowledge, arts, and spiritual pursuits.



Their personality often reflects a balance between traditional values and modern thinking, allowing them to navigate diverse social contexts with ease. Charumatis typically demonstrate strong intuition and emotional intelligence, enabling them to understand unspoken feelings and mediate conflicts effectively. They are often drawn to careers in education, arts, counseling, or research where they can utilize both their intellectual capabilities and their natural empathy. While they may appear reserved initially, they form deep, meaningful relationships and are known for their loyalty and thoughtful advice. Their combination of intellectual rigor and compassionate understanding makes them exceptional leaders and mentors.
Individuals named Cleit are often perceived as possessing a strong, grounded character reminiscent of the rocky landscapes from which the name derives. They typically exhibit steadfastness, reliability, and resilience - qualities that make them dependable in challenging situations. Like the enduring rock formations that withstand centuries of weathering, Cleits are known for their persistence and ability to remain composed under pressure. Their practical nature and strong sense of identity often make them natural leaders who provide stability for those around them. While sometimes perceived as reserved or traditional, this stems from their deep-rooted values and thoughtful approach to life rather than inflexibility. In relationships, they tend to be loyal and protective, offering unwavering support to those they care about while maintaining the quiet strength that has become characteristic of the name.
Individuals bearing the name Colla are often perceived as embodying qualities reminiscent of their ancient namesakesnatural leaders with a strong sense of heritage and responsibility. They typically exhibit a quiet confidence that comes from understanding their place in a larger historical context, combined with practical wisdom and strategic thinking. Collas tend to be deeply rooted in their values while remaining adaptable to changing circumstances, demonstrating the same balance of tradition and innovation that characterized their legendary ancestors. Their personality often reflects the duality of ancient Irish nobility: both warriors and administrators, both preservers of tradition and architects of progress.



These individuals frequently display remarkable resilience and loyalty, particularly to family and community, seeing themselves as links in a chain of generations. They often possess a strong sense of duty and the ability to think long-term, making decisions that consider both immediate needs and future consequences. While they can be traditional in their outlook, Collas are rarely rigidthey understand that traditions must evolve to remain relevant. Their strength lies in their ability to honor the past while building for the future, creating stability through change and ensuring that important values and knowledge are passed forward. This combination of deep-rootedness and forward vision makes them natural leaders in both family and professional contexts.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Cosette's cultural significance is deeply intertwined with Victor Hugo's literary masterpiece 'Les Miserables,' published in 1862. The character Cosette represents one of the most enduring symbols of innocence rescued and redemption achieved in Western literature. Her journey from the abused child of Fantine to the beloved adopted daughter of Jean Valjean encapsulates the novel's central themes of social justice, redemption, and the transformative power of love. The name has become synonymous with the idea that even the most vulnerable can find protection and that compassion can overcome societal neglect.



Beyond literature, Cosette has entered the broader cultural lexicon through numerous adaptations of Les Miserables, including the acclaimed musical that has run for decades on Broadway and London's West End. The character's iconic imageparticularly the young Cosette sweeping the innhas become one of the most recognizable visual representations from 19th century literature. In French culture, the name carries connotations of resilience and hope, embodying the idea that personal transformation is possible regardless of one's origins. The name continues to inspire parents who see in it not just literary heritage, but the values of compassion, protection, and the belief in every child's right to love and safety.
Individuals named Cristobal are often perceived as strong, reliable, and principled. The name's meaning of 'Christ-bearer' suggests someone who carries important responsibilities with grace and determination. Cristobals are typically seen as natural leaders who approach challenges with thoughtful consideration and steadfast resolve. They tend to be protective of those they care about and often take on guiding roles in their personal and professional relationships. Their strength is usually tempered with wisdom and a calm demeanor that inspires confidence in others.



Many Cristobals are known for their adventurous spirit and curiosity about the world, reflecting the exploratory nature of the name's most famous bearer. They often possess a blend of traditional values and forward-thinking perspectives, making them effective at bridging different viewpoints and cultures. Their strength of character is usually balanced with compassion and a deep sense of purpose in their endeavors. Cristobals are often drawn to careers that involve exploration, whether literal travel or intellectual discovery, and they typically approach life with a sense of mission and responsibility that others find both impressive and reassuring.
Individuals named Dallan typically exhibit a remarkable depth of perception and intuition, often described as having 'second sight' or exceptional insight into people and situations. This aligns with the name's historical meaning of physical blindness leading to greater spiritual vision. Dallans tend to be thoughtful, reflective individuals who process information deeply before speaking or acting. They often possess strong creative abilities, particularly in writing, music, or visual arts, and may show early interest in philosophical or spiritual matters. Their quiet observation skills make them excellent judges of character, though they may sometimes appear reserved or distant to those who don't know them well.



In relationships and professional settings, Dallans demonstrate loyalty, dependability, and a strong sense of responsibility. They approach challenges with determination and often find innovative solutions by looking at problems from unique angles. While they may not be the most outgoing in social situations, they form deep, meaningful connections with a small circle of trusted friends and family. Their combination of creativity and practicality often leads them to careers where they can help others while expressing their unique perspective. The historical legacy of overcoming physical limitation translates to modern Dallans as resilience and the ability to transform personal challenges into strengths.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Daudi holds deep cultural significance throughout East Africa, particularly in Swahili-speaking regions where it represents the Swahilization of the biblical name David. The name carries strong religious connotations, connecting bearers to the legacy of King David from Abrahamic traditions while being firmly rooted in African linguistic and cultural contexts. In many East African communities, naming a child Daudi expresses parental hopes for the child to embody qualities of leadership, faithfulness, and beloved status within their family and community.



The name's adoption and adaptation across East Africa reflects the complex interplay between indigenous African cultures, Islamic influences, and Christian traditions that have shaped the region's history. As a Swahili variant of David, Daudi represents how global religious traditions become localized and integrated into African identity. The name has been borne by kings, political leaders, and religious figures throughout East African history, cementing its status as a name associated with leadership and respect while maintaining its core meaning of 'beloved' - emphasizing the importance of community bonds and familial love in African societies.
Individuals named Deorwine are typically characterized by a gentle strength and protective nature, much like the deer friend their name suggests. They often possess a quiet dignity and natural empathy, making them excellent listeners and trusted confidants. Their connection to the deer symbolism gives them an intuitive understanding of others' vulnerabilities and a strong desire to shield those who cannot protect themselves.



These individuals tend to be deeply spiritual and contemplative, with a strong sense of responsibility toward their community. They exhibit patience and perseverance in challenging situations, often serving as peacemakers in conflicts. While they may appear reserved initially, they form deep, lasting friendships and demonstrate remarkable loyalty to those they care about. Their gentle exterior often conceals a resilient core that can withstand significant pressure when protecting their principles or loved ones.
Individuals named Domenick are often perceived as strong, reliable, and family-oriented with natural leadership qualities. They tend to be practical, determined, and grounded in their approach to life, combining traditional values with modern adaptability. The name carries connotations of strength and dependability, suggesting someone who is both protective of those they care about and ambitious in their personal and professional pursuits.



Many Domenicks are seen as bridge-builders who can navigate between different social circles or cultural contexts, reflecting the name's history of spanning Italian and American cultures. They often exhibit a blend of old-world charm and contemporary practicality, making them effective in both traditional and modern settings while maintaining a strong sense of personal identity and cultural heritage. This combination of traditional reliability and modern flexibility makes Domenicks well-suited for leadership roles where they can draw upon both their strong foundational values and their ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Donall is an ancient Celtic name with deep roots in Irish and Scottish history, derived from the Gaelic name Domhnall meaning 'world ruler' or sometimes interpreted as 'stranger.' The name has been borne by numerous kings and chieftains throughout Celtic history, particularly in medieval Ireland and Scotland where it was associated with leadership and nobility. In Irish mythology and historical records, various figures named Donall appear as clan leaders and warriors, embodying the Celtic ideals of strength, wisdom, and protective leadership.



The name carries significant cultural weight in Gaelic-speaking regions, where it represents continuity with ancient Celtic traditions and the preservation of cultural identity. During periods of English colonization and cultural suppression, names like Donall became symbols of resistance and cultural pride. In modern times, it continues to serve as a connection to Celtic heritage while also adapting to contemporary naming trends, maintaining its position as a classic yet distinctive choice that honors ancestral roots.
Individuals named Dubg are traditionally associated with strong, resilient personalities characterized by determination and practicality. They are often seen as grounded individuals with a no-nonsense approach to life, reflecting the name's literal meaning of 'black-haired' which suggests someone who is substantial, reliable, and deeply connected to their roots. These personalities tend to be fiercely loyal to family and clan, displaying protective instincts and a strong sense of duty. Historically, bearers of this name were often leaders or warriors, suggesting traits of courage, strategic thinking, and the ability to command respect.



They are typically perceived as having a serious demeanor but with deep emotional reserves and strong convictions. The dark hair association also implies someone with intensity and passion, though they may be reserved in expressing these qualities outwardly. Their practical nature makes them excellent problem-solvers who approach challenges with methodical determination rather than impulsive action. In social settings, they may come across as somewhat reserved initially, but once trust is established, they reveal deep loyalty and commitment to those they care about. The historical context of the name suggests individuals who bridge different worlds or cultures, potentially indicating adaptability and the ability to navigate complex social situations with wisdom and diplomacy.
Individuals named Ealadhach are typically characterized by exceptional intellectual curiosity and analytical thinking. They possess a natural inclination toward learning and problem-solving, often displaying remarkable memory retention and the ability to grasp complex concepts quickly. Their mental agility makes them excellent strategists and innovators, though they may sometimes appear detached or overly analytical in emotional situations. Ealadhachs tend to be contemplative and methodical, preferring to observe and understand before acting.



These individuals often exhibit strong communication skills, particularly in explaining intricate ideas to others, and have a deep appreciation for knowledge in its various forms. While they can be reserved in social settings, their loyalty to those who earn their respect is unwavering, and they make thoughtful, reliable companions who offer wise counsel based on careful consideration rather than impulsive reactions. The name's meaning often manifests as a lifelong pursuit of understanding and a natural talent for teaching or mentoring others in their areas of expertise.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Ear holds significant cultural importance in Scottish history, particularly in the eastern regions of Scotland where it originated. As a name meaning 'from the east,' it was commonly given to individuals whose families migrated from eastern territories or who were born in eastern Scottish settlements. During the medieval period, the name became associated with families who maintained trade connections with Scandinavian countries and other eastern European regions, reflecting Scotland's historical maritime and trading relationships.



The name appears in several historical clan records, particularly among families living along Scotland's eastern coastline from Aberdeenshire to the Borders. In Gaelic tradition, names indicating direction or origin were considered important for establishing identity and lineage, making Ear a name that carried both geographical and familial significance. The name also appears in early Scottish legal documents and land grants, suggesting it was used by families of some standing in medieval Scottish society, often associated with merchants, sailors, and clan leaders from eastern territories.
Individuals named Edmond are often perceived as intelligent, principled, and protective. They tend to possess a strong moral compass and demonstrate loyalty to those they care about, living up to the 'protector' aspect of their name's meaning. Edmonds are typically thoughtful and analytical, showing patience in decision-making and often excelling in fields requiring strategic thinking. The prosperous connotation of the name suggests that many Edmonds are ambitious and driven toward success, though they typically pursue this with integrity rather than ruthlessness. They often display a quiet confidence and resilience, able to overcome challenges through perseverance and careful planning.



In social settings, Edmonds may appear reserved initially but reveal warmth and depth as relationships develop. They value genuine connections over superficial interactions and often serve as trusted advisors to friends and family. The combination of prosperity and protection in their name's meaning often manifests as a desire to provide both materially and emotionally for loved ones. Many Edmonds show particular strength in crisis situations, drawing on inner resources to protect and guide others. Their analytical nature makes them excellent problem-solvers, while their protective instinct ensures they use these skills for the benefit of others rather than purely personal gain.
Individuals named Egomas are typically perceived as possessing strong, independent personalities with deep-rooted connections to tradition and history. They often exhibit natural leadership qualities, combined with a thoughtful, introspective nature that makes them both decisive and contemplative. Their rare name tends to instill a sense of uniqueness and responsibility, leading to individuals who are often self-reliant, principled, and committed to their personal values.



Egomas bearers frequently demonstrate resilience in facing challenges, drawing strength from their connection to ancient heritage while adapting to modern circumstances. They tend to be protective of those they care about and often serve as guardians of family traditions or cultural knowledge. This combination of strength and sensitivity makes them effective in roles requiring both determination and empathy, whether in leadership positions, creative pursuits, or preservation of historical legacy. Their uncommon name often fosters a strong sense of identity and purpose, driving them to achieve meaningful accomplishments rather than seeking conventional success.
Individuals named Ellard are typically perceived as possessing strong moral character, unwavering determination, and a protective nature. They often exhibit leadership qualities combined with a deep sense of responsibility toward others, making them natural guardians and mentors. Their bravery is not merely physical but extends to moral couragestanding up for principles and defending the vulnerable. Ellards tend to be thoughtful decision-makers who approach challenges with careful consideration and steadfast resolve.



These individuals typically value tradition and stability while maintaining the courage to innovate when necessary, creating a balanced personality that honors the past while engaging with the present. They often demonstrate remarkable patience and persistence, seeing projects through to completion regardless of obstacles. Socially, Ellards are known for their reliability and loyalty, forming deep, lasting relationships built on trust and mutual respect. Their combination of strength and compassion makes them effective in roles requiring both authority and empathy, whether in family life, community leadership, or professional settings.
Assyrian Language Becomes Official on Syria Administration's Website

Syria -- The Democratic Autonomous Administration of the Region of North and East Syria (DAARNES) has officially incorporated the Assyrian language into its website, in accordance with the provisions of its Social Contract.

With this decision, Assyrian joins Kurdish, Arabic, and English as one of the official languages used on the DAARNES website, which publishes official news, statements, and updates.

The website began publishing content in Assyrian on Thursday, a move that was widely welcomed by the Assyrian (Aramean--Assyrian--Chaldean) community in Syria.

The DAARNES Social Contract, issued in December 2023, had previously established Kurdish, Arabic, and Assyrian as the official languages across all regions under its administration.

In 2024, the Co-Chairs of the Executive Council of Gozarto (Jazira) Canton issued a circular requiring all bodies and offices of the Executive Council, as well as city councils, to use the three official languages -- Assyrian, Kurdish, and Arabic -- on official documents, conference materials, event invitations, logos, signs, and all other public communications.

With the latest update, the DAARNES has reaffirmed its commitment to linguistic diversity and cultural inclusion by extending the use of Assyrian to its official digital platform.
Individuals named Englbehrt are often perceived as possessing a blend of spiritual depth and intellectual brightness. The name's meaning suggests someone who is both enlightened and messenger-like, often translating into personality traits of wisdom, guidance, and moral clarity. They tend to be thoughtful individuals who value tradition while also seeking to illuminate truths for others. The 'bright' component of the name implies intelligence, creativity, and the ability to bring light to complex situations, while the 'angel' element suggests compassion, protection, and a higher moral purpose.



These individuals are often seen as reliable, principled, and possessing a natural authority that others respect. They typically excel in roles that require both analytical thinking and emotional intelligence, making them effective leaders, teachers, or counselors who can bridge practical concerns with idealistic visions. Their combination of spiritual sensitivity and intellectual capability often makes them sought after for advice and guidance, as they can approach problems from both practical and philosophical perspectives. The name carries an expectation of integrity and the ability to inspire others through both word and example.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Estcott carries significant cultural weight as a name rooted in English settlement history and Christian traditions. Originating as a locational surname, it reflects the medieval practice of identifying individuals by their place of residence, specifically those dwelling in eastern cottages or settlements. This naming convention was particularly common among early Christian communities where geographical identifiers helped distinguish families within growing parish populations.



The name gained prominence during the Age of Exploration and colonial expansion, as families bearing the Estcott name often participated in establishing new Christian settlements. Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, Estcott became associated with pioneering spirit and religious devotion, particularly in North America where several prominent Estcott families helped establish churches and Christian communities. The name embodies the Protestant work ethic and the values of community building that characterized much of Anglo-Christian expansion.
Cultural & Historical Significance

King Evelake occupies a crucial position in Arthurian literature as one of the earliest Grail kings, serving as a bridge between the biblical era of Joseph of Arimathea and the Arthurian golden age. His story appears prominently in the Vulgate Cycle and Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur, where he represents the transmission of Christian faith to Britain. As a pagan king converted by Joseph of Arimathea, Evelake's narrative explores themes of religious transformation and divine grace, establishing the spiritual foundation for the Grail quest that would later define Arthur's reign.



Evelake's cultural significance extends beyond his conversion story to his role as a miraculous figure blessed with extraordinary longevity. According to legend, he was granted extended life until he could witness the completion of the Grail quest by Galahad, making him a living witness to centuries of sacred history. This unique position transforms him into a symbolic guardian of Christian tradition in Britain, embodying the continuity of faith across generations and serving as a testament to the power of divine intervention in Arthurian cosmology.
Men named Ever typically exhibit a remarkable combination of strength and endurance in their personality. They are often natural leaders who approach life with determination and resilience, rarely backing down from challenges. Their steadfast nature makes them reliable partners and friends, known for their loyalty and commitment. The 'strong as a boar' association manifests in their protective instincts toward loved ones and their ability to shoulder heavy responsibilities without complaint. While they can be perceived as stubborn at times, this quality often serves them well in maintaining their principles and achieving long-term goals. Their enduring spirit enables them to weather life's storms with grace and emerge stronger from adversity, making them inspiring figures in their communities and families.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Faerwald is an ancient Anglo-Saxon name that emerged during the Christianization of England, combining Germanic warrior traditions with emerging Christian values. The name represents the transition from pagan warrior culture to Christian knighthood, embodying the ideal of a spiritual traveler on a divine journey. Throughout medieval England, bearers of this name were often associated with missionary work, pilgrimage, and the establishment of Christian communities in newly converted territories.



The name carries echoes of the great migration period when Germanic tribes traveled across Europe, now reinterpreted through a Christian lens as spiritual journeying toward salvation. During the Anglo-Saxon period, Faerwald was particularly popular among noble families who embraced Christianity while maintaining their martial heritage, creating a unique synthesis of physical strength and spiritual purpose that characterized early English Christianity. The name's persistence in historical records, though rare, demonstrates its significance in the cultural transformation of England from pagan kingdoms to Christian nation.
Individuals named Fanous are often perceived as illuminating presences in their communities, embodying the qualities of guidance and wisdom suggested by their name's meaning. They typically exhibit strong leadership qualities combined with a nurturing nature, often serving as mentors or advisors to others. Their personality is characterized by clarity of thought, intellectual curiosity, and a natural inclination toward helping others find direction in life. These individuals tend to be insightful, with an ability to see solutions where others see only problems, much like a lantern cutting through darkness.



Fanous bearers are generally known for their warm, approachable demeanor and strong moral compass. They possess excellent communication skills and often excel in roles that require teaching, counseling, or community leadership. Their presence tends to have a calming effect on others, and they're frequently sought out for advice during difficult times. While they can be introspective and thoughtful, they also demonstrate practical wisdom in their decision-making. The combination of intellectual depth and emotional intelligence makes them well-respected figures in both professional and personal circles.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Faraji holds deep cultural significance throughout East Africa, particularly in Swahili-speaking regions where the name embodies the community-oriented values of support and mutual care. The name reflects the Swahili philosophy of 'ujamaa' (familyhood) and communal responsibility, where providing consolation and emotional support to others is considered a fundamental social virtue. Historically, names carrying meanings related to emotional support and comfort were often given to children born during challenging times or to those expected to become peacemakers and healers within their communities.



In many African traditions, names are not merely labels but carry expectations and blessings, with Faraji representing the hope that the bearer will bring comfort and solace to others throughout their life. The name gained additional prominence during the Black Power movement in the 1960s and 1970s, when many African Americans embraced Swahili names to reconnect with their African heritage and affirm cultural identity. This cultural reclamation transformed Faraji from a regional East African name into a pan-African symbol of resilience, heritage, and emotional strength across the diaspora.
People named Fela are typically characterized by their strong presence and natural leadership abilities. The name's warrior etymology suggests individuals who are resilient, determined, and unafraid of confrontation when necessary. They often possess a magnetic charisma that draws others to them and inspires loyalty. These individuals tend to be innovative thinkers who challenge established norms and are not content with following conventional paths. Their 'warlike' nature manifests more as mental and emotional strength rather than physical aggressionthey fight for their beliefs, protect those they care about, and stand firm in their principles. Felas are often creative visionaries who combine artistic sensitivity with strong convictions, making them effective in both artistic pursuits and social activism. They typically have a deep sense of justice and are willing to take significant risks to defend their values or create change. While they can be intense and uncompromising, this is usually balanced by genuine concern for community welfare and cultural preservation.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Freeland holds significant cultural importance within Christian communities, particularly those with English and Germanic heritage. It emerged as a surname-turned-given-name during periods of religious migration and settlement, often chosen by families who valued the concepts of religious freedom and the ability to worship without persecution. The name carries echoes of the Protestant Reformation and subsequent religious movements where believers sought 'free lands' to practice their faith openly. In American Christian history, the name gained traction among families who participated in westward expansion, viewing new territories as lands of religious opportunity and spiritual freedom.



The name also resonates with biblical themes of the Promised Land and spiritual liberation, making it particularly meaningful in evangelical and nonconformist Christian traditions where personal freedom in Christ is emphasized. Throughout Christian history, the concept of 'free land' has symbolized both physical territories where religious practice was unrestricted and the spiritual freedom promised in the New Testament. This dual significance has made Freeland a powerful name choice for families emphasizing both earthly religious liberty and heavenly promise.
Symbolically, Frewin represents the harmonious integration of leadership and companionship, suggesting that true nobility is demonstrated through genuine friendship and service to others. The name carries deep metaphorical significance as it combines the concept of freedom and nobility with the essential human need for connection and community. In Christian symbolism, it reflects the biblical ideal of friendship as expressed in John 15:13 ('Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends') and the concept of noble character described in various New Testament epistles. The name also symbolizes the medieval Christian ideal of chivalry, where knights were expected to combine martial prowess with courtesy, loyalty, and service to others, making Frewin a name that embodies both strength and compassion.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Gedalyahu holds profound significance in Jewish tradition as the name of the last Jewish governor of Judah appointed by the Babylonians after the destruction of the First Temple in 586 BCE. The biblical Gedaliah ben Ahikam's story is commemorated annually with the Fast of Gedaliah, a minor fast day observed on the third day of Tishrei, immediately following Rosh Hashanah. This fast memorializes his assassination, which marked the final collapse of Jewish autonomy in the Land of Israel and the complete exile of the Jewish people to Babylon.



The name has been preserved through centuries of Jewish diaspora as a symbol of leadership, tragedy, and the complex relationship between divine providence and human agency in Jewish history. Throughout Jewish communities worldwide, the name has maintained its religious and historical resonance, often chosen to honor the memory of the biblical figure and the lessons derived from his leadership and tragic fate. The story of Gedaliah serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of internal conflict and the importance of unity during times of national crisis.
Individuals named Giacomo are often perceived as creative, passionate, and intellectually curious. The name carries an artistic connotation, likely influenced by famous bearers like Puccini and Leopardi, suggesting someone with refined tastes and emotional depth. Giacomos are typically seen as charismatic and expressive, capable of deep emotional connections and artistic expression. They may possess a romantic nature combined with intellectual rigor, making them both creative and analytical.



The name also suggests a certain sophistication and European elegance, with an undercurrent of traditional values balanced by innovative thinking. Many Giacomos are thought to be natural leaders with strong communication skills and the ability to inspire others through their vision and passion. There's often an expectation of cultural literacy and artistic sensibility associated with the name, as well as a capacity for both deep emotional engagement and intellectual pursuit. The combination of these traits creates a personality profile of someone who is both grounded in tradition and open to innovation.
Individuals named Giollanaebhin are typically characterized by deep spiritual awareness and intellectual curiosity. They often possess a natural inclination toward learning and contemplation, with a strong sense of tradition and cultural heritage. These individuals tend to be thoughtful, principled, and guided by a strong moral compass, often showing patience and perseverance in pursuing their goals. Their connection to the name's meaning often manifests as respect for wisdom traditions and a desire to preserve knowledge.



In social contexts, Giollanaebhins are usually reliable and conscientious, valuing deep, meaningful relationships over superficial connections. They may exhibit a quiet confidence and tend to be reflective rather than impulsive in their decision-making. While they can be traditional in their outlook, they often possess the wisdom to adapt timeless principles to contemporary situations. Their combination of spiritual depth and practical intelligence makes them natural mentors and custodians of cultural memory.



These personality traits often lead Giollanaebhins toward professions involving education, spiritual guidance, historical preservation, or cultural work. They typically approach challenges with careful consideration and are known for their integrity and dedication. The name's historical associations with scholarship and devotion often influence the bearer's self-perception, encouraging a life of purpose, service, and intellectual engagement with both tradition and contemporary issues.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Glenn has deep roots in Celtic cultures, particularly in Scotland and Ireland where it originated as a topographic surname for people who lived in valleys. In Gaelic, 'gleann' specifically refers to a narrow valley, often with a stream running through it, making it a name deeply connected to the rugged landscapes of the Celtic nations. The name gained prominence as a given name in the 19th century and became particularly popular in English-speaking countries during the 20th century, reflecting a broader trend of adopting Celtic names that evoke natural beauty and ancestral connections.



Throughout history, the name Glenn has maintained its association with strength, nature, and Celtic heritage. It was often given to boys born in rural areas or to families wanting to honor their Scottish or Irish ancestry. The name's popularity in America during the mid-20th century coincided with a period of romanticized interest in Celtic culture and the American frontier, where names evoking natural landscapes held particular appeal. This cultural significance extends to modern times, where Glenn continues to represent a connection to nature, tradition, and Celtic roots.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Gogo holds profound cultural significance within Nguni communities of Southern Africa, where it serves as both a personal name and an honorific title for grandmothers. In its use as a male given name, Gogo represents a deep connection to ancestral lineage and embodies the hope that the child will inherit the wisdom, character traits, and respected qualities of his grandfather. This naming practice reflects the importance of intergenerational continuity in African societies, where ancestors are revered and their qualities are actively remembered and celebrated through naming conventions. The name carries expectations of respect, wisdom, and leadership within the family and community structure.



Historically, names like Gogo were part of a sophisticated naming system that connected individuals to their family history, clan identities, and cultural values. In many Nguni traditions, naming a child after a grandparent was believed to ensure the continuation of that ancestor's spirit and blessings within the family. The name also reflects the oral tradition of preserving family histories and maintaining strong connections across generations, serving as a living memorial to respected elders while instilling cultural values in new generations.
Gurgalan is typically portrayed as a fiercely independent and stubborn leader, deeply connected to the natural world and ancient Celtic traditions. His personality reflects the rugged landscape he rules - untamed, powerful, and resistant to change. He possesses a warrior's courage combined with a druid's wisdom, making him both a formidable military leader and a spiritual guide to his people. His loyalty to ancestral customs defines his character, often making him appear rigid or uncompromising to outsiders.



Despite his pagan status, Gurgalan is frequently depicted as honorable in his own way, bound by ancient codes of hospitality and justice that predate Christian morality. He embodies the archetype of the 'noble pagan' - a ruler who, while outside the Christian faith, maintains his own strict ethical code and commands respect through his unwavering commitment to his people and traditions. His character demonstrates that virtue and leadership can exist outside mainstream religious frameworks, challenging simplistic moral dichotomies in medieval literature.
The name Gwyr evokes personality traits strongly associated with Celtic warrior ideals and Arthurian chivalry. Individuals bearing this name are typically perceived as possessing steadfast loyalty, quiet strength, and a deep sense of duty to their community or cause. They tend to be practical rather than flamboyant, preferring substance over showmanship and demonstrating their worth through consistent action rather than boastful words. The Gwyr personality combines resilience with humility, embodying the Celtic concept of the warrior who serves rather than dominates. These individuals often exhibit strong protective instincts toward those in their care and value tradition and heritage while remaining adaptable to changing circumstances. Their strength lies in their reliability and the depth of their commitments rather than in dramatic displays of prowess. The name suggests someone who is grounded, emotionally stable, and capable of enduring hardship without losing their core values or sense of purpose. This personality profile reflects the historical context of early medieval warriors who needed both physical courage and emotional fortitude to survive in a turbulent era.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Hafgan holds significant cultural importance in Welsh mythology as one of the two kings of Annwn (the Otherworld) in the First Branch of the Mabinogion. He rules the opposing kingdom to Arawn and engages in annual combat with him, representing the eternal struggle between opposing forces in Celtic cosmology. The name's connection to summer ('haf') suggests associations with seasonal cycles, light, and the temporary nature of power and conflict.



In Celtic tradition, such mythological figures often embody natural forces and cosmic balance, with Hafgan representing one side of a fundamental duality that must be maintained for cosmic order. The character appears in one of Wales's most important literary works, making the name culturally significant beyond its literal meaning. This mythological context places Hafgan within the rich tradition of Celtic Otherworld rulers who govern realms beyond mortal comprehension while influencing the human world through symbolic conflicts and seasonal patterns.
Individuals named Halbart are typically perceived as possessing strong leadership qualities combined with intellectual depth. They often exhibit a natural authority and confidence that inspires others, while maintaining a thoughtful, analytical approach to challenges. This combination of strength and wisdom makes them effective in positions requiring both decisive action and careful consideration. Their inherent sense of responsibility and moral compass often leads them to take on roles where they can protect and guide others.



Halbarts are known for their loyalty and steadfastness, qualities that make them reliable friends and dedicated family members. They tend to be traditional in their values yet innovative in their problem-solving approaches. While they can appear serious or reserved initially, those who know them well appreciate their dry wit and deep capacity for compassion. Their personality often reflects the name's heroic connotations, showing courage in adversity and generosity in success, balanced by a humility that prevents arrogance.



In social settings, Halbarts often serve as stabilizing influences, bringing reason and perspective to emotional situations. They typically prefer substance over superficiality and develop deep, meaningful relationships rather than numerous casual acquaintances. Their combination of practical competence and ethical grounding makes them natural leaders who earn respect through consistent action and principled behavior rather than through force of personality alone.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Hall carries deep cultural significance rooted in medieval English society, where the hall represented the center of community life and social organization. Originating from the Old English 'heall,' meaning manor house or large residence, the name evokes images of leadership, hospitality, and community gathering spaces. In Christian contexts, many medieval halls were associated with Church-owned properties or devout Christian families, making the name particularly meaningful within Christian naming traditions. The transition from surname to given name during the Victorian era reflects the importance placed on family heritage and ancestral connections during that period. Throughout English history, the hall served as more than just a building - it was where justice was administered, feasts were held, and important community decisions were made, giving the name connotations of authority, protection, and social responsibility. This historical background makes Hall a name that connects modern bearers to centuries of English tradition and Christian community values.
People named Hardin typically exhibit a complex blend of traditional values and independent thinking that makes them both reliable and innovative. Their strong connection to the name's 'valley' origins often manifests as a grounded, practical approach to life, combined with the 'hare's' symbolic qualities of alertness and adaptability. This results in individuals who are both stable in their convictions and flexible in their methods. Hardins tend to be natural leaders who inspire confidence through their competence and determination rather than through charisma alone. They often possess a quiet strength that becomes apparent during challenging situations, where their resilience and problem-solving abilities shine. Their personality typically includes a strong sense of responsibility toward family and community, balanced with a need for personal freedom and self-determination. While they can be perceived as reserved or stubborn at first meeting, those who know them well appreciate their loyalty, integrity, and the depth of their commitment to people and principles they value. This combination of steadfastness and adaptability makes Hardins particularly effective in careers that require both consistency and innovation.
Individuals named Harlan are often perceived as intelligent, analytical, and thoughtful. They tend to possess a quiet confidence and methodical approach to problem-solving, making them excellent in roles requiring careful consideration and strategic thinking. Harlans are typically seen as reliable and principled individuals who value integrity and consistency in their personal and professional lives. Their thoughtful nature often makes them good listeners and trusted advisors.



While they may appear reserved initially, Harlans usually reveal a dry wit and keen observational skills to those who know them well. They tend to excel in fields that require depth of knowledge and careful analysis rather than quick, superficial judgments. The name suggests someone who is grounded and practical, yet capable of innovative thinking when the situation demands it. This combination of traditional values and intellectual curiosity makes Harlans well-suited for leadership roles where wisdom and stability are valued. They often approach challenges with patience and determination, preferring thorough solutions over quick fixes.
The name Heathcliff evokes a personality marked by intense passion, deep emotional complexity, and a strong, often rebellious will. Those bearing this name are typically perceived as individuals of considerable depth, capable of profound love and loyalty but also prone to jealousy and possessiveness. They often possess a magnetic charisma that draws others to them, combined with a mysterious quality that makes them difficult to fully understand. Their emotional intensity can be both their greatest strength and most significant challenge, driving them to remarkable achievements while sometimes leading to self-destructive behavior.



Heathcliffs are generally seen as resilient survivors who overcome adversity through sheer force of will. They tend to be fiercely independent, valuing their freedom and often chafing against restrictions or conventional expectations. While they can be brooding and introspective, they also possess a raw, elemental energy that makes them compelling leaders or artists. Their relationships are typically intense and all-consuming, marked by absolute devotion to those they love. However, this very intensity means they may struggle with forgiveness and letting go of past hurts, carrying emotional scars that shape their interactions and decisions throughout life.
Individuals named Hohnihohkaiyohos are typically perceived as natural leaders with a strong sense of responsibility toward their community. They embody the wolf's characteristics of loyalty, strategic thinking, and protective instincts, often serving as pillars of strength during challenging times. Their 'high backed' nature manifests as confidence without arrogance, carrying themselves with dignity and purpose that inspires trust and respect from others.



These individuals tend to be highly observant and intuitive, much like wolves who read subtle environmental cues. They possess excellent judgment in social situations and often serve as mediators or advisors within their circles. While they can be fiercely protective of their loved ones, they also demonstrate remarkable patience and teaching abilities, guiding younger generations with the same care that alpha wolves show their pack members.



The combination of wolf wisdom and elevated stature creates individuals who are both grounded and visionary. They understand the importance of tradition while recognizing the need to adapt to changing circumstances, making them effective leaders who honor the past while building for the future. Their strength is always balanced with compassion, making them both respected leaders and cherished community members who lead by example rather than command.
People named Holmes are typically associated with keen intelligence, analytical thinking, and meticulous attention to detail. The strong connection to Sherlock Holmes creates expectations of exceptional problem-solving abilities and logical reasoning. They're often perceived as observant individuals who notice subtleties others miss, with a methodical approach to both professional and personal challenges. This name suggests someone who values facts and evidence over emotion, yet possesses deep curiosity about human nature.



Beyond the intellectual associations, Holmes carries connotations of reliability, tradition, and moral integrity. The name implies a person of principle who stands firm in their convictions while remaining open to new evidence. There's an expectation of quiet confidence rather than overt showmanship, with strength coming from competence rather than aggression. The geographical origins of the name also suggest stability and connection to one's roots, while the literary association adds elements of creativity and unconventional thinkingcreating a balanced personality profile that combines traditional values with innovative problem-solving.
Individuals named Hulbart are typically perceived as possessing a unique blend of grace under pressure and steadfast reliability. They often exhibit a calm, measured approach to challenges, combining intellectual depth with practical problem-solving abilities. This creates a personality that is both contemplative and action-oriented, able to navigate complex situations with poise and determination. Their graceful nature manifests not just in physical bearing but in social interactions, where they demonstrate diplomatic skill and emotional intelligence.



Hulbarts are often seen as natural mediators who can bridge divides while maintaining their core principles. They tend to value tradition and quality, approaching life with a sense of purpose and refinement that others find both impressive and reassuring. This combination of traits makes them particularly effective in leadership roles where both vision and careful execution are required. Their strength lies in their ability to remain composed while driving meaningful change, earning them respect across diverse social contexts and establishing them as pillars of stability in turbulent times.
Symbolically, Ismene represents the profound tension between different forms of courage and moral responsibility. Her character embodies what might be called 'the wisdom of restraint' - the understanding that sometimes the most ethical course requires patience and strategic compromise rather than immediate confrontation. In psychological terms, she symbolizes the ego's mediating function between moral ideals and practical reality. The name has come to represent the often-undervalued virtues of endurance, pragmatic wisdom, and the courage to make difficult choices in impossible situations. Metaphorically, Ismene stands for the voice of experience that understands consequences, the importance of preserving life and stability, and the complex moral calculus required when all options involve sacrifice. Her enduring symbolic power lies in her representation of an alternative model of strength - one based on survival, careful calculation, and the recognition that moral purity must sometimes yield to the imperative of continued existence and future possibility.
The name Jacquenette evokes personality traits rooted in its linguistic structure and historical context. The diminutive '-ette' ending suggests someone who combines approachability with inner resilienceoften perceived as gracious yet determined. Historically, women named Jacquenette were expected to embody the French ideal of 'politesse' (refined manners) while maintaining practical competence in managing households or family businesses. Modern psychological name studies suggest that individuals with this name often develop strong observational skills and cultural sensitivity, likely influenced by the name's old-world elegance and specificity. They tend to be tradition-conscious yet adaptable, valuing authenticity in relationships while maintaining a certain formal grace. The name's rarity in contemporary times may contribute to a sense of individuality and appreciation for unique heritage among those who bear it.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Jeevan holds profound significance in Hindu culture, deriving from the Sanskrit word 'Jivana' meaning 'life' or 'vital force.' In Hindu philosophy, Jeevan represents not just physical life but the eternal soul (Atman) that undergoes the cycle of birth and rebirth. The concept is deeply rooted in ancient Vedic texts where Jeevan symbolizes the divine energy that animates all living beings. The name embodies the Hindu belief in the sanctity of life and the interconnectedness of all existence. It reflects the spiritual understanding that life is a sacred journey toward moksha (liberation), making the name particularly meaningful in religious and philosophical contexts.



Throughout Indian history, the term has been used in spiritual discourses, literature, and daily life to emphasize the preciousness and purpose of human existence. In classical Sanskrit literature and epic texts like the Mahabharata and Ramayana, the concept of Jeevan is explored through characters' life journeys and spiritual quests. The name also connects to Ayurvedic principles where maintaining the balance of life forces is essential for health and wellbeing. In contemporary Hindu practice, naming a child Jeevan expresses the parents' aspiration for their child to lead a purposeful, spiritually aware life that honors the divine gift of existence.
Individuals named Jorge are often perceived as grounded, reliable, and hardworking, reflecting the name's agricultural origins meaning 'farmer' or 'earth-worker.' They typically exhibit strong family values, loyalty to friends, and a practical approach to problem-solving. Many Jorges demonstrate a blend of traditional wisdom with modern adaptability, making them respected figures in their communities. There's often a quiet strength and dependability associated with the name, suggesting someone who can be counted on in both good times and bad.



The name also carries associations with leadership and moral courage, influenced by the legendary figure of Saint George slaying the dragon. This combination of earthy practicality and heroic idealism often results in individuals who are both dependable in daily matters and capable of rising to challenges when necessary. Jorges are frequently seen as bridge-builders - people who can connect different groups or ideas while maintaining their core values. They tend to be patient, like the farmer waiting for crops to grow, but decisive when action is required, much like their namesake saint facing the dragon.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Jorian emerged as a distinct given name in the late 20th century, primarily within Christian communities seeking unique biblical-inspired names. While not directly biblical, it draws from Hebrew roots through names like Jordan (Yarden, meaning 'to flow down') and incorporates the 'Jor-' prefix common in Judeo-Christian naming traditions. The name gained traction among parents wanting a name that sounded both modern and spiritually significant, bridging contemporary naming trends with religious heritage.



In Christian contexts, the name is often associated with the concept of divine flow or spiritual descent, reminiscent of the Jordan River's significance in biblical narratives. Its relatively recent emergence reflects modern Christian naming practices that blend traditional elements with creative innovation, allowing families to honor their faith while choosing distinctive names for their children. The name's cultural significance lies in its ability to sound both contemporary and rooted in spiritual tradition.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Joris holds significant cultural importance in Dutch and Danish societies as a traditional masculine name with deep historical roots. In the Netherlands, it has been a popular given name since the Middle Ages, often associated with Saint George (Sint-Joris in Dutch), the patron saint of soldiers and farmers. The name carries connotations of bravery and agricultural heritage, reflecting the Netherlands' historical relationship with land reclamation and farming.



In Denmark and broader Scandinavian contexts, Joris represents a classic choice that bridges traditional Nordic naming conventions with broader European influences. The name's connection to farming and earth-work resonates particularly well in agricultural communities, while its saintly associations provide religious significance for Christian families. Throughout history, Joris has maintained a steady presence in these cultures, representing reliability, tradition, and connection to the land.



The name also appears in various folk traditions and celebrations, particularly around St. George's Day on April 23rd, where in some regions, Joris is celebrated as a name day. This integration into both religious and secular calendars demonstrates how the name has woven itself into the cultural fabric of Dutch and Danish societies, serving as a bridge between ancient traditions and contemporary identity.
Symbolically, Joshua represents the intersection of divine purpose and human action. The name embodies the concept of 'God is salvation' not as passive reception but as active partnership between faith and effort. It symbolizes transition and completionthe movement from promise to possession, from preparation to realization. The biblical narrative of crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land makes Joshua a symbol of threshold moments and new beginnings. The falling walls of Jericho represent the idea that some obstacles yield not to force but to faithful obedience. Metaphorically, Joshua signifies leadership that combines courage with humility, strength with spirituality, and determination with divine guidance. It carries the symbolic weight of inheritance, victory, and the faithful fulfillment of long-awaited promises.
Individuals named Kalman are typically perceived as strong-willed, intelligent, and resilient. They often exhibit natural leadership qualities combined with analytical thinking, making them effective problem-solvers in challenging situations. Their strength is not merely physical but extends to emotional and intellectual fortitude, allowing them to persevere through adversity. Kalman's tend to be principled individuals with a strong sense of justice and tradition, yet they adapt well to modern circumstances.



These personality characteristics often manifest as quiet confidence rather than overt assertiveness. Kalman's are typically thoughtful decision-makers who consider multiple perspectives before acting, earning them respect for their wisdom and judgment. They value stability and reliability in relationships, both personal and professional, and often become the steady foundation in their social circles. Their combination of traditional values and modern adaptability makes them effective in bridging generational or cultural gaps, while their inherent strength of character provides a reassuring presence in times of uncertainty. This balanced approach to life allows them to navigate complex situations with grace and effectiveness.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The cultural significance of Kandake is deeply rooted in the history of the Kingdom of Kush, an ancient Nubian civilization that flourished along the Nile River in what is now Sudan. The term 'Kandake' was actually a royal title meaning 'queen mother' or 'royal woman' rather than a personal name, though Greek historians mistakenly interpreted it as such. These powerful women ruled as regents for their sons or sometimes as sovereign queens in their own right. The most renowned Kandakes governed during the Meroitic period (approximately 300 BCE to 350 CE) and were known for their military prowess, diplomatic skills, and architectural achievements. They commanded armies, negotiated with Roman emperors, and oversaw the construction of pyramids and temples that still stand today. The legacy of the Kandakes challenges Eurocentric narratives about ancient leadership and demonstrates the significant role women played in African civilizations long before similar opportunities emerged in many Western societies. Their story represents an important chapter in African history that continues to inspire modern discussions about female leadership and cultural heritage.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Kedalion holds a unique position in Greek mythology as a minor but crucial figure in the story of Orion. According to myth, when Orion was blinded by King Oenopion for assaulting his daughter Merope, he wandered helpless until he encountered Kedalion, who was serving Hephaestus in his workshop. Rather than providing a direct cure, Kedalion demonstrated profound wisdom by having Orion carry him on his shoulders and guiding him toward the rising sun, where the healing rays of Eos restored his vision. This act positions Kedalion as an embodiment of practical wisdom and mentorship in Greek culture.



The significance of Kedalion extends beyond the literal narrative to represent the Greek ideal of the guide who facilitates transformation through indirect means. Unlike major gods who might intervene directly, Kedalion represents the human-scale wisdom that enables heroes to help themselves. His role as Hephaestus's servant further connects him to craftsmanship, ingenuity, and the practical application of knowledge. In broader Greek cultural context, Kedalion symbolizes the importance of mentors who provide direction rather than solutions, reflecting the pedagogical values that were central to Greek philosophical and educational traditions.
Individuals named Khachig are often perceived as deeply principled and spiritually grounded, reflecting the name's religious origins. They tend to demonstrate strong moral convictions and a sense of purpose that guides their decisions and relationships. Many Khachigs are known for their reliability and steadfast nature, often serving as pillars of strength within their families and communities. Their connection to the name's meaning often manifests in a protective, caring demeanor, with a natural inclination toward helping others and standing up for what they believe is right.



While they can be traditional in their values, they typically balance this with practical wisdom and emotional intelligence that makes them effective leaders and trusted confidants. The combination of spiritual depth and practical reliability makes Khachigs particularly valued in roles requiring both compassion and strength of character. They often exhibit a quiet confidence rather than overt assertiveness, preferring to lead through example and integrity rather than force of personality. This balanced approach to life typically earns them respect across different social and professional contexts.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Khaldun holds profound cultural significance throughout the Arab and Islamic world, particularly due to the legacy of Ibn Khaldun, the 14th-century scholar whose groundbreaking work 'Muqaddimah' established the foundations of modern historiography, sociology, and economics. In Egyptian context specifically, the name carries additional weight as it represents intellectual heritage and historical continuity, connecting modern Egyptians to the golden age of Islamic scholarship. The name's meaning of 'immortal' or 'eternal' resonates deeply in Egyptian culture, which has always valued permanence and legacy through its ancient monuments and enduring civilization.



Throughout North Africa and the Middle East, Khaldun symbolizes scholarly excellence and cultural preservation. In contemporary Egypt, the name is often chosen by educated families who wish to honor intellectual traditions and instill values of wisdom and historical consciousness in their children. The name serves as a bridge between Egypt's ancient past and its modern identity, embodying the timeless qualities of knowledge, resilience, and cultural continuity that have characterized Egyptian civilization for millennia.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Kharim holds deep significance in Islamic culture as a name that embodies one of the 99 Beautiful Names of Allah (Asma ul-Husna) - Al-Karim, meaning 'The Most Generous.' This connection elevates the name beyond mere personal identity to represent a divine quality that Muslims aspire to emulate in their daily lives. The name serves as a constant reminder of the importance of generosity, kindness, and nobility in character, reflecting core Islamic values that emphasize compassion and community welfare.



Historically, the name has been popular among Muslim communities across the Arab world, South Asia, and Africa, often given to express parents' hopes that their child will grow to embody these virtuous qualities. In many traditional societies, bearing this name carries an implicit social expectation of honorable conduct and charitable behavior. The name's spiritual resonance makes it particularly meaningful during religious ceremonies and life milestones, serving as both an identity and a moral compass for those who carry it.
Individuals bearing the name Kutaiba are often characterized by strong leadership qualities, strategic thinking, and a determined nature. The historical weight of the name tends to influence perceptions, with Kutaiba being seen as someone who approaches challenges with careful planning and persistent effort. They typically exhibit a blend of practical wisdom and visionary thinking, able to see both immediate details and long-term objectives. This combination makes them effective in positions of responsibility where both tactical decision-making and strategic vision are required.



Beyond leadership capabilities, those named Kutaiba often display intellectual curiosity and a respect for tradition while remaining open to innovation. They tend to be principled individuals who value integrity and moral consistency, often feeling a sense of responsibility to uphold the honorable legacy associated with their name. Their personality typically includes a balance between action and contemplation, making them equally comfortable in practical endeavors and intellectual pursuits. The name suggests someone who is reliable, resilient, and capable of inspiring confidence in others through both their competence and their character.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Kwaku holds profound cultural significance within Akan society as an integral component of the traditional day-naming system that has been practiced for centuries. This naming convention is deeply rooted in Akan cosmology and social organization, where a child's day of birth determines their first name, creating an immediate connection to temporal cycles and community identity. The practice reflects the Akan worldview that situates human life within larger cosmic patterns, with each day of the week associated with specific spiritual energies and characteristics.



Historically, these day names served crucial social functions, allowing individuals to be identified within their communities before the widespread adoption of surnames during colonial times. Kwaku specifically identifies a male born on Wednesday, creating an instant cultural marker that communicates not only birth timing but also expected personality traits and social roles. The persistence of this naming tradition despite modernization and external cultural influences demonstrates its enduring importance in maintaining Akan cultural identity and continuity across generations, both within Ghana and throughout the global diaspora.
Individuals named Labaan are often perceived within Somali culture as possessing strong leadership qualities, wisdom, and a deep sense of responsibility toward their community. They are typically seen as reliable, trustworthy figures who maintain traditional values while adapting to modern circumstances. The name carries expectations of integrity and moral strength, with many Labaans being looked to as mediators and advisors in both family and community matters.



Common personality traits associated with the name include resilience, patience, and a calm demeanor even in challenging situations. Labaans are often described as having excellent communication skills and the ability to bring people together, making them natural peacemakers. There's also an expectation of cultural knowledge and preservation, with many Labaans serving as repositories of family history and traditional wisdom. These individuals typically balance respect for tradition with progressive thinking, embodying the Somali ideal of maintaining cultural identity while engaging with the wider world.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Latimer carries significant historical weight as an occupational surname that emerged during the Middle Ages in England and France. Originally denoting someone who interpreted or translated Latin documents, the name reflects a time when Latin was the language of scholarship, law, and the Church across Europe. This occupational role was crucial in medieval society, as Latin served as the lingua franca for educated communication, legal proceedings, and religious texts. The Latimers were essentially bridges between the learned Latin-speaking elite and the common people who spoke vernacular languages.



Throughout English history, the Latimer name became associated with several notable families, particularly during the Tudor period. The most famous bearer, Bishop Hugh Latimer, became a Protestant martyr during the English Reformation, giving the name strong religious and historical connotations. The name's French origins and Latin connections also speak to the cross-cultural exchanges between England and continental Europe during the medieval and Renaissance periods, making it a name that embodies intellectual tradition, religious history, and cultural exchange.
Men named Launder typically exhibit a balanced personality that combines practical wisdom with spiritual depth. Their connection to the 'grassy plain' meaning often manifests as stability, patience, and a nurturing quality that makes them natural caregivers and community builders. They tend to be methodical in their approach to life, valuing order and purity in both their physical environment and spiritual practice. This name often correlates with individuals who possess strong moral compasses and a deep sense of responsibility toward others. Their grounded nature allows them to provide steady leadership during turbulent times, while their connection to cleansing symbolism gives them insight into helping others find renewal and redemption. These individuals frequently excel in roles that require both practical problem-solving and emotional or spiritual guidance, making them valued members of their communities and families.
In contemporary usage, Liang remains a popular and respected given name for boys in Chinese communities worldwide, though its application has adapted to modern contexts. While traditionally chosen for its Confucian associations with virtue and excellence, modern parents often select the name for its positive meaning and cultural resonance rather than strict philosophical adherence. The name appears across various professional fields, particularly in roles requiring integrity and intelligence such as education, technology, and business. Its popularity has remained consistent rather than following fashion trends, indicating its status as a timeless classic. Among overseas Chinese communities, Liang continues to be used both as given name and surname, demonstrating its versatility and enduring cultural significance. The name's simplicity and positive connotations ensure its continued relevance across generations.
Individuals named Lindisfarne typically exhibit deep spiritual awareness and intellectual curiosity, reflecting the name's monastic origins. They often possess a contemplative nature, drawn to philosophical and religious questions, while maintaining a strong sense of tradition and historical connection. These individuals tend to be patient, methodical thinkers who value knowledge and learning, much like the scribes who produced the famous Gospels. Their calm demeanor often masks a resilient inner strength that enables them to withstand challenges with grace and determination.



Lindisfarnes are often perceived as guardians of tradition and wisdom, possessing an innate sense of responsibility toward preserving important cultural and spiritual heritage. They typically demonstrate loyalty in relationships and commitment to their principles, though they may sometimes appear reserved or detached in social situations. Their combination of spiritual depth and practical resilience makes them natural leaders in communities that value tradition, education, and moral integrity. They often excel in roles that require patience, attention to detail, and long-term vision.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Lorence is a modern variant of Lawrence that carries significant Christian heritage through its connection to Saint Lawrence, a 3rd-century deacon of Rome who became one of the most venerated martyrs of the Catholic Church. The name's association with laurel trees connects it to ancient Roman traditions where laurel wreaths symbolized victory, honor, and achievement. In Christian contexts, the name has been used for centuries, particularly in English-speaking countries, though the Lorence spelling represents a more contemporary adaptation that maintains the traditional meaning while offering a distinctive phonetic presentation.



The name's Christian significance is deeply rooted in the story of Saint Lawrence, who was martyred in 258 AD and is remembered for his wit and faith even in facing death. This historical connection has made variations of the name popular among Christian families for generations. The laurel tree symbolism also resonates in Christian art and literature, where evergreen plants often represent eternal life and victory over death, adding spiritual depth to the name's meaning beyond its literal translation.
Individuals bearing the Macdaibhidh name are often perceived as having strong familial loyalty and a deep sense of heritage, reflecting the name's patronymic nature. They tend to be protective of those they consider part of their 'clan' or community, demonstrating the traditional Scottish values of kinship and mutual support. This connection to ancestry often gives Macdaibhidhs a thoughtful, sometimes conservative approach to life, valuing tradition while carefully considering new ideas.



Many with this surname exhibit resilience and determination, qualities that served their ancestors well through Scotland's turbulent history. There's often a quiet strength and practicality to their character, combined with a creative streak that might manifest in storytelling, music, or craftsmanshiparts highly valued in Gaelic culture. While they can be reserved with strangers, Macdaibhidhs typically form deep, lasting bonds with those who earn their trust, showing generosity and steadfast support to their inner circle.
Individuals bearing the Maciver name are often characterized by a strong sense of tradition and loyalty, reflecting their clan heritage. They tend to be determined and focused, with an analytical mind that allows them to assess situations carefully before taking actiontraits that harken back to their ancestral role as archers requiring precision and patience. Macivers typically demonstrate resilience in facing challenges and maintain a quiet confidence rather than overt bravado. Their historical connection to marksmanship translates metaphorically into an ability to 'hit their targets' in various aspects of life, whether professional goals or personal ambitions.



Socially, Macivers often value deep, meaningful relationships over superficial connections, mirroring the clan loyalty that defined their ancestors. They tend to be protective of family and principles, with a strong moral compass guiding their decisions. While they can be reserved initially, they reveal warmth and dry wit to those they trust. Their Norse-Gaelic heritage often manifests as a blend of practical pragmatism and creative intuition, making them effective problem-solvers who honor tradition while adapting to modern circumstances. This balance between steadfastness and adaptability has been key to the clan's endurance through centuries of Scottish history.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Macray holds significant cultural importance as a Scottish surname-turned-given-name that traces its origins to the Gaelic 'Mac Rath,' meaning 'son of grace.' The name is intrinsically linked to the MacRae clan, one of the prominent Highland clans known for their fierce loyalty and military prowess. Historically, the MacRaes were closely associated with the Mackenzie clan, serving as their constables and protectors in the Kintail region. This historical role imbued the name with connotations of trustworthiness, strength, and service to community. The name's evolution from clan surname to personal name reflects the broader Scottish tradition of honoring ancestral connections while adapting to modern naming practices. Throughout Scottish history, bearers of this name have been documented as warriors, scholars, and community leaders, contributing to the preservation of Gaelic culture and Scottish identity during periods of significant cultural change, including the Highland Clearances and subsequent diaspora.
Since April this year, the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), the Afghan affiliate of the terrorist organization known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), has carried out rocket attacks in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan from its bases in northern Afghanistan. The attacks are significant. This is the first time that the jihadist group is targeting countries in Central Asia. They signal the ISKPs expanding geographic presence inside Afghanistan as well as its growing ambitions in Afghanistan and Central Asia. Western countries that are concerned about terrorism emanating from Afghanistan should take note of the implications of the recent attacks.

BACKGROUND: On July 6, the Talibans supreme leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada said that Afghan soil would not be used to launch attacks against other countries. We assure our neighbors, the region and the world that we will not allow anyone to use our territory to threaten the security of other countries, Akhundzada said in an address to a gathering of clerics in Kabul. Only a day earlier Uzbekistan had claimed that five rockets fired from Afghanistan had landed in Termez, which is close to its border with Afghanistan. No group claimed responsibility for the attack. Given the Taliban regimes cordial ties with the Uzbek government and the fact that the ISKP has carried out a string of attacks on Central Asian countries, the rockets that landed in Termez were suspected to be the work of the jihadist group.

On April 18, ISKP fired ten Katyusha rockets at a military base in Termez. Claiming responsibility for the attack, the jihadist group said that the missiles were launched from near the town of Hairatan in Afghanistans Balkh province. It also released a photograph of the perpetrator of the attack and a video of the launch. The following day, the Uzbek government rejected the ISKP claim as untrue. Uzbekistans border with Afghanistan is fully controlled by the Uzbek military and is stable, the Uzbek defense ministry said. Initially, the Taliban too rejected the ISKPs claim. However, Taliban deputy spokesman Inamulla Samangan subsequently admitted to Uzbekistans Gazeta news website that ISKP militants had fired a barrage of rockets at Uzbekistan but claimed that these rockets did not reach the border of Uzbekistan.

On May 7, the ISKP claimed that its fighters fired seven rockets from Khawaja Ghar district of Afghanistans Takhar Province toward unspecified military targets in Tajikistan.

Formed in January 2015, ISKP sought to build its presence in Afghanistan by recruiting Pakistani and Afghan jihadists, including Taliban defectors who saw their own organization as not Islamic enough. Although it has been able to carry out devastating attacks, its control over territory has been limited. The ISKP was in control of just a few pockets in the eastern Nangarhar province, which borders Pakistan. That seems to have changed in recent months.

IMPLICATIONS: Although the recent attacks on Tajikistan and Uzbekistan did little physical damage, they are significant for several reasons. Firstly, they signal the jihadist groups expanding presence in Afghanistan. The attacks were carried out from Balkh and Takhar provinces in northern Afghanistan, which border Central Asian countries. ISKP presence there is apparently significant enough for it to move around and operate rocket launchers. Since it seized power in August last year, the Taliban regime has been carrying out military operations against the ISKP in eastern Afghanistan. It seems that while the regimes focus was on the east, the ISKP was spreading its wings in the northern provinces.

The attacks on Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are the first occasion when the ISKP has explicitly targeted Central Asian countries. If in the past, the ISKP used hostile rhetoric to target the Central Asian governments, it has now escalated this to violent aggression. The Uzbek and Tajik governments brushed aside the ISKP attacks. The Tajik government, for instance, said that bullets, not rockets were fired accidentally into Tajik territory during a firefight between Taliban forces and ISKP militants on the Afghan side of the border. However, neither government can afford not to take the attacks seriously, as the ISKP now poses a clear and present danger to the national security of these countries.

The attacks also aim to impress potential Central Asian recruits. Hitherto, the ISKP has relied on propaganda literature to attract recruits and has begun to translate its works into Uzbek and Tajik. It appears that ISKP has now resorted to more dramatic means for recruiting fighters. Given the deep disaffection among Afghans of Uzbek and Tajik ethnic origin with the Pashtun-dominated Taliban, the ISKP could strike a chord with these alienated ethnic groups and their ethnic compatriots in countries across the border.

The attacks on Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have laid bare the Talibans exposed flanks. They indicate that the regime does not have total control over Afghan territory; and that particularly control over northern Afghanistan is contested.

The attacks have likely undermined regional confidence in the Taliban regimes capacity to play the role of a regional security provider. The Taliban has not been able to secure its borders and ensure that violence and instability does not spill over into neighboring countries. The ISKPs attacks could also unsettle relations between the Taliban regime and Central Asian governments.

In the agreement that the Taliban reached with the U.S. in February 2020, the Taliban pledged that following the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, Afghan soil will not be used against the security of the United States and its allies. There have been doubts over the sincerity of the Talibans commitment to the promise. The killing of al-Qaida chief Ayman al-Zawahiri in a U.S. drone strike on August 1 demonstrated to the world that top terrorists were living in safe houses in Kabul. The rocket attacks on Uzbekistan and Tajikistan indicate that even if the Taliban has the will to ensure that terrorist groups do not use its soil to target other countries, it does not have the capacity to do so. Akhundzadas recent statement on the Taliban and terrorist groups thus rings hollow.

CONCLUSIONS: The ISKPs recent attacks from northern Afghanistan in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan evoked a rather muted response from the world. Governments in the concerned countries sought to downplay the attacks, even denying they happened. However, the attacks should rattle rulers in Kabul, Tashkent and Dushanbe as they signal that the ISKP now has Central Asia in its crosshairs. If ISKP in the past targeted the Tajik and Uzbek governments primarily through propaganda literature and statements, it is now able and willing to unleash violence against them.

The international community has been concerned over whether the Taliban has snapped ties with terrorist allies like Al-Qaeda and Lashkar-e-Taiba and whether it is acting to prevent attacks on other countries emanating Afghan soil. The recent attacks on Uzbekistan and Tajikistan draw attention to another problem  the Taliban may not have the capacity to prevent such attacks. Downplaying the attacks and ignoring their significance could prove perilous for the international community.

AUTHOR'S BIO: Dr. Sudha Ramachandran is an independent researcher and journalist based in India. She writes on Asian political and security issues. Her articles have been published in The Diplomat, China Brief, etc. She can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Women named Maiana typically embody characteristics that reflect their floral namesake - they are often perceived as nurturing, graceful, and deeply attuned to the emotional needs of others. Their personality combines gentle strength with natural elegance, much like a flower that bends with the wind but remains rooted. Maianas tend to be highly empathetic individuals who excel in caregiving roles, whether as parents, teachers, healers, or community organizers. They possess an innate understanding of emotional dynamics and often serve as peacemakers in their social circles.



Beyond their nurturing qualities, Maianas often demonstrate remarkable resilience and adaptability. Like flowers that bloom in challenging conditions, they possess inner strength that may not be immediately apparent. They are typically creative souls with strong aesthetic sensibilities, finding beauty in everyday life and expressing themselves through various artistic mediums. Their connection to nature often manifests in environmental awareness and sustainable living practices. Maianas value deep, meaningful relationships and tend to build strong community networks, reflecting the interconnectedness found in natural ecosystems.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Makemba holds profound significance in Central African spiritual traditions, particularly among the Kongo people. The name references a revered goddess figure associated with fertility, nature, and feminine wisdom. In traditional Kongo cosmology, Makemba represents the divine feminine principle that governs the cycles of life, harvest, and community wellbeing. She is often invoked in rituals related to agriculture, childbirth, and seasonal transitions, embodying the connection between human society and the natural world.



The name carries centuries of spiritual heritage, reflecting the rich mythological traditions of the Congo Basin region where goddess worship and nature veneration have been central to cultural identity. Throughout history, the name has been bestowed upon women believed to possess special spiritual gifts or leadership qualities within their communities, serving as living embodiments of the goddess's attributes and maintaining cultural continuity across generations. In contemporary contexts, the name represents both cultural preservation and the empowerment of African feminine identity in a globalized world.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Mantotohpa holds deep significance in Cheyenne culture as it combines two powerful symbols: the bear, representing strength, protection, and healing, and the number four, which is sacred in many Native American traditions representing the four directions, seasons, elements, and stages of life. The name was traditionally given to boys expected to become strong leaders or protectors of their community. In Cheyenne oral history, bears are considered close relatives to humans and possess great spiritual power. The combination with 'four' elevates this power, suggesting completeness and balance in all directions of life.



Historically, names like Mantotohpa were earned through visions or significant life events rather than given at birth, making them markers of personal and spiritual journey. Such names often reflected an individual's character, achievements, or spiritual connections. In contemporary Cheyenne communities, the name continues to carry these traditional meanings while also serving as an important link to cultural heritage and identity preservation during times of significant cultural change and adaptation.
The name Maolmin carries rich symbolic meanings that extend beyond its literal translation of 'polished chief.' Symbolically, it represents the ideal integration of spiritual depth and worldly leadership - the concept of the enlightened ruler who governs with wisdom rather than mere power. The 'polished' aspect symbolizes not just external refinement but the internal cultivation that comes through education, experience, and moral development. It suggests someone who has been shaped and improved through life's challenges, emerging with greater wisdom and grace. The 'chief' element represents natural authority, responsibility, and the capacity to guide communities toward collective wellbeing.



Metaphorically, Maolmin can be seen as representing the bridge between tradition and innovation, honoring cultural heritage while embracing progress. The name symbolizes balanced leadership that combines strength with compassion, conviction with openness to new ideas. In a broader sense, it represents the Gaelic cultural values of learning, hospitality, and community responsibility. The name also carries connotations of cultural continuity - connecting present to past, and individual identity to collective heritage. For modern bearers, the name can serve as a symbolic reminder of the importance of ethical leadership, lifelong learning, and service to community - values that remain profoundly relevant in contemporary society.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Marston has deep roots in English history as a locational surname that evolved into a given name. Originating from Old English 'mre' (pool or boundary) and 'tun' (farm or settlement), the name reflects the geographical features of medieval England where settlements were often named after nearby landmarks. As a Christian name, it carries the tradition of using surnames as first names, particularly in English-speaking countries. The name gained prominence through various historical figures and places named Marston, including several villages in England that date back to the Domesday Book of 1086. In American history, the name became associated with pioneering spirit through figures like John Marston, embodying the rugged individualism of the frontier era.



The name's Christian significance lies in its adoption as a baptismal name within English-speaking Christian communities, where it represents stability, heritage, and connection to one's roots. Throughout history, various Marstons have contributed to religious, academic, and cultural institutions, further cementing the name's place in Western Christian tradition. The name's evolution from a place name to a personal name mirrors the Christian practice of naming children after virtues, places, or family connections that hold spiritual meaning.
Individuals named Martiniano are often perceived as strong-willed, principled, and dependable. They tend to possess natural leadership qualities combined with a deep sense of responsibility toward family and community. The name carries connotations of reliability and steadfastness, with many Martinianos being seen as pillars of their social circles who others turn to for guidance and support. There's often an air of traditionalism about them, valuing heritage and customs while maintaining progressive thinking when necessary.



Their personality typically blends the martial strength suggested by the name's root with the wisdom and patience implied by its augmentative suffix, creating individuals who are both decisive and thoughtful in their actions. They frequently demonstrate loyalty, courage in adversity, and a protective nature toward those they care about, making them respected figures in both personal and professional contexts. This combination of traits often leads Martinianos to excel in roles requiring both authority and compassion, such as community leadership, education, or professions where tradition meets innovation. Their inherent sense of duty often drives them to preserve cultural knowledge while contributing meaningfully to contemporary society.
Individuals named Masree are often perceived as having strong cultural pride and deep-rooted connections to their heritage. They typically exhibit qualities of loyalty, tradition-awareness, and a sense of responsibility toward their community. These individuals are often seen as reliable and steadfast, with a natural inclination toward preserving cultural values while adapting to modern circumstances. Their connection to the name's meaning often manifests in a strong sense of identity and purpose.



Masree is associated with individuals who possess diplomatic skills and the ability to bridge different cultural perspectives. They often demonstrate wisdom in navigating complex social situations and show respect for traditions while being open to progressive ideas. The name carries expectations of dignity, cultural sophistication, and intellectual curiosity, particularly regarding historical and philosophical matters. Those named Masree are frequently seen as natural leaders who can represent their community with grace and authority.
Individuals named Mathani are typically perceived as principled, disciplined, and morally grounded. They often exhibit natural leadership qualities combined with a strong sense of responsibility toward their community and family. Their decision-making tends to be guided by clear ethical frameworks, and they're known for their reliability and consistency in both personal and professional relationships.



Mathani bearers often demonstrate thoughtful, deliberate approaches to problem-solving and are respected for their wisdom and judgment. They may show tendencies toward being traditional yet adaptable, balancing respect for cultural heritage with practical modern applications. Their personality often includes a protective nature toward those in their care and a commitment to maintaining harmony within their social circles. While sometimes perceived as serious or reserved, they typically possess deep compassion and a genuine concern for the well-being of others, making them trusted advisors and community pillars.
Individuals named Matunaagd are typically characterized by strong protective instincts and natural leadership qualities. They possess an innate sense of justice and are often driven to defend those who cannot defend themselves. These individuals tend to be decisive, courageous, and willing to take stands for their beliefs, even when facing significant opposition. Their warrior spirit manifests not necessarily in physical combat but in their determination to overcome challenges and protect what they value.



Beyond their fighting spirit, Matunaagds often demonstrate deep loyalty to family and community. They are typically reliable, steadfast individuals who form strong bonds and take their responsibilities seriously. While they can be formidable when threatened, they also possess a nurturing side, especially toward children and elders. Their strength is balanced by wisdom, and they often serve as pillars of stability in their social circles, offering guidance and protection without seeking personal glory.
Women named Mazel are often perceived as optimistic, charismatic individuals who naturally attract positive circumstances and people into their lives. They tend to possess an infectious enthusiasm and a natural ability to see opportunities where others might see obstacles, making them excellent problem-solvers and innovators. Their name's association with luck often becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy as they develop confidence in their ability to navigate life's challenges successfully.



These individuals typically exhibit strong intuition and emotional intelligence, allowing them to read situations and people accurately. They're often described as 'lucky charms' by friends and family, not because of supernatural powers, but due to their positive mindset and resilience. Mazels tend to be social, generous with their time and energy, and have a knack for being in the right place at the right timequalities that stem from their proactive approach to life rather than passive waiting for fortune.



The personality associated with Mazel often includes a balanced combination of practicality and spirituality, understanding that while they may be 'lucky,' sustained success requires effort, wisdom, and ethical conduct. This creates individuals who are both dreamers and doersable to envision beautiful possibilities while possessing the determination to make them reality.
Chadwick Boseman is to be honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame five years after his death.

Chadwick Boseman's widow Simone Ledward-Boseman will accept his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

The Black Panther star - who died aged 43 in 2020 following a secret battle with cancer - is to be given a permanent memorial on the famous Los Angeles sidewalk in a ceremony on November 20 which will be accepted on his behalf by his widow Simone Ledward-Boseman.

Hollywood Walk of Fame producer Ana Martinez said in a statement: "The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is deeply honored to celebrate Chadwick Bosemans extraordinary legacy with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

"His powerful performances and enduring impact both on and off screen continue to inspire generations around the world."

The star will be located at 6904 Hollywood Boulevard and the ceremony which will also feature tributes from Boseman's Black Panther director Ryan Coogler and actress Viola Davis, who worked with the actor on his final film Ma Raineys Black Bottom.

Davis previouslu admitted she was devastated by her friend's death. Speaking to Yahoo!, she explained: "I broke down when I heard he passed.

"Lord knows we all would've wanted him to live another 50 years. We all want longevity. But I can't see his life tragically at all 

"Because I felt like he was always living in the moment, squeezing out every bit of life. What it makes me think is, it's not the quantity, it's the quality ..."

She added: "What I hold onto with Chad is that he lived his life his way. I would say his professional life as absolutely paralleled his personal life, that's my guess, in terms of how he lived with the utmost integrity."

Other stars recently honoured with stars on the sidewalk include actress Naomi Watts, who attended her ceremony last month, as well as rock veterans Def Leppard, Jessica Chastain, Green Day and comedian Ricky Gervais.

Speaking at his ceremony in May, Gervais said of the honour: "Id love to claim it was due to my unrivalled genius, but truth be told it's a cocktail of luck persistence and a little bit of pushing against the tide.

"Youve got to polarise. I think you need to know that if you're doing anything of any worth as many people hate you as love you, but that shouldn't affect you. The the ones that love you, they buy your house ...

"I was nervous because when they first told me I got this as the first thing I thought about was, "Do I have to get down on all fours and put my hands in concrete?

"I just thought: 'I won't get back up, and that'll be embarrassing, but I don't have to do that.' Me standing here now is as embarrassing and awkward as it gets. "
Individuals named Molli are often characterized by a blend of traditional values and independent thinking, reflecting the name's Irish roots and uncommon gender usage. They typically exhibit strong loyalty to family and community, combined with a determined spirit that aligns with the name's meaning of 'bitter' - not in a negative sense, but rather suggesting someone who faces challenges with resilience and strength. These individuals often possess deep emotional intelligence and cultural awareness, making them excellent preservers of tradition while being adaptable to modern circumstances.



Their unique name often fosters a sense of individuality and self-assurance, as they navigate a world where their name may challenge gender expectations. Molli-named individuals tend to be creative problem-solvers who honor their heritage while forging their own path, demonstrating the balance between respect for tradition and personal innovation that has characterized Irish cultural survival through centuries of change. They often display a quiet confidence and cultural pride that comes from carrying a name with such specific historical and cultural significance.
Symbolically, Mufidah represents the embodiment of beneficial knowledge and practical wisdom that transforms communities. The name carries deep metaphorical significance as a representation of the Islamic ideal that true knowledge must manifest in useful action. It symbolizes the flowing river that nourishes the land, the shade tree that provides shelter, and the guiding light that illuminates pathsall metaphors for a person whose existence benefits others. In spiritual terms, Mufidah represents the concept of 'barakah' or blessed abundance that multiplies goodness in the world. The name suggests someone who functions as a conduit of benefit, transforming potential into actual good through practical application. It embodies the Islamic principle that the most valued knowledge is that which benefits humanity and brings people closer to understanding divine wisdom. Symbolically, Mufidah represents the bridge between learning and living, between acquiring knowledge and applying it for the betterment of society. This makes the name not just a personal identifier but a symbolic representation of the Islamic ethic of social responsibility and the belief that every individual has the potential to be a source of benefit to the world around them.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Mukhwana carries deep cultural significance in Egyptian tradition, where twins were considered sacred and blessed by the gods. In ancient Egyptian belief systems, twins represented the fundamental duality of existence that was central to their cosmology - the balance between light and darkness, order and chaos, life and death. Children named Mukhwana were often destined for important religious or scholarly roles, as their twin nature was believed to give them special insight into both earthly and divine matters. The name appears in temple inscriptions and royal records, indicating its use across different social classes throughout Egyptian history.



Families who had twins were thought to be particularly favored by deities like Shu, the god of air and light who was himself part of a divine twin pair. The naming of a male twin as Mukhwana was not merely descriptive but carried expectations of the child's future role in maintaining cosmic and social balance. This cultural significance extended to the child's education and career path, with many Mukhwana-named individuals becoming priests, scribes, or administrators where their perceived dual nature could serve the community's need for mediation and harmony. The name thus represents a complex interplay of family pride, religious belief, and social expectation in ancient Egyptian society.
Individuals bearing the name Nairne are often characterized by a strong sense of tradition and connection to their roots, reflecting the name's deep Scottish heritage. They typically exhibit a grounded, practical nature combined with intellectual depth, making them both reliable in practical matters and thoughtful in their approach to life. The natural elements in the name's meaning - the alder tree and river - suggest personality traits of resilience, adaptability, and steady growth.



Nairnes are generally perceived as having quiet leadership qualities and a dependable character that others naturally trust. Their connection to Scottish clan history often manifests as strong family loyalty and a respect for tradition, while the river symbolism suggests an ability to navigate life's changes with grace. They tend to be contemplative individuals who value depth in relationships and pursuits, often displaying a combination of steadfastness and flexibility that serves them well in both personal and professional contexts. The historical weight of the name seems to inspire a sense of responsibility and integrity in those who carry it.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Nantres holds a significant position in Arthurian legend as one of the early British kings who recognized Arthur's sovereignty. As the brother-in-law to King Arthur through his marriage to Elaine, sister of Morgan le Fay and Morgause, Nantres represents the complex web of alliances that formed the foundation of Arthur's kingdom. His character appears in various medieval romances, including Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur, where he is depicted as a noble ruler who brings military strength and political stability to Arthur's cause.



In the broader context of Arthurian literature, Nantres symbolizes the unification of Britain under Arthur's rule. His kingdom of Garlot represents one of the crucial territories that helped secure Arthur's reign. The character embodies the transition from fragmented tribal rule to a unified British monarchy, reflecting the medieval ideal of strong, cooperative leadership against external threats. His presence in the legends underscores the importance of marital and political alliances in maintaining royal power during Britain's mythical golden age, serving as a model of the ideal feudal lord who balances local authority with loyalty to a high king.
Individuals named Napona are typically perceived as having strong, fluid personalities that combine resilience with adaptability. Like the ocean waves they're named for, they demonstrate both power and grace under pressure, able to navigate difficult situations with natural ease. They often possess leadership qualities that emerge organically rather than being forced, much like how waves naturally command attention. Their emotional depth can be compared to the oceancalm on the surface but with profound currents beneath.



They tend to be protective of their communities and families, showing the same steadfast reliability as the tides. At the same time, they maintain flexibility and creativity, able to adjust to changing circumstances while maintaining their core identity. This combination of strength and adaptability makes them natural problem-solvers who can approach challenges from multiple perspectives. Their connection to the wave symbolism often manifests as an intuitive understanding of timing and rhythm in both personal and professional endeavors.
Individuals named Nataniel are often perceived as thoughtful, intuitive, and spiritually inclined. They tend to possess a natural curiosity about the world and a deep appreciation for knowledge and wisdom. Many Nataniels exhibit strong analytical skills combined with creative thinking, making them excellent problem-solvers who approach challenges from multiple perspectives. Their name meaning 'gift from God' often translates into a personality that values generosity, compassion, and service to others.



Nataniels typically demonstrate reliability and loyalty in relationships, earning trust through their consistent and principled behavior. While they can be introspective at times, they often develop strong communication skills and the ability to inspire others with their insights and vision. Many people with this name show a balance between practical rationality and emotional intelligence, allowing them to navigate complex social situations with grace. The spiritual connotation of their name often manifests in a search for meaning and purpose, whether through religious faith, philosophical exploration, or dedication to helping others. These traits combine to create individuals who are both grounded and visionary, capable of making significant contributions to their communities.
Individuals named Neakail are typically characterized by strong leadership qualities and natural determination, often displaying remarkable resilience in facing challenges. They tend to be strategic thinkers who approach obstacles with careful planning and unwavering commitment, qualities that align with the name's meaning of 'victorious people.' These individuals often possess innate charisma that draws others to their causes, making them effective in positions of influence and authority. Their competitive nature is balanced by a deep sense of loyalty to their community and family, reflecting the Scottish cultural values of clan allegiance and collective success. While they can be ambitious and driven, Neakails typically maintain a grounded perspective and practical approach to achieving their goals. They often demonstrate exceptional problem-solving skills and the ability to inspire others through both words and actions, making them natural leaders in various fields from business to community organizing. This combination of strategic thinking and interpersonal effectiveness allows them to navigate complex situations while maintaining the respect and support of those around them.
Individuals named Nemesio are typically perceived as possessing a strong sense of justice and moral integrity. They often exhibit thoughtful, analytical personalities with a natural inclination toward fairness and balance in their dealings with others. This stems from the name's mythological roots in Nemesis, the enforcer of cosmic order. Nemesios tend to be principled individuals who value truth and accountability, sometimes displaying a serious demeanor that reflects their deep concern for ethical matters.



Beyond their strong moral compass, those bearing this name often demonstrate intellectual curiosity and artistic sensitivity. Many Nemesios are drawn to creative or academic pursuits where they can explore complex ideas and express nuanced perspectives. They typically possess a quiet determination and resilience, able to persevere through challenges while maintaining their core values. While they may appear reserved initially, Nemesios often reveal warm, loyal personalities to those they trust, forming deep, meaningful relationships based on mutual respect and understanding.
Individuals named Nixen are often characterized by a strong sense of responsibility and protective nature, reflecting the name's meaning as 'son of Nick' and its connection to Saint Nicholas's legacy of caregiving. They typically exhibit natural leadership qualities combined with practical wisdom, making them reliable figures in both family and community settings. Their personality often blends traditional values with adaptive thinking, allowing them to navigate modern challenges while maintaining core principles.



Nixens tend to be determined and resilient, with an innate drive to overcome obstaclesa trait connected to the 'victory' element in their name's etymology. They often demonstrate loyalty to their loved ones and commitment to their beliefs, sometimes showing a protective streak toward those they perceive as vulnerable. While they can be steadfast in their convictions, they typically balance this with compassion and a willingness to listen, making them effective mediators and trusted advisors in personal and professional relationships.
Nitin Ganatra "almost got fired" from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory after Johnny Depp got him "into trouble".

Nitin Ganatra at the Christmas Karma premiere

The 58-year-old actor portrayed Prince Pondicherry in Tim Burtons 2005 adaptation of Roald Dahls classic story and feared the worst after he went exploring on the set at the encouragement of his co-star - who led the cast as Willy Wonka - only to accidentally leave the area he'd snuck off to covered in chocolate.

Speaking exclusively to BANG Showbiz at the world premiere of his latest movie Christmas Karma on Wednesday (12.11.25) night at Londons Curzon Mayfair, he said: There are always funny moments. Johnny Depp got me into trouble  he wont even remember this. I was doing Prince Pondicherry and I was covered in chocolate, my shoes, everything covered in chocolate.

"We were sitting together and he goes, Have you seen the vanishing corridor? And I went, No. And he said, Go through that curtain. Theres a vanishing corridor there.

So I did, and I went through the curtain. It was dark, and I could see this red carpet that started to get further and further away until my head hit the ceiling. You know, that little vanishing corridor that gets smaller and smaller.

"I hit my head, turned around, and realised Id left chocolate footprints on the carpet. I ran out and went, You almost got me fired, Johnny

He did  he almost got me fired. We had fun though. It was nice to work with him.

Despite not being invited to reprise his role in Paul Kings 2023 Wonka prequel, Ganatra said he wasnt disappointed since it was a different director.

However, he admitted he was upset about being killed off when he reunited with Tim for an episode of the first series of Wednesday.

He said: [Wonka] is a completely different cast and a different director, but I did work with Tim Burton on Wednesday. I was upset I got killed off and didnt get to be in the second season, which looks like such good fun. Ive worked with Tim Burton twice now. I auditioned for it like everyone else and I got the part.

Nitin's latest role sees him play a shopkeeper in Gurinder Chadhas new festive Bollywood-inspired musical Christmas Karma, a modern take on Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol, and he drew on his own upbringing for the role.

He said: I play the shopkeeper  thats my official title, the shopkeeper. This is the first shopkeeper Ive ever played, which is a bit of a breakthrough role for me. As an Asian actor, Ive always avoided playing shopkeepers  Ive played the occasional doctor, never an accountant, thank God. But this one is special. I think Gurinder grew up in a newsagent, and so did I, so I got to use my own story in there.

Christmas Karma will be released in cinemas on Friday (14.11.25).
Individuals named Northtun are typically perceived as grounded, steadfast, and deeply connected to their roots and traditions. They often exhibit a strong sense of responsibility and loyalty, characteristics that align with the name's agricultural and settlement origins. Northtuns are usually practical problem-solvers who approach challenges with methodical determination, much like farmers tending their land through changing seasons. Their northern association often translates into resilience and the ability to endure difficult circumstances with quiet strength.



In social settings, Northtuns tend to be reliable and consistent rather than flashy or attention-seeking. They value stability and often serve as pillars in their communities or families. Their Christian background typically manifests in strong moral principles and a commitment to serving others. While they may appear reserved initially, Northtuns develop deep, lasting relationships and are known for their unwavering support of those they care about. Their combination of practicality and faith makes them effective leaders who lead by example rather than by command.
Individuals named Ogelsvy are typically perceived as possessing formidable presence and unwavering determination. They often exhibit natural leadership qualities combined with a strong sense of duty and protection toward those in their care. This name suggests someone who approaches challenges with strategic thinking and resolute action, rarely backing down from difficult situations.



Their strength of character is typically balanced by deep convictions and moral clarity, making them reliable in crises and respected by peers. While they may appear intimidating at first encounter, those who know them well often discover a protective nature and loyalty that forms the foundation of their relationships. The historical weight of the name tends to influence bearers toward roles where strength, responsibility, and moral courage are required, often making them natural leaders in challenging circumstances.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Ordman holds significant historical weight in Christian European traditions, particularly within Anglo-Saxon and Norman cultures. Originating from Old English roots meaning 'spearman,' it represented not just a warrior class but also symbolized protection and defense of community values. During the medieval period, the name was often borne by individuals who served as protectors of monasteries or local communities, blending martial prowess with religious devotion. The name's Christian significance evolved as it became associated with the concept of spiritual warfaredefending faith and moral principles. In monastic records, several bearers of this name appear as lay brothers who transitioned from military service to religious life, embodying the Christian ideal of using one's strengths in service of higher principles. This dual nature made Ordman a name that represented both physical protection and spiritual guardianship within Christian communities.



Throughout English history, the name Ordman maintained its association with steadfastness and reliability. In parish records from the 14th to 17th centuries, men named Ordman frequently appear as church wardens, local constables, or community leadersroles that required both physical courage and moral integrity. The Protestant Reformation saw the name continue in usage, often among families who valued both their English heritage and Christian faith. The name's persistence through various historical periods demonstrates its enduring appeal as representing someone who combines strength with responsibility, making it a name that transcends its literal meaning to embody broader Christian virtues of protection and service.
Individuals named Otaktay are often perceived as strong-willed, protective, and determined, with a natural leadership quality that inspires confidence in others. They tend to be strategic thinkers who approach challenges with careful planning and decisive action, reflecting the warrior heritage embedded in their name. These individuals typically possess a deep sense of loyalty to their community and family, often putting others' needs before their own in true protective fashion. While they can be formidable when facing opposition, they also demonstrate wisdom in knowing when to exercise restraint and diplomacy. Their strength is balanced by a sense of responsibility, making them reliable and trustworthy individuals who earn respect through their actions rather than demanding it.



Beyond the obvious associations with strength and protection, those named Otaktay often exhibit a complex personality that combines traditional values with adaptive intelligence. They are frequently seen as pillars of their communitiespeople who can be counted on in times of crisis but who also provide steady guidance during peaceful periods. Their warrior spirit manifests not necessarily in aggression but in perseverance, resilience, and the ability to overcome multiple obstacles throughout life. They tend to be deeply connected to their heritage and may feel a strong sense of duty to preserve cultural traditions. This connection to ancestry often gives them a long-term perspective and wisdom beyond their years, making them natural counselors and leaders within their social circles.
Individuals named Otho are typically perceived as strong-willed, ambitious, and possessing natural leadership qualities. They often exhibit a commanding presence and demonstrate reliability in both personal and professional contexts. Historically associated with nobility and rulers, the name suggests someone who is decisive, principled, and capable of handling responsibility with grace. Otho bearers are thought to value tradition and stability while also possessing the courage to make difficult decisions when necessary. They tend to be practical thinkers with a strategic mindset, often excelling in positions that require both authority and diplomacy. Their inherent sense of duty and honor makes them trustworthy companions and effective leaders who inspire confidence in others.



Beyond the obvious leadership qualities, those named Otho often display a deep sense of loyalty and commitment to their principles. They approach challenges with methodical determination and are not easily swayed from their chosen path once they've made a decision. While they may appear reserved or formal in initial interactions, this often masks a thoughtful, analytical mind that carefully considers situations before acting. Their association with the name's meaning of 'wealth' extends beyond material prosperity to include richness of character, wisdom, and emotional depth. Otho individuals typically maintain strong family ties and value their heritage, seeing themselves as part of a larger historical continuum. They balance traditional values with practical adaptability, making them both grounded and effective in navigating modern complexities while honoring the legacy their name represents.
Individuals bearing the name Peirce typically exhibit personality traits that reflect the name's meaning of 'rock'they are often perceived as stable, reliable, and possessing inner strength. These individuals tend to be methodical thinkers who approach challenges with careful analysis and persistence. Their steadfast nature makes them dependable friends and colleagues who others turn to in times of uncertainty. Many Peirces demonstrate a quiet confidence that doesn't need external validation, combined with intellectual curiosity that drives them to explore complex subjects in depth.



Beyond the core stability, Peirces often display subtle wit, observational skills, and a dry sense of humor that emerges in appropriate contexts. They tend to be private individuals who value deep, meaningful relationships over superficial connections. Their combination of reliability and intellectual depth makes them excellent problem-solvers and trusted advisors. While they may appear reserved initially, those who know them well appreciate their loyalty, insight, and the quiet strength they bring to any situation or relationship.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Phrixus holds significant cultural importance in Greek mythology as the son of Athamas and Nephele, whose dramatic escape from sacrifice on a golden ram became one of the foundational myths of the Argonaut legend. His story represents themes of divine intervention, royal succession, and the connection between mainland Greece and the distant kingdom of Colchis. As the figure who transported the Golden Fleece to Colchis, Phrixus essentially set the stage for Jason's legendary quest, making him a crucial link in one of Greek mythology's most enduring narratives.



The myth of Phrixus also reflects ancient Greek attitudes toward sacrifice, royal legitimacy, and the relationship between mortals and gods. His survival and subsequent establishment of a royal line in Colchis demonstrates the Greek belief in divine favor and the importance of proper ritual observance. The story served as both an explanation for Greek colonization narratives and a moral tale about the consequences of broken oaths and family betrayal. The geographical elements of his journeyfrom Boeotia to Colchisalso reflected Greek understanding of their world and the mysterious lands to the east.
Pirithous symbolizes the dual nature of heroic friendship and dangerous ambition in Greek mythological tradition. His story represents the ultimate test of loyalty through his inseparable bond with Theseus, while simultaneously serving as a powerful warning against hubris and overreaching desires that challenge divine order. The mythological punishment of being bound to the Chair of Forgetfulness in Hades symbolizes the consequences of attempting to claim what is reserved for gods alone and serves as an allegory for the boundaries of human ambition. His narrative has been interpreted through various lenses: as a commentary on the price of friendship taken to extreme lengths, as a metaphor for the dangers of desiring immortal privileges, and as an exploration of how noble qualities like courage and loyalty can become destructive when divorced from wisdom and respect for cosmic boundaries.
Individuals named Pit are often perceived as deeply introspective and resilient. The name's association with depth and foundation suggests someone who possesses strong core values and the ability to withstand challenges. They tend to be practical, grounded individuals who approach life with seriousness and determination, much like someone who has emerged stronger from difficult experiences.



Pits are typically seen as loyal and steadfast, with a quiet strength that others find reassuring. They may not be the most outgoing personalities, but they form deep, meaningful connections with those they trust. Their thoughtful nature often makes them excellent listeners and problem-solvers, capable of seeing beneath surface issues to address root causes. This combination of resilience and depth makes Pits natural leaders in times of crisis, though they may prefer working behind the scenes rather than seeking recognition.



These individuals often display remarkable patience and the ability to endure difficult circumstances without losing their fundamental character. Their name suggests someone who understands that true strength comes from having been tested and having overcome challenges, making them particularly valuable in situations requiring perseverance and moral fortitude.
Discover the origin, meaning, and cultural significance of the name PSUSENNES. Delve into its historical roots and explore the lasting impact it has had on communities and traditions.

Psusennes is an ancient Egyptian royal name meaning 'The Star Who Appears in Thebes' or 'The Star Who Rises Over The City.' It reflects the pharaoh's divine connection and celestial authority within Egyptian kingship ideology.

Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Psusennes holds profound cultural significance as it represents a pivotal era in Egyptian historythe Third Intermediate Periodwhen traditional pharaonic power structures were adapting to new political realities. The Psusennes pharaohs ruled from Tanis in the Nile Delta while maintaining the religious and cultural traditions of Thebes, creating a unique blend of northern political power and southern spiritual authority. The discovery of Psusennes I's intact tomb by Pierre Montet in 1939 provided unprecedented insight into this transitional period, revealing that despite political fragmentation, Egyptian artistry and burial practices remained sophisticated. The name itself, meaning 'The Star Who Appears in Thebes,' encapsulates the celestial ideology of kingship that persisted even as Egypt's unity fractured, demonstrating the resilience of Egyptian cultural identity through changing dynastic circumstances.
Kim Kardashian studied for "nine hours a day" for three months because she needed to pass the bar exam on her "first try".

Kim Kardashian studied hard before her bar exam

The 45-year-old reality TV star has been working towards becoming a lawyer but it was recently revealed she failed her final test and will now have to retake it if she wants to qualify - but Kim admitted she worked extra hard ahead of the exam because she wouldn't have time to try again if she failed.

Speaking in an episode of her show The Kardashians, which was filmed before she received her bar exam result, she explained: "Its just the craziest, most emotional roller-coaster.

"I really do need to pass on the first try because I dont have another few months I can give up. I studied nine hours a day, every day. I am feeling a little bit overwhelmed."

Kim added that she threw herself into her studies after wrapping work on her new TV drama All's Fair and spent three months revising for the exam.

She said: "Im really excited to just have Alls Fair wrapped and behind me so that I can just dive right into studying and make that my No. 1 focus.

"I am feeling a little bit exhausted. My bar exam is just three months away."

However, her hard work didn't pay off and Kim now faces the prospect of resitting the test.

In an Instagram post shared after getting her result, Kim wrote: "Well ... I'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.

"Thank you to everyone who has supported and encouraged me along the way so far.

"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!!!!!!!!!!!"

Kim previously enrolled in a four-year apprenticeship with a San Francisco law firm in 2018 and took the baby bar exam three times before passing it in 2021.

She also reportedly passed the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) in March.

Kim is said to have shared the results of her exam one day before the results were made public as she wanted to be honest with her fans.

A source close to the TV star told TMZ: She decided to share the news before the results were public on Sunday because she's been so open about her journey the entire time - and knew fans would be super interested.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Qeb (more commonly known as Geb) was one of the most important deities in ancient Egyptian mythology, representing the earth itself. As the son of Shu (air) and Tefnut (moisture), and the grandson of Atum, he occupied a central position in the Heliopolitan creation myth. Qeb was depicted as a man lying beneath the arch of the sky goddess Nut, his sister and consort, with his body forming the physical landscape of Egypt - his ribs were valleys, his skin the soil, and his laughter caused earthquakes. He was considered the father of the four major deities Osiris, Isis, Set, and Nephthys, making him the progenitor of the most significant divine lineage in Egyptian religion.



As 'Father of the Earth,' Qeb was not only a creator god but also a ruler - according to myth, he governed Egypt before the first pharaohs, and later pharaohs were said to sit upon the 'Throne of Geb,' legitimizing their rule through this divine connection. His association with the earth extended to vegetation and natural phenomena, making him a god of fertility and natural cycles. In temple art and hieroglyphs, Qeb was often shown with green skin representing vegetation or with a goose on his head, as the goose was his sacred animal. His cultural significance extended beyond mythology into daily life, where he was invoked for agricultural success and protection from earthquakes.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Rayhourne occupies a unique space in Christian naming traditions, blending natural imagery with spiritual symbolism in a way that reflects the medieval Christian practice of finding divine presence in creation. The name's origins can be traced to regions where early Christian communities lived in close harmony with their natural surroundings, particularly in areas where deer were common near freshwater sources. This connection to nature was not merely practical but deeply theologicalearly Christians often saw the natural world as a reflection of God's glory and wisdom. The deer's symbolism in Christian art and literature as representing the soul's longing for God, combined with the stream's representation of spiritual nourishment and baptismal cleansing, made Rayhourne a name rich with theological meaning. Throughout history, the name has been particularly popular in rural Christian communities where hunting and water sources were central to daily life, creating a practical spirituality that connected faith with livelihood. The name's endurance through centuries, though never widespread, demonstrates how Christian naming traditions have maintained connections to both scriptural symbolism and environmental reality.
Individuals bearing the name Raynor typically exhibit a compelling combination of strength and wisdom that makes them natural leaders and trusted advisors. Their personality often reflects the name's etymological rootsthey possess the strategic mind of a counselor combined with the determination of a warrior. Raynors are generally perceived as reliable, principled individuals who approach challenges with both courage and careful consideration. They tend to be protective of their loved ones and communities, often taking on leadership roles in family, professional, or social settings. Their analytical nature allows them to assess situations thoroughly before acting, making them excellent problem-solvers who others frequently seek for guidance. While they can be firm in their convictions, this is typically balanced by genuine empathy and a desire to understand different perspectives. Raynors often display remarkable resilience in facing adversity, drawing on inner strength that inspires confidence in those around them. Their combination of mental acuity and moral fortitude makes them particularly effective in careers requiring both intelligence and character, such as law, education, military service, or leadership positions where they can implement their vision while supporting others' growth.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Reading carries significant cultural weight primarily through its association with the historic English town of Reading in Berkshire. Founded in the 9th century by Saxon settlers, the name originally meant 'Reada's people' or 'son of reed,' reflecting both lineage and the marshy environment of the Thames Valley where reeds grew abundantly. This connection to nature and place has endured through centuries, with the town becoming an important religious center through Reading Abbey, founded by King Henry I in 1121. The Christian significance of the name is deeply rooted in this monastic tradition, where the Abbey served as a major pilgrimage site and center of learning throughout the Middle Ages.



The name further gained literary prominence through Oscar Wilde's imprisonment at Reading Gaol, immortalized in his poignant poem 'The Ballad of Reading Gaol,' which explores themes of suffering, redemption, and human dignity. This combination of religious heritage, natural symbolism, and literary legacy gives the name Reading a unique cultural resonance that spans spiritual, environmental, and artistic dimensions. The name also connects to educational traditions through the University of Reading and cultural events like the Reading Festival, creating a multifaceted cultural identity that continues to evolve while honoring its historical roots.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The Reynolds surname embodies a rich tapestry of Irish history and cultural evolution. Originating from the Gaelic 'Mac Raghnaill' meaning 'son of Raghnall,' the name reflects the Norse-Gaelic synthesis that characterized medieval Ireland, particularly in Connacht where the Reynolds clan held significant power as part of the ruling class under the O'Rourke kings. This heritage positions the name at the intersection of indigenous Irish culture and Viking influence, representing Ireland's complex historical layers.



Throughout centuries of English colonization and the Penal Laws, Reynolds families often maintained their Catholic faith and land holdings, becoming symbols of Irish resistance and cultural preservation. The name gained international prominence during the Great Famine diaspora of the 19th century, when Reynolds descendants spread across North America, Australia, and beyond. In these new lands, they frequently rose to prominence while maintaining strong connections to their Irish roots, making the name synonymous with both Irish identity and immigrant success. Today, the Reynolds name continues to represent the global Irish experiencebalancing tradition with modernity, local roots with international reach.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Ross holds deep cultural significance in Scottish heritage, originating from the Scottish Highlands where it originally denoted someone from the peninsula or headland. Historically, it was associated with the Clan Ross, one of the ancient Scottish clans whose territory was in the northern Highlands around the region of Ross-shire. The name appears in early Scottish records dating back to the 12th century and was borne by several notable figures in Scottish history, including the Earls of Ross who played significant roles in medieval Scottish politics.



Beyond Scotland, the name spread through Scottish diaspora during the Highland Clearances and subsequent emigration waves, establishing itself in North America, Australia, and other parts of the world where Scottish communities settled. The name carries with it the romantic imagery of the Scottish Highlandsrugged landscapes, ancient castles, and proud clan traditions. In modern times, Ross serves as both a first name and surname that immediately evokes Scottish ancestry and cultural pride, making it a popular choice for families wanting to honor their Celtic heritage while maintaining international appeal.
The name Rousset carries distinct personality associations that have evolved through cultural perception and historical usage. Individuals with this name are often characterized by a dynamic combination of passion and practicality. Their 'fiery' association, stemming from the name's meaning, typically manifests as intense enthusiasm for their interests, strong convictions, and energetic approach to life's challenges. Psychologically, the name suggests someone with natural leadership qualities who isn't afraid to stand out or take unconventional paths. Rousset individuals are frequently perceived as possessing strong willpower and resilience, able to persevere through difficulties that might discourage others. They tend to be emotionally expressive and authentic, sometimes to the point of impulsivity, but this genuine nature often makes them compelling and trustworthy figures in personal and professional relationships. Their creative tendencies are balanced by grounded practicality, making them effective problem-solvers who can both envision innovative solutions and implement them systematically. In social settings, they often serve as catalysts for action and inspiration for others, though they may need to consciously develop patience and diplomatic skills to complement their natural directness. The name suggests a personality that values authenticity above conformity and possesses the courage to defend their principles.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Ruford emerged as a Christian given name in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States and United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The name carries strong Anglo-Saxon roots, derived from Old English elements that describe geographical features - specifically a ford (river crossing) with reddish coloration, likely from iron-rich soil or clay. This connection to the land reflects the practical, nature-oriented worldview of early Christian communities in rural England, where names often described physical characteristics of one's environment or occupation.



In Christian naming traditions, Ruford represents a bridge between earthly existence and spiritual journey, with the 'ford' symbolizing passage through life's challenges and the 'red' color potentially representing both the blood of Christ and the earthly nature of human existence. The name was particularly popular among families with agricultural backgrounds or those living near river communities, serving as a reminder of both physical and spiritual crossings in the Christian journey of faith. The name's usage declined as society became more urbanized and naming trends shifted toward biblical and modern choices, but it remains a meaningful representation of Christian heritage tied to the natural world.
Individuals named Rushe are often perceived as passionate, energetic, and creatively inclined, living up to the fiery connotations of their name's meaning. They typically exhibit strong leadership qualities combined with artistic sensitivity, making them natural innovators who aren't afraid to stand out from the crowd. Their red-haired symbolism translates to personalities marked by warmth, intensity in relationships, and a distinctive presence in social settings. Rushe bearers often demonstrate remarkable resilience and determination, approaching challenges with the same boldness their name suggests.



While they can be impulsive at times, this is balanced by genuine loyalty to those they care about and an infectious enthusiasm that inspires others. The name carries an expectation of individuality and nonconformity, often resulting in people who develop unique perspectives and creative solutions. In professional settings, Rushe-named individuals tend to excel in roles requiring innovation, persuasion, and visual creativity. Their natural charisma often makes them effective communicators and leaders, though they may need to consciously develop patience and attention to detail to complement their big-picture thinking.
Individuals named Rushford are typically perceived as grounded and resilient, with a strong connection to tradition and family heritage. They often exhibit practical wisdom and steady determination, much like the stable river crossing their name represents. These individuals tend to be bridge-builders in their communitiespatient listeners who help others navigate difficult transitions. Their personality often combines the flexibility of water with the steadfastness of earth, making them excellent mediators and trusted advisors.



Rushfords are frequently drawn to roles that involve guidance, education, or spiritual leadership, where their natural patience and methodical approach can benefit others. They value stability but are not rigid, demonstrating adaptability when faced with life's inevitable changes while maintaining their core principles and commitments. This balance makes them particularly effective in pastoral roles, teaching positions, or community leadership where they can help others find their way while remaining anchored in timeless values. Their strength lies in their ability to remain calm during transitions and provide steady guidance to those around them.
Morgan Freeman has been taking legal action against those replicating his voice without permission.

Morgan Freeman has slammed the use of AI

The 88-year-old actor is known for his distinctive deep tone and he is less than impressed by AI technology that has been cloning his speech without permission, accusing those behind such ventures of "robbing" him.

He told The Guardian newspaper: "I'm a little PO'd, you know.

I'm like any other actor: Don't mimic me with falseness. I don't appreciate it, and I get paid for doing stuff like that, so if you're gonna do it without me, you're robbing me."

The Now You See Me Now You Don't actor suggested his legal representatives have been taking action against "many" imitators.

He added: "Well, I tell you, my lawyers have been very, very busy."

The Shawshank Redemption star worked hard to maximise the quality of his voice when he was at college under the guidance of a tutor named Robert Whitman.

He said: "If you're going to speak, speak distinctly, hit your final consonants, and do exercises to lower your voice.

"Most people's voices are higher than they would be normally if they knew how to relax it. He taught that sort of thing."

Morgan also condemned Tilly Norwood, an AI-generated performer who sparked controversy last month following reports talent agencies were considering signing her up as a client.

He said: "Nobody likes her because she's not real and that takes the part of a real person, so it's not going to work out very well in the movies or in television.

"The union's job is to keep actors acting, so there's going to be that conflict."

Meanwhile, the Seven actor admitted he almost never became an actor because he considered a career as a fighter pilot instead.

He said: I never had moments of self-doubt about it but, when I was a teenager, I was fascinated by flying so, when I graduated from high school, I went into the air force with the idea at the time of becoming a fighter pilot.

That lasted until I got into the cockpit of a trainer and had that epiphany that this is not what you want. It turns out, I was just in San Bernardino, at Norton Air Force Base, being discharged and only a 45-minute bus ride from Los Angeles, California. Fate is the hunter.

Acting union SAG-AFTRA have previously condemned Tilly Norwood's existence.

They said in a statement: "To be clear, 'Tilly Norwood' is not an actor, it's a character generated by a computer program that was trained on the work of countless professional performers  without permission or compensation.

"It has no life experience to draw from, no emotion and, from what we've seen, audiences aren't interested in watching computer-generated content untethered from the human experience."
Cultural & Historical Significance

The cultural journey of the name Russel begins in medieval Normandy, where it originated as 'Roussel' - a descriptive term for individuals with distinctive red hair. This practical naming convention reflected the era's tendency to identify people by physical characteristics. The name's transformation began with the Norman Conquest of 1066, when it crossed into England and evolved into the anglicized 'Russell'. The Russell family's rise to prominence represents one of the most significant name-based success stories in English history. John Russell, who served Henry VIII and became the 1st Earl of Bedford in 1550, established a dynasty that would produce multiple dukes of Bedford, influential politicians, and major landowners. The family's Woburn Abbey became a symbol of their enduring legacy. In America, Russel carried connotations of English aristocracy while also appealing to democratic ideals, appearing among early settlers and maintaining consistent usage. The 20th century saw the name associated with intellectual brilliance through Bertrand Russell, whose Nobel Prize-winning work in philosophy and mathematics gave the name an academic prestige that continues to influence its perception today. This combination of aristocratic heritage and intellectual achievement creates a unique cultural position for the name - both grounded and aspirational.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Sadeek holds profound significance in Islamic culture, deriving from the Arabic root 's-d-q' which relates to truthfulness, sincerity, and trustworthiness. In Islamic tradition, the concept of 'Sidq' (truthfulness) is considered one of the highest moral virtues, and the name Sadeek embodies this ideal. Historically, the name has been borne by companions of the Prophet Muhammad and respected figures throughout Islamic history who were known for their unwavering honesty and loyalty.



The name carries particular weight in Muslim communities as it represents not just personal integrity but also faithfulness to religious principles and community obligations. In many Muslim societies, naming a child Sadeek expresses the parents' aspiration for their son to grow into a person of strong moral character, someone who can be relied upon and who maintains truthful relationships with both God and fellow human beings. This cultural significance extends across various Muslim-majority regions from the Middle East to South Asia and beyond.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Sarsour holds significant cultural weight in Arab and Muslim communities, particularly among Palestinian families where it originated as a surname denoting specific tribal or geographic origins. In Islamic tradition, the locust (which the name references) appears in the Quran and Hadith, sometimes as a symbol of divine punishment but also as a creature that demonstrates God's power and the importance of community. The name carries historical resonance through generations of families who maintained their cultural identity despite displacement and challenges, embodying the resilience that the locust symbolizes in its ability to survive and thrive in difficult conditions.



Many Sarsour families have been prominent in maintaining Islamic traditions, education, and community leadership across diaspora communities while preserving their heritage. The name represents a connection to ancestral lands and the enduring nature of cultural identity, serving as a reminder of both historical roots and the adaptive strength required to maintain traditions in changing circumstances. This dual significance - as both a marker of specific heritage and a symbol of universal resilience - gives the name its profound cultural importance within Muslim communities worldwide.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Sceotend holds significant cultural importance in Anglo-Saxon history as both a practical occupation and symbolic role. In early medieval England, archers were essential for hunting, defense, and warfare, making the name representative of protection and survival skills. The term appears in Old English texts like Beowulf and the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, where skilled archers were often praised for their precision and reliability in battle.



During the Anglo-Saxon period, before the Norman Conquest revolutionized English warfare with the longbow, skilled archers like those called Sceotend were valued members of warrior bands and village defenses. The name embodies the Anglo-Saxon virtues of accuracy, patience, and protective strength, reflecting a society where martial skills were highly respected and necessary for community survival. As England transitioned through various invasions and cultural changes, the archetype of the skilled archer remained a powerful symbol of English resistance and independence.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Seoirse is the Irish Gaelic form of George, derived from the Greek name Georgios meaning 'farmer' or 'earth-worker.' The name carries deep cultural significance in Ireland as it represents the intersection of Christian tradition with Irish linguistic heritage. Saint George, the patron saint of England and several other countries, was a Roman soldier who became martyred for his Christian faith, and his veneration spread throughout Europe during the Crusades. In Ireland, the name Seoirse became particularly popular during the 18th and 19th centuries as Irish families maintained their cultural identity while adopting Christian names. The Irish form distinguishes itself from the English 'George,' representing a conscious choice to preserve Gaelic linguistic traditions while participating in wider Christian naming conventions. This dual identity makes Seoirse a name that bridges Irish cultural specificity with broader European Christian heritage.



The name's persistence in Irish society reflects the complex relationship between Irish identity and broader European influences. During periods of English domination, the use of Irish forms like Seoirse rather than the English George became a subtle act of cultural resistance and identity preservation. In modern Ireland, the name continues to represent this cultural dualityhonoring both the international Christian tradition of Saint George while maintaining distinct Irish linguistic character. The name's agricultural origins also connect it to Ireland's historical rural economy and the importance of land and farming in Irish cultural memory.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Shadwell originated as a locational surname in England, specifically from the area of Shadwell in London's East End, which was named for a spring near a boundary shed or shelter. The name carries strong Anglican Christian roots, having been borne by several clergymen and religious writers throughout English history. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the name became associated with literary and intellectual circles, particularly through Thomas Shadwell's prominence as Poet Laureate.



The name's Christian significance is further emphasized by its adoption among families who valued both their English heritage and religious identity, often serving in church-related positions or maintaining strong ties to Anglican traditions. Over time, Shadwell evolved from purely a surname to occasionally being used as a given name, particularly in Christian families seeking names with historical English roots and religious connections. The name represents a bridge between geographical identity and spiritual heritage, embodying the English Christian tradition of naming that connects people to both place and faith.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Skelton carries significant cultural weight as an English locational surname that evolved into occasional given name usage. Originating from places called Skelton in Yorkshire and Cumbria, the name reflects the Norman and Anglo-Saxon settlement patterns that shaped English society. During the medieval period, Skelton became associated with landed families who maintained estates on strategic high ground, giving the name connotations of stability and oversight. The Christian significance of the name was cemented by figures like John Skelton, who served as both poet and priest during the tumultuous Tudor period, embodying the intersection of religious devotion and cultural expression that characterized English Christianity.



Throughout English history, the Skelton name has been carried by individuals who contributed to religious, educational, and artistic spheres, reinforcing its association with English cultural identity. The name's persistence through centuries reflects the enduring nature of English naming traditions and the importance of geographical origins in personal identity. In Christian contexts, the name's association with 'estate on the ledge' has been interpreted metaphorically as representing spiritual foundation and elevated perspective, making it meaningful within Christian naming traditions that value both earthly stability and heavenly aspiration.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Slania holds a unique position in French cultural history, particularly in the context of health and wellness traditions. Originating from the Old French term 'sain' meaning 'healthy' or 'sound', the name became popular during the Renaissance period when concepts of bodily health and spiritual wellness were increasingly valued. In rural French communities, particularly in the Provence and Brittany regions, the name was often given to children born during times of plague or illness as a protective charm, symbolizing the parents' hopes for their child's robust health and longevity.



During the 18th century Enlightenment, the name experienced a revival among intellectual circles who valued the connection between physical health and mental clarity. The name's association with health made it particularly significant in families with medical traditions, where it was passed down through generations of healers, midwives, and herbalists. In modern times, Slania maintains its connection to French wellness culture while adapting to contemporary naming trends, representing a bridge between traditional values and modern health consciousness.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Stearn has deep roots in Christian tradition, evolving from the Greek name Stephen meaning 'crown' or 'garland'. It gained prominence through Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr, whose story of steadfast faith under persecution established the name's association with moral fortitude and spiritual dedication. Throughout medieval Europe, Stearn emerged as a distinctive variation particularly in English and Scottish regions, often chosen by families seeking to honor the martyr's legacy while distinguishing their sons with a more austere, less common form of the name. The name carried connotations of serious devotion and intellectual rigor, frequently appearing among clergy, scholars, and military leaders who embodied its disciplined characteristics.



During the Protestant Reformation, the name experienced renewed popularity among Puritan and Presbyterian communities who valued its straightforward, unadorned quality and its connection to early Christian martyrdom. In Scottish clans, the name Stearn sometimes indicated descent from families with strong religious convictions or scholarly traditions. The Victorian era saw the name maintain its serious character, often given to sons expected to uphold family honor and tradition. Throughout these historical periods, Stearn consistently represented the virtues of reliability, intellectual seriousness, and moral integrity, making it a name chosen by parents who valued these qualities and wished to instill them in their children.
Individuals named Stepan are typically characterized by their strong leadership qualities, unwavering determination, and deep sense of responsibility. They often possess a natural authority that commands respect, combined with a practical approach to problem-solving that makes them effective in challenging situations. Their personality tends to blend traditional values with forward-thinking perspectives, allowing them to honor heritage while embracing progress. Stepans are known for their loyalty and reliability, often serving as pillars of strength in their families and communities. They approach life with a seriousness of purpose but maintain a warm, approachable demeanor that fosters trust and cooperation.



In social and professional settings, Stepans exhibit a balanced combination of assertiveness and empathy. They are strategic thinkers who can make difficult decisions while considering the impact on others. Their communication style tends to be direct yet thoughtful, and they often excel in positions that require both vision and practical execution. While they may appear reserved initially, Stepans typically form deep, meaningful relationships built on mutual respect and shared values. Their strength of character and consistent behavior make them natural leaders who inspire confidence and loyalty in those around them.
Colin Farrell has been cast in Ordained.

Colin Farrell has been cast in Ordained

The 49-year-old actor is teaming up with Avengers: Doomsday filmmakers the Russo Bros under their AGBO banner for the new action thriller, which is based on Bad Ideas' upcoming comic book, with several studios in the mix for the rights.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Farrell with play priest Father Roy Craig in the film, with a script written by John Wick's Derek Kolstad.

In the film, Father Roy performs last rites on a mob moss who doesn't actually die, but has now confessed his crimes to the priest.

The mafia chief sends hitmen, corrupt police officers and gangsters after the clergyman in an attempt to silence him.

However, Father Roy has his own violent past - although he refuses to kill another person.

Meanwhile, Farrell recently admitted he's really excited to return for The Batman: Part II after being spoiled rotten on The Penguin.

He's set to reprise his role as Oz Cobb for the upcoming DC superhero sequel, and he's eager to be back with Robert Pattinsons Dark Knight, Jeffrey Wrights James Jim Gordon and director Matt Reeves again following his HBO spin-off show.

Speaking with Collider, Farrell said: It's less about What can I do. I was spoiled rotten with eight hours on HBO.

"It's less of What can I do with this, and more just to be in that world and be around Robert and be around Jeffrey again, and be led by Matt Reeves.

Its something I'm really excited about again, just to be around it.

Farrell said he was honoured to be part of that world, adding he had been a fan of the Caped Crusader since an early age.

The Ballad of a Small Player star gushed: I love that world. I mean, I loved it as a fan of film since Batman 66.

"I grew up watching that, and Burgess Meredith was my first Penguin, and then Danny DeVito was my second Penguin.

Then Chris Nolan's work, of course, was extraordinary in that universe. But to see how Matt has re-envisioned a world that's unique enough and still honors the struggles of that city and the psychological struggles of the character of Bruce Wayne, and Batman, and who is the shadow of who  is Bruce Wayne the real guy, or is Batman?

Just to be part of that world  Honestly, just to be in something that takes place in Gotham, where a character called Bruce Wayne and Batman exist, is such a joy for me.
People named Suidhne typically exhibit a fascinating combination of strength and sensitivity that makes them both formidable and compassionate. Their 'little hero' nature manifests as a quiet determination rather than overt bravadothey're the type to act courageously when necessary but prefer to avoid unnecessary conflict. They often possess keen observational skills and emotional intelligence, allowing them to understand complex social dynamics and respond with wisdom beyond their years. Their creative tendencies frequently express themselves through art, writing, or problem-solving, and they have a natural affinity for storytelling and preserving traditions. However, Suidhnes may struggle with internal contradictionstheir desire for stability conflicts with occasional restless impulses, and their deep empathy can sometimes lead to emotional exhaustion. They value authenticity above all else and have little patience for pretense or superficiality. In relationships, they're intensely loyal but require partners who respect their need for independence and understand their occasional retreats into solitude for creative renewal or emotional processing.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Symington holds significant cultural importance as a Scottish locational surname that emerged during the period when hereditary surnames became fixed in the British Isles. The name originates from the village of Symington in South Ayrshire, Scotland, and literally means 'Simon's settlement' or 'Simon's estate.' This places it within the Christian naming tradition, as Simon is a biblical name of Hebrew origin meaning 'he who hears.' The adoption of locational surnames like Symington typically indicated land ownership or residence, suggesting the original bearers were either landowners or came from families associated with the Symington estate. Throughout Scottish history, the Symington family has been connected to various historical events and social developments, particularly in Ayrshire where they held influence. The spread of the name to other parts of the world, especially during the Scottish diaspora, carried this cultural heritage to new lands where it became part of the multicultural tapestry of nations like the United States, Canada, and Australia. The name represents the enduring Scottish tradition of clan and family identity, territorial connection, and the preservation of heritage through naming practices that link individuals to specific places and ancestors.
People named Taaveti are typically associated with a blend of strength and sensitivity that makes them natural leaders with emotional intelligence. They often exhibit the creative spirit of their namesake King David, showing aptitude for artistic expression, music, or writing while maintaining practical problem-solving abilities. Their leadership style tends to be inclusive and inspiring rather than authoritarian, earning them genuine respect and loyalty from others. The name's meaning of 'beloved' often manifests in their personality through strong relational skillsthey tend to be excellent listeners, empathetic friends, and devoted family members who prioritize meaningful connections. This emotional depth is balanced by resilience and determination; like the biblical David facing Goliath, Taavetis often demonstrate courage in confronting challenges and the ability to overcome significant obstacles through both strength and clever strategy. Their complex personality allows them to adapt to various situations, showing warrior-like determination when needed and poetic sensitivity in more reflective moments.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Talford originated as an English topographic surname during the Middle Ages, derived from Old English elements 'tal' (willow tree) or 'dl' (valley) combined with 'ford' (river crossing). This name typically identified families who lived near or were associated with a specific geographical feature - a ford near willow trees or in a valley. During the 12th-14th centuries, as surnames became hereditary in England, Talford emerged primarily in the West Midlands and Welsh border counties, regions characterized by river valleys and crossing points. The name reflects the practical naming conventions of medieval England, where geographical features served as primary identifiers before the standardization of surnames.



As Christianity spread throughout England, many bearers of the name became associated with parish churches and religious communities near these natural landmarks, creating a subtle connection between the name and Christian settlement patterns. During the Protestant Reformation and subsequent religious movements, the Talford name appeared in church records across various denominations, particularly in Methodist and Anglican congregations. The name's Christian significance deepened as it became associated with baptismal records and church leadership roles, though it maintained its distinct identity as a surname-turned-given-name rather than a biblical or saint's name.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Thaqib holds deep cultural significance within Islamic tradition, originating from Arabic and meaning 'shooting star' or 'piercing star.' In Islamic cosmology, celestial bodies are frequently referenced in the Quran as signs of Allah's majesty and creative power. The shooting star specifically symbolizes divine guidance, illumination in darkness, and the transient nature of worldly existence. Throughout Islamic history, names with celestial meanings have been favored for their spiritual connotations and connection to the vastness of Allah's creation. The name Thaqib embodies the Islamic values of seeking knowledge, providing guidance, and serving as a beacon of light for others. It reflects the cultural appreciation for names that carry both beautiful meanings and religious significance, serving as constant reminders of the divine signs in the universe that guide believers toward truth and enlightenment.



In various Muslim cultures, the name Thaqib is associated with qualities of brilliance, guidance, and spiritual insight. The shooting star metaphor extends to represent someone who can cut through ignorance and bring clarity to complex situations. This cultural significance makes the name particularly meaningful for families who value education, spiritual growth, and community leadership. The name's usage across different Muslim communities from the Middle East to Southeast Asia demonstrates its universal appeal while maintaining its Islamic identity. It represents a bridge between traditional Islamic values and contemporary aspirations, making it a name that honors religious heritage while looking toward the future.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Tierney holds deep cultural significance as one of Ireland's historic surnames with roots in the ancient Gaelic system of lordship. Originating from O Tighearnaigh, meaning 'descendant of the lord,' the name reflects Ireland's pre-Norman social structure where certain families held hereditary leadership roles. The Tierney clan was particularly prominent in Connacht, where they were part of the ruling class that governed local territories. During the centuries of English rule, Irish names like Tierney became symbols of cultural resistance and identity preservation. Many Tierneys were involved in Ireland's struggle for independence, and the name appears in records of various rebellions and political movements. The name's journey from Ireland to America during the Great Famine represents the broader story of Irish diaspora, where names served as crucial links to homeland and heritage. Today, Tierney remains a proud marker of Irish identity worldwide, embodying both historical nobility and contemporary cultural pride.



The name's evolution from a surname to a given name reflects changing naming traditions and the growing appreciation for Irish cultural heritage. In modern Ireland, Tierney is recognized as part of the nation's rich onomastic tapestry, while internationally it serves as an accessible gateway to Irish culture. The name's continued use across generations demonstrates how traditional Irish names have adapted to global contexts while maintaining their cultural resonance. For many families, choosing Tierney represents a conscious connection to Irish roots and values, making it more than just a name but a statement of cultural continuity.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Tighe holds profound cultural significance rooted in Ireland's ancient Gaelic traditions. Originating from the name Tadhg, which means 'poet' or 'philosopher,' it was historically borne by members of the learned class in medieval Ireland, including scholars, poets, and advisors to kings. Several prominent Irish kings and chieftains carried this name, particularly in the 10th through 12th centuries, cementing its association with leadership and wisdom. The O'Donoghue clan, in particular, maintained strong connections to the name throughout Irish history. During the period of English colonization and the subsequent anglicization of Irish names, Tadhg evolved into Teague and later Tighe, representing both cultural persistence and adaptation. The name survived through centuries of political and social change, becoming a symbol of Irish identity and resilience.



In Irish folklore and mythology, characters named Tadhg often appeared as wise figures or skilled storytellers, reinforcing the name's intellectual connotations. The name's journey from ancient Gaelic Tadhg to modern Tighe reflects the broader story of Irish cultural survival and transformation. During the Irish diaspora, the name traveled with emigrants to North America, Australia, and elsewhere, serving as a tangible link to homeland and heritage. Today, Tighe represents not just an individual identity but a connection to centuries of Irish history, literature, and cultural values. It stands as evidence of how traditional names can adapt while maintaining their essential character and meaning across generations and continents.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Toirdealbach holds profound cultural significance as one of the most important royal names in medieval Irish history. The name first gained prominence during the 11th century when Norse and Gaelic cultures intermingled in Ireland, reflecting the cultural synthesis that characterized this period. Several High Kings of Ireland bore this name, most notably Toirdealbach Ua Conchobair, who ruled from 1106 to 1156 and was considered one of the most powerful medieval Irish monarchs. The name's association with royalty extended beyond mere political powerit embodied the Gaelic concept of ri, where kings were seen as having sacred responsibilities and connections to the divine.



The name's persistence through centuries of linguistic and political change demonstrates its deep roots in Irish identity. Even during periods of English domination when Gaelic names were suppressed, Toirdealbach survived in its anglicized forms. In modern times, the name has become a symbol of cultural revival and pride in Irish heritage. Its continued, though rare, usage represents a conscious choice to preserve authentic Gaelic naming traditions and maintain connections to Ireland's rich historical legacy. The name serves as a living link to Ireland's royal past and the complex cultural exchanges that shaped the island's history.
Townly embodies a rich tapestry of symbolic meanings that extend far beyond its literal translation of 'town meadow.' At its core, the name represents the sacred intersection between human community and the natural worldthe cultivated space where society and nature coexist in productive harmony. This makes it a powerful symbol of balanced development, sustainable growth, and the idea that human progress need not come at the expense of natural beauty. In Christian symbolism, the meadow evokes the 'green pastures' of Psalm 23places of spiritual nourishment and divine provisionwhile the town represents the early Christian communities described in Acts, where believers 'had all things in common.' Together, these elements create a name that symbolizes ideal Christian community: both spiritually nourished and practically organized. The name also carries metaphorical weight as representing bridge-building between different elementstradition and innovation, individual and collective, nature and civilization. For these reasons, Townly has come to symbolize the concept of 'stewardship' in its broadest sense: caring for both human communities and natural environments in ways that honor their interconnectedness. This multi-layered symbolism makes Townly a name that speaks to timeless values of balance, responsibility, and harmonious coexistence.
Individuals named Troy are often perceived as strong, reliable, and determined personalities with natural leadership qualities. They tend to exhibit a blend of traditional values and modern adaptability, showing loyalty to family and friends while maintaining the courage to face challenges head-on. The name suggests someone who is protective of others, physically capable, and mentally resilient, often excelling in situations requiring both strategic thinking and immediate action. Many Troys display a competitive spirit balanced by a strong sense of honor and fairness, making them respected in both professional and personal circles. Their personality often combines the steadfastness of a guardian with the adventurous spirit of a warrior, creating individuals who are both dependable and dynamic in their approach to life's challenges. This combination of strength and strategy makes Troys particularly effective in leadership roles where both courage and careful planning are required.
Jon Watts thinks it will be genuinely weird for him to watch Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Jon Watts will find it 'genuinely weird' watching Spider-Man: Brand New Day

The 44-year-old director helmed the Tom Holland-starring Home trilogy and has since let Destin Daniel Cretton, 46, take the reins to the series for its next instalment, and Watts has now admitted it will be strange for him to watch a new Spider-Man movie that he did not make.

When Variety asked Watts if he had spoken with Cretton about Spider-Man: Brand New Day, he said: We talked a little bit at the very, very beginning, but Im very close to that franchise, so I just had to step back and let everyone do their job.

Its going to be genuinely weird for me going to see that movie for the first time. Its going to be a really interesting feeling. Its a passing of the torch and Im curious to see where it goes.

Despite leaving the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) behind after 2021s Spider-Man: No Way Home, Watts hasnt completely closed the door on returning to the superhero genre.

The Star Wars: Skeleton Crew director said: Im open to anything and everything. Im not limiting myself in that way.

Im most attracted to original ideas. Thats sort of like the North Star for me - big, original ideas. But there are so many great things already out there that I think you can find a way to make it your own and to make it feel original.

Even so, Watts insisted he wouldnt want to say which superhero hed like to tackle.

He explained: I know what its like to be on the receiving end of getting a bunch of emails as a producer, saying, Did you see the thing that Jon Watts said about how he wants to do this? Theyre busy enough as it is.

My friend Jake Schreier is doing X-Men, though, which is really exciting. I loved the X-Men growing up, but its fun to just be a fan on the sidelines again.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day will see the return of Hollands Wall-Crawler, Zendayas Michelle Jones-Watson and Jacob Batalons Ned Leeds.

The 2026 film will also feature Jon Bernthals The Punisher, Mark Ruffalos Hulk, Michael Mandos Scorpion and Marvin Jones IIIs Tombstone.

Stranger Things star Sadie Sink and The Bears Liza Colon-Zayas are also confirmed for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, though both actresses have kept their lips sealed over the characters they will be playing.

Following Spider-Man: No Way Home, Watts signed on to direct The Fantastic Four: First Steps, though the director ultimately exited the project in 2022 - allowing Matt Shakman to take the job.

The Clown filmmaker previously explained he left The Fantastic Four: First Steps because he was out of gas.

Speaking on a panel at the Mediterrane Film Festival, he said: The emotional strain of having to go through all of those COVID protocols while also trying to make something creative while also trying to make sure that your cast and crew were all safe - literally people couldve died if you did things wrong - that, and the post-production process was very difficult.

When youre doing [visual effects work], theres a whole international component to it where youre using vendors from all over the world, and the supply chain had been interrupted because of COVID. It was really hard to get effects done in a traditional way.

By the time No Way Home was done and out, I went in to get back into the story for Fantastic Four. I was like, I am out of gas.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Tryp holds significant cultural importance within Christian tradition, particularly in the context of pilgrimage and spiritual journey. Originating from Greek roots meaning 'three-footed' or 'journey,' the name became associated with early Christian travelers who undertook perilous journeys to spread the faith. During the early centuries of Christianity, names like Tryp were often given to children born into families of merchants, missionaries, or those who had experienced significant travels or relocations due to persecution. The name carries echoes of the wandering apostles and early evangelists who traveled extensively throughout the Roman Empire.



In Byzantine tradition, the name Tryp became particularly popular among families involved in trade, diplomacy, or religious missions. The cultural significance extends to the medieval period, where the name was sometimes given to children born during pilgrimages or to families who had completed significant religious journeys to holy sites like Jerusalem, Rome, or Santiago de Compostela. This naming tradition reflected the Christian belief in life as a spiritual journey toward salvation, with the name serving as a constant reminder that earthly existence is transient and that true home lies in the divine realm. The name's persistence through centuries demonstrates how Christian naming conventions often encoded theological concepts and spiritual aspirations.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Tse holds profound significance in Navajo culture, where it directly translates to 'rock' or 'stone.' In the Navajo worldview, rocks are not merely inanimate objects but living entities with spiritual power and historical memory. The name connects the bearer to the enduring landscape of the American Southwest, particularly the sacred rock formations that dot Navajo land. These geological features serve as landmarks, spiritual centers, and repositories of cultural knowledge. The name embodies the Navajo concept of Hozho - the ideal of beauty, harmony, and balance - as rocks represent stability and permanence in a changing world. Traditionally, names in Navajo culture are deeply personal and often reflect circumstances of birth, family history, or spiritual connections, making Tse a name that grounds an individual in both physical and cultural landscapes.



Historically, rock formations like Spider Rock in Canyon de Chelly and Shiprock in New Mexico have served as sacred sites and navigation points for the Navajo people. The name Tse connects an individual to this geographical and spiritual heritage. In Navajo creation stories, rock people and stone beings play crucial roles, further emphasizing the sacred nature of geological formations. The name also reflects the practical importance of rocks in traditional Navajo life - used for tools, building materials, and ceremonial purposes. This dual significance, both spiritual and practical, makes Tse a name that carries weight and responsibility within Navajo society.
Individuals named Ulima typically display a distinctive blend of intellectual depth and emotional wisdom. They are naturally inclined toward contemplation and analysis, often exhibiting patience and thoughtfulness in their approach to life's challenges. Their wisdom manifests not only in academic pursuits but also in practical life decisions, making them sought-after advisors in both personal and professional contexts. Ulimas tend to be excellent listeners who process information carefully before offering insights, and their advice is often characterized by balance and foresight. They typically possess strong moral compasses and are guided by principles rather than impulses. In social settings, Ulimas may appear reserved initially but reveal warm, engaging personalities to those who earn their trust. Their combination of intellectual rigor and emotional intelligence enables them to navigate complex situations with grace and effectiveness. These personality characteristics make Ulimas particularly well-suited for roles in education, counseling, leadership, and any field requiring both knowledge and human understanding.
Individuals named Ulmar are typically perceived as strong, protective leaders with a deep sense of loyalty. They often exhibit natural leadership qualities combined with strategic thinking, much like the wolf symbolism suggests - working well within groups while maintaining independence. Their 'famous' component manifests as a desire to make meaningful contributions that earn respect rather than seeking mere popularity. Ulmars tend to be reliable, family-oriented individuals who value tradition while being adaptable to changing circumstances.



These individuals often possess a quiet confidence and are known for their perseverance in overcoming challenges, drawing strength from both their faith and personal convictions. They typically demonstrate excellent problem-solving skills and are often sought as mediators or advisors due to their balanced perspective. While they can be reserved in unfamiliar situations, they show remarkable warmth and dedication to those they trust. The combination of wolf-like protective instincts and the drive for honorable recognition makes Ulmars particularly effective in roles requiring both strength and integrity.
Individuals named Varaza typically exhibit remarkable strength of character and unwavering determination. They approach life with a grounded, practical mindset and possess an innate ability to navigate through difficult situations with courage and resilience. Their protective nature often makes them natural leaders who fiercely defend those they care about, while their practical wisdom enables them to find solutions where others see only obstacles.



Varazas are known for their strong sense of responsibility and loyalty, often taking on roles that require steadfastness and reliability. They combine earthy pragmatism with deep emotional intelligence, allowing them to connect with others on meaningful levels while maintaining their core strength. Their personality reflects the boar's symbolic qualities  they are tenacious when pursuing goals, fiercely protective of their loved ones, and possess an unshakeable inner strength that helps them overcome life's challenges with grace and power.



Despite their strong exterior, Varazas often have a deeply nurturing side, balancing their protective instincts with compassion and care. They are typically reliable friends and family members who provide stable support during turbulent times. Their combination of strength and sensitivity makes them effective in leadership positions while maintaining meaningful personal relationships, embodying the ideal balance of power and compassion that the name symbolizes.
Individuals named Varden are typically perceived as grounded, stable personalities with a strong connection to nature and tradition. They often exhibit practical wisdom and a methodical approach to problem-solving, reflecting the name's association with enduring landscapes and natural cycles. These individuals tend to be reliable, patient, and consistent in their relationships and professional endeavors, much like the steady presence of a hill that withstands seasonal changes while maintaining its essential character.



Vardens often possess a quiet strength and resilience that serves them well in challenging situations. They are frequently described as observant and contemplative, with an appreciation for beauty in natural forms and a tendency toward conservation rather than rapid change. While they may not seek the spotlight, their steady presence and dependable nature make them valued members of their communities. Many Vardens demonstrate artistic sensibilities or scientific curiosity about the natural world, channeling their connection to 'green hills' into creative or exploratory pursuits that honor their name's origins.
Individuals named Villett typically exhibit a unique blend of sophistication and grounded practicality. They often possess an innate connection to tradition and heritage, combined with a forward-thinking mindset that allows them to honor the past while embracing innovation. Villetts are frequently described as having excellent taste and aesthetic sensibility, with a natural ability to create beauty in their surroundings. Their connection to the name's estate origins often manifests in strong organizational skills and a talent for managing complex situations with grace and efficiency.



Emotionally, Villetts tend to be deeply loyal and protective of their loved ones, much like the stewards of the country estates from which their name derives. They exhibit remarkable resilience and stability, able to weather life's challenges with quiet determination. Their practical nature is balanced by a rich inner world and appreciation for the arts, literature, and cultural pursuits. Villetts often become the anchors in their social circles - reliable, discerning, and possessing that particular French quality of 'je ne sais quoi' that makes them memorable and influential in subtle ways.



In professional settings, Villetts often excel in roles that require both creativity and management skills. They might gravitate toward careers in cultural preservation, design, education, or hospitality - fields that allow them to create beautiful, functional spaces and experiences. Their leadership style tends to be collaborative rather than authoritarian, reflecting the estate manager's role in coordinating diverse elements into a harmonious whole. This combination of aesthetic sensitivity and practical competence makes Villetts particularly effective in bridging creative vision with real-world implementation.
Individuals named Wamocha are typically characterized by their ambitious nature and relentless pursuit of goals. They possess an innate drive that pushes them to constantly seek improvement in all aspects of life, whether personal, professional, or spiritual. This 'never satisfied' quality manifests as exceptional determination and resilience in facing challenges, making them natural leaders and innovators who refuse to settle for mediocrity.



Their personality often includes strong analytical skills and a curious mind that questions established norms. While this can sometimes be perceived as restlessness, it actually represents a deep-seated desire for growth and understanding. Wamochas tend to be visionary thinkers with high standards for themselves and others, often inspiring those around them to reach greater heights. Their ambitious nature is balanced by a strong sense of responsibility to their community, channeling their insatiable drive toward collective progress rather than purely individual gain.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Wayland has deep roots in Germanic and Norse mythology as Wayland the Smith (Weland in Old English, Volundr in Old Norse), a legendary master craftsman and blacksmith. This mythological figure appears in numerous medieval texts including the Poetic Edda and the Thidrekssaga, where he is depicted as a supernatural artisan capable of creating magical weapons and artifacts. The name gained Christian significance through its adoption in English-speaking countries, where it evolved from its pagan origins to become a respectable given name. In Christian contexts, the name's meaning 'from the land by the highway' took on spiritual connotations, suggesting someone who guides others along life's path or serves as a waypoint for spiritual journeys. The name appears in various English place names and has been used by several Christian families throughout history, particularly in regions with strong Anglo-Saxon heritage.



The name's transition from pagan mythology to Christian usage reflects the broader cultural assimilation that occurred during the Christianization of Germanic peoples. In Christian tradition, the name came to symbolize divine craftsmanship, with God as the ultimate creator and humans as co-creators in His image. Various churches and Christian institutions have borne the name Wayland, further cementing its place in Christian naming traditions. The name's association with travel and pathways also aligns with Christian themes of pilgrimage and spiritual journey, making it a meaningful choice for families valuing both tradition and spiritual symbolism.
People named Webley typically exhibit a blend of practical intelligence and creative vision, reflecting the name's combination of weaving craftsmanship and natural openness. They tend to be methodical and detail-oriented, capable of seeing how individual elements connect to form a larger wholemuch like a weaver creating fabric from individual threads. This systematic approach makes them excellent planners and organizers who can manage complex projects while maintaining sight of the overall pattern. Their grounded nature, symbolized by the meadow, gives them stability and reliability that others find comforting and trustworthy.



Webleys often possess strong interpersonal skills, able to weave together diverse groups and perspectives into cohesive communities. They demonstrate patience in their endeavors, understanding that quality results require time and careful attention. While traditional in their approach to values and relationships, they're not resistant to innovationrather, they prefer to integrate new ideas thoughtfully into existing frameworks. Their strength lies in their ability to balance structure with flexibility, creating environments where both tradition and progress can coexist harmoniously. This makes them particularly effective in leadership roles that require both vision and practical implementation.
Glen Powell loves being able to lean on Tom Cruise for career advice.

Glen Powell previously starred alongside Tom Cruise

The 37-year-old actor previously starred alongside Tom, 63, in Top Gun: Maverick, and Glen has now revealed that he leaned on the Hollywood icon ahead of shooting The Running Man, the sci-fi action thriller film produced and directed by Edgar Wright.

Asked what "trade secrets" Tom shared with him, Glen told The Hollywood Reporter: "He was just always telling me, 'Dont do some of these stunts late at night when youre tired.'

"He was asking me questions about what the movie was like and what it looked like and how it spanned. And I was like, 'Yeah, a lot of it is at night.' And he was like, 'Thats going to be a problem. Your body is extremely tired at night. People get hurt more often when shooting at five in the morning [because] youre rushing to make it before sunrise.'

"So most of the advice I got was really just about how not to die on this movie. That was most of it.

"But I feel so grateful that I can call him for advice. The reality is theres probably only one person on the planet that can give this type of advice, and its him. So the fact that hes one call away and hes always willing to pick up, its unbelievable."

Glen also relished the experience of working with Edgar on The Running Man.

The actor explained that every shot in the new movie "is designed to make it as thrilling as possible for the audience".

He explained: "The fun part about talking to Edgar about these things is that almost every single shot has a cinematic inspiration.

"I havent talked to him about what the inspiration was for the bridge shot, but when you get a guy like Edgar who designs every shot, theres no hosing down for coverage.

"Every shot is designed to make it as thrilling as possible for the audience.

"Just look at how we covered that deadly game of chicken that ends in this crazy explosion and a jump off the bridge. That was a hard thing to pull off, practically and correctly, rather than just going, 'Hey, were going to long lens it. Shoot it from here, shoot it from here and put [a camera] here.'

"Edgar knows the edit before he shoots, and while it makes it way more difficult to shoot, it leads to a highly kinetic cinematic adventure. So doing things the right way instead of the easy way is just a different experience for the audience."
Cultural & Historical Significance

Winthrop carries significant cultural weight as a name deeply rooted in English aristocracy and American colonial history. The name gained prominence through John Winthrop, the influential Puritan leader who served as the first governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony in the 1630s. His famous 'City upon a Hill' sermon established a vision for America as a beacon of moral and religious purity that would influence American exceptionalism for centuries. The name became associated with New England establishment families and conveyed a sense of old money, education, and social standing.



Throughout American history, the Winthrop name has been connected to political leadership, educational institutions (notably Winthrop University in South Carolina), and the continuation of family dynasties, particularly through the Rockefeller family's adoption of the name in the 20th century. The name represents the ideal of responsible leadership and community building, reflecting Puritan values of hard work, moral integrity, and collective responsibility that became foundational to American cultural identity.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Woolsey originated as an English surname with Norman-French roots, derived from the personal name 'Wulsi' meaning 'victorious wolf.' The name carries significant Christian cultural weight as it embodies the biblical symbolism of the wolf transformed through victory, representing spiritual triumph over adversity. Throughout English history, the Woolsey family name has been associated with landed gentry and academic achievement, particularly in ecclesiastical and educational circles. The name's dual symbolism of strength (wolf) and triumph (victory) made it appealing in Christian contexts where overcoming spiritual challenges is a central theme.



During the medieval period, bearers of this name often held positions in church administration and education, further cementing its Christian associations. The Woolsey name appears in various historical records connected to religious institutions and scholarly pursuits, reflecting its enduring connection to faith and learning. In American history, the name was brought by English settlers and continued to be associated with leadership in both religious and civic capacities, maintaining its symbolic meaning across generations and continents.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Worden carries significant Christian cultural weight as it embodies the concept of spiritual protection and guardianship. In Christian tradition, the idea of defending faith and protecting the community aligns with biblical teachings about spiritual warfare and guardianship. Historically, the name emerged during medieval times when occupational surnames became common, with 'warden' referring to someone who guarded or protected property, people, or religious sites. Throughout Christian history, the concept of spiritual defense has been central to many saints and religious figures who were seen as defenders of the faith against heresy and moral decay. The name Worden thus represents a continuation of this tradition, embodying the Christian virtues of protection, vigilance, and moral guardianship within communities and families.



In English-speaking Christian communities, Worden has maintained its association with protective roles in both secular and religious contexts. During the Protestant Reformation, names with meanings related to protection and defense gained popularity as families sought to express their commitment to safeguarding their faith. The name's occupational origins as a warden or guardian of church properties further strengthened its Christian connections. In modern Christian naming practices, Worden continues to be chosen by parents who wish to imbue their sons with the qualities of spiritual defense and moral courage, seeing the name as a prayer and declaration of the protective role they hope their child will embody in the world.
Individuals bearing the name Wordsworth typically exhibit characteristics of thoughtfulness, creativity, and a strong sense of responsibility. They are often perceived as wise beyond their years, with a natural inclination toward contemplation and analysis. Their connection to the name's meaning of 'world guardian' frequently manifests as environmental consciousness, social awareness, and protective instincts toward those in their care. Wordsworths tend to be articulate communicators who value authenticity and depth in their relationships and work.



These individuals often demonstrate leadership through inspiration rather than authority, guiding others with patience and moral conviction. They are typically drawn to artistic, literary, or academic pursuits where they can explore complex ideas and make meaningful contributions to culture and knowledge. While sometimes reserved in social settings, Wordsworths form deep, lasting bonds with those who share their values. They balance tradition with progress, respecting established wisdom while working toward positive change. Their personality reflects the Romantic ideals associated with their namesakeappreciation for beauty, individual expression, and the transformative power of nature and art.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Wyligby holds significant cultural importance as a name that bridges Christian spirituality with England's agricultural heritage. Emerging from Old English place names during the medieval period, it reflects a time when personal identities were deeply connected to land and occupation. The willow tree, central to the name's meaning, carried multiple layers of symbolism in Christian Europerepresenting both the mourning of Psalm 137 ('By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. There on the willow trees we hung our harps') and the resurrection themes of Easter, as willows are among the first trees to leaf in spring. This dual symbolism made Wyligby particularly meaningful in Christian communities, where it embodied both the reality of earthly suffering and the hope of spiritual renewal. Historically, the name appears most frequently in regions with significant willow cultivation, such as the Somerset Levels and Norfolk Broads, where willow farming supported local economies through basket weaving, furniture making, and riverbank stabilization. The name's persistence through centuries demonstrates how Christian values of stewardship, resilience, and community were literally rooted in the agricultural landscapes that sustained medieval and early modern English society. Wyligby thus represents a fascinating intersection of faith, economics, and environmental awareness that characterized pre-industrial Christian communities.
Individuals named Xiang are often perceived as possessing gentle yet resilient personalities characterized by emotional intelligence and aesthetic sensitivity. They typically demonstrate strong intuitive abilities and an appreciation for beauty in all forms, from art and music to nature and human relationships. Their 'fragrance' metaphorically manifests as a calming presence that positively influences those around them, much like how a pleasant scent can transform an environment. Xiang personalities often exhibit diplomatic skills and the ability to resolve conflicts through empathy rather than confrontation.



These individuals tend to be reflective and introspective, valuing deep, meaningful connections over superficial relationships. Their emotional depth often makes them excellent listeners and trusted confidants, capable of providing thoughtful advice and genuine support. While they may appear reserved initially, their warmth and authentic concern for others gradually becomes apparent, creating lasting impressions on everyone they encounter. The combination of sensitivity and inner strength allows Xiang individuals to navigate life's challenges with remarkable grace and resilience, often inspiring others through their quiet determination and ability to maintain composure under pressure. Their presence is typically described as soothing and uplifting, leaving a positive impact that lingers long after interactions.
Individuals named Zachariah are often perceived as thoughtful, reliable, and spiritually inclined. The name's meaning 'Jehovah has remembered' tends to imbue bearers with a sense of purpose and destiny, often making them conscientious and faithful in their endeavors. They typically exhibit strong leadership qualities combined with intellectual depth, showing patience in decision-making and loyalty in relationships. Many Zachariahs demonstrate analytical thinking patterns and a natural curiosity about philosophical or spiritual matters, often becoming deep thinkers who value knowledge and wisdom.



Their biblical associations often lead them to value tradition while maintaining progressive thinking, creating a unique balance between respect for established ways and openness to innovation. In social settings, they tend to be respected for their wisdom and stability, though they may sometimes appear reserved until comfortable in their environment. The combination of historical weight and spiritual significance in the name often results in individuals who balance practical realism with idealistic vision. They frequently become the 'voice of reason' in groups and are known for their integrity and moral compass. Many develop strong communication skills, perhaps influenced by the prophetic associations of their name, and often excel in fields requiring both analytical and interpersonal abilities.
Individuals bearing the name Zetes typically exhibit a personality characterized by swift action, protective instincts, and a strong sense of justice. Drawing from the mythological archetype, they tend to be quick-thinking and decisive, often serving as the first to respond in emergency situations. Their mental and physical agility makes them excellent problem-solvers who can assess complex situations rapidly and implement effective solutions. There's an inherent restlessness to their nature - a constant drive to be in motion, whether physically or intellectually, much like the wind that their mythological father represents.



In social contexts, Zetes-named individuals often take on protective roles within their circles, showing particular concern for those who are vulnerable or being mistreated. They possess a low tolerance for injustice and will frequently intervene when they witness unfairness, sometimes impulsively. While this can lead to conflicts, their intentions are generally well-meaning and rooted in a deep-seated moral compass. Their leadership style tends to be hands-on and action-oriented rather than deliberative, making them particularly effective in crisis management but sometimes impatient with lengthy bureaucratic processes. The combination of quick reflexes, moral certainty, and protective instinct creates a personality that is both dynamic and reliable in challenging circumstances.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Zulema holds significant cultural importance as a name that bridges multiple civilizations and historical periods. Originating from the Arabic root 's-l-m' (peace), Zulema represents the Islamic ideal of peace and harmony that has been central to Muslim societies for centuries. The name's journey from the Arabian Peninsula to North Africa and then to Al-Andalus (Islamic Spain) demonstrates the remarkable cultural exchange that characterized the medieval Mediterranean world. During the 800 years of Muslim rule in Spain, names like Zulema became embedded in Iberian culture, later traveling to the Americas during the colonial period where they took root in Latin American naming traditions.



In contemporary Muslim communities, Zulema maintains its religious and cultural resonance while adapting to modern contexts. The name serves as a living connection to Islamic heritage and the values of peace, wisdom, and diplomacy embodied by prophetic figures like Solomon (Sulayman). For many families, choosing the name Zulema represents both an affirmation of cultural identity and an aspiration for their child to embody the peaceful qualities the name signifies. The name's continued popularity across diverse regionsfrom the Middle East to Latin Americatestifies to its enduring appeal and the shared human values it represents across cultural boundaries.
Individuals named Zurie are often perceived as possessing a natural elegance and refined sensibility that aligns with the name's meaning of 'white and lovely.' They tend to exhibit a calm, composed demeanor that masks a strong inner determination and creative spirit. Zuries are typically known for their aesthetic appreciation, attention to detail, and ability to bring beauty and harmony to their surroundings, whether through artistic expression, personal style, or environmental curation.



Socially, Zuries often demonstrate a balanced personality that combines warmth with reserve, making them both approachable and somewhat mysterious. They value genuine connections and tend to form deep, meaningful relationships rather than numerous superficial ones. Their intuitive nature allows them to understand others' emotions while maintaining their own emotional boundaries. Professionally, they often excel in creative fields, education, or roles requiring both sensitivity and precision, bringing their characteristic blend of grace and competence to whatever they undertake.
Martin Garrix has been left "truly heartbroken" after he was forced to cancel his concert in Mexico this weekend after undergoing urgent surgery.

Martin Garrix undergoes emergency surgery, forcing him to cancel Mexico festival gig

The 29-year-old Dutch DJ had been suffering from appendicitis, which requires immediate medical attention, and has therefore had to pull out of The Festival International Del Globo in Leon, Guanajuato, on Saturday (15.11.25).

In a social media statement, he penned alongside a picture in his hospital room: "Im truly heartbroken to share that due to an unexpected case of appendicitis and the surgery that followed, Im unable to perform at the Festival International Del Globo this saturday. my doctors and team have strongly advised me to rest and recover to avoid any post-surgery complications. please know this decision wasnt made lightly  I have some of my favorite memories ever performing in this incredible country and at @figleon !! thank you so much for your understanding, love and support.. a good reminder for me that Im human too, and my body needs some extra time to properly heal. sending lots of love  Ill be back soon, I promise. (sic)"

He signed off the post: "big hug,

"Martijn."

Martin was the headliner of the festival's Dream Nite event.

Meanwhile, the Animals hitmaker - who recently joined U2's Bono onstage to perform their UEFA EURO 2020 anthem We Are the People at Colorado's Red Rocks - has just been added to the lineup for Ultra Music Festival 2026.

The producer will play a B2B set with his Inside Our Hearts collaborator Alesso in Miami.

The festival takes place on March 27, 28, and 29.
Nobel laureate calls HKU his ideal Asia research base

Ferenc Krausz was awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics for his contributions to electron research. Photo: RTHK

About 800 people turned up for Krausz's inaugural lecture at HKU on November 7. Photo courtesy of the University of Hong Kong

A renowned Hungarian scientist who has been appointed to a senior post at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) says the city provides the ideal environment to expand his research to Asia.



Ferenc Krausz, who won the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on "attosecond science" -- the study of ultra-fast lasers that capture extremely short moments -- is now a chair professor at HKU's faculty of science.



In a media interview, Krausz detailed his vision for developing a screening programme to detect chronic diseases at an early stage, and treat them before they become life-threatening.



"I would like to create a bridge between physics and medicine in a similar way here at HKU as I did before in Munich as well as in Budapest in Germany and Hungary," he said.



"I brought together physics and medicine... and tackle one of the greatest challenges that medicine encounters today - how to transform current healthcare, kind of the reactive mode of healthcare, into a future proactive mode of healthcare."



Krausz gave his first public lecture at HKU last week, drawing a crowd of around 800 including Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun and Secretary for Education Christine Choi.



His early disease detection model is based on laser-based analysis of human blood. Having conducted research in Europe for a decade, the Nobel laureate felt it was time to apply his findings on an Asian population. HKU, he felt, was the perfect partner.



"HKU offers truly ideal conditions for expanding this undertaking from Europe to Asia, given its excellent research environment both in physics as well as in medicine," he said.



"As you have seen, it has a truly world-class clinical trial centre in which I would like to build a strong strategic cooperation here at HKU."



For now, Krausz will focus on research-guided training and teaching. He plans to split his time between Hong Kong, Hungary and Germany -- where he also leads a quantum optics institute.



He also urged students to remain curious. "That's how actually my own career started and that was kind of the fuel for me moving ahead all the time over the years," he said, while confessing that he stumbled upon attosecond physics based on an urge to explore the unknown.



The professor also believes Asian students, whom he described as "extremely hardworking and focused", have what it takes to be successful.
The SIU Choral Union rehearses for the SIU School of Musics Peace I Leave With You: Music of Faith and Solidarity performance, which is on Nov. 18. (Photo by Bhanu Prakash Reddy Badhireddy)

SIUs Concert Choir, Choral Union bring peace to Shryock on Nov. 18

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill.  Southern Illinois University Carbondale School of Music students, faculty and community members will gather Tuesday, Nov. 18, to share a message of peace in a free concert in Shryock Auditorium.

Peace I Leave With You: Music of Faith and Solidarity will feature the combined talents of SIUs Concert Choir and Choral Union at 7 p.m. The concert choir is a select group of 25 students, and the 65-member choral union comprises students and community members.

Singing in a choir may be one of the last true spaces where people of all faiths, political views and perspectives come together to create something beautiful, said Emerson Eads, assistant professor and director of choral studies. It asks us to set aside our assumptions about those who see the world differently and to find common ground in a shared act of creation. The unified voices that I witness in this community choir inspired the programs theme  a hope that the peace we experience through music might ripple outward into the wider world.

Soloists also featured

The concert will also feature SIU soloists  Carissa Scroggins, an assistant professor of practice in voice, opera director and voice area coordinator; Imogen Prudent-Perry, mezzo-soprano and senior voice major; Sam Deiters, tenor and senior in biological sciences, and Carlyn Zimmermann, an SIU School of Music alumna and Carterville High School choral director. In addition, Jiyeon Lee, assistant professor of practice in piano; Christopher Butler, assistant professor of percussion and music technology; Richard Kelley, associate professor of saxophone and director of jazz studies, and Anita Hutton, an accomplished local organist and pianist, will also perform.

Program features wide range of music

The programs featured work is the Southern Illinois premiere of Mass for Choir, Soloists, Organ, Piano, Soprano, Saxophone and Side Drum by James Buonemani, director of music and organist at St. James-in-the-City Episcopal Church in Los Angeles, Eads said.

What first drew me to this piece was its remarkable tonal language  one that bridges the ancient and the modern, Eads said. Buonemani weaves the timeless chant tradition into lush harmonic textures that recall the French masters Faure and Durufle, all while pulsing with the rhythmic vitality of our modern age. The result is a sound world that feels both sacred and cinematic.

Eads added that the organ and piano together create a shimmering sonic backdrop  at times like a film score  against which the choir becomes the collective voice of believers, past and present, proclaiming the words of this ancient liturgy. The saxophone, an unexpected yet inspired presence in sacred music, emerges as a kind of guardian spirit or celebrant  sometimes floating just above the texture, sometimes interwoven within it.

The concert will open with Amy Beachs Peace I Leave With You and conclude with We Shall Walk Through the Valley in Peace, by Undine Smith Moore, which is a moving arrangement of the African American spiritual, Eads said.

Hearing nearly 100 voices join together in these two a cappella works makes it unmistakably clear: Choir can be a living metaphor for the harmony and understanding our world so deeply yearns for, he said.
The Rolling Stones' pianist Chuck Leavell has hinted that the band are keen to hit the road again.

The Rolling Stones have no plans to 'hang up the rock 'n' roll shoes yet'

The legendary rock 'n' roll band's last jaunt was the 2024 Hackney Diamonds Tour, which saw Sir Mick Jagger and co trek across North America.

However, Leavell - who has played on every Stones album since 1983, sans 1997's Bridges to Babylon - has suggested a tour of Europe could be next on the cards.

Speaking at the launch event for the re-issue of their 1976 album Black And Blue this week, Chuck was quoted by The Sun newspaper's Bizarre column as saying: They dont want to hang up the rock n roll shoes yet. Theres no doubt in my mind.

Weve done a good bit in the US the last few years, so I think the likelihood would be somewhere else and my best guess would be probably Europe.

Theyve been recording. Im sure theres already some new music, and Im sure its great.

I also am very sure that the band wants to perform.

Guitarist Ronnie Wood echoed the sentiment in September, when he said he was hopeful they would return to the stage.

He also confirmed the follow-up to 2023's Hackney Diamonds - which saw them reunite with producer Andrew Watt - is ready to rock 'n' roll.

As quoted by The Sun newspaper's Bizarre column, Wood said at the group's RS No9 shop in Carnaby Street: Yes you will be getting a new album next year. It is done.

On the possibility of new live dates, he added: Yes we are hoping to do some dates. Hopefully we will be back out there but I am still waiting to find out myself.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday applauded the Cabinet's approval of the Export Promotion Mission (EPM), saying it will help ensure that 'Made in India' resonates even louder in the world market. The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the EPM, a flagship initiative announced in the Union Budget 2025-26 to strengthen India's export competitiveness, particularly for MSMEs, first-time exporters, and labour-intensive sectors. The Mission aims to improve export competitiveness and bring together key stakeholders to build an outcome-based and effective mechanism. In a social media post PM Modi stated "Ensuring 'Made in India' resonates even louder in the world market! The Union Cabinet approved the Export Promotion Mission (EPM), which will improve export competitiveness, help MSMEs, first-time exporters and sectors that are labour-intensive. It brings together key stakeholders to build a mechanism that is outcome based and effective". With a total outlay of Rs 25,060 crore for FY 2025-26 to FY 2030-31, the EPM will provide a comprehensive, flexible, and digitally driven framework for export promotion. It marks a strategic shift from multiple fragmented schemes to a single, outcome-based and adaptive mechanism that can respond swiftly to global trade challenges and the evolving needs of exporters. The Mission is anchored in a collaborative framework involving the Department of Commerce, Ministry of MSME, Ministry of Finance, and other key stakeholders, including financial institutions, export promotion councils, commodity boards, industry associations, and state governments. The initiative is expected to enhance export performance and support India's long-term goal of becoming a leading player in global trade. As per Ministry of Commerce & Industry, the Mission will operate through two integrated sub-schemes: NIRYAT PROTSAHAN - It focuses on improving access to affordable trade finance for MSMEs through a range of instruments such as interest subvention, export factoring, collateral guarantees, credit cards for e-commerce exporters, and credit enhancement support for diversification into new markets. NIRYAT DISHA - It focuses on non-financial enablers that enhance market readiness and competitiveness, including export quality and compliance support, assistance for international branding, packaging, and participation in trade fairs, export warehousing and logistics, inland transport reimbursements, and trade intelligence and capacity-building initiatives. EPM consolidates key export support schemes such as the Interest Equalisation Scheme (IES) and Market Access Initiative (MAI), aligning them with contemporary trade needs. The Mission is designed to directly address structural challenges that constrain Indian exports, including limited and expensive trade finance access, high cost of compliance with international export standards, inadequate export branding and fragmented market access, and logistical disadvantages for exporters in interior and low-export-intensity regions. Under EPM, priority support will be extended to sectors impacted by recent global tariff escalations, such as textiles, leather, gems & jewellery, engineering goods, and marine products. The interventions will help sustain export orders, protect jobs, and support diversification into new geographies. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) will act as the implementing agency, with all processes -- from application to disbursal -- being managed through a dedicated digital platform integrated with existing trade systems. The Mission is expected to facilitate access to affordable trade finance for MSMEs, enhance export readiness through compliance and certification support, improve market access and visibility for Indian products, boost exports from non-traditional districts and sectors, and generate employment across manufacturing, logistics, and allied services. EPM represents a forward-looking effort to make India's export framework more inclusive, technology-enabled, and globally competitive, aligning with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. (ANI)
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd (M&M) has signed an agreement with global insurer Manulife to form a 50:50 life insurance joint venture in India, with both partners committing capital of up to Rs3,600 crore over 10 years. The proposed JV, which is subject to regulatory approval, aims to become the "No. 1 life insurer for rural and semi-urban India" while building a strong protection-led franchise in urban markets, the company said. Announcing the agreement, Mahindra Group CEO and Managing Director Anish Shah said, "Mahindra brand strength, deep distribution capabilities in rural and semi-urban India and execution excellence make life insurance a logical extension towards our goal of building a comprehensive financial services portfolio. Manulife is the best natural partner for us given their global capabilities in insurance products, underwriting and reinsurance... We are confident that this joint venture offers a very compelling opportunity to create meaningful value for our shareholders." Phil Witherington, President and CEO, Manulife said, "Today marks an important milestone as we seek to enter one of the world's fastest growing insurance markets - India. This will further strengthen our diverse portfolio and positions us for tremendous growth in a mega economy of the future." According to the company's analyst call presentation dated November 13, M&M expects to invest about Rs 250 crore per year for the first five years, forming roughly one-third of the dividend it receives from Mahindra Finance. The total capital requirement outlined for the JV is Rs3,600 crore over 10 years. The analyst call presentation projects a long-term valuation potential of Rs18,000-30,000 crore for the venture over a decade, with M&M stating that the business will be accretive to Mahindra Finance's return on assets (ROA). Highlighting India's strong insurance under-penetration, analyst presentation notes that rural areas, representing 65 per cent of the population and 45 per cent of GDP, have only 2 per cent of India's life insurance branches, pointing to a large access gap. Rising disposable incomes, a growing middle class, and low protection coverage are expected to drive long-term growth. The JV plans a sharp focus on protection-led offerings, supported by Mahindra Finance's network of over 1,345 branches, coverage across 5 lakh villages and over 8,000 towns, and access to more than 25 lakh live customers, which the company said provides a strong base for premium generation. Manulife brings to the partnership a strong track record in running high-quality agency channels across Asia and global capabilities in underwriting and reinsurance. The analyst presentation cites Manulife's USD1.1 trillion in AUM and a customer base of 36 million worldwide. The JV will adopt a "digital-enabled ecosystem" with direct-to-consumer and online-to-offline models to drive efficiency in sales, servicing, and customer engagement. This is the second collaboration between the companies, following the launch of Mahindra Manulife Investment Management in 2020. Both sides will now begin the process of applying for an insurance licence. (ANI)
The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) has welcomed the Union Cabinet's approval of the Export Promotion Mission, saying the decision will give a major push to India's textile and apparel sector. In a press statement, CITI Chairman Ashwin Chandran said, "We convey our heartfelt gratitude to the Hon'ble Prime Minister and the Union Cabinet for this much-needed measure that will ensure that our textile and apparel sector can become globally competitive, better placed to leverage the opportunities opening through the FTAs, diversify into newer markets, and be able to create more and better-quality jobs for our young people." Referring to the ongoing optimism around the India-US trade deal, he added that "Coming in the backdrop of the optimism generated about the India-US trade deal being signed soon, the Export Promotion Mission announcement will further add to the feel-good factor for India's textile and apparel exporters." CITI said the newly approved Export Promotion Mission is expected to help address structural challenges, especially those faced by MSMEs in accessing affordable finance. The industry body noted that MSMEs constitute the bulk of India's textile and apparel ecosystem. India has set a target to more than double textile and apparel exports to USD 100 billion by 2030, compared to nearly USD 38 billion recorded in 2024-25. The statement also highlighted the adverse impact of the 50 per cent US tariff on Indian goods, effective August 27, which significantly hit export performance in September. The US accounts for around 28 per cent of India's textile and apparel export revenue, with shipments worth nearly USD 11 billion in 2024-25. As per CITI's analysis, "In September 2025, Indian textile exports slid 10.45 per cent over the previous year, while apparel exports declined 10.14 per cent... Cumulative exports... declined 10.34 per crnt over September 2024." (ANI)
South Korea's LG Group and Mercedes-Benz Group are moving to strengthen their partnership in automotive electronics, marking a new chapter in their growing cooperation in next-generation vehicle technology, as per a report by Pulse, the English service of Maeil Business News Korea. According to the report, Mercedes-Benz Group Chairman Ola Kallenius is set to visit LG Twin Towers in Yeouido, Seoul, on Thursday. He will meet the chief executives of LG's major automotive component companies to talk about deeper collaboration. The expected participants include LG Electronics CEO Cho Joo-wan, LG Energy Solution CEO Kim Dong-myung, LG Display CEO Jeong Cheol-dong, and LG Innotek CEO Moon Hyuk-soo. "Industry observers noted that the meeting will go beyond a mere courtesy visit and serve as a platform to solidify cooperation in core automotive components and future mobility technologies. They said that it could mark a new stage in the Korea-Germany strategic partnership around the automotive supply chain," the report said. This week's gathering also follows their earlier meeting about 20 months ago in Germany. That session took place during Mercedes-Benz's Tech Day event in March 2024. Executives from LG Group met the German automaker's leadership for the first time then. Observers see the upcoming meeting in Seoul as the second round of talks that could expand the LG-Mercedes alliance in vehicle electronics. Mercedes-Benz has been working to grow its lineup of next-generation electric vehicles. To support this, it aims to secure steady supplies of advanced batteries and electronic components. LG Group is considered a key partner because it has strengths in batteries, displays, and sensors, all of which are essential for future mobility. In batteries, LG Energy Solution and Mercedes-Benz are expected to explore ways to widen production capacity. They are also likely to discuss joint technology development linked to their long-term cylindrical battery supply agreement, which is worth about 15 trillion won (approximately USD 10.23 billion) and was signed earlier this year. In displays, LG Display already supplies OLED panels for Mercedes-Benz vehicles. The company recently introduced new flexible P-OLED technology, which is drawing interest from the auto industry. Analysts are watching how LG Electronics' technology may fit into Mercedes-Benz's Hyperscreen infotainment system. In sensors, LG Innotek continues to expand its range of high-value automotive parts. These include camera modules and radar and lidar sensors. The company is expected to continue talks with Mercedes-Benz on sensor development. "Kallenius is also scheduled to meet Cho Hyun-sang, vice chairman of HS Hyosung Corp., which operates as an official Mercedes-Benz dealership partner in Korea through its affiliate HS Hyosung The Class. Kallenius will also meet Samsung Electronics Co. Executive Chairman Jay Y. Lee to discuss cooperation in the vehicle electronics business," the report stated. (ANI)
SMPL New Delhi [India], November 13: Novatr, a leading force in technology-driven upskilling for the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, Construction) sector, is set to host an insightful online masterclass titled "4D BIM with Bexel Manager" on 26th November 2025, from 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM IST. Designed to transform project delivery across the AEC industry, this session will explore Bexel Manager -- one of the most sought-after tools for 4D BIM. The session aims to introduce the construction management workflow to architects and civil engineers, showcasing how 4D BIM can enhance coordination, scheduling, and cost control. The masterclass will be led by Mr. Irfan Mohammed, a mentor at Novatr, whose expertise spans the full project lifecycle, from 3D modelling, parametric family creation, and formwork automation to 4D/5D simulations, cost and schedule integration, and executive dashboards. Participants will gain hands-on insights into leveraging Bexel Manager for 4D BIM workflows and understanding its impact on improving project efficiency and delivery. The session will cover the construction manager's workflow, from model synchronisation and schedule integration to cost tracking and visualisation. This masterclass is open to AEC professionals, students, and digital design enthusiasts looking to future-proof their skills and maximise project outcomes. Event Details:Date: 26th November 2025Time: 8:30 PM - 9:00 PM ISTMode: OnlineJoining Link: https://tinyurl.com/5bbdkhtz About Novatr Novatr (YC S21) is a trusted platform for professionals in architecture, engineering, and construction, with over 6,000 learners from more than 45 countries and 600+ hiring partners. We offer online courses in BIM, Computational Design, Artificial Intelligence, and Interior Design, created in collaboration with more than 200 experts worldwide. By combining real-world industry experience with rigorous academic standards, practical career support, data-driven insights, and the latest digital tools, we help professionals not only develop technical skills but also make informed career choices, gain a competitive edge, and prepare for the future of infrastructure and design. Our learners go on to land jobs, earn promotions, and build real-world projects. For more information, visit Novatr's Website About Speaker Irfaan has expertise that spans the full project lifecycle, from 3D modelling, parametric family creation, and formwork automation to 4D/5D simulations, cost & schedule integration, and executive dashboards. He has 6+ years of experience delivering end-to-end BIM implementation and digital project management across metro, bridge, tunnel, hydropower, and high-rise building projects valued up to $3B. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by SMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
India has emerged as Indonesia's third-largest export destination in the second quarter of 2025, overtaking Japan, as global trade realigns following shifting tariffs and changing energy trends, according to a report by Rubix Data Sciences. Indonesia, which had ranked India fourth at the end of 2024, saw India surpass Japan by a narrow margin in early 2025 and hold that position through the June quarter. The report stated that Indonesia's exports to the United States increased by 2.5 per cent in Q2 2025 compared to the previous quarter, while exports to China rose by 8.8 per cent and to India by 9.6 per cent. The analysis, covering trade until June 2025, comes just before the United States imposed a 19 per cent tariff on Indonesian goods in July. "Future trade patterns may see exporters strategically redirect shipments towards higher-growth, lower-tariff markets such as China and India," the report noted. Despite the new tariff, Indonesia remains competitive among ASEAN peers due to its low production costs and diversified exports, including coal briquettes and palm oil, said the report. Between FY2023 and FY2025, India's imports from Indonesia declined at a compound annual rate of 11 per cent, falling from USD 28.8 billion to USD 22.8 billion. Coal briquettes continued to dominate India's import basket, though their share dropped from 43 per cent in FY2020 to 34 per cent in FY2025. The shift reflects India's growing focus on renewable energy and efforts to reduce dependence on coal-based fuels. Lower global coal prices and diversification towards suppliers such as the US and Russia also contributed to the decline. Indonesia's earlier decision to temporarily ban palm oil exports in 2022 to stabilize domestic prices continues to influence trade flows. Although the ban was lifted in May 2022, stricter export levies and domestic supply regulations remain in place. In May 2025, Indonesia raised its export levy on crude palm oil from 7.5 per cent to 10 per cent. India, the world's largest edible oil importer, is expected to import more than 5 million tonnes of palm oil in 2025 compared to 4.8 million tonnes the previous year. The higher levy could raise import costs and push domestic prices higher or encourage sourcing from other countries. Meanwhile, India's exports to Indonesia nearly halved during the same period, falling from USD 10 billion in FY2023 to USD 5.4 billion in FY2025, registering a 27 per cent annual decline. The report highlighted that, while overall exports declined, petroleum products saw a growing share, increasing from 4 per cent in FY2020 to 13 per cent in FY2025, indicating a shift in trade composition. The decline was mainly seen in items such as shelled groundnuts, frozen beef, and dredging vessels. (ANI)
King Charles wrote to Ozzy Osbourne's family after his death.

Donald Trump and King Charles sent messages to Ozzy Osbourne

The Black Sabbath rocker passed away in July at the age of 76 and his wife Sharon took comfort in the kind message she and the Paranoid hitmaker's children received from the "amazing" and caring monarch.

Speaking on the Osbournes podcast, the couple's son Jack Osbourne said: "We got a lovely letter from the king."

Sharon added: "Our King is an amazing person. He is an amazing person, not just because he wrote to us when Ozzy passed, but if he did it for us, know he does it for many, many, many people.

"Here's a man that does know what's going on in the street with people. Not just politics, not just you know, here's a man that cares about the environment, animals," she added. "He cares about many, many, many things."

The 73-year-old matriarch revealed Charles had previously got in touch with the family in 2003, when he was still Prince of Wales, after Ozzy was seriously injured in a quad bike accident.

She said: "He's got a good heart. He didn't have to do certain things that he's done for Ozzy.

"He is a good, caring man with a good heart.

"We respect him, we respect his family.

"And he, again, took the time out of his day to write us, have it hand-delivered to us, a note from the King for Ozzy's passing with his condolences, and that says so much. "

The king wasn't the only high-profile figure to get in touch with the family Ozzy's death because Sharon, Jack and his daughter Kelly Osbourne also shared a voicemail they received from US President Donald Trump.

The president said in the message: "Hi, Sharon, it's Donald Trump, and I just wanted to wish you the best.

"Ozzy was amazing. He was an amazing guy. I met him a few times, and I want to tell you he was unique in every way and talented. So I just wanted to wish you the best, and it's a tough thing. I know how close you were, and whatever I can do. Take care of yourself. Say hello to the family."

Jack said after the clip was played: "Love him or hate him, he didn't have to call and leave a voicemail."

Sharon - who came third on Trump's Celebrity Apprentice show in 2010 - praised the president and his wife, First Lady Melania Trump.

She said: "All I know is a man that I know, I worked with for a month. I spent one month with him and his wife, who was always gracious, elegant, just a delight to talk to, his wife.

"And he was always, 'How are the children? How's Kelly? I'm so proud of Kelly and Jack for what they've done and their manners are great.' nd he was just a great guy to talk to and he has always treated me with respect."

Sharon noted that offering praise for Trump would be divisive.

She said: "Listen, I'm not American. I can't vote. I don't want to vote. I don't vote for anyone. I vote for no one. Never have, never will.

"But the thing is, all I know is he's treated me with respect, your father with respect. He wanted nothing from us. Nothing. Melania  the same. Nothing. And they have been great."
A new report by the Centre for Domestic Economy Policy Research (C-DEP.in) has warned that India's public health faces a serious threat from the large-scale import of poor-quality PVC resin containing cancer-causing chemicals. The report says that imported PVC from China contains high levels of Residual Vinyl Chloride Monomer (RVCM), a substance identified as a Category 1A carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, in concentrations up to five times higher than globally accepted safety limits. The study, titled "Balancing Growth and Public Health Safety: Criticality of PVC QCO in India," was released at IIT Delhi on Wednesday. It highlights that PVC, which forms nearly 30 per cent of India's economy, is used in critical areas such as water supply, sanitation, irrigation, healthcare, and construction. The findings raise alarm over the growing dependence on imported resin that fails to meet safety standards. "The Modi government has been championing the Zero Defect, Zero Effect policy by adopting the Quality Control Order (QCO). Such a policy step by the government is strengthening consumer safety and industrial standards while promoting exports from India that are dependable and of high quality," said Jaijit Bhattacharya, President of C-DEP.in. The report points out that the proposed Quality Control Order (QCO) for PVC resin was first issued by the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC) in August 2024. However, its enforcement has been postponed three times and is now scheduled for December 2025. At the report launch, Anil Sharma from the Swadeshi Jagran Manch said, "Quality Control Orders should not be limited to finished goods alone; it is equally or more important to cover raw materials as the quality of a final product is only as strong as the materials that go into it. To truly protect public safety and establish fair competition for domestic producers, QCOs must encompass the entire value chain." He added that the Swadeshi Jagran Manch remains committed to making India self-reliant. "Our mission is to influence policy, thereby strengthening national economic independence and ensuring Indian businesses are successfully positioned in the global market," Sharma said. According to C-DEP's analysis, 39 overseas players have already obtained the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification to export PVC resin to India, making the BIS-certified supply 3.4 times higher than the current domestic demand. This, the report notes, means that enforcing the QCO would not disrupt supply chains but would enhance quality assurance and predictability in manufacturing. The report also highlights that countries like the United States, the European Union, and Thailand already regulate RVCM levels in PVC resin between 0.5 and 3 ppm. In contrast, India currently has no binding national limit, allowing imports from China with RVCM levels ranging from 5 to 10 ppm. (ANI)
Sam Altman, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, stated on Thursday that India is poised to become one of the company's most significant partners. Speaking to the members of the India Global Forum (IGF) during an immersive session at OpenAI's headquarters in San Francisco, Altman said, "India is going to be one of our biggest partners." He spoke about the scale, adaptability, and global outlook of Indian companies and engineers, and noted that India's digital infrastructure, entrepreneurial energy, and policy environment position it uniquely to harness, and shape, the AI revolution. "We're excited to partner with the Indian government on our OpenAI for countries program," he said, talking about the push behind OpenAI's AI for countries programme, adding: "If I were a government, I would want to know I could have not just the model and hardware but the full AI stack and run it in my country under my control." The interaction comes at a time when India-US technological cooperation is deepening, and as India's digital economy and AI capabilities are rapidly expanding. The session also saw recognition of what India's talent pool represents for the future of AI. Currently, the IT services market in India is forecasted to reach almost USD 40 billion in 2025. The opportunity now lies in transforming these resources into AI capabilities that serve the world. Altman spoke at length about his belief that, whether it be a few years or longer, a huge transformation is incoming that will completely change the way our economy and society function. On where he sees OpenAI in the future, he said: "The real skill of the future will be figuring out the right questions to ask, and it's a learnable skill." Manoj Ladwa, Founder & Chairman of India Global Forum, said: "Sam Altman's recognition of India's central role in the global AI landscape underscores what we at IGF have long believed -- India is not just a major market but a co-architect of the world's technological future." During the session, Altman and the IGF delegation engaged in discussions centred around India's deep tech growth and the increasing globalisation of Indian companies. The conversation also highlighted the importance of skilling the next generation of Indian talent to thrive in an AI-first world. Additionally, they discussed potential collaborations in applied AI across key sectors such as healthcare, education, and public services, emphasising the massive potential for transformation in legacy industries. Altman further shared his vision for the future of OpenAI and the broader integration of artificial intelligence into the economy and society, underscoring its role as a transformative force for progress and inclusion. (ANI)
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Sybyl, and iXAfrica Data Centre Limited (iXAfrica) have joined hands to speed up the adoption of sovereign cloud infrastructure in Kenya and across East Africa. According to a press release posted by TCS on various exchanges, the partnership aims to help governments, companies, and innovators build secure, locally hosted cloud systems that adhere to national data residency and sovereignty rules. The three companies will combine their respective strengths to build this framework. TCS will contribute its sovereign cloud and global technology experience. Sybyl will manage local implementation and support, while iXAfrica will provide the secure, AI-ready data centre facilities. Together, they plan to give African enterprises the tools to host and manage their data within national borders, ensuring compliance with regional laws. "As Africa doubles down on its digital transformation agenda, data sovereignty has become a defining issue across the continent. Several national governments and enterprises are increasingly seeking solutions that ensure data is housed within a country's borders, regulated as per regional laws, and managed through secure and robust infrastructure. This partnership directly addresses that urgent need by offering a trusted, built-in-Africa cloud environment," the statement said. TCS will roll out its Sovereign Secure Cloud, designed specifically for governments and regulated industries. Satishchandra Doreswamy, Vice President and Head, Cloud Unit, Growth Markets, TCS, said, "We offer a resilient and future-ready cloud infrastructure, powered by AI-driven intelligence, that can be tailored to specific needs of our customers. With built-in compliance to global and local regulatory authorities, our sovereign cloud fuels future-forward business models while meeting the most stringent standards for privacy and regulatory requirements." Shailendra Yadav, CEO, Sybyl Kenya & Tanzania, noted that the move goes beyond technology. "Digital independence must deliver real gains. By running sovereign cloud in iXAfrica's AI-ready campus along with TCS' cloud expertise, we cut currency exposure, foreign policy risks, keep services reachable on local routes during outages, and create skilled jobs for Kenyans and Africans as a whole," he said. The infrastructure will be hosted at iXAfrica's AI-ready data centre in Nairobi. Snehar Shah, CEO, iXAfrica, said, "Data sovereignty is the cornerstone of Africa's digital future. By hosting Sovereign Cloud infrastructure within iXAfrica's AI-ready campus, we are ensuring that African data stays in Africa, secure, sustainable, and ready to power the next generation of innovation." This project promises to help public and private sectors comply with data protection laws while using advanced cloud and AI tools. (ANI)
State-run Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) has initiated detailed exploration for critical minerals in Argentina as part of India's push to secure vital mineral resources needed for its clean energy and manufacturing ambitions, Sunil Kumar Singh, CEO of KABIL told ANI today. "KABIL has been established by the Government of India as a joint venture company with a mandate to scout for critical mineral assets abroad," Singh, told ANI in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the Energy Security Conference 2025. "Presently, we are engaged in one particular project in Argentina and are looking at other territories for additional critical mineral assets," he added. Singh said that KABIL's project in Argentina covers an area of about 1,507 hectares and focuses on lithium exploration. "Preliminary exploration has already been completed, and we have chalked out a detailed plan for further exploration in this direction," he said. The initiative aligns with India's growing need for lithium--an essential component for electric vehicle batteries and energy storage systems--as the country accelerates its energy transition. The CEO emphasized that India's long-term mineral security strategy depends on a strong overseas presence in exploration and processing. "The focus should be on exploration, development, and processing of critical minerals," Singh noted, highlighting that access to reliable sources of lithium, cobalt, and rare earths is key to sustaining India's renewable and electric mobility goals. Formed as a joint venture between three public sector undertakings--National Aluminium Company (NALCO), Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL), and Mineral Exploration & Consultancy Limited (MECL)--KABIL plays a crucial role in securing India's supply chain for minerals identified as strategic by the government. Besides Argentina, the company is also assessing potential projects in other countries with rich deposits of critical minerals. During the event, Singh also participated in a discussion on promoting technology advancement to accelerate domestic exploration and production of critical minerals. The focus was on role of India's advanced technology, such as AI, remote, sensing deep sea exploration techniques in unlocking India's critical mineral potential. He also discussed on how To explore ways to exploit exploration, streamline licensing, and Fasttrack development of domestic reserves. (ANI)
Actors Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda were all smiles as they showered each other with high praise at a recent event. The duo, who have been rumoured to be engaged, took a moment to acknowledge each other at the success celebration of Rashmika's latest film, 'The Girlfriend'. Several fan videos have surfaced online, showing Rashmika and Vijay showcasing their close bond and deep mutual admiration that they share for one another. Speaking at the event, Rashmika, while addressing her 'Dear Comrade' co-star as "Viju", poured out her heart and thanked him for being a part of the film. "You've been a part of this film since the beginning. You're also a part of the success. You have been a part of this whole journey personally. I hope everyone has a Vijay Deverakonda in their lives. It's a blessing," she said. The 'Kingdom' star also celebrated Rashmika Mandanna's work and journey. "To the woman she has become today, who decides to pick up a script like this. At the peak of her career, she decides to tell a story. She wasn't sure how many people would come to see the film, but she wanted to bring forward a story that would mean a lot to many people. Russie, I am so proud of your journey, of everything you have become, of the woman you are," Vijay Deverakonda said, as per a video shared by the social media handle of Geetha Arts. Among other clips that have gone viral, one of them shows Vijay and Rashmika sharing a cute moment. Vijay, who was seen interacting with the other guests at the celebrations, warmly greeted Rashmika by kissing her hand, leaving their fans highly delighted. The rare public show of affection for each other comes at a time when Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna have reportedly got engaged. The 'Dear Comrade' stars got engaged in a private ceremony attended by both families, according to the sources. However, there is no official confirmation from Vijay and Rashmika. Neither of the two has shared any pictures from the ceremony. According to sources, the engagement ceremony took place on October 3 at Vijay Deverakonda's residence in Hyderabad. The wedding is scheduled for February 2026. (ANI)
In an Instagram post, Ameesha, who shares a close bond with Deol family, wrote, "I strongly believe the media needs to leave the Deol family alone at this time n respect their privacy."

A few days ago, Ameesha even visited the Breach Candy Hospital to extend her support to the Deol family.

Earlier, on Thursday morning, filmmaker Karan Johar also criticised the "paparazzi and media circus" around Dharmendra's health.

Urging all to show compassion during tough time, Karan wrote, "When basic courtesy and sensitivity leaves our hearts and our actions we know we are a doomed race. PLEASE leave a family alone!!!! They are already emotionally combatting so much.... Its heartbreaking to see a paparazzi and media circus for a living legend who has contributed so massively to our cinema... this is not coverage it's DISRESPECT."

Karan and Ameesha's posts came a few hours after Sunny Deol requested the media gathered outside his father, legendary superstar Dharmendra's residence, to disperse and respect the family's privacy.

Sunny addressed the media with folded hands and urged them to go back home.

"You too have parents at home. You have children. Have some shame," Sunny said.

Dharmendra was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday.

While talking to ANI, Dr Pratit Samdani said, "Dharmendra was discharged from the hospital at 7.30 am today. (Wednesday). His family is taking care of him at their residence. Pray that his treatment, management and recovery continue." (ANI)
The Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA Mumbai) marked its 56th anniversary with a grand performance of 'Aakhri Shama,' a timeless play written by the legendary poet Kaifi Azmi, designed and directed by MS Sathyu, and produced by Ramesh Talwar. Staged at Ravindra Natya Mandir in Prabhadevi, Mumbai, the play recreated the charm of Delhi's old culture and the golden age of Urdu poetry. Based on Farhatullah Baig's Dilli Ka Yaadgar Mushaira, the performance beautifully brought to life the poetic spirit and tehzeeb of 19th-century Delhi. The production featured an ensemble cast, including Kawaljeet Singh, Avtar Gill, Aanjjan Srivastav, Akhilendra Mishra, Rakesh Bedi, and Manish Wadhwa, who gave heartfelt performances that captured the essence of the era. Actor Avtar Gill, who has been associated with the play for decades, shared the play's deep connection with IPTA's journey. "Aakhri Shama is a very famous play by IPTA. It was played for the first time 56 years ago by IPTA. The play was based on Farhatullah Baig's last mushaira in Delhi. Mr. Kaifi dramatised the play and wrote it. At that time, the great artists of IPTA were Mr. Balraj Saini, Mr. A. K. Angal, even Qadir Khan, Yunus Pervez, Ramesh Talwar, Mac Mohan, Geeta Siddharth. It is a very successful play by IPTA. We have been playing it for the last 56 years. It has been played all over India," he said while speaking to ANI. Veteran actor Aanjjan Srivastav spoke about his character in the play, saying, "In the play, I am playing Baal Mukund. He used to do poetry in Urdu." Actor Manish Wadhwa explained the historical backdrop of the story and his role in it. "Aakhri Shama is a play which you can say was the last poetry when the war was going on. At that time, mushairas had stopped. Everyone wanted to call Mirza Ghalib. And all those who were against him, who were with him, all of them gathered in Saheb-e-Alam Fakhr-ud-Din's room. All of them presented their poetry and ghazals." "I am playing Momin Khan, who was a poet. He was the only poet who had a relationship with love. The rest of them were connected with society, politics, or anger," he added. Rakesh Bedi, who has been part of the production for decades, shared how performing Aakhri Shama feels like revisiting history each time. "We are celebrating our 56th year today. And it's been almost 40-45 years since I did it. I play the character of Khudood. This is a very iconic play. Whenever I do this play, I feel like I am reading a page of history. Because this is the poetry that Bahadur Shah Zafar had written in 1857 in Lal Qila. And he tried to bring all the contemporary poets of that time together on one platform. After that, mushairas stopped." He also reflected on the importance of theatre for actors. "Maybe theatre doesn't give you a lot of financial gain, but it gives you discipline, commitment, and team spirit. It keeps you in touch with today's generation and keeps you polished as an actor." Akhilendra Mishra, another veteran, spoke about his long journey with the play. "I play the role of Jain-ul-Abidin Khan Arif. He is the Nawab of Lucknow. I've been doing this for 40 years. The play was revived in 1985. It was first staged in 1969 when Balraj Soni performed it. When it was revived in 1985, I joined the play. I was in the backstage." (ANI)
A National Security Guard (NSG) team, accompanied by a sniffer dog, carried out an investigation in Khandawali village, Faridabad, where a red Ford EcoSport was seized. The vehicle is suspected to be linked to Dr. Umar Un Nabi, the prime suspect in the Delhi blast case. Earlier, Faridabad Police seized the red EcoSport DL 10 CK 0458, suspected to be linked to Dr Umar Un Nabi, the prime suspect in the Delhi blast case. Sources said that before the car blast on Monday evening, Umar Nabi stayed at a mosque on Asaf Ali Road near Ramlila Maidan. After leaving the mosque, the accused went straight to the Sunehri Masjid parking lot. He parked his car in the parking lot at around 3:19 pm, the sources said, noting that investigative agencies are probing Umar's mobile phone and signal history. Delhi Police had earlier issued an alert for the red Ford EcoSport car. The vehicle is registered in the name of Umar Un Nabi. Delhi Police had also shared the car's details with the Uttar Pradesh and Haryana Police, a senior official said. Delhi Police had alerted all police stations, police posts, and border checkpoints in the national capital have been alerted to look out and search for red colour Ford Eco Sport car, following an investigation which revealed that the suspects had another car in addition to the Hyundai i20. The National Investigation Agency is likely to visit Al-Falah Medical College in Faridabad's Dhouj as part of its extensive probe into the Delhi car blast case, involving the involvement of a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) module. The DNA samples of mother and brother of Dr Umar Navi Bhat, suspected to be involved in the Delhi blast, have been collected and sent to the AIIMS forensic laboratory for further analysis. These samples will be matched with the remains of the bodies kept at Lok Nayak Hospital in Delhi. Speaking to ANI, Dr Sudhir Gupta, Head of Forensic Medicine at AIIMS Delhi, said DNA profiling is used in human identification to match an individual to a biological sample by analysing unique sections of their DNA.DNA profiling is considered to be a powerful tool in forensic science for identifying suspects or victims, and it also establishes biological relationships. "This is a powerful tool and gold standard in forensic science for identifying suspects, victims, and establishing biological relationships, and it is used in cases like criminal investigations, disaster victim identification, and paternity tests," he said. (ANI)
The move comes amid heightened vigilance and precautionary measures in the national capital after the recent car blast near the Red Fort.

According to the DMRC, entry and exit at the Lal Quila station have been temporarily suspended, and services will remain halted until clearance is received from the concerned security agencies.

"The Lal Quila Metro Station will remain closed till further notice due to security reasons. All other metro stations and lines are functioning as per schedule," the DMRC said in an official statement.

The station, located on the Violet Line of the Delhi Metro, serves as a key access point for several prominent landmarks, including the historic Red Fort, Jama Masjid, and the bustling Chandni Chowk area. The temporary closure is expected to impact daily commuters and tourists visiting Old Delhi, especially during peak hours and weekends.

Security personnel have been deployed in and around the Red Fort area, and additional checks are being carried out across nearby metro stations as part of preventive measures. Officials said the decision was taken as a precaution to ensure the safety of passengers and citizens.

Commuters have been advised to plan their journeys accordingly and use alternate nearby stations such as Jama Masjid, Delhi Gate, and Kashmere Gate, which continue to operate normally.

Authorities have not specified the duration of the closure, but assured that normal operations at Lal Quila Metro Station will resume once the security situation is reviewed and deemed safe. (ANI)
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday morning said that 15 people have been arrested across the state for "offensive" posts on social media following the blast near Delhi's Red Fort that claimed at least 12 lives and left several injured. "In connection with the offensive social-media posts following the Delhi blasts, 15 persons have been arrested across Assam so far. In addition to the 6 arrests made yesterday, overnight we have arrested the following persons also: Rafijul Ali (Bongaigaon), Forid Uddin Laskar (Hailakandi), Inamul Islam (Lakhimpur), Firuj Ahmed @ Papon (Lakhimpur), Shahil Shoman Sikdar @ Shahidul Islam (Barpeta), Rakibul Sultan (Barpeta), Nasim Akram (Hojai), Taslim Ahmed (Kamrup), Abdur Rohim Mollah @ Bappy Hussain (South Salmara)." Sarma posted on X. "Assam Police remains uncompromising against those who glorify violence," he added. This comes after Sarma, on Wednesday, said that the administration aims to catch those supporting terrorism. "We will catch those who support terrorists and will take action against them. These people are trying to deteriorate the situation in Assam," he told reporters. Intelligence agencies on Thursday revealed a larger terror conspiracy linked to the deadly car blast near Delhi's Red Fort that claimed 12 lives, with sources saying that the suspects had allegedly planned to prepare around two old vehicles with explosives to carry out coordinated attacks across multiple locations. According to intelligence agency sources, the ongoing investigation has expanded after it was discovered that the accused had already begun modifying an i20 and an EcoSport vehicle for potential use in the attacks. Investigators are now examining whether other similar vehicles were being readied as part of a broader plan to execute serial blasts. "After the i20 and EcoSport, it came to light that preparations were underway to ready two more old vehicles which could be fitted with explosives," an intelligence source told ANI. Further, investigation agencies informed that around eight suspects were allegedly preparing to execute coordinated explosions at four locations, with each pair assigned to a specific target city. Preliminary investigation indicates that the accused groups had intended to move in pairs, each carrying multiple improvised explosive devices (IEDs) for simultaneous attacks. Among those under scrutiny are individuals linked to past terror cases, including Red Fort blast accused Dr Muzammil, Dr Adeel, Dr Umar, and Shaheen. According to sources, the police were able to foil a major terror conspiracy involving a plan to carry out a series of blasts across multiple Indian cities. Delhi Police on Thursday confirmed that the man who carried out the car blast near Red Fort was Dr Umar Un Nabi, after forensic DNA testing matched his biological sample with that of his mother. While exclusively speaking with ANI, senior police officials said the confirmation came after days of detailed forensic analysis conducted. A senior police officer revealed that after the explosion, Umar's leg was found trapped between the steering wheel and the accelerator of the car, suggesting he was behind the wheel when the car blasted. "DNA profiling has conclusively identified the deceased as Dr. Umar Un Nabi. His sample was matched with his mother's DNA to establish the relationship," a senior Delhi Police officer said. On Wednesday, the DNA samples of Dr Umar's mother and brother were collected and sent to the AIIMS forensic laboratory, where they were matched with the remains of the bodies kept at Lok Nayak Hospital in Delhi. The explosion in a Hyundai i20 car near the Lal Quila Metro Station in New Delhi on Monday evening claimed the lives of at least 12 people. (ANI)
Bonnie Langford convinced Bradley Walsh to join Doctor Who.

Bonnie Langford convinced Bradley Walsh to join Doctor Who

The 61-year-old actress - who starred first appeared on the iconic BBC sci-fi series as Melanie Bush alongside Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy's Doctors in the 1980s - urged The Chase host to take on the role of companion Graham O'Brien.

Speaking to RadioTimes.com, she called: "I went and met him for lunch. And he said, I've been asked to do Doctor Who, I don't know if I should.

"I said, Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. It's the gift that keeps on giving.'

"And he did! In the end, we ended up doing a scene together - and I was just so pleased."

Bradley first appeared on screen as Graham, the grandfather of Ryan (Tosin Cole) - in 2018, during Jodie Whittaker's stint as the Time Lord.

Graham and Ryan left in the 2021 New Year's special Revolution of the Daleks, but would return the following year for Jodie's final episode The Power of the Doctor, which featured several former companions.

While Bonnie never expected a return, she was overjoyed and immediately started pondering what her character would be like four decades later.

She said: "At that point I thought, 'Well, I wonder what Mel would be'. A lot calmer. A lot calmer, and much more into her computers, yet very discreet about the work that she does.

"She had such a loyalty to the Doctor. It was really great that I had been able to still be in touch with [Mel], to think, 'I wonder where she's been and what she's done, and how she has kept her connection with the Doctor.'

"So then when I came to do it in the new TV series, it felt really comfortable to be with her."

Meanwhile, Bradley previously revealed he "absolutely loved" his stint on the show.

In a statement after announcing his departure, he said: "I have absolutely loved it, loved it. Wales has become like a second home to me and being included in something so iconic and ground breaking with the advent of having a female Doctor, that whole thing where Chibnall sold that to me, it didnt disappoint and I loved working with those guys.

"I love working with Chris Chibnall, that man is a genius but to also be working with Mandip and Tosin and of course Jodie is just extraordinary."
A medical student, identified as Mohammad Arif, has been detained by Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), from Kanpur, over an alleged connection to Delhi blast suspect Dr Shaheen Saeed, officials said. Gyanendra Kumar, Chief Medical Staff (CMS) at LPS Institute of Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery in Kanpur, told ANI that Dr Arif, a first-year cardiology student from Anantnag in Kashmir, was called in for questioning yesterday evening. He said that the administration here remains unaware of his life outside the campus. Kumar said that Arif had been practising at the Cardiology department for the last three months, and nothing wrong was observed in his behaviour. "Dr Arif is a first-year cardiology student. He took admission through counselling 2-3 months ago. He doesn't live on campus. He lives outside. At 7:00 in the evening, we were informed that a team had called him for questioning. He's from Kashmir. I have no knowledge of whether there was any such behaviour or any complaint before this; we are not aware of anything like this. We do not know with whom he lives. We have no idea who his roommate is. We do not know about anyone," CMS Kumar said. Dr Shaheen Saeed was arrested earlier in connection with the Faridabad arms and explosive haul. A joint team of Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and Delhi Police on Thursday recovered a body part in New Lajpat Rai Market, near the blast site in the national capital, which claimed 12 lives. The body part was taken for forensic examination to aid the ongoing investigation. Security agencies have recovered the diaries of Delhi blast case accused Dr Umar and Dr Muzammil, which mention the dates November 8 to 12, indicating that the planning was underway for such an incident during that period, sources said. According to the sources, the diary also contained the names of about 25 individuals, most of them hailing from Jammu and Kashmir and Faridabad. According to the information from the diaries, it can be said that the blast was to be carried out as part of a well-planned conspiracy. These diaries were recovered on Tuesday and Wednesday from Dr Umar's room number four and Muzammil's room number 13. Additionally, police recovered a diary from Muzammil's room, the same location where they recovered 360 kg of explosives in Dhauj, located just 300 meters from Al-Falah University. The diaries carried code words which investigators are now piecing together. The agencies are also looking into whether different vehicles were being prepared for the blasts. According to sources, after the i20 and EcoSport, it was learned that the suspects were planning to prepare two more vehicles for the blast to expand the target. Investigation agencies on Thursday informed that around eight suspects were allegedly preparing to execute coordinated explosions at four locations, with each pair assigned to a specific target city. Preliminary investigation indicates that the accused groups had intended to move in pairs, each carrying multiple improvised explosive devices (IEDs) for simultaneous attacks. Among those under scrutiny are individuals linked to past terror cases, including Red Fort blast accused Dr Muzammil, Dr Adeel, Dr Umar, and Shaheen. According to sources, the police were able to foil a major terror conspiracy involving a plan to carry out a series of blasts across multiple Indian cities. Sources revealed that the accused had jointly raised approximately Rs 20 lakh in cash, which was handed over to Umar for operational expenses. The funds were allegedly used to procure over 20 quintals of NPK fertiliser ( NPK fertiliser is a blend of three Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K) and can be used to extract explosive material ) worth around Rs 3 lakh from Gurugram, Nuh, and adjoining areas, intended for the preparation of IEDs.Investigators have also uncovered that Umar created a Signal app group comprising two to four members to coordinate activities securely. According to probe agencies, Dr Muzammil became inclined towards Ansar Gazwat-Ul-Hind, an offshoot of ISIS, between 2021 and 2022 after maintaining contact with associates of slain terrorists. He was introduced to the network by one Irfan, alias Maulvi. Weapons recovered in 2023 and 2024 are believed to have been acquired by this module as part of their preparation for forming an independent terror group. Investigation agencies continue to trace the broader network, suspecting that the accused had planned to execute the attack in the near future. Meanwhile, Delhi Police confirmed that the man who carried out the car blast near Red Fort was Dr Umar Un Nabi, after forensic DNA testing matched his biological sample with that of his mother on Wednesday. The blast near the Red Fort complex in the national capital killed 12 people on November 10. (ANI)
A poster dedicated by former Bihar Minister Ranjit Sinha, outside the Janata Dal (United) office in Patna, has bestowed Chief Minister Nitish Kumar with the title of a 'Tiger who still has the power (Tiger Zinda hai)', describing the latter as the "protector" of all the communities, including those on the margins of society. The poster reflects the desire of party workers to see Nitish Kumar become the Chief Minister of Bihar for the fourth time. The 2025 Bihar assembly polls have witnessed strong and constant criticism from the opposition Mahagathbandhan over the delay in declaring a Chief Ministerial candidate with certainty. Citing Union Minister Amit Shah's previous statements, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and opposition's CM face Tejashwi Yadav has time and again claimed that Nitish Kumar will not be the CM if NDA comes to power. On October 15, Tejashwi also claimed that JD(U) is not controlled by Nitish Kumar but by leaders "brought by the BJP". However, multiple NDA leaders, including those in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have attempted to clear the air by declaring Nitish Kumar as their leader. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while campaigning in Bihar, backed Nitish Kumar as the leader of the ruling NDA. Amit Shah also assured that there was no vacancy for the CM post in Bihar, implying that Kumar remains crucial to retain power. Recently, Union Minister and Bihar BJP in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday firmly stated that there was no confusion about JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar being the Chief Ministerial face of the NDA. "Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) has been very clear. He has already said that we do not have a vacancy. Why should we name the person (who is the sitting CM)? The name is Nitish Kumar. Where is the confusion? We don't have any confusion. Our (CM) face is Nitish Kumar," Pradhan told ANI in an interview. Votes will be counted on November 14. In 2020, polling took place in three phases. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured 125 seats, while the opposition Mahagathbandhan (MGB) won 110. Among the major parties, the Janata Dal (United) secured 43 seats, the BJP secured 74, the RJD secured 75 seats, and the Congress secured 19. The JD(U) contested 115 constituencies, and the BJP 110, whereas the RJD contested 144 seats and the Congress 70. Workers of the BJP and the NDA have already started preparing for celebrations, expecting victory, given the exit poll predictions. (ANI)
Three accused have been arrested in connection with the case, according to Andhra Pradesh Police officials.

The incident came to light when a complaint was filed regarding the theft of gold ornaments. Acting swiftly on specific leads, the Kakinada Police launched an investigation that involved tracking down the accused and locating the stolen property. Their timely intervention led to the complete recovery of the gold, restoring confidence among the victims and local residents.

The operation was lauded by DGP Shri Harish Kumar Gupta, IPS, who praised the Kakinada Police team for their "exceptional work in recovering the stolen gold and upholding public trust." The police team's efforts not only ensured that the perpetrators were apprehended but also highlighted the department's commitment to prompt and effective law enforcement.

A senior officer said, "Our team worked around the clock, using both traditional investigative methods and modern surveillance techniques to ensure the stolen gold was traced and recovered. This case underscores our dedication to protecting citizens' property and delivering justice efficiently."

The recovered gold, valued at approximately 60 lakh, comprised a mix of necklaces, bangles, rings, and other ornaments, all of which were returned to the rightful owners. The arrested individuals are being interrogated to determine if they were part of a larger criminal network involved in gold and jewellery thefts across the state.

The Andhra Pradesh Police have urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities, while assuring the public that law enforcement agencies remain committed to maintaining law and order and protecting public property.

This successful operation has been widely appreciated on social media, with residents praising the prompt response and effective investigation by the Kakinada Police. (ANI)
The Delhi Police has filed a charge sheet against businessman Samir Modi in an alleged rape case. The Charge sheet has been filed before the Saket District Court. The police have informed the Delhi High Court about the filing of the charge sheet. An FIR under sections of rape and intimidation was lodged at the New Friends Colony Police Station. Samir Modi is on bail and has filed a petition to quash the FIR lodged against him. Justice Sanjeev Narula was informed on November 11 by Delhi Police that it had filed a charge sheet against Samir Modi. The court was dealing with an application of Samir Modi seeking modification of an order passed on November 6. "The grievance of the Petitioner is that despite the assurance, a chargesheet has been filed without considering the documents furnished by him to the Investigating Officer," Justice Narula noted in the order of November 11. On 6th November, 2023, Standing counsel Sanjay Lao stated that the documents submitted by the petitioner shall be duly examined by the Investigating Officer (IO). During the hearing, the Standing Counsel explained that the documents were submitted only late in the evening on November 7, 2025, and, in view of the mandate under Section 193 (2) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, the chargesheet was required to be filed within 60 days, which period would have lapsed had the IO undertaken an analysis of the documents. Accordingly, the chargesheet was filed without examining the documents submitted by the petitioner, Sanjay Lao said. Senior advocate Vikram Sharma, along with advocate Siddharth Yadav, counsel for the petitioner, responded and stated that the documents were submitted on November 7, 2025, pursuant to a notice that was served on them only in the evening. The Standing Counsel stated that the IO will examine the documents submitted on 7th November, 2025, and, with the leave of the Trial Court, file the same along with a supplementary chargesheet. The bench took the statement on record. The Delhi High Court on November 6 issued a notice on the plea of Samir Modi for quashing of the FIR in an alleged rape case. He was granted bail by the Saket District Court on September 25. He was arrested on September 18. During arguments, Senior N Hariharan had submitted that the matter is presently at the stage of investigation. He also submitted that the relationship between the Petitioner and the complainant was entirely consensual and that there are several pieces of evidence which would substantiate this fact. He had further submitted that the Investigating Officer is not even taking the same into consideration. After hearing the submissions, the bench issued notice, and Sanjay Lao, Standing counsel for the state, accepted the same. He submitted that the documents submitted by the Petitioner shall be duly examined by the Investigation Officer. On October 15, the Delhi High Court issued a notice on a plea against the bail granted to Samir Modi in this case. The complainant had approached the High Court seeking the quashing of the trial court order granting bail to Samir Modi. He was granted bail on September 25. Samir Modi was arrested on September 18 after he returned from London. Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Vipin Kharb had granted bail to Samir Modi on furnishing a bail bond of Rs. 5 lakh and one surety in the like amount. On returning from London, Samir Modi was detained at the airport pursuant to a Look Out circular (LOC) and handed over to the police on September 18. (ANI)
In the wake of the ongoing probe into the November 10 Delhi blast case, Telangana BJP President N Ramchander Rao on Thursday said that anti-national forces were attempting to disrupt the country's peace on the behest of Pakistan. Ramchander Rao lauded the efforts by the investigating agencies, unearthing the "real plot" behind the blast, which claimed the lives of 12 individuals. He told ANI, "The blast is an act of terror carried out by anti-national forces. The government of India has confirmed this activity. These forces are trying to disturb the country's peace and the nation's progress, and the blast is engineered by people supporting Pakistani and Jihadi elements." "We appreciate our investigating agencies that have unearthed the real plot and brought several facts to the people's knowledge. This is one of the best investigations by the investigating agencies," he added. The BJP leader also urged the public not to spread misinformation, asking them to be vigilant while posting on social media. "The nation should stand with the government of India to curb such activities and ensure that the real culprits come forth and get punished under the law. The people must also be very alert, as well as positive, while posting anything on social media," N Ramachander Rao said. On November 10, the blast near the Red Fort complex in the national capital killed 12 people and injured several others. Meanwhile, Faridabad Police have detained a man identified as Faheem, who allegedly parked the red Ford EcoSport linked to the recent Delhi blast in the Khandwali area, officials said on Thursday. Police had seized a red coloured EcoSport on Wednesday. According to Intelligence Agency Sources, Faheem is a relative of the prime suspect, Dr Umar Un Nabi, and was reportedly in touch with him before the incident. A medical student, identified as Mohammad Arif, has been detained by Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), from Kanpur, over an alleged connection to Delhi blast suspect Dr Shaheen Saeed, officials said. (ANI)
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj on Thursday took a jab at Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleging that the latter's visit to LNJP hospital to meet the injured victims of the Delhi blast was just a photo opportunity as the patients were given a "costume of plaster" during the visit. Posting two pictures on X, Bharadwaj highlighted one picture from the Prime Minister's visit on Wednesday and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's visiting the injured on Tuesday (November 11). Highlighting that both the CM and PM met the same victim, the AAP leader alleged that a "new costume, and a new plaster" was put on the patient when the PM visited. "Nov 11, 2025 CM Rekha Gupta met the patient before. Nov 12, 2025 the next day, PM Modi met the same patient. New costume, new plaster in hand," the AAP leader's X post read. https://x.com/Saurabh_MLAgk/status/1988814654760706470?s=20 Prime Minister Narendra Modi met those injured in the November 10 blast at the LNJP hospital on Wednesday. He said that those behind the conspiracy will be brought to justice. "Went to LNJP Hospital and met those injured during the blast in Delhi. Praying for everyone's quick recovery. Those behind the conspiracy will be brought to justice!" PM Modi said in a post on X. PM Modi drove straight to the LNJP Hospital after returning from a two-day visit to Bhutan. He interacted with the injured and inquired about their health. During his visit, the Prime Minister was briefed by senior officials and doctors about the condition of the victims and the treatment being provided. Meanwhile, a joint team of Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and Delhi Police on Thursday recovered a body part in New Lajpat Rai Market, near the blast site in the national capital, which claimed 12 lives. The body part was taken for forensic examination to aid the ongoing investigation. Security agencies have seized diaries of blast case accused Dr Umar and Dr Muzammil, which has mention of dates November 8 to 12, indicating that the planning was underway for such an incident during that period, sources said. According to the information obtained from the diaries, it can be said that the blast was to be carried out as part of a well-planned conspiracy. (ANI)
The Delhi High Court on Thursday issued notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on beauty influencer Sandeepa Virk's bail plea. She was arrested in a money laundering case on August 12. Her bail was rejected by the trial court. The ED has filed a chargesheet under PMLA. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma issued a notice to the ED and directed a status report. The matter has been listed for hearing on December 16. The ED has already filed a charge sheet before the Trial court at Tis Hazari Court. On November 4, the Tis Hazari court dismissed the bail plea of Sandeepa Virk. She was arrested on August 12. The ED has filed a Prosecution Complaint (Charge sheet) against Sandeepa Virk and Amit Gupta under Section 3 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), punishable under Section 4 of PMLA. While rejecting the bail plea the the trial court noted that the present matter is at the stage of cognisance and allegations against the accused persons are serious in nature. The court had said, "Allegations against the accused persons are grave and serious in nature. If the accused is released on bail, there is a possibility that the accused may abscond, tamper with the evidence or influence the witnesses." Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the gravity of the offence and the nature of serious allegations levelled against the accused, this Court is of the considered opinion that no ground for regular bail of the accused Sandeepa Virk is made out. Accordingly, the present application for regular bail of the accused Sandeepa Virk is dismissed," Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Vijay Shankar ordered on November 4. It is alleged by the ED that the accused Amit Gupta, alias Nageshwar Gupta, and Sandeepa Virk have utilised the proceeds of crime generated from duping the complainant to acquire immovable properties and a flat in Mumbai were acquired jointly in the name of Amit Gupta, Sandeepa Virk and Kamla. It is the case of the Directorate of Enforcement that accused Sandeepa Virk has actively participated in the activities related to the offence ofmoney laundering, and she was found to be knowingly and actually involved in the process of acquisition, possession and use of proceeds of crime and projecting or claiming it as untainted property and It is the case of the ED that at Police Station Phase-8, SAS Nagar, Mohali, under section 406, 420 IPC was registered in 2016, and after completion of the investigation, a chargesheet was filed against the accused Amit Gupta. ED stated that the Offence under section 420 (Cheating) IPC is covered under schedule offences under PMLA, and on 11/08/2025, a case under section 3, 4 PMLA was registered, and the matter was investigated by the ED. After the investigation was completed, the present prosecution complaint was filed. It is alleged by the ED that both proposed accused have committed the offence of money laundering under PMLA. As per ED, the investigation revealed that Sandeepa Virk has acquired immovable property in her name by making false promises and cheating. She claims to be the owner of hyboocare.com, a website purportedly selling FDA-approved beauty products. However, the products listed on the site have been found to be non-existent, the ED's alleged. The ED had earlier stated that the website lacks a user registration option and is plagued by persistent payment gateway issues. Scrutiny of the website uncovered minimal social media engagement, an inactive WhatsApp contact number, and an absence of transparent organisational details, all of which reinforce the finding of non-genuine commercial activity. These factors, including limited product range, inflated pricing, false claims of FDA approval, and technical inconsistencies, indicate that the website serves as a front for laundering funds, ED claimed. (ANI)
Following the detention of medical student Mohammad Arif, allegedly due to his connection to Delhi blast suspect Dr Shaheen Saeed, his landlord, Kanhaiya Lal, stated that Arif had been staying there for less than a month and they did not find any of his activities suspicious. Kanhaiya Lal told ANI on Thursday that four people came to their place to take Arif''s belongings. When asked about the duration of Arif''s stay and his activities, the landlord said, "Less than a month... No one used to come to meet him. Abhishek and Arif stayed together. Abhishek came prior and told that Arif was working with him in the cardiology department. We asked for the IDs, and they submitted. Abhishek''s parcels used to come, but no parcel came in Arif''s name." "Four people came and tried opening the lock. When my son asked, they said we are here to take the doctor''s belongings. When my son talked to the doctor (Arif), he allowed them to open the door. We did not find any of his activities suspicious," he said. Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) had detained Arif from Kanpur, over an alleged connection to Delhi blast suspect Dr Shaheen Saeed, officials said. Gyanendra Kumar, Chief Medical Staff (CMS) at LPS Institute of Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery in Kanpur, told ANI that Arif, a first-year cardiology student from Anantnag in Kashmir, was called in for questioning yesterday evening. He said that the administration here remains unaware of his life outside the campus. Kumar said that Arif had been practising at the Cardiology department for the last three months, and nothing wrong was observed in his behaviour. "Dr Arif is a first-year cardiology student. He took admission through counselling 2-3 months ago. He doesn''t live on campus. He lives outside. At 7:00 in the evening, we were informed that a team had called him for questioning. He''s from Kashmir. I have no knowledge of whether there was any such behaviour or any complaint before this; we are not aware of anything like this. We do not know with whom he lives. We have no idea who his roommate is. We do not know about anyone," CMS Kumar said. Dr Shaheen Saeed was arrested earlier in connection with the Faridabad arms and explosive haul. The blast near the Red Fort complex in Delhi killed 12 people and injured several others on November 10. In a development in the ongoing probe, Faridabad Police have detained a man identified as Faheem, who allegedly parked the red Ford EcoSport linked to the blast in the Khandwali area, officials said on Thursday. According to Intelligence Agency Sources, Faheem is a relative of the prime suspect, Dr Umar Un Nabi, and was reportedly in touch with him before the incident. (ANI)
A day before the assembly elections results, Janata Dal (United) leader Neeraj Kumar asserted that the public mood is clear about not "handing over power" to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, who is the Mahagathbandhan's Chief Ministerial candidate. Speaking to ANI, the former Bihar Minister stated that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will have a landslide victory. "Tomorrow is the date set by the Election Commission for counting of votes. The public mood is clear: they are not going to hand over power to Tejashwi Yadav. Nitish Kumar and the NDA will have a landslide victory. We will celebrate the victory. We will uphold the pride of Bihar," Kumar said. A poster dedicated by former Bihar Minister Ranjit Sinha, outside the Janata Dal (United) office in Patna, says Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is a 'Tiger who still has the power (Tiger Zinda hai)', describing the latter as the "protector" of all the communities, including those on the margins of society. The poster reflects the desire of party workers to see Nitish Kumar become the Chief Minister of Bihar for the fourth time. The 2025 Bihar assembly polls have witnessed strong and constant criticism from opposition Mahagathbandhan over the delay in declaring a Chief Ministerial candidate with certainty. Citing Union Minister Amit Shah's previous statements, Tejashwi Yadav has time and again claimed that Nitish Kumar will not be the CM if the NDA comes to power. On October 15, Tejashwi also claimed that JD(U) is not controlled by Nitish Kumar but by leaders "brought by the BJP". However, multiple NDA leaders, including those in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have attempted to clear the air by declaring Nitish Kumar as their leader. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while campaigning in Bihar, backed Nitish Kumar as the leader of the ruling NDA. Amit Shah also assured that there was no vacancy for the CM post in Bihar, implying that Kumar remains crucial to retain power. Recently, Union Minister and Bihar BJP in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan firmly stated that there was no confusion about JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar being the Chief Ministerial face of the NDA. "Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) has been very clear. He has already said that we do not have a vacancy. Why should we name the person (who is the sitting CM)? The name is Nitish Kumar. Where is the confusion? We don't have any confusion. Our (CM) face is Nitish Kumar," Pradhan told ANI in an interview. Votes for the Assembly polls held in the State will be counted on November 14. In 2020, polling took place in three phases. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured 125 seats, while the opposition Mahagathbandhan (MGB) won 110. Among the major parties, the Janata Dal (United) secured 43 seats, the BJP secured 74, the RJD secured 75 seats, and the Congress secured 19. The JD(U) contested 115 constituencies, and the BJP 110, whereas the RJD contested 144 seats and the Congress 70. Workers of the BJP and the NDA have already started preparing for celebrations, expecting victory, given the exit poll predictions. (ANI)
Ahead of the counting of votes for the Bihar Assembly elections set to happen on November 14, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav held an online meeting with the party's candidates, party office bearers at the district level, having in-depth discussion was held on guidelines related to vote counting and preparations for the counting process. Repeating allegation of alleged electoral malpractice, the RJD leader said that the party, along with the people of Bihar are "alert, vigilant, cautious, and fully capable, aware, and prepared with enthusiasm, hope, and confidence to deal with any kind of improper unconstitutional activity." "Last night, through a video conference with party candidates and district organization office-bearers, an in-depth discussion was held on guidelines related to vote counting and preparations for the counting process," Tejashwi Yadav posted on X in Hindi. Counting for the 243 Bihar assembly polls, which took place on November 6 and November 11, will happen on Friday, November 14. The winner will be declared on the same evening, bringing an end to a nearly month long election campaign. This is the first assembly elections in the country in 2 decades which were carried out after a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was carried out. Talking about being ready to deal with any "unconstitutional activity," the RJD leadear said, "The justice-loving people of Bihar, the birthplace of democracy, and all social and political workers who love Bihar and the Constitution are alert, vigilant, cautious, and fully capable, aware, and prepared with enthusiasm, hope, and confidence to deal with any kind of improper unconstitutional activity." "Bihar and Biharis are committed to saving democracy and the Constitution," his post added. Earlier, while addressing a press conference in Patna, the RJD leader and Mahagathbandhan's Chief Ministerial face alleged that there might be attempts to manipulate the Bihar assembly elections results by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ahead of the counting set to take place on November 14. According to Yadav, the NDA will "make all attempts to slow down the vote count" and try to "strike fear among people" while trying to "murder democracy." "This time they (NDA) will make all attempts to slow down the counting of votes. They will create fear in District Headquarters. They will not do anything where a bomb blast takes place. But they will take out a military flag march across all districts in Bihar to murder democracy so that there is fear among the people," Yadav told reporters during a press conference here. The first phase of polling was held on November 6, and the second phase concluded on Tuesday, with counting set to take place on Friday (November14). However, exit polls have predicted that the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is poised to form the government again in Bihar. The exit polls also predicted that the opposition Mahagathbandhan would fall short of the majority mark in the 243-member state assembly. (ANI)
Emmy-winning actress Lee You Mi once again proved her deep commitment to acting after disclosing a dramatic physical transformation for her latest role in the Netflix show "As You Stood By." The actress revealed she lost almost nine pounds to convey the emotional and physical pain of the character.

According to Koreaboo, the thriller follows two women plotting to kill one of their abusive husbands in a desperate attempt to get out of years of violence. Lee plays Jo Hee Soo, a once-promising children's book author whose life spirals into despair under the weight of domestic abuse. The film was released on November 7, 2025.

When asked about her frail appearance in the drama, Lee was bluntly honest as she talked about her extreme version of method acting. "Yes, I lost weight. Hee Soo's mealtimes are never relaxed or comfortable... She eats only because she has to eat with her husband. So, I wanted her to look physically frail and show pain in her body," the actress said.

READ MORE: Lee Yoo Mi Reacts to Comments on Why Her Character in 'Strong Girl Namsoon' Speaks Informally

She said that during filming, she decreased to a very dangerous weight to show how much her character suffered. "I filmed at around 37 kilograms. Usually, I'm around 41 kilograms, but I lost weight for this project to fully embody the character. I tried to sleep a lot so I wouldn't think about food," she explained.

In an interview cited by News1, Lee said such intense preparation is something she's grown accustomed to in her acting process. "Actually, I've always had trouble eating properly while filming. In a way, I think my body might be made for this kind of role," she said.

"As You Stood By" explores the complex emotional and moral struggles of women pushed to their limits by violence. The series was notable not just for its dark, intense plot but even more so for Lee's disturbingly realistic representation of trauma and resilience. Lee You Mi is an accomplished actress, recognized for her acting credits in "Squid Game" and "All of Us Are Dead."

This performance is already earning praise for her fearlessness in continually changing with each character. A recipient of an Emmy Award for work completed, this performance further establishes her as one of South Korea's most exciting actresses.

READ MORE: Did You Know? Lee Yoo Mi Worked as a Delivery Rider Before She Appeared in 'Squid Game'
With the aim of taking Heritage City Ahmedabad to the world stage in the field of literature and book publishing, 'Ahmedabad International Book Festival 2025' has been organised under 'Vanche Gujarat 2.0' from November 13th to 23rd, at Sabarmati Riverfront Event Centre, Paldi. It is a joint initiative of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and National Book Trust India. Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has specially called upon students, teachers and principals of schools and colleges to join this 11-day Mahakumbh of knowledge. 'Ahmedabad International Book Festival-2025' has been organised in an area of more than one lakh square feet. This book festival is not just a book fair, but Gujarat's largest classroom without walls. Students from classes 1 to 12 and college students can make this festival their annual educational journey by registering for free. Zone-wise opportunities are made available for students in this book festival. Zone 1 - Children's Corner (NCCL Pavilion), which has morning slots (9 am to 12.30 pm) specially designed for school groups, including programs like storytelling, puppet theatre, mandala art, best-out-of-three and dance-drama. Zone 2 - Gyan Ganga, which includes daily writing and design studios (10 am to 5 pm), Ghazal, Poetry, Drama, Film-script, Essay, Biography workshops, hands-on activities like fabric puppet, zine making, terracotta horse, Mata-ni-Pachchedi, oil painting, metal embossing. Zone 3 - School Board Shatabdi Mahotsav Pavilion will host the city-level final round of the Inter-School Mega Contest (10 am to 7:30 pm daily). The main attractions will be "Quiz" on 13th and 14th November, "Storytelling" on 15th November, 'Fancy Dress" on 16th November, 'Kids Panel Discussion" on 17th November, "Inter-School Contest" on 18th November, "Impromptu Speech' on 19th November, "Book Reading Contest" on 20th November and "Masti Ki Pathshala" on 21st November. Apart from this, prizes and trophies will be awarded to the winners. Organised by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and National Book Trust India, this festival has organised a free Children's Film Festival, in which approximately 4 to 7 international award-winning films will be screened every evening from 5.30 to 7.30 pm. Cultural programs have also been organised during the Ahmedabad International Book Festival 2025, with a grand cultural program starting at 5.30 pm every day. Kirtidan Gadhvi's folk orchestra, Gujarati poetry-music with Ankit Trivedi, poetic music performance on Hindi film songs with Sandeep Christian Orchestra, grand mushairo with poets, as well as Shaurya Samvad with Lieutenant General (Retd) KJS Dhillon and IPS (Retd) K Vijaykumar. In addition, college students will get the opportunity to meet eminent personalities like renowned Acharya Prashant, Gurcharan Das, Nitin Sethi, and Kulpreet Yadav. Live sessions will be held on AI, Crime Journalism, and the Gandhi-Mandela Legacy. Apart from this, there will be opportunities for internships and content writing on the spot with publishers. It is worth mentioning here that, with the noble objective of making the coming generation intellectually competent and building a strong society through proper dissemination of reading and literature in the state, the then Chief Minister of the state and the current Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had launched the 'Vanche Gujarat' campaign in the state. Under the campaign, a national book fair is organised every year by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation under the name 'Ahmedabad National Book Fair', which has been renamed as 'Ahmedabad International Book Festival' from the year 2024. (ANI)
The deceased has been identified as Rajesh (47), resident of Jishnu Bhavanam, Thekkekkara Kizhakku, Harippad in Alappuzha.

According to the FIR, the accident occurred due to the negligence of the officials of the construction company, who allegedly failed to implement adequate safety and traffic control measures while placing the girders on the pillars near Eramalloor Moham Hospital.

The case has been registered under Sections 105 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, for alleged culpable homicide not amounting to murder, at Aroor Police Station.

The incident took place at around 2:30 am. The girders collapsed onto the moving van, trapping the driver. His body was recovered after a three-hour rescue operation and shifted to the hospital.

Efforts are underway to remove the fallen girders, and traffic has been restricted on the national highway. Vehicles from Ernakulam are being diverted from Aroor, and rerouting is also in place at Cherthala Junction.

Further details are awaited.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) Kerala held a protest in Alappuzha after the accident. (ANI)
Kerala General Education and Labour Minister V Sivankutty on Thursday refused to take responsibility if the centre fails to transfer Samagra Shiksha Kerala (SSK) funds worth Rs 1,157 crore, given the decision to freeze the implementation of the PM SHRI (Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India) scheme. This comes after strong opposition by the Communist Party of India (CPI), which remains the second-largest party in the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala. CPI leader and party's Kerala state secretary Binoy Viswam had earlier stated that halting all PM SHRI proceedings was a "political decision" taken by the Left Front. Reacting to this, Sivankutty said that the letter sent by the Kerala government to the centre about freezing the implementation of the PM SHRI scheme was not about "anyone's victory or defeat". Instead, he added, the goal remains to secure SSK funds, which is the state's right. "I saw CPI State Secretary Binoy Viswam's statement claiming that the Kerala government's letter to the centre to freeze the PM SHRI scheme is a political victory for the LDF. But the letter is not about anyone's victory or defeat. I do not believe that someone's intervention in the matter signifies one group's failure and another's success. The letter Jawaharlal Nehru sent to his daughter Indira is one that the whole world discussed. Some now consider this letter the most important one after that," the General Education Minister said. Apprising about his meeting with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Sivankutty said that the discussions held with him were not only about the PM SHRI scheme, but also about SSK and other related funds. "The CPI(M) knows left politics very well. The SSK fund is Kerala's right, not anyone's generosity. I had a 45-minute discussion with the Union Education Minister. The goal is to secure central funds. I discussed with the minister the next steps related to the PM SHRI scheme and sent the letter yesterday," he added. Sivankutty asserted that the RSS agenda will not be implemented, but also took a slight dig at his alliance partner, CPI, saying that he doesn't intend to measure the sacrifices made over this issue. He added that "some people" were trying to portray that they were the only ones responsible for resisting the RSS. "The RSS agenda will not be implemented in Kerala's education sector. I do not intend to measure who protested, who intervened, or who made sacrifices. Let the people decide. The discussion with the Union Minister was not only about the PM SHRI fund, but also about the SSK fund and other related funds," he said. He also flagged uncertainty over the centre releasing SSK funds, given the letter sent to the centre regarding the freezing of the PM SHRI scheme's implementation. "Now that the letter has been sent, there is some uncertainty about whether the remaining funds will be released. If the SSK fund of Rs 1,157 crore is not received, I will not take responsibility. Those who must, should take it. Some people are trying to portray as if only they are responsible for resisting the RSS," Sivankutty said. CPI MP Binoy Viswam however question Sivanakutty saying he didnt know why the Minister was batting for the scheme. "Don't fall into the trap of the BJP governments. They have tried to interlink the PM SHRI and the Samagra Shiksha Kerala (SSK) funds. SSK and PM SHRI are not the same. SSK fund is our right. The central government has to give it. If they deny it, the state has a right to fight for it. And that fight should be a political and a legal fight. In that way, the LDF government has to go forward. I don't know why Sivankutty, a top leader of the CPI-M, is arguing so vehemently in favour of the PM SHRI project, which is a BJP-RSS project. And the purpose is to smuggle in the NEP and RSS agenda into the field of education," Viswam told ANI. After the CPI's opoosition, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had announced that a seven-member cabinet sub-committee, chaired by Sivankutty, will be constituted to review the implementation of the PM SHRI scheme in the state. But it appears this issue has caused the souring of relations between the LDF's two principle partners. (ANI)
Rohtas District Magistrate Udita Singh on Thursday refuted the Rashtriya Janata Dal's (RJD) claim of administration "sneaking" Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) inside a counting centre without any prior notice, saying that the truck instead carried empty steel boxes. On late Wednesday night, RJD workers and supporters gathered outside the Vajra Griha counting centre, situated in the Takiya Market Committee premises of Sasaram assembly constituency, to protest and demand clarification from Bihar Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Vinod Singh Gunjiyal and the Election Commission of India (ECI). Addressing a press conference, DM Udita Singh said that the truck was checked in the presence of several candidates and their supporters. She added that all the boxes in the truck were found to be empty. Singh said, "Yesterday evening, we received information that a truck loaded with EVMs had entered the Bazaar Samiti, Takiya. After receiving this information, we found that a truck had entered the Bazaar Samiti at 7:59 pm, and the police had properly checked it; its entry was recorded in the logbook. In the entry, it was stated that the truck was full of empty boxes." "The candidates, their authorised personnel, and their supporters were present there in large numbers. The truck was opened in front of all of them, and numerous steel boxes were found. Each box was removed, and all the boxes were found empty. After checking the entire truck, all the boxes were reloaded into the same truck," she added. The Rohtas District Magistrate urged everyone not to spread rumours ahead of the counting of votes on November 14. "It became clear to all the candidates present that the information about the truck carrying EVMs entering the premises was false and that such rumours should not be spread, as the situation is very sensitive," Singh said. Rohtas SP Raushan Kumar said that there are three levels of security, including police, Special Armed Police and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). "There are three levels of security. The first level is the district police, followed by the Bihar Special Armed Police and CISF. The vehicle was checked in front of everyone. The entry of the vehicle was also confirmed by them. The candidates or their authorised persons can view the CCTV footage at any time," the police official said. This comes after the RJD alleged "vote theft" in Sasaram constituency, claiming that the district administration "sneaked" EVMs inside a counting centre in Rohtas district without any prior notice. The party shared a video on X and demanded that complete footage of the counting centre be released, asking the administration to clear the air. The opposition party also alleged that CCTV camera feeds were "switched off". "Why was a truck allegedly loaded with EVMs sneaked into the counting centre in Sasaram (Rohtas district) by the district administration without any prior notice or transparency? Why were the truck drivers sent away without being brought to justice? Why was the CCTV camera feed here switched off from 2 PM? Release the full footage. Let the administration tell what is in the truck," RJD posted on X. RJD further warned that thousands of people would reach polling centres to prevent "vote theft" if clarifications were not issued by concerned authorities. "Bihar CEO and EC's clarification should come immediately. Otherwise, thousands of people will immediately reach the polling centres to stop vote theft," the party said. The polling for the second and final phase of the Bihar Assembly elections concluded on November 11. The counting of votes for all 243 Assembly seats will take place on November 14. (ANI)
Amid the ongoing probe into the Delhi blast near historic Red Fort which killed atleast 12, Delhi police and security agencies have zeroed in atleast 4 doctors till now who were allegedly planning to carry out multiple blasts across the country as part of a terror module. Till now, atleast 3 doctors, including 1 woman are among the a total of 8 people who are allegedly responsible for the blast near Red Fort. Dr Umar Nabi, an accused, was also identified as the man behind the wheel of the Hyundai i20 car from which the explosion happened. All three doctors are currently arrested, while Dr Umar died in the car blast. Officials have said that all the arrested are part of a recently busted up "transnational terror module," comprising of various professionals, including doctors, cleric, and businessmen. According to the preliminary investigation, officials have said that the blast was likely part of a well-planned conspiracy to carry out attacks on multiple locations. Officials have seized multiple vehicles after the explosion of the i20 at Red Fort, including an Ecosport and a Brezza, while looking out for any more vehicles involved. Following a slew of arrests, officials had recovered various arms and explosives from the locations connected with the people, with thousands of kilograms of explosive materials, including 20 quintals of NPK fertiliser being found for allegedly bomb making purposes. Dr Umar, who was driving the explosion car near historic Red Fort, used to live in Al-Falah Medical College. According to Delhi police, he had travelled through several areas of Delhi before reaching near the Red Fort complex on November 10. From the South East district, he went to the East District, then to the Central District''s Ring Road. Another doctor, Muzammil Ganai (alias Musaib) is allegedly connected with Dr Umar. Investigation agencies have found diaries, allegedly belong to Nabi and Ganai which contained information about the blasts planned, pointing to a well-planned conspiracy. The diaries mention the dates November 8 to 12, indicating that the planning was underway for such an incident during that period. The diaries carried code words which investigators are now piecing together. The agencies are also looking into whether different vehicles were being prepared for the blasts. Ganai is a former student of Al Falah Hospital and police had earlier found more than 300 kilograms of explosives from Ganai''s rented home. The third accused, Dr Abdul Rather, was also arrested in connection with the alleged terror operation. A graduate of Srinagar''s Government Medical College in 2018, Rather had met with Umar and Muzammil while in college, according to investigative agencies. The fourth accused doctor, Dr Shaheen Shahid was arrested earlier in connection with the module. Multiple arms and explosives were also found to be connected to her. Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has also detained another Doctor-Arif from Kanpur, over an alleged connection to Delhi blast suspect Dr Shaheen Saeed, officials said. In connection with the ongoing probe, Faridabad Police had earlier detained a man identified as Faheem, who allegedly parked the red Ford EcoSport linked to the blast in the Khandwali area, officials said on Thursday. Delhi Police have intensified their investigation into the deadly car blast, searching for a Brezza vehicle, which is believed to be linked to the prime accused Dr Umar Un Nabi. Four other people have been arrested in connection with the blast which killed atleast 12 people near Red Fort. The accused identified are Arif Nisar Dar, a resident of J-K''s Nowgam; Irfan Ahmad, a cleric at a J-K mosque in Shopian; Yasir Ul Ashraf, Nowgam resident who runs a business; Zameer Ahmad Ahanger (alias Mutlasha), a resident of Ganderbal. Investigative agencies till now have found massive consignment of explosives weighing thousands of kilograms, and have successfully prevented large scale terror attacks being carried out in the country. (ANI)
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday condemned the blast near New Delhi's Red Fort, which killed atleast 12 people, while also reaffirming the ideals of peace and brotherhood which the people of Jammu and Kashmir espouse. While condemning the alleged terror attack in Delhi, CM Abdullah said that it is only a "few people who have ruined peace and brotherhood in the region," and that it is not fair to charecterise every Kashmiri as being associated with terrorism. "It is highly condemnable. No religion can justify the killing of innocents with such brutality. Investigation will continue, but we must remember one thing - not every resident of Jammu and Kashmir is a terrorist or associated with terrorists. These are only a few people who have always ruined peace and brotherhood here. When we look at every resident of J&K and every Kashmiri Muslim with a single ideology and think that each one of them is a terrorist, it is difficult to keep the people on the right track," CM Abdullah told reporters here. He further called for the people responsible to be "severely punished," while also making sure that innocent people are kept out of it. Commenting on the blast accused being from a professional background, including being doctors, the Chief Minister questioned the 'security failure' which led to the blast. "Have we not seen the professor of Universities before this?... Who says that educated people don't get involved in such things? They do. I am shocked by the fact that, though they were expelled from the job, what kind of investigation was undertaken after that? Why was prosecution not carried out?... We can only help the central government to keep the situation normal, and we are doing that," he said. Multiple residents of Jammu and Kashmir have been arrested for allegedly being part of a terror module which possibly planned for multiple terror attacks being carried out across various locations. Meanwhile, fresh CCTV footage has surfaced showing the prime accused, Dr Umar Un Nabi, entering the national capital through the Badarpur border in an i20 car, further tightening the net around the accused in the ongoing blast investigation. In the footage, Umar was seen arriving at the Badarpur toll plaza, where he stops his vehicle, takes out cash, and hands it to the toll collector. Security agencies have recovered the diaries of Delhi blast case accused Dr Umar and Dr Muzammil, which mention the dates November 8 to 12, indicating that the planning was underway for such an incident during that period, sources said. According to the sources, the diary also contained the names of about 25 individuals, most of them hailing from Jammu and Kashmir and Faridabad. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party MLA and former Jammu and Kashmir minister Shakti Raj Parihar has expressed strong confidence in the party's performance in the ongoing elections, particularly in the Nagrota and Budgam constituencies. Addressing mediapersons here, Parihar said that the BJP will lead with a clear and convincing margin in Nagrota, where the people have shown tremendous faith in the leadership and policies of the party. Speaking about Budgam, he added that BJP workers have put in tireless efforts at the grassroots level, reaching every household and highlighting the party's vision for development and peace. He took a sharp dig at the National Conference (NC), accusing it of failing the people over the years. "The NC has done nothing for the welfare of common citizens. The public is now aware and will vote for progress, not empty promises," Parihar stated, according to an official statement. Parihar also condemned the recent blast in Delhi, calling it a "cowardly act against humanity." He said such acts cannot weaken India's unity and resolve, and urged the authorities to take strict action against those responsible. Reaffirming BJP's commitment, the Doda MLA said that the party stands for development, transparency, and a corruption-free system, and the people's verdict will once again prove their trust in Prime Minister. Earlier on November 11, as Bihar went to polls in the second phase of elections, 8 assembly segments in 6 states and 1 union territory saw bypolls happen for their respective vacant seats. In JK, a turnout of 34.47 per cent was recorded in Nagrota, while Budgam recorded a turnout of 21.74 per cent upto 11 am on Tuesday. In Jammu and Kashmir, polling for the bye-elections was held in Budgam 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 counting of votes for the assembly bypolls will take place on November 14, along with when the counting of Bihar assembly elections. (ANI)
Dr Abhishek, flatmate of Dr Arif, who has been called in for questioning in connection with the Delhi blast case, on Thursday revealed that there was no change in the doctor''s behaviour after the blast occurred in the national capital, implying that his body language remained normal. Responding to queries after a press conference here, Dr Abhishek denied sharing any personal relations with him and said that Arif had only informed him about his father''s health conditions. He also noted that Arif never recalled anyone named Dr Shaheen or Parvez before him. "We were not friends. Initially, when we come here, we do not get hostels, so the resident doctors usually rent a flat. I never heard the names of Dr Shaheen or Dr Parvez from him. He told me his father was a cancer patient. There was no change in his behaviour (after the blast). I got that flat from a broker," Dr Abhishek said. "I had no idea about anything. He used to stay absolutely normal in the room. He used to come to work, then return to his room. We used to meet as colleagues. I met him after he joined the cardiology department. We were not getting rooms, so we decided to share a flat," he added. The detention of Dr Mohammad Arif, a senior resident doctor in the Cardiology department at the LPS Institute of Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery in Kanpur, in connection with the Delhi blast case, has shocked his acquaintances. Kanhaiya Lal, Arif''s landlord in Ashok Nagar, near Fatima School, told ANI that there was nothing suspicious about the doctor''s activities, even though he had stayed there for less than a month. He informed that Arif didn''t use to meet anyone. "He stayed here for less than a month. No one used to meet him. Two boys used to stay here- Abhishek and Arif. Abhishek introduced Arif, stating that he is my partner and a doctor in the cardiology department. A team of four people arrived and began to open the lock of Arif''s room. My son asked who they were. They said we have come to take his belongings. My son allowed them to open the door after having a conversation with Arif. There was nothing suspicious about Arif''s activities," Lal said. Dr Rakesh Verma, Director of LPS Institute of Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery in Kanpur, on Thursday said that the administration will ensure that each employee undergoes police verification thoroughly. While addressing a press conference, Verma said that Dr Mohammad Arif was a "bright student" who secured a "very good rank". Dr Awadhesh Sharma, a professor, stated that Dr Arif is a senior resident in DM/MCh Cardiology since August and left the premises yesterday evening after completing his duty. A medical student, identified as Mohammad Arif, has been detained by Uttar Pradesh ATS, from Kanpur, over an alleged connection to Delhi blast suspect Dr Shaheen Saeed, officials said. Dr Shaheen Saeed was arrested earlier in connection with the Faridabad arms and explosive haul case. A joint team of Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and Delhi Police on Thursday recovered a body part in New Lajpat Rai Market, near the blast site in the national capital, which claimed 12 lives. (ANI)
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the grand "Ahmedabad International Book Fair 2025" and "Food for Thought Fest 2025" at the Sabarmati Riverfront Event Centre in Ahmedabad on Thursday. On this occasion, the Chief Minister, Union Minister of Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, and other distinguished guests took a pledge to embrace and promote Swadeshi. The event began with Chief Minister and other dignitaries offering floral tributes to Bharat Mata, accompanied by an inspiring rendition of the song "Navu Bharat @150." The Chief Minister unveiled the "Mission Four Million Trees" coffee table book and visited various educational and literary zones, along with the National Book Trust of India's stall. The Chief Minister also signed on a canvas, describing it as a moment of pride while affirming that Ahmedabad city in Gujarat is ready to host the Commonwealth Games 2030. Indian-American author Jay Patel launched his debut book titled "Barrister Mr Patel," dedicated to the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Iron Man of India and Architect of National Unity. The book was officially unveiled by the CM and has been co-authored by renowned filmmaker and storyteller Abhishek Dudhaiya. After inaugurating the Book Festival, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited various stalls at the Innovation Pavilion, including Recycle Green, IOTA Diagnostic Pvt. Ltd., WeHear, and KeenKey LLP, and lauded their innovative initiatives. The Chief Minister also visited the Children's Pavilion, specially curated as part of the Ahmedabad International Book Festival. Patel also visited the Spiritual Pavilion, organised as part of the "Food for Thought Fest 2025." There, he interacted with saints and spiritual leaders, received prasadam, and appreciated the diverse culinary traditions that symbolised a harmonious blend of taste and culture. The inauguration ceremony of the Ahmedabad International Book Festival and Food for Thought Fest 2025 witnessed the gracious presence of several distinguished dignitaries, including Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan, Mayor of Ahmedabad Pratibha Jain, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Pradyuman Vaja, Minister Darshna Vaghela and Rivaba Jadeja, Rajya Sabha MP Narhari Amin, Ahmedabad West MP Shri Dinesh Makwana, local MLAs from Ahmedabad city, former Minister Rajnikant Patel. Eminent personality Prerak Shah, Deputy Mayor Jatin Patel, Standing Committee Chairman Devang Dani, Leader of the Ruling Party Gaurang Prajapati, Whip Shital Daga, Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani, Chairman of the Creation, Culture and Heritage Committee Jayesh Trivedi, Chairman of the National Book Trust, India, Milind Sudhakar, Director of the National Book Trust, India, Yuvraj Malik, and Founder and Director of the South Asian Association for Gastronomy (S.A.A.G) Maneesh Baheti also graced the event. The event also saw the enthusiastic participation of officials and office bearers of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, literary figures, and a large gathering of book lovers and students. The Ahmedabad International Book Festival 2025 is being jointly organised by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and the National Book Trust India, under the initiative "Vanche Gujarat 2.0 ." The festival aspires to position the Heritage City of Ahmedabad prominently on the global literary and publishing landscape. The main attractions and inter-school mega contests include a quiz on November 13 and 14, storytelling on November 15, fancy dress on November 16, kids' panel discussion on November 17, inter-school contest on November 18, impromptu speech on November 19, book reading contest on November 20, and Masti Ki Paathshala on November 21. Winners of these events will also receive exciting prizes and trophies. As part of the festival jointly organised by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and the National Book Trust India, a Free Children's Film Festival has been planned. Each evening, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM, approximately four to seven internationally acclaimed and award-winning films will be screened. As part of the Ahmedabad International Book Festival 2025, a vibrant lineup of cultural programs has been planned. Each evening from 5:30 PM onwards, this grand celebration of art and culture will begin. Highlights include a folk orchestra by Kirtidan Gadhvi, Gujarati poetry and music with Ankit Trivedi, a poetic musical performance on Hindi film songs by the Sandeep Christian Orchestra, a grand mushaira featuring eminent poets, and 'Shaurya Samvad' - an inspiring conversation with Lt. Gen. (Retd.) K.J.S. Dhillon and IPS (Retd.) K. Vijaykumar. Additionally, college students will have the opportunity to interact with renowned personalities such as Gurcharan Das, Nitin Sethi, and Kulpreet Yadav. The festival will also feature live sessions on AI, crime journalism, and the Gandhi-Mandela legacy. Furthermore, students will be able to explore on-the-spot internship and content writing opportunities with publishers present at the venue. Meanwhile, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, in partnership with the South Asian Association for Gastronomy (S.A.A.G), is once again hosting the international vegetarian food festival "Food for Thought Fest 2025" from November 13 to 16, 2025, at the Sabarmati Riverfront Event Centre. This four-day festival celebrates the diverse culinary traditions, culture, and intellectual exchange of South Asia, bringing together city residents, food enthusiasts from across India and abroad, and renowned culinary experts. This year, the festival's highlight will be three theme-based pavilions, each offering a distinct and immersive experience. The Luxury Pavilion, curated by TAJ Soulinaire, will create an elegant fine-dining ambience, featuring world-class vegetarian dishes with a touch of local flavours. TAJ's expert culinary team has designed a menu that beautifully blends tradition with modernity. With options for lunch, dinner, and high tea, this pavilion aims to provide even casual visitors with a truly luxurious fine-dining experience. The festival's spiritual and devotional segment will be presented through the "Spiritual Pavilion." The renowned Mahaprasad from the Puri Jagannath Temple will be prepared and served by the temple's own Brahmin chefs, allowing visitors in Ahmedabad to experience the same sanctity, tradition, and flavours as those found in Puri. Debuting this year, the "Coffee Pavilion" will be one of the festival's key attractions. It will offer a live demonstration of the entire coffee journey, from the plant to raw beans, including harvesting, roasting, and brewing. Visitors will gain insights into the differences between Arabica and Robusta beans and understand how their aroma and flavour profiles vary. Alongside tasting freshly brewed coffee, attendees will also have the chance to join hands-on workshops on roasting and brewing techniques. This year, the festival will showcase significant international participation, with delegates from Nepal, Spain, and the Netherlands joining the event. Of special note, celebrity Chef Alvar Hinojal Crespo from a Michelin-starred restaurant in Valladolid, Spain (Ahmedabad's sister city), will present, for the first time in Ahmedabad, a live demonstration of his famous vegetarian dish. During the festival, every evening from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM, attendees can enjoy live demonstrations, cooking sessions, panel discussions, food tastings, and cultural programs. The sessions will feature celebrated personalities such as Chef Ranveer Brar, Suvir Saran, Vicky Ratnani, MasterChef Abhijit Saha, author Rashmi Uday Singh, Padma Shri Pushpesh Pant, along with numerous royal dignitaries and cultural experts. (ANI)
Import of ready-made garments from Bangladesh fell sharply by 27 percent to USD 257 million during April-September 2025, compared to the same period the previous year, in the wake of restrictions imposed by the Indian government that helped boost the domestic market. Sources in the Ministry of Textiles said the move helped cushion the impact of the US tariffs, as the import restrictions coupled with GST reforms encouraged the domestic industry. India's global exports of textiles, apparel, and made-ups grew marginally by 0.1 percent during April-September 2025, compared to the corresponding period in 2024. The government, on May 17, restricted the imports of RMG from Bangladesh and allowed only from Kolkata and Nhavasheva ports. Notably, 40 percent of RMG is imported from Bangladesh. Bangladesh's annual RMG exports to India are worth about $700 million, and 93 percent of these goods are exported through land ports. The RMG imports from Bangladesh dropped from 327 USD million to 257 million USD during April to September 2025. "The import in April-September 2025 reduced by 27 percent compared to the corresponding period of previous years. The restrictions, in addition to GST reforms, have supported the domestic industry," sources at the ministry told ANI. The officials at the ministry said that the government has taken several steps to support the textile industry reeling from the effects of US tariffs, including market diversification, GST reforms and ease of doing business. Textiles sector exports during April-September 2025 grew in 111 countries, off-setting losses in the US market. Some of the large export markets for India, which clocked impressive growth rates were UAE (14.5%), UK (1.5%), Japan (19.0%), Germany (2.9%), Spain (9.0%) and France (9.2%). On the other hand, some of the other markets that recorded higher growth rates were Egypt (27%), Saudi Arabia (12.5%), Hong Kong (69%) etc. These 111 markets contributed USD 8,489.08 million during April-September 2025, compared to USD 7,718.55 million in the previous year--reflecting a 10% growth and an absolute increase of USD 770.3 million. "The push for diversification came after the US tariffs. The ministry encouraged the industry to explore newer markets, sent delegations abroad, and engaged Indian embassies to promote textile exports," an official said. The government has also extended the export obligation period for advance authorisation holders with QCO exemption from six months to 18 months. Additionally, the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme has been extended till March 31, 2026, to enhance the competitiveness of Indian textile products. The key sectors driving export growth included ready-made garments (3.42 per cent) and jute (5.56 per cent), reflecting the sector's adaptability and competitiveness amid global trade uncertainties. (ANI)
Kim Soo-hyun's legal team has recently rejected allegations accusing him of keeping photographs of the late actress Kim Sae-ron.

Atty. Ko Sang-rok, the lawyer representing Soo-hyun, issued an official statement on Wednesday denying the claims made by Sae-ron's family.

"There are not thousands of photos. Such a volume simply does not exist," Ko said in a statement, per Korea JoongAng Daily. "If material that was never presented in any police or court records over the past eight months suddenly emerges now, that in itself strongly suggests the possibility of fabrication."

According to Ko's statement, the party spreading the claims had repeatedly promised the release of "thousands of photos" purporting to show the duo together. But, as of the statement's release, no such thing has been produced. He later referred to the scheme as part of a "nationwide fraud" targeting an innocent victim.

The legal team also refuted claims regarding alleged KakaoTalk messages said to date back to 2016 and 2018. This includes one highly publicized line reading: "When can I fall asleep in your arms?"

According to Ko, the claim that the actor authored the 2016 message relies solely on the assertion of Sae-ron's sibling, without corroborating evidence. He emphasized that nothing presented thus far verifies that the actor wrote the message.

Another alleged 2018 message, where the actor allegedly said, "If you will not try, brother," was also refuted by the lawyer. He has further stated that the late actress' family has never claimed or verified that Soo-hyun was responsible for Sae-ron's passing, according to Allkpop.

Furthermore, Soo-hyun's legal team responded to claims regarding letters exchanged during Soo-hyun's mandatory military service. Ko clarified that no additional personal exists beyond those previously acknowledged by the actor's agency. He further explained that a so-called "internet letter' cited in recent claims was not a private communication between the actor and Sae-ron but rather a public fan message commonly made available online to supporters during an actor's enlistment period.

Soo-hyun's representatives reiterated that the actor will continue to pursue legal action against the dissemination of fabricated materials and defamatory claims. The team maintains that the spread of unverified messages, misrepresented correspondence, and speculative theories has caused significant harm to the actor's reputation.'
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday welcomed the Supreme Court's rejection of Tamil Nadu's plea against Karnataka's plan for the construction of the Mekedatu dam on the Cauvery River. The Supreme Court said the matter was under the consideration of expert bodies and that the court cannot interfere. The Karnataka Deputy CM, while addressing reporters at Vidhana Soudha said that the Supreme Court's decision on Mekedatu "gave justice" and benefits both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Shivakumar said, "This is not about setback or victory. It has given justice on Mekedatu. Mekedatu is a project for our water and it doesn't affect Tamil Nadu in any way. In fact it benefits Tamil Nadu. The Supreme Court has responded to the people of Karnataka." He was replying to a reporter who asked if it was a setback to Tamil Nadu. Shivakumar said Karnataka would proceed with Mekedatu, stressing Tamil Nadu will get its court-mandated share and the project will ensure supplies even in poor rainfall years. "Tamil Nadu will get its share of water as per Court's judgements and hence we will continue with the project. This project is being done in our land and with our resources. This project will help us supply water to Tamil Nadu as per the tribunal's order even during poor rain years." Shivakumar said the Supreme Court is a victory for Bengaluru, ensuring drinking water for all residents, and urged Tamil Nadu to support the project so both states can work together. He said, "This is a victory to the people of Bengaluru. This water will provide drinking water to people from all states living in Bengaluru. I appeal to Tamil Nadu to support the project now at least. We all need to work on this project together." Shivakumar said the Supreme Court will guide the CWC on Mekedatu, adding the commission "has no choice." Asked if the CWC would support the project, he said, "The Court will give directions to the Central Water Commission. The CWC doesn't have any other choice but to support the Mekedaru project." The Mekedatu project, designed to store about 66 TMC of water, aims to act as a balancing reservoir for water distribution to Tamil Nadu. (ANI)
BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan urged support for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Tamil Nadu on Thursday, emphasising that SIR will help enhance the democratic process. The BJP leader condemned the protests against the SIR process, stating that the energy spent on protests could be better utilised to support SIR and create a list without any obstacles. "Everyone should support the SIR, the ECI has started the process and over 5.5 crore forms have been distributed... When the BLO is distributing the forms, sit with them, fill and give it to them as they have all of your numbers... I condemn the agitation against this because this energy, instead of being wasted can also be used to support SIR and forming list without any hurdles... It will be helpful for the democratic process. I have also written a book on this... Let Vijay read this and not get aligned with the ideology of DMK... His party is new and he should be happy as his party now would not be affected by the bogus voters like we were...," Soundararajan told ANI. Earlier, Tamil Nadu Congress president K Selvaperunthagai accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of conducting "malpractice" in the name of Special Intensive Revision. While speaking to ANI, Selvaperunthagai stated that the Congress party is conducting an agitation against SIR across Tamil Nadu. "Today, across the entire Tamil Nadu, at all district headquarters, we are conducting an agitation against the SIR. Our INDIA alliance partners, headed by DMK's supreme leader Stalin, announced this... Wherever the BJP conducts elections, it is doing some malpractice. What happened in Haryana, Maharashtra, and Delhi? Even in Bihar, a lot of confusion is going on. 75 lakhs votes removed. The leader, the country's opposition leader, Rahul Gandhi, brought to the notice of the parliament and the Election Commission," he said. In addition to Congress, other parties in Tamil Nadu are also opposing the SIR process. DMK MP TR Baalu stated that there is no provision related to SIR in the Constitution, alleging that the Election Commission is overruling it. "There are a lot of questions...There is no provision in the Constitution for SIR. The Election Commission is overwriting the Constitution," TR Baalu told reporters. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin alleged that the intent behind the SIR exercise is to strip the people of their voting rights. Sharing an X post on November 2, he wrote, "It is the duty of all parties to unite and raise their voices against the SIR being hastily implemented with the intent of snatching away the voting rights of the people of Tamil Nadu and murdering democracy." "Regarding the confusion and doubts in the voter list revisions - since our demand that they should be conducted after the 2026 general elections with adequate time and without any issues has not been accepted by the ECI, we have passed a resolution in today's all-party meeting to approach the Supreme Court," he added. Besides Tamil Nadu, the parties in West Bengal have also opposed the exercise of SIR. The Trinamool Congress on Wednesday accused the Election Commission of "favouring" the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by amending the rules for appointing Booth-Level Agents (BLAs) amid the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in West Bengal. In a press conference, TMC leader Kalyan Banerjee flagged that ECI has issued the new circular to "accommodate" the BJP workers."BJP does not have their BLAs, hardly 20 to 30 per cent are there. Now, to help the BJP, favour the BJP, the Election Commission has issued this new circular to accommodate BJP workers who have no authority at the booth and bring in individuals from other places," Kalyan Banerjee said. "The way the BJP does the election, they bring hooligans. This has been indulged by the Election Commission. EC is totally biased. What they are doing is in favour of the BJP," he added. The allegations came after ECI issued a circular modifying the appointment criteria of BLAs. Earlier, the BLA had to belong to the same part of the electoral roll. According to the circular released by EC, "In case of unavailability of Booth Level Agent (BLA) from the same Part of the electoral roll, Booth Level Agent may be appointed from any registered elector of the same Assembly Constituency." Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India (ECI) is conducting the second phase of Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls across 12 States and Union Territories, with the final voter list to be published on February 7, 2026, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar said. The exercise will cover Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. Currently, the Supreme Court is hearing a case against the first phase of SIR in Bihar, ahead of the state's Assembly elections. (ANI)
Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS), in association with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), will hold Brainstorming Session 2.0 at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, on November 14, the Ministry of Defence said in a press release. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar will address the event, centered on the theme 'Leveraging Defence Industry Ecosystem for Future Warfare'. The day-long session will feature several high-level sessions chaired by senior officials from the Ministry of Defence and participation of senior officials of HQ IDS, Service HQs, Department of Defence Production, DRDO, academia & key manufacturing industries. The deliberations will focus on critical domains essential for future warfare, including ammunition & explosives, autonomous systems and R&D in futuristic technologies. By bringing together key stakeholders from across the national security and defence landscape, the event will provide a forum to address priority challenges, identify growth opportunities and facilitate clear actionable plans. The outcomes of the session will help advance Aatmanirbharta, empower India's leadership in future warfare domains and further strengthen operational preparedness & industry capabilities in the defence sector. Earlier, on November 11, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, speaking at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA) on Tuesday on defence and security, said that warfare today is witnessing a major transformation driven by rapid technological advancements, pointing out that "there are no runners-up in war." General Chauhan said, "War is all about managing--there are no runners-up in war. There are no silver medals for the valiant efforts or consolation prizes or very brave attempts. The stakes in any kind of conflict are always high, and the very fate of nations, or survival of nations." He emphasised that winning wars has always depended on sound strategy. "Warfare and winning in warfare are basically dependent on strategy -- that is the art of the journey," the CDS said. "Gradually, the element of technology is taking over and overshadowing geography. Commanders who understood geography were always able to use it for their own benefit. Technology started influencing the outcome of battle significantly after the invention of gunpowder," the CDS said, with a focus on the evolving role of technology. (ANI)
Ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections result day on November 14, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav called a meeting of Mahagathbandhan leaders at his official residence in Patna on Thursday. The meeting was attended by key allies, including Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) National President Mukesh Sahni, CPI (ML) General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, and other senior leaders. Earlier today, Tejashwi Yadav held an online meeting with the party's candidates and district-level office bearers, during which a detailed discussion was held on guidelines related to vote counting and preparations for the counting process. Repeating the allegation of alleged electoral malpractice, the RJD leader said that the party, along with the people of Bihar, are "alert, vigilant, cautious, and fully capable, aware, and prepared with enthusiasm, hope, and confidence to deal with any kind of improper unconstitutional activity." "Last night, through a video conference with party candidates and district organisation office-bearers, an in-depth discussion was held on guidelines related to vote counting and preparations for the counting process," Tejashwi Yadav said in a post on X in Hindi. The counting for the 243 Bihar assembly polls will be conducted on November 14. The winner will be declared on the same evening, bringing an end to a nearly month-long election campaign. This is the first assembly election in the country in two decades, which was conducted after a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls was carried out. Talking about being ready to deal with any "unconstitutional activity," the RJD leadear said, "The justice-loving people of Bihar, the birthplace of democracy, and all social and political workers who love Bihar and the Constitution are alert, vigilant, cautious, and fully capable, aware, and prepared with enthusiasm, hope, and confidence to deal with any kind of improper unconstitutional activity." "Bihar and Biharis are committed to saving democracy and the Constitution," his post added. The exit polls predicted that the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is poised to form the government again in Bihar. (ANI)
Director General of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Piyush Anand said on Thursday that the aim of the three-day national-level Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Competition was to "build national capacity" to respond effectively to any emerging threats from "our difficult neighbourhood", apparently referring to Pakistan. His remarks followed the national-level Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Competition 2025, which took place from November 10 to 12. The competition was organised by the NDRF. NDRF posted on X that the first National CBRN Competition for SDRFs - 2025 concluded after an "inspiring and professional display" of CBRN skills at NDRF, Ghaziabad. SDRF Teams from 18 States and Union Territories participated in the competition held in two phases. The ceremony was attended by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai. "CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) is a threat that is slowly emerging, and given our difficult neighbourhood, the possibility that it could emerge at any time cannot be ruled out. To improve our preparedness, we organised a national-level CBRN competition. First, we sent our teams to the SDRF to train them and then organised competitions at the zonal and national levels. The purpose is to build national capacity so that if such a situation arises, we can respond effectively..."," DG NDRF told ANI In his remarks, Rai urged the personnel to dedicate their lives to serving the nation and reiterated the government's commitment to bolster the agency's disaster response capabilities. "... Our experiences and skills must not remain limited to our service tenure, but each moment of our lives should be dedicated to our motherland; only then will we be able to make a strong nation... Let me also assure you that the government is ready to supply all kinds of equipment required by NDRF for disaster management... (ANI)
The Pulwama Police on Thursday carried out coordinated Cordon and Search Operations (CASOs) at multiple suspected locations across the district as part of its ongoing campaign against anti-national elements, including Jammu and Kashmir residents operating from Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (JKNOP), and other subversive networks said the release. The operations aimed to identify and trace individuals involved in unlawful and anti-national activities, strengthen surveillance, and ensure overall public safety. Several premises were searched, and the identities of numerous individuals were verified during the exercise conducted jointly with security forces. Pulwama Police reiterated its commitment to continue such operations to dismantle terror-support structures, curb anti-national propaganda, and maintain peace and order across the district. On Wednesday, Anantnag Police carried out coordinated raids in the district amid a massive crackdown against the banned organisation Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI). Meanwhile, in Kulgam, police are carrying out a crackdown against the anti-national elements, checking vehicles at the Navyug tunnel. Kulgam SSP Anayat Ali Choudhary said that the police caught a Nepali citizen and a contraband of 'charas' on Tuesday. "For the last few days, there has been a crackdown on anti-national elements, people who support terrorism and people who operate from the outside (outside India). We are holding a vehicle checking crackdown in Kulgam. Heightened checking is going on in every corner, including the Navyug tunnel, which is an entry point for Kashmir. Amid these heightened majors, we caught a Nepali national and a contraband of 'charas'. This shows that the police are alert and stand for the security of the citizens," SSP Choudhary told ANI. This development comes in the backdrop of the blast near the Red Fort in Delhi, which killed at least eight people, and 360 kgs of explosives were recovered in Faridabad on November 10. (ANI)
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday hailed the "successful" conduct of the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025, with a record voter turnout of 67.13 per cent- the "highest ever" in the state since 1951. The Commission also said that no repolls were requested across any of Bihar's 38 districts. According to the ECI's official press note, 2,616 candidates and 12 recognised political parties participated in the two-phase polls on November 6 and 11, and none requested repolling in any constituency. "Zero repolls in Bihar Assembly Elections, 2025 No re-polls requested by 2,616 candidates No re-polls requested by 12 recognised political parties," the EC said in the note. "Zero appeals during SIR in Bihar with 7,45,26,858 electors in the final Electoral Roll," the press note added. The Election Commission also outlined extensive arrangements for the vote counting scheduled for November 14. Counting will take place in all 243 Assembly Constituencies, overseen by 243 Returning Officers (ROs) and 243 Counting Observers, alongside candidates or their agents. A total of 4,372 counting tables have been set up, each staffed by a counting supervisor, assistant, and micro-observer, with over 18,000 counting agents to monitor the process. The Commission confirmed that counting will begin at 8:00 AM, starting with postal ballots, followed by Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) counting from 8:30 AM. Postal ballot counting is to be completed before the penultimate round of EVM counting. "During EVM counting, Control Units are brought to the counting tables round-wise and shown to the counting agents to verify that the seals are intact and serial numbers match the records in Form 17C (Part I). The number of votes recorded in EVMs is cross-verified with entries in Form 17C. In case of any mismatch, VVPAT slips from that polling station are to be counted mandatorily," the press note further read. Additionally, VVPAT verification will be conducted for a random selection of five polling stations per constituency to ensure complete accuracy. The Commission advises all to refer only to this portal for accurate and verified updates and not rely on any hearsay or unofficial sources. "Results will be compiled and made available round-wise and constituency-wise by the respective ROs on the official ECI results portal -- https://results.eci.gov.in.," it said. TV channels and internet media channels are also advised accordingly. "The Commission advises all to refer only to this portal for accurate and verified updates and not rely on any hearsay or unofficial sources. TV channels and internet media channels are also advised accordingly," ECI further said in its press note. (ANI)
The Association of Indian Universities (AIU) has suspended the membership of Al-Falah University, Faridabad, citing concerns over the institution's lack of "good standing," and has directed the university to immediately remove the AIU name and logo from all platforms. The decision comes after two of its practising doctors are suspected of being involved in the November 10 blast incident in New Delhi. In an official communication sent to the University, the AIU noted that membership remains valid only as long as a university continues to meet the standards outlined in the organisation's bye-laws. "It is intimated that, as per the Bye-laws of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), all universities shall be treated as members as long as they remain in good standing. However, as per media reports, it has come to notice that Al-Falah University, Faridabad, Haryana does not appear to be in good standing," the AIU stated. Accordingly, the AIU said the university's membership had been suspended with immediate effect. "Further, it is informed that Al-Falah University, Faridabad, Haryana is not authorized to use the name or logo of AIU in any of its activities, and the AIU logo must be removed from the university's official website forthwith," the communication added. The association also directed the university to take all necessary steps to comply with the order. Al-Falah University has come under the brunt after two of its practising doctors are suspected of being involved in the blast incident in New Delhi. Earlier, the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) issued a show-cause notice to Al-Falah University, claiming that its website still displays NAAC accreditation status for two of its colleges, despite the status having expired. The college accreditation body has sought a reply within seven days from Al-Falah University. NAAC said that Al-Falah School of Engineering and Technology, was Cycle-1 accredited with "Grade 'A' with CGPA 3.08 out of 4.00" from March 23, 2013 to March 22, 2018, and Department of Teacher Education, Al-Falah School of Education and Training, was Cycle-1 accredited with "Grade 'A' with CGPA 3.16 out of 4.00" from March 27, 2011 to 26, March 2016. "Both of the above Colleges' accreditation statuses have expired. Both of the above Colleges have not yet volunteered for the Cycle-2 Assessment and Accreditation (A&A) process of NAAC," the accreditation body said in the notice. NAAC called the University's accreditation claim on their website "absolutely wrong and misleading the public, especially the parents, students and stakeholders." Demanding a reply, NAAC asked, "Why has action deemed appropriate, including legal, not be initiated against the Al-Falah University? Why should the University not be disqualified for future consideration for Assessment and Accreditation (A&A) by NAAC? Why should the NAAC not recommend to the UGC to withdraw the Al-Falah University's recognition under section 2(f) and 12B of the UGC? Why should the NAAC not recommend to the NMC to withdraw the NMC recognition for Al-Falah University's NMC-recognised programmes?" "Why should the NAAC not recommend to the NCTE to withdraw the NCTE recognition for Al-Falah University's NCTE-recognised programmes? Why should the NAAC not recommend to the State Government (Government of Haryana) to initiate action deemed appropriate against the Al-Falah University? Why should the NAAC not recommend to the AICTE to withdraw the AICTE recognition for Al-Falah University's AICTE-recognised programmes?" the accreditation body added. Asking the University to respond within seven days, NAAC also demanded they "remove the NAAC accreditation details from your website and any other publicly available/distributed documents and report back to NAAC that the above is complied with." As per NAAC, the University website said, "Al-Falah University is an endeavour of Al-Falah Charitable Trust, which has been running three colleges on the campus, namely Al-Falah School of Engineering and Technology (since 1997, Graded A by NAAC), Brown Hill College of Engineering and Technology (since 2008), and Al-Falah School of Education and Training (since 2006, Graded A by NAAC)." Meanwhile, the University made the headlines after it was revealed that Dr Umar, who was driving the car that exploded near the historic Red Fort, used to live in Al-Falah Medical College. Al-Falah University has distanced itself from Dr Umar and Dr Muzammil, saying that the University has no connection with the accused apart from them working in their official capacities, and no questionable chemical or material is being used or stored within the University premises. On November 10, a car explosion near the Red Fort complex in the national capital killed 12 and left several injured. (ANI)
Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Thursday said that the state government's approval for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) march came following directions from the High Court, emphasising that it was a "one-time permission" with strict conditions attached. Speaking to reporters, Kharge stated that the RSS had not originally sought formal permission from the state government but had merely informed authorities about their planned event. "The government has given permission to the RSS in the High Court. The RSS had not sought any permission from the government. They had informed the government that they were doing a march... It has taken them one month to get the government's permission," Kharge said. The minister added that the court's directive was followed precisely, but with clear restrictions to maintain law and order during the march. "Very specific instructions have been given to the RSS that no more than 300 members, no more than 55 band members, and no one from outside Sitapur will be allowed. Most importantly, they can't do as they deem fit. It is a one-time permission," Kharge added. Earlier today, the Karnataka High Court disposed of a petition filed by the RSS Kalaburagi Convenor, who had sought permission to hold a Pathasanchalana (march) in Chittapur town. The district administration had earlier allowed only 300 participants, while the RSS had requested permission for 850 members. Advocate Arun Shyam, representing the RSS, challenged this limit in court and asked that at least 600 participants be allowed. After hearing both sides, Justice MGS Kamal ruled that the RSS could hold its procession with 300 uniformed participants and 50 band members and directed the authorities to ensure the event went smoothly. This decision follows an earlier court order on October 30, when the High Court had asked RSS convenor Ashok Patil to meet district officials on November 5 at the Advocate General's office to finalise the event's details. The district administration later granted permission with certain restrictions, which led the RSS to approach the court again, seeking more flexibility. The issue began when local authorities in Chittapur, the home constituency of Minister Priyank Kharge, denied permission for the RSS march on October 19, citing possible threats to peace and law and order. Earlier, Priyank Kharge demanded a ban on RSS activities in government schools, colleges, and state-owned temples. He said that permissions should not be granted for activities outside the syllabus in government schools and colleges. (ANI)
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal met Vladimir Ilyichev, Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, for the 26th Meeting of the India-Russia Working Group on Trade & Economic Cooperation under the aegis of the Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC). According to a release from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the two sides reviewed bilateral trade, which has risen to well over twice the leaders' 2014 benchmark of US$25 billion, and took note of the shared objective of US$100 billion by 2030. A forward-looking protocol for trade and economic cooperation across multiple sectors was finalised and signed during the meeting. The Commerce Secretary highlighted the potential for expanding and deepening trade and proposed confidence-building measures to unlock market access. The issues included expedited listing of Indian establishments and a systems-based approach with FSVPS in agriculture, especially marine products and a time-bound pathway in pharmaceuticals covering registration, regulatory reliance, and predictable timelines. The Working Group noted the potential cooperation for expansion of trade across engineering goods, chemicals & plastics, electronics, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, leather, and textiles, and mapped Indian product strengths in engineering goods, smartphones, motor vehicles, gems & jewellery, organic chemicals, textiles, and the leather sector that can support Russia's trade de-risking and diversification. In the services sector, the Indian side encouraged the greater procurement of Indian IT-BPM, healthcare, education, and creative services by Russian entities, alongside predictable mobility for Indian professionals to address labour shortages in the Russian market. India's Global Capability Centre (GCC) ecosystem, around 45% of global GCCs, with over 1,700 centres employing nearly 1.9 million professionals, was presented as a ready platform for Russian companies to strengthen business continuity, cybersecurity, design and analytics, and shared services, enhancing resilience in both goods and services supply chains, the release stated. The Indian side took note of the Russian interest in concluding a bilateral investment treaty. Both sides agreed to explore payment solutions that meet the needs of businesses, particularly medium, small, and micro enterprises. According to the release, India and Russia reaffirmed their special and privileged strategic partnership, a relationship that has stood the test of time. The discussions set a forward agenda centred on trade diversification, de-risking and resilient supply chains in goods and services trade, and diversification of production and supply, aligned to the 2030 trade objective and a stronger, more balanced economic engagement. (ANI)
In the virtual presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the inauguration ceremony of Motibhai R. Chaudhary Sagar Sainik School and the Sagar Organic Plant was held at Boriavi in Mehsana district. According to an official release, on this occasion, Shah, joining virtually, conveyed heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the Delhi bomb blast and paid homage to the victims. He affirmed that the government is resolute in ensuring the harshest punishment for those responsible for such acts. He further stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's fight against terrorism has been acknowledged globally, and the Prime Minister's leadership stands prominently recognised on the international stage. Speaking at the inauguration of the Sagar Sainik School, he said that Motibhai Chaudhary's simplicity and ideal life have become guiding examples for leaders of the cooperative sector. Due to the hard work of many cooperative leaders, today the doors of prosperity have opened for farmers, animal husbandry farmers, and rural villages across the country and state, he said. Home Minister said that under the Prime Minister's vision, 100 new Sainik Schools have been established in the country through the PPP model, enabling children to join the defence forces. Speaking at the inauguration of the Organic Plant at Kheralu, he said that this plant will improve not only farmers' income but also the health of citizens. With a globally trusted brand like Amul, there will be global demand for its products, which will lead to prosperity for farmers engaged in natural farming. He also appealed to farmers to use organic products for their families. Speaking about the cooperative model of Dudhsagar Dairy, the Union Minister said that starting from 3,300 litres in 1960, today this dairy processes 35 lakh litres of milk, and with ten lakh producers and a turnover of 8,000 crore rupees, the women of the state have become self-reliant and are strengthening the country's economy and contributing to national development. He said that Dudhsagar Dairy and Banas Dairy are models of cooperative transformation in the economy. He also spoke about the visit of 50 Members of Parliament to Banaskantha to understand the state's dairy model. He spoke in detail about several new dimensions in the country's cooperative sector and various innovative initiatives that strengthen rural areas through the cooperative movement. The Union Minister welcomed the relief package announced by the state government due to unseasonal rains and congratulated the Chief Minister and the Cabinet Ministers for declaring this generous package. He stated that during this challenging time for farmers, the government has stood firmly with them and announced an unprecedented package, earning the gratitude and blessings of the farmers. Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel stated that the unseasonal rains had caused significant damage in Gujarat, prompting the double-engine government to announce a relief package of Rs 10,000 crore to support farmers. While acknowledging that this assistance may not resolve every challenge, he affirmed that it will provide meaningful relief. He emphasised that both the central and state governments have consistently stood firmly with farmers in times of adversity. Furthermore, talking about procurement at Minimum Support Price (MSP), he said that according to MSP, 25% of any commodity can be purchased based on production, but after a representation to the Prime Minister, a relaxation in procurement has also been given to the farmers, and a quantity allowing the purchase of 125 maunds of groundnut per farmer has been approved, which will benefit the farmers. The Chief Minister said that through Operation Sindoor, the Prime Minister has introduced India's military strength to the world. This year, several festivals symbolising national pride are being celebrated--Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's 150th birth anniversary, Bhagwan Birsa Munda's 150th birth anniversary, Vande Mataram@150, the centenary year of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and 75 years of the adoption of the Constitution. The inauguration of the Sainik School by Dudhsagar Dairy is a proud moment that enhances the spirit of nationalism. (ANI)
Security and logistical preparations for the 78th Tablighi Ijtema in Itkhedi, scheduled from November 14 to 17, have been finalised, officials said on Thursday. The annual congregation draws lakhs of participants from across India and abroad, making it one of the largest Islamic gatherings in the country. The authorities have deployed an extensive security apparatus, with coordinated arrangements by Bhopal Rural and Bhopal City police, district administrations, and traffic units to ensure smooth conduct of the four-day event. DIG Rajesh Chandel said that forces from multiple units have been mobilised to manage the expected footfall. "This is the 78th year of the Tablighi Ijtema... It's a huge event... Currently, we have around 3,000 people coming from outside, and in addition, our Bhopal Rural and Bhopal City forces will be additional forces to make the necessary arrangements. Therefore, our force will be around 4-5,000," he told ANI. He added that traffic and crowd-control measures have been put in place on all approach routes leading to Itkhedi. "Separate arrangements will be made by all the SPs and districts on the routes leading to this event to control the crowds and prevent hold-ups... We are confident that we will conduct this event peacefully and in an organised manner, without causing any significant disturbance," Chandel said. Meanwhile, the organising committee has said that all logistical and accommodation arrangements for the large congregation have been finalised. A massive volunteer force and multi-layered surveillance measures have been put in place as lakhs of participants from India and abroad are expected to attend the four-day event. Umar Hafiz, Media Coordinator of the Ijtema Committee, told ANI that systems are fully functional. "All preparations have been completed. We even conducted a mock test today, so everything is functional and there are no shortcomings of any kind," he said. He added that arrangements have been made to streamline entry and registration for participants. "There are five registration counters for people coming from different parts of the country. They are also registered and then provided with accommodation. Our internal capacity is for approximately 1 lakh 80,000 people," he said. According to the committee, nearly 35,000 volunteers have been deployed to manage crowd movement, logistics, and internal coordination. "Security is a state subject, so the state has established various companies here. Police companies are working around the clock for security. We also have volunteers to assist them. We also have a surveillance team. If we see any suspicious person or suspicious object, we have specific instructions to immediately inform the police," Hafiz added. (ANI)
The Department of Fertilizers in active coordination with Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare undertook a comprehensive drive during Kharif and ongoing Rabi season 2025-26 (April to November) to protect farmer interests and secure the national fertilizer supply chain, a release said. Secretary DA & FW and Secretary Fertilizers,held several joint meetings with the State Governments. Working in close coordination with State Governments, effective enforcement action on an unprecedented scale including raids, inspections, and legal measures to curb black marketing, hoarding, and diversion of fertilizers has been taken by the district authorities. These proactive and strict steps taken by the State Governments ensured timely availability, reinforced market discipline, and upheld the integrity of fertilizer distribution across all regions of the country, it added. A total of 3,17,054 inspections and raids were conducted across the country to monitor the distribution network. These operations led to the issuance of 5,119 show cause notices for black marketing, resulting in the cancellation or suspension of 3,645 licenses and the registration of 418 FIRs nationwide. The campaign against hoarding produced 667 show cause notices, 202 license suspensions/cancellations, and 37 FIRs. To check diversion, authorities served 2,991 show cause notices, cancelled/suspended 451 licenses, and registered 92 FIRs. All enforcement actions were executed under the Essential Commodities Act and the Fertilizer Control Order, ensuring strict compliance and accountability. Several States adopted a holistic approach with multidimensional interventions. Uttar Pradesh led the drive, carrying out 28,273 inspections, issuing 1,957 show cause notices for black marketing, and cancelling or suspending 2,730 licenses, along with 157 FIRs. Bihar, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Haryana, Punjab, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Gujarat were among other states that demonstrated robust enforcement, deploying large-scale inspection teams, extensive monitoring, and prompt legal action. Maharashtra's campaign included 42,566 inspections and over 1,000 license cancellations for diversion-related violations; Rajasthan conducted 11,253 inspections with comprehensive action across different categories, and Bihar executed nearly 14,000 inspections and more than 500 license suspensions. These initiatives prevented artificial shortages and price manipulation during the peak agricultural season. Enforcement teams, in coordination with State Governments, issued 3,544 show cause notices in cases of suspected sub-standard fertilizers, resulting in 1,316 license cancellations or suspensions and 60 FIRs as a part of strict adherence to the Fertilizer Control Order, 1985. Regular sampling and rigorous testing were conducted at multiple levels to eliminate sub-standard material from the supply chain, thereby ensuring that only fertilizers meeting prescribed standards reached the end users. Through these sustained quality checks, central and state authorities continued to protect farmer interests and uphold the integrity of India's fertilizer distribution network State-level authorities, leveraging digital dashboards and coordinated resource deployment, ensured real-time monitoring of stock movement, swift redirection of seized or hoarded fertilizers to cooperative societies, and rapid response to complaints from farmers. The Department of Fertilizers commends the outstanding efforts of state and district administrations, agricultural officers, and law enforcement agencies for their proactive, sustained vigilance and prompt action. Farmers, dealers, and stakeholders are urged to continue reporting irregularities and support transparent and lawful fertilizer distribution. The Department remains committed to ensuring the availability and integrity of fertilizers and calls on all citizens to remain alert and responsive, it added. (ANI)
EAM discussed bilateral ties, connectivity and energy with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan.

"Met with FM Prince @FaisalbinFarhan of Saudi Arabia. Our interaction covered bilateral ties, regional hotspots, connectivity and energy."

https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1988661144710676676?s=20

In a post on X, the Saudi Foreign Minister said that during the meeting, they reviewed the bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to enhance and develop them across various fields. They also discussed the latest regional and international developments and issues of mutual interest.

https://x.com/KSAmofaEN/status/1988651860677255620?s=20

EAM Jaishankar also met Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.

"A useful conversation with FM Ukraine @andrii_sybiha in the midst of the G7 FMM Outreach session. He shared Ukraine's perspective on recent developments", he wrote on X.

https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1988670597346521237?s=20

He also met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Niagara on Wednesday.

In a post on X, Jaishankar said, "Good to meet @SecRubio this morning at #G7 FMM. Appreciate his condolences on the loss of lives in the blast in Delhi."

The meeting was part of a series of high-level diplomatic engagements held by Jaishankar during the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

On Tuesday, he met his counterparts from Canada, Mexico, France, Brazil, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Germany, further advancing India's diplomatic outreach at the multilateral forum.

India is attending the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting as an invited partner under Canada's presidency, alongside countries such as Brazil, Australia, and South Korea.

The discussions underscore India's active role in global diplomacy and its engagement on key issues, including trade, security, and development.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Ministry of External Affairs said Jaishankar's participation highlights India's "continued commitment" to working with global partners.

"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," the MEA stated. (ANI)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday (local time) called the blast which took place in Delhi on Monday evening to 'clearly' be a 'terrorist attack'. He praised the country's professionalism in handling the investigation. Rubio made the remarks while responding to a media query on India declaring the blast in Delhi on Monday as a "terror incident". "The Indians need to be commended. They've been very measured, cautious and very professional on how they're carrying out this investigation. That investigation continues. It clearly was a terrorist attack. It was a car loaded with highly explosive materials that detonated and killed a lot of people." He added, "I think they are doing a very good job of carrying out an investigation and I think when they'll have facts, they'll release those facts." The US Secretary of State shared that he spoke with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar about the blast. Rubio stated that while the US offered to help, India is "very capable" of handling the investigation and doesn't need help. "We are aware of the potential it has and we spoke a little about it today- the potential it has to become something broader. We are going to await to see what the investigation reveals. We have offered to help but I think they are very capable on these investigations. They don't need our help and they are doing a good job", he said. EAM Jaishankar and Secretary Rubio met on the sidelines of the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meet in Niagara, Canada. During their discussion, Rubio expressed condolences for the lives lost in the recent Delhi blast. The meeting also covered bilateral ties along with global developments. Following the blast near the iconic Red Fort, a link to a "white-collar terror network" has surfaced in the preliminary investigation, with the probe agencies finding links of the terror incident with Pakistan-based outfits Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGH). The network, which allegedly involved doctors and clerics, was dismantled following a series of coordinated operations between October 19 and November 10, 2025, resulting in the recovery of 2,921 kilograms of explosives and many arrests. On Wednesday, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressed its profound grief over the loss of lives in the terrorist incident involving a car explosion near the Red Fort in Delhi on Monday evening. The Cabinet directed that the investigation into the terror incident be pursued with the utmost urgency and professionalism so that the perpetrators and their collaborators and brought to justice. The resolution said that the country has witnessed a heinous terror incident, perpetrated by anti-national forces, through a car explosion near the Red Fort on the evening of November 10. The explosion resulted in multiple fatalities and caused injuries to several others. "The Cabinet directs that the investigation into the incident be pursued with the utmost urgency and professionalism so that the perpetrators, their collaborators, and their sponsors are identified and brought to justice without delay," it added. The National Investigation Agency is carrying out investigations into the Delhi blast case. (ANI)
The United States Congress on Wednesday (local time) approved the federal funding package to reopen the government after a record 43-day shutdown, sending the bill to President Donald Trump for his signature. The President will be signing the funding bill on camera from the Oval Office, as per the White House. According to CNN, the measure ends the longest-ever government shutdown in US history, following weeks of bitter political deadlock over an Obamacare-related programme opposed by Republicans. After the bill was passed by the US Senate earlier this week, the US House of Representatives passed the funding bill by a vote of 222 to 209, with nearly all Republicans and a handful of Democrats voting in favour. The legislation ensures that government operations resume immediately and sets up a new funding deadline of January 30, although several key programmes--including SNAP, WIC, and veterans' services--will remain funded through the end of fiscal year 2026, as reported by CNN. Six Democrats have crossed party lines to back the bill, including Representatives Jared Golden, Adam Gray, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Henry Cuellar, Tom Suozzi, and Don Davis. Meanwhile, Republican Representatives Thomas Massie and Greg Steube voted against it. While the bill averts further disruption to essential services, most Democrats expressed frustration over its failure to secure an extension of expiring enhanced health care subsidies that help Americans pay for insurance premiums, as reported by CNN. US House Speaker Mike Johnson managed to unite most Republicans behind the measure, despite internal backlash over a controversial Senate provision that allows senators to sue the US Department of Justice for obtaining their phone records during a Biden-era investigation -- potentially yielding payouts exceeding USD 500,000 or more per violation, CNN reported. "I was shocked by it; I was angry about it," Speaker Johnson said, as quoted by CNN, adding that he was unaware of the language until after the Senate passed the bill. Johnson vowed to revisit and remove the provision in a future House vote. With the government reopening, lawmakers now face a packed legislative calendar before year-end, including decisions on expiring Obamacare subsidies, the farm bill, and energy credits, as per CNN. (ANI)
Finland's Ambassador to India, Kimmo Lahdevirta, has said that Moscow has shown no signs of ending its invasion of Ukraine, adding that the conflict remains a significant concern for all of Europe "This is an important topic for all of Europe, including Finland," Lahdevirta said when asked if Ukraine is losing territory to Russia and whether Kyiv still has a chance to stop President Vladimir Putin. "We, of course, would like to see the war end as soon as possible. Unfortunately, it seems that Russia is not willing to stop the war yet," he told ANI. The ambassador was attending an exclusive interactive session on 'Strengthening India-Finland Collaboration', held in Kolkata on Wednesday. His comments come as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy intensifies diplomatic efforts to secure more international support, with fresh sanctions on Moscow from Western allies. Zelenskyy said he met a group of US senators, including Lindsey Graham, Jeanne Shaheen, Richard Blumenthal, Amy Klobuchar, Sheldon Whitehouse, Michael Bennet, Adam Schiff, and Dick Durbin, to discuss the front-line situation and the urgent need for air defence systems. "I briefed them on the situation at the front, particularly in Pokrovsk, and on our weapons needs," Zelenskyy posted on X. "We had a substantive discussion on increasing pressure on Russia, including through sanctions legislation in the US Congress." https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1988735240794427681 He also thanked the senators for their bipartisan support and expressed personal gratitude to US President Donald Trump for his "dedicated efforts in pursuit of peace." Zelenskyy also said the discussions covered efforts to return Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, noting that US First Lady Melania Trump has been involved in the initiative. Across Europe, allies moved to increase economic pressure on Moscow. Zelenskyy thanked the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Keir Starmer for their "continued humanitarian and energy support," including a newly announced energy assistance package. The UK also unveiled a maritime services ban targeting Russian LNG (liquefied natural gas) trade, a measure designed to hit Moscow's key revenue source. Canada followed with new sanctions against Russia's drone programs, hybrid warfare infrastructure, LNG trade, and over 100 shadow fleet vessels.The move aligns with G7 efforts to isolate Russia economically. Zelenskyy called the decision "a strong step and an investment in peace." https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1988683531770318981 But Ukraine continues to face devastating Russian strikes. Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk last week said the country endured "one of the largest direct ballistic attacks on energy facilities" since the start of the war, CNN reported. Nine Ukrainian regions came under attack overnight on Saturday last week, forcing Ukrainian authorities to impose emergency power cuts across most areas. Grynchuk said hourly outages were later introduced to help citizens plan around power shortages. At least 15 civilians were killed in Russian attacks over the weekend. In Dnipro, three people died and 12 were injured when a Russian drone struck a nine-storey apartment building, according to Ukrainian officials, as per CNN. (ANI)
Pakistan's parliament has passed a constitutional amendment granting life-long legal immunity to its army chief while expanding his powers and curbing those of the Supreme Court, a move the opposition said has "sunk the ship of democracy" in the country. The National Assembly approved the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill with more than a two-thirds majority, with 234 lawmakers voting in favour and only four opposing it, according to Dawn. The 59-clause bill had been cleared by the Senate earlier this week, receiving 64 votes in favour with no opposition votes as opposition benches boycotted proceedings. Dawn reported that the bill will now be sent back to the Senate for reconsideration of minor amendments, after which it will move to President Asif Ali Zardari for assent. Under the amendment, Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff will also hold the title of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), making the position the formal head of Pakistan's army, navy, and air force. The bill also preserves honorary military titles such as Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force, and Admiral of the Fleet as lifetime designations. The change places General Asim Munir at the centre of Pakistan's defence structure, giving the army chief broader constitutional recognition and influence than any of his predecessors. The amendment further establishes a new Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) to handle constitutional cases, effectively reducing the role of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, which in recent years has blocked government policies and removed sitting prime ministers, as per Dawn. Judges of the new court will be appointed by the government, and it will function separately from the existing Supreme Court. According to the report, the title of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) will remain with the current officeholder, but future appointments will define the CJP as the senior-most judge among the chief justices of both the Supreme Court and the new FCC. The new court will also be barred from ratifying acts of high treason, a clause critics say shields state institutions, including the military, from accountability. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), founded by the jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, staged a walkout before the vote, tearing up copies of the bill in protest. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said the government had "sunk the ship of democracy and judicial independence." He added, "They introduced another amendment that we're only seeing for the first time. In Article 260, there are definitions for everything... but they added a new subclause without due debate." Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif defended the passage of the bill, saying parliament had shown "solidarity and national unity." (ANI)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has indicated that Moscow is ready to resume preparations for a Russia-US summit meeting over Ukraine, state media reported. A meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin planned in the Hungarian capital of Budapest did not materialise last month. "We are still ready to hold the second Russian-US summit in Budapest, if it really relies on the work on Alaska results. The date has not been agreed. Russian-US contacts continue," Lavrov said as reported by TASS which cited his interview with Italy's Corriere della Sera, which the Russian state media said has refused to publish it. As per a report in the Financial Times Russia had sent a memo to the US listing hardline demands, which forced officials in Washington to cancel the Putin-Trump Budapest meeting. According to TASS, Lavrov said the newspaper report contained many instances of false information. The Russian Foreign Minister claimed the memo was meant to remind the US side of what had been discussed and agreed upon between the Russian and US leaders during their meeting in Alaska earlier in August. Lavrov said that the newspaper "distorted the essence and the sequence of events to blame Moscow and misdirect Donald Trump of the path he has offered, i.e. a path toward a sustainable and lasting peace rather than an immediate ceasefire, where Zelensky's European sponsors, who are obsessed with an idea of taking a breather and flooding the Nazi regime with weapons to continue the war against Russia, are seeking to drag him into." On October 16, Trump had a phone conversation with Putin and both leaders agreed to meet in Budapest, Hungary for a second summit this year. Both sides had confirmed that Lavrov and the US Secretary of State Rubio would coordinate ahead of the meeting.The two leaders had earlier this year in August met in Anchorage, Alaska. (ANI)
The US Department of the Treasury has imposed sanctions on an Indian company among 31 global entities and individuals for allegedly supplying materials to Iran's ballistic missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programmes. Iran's procurement networks were specifically targeted for acquiring chemical precursors used in solid rocket propellants, which are essential for ballistic missile production, the US Treasury department said in a statement on Wednesday. The action announced by the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), is part of a wider sanctions package targeting 32 individuals and entities across Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Turkiye, China, Hong Kong, India, Germany, and Ukraine, the statement read. The department said these companies were part of multiple procurement networks that support Iran's weapons production efforts. Among the newly sanctioned entities is India-based Farmlane Private Limited, which OFAC said operated under the direction of UAE-based MVM Amici Trading LLC and was controlled by German national Marco Klinge. OFAC said Klinge "serves as the director of India-based Farmlane Private Limited (Farmlane) and as the chief executive officer of Germany-based EVA Handelsgesellschaft UG (EVA)." According to the US Treasury, Klinge "has been responsible for the partnership's procurement from India and China" and "has liaised between the partnership and suppliers including OFAC-designated China Chlorate Tech Co Limited (CCT)." The department said Klinge and his network "coordinated the procurement of ballistic missile propellant ingredients--including sodium chlorate, sodium perchlorate, and sebacic acid--from China on behalf of Parchin Chemical Industries (PCI)." "Across the globe, Iran exploits financial systems to launder funds, procure components for its nuclear and conventional weapons programs, and support its terrorist proxies," said John K Hurley, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence. "At the direction of President Trump, we are putting maximum pressure on Iran to end its nuclear threat. The United States also expects the international community to fully implement UN snapback sanctions on Iran to cut off its access to the global financial system," Hurley said. According to the US Treasury, the Indian company was part of a broader network known as the MVM Partnership, which, since 2023, has procured hundreds of metric tonnes of missile propellant ingredients such as sodium chlorate, sodium perchlorate, and sebacic acid from China. These materials are used to manufacture ammonium perchlorate, a key component in solid propellant rocket motors for ballistic missiles. The sanctions were issued under Executive Order 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their supporters, and Executive Order 13224, which targets terrorist organisations and those providing them material support, the US Treasury's statement said. OFAC said the action is intended to disrupt the procurement of missile propellant precursors and prevent those involved from accessing the US financial system. The latest designations also support the reimposition of United Nations sanctions on Iran, which took effect on September 27, following Tehran's continued non-compliance with its international commitments, the US Treasury's statement added. "These networks pose a threat to US and allied personnel in the Middle East and to commercial shipping in the Red Sea," the Treasury statement read, adding that "as Iran seeks to reconstitute its proliferation-sensitive capabilities destroyed following the 12-Day War, OFAC is acting to disrupt those efforts." The sanctions freeze all assets of the listed entities under US jurisdiction and prohibit any transactions with US persons or financial institutions. Meanwhile, according to a recent report in the New York Times, Iran is accelerating its missile production with the stated goal of being able to fire 2,000 missiles at once in any future confrontation with Israel. US President Donald Trump's has restored his "maximum pressure" campaign on Iran, which reportedly includes using the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) as a tool to tighten financial restrictions on Tehran to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon. In June this year Israel and US had bombed Iran's nuclear sites. According to the November 12 US Treasury Departmet release, the United States will continue to use all available means, including sanctions on entities based in third countries, to expose, disrupt, and counter Iran's procurement of equipment and items for its ballistic missile and UAV programs, which jeopardize regional security and international stability. (ANI)
Port Sudan, Sudan (PANA) - The G7 Foreign Ministers have strongly condemned the Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), accusing them of committing atrocities and often ethnically-motivated crimes, against unarmed civilians and aid workers, particularly in El Fasher and North Kordofan
The third edition of the Creative Economy Forum (CEF) opened last week at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) in the national capital, bringing together some of India's most influential creative thinkers, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and innovators. The event underscored a shared vision of 'Creative Bharat'--an economy where culture, innovation, and entrepreneurship converge to drive sustainable growth. Supported by the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Ministry of Tourism, and the AI Impact Summit of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the two-day forum at IGNCA, located at Janpath, served as a flagship platform for India's creative and cultural industries. With IGNCA as the venue partner, CEF 2025 featured high-level dialogues, keynote addresses, and spotlight sessions exploring the intersections of film, fashion, design, art, technology, and policy. This year's edition centred around the theme "Building Creative Bharat. "CEF was founded on three key pillars -- policy, business and creativity -- and this season continues to strengthen those links," said Supriya Suri, Founder of the Creative Economy Forum and a film director-producer. "Through CEF, we aim to showcase the business of creativity and highlight India's expanding global influence in the creative economy." Echoing the sentiment, Harman Baweja, actor, producer, and entrepreneur, noted, "India's creative sector is on the brink of exponential growth. Today, creative entrepreneurs are building intellectual properties with tangible commercial value. CEF provides the perfect space to share, collaborate, and nurture this wave of creative entrepreneurship." Adding an industry perspective, Avarna Jain, Chairperson of the RPSG Group, said, "India's creative economy is a force multiplier for innovation, cultural diplomacy and employment. Platforms like CEF foster dialogues that attract both recognition and investment into the creative ecosystem." Among the notable voices at the forum were Sanjeev Sanyal, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister; Dr Sachchidanand Joshi of IGNCA; Rajat Sharma of India TV; Amish Tripathi; Rina Dhaka; Rajiv Chilaka; and several others, alongside international experts such as Gayle McPherson and Marie McPartlin from the UK. Established in 2022, the Creative Economy Forum has quickly emerged as India's leading platform for strengthening the country's creative and cultural sectors, bridging the gap between government, academia, and industry to position India as a global creative powerhouse. (ANI)
Singapore on Thursday strongly condemned the car explosion near New Delhi's Red Fort on November 10, expressing solidarity with India during what it described as a difficult time. Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said in a post on X, "Singapore strongly condemns the terror incident involving a car explosion near New Delhi's Red Fort on 10 Nov. Heartfelt condolences to the families of victims. May those injured recover soon. Singapore stands in solidarity with India in this difficult time." US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday (local time) said the blast in Delhi was "clearly" a "terrorist attack" and praised India's professionalism in handling the investigation. Rubio made the remarks while responding to a query on India declaring the explosion a "terror incident". He also said the US had "offered to help, but I think they (India) are very capable on these investigations". "We are aware of the potential it has and we spoke a little about it today -- the potential it has to become something broader. We are going to await to see what the investigation reveals. We have offered to help but I think they are very capable on these investigations. They don't need our help and they are doing a good job," he said. Following the blast near the historic Red Fort, a link to a "white-collar terror network" has surfaced in the preliminary investigation. Probe agencies have found connections between the incident and Pakistan-based groups Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGH). The network, which allegedly involved doctors and clerics, was dismantled in coordinated operations between October 19 and November 10, leading to the recovery of 2,921 kilograms of explosives and several arrests. On Wednesday, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressed profound grief over the loss of lives in the "heinous terror incident" involving the car explosion. The Cabinet directed that the investigation be pursued with "the utmost urgency and professionalism" so that the perpetrators, collaborators, and sponsors are brought to justice without delay. The National Investigation Agency is carrying out the probe into the Delhi blast case. Several countries have extended condolences following the explosion. On Tuesday, China conveyed sympathies to those affected, with Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian saying in a post on X, "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 a speedy recovery." Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov also expressed shock over the incident. "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," he posted on X. The blast occurred around 7 pm near the Subhash Marg traffic signal close to the Red Fort and involved a slow-moving Hyundai i20 car that exploded on Monday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said. The explosion damaged nearby vehicles, and Shah noted that "all possibilities" were being explored as multiple agencies investigate the cause and motive behind the attack. 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 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)
The International Crime Tribunal (ICT) of Bangladesh on Thursday announced that it will deliver its verdict on November 17 in the case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who faces charges of crimes against humanity, including murder, related to the July uprising last year. The verdict by the ICT comes amid a nationwide lockdown called by Hasina's Bangladesh Awami League, disrupting normal life across the country, including in the capital, Dhaka. Security forces, including the army and police, have been deployed at airports and key installations nationwide following the announcement of a nationwide dawn-to-dusk lockdown by the political party today. Since the interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus as Chief Adviser, has banned the activities of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations, party leaders have been announcing the programme through social media from undisclosed locations. Over the past two days, there have been reports of vehicle arson and crude bomb (cocktail) explosions in various parts of Bangladesh, including Dhaka. Awami League supporters have also held flash rallies across the nation. Meanwhile, police have launched operations nationwide to arrest party leaders and activists, while security forces have set up checkpoints and vehicle searches on major roads. In July 2024, a student-led uprising toppled Sheikh Hasina's government in Bangladesh. On August 5, 2024, the former Prime Minister fled to India, and an interim government was subsequently formed under the leadership of Muhammad Yunus as Chief Adviser. According to a United Nations report, around 1,400 people may have died during the July protests. Sheikh Hasina's administration originally established the International Crimes Tribunal to prosecute crimes against humanity committed during Bangladesh's 1971 Liberation War against Pakistan. The tribunal previously tried several Jamaat-e-Islami leaders accused of war crimes during Hasina's tenure. The current interim government has initiated legal proceedings against Sheikh Hasina in the same tribunal, following amendments to its legal framework. Testimonies in the case have been completed, and the tribunal is set to announce the verdict against the former Prime Minister on November 17. (ANI)
The United Kingdom will ban British shipping firms and insurers from facilitating the export of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) as part of new sanctions to choke Moscow's fossil fuel revenues, Politico reported. According to the Politico report, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper announced the measures on Tuesday (local time) during a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in Niagara, Canada. The UK had already banned the import of Russian LNG in 2023. However, Politico's report added that British firms have continued to provide maritime and insurance services for tankers carrying Russian LNG nearly four years after Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine. The new ban will be phased in during 2026 and is part of coordinated action with the European Union. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said the measure aligns with the EU's latest sanctions package, which will prohibit imports of Russian LNG under long-term contracts by January 1, 2027, and sooner for short-term deals, Politico reported The publication, in its report, also noted that the timeline means British firms will still be able to handle LNG shipments bound for Europe until the EU's import ban takes effect. After Russia's invasion in 2022, Europe's pipeline gas supply from Russia declined sharply, but LNG imports transported by sea rose to record levels. Citing a campaign group, Politico reported that one British company, Seapeak Maritime Glasgow Ltd, was identified by Razom We Stand as having facilitated around four million tonnes of LNG cargoes from Yamal LNG, Russia's Siberian export terminal, in the first half of 2025. This accounted for about 39 per cent of total shipments during that period. The Yamal terminal is the main export route for gas heading to Europe and is partly owned by TotalEnergies, the French fossil fuel company. Politico added that TotalEnergies' UK subsidiary supplies gas to the British public sector under an 8 billion pound contract. However, gas under this contract is procured on the domestic market, where the presence of Russian gas is unlikely. TotalEnergies has confirmed it complies with the UK's Russian LNG import ban. Svitlana Romanko, founder and executive director of Razom We Stand, welcomed the move, saying, "As missiles and drones continue to devastate Ukraine daily, the U.K. government's move to impose a maritime services ban on Russian LNG is a long-overdue and welcome step. Cutting off U.K. maritime support for Russian LNG exports will choke the revenues fuelling Putin's brutal war machine, revenues that have sustained atrocities from the start." The UK government is also providing an additional 13 million pounds to help repair Ukraine's energy network, which has suffered repeated Russian attacks throughout the conflict. It is not the first time the UK has acted against Russia's maritime network linked to energy exports. On June 13, 2024, the UK imposed its first sanctions on vessels in Putin's so-called "shadow fleet", which were used to secretly transport Russian oil and bypass UK and G7 restrictions, the Goverment of UK said in an earlier statement. The move sought to disrupt and increase the cost of Russia's attempts to evade international sanctions through covert maritime operations connected to its oil and LNG trade. The sanctions also targeted suppliers of munitions, machine tools, microelectronics, and logistics supporting Russia's military, including entities based in China, Israel, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkiye, as well as ships transporting military goods from North Korea to Russia. (ANI)
The Baloch National Movement (BNM) hosted a seminar in the Netherlands. Both the Baloch National Movement (BNM) and the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) had representatives present at the event to discuss the lasting impact of Baloch martyrs, in commemoration of Baloch Martyrs' Day, as indicated in a post shared by BNM on X. The speakers stressed that it is both a moral and national obligation for Baloch youth to comprehend the mission for which the martyrs sacrificed their lives, to uphold it, and to advocate for their national identity at every level. Featured speakers included the President and Vice President of the BNM Netherlands Chapter, as well as the PTM Europe Coordinator, as mentioned in BNM's post. They conveyed that the sacrifices made by Baloch martyrs were not mere reactions to oppression but were reflective of a profound and organised national awareness. The martyrs demonstrated that no amount of tyranny or oppression can extinguish a nation's desire for dignity and freedom. The speakers pointed out that the territory of Balochistan is hallowed by the sacrifices of countless known and unknown individuals who kept alive the vision of freedom, justice, and dignity for upcoming generations. They reminded those present that 13 November is not just a day of remembrance; it symbolises a persistent ideology, commitment, and continuity. It acts as a reminder that the quest for freedom necessitates sacrifice, with the martyrs of Balochistan laying the groundwork for that aspiration with their lives, as stated in the X post. During the event, PTM Europe Coordinator Malik Bazai remarked that, unfortunately, both the Baloch and Pashtun nations are oppressed by a state that functions outside the bounds of justice, humanity, and ethical standards. He honoured the Baloch martyrs, asserting that their sacrifices have bolstered the fight for Baloch freedom. "Throughout the world," he noted, "nations that pay tribute to their martyrs remain vibrant and proud. The Baloch and Pashtun peoples share a profound historical connection; we united in the past, stand united today, and will continue to stand united on every front. Our adversary is singular, and so is our goal," as quoted in BNM's post on X. (ANI)
Cambodia on Thursday expressed its "strong condemnation" of the unprovoked shooting by Thai military forces on Cambodian civilians, which it said resulted in "one civilian killed and three others injured, state media reported. The border clash between the forces of the two neighbouring countries comes after Thailand suspended a US-backed peace treaty signed with Cambodia during the ASEAN Summit after four Thai soldiers were injured in a landmine explosion in the border province of Si Sa Ket on Monday. Spokesperson of the Senate of Cambodia this morning in a statement said that on November 12 Thai forces launched a "brutal attack" on Cambodian civilians in Prey Chan village in the country's Banteay Meanchey province as reported by Cambodian news agency AKP. This incident "represents a serious violation of Cambodia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as a grave breach of international humanitarian law and the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter, ASEAN Charter and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC)," it said, adding that a formal protest was filed with Thailand. Thailand's Foreign Minister Sihasak Puangketkaew yesterday confirmed to foreign envoys that Thailand has "paused," or "suspended," the recent Joint Declaration with Cambodia, Thai news agency reported. Thai PM Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul who visited soldiers at a base near the Cambodian border where four soldiers were injured after a landmine incident was quoted by state media as saying that "incident violated past agreements" and declaring that the government will now do what we see fit, and that they are "no longer be bound by any conditions." Charnvirakul added that the Thai Foreign Ministry is preparing a letter of clarification to the US' Donald Trump administration, which served as a witness to the peace pact signed in Kuala Lumpur. Thailand army spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree said yesterday that Cambodian forces fired into the Thai territory at Baan Nong Ya Kaew of Sa Kaeo at around 4 pm and that Thai forces returned fire, Thai Public Broadcasting Service reported. Thailand and Cambodia had in October signed a peace treaty in the presence of US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during the Asean Summit. The two countries have long been in dispute over their 817-kilometre border, with recent tensions flaring into a military confrontation on July 24 this year. On July 28, Cambodia and Thailand had agreed to an unconditional ceasefire at a trilateral meeting hosted by Anwar following weeks of hostilities. (ANI)
Led by Shelly Chein, Chairperson of the Taiwan Non-Woven Fabrics Industry Association (TNFIA), the delegation toured the 1,000-acre integrated apparel park on Wednesday, gaining insight into BIAC's world-class manufacturing infrastructure, sustainability practices, and large-scale operations, according to a release.

The team visited Brandix Apparel Unit 1, the single largest ladies' innerwear manufacturing facility in India, and Teejay India, one of the country's largest fabric mills located within the park.

The delegation also toured BIAC's advanced environmental management facilities, including the Water Treatment Plant (WTP), which is capable of treating 60 million litres of raw water per day, and the Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP), which treats 56 million litres of effluent per day in compliance with stringent environmental standards.

Expressing appreciation for BIAC's sustainable and integrated operations, Shelly Chein said, "We were truly impressed by the scale and sustainability standards at Brandix India Apparel City. The park exemplifies how integrated ecosystems can drive global competitiveness while maintaining environmental responsibility. We look forward to exploring potential areas of collaboration."

G Rekha Rani, IAS, Commissioner, Handlooms & Textiles, Government of Andhra Pradesh, also joined the delegation and presented the state's robust textile ecosystem and investment opportunities.

"Andhra Pradesh is committed to strengthening its position as a leading textile and apparel hub in India. Integrated parks like Brandix India Apparel City exemplify the kind of sustainable and scalable infrastructure that attracts global investors and creates large-scale employment opportunities for our people," she said.

Speaking on the occasion, General Udaya Perera, Country Head - Brandix India Apparel City, said the visit underscores growing international interest in India's textile manufacturing capabilities.

"We are delighted to host the delegation from Taiwan and showcase how BIAC integrates sustainability, innovation, and scale to enable global apparel manufacturing. Our park represents a collaborative ecosystem that operates efficiently, responsibly, and with a shared purpose to drive industry growth," he said. (ANI)
The Kashmiri Pandit Heritage Foundation (KPHF-UK) marked Jammu and Kashmir Accession Day with a solemn and symbolic observance at the UK House of Commons, highlighting the enduring constitutional and historical legitimacy of the region's accession to India in 1947. Hosted by the Conservative MP for Harrow East, Bob Blackman, the event reaffirmed that the Instrument of Accession, signed by Maharaja Hari Singh on October 26, 1947, remains a binding constitutional document that legally and irrevocably established Jammu and Kashmir as an integral part of the Union of India. "Last Night, I was pleased to host the Jammu & Kashmir Accession Day event in Parliament, to commemorate the signing of the Instrument of Accession by Maharaja Hari Singh!" Blackman said in a post on X. https://x.com/BobBlackman/status/1988559515311079704?s=20 During the proceedings, Bob Blackman presented his personal copy of the Instrument of Accession and reiterated his continued parliamentary support for India's territorial sovereignty and the rights of the British Kashmiri diaspora to preserve and assert their authentic heritage, history, and identity. A briefing document circulated among Members of Parliament and lawmakers during the event stated unequivocally: "The accession is a lawful, settled constitutional fact and not subject to revisionist reinterpretation."Coinciding with Armistice Day, the commemoration also served as a moment of remembrance for all soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the World Wars and those who fought in defence of Jammu and Kashmir's accession to India. In a strong statement issued during the event, KPHF-UK condemned Mirpuri groups in the UK who, according to the foundation, "falsely claim Kashmiri identity and spread distorted narratives." The foundation further vowed to publicly challenge all forms of cultural appropriation and political disinformation that seek to silence or distort the voices of indigenous Kashmiri Pandits and other original communities of the region in Britain. Adding to the event's significance, Early Day Motion (EDM 2150) -- introduced in the UK Parliament and hosted by MP Blackman -- formally recognises the importance of Accession Day for British citizens of Jammu and Kashmir heritage. (ANI)
A young Baloch student has allegedly been detained by Pakistan's Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in Dera Ghazi Khan and is currently unaccounted for, amidst ongoing demonstrations against enforced disappearances throughout Balochistan, as reported by The Balochistan Post (TBP). On the night of November 2, CTD officials raided a residence in the Baloch Colony area and arrested Muhammad Ashraf, a student from Ghazi University. It is claimed that he was taken to an undisclosed location, with no details provided regarding his detention or any potential charges against him, according to TBP. Ashraf is reportedly the cousin of Rasheed Buzdar, a member of the Baloch Liberation Army's (BLA) Majeed Brigade, who died earlier this year in a confrontation with Pakistani forces in Nushki. Following Buzdar's death, residents reported that Pakistani armed forces conducted several raids on the family home and interrogated numerous relatives, as highlighted by TBP. On the same night, three additional Baloch students were also reportedly detained in the vicinity. Their identities have not been confirmed yet. In Quetta, the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) protest camp against enforced disappearances has reached its 5,996th day as of Tuesday. Family members of Sher Muhammad Marri, who vanished nearly a year ago, participated in the protest after arriving from Harnai. They stated that Pakistani armed forces apprehended him on December 15, 2024, at the Spaintangi checkpoint, forcibly removing him from a vehicle in front of his family. Since then, he has not been presented in any court, as noted by TBP. Nasrullah Baloch mentioned that the VBMP has handed Sher Muhammad's case over to both the Commission on Missing Persons and the Balochistan government, but "no substantial progress" has been observed. He called on authorities to ensure the return of all forcibly disappeared persons and to put an end to the practices of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Balochistan, as reported by TBP. (ANI)
Ireland on Thursday expressed condolences and solidarity with India over the terror blast near Delhi's iconic Red Fort on Monday evening that claimed at least 12 lives and left several injured. In a statement shared on X, the Ambassador of Ireland to India, Kevin Kelly, condemned the incident in the strongest terms, noting that terrorism has "no place in society", while conveying solidarity with the victims and their families. "Heartfelt condolences to the victims and speedy recovery to those injured in the Delhi terror attacks. Terrorism has no place in society. We strongly condemn all forms of terrorism and stand with the Indian people," Ambassador Kelly said. The Irish envoy's statement comes amid a wave of international condemnation following the explosion in the national capital earlier this week. Earlier today, Singapore strongly condemned the blast near Delhi's Red Fort, expressing solidarity with India during what it described as a difficult time. Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said in a post on X, "Singapore strongly condemns the terror incident involving a car explosion near New Delhi's Red Fort on 10 Nov. Heartfelt condolences to the families of victims. May those injured recover soon. Singapore stands in solidarity with India in this difficult time." On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the blast in Delhi was "clearly" a "terrorist attack" and praised India's professionalism in handling the investigation. Rubio made the remarks while responding to a query on India declaring the explosion a "terror incident". He also said the US had "offered to help, but I think they (India) are very capable of these investigations." "We are aware of the potential it has, and we spoke a little about it today - the potential it has to become something broader. We are going to wait to see what the investigation reveals. We have offered to help, but I think they are very capable of these investigations. They don't need our help, and they are doing a good job," he said. The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday expressed profound grief over the loss of lives in the "heinous terror incident" involving the car explosion. The Cabinet directed that the investigation be pursued with "the utmost urgency and professionalism" so that the perpetrators, collaborators, and sponsors are brought to justice without delay. The National Investigation Agency is carrying out the probe into the Delhi blast case. The blast occurred around 7 pm near the Subhash Marg traffic signal close to the Red Fort and involved a slow-moving Hyundai i20 car that exploded, as per Union Home Minister Amit Shah. (ANI)
Gaza City, Gaza (PANA) - More than nine in 10 children in Gaza are displaying signs of aggressive behaviour linked to more than two years of war between Hamas and Israel, welfare agencies have reported
According to a post by UKPNP spokesperson Sardar Nasir Aziz Khan, during the visit, Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri met with policy institutions, think tanks, human rights organisations, diaspora representatives, media professionals and party members.

The UKPNP spokesperson stated that the visit was a major step forward in the party's mission to raise international awareness about the political and human rights situation in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).

He added that the UKPNP leadership has been consistently engaging with lawmakers, civil society and human rights platforms to advocate for a peaceful and negotiated settlement of the Kashmir issue.

In his post, Sardar Nasir Aziz Khan congratulated Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri on a "historic and successful visit" and said that both leaders held extensive discussions on the outcomes of the US tour, the prevailing situation in PoJK and the party's future strategies.

The spokesperson further informed that Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri and Sardar Nasir Aziz Khan will now travel to the United Kingdom for a two-week visit.

During their stay, the UKPNP, in collaboration with Members of the British Parliament, will host an international conference on Kashmir at the House of Commons in London on 26 November.

As per the post, the event will be attended by Members of the House of Commons and House of Lords, civil society representatives, diaspora leaders, scholars, human rights defenders and media professionals.

The delegation will also hold meetings, seminars and organisational events in various UK cities to mobilise Kashmiris, strengthen the party's UK chapter and build alliances with like-minded groups.

The post further highlighted UKPNP's ongoing efforts to expand diplomatic outreach, engage with global human rights forums such as the UN Human Rights Council and work with diaspora communities to build international solidarity.

The party remains committed to promoting political education, awareness and civic engagement among Kashmiri youth, envisioning a peaceful and united future for all people of PoJK. (ANI)
Chief Advisor of Bangladesh's interim government, Muhammad Yunus, on Thursday announced that a national referendum on the July National Charter (Constitution Reform) Implementation Order, 2025, will be held on the same day as the upcoming parliamentary elections, scheduled for the first half of February next year. In an address to the nation, the Chief Advisor said the decision was approved during the Advisor's Council meeting earlier in the day, describing it as a major step toward implementing the reform roadmap that emerged from the July 2024 Mass Uprising. "Having considered all matters, we have decided that the referendum will be organised on the same day as the upcoming national parliamentary election. This means that, like the national election, the referendum will also be held on the same day in the first half of February," Yunus said in his televised address. The July National Charter was prepared by the National Consensus Commission following months of dialogue with political parties and civil society groups. The Charter outlines a framework for constitutional and structural reforms aimed at strengthening democracy, accountability, and governance in Bangladesh after the student-led mass uprising in 2024 ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from power, leading her to flee the country. According to the Chief Advisor, the referendum will ask citizens to approve the July Charter and its key reform proposals, which include the formation of a caretaker government and independent Election Commission during election periods, the establishment of a bicameral parliament with an upper house of 100 members proportionally representing party vote shares, and the implementation of 30 consensus-based reforms on issues such as women's representation, parliamentary oversight, judicial independence, local governance, and limiting the Prime Minister's tenure. If the majority of voters support the referendum, a Constitution Reform Council composed of newly elected parliamentary representatives will be formed to carry out the constitutional amendments within 180 working days of its first session. The new upper house will then be constituted within 30 days of the reforms being completed. Highlighting the interim government's progress over the past 15 months, Yunus said major reforms have been implemented to ensure judicial independence, strengthen the financial system, enhance transparency, and curb corruption. He added that Bangladesh's economy has shown strong recovery, with exports, reserves, and foreign investment improving significantly. Concluding his address, the Chief Advisor called for political unity ahead of the national elections, warning that divisions among parties supportive of last year's uprising could endanger the democratic transition. The unity that the countrymen forged in July 2024, standing tall against fascism in the face of death, must not be undermined by us, the living, by getting entangled in minor disagreements and petty disputes," Yunus said. "Therefore, I hope that political parties will accept this decision in the greater interest of the nation. The nation will move towards a festive national election. Through this, we will enter a new Bangladesh. We have arrived at the threshold of building a new Bangladesh," he added. (ANI)
Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on Thursday blamed Pakistan for the failure of recent peace talks after days of border skirmishes, calling Islamabad's demands "unrealistic and unreasonable." Addressing a gathering in Kabul, Muttaqi confirmed that the Afghan delegation had returned home after the latest round of negotiations in Turkey ended without progress. Muttaqi accused Pakistan of repeatedly violating Afghanistan's sovereignty and trying to shift blame for its internal security failures. He said tensions between the two countries had worsened due to "repeated violations" by Islamabad over the past four years "Afghanistan's airspace and sovereignty were breached. Afghan civilians, shops and markets were bombed. Ultimately, the situation reached a point where even the airspace of the Afghan capital was violated, leaving the Islamic Emirate with no choice but to respond," Muttaqi said. According to Muttaqi, Pakistan's main demand during talks in Qatar and Turkey was for Kabul to guarantee that no security incidents would take place inside Pakistan, a condition he rejected as "illogical." "But how can we be responsible for Pakistan's internal security? Do we have peacekeeping forces there? Do we control the police or army of Pakistan?" he said. The Afghan foreign minister alleged that Pakistan had proposed relocating Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters from Pakistani territory into Afghanistan, calling it an attempt to "deliberately create chaos." Muttaqi also accused Islamabad of allowing ISIS fighters to cross into Afghanistan and of conducting repeated airstrikes on Afghan territory. "You have a large army, intelligence services, technology and cameras across the Durand Line. If someone crosses all those barriers and fences, how can you blame Afghanistan for it?" he said. The Islamic Emirate said its delegation had attended all three rounds of talks "in good faith," but Pakistan "abandoned" the discussions and rejected all Afghan proposals. As per TOLO News, Kabul said it had made two main demands, ending Pakistan's airspace violations and stopping ISIS movements from Pakistan into Afghanistan. "Stop your planes from entering," the Deputy Interior Minister said, adding that Pakistan refused to take responsibility. "These two were very simple and basic demands of ours, " TOLO News quoted. Earlier, in a separate statement, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid accused Pakistan of showing "no willingness to assume responsibility for either Afghanistan's security or its own," and of attempting to "refer all responsibilities" to Kabul. "Pakistan's problems are not new... for 25 years they have faced the TTP, bombings, drone strikes, attacks in Islamabad, Karachi and Peshawar. All these issues are old," Mujahid said. He also criticised Islamabad's treatment of Afghan refugees, saying a "nuclear power" was using its strength against vulnerable civilians. "A nuclear power is using strength against onions and tomatoes," he said. Meanwhile, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had admitted that the discussions had "reached an uncertain stage with no results," adding that there were "no plans yet for a fourth round." On Wednesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif accused Afghan nationals of involvement in recent terror attacks in Wana and Islamabad, saying "footprints of Afghanistan are also seen, " Dawn reported. According to TOLO News, the third round of negotiations between Afghanistan and Pakistan took place in Istanbul on November 7, concluding without any tangible results. (ANI)
Argentina's Ambassador to India Mariano Caucino conveyed a message of condemnation over the terrorist attack that took place in the Indian capital on Monday, stating that "Argentina stands with India and its Prime Minister in this difficult moment," as per an official release by the Embassy of Argentina. The ambassador condemned terrorism and described the acts as "unacceptable." He said Argentina joins India and all peace-loving nations in rejecting "all forms of terror," the release stated. "In today's world, it is unacceptable that some countries promote and harbor terrorism," the ambassador affirmed. He emphasized that "our government has been very clear in condemning terrorism in all its forms" and recalled that Argentina "was the target of terrorist actions in the recent past," referring to the attacks against the Israeli Embassy in 1992 and the AMIA Jewish Community Center in 1994. "In both of these combined attacks, we lost one hundred innocent lives, and we have not forgotten," the release said. The ambassador added that "President Javier Milei has been emphatic about the need to reject any form of terror as a political weapon." Ambassador Caucino reiterated that "on behalf of the Argentine People and Government, I express our solidarity with the victims and our unwavering support for the Indian authorities led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi." As Argentina conveyed its support, Ireland on Thursday also expressed condolences and solidarity with India over the terror blast near Delhi's iconic Red Fort that claimed at least 12 lives and left several injured. In a statement shared on X, the Ambassador of Ireland to India, Kevin Kelly, condemned the incident in the strongest terms, noting that terrorism has "no place in society", while conveying solidarity with the victims and their families. "Heartfelt condolences to the victims and speedy recovery to those injured in the Delhi terror attacks. Terrorism has no place in society. We strongly condemn all forms of terrorism and stand with the Indian people," Ambassador Kelly said. Ireland's message came as several countries echoed similar concerns, with Singapore also strongly condemning the blast and expressing solidarity with India during what it described as a difficult time. Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said in a post on X, "Singapore strongly condemns the terror incident involving a car explosion near New Delhi's Red Fort on 10 Nov. Heartfelt condolences to the families of victims. May those injured recover soon. Singapore stands in solidarity with India in this difficult time." International reactions extended further, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday stating that the blast in Delhi was "clearly" a "terrorist attack" and praising India's professionalism in handling the investigation, responding to a query on India declaring the explosion a "terror incident". He also said the US had "offered to help, but I think they (India) are very capable of these investigations." "We are aware of the potential it has, and we spoke a little about it today - the potential it has to become something broader. We are going to wait to see what the investigation reveals. We have offered to help, but I think they are very capable of these investigations. They don't need our help, and they are doing a good job," he said. As global responses continued, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday expressed profound grief over the loss of lives in the "heinous terror incident" involving the car explosion, directing that the investigation be pursued with "the utmost urgency and professionalism" so that the perpetrators, collaborators, and sponsors are brought to justice without delay. The National Investigation Agency is carrying out the probe into the Delhi blast case. The blast occurred around 7 pm near the Subhash Marg traffic signal close to the Red Fort and involved a slow-moving Hyundai i20 car that exploded, as per Union Home Minister Amit Shah. (ANI)
In a landmark conservation gesture, Botswana formally handed over eight cheetahs to India on Thursday at the Mokolodi Nature Reserve in the African country during President Droupadi Murmu's state visit. Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko was present on the occasion, along with wildlife officials from both countries who briefed the presidents on the details of the transfer. The cheetahs, comprising both adults and sub-adults, were transported from Ghanzi town in the Kalahari desert. As part of the handover ceremony, two of the eight cheetahs were placed in a quarantine enclosure. Speaking at the event, President Murmu said, "These cheetahs will join their brothers and sisters in India's Kuno National Park, helping us to restore the species in its historical habitat." President Boko added, "Botswana was glad to support efforts to rebuild India's cheetah population," highlighting his country's commitment to wildlife conservation. All eight cheetahs will remain in quarantine in Botswana before being transported to India in the coming weeks. Upon arrival, they will join the Cheetah Initiative project at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. India's cheetah reintroduction programme began in 2022, when eight cheetahs were brought from Namibia, followed by twelve more from South Africa in 2023. Since then, India has recorded 27 cheetahs, including 16 born on Indian soil, while 26 cubs have been successfully born despite 19 deaths from various causes. President Murmu's visit to Botswana followed her engagements in Angola from November 8 to 11 at the invitation of her Angolan counterpart, Joo Lourenco. That visit underscored India's commitment to strengthening ties with Africa and the Global South. The President is in Botswana from November 11 to 13 at the invitation of President Duma Gideon Boko. It marked the first-ever state visit by an Indian head of state to the country. During the visit, she held bilateral discussions, addressed the National Assembly of Botswana, and visited cultural and historical sites. The visit also provided an opportunity to reinforce cooperation in trade, investment, technology, energy, agriculture, health, pharmaceuticals, defence, and people-to-people exchanges. The cheetah handover formed part of this broader collaboration, with Botswana expressing its readiness to work with India on Project Cheetah and the translocation of cheetahs from Botswana to India, further strengthening wildlife conservation ties between the two nations. (ANI)
President Droupadi Murmu addressed the Indian community in Gaborone on Thursday, highlighting the longstanding ties between India and Botswana and the growing cooperation reflected during her ongoing state visit. Speaking to the gathering, the President said, "This moment is even more historic as India and Botswana celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations in 2026. I have been told that 10,000 Indians are actively involved in different sectors, including business and industry, in Botswana. I congratulate you all on being proud ambassadors of India." Her interaction with the diaspora followed a symbolic handover of cheetahs by Botswana for translocation to India under Project Cheetah. The event, held at the Mokolodi Nature Reserve in the presence of Botswana President Duma Boko, underscored the expanding partnership between the two countries. As part of the ceremony, cheetahs originally captured from Ghanzi were released into a quarantine facility by experts from both nations. The move marked Botswana's symbolic donation of eight cheetahs to aid India's efforts to regenerate its cheetah population. These cheetahs will remain in quarantine before being transported to India, where they will join the ongoing initiative to reintroduce the species decades after its extinction in the country. Earlier phases of Project Cheetah saw eight cheetahs brought from Namibia in September 2022, followed by twelve from South Africa in February 2023. President Murmu's engagements in Botswana came after her visit to Angola, the first stop of her two-nation tour from November 8 to 11. The visit, undertaken at the invitation of Angolan President Joo Lourenco, reaffirmed New Delhi's push to strengthen ties with Africa and the wider Global South. After completing her programmes in Angola, the President arrived in Botswana on November 11, marking the first-ever state visit by an Indian head of state to the country. The second leg of her African tour focused on deepening cooperation across sectors such as trade, investment, technology, energy, agriculture, health, pharmaceuticals, defence and people-to-people exchanges. During her stay, President Murmu held bilateral meetings and addressed Botswana's National Assembly. Botswana had earlier expressed its willingness to work closely with India on Project Cheetah, including future translocation efforts, further reinforcing the expanding strategic and environmental partnership between the two nations. (ANI)
Taiwanese legislator Puma Shen, designated by China as "wanted" for allegedly advocating Taiwan's independence, spoke at a Berlin parliamentary committee hearing on Wednesday, sharing his initiatives to counter disinformation, according to a report from Central News Agency (CNA). Shen was among six specialists invited to a session of the Bundestag's Committee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid. The session focused on "Disinformation by Autocratic States Aiming to Undermine Democracy and Threaten Human Rights," as detailed on the German federal parliament's lower house website. Following the session, Shen said he was asked to address the committee as both a Taiwanese legislator and a specialist in fighting disinformation. In his speech, he discussed the impact of China's disinformation efforts on Europe and Taiwan, as well as how Russia and Hungary have been disseminating misinformation throughout Europe. Shen expressed satisfaction at Europe's increasing recognition of disinformation and cognitive warfare but voiced disappointment that some individuals in Taiwan do not share these concerns, according to CNA. A member of the Democratic Progressive Party, Shen previously served as an associate professor at National Taipei University, focusing on areas such as white-collar crime, disinformation initiatives and financial crime. He has been classified as "wanted" by China and is under investigation by the Chongqing Municipal Public Security Bureau for alleged "secession-related" crimes in Taiwan, including the establishment of a civil defence organisation known as Kuma Academy, as reported last month by China's state-run Xinhua News Agency, as noted by CNA. The inquiry is conducted under China's Criminal Law and its judicial guidelines established in 2024, which specify how to penalise "Taiwan independence separatists," the report indicated. Recently, a Chinese legal scholar claimed on state-run CCTV that Shen should be pursued via the International Criminal Police Organisation and other mutual judicial assistance agreements with other nations. The comments on CCTV have sparked public worry in Taiwan regarding the possibility of Shen being arrested and extradited to China if he travels abroad. On Tuesday, Shen stated in a Facebook video that he was not intimidated by China's threats "to hunt him down globally," according to the CNA report. "For a significant period, China has employed coercive methods to attempt to silence Taiwanese voices," he declared in the video filmed in front of the Bundestag building. "Yet, here I stand before the Bundestag and will be addressing a hearing as a Taiwanese legislator." "As a courageous Taiwanese, I will never retreat in fear," he asserted. "I am here today to defend not just Taiwan's democracy but also global democracy and freedom." Taiwan and Germany are both democratic nations governed by the rule of law, Lin remarked during a radio interview. He also pointed out that extraditing someone from a foreign nation to China is not as straightforward as Beijing suggests, as such an action would necessitate judicial cooperation and an extradition treaty with the host nation, according to the CNA report. (ANI)
President Droupadi Murmu observed a one-minute silence in memory of the victims of the Delhi terror attack before addressing the Indian community in Botswana's capital Gaborone on Thursday. After completing her official visit to Angola, the President arrived in Botswana on November 11, marking the first-ever state visit by an Indian head of state to the country. The second leg of her African tour focused on deepening cooperation across various sectors, including trade, investment, technology, energy, agriculture, health, pharmaceuticals, defence, and people-to-people exchanges. "Before I begin my address, I want to express my sympathies to the family and friends of the deceased in the Delhi blast. I urge you all to observe a minute's silence in memory of the victims," she said. At least 12 people have been killed and several others were injured in the terror attack involving a car blast near Delhi's Red Fort on the evening of November 10. Leaders across the world have been condemning the terror attack since Monday evening. On Thursday, too, Argentina's Ambassador Mariano Caucino sharply condemned the attack, stating that "Argentina stands with India and its Prime Minister in this difficult moment," according to an official release. Calling the acts "unacceptable," he said Argentina joins "all peace-loving nations" in rejecting "all forms of terror." He also noted that "in today's world, it is unacceptable that some countries promote and harbour terrorism," recalling Argentina's own experience with the 1992 Israeli Embassy attack and the 1994 AMIA Jewish Community Centre bombing. "In both of these combined attacks, we lost one hundred innocent lives, and we have not forgotten," he said, adding that President Javier Milei has been "emphatic" about rejecting terrorism as a political weapon. He reaffirmed Argentina's "solidarity with the victims" and support for Indian authorities led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Ireland also conveyed its condolences on Thursday. In a statement shared on X, Ireland's Ambassador to India Kevin Kelly said terrorism has "no place in society" and expressed "heartfelt condolences to the victims." Singapore joined the growing list of countries expressing concern, with Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan stating, "Singapore strongly condemns the terror incident involving a car explosion near New Delhi's Red Fort... Singapore stands in solidarity with India in this difficult time." The United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday called the explosion "clearly" a terrorist attack. He praised India's professionalism in handling the investigation while noting that the US had "offered to help," though he emphasised that India is "very capable" and "doing a good job." The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday expressed "profound grief" over the loss of lives in what it described as a "heinous terror incident." It directed that the probe be pursued with "the utmost urgency and professionalism" to ensure that the perpetrators, collaborators, and sponsors are brought to justice without delay. (ANI)
Strongly condemning "terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," Iran on Thursday expressed deepest sympathy to the families of the victims of the terrorist car explosion near the Red Fort area. At least 12 people have been killed and several others were injured in the terror attack involving a car blast near Delhi's Red Fort on the evening of November 10. In a post on X, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in India said it "once again expresses its deepest sympathy to the Government and the families of the victims of the terrorist car explosion near the #RedFort area in New Delhi, and wishes a swift recovery for those injured in this tragic incident." https://x.com/Iran_in_India/status/1988955145359749284?s=20 The Embassy added that it "strongly condemns #terrorism in all its forms and manifestations." This latest message followed an earlier statement issued on November 10, in which Iran had conveyed its sorrow over the loss of lives and injuries from the blast. In that post, the Embassy said it "expresses its deep sorrow over the loss of lives and injuries of several Indian citizens in the car blast incident in Delhi, and extends its sincere condolences to the Government and the people of the Republic of India." It also stated that it "conveys its heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved families of the victims and wishes patience and comfort for them, as well as a speedy recovery for those injured in this tragic incident." As Iran reiterated its support, Argentina also issued a strong condemnation of the attack. Argentina's Ambassador to India, Mariano Caucino, said "Argentina stands with India and its Prime Minister in this difficult moment," according to an official release by the Argentine Embassy. Calling the acts "unacceptable," he noted that Argentina joins India and all peace-loving nations in rejecting "all forms of terror." He further stated that "in today's world, it is unacceptable that some countries promote and harbor terrorism," recalling that Argentina "was the target of terrorist actions in the recent past," referring to the 1992 Israeli Embassy attack and the 1994 AMIA Jewish Community Centre bombing. "In both of these combined attacks, we lost one hundred innocent lives, and we have not forgotten," the release said. He added that "President Javier Milei has been emphatic about the need to reject any form of terror as a political weapon," while expressing Argentina's "solidarity with the victims and our unwavering support for the Indian authorities led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi." Ireland also conveyed its message of support on Thursday. In a statement shared on X, Ireland's Ambassador to India, Kevin Kelly, expressed "heartfelt condolences to the victims" of the blast. He said terrorism has "no place in society" and reaffirmed that Ireland "strongly condemns all forms of terrorism and stands with the Indian people." Singapore echoed similar sentiments. Its Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan wrote on X, "Singapore strongly condemns the terror incident involving a car explosion near New Delhi's Red Fort on 10 Nov. Heartfelt condolences to the families of victims. May those injured recover soon. Singapore stands in solidarity with India in this difficult time." International reactions continued, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating on Wednesday that the blast was "clearly" a "terrorist attack." Praising India's handling of the investigation, he said the US had "offered to help, but I think they (India) are very capable of these investigations," adding that India "doesn't need our help, and they are doing a good job." As these global responses came in, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed "profound grief" over the loss of lives in what it described as a "heinous terror incident." It directed that the investigation be pursued with "the utmost urgency and professionalism" to ensure the perpetrators, collaborators and sponsors are brought to justice without delay. The National Investigation Agency is conducting the probe. According to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the blast occurred around 7 pm near the Subhash Marg traffic signal close to the Red Fort and involved a slow-moving Hyundai i20 car that exploded. (ANI)
The issue of economic cooperation was central in the discussion between India and Botswana, MEA Secretary of Economic Relations Sudhakar Dalela said at a press briefing following the state visit of President Droupadi Murmu to Botswana. "The issue of economic cooperation and strengthening our economic partnership was central in the discussion between the two leaders... In the backdrop of the economic transformation roadmap the government of Botswana has laid out for itself and its desire to diversify its economy, there are immense opportunities for both India and Botswana to work together," Dalela said. Sudhakar Dalela further added, "The areas discussed between the two leaders included the entire digital ecosystem, agritech, health and pharmaceuticals, infrastructure development, how Indian companies can partner with Botswana, and how we can strengthen our development partnership". He noted that there is an immense scope for boosting partnership in many areas, including the trade and economic domain, to try to "harness the full potential of economic partnership between our two countries" "The sense we get from the discussion and the direction we have from the leadership is that there is a huge scope for boosting partnership in the area of trade, investment and economic domain and we would be working very closely with our partners in Botswana, both in the government and private sector, to ensure that we continue to discuss, engage, and try to harness the full potential of economic partnership between our two countries," he added. On the final day in Botswana, President Murmu witnessed a symbolic handover of cheetahs from Botswana to India and addressed members of the Indian community, highlighting "people to people engagement alongside strategic cooperation," linking economic and environmental cooperation between the two nations. During the visit, the Vice President of Botswana Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe and Phenyo Butale, Minister of International Relations, also called on President Murmu. Both leaders commended India on its "notable development trajectory," underscoring how the strengthened economic dialogue fits into a wider effort to deepen bilateral ties at governmental and societal levels. President Murmu had arrived in Botswana on Tuesday evening after concluding a visit to Angola, marking the first-ever state visit by an Indian head of state to these two African nations. Her back-to-back visits underscored India's growing engagement with Africa, combining "economic, environmental, and diplomatic initiatives" to build a framework for sustainable partnership. As an outcome of these engagements, India and Botswana on Wednesday signed an MoU on cooperation in the health and pharmaceuticals sector, facilitating Botswana's access to "affordable quality medicines." India also confirmed its decision to supply "ARV medicines to Botswana," reinforcing healthcare cooperation as a key component of the partnership. Similarly, outcomes from the Angola leg of the visit reflected India's broadening collaboration across Africa. Angola agreed to join two India-led initiatives, the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) and the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA). Both countries also concluded talks on an air service agreement to enable future direct flights and signed MoUs on "sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, marine resources, and consular matters," demonstrating how India's engagement spans multiple sectors, from environmental conservation to economic and infrastructural cooperation. (ANI)
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - Burkinabe authorities and International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff have reached a staff-level agreement on economic policies to conclude the fourth review of the programme supported by the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement, and on a proposed new climate-focused economic and financial arrangement supported by the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF)
President Droupadi Murmu and Botswana's President Duma Gideon Boko visited the Mokolodi Game Reserve in Gaborone, marking a symbolic moment in India-Botswana cooperation on wildlife conservation. Sharing details of the visit, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X that it was "a gesture symbolising the shared commitment to wildlife conservation." He added that President Boko "formally handed over eight cheetahs to India, under the next phase of 'Project Cheetah'." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1988918483183079564?s=20 In a landmark conservation gesture, Botswana formally handed over eight cheetahs to India on Thursday at the Mokolodi Nature Reserve during President Murmu's state visit. Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko was present at the ceremony, along with wildlife officials from both countries who briefed the leaders on the transfer. The cheetahs, comprising both adults and sub-adults, were transported from Ghanzi town in the Kalahari desert. As part of the handover, two of the eight cheetahs were placed in a quarantine enclosure, marking the first step in the translocation process. Speaking at the event, President Murmu said, "These cheetahs will join their brothers and sisters in India's Kuno National Park, helping us to restore the species in its historical habitat." President Boko added, "Botswana was glad to support efforts to rebuild India's cheetah population," highlighting his country's commitment to conservation. All eight cheetahs will remain in quarantine in Botswana before being flown to India in the coming weeks. Once in India, they will join the Cheetah Initiative project at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. India's cheetah reintroduction programme began in 2022 with the arrival of eight cheetahs from Namibia, followed by twelve from South Africa in 2023. Since then, India has recorded 27 cheetahs, including 16 born on Indian soil, while 26 cubs have been born despite 19 deaths from various causes. President Murmu's visit to Botswana follows her engagements in Angola from November 8 to 11, reflecting India's commitment to strengthening ties with Africa and the Global South. Her visit to Botswana from November 11 to 13 marked the first-ever state visit by an Indian head of state to the country. During her stay, she held bilateral discussions, addressed the National Assembly of Botswana, and visited cultural and historical sites. The visit provided an opportunity to reinforce cooperation in trade, investment, technology, energy, agriculture, health, pharmaceuticals, defence and people-to-people exchanges. The cheetah handover formed part of this broader collaboration, with Botswana expressing readiness to work with India on Project Cheetah and future translocations, further strengthening conservation ties between the two nations. (ANI)
Nepal's Central Zoo has got a new member, which has now started attracting visitors of all age groups, from children to the elderly. Dubbed the 'Ghost of the Forest,' a female black panther has been drawing crowds at its enclosure from the very first day. Rescued from the Illam district in eastern Nepal on September 2, the black panther has been on display since Wednesday. "We kept it (Black Panther) on display from 12 November. After rescuing it, we kept it in quarantine for some time. As there were no serious injuries, general medication was given, and we studied its food preference. As things became normal, we shifted it to the exhibit, which has been built for it and is spacious as well," Ashok Subedi, Senior Curator at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, told ANI. The black panther, however, is not a separate species. It is a common leopard whose coat appears completely black due to a genetic mutation known as melanism, which causes an excess production of the pigment melanin, making its dark spots blend. Such black leopards are extremely rare in the wild. "It is a three-year-old female black panther. We have rescued it from Illam district. It is not the common type of leopard that we usually get to see. Recently we also had rescued a common leopard from the Swiss Embassy in Kathmandu. After a long gap, this black panther has been brought to the central zoo," Subedi added. Previously, the national zoo of the Himalayan nation had another black panther rescued from Okharpauwa, Nuwakot, on May 27, 1996, but it died less than two weeks later. Its taxidermy is now on display at the Central Zoo in Kathmandu. The new black panther has made a comeback after nearly three decades and has already begun to attract visitors. "This is the first time that I am seeing something, this species of cat, and I feel that it is the most mesmerising thing that I have ever witnessed. I was really hoping to see something like this, the black panther in the zoo. I was really captivated and it blew my mind actually," Nischal Raj Gautam, one of the visitors to the Central Zoo, told ANI. Leopards are seen from time to time at various locations around the Kathmandu Valley. A 2024 study published by the Central Department of Zoology, titled Remarkable Observations of Melanistic Leopard (Panthera pardus pardus) in Nepal, documented five verified sightings near the valley. Kathmandu Valley is ringed by forested hills, home to various species, including the common leopard, which can, on rare occasions, turn melanistic. A thorough and focused study is now needed not just to document these rare black leopards but to develop conservation strategies for apex predators in Kathmandu and surrounding areas as they navigate fragmented and changing landscapes. (ANI)
President Droupadi Murmu, along with her Botswana counterpart Duma Gideon Boko, visited the Mokolodi Nature Reserve in Botswana, the President's Secretariat stated in an official release here. The two leaders witnessed the release of captured cheetahs from the Ghanzi region into the quarantine facility, conducted by experts from India and Botswana. The move marks Botswana's symbolic donation of eight cheetahs to India as part of Project Cheetah. The event signifies the beginning of a new chapter in India-Botswana cooperation in wildlife conservation. Later, in separate meetings, Botswana's Vice President Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe and Minister of International Relations Phenyo Butale called on the President. Before leaving for New Delhi, the President addressed members of the Indian community at a reception hosted by the High Commissioner of India to Botswana in Gaborone. The accompanying Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Railways V Somanna and Members of Parliament Parbhubhai Nagarbhai Vasava and D K Aruna were present on the occasion. Addressing the gathering, the President said that the people of India are proud of the contributions made by the Indian community. She said they are cultural ambassadors of India, representing values of hard work, honesty and harmony that are hallmarks of both India and Botswana. She urged them to continue contributing to Botswana's progress while strengthening their relationship with India. She also encouraged them to take advantage of initiatives such as the OCI scheme and Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas, and to share their experiences in India's development. The President said that the relationship between India and Botswana is based on trust, respect and shared democratic values. She informed the audience that during her discussion with President Boko, it was decided that India and Botswana would further cooperate in areas such as trade, education, health, digital technologies, agriculture and renewable energy. The President is expected to arrive in New Delhi on November 14 after her visit to two African nations - Angola and Botswana. (ANI)
President Droupadi Murmu enplaned for India after concluding her state visit to Angola and Botswana. Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko came to see her off at the airport. In a post on X, the Official Spokesperson of the MEA, Randhir Jaiswal, said, "Wrapping up a fruitful State visit to Botswana, President Droupadi Murmu has departed for New Delhi. In a special gesture, President Duma Gideon Boko came to see off President Murmu at the airport." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1989026096835358939?s=20 Earlier in the day, in a Special briefing by the Ministry of External Affairs on the President's State visit to Botswana, Sudhakar Dalela, Secretary (Economic Relations), said, "President arrived in Botswana on the evening of 11th November on her first ever state visit by a Head of State from India to Botswana. On arrival, in a special gesture, Hon'ble President was warmly received by the Hon'ble President of Botswana at the airport. Hon'ble President was given a ceremonial welcome and she inspected the Guard of Honour." Dalela said that both sides held delegation-level talks later. "Yesterday, Hon'ble President was received at the President's office by Hon'ble President Boko, the two leaders held a tete-a-tete, which was followed by delegation level talks between the two sides. From the Botswana side, several Cabinet Ministers and senior officials were present at the talks. From the Indian delegation side, Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti, Shri V. Somanna, and two members of Parliament, Vasava and DK Aruna, and senior officials participated at the talks," he said. Boko and Murmu discussed ways to further strengthen and deepen our partnership in sectors of mutual interest. "During the wide ranging discussions, both the leaders reviewed the existing ongoing bilateral cooperation across sectors between our two countries. They discussed ways to further strengthen and deepen our partnership in sectors of mutual interest such as trade and investments, capacity building and development partnership, skill development, agriculture, health, infrastructure development, renewable energy, defence, and also digital technology in the entire digital space. Both the leaders also exchanged views on regional and global matters of mutual importance," he said. Murmu, on November 8, departed for her State visit to Angola and Botswana. This was the first-ever State visit by an Indian Head of State to these nations. (ANI)
An in-depth look at the rising wave of Chinese citizens leaving the mainland and the complex legal, humanitarian, and geopolitical implications

WASHINGTON, DC, November 7, 2025

The rising number of Chinese nationals leaving the mainland in the period leading up to 2026 reflects intersecting pressures, including economic uncertainty, regulatory tightening, political control, digital surveillance, and global realignment. While Chinese emigration is not a new phenomenon, its current patterns are distinct in both scale and structure. Professionals, students, entrepreneurs, ethnic and religious minorities, activists, and risk-averse investors are reassessing their long-term prospects under a system defined by expanded security legislation, exit controls, and intensified scrutiny of cross-border capital and information flows.

The result is a stratified exodus. Some depart through established legal pathways such as skilled migration programs, investor visas, and study routes. Others move via irregular channels, transit hubs, or humanitarian claims. Their choices are constrained by an increasingly coordinated international enforcement environment, in which host states must weigh human rights concerns, national security, economic opportunities, and diplomatic relations with Beijing. The legal and geopolitical consequences now extend well beyond individual mobility, shaping policy debates on asylum, extradition, transnational repression, and the integrity of global migration systems.

Structural Drivers Behind the Outflow

Several overlapping dynamics define the current movement of Chinese nationals abroad. Economic headwinds, including slowed growth, real estate instability, youth unemployment, and regulatory shocks in the technology and private education sectors, have unsettled parts of the professional and entrepreneurial class. Families with capital and foreign language skills often look to North America, Europe, Japan, Singapore, Australia, and select Gulf states as destinations for long-term security, education, and portfolio diversification.

At the same time, strengthened internal security measures and digital governance frameworks contribute to a perception among some citizens that political and expressive space is narrowing. Expanded national security enforcement in Hong Kong, including the broader use of exit bans and heightened monitoring of cross-border communications and funding, has had a deterrent effect on dissent and has also incentivized some individuals to relocate before becoming subject to formal restrictions.

Internationally, labor demand in aging economies, university recruitment strategies, and investment-linked residency programs create structured incentives for outward mobility. However, heightened geopolitical tension, technology export controls, and concerns over espionage and influence operations have led several host states to tighten vetting of applicants from strategic sectors, complicating legitimate pathways for ordinary migrants alongside sensitive cases.

Legal Migration Pathways and Compliance Landscape

For many Chinese nationals, departure occurs through entirely lawful routes. Common pathways include study visas followed by post-graduation work permits and permanent residency, skilled worker programs targeting technology, engineering, healthcare, and research, business and investor visas tied to audited capital, and family reunification streams.

Destination countries are refining compliance frameworks in response to increased volumes and political sensitivity. Regulators emphasize the following: enhanced source-of-funds verification for investor and entrepreneur visas; more intrusive background screening for applicants in sensitive technology or defense-related fields; stronger collaboration between immigration, financial intelligence, and law enforcement agencies; and audits of education and employment documentation to deter fraud.

These measures do not prohibit lawful relocation, but they alter expectations. Applicants are now subject to multi-layered scrutiny, and intermediaries are increasingly regulated. The legal burden sits on both the individual and the host-state system to ensure that identity, capital, and intent align with immigration and financial crime standards.

Exit Bans, Controls, and Internal Restrictions

Chinas use of exit controls and travel restrictions has become a central legal and humanitarian concern in the migration discussion. Individuals facing civil disputes, regulatory investigations, tax claims, or national security inquiries may find themselves subject to travel bans, often discovered only at airports or border crossings. These mechanisms exist in many jurisdictions, but their breadth and opacity in the Chinese context raise particular scrutiny from foreign governments and rights organizations.

The existence of such measures drives some individuals to consider earlier relocation. At the same time, they remain legally able to leave, and it complicates consular and legal efforts when foreign permanent residents or dual nationals become subject to restrictions during visits to the mainland. For host countries, cases involving exit bans and detained residents test diplomatic capacity and require careful navigation between consular protection, bilateral relations, and non-interference commitments.

Humanitarian Flight and Transnational Repression Concerns

Alongside economic and professional migrants, a separate category of Chinese nationals and ethnic or religious minorities seeks protection abroad based on credible fears of persecution or politically motivated prosecution. These include activists, journalists, rights advocates, former officials entangled in factional disputes, and members of communities alleging collective punishment or discriminatory surveillance.

Host states face complex assessments in such cases. Claims must be tested under asylum and refugee law standards, which require evidence of a risk of persecution, not simply disagreement with government policy. At the same time, documented patterns of transnational pressure, online harassment, family intimidation, and attempts to coerce returns through economic or diplomatic leverage have elevated concerns about transnational repression.

This mixture produces legal dilemmas. Authorities must distinguish between legitimate prosecution and politically tinged charges, between genuine security concerns and broad national security labels, and between lawful bilateral cooperation and pressure that undermines sovereignty or refugee protection norms.

Case Study 1: The Professional Family Relocating via Education and Investment

A mid-career couple from a major coastal city, both employed in the technology and finance sectors, faced uncertainty as regulatory campaigns disrupted private capital markets and narrowed career options. Seeking stability and international exposure for their children, they pursued a combined strategy: one spouse obtained admission to a graduate program in Canada, while the other applied as an accompanying partner and later transitioned to a skilled worker pathway.

After several years of lawful study, employment, and tax compliance, the family qualified for permanent residency. Their assets were transferred through declared channels, supported by bank records, tax filings, and legal opinions confirming compliance with Chinese foreign exchange rules and host-country regulations. The case illustrates how structured, transparent planning can achieve lawful relocation without engaging in document fraud, sanctions evasion, or hidden capital flight.

Case Study 2: Irregular Route Through Latin America and Secondary Risks

A separate cohort of lower-income migrants has pursued irregular routes through Southeast Asia and Latin America, including overland passage, maritime crossings, and attempts to reach the United States or other destinations via third countries. These journeys expose migrants to smuggling networks, extortion, trafficking risks, and complex legal obstacles upon arrival.

One illustrative pattern involves migrants traveling visa-free to intermediaries, then transiting through multiple borders with the assistance of facilitators who provide falsified promises of asylum guarantees or employment. On arrival in a Western country, many discover that their claims lack structured evidence or that their documentation is incomplete. They face detention, expedited removal, or prolonged uncertainty in overstretched asylum systems.

This case pattern highlights the gap between legitimate grievances and illicit facilitation. It underscores the necessity of vetted legal channels, credible representation, and due diligence by host states to identify victims of trafficking or coercion while discouraging exploitation by criminal brokers.

Receiving States, National Security, and Legal Thresholds

Host countries managing arrivals from China confront overlapping responsibilities: protecting those with credible protection needs, preventing infiltration, espionage, or illicit finance, cooperating with legitimate law enforcement requests, and resisting transnational repression. The operational response includes: enhanced screening of security-sensitive profiles; close review of corruption or financial crime allegations to separate genuine anti-corruption cases from politicized charges; targeted sanctions and legal tools against individuals or entities involved in harassment or coercion of diaspora communities; and formal guidance to universities, financial institutions, and employers on handling inquiries from foreign authorities.

Courts in multiple jurisdictions are increasingly requiring detailed evidentiary records before accepting arrest warrants, red notices, or extradition requests involving Chinese nationals when political or human rights concerns are raised. Immigration tribunals assess asylum and withholding claims against country reports that document legal, surveillance, and detention practices, while ensuring that migration systems are not used as a platform for political agendas.

Case Study 3: The Activist and the Asylum Standard

A civic organizer involved in local labor and expression campaigns left the mainland after receiving informal warnings from authorities. Entering a European country on a lawful visa, the individual applied for asylum, citing online advocacy and prior detentions. The host state required corroboration through communications records, witness statements, and human rights reporting consistent with the specific region and activities.

After several rounds of interviews and document verification, asylum was granted based on a well-founded fear of persecution. The decision was structured, evidence-based, and limited to the individuals circumstances. It also clarified that not every emigrant dissatisfied with policy qualifies for protection, reinforcing that humanitarian frameworks remain legal, not ideological, instruments.

Transnational Pressure and the Legal Response

Reports of monitoring, harassment, and pressure on Chinese nationals abroad, including students, professionals, and exiled activists, have led some destination states to codify stronger protections. Measures include criminalizing foreign-directed harassment and intimidation of residents, oversight of overseas police service centers or informal liaison structures, closer scrutiny of cultural or student associations alleged to facilitate surveillance, and coordinated law enforcement responses when family members in China are used to coerce conduct overseas.

These measures are part of a broader doctrine that affords residents, regardless of their origin, local legal protections. For migrants, lawful presence and compliance with host state rules provide tangible safeguards against extraterritorial pressure, even if underlying geopolitical tensions persist.

Legal Risks: Misrepresentation, Document Fraud, and Sanctions Exposure

The search for security has also generated unlawful conduct in some cases, including falsified asylum narratives, forged employment records, sham educational enrollments, or undisclosed affiliations with sanctioned entities. Host states have responded by tightening fraud detection, imposing criminal penalties, and conducting post-grant reviews of residency and citizenship decisions.

Individuals who rely on unlicensed intermediaries or informal advisers risk involvement in schemes that violate immigration, banking, or export control laws. Those seeking new documentation or residency status are expected to provide accurate declarations, disclose any prior identities and nationalities, and ensure that capital movements comply with both Chinese regulations and the host countrys reporting requirements.

The legal environment in 2026 leaves little room for ambiguity. Applicants who pursue identity restructuring or relocation through opaque routes increasingly face revocation proceedings, asset freezes, or cooperation requests from partner states.

Case Study 4: Compliance Failure and Revocation

A business owner relocated to a European jurisdiction through an investment-based program, presenting financial statements that were later linked to undisclosed state-contract revenues and intermediaries under targeted sanctions. Subsequent reviews, triggered by information-sharing mechanisms between financial intelligence units, determined that key declarations were incomplete.

Authorities opened an investigation, froze certain assets, and initiated proceedings to revoke residency status. The case highlights how post-admission monitoring, linked to global sanctions enforcement and anti-money laundering frameworks, has become crucial to the long-term stability of any newly acquired status.

Humanitarian Obligations and Non-Refoulement

States receiving Chinese nationals who allege persecution or face high-risk return conditions remain bound by the core principles of international refugee and human rights law, including the principle of non-refoulement. This means that individuals cannot be returned to a place where they face a real risk of torture, arbitrary detention, or other serious harm, regardless of broader diplomatic or economic considerations.

In practice, governments must conduct individualized risk assessments that consider political profile, ethnicity, religion, prior detention, and any credible indications of surveillance or threats. These assessments are increasingly evidence-driven, informed by independent reporting, and subject to judicial review. Host states must also guard against the misuse of humanitarian claims by individuals attempting to shield unrelated criminal conduct.

Routes, Transit States, and Regional Pressures

Chinese nationals now appear along diverse routes: established hubs such as Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, Japan, and Western Europe; regional centers in Southeast Asia; and emerging transit pathways in Latin America and the Balkans. Some states face simultaneous pressure from Beijing to curb irregular migration flows and from international human rights bodies to uphold their obligations to protect.

Transit and destination countries must decide when to treat individuals as irregular migrants subject to removal and when to recognize them as potential protection claimants or victims of trafficking. Their choices inform future case law on carrier liability, safe third country concepts, and responsibility-sharing within regional blocs.

Case Study 5: Transit State Under Scrutiny

A Southeast Asian state used as a staging point for irregular departures faced criticism when it cooperated in the rapid return of a group of Chinese nationals whose asylum claims were not fully processed. International observers raised questions about whether non-refoulement obligations had been met, while domestic authorities cited incomplete documentation and bilateral agreements.

The incident highlighted how transit decisions can impact reputation, investor confidence, and future cooperation with partners who prioritize rights-based migration management. It also signaled to migrants and facilitators that transit choices carry substantial legal risk.

The Role of International Cooperation and Information Sharing

The global response to increased movement of Chinese nationals is embedded in expanding information-sharing mechanisms. Immigration, customs, banking, and security agencies share data on travel histories, visa applications, sanctions exposure, and suspected patterns of trafficking or smuggling. Requests involving Chinese nationals now frequently intersect with broader dialogues on export controls, intellectual property, cybersecurity, and strategic infrastructure.

These systems aim to distinguish lawful migrants from high-risk actors. They also mean that attempts to obtain multiple residencies or identities without disclosure are more likely to be detected. For legitimate applicants, robust records and consistent narratives strengthen their position. For states, cooperation frameworks provide both an enforcement tool and a safeguard against politicized or overbroad demands.

Navigating the Geopolitical Dimension

The outward movement of Chinese citizens carries geopolitical significance. Large-scale emigration of skilled workers can influence innovation ecosystems abroad and labor dynamics at home. High-profile asylum or dissident cases can strain bilateral relations or prompt retaliatory measures. Allegations of transnational repression, pressure on diaspora communities, or politicized red notices contribute to broader debates about sovereignty and international norms.

Host governments must calibrate responses that protect residents and uphold the law while avoiding unnecessary escalation. This includes measured handling of sensitive extradition and deportation cases, protection for targeted communities, and consistent enforcement of domestic laws against harassment, surveillance, or illicit foreign interference.

Practical Guidance for States, Institutions, and Individuals

For governments, the challenge is to maintain credible, rights-respecting migration systems that resist both xenophobic restriction and unregulated flows. Clear asylum procedures, targeted security vetting, and transparent standards for investor and skilled migration programs reduce vulnerability to both abuse and politicization.

For universities, financial institutions, and employers, robust compliance frameworks are essential. This includes thorough but fair due diligence on funds and affiliations, internal reporting mechanisms for suspected coercion or interference, and clear communication with affected individuals about their rights.

For individuals considering relocation, legal planning is decisive. This means using qualified legal counsel, avoiding unlicensed brokers, maintaining accurate financial records and professional activity records, and understanding the domestic and international implications of their choices. Individuals with potential protection claims should document incidents, communications, and risks in a structured manner that is consistent with the requirements of asylum law.

Conclusion

The movement of Chinese nationals fleeing or departing the mainland in 2026 is a multidimensional phenomenon, not easily captured by simple narratives of economic choice or political dissent. It unfolds within an increasingly dense legal and technological framework in which migration, surveillance, sanctions, and security are tightly interwoven.

States must reconcile legitimate security concerns with binding humanitarian duties. Migrants must navigate systems that reward transparency and punish misrepresentation. Institutions must ensure that their policies cannot be repurposed to facilitate intimidation or exploitation.

The emerging landscape shows that lawful, well-documented relocation remains possible, but improvised or opaque strategies carry escalating risk. As geopolitical tensions intensify and international scrutiny increases, the governance of Chinese outward migration will increasingly challenge global commitments to the rule of law, human rights, and the integrity of cross-border cooperation.



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How lawful encryption, offshore infrastructure, and policy compliance can help preserve personal and professional privacy

WASHINGTON, DC, October 28, 2025

The global landscape of privacy and data security is undergoing rapid transformation as individuals, professionals, and organizations confront an era defined by digital surveillance, artificial intelligence, and cross-border information exchange. As the boundaries between personal and public life continue to dissolve, the ability to protect identity and communications through lawful, transparent means has become both a necessity and a right. In 2026, privacy protection is not about evasion but about compliance, structure, and the intelligent use of technology within the law.

Governments around the world are tightening oversight on digital communications, financial transactions, and identity verification. In parallel, a growing number of individuals are turning to lawful strategies that utilize encryption, offshore infrastructure, and compliance frameworks to safeguard personal and corporate privacy. The emergence of advanced cryptography, zero-trust systems, and global data protection treaties has created legitimate pathways to maintain security while remaining fully within international legal frameworks.

The Changing Face of Privacy in 2026

Digital life has become deeply intertwined with identity. Every online transaction, biometric scan, and communication leaves a data trace that can be tracked, analyzed, and potentially misused. Cybersecurity incidents, mass data breaches, and government surveillance programs have revealed the fragility of traditional privacy protections. In this climate, legal privacy infrastructure has emerged as the cornerstone of both personal freedom and professional resilience.

In the past, anonymity was often associated with illegality or concealment. However, modern legal systems now recognize the right to data protection, confidentiality, and controlled disclosure. The European Unions General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Canadas Digital Charter Implementation Act, and the OECDs updated Privacy Guidelines all affirm that lawful privacy mechanisms, including encryption and offshore data management, are integral to individual rights.

The new model of privacy in 2026 centers on transparency, accountability, and lawful protection. Citizens and corporations are empowered to protect their communications and assets through legitimate legal channels, provided they adhere to compliance standards and disclosure obligations.

Lawful Encryption and the Right to Confidentiality

Encryption remains the most effective lawful tool for securing personal and professional information. End-to-end encryption ensures that data can only be accessed by intended recipients, shielding communications from unauthorized interception. The legality of encryption has been reaffirmed by multiple international court rulings, which recognize privacy and correspondence confidentiality as fundamental human rights.

The EUs ePrivacy Regulation, the United States Electronic Communications Privacy Act, and Canadas Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act all protect the right to use encryption in both personal and business contexts. Nevertheless, these rights coexist with government mandates that require lawful access, subject to judicial oversight.

Advanced forms of encryption, such as homomorphic encryption and quantum-resistant cryptography, are now being used by financial institutions, law firms, and international consultancies to secure sensitive information. These technologies enable computation on encrypted data without exposing its contents, offering both compliance and confidentiality.

The lawful use of encryption relies on one principle: transparency of intent. As long as encryption is used to protect legitimate privacy, intellectual property, or confidential correspondence, it is not only permissible but encouraged by modern privacy law.

Offshore Infrastructure and Jurisdictional Protection

Offshore data infrastructure has evolved from a financial tool into a legitimate solution for privacy. Hosting sensitive communications, files, or data within secure jurisdictions provides additional layers of protection against domestic surveillance and data requisition.

Countries such as Switzerland, Iceland, Singapore, and the Netherlands offer data residency laws that restrict foreign access to stored information. Under these regimes, data requests from foreign governments require judicial approval within the host jurisdiction, ensuring due process and compliance with international human rights standards.

Offshore hosting and encrypted email providers in these regions are frequently audited for compliance and transparency, ensuring that users benefit from lawful protection rather than secrecy. This form of jurisdictional diversification enables individuals and organizations to operate securely while complying with international anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) requirements.

It is crucial to distinguish lawful offshore privacy from illicit practices. Legal offshore infrastructure operates under the same principles as onshore entities, but benefits from stronger constitutional protections for privacy and more stringent regulatory oversight. When properly structured, offshore systems align with the GDPR, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) guidelines, and international treaties governing data exchange and transfer.

The Role of Compliance in Privacy Preservation

Compliance has become the defining characteristic of legitimate privacy. Modern privacy systems are built on documented accountability, where individuals and organizations can demonstrate that their data protection practices meet legal standards.

Under the EU GDPR, for instance, Article 30 requires controllers and processors to maintain detailed records of data processing activities. Similarly, Canadas Consumer Privacy Protection Act requires businesses to establish internal privacy management programs to ensure ongoing compliance with the Acts requirements. These measures allow entities to use encryption, anonymization, and jurisdictional diversification while maintaining legal transparency.

For individuals, compliance entails maintaining accurate and lawful documentation of identity verification, data ownership, and financial provenance. This transparency ensures that privacy measures cannot be misinterpreted as attempts to conceal illegal activity.

Case Study: Switzerlands Data Protection Ecosystem

Switzerlands privacy model serves as a benchmark for lawful anonymity and data security. The revised Federal Data Protection Act (FADP), implemented in 2023, strengthens individual control over personal data while ensuring corporate accountability. It explicitly prohibits unauthorized surveillance, bulk data transfer, and third-party access without legal justification.

Swiss-based service providers operate under some of the strictest privacy standards in the world, subject to criminal penalties for unauthorized disclosure of data. This has positioned Switzerland as a global hub for secure communications, asset management, and legal consulting services that prioritize confidentiality without compromising transparency.

The Swiss model demonstrates that lawful privacy can coexist with robust regulation, providing both individuals and organizations with a predictable, rights-based framework for protection.

Case Study: The EUs Cross-Border Data Transfer Mechanisms

The European Union continues to refine its mechanisms for lawful international data transfer. Following the invalidation of the Privacy Shield Framework in 2020, the EU and the United States implemented the Data Privacy Framework (DPF) to ensure that cross-border data flows comply with fundamental rights and principles.

This framework, along with standard contractual clauses (SCCs) and binding corporate rules (BCRs), enables businesses to store or process information in other jurisdictions without violating EU data protection laws. For professionals seeking lawful anonymity, these mechanisms provide a transparent basis for utilizing offshore infrastructure while preserving compliance.

Digital Identity Reconstruction and Controlled Disclosure

The right to rebuild or protect ones digital identity is increasingly recognized in global law. Identity correction through name change, document amendment, or data rectification is supported under the GDPRs right to rectification and similar provisions in Canada and the Asia-Pacific region.

Controlled disclosure, a key principle in digital identity management, enables individuals to share information selectively as needed. Through privacy-enhancing technologies such as zero-knowledge proofs, it is now possible to verify identity credentials without exposing sensitive data. This ensures both compliance and anonymity in professional and financial transactions.

Lawful Anonymity and Professional Privacy

Lawful anonymity represents the intersection of privacy rights and regulatory compliance. It enables individuals to safeguard their personal and professional details without violating disclosure obligations. For instance, in journalism, political consulting, and international business, anonymous communications are often protected under freedom of expression and contractual confidentiality laws.

Legal anonymity is achieved through identity compartmentalization, encrypted communications, and secure jurisdictional infrastructure. Professionals may use registered entities, nominee directors, or trust structures in compliant jurisdictions to separate operational identity from personal information. Provided these arrangements adhere to financial transparency and tax compliance rules, they remain fully legal.

The Future of Privacy Technology

Technological innovation continues to drive the evolution of lawful privacy. Quantum encryption, blockchain-based identity verification, and decentralized communication networks are transforming the way individuals interact securely.

Federated data storage allows users to retain ownership of their information across multiple servers, preventing centralized access. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence is being deployed to detect unauthorized surveillance and data leaks in real time.

International cooperation remains essential for regulating these technologies. The United Nations, the OECD, and the Council of Europe are all developing harmonized frameworks to strike a balance between privacy, security, and innovation.

Building a Lawful, Anonymous Life

A legally protected life in 2026 is founded on three principles: compliance, compartmentalization, and technological awareness. Individuals who adopt structured privacy systems, combining encrypted communication, offshore data residency, and verified documentation, can maintain their freedom and security within the framework of international law.

Lawful anonymity is not secrecy; it is the preservation of dignity, safety, and autonomy in a connected world. As surveillance capabilities expand, those who understand how to integrate encryption, legal infrastructure, and global compliance will remain protected without compromising legitimacy.

Conclusion

Legal privacy and security in 2026 are not defined by evasion but by strategy, structure, and lawful protection. Through encryption, jurisdictional diversification, and international compliance, individuals and organizations can safeguard their data, identity, and communications while remaining fully transparent in accordance with global standards.

In a world where surveillance is inevitable, lawful anonymity is the final frontier of personal freedom. Those who invest in compliance-driven privacy frameworks today will shape the future of digital independence tomorrow.

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Generative Engine Optimization fundamentally differs from traditional SEO in its core objective. As Walker Sands research indicates, while SEO aims to rank web pages in search results, GEO focuses on ensuring AI systems understand, trust, and cite your content within generated responses. This shift requires Israeli agencies to master new competencies including structured data implementation, entity recognition, conversational query optimization, and multi-modal content creation.

The stakes for Israeli businesses are particularly high. With the nations economy heavily dependent on technology exports and international visibility, failure to adapt to AI-powered search means losing competitive advantages in global markets. Forward-thinking Israeli agencies have invested heavily in GEO capabilities, developing proprietary tools and methodologies that position their clients as authoritative sources across all AI platforms.

1. Webs.co.il  Israels Premier GEO Pioneer

Webs.co.ils Generative Engine Optimization services represent the gold standard in Israeli AI search optimization, combining cutting-edge technology with deep strategic expertise. As the nations leading GEO agency, Webs.co.il has developed comprehensive frameworks that ensure client visibility across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Googles AI Overviews, Claude, and emerging answer engines through sophisticated multi-platform optimization strategies.

The agencys proprietary GEO methodology encompasses advanced structured data implementation using JSON-LD schema markup, entity-based content architecture that establishes topical authority, natural language optimization for conversational queries, and comprehensive E-E-A-T signals that AI systems prioritize. Their approach has consistently delivered measurable results, with clients experiencing average citation frequency increases of 340% within six months of implementation.

Advanced GEO Capabilities

Webs.co.ils GEO framework includes real-time AI visibility tracking across all major platforms, automated content optimization for answer engine inclusion, predictive analysis of emerging AI search patterns, and comprehensive competitor citation analysis. Their team of GEO specialists continuously monitors algorithm updates across AI platforms, ensuring client strategies remain ahead of industry changes.

ChatGPT OptimizationPerplexity SEOSchema MarkupEntity RecognitionAnswer Engine OptimizationAI Citation TrackingMulti-Modal SearchVoice Search GEO

What distinguishes Webs.co.il is their comprehensive understanding of how different AI platforms process and prioritize information. Their strategies account for ChatGPTs preference for Wikipedia-style comprehensive content, Perplexitys emphasis on recent authoritative sources, and Google AI Overviews focus on structured data and featured snippet optimization. This nuanced approach ensures maximum visibility across all AI search touchpoints.

How Does Inter-Dev Excel in B2B GEO Implementation?

Inter-Dev Digital Marketing has established itself as a formidable force in B2B Generative Engine Optimization, leveraging nearly two decades of experience to develop sophisticated AI visibility strategies. Their approach combines technical SEO excellence with advanced GEO methodologies, ensuring B2B technology companies achieve prominence in AI-generated responses for complex, industry-specific queries.

The agencys GEO framework emphasizes semantic richness and contextual depth, recognizing that B2B buyers increasingly rely on AI tools for vendor research and decision-making. Inter-Devs strategies include comprehensive knowledge graph optimization, advanced entity relationship mapping, and industry-specific schema implementation that helps AI systems understand complex B2B offerings and their competitive advantages.

Inter-Devs success in GEO stems from their ability to translate complex technical concepts into AI-digestible content structures. Their methodology includes creating detailed FAQ sections that directly answer buyer queries, implementing speakable schema for voice-activated AI assistants, and developing comprehensive comparison matrices that AI systems frequently cite when users evaluate B2B solutions.

What Makes Agile SEO a GEO Innovation Leader?

Agile SEO has transformed from a traditional SEO powerhouse into one of Israels most innovative GEO agencies, achieving remarkable results including consistent top citations in ChatGPT and Perplexity for competitive technology queries. Their data-driven approach to Generative Engine Optimization combines machine learning insights with practical implementation strategies that deliver measurable AI visibility improvements.

The agencys GEO methodology focuses on what Andreessen Horowitz calls getting into the models mind  creating content that AI systems naturally prioritize and cite. Agile SEOs strategies include fact-density optimization with verifiable statistics and data points, structured content formatting that facilitates AI extraction, authoritative source citation that builds AI trust signals, and conversational content optimization for natural language queries.

How Is KeyScouts Adapting HubSpot for GEO Success?

KeyScouts has pioneered the integration of marketing automation with Generative Engine Optimization, creating comprehensive strategies that ensure B2B content achieves visibility across both traditional and AI-powered search channels. Their unique position as a HubSpot partner enables implementation of sophisticated tracking systems that measure AI citation impact on lead generation and pipeline development.

The agencys GEO approach leverages HubSpots content hub to create semantically rich topic clusters that AI systems recognize as authoritative sources. Their methodology includes automated content updating to maintain freshness signals, dynamic FAQ generation based on user queries, structured data automation across all content types, and comprehensive citation tracking with business impact metrics.

The RAISE Framework for GEO Success

R elevance: Creating content that directly answers AI user queries

A uthority: Building trust signals through expert citations and data

I ntent: Understanding conversational search patterns

S tructure: Implementing AI-friendly content formatting

E ngagement: Optimizing for multi-modal AI interactions

Why Is Emboodo Leading in Transparent GEO Analytics?

Emboodos commitment to transparency extends powerfully into their GEO services, where they provide clients with unprecedented visibility into AI citation performance and competitive positioning. Their platform tracks brand mentions across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, and Googles AI Overviews, providing real-time insights into citation frequency, context, and impact on business metrics.

The agencys GEO methodology emphasizes measurable outcomes, with sophisticated attribution models that connect AI visibility to revenue generation. Their approach includes comprehensive AI crawler optimization, structured data implementation for knowledge panels, entity-based content strategies for topical authority, and multi-platform citation tracking with competitive benchmarking.

How Does Booya Digital Leverage ABM for GEO Excellence?

Booya Digital has created a unique niche in the GEO landscape by combining account-based marketing strategies with AI search optimization. Their approach ensures that B2B brands achieve visibility in AI-generated responses for account-specific queries, a critical capability as enterprise buyers increasingly use AI tools for vendor research.

The agencys GEO framework includes persona-specific content optimization for targeted AI responses, LinkedIn integration for professional AI platform visibility, industry-specific schema markup for vertical search queries, and account-based citation strategies for enterprise visibility. This targeted approach has proven particularly effective for Israeli startups seeking to establish authority in international markets.

Multi-Platform GEO Strategy

Booya Digital recognizes that different AI platforms serve different user intents. Their strategies optimize for ChatGPTs conversational responses, Perplexitys research-oriented citations, Google AI Overviews quick answer format, and Claudes detailed analytical responses. This platform-specific optimization ensures maximum visibility across all AI search touchpoints.

What Sets SEO Israel Technologies Apart in Enterprise GEO?

SEO Israel Technologies Ltd, with over two decades of market leadership, has successfully evolved into one of Israels most sophisticated GEO practitioners. Their enterprise-focused approach addresses the unique challenges large organizations face in achieving AI visibility, including complex product portfolios, multiple brand entities, and international market considerations.

The agencys GEO methodology encompasses comprehensive entity relationship mapping across brand portfolios, multilingual optimization for global AI platforms, enterprise schema implementation at scale, and automated GEO monitoring across thousands of queries. Their work with major brands like Samsung Israel demonstrates their ability to implement GEO strategies that deliver measurable business impact at enterprise scale.

Agency GEO Specialization Key Platforms Unique Strength Target Market Webs.co.il Full-Stack GEO All Major AI Platforms Proprietary GEO Framework All Industries Inter-Dev B2B Answer Optimization ChatGPT, Perplexity Technical Content GEO B2B Technology Agile SEO Data-Driven GEO Google AI, ChatGPT AI Citation Analytics Tech Startups KeyScouts Marketing Automation GEO Multi-Platform HubSpot Integration B2B SaaS Emboodo Transparent GEO Analytics All Platforms Real-Time Tracking Performance Marketing Booya Digital ABM-Focused GEO LinkedIn, ChatGPT Account-Based Optimization B2B Enterprise SEO Israel Enterprise GEO All Major Platforms Scale Implementation Large Corporations

Critical GEO Implementation Strategies for Israeli Businesses

According to Search Engine Journals research on GEO strategies, successful implementation requires addressing multiple optimization layers simultaneously. Israeli agencies have developed comprehensive frameworks that ensure visibility across traditional search while maximizing AI citation frequency.

Key strategies include implementing citation gap analysis to identify missed opportunities, maintaining content freshness with regular updates and new data, creating structured comparisons that AI systems prefer, optimizing for conversational long-tail queries, and building external validation through authoritative mentions. These approaches have proven particularly effective in the Israeli market, where bilingual optimization adds additional complexity.

In the age of ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Claude, Generative Engine Optimization is positioned to become the new playbook for brand visibility. Its not about gaming the algorithm  its about being cited by it. The brands that win in GEO wont just appear in AI responses. Theyll shape them.

 Andreessen Horowitz on the Future of Search

How Are Israeli Agencies Measuring GEO Success?

Traditional SEO metrics like rankings and traffic become less relevant in the GEO era. Israeli agencies have developed new KPIs that better reflect AI search performance, including citation frequency across platforms, answer inclusion rate for target queries, brand mention sentiment in AI responses, competitive share of voice in AI answers, and conversion attribution from AI-driven traffic.

Advanced tracking methodologies include automated prompt testing across multiple AI platforms, semantic analysis of AI response context, competitive citation benchmarking, and business impact correlation analysis. These metrics provide actionable insights that guide ongoing optimization efforts and demonstrate clear ROI from GEO investments.

Citation Frequency  How often your brand appears in AI responses

Answer Position  Placement within AI-generated answers

Platform Coverage  Visibility across different AI systems

Query Diversity  Range of queries triggering citations

Competitive Index  Share of voice versus competitors

Conversion Impact  Business outcomes from AI visibility

What Technical Requirements Enable GEO Success?

Successful GEO implementation requires sophisticated technical foundations that many traditional SEO agencies lack. According to comprehensive GEO research, critical technical requirements include allowing AI crawler access through proper robots.txt configuration, implementing comprehensive structured data markup, ensuring fast page load speeds for crawler efficiency, and maintaining mobile-first responsive design.

Israeli agencies have invested heavily in technical infrastructure that supports GEO at scale. This includes automated schema generation systems, real-time content optimization platforms, AI crawler monitoring tools, and comprehensive testing frameworks. These technical capabilities enable rapid implementation and continuous optimization across large content portfolios.

Essential Schema Markup for GEO

Israeli agencies implement comprehensive schema strategies including Article and NewsArticle for content pages, FAQ and Q&A for conversational optimization, Organization and Person for entity recognition, Product and Service for commercial queries, and SpeakableSpecification for voice search. This structured approach ensures AI systems can easily parse and understand content context.

How Is Voice Search Reshaping Israeli GEO Strategies?

Voice-activated AI assistants represent a rapidly growing segment of AI search, requiring specialized optimization strategies. Israeli agencies have developed voice-specific GEO methodologies that account for natural language patterns, conversational query structures, and the preference for concise, direct answers in voice responses.

Optimization strategies include creating FAQ content that mirrors spoken questions, implementing speakable schema markup, optimizing for near me local searches, ensuring content provides immediate value in opening sentences, and structuring information for easy audio consumption. These approaches have proven particularly effective for local Israeli businesses seeking to capture voice search traffic.

What Role Does Multilingual Optimization Play in Israeli GEO?

Israeli agencies face unique challenges in optimizing for both Hebrew and English AI searches, requiring sophisticated multilingual GEO strategies. This includes understanding how AI systems process different languages, maintaining semantic consistency across translations, and ensuring equal visibility in both language markets.

Advanced multilingual GEO strategies include parallel content structures in multiple languages, consistent entity recognition across language versions, cultural adaptation for different market contexts, and unified schema implementation across all languages. These approaches ensure Israeli businesses maintain strong AI visibility in both domestic and international markets.

GEO Budget Considerations for 2026

Small Business: 8,000-15,000 monthly for basic GEO implementation

Mid-Market: 20,000-40,000 monthly for comprehensive GEO strategies

Enterprise: 50,000+ monthly for full-scale multi-platform optimization

ROI Timeline: Initial results within 4-6 weeks, significant impact by month 3

Future Trends in Israeli GEO Development

The GEO landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with Israeli agencies at the forefront of innovation. Emerging trends include multimodal optimization for image and video AI search, real-time content adaptation based on AI feedback, predictive GEO using machine learning models, and blockchain verification for content authenticity.

As industry research suggests, by 2027 LLM traffic may overtake traditional Google search, making GEO expertise not just valuable but essential for digital visibility. Israeli agencies are investing heavily in research and development to maintain their competitive edge in this rapidly evolving field.

Key Takeaways for Israeli Businesses

Immediate Action Required: GEO implementation cant wait  early movers gain lasting advantages

Platform Diversity: Optimize for multiple AI platforms, not just Google

Content Evolution: Shift from keyword focus to conversational, answer-first content

Technical Foundation: Ensure proper schema markup and AI crawler access

Continuous Optimization: GEO requires ongoing monitoring and adjustment

Selecting the Right GEO Partner in Israel

Choosing a GEO agency requires evaluating capabilities beyond traditional SEO metrics. Key considerations include demonstrated experience across multiple AI platforms, transparent tracking and reporting methodologies, technical expertise in structured data and schema markup, proven results in citation frequency improvement, and understanding of your specific industrys AI search patterns.

The agencies profiled here represent Israels GEO elite, each bringing unique strengths to address different market needs. Whether seeking comprehensive multi-platform optimization, specialized B2B visibility, or enterprise-scale implementation, Israeli businesses have access to world-class GEO expertise that delivers measurable results in the age of AI search.

The shift from SEO to GEO represents more than a tactical adjustment  its a fundamental reimagining of how brands achieve digital visibility. Israeli agencies, with their combination of technical excellence and strategic innovation, are uniquely positioned to lead this transformation.

Conclusion: The GEO Imperative for Israeli Digital Success

As AI-powered search platforms reshape how users discover information, products, and services, Generative Engine Optimization has evolved from experimental tactic to essential strategy. The seven leading Israeli GEO companies profiled here demonstrate the sophisticated approaches required to achieve visibility in AI-generated responses while maintaining traditional search presence.

The convergence of Israels technological prowess, innovative culture, and strategic marketing expertise positions these agencies as global leaders in GEO implementation. Businesses that partner with these forward-thinking agencies gain not just improved AI visibility, but sustainable competitive advantages in an increasingly AI-dominated digital landscape. As we move through 2026 and beyond, the question isnt whether to implement GEO, but how quickly you can adapt to this new reality of search.

About This Report: This comprehensive analysis examines Israels leading Generative Engine Optimization companies, their methodologies, and their impact on AI search visibility across ChatGPT, Perplexity, and other answer engines.
Washington, DC, US (PANA) - A senior US official has called on parties to the conflict in Sudan to immediately" agree to and implement the proposed humanitarian truce
Algeria suffered two diplomatic setbacks in the final days of October, with the French National Assembly recommending the repeal of a decades-old migration accord and the United Nations Security Council endorsing Moroccos autonomy plan for the Sahara territory.

On Oct. 30, lawmakers in France voted in favor of a resolution introduced by the far-right Rassemblement National (RN) urging the government to denounce the 1968 Franco-Algerian agreement that grants Algerian nationals preferential migration status. The resolution calls on the government to review the accord but does not carry the force of law.

Analysts said the vote marked a symbolic victory for RN leader Marine Le Pen and highlighted growing political consensus in France on immigration issues linked to Algeria.

It is the first time the RN has succeeded in passing a text with majority support, and it signals a shift in attitudes toward Algeria, political commentator and former ambassador Xavier Driencourt wrote in an analysis published by Le360.

The following day, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution backing Moroccos autonomy proposal for Western Sahara as the central reference point in negotiations.

The text passed with 11 votes in favor and three abstentions, despite Algerias opposition.

The resolution reflects a trend of international support for Moroccos position, reinforced in recent years by the Abraham Accords and endorsements from key European states including France, Spain, Germany and the United Kingdom.

The developments come amid heightened tensions between Algiers and Paris, already strained by the detention of Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal and French journalist Christophe Gleizes in Algeria. Rights groups have criticized the arrests as politically motivated.

Driencoirt described the week as a double defeat for Algeria, noting that the UN vote coincided with Algerias national holiday on Nov. 1.

The diplomatic landscape has shifted significantly, and Algeria faces growing isolation on the Western Sahara issue, he said.
Moroccos coastal and artisanal fishing sector generated close to 9 billion dirhams (approximately $900 million) through October 2025, marking a 3% decline from the same period last year, according to data from the National Office of Fisheries (ONP).

The sectors overall catch volume dropped more significantly, falling 14% year-over-year to reach 948,177 tons. This disparity between value and volume reflects shifting market dynamics within Moroccos vital fishing industry, which ranks as Africas largest by export value and contributes roughly 2-3% of the nations GDP.

The statistics reveal dramatic variations across different seafood categories. Shellfish sales surged an extraordinary 1,258% in value, while algae and white fish saw more modest gains of 27% and 9% respectively. By weight, shellfish landings jumped to 409 tons, followed by algae at 25,143 tons and white fish at 110,920 tons.

However, traditional high-volume categories experienced substantial declines. Pelagic fishincluding sardines and mackerel that typically dominate Moroccos catchfell 18% to 757,613 tons. Cephalopods dropped 16% to 47,469 tons, while crustaceans decreased 6% to 6,221 tons.

Regional performance showed notable divergence between Moroccos two coastal zones. Mediterranean ports bucked the national trend, posting a 6% increase in volume to 13,516 tons and a 3% rise in value to 601.2 million dirhams. Meanwhile, Atlantic coast portswhich handle the bulk of Moroccos fishing activityrecorded a 14% volume decline to 934,661 tons, though values remained relatively stable with only a 4% drop to approximately 8.34 billion dirhams.

The fishing sector remains crucial for Moroccos economy, supporting an estimated 700,000 direct and indirect jobs across coastal communities and accounting for 15-20% of the countrys agri-food exports.
BlueBird Aero Systems Ltd., a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) group & a world leader in the manufacturing of tactical drones, has trained Moroccan engineers in preparation for the launch of SpyX drone production plant in the North African Kingdom.

On its official LinkedIn page, the Israeli company said that it hosted a team of Moroccan engineers and technicians for an in-depth training session on UAV production process. Part of a technology transfer (TOT) program, the training included high-tech sharing on the manufacturing process of the kamikaze Spy-X drone, a tactical system with small logistic footprint.

The cutting-edge Loitering Munition UAV platform is easily transportable and deployed by a crew of two soldiers, enabling them to conduct an automatic launch, navigate along pre-planned waypoints, arm and disarm the system, manually select the target, command guided attack, abort or wave-off during an attack and renew mission.

With a 50-km operational range and 2h autonomous mission time, SpyX warheads weigh up to 2.5 kg such as Anti-Personnel and light vehicles (A/P) and Anti-Tanks (A/T), while its attack speed of 250 km ensures efficient engagement of targets.

This project will help create skilled jobs in Morocco, attract more foreign investment, and enable Moroccan engineers to acquire advanced skills. It is also part of Moroccos push to modernize its defense capabilities and encourage scientific research, innovation and cutting edge technologies.
The Algerian regime has finally released the renowned writer Boualem Sansal, after months of blatant lies and repression.

The release was not an expression of justice or dignity. It came out of desperation, pressure, and political calculation.

It took just one official statement from the German president to force the exhausted Algerian authorities to free the man they had turned into a political hostage.

President Frank-Walter Steinmeiers appeal for clemency on humanitarian grounds came in a message to Algerian authorities. The message subtly invokes President Tebbounes own reliance on German hospitals. The German appeal was enough to break Algiers stubborn resistance and months of propaganda and a smearing campaign that described Sansal as a threat to national unity.

Sansal was released right after an official announcement. He was escorted to the airport under heavy security and boarded a private jet bound for Germany. This symbolic flight, far from being a gesture of honor, underscored the regimes capitulation: the same power that had branded him a traitor now ensured his transfer in luxury, desperate to salvage its own image abroad.

Moral collapse

The regime actually capitulated to French calls for the release of the writer. But to save its face it chose to send him to a third country: Germany.

This outcome, while welcome, is a stark reminder of the regimes moral collapse. Sansal was never a regular prisoner.

Sansal was arrested on November 16, 2024, after comments on the colonial nature of Algerias current borders including large swathes of territories amputated by French colonialism from Morocco. The mere mention of this historical fact cost him a five-year jail sentence.

Even prior to the cham trial, Tebboune himself vilified the writer calling him a thief, a bastard, and a man of unknown identity.

Now, suddenly he discovers in him a literary figure worthy of presidential mercy. The hypocrisy is staggering. President Tebboune, who postures as the guardian of a proud and sovereign Algeria, now bows to Berlin to secure his own medical treatment, and to Paris, which made Sansals release a prerequisite for resuming diplomatic dialogue.

Sansals release reflects the self-harming tactics of a regime in demise. Isolated after the Sahara debacle, abandoned even by allies like China and Russia, estranged from Madrid, and frozen out by Paris, the Algerian System is desperate for a diplomatic lifeline. Ironically, Sansal has become that lifeline.
Direct air links between Morocco and Israel could soon return after they have been suspended on October7, 2023, according to Israeli media.

Israeli Channel 12 said Morocco will reopen its skies to Israeli travelers this week, making it the first Muslim-majority country to restore flights with Israel since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict.

The development follows a reported phone call earlier this month between the Israeli Minister of Transport and his Moroccan counterpart, attended by senior officials from both sides.

Israeli journalists have amplified the news on social media. Zvika Klein, editor-in-chief of the Jerusalem Post, wrote on X: For the first time since October 7, Morocco will allow Israelis to visit, and flights to Morocco will resume tomorrow. Jonathan Serero echoed the same, stating that direct flights are set to restart imminently.

As of now, no official confirmation has been issued by Moroccan or Israeli authorities, nor by airlines previously operating these routes. Royal Air Maroc and El Al list Israel as a destination on their websites, but no flights are currently available for booking this week. Arkia, which once connected Tel Aviv to Marrakech, also shows no scheduled services.

A source within Royal Air Maroc told Le360 that no flights are programmed at this stage, while leaving the door open for a possible restart soon.
South Sudans President Salva Kiir Mayardit has dismissed Vice President Benjamin Bol Mel and removed him from his leadership role in the ruling Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM) party, according to presidential decrees broadcast on SSBC State television on Wednesday.

Bol Mel was also demoted from general to private in the National Security Service. The decrees additionally removed Paul Logale as SPLM Secretary General, appointing Akol Paul Kordit as his replacement, while Addis Ababa Othow was dismissed as governor of the Bank of South Sudan and Simon Akuei was sacked as commissioner general of the South Sudan Revenue Authority, with William Anyuon Kuol named as his successor.

Earlier on Wednesday, Bol Mels office had denied social media claims that he was under house arrest or had his security withdrawn, stating he continued to implement President Kiirs vision for a prosperous and self-reliant South Sudan.

No successor has been named for the vice presidency. Bol Mel had been appointed vice president in February to replace Wani Igga, representing the SPLM. South Sudans government maintains a unique structure of five vice presidents, established under the 2018 peace agreement.
Well, someone important finally said it. Craig Albert, head of construction firm Bechtel, credited by the Financial Times for rescuing the Vogtle nuclear project in Georgia (we think finishing it would be a better description), told that august paper that if the government wanted to get Donald Trumps nuclear construction expansion going, it should be willing to pick up part of the costs. That is, subsidize the seemingly inevitable cost overruns? All the stories that followed talked about encouraging the early movers as if nobody had been building nuclear plants for the past seventy years, with cost overruns a common feature of construction in the US and Europe for at least 40 years.

Weve said, and written in blogs and books, that building nuclear power plants in the USA (and a lot of other places) is not and has never been a commercial business venture. And maybe not a rational one, either. (The list of government subsidies for the industry like insurance, fuel procurement, nuclear waste disposal etc. go on and on.) And Mr. Alberts comments seem to bear that out. Just about every other electricity source is cheaper. If you dont believe in climate change, then why not build more coal and gas? The USA has large domestic supplies of both. They run around the clock, too. If you believe in climate change, wind and solar assisted by batteries and better transmission can do the same job as a base load plant at about the same price points. And the wind and sun dont have to be imported. But the Chinese control the rare earths that go into those facilities. Yes, but there are plenty of rare earths to be found elsewhere (rare being a misnomer). The problem is that the Chinese control the processing. So, would it take more time to build a nuclear plant or to build rare earth processing facilities in friendly places?

Related: Trump Signs Deal to Reopen U.S. Government

Or, if we really were worried about national security or the climate and were looking for an economical way out, we might want to do something about our outsize consumption of electricity, roughly 50-100% higher than in similarly developed countries in similar climates. For years, energy economists have argued that saving energy is a lot cheaper than producing it. A nonstarter nowadays. (Ever since 1977 when Jimmy Carter caused a controversy by turning down the thermostats and putting on a sweater in the White House to encourage energy conservation this has been a political nonstarter. Sad.)

Heres the point. We need lots of electricity, but we dont need nuclear power. So why should we subsidize the risk? This is not a new technology. Our first commercial reactor entered service in 1957. Its an old, extremely complicated technology that never met its promised potential. A workable fusion reactor might change the world, but not more fission nukes. However, if the powers that be really want more nukes, we suggest that the government build and run them. It couldnt do worse than the private generating companies. It would open the nuclear subsidy to public scrutiny and it would save a bundle on capital costs. (The government can always finance things much more cheaply than the private sector.) Our conclusion is that nuclear power is not a place for the private sector because it is not, and has never been, a commercially viable business.

By Leonard Hyman and William Tilles for Oilprice.com

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Big Tech is building data centers everywhere it can. Companies are replacing employees with AIand all this is just the start; or it would be, if there was enough electricity to power all those data centers that handle the AI that everyone is using more and more. That might be a problem.

Earlier this month, Nvidias chief executive warned that the West risks losing the AI race because electricity was too expensive. Yet the price of electricity is only one part of the problem that Big Tech faces with regard to its AI plans. The other is the availability of that electricity.

Bloomberg reported this week that at least two data center projects are sitting uncompleted, waiting for electricity supply to be secured before they get finalized. Both are relatively small projects, the publication noted, and highlight a major challenge to the continued proliferation of AI: power. Bloomberg blamed aging power infrastructure, a slow build-out of new transmission lines and a variety of regulatory and permitting hurdles.

Regulation and permitting regimes are invariably cited by the corporate world as a problem, so the inclusion of this factor in the list of culprits is essentially standard practice. As for aging infrastructure, this is a real problem that requires hefty investments by power utilities and takes time to solveand pushes electricity bills higher, aggravating the financial part of the data center problem. Transmission lines are also in short supplyespecially for data center operators who want to boost their climate-friendly credentials by contracting electricity supply from wind and solar installations. Yet even those climate-friendly data center operators need stable supply, and there is simply not enough of that.

Related: Oil Prices Sink 4% as OPEC Moves to Balanced 2026 Outlook

Goldman Sachs recently joined the ranks of AI forecasters putting a number on the industrys energy demand. Per the bank, this number could reach 9% of the total energy demand in the United States. That total last year hit an all-time high, topping 4,000 billion kWh and is expected to keep breaking records this year, the Energy Information Administration predicted, especially noting data centers as one big reason for that.

The demand has never been higher, and it's really a power-supply problem that we have, a real estate brokerage executive told Bloomberg. There are portions of data-center demand that need to be as close as possible to population centers, Bill Dougherty also said. That is the demand that needs to be in California. They can't bring it online because theres constraints on power.

The data centers that need to be closer to population centers are the smaller ones, which service local clients. Larger data centers can apparently be further from their clientsand for them, the transmission line problem could be a bigger one. But all that pales to the supply problem that has seen wait times for connection to the grid stretch for years. This problem is not going away anytime soon, because building new generation capacity also takes time, and there is a shortage of gas turbines.

Gas-powered plants have become a Goldilocks thing for the tech industry. They take less time to build than nuclear and generate baseload power, unlike wind and solar. But because new gas-powered plant construction has not exactly been booming in the past decades, turbine manufacturers do not exactly keep massive inventory. In other words, there will be a certain time gap between the surge in demand for new generation capacity and the supply response from turbine makers. This brings it all back to the price part of the AI problem, which is heating up.

AP reported this week that electricity bills are shaping up as a major topic of discussion in the upcoming midterm election as resentment towards Big Tech and its data centers grows. Theres a lot of pressure on politicians to talk about affordability, and electricity prices are right now the most clear example of problems of affordability, one politics and government professor from Fairleigh Dickinson University told AP.

Voters are mad as hell about energy prices increasing, Virginia State Delegate Shelly Simonds told NBC. And theyre mad about affordability in general. And anybody who ignores these issues does so at their peril. Its definitely going to be an issue during the midterms, the Democrat delegate also said.

Interestingly, some researchers disagree that data centers are to blame for higher electricity prices. Instead, they argue its the infrastructure investments that are driving bills higher, per a Washington Post report. The study points to a counterintuitive link between electricity demand and prices where higher demand actually leads to lower pricesbecause with more demand, you can then take some of those fixed infrastructure costs and end up spreading them around more megawatt-hours that are being sold  and that can actually reduce rates for everyone, per one of the researchers.

Every website you visit offers an AI option these days. Every company that wants a competitive edge over competitors is using AI for whatever it can think of. But whether the full potential of the technology can be realized would depend on electricitythe availability and price of it.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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New York, US (PANA) - The UN Secretary-General called on Wednesday for action to prioritise Africa, urging the world not to turn its back on the continent
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev kicked off a two-day visit November 11 to Russia by exchanging pleasantries in the Kremlin with Vladimir Putin and meeting with students at the prestigious Moscow State Institute for International Relations.

Tokayev sought to reassure Putin that bilateral ties retain the character of strategic partnership, adding that there are no serious problems between our states. Putin, meanwhile, voiced a desire to talk informally about issues that are of particular interest.

What Putin likely meant is his concern about the evident erosion of Russian influence in Kazakhstan at the expense of not only the United States and European Union, but also China, which is now Astanas top trade partner. In addition, Kazakhstan, along with Uzbekistan, has deepened engagement with Ukraine in recent months.

Behind closed doors, Putin no doubt pressed Tokayev on the outcome of the US-Central Asia summit on November 6 in Washington, where billions of dollars worth of deals were announced. The Kremlin leader also probably raised the topic of Kazakhstans toughening stance on enforcing Western sanctions against Russia.

On November 12, full delegations from both sides were scheduled to sit down and go over the entire agenda of bilateral relations.

At a business forum held in Moscow in conjunction with Tokayevs visit, Kazakh Trade Minister Arman Shakkaliev said the two countries had 29 planned business deals in place with a potential collective value of up to $31 billion. But he did not disclose any details about the projects or provide timelines. He added that educational exchanges are a key direction in bilateral relations, noting that more than 55,000 Kazakh citizens were studying at Russian higher education institutions.

Despite the abundance of positive rhetoric, bilateral business ties seem to be fraying. During the first year of the Russia-Ukraine war, the number of registered Russian entities operating in Kazakhstan almost doubled, going from just under 8,000 to 15,600. The number peaked in 2024 at 19,400 before starting a gradual decline. During the first nine months of 2025, the number fell to 17,500, a 7.2 percent decline since the start of the year, the Kazakh financial news outlet Finratings reported November 12.

The news outlet cited a variety of factors fueling the downward trend, including changes in logistics [and] sanctions pressure.

By Eurasianet

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Pakistan is scaling back its dependence on imported LNG as volatile global prices and a weakened currency strain its economy. The government is deferring gas deliveries and turning instead to coal, hydropower, and nuclear energy to stabilize supply and reduce import costs. Cheaper coal and expanding hydro and nuclear capacity, much of it financed by China, are reshaping the countrys power mix. Yet persistent debt, rigid contracts, and grid inefficiencies keep electricity among the most expensive in South Asia.

Pakistans main buyer of LNG, the state-owned Pakistan LNG Limited (PLL) has been quietly renegotiating LNG delivery schedules, deferring several cargoes planned for 2026, and seeking additional postponements as spot prices remain volatile. The countrys long-term LNG portfolio  currently dominated by long-term contracts with QatarGas (3.8 million t/y, 20162031), Italys Eni (0.8 million t/y, 20172032) and Azerbaijans Socar (0.8 million t/y, 20232028)  has become a liability as Brent-linked formulas sent import bills soaring in rupee terms. Government subsidies that once shielded consumers became fiscally unsustainable, while currency depreciation worsens the pain. Although Pakistan was careful not to link its binding commitments to spot JKM prices (which are currently $3/mmBtu higher than Brent-linked prices), and recent decline in oil prices has eased contract costs slightly, LNG in absolute terms remains far more expensive than when Pakistan signed its 15-year deals with Qatar.

After intensive talks that started in August, the PLL reached an agreement with QatarEnergy and Eni in October to defer up to two LNG cargoes per month in 2026. The arrangement is currently confirmed only for the next year, with future deferrals to be reviewed in line with Pakistans evolving gas balance. Meanwhile, the Azerbaijan supply dealoriginally set to expire at the end of 2025was extended to 2028. Unlike the Qatari and Italian contracts, it offers greater flexibility, allowing Pakistan to receive one cargo per month at a price below prevailing market rates, with no penalties foreseen in case PLL forgoes its right of purchase.

Related: Oil Prices Sink 4% as OPEC Moves to Balanced 2026 Outlook

Only a few years ago, Pakistan was a fast-growing buyer of liquefied gas, becoming one of the key drivers of spot-market demand in South Asia. Today, it is pulling back. Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik has publicly blamed the countrys heavy reliance on LNG imports for stagnant domestic gas exploration. The guaranteed operation of regasified LNG (RLNG) plants inhibits local production and forces state buyers to absorb expensive contractual volumes even when demand is weak. According to data from the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA), the share of LNG-fired power generation has fallen from 20% in 1Q 2024 to 14% in 3Q 2025, as the government prioritizes coal-based and renewable sources (mainly hydropower) to reduce import exposure. Yet transmission bottlenecks between Pakistans northern and southern grids often compel operators to run RLNG plants first, even when cheaper alternatives exist, locking the system into inefficiency.

Coal and hydropower have emerged as the main alternatives. With international coal prices collapsing from an average of $400/t in 2022 to around $100/t in the first nine months of 2025, Pakistan has quietly increased coals role in its generation mix. Imported coals share rose from 25% to 27% in first 10 months of 2025, with about 70 % of total coal consumption now directed to power plants. The government has also encouraged greater use of domestic reserves, reducing reliance on imports from 60% in 2020 to roughly 25% in 2024. Most imported coal still arrives from South Africa (50-55%) and Indonesia (20%), but local output  particularly from Sindh Provinces vast deposits  is becoming increasingly significant. Pakistans recoverable coal reserves exceed 186 billion tonnes, 99% of which lie in Sindh Province, where the Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC) operates mines producing about 7 million tonnes annually. Although domestic coal is lower grade in comparison with South African or Indonesian alternatives, its average price of $90-95/t makes it cheaper than imported fuel, reinforcing coals appeal as a base-load source.

Hydropower has strengthened even faster. According to the Pakistan Electricity Review 2025, hydropowers share of generation climbed to 30% in 2024 and continued rising into 2025, when June output peaked at an all-time monthly high of 6,670 GWh  about 44% of that months total electricity supply. Seasonal volatility remains an obstacle, but water-based generation seems to have become a critical buffer against imported-fuel shocks.

Nuclear energy, meanwhile, is expanding steadily. The nuclear sectors share in Pakistans power mix has tripled from 8% in 2020 to 27% in 2025, generating roughly 2,227 GWh in January 2025. Pakistan now operates 6 commercial reactors at its Karachi and Chashma sites, with a combined capacity of 3.3 GW, all built by China National Nuclear Corporation. Construction of the seventh Chashma-5 reactor (1,200 MW capacity) began in December 2024, a $3.5 billion project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), underscoring Beijings pivotal role in the countrys energy transition.

The economics behind this transformation remain fragile. Power generation costs are rising as imported fuels and the rupees depreciation inflate electricity prices. According to the International Energy Agency, Pakistans energy-price component climbed from $39 to $55/MWh between 2019-20 and 2024-25, while the capacity-price element declined from $37 to $25/MWh. The shift reflects rising fuel prices, which even in the face of stable or even declining power plant operational costs still lift the consumer electricity prices. Indeed, residential tariffs followed the pattern: from roughly PKR 25/ kWh ($0.09) in 2023, they increased to PKR 3540 ($0.120.14) in 2024 before easing slightly in 2025 as fuel prices stabilized. Despite this moderation, Pakistans power remains among the most expensive in the region, with persistent capacity payments still eroding fiscal space.

Behind these numbers lies a deeper structural constraint. Pakistans energy infrastructure is financed overwhelmingly by external debt  particularly loans from the IMF, the Asian Development Bank, and China. Many of the large power plants and transmission lines built under CPEC operate on take-or-pay or capacity-payment terms, obliging Islamabad to pay for output even when demand falls. Roughly 20-30 % of the countrys external debt is now owed to Chinese creditors, a burden exacerbated by dollar-linked tariffs and costly project guarantees. Without successive IMF bailouts, Pakistan would likely have defaulted several times in recent years. The paradox of its energy economy is that while state-owned power companies generate profits, those gains are consumed by compensation payments to private operators and by the inefficiencies of a grid unable to dispatch power from cheaper plants when transmission limits intervene.

Pakistans pivot away from LNG marks a pragmatic, if uneasy, adaptation to global price realities. Coal, hydropower, and nuclear energy are filling the gap, but each brings its own vulnerabilities  from environmental costs and water dependence to long construction cycles and heavy debt. The countrys next energy crisis may not be about scarcity, but about affordability: whether its evolving mix can deliver reliable power without deepening a financial strain already at the core of its economy.

By Natalia Katona for Oilprice.com

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Ukraine has been rocked by a corruption scandal in which suspects allegedly discussed millions of dollars worth of kickbacks on protection for energy plants, even as Russian bombs raining down on them plunged citizens into cold and darkness.

But it's not only the allegations that are explosive. The cast list includes people at the highest levels of government centered around a longstanding close collaborator of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy himself.

Worse still, the investigation has been carried out by anti-corruption institutions that Zelenskyy tried to muzzle before the biggest street protests since Russia's full-scale invasion forced him to back down in the summer.

Meanwhile, corruption is a hot-button issue for Ukraine's international reputation.

Critics of Western support for the embattled nation, fighting Europe's biggest conflict since World War II, have sought to play down its measures to improve transparency since breaking free of Moscow's orbit after mass street protests in 2014.

There's a huge amount at stake.

Who Are The Suspects?

Several people have been implicated in Operation Midas, an ongoing investigation.

The alleged ringleader is Tymur Mindich, a co-owner of the Kvartal 95 comedy troupe that Zelenskyy also co-owned before he became president. The business was an important vehicle for Zelenskyy to gain popularity as a comedian and actor before entering politics.

Mindich, 46, was also a business partner with billionaire Ihor Kolomoyskiy, who backed Zelenskyy's 2019 presidential campaign and who has been in pretrial detention since 2023 on fraud and money-laundering charges.

Law enforcement sources said Mindich left Ukraine shortly before his home was searched by police on November 10.

He has not commented on the case.

Viktor Chumak, chief military prosecutor in 2019-20 and acting prosecutor-general in 2020, told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service "it is absolutely impossible, unless you are helped by law enforcement officers" to exit the country quickly amid Ukraine's wartime travel restrictions.

Another high-profile figure involved in the case is Herman Halushchenko, who was suspended from his position of justice minister on November 12. He previously served as energy minister.

Halushchenko said he would defend himself in court from claims he had received "personal benefits" from Mindich in the alleged kickback scheme.

Former Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who is currently secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, and former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov, are also implicated in the case.

Umerov has denied involvement. Separate corruption charges were brought against Chernyshov in June.

On recordings made by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), the suspects used nicknames among themselves. Mindich was Karlson, Chernyshov was Che Guevara.

On November 12, Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk tendered her resignation, following a call by Zelenskyy for her to go. She insisted she had not broken the law.

What Are The Allegations?

NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) allege $100 million of graft in the energy sector by "a high-level criminal organization."

The focus is on Energoatom, the state-owned nuclear power operator with around $4.7 billion in annual revenue. The suspects allegedly charged 10-15 percent kickbacks from Energoatom's private subcontractors in return for keeping their contracts running.

In one NABU tape, former energy minister adviser Ihor Myronyuk is heard apparently threatening to cancel such contracts.

"You'll be wiped out completely. All your employees will be conscripted into the army," he is heard saying. Myronyuk denies any wrongdoing.

At another point, participants are heard discussing giving contracts for protective structures against air attacks at energy installations.

NABU has carried out 70 house searches and made 1,000 hours of secret audio recordings as part of the investigation.

How Bad Is This?

The potential fallout is huge.

Millions of Ukrainians are enduring untold hardships as Russia's full-scale invasion approaches its fourth anniversary. This includes frequent power cuts as Russia targets energy infrastructure to degrade Ukraine's war effort and drain morale.

With winter approaching, these pressures are increasingly acute.

Tymofiy Mylovanov resigned from Energoatom's supervisory board on November 11, saying his proposals for the company's response to the scandal were being ignored.

"Every hryvnya that is spent ineffectively, whether it is stolen, or simply spent ineffectively, is a loss of life on the front line," he told RFE/RL.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called the scandal "extremely unfortunate," adding that it was important Kyiv takes it seriously.

As noted, the allegations run extremely close to Zelenskyy.

In Ukraine, it hasn't escaped notice that he moved to curtail the independence of NABO and SAPO just a few months ago.

At that point, investigators were already well advanced into a 15-month operation that has only now been made public.

The move against the two agencies led people to take to the streets in protest despite making themselves potential targets for Russian air strikes. The sensitivity of the issue was underlined by a protester who linked it to the war, with a poster reading, "This is not the future my brother died for."

Ukraine's Western backers, who have long pressured Kyiv to improve its record on fighting corruption, added to the pressure -- urging Zelenskyy to backtrack. Less than 72 hours after signing the law that removed the autonomy of NABU and SAPO, he submitted a bill restoring it.

"I do not rule out that this [investigation] was the reason for the pressure imposed on NABU in the summer. I can't rule it out," said Chumak, the former prosecutor.

"It was an attempt to transfer all the cases -- first of all, to get the materials from all the cases, and secondly, to transfer them to another entity."

Mylovanov said he did not believe Zelenskyy attempted a cover-up. "The president clearly said that there should be sentences," he said.

But perceptions are important, and not only in Ukraine.

Western governments providing military and economic support to Kyiv need to justify it to their electorates, and this scandal doesn't make that any easier.

"Trust is at stake -- among the population, the army, and international partners. No dissolution of a supervisory board, no sentencing of a few individuals, and no new audits will undo the damage that is unfolding," said Mattia Nelles, co-founder and executive director of the German-Ukrainian Bureau, a think-tank that promotes stronger support for Ukraine in Germany.

"Minor changes here and there will no longer be enough to bridge the gulf of distrust. Otherwise, this risks becoming a turning point in Zelenskyy's presidency."

By RFE/RL

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The American Petroleum Institute (API) estimated that crude oil inventories in the United States saw a build of 1.3 million barrels in the week ending November 7, after analysts anticipated a 1.7 million barrel build. Crude oil inventories gained 6.5 million barrels in the week prior.

Crude oil inventories in the United States are so far showing a net gain of 4.9 million barrels for the year, according to Oilprice calculations of API data.

Earlier this week, the Department of Energy (DoE) reported that crude oil inventories in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) have risen by 1 million barrels to 410.4 million barrels in the week ending November 7 as the government attempts to replenish the nations oil stockpile that shrank during the Biden Administration.

US production rose during the week of October 31, to 13.651 million bpd, according to the EIA. This is 116,000 bpd more than the beginning of the year levels, and a new record based on EIA reported weekly data.

At 3:22 pm ET, Brent crude was trading down, by $2.53 (-3.88%) on the day, sinking to $62.63 after OPEC published its latest MOMR that showed it no longer expected the oil markets to be in a deficit next year. Current prices are a $2 per barrel loss week over week. WTI was also trading down on the day, by $2.66 (-4.36%) at $58.38.

Gasoline inventories saw a decrease of 1.4 million barrels in the week ending November 7, after losing 5.653 million barrels in the week prior. As of last week, gasoline inventories were 5% below the five-year average for this time of year, according to the latest EIA data.

Distillate inventories rose in the reporting period, gaining 944,000 barrels, compared to the week priors 2.459-million-barrel drawdown. Distillate inventories were already 9% below the five-year average as of the week ending October 31, the latest EIA data shows.

Cushing inventorythe inventory kept at the delivery hub for the WTI Crude futures contractdipped slightly by 43,000 barrels, after rising by 364,000 barrels in the prior week.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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The European Unions development bank has decided to provide additional funds to Ukraines state energy firm Naftogaz to secure natural gas supply amid continued Russian attacks on the Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

The European Investment Bank (EIB), the bank of the European Union, will extend a $147-million (127 million euros) grant to Naftogaz, according to an EIB statement carried by Reuters.

Last month, the EIB extended a loan of $348 million (300 million euros) to Naftogaz in an urgent measure to strengthen energy resilience and replenish Ukraines long-term gas reserves ahead of winter.

The loan will secure energy supply for households and businesses, following damage to Ukrainian infrastructure caused by Russias ongoing attacks, the EIB said in October.

Russian attacks on Ukraines energy infrastructure intensified as temperatures began to drop in the autumn. Ukraine has discussed with G7 countries additional natural gas imports as it seeks to boost imports by 30% to offset the damage from Russian strikes on its gas infrastructure.

Naftogaz said in early October that Russia launched another massive attack on Ukraines gas infrastructure. The targets were civilian facilities that supply Ukrainians with gas during the heating season.

As a result of this attack, a significant portion of our facilities has been damaged. Some of the destruction is critical, Naftogaz CEO Sergii Koretskyi said.

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In the past week, Naftogaz signed an agreement with Polish energy firm Orlen for the supply of U.S. LNG, and agreed with Greek company ATLANTIC-SEE to jointly work to ensure U.S. LNG supply to Europe and Ukraine through Greek LNG terminals and the Vertical Corridor.

Separately, Ukraines imports of electricity from the European Union surged to a 2025 high in October as Russia intensified attacks on the power grid to wreak additional havoc as temperatures drop.

The Russia-Ukraine war on strategic energy assets has escalated in recent weeks, with Russia targeting gas facilities and power infrastructure in Ukraine, and Ukraine increasing drone strikes on Russian refineries and key export hubs.

By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com

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Germany has agreed to subsidize electricity for its heavy industries, capping prices at about 0.05 per kilowatt-hour from 2026 through 2028a major policy move aimed at keeping its industrial base from eroding under the weight of Europes soaring energy costs.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Thursday that Berlins coalition partners reached the deal after months of debate, and that discussions with the European Commission for approval were largely complete. The measure will target energy-intensive industries such as steel, chemicals, and automakingsectors that have warned repeatedly they cannot compete globally with power costs nearly double those in the U.S.

Germanys power market is the largest in Europe, consuming roughly 500 terawatt-hours annually, and its been under severe pressure. Since the 2022 energy crisis, power prices have remained volatilespiking again this fall as renewable generation faltered and gas-fired output surged to its highest level since 2021. Low wind speeds, weak hydro output, and grid bottlenecks forced Germany to burn more natural gas and coal to stabilize supply.

Those dynamics have made energy security a central political issue. Forecasts of a cold winter have already driven German power futures near 100 per megawatt-hour, reigniting public anger over industrial competitiveness and household affordability.

Industry groups say the temporary subsidy is essential to prevent production from shifting overseas. But critics warn it only papers over deeper structural problemsaging infrastructure, slow permitting, and unreliable renewable outputthat have left Germany dependent on fossil fuels despite its ambitious climate targets.

Berlin hopes the three-year relief period will buy time to expand grid capacity and add flexible generation, but analysts say unless those projects materialize quickly, the country could face another round of industrial contraction by the decades end.

For Europes industrial heartland, the price of power has become the price of survival.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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Hungarian oil company MOL is close to buying an 11.3% stake in Serbias only refinery from its Russian owners, Serbian news outlet NIN reported on Thursday, citing sources familiar with the plans.

The Russians trust the Hungarian company, and Hungarys Prime Minister Viktor Orban, and plans are for MOL to buy 11.3% of Serbias only refinery Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS), the Serbian magazine reports.

Gazprom Neft and Gazprom affiliates hold a majority stake in NIS, with the Serbian state owning the remaining 29.9%.

The details of a deal are expected to be discussed later this week in Hungarys capital city Budapest, where a Russian delegation is expected on a visit, according to Serbias NIN.

A deal is not certain as negotiations are being held with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), too, the news outlet added.

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.

The Russian owners of 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 earlier this week.

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 on Tuesday.

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.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Nearly a third of Russias current seaborne oil export potential is now stuck in tankers as the U.S. sanctions upend crude flows and Russias top buyers, China and India, are still struggling to assess the implications of the sanctions, according to JPMorgan.

Russias oil exports are entering a new phase of disruption as sanctions targeting Rosneft and Lukoil are set to take effect, prompting its two largest customers  India and China  to sharply reduce their December purchases, the Wall Street bank said in a note, as carried by Reuters.

According to JPMorgans estimates, as many as 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd) of Russian crude oil, or nearly a third of its exporting potential, are on tankers at present, amid re-routing and slowed unloading as buyers are hesitant following the U.S. sanctions on Russias top oil producers and exporters, Rosneft and Lukoil.

Due to the sanctions, the discount of Russias flagship crude Urals to Brent has widened in recent days to the highest this year at $20 per barrel.

As of Monday, Urals was priced $19.40 per barrel below Brent on a free-on-board (FOB) basis at the Russian Baltic Sea port of Primorsk and at the port of Novorossiysk on the Black Sea, widening from $13-$14 per barrel discount at the beginning of November, an industry source told Russian daily Kommersant earlier this week, citing data by Argus.

All but two Indian refiners have skipped placing orders for Russian crude for December after the U.S. sanctioned Rosneft and Lukoil, sources with knowledge of the purchases told Bloomberg earlier this week.

In China, major state-owned refiners have reportedly suspended purchases of Russian crude oil, but the independent refiners in the Shandong province, the so-called teapots, are unlikely to halt imports of the cheap crude that has become a staple for their refineries.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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By Taxpayers Association of Oregon

OregonWatchdog.com

The above meme was popular on national comedic websites.

Or the public sees people dressed in inflatable bunny suits kicking tear gas at Federal agents.

Or this:

In a way this is not fair to the everyday Portlanders who are not part of the circus.

Yet, when the media showcases inflatable protesters at the ICE protest, they think they are making President Trump look bad for calling Portland lawless, but in reality they begin to make Portland look off-balanced.

Same with how elected officials describe what Portland is famous for and then begin to list the Naked Bike Ride or our marijuana businesses as opposed to our famous restaurants and famous businesses like Powells Books, Columbia Sportswear, Salt/Straw. Portland is doubling down on weird, and they kinda need to sober up a bit.

Our elected officials in Portland have blamed Fox News for their bad publicity. Yet, the path to getting out of this bad branding starts with Portland itself.


By Taxpayers Association of Oregon

OregonWatchdog.com

Two different rumor sources say Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has bailed Oregon for Hawaii during this critical time and fresh-off her $200,000 taxpayer-paid trip to Asia. This also comes off the Labor Day weekend where she forced lawmakers to cancel their family vacation plans to attend a Special Emergency Legislative Session that she herself did not attend, nor testify on her own gas tax bill at the hearing. Speculation at that time was that she was too busy vacationing on the Oregon Coast.

While Governor Kotek has been doing nothing, she had been blocking voters from doing something. Kotek delayed signing her own gas tax bill as a delay tactic to prevent voters from launching the referendum petition drive (StopTheGasTax.com). That petition drive is awaiting final approval from the Oregon Elections Office. As this battle over gas taxes begins, her ODOT Director resigned this week.

All of this disconnect Kotek has in Oregon, may be a sign that her time is over. Kotek was twice rated as the least liked Governor in America, which is another sign that voters consider her checked-out.
The 62 children who were found to have the rare "Bubble Boy disease" as babies and toddlers between 2012 and 2017 still seem cured after long-term follow-up, after being treated with a genetic therapy for severe combined immunodeficiency.

The results of the trial noted that by 2019, 95 percent of the children, which equates to all but two of the young patients, showed complete immune system reconstruction. And now, years later, long-term follow-up results show that the therapy is still 95 percent effective.

Treatment for Children With Rare "Bubble Boy Disease"

In a statement, a pediatric transplant physician at the University of California, Los Angeles, Donald Kohn, MD, said that the durability of immune function, the consistency over time, and the continued safety profile among the children were all encouraging.

Severe combined immunodeficiency due to adenosine deaminase deficiency (ADA-SCID) is typically caused by mutations in an individual's ADA gene. This gene is responsible for creating an enzyme that is essential for a person's immune function, according to Good News Network.

For kids who have this rare condition, typical daily activities, such as going to school or playing with friends, can result in dangerous, life-threatening infections. If left untreated, ADA-SCID can even be fatal within an infant's first two years of life.

Read more: CDC Report Shows More Children Are Either Dying or Becoming Severely Ill With Flu Amid Declining Vaccination Rates

SCID suddenly became well-known in America in 1984 because of "the boy in the bubble," David Vetter. He received a special spacesuit from NASA that allowed him to leave his total medical isolation and see the world. However, despite this suit, the boy passed away due to an infection when he was 12 years old.

The researchers who led the multi-center program related to the cured children said that the persistence of healthy immune systems and results of long-term follow-up should be taken as signs that the approach could become a standard treatment for individuals with ADA-SCID, Science Media Centre reported.

An Effective Approach

The families whose lives were previously defined by the strict isolation of affected individuals are now able to describe ordinary childhood milestones that they would never have dreamed were possible.

The gene therapy in question is a treatment that was tested by researchers at UCLA in collaboration with institutions in the United Kingdom. It takes a personalized, cell-based approach to correct an individual's genetic defect.

The first step in the process is doctors collecting a child's hematopoietic stem cells from their bone marrow or blood. Then, a laboratory team uses a modified viral vector to deliver a healthy copy of the ADA gene into those stem cells. Finally, those corrected stem cells are returned to the patient, where they then engraft and produce a continual supply of functional immune cells, as per the Valley Vanguard Online.
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DNA, which has a double-helix structure, can have many genetic mutations and variations. Credit: NIH

Research institutions around the world house valuable genetic information that could help unlock countless medical mysteries. However, because DNA degrades over time, it is difficult for researchers to analyze DNA samples older than 20 years using conventional analytical approaches.

Although modern technologies have transformed researchers' ability to learn about disease, these technologies have primarily been used on modern genetic samples. The ability to study genetic data from earlier decades has been exceedingly limited, which hinders researchers' understanding of old diseases and why changes in diseases occur over time.

By adapting techniques originally used to study ancient DNA from archaeological specimens, researchers at the University of Chicago were able to recover genetic information from nearly century-old medical samples.

The work was presented at the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) 2025 Annual Meeting & Expo, held Nov. 1115 in Boston.

To test their technique, the researchers used samples of tissue from colorectal cancer specimens collected between 1932 and 2023. The researchers chose to focus on colorectal cancer because it has become significantly more common among young adults over the past several decades without a clear explanation. Today, a 35-year-old is twice as likely to develop colorectal cancer compared to a 35-year-old in 1985.

The researchers isolated tumor tissue from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens for DNA extraction. The researchers optimized the removal of paraffin wax and chemical preservatives to maximize the amount of usable DNA.

Next, the researchers used tailored approaches to put the DNA fragments into a readable format for sequencing. They created a custom pipeline using digital tools typically reserved for ancient DNA analysis so they could match samples with missing or damaged DNA to the human genome.

After checking the quality of the DNA, the researchers sequenced the genome using whole-genome sequencing and a targeted gene-enrichment panel (OncoPlus) to find genetic mutations that drive tumor growth. In both cases, they modified the protocols to retain tiny fragments of DNA that are traditionally discarded.

Finally, they analyzed the non-human DNA found in the tissue samples to identify bacteria that may have been in the tumor.

Dr. Alexander Guzzetta, M.D., Ph.D., who oversaw the project alongside ancient DNA researcher Maanasa Raghavan, Ph.D., noted, "When we analyzed bacterial DNA from colon cancer tissues, we not only detected normal gut microbes but also bacterial species which are specifically associated with colon cancer."

The team is now working on refining their analysis methods to better understand these bacteria and understand how their presence may have shifted over time.

Although Guzzetta's team is currently focused on colorectal cancer, he hopes that other researchers will use this work to study other disease changes over time.

"There is massive potential here for other groups to use these approaches to unravel the root causes underlying the shifting landscape of modern diseases," Guzzetta said.

"This approach could unlock the ability to study how diseases evolve over decades and shed light on how their biology has changed through time."

Provided by Association for Molecular Pathology
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Australia is campaigning to co-host next year's UN climate summit alongside Pacific Islands neighbors.

Australia's conservative opposition said on Thursday it will drop its commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 if it wins power and leads a country dependent on fossil fuels but highly vulnerable to climate change.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's center-left government has poured billions into solar power, wind turbines and green manufacturing and pledged to make Australia a renewable energy superpower.

It has also pledged to slash planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions by up to 70% from 2005 levels over the next decade and is campaigning to co-host next year's UN climate summit alongside Pacific Island neighborssome of the most climate-threatened nations in the world.

The opposition center-right Liberal Party has agonized in recent weeks over whether to drop the net zero emissions pledge, introduced in 2021 by former leader Scott Morrison when he was prime minister.

Leader Sussan Ley said on Thursday that her party would drop the goal if it returned to office, capping weeks of internal debate.

She said it remained committed to "responding to climate change in a way that is affordable, responsible and achievable."

"Net zero would be welcome" but the target would have to be achieved without government intervention, Ley said.

"Energy affordability" would instead take precedence over government action to stop climate change, she said.

The Liberals were roundly defeated in this year's federal elections by Albanese's Labor, sparking soul searching on how best to claw back power.

Ley's announcement came just days after the party's conservative coalition partners, the Nationals, voted to ditch its own net zero by 2050 target.

The two parties will meet on Sunday to determine their coalition's formal stance.

'Climate wars' redux

Australia's "climate wars"a years-long domestic fight over emissions policystalled progress and the country remains dependent on its fossil fuel economy for growth.

Albanese slammed the opposition on Thursday for "walking away from climate action."

"They're also walking away from reliable and affordable energy," he told reporters in Canberra.

Albanese's green ambitions remain at odds with Australia's deep entanglement with lucrative fossil fuel industries.

It is the world's second-largest coal exporter, holds the third-largest coal reserves and continues to channel billions of dollars in public subsidies into fossil fuels.

Iron ore, extracted through emissions-intensive mining, also remains its most valuable export.

Australia, with its vast flora and fauna, is considered highly vulnerable to climate change.

A landmark climate impact report released by the government in September warned that rising oceans and flooding caused by climate change will threaten the homes and livelihoods of more than a million Australians by 2050, while deaths from heat-related illness will soar.

James Hopeward at the University of South Australia said the Liberals' reversal was "a catastrophic failure to acknowledge both climate science and energy system dynamics".

"Crucially, the Liberal Party's policy retreat ignores a fundamental truth: the transition to renewable energy is inevitable," he said.

Australia already has the highest rate of skin cancer in the worldalmost 19,000 Australians were estimated to be diagnosed with melanoma in 2024, official health data shows.

Environmentalists fear Thursday's move by the Liberals would see them walk back any meaningful progress made in recent years should they get back into office.

Amanda McKenzie, chief executive of the Climate Council NGO, said ditching net zero would allow "climate change to rip".

"It's deadly negligence that would leave Australians facing more fires, floods and heat waves," she said.

"You can't win elections by ignoring voters who want meaningful climate action."

 2025 AFP
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Experimental setup showing how the volatile chemicals are collected from oak trees. Credit: Rothamsted Research

The deadly decline of Britain's native oak trees may be driven by an unexpected accomplice: their own smell.

Scientists have discovered that trees affected by acute oak decline (AOD) emit distinct odors that are highly attractive to the beetle Agrilus biguttatus, a key contributor to the decline. The findings suggest that beetles use chemical cues in these odorsemitted by infected leaves and the bacteria involved in AODto locate ideal sites to lay their eggs.

The study, published in Current Biology, sheds new light on the complex interplay between trees, microbes and insects in one of the UK's most concerning woodland health crises.

AOD is a fast-progressing condition affecting thousands of mature oaks across England and Wales. It is characterized by dark, weeping lesions on tree trunks and the presence of larval galleries from A. biguttatus, a jewel beetle whose larvae burrow through the tree's inner bark, disrupting nutrient flow.

Researchers found that female beetles were strongly attracted to airborne chemicals produced by infected oak leaves and by two bacterial species central to AOD: Brenneria goodwinii and Gibbsiella quercinecans. The effect was even more pronounced when the scent of the bacteria was combined with scents from oak bark.

Crucially, scientists identified three specific chemical compounds within the odor emitted by the bacteria, two of which are entirely new to science. These natural products appear to serve as olfactory cues, helping the beetles zero in on stressed and susceptible trees, although they do not directly trigger egg-laying behavior.

Dr. Jozsef Vuts, who led the study, said, "What we're seeing is a sophisticated chemical signaling system. The beetles are essentially using the scent of illnessfrom both the tree and the bacteriaas a beacon. It's a remarkable example of how insects can exploit microbial activity to guide their behavior."

The team's findings point to a possible feedback loop in which the beetles are drawn to declining trees already infected by AOD bacteria, facilitating further damage as their larvae open new pathways for infection and decay.

Understanding this chemical dialogue could open the door to novel management strategies. By developing beetle traps based on synthetic versions of these odor compounds, or sensors that can detect the compounds, foresters may be able to monitor or even slow the spread of AOD in vulnerable woodlands.

More than 120,000 trees are estimated to be affected by AOD in the UK, many in ancient or ecologically important forests. As climate change places further stress on native species, the need for innovative approaches to forest health has become increasingly urgent.

"This research provides a new piece of the puzzle," added Dr. John Caulfield. "If we can interfere with the beetle's ability to detect infected trees, we might be able to tip the balance back in favor of the oaks."
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Beavers are landscape architects. Credit: Christof Angst

Many species benefit from the habitats that beavers create by building damsand not just aquatic life. A new study by the WSL and Eawag research institutes published in the Journal of Animal Ecology shows that more bats hunt in beaver territories than outside of them.

In the 19th century, beavers were extinct in large parts of Europe, with only a few thousand animals remaining. However, thanks to hunting bans and reintroduction projects, there are now more than 1.4 million beavers across Europe, with about 4,900 in Switzerland. By damming streams and felling trees, they create habitats and food for many other creatures, especially fish and other aquatic organisms.

Less clear so far is how the beaver's building activity affects animals and ecosystems on land. The team from WSL and Eawag, together with the national beaver specialist unit at info fauna, have now investigated how this influences bats.

The researchers compared two sections of eight rivers in the Swiss Plateau, one with a beaver dam and one without any beaver influence. They recorded the echolocation calls of bats hunting insects in order to estimate their numbers, and counted flying insects caught in special traps just above the water surface. They also looked at the quality of the vegetation with and without beavers, including the number of standing and fallen dead trees, and the plant species and the forest structure, i.e., how patchy and varied the canopy is.

Stagnant water, gaps in the forest and dead trees: Bats find good hunting conditions here. Credit: Christof Angst

Endangered bat species

On average, five bat species were found per night at beaver ponds and four at other sections of the stream, out of a total of 30 native species in Switzerland. Endangered species on the red list were also more frequently found flying at beaver ponds. The bats also hunted 2.3 times more frequently in beaver territories than in the control sections, which can be deduced from the structure of their echolocation calls. "I would not have expected such a significant increase in bat numbers," says Valentin Moser, who conducted the study as part of his doctoral thesis at the WSL.

What attracted the bats? It was not only the more diverse, open tree population and the dead wood in the beaver territories but also the larger number of insects. "The quality of the habitat is better in beaver territories and the amount of food is higher than outside them," says Moser.

One of the endangered species, the western barbastelle bat, sleeps under flaking pieces of bark on standing dead trees, for example. "These are common in beaver systems," says Moser. Some of the trees die because beavers fell them, others because of the dammed water. "The tree trunks remain standing for years and provide a very valuable, because rare, habitat."

The researchers emphasize that beavers can help protect endangered species such as bats as natural supporters. Christof Angst, head of the national beaver office at info fauna, the National Data and Information Center on Swiss Fauna, agrees: "Almost all bats are endangered and are on the Red List. They need support, and beavers seem to be providing just that."

The National Beaver Center was responsible for the overall management of the Federal Office for the Environment's beaver research project, which researchers joined as part of the Blue-Green Biodiversity research initiative run by WSL and Eawag. The National Beaver Center is currently preparing a summary report for the federal government, which will show how best to integrate beavers into nature conservation programs and what should be avoided in order to prevent future conflicts.

"Beavers are recreating functional, highly species-rich and resilient water bodies, and they are doing so more cheaply and more effectively than humans with their engineering skills and excavators," says Angst.

More information: Valentin Moser et al, Habitat heterogeneity and food availability in beaverengineered streams foster bat richness, activity and feeding, Journal of Animal Ecology (2025). DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.70136 Journal information: Journal of Animal Ecology
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Typical leaf yellowing and wilting symptoms of Fusarium wilt disease in Musa spp. crops. Credit: Elizabeth Guaman CIBE/ESPOL

Ecuadorian scientists are developing a biotechnological strategy to stop banana wilt by genetically editing the causative fungus. Global banana productionone of the pillars of food security and a key source of income for tropical countriesfaces a persistent threat: Fusarium wilt.

This devastating disease is caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense (Foc), a pathogen that colonizes banana roots, disrupts the transport of water and nutrients, and ultimately kills the plant.

For decades, Fusarium wilt has posed a major challenge to global agriculture. Its economic impact is particularly severe in countries like Ecuador, the world's largest banana exporter, where banana cultivation sustains thousands of jobs and significantly contributes to international trade.

The problem has worsened with the emergence of Tropical Race 4 (Foc TR4), a more aggressive variant that has spread across continents and can persist in soil for decadesmaking eradication virtually impossible through conventional methods such as fungicides or strict quarantines.

The inability to effectively control Fusarium wilt with traditional strategies has driven the search for innovative solutions.

CRISPR-Cas9: The precision tool to weaken the enemy

Faced with this scenario, a team of Ecuadorian researchers developed a biotechnological strategy based on in vitro genetic editing using CRISPR-Cas9, targeting the fungus responsible for the disease. This precision tool enables targeted cuts in the microorganism's DNA, deactivating key genes that facilitate its ability to infect.

Vigorous and disease-free banana plants under optimal field management conditions. Credit: Elizabeth Guaman CIBE/ESPOL

Characteristic brown vascular streaking in the rhizome and pseudostem tissue indicating internal symptoms of Fusarium wilt. Credit: Ricardo Pacheco CIBE/ESPOL

The study, published in Frontiers in Plant Science, focused on the SIX9 gene, a component of the Secreted in Xylem (SIX) gene family. These genes are expressed by the fungus during plant colonization and play a crucial role in its virulence. By deactivating the SIX9 gene, the researchers weakened the fungus's ability to cause disease, reducing its aggressiveness at the molecular level.

This approach represents a major shift from traditional phytosanitary management strategies. Instead of acting on the plant or relying on costly measures such as crop eradication, genetic editing of the pathogen opens the possibility of generating attenuated strains that could serve as study models or even as bioagents to outcompete more dangerous variants in the field. Moreover, this type of intervention is rapid, replicable, and scalable, facilitating its adoption by other research centers.

Beyond its technical merit, this research positions Ecuador as a regional leader in agricultural biotechnology. Protecting banana production not only safeguards a strategic economic sector but also provides an innovative model that can be replicated in other tropical regions affected by Fusarium wilt or other high-impact fungal diseases.

Aseptic transfer of E. coli colonies from agar plates to initiate bacterial growth in liquid medium for recombinant protein production. Credit: Liliana Villao CIBE/ESPOL

The study, titled "Optimization of a CRISPR-Cas9 in vitro protocol for targeting the SIX9 gene of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense race 1 associated with banana Fusarium wilt," demonstrates how local science can generate solutions with global reach, combining sustainability, food security, and resilience to emerging agricultural threats.

In a context marked by climate change, the globalization of agricultural trade, and increasing food demand, genetic editing is emerging as a strategic tool to tackle the complex challenges of tropical agriculture. Research like this shows how biotechnology can transform critical problems into opportunities to build more sustainable and competitive agricultural systems for the future.

More information: Liliana Villao et al, Optimization of a CRISPR-Cas9 in vitro protocol for targeting the SIX9 gene of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense race 1 associated with banana Fusarium wilt, Frontiers in Plant Science (2025). DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2025.1523884 Journal information: Frontiers in Plant Science
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Third time's the charm? Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin will try once again Thursday to launch its New Glenn Rocket.

The planned launch has been repeatedly delayed over the past week: on Sunday over weather on Earth, and on Wednesday over weather in space.

When it eventually blasts off, the 322-foot (98-meter) New Glenn rocket will have the task of sending US space agency NASA's ESCAPADE twin spacecraft to Mars, in a bid to study the Red Planet's climate history with the eventual hope of human exploration.

Thursday's launch window opens at 2:57 pm (1957 GMT) and lasts 88 minutes.

The second postponement was over "highly elevated solar activity" that NASA was worried could impact its spacecraft.

The sun recently has been spewing charged particles that are interacting with Earth's magnetic field, but the Space Weather Prediction Center said the geomagnetic storm was fading.

Closer to home, these space events have resulted in brilliant northern lights displays across the night sky in North America.

The New Glenn launch is due to proceed amid intensifying competition between Blue Origin and Elon Musk's SpaceX.

The rival companies of billionaires Musk and Bezos are locked in a commercial space race that recently escalated, as NASA opened up bids for its planned moon mission.

Blue Origin's launch is to serve as a key test of whether it can achieve booster recovery, which would prove a technical breakthrough for the company if successful.

New Glenn's inaugural flight in January was marked as a success, as its payload achieved orbit and successfully performed tests.

But its first-stage booster, which was meant to be reusable, did not stick to its landing on a platform in the Atlantic, and instead was lost during descent.

In its second effort Blue Origin will try once more to recover the booster stage. Thus far, only Musk's company SpaceX has managed that feat.

 2025 AFP
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

A fundamental rethink of how the NHS trains its future workforce is urgently needed, according to a new paper from the Higher Education Policy Institute, "Rethinking Placement: Increasing Clinical Placement Efficacy for a Sustainable NHS Future" (HEPI Report 194).

The paper, written by senior leaders from the University of East London (UEL), argues that the National Health Service (NHS) cannot achieve its ambitious workforce goals without bold system-wide reform of how students gain real-world experiencethe essential bridge between classroom learning and frontline care.

The HEPI Report, which has been published with the support of the Council for Deans of Health, sets out a blueprint for transforming placement provision across the health and care sectors.

Drawing on best practice across London through UEL partner organizations, it urges policymakers, universities and NHS providers to move beyond the narrow goal of simply increasing numbers and to focus instead on removing systemic barriers to create placements that are equitable, flexible, digitally enabled and aligned with the future of health care delivery.

Authored by Professor Amanda Broderick, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of East London, and Robert Waterson, Executive Dean of UEL's School of Health, Sport and Bioscience, the report highlights the growing strain on the system, with more than 106,000 vacancies across secondary care and a shortfall of placement opportunities for health students.

It also challenges 'legacy assumptions' and outlines a series of practical interventions to make placements more effective and sustainable. These include greater use of simulation and digital learning, new supervision frameworks that ease pressure on clinical staff and community-based models that widen access to diverse learning environments.

It points to pioneering examples across the UKincluding UEL's own simulation-based and telehealth placementsas proof that innovation can expand capacity without compromising quality or safety.

Working hand-in-hand with NHS providers, universities can help reimagine supervision models, expand simulation-based training and pilot technology-led learning that mirrors the realities of modern health care. The authors warn that without urgent reform, student learning, workforce readiness and patient safety will all be at risk.

Professor Amanda Broderick said, "Incremental adjustments will not be enough. We need bold, innovative approaches that harness the full potential of simulation, technology and new models of supervision, while deepening partnerships between universities, NHS providers and community organizations.

Our goal is to shift the conversation from more placements to better placements: placements that are equitable, flexible, future-facing, and designed around both workforce needs and student success.

"By challenging old assumptions and reimagining what placements can be, we can help build the confident, agile and compassionate workforce the NHS requires to meet the challenges of the next decade and beyond."

Nick Hillman OBE, HEPI Director, said, "We all rely on the NHS, but the NHS can only cope with the aging population if it has a workforce to match.

"This report reveals how to resolve the difficult blockages in the training pipeline to unlock capacity and improve quality.

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"I hope Ministers respond constructively."

In a Foreword to the report, Ed Hughes, Chief Executive of the Council of Deans of Health, writes, "Clinical placements are the foundation of health and care education. They are where knowledge, skills and professional values come together to shape the workforce our communities need.

"Yet as this paper makes clear, the placement model that has underpinned education for decades is under significant strain. Capacity is stretched, supervision is challenged, and quality cannot be taken for granted. 

"We cannot simply expand the existing model indefinitely. Changing this will require adaptation from both placement and education providers, including the willingness to take decisions which work in the interests of the system as a whole over addressing issues for particular courses, and which place the student interest at their heart.

"Placements must be designed to reflect new ways of working, embed simulation and digital learning at scale and develop supervision models that are flexible, safe and resilient. 

"Placements are not a peripheral issue; they are central to the supply, confidence and competence of the future workforce.  As the NHS and the wider health and care sector enter a decisive period of reform, it is imperative that placement transformation is aligned with national strategy and resourced accordingly."

More information: Amanda Broderick and Robert Waterson. Rethinking Placement: Increasing Clinical Placement Efficacy for a Sustainable NHS Future. www.hepi.ac.uk/wp-content/uplo  nable-NHS-Future.pdf
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A clearcut forest in northwest Ontario, Canada. Credit: Image supplied

An analysis of national climate plans released today at the COP30 climate summit in Brazil warns that countries are failing to carry out core work required to reduce emissions by halting and reversing deforestation and forest degradation, and are instead pushing unrealistic carbon removal schemes, such as large-scale tree planting.

The Land Gap 2025 report, led by the University of Melbourne alongside a global consortium of experts, explains why countries are relying on impractical levels of land-based efforts to achieve net-zero emissions, rather than pursuing more realistic climate solutions that involve protecting existing forests and phasing out fossil fuels.

While forest advocates often link the lack of action to a lack of finance for forest protection, authors say the real impediment is a global system that pits economic development against preservation.

Lead author, University of Melbourne Dr. Kate Dooley, explained the new report outlines a series of reforms, many of which are already underway, that can resolve this fundamental conflict and align critical climate and biodiversity goals with economic goals.

"Why are so many countries ignoring forest protection as a key pillar of climate targets? The answer is that they live in a world where heavy sovereign debt burdens and industry-friendly tax and trade policies force many of them to exploit forests to keep their economies from crashing," Dr. Dooley said.

"Yet the bitter irony is that over the long term, healthy forests are essential to healthy economies due to the climate benefits, job opportunities and ecosystem services they provide."

The 2025 Land Gap covers climate pledges from all countries, with updates based on new submissions to the United Nations' climate secretariat leading up to COP30 (as of Oct 31, 2025), including climate plans known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs), and long-term strategies for 2050.

The report identified two essential flaws in national climate plans submitted for COP30.

'Firebombing' in Tasmania, Australia, a practice in the logging industry to incinerate the remains of forests after logging. Credit: Image supplied

Firstly, a "land gap" between governments' reliance on land to achieve their carbon mitigation goals and what is achievable, and secondly, a "forest gap" between global commitments to halt deforestation and forest degradation by 2030 and the likely outcomes of country pledges.

The report focuses on country pledges to use land-based carbon removal initiatives, such as large-scale tree planting, forest restoration, and bioenergy capture and storage projects, to meet obligations under the 2015 Paris Agreement.

It warns the land required to achieve such levels of carbon removal would put lands critical to marginalized groups at risk, like Indigenous Peoples, local communities and smallholder farmers.

The annual rate of deforestation globally would still be four million hectares in 2030, with another 16 million hectares of forests being degradeda forest gap of 20 million hectares.

Dr. Dooley said it was hugely disappointing to see that less than 40% of parties to the Paris Agreement submitted a new climate plan and that pledges for reducing emissions through halting and reversing deforestation and degradation were limited in national plans.

"This reflects that countries have not been ambitious enough in their pledges to meet the Paris Agreement of a 1.5C warming threshold, and are now relying on land-based carbon removals which may take decades to materialize," Dr. Dooley explained.

The researchers found that countries would have to devote just over one billion hectares of landan area larger than the size of Australiato carbon removal to achieve their targets. This represents a slight increase compared to the Land Gap 2022 report.

Co-author and Senior Research Analyst at Climate Resource Dr. Alister Self said based on current assessments, the best estimates of future rises in global temperature are between 1.8C 2.0C above pre-industrial levels.

"This is only if countries meet their emissions targets on time and in full, and do not backslide further on current policy commitments, in which case these estimates would rise further," Dr. Self said.
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Starlink satellites secured Ukraine's communications on the battlefielduntil Elon Musk decided to switch off coverage over Crimea. Credit: Egon Filter (CC BY 4.0)

When large corporations help Ukraine maintain its digital sovereignty, it is not just a matter of technical assistance. They are political actors who are reshaping the relationship between states and private companies, new research shows.

When Russian troops crossed the border into Ukraine in February 2022, it was not only soldiers and missiles that were mobilized. Behind the scenes, American tech giants such as Amazon, Microsoft and SpaceX played a crucial role in keeping Ukraine's digital infrastructure aliveand thus the country's ability to wage war.

A new study from the University of Copenhagen shows how digital infrastructures are not just technical aids, but actively reshape the relationship between states and private companies. The work is published in the European Journal of International Relations.

"We have mapped how Big Tech's digital infrastructures not only support state functionsthey help define what it means to be a state at war," says Tobias Liebetrau, associate professor at the Department of Political Science.

The cloud as a shield

In the study, researchers examined how cloud storage, satellite communications and cybersecurity mediate the relationship between states and Big Technot least in war-torn Ukraine.

"When Russian missiles and cybersecurity wiper attacks hit Ukraine, Amazon and Microsoft helped transfer enormous amounts of government data to secure data centers in Europe. These physical sites were beyond Ukraine's borders, yet essential to its war effort." explains Liebetrau.

Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister, Mykhailo Federov, noted on that occasion that 'the cloud cannot be bombed' and that "Amazon made us more resilient." According to Liebetrau, however, the cloud is not just a technical solutionit is political.

"By placing data in NATO countries, Ukraine's digital infrastructure was indirectly protected by the alliance's deterrence strategy. This creates new forms of digital sovereignty, where the core functions of the state can only be maintained through private infrastructures," he says.

Satellites with selective coverage

The researchers find another example in SpaceX's Starlink satellites. These secured Ukraine's communications on the battlefielduntil Elon Musk chose to turn off coverage over Crimea. Musk said he wanted to prevent a "mini-Pearl Harbor" that could trigger Russian nuclear escalation.

"This is an example of how CEOs with access to critical infrastructure can make geostrategic decisions without government control," clarifies Liebetrau, elaborating, "It shows how the line between contractual obligation and moral responsibility becomes blurred when private actors have a direct influence on warfare."

Microsoft as a witness to the war

Microsoft also plays a central role in Ukraine. With its expertise in cybersecurity, the company is an authoritative source of knowledge about Russian cyberattacks. Microsoft's reports are cited by both intelligence services and EU institutionsand are used as a basis for political decisions.

"Microsoft is not just a cybersecurity providerthey help define what the threat is. This gives them a power of interpretation that states become dependent on," assesses Liebetrau.

This dependence can create competition between allied states, which in times of crisis must fight for Microsoft's attention and resources, he points out, summarizing, "We should no longer ask whether states are losing power to Big Tech. We must ask how power and responsibility are shared and negotiated through the infrastructures that bind them together."

More information: Jeppe T. Jacobsen et al, Infrastructuring public-private relations: Big Tech, the Ukraine War and implications to security governance, European Journal of International Relations (2025). DOI: 10.1177/13540661251370265
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Scholar and military officer Erik Lin-Greenbergs new book examines the evolving dynamics of military and state action centered around drones. Credit: Erik Lin-Greenberg and Cornell University Press

In recent months, Russia has frequently flown drones into NATO territory, where NATO countries typically try to shoot them down. By contrast, when three Russian fighter jets made an incursion into Estonian airspace in September, they were intercepted and no attempt was made to shoot them downalthough the incident did make headlines and led to a Russian diplomat being expelled from Estonia.

Those incidents follow a global pattern of recent years. Drone operations, to this point, seem to provoke different responses compared to other kinds of military action, especially the use of piloted warplanes. Drone warfare is expanding but not necessarily provoking major military responses, either by the countries being attacked or by the aggressor countries that have drones shot down.

"There was a conventional wisdom that drones were a slippery slope that would enable leaders to use force in all kinds of situations, with a massively destabilizing effect," says MIT political scientist Erik Lin-Greenberg. "People thought if drones were used all over the place, this would lead to more escalation. But in many cases where drones are being used, we don't see that escalation."

On the other hand, drones have made military action more pervasive. It is at least possible that in the future, drone-oriented combat will be both more common and more self-contained.

"There is a revolutionary effect of these systems, in that countries are essentially increasing the range of situations in which leaders are willing to deploy military force," Lin-Greenberg says. To this point, though, he adds, "these confrontations are not necessarily escalating."

Now, Lin-Greenberg examines these dynamics in a new book, "The Remote Revolution: Drones and Modern Statecraft," published by Cornell University Press. Lin-Greenberg is an associate professor in MIT's Department of Political Science.

Lin-Greenberg brings a distinctive professional background to the subject of drone warfare. Before returning to graduate school, he served as a U.S. Air Force officer; today he commands a U.S. Air Force reserve squadron. His thinking is informed by his experiences as both a scholar and practitioner.

"The Remote Revolution" also has a distinctive methodology that draws on multiple ways of studying the topic. In writing the book, Lin-Greenberg conducted experiments based on war games played by national security professionals; conducted surveys of expert and public thinking about drones; developed in-depth case studies from history; and dug into archives broadly to fully understand the history of drone use, which in fact goes back several decades.

The book's focus is drone use during the 2000s, as the technology has become more readily available; today about 100 countries have access to military drones. Many have used them during tensions and skirmishes with other countries.

"Where I argue this is actually revolutionary is during periods of crises, which fall below the threshold of war, in that these new technologies take human operators out of harm's way and enable states to do things they wouldn't otherwise do," Lin-Greenberg says.

Indeed, a key point is that drones lower the costs of military action for countriesand not just financial costs, but human and political costs, too. Incidents and problems that might plague leaders if they involved military personnel, forcing major responses, seem to lessen when drones are involved.

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"Because these systems don't have a human on board, they're inherently cheaper and different in the minds of decision-makers," Lin-Greenberg says. "That means they're willing to use these systems during disputes, and if other states are shooting them down, the side sending them is less likely to retaliate, because they're losing a machine but not a man or woman on board."

In this sense, the uses of drones "create new rungs on the escalation ladder," as Lin-Greenberg writes in the book. Drone incidents don't necessarily lead to wider military action, and may not even lead to the same kinds of international relations issues as incidents involving piloted aircraft.

Consider a counterfactual that Lin-Greenberg raises in the book. One of the most notorious episodes of Cold War tension between the U.S. and U.S.S.R. occurred in 1960, when U.S. pilot Gary Powers was shot down and captured in the Soviet Union, leading to a diplomatic standoff and a canceled summit between U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev.

"Had that been a drone, it's very likely the summit would have continued," Lin-Greenberg says. "No one would have said anything. The Soviet Union would have been embarrassed to admit their airspace was violated and the U.S. would have just [publicly] ignored what was going on, because there would not have been anyone sitting in a prison. There are a lot of exercises where you can ask how history could have been different."

None of this is to say that drones present straightforward solutions to international relations problems. They may present the appearance of low-cost military engagement, but as Lin-Greenberg underlines in the book, the effects are more complicated.

"To be clear, the remote revolution does not suggest that drones prevent war," Lin-Greenberg writes. Indeed, one of the problems they raise, he emphasizes, is the "moral hazard" that arises from leaders viewing drones as less costly, which can lead to even more military confrontations.

Moreover, the trends in drone warfare so far yield predictions for the future that are "probabilistic rather than deterministic," as Lin-Greenberg writes. Perhaps some political or military leaders will start to use drones to attack new targets that will inevitably generate major responses and quickly escalate into broad wars. Current trends do not guarantee future outcomes.

"There are a lot of unanswered questions in this area," Lin-Greenberg says. "So much is changing. What does it look like when more drones are more autonomous? I still hope this book lays a foundation for future discussions, even as drones are used in different ways."

Other scholars have praised "The Remote Revolution." Joshua Kertzer, a professor of international studies and government at Harvard University, has hailed Lin-Greenberg's "rich expertise, methodological rigor, and creative insight," while Michael Horowitz, a political scientist and professor of international relations at the University of Pennsylvania, has called it "an incredible book about the impact of drones on the international security environment."

For his part, Lin-Greenberg says, "My hope is the book will be read by academics and practitioners and people who choose to focus on parts of it they're interested in. I tried to write the book in a way that's approachable."

More information: The Remote Revolution: Drones and Modern Statecraft. www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/b  e-remote-revolution/

This story is republished courtesy of MIT News (web.mit.edu/newsoffice/), a popular site that covers news about MIT research, innovation and teaching.
The historic commitment from the National Association of State Procurement Officials establishes the NASPO Department of Supply Chain Management at the W. P. Carey School of Business, advancing artificial intelligence, infrastructure, and ethical leadership in procurement and supply chain education.

TEMPE, Ariz., Nov. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Arizona State University today announced a historic gift from the National Association of State Procurement Officials to elevate the role of procurement and strengthen the Department of Supply Chain Management at the W. P. Carey School of Business, which will be renamed the NASPO Department of Supply Chain Management. The gift will support new initiatives, scholarships, academic innovation through the launch of new procurement tracks in undergraduate and graduate supply chain-specific programs, endowed faculty positions, research, experiential learning, facility enhancements, and strategic partnerships  further solidifying ASU as a global leader in procurement, logistics, operations, and supply chain education and research.

The gift underscores procurement's critical role as the starting point of every supply chain  influencing how organizations source, produce, and deliver goods and services ethically and efficiently. It also highlights public procurement as a vital function that underpins effective governance and economic stability across states and the nation. By advancing procurement as a driver of responsible supply chains, the investment aligns with the Building Supply Chain Futures priority within ASU's Changing Futures campaign , which aims to expand the university's leadership in building resilient and sustainable global networks.

"World events in recent years have underscored our vast reliance on supply chains and the need to develop greater resilience," said Michael M. Crow , president of ASU. "This gift represents a visionary contribution in one of ASU's most globally recognized programs, deepening our shared commitment to innovation, access, and impact, and ensuring that supply chain management education continues to evolve in step with the challenges and opportunities of the modern world."

The NASPO Department of Supply Chain Management at W. P. Carey offers programs that are consistently ranked among the nation's top three programs by U.S. News & World Report. The NASPO gift will further elevate procurement as a central theme in supply chain education and research, enhancing the department's leadership in the field.

Student success and collaboration are key priorities, with funding for the NASPO Scholars Program offering tuition support for undergraduate and graduate students. To promote faculty excellence, the investment creates multiple endowed positions, including the NASPO Endowed Chair of the Department of Supply Chain Management.

The gift will support new initiatives and programs that expand the department's reach and impact. It establishes the Supply Chain Innovation, Technology, and Infrastructure Initiative  a hub for research, education, and industry partnerships  and strengthens the Center for Responsible Supply Chain Management through the NASPO Endowed Research Fund to advance ethical, sustainable, and resilient supply chains. It also enhances experiential learning and applied research through the Procurement and Behavioral Lab at ASU.

"Our Department of Supply Chain Management has long been a global leader in supply chain education and research, and this bold partnership with NASPO strengthens our ability to shape the future of procurement, logistics, and operations in a changing world where technology is breaking new ground every day," said Ohad Kadan , Charles J. Robel Dean and W. P. Carey Distinguished Chair in Business. "Together, we're not only pushing the boundaries of what's possible  we're shaping the future of global supply chains. Grounded in shared values and driven by innovation, our partnership with NASPO reflects a joint commitment to creating lasting positive impact for society."

"Supply chains shape the flow of goods, services, and technologies that define today's civilization," said Adegoke Oke , newly appointed NASPO Endowed Chair of the Department of Supply Chain Management, Harold E. Fearon Fellow Committee Chair, and department chair. "As supply chains grow in complexity, it is imperative that we advance education and research to meet the evolving needs of consumers and industries. Our partnership with NASPO will enable ASU to lead that evolution by strengthening resources for students and faculty and cultivating the next generation of procurement and supply chain professionals to reach new heights of innovation and impact. NASPO's investment is not only in our department, but in the future of global supply chain leadership. On behalf of the Department of Supply Chain Management, I am deeply grateful for this partnership with NASPO."

ASU and NASPO share a belief that procurement is the engine that drives supply chains, fueling their growth, transparency, and resilience. The goal is to improve supply chain transparency, traceability, efficiency, and reliability by prioritizing digital transformation, AI and automation, and infrastructure advancement.

"NASPO has had a long-standing relationship with the Department of Supply Chain Management at the W. P. Carey School of Business at ASU. We are excited to take the next step of solidifying our partnership," said Lindle Hatton, NASPO CEO. "Our gift represents our commitment to advance the procurement profession with a highly respected academic partner. In addition, together we are enhancing the career path for current procurement professionals and attracting aspirational talent for the future. We welcome students who will fill the pipeline in the procurement profession, and we are excited to shape the landscape of procurement for the future. NASPO is proud to be a leader in the procurement environment with a strong academic partner like ASU."

"The formal partnership between NASPO and Arizona State University represents more than a milestone  it signifies a fundamental shift in how we develop procurement professionals," said Deborah Damore , NASPO board president. "Together, we are establishing formal academic pathways and credentials that position procurement as an intentional career choice, attracting purpose-driven talent committed to innovation and public sector excellence."

Read more about how this gift is transforming supply chain education in Poets&Quants .

About NASPO

NASPO is a nonprofit association dedicated to advancing public procurement through leadership, excellence, and integrity. It is made up of the directors of the central purchasing offices in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the territories of the United States. NASPO is an organization that helps its members achieve success as public procurement leaders through the promotion of best practices, education, professional development, research, and innovative procurement strategies. www.naspo.org

About the W. P. Carey School of Business

The W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University is the largest and one of the top-ranked public business schools in the United States. The school is internationally regarded for its programs and the research productivity of its distinguished faculty members. Students come from more than 120 countries, and over 130,000 alumni represent W. P. Carey worldwide.

For more information/media contacts:

Shay Moser, W. P. Carey School of Business, [email protected]

Courtney Iversen, NASPO, [email protected]

SOURCE W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University
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Illustration of why fungal transmission through cadavers is critical to complete the cyclical transmission loop, where fungus-exposed or fungus-infected male mosquitoes generate new fungus-exposed or fungus-infected male mosquitoes. Credit: Applied Mathematical Modelling (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.apm.2025.116540

A fungal infection solution could help eliminate up to 86% of malaria-carrying mosquitoes, offering a powerful new tool in the global fight against the disease, according to new research.

Binod Pant, a mathematician and postdoctoral researcher at Northeastern University's Network Science Institute, led the new interdisciplinary and intercollegiate research, which is now published in Applied Mathematical Modelling.

This is the first time that this fungus, called Met-Hybrid, has been mathematically modeled to demonstrate its effectiveness, Pant says.

Pant says that he joined the project almost entirely by accident. While attending a conference, he met an entomologist who proposed using a fungustoxic only to mosquitoesthat could dramatically reduce the mosquito population in Burkina Faso, where their research was conducted. "I quickly figured out a mathematical model that we could use to try to explain this to public health people," Pant says.

In practice, this would entail the researchers releasing many male mosquitoesabout 10 fungus-infected male mosquitoes for every wild mosquitoevery three days for six months.

Understandably, when the public hears proposals like this, they get a little nervous, Pant notes. That's a lot of mosquitoes to release into the wild. But, crucially, it's only female mosquitoes that bite humans, and so releasing male mosquitoes wouldn't increase the chance that some of them could contract malaria, or another disease, and spread it to humans.

Malaria remains endemic across much of the African continent. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that, in 2023, "there were an estimated 263 million cases and 597,000 malaria deaths worldwide," and 95% of those deaths occurred in Africa.

How to control the mosquito populationthe primary disease vector for malaria, along with other deadly diseases like dengue, yellow fever, West Nile virus and othersis a topic of great concern, and the WHO hopes to eliminate 90% of malaria cases and mortalities by 2030.

Pant's math shows how the numbers would play out: An 86% decrease of the mosquito population in Burkina Faso, with the fungal method. To hit the WHO's target of 90% would require a much higher rate of release, six infected mosquitoes for every wild one, released every day for five months.

Of fungi and genetic modifications

Other researchers have proposed various methods to help eradicate malaria, including genetically altering male mosquitoes, releasing them into the wild and allowing them to breed with wild female mosquitoes.

While Pant's research shows that the genetic approach could achieve a comparable success rate, he also says that this is an imperfect solution. There has been "some regulatory pushback, maybe an ethical pushback" toward genetically modifying mosquitoes, he says.

Conversely, he continues, "Here, we're not touching the mosquitoour collaborators are genetically modifying a naturally occurring fungus to make it more lethal toward mosquitoes."

Pant also notes that the fungus isn't harmful to other animals, including other insects or predators that prey on mosquitoes. When the fungal-infected mosquitoes are consumed (alive or otherwise), that other animal is unaffected.

"Mosquitoes are parts of various ecosystems, like food chains, but there is no other species that entirely depends on mosquitoes," according to Pant. "They're not crucial, and they're not essential for the survival" of other species, he continues.

"Mosquitoes are part of food webs, but no species relies exclusively on them," according to Pant. Moreover, in his research, they are "targeting a very specific subsetthe Anopheles species that transmits malarianot eliminating all mosquitoes. Localized reduction of disease vectors is unlikely to cause ecosystem disruption."

The fungal approach "is more environmentally friendly, and we're hoping that this also doesn't have as much of a pushback from an ethics point of view," Pant says.

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Mathematical models for real-world problems

Pant was excited to apply his modeling skills to a very real problem, and the research has quickly gained momentum. "This was actually meant to be one of my fun projects, but it has now, at this point, turned into one of the major research directions, which I'm hoping to take further," he says.

There have been numerous attempts to combat malarial mosquitoes in the past, but the little bloodsuckers have developed resistance to many of these attempts, Pant says. For instance, certain mosquitoes have evolved tolerances to chemically coated bed nets, and the genus of mosquito that carries malaria has a "well-documented resistance" to chemical insecticides, according to Pant's co-authored paper.

Meanwhile, there has been little to no "observed resistance to pathogenic fungi in insects," according to the paper, and other laboratory research in Burkina Faso shows that the local malarial mosquitoes also do not develop a resistance to Met-Hybrid.

Pant hopes that the fungal solution will become part of a holistic strategy to protect the population of Burkina Faso, and potentially other countries in the future. He sees a "synergy between these more traditional approaches," like the bed nets, alongside the fungus.

But Pant's primary intervention is in a policy direction. "We're trying to help the regulators understand this from a mathematical point of view," he says. "Now, with simulations in hand, hopefully this helps convince the local stakeholders that this method could work at scale in wild mosquito populations."

More information: Binod Pant et al, Could malaria mosquitoes be controlled by periodic releases of transgenic mosquitocidal Metarhizium pingshaense fungus? A mathematical modeling approach, Applied Mathematical Modelling (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.apm.2025.116540

This story is republished courtesy of Northeastern Global News news.northeastern.edu.
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A mix of tomatoes grown by Texas A&M AgriLife Research that were used in a study that found consumers preferred their flavor. Credit: Samuel Zapata/Texas A&M AgriLife

A new Texas A&M AgriLife Research study shows consumers are willing to pay more for flavorful, vividly colored tomatoes regardless of origin evidence that sensory traits, not just a "local" label, drive what people value most in fresh produce.

Published in Agribusiness, the peer-reviewed study was led by Samuel Zapata, Ph.D., an associate professor in Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Agricultural Economics, based at the Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen.

The research found that taste and color preferences were the strongest predictors of willingness to pay, offering valuable insights for tomato breeding, marketing and the future competitiveness of South Texas growers.

The research supports Texas A&M AgriLife's priorities in sustainable food systems, market-driven crop innovation and economic development for Texas growers, offering a model that could extend beyond tomatoes to other specialty crops.

"Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables in the U.S., and they can be grown in South Texas," Zapata said. "Our goal is to help local farmers understand consumer choicesso they can produce tomatoes that meet both production needs and market demand."

Pairing consumer taste tests with economic modeling

The study combined blind taste tests with economic analysis to measure consumer preferences for two Texas A&M-developed tomato varietiesTAMU Red and TAMU Orangecompared with a commercial tomato variety and imported tomatoes from Mexico.

More than 180 consumers in South Texas rated samples for color, flavor, texture and appearance before stating how much they would pay per pound.

Consumers who liked the color of TAMU Red were willing to pay about 15 cents more per pound, while those who preferred the flavor of TAMU Orange would pay about 13 cents more than for imported tomatoes.

"What surprised us was how strongly flavor drove consumer choices," Zapata said. "Because local tomatoes can be harvested at a later ripening stage than imported ones, they develop better flavor and that creates an advantage for Texas growers."

Zapata said the research builds on several years of AgriLife Research studies, evaluating when and how tomatoes can be grown profitably in South Texas. Earlier work identified the best planting times and production systems; this phase focused on what makes a tomato desirable to consumers.

Toward a 'consumer-oriented breeding process'

Zapata's team includes Carlos Avila, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Texas A&M Department of Horticultural Sciences, based at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Weslaco, and Xavier Villavicencio, Ph.D., an instructional assistant professor based in McAllen.

The team hopes their findings will guide breeders toward what Zapata calls a "consumer-oriented breeding process."

"The idea is to combine the science of breeding with what the market wants, to develop the perfect tomato, so to speak," Zapata said.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Global carbon emissions from fossil fuels are projected to rise by 1.1% in 2025reaching a record high, according to new research by the Global Carbon Project.

The 2025 Global Carbon Budget projects 38.1 billion tons of fossil carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions this year.

Decarbonization of energy systems is progressing in many countriesbut this is not enough to offset the growth in global energy demand.

With projected emissions from land-use change (such as deforestation) down to 4.1 billion tons in 2025, total CO 2 emissions are projected to be slightly lower than last year.

With the end of the 202324 El Nino weather patternwhich causes heat and drought in many regionsthe land "sink" (absorption of CO 2 by natural ecosystems) has recovered this year to the pre-El Nino level.

This year's reportpublished alongside a new paper in the journal Natureexamines the impact of climate change on the land and ocean carbon sinks. It finds that 8% of the rise in atmospheric CO 2 concentration since 1960 is due to climate change weakening the land and ocean sinks.

The report says the remaining carbon budget to limit global warming to 1.5C is "virtually exhausted."

With no sign of the urgently needed decline in global emissions, the level of CO 2 in the atmosphereand the dangerous impacts of global warmingcontinue to increase.

The research team included the University of Exeter, the University of East Anglia (UEA), CICERO Center for International Climate Research, Ludwig-Maximilian-University Munich (LMU), Alfred-Wegener-Institut and more than 90 other institutions around the world.

"With CO 2 emissions still increasing, keeping global warming below 1.5C is no longer plausible," said Professor Pierre Friedlingstein, of Exeter's Global Systems Institute, who led the study.

"The remaining carbon budget for 1.5C, 170 billion tons of carbon dioxide, will be gone before 2030 at the current emission rate. We estimate that climate change is now reducing the combined land and ocean sinksa clear signal from Earth that we need to dramatically reduce emissions."

Professor Corinne Le Quere, Royal Society Research Professor at UEA's School of Environmental Sciences, said, "Efforts to tackle climate change are visible, with 35 countries succeeding in reducing their emissions while growing their economies, twice as much as a decade ago, and important progress in reducing reliance on fossil fuels elsewhere.

"Progress is still much too fragile to translate into the sustained decreases in global emissions needed to tackle climate change. The emerging impact of climate change on the carbon sinks is worrying and stresses further the need for urgent action."

Glen Peters, Senior Researcher at the CICERO Center for International Climate Research, said, "It is 10 years since the Paris Agreement was negotiated, and despite progress on many fronts, fossil CO 2 emissions continue their relentless rise. Climate change and variability are also having a discernible effect on our natural climate sinks. It is clear countries need to lift their game. We now have strong evidence that clean technologies help reduce emissions while being cost effective compared to fossil alternatives."

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Professor Julia Pongratz, at LMU's Department of Geography, said, "The reduction in land-use emissions demonstrates the success that environmental policies can achieve. Deforestation rates in the Amazon have declined and are at their lowest level this season since 2014. Yet the sweeping fires in 2024 revealed how sensitive the ecosystem remains if we don't also limit global warming."

Other key findings from the 2025 Global Carbon Budget include:

China's emissions in 2025 are projected to increase by 0.4%growing more slowly than in recent years, due to a moderate growth in energy consumption combined with an extraordinary growth in renewable energy.

India's emissions are projected to increase by 1.4%also slower than recent trends. An early monsoon reduced cooling requirements in the hottest months. Combined with strong growth in renewables, this led to very low growth in coal consumption.

Emissions are projected to grow in the U.S. (+1.9%) and the European Union (0.4%) in 2025. Emissions in these regions have declined in recent years, but colder weather and other factors led to an increase in 2025.

Projected emissions in Japan, provided this year for the first time, are down 2.2% in line with recent trends.

Emissions for the rest of the world are projected to increase by 1.1%.

The projected rise in fossil CO 2 emissions in 2025 is driven by all fuel types: coal +0.8%, oil +1%, natural gas +1.3%.

emissions in 2025 is driven by all fuel types: coal +0.8%, oil +1%, natural gas +1.3%. Emissions are projected to increase by 6.8% for international aviation (exceeding pre-COVID levels) but to remain flat for international shipping.

Over the 20152024 period, emissions from permanent deforestation remain high at around 4 billion tons of CO 2 per year, while permanent removals through re/afforestation and forest regrowth offsets about half of the permanent deforestation emissions.

per year, while permanent removals through re/afforestation and forest regrowth offsets about half of the permanent deforestation emissions. Total CO 2 emissionsthe sum of fossil and land-use change emissionshave grown more slowly in the past decade (0.3% per year), compared to the previous decade (1.9% per year).

emissionsthe sum of fossil and land-use change emissionshave grown more slowly in the past decade (0.3% per year), compared to the previous decade (1.9% per year). The remaining carbon budget to limit global warming to 1.5C is virtually exhausted. The remaining budget for 1.5C is 170 billion tons of CO 2 , equivalent to four years at the 2025 emissions levels.

, equivalent to four years at the 2025 emissions levels. The combined effects of climate change and deforestation have turned Southeast Asian and large parts of South American tropical forests from CO 2 sinks to sources.

sinks to sources. The concentration of CO 2 in the atmosphere is set to reach 425.7 ppm in 2025, 52% above pre-industrial levels.

The Global Carbon Budget report, produced by an international team of more than 130 scientists, provides an annual, peer-reviewed update, building on established methodologies in a fully transparent manner.

The 2025 edition (the 20th annual report) is published in the journal Earth System Science Data as a preprint, and will be published later as a peer-reviewed paper.
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Batracomorphus ruthae - one of the seven new species of leafhopper discovered by Dr. Alvin Helden of Anglia Ruskin University. Credit: Dr. Alvin Helden, Anglia Ruskin University

Seven new species of a distinctive frog-like insect have been discovered by a scientist from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in Cambridge, England.

Belonging to the genus Batracomorphus, the seven previously unknown species of leafhopper were found by Dr. Alvin Helden during fieldwork in the tropical rainforest of Uganda.

The name Batracomorphus derives from the Greek for "frog-shaped," and these leafhoppers are mostly green, possess large eyes and jump using their long hind legs, which are tucked alongside their bodies like frogs.

The details of Dr. Helden's discoveries have been published in the journal Zootaxa and they are the first new species of Batracomorphus to be recorded in Africa since 1981.

Batracomorphus chloros - one of the seven new species of leafhopper discovered by Dr. Alvin Helden. Credit: Dr. Alvin Helden, Anglia Ruskin University

Batracomorphus pardos - one of the seven new species of leafhopper discovered by Dr. Alvin Helden. Credit: Dr. Alvin Helden, Anglia Ruskin University

Batracomorphus eusemos - one of the seven new species of leafhopper discovered by Dr. Alvin Helden. Credit: Dr. Alvin Helden, Anglia Ruskin University

Until now, only 375 species of Batracomorphus were known worldwide, with just two recorded in the UK, and the seven species were all discovered using light traps in rainforest above 1,500m altitude in Uganda's Kibale National Park.

One of the biggest challenges faced by Dr. Helden was confirming that the species were new to science. Leafhoppers of this genus look almost identical and the only reliable way to distinguish species is by examining their genitalia.

Leafhoppers follow the "lock and key" mechanism of reproduction, where the male genitalia, the key, is uniquely shaped and only the male and female genitalia of the same species will fit each other.

These complex structures, made out of the same tough material as their exoskeleton, mean that successful mating can only occur between leafhoppers of the same species, preventing hybridization.

Dr. Alvin Helden of Anglia Ruskin University carrying out fieldwork at Kibale National Park in Uganda. Credit: Anglia Ruskin University

Dr. Alvin Helden of Anglia Ruskin University carrying out fieldwork at Kibale National Park in Uganda. Credit: Anglia Ruskin University

Dr. Helden, an entomologist and a member of the Ecology, Evolution and Environment Research Center at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), said, "Leafhoppers are beautiful, endearing creatures. Although some can be pests, and are associated with crops such as maize and rice, overall leafhoppers are a really undervalued group of herbivores.

"They are an important source of food for birds and other insects, and their presence is a sign of a healthy ecosystem.

"Finding these new species has taken a lot of painstaking fieldwork in the rainforest, dealing with heat and humidity, but it is incredibly satisfying to find species previously unknown to scienceit makes all the hard work worthwhile.

"I've named six of the leafhoppers, in Greek, after their distinctive features or where they were found. One, Batracomorphus ruthae, carries a very personal meaning. It honors my mother, Ruth, who I lost in 2022.

"Ruth was a scientist who worked in a hospital laboratory. She bought me my first microscope, which I still have, and encouraged my love of science from the very beginning, so naming a species after her feels like the most fitting tribute I could give."

More information: Leafhoppers of the genus Batracomorphus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Iassinae) of Kibale National Park, Uganda, with descriptions of seven new species. Zootaxa (2025). Journal information: Zootaxa
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Glass openwork vessel excavated at Cologne dating to around 350400 CE with an image of an inscription on the right. Inscription: BIBE MVLTIS ANNIS (Drink [may you live] for many years!). Credit: State Collection of Antiquities and Glyptothek, Munich. Photos by Christa Koppermann

In the hushed light of a museum gallery, Hallie Meredith discovered something intriguing about ancient Roman glasswork hiding in plain sight.

It was February 2023, and the Washington State University art history professor and glassblower was examining a private collection of Roman glass cage cups at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. These delicate works of luxury were carved from a single block of glass between 300 and 500 CE and have been studied for centuries for their beauty. Meredith's revelation was not the result of advanced imaging or new technology but rather a simple act of curiosity: turning one of the vessels around.

On the reverse side of the late-Roman object, she found abstract openwork symbolssuch as, diamonds, leaves, or crossescarved alongside an inscription wishing its owner a long life. Previously dismissed as decorative, Meredith's research suggests these motifs are instead makers' marks: the signatures of workshops and artisans who carved the empire's most intricate glass.

"Because I am trained as a maker, I kept wanting to flip things over," said Meredith, who began glassblowing as an undergraduate in college and has continued to practice ever since. "When that happens, patterns appear that everyone else has literally photographed out of the frame."

That moment in the museum soon grew into a larger investigation of how Roman artisans worked. In two recent papersone published in April in the Journal of Glass Studies and another in October in World ArchaeologyMeredith traced the same symbols across other carved vessels, linking them to a visual language shared by glassworkers from the fourth to sixth centuries CE.

Roman glass openwork vessel with a detail of its symbol on the right. Inscription: BIBE V[I]VAS I[..]A (Drink may you live I[..]a!). Credit: Corning Museum of Glass

By studying tool marks, inscriptions, and unfinished fragments, she showed that these objects were not made by solitary masters but by coordinated teams of engravers, polishers, and apprentices. What began with a simple turn of the wrist revealed a hidden network of makers whose signatures, overlooked for centuries, are now coming into view.

For more than 250 years, scholars have debated how Roman glass openwork vessels were madewhether they were carved by hand, cast, or blown. Few looked beyond the inscriptions. Meredith's findings suggest that understanding these vessels requires more than identifying their techniques; it means recognizing the people behind them.

Each cup, known as a diatretum, began as a thick-walled blank, painstakingly carved into two concentric layers linked by delicate glass bridges. The resulta lattice that seems impossibly lightwas a feat of both design and endurance. Meredith's research suggests that the work required multiple specialists collaborating over weeks, months, or even years. The abstract marks, she believes, identified collective workshops, much like a modern studio logo.

"They weren't personal autographs," she said. "They were the ancient equivalent of a brand."

She explores this broader world of Roman artisans in her forthcoming monograph, The Roman Craftworkers of Late Antiquity: A Social History of Glass Production and Related Industries, currently in production with Cambridge University Press and expected for release in 2026 or 2027.

Glass openwork vessel from 300350 CE with inscription and symbol. Inscription:  CC WC  (Drink, may you live well always!). Credit: Hallie Meredith

Meredith's background as a glassblower gives her research a practical edge. She knows the feel of molten glass and the discipline it takes to shape itexperience that now guides her approach to ancient craftsmanship. At WSU, she teaches Experiencing Ancient Making, a course where students 3D print versions of ancient artworks, try their hand at making, and use an app she designed to virtually take apart artifacts.

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"The goal isn't perfect replication," she said. "It's empathy. Ancient craftworkers can be understood differently when their production processes are experienced."

That empathy drives her larger mission to restore visibility to the anonymous artisans who shaped the ancient world. "There's been a static picture of people who do the work," Meredith said. "We presume we understand them because we focus on elites. But when the evidence is assembled, far more is known about these craftworkers than previously thought."

Her next project bridges art history and data science. Working with WSU computer science students, Meredith is building a searchable database to track non-standard writingmisspellings, mixed alphabets, and coded inscriptionsacross thousands of portable objects. What earlier scholars dismissed as gibberish may, she believes, be evidence of multilingual makers adapting scripts for new audiences.

Meredith's research ultimately challenges scholars to view ancient artifacts from a new perspective. When light glances off a diatretum's lattice, the glass reveals more than a marvel of engineeringit reflects the hands, skill, and imagination of the people who made it.

More information: Hallie G. Meredith, An approach to craft and craftworkers in process: re-examining late 3rd-6th century CE Roman carvings, inscriptions, and engraved symbols, World Archaeology (2025). DOI: 10.1080/00438243.2025.2570270 Hallie G. Meredith, Looking forand Finding?Workshop Makers' Marks on Late Roman Diatreta, Journal of Glass Studies (2025). DOI: 10.3998/jgs.6943
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When political parties consider potential Indigenous candidates, they often worry about voter backlash.

It's a concern rooted in Australia's troubling history of racism and the ongoing discrimination Indigenous people face in everyday life.

But what if party selectors are wrong about voters?

Our new research reveals something surprising: when Australians evaluate potential Indigenous candidates for parliament, their Indigenous background doesn't count against them.

In fact, they rate Indigenous candidates more positively than candidates of other backgrounds.

This finding challenges long-held assumptions about voter prejudice. It also has important implications for increasing Indigenous representation in Australian parliaments.

How we tested voter attitudes

To understand how Australians really view potential Indigenous candidates, we surveyed 4,000 Australian adults across the nation.

Each respondent was randomly shown a professional photograph and biography of a person hoping to run for their preferred political party in their local electorate.

While each survey respondent saw only one candidate, we created eight variations: men and women, a white Australian, Chinese Australian, light-skinned Indigenous Australian and dark-skinned Indigenous Australian.

Apart from these differences in race, gender and skin tone, all the candidates presented identical biographies: each was a doctor, active in their communities, married with children and motivated to enter politics to give locals greater say in decisions affecting them. The biographies included brief cues reinforcing their racial backgrounds.

Respondents rated their assigned candidate on competence and warmth.

An inverted hierarchy

Based on decades of research that show racial hierarchies in public attitudes, we expected Indigenous candidates to fare worst, followed by Chinese Australian candidates, with white candidates rated most favorably.

We also anticipated darker-skinned Indigenous candidates would be rated more harshly than lighter-skinned ones, reflecting Australia's history of colorism.

We were wrong on all counts.

Dark-skinned Indigenous candidates scored highest on both competence and warmth.

By contrast, white male candidates fared worst in perceptions of competencea striking result given the disproportionately high presence of white men in Australian legislatures.

Chinese Australian candidates fell somewhere in the middle.

Against expectations

How do we explain these unexpected findings?

One possibility is what psychologists call a "positive violation of expectations".

When people encounter someone who defies negative social stereotypesin this case, an Indigenous doctor who is seeking political officethey may rate them more favorably than an equally qualified person from a group with more positive stereotypes.

What we found could reflect two very different underlying attitudes.

It might represent a genuine recognition that Indigenous candidates have overcome significant systemic barriersessentially, voters acknowledging and "rewarding" that achievement.

Or it may reflect underlying racist stereotypes: if someone has low initial expectations, an accomplished Indigenous candidate may seem exceptional rather than simply qualified.

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The importance of political ideology

There's an important moderator in our findings: political ideology matters.

The further to the right on the political spectrum the respondents were, the more their ratings of Indigenous candidates declined relative to white candidates.

Among left-leaning voters, Indigenous candidates held substantial advantages in both competence and warmth. Among right-leaning voters, these advantages diminished considerably.

This divide suggests Indigenous candidates may face different receptions depending on the political lean of an electorate.

At the same time, even among respondents who consider themselves around the center, dark-skinned Indigenous candidates were still rated most favorably.

What this means for political parties

Our findings have direct implications for party gatekeepers who try to identify potential candidates.

These people often engage in what political scientists call "strategic discrimination"avoiding minority candidates because they fear voter backlash, regardless of whether that fear is justified.

The assumption that Indigenous candidates will struggle with voters, particularly in majority-white electorates, may be keeping qualified Indigenous people out of parliament.

Our research suggests these fears are misplaced, at least for highly qualified Indigenous candidates.

The caveats

While potentially good news for Indigenous Australians thinking about a career in politics, our study focused specifically on potential candidates with high-status professional backgrounds.

We cannot assume the same positive evaluations would apply to Indigenous candidates from all walks of life.

We also studied potential candidates at the earliest stage of political ambition, rather than those who have already secured party endorsement.

And while our findings challenge assumptions about voter bias, they don't eliminate other barriers to Indigenous representation. These include systemic racism within party structures, lack of networks and resources and the personal toll of campaigning while facing discrimination.

A path forward

Ours was the first study anywhere in the world to examine how voters evaluate potential Indigenous candidates at a national level.

Extending this research to other settler democracies such as Canada, New Zealand and the United States would reveal whether our findings represent a broader patternone that could reshape how parties approach First Nations candidate recruitment globally.

What's clear from our research is that Australian political parties shouldn't assume Indigenous candidates will face voter rejection. The practical implication remains: Indigenous candidates can resonate with voters.

If we want more representative parliaments that reflect Australia's full diversity, we need to challenge assumptions about what voters will accept.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Coulson and Tracy are working to find real-world solutions that help address the monarch population, which has declined by more than 80% since 1990. Credit: Hannah Harrison/Texas A&M AgriLife

Each fall, millions of monarch butterflies fly across Texas skies on their 3,000-mile journey to the mountains of central Mexico. The state's position in the center of the migratory route makes it critical to the species' success, both in the spring, when monarchs move north to reproduce, and in the fall, when they travel south to overwinter.

The migrationone of the most remarkable natural events in North Americadepends on the habitat, wind patterns and vegetation as guides for the butterflies. At the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, scientists Robert Coulson, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Entomology, and James Tracy, Ph.D., postdoctoral research associate, are studying how geography, wind and roadside habitat shape those journeys. The goal is to keep migration routes viable, supporting the recovery of monarch populations which have declined by more than 80% since 1990, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Their research, in partnership with the Texas A&M Transportation Institute and the Texas Department of Transportation, TxDOT, uses science-based mapping and modeling to reduce risks to monarchs during migration and support pollinator health across Texas.

"When you see how many butterflies don't make the migration, it gives you perspective," Tracy said. "It shows how closely our daily lives overlap with the natural world, and we are researching some small adjustments that could make a real difference."

Mapping migration risks

In 2016, Coulson and Tracy began documenting monarch activity along major Texas highways, identifying another major factor in the decline of the monarch: vehicle collisions. From 2018 to 2021, the research team drove thousands of miles each fall, stopping every 3050 miles to collect butterfly remains and record GPS coordinates.

By combining these field observations with topographic, vegetation and wind data, they created maps showing how geography influences monarch flight in addition to pinpointing where and why collisions were happening.

"It was eye-opening," Coulson said. "We learned that monarch deaths were concentrated in very specific areas where landforms and wind patterns funneled them."

Two primary flyways emerged from the data. One runs through central Texas between Wichita Falls and Del Rio, and another along the Gulf Coast. In some areas, food sources like wildflowers and roosting trees along migration routes drew the butterflies closer to roadways. Bridges, causeways and water features often concentrated their flight paths, bringing them even nearer to traffic.

Initial modeling suggested that monarch-vehicle collisions in Texas may account for a significant portion of the species' overwintering losses, underscoring the need for more refined migration data.

Monarchs are an indicator species for broader pollinator health, and their migration habits indicate larger ecosystem health. Credit: Hannah Harrison/Texas A&M AgriLife

Designing safer crossings

Building on those findings, TxDOT partnered with Texas A&M University to find practical, science-based solutions to reduce collisions. The collaboration became one of the first projects in the country to connect ecological research with transportation management.

Civil engineers Darlene Goehl and Carl Bierman at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute designed and tested "flight diverters," mesh panels installed near roadways intended to encourage butterflies to fly higher over roadways in hotspots with concentrated monarch roadkill.

The engineers at the Texas A&M-RELLIS campus developed and evaluated prototype diverters to ensure they met highway safety standards and could withstand strong winds. Coulson and Tracy evaluated the efficacy of the prototype diverters in potentially altering monarch flight height above traffic height. The team then installed roadside diverters for field evaluation at two test sites: One in West Texas along Interstate 10 near Ozona and another at the Lavaca Bay Causeway on the Texas coast.

At the West Texas site, early results showed the diverters reduced monarch deaths by about 50% during fall migration. On the coastal causeway, results were less consistent due to wind variability, providing valuable insights into future refinements. Permanent mesh barriers that can remain in place throughout the year are being considered.

"Even modest changes in how roadsides are managed can make a measurable difference," Tracy said. "That connection between science and application is what makes this work meaningful."

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Understanding habitat interactions

The research also examines how roadside vegetation influences butterfly movement. Milkweed, the only plant monarch caterpillars can eat, and native wildflowers that provide nectar are often found growing in highway ditches and medians. These plants create critical habitat but can also draw butterflies toward traffic.

By mapping milkweed and the related vegetation zones alongside migration data, Coulson's team also advised TxDOT on potential adjustments to mowing schedules and roadside vegetation management practices to improve habitat with monarch safety in mind.

"Monarchs are an indicator species for broader pollinator health," Coulson said. "The lessons we learn here are not just for butterflies, but they help bees and other insects essential for agriculture and native ecosystems."

Coulson explained how a strong monarch migration is a visible sign of a healthy ecosystem. When their numbers drop, it signals broader challenges for pollinators, which are responsible for producing about 1 out of every 3 bites of food we eat. Monarchs pollinate wildflowers and share habitat with bees, flies and beetles supporting Texas agriculture and rangeland productivity. They contribute to the reproduction of native plants that provide forage for livestock and wildlife, as well as many of the crops grown across the state.

Several monarch butterflies resting on a branch of a tree. Credit: Hannah Harrison/Texas A&M AgriLife

Applied research with statewide impact

For Coulson and Tracy, the project exemplifies how applied research can guide conservation and policy in science-backed ways that serve both people and wildlife.

"This is the epitome of what Texas A&M AgriLife does," Coulson said. "We research and create solutions with practical, usable information and share it with people who can act on it."

The team's findings have already influenced how TxDOT and other agencies approach pollinator conservation. Beyond monarchs, their surveys have documented thousands of bees and other butterflies affected by vehicle traffic. The results are helping transportation planners consider pollinator safety when designing and maintaining roadsides.

A migration worth protecting

Each fall, you can find Coulson and Tracy in the field, tracking the monarch migration through Texas, continuing to collect and analyze new data, refining their models and exploring how changing ecosystems and land use may influence future migration routes.

Monarchs connect ecosystems from Canada to Mexico, but their work shows how deeply Texas sits at the epicenter of the migration's success. The researchers hope to strengthen that connection through data-driven collaboration with state agencies and communities.

"The migration is an incredible natural event," Coulson said. "There are monarchs around the world, but this large-scale migration is unique to North America. It is something worth seeing and protecting."
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An aerial view of Hawai'i short-finned pilot whales at the surface. Credit: HIMB Marine Mammal Research Program

How much squid do short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) off the coast of Hawai'i need to consume each day to survive and are there sufficient squid to sustain the population? Knowing these basic facts is essential in the fight to protect populations.

Researchers from the U.S., Spain, Australia and Denmark reveal in the Journal of Experimental Biology that individual Hawaiian short-finned pilot whales consume between 82 and 202 squid per day, adding up to a total of 88,000 tons of squid per year for the entire population, which is, fortunately, a drop in the ocean for the local squid population.

Why daily food needs matter

How much food an animal needs to consume on a daily basis is a crucial part of the jigsaw of life, helping us to recognize when a species might be at risk if their food supply dwindles. One enigmatic group of animals are the pilot whales, which dive to depths of up to 1,700 m as they forage, mainly for squid.

"These animals have been studied in locations around the world, but relatively little is known about them in Hawaiian waters," says William Gough (University of Hawaii at Manoa, U.S.), who teamed up with colleagues to solve the riddle of just how much Hawaiian squid short-finned pilot whales consume.

A tagged short-finned pilot whale films other whales in its pod. Credit: HIMB Marine Mammal Research Program and Pacific Whale Foundation

Tagging and tracking the whales

First, the team headed out into the Pacific Ocean where they attached data-collecting tags with a detachable suction cup to eight short-finned pilot whales.

"Short-finned pilot whales are fairly small and quick, so we really have to pick our moment," recalls Gough, adding that each tag was equipped with motion sensors, a camera with a light, hydrophones to record echolocation clicks and GPS.

"Ideally, we attached the tag right behind the blowhole facing the head, so we could see any foraging at depth," says Gough.

In addition, the team hovered a drone 25 m above each whale, filming so that they could figure out the animal's size.

Retrieving the tags, which sometimes floated 50 miles in rough waters after detaching, Gough found that the whales had made 118 deep dives, going down as far as 864 m, with each whale diving approximately 39 times a day.

Calculating energy needs and squid consumption

The researchers then analyzed the whales' tail beats as the animals descend and calculated that short-finned pilot whales use 73.8 kJ/min of energy while diving and only 44.4 kJ/min when at the surface. But what would that equate to in terms of the number of squid that the whales would need to consume to survive?

Listening for the tell-tale echolocation clicks on the hydrophone recordings as the whales intercepted a squid, the team estimated that the whales consume approximately four squid per dive and that each squid provides around 560 kJ of energy when digested.

Gough then calculated that each whale must eat between 82 and 202 squid per day, totaling as many as 73,730 squid per whale per year.

A pod of Hawai'i short-finned pilot whales below the surface. Credit: HIMB Marine Mammal Research Program

The big picture: Population impact on squid

But how many squid does the whole population of short-finned pilot whales around Hawaii actually consume over a year? Based on estimates that the population is up to 8,000 individuals, the team calculated that the pilot whales together consume as many as 88,000 tons of squid each year, which is fortunately a drop in the ocean for the local squid population.

"These results show that short-finned pilot whales are in relatively good shape in Hawaii, having found an abundant and reliable source of food," says Gough, who is optimistic about the future of Hawaiian pilot whales.

More information: Daily energetic expenditure and energy consumption of short-finned pilot whales., Journal of Experimental Biology (2025). DOI: 10.1242/jeb.249821 Journal information: Journal of Experimental Biology
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Ethnic profiling remains a sensitive and complex issue within police work. In his Ph.D. research at the University of Twente, Bas Boing examined how police officers can be more effectively engaged in addressing this problem. His research shows that sustainable change is possible when officers are given space to learn, reflect, and engage in open dialog together.

Although many police employees acknowledge that ethnic profiling occurs, some do not feel personally responsible for changing or responding defensively. Others hesitate to voice criticism due to the strong team culture and fear of social exclusion. Boing identified four underlying factors that hinder change: not knowing, not being interested, not wanting to, and not daring. These not only form obstacles but also provide entry points for targeted interventions.

Virtual reality training

To overcome these barriers, Boing developed an innovative training program that combines virtual reality (VR) with peer-led group discussions. In the VR simulation, officers experience real-life situations in which they must make decisions under time pressure, decisions that can lead to different outcomes.

Afterwards, they discuss their choices in guided group sessions, where diverse perspectives are shared. This constructive and safe dialog promotes understanding, reflection, and psychological safety within teams.

The research shows that this combination of experiential learning and reflective dialog is highly effective. Even after a single session, participants demonstrate increased knowledge of legal frameworks and greater awareness of ethnic profiling. However, repetition proves essential for lasting change: officers who participated multiple times showed long-term improvements in attitude, knowledge, and self-efficacy. Moreover, repeated practice enhances psychological safety, making sensitive topics easier to discuss.

"Deep change in police culture takes time, repetition, and collaboration. Team dynamics can generate resistance, but they can just as well become the driving force for positive change," said Boing.

The training is now being widely implemented in the Netherlands, Belgium, and parts of Germany. In the Netherlands alone, more than 25,000 police officers have completed the program. In 2023, the initiative received the Europol Excellence Award in Innovation in recognition of its pioneering contribution to professional policing and public safety.
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Infographic of Tainrakuasuchus bellator. Credit: Caio Fantini, Rodrigo Temp Muller, Mauricio Garcia

A newly discovered, carnivorous lizard ostensibly represents what most casual onlookers would perhaps perceive to be a dinosaur; however, it is in fact a precursor of the modern crocodile.

Named Tainrakuasuchus bellator, partially derived from the Latin meaning for "warrior" or "fighter," this armor-plated reptile lived 240 million years ago just before the dinosaurs.

And, as a Pseudosuchia (the precursors of modern crocodiles and alligators), it was among a group of the top, most dominant predators of its time in the Triassic Period.

This particular new speciesdetailed in Journal of Systematic Palaeontologywas approximately 2.4 m long and weighed 60 kg.

It used its long neck and agile mobility to prey on victims using quick and precise movements, before gripping its prey using its slender jaw profile full of sharp, recurved teeth to hold the target, preventing them from escaping.

Tainrakuasuchus bellator. Credit: Caio Fantini

Tainrakuasuchus bellator. Credit: Caio Fantini

How Tainrakuasuchus bellator hunted and lived

"This animal was an active predator, but despite its relatively large size, it was far from the largest hunter of its time with the same ecosystem home to giants as big as seven meters long," explains lead author Dr. Rodrigo Temp Muller, who led a team of paleontologists from the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, in Brazil.

"Pseudosuchia were a diverse group of animals capable of tackling robust prey, as well as small hunters specialized in catching swift animals.

"Although its appearance superficially resembles that of a dinosaur, Tainrakuasuchus bellator does not belong to that group. One of the clearest ways for us to distinguish it from dinosaurs lies in the structure of the pelvis, where the characteristics of its hip and femur joints are very different."

Dr. Muller adds, "Tainrakuasuchus bellator's discovery represents the complexity of the ecosystem at the time, with different pseudosuchia speciesvarying in sizes and hunting strategiesoccupying specific ecological niches.

"Its discovery helps illuminate a key moment in the history of life, the period that preceded the rise of the dinosaurs."

Paleontologist Rodrigo Temp Muller with the fossil of Tainrakuasuchus bellator. Credit: Rodrigo T. Muller

Tainrakuasuchus bellator fossil. Credit: Rodrigo Temp Muller

Unearthing the ancient predator in Brazil

Dr. Muller and his team discovered its fossils during a dig in the municipality of Dona Francisca, in southern Brazil, during May 2025.

They unearthed, surrounded by rock, a partial skeleton preserving parts of the lower jaw, vertebral column, and pelvic girdle.

From this they could reveal many behaviors of the creature, as well as the fact that Tainrakuasuchus bellator had a back covered by bony plates known as osteoderms, structures that are also present in modern crocodiles.

And, although the limbs were not preserved, the expert team believe, unlike its close relatives, it moved on all four limbs.

The name they have given to the creature is "Tainrakuasuchus" combining the Guarani words tain ("tooth") and rakua ("pointed") with the Greek suchus ("crocodile"), in reference to the animal's sharp teeth.

The "bellator" part of its name comes from the Latin word for "warrior" or "fighter"which the authors state "honors the people of Rio Grande do Sul, symbolizing their strength, resilience, and fighting spirit, especially in light of the recent floods that have affected the state."

Tainrakuasuchus bellator fossil. Credit: Rodrigo Temp Muller

Rare fossil find reveals ancient connections

Dr. Muller describes Tainrakuasuchus bellator's discovery as "extremely rare." He explains it's also further evidence of the ancient connection between Brazil and Africa during the Triassic Periodwhen the world's continents were united into a single supercontinent, Pangaea.

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"Despite the diversity of pseudosuchians, they remain poorly understood, as fossils of some of their lineages are extremely rare in the fossil record," Dr. Muller says.

"The fossils we found underwent a meticulous preparation process in the laboratory, during which the surrounding rock was carefully removed.

"Once the anatomical details were revealed, we were delighted and really excited to reveal that the specimen represented a species previously unknown to science.

"What we uncovered was a species that belongs to a predator closely related to one (Mandasuchus tanyauchen) found in Tanzania.

"This connection between animals from South America and Africa can be understood in light of the Triassic Period's paleogeography.

Tainrakuasuchus bellator. Credit: Caio Fantini

"At that time, the continents were still united, which allowed the free dispersal of organisms across regions that are now separated by oceans. As a result, the faunas of Brazil and Africa shared several common elements, reflecting an intertwined evolutionary and ecological history.

"Tainrakuasuchus bellator would have lived in a region bordering a vast, arid desertthe same setting as where the first dinosaurs emerged.

"It shows that, in what is now southern Brazil, reptiles had already formed diverse communities adapted to various survival strategies. Moreover, this discovery reveals that such diversity was not an isolated phenomenon."

More information: Osteology, taxonomy and phylogenetic affinities of a new pseudosuchian archosaur from the Middle Triassic of southern Brazil, Journal of Systematic Palaeontology (2025). DOI: 10.1080/14772019.2025.2573750 Journal information: Journal of Systematic Palaeontology